#i‘m only like 70-something chapters in

[tchutomu]

so.

[eternalglitch]

Hello!! I‘ve been wondering about a little something and since another ask was asking smth similar, I thought to just write this. I lovee LFLS a lot and it was the very first fanfic I have ever read and boiii did it push me into a hole, I regret nothing. After reading LFLS and then watching the show bc your fanfic just got me curious I understood in what way Leo was mirroring Lou Jitsu‘s situation about being held captive in the battle nexus and I thought „wow, like father like son, I get it“, but then you released the chapter where Draxum dressed Leo in his colours and he became Green and I think when Green first encountered the other turtles, Raph was mistaking him for Draxum bc of the clothes and I just sat there SHOCKEDDD because Draxum is their creator and later on (to Mikey at least) their father in the show and it got me wondering if you meant to connect the saying like father like son to both Lou Jitsu AND Draxum??? I‘m very glad to have started my rottmnt journey with LFLS btw, thank you for that!

One of my most common tricks for naming chapters and works is to create a double meaning. 70% of the chapter names are a word or phrase that can apply to multiple characters or situations.

The title is no exception <3 The primary meaning is between Splinter and Leo, which is perhaps very early foreshadowing as to some events in the story, but it's definitely not the only intended meaning.

Surprisingly, the reading with Green and Draxum seems to be the more common one though lol but the answer is it's both!

Also first fanfic title!! What an honor hehe

[beardedhandstoadshark]

Just beat Fire Emblem Blazing Blade kinda Deathless (after only playing FEH and Fates before)

LOBSTER LORD IS OUT GREAT LORD IS IN HECTOR MY MAN MY GUY MY MVP

Like 40 people worked on this game. Most things were made by 2 people max. The translator list is longer than any of the other categories. Wth

Main Trio, your honor I love them. It is VERY rare for me to care about main characters of a game but these guys man

Which is also very evil because I know this game is a prequel to Blazing Blade and looking at the versions of Hector I have in FEH I‘m like 95% sure this man kicked the bucket. Rip King

Given that the amount of main character dads I’ve seen survive till the end so far is a total of zero, and looking at the versions of Elliwood I have in FEH I‘m like 60% sure he’s also gonna kick the bucket. Rip King

Elliwood Hector Support B is the funniest thing in this entire game. Support A is the most evil thing in this entire game if those 95% are right ;-;

Meanwhile Lyn casually quit her job dumped it on Hector and went back to live in the plains. Good for her tbh, Long Live the Queen

I do love how Lyn and Hector went from not liking each other to being basically gremlins around each other. Character development lol

The support system is kinda whack ngl, it takes 80 points per level and even the closest characters only grow 3 each turn. I did most chapters in around 10-15 rounds, had to grind for 70 turns in a chapter just to get any supports

Eliwood‘s other stats might suck but at least his rizz is maxed out it seems

The romance really ain’t hitting it if you already got that A support bromance and B support to complete the Main Gang Trio

Hey Rebecca doesn’t look like she wants to devour my soul anymore! Nice

Where did the horse come from. Whose horse did the Heaven Seal steal. Is the horse magic. What

Something about noted redhead Eliwood‘s ancestor having Marth-blue hair just feels very very wrong

I don’t even go here but. Old men Yaoi. Perhaps Ancient men yaoi, even

Whenever a character tells you that you should let them talk to someone and maybe they’ll stop to fight, it works. Since the beginning of the game, and even with characters who wanted to see you dead chapters before. And then it doesn’t.

I had to load a save state because Nino died that very same move.

Ouch. Very good scene for character showing. But ouch.

When you defeat the final chapter main enemies they gain color back and smile before closing their eyes and despawning. Stoooop T-T

I didn’t take Nino into that battle because wow she’s underleveled but. I bet there would’ve been extra dialogue if she kills a certain 2 guys. Or there should’ve been if there isn’t.

How those particular enemies were made + the permanent death mechanic = some PRIME source for angst. Bonus points if it’s one of the characters who get special reactions from other folks when they die, like Rath or Markus

Are we sure FEH Rebecca isn’t actually a Morph of the original person out for Summoner‘s quintessence. It would explain her eyes

You can’t just give pirate guy a quiet scene promising his captain to come back save only to then say in the after credits he probably died protecting him and no way to get the body. What the heck Intelligent systems

They’re OLD oh wow that color looks really bad on Eliwood. I can see why they slapped Roy’s palette on him. Though now it kinda reads like Eliwood‘s got his main character rights revoked lmao

BABY ROY. PRECIOUS BEAN GOT EVEN PRECIOUSER

SCREW YOU ZEPHIEL HECTOR KILLED LIKE 15 PEOPLE TO SAVE YOUR SORRY BUTT AND THIS IS (with a 95% likelihood) THE THANKS ;-;

Hector ily but I am NOT replaying 17 chapters that I all already played with you just because chapter 11 is apparently unique

And once again the titular item is barely present for a single chapter or two in this entire game only to justify said title lmao

Why does this thing keep changing locations anyways. And it’s always near the places where apocalypses involving dragons happen. Y’all maybe the Fire Emblem is cursed

Tldr good game very fun

[ecofinisher]

The Adventures of Super Nathan 4 - Chap 2

Chapter 2

https://archiveofourown.org/works/29003949/chapters/71391201

https://www.wattpad.com/1018609843-the-adventures-of-super-nathan-4-chapter-2

The class was now in the break playing with each other in small groups. Most of the parents stood together with other parents watching their children play and chatted along with each other.

Nathaniel hung out with Luka, Ivan, Kagami, Rose, and Jin on the stairs observing their offspring play tag with another. Ivan held out his smartphone in his hands to watch the kids thought it and took a few snapshots of them running and showed it to Nathaniel, which nodded.

„Who would have thought one day we would sit together years after we finish school and watch our own offsprings play with each other?“ Luka asked looking at the friend group, which nodded at Luka‘s comment.

„I wasn‘t for myself expecting it so early, but I gotta admit it gives me such a great feeling to see Elliot run there along with the others,“ Kagami stated watching Elliot crash against Rouven, which was laughing afterward Rouven began to haunt the blonde laughing along with him, making Kagami smile enchanted. „Adrien blessing me with this cute, little boy was the best thing he could have done,“ Kagami mentioned earning a nod from Ivan.

„Did you really have to give up your education to be able to be around Elliot?“ Ivan questioned looking at the Japanese woman, which shake her head.

„No, I was able to repeat the next semester on the other year. I just didn‘t want to be less present in Elliot‘s life as I would be along with Adrien gone at the uni. I left the university to be at home with him, later on, Gabriel opened for me a 70% workload to be working at the office along with him and Emilie,“

„At least it‘s something good,“ Ivan commented.

„How‘s is every one of you doing?“ Kagami questioned. „So far I only know about Lila and Nathaniel. What are you doing Rose?“

„I opened the hair salon along with Juleka, Jean, Aurore, and Marc,“ Rose mentioned. „We cut everyone‘s hair and Jean and Juleka also know how to barber. Every man can get for 7 bucks a new hair cut. Depending on what else we do it gets another price,“ Rose explained.

„What would Nath pay for his haircut?“ Luka asked placing his hand behind Nathaniel‘s head watching Nathaniel grab Luka‘s hand to pull it down.

