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highwaytothedangerzone502 · 1 year

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Foxtrot Alpha Alpha - Chapter 3

Pairing: Hangman x Female OC

Word Count: 1694

Warnings:

Summary: Hangman learned his lesson a long time ago to never show his true feelings when someone's words or actions hurt him. To do so showed weakness that could be exploited, and Seresin men couldn't show weakness. Of course, there was an exception to every rule, and Jake's always came in the form of women, three in particular: his mom, Juliette Kazansky, and the girl whose name he could no longer bring himself to speak. She was the girl that got away; she was his biggest 'what if' and his biggest regret; she would forever be the ghost that haunted his dreams. Jake believed that's where she'd stay, for he would surely never see her again after what he did.

Or so he thought.

Notes: This is the sequel to India Lima Yankee; I'm using the same callsign for the Female OC as in Ghost Story because I just really like it, but they are different characters; chapters in italics are flashbacks.

Chapter Songs: Don't Stop Believin' Half of My Heart

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Juliette

As the night continued, the tension in Hangman became more and more prominent. Juliette noticed the tightness in his posture compared to his usual relaxed stance, the well-hidden wariness in his green eyes, and the way he avoided Ghost by standing opposite wherever she did. His gaze rarely left her, but he watched her more like prey waiting for the hunter to strike. That, in particular, unnerved Juliette. Nothing rattled Hangman, so who exactly was Ghost to him to make him react like that?

He stuck to playing pool, and although he laughed and joked with the Daggers, his smile never reached all the way across his face like it usually did. Juliette fought back the urge to drag him away from the group and force the truth out of her friend but now wasn't the time. He would tell her when he was ready.

"I heard some of y'all went on a hell of a mission," Ghost remarked, taking a sip of her beer.

"And some-" Juliette eyed her fiancé- "decided a death-defying mission wasn't enough and decided to steal an enemy jet with his dad."

"Says the girl who helped my dad steal a different jet to prove a point to an admiral and escaped punishment without so much as a slap on the wrist," Rooster countered, wrapping his arms around Juliette's waist and kissing her cheek.

"I still want to know what kind of favors people owe you," Payback said, pointing at her with his empty bottle, "and who all owes you favors."

Juliette grinned. "I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you, and I like having you around."

"What about you, Blackwood? What have you been up to?" The question, surprisingly, came from Hangman. All eyes flicked between him and Ghost, and despite the cacophony of the crowd surrounding them, a deathly silence settled in, causing Juliette to think: Seriously, what the hell is going on here?

Ghost took the pool stick from Payback and lined up to take a shot. "Mostly black ops, but that's what ghosts are good at. Doing things without being seen and disappearing when needed," Ghost replied, nailing the shot. She set her sights on another solid, which missed going into the pocket by a hair's breadth. "You? Lead anyone else to their watery grave?"

Hangman's playful grin shifted into a fake and guarded smile, easily mistaken as a genuine one for those who didn't know him, but Juliette did.

"He stopped Mav and me from crashing into ours, so I guess you could say he saved our lives," Rooster said casually, coming to the shocking defense of Hangman. Then, apparently unable to resist, he joked, "But you'll never get me to admit that again."

"It's okay. I have witnesses to corroborate the statement. I'm going to get more drinks. Want anything?" Hangman said, striding up to them and stopping next to Ghost. Juliette requested a lemonade while the others asked for another round of beers. Hangman faced Ghost, his chest nearly touching hers they stood so close. "I'd ask you what you want, but I already know."

Winking at her, he backed off and disappeared through the crowd. Ghost stared after him with an infuriated glare. Juliette craned her head up and whispered in Rooster's ear, "Are they going to fight or fuck?"

"Depends on which one you ask," he responded, his hands moving to cradle her stomach. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm good. Thankfully the nausea has disappeared for now."

"Well, if anything changes-"

"I'll let you know." Juliette pecked him on the cheek. "I do, however, need the bathroom. I'll be back."

Sliding off the stool, she hurried to her intended destination. On her way, Juliette noticed Hangman standing outside on the phone. Figuring he must've received a call on his way to the bar, she ignored it, rushing inside the bathroom before her bladder burst. While she washed her hands, a wave of dizziness hit her. Juliette gripped the counter and ran one of her wrists under the cold water, attributing the dizzy spell to the fact that she might melt in a puddle it was so warm in the Hard Deck. It took a few minutes, but the dizziness passed, and Juliette felt safe enough to move. She'd keep this quiet from Rooster. He worried about her enough.

Juliette stepped out of the bathroom and began heading to the Daggers when she noticed Hangman still standing outside, but instead of talking on the phone, he stared at the device in his hand. After his earlier interactions with Ghost, Juliette's concern for him diverted her path toward Hangman. Stepping outside into the cool air, a welcome sensation compared to the stifling heat of the Hard Deck, she shuffled quietly to his side.

"I'm pretty sure you order drinks inside," Juliette joked lightly, causing Hangman's head to snap up.

A genuine smile spread across his face. "What are you doing out here?"

"Needed some air. I also noticed you hadn't joined the Daggers yet, so I thought I'd check on you."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm good. Got an unexpected phone call."

Juliette raised a brow at him. "I can't tell if it's good or bad."

His smile finally faltered. "It's a family thing. Long story."

"As long as your story with Ghost?"

Hangman sighed, shoving his phone into his pocket. "I was wondering how long it'd take you to interrogate me about that."

"If you don't want to talk about it, I won't push, but her comment earlier about you leading another person to their watery grave... it seemed out of line."

"Maybe, but it's not a lie. Hell, it's practically the same thing Rooster said to me when we met at the Hard Deck the first night we arrived for the training detachment. But hey, nothing I can't handle. Still doesn't equate to the verbal beatdown you gave me after I antagonized Rooster that one day."

Juliette chuckled, sitting on the bench when another bout of dizziness hit her. "That feels like forever ago."

"It certainly does," he agreed, sitting beside her. Hangman slipped off his jacket and placed it around her shoulders when he noticed her shiver. "How are you doing? Where's your shadow?"

"Don't call him that," she said, laughing and lightly kicking Hangman's leg. "Rooster's inside, although I'm sure he'll come looking for me if I'm not back soon."

"Why has he become so... so..."

"Worried? Protective?"

"Yeah. He's always been protective of those he loved, but it's gotten ten times worse since you announced you were pregnant."

"Rooster doesn't trust doctors. Their misdiagnosis of his mom's illness has made him question every diagnosis the doctors have given me regarding my pregnancy."

"What have they been diagnosing?"

"When I fainted on Christmas, it was because my blood pressure dropped too low. It almost happened again about a month later because my iron levels were deficient, so I just had to up my intake since my prenatal vitamins weren't providing enough."

Hangman's brow furrowed. "I didn't know you passed out a second time."

"Outside of Mom and Mav, we didn't say anything to anyone else. Didn't see the point, to be honest. It was an easy fix."

"It got rid of it completely? No more fainting? Not getting dizzy?" Juliette hesitated for a second before she said "no," but Hangman caught it and prodded gently yet sternly, "Princess, is it still happening?"

She clutched his jacket tightly around her shoulders, her shaking having no correlation to the cold air. "Yes. Not much, but enough for me to notice. I'm keeping an eye on it, and if it gets worse, I'll go to the doctor. For now, though, I'm staying quiet."

