#found the translation in english so that i won't be the only one crying my eyes out

[snivel1]

You know that you are a human…

You know that you are a human.

You know that, or do you not?

That smile of yours is unique to you,

That torment of yours is unique to you,

Your eyes no other person has got.

Tomorrow you won’t be here present.

Tomorrow on this blessed land

Others’ll be running and laughing,

Others’ll be feeling and loving;

Good people and bad ones, my friend.

Today all the world is for you:

Forests and hills, valleys deep.

So hurry to live, please, hurry!

So hurry to love, please, hurry!

Don’t miss out on it, don’t oversleep!

‘Cause you on this Earth are a human.

And whether you want it or not,

That smile of yours is unique to you,

That torment of yours is unique to you,

Your eyes no other person has got.

Author: Vasyl Symonenko

Translator: Kyrylo Snizhko

[97keanu]

desperately wanting john wick to whisper filthy things to me in russian

*˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳I love this idea nonnie ! I have decided to do a list of phrases I've found + what scenario John would say them to you, disclaimer: I do not speak Russian, but I've tried to go beyond using just Google translate and the like, but there still may be discrepancies, please forgive ʚ♥︎ɞ

Tags/CW: rope bunny, Dom!JW, Sub!Reader, bratty!reader, bdsm-esque, reader tries to Dom JW, reader on top, teasing, denial, dirty talk.

Зайка моя ("My bunny"): John calls you this the most, he loves the idea of you being his little bunny, and he also likes that he can get away with calling you something so cute because you have no idea at first what he's saying. Light teasing from you when you find out he's been calling you his "bunny" for so long:

"Oh, so if I'm your little bunny, does that make you the big bad wolf?" You say with a smile, teasing John for his pet name for you.

"Oh yes, yes it does..." John plays along, moving close enough to you that he grab you from behind and pull you close.

"Don't forget that wolves bite, Зайка моя..." His teeth nibble at your neck before dragging you, who's giggling from all the attention, off to the bedroom.

мое солнышко ("My sunshine"): John calls you this after sex the most, or only in the most tender of cases. He really does believe you are his own personal ball of sun. He hasn't felt this happy in so long, and upon meeting you, he knows that you are the light in his life. John doesn't mind if you know it, either. He calls you his sun in English as well, but when you two are cuddled up, the night settling in, John will sleepily call you "мое солнышко".

моя принцесса ("My princess"): John uses this one almost exclusively when you're being a brat, typically in bed. He calls you this half sarcastically, half because he really will do anything to please you.

"What are you going to do, make me, John?" You tease him when he tries to command you. You really shouldn't have done that.

"Careful, моя принцесса, you know what happens when you tease me." Johns voice is trying to be gruff, but he also loves seeing you have fun. Only after a few more bratty comments does he finally show his princess how she really needs to be treated.

шлюха ("whore") / шлюшка(diminutive "little whore"): John uses this one often, forgetting himself while he's fucking you. You know this one too well, and when he says it, you love how degrading it sounds. He tells you most while he holds the back of your head roughly down on his cock how much you look like a "шлюшка" to him. He eventually teaches you how to say it as well:

"I won't let you cum until you tell me what you are..." John has his hands skillfully playing with your pussy while you're all tied up in a little bow for him on the bed. You know what he wants, but don't want to give in. His hands move just perfectly so you get so close, but stop just before then. Your moans echo through the room.

"I'll wait, we can play this game forever, love." John knows you know this to be true, he works his big hands inside you harder now, and you can barely sputter the phrase out.

"Yes, please! I'm your шлюха, your шлюшка!" You cry out as John finishes you, your body writhing in it's restraints. John looks so pleased with you for saying it correctly.

"Good girl." He says as he begins to help you calm down.

Для меня ты ведешь себя как маленькая шлюха ("You're acting like such a little whore for me." Literally: "To me, you are acting like a little whore.")

John says this when you're particularly submissive to him. Sometimes you're a bit of a brat who wants to act like she doesn't love being John's little rope bunny, but now you're practically begging him to fuck you. You're riding his thigh, he's fully clothed but you've taken your panties off from under your dress and are making such a mess of his nice dress pants. He watches you, never revealing whether or not he will be the one to please you tonight.

"Для меня ты ведешь себя как маленькая шлюха..." He says while rolling his eyes, taking a sip of his drink and watching as you desperately try to get off on his thigh. He finally caves and puts his glass down on the side table, lifting you up and taking you to the couch where he can properly fuck you.

я хочу быть сверху("I want to be on top."):

You spend some time searching up the perfect way to tell John that you want to be on top tonight. You know he will be coming home from a long day and want to do something to please him. The brat in you also knows that John will be thrilled at you attempting "superiority" over him. When John finally gets home, he is immediately taking off his suit, ignoring how dirty and blood stained it is. He grabs you as soon as he sees you, pulling you to the nearest surface he can to fuck you, which happens to be the couch. As John's devouring your body in kisses, you say it.

"я хочу быть сверху..." You whisper and John pauses, looking at you in disbelief for a moment. First, he is impressed by how well you said the phrase, then his eyes darken with a hint of mischief.

"So you want to be on top..." He says slyly, licking his lips like a hungry wolf. "So be it, let me see how well you think you can dominate me."

"You mean it?" Your eyes light up, half of you didn't expect him to agree.

"On one condition, if you fail to fuck me correctly, I will tie you up and show you how it's done..." His voice is deep and husky with desire, and you know he's setting you up, but the idea of him tying you up later doesn't sound like a bad thing, not really. You nod and begin placing yourself on top, slowly easing up there.

You hold his cock still as you softly let it enter you, and John already has a wicked gleam in his eyes. You keep going, placing your hands on his chest and trying to ride him as if you're the one dominating him, but even at your best on top you're still submitting to his cock. John grabs his tie from the floor and you already know what he is going to do, so you place your hands out in front of you. He ties your hands up, then takes your hips and fucks you from underneath so hard the neighbors can hear it. You realise you can never dominate him, but that doesn't stop you from asking to be on top from time to time after this.

Я ХОЧУ ТЕБЯ ВНУТРИ МЕНЯ("I want you inside me.")

You learn another phrase, this one more your style. John is teasing you once more, his cock hard and slipping through your wet folds, but never entering you. You're whining, grinding your hips and bucking to try to invite him in, but your arms are all tied up behind you. He has your breasts tied as well, bringing them to perfect roundness. John reaches out and plays with your nipples, plucking at them and pulling just how you like, still not letting you feel the fullness of his cock. You are at your breaking point when you remember the phrase.

"Я ХОЧУ ТЕБЯ ВНУТРИ МЕНЯ...!" You finally moan, your back arching and your toes curling from how badly you want it. John pauses and smiles.

"Oh, you're such a good girl for asking like that." he says, before plunging his cock deep inside you, giving you what you want. You breathe out, finally able to be fucked hard like you wanted.

[xclowniex]

EUROVISION DRAMA UPDATE

Baby Lasanga went on a podcast and talked about some drama which happened regarding Israel. It was in croation but the official translation is:

"This is the first time I’m actually talking about it. We were standing in line to join the flag parade, and everything was fine. The Irish representative and the Greek representative were standing there, and just then someone passed by and filmed a video; I guess it was someone from the Israeli delegation. Bambie started shouting at him, ‘Don’t film me!’ They yelled like an angry dog! And added that it’s a ‘celebration of love and peace’ while drooling… and everyone was really shocked. I bit my lips trying not to laugh. They talk about a celebration of love and peace while shouting and getting angry, just unnecessary drama. In the end, Bambie, Nemo, and I don’t know who else ran to the room and started crying. What’s going on with you guys? This is supposed to be Eurovision…”

“I don’t know why Bambie, Marina, and Nemo were so upset with the Israeli delegation. The Israeli delegation was not a nuisance at all, at least from what I saw. And regarding Bambie’s claim that they film her, there are cameras everywhere and everyone is taking pictures of everyone. It just amused me that she shouted about peace and love while behaving with anger and frustration.”

PLEASE DO NOTE WITH TRANSLATION: The Croatian phrase which has been translated as "angry dog" does not hold as strong of a connotation in Croatian as it does in English. It is used to emphasize severe anger, and does not mean rabid with anger, as a lot of english speakers have assumed it does.

So, what this means is:

A lot of allegations surronding the Israeli delegations actions were likely blown up, and made to seem worse than what they were

At least a portion of the claims of the Israeli delegation filming people is likely them filming Eden Golan or each other and contestants being in the background which was standard for other contestants to be in the background of any delegations videos, aka not out of normal behaviour for any delegation

Any complants brough to the EBU about the Israeli delegation had no rulings made on it, meaning that they were found unjust aka they didn't break any rules

Bambie Thug was so unprofessional that they were suspended from the flag parade in the finals due to their own behaviour, not the Israeli delegation's like they claimed

Bambi thug is a major sore loser considering their comments after the finals

What the implications of this is;

Bambi Thug is either antisemitic or xenophobic - depends on exact motives, which we do not know

Bambi Thug is also immature as they purposely lied and/or made things out to be way worse than they were to garner sympathy and/or to paint the Israeli delegation as these big bad evil people

Considering Marina was present during at least one of the situations, and still supported Bambi Thug, we also know that Marina either does similar behaviour to Bambi Thug, or thinks that behaviour is okay

The biggest thing out of all of this, is that the Israeli delegation was made out to be super evil and bad, and so much effort was put into protraying them this way, and all that effort has gone to waste because someone decided to speak out about what really happened.

Baby Lasanga also isn't even the only person who is proof of the delegation not being cunts the entire time. käärijä, in a now deleted video, was seen being nice to Eden Golan and even danced with her to his track from last years eurovision backstage. käärijä had the Israeli delegation take down the video after he recieved backlash for it and he also released an apology very similar to baby lasanga's statement.

Baby Lasanga's statement for the podcast was

"I won't beat aroud the bush and I feel like I have to respond because I owe that to the ESC community. I didn't feel like I had to express this online, but now I see that there's some confusion about it. So let me say it: U condem the actions of Israel's government. I bow my head to palestine and it's victims. I keep them in my prayers every night I go to sleep. Likewise, I will truly give my best to help those wounded by this horrigic tragedy. Love Marko"

My take aways from this are:

He can seperate citizens from their government like a normal fucking human being should

He also assumed that people would be able to do that too, but alas they weren't and he had to release a statement

He still stands behind his comments during the podcast

For anyone wanting to interact with this post, please note that this post is not about whether or not Israel should or shouldn't have attended. Whilst it is part of the overall wider conversation, I am not talking about that as eurovision already happened, Israel competed. This post is purely about how the Israeli delegation was treated and drama going on about that. Please do not start talking about whether or not Israel should have been allowed to compete.

[amberjazmyn]

you are my sunshine 💔🫶

pairing : max verstappen x fem!reader

summary :  with the lyrics of christina perri's "you are my sunshine" we learn about max and ophelia verstappen's miscarriage that they never publically posted until now when they've gone through their grieving process and the process of them finding out and announcing their first rainbow baby which then ends with them having three kids.

warnings : mention of miscarriage, rainbow baby announcement, crying, sadness that turns into happiness, song lyrics (does christina perri also need a warning?)

a/n : i wanted to rewrite and retransform my jared padalecki miscarriage chapter for someone new  who is max verstappen so, that is what i'm doing. however, this isn't going to be sad the entire time so, don't worry you won't be crying/sad the entire read. as always, song lyrics are italicised bold, flashbacks are italics and present time is normal font. whilst the wags of the f1 racers are the same, except for max's obviously so kelly and p do not exist in this timeline. also, again, dodgy english to dutch translation will be used. 

you are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are grey!

ophelia verstappen, wife of formula 1 red bull driver max verstappen, had just been given the best news that she could have ever found out. she was pregnant with their first child. she couldn't believe that finally, she was going to become a mum and her husband, max, was going to become a dad.

she frantically found herself putting together a box of things to surprise max with to let him know the amazing good news that she had just found out moments ago. just as she was finishing her set up for the surprise, she quickly set up her phone so she could film her husband's reaction when the front door opened and her husband's loud, dutch accent and language reverberated throughout the house. staring at the camera with a frightful look, she waited for her dutch native husband to come into the kitchen, where she had placed the surprise present for him to open.

"goedemiddag schatje! ik ben thuis!" max called out in dutch as ophelia smiles at the camera after it first made her jump as she waits for her husband to come into the kitchen good afternoon baby! i'm home!

"hé schat, ik ben in de keuken!" ophelia calls out as max giggles as he puts his stuff down in the entryway of the house, minus his phone and walks into the kitchen to see his wife hey baby, i'm in the kitchen!

"hey schat!" max mumbles as he swoops in, not even noticing the fact that his wife was filming the both of them as he pulls her in for a hug as she chuckles hey, baby!

they talk for a few minutes more in dutch without max even realising the present on the counter right in front of him nor his wife's iphone that was filming them until ophelia nudges him and forces him to notice the present.

"oh, schat, ik heb ook een klein cadeautje voor je," ophelia forces her husband to notice the present as he chuckles, placing his phone in his red bull hoodie pocket as he then looked down at the counter - finally noticing the white box in front of him oh, babe, i also got you a little present

"phee, schatje, waarom? het is niet mijn verjaardag of kerstmis of zoiets! waarom heb je mij een cadeau gegeven? fuck, vertel me alsjeblieft niet dat ik een verjaardag van ons heb gemist!" max panics as he tries to remember if he had missed any anniversaries or anything as he loosened the pretty bow and opened the lid of the box phee, babe, why? it's not my birthday or christmas or anything! why did you get me a present for? fuck, please don't tell me i missed an anniversary of ours!

but, in saying that though, max was very sceptical in opening the box lid which made ophelia laugh but also riddled her with anxiety that maybe, he wasn't exactly ready for a baby and to become a father. or that he even wanted to become a dad. i mean, they were still pretty young, the both of them in their mid-twenties. and, right now, max was in his prime with formula 1 right now, winning many races throughout the season. so was it the right time? however, all that fear and anxiety went away instantly the moment when max just fell into ophelia's embrace and immediately started to burst out into cries of happiness. she knew it was happy tears due to the way she watched her husband's face contort before he hid it in her shoulder.

"baby, are you serious?" max whispered, his dutch failing him as the couple hugged, max was not able to speak any louder as ophelia giggled and nodded her head

"ja, ik meen het absoluut, schat, ik ben zwanger!" ophelia spoke softly in dutch and lovingly with excitement as max just stayed silent as he hugged his wife tighter as she giggled yes, i'm absolutely serious babe, i'm pregnant!

"how far along? does it say on the, on the thing?" max mumbled to himself, still not trusting his dutch as he grabbed the clearblue pregnancy test to see how long his wife was in her pregnancy when he smiled - she was around five weeks along

"ben je blij schat?" ophelia mumbled as she giggled, max nodding his head as he wiped his tears away as he chuckled softly you happy baby?

"you're five weeks along, i'm more than happy baby! we're gonna be parents! we're going to have a little family of three!" max spoke softly as he smiled the brightest he had ever smiled since their wedding day

"ik weet het, maxie, het is gek!" ophelia giggled as max then grabbed his phone to take a photo before ophelia stopped him i know, maxie, it's crazy!

"wat ben je aan het doen schat?" ophelia giggled as she sat herself up on the kitchen counter next to the box that was used for the announcement what are you doing babe?

