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iturbide · 2 years

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Golden Attempt anon here and AAAAAAA??? WHAT THE HELL THAT'S SO GOOD??? Seeing my ideas coming to life like this is so amazing - but now there's the aftermath to worry about, huh? Byleth trying to keep Claude safe while also trying to bond with him once more while ALSO trying to get Claude back to Riegan territory...very good stuff

HELLO AGAIN GA!ANON I apologize again for being so, so so late with this but uh

Things have been happening

so again I hope this is worth it

(this actually incorporates some stuff from another ask that is the next one on my list so surprise??)

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Jeralt hated the busywork that came with running a group of mercenaries. Even after twenty years of it, he still only tolerated it on the best of days (and on the worst of days, he seriously eyed the booze he kept stashed away for emergencies). But it was part of the life he chose when he left the Knights of Seiros with his kid: a necessary evil, maybe, but one that assured that Byleth was safe and never went hungry. That was enough for him.

It still felt strange, though, not having the kid around. They’d said they had something to take care of while the band passed through a village near the border between Adrestia and Faerghus, then headed off alone -- and he’d let them, with just a few words of wisdom to go along with his blessing. He still wasn’t sure why he’d done it, either. Byleth had spent twenty years with the band, and the last five actively fighting alongside them, so it wasn’t like they couldn’t fend for themselves…but he’d be the first to admit he’d sheltered them, growing up. In trying to keep from drawing unwanted attention, he’d done his best to keep them out of the public eye, to the point where he worried they might not have the social skills to get by without help. Sure, they could probably make it as a lone sellsword, but did they know what those skills were worth? And what were they even doing, when they barely knew the world beyond the places they’d seen on jobs with him?

…but he remembered that Byleth had gone off with what he could have sworn was a smile on their face. They’d always been a bit of a weird kid, and expressing emotions never seemed to come easy to them…so maybe that was why he’d said yes. Because they’d looked happy, for the first time he could remember.

Looking back on it now, though, it had been two years since they’d gone their separate ways. It wasn’t as though they could send letters easily: Byleth could write, sure, but mercenaries never stayed still, so it was hard to get a letter into the right hands. How were they doing? What were they doing? And how long was he going to worry about it before he got his damn paperwork done--

“Jeralt! Sir! Guess who’s back?”

His head came up so fast it made his neck ache. Abandoning his work, he shouldered his way out of his tent, pushing through the gathering crowd of mercenaries at the heart of their camp…

…and there they were. Their hair had grown out a little, and their clothes had clearly been worn and tattered and patched in places, but he’d recognize his kid anywhere. And when they caught sight of him, there was an unmistakable smile on their face.

“Good to see you again,” he chuckled, striding forward and pulling them into a tight embrace -- one they returned easily, holding on tight for so long he started wondering if they planned on letting go. They did, eventually…and then there was a part of him that wished they hadn't yet. "Took you long enough -- I was starting to wonder if you we ever coming back," he said, gesturing for the rest of the band to get back to work. And once they were mostly alone, he softened, giving their shoulder a brief, telling squeeze. [Did you do everything you needed to?] he signed.

Byleth nodded…and turned, gesturing for a stranger to join them. Jeralt hadn't even noticed him by the tents ringing their central gathering point until he moved, leaning into a sturdy walking stick tucked under one arm as he walked. He looked young -- not a child, but still younger than Byleth, if only by a couple years -- with tan skin, green eyes, dark hair left mostly loose except for a short braid on one side of his face…

Jeralt looked between his kid and the man they'd brought with them. [Who's this?] he asked.

Byleth looked to the stranger. "Khalid," he replied, signing it while he spoke.

"Khalid," Jeralt repeated. It sounded foreign, though he'd be damned if he could place where it came from; he'd never traveled outside Fódlan. "Nice to meet you. Name's Jeralt."

"Byleth's dad, right?" he ventured. "They told me on the way," he added when the mercenary shot a questioning look toward his kid.

Jeralt made a vague noise in response, crossing his arms as he looked the man over again. "Anybody ever tell you that you look like the guy heading the Leicester Alliance?"

Khalid didn't flinch. "Funny coincidence," he said flatly.

Jeralt looked back at his kid, who gave him no clues whatsoever. Honestly, that shouldn’t have surprised him. Sighing, he scratched the back of his head, planting his other hand briefly on his hip. “Well, whatever the case, this probably isn’t the best place for you. You can take some time to rest up, but then Byleth should get you to wherever you’re going--”

[Faerghus,] they signed.

“Faerghus?” Khalid repeated.

Jeralt felt his eyebrows go up. [Bad idea. The Empire and the Kingdom are going at it right now.]

[We should all go.]

He sighed, knowing that his kid got their stubbornness from him but digging his heels in all the same. [We’ve already got a job, the Empire contracted us for work out here.]

[The battle’s already done. The contract should be up.]

[They’ve already extended the term once, they’re likely to do it again.]

[Have you written it up yet?]

Jeralt twitched. [I was in the middle of it when you got here.]

[Then you’re not bound. We can go north.]

Khalid waved to get their attention. [I thought the plan was to head into Leicester territory. That’s where I need to be.]

Jeralt sighed, pressing a hand to his face and hooking his free hand into his sword belt. “That’s probably a worse idea than Byleth’s.”

[Your contract here was to fight the Alliance,] they signed once he cracked his fingers to look at them.

“They turned tail and ran, which seemed strange since they managed to push us back in the first fight. Things are pretty chaotic up there, though, judging from the word coming south.”

[The Empire’s not taking advantage of it,] Byleth pressed, [which would have been the smart tactic if they planned on making a move against Leicester. If they’re dragging their feet, work’s going to be more reliable on the west side of Fódlan.]

He’d taught that kid too well.

Lifting his hands in a gesture of surrender, he shook his head. “Fine. You win. I’ll report to Count Bergliez, tell him we’re heading out -- if he tries to make a fuss I’ll give him a line about needing to bulk up our forces after the last couple fights. Happy?”

Byleth nodded, looking about as smug as he’d ever seen them. “Get some rest for now. I’ll pass the word around and get camp squared away so we can head out early. Hope you don’t mind sharing a tent.”

Khalid shook his head. “Doesn’t bother me,” he replied. “If you don’t mind my asking -- what is the word coming out of Leicester these days? You said they turned tail mid-battle…”

“Almyra brought another invasion force to the Locket,” Jeralt said.

“Another?” he repeated.

The mercenary captain nodded. “Second one in two years. Same guy leading the charge both times, as I understand it. Shahid, or some such. He shouldn’t be a problem anymore, though -- from what I heard, the guy in charge of the Alliance killed him this time around.”

Khalid went very still. Come to think of it, this kid’s name sounded a lot like that Almyran’s…

Byleth reached out, laying their hand on the young man’s shoulder, and Jeralt turned back toward his tent. A touch like that was about the closest thing to intimacy Byleth ever showed; the least he could do was give them some privacy.

***

Byleth had never owned much, aside from their clothes, armor, and weapons; their few other possessions they’d left behind when they set off on their mission. Coming into the tent they’d always shared with their father, they were surprised to see those few items in their usual places alongside the empty space waiting for their bedroll…and something warm fluttered in their chest, seeing the proof of how long he’d waited, and how sure’d been of their return.

Claude -- Khalid, they reminded themselves, intent on following his lead in this -- joined them while they spread two sets of blankets across the ground. It would be a bit tight, sleeping three to the tent, but manageable…

He drew a breath, slightly unsteady, and Byleth looked up to find him staring down, past them and the bedrolls and into some distant place they could not guess at. [When you found me,] he signed, the movement unable to hide the tremor in his hands, [you said Fódlan needed me. This is what you meant, isn’t it.]

[In part,] they agreed.

[There’s more?] he asked.

They nodded, and he sank awkwardly down to sit on the blankts, his bad leg stretched stiffly out before him as he pressed his face into his hands. “Of course there is,” he chuckled, the sound hoarse and devoid of any warmth. [What else?] he asked, lifting his head again to watch for their reply.

Byleth shook their head. [You don’t know?] he pressed. [Or you won’t say?]

[I only know it will get worse,] they replied.

[And that’s why we’re going to Faerghus?]

[I don’t know if it will be any better there,] they admitted, [but you should be safer there than you would be here or in Leicester.]

Khalid made a quiet, thoughtful noise, folding his hands before him. “I’ll take your word for it.”

They nodded, reaching out to touch his shoulder again before rising to their feet. [Get some rest. I’m going to help around camp, and find something to eat on the way back.]