"So I'm correct in assuming Bradshaw doesn't know?"

"Yes... I don't want to worry him about something that might not be a problem. Rooster's going to kill himself stressing over me before he ever meets his kids if he's not careful. I know this is a lot to ask, but please don't say anything to him about this."

"Since you think it's nothing serious, and since I'm not seeing anything super concerning, I'll stay quiet for now, but if it gets worse and you refuse to tell him, I will say something."

"I know you will. It's why I trusted to tell you," Juliette admitted, smiling appreciatively at her friend. As much as she loved and adored the other Daggers, she couldn't help but believe that when it came to this particular situation, their loyalty to Rooster would override their promise to keep her secret, and they would tell him anyway. Coyote's loyalty may not have, but he also wouldn't want to endure Rooster's wrath if Rooster found out Coyote had been keeping such a secret. Hangman was different. He wasn't afraid of Rooster, and he respected Juliette's decision and trusted her enough to speak up when she believed something might truly be wrong. Juliette trusted Jake Seresin implicitly, and some, if not most, people probably questioned that judgment call, but she ignored them.

"We should probably head back inside before people come looking for us," she mused, peering over her shoulder into the Hard Deck when she recognized Rooster's piano skills at work. Sure enough, he sat the musical instrument, singing along to 'Don't Stop Believin' with the Daggers and Ghost, but his gaze roamed the room. She knew why.

Hangman stood and helped Juliette up. The pair reentered the building and went to the bar, grabbing a round of drinks for everyone. Then, carefully, they navigated over to the Daggers. Juliette slid onto the stool with Rooster, who leaned over and kissed her while still skillfully playing the piano. A cheer rose up around them, making them both laugh. She sang along with him to all different songs until her voice went hoarse, but Juliette kept a careful eye on Hangman. Instinct told her something wasn't right, that the appearance of Ghost and the 'family thing' phone call he received earlier afflicted him on a much deeper level than he let on, both now and in the past.

If only she'd known how much.

****

Tags: @lgg5989 @shanimallina87 @polikszena @summ3rlotus @icemansgirl1999 @supernaturaldawning @thedarkinmansfield @lyannaforpresident @lapilark @getmyprettynameoutofyourmouth @simpofthecentury @shadeops21 @pansexualwitchwhoneedstherapy @double-j @bradshawsandbridgetons @majdoline @catsandgeekyandnerd @peachiicherries @multifandomcnova @fandomsstolemylife00 @bookloverhorses @mak-32 @midnightmagpiemama

Chapters: Chp 1 Chp 2 Chp 3

If you're on the tag list, it's because I copied from the India Lima Yankee tag list. If you don't wish to be tagged for this story, just let me know! If you're not on the tag list and want to be, comment below :)

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robbybirdy · 2 years

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22. Baking on a Budget Ft. Genshin Characters: Eula - Custard

Hello, every birdie. Today we are going to be making a dish inspired by a character named Eula.

Eula - She is a Cyro character from Mondsadt. She has a heavy burden over her, regard to her family. She is part of the Lawerence clan and thinks that everyone doesn’t like her because of it. And no matter what happens to her she acts with “vengeance.”

She was my second 5-star character in the game.

Every nation in Genshin is based on a specific country in the world.

Mondsadt is Germany.

Liyue is China

Inazuma is Japan

Sumeru is India

For today’s recipe, we are going to be looking at a German recipe. This cookbook was gifted to me by my German grandma (adopted. We adopted each other as grandmother and granddaughter.). Like she lived in Germany until she was 7 years old. So this cookbook will always have a place in my heart.

I do have to have google open with this cookbook though. Because there is terminology that I don’t know and had to look up.

Okay, onto the recipe. We are going to be following a recipe called “GUSTIN - pudding with Fruit.”

The recipe and the measurements will be down below. Feel free to look at it.

The ingredients you will need are:

GUSTIN (corn starch powder)

Sugar

Oetker Vanillin Sugar (if you don’t have this, which I didn’t. I added about 1 -2 tsp of vanilla extract to the same amount of granulated sugar.)

1 egg separated

Milk or water

Milk

Fresh fruit

In a bowl, you are going to mix together your GUSTIN, which is your corn starch. Your sugar, and vanilla, the egg yolk with 6 Tablespoons of cold milk or water.

In a pot on the stove, you are going to bring together a pint which is 2 cups of milk to a boil. I doubled this recipe because I was feeding 7 adults. And it didn’t look like that much. So always go with your gut feeling on the quantity you need. And yes, sometimes your gut feeling will not be correct.

Once your milk is at a boil, remove it from the heat, and stir in the corn starch mixture. Trust me when I say that you want to turn the mixture off the heat. There have been many times when I burnt the pudding because I added the cornstarch or thickening agent when the mixture was on heat.

When all of your dry ingredients are incorporated, you are going to bring it back to the stove and bring it to a boil, yet again.

You are going to whisk your egg white until stiff peaks. If you have a hard time with a meringue there are a few tips that I have learned along the way from my mom.

Put your equipment in the freezer about 10-30 minutes before you are going to use it.

Use a metal bowl. It holds the coldness longer.

Never try to do a meringue by hand. You will be tired at the end of it, and you will not have stiff peaks that are generally needed.

Make sure to constantly stir your pudding mixture. Nobody likes burnt pudding, it just sits there unpleasantly at the back of your throat, just reminding you that you made a mistake. So don’t do like I have done in the past.

Once the mixture comes to a boil, you are going to take it off the heat. And fold in your egg whites. While it is still hot, thus you cook your egg white. And you are not eating raw egg whites.

When you serve the pudding, you can add the fruit to it however you like. I made it into like a trifle-like thing. It tasted really good, and it wasn’t a heavy dessert either. I am finding that as I get older, I am liking baking with fruits and veggies more than anything else.

I hope that you liked this recipe. Feel free to check it out down below. See you in the next recipes. Thank you.

Pinterest: Here

recipe via Dr. Oetker German Home Cooking -GUSTIN pudding with fruit

Ingredients

1 1/3 oz (45 g) Oetker GUSTIN (corn starch powder)

2 well heaped tablespoon (50 g) sugar

1 packet Oetket Vanillin Sugar (or 1 to 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract)

1 egg yolk

6 tablespoons milk or water

1 pint (2 cups or 570 ccm or 487.37 g) milk

1 egg white

any fresh or preserved fruit - apricots, apples, pears, cherries, plums or fruit salad. )

Directions

Blend the GUSTIN (corn starch powder), the sugar, the vanillin, sugar, and the egg yolk with the 6 tbsp. cold milk or water. Bring the pint of milk to the boil, remove from heat and stir in the GUSTIN mixture. Bring again to the boil. Whisk the egg white until stiff and fold into the pudding while it is still hot. Pour the fruit into a glass dish and pour the hot pudding over it. when cold, decorate with fruit.

#ts3 #simblr #ts3 simblr #baking #baking therapy #recipe #food #Genshin Impact #genshin impact #Eula

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atlantablack · 1 year

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hiii<3 for the siken ask game, 12. you were drinking sangria and i was throwing oranges at you.

