#we can start our new lives together why would you want to delay that

[tennessoui]

“Kiaree is pregnant,” Obi-Wan says, as if Anakin is supposed to care about this woman and her baby. “If her name is drawn from the victor‘s pool, I will take her place.” “Like hell you will,” Anakin snarls. “There are other victors.”

“Magdeline is old,” Obi-Wan’s eyes cut away, fall to the space between their hands. Good, Anakin thinks viciously, he should find it hard to look at him. “She should not have to go back to Coruscant. Not ever again in her lifetime. If her name is drawn—” “Then you will let it be!” Anakin rounds the corners of the counter, unthinkingly fast. He clasps his hand around Obi-Wan’s shoulder, squeezing the fine fabric that Coruscant has dressed him in tightly. “Why would you volunteer for them, Obi-Wan? They have never volunteered for you.”

“The actions of others do not control my own, Anakin,” Obi-Wan snaps, pushing him away, freeing himself from his grasp. “I will volunteer to serve as master and mentor, as I am the most suitable to be victor—” Anakin grinds his teeth together, pushing himself back into Obi-Wan’s space, pinning him against the counter. “You would do that to me?” he asks, low, voice a dark growl in his throat. Obi-Wan has styled his hair carefully, slicked it back and trimmed his beard. Anakin touches the lines of his beard, ghosts over the glossy locks before shoving his fingers into it, messing up the tidy strands. “You would take yourself away from me, for months more?”

“The Games will last no more than a fortnight,” Obi-Wan murmurs, keeping his back straight, unwilling to melt into Anakin’s touch. “I will be back on Stewjoni soil before the leaves turn gold.”

“You will be parsecs away from me until the spring,” Anakin replies, and he gentles his hold, smooths over the mess of Obi-Wan’s bangs and slots himself up against him. Not fighting, not pushing. Pressing, coaxing. “Your body will be here, but your mind will not. Do not pretend as if you do not know what I am talking about.”

Obi-Wan’s mouth falls open, a flash of red as he wets his bottom lip and looks away. Of course he knows what Anakin means. The years that he must go to Coruscant, the years that he is made master of two children who are destined to die bloody and screaming, those years haunt him in his eyes. It is the price he pays as a victor—it is not just his Games that haunts him. It is every Game he has ever been made to watch, to participate in even from the sidelines.

And he may be willing to pay that price so that his other victors may live without it, but Anakin will not allow the same.

[energeticwarrior]

GLOBAL STRIKE FOR GAZA 1/21-1/28

Apologies for my delay in using my platform, I found out about this strike yesterday and was taking some time to figure out what to say

Palestine has been suffering long before October 2023 and I need everybody to understand that. There is a genocide happening right now and if people don't use their voices to speak up, then they will become a lost cause in our history. We do not want the stories of their people to be told 50 years from now with a side comment like "oh no I wish someone would've done something" or "I can't believe that actually happened." Our voices can spread like a wildfire, so I hope that everybody joins the global strike this week in support of Palestine and uses their voices, social media, platforms, etc to voice their support.

If you are unsure of where to start, I suggest reading up on the history of Israel's occupation of Palestine dating back to 1948. Here is a free PDF download of this book. To be honest, I have not finished reading this book yet, but it's been highly recommended to me by multiple people. Buying the book from the author would be better, but I understand that it's not within everybody's budgets which is why I included that link.

______________________________________________________________

If you follow this link, this is a great guide on how to participate and support the strike this week. Doing every single thing is not realistic but do what you can and that is enough.

Here are some Palestinian journalists you can follow on Twitter, as they are the most reliable source. Many news sources worldwide have been misconstruing this "conflict" and completely ignoring the blatant genocide happening before our eyes. These journalists are Palestinian people who have been living this their whole lives (there are many more people and the Twitter thread can be viewed here)

Additionally, here are some other Twitter accounts that you can receive information from.

I urge everybody (art blogs, fandom blogs, etc) to put their interests on pause for the week and use that time to educate themselves on what's been going on for the last several years. This did not start in October. Keep speaking up and uplift Palestinian voices!

______________________________________________________________

Resources and other ways to help:

BOYCOTT STARBUCKS AND MCDONALDS (among other things)

Donate E-Sims to help journalists be in touch with the rest of the world

Stop supporting Zionist celebrities (ex: Noah Schnapp, Gal Gadot)

Uplift Palestinian journalists

Donate menstrual products to menstruating people in Gaza

Donations to UNRWA, Islamic Relief Canada, Arab (daily clicks and proceeds go to UNRWA)

If I missed anything, please feel free to message me or send me something in my inbox. Again, I urge everybody to pause their week to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and continue to uplift their voices. We are all stronger together.

[cloudy-em]

shy reader and lip are my favorite. but i was thinking maybe she’s like that because of family? they’re mean to her so it’s better for her to keep to herself and she doesn’t tell lip anything until he sees it for himself

thank you for the request, anon! I'm thinking northside!reader for this one

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

We're walking to my house, the thin layer of snow crunching beneath our feet. Although I'm thankful that my private school allows long pants in the winter time, and that we're provided with a thick knit sweater as a part of our uniform options, I'm still freezing. I don't know how Lip does it. He seems just fine with his jeans and layered flannel.

"You cold?" He breaks the comfortable silence, and I nod, knowing that if I speak, my teeth will clatter together. He pulls me into him, his arm wrapping around my shoulder. It's nice, just the two of us and the snow. It's quiet and peaceful.

We reach my front door and I unlock it, inviting Lip inside. He takes his shoes off and follows me into my bedroom, where he sits on my bed. It's not our usual routine. Normally I prefer going to his house, but my family was going to be home early because of some special news coming from Harvard University for my sister. Lip decided yesterday he would spend time with me until he had to sneak out of my window so I'd be on time for dinner.

I sigh, joining Lip on my bed, Wuthering Heights in hand.

"Read to me?" I mumble. He's prepared for the question, and no matter how many times he smiles and says yes, I'm still a little embarrassed. It's easier when he reads to me because I can hear his voice reading the lines in my head. He smiles like he usually does, leaning back and taking the book from me. I lean against him, listening as he reads.

"Y/N!" I hear my mom call from downstairs. I look at Lip apologetically, telling him I'll be right back. I trudge down the stairs, trying to delay whatever my mom has to say. I walk into the kitchen, joining her and my siblings. Oh joy.

"Why didn't you put the dishes away?" She asks, annoyed at my presence. I can feel myself fold in slightly, ready for whatever the family wants to pile on me.

"I- I'm sorry, mom, it's just that the oceanography club ran late-" she cuts me off, not needing to hear my explanation.

"I don't care what happened, Y/N. You have these things to take care of because the rest of us are doing more important things. Your father and I both work full time jobs all day. Your brother is a football captain, and your sister is president of the debate team. They have well-fulfilled, promising lives in front of them. What do you have? A weird obsession with fish."

"I concur," my sister chimes in. "Are you like, attracted to them?" My brother laughs, joining in on the game. "Probably, I mean it's not like she's pretty enough to date a human!"

They continue to take turns, finding whatever flaws they can to comment on. I shrink into myself, waiting for them to get distracted by their own arrogance and start talking about themselves.

This moment comes like it usually does, but never fast enough. I walk away as quietly as possible, and return to my room. Lip looks at me, his eyes searching mine. He still has Wuthering Heights open, his thumb and index finger holding the spine open to the page we left off on. He places the book face down beside him on the bed, silently opening his arms in a welcoming gesture. Without hesitation, I take my spot in his arms as he pulls me into his chest, stroking my hair softly. I try to bite back my tears, but a few escape, and suddenly he has tear stains on his shirt.

"I'm so sorry, baby," he whispers to me, swaying slightly. "I didn't know. We'll figure something out, 'kay? No reason you can't come stay with me. The kids love you, and Fiona'll come around when we tell her what's goin' on. You and me, right?"

I smile slightly, nodding against him. "Right."

[exhuastedpigeon]

Buddie Hiatus Fic Rec - month 9 Jan 16 - Feb 15

0-5k

might as well be drunk in love by fleetinghearts / @shitouttabuck Teen | 2.3k Getting little-spooned by his drunk best friend was not on buck's maid-of-honour checklist, but. it's happening

She Said She’d Do It Again by Pansys_goth_gf / @pansysgothgf General | 2.8k Ana Flores runs into the 118 four years after her break up with Eddie. It turns out, a lot can change in four years.

hot cocoa by evcndiaz / @evcndiaz Teen | 3.1k Buck is freaking out about proposing. He gets an assist from Athena, Bobby, and. Well. Eddie himself.

our secret moments in a crowded room by heartbeatdiaz / @loserdiaz Explicit | 3.7k In which a new probie at the station has a crush on Buck, Eddie is… a little bit done with the guy, if he’s being honest. And Buck is having the time of his life.

like a cat in the rain by oklahoma / @sunshinediaz Teen | 4.6k Sometimes, Buck forgets the lightning strike happened to Eddie, too.

things you shouldn’t say to me by coldbam / @coldbam Mature | 4.7k Eddie comes out, sleeps around, and Buck hears all about it.

5k-10k

finally found what i’ve been looking for by fleetinghearts / @shitouttabuck Explicit | 5k buck's good at basketball, eddie's trying really hard not to commit an act of public indecency about it, and maybe, just maybe, a slightly bloody beachside pick-up game can be the start of something new

i am just a fool, but i have loved you all along by oklahoma / @sunshinediaz Teen | 5.1k Buck asks Eddie on a date. Eddie spirals and makes a list about it. Everything works out in the end.

how to say what you mean by brownbananas (nickel710) Gen | 8.1k In which Eddie becomes a little obsessed with equipment maintenance and has a crisis of sexuality, and the two things are more related than he thought.

gonna make love to you for the rest of our lives by wikiangela / @wikiangela Explicit | 8.7k It's Buck and Eddie's wedding night, they're horny, in love, and obsessed with being husbands.

10k-20k

that green light, i want it by asteriasera / @asteriasera Mature | 11.1k Buck and Eddie hook up after Maddie and Chim’s wedding, then spend an inordinate amount of time not talking about what it means until the universe decides to intervene.

it's gravity after all by Iover_of_mine (I_almost_do) / @lover-of-mine Teen | 11.7k Buck and Eddie get trapped in an elevator. What else can they do besides talk to each other?

and we are homeward bound by glorious_spoon / @glorious-spoon Explicit | 18.1k Buck and Eddie get around to telling the people they love that they're together.

Winter Prayer by Daisies_and_Briars / @cal-daisies-and-briars General | 18.2k When a work conflict prevents Athena from accompanying Bobby to Minnesota for the ten year anniversary of his family dying, Buck and May offer to go instead. Over the course of the trip, they all learn more about each other, and Bobby faces his grief.

20k - 30k

let you set the pace by devirnis / @devirnis Explicit | 23.9k Eddie fucks Buck over a weekend.