He nodded, turning his gaze to the canvas wall (though his attention seemed to drift far past it, into an invisible, unknowable distance they could not reach). And they left him to his thoughts, knowing all too well the pain of returning to a world so different from the one they’d known…but lost for how to offer any solace.

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richincolor · 4 years

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Interview with Dr. Yusef Salaam & Ibi Zoboi

From the publisher: Dr. Yusef Salaam, a member of “The Exonerated Five” (formerly known as “The Central Park Five”) and Ibi Zoboi, author of Pride and the National Book Award finalist American Street, have collaborated on a young adult novel, Punching the Air.

Punching the Air follows Amal Shahid, a teenager who has always been an artist and a poet. But even in a diverse art school, he’s seen as disruptive and unmotivated by a biased system. Then, one fateful night, an altercation in a gentrifying neighborhood escalates into tragedy. “Boys just being boys” turns out to be true only when those boys are white. Suddenly, at just sixteen years old, Amal’s bright future is upended: he is convicted of a crime he didn’t commit and sent to prison. Despair and rage almost sink him until he turns to the refuge of his words: his art.

This novel in verse is simply stunning. The poetry is powerful and the story itself is heartbreaking and yet still hopeful. Amal's story definitely points out some of the major issues with the criminal justice system. It also shows how the education system can also be harmful to young people of color. As a teacher, that was a hard aspect to read about. Amal's teachers and even his lawyer fail to see his humanity.

All of the Rich in Color contributors are reading Punching the Air right now for our discussion that will be posted on October 7th so be sure to stop back by to participate or read more about the book. In preparation for our discussion, we're happy to hear from the authors today.

Crystal: The verse format was a brilliant choice for Amal's story. Was there anything unexpected about writing a novel in verse?

Ibi: I loved how ideas just came to me as I was working through a poem. I’d start a poem as a couplet and then I’d realize that I can shape it into a box or a pyramid. Making shapes out of poems is like collaging or putting puzzle pieces together. The words not only have to fit into the shape, but they have the right metaphor and convey the right mood. It really is art on every level.

Crystal: Do you think we will see more poetry from you?

Ibi: Absolutely. All my novels have had some form of poetry.

Crystal: Yusef, when did you begin to write poetry and what has that writing journey been like?

Yusef: I started writing and paying attention to words when I was very young. Hip-hop had a huge impact on me and I wanted to mimic what some rappers were saying in their lyrics--the ones with message-driven content. Like many other boys growing up in my environment, we wanted the world to hear our words. Hip-hop was one way to get our messages across. I kept writing while incarcerated and it’s what kept my mind free.

Crystal: Ibi, you've been writing for young adults for quite some time. Do you feel any specific responsibilities to young readers?

Ibi: Yes, always. I always feel the need to create whole, fully-realized characters. I always return to Adichie’s quote about stereotypes. It’s not that they are untrue, it’s that they are incomplete. I try my best to create complete characters and stores. Yes, Black children are criminalized, but why? I always strive to paint a bigger picture.

Crystal: What were some of the challenges and benefits of co-writing a novel?

Ibi: There were all benefits. I could’ve tried to write this book alone, but I had someone to help guide the emotions of our teen character. Amal would’ve been a very different boy born of my own limited imagination. With Yusef’s help, we created a fully rounded character with every real hopes and fears. I was able to sink into his skin because of my conversations with Yusef.

Yusef: It was a great experience. It’s amazing how someone I met at a time when I was hiding in plain sight, two years after prison, when the world thought wanted to bury us, wanted to help me tell my story. Back then, I wasn’t ready to share everything. But now, Ibi brought her skills to table and we were able to tell this story--Punching the Air--together.

Ibi Zoboi was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and holds an MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her writing has been published in the New York Times Book Review, the Horn Book magazine, and the Rumpus, among others. Her novel American Street was a National Book Award finalist, received five starred reviews, and was a New York Times Notable Book. She is also the author of Pride and My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich, which was a New York Times bestseller, as well as being the editor of the anthology Black Enough. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and their three children. You can find her online at www.ibizoboi.net.

In 1989, Dr. Yusef Salaam was just fifteen years old when he was tried and convicted in the “Central Park Jogger Case” along with four other Black and Latino boys. The Exonerated Five spent between seven to 13 years behind bars, until their sentences were overturned in 2002. Since then, they received a multimillion dollar settlement from the City of New York for its injustice and were profiled in award-winning films, including The Central Park Five documentary from Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, and David McMahon and the award-winning Netflix limited series When They See Us, written and directed by Ava DuVernay.

Over the past two decades, Yusef has become a family man, father, poet, activist, and inspirational speaker. He continues to share his story with others to educate the public about the impact of mass incarceration and police brutality. He regularly advocates for criminal justice reform, prison reform, and the abolition of juvenile solitary confinement and capital punishment. Yusef is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama (2016), the Phoenix Award from the Congressional Black Caucus (2019), an honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Anointed by God Ministries Alliance & Seminary (2014), and a long list of Proclamations—most notably from New York State Senate (2018), and New York City Council (2013).

#Ibi Zoboi #Yusef Salaam #Punching the Air #interview #novel in verse

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jxnnyfrost · 4 years

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i have a new baby! check out his info under the cut!

Character's full name: Jonathan Frost

Is your character a current wanted connection?: no

Face claim (please include an alternate): Shahid Kapoor or Rahul Kohli

Age (include physical age, if different): 35

Gender and/or preferred pronouns: Cismale, he/him

MBTI Type: ESFP

Occupation: Joker’s right hand

If applicable, what are your character's aliases: n/a

If applicable, is your character active as a vigilante?: n/a

If applicable, is your character's identity public? Would the general public be aware of their true identity?: Yes

Do they have any affilitations?: Joker’s goons

1. Is your character human, mutant, metahuman, alien, inhuman, or other? If other, please elaborate: Human

2. What are your characters powers/special abilities, if any?: None

3. Please provide three headcanons for your character:

1) Jonny’s villain name is basically just his name—Mr. Frost. He has it emblazoned on almost everything he owns, along with a blue stencil of a handgun. It’s become something of a signature for him.

2) Jonny is not exactly the brightest bulb, but he’s loyal, and that has what has kept him in Joker’s good books for so long. He’ll do anything that Joker asks without question and without complaint, even if it’s detrimental to him. If he hadn’t displayed this loyalty for so long, Joker probably would have gotten rid of him long ago for being nothing more than a side of beef.

3) Jonny has two children who hasn’t seen in a long time. They live with their mother and they want nothing to do with him. Jonny doesn’t mind.

4. List four personality traits (two positive and two negative) and explain how they influence your character.

loyal

this is what has allowed him to rise to the top of joker’s goons

goal oriented

even if jonny isn’t the smartest, give him a task and he’ll accomplish his goals

hedonistic

jonny loves to seek out pleasure wherever he can find it, which is often how he gets caught

vain

he cares more about his appearance than about other people. if he kills someone, he’s more upset about the blood staining his clothes than the loss of life.

5. Provide three potential plots you’d like to explore. The admins will do our best to accommodate your plot ideas, but we can’t guarantee all requests.

1) Jonny has an interesting sort of position in Joker’s gang as someone who is at the top of the heap of lackeys but is still just another one of his goons. I’d be interested to see if he would try to push for more power and how Joker would respond to that.

2) Jonny is supposedly reformed, so I would love to have some plots with heroes who perhaps want to try and “save him” from Joker’s clutches.

3) Since Jonny is supposed to be reformed, I would love to see him try to act normal when he definitely isn’t. It would be interesting to see him interacting with people outside Joker’s gang while trying to cover up his true intentions—which he’s quite bad at.

character bio

When the ban began, Jonny was heartbroken. Where was he going to get his fun if heroes weren’t going to be around to make fun of? Jonny spent many months in a deep depression over it, unsure of what it would mean for him if there was no longer an active hero community for him to root against. Thankfully, heroes continued to do what they did, even under the laws of the ban, and Jonny continued to do his work for Joker with the fervor that he had always had. Back in Gotham, Jonny was feared as Mr. Frost, and that gave him a joy he had never known.

But then he got caught—or more, he gave himself up to make sure that Joker didn’t get caught—and he ended up in Arkham Asylum, confined to a cell for years while they tried to “reform” him. Of course, it didn’t work, for Joker’s conditioning had gone too deep for too long for him to ever be able to escape those clutches. And, frankly, Jonny didn’t want to—finally, after years of unhappiness, he had let go of all of that and seen the funny side in everything. He never wanted to go back to that drab, unhappy man he was before.