„Hey, I like my hair the way it is,“ Complained the redhead making Luka snicker.

„Sure you do, babyface,“ Luka joked.

„Says the one who has the face shaved,“ Nathaniel countered making Luka grin.

„You know I just shave my face out of hygienic reasons, right?“ Luka commented making Ivan chuckle at their argument.

„Are you two really going to talk about shaving right now?“ Questioned the tall man.

„Don‘t worry Ivan, if Lila was here the conversation would have turned awkward in the next five seconds,“ Kagami mentioned making Ivan chuckle.

„She really would,“ Luka agreed making Nathaniel frown.

„Hey you two are talking about my wife,“ Nathaniel commented watching Luka slap his friend on the back.

„Don‘t worry, we‘re not meaning to offend,“ Luka assured, then his phone began to ring and he got up to attend the call and walk towards the exit.

„Do you still work in the retirement home, Nathaniel‘s dad is living?“ Rose questioned earning a nod from the raven-haired man.

„Yeah. I don‘t feel like anything has changed at all except for Cody growing up,“ Ivan mentioned.

„This year was tough for me and Nathalie. We were all on our own and we only managed to visit my mom every second week. Lila was the entire time out in Italy during the recording of the series. Lila‘s luck now was, that the role she got as a protagonist will mainly play in Paris and just the first season takes place in Italy. Soon she will be here and we‘ll be able to see her more often,“

„Wish I could see her today, but we‘re going to have dinner with my parents and we won‘t be able to come,“ Rose mentioned earning a nod from the redhead.

„It‘s okay you can visit us any other day,“ Nathaniel added making the blonde nod.

„I may bring her one of the coupons my frequent guests usually receive at Christmas. In case she wants to color her hair back,“

„I think she likes having black hair so far,“ Nathaniel mentioned. „But it‘s not a bad idea either,“

„Good,“ Rose agreed, then watched Nathaniel take out his smartphone as he heard it receiving a message and he opened it to see it was sent by Ivan, that showed his son along with Luka‘s running. Nathaniel gave a thumb up, then opened his gallery to send the previous picture he took during class to the chat Ivan was in along with 14 other students from his class. Ivan replied with a thumb up followed by Marinette beginning to type down a message.

„Aww my little Prince,“ Marinette commented with several hearts beside it.

Mrs. Donner passed across the court of the elementary school with a plateau with middle-sized and small cups of coffee and stopped by the adults on the stair to offer them a drink.

„Is anyone interested in a coffee or an espresso?“ Questioned the teacher earning a nod from all students, except for Nathaniel and the teacher bowed down at the adults so each of them could take a drink.

„Ivan remember the first time my friend Paulo offered Adrien a cigarette to smoke?“ Luka questioned earning a nod from the tall man.

„Oh yes I do,“ Ivan responded with a laughter. „Why did he want to do that again?“

„He said something about it would make him more manly,“ Luka mentioned. „Really?“ Nathaniel asked. „I would have never done that,“

„I understand you,“

„Hey what‘s the next lesson in the schedule?“ Ivan questioned. „Was it Math?“ The raven-haired man asked earning a nod from the teacher.

„Yes, it is. Don‘t worry. It‘s very simple for them,“ Mrs. Donner said watching Luka elbow Nathaniel on his arm.

„You‘ll be able to tell Nathalie the difference between a plus and a minus, right?“ Luka joked making Nathaniel frown.

„Are you kidding me?“ Questioned Nathaniel making Luka chuckle. „Of course I do,“

„That‘s great, but you don‘t need to worry about if anything isn‘t understandable for you to explain to your daughter when needed. The school is here to help her out, when she needs it,“ Mrs. Donner explained earning a nod from Nathaniel.

„Your group seems quite close I have noticed. Were you in the same class before?“ Questioned the woman earning a nod from Luka.

„Well I was a class ahead of them, but I knew Nathaniel and Ivan from the elementary school. Rose was my sister‘s childhood friend and they‘re together now and I‘m married to Marinette, who attended the same class as Nathaniel and Ivan,“

„Okay and I think I‘ve seen you in some magazines along with the former teeny model Adrien Agreste, right?“ Questioned the teacher earning a nod from the blue-haired woman. „I remember starting university and see your first image with him,“

„Oh yes….I think it was with our sponsors for the fencing tournament or a paparazzi shoot,“ Kagami mentioned. „I‘m not really fond of photoshoots so I‘m sort of lost in the ones I attended with him,“

„It‘s no issue. I will move further to the next parents. See you all in the classroom again,“

„Is anyone of you going to eat at home?“ Ivan questioned. „I‘m not sure if I can make it to cook something quick for Cody only,“

„My mom offered me to pass by her house for lunch with Rouven. If you want I can ask her if she could make space for you two,“ Luka offered. „Nathaniel, you‘re also interested?“ Questioned the raven-haired man his short friend.

„I was planning in stopping at the restaurant down the Louvre, but if you don‘t mind it, I could go with you,“ Responded the redhead.

„Great, I will just make the call,“ Luka stated getting up from the stairs to search his mother‘s phone number to call her.

„Has Adrien actually have a plan B, if he fails again at the exam?“ The blonde woman asked watching Kagami take a sip of her espresso.

„I didn‘t ask him anything about it, cause I don‘t want him to feel negative about it or that I think negatively about his performance later on the exams. I think after we know the results we can see later. Maybe he‘ll get luckier this time and we won‘t need a plan b,“

„Wee, when he passes this means he will once more be distant from all of you again. How are you able to deal with that?“ Questioned Rose.

„Well, we may get used to that. If there‘s something changing between all of us I ask Adrien if we can find out a solution to this. We will wait first,“

„Don‘t let Adrien miss all the memorable moments he can experience with Elliot throughout his life. How many men or even women miss the most important parts of their kids' life, just because they're hoping to provide them a better life?“

„Oh Rose don't‘ worry. I and Adrien are both in this. We promised each other to help each other out,“

„That is good. These coming years are going to be the best ones you‘ll have with him. Believe me,“ Rose spoke earning a nod from the blue-haired woman watching the playing kids.

Adrien sat in the bedroom in front of his desk gazing into the book he was using to study. Plagg, his kwami sat on top of a shelf over the desk, which contained various named files watching the blonde learn for the exam.

„Why didn‘t you go together with Elliot and Kagami to the first school day?“ Plagg questioned. „You would be only the morning there,“

„I need to focus on Friday, Plagg,“ Warned the blonde.

„I know you do, but you could have been present there like Kagami or at least for an hour or two,“

„I could, but I couldn‘t. I will make it up for him tonight anyway by watching that movie with him they didn‘t finish yesterday,“ Adrien mentioned picking up the smartphone, which lied at the edge of his table counting the amount of minutes he‘s been studying, which were at 135. „I‘m not sure when exactly we will watch it thought. I would prefer in the afternoon rather than after dinner,“

„Wouldn‘t you want it after dinner?“ Questioned Plagg. „You know so that he can straight off go to bed or get ready for it?“

„I don‘t know…..Well it could come the case that he has homework to do and I believe it‘s better for him to do them right after school. Or he should do it the way he feels is better for him. I used to hear from Kim or Ivan, that they had the need to do something after school before working on the homework first,“

„Eating first always is a good option,“ Commented the black kitten earning a nod from Adrien, which looked back at his smartphone as he heard it vibrate then pressed on the home button to lighten up the display and see a message from his wife, then he sighed.

