#cardinal numbers 1 to 10

[udable]

Learn English Numbers 1 to Million | Cardinal Numbers | गिनती सिखिये एक से लेकर लाख तक | Udable

[wttcsms]

if you feel like falling (catch me on the way down) | ONE

ᝰ.ᐟ after getting your heart broken by professional soccer player, rin itoshi, all because he loved the game more than you, you officially swear off all men — especially athletes. your publicist doesn't get that memo, though, and you find yourself roped into a fake relationship with yoichi isagi, who isn't just a pro soccer player, but also your ex's rival. things could get messy. ( fem!reader )

pairing yoichi isagi x reader (endgame), past! rin itoshi x reader word count 2.9k chapter synopsis there are certain perks to having a relationship that operates on a "private not secret" basis. for example, you're allowed at least two weeks before the batshit crazy people online figure out that little miss it girl just got her ass dumped. chapter contains partying to cope, social drinking, diet culture, this fic is so chronically online LOL author's notes so normally, i would organize the fic's different arcs or acts by explicitly saying "act 1" or whatever. like i said, we're gonna be chronically online, so the arcs are described as different "eras" and when it's a new arc, we'll get a new era 🤭 each era has special graphics for it: what the media sees vs what's actually going on. think of the era intro as a moodboard for the chapters that'll follow <3

⋆˚࿔ CURRENT ERA: PARTY GIRL 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ from the outside, it's giving irl serena van der woodsen but even better, no one can possibly have the same 24 hours as you, someone needs to convince you to drop the skincare routine STAT, matter of fact - we just need your whole game card

— guest starred on the hottest pop culture podcast where it was basically just a glaze session for you (besides the last 10 minutes where the host started asking about rin), articles that want to help readers live your (unattainable if you're not rich!) lifestyle, and a devoted fanpage that updates your every move... every move.

on the inside, it's actually giving listening and actually relating to sad music, asking an 8 ball if you're the problem, being desperate enough to believe those tiktoks that say if you claim this sound and interact 3x he'll text you back, wondering when you should mail him back his stuff, keeping busy in the public eye so no one suspects how miserable you are right now

— even spotify clocked you and it's auto-generated, customized playlist perfectly depicts what you're going through (talk about the saddest soundtrack to your life), got desperate and consulted quora (this is how you know you're at rockbottom). not shown: your credit card statement (retail therapy works, right? right?!)

“Promise you’ll be on your best behavior?” Yukimiya peers over his sunglasses so he can give you a very pointed look. You tilt your head innocently.

“When am I ever not?” 

Yukimiya lets out a very loud, very drawn out, very exasperated sigh. When have you not been on your best behavior? Well, just last month, you got drunk, stumbled out to your garage, hopped in your custom-wrapped pink Porsche, and somehow ended up falling asleep on top of the hood. (In your defense, at least even in a drunken stupor, you weren’t stupid enough to drive.) Last week, you collected the numbers of about eight different athletes and models, sufficiently led every single one of them on, and are now actively ghosting all of them because they committed the cardinal sin of not sounding like, feeling like, or being anything like Rin. And speaking of the devil, Rin’s the reason why just last night, you ended up blocking not just him from your social media, but his whole entire team, too. You felt vindicated when you did this at 2 AM. Yeah, because that’ll sure show him! He hasn’t looked at your story once since the breakup (not that you’ve been keeping track or anything), but in case he tries to play it cool and gets one of his teammates to view it on his behalf, you’ll have put a stop to that plan. 

(Even when you’re spiraling, you’re still painfully aware of the fact that Rin’s most likely doing okay, if not still performing at his best. He is most certainly not doing something as childish as getting his teammates to relay info on you to him. Meanwhile, you are apparently a social liability for your closest friends. Spectacular.) 

“Don’t answer that.” You tell him. “I don’t want to know what my life looks like through your eyes.” It’s bad enough that every little thing you do gets documented, photographed, and then sensationalized on the Internet, but it’s one thing for strangers to commentate on your behavior when they don’t even have the full story. It’s another thing entirely when it’s your best friend criticizing your current lifestyle. 

“I’m just saying, it’s going to be a very casual lunch with my favorite people. Not a party.” Yukimiya clarifies. 

“Kenyu, you do realize that inviting me to a birthday party, and then saying ‘it’s not a party’ is kind of giving mixed signals right now.” Now it’s your turn to give him a pointed look, but just like his, there’s no true venom behind it. It’s Kenyu’s birthday celebration, anyway. You’re not about to corrupt Mr. Catholic Private School and tell him to throw a fucking rager. 

“If my team gets their way, there probably will be an actual party. If there is, you’ll be the first one I give the details to.” There’s a distant shout in the back; the photographer is done with his lunch, and he’s ready to wrap this shoot up. Kenyu examines his hair in the vanity mirror before getting out of his chair and giving you a quick hug. Your photos have already been taken, and there’s really no point for you to be on set still. 

However, Kenyu’s on set. Your only other viable option is to just go home and hide under your covers, rewatching Someone Great on Netflix and Doordashing Ben & Jerry’s. Juliette is home in France and won’t be coming back until the end of the month, and you’re not really in the mood to see any of your other friends. It’s tiring being around people who can’t separate front-cover-of-Vogue you from the real you. If you’re going to have to fake a smile, it might as well be on set rather than grabbing brunch with people who would kill to be able to leak something as headline-inducing as your breakup. 

“Pinky promise?” You look up at Yukimiya. “You promise to tell me about the party even if I’ll make a fool of myself because apparently I don’t act on my best behavior?” 

He rolls his eyes at your comment. “I didn’t mean it in a bad way, and you know that. Besides, you could never make a fool of yourself. Anything you do is declared iconic, anyway.”

Having a famous movie director as a father and a certified Hollywood starlet as a mother, life wasn’t just set at easy mode for you. You practically were given an unlimited money hack and started off with like, five times the XP compared to any other beginner. At thirteen, you told your parents that for your birthday, you wanted to become a model. Two phone calls and a private jet flight later, and you had signed with the best modeling agency in the country and had your first ever photoshoot booked. 

Fate gave you parents with connections, and you’d be a fool to not use it to your advantage. Fate also gave you the same photoshoot as another young model, and you’d be a fool to not befriend Kenyu Yukimiya immediately. Out of all the friends you’ve ever made, fate only gives you good luck twice: first with Yuki, then with Juliette. You used to think you got lucky three times — meeting Rin for the first time was like experiencing something cosmic. Now you know better. Even rich people can have shit luck, too. 

Today’s unlucky situation is the way Yukimiya’s “favorite people” all happen to be athletes. There’s not a single person here who isn’t his teammate or somehow related to Bastard Munchen, except for you. If you didn’t love Yukimiya so much, you would have hauled ass. It’s normally easy enough for you to avoid soccer players at parties because they don’t normally get invited to the same social events you do, but now you’re the odd one out. 

At least the food is good. You don’t have a photoshoot scheduled until next week, and that’s exactly why you’re comfortable with choking down half a bagel sandwich rather than socialize with the guys seated by you. Yukimiya’s real big on intimacy and the power of friendship or whatever, which is probably easier to achieve when you play a team sport versus the modeling industry, where good jobs are few and far between, and the reason why some models are so skinny is because they can’t afford to eat — literally and figuratively. If they’re not booking jobs, there’s no way they can buy groceries in this economy. 

He has everyone assembled at one long table in the massive backyard of his mansion. It’s honestly kind of Last Supper-core, but it fits him. Little Yuki’s finally old enough to have a seat at the big kid’s table. He’s sitting across from you, and you’re sandwiched between Kunigami and Hiori. Next to Yukimiya is Isagi. Out of everyone at this party, soccer player or not, Isagi is the person you want to avoid the most. So far, you think you’ve managed to skirt under his radar. If everything goes as planned, you’ll be able to leave this lunch with your belly full and not having to interact with anybody. It’s looking like you won’t even have to drink in order to get through this. 

“Hey, out of all of us at this table, who d’ya think would have the best shot at being a model?” Hiori is clearly speaking to you. The blue-haired player is looking directly at you, for God’s sake. You wonder if it’ll be mean to blatantly ignore him, but considering how this little question seems to have captured the attention of the surrounding players, it looks like pretending you’re hard of hearing is out of the question. 

Inside, you’re dying. The last thing you wanted to do was socialize, but it’d be selfish and bratty to request that Yukimiya find more time in his busy schedule to have a one-on-one celebration with you. You’re here to support your friend. You can stomach being friendly with boys who have probably seen Rin more recently than you’ve last seen him. Fuck — why are you thinking about Rin? Do not think about Rin!

You grab one of the premade mimosas from the tray in the center of the table. You down the glass in one swift gulp. On the outside, you flash Hiori a bright smile and give an airy giggle. “Why? You trying to get a foot into the industry?” 

Hiori’s cheeks turn a light shade of pink. “W-well, no. Just wanted to make conversation.” 

“No worries! I’ve been trying to keep up with whatever you guys are talking about, but even after all this time being friends with Kenyu, I still don’t really get soccer.” Your smile is still intact. You reach for another mimosa. 

“Rin didn’t teach you anything?” 

Ever since you entered the industry, you knew that you had to get comfortable with standing out. No — you needed to thrive on standing out. You needed to crave, to rely on, people’s undying attention in order to survive. In the eyes of the media, you’re the center of attention. You got what every girl your age wants. At this table, everyone’s eyes are focused on you. What you want is to be back in your room, away from their prying gazes and curious stares.

But you’re a trained professional. Your smile never slides off, never turns into a grimace. You give a casual shrug, directing your answer to the person who mentioned Rin in the first place. 

“I make it a rule to not discuss work when we’re together.” You look at Isagi, asking him with your eyes if that’s a good enough explanation for him. He holds your gaze, looking at you like he sees right through you.

You drink another mimosa. 

After loosening up because of the drinks, you find casual conversation with the Munchen players to be easy. The boys honestly never shut up, and you don’t know what they’re talking about half the time, but you’re cracking genuine smiles every so often, and by the time Yukimiya is going around and saying his thanks for everyone showing up, you are…

Not drunk, per se. You’ve built up quite the tolerance these past few weeks, and it’s hard to get wasted off of drinks that are basically three-fourths orange juice. (Seriously, was Yukimiya getting stingy with the champagne? Sober You might be able to acknowledge the fact that Yukimiya might have just been preparing for the Worst Case Scenario, which would be you hogging all the drinks to yourself. Which sort of happened. Fuck. Sometimes it sucks to be known so well.) You’re definitely tipsy, though. Maybe half a tier above tipsy? Whatever the case, you are definitely in no shape to drive. 

“Kenny,” you whine out his nickname, trying your best to pull out your puppy-dog eyes. “Please take me home.” 

“Ah, damnnit, [Name].” He runs his fingers through his dark curls. “Did you seriously get drunk off of orange juice?” 

“Champagne drunk is the best drunk. I’m pretty sure People Magazine quoted me on that like, last year, so it’s basically fact.” Yukimiya doesn’t seem overly impressed. “And I’m not drunk, but my alcohol levels right now are definitely above the legal limit. Sorry, but I don’t plan on making headlines for a DUI. Hard to spin that into something iconic.” 

This gets Yukimiya to crack a smile. “I thought you were leaning into the party girl look?” 

“Yeah, but after Justin Timberlake got caught for intoxicated driving, he made it look totally lame. He ruined it for us!” 

“I wish I could drive you back, but I have to retake some photos for this sneaker ad I’m doing, and with traffic, I’m really cutting it close already. Do you want to just come with, or hang out at my place until I get back? You should’ve said something sooner; I could’ve asked one of the guys to drop you off.”

You crinkle your nose. “No, thanks. I’m not a fan of strangers knowing where I live.” Becoming a model at such a young age thrust you into the spotlight. With media attention comes total pervs who lurk in Reddit threads and 4Chan, and stumbling upon some of the things said about you, reading the things they would do to you if they found you, all laid out in disgusting, graphic detail, left you kind of paranoid. Getting doxxed might be one of your worst fears. No Ubers. No car ride homes with strangers. “I’ll wait here. It’s been a while since I went through your things, so I’m sure there’ll be enough of your dirty secrets to uncover to keep me occupied.” 

“Did you need a ride?” 

Shitty luck, indeed. 

The teammate who decided to stay behind to help clean up (because he’s just that outstanding of a guy) is the sole reason for why you went buckwild on the mimosas. You can see why Rin was always frustrated with him.

“Nope—” You say, at the same exact time as Yukimiya nods enthusiastically. 

“Would you mind? [Name] actually lives pretty close by, so it might not be out of the way.” 

You shoot Yukimiya a scathing glare. He ignores it completely, smiling at Isagi. 

“I don’t mind. That is, if you don’t mind.” Isagi is looking at you expectantly. Yukimiya trusts him. And you trust Yukimiya. By some sort of logic, you should reasonably be able to trust Isagi. It’s clear that Kenyu wants you to carpool with him, anyway, otherwise he wouldn’t have been so happy to dump you onto him. 

“Sure. I’m ready to go whenever you are.” 

What would happen if you jumped out of a moving vehicle? 

At best, you’d get your pretty skin all scraped up, meaning your photoshoots would either have to be delayed, or you would have to endure all the clear distaste for your “unprofessionalism” in the workplace from the people who actually had to work to get to where they’re at. At worst, you end up hospitalized. Somehow, it seems easier to photoshop out a few cuts and scrapes than working with someone in a full-body cast.

As you weigh the pros and cons of jumping out of Yoichi Isagi’s vehicle — a sleek, black sedan that’s top of the line, sure, but understated luxury; it’s not flashy like the sports cars you see most athletes sporting — he smoothly reverses out of Yukimiya’s driveway. Isagi does that boyish thing where he ignores his backup camera completely and opts to rest one hand on the back of the passenger headrest, the other hand on the steering wheel. Fuck. Maybe it’s not a boyish thing. Maybe it’s manly. Isagi leans a bit into your space; not enough to bother you, but enough to where you can smell the scent of his cologne. He smells clean and fresh. Maybe it’s not cologne, but laundry detergent and fabric softener. Somehow, you find this very fitting of him. 

He glances out the window to check for traffic and eases you two onto the open road. 

He’s not playing any music, and you’re sure as hell not about to ask for the aux. You look out the window instead, watching the world pass you by through tinted glass. It makes everything around you appear darker. Somehow, you find this to be very fitting for you.

“You live around this area, yeah?” Isagi asks you, and you’re reminded that if you want to go home, you actually have to let the driver know where home is. 

“Yeah, sorry. Keep heading straight, and I’ll let you know when there’s a turn coming up.” Talking to Isagi shouldn’t feel so awkward. After all, you managed to talk (and actually enjoy talking) to all of Yukimiya’s teammates. You even got along well with Kaiser. But it just feels weird — you’ve never met him directly, but you’ve heard so much about him, that it’s hard to not see Rin’s rants every time you look at Isagi. 

So you don’t — look at Isagi, that is. You look at everything else. His car is clean. There are air fresheners in the AC vents. The floor of the passenger seat is oddly clean, like no one ever sits here. If that’s the case, you hope your heels didn’t track in any grass blades or dirt. 

“Um,” Isagi awkwardly clears his throat at a red light. “When I mentioned Rin earlier at the party…” 

“What about it?” Fuck, this is so embarrassing. Since the car is stationary, you’re in the clear, right? If you just unlock the door, you can escape on foot. Your house is now close enough that it’ll just count as today’s exercise. 

“Sorry for bringing him up. I didn’t know—”

“—didn’t know what?” You turn to face him. His jaw is surprisingly sharp, and you watch the way he swallows before he answers you. 

“I didn’t know that you two broke up.” 

No one knows that you two broke up. You’re still in the process of making sense of it all, and because you’re so messed up over it, naturally you had to confide in Yukimiya and Juliette. Neither of them would ever share that secret, though. 

So why the hell does Yoichi Isagi know?

“The light’s green.” You tell him, shifting your body in the seat, avoiding him by positioning yourself even closer to the door. 

Neither of you say anything else during the drive.

[schraubd]

Fine Art is Ridiculously Cheap/Expensive

Over the past year or so, I've developed a new passion and hobby in collecting art. I deeply resent this, since it flies in the face of one my cardinal life rules I've abided by for as long as I can remember: do not develop expensive tastes. And fine art is an expensive hobby. Or is it? Well, yes, in many ways. But in other ways, it's ludicrously cheap. Let me explain. First of all, I'm not talking about the headline-making auction prices of masterworks that involve more money than some countries' GDP. Robert Rauschenberg's "Buffalo II" silkscreen painting, for instance, auctioned for $88.1 million dollars in 2019. That is expensive under any definition. It's also functionally irrelevant to my life. Go down to the other end of the spectrum. If I want to buy a decent-sized painting from an "emerging" artist -- a term that generally encompasses artists who have gallery representation but are at an early career stage, aren't in any museums or public collections, and haven't otherwise made any major "mark" in the art world -- it generally will cost in the low four-figures. That is expensive. It is a price I have paid for things, but it immediately becomes one of if not the most expensive thing in my house that I can physically lift with my own hands. At that price, there's not a lot of room for dabbling or experimenting or dilettantism. If I buy it, it better be something that I want on my wall for at least a decade. And again, that's entry-level. What happens if you want to move up in the world? Well, here's where the "ludicrously cheap" comes into play. Because you can absolutely get a Robert Rauschenberg print -- not a reproduction, a genuine, vetted, real-deal limited editioned Rauschenberg -- in that same price range. Earlier this year, Christie's auctioned a numbered Rauschenberg lithograph (edition of 31) from 1969 titled "Gulf" for $2,142. That is not cheap. But that is a price a normal human could imagine paying for something. My wife and I are financially doing reasonably well, but we are by no means 1-percenters. We couldn't toss out two grand on a lark. But could we do it periodically, for something we really loved? Yes, absolutely. And Rauschenberg is an indisputable A-tier artist. What happens if you go the next step down? This is a woodcut by Werner Drewes, titled "Goddess of the Night": It was executed in 1961 as an edition of 10; one of those editions is in the Smithsonian's American Art Museum. Drewes himself is no small figure: he is credited with bringing the Bauhaus movement to America, and he coined the phrase "It Can't Happen Here" as the title of a 1934 portfolio of works critiquing the rise of fascist repression in his native Germany (Sinclair Lewis would use it a year later for the title of his famous book). "Goddess of the Night" recently auctioned for $924. Two other Drewes woodcuts sold together as a lot at that same auction for $826. There's just something about that particular price range that I can't wrap my head around. It is simultaneously so expensive, and so accessible. It's so expensive in the sense that it is a figure that I would need to think about, and I'm far more financially secure than the vast majority of Americans. It's so cheap in the sense that it's a figure I can feasibly pay, which feels absurd to me when we're talking about historically significant artists whose works are in major museums. via The Debate Link https://ift.tt/uEe2hBC

[astrosouldivinity]

I made a masterlist to keep track of all of my posts. Thank you for your support 🤍

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Paid Readings ✨📖

𝙽𝚘 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚐𝚒𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚣𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚢 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚔 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚍. 𝙷𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛, 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚢 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚔 𝚙𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚐𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚖𝚎 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚛 𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚝: @𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚢

Journal Prompts

1. Full Moon (Pisces) Journal Prompts

2. New Moon (Libra) Journal Prompts

3. Full Moon (Aries) Journal Prompts

4. New Moon (Scorpio) Journal Prompts

5. Full Moon (Taurus) Journal Prompts

6. New Moon (Sagittarius) Journal Prompts

Random Astrology Observations

1. Astro Observations One

2. Astro Observations Two

3. Astro Observations Three

4. Astro Observations Four

5. Astro Observations Five

6. Astro Observations Six

7. Astro Observations Seven

8. Astro Observations Eight

9. Astro Observations Nine

10. Astro Observations Ten

Astro Enemies Series

❁ Hidden Enemies

❁ Open Enemies

Venus Sign Observations

𖦹 Mutable

𖦹 Fixed

𖦹 Cardinal

Astrology / Tarot Observations

🀧🀣🀢🀤🀦

Philosophy / Me

✎ Attract

✎ Affirmations

✎ Halloween Affirmations

✎ Yin & Yang

✎ Self-Acceptance

✎ Authenticity

✎ Authenticity Pt. 2

✎ Stoicism

✎ Reflections

✎ Perspective

✎ Capitalism

✎ Capitalism Pt. 2

Manifestation

𑁍 Part One

𑁍 Part Two

Houses in Astrology

𖤓 Houses in Astrology & What They Represent

𖤓 Chiron Throughout The Houses

𖤓 Pluto in Aquarius (Throughout The Houses)

Evolved / Unevolved Zodiac Signs

⟡ Air

⟡ Earth

⟡ Fire

⟡ Water

Age of Aquarius ♒️✨

Planets / Outer Planets

Throwback (Me)

Major Asteroids

Black Sheep

Evil Eye 🧿

Evil Eye 2 🧿

Evil Eye 3 🧿

Styling

─── ⋆⋅ ☾⋅⋆ ───

Astro / Psychology Observations

✮ OCD / Anxiety Part One + Autism / ADHD

✮ OCD / Anxiety Part Two + Autism / ADHD

✮ BPD / Bipolar Disorder Part One

✮ BPD / Bipolar Disorder Part Two

My Art ~

ꨄ Beaded Rings

ꨄ Wire Wrapped Rings

Etc.

1. What The Zodiac Signs Can Teach You

2. Healing Journey (Scorpio Season)

3. Some Facts About Astrology

4. Astro Love Struggles Part 1

5. Astro Love Struggles Part 2

6. Quintiles/Biquintiles

7. Pluto in Aquarius

8. Earth Sign Coded

9. Fire Mercury Coded

10. Zodiac Hedonism

11. Psychic Abilities

12. Blocked Chakras

13. Omnist (Spirituality)

14. Zodiac Karmic Lessons

15. Healing From Wounds

16. Beauty Placements/Degrees

17. Roles of The Zodiac Part One

18. Roles of The Zodiac Part Two

─── ⋆⋅ ☾⋅⋆ ───

𝒜𝒷𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝑀𝑒 ~

♉︎ ✹ ・♊︎ ⏾ ・♋︎ ↑

INFP

Life Path Number 6

Favorite Color ~ Midnight Blue 🌌

Favorite Animal ~ Cat

Favorite Bands ~ The Internet & Tame Impala 🎶

Moon, Jupiter, & Uranus Dominant ♅ ☾ ♃

©𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝙰𝚕𝚕 𝚁𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜 𝚁𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚟𝚎𝚍.