He learned how to play the part, however, and after four years in the asylum, Jonny was released as being truly "reformed." He's managed to keep up the facade of being reformed for some time now, but being back with Joker makes it clear: Jonny is and always will be Mr. Frost.

#starcintro #[ keep on the funny side. // muse. ]

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trulymaggiegardner · 4 years

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* Apologies as i was not able to be consistent with my layout. Unlike my other works,this was a lot longer and more complex ,thus i saw this format more fitting than the one i had for the rest*

☀️Revised version of the Fiction task entitled “Chemistry with Diplomacy”☀️

While along the halls of their penthouse ,on top of the Madison Avenue ,Tatiana overhears a conversation between her father -stressed, but at the same time a little frightened- and a Turkish man speaking in a smug manner. She enters the room and walks towards her father, Edoardo. Edoardo ends the call with the man from the loudspeaker as Tatiana approaches her father’s desk.

Who was that? It didn’t sound pleasant.

It was just a partner not willing to agree with my company’s terms

Well, that conversation sounded more than that.

Don’t worry ,my princess. I can fix it.

As he tries to conceal his transaction, Tatiana already knew enough. Not because of what Edoardo says, but because of what she hears through the loudspeaker. Her father didn’t know, but she can actually speak Turkish, and many other languages, and fully understands the conversation that happened between them.

A dictator from Turkey, named Azhbar Al-Shahid, does not want to pay all the billions he owed Edoardo for providing his army with illegal arms and threatens to divulge Edoardo’s illegal trade if he stops providing them with weapons. Edoardo knows he can’t get near Azbhar as his palace is guarded with hundreds of men that makes it difficult for any assassin to go near him.

This fact infuriates him, but it enlightens Tatiana. She actually has a lover from her college days in International Relations at Harvard that, up to this time, is still obsessed with her. His lover’s name is Hussein. He is the son of an ally of the dictator that’s why he afforded to go to Harvard. He now works as a confidant to the dictator, which deems him useful for Tatiana as she knows Hussein is by the dictator’s side all the time. To add to that, she knows he’ll do anything just for him to be with Tatiana.

It would have been better to meet with him in Turkey but if she’s seen in that country, Azbhar would think there’s something fishy. Instead, she decides to talk to him through an encrypted software so in that way no one can track the calls she’s been having from that region. She fixes herself up, wears the most provocative clothing, and uses her signature alluring gaze on the camera as she talks to him.

It has been like 3 years and I’ve never heard from you after-

I turned you down? I was still my daddy’s “little princess” remember?

Are you STILL his princess?

Almost free from him. if you do something for me, then I’ll be yours.

What is it then?

I want you to kill Azbhar. Once you finish the job,I’ll send a plane to fly you to US. To escape prosecution,to be with me! I’ll fix up everything for you,dear! I’ll clear your name so you will be known as the hero that freed Turkey,rather than a murderer,then you can freely roam New York and we can be together. That sounds good,doesn’t it?

So your father agreed to this?

Absolutely!

I thought he never liked me because he feels I will withhold you from working,from doing anything!

That was before! I have changed,to tell you the truth im so tired of working that I just want to stay at home and be with my future husband.

Hmmmm… This, this sounds like a good plan.

So you’re willing to do it?

Yes, Baby! I already know what to do. I’ll just tell you when so you can prepare my plane.

A few days after the call, he messages Tatiana and says that he plans to do it on the dictator’s birthday gala, on the 11th of September. As the party is right around the corner, Hussein prepares all the chemicals and instruments he’ll need. He goes through the plan with Tatiana one last time and she reassures him that everything will be fine.

At last! The day has finally arrived. The birthday party is now in full swing and he can see the dictator enjoying himself on the dance floor. While everyone is distracted with dancing, he injects the dictator with potassium chloride as Azbhar dances with the crowd. After a few minutes,the dictator falls onto the ground. Because of the huge number of people at the venue, he easily camouflages and flees the party. The buffer minutes were enough for him to escape as Tatiana sends out an asset to pick him up and drove him to a huge plot of land where a helicopter awaits to fly him to Russia,where her father’s private jet lay waiting. Hussein is still high from the suspense and the excitement that he’ll finally see the love of his life again. He was still shocked that Tatiana finally agreed with the life he wants her to live in. The only thing that is running in his mind is that Tatiana will never get away from his grasp anymore.

After hours of flying, he finally lands in Russia. The plane was “parked” here as Tatiana’s father has a lot of allies from the Russian Government that he discusses “business dealings” with and frequently flies them to New York.

As he fastens his seatbelt, Hussein exhales a sigh of relief as he knows he is out of danger. He dozes off because of exhaustion. After sleeping soundly, he opens his eyes and gets greeted by the flight attendant on the jet telling him he has landed in New York. Hussein cleans himself up while awaiting the announcement that he can get up from his seat. He peaks through the window seeing several men waiting for him.

As he descends the stairs, he is greeted by them and escorts him inside the car.

Once he settles in, they restrain him and injects a paralytic substance, and drives into a warehouse. As he slips into unconsciousness, he gets dissolved into a bubbling tub of sodium hydroxide that melts away flesh, actually all of his remnants.

These men were hired by Tatiana to kill him. They were her dad’s assassin that she got in touch with after knowing his contacts. It is an unlucky Friday the 13th for Hussein but a lucky one for Tatiana. She ,finally, was able to get rid of him. She knows she will not agree to his terms of being with him, let alone be the woman he wants her to be so out of retaliation, he-for sure-will expose what she did and her father’s clandestine business as well. But she has no choice if she wants her plan to work. All those things that she did for Hussein are just acts that ends the way she wants.

Its been 2 days since the dictator has died, and it was only on the 13th that his death was reported across the Atlantic. Edoardo should obviously celebrate, yet looked puzzled while in his office. He calls for Tatiana and asked her why was his plane used in Russia. She just sat there smirking and said;

I know you are aware that I used up more of your assets.

Tatiana just told him to be thankful Azbhar is gone,but Edoardo wants to know what his daughter did. She explained all that had happened and the only reply from him was;

You do know you’ve committed a crime,right?

She responded;

You’ll never be a criminal if they don’t know what you did.

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cvrnewsdirectindia · 5 years

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Shahid Kapoor on Mira Rajput’s debut: ‘She has all her life to figure out so many things for herself’ | bollywood

It’s not every day that your film makes close to Rs 280 crores, that too, only in India. Especially, for Shahid Kapoor, the experience is absolutely new, or as he says, “it’s a virgin territory for me.” But along with bouquets for Kabir Singh, came brickbats as well, for his “faulty character”. “But there is a certain section of people, who had propaganda of sorts that they talked about,” he says. We catch up with the actor for a freewheeling chat about the criticism, success, being a family man and more. Excerpts:

Kabir Singh is the biggest hit of the year so far. Has the feeling finally sunk in?

Yes! Weirdly, the first thing that I sensed was a feeling of being relaxed. And then, I also felt very emotional and undeserving of such numbers because it’s not as if I worked five times harder on this film and still, it’s making much more money. God has been very kind, and I’m very thankful to people. It has changed something inside me as far as my relationship with audiences is concerned. Now, more than anyone else, I want to work for them — be it my own reasons, family or my belief in cinema. I feel like keep giving them films which they’ll really enjoy. I don’t want to let them down.

Shahid Kapoor seen with his wife Mira Rajput in Mumbai on Aug 24, 2019. ( IANS )

At the same, the film and your ‘flawed’ character has been criticised by a section of people. Does that still bother you?

You know, it’s strange that no one questioned Shah Rukh Khan’s character from Baazigar (1993) when he loved both the sisters at the same time. I feel we’re coming of age with the kind of films we’re making, and our cinema is coming closer to reality, but with Kabir Singh, I saw an opposite kind of reaction. I found it a little hypocritical and surprising too since the character that Leonardo DiCaprio played in The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) — who I feel had a lot more issues than Kabir — is celebrated and applauded. And the same people are dissing Kabir Singh. Interestingly, people — at mass level — loved both the films.

As award season kick start, do you expect nominations or winning awards in the wake of all the talks?

Let’ see. We have seen that the audience has matured and has come of age. Now, we will see if other people have also grown up or they are still prejudiced. Time will tell. One thing’s for sure: the kind of love Kabir Singh has got can’t be disputed, and the film is driven by the character. So the writing is on the wall. Beyond that, nothing is in my control.

There’s a lot of mystery around your next film. Why haven’t you signed anything new?

