#embassy home entertainment

[schlock-luster-video]

On February 1, 1983, Blade Runner was released on VHS by Embassy Home Entertainment.

[holmesoldfellow]

"Murder by Decree" VHS releases (1980 and 1986)

[baronessvonglitter]

don't come around here no more

javier peña x f!reader | wc: 1.8k

summary: On a visit to Colombia, you're reunited with old work friends.. Javi is the only one who doesn't come to say hi...

WARNINGS: 18+ Only! Mature. Angst. Hurt/comfort. Work relationship. Hidden feelings. Mentions of sex work and office hookups/infidelity. Brief mention of smut. A tiny bit of emotional infidelity. Reader is not described apart from having worn skirts on occasion in the workplace. No use of y/n. Not beta'd.

a/n 1: this is a personal one, based on an experience I had a couple months ago when I dropped by an old workplace. Not gonna lie, it stung when an old friend (and work husband) of mine didn't want to see me. But I'm okay with not knowing. Writing this has been therapeutic 🤍

dividers by @strangergraphics 👑

JAVIER PEÑA MASTERLIST | FULL MASTERLIST

You haven't been to the embassy in almost five years.

You'd spent over a decade of your life in service to the government, tracking down the bad guys until worse guys came along and then you'd work on catching them too, and on and on it went, cyclical. You never thought you'd dream of something more until you were offered a better chance back in the States.

Atlanta wasn't your hometown, but it was American soil and it offered more pay. You wouldn't have to worry about guerrillas and crooked cops there. They called and said they needed you. You answered that call, and left your post at the embassy.

Perhaps the hardest thing was leaving Javier Peña behind.

He'd been a friend from the start, showing you the ropes, offering a cigarette when you stepped out to take a break. You grew closer with each case you worked on, the leads growing stronger, the job riskier.

You heard all the rumors about him - he often went against orders, he had a knack for pissing off authority no matter how good of an agent he was - but the biggest rumor about him was that he had a tendency to fuck every willing female in his path.

You didn't give it too much credence. He was an American just like you, a Texan by birth, and just trying to do his job. He was single, like you, and in a foreign country. You couldn't blame the man for having some fun. It certainly didn't affect you.

Then the rumors grew worse. You heard about certain CIs of his, women who walked the streets, spent time in the beds of powerful drug lords.. they had information that he needed. Not uncommon for agents to strike deals with these women. Cops and agents all over did the same. Only thing was, Javi had a penchant for sleeping with them too.

You never asked him about his apparent conquests. He was your friend, your partner. But he told you anyway, giving you all the dirty details over bottom-shelf whiskey at the nearest bar in the embassy district. You got the sense he wasn't gloating, nor even confessing. Just spilling his secret:. Blanca had the inside dirt on private parties held by wealthy politicians, which often included visits from men of high rank within the cartels. And Jennifer, one of the secretaries at the embassy, met with him three times a week for a quickie in the filing room, and even after her honeymoon she came right back to work, staying late at the office, under Javi's desk with his dick in her mouth.

There wasn't a thing you didn't know about Javier Peña. And while you yourself harbored an innocent crush on him, you merely shook your head at hearing of his antics. Every Friday you found yourselves talking, laughing, even gossiping over your drinks as the evening gave way to night. And when the bar closed he'd walk you home,

And now you're back in Colombia, the air the same as you remember, the sky and even the buildings the same hues, pinks and purples and yellows to entertain the eye. It's as if time stopped the moment you left on your flight to Georgia.

You're welcomed back after being given clearance to the building, your former fellow civil servants greeting you with wide smiles, asking how your new posting is, what it's like in your new town, what your new husband is like. You answer them, taking a look around and noting the tiny changes in personnel. Wendy is on maternity leave, Felipe is retiring, and there's some leftover cake in the fridge which you're invited to have. You're trying to catch up with everyone, recollecting kids' and grandkids' names, when you catch a glimpse of him across the way, coming out of the elevator.

Javi's in a suit now, so different from the days of his barely-buttoned short sleeve shirts and tight jeans. His hair is a little longer, combed to the side, the little curls at the nape of his neck gone, the ones you used to tease him about and call him a baby duck.

As if he can feel your eyes on him, he looks your way, and it looks like his eyes widen as he stops in his tracks, nearly fumbling in his steps. You manage a meager wave, giving a smile, but he doesn't do anything in response. Not even a curt nod. He turns his gaze from you and walks on, into a corridor where you can no longer see him.

Rita, one of the clerks you'd worked closely with during your time at the embassy and who'd been like a mother to you, finds you and embraces you with a warm hug. She still smells like Giorgio Beverly Hills. "How have you been, my dear? We've all missed you so much," she says, pulling you away from her so she can admire the casualness of your look. She'd only ever seen you in pantsuits and the occasional skirt, and now she likes the new you: jeans and a relaxed button down blouse, at ease with life, albeit still chasing criminals.

"I'm well," you answer her, eyes still darting around for Javi. Where did he go? He'd surely seen you. "I've missed you all. The states are so different after being away so long."

Rita's eyes widen in realization. "I have to tell Javi that you're here!" she whispers conspiratorially, as if somehow she's reading your mind. "I'll go get him." She pats your arm and hurries away in the direction you saw him go earlier.

Everyone else gets back to work as you wait, feeling out of place. Your fingers itch to comb through files, to answer the ringing phones with hopes of a hot tip. The clacking of computer keys has you imagining typing up a report, the way you used to after a big raid or breakthrough, Javi at the desk in front of yours. pouring some tequila in a couple glasses for you to celebrate, loosening his tie.

No matter what, he never touched you. Not like that. Ever.

And a part of you always wanted him to. The closest you got was a side-armed hug as he walked you to your car the very last day of your work here.

Your eyes wander to your old office, the blinds open, and through the slats you see Javi turning in his chair as Rita raps at his door. You can barely make out the gruff "come in" from his lips. Rita approaches him a bit timidly, all smiles, hands clasped at her waist.

She's explaining that you're here, that this is probably a once in a lifetime chance because retired agents don't typically come back. They become too invested in their new lives, new cases, or worse.. they retire for good, put into the earth when a bullet finds its way to its target or a bomb goes off.

You're still here, looking right at Javi as his eyes find you, the harshness in them softens a little, perhaps at Rita's soft pleading. You ignore the crazy skip of your heart's beat as he keeps his gaze on you, his chest expanding as he takes in a deep gulp of air.

In an instant it's gone, the stony glare from before now in its place. He says some curt words to Rita, who pauses, a baffled look on her bespectacled face. Javi replies, his face growing red, obviously not changing his mind. Rita goes for the door but turns around, saying one more thing to him, looking rather high and mighty about it.

She meets you where she's left you, a sad sort of smile on her face. "He's busy," she says quickly. "He sends his regrets, dear."

You look back into Javi's office and find him already staring at you. He swiftly drops his gaze, pretending to read a file as he casually closes the office blinds.

"Rita, what's going on?" you ask her, disheartened because this is now how you'd hoped this reunion would go.

She only shakes her head, pursing her lips. "I don't know, honey.. I really don't know."

At the hotel, your husband is relaxing on the bed watching an old Colombian telenovela. He turns down the volume, patting the space next to him as you come in. "How'd it go?" he asks, watching you shed your jacket and hook your purse around a chair. "I'm guessing you didn't get the welcome you hoped for." His brows creases with worry as he strokes your hair. You lean into his touch, wishing you could dislodge the heavy stone of disappointment now resting in your belly. He's always so attentive towards you, so thoughtful. He knows all about Javi and your time with the embassy. Tears prick at the edge of your eyes and you do your best to blink them away, but he's there already with a tissue as his arm goes around you.

"I wish I knew why he didn't want to see me. What did I do wrong? We were partners for years.. friends too. And after all these years he treats me like it all meant nothing.."

"It's okay," your husband soothes you. "Can I tell you something you might not want to hear?"

"Right now I'd love for anyone to be honest with me," you sniffle.

"I think you broke his heart when you left."

That thought had never occurred to you. It's a strange, foreign concept. Javi had treated you differently, but you supposed he just didn't need to get involved emotionally, physically, sexually with someone he'd work with personally every day. He slept with almost everyone in the workplace except you, and you'd considered yourself safe from his charms.

"It makes sense," your husband continues. "From everything you've told me, Javi's had the hots for you since day one."

You scoff at this idea at first. Then, thinking more deeply on it, the pieces start to come together. What if Javi had harbored these feelings for you and never told you, just let them sour in his heart until it turned bitter against you after all these years? "He never told me. The way he dismissed me you'd think we were strangers all this time.."

“Do you feel like you missed out? Would you have given him that chance when you were partners?”

It’s not an odd question, just one that takes you by surprise. Any adulterous thoughts are usually played off as jokes between you. You’re that comfortable with each other. But to give an honest answer requires more strength than you possess at the moment.

“No.. I wouldn’t have risked our friendship or our working relationship like that.”

Your husband kisses your cheek, still soothing you as he strokes your hair. "Baby, sometimes the best way to show our love for someone is to let them go."

Let him go.

a/n 2: adding some music inspo. Of course the title is from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers:

and secondly, after my real life non-encounter with my former friend, I heard this song in a restaurant while I was still in a daze. It's such a sad and beautiful melody. (They Will Destroy You is always good when you're moody)

tagging those interested: @regularjoel @stevie75 @tateypots

@titabel @milla-frenchy @mystickittytaco @thesassyteacher91

@dilfsw @ghoulzlovez @axshadows @selinakpe

@inept-the-magnificent

[xxkissesforchanniexx]

Hi! sorry if this is wordy but could you make a story of the reader being an fbi agent undercover as skz personal bodyguard? Skz are having a concert soon and this evil organization wants to harm them. It is the readers mission to keep the members safe. But with the distraction of a specific loud and short muscular guy of the group, she gains feelings and struggles to do her task.