[imsobadatnicknames2]

Been working on this for a bit: Ensam Själ. It's a set of tools and procedures for Mörk Själ, my soulslike hack of Mörk Borg.

In it you will find a 2d10-based Yes/No oracle with a chance for random events, a variety of dark fantasy-themed spark tables, and a set of specific procedures for exploration using these tools.

It takes inspiration from a lot of different solo and GM-less rules, such as Mythic GM Emulator, Conjectural Roleplaying GM Emulator, Game Master’s Apprentice, Solitary Defilement, FORGE, and my very own Pocket Delver (If you've played Pocket Delver, the last set of random tables should look pretty familiar)

As always, licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0, so feel free to poach and steal any bits and pieces you like from it.

It costs $5 USD, but there are 10 community copies available, and I will be adding a new community copy for each sale made. Also, for the next two months it will be available at a discounted price for everyone who already owns the full version of Mörk Själ.

Plus. If community copies run out and you still want a free copy because you can't or just don't feel like paying for it... you can just message me about it, and I'll be more than happy to give you a download code.

Anyway hope y'all enjoy it :)

As a little demonstration of how it works, I will copy the full example of play I included at the end of the document under the cut.

Example of Play

Here is a demonstration of solo play applying the procedures contained in this document.

After randomizing character creation, our chosen undead is Abigeal of Kingfisher Thicket, a Battlemage with a missing foot and vague memories of being betrayed by an old ally.

Abilities: Strength +2, Agility 0, Toughness -1, Presence +2

HP: 5

Inventory: Shortsword, Fur Armor, Lantern, 3 Flasks of oil.

Inventory slots: 4/13

Stamina: 9

Spells: The Fortress, Merciful Sunlight

Her main goal is to track down and punish the old ally who betrayed her, who is...

Roll on NPC spark table: 64 – Arrogant, 16 – Thief

... an arrogant thief by the name of Ciannán the Grinning.

Rolling on the Area spark table (22, 26) we find out that she begins her quest in a flooded prison. I’ve decided that the enemies for this area are: Nuisance: Sewer Rat – Normal: Ghost – Tough: Wraith – Miniboss: Amphibian Shaman – Boss: Giant Sewer Rat.

Let’s generate a room:

Roll for number of exits: 6 - three exits. Roll for cardinal directions: 2 – NE, 4 – SE, 8 – NW. I chose not to roll for exit type for the time being and assume the three of them are horizontal

Roll on room content tables: Encounter: 11 – Nothing. Loot: 8 – Weapon (Roll on weapons table to determine weapon: Femur) . Room feature: 9 – Nothing.

Standing on top of a small ledge, Abigeal looks upon the rest of the flooded room, an abandoned guard post in an ancient, now flooded prison.

Is there a light source in the room? (2d6 on Soul Oracle: 6 – Yes) Luckily, the light that filters from the cracks on the ceiling above is enough to see clearly.

Is the water shallow enough to walk across it? (2d10 on Soul Oracle: 4 – “Yes, and...”) The water is shallow enough to reach all of the doors walking, and barely deep enough to get your feet wet. Due to the Yes, and Response, Doom is increased by 1.

Abigeal ignores the femur floating in the water, instead going to check the coffer beside the old guard table.

Is there anything of value in the coffer? (2d10+1 on Soul Oracle: 12 – No, but...)

There is nothing in the coffer, but when she crouched down to check it she managed to spot something in the water under the table.

Is it a key? (2d10+1 on Soul Oracle: 8 - Yes)

Abigeal grabs the key she spotted under the table, and then finally decides to check the door to the Northeast.

Room generation:

Roll for number of exits: 2 – None, the room has no doors other than the one she came in through.

Roll on room content tables:

Encounter: 16 – 1d3 tough enemies. Loot: 11 – Nothing. Room feature: 12 – Nothing.

Upon entering the flooded guard barracks, Abigeal suddenly finds herself facing a Wraith. As she wasn’t making any particular effort to conceal herself, she’s spotted almost immediately.

Roll for Wraith HP (4d8): 21

Initiative: Test Agility DR12. 19 - Success, Abigeal acts first.

Knowing she can’t defeat the Wraith head-on, Abigeal tries to use her Merciful Sunlight spell to blind it.

Spellcasting: Test Presence DR12. 18 – Success.

Casting Merciful Sunlight and aiming the bright light directly at the wraith’s eyes, Abigeal manages to blind it for 8 combat rounds (There is no set effect for blinding, but I’ve decided the DR to avoid the wraith’s attacks has been reduced to 6)

The wraith tries to hit Abigeal, but she easily avoids its touch and counterattacks with her shortsword, just barely managing to hit its almost incorporeal form. She decides to spend one Stamina to add one damage die to her attack, hitting with 2d4 for 7 damage.

I will omit the full play-by-play narration of the encounter, but Abigeal manages to defeat the wraith after seven rounds of combat, with her HP reduced to 4 and her Stamina Reduced to 3, and earns 250 souls. She rolls her weapon’s Usage Die, but luckily it comes up 3, so her weapon isn’t damaged. However, when rolling her armor’s UD it comes up 1, so her armor receives one level of wear and its UD is reduced from d8 to d6.

After stopping to catch her breath, she recovers 2 Stamina, and decides to examine the room.

Is there any container for guards’ belongings still intact?

(2d10+1 on Soul Oracle: 3 – Yes, And...)

There is not only one, but several barrels and coffers containing the former guards’ belongings. Among them, she finds 2 bombs, a net, 20 ft of rope, and a spear. Due to the Yes, and Response, Doom is increased by 1.

Abigeal takes the spear and the two bombs and adds them to her inventory.

She then heads back to the guard post, now taking the door to the southeast.

Roll for number of exits: 3 – One exit. Roll for cardinal directions: 3 – East. Roll for exit type: 3 – Horizontal.

Roll on room content tables:

Encounter: 11 – Nothing. Loot: 16 – Random scroll. Room feature: 14 – Major obstacle.

Rolling on a spark table to determine what the obstacle is, I decided to roll Verb + Subject

31 – Increase. 16 - Adversity

Towards the center of this room, the water level is much higher respective to the floor, making it impossible to traverse to the other side walking.

Is the scroll on the side of the room Abigeal can reach on foot? (2d10+2 on Soul Oracle: 11 – Random Event)

A random event occurs. Before determining what it is, I resolve the yes/no question by looking at the result of the higher of the two dice. As it’s an even number (8), the answer is yes, the scroll is floating on the side of the room Abigeal can reach on foot.

Roll for event type: 12 – Reveal

Something is revealed to not be what it initially seemed. I decided to roll Adjective + Subject and...

21 – Ancient. 12 – Ally.

Rather serendipitous.

I decided to interpret this as... she suddenly remembers this was an important place for her and Ciannán, back in the old times before the undead curse.

Is this where he betrayed her? (2d10+2 on Soul Oracle: 21 – No, and...)

This doesn’t seem to be the case, quite the opposite, in fact. Due to the No, and Response, Doom is reduced by 1.

Is this where they met? (2d10+1 on Soul Oracle: 10 – Yes, but...)

She recognizes this as the place they met, but she can barely remember anything from that encounter other than the place itself.

I’m going to stop playing here for the time being, closing this example of play on what I think is the most interesting note so far.

[astra-ravana]

Augury: Bird Divination

Augury, also called ornithomancy, is the practice of reading birds and their behavior to divinate the past, present, and future. It is one of the oldest forms of divination, having been practiced by the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians, as well as the Celts and Native Americans alike. The reader in this case is referred to as the "augur", and reading the birds is often called "taking the auspices".

Birds are universally seen as messengers and sometimes, as psychopomps, connecting us to the other side and the divine. Augury incorporates the type of bird, the number of birds, as well as their flight patterns and behavior. One can gain powerful insight by incorporating this divination into their practice. Here's the interpretations for general types of bird, some basic movements, and more.

Bird type symbolism:

• Blue jay - Truth, communication, playful, high energy, loud

• Cardinal - Hope, joy, ancestors, loved ones, passion, warmth

• Crow - Magick, witches, transformation, power, omens, intelligence, mystery

• Dove - Peace, tranquility, love, connection, safety

• Duck - Friendship, good fortune, protection from negative energy

• Eagle - Power, leadership, freedom, manifestation, opportunity, adventure

• Falcon - Navigation, taking chances, travel, cooperation, courage, vigilance

• Goose - Love, partnership, home, protection, family

• Hawk - Spirit guides, bravery, awareness, intuition, instinct, higher perspective

• Heron - Strength, purity, longevity, knowledge, good judgment, transcendence, patience

• Hummingbird - The Fae, creativity, bliss, love, beauty, speed, rest is needed

• Kestrel - Consideration, stability, vitality, opportunities

• Owl - The gods, wisdom intuition, spiritual exploration, the unknown, observation, intelligence

• Raven - Mystery, magick, the Fae, knowledge, mischief, death

• Robin - Luck, prosperity, fertility, new beginnings, good things, rewards

• Sparrow - New love, relationships, team work, productivity

• Starling - Communication, adaptability, community, fun, freedom

• Stork - Longevity, fertility, new life, prosperity, wisdom, luck

• Swan - Grace, beauty, music, poetry, creativity, loyalty, partnership

• Vulture - Renewal, perception, creativity, death, patience

• Woodpecker - Hard work, advantage attention, progress, determination

Movement

Directions:

• Towards – Reception

• Away – Depletion

Crossing your path:

• An bird crossing your paths means boundaries.

• Crossing from left to right – Minor achievement

• Crossing from right to left – Minor obstacle

Diagonal:

• A movement diagonally means transformation.

• Lower right to upper left diagonal – Weak obstacle

• Lower left to upper right diagonal – Weak achievement

• Upper right to lower left diagonal – Major obstacle

• Upper left to lower right diagonal – Major achievement

Stationary:

• Stationary means foundation.

• Stationary front – Stability

• Stationary back – Stagnation

• Stationary left – Separation

• Stationary right – Unification

Rotation:

• Clockwise – Major completion

• Counterclockwise – Minor completion

Sides:

• Left - Bad

• Right - Good

Number of Birds:

• 1 - The self, beginnings, manifestation, physical action

• 2 - Security, partnership, balance, duality

• 3 - Adventure, communication, trinity, raising consciousness, strength

• 4 - Wisdom, stability, home, protection

• 5 - Change, creativity, romance, humor and drama

• 6 - Peace, self-love, equilibrium, health

• 7 - Psychic ability, intuition, spiritual awakening, soul mates

• 8 - Transformation, finances, infinite possibility, struggle/delay

• 9 - Lessons, education, courage, pioneering energy

• 10 - Completion, higher powers, alignment, legacy

• 11 - Good luck, wishes granted, new friends, joy

• 12 - Introspection, other realms, the dead, the shadow

Finding feathers:

• Gray – A time of peace is arriving

• White – Focus on your spirituality

• Black – You are protected

• Brown – Strength and courage

• Red – Find and use your spiritual gifts

• Orange – You will be successful

• Yellow – You are on the right path

• Green – Healing is coming

• Blue – Use your voice

• Purple – Expand your psychic abilities

• Pink – Love, romance, or pregnancy

• Striped – Change will happen soon

• Spotted – Release the past

[elminx]

Note: All dates are in EST/EDT

2025 is a “9” Universal Year. [2+0+2+5=9] Nine is the number of completions and the ending of cycles. 9 is significant because all the other numbers, when added to 9, become themselves again. [1+9 = 10 = 1+0 = 1 and so forth]. This is the mystery of numerology; after 9, the cycle begins anew. Depending on where you fall in your life, you may experience 9 years as intense endings or new beginnings. They are one and the same, though we often cleave so strongly to one that we forget to recognize the other.

The yearly transits support this, as we see many major planetary transitions. This big deal of the year is the switchover of our lunar nodes in late January from the Aries-Libra axis to Pisces-Virgo and Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune all changing signs. Because all five of our outermost planets changed signs recently (Pluto in late November), these planets will hold strong aspects to one another, starting during the summer and stretching through the rest of 2025.

This puts a lot of pressure on the cusps between signs. As our personal planets (Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Mars) move across our skies, they will periodically meet these pressure points. Things will change fast all year long, and it will be our job to flow with these changes as well as we can.

Note: I've included major planetary aspects, lunar events, and planetary ingresses for the first time this year. This is meant to be a list of astrological events that are useful for magical purposes. Unusual or compelling events are bolded for emphasis. For example: our Sun, Mercury, and Venus move quickly through the signs, so their movement is not considered unusual but is always useful magically. Conversely, an eclipse or outer planet ingress are significant events that hold special significance. I only included conjuncts, oppositions, squares, and grand trines in this list. It is not a list of all astrological aspects for the year and should not be considered as such.

January

January is a “1” Universal Month. [1 (January) + 9 (2025) = 10 = 1+0 = 1]. 1 is the number of beginnings. Because January carries natural 1 energy, this is highly auspicious for setting intentions and finding a new path forward. It's worth remembering as we enter the new year that Mars is still retrograde, working its way backward through the fixed fire sign of Leo towards our cardinal water sign, Cancer. Sometimes, in order to go forward, you need to trace your steps backward to find a new path. We ARE moving forward, but it's motion in a year of endings. You might not be where you want to be, and it might be time to make peace with the path you are actually on (rather than the one you were told to walk or dreamed you would walk). It's much harder to step off a path you aren't acknowledging.

This month, we must pay attention to Mars and our lunar nodes. Retrograde Mars re-enters the sign of Cancer on 1/6, a significant trigger point for this entire Mars retrograde cycle. Our full moon at 24° Cancer on 1/13 will also be tightly conjunct to retrograde Mars. In a month concerned with putting in the work to realign, our Moon and Mars in Cancer will be emotional and uncooperative. You may need to take a few days off to simply experience your emotions over the vast changes happening around you. Cry it out if you need to.

And then, at the end of the month, our lunar nodes will switch to Pisces (North Node) and Virgo (South Node). The North Node is a compass point to where we all collectively need to work towards in the year ahead, emphasis on collectively as the North Node enters the mutable water sign of Pisces. As the last of the astrological signs, Pisces is the cosmic everything. Gone are the days of acknowledging our personal and often intense private inner lives (North Node in Aries); now we start to understand that we are - in fact - in this all together. It will only be working through it together that we'll all make it through. The North Node in Pisces reminds us to be more introspective AND empathetic of others.

Our Cancer Full Moon is a 5/6 Full Moon.

10 (Capricorn Sun) + 4 (Cancer Moon) = 14 = 1+4 =5. 5 (Capricorn Full Moon) + 1 (January 2025) = 6.

Our Aquarius New Moon is a 4/5 New Moon.

11 (Aquarius Moon) + 11 (Aquarius Sun) = 22 = 2+2 = 4. 4 (Aquarius New Moon) + 1 (January 2025) = 5.

Important January Ingresses, Retrogrades, and Transits:

1/2 - Venus enters Pisces 1/6 - retrograde Mars enters Cancer 1/8 - Mercury enters Capricorn 1/13 - Full moon 24° Cancer 1/15 - Sun in Capricorn opposed Mars in Cancer 1/18 - Venus conjunct Saturn 16° Pisces 1/19 - Sun enters Aquarius 1/21 - Sun conjunct Pluto 01° Aquarius 1/23 - Mercury in Capricorn opposed retrograde Mars in Cancer 1/27 - Mercury enters Aquarius 1/28 - Venus enters its pre-retrograde shadow 24° Pisces, the lunar nodes switch to Pisces/Virgo 1/29 - New moon 09° Aquarius, Mercury conjunct Pluto 01° Aquarius 1/30 - Uranus stations direct 23° Taurus

February

February is a “2” Universal Month [2 (February) + 9 (2025) = 11 = 1+1=2]. 2 months tend to involve choice and balance. We have taken the first steps necessary towards our new lives as the significant astrology continues to unfold (notable the switch of the lunar nodes at the end of January) - now we both find the first sense of stasis and stability in this new beginning and our face with our first choices of how to proceed further. Venus's meeting with the North Node early in the month will be an early glimpse into our new normal and Mars stations directly at the end of the month.

Our Leo Full Moon is a 7/9 Full Moon.

5 (Leo Moon) + 11 (Aquarius Sun) = 16 = 1+6 = 7. 7 (Leo full Moon) + 2 (February 2025) = 9.

Our Pisces New Moon is a 6/8 New Moon.

12 (Pisces Moon) + 12 (Pisces Sun) = 24 = 2+4 = 6. 6 (Pisces New Moon) + 2 (February 2025) = 8.

Important February Ingresses, Retrogrades, and Transits:

2/2 - Venus conjunct Neptune 27° Pisces 2/3 - Venus conjunct North Node 29° Pisces 2/4 - Venus enters Aries, Jupiter stations direct 11° Gemini 2/9 - Sun conjunct Mercury 10° Aquarius 2/11 - Sun in Aquarius square Uranus in Taurus 2/12 - Full moon 24° Leo 2/14 - Mercury enters Pisces 2/18 - Sun enters Pisces 2/23 - Mars stations direct 17° Cancer 2/25 - Mercury conjunct Saturn 20° Pisces 2/27 - New moon 09° Pisces

March

March is a “3” Universal Month [3 (March) + 9 (2025) = 12 = 1+2=3]. Depending on the situation, 3 months tend to build on what happened in the 1 and 2 months before. Something is happening now, and it's gaining momentum. There are a lot of astrological happenings in March. We've entered eclipse season with mixed eclipses: a lunar eclipse on 3/14 in Virgo and a solar eclipse on 3/29 in Aries. Although the lunar nodes have moved to Pisces-Virgo, something about the Aries-Libra story isn't over yet. The month may take on a tinge of unfinished business.

This is in line with the astrological transits as both Mercury and Venus retrograde from the cardinal fire sign of Aries back into the mutable water sign of Pisces (mimicking the lunar Nodal movement, which is always backward). We may think we are ready for something new (Aries is sign #1), but we need to go back to the drawing board and think about it more (or perhaps even dream about it more - Pisces rules the unconscious). Both retrograde Mercury and Venus will crossover the conjunction between Neptune and the North Node thrice throughout their retrograde cycle, signaling a need to Dream Big as we move through these challenging aspects. Our eclipsed Virgo Full Moon is a 9/3 Full Moon.

6 (Virgo Moon) + 12 (Pisces Sun) = 18 = 1+8 = 9. 9 (Virgo Full Moon) + 3 (March 2025) = 12 = 1+2 = 3.

Our eclipsed Aries New Moon is a 2/5 New Moon. 1 (Aries Moon) + 1 (Aries Sun) = 2. 2 (Aries new moon) + 3 (March 2025) = 5.

Important March Ingresses, Retrogrades, and Lunar Events:

3/1 - Mercury enters its pre-retrograde shadow 26° Pisces, Venus retrogrades 10° Aries 3/2 - Sun in Pisces square Jupiter in Gemini, stellium: Mercury conjunct Neptune and the North Node 28° Pisces 3/3 - Mercury enters Aries 3/11 - Mercury conjunct retrograde Venus 08° Aries 3/12 - Sun conjunct Saturn 22° Pisces 3/14 - Total Lunar Eclipse 23° Virgo 3/15 - Mercury retrogrades 09° Aries 3/17 - Sun conjunct North Node 27° Pisces 3/19 - Sun conjunct Neptune 29° Pisces 3/20 - Sun enters Aries (Spring Equinox) 3/24 - Sun conjunct retrograde Mercury 04° Aries 3/27 - Retrograde Venus enters Pisces, retrograde Venus conjunct Neptune 29° Pisces 3/29 - partial solar eclipse 09° Aries, retrograde Mercury enters Pisces 3/30 - Neptune enters Aries

April

April is a “4” Universal Month. [4 (April) + 9 (2024) = 13 = 1+3 = 4]. 4 Months are when we start to create stability and try to put down roots. As we enter the month of March, Mercury and Venus will both be moving hand and hand in conjunction back through Pisces - over the North Node and Neptune - until they form a stellium with each other, Saturn, Neptune, and the North Node in and around 4/7 when Mercury stations direct one single degree from exact conjunction to Saturn.

What happens at the beginning of April matters, and we will be held fully accountable for it. Think big, but put down roots. This follows through to 4/12 and our Libra full moon, where Venus also stations direct at 24° Pisces which is still only one degree from Saturn. And then, on 4/14, Saturn conjuncts the North Node. This is a major stellium between Venus, Saturn, and the North Node; major work must be done here around who we are and how we each individually fit into the bigger picture. We're in the wake of the eclipses here as this is the first uneclipsed lunar event, and it shows.

The month is quite Saturnian overall as Venus conjuncts Saturn exactly for the third time in her retrograde cycle on 4/24.

Our Libra full moon is an 8/3 full moon.

7 (Libra moon) + 1 (Aries Sun) = 8. 8 (Libra Full Moon) + 4 (April 2025) = 12 = 1+2 =3.

Our Taurus new moon is a 4/8 new moon.

2 (Taurus moon) + 2 (Taurus Sun) = 4. 4 (Taurus new moon) + 4 (April 2025) = 8.

Important April ingresses, retrogrades, and lunar events:

4/2 - Retrograde Venus conjunct the North Node 26° Pisces 4/7 - Mercury stations direct 26° Pisces, retrograde Venus conjunct Saturn 25° Pisces 4/12 - Full moon 23° Libra, Venus stations direct 24° Pisces 4/14 - Saturn conjunct North Node 26° Pisces 4/16 - Mercury enters Aries 4/17 - Mercury conjunct Neptune 00° Aries 4/18 - Mars enters Leo, Neptune enters 4/19 - Sun enters Taurus 4/20 - Sun in Taurus square Mars in Leo (fixed t-square) 4/23 - Sun in Taurus square Pluto in Aquarius (fixed t-square) 4/24 - Venus conjunct Saturn 25° Pisces 4/26 - Mercury exits its post-retrograde shadow 09° Aries, Mars in Leo opposed Pluto in Aquarius 4/27 - New moon 07° Taurus 4/30 - Venus enters Aries

May

May is a “5” Universal Month [5 (May) + 9 (2025) = 14 = 1+4=5]. Although 5 can be a bit of a conflict number as it disrupts the balance of the four, May looks quiet compared to the aftermath of the eclipse season or the summer months ahead. The only significant astrology here involves Saturn entering Aries on 5/24. In Aries, Saturn slows us down even more than usual as it dampens the fiery me-first energy of the sign of the ram. This isn't a time to get ahead; this is a time to buckle down and do what needs to be done right. As Saturn enters Aries, it joins up at 00° with Neptune for a conjunction of very strange bedmates. Saturn and Neptune are inherently incompatible - Saturn creates structure, and Neptune dissolves structure.