30k +

A Minor Delay by rainbow_nerds / @rainbow-nerdss Mature | 43.6k Almost a year after the bridge collapse, a lot has changed. The team are scattered—Bobby and Athena on their Honeymoon, Hen on adoptive parent's leave, and Buck and Eddie... They may still work together, still have movie nights with Chris whenever they can, but things have changed. With Maddie and Chimney's wedding around the corner, Buck tries to make it perfect. And maybe, along the way, he might figure out why everything still feels... wrong.

The Cupid in Bel Air and His Thousand Kisses by Moonrose001 / @liptickyourway Explicit | 53.8k Eddie knew that when he and Christopher moved to LA, there would be a lot more deities than he was used to. What he did not expect was a Cupid that had it out for him, determined for Eddie to fall in love despite Eddie's repeated refusals, denials and threats. But Eddie needs a partner in the field and it seems like the winged weasel is the closest he is getting.

Month 1 (May 15 - June 15) Month 2 (June 16 - July 15) Month 3 (July 16 - August 15) Month 4 (August 16 - September 15) Month 5 (September 16 - October 15) Month 6 (October 16 - November 15) Month 7 (November 16 - December 15) Month 8 (December 16 - January 15)

[ravencoloredroses]

Changes

Nyx x Reader

Summary: Feysand have just passed away, leaving Nyx and Reader to figure out what to do.

Warnings: Mention of death

Word Count: 1,253

A/N: I’m probably gonna make a part 2 of this…. let me know if you would want one! Thanks for reading! let me know what you think!! <3

————————————————————

Death is inevitable. Even for immortals. It may not happen for hundreds of years, but eventually we all die.

Despite that, I had always hoped my family would live happily, forever. Hope does nothing though. Nothing can change the fact that Rhysand and Feyre are dead.

Just 2 hours ago, they were leaving for a mission, now their bodies are laying side by side on a table.

I understand why they decided to both leave this world together. I wouldn’t want to live without Nyx, so I don’t blame them for anything.

I look down at my mate, now High Lord, to see his eyes bloodshot and full of tears while his mind is thinking of a million different things at once. He’s grieving for his parents, he will be for a while, but he has to rule now, take charge and be what this Court needs. He won’t get to properly deal with this massive loss.

“Y/N?” Nyx whispers. I sit down on the floor beside him and pull him into a hug. “What are we supposed to do?” He sobs into my shoulder. I don’t have an answer for him, no matter how much I wish I did, so I just sit there and sob with him.

Feyre and Rhysand were like parents to me. I remember the first time Nyx introduced me to them, I was so nervous that they wouldn’t like me, but from the moment I walked in the door, they welcomed me into their life with open arms. When Nyx and I had officially mated, they were just as excited as we were, if not more.

“Nyx? Y/N?” Amren says from behind us. We look up to see that her red eyes are slightly puffy. “We have to make an announcement soon. Meet us in the dining room.” Nyx sighs deeply and gives a nod to Amren who disappears back out into the hallway.

Nyx pulls me in for a soft, gentle kiss. “I love you.” He says against my lips. “Please don’t ever leave me.” My hands wrap around his neck as my fingers weave into his jet black hair.

“I love you too. I will always be here.” I say and lean my head against his shoulder. We sit like this for a while, just embracing each other, before Nyx moves to stand us up. He grabs onto my hand and brings it up to kiss my knuckles, then we walk into the dining room together.

Sitting around the table is our family, Cassian, Nesta, Azriel, Mor, Elain and Amren. They left two spots open for me and Nyx to sit at the head of the table. We take our seats while Amren begins to speak.

“Okay. We have to make a public announcement. I’ve already started writing, but I wanted to run it by everyone first.” She opens a notebook and reads what she wrote.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the deaths of High Lord and High Lady of the Night Court, Rhysand and Feyre. Their heirs, Nyx and Y/N, have taken over their duties and will be the Night Court’s new High Lord and High Lady. Thank you for your patience during this time of grieving.”

I reach over to grab the notebook to read it for myself, because I’m sure I didn’t hear her say that I was High Lady. “Y/N? What is it?” Nyx asks, squeezing my leg under the table.

I look up at him in disbelief. “I can’t be High Lady.”

“What? Why not?” I turn and see the confused faces of my family.

“I just can’t. They won’t take me seriously, I’m not even from the Night Court. I don’t have magic like you all do. I’m just… me.”

“Y/N, you don’t need magic to be High Lady. You are a natural leader, make them take you seriously.” Nesta says from across the table and everyone nods in agreement.

“I- I don’t know guys.” Nyx looks at me for a while, his bright blue eyes evaluating mine.

“How long do we have before we have to make the announcement?” He faces the rest of the table.

“I can only delay it for one more hour.” Amren responds. Nyx stand up from the table and gentle pulls me to join him.

“We’ll be right back.” He says as he winnows us to our bedroom.

“Talk to me, my love.” He pushes my hair behind my ear and lets his hand linger on my cheek. “What are you thinking?”

I take a deep breath. “I want to be there for you, Nyx, I always will be, but I don’t think I can be your High Lady.” My tears are beginning to fall again. We sit down on the bed and he pulls me into his lap.

“Is it because you feel you’re not ready?” Nyx asks, running a soothing hand over my back. I nod against his chest. “I’m not ready either, darling. I thought when this happened I would be more prepared, but I’m not. No amount of preparation would change that. I need you by my side as we both go through this.” I look up and see the seriousness in his eyes. “Please, Y/N. You’ve always been there for me, let me be here for you.”

“You really think I could be High Lady?”

“I know you can. My parents talked about it all the time.”

“W-What?” I search his face for a tell that he’s lying, but I find nothing.

“They had what they called ‘Transition Trials’ where they planned out what would happen after they passed. Your name was brought up everytime. There was no doubt in their minds that you would become my High Lady. They believed in you.” It takes a minute for what he just said to sink in. The plan was always for me to be High Lady. Why didn’t they tell me?

“They thought there was more time. They did plan to speak with you about it, but never got around to it, I guess.” Nyx answers my unspoken question.

“Okay.” I say after thinking about it for a minute.

“Okay?”

“I’ll do it. I’ll be High Lady.” Nyx begins to smile. “But.” His smile disappears. “I want to start training with you in the mornings.” He begins to protest, but I cut him off. “How am I supposed to serve and protect our Court if I can’t protect myself?”

He takes a moment to think. “Fine. But we are starting with defensive training only. I don’t need you running around kicking my ass just yet.” He cracks a smile that I match instantly.

“Deal.” I begin to stand, but Nyx stops me by grabbing my waist.

“Wait. One more thing.” He slowly moves forward to kiss me. When our lips finally touch, I feel a burning sensation on my left arm.

“Ow!” I yelp and look down. My breath gets caught in my throat when I realize what I’m staring at.

“It’s a bond tattoo. We both have one since we both made the deal.” Nyx shows me his arm that matches mine perfectly.

“What deal?” I ask as I examine our new tattoos.

“That you will be my High Lady.” I can hear the smile in his voice. “I love you so much, Y/N.” He places a kiss to my hair line.

“I love you too, Nyx.” I smile up at him.

“We should go.” He says after a while of just staring at each other. “We don’t want to keep our subjects waiting, do we?”

I pull him back down into a kiss. “Actually, I think they can wait for a little longer.”

[mwhiteshelley]

My Chemical Romance and the foundations of an endless night

It’s over…for now. 

We knew it would have to end, we even knew the date, but who’s ever ready for the best things to end? After some of the greatest moments of our lives over the last year, we’re left to cling to our memories, replay our videos, scroll through every photo and wait with held breath for the next crumb of information from the band we love so much. 

This tour was a journey for all of us, the band, the fans, the crew, the friends, families, everyone in its wake was traveling it together. The postponed dates for over two years, three years for some connected us through that passage of time, the wait for the thing we wanted so much to start, the delay of the inevitable end, the start of something new. It meant something at the beginning back in 2019 and 2020, it meant something even more after those that survived the pandemic made it to the other side and could count down to their first show. We waited for so long then, we can wait for a while now, right? 

We weren’t sure the journey would continue, kept hoping to just see the word postponed instead of canceled on our tickets, and somehow, the first shows finally started to happen, and the return was in full motion, and we just had to wait for our turn. It was all so different even when some things were so much the same, but so much was different, and only in all the best ways. We saw them all reach for and gain their footing over the first set of shows. It was a learning experience, get back on the wheel, get it turning and fitting into the grooves again. And they all did it with so much more ease than seemed possible after so much time away, the best friends that you can connect with after years have passed, and it somehow feels like no time has passed at all. 

Yesterday is today, today is the present and the past, and those kids were back, not the ones that ended their 12 year journey with the feeling of crushing pressure and lack of joy and the final parting gift of “Fake Your Death” lyrics that represented everything they felt back then. But those kids that started in the basements with only handfuls of people paying them any attention, the kids who put their hearts together after experiencing tragedy and wanted to do something right in the world, the kids who never dreamed they would be the anthem for so many and so much, those kids were back, but they were the grown up versions that knew better what life should be now. We saw these kids of today that beat their demons, marched beyond their fears, battled the addictions, held on for everything they had and came out on the other side to show all of us that it’s possible, and it’s very much real, and you can do any of it just like they did. 

There was a new found joy that we hadn’t seen for years, maybe not ever because how is there ever real joy if you’re not fully free to be yourself? And that’s what this tour was if nothing else, it was being their true selves, being everything they all wanted to be, no matter when, no matter what, no matter who was watching. It was freedom, and they gave us the gift of watching that unfold and curl around the entire world as we looked on with an element of pride and absolute relief at the happiness that radiated from their faces. 

That might be the biggest reason why it’s so hard to let this go…for now. Happiness of that amount is irresistible and infectious, and it didn’t matter if you were a new fan or a long-time fan, we wanted to hold on to that shared joy for just a little longer, forever if we had our way. So, in a turn of absolute surprise, even with ever-changing setlists and encores, they gave us an ending that was such a shock and so perfect that we all held our breaths even tighter, even longer together for those few moments after that last song. “Vampires Will Never Hurt You” was never something that had ended a show before, and yet, how could there have been a better way to end something that we ultimately didn’t want to have an ending at all? This full circle last parting gift of this tour was to leave us with the very first single they ever released over 20 years ago rather than something else in their catalog that was full of pain and goodbyes. And this band that delivered us a tour of being free, of being happy, of being yourself, gave us a perfect finale with no parting words and no goodbye group hug, the actual antithesis of an ending, complete with the words “Endless Night” emblazoned across the drum one final time.

It’s over…for now (if you want it), but we’re no longer waiting in the rubble of decay. We’re standing in the foundation of what’s to come, and our whole hearts will be ready for what’s next.