"i want to post it to instagram... and tell the rest of the f1 fam..." he trailed off like a kid as ophelia giggled as she had now stopped filming on her phone

"...how about we just keep it between us, i'm already five weeks which means i'm not that far away from being twelve weeks which is when it's recommended to tell people since that's when concerns for pregnancy loss drop around this time. we only have to wait six more weeks until we can tell people, do you think you can wait for that long?" ophelia explained, switching to english as max placed his phone down and nodded his head, wrapping his arms around his wife and now their little baby

"that's absolutely fine with me babe! i can definitely wait six more weeks before telling people! but, holy crap phee! you're actually pregnant with an actual human being just chilling in you right now! we made that!" max started to rail off as ophelia laughed at her husband as she nodded her head

" i know babe! we've actually made a full-on human that's literally growing inside of me right as we speak! just a little crazy but, i'm so excited!" ophelia spoke in between bouts of laughter as max shook his head, a big smile on his face as he hugged his wife again

°∘❉∘°

six weeks had passed when the verstappen's had been given the all-clear with telling people about their pregnancy. and right now, thankfully, it was off-season of the f1 competition for a few months and were all off in their hometowns with their own friends and families which made it difficult to tell them in person. until ophelia remembered the group chat that they had with each other and decided to tell him that way since it would be a little bit until they'd all reunite with each other so, group chat was the best way to tell them. 

f1 grid + wags

max, pierre, lando, lewis, daniel, charles, george, oscar, carlos, checo, kika, alexandra, heidi, lily, rebecca and ophelia

max

george, pierre, lando, lewis and 11 others have reacted to this photo

pierre

wait hold up!

lando

oh my god!! congratulations you two!!

kika

you can't just do that and leave the chat!!! max, ophelia's actually preggers?!

daniel

duuuuuuuuuuuudddddeeee ain't no way! congratulations! that's amazing news!

lewis

wait, phee, you've been pregnant how long?! when the fuck did this happen?!

alexandra

max! phee! you guys i'm crying! congratulations i'm so happy for you!

ophelia

awe, thank you, guys! and lewis, to answer your question, i've been pregnant for twelve weeks! when i did the test, i was five weeks pregnant and basically, max wanted to tell everyone, and post it on social media but, i wanted to wait until now basically!

daniel

omg, this is insane! so, wait, you were pregnant when we all last saw each other at wdc, basically? is that what you're saying?!

kika 

holy crap phee! you're really preggers!

lewis

jesus christ girl! you and max are actually gonna be parents!

ophelia

yeah, that is exactly what i'm saying danny, and i didn't even know! because as mentioned before, when i took the test, it said i was over two weeks pregnant and then when i went to my doctor and told her, she basically confirmed that i was five weeks after she had connected the dots to everything i had told her previously

lando

this has got to be an april fool's joke right?! like, this ain't no way at all that max has knocked his wife up!

daniel

lando! that is inappropriate! i am so sorry ophelia!

ophelia

sorry little lando, it isn't an april fool's joke because one, it's not april and two, max has knocked his wife up and he did a pretty damn good job of it too!

ophelia

haha, danny, it's all good, but i have to admit, reading you tell off your former teammate over text is quite funny

charles

and this is why ophelia is my favourite wag! i'm sorry! and, congratulations darling! 

oscar

hear hear charles! i think we all agree!

lily

oh, absolutely charles! i agree also!

lewis

as do i!

daniel

oh yeah, favourite wag ever!

max

and, to end this off, i too agree in saying that ophelia is my favourite f1 wag!

lando

okay yep, i'm sorry! i was wrong, you guys are right!

charles

wait, phee, now that you are twelve weeks pregnant, and you're telling us, will you be announcing it to social media or do you think you'll wait a little longer?

ophelia

umm, funny thing, maxie and i just had this conversation and, since we honestly had no itch to tell our followers but had the itch to tell you guys, i think he and i will wait a little bit longer before telling everyone on social media!

charles

oh yeah, that's absolutely fair! well, if you and max can wait then, so can everyone else i mean, what they don't know won't hurt them!

pierre, lando, lewis, daniel and 9 others sent heart.

kika

smart choice phee! but, omg, i'm still trying to believe that you're actually preggers! you're growing an actual human inside of you, right now!

ophelia

i know kika! max was constantly saying the same thing which would constantly make me laugh because he was right! i'm literally growing a whole ass human inside of me!

however, not even a full two weeks after this group chat conversation, as everyone was brought together in excitement for the verstappen's and their exciting pregnancy news, ophelia's biggest and worst nightmare came true - miscarrying their baby.

you'll never know dear, how much i love you, please don't take my sunshine away.

only days before ophelia miscarried their baby, was she singing a sweet, famous lullaby to her belly that only sported a little rounded bump. as she sang the words of christina perri's cover version of "you are my sunshine". she was sitting on the couch, her feet resting underneath her bum as she sang whilst her hands rested on her bare pregnant tummy. with her husband home from work, max smiled as he sat down next to his wife, his head resting on her shoulder as he was the third and fourth hands to join in the rubbing/resting on the pregnant belly.

"you'll never know how dear, how much i love you, please don't take my sunshine away," ophelia sang softly to the little baby that was peacefully resting in her belly as max smiled lovingly

"Ik ben benieuwd of baby verstappen een jongen of een meisje wordt," max spoke softly, as not to disturb the gorgeous serenity that was his wife's singing voice and what it brought to the baby as she smiled i wonder if baby verstappen will be a boy or a girl

"zolang baby verstappen gezond is en ik gezond ben, dat is het enige dat telt, schat," ophelia whispered back as max nodded his head, more than satisfied with his wife's answer as long as baby verstappen is healthy and i'm healthy, that's all that matters babe

the happy couple and their baby just rested against the couch for the rest of the night as they watched movies on netflix before the night drifted away from them and it was suddenly coming close to 11 pm - time for the verstappen's to go to sleep.

however, for some off reason, ophelia couldn't seem to get herself to fall asleep comfortably because she was suddenly starting to feel some pain which, wasn't just worrying her but also max. thinking she could get through the pain, ophelia just tried to slowly move through it like she usually would when she'd cramp up, however, this time, a searing pain went through her whole body which led to the loudest scream to fall from her mouth. this was when ophelia and max knew that this wasn't normal and that they needed to get to the hospital quickly.

max verstappen, straight away, everyone knows that he is very levelheaded and calm and collected. however, for the first time in what felt like forever, he didn't feel like that. but, he knew he had to be when his wife couldn't be. so, calming himself down to the best of his abilities, he picked ophelia up, being mindful of the stabbing pain she was in and her slight pregnant belly that had reduced his normally composed wife to tears. quickly, via voice control, sending a text to the f1 grid group chat, letting them know. then messaged charles and his girlfriend alexandra because they were the other couple from the grid who they knew were definitely still in monaco. messaging them to see if they were able to meet up at the hospital with them, just for some extra support since the verstappen's were in the netherlands currently. the group chat was bombarded with worries and prayers whereas charles responded straight away saying he was ten steps ahead due to being the first one seeing the messages from the group chat.

thankful for their f1 grid, ophelia and max got into their car, on their way to the hospital at 11:30 pm. then, fifteen minutes later, the verstappen's had been given the heartbreaking news that, in fact, they had miscarried baby verstappen at just over twelve weeks.

the other night dear, as i lay sleeping, i dreamed i held you in my arms.

ophelia couldn't dare to fall asleep knowing now that she had lost her baby. she couldn't even think about sleep anymore now that all she'd dream about is holding her newborn baby with max next to her as they both cried tears of joy, relief and content for their new child. but, that was no longer the dream that they were going to be getting in real life in nine months. in nine months, the husband and wife would probably still be crying over this loss when it came to the guessed due date. max was broken by the fact that ophelia wasn't sleeping. it broke his heart every night that whilst she laid in bed beside him, not able to fall asleep, he could fall asleep. it honestly made him feel like he wasn't grieving properly or that he had stopped grieving entirely or that he wasn't upset at all. it made him feel like he was being an awful husband for not staying awake for her whilst her brain ran wild whilst he slept like it didn't bother him. but, it did bother him. it bothered max so much more than he allowed people to know, including ophelia. every time max closed his eyes, all he saw was the innocent little baby that was going to be his and ophelia's first child, their first love. but, by the time he woke up, the image would be gone in the blink of an eye so when he closed his eyes again, the image would have changed to the moment in the hospital where the doctor had confirmed the news that was always going to haunt the couple for the rest of their lives - that they miscarried their first child.

most times, when he knew that she wasn't paying attention or was away at work since apparently, she was fit to work again, max would let himself cry because he knew that when his wife wasn't at home or paying attention, he knew he wouldn't get caught or be heard. since it was so easy when ophelia was working, the way he'd cry when he did know that ophelia was home would be to go upstairs into the room where his simulator system is set up, where the room was soundproofed and he would just cry and cry and cry himself raw until he couldn't cry for the rest of the day. then, after he finished weeping, he'd emerge from the room as if everything was normal and totally fine. only to go back to sleep next to his wife and then wake up to do it all over again the very next day, depending on whether or not ophelia would be working or not. since it was very rare for max to cry, it was clear that this loss of his first child was gut-wrenching for him. he hated that he was crying himself out all on his own whilst his wife was working or when she was laying on the couch watching tv, absolutely clueless as to why he would be spending so long in the sim room or wondering why he slowly stopped telling her how his day went when she was at work. max silently hoped that one night, he left the office door open on a day that he knew ophelia wouldn't working and had her hear him cry and hoped he did because, the last time he cried over the miscarriage, he "forgot" to close the door to the sim room and ophelia had heard him. rushing down the stairs and down the hallway to the office when she heard crying and was concerned. so, in worry for her husband, ophelia called out her husband's name, expecting to hear a response, like "just a minute babe" or "i'm finishing this race, just a sec" but, all she got instead was a weakened sob. it had obviously come from her husband as they were the only ones in their house but, it broke ophelia's heart. and it really made her think - how long had max been crying on his own on the couch and in the sim room about the miscarriage when she'd be at work or when she was so engrossed in her own grief about their loss?

"maxie, schat, alles goed?" ophelia whispered in dutch softly, resting herself against the door frame as she could tell that max was trying his best to calm himself down but wasn't able to as another sob rocked his body maxie, babe, you okay?

she spent two minutes resting against the door frame, hearing the whimpers and sobs that max tried to control, no realisation that his wife was right there against the door hearing him cry. however, two minutes was too long as she knew she couldn't stand by any longer as her husband continued to cry, not able to calm himself down. ophelia couldn't believe that she hadn't realised until tonight that misha had been crying and grieving all on his own. she was annoyed at the fact that he was doing this when he knew that she wasn't paying attention or at work but she was never annoyed at her husband because it wasn't his fault that he was crying alone and she was mad at the situation, not him. however, max couldn't cry on his own anymore and ophelia wouldn't allow herself to be ignorant of it anymore. she had to make herself known to her husband and make sure that he knew she was there for him and that she wasn't ever going to let him cry and grieve on his own anymore.

to gain her husband's attention, ophelia knocked on the side of the door as she heard her husband's sobs as he begged the oxygen in his lungs to let him breathe, but wasn't able to due to the amount of crying he'd been doing. max walked in without a second to think, knowing that she now needed to get her husband to breathe normally again and to also slow down his tears for they weren't going to make his panic attack any better. or possibly make him sick, maybe not physically but it was for sure going to make him dizzy and maybe a slight bit nauseous if he kept going.

immediately, ophelia got down to the floor to her knees, identical to max and pulled him closer to her body to see if her normal breathing pattern could get the distraught dutchman breathing back to normal. holding him close, ophelia had one hand tight around his back with the other one lightly fluffing his hair as a way to calm him down.

it wasn't until an entire hour later that max was no longer audibly sobbing and only had tears slip down his cheeks as he sat with ophelia, their backs against the office wall with his head in her lap as ophelia brushed her fingers through his scruffy hair.

"hoe lang doe je dit al schat? waarom heb je het mij niet verteld?" ophelia asked softly as she continued to brush her fingers through her husband's hair as he sniffled how long have you been doing this babe? why didn't you tell me?

"every night since we lost the baby... i-i guess i didn't tell you because i didn't want you to worry about me because you needed to focus on yourself and your own recovery as well as being back at work. so, i-i guess i just thought that if i did it in here when you were at home and then in the lounge room when you were at work, you wouldn't worry about me..." max trailed off, his voice breaking as he spoke in english as ophelia's heart broke hearing that

"...maxie, you know you could've cried with me. the amount of times you've comforted me when i've been a mess, you knew you could have come to me and i'd have been there immediately. i've already focused on myself and my recovery, i am now worried because you were all on your own as you cried for all this time. you didn't need to hide away in here when i was at home and nor did you have to do it alone when i was working. you wouldn't have made me cry or feel worse if i heard you crying if that was your main concern. i would have gotten my arse off the couch and i would have been right here. please, don't run and hide away next time you need to cry, okay?" ophelia whispered as she caressed max's cheek, playing with his hair to distract him as he nodded his head, another tear slipping down his cheek as ophelia caught it with her finger as he chuckled softly

"mhm, i know," max mumbled shyly as ophelia smiled softly at her grieving husband - her husband that rarely felt safe and secure enough to open up 

"then why didn't you and, tell me the truth babe, the full truth," ophelia spoke softly, not in a pushy matter but with sensitivity and max appreciated it

"you were the one that carried baby for twelve weeks when we lost them. i-i just thought that because you're the mum and the one that's pregnant that i shouldn't be so upset about it. so, i guess i was just embarrassed about crying over the loss since i'm not usually this much of a crier..." max trailed off as ophelia pouted softly as she cuddled her husband closer with an extra tight squeeze

"...oh, lieverd, nee. just because i carried the baby, doesn't mean you can't grieve and be upset over the loss either. it wasn't just my child that we lost, maxie, baby verstappen was yours too. baby was ours. sure, you couldn't and won't ever feel the physical pain that a miscarriage brings and you will never be able to experience it but, that doesn't mean you can't grieve and cry over the loss of what was going to be your child. invalidating your own feelings to be mindful of mine is not okay sweetheart. once again, i'll remind you, you're allowed to cry and be vulnerable. whilst you're a libra, it's well-known how guarded you normally are so the fact you have been crying shows me everything i need to know about who the real max verstappen is and that is okay. you are allowed to cry max because this baby was also yours and you also deserve to miss the baby and grieve over the loss," ophelia spoke soothingly as max nodded his head and sniffled oh, honey, no.

"thanks, babe," he muttered softly as ophelia smiled, nodding her head as she scratched the top of his head, making him smile and groan with delight at the relief her scratches were giving him

"your welcome sweetheart," ophelia smiled as by this time, it was already close to two in the morning so, it was decided that that night for the first time, ophelia was finally going to close her eyes and fall asleep because she had truly exhausted herself out whilst max was also knackered from all of the crying

when i awoke, dear, i was mistaken so i hung my head and i cried

after a couple of hours of sleep, ophelia and max woke up and, just like she imagined, she dreamt of holding their little baby so, she hung her head and she cried. and just like the way she was there for him late that night, max was there as he held his wife tightly as it was now her turn to cry over their shattering loss. although ophelia didn't cry for nearly as long as her husband did, she was still finally also allowing herself to fall asleep even though she knew she'd dream about baby and then wake up to then cry, she knew she was always going to have max there beside her to make sure that she'd never cry on her own like he had been doing for the longest time.

whispering comforting words and sweet nothings to his wife in dutch, max held her as tightly as he could so he could make sure that she knew that, just like she had promised him, she wasn't alone in this sadness and grief of their baby.

for the verstappen's, it took them about three to four weeks of heartwrenching cries after waking up in the mornings before it stopped and were able to go to sleep without dreaming of the baby and waking up in tears because of it. they loved that and called it progress in their grieving and loss journey. the f1 grid family had also welcomed the couple back with open arms when it was time for the new season of f1. it was obvious though when the drivers and wags reunited that they were extremely happy and excited to be reunited with each other again and, the same could have been said with ophelia, kika, alexandra and the other wives and girlfriends of the f1 drivers. 