Our Scorpio Full Moon is an 8/5 Full Moon. 8 (Scorpio moon) + 2 (Taurus Sun) = 10 = 1+0 = 1. 1 (Scorpio full moon) + 4 (April 2025) =5.

Our Gemini New Moon is a 6/2 new moon.

3 (Gemini moon) + 3 (Gemini Sun) = 6. 6 (Gemini new moon) + 5 (May 2025) = 11 = 1+1 = 2.

Important May ingresses, retrogrades, and lunar events:

5/2 - Mars exits its post retrograde shadow 06° Leo, Venus conjunct Neptune 01° Aries 5/4 - Pluto retrogrades 03° Aquarius 5/10 - Mercury enters Taurus 5/12 - Full moon 22° Scorpio 5/16 - Venus exits its post-retrograde shadow 10° Aries 5/20 - Sun enters Gemini 5/22 - Venus in Aries trine Mars in Leo 5/24 - Saturn enters Aries, Mercury conjunct Uranus 27° Taurus 5/25 - Mercury enters Gemini 5/26 - New moon 06° Gemini 5/30 - Sun conjunct Mercury 09° Gemini

June

June is a “6” Universal Month [6 (June) + 9 (2025) = 15 = 1+5=6]. We're still in the respite of the year, in the in-between, but the planets are starting to set into place for the bigger story that will unfold for the rest of the year. As Jupiter enters the sign of Cancer, it forms an immediate square with Saturn and Neptune, who are both conjunct to one another at 00° Aries. Jupiter and Saturn square off exactly on 6/15, the big astrological day of the month. These two planets are in many ways incompatible with one another as one creates space (Jupiter) and the other constricts (Saturn). If you feel stuck in a vice during June, know that you are right on time. Every personal planet will square this odd conjunction with Saturn and Neptune as they pass through the beginning of Cancer and then meet up for a much more auspicious conjunction with Jupiter sometime later. Hard work before profit is the name of the game all month long.

Our Sagittarius Full Moon is a 3/9 Full Moon. 9 (Sagittarius moon) + 3 (Gemini Sun) = 12 = 1+2 = 3. 3 (Sagittarius full moon) + 6 (June 2025) = 9.

Our Cancer New Moon is an 8/5 new moon.

4 (Cancer Moon) + 4 (Cancer Sun) = 8. 8 (Cancer new moon) + 6 (June 2025) = 14 = 1+4=5.

Important June ingresses, retrogrades, and lunar events:

6/5 - Mercury in Gemini square the lunar nodes 6/6 - Venus enters Taurus 6/8 - Mercury conjunct Jupiter 29° Gemini, Mercury enters Cancer 6/9 - Jupiter enters Cancer, Venus in Taurus square retrograde Pluto in Aquarius 6/10 - Mercury in Cancer square Neptune in Aries 6/11 - Full Moon 20° Sagittarius 6/13 - Sun in Gemini square the lunar nodes 6/15 - Jupiter in Cancer square Saturn in Aries, Mars in Leo square Uranus in Taurus 6/17 - Mars enters Virgo 6/19 - Jupiter in Cancer square Neptune in Aries 6/20 - Sun enters Cancer (Summer Solstice) 6/22 - Sun in Cancer square Saturn in Aries, Sun square Neptune in Aries 6/24 - Sun conjunct Jupiter 03° Cancer 6/25 - New moon 04° Cancer 6/26 - Mercury enters Leo 6/29 - Mercury in Leo opposed retrograde Pluto in Aquarius 6/30 - Mercury enters its pre-retrograde shadow 04° Leo

July

July is a “7” Universal Month [7 (July) + 9 (2025) = 16 = 1+6=7]. The month deals mostly with outer planet movement and adjustments. Uranus enters Gemini on 7/7, where it immediately trines Pluto in Aquarius and sextiles that uncomfortable conjunction between Saturn and Neptune in Aries. From here until the end of the year, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto will hold these aspects with one another - coming closer to exactitude and moving away from each other as they take turns retrograding and moving in forward motion. When our entire outer planetary brigade changes, everything in our life changes, too. This will happen slowly, though - both Uranus and Neptune will move back into Taurus and Pisces, respectively, before they fully adjust to their new homes.

Our Capricorn full moon is a 5/3 full moon.

10 (Capricorn Moon) + 4 (Cancer Sun) = 14 = 1+4 = 5. 5 (Capricorn full moon) + 7 (July 2025) = 12 = 1+2 + 3.

Our Leo new moon is a 1/8 new moon,

5 (Leo moon) + 5 (Leo Sun) = 10 = 1+0 = 1. 1 (Leo new moon) + 7 (July 2025) = 8.

Important July ingresses, retrogrades, and lunar events:

7/4 - Venus conjunct Uranus 29° Taurus, Venus enters Gemini, Neptune retrogrades 02° Aries 7/7 - Uranus enters Gemini 7/10 - Full moon 18° Capricorn 7/13 - Saturn retrogrades 01° Aries 7/18 - Mercury retrogrades 15° Leo 7/22 - Sun enters Leo, Mars conjunct South Node 20° Virgo 7/23 - Venus in Gemini square Mars in Virgo, Venus square lunar nodes 7/24 - New moon 02° Leo 7/25 - Sun in Leo opposed retrograde Pluto in Aquarius 7/30 - Venus enters Cancer 7/31 - Sun conjunct retrograde Mercury 09° Leo

August

August is an “8” Month [8 (August) + 9 (2025) = 17 = 1+7 = 8]. Eight is the number of the ouroboros; 8 months are almost always a roller coaster of ups and downs, good and bad. Here, we start to see the effect of our outer planets sitting so close together (by degree). As both Venus and Mars change signs in August, they interact with multiples of our outer planets simultaneously. Venus in Cancer squares both Saturn and Neptune. Mars in Libra trines both Uranus and Pluto and then opposes Saturn and Neptune. There's big work going on behind the scenes (in society ruled by those heavy hitter outer planets), but it's starting to trickle into our personal lives, too. Mercury also retrogrades this month, which is a path forward if you are willing to let it be.

Our Aquarius full moon is a 1/9 full moon.

11 (Aquarius Moon) + 8 (Leo Sun) = 19 = 1+9 = 10 = 1+0 =1. 1 (Aquarius full Moon) + 8 (August 2025) = 9.

Our Virgo New Moon is a 3/2 full moon.

6 (Virgo Moon) + 6 (Virgo Sun) = 12 = 1+2 = 3. 3 (Virgo new moon) + 8 (August 2025) = 11 = 1+1 = 2.

Important August ingresses, retrogrades, and lunar events: 8/1 - Venus in Cancer square Saturn in Aries, Venus in Cancer square Neptune in Aries 8/6 - Mars enters Libra 8/8 - Mars in Libra trine Uranus in Gemini (air grand trine) 8/9 - Full moon 17° Aquarius, Mars in Libra opposed retrograde Saturn in Aries, Mars in Libra opposed retrograde Neptune in Aries 8/10 - Mars in Libra trine retrograde Pluto in Aquarius (air grand trine) 8/11 - Mercury stations direct 04° Leo 8/13 - Venus conjunct Jupiter 14° Cancer 8/22 - Sun enters Virgo 8/23 - New moon 00° Virgo 8/24 - Sun in Virgo square Uranus in Gemini 8/25 - Venus enters Leo, Mercury exists its post-retrograde shadow 15° Leo 8/27 - Venus in Leo opposed retrograde Pluto in Aquarius

September

September is a “9” Universal Month [9 (September) + 9 (2025) = 18 = 1+8 = 9]. It is a "9" month in a "9" year, which makes it highly auspicious. It is also eclipse season, with a total lunar eclipse in Pisces and a supercharged solar eclipse that is also an astrological blue moon in Virgo. This is where the work gets done with a double new moon emphasis on the sign of work, Virgo, in August AND September. Note that our personal planets will square off with Uranus in Gemini as they enter Virgo and create an airy grand trine with Uranus and Pluto as they enter Virgo. We must work to integrate the new normal into our daily lives, but the planets ARE supporting us here.

Because we are in eclipse season, our personal planets will all cross over the South Node of past-facing fate: this is the cosmic right time to give up what was in favor of what is. Be pragmatic here (one of Virgo's most valuable traits). It's worth noting the progression with which our personal planets encounter the South Node this year: first Mars on 7/22, then the Sun and Mercury on 9/10 and 9/11 in conjunction with one another, and finally Venus on 10/3. We may be holding on to emotions about the past during September, but we will likely see a big release as we move into October.

Our Eclipsed Pisces Full Moon is a 9/9 full moon.

12 (Pisces Moon) + 6 (Virgo Sun) = 18 = 1+8 = 9. 9 (Pisces Full Moon) + 9 (September 2025) = 18 = 1+8 = 9.

Our Eclipsed Virgo New Moon is a 3/3 new moon.

6 (Virgo Moon) + 6 (Virgo Sun) = 12 = 1+2 = 3. 3 (Virgo New Moon) + 9 (Septmber 2025) = 12 = 1+2 =3.

Important September ingresses, retrogrades, and lunar events:

9/1 -Retrograde Saturn enters Pisces 9/2 - Mercury enters Virgo 9/3 - Mercury in Virgo square Uranus in Gemini 9/4 - Mars in Libra square Jupiter in Cancer 9/6 - Uranus retrogrades 01° Gemini 9/7 - total lunar eclipse 15° Pisces 9/10 - Sun conjunct South Node 18° Virgo 9/11 - Mercury conjunct South Node 18° Virgo 8/13 - Sun conjunct Mercury 20° Virgo 8/17 - Mercury in Virgo opposed retrograde Saturn in Pisces 9/18 - Mercury enters Libra 9/19 - Air grand trine: Mercury in Libra trine to retrograde Uranus in Gemini and retrograde Pluto in Capricorn, Venus enters Virgo 9/20 - Venus in Virgo square retrograde Uranus in Gemini 9/21 - partial solar eclipse 29° Virgo (astrological blue moon), Sun in Virgo opposed retrograde Saturn in Pisces 9/22 - Sun enters Libra (Autumnal Equinox), Mars enters Scorpio 9/23 - Sun in Libra trine retrograde Uranus in Gemini (air grand trine) 9/24 - Mars in Scorpio square retrograde Pluto in Aquarius, Sun in Libra trine retrograde Pluto in Aquarius (air grand trine)

October

October is a “1” Universal Month [10 (October) + 9 (2025) = 19 = 1+9 =10 = 1+0 =1]. As we enter October, our outer planets have started to pull away from exactitude with one another but still are making close aspects. Jupiter and Saturn are now in a near exact trine with one another, and our Sun and Mercury, moving through Scorpio, complete the trine in the skies. This is a "1" month - our second of 2025 - and we need to pick up the pieces of what has ended and start anew. Eclipse season has brought its revelations, and now we need to sift through the rubble and see what we can salvage.

Our Aries full moon is an 8/9 full moon.

1 (Aries Moon) + 7 (Libra Sun) = 8. 8 (Aries full moon) + 1 (October 2025) = 9.

Our Libra new moon is a 5/6 new moon.

7 (Libra moon) + 7 (Libra Sun) = 14 – 1+4 = 5. 5 (Libra new moon) + 1 (October 2025) = 6.

Important October ingresses, retrogrades, and lunar events: 10/01 - Mercury in Libra square Jupiter in Cancer 10/03 - Venus conjunct South Node 16° Virgo 10/6 - Full moon 14° Aries, Mercury enters Scorpio 10/07 - Mercury in Scorpio square retrograde Pluto in Aquarius 10/11 - Venus in Virgo opposed retrograde Saturn in Pisces 10/13 - Venus enters Libra, Plutio stations direct 01° Aquarius, Venus in Libra opposed retrograde Neptune in Aries 10/14 - Air grand trine: Venus in Libra trine to retrograde Uranus in Gemini and retrograde Pluto in Aquarius 10/17 - Sun in Libra square Jupiter in Cancer 10/20- Mercury conjunct Mars 19° Scorpio 10/21 - New moon 28° Libra, Mercury enters its pre-retrograde shadow 20° Scorpio 10/22 - Sun enters Scorpio, retrograde Neptune enters Pisces 10/24 - Sun in Scorpio square Pluto in Aquarius, Mercury in Scorpio trine Jupiter in Cancer (water grand trine) 10/25 - Mercury in Scorpio trine retrograde Saturn in Pisces (water grand trine) 10/28 - Mars in Scorpio trine Jupiter in Cancer (water grand trine) 10/29 - Mercury enters Sagittarius, Mercury in Sagittarius opposed retrograde Uranus in Gemini, Mars in Cancer trine retrograde Saturn in Pisces (water grand trine)

November

November is a “2” Universal Month [11 (November) + 9 (2025) - 20 = 2+0 = 2]. This is our second "2" month of 2025, and it's a second chance to balance out and make the needed choices in our lives. As is often the case, we are being heavily guided through these changes by a Mercury retrograde, which will create a grand water trine with Jupiter and Saturn thrice but also conjunct our Sun, Venus, and Mars during its retrograde cycle. Most often, the biggest hindrances to change lie in our own minds, and this retrograde cycle may force us to rethink how we approach some of the problems in our lives. This looks to be an eye-opening month, so long as you stay open to where the retrograde will bring you.

Our Full Moon in Taurus is a 1/3 full moon.

2 (Taurus moon) + 8 (Scorpio Sun) = 10 = 1+0 = 1. 1 (Taurus Full Moon) + 2 (November 2025) = 3.

Our Scorpio new moon is a 7/9 new moon.

8 (Scorpio moon) + 8 (Scorpio Sun) = 16 = 1+6 = 7. 7 (Scorpio new moon) + 2 (November 2025) = 9.

Important November ingresses, retrogrades, and lunar events: 11/2 - Venus in Libra square Jupiter in Cancer 11/4 - Mars enters Sagittarius, Mars in Sagittarius opposed retrograde Uranus in Gemini 11/5 - Full moon 13° Taurus 11/6 - Venus enters Scorpio 11/7 - retrograde Uranus enters Taurus, Venus in Scorpio square retrograde Pluto in Aquarius 11/9 - Mercury retrogrades 06° Sagittarius 11/11 - Jupiter retrogrades 25° Cancer 11/12 - retrograde Mercury conjunct Mars 06° Sagittarius 11/17 - Water grand trine: Sun in Scorpio trine retrograde Jupiter in Cancer and retrograde Saturn in Pisces 11/18 - retrograde Mercury enters Scorpio 11/19 - retrograde Mercury in Scorpio opposed retrograde Uranus in Taurus 11/20 - New moon 28° Scorpio, Sun conjunct retrograde retrograde Mercury 28° Scorpio 11/21 - Sun enters Sagittarius, Sun in Scorpio opposed retrograde Uranus in Taurus 11/22 - water grand trine: retrograde Mercury in Scorpio trine to retrograde Jupiter in Cancer and retrograde Saturn in Pisces 11/23 - Mars in Sagittarius square the lunar nodes 11/24 - retrograde Mercury conjunct Venus 22° Scorpio 11/26 - water grand trine: Venus in Scorpio trine to retrograde Jupiter in Cancer and retrograde Saturn in Pisces 11/27 - Saturn stations direct 25° Pisces 11/29 - Mercury stations direct 20° Scorpio, Venus in Scorpio opposed retrograde Uranus in Taurus 11/30 - Venus enters Sagittarius

December

December is a “3” Universal Month [ 12 (December) + 9 (2025) = 21 = 2-1=3]. The last month of 2025 will be one of reflection and action. All of our personal planets have met up with one another and are moving together through the horoscope: Mars is a bit ahead of the pack and moving into Capricorn. In contrast, The Sun, Mercury, and Venus are closely packed together in Sagittarius for most of the month. Each of these personal planets will square the lunar nodes, returning to the lessons these early eclipses on the Pisces-Virgo axis have brought to our attention. 2025 was a year of change and endings. How have we faired? What have we learned? How can we adapt to the now and make space for good things to come in the years ahead?

Our Gemini full moon is a 3/6 full moon.

3 (Gemini moon) + 9 (Sagittarius Sun) = 12 = 1+2 = 3. 3 (Gemini full moon) plus 3 (December 2025) = 6.

Our Sagittarius new moon is a 9/3 new moon.

9 (Sagittarius moon) + 9 (Sagittarius Sun) = 18 = 1+8 = 9. 9 (Sagittarius new moon) + 3 (December 2025) = 12 = 1+2 =3.

Important December ingresses, retrogrades, and lunar events:

12/4 - Full moon 13° Gemini 12/5 - Sun in Sagittarius square the lunar nodes 12/6 - water grand trine: Mercury in Scorpio trine retrograde Jupiter in Cancer and Saturn in Pisces 12/8 - Mars in Sagittarius square Saturn in Pisces 12/10 - Neptune stations direct 29° Pisces, Mercury in Scorpio opposed retrograde Uranus in Taurus 12/11 - Mercury enters Sagittarius, Venus in Sagittarius square the lunar nodes 12/14 - Mars in Sagittarius square Neptune in Pisces 12/15 - Mars enters Capricorn 12/16 - Mercury exits its post-retrograde shadow 06° Sagittarius, Sun in Sagittarius square Saturn in Pisces 12/19 - New moon 28° Sagittarius 12/21 - Sun enters Capricorn (Winter Solstice), Mercury in Sagittarius square the lunar nodes, Venus in Sagittarius square Saturn in Pisces, 12/24 - Vensu enters Capricorn 12/30 - Mercury in Sagittarius square Saturn in Pisces

Do you like my work? You can tip me over on Kofi, purchase an astrology report, or sign up to be a monthly supporter of my work.

[hyperpotamianarch]

1 is for one G-d in the heavens and the earth.

2 is for the Tablets of Covenant. Also portions of the Torah in a Mezuzah. Also Torahs - one Written, one Oral. Also for the Cheruvim on the Arc of Covenant. Also for the minimal amount of witnesses needed for most legal things.

3 is for the Patriarchs. Also for the subtribes of Levi. Also for the children of Noaḥ. Also for the named children of Adam HaRishon. Also for Pilgrimage holidays. Also, the amount of people required for a Zimun. Also for the minimal requirement for a Beit Din.

4 is for the Matriarchs. Also cardinal directions. Also beasts Daniel saw, which represent four empires. Also glasses to drink in Pesaḥ, and glasses G-d will make all the people's of the Earth drink, and verbs of salvation used by G-d when talking to Moshe. Also portions of the Torah put in the Teffilin. Also types of plants shaken in Sukkot. Also corners a cloth needs to have to require a Tzitzit.

5 is for the books in the Torah. Also actual amount of verbs of salvation. Also fingers in a hand, which is relevant for the ratio of plagues between Egypt and Yam Suf, the Red Sea. Also for kinds of grain for Matzah and Chametz, HaMotzi and Mezonot and Challah (not the type of bread).

6 is for the orders of the Mishna. Also for the cardinal directions plus up and down. Also for the day the Torah was given.

7 is for the days G-d took to create the world. Also for Shabbat every seven days. Also for Shavu`ot after seven Shabatot. Also for years until the Shəmita. Also for Shəmitot until the Yovel. Also for the length of Pesaḥ. Also for the branches in the Menorah of Beit HaMikdash. Also for types of fruit and grain that Eretz Israel is known for. Also for the month that has 4 different holidays in it. Also for Tractates in the Orders of Nashim and Nezikin (anyone who tells you otherwise thinks that Nezikin is three Masechtot, and that Sanhedrin is two. You should still listen to them, though). Also for the candles in the Temple's Menorah. Also for Shiv‘a and for the days of celebration after a wedding. Also for the number of blessings in a wedding.

8 is for the days until a baby should be circumcised. Also for the days until a lamb can be sacrificed. Also for the days of dedicating the Mishcan. Also for the days of Sukkot and Ḥannukah. Also strings in the Tzitzit. Also books in the Prophets. Also for amounts of repeating Aleph-Beits in Tehillim 118. Also for the day of Shemini `Atzeret.

9 for the maximum amount of days Leḥem HaPanim had to stay fresh. Also months of pregnancy. Also for the day before Yom Kippur, during which Chazal say we are required to eat.

10 for G-d's commandments on Mount Sinai. Also for the Speeches of creation. Also for things created Bein HaShmashot. Also for generations between Adam and Noaḥ. Also for generations between Noaḥ and Avraham. Also for the Lost Tribes. Also for the day in the month Yom Kippur occurs at. Also for the amount of people required for a Minyan and to say "E-loheinu" in the Zimun.

11 for the stars Yosef saw in his dream. Also for books in the Cetuvim. Also for tractates in the Orders of Zera`im and Kodashim

12 for the children of Israel. Also for the tribes. Also for the small prophets. Also for the amount of judges in the Judges era (Avimelech crowned himself king, murdered his kin, is generally a jerk and shouldn't be counted. Yiftakh passes, barely, for actually saving the Israelites from the `Amonites). Also the age a girl is considered obligated to the Mitzvot. Also for tractates in the Orders of Mo`ed and Taharot. Also for the amount of Leḥem HaPanim loaves.

13 for the Qualities of Mercy. Also the age a boy is considered obligated to the Mitzvot. Also for Rambam's Principles of Faith.

14 for books in Rambam's Mishne Torah. Also for the day in the month Pesaḥ occurs at, as opposed to Ḥag HaMatzot.

15 for the first day of Ḥag HaMatzot and Sukkot, for Tu BiShvat and Tu B(e)'Av, for Purim D(e)Mukafin,

[pizzatowerhcs]

Vigilante's real name is Colt McCoy

Daniel "Colt" McCoy (born September 5, 1986) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback for 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns, winning several awards and honors as a senior in 2009 and ranking second all-time in games won by an FBS quarterback. McCoy was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft and was also a member of the San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins, New York Giants, and Arizona Cardinals, primarily being used as a backup.

