#it just is and I enjoy playing with concepts without worrying about adhering to a specific continuity

[lets-try-some-writing]

"The Titans were gentle beings, knowing neither fear nor pain. For all their power, it was the Primes who cared for them, guarding their innocent sparks." - Thundercracker, Speaker of Trypticon.

A lil bit of lore below the cut.

In my little continuity, the Primes were indeed Primus's firstborn, but they were made from the suffering of their maker as he fought to survive. The Titans though? They were born to give life, made to spread Primus's gifts to all creation. As such, they are naturally gentle and inherently incapable of violence.

They will not fight back if attacked, nor will they rise to the defense of their citizens (although they will provide weaponry and protection in the form of walls and the like). They cannot even comprehend why one would hurt another outside of the natural order of things. It is to the point where those who care for the remaining Titans have labeled them as having the cognitive capabilities of newbuilds. For all their age and wisdom, Titans are, at their core, the only entities in the universe to maintain a sense of innocence all throughout their lives. They hold no anger, no bitterness, and no grudges. Everything, in their optics, will play out as it should.

As such, the Titans have always had guardians to protect them from a reality that would seek to crush them into dust. During the first age, the Primes filled this role. In the modern era, seekers of Vos have taken on the mantle, guarding and speaking on the behalf of the three remaining Titans on Cybertron.

[shinsorokiri]

UA Idol | Chapter Two

Hitoshi Shinsou x Reader

Word Count: 1,539

Warnings: Language, big anxiety, hint at being used

A/N: I am so sorry I forgot to upload last week! It was my birthday last Saturday and... I had a good time haha. But here is chapter two! Okay, so the “original songs” aren’t actually originals, and I put the lyrics in the actual writing because I know that sometimes people can’t listen to the songs recommended for a fic, so yeah. The songs are “Seventeen (Reprise)” by Troye Sivan and “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight” by Birdy. If you wanted to listen while reading, that would be cool, but it’s not required! Either way I hope you enjoy!

UA Idol Masterlist

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“Oh well aren’t you just the cutest little thing!”

“Midnight, please stop calling every single contestant cute.”

“Why don’t you beg me to Aizawa.”

“No.”

“I gotta agree with her on this one, Aizawa. She’s cute.”

“Hawks, could you at least try to be professional.”

“Ha! Funny! Hi there, chickadee!” Hawks winks, and you grin. “Hello.”

“Alright, so give us the run-down of everything, you know name, reason you’re here, all that. I’m sure you’re tired of being asked, but it would be nice if we knew,” Toshinori says, giving you a wide grin. He seems like the most levelheaded out of all of them, but you know just how goofy he can get. Especially when he’s egged on by Midnight and Hawks. “Ah, I’m (F/n) (L/n), I’m here because well, my roommate Mina talked me into it.”

“The girl we just saw?” “Yeah, she didn’t want to audition alone and she knows that I write songs, so she pushed me to audition, mostly because I’ve been kind of out of the music scene for a hot minute because my ex-boyfriend didn’t like that I did it, so this is like diving right back into. Headfirst. Without taking any diving classes,” you say, and Midnight cocks her head to the side. “Ex-boyfriend? Didn’t like that you did music? Why?”

“He said it was childish and that I need to get a job that will actually provide for me, and since he was older than me, he thought he knew everything. And that’s how I ended up working at some boring ass retail job. Oh, sorry I just swore,” you say, covering your mouth with one hand, eyes wide. Luckily, they all (except for Aizawa, no one knows if he actually smiles since he’s never… done it) chuckle at your reaction. “Don’t worry, they can censor it in post-production,” Midnight says as she leans back in her chair. “I see you brought your own guitar, too! how wonderful! I can’t wait to hear what you’ll be singing for us!” Nori says, still smiling at you, and you feel your nerves slip away. Even though they’re literally legends, they’re actually nice. Wild.

“Speaking of, darling, what will you be singing for us?” Midnight asks and you bite your lip. “Well, actually I have an original that I wrote,” you say, and their interests are visibly all piqued by that. “What’s it called?”

“Seventeen.”

“Alright! Whenever you’re ready!”

You give them a small smile before beginning to strum your instrument, quickly changing between chords. You had a longer version to this song, but you were supposed to cut down the song you were auditioning with to a smaller portion. This was the original poem that you wrote and transformed into a song, so you decided to turn that into your audition. Maybe if you get through, you’ll be able to perform the full song.

“I got these beliefs that I think you wanna break,

Got something here to lose that I think you wanna take from me.

You tell me I’m asleep but I wanna be awake,

Got something here to lose that I know you wanna take.

And he said age is just a number, just like any other,

We can do whatever, do whatever you want.

Girl becomes woman now, can’t tell a man to slow down,

He’ll just do whatever do whatever he wants.

Here he comes,

Like he just walked out of a dream

Doesn’t care you’re seventeen

Or maybe he forgot what it means?

Oh, but here he comes.

Here he comes.”

Your playing is flawless, and your voice is on its A-Game today. You finish up the song, finally looking at the judges who are all just... staring at you? Intensely? Is… that bad…? Suddenly, Midnight speaks. “Do you play piano, too?”

“Uh, yeah. Not as well as guitar, but I’m okay at it...”

“Give us another song.”

“What?!”

“(Y/n), no songwriter who writes something like that only has one song. You definitely have another one,” Aizawa says, and you shrug, scratching the back of your neck. “I may have another one...”

“Please, play it for us!” Nori insists, enthusiastically banging on the table like your drunk friend who sees your waiter bringing their food. Ah. There’s the Toshinori Yagi everyone knows and loves. “If you insist,” you say, nervous, but excited to have the opportunity to perform another one of your songs. “What’s this one called?” Aizawa asks as you hand your guitar to a crew member, making your way over to the piano. “Uh… it’s called The District Sleeps Alone Tonight.”

“Interesting name,” Midnight says, grinning at you. “I’m warning you my piano skills are rusty, so this may be really bad,” you tell them, earning a chuckle from Hawks, Nori, and Midnight before you start to play a second song. You play the opening, beginning to sing.

“Smeared black ink.

Your face is ashen, and I'm barely listening,

To last demands.

I'm staring at the asphalt wondering,

What's buried underneath.

Where I am?

Where I am.

I'll wear my badge.

A vinyl sticker with big block letters adherent to my chest.

Tells your new friends,

I am a visitor here,

I am not permanent.

And the only thing,

Keeping me dry is.

Where I am; in this gaudy apartment complex,

Explaining that I am just visiting.

And I am finally seeing,

Why I was the one worth leaving.

D.C. sleeps alone tonight.

D.C. sleeps alone tonight.

In this gaudy apartment complex,

Explaining that I am just visiting.

And I am finally seeing, why I was the one worth leaving.”

All of your songs are sad, but I mean. You’ve been through some shit. Of course, they’re going to be sad. You literally can’t think of the last time you wrote an actual happy love song. You’re always writing, but love is just a foreign concept to you at this point. At least the good parts of love. You were far too familiar with bad parts. You shorten this one as well, cutting it off smoothly. You didn’t play the piano half bad, which was a relief. You stand back up walking to where you were before taking your place at the piano, retrieving your guitar from the crew member. “Were those by chance both about this ex that you mentioned?” Hawks asks, and you nod. “Yeah, he gave me… quite the material to write about,” you say with a small laugh. Before you know it, Midnight has engulfed you in a hug. Damn, she smells good. Since you’re holding your guitar, you only use one arm to hug her back. How did you end up in this position? You never thought the Midnight would ever hug you. Honestly, one of the best feelings. Ever. She smiles at you, squeezing your shoulder before going back to her seat. Oh yeah, I guess both of those songs did kind of confirm some… not so good things about him. Well that makes sense now. “Well, chickadee, I don’t think I can actually judge you. You’re a better songwriter than I’ll ever be.”

“I’m sorry, what did you just say?”

“It hurts me to say it, it really does. But I’m being one hundred percent genuine with you.”

“Did you know you’re actually the first person to ever get his prideful ass to admit that he wasn’t as good at something as someone?” Aizawa says, and you just give a small smile. First, they ask you to sing another one of your original songs, and then Keigo Takami tells you you’re a better songwriter than him? This is all way too much. You expected them to like, maybe say your songs were okay but here you are, receiving extreme compliments. From your literal idols. You’re fine. It’s fine. This is cool. This is normal. “Seriously, though. Your song writing skills are on par with all of ours, if not even better. And your voice is one of the best we’ve heard in the competition so far. Top two material if you ask me. Good job,” Aizawa continues. Okay. No longer fine. This is not cool. This is crazy.

“Also, rusty on the piano my ass!” Midnight exclaims and you laugh. “I think I speak for all of us when I say yes. Anyone want to lie and say I’m wrong?” Nori asks, and your eyes go wide when none of them say anything. You even got Aizawa’s yes? He’s literally there to keep people in check, he barely ever says yes to anyone. And he was saying yes to you? Hawks holds out the ticket with a smirk, and you just stare at it with wide eyes. “Wait… really?”

“Yes, really! Now take it! We’ll see you in Hell Week,” Midnight says, and you walk forward, grabbing the ticket and thanking all of them. As you leave you hear murmurs from them, but only hushed words like “unbelievable” and “amazing.” You walk out of the doors, still shocked, honestly. The first person you see is Mina, and you slowly hold up your ticket. She literally, literally tackles you in a hug. She’s also kinda screaming. And Present Mic joins her. This is what purgatory is, isn’t it?

[nopperabounet]

This took a little longer than anticipated, but hopefully it brings some cheer this weekend for everyone!

Please enjoy this lovely, and very relatable interview with Imai~

音楽と人- PHY vol.15 February 2020 Personal Interview with Imai Hisashi Text by Ishii Eriko Translation by Lola

 First off, how did you find the five "THE DAY IN QUESTION" performances you did throughout the country at the end of the year?

I think they went well. It felt good to do them.

I got to see the Tokyo show. It felt a little strange to me too, maybe because it wasn't at Budoukan.

Because it was our first time playing there, so we had no way of knowing how things will sound. And you know I don't wear an ear monitor either.

What? You don't?

The two guitarists, me and Hide, neither of us had one. So I did wonder how the sound would be. Because  the thing is while I'm super used to how things sound in Budoukan when it comes to a venue, I was also looking forward to performing in Yoyogi even if I was a little nervous about it too. But you know once I was actually there doing it, I wasn't worried about it at all.

Was there a specific reason you refused to wear an ear monitor? Is it because it feels more natural without it when it comes to syncing the sound?

No, I've just . . . . . .never ended up wearing one *smiles*. Because I'm thinking about the songs you know, and if I wear it, then I can't get a good sense of the mood all around me. And then sometimes there's these clicks in your ear . . . . . .and that just annoys me I guess.

Hahahaha! But aside from that, are you saying it's more important for you to feel the vibe of the show than to balance the sound with the band?

Yeah. Well look, I'll do it this way for as long as I can. I'm sure soon enough the point will come . . . . . . when I'll have to use one though.

Even if up till now you thought it was better not to *smiles*.

Well like for the Makuhari "Locus Solus" shows I ended up not wearing an ear monitor even though I was about to right before it started. So I ended up playing by intuition alone.

By intuition alone. And you still ended up in sync.

Well, I did ask everyone if they thought I was off. They had a few things to tell me about that *wry smile*.

I had the impression that the set lists for "THE DAY IN QUESTION" and "Locus Solus" contrast one another.

Ah, yes, I think so too.  But it's not like we aimed to do that specifically. Because it's not like we ever have a specific concept in mind for "THE DAY IN QUESTION". Other than let's make it fun since it's an end of the year show.

Like, "Let's get together for the end of the year!"

Right.  So that's why there are times when the theme for it seems a bit lighter. But I'd say overall it goes in a very dark direction while still leaning towards something upbeat. Like, whatever happens, it'll be alright.

OK. So let's get into talking about work. You've been working on songs since summer of last year?

Yeah. Well, that's pretty early for me. It's not like I've been steadily preparing things way in advance, it's more that I've taken the steps necessary to start working.

Imai-san, are you saying thinking about working is enough to get you to start working? Or is it that time doesn't matter for you because you always have ideas planned out?

I don't always have stuff planned. To a large extent it's more the whims of the moment, so once in awhile I'll jot down a couple of notes in my work office to work from later.

Well, as you will be working on things perhaps you could tell me what sort of theme you have in mind this time? Or give a hint?

Hm . . . . . . I don't really have any in mind but once I get started, I'm sure something will come to me. I mostly just fumble through while I'm working until something jumps out at me, and that's what ends up being used. Something that feels like it veers from the norm. Or more precisely, something that goes against the rules is what I enjoy. That's the kind of image that comes to mind for me. But even now, I haven't really been able to put it into words.

When you say something that deviates from the norm, isn't that basically what BUCK-TICK has always been about?

Yes, exactly. Because in the end that's what's always swirling about in my mind, so it's better if that's what I put into words. But it's like . . . . . . if I try to talk about this feeling in a specific way then it's like, "Um, I guess it's not really a concept I can put into words." *smiles* By making it into an album, in some respects this makes it different yet again. I would say that's the point that makes it interesting for me.

So you're heading in a different direction yet again from "No. 0".

Yeah. I think it's because I just want to do something interesting. Like we have two guitarists, then there's the vocals, the drums, and the bass.  With that composition, I can't really make something fun with it because there's a tendency to go in a heavy direction, sound-wise. I'd like to try a different band sound. Whether I can or not, I don't know yet since I'm still in the midst of fumbling my way through it.

It sounds to me like it's still the case that no one knows what your band's style is exactly, wouldn't you say?

Yeah. I mean that's kinda the cool thing about it still, and I'd say it would be impossible for me to find it interesting otherwise.

It's what keeps you passionate about it. When it comes to the band itself, even now though you've been around a long time, there's no way you could say that you guys are just, "doing the same old thing as before".

Right, exactly. I feel like that's also what makes a cool thing cool to begin with, usually. But at the same time, I can't only adhere to that because that's like putting the cart before the horse a bit you know, so in the end I'm just flailing and wondering what I'm doing *smiles*. That's my current status. I'm like hm, maybe I'll go in a more electro direction, maybe I won't put in a guitar sound at all. I'm still not sure at all about any of it.

For "Datenshi", you used a rock'n'roll sound that was bass-centric.

Ah. Well, that's just because that's how the first riff turned out somehow.

Just how it turned out *smiles*.

It's not like I thought, "This is such a cool riff," when I started working on it you know, it's just super simple. Riffs like that are pretty typical really.

Certainly, you can hear how it comes off as a parody by moments. It feels like something by T-REX.

Yes. Because that's sort of the typical representation of a super simple rock riff. I'm really glad I used it. From there I made it a touch more pop, but more extreme, I made it sharp, and noisy, and I wanted it to have that image of being restless.

It's also another way to represent deviation isn't it. As you said, it's incredibly extreme, but you know I did wonder, Imai-san, if maybe you were trying to be like The Ramones?

No . . . . . . I'd say it's like my band Lucy, and the two albums I put out with them. After all, when I had started working on those albums, I put in all sorts of different sounds until I got something with a more simple rockin' vibe, so I had already begun to establish that sort of sound back then. I figured it would be fun to explore that completely. But it's also good if I don't only do that sort of thing.

It seems that way with SCHAFT too. You were limited by it being industrial. Did you think there was absolutely no way you could do that with BUCK-TICK?

Yeah. I couldn't've.  If we're talking a purely authentic rockin' or industrial album, then no, I definitely couldn't do that with them.

You couldn't do it in the typical sense *smiles*.  It's certainly an incredible thing, to do a single genre and follow through faithfully, but I'm guessing you're not really interested in doing that anymore?

Nah. . . . . . . . . . . . well, it's more that I haven't really thought about it.

Hahaha.

Back then I had a surge of interest to do it, that's all. I think that's why I was able to do it honestly. So you know when we all gather to talk about stuff before recording? It's never like, "This time the concept will be this, and this, and that." Because every time, we're just like, here, we did this.

Oh, you're talking about when you have a meeting at Victor Studios?

Yes. We meet up to talk, we hand over our demo if we've got one ready at that time for them to listen to, and then afterwards we go out to eat . . . . . . . and that's when we get into a deep conversation *smiles*.

Yuuta-san told me that your demo was rather rough, Imai-san.

Recently, yes. Because of the kind of song, it's got a four beat dance rhythm with pretty much nothing but bass at its centre. I said something like, "You know how you don't need words for a song to touch you emotionally?"

So you're leaving it up to the other members to convey that.

Yeah. I think it's not really a good song until it does that. Until it reaches that point where you've done everything you can with all of your might without ever giving up, and then you realize that yes, see, you can do it, you already have.

What happened to make BUCK-TICK become like this? It's a fairly recent thing, isn't it?

It is. But it's been since "Kedamonotachi no Yoru", and then it influenced the most recent single too. Previously, I'd say we were just making stuff that was rather trivial but, even though I made it, putting that stuff out wasn't really . . . . . .that interesting. Like there was a moment when I realized that it might be better if I don't only do the things I like all the time, and it might be more interesting if I don't.  Because of that when Yuuta told me, "Well, what do you think of this?" I said, "You know, it's not really my thing but yeah, go for it."

Did he need you to say those few words? *smiles* But you know I think if you didn't have that realization, you wouldn't really be able to be in a band you know. Like there are people who think they can do everything by themselves even if they're a part of a band.

I doubt they'd be able to do it *smiles*. Even for me recently, I've really thought about what other people have to offer. When I started working on the demo, I do it all on the computer at first, but even I'm debating every minute thing in my head, and I just end up like, "This isn't completely inspiring, it's crap." Honestly, even before, no matter what I create that's how I've felt, but gradually, I came to realize that you know, it might be better if I chill out a bit.  So now for instance when Anii changes up a phrase in a song, I'll say, "Oh, you know that's not bad, it might be better that way actually."

The vocals change the demo immensely as well, don't they?

They do, yes. Because Sakurai-san takes my crappy English that I sing at first, and changes it into Japanese. So of course with that the mood changes, and with the way Sakurai-san picks up on the notes as a vocalist he's able to say, "Ah, you know, I think this would be better here." Because that's the thing right, a demo tape is just that, a demo, and if you only stick to the demo, then you'll  never be able to surpass it. I think it's better if they don't just copy what I did, because it's by altering it and removing bits that eventually great things come about.

This is another way of breaking from the norm too. This might sound like a silly question but, why is it that you hate rules and following a set path so much, Imai-san?

Well, it's not that I hate them.  I'd say it's more that I like going beyond them. I do think there are times when doing something by the rules deliberately can be interesting too. I guess I just think that it's by trying to do things that rules end up being ignored.

Maybe that's the real thrill of it for you. You might think saying you're a pioneer is an exaggeration but, would you say it feels like none of you have found that thing you're looking for yet?

Yeah, that's a part of it.

Or would you say that it's more that you hate following a fixed format, and you want to break free of that?

Ah. . . . . . .well, I think it's simpler than that actually. I just want to create good things, incredible things. But like you just said, there is a certain feeling of being a pioneer within that like when I wonder, "Is this brilliant enough?" I mean I'm being kinda vague but, I've always thought like that.

