#loredo

[dukeofdogs]

Gwent: The Witcher Card Game | The Tide Rises | Northern Realms

[zuulbean]

no one in my dnd group is on tumblr or knows what my tumblr is so i feel that i am post these with no consequences

silly little character portraits from our next ttrpg campaign (system: frontier scum)— these are a few NPCS i drew based on descriptions from my DM. Eventually the little boards underneath them will have their names, but I don’t know all of their names yet so…. they are empty for now.

i may also upload my own character in planning to play on here later but i have to like. finish a drawing of them. all i have are half baked sketches since idk what cowboy clothes to put them in yet!!! it’s very difficult and it must be perfect or i lose my rights as a texan :(

[carco5a]

iorveth and Nekker Vasily have lived together in the forest in Flotsam for many years and often drink tea and talk politics together. They are literally like relatives in spirit or husbands in destiny. Loredo is jealous of them and wants to be third, but he was killed.

this has the cadence of a poem to me and is one of the funniest asks i’ve ever received this is exactly why i would never turn off anonymous messages. they are literally like relatives in spirit or husbands in destiny. loredo is jealous of them and wants to be third, but he was killed. stunning vision

[mortifiedandawesome]

Laurel and Hardy - Blotto 1930 (Full Movie Remastered)

[anunkindncss]

Meet the Character: Will.

Name: William (Will) Loredo Age: 31 Species: Human Gender: Cis-Male Sexuality: Pansexual Briggs Myers Personality: ENFJ

The prodigal son, Will is the epitome of the American Dream. His parents were both immigrants who happened to meet while trying to build a life, and blossomed the Loredo family. Several brothers and sisters, with Will being the oldest, and the most sensible. He's an accomplished paramedic and spends most of his time at the fire company waiting for the opportunity to do good as his parents raised him to. However, Will has a habit of putting work above everything, including living and loving.

[ethos-a-cambiado]

La funambulesca Libertad ¿Avanza?

El presidente Javier Milei recibió el 25 de Junio del 2024 un premio del Instituto Liberal de la República Checa, en el Palacio Žofín de Praga. Es el 6to premio que va a recibir en otra de sus largas giras en búsqueda de recolectar, cual aventura pokémon, todos los premios en el mundo. En dicho evento Milei se aventuró que, al estar “reescribiendo la teoría económica”, podría llegar a ganar el premio Nobel de Economía. Esto se debe a que podría corregir “el conflicto entre la fábrica de alfileres y la mano invisible”. Esta aseveración es completamente descriptible de todo el gobierno de Milei en estos primeros 6 meses de gobierno.

En primer lugar, el conflicto entre “la fábrica de alfileres” y la “mano invisible” es una contradicción que vio Adam Smith en 1776 en su libro "La riqueza de las naciones". La mano invisible refiere a que la naturaleza económica encuentra su crecimiento y riqueza actuando según su propio interés, sin mediación ni intervención externa. Por el otro la fábrica necesita una regulación y organización centralizada para un funcionamiento óptimo en el mercado. Estas contradicciones tuvieron más de cien años de debates y encontraron sus respuestas prácticas con el Taylorismo y el Fordismo. Mientras que el Taylorismo encontró en la profundización del esquema de “la fábrica de alfileres” para la eficiencia productiva, el Fordismo combinó la organización interna estricta y la planificación de la producción con la capacidad de satisfacer las demandas del mercado masivo. Esto muestra cómo una estructura interna bien organizada puede coexistir y complementar el funcionamiento del mercado.

Justo esta declaración se dio el mismo día, como si quisiera tapar con semejante dicho, el dato del crecimiento del desempleo al 7,3 y caída del PBI del 5,3%.  Asimismo otra semana de la imposibilidad de detener el crecimiento del precio del Dólar blue, con otro día de quema reservas. Asimismo el mes de junio fue duro en el frente interno y externo en torno al dólar, ya que tanto el FMI como el campo pidieron la devaluación del dólar oficial. Todo esto se suma a que la inflación se sostiene en torno a que las tarifas de gas y luz, que impactan directamente en la vida cotidiana, y los sueldos de los trabajadores están pisadas para que no aumenten. Además de que el equilibrio fiscal se sostiene en torno a mantener el cepo cambiario y prerrogatear los pagos a empresas estatales de gas (caso Pampa Energía e YPF) y no terminar con las dos mil obras que estaban cerca de terminar de la época del gobierno anterior. Todo esto sostenido por un gobierno que se mantiene en el funambulesco equilibrio de una oposición sin liderazgos y un oficialismo que no cayó lo suficiente su imagen positiva como para perder sus aliados temporales. La nube de pedo es total para soñar con premio nobel por una contradicción que vio Adam Smith 1776.

Estas declaraciones pueden ser parte de un plan maestro de alguien que ve la política en un tablero de ajedrez en 3 dimensiones o alguien que no entiende su propia fragilidad. Al intentar sacar por primera vez la Ley Bases, con prerrogativas leoninas para empresas y legislaciones que permitían hasta ingreso de ejércitos extranjeros al territorio argentino, sin casi cambios llevó a los límites a una oposición sin liderazgos. Fueron titánicos los intentos de De Loredo y Pichetto, aliados transitorios del gobierno, para intentar sacar una ley que encontró reparos en todos los gobernadores. Esa ley en un gobierno más “pillo” hubiera salido en un mes, con sus negociaciones y matices, pero LLA buscó el todo o nada y acabó sufriendo una derrota total. Que la ley haya intentado salir 3 veces hizo que esta última versión haya quedado a menos del 20% de lo que era la primera. Con el resultado de que sus aliados ya odien a los diputados y senadores de LLA, los cuales opinan que no quieren hablar para defender sus proyectos, los creen vagos y poco preparados. Los aliados del PRO y UCR notan la debilidad argumentativa, de comprensión de las reglas parlamentarias e incapacidad de entender jugadas de los demás legisladores. Datos que no deberían saber. Los legisladores aliados solo quieren “dar las herramientas al presidente”. Frase repetida como mantra ¿Pero por qué? Porque notan que la victoria por más de 13% de diferencia en el balotaje significa que el consenso a un cambio en la política tradicional significa más que respetar la representatividad legislativa, también votada por los electores en las generales. O también puede significar algo más.