McCoy was born in Hobbs, New Mexico.[4] He is the eldest of three children born to Steven Brad McCoy and Debra Kay (Woodruff) McCoy. He attended Jim Ned High School in Tuscola, Texas,[5] where he was coached in football by his father. He achieved several distinctions as a high school player, including two-time Associated Press 2A Offensive MVP and First-team All-state selection.[5] Over his career, he completed 536-of-849 passes (63.1%) for 9,344 yards[6] and 116 TDs.[5] He ranks as the all-time leading passer in Texas Division 2A high school history and is fourth overall in Texas high school history.[7] McCoy was also Jim Ned High School's punter as a junior and senior,[8] and played free safety during his sophomore year. However, after he suffered a concussion while tackling an opponent's 215-pound running back, his father decided not to let him play defense anymore. At the time Jim Ned was 8–0, but when McCoy missed the next two games due to the concussion, Jim Ned's season unraveled.[9] McCoy played in the 2003 Texas 2A State Championship against the San Augustine Wolves; Jim Ned lost 28–7.

McCoy attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he played for coach Mack Brown's Texas Longhorns football team from 2005 to 2009. Colt was a four-year starter for the Longhorns from 2006 to 2009. He won or shared the team's MVP all four years, the only player in school history to do so.[10]

2005 season

edit

As a freshman, he was given a redshirt year so he did not play during the team's 2005 national championship season.[11] He served as the quarterback for the scout team in practice against the starting defense. During this time, Matt McCoy (no relation) was officially listed as the number three quarterback behind Vince Young and Matt Nordgren.[12] When Brown chose to play Matt McCoy[13] in four separate game situations where Texas had a commanding lead, confusion arose as to which McCoy was in the game. Many sportscasters mistakenly referred to Matt McCoy as Colt McCoy, as Colt was the more widely known player.[14] The following year, with Young forgoing his senior year to enter the NFL and Nordgren graduating, the position of starting quarterback for the defending National Champion Texas Longhorns came down to a competition between redshirt freshman Colt McCoy and true freshman Jevan Snead.[15]

McCoy was named the starting quarterback after winning out a competition with Jevan Snead. The season opener saw McCoy lead the Longhorns to a 56–7 victory over North Texas, throwing for three touchdowns and rushing a yard for another, while throwing no interceptions. He was 12–19 in passing, and ran for 27 yards to help set up a touchdown. In only his second pass as a college quarterback McCoy threw a 60-yard touchdown pass. He was the first Texas freshman quarterback to start and win a season-opening game since Bobby Layne in 1944.[4] The next week, the Longhorns faced #1 Ohio State at home. McCoy went 19–32, 156 yards, one touchdown, and one interception while rushing four times for a total of eight yards. Ohio State defeated the Longhorns 24–7, ending the Longhorns 21-game winning streak.

Following wins over Rice, Iowa State, and Sam Houston State, McCoy got his first win over a ranked team, as well as his first come-from-behind victory, when he led the Longhorns over rival Oklahoma 28–10 in the Red River Shootout. McCoy threw for two touchdowns in the game.[16] The two touchdowns by McCoy gave him 12 touchdown passes for the season, tied for third with Longhorn passer James Brown in the list of most touchdowns by a Texas freshman.[17]

On October 14, 2006, McCoy threw a Texas record six touchdown passes in the win against Baylor.[18][19] The previous record of five touchdown passes had been held by James Brown (set vs. Baylor in 1994) and Chris Simms (vs. Oklahoma State in 2001). On October 25, 2006, he was 9th in the nation with a quarterback rating of 165.4.

In the 2006 Oklahoma State game McCoy threw for his 27th passing touchdown of the season, giving him sole possession of the single-season Texas record and putting him two touchdowns shy of the NCAA single season record for freshman quarterbacks (29).[20] Coincidentally, this 27th pass was also for 27 yards.

During the November 11, 2006, game against Kansas State, McCoy suffered a stinger shoulder injury[21][22][23] while rushing for a touchdown on the opening drive against Kansas State.[24] Snead came in and played the remainder of the game. The Longhorns fell behind by as much as 21 points before Snead brought them back to within 3, finally falling in an upset by the Wildcats 45–42. There was speculation that Snead might be the starter for the final regular season game, because it was unknown whether McCoy would return for the Longhorns season closer against rival Texas A&M on November 24, 2006.[25][26][27] However, McCoy was cleared to play the game against the Aggies.[28]

With 20 seconds remaining in the Lone Star Showdown versus the Aggies, McCoy was injured by a "vicious, stadium-hushing tackle"[29] as Aggie defensive end Michael Bennett connected with his helmet against McCoy's upper body after McCoy had thrown an incomplete pass.[30] Replays showed both on television and in the stadium revealed the hit might have included "helmet-to-helmet"[31] contact which is illegal in NCAA football only if done intentionally, but no flag was thrown.[32] When the replay was shown in the stadium, the Longhorn fans erupted in boos[33] before lapsing back into silence as McCoy lay on the ground writhing for ten minutes before being taken off the field on a cart.[34] Mack Brown said after the game "I didn't see it, but it sounded like 88,000 (fans) thought it was dirty".[30][33] Fellow Longhorn Selvin Young said he thought the hit was a clean "textbook" hit.[35] McCoy was taken to University Medical Center Brackenridge where he spent more than three hours undergoing an evaluation that included an X-ray, MRI, and a CAT scan.[30][36] Longhorns trainer Kenny Boyd said the injury was a severe pinched nerve in McCoy's neck.[30][36] Boyd said that McCoy was expected to make a full recovery, but no timetable was set for McCoy to return to play.[30][36] The injury to McCoy came one game-clock minute after an A&M player, #91 Kellen Heard had been ejected from the game for vicious blindside block on McCoy after he threw an interception, which was ruled excessive.[37][38][39] An X-ray, MRI exam and CT scan showed "no structural damage to McCoy's neck or shoulder".

On December 1, 2006, the Longhorns issued a statement confirming that back-up quarterback Jevan Snead had left the team and would transfer to an unspecified school.[40] This meant there would be no scholarship quarterback available to play in the Longhorns' bowl game if McCoy was not ready. On December 21, 2006, Texas announced that McCoy was cleared to start in the Alamo Bowl.[41] In the 2006 Alamo Bowl played on December 30, McCoy threw two touchdowns against Iowa to tie the NCAA freshman record of 29 touchdown passes established by Nevada's David Neill in 1998. This record has since been broken by Oklahoma's Sam Bradford in the 2007 season.[42] Also during the 2006 season, McCoy was named College Football News Big 12 Player of the Year and was named the quarterback to their "All Freshman Team".[43]

After just one season with Texas, McCoy received a lot of media attention, including appearing on some lists of the nation's top players of 2007. In June 2007, McCoy appeared on the cover of Dave Campbell's Texas Football alongside Texas A&M quarterback Stephen McGee and TCU defensive end Tommy Blake. Additionally, Rivals.com named McCoy one of the top 10 quarterbacks going into the 2007 season.[44] He also made the Athlon Sports first-team All Big 12.[45]

On June 26, 2007, Maxwell Football Club president Ron Jaworski announced that McCoy had been named to the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award. The initial list includes 64 players. The winner turned out to be Tim Tebow.[46] In their 2007 season preview magazine, CBS Sportsline.com listed McCoy as one of twelve players on the "Heisman Watch"; saying "We were touting him for the Heisman midway through his freshman season until he was injured against Kansas State. Older and stronger, McCoy has an awesome receiving corps to make a run at the hardware for real."[47] He is also one of the 35 quarterbacks placed on the 2007 Manning Award watch list.[48] Further, the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List added McCoy on August 21, 2007.[49]

McCoy led the Longhorns, who were ranked number four in the pre-season Associated Press Poll[50] and Coaches Poll,[51] to a 21–13 victory over unranked Arkansas State in the season opener. McCoy threw two touchdown passes and two interceptions.[52] He also made two quick-kick punts when the Longhorns lined up as if they were attempting to convert on fourth down. He averaged thirty yards per kick and both kicks were downed inside the opponent's twenty yard-line.[8] In the second game, McCoy led the Longhorns to a 34–13 victory over #19-ranked TCU.[53]

In the road opener, McCoy's 47 passing attempts tied a Texas single-game record. His 32 completions set a new school record, besting the 30 completed by Vince Young during the 2006 Rose Bowl and by Major Applewhite during two 1999 games.[54] The final non-conference game was against Rice, and McCoy completed 20 of his 29 passing attempts, accumulating 333 yards through the air.[55] For the first time in the season, he did not throw an interception.[56] McCoy and most of the Longhorn starting players were replaced by backups after the first drive of the second half.[55][57] True freshman quarterback John Chiles made his first college appearance in the first quarter. He came onto the field beside McCoy and then McCoy trotted out to a slot receiver position. Chiles never looked to pass; he ran up the middle for no gain. He came out of the game after that play and came back in the third quarter as McCoy's replacement. On that drive, Chiles line up in the zone-read offense and led the Longhorns 80 yards to a touchdown, carrying the ball four times for 49 yards.[58] Chiles' strong performance immediately led to media speculation as to how much playing time he will take from McCoy.[56][59]

McCoy played the worst game of his career in an upset loss to the Kansas State Wildcats. He threw for 200 yards and had four interceptions.[60][61] He also suffered a concussion during the game and left the field just prior to the end of the first half and again prior to the end of the game.[61] After that game, Sports Illustrated selected him as one of the season's 10 "Most Disappointing College Players" and noted that his nine interceptions thrown so far in 2007 were already two more than he threw in the entire 2006 season.[62] Stewart Mandel of Sports Illustrated listed several factors contributing to the Longhorns' struggles. He cited the off-field problems as evidence that no Texas player has been able to show the superior leadership skills of Vince Young. Mandel said that McCoy, still only a sophomore, had not been able to completely fill that gap and that McCoy's play had not been as good as during 2006. He also said part of the blame is to be placed on an offensive line that lost several starters and has not been able to consistently protect McCoy. Finally, he noted that the running game had been "equally inconsistent."[63] It was the worst home-field loss in Mack Brown's time with Texas. For the Wildcats, the win over Texas was the first road victory over a top–ten team in school history.[64]

McCoy and the Longhorns lost again the following week in the 2007 Red River Shootout. The game was a back-and-forth affair that was ultimately won by Oklahoma 28–21. OU's freshman quarterback, Sam Bradford, was 21–of–32 for 244 yards and three touchdowns. McCoy was 19–of–26 for 324 yards and two touchdowns. McCoy threw one interception.[65] McCoy played the game with his throwing arm bandaged from mid-forearm to biceps. He held up physically despite taking four sacks[66] and a blind-side late hit after one play had been whistled dead.[65][67][68] With the loss, Texas opened conference play 0–2 for the first time since 1956, when they were in the Southwest Conference and one year before Darrell Royal became head coach of the Longhorns.[65][69]

The Longhorns were in control of the Iowa State game almost from the very beginning and they routed the Cyclones 56–3, the worst loss for the Cyclones since 1997.[70][71] Lined up in the spread offense on the first play from scrimmage,[72] Colt McCoy scrambled away from a blitz and threw a pass to Jordan Shipley for a 58-yard touchdown.[73] The offensive line provided great protection for Colt McCoy,[71] who called most of the plays without huddling and directed the Longhorns to touchdowns on his first five series.[74] He completed 23 of 30 passes for 298 yards, 4 touchdowns, and no interceptions.[74] His most athletic play came early in the third quarter when he evaded three defenders on a play from the Cyclones' 20-yard line. He twisted around and managed to stay upright long enough to throw a pass to Nate Jones in the end zone. He capped off his performance by making his first rushing touchdown of the season.[70] However, against Baylor on October 20, Colt threw 2 interceptions and 1 touchdown, and against Nebraska the following week, McCoy completed less than 50% of his passes and threw another interception. On the day after Thanksgiving, McCoy was 17 of 32 with 1 interception, while be sacked 4 times in the 38–30 loss to Texas A&M. At the conclusion of the 2007 regular season, Mccoy had thrown for 21 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.

In the 2007 Holiday Bowl, against Arizona State, McCoy led the Longhorns to a 52–34 victory and won the offensive MVP award.[75]

2008 season

edit

On January 2, 2008, Texas running back Jamaal Charles decided to forgo his senior season with Texas in favor of the 2008 NFL draft. With Charles' departure, McCoy became the leading returning rusher for the 2008 Longhorns.[76]

McCoy rose in the record books during the first four games of the season. On August 30, 2008, McCoy passed for 222 yards and rushed for 103 yards against FAU, becoming the second player in school history to pass for 200 and rush for 100 yards in more than one game; the other being Vince Young. On September 20, McCoy surpassed the Texas All-Time record for the most passing TD's with 62 while beating Rice 52–10. The record was previously held by Major Applewhite.[77] Through the first four games of 2008, McCoy completed 80% of his passes and had a quarterback rating of 209.71.[78] Leading the 2008 Texas Longhorns football team, McCoy and the Longhorns began the season with eight straight wins, including a win over then #1 Oklahoma, #6 Oklahoma State and #11 Missouri. His performance helped the Longhorns rise at one point to the #1 ranking in the national polls,[79] although the Longhorns lost to Texas Tech and finished ranked third in the BCS standings.[80] In 2008 McCoy set school records for most career touchdown passes,[77] most touchdown passes in a season,[81] most total touchdowns by a Texas player,[82] most career wins,[83] and most career passing yards.[83] In addition to setting passing records, McCoy led the team with 561 yards rushing and eleven rushing touchdowns, establishing a reputation as a dual threat quarterback.[84]

The Longhorns opened conference play against the Colorado Buffaloes and won 38–14. McCoy threw for two touchdowns and moved past Ricky Williams into second on Texas' all-time list for touchdowns responsible for (passing, rushing, receiving). McCoy at that point had 77, while Williams had 76 with the Horns.[85] Texas continued conference play by defeating #1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners in the 2008 Texas vs. Oklahoma football game. McCoy was 28 for 35 for 277 yards and one touchdown,[86] bringing Texas to the position of the #1 in the AP poll for the first time since 1984.

On October 18, against Missouri, McCoy completed the game with 337 yards on 29-of-32 passing with two touchdowns, rushed for two more and at one point completed a school-record 17 passes in a row. His completion ratio of 79% coming into the game improved as he completed 91% of his passes in this game. His four touchdowns put him in first place for the most career touchdowns scored at Texas (82), passing Vince Young (81).[82]

UT lost to Texas Tech with one second remaining in the game. Texas fell to #4 in the BCS rankings. They climbed to #3 the following week as the Horns beat Baylor and former #3 Penn State lost. The win over Baylor was the 829th win for the Texas football program, which tied Notre Dame for 2nd in the list of college football's ten most victorious programs.[87]

McCoy led the Longhorns to a 35–7 road victory over the Kansas, ensuring their eighth consecutive season with ten or more wins per season. That is the longest active streak in the nation and it ties them with Miami (1985–92) for the second-longest streak of all time. It was Colt McCoy's 30th career win, which tied him with Vince Young for the school record.[81] McCoy completed 24 of 35 passing attempts (71%) for 255 yards and 2 touchdown passes. He was also the leading rusher for both schools, rushing for 78 yards and a touchdown.[88] McCoy's two touchdown passes put him at 31 for the season, breaking his own school record.[81]

McCoy had another strong performance against in-state rival Texas A&M in the final game of the regular season. McCoy and the Longhorns nearly equaled that record this year by producing a 49–9 victory, the second-largest margin of victory for this rivalry series.

The win was the 31st in McCoy's collegiate career, setting a new school record.[83] McCoy rushed for two touchdowns and threw for 2 more. He completed 23 of 28 attempted passes (82%) for a total of 311 yards. That yardage put him at 3,594 yards for the season—another school record.[83] He finished the 2008 regular season with a 76.7% completion percentage, breaking the mark set by Daunte Culpepper for Central Florida, and was the Longhorns' leading rusher with 576 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.[3]

On January 5, 2009, McCoy led the Longhorns to a 24–21 victory over Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. McCoy completed 41-of-59 passes for 414 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He was named the Offensive Player of the Game for his performance.[89] McCoy was named the 2008 AP Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.[90]

2009 season

edit

In his final season, McCoy led the Texas Longhorns to a perfect 12–0 regular season record, as well as a 13–12 victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers to win the Big 12 Championship in Cowboys Stadium.[91] While becoming the most victorious quarterback in NCAA history with 45 career wins, McCoy was again the focal point of the Longhorn offense that scored 550 points in 2009, ranked third in UT All-Time season scoring (behind only the 2005 and 2008 teams). McCoy led a fast-paced offense, with accurate, short passes in his repertoire. The Texas offense executed a total of 1,053 plays in 14 games played in 2009. His favorite target was wide receiver Jordan Shipley (#8), who went on to play in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals. He finished third in Heisman Trophy voting in 2009.[92]

McCoy left the 2010 BCS National Championship Game against Alabama during Texas' first offensive drive early in the first quarter with a right shoulder injury and was sidelined for the remainder of the game.[93] McCoy was replaced by true freshman quarterback Garrett Gilbert. Alabama won the game 37–21.[94] His record as a starter was 45–8.

McCoy was mentioned as a Heisman Trophy candidate in his sophomore year (2006),[115][116] and he appeared on the Athlon Sports pre-season Heisman watch at the start of the 2007 season.[115]

The talk became more widespread during his junior year, as McCoy was mentioned by several analysts and voters as a potential 2008 Heisman winner. McCoy was the unanimous front-runner in an October 20 poll of 10 Heisman voters conducted by the Rocky Mountain News.[117] Tim Tebow, quarterback of the Florida Gators, had a vote as the 2007 winner. Seven games into the season he said that McCoy would have his vote at that point in the season.[118]

In the 45–21 victory over Baylor, McCoy passed for 300 yards and five touchdowns.[119] The Associated Press story commented, "McCoy likely refueled his Heisman Trophy bid by completing 26 of 37 passes for his fourth 300-yard game this season, and eighth of his career, even without playing the final 12 minutes. The touchdowns went to four different receivers, though he did have two interceptions."[119]

On November 11 (with UT holding an 8–1 record) Heisman voter Rodney Gilmore of ESPN.com had McCoy listed third of five Heisman candidates. Gilmore said, "I love his numbers (78 percent completion percentage, 28 touchdowns, only 7 interceptions and 2,879 yards) and his gutsy second-half performance against Texas Tech. And I have not forgotten about his epic performance against Oklahoma just a few weeks ago. However, Harrell outplayed McCoy head-to-head in the showdown last week, so Harrell has a leg up on him for now, but McCoy is within striking distance."[120] That same day, the Rocky Mountain News poll listed Harrell first and McCoy second in their weekly poll of 10 Heisman voters. Harrell received 44 points and 7 first-place votes while McCoy had 34 points and 2 first-place votes.[121]

On November 25, 2008, McCoy was named one of three finalists for the Maxwell Award, which is presented to the top all-around player in the country. The other finalists were Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, the prior year's winner, and Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell. Oklahoma's Sam Bradford was not selected as a finalist. McCoy also was named a finalist for the Davey O'Brien Award, which goes to the country's top quarterback. Bradford and Harrell were the other two candidates; Tebow did not make the list for this award.[122]

After McCoy led the Longhorns to a victory over rival, unranked Texas A&M (a team he had lost to twice in the past), Sports Illustrated analyst Stewart Mandel said the quarterback took a big step towards claiming the Heisman Trophy. Mandel wrote, "From the Longhorns' opening touchdown drive, in which he accounted for 67 of Texas' 80 yards, McCoy was very much the one-man wrecking crew he's been all season long...His final numbers in just over three quarters of work Thursday night: 23-of-28 passing for 311 yards and two touchdowns and 11 rushes for 49 yards, with touchdown runs of 16 and 14 yards. For the season, McCoy now has a 77.6 completion percentage (soon to be a new NCAA record) for 3,445 yards, 32 touchdowns and seven interceptions, plus 476 yards and 13 touchdowns running"[123] Comparing McCoy to fellow Big 12 South quarterbacks Sam Bradford and Graham Harrell, Mandel said, "But here's where McCoy stands out to me. Bradford, as talented as he is, is helped by the fact he has a trio of explosive receivers and two potential 1,000-yard rushers behind him. Harrell has Michael Crabtree. Daniel has Jeremy Maclin. With all due respect to Jordan Shipley and Quan Cosby, McCoy is Texas' offense. Much like Tim Tebow last season, he's both his team's leading passer and rusher. Also like Tebow—you have to wonder sometimes how he's still standing. McCoy was sacked three times Thursday night and endured several brutal hits. Following his third-quarter touchdown run, trainers attended to his shoulder on the sideline. But he was right back in there the next series."[123] Bradford and Harrell each had one regular-season game left, against Oklahoma State and Baylor, respectively. Tebow had games remaining against Florida State and Alabama.[123]

In the final 2008 Rocky Mountain News poll before the Heisman votes were announced, McCoy moved to the top of the list, but had a very thin lead over Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow, who were in second and third place, respectively. The poll had correctly predicted the Heisman winner in 18 of the previous 21 years.[124] On December 10, McCoy, Bradford, and Tebow were selected as the three finalists for the Heisman Trophy.[3] Bradford won the trophy with 1,726 total points, and McCoy finished second with 1,604 points in the Heisman voting.[125]

In 2009, McCoy was again in strong consideration for the Heisman, even with the two previous Heisman winners coming back for their senior seasons. At the start of the season he and Tebow were considered the favorites. But McCoy's numbers were down a little from 2008, and despite leading his team to the BCS Championship game, his chances of winning disappeared during a close 13–12 Big 12 Title game in which he threw 3 interceptions, no touchdowns and nearly threw the game away at the end. Despite this, he still had an outstanding season and was again named a finalist, this time along with Tim Tebow, Mark Ingram, Jr, Toby Gerhart and Ndamukong Suh. He became only the second Longhorn, along with Ricky Williams, to be a two-time Heisman finalist.[126] He finished third behind Ingram and Gerhart.

In 2024, he was inducted into the University of Texas Sports Hall of Fame.[127]

Pre-draft

edit

In October 2008, McCoy said he would stay at Texas for his senior year instead of leaving for the 2009 NFL draft. McCoy was quoted as saying, "I'm going to play here for four years. I've been blessed to be able to play here. Not very many people get to [start] here for four years, so what an opportunity. And if the NFL is there for me, then I hope that I'll get to keep playing, because I love to play this game. Hopefully, it will work out."[128]

After a 49–9 victory over Texas A&M on November 27, 2008, McCoy said that he still intended to come back for his senior year, but that it would be "foolish" for him not to ask the NFL to evaluate his draft prospects.[129] McCoy said that if he were rated a first- or second-round draft pick, he might change his mind about staying. McCoy said, "But at the same time, I want to play four years here. Not very many people have had the opportunity to do that. That's something that's real special to me and important to me."[129]

On December 8, 2008, after the Longhorns learned they had been passed over for the national championship game, McCoy said he would return to the team for his senior year. McCoy indicated he wanted to play for a national championship. He also said, "I'm coming back because we have a solid coaching staff, and I'm coming back because I feel like I can develop the young receivers we have."[130]

McCoy injured his throwing arm in the BCS title game against Alabama with a pinched nerve. He announced he would not attend the NFL Combine and instead performed during the University of Texas pro workout day. Opinions over McCoy's potential in the NFL were mixed. Frank Cooney of USA Today noted that McCoy "fired mostly from a shotgun, has a low release point and might lack an NFL fastball." He was listed by Cooney as the 3rd best QB draft choice in 2010, behind Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen.