As long as this is the main point of the story, I don't mind with what you add. Be as creative as you like with action, romance, or anything.

ihfvnirhfnjnfoernfrihbgt jhebfrherkjfnkrjtgng hehehe

Thank you!

𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞

Pairing: Changbin x FBI Agent!fem!reader Genre: action? >.> Angst (im so bad at writing that) Fluff >.> Word Count: 6.5k Warnings: Cringe T_T, not proofread (they never are.), parent death, REVENGE, reader is shorter than changbin >.>, guns, bombs, someone gets shot (not reader or stray kids.), brief horny reader, i think thats it? tell me i missed anything

A/N: AHHH THIS TOOK SO LONG AND I FEEL LIKE ITS SO BAD AND CRINGE IM SO SORRY UH if you do like it (i really hope you do) please consider reblogging and following ALSO TAGLIST APPLICATIONS >.>

December 19th 2005 "Several bombs were set off at the University of Music last night, there is a total of 59 casualties and counting as authorities work through the rubble. 80 more are critically injured and 127 are in stable condition or have minor injuries."

Janurary 17th 2008 "This is your new home."

"Guys this is Y/N.. She's going to be your sister from now on."

August 3rd 2010 "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

"I want to be a police woman so I can find the person who hurt people a long time ago..

You stared at the case, "So they fled to Seoul?"

"Not just that." Your boss said, "We found this." he set a phone on your desk and pressed the play button on an audio recording.

"How should we go about it?"

"The security is tight, if we put the bombs on the little drones and get the crowd scared, we have an opening to get the people on the stage."

You sucked in a breath. "A bomb threat for-"

"A concert." Your boss sighed deeply, "I trust you to handle it. Without being reckless."

"Sir-"

"It would be best if you did it, considering your experience with these types of events." He motioned to the posters and merchandise littering your office walls and shelves.

You pursed your lips. "Where and when?"

"We're flying you out to the US embassy in Seoul tomorrow , you'll meet someone there." He said with a big smile, "Pack your bags, Special Agent L/N, you're going to Korea."

You had arrived at the US embassy in Seoul at 4:30 am, you learned from the person you met up with you were going to be protecting a k-pop boy group under JYP Entertainment.

"So, this terrorist group wants to attack a boy band?" You looked at the embassy worker.

She nodded, "But it's not about them, for the most part... they want to prove something apparently, did they not attack several concerts in the US?"

"They did." You nodded.

"Then it's not too crazy to assume they want to get some point across world wide." The woman shook her head, "It's alright though, you're going to meet them later in the morning."

"Meet who?" You tilted your head.

The woman blinked slowly at you. "Stray Kids.."

"Who?" You had to hold back your laughter.

"The boy band under JYPE."

"Ah." You cleared your throat. "Alright."

"It must have been a long flight." She smiled, "You can go to your hotel now."

When you got to your hotel room you sat on the bed, laptop open, looking for "Stray Kids". You made a face as you saw their pictures, a particular image caught your attention and you burst out laughing at the sight. He was a short, muscular man, with unruly dark hair under a hat with floppy bunny ears, You copied the image into google image search and said the name softly. "Seo Changbin."

Felix looked like he was going to cry, Hyunjin bit his bottom lip looking at the ground.

"They want to bomb our concert..." I.N asked quietly.

"Hurt our STAY..." Lee Know twiddled his fingers.

"Safest option is to cancel." Chan sighed.

"We can't cancel a concert a month before it's supposed to happen," their manager said, "The company hasn't got the time or money to return everything. Besides, boss said he has it handled."

Changbin looked up, "JYP handled it?"

"No," the manager made a face.

"Then why would you say that?" Seungmin pursed his lips.

"He found someone who can handle it." the manger explained. "That's why we're here for breakfast, she arrived in Seoul earlier."

"Who?" Han asked.

"She should be on the way here." the manager said as a waitress arrived with coffee.

"She?" The boys all asked at the same time.

It was at that time you walked in, you were dressed fairly professionally, a white button up shirt tucked into black pleated slacks and pretty black heels.

"I'm Y/N L/N," You smiled at the men.

"Hi, thanks for coming. Coffee?" The manager offered.

You shook your head.

"Please sit," he motioned to the last seat.

You sat beside a man you remembered as Hyunjin, his long hair pulled back with his bangs on either side of his face. He eyed you incredulously for a moment before you shifted slightly, making the taser you'd carefully tucked into your pants visible. He bristled.

"This is the person who's going to handle it?" Felix asked the manager. "We take STAY very seriously, if something happens-"

"I assure you nothing will go wrong, though, I doubt the people i'm looking for are really aiming for.. STAY..." You put your phone on the table and let the audio recording your boss gave you play.

The leader of the group, Chan, looked scared. Felix put his head in his hands and Minho hugged him.

"So..." Seungmin said quietly. "What happens now?"

"She's going to live with you until she figures out the threat. Please boys, I hope your dorm is clean." The manager said, sipping his coffee.

Chan turned slowly to Han.

Han huffed a small laugh. "Of course.."

"TADA!" Changbin shouted as he opened the door to the dorm.

You walked in looking around, the place was fairly secure. Changbin smiled brightly, shouting "Your room!"

He opened the door to a room that looked like it was cleaned rather hastily. You nodded, going into the room the boys had cleared out for you, you chuckled as you recalled how you'd seen Changbin and Han playing rock paper scissors for who would give away their room, Han lost.

You had sat in your room most of the rest of the day, then you got hungry, only then did you notice how dark it was outside. You considered ordering food but then dismissed the idea, what if these people found out where the boys lived. That was a big no.

You sighed, dragging yourself out of bed and into the kitchen, you opened the fridge making a face and grabbing eggs. You got noodles from the cabinet and got to work making something easy.

It was late, almost midnight, so you hadn't expected any one to be awake. So it scared you when the loud, boisterous Changbin spoke quietly next to you.

"Is there enough to share?" He whispered.

You almost jumped out of your skin. "What the fuck?!" You whisper-shouted, clutching your heart.

"Sorry, I smelled food.." he laughed lightly, watching as you worked. "You know how to cook?"

You hummed. "I know how to not get food poisoning."

He laughed. "Let me help?"

You opened your mouth to protest, but the man was already moving around the kitchen grabbing things. You couldn't stop staring at the way his muscles strained against his shirt.

Get your head in the game. You shook off the thoughts that were invading your head as you stared at his arms.. My head could be in a headlock there... WHAT ARE YOU THINKING????!!!

You left the noodles aside and started frying the eggs, semi-watching as Changbin made instant tteokbokki.

When you both finished, he sat with you and ate.

"Y'know I expected cops to be more serious." he said, before putting some noodles in his mouth and jumping at the taste.

You made a face. "I'm serious."

He looked at you. "Let's be real here."

"I'm so serious." You pouted before popping a rice cake into your mouth.

"Uh huh." He teased.

You rolled your eyes. "I was under the impression that a dark rapper should be moody and brooding."

He made a face. "They call me baby Changbin as well."

You smiled to yourself as you remembered the picture. "Of course," a smirk came to your face. "I should invest in Dwaekki."

Changbin looked up from his tteokbokki. "Have you even listened to our music?"

"I can start." You said proudly.

Changbin stared at you for a moment. "Whatever you say, Princess."

It wasn't even two weeks after you had met the boys something happened. You were on the couch in dorm 1, writing an email on your laptop.

Chan poked your head, "We're going to practice choreo."

You shoved your computer into your backpack and followed the boys out. You got to the dance studio and looked around curiously at the big room, a mirror covered the full length of the wall opposite the door.

It was the mirror that let you see it.

You whipped around just as the person at the door fled.

Changbin stared at you in confusion as you blitzed past, running after the person. It didn't take you too long to catch up, tackling the man to the floor of the hall just before the lobby and grabbing his badge.

You remembered what the manager had told you, all the badges were recently issued in an off white color...

You held the man down, pulling his arm in an awkward position. "Try me and I'll break it. Who the fuck are you?"

The man stuttered before shouting.

Your brows furrowed. "That's not going to wo-" You stared in confusion as a firework looking object rolled towards you.

Then it popped.

A loud bang resounded through the lobby and you instinctively covered your ears, stunned. Your ears were ringing.

The man pushed you off and ran for it. You were about to get up and run after him but that Changbin...

He grabbed your shoulders and shouted at you a few times, then Chan pushed him looking at you with wide eyes for a moment.

Changbin sat with Chan, listening to what the doctor said about your ears, you'd be fine, it was just a very loud sound, the doctor recommended quiet for a few days to stop the background ringing.

Licing with Changbin, Chan, and Han let you know that they really couldn't be quiet, in the dorm, only Hyunjin was ever not shouting. But the moment you walked in, that changed. Changbin and Han were quiet, the others from dorm 2 were all staring at you.

"What?" You asked, raising a brow.

"Are you okay?" I.N asked.

"Oh, of course." You smiled. "I just almost lost my ability to hear."

Lee Know sighed and looked at you. "We're sorry to put you through this."

"Put me through what." You raised a brow before sitting down. "You guys didn't put me through anything. This is what I do."

The boys all stared at you for a moment.

"Is it okay if I hug you?" Han broke the silence.

You smiled slightly. "Hey hey hey. We just met. Back up chipmunk."

"Squirrel." Seungmin corrected, laughing.

"It's a quokka!" Han groaned.

You spent almost two weeks researching the group that had threatened the concert. Most of the time the dorm was quiet, Changbin was usually the only one awake when you were up. He would usually eat late night snacks with you or hover over your shoulder as you worked. In most cases it would make you uncomfortable, but with Changbin it was different.

You watched as the group prepared for the concert, weeks dwindling into days. It was two days before the concert, you were sitting on the couch, it was almost 3 in the morning but you were making calls and asking about security and establishing that no bags would be allowed into the concert.

Changbin watched you for a moment, leaning against the wall.

"No bags of any kind." You sounded so professional.