My life is maintaining a mystery with me (laughs). I am dying to tell everyone what I’ll do next as it’s the best time to announce it. I was trying to find a film even before Kabir Singh released as I don’t like to sit at home. But I just didn’t like anything enough. Now, a lot of things have started coming so, I’ve to go through everything. Also, it took me a month or so to absorb everything, and understand what it means. After all, pehli baar hua hai. But there are things that I have liked. Hopefully, we will soon make an announcement.

It has been four years since you got married [to Delhi girl, Mira Rajput]. And you put it beautifully in an interview that ‘even though it’s just been four years, a large part of who I am has been formed since the day we got married…’

It’s like a wild horse that used to be free in the wild. But for four years, he has been domesticated. So, my self-image has completely changed. I’m a domesticated horse now (laughs). On a serious note, your sense of identity becomes different before marriage as compared to when you have children and wife to come back home to. Then, it’s not just ‘you’ anymore, but more about ‘us.’ I think once you get there, then it’s difficult to get back to ‘you’ in terms of how you even think about life. Your thoughts and decision make a transition from ‘I, me and myself’ to ‘us’. I think that’s a big change.

Of late, there’s a lot of curiosity about whether Mira will get into showbiz or not. You take?

Wherever, whatever, however – that’s completely her decision. We got married and within first year, we had our first baby and then two years later, we had another one. So, right now, it’s difficult for her to give her time completely to anything else rather to herself. I can see how dedicated she is as a mother, and she is completely consumed by that. But she is just 25. In another year or so, she would have taken care of an extremely important, big part [giving all the attention to the babies]. She has all her life to figure out so many things for herself. Then she can do what she wants to.

You have tasted a blockbuster hit such as Kabir Singh after being an actor for 15 years. Do you think it will change the course of your career?

Just the fact that it happened, has already changed the course. The platform has been provided to me. Now, if I take this great opportunity and screw it up, then that’s my fault. But I will try not to (laughs). The opportunity has been given. Also, I strongly feel there’s never a wrong time for the right thing. Whenever it comes, it’s the right time.

Coming to all the criticism that Kabir Singh received, would all the talks make you think twice about taking up a similar character in the future?

Not really! Today, I feel liberated. Now, I know my relationship is with the audience. And if they got it, that matters the most. Everything else is just noise. It gives you clarity ke main yeh films kiske liye bana raha hoon. To me, the most exciting part about cinema is to play all kinds of characters. I was never obsessed with being this perfect man whom every woman wants. I’m here to play characters, good and bad, to be loved or hated for the traits of the characters. It’s just so difficult to make people hate you. And the fact that Kabir was hated in some parts, I take it as a compliment as it means I possibly did a good job with it.

Why do you think all the criticism has been unfounded?

For me, it’s a fundamental thing. You can’t impose your personal morality on a character, as he/she has its own morality. If I say that only a certain kind of film should and shouldn’t be made or watched, then I am saying that the entire country knows less than me. Then, you’re putting yourself on a pedestal. And it’s like living in a bubble of being intellectually superior. That bubble burst with Kabir Singh as people were like, ‘I am an adult and I will decide what I like.’ Just because they love a film, doesn’t mean they like the bad behaviour of a character. In the ’70s, when Mr [Amitabh] Bachchan played the angry young man, did people start shooting the cops? No, people don’t do that.

What’s your personal take on your character?

Did I like the way Kabir behaved in certain parts of the film? Not at all! But an actor’s job is to play a character without being afraid. It’s a coming-of-age of cinema wherein you have to show things the way they are. If there’s a problem in the society, what’s the first thing that you need to do? You must acknowledge that there is a problem and then address it. The job of films is to mirror life and show what happens and what can happen. If people today are saying that this kind of behaviour against a woman is unacceptable, it’s great that Kabir Singh has fuelled such a conversation.

Also read: War box office collection day 4: Hrithik Roshan-Tiger Shroff film collects Rs 124 cr, beats Salman Khan’s Bharat

There has also been chatter about your part being misogynist…

Yes, there were people who said that, ‘Kabir is a misogynist.’ But for me, he was badly-behaved across the board, starting with his grandmother. If he was very nice to men and badly behaved with women, then I’d have agreed that he is misogynistic. But his prejudice is not on the basis of gender since he has an anger management problem. He just loses control. So, that term was very propaganda-ish. I didn’t see any relevance in it. People, who watched the film from a neutral point of view, understood it. But those who came in with prejudice, didn’t see it in totality.

Recently, I came across a scene of Raj Kapoor and Nargis where they are having a very passionate fight. And I was like, ‘something like this got made at that time?’ So, I was very surprised that in today’s times, when people are watching Sanju, in which he puts a commode cover around his wife’s neck as a mangalsutra , why is everyone attacking only this film. It felt a bit strange. But I am happy to hear from people that they didn’t like the film. No issues! But it’s unacceptable that you tell other people not to like this film or that this film can’t be made.

In spite of everything, right now, how do you feel?

I really believe a lot in destiny. A lot of people say, ‘oh, you waited 15 years for a hit this size,’ but maybe, if I hadn’t waited for so long for this, I wouldn’t truly appreciate and respect it. Honestly, I feel failures make you a man. Even boys can do well when success is under their feet but when that carpet of success get pulled away, only the men can stand up and survive. The boys get knocked out. So, I feel all the failures that I have seen have made me who I am today. I am very thankful for the fact that it took so long for success to come my way, as I know it could have never happened.

Talking about fatherhood [with kids, Misha and Zain], what has it done to you?

You forget yourself to a large degree since you are so much in love with your kids, and just observing how they grow every day. It’s so fascinating and beautiful that you feel very satisfied. Nahi to life mein it’s like, ‘mujhe yeh karna hai, mujhe woh karna hai.’ Also, when kids are young, they are available to you. So, I would want to spend as much time as possible with them because I know after a point, they won’t have time for me, even if I have all the time for them. So, sitting at home after Kabir Singh was possibly a good thing as I got time for my children.

Rumours are floating around that you have increased your price…

There’s always something floating around (laughs). I have to sign a film first for any kind of price conversation to happen. But the fact of the matter is that obviously, my price will change, simply because it’s [the industry] driven by commerce. But let me sign a film before you start assuming.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

First Published: Oct 06, 2019 11:26 IST

from CVR News Direct https://cvrnewsdirect.com/shahid-kapoor-on-mira-rajputs-debut-she-has-all-her-life-to-figure-out-so-many-things-for-herself-bollywood/

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optimisticprincepainter · 6 years

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Rajkummar Rao is at a stage in his career, which could only induce envy among most actors. It is rare to see someone in Bollywood who is a perfect blend of off-the-cuff films and mainstream cinema. While his five releases last year fetched him awards, accolades and love in plenty, he will strive to repeat the feat encore with his string of releases that are all set to hit the marquee in coming months. With Fanney Khan, and in the company of seasoned performers like Anil Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, with whom he shares a romantic angle, Rajkummar is also entering a territory which could only be described as commercial to the core. “Working with two stalwarts was like a dream come true for me but the most important thing for me was the story and that got me excited. It talks about dreams and aspirations, and I could just connect to the character. It also has a message in the form of body shaming which is a big taboo,” informs Rao. After having made his debut with Love Sex Aur Dhokha eight years ago, Rao has had a dream run at cinema halls. Despite the misfires, his work in most films has been lauded by critics and audiences alike. The cherry on the cake was 2014 when he was given the National Award for his performance in Shahid. The eight-year journey has only seen his career trajectory going north. One reason that could be attributed to his success is his approach towards his roles. For the actor, its immaterial if he is the lead in a film or not. “Honestly it’s the content which is the star of a film. I am not in the lead in Fanney Khan but I believed in its story. There are also films where I am playing the lead, like Stree or Made in China. Again the story mattered to me. There were so many films that were offered to me where I was supposed to play the lead but I said no to all because the plot did not excite me. There is no point doing a film where you don’t feel comfortable.”Of late, the performances in his films has been so crisp that many have now started believing that if he is part of a film then the script for that film ought to be good. “It does not make me any confident or add any pressure to my performance. I keep reading all these amazing things and there is a lot of gratitude in me about all these. But I don’t really let these things blur my vision because I know that there is a lot I can do. There is so much of fire and hunger within me as an actor that I only want to push myself as an actor.” The journey has also seen him make progression from a supporting actor to someone who can now pick and choose his roles. “You can always pick and choose your roles, and it’s not that you can only pick your roles only after a point. The important thing is you should know how to say no. You can’t really say yes to all films and should do only those films you strongly believe in. There is no point giving three months of your life to a film that you are not even excited about. It won’t do any good to me nor to the film.”Ask him about the experience of being paired romantically with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the film and he says that the actress gave him ample space to perform. “Aishwarya has done a phenomenal job in the film. I have always liked her and there has always been a mutual admiration. With Fanney Khan, she gave me the space to perform as an actor. She never made me feel like she is Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and I am this newcomer, and when you have that level of comfort with your co-actor, it shows in your performance.”Omerta, Rajkummar’s last film with his mentor Hansal Mehta, failed to strike a chord with the audience. “When we made Omerta, we knew that it’s a niche film and meant for a limited audience. There are some film’s that you do for life. When Shahid released, of course it did not make it to the Rs 100 crore club but till date, I get messages for my performance in Shahid. It’s not that every film of yours will be a success, you should also be proud as an actor of what you are doing.”A look at Rao’s repertoire of films also reveals that he often experiments with his physique.While Trapped required him to look starved, Omerta and Fanney Khan demanded a fit Rajkummar. The actor believes that the exercise is mentally draining and takes a toll on the physique. “I don’t really think about it. It’s bad but I don’t really consult any dietitian or doctor before I take these extreme steps of eating or not eating. As of now, all is good.”One final question that demands an answer from the actor relates to his fascination for action films. This gels perfectly with his Taekwondo background which, in the past, has also fetched him a gold medal at the state level. “I would love to do an action film. I think before Bareilley Ki Barfi, people did not see me as someone who could make others laugh. It’s just that one film which can change things. If a script comes along and is good enough and has action in it then why not. If it requires six pack, I will go a step ahead and try for eight packs,” signs off Rajkummar. The Showsha : 7th. Aug,18