OK.

Because that's how it works for me in practice I guess. From the start, I'm working to discover something in it, and when I do, it's like, "Yes, this is it!" But it's not like it's something that I've made up myself, it's more that it was there from the start, and I was just able to stumble onto it by chance. Sometimes that's just how it goes I guess.

So you don't make it up in your head?

Oh, of course some songs are what I've made up. Somehow I end up polishing whatever's swirling around in my head. But that's not how it is when I feel like I've really found something, those times it really is more that I just discovered it by chance.

It's what keeps the five of you going.

It is. Of course there's also the part of me that wants to put things out there, but I think, that's everyone who creates right, it's what makes you a creator. I think everyone who considers themselves an artist has that feeling. And I think if you let negative feelings win, then you end up wanting to quit you know? Like, "Bleh, this is too much work, I don't wanna." At least that's how I always end up feeling when I'm working on music and lyrics.

What do you mean by "everyone"?

It's just what I think. Like the other members, and Sakurai-san. Everyone who creates. I mean, we don't just churn things out automatically.

Even Yuuta-san, and Anii-san? Even though they don't write music?

Yeah. Like for those two, before they put something out first they have to listen to it, then they have to go into the studio and practice. So in order for them to get to the point where they can play the drums, and the bass for a song, they also have to play around with the phrases, and that's a form of creation. I think that's why we keep creating. I doubt it'd be the same if we had different members.

It's because it's you five that it works like this.

Yeah. Exactly.

It's absolutely incredible to me that you all have the will to create even now. When I heard that you guys would take a bit of a rest after the "Locus Solus" shows, I thought for a moment maybe you'd work on alternate projects, like maybe you would do another Lucy album.

Oh, that hadn't even crossed my mind. But I mean I wasn't really thinking of it as a break in that sense either.

Oh, really? But I thought you had done something to make you feel refreshed?

No . . . . . not really. Nothing specifically.

At least doing nothing meant finding that simple riff in "Datenshi", so now you won't have to pursue that kind of darkness and heaviness anymore right? Better to let that go.

Ah, yeah.  I'd say so. Like without that it wouldn't be rock, I'd really say it was pop. It kind of has that pop song feeling to me, even the words have Sakurai-san's style of brightness to them, that's why I thought it would be good to put them in.

Speaking of Sakurai-san,  he seemed pretty depressed last year.

Ah. Yeah, well . . . . . .that's because he was keeping quiet about some things for a super long time you know. So we just . . . . . . let him stew.

OK *smiles*. I guess that's why there's such intensity in certain lines in the song, like the "Ah ha" part.

Yes. Exactly.

I'd say "Luna Park" could be considered pop too so is that a hint of what is to come in the next album?

It is. Yes. I think it's going to be really incredible.

[xiubaek-13]

Definitely Not Hogwarts

Prompt: Baekhyun + “You taste like fucking candy.” + “I was just hoping that y’know… you’d fall in love with me.”

Setting/AU: Magic

Warnings: innuendo, magic, completely non subtle references, swearing.

Word Count: 7,173 (it’s still a drabble, let’s pretend it isn’t this long)

A/N: I hope you enjoy it, you kind of get everyone in this as an added bonus for me taking so long.

If there was something you hated more than changing schools mid-year you had yet to encounter it. Why had you agreed? Because it was a great opportunity. So great that you’d accepted the offer knowing full well that you’d be moving in the middle of the year, packing all of your belongings into boxes - ones to take with you and ones to go into storage, and starting in classes that had already set their dynamic up for the year. Would it be easy? Not at all. Did you still want to do it? You bet your ass you did.

The school was in the middle of nowhere so you had to live on the premises. You’d never been to boarding school before so this concept was somewhat daunting but you were choosing to think of it as a hotel for the moment. All of the students lived in dorms and boarded for the year, only going home at the end of each term, and the teachers lived in separate wings of the school. Yes, wings, because the school was a goddamn castle.

Until a couple of years ago, they had never taken on a teacher’s aide before, but the powers that be had made a treaty between the gifted and the non gifted (god forbid the humans actually use the word magic, apparently that made it seem childlike and not the absolute danger to society that the government liked to portray it as. Magic was neither childlike or the demise of society as we know it but you digress). In the two years following that they had taken on a handful of aides, always non gifted, and usually morally opposed to the concept of magic, a choice that made you think that the wizard in control of the school was in fact, enjoying this whole ‘play nice with the humans’ thing far too much. The aide who had been chosen this year had vacated his position without notice at the end of the second term due to a spell gone wrong. Or something. The particulars were unclear. All you knew was that on one late summer morning you received an offer and should you have accepted that offer (you did, but you made sure not to sound too desperate when accepting it) you would have three days to prepare and move.

Those three days had been a complete and utter whirlwind. Your friends were ecstatic for you. You were the first aide they had selected that had actually had a positive attitude to the concept of magic. First and foremost you believed in science, but you were open to the idea of there being something more out there and if it could be applied to positively benefit human society then you were all for it. Plus, who wasn’t curious about what these kids were being taught?

Your work was sad to see you leave but thankfully you were only employed casually so you didn’t have to adhere to the standard procedure of giving two weeks notice or break any contracts in order to accept your new role, one of the bonuses to being a university student who was unable to work full time. You’d never been happier to not have job security.

Upon arrival to the castle school you were ushered to your wing (the north one with the big spire) by an overly enthusiastic pair of seniors, one of which kept cracking terrible jokes that you guessed were meant to put you at ease but they were just making you cringe, something that the taller senior - you were pretty sure he said his name was Chanyeol - found hilarious. The two showed you to your room, if you could call it that.

You felt like you’d been transported to the world of one of the many books you read while you were growing up - the princess or assassin (your parents made sure you didn’t reach adulthood believing that some man was going to come whisk you off your feet and solve all of life’s problems for you. They gave you books where the women took charge and fucked shit up as well as the damsels in distress, and ones with useless protagonists and ones with good men) living in the tower of a castle, waiting for the unfairly attractive prince or guard to appear so that hijinks could ensue. Your “room” was more of a suite, if castles could have suites. You decided they could, because you couldn’t fathom calling this a room, it was a bit too grandiose for that. You had a bedroom, private study/office, bathroom and tutoring room.

“As you can see, you have space for smaller lessons or tutoring.” Suho explained as you entered the small space, only a few desks and chairs decorating the room. “It’s mostly seniors who will come to you to go over homework, assignments, and anything they’re stuck on.” He added.

“But I’m just here as an aide, not as a teacher. Why would they come to me?” You asked.

Chanyeol replied. “A few reasons. First, if they don’t want the teacher to know that they haven’t fully grasped what was covered in the lesson, the school is super competitive so no one ever wants to let another student see an area that they are weak in. Second, you’ll be marking homework and assignments so they’d come to you if they want clarification around grades. Third, some will come to you to try and scare you. It’s like a sport for some of the students. They see how long the new non-gifted will last before running for the hills.” Your face must have dropped because he instantly waved his hands as he tried to lessen the blow of his statement. “N-not that all students are like that, there’s just a select group who do it. Most of us welcome the initiative to have humans in our school so that they can see that we’re not the evil witches and wizards of their childhood stories.”

“The castle and long robes aren’t helping that, just saying.” You deadpan.

Suho makes a sound akin to choking on air but when you look at him you see that he’s laughing. He looks at Chanyeol as he tries to calm himself but he keeps laughing while trying to speak. “I like her. I don’t think she has anything to worry about with that attitude.” The look the other senior gives him is one of pure exasperation and you have to do all that you can not to crack up at his face.

“Hyung…” he starts but then thinks better of it. His long legs carry him through to the next room, he clears his throat before continuing to speak. You leave Suho, who is still chuckling to himself, in the tutoring room. “This room is your office. It’s kind of a half library, half office. You can do your own research in here and organise all of your work in the room. If you ever need the fire lit just ask me to come and do it. I’m proficient with fire, most students can conjure fire but some would mess with you and light a fire that emits a stench, or one that burns too hot, one that talks to you, you get the idea.”

You nod and make a mental note to ask him to light the fire in winter for you if you haven’t come across any other trustworthy students by then. The proficiency stuff is new information to you. You knew that the gifted could conjure elemental magic but you didn’t know that they had proficiencies for certain elements.

    “I apologise for Chanyeol, he always forgets that the non-gifted don’t know about the proficiencies. I’m assuming that’s why you look confused?” Suho leans against the door frame as he speaks. He pushes off and enters the room once you nod. “To cut a long and dreary history short, gifted - as you refer to us - have the ability to wield elemental magic. Certain families have a proficiency with certain elements which allows them to have superior control over that element. In Chanyeol’s case that is fire. In mine, water. There are nine such students at this school but if we go by our history books there are twelve families with proficiencies. We can do greater things with our elements and we take extra classes to hone our skills with them. Normal students can cast a spell to light a fire in here for you but Chanyeol could click his fingers and a fire would light, or he could create a flame in his hand and have it hover for you.”

“Can he hadouken too?” The words leave your mouth before you can stop them. Chanyeol folds in half, slapping his leg as he laughs. Suho looks less amused. “Or do you guys have special rings? Can your powers combined conjure Captain Planet?” Chanyeol is struggling to breathe because of how hard he’s laughing.

“That’s… that’s not how the elemental magic works.” He begins.

“Suho, I’m kidding.” You interrupt. “You need to brush up on your human pop culture circa the 1990’s.” You smirk. “Just doing my part to help eliminate the dark, evil wizard stereotype all of you have going for you.”

He chuckles at that, shaking his head as he moves towards the next room, lightly shoving Chanyeol as he passes. “This next room is your bedroom. You’ve got one of the better rooms. You should see the aide’s room in the East Wing, it’s like a shoebox. (You thank all that is good for giving you something better than a cupboard under the stairs.) It has your bed, wardrobe, lounge and adjoining bathroom. It’s the only aide room that has that actually, all of the other wings have a communal bathroom for the aides but you lucked out with a private bath.”

You wanted to make a witty remark about that but all words died on your tongue as you stepped into the room. This was far too grand to be called a bedroom. You had a giant four poster bed to one side, a lounge suite by the fireplace, a couple of wardrobes and shelves, a table with four chairs and a little kitchenette. This was more like a studio apartment but in a castle. Everything was ornate, it was like medieval meets industrial aesthetically, which worked far better than you imagined it would.

“It’s pretty nice isn’t it?” Chanyeol remarked. “Like we said, you got pretty much the best aide room out of the lot.” He scratched the back of his head as he pondered what to say next. “Uh, that pretty much concludes the tour of your room. We’ve both got class to get to but Xiumin & D.O. will come by to take you on the tour of the grounds. They’re two of the other students with proficiencies as well, and they’re both trustworthy so you’ll be in good hands.” The two students bowed and waved farewell to you, wishing you well on your first week at the school before they left.

The other two students turned up not long after Suho & Chanyeol left. One arrived while making voice notes into his dictaphone and the other while cleaning his glasses. It wasn’t difficult for you to guess that these two would be top students, they just gave off the ‘we study a lot and it shows in our results’ kind of aura. You had been informed that all of the senior students who would be showing you around were high achievers but where Chanyeol and Suho were a more relaxed and reserved levels of intellect, these two exuded it.

The two students bowed to you and introduced themselves. The one with glasses was D.O. and the one with the dictaphone was Xiumin. You swallowed the urge to make a Harry Potter joke to D.O. but with that style of glasses he was on borrowed time before you blurted it out. You were, after all, supposed to be professional. You might only be a few years older than these seniors but you were an employee of this establishment, not the new kid. You didn’t have to fit in or be classified as cool. You had the feeling that until you actually started working you’d have to keep reminding yourself of that fact.

“So we’ll be showing you the grounds so that you have a general layout of the school. If you get lost you can always ask a student but to be on the safe side I’d recommend a fellow teacher or a student whom you recognise. Others might find it fun to mislead the new non-gifted aide.” D.O. explained. Why were these seniors painting this school like it was filled with miscreants? Did the students not respect their elders or were humans looked down on that much? Were you just a temporary plaything to them or something?

“Do the students have issues with treating the non-gifted aides with any modicum of respect?” You asked.

“It’s not that. The majority of the student body welcome the integration of humans into our school, we have just as much to learn from you as you do from us if our kind are to coexist moving forward.” Xiumin replied. “But there are a select few, as there are in any setting, who will only find pleasure in making your life difficult. They will take any chance they get to embarrass and ridicule you, to trick you and to eventually send you running from this school. Their primitive thought process is that if they have enough aides flee the school that the whole initiative will be discontinued.” He shook his head as he finished speaking, showing you just how dumb he thought this select group of the student body were.

“What Xiumin is trying to say is trust your instincts. Don’t blindly trust a student because they act kind towards you, feel them out and work out if they are playing you. We’ve been through a few too many aides this year and that group think they can send anyone away. For the most part, don’t react to them. If they think their tricks have no effect on you hopefully they’ll just get bored and leave you alone.”

“Or, they will escalate their antics and put me in actual danger.” You rebuked.

“They’d get caught and punished if it came to that.” D.O. deadpanned then added. “I’m sure you’d be fine. While we’re out Lay, another senior, will be putting up warding magic on your room to prevent any hijinks from happening there.” Hijinks? you mouthed but before you could say anything back to the half blood prince wannabe he started walking down the hall.

Xiumin chuckled under his breath and motioned for you to follow. “You’ll get used to him. He’s blunt but he’s not unkind. He doesn’t like his routine being messed with. Normally he’d be running a study group so he’s a little off kilter today. Just work with it please?” You nodded and followed the other male as he set off after not Harry Potter.

The tour was pretty informative, with both boys giving you some history for the different areas which you found fascinating. They also showed you the areas of the school you’d be frequenting the most - the main hall, the teachers lounge, kitchen, and a small selection of the classrooms you’d be in. They marked these locations on a map for you and went over the easiest routes for you to follow. Both of them were very polite and patient with you as you very slowly got your bearings. Xiumin advised for you to memorise the paths rather than any objects in the halls as they had a tendency to move. D.O. eventually led you to a large set of double doors and guided you down towards the grounds at the rear of the school. This place was massive and your brain hurt from trying to remember everything.

“The sports grounds, gym, amphitheater, horticulture and agriculture areas are spread out here. The easiest ways to know the borders of the grounds are the lake at the back, forest to the left and mountains to the right. You’re perfectly safe if you remain within those boundaries. We’ll quickly take you down to each building but you won’t have to come down here too often so don’t worry too much about memorising them.” He stated.

Xiumin added, with a grin on his face. “You’ll probably only come down to watch sporting matches. Even if you don’t really care for sport, adding magic makes the games much more interesting. Occasionally a class will be held down here if they are using spells that require a lot more space than a classroom offers.” You were going to have to witness this if only to put a real image in your mind of what that looked like. Until you did, it would be every tacky wizard movie you’d ever seen playing on repeat, which would drive you batty. The two of them continued showing you everything, adding fun facts and tidbits of history along the way.

“So, uh, forgive my ignorance but we really only have mainstream media to go off here. Do you guys use wands?” You ask.

D.O. scoffs indignantly. “We absolutely do not. Wands are for children and idiots.”

“What he means to say is that we use our hands and minds. Wands exist but are not widely used since they require far less skill and are less accurate.” Xiumin adds.

“Your mainstream media is dumb.” D.O. says.

You raise your hands. “Hey, no disagreement from me here. I know it’s incorrect with its portrayals 99% of the time which is why I asked.” Xiumin chuckles as he calms D.O. down. You hadn’t expected his outburst to be over a fucking wand but hey, weirder things were surely still to come.

Eventually the three of you approached the large doors that would lead you back within the main building. D.O. smiled when you looked to him to lead the way back. “Oh no. You’re going to lead us back to your room as best you can. Consider this a test of your short term memory.” He chuckled as your face fell.

“Fine.” You grumbled. How hard could it be to follow a map back to your room anyway?

Harder than it looked was apparently the answer. You made it back after a few wrong turns. Part of you wondered if this was some cruel joke where they got to laugh at you leading yourself in circles while futilely trying to reach your destination. The other part just wanted you to hurry up and work out how to get back to your room. When you spotted the stairs that led to your hallway you sighed in relief. Both boys smiled brightly at you. “We consider our tour a failure if you can’t find your way back. You might have made a few missteps but you got back without needing any assistance. You’ll know the grounds like the back of your hand soon enough.” Xiumin smiled.

The two of them led you the rest of the way back to your room before bidding you farewell. “We’ll see you in class.” Xiumin said as he bowed, a small smile on his face. He definitely didn’t look old enough to be a senior but who were you to judge? You were in a freaking school of magic, for all you knew he was 400 years old. Or maybe there was a portrait of him hidden in an attic somewhere.

“Thanks for the tour, you both helped me out a lot. I will definitely be using this map over the coming days while I get my bearings. There is a lot of history here,” You gestured to your surroundings. “and it’s fascinating, I know you barely scratched the surface with the small insights you gave me but it was very informative and enjoyable.” You smiled.

D.O. chuckled. “I’m glad you didn’t fine it too boring. Most of the aides that come through here don’t even listen to half of the tour we give.” He paused. “Actually, before we go I have a question for you.” His head tilted to the side as he appraised you, as if looking for some answer to his yet unasked question.

“Go ahead, it’s the least I could do after such a lovely tour.” You replied.

“Well, the least you could do would be nothing but -”

“Let’s not debate semantics right now.” Xiumin interjected.

D.O. huffed, but acquiesced. “Fine. We’ll ignore the idiosyncrasies of the english language for now.” Xiumin rolled his eyes, this was clearly not the first time he’d had to deal with the other nitpicking at insignificant details of the language. “My question is in two parts. Firstly, where do you stand on the issue of magic? and secondly, why did you accept this role?”

Well that wasn’t the question you were expecting. You didn’t know what question you were expecting but it sure as hell wasn’t one this bold, especially not from a student. “To start with, you know I don’t actually have to answer you right? You are technically my students.”

    “Of course. Will you answer it though?” He asked, his gaze locked on yours. The balls on this kid…

“I will, but the point is that I don’t owe you, or any student an explanation like this.” They both nod at you and wait for you to continue. “To answer the first part of your question, I believe in science. Always have and always will, but I’ve always had an interest in magic. It was this mystical thing that appeared in the storybooks of my childhood, and I don’t mean the propaganda that litters the homes of the non gifted, these books had the gifted as heroes, as people who saved the day. I watched the change happen. All it took was one world leader who realised the gifted were real and they feared the abilities you have over non gifted. Suddenly all of the children’s books had evil wizards and witches who would trick you and eat you. I was never swayed, my interest only grew once I realised that the mystical wonders from my childhood books were real. I think that in order for gifted and non gifted to coexist, they need to work together and not look at either side as less than or evil. There are terrible gifted and non gifted people but there are also wonderful gifted and non gifted people. We fear the unknown but if we work together, that fear lessens.”