Más caciques opositores que indios

En este texto hablé de la falta de liderazgos. Debo decir que mentí, hay líderes, lo que no hay es gente que siga a esos líderes. Tetaz, Lousteau, De Loredo y Manes se disputan el espacio radical entre los que quieren acompañar la liberalización de manera crítica (Tetaz y De Loredo) y los que quieren abrir un espacio progresista de resistencia con pequeñas concesiones (Lousteau y Manes). Probablemente el que tenga más espacio para crecimiento sea el propio Martín Lousteau, quien ha demostrado su poder de fuego en anteriores elecciones pero nunca pudiendo derrotar al PRO en capital federal.  Sin embargo, el propio Lousteau tiene un propio problema: es líder y presidente de un partido que no puede liderar cuando lo demanda. El caso de su propio pliego de la ley bases, con distintos agregados buscando liderar al peronismo con una reinterpretación del RIGI, cayó con una cosecha de 3 magros votos a favor y toda la cámara de senadores en contra. No se puede liderar cuando ni tu partido te acompaña.

Por otro lado el PRO es quien más complicado está en este momento. Macri casi sepultó a su partido a la suerte de Milei en el gobierno: “Si le sale bien nos absorbe, si le sale mal nos arrastra con él” es la frase que todo el tiempo repetía Macri en mayo del 2024. Milei absorbió a Petri, Bullrich y varios legisladores del PRO y este conflicto identitario de ser los “antiperonista” los hace seguir a lo que sus electores votaron, a pesar de sus intentos de independencia. Milei resistió todos los take overs que intentó Macri y terminó fortalecido, con diputados del PRO negociando a espaldas de Mauricio Macri. Los únicos que cuentan con algo de autonomía son los gobernadores del PRO, quienes han demostrado ser mayores opositores, solamente buscando la supervivencia en un conflicto de falta de apoyo económico del gobierno central (Caso Nacho Torres en Chubut). Además hay que agregar que Patricia Bullrich quiere ser la que encarne la fusión natural del PRO con LLA, sin embargo todavía no puede tomar el liderazgo del PRO y siempre que lo intenta termina obligada a no confrontar con Macri o Ritondo.

En último caso quedaría el peronismo, tanto K como peronismo federal. El Kirchenerismo está en un conflicto interno enorme. Por un lado está el Cristinismo, movimiento que toma a Cristina como bandera y liderado por Máximo Kirchner, que busca tomar el liderazgo del movimiento peronista encarnando un progresismo basado en el resistiendo con aguante del 2016. Estos ven en Axel Kicillof como enemigo interno que deben doblegar para tomar el liderazgo. Por otro lado está el Kicillofismo, con gente que ve en Axel Kicillof la figura que encarna mejor la imagen de Cristina y que permite pegarle a Máximo Kirchner sin tener que enfrentarse a él directamente. El propio Axel no está dando muestras de guerra abierta, no como el cristinismo, sino que permite a distintos actores actuar en su nombre aumentando una conflictividad latente por ser los sucesores de Cristina. Lo gracioso de esto es que la propia Cristina todavía no eligió quien es su sucesor, si su hijo político o su hijo real. El peronismo federal quiere saltearse el este conflicto k y ser el sucesor natural del liderazgo. Todos sus actores parecen entender que el rasgo programático es parecido, una industrialización de buenos modales y con una liberalización parcial de la economía pero con empresas estratégicas dominadas por el estado (Aerolíneas Argentinas, RTA, YPF entre otras). El tema es que cuentan con el problema de que no cuentan con representación real en el territorio, lo que se llaman "votos". Pichetto, Insfran, Manzur, Daer parecen haber encontrado en Guillermo Moreno la mejor representación de un liderazgo con cercanía a las masas. Un personaje que puede llegar a ser atractivo al votante kirchnerista que tanto no le importa las internas políticas. El problema es que todas las veces que se probó en las urnas terminó mal, pero ¿Quién te dice que esta vez sale bien?

En conclusión, algo que comparten todos los aliados y los dialoguistas al gobierno es que hay que negociar las herramientas a Milei, mientras que los enemigos acérrimos no quieren negociar nada, pero en el primer punto radica lo fundamental. Tanto el PRO como la UCR y el peronismo dialoguista/federal encuentran en las “herramientas” que le quieren dar a Milei un punto para zanjar diálogos que no se prestaban durante la hegemonía K, hegemonía en sentido Gramsiano. El problema es que Milei liberaliza por demás la discusión. El tema es que ven en estas herramientas la salida política para terminar con la discusión fiscal, laboral y del tamaño del estado para abrir la nueva etapa política para cuando se comience la nueva discusión por los liderazgos. El año 2025, con las legislativas en puerta, los debates internos van a tender a zanjar los liderazgos y los candidatos de cada fuerza. Ven en este momento algo que tiene que suceder para dar un marco para el tablero político. Como dijo Guillermo Moreno, “el gobierno está terminado, ahora hay que arreglar esto para que llegue el siguiente gobierno”. Mucho ven en Milei un gobierno de Transición para lo que venga. Todos parecen entender esto menos el propio Milei, un funambulista en este contexto histórico.