ACTOR RAJKUMMAR RAO ON WORKING WITH AISHWARYA RAI IN ‘FANNEY KHAN’ SAID : “SHE GAVE ME SPACE TO PERFORM” Rajkummar Rao is at a stage in his career, which could only induce envy among most actors.

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brandsmagazinepakistan-blog · 7 years

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Brands Magazine

http://monthlybrands.com.pk/muhammad-shahid-group-gm-marketing-cool-industries-ltd-waves-singer/

Muhammad Shahid, Group GM Marketing - Cool Industries Ltd - Waves & Singer

Tell us about your educational and professional journey. To begin with, it’s been quite a journey really from my childhood till now and a good one! I did my masters in marketing from University of Punjab and masters in computer sciences as well from ICS Nk-Fact. Right after, I joined PEL in Marketing department as an executive after that I was forced push to shift to Sales department due to lack of scope of Marketing in appliances sector, very quickly got promoted as Area Sales Manager which marked as my first prominent step in professional life. It was successful 4 year tenure resulting in promotion and that is when I was sure that I have a good career in sights, right after my promotion got opportunity at Dawlance the largest appliances company in Pakistan there my love and passion for Marketing reignited, as I knew form the day one that marketing is my thing, so later part at Dawlance and recall by PEL in 2011 was the changing time of my career , I got wide empty canvas of a brand that was out and lost in consumer minds, had to plan strategies things as per requirements and boy its was some work and achievements, distinctions and satisfaction when I re jog myself on that. I was the youngest and most shining, during my time, the best ever sales numbers were recorded in April 2007 which was on an uphill till June 2010.

I was heading the first and properly laid marketing department at PEL where 8 years back I worked as an executive and a rookie was a big crown in itself. In March 2017, I felt the time came for more and bigger challenges and I should take another step when Waves opened its doors. So I became a part of Cool Industries as Group General Manager Marketing Waves & Singer, yet again 2 brands from the past lost their way in recent times newer projects balancing both brands making different positioning, man I love such challenges, now I am managing a vast range of products, dealing with a bigger network of people and working hard towards the evolution of the brands.

When I look back at all this, I feel very lucky and today where I am at this age, I feel right at the top of my career ever ready to bigger and better challenges. Challenges and struggle always gets best out of me, I feel very luck at the mid part of my career where professionals are settling down into comforts, I got a bigger opportunity of my life, so a chance again to use all knowledge, experience and skills to empty canvas.

For me the challenge isn’t to be different but to be consistent

Share a few details about your family back ground? I have 2 younger brothers working in USA, well settled and contributed well in their fields; father is an engineer he along with my mother is also settled in USA now days. I am the only member of my family living here in Pakistan because of my work passion and to do well in the field of marketing and advertising. Appliances are innovative in their own being and the market is ever revolving. Witnessing inventions from a ground level to where it currently is, I stay amazed. Such a scope always inspired me take advantage and formulate more strategies which were mainly based on the brand’s growth. But then, they weren’t as simple as said, they required the right time and right approach in order to be successful. I was not very happy to move into sales at earlier part of my career but now I feel and sure that it is the biggest plus for me while taking leading roles in marketing for the industry. The product knowledge in the key as it is also the base of the Marketing, effectiveness and command will only come in your work when you know your product, segment it is designed for people you need to communicate with all the insights of the TG group.

We have produced great marketers and still are the richest country as far as talent is concerned but as a professional I always feel, it’s very little we have given back to the marketing industry and upcoming generations.

Give us your reviews about the “Digital Revolution” and how Waves is maintaining its growth alongside. It has definitely camouflaged this era, in a good way! Mainly for businesses and marketing based ventures, digital forums have and are playing a primary role where the world comes together on one platform. Likewise, this revolution is highly beneficial for Waves especially in this case of re-positioning the brand. For Waves, reaching to its people, creating awareness and letting its consumers know about the newness, I believe, digital is surely a helping hand in the growth of the brand. I always believed that digital can change things for brands very quickly, my interest in digital marketing comes from my second degree, here content is the key, our industry in terms of digital is medium is growing & developing, strong focus on digital related content is required. Ecom is another big thing that hit our industry as quite a revolution and generating good numbers, although its quite different from west, where appliances are mostly still bought through personal involvements but here numbers are picking up quite fast.

Tell us about the fundamental difference between Waves and other companies when it comes to network capacity and customer service. Having worked with well-known players of this category, I can for sure feel a difference. And why not because like every other human being, even brands have their peculiar personalities. Here at Waves, there is a wider scope because the brand is enthusiastic to try out new ventures for its growth. This includes more manufacturing, more selling and certainly all that comes in the same line of expansion.

Waves as a brand and its recall will be right up there when it comes to appliances industry and the legacy of number 1 Deep Freezers company, still is leading industry in this category gives a huge promise to its customers for the quality as the tagline Nam hi Kaafi hay strongly emphasis the promise we make to our customers of trust.

Singer on the other hand is an American multinational brand and leading industry in various countries, in Pakistan it is being restricted just to hire purchase business but it’s doing quite well in the business though, more than 140 shops across Pakistan taking a big chunk of share in this business, this 140 shops network is the largest for any brand. Singer legendary products sewing machines and water heaters are still leading the categories for ages for its very strong brand name. We need to work on product and its positioning for singer to match its international standards, to get it placed with other MNC’s in the business. So these challenges are quite different for what I have been doing for my previous employers.

Waves has always brought forward inventive features, what is the next big venture? Well, there is much in store. Just like Cool Bank was Waves initial invention which is still the market favorite because of its coolness and maximum cooling retention, we are onwards coming up with a range of refrigerators, microwave, air-conditioners which have top-of-the-line features and specifications.

We have introduces Pakistan’s first Low Voltage Running (LVR) refrigerator just in last campaign that runs at 160 volts perfectly, this is different from LVS function, as it not only starts at low voltages but runs perfectly on low voltages without compromising performance and cooling losses. Our new Glass door refrigerator is Pakistan’s first all glass refrigerator with glass shelves and balconies, gives customer and upgraded and sophisticated feel for their buy.

We are coming up with best magnetron technology in MWO with 3 years warranty support where competition is just hovering around 1 year. Our new Inverter air conditioners will be with 4D technology to give customers maximum saving without any cooling loss and with best cooling performances.

Innovation part was well taken in when it comes to our advertising, I am sure you all have seen our new Fahad Mustafa starred campaign, that again is an innovative campaign for the industry, nothing like this was tried in this before. We needed to show change in management and the vision for the company and I think it served us quite well. The bang not only left people with a strong image of change in the brand but also left them guessing for a lot more to come from Waves.