You pause to take a breath, noticing how wide Xiumin’s eyes have gotten as you’ve been speaking. “As for the second part, part of it has surely been answered in the first part of my response but aside from general curiosity and a belief in our kind working together I also want to be a part of that. It’s not lost on us that most non gifted selected for the program have been heavily against the concept of magic and view the gifted as the devil incarnate. I know I’m probably one of the first to be selected who has no negative preconceptions of what goes on here and I want to do my job, help students and be able to provide workable ideas for the future of our kind coexisting. I believe that if we can work together, science and magic combined will result in wondrous things.”

Finally, he cracked a smile, his whole face changing into that of a bright young man. “You are a welcome change. You’re not wrong when you say that the other aides have a dislike of our kind and of magic as a whole. I think our kind chose the wrong approach by attempting to make a non gifted who was fundamentally against everything that we stand for change their mind by simply existing with us. It was never going to work, and even if it did your government could scratch it up to stockholm syndrome. Just.” His face hardens but his gaze softens as he looks at you. “Keep your wits about you and don’t be fooled by rose coloured glasses.”

***

Your first few days went by without too many hiccups. You’d been thrown into a wide array of classes; apothecary, history of magic, potions, magical law, spellcasting & defense magic. The classes were overwhelming but oh so interesting, to the point that you had to keep reminding yourself that you were supposed to be reading up on the syllabus and grading homework against the guide sheets you’d been given, not giving your full attention to the teacher. That was easier said than done once the topic of dragons came up. It took all of your self restraint not to blurt out “Fucking hell, dragons are real?!” but maintaining your professional facade took priority. You made a note to read up on them later because they were even more fascinating than your childhood stories had hinted at.

You met most of the other proficient students thanks to Suho & Chanyeol introducing them to you. You’d run into Xiumin & D.O. again when they were on their way to their extra credit classes and asked them about their proficiencies, apologising for forgetting to ask the first time you’d met. They’d let you know that Xiumin’s proficiency was ice and D.O.’s was earth. You didn’t get to ask much more about it because they ran off to class, not wanting to be late and have that mark on their records.

“Good Afternoon Chanyeol, what can I do for you?” You’d asked when he approached you with two other students trailing behind him.

He grinned and gestured to the two behind him. “I figured I should introduce you to these two. They’ll either annoy the shit out of you or be model students.” You raised a brow at him. “They’re younger than most seniors, thanks to their proficiencies.” He stage whispered at you.

“You know we can hear you right?” One of them remarks.

To his credit, Chanyeol ignores them and continues talking. “Whilst they are young and immature, they possess a lot of control over their elements, Kai in particular.” He gestures to the boy to his left, who smiles shyly at you and waves. “They figured they should get him through school, disciplined & bursting at the seams with morals before he got too old. His proficiency is teleportation you see, so everyone does what they can to steer him away from a life of crime.”

You nod. “No ill gotten gains for you then.” Kai chuckles. “Can you only teleport yourself or can you take people and objects with you?”

“I can choose. I have to be touching whatever I want to take with me but if someone grabs me I can choose to teleport alone or with them.” He replies.

You lean forward on your desk. “How large an object can you move?” You ask.

He grins at you. “Not telling.”

You sigh dramatically. “Chanyeol, I fear that he might have already given in to a life of crime.” For a moment Chanyeol looks confused until the synapses connect and he realises that you’re poking fun. “If you do a dramatic pose when you teleport then I think you’re well on your way to the criminal mastermind title.”

Kai laughs loudly. “I like her.” he states before wandering off to find his seat. You just hoped the military never found out about him, they’d abuse his power wherever possible and he seemed far too kind for that kind of life.

The other male clears his throat to remind Chanyeol that he is still waiting for his introduction. Chanyeol’s eyes widen and then narrow in frustration. “This is the youngest of the proficient, Sehun. He likes to think that the universe revolves around him but we keep him grounded, figuratively and literally…once or twice.”

You glance past Chanyeol to Sehun. He looks like he has a chip on his shoulder, and the resting bitch face isn’t helping him not seem like a jerk to you but you give him the benefit of the doubt. “Hi Sehun, what is your proficiency?”

He gives you a very slight, like blink and you’d miss it kind of slight, smile as you feel a light breeze wash over you. “Wind.”

You ponder for a moment and bite your tongue to prevent another Captain Planet reference from coming out. “Wind would be the broad term though wouldn’t it? You control air right?” You ask.

He nods. “Yes. I can control and manipulate the air, it’s velocity and molecular structure.”

“Are they trying to prevent you from a life of crime as well by fast tracking your schooling?”

He smirks. “Something like that. I had a huge amount of power but no control over it so I was pushed through school to better harness my power.”

Chanyeol interjects. “His power used to be based off his emotions so he’s had to learn to control himself and basically relearn how to use his power.”

“That’s pretty impressive actually.” You reply.

Sehun actually smiles at that. “I like her too, for now. Nice to meet you.” He nods then also heads to his seat.

Chanyeol smiles warmly. “He caused himself a lot of harm while he was learning. Lay, you haven’t met him yet but he’s proficient in healing, had to patch him and quite a few of us up on several occasions. He seems cold and aloof but he needs to be in order to keep his ability at a safe level.”

“Thanks for introducing me, that’s 6 of you I’ve met so far so I still have 3 to go? Lay being one of them. Who are the other 2?”

You hear the groan in his voice. Clearly he isn’t a fan of these two. “Chen & Baekhyun. They are probably the two who will give you the most grief. Too clever for their own good and they are sneaky as all hell. They control lightning & light. Don’t be fooled by their lost puppy eyes. In fact, ask some of the other aides, I’m sure they have stories.” He glances up as the teacher enters the room and ducks off to his seat.

You’re left to wonder about these two supposed wicked students. What do they look like? (Probably should have asked that in hindsight) Are they really that charming? Had the other aides exaggerated with their stories? You were going to find one after class and learn more about these two. You wanted to be prepared for whenever they decided to show up in your vicinity.

***

“Baekhyun? Is he here?!” The aide shuts the door quickly, looking around the room frantically.

“Woah, woah, calm down. He’s not here. I was just asking about him.” You try to calm the spooked aide. Christ what did this student do to the aides?

“What did he do to you?” She asks quietly.

“Huh? Nothing. I haven’t met him yet.”

“Keep it that way.” She says quickly.

“The better question is what did he do to you?” You take a step towards the aide, determined to get answers. She seems truly afraid of this student. Is she vehemently against magic? Yes. Does that warrant this level of fear? You’re not sure.

“He’s evil.” She whispers.

You roll your eyes. “Come on now. I know you aren’t exactly pro magic but evil? In what way?”

Her eyes widen as she grabs the fabric of your shirt over your shoulders. “He toys with you. He’ll be the sweetest student you ever meet until you do something that he doesn’t like. Then he’s your worst nightmare.”

“So a teenager with an out of control ego. That’s not so bad. You had me thinking he’d be murdering kittens on my doorstep or something.”

She shakes her head. “You don’t understand! He’s proficient in light, sounds lame right?” Maybe it sounded lame to her but you had already put some thought into that power. Manipulating light and dark, controlling shadows - that could be a terrifying power. “It sounds like a nothing proficiency compared to the others but once you realise that light is necessary to everything, it becomes terrifying. He shouldn’t be.” She shudders.

Maybe that attitude is why he doesn’t like you. You think to yourself. Out loud, you attempt to change the subject. “And Chen?”

She scoffs. “He’s a trickster but there is no malice in what he does. He messes with you because he can. Compared to the other one, he’s harmless.”

You bid her farewell and head back towards your room. Another aide stops you down the corridor. “He knew she had a fear of the dark so he manipulated the shadows so that she felt like she was perpetually being engulfed in darkness for the better part of a month. She’s been a nervous wreck around him ever since. All because he didn’t score higher than Kai in class.”

“He sounds like a right jerk.” You state.

“He is. He’s ruthless once he’s decided that you aren’t useful to him anymore. The others are all probably like this but he’s the only one not hiding what an evil monster he and his kind truly are.” The aide leaves before you can give him a piece of your mind. Armed with more information on the remaining two proficient students than you’d had an hour ago, you head back to your room. Lost in thought you fail to notice a student the student that brushes past you.

***

The rest of your day goes smoothly. You attend two more classes and are given homework to mark for each. Sehun comes to you for tutoring after his magical law class. He’d told you he understood the concepts they’d covered but didn’t understand why any of it mattered. You’d done your best to explain the notion of risk and consequence in relation to magical law, using his own grasp on his proficiency as an example. Once he left another student came knocking on your door, one you hadn’t been introduced to yet.

“Are you a senior?” You asked.

He nodded. “You’re our new aide.”

“Your powers of observation are second to none.”

“Hey now, that’s not how you should talk to students!” He exclaimed as he entered the room. You’d figured that he was one of the 3 remaining seniors you were yet to meet, you just didn’t know which one he was. The upturned shape of his mouth screamed ‘I’m mischief incarnate’ so you ruled out Lay.

“Most students would announce themselves upon arrival. Forgive me, I don’t believe we’ve been introduced yet.” You don’t hold out your hand, a tip you were heeding since Xiumin mentioned it.

“I’m Chen and I suck at apothecary. Please help me teacher-nim. I need to be in the top tier of the class so that my parents will get off my back.” He dramatically drops to his knees and overacts begging for help, making you laugh loudly.

“Get up, dear lord. Chen… lightning proficiency right?” He nods. “Do you just invoke it or can you direct it wherever you want it to go?” You ask.

Instead of answering he flicks his wrist and a small electric shock strikes your thumb. It’s similar to when you get a shock from your car or if you touch something after shuffling on carpet. You look up at him to see him smirking. “I can control it, and make it as strong or as delicate as I please.” He waggles his eyebrows at you.

You choose to ignore what he’s implying and continue to question him. “Just lightning or all electrical currents?”

“Oooh we have a smart one this time. Everyone else tried to work out my proficiency based off norse mythology.” He grins, that smile as disarming as you expected it to be.

“Oh please, you’re more shock mouse than god of thunder.” You blurt out. “Though I hear that you aren’t dissimilar to another norse god - Loki.”

He laughs loudly, the sound is music to your ears. “You are not what I was expecting but I’m not mad about it yet.” He settles into a seat at the desk across from you. “But seriously, I need help with this class. Can we work on that now and exchange smartass lines at each other later?”

You laugh and nod, settling back into teacher mode. So far Chen doesn’t seem as bad as the reputation that preceded him but you make sure to keep your wits about you. You know one thing for certain though, this student is a tragic flirt.

***

You’re exhausted after the extra tutoring sessions and the marking. Your bed has never looked so inviting and you cannot wait to slide under the covers and drift off to dreamland. Your alarm had rather rudely pulled you from a particularly salacious dream last night and you were hoping to return to it tonight. You packed away all of your stuff, making sure to lock the students work in your private office. You’d been informed that there was a nullify spell over the room which rendered everyone’s skills, no matter how proficient, useless. Once you were done packing up you made your way to your bathroom to wash up for the night, taking your time to complete your skincare routine and brushing your teeth.

You refrain from rushing to your bed because you are not a child but a sigh of pure joy escapes your lips once you finally crawl under the covers. You think back to the dream you had left this morning and sink into the pillows, closing your eyes. The image of the log cabin in the snow coming back into view. You feel the cozy warmth of the blanket wrapped around you as you wait for him to return. He’d gone to fetch more hot chocolate and sweets so that you could finish watching the movie you’d started just over an hour ago.

Vaguely you recalled him being more built in this mornings dream but as long as he was bringing you sugar who were you to judge. What did alarm you was the sudden change in sensation of the blanket against your skin. Before you felt cozy as it had warmed your clothes but now you could feel it against your skin. When had you suddenly become naked?

Then he appeared. He didn’t look as sweet as you recalled. Rather, he looked annoyed for a fraction of a second before his face transformed, a kind expression now showing on it as he climbed back onto the bed next to you and handed you a mug of the aforementioned hot chocolate and placed a bowl of sweets in front of you. “Thanks babe.” You smiled as you picked up a toffee and put it in your mouth.

“You’re welcome.” The words sounded forced. Like he didn’t want to say them.

You do your best to ignore it and continue watching the movie as you sip your drink. You feel like he’s staring at you and not in a ‘I want to kiss every inch of you before I ravage you’ kind of way. “What?” You ask as you look at him.

“Really? ‘You taste like fucking candy?’ That is the smooth line your subconscious came up with? You need to get out more.” His tone is full of judgement and disgust.

“What?! What are you talking about?” You exclaim, confused. This dream isn’t like the one you wanted to return to.

“In your mind we keep watching this movie and then I lean in to kiss you and say that line.”His judgemental tone is really starting to grate on you.

“Who the fuck are you?” You ask exasperatedly.

“I really thought you were smarter than this.” He chides as he gestures to himself as though he’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. “I’m Baekhyun.”

“What the fuck are you doing in my head? I’ve never even met you!” You clutch the blanket around you as you remember your nakedness. Was this still a dream? It felt a little too real to be a dream. There were details missing and if you were dreaming up Baekhyun then you needed to have some stern words with your subconcious about cockblocking you. The dream was supposed to start cringeworthy and saccharine sweet but then twist into a filthy romp. You knew the lines were cheesy, but they were supposed to be. It wasn’t so sweet when your face was planted into the rug about 20 minutes from now.

He shrugs. “I’ve had no reason to seek you out in person, not with everyone painting me as some sort of antichrist to you.”

“So what? You just decided you’d appear in my dream?” You choose to go with this no longer being your dream. You figure that he’s somehow invaded it and that alone is pissing you the hell off.

“I wanted to see what you were like and my proficiency allows me to do this so I figured ‘what the hell’ and popped over for a visit.” He grimaces. “I was not expecting ‘I’ve come to clean ze pool’ levels of dialogue though.”

You close your eyes and shake your head. “You need to get out of my dreams. I didn’t fucking invite you here.” It dawns on you that he must be able to dream walk and that thought somewhat terrifies you. Suddenly the frantic fear that the other aide had doesn’t seem so dramatic.

“Push me out then. Consider this a lesson in defense against wizards. Your mental barriers are weak. I can see everything.” He leans against the wall of the cabin as though he hasn’t a care in the world. You don’t have a clue at how to push him out because why would you? You try to imagine kicking him out of your head and locking a door behind you but he simple laughs at you. You try visualising a vault, and locking away your precious thoughts and memories, slowly filling the vault with more and more items.

He laughs. “Oh you are tragic. I thought the candy line was bad but this, this is just ripped from a poorly written romance novel. ‘I was just hoping that y’know… you’d fall in love with me.’ Excuse me while I barf.”

“Fuck you.” You grumble. You are going to evict this smug prick from your mind if its the last thing you do.

He looks you up and down and smirks. “Non-gifted aren’t usually my thing but I’d make an exception for you.” He winks. “The bit after all of the terrible dialogue isn’t so bad now that I look forward. My, my, you are filthy.”

You want to punch him.

[destinychose-a]

name :   kirishima eijirou

nickname :   ei-chan, kiri, shitty hair

gender :   male

romantic orientation :   homoromantic

preferred pet names :   he’s not so sure he has one ( at the moment ), but any shortening of his name is a sure-fire way to make him stupidly fond, particularly  ‘ ei ’ . the likelihood of him casually calling his significant other  ‘ babe ’  is pretty high, though.

relationship status :   single & not actively looking, but he’s more than open to any possibilities that life decides to throw his way.

favourite canon  /  fandom ship :   at this point, i’m pretty sure i’ll be standing on my kiribaku hill until the day i die ( although i despise how the fandom portrays them and i refuse to make kirishima’s character all about bakugou and/or their relationship ) as their dynamic is one of my all time favourites in canon due to the mutual respect they have for one another, even though horikoshi seems to have forgotten that they’re friends.

i’ve recently come to adore and appreciate kirikami so much after years of never really having the opportunity to explore their dynamic on the rpc scene. as they already have such a solid friendship at the foundation of their relationship, they have the potential to be so cute romantically, a little boisterous but incredibly supportive and physically affectionate.

outside of those main two, i can see potential in ships ( both romantic and platonic ) between eijirou and basically anyone in 1-A and other first year students given his personality, so i’m pretty much open to anything at this point!

favourite crossover ship :   i don’t have one at the moment! but, as stated above, given eijirou’s personality i wouldn’t rule anything out!! so long as they’re not an adult, obviously.

opinion on true love :   while eijirou isn’t exactly a romantic at heart, he wants to believe there’s someone out there for everyone, even if it’s not something he personally dwells on. he’s very much a  ‘ go with the flow ’  kind of guy and doesn’t worry too much about whether or not he’ll find himself a long term partner  —  he imagines it’ll happen one day, and looks forward to meeting them, but he’s in no rush as things stand.

opinion on love at first sight :   he’s somewhat sceptical of this one, particularly after spending a lot of time around peers who are constantly proclaiming they’ve fallen in love with someone based on a brief first meeting. he doesn’t tend to look at someone on a superficial level and fall for how they look  —  while he can appreciate a good looking person, it very rarely goes beyond  ‘ oh, they’re pretty / handsome / good looking ’  before his thoughts drift elsewhere. for eijirou, falling in love is a slow, careful, virtually unnoticeable thing, and while he doesn’t judge anyone who falls in love in a different manner, he doesn’t really understand this whole  ‘ falling in love at first sight ’  thing.

how  ‘ romantic ’ are they? :   at first? not in the slightest. eijirou has no real concept of how relationships work as he lacks a lot of experience, and as he’s already a very physically affectionate individual, the leap between friendship and romance might seem nonexistent. he has a habit of treating the relationship similarly to a friendship, with the tentative additions of hand-holding here and there ( although he gets a little nervous and his palms will sweat a lot, don’t judge him ), but as he and his partner spend more time together and feelings ultimately deepen, the shift will become more noticeable. especially after a first kiss happens, in which case the affection will increase tenfold. expect him to be all over his partner at any given moment ( hugs, hand-holding, kisses, draping himself across his partner’s lap etc ) and be the most sappy boyfriend in the history of boyfriends.

while he can be oblivious and completely miss the subtleties of a moment, he’ll remember the most obscure things about his partner ( spoken absently in conversation, or noticed ) that other people might usually overlook and go as far as to treat his partner to their favourite food that they mentioned in passing that one time. he’ll never forget a birthday ( anniversaries are another thing entirely ). he never lets his feelings go unexpressed or let things pile up to the point of an argument. he’ll send his partner  ‘ good morning ’  and  ‘ good night ’  texts every day without fail. he’ll make sure to set aside time for his partner if he notices they’re sad or in need of some extra attention, but he can be a little overbearing and fail to understand when his partner needs space. ultimately, he’s a very affectionate, loving, supportive boyfriend, but is rarely ever intentionally romantic. he just wants his partner to know that he cares and that he’s been thinking of them.

ideal physical traits :   eijirou doesn’t particularly care so much about physical traits  —  no matter what they’ll always come second  —  but that doesn’t mean he’s immune to preferences. typically, he loves muscles and strong arms, but he also loves softer bodies that are super huggable and longer/soft/fluffy hair that he can sink his fingers into/play with.