All photos shot by me (Twitter & Tumblr: mwhiteshelly / IG: @jmfstopimages https://www.instagram.com/jmfstopimages/) and cannot be reposted without credit

[deathofpeaceofmiiind]

high infidelity | thirty

Long were the nights where my days once revolved around you *Ellie’s POV* I finally got home after my flight was delayed twice in LA thanks to heavy winds. I was so mentally exhausted as I sunk into my couch but I felt like doing something tonight. It was only 7pm so I decided to give Danielle a call, hoping she’d want to go out for some drinks with me. It has been a while since we caught up on each others lives, plus I had a bomb to drop on her about Noah.

“Hey! I was thinking of you, how was LA?” “Terrible.” I sighed, “Noah and I broke up.” “WHAT!” I rolled my eyes, putting my headphones on so I could talk to her handsfree as I unpacked all my shit. She was completely shell shocked as I told her everything, but I’m sure everyone was going to have that response. Fuck, even I thought Noah and I were a forever thing, I guess forever meant temporary this time. “Can we go out tonight, please?” “Abso-fucking-lutely!” Danielle yelled into the phone, causing me to take one of my AirPods out. “I’ll meet you in your lobby in an hour.” I took a quick shower, glammed myself up and threw my hair into some rollers as I decided what to wear tonight. My arms crossed as I scanned my closet up and down, I had nothing. I found an unopened box in my spare bedroom that had some dresses in it, thankfully. I found a little black dress with a cut out that exposed my sternum tattoo perfectly. I threw it on with some black pumps while I waited for Danielle. “Here’s to you being single!” I laughed as I took a sip of my espresso martini, we settled on a new bar downtown that had dark aesthetics that were right up our alley. A sour taste filled my mouth as I thought about how Noah would’ve loved this place too. Danielle and I drank a few martini’s and we were at that level of drunk where everything was making us laugh, almost to the point my cheeks were starting to hurt. I began to forget about Noah and had this feeling I was going to be okay, either that or it was the drinks gaslighting me into thinking that. “Do you think Matt is cute?” “Huh?” Danielle hiccuped as she took an unnecessary sip of her drink. “What I’m just asking!” I said as my face flushed, not knowing why he was crossing my mind. “I did tell you in Seattle I thought you two would be so adorable together.” “Yeah…” I trailed off, picking at my nail polish. “It’s just…he did more for me than Noah did with the whole psycho fan fiasco." “Then why don’t you ask him out? Call Nick or something and see what they say.” I rolled my eyes, “Dani, we are 4 martinis deep, that is a terrible idea.” “You know what, I’ll do it. I still have Bryan’s number.” She slurred as she took out her phone. My heart was racing as I saw her FaceTime him. His face showed up and I froze, he was at Noah’s and it looked like they were hanging out with some of his friends. “Danielle? What do you want?” “Does Noah want Ellie back?” She really knew how to get to the point. “Cause we have something to ask.” Bryan looked around the room and my eyes didn’t leave the screen. It didn’t look like there was a lot of people there, which made me feel relieved he wasn’t doing anything stupid. Bryan also didn’t see that was I sitting there, and I think Danielle wanted to keep it that way, “I don’t know, I don’t think he’d want to answer that right now. Why what did you want to ask?” “Do you think Ellie and Matt should date?” “Can they please?” Bryan whined into the phone, making me chuckle, “Matt hasn’t shut up about her since Seattle and you should’ve seen the two of them when we were in Santa Monica. It was the cutest shit ever, I could’ve vomited on them both.” “Lovely picture babe, thanks.” She hung up and looked at me with an evil grin on her face, “There you go.” “I don’t know.” I muttered, I think I need some time alone to figure out who I was, or if I was even done with Noah before I do anything irrational. “I think I need to be alone for a bit.” After another martini, we decided to call it a night before we made any more awkward FaceTime calls. I got into my Uber and started scrolling on my phone, finding Noah’s number. I figured I’d rather embarrass myself with him than have him find out I drunk texted his friends. It was a shot in the dark, but I dialled his number and listened to it ring, silently begging for him to pick up.

[rastro-writes]

Lover’s Pond Proposal

Day 6; Proposal

Read on AO3

Twilight had to start preparing months out. He lived in Wild’s Hyrule now, but for all of that, he still knew very little of it, really. He knew the land nearly as well as Wild did, but had no idea of the people in the settlements. It was almost by luck he met Dento when he and Wild were visiting Zora’s Domain so Wild could spend time with Sidon. He got to talk with Dento for a bit, and found out he was a skilled silver craftsman. Twilight asked if he could commission a work in secret. Dento looked suspicious, until Twilight explained the project, then he grew a wide smile and agreed.

Dento didn’t take long to make it, but Twilight wasn’t able to make his way back to the Domain for weeks. It was another trip he and Wild took to the domain that let him pick up the precious gift. A silver cord interwoven with itself into a band to make a ring, with ‘my beloved Wild’ inscribed on the inside. Dento keep it in a small case to keep it safe. Twilight thanked him immensely, but Dento waved him off, and just told him to treat him well, which Twilight agreed he would.

He just… couldn’t decide when to pop the question. They already promised themselves to each other, would marriage be redundant? He decided to ask the only person he thought might have answers, besides his Love. Zelda. He made the trek up to the lab to talk with her. He knocked on the door, then when he got no answer, again. On the third, louder knock, he got a reply.

“For all that is holy, get in here already!” Purah shouted in her youthful voice. Twilight jumped, but opened the door and stepped in.

The scene was a hectic one. Zelda was working on some pad, while Purah was elbows deep in the guidance stone, making modifications, parts strewn across the plant form they were working on. Zelda glanced at him before returning to her screen.

“Ah, Twilight, good to see you. What can I help with?” She asked.

“Ummm. I wanted to get your advice on something…” he admitted shyly.

“I’m all ears.” She said, not turning from her pad.

“I- ,” realizing he won’t get the privacy he wanted, he’d have to settle for the room knowing.

“I want to propose to Wild, but I don’t know when would be the best time.”

Some tool clattered to the floor, likely dropped by Purah. Twilight refused to look at her, keeping his focus on Zelda. She turned toward him, face in a small, friendly smile.

“Let’s get some tea, shall we?”

Sat at the work table, Purah and Zelda stared expectantly at him.

“Twilight, you said you want to propose to Wild, right? Let’s start with that, why delay?” Zelda asked.

“I’m nervous, I don’t think he'll say no, but what’s worse is that he might feel like he can’t say no. We’ve already promised to each other to spend the rest of our days together. So he might think he has to agree, or that what we already have wasn’t real, when that isn’t the case at all!” Twilight explained, somewhat frantic. Zelda considered his words before speaking.

“I understand why you’d be nervous if those are your thoughts, but to be honest; do you really think Wild would be anything other than ecstatic that you proposed to him? He loves you so dearly, I doubt what you’ve described would be the case.” Zelda tells him. Twilight squirms a bit.

“I- I really want to make him happy. But I don’t know if marriage would make him happy…” Twilight admits. Zelda smiles kindly at him.

“Twilight, I can assure you, asking Wild to marry you would delight him. He loves you so much, and another promise to spend your days together would be wonderful for him. Because that’s what it is; another promise. It doesn't cancel out, or undermine your promise. It’s another promise. So please, don’t let that be a barrier to asking him.” Zelda reassures him.

“I- I hadn’t thought of it that way. Another promise. Thank you, Zelda. I think I’ll ask him on our anniversary in a few months.” Twilight smiled at them, jumping up with new energy.

“And Twilight?” Zelda asked.

“Yeah, Zelda?” He looked back, grinning.

“If you do anything to hurt him, I’ll hand you over to Purah for experiment, do I make myself clear?” She warned cooly. Purah made a small noise of interest over her tea. Twilight gulped.

“I would never, I swear it.” He reassured her.

“See that you don’t.” She continued with her chilled stare as he left.

***

Wild had to make sure this went perfectly. He got Isha to make the ring, a beautiful golden ring carved with interlocking golden leaves etched in. He timidly asked her to inscribe the inside too. It was a bit embarrassing to ask, but she was utterly patient and kind, making the ring perfectly for his love.

Wild was excited when he picked up the ring several days later. Isha looked tired, but very proud, and all smiles as she gave it to him in a little box. He opened it, and it was stunning. The detail on the leaf pattern was perfect, and he got giddy reading the inscription, ‘my true heart’.

Despite Isha’s perfect work, Wild was anxious. Incredibly anxious, and nervous. The ring was perfect, but he wasn’t sure if his boyfriend would agree to become his fiancé. He didn’t really have anyone to talk about this with. Normally he’d talk to Twilight, but that was out of the question for this, so Wild just stewed in his nerves for weeks. Their anniversary was coming up. They planned to go to Lover’s Pond.

He was having lunch with Zelda so they could talk over some plans.

“So of course I’ll be coming to take nice pictures of your anniversary dinner. I’ll be sure to get good angles of you both and take plenty of extras.” Zelda reassured. Wild wasn’t really listening though.

“Mmmm-hmm.” He hummed while playing with the rice and chicken.

“The weather should be fine this time of year, too, so we won’t have to worry about rain showers, except perhaps a spurt.” She continued.

“Mmm-hmmm.”

“And the monsters have been cleared from the area for months…”

“Mm-hmmmm.”

“And the Blood Moon will come out right at noon and eat you both.”

“Mm-what??” Wild looked up at her, confused.

“Just making sure you're listening,” Zelda chuckled, “what’s got your head in the clouds? I thought that was Sky’s job?”

“It’s… I have a surprise planned, but I don’t know if I should go through with it, I’m… nervous.” He admitted.

“You? Nervous? Must be something you can’t fight, what is the surprise?” She asked. Wild looked around to make sure they had a modicum of privacy, and lowered his voice.

“I want to propose to Twilight on our anniversary.” Wild whispered. Zelda shrieked and giggled, Wild tried to shush her.

“Oh my goodness that’s wonderful!!” Zelda barely whispered, excited. Her smiled faded at Wild’s unsure face.

“What’s wrong? Don’t you want to marry him?” She asked, concerned.

“More than anything else in the world. I just- what if he doesn’t want to marry me? We’ve talked about our future, spending the rest of our days together, but never explicitly talked about marriage. And I know…I know he wants kids, and obviously I can’t-“ Wild rambled, before Zelda physically covered his running mouth with a stern glare.

“Stop that right now, Wild. You're dangerously close to speaking poorly of my best friend.” She scolded. He glared back, and licked her hand. She wiped it on his shoulder, to his yelling.

“You deserved that, you gremlin. Now, listen. Twilight loves you. Not what you can give him. He would be perfectly happy being the old farmer who watches after everyone else’s kids, as long as you are there with him, alright?” Zelda explained, taking up her fork again, while Wild cleaned his tunic with a napkin, looking a bit dour.