"phee, how are you and max going after the loss? you guys tried at it again, are you just waiting until it feels right, are you just not trying?" alexandra questioned as she, ophelia and the rest of the ladies waited in the paddock whilst the husbands and boyfriends did some media interviews

"we're going great thanks, alex, umm, we've had a lot of sex as honestly, losing baby wanted me to try even harder for a kid. so, we've decided that we're going to not actively try but not use any protection and just hope that a positive will come at some point," ophelia was confident and all smiles as she explained that to alexandra, kika and lily, oscar piastri's girlfriend

which not just shocked them but made them all proud of her as when they spoke over facetime (mainly alexandra and ophelia), the group couldn't even say certain words like "loss", "sex", and "baby" because it would get too triggering for the grieving girl, reducing her to tears but, not anymore it wasn't

"phee, that's amazing! so, you still getting your period then?" kika then spoke up, the other girls moving closer so no one could hear the four of them as ophelia giggled

"no...i've got a few tests that i'm gonna take today so, i'm hoping that what i think is happening is going to happen..." ophelia trailed off as the ladies were shocked, they couldn't believe that their best friend was most likely pregnant again

you are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are grey.

the news of ophelia verstappen's second pregnancy was the best news that she could have ever gotten after that day in the paddock of quali day three of the monaco grand prix with the rest of the ladies and f1 racers. whilst it did give her a huge amount of deja vu of their first pregnancy and ultimately, their heartbreaking loss of the baby, the biggest emotion she felt was excitement and happiness. she was over the moon with the three tests that she held all saying that she was pregnant. and the best part about it was that unlike last time was that, she had gone through her first trimester of being pregnant without even really noticing it. meaning that she was at thirty weeks pregnant and only now just finding out.

ophelia squealed in excitement as she looked at the three pregnancy tests in front of her whilst her midwife could be heard giggling excitedly over the phone. all of the tests said "positive" with her midwife confirming that she was already thirty weeks pregnant and into the start of the second trimester. knowing that she no longer was in the danger zone like last time, she wanted to surprise max again but, this time it had to be better. and better she did! this time, she upped her game and decided to have a special little helper to tell max.

announcing the news to max was probably the most exciting thing ever. just like the first time, he came home, she had set up her iphone to film his reaction as she set out the letterboard announcement for him to be told as she waited.

"phee, i'm home! sorry i'm late, the media interviews went crazy long! where you at babe?" max calls out, too lazy to speak dutch as ophelia giggles softly

"in the kitchen babe, i have something for you!" ophelia calls back out which makes max rush into the kitchen when he stops when he notices what was resting on the counter waiting for him

it took max a couple of minutes to realise but the second he saw the ultrasound photo, it finally clicked in his head again that it was real and that ophelia was pregnant again. overwhelmed with happiness, his knees buckled and he dropped, his hand gripping the counter so he wouldn't fall and he broke down into tears, the one thing that max felt as though he had spent half of this last part of this year and the last year doing.  ophelia smiled, giggling softly at her husband. joining her husband, she brought him close as they rejoiced together in the fact that they were getting their rainbow baby. crying into his wife's embrace, max couldn't believe that he was going to be a dad. not really caring whether it was a boy or a girl, all he cared about was the fact that his wife was already over the first trimester and that they finally had a fair chance of having a healthy and successful pregnancy together.

immediately, just like the first time, with some reassurance from the midwife that it was okay, they told the rest of the f1 grid family and even better reactions came through over the first time. due to the newest baby being a rainbow baby, there was a lot more happy crying as their first reaction to the news which, seemed to be the best but common reaction when ophelia and max told someone. the best reaction, however, had to of come from lando and charles. they were told separately after the rest of the grid and wags had been told. max told lando and ophelia told charles, alexandra with him since she had been told moments before. both lando and charles cried as they rejoiced that finally, their best friends and family were becoming parents after the loss of their first baby.

it was just a week after the start of their second trimester that the verstappen's finally decided that not only would they start to post and announce their rainbow baby but they'd also talk about the miscarriage they suffered a couple of months earlier. 

liked by opheliaverstappen, landonorris, danielricciardo, charlesleclerc, francisca.cgomes, carlossainz55  and 179,568k others

maxverstappen1 five months ago, opehlia had gotten pregnant with our first baby and only very few knew. we were overjoyed as were our family and friends that we had told. the second photo is from five months ago in comparison to the first photo that is us announcing our second baby (surprise!). we were so excited to announce the first pregnancy but it never got to happen because we lost the baby and it was a pain i thought i'd never experience. in saying that though, there's nothing wrong with trying for a second time because the universe does work in mysterious ways. ophelia is pregnant again with baby number two and we are all so excited as we move into the second trimester.

view all comments

opheliaverstappen that day i told you about this new pregnancy, i really did think i was going to have to restart your heart because of how much you were crying, i genuinely thought you weren't breathing. but, i am so glad we finally got to share this new pregnancy alongside the pain of the miscarriage

maxverstappen1 opheliaverstappen in all honesty, i thought the same thing at one point! but, i am so ready to watch you and our child grow throughout this pregnancy schat!

landonorris i'm sorry but, i am still in tears over this! and to tell us just before going on camera for media interviews too! holy crap!

maxverstappen1 landonorris maybe it wasn't the smartest and most efficient time and place to tell you but we genuinely couldn't hide it from you and charles anymore!

danielricciardo congratulations again you two! you'll be the best parents ever!

maxverstappen1 danielricciardo thank you danny! that means a lot

charlesleclerc i agree with lando, i think i'm still too emotional over this news! congratulations you two, alex and i love you both dearly 

maxverstappen1 charlesleclerc honestly, same! 

francisca.cgomes seeing the reactions of the others to the news was honestly the best part about the whole thing!

maxverstappen1 francisca.cgomes i know! it felt so cheeky to tell them whilst you and the others all knew! 

carlossainz55 congratulations max and phee! you'll be the best parents ever! 

maxverstappen1 carlossainz55 thanks mate!

liked by maxverstappen1, lily.zneimer, oscarpiastri, gerihalliwellhorner, christianhorner and 882,512k others

opheliaverstappen before the joy that is max and i's second baby, five months before, i was pregnant with our first baby. however, it was obviously not the right time as heartbreakingly, at around twelve/thirteen weeks, we lost our baby and i miscarried. this was of course, devastating for max and i, it was gut-wrenching. the first three months were the worst. i never thought i'd see that much heartbreak and grief from my family. losing our first baby after we had been trying so hard to concieve only to miscarry afterwards was soul-destroying.

now, max and i are both in a much better place with our grief and now that i'm at the beginning of my second trimester with baby number two, we feel comforted and feel so blessed because we know that this isn't the reality for most families. and it's something we're not taking for granted at all. the first photo, like max mentioned in his post, is the surprise i put together to tell max that we were pregnant again and the second photo was from when max, myself, charles and alexandra were at the hospital after finding out about the miscarriage. the story behind the photo is that i had to stay in the hospital a little bit longer than the four of us liked but, it was just to keep an eye on me. with the consideration that i was experiencing a lot more pain than what was normal so they had to keep me in for supervision. the photo of max and i was taken by charles. even though it doesn't look like max or i are upset, we were asleep because that at the time was all we could do at the time. we were so exhausted to the point that for the first few couple of days, we just slept. then, the third day i knew i wouldn't be able to sleep any longer because i would then dream about our baby we just lost. i would stay awake throughout the night because if i fell asleep, i would dream about the baby and then i'd wake up only to start crying. which was something i had told myself with determination that i wasn't going to do. i didn't want to be the mother who miscarried and just cried about the loss every day. even though i knew that was totally acceptable and more than okay, it just wasn't the grieving mother i wanted to be.

however, i then noticed the way max grieved. i noticed that he had become more quiet and reserved. and i began to worry because he would stop asking me how my day at work was and how his sim races went or what he did during the day. that was when i heard him one day. he was crying. and he had been doing that consistently, all on his own, with me being none the wiser about it. that was when i finally realised that if max and i were going to grieve the loss of our baby verstappen, we needed to do it together. and we did. and now, we're okay and i'm thirty weeks and two days pregnant and baby verstappen is as healthy as their older verstappen baby was. max and i are extremely excited to be parents again and it's all we can think about. now that i've passed all the dates of the possible miscarrying dangers, i'll now be posting my bumpdates and updating you all about the pregnancy. we are genuinely so excited and cannot wait to introduce our baby to you all and i'm sure baby verstappen can't wait either. thank you all for the love and support you guys have given us over these few months even though we left you guys in the dark. it truly means so much to know that you guys still love and support us.

view all comments

maxverstappen1 i am so excited about baby two! you are going to be an amazing mum, phee and i can already tell

opheliaverstappen maxverstappen1 awe, schat, you are so sweet! you are going to be an amazing dad!

lily.zneimer i'm so proud of you two for not giving up just because you guys lost the first baby. i cannot wait to watch baby grow inside you, my love!

opheliaverstappen lily.zneimer thank you dee! and i cannot wait for little baby to grow either!

oscarpiastri that photo of you in the hospital after you miscarried and was sent to the group chat via charles is always going to haunt me but, just knowing that the next time you're there, is when you'll be giving birth just takes away all the fear

opheliaverstappen oscarpiastri oh absolutely osc, that photo is a photo i never thought would ever have to be seen, taken and then seen again. and i agree, the next time i'll be at the hospital will no doubt be the best day of my life

gerihalliwellhorner congratulations ophelia and max! you guys really deserve a family! cannot wait to watch you on this journey phee, you and max will be perfect parents!

opheliaverstappen gerihalliwellhorner awe, thank you geri! that means so much!

christianhorner so close to getting our next f1 racer

opheliaverstappen christianhorner christian, just wait until our baby is born before you make these comments please 

you'll never know dear how much i love you, please don't take my sunshine away

a little over eight months later, ophelia had given birth to a very healthy little boy, ezra daniel verstappen. ezra was max and ophelia's pride and joy and was loved by everyone. but especially by his f1 uncles and aunties and that was always shown since he was constantly being spoilt, especially by his godfather and favourite uncle daniel. but, all the toys, clothes and superficial things he was being given didn't seem to faze the little f1 obsessed boy as all he cared about now was the fact that he was going to be an older brother for a third time. and yes, you did hear that correctly, ophelia and max were bringing their third and final cherub into the world after a little over a year ago had introduced their second little boy, tristan brooks verstappen into the world before falling pregnant with their who their thought was their final baby that turned into plural when it was discovered that this final pregnancy was twins. i mean, the verstappen's didn't plan on having more than three kids but, they loved the idea of having two boys and two girls so, they were pretty pleased when they did find out that the gender of the twins were two identical twin girls. so, completing the verstappen family were two little girls. the photo that ophelia posted to announce that she was pregnant with her twins was a photo of when she was heavily pregnant since she had already given birth to their twins. she decided that instead of how she announced ezra and tristan's pregnancies to the world that she'd wait until maternity photos had been taken and then give birth to the girls to announce that she and max had given birth to their twins. even though max and the other other drivers had constantly talked and celebrated over it during the current race season, max and ophelia still wanted to post about their little girls since it had been a few weeks to a month since giving birth to them. 

liked by maxverstappen1, charlesleclerc, francisca.cgomes, landonorris, christianhorner and 881,43k others

opheliaverstappen jules heaven verstappen and geneva ophelia verstappen, we have waited so long for you my loves. ezra and tristan are so excited to meet you i think they're being a lot more impatient than mummy and daddy are. these photos are probably the sweetest, funniest and most tear-jerking photos i have in my camera roll. the first two, i was still pregnant with little jules and geneva and, the third one, they were brought earthside and we couldn't be more blessed that the two girls are finally here. jules is older by two minutes with geneva born two minutes later, both in march, my two little water babies just like their mummy. the third photo is of me with the little loves, photo courtesy of their godfather, charles since their daddy was taking care of their older brothers. the photos you may see later are of the two boys meeting jules and geneva for the first time because it is quite the adorable moment. jules heaven and geneva ophelia, you both are so loved by so many my little ocean babies. i am so blessed, as is your daddy, older brothers, aunties, uncles and cousins that you have finally joined our family. the meaning behind the names of jules and geneva are as simple as possible. jules is named jules heaven because of her beautiful godfather's godfather, the ever-etheral and angel on earth and heaven, jules bianchi. i knew from the moment max and i found out we were having twins that charles was going to be the godfather to both girls but one of them, whoever was the eldest, was going to be named after jules. geneva was called geneva because that is my older sister's name and it's self-explanatory why her middle name is ophelia so no explanation there is needed. like previously said, we had been waiting for jules and geneva that when we did find out we were pregnant with the two of you, we jumped for joy. ezra and tristan also jumping for joy when they found out they were getting not just one baby sister but two! tristan especially loves the fact that he finally gets to be a big brother after being the baby but especially to two sisters. we love you forever jules heaven and geneva ophelia. 

view all comments

maxverstappen1 ok, well shit babe, you made me cry all over again! i knew we made a great choice by naming one of our daughters jules 

opheliaverstappen maxverstappen1 we really did make a great choice. i already know just how connected jules and charles are going to be

charlesleclerc i still cannot believe that you finally have your little girls and that one of them is named after jules as well as making me their godfather! thank you so much, ophelia, i could never thank you enough for giving me the blessing to be involved in your kids' lives! 

opheliaverstappen charlesleclerc we can't either and, it was a decision we had made from the very beginning and there was no way we weren't going to stick to it. we love you more than words could ever express charles! you already are the best godfather to little jules and geneva

francisca.cgomes i still cannot believe we'll all get to meet little jules and geneva soon! they are just gorgeous, phee! 

opheliaverstappen francisca.cgomes i know kika! i cannot wait for you to meet them! 

landonorris oh my god! i still cannot believe that jules and geneva are finally here! the love these two princesses are going to get is going to be neverending

opheliaverstappen landonorris i'm still struggling to believe it too, lan! and i agree, they'll be protected for life as well

christianhorner congratulations ophelia, max and to ezra and tristan! jules and geneva are gorgeous! how generous of you to name your eldest daughter after bianchi! that'll mean so much to those who loved and knew him dearly

opheliaverstappen christianhorner thank you so much, christian! and i was always going to name my eventual daughter after jules, how couldn't i? he was my best friend's godfather, there was no way jules would never not be in my life in someway! 

liked by opheliaverstappen, victoriaverstappen, danielricciardo, landonorris, gerrihalliwellhorner and 223,34k others

maxverstappen1 introducing babies three and four, identical twin girls jules heaven and geneva ophelia verstappen. ezra and tristan are a little too obsessed with their twin sisters at the moment but, honestly, we're just glad we've completed our small family and we're just relieved that the two boys love their twin sisters. the first photo is of ophelia, pregnant with the girls at the beach with ezra on her shoulders, i had tristan with me so that's why he wasn't in the photo and, i just thought it was too good for me to not post. the second photo is of ophelia, looking absolutely stunning. if you can't already tell, we loved taking pregnancy photos at the beach so yeah, enough said! the third photo is of mummy, tristan and the girls, once again, at the beach but this time in the water as this was relatively early in the pregnancy before we even knew that we were having twins. and the last photo is of ezra and tristan with the two girls and we just love how beautiful it is. we love you so much jules heaven and geneva ophelia, thank you for completing the verstappen family. 