ideal personality traits :   in broad terms, eijirou has a habit of seeking out passionate people who know what they want out of life and are doing everything in their power to get it. he likes people who are laid-back, who know how to have fun and share a similar personality to his own. he likes people who are kind, generous, outgoing, who have a strong set of morals that they adhere to. if a person encompasses any of the previous points, it’s likely that he considers them  ‘ manly ’,  a term that applies to people he admires, regardless of gender.

unattractive physical traits :   eijirou doesn’t have any. looks aren’t a game changer for him in any instance and he doesn’t find anything physical about a person  ‘ unattractive ’.

unattractive personality traits :   people with the kind of personalities who intentionally go out of their way to harm  (  physically, mentally, emotionally  )  another person for their own sadistic enjoyment. eijirou can be extremely forgiving and laid-back, able to look past the surface of how a person acts if there’s some goodness nestled beneath an egotistical, brash personality, but if someone enjoys the act of hurting another person and actively seeks out the chance to do it, he wants nothing to do with them.

ideal date :   eijirou loves high energy dates. going to an amusement park, hiking, rock climbing, paint-balling, even sparring  —  of course this depends on his partner, but he loves going out on dates that involve having fun, even if they aren’t necessarily romantic. he enjoys the typical chill-out indoor dates, too, such as ordering takeout and watching a film together or playing video games. he likes being able to make a whole day out of a date, so if he can find a way to combine a high energy outing and follow it up with something more chilled out, you can bet he will! 

ultimately, he’ll throw ideas out there to his partner, make compromises as and when is needed  —  he wants his partner to enjoy themselves as much as he does, and is always more willing to scale things back and focus on something they’d prefer to do instead!

do they have a type? :   typically anyone who embodies the points listed under  ‘ ideal personality traits ’  which tends to encompass a lot of different people, so it’s difficult to pin down his  ‘ type ’.

average relationship length :   currently unknown. however, it’s likely they’ll be longer term relationships, as he’s not the type to do anything by halves.

preferred non-sexual intimacy :   he loves holding hands with his partner. however, he’s a serial cuddler, especially when asleep.

commitment level :   as mentioned earlier, eijirou doesn’t do anything by halves. he doesn’t think about how long the relationship will last  —  instead, he focuses on how he feels. to that end, his commitment to his partner is unshakeable. for as long as they’re together, his partner won’t find a more loyal, committed, loving boyfriend than eijirou. 

opinion of public affection :   a lot of things depend on the comfort of his partner, but as far as his feelings on the matter go, he doesn’t mind it so much. hand-holding happens all the time, and if he’s not holding their hand, eijirou will often lean against his partner’s side, drape an arm around their shoulder, sometimes lie with his head in their lap or even pull them back against his chest so he can hold them. kissing is typically a private thing.

past relationships? :   he’s never been in a relationship before.

tagged by :   @doltage​  (  this was a while ago but thank you, marina! this was so much fun!  ) tagging :   @cursecloud​  / @twnkling​  /  @yeonban​  /  @fukenzena​  +  anyone else who wants to do it!

[gildedpin]

Time Works

Poorly, or not at all. Like love. Unscientifically. In mysterious ways, mostly.

Night Vale has changed, whether or not its citizens know.

god idk I did this all at once tonight because I’m emotional?? about tomorrow?? year 8 yeah okay!!!!!!

this is extremely post episode 150, 100% pure hypothetical but I had fun playing with some concepts

content note for anxiety, accidental pregnancy, alcohol, spiders

AO3 Link

- - - - - -

Three o'clock in the morning. That meant something now. 

Time, lost sleep, sweat, dreams. All soaked into the sheets. It felt like the AC was off for some reason. Why would the AC be off? It was not Pioneer Day again, yet. The clock was still on, red digits leaking onto Cecil's lacquered night stand. 

Three-oh-one, now. His shirt was damp against his back. His arm was trapped under Carlos' back, so he couldn't really roll over to see the clock. He could only lie there, and glance at it, and not fall back asleep. He tried to ease his arm free, as Carlos' warmth had broken into the heat of deep sleep, the heat of a summer night that contradicted every lecture on desert safety and survival from his boy scout days.

Almost forty years ago now. That meant something. 

Carlos made a sound. An abrupt sigh, a heavy breath. His lungs catching up with the rest of him. Cecil thought that this meant he had not been gentle enough, although Carlos would not have understood it that way. 

"Ceec?" 

"It's nothing. Go back to sleep."

"Mmm? Mmm-no, hold on..." Carlos protested, and rolled onto his side. 

Cecil caught Carlos' hand as it slipped over his stomach. He squeezed, kissed Carlos' knuckles, and then, delicately, tucked his husband's hand between them so that he could sit up. He whispered, "I just need a drink of water."

He closed the bathroom door behind him, and thought, this is what mirrors are for, and his heart quivered in his throat, but his thoughts were running away from him now, his thoughts were heat-haze-

This is a moment that belongs to a mirror, I should lean on the countertop, and I should look, look in and really see- 

He did not touch the black drape. It hung, still and opaque. His heartbeat throbbed in his skull, rushing in his ears, eating into his perception of space. He did want some water. That had been true, still was. He had frightened himself now, and if he grabbed the tap, then his knuckles might brush the cloth behind it. He might touch the mirror. Well, he couldn't, but he might come as close as he could. 

Nearly forty-five years ago, his mother had warned him. She had looked into his eyes, and he had looked back, wide, grinning, knowing only the attention of someone who loved him. She had looked into his eyes, until he giggled, but she had never laughed. 

That meant something now. He had been too young to understand then, but he had broken the moment. A moment, a mirror. And he was old enough to understand now, it hadn't been his fault.

He just, he needed some water. That was all. He reached for his glass by the sink, a novelty glass with fading paint: S  my's Ultima lic ria. Half the S was gone, too, worn away by his thumb over the years. There was a knock on the door. He dropped the glass. 

It shattered. 

The door opened. The glass shattered under the sharp, orange light, and now what had been maybe three-quarters of a pizza slice were fragments of cartoon eyeballs on fragments of lumpy yellow background. 

Carlos leaned in through the doorway, speaking past a hand over his mouth. "Aww, honey! Are you okay? Oh, I'm so sorry, I know that glass was your favorite, I didn't mean-"

"I know," Cecil said, too quickly. He reached out over the shards. Carlos took his hand tightly, and Cecil's pulse softened, or at least, throbbed less behind his eyes. And then Carlos let go, and blew Cecil an apologetic kiss. 

Carlos said, "I'll go grab a broom. And some slippers. Closed-toed footwear is very important for safety. So you stay right where you are until I've got some, okay? Don't move!"

Cecil did move, but it was to lean back and brace himself against the counter. It had been around ten minutes, probably. Three-eleven in the morning. That meant he was never getting his glass back. It had lasted him over thirty-five years. He felt something pulling in his chest, testing the connection between his heart and its vessels.

He would just have to find a new one. 

------

The house was quiet without Roger. 

The house was quiet with Roger, but it was a different kind of quiet. There were ripples: traffic through the open window. The humming fridge. The sound of the traffic coming in through the open window tearing out the doorway that he had thoughtfully left open for them. But otherwise, the quiet had settled, with no young voice to ask Earl about lunch, or to drive him to meet his friends in the sand wastes. 

Roger was at his mother's. Roger's mother had once been Earl's girlfriend, and now they had a custody agreement. It was all amicable.

What had happened was this: Earl had been nineteen for exactly one year. During that year, he had dated a young woman, and they had sex. They used birth control. It worked. They'd graduated college and gone their separate ways. Several years later, after Earl had established himself in an upscale kitchen, they tried again as adults. As independent adults, anyway. 

They had sex. They used birth control. It failed. They talked about what to do - if they wanted to let the pregnancy become a child. If she wanted that, most importantly. 

She did. And then, they did. They had decent means and familial support. They could make their life work with a child in it, they thought. They turned out to be wrong. They could not make their life work at all, but, in the end, they had made their lives work with a child in it. They were better co-parents than partners. 

It was all perfectly amicable, as long as they both remembered that the other existed. It had been that way for as long as Earl remembered now, too. Their lawyers had both had a lot to say to him, regarding the fact that he had picked Roger up for the school year a few years back and never returned. 

But there had been a custody agreement, and Earl had always adhered to it perfectly. Hadn't he? He'd asked Roger's mother. Didn't she remember all the time she had spent with their son over the years?

She did. No one asked Roger what he remembered. Earl didn't ask, because he couldn't bear to. He couldn't guess his co-parent's motivation, and it was better not to try. Better to just leave things as amicable. 

The Faceless Old Woman had been disappointed by just how amicable it was. She'd wanted some drama. Humans were good at drama, but all that had happened was this: Roger's mother rang the doorbell. Earl clapped his son on the shoulder and asked if he had everything. Roger nodded silently and shrugged his duffel bag up on his shoulder, and he left without saying anything.

The house was usually quiet, even with Roger. 

But there was texture, or tension, or there was something, anyway. The Faceless Old Woman had opened the window to let the traffic in as a kind of protest, and to disrupt the specific quiet that settled over the house. Earl closed the window before he left, so that he could lock the door on his way out. 

He was an adult with a social life, and time to spend. He had plans that afternoon with an old friend and his husband. They would provide the groceries, the knives, and some labor, because cooking together could be a joyful labor as long as no one was paying you to do it. He would provide the rest of the labor, and his choice of wine. 

Several hours later, there was a roast in Cecil and Carlos' oven, gleaming with lead-free glaze that Earl had brushed on just so. Potatoes topped with pencil shaving crust and casserole dish of green beans waited in the warming drawer underneath. The bottle of wine was down about halfway, although not all of that had actually been drunk yet. All three men were feeling pleasant and companionable, not watching a movie while they waited for the roast to finish. 

Carlos volunteered to get up to check on it. It took him a minute and three kisses to untangle himself from his husband. 

"So, how are things back at your place?" Cecil asked, draped over the armrest of the couch to face Earl. "Enjoying some peace and quiet?"

Earl sipped. He said, "It's quiet."

Cecil straightened. "But you're not enjoying it?"

"Well, I'm not… not enjoying it. But it's different. It's like, I'd just gotten used to things being one way, and now it's another…"

"Oh, yeah, I totally know what you-"

"But that's not true, either. It's been like this for a long time. I mean, I've shared custody of Roger for… for most of my adult life."

"Well, of course. But that doesn't mean it can't be tough," Cecil offered sympathetically. 

"Of course?"

"Well… Yeah. Yeah, of course?"

"No. Not of course. Because it's new, isn't it? It's always been this way, but not for long."

Cecil was silent. Cecil was watching the movie, Earl realized.

Earl leaned forward in his chair. "You know what I mean, right? Don't you, Cecil? I can't… That's the only way I can describe it, but you… How would you describe it?"

Cecil picked up his glass, but did not drink. He twirled it between his fingers, and closed his eyes. "I wouldn't. I wouldn't describe it, Earl."

"But that's what you do, right?"

Cecil treated him to an odd half-smile, as if there had ever been a normal one. Here, he saw an out. "Actually, that's more Carlos' territory. I'm just a humble reporter."

"Oh, really?" Earl looked over Cecil's shoulder, as Carlos came back into the room. Cecil looked behind him, and then to Earl again, shaking his head minutely. Earl hesitated as Carlos came around to take his seat. In the end, he took a gulp of his own wine and caught Cecil's eye defiantly. "Hey, Carlos. What do you think?"

Carlos nodded, and began ticking off items on his fingers. "The roast isn't done yet. The sky is a perfect, cloudless blue, and how often does that happen? I'm pretty worried about it. This movie has a lot of scientific inaccuracies, so maybe we could try another?"

Carlos had not heard what they were talking about.

Earl said, "Uh, sure! But that's not what I meant. I meant, what do you think about the fact that, things haven't been the way they've always been for long."

"Always is a fallacy."

"He's right, you know," Cecil marvelled, and kissed Carlos' cheek. "My brilliant scientist…"

"Okay, fine. But, like… Things have been this way for a while. You know, just things. Life. Except, actually, it's been… two months, at most. No. Almost a month and a half."

Carlos took stock of his current sensory input. He could see Earl, still forward in his seat, eager in an almost biting way. He could also feel his husband, the body pressed against his, the fingers wrapped tight around his shoulder. 

"I haven't studied that yet, so it would be irresponsible of me to say," Carlos said carefully. "But I think that I like how things are now. I think that maybe I'll study it, but I'd rather enjoy this state of being, this... right now, you know? Than pick it apart." 

"I think this is far more entertaining than the movie," the Faceless Old Woman who secretly lived in their home crooned from somewhere above the couch. "But lay off on the insect treatments, okay? I'm running out of snacks." 

She was just glad they hadn't gone to a restaurant, or somewhere that was not a home. She'd hoped to keep tabs on the fidgety one, the one who was a mass of sloshing darkness inside, and she could do that just fine here. She could do that in all homes at once. Time had never been her problem.

------

Maureen still lived with her parents, so she joined Michelle at her apartment after work most nights. It was a small place, capturing perfectly the idea of bare bones. Most of the decor that there was, was skull themed. Skull-patterned cushions on a built-it-yourself couch. Skull-patterned bedding. 

All the mugs were just skulls with the jaws removed. There were mostly mugs in the kitchen. One plate, a scattering of forks, and Michelle hadn't even filled the hot milk drawer yet. That was millennial life: a floating existence, easy to uproot. She'd have a hot milk drawer one day, if she ever settled down.

Maybe it would be their hot milk drawer. That'd be nice, they both thought, but they didn't know how to approach such a personal subject with each other yet. So they kept bouncing on Michelle's carpet. They were recording a hopcore album together. That was a subject they could handle. 

They could also handle the neighbors below them, who were throwing shoes and rocks and occasionally fruit at their ceiling to express their displeasure. Maureen had brought over a tube of wolf spider insulation that night. She had poured it down the vents, and then super-glued the vents shut. 

It'd take a few days, Maureen promised, but soon they'd have a lot less editing to do. Maureen was pretty good at editing - she'd had a lot of experiencing working with auditory media, which was exactly why she hated it. So Michelle handled that, but Maureen didn't mind pitching in to lighten the load. 

Michelle wouldn't have minded, either way. She liked editing what they made together. She heard it more closely than anyone that way, even Maureen herself. She'd select a tiny clip of their breathing and loop it, under a second, again and again and again and. Until it had been several seconds, and then she pressed delete, and their breathing was gone forever. 

Michelle didn't know how to feel about that, but it curdled in her chest, and as long as Maureen stayed with her, she'd have time to figure things out.

They'd just kind of been doing this. Michelle had just locked up the shop, like always, when her phone buzzed. It was Maureen, asking if Michelle wanted to hang. Michelle did, and invited Maureen over. Michelle had gone home, like always, just letting her feet deal with the problem of navigation. 

And then, like always, Maureen had been waiting by the door to the apartment. 

It had never happened before, and one day, Maureen would have a key, and also not live with her parents anymore. But until that day, meeting Maureen outside was what it meant to come home.

------

The bleachers of the Night Vale High School gymnasium were mostly empty. The Night Vale High wheelchair basketball team was in its off-season, but they were holding a scrimmage that day to stay sharp. It wasn't something that demanded any audience, but it had one. A loose collection of bored siblings tagging along with supportive parents. A few peers trying to look bored, like they were only here for want of anything else to do, although they obviously had crushes on team members. 

Cecil, Carlos, Steve, and Abby sat together in the front row. Steve, as assistant coach, occasionally called out encouragement, or a suggestion here and there. Cecil, as a doting uncle, did the same. Whenever a husband jumped up to offer their input, Abby and Carlos, leaning back on the bleachers, shared a smile. 

Congratulations were in order after the game, of course. Janice high-fived her parents and uncles before heading to the locker room. Carlos volunteered to grab some snacks from the vending machine; it was still early and warm, and the gators would be too busy sunning themselves by the doors to be an effective barrier. 

Abby left to bring the car around, in part just because she could, just to enjoy the knowledge that she could leave her husband and brother in the same room, and no one would get hurt. 

"Hard to believe she's gonna be graduating in a year." Steve shook his head. "They grow up so fast."

Cecil was actually silent as they left the gym. "Oh, god! She is. Wow. Well, she's growing into a great young woman."

"Uh-huh. She's got a lot of great people to look up to. Her mother's a real winner. And her uncles aren't half-bad, either." Steve chuckled. He often did this. 

"Yes, well. Her dad is also… a good guy." Cecil said, after clearing his throat. Steve often chuckled, and this still annoyed him. God, it was so annoying. But Steve was a good guy, and more importantly: "A really solid dad, yup."

"We do the best we can with the time we've got. Just gotta hope it's enough." 

"Is it ever?"

The hallway was empty, choked with the absence of students and teachers. Their steps echoed off the lockers. 

Steve got the point. "No. I guess not."

Cecil thought about Janice. She had grown and changed so much. That was what childhood was. There was no stillness in childhood. She was hurtling, always, at speeds that would have made him sick now. He had done the same thing, but. 

It just all felt impossible. He'd been a community radio show host since before she was even born, and he would stay that way until someone pried the microphone from his cold, dead hands. Probably, this would happen literally. That was exactly what he wanted. 

It had been what he wanted, once. He had been a community radio show host for twenty-five years, and yes, he would stay that way. So, nothing changed. Or, everything did, and he couldn't understand or follow along in any meaningful way. He just reported on it. 

Soon, his niece would be graduating high school. But he would still be a radio host. His purpose would not change. His identity would not change. There was something in his chest, pulling. Something testing the connection between his heart and its vessels.

He could just say: nothing will change. This is how it is , until that was true. 

"Hey, are you doing okay? You're pretty quiet."

"What?" And then, realizing the question left a gap Cecil did not want to fill, he said, "Uh, yeah, I'm fine."

"Okay. You're just not usually quiet."

"I am perfectly capable of being quiet, Steve."

He was. He could be quiet. Sometimes, he even liked it. Curled up on the couch next to his husband, Carlos pressing idle kisses over his collarbone, his head tipped up to invite them. Quiet in the middle of a movie, or when they read on their phones before bed. 

Quiet at the dinner table, as he and Carlos delighted in Earl's cooking too much to compliment it right away. 

Quiet listening to Michelle's newest apiary arrangement, which she most certainly did not want his old-fashioned opinion of. 

Quiet, rapt in the audience of Janice's third ballet fight, the last before she'd given it up for basketball captaincy. 

And even in his studio, waiting for the weather to finish. 

They left the high school, and stepped into the bright afternoon. Carlos was already waiting outside with packages of gator jerky and orange juice. Cecil took some snacks, mostly to free his husband's hand for holding. He kissed Carlos on the cheek, and thought, I want this , so he kissed Carlos again, and then Carlos kissed him, and that frantic pull in his chest snapped. There was something spreading inside of him, a liquid sensation like internal bleeding, but freeing. 

His identity would not change, nor would it be limited. He could be a radio host, and not only that. With time, he would learn what else.