He smiled and walked over to the couch standing over you as you continued talking to the person on the phone.

"Clear diaper bags?" You sucked in a breath. "Why would a baby be at a- Never mind, leave it on hold for now."

Changbin tapped your head. He looked down at you, dark glasses framing his eyes, his hair looking unruly.

You leaned your head back and looked up at him with a raised eyebrow as if you were already aware of his presence. "No, backstage should be secure. I'll be there myself."

Changbin huffed a small laugh. "You're going to protect me princess?"

Despite your blank expression you felt the blush creeping to your face.

Changbin smiled at you muttering, "I want to take you out."

You stared at him as the person on the other end of the line said something to you. "Uh- Repeat that...?" You asked both the people you spoke to.

"Are we still doing the drones?"

"So will you go out with me after the concert?" Changbin leaned down, his face was so close.

"Yes." You answered.

"Alright ma'am." The person on the other end said. "Will that be all?"

"Yeah..." You hung up the phone and looked at Changbin.

He smiled and leaned down, closing the distance between you and pressing his lips against your forehead gently. "It's late, go to sleep."

He pulled away and walked back to his room, you sucked in a breath and exhaled slowly.

Focus...

You were almost as busy as the manager the day of the concert, running back and forth making sure metal detectors were working and security was extra tight.

"You're taking this very personally." A security guard said behind you.

You looked at you the man. "These are terrorists we're talking about. Of course I'm taking it personally."

One of the staff walked past you with coffees in his hand.

You stopped them. "Where to?"

"Hyunjin, Han and Chan asked for coffee." the man said, looking at you, you noted the mole beside his eyebrow.

"I'll take it." You moved to take the coffee.

"No ma'am. You're very busy-"

You tried to grab the coffee and he turned away quickly. You managed to knock it out of his hand. The cups scattered, empty.

He turned and elbowed the security guard hard as he lunged for him and the man started running. You barely caught the stumbling guard, settling him down before started chasing him, pulling up your walkie talkie you said into it, "Gate 4 check?"

"Good check," Came a flurry of voices through the walkie talkie.

"Lock down on gate 4, all security personnel on west wing on alert."

"Copy."

"Backstage security, do you copy?" You said barely dodging someone pushing a huge sound system.

"Loud and clear."

You cursed as people pulling a big screen moved between you and the man. "FUCK MOVE!" You snapped and they scurried out of your way. Much to your utter horror and dismay, the man was gone. The door to the outside of the backstage area wide open, leading into th lines of people waiting to enter the conert.

You kicked a trashcan, "All units do you copy?"

"Copy."

"Keep your eyes open, goldilocks."

"10-4." they all said and your eyes narrowed as you stared at the door.

You sat outside the dressing rooms twiddling your thumbs. Was it really safe... were you just stupid...? You bit your lip, feeling tears brimming in your eyes at the thought of letting these people bomb this concert full of innocent people.

You looked up as you the sound of footsteps. It was just Changbin, he looked much different, more like those pictures you'd seen online, with his tight, shiny, black leather pants and dress shirt that hugged his arms so perfectly, the black vest and fingerless gloves giving him a scary edge. You quickly wiped your eyes and sucked in a breath. "What?"

"What's wrong?" He kneeled in front of you, being more able to move in the pants that you'd thought originally.

"It's nothing." You lied.

His eyes narrowed at you. "You're going to make my perform badly, I can't perform if I feel bad. I'll mess up rapping, Seungmin might do better than me."

You giggled and looked down as he took your hands in his. "I'm scared." You whispered.

"Of?" he prodded quietly.

"There are really dangerous people here, and I fucked up and lost one." You muttered.

"It's okay." He squeezed your hands gently, moving to sit next to you. "If you can't protect all these people, Chan will protect them all himself."

You smiled gently.

"Hug?" Changbin opened his arms and you leaned into him. You relaxed as he hugged you.

"And I said 'There's no way! It's ok YOU EAT~' " Jisung and Jeongin came around the corner and paused.

Jeongin tried to grab Jisung and turn him around but the man smirked and cleared his throat.

You pulled away from Changbin and stood. "Good luck. Uh, get down if something happens."

You sat there off to the backside of the stage hearing the loud music and screams as boys got on stage. In all your time watching the boys practice there was something about actually seeing them on stage as Hyunjin had told you in the dorm.

"Being in the practice room is one thing. Actually being on stage is another thing, there's an energy we get in front of our STAY."

You were particularly amazed at the volume of the girls who shrieked when Felix started singing, his deep voice reverberating through the dome. You couldn't help but marvel at Changbin for a moment, the way his muscles strained against his clothes as he danced, his hips moving so seductively... FOCUS!...But it's fine isn't it... nothing has happened yet..

The stage lights reddened and you looked up as the drones filled the air, flashing lights everywhere. You exhaled slowly, realizing everything was fine with the drones. After finishing off S-Class Chan calmed down the crows and stared to say a few words.

A scream ripped through the soft buzz of the crowd. You looked in the direction of the scream, Chan raised a brow, opening his mouth to say something and then...

"HE HAS A GUN!" On the opposite side of the huge hall.

You jumped over the railing.

All your time studying these people.

Fear.

Ease.

You ran up the stairs to the stage.

Unrest.

And a big boom..

You grabbed the mic from Chan and shouted, "GET DOWN!"

And the first bomb exploded.

You had your ears covered, head down. There was someone there shielding you, you heard him shouting and knew.

"We have to go!" Changbin shouted.

Chan was staring at the crowd, which was frantic after the series of explosions, many of them were running for the exits. "We should've cancelled..."

You saw a red light flashing on a wall, and a man moving away quickly.

You got from under Changbin, who tried pulling you back but you were already sprinting off the stage. You ran into the crowd, pulling out your gun as you shoved past the scared fans.

The man was so close to the exit, you were going to lose him. Lose another, because you lost focus.

You heard a deep voice, it sounded like it was crying.

"STAY! LISTEN TO ME!" Felix shouted into the mic.

The crowd was still moving.

"THE BOMBS WILL KEEP GOING OFF IF YOU'RE RUNNING AROUND SO STOP!"

The crowd stopped and you looked at the stage, your eyes meeting Felix's as he dropped the mic.

You ran through the crowd toward the red light and grabbed it tossing it out of the open door far from the crowd. The police were already gathering and you turned to see the man moving through the crowd for the door.

You pushed past the people and tackled him gun to the back of his head. "Don't move. I'll shoot." You said.

You sat on your bed, staring at your hands. What type of shit was this...?

"Who gives you orders?" You and a police man had interrogated the man yu had caught for almost two hours but he refused to speak.

"My boss isn't afraid of my death." he huffed.

You grit your teeth, "Who is your damn boss?"

"I won't say anything."

and maybe you punched him a little too hard.

A knock on your door made you look up. "Come in."

Hyunjin entered and closed the door quietly, behind himself, walking over to you. "You did well." he said quietly.

You saw the tears filling his eyes. "Hyunjin..."

He got on knees beside your bed and took your hands in his muttering. "You're doing well... Thank you."

You touched his head and whispered, "It's what I do.. It's okay... I'd do it again without hesitation.."

He shook his head. "You fit in so perfectly, you fill the cracks that we haven't been able to fill," He looked up at you and smiled, "Thank you for being our sister... Thank you for saving our STAY.."

You hugged Hyunjin. "Don't cry, you idiot..."

He sniffled and nodded. "But really.. thank you."

You smiled, "Of course."

Following Hyunjin out you stared at the other members who also looked like they had been crying.

"You caught someone.." Seungmin said quietly. "Does that mean you're leaving us?"

You stared at the boys for a moment, your gaze lingering on Changbin.

"I caught someone." You said quietly. "But my job isn't finished until you're safe.."

Felix was the first to hug you. and then suddenly you were attacked by all of them in a big bearhug.

"You're one of us." Chan smiled, "Don't go back."

You looked at all the boys and for the first time since you got here, you let the tears fall.

Changbin ended up not taking you out due to the lockdown placed on the group by their boss, it didn't stop him from spoiling you, in the building, he came to your room with flowers and (fav candy). He would bring you food and bought you a few clothes he thought you'd look good in.

Everytime he'd surprise you while you were working, Jisung would give you a look. The kind of look that said, "I KNOW WHAT YOU TWO ARE", but was completely wrong, because even you didn't know what you and Changbin were.

You were sitting in at the kitchen table staring at your laptop, it wasn't too late, just around 10pm, but the noise that met your ears made you flinch. Han and Hyunjin came in shaking you wildly as Han shoved his phone in your face.

You grabbed it and made a face. "ARE YOU DONE?"

"LOOK!" They shouted back.

You looked at the screen and your eyes widened. "Is that me?"

There was a video, of the events from a few days ago.

"GET DOWN!"

there was a series of loud bangs and a fast forward, of you grabbing the bomb and throwing it out. Then another fast forward to you tackling the man.

You stared at the comments.

"such a strong woman"

"Our savior."

"why did binnie grab for her like that 😭"

"are we gonna ignore how felix calmed the crowd.?"

You pursed your lips, "I was doing my job."

"You saved them though." Han smiled. "You should come with us later when we can go out as a treat. Chan will pay."

Hyunjin cackled.

You rolled your eyes and shook your head, "Alright."

You sat in your room, when your phone rang, you answered.

"We've got a name and a face. We've sent you the necessary info. When you close the case contact us, we'll book you the next flight back to the US."

and the line cut.

You stared out blankly for a while.. so soon?

And when you opened the email you were sent your ear throbbed at the memory of nearly going deaf... That man... you'd tackled that man and he set off the firework that nearly took your hearing.

"Ah Changbin." Minho sighed. "Look at you. I never thought I'd see the day."

"Seriously." Chan smiled. "Just, tell her how you feel. She's Fiona and you're Shrek."

"You need to hit her with the immature swag." Jisung snickered.

"You-" Changbin raised his hand like he was going to punch the man.