view all comments

opheliaverstappen lordy lord, there are so many photos of ezra and tristan with the girls that at this point, i think that's all i have in my camera roll right now. but, that's only because i keep on taking photos of them together.

maxverstappen1 opheliaverstappen my camera roll is the same and i am not complaining! we make some very cute kids!

victoriaverstappen i'm going to cry omg, even just looking at these photos, it's insane how quickly jules and geneva have both grown and they're not even a full month old yet!

maxverstappen1 victoriaverstappen speak for yourself, vic! i thought having two little boys would have made me all the more emotional but no, the moment phee and i found out just the one baby was twins but girls, i was gone and it was as though i was the one that was pregnant!

danielricciardo this is lovely, max! both jules and geneva are just gorgeous and growing so quickly! heidi and i cannot wait to see the little angels again! we are so excited! 

maxverstappen1 danielricciardo i know, both girls are mum's twins, funny enough! and the boys and twins are getting excited to see their aunty and uncle as well! 

landonorris i can't stop looking through the photos that you and phee have sent to us of the twins! they're both just too gorgeous to look away!

maxverstappen landonorris that's basically me every single day, i just can't stop looking at them and holding them! i genuinely still cannot believe me and phee have two little girls

gerihalliwellhorner oh, aren't jules and geneva just beautiful! you and phee really have made the most gorgeous-looking kids! i cannot wait to just squish jules' and geneva's little cheeks!

maxverstappen1 gerihalliwellhorner aren't they just, geri?! and i know, i said the same thing and, i squish their cheeks all the time and even then i need to do it more

what originally started off for the verstappen's as a heartbreaking miscarriage turned into them having a gorgeous little family of six with their four beautiful kids, ezra, tristan, jules and geneva alongside their f1 grid family.

ophelia and max's sunshine was no longer taken away from them.

fin

i cannot lie, i really did enjoy rewriting and reimagining this as a max fic and now i'm really considering making this into a fully-fledged book after saying i wanted to do it with other versions. oof, i'm really proud of this one-shot rewrite i can't lie lol! 

[whippersnappersbookworm]

দীনদান (Dino Daan)

There is no god in that temple”, said the Saint.

The King was enraged;

“No God? Oh Saint, aren’t you speaking like an atheist?

On the throne studded with priceless gems, beams the golden idol,

And yet, you proclaim that’s empty?”

“It’s not empty; It’s rather full of the Royal pride.

You have bestowed yourself, oh King, not the God of this world”,

Remarked the saint.

The King frowned, “2 million golden coins

Were showered on that grand structure that kisses the sky,

I offered it to the Gods after performing all the necessary rituals,

And you dare claim that in such a grand temple,

There is no presence of God”?

The Saint calmly replied, “in the very year in which, twenty million of your subjects were struck by a terrible drought;

The pauperized masses without any food or shelter,

came begging at your door crying for help, only to be turned away,

they were forced to take refuge in forests, caves, camping under roadside foliages, derelict old temples;

and in that very year

when you spent 2 million gold to build that grand temple of your’s,

that was the day when God pronounced:

“My eternal home is lit by everlasting lamps,

In the midst of an azure sky,

In my home the foundations are built with the values:

Of Truth, Peace, Compassion and Love.

The poverty stricken puny miser,

Who could not provide shelter to his own homeless subjects,

Does he really fancy of giving me a home?”

That is the day God left that Temple of yours.

And joined the poor beside the roads, under the trees.

Like emptiness of the froth in the vast seas,

Your mundane temple is as hollow.

It’s just a bubble of wealth and pride.’

The enraged King howled,

“oh you sham cretin of a person,

Leave my kingdom this instant’.

The Saint replied calmly,

“The very place where you have exiled the Divine,

Kindly banish the devout too".

--Rabindranath Tagore

[Translated from the original Bengali into English by Sandipto Das Gupta]

This poem by Rabindranath Tagore written in 1307( as per Bengali calendar ,I can't pinpoint the exact date in English calender but it is almost 123 years old) resonates greatly with the current event happening in India. I won't deliante on the exact events because everyone is aware of it and how the government of a secular state is politicising a certain religion to fulfil their agendas. How they are creating division among people by spreading misinformation and hate. You will found enough discussion about that in many beautiful blogs in this platform.( Do check them out) .

I just want to shed light on the desi side of Tumblr and how it has transformed from a safe haven for Indian people to a breeding ground of so called "Kattar Hindus "

I never really talk about politics or about my own experiences with religion in Tumblr . Maybe because I am scared of my mutuals attacking me ,telling me how I am brainwashed by " Leftist Atheist Ideology" and how I am too westernised to understand the intricacies of our great " SANTAN DHARMA" . I have been part of the Tumblr community for almost three to four years .I remember following the #desiblr and #hindublr tag mostly because I was interested on discussing and sharing experiences with like minded people. Being part of a family which believes on letting one choose their religious beliefs, my idea of religion was a mixture of a lot of things . But one thing was common among all of these , no religion is greater than other and all religions have the same end goal, that is to understand the true meaning of life. So Imagine my shock when I realise that the so called aware people of Tumblr and the #desiblr ( which apprently contained well educated ,genuine and open minded people) are actually hypocrites. Their idea of religion is very much confined within the sphere of Krishna Bhakti and glorification of Hinduism in name of love for god. Their religious understanding don't have place for religious minorities and people with different opinions . They only support and propagate a certain kind of Hinduism, continuously glorifying everything in name of love and respect for their " Santan Dharma" . In the span of these few years I have seen people completely ignoring the stories of people who faced casteism by telling them that they are " brain washed" and justifying casteism in the context of Ancient India ( apprently caste system doesn't discriminate amongst people , because that religious privileged upper caste person didn't experienced it first hand and therefore casteism is a myth )

They are first to criticize Muslim Invaders but love to turn a blind eye on the fascist qualities of their own religion ( one of them even went out of their way to justify The practice of SATI for god's sake and not only that they even ended up glorifying jauhar and polygamy) . They live in their own make believe world of Krishna Prem , Mahabharat fanfiction and desi girl aesthetic . It's ok to love your religion but to be blinded by that love and constantly undermine the experiences and ideologies of other is never right. They claim to hate the fascist qualities of Islam but now have ended up doing the same thing. They will bash you if you dare to tell them that you don't view Mahabharat as a part of Indian History or that you don't like following the superstitious beliefs that are prevalent in name of Hinduism. #hindublr and #desiblr were supposed to be place where Indian people could express and share their own experiences with their religion and ethnicity ,but now it has became the breeding ground of religious extremists who proudly propagate religious hate and constantly try to find absurd loopholes to justify their hatered.

Having said that I would like to point out that not everyone is like that ...I have met so many religious people who had openly accepted different ideologies without belittling their experiences.

I am not a great writer unlike @papenathys and many other people in this platform who constantly tries and does their best to point out the hypocrisies of the people in this platform and show them a mirror to a realities of their religion, but I just want to vent out ...I am sorry if my writing is haphazard and not good enough .I know a lot of people (including my mutuals) will not like this, but I am tired of pretending that everything is perfect in this country, I am tired of pretending that 22nd January was a simple religious occasion not a huge political step just for the sake of election , I am tired of the seeing this constant war to prove one religion is greater than another . I am tired of constantly seeing privileged people mocking and belittling the struggles my community faced in the name of caste. I am tired of trying to pretend that Hinduism and Hindu people fit in the mythical reality Tumblr like to portray , I am tired of waking up in a land where people are so blinded by their love for a figure that may or may not exist that they have forgotten basic humanity. You may try to pretend that the " Sanatanis " are not propagating hatered, casteism, fascism by giving an example from your own privileged life but the reality is much darker.

[amethystamanda]

Peaceful Mourning

I can't be the only one who reads the buff on a sim when someone they love dies, sees that it says to mourn at a headstone or urn to feel better, and then is always disappointed when it does absolutely nothing. It's supposed to help, but it does absolutely nothing in my game, with or without mods.

This mod adds an interaction to headstones and urns that lets your sims actually feel better.

Their sad buffs decrease.

And they get a new buff that boosts the fine emotion--it's not going to make them happy, but it can bring them a little bit of peace. It may also boost positive emotions.

This does not replace the Mourning interaction. It adds a new one. If you ever want your sims to feel sad about the death of their loved one again (or any sim, really) use the regular Mourn interaction. It's possible to have buffs from both interactions at the same time, but if you use the Mourn to Feel at Peace interaction, it will decrease the duration of all sad buffs, whatever their origin, as long as they are able to decrease. (In other words, don't count on mourning helping with teen mood swings.)

It's an autonomous interaction, the same as the in-game mourning I based it off of. I've never found that one to be spammy, so I left it on. It uses the default crying animation, because I am not and have no desire to be an animator.

It works for toddler to elder sims, and for cats and dogs, on human/occult headstones/urns, and for cats and dogs on cat and dog headstones, but not for human sims on cat or dog headstones/urns, and not for horses or horse headstones or urns at all. That's not a choice, it's just how it is. I don't know why pet headstones are different, and I cannot find any mourning interaction for horses on any headstone, just the autonomous mourning they do when someone dies.

The interaction requires at least 30-35 positive friendship (green, not red) for human sims. I'm assuming that most people don't find peace mourning people they barely know or who they dislike. For cats and dogs, the scale is slightly different, and I'm not sure what the exact number is. 50 seemed to work in my testing, but lower may also work.

It counts for the Remembrance holiday tradition if you have Seasons.

(Poor, poor randomly generated in CAS sim whose name I don't know. So many sims died in the making of this mod.)

There are three different strengths, 3x (just a little help, takes 16 hours of constant mourning to run out the 2 day buff that most sims get in an unmodded game), 6x (takes 8 hours of constant non-stop mourning), and the cheaty 12x (takes 4 hours to run through the 2 day buff). How long it actually takes depends on how much you use it, your sim's traits, and your other mods--I once had a sim with a 12-day mourning buff, so that would take a while.

Something that came up in testing: if you're mourning to find peace and stop, the time will increase again. This is normal, and happens if you do things like give yourself a pep talk too. The timer assumes that you will continue doing what you're doing, and when you stop, the timer adjusts. It will have taken a chunk of time out of the total while you were using the interaction.

PICK ONE VERSION!

REQUIRES LOT 51'S CORE LIBRARY! https://lot51.cc/core

Base Game Compatible

There are custom strings. This is my first time creating custom strings. Everything should show up in English in all games. If you have blank text, please let me know. If you want to offer a translation, please also let me know, so I can include it or link to it.

Compatible with It’s All Grave-Y Customizable Graves by Ravasheen https://ravasheen.com/download/its-all-grave-y-customizable-graves/

Not compatible with custom headstones and urns from with Happy Haunts by Chipped Sims -- nothing will break, feel free to use them together, but my interaction won't show up on the items from that mod.

Incompatible with Mortem in weird ways--it seems to make the mourning buff disappear when at a funeral, which I don't understand, but it is what it is. Please don't try to use them together.

If you have any other functional cc headstone/urn replacements that let you add passed sims to them, they may or may not be compatible, depending on which tags they use. If they're not, let me know, and I'll reach out to the creator and see if they mind me making my mod compatible. Headstones/urns that are purely decorative and don't have the regular mourning interactions will not be compatible.

Thanks so much to 𝐸-𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘒𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘢, BRi, and Vee for testing the mod. You have no idea how much I appreciate it.

July 24, 2024: Cleared for patch 1.108.318, and added compatibility with Happy Haunts by Chipped Sims

Download (Pick one version please): http://simfileshare.net/folder/220760/

[adozentothedawn]

Six-song soundtrack

Rules: If you're tagged, make a new post with links to music and/or lyrics describing the following:

An event that defines your character's past

How your character sees themselves

How others view them

Their closest relationship (platonic or romantic)

A major fight scene

End credits song

Tagged by @solas-backpack-mug (and others but I never got around to it and now I forgot, sorry :( ), thanks!

Favaen (with Emblyn making a guest appearance)

So this was hard, on the one hand because I didn't really have anything on hand and on the other because when I went looking I suddenly had a bunch for the same point.

The Shore - Basia Bulat

Dakara Hitori Ja Nai - Christina Vee (Little Glee Monster)

Rise and Fall - Black Water County

We'll Meet Again - Laura Brehm and TheFatRat

Burn It Down - Vixy and Tony

Like The Dawn - The Oh Hellos

Throwing a tag towards @adraveins and @stylishanachronism for some good music recs. 👀

An event that defines their past

(This was so hard to limit, holy shit)

The Shore - Basia Bulat

There is no one who will take me by that shore Close to the smoke, far from the fires of your harbour But if I am awake this time I'll know All over your eyes, a storm is rolling over, rolling over

Emblyn, dearly regretting her decisions.

Oh you can take away the divine my dear And comb your hair And I won't mind at all Even when the thought's behind I came just to remind you I love you so

And while she does regret a lot, this one thing she clings onto.

How they see themselves

Dakara Hitori Ja Nai - Christina Vee

(an english cover translation)

Once I hated everything Sadness seemed my destiny Couldn't see the beauty all around me (If only) my future spans in front of me A crossroad branching endlessly The road is paved, the course is set I'll grab my dreams, the time is now

Favaen used to have severe emotional management problems and had no idea what to do with herself, a problem she eventually worked out with the help of her mentor and mother figure.

But those empty words are not a plan Lucky stars don't care So don't rely on counting them I'm thinking way too hard about my past I gotta push myself, I'm facing my worst fear, oh Don't care if I'm crying (I'm crying) I'm flying (I'm flying), I made my mind up Trust me, I will keep trying I'm stronger than I know (I'm stronger now) Don't care if I'm lonely (I'm lonely) It's only (It's only) the end of the old me It's time to let her go Say goodbye! (Say goodbye, say goodbye!) Love never lies

She is inherently optimistic because she made the decision and effort to be. Despite her past (both personal and Emblyn's) still on weigh on her, she does her best to move and make the future a better one.

How others view them

Rise and Fall - Black Water County

Listen here, tell me dear What have you now got to fear? Took you long to realise Take it one day at a time verse You've been wasting the minutes In the hours of your days Look around and you'll find That it's just another way

But there's something on my mind That I need to leave behind So tear the page, hit erase 'Til the day you hear me call Make a promise that you'll be The best to rise and fall

Favaen makes herself a turning point for the people around her. An opportunity to do better, to move on, to be someone you's rather be. Be that for Edér who ties himself to her in turn with such a force he literally sails across the ocean on the vague hope it might save her, or for some random bandit who gets to make the choice to leave, live another day, and never see her again.

Their closest relationship

We'll Meet Again - Laura Brehm and TheFatRat

This one had a lot of options, both in relationship and song (Edér being a good contender for example) but I realised I already had this one saved and it's too good not to take so Eothas it is. This is probably pretty self explanatory.