------

Cecil cleared their table at Big Rico's while Carlos settled the check. When the scientist came back, he set down something new. It was a novelty glass. The paint was crisp and bright. The motto, "No one does a slice like Big Rico. No one," was printed on it, where Big Rico was written in the logo font.

"Here, babe. I got this for you."

"Ooh, Carlos! I love it, aw! Thank you!"

"Of course. I mean, it's just to replace the one that broke."

"Yeah, but it's from you. That means… everything."

Actually, he could find a metaphor in it. That was his territory, more than description. He could draw a line, a narrative arc, from what had broken to what he held in his hands now. Something old and faded and certainly serviceable, but just not representative of where he ate lunch anymore, much less who he was. 

Also, Carlos had gotten it for him. So, seriously. Cecil loved it.

"As long as you like it."

"I do. I love it." Cecil held the gift to his chest in both hands, and kissed Carlos with it still between them. 

Then he thought the better of it, and broke off long enough to set it down. It needed to at least make it home with them. They kissed again, not for long, but embracing fully this time. They gathered up the leftovers, and Cecil held the door for Carlos on the way out.

"After you, Doctor!"

He really did have a brilliant husband, after all. Always was a fallacy. They were now, and that was enough. 

[thatlesbiannudistcult-stories]

Finding Goddess (Chapter 18)

"I'm still naked, aren't I?"

Carol let out a long, defeated sigh as the realization hit her, though she could no longer say it was surprising anymore. Her body was just finding more and more ways to keep itself bare that it was quickly becoming normal for her. But what really embarrassed the nudist was not the fact that she forgot to dress herself again, but that it took her almost fifteen minutes to catch this latest mishap. At least she now knew what Henrietta and Katherine were grinning so stupidly about.

"You sure are!" cackled Henri from the driver's seat.

"Took you long enough, Mommy," giggled Katherine from where she sat next to Carol in the backseat. She unbuckled her seatbelt and slid closer to the older woman to give her a hug, wanting to enjoy her nude body after clearly holding herself back for so long.

"You really should stay buckled up, Katy, it's not ohhhhhhhh!" Carol shuddered as the black girl took one of her nipples into her mouth and starting suckling on it gently.

Carol really wanted to curse herself for being such a sucker, for being so weak to the sexual whims of her current company. But...shoot, her young lover was just too good at this. And knowing she was doing something so lewd and so indecent in public, surrounded by people on all sides who had no flipping idea what she was doing...got her hot. Really, really hot. So Carol couldn't complain, and she couldn't mope. She could only lean back and enjoy it.

"Hey, Henri?" she said after a few moments, finally finding the energy to speak in between the kisses and laps Katy was sprinkling all over her breasts. "Where exactly are we going anyway?"

"Before I tell you that," said the bikini-clad woman, "have you given it any consideration? You know? Joining that lesbian nudist cult?"

"Mmmm...maybe," Carol murmured, not certain if she was moaning in pleasure or mumbling with indecision.

"Oh, good, good," said Henrietta. "Because you see, both Katy and I have been talking, and we agree that we would appreciate it if you did."

"What are you trying to do, peer-pressure me?" said Carol. "I can't outright change my religion just like that. It requires a lot of thinking. And that's without taking into account the...lifestyle changes it requires, and finding out if it's really not just some big con..."

After giving Carol's nipple one last playful flick of her tongue, Katy pushed herself away from the older woman's breast to look her in the eye. "It's not a con at all. I've been looking stuff up about the Zenrists online, and it's totally legit. There's been no criminal investigations into them at all, and nothing about them requires you to give up any money aside from what you donate to them—"

Carol rolled her eyes doubtfully. "Donations, riiiggghhht. I bet that fancy Temple we went to was paid for entirely by donations as well."

"Yeah, about that," said Henrietta. "Donations did play a big role in the construction of that place, but most of it was financed by the priestess and a bunch of her adherents, a number of whom sold their houses to build it. The Temple in New Deastone is by all accounts their home."

"Where'd you hear this?" said Carol. "Did Maisie tell you?"

"Yep! She's been telling me all sorts of things in between the kinky stuff she's done ever since she converted." At this, Henrietta let out a moan and shuddered as some sudden sexy thought played out in her head. "Ohhhh...Carol, honey, you would not believe the kind of stuff that girl has done. She's a real 'sweet-talker,' if you know what I mean. Among other things."

"Okay, I get the picture," said Carol. "But what does this have to do with where we're going?"

"Well, Carol, both Katy and I have concluded that we need a Zenrist in our life. Right here, locally in Beringall, a hot, naked woman who'll always be around to entertain us. You know, whenever we feel under the weather. And for reasons that should be obvious, we think that woman should be you."

"We want to help you decide quickly, Mommy," added Katy. "And we want to do that by giving you a real Zenrist experience!"

"You, completely naked, no clothes in sight, far from home, outside," said Henrietta, her tone getting increasingly breathier with every word she spoke. "Getting horny, ready to be pleasured at any time...and maybe, ready to pleasure us any time as well."

"I can't...I can't pleasure you anytime in public just like that," said Carol, though she couldn't deny how sexy that sounded. Goose bumps were already prickling up on her flesh and she could still feel Katy's wet lips on her tits even though the black girl had just pulled away. "I'm not a Zenrist yet! I could get in trouble! And so could you!"

"That's why we're not taking you to too public a space," said Henrietta. "Just somewhere where it'll be just us. Katy, me, you, and your wonderfully naked self."

"What, do I count as two people now?" said Carol with an amused chuckle.

"With these mommy-balls, you should be," giggled Katherine, who took that moment to fondle Carol's breasts again before leaning in and rubbing her face all over them. She cooed as the soft warm flesh squished all around her before she paused with startling abruptness. Looking up with an uncertain expression, she asked: "This is allowed with Zenrists, right?"

"Everything is allowed with Zenrists," said Henrietta in a strangely serious tone. "There is nothing a woman and a Zenrist cannot do together."

***

On the trio rode, past the city limits, off the highway, onto a side road, onto another side road with more cracks and dirt in it, until they finally came to a stop at a little parking lot situated at the mouth of a trailhead leading into a forest. Carol recognized the place.

"We're hiking on the Vage Nature Trail?"

"Not very far," said Henrietta. "We're going to take a little detour on it. Go to a nice secluded spot on the Vage Lake."

"Vage Lake, huh." Carol took note of Henrietta's bathing suit. "So you're taking us out for a swim? Or a skinny dip in my case?"

Henrietta winked at her. "That's the plan."

"I...guess I don't have anything against that," said Carol. It had been a long time since she got to go on a proper naked swim. The idea of submerging her completely bare body into a pool of natural water sounded absolutely heavenly. Still, there was a reason she hadn't done it at all recently. "But, uh, is this safe? I've never hiked the trail...like this before."

"And I never hiked it like this," said Henrietta as she gestured at her bikini. "Besides, what are the chances we'll actually bump into someone on the trail?"

Carol's eyes fell on a couple of cars also parked in the lot. "Uh."

"Don't worry about them, Mommy," said Katherine. "There's no signal out here, so no one can report you anyway."

"And even if some prude asshole did want to," added Henrietta, "they'd have to hoof it back to their car, drive to the nearest town, report to the nearest cops, and hope they'll actually care enough to drive all the way out here to arrest you. Believe me, Carol, police stink, but even they have better things to do than hunt for random perverts in the woods."

"I...guess you have a point," said Carol. Come to think of it, hiking the trail in the buff sounded like a fun idea, and a very low-risk one at that. Why hadn't she ever thought of it before?

"It's settled then! Let's go!" cheered Henrietta.

The hike proved to be a relaxing affair for the three women as they walked side-by-side in the forest. The weather was reasonably cool, the sound of the leaves rustling in the wind was soothing on the ears, and there were no bugs in sight to prey upon all the bare skin that was being displayed. About the only troubling sight was the sky, which was blanketed with gloomy grey clouds that warned of impending rain. Wouldn't be a problem for me though, Carol thought with a smug grin. It's been a while since I got to experience a proper outdoor shower.

Thinking about that brought the mother back to the immediate situation, which was that she, Henri, and Katy made a really strange sight. The black girl was the only one among them who was decently dressed for the occasion, sporting a pair of hip-hugging khaki shorts that showed off what a firm booty she was packing underneath them, as well as a camo-patterned top. It didn't fully cover her waist and left her cute belly button exposed, but it was decent enough; no one would be doing any double-takes on her if she strolled past them. Meanwhile, Henrietta was wearing her black bikini, a pair of plain brown hiking boots, and a small duffel bag of sorts over her shoulder. She just looked plain weird, wearing an assortment of stuff that didn't match in style or purpose. But Carol knew she was in no position to criticize her redheaded girlfriend's current attire, for she herself was wearing nothing but her weathered grey (formerly white) running shoes.

Here I am. Butt-naked again. This time in the wilderness. Miles away from my clothing, which is getting farther and farther away with every step I take.

She shivered all over just thinking about it. Knowing that the distance between her body and her clothing was growing steadily wider excited Carol for some odd reason. It was like she was getting even more naked now, even though she had nothing left to take off.

I wouldn't ever wear clothes if I could. I wouldn't even own clothes if I could!

Looking all around her, at the natural grace of the forest, almost completely untouched by human hands, inhabiting it in her almost completely natural state, made Carol start to feel strangely wistful. The women in Zenriah's time were so lucky. They got to enjoy the natural world like this all the time. They could go anywhere, do anything, do any girl without guilt or shame. And they did it all naked. They never wore clothing. They didn't even have a concept of clothing. Just living and loving in the presence of the Goddess the way She made them...that was all they ever needed. She sighed. I wish I could have lived in that time.

Carol frowned and cast her eyes downward, feeling her heart clench up as that familiar sensation of emptiness started to come over her again. Damn it, not now. Why does thinking about the Goddess make me feel so...

A hand passed over her butt and gave one of her cheeks a reassuring squeeze. Almost immediately, the feeling of melancholy left her. Looking to her right, Carol's eyes fell upon the smiling face of her fake daughter, Katherine. Just seeing it warmed the nudist's heart, enough to make her lean in and give the black girl a gentle kiss on the lips. Another hand passed over her left butt cheek and gave it a squeeze in turn, prompting Carol to turn to her other lover, Henrietta, and kiss her as well.

As she pulled back and set her eyes back on the trail, Carol got to thinking again. Divine Language of the Goddess, hm. I wonder if we're speaking it right now? According to Celeste and the Scripture of Zenriah, lesbianism was a way, if not the way, for women to communicate with each other. Every intimate gesture, whether it was a from a tender caress, a gentle kiss on the lips, a circular lick on the nipple, or even an orgasm, conveyed a thought, emotion, or idea, and it did so in a way that the spoken and written word could not. Even a playful squeeze of a girl's butt cheek said something. Still sensing the ghost her girlfriends' hands on both sides of her posterior, and feeling a little tingly from them, Carol wondered just what they were unconsciously saying to her when they touched her like that. Were they just obvious statements like "You're so hot, Carol," and "Nice butt, Carol?" Were they assuring her that everything would be okay? Or did they tell her something more personal, something they had never said to her before? And what would it be like to 'hear' them?

Carol couldn't help but ponder as she walked alongside her lovers. They hiked a little more up the trail until they turned down a slightly less beaten side path that led them to their destination: Vage Lake. The trees thinned out on the footpath approaching it, leaving the area around the water bare save for some tall grass and a few rocks jutting out here and there. Off to the side, there was an old wooden deck where people could presumably go fish on, but no one really did that on this side of the lake. If people wanted to fish, canoe, or do any other water-filled activities, they did so on the opposite shore, which was closer to the road and had more developed facilities. This side of Vage Lake was really more for those who wanted to take in the view.

Or do something of a naughtier, more legally-ambiguous nature.

"This looks like a nice spot," said Henrietta as she knelt down on one decently leveled patch of ground. From her bag, she pulled out and unfurled a quilt to serve as their little picnic blanket. "Come, Carol, sit down here."

Carol would have been happy to oblige her normally, but Katherine was all too either to take the older woman by the hand and guide her to it, escorting her like she was some kind of princess. As Carol took her seat in a feminine sideways position, she flinched as her bare skin made contact with the quilt, which was softer and more plush than a picnic blanket had any right to be.

"Do you want me to take your shoes, Mommy?" said Katherine.

Carol wiggled her toes. Going barefoot outside was always risky, but then, she did fancy the idea of being completely naked out here. Her feet were starting to feel awfully cramped anyway, and the shoes honestly just looked silly and out of place on her otherwise completely bare body. Looking at her two very happy girlfriends, it seemed they wanted to spoil her. If that was the case, who was Carol to deny them? "Yes, please. Thank you."

She extended one leg out to Katherine, allowing the black girl to untie the laces and pull it off. Her smile widened as the shoe slid off her foot, exposing her heel, sole, and then her toes to the world. Giddily, Carol wiggled the now exposed digits, excited by how free they were and how much more naked she now felt. Then she pulled her leg back, and gave Katherine her other foot. In less than a minute, the other shoe was off, and Carol was now completely nude.

"Mmmmm," she murmured, reveling in the sudden rush of sensation that she could now feel everywhere on her body. Being naked felt so good. It's why she loved to be in that state every chance she got.

"Is that good, Mommy?" said Katherine as she sat down on her knees, looking like an excited puppy.

"More than good. It's divine," said Carol. Sitting up on her own knees, she took the younger girl's face into her hands and gave her a tender kiss on the lips. "Such a good daughter." Katherine's smile did not waver, but her cheeks turned an adorable shade of pink at Carol's comment. She kissed Katherine again, this time more deeply, lingering on the younger girl's lips longer. She was compelled to press herself even harder against Katherine when two fingers suddenly brushed against her nipple tips and started tracing circles in the air around them. Carol shuddered all over, her flesh rippling in delight as her tits extended out just a little longer.

In ancient times, she really could become my daughter, she thought, taking a deep breath, if only to press Henrietta's fingers even harder on her nipples. Henri and I could make love by the side of a lake, much like this one. She would impregnate me. Nine months later, I'd give birth to a beautiful baby girl named Katy. We'd raise her together, teach her all there was to know about the Goddess, Her wonder, Her beauty, Her love...the only things worth knowing in the world...

Her hands slithered against Katy's stomach, slipping under the hem of her shirt.

Then we would go to the Goddess. Present Her newest bride to Her. Show Her all the things Katy learned from Henri and I. And all the things we learned together forming our union.

She pawed at the black girl's shirt starting to pull it up.

Katy would take Her lips. Henri Her nipples. And me...I'd take...I'd take...

She was tingling hard, growing increasingly wetter, her inner self was starting to peer out.

I'd take...!

Henrietta pulled away. There was a ruffling sound in her bag, as though she was digging around inside it, before she pulled something out. "Carol, honey, eat this," she said.

Carol pulled away from Katherine to see what Henrietta was offering her. She was greeted by a length of succulent meat cooked to a rich golden brown hue and dripping with sauce. The smell of smoke, salt, and sesame told her that her friend had brought Chinese for their little outing, bourbon chicken in this instance. Feeling her mouth water at the sight, the naked woman obliged her friend and leaned forward to take a bite, sinking her teeth into the closest chunk of meat and sliding it off the skewer. A few drops of sauce dribbled off it and spattered on her breast, and as she rolled the piece of chicken around her tongue to enjoy the rich flavor, they ran daintily down the curve of her orb, dripping onto the red circle of her areola and against the side of her sensitive nub.

After swallowing her first piece, Carol leaned forward to take another, hovering parallel to the skewer for an easier bite. She bit a chunk off the next piece of meat, splitting it between her teeth and pulling it apart in raggedy white strips. More drops of sauce fell, one landing square on the erect nipple of her other breast. Katherine seized that moment to lick it off, flicking the nub excitedly with her tongue before pulling the whole rosebud into her lips and suckling on it as if it would give her more of that sweet, saline flavor.

"I think you could use some more energy," said Henrietta as she put the chicken skewer away and brought out another item. "Have some rice."

She extended a pair of chopsticks up to Carol's lips, holding a gob of white rice between them, each grain so sticky that they stayed neatly clumped together even as they were held aloft in the air. Carol gladly took it into her mouth, alongside the next bite Henrietta offered her, and the bite after that. And all the while, Katherine continued to play with her boobs, massaging and squeezing them with both her hands and her mouth.

"Would you like a drink?" said Henrietta, pulling out a bottle which released a distinct pop sound that could only come from a suddenly loosened cork.

The sweet, fruity aroma of fresh wine filled Carol's nostrils, awakening another kind of thirst in her. "Yes, please," she whispered, already feeling it on the tip of her tongue. She loved wine, fancied herself a connoisseur of the stuff actually. She'd drink nothing else if she could. She opened her mouth eagerly to accept her lover's gift. She was not disappointed; Henrietta tipped the bottle and poured it delicately into her. It wasn't a fancy or expensive wine of course, but to Carol, who was as happy as she could be, naked, outdoors, horny, and being licked by a beautiful young lady, it was more than enough to make her taste buds dance.

She drank happily, taking small rhythmic gulps as Henrietta slowly pulled the bottle away from her. She poured wine on Carol's tongue, then on her teeth, and then onto her lips, until more of the liquid was dribbling down her chin than down her throat. Then she tipped the bottle more, pouring an even greater stream onto the naked woman. She jumped when the fluid hit her breast, chilling every inch of skin that it splashed upon. For an instant, Carol's boob looked like a big, juicy grape as the whole mass of flesh was painted a delicious shade of maroon. Then it slid down her stomach, dipped into her navel, and finally cascaded down her crotch, soaking the trimmed black hairs down there, and seeping into the crevice within.

Katherine lapped that up too. She licked the wine off Carol's skin, sucking in little pinches of flesh to slurp just a little bit more of the sweet-smelling liquid. A bit even fell into her hair and streamed down her face and neck, but she didn't care. She was too distracted by the body of her 'mommy,' glistening, wet, and tasting of the finest thing in life.

Henrietta pushed Carol down until she was lying on her back, and then poured more wine on her body. She poured it on the naked woman's other breast, on her shoulder, on her stomach, and on her thighs. Then she looked at the slightly parted lips of Carol's vulva, licked her own lips at the sight of it, and poured the drink directly into them.

Carol jolted and gasped as the shock hit her, splaying her legs and arching her back in a way that thrust her whole form up in the air, chest, stomach, and crotch. This pumped her mound even harder into the gentle shower of burgundy rain, catching more of the heavenly liquid within her ripened flower, wettening her petals, enflaming her core...

"Mmmm," murmured Henrietta as she watched her lover convulse, soaked in wine and feminine pleasure. "I think I'm feeling a little thirsty myself." Stowing the now nearly empty bottle, the redheaded woman lowered herself to all fours until she was looking directly into Carol's twitching, heaving pussy, drenched, dripping, and smelling of nectar and wine.

"AH...GLAHHH!" Carol cried as Henri charged forward, thrusting her head in between her legs. She nuzzled the naked woman's nethers, rubbing her lips and her nose all over Carol's womanhood. She licked every inch of her sensitive flesh and breathed deeply into it, catching every individual trace, fleck, and vapor of wine that still lingered on Carol's thighs, that still shimmered on her trimmed hairs, that still slid on the skin of her mound, and that still appeared to ooze from the pores of her wet, pulsating sex.