Jisung ducked behind Chan.

"What am i supposed to say hm? 'I think you're strong and really pretty and I want to go out with you.' Seems a little eh?"

Chan cringed.

Han just stared at him.

"I like the Shrek and Fiona thing better." Minho shrugged.

"Changbin just wing it." Chan gave him a thumbs up.

You opened your door in the morning and almost stumbled over a box. "What in the world?"

You picked it up and examined it for a moment. You took it into your room and set it on the bed, carefully you lifted off the lid and stared at (fav color) dress. You took it out and smiled at it a little. You noticed the card at the bottom of the box and picked it up.

Your smile grew as you recognized the writing as Changbin's,

I think this dress fits you just right, wait for me outside at 7 tonight.

You rolled your eyes at his poetic nonsense and stared at the dress.

Hyunjin and Jisung were all over you at 6 pm, pampering you and making you look as pretty as they could.

"You look so gorgeous! I'm a master!" Hyunjin said proudly.

Han gasped exaggeratedly, "Are you saying she only looks good because you did her makeup?!"

You gasped with Jisung. "I thought you were my friend Hyunjinnie!"

"Oh- Oh MY GOD!" Hyunjin groaned before giving Han a side eye.

You giggled and looked at yourself in the mirror, you were really pretty.

"It's 6:45." Han sighed smiling at you, "Our Y/N is all grown up."

hyunjin wiped fake tears. "I'm so proud."

You made a face and rolled your eyes, standing and smoothing your dress, you hummed as you patted down the area where your gun sat on your thigh, just in case, and you grabbed your bag and went to the door.

You only waited about five minutes before Changbin pulled up in front of the building with a sleek, black company car.

"You look pretty." he said as he stepped out of the vehicle and came around to open the door for you.

You smiled. "Thank you, you good too." You stepped into the car and giggled, "Such a gentleman."

Changbin took you to a fancy restaurant and after you ordered, the conversation flowed so smoothly. Even the silence was comfortable, but you noticed it from the corner of your eye.

Two men, sitting at a table a few back from yours, eyeing you... no. eyeing Changbin. When the server came and poured your wine you paid close attention..

Using his right hand he turned the bottle to the left when he poured the wine for your but to the right Changbin.

You swallowed and looked at your wine, something was going to happen.

The thought left your mind when Changbin took your hand in his and smiled. "Y'know during my last stream, STAY kept asking if you were my girlfriend. I couldn't exactly say."

You blushed slightly, "What did you want to tell them?"

"Yes, I'm dating her." He laughed slightly, "Though, since it's jsut me and you," he squeezed your hand gently, "I can say you're only mine."

You blushed even more and laughed. "You're so stupid."

"I think you'd really like only belonging to me, I wouldn't let any guy touch you, I'd buy you food and spoil you."

"You do that anyway, Binnie." You smiled slightly.

He leaned close and whispered, "I guess that makes you mine."

Your heart skipped a beat.

Changbin stared into your eyes and leaned in close, his lips gently brushing against yours. All thought left your mind, it was just Changbin.. but..

You heard the dull click, and whipped around, pulling your gun from the holster under your dress, just as one of the men from the other table, cocked his gun.

You were faster and fired. The man fell back and Changbin grabbed you, pulling you back as the other man sprang up, he pointed a gun at you and it was a intense stare down.

You held your breath. Changbin remain unmoving behind you.

Your heart stopped as a white car pulled up in front of the restaurant. "Changbin get down!"

Changbin kicked the tabled over and grabbed you pulling you back with him as bullets flew through the dining room.

It was a long moment before they stopped, and as you peeked over the table, you locked eyes with the man from the picture, pulling his gun back into the car and smiling at you before they drove away. (Insert evil villain name cus I couldnt think of one)..

The boys were on lockdown again and you were busy, searching everything, everywhere for that man.. for (villain name).

You'd moved to the other dorm, much to the dismay of Hyunjin, who moped about being surrounded by gym freaks.

You took Seungmin's room, which was tidier than Han's. You hadn't moved because you needed quiet, in fact they boys had been quite good at being silent while you worked. It was because you didn't trust yourself, you were scared you wouldn't react as fast as you had at the restaurant with Changbin, you were scared he'd become a worse distraction... you were scared he'd get hurt because of you.

After a month, your informant intercepted another message saying that the man you were looking for was going to a shopping mall to put things up with a bang.

You discussed with the manager, he increased security to compensate for you not being present in the dorms and allowed you to go.

So there you were, sitting in your car outside the mall, staring at the entrance for anything suspicious. You remembered how Changbin had asked you what was wrong when you left, and where you were going...

"You're going alone?" His brows furrowed. "Y/N, be serious, things could happen-"

"What do you want me to do? I'm dragging anymore people into this."

"I'm not asking you to, I just want you to be safe."

"I'm here to protect you and the guys. It's not my choice what I do anymore, this has gotten too out of hand. You can't even go outside without the fear that someone might try to kill you! That's my fault."

"Take me with you then, I'm not afraid of it, I just don't trust the idea of you being alone!"

"Seo Changbin. I'm doing my job. It's not just about you and them anymore."

You pursed your lips and looked at your phone, tempted to say you were sorry..

but your phone rang before you could even take action.

Your brows furrowed, it was an unknown number.

You answered and lifted the phone to your ear. "Hello?"

"I'm glad we could lure you out. I like this game we're playing. Cat and mouse is fun no? It's a two party game. I have to eliminate the extra players, they're taking away my fun. If you involve the police... well that won't be fun."

"What?" You sat up straight.

"I'm not that cruel anyway... I'll give you 30 minutes."

Your heart dropped into your stomach. "WAIT!"

"Starting now."

The man hung up and you stared at your phone for a moment. "Changbin..."

Yongbok stepped out of the bathroom, drying his hair and he tilted his head as Chan sat down with a box on the floor. "What's that?"

"I was going to ask you." Chan said.

Seungmin stared at it. "It has a bad aura about it."

"Since when did you care about that?" Hyunjin looked up from his phone.

"We should open it." Jisung sat beside Chan.

"But-" Jeongin started.

"Didn't Y/N say don't be stupid while she's gone." Changbin said, glaring at the others.

They all nodded.

Minho sat on Chan's other side. "Opening a box isn't stupid."

"I agree." Hyunjin said.

"Guys-" Felix started.

"It's fine Yongbok." Minho said and pulled the lid of the box off.

Chan's brows furrowed, every one sucked in a breath.

"Fuck." Changbin said.

A timer sat in the box on top of a black thing bound with plastic straps, it read 15:50...

Changbin's phone rang. Everyone jumped in fear. His eyes widened as he saw you name. "Y/N- Calm down I can't understand-"

"PUT HER ON SPEAKER!" Felix shouted.

Changbin did as he was told.

You sounded on the verge of tears. "Did you get it?"

Chan looked at the box. "Yeah... We got it."

"I won't make it." You sniffed, "I need you to get scissors and listen carefully."

Jeongin ran to get scissors.

"Someone with steady hands. Listen close. There's no mistakes right now. This isn't acting."

Chan took the scissors from Jeongin and nodded, "I'm listening."

"Remove the timer by cutting the plastic straps. Be careful not to cut the wire surrounding them."

"Are we diffusing a bomb right now?!" Hyunjin shrieked.

"I CAN'T MAKE IT THERE IN TIME THERE'S TOO MUCH TRAFFIC! I CAN'T CALL THE POLICE AND NEITHER CAN ANY OF YOU!"

Chan cut the plastic binding, exposing the explosive and a few more wires.

"There should be a blue wire leading into the bomb directly."

"I see it."

"Cut it."

The boys watched in fear as their leader cut the blue wire.

"Black then grey."

"ok..."

"What's left?"

"Green, red, orange, and purple."

"Purple."

Another cut.

"Orange."

"Now what...?"

"Someone needs to push the button on the back of the timer for 5 seconds. It will give you a 20 second window to cut the last wire."

"What's the last one?" Minho asked.

"Whichever leads to the center of the explosive."

You met silence on the other end of the line before Jisung's voice said, "They both lead to the center..."

You sucked in a breath. "Wait for me."

"We don't have time to wait!" Seungmin shouted.

"How much time is left?!"

"2 minutes!" Felix said.

You slammed the steering wheel and cursed loudly.

Changbin stared at the bomb for a long moment as the members began freaking out.

Hyunjin pulled out his phone and opened instagram starting a stream. "Stay, I love you, we love you!"

"Tell my parents I love them." Jeongin sobbed.

"Chan push the button." Changbin grabbed the scissors.

"Changbin!" You shouted.

"Green means go." Changbin said as Chan pushed the button. "STAY, we love you. Y/N, I love you."

And he cut the green wire.

You heard a loud bang and the line went dead, your heart plummeted. You finally pulled off the highway and into the parking around the dorms. You ran to the dorm and-

Changbin hugged you tightly as you opened the door.

Your hands trembled before you hugged him back. "I thought you died."

"You were that worried about me." He muttered into your hair.

"Yes.."

Jisung coughed loudly, earning a punch from Minho.

You laughed and pulled away from Changbin, arms open.

You shrieked as Chan bear hugged you and then everyone was on you.

As you laughed you saw someone in the hall shaking their head. You pulled away as the man started running.

And you took off running after him. Not this time. You wouldn't let him get away again. You jumped onto him just as he got to the stairs, he stumbled and fell with you. You felt the cold metal of a gun barrel brush your arm and bit down on his arm hard.

The gun fell away and skidded away. You hit the landing platform hard, your shoulder taking the brunt of the force before you rolled for the gun.

You thought about a statement you'd heard from your boss months ago. I trust you to handle it. Without being reckless.

Why were you reckless? Why did you never give a shit what happened as long as you caught the criminal..? Because you didn't care then. Because it was your job... your obligation.

What was it now?

The man grabbed your leg and dragged you towards him and you kicked his face hard.