“I know that, and he’d never complain, or bring it up. But I see the way he looks at the village kids. It’s almost the way he looked at me before we figured our shit out-“

“Painful months” Zelda quipped, taking a bite.

“- and I’d love that, but I can’t really do that, neither can he. And when we’re old and gray, seeing that look in his eyes would kill me, because it means I denied him that, and when I realize that when I look at him, it hurts so much. What if-“ Wild cuts himself off.

“Go on…?” Zelda prompts, knowing where Wild’s thoughts led him.

“What if he regrets marrying me? What if he realizes he’s missed out on something he wants, and blames me for it?” Wild chokes out, sobbing quietly.

Zelda put down her fork, and pinched the bridge of her nose.

“Wild…Twilight loves kids, that is true, but have you actually talked about having kids? If it turns out you two want kids, you two, of anyone, could figure something out. Adoption, surrogacy, to name options. Just because you two cannot have your own kids, does not mean you cannot raise a child. I really think you’re overthinking this, and ended up in one of your anxious spirals.” Zelda explained.

“How do you know that though? That I’m not bringing up completely valid concerns?” Wild protested.

“Because I know my best friend, and his boyfriend, and I know you’re both too focused on each other, to think outside the box about that.” Zelda explained with a smirk.

“Fine. I guess you’re right. I hadn’t thought of adoption. What’s- surrugaccy?” Wild asked, befuddled.

“Oh boy…” Zelda sighed.

One awkward conversation later, they finished their lunch.

“Thanks, Zelda. I feel a lot better now.” Wild gave her a big hug before they parted.

“Anytime, and I’ll be there to take pictures, so if you need another talk, I’ll be there!” She reminded him. He chuckled, nodding. She really was the best.

***

Lover’s Pone really was a perfect place to spend their anniversary. The weather was perfect, and the picnic was similarly warm and delicious, and fresh, thanks to Wild’s Slate. It really was the perfect day, he could spend forever here with Wild, they can be together like this for as long as they want.

Twilight had butterflies. He always did around Wild, but where normally it’s a flutter, it feels like a massive swarm now, stuck between nervous and excited. Hearing his sunshine laughter to a joke he made, caused the excited flutter to edge out.

“Wild, do you want to dance?” Twilight asked.

“With you, always, Pup.” Wild smiled using the shortened name, with Zelda being on the other side of the pond, taking pictures for their anniversary. Twilight blushed, but stood easily, offered Wild a hand, which he took. Twilight pulled him up, right into an embrace, Wilds arms coming to his sides naturally, and Twilight resting one arm on Wild’s shoulder, the other playing with his hair. Wild hummed, pleased, and leaned his head into Twilight’s hand.

They stayed like that, just swaying back and forth, enjoying the contact, not really moving enough to call it dancing, just shuffling their feet back and forth, holding each other. Just staring across the shiort gap between their faces, until Wild took his hand and tilted his head, to pull Twilight’s hand from his head, and kiss his palm, and he looked at him with such love that Twilight he wanted to ask now. He pulled out the little box with the silver ring safe inside.

“Wild-“

“Twilight-“

He went to kneel in front of him, but Wild stayed level with him, unexpectedly. It was when their bent knees bashed into each other, and Twilight lost his balance, falling to the side, toward the pond, Wild tried to catch him, but their bashed knees ruined both of their stances, and They plunged into the Pond together, holding each other. It was only seconds before they both righted themselves, and sat up in the shallow water, and stared at each other before breaking out into laughter.

“What were you doing? You look ridiculous!” Wild laughed as Twilight’s wet puppy look, his normally fluffy, thick hair now flattened to his head. Twilight chuckled at the ridiculous situation, before breaking out into a full laugh at Wild’s own laughter. Even laughing, they didn’t want to let go of the other, and their foreheads were pressed together even as they both laughed. Wild suppressed his urge to keep laughing, and looked a bit sheepish so close.

“So…” Wild began again after getting his breathing under control.

“So…” Twilight repeated, just enjoying the moment.

“So…” Wild started again, “I love you so much, Twilight. We had a really slow start, and a few trips, but I love you so much,” he pulled out a small polished box, and Twilight's eyes widened in surprise, “so, I want to ask, will you marry me?” Wild finished, flipping open the lid, revealing a beautiful golden band. Twilight blanked out for a moment, before smiling like a giddy kid, pulling out his own box with the ring.

“That is so not fair, I was about to ask you to marry me. Wild, you are my everything. You helped me get over my funk, and learn that it’s okay to love again, even when I was a giant idiot about it. Will you please marry this love-struck idiot?” Twilight finished, flipping his own box open, showing Wild the silver ring.

The smile Wild gave alone was worth the wait, and Twilight was certain his own grin was much the same. They put the rings on each other’s fingers, and kissed, sitting in a pond, covered in pond muck, save their ringed fingers they washed a bit, and it was perfect. Because he was engaged to Wild, his wonderful, sweet, clever, devious fiancé. Twilight got more butterflies just thinking that. His fiancé. Wild is his fiancé.

He listened, their hands intertwined. Out of the pond now, as Wild regaled about the ring, and how he chose the design and how Isha was great. Zelda agreed that Isha was great at making jewelry, and Twilight offered that he got Wild’s ring made by Dento in Zora’s Domain.

“I thought the work looked familiar! It's really very beautiful, Twi, thank you…wait, is that why you disappeared for hours on our last few trips to the Domain?” Wild added, giving Twilight a kiss on the cheek, to which he flushed full red.

***

“You’ll be pleased to know, the pictures came out perfectly!” Zelda proclaimed, wandering over to their outdoor picnic table where they were lounging.

“From the anniversary picnic?” Wild asked excitedly. He loved getting photos printed.

“And the engagement!” Zelda reassured.

Wait a second.

“Wait, you mean the engagement where we both fell into the pond? You got pictures of that??” Twilight confirmed, Wild's eyes widened in horror and Zelda’s narrowed in evil glee.

“The very same.” She confirmed.

“Zelda, you cannot share those with anyone, that’s so embarrassing…!” Wild whined at her, releasing Twilight's hand for the first time in hours in order to beg.

“I can do what I like with my photos.” Zelda held firm, to Wilds pouting. His hand was cold.

“Zelda, it would be a shame if Wolfie stopped helping you with your animal research, because he’s too ashamed to show his face.” Twilight warned with a smirk. Zelda glared. His hand was still cold.

“You-!! Oh, fine, I won’t be sharing them, but I do get to keep them so I can laugh at them.” She acquiesced. Twilight took Wild’s hand back into his, giving the back of it a kiss before they relaxed again, to enjoy the sunset.

[astrology-with-charu]

𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗼 : 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿

On 4th August Sun and Moon come together at 12º34’ Leo to form a new moon, the once a year new start in Leo part of our life that we get every year and this is one beautifully aspected new moon even though its happening right after Venus Uranus volatility. It’s like the ground beneath our feet is unsteady and Leo New Moon is providing a warm anchor. This is big heart energy which encourages us to act out of self love when we are not able to trust love from another or anyone. There is a reason Leo is ruled by one and only Sun, you have to initiate things in Leo moon out of your own light, your own love for self, your own God given or natural gifts to honor them and without the care of who is watching cause you are watching you and more importantly cause its fun!

𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗻

With all the Pluto influences during the Leo season we forgot the Leo season is meant to be fun, its the season to create something that brings you joy and radiates so bright that it can light up more than you and brings warmth to anyone who sees it. Creativity is self indulgent for some and it can seem so that things we initiate in Leo season can feel self indulgent especially with Venus and Mercury together walking in Virgo, we would look for “value” in fun, in things we do for love, why we take the risks we take when we bet on our own self, what kind of risks are those and what are repercussions for it. The Leo and Virgo energies are getting very enmeshed this year with Mercury retrograde first walking into Virgo and then realising I am creating something of value and utility with no light, no fun, no soul possibly so we got back to get some fire back. This process would be August as we enter Mercury retrograde with this new moon. New moons which come with Mercury retrograde hold more value for me as I feel there is a big step which is being taken which requires a lot of thought process, change of perspective and delicate work - in this case across what its serving in practical ways, can we perfect it, can we make it commercially viable to will this be work of heart, will it have the excitement fun I crave, will it light me up. This kind of work comes before a masterwork is produced to its finality as Mercury will go direct on 28 August. During this period we would also be working on Yod activation with apex across end degree of Leo and start degree of Virgo. These are detours we seemingly go through in life, which take us through a longer route cause they would like us to see things which would possibly change our end destination. It seems something is being delayed and even denied but rather you are being taken to a longer route to make you see what you truly both need and want. End result is very different from what you started to go towards with Yod activations. People with activation do not get how they got there cause they never planned it, its something that seems fated and well planned in hindsight but its very disconcerting when we are going through it and require immense amount of mental flexibility to live through.

𝗠𝗮𝗿 𝗝𝘂𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿 : 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Mars Jupiter conjunction middle of this month which does influence us most of this month in Gemini helps us actively work on big ideas projects which require a lot of thoughts, interactions with people and more importantly commercial, word, communication work which is encouraged and enhanced in this influence. Big words, sometimes very forceful are spoken so be careful of that, be careful of wasting your energy, your breath. Mars Jupiter conjunction is in sextile with this new moon energy - words, commercial ideas, advertisement, short travels, hanging out with young people, working on our real practical money making skills, working on communicating our needs - what we want - it yields results but as its mercury retrograde we would need extra deliberation in doing that. Speaking up is an act of self love here - whether speaking up for what you want in relationships or speaking up what you want when it comes to your creativity or work of love and passion you are working on. You can tap into positive words, positive communication both with self and another, positive interactions with people and keep those interactions objective, fact based, data backed, real, forward looking vs blame finding or gossip derive or endless without any outcome. Clean it up during retrograde but communication serves us in this Leo initiation and working on communication - externalising, socialising our Leo projects before their formal launch to embellish them works well. Sometimes its the reverse, working on self love, our personal joy, our creativity, gaining more confidence in self in our ability to open our gifts - it helps in our external, social life and commercial activities.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱

This new moon trines north node in Aries. This initiation helps in bringing out both your individuality to light but also your ability to show yourself that you can do things driven out of your own instincts, your drive, your own belief in self and not because of someone else. There is a very instinctual quality to this new moon and this initiation. To many critical eyes it would feel like self indulgent as I mentioned, you would have to get over the care of what the world thinks of you in going ahead on this act of self love - whether its about taking chance on yourself, your creative interests, your children, taking time to have fun or indulging in what world thinks of luxury of life. Its not selfish, its not self indulgent - its you honoring the unique gifts you have and keeping them in, is literally burning your insides as you can possibly feel in form of inflammation that many Leo dominant face when they do not let their light or fire shine. I talk of health and inflammation as so many injunctions formed during August point me to health issues driven by imbalance, driven by inflexibility to embrace two dissonant parts of ourselves, driven by our tendency to swing from extreme of optimism and pessimism, fear and conviction, control and total surrender, dark and ethereal, need for money/power/control and need for selfless service, heaven and hell of our own mind’s creations. Inconjunctions are with Pluto and Neptune to the Leo planets so the imbalances are felt in doubting everything and then trusting everything. Inconjunctions are looked at as detour - one astrologer described as a person trying to get to a building for a critical job interview but blocked by some construction work in front - had to take a longer route to that building but on the way walked into a beautiful shop where they encountered an influential book say on astrology which totally changed their perception of what they truly want to do in their life. This detour changes destination. It’s very hallmark of Mercury retrograde with two inconjunctions to do that. Delay changes the end destination, the goal itself.