Suddenly you're nowhere to be found I turn around and everything has changed Looking for a way to work it out I'm trying to find some peace to navigate Everything we wanted turned to gold (Turned to gold) The path we chose, the future on our side Never thought I'd do this on my own (On my own) But now I wield the sword you left behind Dark for the sunrise Clouds for a blue sky Space for the travelling star Strong from the inside You're still my life-line I feel you wherever you are The oak tree where I met you And the writing on the statue I still remember every word you said I'm not a soldier, but I'm fighting Can you hear me through the silence? I won't give up 'cause there will be a day We'll meet again

Fight Scene

Burn It Down - Vixy and Tony

This was kinda hard for different reasons. I eventually landed on this one because it fits her as a character and is energetic and inspirational. Some expamples:

The legend of the firebird Is one of transformation If you dare to take the journey And you give the wolf his due Let the flame inspire For you are your own creation Throw your fear upon the pyre And let it rise as something new

So you think you don't burn bright enough? I tell you it's not true Burn it down, burn it down, burn it down Throw your fear upon the fire and burn it down Throw your voice out to the wind Feel the heat upon your skin As you hunger, so begin Burn it down

End Credits

Like The Dawn - The Oh Hellos

(The Oh Hellos are such a treasure trove for this)

I was sleeping in the garden when I saw you first He'd put me deep, deep under so that he could work And like the dawn you broke the dark and my whole earth shook I was sleeping in the garden when I saw you At last, at last Bones of my bones and flesh of my flesh, at last

Imagry of how Eothas kept Emblyn's soul with him repaired it over time and how she was eventually reborn as Favaen with pieces of him holding her together, making them essential soul twins.

You were the brightest shade of sun I had ever seen Your skin was gilded with the gold of the richest kings And like the dawn you woke the world inside of me You were the brightest shade of sun when I saw you

Being a form of soul twins it made Favaen absolutely miserable to be apart from him (something he didn't consider at all as a possibility cause he is in fact, not very smart) and eventually officially joining the clergy was an incredible relief for her.

[abovecalamity]

If I may - I tried to match the reaction pics to the stories. hehe.

Fic that made me laugh: Monopolistic position by @sassymillenialscorpio Fernando/Lewis - 1.1k - n/r Crack. Fun. Short.

“I said I don’t have enough money.” He looked up just in time to see the wolfish smile appear on Fernando’s face.

Fic that made me cry: sanctuary by @sunshinesebby Charles/Seb - 233k (so far) - E Despair. Three am read. Reading that pulls you in and will never let you go again, ever.

"People will eat moldy food or contaminated water over starving every time, in the end. It's the hope. Maybe you will survive the poison, but you know you won't survive the starving. It's so human."

Fic that gave me a story hangover: One thousand laps of Jeddah by @ininininininstayoutstayout George centric - 68k - G Literally concern increasing bit by bit. Organised insanity. My love for time loops is thriving. I'm constantly thinking about this.

It’s a special kind of torture, devised just for George. There are only two constants, as far as he can tell; tomorrow is always today, and George will fuck up everything that he tries. Someone somewhere must really, really hate him.

Fic I want to discuss book-club style: Parallel Players by @parallelplayers George/Lance - 414k (so far) - E A whole ass alternative timeline and so much detail. I want to talk about it forever. Glance manifesto.

“Uh, this is - how long is this gonna be?” Seventy five slides, but it was laid out with five introductory slides, forty Lance slides, fifteen slides Fernando, and then ten analysis, questions and conclusion slides. “You asked me for my opinion.”

It's George's world, we're all just living in it basically.

Fic that got me a little flustered: Kamikaze by @pitconfirm George/Lance - 12.4k - E Altered my brain chemistry. Oh my. Always pausing when reading for the overwhelming feelings that flush my brain.

George is fucked.  He’d thought it was bad before; desperately wanting Lance to hate him. However, wanting Lance to like him is indescribably worse.

Fic by one of my fave authors: bedrooms in budapest by @merenwenformulauno Fernando/Lance - 4.3 k - E Start of a great series. Obsessed with the characterisation. Sad for everyone that misses out on this.

Dimly, Lance thinks back to other times he has found himself with Fernando in his hotel room. Had the Spaniard bottled it before? It seems ridiculous to think someone like Fernando Alonso might have been intimidated by Lance.

Fic I reread more than once: tbh I reread almost every good fic all the time. maybe we got lost (in translation) by @alpinelogy Esteban&/Lance - 6.7k - T Language struggles, so relatable. Feeds into my obsession with Lesteban. Again, communication centric ahhh!

The consonants feel weird, clunky, so much different from the free flowing French ones. Even so, the feel of it isn't bad, it's different but not bad. He hums a bit in thought, “I guess I am a beanpole.” He says in French but repeats the word in English again.

Fic I sent to everyone I know: If not, I'm sending it to you now: cassini's descent by basedchamp Lewis/Seb - 3.3k - T SPACE. Atmosphere description over the moon. Lonely together.

On Mars, men do not deny themselves. Sebastian reaches out and tucks a braid behind Lewis’ ear. Lewis leans into his hand, just a touch, and they sit like this, across from each other with Westminster Palace between them.

Fic that made me fall in love with an author: Heaven’s Gates Won’t Open Up for Me by @lil-shiro Fernando/Lance - 6k - E Wings. Love. After reading this, there was no turning back on any fic of yours.

Fernando never once thought that Lance would be the one to ruin him. The undefined variable in his equation, the unknown. I should’ve known better, he thinks to himself while looking up to the other in flying circles above his head. Oh well, he’ll just have to live with it.

I've read many many many more great fics this year as well. What a great year for the reader inside me.

[micvick]

Between the Sea and the Sand

Themes and Warnings for this chapter: Strong Language, Violence and Threats, Emotional Distress, Psychological Trauma, Suicide Mention.

Disclaimer: English is not my first language, and most of this text has been translated. The original text in Spanish is this: "Entre el mar y la arena".

Capítulos: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

THIS SON OF A BITCH KISSED ME IN FRONT OF THE ENTIRE CAPITOL? THIS BASTARD LITERALLY GAVE ME MY FIRST KISS, IN THE CAPITOL, THE CAPITOL. SHIT, I'M GOING TO KILL THIS FUCKER.

I held back my fury and smiled. He hugged me, and I reciprocated so the Capitol folks would think this was mutual when in reality I WANT TO KILL HIM, I'll kill him when I can. As soon as we passed a bridge, I felt myself being pulled into the bathroom next to that room. Once I saw we were out of the Capitol's sight, I slapped Finnick so hard that his face turned red. After that, he started laughing and said,

"You're so delicate, it was just a kiss. Besides, this will get you more sponsors, it makes you desirable."

"IS EVERYTHING ABOUT SPONSORS TO YOU?!?" I yelled at him.

"It should matter to YOU," he said seriously.

When he said that, I broke down crying. When I least expected it, he hugged me. I pushed him away and opened the door without thinking someone might see me. I saw my brother in the room, but I didn't care and ran straight to my room. What I didn't imagine was that Enzo would be there, putting stones on a dress. He turned when he heard me open the door and smiled at me. But soon he looked surprised to see me; I imagine he didn't expect to see me crying. He sat on the bed and invited me to sit next to him. It was hard to walk because I cried so much, my stomach hurt. When I sat, he looked at me and took my face to show me the dress. It was a dress full of pearls and stones, with a fishing net in the back. The stones must have been very heavy; how am I going to wear all that? But it was so beautiful, I couldn't see it well through my tears. He gave me a small hug and began to describe the dress, the fabric it was made of, how he made it, the inspiration, until he stopped talking and said,

"Do you want to stay a little longer?" I didn't have the strength to speak, so I just nodded my head. We stayed hugging for a while longer. I could hear a commotion in the other room, Kai yelling things at Finnick that I couldn't even understand. I just ignored it because I want to ignore everything. I want to ignore what is going to happen and what happened. I want to forget I exist. I dreamed, and Enzo stroking my head didn't help me stay awake, and I fell deeply asleep.

I opened my eyes and was on a beach, in the water, and Finnick and Kai were fishing with a net. I only know I was looking for shells in the sand, looking for them because, strangely, I had a clearer vision of the water than my friends. Still, as Finnick and Kai moved so much, they stirred the sand, and it got into my eyes.

"Stop messing around, don't you see if you keep moving, the sand will move, and I won't be able to see."

"Damn, so early, and you're already getting pissed, girl, see if the hen laid somewhere else."

"Kai, calm down, we can move. Anyway, there aren't many fish here."

"Thanks, Finnick, it's cool that you're not a grump." Kai rolled his eyes and dived into the water to go somewhere else.

"Just because we're best friends doesn't mean we're the same. Well, I'll go follow him, or he'll say I spend too much time with you." I laughed and said goodbye before diving back into the water. It was clearer now, and I found more things, like five mollusks. But they were strange, almost radioactive in color. The first thing I thought was that it could be something from mutts, that it could be poisonous, but so what? I've touched thousands of things supposedly poisonous, and nothing ever happened. I took them, put them in my bag, and went to the shore. I opened one of the shells, and there were a lot of pearls, but they were strange, each a different color, very bright and beautiful, like diamonds. I got up and went to our little picnic, where Annie was with Esteban, one of our friends. He was half-Italian, so his way of speaking was very strange. He was helping Annie with the bonfire while she cut the bread to eat with the fish Finnick and Kai were fishing. It was a sunny summer day, and we didn't have school, so we could spend the whole day here if we could, and I loved that idea. I loved not having worries, no complications, not knowing what was going on, and not caring.

"Marina, show me what you got," said Annie excitedly. I handed her my bag and showed her all the shells, pearls, and artifacts I found.

"I don't have much because the crazy Finnick and Kai were moving a lot and got sand in my face. Oh, wait." I took out the shells and sat on the wooden pieces surrounding the bonfire. I tried to open the last shell I had, but it was very closed. I had nothing sharp; Finnick and my brother had all the tools. I was trying to open it with my teeth when I felt it snatched from my hands, and when I saw Finnick, he opened it with a knife.

"You were going to break your teeth like a fool," he said while stroking my head.

Finnick sat next to me while opening the other shells. When he inspected them, he found many pearls, but there was one very beautiful, navy blue, Finnick's favorite color. I took a fishing line and made a bracelet with the pearl in the center. I took Finnick's hand and tied it on his wrist.

"What a coincidence, I have something for you. Give me your hand." I gave him my hand, and he tied a beautiful bracelet, pink with pearls of different sizes, and a light pink bow. "I didn't make it; I bought it because I saw you liked it a lot when you went with me to the main city."

"Thank you so much, Finnick. I don't know how to thank you."

"No need to thank me. I do it because I like to see you happy."

I smiled and kept looking at the bracelet. When I turned around, there was no one, everything was empty. I got up and walked towards the water. When I dove, I saw an abyss under my feet. I raised my head to the surface, and there was no coast, just sea and more sea with no end in sight. I decided to dive into the abyss and could distinguish a bright light coming from the bottom of this abyss. I went towards it as it got darker, the only light being that sphere that shone like the sun. When I got in front of it, I approached slowly, and when I touched it, it disappeared like a gust of wind, leaving me in complete darkness.

Suddenly, I feel hands massaging my entire body, with a smell of lilacs and... (wait, how come they're massaging my whole body?) I opened my eyes in surprise, and when I did, I saw a guy touching my thighs while I was completely naked. Obviously, I was paralyzed, looking at the boy. He looked at me and smiled.

"I see you're awake, darling. Young Enzo told us not to wake you, but you know, the parade starts in 2 hours, so you need to be ready," he said while stroking my skin. "I'm Fran, by the way. I'll make you look like a queen, sweetheart." This guy was extravagant, with pink hair and wings on the sides of his eyes. He had a very strange voice and an even stranger accent than Enzo's.

Then, a boy with a strange haircut, like a bowl, came in. He had very pale skin and was shorter than Fran. He was with a group of girls with a jar of strange cream. When he approached us, Fran stopped him and said,

"Look at this beauty, not a single hair."

The other boy looked and said,

"Are you telling me you called the waxers for nothing?"

"Calm down, chubby, sorry for not warning you, I was distracted by this girl's skin."

"YES, I NOTICED, YOU IDIOT," he turned and said something I couldn't understand to the stylists. I saw Fran cleaning his hands, finally, because the sensation of creams all over my body was disgusting. I felt the table I was lying on lowering, which made me realize how tall these people were, even the short guy was taller than me.

"You can get down now, sweetheart." I got off the table and stared at him, waiting for a robe. I think he read my mind because he gave it to me the second I thought it. He took my hand and slowly led me to a chair, placing my hands on a kind of board full of tubes like paint. The other boy took my hands and looked at Fran.

"This part you need to work on, her hands are all messed up." Ouch, how rude.

"Matias, stop being such an idiot for two seconds, please," Fran looked at me and gestured for me not to pay attention. Now I know his name is Matias. He stood behind me, took out the hair tie, and my hair fell like a waterfall. He examined my hair strand by strand; it wouldn't be strange if he didn't know how to handle my hair. I don't even know how; it's always been heavy and abundant. My brother never knew how to comb it, the only one who knew was my dad, but I don't remember how he did it, but I always had beautiful curls.

"The amount of hair you have is impressive. All the hair you don't have on your body is on your head." Just when I least expected it, he pulled my head back to pour cold water on it, and my whole body trembled when he did that. I saw Matias laughing; I didn't find it funny.

"Matias, stop being so cruel to the little girl," said Fran, who was filing my nails, while another person, whose arrival I hadn't noticed, was working on my feet. God, these stylists are so quiet.

"The good thing is that you're not as whiny as the other girls we had to fix," said the girl filing my nails. "Their whining is so irritating."

"Wow, I'm curious to know when anyone asked for your opinion. Why don't you shut up and do your job instead of making crappy comments?" When Mati said that, the girl fell silent and looked down.

I saw Matias roll his eyes, and his face showed he didn't like what she had said. He approached me and whispered.

"Spaniards are all a bunch of troublemakers; don't pay any attention to them," he said while putting shampoo in my hair.

"Mati, remember that Enzo told us to keep her curls, no straightening products."

"Yeah, I know, stop nagging me, please," he said as he now poured hotter water on me.

"Stop being rude, Mati, we're in front of a little girl."

"Shut up, Mr. Saint, you're much ruder than I am." Why do they talk so much with SH? But my curiosity got the best of me, so for the first time, I spoke to them.

"Where are you from?" They looked at me, and Fran laughed.

"We're from Argentina, sweetheart. Why do you ask?" he said while placing a fake nail on my real one.

"It's just that you talk funny."

"Ha, look at the world's best speaker," said Matias, and Fran gave him a deadly look. I found it funny, so I let out a small laugh. Fran looked at me and smiled.

"What a beautiful laugh you have, that must be what made your boyfriend fall in love." Boyfriend? What boyfriend?

I heard some "Uyyyyy," and I realized that's in every culture, that "uyyyyy" can be heard even in mine. I don't know how to describe it; it depends on the context, but now it's like an "uyyyyy, she has a boyfriend, she has a boyfriend." I'm used to it. When I spent time with Finnick, everyone- Oh, I get why Fran said that. The whole Capitol thinks we're a couple.

After about half an hour, they finally allowed me to lift my head, and I saw my nails. They had a design of sea waves and tiny pearls at the bases of my nails, less extravagant than I had thought. They made me stand up, and Enzo entered with a dress identical to the one I saw before I fell asleep. It was very beautiful, and it was time to put it on, as there was only an hour and a half left before the parade started. I took off the robe, feeling a bit shy.

