#commander strife verse

[annymation]

🎶Wish Away- the villains song

Magnifico and Amaya's villain duet for my Wish rewrite

So... I was in a silly goofy mood, searching for inspiration to make the Magnifico and Amaya's villain duet for my rewrite.

And what do you know, I came across a deleted song from EQUESTRIA GIRLS 3, YEAH, EQUESTRIA GIRLS, and that inspired me the most... Like, I found exactly what I was looking for, and adapted the song to fit my vision.

The song that inspired me was "Free the Magic (Demo)" and it has the exact kind of tempo and style I think are fitting for two manipulative monarchs, very sophisticated and classy but also hiding a lot of malice.

I may or may not change the lyrics as time goes on, but so far here's what I got:

So first things first, here’s the deleted Equestria Girls song that inspired me. Give it a listen first or while you read the lyrics so you can get a feel for the rhythm and feel of the song. Although in my version the very last verse would play differently, sounding a lot more intense.

If this was a Disney song tho it would obviously have more instruments than just a piano, which could really elevate it, I imagine there could be different kinds of instruments depending on who's singing.

Also, so you can better picture the scenery. Magnifico and Amaya are trying to convince Asha to give away her wish instead of just working hard to get it by herself.

They take her to that room we saw during “This Is The Thanks I Get” in the movie, with the miniature model of the kingdom and the lil dolls.

The dolls will serve as the backup singers, as Magnifico uses his magic to give them life.

The rooms is mostly dark, and the king and queen start out very gentle with Asha but their demeanor becomes more aggressive as the song progresses.

Lyrics in green- King Magnifico 🫧

Lyrics in blue- Queen Amaya 👑

Lyrics in bold white- little puppets from Magnifico’s model 🎎

Lyrics in purple- Asha ✨

Wish Away

You've been an outcast in this land

For far too long

It's time you show to them

That Rosa's where you belong

There's a wish in you

That just cannot wait to soar

So tell us, Asha

What do you wish for?

THINK! 

But before you answer

Look around and just see where you're from

From a kingdom with no sadness, no pain nor dismay 

And it's all because they

Wished away

(aah-ah, aah-ah, aah-ah)

MAY!

I give a suggestion?

What you lack might be just 

Some self reflection

You don't know who you are

So how could you ever go as far

To know what's your purpose in life?

(aah-ah, aah-ah, aah-ah)

Strife and hard work is fine, dear

But it's oh, so much easier

If you give me that wish of yours

Think just how far you'll go

Once that wish is mine-

I mean ours! I mean yours

hehehe

And what about your future?

Will it be just some doodles, my dear?

There's much more you can achieve (thanks to me)

So forget with no-

Forget with no regret

I don't know what I want, I've never knew

Too many pains to count, so much I've been through

But I know a wish will be for me to grant

So thanks for offering, but, I need no enchant

Little one, I don't think you comprehend

(Your wish will be the king’s command)

With my magic I can make all that pain

end 

(You can be one of us)

If you let us help you

Just wait and see

(You should be pleased)

I have a hunch this wish 

Shall set you free

(free, free, free)

Is this really the hill I'll die on?

(Wish a-way, wish a-way)

There's no hope for you

No stars to wish upon

(Wish a-way, wish a-way)

Should I give up on my integrity?

(Give it all away, You cannot get away)

I'm the ONLY ONE

Who'll end your MISERY

SO COME ON! WISH AWAY!

SO YOU MAY FIND YOUR WAY-

OKAY!

… Okay?

… okay … I have a wish …

Thank You For Reading!

[phantasmalduelist]

In my verse my commander (Penelope) and my wayfinder (Badri) are friends. Penelope is guiding Badri on taking up the mantle of what she once was - the strife, the countless wars, the weight of having people believe in you. Penelope is an engineer/holosmith, she always relied on both magic and technology; therefore she decided to give Badri a gift that is a part of herself. A magically attuned rifle that can channel her mesmer skills. Badri can easily learn any sort of magic, but she is not quite good with firearms. Nothing she can't learn; as my commander always preaches when you're out of magic spells, don't be out of magic shells.

[edogawa-division]

ヒプノシスマイク -Rhyme Anima- (Fatal Four Ver.)

In honor of Season 2 premiering soon here's this!

Bring the Beat!

[Wicked Requiem:]

Wicked Requiem!

[Yuriko:]

I'll only say this once to any enemies who appear 

Dare threaten my family, and the only thing left of you will be a bloody smear

[Kaoru:]

Think you can hide your secrets from me? 

Oh, please! Nothing can be hidden from my sight! 

[Kanra:]

With the face of an angel and the rage of a devil 

Try your luck, I’m just itching for a fight 

[Silent Tragedy:]

Silent Tragedy!

[Kanon:]

How amusing, scurrying around my lab like rats

You won't get very far, I can assure you of that 

[Reika:]

A girl can get used to this, you know? 

The feeling of having the world in the palm of your hands 

[Sakura:]

A blood-stained crown rests on my brow

Who are you to give me a command?

[Death Row Block:]

Death Row Block!

[Akihisa:]

Call it a desire for vengeance and strife 

But I still have more to do before heading to the afterlife 

[Touya:]

Think you can leave me all alone? 

Just for that, I’ll make sure to give your throat a slash 

[Rintaro:]

What a pretty picture-perfect life you live

Makes me want to burn it all to ash!

[Valor Guard:]

Valor Guard!

[Seiji:]

Tough as steel and stronger than any shield 

Even against the entire world, I will never yield! 

[Lyall:]

For those who commit the worst of crimes 

I’ll see you judged by Anubis the Jackal! 

[Ayumu:]

The life of a medic isn't for the faint of heart 

You’ll find that it's a constant uphill battle!

[Fatal Four:]

Hypnosis action ends corruption

Lyrics that kick away verses

Nautilus diving into your mind

Attacking by surprise, ignition!

Beyond this endless game

Even if the world ends

We'll continue to fight

At the Division Rap Battle!

[Wicked Requiem:]

Deadly song!

[Yuriko:]

I can see it in your eyes that you’re afraid 

Fear not I’ll sing your final serenade 

[Kaoru:]

Even if I pray to the Muses for guidance

It's to the goddess Athena whom I dedicate my win 

[Kanra:]

Inhumanly born from the deepest pits of hell 

The masses would call my existence a sin 

[Silent Tragedy:]

Fierce blade!

[Kanon:]

Begging for mercy from a maniac? 

Fool, my heart has long since turned pitch black

[Reika:]

How can you say I'm horrible for being evil? 

At least I do it with stone-cold style 

[Sakura:]

Locked and loaded with my finger on the trigger 

I'll gladly put a bullet in your head with a smile

[Death Row Block:]

Execution!

[Akihisa:]

Opposing us is the quickest way to die 

Perhaps you ought to say your final goodbyes 

[Touya:]

Just the sight of you gets me all hot and bothered 

Come on, let's go a few rounds

[Rintaro:]

Think you can run the fuck away?

I’m hot on your heels like a hellhound!

[Valor Guard:]

Duty bound!

[Seiji:]

A warning for all there is very little I fear 

Especially when dealing with threats to all I hold dear 

[Lyall:]

With eyes that see everything like an owl 

I’ll catch you even during the darkest nights 

[Ayumu:]

Even when everyone else has long given up 

I'll keep on going with all my might 

[Fatal Four:]

Hypnosis action ends corruption

Gimmicks that burn synapses

Nobody can stop this now

Ignition!

Now we invite you to catharsis

Rhyming all over the place

Carving into history

With this Division Rap Battle!

[Kaoru:]

Mind racing faster than you can comprehend 

Even now it's plotting your bitter end!

[Reika:]

Even decked out head to toe in jewels

I’ll destroy anyone who tries to overthrow my rule! 

[Touya:]

Seems like you’re someone no one will miss 

How about I seal your fate with a kiss? 

[Lyall:]

Hidden like the dark side of the moon 

Your doom approaches soon! 

[Kanra:]

I’m quick to anger and, with my strength enough said 

So careful, or else you’ll end up dead!

[Sakura:]

Don't even think about trying to be brave 

You'll only just dig your own grave! 

[Rintaro:]

A battle between divisions, call it a nuclear winter!

Leaving nothing but ash and cinder!

[Ayumu:]

I might be here to heal 

But that doesn't mean I'll kneel! 

[Yuriko:]

That's it I’m done playing nice 

It's time I leave you in agonizing pain! 

[Kanon:]

A verbal barrage rains upon the psyche 

Let's see you undo the damage to your brain!

[Akihisa:]

This is our reality now 

One where words have all the power! 

[Seiji:]

Opponents stand all around 

The Division Rap Battles are no place to cower! 

[Fatal Four:]

Hypnosis action ends corruption

Lyrics that kick away verses

The Nautilus dives, invading the brain

Ignition!

Even if what results from this endless game

Is the end of the world

We'll keep resisting

With this Division Rap Battle!

[saitama-division]

UNITED EMCEEZ -Enter The Hexagon- (Femme Fatale & CodeX Ver.)

Lyrics made by @uenodivision !

Bring The Beat!

[Sayaka:]

Attention, please!

We are the United Emceez!

Listen to us now!

Let's go!

(Enter the hexagon!)