You entered the market facing very strong competition, what problems did you have to face achieving the market share you hold today? Yes that is true, the market is surely dense and appliances are one category where people invest heavily. For Waves, all its competitors present in the market have been there strengthening their footing since long, taking good support of marketing and advertising as well. This has resulted in the audience getting more attracted and gaining trust. However, our basic challenge was and is to cut through all this. And in a short span of time, we have managed to turn the audience towards us. We have managed to create quite buzz in the market, results in this short time is lot better than expected but this is just a start and shares need to rise, we need to work more harder to get things going as competition will not give up shares easily. The good thing is we are aggressive under new management, we understand our challenges and really looking forward to take them aggressively.

Our last campaign strategically placed in low season with quite a unique and aggressive content generated quite a buzz, which considering the budget spends gave us far much more prominence and recall.

What has been your defining moment of your life? Well I am still pretty young to ask this question, I think for me there is still lot to be done, learning and growing is still on and lot of goals are still at sight.

I throughout my career have worked for myself as I am the judge of my work, self-assessment and accountability leads to improvements, my professional goals become my personal goals in fact my personal goals becomes more tougher. I think working in sales as mid part of my career was the defining moment for me because mostly while strategizing and making business plans, that sales instinct always gives me an extra side of thinking to visualize how trade will react and counter plans.

Appliances are innovative in their own being & the market is ever revolving

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iturbide · 2 years

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Only GA thoughts you say?? I’ve been reading the posts with metaphorical popcorn in had, so- have some questions to ramble to (but I am Eager to hear any other thoughts you have, even if they have nothing to do with these).

For the Golden Attempt, is there anything you think would eventually convince Claude to trust Byleth? Or, well progress the amount of trust he has for them? Obviously it would take time, but any ideas for Events that might lead to him trusting them despite their obvious secrets?

And I must know- what was going though Claude’s head as he heard that his imposer killed his brother? There’s always room to assume the rumours were wrong, or that his brother was killed in battle, or that he died to spite ‘Claude’ but… yeah, if he ends up hearing the details of what happened, it’s going to shake him up quite a bit, and I am having so much fun watching this AU unfold.

okay so to your second question first: there was a lot of warring thoughts when he heard that news. On the one hand, trying to come to grips with the fact that his imposter might have killed his brother (even if he and Shahid had never gotten along well) is devastating -- but on the other, it's entirely possible that the facts have been warped in passing from person to person to person along the line. Jeralt said himself that it was what he heard, so he didn't see it first-hand.

And there would probably be a lot of conflicting reports of the event as they go through the Empire and into the Kingdom. Some people say that the Almyran commander died in battle, some people say Claude von Riegan executed him, some people say that he fell off a cliff...getting a real, clear picture would be basically impossible until they actually get in touch with someone who witnessed the events firsthand, which isn't going to be for a while. But that certainly doesn't stop him from trying to plan based on the worst things he's hearing: that whoever stole his name and face executed his brother in cold blood.

No, he and Shahid weren't close. Yes, he knows Shahid hates him. But even if he wasn't a fan of Shahid, he didn't want him dead, either. They're still family, and for all that he might want to lace Shahid's undershirt with itching powder something he probably did at least once in their youth, he wanted his brother alive. Not near him, maybe, but alive. And even knowing that Shahid would absolutely hate the world he had set out to create -- one without prejudice, where people can learn about each other freely rather than operating off stereotypes and assumptions -- he was hoping that his brother might come around someday...or, barring that, just live the rest of his life seething that he can't get away with blindly hating the people of Fodlan.

And then there's the news going back to Almyra. Beyond the fact that executing Shahid constitutes an act of war since he was, in fact, an Almyran prince, and I tend to think that killings in cold blood like that are grounds in Almyra for a blood vendetta -- the worst case news is that Claude did it. Claude, who is also an Almyran prince. Will his parents realize that something isn't right? That this doesn't sound like the son they know? Or are they going to take it at face value, leaving him with a target on his back should he ever go back home since any of his other siblings, not to mention the king of Almyra himself, would have grounds to kill him on account of that aforementioned blood vendetta? And then there's the very real and very terrifying possibility that, because of Shahid's execution, Almyra takes off the kid gloves and mounts a real and earnest invasion force in place of Shahid's ill-conceived attempt at winning their father's favor. And all this on top of the fact that the person who stole his name and face is not stopping and is, in fact, actively making things worse, and he can't put a stop to it on his own, and it's just...

Turning off his brain to get some decent sleep is not exactly the easiest thing in the world at present.

as for your first question: how did you know exactly what it was I wanted to dive into next? Are you psychic?? Are you in my brain right now??? if so i apologize i know it's kind of scary in there

=====

Byleth’s father returned as afternoon turned to evening, his contract with the king of Faerghus in hand. The Knights of Seiros arrived with the deepening twilight, their torches illuminating the otherwise dim streets and drawing out adherents and mourners both.

Night fell, and no word came.

Dawn turned to morning, morning to midday, and midday once more turned from afternoon to evening. At sunset, a messenger arrived from the palace, calling Khalid before the throne once more, and Byleth accompanied him up the icy stairs and down the smoky hall to the room where Dimitri and Rhea both awaited.

When the king spoke, announcing that the Kingdom of Faerghus and the Church of Seiros had agreed to back his claim, they heard Khalid breathe a near-silent sigh of relief, the tense line of his shoulders relaxing a monumental fraction. There were conditions, of course -- they had both expected as much -- but surveillance by guards from the Church or Kingdom seemed a meager concession for all they gained.

A fortnight passed in relative quiet. Khalid spent much of his time in the Faerghus Castle library, studying everything he could about the Kingdom’s history, terrain, climate, resources, and the noble houses that comprised the bulk of its leadership. Ashe and Annette shadowed him there most often -- likely because they were most familiar with the archives, if Byleth’s memories of their school days held true -- though sometimes Sylvain kept subtle watch while feigning boredom, and others Ingrid breathed down their necks seeking ill intent in every book they pulled from the shelves.

Aside from those ventures, Khalid kept mostly to himself. Many among the Kingdom and Church gave him wide berth, unwilling to trust a man that looked like their enemy’s commander; if not for Byleth’s habit of taking meals with him, they suspected he would have eaten alone, poring over the map of Faerghus he had painstakingly copied from one on display in the library. And yet he spoke as often to them as he did to the Kingdom agents keeping watch over his every move. They tried, sometimes, to engage him in discussion when he happened to look up from his notes -- but he only offered a brief, vague response before turning back to whatever work he’d set for himself.

He was not the friend they’d lost in that other life. He’d not learned the same lessons, or achieved the same triumphs. They had, by now, lost track of how many times they’d reminded themselves of that fact.

It did nothing to help the aching grief they felt at seeing him this way.

It was commotion that alerted them to the changing tides of war: the clank of armor as guards rushed through the palace halls, voices raised but still too distant to be distinct. Byleth caught Khalid’s eye as he looked up from the biography he’d been examining -- and they rose in unison, abandoning their texts open on the table and hurrying toward the site of the disturbance.

They found Dimitri in the main hall, a piece of parchment crumpled in one fist. “What’s happening?” Khalid asked.

The king looked at them, the silence stretching so long that they feared he would simply leave them to wonder…until he finally drew in a sharp breath. “The Federation is approaching Fraldarius territory by sea.”

“By se--by sea?” Khalid repeated. “Derdriu barely maintains a merchant fleet, let alone a navy, how are they making an approach by sea?”

Dimitri shook his head. “I could not say: the Fraldarius messenger only said that the ships looked foreign.” Khalid went perfectly still again, his hand tightening on his walking stick. “Felix has already mobilized to reinforce his father’s position, but if that line fails the Federation will doubtless march on Fhirdiad next.”

“Can you spare troops from Arianrhod to fortify Fhirdiad, send along an extra contingent or two to reinforce Fraldarius?”

“I would -- but Margrave Gautier sent word that Sreng has mobilized another assault on the northern border, as well.”

“...they saw the ships,” Khalid muttered under his breath. “They saw the ships and decided to take advantage of the opportunity to strike. He had to have expected that, he wanted to divide the Kingdom’s defenses--”

“I’ve summoned what forces we can spare from Arianrhod to hold the city,” Dimitri said, cutting through the spiral of Khalid’s thoughts, “ but with three fronts to keep watch over…we don’t have the manpower to hold it all. We’ll be forced back to Fhirdiad and subjected to a siege we can’t endure--”

“Send the mercenaries to reinforce Fraldarius.”

