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hypewinter · 8 months

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Hal bent down as the little girl approached him. Even then, he still managed to tower over her with how small she was.

"Hey there little lady," he said. "Anything I can help you with this fine evening?"

The little girl looked at him anxiously, fiddling with her hands. Ok so not a nervous fan. Hal immediately switched to serious mode, scanning the crowd for anyone who could be her parents. He didn't see anyone running up to the two of them or even so much as keeping a watchful eye from a distance.

"Is something the matter?" Hal questioned, making sure to keep his voice even and calm.

The girl continued fidgeting, her big blue eyes scanning from side to side. Finally she spoke. "You wiff da space po-eece yes? Not da am-ear-ree-ca one?"

Hal smiled at the girl. "Yes, I'm with the space police." Honestly that was oversimplifying the Corps a little but he had long since gotten to citizens calling him a space cop.

The girl offered up a small nervous smile of her own. "So you won't tell da gov-ment what I tell you wight?"

Hal was on high alert now. Just what was this little girl trying to tell him? "I won't tell. I promise," he said after a second.

The girl broke into a big smile at this. "Really? Dis way den." She started tugging Hal along and he began to follow.

"Where exactly are we going?" he asked.

"You see," was all she replied.

Hal was led down a couple different alleyways and was beginning to think he was walking into a trap when they reached an abandoned building. The girl dashed in and up the old rusted stairs, with Hal following closely behind her.

If this really is a trap, I'll never hear the end of it from Batman, he thought morbidly as he cleared the last step. Instead of finding himself facing an ambush however, he saw a boy curled up on an old mattress. The girl was already by his side as Hal approached.

"Don wowee Danny, I got help. Like I said I would," he caught the little girl whispering as he knelt down next to the boy. He had to have been older than the girl. Three years older maybe? Yet he was still so small. Hal took sight of his condition. He was in pain. That much was certain by his little face scrunched up in agony and his quiet moans. He was also sweating profusely. His raven black hair sticking to his forehead. Fever maybe?

Hal continued his observations as he scanned down the boy's body until he got to his stomach. The boy was clutching it and Hal could make out blood bleeding through from underneath. Oh no.

He quickly yet carefully removed the boy's arm to get a better look at the wound. The kid let out a groan as his arm was peeled away. Hal couldn't help but thank Oa for all his training that helped prevent him from letting out a gasp.

The boy's chest was covered in blood. Dark red mixed with flecks of green soaked through his shirt and there were bandages that had been amateurishly tied around the wound.

"How did this happen?" Hal asked, turning back to the girl. He did his best to keep his tone as gentle as possible.

Her smile was gone now, and her eyes welled up with tears. "He pwotected me," she said. "Dey wanted to huwrt us. Dey shot at us. Danny pwotected me."

Anger boiled within Hal. Who would shoot at these children? They were only little kids. If what the girl had said earlier was anything to go off of, the answer had something to do with the government. He would have to take care of that later though. For now, this boy needed medical attention.

"Let's get Danny to a hospital," Hal said resolutely, as he got up.

"No!" the little girl screeched. "No has-pee-tail. Too dan-er-us!"

"But he needs-" Hal started but then he met the girl's eyes. There was abject fear in them. As if going to the hospital would be a death sentence for both children. Where else were they supposed to go though? The boy- Danny needed medical attention stat. That much was certain.

Hal paused. There was one place. He sighed. Batman was going to kill him for this.

"Okay okay. No hospital. But what about space?"

"Space?" the girl repeated.

Hal nodded.

The little girl smiled. "Danny lobes space!"

"Well then. That's perfect."

Hal constructed a new bed for the boy, carefully easing him onto it before putting a protective dome around both children. The little girl giggled as he lifted them up. He then turned to the wall where he created a giant hammer to knock it down. Then they were off. Flying higher and higher, towards the atmosphere. As the Watchtower got closer in sight, Hal couldn't help but groan. Taking civilians to the Watchtower? Oh yeah, Batman was definitely going to kill him.

#dp x dc #dc x dp #dcxdp #dpxdc #winter's tales #sorry if the baby speech is annoying #really wanted to emphasize that ellie is just a tiny tot is all #side note it was strange writing “thank oa”#because on one hand it's pretty much the equivalent of saying “thank earth”#but on the other hand i felt like a natural thing for him to say?#*it #though i guess there are some people who say “thank gaia”#which is just another name for earth #but that's probably in reference to the actual greek personification so....#idk #anyways i'm getting off into a random tangent #feel free to ignore this

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missmeinyourbones · 2 years

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haikyuu boys as icks

because my favorite thing is humbling men and fictional men are no exception | aot version & jjk version

atsumu:

does that thing where he "forgets to know your name" so he doesn't look obsessed with you, but in reality he just looks like a douchebag LOL he's comes up to you all nonchalant like "y/n, right?" as if he doesn't follow you on ig and like all of ur pics....and he thinks it makes him look so cool and popular and mysterious and then u look him dead in the eye and ur like "yeah, you're osamu, right?" he's humbled very quickly

osamu:

when he’s really tired or clingy, he talks in a baby voice :/ sometimes even refers to himself in the third person :/ just typing this rn is making me frown with disappointment. like yeah atsumu may be the more dramatic twin, but thats only bc he’s shameless in public. behind closed doors, osamu is right there w/ him. you find him pouting on the couch after a long day like “osamu wants cuddles >:(” or “can we make dinner together i’m hungwy >:(” big offender of the “sowwy” and “pwease” agenda. arrest him

suna:

is the embodiment of that one trend where you tell guys they look like they can’t swim and they get so unnecessarily defensive about it LOL. you say he “gives off a vibe that he can’t swim that well” and hes DISTRAUGHT...immediately whipping out all of his cards to prove you wrong like “obviously i can swim, wtf let’s go find a public pool rn and i’ll show you how good i can swim” also gets you back in such a ruthless way like “okay, but i can. and you look like you don’t know how to read.” feelings end up hurt on both ends :/

hinata:

whenever you guys go to the store, he holds up the line because he’s like “oh, i have a coupon for that!!! :)” but it's never convenient at all. it could be for the most minuscule or absurd products too, like toilet paper or ballpoint pens, and he’s digging through his wallet once you guys reach the register. like baby AREN’T YOU A PRO ATHLETE???? i think you can afford the extra $1.42 for granola bars. you bring up the idea of him having the coupon ready before he gets in line and he’s like “idk i don't wanna hold it for that long 🥱”

kageyama:

LEAVES HIS BEARD HAIR IN THE SINK AFTER SHAVING. oh my god, i am making myself angry rn. you rinse it out every single time and when you ask him if he knows what happens to all of his little trimmings, he’s just like “idk....i guess they just evaporate or slide down over time” when you literally clean up after him like a maid :I he makes me sick (inspired by that one tiktok of the oblivious husband and knowing wife)

bokuto:

doesnt understand politics so he just labels himself as “non-political” which comes across as him just being douchey :/ it makes him look so ignorant when he first tells you :/ like a man who thinks he’s too good to be socially and politically aware bc it doesn't affect him / when in reality, politics just really isn't his forte academically and he’s never learned the basics of it :/ because he is really smart ok i stand by this!!!! he’s a scholar and a college grad...he just only focuses on his areas of interest. take a gov course baby expand ur horizons

akaashi:

if you ask him those silly hypothetical relationship questions (the ones where you just want him to say something sweet, something that proves he loves you) he is not having it in the slightest. you ask him “would you still love me if i was a worm?” and he’s deadly serious like “no? one, that's not even possible. two, if i’m ever attracted to a worm then i need to be constrained and arrested. three, i think that’s really wrong for you to expect me to seamlessly deal with that big of a transition in our relationship--” and you have to be like OH MY GODDD OKAYYYYY IT WAS A TEST!!! AND YOU FAILED!!!

kuroo:

millennial core LOLLLLLLL im sorry. he posts a pic of him after he gets his hair cut and captions it “just did a thing! :P” EWWWW my toes are curling rn. he takes his selfies from the highest mom facebook angle and does the signature middle aged white man smirk. if he ever films a video of himself it’s so cringy bc he does the millennial zoom in and talks as if he’s a movie protagonist. attends a single work meeting and claims he’s “adulting 😂” at the ripe age of 27

oikawa:

when he really likes you, he does that thing where he's like "you're just not like other girls/people!!!! you're so different!!!!!!" you do basic human things like don't constantly wear makeup or eat whatever you please and he's like "i love how you can be so real around me, you're so quirky <3" you shave your legs or do your hair and he’s like “baby you don’t have to do all of this for me!!!!” he’s never touched a woman in his life. self unaware king

iwaizumi:

swears that period cramps are not that bad and that people who get periods over-exaggerate to make men (or people who don’t get periods in general) feel guilty about not dealing with them. believes with his entire chest that “getting kicked in the balls” is equivalent to the pain of childbirth. one day you jokingly buy one of those period cramp simulator machines and hook him up to it. he's all “i’m gonna be fine babe” and “it probably just feels like a stomach ache”.... he doesnt get past the 3rd setting and is holding back tears when you finally turn it off

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pb524830 · 3 months

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anyone else

part: 1 pairing: paige buckers x oc word count: 3k c/w: language a/n: hi guys! i've been meaning to write for paige and other wcbb players for quite a while, so here you go! this is going to be a pretty long slow-burn series, so be prepared for a torturous enemies to lovers arc. so excited to share this with you guys!

NOVEMBER 2021

The apartment is loud and crowded, music blasting so loud and bass thumping so intensely I can barely hear myself speak. Someone - I forget whose apartment it is - has set up cheap strobe lights that spill across the room and blind me every few seconds. I struggle to make my way over to Azzi Fudd, one of the freshmen who plays basketball here at UConn. We had met at the beginning of the year, when she had gotten stuck in my upper division government class before quickly getting switched out. We’d become fast friends over a love of Nutella and dogs, as well as being student-athletes, and we hang out whenever both our practice schedules allow for it.

That being said, she’s dragged me to a pregame at one of the men’s basketball player’s apartments. Initially, I told her no, but she pleaded and begged until I had no choice but to say yes. I emerge from the crowd with a huff, grabbing the drink in Azzi’s outstretched hand. “Vodka cran?” She asks. I smile and nod, taking it from her gratefully. I take a sip and grimace, spluttering. She grins sheepishly. “Sorry, more like just vodka.” I raise an eyebrow at her, taking another sip gingerly. “You tryna get me fucked up, Fudd?” I demand. She shrugs. “I’m thinking if I get you fucked up enough, you might actually come out with us.” I laugh. “Nice try. You know I have to study.”

Azzi rolls her eyes. “You’re always studying. Or you’re at volleyball practice. I never see you anymore,” she pouts. “Well, if you had stayed in that gov class…” She pushes me ever so slightly and I laugh, taking another swig of my heavily alcoholic drink. My laughter dies down when a familiar blonde-haired figure slings her arm around Azzi’s shoulders. “Avantika,” Paige nods curtly. I smile, a tight-lipped smile that barely passes as one. Azzi clears her throat. “Hi, Paige,” she greets her friend, looping an arm around her waist. “You need something?” Paige’s blue eyes are trained on me, slightly narrowed, and I cross my arms over my body defensively. Paige shakes her head, looking down at her friend. “Nah, just grabbing a drink.” Azzi perks up. “Dirty Shirley? I’ll make it for you!” I blink. “Az, respectfully, this is ass. I don’t know if you should be making drinks,” I tease, holding up my cup. She sticks her tongue out at me and turns to make Paige her drink.

“What is that?” Paige asks, grabbing my cup from me. I protest, grabbing for it, but she holds it above her head. I’m a good 8 inches shorter than her, and it effectively keeps it out of my reach.

“Problem?” She asks smugly.

“Dude, just give it back,” I gripe.

“Come get it,” she smirks down at me. “You’re such an asshole,” I spit, watching as she takes a swig of the drink and pulls a face. “Yeah, exactly,” I say as she hands it back to me, scoffing.

“Paige, quit antagonizing Ava,” Azzi chides, handing her a drink. Paige makes a face at her. “Azzi, don’t use big words just to sound smart.” Azzi shoots her a look and I roll my eyes. “There’s no way you think ‘antagonizing’ is a big word,” I snark.

“Why do you have to be such a smartass all the time?” Paige sneers, crowding my space.

I step to her, meeting her gaze. “You better watch yourself,” I spit back.

“Or what?” she counters, getting even closer.

Azzi makes a noise in her throat, something between a cough and a laugh. “Paige, this is why Ava never comes out with us,” she shakes her head. Paige’s eyes stay on mine, her mouth twisting into something between a smirk and a sneer. “No, I think it’s because she can’t handle her liquor,” she muses. Her eyelashes flare, challenging me. Forcing me into my own memories, ones of hands on my waist and lips on my neck and a night I’d much rather forget. I tear my gaze from hers. “You know what, Az? I will come out with y’all tonight,” I say, smiling sweetly at her and Paige. Paige raises an eyebrow. “Your funeral,” she shrugs. “Yeah, fuck you,” I say, tipping the remainder of my drink back into my throat and grabbing Azzi’s hand to lead her through the crowd, away from that blonde menace she calls a best friend.

When Azzi and I had first become friends, and I had discovered she was on the basketball team, I was a little wary. Paige and I had… history, I guess one could call it. I quickly found out that she was actually best friends with Azzi, and I had avoided her like the plague. But the closer I became with Azzi, the more difficult it was not to be around Paige.

I hate her, to be clear. She’s everything I despise. She’s irresponsible, loud, arrogant, immature, and a womanizer. If it were up to me, I’d have absolutely nothing to do with her.

As it stands, it’s not up to me. I find myself in Caroline Ducharme’s car squished between her and Azzi. Paige drapes an arm across the seat behind me nonchalantly, leaning forward to talk to Caroline and Evina Westbrook. I roll my eyes, leaning forward so that I don’t touch her. She glances down at me. “I don’t bite,” she tells me. I narrow my eyes. “No, but I might,” I reply. She raises an eyebrow. “Move. Your. Arm,” I order. Paige looks taken aback, but slinks her arm out from behind me nonetheless.