Yo, I'm the guardian, the voice of Saitama's streets

Spittin' bars to a beat, protectin' my peeps

Family and friends, they're the core of my rhymes

Shielding them from harm, through the hardest of times

Butterflies in the sky, they be spreadin' the peace

My words are my cocoon, from the chaos, release

Ritsuko you wouldn't understand, cause you just spread discord

I swear, at the end, you will not win this war!

[Ritsuko:]

Oh, sister dear, you flutter high, a butterfly so frail

I'm the spider in the shadows, weaving life's morbid tale

Your dreams of peace, they dance in your naive, little head

But I see the world for what it is, a place devoid of dread

I rap to paint the void, the stark and ruthless truth

No concern for life, that's the spirit of my youth

My plans, they simmer, a poison waiting to bloom

I'll keep spinning my verses, 'til I bring about your doom

[Sayaka:]

Saitama's Femme Fatale, you won't see us with a frown!

[Ritsuko:]

Oppose Shinagawa's CodeX? What a foolish clown!

[Sayaka:]

Best believe, at the end, we will seize the day!

[Sayaka & Ritsuko:]

I'm not stopping now, I'm still on my way!

[All:]

Go louder, UNITED EMCEEZ!

The words that were scattered will link up into breakbeats!

[Sayaka:]

We do our best and get through every day

Who’s gonna go and show the results tonight?

[All:]

We are UNITED EMCEEZ!

The words that were scattered will link up into breakbeats!

[Ritsuko:]

All eyes on me, you’ll forget to blink

Raise your hands higher and higher!

[Sayaka:]

Enter the hexagon!

[Lola:]

We’ll build the greatest that is now!

[Miho:]

I won’t wait; I’ll create my own miracle!

[Kureha:]

Get ready! Our time is now!

[Sumire:]

We’re reaching for the rap game’s pinnacle!

[Lola:]

Call me Aphrodite, goddess of the divine

Beauty and love, in every line I design

I live in the lap of luxury, my life is so grand

Wealth flows like rivers at my command

I see you, "Bronze" Maiden, with your suit and your frown

Judging my vanity, but you can't bring me down

Your empire of numbers, oh how very droll

While I reign supreme, a living work of soul

[Miho:]

Reign supreme? Bitch, I'm a queen in my high-rise tower

I built my empire on ambition, not just seeking power

Blood, sweat, and tears are the foundation of my reign

While you settle for attention, I secure my domain!

My fortress is this business, my crown earned, not bought

I rap about determination, the battles I've fought

You waste time seeking the spotlight, but I command respect

Your path of ease and beauty, I utterly reject!

[Lola:]

Say what you want, bitch, but Femme Fatale is by my side!

[Miho:]

Mess with CodeX, and you won't leave here alive!

[Lola:]

I've come to far to give up at the end of the day!

[Lola & Miho:]

I'm not stopping now, I'm still on my way!

[All:]

Go louder, UNITED EMCEEZ!

The words that were scattered will link up into breakbeats!

[Lola:]

We do our best and get through every day

Who’s gonna go and show the results tonight?

[All:]

We are UNITED EMCEEZ!

The words that were scattered will link up into breakbeats!

[Miho:]

All eyes on me, you’ll forget to blink

Raise your hands higher and higher!

[Kureha:]

I paint my life with a palette of second chances

Brush strokes bold, my art advances

Like Van Gogh's stars, I swirl through strife

Monet's lilies bloom, a new lease on life

To my friend, Sumire, know my resolve is firm

For Femme Fatale, for Saitama, I stand and affirm

Though love for art and peace is what I profess

In the battle of verses, I show no finesse

[Sumire:]

I'm the voice in the dark, the truth's crusader

Rappin' 'bout the corrupt, those power-hungry traitors

A new world order, that's the vision I chase

I'd sell my goddamn soul to win this human race

Kureha, you're my friend, but hear this clear

If you block my path, I won't shed a tear

I'll summon the strength, from demons below

To protect my goal, I'll be your fiercest foe

[Kureha:]

Not a fan of the name, but I'm Femme Fatale for life!

[Sumire:]

Fucking with CodeX is a sure way to die!

[Kureha:]

I'll fight with all my might to see a brand-new day!

[Kureha & Sumire:]

I'm not stopping now, I'm still on my way!

[All:]

Go louder, UNITED EMCEEZ!

The words that were scattered will link up into breakbeats!

[Kureha:]

We do our best and get through every day

Who’s gonna go and show the results tonight?

[All:]

We are UNITED EMCEEZ!

The words that were scattered will link up into breakbeats!

[Sumire:]

All eyes on me, you’ll forget to blink

Raise your hands higher and higher!

[Sayaka & Ritsuko:]

Look up at this hexagon in the night sky

[Lola & Miho:]

Always go where the light leads you to

[Kureha & Sumire:]

Our future can be changed in the blink of an eye

[Sayaka:]

Now welcome to the new world

Rhopalocera!

[Lola:]

Aphrodite!

[Kureha:]

Eclipse!

[Femme Fatale:]

Femme Fatale!

[Ritsuko:]

Strychnine!

[Miho:]

Iron Maiden!

[Sumire:]

Diabla!

[CodeX:]

CodeX!

[All:]

Go louder, UNITED EMCEEZ!

The words that were scattered will link up into breakbeats!

[Ritsuko:]

We do our best and get through every day

Who’s gonna go and show the results tonight?

[All:]

We are UNITED EMCEEZ!

The words that were scattered will link up into breakbeats!

[Miho:]

All eyes on me, you’ll forget to blink

Raise your hands higher and higher!

[Ritsuko:]

Enter the hexagon!

[Sumire:]

We’ll build the greatest that is now!

[Kureha:]

I won’t wait; I’ll create my own miracle!

[Lola:]

Get ready! Our time is now!

[Sayaka:]

We’re reaching for the rap game’s pinnacle!

[landoffreaksandfrogs]

cherub oc infodump

the MUSE OF VOID is named MARANEE. Her and her brother's hatch day is 7/7. She has a variety of interests, such as WRITING SAD POETRY, PHOTOGRAPHY, and the study of DEMONOLOGY. She is also an AMATEUR MAKE-UP ARTIST and KNIFE MAKER. God. She loves knives. She can make a super deadly and sharp knife out of anything if she tried hard enough.

She uses the BLACKOUT modus, wherein her items are obscured in shadow. She uses the knifeKind and mascaraKind strife specibi. Her handle is somberSoliloquey and her sign is LILITH.

-

The LORD OF LIGHT is named ASMODEE. His and his sister's hatch day is 7/7. He has a variety of interests, or at least, pretends he does, such as CLEANING, WOODCARVING, and the study of INTERGALACTIC POLITICS AND HISTORY. He's well-versed in CHERUB LORE AND CULTURE, a rare trait for the solitary species.

He uses the WHITEOUT modus, wherein all of his cards appear to be blank, so he has to rely on memory to find where they are. He uses the flailKind and penKind strife specibi. His handle is serendipitousSatellite, and his sign is SELENA.

---

they are both in the midst of a teen rebellion for cherubs.

maranee resents the future that awaits her and the chosen assignment of her traits and personality at her birth, being put in a box as a "benevolent" cherub has caused her to lash out and commit to a harsher persona, obsessed with doom and gloom and attempting to be "evil" instead. she is terrified of growing up, and of the impending loneliness that accompanies it. she hates her brother, but she cant imagine life without him either. her only friend is another girl online, one who really IS in despair, instead of just faking it...

asmodee resents the future that awaits him and the chosen assignment of his traits and personality at birth. he is a deeply philosophical young cherub and has dedicated his childhood to trying to find out what IS good and evil? to find this out, he had chosen to repress his malevolent nature, appearing on the outside as a calm, mature, and pleasant cherub, in contrast to his volatile and emotional sister. he has essentially softened himself, made himself more "palatable," at great emotional expense to himself and to his sister. he wants to just grow up already and leave their slowly dying planet, but his sister is unable to plan for the future and theyre locked in stalemate. his friend online, a commanding boy with a vicious streak, tells him of a game that can benefit all four of them...

[thesinglesjukebox]

BEYONCÉ - "16 CARRIAGES"

You guessed it! (...did you?) It's B'Day! Let's end it off strong...