"Turn around, please," he said very calmly, while he was looking at my whole body.

"Oh, by the way, she has scars on both sides of her waist and neck," said Fran.

Enzo turned me around and touched my scars. I never knew when I got them; I asked my brother, but he never knew either. Besides, he has identical scars to mine, but they are less noticeable. I've always had them for as long as I can remember. Enzo looked at me and smiled.

"They look like gills," he said while continuing to touch those scars. "Well, it's time for you to try on the dress."

I walked timidly towards my dress. Enzo took the dress off the mannequin and put it on me. I noticed it wasn't as heavy as I thought it would be; rather, it was very light. And honestly, I felt relieved, as I remember the parade of the 61st Games where Morena Ríos, a girl from my hometown, was literally dressed in nothing but fishing lines. She was completely exposed. She committed suicide. Without anyone noticing, she got a rope and hanged herself from a tree on the third day, or so they say, because they didn't show her death on screen. Imagine what my fate will be. I obviously won't win, but whether you win or not, from the moment you enter the arena, you're destined for tragedy.

"I see you like it, but we can't waste time; we need to do your hair and makeup," Enzo grabbed me, and we went to another room with the whole team of stylists. I saw many devices there. They sat me in a place with a circular object right above my head. Matias put some objects in my hair and started rolling them up. When he finished one layer of my hair, he sighed as he ran out of those round hair tools.

"My God, you have so much hair. Enzo, can we really not cut it?" I saw Enzo look at him and shake his head.

"Her hair is part of her personality; it's her distinguishing mark. If you cut it, what would be her distinguishing feature from the others?" he said while holding my hand. Curiously, that's what my dad used to say all the time. He loved my hair, loved doing my hair and styling it in all sorts of ways. Now that he's gone, my hair isn't as well cared for.

"If you say so." Immediately, Matias shouted something in English to the Spanish girl, and she brought more of those round hair tools.

When he finally finished doing my hair, he placed that round thing on my head, and Fran started applying some drops of a strange liquid on my face and then put on the foundation. Why does it make my skin lighter? Anyway, Capitol things. After another hour of makeup, they let my hair down, and Enzo brought some sandals with pearls and embedded stones and put them on me. I stood up and looked at myself in the mirror; I was very beautiful. I didn't look like myself. I turned around and gave my stylists a small smile.

"Thank you very much for fixing me up."

"Oh, sweetheart, we didn't have to fix anything; you're the prettiest little girl I've ever styled," said Fran, smiling at me.

"It's true, we didn't have to fix much except your disastrous hair, it was a mess," said Matias. I just looked at him as if I was going to kill him, and he just laughed and said, "But you look pretty, dear," and he winked at me, and I just laughed back.

That's when I realized, I like these people, and they're from the Capitol. How can people who live off the suffering of others be likable to me? Is it wrong? Am I a traitor because I like them? I'm confused. I don't have time to think more as Enzo grabs my hand while saying goodbye to his assistants. I also say goodbye, and then we go towards an elevator. (Wait, is it time already?) I think. When we get in, he holds my hand and says,

"Fifteen minutes until the parade starts. Are you scared? Don't worry; this will go by quickly. Parades usually last an hour or less."

"I know, but I don't know how to act in this parade. How can I win over the sponsors?"

"I don't know if you realize, but you've already won over many sympathizers."

"How?"

"First, what happened at the reaping moved a lot of people. And second, the kiss made you more desirable to the sponsors."

"Desirable how?"

"Desirable enough so you don't die of hunger in the arena."

Before I could ask him anything else, the elevator stopped, and the doors opened, and I saw my brother. He was dressed in a blue suit with stones on the shoulders simulating fishing nets. He also had pearls and emeralds in his dreads. When he saw me, he was talking to his stylist, and he gestured for us to come over.

"Little sis, you look beautiful," he said while grabbing my cheek. I hate that, but I let it slide; it's a habit of his. "Are you ready to give a show?" he said sarcastically.

"No, but I have no choice," I laughed a bit. I know it's not the situation to laugh, but I have to enjoy the little I have left of life. I look around and see that everyone is looking at me, not at my brother and me, just at me.

"Brother, why is everyone looking at me?"

"It's because of what happened yesterday. Thank Finnick."

Oh, just when I managed to stop thinking about it. I think I was very rude to Finnick; he did me a favor in his own way. After all, he has experience in this. He was always good at captivating people; he had many admirers in my town and in the neighboring villages.

"Yes, Marina, say thank you," he walked towards me. He held my hand and put a ring on it. My brother pushed him away.

"What did I tell you about getting close to my sister, you jerk?"

"Unfortunately, it's no longer your decision. The Capitol loved our couple's act, and at least until the games are over, we have to keep this up."

"And what's the ring for?" I asked curiously. It was a beautiful ring, but what's the point of this thing?

"Here in the Capitol, it means you're engaged to marry someone." My brother and I were left with a shocked expression.

"What the hell? Are you telling me my TWELVE-YEAR-OLD sister is engaged to you?"

"First, it wasn't my idea; it was Enzo's." I looked at Enzo, and he just let out a little laugh. "And second, it's only until the games are over." Yeah, because I'll surely die before the games end.

I checked the time and realized there were only about 5 minutes left before the parade started. I looked for Enzo and saw him talking to my brother's stylist, Mags, and Finnick. I touched Enzo's shoulder and asked him.

"And how am I supposed to act in the parade?"

"Damn it, Enzo, you didn't tell her how to act?" Mags said, slightly irritated.

"It's not necessary; she'll captivate so much that she won't need to do anything."

"I agree; she already has plenty of sponsors," said Darana.

"Just wave and hold Kai's hand; that will cause a stir," said Finnick.

Before I could add anything to the conversation, the bells rang, signaling us to line up to enter our carriages. Finnick quickly grabbed my hand and accompanied me to line up with my brother, his stylist, Mags, and Enzo. Then I heard the Panem anthem. I saw the kids from District 1 get into their carriages, and I heard extremely loud screams. Then the kids from District 2, whose screams were even louder, and the kids from District 3, who didn't make as much noise. Now it was our turn, and I saw the carriage and was paralyzed by how beautiful it was. It was painted with sea blue colors, and the front part had the shape of waves, and our horses were painted like seahorses, very common in our district. I was trembling, and my skin had goosebumps. My brother entered the carriage first, and then I entered, and even then, Finnick didn't let go of my hand. He held it and then kissed it before letting go when we started moving. I grabbed my brother's hand tightly.

"Don't worry, sis; they will love you." I don't care if they love me; what matters to me is that you survive. That's what I wanted to say, but I was too nervous to speak.

When the carriage passed under the bridge that covered the view of the exit area, I heard the loudest screams I had ever heard in my life. Children, young people, and adults were screaming my name. I just raised my hand to wave at them, and when I saw everyone looking at my hand and screaming even louder, I looked at my hand and realized what this was all about. Finnick is very smart. Now people think we're going to get married, and they will support the future Mrs. Odair. Yeah, right, as if I could win; they're going to kill me the second I step into the arena.

When all the tributes from the districts were out, we headed towards the presidential mansion, where we were positioned in the front row with a perfect view of the mansion. It was completely white; I wondered how much money they spent on white paint, probably repainting it every month. When all the tributes were in order, a man, who I estimated to be around 70-80 years old, came out onto the balcony. He was a short man with very white hair and a very intimidating face. He began to speak, but I couldn't understand what he was saying. I could only catch some things like: dark days, District 13, etc., etc. Cheap excuses for a dictatorship that has lasted much longer than 68 years, and it’s going to continue for a long time.

When the speech was over, they took us back to the apartments. From the inside, they didn't look that big, but from the outside, they were a pile of gigantic apartments, barely reaching the sky, or maybe even more than that, I think. We entered and were guided to a room where all the tributes were talking until we were allowed to enter the elevators. I don't know what happened, but they didn't let us enter the elevators to go to our respective rooms. I was next to a boy from District 1. He was tall, well, not that tall, since my brother was probably a head taller than him. Well, I think, because right now he wasn't here with me (Oh, but where is my brother). Without realizing it, I accidentally kept looking at the boy.

"Hey, girl, are you daydreaming or what?" said the boy I had been looking at by accident.

"What? Do you speak Spanish?"

"And what am I speaking, girl? Chinese?" He said, laughing. "My name is Juan, but for you, pretty girl, it's Juani." He shook my hand and then kissed it.

"My name is Marina, nice to meet you," I said with a smile. He reminds me a lot of Fran, but not in appearance because Fran is thinner, blond, with straight hair and blue eyes. Juani, on the other hand, was a bit more robust, shorter, curly, with brown hair and light blue eyes. But they expressed themselves the same way.

"Marina, how could I not know the Capitol's favorite? And with that stunning dress, how could I not?" I blushed at his comment. Suddenly, some horns sounded, interrupting our conversation. We turned to look at the speakers.

‹‹Sorry for the inconvenience, we had a technical problem. The male tribute from District 7 has been disqualified.››

[alexjcrowley]

You know what I am fucking tired of inly talking of anglophone media on here

I am URGING everybody who see this post to watch the I Can Quit Whenever I Want trilogy (in italian: Smetto quando voglio) and I am going to convince you to watch it because it's hilarious and it's good and its only sin is not being an american/british product. (Also I found out there's a Spanish movie inspired by it, but I am talking about the italian trilogy).

Take Breaking Bad. A college neurobiologist professor desperately needs money, so he decides to start making drugs. Because he is a genius, though, he creates the formula of a new drug that, being new, isn't technically illegal. You follow me?

Okay, now let's give it a Ocean's 11 twist. To create and sell these drugs, Neurobiologist Professor needs the help of a few friends. These friends are all brilliant laureates, with several PhDs, who, due to corrupt state of Italian academia, are forced into minum wage jobs: you got two latinists working at a gas station, a chemist washing dishes at a Chinese restaurant, an anthropologist pretending to be an ignorant so he will get hired for low-budget jobs (yes, him having a degree in anthropology is actually making it harder for him to be hired), an archaeologist who supervises road work and, my personal favourite, an econmic professor who loses more than wins money at poker.

They're a bunch of disillusioned adults, well in their 40s, who were brilliant and were let down by their country's academia, that hires people based on political affiliation and recommendations rather than actual merits. All they're trying to do is better their pretty miserable lives and fuck the system that fucked them.

And that's just the premise of the first movie. It's a comedy, it's a mafia movie, it's a Shawshank Redemption parody, you got drugs, objectively badass villains, political humour, chases, jumping from moving trains, more and more wild characters adding up (all with their special academic field, you might as well create your OC based on your major). It's like if Guy Ritchie directed Breaking Bad but all of the characters were played by the male cast of The Office.

The third movie is one of the few movies that made me cry not at the end, but at the start. I don't even wanna spoil but there's a story of friendship and revenge for the ages. I could talk about it all day.

I want to be honest, these three movies aren't very politically correct- and I use the expression in a positive way. Sadly there are some stereotypes portrayed in the movies (the first especially), but I still think they're very valid products.

So please, please, even if it's not in English, give it a try. You won't regret it. Here's the link to watch it (there are subtitles in a lot of language on this site, not just english)

Here you got the trailer

And here is the way the movie starts, I translated it in English.

"In Italy, a drug to be defined as such must be registered in the list of illegal molecules of the Ministry of Health. Cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, methadone, ecstasy and roughly 200 other molecules are part of that list. If a molecule is not in that table then you can produce it, you can take it, but above all you can sell it. At 24 I graduated in neurobiology with honors, I have a master's degree in computational neuroscience and one in molecular dynamics. In recent months I have formed a gang that manages a turnover of hundreds of thousands of euros, I am accused of manufacturing and dealing in drugs, armed robbery, kidnapping and attempted murder. My name is Pietro Zinni... and I'm a university researcher."

[amiaima]

Journey (English Version)

Translation by amiaima

Oh-oh-oh ooh ooh ooh

Oh-oh-oh ooh ooh ooh

Oh-oh-oh ooh ooh ooh

Jour-Jour-Jour-Journey

My growing pile of "I'll do it later"

Doesn't seem to ever go away

The pangs and aches from that chase are wearing me down (wearing me down)

I must change, I must knock down my walls

And clean up the mess made by all my mistakes

Breathing in my fullest before trying again (trying again)

Being under pressure, changing expectations, getting back on my feet

I only just realized I can't do it alone, so please help me, I'm asking you

Being under pressure, changing expectations, getting back on my feet

I won't do this alone anymore, cuz I want our dreams to come true

That hope that I don't have, that strength that I don't have

I'm sure that you have them, and no doubt, SEKAI is waiting for you

Those tears that you don't have, that weakness that you don't have

Even though I have them both, I'll wait for you in our SEKAI

It's okay if you don't know what to do, it's okay if you want to stop and rest

We can still keep walking forward when you're ready

You look beautiful when you cry, you'd look even better with a smile

Let's go, you and me, together.

I've found that anxiety is the flip side of hope

So if you flip me, what would you find? These thoughts keep me awake at night

But wait! If we stand back to back and hide our flaws, if we cover up each other's mistakes

Then there's no such thing as the flip side

Being under pressure, changing expectations, getting back on my feet

I only just realized I can't do it alone, so please help me, I'm asking you

Being under pressure, changing expectations, getting back on my feet

I won't do this alone anymore, cuz I want our dreams to come true

It's not like, "there's nothing there", I'm not saying "anyone but you"

You really are the one person who could save me

You truly are

That hope that I don't have, that strength that I don't have

I'm sure that you have them, and no doubt, SEKAI is waiting for you

Those tears that you don't have, that weakness that you don't have

Even though I have them both, I'll wait for you in our SEKAI

It's okay if you don't know what to do, it's okay if you want to stop and rest

We can still keep walking forward when you're ready

You look beautiful when you cry, you'd look even better with a smile

Let's go, you and me, together.

I must change, I must knock down my walls

And clean up the mess made by all my mistakes

Breathing in my fullest before trying again (trying again)

Break away! Go and chase your dreams

Plant a flag for our solidarity

Live life to the fullest, it's a journey, make it heard, your melody

[fluttershyflores2]

(English translation of a chapter I made (poor translation notice, you can ignore this...I keep writing even if no one reads it \(òvó))

previous page

Nüwa: Have you noticed Flor seeming a bit down - concerned -.

The two gods were having tea outside the palace when Fuxi, upon hearing that, almost choked on his tea. He began coughing, while Nüwa continued to observe, waiting for his response.

Fuxi: No, I haven't noticed - nervously -.

Nüwa: What happened while I was away? - raising an eyebrow -.

Fuxi: You know Flor is already 15 - sighs - she's in her adolescent stage, you know how they are.

Nüwa: Darling, I know that very well, but she seems disheartened.

Fuxi: I'm worried too - sipping his tea - but I don't know how to help her. I don't have that connection you two share - feeling sad that he can't cheer up the young girl -.

Nüwa gets up from her chair and approaches her husband, embracing his shoulders.

Nüwa: It's okay, the time will come, just give her some time - she kisses his cheek - in the meantime, I'll go see her.

Before Nüwa could leave, her husband stops her with a grip on her hand.

Fuxi: Be careful with the emperor's advisers, they're roaming the halls - distressed -.

Nüwa: I promise I'll be careful - she smiles, trying to reassure him -.

The serpent woman walks away through the halls, leaving Fuxi staring at his empty cup.

🌧~🌧~🌧~🌧~🌧~🌧~🌧~🌧~🌧~🌧~🌧

A young named Flor lay on her bed staring into space, some knocks on her door sounded.