26/6/2024

[aro-attorneys]

iorveth and Nekker Vasily have lived together in the forest in Flotsam for many years and often drink tea and talk politics together. They are literally like relatives in spirit or husbands in destiny. Loredo is jealous of them and wants to be third, but he was killed.

Anon I mean this in the best way possible but what the fuck are you talking about

[thedigs]

Finally A Mexican Restaurant

We have not been a fan of most of the Mexican Restaurants in Florida.

It is about my favorite food, and they just do it different here. But today we found a place we really like. They even had a special little menu, just for me.

We went late after the lunch hour.

A Special Mini Menu just for me.

My Beyond Tacos where the best !!!!!!

[cristianesimocattolico]

Vera e falsa profezia. Fatima e dintorni

È fondamentale l’ammonimento dell’Apostolo San Paolo di non disprezzare le profezie (cfr. 1Tess 5, 20), ma ovviamente egli si riferiva a quelle vere che sono a sostegno della Chiesa, mai contro di Essa, per quanto siano quasi sempre scomode anche per la Gerarchia, come nel caso specifico di Fatima. Come riconoscere la vera dalla falsa profezie? Ce lo spiega Julio Loredo, presidente di TFP Italia,…

[cooperatoresveritatisinfo]

Processo sinodale: un vaso di Pandora, attraverso una serie di 100 domande e risposte...

Qual è la posta in gioco in questo processo? Che cosa significano parole-chiave come “ascolto”, “inclusione radicale”, “partecipazione”, “corresponsabilità”?Perché si parla di ordinazione delle donne? E anche di benedizioni in Chiesa alle coppie omosessuali? Che cosa si vuol intendere per “Chiesa sinodale”?E ancora, che rimane della stessa Chiesa fondata e costituita da Nostro Signore Gesù…

[jujuygrafico]

Morales invitó a empresarios a estar atentos a las oportunidades de inversión y desarrollo de Jujuy"

#Política #Economía #GerardoMorales invitó a empresarios a estar atentos a las oportunidades de inversión y desarrollo de #Jujuy"

El Gobernador de la Provincia de Jujuy, Gerardo Morales, expuso en la Bolsa de Valores de Córdoba la semana pasada el proceso de transformación de la matriz productiva, tras recuperar la paz y el orden social e institucional, de cara a los desafíos que plantea el mundo en el cambio ambiental y económico.Morales participó del Ciclo de Coyuntura organizado por la Bolsa de Valores de Córdoba,…

[cowgurrrl]

Strangers

Pairing: Javier Peña x fem!reader (cowgirl!reader???)

Author’s note: goddammit is this gonna be a thing

Summary: Javi struggles to assimilate back into civilian life in Texas until an old friend returns [1.5k]

Warnings: Texas Javi my beloved, language, addictive tendencies, PTSD symptoms, Javi + Steve 4eva, reader has a brother, southernisms, pining, yeah there’s probably gonna be a part two 🙄

Javi really did try his best to leave Colombia and the ghosts that pricked at his memory every time he turned a familiar corner. He wanted to do better. He felt he had to. Too many people died for him to just throw away his chance at life, but the days were long and hot, and he was so fucking tired. The nicotine patches stopped working, and the bottle suddenly wasn't enough to convince himself he was doing what he was sent to do. That he was doing the right thing. That he was a good person. 

He expected the feeling to leave him once he left the imaginary borders of Colombia and returned to the northern valley. He thought working with his dad and getting his feet back under him after years of being pushed and pulled at Reagan's whim would feel better than shaking down teenagers for narco information. Of course, it didn't disappear in the cacti and hazy horizons of Loredo or the arms of his father. It's only been a couple of hours, Peña, he thought. Give it some time. Who knows? Blistering Texas sunsets might be good for burning the blood off his hands. 

Except everybody in his small town knew of his exploits in Latin America. They knew his name was plastered to boxes full of evidence against the cartel and then some. They knew Chucho's boy was some kind of fucked up veteran or hero or whatever they wanted to call him. He avoided going into town more than necessary when he first got home because of how often he got stopped. It didn't matter if he was going to the hardware store, HEB, or the mechanic. Somebody ended up talking to him about Escobar or Cali. He couldn't escape his past even thousands of miles away from it. The only good thing about his newfound fame was the free drinks people pushed his way in the shit hole bar just on the outskirts of town. 

He tells himself to slow down, what with the early mornings and long days he's working, but it'd be a dick move to turn down free drinks, right? Sometimes, Javi loses hours in the bar, betting money on pool, flirting with women passing through town, and telling war stories of the jungle and sicarios and whatever else comes spilling out of his loose lips. He tells himself he's coping the best way he knows how when he comes down for breakfast looking and feeling like shit, his hair practically wet from lingering cigarette smoke, but he knows better. 

His dad deals with Javi's vices the same way they dealt with his mother's death: inefficiently and without making a sound. The most Chucho does is shake his head and sigh when Javi comes stumbling in at some ungodly hour. What more could he do? Javi barely told his dad where he was in the world. How was he supposed to tell him what he'd done? What he saw? What he allowed? No, his dad can never know. It'll kill him. It'll kill Javi to retell. 

Sometimes, Javi will call Steve and ask about Connie and the kids, and they'll act like they're old school buddies and not tethered together through tragedy and white powder. Steve will ask him about his sleep, and Javi will give some bullshit answer which makes Steve laugh. "Yeah, me too," he says one time. "Woke the baby up the other night 'cause I was talkin' again. Don't even know what about. Isn't that fun?" Javi doesn't give much away. He never does, but sometimes, it's just nice to know he's not alone in his struggle to get back to normal. 