„Oh damn it, the surprise party,“ Adrien commented leaning back on the seat picking up his phone to unlock it.

„Morning Adri. I forgot yesterday about the surprise party we were participating in going to. If you prefer to stay back to study, stay. I‘ll be going there to at least see Lila again. See you later,“

„I promised her to go a long while ago. I‘m not going to skip it,“

„What about the movie?“ Questioned the kwami.

„We‘ll see that later. I‘ll wait until they‘re back,“ Adrien stated beginning to text a message to Kagami. „I prefer to solve it with her, rather than randomly agreeing or disagreeing on it,“

„Sounds quite better than the last few times,“

„That‘s why I chose this way. I‘m lately being so absent that soon or later I will end up being like my dad or worse“

„What your dad was in the past was worse. You‘re just something else…..something that comes before bad,“

„There‘s nothing before bad. I‘m either bad or worse,“

„Okay I know something else. You‘re not perfect and that‘s normal. You‘ll never be perfect, you will just learn how to deal with it. This is a good start, you prefer to discuss with Kagami the issue about Elliot and Lila‘s surprise party you agreed on going months ago. Just talk you two about it and it will get solved in a way or another. Which way you‘ll both agree on remains unknown for now,“

„Sure, I‘ll do it, don‘t worry. Here I need to focus now on the learning,“ Mentioned the blonde shoving the smartphone back to the end of the table, followed by the kwami to sit down on its cover with a piece of cheese on his hands to observe the holder continue his practice for the exam.

[spectraspecs-writes]

Kashyyyk - Chapter 70

Link to the masterpost. Chapter 69. Chapter 71.

@averruncusho @ceruleanrainblues @chubbsmomma thank u for reading you get a tag. @skelelexiunderlord thank u for support you get a tag

A/N: Okay, one more complete chapter to type before I drift into the abyss for another week or so.

-----------------

I think it is! It’s green, and it flashes quickly, accompanied by sounds of the beasts. Four at once, and they aren’t backing down. But before I get close enough to help, he takes out all four himself. Cool.

He turns and sees me. “Ah, the damnable racket of battle!” he swears. He sounds crotchety, but he’s got the same kind of attitude I have, which I love. “Watch yourself, even more of these crawling beasts are hiding in the underbrush.”

“Who are you?” I ask, “You’re not Czerka, are you?” He certainly doesn’t look like Czerka.

“I'm Jolee. Jolee Bindo,” he says, “Follow me to my camp and we'll talk a bit.”

“You use a lightsaber in battle,” Bastila asks him as he starts to head back to his camp, “Are you a Jedi?”

“Ah, don't start fawning just yet, I'm too old for it,” he complains, and then he sighs, “I…I know a few things, but we can talk about it at my camp. Keep close. It's nearby under a log.” He scoffs. “Yeah, I live like some burrowing rodent. I fought the Sith… now look at me. Hmph!”

We follow where he leads. He has a charming little hut-house, and he’s kinds enough to let us in as it starts to rain a little. The rain exacerbates my allergies, so I inject another of Canderous’s stim packs. Jolee huffs a little at that. “Well, welcome to my home,” he says, “such as it is. Pull up a stump and be comfortable. We should discuss a few things.” He offers us some fruit, being a kind host. 

Bastila and Canderous both take the offer in earnest, but I’ve got business on my mind. “No offense,” I say, “I’m sure you know a lot, but I don’t have much time.”

“You'll have nothing but time if you don't take what help you can,” he says gruffly, “I've been here for many years. I know things. Remember that.” He shakes his head and sits down. “My days of glory are behind me, but… perhaps there is something I can do for you. You must have questions.”

“I would like to ask about you,” Bastila asks, “If that’s all right.”

“Ah, what is there to tell?” he says simply, “Jolee Bindo is the crazy old man in the dangerous woods. I'm content with the impression I give.” My kind of guy.

“But you use a lightsaber in battle. You are a Jedi,” Bastila says.

Jolee sighs. “I follow the Jedi Way and I command the Force, yes, and I suppose that makes me as much a Jedi as anyone,” he says, sounding almost a little reluctant to admit as much, “… but what of it? Why should being what I am compel me to entertain others with tales of the 'good old days' huh?” Bastia doesn’t quite like his gruff manner. I like it, personally. “I've seen my share of the dark and the light. And frankly, both extremes annoy me. Of course… I have felt the rumblings of change… “

Bastila gets a small smug look on her face. “I can feel the power of the Force within you, old man,” she says - is she… trying to tease him? - “but I do not sense the taint of the Dark Side. I think you are a servant of the light, despite what you claim.”

While Jolee would certainly be understood if he gave her a talking-to, he doesn’t. “Well, I assure you, I see more grey than dark or light. I'm just a stubborn old man, tired of the foolishness of others.” I certainly agree there.

I’m here for a reason, though, and if he knows the area, I’m going to try to get the information I need to finish what I came here to do. “Chuundar, the Wookiee chieftain from R… Ruh-wook…”

“Rwookrroro,” Jolee finishes for me.

“Right, yes, thank you. He sent us after a crazed Wookiee,” I say, “Do you know anything about this Wookiee? Have you seen him?”

“Crazed? Maddened with grief, perhaps, but not crazed,” Jolee says. See, I didn’t think he was crazed, exactly. “I helped him pass to the lower forests where only a Wookiee could follow. Some other matters will determine if you can follow. There is a barrier that… well, we'll talk of that more in a moment.”

He’s a cool dude and everything, but the less time I spend on Kashyyyk the better. “I’m looking for a Star Map, mainly,” I say, “Do you know anything about it?”

He grins. “Now why would you be asking about that, hmm? Don't answer. I knew that had to be why you were here. The problems of a few Wookiees don't amount to anything before the concerns of the Jedi.” Now, that’s not fair. If I wasn’t allergic to this planet I would do everything I could to help the Wookiees. I’m just in mild agony and have been for several hours. “No,” he finishes, “you are here for the map.

“Kashyyyk is an interesting place, more so than anyone suspects. If Czerka Corporation knew,” he says with an ironic laugh, “the planet would be a strip mine.” Doubtless. Czerka is willing to destroy anything if it gets them a few more credits. “The Wookiees have their legends that they were not always here, but it is more than that. The trees themselves are strangers.”

Uh… what? “That sounds fascinating,” I say, “and I would love to hear more, but I’m confused.”

“What I'm saying is that there are literally walls in your way,” he says - and I don’t exactly see how that relates to the trees being strangers, but okay, “and you won't find what you need without my help. And my help has a price.” Of course it does. “You must do a task for me, and then allow me to join with you. I will then remove certain barriers in your path.”

“Oh, hell, no,” Canderous protests, “The port quarters are crowded enough as it is. You want to add a cryptic old man to your current entourage of a Wookiee, a Mandalorian, and your Republic boyfriend?”

“Canderous, Carth is not my boyfriend.”

He laughs. “You know what they say about people who protest too much.”

“Leave her alone, Canderous,” Bastila says, gently smacking him. She smiles at him but she doesn't like his suggestion any more than I do. “I’m sure we can accommodate you, Jolee.”