[7.44]

Daniel Montesinos-Donaghy: An exponentially stronger B-side to the paint-by-numbers honky-tonk of "Texas Hold 'Em," "16 Carriages" is reminiscent of the widescreen ballads that Beyoncé hasn’t made in some time. There have been slow songs and Quiet Storm tributes, but few all-ages Bold Metaphor jams to flick your lighters up to. Usually, this isn’t my favourite of Knowles’ modes (give it up for a day-one "Halo" sceptic), but the frayed-family narrative and arena-size swell are moving. Compared to "Break My Soul" and its eye-rolling lyrics about quitting dead-end jobs, "16 Carriages" doesn’t make me balk at one of the world’s richest women singing about being “underpaid and overwhelmed." In its earnest hugeness, you can feel the artist reach for the mythic, or a theatrical archetype at the least. It’s strong character work. [7]

Rachel Saywitz: After an album bereft of slow-churning, sob-inducing ballads, it’s very satisfying to hear Beyoncé back in her element with “16 Carriages.” There’s a gorgeous tension to it, a slow buildup rich with narrative interiors—regardless of whether the track is pulled directly from Beyoncé’s life, its story shows in blistered verses frantic with stormy memories and repeated affirmations. I can sense, in her melodies and vocal runs, that there’s a rush to race ahead of the track’s patient lap steel and slow percussion thumps. Her voice grows in power so gradually that when the anticipation finally reaches its peak in that final chorus, it’s hard to feel relief. I want to keep living in the epic fantasy of the song’s tale, where strife is rewarded and fear begets a legacy.  [9]

Hannah Jocelyn: "16 Carriages" is billed as country, but it reminds me more of maximalist chamber pop like Perfume Genius’ No Shape with its drastic dynamic shifts and off-kilter orchestration. Beyoncé’s performance is virtuosic in its relative restraint, letting the crashing horns and strings do the heavy lifting. (Good singing =/= belting everything!) She recasts her history as an underdog story and sells it -- and for what it's worth, getting famous at an early age actually sounds pretty traumatizing! The oddly lo-fi production grounds the narrative. This obviously isn't a truly unpolished Beyoncé -- this is more self-mythologizing -- but it's great storytelling and worldbuilding. "Carriages" can't be narrowed down, always eluding any easy genre tag or even any easy answers in the lyrics. It's been a while since a pop star released something this weird, and even longer since they pulled it off. [10]

Jeffrey Brister: This one feels more in line with my expectations. "16 Carriages" isn't perfect—it has a repetitive melody, doesn't do nearly enough with the bluesy vocal, and feels a lot longer than its 3:53—but there’s enough to make it a distinctively country song. It also makes some smart choices with arrangements and productions -- the slight crunch and airy decay on the drums giving it an off-kilter feel, smartly knowing when to crash into climaxes and pull away to the spare beauty that shows off Bey’s voice. [7]

Dorian Sinclair: Releasing “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” simultaneously was smart. Where the former is gleefully cluttered, “16 Carriages” is stripped-back and stately, letting the lead vocal line carry the track almost entirely on its own. It’s a risky gambit; the melody is repetitive, and without a commanding performance the song could easily feel stagnant. But we know Beyoncé can deliver a commanding performance, and she does so here, with a precise understanding of how to execute on all those little flutters, and how to make the moments when the melody does break out of its limited range and climb a little higher really feel exciting. It all works right up until the last 45 seconds or so — introducing a new melodic idea so late in the song makes the whole thing feel kind of formless and unstructured and the ending feel notably untidy. This might make more sense on the album, but for now it’s unresolved. [7]

Aaron Bergstrom: It's been almost fifteen years since 30 Rock taught us that "going country" is a totally legitimate career move, and yet I confess that abrupt genre-hopping still makes me question an artist's motives. It's easy to see the commercial justification for Beyoncé finding new worlds to conquer, and I do love that a Black woman succeeding in country music makes some of the worst people in the world tie themselves in knots trying to explain why they're (a) mad about it but (b) somehow not racist. Still, if all we're doing is running it back with banjo instead of house piano, then I can't say I'm all that invested. Luckily, "16 Carriages" shows that there's also an artistic justification: country music can be such a compelling medium for storytelling. This is a song that needs to shake off the dust before it gets going, a song that needs to unfurl itself, unhurried in its presentation. It evokes weatherbeaten grandeur and the way that an unbroken horizon can signify both freedom and isolation, both possibility and emptiness. It drags in places and never reaches a real emotional climax, both of which could be seen as purposeful artistic choices. But ultimately it's undaunted, or at least as undaunted as you can be when it feels like your dreams are escaping.  [7]

TA Inskeep: First of all, this ain't country just because it has some acoustic finger picking in it. This sounds more Lumineers-core to my ears, especially the way it gets stompy as the arrangement gets bigger and swells with strings near its end. The lyric could be more effective with better music and a less sweet vocal. Maybe bring it back for that purported "rock" album and let Jack White go loose, encourage Beyoncé to go full Tina Turner -- that'd work. [5]

Brad Shoup: Genius is calling this a "classic country anthem," which may be true if your classic country stops at "An American Trilogy". When the symphony blares down the steel, it feels like the song taking its true intended form. She's going asking it to hold up so much, so quickly: origin story and present-day triumph and private burdens. That may be the most classic country thing about it, actually. [6]

Taylor Alatorre: "16 Carriages" is a songwriting case study in the power of selective ambiguity. Why carriages, and why 16 of them, when Beyoncé gives 15 as the age by which her innocence had "gone astray"? Part of it could be the centrality of the "sweet sixteen" in American girlhood, but that hardly seems like the whole story, especially when the song is bent on depicting the precise opposite of a normal American adolescence. The subsequent use of "umpteen," an ungainly word that Beyoncé seems to roll her eyes through, confirms that this is not about a specific moment of lost innocence but a larger, hazier sense of loss that weaves its way through the cracks in one's life, lying dormant and then springing back up at unexpected moments. A long train of carriages riding off into the sunset is a dream image, some mirage-like melding of Wild West and rock 'n' roll mythology that hits at something primal and almost beyond naming. The passing of childhood, yes, but more specifically the closing off of a universe of choices that were once available to us and no longer are. This being a Beyoncé single, the mourning is laced with the requisite triumphalism, but this doesn't negate the message that every worldly gain is built upon worldly loss but strengthens it. Those bone-rattling surges of guitar and percussion, at once funereal and propulsive, provide the ideal frame for this balancing act, jolting us back and forth between reality and the reverie. We never find out exactly what dreams are being carried away by the carriages, but that's fine -- all the better to universalize this inherently exceptional case of the self-sacrificing celebrity. [8]

Jackie Powell: Ever since Beyoncé released “Formation” and subsequently Lemonade, a common criticism emerged about what her brand stands for, and a question was posed: can she currently relate to the stories about being a Black person in America? Ernest Owens’ column from eight years ago makes points that remain relevant. “Just know that Beyoncé is making bank off of a variation of blackness that she isn't currently living in or experiencing,” he wrote. With Renaissance, released six years later, there were questions about how Beyoncé could earnestly lean into the plight and earn profit from the Black queer folks that Renaissance pays tribute to. And with “16 Carriages,” a track written like a modern day “work song,” how does that factor into that discourse? Putting it simply, Beyoncé has struggled with being relatable, but “16 Carriages” challenges that. What was her life like before the millions of dollars and even before Destiny’s Child? I didn’t really know until now. She writes of sacrifice, something that is a part of everyday life for all. And she also writes of the struggles that people who choose a life of creative work are accustomed to. “Goin' so hard, gotta choose myself/Underpaid and overwhelmed.” That’s so real. “Sixteen dollars, workin' all day/Ain't got time to waste, I got art to make.” That’s also so real. “16 Carriages” is written like a poem in couplets, with Beyoncé placing accents after each clause or phrase. The most important words that she wants you to take away are what she accents. It’s intentional, just like a lot of the recent Beyoncé story. Could this be Beyoncé’s “Jenny from the Block?” It might be, but it’s a bit more sincere and much less silly. Beyoncé knows she’s not that professional teenager anymore. [8]

Nortey Dowuona: Atia Boggs once wrote the hook "oh, I don't recall, all the tears of them all, the children of men, children of men." She also wrote: "baby, I might let you go, baby, baby no matter what, and like I switch the other side of me, baby gotta lotta ride on me." She has been writing songs that take all sorts of shapes, but she is credited on this song, and those two feel close to it. The first is a Trae the Truth record where he and J. Cole tell sad stories of young black men being sucked into the prison system, and the hook memorializes their lives. The second is a trippy Childish Gambino acid trip with a girl with a cat who looks at him sideways and has a little ride on her -- which Boggs sings about before her words are once again cut up and scattered to the winds. "It's been umpteen summers, and I'm not in my bed, on the back of the bus in a bunk with the band." I figure that a longtime songwriter like Boggs and Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter can both resonate with this lyric: both of them have lost umpteen summers to the reality of being musicians, and both are still in the chase and still have dreams left to achieve, still remember the dulling ache of being young and chasing and fearing not keeping up with the elders who are ahead. "It's been 38 summers, and I'm not in my bed, on the back of the bus on a bunk with the band." Now they are the elders, the ones the younger singers and songwriters are keeping pace with, seeing the road begin to shorten, time running out. "Going so hard, now I miss my kids, overworked and overwhelmed." It's easy to forget that both Boggs and Beyoncé are human beings, especially when one is a longtime songwriting veteran with dozens of credits and one is the most revered people in black music -- in music, period, which is why you make songs like this. Not everyone is free to sincerely indulge, but everyone is free to grieve the shortening of the runway, afraid of running and coming up short, losing time with your children, wondering whether the overwhelming grind will actually end. For Ms Knowles Carter, hopefully soon. For Mx Boggs, the future is far more uncertain. [10]

Katherine St. Asaph: Authenticity arguments are generally boring. But I would be lying if I claimed it didn't lend some gravitas to "16 Carriages" that Beyoncé wrote it with a songwriter for Renaissance and not a songwriter for Fletcher. The song is a showcase of vocal interpretation -- which it has to be, because it's essentially one short melody -- and genuinely strange, a power ballad that Beyoncé's verses keep prodding and dodging until it sounds less inspirational than destabilized. More than anything she's released in a while, this reminds me of 4, a sadly-but-unsurprisingly underrated casualty of the album it preceded. [8]

Ian Mathers: Much more so than "Texas Hold 'Em," this feels like one of the high-drama Lemonade or Beyoncé tracks transposed to a more country backing -- not in a bad way, if anything in the "this is a real song because it works even if you do it real stripped down" sense. (Not that this is particularly stripped down; the bombast really works for me, actually.) The fit isn't quite as smooth as "Texas Hold 'Em," but that just means that one feels like an all-timer while this just feels strong. I suspect it'll work great on the album -- sequencing being yet another thing Beyoncé is generally great at. [8]