You scrambled with your opportunity for the gun.

Your fingers wrapped around the grip, as the man dragged you back towards him..

and it all seemed to go in slow motion as the boys came down after you. And the man's hands wrapped around your throat. You held the gun to his head and shouted with the last of your breath as he squeezed your windpipe, "BANG!"

and you pulled the trigger.

17 years ago December 19th 2005..

"Shh, she might hear."

"The gifts are better down by the college anyway."

"Honey. You're being loud."

"Fine fine."

You heard them giggling before you poked your head outside your room. You watched your parents leaving the house. You smiled to yourself knowing they were going to buy Christmas gifts.

When the morning came and your parents weren't in their room, you became confused. In the snow, dressed in your pajamas and bunny slippers you went to your neighbors house to ask if they'd seen your parents.

The little old lady next door stared at you before the tears welled in her eyes, "You poor thing.."

You were only 5 when your parents died. You were only 5 when you learned what it meant to yearn for revenge. You'd spent all your years in the force since you were 17 trying to find the organization behind the bombs...

And you were today many years old when you learned revenge wasn't a liberating feeling.

"BANG!"

BANG!

The boys stared in shock as you pushed the man's body off of you and sat there. Changbin didn't hesitate to run and wrap his arms around you, examining your face before looking into your eyes.

"Y/n... y/nnie?"

And you passed out.

The past week had been a blur of appointments with press and a million other things.

It was Friday you finally got to lie down and breathe.

You were lying in bed staring at the ceiling when you got a call. You rolled over and answered the phone. Your boss's voice came to your ears.

"Good job, L/N. We're glad you could do it. We're booking your flight back to the US already."

"Sir-"

"You'll be receiving a promotion to a less risky position as a token of our gratitude."

Changbin entered your room and stared at you.

"I can't-" you tried.

"I have to admit I myself am shocked, L/N you've proved your reckless behavior is productive and I owe you-"

"SIR I QUIT!"

The other end of the line went quiet.

Changbin sat beside you and pulled you against him.

"I- I accomplished what I wanted. I'm pretty young still. I'll go to college. It's time I change careers."

Your boss was quiet on the other end of the line.

"Consider this my resignation letter. It was an honor. But i can't be reckless anymore."

The boys were poking their heads into your room now.

You looked at them all and smiled.

"I have something... some people..." You leaned against Changbin. "Someone... I want to keep living for."

"We'll send your pay for the case..." Your boss said softly. "I'm glad I met you L/N, it was an honor to have you in the force."

You lowered the phone and hung up.

"Soo....?" Minho said, looking at the others. "She's NOT going back to the US?"

"No Minho. I'm here to stay."

The boys cheered and jumped. You smiled slightly and looked at Changbin.

He leaned in and kissed you.

You blinked. Stunned.

Jisung jumped and held his hands out to Hyunjin "5000 PUT EM IN MY HAND! ALL OF YOU!"

You stared at them for a moment, "You were-"

"Green is green!" Jisung ran away cackling.

You laughed and shook your head. "I love you guys."

"I think you love me most." Changbin said and kissed your cheek.

"I love you just a little bit more than them."

He rolled his eyes as the others ran shouting about their money. "I love you."

You hadn't gotten the feeling you dreamed for in revenge but in them... in Changbin you found something more.

"STOP BEING LOVE BIRDS AND MAKE THEM GIVE ME MY MONEY!" Jisung shouted.

[ask-emily-em-emmy]

A: *fresh from a shower and in the only casual clothes she owns- basketball shorts that went past her knees and a slightly loose tantop- she checks over her room, a little shocked by how over-the-top Tits' hellhound friends went to help her out; they'd set up a huge flatscreen mounted on one wall (which, how!?), a small bookcase filled with movies (most of which didn't seem to be the standard fare for Hell), and a whole popcorn machine from an actual movie theater (in reading the accompanying instructions, she found it made enough popcorn in a single run for forty servings)*

A: *she'd already grabbed a few extra pillows from the linens closet to prop up on the head board so they had something to lean against while watching the movie, which meant her preparations were complete and it was... seven forty five* "Fuck."

A: *sighing, she grabbed her phone and sat on her bed, searching up more pictures of baby animals to save to a folder so she'd have plenty at hand; she'd already gotten all her little chores around the hotel done, fed Venom, checked to make sure Righty hadn't accidentally nailed herself to a wall, given Lefty an update on the Embassy, left a little gift for Junior outside his room, and talked to Tits a bit more about, well, self control, so she didn't really have anything else to pass the time; after finding enough baby animal pictures to force her to scroll through her collection, it was barely eight* "Damnit, I don't wanna seem overeager... oh, who the fuck am I kidding..."

hey Em, I got everything set up a little early. I know you said 8:30, no rush, just letting you know you can head on over when you're ready. And here's some pups snugglin.

A: *she sets her phone on her chest and sighs* "And now... we wait, right Venom?" *the snake, of course, offers no reply and she rolls her eyes* "Thanks for the silent support, buddy. Means a lot."

((@askthefivefallen))

*Emily had expected to be done with her exploration of the embassy by eight. That would have given her thirty minutes to go home, quickly shower, change into something cozy and portal her way down into the hotel. What she wasn't expecting was to witness a forty-five minute long meeting between Adam, Lute and Charlie which revealed intentions for the exterminations that were much less honorable than Sera had led her to believe.*

*Eight thirty-five had found Emily with her knees tucked to her chest, her ankles crossed and her breathing only just starting to settle after spending the better part of half an hour trying to reconcile with the idea that heaven- heaven- had been committing unspeakable atrocities all in the name of entertaining Adam and his sick sadistic idea of retribution.*

*She wanted to spend longer on the floor, maybe even melt through it and seep down to hell where she felt she deserved to be for not putting a stop to it even after the trial, but she couldn't do that. There were things to be done and stones to turn. She could not sit idly by and let it be, and she had someone waiting on her.*

*When she finally checked the time, her eyes widened and she threw herself off the ground in a panic, portaling into her apartment and shucking off her dress in a frenzy. She tried to text a reply while she tossed on casual clothes but ended up pausing her pursuit of clothes to use both hands.*

Hey, I'm so sorry! I got caught up in the embassy, I'll be there soon!

*Soon she was changed into a pair of loose gray sweatpants and a t-shirt with an open 'V', smelling slightly more floral and a bit less like embassy dust. She took in a deep breath and held it, letting it loose before meeting her own eyes in the mirror* "You are a seraphim of the highest order. You will not let your emotions cloud your judgement. You will be the light and joy of heaven, as is your duty." *She spoke the mantra and smiled tightly, it stopping just short of her eyes*

"Hey Ass! I had a great day, no really it was a great day! Always a great day in heaven, y'know! What are we watching?" *She tried to keep her smile in place as she practiced the words like lines in a script. She would not ruin tonight with her silly feelings of- well- it didn't matter, she was the Seraphim of Joy, she wouldn't ruin that reputation. Not tonight. Not with Ass. She would do what she needed for joy to persevere.*

*After releasing as much tension from her body as she could, she opened a portal to Ass's room and stepped through with a grin that was marginally more genuine upon seeing the fallen.* "Hey, sorry I'm late."

[seramilla]

Seraphiel thinks that heaven has the high advantage against carmilla but they are proven wrong. Lucifer is not entertaining the idea of his family being executed simply for trying to protect themselves against the extermnations. And as for sera and Emily, they willingly fell so there are no crimes held against them.

So he decides himself to go have a little "chat" with seraphiel and the arch angels.

Lucifer stands in the middle of the angelic courtroom. He hasn't been here in, what? Eight thousand? Ten thousand years? Normally, he's never allowed in Heaven, under any circumstances. That's the way it's been ever since he fell. However, it was unusually easy to request an audience with the High Seraphim this time around. Normally, he meets with Heaven ambassadors at his Hell embassy. On equal ground, in his own turf; but cocky and overly sure of himself, Seraphiel had demanded they meet here, of all places.

Seraphiel hadn't even given him the benefit of a podium. Lucifer stands there, in the same damn square tile on the floor where he'd stood when they passed judgement on him, all those millenia ago. It's an attempt to make him feel vulnerable and weak, Lucifer realizes. But the little king has already been through literal Hell and back in is long existence; it will take much more than this, he thinks, to make him feel uncomfortable.

Seraphiel looks down at him from his pedestal. He's taller now, just like Sera, but without the sincerity and kindness that's always been present behind her eyes. His jaw and nose are sharp, angled, bird-like, and strong. His hair is the same white, cloud-like curls his sister possesses. The main difference in their features is that maniacal, twisted grin on his face. Sera had never wanted to see Lucifer fall; Seraphiel, on the other hand, had been giddy for it. One less Seraphim in the way to his direct line of power, Lucifer suspects. And now with Sera gone, the cocksure angel has finally gotten his way.

"Greetings, Morningstar," Seraphiel booms across the courtroom, forcing his voice to carry so he can be heard by all in their presence. Hellfire, this bastard is so full of himself, Lucifer thinks. "I see you are here on behalf of one Carmilla Carmine. I told her we would not be entertaining any changes to our agreement."

Lucifer chuckles. "Agreement? The way I read it, she didn't have the chance to agree to anything. Your terms were quite clear."

"Indeed," Seraphiel says, less amused with him now that Lucifer's had the gall to talk back. "I also seem to recall that I said any attempts to change the terms would be considered an outright refusal. I should kill all of them right now. That would be my right."

Lucifer smiles. That same wicked, signature smile that makes him so intimidating to his subjects, even now. This maniac in front of him really is just a petty, childish, ignorant little know-it-all, Lucifer thinks. Seraphiel is no Sera; he can't even keep the details of his deals straight.

Lucifer laughs. "I seem to recall the deal I made with your predecessors shields me and my family from your people's judgement. That includes the Exterminations and any other random act of retribution you may have against Sinners. Is that something you forgot?"