Azzi nudges me with her elbow. “I think she might actually be scared of you,” she whispers. I sit back against the seat as the car starts with a rumble, smirking. “Good,” I say smugly.

When we get to Ted’s, Paige makes a beeline for the bar, draping herself around a girl with curly hair who has beckoned her. I watch her whisper into the girl’s ear, grinning down at her as she gestures to the bartender for a drink. I scoff to myself. Ridiculous.

Azzi links arms with me, snapping me out of my trance. “Avaaaa, let’s go dance!” She urges. I laugh, giving in and following her to the dance floor. I let myself get lost in the music and in between the girls, even letting Aubrey spin me around to ‘That’s What I Like’ by Bruno Mars. I dance for a bit with Nika, drunk enough from the pregame to giggle stupidly with her. Finally, feeling a tad sweaty and a lot exhausted, I stumble my way to the bar.

“One lemon drop please,” I tell the bartender, handing her my card. “Hey, can I buy you a drink?” It’s Emmett, one of the men’s basketball players. I smile at him, gesturing to the bartender handing me back my card. “Just bought one, sorry,” I tell him. “Ah, that’s okay,” he says, shrugging. “How about a little time on the dance floor?” he suggests. I open my mouth to respond, but before I can say anything, I hear a loud voice next to my ear. “Emmett, my man!” Paige saunters into my view, clearly drunk, and daps him up. “Yo, I think Hiem was calling for you over there,” she tells him, pitching her voice up over the music. Emmett glances over to the entrance, trailing off to go find his teammate.

I narrow my eyes at her as she sluggishly takes the seat in front of me, rapping on the bar with her fist for another drink. “Maybe you should take a break,” I suggest, taking my own shot. “Maybe you should mind your own business,” she shoots back. I scoff. “Nahiem isn’t even here, is he?” I demand. She shrugs, swiveling in the stool to look at me, her blue eyes hazy. “No, you just looked like you needed saving.”

“I can handle myself, thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

“That was sarcasm. Don’t you have a girl to go whore around with?”

“If you can find me one.” Paige takes the drink the bartender hands her, sipping on it.

“Thought you had one the second we walked in.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Look who’s been paying attention. Jealous?”

I scoff, standing up. “Hardly.” She mimics my actions, drink in hand.

Suddenly, someone runs past, jostling Paige so that she stumbles towards me, her drink sloshing onto my white top - a beautiful, strappy, lacy little thing just low enough to show a bit of cleavage.

“Oh, my God-”

“Woah, I’m sorry, dude-”

“What the fuck is your problem?” I seethe.

Paige gapes at me. “My problem?” She demands.

I huff, grabbing for a napkin, but she beats me to it, dabbing at my chest. “Here, let me-”

I snatch it from her. “You know what, Paige? Just stay the fuck away from me, how about that?”

I turn and storm away from her, hearing her call after me. “Avantika!” I push through the crowd and out the door, feeling the freezing air hit me. Instantly, it sobers me up a little bit. I pull out my phone, tapping at it. I figure I can call an Uber and get myself home. “Avantika!” I hear Paige’s voice call behind me. I squeeze my eyes shut.

Paige jogs up to me. “Look, I’m sorry, it was an accident,” she huffs. “Fuck off, Bueckers,” I say, my voice tired and hoarse. “Why are you so mad at me?” She demands. “I’m not,” I say curtly. “Okay, well, you’ve been giving me nasty looks all night, and you know that what happened in there was an accident, so-”

“I don’t like you, Paige. Is that not clear enough? I don’t want anything to do with you,” I spit out, turning on my heel to face her. Her eyes flare, mouth twitching into a sneer. She crowds my space, towering over me. “Feeling’s fucking mutual,” she says lowly, her eyes hot on mine. “Good,” I say. “Good,” she retaliates.

“What are you guys doing out here?” Azzi stumbles towards us from the entrance of the bar, slurring her words together. Caroline rushes out after her, Aubrey in close pursuit. “Azzi!” Caroline calls. “Whoa, Az,” Paige says, running towards her best friend to help her, letting Azzi lean her weight onto her. “Is she okay?” I ask Aubrey, following Paige and jogging up to them. “Here, let’s get to the car, okay, Azzi?” I coax. “Ava!” She exclaims, falling into me, throwing her arms around me.

I stumble back, feeling arms steady my shoulders as Azzi envelops me in a hug. “Awww, you came! I’m so glad you came, oh my gosh. You never come!” I smile over Azzi’s shoulder at Aubrey, gesturing for some help. “I know, babe, that’s why I came tonight. Now, let’s get you home, okay?” I urge. Nika also finds her way out of the bar, and runs over to help Azzi off of me. I turn to thank the person who steadied my shoulders, and flinch away when I realize it’s Paige. She pulls her hands away from me like I’ve burned her. “Sorry,” she mumbles. I don’t respond, choosing instead to help Azzi towards Caroline’s car.

The ride home is silent except for Azzi’s occasional babbling. I frown. I didn’t think she would drink this much. We all haul her up the stairs, her tall figure dead weight under her drunkenness. “Azzi, come on. Let’s get you to bed,” Paige tells her. “Let’s get that makeup off, yeah?” I say, opening the door to Azzi’s apartment and letting Caroline and Paige deposit her on the couch. Paige gives the rest of the girls a thumbs up, and they file out of the apartment, leaving her and I to deal with an extremely inebriated Azzi Fudd.

Paige sighs. “You grab her arms, I got her legs?” I nod, getting to work. With a lot of grunting and groaning, we manage to get Azzi to her bed, sitting her up against the wall. “Just a minute, baby, we have to take your makeup off, okay?” I soothe. Azzi whines, hitting at my arm when I go in with a makeup wipe. “I know, just a second,” I whisper, wiping at her face. She pulls me in for a hug, squeezing tight. “Ohmigosh, Avaaa! You’re here!” She squeals tiredly. “I am,” I reply, but my words are muffled by her arm around my face. “Okay, Az, let Avantika go now,” Paige says. Azzi reluctantly lets me go, and when Paige helps me off of the bed, I stumble into her.

“Sorry,” she mumbles, setting me straight. I hum in return, glancing into her clear blue eyes, and immediately regretting it. I’m forced to reconcile with the fact that she does have very pretty eyes. She clears her throat, giving me some space. “You think you got her handled?” I breathe, glancing back at Azzi. Paige hesitates. “I just…” I nod. “I’ll stay.” She breathes a sigh of relief. “Thanks.” “Yeah,” I whisper, taking a seat next to Azzi on the bed. Paige settles herself against the wall, seated on the floor.

It’s silent for a few moments. “I really am sorry, by the way. About your top,” Paige pipes up suddenly. Her knees are bent, her head tipped back against the wall, jawline prominent. “It’s fine,” I murmur back, leaning back into Azzi’s pillows. The dark haired girl next to me lets out a snore. “That top looked good on you.” “Paige,” I warn. “Just being nice,” she defends quickly.