Will Adams: The "country" designation for "16 Carriages" doesn't really connect with me. Rather, the song stands as the ideal version of what Beyoncé was going for with the adult contemporary half of I Am... Sasha Fierce that ended up quite bland. With heaps more production value and maturity, she's finally sold it. [7]

Isabel Cole: I thought it was the melody that I didn’t quite like, but then I couldn’t get it out of my head for a week, and found I didn’t mind it there. The plodding beat makes sense conceptually -- evoking the drag of horses’ hooves, or perhaps the crack of a whip driving them on as they pull -- but it’s a little grating. The way the arrangement veers between sparseness and bombast feels like the song can’t make up its mind about whether it’s a vulnerable confession or a statement of pride. And, again, that’s the point, I know; and, again, it just doesn’t land for me. [5]

Jacob Sujin Kuppermann: Bombast can in its own right become a virtue – if this were any smaller of a song I'd note the flaws in its construction more closely, spend more time trying to piece together where the core metaphor goes. In practice, "16 Carriages" leaves me with no time or resistance to consider such petty concerns; in every giant, resounding organ chord and wail of the steel guitar I am simply awed, bearing witness to Beyoncé at her most ideal form, a force of grace and power embodied. [8]

Michael Hong: Authenticity is wholly unimportant when it's this well-acted. With every shaky line reading and teetering run, she evokes the rickety journey of a carriage, bumping through the clunk of the guitar. It doesn't matter whether the lyrics are true to Beyoncé or any of the songwriters; you hear the lift when she looks upward.  [7]

Leah Isobel: I wonder whether the Renaissance project is about refraction - funneling Beyoncé's mythmaking through different genre prisms, seeing what aspects of her art and her life story are emphasized in each new mode. "16 Carriages" suggests as much. The Act 1 material felt like she had time-warped back into her youth, its energy libidinous and present-focused, its references rooted in the various forms of dance-pop that carried the early stages of her mainstream crossover. (Like, there are two Beyoncé songs that sample Donna Summer: one off Dangerously in Love, and one off Renaissance. Seems like a purposeful choice!) Here, though, her mode is more reflective, more "adult." The previous record's shifts in tempo and syncopation could evoke the time-shifting qualities of a great dancefloor, the way that the past and present and future blur into meaninglessness, but "16 Carriages" delineates clearly between what has passed and what is to come. Its instrumentation is built on harsh, regimented blasts of instrumentation that corral her vocal into measured units: you can hear her pacing out exactly how much melody she can fit in between each beat. It's like the ticking of a clock, or a step forward into the future. But it feels limited, somehow, by that regimentation. "For legacy/ If it's the last thing I do/ You'll remember me," she sings on the bridge, as if it's a self-evident value. Perhaps it's a peek inside what it takes to be an unbelievably famous and successful superstar after nearly 30 years: you cannot ever let yourself run out of steps forward. There is only the body and the road, pushing forward. I just wonder what it might sound like if she stopped. [7]

[Read, comment and vote on The Singles Jukebox ]

[officialyourdailyinspiration]

Our Daily Homily

by F.B. Meyer

"Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ." – Romans 13:14

This verse is ever memorable from its association with the life of Augustine, who says: "Thus was I sick and tormented in mind, bitterly accusing myself, and rolling and turning about in my chain, till it might be wholly broken."

At length, rushing into the garden, groaning in spirit, "all my bones were crying out, soul-sick was I and grievously tormented. I said to myself, ‘Be it done now; be it done now.’ And a voice said, ‘Why standest thou in thyself, and so standest not? Cast thyself upon Him. Fear not; He will not withdraw Himself, to let thee fall. He will receive, and will heal thee. Stop thine ears against those unclean members of thine, which are upon the earth, that they may be mortified.’"

Then arose a mighty tempest, bringing a heavy downpour of tears. "I cast myself under a certain fig-tree, and gave vent to my tears, and the floods of mine eyes brake forth. Why not now? Why not this hour make an end of my uncleanness? And, lo! from the neighboring house I heard a voice as of a boy or girl, I know not which, singing and oft repeating, ‘Take and read; take and read!’ Checking the torrent of my tears, I arose, interpreting it to be a Divine command to open the Book and read the first chapter I could find. I seized; I opened, and in silence read the passage on which mine eyes fell: ‘Not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.’ No further would I read; nor was there need, for instantly all my heart was flooded with a light of peace, all the sadness of doubt melted away!"

[childofchrist1983]

Are you a peacemaker? How about the people that you surround yourself with? I think that all of us are weak at times, seeking the exact opposite of God and His peace when things are not going well or when we are in a foul mood. In these instances, what do we make? Trouble, conflict, even war. The teachings of Jesus on the Sermon of the Mount are often taken like the teachings of a fortune cookie, but I urge you not to take these words of Jesus Christ lightly. These are not meant to be clever quips in order to interest His listeners. These are the urges of Christ in an attempt to save our souls, in order to show us the path to Heaven.

Think about what it would mean to truly be "a peacemaker." Someone that seeks peace with all that they do, say, and think. Someone that MAKES peace with all that they do, say, and think. I certainly fall so short of this command. Even the words that I am currently writing have a tinge of aggression behind them, but it is because I want the world to be a more peaceful pace. Think about what is happening in current events: Is there anything that the world needs more than a little more peace and understanding? Think if even a small percentage of the people on this Earth truly were peacemakers. What a profound different that would have on the events that happen everyday! Be a peacemaker yourself and lead by example. If you seek the LORD God Almighty and His salvation and peace daily, I believe that it will touch others around you and lead them to do the same.

We are all sons and daughters of God through our faith in Him. One step in the right direction is by seeking peace. Pray with this Bible verse in mind, ask God for forgiveness about an event where you did not seek peace or acted in a way that does not please God. Jesus does not want us to have a prideful and troubled heart, but a humble faithful heart and life. Hold Him and His Holy Word and Spirit close and in your heart daily. The Holy Spirit of God is a peaceful one, and our salvation relies on Him. We must love God first, but also show His love towards our enemies (Matthew 5:44), our neighbors, and ourselves (Mark 12:28-31, Matthew 22:36-40). Do these things and I have no doubt that He will help you create peace with all that you do, say, and think. Thanks and glory be to God! Our selfish desires and disappointments sometimes rob our words and reactions of God's peace. May He restore us and fill us anew, that we may overflow. May He help us to be not just a vessel of His peace, but a conduit, so that He may use me to spread His Truth and His light, love and peace to all that we encounter.

Let us humble ourselves before God daily, asking Him to forgive us and to strength and teach us to view life through the lens of God and His promises. May He guard our hearts against Satan and the temptations of this world and our flesh. May He give us the peace to find full satisfaction in God and His peace and promises, so that we may live our lives daily in ways that honor and pleases Him. As we seek Him daily, may He reveal Himself to us through the words He has provided and use it to conform the desires of our heart to Him and His love and compassion and grace.

As true and spiritually reborn Christians, we love, trust and believe in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ. Thank Him for calling us to faith and imparting us with salvation and righteousness. May He empower us to live in His will and righteousness, so that we may testify to His soul-saving power as our faith carries us past all doubt, fear, and failure. May He grant us the grace to forgive others who have wronged us, and the humility to seek forgiveness where we have caused strife. We must ask Him to help us grow spiritually in our relationship with Him and strengthen us and the bonds of love that He has given us, so that our unity may glorify and testify to His power and goodness. Seek, follow and trust in the LORD God Almighty always!

We choose to keep Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ first in our hearts and lives and all other worldly desires behind us. He extends salvation to everyone, and we want to show the world the freedom, hope and peace they can have in accepting and following Him. May we follow and serve God daily with love, trust, awe and wonder. May Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ strengthen our faith, lift our spirits, protect our hearts, and show us opportunities to help bring others to Him and His Gospel Truth daily. May we do this duty boldly, humbly and faithfully. To God be all the honor and praise and glory!

We must come to Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ with sincere hearts to ask forgiveness and follow Him and His Holy Word and Spirit always. We praise Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for the mercy He bestows upon us and we are grateful for His grace and mercy and infinite blessings. By surrendering our hearts and our lives to His will, we see all the blessings He has bestowed upon us. God our refuge and our salvation and our constant provider. We lift our voices to Him in praise for His steadfast love, mercy and understanding. May Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ open our minds and hearts more and more to perceive and embrace Him and His truths. May He help us to find time to pray and read and study the Holy Bible daily and to find power in prayer, praying according to His Holy Word and will. May He help us to come to Him in true repentance and with faith in Him and His grace and merciful nature. May He give us the grace, courage and strength we need to walk with Him and do His will daily. May He teach us to watch our words when we pray to Him and to speak reverently and rightly. May we continually ask God to transform our hearts and make us faithful and humble as we walk with Him daily. We must come to Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ with honest, humble and repentant hearts. We must seek Him and His will and choose to follow Him all the days of our lives. May He help transform our hearts, help us to seek and live for Him above all else and to grow spiritually and build our faith and relationship with Him with each passing day. May He forgive our sinful nature and help us always make Him and our relationship with Him top priority.