"Yes, your family has absolute immunity, for now," Seraphiel confirms. "That doesn't include the Carmine woman, her offspring, or anyone she invites into her home."

Lucifer laughs even harder. He leans on his cane, showing for all the world he knows he has nothing to fear from anyone here.

"Well, see, that's where you're wrong," Lucifer mocks, looking up at the frowning High Seraphim from underneath the brim of his large, white hat. "You may not be aware, but my daughter recently entered into a relationship with Emily. You know, your other sister? The one you said would never amount to anything? Ah, yes, I know you remember her. She stole the subcommittee seat right out from under your nose, didn't she?"

"You fucking piece of--!" Seraphiel stands, starting to shout. But when every eye immediately averts in response to his sudden outburst, he sits down again, trying desperately to maintain his composure. Lucifer sees his struggle, relishing in it, and uses that moment to drive the final point home.

"Yes, that Emily! Aaaaaanyway, she's dating my daughter now! Isn't that amusing! Which makes her family, for all intents and purposes. Which makes Sera family by proxy. Meaning that you can't do shit to either of them. And honestly, if I were the type of guy who thought revenge was worth it, I could have the elders court-martial you right now, for injuring one of Sera's stepdaughters. "

"Wait, that's not--!" Seraphiel starts, but Lucifer interrupts him again.

"Your contract is with me, not Carmilla, Philly, my boy," Lucifer continues. "My contract precedes anything you could draft up with her. I'm sorry, but my hands are tied." Lucifer jokingly shape-shifts his arms until they're tied together tight, like an exaggeratedly large bow tie, to drive the point home. "My family is safe. My entire family, even the ones who enter through romantic relationships. And since now the one who drafted up that contract is also in my family, well, I'd say you're shit out of luck. And if you ever come after one of them again, I will take it up with your superiors. Capiche?"

Lucifer waits for an answer, but when he doesn't get one, he smiles. "Wonderful! I'm glad we understand each other. Good to see you again, Philly! The pleasure's been all mine!"

With that, Lucifer turns on his heels, spinning his cane in a wide arc and whistling as he exits the courtroom. He can hear Seraphiel trying to protest behind him, while a couple of the angels on his subcommittee attempt to keep their leader under control. Seraphiel shouts out after him, something about how slimy he is, and about getting even. But Lucifer is already out the door, opening a portal to his palace, ready to tell Carmilla the good news.

It's always good to read the fine print of every contract, Lucifer recalls. He, the silver tongue and father of lies, is particularly good at finding such loopholes. He's especially proud that it had been his own daughter, bless her heart, who'd pointed this particular one out to him. His precious Charlie. His sweet, talented, brilliant apple of his eye. He's so very proud of her.

[gardenwalrus]

David Lewin, 'As Ringo was Saying at Brasenose Last Night…', Daily Mail (6 March 1964)

On 5 March 1964 after their fourth day of filming A Hard Days Night, the Beatles were entertained at Brasenose College, Oxford, to mark the group’s assistance for a fundraising appeal by the charity Oxfam.

Full article

The Beatles dined by candlelight at an Oxford college last night. Casually, as though to the manner born, they sat around in the principal’s room at Brasenose College, drinking iced whisky and Coca Cola.  The dinner itself, in the high-ceilinged dining-room, was an informal affair, with everyone digging in and sitting on the floor to make the conversation easier.  The Beatles were off parade, relaxing in the academic atmosphere. The meal was served from a long dining-table laden with smoked salmon, salmon pâté, marron glacé with brandy and trifle.  The college scouts, in white mess jackets, served a Macon white wine of excellent vintage, a remarkable champagne, in the 17th-century silver tankards which are a speciality of Brasenose. Paul McCartney asked for milk, which was ceremonially served in a tankard on a silver tray.

The principal of Brasenose, Sir Noel Hall, was host. He brought with him his senior dean, Mr. David Stockton, who is in charge of discipline. Sir Noel, introducing the dean to the Beatles, said: “Since he looks after discipline I thought it better to have him on our side than, perhaps, against us.”  Ringo said:  “Do you have any of these sex cases at Brasenose?”  The senior dean, a young and humane man, said: “Not at all. We do not look into the cupboards in undergraduate rooms. Then we don’t find any trouble. As long as they don’t do anything on the lawn and in public, what we do not know does not harm us.” George Harrison confidentially invited a scout to come close. “Have you any jam butties?” he asked, turning down the smoked salmon. “I’ll trade you an autograph for a jam butty.”  The scout did not blink. “I’ll make some jam sandwiches, sir.” he said, and went off to the kitchen.  The talk was mostly academic part show business. John Lennon talked about reading Chaucer at school. The others mentioned their A-levels. The senior dean asked:  “Do you feel at all strange coming into an atmosphere like this?”  George said: “Not really. We went to the British Embassy in Washington and we didn’t like that very much. This is much nicer.  “People sometimes ask us whether we miss anything now that we’re so famous. What we think is - think of the places we can go to now that we couldn’t have done if we just stayed at home in Liverpool without earning the money.” The senior dean said: “You take on a new persona wherever you go. Now I come from a background where my father was an unemployed gasfitter for five years from 1930.  “Although I’m at university now, I still think he was the most wonderful man I knew. There was no distance between us, although I left that background.”  George said: “That’s just the same with us. We go to see our homes in Liverpool and we spend holidays with one another when we want to, but we haven’t betrayed our class or any nonsense like that.  “All we can’t stand are phonies - we can spot ‘em a mile off.” Ringo was talking about his late nights - although he had to get up and film at seven every morning. The university man seemed to have great knowledge of where the Beatles were making their film. 

Someone asked: “Have you started at Twickenham?” An undergraduate asked: “Are they playing Rugby or something?” The university man said: “Oh, no, that’s the studio where they are making their film.”  At the end of the evening Sir Noel led his guests away from the dining table to offer them a nightcap of whisky for the road. Downstairs, before they went to their cars, John Lennon tried on a mortar board. A tutor said: “With your A-levels you could have got to university easily.”  The Beatles, on their showing last night, graduated with honours from their evening at Brasenose. Michael O’Flaherty writes: only a few people were invited to the exclusive party at which The Beatles and the Daily Mail were congratulated on their efforts in the ‘Raise a Million Beatle Drive’ for OXFAM. Before The Beatles were able to lull in the chintzy armchairs beneath the oak panelling (vintage 1635) and stretch their ankle length boots on the fitted yellow carpet they presented a sign poster to 18 year old Rebecca Baxter. It was a thank you to Rebecca, head girl of St. Helen’s School, Northwood, Middlesex for her fundraising efforts. Earlier The Beatles were taken to the exclusive Vincent's Club - open only to the Oxford Blues. There they drank whiskey and coke with students, who included athlete Adrian Metcalfe. The accents may have been different but they got on with the students as though they were Blues themselves. Before they left for Sir Noel’s lodgings, student Geoffrey Archer, the man behind the fundraising efforts for the Oxfam Drive, said: “For goodness sake let the boys have some peace tonight. Don't tell anybody they are here.” Later Sir Noel said: “I think they are fantastic. They are very straightforward. No guile to them.” He added quietly: “I wouldn't say this in public, but, do you know, I'm a fan myself.” The Beatles visit came as a surprise to 13 year old Louise Hall, daughter of the principal. Louise, a boarder at Headington school near Oxford was told by her house mistress to change her grey uniform for something brighter.  The house mistress said you've got some visitors coming who were with the Lady Hall in New York. Your father wants you as hostess. Louise, an avid Beatle fan, let out a yell when she found them waiting. She said: “I think they are fabulous. It's wonderful to meet them. I can hardly get over it.”  The Beatles had been to Oxford before. As John put it: “We went to a snooty dance hall and they're all these old people about. He added: “But we've never been to the University!”

[monsieurdetalleyrand]

Un dîner obscur...

This Christmas dinner had been rather... strange, to say the least.

From the layout of the table, to the supernatural events taking place outside, to the appearance of the footmen, everything had been deeply disconcerting. Most of all, he had almost no recollection of how he had gotten there, or how he managed to make it home safely. But hey. It wasn't the first time something happened in the afterlife that made the laws of human logic pale into insignificance. It was better not to think about it anymore and to go on with his life - or rather, his death - as if nothing had happened, like if it was just a strange dream.

A little time had passed since then. And tonight, another dinner was being held. But this time, he was the organizer of the evening, a role he had always loved in his heyday of imperial embassy receptions. The invitation he had given to Fouché had initially been made in jest, but this little joke had quickly become a kind of project implicitly accepted by both parties. As expected, candles had been banned. Better to take precautions with a pyromaniac at his table.

So it was pitch black in all the rooms, although after a few moments, the eyes eventually became so accustomed to the darkness that they could spot the outlines of a few pieces of furniture and manage to find their way around. It was going to be stupid, and the risk of possible accidents was exponential, but they were both sort of ghosts in search of entertainment and pleasant conversation like they were haunting this place. Besides, Talleyrand was feeling a little anxious to see him again... for his conversation. Obviously.

There was also music. No real orchestra, that was far too difficult to operate on these conditions, but he had learned to use a vinyl player - an object he had purchased on a compulsion because he thought it looked pretty, without first knowing what it was used for. The result was the sizzling sound of a pleasant little Italian opera.

When Fouché arrived, he could see nothing. He couldn't figure out whether his guest was delighted or annoyed at being forced to keep his promise to be here tonight.

« Monsieur, je vous souhaite la bienvenue dans cet humble logis. Votre ponctualité est très appréciée. Laissez-moi prendre votre manteau. »

The “humble abode” in question was more akin to a Parisian manor house, but oh well. Talleyrand was being particularly sweet towards him, the kind of friendliness that hides something to be wary of. Since they were in the dark, the snake needed guidance. Once he had rid him of his jacket, he placed his hand against the middle of his back to guide him towards the dining room.