Prompt 12 - you were drinking sangria and i was throwing oranges at you. (which is from I Had a Dream About You, if anyone was wondering)

Heyyy bestieee, pls enjoy this, quite frankly, strangely soft fic my brain gave me for you <3 for the song lyric additions, this is also on Ao3

•

The first year is the worst. Steve had expected that though, so it’s okay. Of course, the first year would be the worst. How could it not be when Bucky had spent so long in Hydra’s grasp, unable to even remember that he’d once had his own life.

Unable to remember Steve.

This is of course the part that stings the most, even if, in the grand scheme of things, it is the least important part.

•

The second year Bucky disappears, again, and Steve punches a hole in the wall of Tony’s gym. He doesn’t follow, as much as he wishes to. He knows Bucky, even if Bucky doesn’t know him. Which means, that he knows Bucky needs the space even if kills Steve to give it to him.

So, instead of following, he fixes the hole in the wall, goes on missions with Natasha, lets Tony teach him how to, properly, navigate the internet, and goes running with Sam. He breathes in, breathes through, receives a postcard from India seven months later, breathes deep, and breathes out.

•

The third year, Bucky comes back, and for the first time since 1945, Steve and Bucky hug. It goes on for far longer than they ever used to allow themselves to indulge. But Steve’s hands have forgotten how to unclench and Bucky is shaking apart underneath his fingertips.

The sky could collapse and he thinks he would stay standing right here, content to die if it meant forever in Bucky’s arms.

They let go eventually. Of course. But Bucky stays close and Steve does his best to stay steady.

•

The third year is hard. Easier than the first, but a challenge in and of itself.

For all that he’d thought to himself, I know him, he does in fact, know very little about this new version of Bucky. And as it turns out, Bucky knows very little of Steve, even with a large portion of his memories once again intact.

They’d both lived and died and lived again, their personalities shifting, mercurial things that no longer match up quite the same.

It doesn’t stop them from clinging to each other but it forces them to, in a way, start again. It feels a little like a curse and a lot like a second chance. A fresh sheet of paper, free of charcoal smudges and dirty fingerprints, just waiting for a masterpiece to be painted in bright, vivid watercolors.

•

The fourth year is the easiest so far, both of them settled into their skin and more confident of where they stand, both, with each other, and in this new time.

Steve had woken up in 2012 and had thought, I will never belong to this era, I will never learn to enjoy this. He’d also thought that he was alone, and maybe the absence of that loneliness is what makes all the difference. Or maybe it is simply that he’s finally accepted that he’s here to stay.

What is the point of being miserable when he can build a home and finally live? What is the point of courting tragedy when some higher power allowed Bucky to find his way back to Steve?

He thinks life is offering him a gift. He would be a fool to not grab it with both hands.

•

The fifth year they leave Stark Tower and return to their roots. A three bedroom brownstone in the heart of Brooklyn, the cobblestone signing beneath their feet, welcome home, welcome home.

Bucky kisses him in the archway and he smiles into it, throws his keys at Natasha when she snickers, and throws rice over them, making a mess all over their brand new floor. He can’t stop smiling, and thinks maybe one day, she’ll have a chance to throw the rice for real. Somewhere green, somewhere warm, both of them endlessly tired of the cold.

They turn their home into an oasis of warmth. A burgundy couch and sunset pillows. A rug shaded like the sunrise and kitchen walls like sunshine. The plants take up every window and Bucky spends hours tending to them, talking in a low voice to them as if they can drag the darkness from him. Maybe they can, he always seems lighter afterward, flushed bright with life.

There’s fresh fruit on the counter and warm bread in the oven. Coffee in the cupboard despite how little it does for either of them.

Bucky takes to making sangria, despite alcohol doing nothing at all for him. Says, I like the taste, I like the colors, what other reason do I need?

Steve bites into an orange, the taste bursting across his tongue, and watches a drop of sangria roll bright red down the column of Bucky’s throat. He throws a second orange across the table, laughs when Bucky catches it too hard and ends up with orange juice sticky in his hair.

“I’ll help you wash it out,” he says, like that hadn’t been his plan from the start.

Bucky grumbles about it, but he still leans in when Steve leans across the table to kiss him. He tastes like sunshine and the ocean and a thousand nights of longing. Which is to say, he tastes like the only religion that Steve has never lost faith in.

fin.

#stucky #tag meme #eva tag #atlanta writes #i don't go here #except i guess when it comes to emotionally harming friends I do go here

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southernageless · 1 year

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Blog Post 6 - Who Am I?

Happy Monday!

I have always considered myself intertwined into art. Whether it’s been painting, drawing, photography, writing, or performing, I have always felt at home in the arts.

When I started my path to being a teacher, I had to take elementary education classes and in one, we studied Eric Carle. I fell in love with his collage-art style and started making my own collages. My favorite is an eye (below) I made using construction paper scraps from my students arts and crafts.

For class this week, we made our personal history collage, and it made me think, “who am I?”

Here is my personal collage:

I want to start by explaining the photos.

Top left and middle right- I love music. My boyfriend and I have our own love languages, but music is something we share. I make a point to go to at least 2 concerts a year, if not more. Music is my escape. When the world is crumbling or my life is excelling, music magnified my emotions or becomes my escape.

Top middle and middle left- I am adopted, but I lived with my biological family for 8 years and still talk to some of them today. A big part of my biological family is our heritage. My family is “Cheromanian.” That is the fun word we made for our culturally blended family. My moms family is a part of the Eastern Band of Cherokees. My maternal grandparents met on the reservation and lived there until my mom came along and then they moved to Wyoming. When I was on the way, they moved back and had me outside of the reservation because my fathers beliefs and culture was different and some other chaos and what not. My dads family is Romanian. I have fallen in love with the culture and have tried to learn more about it since my dad passed last year. Interesting fact - most people assume “Romani” is the same as Romanian, and assume “gypsies” (please don’t use this term) are from Romania. However, Romani came from India mostly, and only 8% of the Romanian population is Romani.

Top Right - I have learned to love myself. I am okay with who I am today, however, I know that I am a better person when my better half, my best friend, my partner, my love is by my side. I love being Austin’s partner and I love when I get to take care of him or cook for him. Not every person likes that, and there is no right or wrong way to love, but I show my love by acts of kindness, and I absolutely love getting to love him.

Middle - I am a survivor and as a teacher, I try to advocate for any of my students who feel like they are unsafe, in dangerous relationships, or have no choice. It is an extremely gray area and is not talked about enough, but when I was in school, I did not have teachers who were open with their students. When I was assaulted, everyone pointed fingers and victim blamed. My voice was taken and I was not given the choice to press charges or stand up for myself. If even one teacher had told me they could in some way relate to what I was feeling, so much would have been different. Because of the choices that were taken from me, I never want my students to suffer that way. I try to always be honest with them. They know when I am at a low. They know when my life is soaring. They know that I have trauma and I will never not tell my story. My choices were taken, but I want to live in a world where “My body, my choice” means something. I want my kids to be raised where they feel safe.

Bottom left - I love art. I began pour painting about 3 years ago and it is such a rush of serotonin for me. There is something calming and thrilling about the process and I want very much to get back into it soon!!