“You’re never nice to me. Don’t start now,” I sigh, tipping my own head back and closing my eyes. Paige is silent again. “You really hate me that much?” She asks quietly. That’s it. My eyes snap open and I swing my legs off the bed. “I think you’ve got it from here,” I say shortly. She leaps to her feet, holding her hands out to stop me as I try to leave.

“Avantika, hang on,” she tries.

“We’re not having this conversation. You’re drunk and I’m drunk-”

“Okay, I’m sorry. Please, just stay,” she pleads.

“Paige.”

“Ava.”

“Do not call me that,” I snap.

Paige looks startled. She opens her mouth to argue, but I shove past her, storming out the door.

SEPTEMBER 2020

I collapse on the floor of the volleyball practice gym, glaring at the ceiling after two hours of serve and receive practice. My teammate and roommate Audrey launches a downball at me, and I roll to the side, too exhausted to dig it. “You shag this time?” She asks. I nod, affirming that I’ll gather the balls and put them back on the racks or in carts. I hear Audrey’s shoes squeak against the linoleum as she jogs out of the gym and to the showers in the locker room.

I stare up at the ceiling, absentmindedly reviewing all the assignments I need to complete tonight. There’s that calculus problem set, and I should probably start on the biochem lab…

“Yo, you good?” A voice calls from behind me. It’s familiar, but I can’t quite place it. I sit up, facing the door to the gym and the person who’s speaking. My breath catches in my throat. That blonde hair and those blue eyes - anyone on the UConn campus would recognize her. It’s Paige Bueckers, the freshman phenom.

“Uh, yeah,” I answer, quickly getting to my feet and dusting myself off. “Hard practice, huh?” She asks, taking note of my UConn practice gear. “Yeah, something like that,” I chuckle, reaching for balls to put away. “Here, let me help,” Paige offers, setting her basketball down and jogging over. “You don’t have to!” I call, but she waves me off. Quietly, we gather the rest of the balls, “Scorpion” by Drake on shuffle in the background.

“Who’s on aux?” She asks, depositing the last ball into a red cart.

“Oh, I am. Sorry, I’m just leaving.”

“No, I like it. It’s one of my favorite albums of his.” I pause.

“Mine, too.” I gesture to the ball on the floor next to her feet. “How come you’re shooting in here?” I ask.

She picks the ball up, tossing it back and forth, spinning it between her hands. “Just, uh… Werth gets really intimidating. You know, all the greats on the walls behind you, and then everywhere you walk it’s like ‘national championship!’ Feels like a lot of pressure sometimes.”

I laugh, nodding at her words. “Yeah, I could see that.”

She shakes her head, beginning to dribble the ball. I watch her nimble fingers work, her blonde hair thrown up in a messy bun, strands coming out to dangle in her face. “Sorry, totally just dumped on you,” she says suddenly, stopping her motions and holding the ball in her hands. “What’s your name?”

“Avantika,” I reply, smiling. She grins at me. “Pretty name for a pretty girl,” she muses, approaching me. I raise an eyebrow, biting back another smile. “Does that normally work for you?” I ask. She shakes her head, smirking down at me. “No, but this does.”

She sticks her hand out towards me so that I can shake it. “Hi. I’m Paige Bueckers.”

#paige bueckers #uconn wbb #uconn women's basketball #wcbb #college basketball #paige bueckers fic #fanfic #paige bueckers x oc

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bnyrbt · 3 months

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The leader of the Choctaw Nation is joining an outpouring of support for the family of a 16-year-old student whose death is being investigated in Oklahoma.

Nex Benedict passed away on February 8, following a physical altercation at a high school the day prior. Chief Gary Batton confirmed that the young student’s mother is enrolled with the Choctaw Nation.

“The loss of a child is always difficult for a community and a family to accept,” Batton said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Although Nex does not appear to be affiliated with our tribe, their mother, Sue Benedict, is a registered member,” Batton continued. “Nex’s death weighs heavily on the hearts of the Choctaw people. We pray Nex’s family and their loved ones will find comfort,” Batton concluded.

Nex’s death has directed widespread attention to Oklahoma, where Republican officials have increasingly adopted policies hindering the rights and freedoms of Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ people. Sue Benedict has embraced her child’s gender identity and has vowed to donate funds to other youth experiencing some of the same struggles.

Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ advocates incorrectly identified Nex as being a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, whose reservation borders that of the Choctaw Nation. Cherokee Chief Hoskin Jr. expressed support for the Benedict family on Tuesday.

“As Chief, the health and welfare of all children within the Cherokee Nation Reservation is of concern,” Hoskin said in a statement.

Nex attended Owasso High School in Owasso, located on the Cherokee Reservation. Local authorities are investigating the death and have said they will forward the results of the investigation to prosecutors in Tulsa County for potential action.

Hoskin has offered the support of the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service as the investigation continues. The Owasso Police Department indicated in a statement on Tuesday that interviews would be taking place “over the course of the next two weeks.”

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R), a Republican who happens to be a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, has not spoken publicly about the death. He has repeatedly derided efforts to address diversity, equity and inclusion as discriminatory.

But a senior official with President Joe Biden, a Democrat, has weighed in. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre offered a message of support from the administration in a post on social media.

“Every young person deserves to feel safe and supported at school,” Jean-Pierre wrote on her official government account. “Our hearts are with Nex Benedict’s family, their friends, and their entire school community in the wake of this horrific tragedy.”

“For many LGBTQI+ students across the country, this may feel personal and deeply painful,” Jean-Pierre continued. “There is always someone you can talk to if you’re going through a hard time. Dial 988 and press 3 to reach a counselor dedicated to serving LGBTQI+ young people.

According to the 2023 LGBTQ+ Youth Report, a project of Human Rights Campaign and the University of Connecticut, more than half of transgender and gender-expansive youth feel unsafe at school. In particular, nearly a third said they feel unsafe in school restrooms.

“All students, including trans and gender-expansive students like Nex, have the right to feel safe and protected while attending school,” Tori Cooper, the campaign director of Community Engagement for the Transgender Justice Initiative at the Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement on Wednesday. “That Nex was only 16 years old compounds this tragic injustice and they should have lived to see a fulfilling and authentic life.”

The 2023 study was based on a survey of nearly 3,000 LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-18 nationwide, according to the organization. Some 0.6 percent of respondents identified themselves as American Indian or Alaska Native.

According to Owasso Public Schools, a “physical altercation” took place in a bathroom at the high school on February 7. The Owasso police responded to a local hospital on the same day of the incident.

Police then said they were informed that a “juvenile” was taken back to a hospital on February 8, the same day as Nex’s passing.

#op #links #trans #non-binary #choctaw #nex benedict #oklahoma #transphobia #hate crime #murder #child death #transphobic violence #uspol #news #bad news

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soberscientistlife · 28 days

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The Supreme Court on Monday allowed Idaho officials to temporarily enforce a strict statewide ban on gender-affirming care for most minors, in one of the first such cases to reach the nation’s highest court.