As true and born-again Christians, we choose to walk in His righteous path and lead a life that is pleasing to Him. We desire Him and His will above anything else. We desire to walk in accordance with the love and light He has shown to us through His Holy Word and Spirit. We long for a deeper relationship with Him and a deeper fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ as well. When we fall into temptation and sin, we must turn to Him for forgiveness, strength and guidance. When believers learn to walk in accordance with God's Holy Word and Spirit, they have deeper fellowship with both God and one another. And the sin that could threaten to destroy that fellowship, if confessed (1 John 1:9), is covered in the blood of Jesus Christ and no longer a barrier between us and God. May we ask Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ to forgive us for any sins we have sinned this day or in days past. May we be faithful to Him and His Holy Word always. May He help us to walk more consistently in the light and to not neglect long to confess and forsake any sins that hinder our walk with Him. May He lead us in the direction He wants us to go so that we may seek and serve Him faithfully. God is holy and almighty and deserving of all praise honor and glory. We rejoice in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ, knowing He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is the Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 1:8). May our hearts always be filled with thanksgiving and rejoicing. May He help us to praise Him freely and honestly like all believers who came before us. May we live a life that showcases our love and trust in Him and His Holy Word and Spirit as He uses us draw others to Him and His soul-saving Gospel Truth daily. May He continue guide, correct and protect us, so that we continue to grow in Him and not weaken and stray. May we all remain faithful to Him and to this duty and purpose He has called us to. Seek and put your faith and trust in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ and let Him do the rest. May He humble our hearts and help us focus on following and serving Him daily and helping others with joy and happiness. We lift our voices in praise to Him for His love, mercy, peace, faithfulness and grace - For EVERYTHING!

It is vital that we remain rooted in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ through prayer and His Holy Word and Spirit and that we live and walk as a beacon of His light and love and share and spread the Gospel Truth daily, so that the lost souls in this world can come to know Him and be saved. The more we focus on Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ, growing spiritually by building our relationship with Him, leaning on Him and His Holy Word and Spirit, the better off we will be. Thanks to this and our faith in Him, we know that everything will be alright. And we will forever be grateful to Him. As true and born-again Christians, we believe in Him and His Holy Word and we strive daily to walk in His Holy Spirit. We know though our mortal bodies should die, He will raise us up and into new and glorious bodies (The Rapture). We who are truly His and alive at His second coming will never die, and our bodies will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and so shall we ever be with Him in His Kingdom of Heaven forevermore (1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This is one of many promises given to us by God Himself. Thank God for His strength and guidance when we are faced with sin and temptation. Thank Him for His mercy and grace. Through Bible study and prayer, God reveals His wisdom and guides us to see opportunities to grow closer to Him and grow spiritually. He gives us direction to live our lives daily according to His will.

Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to Heaven (John 3:5, 14:6), the ONLY way to salvation (Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8-9) and He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25-26). Jesus Christ the LORD of lords, the KING of kings, the GOD of gods (Deuteronomy 10:17, 1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:16) - He is the Living, Almighty and Everlasting God (Isaiah 9:6, Revelation 1:8, John 3:16, John 3:36, Jeremiah 10:10). There is no other God besides Him (Isaiah 45:5). We MUST humble ourselves before Him, turning our backs on false teachers, false gods and idols and our sinful ways. We MUST repent and turn back to God and recognize who He is and love Him in return for His great love for us. We MUST make God top priority everyday! May we be motivated to spread God's Holy Word and Gospel Truth to all the Earth, knowing that it is the only hope of all those lost in their sins. Let us not hold out a false hope for men to be saved without the Gospel, but instead, strive to do our part to get the Gospel out to a lost and dying world.

Leaning on Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ through prayer and His Holy Word and Spirit strengthens us and our knowledge and wisdom about God and His Gospel Truth, exposing these imposters. May God help us to seek and lean on Him daily to gain the strength, wisdom and spiritual discernment needed to expose Satan and his imposters who seek to destroy us and God's ultimate Truth. Everyday, we must remember to share Jesus Christ's Gospel Truth with the world and to thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for the grace that He poured out for us on the cross at Calvary. He has freed us from the burdens of sin and from the eternal damnation of Hell. In all we say and do, may all praise, honor and glory always be given to Him and His Kingdom of Heaven.

With renewed minds, hearts and wills, let us serve Him humbly and faithfully out of pure love and grateful rejoicing. May He remind us of His presence and to remain at peace, fully knowing that all will be well because He is always with us. Let us seek Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ today and everyday with all our heart and being, looking for His love, light and will for our lives with each step we take. Let us seek to please Him with our thoughts, words, and deeds and seek to advance His Kingdom of Heaven and His glory with our lives. Let us seek Him from a pure and humble heart, and when we so seek, we believe Him and His promise that we will find. May He help us all to be more sensitive to the teaching ministry of His Holy Word and Spirit, relying on Him and allowing Him to speak to us and guide us every step of our Christian journey.

God gave us the Holy Bible - His living and Holy Word - to let us know of Him and His abiding love and care as well as guide and prepare us for all our lives. May He help us encourage one another as we continue our walk with Him and our duty to Him daily. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for being present for all our new beginnings and all our lives. May He redirect any anxiety we feel as He provides countless opportunities for growth and change. May we humble ourselves before God always, asking Him to forgive our sins and make our hearts and lives anew through His Holy Word and Spirit. May He help us make Him and His Holy Word top priority, so we can grow spiritually and grow in our relationship with Him as we apply it to our daily lives. Thank God that we can focus on Him and everything about Him, for that is what keeps us sane and at peace. May our words and actions always be a reflection of Him and His Holy Word and Spirit and will.

May He help us to always walk in His grace and Holy Spirit, not by our own measure. May He give us the humble humility to know that our freedom and eternal salvation is found only in Him, so that His grace may sustain us, and we may never lose sight of His love and light and mercy. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for calling us to Him and to serve Him. May He equip us to do all that He has called us to do so that as He works through us, He may use us to produce fruit, to reach others, and to encourage all brothers and sisters in Christ. May He work all of these things in us and through us for His Kingdom and His glory. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all His creation, for His miraculous ways and for everything He does and has done for us! Keep the faith and keep moving forward in your walk with Jesus! He loves us and He knows what is best for us. Seek, follow and trust in Him - Always!

Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Word and for sending His Holy Spirit so that we might have His grace, not only to awaken us and transform our hearts in our spiritual rebirth and guarantee our eternity with Him, but to also call upon Him whenever we are in need. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all the reminders of His love and mercy and faithfulness within His Holy Word. He is bigger than any challenge or circumstance in our lives. Knowing this within our minds and our hearts, nothing can deter our faith in Him and His Truth. May we all accept Him and His eternal gift of salvation and ask that He would transform our hearts and lives according to His will and ways. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Spirit who saves, seals and leads us. May we always thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His almighty power and saving grace. For He is our strength, and He alone is able to save us, forgive our sins and gift us eternal salvation and entry into His Kingdom of Heaven.

May we make sure that we give our hearts and lives to God and take time to seek and praise Him and share His Truth with the world daily. May the LORD our God and Father in Heaven help us to stay diligent and obedient and help us to guard our hearts in Him and His Holy Word daily. May He help us to remain faithful and full of excitement to do our duty to Him and for His glorious return and our reunion in Heaven as well as all that awaits us there. May we never forget to thank the LORD our God and our Creator and Father in Heaven for all this and everything He does and has done for us! May we never forget who He is, nor forget who we are in Christ and that God is always with us! What a mighty God we serve! What a Savior this is! What a wonderful LORD, God, Savior and King we have in Jesus Christ! What a loving Father we have found in Almighty God! What a wonderful God we serve! His will be done!

Thanks and glory be to God! Blessed be the name of the LORD! Hallelujah and Amen!

[endogenicredstar]

It's Time to Meet Them!

Before I start winding down for bed tonight, I figured, I'd finally introduce my alters/headmates! (Not sure which term I should use. I'm still a tad new to this.) Let's do this!

To preface, some of my system members may be triggering to some, given their canon sources. The listing will be under the read more!

Miguel O’Hara

Role: Protector/Caregiver

Source: Spider-Man: Across the Spider Verse

Age: 34

Gender: Male

Strong, dedicated, and brave. Miguel is his universe’s one and only Spider-Man. He comes from Earth 928-B, and lives in the year 2099. He discovered a way to travel through the multiverse, and in doing so, formed a special taskforce to ensure its safety. Whenever he isn’t busy protecting Nueva York, he’s monitoring the multiverse for any abnormalities. Despite his scary appearance, he's actually quite sweet.

Important Info: Miguel has severe trauma pertaining to abuse and loss. Please be mindful that he may not answer any questions or reply to comments involving those topics. Nor will he talk about them. Unless you know him personally, don’t ask. He’s also really busy most of the time, so responses may come late, or not at all.

Knockout

Role: Caregiver/Protector

Source: Transformers Prime

Age: 2,550,000

Gender: Male

A former Decepticon turned Autobot, Knockout has seen his fair share of hardships. He was once a mod surgeon on his home planet of Cybertron. However, once the war started, he became a medic for the Decepticons. After coming to earth, he joined the Autobots. A caregiver by nature, Knockout always tries his best to treat any and all patients with love and respect. Despite his change in sides, one thing has stayed the same: His meticulous care routine. He takes pride in how he looks, and will do anything to keep his paint glistening.

Important Info: Being a medic, he's quite busy. He may not respond right away.