Prior to the draft, McCoy said he had "no expectations."[131]

McCoy was selected in the third round as the 85th overall pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 2010 NFL draft.[135] The Browns previously traded linebacker Kamerion Wimbley to the Oakland Raiders in order to acquire the pick used to select McCoy.[136] One reporter commented that McCoy was drafted later than expected because "he lacks NFL size..., has small hands and was injured in the last game of his career at Texas."[137] In response to being chosen by Cleveland, McCoy said, "I can't wait to be a Cleveland Brown and that we're going to win a lot of games. Cleveland has a little orange in their jerseys just like UT. It's a perfect fit."[138] On July 23, McCoy agreed to terms on a four-year, $5 million contract.[139]

Pointing out that Cleveland already had three quarterbacks, Browns president Mike Holmgren said McCoy would likely not play his first season with the team in order to develop him as an NFL quarterback.[140] However, due to injuries to starting quarterback Jake Delhomme and back-up Seneca Wallace, McCoy made his first career start against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6.[141] McCoy completed 23 of 33 passes for 281 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions in the Browns' loss. He also scrambled four times for 22 yards. McCoy started the following week against the New Orleans Saints and contributed to the surprising victory over the defending Super Bowl champions 30–17 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.[142] On November 7, McCoy made his third consecutive start and led the Browns to another upset victory, this time against the New England Patriots 34–14.[143] He started again on November 14 against the New York Jets; however the Browns lost in overtime with McCoy throwing for 205 yards and a touchdown.[144] McCoy injured his ankle in Week 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and missed the next three weeks before returning to start under center against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15. McCoy threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, but Cleveland lost.[145] In each of the final two games against the division rival Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, McCoy threw three interceptions as the Browns lost both games.[146][147] McCoy finished his rookie season starting 8 games, with a 2–6 record, and with six touchdowns against nine interceptions.[148]

2011

edit

McCoy in 2012

After a long-awaited pre-season after the agreements from the NFL lockout, and the release of Delhomme, McCoy became the starter for the Browns. In the home opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, McCoy completed 19 of 40 attempts for 213 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in a 27–17 loss.[149] The next two weeks, the Browns defeated the Indianapolis Colts and the Miami Dolphins with McCoy throwing combined 41 of 71 attempts, 421 yards, and three touchdowns with one interception.[150][151] Against the Tennessee Titans in Week 4, McCoy threw one touchdown and one interception in a 13–31 loss.[152] After a bye week, McCoy and the Browns lost to the Oakland Raiders 17–24; McCoy threw for 215 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.[153] After the loss to the Raiders, the Browns played the Seattle Seahawks and won 6–3 as McCoy finished with 178 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception.[154] Against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14, McCoy threw two interceptions and no touchdowns in a 3–14 loss where McCoy would also sustain a concussion.[155][156] His father raised eyebrows when he questioned whether or not McCoy's team had properly evaluated him for the concussion prior to returning to the game. McCoy stated that he did not remember anything.[157] James Harrison, the Steelers player responsible for the helmet-to-helmet hit on McCoy, was suspended for the Steelers' next game against the San Francisco 49ers.[158]

2012

edit

McCoy spent the 2012 season backing up Browns' rookie first round pick Brandon Weeden.[159] When Weeden was injured against the Denver Broncos, McCoy completed 9 of 17 pass attempts for 79 yards.[160]

San Francisco 49ers

edit

On April 1, 2013, the Browns traded McCoy and a 2013 sixth round pick to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for San Francisco's fifth and seventh round picks in the 2013 NFL Draft.[161]

Washington Redskins

edit

McCoy signed with the Washington Redskins on April 3, 2014.[162] On October 19, 2014, against the Tennessee Titans, McCoy replaced Kirk Cousins after halftime, with Washington trailing 10–6 and Cousins having caused two turnovers. On his first pass, McCoy completed a 70-yd touchdown pass to Pierre Garçon. McCoy then went on to lead the Redskins on a game-winning drive, winning the game 19–17.[163] On October 27, 2014, McCoy was named the starter over Cousins, and had his first start on the team against the Dallas Cowboys.[164][165] In his first start since 2011, McCoy completed 25 of 30 passes for 300 yards with a rushing touchdown and an interception, earning an overtime victory against the Cowboys, his favorite team growing up.[166] The team benched him for injured starting quarterback Robert Griffin III after McCoy's two victories. The team lost the next 3 games without McCoy. On November 25, it was reported that McCoy would replace the benched Griffin III in the November 30 game against the Indianapolis Colts.[167] McCoy was placed on injured reserve on December 16 due to a neck injury he suffered in a shutout loss to the St. Louis Rams.[168]

McCoy in 2015

McCoy re-signed with Washington on March 17, 2015.[169] He spent the regular season as Kirk Cousins' backup, getting into two games and going 7-for-11 for 128 yards and one touchdown for the 2015 season.[170] McCoy signed a three-year contract extension with Washington on March 9, 2016, signing a one-year extension once that ran out on July 26, 2018.[171][172]

In the 2016 and 2017 seasons, McCoy saw only four offensive snaps as the backup to Kirk Cousins, all of which occurred in the latter season.[173]

On November 18, 2018, McCoy replaced an injured Alex Smith against the Houston Texans. His first throw was an eight-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Reed.[174] He was named the starter the following week after the season-ending injury to Smith.[175] In Week 13 against the Philadelphia Eagles, McCoy left the game in the second quarter with a leg injury during a sack by Malcolm Jenkins.[176] He missed the next three games before being placed on injured reserve on December 27, 2018.[177] He completed 34 of 54 passes for 372 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions in three games played that season.[178]

Prior to Week 5 of the 2019 season, McCoy was named the starting quarterback over Case Keenum.[179] In Week 5 against the New England Patriots, McCoy threw for 122 yards and one interception in the 33–7 loss. The Patriots game was McCoy's lone appearance of the 2019 season[180]

New York Giants

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On March 26, 2020, McCoy signed with the New York Giants.[181] McCoy made his first appearance for the Giants in Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals after starter Daniel Jones left the game in the third quarter with a hamstring injury.[182] McCoy was then named the starter for the Giants’ Week 13 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks after Jones was ruled out with a hamstring injury.[183] Against the Seahawks, McCoy threw for 105 yards, a touchdown, and an interception as the Giants upset the Seahawks 17–12, giving McCoy his first win since 2014.[184] McCoy also started against his former team the Cleveland Browns in Week 15 where he threw for 221 yards in a 20–6 loss.[185]

Arizona Cardinals

edit

McCoy signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals on March 30, 2021.[186] In Week 9 with quarterback Kyler Murray ruled out, McCoy was named the starter against the San Francisco 49ers. He completed 22 out of 26 passes with one touchdown as the Cardinals won, 31–17.[187] He started in three games for the Cardinals in the 2021 season, going 2–1 and passing for three touchdowns and one interception.[188]

On March 14, 2022, McCoy signed a two-year contract extension with the Cardinals.[189] On September 7, 2022, McCoy was placed on injured reserve with a calf injury.[190] He was activated on October 15.[191] In Week 10, McCoy made the start in place of Murray. He passed for 238 yards and a touchdown in the 27–17 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.[192] After Murray suffered a torn ACL in Week 14, McCoy assumed starting quarterback duties. However, after suffering a concussion in Week 15 against the Denver Broncos, he was replaced by Trace McSorley.[193] David Blough would start the final two games of the season as McCoy was held out due to concussion symptoms.[194]

On August 28, 2023, McCoy, who was expected to be the starter opening the 2023 season, was surprisingly released by the Cardinals as part of final roster cuts before the start of the 2023 season.[195] McCoy was still recovering from elbow surgery and thus required numerous off days. He was only able to play four drives during their last preseason game and coach Jonathan Gannon cited his overall body of work and production as to why McCoy was released.[196]

He was frequently cited in the media as an option when other quarterbacks were injured, and even had a workout with the Minnesota Vikings a couple of months after being cut, but he was not signed during the 2023-24 NFL season.[197] He spent much of the season rehabbing his elbow and in early 2024 said he was still open to returning as a player in 2024, but also looking at coaching or even politics.[198]

Colt McCoy is often called "the real McCoy" in media features because of his performance on the field, his leadership, and his personality.[201] On May 29, 2006, he swam 300 yards across a lake to help save the life of Ken Herrington who was having a seizure on a small dock that extended into the privately owned lake.[4][202]

He was the roommate of his favorite receiving target at Texas, Jordan Shipley. McCoy's father was the roommate of Shipley's father at Abilene Christian University (ACU).[7] Colt's younger brother Case and Jordan's younger brother Jaxon were also roommates at the University of Texas and played the same positions as Colt and Jordan.[203][204] McCoy's grandfather, Burl McCoy, is a member of the Abilene Christian University Sports Hall of Fame for his exploits as both an athlete and as the former women's basketball coach.[205]

McCoy is a member of the Churches of Christ and attended Westover Hills Church of Christ in Austin, Texas.[206] When living in Buffalo Gap, he attended and was very involved with the Oldham Lane Church of Christ. McCoy has participated in a church youth group since 2002.[7] His work has included landscaping yards for the elderly, visiting nursing homes, helping with meals on wheels, and ministry.[7]

On January 12, 2010, McCoy became engaged to his girlfriend, Rachel Glandorf, a former middle-distance track and field athlete for Baylor University,[207] by proposing on the video scoreboard at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin.[208] Their marriage took place on July 17, 2010. They have two daughters and a son.[209]

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Cabot, Mary Kay (December 9, 2011). "Colt McCoy's father says McCoy doesn't remember anything after hit, never should've gone back in Steelers game". cleveland. Retrieved November 2, 2022.

Schefter, Adam (December 13, 2011). "Steelers' Harrison banned 1 game for McCoy hit". ESPN.com. Associated Press. Retrieved November 2, 2022.

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Rosenthal, Gregg (April 1, 2013). "Colt McCoy reportedly traded to San Francisco 49ers". National Football League. Archived from the original on April 4, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2013.

Hanzus, Dan (April 3, 2014). "Colt McCoy signs contract with Washington Redskins". NFL.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2014.

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Clarke, Liz (October 20, 2014). "Colt McCoy named starter against Dallas; Gruden won't rule out Griffin return". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.

Keim, John (October 27, 2014). "Colt McCoy to start vs. Cowboys". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.

Crabtree, Curtis (October 27, 2014). "Colt McCoy leads Washington to 20–17 overtime win over Cowboys". NBC Sports: Pro Football Talk. Archived from the original on October 28, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2014.

"RG3 benched: Football Team to start Colt McCoy vs. Indy". Yahoo! Sports. November 26, 2014. Archived from the original on November 28, 2014. Retrieved November 26, 2014.

Alper, Josh (December 16, 2014). "Colt McCoy heads to injured reserve". NBCSports.com. Archived from the original on December 24, 2014. Retrieved December 23, 2014.

Clarke, Liz (March 17, 2015). "Redskins re-sign quarterback Colt McCoy". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved April 8, 2015.

"Colt McCoy 2015 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 2, 2022.

"Colt McCoy: Washington Redskins agree with QB on 3-year deal". UPI. March 9, 2016. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.

Wesseling, Chris (July 26, 2018). "Redskins sign Colt McCoy to one-year extension". NFL.com. Archived from the original on March 29, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2020.

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Pandian, Ananth (November 18, 2018). "Colt McCoy steps in for Alex Smith, throws TD pass to Jordan Reed". Redskins Wire. Archived from the original on November 19, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2018.

Loverro, Thom (November 20, 2018). "Colt McCoy, Gruden's guy, gets his shot". AP NEWS. Archived from the original on January 24, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.

Copeland, Kareem (December 4, 2018). "Colt McCoy lost for the season after suffering a broken leg in loss to Eagles". Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 4, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.

"Redskins Sign Marcus Smith And Alex Carter, Place Colt McCoy And Jordan Reed On Injured Reserve". Redskins.com. December 27, 2018. Archived from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved June 26, 2019.

"Colt McCoy 2018 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 22, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.

Patra, Kevin (October 4, 2019). "Redskins to start veteran QB Colt McCoy vs. Patriots". NFL.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.

"Brady carries unbeaten Patriots past winless Redskins 33–7". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 6, 2019. Archived from the original on October 7, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2019.

Salomone, Dan (March 19, 2020). "Reports: Giants agree to terms with QB Colt McCoy". Giants.com. Archived from the original on March 20, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.

Walker, Patrik (November 29, 2020). "Giants' Daniel Jones leaves matchup with Bengals due to apparent leg injury, Colt McCoy enters game". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020.

Walker, Patrik (December 6, 2020). "Giants' Daniel Jones sidelined for Week 13 vs. Seahawks with injury, Colt McCoy named starter, per report". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on December 6, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.

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Urban, Darren (March 30, 2021). "Cardinals Get Veteran Quarterback After Signing Colt McCoy". AZCardinals.com. Archived from the original on March 31, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.

Urban, Darren (November 7, 2021). "Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins Won't Play Against 49ers". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved November 2, 2022.

"Colt McCoy 2021 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 2, 2022.

Urban, Darren (March 14, 2022). "Colt McCoy Returning To Cardinals As Kyler Murray Backup". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved November 2, 2022.

Urban, Darren (September 7, 2022). "Colt McCoy Placed On IR; Cardinals Promote Trace McSorley". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved November 2, 2022.

Urban, Darren (October 15, 2022). "Cardinals To Use Corey Clement; Activate Colt McCoy, Cut Devon Kennard". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved November 2, 2022.

"Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams – November 13th, 2022". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 15, 2022.

"Cardinals' Colt McCoy: Hoping for Week 17 return". CBSSports.com. December 26, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2023.

"Cardinals' Colt McCoy: Ruled out for Week 18". CBSSports.com. January 4, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.

Alper, Josh (August 28, 2023). "Cardinals release Colt McCoy". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 28, 2023.

Druin, Donnie (August 28, 2023). "Cardinals Reveal Why They Cut Colt McCoy". Retrieved May 2, 2024.

Florio, Mike (October 29, 2023). "Vikings could bring in Colt McCoy". NBC Sports. Retrieved February 20, 2025.

"Colt McCoy elaborates on NFL future, potential venture into coaching, politics moving forward". January 25, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.

"Texas star, NFL QB Colt McCoy retires from football, gets TV job". ESPN.com. August 19, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.

"COLT MCCOY TO JOIN NBC SPORTS' BIG TEN FOOTBALL COVERAGE". NBCSports.com. August 19, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.

Stuebbe, Kevin Quinn (August 25, 2002). "The Real McCoys". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 21, 2008. Retrieved February 28, 2006.

Davis, Brian (June 6, 2008). "UT QB McCoy helps seizure victim". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on September 23, 2008. Retrieved October 4, 2008.

Hamilton, Gerry (July 21, 2007). "A Closer Look: Case McCoy". Rivals.com. Archived from the original on March 19, 2008. Retrieved October 4, 2008.

Cantù, Rick (February 9, 2009). "Texas bags another McCoy". Statesman.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2009. Retrieved March 21, 2009.

"Chance McCoy – Bio". acusports.com. Abilene Christian University. September 26, 2007. Archived from the original on June 18, 2009. Retrieved October 4, 2008.

"McCoy Is No. 2 in Heisman Vote" ("McCoy is No. 2 in Heisman vote". Christian Chronicle. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2009. retrieved December 31, 2008), Christian Chronicle: An International Newspaper for Churches of Christ, January 2009 (Vol. 66 No. 1), p. 1.

"Rachel Glandorf Profile". BaylorBears.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2012. Retrieved July 14, 2012.

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Estes, Taylor (July 11, 2018). "Longhorn Links (July 11): Another McCoy available in the future?". Horns247. Archived from the original on September 10, 2018. Retrieved April 6, 2019.

[aglennco]

Constellations from our group's game of The Prophet's Path for our campaign, Post Solar. Transcriptions of the text plus the image of the star map are under the cut:

Prelapsarian: A Prelapsarian will believe themself capable of anything, enabling them to look past antiquated perspectives to usher in new ideas, but they must take care not to reach for the sun. When working alone they often find themselves in over their head.

Compatible: Commitment Avoid: Redeemed Lucky Numbers: 2, 22, 36, 48, 52 Notable figures: Stele of the Compassion, Jack of Guts, Eschaton Elegy

Embrace: Embrace wants nothing more than to keep the world safe in its arms. They make noble leaders who will devote themselves to building a more just world, sometimes at the cost of their own happiness. A too tight Embrace is painful for everyone involved.

Compatible: Harlequin Avoid: Prelapsarian Lucky Numbers: 4, 8, 10, 12, 44 Notable Figures: Mercadier de Nulle, Mortis of the Blood, Anthem Rebis, Oranges-for-Breakfast

Chase: Children born in the grip of the Chase are masters of their field. They seek to endlessly improve at their chosen work, but they never forget to have a bit of fun in the process. Other Constellations may mistake gaiety for a lack of responsibility if the Chase mixes work and play.

Compatible: Prelapsarian Avoid: Succession Lucky Numbers: 6, 22, 33, 44, 66 Notable Figures: Juni of the Compassion, Abacus the Weasel, Dr. Temple Shrine, The Prophet's Sister

Flight: Flight cannot abide standing still for too long. There is always something to do and somewhere to be. They may be quick to flee but they are always the first to discover something new. If they forget to rest, it is easy for them to overlook what they love.

Compatible: Chase Avoid: Prelapsarian Lucky Numbers: 8, 9, 14, 55, 69 Notable Figures: Conifer of the Miracle, Captain Ache, Wing and a Prayer

Harlequin: The Harlequin has a pronounced sense of duty that allows them to patiently pursue their goals. While they are often a gregarious Constellation, they are not good communicators. They must learn to choose their words carefully to avoid misunderstandings.

Compatible: Embrace Avoid: Chase Lucky Numbers: 1, 3, 4, 16, 18 Notable Figures: Hart, The Miracle, Cardinal Meridian

Succession: Change follows Succession wherever they go. They don’t seek revolution, but they won’t follow old rules for tradition’s sake. Following their own path might hurt those they love most if they do not take care to explain themselves.

Compatible: Triskelion Avoid: Burr Lucky Numbers: 24, 30, 40, 48, 60 Notable Figures: Jori, Captain Montmercy, Mourning, Glory

Redeemed: Redeemed knows its time will always come, if they can weather their opposition. They know what the world needs before the world itself realizes it. If they restrain themselves from carrying grudges they will eventually find themselves with like minded companions.

Compatible: Loss Avoid: Triskelion Lucky Numbers: 4, 9, 13, 17, 39 Notable Figures: Juri of the Compassion, Syllophane

Triskelion: The Triskelion is known for its wicked heart, but it is not doomed to tyranny. The Triskelion is three hearts made one: the traitor, the lover, and the lost. If they can find balance between their natures, their heart will allow them to achieve many noble deeds in the face of disbelief.

Compatible: Flight Avoid: Serpent Lucky Numbers: 3, 4, 21, 30, 52 Notable Figures: Jaci of the Compassion, Old Bones

Commitment: Those born under Commitment devote themselves to their beliefs. They are unshakable and loyal, but struggle to respect those who do not share their outlook. They must take care not to commit themselves to that which would never let them free.

Compatible: Serpent Avoid: Embrace Lucky Numbers: 5, 23, 34, 41, 53 Notable Figures: The Lost Angel, Solstice Sixtine, Joli of the Compassion

Serpent: The most mutable of the Constellations, the playful Serpents desire companionship and warmth. They trust those in their embrace to always have their best interests at heart. When that trust is broken, they repay the deepest wounds with the sharpest bite.

Compatible: Serpent Avoid: Loss Lucky Numbers: 2, 8, 15, 38, 65 Notable Figures: Hercif of the Miracle, Hercun of the Miracle, Estell Manor

Loss: Those born under the sign of Loss start the world with nothing, but they have everything to gain. The children of Loss will do anything to obtain more than the Constellations ever dreamed of achieving. A Loss is never a setback: it can only sharpen their desire.

Compatible: Harlequin Avoid: Loss Lucky Numbers: 0, 1, 31, 68, 70 Notable Figures: For Felinus, Valentine Egress, Lorelei, The Prophet, Kotowari

Burr: The Burr is stubborn and ambitious, seeking an indulgent life of their own making. They pursue their goals with single minded focus and must take care to pay attention to the schemes of those who might take advantage of their drive.

Compatible: Loss Avoid: Commitment Lucky Numbers: 7, 13, 19, 37, 55 Notable Figures: Iola, Sophia, Captain Hardwood, King Burr, Errol Clay Frick

[dark-falz]

What do you think about the suggestion in PSO that the Profound Darkness and the Great Light are of the same substance? It's obvious by now the Mags are channeling angels of the Great Light when you use a Photon Blast, but Mags were made using D-Cells extracted from Dark Falz. The Great Light is "good" and the Profound Darkness is "evil" simply because the Great Light won their ancient battle. Whatever the ancient entity that split into the Great Light and Profound Darkness was, it was an undifferentiated creature of D-Cells

I'm so sorry in advance but you asked me to yap about what I love yapping about

TLDR; as above so below. This follows what Rico said; "there cannot be light without darkness, a pair exists-", So YES it makes complete sense to me! (numbers explanation at the end)

To elaborate; Magic/spiritualism has fascinated me since about the age of 10. I've read about many religions from wicca, buddhism, hinduism, kemeticism (where my beliefs landed) hermeticism (young me would have fallen into this), and general abrahamic (studied as an attemt to understand the Falz seal) and in this order, throughout the 20 or so years.