“Glad to have you aboard,” I say, “So what’s the task?”

“I’m glad you asked,” Jolee says, “Since they began expanding in the Shadowlands, the Czerka have left me alone, for the most part. Until recently, anyway. A group of them set up camp not far from here.” He scoffs. “Poachers, is all they are. I'd like them removed from this place.”

And this is supposed to be a difficult task? I’d chase the Czerka away for fun. “So you want me to get some kids off your lawn,” I say teasingly.

He takes the joke and returns it. “Yes, yes, I’m an old man that’s getting fussy,” he says, “Call me foolish if you will, I don’t care.”

“Perish the thought,” I say, “I’d do this just for fun. Czerka has absolutely no respect for the native environment or animals, I‘m sure they’re threatening the wildlife and the ecosystem balance, and I know some of the Wookiees hate the idea of them being down here.” Gorwooken expressed as much, and I get the impression he’s not alone. “Out of idle curiosity, though, if you want them gone so badly, why haven’t you gotten rid of them yourself?”

“Don't talk back to your elders, child,” he says, teasing a bit, “Look, they know me quite well, and are always on alert when I approach. The only way I could get rid of them would be violence, which would eventually lead to trouble for the Wookiees.” I can see that. The Wookiees know he’s down here. If he removes Czerka, Czerka may ask why they haven’t removed him. Any hint of conflict could exacerbate this whole situation. “I want them gone,” Jolee continues, “but with as little fuss as possible. They have already caused enough trouble as it is.

“Their camp is in the far northeast,” he says, “And remember, if I wanted them dead, I'd have done it myself. Find a better way.”

“Gladly,” I say, “I don’t like Czerka any more than you do. I’d love nothing more than to get them all off this planet.”

“Well, you can start with the poachers,” he says with a smile, “Go on, now. Shoo! Shoo!”

Ah, he’s not so tough as all that. Despite the rain picking up, I still head out. Bastila and Canderous reluctantly follow me out into the wet. The moss glows brighter in the rain, and helps guide me close to where the Czerka poachers are hanging out. It’s dark, but my eyes adjust quickly to the low light. And I’m honestly enjoying myself. This is the closest I’ve gotten to my old scouting lifestyle in months, and I was starting to miss it. The days when water was scarce so the closest you got to a shower were rain storms like this one. When you kept lights low at night so as not to disturb the local environment too much, and to keep unwanted attention away from you. When what you ate was what you could kill, harvest, salvage, or store for months at a time, and you never took more than you needed. You were only a guest. You lived off the land, surveyed, gathered information, traded with any locals you found, learned their methods for surviving. I was with a Republic-aligned corps - not in the same field as the soldiers but I followed some of the same rules - but when we met up with Mandalorian squads, Hutt-funded expeditions, or even Sith corps, there was never much conflict between us. It wasn’t worth it. We were all at the mercy of the planet, the changing conditions. Would we ever keep information to ourselves? Yeah, of course, but nothing that would risk anyone’s lives. We’d keep shortcuts, or secluded resources to ourselves - I know about a hot spring on Utapau I’ve only told a few people about - but if my group ever came across another, we’d trade stories and tips, advice about where to camp, what to eat, who the natives were. Much as I hate Czera, their scouts were even tolerable. For them, Czerka was just an employer, not a way of life. Czerka may have funded their trips and asked for reports, but their reports were no different than mine. They may have had Czerka gear, but when it broke down they made do and improvised the same as I did. They were there to explore, provide reconnaissance for whoever paid the bills, just like me. I tried not to think about the fact that their information would lead to the leeching of a planet. 

But Czerka scouts and Czerka yes-men are two different types of people. It’s not hard to find the camp of these Czerka poachers. All the light hurts my eyes. The moss doesn’t glow. It looks a bit sickly. There are no tachs here, no beasts of any kind. When an animal starts to approach, it shrieks painfully and runs away. And for any that aren’t deterred, there are mines. They have tarps set up over some of their equipment, keeping it dry. And beyond the small camp, I can make out… something. A massive force field. Must be the barrier Jolee was talking about.

Something hurts my ears. Gives me a headache. Not the allergies, but I can ignore it well enough. There are four Czerka grunts and one with a hat - only bosses get the hats. And the boss comes up to me with his blaster. “Who are you, another civil merchant like that core-slime up on the docking ring?” he asks derisively. Rude-ass bitch. “This is my territory. I don't make deals and I don't persuade easily, so go back topside. Mess with my profits and I'll see you dead.”

What a jerk. Is a poacher incapable of being a nice person? “Are you going to stop me? You’ll need more than a blaster to do that.”

He rolls his eyes. “Look, I don't care if you want to play tourist down here, but you behave yourself or we'll have a problem. I've got a job to do, and I won't be gentle if you get in my way, understand?”

Geez, okay, fine. I’ll get out of your way. I’m not going to get anywhere with him. And I don’t want to. He moves away and I go past him, further into the camp. I hunker down under one of the tarps set up. (There’s an open plasteel cylinder with only one thing in it, some animal organs. I have to assume they’re tach glands. It doesn’t smell, so I reach in and grab it before anyone notices. There we go, I got the tach gland for Griff and possibly inconvenienced some Czerka asshole. All in a day’s work.)

Under the tarp is a piece of equipment with a slowly rotating head. Weird, wonder what it does. I would start messing with it, but one of the Czerka grunts is standing close to it, I don’t want to tip him off. I try to read him, see what I can see. There’s a patch on his jacket, or rather a spot where a patch has been removed. The shape is distinctive, because I’ve seen it so many times before. That’s the shape of the patch Czerka scouts wear. Which means I’m cut from the same cloth as this guy. “Hey,” I say to him, “you a scout?”

He seems surprised to see me or hear me. “Used to be,” he says, “But then Czerka decided my skills would be more valuable here.” He scoffs at that. Yeah, you can’t get rid of the scouting bug. We’re not happy sitting still. “You?”

“Yeah,” I say, “Republic corps. They called me in to the fleet, put me on a ship. I hated it.”

“Not on that ship anymore.”

“Yeah, Sith blew it up,” I say, “But then I met a Jedi, one thing led to another, and here I am.”

He looks impressed. “How’s Jedi life treating you?” he asks, “I bet you don’t miss roughing it.”

“I do sometimes,” I tell him honestly, ”Jedi aren’t really explorers. I miss exploring. Dropping down on a planet and going where the wind takes me. How about you?”

He drops his blaster to his side, relaxed. “I wish I could be here as a scout, honestly,” he says, “I’d love to explore down here, see what’s hiding in these trees, Can I tell you something? Scout to scout?” I nod, and he comes close. “I hate what Commander Dern has us doing. He’s in the tach harvesting business, selling their glands to make stims.”

“You could put in for a transfer,” I suggest.

“Yeah, sure,” he says sarcastically, “And risk them sending me to one of their corporate offices? No way. At least here I get fresh air in my lungs.”

“Maybe you could ask about being stationed to the docks,” I say, “Out of the Shadowlands.”

“That’d be a lot easier if there weren’t operations down here,” he says, “I wouldn’t say this to anyone else, they wouldn’t get it, but these emitters take all the fun out of being down here.”

“Emitters?”