Dimitri startled, looking over Khalid’s shoulder at Byleth as though he’d forgotten the contract he’d signed with their father. “One band of mercenaries hardly seems sufficient--”

“They’ll be the advance guard, shoring up Felix and his troops,” Khalid explained. “Jeralt is a force to be reckoned with on his own; Byleth’s earned a reputation, and they live up to it -- and then some. If you can spare a battalion, send them afterward: the mercenaries will get there first, so even if they and Felix and the Duke’s troops fail, the Federation will have another wave to deal with on top of everything else.”

“What of Sreng, then?” Dimitri asked. “The Gautier family has led the northern border defense for generations, but they cannot hold the line alone--”

“I’ll go.”

Byleth frowned while the king gaped. “You -- what? Alone?”

“If you want to send some guards along you can, keep an eye on me--”

“No, that’s not what -- what do you propose to do?”

“Hopefully open up a discussion and work something out without a bunch of people dying,” Khalid replied easily. “Barring that, probably try to rig a trap on the fly and go through a couple quivers of arrows--”

“Do you realize how mad that sounds?”

“Which part, the talking or the impromptu trap design?”

“Th…both!”

“Fair, I suppose,” Khalid shrugged. “If you’re worried, though, send along what troops you can spare -- the smaller the group, the faster they can travel, and Margrave Gautier would probably appreciate the reinforcements sooner rather than later if he’s asking for help. I can pack and be ready to move out within the hour, but if you’re going to send more people it’ll probably take longer to get them briefed and supplied…”

“Are you certain about this?”

The question was almost gentle, in spite of how fraught the king seemed. Khalid only smiled that practiced smile, one that never reached his eyes. “I said I wanted to help. Now seems like a good opportunity to make good on my word.”

“...if you’re sure,” Dimitri conceded. “I will gather a contingent to accompany you and inform you when everything is ready--”

“I’ll get started on my own preparations, then,” Khalid said, starting toward the barracks. “Don’t forget to send word along to the mercenaries that they’re moving out.”

“Byleth, would you…?” the king started -- but they had already turned to follow Khalid, their mind a blur of overlapping questions. Why was he suggesting them for the eastern front? If the worst came to pass with Sreng he would need the support, he had to know that, so why would he give them up so readily?

They had found no answers by the time they reached their quarters. With so much of the army engaged elsewhere, Dimitri had offered the mercenaries a block of rooms in the Fhirdiad barracks to make use of until their deployment; Byleth had, much to their father’s apparent surprise, chosen to room with Khalid rather than bunk with him as they always had before. And now, as their friend set to gathering his things, they closed the door behind them and caught his eye. [I will go with you.]

[You should go with your father,] he signed back, pausing barely long enough to get the gestures out while he packed.

[It’s dangerous to go by yourself.]

[I won’t be alone,] he replied. [You heard Dimitri, he’s sending some of his men.]

[If your plan falls through, will that be enough? My father can head up the reinforcements to the east, but I will go north with you.]

Khalid shook his head firmly. [You should go east.]

[Why?]

He did not respond, instead wrapping a collection of vials in a yellow scarf and tucking them in his bag. Confused, they reached out to touch his shoulder--

He jerked out from under their hand, fixing them with a flat, unreadable look. [Why are you really sending me east?] Byleth signed carefully.

Khalid breathed a short sigh and raised his hands. [Because I want to be out from under the enemy’s watch for a while.]

Their mind reeled at the accusation. [You think I am the enemy?]

He shrugged. [I don’t know. It seems as likely as you really being a friend. I thought it was pretty strange, how someone I’d never met before managed to find a place no one in Fódlan seems to know about, then managed to get to a prisoner who no one had realized was even missing because he’d been replaced, navigating a maze of a city to do so without any trouble -- not once, but twice, coming and going -- then getting out again despite being forced to take a slower pace. Don’t think I didn’t notice that we weren’t attacked after we got to the city entrance, and they didn’t bother to pursue us once we were out in the cave.]

He sat down on the edge of his cot, gripping his bad leg with a shaky hand before continuing. [They tried everything they could manage in there to get the information they wanted. Nothing worked. So for all I know, you could be their next attempt. Sending one of their own people in -- how else would you know the place so well? -- to stage an ‘escape,’ putting up just enough resistance to make it seem like the whole thing was real…and then letting me go, leaving me under the watch of their agent who obviously would have earned my trust by ‘rescuing’ me. You haven’t left my side for more than ten minutes at a time. It feels like you’re watching my every move. And while I appreciate the help, getting here and working things out with Faerghus and the Church, this could all be a ploy to get what I wouldn’t tell them. You’re keeping secrets -- and I know that’s rich, coming from me, the pot calling the kettle black -- but how can I trust you when everything that’s happened points at you being in league with the people who did all this?]

Byleth sank down onto the end of the cot. They had thought it strange, when no one came for them while they crossed to the gate, but once they were out beyond the veins of light they had been too relieved by their success to care about the lack of pursuit. For Khalid -- a man who knew even before setting out for Garreg Mach that his secrets would be deadly in the wrong hands, and who had already been subject to horrors Byleth couldn’t imagine…they could see, all too clearly, why he still suspected them.

They bowed their head, folding their hands briefly in their lap…before lifting them again. [You keep your secrets because the truth could prove dangerous to you. I’ve kept my secrets because I’m afraid you won’t believe their truth.”

His face remained impassive, though they saw one eyebrow twitch up a fraction. [Try me.]

Byleth sighed and steeled themselves. [What do you want to know?]

[How did you know the imposter wasn’t really me.]

[He couldn’t sign,] they replied without hesitation.

[And how did you know I could?] he pressed.

[Because when we met, you were the first person outside my father’s band that I could talk to without needing an interpreter.]

[But we only met a few months ago.]

Byleth shook their head. [It was the first time you met me. It wasn’t the first time I met you.]

A thin furrow drew itself across his brow. [So where did you meet me?]

They drew a deep breath, held it…and raised their hands. [The better question is when did I meet you.]

He frowned, but did not dismiss the idea. Instead he watched them, waiting for them to continue. [I met you several years ago near Garreg Mach.]

[I’ve never been to Garreg Mach,] he pointed out.

[Not this time,] they agreed. [But there was a time when you reached the monastery, and led the Golden Deer House. That’s the time I lived in. And when something went…wrong…I came back to try to fix it. But things have happened differently this time, even though I’ve tried time and again to change it back to how I remembered it -- so since I can’t change it, I decided to try fixing it, instead. By saving you.]

He considered their explanation for a long moment, his expression thoughtful. [How?] he signed eventually. [You said you lived in another time, and came back. How?]

“Are you sure it’s wise to tell him?” Sothis cautioned.

Byleth saw no other way.

[The Goddess of Fódlan -- the one worshiped by the followers of the Church of Seiros -- has the power to stop and reverse time. Her heart exists within me.] They raised a hand to their chest, touching the place where their heart did not beat. [I can use that power to change the outcome of events.]

[Can you prove it?]

They blinked, tilting their head slightly to one side. [You know it sounds unbelievable,] he continued. [You already admitted it: you’ve been keeping this a secret because you didn’t think I’d believe it. And you’re right, it sounds insane. But if you can prove it, then there’s no room left for doubt. So can you?]

[How would I prove it?] Byleth asked.

Khalid looked briefly thoughtful. [How about this: I’ll think of a word, and you tell me what it is before I tell you,] he signed. [If you really can control time, you should be able to get the answer and then go back and give it to me before I tell you. Right?]

“That’s actually quite clever,” Sothis mused over their shoulder.

Byleth nodded, agreeing as much with Sothis as the proposal. They had never forgotten how keen their friend’s tactical insight was -- but it still impressed them, seeing how easily he could find solutions to strange problems. [Alright.]

He nodded. [I have something. Do you know what it is?]

They watched him for a moment, seeing the first hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth before they shook their head. [What word?]

Khalid made a sign they had never seen before. They gestured for him to repeat it, and he did without hesitation: palms facing out, thumbs linked together with fingers splayed, then shifting smoothly so that his wrists crossed, palms facing up, thumbs remaining linked but fingers half-curled. They tried to make it themselves, fumbling a bit in the transition -- but he nodded approvingly, even so. They still did it a few more times, though, just to be sure.

[Is this right?] they finally asked, making the sign one more time.

Khalid nodded in agreement.

Time reversed.

***

Khalid had been half expecting Byleth to lunge for him when he confronted them about his suspicions. If they really were allied with his kidnappers, knowing he’d found them out seemed like just the thing to spur them into action.

But they didn’t. Which was probably for the best, because while he was carrying a particularly noxious powdered poison in very easy reach for just such an event, he didn’t really want to use it in such close quarters because he’d probably get a lungful, himself.