Hermeticism originated in hellenestic Egypt (prior known as Kemet, but known at the time as the Ptolemaic Kingdom and includes greece) and was founded by a greek/egyptian, Hermes Trismagistus. Two of the major philosophies that go into hermeticism are theurgy (uniting with the divine, which this theme continues into episode 3) and alchemy (fuck around and find out) The meddling with D-Cells with both Dr. Montague creating mags, and Dr. Osto creating bio-weapons -to me- is an example of alchemy, while Photon is an established science.

So back to as above so below and light/dark alongside Hermeticism, the translation by Issac Newton of the Emerald Tablet is as follows;

Tis true without lying, certain and most true. That which is below is like that which is above and that which is above is like that which is below to do the miracle of one only thing. And as all things have been and arose from one by the mediation of one: so all things have their birth from this one thing by adaptation. The Sun is its father, the moon its mother-

And there are so many examples of duality. Spiritually we have yin & yang, 7 sins and their virtues, scientifically we have magnets. There's a lot of spiritualism in single numbers, they vary slightly by religion but I'm just going to try to go over them as briefly as possible with some examples since really only 0 - 2 apply to your question. In spell writing, numbers 1-4 are most used because, like, 6 and 8 are considered "perfections" of 3 & 4.

0. is nothingness 1. is basically god. Beginnings. (Sun, Sunday) Root, to have. 2. duality but also repetition, the subconcious and beginning. (Moon, Monday) Sacral, to feel

3. idk what the most simple explanation of this is so here's some examples; Father, Son Holy spirit. Salt, Mercury, Sulfer (body, mind, spirit) Cardinal, fixed, mutable. Muut Ditts Poumn. (some words I have written are perfection, growth, multiplacation, production) (Mercury, Tuesday) Solar plexus, to act. 4. Order, foundation. (Fire, air, earth, water. Senses when counting smell and taste as one since they both function off the olfactory system) (Venus, Wednesday) Heart, to love. 5. Center. (Mars, Thursday) Throat, to express 6. Harmony, interaction, perfection. (Jupiter, Friday) 3rd eye, to see 7. Balance, stability. Deadly sins. Chakras. Days of the week (Saturn, Saturday) Crown, to know. 8. Rhythm, justice, infinity. 9. Man.

The third aspect of Hermeticm is astology and the signs on Falz seal still get me and I still do not have an explanation but I do still try to make sense of it. Still a WIP.

[ramblingoak]

The Cardinal's Bride, Chapter 10: Revelations

~~ Please visit The Outlaw Brides Masterpost to catch up and read more stories from this world ~~

Thank you to @tasty-ribz for the wanted poster, @ghuleh-recs for the collage and @gothdaddyissues for the divider!  For some more amazing fanart check out: @meowsaidmissy (1 / 2), @snail-shell2335  here, @vahvco here, @ghulehgwen here, @rabidghoul here, @nocterish here, @enjoy-my-swearing​ here, @blacktie-whitenoise (1 /2), @z-xmyers (1/2/3/4), @foxybouquet here, @delulluart here, _simpera_ on instagram and valkyrieinpink on twitter.  Also thank you to @kissingghouls for all her help and emotional support.

Cardinal Copia x Female Reader ~ It's time to leave the only place you've been that has felt like home. With your arrival at The Ministry looming closer and an abrupt change in Copia's behavior you feel more lost than you ever have.

Warnings: angst, swearing, vaginal fingering, nsfw 18+ only, mdni, 9,200 words

The bed was cold when you woke up.

Your arm stretched out over the spot that Copia had occupied every night while you had been at the farmhouse.  The blankets were cold enough that it was obvious he had been gone for some time.  The room wasn’t yet fully lit up from the sun so it wasn’t that late in the morning yet.  Where had he gone off too so early?  

With a sigh you rolled onto your back to stare at the ceiling.  Your memories were a little fuzzy after getting back to the house last night, something that could be blamed on the whiskey you imagined.  But you do remember Copia reassuring you after you voiced your fears over leaving the farmhouse.  They were easy words to say but they had immediately put your mind at ease.  What helped the most though were the last words he had said to you before you had fallen asleep.  Copia had promised to be here when you woke up.

So where the hell was he?

As if on cue the door to the room banged open and Copia came in.  You grinned and sat up, about to taunt him for ditching you but the look on his face made the words freeze in your throat.  It wasn’t Copia standing in front of you right now, it was The Cardinal.  The only thing missing were the black circles around his eyes and the black upper lip.  Your eyes were locked on each other for a number of seconds before Copia finally spoke up.

“You need to get dressed and meet us outside.”

“Is everything ok?”  When he didn’t reply you swung your legs over the side of the bed and stood up, walking towards him with hesitant steps.  “Copia?  Did something hap–”

“Nothing happened Principessa, which is the problem.”  He scoffed at the confused look on your face and walked over to where you had laid out the traveling clothes Ethel had given you.  “We need to leave and you’re holding us up.”

“Oh!  I’m…I’m sorry.”

“I don’t need you to be sorry, I need you to get dressed.”

What was going on with him?  He hadn’t talked to you like this since…

“Copia what’s wrong?  Why are you acting like this?  Hey!”  You jerked away when he gripped your bicep and tugged you over to the dresser.  “You don’t need to manhandle me.”

“Apparently I do in order to get you moving.”  He reached out towards you again but you slapped his hand away.  Before you could even flinch he had moved so he was directly in front of you, close enough you could feel his body heat.  “Watch it, Principessa.”

The stark change in his behavior from the last few days was jarring.  You could feel tears of frustration building in your eyes and you looked down to try to hide them from him.  Something had to have happened, there was no reason for him to be acting this way towards you. 

“Please, tell me what’s going on.”  You took a deep breath and looked up at him.  For a second the expression on his face wavered, his features softening as he met your eyes.  “What did I do?”

He opened his mouth as if to reply, his hand even reaching out towards yours, but almost as soon as the movement started it stopped.  His hand dropped and his mouth set in a grim line.  You could feel your features crumbling but you tried to stay steady.  Whatever was going on you didn’t want to upset him more by crying.  Copia turned around and walked towards the dresser, grabbing your clothes roughly before facing you once more.  

“You didn’t do anything.”  You both turned towards the door when there was a brisk knock followed by Ethel peeking in.  She smiled brightly when she saw you but it wavered when she realized you were upset.  Copia mumbled something in Italian under his breath before shoving the clothes into your arms.  “Stop crying and get dressed.”

You gripped the clothes tightly in your hands as he stalked away.  He didn’t even look at Ethel as he went by, but she sure was glaring at him.  As soon as he was out the door Ethel shut it, clicking the lock securely before turning to look at you.  You attempted to smile, to tell her good morning but seeing that kind, warm look on her face that she always gave you made your own face crumple.  

“Oh sweetheart, it’s ok!  Come here.”  

Ethel took the clothes out of your hands and tossed them onto the bed before wrapping you up in her arms.  You couldn’t help but let her take your weight as the tears that had been threatening finally began to spill out.  She started running a hand soothingly up and down your back, continuing to tell you that it was ok, that you could cry if you needed to.  It was such a sharp contrast to how your own parents treated you when you showed any emotion that you began to cry harder.

How were you supposed to leave this place?  Leave Ethel?  She had become so important to you in such a short time, the mother you had always wished for.  Before when you worried about leaving you had at least felt better knowing you would be with Copia but with how he acted this morning that didn’t hold comfort like it had been.  Would the Ghouls act the same?  Would they also start pushing you away? 

“Now what did that idiot say to you?”  You snorted despite your tears, meeting Ethel’s eyes and feeling at ease at the kind look on her face.  She reached into a pocket of her shirt and brought out a handkerchief to wipe your cheeks for you.  “Do you want me to kill him?”    

“No.”  You managed a shake of your head, laughing softly when she wiped at your nose.  “No, I’d rather not see him get hurt.”

“Hmm, well we’ll see.  I’ll be talking to that cowboy of yours before you all leave.”  

“I just don’t know what could have happened, what I could have done to make him act like this.”  Ethel gave your hand a squeeze and you smiled at her.  “Did he say anything to you this morning?”

“Mr. Emeritus tried to order me around and I’m sure you can guess how that went.”  Ethel flashed you a bright grin before continuing,  “Then he went to the barn to wake up the others before stomping back inside.”

Everyone was probably ready to go by now.  You sighed while you stood up and went over to your clothes.  There wasn’t a point in putting it off any longer, but you paused and turned back towards Ethel, your eyes filling with tears again.

“I don’t want to go.”  Once more the dam broke and you found yourself overcome with emotion.  Ethel rushed over, tugging you into another hug and rubbing your back.  You pulled away after a moment, your eyes roaming her face to try and memorize it in case you never saw her again.  “I’ve never felt like this before.”

“Like what, dear?”

“Like I have a place here, like I’m wanted.”  You squeezed your eyes shut, biting your lip briefly to try and stop it from trembling.  “Like I’m loved.”

“Oh, sweetheart...”

“I know it’s silly since we’ve only just met, but you’ve done so much for me.  More than anyone else ever has, including my own family.”  When you opened your eyes you saw a few tears fall down Ethel’s cheeks.  “This is the home I’ve always wanted, always dreamed about.  You're the mother I always wished I had.”  

“My dear, you listen to me.  I’ve felt like you were family since you showed up looking like a drowned cat that night.”  She reached up and brushed the fresh tears away that had started to fall down your cheeks.  “Like the daughter I never had.”

“Thank you, I won’t forget you.”

“Now why are you acting like we’ll never see each other again?  You are welcome back here anytime.”  Her hands grabbed yours and squeezed them while she held your gaze.  “No matter what’s happening, I mean it.  Promise me you’ll come here if you’re in trouble.”

Her demeanor had changed a bit, her grip tight on your hands.  She was acting far more serious than you had seen her act since you had met.  When she squeezed your hands again you nodded, trying to give her a firm smile.

“I will, I promise.”

“Good.  I don’t care if the devil himself is on your heels, my shotgun is always loaded.”  Ethel leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead, smoothing your hair out when she pulled away.  “How about you get dressed and I’ll make sure your husband leaves you alone until you’re ready.”

You nodded, giving her a quiet ‘thank you’ when she handed you your clothes.  When the door clicked shut behind her you gave the room one last look around.  Despite what had happened that morning you were determined to only keep good memories from here.  This was where Copia had first kissed you, had first pressed himself against you.  You walked over to the bed and dropped your pile of clothes onto it while you stared at the covers, remembering the first time his fingers had dipped inside of you.

Your skin startled tingling just thinking about it although it was irritating to know he still had this effect on you even when you were upset with him.  Hopefully he would snap out of whatever was going on with him.  Maybe he was just as scared as you were about leaving.  That was the idea you were going to cling to.  You needed to hope that Copia would go back to how he had been acting the last few days.  The Cardinal wasn’t the man you had begun to fall in love with.

Your fingers paused at the buttons of your nightgown.  The realization of what you had just admitted to yourself made your stomach flip.  Love?  Was that how you felt about Copia?  It was something you had never experienced before but you certainly had never felt this way about anyone else in your life.  No one had ever made you feel this good, this wanted.  No one had ever touched you like he had.

After a deep breath you started on the buttons again, letting the gown drop to the floor.  The clothes Ethel had for you were comfortable and perfect for being on the road.  They definitely made you look the part, like one of the gang.  You hoped that was still in your future, being able to stay with them.  There needed to be something more to your life than sitting in a room in some rich man’s house, waiting for instructions. 

You couldn’t bear it if there wasn’t.

Copia felt like shit.

He knew it was going to be hard, keeping you at arm's length.  Pushing you away.  But he didn’t realize how much it would hurt him to see you hurt.  It was worse than the damned nightmare.  With every word out of his mouth he had seen the light in your eyes darken more and more.  It had taken all of his self control not to reach out and gather you in his arms to whisper apologies to you.

The Ghouls had been abnormally quiet when he had gone out to wake them.  Copia had figured it was from the whiskey and the late night, but it had seemed there was more than that at play.  It wasn’t until he had heard Dewdrop mutter to Aether about wanting to stick around even longer that he realized what was going on.  What was making them all move slowly and look somberly at their surroundings.  

No one wanted to leave this place.  

Copia couldn’t blame them.  It had been a long time since he felt at home anywhere, since any of them had.  The Ministry was where their things were, where they stayed between jobs, but it had never been home.  Their true home was barely recognizable anymore.  The only things left were the burned out husks of buildings and a small cemetery.  

His thoughts were interrupted when he heard the door to the bedroom open.  Your eyes briefly met his when you came down the hallway, long enough for him to see how red they were, before you focused on Ethel.  The older woman and you had built a strong bond since they’d been there.  It was another reason Copia felt terrible about making you leave.  You deserved to have a home like this, a family like Ethel and Harold.  You didn’t need to be dragged around the countryside by someone like him.

“Go on and head out to the barn, dear.  I’ll be out there in a moment to help.”

“I’ll help you Principessa.”

Copia took a step back when he was met with the force of the glares from both you and Ethel.  You turned to give Ethel another smile before moving towards the door.  He tried to meet your eyes when you walked by but you refused to look at him.  You refused to even walk close to him, deftly giving Copia a wide berth as you went past.  He found himself staring at the door after you left.  The regret he was feeling like a living thing in his chest.

“She likes dandelions.”

Ethel’s words made him turn back to the older woman, a confused look on his face. 

“Eh?”

“Dandelions.  She likes dandelions.”

“Si, I know this.”  He sighed, staring at her expectantly for a moment before waving his hand in front of him.  “Is there a reason you’re telling me this?”

“You should bring her some.  As an apology.”  Ethel was evidently not impressed with the face Copia made because she narrowed her eyes and stalked towards him.  “She deserves one.”

“Does she?”  He wasn’t going to admit that he agreed with her, at least not yet.  “And why is that?”

“She was crying in my arms for a reason, Mr. Emeritus.  I’m imagining that reason is you.”

“I’m just trying to get out of here, we need to get on the road.”

Ethel snorted in derision and gave him a look he’d only experienced from Secondo before.

“I’m not an idiot so you best not treat me like one.”

“You don’t need to know what goes on between my wife and I.”

“Ah yes, your ‘little meatball’.  I’m sure you believe I don’t need to know everything Mr. Emeritus.”  She smirked when he briefly gave her an odd look.  You must have told her what his endearment meant.  “Unfortunately for you I’ve decided that when it comes to your Polpettina I need to make sure you are treating her right.”

“Mi scusi?  I have been treating her right.”

“Not this morning you haven’t.  I saw the look on her face when you ordered her around like she was nothing important.”  

“I am trying to leave.  We should have left hours ago!”

“Oh and is that her fault?  She was the one at the bonfire demanding that a bunch of cowboys tell her stories well into the night?”

Copia almost said yes but he knew that wouldn’t go over well. 

“Ethel, I know you think you know everything going on but you don’t.”

“Just like Harold, more looks than brains.”

“Hey!  I am fuck—“

“Don’t you cuss at me Cardinal.”

Copia froze, his eyes widening at what Ethel had called him.  How could she…?  He opened and closed his mouth a few times, trying and failing to think of some way to deny it but it was obvious there was no use.     

“How long have you known?”

“Since you and your Ghouls showed up during the storm.”  Copia started to respond but she quickly talked over him.  “I can’t wait for the day that girl starts running circles around you, but I have to say it’s probably not very far off.”  

“Ethel…”

“I rode around causing trouble in these parts long before you did Cardinal.”  She pointed at a nearby chair and Copia obediently sat down, still trying to process that she knew who he was.  Who they were.  “Now I’m not sure what you’re scheming and how she’s involved, but if any harm comes to that girl you’ll regret it.  Just because I’m old doesn’t mean I’ve lost my touch.”

Copia clenched his fists and glared at Ethel. 

“That is the point!  I don’t want her to get hurt!”

“I don’t mean just physically, Cardinal.  You’ve spent the last few days pulling her into every secluded corner you could find so whatever feelings she already might’ve had for you are now even stronger.”  Ethel crossed her arms and easily met Copia’s glare. “Although she could certainly do better.”

“Si, I agree. I’m not good enough for her. I will only get her hurt and that's why I need to push her away.”

“No, what you need to do is try harder.”  When Copia scoffed and shook his head Ethel closed the distance between them and forcefully grabbed his chin. “For whatever reason she’s chosen you, Cardinal Copia, as the one she wants and I think you’ve chosen her too. Am I right?”

There wasn’t any point trying to lie so he just nodded his head as much as he could with his chin still in her hand.  Ethel smirked and let go, briefly patting him on the cheek before walking to the door of the house.  Copia slowly got up and followed. 

“What do I do now?”

Ethel snorted and opened the door, letting the morning light spill into the house.  

“Now you go pick her some fucking dandelions and beg for forgiveness.”  He couldn’t help but groan.  Picking flowers and apologizing weren’t exactly some of his strengths.  Ethel stopped him at the door and pointed a finger into his face.  “Dandelions and begging, I think the feared Cardinal Copia can handle that, don’t you?”

He straightened his back and nodded, wincing when she gave him another pat on the cheek.  

“I think I can manage.”

Ethel smiled and finally moved out of the way, letting Copia go by and get nearly down the steps before she called out to him.

“Mr. Emeritus!”  Copia turned to meet Ethel’s steely gaze.  “Keep that girl safe for me.”

“I will.”

“Good.”  She smiled down at Copia as she took a few steps towards him, her eyes darkening despite the bright morning light.  “Because if you don't, Lucifer himself won’t be able to protect you from me.”

“Has he always been this much of a bastard?”  Brizio snorted, nudging his head against your shoulder.  “Is that a yes?”

You laughed when the horse snorted again, lowering his head towards your hand that still held a few apple slices.  He eagerly took them when you opened your fingers, making sure to keep them away from his teeth.  When the slices were gone you wiped your hand on your pants and then reached up to start rubbing his nose.  Brizio nickered while he pressed up into your fingers. 

“Just as demanding as he is, you two are a perfect match.”  His eyes closed when you ran your hand further up, scratching between his eyes and then around his ears.  “I’m sorry I used to be scared of you, you’re not that bad I suppose.”  When Brizio snorted and stamped a foot you smiled, moving your hand up and down his neck.  “Wish I could say the same about him.”

“Say the same about who?”

At the sound of Copia’s voice you winced.  Of course he had to walk in at that moment.  You turned your head just enough to see him standing in the doorway of the barn, his hands behind his back as he watched you.  He looked about to say something else but you turned back around and continued to pet Brizio.  You tensed a bit when you heard Copia walk closer, the spurs on his boots jingling softly with each step.    

Would he apologize?  Ethel had mentioned she was going to talk to him, but you doubted anything she said would actually help.  One of the first things you’d learned about him was that he was stubborn.  It was doubtful that even Ethel could say anything to change his mind.  You felt a hand hover over your shoulder but before you could move away to avoid the contact Brizio stepped forward with his ears pinned back, loudly snorting at his master.

“Hey!”  Copia jumped back, a few words in Italian falling from his lips.  “Turning my own horse against me?”

“I think he can make up his own mind about things.”  

You gave the horse one final pat on his neck before turning and starting to walk out of the barn.  Copia moved quickly, maneuvering himself in front of you and holding a hand out.

“Can I have a moment, Principessa?”

“You had plenty of moments inside the house.”  He moved to block you again when you tried to walk around him.  “Copia please, don’t make this harder.”

His frustration was obvious, but you couldn’t tell if it was with himself or you.  He reached up and pulled his hat off his head, holding it against his chest and timidly looking into your eyes.  After a moment he took a deep breath and pulled his other hand from behind his back.  You glanced down, your mouth falling open when you noticed what he was holding.

Copia had a small bouquet of dandelions clutched in his leather glove.

They certainly weren’t in the best of shape but that wasn’t very surprising.  You doubted the man had ever picked flowers before in his life.  At least half of them were smashed, the yellow petals flattened and wilting.  You looked back up into his eyes, remembering how he had looked the other day wearing that silly flower crown you had made him.  The memory made you want to cry but instead you gritted your teeth and took a step back.

“What are those for?”

“Eh, for you.”  When you didn’t move he started fidgeting, tapping his fingers on the brim of his hat.  “I picked them for you.”

“Why?”

“You know why.”  He held the bouquet closer to you but you took another step back.  “What’s the problem?”

“What’s the problem?!  Do you not remember how you treated me earlier?”  He winced, opening his mouth but you didn’t let him speak.  “A handful of dandelions isn’t going to get me to forgive you.”

“Then what will?”

You moved, walking around him and his dandelions.  At the door you paused, looking out towards where the Ghouls were waiting.  Dewdrop and Harold were carefully strapping the guitar to one of the stagecoach horses the gang was taking with them.  The other Sunshine and Ethel were finishing up saddling for you, the both of them laughing together as they worked.  The rest of the group was milling around, waiting for you and Copia.  

He called out to you again and you took a deep breath before turning to look at him.  You had to bite your lip to stop from laughing, Brizio had wandered up and was munching on the dandelions.  Copia put his hat back on, relinquishing the flowers to his horse and crossed his arms.

“Principessa, what will it take?”

It was hard to tell if he felt remorse or not, but you hoped he did.  You hoped he would share what he had been thinking that morning, what had made him treat you that way.  Copia’s mismatched eyes met your own and you offered him a brief smile before you answered.

“An apology.”

You managed to say goodbye to Ethel again without crying, but only barely.

She and Harold had packed up lots of supplies for the final leg of your journey to The Ministry.  It seemed like everyone had gotten a small token of their time there.  In turn they were keeping two of the horses from the stagecoach and a promise of help if they ever needed assistance on their farm.  Your eyes wandered over the land as you walked towards where Sunshine was waiting by your horse.  

“Ready to go, kid?”  You nodded at Sunshine, laughing when she handed you a small knife.  “You can never have too many.”

“Hopefully I won’t ever have to use them.”

Sunshine grinned and then jerked her head towards the horse.  You let her help you up, looking over towards the barn when Copia emerged on top of Brizio.  His face was unreadable as he went past and you couldn’t help but let your shoulders fall.  Maybe you should have just taken the damn dandelions.  It might have made the journey a little more bearable.  No matter how hard you tried you couldn’t imagine Copia ever apologizing.  

“Dear.”  Ethel’s voice brought you out of your thoughts and you quickly glanced down to see her smiling up at you.  “Remember, you come straight here if anything happens.”

You nodded and tried to give her a brave smile.  There was so much you still wanted to say to her but if you opened your mouth right now you’d only let out a sob.  Ethel squeezed your leg and gave you an encouraging nod.

“Thank you.  For everything.”