Breakdown

Role: Caregiver/Protector

Source: Transformers Prime

Age: 3,545,000

Gender: Male

A Wrecker with a spark of gold, Breakdown is the prime example of a golden retriever person. The gentle giant has energy to spare, even after strenuous activity! Like Knockout, Breakdown is a former Decepticon, joining the Autobots after arriving on earth. He has immense strength, but is a little dumb at times. He lost an optic (eye) due to M.E.C.H, an organization that sought to harness Cybertronian anatomy for their personal gain.

Important Info: In regards to the M.E.C.H situation, Breakdown has PTSD. Please be mindful not to trigger it. Don’t mention the organization, or Cylas. If you want to know about that specifically, ask Knockout or me (The host).

Starscream

Role: Protector

Source: Transformers Prime

Age: 4,500,00

Gender: Male

A cunning strategist and former Commander of the Decepticons, Starscream can be a force to be reckoned with. However, his sharp mind can often be dulled by his impulsivity and rashness. Having been Megatron’s right hand for centuries, Starscream has seen his fair share of terrible things. He’s even done terrible things himself, but he’s trying to make up for it. Working with the Autobots is merely the first step.

Important Info: Starscream is a victim of severe physical, emotional, and psychological abuse. As a result, he is often highly anxious and quick to anger. Please don’t mention Megatron around him. Don’t use aggressive language; it triggers him very badly. If you ask him about anything pertaining to his days as a Decepticon, he may not answer right away. Or, he may not answer at all, depending on the topic. If you want to know more about any of Starscream’s triggers, please ask Knockout, Breakdown, or me.

Cloud Strife

Role: Protector

Source: Final Fantasy VII (OG/Remake/Rebirth)

Age: 21

Gender: Male

A former SOLDIER infantryman with a tendency of being a self-proclaimed badass, Cloud is definitely a man of great consequence. Toting around the massive Buster Sword, his augmented strength is nothing to sneeze at. However, despite his hard exterior, he’s actually quite nice– if you know how to treat him.

Important Info: He may come off as stand-offish at times, but he doesn’t mean to. He has trauma pertaining to loss and manipulation. Due to his trauma, he has PTSD, so please don’t talk about Sephiroth if it can be helped.

Nanaki/Red XIII

Role: Caregiver

Source: Final Fantasy VII (OG/Remake/Rebirth)

Age: 48 human years (15 or 16 in Buma years)

Gender: Male

A sentient beast with red fur and a fiery tail. Nanaki, known to most as Red XIII, is a loyal companion. He may not understand a lot of things, given his age, but he tries his best. Born in Cosmo Canyon, Nanaki lived in the wild most of his life– until he was captured by Shinra and sent to Midgar. Once he was placed in Shinra’s R&D laboratory, he was subjected to many, unethical things; none of which I’ll mention because it triggers me. A little shy, Nanaki may stammer or stutter sometimes when he speaks. But once he finds his footing, he speaks fairly eloquently.

Important Info: Nanaki is a minor! Please refrain from talking about anything 18+. He has some trauma involving Shinra's R&D department; namely, Hojo. He'll talk about it, but he might not respond in a timely manner.

[knightfeared]

HEADCANONS MASTER LIST ( 1 / ? ) . *[ Sept 25 . 2023 ]

SCAR REFERENCES & PHYSICAL TRAITS

➤ APPEARANCE HEADCANONS [ ; ] LEON’S EMBROIDERED WINGS

BEHAVIOURS & MANNERISMS

➤ LAUGHTER ( 1 / ? ) ➤ LAUGHTER ( 2 / ? ) ➤ 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 ➤ PTSD ➤ LOVE LANGUAGE ( 1 / ? ) ➤ LOVE LANGUAGE ( 2 / ? ) ➤ THOUGHTS ON TOUCH / AFFECTION ( 1 / ? ) ➤ THOUGHTS ON TOUCH / AFFECTION ( 2 / ? ) ➤ SEPARATION ANXIETY ➤ MISC. BEHAVIOUR [ ; ] STRESS, EMOTIONS & DEVOTION ➤ FEELINGS REGARDING HIS COMMANDER POSITION ➤ SENSES & OTHER MISC. HEADCANONS ➤ LEVEL OF DEVOTION & WILLINGNESS TO SACRIFICE SELF ➤ MISC. BEHAVIOUR HEADCANONS

HABITS & INTERESTS

➤ NSFW PREFERENCES ➤ ANIMALS / PETS ➤ UNNECESSARILY DETAILED MUSE DISLIKES [ ; ] PT 1 ➤ UNNECESSARILY DETAILED MUSE DISLIKES [ ; ] PT 2

VERSE SPECIFIC LORE

➤ TRAVERSE TOWN & LEON’S CONNECTION TO KING MICKEY *VERSE [ ; ] Kingdom Hearts ➤ HEADCANONS [ ; ] ABOUT GARDEN ( 1 / ? ) *VERSE [ ; ] Final Fantasy VIII

GENERAL DYNAMIC HEADCANONS

➤ DYNAMIC HEADCANONS [ ; ] SORA *VERSE [ ; ] Kingdom Hearts

WRITING PARTNER DYNAMIC HEADCANONS

➤ DYNAMIC HEADCANONS [ ; ] CLOUD STRIFE @/DEFIANTEXSOLDIERS *VERSE [ ; ] Kingdom Hearts ➤ DYNAMIC HEADCANONS [ ; ] ZACK FAIR @/MYRISTICISMS *VERSE [ ; ] Final Fantasy VII ➤ DYNAMIC HEADCANONS [ ; ] SEIFER ALMASY @/REVEROMANTIQUE *VERSE [ ; ] Final Fantasy VIII + POST Final Fantasy VIII

IMPORTANT INFO ( … ) *rules / *verses / *playlist / *credits *about / *squall headcanons¹ / *squall headcanons²

[powerfxls]

( medalion rahimi  +  twenty-seven  +  she/her )  look who has entered camp halfblood college !  meet ZAHARA FARZAN ,  the child of ERIS .  they have been living in long island for eight years and are currently working as ancient greek instructor. when someone describes them, they are often described as VIVACIOUS and MANIPULATIVE. zeus believes she is responsible for stealing the lightning bolt but is that something they are capable of doing?

name: zahara farzan

age: twenty-seven

height: 5'5

hair color: brown

eye color: brown

birthplace: washington d.c

occupation: instructor of ancient greek

gender: cis woman

pronouns: she/her

starsign: sagittarius

sexuality: pansexual

Powers

super human strength, stamina, durability, speed, and agility

emotional manipulation - she can feed off of people's chaotic feelings, pain and other feelings that are negative. and make them feel these things in turn.

chaos, discord and strife manipulation- these are all gifts from her mother, she's well versed in these skills and revels in them.

shadow travel

Family

father: cyrus farzan

mother: eris. goddess of chaos, discord, and strife.

siblings: children of eris

Fun Facts

personality type: entj - the commander

character inspirations: azula (avatar the last airbender), loki (marvel), louise belcher (bob's burgers), karma (assasination classroom), himiko toga (my hero), alex delarge (clockwork orange), klaus hargreeves (umbrella academy) and dazai (bungo stray dogs)

Biography

a politician and the goddess of chaos made an interesting couple, a powerful couple. she helped him get where he wanted to be and he helped her feed of the chaos that has always been in political systems. maybe it wasn't love between the two but it was powerful attraction and a beneficial system. cyrus farzan was not expecting the goddess to show up and leave a baby girl with him.

from a young age zahara has known she was special. her father would tell her this. that her mother was someone powerful, someone important, someone who still helped him from time to time. he would call her a goddess, somehow zahara knew he wasn't just talking about her being wonderful. it was something she felt connected to.

moving to new york from d.c she was at home in the bustling city, the utter chaos it brought was something that hummed under her skin. she always fit in where others suffered. she wasn't sure why but her father would just laugh about it and talk about his goddess.

zahara met another strange girl, one who loved occult, one who also loved the shadows and seemed to be able to do some of the strange things she was. they got along instantly, the other girl quiet and zahara the life and power of every situation. as long as they were together they could take on anything.

it didn't take long for zahara to figure out who her father's goddess was. the intense pleasure she got from suffering and chaos around her left little room for questioning when she started looking into her fathers love of the greek gods.

eris, the goddess who haunted battlefields, who caused wars and chaos around the world had to be her mother. there was no other option, she knew it had to be her. making people feel pain, making people suffer that was her power. she could torment them and it made her happy.

she knew the moment she turned 18 she would find her home and be accepted by her mother. a persian woman walking into a greek camp, how delighted both she and her mother would be. she wondered if any of her ancestors fought againt theirs.

as soon as she crossed the barrier a golden apple appeared over her head and everyone knew. she was the daughter of eris, just as she knew she was. but she wasn't allowed to be with her mother beyond that, everything she wanted was to be with her mother, be seen by her. but zeus wouldn't let that happen.

as much as she wanted to leave and be in the chaos of the world, the university was where she belonged. the chaos around them, around the demigods and world of greek mythology was her calling. she needed to be there, among the monsters and messes around them.

Now

zahara had nothing to do with the lightning bolt disappearing but she's glad it did. all around her is chaos, even in the heavens where the gods live she can feel it. this place is where she is meant to be. and if she sometimes spreads rumors about who has the bolt? then who can blame her.

Wanted Connections

enemies: she literally can make people suffer and cause them pain for fun and loves it, there are 10000% people who don't like her or her powers. probably children of like aphrodite and athena but also others im sure.

friends: she needs some friends, probably from ares, enyo, and other more 'dark' god/goddesses

romances/hook ups/anything?