He hadn’t expected them to come right out with their secret when he asked, though. And he definitely hadn’t been expecting them to claim something so wild as turning back time. He might have thought it was too crazy to believe -- but he’d been getting a little too comfortable with crazy ideas being the truth, after watching someone turn into a perfect copy of him.

He still needed proof, though. It was one thing to see something that defied belief, another entirely to just take it on faith, especially when he’d always had a short supply of that. And Byleth had agreed to his proposal without even blinking. Either they were telling the truth, or they were really confident in their ability to guess.

If it was the latter, he had a surprise for them.

[I have something. Do you know what it is?] he signed.

They lifted their hands and replied, effortlessly, with the word he had in mind -- one no one west of the Locket should know.

He stared at them, his thoughts spinning wildly out of control. Sure, it had been a possibility that they were telling the truth, but seeing the proof of it was more than he’d been ready for--

Byleth raised their hands again. [Was that right?] they prompted. He nodded, still a little too stunned by the fact that he was talking with someone who could turn back time to form a coherent response-- [What does it mean?] they asked.

The question caught him so off guard that he laughed. They knew the sign but not the meaning: he couldn’t think of any more telling proof than that. [It’s a special signal used by wyvern brigades in combat, telling all the riders to have their wyverns roar together. It’s mostly an intimidation tactic, but it’s the kind of sign that only a wyvern rider would have a reason to know.] Or someone who’d been obsessed with them since childhood, which is how he’d learned it.

[Is it Almyran?]

Even though there was no risk of someone overhearing a sign, his breath still failed him for a second. [You know about that?]

Byleth nodded. [You told me.]

[You mean…the last time?]

They nodded again, a hint of a smile softening their usually serious expression. [You said you stayed up most of the night trying to figure out how to do it, and it was still the scariest thing you’d ever done. You never managed to tell the others, either -- you implied enough, but you couldn’t say it in front of them.]

[The others?] he asked.

[The rest of the former students from the Golden Deer House. And Judith.]

[To be fair, she knew I was Almyran.]

[She didn’t know you were friends with Nader the Undefeated, though.]

…in fairness, he hadn’t told her where in Almyra he’d grown up, so that made sense. [How did Nader get involved?] he signed -- and then waved his hands to clear the question. [Actually, start from the beginning. What happened the first time? Before you came back and everything changed?]

Byleth released a long, slow breath. [You made it to Garreg Mach and became the leader of the Golden Deer house, as heir to the von Riegan family. During a routine exercise outside the monastery, you and the other two House leaders, Edelgard and Dimitri, were attacked by bandits, and my father and I helped to drive them off. Because of that, the archbishop asked me to be a professor at the Officer’s Academy to replace the one who had been lost in the bandit attack, and I chose to teach your House.]

[All that because I could sign?] he joked.

They nodded, apparently not realizing how funny that sounded. [My father was a Knight of Seiros, once, and left soon after I was born because he had concerns about the Archbishop. He loved me, but in trying to keep me safe, he ended up isolating me. There were a lot of things I didn’t know when I got to the Officer’s Academy, including how to be a teacher, because I’d been a mercenary all my life. So it meant a lot to have someone I could talk to without needing an interpreter, and who could interpret for me with the other students until they learned. It made me feel less alone.]

Khalid scratched the back of his neck sheepishly, feeling more than a little bad about making light of something that clearly meant a lot to them. [So you made it as a teacher?]

[With help,] they agreed. [But it was a strange year at Garreg Mach. There was a great deal of unrest, caused by the group that kidnapped you here. What we did not know was that Edelgard had allied with them, and helped them operate within the confines of the monastery. …they killed my father.]

He had seen how close Byleth and Jeralt were during the months they’d spent on the road to Fhirdiad. However gruff he might seem, the mercenary clearly loved his kid, and that affection was wholeheartedly returned. It had made him homesick, early on, especially knowing how he’d left things with his own father -- he couldn’t imagine the pain they must have felt, losing him like that. [You couldn’t change it? Even with your power?]

They shook their head. [I tried. But when I attacked the one who killed him before she could strike, another appeared and deflected the blow. My father still died.]

[I’m sorry,] he signed, wishing the words meant more.

Byleth smiled, though, like they at least meant something. [You helped me through it. You helped me find answers I never could have reached alone. But then Edelgard declared war on the Church of Seiros and attacked Garreg Mach. She captured the Archbishop, and I…don’t know what happened. I remember being attacked by the man who’d prevented me from saving my father, and falling over the edge of a cliff, but when I woke up five years had passed.]

Khalid gaped for a moment. [Five years? Can that power turn time forward, too?]

[No, only back. I think I fell asleep, to recover from my injuries. And Fódlan had changed in that time. Dimitri had apparently been executed for killing his uncle who had been acting as regent. The Empire had conquered much of the Kingdom, with only a few of the far northern territories holding out. And despite the fact that Adrestia held the Great Bridge of Myrddin, the Alliance had maintained neutrality for five years thanks to Claude von Riegan keeping the Leicester round table embroiled in arguments with each other, rather than taking soldiers to the field.]

That, admittedly, sounded impressive. Apparently he was pretty good at diplomacy in some other world.

[We reunited at the monastery and claimed it for a central base of operations, since it had been abandoned after Edelgard’s first attack. When the Empire took notice and mobilized against us, we realized that our options were limited and took the bridge before the Imperial army could arrive. From there, the remnants of the Kingdom rallied at Gronder Field along with the Adrestian and Leicester armies -- and Edelgard was forced to retreat. We chased her back to Enbarr, but in the battle against her…]

[Something happened.] Seemed the likeliest guess.

[You were killed.]

He’d had a suspicion, but that didn’t make it any less eerie. Not many people expected to be talking about their own death. [Did that group keep you from undoing it?]

Byleth shook their head. [I went back too far, without meaning to. I was…distraught. I lost control. I came back to a moment before I ever met you, and when I arrived at the time where I should have, things happened differently. I tried so many times to go back hoping that things would go right, and I would meet you again, but they never did. So instead I started trying to find you. It took a long time, and even once I found the city it took so many attempts to get the escape right that…]

[You memorized it.] All that effort, all that pain…for him? [Why did you try so hard?]

[Because you were my friend,] they signed, like it was the easiest thing in the world. [You told me your dream, to break down the borders between people and nations and drive out prejudice by bringing them together. Your last words were to thank me for helping you chase that dream. I still wanted to help you reach it, even after I wound time back too far. I still want to now. So let me come with you to deal with Sreng.]

He could hear movement in the rooms around them, when he bothered to pay attention. Dimitri must have gotten word out to Jeralt’s men. [What about your father?]

[He should have no trouble handling things on his own.]

[No, I mean, what if something happens to him because you’re not there?]

Byleth went still, their hands curling into fists for a moment. [It’s happened before, hasn’t it,] he signed. [Someone in the imposter’s camp killed him.]

They didn’t deny it, which seemed about as close to agreement as he was likely to get. [If I go and something happens to you--]

[I’m not the one going up against that imposter and his army,] he pointed out. [Your father is. I’m pretty sure I can handle things with Sreng: they do a good bit of trade with Almyra, I know enough of the language to get by, and if worse comes to worst I won’t be alone in it since the king’s sending along some more soldiers to cover me. Odds are good that I’ll get out of there in one piece.] Hesitantly, he reached out to touch Byleth’s shoulder -- and felt them lean into it, like a wyvern shoving its head into their rider’s hand after a long time apart. “Go with your dad,” he said quietly. “If something happens to him, you’ll be there to change things and make sure he gets out okay; if something happens to me, you can come back here and we’ll try it again.”

The sudden knock at the door made them both jump. “Who is it?” Khalid asked.

“It’s me,” Jeralt’s voice called back. “Is Byleth in there?”

They looked at him again, and he could swear he saw the unspoken question in their eyes. He nodded, giving their shoulder a final pat before sitting back to let them up. “They’re on their way.”

After a final moment’s hesitation, Byleth rose from the end of the bed and moved to open the door. Khalid didn’t bother to watch their conversation: their expressions told him everything he needed to know.

That little pang of homesickness struck again. How was his own father holding up? Especially since news of Shahid’s death at Khalid’s hands must have reached him by now. Would he realize that something was wrong? Or like everyone else, would he take the word as truth, and assume his son wasn’t the man he thought after all?

…well. Only time would tell. And first he would have to do something about the imposter that stole his name and dragged it through the swamp.

And if everything worked out, this would be the first step on that path.

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