“There’s no need to thank me dear, that’s what mothers are for.”  When the tears began to fall down your cheeks she held out her handkerchief again.  You both looked over at Copia when he called out for everyone to get moving.  Ethel gave your leg another squeeze before stepping back to give you room to maneuver the horse.  “He’s a stubborn idiot like most cowboys, but he’ll come around.”

You nodded, silently hoping she was right.  Sunshine rode up next to you, rolling her eyes when Copia called out again.  Reluctantly you encouraged your horse forward, following the others as they began to make their way out of the farm.  It wasn’t until everyone had made it to the top of a hill that overlooked the land that you could bring yourself to turn around.  

Ethel and Harold were still standing there, watching as you all left.  The farm stretched out around them, seemingly glowing in the morning sun.  It was beautiful and you let yourself daydream for a moment as you looked on.  Copia was there when you imagined coming back to this place, his grin both dazzling and infuriating like usual.  You blinked your eyes open when Sunshine called your name and gave the farm one last look.  

This was what you wanted.  A home like this and someone to share it with.

You could only hope Copia wanted that too.    

The first day went by in mostly silence.

Everyone seemed somber about leaving the farm, although you were sure everyone had different reasons as to why.  When you stopped for lunch you had attempted to start conversations with a few of them, but no one seemed interested in talking.  Even Swiss was quiet and he was usually the most boisterous out of all of them.  Copia had wandered off and you assumed it was to scout a bit but when he came back he had his black makeup applied around his eyes and along his upper lip.  

It had only been a few days since you’d seen him wearing it but the change was still startling.  With that and how he acted yesterday morning it felt like he was a completely different person.  The Cardinal seemed to be back and he had no interest in speaking with anyone.  When the gang finally stopped to camp that night you found yourself feeling just like you had the first few days after being kidnapped. Lost and alone.

The next day was much better, the Ghouls more talkative as they got closer to The Ministry.  Rain had been scouting ahead off and on like usual, exchanging hushed words with Copia each time he returned.  No one showed any concern about it so you tried to not dwell on it, there were already enough worries running through your head as it was.  You couldn’t help but feel like you had made a mistake not just accepting the dandelions from Copia and hearing him out.  He hadn’t even looked at you since you had left the farm as far as you had noticed.  It was like a heavy weight had settled onto your shoulders now.  You found yourself imagining arriving at The Ministry and being locked into a room until Saltarian paid the ransom and took you away with him.    

Copia spent most of his time at the front of the group, occasionally talking to Aether but mostly remaining silent.  Sunshine and Swiss flanked you near the back.  Their random banter the only thing cheering you up as your destination crept closer and closer.  You still had so many questions about their life there and even more questions about what would happen once you arrived.  They were currently sniping at each other over something about Montana but when there was a break in their conversation you took your chance.

“What do you all do there?  At the casino?”

“Oh shit, all sorts of stuff.  All the Ghouls have their own job basically.”  Sunshine nodded over to Swiss with a grin on her face.  “Although some of us are better at them than others.”

“Fuck you.  I’m multi-talented, I can do anything.”  

He looked about ready to list off everything he could do but Copia shouted his name and Swiss reluctantly rode over to him.  When Copia jumped down from Brizio Sunshine let out a sigh next to you.

“Looks like we’re camping here.”

Everyone dismounted and began to set up for the night.  You tried to help where you could but mostly you just stayed out of the way.  To your surprise Dewdrop came over and helped you with your horse, taking her over with the others.  The only response you got to your thank you was a grunt, but it was something.  When he came back over he had his guitar in his hands and plopped down near the campfire with a heavy sigh.  

“Hey Dew can you go fill the canteens?”

Dewdrop groaned at Aether’s request while he deftly worked his fingers over the guitar strings.

“I just sat down, man.”

“I will!”  You practically ran up to Aether with your hands out.  “I want to help.”

“You’re not going alone.”  You frowned over at Copia as he shoved Brizio’s reins into Swiss’s hands.  Thankfully he didn’t notice the hand gesture the Ghoul threw at his back as he walked over to you.  “I’ll go with you.”

“It’s fine, I don’t need any help.”  You held tightly to the canteens when Copia tried to take a few of them from your hands.  “I’m not going to run off.”

Copia stopped and met your eyes, an unreadable look on his face.

“I know you won’t, Principessa.  I just want to help.”  He took a step forward, glancing around before lowering his voice.  “We need to talk.”

He looked so serious you finally relented, letting him take some of the canteens from you.  Copia grabbed your hand and gave it a squeeze, the action making you meet his eyes briefly before you pulled your hand away and turned towards the woods.  

“Great, see you guys in a few hours.”  You rolled your eyes at Dewdrop’s comment, stifling a laugh when Copia kicked his knee as you both walked by.  “Have fun!  Rinse your hands off before you fill mine.”

Thankfully no one else said anything as you both walked away.  As the creek got closer you kept waiting for Copia to say something, anything but he remained infuriatingly quiet.  The longer he remained silent the more upset you became.  When the creek finally came into view you couldn’t help yourself.  You threw the canteens in your hands to the ground and rounded on Copia.

“You wanted to talk, so talk!”  Copia stayed still and silent as you glared at him so you moved closer.  “You’ve ignored me for almost two days, why?”

“I was trying to think of what to say.”

“You’ve never been short on things to say to me before!”

“Yes, but this is important Principessa.”

It felt like someone was gripping your heart in their hand, tendrils of anxiety moving throughout your body.  Copia looked so serious, so somber that whatever he was building up to couldn’t be good.  You dug your fingernails into your palms and tried to control your breathing when you spoke.

“What is?  Please Cop–”

“Mi dispiace.  I’m sorry.”  He held a hand up when you opened your mouth to respond.  “I’m sorry for how I treated you the other morning.  You didn’t deserve that, those things I said.”

“Then why did you say those things?”  You couldn’t stop yourself from sniffling a bit, the horrible feeling that had been living in your chest since that morning finally fading away a bit.  “Did I do something that night?”

“No!  No, you didn’t do anything.”  He took a few timid steps forward, reaching out towards you.  Copia seemed worried you would pull away at first but when you remained still he gently grasped your elbows and tugged you against him.  You fell into his chest with a sigh, burying your face into his neck as he rubbed his hands up and down your back.  “I had a nightmare.”

“About what?”

Your voice was muffled against his skin but you couldn’t bring yourself to move.  You had forgotten how good it felt to be close to him, to have his arms around you.

“I thought it was the fire at first, the night my church was destroyed, but it was something else.”  He pulled his hands away from your back and brought them to your cheeks, cupping your face as he tilted it up so your eyes met.  “It was your wedding.”

“To Saltarian?”

He nodded, closing his eyes for a moment.  You reached up and covered his hands with your own, trying to encourage him to continue.

“He knew to use you against me, he was keeping you between us.  In harm’s way.”  He took a shuddering breath and lowered his head to press a kiss onto your forehead before he rested his own against it.  “I can’t let you get hurt, I won’t let you get hurt.”

“Is that why you acted that way?  You think pushing me away like that will keep me safe?”  He stayed silent, his thumbs slowly beginning to rub back and forth across your cheeks.  “You idiot.”

“Hey!”  Copia pulled back to glare at you.  “I was trying to keep you safe.”

“By being an asshole!”  He yelped when you tried to knee him in his crotch, jerking out of the way just in time.  “I can’t believe you!”

“I said I was sorry!”

"I thought I had done something, I thought you hated me!" You swiped at the tears on your cheeks, angry that he had made you cry again. "I should have let Ethel kill you."

He burst out in laughter which only made you angrier. When he tried to get close you attempted to pull away, but he was too quick and managed to get you in his arms again.

"Principessa, forgive me. It was wrong of me, I know this. I'm just..." When he trailed off you looked up at him, watching as he bit his lip in an oddly nervous gesture. Copia finally sighed, reaching up to brush the rest of your tears away. "I'm not used to having something...nice."

"Nice?"

"Si, nice. You are nice and soft, uh delicate." When you snorted he dropped his forehead against yours again. "I haven't had something nice for a very long time."

You pressed your lips to his in a firm kiss, bringing your hands up to rest on his chest. When you started to pull away he followed you, one of his hands slipping into your hair and keeping you still while he deepened the kiss. His tongue swept into your mouth and you immediately brushed your own against it. It only lasted for a few more moments before he pulled away with a groan.

"Copia, don't stop."

"We should fill the canteens and head back, Principessa."

"No, you should kiss me again."

"You sound desperate," He leaned in close, his lips brushing against your ear. "Are you desperate for me?"

"Yes, yes Copia please just kiss me."

His lips were on yours immediately, both of you clinging to each other as he licked into your mouth. The bitter taste of his black makeup was on your tongue as it quickly disappeared from his lip. Copia maneuvered his hands down to your waist and started to guide you backwards. You weren't sure what his plan was and you didn't really care just as long as he kept kissing you.

When you felt a tree against your back you pulled away from his mouth with a gasp, letting your head rest against the bark. The sun had fallen behind the trees letting the moon highlight his features. He was gorgeous and right now he was yours. You wanted him so badly you didn't care that you were in the middle of the woods.

You reached up and batted his hat away, kissing him again when he started laughing. His hands wandered from your waist to the front of your pants and he made quick work of the buttons so he could start to tug them off. As soon as they were past your hips he cupped your sex, his gloved fingers warm through your undergarments. He pulled away from your lips, a deep growl rumbling in his chest as he started to rub you through the fabric.

"Wet for me already?"

You barely managed a nod, too focused on the pleasure he was pulling from you. When he pressed a finger at your entrance your knees became weak and he slipped one arm around you to keep you steady. You whimpered when he pulled his fingers away but it was only to quickly tug his glove off with his teeth, his fingers going back to your cunt when they were free. This time he slipped them underneath the thin fabric that was covering you, both of you groaning when one finger slipped right inside of you.

“This is why I miss that dress of yours. Or one of those skirts I saw you stash in your bag.” He huffed out a laugh but it turned into a moan when his fingers slid slower and stroked at your entrance. “So wet for me.”

“Copia please I-oh!” He pushed two fingers inside, slowly beginning to pump them in and out. You moved your head off his shoulder and kissed him, trying to convey what you wanted with your lips and tongue. When the hand at your back slid up into your hair you pulled away. “Take me, make me yours.”

Copia growled and surged forward to take your lips again. He moved his hand down lower so he could press his fingers even deeper, rubbing at you at just the right angle. With a cry you broke the kiss, looking down at his hand as it moved against you.

“Aren’t you already mine, Principessa?” You looked up into his eyes, unable to look away as he continued speaking to you in a low voice. “As soon as I can get you in a bed again you’ll be mine and no one else’s.”

His voice deepened as his fingers moved faster, the heel of his hand rubbing against your clit. Your back arched as the pressure built and Copia dropped his forehead to rest on your chest. You could hear him talking still but with the roaring of your blood in your ears you didn’t understand anything he was saying. Your hips started moving in time with his thrusts and finally, with one last stroke against your inner walls you came, collapsing against Copia and trusting that he would hold you up.

You arrived back to the camp facing knowing looks from everyone.

They were easy to ignore for the most part. It wasn't until Swiss had made a comment about being glad 'mom and dad had made up' that you had blushed fiercely. Thankfully Sunshine came to your defense, easily shoving Swiss over and promptly handing you a bowl of the stew Aether had made for dinner. It was nice and warm on your stomach and you quickly found yourself settled around the fire, your blanket wrapped around your shoulders.

Dewdrop had started idly playing the guitar again and you watched with interest as his fingers danced across the strings. Sunshine had been lounging next to him, looking almost half asleep. She caught your eyes on her and smiled before sitting up and leaning over to Dew. He shook his head a few times before you saw him finally nod. The random notes he had been playing suddenly changed into something more defined. You were about to ask what song it was when Sunshine began to sing along to his playing and you froze.

Her voice was beautiful.

“Can I have this dance, Principessa?”

You jumped, turning to see Copia holding a gloved hand out towards you.  Your eyes wandering from the glove up to his face, raising an eyebrow when you saw the smug little smile he was sporting. 

“I didn’t think cowboys knew how.” 

He laughed, lowering his head almost bashfully towards the ground.  His hand remained out though and he gently shook it to encourage you to take hold.  You slipped your hand into his slowly, appreciating the warm leather against your skin once more.  When he reached out with his other hand you eagerly grabbed onto that one too, yelping when he quickly pulled you up off the ground.  You fell against his chest with a little grunt, scoffing when you saw his pleased grin. 

This man didn’t know how to be bashful. 

The grin stayed as he maneuvered you where he wanted you.  He held onto one of your hands, pulled it to rest against his chest.  His other hand rested at the small of your back.  You placed your free hand on his shoulder, your fingers idly tapping along with the music. He moved you around expertly, his smile turning smug when he could see how surprised you were.

"How's this? Better than those boys from the city you danced with before?" You tilted your head up, pretending to think about it. When you took too long to answer he dug his fingers into your side and you squealed, trying to jump away unsuccessfully. "Admit it and I'll stop."

"Ok! Ok, fine!" You fell against his chest, trying to catch your breath. "Much better than those city boys."

He chuckled, murmuring something in Italian as he held you close. You let his words and the music wash over you, focusing on just being close to him. Dewdrop played a few more songs, Swiss even joining Sunshine to swing along with one. You caught Copia humming a few times but you didn't ask him about it, trusting that one day he'd sing for you. Whenever he was ready.

His arms stayed around you when the music stopped. It was like you were both under a spell and if either of you moved it would be broken. You found yourself wishing tomorrow wouldn't come, that you could stay on the road with him forever and never have to worry about meeting his brothers or anything else that would come after. Copia's lips brushed against your ear and you shivered, sighing when he held you closer.

"Will you promise me something?"

You pulled away enough so you could look at him, the firelight dancing across his face.

"Anything, Copia."

"Will you be here when I wake up?"

Secondo did his best to keep his gaze steady as he stared at Mr. Saltarian across the poker table.

“What should I call you?” 

Saltarian’s voice was calm and in control as he idly sorted his chips into neat stacks in front of him.

“Secondo is fine.”

“Are you sure?”  He raised an eyebrow as he glanced his way.  “Wouldn’t you rather be called Papa?” 

“I haven’t been a Papa for a very long time, as you know.”

“Ah yes, how could I forget.”  Saltarian gave a brief nod to Aurora when she came by to refill his drink, watching her walk away for a moment before turning to Secondo again.  “Bone Daddy?”

“Is there a reason you’re here?”

“Is my money no good here?  That would be a shame, I’ve been meaning to visit your establishment for many years.” 

“All money is good here, but I’ll pass on the cryptic game you're trying to play.”  Secondo tipped back his drink, relishing the burn in his throat.  “I’ll ask again.  Why are you here?”

“Well it’s a funny story actually, if you’ll indulge me.  You see a long time ago I thought I had rid myself of a few pests.”  He took a casual look around the casino before looking back at Secondo.  “But it seems like they have come back.  Ghouls as far as the eye can see.”

“This is a casino.  Nothing more.”  Secondo nodded at Phantom to start dealing.  The Ghoul’s nimble fingers were slightly shaky as he shuffled and began to flick cards to both men.  “This isn’t a place of worship.”

“Oh but it is, Secondo.  Everyone here is still worshiping and indulging in sin, just like you were before.”

“And here you are, indulging with us.”

“Oh!  I am, aren’t I?”  Saltarian let out a loud laugh that had Secondo gritting his teeth.  “Apparently even I can’t resist the lure of the devil.”

“There is no devil here, Saltarian.” 

“Just his mouthpieces?  I’m sorry.  Former mouthpieces.”  The man finally turned his attention to his cards, pondering them for a moment before tossing a few chips towards the middle of the table.  “You’re right though, we should get down to business.  I’m typically not one to dawdle but I have to say that you intrigue me.”

“How is that?”

“Let’s take a look at where we are, The Ministry.  As you call it.  A truly magnificent building.”  Saltarian smiled when Secondo called his bet and added his own chips to the pile.  “I have to admit I’m impressed that you built this from nothing in such a short span of time.”

“I didn’t really have a choice.”

“Oh but you did, we all have choices don’t we?  Isn’t that one of the things your church likes to preach?”  When Secondo opened his mouth to correct him, Saltarian waved a hand around.  “Ah sorry, liked to preach.”

“We had no home and barely any supplies.  You and your men made sure of that.”

“And again that’s what impresses me so much!  I took everything I could away from you, away from your brothers, but yet you survived.”  Saltarian held up a finger towards Phantom and accepted the card tossed his way.  “You know in another life we could have been business partners.”

Secondo let out a disbelieving laugh, leaning back in his chair as Saltarian’s words soaked in.

“Partners?  What makes you say that?”

“I’ve always thought you had a keen mind, Secondo.  Your church truly began to prosper under your reign.”  He waved a hand in a circle by his head.  “And this place just proves it.  Where would your brothers be if it wasn’t for you?”

“You leave my brothers out of this.”

“Unfortunately I can’t, because we both know it’s because of one of them I’m even here to begin with.” 

“Then you should take up your issues with him and leave the rest of us out of it.”

“You know I can’t do that.  The Emeritus’s are a packaged deal.”  Saltarian turned around in his chair, seemingly searching for something.  “Where are your brothers by the way?”

“I do not know, I’m not their keeper.”

“Maybe not Primo’s, but I don’t think your younger brothers sneeze without you knowing about it.”  He added some more chips to the pot before leaning back in his chair.  “Where is Primo by the way?”

“I thought you knew?”  He tensed when Saltarian smiled.  “Primo was the smart one, he moved away from this all many years ago.”

“Yes, his cozy little cabin.  My men and I rode by on the way here.”  He smiled cruelly when Secondo froze.  “Don’t worry, your brother is still alive.  I’m not concerned with that old man.”

“Then who are you worried about?”

“Worried isn’t the word I’d use.  Frustrated, annoyed, bothered…those are more in line with how I feel.”   

“Terzo brings out those emotions in everyone.”

Saltarian’s loud bark of laughter had the surrounding tables instantly quieting down.

“I’d worry about Primo sneaking up on me before I lost sleep over getting bested by Sheriff Terzo.  From the sounds of it Terzo hasn’t spent a moment sober in the last ten years.”  He shook his head as he looked down at his cards.  “It’s quite poetic really, if you think about it.  The Morningstar falling from such a great height, just like his namesake.”

“Of course Terzo took your attack the hardest, he was our leader when it happened.” 

“I think you’re wrong there.  We both know who took it the hardest, just like we both know he’s the reason I’m here.”  Saltarian suddenly seemed far less interested in his cards, setting them down on the table and fixing his stare on Secondo.  “By the way, where is Cardinal Copia?”

“Just like I am no longer a Papa my brother is no longer a Cardinal.”

“I’m not so sure about that.  I’m fairly certain he’s known as The Cardinal.  The same man that has been a thorn in my side for years now.” 

“The papers are the ones that come up with these ridiculous names.”

“Ah but this is very fitting, isn’t it?  However, there’s no point arguing over a nickname, right Phantom?”  The Ghoul froze when he was addressed, his eyes skittering back and forth between the two men in front of him.  “In fact, let's stop playing this game altogether.”

“Yes, let’s.”  He caught Phantom’s eyes and jerked his head towards the bar.  The Ghoul’s chair scraped loudly against the floor as he shoved it back and practically ran from the table.  Secondo looked back at Saltarian with narrowed eyes.  “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“I’ve let your brother get away with many things over the years.  I’ve let him steal from me, destroy my property, kill my men…it was amusing, for a time.  I enjoyed the idea of him feeling like he was making a difference.  Like he was actually affecting my business ventures.” 

“And that’s changed?”

“It has.”  Saltarian idly tapped his fingers on the table as he considered his next words.  “Did you hear about my engagement?” 

“I saw something in the papers about it.  Was I supposed to send you a gift?”

“Oh no, nothing of the sort.  She’s a lovely girl, my fiancé, wouldn’t you say?”

“I suppose so, yes.”  Secondo shrugged, not caring that his exasperation was showing.  “She’s not really my type.”

“Nor mine.  Girls like her are a dime a dozen though and considering the real reason behind our engagement I didn’t feel as bad choosing her.”

“The real reason?”

“To lure your brother out of course.  To get him to make a spectacularly idiotic decision.  One fueled by wrath.”  He smirked at Secondo then before continuing.  “Lust too, if I believe the words of a man I hired to try to get her back.” 

“He wasn’t successful?”

“Not successful in the way he thought he was supposed to be.  But they were able to share with me some things they saw that have actually altered my original plan.”

"Mr. Saltarian I have a business to run so if you could get to the fucking point I’d appreciate it.”

“I don’t really need a wife, nor do I want one.  What I wanted to do was exert power over someone that was failing to pay back their loan as promised.”  Saltarian finished his drink, setting the glass back down onto the wood with a firm thunk.  “But now instead of something pretty to have on my arm at whatever boring ball I’m required to attend I have something better.”

Secondo gripped the edge of the table, his leather gloves creaking from the force of it.  He knew where Saltarian was going with this.  It all made sense now that it was being laid out before him.  A sense of dread began to build inside of him, something he hadn’t felt sense that night ten years ago. 

Something he hadn’t felt sense he had heard the screaming start.

“Which is what?”  He forced his fingers to relax and tried to calm his heart down.  “What is better?”

“Now I have what I wanted all those years ago.”  Saltarian’s smile was the same cruel one he wore the night of the attack.  “The end of the Church of Emeritus.” 

He tried to keep his breathing even while he met Saltarian’s gaze, tried to keep his posture relaxed as his mind raced over what the man had said.

“You already ended it years ago.”

“No, the true end will be when you and your brothers are dead, when your Ghouls and Ghoulettes are dead and when everything your family has touched here has turned to ash.”  He ran a finger around the rim of his empty glass, an almost regretful look appearing on his face.  “It’s a pity that I’ll lose something in the process but I’m willing to make that sacrifice.”

At his last comment Secondo straightened up, leaning forward as he stared Saltarian down. 

“What do you mean?”  When Saltarian stood up Secondo followed, pushing his chair behind him and not caring that all eyes were on the two men.  “What the fuck do you mean?”

“How do you think the public will react when my dear, innocent fiancé is murdered by The Cardinal?  It won’t be pretty, Secondo.”

“Copia wouldn’t hurt that girl and you know it.”  Secondo stalked around the table, ignoring how the men Saltarian brought with him tensed and placed their hands near their weapons.  He knew his Ghouls were doing the same.  “He’ll get her to you in one piece.”