[nevermindtheweights]

Welcome

Unpacked and ready, St. Louise stepped into the dining hall. Arriving suddenly though through expedited papers. Politics or not behind the move, she cared little for why she was upon this base but she would welcome it nonetheless. Far from her homeland of Missouri, the stuck-in-the-past shipgirl looked around to see many of her dearest companions, fellow girls of the ocean! Many were quite portly, even for what she had witnessed in her own heartlands. Barely anyone noticed her as she stepped more into the dining hall, the lunch rush ebbing as many stuffed girl sat around.

An audience! Willing or not, an audience.

Quick to hop upon a table, she place the violin she carried under her chin and played a few quick notes, gaining attention from some of the girls. Confused as they were about this odd stranger. 

And thus, she began; 

“Ahhh! By winter’s late yet still gentle kiss, Whisked by coastal breezes, pushed to destiny, On the cusp of new adventures, expressed unease, Plenty. But life is naught but full of this! The pains of newness, struggle and strife! What else is expected upon the seas of life!”

She walked along the table, stepping carefully as she resumed to recite poetry, her own works, made within the moment. She paused, played a few notes and twirled, winking playfully at some of the more surprised girls who burped in stuffed awe at what they were witnessing.

“From sunny heartlands from once I roamed, To the lands of youkai and volcanos old, From hot and humid to lands so cold! Yet here I stand, ready and willing, homed, In this land so new to me. To live and love, to bask and grow upon lands watched above.”

St Louise moved and jumped from one table to another, thankfully more barren of plates than most others. More eyes were on her now as she played more notes and gave a stylish pirouette, resuming her impromptu and strange welcome; 

 “To Japan, I bid you the joys of my company! Doubts and worries accepted and dismissed, I welcome you into my heart! Full glad to exist, even for a moment in these lands, accompanied, By my sisters no less, dearest and true! I owe it all to you!”

She puncuated that part with her arms wide, withdrawing the violin from her neck. She giggled and hummed. She returned the violin under chin and gestured out with the string towards her lardy crowd, addressing them more directly now as inspiration struck yet again;

“For you may be of portly stature, there! a wobble Engorged upon the bounties of this land, Under watchful command, help me understand, Why you all must consume and gobble? There must be plenty here, far beyond  What I expect! No matter how I respond.

A few girls seemed to get her meaning, blushing softly while others seemed more confused on the matter. No doubt not versed in the finer aspects of English Poetry, reckoned St Louise. She giggled again, a wink tossed out at some of the nearby girls. The audience had grown now, a few more eyes upon her, a few cooks having been drawn out by the commotion she has caused; “My joy for you all is never in doubt, For my heart is eager to greet you all, To meet in these early spring, to all, I say, ‘Where would I be without, My fellow shipgirls? Nowhere, I reckon! So pleased to meet you all!’ - my confession!”

A final play on the strings of her violin, she stopped. Stanza finished of her efforts of an welcoming sestain. A little experimental and perhaps not perfection but it was art nonetheless to St Louise, she gave a bow and hoped off the table.

“Thank you, thank you! I am St Louise and it is a pleasure to meet you all!” She would finally call out to some scattered applause of the lazy girls, most baffled but all not exactly sure what to make of all that. 

Not that it bothered the blonde who just marched out without nary a moment of lingering or embarrassment.

[nonhumen]

AND WHEN THE DEVIL WAS DEAD, HE TOOK THE THRONE OF HELL FOR HIMSELF / MAFIA BOSS AU

( ship exclusive verse with @chaosbled's chuuya )

the demon king of yokohama. the owner of the darkest nights. the most feared and revered boss the port mafia has ever seen. these are the monikers of dazai osamu when a bounty is placed on a certain weretiger's head. but this story starts long before then. before the death of oda sakunosuke, before the dragon head conflict, before the formation of double black, before the appearance of verlaine.

it starts with the flags -- the group made of the mafia's upcoming best and brightest. it all starts with a single hypothetical: what if dazai had joined the flags? it certainly was not by choice, but they all know of the demonic creature who climbs the ranks much faster than any of them ever will. the one who brought their youngest member, chuuya, to the mafia. the one who lives alone among darkness and death.

it starts one day when piano man pulls dazai from his shipping container on a hot summer day to cool off and play video games. and then it never stops, the stubborn flags pulling dazai from his isolation again and again until the childishness begins to show. until he isn't the black wraith anymore but a boy.

verlaine's first mistake was targeting dazai first. knowing the king of assassin's plans, dazai immediately concocts a ruse to save the flags. he fakes their deaths, making it so believable that even chuuya cries out in rage and pain. it is only when the dust has settled, when verlaine is defeated and chuuya wakes up after the use of corruption, that he is once again surrounded by his friends alive and well. it is then that the flags give dazai an official invitation to join their group. he accepts.

from there, the seven of them grow together as the future of the port mafia. chuuya shines brighter and brighter like a blazing fire and dazai becomes darker and darker like a gaping hole into the abyss. they become executives -- two celebrated days amongst the flags -- and then become the famous double black.

and then, chuuya is sent away on a solo mission overseas. at the same time, dazai is tasked with finding information on a mysterious group that has showed up in yokohama: mimic. everything falls apart around dazai. ango is discovered to be a spy for the government. and odasaku.... odasaku cannot be saved. holding the body of his friend, dazai has two choices in front of him. leave the mafia to find a lighter life or stay in the mafia and make it lighter.

dazai chooses to stay in the mafia.

a week later, dazai slits mori ougai's throat and takes the head of the port mafia for himself with chuuya as his witness. with the help of the flags, who saw the depths of despair dazai was in after oda's death, helped expunge the evidence of his crime. it is a day that lives down in infamy in the mafia, one where there are only rumors and now true facts. the demon king is born.

things change with dazai as the boss. he dismantles the current group of executives and puts the original five members of the flags into the roles. he releases kouyou from her contract with the mafia, allowing to live with the freedom she once wished. verlaine remains in his self-exile to teach the mafia's assassin's. and chuuya becomes his right hand, his bodyguard, his second in command. and before anything else, his partner.

it's an easier transition because dazai truly was mori's heir but it was not entirely free of strife. dazai is young and many people inside and outside of the mafia underestimated how well an eighteen year old could run a criminal organization. they were all proven wrong and some paid with their lives. oda's dying wish to save people is still something dazai holds close to his heart and so he changes the mafia to fit with that wish. in the end, dazai cares for the city of yokohama. he shuts down human trafficking in his ports and regulates the drug trade with an iron fist so it doesn't get out of hand. if the port mafia's profits doubled in dazai's first year as a member, then they quadruple in his first two years as boss. he also attempts to heal the strained relationship between the mafia and the two other organizations that make up the tripartite.

the flags all become famous in their own right: lippmann continues his acting career while also being the head of public relations. iceman becomes dazai's personal hitman and is in charge of the bloodiest work. piano man is dazai's third in command and is in charge of destroying the mafia's domestic enemies. albatross becomes in charge of every vehicle the mafia ever uses and all modes of transportation are handled by him and those under his command.

doc is a special case. he becomes the head doctor of the mafia and the only one to access mori's previous medical records. this means he is the only one privy to everything that was done to dazai; every surgery, every suture, every administer of pavinal. one night, mori's old clinic burns down and no one questions it. but this also means that dazai is abled to get weaned off of the opioid in a much safer manner than going cold turkey.

with chuuya ever by dazai's side, the two grow closer after the change in leadership. everyone could see they were in love and yet dazai's inability to understand his own heart makes the fall agonizingly slow. they share their first kiss at nineteen. they get married a twenty. it is a difficult decision, one agonized over until only the answer remains: death is certain but that does not mean that happiness and belonging should be out of reach. they have an autumn wedding with rings fashioned using the method of kintsugi -- taking broken things and making something whole from their flaws.

but this is not where the story ends, for nothing ends so perfectly. there will forever be obstacles for those shrouded in night to face. dazai's suicidal tendencies still find chuuya pulling him from the river. rival syndicates still try to take territory from the mafia, including a couple of incidents where the greedy few try to reopen human trafficking within yokohama; the one illegal business dazai does not tolerate. the two have both had assassination attempts on their life, the perpetrators subjected to a slow and painful death within the dungeons.

then there is the time where dazai's true identity almost came to light -- a consequence of becoming the most powerful boss of the mafia and one of the most powerful criminals in the country. he is required to meet with the higher class, the bureaucrats and businessmen like his father. eventually, the name tsushima shuuji begins to circulate in hushed whispers. the disgraced son of a diet member resurfacing as the demon king of yokohama; if it were to become public knowledge it could mean an all out war against the port mafia. dazai was able to silence the man who knew his secret but it is a secret he will forever have to keep burying.

by the time dazai is twenty-two the mafia has never been so powerful. from here, most of the events of bsd are the same but with dazai as the boss. notable events include:

-- atsushi still becoming part of the ada / his rivalry with akutagawa. dazai still recognizes their potential as the next double black. -- q is no longer confined to the dungeons as a weapon, but is still captured by the guild to curse yokohama. it's easier for the mafia and the ada to work together against the guild because of their patched relationship. -- dead apple remains unchanged. dazai tells no one of his plans because of course he doesn't. -- cannibalism arc involves fukuzawa and dazai, though extra steps are taken on dazai to make sure the ability works on him. resonate guns are involved. -- he still gets arrested to keep an eye on fyodor in meursault. chuuya becomes the acting boss in his stead.