« C’est par ici. »

[@serpentofotranto ♥]

[saintmeghanmarkle]

Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark will attend Invictus Games. At least Harry will have a fellow spare/exile to commiserate with. by u/Hermes_Blanket

Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark will attend Invictus Games. At least Harry will have a fellow spare/exile to commiserate with. https://ift.tt/BlsA8Gp they can complain to each other about how Mummy/Mama always liked their older brothers best, and find complete understanding! Joachim is also 6th in line to the throne, as Harry was for so long. And according to what I've read, quite unpopular in his home country, just like you-know-who.As has been pointed out here before, Prince Joachim, the younger brother of now-King Frederik of Denmark, left the country for America in 2023. This was after his mother, then-Queen Margarethe, removed his children's titles of Prince and Princess, leaving them as Count and Countess instead. The children of Joachim's elder brother, the heir, were not affected and stayed Princes and Princesses. This is similar to what the Swedish monarchy had already done.https://ift.tt/aGhr35X Margarethe outlined that she wished to "create the framework for the four grandchildren to be able to shape their own lives to a much greater extent" without the responsibilities related to affiliation with the Royal House of Denmark.Joachim and his wife, as well as his former wife Alexandra (mother of two of his four children) were very unhappy at this decision and said so. Queen Margarethe apologized for causing any hard feelings around the abrupt announcement after Joachim, Marie and Alexandra all made this clear, but she defended the move as "necessary future-proofing of the monarchy."In March, 2024, Joachim and Marie gave an interview to the Washington Post in which they said they were over it. "We’ve moved on," Prince Joachim, 54, told the outlet in a piece published on April 16."We weren’t happy about the way it happened," Princess Marie, 48, said. "But it’s a family thing. It’s complicated."At least there was no Oprah-type interview, and Joachim works as a defense industry attaché at the Danish embassy in Washington, DC, so he still has ties to the monarchy, unlike Harry. He and his family lived in Paris for several years before all this happened. post link: https://ift.tt/CFY0wnW author: Hermes_Blanket submitted: January 31, 2025 at 04:47AM via SaintMeghanMarkle on Reddit disclaimer: all views + opinions expressed by the author of this post, as well as any comments and reblogs, are solely the author's own; they do not necessarily reflect the views of the administrator of this Tumblr blog. For entertainment only.

[shroudkeeper]

04. prompt / off the hook

Taking time away from my schedule was something I had to comply with the orders of the oyabun; the public must see us together, regardless of whether or not she needed me to be with her or not. Deterring from my set schedule took some adjusting, especially when I handled most of the matters concerning the cargo we received from our collaborators overseas. Usually, such walks were quiet between us: I observed, offered assistance when necessary, and then returned her home before I continued my work.

Until we crossed the Garlean embassy on our way to the garden this summer afternoon. Nary a hint of rain was found in the heavens, yet a heavy cloud seemed to form above her as we proceeded closer to the ones stationed there.

Strong she may be, fighting horrific monstrosities that dare cross her path, yet mortals were monsters in their own right. I could see their gestures, the lascivious glance made at her passing, the crude remarks that followed. swiftly behind them.

Their words were not kept in a volume made for whispers; deliberately the hyur simpered in her direction, and when she did not react in the matter he wished, the word savage escaped their lips.

Lady Takahashi was to represent her clan, the grace and poise of a woman who was dignified, but words were no different than invisible blades, and I could see that it had cut into her pride from how her shoulders slackened briefly before she regained her lost composure. I started to wonder if this happened before, and how many moments such as these has she endured?

They perhaps thought little of my presence, for who would dare assault someone right before the embassy? It was asking for trouble that would involve the Sekiseigumi. Even if we had them in our pockets, this would escalate beyond the control of the oyabun.

Regardless, while they found entertainment at her expense, I burned the image of his features, every detail about his person, into memory. Our clan was not to be ridiculed, least of all one who was undeserving of such unpleasant attention.

She may let him off the hook and ignore their insulting behavior.

But she and I were two different people.

My men were in the area, and with one command, they provided me with the entire schedule of the man, whom I came to discover was named Festus. During the evenings, he would head over to the Shiokaze and drink his koban away with his compatriots.

Unfortunately, tonight.. he would not meet them.

But me instead.

Patience is something I taught her, that practicing that will grant her all she would need, and that lesson would bear fruit this day. Dressed as a Westerner, I crossed his path when he was found unattended, and under the cover of night's veil, where the lantern's glow did not grace the stone at my feet, gave him a reminder of what the definition of savage truthfully was.

His flesh bruised faster than a ripened fruit left out too long; malleable it became under the strikes of my fists with each blow to the face. He crumbled like wet origami at my feet in heaves and couldn't gather himself upright when I commanded it of him; I politely would offer my assistance by taking hold of his slender throat to raise him high enough to my gaze. There was no hiss, no curse spat at him, rather I offered a calm warning, one that I hope not to ever find a reason in repeating.

"Disrespect my betrothed again and I shall give you cause to hide your face behind that unsightly mask. Remember the face you wear currently, and who did it to you."

[tsunael]

WoL Think Thonkers

#1 Where is your Warrior of Light from? What was their home like growing up and what set them out on their journey?

Tsuna was born sometime in 1545, 7 years before the fall of Doma. Once she was old enough, she often helped her mother in the shop due to her father being away on sea voyages more often than not.

Her mother was kind but strict-- guilty of imparting onto her child the ideals of her people who shunned the outside world, and avoided conflict at all cost. Tsuna grew up on her bedtime stories of the world beneath the waves, and of the Ruby Prince-- a half-Au Ra man who was born without scales. Their village in Yanxia was fond of her mother, and helped her raise her only child.

When Doma fell, and the Court was dissolved, its servants and the surrounding villagers were displaced or taken as conscripts.

Left without a mother, and her father missing, Tsuna was smuggled into Kugane by a family friend where she would be taken in by an Okiya inside the Sanjo Hanamachi as a perceived orphan. For thirteen years she trained as a maiko, and graduated at twenty.

She threw it all away after being asked to entertain a couple of Garlean soldiers from the embassy. Sometime during the evening, she received her first Echo-- flashing back to the day her mother was taken away. The same soldier who broke into their village home was sitting next to her.

She killed him in a crime of passion. The second life she took was self-defense. The crime forced her to flee or face persecution, (not to mention the political implications of a citizen of the neutral facing Kugane committing a crime against the embassy) and so she fled onto the first boat that would take her-- to Eorzea.

[warningsine]

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/communications-disrupted-bangladesh-amid-student-protests-2024-07-19/

DHAKA, July 19 (Reuters) - The Bangladesh government has decided to impose a curfew across the country and deploy the army, BBC Bangla reported on Friday, citing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's press secretary, amid widening student-led protests against government job quotas.

An official decision regarding the curfew would be issued soon, the prime minister's press secretary, Nayeemul Islam Khan, told BBC Bangla.

Three people were killed in the country on Friday as police cracked down on unrelenting student-led protests against government job quotas despite a ban on public gatherings, local media said.

Police fired tear gas to scatter protesters in some areas, Reuters journalists said. One said he could see many fires across the capital Dhaka from a rooftop and smoke rising into the sky in several places.

Telecommunications were also disrupted and television news channels went off the air. Authorities had cut some mobile telephone services the previous day to try to quell the unrest.

Bengali newspaper Prothom Alo reported train services had been suspended nationwide as protesters blocked roads and threw bricks at security officials.

Violence on Thursday in 47 of Bangladesh's 64 districts killed 27 and injured 1,500.

The total number of those dead from the protests reached 105 on Friday night, AFP separately reported, citing hospitals. Reuters could not immediately verify the reports and police have not issued a casualty toll.

The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka said that reports indicated more than 40 deaths and "hundreds to possibly thousands" injured across Bangladesh.

In a security alert, it said protests were spreading, with violent clashes being reported across Dhaka. The situation was "extremely volatile", it said.

The protests initially broke out over student anger against quotas that set aside 30% of government jobs for the families of those who fought for independence from Pakistan.

The nationwide unrest - the biggest since Hasina was re-elected this year - has also been fuelled by high unemployment among young people, who make up nearly a fifth of a population of 170 million.

Some analysts say the violence is now also being driven by wider economic woes, such as high inflation and shrinking reserves of foreign exchange.

The protests have opened old and sensitive political fault lines between those who fought for Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971 and those accused of collaborating with Islamabad.

The former include the Awami League party of Hasina, who branded the protesters "razakar" - making use of a term that described independence-era collaborators.

International rights groups criticised the suspension of services and the action of security forces. The European Union said it is deeply concerned by the violence and loss of life.

"It is vital that further violence is averted and that a peaceful resolution to the situation is found as swiftly as possible, underpinned by the rule of law and democratic freedoms," it said in a statement.

Neighbour India said the unrest was an internal matter of Bangladesh and that all 15,000 Indians in that country were safe. Indians studying in Bangladesh were returning by road.

Violence linked to the protests also broke out in distant London, which is home to a large Bangladeshi population, and police had to quell clashes between large groups of men in the east of the British capital.

TELECOMS DISRUPTED, WEBSITES HACKED

Friday began with the internet and overseas telephone calls being crippled, while the websites of several Bangladesh newspapers did not update and were also inactive on social media.

A few voice calls went through, but there was no mobile data or broadband, a Reuters journalist said. Even text messages were not being transmitted.

News television channels and state broadcaster BTV went off the air, although entertainment channels were normal, he said.

Some news channels displayed a message blaming technical problems, and promising to resume programming soon.

The official websites of the central bank, the prime minister's office and police appeared to have been hacked by a group calling itself "THE R3SISTANC3".

"Operation HuntDown, Stop Killing Students," read identical messages splashed on the sites, adding in crimson letters: "It's not a protest anymore, it's a war now."

Another message on the page read, "The government has shut down the internet to silence us and hide their actions."

The government had no comment on the communications issues.

On Thursday, it had said it was willing to hold talks with the protesters but they refused.