“No Secondo, he won’t.”  The man’s grin was unnerving, so unnerving Secondo didn’t even flinch when Saltarian reached out and slapped a hand on his shoulder.  He could smell the whisky on his breath when the man leaned close so only Secondo could hear his next words.  “She’s going to die in your brother’s arms and after I pin her murder on your church the rest of you will die not long after.”

Go to Chapter 11: Confessions

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[violant-apologia]

ranking the QLDs of various vanities!

looking at the hunter of zee-beasts QLDs inspired me. there are a bunch of these, so this post is going to be pretty long. sorry!

i could go into the criteria in detail but instead i won't.

A Hunter of Zee-Beasts the one that inspired this list! it's not good. it scales way too fast, and also implies you become "synonymous with death" when the quality can be gained exclusively through pacifistic means. the QLDs in isolation are pretty cool, but they're marred by this inauthenticity. 1/10

Prophet of the Gutter - the quality name is pretty cool but the actual QLDs are dull. even the 10+ one, "an unmatched circulation," isn't that impressive. 2/10

Palaeontologist very generic. only one of them is really "vain" (and that one is rad) but the rest are just "a number," "a large number," "an astonishing number" which is pretty boring. 2/10

Barrister of the Evenlode i came into this project expecting to rank this HIGH. like 9 or 10 high. but then i realised my fond memories were actually of the manifest text quality influences. the actual QLDs are not as cool. they're very... plaque-focused. 3/10

A Worker in the Common Cause similarly to barrister, this has related description (the level change descriptions in this case) which go super hard, but the actual QLDs themselves are egh. 3/10

Defender of Truth - the last one "the only source of truth" is kinda fun, but the rest aren't anthing special. 3/10

Defender of the Public Safety eh. some of these are pretty cool (especially "a shield of the people" and "the armour of the city") but the rest are kinda generic. and i don't remember rescuing any widows in this grind. 3/10

A Poet-Laureate a little better than DotPS but not by that much. the scaling works well at least, but none of the QLDs hit particularly hard. 3/10

Renown: Rubbery Men i like the bit! it's a funny bit. but it isn't a satisfying reward in the same way as the other renowns. 3/10

Renown: Tomb-Colonies kinda lame? it doesn't really tell us anything that interesting about the colonists or your relationship with them. just kinda generic. 4/10

A Synthetic Philosopher i like "you have acquired a rather fruity smell, and some adherents all of your very own." the rest are kinda weak. 4/10

Renown: The Church the 50 is pretty good, but not great for renowns. the rest of the entries are pretty generic. 4/10

Meals Served at Station VIII a little underwhelming, but the last one ("a handful of visitors have come all the way from the Surface to dine at your table") is underwhelming in a cool way. no i won't explain myself. 5/10

A Shaper of Starved Culture pretty neat! scales nicely (maybe a litle slowly) but the "members of the starved delegation effect some quirk of your anatomy or dress" snippet is very cute. 5/10

Renown: The Docks it's okay. "veins running thick with gold and salt" is cool, and the namedrop of the impossible east is fun. apart from that, a bit nothing. 5/10

Cardinal of Conspiracy - the last two are quite cute – "but that means... oh no!" and "how high does this go?" the others are alright. 5/10

Lurer of Cities pretty neat titles. "paragon of geological indecision" is cool, as well as "topographical tinkerer". the highest one ("lacerator of landscapes") falls a little flat for me though. 5/10

Teaching Reputation of Your Laboratory fun but not that varied. the last few, "your former students could fill [an auditorium/their own university/their own corner of London" are very cool, if formulaic. 5/10

Renown: Bohemians solid within the renown formula. the 50 is a banger. "for better or for worse" does imply that maybe the PC just sucks at art though, which is funny. 5/10

Infiltrator of the Tracklayer City most of the descriptions are Fine. the highest one (we've found) goes super hard though ("scourge of the Revolution") and it feels very warranted given how much effort this grind is. 5/10

Dream-Trophies of Parabola pretty neat. mentioning some bonus parabola lore (the red-handed queen and the hanging mountains) does give extra cool points. 5/10

Scintillack Dreaming weird name for this one but still cool. most of the QLDs are kinda boring, but the last one is good: "in the fading scintillack shimmer, the game is the same; only the pieces have changed. you are a Grandmaster, playing a long game towards dissolution." 6/10

Renown: Constables "they say you are the spirit of the Law" goes SO hard (including the capitalisation of law) but the rest are a little dull. 6/10

Renown: Revolutionaries ironically i have the same thoughts here as the constables. the 50 (the Thirteenth Month in the Calendar) gets the edge on the spirit of the law though. 6/10

A Scholar of the Correspondence this is a weird one. the actual QLDs are pretty understated, but the coolness comes from that understatedness i think. listener being above speaker kicks ass too. and "courier's footprint" goes hard of course. 6/10

Renown: Hell all of the renowns are kinda clustering because of their shared formula. hell is good! it's kinda just another one of those. "book of everlasting chimes" is cool though. 6/10

Respected by the Corsairs not technically being a renown quality lets this abandon the formula of renown QLDs. unfortunately they don't really do anything cool with this freedom. "known to all as the Left Hand of Prophecy" is rad, and "recipient of a dedicated dock-cradle" is also quite cute, but the rest are pretty standard. 6/10

Renown: Urchins the lower ones have some fun urchin bits and bobs, but the standout is the 50. "they say you are a stalwart champion of all urchins. they also continue to refer to you as 'Oi!'" it's a classic. 7/10

Oneiropomp people half-recognising you while awake is very cool. and "you have become one of the Powers of Parabola" goes incredibly hard. 7/10

Renown: Criminals this one goes pretty hard! all the renowns have great 50s but even the lower ones on criminal are pretty great. 7/10

Renown: Society a lot of these are really cool actually. "unimportant titles but titles nonetheless" "those envied since birth" "all whose names are appended by numerous letters" all go hard. and the 50 is so cool too. 7/10

A Historian of the Neath solid! scales well. "you sometimes find yourself refuting your own earlier work without noticing" is pretty great. 7/10

Dedicated Brawler there's only three properly vain ones here, but they all kick ass in fun and distinct ways (and scale well). 7/10

An Interloper in the Library given the ludicrous scale of the stacks, 777 books seems like nothing at all. in terms of the effort the player puts in though, "the books shivering at your passage" does feel very appropriate. 7/10.

Volatile Consignments Delivered to the Remote Magazine there are a lot of funny ones in this. "your crew might just forget to send you Christmas cards this year", "your insurance broker has been spotted sporting a new diamond necklace". bangers to the last. 7/10

Renown: The Great Game really cool actually. namedropping the mithridate office and the white-and-golds is really fun, plus mention of the old man in vienna? rad as hell!! the 50 is amazing too, "you are the pawn who reached D8". augh it goes so hard. 8/10

Bone Market Exhaustion kind of a weird one but i think it should count. especially because the little vain bits they add are so cute. "depleted for two to three weeks, but you certainly impressed them," "while every buyer wrestles with the magnificence of that which you wrought," "a breathtaking feat of paleontological construction." 8/10

Fabricator of Past Lives "your alternate identities constitute a significant percentage of the entries in Slowcake's" is so good... AND "no biographical encyclopedia ever written suffices to catalog all the alternate identities you've foisted on the world." 8/10

Familiarity with the Carpenter's Granddaughter REALLY good. i mean, i don't know why this quality needs to exist. but i'm glad it does! "you can recite along with the presentation: every word is familiar as a nursery rhyme learned in childhood" is really cool. 8/10

Painter of Fine Art very cool! scales well, imitators and fakes are cool, the great canvas shortage of 1899 is very funny. i kinda wish there was more ways to get this than painting balmoral over and over again (or the fate way) but that's besides the point. 8/10

A Prolific Pirate see, sinking 200 ships is the sort of thing that WARRANTS your name being seen as a curse. 25 zee-beasts... anyway this one kicks ass. 8/10

Notability a CLASSIC. each level having its own description is nice, and the progression is slow but earnest. maybe i'm ranking it so high because its one of the ones you see so often, but i'm ranking it high nonetheless. 8/10

Record of Successful Forgery briar has none of this because he's a good and honest lad. and the lower numbers are pretty understated but the later ones are really good. "it is possible that you have created more false things than true ones," "genuine evidence is difficult to find in London, and entire encyclopaedia articles are based upon the fruits of your imagination." they go so hard!! 9/10

The Prestige of your Laboratory (capitalisation isn't consistent with teaching reputation. i will destroy fallen london with my fists.) apart from that it's GREAT! fuckin... "your laboratory's reputation is known even in the High Wilderness." that's SICK!!!! the others are good too. 9/10

Prolific Advertiser i had actually never read this one before now (because i never do advertising) but this one is so good. "they say you could sell zee-water to a Drownie" "products clamour for your golden touch" "yours are the hands at the tiller of public conciousness" this is GREAT. 10/10

Neighbourhood Noctivigant augh this one kicks ass. "your very soles are attuned to Treachery. should the lights go out and all laws flee, you will get where you are going". what else needs be said? 10/10

[by-gray]

I invented names for the Doctor’s thirteen children.

Chi, Tou, Rho, Iota, Otto, Dana, Decim, Zayin, Befh, Aleph, Enea, Eksi and Eta for short. Full names and explanations for them down below.

Colour coding full names based on whether they were born as a “daughter” or a “son” by Earth definition, but of course Time Lords can switch genders when they regenerate, whilst others are more fixed in their gender.

1) Chicardinalblyledgeypomoní (neé Chiblyledgeypomoní) (Chi)

The Doctor’s first child is stated to have been Susan’s father, and he was meant to be a Cardinal – so I’ve decided that is also in his name.

2) Toublyledgetheta (Tou)

3) Rho Vel-blyledge (neé Rhoblyledgeypomoní) (Rho)

The Vel- here tells you that Rho was from the House of Blyledge, once upon a time, but she is not of the House of Blyledge anymore. This indicates in Time Lord names when someone is of important rank in foreign territories (e.g. the wider Universe). I’ve decided that Rho is similar to some sort of Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

4) Iotablyledgetheta (Iota)

5) Ottoblyledgeypomoní (Otto)

6/7) Danablyledgetheta (Dana) and Decimblyledgetheta (Decim)

A set of twins, so, to show they were born at the same time, same suffix.

8) Zayinblyledgeympomoní (Zayin)

9) Befhblyledgetheta (Befh)

10) Alephblyledgeypomoní (Aleph)

11) Eneablyledgetheta (Enea)

12) Eksíblyledgeypomoní (Eksí)

– Susan born –

13) Etablyledgetheta (Eta)

I’ve decided Eta (pronounced like Eh-ta rather than Eat-ah) was not only the Doctor’s youngest child, but born quite a while after the others, making her younger than Susan. I headcanon that she was a year off graduating from the Academy during the Time War, and so she couldn’t regenerate when she was hurt by the daleks, and she died in the Doctor’s arms. I’m so cheerful :)

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Explanation:

All these first names are either Ancient Greek letters, Hebrew letters, Ancient Greek numbers, Latin numbers, and in some cases, a little made up. I thought these would be suitable names for children of someone called Theta.

Full Gallifreyan names are always made up of a:

1) Prefix – the short first name everyone calls them by (e.g. Romana)

2) The house they belong to and grew up in (e.g. the House of Dvorartre)

3) A suffix (e.g. Lundar).

Meaning, Romana’s full name is: Romanadvorartrelundar.

So far, no one has worked out what the suffix ending means. It is notable that suffix endings can be different in siblings. For example, the Doctor’s brother should be called: Irvinglungbarrowbraxiatel. Meanwhile, the Doctor: Thetalungbarrowsigma. I’ve decided that the suffix could be the first name of one of your parents. And because gender is not really a thing for Time Lords, parents tend to alternate which prefix they include in their children’s names. This would mean me headcanoning that the Doctor’s mother and Ulysses’ real prefix names are Braxiatel and Sigma (you can pick who is which).

This means all the above name end in either Theta or what I decided Patience’s Time Lord prefix is. If Patience is her nickname, I thought I’d give her a name meaning the same. I went with Ypomoní (pronounced ee-pom-o-nee) the Greek for patience in terms of endurance, because why not.

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Link to amazing research post:

[dailydemonspotlight]

Uriel - Day 180

Race: Herald Arcana: Justice Alignment: Light-Law June 6th, 2025 Requested by @/Wakawakawaka on our Discord!

Haha, get it? Yuri-el? Eh? Eh? I'll, uh, see myself out.

Angels are, despite their more heroic appearances and how one might assume they'd be focused on, not actually given many names in the Bible. Much of the field of Angelology is less a field and more something derived from various extrapolations based on the various texts making up the major Abrahamic religions; the hierarchy of angels isn't even really a thing in any of the original works, and is instead pulled from various Scholarly readings of the Talmud and many other Jewish works that have been adapted into the other Abrahamic faiths. However, even with this comparative lack of spotlight, there are several angels that shine and are given unique names... even if not considered canon. Enter today's Angel of the Day, Uriel!

Uriel is a... weird case, even in the rather strange ranks of angels. Only really broadly recognized in Russian Orthodoxy and Folk Catholicism, Uriel's main (and only) appearances are actually in many apocryphal texts, texts that are no longer considered canon (or at least aren't important any longer) but once were, and he never makes a named appearance in any Biblical texts, despite being recognized pop-culturally to be one of the Archangels. In fact, Biblically, only one Archangel is recognized, being Michael. Gabriel also makes an appearance, but he's not directly stated to be an Archangel. Maybe he got demoted after fighting a gopro.

Uriel's main appearance is in the Book of Enoch, an apocryphal text shared between Christianity and Judaism, wherein he's described as one of the seven Archangels that watches over the world, and a notable appearance is in 21:3, which I'll helpfully paste here so you don't have to look it up, which shows him presiding over seven fallen angels who are being punished for all eternity. (Possibly where modern conceptions of hell came from?)

1 And I proceeded to where things were chaotic. 2 And I saw there something horrible: I saw neither a heaven above nor a firmly founded earth, but a place chaotic and horrible. 3 And there I saw seven stars of heaven bound together in it, like great mountains and burning with fire. 4 Then I said: 'For what sin are they bound, and on what account have they been cast in here?' 5 Then said Uriel, one of the holy angels who was with me and was chief over them, and said: 'Enoch, why do you ask, and why are you eager for the truth? 6 These are of the number of the stars of heaven, which have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and are bound here until ten thousand years, the time entailed by their sins, are consummated.'

Uriel first truly appears, however, in chapter 10, wherein he's carrying out an incredibly important duty: being the one responsible for telling Noah about the flood, which led to basically everything in the Bible happening, including Noah's Ark.

Then said the Most High, the Holy and Great One spake, and sent Uriel to the son of Lamech, and said to him: 〈Go to Noah〉 and tell him in my name "Hide thyself!" and reveal to him the end that is approaching: that the whole earth will be destroyed, and a deluge is about to come upon the whole earth, and will destroy all that is on it.

I wonder if the original text has those weird brackets over big G's speech. Uriel's role in warning Noah, as well as being a generally friendly (if cryptic, like all Angels) being who helps the devout and punishes evil led him to being a rather popular figure in many other apocryphal texts, and he quickly became widespread. This got to a point, however, when people began to combine together the many angels actually mentioned in canonical texts- Raphael, Michael, and Gabriel- and decided to assign each of them a cardinal direction. However, they lacked a final angel for North, as Raphael was the East, Michael the South, and Gabriel the west. As such, looking at the literature provided, even if deemed non-canon, Jewish scholars decided to take Uriel and plop him into the group, deeming him an important and relevant enough figure- making him the North of the compass.

From there, Uriel became a very prominent Saint in many Abrahamic faiths, being the patron of Arts and Intellect for... reasons that I'm not really clear on. Even still, though, for a non-canonical Angel, he has a surprising amount of relevance and reverence, especially given his role in warning Noah, which I'm just gonna say is canon in my own reading of the Bible. Why? Because why not. I think it's neat.

Uriel's design in SMT is definitely a product of its time, but it's also an absolute classic, so I can't give it much (if any) slack. Being depicted frequently with a flaming sword, though, I gotta wonder why they didn't actually give him a blazing blade- it'd add a lot to his already iconic design.

Of course, I also gotta shout out the SMT IV angels.

...I dunno what else to say! SMT IV angels are terrifying and I love them.

[sullustangin]

A Primer on Papal Elections

Well, this IS the hyperfixation dumping ground ...

N.B.: I watch cardinals and rising politics in the Church like someone watches college football, hotly anticipating Draft Day. Papal Election is effectively Draft Day for 1 of them. I have an advanced degree in medieval history, so I'm REALLY into papal elections as a cultural and historical phenomenon.

So what's the big deal about the Pope? How did he get to be leader of the Catholic Church?

This goes waaaay back. A see is a bishop's seat. A bishop is a man who handles the administrative duties of a geographic area known as a diocese, as well as the sacramental (baptizing babies, giving Communion, marrying people, giving Extreme Unction, hearing confessions) and pastoral duties (caring for parishioners, distributing charity, preaching sermons, reading the Bible) of a priest. It's a position of leadership, enabling the bishop to create new priests. Per Catholic tradition, the first man to be the Bishop of Rome was St. Peter, Jesus's bestie/right hand man/leader of the original 12 Apostles. During early centuries of the Church, the see of Rome was always considered to be a little more special than the other ancient sees of Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, and Byzantium/Constantinople because of that association. This is called Petrine Doctrine (Rome is special due to Peter being the first holder of the position). This was made concrete in 451, when Bishop Leo of Rome somehow managed to prevent the Huns from sacking the city. It was perceived as a miracle and an indicator that there truly was something special about Peter's See and the man who occupied it. By 500, we have the Pope -- papa, or father, to the whole Church in Western Europe.

It's important to know that minus the Oriental Orthodox Church, the Coptic Church, and a few others that made their own church in response to doctrinal differences, there was only one mainline Christian church across Eurasia. This was the case until 1054.

How did we get a conclave in the first place?

The Papacy -- the government of the Pope -- runs as an elected monarchy. It has done so since 1059. In 1054, the Great Schism between the Western Latin and the Eastern Greek Church happened, wherein the Bishop of Rome (Pope) and the Patriarch of Constantinople mutually excommunicated each other over doctrinal differences, including clerical celibacy, married priests, the dominance (or not) of God the Father, and others.

The Western Latin's Church's response to this was, "We effed up. We need to get rid of corruption." Thus a massive series of reforms followed. Some of these reforms post-1054 included changing the way the Pope was chosen. Prior to this, sometimes, the people of Rome picked him. Other times, the dying Pope chose his successor. And sometimes, kings and emperors would give their input/pressure.

Essentially, there was no systematic way to choose the Pope. That was a vulnerability that led to corruption and abuse of office. Thus the establishment of a papal election. Bishops and Archbishops that were particularly esteemed were given the title of Cardinal and a red hat. The red hat isn't just sartorial -- you can vote for who the next pope is. The first elections were tiny -- less than 10 cardinals. First papal election under this system was Alexander II in 1061.

Conclave -- the election happening in behind closed doors -- only kicks off in the 1200s, when it was concluded that even with only cardinals choosing the Pope, they could still be corrupted by external influences. Also, the number of cardinals -- bishops and archbishops who oversaw an ever-increasing Christian population -- was higher. Somewhere between 30 and 50 cardinals participated in the conclaves regularly during the Middles Ages.

You know that "papal election that took 3 years" that the internet/newspapers are talking about? Yeah, to fix that problem (which was the 1268-71 election of Gregory X), the Church made conclave in 1276. 1276 was a particularly bus-firey year in which 3 conclaves were held, because 3 pope died within 6 months of being elected. Indeed, the last Pope voted in 1276 died in 1277 due to the ceiling collapsing on him while he was working one day (John XXI, who was a doctor of medicine who was still practicing even as Pope).

Conclave and Recent History

English speakers have a tendency to smoosh things together. Char le Magne = Charlemagne. Timur the Lame = Tamerlane. Con clave = conclave. "Con clave" means 'with key', literally. It meant any lockable room, but it's taken on special meaning with the papal conclave, or the secret election of the pope. While the pope is in office nobody talks about what went down in the conclave that elected him. (This did create an awkward situation when Benedict XVI resigned, ending his papacy but not his life; people could talk about his conclave while he was still alive, which is weird. We'll talk about him later.)

When a pope dies or resigns, a conclave is called. The cardinals go to Rome to vote. Since 1492, the vote has been held in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican Palace. Yes, it is a museum today, but it's also a living workplace. I advise you not to rush through the Vatican Museum tour to get to the Sistine Chapel -- it is the last room, and you will miss out on all of the other marvelous artworks commissioned by the Church from Raphael and other great artists.

Up until 1996, the cardinals literally ate, slept, and bathed in the Sistine Chapel. Yes, it sucked as much as you think it did, which is why John Paul II permitted the cardinals to bunk over at the St. Martha Guesthouse. St. Martha's has gotten a lot of attention in recent years because Pope Francis refused to move out -- he came to the conclave as Cardinal Bergoglio, and then returned to his rooms as Pope Francis. Thus he remained, never moving into the Papal Apartments. Francis was notoriously anti-swag, much to the distress of ecclesiastical tailors in Rome -- no more fancy robes to make. As a result, there's literally only one left now within Vatican City walls.

Since the 1830s, the conclaves have taken less than a week. However, there are up to 4 votes a day, so you still get multiple rounds in that time. John XXIII was the last pope to go over 10 rounds, with 11 rounds in 3 days in 1958. This was a byproduct of the Cold War, with two cardinals unable to attend due to Communist regimes. Politics was definitely on the platter, and Roncalli, the future John XXIII, duked it out with a much younger Armenian cardinal, Agagianian. Roncalli won it, despite his age, because Agagianian was not only Armenian (no non-Italian pope since Adrian VI in 1523), but also only 52 years old. Long papacies are not always desirable.

John Paul II is the most recent election that went over 5 rounds. In 1978, conclave was called to elected a pope after Paul VI died. They elected Albani Luciano, who took the name John Paul. Very cute, done in under 5 votes.

Then John Paul corked it 33 days later. The second Conclave of 1978 was complicated by the fact that the consensus candidate was now dead. As a result, after 7 rounds of the Italian heavyweights slugging it out, on the 8th round, a 58-year-old Polish cardinal named Karol Wojtyla was elected in an October Surprise. And again, the non-Italian and age factors do matter.

So since I've hit upon age and national origin, I think that's the topic of the next post.