Bottom right - I believe everyone is entitled to their beliefs. I respect the beliefs of others, even if I do not necessarily agree with them. I grew up in the Appalachian Mountains and fell in love with nature. Both of my cultures have faith deeply rooted in nature and the more I dove into the histories of my family, the closer I became to nature. I am pagan and I know that my faith is considered taboo. I know the slander that is associated and the rumors that circulate. We are called demon worshippers, satanists, evil, etc., however, what many don’t understand is that a lot of us believe in God. We use our beliefs and faith in positive ways l, so don’t let a few bad seeds define us all.

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travelproguide · 3 days

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#Asiabudgettravel #Asiaonabudget #BackpackinginAsia #BudgetaccommodationsinAsia #Budget-friendlytraveltips #CheapAsiantravel #ExploreAsiaaffordably #Frugaltravelhacks #Travelingonashoestringbudget

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igniakino · 25 days

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ROADKILL

Makeup Artist

I was very excited to be asked to join the team of Roadkill as a their makeup artist! This isn't something I had had much experience of in the past, just doing bruises and SFX type makeup at Halloween, but it is always something I have been interested in. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to hone the few skills I had and do something semi-professionally.

My main task was to make they look exhausted and depressed to emphasis the toll not only this situation is having on both the characters, but their whole lives. They have been living in this turbulent relationship together, near breaking point before the accident even happened, and their faces have gone gaunt and haggard from stress. The accident has just bough this on tenfold!

Below I have linked the Pinterest board I used for references during the shoot:

I was on set for all 3 shoot days, helping out here and there. Keeping on top of the makeup was fun but stressed me out quite a lot as I kept trying to recreate the same look everyday for continuity. Eventually I had to accept that I couldn’t make it 100% accurate and some scenes called for less makeup with if there was more intense lighting, so I had to constantly make changes.

It was really interesting to learn more about colour theory through this shoot, and to see how lighting effected the look of the makeup through shadows or bright lights etc.

It was a really really fun shoot and I hope I can get involved with makeup again! I really enjoyed doing it.

Some pictures from the first day, mostly eye bags and red rims. I constructed this look with eye shadow, as it’s a really simple medium to work with. My method was a very light red base to imply the area is swollen, a darker red with some brown to add shadows and depth to the eye, a touch of purple directly under the eyeliner to look as sleepless as possible, a red/purple/brown mix following the shape of the face to create pronounced eyebags and a brighter red in the corners of the eye to create the illusion they are irritated as if the characters have been rubbing at them (either to dry tears or to drive away exhaustion). I repeated this each day and added more/took away as required.

I was also in charge of the dirt under Louis’ fingers, to imply to the audience that he did the burying. I did this with makeup too, black and brown under the nails (although I did cover Louis’ hands in soil for one of the more intensely lit shots)

Some BTS pictures!

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laurapages · 2 months

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HI LOVE !! MY GORGEOUS AND COOL MAN :3 I miss you so much.

how are you doing now? eum i'm sorry what has happened to you right now :( i understand what it's like to survive that unwanted illness. i'm sad when i hear you're sick, i'm always worried about your condition and health. i'm afraid something has happened there :(( babe, i'm sorry if i haven't cared about you lately, i don't have time for you because i'm busy studying, but believe me here i don't stop to always pray for health and blessings for you. although you think i'm uncaring and indifferent to you, i miss you so much, i really miss you. i'm always tormented by this longing when i'm studying, it's so annoying and also addictive hahaha.I'm always tormented by this longing when I'm studying, it's very annoying and also addictive hahaha because I get excited by thinking about you. you do matter in my life, live a long life... live for the little things to survive for the happiness that you have been waiting for. I know you're sick of hearing words of encouragement from me, but I'm saying this sincerely from my heart, not falsely. I'm a human being who wants to see you successful and happy on your own efforts dear. I don't care about the tsunami storms that hit you, I will accompany you to the point of success. You want to cry, get angry, upset, disappointed it doesn't matter baby. let out all those feelings to me, I'm always ready to be a backrest for you, I don't care about your shortcomings, you're still perfect in my eyes, even though the world is cruel I don't care about that. I will always be focused on you Nishant...

babe, please hang in there? I really believe you are strong and you can. I believe you will also recover and have cool hair like normal again. I believe God answered our prayers, you will recover 🫂 don't stress don't think about what's in your mind, it's just an illusion that makes you afraid and disappointed, look ahead focus on your happiness, you will forget about that scary thing. let me accompany you huh? I want to accompany you until you reach your success point. I will not go away, I will not leave you alone here, no matter what others say, I will always be with you under any circumstances. I want my best man to be happy. I will always pray and support you for success. I want my man to succeed and succeed in his path. I will be proud of you dear, and also your parents they are very proud to have raised a child as great and as strong as you. don't feel alone, dear? I'm here, please look at this tiny me, I'll give you comfort in this house, come home if you're tired, come home to my arms don't go home to God. because I'm not ready to be abandoned by you:(( I'll be with who if my future husband leaves me??? I want to always be with you baby. I love you you, I can't stop thinking about you, whatever you want to scold me haha, I really enjoy this activity (thinking about you all the time) is very addictive and makes me excited to learn wowowowowowwowowo can't wait to buy you a PS5 and your dream shoes, I will immediately buy it when I become president nuh uh very long, I will immediately buy it when I steal money from the bank then go to India to bring you the gift HEHEHEHE (just pray that it will materialize).

so babe, if you want to cry, just cry on my shoulder, I will always be with you, I will never leave you. I am always here for you.

thank you nishant, thank you for still being here, thank you for still being able to survive even though I know you are half-dead to survive. BUT DON'T WORRY ULTRAGIRL HERE WILL PROTECT YOU FROM HURT, I WILL BASH ANYONE WHO TRYS TO DESTROY YOU. I don't want my man to get hurt, so I will destroy those who dare to hurt you 🤬🤬🤬 BARK BARK BARK BARK 🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

now you don't have to worry dear

you still have your parents, me and yourself and also God. no need to be afraid, we face it together huh? come on, I want to see you happy and successful. i'm 100% sure my man will succeed and get well🩷🩷🩷

I love you baby, I love you.

YOU MUST KNOW I REALLY LOVE YOU NISHANT 🫵🏻🫵🏻🫵🏻

You are precious

You are strong

You are smart

You are good

You are great

You are cool

You are handsome

You are healthy

You are loving

You are caring

You are gentle

You are unique

You are interesting

You are sweet

You are successful

You are rich

AND YOU ARE PERFECT!! ❤️❤️❤️

I am proud of you Nishant for all the efforts you have made. I am always grateful, if you today can still breathe, smile, laugh and sleep well tonight. I am very grateful. I always pray that you will always be given smoothness in all affairs and blessings and also health for you. don't hesitate and be ashamed to tell me your problems, who am I? someone else? just tell me, no matter if you are a man. men also have feelings, and it is not shameful if a man complains and tells his problems. no one is perfect in this life except God. every human being is given their own uniqueness.

you are unique in the way you talk, clothes, walk, even when you smile. uhh I miss your smile :(( I don't even remember how you smile. come on babe promise me, to always smile not for happiness but for yourself, even if you have a bad day it doesn't mean your life is ruined. Your life is always good I'm sure. you have to get rid of those ugly thoughts in your brain, they are just illusions and only you can destroy them! let's show your strength to destroy the overthinking, fear, disappointment in you. or should I destroy them by kissing your lips??? OK I WANT you to at least think less about bad things. hmm I hope after you read this your feelings start to improve :D I know I'm your first woman who first got into a relationship with you, forgive me if I failed to be your good partner.. calm down, I'll try to be better than yesterday 😉😉😉

may you always be happy, may you always be healthy, may all your work and college affairs run smoothly, may you be surrounded by good people who love you, including me hihi, may your sustenance always run smoothly. don't forget to worship, plss don't stayin worship ya!!!