Carol bit her lips as her lover licked and lapped at her innards, slurping the juicy cocktail brewing within. Henrietta's tongue and lips seemed to be everywhere, licking, tasting, and sucking the sloshing petals of the nudist's vagina. Henrietta was drinking her wine, drinking her nectar, drinking her essence, and the more she drank of Carol, the more drink Carol produced in turn with every buck of her hips.

"MMM! MMM! MMMMM!"

She was hot. She was kicking her pelvis into the air, pushing herself harder against Henri's face. Her hands were balled up on the blanket, holding onto the fabric for dear life, as if her naked body was going to fall into the sky if she even considered letting go. But she dared not open her mouth, for fear of who would hear her screams. She had to maintain control...she had to maintain control...

"Do it, Mommy," whispered Katherine as she ran her own tongue along the underside of Carol's breast, lapping up an especially deep pool of fruity aroma around it. "Let it all out."

"I...I...OHHHH!" Carol groaned, trying to voice a straight thought and failing. She couldn't talk, she couldn't think. Not with Henrietta eating—and drinking—her out like this. Not with Katy suddenly latching onto her wine-soaked nipple again. Not with the running and dripping and oozing and splashing of wine all around her...all over her...inside her. "I can't...I can't...OH MY...GAWWWWWWDEEEESSSSS! OH! GODSS! YES! YES! GODSS! YES! OH! OH! GODDESS! YES!"

She bucked and thrashed as her orgasm tore out of her, writhing around on the blanket as if she was chained to it. Muscles clenched and went taut all around her, toes curled, and the enticing aroma of sweet wine and musty womanly essence flooded into her nostrils and poured onto her tongue as she gasped for breath, a lingering ripple from each fiery explosion that erupted from her loins.

By the time it subsided, Carol had only enough time to take in three breaths before the scent returned in full force, alongside the now even stronger taste as Henrietta's lips engulfed her own.

"I think I may have found the Goddess myself," whispered the redhead as she pulled back, breathing heavily. "And She's lying right here under me."

"Woman is the physical manifestation of Zenriah," Carol said, her tone faint, her voice breathy, almost as if she was in a trance, addressing no one but talking to everyone, even though she had the distinct impression she was responding to her friend, telling her something vital, something important. "All that She is. All that She desires. Taught to become a goddess in and of herself."

She half-yawned and half-moaned, stretching herself out on the blanket, loving how it glided against her skin. She took hold of her breasts, squeezed them, pinched her still erect nipples between her forefingers and thumbs. Then she slid them down her body, one rubbing her stomach and coming to rest at her thigh, while the other went down her side and around to her derriere. She squeezed both. She felt wet and sticky all over, damp with perspiration, saliva, and wine. On her skin, on her breasts, and inside her still moist flower.

This is the Goddess' doing. This is the Goddess' work. I must commit to my duty. I must honor Her creation.

Carol spread her legs.

"Are you still thirsty, Mommy?" said Katherine.

"She is," nodded Henrietta. "Good thing I brought more wine!"

Again, Carol was treated to a shower of burgundy. It was poured less conservatively than the last one, first on her lips, then on her face, all over her hair, and then down the length of her body. Henrietta took care to drench her thighs and her legs too, before ending things with a sprits over her pussy. Then Katy sprinkled rice onto her, covering her with hundreds of little white grains that clung to her wet body before following up with a smothering of sauce that she lathered here and there all over Carol's skin. They pulled out more bits of food, including skewers of chicken, chunks of pork, and bits and pieces of broccoli, and dropped those on her as well, some on her belly, some into her cleavage, some on her shoulders, and some onto her thighs, where they would roll down between her legs and come to rest on either side of her Venusian mound. Some pieces they would leave alone, some bits they would take hold of and press into her body to ensure they clung to her sticky flesh, some morsels they would roll on her sensitive skin to get them further covered in the mixture of wine and rice and sauce.

And when they were finally satisfied, they began to feast on her.

[meditationadvise]

7 Ways To Tap Into The Power Of The New Moon In Pisces and The Solar Eclipse

Calling all alarms, mermaids and water children! Tonight's brand-new moon in charming, angelic Pisces-- the watery sign of the fish-- brings a flooding of caring and also healing power to planet earth.

The 2015 Pisces new moon is specifically powerful, as it's both a supermoon (implying it goes to its closest indicate the earth, appearing especially big from our perspective) and a complete solar eclipse. Eclipses move into bring abrupt modifications and reinventions, so welcome the brand-new (as well as the unanticipated).

This eclipse will likewise begin the 2015 spring equinox. Quickly after this potent site opens, the zodiac will reset as well as the Sunlight will relocate right into Aries. Discuss a cosmically billed day!

Pisces is ruled by Neptune, earth of the subconscious as well as impressions. Life is however a desire under its trippy yet magical spell. Yet hey, it can be fun when things go differently compared to intended-- once we stop battling the circulation.

Today's Pisces new moon offers the ideal possibility to concern, well, just about every presumption we have actually ever made.

Magic is feasible today, so here are a few means you can shift some particles in deep space by taking advantage of the power of the Pisces brand-new moon:

1. Suspend all beliefs.

We've heard informed individuals (and also would-be informed folks, like us) recommend that 'reality' is a made-up concept, subject to interpretation. You understand, there may simply be something to that.

Albert Einstein, whose concept of relativity turned our idea of reality on its head, was a Pisces. Today's brand-new moon motivates us to wonder about direct ideas like distance and also time. Ever notice that when you're tired, an hour seems like a lifetime-- however when you're 'in the area,' it flies by means too swiftly?

Or, as we have actually listened to people state, the President of the United States has the same 24 hours in his day as you do. The Pisces new moon triggers us to shift into quantum thinking, where time is a lot more flexible than fixed-- and could be curved at our will.

One of our preferred (and also most absorbable) publications on the quantum realm is Dr. Joe Dispenza's Breaking the Routine of Being Yourself: Just how To Lose Your Mind as well as Create a Brand-new One. The Pisces brand-new moon pushes us to think about that possibly-- simply maybe-- what we THINK we know isn't the only possibility.

2. Welcome the unexpected.

To be human is to be a control fanatic. Pisces is the sign of abandonment and release. Under the spell of this user-friendly indicator, we would certainly all do well to hand the symbolic reigns to the world-- which might have a much better plan compared to the one our temporal minds can create.

When things take a U-turn or drift off onto an unchartered path, attempt not to go crazy. Instead say, 'Hmmm ... I question exactly what I'm expected to pick up from this modification of occasions?' Allow your inquisitiveness lead, instead compared to your stress and anxiety. Quit, listen and also connect into the flow. You're being directed, so pay attention up!

3. Take into consideration the concept of the 'afterlife.'

Pisces is the zodiac's twelfth and also final indication, which is why so several people birthed under this indication are 'old hearts,' with a strong link to the various other side. Pisces is additionally related to reincarnation and also the immortality.

Another publication that's made a huge effect on us and aided us via some awful circumstances is Anita Moorjani's Dying To Be Me: My Trip from Cancer, to Near Death, to Real Healing. Moorjani's whole body was surpassed by cancer and also she fought the illness for four years. On her expected deathbed, she had a near-death experience where she recognized her worth as a human being which old, unconscious worry, went to the origin of her cancer.

During this experience, she experienced pure entirety and love, remaining in multiple locations simultaneously, and also a state of liberty that she defines in poetic information. After restoring awareness, Moorjani's health and wellness made a remarkable turn-around as well as she was launched from the healthcare facility weeks later on without a solitary trace of cancer cells in her body. Moorjani is a Pisces, remarkably enough! Her tale is medically documented. It's an incredible book that can make you rethink exactly what you understand about disease, healing, life as well as death.

If you're dealing with the passing of an enjoyed one, the site ModernLoss.com additionally uses a broad swath of individuals's experiences dealing with pain, death and also passing away in today's world. At the Pisces new moon, a fresh viewpoint on all these matters could actually go far.

4. Live your life as a work of art.

What if you pertained to every little thing you do-- from brushing your hair to creating an email-- as a job of art? Visualize just what type of honor, dignity and also divinity you would certainly bring to every minute of your life? You would exist in a true state of elegance. Right here's a Pisces brand-new moon idea: try this as an experiment for two weeks-- leading up to the Virgo complete moon on March 16-- and also see just how your experience of life shifts.

Need a push? Obtain inspired by musician extraordinaire Michaelangelo-- a Pisces birthed March 6, 1475. He spent four years painting the amazing ceiling of the Sistine Church, which is one of the 7 wonders of the world. Throughout his life time, Michaelangelo was referred to as Il Divino (' the magnificent one'). How extremely Piscean, since the shroud in between the earthly as well as the divine is thinned by Pisces' beautiful impact. What spirit or force owned him to such quality? Get your very own version of the symbolic paintbrush and learn.

5. Don't hate, meditate.

Pisces rules the subconscious, as well as brain researchers all over are discovering surprising benefits of having a tendency to your own through reflection. While the concept can seem intimidating (is another person's 'OM' more high-vibe compared to your own?) or bothersome (you desire me to rest still for how long?), you don't have to escape to a 10-day quiet hideaway to achieve the stunning health and wellness advantages.

From decreasing your blood pressure to enhancing your empathy to minimizing stomach fat, health advocates are rallying us to 'practice meditation, not medicate.' Why not begin, or re-start, this attesting practice today? With alternative Pisces in the lunar house, everything starts with one deep and conscious breath.

Meditation simply needs you to sit still and understand your breath, also for a couple of short minutes (this wonderful overview of reflection for non-meditators discusses it well). Personally, we such as using led reflections, like the ones from our friend Terri Cole, as well as the Oprah-Deepak Chopra series.

6. Take a creativity vacation.

When was the last time you misplaced a couple of hrs as well as simply allow on your own follow your impulses? Daydreamer Pisces encourages you to ride a divinely-inspired wave.

Whether that means playing with a music tool or watercolors, having an unscripted dance party for one, or roaming via stores examining out scents, bespoke bags and also lust-worthy shoes (glamorous Pisces guidelines the feet, after all), the Pisces brand-new moon urges you to adhere to the muse.

7. Take advantage of the tidy water movement.

Pisces rules the seas and seas, as well as this eclipse can highlight the should safeguard and share our earth's water. Numerous children around the globe have little to no accessibility to risk-free, clean alcohol consumption water.

At the Pisces brand-new moon, check out philanthropic efforts to alter that, like UNICEF's Faucet Project, which challenges individuals to abandon mobile phone use to unlock tidy water gain access to, or by beginning your own CharityWater campaign. You can also get involved with regional or regional efforts to save water and also shield our earth's jeopardized supply. Below more than 100 means to do that. For a mind-blowing glimpse of the battle for water (and the impact of business greed), examine out the documentary 'Blue Gold: World Water Wars.'

[miraculouspaon]

Nelix Week Day One: Library

This week I will be posting one complete story in seven parts. Enjoy!

Part One

“This is all your fault, you know,” Nino informed Felix.

“How-“ Felix and Nino both ducked instinctively at yet another loud crash, “-do you figure?” Felix pushed with all his might against the overturned picnic tables above their heads, to no avail. He didn’t fancy being trapped with his brother’s best friend a second longer than absolutely necessary, but it seemed he was entirely at the mercy of Paris’ latest akuma du jour.

“It was just one little autograph.”

“I don’t expect you to understand, but it’s always just one little autograph, one little selfie, and the next thing you know you’re filing a restraining order.”

“She wasn’t even asking you!”

“I thought I’d save Adrien the trouble.”

“Yeah, just look at all the trouble you saved him.” Nino put his face up to the space between two tables and squinted. “I can’t see him anymore.”

“Good. Hopefully he at least had the good sense to get indoors.”

“Yeah.” Nino took half a step back and immediately banged his head. Scowling, he dropped to the ground and began to rummage through his backpack.

“What are you doing?” Felix asked.

“Homework,” Nino said, pulling out his physics textbook. “We have an exam next week, and ‘I couldn’t study, there was an akuma attack’ isn’t much of an excuse these days.”

“Ah.” Slowly, Felix lowered himself to the ground. “You have a point.” He pulled out his literature assignment, and began to read by the light that managed to filter in through the debris that trapped them both. For the next fifteen minutes the boys worked in total silence, ignoring the occasional crashes and screams from the outside world.

“So,” Nino looked up, “Does Adrien have a lot of restraining orders or something?”

Felix looked at Nino, surprised. “No,” he said. “Our mother had her fair share, though. I’d rather Adrien didn’t have to deal with everything she went through.”

“She was a model too, right?” Felix nodded. “How’d you get out of it?”

“Pardon?”

“Well, Adrien doesn’t seem to enjoy modeling much, but your old man makes him do it anyway. How’d you get out of it?”

“I was bad at it,” Felix said stiffly. “The camera does not like me.”

Nino laughed. “Does anybody?” He covered his mouth. “Shit, sorry, that came out way meaner than I meant.”

“It’s fine.” The corners of Felix’s mouth turned up slightly. “Adrien takes after our mother. I do not. There isn’t really anything more to it than that.”

“Well, maybe you should give Adrien some pointers. On how to be bad at modeling, that is. I know he’d love the free time.”

“I do not have free time,” Felix said. “Trust me, my father finds… other ways to fill my schedule.”

Nino rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I bet he does.” Nino took a deep breath. “I’m sorry I said this was your fault.”

Felix shrugged. “Maybe it is.”

“No, it isn’t. I’m just in a bad mood. This is the only day this week Adrien had any time to hang out, and now it’s being eaten up by an akuma. That’s not your fault.” Felix didn’t respond, and after a moment Nino went back to studying. “Mind if I play something?”

“Pardon?”

“I study better with a beat,” Nino explained.

“Oh. Fine.”

Nino pulled his phone out of his pocket and began scrolling through his music library. “Any preferences?”

“Not really.”

“Oh come on, everybody has some music preferences.”

Felix rolled his eyes without looking up from his book. “Bach, then.” A few seconds later he looked up, surprised, as the Goldberg Variations began playing softly.

“What, you thought that would stump me?” Nino asked, grinning.

“Let’s just say I’m pleasantly surprised and leave it at that.” They continued studying for a while, the harpsichord recording doing a passable job of drowning out the sounds of chaos outside. Felix’s fingers began to move of their own accord, picking out the correct keys on an invisible piano. A few minutes later, a movement caught at the corner of his eye, and Felix realized Nino’s fingers were playing along as well. “You play?”

“Hm?” Nino followed Felix’s gaze. “Oh, yeah, of course. I can play about five different instruments. You?”

“Just the piano. It was our mother’s favorite. Adrien plays as well, although he doesn’t seem to find it as relaxing as I do.”