“Yeah,” he says, tapping the spinning-head device with his foot, “this stupid thing. This and those other three generate a sonic barrier that allows us to stay down here. It keeps the big predators away, mostly katarns.” Must be those big things Jolee was fighting earlier. “I don’t know how it works, really. I just know that if they go down, the camp would be overrun. They’re permanent, too - these things will run for years. They say it makes harvesting easier. Personally, I think they should just equip it with a blaster and station us all somewhere else.”

“Hang on, let me get this straight,” I say, “The emitters keep you safe down here. What would happen if someone… shut it down? Theoretically speaking, of course.”

He gets a little grin on his face, and reaches discreetly into his pocket. Then he says, a little louder, “These emitters can only be programmed with a special code, specific to each emitter. I would never share my emitter’s code.” He says, while handing me a small programming strip. Then he whispers, “Thanks,” and turns away from me. With that strip, shutting the emitter off is simple. Now my headache lessens - it must be these emitters that are hurting me.

“Well done, Rena,” Bastila says, “How did you know he was a scout?”

“I recognized a patch spot on his jacket,” I say, “Czerka makes all their scouts wear a certain patch. I got to know that patch pretty well after all the years I spent scouting.”

It doesn’t take much persuasion to get one of the other guards to give me his code, too (admittedly for different reasons - this one just really didn’t like waking up every morning to find a tach in his tent), and with just two emitters down, the field deactivates. It doesn’t hurt my ears anymore. Shouldn’t take too long before…

“Run! Run!” the commander shouts, as a small group of katarns overtakes the camp. And just like that, the poachers are gone.

[salt-is-a-terrible-currency]

92 Truths

Rules: Write 92 truths about yourself then tag 25 people

I was tagged by @pagan-raider :)

LAST…

[1] drink Water

[2] phone call My boyfriend

[3] text message My mother

[4] song you listened to Heathen by 21 pilots

[5] time you cried Last week

HAVE YOU EVER…

[6] dated someone twice No, I’ve only dated three people. One I never want to see again, one I only went on one date with and the third I‘m still together with

[7] been cheated on Not as far as I know

[8] kissed someone and regretted it Yes

[9] lost someone special Yes

[10] been depressed No, I’ve never been diagnosed with depression. There’s been times when just everything has been shitshitshitty but it feels wrong to say that it was depression since I don’t actually know

[11] gotten drunk and thrown up Gotten drunk once, never thrown up

LIST 3 FAVOURITE COLORS:

[12] Green

[13] Purple

[14] Brown

IN THE LAST YEAR HAVE YOU…

[15] made new friends Yes

[16] fallen out of love No

[17] laughed until you cried Yes

[18] found out someone was talking about you Yes

[19] met someone who changed you No

[20] found out who your true friends are There’s a person that I’ve thought of as a true friend for a couple of years, and this last year has only made me more sure that I’m right. I’ve also discovered a few “friends” who don’t really give a shit about me.

[21] kissed someone on your facebook list Yes

GENERAL…

[22] how many of your facebook friends do you know in real life All except one

[23] do you have any pets No, but I really want a dog

[24] do you want to change your name At least not my last name, I really like it.

[25] what did you do for your last birthday I had a cold, but that didn’t stop my extended family from invading my small apartment. So I spent the day trying not to sneeze as I prepared coffee and fika

[26] what time did you wake up around 7.30 am

[27] what were you doing at midnight last night I was either watching Iron Fist or writing on the new chapter of Keeping promises

[28] name something you cannot wait for Vikings season 5, Game of Thrones season 7

[29] when was the last time you saw your mother We had dinner today

[30] what is one thing you wish you could change about your life Heh, a lot of things: ranging from my body to where I live. It really changes from day to day

[31] what are you listening to right now Well, I have netflix movie open on my tablet  but I’m not really paying attention to it

[32] have you ever talked to a person named tom Yes, I had a really good friend named Tom in kindergarten

[33] something that is getting on your nerves People that pat me on the head and call me adorable. I’m really short and apparantly that means people don’t have to take anything I say seriously

[34] most visited website tumblr and vk.se (local newspaper)

[35] elementary Yes, I went there and I hated it

[36] high school Yes, I went there and I did pretty well

[37] college I’m going to university now. I have a mix of psychology, medical and linguistic courses

[38] hair color Natural dark blonde, but I dye it a sort of copperish red

[39] long or short hair Long

[40] do you have a crush on someone Does it count as a crush if you’re already together and have been so for the past 2 years?

[41] what do you like about yourself Ummmm...

[42] piercings Only in my ears, but I wear earrings so seldom that I might actually not be able to get one through now

[43]blood type I have no idea

[44] nickname I’ve never really had one

[45] relationship status In a relationship

[46] zodiac sign Gemini

[47] pronouns She/her

[48] fav tv show Vikings, Game of Thrones, Brooklyn Nine Nine

[49] tattoos No. I kind of want one but I’m having a hard time deciding what so I feel like I should wait until I’m a bit more certain

[50] right or left hand Right

FIRST…

[51] surgery Never had any

[52] piercing Ears

[53] best friend Seyla

[54] sport Floorball

[55] vacation Greece

[56] pair of trainers I don’t remember

RIGHT NOW…

[57] eating Nothing

[58] drinking Water

[59] i’m about to Write some super fluffy Vikings stuff and maybe also some really angsty Vikings stuff

[60] listening to Some weird comedy on netflix

[61] waiting for My boyfriend to finish his schoolwork

[62] want So many things

[63] get married Maaaaaybe in a few years. Definitely not right now

[64] career I study and I work extra in the elderly care

WHICH IS BETTER…

[65] hugs or kisses Depends on the moment

[66] lips or eyes Eyes

[67] shorter or taller Taller

[68] older or younger Usually older, but not always

[70] nice arms or nice stomach Tough one, but I’ll go with stomach

[71] sensitive or loud Both, both is good

[72] hook up or relationship Relationship, I don’t think I would be able to handle a hook up

[73] troublemaker or hesitant Troublemaker

HAVE YOU EVER…

[74] kissed a stranger? No

[75] drank hard liquor? Once or twice

[76] lost glasses/contact lenses? Yes, contacts

[77] turned someone down Yeah

[78] sex on first date? Once. It was so fucking awkward. Never again

[79] broken someone’s heart? Not intentionally. I’ve been told that I’m completely oblivious to when people are flirting with me, so maybe by accident?

[80] had your own heart broken Yes

[81] been arrested? No

[82] cried when someone died? Yes

[83] fallen for a friend? No

DO YOU BELIEVE IN…

[84] yourself? That changes like every day

[85] miracles? This could turn into a really long answer so I’m just gonna leave it be

[86] love at first sight? No, not for me at least

[87] Santa Claus? No

[88] kiss on the first date? Maybe

[89] angels? No

OTHER…

[90] current best friend’s name Hilda

[91] eye color Green/brown

[92] favorite movie V for Vendetta

I tag @whenimaunicorn, @mizzvengenz6661, @devilrydaily, @madd-maddy, @squirrelacorngliterfarts and @anniemar

And, as usual, ignore me if you’ve already been tagged :)

[monelsass]

92 truths

rules: once you have been tagged you are supposed to write 92 truths about yourself. at the end, choose however many people you want to tag!