I love you you Nishant, always love you. haha no closing sentence huh? yes because I will not stop loving you, allow me to continue loving you HEHEHEHEHEHEHEH LOVE YOU PRETTY BOY

I'm proud of you, babe

good boy

good man

good daddy aww hahaha

be happy

be careful

beloved 😋😋😋

i love you moree babe

I'll say it again, I'm proud of you 🫂❤️‍🩹

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juniordsindia · 6 months

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10 FUN WAYS TO SPEND TIME WITH YOUR KIDS

With school out for the summer, it can be hard to know how to keep your kids busy. But don't worry, we've got you covered! Here are 10 fun ways to keep your kids entertained all summer long.

1. Plan a family fun day.

When you plan a family fun day, be sure to include plenty of activities that everyone can enjoy. One great option is to go to a theme park or amusement park. This will give you and your family the opportunity to ride rides, play games, and explore exhibits together. If you don't live near a theme park, you can always plan a fun day at home. Activities could include playing games, going for a hike, watching a movie, or cooking a meal together. Whatever you choose, be sure to have fun and create memories that your family will cherish for years to come. Looking For a Best Playschool In India

2. Visit a nearby amusement park or zoo.

The best way to enjoy a summer day is by visiting a nearby amusement park or zoo. These places are always filled with fun activities and interesting animals to see. You're sure to have a blast spending the day there with your family or friends.

3. Go for a nature walk.

The fresh air and natural surroundings can do wonders for the mind and body. Go for a nature walk and take in the sights and sounds of the outdoors. Feel the sun on your skin and the breeze in your hair. Notice the different colors and textures of the plants and trees. allow yourself to be completely absorbed in the experience.

4. Have a picnic in the park.

Mary was excited for the picnic. She had been looking forward to it for weeks. She packed her favorite food and drinks and headed to the park. When she got there, she set up her blanket and started to eat. She enjoyed the food and the company. It was a perfect day for a picnic.

5. Play games together indoors or outdoors.

Playing games together is a great way to spend time with your family. Whether you play indoors or outdoors, there are plenty of games that everyone can enjoy. Indoor games include board games, card games, and puzzles. Outdoor games include tag, hide and seek, and basketball. No matter what game you choose, you're sure to have a good time.

6. Make a homemade pizza or other dish together.

Making a pizza or other dish together can be a fun bonding experience for you and your partner. It can also be a fun way to get to know each other better. Plus, cooking together can be a great way to save money on your meals. There are many different recipes that you can try when cooking together. For pizza, you can either use a pre-made pizza crust or make your own dough. You can also choose from a variety of different toppings. For other dishes, you can choose a recipe that is new to both of you or one that you are both familiar with.

cooking together can be a fun way to get to know each other better. Also Read About The Top 10 playschool in Delhi .

7. Read stories together.

One of the best ways to bond with your child is by reading stories together. Not only does it provide a special bonding experience, but it can also help your child learn to read. Here are a few tips for reading stories with your child:

1. Choose stories that are appropriate for your child's age.

2. Make sure you have enough time to read the story in its entirety.

3. Get into the story and make it interactive.

4. Ask your child questions about the story.

5. Encourage your child to read stories on their own.

8. Take a trip to a nearby town or city.

I highly recommend taking a trip to a nearby town or city. There's so much to see and do, and you can always find a great place to eat. Plus, it's a great way to get out of the house and explore new places.

9. Make a scrapbook or photo album together.

Making a scrapbook or photo album together can be a fun project for couples. You can use photos, clippings, and other memorabilia to create a unique and sentimental keepsake. You can work on it together, or take turns creating pages. Either way, it will be a cherished item for years to come.

10. Watch movies or TV shows together.

Watching movies or TV shows together is a great way to spend time with your loved ones. It can also be a great way to bond with new friends. There are many different types of movies and TV shows to choose from, so there is something for everyone. Watching movies or TV shows together is a great way to spend time with your loved ones. It can also be a great way to bond with new friends. There are many different types of movies and TV shows to choose from, so there is something for everyone. Top 5 School For Children

#pre school #play school #kintergerts

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highwaytothedangerzone502 · 2 years

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India Lima Yankee - Chapter 23

Pairing: Rooster x Female OC

Word Count: 4055

Warnings: Death, terminal illness, near-death, lot of sadness

Summary: Juliette Kazansky discovers Maverick is back in town for a special training detachment, but she's more than a little blindsided when her Rooster arrives too. Having not spoken to him for almost ten years after their less than amicable break-up, Juliette can only imagine how the next few weeks are going to play out when she remains head over heels in love with him while he wants nothing to do with Juliette other than to forget her.

Or so she thinks.

Notes: Chapters in italics are flashbacks. I made this chapter long since y'all had to wait so long for it :)

Chapter Songs: You'll Be In My Heart (Piano) Beyond the Sea (Piano) Great Balls of Fire (Alternate Piano)

Chapters: Chp 1 Chp 2 Chp 3 Chp 4 Chp 5 Chp 6 Chp 7 Chp 8 Chp 9 Chp 10 Chp 11 Chp 12 Chp 13 Chp 14 Chp 15 Chp 16 Chp 17 Chp 18 Chp 19 Chp 20 Chp 21 Chp 22 Chp 23

Rooster

The words coming out of Juliette's mouth made sense individually, but Rooster couldn't make heads or tails of them combined. He didn't care, though. He loved how she lit up talking about her proposal, the way her sapphire eyes glittered with anticipation at the idea of presenting it, how an involuntarily smile would form on her kissable lips the longer she talked about it, how the facts sprouted from her mouth like she'd been born with them ingrained in her mind. Most of all, Rooster loved seeing Juliette's worries, stress, and melancholy melt away for a short while, the tension dissipate from her tightly wound shoulders.

Rooster kept a hand on her thigh as a constant reminder that Juliette was here and alive, that this wasn't some cruel dream he'd wake up from and find himself staring at the charred remains of Coyote's plane instead of Juliette's glowing face.

Around seven, she finished her work, and they migrated to the couch. Rooster turned on the TV, but neither one paid much attention to it. Juliette fell asleep on his shoulder thirty minutes in, exhausted from the rollercoaster they called today. Rooster didn't dare move a muscle, unwilling to break the peace that had finally overcome Juliette. Instead, he stared up at the ceiling, keeping his hand on her thigh as he unconsciously, lightly, tapped out the words he ached to say: India Lima Yankee. Even after their passionate kiss mere hours ago, Rooster was still scared to speak them in fear of pushing their relationship forward too fast. Juliette had never been one to act without thinking when it came to relationships. She liked slow and steady. Rooster learned early on before he started dating her that Juliette wanted to be wooed. It was the same day he bought the locket for her, the same one currently residing in the chest pocket of his flight suit. Rooster had meant to give it to her the next time they met, but he hadn't planned on that being this morning. Then she'd gone up with him and the other pilots, chaos ensued in the evening, and Bradley hadn't found the right time. Remembering Juliette hated being woken up, Rooster decided now was certainly not the right time either.