Javi is back in town for a full forty days before he finally stumbles across you. At first, he doesn't remember you or your first name. Your last name, however, rattles around his skull until he finally gets the courage to ask if he knows you as he stands in line at the store. "You look familiar." He says, making you laugh. 

"I'd hope so. You were practically livin' in my house in high school." You say, throwing him back to his high school baseball days, spending time either in the field or on the ranch with your older brother. You were a little bit younger than him— the daughter of a weathered cattle rancher— and only caught his attention when you were in the way or being an obnoxious teenager. Man, did you grow up pretty, he thinks. Suddenly, he's hyperaware of his sweaty hair, rumpled shirt, and god-awful farmer's tan. 

"Last I heard, you'd moved out of town," Javi says, crossing his arms over his chest and eyeing you carefully. The freckles dotting your face from all your time in the sun should be considered lethal, especially when you smile. 

"Last I heard, you were engaged." Just as you did then, you don't hold your punches. The jab doesn't hurt, but it does make him laugh, an embarrassed blush crawling up his neck.

"Alright, you got me there," he says. "How's your brother?"

"Good. Married Suzanna a few years ago, and now they've got some babies running around." 

"They live around here?"

"Dallas," you say. "Dillon thinks he's too good for us and decided to be a real estate agent out there instead."

"Sounds riveting," Javi says and you laugh. The line gets shorter and shorter as you talk, but he can't focus on anything but you. "And you? What's a pretty girl like you still doing in this shit hole?" Something behind your eyes flickers at the comment and you take a deep breath, suddenly all too aware of how hot it is today.

"Somebody's gotta get Daddy off the horse every once in a while."

"And what? Your mama can't do that for you?"

"She knows better than to keep tryin'. I'm just as stubborn as he is, so one of us'll win or give up before the other." 

"Well, my money's on you." He says easily. You stare at each other for a little bit longer than necessary before the clerk calls you by name to get your attention. Your items are scanned, bagged, and paid for all in the span of a few seconds. You have no reason to linger in the checkout aisle, but you do, rocking on your boots' heels just a little. 

"Don't be a stranger, Peña." You say, looking him over as if you're seeing him for the first time. 

"I don't think this town's big enough for that." He says, and you chuckle.

"No, I don't think so either," you say. "Tell your dad I said hi." With all your Southern hospitality, you turn and leave. Javi watches you go until the clerk calls his name and breaks him out of it. Well, that and the sound of something crashing to the floor makes him reach for a gun he doesn't carry anymore. His shoulders brace for an explosion, and he can't catch his breath. He stares at the box and the broken jars in it as a pissed-off employee storms off to find a broom. He scoffs. 

Javi has dealt with some of the most dangerous people in the world, and jams are what spike his adrenaline. 

He tries to shrug it off and pay the cashier, but his ears are still ringing, and his heart is still racing when he climbs back into his truck. Fucking jam. He tries to forget about it as he drives home. He wants to forget about it. He wants to think of anything else. 

If that happens to be your smile, the way your laugh fills the air, or the inconspicuous way you looked at him when he complimented you, it's just a coincidence. 

When he gets home, he's craving a drink or a cigarette or something more physical to get his mind off of what happened. His shoulders slump with the weight of memory and Chucho sees. He always sees. He just doesn't know the right way to fix it. 

"Y'know, uh… your friend you used to play baseball with?" He asks, seemingly out of nowhere, as Javi puts away the groceries. He furrows his brows and gives his dad a confused look.

"I had lots of friends I played baseball with."

"He was datin' that girl you went to Homecoming with when you were a freshman?" Of all the things his dad remembers, of course, it's that. Javi resists the urge to roll his eyes and grinds his teeth instead.

"Suzanna?" He asks and Chucho snaps his fingers in a way that tells him that was the right answer. "His name was Dillion. What about him?" 

"Well, his dad heard you're back in town and invited us over for a barbecue," he says nonchalantly and Javi scoffs. "I'm not sure how he didn't know, but you know that old fucker's always out doin' something. Somebody probably told him something or the other. Anyway, you can say no. I told him you were still adjustin'."

"I'll go," Javi agrees too fast. "Might be good to… get outta the house. Wouldn't wanna be a stranger." Chucho is surprised but not displeased with Javi's answer, and they leave it as is. 

It's just reintegrating into civilian life. It's just socializing. It's just a barbecue. It's not an interrogation or a raid. It's coping. 

Apparently, coping could be really fun if he plays his cards right.

TAGLIST: @abbyhaslongshorts @kiwiharrykiwi @sumsworldz @myloveistoolittle @anavatazes @shyminnie07 @beezusvreeland @eddiemunsonsbedroom @harriedandharassed @doodlebob-mp3 @ignorethisplz2004 @buckyispunk @d1lf-loverrr @vee-bees-blog @moel-jiller @anoverwhelmingdin @casssiopeia @space-zaddy-din-djarin @rainy-darling @its-me-mila @mnn11ankamaaka

[dancingtotuyo]

Scathed 7 (Javier Peña)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: anxiety, trauma, self worth, recounting of suicide attempt, discussion of miscarriage and abuse

Notes: shoutout to my non tumblr bestie, Ashley and @janaispunk for beta reading and constantly encouraging me.

Words: 4174

Series Master List | Author Master List

Journal Entry May 25, 1994,

My birthday is tomorrow. Javier is taking me out tonight. Just the two of us and whatever plan he’s concocted in an unknown place. It’ll be fine. I’m safe with him…

A knot formed and set itself squarely in Emily’s gut. She was all too familiar with anxiety, but this one was different. It was laced with excitement. In fact, it was mostly excitement with fear of the unknown, fear that subsided with every assurance that Javier knew what was happening. She trusted Javier. 