Nino smiled. “Maybe you take after your mom more than you think,” he said.

~~~

“Adrien. Felix.” Gabriel looked up from his desk as Nathalie ushered his sons into his office, his eyes narrowed. “You are an hour late coming home. This is unacceptable.”

“There was an akuma attack, Father,” Adrien said quickly.

“I am aware. I am also aware that if you had both come home directly from school, instead of wasting time socializing, you would have been safely within these walls by the time the akuma struck.”

“I don’t think so, Father, because the victim was looking for-“

“Do not contradict me,” Gabriel snapped, and Adrien immediately shrank back. “I have allowed the both of you to attend school on the basis that you can do so safely. If that is no longer the case, we will have to revisit our arrangement. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Father,” Adrien and Felix said in unison.

“Good. Adrien, you have a photo shoot and you are already late. Nathalie will escort you. Felix, you will remain here. I have another matter to discuss with you.”

Adrien frowned and shot his brother a worried look. “It’s fine,” Felix said softly. “I’ll see you after the shoot.”

Adrien nodded uncertainly. “Goodbye, Father,” he said, but Gabriel had already returned his focus to the work on his desk and didn’t look up as Adrien and Nathalie left. Felix waited patiently.

“We have discussed,” Gabriel finally said, putting aside several concept drawings, “the wisdom of antagonizing those who might bear a grudge against your brother.”

Felix fought to keep his face expressionless. “You’re welcome,” he said dryly.

“You lost track of your brother during the attack. That would not have happened if you’d done as I’ve asked, and found someone unconnected to upset.”

“If you’re going to be picky about who I upset,” Felix said, “you’ll have to allow me more than five minutes of freedom a day to find targets more to your liking. And if you don’t like who I pick, you don’t have to akumatize them at all.”

“One might doubt your commitment to our plan, hearing you talk like that,” Gabriel said cooly. “Do you want your mother to wake up or not?”

“Of course I do!” Felix exclaimed angrily. “I’ve done everything you’ve asked and you know it. You’re just mad your plan is going nowhere, and you’re taking it out on me.”

“Don’t be dramatic, Felix.” Gabriel fixed his son with a stare. “Your job is very simple, and far easier than mine. In the future, you will adhere to the parameters I have laid out. That is all.”

A million sharp retorts died in Felix’s throat. Without another word, he turned and left.

[coolbluesgames-blog]

Post Mortem

Road to Esports was a game developed according to a brief: Develop a game which will generate interest in esports. There are many ways to interpret this. First, we decided to select a demographic so we’d have a direction to conceptualise in. We chose to target casual gamers. People who don’t particularly have lengthy play sessions, but enjoy social games, or games to play while commuting. We set out to make a brief, but memorable gaming experience. One which would leave a lasting impression on the user.

We had thirteen weeks to plan and develop the game, roughly eight weeks of that was developing. We started with three members, but we fluctuated in numbers. In the end, we had two of the original members, plus a new one.

With all that said, the following is a brief reflection on the process.

Communication and Conversation

Two areas which could’ve been improved during development were our communication and conversation. To clarify, communication refers to project information being relayed to one another, meeting as an entire group, ie. how we interact. Conversation more refers to the topics and detail of our meetings, the feedback we give each other, ie. the content of our interactions.

Communication is the beating heart of a project. It is the component of development which simultaneously rouses interest, shares knowledge and ideas, helps maintain project standards, not to mention abates development anxiety. It is the most human thing about developing a video game.

Our lack of communication was the root cause of many of the teams' problems. Often, the slack channels would be empty. On the occasions where someone would post, they were typically met with soft replies. Or no replies at all. Since slack was our most common method of communication, including our allotted class time, this was worrying as it became more common. It wasn’t so much the case at the beginning of the project, but it was a swift decline into such a state. The problems that arose from this were: Lull in interest, the groups vague understanding of base game features, inability to refine concepts or ideas. Because without constant, or at least meaningful communication, the group falls away into individuals committed to individual tasks which will be stitched together at some point. Rather, the projects components should be felt as though they’ve been created with each other in mind.

Then there’s conversation. The content of our conversations was inhibited. It was felt that team members were unable to offer constructive feedback when prompted. Even if it was in the projects best interest that this be the case. This seems to come from an unfamiliarity between team members, but it was also due to the lack of communication. A team in constant communication could build the trust within each other to put the project ahead of their feelings. Because there would be an understanding that it isn’t a sleight against the person, it’s just a natural discussion.

One way to improve communication and conversation is to hold weekly meetings, if not bi-weekly. A personal, face to face meeting ensures that all members are present in some way, and have an allotted time to discuss anything project oriented they desire. Members have the opportunity to have meaningful discourse here. They’re able to understand their colleagues' position in the team as well.

Documentation

Employing a library of living documentation is an appropriate and sound way to organise project information. Be that information prospective or current features, audio and visual concepts, technical parameters, or project planning. It’s a resource useful to the team in order to maintain the vision of the lead developers, and for new members to gauge the elements necessary to the project’s success.

We created a number of living documents. A Technical Design Document (TDD), a Game Design Document (GDD), and an art proposal document. They were not as comprehensive as they should have been. However, at the document’s inception, there was enough information for any person undertaking or approaching the development to have a good understanding of the project. Unfortunately, our documentation fell short in a number of ways.

We did not reference or update the documents as often as we should’ve. There were numerous inconsistencies amongst the work of different teammates. Things like naming conventions, coding styles, and file formats were at times completely different. On a project as small as ours, this wasn’t truly a problem, only an annoyance. However, on a larger team with more moving parts, this is possibly a major concern. There were also inconsistencies on basic features within the game. Something that shouldn’t happen if all team members are reading, updating, and sharing documentation.

Documentation - Project Planning

A major problem as that we did not have documentation for project planning and maintenance. We had appointed a Project Manager, but due to external circumstances they stopped communicating with the group and left shortly after week five. They neglected to share any resources they were working from, or any documentation they’d already made regarding project management. This was not as much of a detriment to us as it could’ve been since we were not making proper use of project management techniques, as mentioned previously (C). However, two issues did arise from this teammate’s departure: The first, remaining team members felt they had nowhere to turn when confronted with imminent project goals and tasks. Second, when a new member joined the team, they were not immediately assigned to a position or task.

In regards to the first issue, this affected our productive engagement with the project. We often had no frame of reference with our work. Larger components of work were not fragmented into smaller tasks, so there was no bank of tasks ready to be issued. Tasks we’d created for each other weren’t easily approachable, as they did not feel to be part of considered, solid plan. Effectively, our project did not feel grounded or whole, even if the concept was more so. Without a plan which dissects the concept, and forms from it manageable workloads, the project felt somewhat nebulous. This is where the dense gravity of the utter distinction between an idea and a project was felt.

The second issue. On the two occasions where new members joined our team, we had no work ready for them. The advent of the second member is what signaled the problem. We had zero tasks to give them. From our concept we knew the major portions of the game, and that those portions were crucial, but no way to translate them to a form easier to complete. Without direction, the new member was left feeling less a part of the body of the project team and more of an appendage. They were left to chase tasks to complete and eventually left the group.

Going forward, the solution is to be resolute about how game documentation is handled. The policy should be that no member is without simplistic access to these documents. They should not be made to track them down. They should be within constant reach. This way, when an issue arises with workflow, consistency, or something similar, the team member has a source of information to draw from. Ways this could be achieved are by having all people on the project have google drive on their devices. Google Drive could hold all the game design documentation, and be updated regularly as well. The updated documents should have comments where information has been added or altered. Weekly in-person meetings should also include documentation updates so that all members are made aware in a face-to-face setting.

The way the documents are to be updated must also be strictly adhered to. If new content is created, or existing content is altered, and this change necessitates an update to documentation, then it should be done so by the end of the working week. This way, there will be a steady stream of updates to the documentation, and no chance for a backlog to build up. Creating a document which logs changes to be made to documentation is a good way to ensure they don’t get lost by the end of the week.

Finally, if a member of the team who holds a vital role is no longer available, be sure not to neglect to assign someone else their duties. Anyone of us could have replaced the project planner, but we were too entrenched in our own responsibilities. This kind of thinking is not ideal in scenarios where adaptation is the crucial element to succeed.

The Project’s Conclusion

There are plenty more topics to cover what we could’ve done better, and I didn’t even touch on what we did right. We should’ve followed a development strategy. Sure. In the end, though, we learned a lot about working as a team. And perhaps the game doesn’t bear any relevance to esports, but I had fun. Thanks, pals!

[fear-god-shun-evil]

4 Ways to Tell True Church From False Ones

By Xiaozhen

Brothers and Sisters of Loving Stage:

Thanks for your last fellowship, and it has resolved my perplexities. Your communication was very illuminating and I really got a lot from it. This time, I’d like to ask another question and I hope to get some help.

I haven’t felt the Lord’s presence for a long time. The pastors and elders drily preach without light; the faith and love of brothers and sisters have grown cold; there is no previous patience but jealousy and strife between co-workers. They always fight and complete with one another in order to preach on the pulpit and misappropriate church offerings. … In such a church, I can’t feel the presence, blessing and leading of the Lord. For that reason, I feel depressed and even begin to think whether our church has been abandoned by the Lord. If so, am I not going to die of thirst and hardship keeping staying here? Therefore, I am very worried and want to seek how to differentiate between true churches and false churches. Hope to hear from you.

Sister Helen:

I’m glad to receive your letter. Our communication can help you resolve your perplexities, which is the Lord’s guidance. All the glory be to our Father in heaven. Amen!

With regard to your question, we got some enlightenments and guidance from the Lord through praying and seeking. Here we will commune with you about our knowledge of this question and we hope that this can be helpful to you:

1. It is based on whether or not there is the work of the Holy Spirit in the church, whether or not believers truly fellowship about the truth during meetings and whether or not their lives grow gradually.

If a church has the work of the Holy Spirit, then the believers of this church will often fellowship about the word of God when attending meetings, and focus on the search for the truth in God’s words to solve their problems and gaining enlightenments and light from the Holy Spirit, so that they can understand God’s intentions and requirements, and know their own corruption and what they lack. Additionally, they can not only have the knowledge of God’s work, but can speak of their testimonies of experience about practicing God’s word in reality. And brothers and sisters complement each other. Thus, in this kind of church, their faith in God will become deeper and deeper and their lives grow and grow. But, if, instead, in a church most believers are weak in faith, can’t practice God’s word but just keep some rules outwardly, have little true knowledge and reverence of God, have no enlightenment from the Holy Spirit and no spiritual enjoyment when gathering together in fellowship and feel no interest and no way of practice but just go through the motions as a religious ceremony without any growth and change in life, then we can confirm that there is no work of the Holy Spirit in this church. Just as when the Lord Jesus came to do His work, the temple didn’t have the Holy Spirit’s work, becoming a wasteland. Those chief priests and scribes and Pharisees, the so-called servants of God, couldn’t receive God’s work. The lawlessness grew endlessly. They even had no discipline and reprimand of God, much less enjoyed His care and protection. They just treated the laws as dogma and even failed to adhere to it. At last, they made the temple a den of thieves. Just as Jehovah God said: “And also I have withheld the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain on one city, and caused it not to rain on another city: one piece was rained on, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered” (Amos 4:7). A church that has no work of the Holy Spirit is just a gathering of men, not a true church.

2. It is based on whether or not the pastors, elders and preachers love and pursue the truth and have the work of the Holy Spirit and whether or not they truly understand and practice the truth.

A good church must be led by those who truly follow God, experience His work and are relatively humane. Such people love the truth, have true faith in God and can truly obey God’s work. If having transgressions or corruption that is revealed, they can truly know and regret themselves and have a true repentance. Such people are responsible for their church and the growth of the lives of the brothers and sisters. If finding someone reveals some corruption, they will provide assistance and supply; if finding someone has some difficulties and deviations, they will help him at any time and communicate the truth of God’s words with him to resolve problems. So if being watered, supplied, supported and led by such people, the brothers and sisters in the church will have full confidence in following God and enter into the reality of the truth through experiencing God’s work. As you can see, whether a church is true or false is based on whether or not the church’s leaders love and pursue the truth, have the Holy Spirit’s work and truly understand and practice the truth. If they, who lead and shepherd others, don’t have the Holy Spirit’s work and don’t pursue the truth, then the church where they are will be in trouble. Thus this church may be a false church. As the Lord Jesus said: “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matthew 15:14). If a church’s pastors, elders and preachers don’t love or pursue the truth, when encountering issues, they won’t lead brothers and sisters to pray to or rely on God. They also won’t lead others to magnify God or to practice in line with His words, much less will they lift up or testify to God to bring others before God and let them understand God’s intentions. They only solve problems relying on their own will and conceptions and imaginations. And they even bring others before them. It is quite similar to the chief priests, scribes and Pharisees of Judaism: Though they labeled themselves servants of God to interpret scriptural laws, they never exalted God or bore witness to God, nor did they practice God’s words or walk in God’s way. All they did was just ask people to hold on ancestral traditions instead of God’s commandments. They used their hypocritical external actions to confuse and deceive people, to make people look up to them and worship them, while behind people’s backs, they did evil things that resisted God like murdering the prophets and devouring widows’ property. When the Lord Jesus began to do His work, they obstinately and arrogantly adhered to the preposterous view “we don’t accept and recognize Him unless He is called Messiah,” with which they resisted and condemned the Lord Jesus’ work. They tried and trapped the Lord Jesus any chance they got. Finally, they even incited the people together with them to nail the Lord Jesus to the cross. Isn’t it that the blind lead the blind and all will fall into the pit? If the believers of the denominational churches are cultivated and shepherded by those hypocritical pastors and elders, the modern Pharisees, then the lives of these believers will be ruined in the hands of those false shepherds and evil servants sooner or later. Thus without doubt such a church is a false church.

3. It is based on whether the truth or the evil hold the power and whether the people who pursue the truth or the people who are evil and play around hold the power.

The church is a place where the people who seek the truth have the church life and pray to and worship God. A true church consists of all those who truly believe in God and have the Holy Spirit’s work. In a true church, the truth wields the power. In case someone goes against the truth and God’s words and runs wild within the church, he will be driven out of the church. If there are two or three people who have the Holy Spirit’s work getting together in the church and other brothers and sisters revolve around them, putting them first, this is a church. But if those two or three people are suppressed and rejected by others and have no right to speak, then this is not a church for the Holy Spirit has no way to work. The people who have the Holy Spirit’s work are at the center of the church. They can stand and speak up and lead and support brothers and sisters. Besides, the church work is decided by them and everyone listens to them. This is a church. But if it’s not the people who have the Holy Spirit’s work that support and take care of the church, and if it’s not the truth but the antichrists and evil servants, who have no work of the Holy Spirit at all, that wield the power, then this kind of church cannot be called a church and it is actually a false one, a religious place. For the antichrists and evil servants resist God; the Holy Spirit won’t work on them at all. God says, “Those who practice the truth within the church are abandoned and are unable to achieve their potential, while those who disturb the church and spread death run wild within the church. What is more, the majority of people follow them. This kind of church is simply under Satan’s control and the devil is their king. If the people of the church do not rise up and cast out those head demons, then they will also come to ruin sooner or later. From now on measures must be taken against this kind of church. If those who are capable of practicing a little truth are not engaging in seeking, then that church will be banned” (“A Warning to Those Who Do Not Practice the Truth”). Let us look back at the chief priests, scribes and Pharisees. They didn’t have the Holy Spirit’s work but only followed the rules and performed religious ceremonies. They didn’t obey God’s way but always spoke the words and doctrines of the Bible to constrain and deceive believers. They usurped the temple, not allowing the Lord Jesus to preach in it. Besides, they colluded with the Roman government to condemn and resist the new work done by the Lord Jesus as well as arrest His disciples. The Lord Jesus denounced and condemned them saying: “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for you neither go in yourselves, neither suffer you them that are entering to go in” (Matthew 23:13). According to the words the Lord Jesus spoke to denounce and condemn the Pharisees, we can see the actual fact that the temple at that time was controlled by the Pharisees, the antichrists. The temple had been made a den of thieves by them instead of a place where people worshipped God. If the pastors and elders can’t say anything about the true understanding of God or the real experience of life, but usually exalt the Bible and explain the words and doctrines of the Bible to us as well, to constrain and control people for others to admire and worship them, then such a church isn’t held by the truth but the antichrists. And this church is a false church.

4. A gathering of those who truly seek the truth and have the Holy Spirit’s work is a church. The place where the evil and the ignorant gather is a religious place but not a church.

The Lord Jesus once said: “Again I say to you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the middle of them” (Matthew 18:19-20). It shows that so long as people who pursue the truth, that is, people who love and bear witness to God, can gather together to pray to God, read God’s words and gain the Holy Spirit’s work, then such a gathering can be called a true church. On the contrary, if a church is not a gathering of the people who pursue the truth, no matter how solemn it is on the surface, how many believers it has, how it performs the religious ceremonies, it’s just a religious place but not a true church. The church is not where some people simply gather together. We must find the people who have God in their hearts, have the Holy Spirit’s work, truly love God and pursue the truth and especially have knowledge of God to get together. This is a church. Within this church, there is the work of the Holy Spirit and God’s guidance, commission and testimony. If the people in the church are a bunch of bums, who play around and don’t love the truth, when getting together to fellowship about the truth, they will speak nonsense, gossip about the external things and complain about the hardship. At last, they won’t have the Holy Spirit’s work at all. Such a church isn’t a church but the stronghold, haunt and den of Satan having been abandoned by God for long. Just as when the Lord Jesus was at work on the earth, those who thirsted for the truth and followed the Lord gathered together, which exactly was a church. Yet those Jews who followed the Pharisees were unable to discern the way of truth and didn’t seek the truth either. Although being in the temple, they didn’t have a God-revering heart in the slightest and traded in the temple. Hence the Lord Jesus taught them saying: “Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but you have made it a den of thieves” (Mark 11:17). It shows that if in the denominational churches they all talk about the words and doctrines and there is no Holy Spirit’s work in their meetings, then those churches exactly are false churches. When gathering together, if they always discuss how to keep healthy, how to follow the worldly trend, how to build wealth instead of focusing on pursing and knowing the truth and practicing the Lord’s words, then such a place is a religious place, in which are a bunch of bums. It is exactly not a church. We must reject and stay away from it.

In short, a true church is a gathering of the brothers and sisters who truly believe in God and pursue the truth. These people have the enlightenment and illumination of the Holy Spirit when reading God’s words. Through what they fellowship on the truth, people can receive benefit and enjoyment and understand the truth. In this kind of church, brothers and sisters can gain the provision of life and the truth in meetings and their corrupt disposition can be purified gradually. As a result, their disposition will change and their transgressions will be fewer. They all will truly obey and worship God. In addition, their faith and love will increase gradually and all of them can perform their duties faithfully for reciprocating the Lord’s love. Only a church such as this is a true church. Rather, what are the characteristics of a false church? Firstly, there must be no Holy Spirit’s work when people fellowship in this church. Everybody says they get no enjoyment during meetings. All they fellowship is doctrinal words and a vast misinterpretation of God’s words but not true knowledge of God; secondly, the church’s pastors, elders and preachers don’t pursue the truth and don’t have the Holy Spirit’s work. The church become the stagnant water in that no people who truly understand the truth can fellowship about the truth to water and supply the believers’ lives; thirdly, some people in the church, who pursue the truth, are constrained and suppressed so that they can’t normally work nor perform their duties as a creature. The entire church is basically controlled by the evil people and false shepherds, who don’t have the Holy Spirit’s work. A church such as this is a false church.

Sister Helen, these elements above are what we summarize concerning the principle of confirming whether a church is a false one. We hope it will be helpful to you. Also, we hope you will be clear on your church early and then actively seek for the true church which has the Holy Spirit’s work, early returning to the Lord’s family! May the glory be to our Father in heaven!

[kordeliiius]

Winter Anime 2018 First Impressions

Decided to do another one of these; it’ll probably be a regular for each season I get into! LET’S GOOO! (Note: I won’t be doing impressions for anything continuing from last season. [Fall] This consists of: Sangatsu no Lion S2, Classicaloid S2, Black Clover, The Ancient Magus’ Bride.)

Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card - I’ve read this entire manga up to the point where they’re in middle school, but I’ve never watched an episode of the anime, so I was worried if the new series was gonna continue with any of the liberties that were made. And it seems to adhere to the manga this time around! The series prologue was a good recap for me, since I haven’t read CCS in years. And it overall looks better than the original anime. As for the actual new show it’s pretty good to start, with the new story picking up the pace quickly, and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens! One of my major gripes is with some of the voices; I think Tomoyo’s voice is too high-pitched, and Errol’s is too... deep? Raspy? Kinda rubs me the wrong way. Though I REALLY liked the ED, it’s very well-animated.