I was tagged by the lovely @kardanvers

LAST…

[1] drink: tea [2] phone call: my mom [3] text message: my friend Ashtyn [4] song you listened to: Dynasty [5] time you cried: 2 days ago watching the Grimm finale

HAVE YOU EVER…

[6] dated someone twice: no [7] been cheated on: nope [8] kissed someone and regretted it: yeahh [9] lost someone special: yes  [10] been depressed: rip yes [11] gotten drunk and thrown up: no

LIST 3 FAVOURITE COLOURS: [12] purple [13] blue [14] green

IN THE LAST YEAR HAVE YOU… [15] made new friends: hell yeah :) [16] fallen out of love: I haven’t been in love in the last couple years lol [17] laughed until you cried: yes :) [18] found out someone was talking about you: unfortunately [19] met someone who changed you: possibly? [20] found out who your true friends are: to an extent [21] kissed someone on your facebook list: idk? no?

GENERAL… [22] how many of your tumblr friends do you know in real life: none lol they’re all from different countires rip [23] do you have any pets: no but I might be getting a kitten soon [24] do you want to change your name: I did before but now not so much [25] what did you do for your last birthday: I had a sweet 16, my parents organized a party [26] what time did you wake up: like 12pm (I sleep in on saturdays)  [27] what were you doing at midnight last night: watching reisdent evil:the final chapter [28] name something you cannot wait for: me to get my life on track lmao what a joke [29] when was the last time you saw your mother: this morning [30] what is one thing you wish you could change about your life: so many things (mostly money) [31] what are you listening to right now: the latest episode of up and vanished (a super solid murder podcast) [32] have you ever talked to a person named tom: yes [33] something that is getting on your nerves: so many things [35] elementary: standard public school [36] high school: I go to an early college school [37] college: I’m a junior in HS rn lol [38] hair colour: black [39] long or short hair: long [40] do you have a crush on someone: not rn [41] what do you like about yourself?: I like to think I’m nice [42] piercings: just my earlobes [43] blood type: ab+ [44] nickname: arias, aries, cereal, turtle, giraffe [45] relationship status: single [46] zodiac sign: libra [47] pronouns: she/her [48] fav tv show: literally so many. I’ve been really feelin supergirl and riverdale lately tho [49] tattoos: none [50] right or left handed: right

FIRST… [51] surgery: I don’t think I’ve ever had one? I have really bad memmory so idk [52] piercing: my ears when I was 7 [53] best friend: Fatema [55] vacation: when I was 5 I think? I vistied my home country over the summer [56] pair of trainers: literally no clue

RIGHT NOW… [57] eating: nothing but I’m super hungry so I might make a sandwich [58] drinking: water [59] i’m about to: make a sandwich, finish my application, dry my hair [60] listening to: up and vanished [61] waiting for: someone to give me a million dollars  [62] want: so many things but mostly money lol [63] get married: I‘m only 16 lmao (but would still marry Chris Wood, I wouldn’t mind sharing him with Melissa she owns my ass too) [64] career: psychologist or a forensic scientist

WHICH IS BETTER… [65] hugs or kisses: it really depends, but probably hugs [66] lips or eyes: eyes [67] shorter or taller: taller [68] older or younger: older [69] romantic or spontaneous: both [70] nice arms or nice stomach: both  [71] sensitive or loud: both [72] hook up or relationship: relationship [73] troublemaker or hesitant: idk??

HAVE YOU EVER… [74] kissed a stranger? yeah [75] drank hard liquor? nope [76] lost glasses/contact lenses? I wear my glasses 24/7 so no [77] turned someone down: yes [78] sex on first date? not really my thing [79] broken someone’s heart? I’m not entirely sure. maybe [80] had your own heart broken? yes, but it was by my friend [81] been arrested? nope [82] cried when someone died? yes [83] fallen for a friend: unfortunately, but not like, super hard so

DO YOU BELIEVE IN… [84] yourself? not really? kinda? [85] miracles? ehh maybe [86] love at first sight? attraction or lust, yes. but not love [87] santa claus? nah [88] kiss on the first date? as long as I like them sure [89] angels? sorta

OTHER… [90] current best friend’s name: Fatema [91] eye colour: brown [92] favourite movie: idkk I have like so many and I forget half of them haha

I’m tagging: @karadavers @tomcavanugh @superkaramels      @onedirectionxclusive @karamelforever @luckilyiam + anyone else who shockingly made it this far and wants to do this!

[writerinthedarkabyss]

all the 'lets get personal' qs plz?!

 Did you mean this post? If so, well damn alright people, buckle up.

 1: 6 of the songs you listen to most?

This changes every week but right now on my phone it says, 1)If I Had A Million by Fink 2)Drive by Oh Wonder 3)In The Air Tonight by Phil Collins 4)Rollercoaster by The Bleachers 5)P.I.M.P by 50 Cent 6)Falling by Opia

2: If you could meet anyone on this earth, who would it be?

My Great Grandmother on my mom/s side. I’ve heard so much about her and I always wanted to meet her.

3: Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 23, give meline 17.

It may or may not be my Phonetics textbook. “Fricatives are sounds made with a small opening, allowing the air to escape...”

4: What do you think about most?

In all honesty, lately I’ve been thinking about my decisions and if I’m doing things in a way that’s going to help me in the future or am I just wasting my life and time. 

5: What does your latest text message from someone else say?

“Depends you got the answer to a good stress relief, or to my anthropology homework?” 

6: Do you sleep with or without clothes on?

Most of the time, I sleep with them on.

7: What’s your strangest talent?

I don’t know if this counts but I can put both legs behind my head without struggling.

8: Girls… (finish the sentence); Boys… (finish the sentence)

Girls rule, boys drool. No just kidding.

9: Ever had a poem or song written about you?

Not that I know of, although I’ve written poems and sons about people.

10: When is the last time you played the air guitar?

A couple of days ago, I think?

11: Do you have any strange phobias?

Nope, just your average, everyday ones. 

12: Ever stuck a foreign object up your nose?

Uhh, no.

13: What’s your religion?

I’m an Atheist.

14: If you are outside, what are you most likely doing?

Trying to get back inside. No, uhm, probably reading or writing.

15: Do you prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it?

Behind the camera usually,

16: Simple but extremely complex. Favorite band?

Oh god, there’s too many and they change all the time. But for right now Fink, The 1975, Bleachers, Blink 182, Oh Wonder.

17: What was the last lie you told?

This Wednesday, I might have told my mom that class was cancelled but I really didn’t want to go to that class.

18: Do you believe in karma?

Yes, I do.

19: What does your URL mean?

I do a lot of my best writing at night, and “writerinthedark” was already taken. Also my header is from one of my ultime favorite and underrated shows called Farscape. It was something said to the one of the main characters in the show and it holds so much meaning. 

20: What is your greatest weakness; your greatest strength?

21: Who is your celebrity crush?

Uhm, I might be jumping on the bandwagon Noah Centineo. But honestly he’s been my crush long before TATBILB. He was my MCM since The Fosters.

22: Have you ever gone skinny dipping?

Haha nope.

23: How do you vent your anger?

I usually write it out. Either in the form of literal venting or a story/poem.

24: Do you have a collection of anything?