Then came the second round of nerves, one Emily thought she’d never feel again, what to wear? She didn’t know where they were going. Javier had assured her he wouldn’t put her in an uncomfortable position which meant limited crowds. 

It was a birthday dinner. That meant fancy, right? But this was Loredo, jeans were welcomed at every event, but so what if she was a little overdressed? This was her birthday. The first time she’d celebrated in a while. Her Dad and Anna had tried, but Emily always refused. They’d gotten away with cake and ice cream after dinner last year, but no candles. She always found a neatly wrapped box on her bed from Jaime though. Emily knew he felt bad for missing so many birthdays. Maybe next year she would be able to celebrate how he wanted to. 

Emily looked over the clothes spread out across her bed. Her going-out clothes were limited for obvious reasons. The dress felt too formal, the jeans not formal enough. She sorted through her closet again, searching for anything else, and then she saw it, peeking out of the Sears bag she’d shoved into the closet as soon as she got home last summer. 

Emily pulled it out, the pale fabric with little sunflowers called to her like it had in the store. It wasn’t anything over the top or skimpy, but still exposed more skin than she tended to show. Emily tended to stick with clothing that wouldn’t draw attention to her, blue jeans and a solid color top or sweater.

She unfolded the dress, the tags still on. She’d felt stupid for buying it as soon as she got home, but could never bring herself to return it. This would do, but Emily didn’t move, staring at the delicate fabric like it might combust. It taunted her, dared her to put it on. She remembered the way it felt cool against her skin, hugged in all the right places, and made her feel like a less damaged version of herself, one that could go out without fear or worry, one a man might find attractive. Immediately, she had shucked it off her body like it was on fire at that thought but hadn’t been able to put it back on the rack. 

It would be perfect for tonight. She fingered the skirt, thumb running over one of the sunflowers. She heard the front door open. Her father greeted Javier. She cursed under her breath, picking up the dress without a second thought. Ripping off the tags, she dropped her towel, pulling the fabric over her head. 

It slipped into place like she was a Disney Princess, fabric flowing around her thighs and knees. She glanced at herself in the mirror, stilling. She felt like she had in that dressing room almost a year ago. This wasn’t her, but who she wished she could be. Who she thought she would be. The pale pink lipgloss and mascara taunt her from the drugstore bag. Those had been impulse purchases today. Emily couldn’t remember the last time she’d put on makeup. 

“Em.” Her father tapped on the door. “Javier is here.”

“I’ll be right out.” She called back, grabbing the makeup without a second thought. She fumbled with it, leaving the packaging scattered on the bedroom floor. 

With inexperienced hands, Emily carefully applied the mascara. Then she ran the lip gloss over her lips. She didn’t give herself another look over, grabbing her purse and light sweater as she teased her curls absentmindedly with a hand, smacking her lips together with the unfamiliar feel of the gloss. 

Javier and Jaime were talking in the living room as she entered. Javier’s eyes clocked her immediately, unable to pull his eyes off of her. She locked eyes with him, heat flooding her cheeks as she caught the way Javier’s eyes roamed her frame. 

“Hi.” He smiled at her.

“Hi,” she smiled back. Emily wasn’t sure what else to say, feeling as if there were more behind his eyes.

Anna walked into the room with a gasp. “I forgot about that dress.”

Emily jumped a little, turning to face her stepmom with a soft smile. “So did I.” She laughed. 

Anna smiled, pressing a kiss to her daughter’s cheek. “You look beautiful, Mija.”

“Thank you.” Emily smiled, unable to calm her beating heart. 

“You ready to go?” Javier asked, shifting his weight from foot to foot.

“Yeah.” Emily bit her lip. Neither moved, simply looking at each other as the room filled with unspoken and unrecognized feelings. 

Jaime looked between them with his brows furrowed. He cleared his throat. “I’ll pick the kids up at 8 from the sitter’s.”

Emily snapped out of her thoughts, which were more like a tornado siren going off during the middle of a clear day leaving her dazed and confused, like danger was so near but you couldn’t see any sign of it. 

“Thanks, dad.” Emily said, kissing his cheek. “And remember, do not let them stay up late. We have an early day tomorrow.”

“No promises.” Emily glared at him. “There’s more of them than me, sweetheart.” 

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Bedtime is 8:30, and no ice cream either.”

“Go celebrate your birthday.” Jaime chuckled, shooing her toward the door. “We’ve got things covered here.”

Javier opened the door, smiling as she matched her father’s strides. In Spanish, she said, “I’m serious, Dad.”

Jaime raised his brows, responding in kind. “Have fun. Enjoy your birthday for once.”

“Dad.” Emily stopped hand on her hip. 

He laughed, putting his hands up in surrender. “I promise. Early to bed and no ice cream. Scouts Honor.”

She eyed him suspiciously, not buying it, but decided to let it go. Javier chuckled. “Jokes aside, we’re going to be late if we don’t go.” 

“You two have fun. Keep her out as late as you want, Javier.” Jaime said with a teasing grin. 

Javier laughed and Emily rolled her eyes. “Will do.”

Javier pressed a hand to the middle of her back to propel her toward the door. Her head snapped back to him, eyes wide but not with panic. Javier dropped it immediately realizing what he’d done. He swallowed, motioning to the door with his head, feeling stupid for doing that. This wasn’t a date.

Emily brushed it off, stepping out of the house without another word. She couldn’t shake the way the warmth of his hand lingered across her back. 