Pop Team Epic - No.... words?? It’s just bizarre?? Okay so the show is based on a yonkoma series, so obviously each episode is composed of a bunch of animated shorts. But the episodes themselves are also short, being 10 minutes each. So what they do to fill up time is to play two versions of it: one version where the girls have Stronk Man Voices, the other in high-pitched voices. (only one of which sounds like a girl, oddly. I think they have the most fitting voices in the part where they’re speaking French. Also there’s an irl French guy in this...) The series has a slight meta vibe to it. There’s a references to other media like Kimi no Na Wa (which) killed me), Totoro, and Skyrim in a sequence that I can only describe as something similar to The Matrix. For some reason, instead of making an intro sequence or end card with the main characters, it’s replaced with some sort of high school idol anime concept that’s totally unrelated, but I guess it’s to deceive the viewers?? (Note from the future: the actual OP sounds really good.) And there’s one scene with a bunch of faceless “corporate bad guys”, who say there’s no way a yonkoma can become an anime, but they’ll find a way to win the season. (Hey man, put down the fidget spinner, Chito and Yuuri already stole last season by dabbing and Kyoani’s takin the cake this time)

Karakai Jouzu no Tagaki-san - So I got the original recommendation through Lost Pause, who said that this series is extremely heartwarming, that he has never shipped two people harder in his life. So I decided to check it out, because everyone needs that comedic refresher for each season. Generally speaking, Takagi-san was alright. I really enjoyed the main characters' antics (seriously, Takagi is a genius prankster), though I did not expect Yuki Kaaji's voice to come out of the other kid's mouth. The pacing is quite slow, probably to more effectively build up to the punchline of a gag, and the animation was a bit better than I expected. I'm kind of on the fence about this one. I'll stay with it for a few more weeks at least.

Violet Evergarden - Oh God, where do I even begin? Okay, so when I first discovered this show, I thought Violet would be an actual mechanical doll, but it turns out my second suspicion, her being an amputee with mechanical arms, was correct. Her following orders strictly, not knowing what love is, and being part of the “auto memories doll” service all lead me to think she’s a machine, but it turns out she’s the way she is because she was raised in the military, where everyone claimed she was a “tool” without a mind of her own. I personally think the former would have been more interesting. (She doesn’t fully understand metaphors or death either, so I think it’s likely she has autism as well.) So far, I’m really fond of the art style and character designs, and while we didn’t get the best animation that’s been shown in the trailers yet, we got some pretty good sequences, during the end credits for example. (The final scene, however, rekt me.) The first episode has only given me more questions about Violet and her fellow veterans’ backgrounds, so I’ll definitely be continuing the beautiful and emotional ride!

Yuru Camp - Okay, first, if you want the short review: this show... is cuuuuuuuuute! Like seriously, Nadeshiko is a little ball of sunshine. But yeah, I feel like Yuru might as well be a candidate for THE slice of life--kick up your feet and watch cute girls do cute things--anime of the season. It's got some pretty good tracks, some I think I could chill out and work to sometime, and I’m also really, REALLY fond of the background art. I don't think camping is something that's been done in anime, at least not very often. I've been camping many times myself, but I don't think I've seen anyone make a fire the way Rin does, so maybe this is a show I could learn some trivia from? The one thing that's shocked me so far is that the first part of the episode consists of a school student camping all by herself! And apparently this is something she regularly does? (scary) Seems like she could use the help that I suspect is coming from the other main cast eventually. I think I'll stay and witness how they all teach each other new things to do with camping, and exactly how far they'll walk together.

Check back in after a few weeks for my ongoing review!

[cromoland]

How To Make Good Income Online With Some Easy Tricks

DIFFERENT WAYS TO EARN MONEY ONLINE

Affiliate to distinct internet sites is just another approach to build an income on the web (affiliate applications ). Some web sites have to get noticed by millions of people since they may generate for this concept later on. The method of earning money online will probably cover per purchase.

Currency isn't just a necessity, but in addition, a means to meet different desires like travel around the globe and visit gambling states like Las Vegas. You will find plenty and a lot of means to make money on the internet, a lot better compared to some others. In the event that you are unable to seek the services of an expert, we'll make an effort to inform you, in summary, the optimal/optimally approach to complete it legally and hence make your dreams something true.

Answering on the web polls is an additional method to growing income quickly and effortless. You might need to complete polls which some times can function longterm. There exist poll internet sites exactly where you need to bring in factors and exchange them to get money. Some study sites spend $250 a poll, however, the challenging issue is they request that you get the questionnaire (not advocated ).

Another means to bring in money on the web will be to market items one bay. A whole lot of individuals try so, as it could be easy and simple means to make money on the web denying issues connected to whether the website is plausible or not believe. However, the way exactly I claimed, a lot of individuals are doing this correctly today, therefore that there are lots of competitions playing with the match. Your problem will be really to make a move just a tiny bit diverse.

Paid for reading emails is really a security approach to bring in money on the web. You'll find various websites online which cover this. These internet sites can cover you from $ 0.01 US bucks to $ 0.5 US dollars for every mail. However, you may not consider that which. You will find a number of websites which provide $1 ) US bucks to $500 US bucks, nevertheless they're ripoffs and are not going to cover you some penny.

But don't forget the golden rule: keep away from top premiums unless you'll find signs they cover, normally you'll spare time plus money is cash.

In summary, in the event that you're not earning cash, then you're making cash.

THE SMART WAY

Lots of men and women come on the web for that only intent of searching for an easy method to get a living on the web? Is it performed, badly? Of course, it may.

A huge number of individuals are accomplishing precisely that. You may discover plenty of tutorials on the market (paid and free ) offering you the nuts and nuts around earning money online.

I will really go a marginally various leadership inside this report.

Exactly what a lot of men and women take to accomplish would be put their enterprise as a conventional organization. Possibly they desire to possess consulting assistance. Should they have been images designers, then they all place an image store. Should they truly are anglers they place gardening support online.

However, you'll find certainly a couple difficulty with all the conventional strategies.

Without any momentum. You quit investing in the attempt. The company adheres up. Nobody truly cares if you should be absent. Almost always there is someone else prepared and excited to choose your house from the specialized niche.

You've got to perform all of it the moment; point. Every single new consumer has to be awarded your entire period plus dedication.

You ought to ponder boosting your organization with tools and methods which may permit you to overcome these 2 issues.

You may possibly have observed you need to begin developing a set of individuals that need to get your email addresses.

The main reason that you would like to do so really is they are able to find your services and products or assistance you've got available on sale. Additionally, in the event that you really do it accurately, you are going to create relationships with all people within your own checklist.

This will then enable you to do not just sell them, but available chances, most likely, joint ventures, or even assist you to clear up an issue, etc..

Listed below are a couple of hints for performing so right manner:

1 ) - Utilize a fantastic sequential autoresponder to automate and take care of your own list. Additionally, there are some fantastic autoresponder products and services out there. Some of the very popular are:

Aweber http://www.trinale.com/recommends/aweber.php

GetResponse http://www.trinale.com/recommends/getresponse.php

If you'd like a full command, you're able to get the computer software, set up and sustain your checklist all on your server. Personally, I utilize:

AutoResponse Additionally http://www.trinale.com/recommends/arp.php

2 ) - Produce or receive rights into an autoresponder show that unites both advice and also a sales pitch for one item. Tend not to mix up lots of distinct services and products or you will thicken the ability of reproduction.

When you aren't good at it if you're worried about composing, you might need to throw this endeavor. You may go to an internet site like Elance to locate someone eager to operate together with you at incredibly affordable prices.

Freelance Composing http://www.freelancewriting.com/elance/

The autoresponse sequence simplifies the construction of the connection involving you as well as also the people in a checklist. The moment it finishes, you may either launch all over again, or you may easily deliver them regular mails that are relevant solely to the exact theme.

Advanced level suggestion: you may unite a few strings. By way of instance, mails inch - 5 is approximately commodity # 1 inch. E-mail could inform you exactly what you covered and install 15 through 1-5 which will sell product or service # 1 2. Mail 16 may place up-selling product no 3 and so on.

3 ) - Subscribe to affiliate programs you have a purpose to enjoy. It's essential for you to honor the apps also it should keep coming straight back to bite you at the lengthy haul. Your credibility will be at stake thus do your assignments. As you register up to them, you're able to include them in your AR collection.

4 ) - Much like 3, subscribe to assorted multipurpose apps. Once more, be certain that you just like and esteem your authenticity is certain to undergo. The attractiveness of those apps is you start to leverage the job of the that subscribe below you (your downline). In the event you bring go-getters, this will pave the path to your exact notable passive source of income.

As soon as you possess the initial 2 items set up, you may now begin boosting your internet site. You will have to produce grounds for visitors to subscribe for the e-zine, however subject (copy-writing ) will be passed the reach of the following guide, and we're going to pay it in some other email address.

As persons subscribe for their own list, they will begin obtaining your own series. You won't need to email them separately. They will only plug them in and the device will do the remainder of the

The ability with this particular system is the fact that if you really do a lot of effort to receive it installed, the moment it's installed, you need to have little to complete, apart from just tweak it and there to allow it to work much better.

Together with enough moment, you may gradually receive, you're able to publicize your internet site. As people enter in your own funnel, you get started earning profits.

Afterward, you may start tweaking your earnings backup, escalating the efficacy of one's own ads, along with much more.

Try so and you're going to boost your enterprise much past the standard manners. You are going to crank out momentum which endures even in the event that you have off some time, you are going to automate the construction of connections together with associates of one's listing, and you are going to have the ability to construct on that which you have.

FAST MONEY ONLINE

Speedy money online might be an oxymoron. Certain, some have made a fortune from the net however, the average person may very well not. You can earn some cash on the Internet if you continue to concentrate and operate steadily. Exactly like any home-based small business, it takes diligence and perseverance to earn in the excess income you want to get.

Several apps online assure you big cash for just a little effort. These aren't always what they appear so be prepared to investigate attentively any apps that assure something for nothing.

You're able to make money on-line in many distinct ways; some do not require much effort on your part, but bear in mind you get exactly what you put to it.

Affiliate promotion is just a means to create some additional cash from the site. You are partnering with someone else to offer their own goods by your site. You are given a part of the proceedings from just about every niche that is created from your site.

Another way to get the revenue out of your internet site with little effort is always to put in advertising. Banner ads can earn you an income from both the business that's generated from the advertisement and also a clickthrough speed centered on the number of"click on" over into the advertised site.

Among the best ways of making fast funds online will be to sell items around any of the auction websites. There certainly are certainly a couple you may look in; just one of the greatest will be e bay. It doesn't require a long time to establish an account and you're able to begin to make money immediately.

Additional Procedures of Making Money on the Internet are:

Start a referral process.

Connective companies with potential new personnel.

Write weblogs.

Take polls.

Diligent investigation and steadily focusing on it can make you an excellent instant income. Find what you're best suited to conduct with this idea!

[kathydsalters31]

Just how to Train Your Small Dog to Hike Off-Leash

Off-leash pets are a debatable topic.

Some animal proprietors abhor the concept of pets running around off-leash, while others choose the freedom that being off-leash gives their pet.

I see even more big dogs hiking off chain yet it can be finished with lap dogs also as lengthy as you train them and also take safety measures. In this short article I’ve assembled useful info on exactly how to educate your small dog to trek off-leash. I discuss the cons and pros, along with how to deal with the training process. Off-Leash Hiking Basics Basically, off-leash walking means that you’re enabling your pet dog to hike with you while being off a taken care of lead. In other words, they are not attached to you in any way as well as

you do not have physical control of them. During this time, your pet has complimentary power to do as they please– listen to you when you call them back or chase after that squirrel. Allowing your pet walk or trek off leash isn’t lawful almost everywhere. Numerous places need that your pet dog is on

a leash that is no even more than 6 feet in length. There are often signs posted at trailheads that will commonly educate you if off-leash pet dogs are allowed, yet it’s

finest to understand prior to you go so there are not a surprises. Nonetheless, some areas allow canines to trek off chain if they are under strict voice control. Voice control indicates that they remain within your sight whatsoever times

as well as they come back to you immediately the first time you call their name. Other rooms, like off leash pet parks that are huge and have trails, may allow your pet dog to run farther from you as long as

they come back when you call. When hiking with your lap dog, it’s essential to adhere to all legislations and also

guidelines. You need to always follow private rules for each trail or park you go to.

You need to likewise take into consideration whether hiking off leash with your lap dog is proper based on each circumstance and also particular pet dog.

It’s risky for also the best trained pet dog to run around off chain in a forested location, where they can’t quickly be seen, with cliffs.

Off-Leash Hiking Etiquette

If you are deciding whether to allow your lap dog trek off-leash or otherwise, and also you wish to make certain your canine is an excellent path guardian if you do, follow these general guidelines:

Make sure you have a

solid recall. This means that when you call your canine, they concern your side immediately.If your pet dog is reactive or has problems with other pets, it’s possibly best to maintain them on a chain whatsoever times. Be aware of all threats when treking off-leash, such as huge animals, other people with aggressive canines,

harmful cliffs, etc and also use your best judgement.If your lap dog has a solid prey drive, their all-natural reactions might inform them to

go after wild animals they see lurking around, despite how solid your recall is. If your pet runs after something, they take the chance of being lost or killed accidentally.Don’ t enable your pet dog to dig holes in the planet or disturb wild animals habitats.Your canine may poop somewhere less than perfect if they are adventuring off-leash

. It’s always important to grab your poop, so this is something to keep in mind.

Wishing to hike off-leash with your small dog is reasonable. Leashes can be a problem if you’re treking, especially since you want your canine to enjoy their time in nature as much as feasible.

However, as a responsible dog proprietor it’s essential to weigh the security risks for you, your pup, and also those around you.

If your goal is to hike with your small dog off leash, the section below will explain just how to teach them correctly.

Educate Your Small Dog to Hike Off-Leash

If you’ve decided that the pros outweigh the disadvantages as well as you intend to train your lap dog how to trek off-leash.

< img src ="https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Small-Off-Leash-Dog-Standing-on-a-Tree.jpg"alt=" Small Off Leash Dog Standing on a Tree"course= "lazyload wp-image-19740" data-sizes ="( max-width: 1000px)

100vw, 1000px” srcset=”https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Small-Off-Leash-Dog-Standing-on-a-Tree.jpg 1000w, https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Small-Off-Leash-Dog-Standing-on-a-Tree-600×400.jpg 600w, https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Small-Off-Leash-Dog-Standing-on-a-Tree-768×512.jpg 768w, https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Small-Off-Leash-Dog-Standing-on-a-Tree-800×534.jpg 800w”> The important trick to off chain liberty is a remarkable recall command. A recall is when your pet dog is a range

away from you and you ask them to “come.” Your pet dog returns to you instantly.

Tips for teaching your Dachshund to remember

Begin inside Beginning your recall training in the comfort of your very own

home where there are few disturbances. When your pet is recalling dependably inside, take the training outside right into your yard, or one more fenced location, where there are various other exterior distractions. Enhance the disturbance level as your dog improves and better at it. Utilize a chain initially Begin recall training with a leash on. That way you can gently pull on your pet dog to help connect that you want them ahead to you. Try a making use of a long line

— a chain that is 15-30 feet long– to provide more distance prior to practicing leash-free.

Be irresistible

Use positive support to make concerning you an extra favorable experience than remaining to do whatever they are doing.

If your Dachshund thinks coming to you will end their fun, they won’t wish to do it.

One way to do this, because Dachshunds like to go after (victim), is to relocate away from your pet while utilizing the recall command, have a little “event” when they get here, and strengthen with a delicious treat reward.

Keep sessions regular but brief

Maintain training sessions to 5-10 minutes long.

Any type of longer than that and your pet dog could obtain tired and also lose interest. You primarily wish to finish each training session with them desiring more.

Short sessions numerous times a day are a lot more effective then one big long one.

Technique recall a minimum of 3-5 times a week during the preliminary training phase.

It’s necessary to excellent this skill prior to doing anything off-leash. A reputable recall is an absolute must.

Differ the surroundings

Take notice of what sidetracks your canine the most, then work on training recall in the middle of these diversions.

It’s recommended to experiment 30 different kinds of distractions (1 diversion at a time) in order to truly cover all your bases.

Good places to exercise with disturbances are dog parks and coastlines where dogs are permitted to be off-leash.

The incentive: as your pet dog becomes extra dependable, even with moderate diversions around them, you will discover that they will certainly begin replying to you much better in other circumstances too.

When you expose your lap dog to various stimulations while training, it constructs their self-confidence and dependability.

Constantly upright an excellent note

Preferably, you will certainly start to see when your canine has had adequate training for the minute.

Indicators that your pet is done consist of sniffing the ground a lot, not following the command although they were previously, and laying down.

Ending your training sessions on a favorable note will help guarantee your pet eagerly anticipates the next one. Always end training sessions with among their favored points– a treat, play session with their favored plaything and also added belly rubs– prior to your dog “checks out” on you.

When your pet will certainly return to you 100% of the time in any situation, they are ready to trek off-leash.

When You Should Not Hike with Your Small Dog Off Leash

Regardless of exactly how trustworthy your canine is off chain, there will certainly be scenarios where they should be on leash anyway.

Keeping your pet dog safe

There are times that you must keep your dog on leash in order to safeguard them from themselves.

If you understand your pet is startled conveniently by gunfires or loud bangs, as well as you are treking where individuals are target shooting or triggering fireworks, keep your canine on a chain so they do not run and scare off.

If you are treking during hunting season, keeping your dog on chain will certainly ensure a hunter doesn’t perplex them with a wild pet when they are bounding via the woods.

If you are hiking in a location recognized for aggressive wild animals, like bears or hill goats, keeping your pet dog on leash will help stop dangerous wild animals encounters.

When deciding to hike with your dog off leash, consider their security and also regard other route users.

If you are treking in a steep area with unsafe scree slopes or high cliff drop offs, keeping your pet dog on leash will see to it they can not accidentally fall as well as get wounded or stranded.

Respecting others

please think about other trail users when you’re making a decision to hike with your canine off leash or otherwise.

I’m a company believer in adhering to leash legislations if one is required.

Various other customers of the exterior area where chains are required are usually anticipating that they can recreate without the worry of a pet simply running up to them.

Believe it or not, some individuals don’t such as pet dogs and do not want to be approached by a weird one.

Some people are extremely allergic as well as only walk in places where they anticipate to see no canines, or those restrained by a leash, so they can stay clear of any type of call.

Please remember that some individuals are servicing training when they take their dogs outdoors, and/or have a reactive canine that obtains afraid as well as protective conveniently.

An experience with an off-leash dog, no matter exactly how friendly they are, can establish their training back weeks or months.

Alternatives to Hiking Off-Leash

If you wish to offer your pet dog a lot more freedom to relocate but enabling them to romp off-leash just will not work for them, tha’s ok.

Some canines do not ever get to 100% reliability with recall, they constantly seem worried and scared when off chain, or it might just not a good area for it.

< img src =" https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Well-Behaved-Dog-Off-Leash-on-a-Trail.jpg" alt= "Well Behaved Dog Off Leash on a Trail"class= "wp-image-19741"srcset="https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Well-Behaved-Dog-Off-Leash-on-a-Trail.jpg 1000w, https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Well-Behaved-Dog-Off-Leash-on-a-Trail-600×400.jpg 600w, https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Well-Behaved-Dog-Off-Leash-on-a-Trail-768×512.jpg 768w, https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Well-Behaved-Dog-Off-Leash-on-a-Trail-800×534.jpg 800w"sizes="

( max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px”> There are

a couple ways that you can give them some more flexibility to roam without entirely endangering safety. Initially, you can purchase a lengthy line– an extra-long leash that can be anywhere from 15ft to 50ft long. A lengthy line serves as a leash, but

your canine can quickly go in advance of you or walk off route to smell an interesting bush. With a long line, your canine has the capacity to explore a bit much more.

The fantastic feature of a lengthy line though is that, although your dog may be a distance away, you can conveniently grab completion of the line to bring them back to you. The various other alternative to

treking off-leash is keeping the leash connected to your lap dog yet allowing it to drag out the ground. In this manner you can tip on the leash to

quit your pet dog if you quickly require to regain control. Final Thoughts Personally, I am unsure I’ll ever before trek with my dogs off chain for extended periods of time or constantly. Dachshunds are hounds and reproduced to search so regardless of just how reputable my canines appear, I could not deal with myself if their instinct started, they ran off, and also got hurt or killed therefore.

Also, we typically trek in places with cliffs, unsafe hillsides, and thick brush. The problems can lead to them getting as well as falling a lengthy way hurt or getting embeded an area that I can not access to rescue them. There are some areas I would certainly allow it though as soon as I knew their recall was good (or I would just use a long line up until after that). Places I take into consideration doing it are:

Where the location is vast open and also I can see them from away

Where I’m not bothered with wildlife experiences

Where there aren’t numerous various other (or, preferably no) pet dogs or individuals around

Treking with your lap dog off-leash can be a ton of enjoyable.

Although the training needs a lot of time and effort, it can certainly deserve it.

As a pet moms and dad it’s up to you to decide what’s ideal for your canine, however you also need to constantly be mindful of their safety which of those around you.

source http://www.luckydogsolutions.com/how-to-train-your-small-dog-to-hike-off-leash/

from Lucky Dog Solutions https://luckydogsolutions.blogspot.com/2020/09/just-how-to-train-your-small-dog-to.html