*** i am leaving out / forgetting so much. this verse is very dear to me and i would like to share it with all of you. feel free to ask questions about it because chances are i probably already have an answer.

[the-haven-of-fiction]

These are some verses from the book upon which Christians should be basing their lives. Consider them at times when you are evaluating the actions of others…such as when U.S. governors from Texas and Florida do what they are doing.

“Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.” - Hebrews‬ ‭13:1-3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back.” - Luke‬ ‭6:30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” - I John‬ ‭4:20-21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” - Philippians‬ ‭2:3-4‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“Never repay anyone evil for evil. Take thought for what is right and gracious and proper in the sight of everyone. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” - Romans‬ ‭12:17-18‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“If, however, you are [really] fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, if you have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit]” you are doing well. But if you show partiality [prejudice, favoritism], you are committing sin and are convicted by the Law as offenders.” - James‬ ‭2:8-9‬ ‭AMP‬‬

[bills-bible-basics]

SECTS AND HERESIES -- KJV (King James Version) Bible Verse List King James Version Bible verse list compiled by Bill Kochman concerning the topic "Sects and Heresies". Visit my page at https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/ to see all the lists I've compiled to date. Thanks! In the KJV Bible, the word "sect" is derived from the Koine Greek word "hairesis". This word is also translated as "heresy" and "heresies". However, believe it or not, originally, it was not a negative word. According to Thayer's Greek English Lexicon, it refers to a group of men who adhere to a particular set of political or religious tenets. In the Scriptures, this included the Sadducees, the Pharisees and the Christians. It was only later that the word "sect" was given an evil and dangerous connotation, and was used to defend one's beliefs and practices against an opposing set of beliefs and practices. Today Satan -- and organized religion -- has equated the word "sect" with the word "cult". Why is this? The fact is that the word "cult" is intentionally used to scare people, and to drive them away from something or somebody. I propose that organized religion does this because it is afraid of losing its power and control over people who choose to worship the Lord and fellowship with other Christians in a smaller, more intimate environment, such as a Home Church. Think about it, and beware! If you don't belong to a big, recognized, popular church or denomination, and prefer a Home Church or Home Fellowship, they WILL try to find a way to demonize you, and you WILL be labeled a dangerous cult sooner or later, even if you are not one. "Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation," Acts 5:17, KJV "But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses." Acts 15:5, KJV "For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes . . . But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:" Acts 24:5, 14, KJV "Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee." Acts 26:5, KJV "But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against." Acts 28:22, KJV "For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you." 1 Corinthians 11:19, KJV "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21, KJV "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." 2 Peter 2:1, KJV If you would like more info regarding the origin of these KJV Bible verse lists, go to https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/. Thank-you! https://www.billkochman.com/Blog/index.php/sects-and-heresies-kjv-king-james-version-bible-verse-list/?feed_id=30145&_unique_id=63f2445523a69&SECTS%20AND%20HERESIES%20--%20KJV%20%28King%20James%20Version%29%20Bible%20Verse%20List

[t-kiss]

Meet My T-Kiss F/O: John Pope from Falling Skies

The time has finally come to Unleash the Beast that is my literal actual special interest in this man and give y'all some much-needed context for my flailings. I tried to make this a reasonable length, but it's still Pretty Long because I have Many Thoughts, so apologies in advance.

🗺️ Give us an overview of your F/O's canon

After an alien invasion takes out Earth's technology and leaves less than 10% of the population alive, Tom Mason, history professor turned second-in-command of the 2nd Massachusetts Militia Regiment, leads the few who remain in rebellion against the alien overlords.

Falling Skies is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi TV show with cool alien designs, stellar practical effects, strong characters, and a sense of self-righteous patriotism that never fails to drive me nuts. :P Despite its flaws (and the fact that it jumped the shark within two seasons of ending), it still holds a special place in my heart.

❣️ Tell us about your F/O

Pope is an ex-con, gang leader, and gourmet chef who attempted to ransom Tom Mason and his squad for a .50 cal machine gun in S1 E2. Because of his obvious potential, he was given a literal "join or die" ultimatum (which he refused, but they took him prisoner anyway). This began his long and strife-filled career as the 2nd Mass's munitions expert, resident troublemaker, voice of dissent, and narrative foil to Tom, for whom he holds endless outrage but grudging respect.

He's snarky, selfish, crass, and trigger happy, but there's more to him than meets the eye: he has a soft spot for kids (he was a divorced father of two before the war), he genuinely cares about his crew of Berserkers, and he can be achingly tender with his girlfriend Sara (whom we love and support in this house—she's an awesome character and I ship us as an OT3 in some 'verses). Pope may be a loose canon, but the 2nd Mass wouldn't be the same without him. (We don't talk about season 5 unless we're Going Off about it.)

📷 Show us some pics of them/Give us a description of what they look like

Pope is a white man in his 30s with shoulder-length brown hair, blue-hazel eyes, a scrubby beard, and tattoos on his arms and chest. His typical outfit is jeans, a T-shirt, a flannel, a leather jacket, and a few necklaces, including a set of claws from (if I remember correctly) the first Skitter he ever killed.

Below are some screenshots of varying quality, starting with a shot from the scene that first inspired me to start self-shipping with him way back when.

And, as a bonus, He Scrunch.

👀 What drew you to selfship with them?

To be honest, what first drew me to him was that he was a funny, handsome bad boy with roguish charm and a soft belly. What can I say, I'm a simple virl.

But beyond that, I strongly believe that Pope had the potential to become a better person and likely would have if his contributions had been appreciated by the 2nd Mass, especially Tom. I don't deny that he did and said some genuinely shitty things (especially in season one), but he did improve in subtle ways over the course of the series. Growth cannot occur without social and structural support, and I don't think Pope was given enough of either, even before the apocalypse.

In summary, I find him a compelling and attractive character, and shipping with him is my way of giving him the love he needed more of and the chance to grow he deserved but never got.

🤝 Describe your S/I's relationship with them

He's the grizzled trucker and I'm the beanie baby on his dashboard. /j

We're two outsiders who reject the norms and question authority, drawn together by our need to be understood and appreciated. He steadies my anxiety; I give him the freedom to be soft. He gives me the courage to fight; I give him something to fight for. We nurture each other's strengths and shore up each other's weaknesses. We take care of each other, and we fight for the hope of a better world, one where we can finally rest.

I have multiple AUs for us, each more self-indulgent than the last, but the main 'verses I like to work within are canon-verse (my version of the show's events, with several deviations and multiple timelines cuz it's my selfship and I get to explore all the possibilities) and domestic-verse (a "real world" AU in which the invasion never happened and we can just be cute together). Domestic-verse is particularly fun because it allows much more freedom for emotional exploration and kink shenanigans.

I consider Pope my literal actual boyfriend even outside of fictional scenarios, and I always appreciate when we're treated as such. 🤎💙

🔥 Share some kinky headcanons you have for them

Pope isn't necessarily into tummy kink for its own sake, but he loves how flustered it makes me and relishes the attention he gets as a result (particularly the belly rubs, which he genuinely enjoys).

Despite the austerity of our canon-verse situation, he indulges me when he can, whether by chugging a beer while I watch, scraping together enough food for a modest stuffing, or just letting me enjoy his belly. He also plays along in weaving hypothetical kink scenarios during late-night talks where food isn't scarce and we can really go all out. (These scenarios frequently involve lavish home-cooked meals we make together.)

He carries a lot of tension in his tummy. When he eats a lot without being properly relaxed, his stomach muscles gets tight and uncomfortable, and he needs belly rubs to help him loosen up and digest properly.

He gets a kick out of teasing me in public: stretching his arms over his head so his tummy peeks out from under his shirt, guiding my hand to his belly any time it won't be super obvious, making seemingly innocuous comments calculated to make me blush, etc. Most of the Berserkers have picked up on this, since they're around us a lot and we aren't particularly subtle, but only the inner circle of Lyle, Tector, and Crazy Lee knows the full extent; most of them find it oddly endearing, or at the very least just one of the many weird things about our relationship.

🌈 Share some other headcanons you have for them

Pope is autistic and doesn't realize it. (It took me a surprisingly long time to reach this conclusion, but once I did it made A Lot Of Sense.) Below are some specifics:

> He struggles with emotional regulation and chafes against social norms, especially the parts that value tone and appearance over content and character.

> He's largely hyposensitive (meaning he's generally sensory seeking as opposed to sensory avoidant), but his sensory issues get a lot worse when he doesn't have his weight/pressure stims (his jacket and his gun).

> His special interests are cooking, munitions, and mechanics/vehicles (especially cars and motorcycles).

> He gladly surrounds himself with fellow weirdos and outcasts because they're the only ones who value his competence and treat him with any respect.

He's bi-demisexual, but because he enjoys casual sex and finds people aesthetically and sensually attractive regardless of emotional connection, he always assumed he was a typical Red-Blooded Heterosexual Male™ without realizing that he experiences attraction very differently from most people. His sex drive is also a lot lower than he thought it was, but that doesn't become obvious until he gets with me and realizes that, even after the sexual attraction kicks in, he's perfectly content with our cuddles, kink, and nonsexual passion (much to the bewilderment of everyone around us).

In Conclusion: I love my urban cowboy. 💕

—