“You gonna tell me where we’re going?” Emily asked once they were out the driveway. 

“God, you’re impatient.”

“I’m sorry if I’m not too keen on surprises.” She narrowed her eyes at him.

Javier laughed. “But you trust me.”

“That’s what I keep telling myself.”

He smiled. “I’m sorry about touching you before we left. I wasn’t thinking and-“

“It’s okay, Javier.”

“No, I know I need to be careful.”

“You didn’t scare me.”

He glanced over at her, studying her face for a moment longer than he safely should from behind the wheel of his truck. Emily smiled at him, any lingering anxiety draining. She trusted him more than she thought possible in a relatively short period. 

“You look beautiful tonight,” Javier said. It just slipped out like the words had just formed in his head and needed to escape. “I like the dress.”

Emily felt her cheeks warm again, a smile pushing against her lips. She turned to look out the window, biting the smile back. What were these impulses she felt helpless to stop? She cleared her throat. “Thank you.”

Even the implication that she looked attractive didn’t scare her. She had Javier next to her. He would keep her safe. That spot on her back heated again. The more she tried to ignore it, the hotter it burned becoming impossible to forget. 

Javier pulled into the parking lot of one of the most popular Friday night destinations in Laredo. Her pulse quickened. All the trust that had assured her moments ago flew out the window. 

“Hey,” Javier said, throwing the truck in park. He grabbed Emily’s hand. “Trust me.”

She nodded, taking a steadying breath. Javier darted around the vehicle, opening the passenger side door for her. “I’ve got you.” He held out his hand with a wink.

Emily took another deep breath, nodding as she took his outstretched hand. Javier squeezed it, keeping her close to his side. Her stomach twisted in knots as they approached the packed restaurant. The front door opened as a couple walked out, the roaring noise from within growing and then muting as the door swung closed. 

Javier felt her breath catch and directed them away from the main entry. “I wouldn’t take you in there, Mustaña. I know better than that.” 

He led them around to the back patio of the restaurant. Emily expected it to be thrumming with life. She’d heard this place had live music on the patio, but when they rounded the corner it was still. Javier opened up the gate, motioning for her to go first. 

Emily bit her lip in amazement. “You did this?”

”I told you. You deserve to be celebrated, Em.”

Without a second thought, her arms flew around his shoulders. Javier’s hands wrapped around her back of their own accord, not wanting to let her go. Emily’s head laid on his shoulder for a single glorious moment. “Thank you.”

“Anything for my best friend.” Javier smiled, fighting the urge to kiss her cheek. He had no doubt that would push things too far, and tonight was about celebrating his best friend. A panic attack would not be very celebratory. 

“I knew I’d get you to admit it.” Emily smiled as Javier pulled a chair out for her.

She sat, allowing Javier to help push her in. The big grin he wore never left his face as he settled in next to her around the small circular table. “How’d you pull this off on a Friday night, Javi?”

“I can’t reveal all my secrets now.” He chuckled. 

Emily cocked her head to the side, curls falling into her eyes. Javier laughed as she pushed them out of her face. “Damn hair. Keep saying I’m going to cut it.”

”You don’t like it?” Javier’s brows furrowed. 

“It’s just a lot, and sometimes you just need a change.” She shrugged. 

Javier bit his tongue. He liked her hair. He was beginning to think he might like it any way she styled it, but there was something about the way her long curls bounced and moved about that captivated him. He wanted to bury his hands in them. 

Javier swallowed, giving himself a moment to push those thoughts away. “A friend from high school owns this place.”

”They must owe you quite the favor.”

”Something like that,” Javier winked, tilting his head to the side.

The roar inside the restaurant grew throughout the night as people filed in for dinner, but out on the patio, it was peaceful. Streaked with orange and pink, the sky slowly darkened until the sun disappeared. Crickets chirp from the grove of trees at the back of the parking lot. The heat of the day began to ease. They took their time eating, enjoying the spring night, and each other's company. 

“How is it we always seem to find ourselves outside? Under the stars?” Emily said, gazing above her as the first twinkles started to appear. 

“Guess it’s our thing.” Javier sipped his whiskey, holding it close to his chest. 

Even within Loredo city limits, stars shone in the night sky. He glanced over at her, eyes tilted toward the heavens, curls falling over her shoulders. She looks so at ease, so blissfully at peace. Javier couldn’t help but feel honored that she’d found that, even just for a few minutes, next to him. 

“So we have a thing?” She raised an eyebrow.

“You just said we’re always finding ourselves in this situation.” He laughed. 

“Suppose I did.” 

He handed her his glass. Emily accepted, letting the dark liquid burn down her throat. “Might be the first night I haven’t craved a cigarette.”

“Progress.” 

“Or maybe it’s the company.” He smiled at her.

Emily rolled her eyes, handing the whiskey back to him. “It most definitely isn’t that.”

“What makes you say that?”

“I’m one of the most anxious people around.”

“Not with me.” 

Emily froze, eyes stuck on his brown ones. What was he trying to say? Nails dug into the pad of her thumb. She chewed on her lip. 

Javier caught it, the overthinking, her brain trying to process things it wasn’t ready for. Fuck, what was he saying? He wasn’t ready to process it either. 

“Hey,” His hand landed over her wrist, fingers easing over her. “You shouldn't be anxious with your friends. It’s a good thing.”

She nodded, her mind accepting the thinly veiled excuse. “You’re right.”

“Always am,” Javier smirked. 

She let out a laugh that came from deep within her belly. Her head fell back, curls dangling in the air, and Javier knew. He knew he was falling in love with a woman he could never have as more than a friend. If and when she traveled down that path, she deserved someone not stained by the drug war. She needed someone so far away from it, her past didn’t feel so tangible. She didn’t need someone who fucked whores and watched children die, someone marked for death but somehow managed to avoid it. 