In an emergency request filed in February, Idaho asked the justices to block a lower court’s order that halted implementation of the law. Signed by Republican Gov. Brad Little last year, the law makes it a felony to provide medical treatment – such as puberty-blocking drugs, hormone therapy and certain surgeries – to transgender minors.

The high court’s decision, which came over the dissent of liberal justices, doesn’t resolve the underlying legal challenges raised by the case but instead allows the state to enforce the law against most people while the lower courts resolve those questions.

Democrats have to do something about SCOTUS. America cannot take any more legislation that spreads hate and bigotry.

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bfpnola · 8 months

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about the ongoing hunger strike to ensure that the historic anti-casteism bill passes in california ^^ wanna support?

if you’re on mobile, go to: https://tinyurl.com/Signsb403

other devices, like laptops: https://www.gov.ca.gov/contact/

—

sample email below from the mobile link, not my own writing:

Subject: Please Sign SB403 (Wahab) to End Caste Discrimination

I am writing to request the governor to sign the historic bill SB403 introduced by State Senator Aisha Wahab, which would end discrimination on the basis of caste. This bill aims to clarify existing California state law and make explicit that discrimination based on caste is illegal by adding caste to ancestry and defining caste in the Civil Rights Act, Fair Employment and Housing Act, and Education Code.

Caste systems are social stratification where each position is characterized by hereditary status, endogamy, and social exclusion. Caste discrimination manifests as workplace discrimination, housing discrimination, gender-based violence, and other physical and psychological forms of violence.

Caste discrimination occurs across industries, including technology, construction, restaurants, and domestic work. In these sectors, caste discrimination has included harassment, bias, wage theft, and even trafficking. Caste is today inextricably intertwined with existing legal protections in state and federal civil rights laws such that discrimination based on one’s caste is effectively discrimination based on the intersection of other protected identities. However, because of the grave discrimination caste-oppressed Californians face, these existing protections must be made explicit.

Caste is a workers rights issues, a women's rights issues, and racial justice issue. It is also a bill that has bipartisan support. That is why we are joined by Asian Law Caucus, Stop AAPI Hate, AAPI Equity Alliance, Tech Equity, Equality Labs, Alphabet Workers Union, Ambedkar Association of North America, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO, Californians for Caste Equity, Hindus for Caste Equity, Jakara Movement, South Asian Network, Sikh Coalition, and Sikh American Legal Defense Fund. Every major legal association is in support of caste equity and the lawfulness to make caste equity explicit. This includes the American Bar Association, South Asian Bar Association, National Asian American Pacific Bar Association, and Asian Law Caucus.

That is why we urge you to make history and sign his bill without hesitation. Justice delayed is justice denied. Let's ensure California opportunity for all by ensuring that ancestry and caste discrimination is explicitly prohibited and make history across the country.

Thank You,

[Name]

—

and if you don’t know what caste is? send in an ask @bfpnola or join our Discord server, link in bio, so we can answer you in real-time!

#reaux speaks #california #united states #caste discrimination #casteism #caste abolition #bipoc #resources #labor #workers rights #intersectional feminism #anti racism #racism #history #india #caste #dalit

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dontmeantobepoliticalbut · 2 months

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As President Joe Biden mingled on the House floor following his State of the Union address Thursday night, Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) gave the official Republican response, a stern but bizarrely delivered rebuttal that focused heavily on immigration and the economy.

The freshman senator is considered a rising star in the party. But her speech’s intense tone—with an over-the-top dramatic cadence that was delivered in a kitchen—left political operatives and observers struggling to make sense of it.

The performance was so bad that some Republicans watched the high-profile speech with a grimace. A GOP strategist told The Daily Beast that Britt’s delivery quickly became a gossip item Thursday night among operatives connected to Donald Trump—something that could have potential implications for her consideration as a vice presidential pick on the 2024 ticket.

“Everyone’s fucking losing it,” this Republican said, requesting anonymity to discuss private conversations. “It’s one of our biggest disasters ever.”

Several popular social media influencers in the MAGA camp also panned the speech; the account Catturd tweeted Britt was "awful" to his 2.4 million followers.

The setting of the kitchen table—more so the kitchen than the table—for Britt’s speech also left some seasoned Republican strategists confused.

“Senator Katie Britt is a very impressive person. She ran a hell of race in [Alabama],” Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former Trump White House communications adviser and Nikki Haley supporter posted on X. “I do not understand the decision to put her in a KITCHEN for one of the most important speeches she’s ever given.”

Olivia Perez-Cubas, the former spokesperson for Haley’s 2024 presidential bid, also said in a post on X that while Britt “is incredibly impressive, unsure why she felt the need to deliver the SOTU response from a kitchen.”

Tim Miller, the former Jeb Bush aide turned ex-Republican, called the kitchen setting “creepy” and said it made former Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal’s much-maligned response to Barack Obama in 2009 “look like the Finest Hour speech.”

Brendan Buck, a former senior adviser to Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), also acknowledged that Britt’s “delivery was unfortunate.”

“She was clearly overcoached,” Buck said on MSNBC.

Britt went for a dramatic performance with her State of the Union rebuttal, casting Biden as a failed president and arguing that the GOP was the best option for regular working families.

But the senator's delivery turned out to be so dramatic that it ended up being distracting at best and disingenuous at worst.

Allie Beth Stuckey, a conservative commentator, posted on X Friday morning that Britt had genuine appeal in coming across like "the moms at the school drop off" and praised the kitchen setting.

"But the delivery was parody-level terrible, and I promise that didn’t sway any of those suburban moms we’re trying to reach," Stuckey wrote.

State of the Union responses from rising stars in the opposing party are notorious for generating awkward, unflattering moments that can follow a politician through an otherwise solid career. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) is still remembered for awkwardly taking a sip of water during his response speech over a decade ago.

The GOP strategist who called Britt's performance a disaster likened it to Rubio’s water moment—but they said Britt was actually worse and that she “lowered her stature” in doing it.

A Britt spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.

#us politics #news #the daily beast #2024 #republicans #conservatives #gop #State of the Union address #State of the Union rebuttal #Sen. Katie Britt #alabama #twitter #tweet #x #Alyssa Farah Griffin #catturd #Olivia Perez-Cubas #Tim Miller #Brendan Buck

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intersectionalpraxis · 2 months

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Texas never fails to be a massive disappointment

https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/27/israel-hamas-war-texas-universities/

"In the Wednesday executive order, the governor singled out Palestinian student groups on campuses — including the Palestine Solidarity Committee and Students for Justice in Palestine — who he says have violated free speech policies and should be subject to discipline." "The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, an advocacy group for free speech on college campuses, said Texas colleges can and should go after antisemitic harassment, threats and violence. But Abbott’s executive order goes too far and leans on a definition of antisemitism that would involve punishing students for “core political speech,” including any criticism of Israel, the group said." “State-mandated campus censorship violates the First Amendment and will not effectively answer anti-Semitism,” the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression said in a statement. “By chilling campus speech, the executive order threatens to sabotage the transformative power of debate and discussion.”