The inconjunctions are with Neptune and Pluto. Neptune inconjunction - Yes it might be deception as it all sounds too good to be true but I also have to accept its softening my ego, showing me larger than life vision some of which I would like to and would make true, its opening me to possibilities I never imagined existing within me and letting me walk in faith which I would never be able to do before but I have to be careful to not sell myself for someone else’s dream or scheme. Find balance and flexibility to navigate this. Also know self pity with this aspect or any absolutely destroys vitality the most in this energy. Pluto inconjunction - Yes this might kill me, I would have to give up things I at one point thought I couldn’t live without but evolution would bring a me forth which is required for tomorrow and isn’t living a past that doesnt exist right now. I do not need to know every step for that change and no I do not need control over others and their behaviour to feel powerful - there is power in letting everyone evolve at their own pace. Flexibility is not the hallmark of Leo initiations but this time we are being asked for just that so something that has not even touched our imagination yet as a possibility can be allowed to come in our life instead of a preplanned predecided outcome. Deception and power struggles or power grabs with some form of mental or actual poisoning of the minds can be the total imbalance character of these inconjunctions. Stay guard to the doors of your mind if you are being conditioned to take a certain self destructive step in this journey. Stay above the fray and follow your own instincts here, do not underestimate the 29º Neptune Inconjunction to Leo and Virgo planets. Walk before you run and hold back your cash. Do not underestimate the Pluto manipulation or your own need to feel powerful or need for ego boost which could be driving you to outcomes that are far from Regulus. Do not be driven by spirit of revenge in Regulus - the fixed star at apex of these Yods and inconjunctions. Revenge is the downfall of this royal star which otherwise can produce life changing outcomes for you and collective.

Stay above the fray, stay the royal Leo fire way. Yet allow the events to evolve your mind as it tries to merge the light and the dark, evolve your self expression, your ability to communicate what you are experiencing as a higher vision which evolves over next two weeks with this new moon and mercury retrograde. The seeming drama of it all, all life is a stage element of it, it wouldn’t be boring atleast.

❤️ Charu

[snarkybluechristian]

Villainous: Reform School Chapter 66

I haven't gotten a great reception for my Villainous fanfic here, so I usually just upload it to fanfiction.net, deviant art, and archive of our own. But if I get better reception, I'll start uploading chapters here again.

One short walk and elevator ride later, Demencia, Melanie, and the Hat-Sentinel were back at Black Hat’s office.

The Hat-Sentinel opened the door and let the ladies in.

“We’re back, bonbon,” Demencia announced as she and Melanie walked through the open door.  “Sorry about the delay!  Someone didn’t want to leave her party in the lab.”

“You’re such a snitch,” quipped Melanie.

“Wait, wait, wait,” said Flug, feeling a jolt of panic go through his spine.  “You were throwing a party in the basement?”

“Yeah, it’s just a bit of a get-together with a big group of hat-botlers in the cell room where you were holding me and Sadie,” admitted Melanie.  “We were just talking, watching some TV, listening to music, doing karaoke, dancing, singing, eating snacks, drinking-“

“Drinking?” Flug interrupted with a raised eyebrow.

“Drinking age-appropriate drinks,” Melanie reassured.

“She’s lying,” said Demencia.  “I saw the hat-botlers with beer and broken bottles and trash everywhere.”

“What?!” Flug exclaimed in near hysterics.

Black Hat burst out in laughter.  Lord Reaper couldn’t help but snicker with him.

“Oh, my God!  Can you be even more of a snitch?!” Melanie fired at Demencia.

“The girls were also drinking soda from your stash,” mentioned Demencia.

“Dios mio!” Melanie cried, summoning her scythe.  “Will you shut up?!”

Melanie swung the scythe at Demencia who skillfully dodged it while sticking her tongue out at her.

“I left you two alone down there for less than an hour!” Flug chided.  “How did you manage this?!”

“I felt bad for the hat-botlers,” Melanie retorted.  “Don’t get mad at them!  It was my idea!  You’ve been horrible to them!”

“Oh, science,” Flug facepalmed as Black Hat continued laughing at his misery.

“Losing control again, Flug?” asked Black Hat as he and the Reaper finally calmed down.

“Argh!” Flug cried out before forcing himself to breathe deeply to focus on the matter at hand. “I’ll deal with your little party in my lab later.  But for right now, we have some very important news to share.  Melanie, why don’t you sit down?”

Melanie reluctantly walked over to the seat on the other side of Black Hat’s desk and sat down.

“Okay,” Melanie said.  “What is the news I had to leave our fun party in the lab for?”

“In short, child, your stay here at the manor is going to be much longer than anticipated,” explained Black Hat.

“Much longer,” Lord Reaper added. “But it’ll be okay. I’ll be nearby the whole time to help you get through it.”

“Alright,” Melanie said confusedly with a raised eyebrow.  “But I knew that already.  I’m stuck here until the fall when I get sent to the Institute of BS.  That’s nothing new.”

Black Hat scoffed and replied, “Think four more years, at least.”

“What?” Melanie asked still confused while Lord Reaper walked over and held her hand. “Why would I be staying here for four more years?”

Black Hat leaned forward and answered, “Because as of yesterday, I have full custody of you for the time being.  In other words, I have adopted you.”

Melanie's annoyed expression instantly switched to one of complete fear.  Her eyes flew open.  Her mouth fell wide open.  She visibly began to shake.  Black Hat relished every moment.

"What?" Melanie squeaked out.

“From now on, Melanie de la Muerte, you will be living here at the manor under my care and supervision until you’re either too old to be taken care of or until your reformation is complete,” Black Hat continued explaining.

“You’re my legal guardian?” Melanie asked, still in shock.

“That is correct,” Black Hat answered.  “Any other questions?”

"No, no, no, no, no, you can't be serious about this," Melanie said, starting to tremble in fear and disbelief.  "This is some kind of sick joke.  Isn't it?"

“I don’t joke,” replied Black Hat.

"Melanie..." Lord Reaper tried to interrupt.

"This isn't happening," Melanie said, starting to panic.  “We're not even technically related.  You didn’t even want me!  My parents wouldn’t hand me over to you."

Black Hat presented some papers on his desk.  At the bottom of each page were both her parents’ signatures in ink.

“Wouldn’t they?” he asked.

Melanie looked at the papers.  She couldn’t deny they were her parents’ signatures.  Her heart sank.

"But I have to go to school, real school, I can't live here..." Melanie tried to argue.

"You're going to that high school for villainous teens here on the island," Lord Reaper said comfortingly.  “You'll live here in the manor with Black Hat.  I'll be by to see you every day."

"No," Melanie said, shaking her head.  "My parents left me.  How did this happen?  How did you even do this?  You're my grand-uncle on a technicality.  How did you get custody of me?  Why would you want custody of me?!"

"Melanie," Flug said sympathetically.  "It's..."

"WHY DID YOU DO THIS?!  HOW DID THIS EVEN HAPPEN?!  THIS MAKES NO SENSE!" Melanie screamed.

"Are you scared?" Black Hat rasped.

"YES!!!!" Melanie screamed.  "Yes, I'm scared!  You got what you wanted!  I'm scared out of my mind now!  Now, tell me this is all a joke and laugh at my misery like you normally do!  Just tell me this is not real!"

“No need to be afraid, Melanie,” Black Hat reassured.  “We’re all villains here.”

“But I’m not a villain,” pleaded Melanie.  “I don’t know why I have been chosen.  Just let me go!  I’ll do whatever you want.  You can laugh at me if it makes you happy.  Just tell me this isn’t true.  Please!”

Black Hat did laugh, but the answer she was hoping for never came.

Melanie was crushed.  All she could do was cry, so cry she did.  Right there in front of Black Hat while he laughed at her misery.  She cried long and hard until Black Hat was finished laughing.

“You won’t need to worry about school,” mocked Black Hat.  “We have our own facilities here to teach you all the right things.  We promise we’ll take great care of you and provide you with everything you’ll need.”

Melanie continued crying without looking up or moving from her spot.  If anything, the information seemed to make her cry harder.

“This is so good for my daily dose of crushing spirits,” Black Hat sighed contentedly.

Lord Reaper put a hand on Melanie’s back to comfort her as she continued to cry.

“You’re not helping,” Lord Reaper spat back at Black Hat.

Black Hat waved away dismissively and said, “Send her to her room if she’s just going to cry.  She’ll need her rest.  We have some long years ahead of us.”

Lord Reaper scooped Melanie up in his arms and started carrying her away, reassuring her as he went.

“Be ready for a photo portrait tomorrow and some other things I have planned,” Black Hat added.

"Yes, Jefe," Flug said as Lord Reaper held Melanie in his arms.  "Come on, Melanie.  Let's get you to your room."

The two turned to leave with Melanie in tow.

Black Hat had turned away to focus on something else when Melanie stopped crying for a moment and said, "Wait, I have one more question.  Why?  Why me?  Why are you taking me under your wing?  There are plenty of other people who want it.  I don't.  So, why?"

Black Hat looked back over and said, “No one else is nearly as useful or powerful.  Besides, your family and I have many plans for you.  You will be staying our course.”

"But I'm not evil," Melanie pleaded.  "Please, just let me go.”

Black Hat teleported across the desk, leaned over until his face was almost touching Melanie’s, and said, “Why would I want someone weaker when the potential for so much dark power and evil lies within you?  Only you have ever earned the privilege to be my ward, grand-niece and I’m not letting you abandon your destiny because you’ve decided you don’t want to be evil.”

“But I don’t want to be evil!  Please just I just want to go home,” Melanie pleaded a final time.

Black Hat smiled and simply replied, “This is your home now.”

Tears clouded Melanie’s eyes again, “But…”

“That will be all,” Black Hat said, backing away and silencing all protest.

Knowing there was nothing she could do, Melanie broke down crying against her grandfather’s chest.

Lord Reaper looked at his granddaughter pitifully and said, “Didn’t you have activities for tomorrow morning you’d like to mention, Lord Black Hat?”

“Oh, yes,” remembered Black Hat.  “Tomorrow morning, you will be posing with a portrait before breakfast.  Then after breakfast, you’ll be attending a press conference with me.  Is that understood?”