Darkness settled over North Island, but Rooster still didn't move. Instead, he allowed himself to close his eyes, to maybe get some rest while he waited for news, but the idea was short-lived because the door squeaked open. Rooster looked up, hoping it'd be Maverick with information on Phoenix and Bob. Instead, he found Hangman standing there, his expression perplexed but seemingly not from seeing Juliette passed out on Rooster's shoulder.

"What do you want, Seresin?" Bradley asked quietly, hoping not to wake Juliette. It didn't work. She stirred, blinking sleepily.

"Cyclone requested my help in finding Juliette. He needs to speak with her in his office. I'm to escort her there," Hangman said.

"Shit," Jules muttered grumpily, pushing herself up. "I swear to God if he's going to force me to see the doctor after what happened today..."

She got up and shouldered her purse. Rooster walked her over to Hangman and said, "I'll be here when you're done."

"Hopefully, this won't take long," Juliette replied, giving Bradley a quick peck on the lips. "I'll be back."

Rooster nodded and watched her leave with Hangman, who walked much too closely to Juliette for Bradley's liking. Swallowing his rising annoyance, he turned around and returned to the couch. He switched off the TV, the noise now grating on his frayed nerves. It'd been fine with Juliette by his side. She'd always had a calming effect on him, whether she intended to or not, but with her gone, the anxiety and worry from today rose up like a violent tidal wave, continually swelling, waiting to crash down on him in its monstrous size and drown him. Rooster simply sat in the darkness, though, unwilling and unable to move with the paralyzing fear gripping him. Something must've happened to Phoenix and Bob for it to be taking this long for him to get word on their condition. And maybe it was paranoia overtaking him, but a quiet, ominous voice in the back of his mind told him that whatever Cyclone needed to talk to Juliette about, it couldn't be good.

Out of the corner of his eye, Rooster saw a familiar figure enter the room. He glanced at Maverick for only a brief second, avoiding looking at his captain's face in fear he'd see the news he didn't want to hear.

"They'll keep Phoenix and Bob in the hospital overnight for observation. They're going to be okay," Maverick informed, stopping a conservative distance away.

Rooster bowed his head in relief, silently thanking God for allowing his friends to live. There'd been too many close calls today, but they'd all survived. He could be grateful for that. "That's good," Rooster replied, his voice much steadier than he felt inside, the tidal wave still threatening to drown him. "I've never lost a wingman."

"You're lucky," Maverick said softly. "Fly long enough, it'll happen... there will be others."

Maybe it was his frayed nerves; maybe it was his pent-up fury at the man he loved so much but had been brutally betrayed by; maybe it was him wanting the answers he always wanted but never received; maybe it was Rooster wanting to hurt Maverick the same way his surrogate dad had hurt him all those years ago because as Maverick turned around to leave, Rooster said, "Easy for you to say. No wife. No kids. Nobody to mourn you when you burn in."

The words weren't true. Rooster knew Juliette and the rest of the Kazansky clan would be devastated if Maverick died, that Penny would be upset, that he himself would be distraught, but Rooster didn't care. The pain caused by the betrayal of Maverick cut Bradley to the bone, and it had been an open wound ever since, festering for almost two decades. Nothing and no one could stop him from finally unleashing his fury.

Maverick didn't turn around. All he said was, "Go home. Let's get some sleep."

The decorated captain tried to walk away, but Bradley snapped, standing up in outrage and demanding, "Why'd you pull my papers from the academy? Why did you stand in my way?!"

Maverick stopped, peering at Rooster over his shoulder. He hesitated before replying, "You weren't ready."

"Ready for what, huh?" Rooster stalked towards him, putting himself nose to nose with his captain. "Ready to fly like you?"

"No," Maverick said, finally turning around and meeting Bradley's gaze. "Ready to forget the book. Trust your instincts. Don't think. Just do. You think up there, you're dead. Believe me."

Had Rooster not been so far gone in his anger, the look of despair falling onto Maverick's face might've stopped him from what he said next. He wanted the man he used to look up to feel the same pain he had all these years, to feel some betrayal of his own. All Maverick had wanted was for the two men to reconcile. Bradley knew this, and he would steal those dreams the same way Maverick had stolen his by pulling Bradley's papers. In a quiet and accusatory voice, Rooster said, "My dad believed in you. I'm not going to make the same mistake."

Pained silence engulfed the two of them, both evidently hurting in their own way but unable to work it out. Rage rolled off Rooster in waves, colliding violently with the sorrow pulsating outward from Maverick. Who knows how long they would've stood there, their gazes unwavering from each other, had Warlock's quiet voice not gathered their attention from the doorway.

"Maverick," the rear admiral said. Something about his expression, although always stoic and collected, had an edge of sadness in it.

Mav cleared his throat and tore his eyes from Bradley. "Sir?"

Warlock's gaze briefly flicked over to Rooster as if he was trying to gauge the situation between the two aviators. But, if he figured out what was happening, he didn't ask. Bradley wished he would've inquired about the trouble between him and Maverick rather than the bombshell he dropped next. "Admiral Kazansky has passed away."

Both Maverick and Rooster staggered slightly back, stunned and disbelieving. How could Iceman be dead? The man who beat the cancer twice before already? Perhaps Rooster had fallen under the same denial Juliette had, that the doctors had misdiagnosed the terminal illness, or that he'd be a miracle case and survive it against all odds, or-

"Jules," Bradley breathed, the reality sinking in. Cyclone calling her into his office... it couldn't be a coincidence. "Where's Juliette?"

"I'm here," came her unsteady response, her voice barely above a whisper. Jules came into view, barefoot and supported by Hangman, who held her purse and heels in his free hand. How Juliette was even up and walking was beyond Rooster, but then again, she'd never reacted to shocking situations like most other people.

She slipped out of Hangman's grasp and shuffled in a daze to Maverick, who enveloped her in a stupefied hug. "I'm so sorry, Juliette. I'm so sorry."

Tears rolled down her face. "I saw him this morning. He seemed to be doing better. I don't know what happened. I don't-"

Juliette broke down into hushed sobs, sinking into Maverick's embrace. Rooster bowed his head, hiding the tears forming in his eyes as he silently grieved the loss of Admiral Kazansky, the man who had supported Rooster at Top Gun when he'd had no family of his own, none that Bradley wanted there, at least; he grieved the man who Rooster wanted to ask permission to marry his daughter when the time was right; the man he had hoped to get to know once more but now would never have the chance.

Out of his peripheral, Bradley saw Hangman set Juliette's belongings inside the room and shut the door behind him and Warlock, allowing the three to mourn privately.

Bradley rested a hand on Juliette's shoulder and squeezed it to let her know he was there for her too. As much as he wanted to be the one consoling her right now, he understood that she and Maverick shared a bond in regards to Iceman much deeper than she did with Rooster. Admiral Kazansky had been a rock for both of them, and now, he was gone.

"When's the funeral?" Maverick inquired, sniffling.