Being critical of Israel's settler terrorism, colonialism, and violence is not antisemitism. Making it seem like Palestinian/Arab/Muslim students are more of a threat to Jewish students is just baffling to me. Especially when it has been statistically proven that white supremacists/white 'nationalist' groups are the one's most likely to target, assault, harass, and sometimes even kill people who aren't white and Christian.

The reaches being made here are so incredibly dangerous. Saying that essentially protesting a genocide and saying that anti-Palestinian racism must be questioned and stopped is inherently antisemitic... is just what I would expect a zionist to do and it's incredibly despicable.

Islamophobia, antisemitism, queerphobia, transphobia, misogyny, anti-black racism, among MANY interconnected issues that are rampant on campuses should be something we should always be talking about. But saying that questioning Israel's war crimes and consistent human rights violations against Palestinian people is antisemitic is just so jarring and beyond horrific.

#feminist #social justice #free palestine #palestine #free gaza #current events #settler violence #settler colonialism #settler terrorism #colonialism #texas #united states #greg abbott #us news #us politics #university #palestinian liberation #jewish voice for peace

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copperbadge · 1 year

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Hey! idk if you'll know this or not already but they recently finally found the actual settlement in Rendlesham (which is major, we've known it was there but not where it actually was) where they found over 5000 items -including coins from byzantine empire and intricate jewellery- all ranging from 400-800ad and is the largest and wealthiest town from that period that has been found! there's a lot of info on this page. v interesting highly recommend: [no www!] heritage(.)suffolk gov uk/rendlesham

Oh man, this is awesome! And I love the site's offerings -- it's clear they're trying to engage the local community, and that they're talking about past excavation practices and current best practices. Love seeing ethical archaeology moving to the forefront!

A lot of classical history/archaeology/art crosses my dash, and I save a lot of it for the Roman Ruin book whensoever I may write it, and I have reached a point where I'm like "Am I saving up to write this book, or am I just hoarding antiquity like some kind of weird nerdy dragon?" :D

#history #european history #archaeology

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beardedmrbean · 5 months

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protestors made their way through the streets of Philadelphia Sunday night as they demanded a permanent cease-fire in Gaza. What they did outside of a Jewish restaurant drew harsh criticism from local and federal leaders.

The White House on Monday joined Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro in calling what happened in Center City "antisemitic" and "completely unjustifiable." Shapiro on Sunday night called it a "blatant act of antisemitism."

The pro-Palestinian protestors gathered in Rittenhouse Square and marched through the area and University City, including the University of Pennsylvania campus.

In a Facebook post, the Philadelphia Free Palestine Coalition had urged supporters to "flood the streets" Sunday night.

Video posted on social media showed demonstrators also made their way to Samson Street, where they gathered outside the Jewish restaurant Goldie, one of several restaurants in the city owned by Philadelphia-based Israeli chef Michael Solomonov.

The group of protestors is accused of shouting antisemitic remarks, and stickers with pro-Palestinian slogans were reportedly left on the doors, though when CBS Philadelphia checked back early Monday morning they had been removed.

Video of the crowd outside Goldie was posted on social media around 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Later that night, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro released a statement on X (formerly Twitter) in response to the clip, writing, "Tonight in Philly, we saw a blatant act of antisemitism — not a peaceful protest. A restaurant was targeted and mobbed because its owner is Jewish and Israeli. This hate and bigotry is reminiscent of a dark time in history."

Shapiro said in another post that he reached out to Solomonov and the team at Goldie to share his support.

White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement it's "completely unjustifiable to target restaurants that serve Israeli food over disagreements with Israeli policy."

Bates continued, "This behavior reveals the kind of cruel and senseless double standard that is a calling card of antisemitism. President Biden has fought against the evil of antisemitism his entire life, including by launching the first national strategy to counter this hate in American history. He will always stand up firmly against these kinds of undignified actions."

Congressmember Brendan Boyle also weighed in Sunday night, writing, "I can't believe I even have to say this, but targeting businesses simply because they're Jewish owned is despicable. Philadelphia stands against this story of harassment and hate."

Solomonov owns multiple restaurants in the city under the banner CookNSolo, including Zahav, Laser Wolf and K'Far Cafe. Following the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October, Solomonov announced he would donate 100% of all sales to Friends of United Hatzalah, a nonprofit emergency medical service.

CBS Philadelphia has reached out to the group that organized Sunday night's rally but has yet to hear back.

#nunyas news #attempt at kristallnacht 2.0 is on the way it would seem #arm yourselves #make a new purim if they try it

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sleepdeprivedsimp234 · 2 months

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~Lovely Nights With Lover Boys~

Genre: very mild hurt/comfort(?), fluff

Ship: PA/MA/VA

Warnings: None, though it gets a little bit ✨spicy✨ at some point

Also random hc: PA and MA love to play fight with each other and Ginny puts up with their dumbasses cuz he loves them <3

——————————————————

Massachusetts playfully threw a pillow from the couch at Pennsylvania, who growled when it hit him right in the face. This was something they did often, and it was purely affection.

"Aight Masshole get yer ass over ere’!" PA launched himself at the shorter state, though Mass quickly jumped out of the way of his fiance with a smirk. Penn blushed at the wild look in the Bay State’s eyes, the one that he loved oh so, so much. The look that he saw whenever Mass was sparring with him and other states. The look he saw when Mass was causing chaos and giving Gov a migraine. The look he saw way back then before the Revolution, when they had first met and Mass thought that PA would be a threat to the others. Damn how he has fallen for this man…..

Pennsylvania was so lost in his thoughts of Massachusetts that he couldn’t brace himself when the latter tackled him to the couch, successfully pinning him down and playfully hitting him with a nearby pillow. They both laughed and struggled as this playful fighting they had grown to love continued. As a last resort, PA decided to fight dirty and kissed Massachusetts deep on the mouth, pinning him down whilst doing so.

Mass wraps his arms and legs around PA’s torso, groaning softly as he feels PA’s hands massage into his upper back. He quickly flips their positions again, this time pinning Penn to the couch and gently biting and kissing at his neck, which earned a sharp intake of breath and a low whimper from the taller state. PA’s hands rested on the Bay State’s waist whilst gently gripping his shirt.

This continues for a few minutes before they are both interrupted by the sound of Virginia clearing his throat.

"Well as much as I love the sight of my two handsome fiancés kissing, dinner is ready and I need you both to come help set the table." said Virginia with a teased lilt to his voice.

Penn and Mass both blushed brightly and groaned fondly at their fiancé. They both begrudgingly got up, untangling limbs and wiping spit from their mouths (hehehehehHEEEE-). They both wandered into the kitchen, each kissing Virginia on the cheek as they walked past.

After they had all settled down for dinner, they all talked about their days as they ate. Virginia had made chicken noodle soup to the delight of all three, as it was a favorite amongst the three of them. All of their ears perked up when Massachusetts received a phone call from the school he worked at part-time.

"Who’s that?" Penn asked, clearly being unhappy with their dinner being interrupted. He didn’t say anything though since he knew how special the job was to his fiancé.