I have a collection of pennies since Canada no longer uses them. I also have about fifteen candles and 150 books, if that counts as a collection? 

25: Do you prefer talking on the phone or video chattingonline?

Video chatting my friends 100%

26: Are you happy with the person you’ve become?

Most days, I like who I am now.

27: What’s a sound you hate; sound you love?

Nails on a chalkboard and crunching snow are awful. I love the sound of crackling fire and rain. 

28: What’s your biggest “what if”?

What if that thing when I was 6 didn’t happen. 

29: Do you believe in ghosts? How about aliens?

Yep, ghosts have to be real. Too big of a global phenomenon for them to not exist. The same sot of thing with Aliens. While I don’ believe that they’re little green men. Do you know how big the entire universe is? I find it very difficult to believe that we are the only planet it the entire universe that holds intelligent lifeforms 

30: Stick your right arm out; what do you touch first? Dothe same with your left arm.

My right arm I‘m touching one of my candles and in my left arm I’m touching my soft body pillow.

31: Smell the air. What do you smell?

Black cherry incense stick that I lit earlier.

32: What’s the worst place you have ever been to?

The depths of my mind at three am during a panic attack.

33: Choose: East Coast or West Coast?

I’m an East Coast girl.

34: Most attractive singer of your opposite gender?

Uhm, I’m drawing a blank right now.

35: To you, what is the meaning of life?

To be happy and leave it in better shape than you found it. 

36: Define Art.

Ahh, getting flashbacks to my Philosophy of Art class. To me, art is anything that someone creates with either and emotional or political message behind it. 

37: Do you believe in luck?

Yes

38: What’s the weather like right now?

It’s finally autumn my favorite season which means it’s raining and cool enough for a sweater right now. 

39: What time is it?

It is currently 11:47pm.

40: Do you drive? If so, have you ever crashed?

I don’t drive yet.

41: What was the last book you read?

For pleasure, I reread “Foxfire: Confessions of a Girl Gang in the 1950′s” by Carol Joyce Oates, which is one of my all time favorite books. But the actual last book I read was Chapter 4 of “The Sounds of Language: An Introduction to Phonetics” for my Phonetics class.

42: Do you like the smell of gasoline?

Nope, I hate it. Although my mother ans brother like it a lot. 

43: Do you have any nicknames?

Cat, Katie, kitty, freak, KitKat

44: What was the last film you saw?

If we’re talking at home, than it was “Serenity”. If we’re talking movie theaters than it was “Little Italy”. 

45: What’s the worst injury you’ve ever had?

I don’t seriously injure myself a lot, I mostly get bruised and little cuts but there was once when I sprained three ligaments in my knee and was on a cane (because I’m a klutz and fell on the crutches they gave me) for three weeks. 

46: Have you ever caught a butterfly?

No, I don’t think so. 

47: Do you have any obsessions right now?

Not that I can think of. 

48: What’s your sexual orientation?

I’m cis and straight.

49: Ever had a rumour spread about you?

Yep, quite a lot actually. 

50: Do you believe in magic?

Hell yeah. 

51: Do you tend to hold grudges against people who have doneyou wrong?

For the most part no. Life is too short for that shit.

52: What is your astrological sign?

I am the first day of Virgo.

53: Do you save money or spend it?

I try to save it but I usually spend it,

54: What’s the last thing you purchased?

Prime example, I just bought my mom and I matching cat pajamas. 

55: Love or lust?

Love.

56: In a relationship?

Actually yeah, two months today.

57: How many relationships have you had?

Okay, if we’re talking “relationships” like “something more than friends” then 6.If we’re talking actual relationships 3.

58: Can you touch your nose with your tongue?

Nope, I have a really short tongue,

59: Where were you yesterday?

Downtown at school, my boyfriends, my house.

60: Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?

Yep, there’s quite a few pink items in my room.

61: Are you wearing socks right now?

Yep, it’s a little chilly 

62: What’s your favourite animal?

Kittens :)

63: What is your secret weapon to get someone to like you?

Use any insecurity that I mention to you in confidence and it will ruin me. 

64: Where is your best friend?

All the way across the country for the next four months. :( She’s visiting her boyfriend but I miss her.

65: Give me your top 5 favourite blogs on Tumblr

I can’t, there’s too many. 

66: What is your heritage?

I am British and Quebecois.

67: What were you doing last night at 12AM?

Watching reruns of “White Collar” with my boyfriend of the couch.

68: What do you think is Satan’s last name?

He has too many.

69: Biggest turn ons?

Back muscles, being engaged and interested in conversations, making me laugh, knowing that I’m someone you want to spend your time with.

70: Are you the kind of friend you would want to have as afriend?

I think so. I always try to treat and act towards others the way I’d want to be treated,

71: You are walking down the street on your way to work.There is a dog drowning in the canal on the side of the street. Your boss hastold you if you are late one more time you get fired. What do you do?

I get fired. Puppy is way more important to me.

72: You are at the doctor’s office and she has just informedyou that you have approximately one month to live. a) Do you tellanyone/everyone you are going to die? b) What do you do with your remainingdays? c) Would you be afraid?

I wouldn’t tell anyone right away. Maybe a week before I’d let other know what’s happening so they could have time to process. I would do as many things on my bucket list as I could. But mostly I’d try and spend as much time I have left with the people I love. I would absolutely be afraid. I spent a little while not wanting to live. Now though, now I don’t want to die, I still have so much I want to do. 

73: You can only have one of these things; trust or love.

Love, I believe that if you love someone and they love you, trust is already in the equation.

74: What’s a song that always makes you happy when you hearit?

2000′s throwbacks are my go to happy songs because they just make me want to move and sing along. 

75: What are the last four digits in your cell phone number?

0024

76: In your opinion, what makes a great relationship?

Trust, honesty, friendship. Being able to make the other person laugh and making them feel and feeling as though you want to spend your time with them.

77: How can I win your heart?

By listening to me and sharing your stupid or deep or random thoughts. Make me feel like I’m important to you and that I make you happy and you’re interested in all parts of my life, not just the good things. 

78: Can insanity bring on more creativity?

Honestly, I feel the most creative when I am holding on to a powerful emotion. I don’t know about insanity, although I can see why people would think that. You’d let go of your inner critic and self doubt in yourself or your work and just create. 

79: What is the single best decision you have made in yourlife so far?

Staying alive.

80: What size shoes do you wear?

I’m a size 8 in shoes.

81: What would you want to be written on your tombstone?

Ya dumb bitch I honestly don’t know. 

82: What is your favourite word?

For some reason all I can think of is pumpernickel. 

83: Give me the first thing that comes to mind when you hearthe word; heart.

Soul.

84: What is a saying you say a lot?

“Fuck a duck” thanks mom. 

85: What’s the last song you listened to?

Promise by Ben Howard just finished playing.

86: Basic question; what’s your favourite colour/colours?

Royal purple and dark blue,

87: What is your current desktop picture?

A picture of my dream book room.

88: If you could press a button and make anyone in the worldinstantaneously explode, who would it be?

I can only pick one person??

89: What would be a question you’d be afraid to tell thetruth on?

The secret I’ve never said to anyone.

90: Turn offs?

Being unhygienic, talking down to others, arrogance 

91: You accidentally eat some radioactive vegetables. Theywere good, and what’s even cooler is that they endow you with the super-powerof your choice! What is that power?