Nüwa: Sweetheart, can I come in? - peeking in -.

Flor: Yes, mom... - says without looking -.

Entering the room, Nüwa walks to the bed and sits beside her.

Nüwa: How are you feeling, dear? - calmly.

Flor: Fine...I guess... - dejected.

Nüwa: You can tell me everything, my little petal - speaking gently - mom is here - she gives her a smile -.

The young girl glances at her, then gets up and hugs her knees to her chest. How is she going to explain that she left the palace? Not leaving was one of the rules they had since she grew up, but that's the problem, she doesn't know why. Her mother never explained the reason, nor did Mr. Fuxi.

Nüwa: You're growing up, my girl, so much that I can only imagine yesterday was the day I found you - caressing her head - adolescence is a complicated stage, I've never been in that situation but...

Flor: How do you know how I feel?... - interrupting her -.

Nüwa is surprised to be interrupted, but regardless, she gives her daughter a look to continue.

Flor: That's not the reason why I feel like this - she lowers her head and looks at her - mom...why am I always in this room? Did I do something wrong as a child that upset you or embarrass you... - she looks at her with teary eyes -.

Nüwa: Oh, my dear!... - she pulls her into a hug - it's none of that, you'll never, ever be a shame to me, nor have you done anything wrong.

Flor: Then...why don't you let me out? - tears began to escape from her eyes -.

Nüwa: It's so difficult to explain, sweetheart, I think you won't believe me - speaking from the heart - everything I do is to protect you.

Gently holding her face, she wipes away her tears.

Nüwa: Maybe I'll tell you one day, but don't cry, my girl, just seeing you like this breaks my heart.

Still embracing, the young girl calms down with her mother's caresses. She still doesn't tell her why, but she feels whatever the reason, it will separate her from her.

Flor: Mom, never leave me...

.

.

.

.

Nüwa: I promise, sweetheart.

next page

[stela20]

I'm sorry if my English is not good, I use Google Translate

This is my story from the Quotev website, so I wanted to write it and publish it here, but enjoy ❤

Y/n's pov

I remember that day….. Yes, I remember that day in great detail, as if it had happened to me yesterday.

Flashback 5 years ago

I was in high school, 3rd year of secondary school, sitting in class and attending a chemistry lesson, and frankly, I did not understand anything about chemistry, but the only one who was helping me with that was Biko. Biko was very smart and very kind to me, and he was my first friend in high school and after that. He introduced me to his friends, Nene and Darnell, and the 4 of us became friends and help each other, but school is almost over, so I'm afraid I won't see my friends again, so we all took our phone numbers. I really love them all with all my heart, but the one I really love is Peko and I hope he will be my future lover one day, and now I am in class

The teacher: Well, children, who knows how to solve this problem?

Beko Hamas: It's me

The teacher: Well, go ahead, Biko

He solved this problem easily and quickly

Mrs. Saeed: Well done, Biko, and now for the second

Suddenly, Cassandra appeared, carrying a gun and pointing in front of the teacher. I and the rest of the students had never liked Cassandra, and we felt that she was a danger to all of us, but not to the point that she wanted to carry a gun and point at us. The teacher and all of us were surprised by the situation.

Cassandra got angry and shouted: Stop this, you idiot. You are all the same. I do not want to learn and do these stupid things. Curse everyone and everything.

y/n: Cassandra please stop joking like that this is not mothly

Nene: Yes, and can you remove this toy gun?

Cassandra got angry and screamed: And you also tell me it's a game. Are you so stupid? It's not a game.

Darnell: What evidence do you have on this?

Cassandra killed the teacher in front of all of us and killed the rest of the class, but me, Pico, Nene, and Darnell survived. Cassandra went to rule the world and destroy the school. The four of us left the classroom, not knowing what to do.

Nene Totter: What will we do now?

Darnell Fear: I don't know

Biko got angry: We will kill

y/n surprised: m…what?

Biko got angry: You heard what I just said, now everyone prepare yourselves, Darnell, go outside the school and get a car for us to ride in, and also go to the cafeteria and bring all kinds of food.

Nene is sad and crying: I don't want this to happen, Biko. I want to stay with Darnell

Biko got angry: Well, stay with Darnell and make each other happy, and if anything happens… kill anyone who tries to harm you all.

y/n surprised: m…what?

Biko got angry: As you heard, I don't want to repeat my words twice. Go and move

Nini and I had knives, but Pico and Darnell had a gun. I decided to stay with Pico, and Nini and Darnell went, and I went with Pico, and we were running and trying to find Cassandra and trying to prevent her from stopping what she was doing.

y/n: what are we going to do now?

Pico got angry: As I said, we must kill anyone who tries to harm us, and I also know Cassandra’s plan. She will turn the world into hell soon, and now we must stop her.

y/n: Okay, I'm with you

In fact, Pico and I kill anyone with Cassandra, and we were working well together, but one of the people working with Cassandra shot me in the foot and I was screaming in pain.

Peko got angry and shouted: y/n no

Biko killed the person who injured me and went towards me

Biko worried: y/n are you okay?

y/n: Yes, no problem

Biko treated the genie and Biko picked me up and took me to one of the classes and made sure that there was no danger in the class. After that, he gently put me on a chair and gave me my phone. He found a stick on the floor and gave it to me so I could use it and help me stand.

Pico: y/n, I will go and act and kill Cassandra, and if I do not return to you after 6 pm, you, Nene, and Darnell, run away for your lives.

y/n is sad and worried: I will not leave you

Pico: y/n, you will not be able to move because you are injured….. y/n I am happy that you appeared in my life, and I wished that you would be with me at all times and in every place…. If I do not come back to you, know that I love you and I was hoping that you would be my lover and my future wife… I love you

After that, Pico closed the classroom door, and I was waiting for Pico. After the time had passed, it was now 6:30, and I was afraid for Pico. After a minute, Pico opened the classroom door, his face stained with blood, and he was smiling at me and approaching me.

Pico Saeed: Don’t be afraid, my love, everything is fine… Cassandra is dead and…

I took Pico in a big hug. I couldn't take it anymore and was crying

y/n: Peko….I too…love you

Biko took me in for a deep kiss that lasted for a minute, and after that he confessed his feelings for me and how much he loved me. After that, Biko carried me and we went to Nene and Darnell's to leave this school forever.

End of flashback

After that, me, Biko, Mimi, and Darnell became murderers, but we do not kill innocent people. Rather, we kill people who deserve to be killed. After all these adventures, Biko and I sit in a high port and watch the stars.

Biko Saeed: y/n, can I suggest something to you?

y/n: Yes, what is it?

Biko Saeed: y/n I am happy that you appeared in my life and every day I love that you are with me and now I want you to be with me forever…. Will you marry me, my love?

y/n Saeed: Yes

After that day, we got married, and Biko and I are happy in our lives, and Nene and Darnell are also very happy for us. After 5 months, I became pregnant, and Biko and I are now waiting for our little son with bated breath and happiness ❤

❤ The end ❤

[himevampirechan]

Vanishipping fanfic: Duat

Week of revo is coming soon. But any time is the right time for write fanfiction for my favourite ship: Atem and Anzu.

English is not my firts languaje and i used an web translator to help me with this chapter. Soo sorry if you found any mistake.

DUAT

FOREWORD     

A glass shatters shrilly against the floor.

"Ukht?" Marik asks from the sofa with a confused expression, Ishizu Ishtar stares in shock at the photographs on his desk.

Weeks ago, her colleague in London had asked for her help in translating a, newly discovered, manuscript. Now that the young woman knows its contents, she does think she isn't capable of revealing the information to Dr Carter.

"it can't be," whispers the woman, attracting the curiosity of her brothers.  Marik rises from his seat and Rishid picks up the pieces of glass from the floor.

"The papyrus... It speaks of Atem!" The Egyptian woman points with trembling hands to one of the translations. A hiss of pain, make them to jump in surprise, Rishid watches the blood fall from the cut on his finger. 

In the background, the phone rings. A bad feeling.  

...

"HELP ME!" She shouts, pushing the door once more. It won't open, it won't move. She can feel the flames, coming closer, through the wood "PLEASE!" 

A creaking sound above her head makes her instinctively run to the far wall; the ceiling collapses and its beams, blocking the only way out of the room.

Frightened, she can see smoke coming from under the door. Coughing, her eyes filled with tears, she huddles between the wardrobe and the mirror where, before each performance, she applies her make-up.  The young woman gropes the floor for something that might help her, but her fingers stop when she finds her ballet shoes.

"I..." she whispers, her voice hoarse from the smoke "... I'm going to die".

The thought loops inside her head until the words stop making sense and her body feels numb. And just like that, the fear disappears.

"It's a shame." She says resignedly, lowering her gaze and fondly touching her attire. The walls behind her back have begun to burn.

"I would have liked the others to see me dance..." Her head spins. The mirror, to her right, explodes into shards showering her with glittering glass.

She can no longer breathe, her skin hurts. Something thunders, something falls? It's impossible to tell exactly, the heat is too much.

"Atem" She closes her eyes, with a small, sad smile "I'm sure he won't be at all amused to see me so soon."

...

The sound of ambulances and screams, it's too loud.

"MY FRIEND IS STILL IN THERE!" He repeats in a desperate voice, trying to break free from the fireman who is pushing him by the shoulders. His strength pushes him back a few steps.  

"GET OUT OF MY WAY!" shouts Jonouchi in the distance as Otogi tries to reason with one of the policemen blocking the way. Behind them, Sugoroku Mutou looks terrified at his grandson and Bakura holds Shizuka's hand since she is crying against his shoulder.

Honda punches one of the officers who is holding him. Feeling free, he runs desperately towards the theatre but three men, pinning him brutally to the ground.

"YUGI!" Someone calls out to him above the melee. Mokuba runs in his direction pointing skyward, in his hand a smartphone and an earpiece in his ear "KCorp emergency team is coming!"

"Where is she!" shouts a female voice, Mai Kujaku approaches with a distressed expression. In the sky, the sound of engines approach.

"Mai..." whispers Yugi feeling everything crumbling in front of him. Numb with pain, he turns his head towards the burning building, as if to answer the young woman's question.

With a gasp, the blonde holds him by the neck, glaring angrily at him with tear-drenched eyes.

"WE MUST GET HER OUT OF THERE!" She demands shaking the boy. A cracking sound makes the world move in slow motion.

There is an explosion, fire rises against the night sky. What's left of the building shakes and with a noise, echoing in the hearts of those present, it collapses.

"BEWARE!" shouts a fireman pushing people away from the scene. There is a second explosion, the helicopters manoeuvre to avoid impact.

Jounnochi falls to his knees screaming desperately. Honda, with blood trickling down his chin, stops struggling against the men holding him down. Behind him, Yugi hears gasps, screams and sobs. 

"No..." he whispers feeling his chest tearing with pain "¡¡¡¡¡ANZUUUUUUU!!!!!"

...

"Aibou!" Atem wakes up with a gasp. Bathed in sweat, he throws the sheets away and walks, with numb steps, towards the balcony in his room.

"That was Yugi's voice," he declares, feeling a lump form in his throat as he remembers the scream in his dream.

The kingdom of Kemet, or rather, its copy that remains within the Duat; Immeasurable in its grandeur and immovable to the passage of time, stands proudly under the starry sky.

A light suddenly illuminates the firmament. It approaches from afar, like a shooting star, and as it passes over the temple of the god Osiris, it swirls over its obelisks, illuminating the palace esplanade and the village.

"What is that?" whispers Atem with a frown. Below, in the gardens the guards begin to stir with alarm and in the streets the inhabitants of the kingdom emerge from their homes in confusion.

Like a bolt of lightning, the lightning strikes and its impact shakes the earth so badly that Pharaoh must cling to the balcony with his hands. The cries of the people and the creaking of the walls flood the night.

Alarmed, Atem turns towards the exit but the sound of his name, whispered in his ear, stops him in his tracks with a shrinking heart.

"Atem" it repeat. His body fills with a strange emotion. A feeling of shuddering sadness makes him turn his body and gaze intently at the temple still glowing in the strange light.

His heart knows immediately: someone has arrived and, whoever it is, is waiting for him in the sanctuary.

"Your Majesty!" Siamun shouts, almost crashing through the door, as the young man rushes out of the room and down the stairs. Behind him several people call out to him.

 "My horse!" Atem exclaims, in an authoritative voice, once through the garden gates. The guards and servants watch, wild-eyed, his sudden entrance.

"NOW!" he orders in a snarl and the frightened people present spring into action. The enclosure is flooded with the sound of animal whinnies and the creaking of straps and metal. As he waits, a group of people rush in, surprised by the impatient look on his face. 

A frightened servant hands over his horse, which, ready to go, snorts and snorts. Atem checks the reins in a swift, expert movement; satisfied he approaches to mount but a hand on his shoulder releases him from his frantic state.

"Your Majesty!" calls Mahado, catching up with him at the stables. With a gasp, the young pharaoh looks around him and, becomes aware of the people waiting restlessly for his orders. His eyes follow the hand that holds him until he meets the confused face of his cousin, Seto.

"Seto..." he whispers, after a few minutes of meditation "...Inform my father of what is happening and gather the members of the council in the throne room for dawn."

 "Mahado..." He continues, giving no chance for interruptions "...You will mobilise with Shada the guards inside the city. Investigate the possible cause of what happened in the sky tonight and make sure the villagers are safe."

"Anknadin" He adds, jumping on his horse and holding the reins tightly "You and Karim must go to the temple of Jedhu to confirm that the bas of the Egyptian gods were not harmed."

 "Yes, my Pharaoh!" reply the aforementioned with worried expressions but without going against the orders of their king. Light footsteps catch the boy's attention. 

"Temmy what's wrong?" asks Mana looking up at him from the floor with a distressed expression, the Pharaoh bites his lip trying to think over the sad voice that continues to whisper in his ear.

"Mana..." he exclaims after a few seconds, moving his horse to stand directly at the garden gates "...Find Isis, gather a group of hekas as soon as you can and await my return."

"Where will you go?" asks the mage walking at his side. Atem watches, from his mount as the doors to the stables are being opened by the servants. 

"There is something I must check at the Temple of Osiris" replies the young man, as he checks his horse's saddle one last time. Silently, the rest of the priests and servants watch the exchange with trepidation.

"You can't go alone! We have no idea what is going on!" exclaims the sorceress, surprised by the determined expression on his face.

"My Pharaoh, please..." begins Siamun between altered gasps "...If you could just wait for the guards...."

 "Someone is calling me" sighs Atem looking at them out of the corner of his eye. Without another word, he pulls on the reins and gallops away, swiftly, on his horse.

"I'll go with him!" announces Mana, summoning her staff to reach the pharaoh with a spell.

"Mana, wait," a voice stops her. With confused expressions those present see Isis approaching, wearing her characteristic calm expression.

"The Pharaoh will be fine" declares the brunette, stopping in front of everyone "I propose that we follow Pharaoh's orders, while we await his return."  

"What did you see?" asks Anknadim and the priestess looks sideways at him with an enigmatic expression.

"I do not yet fully understand it" she confesses, lightly touching the golden necklace she is wearing "But I know that the Pharaoh must go."

Resigned and silent, those present walk away to do his bidding. Mana remains still in her seat, worried and more confused than ever. Before walking away Seto sends a meaningful glance to Isis, warning her in a simple gesture that he owes them several answers.