"The school. Some kids were turnin’ in late work, nothin’ much." Mass was very quickly scrolling through and responding to messages when Ginny reached over and gently placed a hand on top of Mass’s, using the other to take the phone from Mass’s hand and put it on the counter. Mass gave a light glare to Ginny, who only rolled his eyes lovingly.

"Ya can respond to that stuff later hun. You’ve been workin’ all day, and it’s time for you to take a break." Virginia calmly said, though there was an undertone that told both Mass and Penn that there would be no room for argument.

"Fine…." Mass really wanted to answer those messages and look over the students’ work, but deep down, he (begrudgingly) knew that Ginny was right. He still couldn’t help but feel bad though.

Penn kissed Mass on the cheek softly, making Mass blush brightly. "He’s right, chickadee. Ya need a break."

Mass grumbled a bit under his breath, but a soft glare from both fiancés shut him up. They all finished their food and headed up to their room to go to sleep (or to just relax).

They all lay down, Mass laying in between his fiancés and cuddling into them. He snaked his arms around Pennsylvania to untie his hair, letting it flow freely. Penn sighs softly as he feels Mass gently rub at his scalp, melting into the nice feeling. Mass chuckles softly when he feels Virginia cuddle closer to him from behind.

"You both are so clingy…" he teased, though it was purely out of affection. He reaches back to grab Ginny’s hand and holds it close to him after placing a gentle kiss on his knuckles. Mass chuckles once again when he hears (and feels!) Virginia’s embarrassed but lovestruck huff against his neck.

"Yeah, but you love us/it." said the two taller states in unison.

"yeah…..yeah I do…."

————————

@crazedstoryteller and @godedraws since I know y’all live, laugh, love this damn ship and breathe it like it’s oxygen <3 /lhj

#welcome to the table #welcome to the statehouse #ben brainard #wttt #wttsh

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sepdet · 9 months

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(I don't usually break copyright for journalists, who deserve to make a living through their writing the same as other authors, but this paywalled article mentions a few native Hawaiian relief efforts that need funding)

Native Hawaiians organize aid for Maui fire victims as government lags

Reis Thebault, Washington Post [12Aug 2023]

LAHAINA, Hawaii — The boats kept coming. One by one, cruisers and catamarans eased toward the beach in Kahana, a small and tightknit neighborhood just north of Maui’s hardest-hit areas.

Each one was laden with supplies: generators, propane tanks, trash bags full of clothing and ready-to-eat meals. And each one was greeted by two dozen people, the first among them wading waist-deep into the ocean to retrieve provisions from the boat and pass them down the chain, which wound its way to shore.

[Hawaii utility faces scrutiny for not cutting power to reduce fire risks]

The entire operation buzzed with urgent efficiency. But this was not the National Guard, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency, nor state or local government. This was scores of residents, led mostly by native Hawaiians, who had battled immense grief and unreliable communications to coordinate a large-scale disaster relief effort serving everyone in need after Tuesday’s ruinous Maui fire.

And this, a parade of boats that brought desperate locals thousands of pounds of supplies, was one of many.

“There’s no government agency helping us — this is it,” said Jareth Lumlung, a native Hawaiian who helped arrange the de facto donation hub. “This is our home, our community.”

[Live updates on Hawaiian wildfires]

In the days since a ferocious wildfire decimated whole swaths of Maui, including the historic west island town of Lahaina, those who live here have said they’ve received little help from the county and state, small entities which are struggling to respond to an unprecedented calamity.

For people whose cultural traditions have been threatened by American colonization and the state’s embrace of tourism and development, government help was never expected. Instead, the community has relied on itself.

Many, native Hawaiians in particular, see the absence of visible official support as a continuation of long-standing frustrations and pain, which began with the destructive arrival of Europeans and lives on in struggles over water rights.

The displacement of native Hawaiians is a particularly acute concern now, as much of the island has been targeted for gentrification, driving up the costs of living and forcing many native Hawaiians to move to mainland cities like Las Vegas.

[After five hours in ocean, Maui fire survivor is ‘blessed to be alive’]

Government officials have said they were focused on putting out the flames, housing and feeding survivors in evacuation centers outside the burn zone, protecting damaged areas, clearing roads in and around the town and helping to restore essential utilities. Some of the aid is out of reach of survivors, however, because they lack transportation or working phones to alert them about services. In Lahaina, the private efforts have been more visible, survivors said.

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D) estimated that nearly all of Lahaina had been destroyed. But in Kahana, the town’s spirit remained completely alive.

“If you take away all Hawaiians, there’ll be no more Hawaii,” Lumlung said. “It’ll be just a place. This is what it’s all about right here. We’re all raised the same way; this is something that’s just naturally instilled. You don’t have to be asked to do these things.”

Residents gather at Napili Plaza in Lahaina, Hawaii, to connect to Starlink satellites to contact their loved ones on Friday. (Mengshin Lin for The Washington Post)

The supply boats began arriving on Wednesday, as first responders were still battling the blaze and recovering bodies amid burned-out homes and businesses. Two days later, they hadn’t slowed. On Friday, they began arriving early, and volunteers had tents set up to sort the goods: a pile of men’s pants here, a pyramid of diapers there and vast mounds of bottled water.

“We lost everything. We lost our town,” said Jerica Naki, whose home in Lahaina was destroyed. “That’s why we’re here.”

On this day, the volunteer boats largely came from neighboring islands, Oahu and Molokai, northwest of Maui in the Hawaiian archipelago, traveling far on choppy seas. Naki was helping sort donations and she described an emotional whirlwind, from escaping with nothing to seeing a staggering amount of volunteer support for those who have been displaced like her.

[These maps show where wildfires are burning in Hawaii]

“A lot of us are born and raised here,” Naki said, looking around as the chain of volunteers hauled in boxes of tinned sausage. “There’s a l xd ot of pride in Lahaina, so it hurts, a lot. But this is all we have here now, each other, and we’re making do.”

As the response has worn on, the greatest needs have shifted. There is now plenty of nonperishable food and bottled water. Generators, fuel and Starlink satellite internet systems would be most useful, volunteers say.

Sheryl Nakanelua knew instinctively where she needed to go when she fled her Lahaina home as flames spread. She made her way to Kahana and set up a tent across from Lumlung’s house, where she’ll stay until her family is let back into her subdivision, one of the few that was spared.

“This is our family place, it’s home,” she said of the Kahana neighborhood. “This is the best part to be at. It’s what’s keeping us positive.”

Other such spots have popped up. Napili Plaza, once a destination for groceries, ribs and tattoos, is now a donation drop-off center. And some 100 cars lined up for free gas near the town’s former railroad station. Coordinating the boats and other donation sites is a massive task that involves maddening games of phone tag in a place largely without cell service and requires a relentless dedication and extensive Rolodex.

Residents like Zane Schweitzer have both. Schweitzer, whose family has lived around Lahaina for generations, has spent nearly every hour of the last 48 working his walkie-talkie and phone, frantically arranging aid from around Maui, Hawaii and the mainland. Working with the Oahu-based youth nonprofit Na Kama Kai, he helped coordinate one of Friday’s largest deliveries.