Black Hat received nothing but the sound of more sobs.

“Good, it’s agreed then,” Black Hat said.

Melanie continued crying, so Black Hat replied, “Get her ready for bed.  Make sure she gets some rest. doctor.”

“Yes, Lord Black Hat sir,” Flug said as he turned away and followed Lord Reaper and Melanie out of the room.

Melanie continued crying while Lord Reaper carried her through the hallways and up the stairs to her bedroom.  The two of them were silent.

Flug thought he could take the opportunity to say something comforting, “Uh…There, there…It won’t be so awful.”

“Yeah, Melanie,” Lord Reaper said, stroking her hair.  “You‘ll have me here and Dr. Flug here.  You won’t be alone.”

Melanie stopped crying long enough to say, “I want to die.  Could either of you kill me?”

Flug and Lord Reaper looked at each other for a moment before Flug said, “You’ll have 505 here too.”

“Dr. Flug could go get him for you,” suggested Lord Reaper. “And he could sit with you until you fall asleep. Would you like that?”

Melanie nodded.

“Oh, good, Dr. Flug…” Lord Reaper said.

But Melanie interrupted, “Can Sadie come upstairs too?”

“Uh, sure, if it’s okay with Dr. Flug,” Lord Reaper said.

Flug hesitated for a moment, but when he saw Melanie’s sad eyes, he said, “Um…sure.”

Melanie smiled for a moment.  That made Flug feel a bit better about his decision.

After a few minutes, the group arrived outside Melanie’s room.

Flug opened the door and turned on the lights while Lord Reaper carried Melanie inside.

“Here, we are,” Lord Reaper said, getting Melanie to her feet.  “Your room for the next four years.”

Melanie sniffled and was about to go back to sobbing, but Lord Reaper ushered her towards the bathroom.

“Now, now, Melanie, why don’t you get a shower and go brush your teeth while I turn down your blankets and get you some pajamas?” Lord Reaper asked as he opened the bathroom door for Melanie.  “Then, Flug will go find your friends while you’re cleaning yourself up and you can all spend the night together.  D’accord, ma petite-fille?”

“D’accord,” Melanie agreed sadly, entering the bathroom and shutting the door behind her.

Flug watched Melanie until she disappeared behind the door.  It was all he could do to control his own pity and not lose his professionalism.

“Flug, why don’t you bring Melanie’s friends while we get ready for bed?” Lord Reaper asked, shaking Flug out of his thoughts.

“Oh, uh, yes, Lord Reaper, sir,” Flug said, walking out of the room to fetch Sadie and 505.

Flug could at least do that much to help Melanie.

[fractoluminescence]

To pick up on our earlier conversation: Why do you think the Gotei don't have more infrastructure in the Living World? Is it some kind of company policy? Does it seem gauche, because they're supposed to be ~transient ghosts? Did it not occur to them? Are they concerned the Seireitei will lose its cultural capital if it allows for ghost flight out into the Living World suburbs? ARE there exceptions (other than Urahara's)? I would love to hear your thoughts/HCs! :)

Sorry for the answering delay! I'm too lazy to look for the post again, so hopefully I won't be repeating myself too much lol

[SPOILER WARNING FOR TYBW (MANGA)]

It seems unlikely to me that the Soul Society would have anyone stationed in the World of the Living in the long term. That, or they haven't updated their outposts in ages, because if there is anywhere they should be settling, it'd be in areas with lots of Hollows. We know Karakura is one of these areas, and has likely been so for a while since there were Quincies in the area (since they are a fairly traditional family from what we see in the Anything But the Rain flashback, I'd assume they wouldn't be moving all the time, but I may be wrong). We don't know exactly where the Visored and co. were right after they left, nor when Kisuke set up shop in Karakura, so that's a pretty vague lead as well.

All in all, my personal headcanon is that too many Soul Reapers would start deserting if allowed to stay in the World of the Living for too long, since Soul Society's government is shitty, the culture seemingly (at least to me) somewhat dead(1) at the present time and you can't leave the Gotei without dying, being locked up or retiring (which we don't know the conditions for. I'd assume one would have to live to an old age, and either start having trouble fighting or be given another position that is more discreet but still makes you work, so that they can continue exploiting you while appointing someone new, getting more overall labour).

[(1) Dead as in, it isn't very dynamic, with traditions being either strict or forgotten. Any cultural elements that new Soul Reapers could bring in from the Rukongai are, in my head, crushed before they are able to spread or become popular because of the influence of the nobles that control Seireitei, effectively cutting people off from their culture/traditions, but not necessarily allowing them to connect with the culture of nobles since I doubt the latter frequent former Rukongai citizens outside of their jobs.]

I doubt it didn't occur to them - then again, they have such trouble being flexible and accepting new ideas that it's possible that they had the idea a long time ago but never put it in practice. It's easier to control a population if you stop them from seeing how nice other places are, so maybe the Gotei would have wanted to have more outposts for a long time but Central 46 blocked them from ever enacting that.

Not exactly an exception like Urahara, but I'm thinking of London from Burn the Witch when it comes to Seireitei having some kind of contact with the Living World. It's stated that they know each other, but it seems to be mostly through rumours (one of the characters stated that they heard that over in the East dragons get killed indiscriminately or something of the kind, which to me is about Soul Society not trusting stuff they don't understand, hinting at an existence but very vague connection between the two beyond just a coincidence in the name).

My first theory is that maybe dragons and Hollows used to be spread out evenly but then the presence of one destroyed the other and they ended up becoming more common in different regions (as in, either dragons kill Hollows or Hollows kill dragons, and thus where there are dragons Hollows are rarer and vice versa), and that while the Eastern and Western branches of Soul Society worked together at first, they eventually got distance due to not working in the same region of the world.

My second theory is that perhaps instead people always had higher spiritual pressure around Japan for some reason, and so Hollows always gathered there, while dragons were native to Europe, and that at some point in History both branches of Soul Society heard of each other and planned on teaming up, but then eventually drifted apart for some reason - perhaps, again, because of physical distance, or maybe due to some disagreement.

My third theory is that dragons were only able to thrive due to an absence of Hollows. Since Quincy speak German culture-wise, perhaps there were a lot in Europe before all the conflicts with Soul Society and that they took out Hollows so much that dragons were able to thrive and eventually either the dragons overpowered the Hollows on their own, or there are maybe still many Quincy there that take out the Hollows but were too far from all the conflicts to be wiped out by Soul Society (after all, we know they missed a family of Quincy or two in their extermination, so(2)).

My last theory is that perhaps Reverse London used to be an afterlife of some kind, and that Soul Society and them either had a disagreement or separated in some way - perhaps one became closer to the Living World and the other further, and that led to the two becoming two completely different dimensions with nothing to do with each other. One would thus have become a 'complete' afterlife, while the other would have drifted into a place for the Living to gather, or is perhaps some kind of limbo. It would explain the name 'Western Branch of Soul Society', since they would indeed be one half of Soul Society that just took a different path from the Eastern one.

[(2) I actually expect there to be quite the number of Quincy families left, not only in the Living World, but also in Soul Society. I don't know how Soul Society could possibly have tracked down Quincy that didn't want to get involved in the conflict (I assume there were many - fighting common Hollows isn't really as risky as fighting Soul Reapers after all, and Yhwach isn't exactly a kind leader one would generally want to follow), nor why Quincy wouldn't go to Soul Society when they die. Perhaps the ones who went to Soul Society then got recruited to Yhwach's army, but I don't see how that would work exactly, and I still stand by many of them probably not wanting to get involved in the conflict. So it would make sense for there to be Quincy hanging out in Soul Society somewhere trying not to get noticed so Soul Reapers are not sent to take them down.]

Anyway, these are my thoughts. I hope you'll find them interesting :)

[aeoki]

High and Low: The Centre of the Earth - Chapter 9

Location: ES II Lobby Characters: Hajime, Midori & Tsukasa

Season: Autumn Writer: Akira

Midori: But, you know, you can find happiness wherever you are. I didn’t have any intentions on getting used to the idol industry in the beginning but…

The time I spent at Yumenosaki last year was a really happy one.

That’s why I think it’s the same this time too.

We might be at a dead end, but we only suffer because we’re trying to do something impossible by escaping.

We should just give up and live here in peace.

Then, we’ll be happy, right…? That’s what I think but Tetora-kun doesn’t even want to listen.

He says it’s manly and cool to keep fighting an invincible opponent.

That’s just stupid.

Hajime: …………

Midori: …Ah, sorry. I did it again. I keep talking about my problems.

Hajime: N-No, no. If it helps you feel better by complaining to me, then—

Tsukasa: –I’ve been silently listening for a while now.

It’s truly pathetic, isn’t it? As a veteran at Yumenosaki who is criticised alongside you both, it is indeed rather humiliating.

You have fallen to the lowest depths, haven’t you, “RYUUSEITAI”?

Midori: …Huh? What’re you talking about?

Hajime: Oh, Suou-kun… Umm, have you just met up with us?

“Knights” is popular so you must have been very busy. Is that the reason why your arrival on the school trip was delayed?

Midori: Wait, I feel like I saw Suou-kun on our first day, though… Wasn’t he on the plane with us?

To be honest, Suou-kun’s so much of a serious, top student… He probably isn’t fond of people like me and it feels like he’ll get angry if I’m near him, so I kept my distance.

Hajime: W-Whaat? He’s been here since the first day? I’m so sorry, I didn’t notice!

Tsukasa: You’re always like that, aren’t you? You hurt others unknowingly.

And yet, you have everything I want… Oh, how truly hateful.

Hajime: I-I-I-I’m sorry! You could have also talked to us! Then we could have toured around together–

Tsukasa: No need to mind me. I’m not interested in sightseeing. All I have to do is carry out my work and spread “Knights’” name in Australia.

Midori: I don’t think their name has spread… I didn’t even notice you were here.

Tsukasa: …That couldn’t have been helped. I was doing some work on my own.

I was going back and forth between Japan and Australia. I was rather busy so I couldn’t work as an Idol as I had planned.

That’s why I didn’t have any time to think about you two. It’s definitely not because I have a weak presence.

Hajime: ? What do you mean you were working on your own?

Were you given special orders from ES…?

Tsukasa: Not exactly. Even if I were to receive special orders from ES, I would never do it unless it was something I deemed acceptable.

I simply did what I wanted.

There was something I was personally curious about… It seems it was needless fear but I couldn’t leave it alone.

A little while ago, I called some people to help break through this situation.

Hajime: ……? Hm, I’m sorry, I don’t really understand. What do you mean by “this situation”? And people to help?

Tsukasa: Hmph. Am I under any obligation to go out of my way and give you two a detailed explanation?

Midori: Then why’d you start talking to us…? What’re you trying to do, Suou-kun?

Tsukasa: …If possible, I too do not wish to get happy-go-lucky people such as you two involved.