Many opposition party leaders, activists, and student protesters had been arrested, said Tarique Rahman, the exiled acting chairman of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Reuters could not confirm the arrests.

[dilf-in-peril]

Week 36/2023

I'm slowly recovering from the malaise (*my little guy is gone).

Austin Aries vs. Bryan Danielson (ROH Nowhere To Run) - All I remember about this is Bryan's big white thighs and that it was some real graps, as they say. Which come to think of it, my lack of memory might not be a great endoresement but did you know Bryan Danielson is really good?

Bryan Danielson vs. CM Punk (FIP Bring The Pain) - This match goes on for 40 minutes and I really didn't feel the length. It's in a bar in front of maybe 20 people, they are mostly wrestling in the black void, which gives it that certain low budget porn flair. The mics pick up every scream and grunt, and, boy, do they grunt. No flips, only grappling. They are basically wrestling for their own entertainment and they seem to be having a lot of fun (gay).

CM Punk vs. Jimmy Rave (ROH Nowhere To Run) - What's fascinating about this one is how entirely different it is from the Punk vs. Danielson match on the opposite end of what I love about wrestling. This is the culmination of a feud in which Rave kept brutalizing Punk with the help of The Embassy. Now they are locked in a cage, nowhere to run, in front of Punk's home crowd, which is very much behind the idea of him murdering Rave. It's hard to explain the rush you get watching it, maybe you need the build to get, maybe you just need to have a soul. No, it wouldn't look good on a Dark Puroresu compilation but seeing an exhausted yet ecstatic Punk sitting atop the cage fence, singing Miseria Cantare with the crowd is what it's all about and if you don't get it, you never will.

[ask-emily-em-emmy]

Extermination is Entertainment

Despite what one might think from the past few weeks, Emily actually didn't use her portals most of the time. She loved the sights, the scenic route, the journey. Walking or flying gave her plenty of time to think and generally plenty of people to see as she made her way to wherever she was going.

Today she had a lot on her mind. Emily was headed down to the embassy to try and figure out the Hologram System. She had a meeting with an engineer the next day a one to go over the mechanics and how it worked, but she wanted to familiarize herself now while she could ahead of time so that she'd at least be somewhat in the loop instead of just confused when he spoke to her.

There was still the ghost of the exterminations over her shoulder. The Heavenly Embassy in hell still held the clock tower, and she had a feeling that the sinners probably saw heaven as little more than privileged murderers because of it. She hoped that perhaps if she could make the embassy into something better, a place for hope, light and joy that the sinners would see heaven in that same way. If their views of heaven changed, maybe they'd be more willing to give the hotel a shot, furthering Charlie's dreams and in turn, a penance for heaven.

However, she would have to actually get it to work before anyone would change their opinion. That part would be difficult but she reminded herself quickly, diligence is a virtue. This would be a fun adventure if she willed it to be! Anything could be good if everyone wanted it to be good! Getting the sinners to want it, or to believe that it could be was the obstacle, but thats okay! Every trial was a chance to prove yourself!

As she walked, a spring in her step and an easy smile on her face she waved to every winner she passed, exchanging greetings, compliments and well wishes. It was a blessing to be surrounded by such kind and heartwarming souls, something she was careful to never take for granted.

It also helped that she had something to look forward to tonight. Directly after this she had a date with Ass, their first date that was preplanned. It wasn't that the other dates weren't special, but it was different because there was an excitement building throughout the day, a nervousness that couldn't be felt when you just went straight into it the second you had time. Not for the first time today she thought about the new hellphone in the pocket of her dress, almost willing it to vibrate so she could read another message from the fallen.

She reached the embassy and entered quickly. It wasn't that she was sneaking in per se, but she didn't really want to be interrupted while she messed with the system and doors didn't lock in heaven. There were exceptions to the rule, bathrooms and private homes, but public spaces like government buildings stayed open constantly.

As she entered the building a log appeared on a golden scroll showing all of the last visitors, who they met with, the time and date, when they came in and when they left. It also had a code so you could look it up in the Embassy History Registry. The last person here from hell was Lucifer, meeting with Sera. The time before that was Charlie meeting Adam and Lute. Every other log on the page was Lucifer except for the second line on the page, Lilith Morningstar.

There was a desktop that had one line on its screen and a title that said "Log ID Number". With a shrug Emily put in Charlie's and there was a flash in the room to the left of her.

Curious, she went to inspect and found Adam and Lute sitting at the table. Well, Adam was at the table, Lute was standing just behind him. They were laughing and playing around like they used to when they weren't training and a part of Emily's heart clenched for them, knowing that he was a very important part of her life when he was still in it. Then Charlie came in and- well you know what happens next.

"Call me Dickmaster."

Emily truly thinks that Charlie must be a saint in disguise in this moment, because had he said that to her she would have... she would have... she would have done something!! Charlie, on the other hand knew exactly how to wrangle him back. Maybe it was all of the sinners she had dealt with in the past that gave her the know-how to deal with his attitude. A shame that it took dealing with sinners every day to be able to handle the attitude of the commander of the heavenly army, former or otherwise.

"Angels don't make mistakes."

What a lie. Angels made mistakes all the time. If two angels could disagree, then one must be making a mistake. There seems to be an idea amongst the most prideful angels that falling is how you know you have made mistakes but really, it's just the effect of it. The cause is the build up of mistakes. If angels can make mistakes than it stands to reason that they do make mistakes.

"The only reason you're still here is because Daddy gave you and your hellborn kind a pardon from an exorcist blade. How does that feel? To know how little you matter?"

Rage bubbled up in her at that, her halo's eye opening, making the whole scene feel brighter, more in depth, more in color. How dare she?! How dare Lute speak to any living creature that way, as if she were any more deserving of respect?! As if she herself were not simply made in heaven with the same likelihood of her creation being in hell, her very existence a gamble. She had not earned a place in heaven, she was gifted it! Blessed to have it, not because she was better but because she was lucky.

Emily watched on, her anger evident from the brilliant glow shining in eyes she usually kept hidden, not that anyone was around to see it.

"But for those of us with Divine Ordainment, Extermination is entertainment!"

It was that moment that Emily finally understood the horrors and atrocities that heaven had inflicted. The exterminations were nothing more than Adam’s sadistic scenes. The exorcists for years were thought to be indestructible. They couldn’t be killed by anything. They went down and slaughtered for nothing more than to make up for what? Lilith’s transgressions against Adam? Were they even a threat until heaven started supplying them with angelic steel weapons that could kill both demon and angel alike?

How was she supposed to reverse the damage of years of annual culling in the name of entertainment? For the first time since the trial, she felt hopeless. How could the sinners trust them after all of that? How could they even give it a chance?

The door slammed in Charlie's face as Adam finished his guitar solo, high fiving Lute and leaving. The hologram stopped and the room suddenly plummeted to darkness and rage gave way to tearful weakness. Her shaky legs gave out, crumpling into her chest as she held herself, sobs wracking her body.

Heaven had so much to make up for.

[internationalintelligencefirm]

THE PRESIDENT OF SERBIA ENTERTAINING HAMAS LEADERS AT HOME WITH HIS SON. #JILLSTARR #JEREMYPAXMAN #BBCWORLDNEWS #MI6 thIS IS GOING TO LOW UP INTO A FULL BLOWN INTERNATIONAL EMERGENCY AND I NEED HELP HERE. I CALLED THE UK EMBASSY IN DC AND THEY SAID "CALL YOUR LOCAL POLICE STATION." THAT WILL NEVER DO PEOPLE!

[vivelafranceblog]

Josephine Baker

French dancer and singer

Freda Josephine Baker, naturalised as Joséphine Baker, was an American-born French dancer, singer and actress. Her career was centered primarily in Europe, mostly in France. 

Born: June 3, 1906, St. Louis, Missouri, United States

Died: April 12, 1975, University Hospitals Pitié Salpêtrière - Charles Foix, Paris

Children: Stellina Baker, Akio Bouillon, Brahim Baker, Jari Baker, MORE

Spouse: Jo Bouillon (m. 1947–1961), Jean Lion (m. 1937–1940)

Parents: Eddie Carson, Carrie McDonald

Siblings: Willie Mae Martin, Margaret Martin, Richard Martin

In September 1939, when France declared war on Germany in response to the invasion of Poland, Baker was recruited by the Deuxième Bureau, the French military intelligence agency, as an "honorable correspondent". Baker worked with Jacques Abtey, the head of French counterintelligence in Paris. She socialised with the Germans at embassies, ministries, night clubs, charming them while secretly gathering information. Her café-society fame enabled her to rub shoulders with those in the know, from high-ranking Japanese officials to Italian and Vichy bureaucrats, reporting to Abtey what she heard. She attended parties and gathered information at the Italian embassy without raising suspicion

The Château des Milandes is a manor house in the commune of Castelnaud-la-Chapelle in the Dordogne département of France

In 1940, the entertainer Josephine Baker rented the château and then bought it in 1947. It has been listed as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture since 1986

When the Germans invaded France, Baker left Paris and went to the Château des Milandes, her home in the Dordogne département in the south of France. She housed people who were eager to help the Free French effort led by Charles de Gaulle and supplied them with visas

Later years and death

In 1968, Baker lost her château owing to unpaid debts; afterwards Princess Grace offered her an apartment in Roquebrune, near Monaco.

Baker was back on stage at the Olympia in Paris in 1968

Baker was interred at Monaco's Cimetière de Monaco

Place Joséphine Baker in Paris

Place Joséphine Baker in the Montparnasse Quarter of Paris was named in her honor. She has also been inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame

and on March 29, 1995, into the Hall of Famous Missourians

St. Louis's Channing Avenue was renamed Josephine Baker Boulevard,  and a wax sculpture of Baker is on permanent display at The Griot Museum of Black History.

Josephine Baker in her dressing room at the Casino de Paris in Paris, 1931.

Photos by Boris Lipnitzki