Officials said most of Lahaina, the historic town in West Maui, was destroyed when hurricane winds pushed fires to the coast.

On the south side of Lahaina, in Olowalu, Eddy and Sam Garcia are transforming their groundbreaking sustainable farm into a shelter for those who have lost their homes. The married couple, who themselves have lost farmland and fruit crops worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, are setting up temporary housing, a massive solar power system and a satellite internet connection that they’ll open to anyone who needs it.

“In the immediate moment, people need shelter, they need food, they need water, they need a place to get on the internet so they can look for their loved ones,” said Eddy Garcia, who grew up in Lahaina. “We’re shifting all of our attention to trying to feed and house our neighbors.”

The Olowalu farm is uniquely well-prepared to handle this sort of disaster. Run by the Garcias’ nonprofit, Regenerative Education Centers, it was already operating off the grid, with its own power, plumbing and food. The nonprofit has launched a fundraiser to help pay for the fire effort, which will continue as long as there’s a need.

The property, even after being raked by the fire’s severe winds, is verdant and shaded by tall mango trees. On Friday, volunteers and staff readied the farm to fill any needs. They butchered and smoked a wild pig, set up new solar panels and scoured the internet for portable toilets. Eddy Garcia whirred with adrenaline, his satellite-connected cellphone ringing every few minutes with someone offering help.

For locals like him, helping his neighbors is not only about their survival, but about preserving the island’s identity and keeping it livable for those whose families have been here for generations.

“It’s not about these giant hotels on the beach and all the big companies, but trying to take care of local people,” he said. “This is not a visitor’s destination spot, this is the kingdom of Hawaii. That hit the heart of it in Lahaina. It hurts to even talk about it.”

His phone rang again and he stood up to leave.

“I’m like a ball of rubber bands right now,” he said, “and the only thing keeping me going is I got to organize these things.”

——

[More photos and links to the latest news in and after article]

#maui fires #lahaina #relief efforts

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femoso-seben · 3 months

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Ok since you answered to my comment that you would do a 3rd part then can I ask for a third part of "Working With a Legend" but now it's Ghost and Price working with her and experiencing it for themselves why she is such a legend

You don't have to if you don't want too!

I hope you have a good day!

Sorry for the late reply luv I was a little stuck on the story and bogged my school. Laswell walks in and you get up walking over to the table, waiting for the next easy mission. You see everyone looks at the photo of a man, racially ambiguous, brown if you will.

“This is Lazarus—” Laswell points to the photo. You let out a long sigh and a string of curses. Everyone turns to you, intrigued by your behavior.

“You know something,” Ghost said looking down at you.

“Lazarus… don’t bother trying to kill him.” You wave your hand walking back to the couch and lying down.

“Why?” Price asks.

“Because Lazarus isn’t a person.”

“What does that mean?” You look up and focus on them before laughing and closing your eyes.

“Lazarus is a title, I’ve killed the last four of them, someone always new takes over.” You explain Lazarus is a criminal organization, one that you know very well. Under the thin layer of society, a crime world exists.

“Do you know where Lazarus is?” Laswell asks, you raise your head and slightly nod. “We aren’t going to kill Lazarus we need information from him.”

“You’ll lead the mission,” Price said to you and you nodded getting up and stretching out. “Ghost and I will accompany you.

Great… the two officer ranks….

You all board a military heli you would rather do a commercial with everyone else, and blend in with the crowd but you can’t complain about a nice military heli that can get you far.

“What’s our first move?” Ghost asks, looking at you.

“We’ll find their little paws.”

“What?” Price said leaning in.

“Lazarus is a crime thing, you need to find their little paws and tails before finding the rat… you two should change to fit the tourist part.” You explain and look out at the city below you.

Dubai is a beautiful place, a place with no natural culture and slavery. You walk out and begin looking for the shady-looking person, the little rats that run this city. Your eyes caught on a little boy, who looked homeless.

You walk up to them speaking Arabic, the child looks at you wearily before you pull out a small metallic card with the Lazarus symbol. The child nods and gestures for you to follow, and you do so.

Price and Ghost follow after you and soon you are at a nightclub where tourists are dancing and influencers posting photos, in all a perfect place to traffic people. There sitting at a table was Lazarus.

“Here you go, I’m gonna get some alcohol,” he tells Price before walking off. Something felt wrong and you were pretty sure they could feel it too. You get your drink, vodka in strawberry juice. You look around and see Lazarus’s bodyguards.

You slowly make your way towards these men and take them out, dragging them to the back and striking them in pressure points. you reach into your back cuffing their hands and legs together. Soon it was just Lazarus.

You make your way back to the table to find the three men in a heated discussion. You sat down at the table and smiled at the new Lazarus. He looked at you rather annoyed by your presence.

You reach into your bag and put four bullets onto the table a small veil threat. It took this new Lazarus a minute to realize what this meant. “L likes to send their regards.” You said in a feminine tone like you're a hired woman to do so.

This man instantly begins to sweat and try to get up but it wasn’t easy with both Ghost and Price sitting on either side of him. He looked around and found out all his guards were gone, you took care of that.

The three of you took him away to a more private place. Away from prying eyes. They interrogated, and you sat back and watched as the man squirmed and shouted slipping into Arabic every other sentence. You sit back and open your work phone, the US government didn’t say you're exclusive to them, you gaze down at your phone and see a new buyer.

It was rather fortunate that you were in the right place for this mission, the death of a Saudi Prince, a familial struggle, if you may have. You get up and slink off going to your weapon stash, changing outfit you hail a cab for the exclusive party. You have a strong suspicion this job was also in play to eliminate you in the process. You look down at the little bottle of poison and hide it in the heels of your shoes. You put on enough makeup to look like you belong at the party.

You moved in stayed long enough to look like you belong, and found the cup the prince is drinking from. You gaze around to see if anyone is watching him. Several people are watching him, besides his guard a mysterious person, that one was meant for you. You walk up to him striking up a conversation flirtling a little bit acting like a foreigner. Enough for them to let their guard down. You quietly maneuver them into a corner knock them out, and set them on the ground as if they are drunkenly sleeping.

You added a small bit of poison into the prince’s cup, he’s a man, he wouldn’t be thinking about being drugged nor about protecting his cup. You used the crowd to hide yourself the way the crowd flowed back and forth tricking the camera. You even gave a drink to another person, and yourself before leaving. At most, you were there for an hour.

“Where were you?” You look up to see Both Price and Ghost looking at you like you are a deadly viper, you give them a coy smile and wave your hand dismissing them.

“Did you get what you need?” You ask them. They shook their head.

“Then let me.” You walk past them there Lazarus is covered in blood, they are playing dirty and violent. You quietly spoke to Lazarus, bringing up your history and who you were. The veiled threat of the four bullets in between your fingers.

He spilled.

BANG!

You kill him leave four printless bullets in his lap and walk to the two.

“Let’s head out.”

#call of duty #cod x reader #141 #cod #simon ghost riley #captain price #cod mw2 #modern warfare 2

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