“Javi?” Emily straightened in her seat, catching the way his demeanor shifted. He had that faraway look in his eyes she only saw when he was reliving the bad parts of Colombia. The one Emily imagined she got when she talked about Mexico. 

He tried to push the thoughts back. Today was not the time or place. It was a happy day. He was supposed to be celebrating her. 

“Javier,” she said again, placing her hand on his bicep. He looked down, eyes flickering to it. Soft hands, free of calluses from her secluded office job. He swallowed. Her hand bumped under his chin, pulling his gaze back to her like a mother to a child. “What’s going through your mind right now? Tell me.”

“I was supposed to die,” Javier said. It slipped out, almost like he wasn’t in his body, and then the weight of it hit him. He pulled out of her reach. “Shit.” He rubbed his eyes. “Now’s not the time for this conversation.”

“Talk to me,” Emily said, not taking no for an answer. 

Javier threw back the rest of the whiskey, giving it a few extra seconds before he opened his mouth again. “We got a tip about Escobar- backed up by Centra-Spike. Our boss pulled us out as we were about to leave.” 

He didn’t explain the “us.” She knew who he meant by now.

“Carillo- he-“ Javier struggled to pull the words out. Emily set her hand on his shoulder. His eyes met hers sparkling with unshed tears. “He walked right into an ambush. All of his men too. They never stood a chance. I was supposed to be with him. Steve too.

“Instead, I listened to it all go down on the fucking radio. I felt so goddamn useless.” Javier clenched his fist. 

Emily studied his face, the deep creases in his forehead, the guilt heavy across his features. He couldn’t meet her eyes. She knew it was more than the survivor's guilt. It was that child in the comuna, the teenager he watched “The Good Guys” shoot to send a message, the work he did with Los Pepes, and so much more she didn’t know about. 

Before she knew it, her fingertips dragged from his chin up his jaw. His skin was smooth under her touch like he’d shaved right before picking her up. Javier’s eyes widened, but he didn’t say a word, scared to move a muscle and spook her. He focused on her eyes as she followed her own movements over his cheek. 

As her fingers smoothed the lines in his forehead, his eyes fluttered. His head lilted to the side slightly, barely noticeable except for the extra pressure against her cool fingers. A small gasp escaped her lips, pulling Javier back to reality. When his vision came into focus, Emily met his gaze. 

“I don’t think you were supposed to die, Javier,” Emily said. She could see the dismissal of her statement in his eyes. “And I’m really glad you didn’t.”

Javier let out a long breath, tension easing with it. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to ruin your birthday.”

Emily bit her lip wondering if this was a bad time for her to share her own story. Instinct quickly took over. This is what they did. They exchanged their war stories. She slipped the worn leather wristwatch from her forearm. Javier had never seen her without it. As she revealed the underside, he understood why. The watch covered up a long thin scar. It was long enough to show the single sign of what she’d attempted to do. She’d never shown it to anyone, not even her dad. She was the only one who knew about it. Well, she, Juana, HIM, and the doctor. 

And now, Javier. 

His eyebrows knitted together as Emily bit her lip. His thumb traced over it softly. “Mustaña…”

Emily inhaled, breath shaking. “I told you I thought about it, but… I shouldn’t be alive either, Javier.” Tears filled her eyes.

“Shit.” Javier said, hands moving to her cheeks, thumbs swiping away her tears. To their belated surprise, she didn’t flinch or move away. “‘Em…”

“I had two miscarriages.” She swallowed. “One when Ale was 5 months old, another 3 months later.”

Bile rose in Javier’s throat. The bastard hadn’t given her a break, never gave her body a chance to recover.  

“When the second one happened- I’d just found out. I hadn’t even told him yet.” Javier swiped more tears away. “There was so much blood and-“

She stopped. Javier held his breath. The air felt hot and sticky around them. 

“And I thought he was going to kill me because of it.”

“Em.”

“I’m okay now.” She said, quickly cutting him off. She pulled out of his grasp. Javier’s hands dropped to his thighs feeling empty. “Even as dark as things got, I never tried again.”

She expected to see pity from Javier, the kind that felt condescending, but it never came. He took her hands in his again.

“I know.” She felt his sorrow over everything that she went through, including the things she hadn’t told him yet, and she accepted it. 

Emily bit her lip, staring into Javier’s eyes. The patio lights sparkled off of them. Something tugged at her heart, almost as if it was pulling her into him. The more she resisted it, the more the tension grew. Unfamiliar with the feeling, Emily wasn’t sure how to respond to the tug. Did she give in? Did she pull away? Her instincts and feelings screamed from opposing sides.

“Sorry for making you cry on your birthday.” 

“Technically, my birthday is tomorrow.”

Javier rolled his eyes, the smile on his face lightening the mood as he leaned back into his chair. Emily missed his proximity and tucked the thought away for later. 

“Close enough.” He said, glancing down at his watch. “I do have a surprise. Should be here any minute.”

Emily narrowed her eyes at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.” Javier winked. He grabbed her watch, slipping it back on her wrist. He turned her arm over, finger slipping over her scar before letting the watch fall into place A quick moment, but one that lingered on her mind. “Just promise you won’t be mad.”

“What did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything.” Javier raised his hands, a smile tugging at his lips. “It was your dad’s idea.”

She crossed her arms. “Now I am worried.”

“It’s not bad.” 

“That’s what they always say.”

“Oh, I’m one of them now?” Laughter glimmered in his eyes as he teased her. 