Midori: Happy-go-lucky…? I know I don’t look it, but I’ve got issues of my own, you know…?

Tsukasa: You’re right. I didn’t say that correctly, I withdraw what I said.

Hmm…

In other words, um, as a fellow idol under ES, I’ve come to bring news that is advantageous to you two.

Please give me information in exchange. Amongst the Idols I can trust, you two have been working here the longest, after all.

Asking you two would be the best option in order to obtain the information I need. That is what the person who is lending their hand said to me.

Midori: So who is this person…? What kind of person are they?

Tsukasa: Of course, saving our brethren who are caught in a dilemma is none other than their job.

The school trip is an event for second-year students, so it pains me to ask our upperclassmen to lend a hand, though.

Hajime: Upperclassmen? U-Um? Are you referring to that person? The one standing next to the building!?

Midori: Ahh! That’s…!?

← Previous Chapter ᠂ ⚘ ˚⊹˚ ⚘ ᠂  Next Chapter →

[qnewsau]

Heather and Rachel share their IVF story on Big Miracles

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/heather-and-rachel-share-their-ivf-story-on-big-miracles/

Heather and Rachel share their IVF story on Big Miracles

Heather and Rachel shared their IVF journey on Channel 9’s Big Miracles program. They chatted to QNews about why they felt it was important to tell their story. 

Heather and Rachel’s journey started well before the cameras of Big Miracles entered their lives.  

The couple met through online dating and after a little back-and-forth eventually went on their date and had an immediate connection. 

“We were pretty obsessed with each other, things moved pretty quickly and about a year into the relationship we started talking about babies,” Rachel says.  

The couple did their research and when they were ready, started looking at their donor options.  

Heather said that chatting to an IVF specialist is the best first step once you make that decision.  

“The advice I would give is to have an initial appointment with an IVF specialist, they can run through your options and it’s the best way to start your journey,” she said.  

Their IVF journey 

Once they decided to go ahead they had something to work out together.  

“At first Rachel wanted a known donor and I wanted them to be anonymous, but over time we talked about it and we came to a decision to have a known donor,” Heather says.  

With a donor sorted, they started their journey in 2022 and Rachel fell pregnant on their first attempt.  

However, at almost 29 weeks, she stopped feeling her baby move. She was admitted to hospital and gave birth to their daughter Eden.  

Tragically, Eden passed five days later.  

Starting IVF again was a tough choice for the couple but they felt they needed to.  

“There wouldn’t be a ‘right time’ for us but we didn’t want to have that fear. All we knew is that we wanted a family and we didn’t want that delay so we decided to move forward with it,” Rachel explains.  

Big Miracles 

Not only did they decide to go through another round of IVF they also chose to take part in  Channel 9’s Big Miracles program.  

The show features couples exploring the highs and lows of starting a family. 

Filmed in Virtus Health clinics, the docuseries captures the candid moments of real Australian couples looking to start a family.  

The couple decided to take part to help others going through their own journey. 

“We just found the whole IVF process really isolating and lonely and we didn’t have other people with experiences like us,” Rachel says.  

“We wanted to share our story and help others going through the same process.”  

They also recognise the importance of featuring a same-sex couple. 

“I think it’s really important to normalise it, however, we didn’t want it to be the main storyline there’s just a lot of different families out there so it’s important to have that diversity,” Heather says.  

However, talking about loss is also just as important for Rachel and Heather.  

“We know how it actually feels going through a loss. So I just think it’s important to tell that story for a lot of people going through that out there and I hope we can encourage people to be more open about it,” Heather says.  

IVFAustralia

Heather and Rachel’s fertility specialist, A/Professor Gavin Sacks from IVFAustralia, said the stars of Big Miracles are the courageous couples and individuals who reveal their fertility journeys on the show.

 “Families today are blended and created in many ways, including using donor eggs and sperm. My role as a fertility specialist is to help guide my patients with the considerations and process of choosing a sperm donor, either known or de-identified.”

 “IVFAustralia’s donor program provides counselling for donors and recipients to discuss and agree upon the level of involvement that the donor will have. To consider the legal implications of donation, and how the donor’s identifying information will be given to the NSW Health Central Register, so children born from donation can access it once they turn 18. Counselling is a critical part to ensure all parties understand the long-term implications of the donor decision,” said Dr Sacks.

 You can follow the couple’s full journey on Channel 9’s Big Miracles.

Read next:

Lesbian couple on carrying each other’s babies through IVF

Courtney treats IVF patients every day, now her wife is one of them

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

[hlmowrer]

Week 55: "O Remember, remember"

You guys, this week was weird.  I'm still kinda trying to collect all my thoughts and make sure I'm remembering all of it, because this bad boy had MANY chapters.

It wasn't a bad week.  We reconnected with two friends we had lost contact with...one is very enthusiastic and wants to be baptized (yay for Dylan!) and the other is less gung ho but we had a really great impromptu Bible study and we were far closer to the same page than we were when we started, so we're making it a weekly thing now!  All of this was a tremendous blessing, because finding new people to teach has become extra difficult lately and we haven't had a lot of success.  Never underestimate the Lord's power to work miracles!

Wednesday I had another exchange with Elder Burrill, one I expect to be the last for a while.  We supported each other as always, and we were so spirit led!  Elder Burrill is amazing at listening to where God wants him to go...we were putzing around in Meijer and he suddenly felt prompted that we needed to go in the direction of the sporting goods...and immediately got distracted looking at the disc golf equipment.  We began to wander off, hoping we hadn't missed our moment when he decided we needed to go back, and 30 seconds later decided that "dang it, we don't need to be here anymore".  We were a bit disappointed, but I made a crack about how perhaps the Lord sent us over here just to delay us, knowing that our juvenile minds would get caught by the discs for just long enough to be in the right spot later.  We went to go find the car, and at exactly the right split second we ran into Austin, a super chill dude that was down to hear a scripture and ended up being pretty interested in the Book of Mormon!  It was such a rad testament to the need to sometimes follow the Spirit without knowing why, and I was pretty proud of myself for correctly guessing what was happening.  Later on our faith was tested again...we were prompted to go into a restaurant, and we found the person we think we were looking for but making our escape without buying any overpriced pizza was a challenge.

Also on Wednesday (now you can see how packed this week was) we had a district council, and I felt inspired to share a message about remembrance.  I've been pondering this a lot lately, and the need to remember is so critical to holding on to your relationship with Christ.  We are taught things in our lives by the Spirit, sometimes through a thought or feeling, or perhaps through an experience.  I know that there have been moments in my life where I felt like I could not be more joyful to be alive/more faithful in Jesus Christ/more loved/more confident.  We ALL are given the experiences we need to be faithful and happy...but how often do we handicap ourselves by forgetting them?  This is why we write things down and say them out loud.  This is why we must consciously choose to keep the joy and the confidence in spiritual things at the forefront of our minds always, because if we never forget we will never falter.  And I feel pretty confident in that being what the Lord wanted me to share, because once again (this happens a lot in the Big Rapids District) every person who shared at that council shared a very similar point despite there being no communication amongst us beforehand.  And then a member of our mission presidency did a missionwide devotional about remembrance two days later...again without knowing about anything we were talking about amongst ourselves.

Saturday we had a really epic opportunity to travel to Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo for an oratorio performance called The Lamb of God.  The Lamb of God is about the ministry and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and is designed to bring people of different faiths together.  It was written by a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but each Lamb of God performance is put on by over a hundred people from dozens of Christian denominations.  It was a powerful performance, and as part of a district goal from Elder Burrill I considered what the Lord may want to teach me as I listened.  Remembrance once again filled my mind, and temperance also.  I think the Lord is trying to tell me something.

About half the mission was invited to the performance, so it was also a very fun opportunity to see people I haven't seen for a while.  I really, really have such a great love for these missionaries.  I've been working hard to see people as Christ sees them, and I feel like I'm getting better at it.  I've also never been to Kalamazoo before (it is apparently a real place) so that was neat.

Since then, my life has mostly consisted of taking care of my dear companion...he seems to have gotten something stuck in his intestines, and has been in pretty brutal pain for the last few days.  We're trying to get approved to go see a doctor...pray for us pretty please.

Alright folks, I hope I got it all (I probably didn't, but when do I ever).

I love you all!  (Really!)

<3

-Elder Beren Mowrer

[soft-humming-moon]

FAMILY BRUNCH

An afternoon at the Toru Estate sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to everyone else—but to me, it’s an average Thursday. Every lunch, Laque always invites me and Danilo out to join him and his family for dinner. And after lunch, he indulges us on the amenities stored away in the nooks and crannies of the estate.

Laque always enjoys spending the afternoon with us—even if it’s for a few hours. I’m sure he doesn’t mind the mess that’s left from the weekly get-togethers, but I try and stay as cordial within reason.

The chateau is always as immaculate as an advertisement. With all of the servants working underneath the family’s rule, it’s rare—if not impossible—to find a smidge of dirt or grime left behind for any outside or indoor reason. At the point in his life, I believe Laque’s grown numb to the pristine. If I brought him to my house, he’d faint upon entrance.

“Glad you could come this week!” Laque cheerfully thanked us between each sip of some exotic wine, “The week’s been tough—with all the tourists and all. Honestly, I’m a little surprised you two made it on time! I was expecting some sort of mild delay.”

Danilo—seated on the opposite side of the table—was hardly swayed by the extravagant aesthetic laid out by the mansion. The gold and marble rooted within the various materials and fabrics barely held an effect to his mannerisms. Even in his words, he spoke as if he was home, “We left early. Dani was finishing up with her work for the night, so it was a little bit of a crunch.”

Laque, on the other hand, was interested in the small explanation Danilo gave him. Not that he assumed it was a lie—no. Every facet of any of our lives as something the aristocrat enjoyed hearing about. “Ah! I don’t suppose you two see each other much, no? You always work while the sun’s bright while Dani’s wide awake at midnight! What do you say you do again, Dani?”

“Online content creation,” I recited, “I can work whichever schedule I want, as long as it stays consistent on the other side.”

“I envy her a little bit.” Danilo waited until he finished with his current bite off his plate before continuing with his thoughts. “I had to fight to shift my hours on Thursday—switch from starting in the morning to the afternoon. Her? She just has to make sure whatever she needs to do is prepared.”

While none of what Danilo said was a lie, it was still sugarcoated to a small degree. As easy as his explanation sounds, the work required isn’t simply adhering to a schedule. Right now, I didn’t want to focus on the full logistics with my food still in front of me. I kept myself silent as the two cousins reconnected.

“You know, you’ve never really spoken about why you left your family,” the aristocrat moved on to a new topic, “You don’t have to answer this—of course. I’m just a little curious. Is it all really because you didn’t want their protection?”