"Tomorrow evening," Juliette replied, hiccuping and pulling away. She wiped the tears off her cheek.

"I, uh, I need to go talk to Cyclone and Warlock about the preparations, see what I need to do." Mav turned to Rooster. "Take care of her and get her home, Lieutenant."

"Yes, sir." If there was one thing that could make the boys set aside their differences, no matter what, it was Juliette. Maverick kissed his goddaughter on top of the head and left the room.

"Let's get you home," Rooster said gently, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close.

She sniffled, frowning. "You need to change out of your flight suit. You'll get in trouble if you don't."

"It's fine. I think some exceptions can be made right now."

"No, don't- don't make exceptions for me just because-" Juliette's voice hitched- "Nothing is normal for me right now, and I need... I need some type of normalcy to occur. Please. For my sanity, I just need you to do what you would normally do if what happened hadn't-"

Juliette covered her mouth as a sob burst forth, and Bradley immediately enveloped her in a comforting embrace. She wept into his chest, her fists clutching his shirt like it was the only thing tethering her to reality. Having been in her position before, the possibility of that being true was strong. Rooster let her cry until no more tears could be produced, and the second of many waves of grief subsided. Without a word, he once more slipped his arm around her waist and grabbed her things, escorting her to his room. Juliette sank onto his bed upon their arrival, and Rooster swiftly changed into casual wear. He draped his flight suit over the back of his desk chair, taking Juliette's locket out of the chest pocket and slipping it into his keepsake box before she could see it. He could give her the locket one day, but not today. Now was not the time to bring up their past in any way, shape, or form.

Rooster grabbed his wallet, keys, and Juliette's belongings. She stood up shakily and gripped his hand in a vise. She might crush his bones if she squeezed any harder, but he'd let her. Anything to help Juliette through this. Rooster had been here before. He understood the helplessness and disbelief, the inability to fully comprehend that someone you loved and cared for so profoundly was gone. Time would heal the wound, but the scar would always linger as an emptiness in the heart that nothing and no one could fill.

Bradley briefly let go of Juliette to help her in his car, get in the driver's seat, and reverse out of his parking spot. However, the second he could, his hand was back in hers.

"Do we need to pick up Raptor and Lightning?" Rooster asked gently.

Juliette shook her head. "No, they're with my par-" she stopped short, correcting herself- "my mom. I dropped them off this morning to... to cheer up my dad."

Juliette's voice went up a couple of octaves as she tried to stop the tears from falling again with a barely successful attempt. No other words were aid until Rooster pulled into the Kazansky driveway. An eerie silence had settled over the place, and the darkness of the house didn't help. The only light showing, dim as it was, came from the living room.

"I don't want to go inside," Juliette whispered, staring at her home with what Rooster could only describe as fear. "I don't want to be in the house he's not in anymore."

"You don't have to," Rooster replied softly, kissing the back of her hand. "I can go get the dogs for you."

Juliette shook her head, giving a small appreciative smile. "No, I have to. My mom needs me..."

Taking a deep breath, Juliette exited the car. Rooster followed her up to the front and inside the unsettlingly quiet house. Juliette called out for her mom, who emerged from the living room within seconds. Tears streaks stained the Kazansky matriarch's cheeks, and she broke down when she saw her daughter, who appeared equally as distraught and depressed as her mom. The two women tightly embraced, their bodies shaking while they wept into each other's shoulders. Rooster hung his head to avert his eyes, feeling like he was intruding upon a moment the two were sharing.

Sarah Kazansky pulled away, and her gaze fell on Bradley. She smiled so warmly at him for someone who had just lost her husband, and it reminded him of his mom whenever she would go through periods of severe depression when missing Goose, how she would plaster on a smile that could brighten even the darkest of rooms.

"It's so good to see you again, Bradley," Sarah said, pulling him into a hug.

He willingly returned it, telling her, "You too, ma'am. I'm so sorry for your loss."

"Thank you, sweetheart." Sarah backed off, wiping fresh tears off her cheeks. "We knew this day was coming, but it doesn't make it any easier."

"Are you by yourself?" Juliette asked, kneeling down to pet Raptor and Lightning, who had come strolling in at the sound of the owner's voice. The dogs acted as upset as the humans, almost like they knew Iceman wasn't coming back.

"Yes. Jack and Lillian will arrive in the morning, along with Joey, and will stay with me for a while," she replied.

"Will you two be okay by yourselves tonight?" Rooster inquired, unreasonably worried about them being alone. It's not like they were in any danger. However, the aviator still didn't relish the idea of leaving the grieving women alone.

Sarah smiled appreciatively at him. "We should be fine, but if you'd like to stay, I know neither of us would object."

"I don't want to intrude. I'm sure you two would like to be alone, but if-"

Sarah shook her head. "You wouldn't be. If you have to get back to base, I understand, but-" her gaze shifted worriedly to Juliette- "if not, I'd like for you to stay the night. I'd feel better about it."

Rooster nodded. "Of course."

"I'm, uh, I'm going to take a shower. It's been a long day," Juliette said, standing up. She picked up her belongings and kissed Rooster on the cheek. "I'll be back in a bit."

He watched her go slowly up the stairs; Raptor and Lightning followed closely behind. Sarah waited until her daughter was out of earshot before saying, "Thank you for staying. I know things aren't what they were between you two, but after she nearly crashed in the plane-"

Rooster blanched. "You know about that?"

"Yes. Maverick called me, told me he was worried about her. If he was concerned about how she was holding up, I knew it had to be serious."

Hesitantly, he nodded. "It was..."

"Juliette will never admit when she's struggling, but I know the signs, and she's been showing them for a while. Even though things have been tense between you two, she's been happier recently, and all I can think of is that you and Maverick are around."

"It probably has more to do with Maverick," Bradley admitted, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I think I've caused her more stress."

"Maybe in the very beginning, but not now. Not anymore." Sarah grasped his arms, a sadness falling onto her face. "Thank you for staying with us tonight."

"Anything I can do to help, just let me know," Rooster promised.

"Would you mind playing the piano for a little bit? The house is too quiet, and I missed having you around to play. None of us could do it half as well as you."

"I'd be honored." Bradley offered his arm for Sarah Kazansky to take, and she did. He escorted her into the living room. While she took residence in her late husband's recliner, Rooster took a seat on the piano bench, his fingers gliding over the keys to play some soft melodies, nothing too sad to avoid adding to the already somber mood in the house, but nothing too upbeat either. Just... calm. He played 'Dock of the Bay' as it was the first one to come to mind, followed by 'I'm Yours' by Jason Mraz, 'Half of My Heart' by John Mayer, and a few others he could think of. He noticed halfway through the sixth song that Sarah Kazansky's eyes were closed, but Rooster kept playing in the event she wasn't asleep. She had asked him to play, and he would until his fingers fell off. Anything to make the tragic situation a little more bearable for her.

As Bradley finished off 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling,' Juliette slid onto the bench next to him, wearing leggings and an oversized sweatshirt, the too-long sleeves pulled over her fists. She had her hair pulled back in a clip, and she would've appeared completely fine save for her bloodshot eyes, a dead giveaway for the breakdown she must've had in the shower.

"Your mom asked me to play," he whispered, continuing to play a soft melody to prevent waking Sarah with the conversation. "Do you have any requests?"