Either telepathy or invisibility. 

92: where are your parents from?

My father is from Quebec and my mother is from England.

 93: You can erase any horrible experience from your past.What will it be?

The thing that still makes me uncomfortable.

94: You have the opportunity to sleep with themusic-celebrity of your choice. Who would it be?

Wow, I really don’t know.

95: You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere. You haveto depart right now. Where are you gonna go?

At the moment, I’d pay for another ticket and go to Kelowna with my mom so she can finally go back there,

96: Do you have any relatives in jail?

Not that I know of. 

97: Have you ever thrown up in the car?

Yep, it was not one of my proudest or best moments. 

98: Ever been on a plane?

Once, when I was very little.

99: If the whole world were listening to you right now, whatwould you say.

I’d quote the Doctor, “Never be cruel, never be cowardly... Remember hate is always foolish, love is always wise. Always try to be nice but never fail to be kind.” 

[beautifullybroken37]

Lust and Other Stuff

Today I had a woman in her 70′s tell me that after being married to her husband for their whole lives basically, he was in his 80′s.. that he still looks at other women. What??? Now I’m not sure where this came from, or why she brought this up to me, but it was almost like some weird type of confession? I dunno it was so bizarre actually. So.. I apologized to her.. sympathizing w/her more or less, but she got very defensive and said back, “well I‘m not b/c he’s a great man & I love him very much.” Well lady, I’m sure he probably is a great guy but let’s face it-- that’s not a great way to make your wife feel. I’ve been there done that w/a couple guys already so I get it. But.. I also know different-- b/c I dated a guy that was smart, sexy, & all that really.. he had it goin’ onnnnn and when we’d go out for sushi in the city with our Groupon coupons b/c we were ballers on a budget, (no shame).. there was always this woman who worked there who was like I dunno? A 20 on the 10 scale and let’s say I’m like a 4, ok? She was so pretty & her body so perfect it almost seemed unfair, lol. She had the kind of beauty that can’t be ignored, her outfits commanded attention, perfect hair, beautiful face, very tight clothing perfect body blah blah blah & I promise you--- he would not even glance. In her direction. It was uuuunbelievable! But to me, that right there is a great example of a man who chose to make it a point to honor and cherish & love his woman and somehow sub-humanely act like this woman wasn’t even in the room besides giving her our order. So I know ladies, there ARE men out there who can do this. Don’t accept anyone telling you that, “oh, that’s just men for ya. All men are the same. Or, “they all do it.” No. No. They actually don’t, all do it. Don’t buy that ticket, don’t take that ride. You don’t have to.

Anyways back to it.. the whole chapter of Matthew 5 is some super good stuff but verses 27-30 really unpacks some serious guidance on this sort of thing. Not being judgmental or super righteous holy roller or whatever, just this is what came to my mind b/c I myself have struggled with lust amongst many, many, many other not-so-pretty things ---did I say many? So anyways, this definitely comes out of a place of love and random thoughts, ok? Ok great.

So the whole shebang is about dealing with adultery in the heart. Here it is:  “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘you shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (here’s where it gets kinda crazy/weird --my personal opinion and interpretation of this part is that it is conveying to us the importance or gravity of how important this is.. but that it is by no means, a literal interpretation) If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

Whoa.

I’m not a huge rule-based person myself, but I do find that while we all have our own vices.. overall those things are easier to follow or try to abide by when the relationship is right. And when the relationship is right, you may not even be aware of the “rules,” (reallllllyyyyy don’t like that word, but forgive me for lack of a better substitute at the moment) but you may find they become enlightening and you may have already been changing your life to be more align w/them, unknowingly, even. And not b/c they’re there to guide us, but bc your heart is changed. God changes us. Not over night, not immediately, some things take longer than others.. but he changes us. And so when I say relationship folks, I’m definitely referring to your walk with the Lord.

Please keep in mind that I used to be absolutely, 100%, --a product of this dark, dark world we live in today. And I thank God for saving me from that, because I sure as heck didn’t deserve it. Nu uh. Nooooo way. Thank God Thank God Thank Goddddddd for His love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, patience... seriously. No one else can ever love you like that. No one. And now I’m just a dirty, rotten sinner saved by Grace but He is doing a good work in me now. I have been saved & nothing can take that away from me.. which is totally awe-some! John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.”

I think I just got way off track there but what’s interesting is He also lays it out for us, as far as how husbands are to treat their wives. Crazy, right? Ephesians 5:25 says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, That He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” ------Ok so this should go without much need for explanation, right? Christ loved the Church more than anything & so if He gave Himself for her, surely we can make an effort in trying to love in relationships more like Christ loved the church, and less like the rest of the world does... no? Given the divorce rates, I’d put my money on our Good Lord and not the way of the world but hey.. as someone once said to me, “you can do what you want, it’s a free world.” And he couldn’t have been more right. I’m not here to judge, I’m not here to convince you of anything.. I’m actually just out here randomly working out my thoughts and feelings bc without paying someone a lot of money to listen to me, I don’t really have anywhere else to go. I talk to God, yes and lots but aside from that what I mean is just that I’m usually the listener. It’s kind of this therapeutic thing for me, in a weird way --getting my random thoughts/feelings/wonderings out there. It’s not like I dwell on this stuff or anything it’s just something I find myself coming back to, so we’ll just see where it goes, I suppose. I think this is my new safe place for awhile. We’ll see.

Anyways back the super-loaded verses we just went through.. I think it’s safe to assume that what our great Teacher is trying to tell us, is that it matters what we look at. It matters what we think about. And so it’d be fair to say that especially in today’s society where sex is selling everything and everywhere, where porn is easily accessible, modesty is now a rarity, & Instagram/Facebook/Snapchat is used as a tool for many to self promote their bodies & filtered faces & fake perfect lives... we have to make an effort, to be different. We have to make an effort to protect what we see when we can and when we are able. And in doing so we can further protect what we think, as those two can easily go hand-in-hand. I don’t know about you, but when I think of how awful it would be to have to pluck my own eyeball out bc I just looked at a hot guy & had a fleeting moment where my body literally changes and you get those butterflies or your upper lip starts to sweat... hahaha I dunno maybe b/c your mind wandered b/c he had a rocking bod’, handsome rugged looks, tight shirt on leaving nothing to the imagination, looking like he just popped out of a GQ magazine and all of a sudden your thoughts are going down this road it really shouldn’t have... but to realize that yes, that IS so bad that you should pluck your own eye out?! How about -- no thanks. It’s not worth it and honestly it’s so empty anyways. Empty. Just turn away fm it. Turn away. Now singing turn arounddddddd... every now and then I get a... wait, wait wrong song, wrong moment. Scratch that.

But we are all human and maybe for some.. you struggle with lust. Another? Gambling. Working out. Prescription drugs. Non-prescription drugs. Shopping. Drinking. Facebooking. Eating.. the list goes on, right? Maybe even something totally weird you’d never think of like, “Can’t stop binge-watching old episodes of Dawson’s Creek.” The point is, we all have our own vices, they just manifest differently in each of our own lives & that’s why it’s so important to stay close to God & to stay in the Word and not the world. It may not be the popular way or the easy way but I promise you. It is the only way. <3