Even with the question, Danilo wouldn’t budge in emotion. From his expressions, what was seemingly a touchy subject wasn’t much of an issue with him. He responded with a collected tone, “I just don’t want to live out the rest of my days without some sort of struggle.”

A confused expression overtook Laque as he heard Danilo’s response. “Our ancestors did the hard work for us, you know. I mean, if I bog myself down in needless strain, there’ll be less time to enjoy life in the moment. You know?”

“That’s what my coworkers think. Why am I—a descendant of wealth—working a nine-to-five at a warehouse? It’s like they’re staring directly at a descendant of European royalty.”

Laque didn’t seem to be affected by Danilo’s words. He would still listen on, but he would finish his plate while allowing his cousin to finish.

“I’m just not suited for this type of lifestyle. I mean, sure. We both graduated from the same prestigious private school near the Strip. But that felt like our parents just handed the school money to claim we’re up to standard with the curriculums. Graduating from that school was enough of a credit to where I didn’t need to search far for a job. I didn’t work for anything in life—I don’t like that.”

After his winded spiel, Danilo took a moment to recompose himself. While I silently cleaned what little crumbs remained off my plate, I scanned my head back and forth to look back towards the two. From Danilo’s scathing words, I expected Laque’s demeanor to shift from jovial to grave.

Despite my assumptions, he seemed to be happy with the response Danilo gave. “Well, I can’t really tell you how to live. At least you can live a normal life in this town. I’d hate to juggle a full time job while in fear of some shapeshifting beast, you know?”

“Hm,” Danilo muttered out, “You could say that.”

Once I finished my plate, I would leave all of my used silverware on top as I silently departed from the table. I couldn’t muster any words to announce that I was leaving. While Laque didn’t seem to notice, Danilo slightly turned his attention toward me before returning his gaze to his cousin.

“Well, hey!” Laque continues, “You know of one of my friends—right? Mute, pink tips with thin, round glasses? Last I got in touch with them, they were defending their family from the town’s undead infestation.”

While I snuck off, I continued to eavesdrop on the conversation while putting my attention towards Danilo’s slight movements. I watched as he adjusted his position in his seat at the mention of Laque’s friend. “Yeah, I’ve heard of him.”

“It can’t get worse than that, right? We live in the greatest city in the Strip, and I’m sure you’d do the same to protect your lifestyle if there was some issue with this town. Probably not some loyalty to the town—I could be wrong—but just to keep some normalcy in your life!”

The rest of the conversation devolved beyond a point where I could handle it. With shaky hands, I navigate down the flight of stairs to the basement where I take my residence on an expansive sofa. My emotion melted away at my insides as I confined myself within my own thoughts.

Even through layers of left-around blankets, my skin felt cold to the touch as I failed to focus on any of the details beyond the nearby coffee table. Part of me desperately yearned to reach for my phone—to grant myself some escape from my overwhelming emotions. However, a louder half forced me to remain curled up on the sofa, shivering.

The passage of time slipped away from my thoughts. What was once a laser-focus on each passing second gave way to more pressing priorities. Could I really drive home in this condition? How long do I need to keep this secret from Laque? The logical part of my thoughts knew the frenzy of emotions held no reason to shake me to this level. It was an off-handed mention, he wasn’t talking about me. Nonetheless, the simple realization wasn’t enough to break through the fog.

Suddenly, I felt a warm grasp on both of my hands. As my fingers curled around each hand, I haphazardly looked up to see Danilo standing right in front of me. While my focus would swiftly snap to his yellow eyes, I slowly sat up on the couch with my grasp tightening around his hands.

“That bad?” he questioned, “I know what he said—I didn’t think it was that bad. But, I can’t really dismiss it. Are you okay?”

I barely managed to push out any verbal response to him. Before I could try at a second attempt, Danilo lifted one of his hands off from my grasp. His freed hand pulls the blanket around my head off to my shoulders to reveal my frayed hair. With gently strokes, he softly combs through my hair without breaking his attention.

“I have to go to work, but if you really don’t want to stay any longer, just say you have to leave to grab my missing bag from the house for me. Is there anything you need?”

Danilo’s words were a softer in tone than they were at the dinner table. I’ve already recognized why, yet his quietened voice hadn’t lost its charm. With a tight pull, I wrap both of my arms around his body while pressing my exposed face against his clothes.

“Don’t go,” I squeaked out, “Please.”

“I wish…” Danilo slowly stepped away as his hands returned to his side. “I’ll try and get home as soon as possible, okay? Sorry lunch turned out like this.”

As I accepted Danilo’s departure, I gave a small wave goodbye as he left up the stairs. After he left, I kept my attention to the closed door at the top of the stairs. What good was there but to stare? Eventually, I followed suit to return back to Laque. I felt better, no doubt. Even for a short moment, the brief time I spent with Danilo was enough to revitalize me for just a little bit longer.

[mwcowan]

Returned, A Good Normal

Chapter 3: Bangkok, Baby!

I got that backwards, it should be Baby, Bangkok! Though far away from the Philippines, the biggest event of this trip, and of many trips, happened last week – with the birth of Lachlan Rex Cowan-Harris. Georgia and I are finally grandparents! A bouncing boy at 9 lbs. 11 oz., Lachlan is the son of my son Danny and his partner Ben, with no small amount of help from surrogate mom Kaila. Here are the boys enjoying a sunny day at Crissy Field.

Although Danny and Ben live in Sydney, Australia, they wanted Lachlan to be born in the U.S. and were luckily able to connect with Kaila in Sacramento, where Lachlan was born. We’d expected Lachlan on the 17th as Kaila was scheduled to be induced that day, but a baby boom in the maternity ward caused a one-day delay. Throughout the day we were keeping up with progress though a WhatsApp group that Danny and Ben set up. As the big event was getting close we happened to be visiting the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand, Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which is part of Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang (the Grand Palace) in Bangkok. We thought it would be appropriate to ask Buddha to help Lachlan enter this world in health and peace, and right when we got out of the temple we got the good news! Maybe that simple prayer had something to do with it. You never know, but it can’t hurt.

So why were we sitting in a temple in Bangok, or even in Thailand, in the first place? Side-stepping Philippine immigration laws. Normally when we travel to the Philippines, Georgia and I come together, and I receive a one-year spousal visa. This time, if you remember, Georgia came over right after Thanksgiving but I didn’t come until just before Christmas. Entering on my own I can only get a 30-day tourist visa. It’s easy enough to have that extended by going to the immigration department in Manila and filling out the necessary paperwork. Or, we could just leave the country and come back. Which one sounds like more fun? Since Bangkok was already on our to-do list, and airfares were cheap, off we went.

Totally unplanned though, was that our friends Noel and Michelle had set up a vacation in Bangkok, starting earlier but extending through the dates we'd be there, to celebrate Noel’s daughter’s 30th birthday. Though we had different plans for our visits, we decided we'd hook up at least one evening for dinner and drinks. Well, we did hook up, but not as we’d expected. The day before we left, Georgia got a call from Michelle, telling us that Noel was in the ICU there. Noel has a chronic medical condition that unfortunately flared up badly and put him in the hospital. We arrived in Bangkok the next evening, checked into our hotel, and immediately got into a taxi for the hospital. Thankfully Noel was much better, out of the ICU and into a regular room. But since we’d planned to have dinner and drinks, Michelle still took us out. To a 7-11 for beers and snacks, but it counts!

With Noel doing better, Georgia and I stuck with our plans for the next day, hiring a guide and driver to show us the best of Bangkok in one day. We started by touring the Grand Palace, a 60-acre compound which has been the home of Thailand’s King since Rama I in the late 1700’s. Every King since then (the current King is Rama X) has made his mark on the beautiful temples, shrines, residences, and grounds. It really defies description, to me every bit as overwhelming as I felt touring Angkor Wat a few years ago. Nearly every inch of every structure and statue is decorated with a mosaic of semi-precious stones, or inlaid mother-of-pearl, or covered in gold leaf. Disney’s most creative minds couldn’t come up with this.

The King's actual Palace. Nice digs!

Finishing up with the Palace in the early afternoon we were famished. Our guide was pleased when we let her know we preferred street food over restaurants. Bangkok, all of Thailand's cities actually, is famous for inexpensive and delicious street food. She led us to an area not too far from the Palace where we browsed many choices – we lunched on Pad Thai and a few more great dishes whose names I can’t remember.

After lunch we drove to Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan (luckily for tourists they shorten the name to Wat Pho), or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. This is the third-largest reclining Buddha in the world, at 46 meters (151') long. Yes, it’s fully covered with gold leaf, except for the bottoms of it’s feet which are inlaid with mother-of-pearl.

The bottom of the Buddha's feet. Yes, it's sideways because he's laying on his side.

Since it was the day before the Chinese New Year weekend, we had to go to Chinatown! This was pretty crazy as you’d expect, with everyone and every store and stall getting ready for the weekend.

The food market was enormous, with endless varieties of both ingredients and prepared dishes. Not much that I could recognize though.

After Chinatown our guide was nice enough to drive us by the hospital so we could check on Noel; happily he was in the process of being released. No partying for him though, so we went back on tour. By now, it was getting towards dinnertime, so we went to Talat Phlu a night market with literally hundreds of food vendors.

We wandered around, sampled a few things. The fried dumplings below, with a soft rice flour center and crunchy garlic and chive crust were delicious! Georgia wants to learn how to make these. I hope she succeeds!

Dinner was from another vendor, with tables nearby where we could sit. Delicious again, although I don’t remember any of the Thai names for the dishes. My favorite was a spicy dish of sauteed morning glory (which I'm familiar with as kangkong in the Philippines) which grows on the river’s edge. Here we are with our guide Moo, and our driver Egg. Just like in the Philippines, everyone here goes by a nickname, which in Thailand is good since we’d never be able to pronounce their real names.

[A note about the dress - it was a hot & humid day, even though mid-winter. However, the temples, shrines, etc. we visited require respectful dress to enter, meaning no shorts, bare shoulders, etc. Our clothing felt completely stuck to us by the end of the day!]

The next day we were on our own, and engaged in the second most popular activity in Bangkok, shopping! At least Georgia did, and I tagged along. Georgia wanted to go to an area where they specialize in local woodcraft as décor, utensils, furniture, etc. We took a free water taxi from our hotel (located right beside the Chao Phraya River which winds through Bangkok) to a Bangkok SkyTrain station, and took the train. Inexpensive and easily manageable.

We found our way to the indoor/outdoor mall, which indeed had the items we were looking for, and a whole lot more! We’ve been looking for accent chairs for our living room and found some we really liked. Unfortunately they were already fairly expensive, and then we looked into having them shipped from Thailand to the Philippines… let’s just say this is currently on hold until we can resolve the shipping issue.

We finally made our way back to the hotel, and enjoyed a nice riverside dinner. After breakfast the next morning, it was off to the airport and back to Manila, where I got my 1-year visa. Mission accomplished!