"The wheels of fate have turned, again, in that direction," Isis whispers softly enough for no one to hear. A smile tugs at her lips as she gazes into the distance at the gleaming temple of Osiris.

                                                        ...

Atem gallops astride his horse; snorting, the animal races swiftly across the desert. The boy's knuckles turn white as he tightens his grip on the reins.  

"Atem" whispers once more in his ear.

"I'm coming..." he thinks spurring his agitated transport "...I'm close."

The animal's hooves skid as it forces him to slow down on the spotless tiles of the entrance. He hops down, then hurries towards the building.

Panting, he reaches the main hall of the temple; it is a room that closely resembles the shrine of the shadow duel: huge in its expanse, its walls are covered with hieroglyphs recounting the resurrection ritual of the god Osiris.

In the centre, under the moonlight, lies the mummified statue of Osiris; Atem gazes at the green of his skin and the bandages that lovingly cover his reborn body, brought to life by his wife, the goddess Isis.

Cautious, he picks up a torch and paces the room; his body stands alert, his scarlet purple eyes greedily scanning every corner in the huge room.

"Atem" whispers faintly in his ear. The pharaoh is petrified for a second in place; confused he raises the torch, directing the light around him in an attempt to better illuminate his path.

And then, he sees her on the ground: naked and unconscious, her face hidden in long dark hair, there is a woman at the feet of the god Osiris.

The young pharaoh approaches, glancing at the woman's pearly skin, her limbs stretched out on the ground are thin and seem fragile; the pharaoh feels a weight in his chest at the implications of the lack of clothing on her body. 

 "Atem" sighs one last time in his ear, the soft almost loving sound delighting the boy. Afterwards there is only silence.

"Are you alright?" he asks aloud, leaping the distance between him and the woman. Wasting no time, Atem takes her in his arms.

Looking respectfully away from her nakedness, he lets her head rest on his shoulder. He shakes her gently, still talking to her.

"Oi, wake up! Are you okay?" He can feel the soft breath against the skin of her neck, her body warm and seemingly uninjured.  

"Guards!" He shouts hoping someone will help. He tries to stand up holding the young woman, she moans slightly burying her face a little more against his shoulder; a scent wafts from the long strands of hair interrupting the Pharaoh's actions.

"Peach?" Atem's heart gives a start, his knees tremble even and if the girl weighs nothing in his arms. Incredulous, and careful not to hurt her, Atem shakes his body.

The pearly face falls from its position, uncovering him from the annoying brown hair: rounded profile, full lips of soft colour. Long eyelashes, small nose. Atem could recognize that face and scent in a million people.

"Anzu?!"

CHAPTER NOTES

Duat/Amenti/ Necher-Jertet: The underworld of Egyptian mythology, the place where the trial of Osiris was held, and where the spirit of the deceased must wander, avoiding evil beings and other dangers. His heart is judged in front of 12 Gods and, if worthy, he arrives at the final gate where he finds an exact copy of the living world free of poverty, disease and pain.

'Ukht: From Arabic: Sister.

Heka: Sorcerers.

Ba: soul

@revolutionshipping @chocolapeanut @week-of-revo @itsmechmech

[iantimony]

tuesday!

hello tuesday :) i'm going to start crossposting these onto my dreamwidth also just so i have a non-tumblr log of my weekly updates. please friend me on dreamwidth i would love an excuse to move platforms more

listening: OH i listened to SO much this week. i tuned in to my spotify release radar thing and it was a great idea to get exposed to some new music from artists i already know i like! i also peeped the discover weekly one a bit

i haven't listened to the newest paramore album in full but 'running out of time' was on the release radar playlist and i really really like the sounds! it feels very st vincent-y to me in a way that i wasn't expecting from paramore so i wonder if that was a conscious influence at all? or if they were both separately influenced by the same sources? it's really good though. i dont remember following shakey graves but they also rule i've been jamming to the whole album 'deadstock' which i think is just a collection of some of their more popular tracks? plus some live recordings. and tom rosenthal makes me cry still

from discover:

and then i found memi through...instagram reels i think? instagram has unfortunately nailed the type of music they should serve me to get clicks so i do. keep clicking them. anyways i love her

reading: quantum :V

oh wait actually i do have reading this week! i re-opened the slowly app (i downloaded it years ago but stopped using it at some point), which is a real-time penpal app - you can send letters to random people in the world, and it will send in "real time" as if you were actually mailing a letter! so i opened it and the app went oh? you're active? cool! and i started getting letters! so i got one from a guy in morocco, which i replied to right away, and also one in mandarin which i have NOT replied to right away because i had to spend like an hour translating it rip. out of five i put my mandarin proficiency at a 2 on my profile but honestly that may be too high oops. ah well. it'll be cool to try and get my mandarin back up to snuff! it'll also be a great way to learn things like idioms and other stuff that doesn't show up as often in traditional learning materials.

for example, phrase that i learned is 畅所欲言, chang4 suo3 yu4 yan4, which is a standard four-character idiom that means to speak without inhibitions or to just frankly speak your mind. i have like a full two pages of new words and phrases that i had to look up to read the letter which is awesome!

the letter from morocco was very cool and like...poetry adjacent? which im not sure if it's just because of a translation quirk - he said his english isn't the best - but i dunno. "I am writing to you because writing is a companion of the tired". anyways.

watching: i started watching evangelion with my partner!! we did ... i think about five episodes last week? it owns. this is the first time in a really long time that i've, like...gone blind into a media? my only exposure to eva has been through out-of-context memes (shinji get in the robot) and i feel like a lot of the time with TV shows i tend to read the wikipedia page before watching to see if it's really worth it :") i've never really cared about spoilers or whatever because honestly if it's a good enough show it won't really matter if i know what's going to happen or not, it's more about How it happens and how it's shot/framed/acted/etc. but i have zero context for eva and im very much enjoying it! i wasn't expecting the body horror at all it rules

making: making good progress on my embroidery project! this photo is from about two weeks ago but it's the most recent one i have and honestly haven't done THAT much more. i just finished filling that vertical headphone cord in with red, started some other headphone cord...after that all i have left is the letters (rip) and then doing maybe some sort of sashiko stitch/cross hatching as fill for the hair? like some spaced out x patterns in a grid or something like that. because i'm sure as shit not doing a satin or brick stitch to fill all that in and i think it'll still look good that way.

im also finishing up valentines gifts to mail to people :3

misc: hgg. quantum midterm on march 2. it is Rapidly approaching and im very nervous about it but in a VERY different way - this semester he's having the exams be open note and open book, which could be really good or really really bad. on the plus side i dont have to drive myself insane memorizing equations on flash cards again, most of my studying will probably be uber-familiarizing myself with the layout of the notes so i know where to reference things and also copying out things from online that might be relevant. on the minus side it means i have really no clue on how hard this exam will be. pain.

research is going. i feel like im sooo close to getting shit to work. however i am also experiencing research fomo because a prof that i didnt even know existed gave a presentation on her group for potential new students and i went wait wow that fucks. sigh. i think that's all for this week gang, gonna crosspost to dreamwidth after lunch!

[devilofthehounds]

God Eater 3 Character Novel | Spinning Bonds: Chapter 7

[image id: A novel cover. Zeke Pennywort from God Eater 3 stands with his back to the viewer, his scarf billowing in the wind. Overlaid within the scarf is an image of a young Zeke with his four brothers, smiling happily. The text, when translated into English, reads “God Eater 3 Character Novel | Chapter 4: Zeke Edition | Spinning Bonds”. /end id]

This is a fan translation. Original text here.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

The mission in the old city had begun.

"Hraaah!"

I fought frantically, mowing down small Aragami with my Boost Hammer to vent my frustration.

Even at a time like this, there were only Blast Spiders. Disgusting. They brought back memories of the past I didn't want to remember.

"Heh, you're really motivated, huh, Zeke?"

"Shut up... Don't act like we're friends!"

I was so frustrated, I ended up yelling at them. Though I was more frustrated with myself than them.

"I don't know what your deal is, but let's all stay calm. ...If we lose our focus out here, we'll die."

Hugo and Luca. The two of them seemed to work well together.

They fought as if they knew each other's every move. And when they Engaged, they were even more in sync.

If they could move like that, they could definitely hold their own against even a large Aragami.

Then why?

"Zeke?"

Luca looked back at me as I stood still, his face full of concern.

"It's nothing... Let's keep going."

What happened during the Vajra subjugation mission? I was scared to ask.

If I heard what they had to say, and I found out it couldn't have been helped...

I wasn't sure if I'd be able to go on.

I couldn't decide what to do, so I ended up going on ahead on my own. At that moment—

A high-pitched, bird-like cry echoed from between the buildings.

"What the—?!"

A moment later, a brightly colored Aragami descended right in front of me.

It was a medium-sized Aragami, something I'd never fought before. If I remembered right, this one was... a Nemain?

"Zeke, get back!"

Luca came running up behind me.

At that moment, I felt Luca's presence in my heart.

If I reached out to him, we'd be able to Engage.

But then, in my mind, I saw Neal's smiling face.

"...Forget it. I don't need your help!"

I shook off Luca's will and leapt at the Nemain.

But in my haste, I forgot to activate my God Arc's Boost Ignition. I ended up getting hit head-on by the Nemain's knife-like feathers and fell over.

"Gh... Ack..."

What was I doing? Everything I wanted to do, everything I needed to do—I was making a mess of it all.

Oh, right. I wasn't even sure what to do from here.

How could I protect Keith from here on?

I didn't even know how to motivate myself.

"Move, you idiot!"

Hugo's yell brought me back to my senses.

In front of me was the Nemain, its blade raised.

I'd seen this scene before. It was just like when my brothers died.

In times like this, I was reminded of my powerlessness.

"...Gh!"

The blade swung down.

"Luca!"

"Hraaah!"

Propelled by a Link Burst Round from Hugo, Luca deployed his shield and dove at the Nemain.

Hugo and Luca readied their God Arcs to protect me from the now-reeling Aragami.

"Hang in there, Zeke! We won't die! We won't let you die, either!"

"We'll make it there together. A place... where everyone's dreams can come true!"

I gasped at Luca's words.

"How do you...?"

"Let's go, Zeke!"

Luca turned and reached out to me.

In my heart, I could still feel his warm presence.

Guided by that presence, I took his outstretched hand.

At that moment, our consciousnesses connected.

Oracle energy erupted from our bodies, and Luca's thoughts flowed into my head clearly.

In the midst of that warm, powerful light, I thought I could see Din and Oulu.

"So... that's how it is..."

Their dream—it lived on inside these two.

If they'd really entrusted these two with this light.

"...I get it now... Let's go, Luca!"

There was no way I'd let it go to waste.

Remembering what Din had taught me, I finally activated my Boost Hammer.

Hugo's diversion combined with Luca's tempest of attacks created an opening.

Now. Propelled by the voices of the connections inside my heart.

"Take this!"

I struck the Nemain in the head with all my might.

Unable to resist, it collapsed. Hugo and Luca immediately moved in to devour.

Seeing the Nemain turn to ash and disappear with its core removed, all strength left my body.

"Hah... Hah... That's the first time I've ever fought a medium-sized one."

I laid down on the ground, spreading out my arms and legs.

Even though we were in the Ashlands, the sky was beautiful.

"Geez... You begged to come along, full of energy, and now you're flopping down on the ground? Pull yourself together."

What Hugo said made sense.

Now, I knew exactly what I had to do.

"...Sorry for causing so much trouble. Really, I am!"

I hung my head. I really did feel bad, making them go along with my pointless stubbornness.

"Everyone's safe. Don't worry about it."

Luca smiled as he spoke. It was a little unnerving. Even so, I couldn't help but smile back.

"More importantly, what you said earlier... A place where everyone's dreams can come true... Did you really mean it?"

Luca and Hugo looked at each other.

"Yeah, we're serious. No matter what happens, we won't give up on that dream. We'll carry the feelings of those who died and entrusted their wishes to us into the future."

When I saw the choker wrapped around Hugo's right arm, I realized who it had belonged to.

For them, death wasn't the end.

For me, someone's death had always been a source of regret.

I had always thought of it as a burden I'd have to carry for the rest of my life.

But that wasn't the case.

The wishes and wills that were passed down would continue on into the future.

And I knew I had the same will in me that shined in these two.

"I see..."

Finally, I felt like I could move forward.

But... if they were saying they'd carry on that dream...

"Then..."

I stood up, grabbed Hugo and Luca by their shirts, and pulled them towards me.

"Then promise me one thing!"

What if that dream was something we inherited from our heroes?

"This dream doesn't just belong to you two! The other kids at the Port... don't you dare leave them behind!"

How much hope did the dream those two told us about give us, that day in the prison?

How much had they saved me?

I'd shoulder all the burdens they couldn't. So—

"If you can promise me that... then count me in!"

I'd made a promise, too.

To make our dreams come true together.

My words, echoing throughout the Ashlands, were met with an honest answer from both Hugo and Luca.

"Of course. We won't abandon anyone."

"This dream connects all of us. ...We won't let anyone die."

Luca's words reminded me of what Saul had said.

"Yeah! There's nobody in this world that should just be left to die!"

Saul. Rhys. Neal.

I remembered all the wishes that had been entrusted to me.

Our journey would continue. And...

I'd try to believe once again that at the end of it, there'd be a place we could all reach together.

Having gained a second wind, I returned to my cell.

But... I still needed to properly tell Keith what had happened with Neal.

I wasn't sure if Keith would forgive his failure of a big brother.

"...Huh?"

There was no sign of Keith in the cell.

He'd been coughing so much, wracked with pain.

My mind immediately turned to Neal, who'd been taken away.

No, it couldn't be...! My blood ran cold. And then—

"*cough* *cough* Zeke..."

Keith came from the other side of the bars, dragging a heavy-looking package.

"Keith?! Were you... on a mission?!"

"Yeah... but I'm okay. Take a look at this."

Keith opened the package, revealing it to be packed with food.

"I found it all by myself. There's enough for everyone, so why don't we share?"

"You..."

Putting the package aside, Keith stood proudly in front of me.

"...The guards told me what happened to Neal. That must have been why you were so down, Zeke..."

Keith shook his head.

"You've always tried to protect me, but look. I'll be fine on my own, okay? I'll do my best to complete missions, so don't worry."

Keith smiled gently and looked at me.

"So, Zeke... Don't try to carry everything all on your own. I don't want to just be protected anymore!"

"Keith..."

"I couldn't do anything when Din and Oulu died, or when Neal was taken away! I... know how frustrated and sad you must've been!"

Tears started streaming down Keith's face as he rested his head against my chest.

"I-I'll get stronger! I'll stay by your side! So... So let me protect you, too...!"

Geez, I really was a useless big brother.

How could I let my little brother worry so much?

"...Thanks, Keith."

My armlets were restrained, so I couldn't hug him. Instead, I held his hand tightly.

I wouldn't let him see me gloomy anymore. I wouldn't let him see any of my bad sides.

There wasn't much I could do, but at least I was no longer lost.

"We'll keep going together, Keith. From now 'til forever... we're one, the five of us."

"...Yeah!"

As long as we kept these feelings close, someday, we'd see Neal again...

I looked back at everyone in the prison.

The heroes' dream that dwelled in everyone's hearts. To make it shine once more.

"...Hey, guys. My brother found some food! Let's eat!"

I, Zeke Pennywort, began to connect the pieces of my dream.