“I'm afraid so.” She tried to keep a straight face, but the truth was, she felt excited at the premise. It was a testament to how much she trusted Javier, and it felt nice to feel almost normal for once, almost whole. 

“Why don’t you turn around then,” Javier said, pointing behind her. 

Emily caught sight of her family, accompanied by Chucho, walking across the parking lot, a big white box and balloons in hand. Her mouth dropped open. Alejandra stopped in her tracks, waving at them as she caught sight of her mother. Emily laughed, waving back. 

“Race you!” Miguelito yelled, taking off across the parking lot.

“Not fair!” Alejandra called after him, her shorter legs unable to catch up with her older brother. 

“No running in the parking lot!” Jaime called after them but it was no use as they ran into the gate laughing and out of breath. Mateo pulled against Anna’s hand, wanting to join in with his siblings, but she kept a hold of his hand. 

Emily couldn’t help but laugh. For the first time in years, the implications of a true celebration made her excited. She realized how much she actually wanted her family here. 

“I take it you’re not mad?” Javier grinned, standing to open the gate. 

“Not at all.” Emily smiled, holding her arms open as the kids ran in to greet her with hugs and kisses. 

Mateo pushed his way through his siblings, crawling up into her lap, his favorite place in the world. She kissed his head. Alejandra’s eyes roamed over Emily’s dress, fingers playing with the hem of it. “You look very pretty, Mami.”

“Thank you. So do you.” Emily spun her around. 

“I know you said no ice cream,” Jaime grinned, setting the white cake box on the table next to hers. “But you never said anything about cake.”

Emily rolled her eyes, unable to keep the smile off her face. “I also said bedtime at 8:30.”

Jaime shrugged. “Rules were made to be broken.” He pressed a kiss to his daughter’s forehead. “Happy birthday, Sweetheart.” 

“Thanks, Dad.”

Off to the side, Chucho stood next to his son as he worked on putting candles on the cake. “It was nice of you to arrange all this for her.”

Javier shrugged it off, mind focused on the task at hand. “She deserves it.”

Chucho nodded thoughtfully, taking stock of his son. “And that’s all?”

“Well, it is her birthday.” Javier felt around for a lighter, so used to having one on hand. “Do you-?”

Chucho handed his over before Javier could finish asking. He smiled at his father. “Thanks, Pops.”

“Javi?”

“What?”

Chucho searched his son’s eyes, always so expressive. He’d never been able to get away with lying to him, though Chucho did let him think he had from time to time. It kept him from becoming a better liar. The older man quickly realized now was not the time the time or place. He wasn’t sure his son had fully realized everything he was seeing. “Nothing.”

“Mr. Javi!” Alejandra joined his side. “Be careful with the cake.” 

“Always, Alejandrina,” Javier grinned, flicking the lighter to life. As he set the last one ablaze, he smiled at the girl. “Alright, start us off.” 

Ale grinned, starting The Birthday Song with one big, loud breath. The rest of the group joined in, a mixture of English and Spanish carrying through the air. Javier picked up the cake, walking it over to her. As he kneeled in front of her, presenting the flaming cake, he winked. Emily laughed, shaking her head. 

Over the glow of the birthday candles, Javier watched her eyes sparkle, her smile infectious to the world around her. He’d never seen Emily so relaxed and carefree. She smiled at him, and Javier wished he could keep this moment frozen in time for forever.

A bright flash went off, causing spots to blur his vision. “Oops,” Alejandra giggled, snatching the photo from the Polaroid camera. “Sorry.”

Emily shook her head, trying to clear the flash spot from her vision as The Birthday Song came to a close. Her eyes landed on his big brown ones. “Make a wish,” Javier said. She smiled, biting her lip in thought before taking a big breath and putting every single candle out.  

Taglist: @angelofsmalldeath-codeine

[todaysdocument]

Application for Registry of an Alien under an Act of Congress Approved March 2, 1929, for Stephan Sevastian Bondareff

Record Group 85: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization ServiceSeries: Political Refugee Registry FilesFile Unit: RE-223

Form 659A

SUPPLEMENT TO APPLICATION FOR REGISTRY OF AN ALIEN

[stamp] REFUGEE [/stamp]

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE

(The data called for below should be furnished by aliens who are applying for registry under the Act of June 8, 19834, amending the Act of March 2, 1929, and this form shall be executed and considered as a part of the application Form 659, in such cases.)

[column titles: Country | Province or State | City or Town | From Month Year | To Month Year ]

Bulgaria | Sofia | Sofia | May 1921 | June 1925

France | Paris | Paris | June 1925 | Sept 1925

England | London | London |Sept 1925 | Dec 1925

France | Paris | Paris | Dec 1925 | Mar 1926

I believe that I was in the United States prior to July 1, 1933, as a bona fide political or religious refugee for the following reasons: No diplomatic relations between United States and U.S.S.R. I fought with the Russian White Army. after resolution fled as a political refugee to Sofia Bulgaria

I believe that I could not be deported from the United States prior to July 1, 1933, for the following reasons: No diplomatic relation between United States and U.S.S.R.

I hereby acknowledge that I have executed the foregoing as a part of my application for registry on Form 659.

[signed] Stephan Sevastian Bondareff.

(Signature of Applicant)

Was brought to this country from Paris by Miller Bros. 101 Ranch. circus as a Cossack horse trick rider on Dec 31, 1926 was brought to Laredo Mexico by Mr. Miller lived in Loredo Mexico untill Sept 12, 1927, there crossed

the Rio Grande at Eagle Pass Texas.

[anunkindncss]

"Nope, no. Totally ignore my advice. Fuck me, I just take care of people for a living. What do I know?"