Juliette rested her head on his shoulder. "Dad always loved Phil Collins."

Rooster nodded, going over the playlist of songs in his head. Finally, he landed on one, although he hesitated to play it. Unlike the others he'd been playing, this song verged on nostalgic and melancholy, especially given the circumstances, but he swore he could hear Iceman's voice telling him, compelling him, to play it, convincing Bradley any other song would be insufficient for the moment.

Rooster's fingers started playing involuntarily, almost like they had a mind of their own, and he started singingly softly along to 'You'll Be In My Heart.' Although Bradley couldn't see Juliette's face, he could feel the muscles in it contorting against his shoulder. Halfway through the song, he heard her sniffle, and Rooster's playing trailed off.

"I'm sorry. I should've chosen a different one," he apologized guiltily upon seeing her crying.

Juliette lifted her head and shook it. "No, no, it's not that. I love that song. Dad loved that song. It's-" she wiped tears off her cheeks- "it's just of all songs you could've chosen that I know you know how to play of Phil Collins, you chose that one."

"How come?"

She smiled wistfully at the piano, a fresh stream of silent tears rolling down her cheeks, but she didn't seem to notice. "I told my dad that if I ever got married, he could choose our father-daughter dance. Dad chose that song."

"You know-" Rooster swallowed the knot down in his throat as the gravity of the song's meaning fell over him- "my mom always told me that whenever 'Great Balls of Fire' started playing, it was Dad saying hi. I usually heard the song when I was going through tough times and needed a pick-me-up. So maybe hearing this song tonight was your dad saying he's still here."

There were three specific times Rooster remembered hearing 'Great Balls of Fire' an abnormal amount of times for a song that had come out in 1957: after his mom passed, after he cut Maverick out of his life, and when he'd broken up with Juliette. It always came on when he was feeling incredibly alone. Perhaps it was just a coincidence, but Rooster had always believed his parents were watching over him. And, if his parents were his guardian angels, then Iceman was undoubtedly his family's, letting his presence be known through Bradley playing the piano. It's why Rooster had mentioned his little belief, not intending for his words to break Juliette down again, but she did. However, the tears weren't full of sadness because she was smiling through them. Glancing over at the piano, she whispered, "Hi, Dad."

Bradley reached over and grabbed her hand. Juliette squeezed it gratefully. She stood up, keeping ahold of him. He followed her to the couch, and they settled in under a plush blanket while Raptor and Lightning lay at their feet. Juliette turned on the TV, changing the channel to one playing classical piano versions of popular songs from all decades.

"What's the sign that your mom was around?" Juliette asked softly, resting her head on his shoulder.

"It's 'Beyond the Sea' by Bobby Darrin," Rooster replied, smiling. "I have one faint memory of Mom playing it before we went to see Dad at Top Gun, belting out to it. She would always play it on their wedding anniversary, even after he died, and the anniversary of his death, but no other times. I think it hurt too much to listen to outside of those times."

"She must be saying hi right now, then." Juliette nodded at the TV. Following her line of sight, Rooster zeroed in on the caption at the bottom of the screen stating the song: Beyond the Sea. "I guess your mom and my dad are hanging out together."

"All we need is for 'Great Balls of Fire' to start playing, and then we know it's not a coincidence that the songs are playing," he replied, resting his cheek atop her head. The two of them fell into a comfortable, albeit sorrowful, silence, both wrapped in their own thoughts of their late parents, wishing they were here in person rather than having to look for signs of their presence.

Slowly but surely, Rooster started nodding off, exhaustion overtaking him. His heavy eyelids finally closed, and as he drifted off to sleep, Bradley heard the all too familiar piano riff, gentler than normal but still recognizable, of 'Great Balls of Fire.' Smiling to himself, Rooster murmured, "Hi, Dad."

***

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egyptkeytoursblog · 1 year

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An Exciting Trip To Egypt From India In 2023 - Myth Vs Reality

You probably think of mummies, pyramids, and pharaohs when you think of Egypt. There is so much more that visitors may experience in ancient Egypt. You will undoubtedly develop a fondness for this nation. The lovely queen Cleopatra was not an Egyptian, nor did they create mummification or utilise slaves to build the pyramids.

If you are looking to visit Egypt in the next few weeks or days and booked an Egypt trip package, you might have come across different myths related to Egypt and its related elements like people, markets, monuments, and others. I faced the same when I decided to tour Egypt. But when I went there, I came to know the truth. So, I decided to reveal the same through this post. Here, you can get to know everything about Egypt holidays packages and trip information.so, let’s get to know the common myths related to Egypt travel and their truth.

1. Egyptian people are not friendly

I came to know that Egyptians are among the world's kindest and most friendly people. People are really friendly and welcoming. They would definitely stop by to assist you, whether they were a general store owner or a person crossing the street. You're less likely to fall victim to fraud in Egypt since the locals there are likewise quite trustworthy.

2. Shopping in local markets is not good

Egypt's regional bazaars and souks are where you may find the genuine heart and fun of shopping. If you haven't been to one of its lively retail districts filled to the brim with the most genuine Middle Eastern items and handicrafts, you haven't really experienced this city. We had heard that the proprietors in these neighbourhood markets set absurdly high prices, forbade haggling, and provided inferior goods. That is all untrue.

In Egypt's marketplaces and souks, you can discover people selling genuine goods who are highly amenable to haggling. In addition, it is their sole source of income, which explains why the prices are typically higher than those found elsewhere. You may buy handmade crafts, clothing, purses, food, home décor, and souvenirs here. But you'll discover that everything was worthwhile.

3. Conservative dressing is preferred

Many tourists were seen wandering the streets in hot pants and sleeveless blouses, and no one in the community seemed to complain to visitors who weren't fully clothed. In some Middle Eastern countries today, people are quite free to dress whatever they like without fear of scorn or public judgement. However, one must cover their legs, arms, and heads before going into any place of worship, such as a mosque.

4. Choose a hotel near tourist attractions

On the other hand, one must always reserve a hotel inside the municipal borders. By doing this, you'll be nearer to a number of services that might be helpful to you in an emergency, such restaurants, grocery shops, and pharmacies. It won't help you in an emergency if you stay in a hotel in the midst of the desert that only offers stunning views of the pyramids and the Sphinx. Additionally, they are rather pricey!

5. Egypt has only deserts

There is a lot more to this nation than first appears. Due to its guests' access to a wealth of knowledge and insight, academics and history buffs will like being here. You will be astonished by how much you end up learning here, from the Light and Sound Show at the Sphinx and the Giza pyramids to the educational and guided tour of the Egyptian Museum.

The history, museums, and even the mummies of Egypt captivated my kid. Throughout our trip to Egypt, he was always taking notes.

6. It is hard to get vegetarian food

On our travel from India to Egypt, we also discovered that Egyptian cuisine is remarkably similar to Indian cuisine. So, even vegetarian travellers from India shouldn't be concerned. Additionally, the spices are essentially the same. In actuality, Egypt is where the majority of India's unusual spices come from. Two of Egypt's most well-known foods that have since become my favourites are Shawarmas and Falafels, and you can find excellent shops and sellers preparing them practically anywhere!

The Conclusion

Overall, our tour to Egypt was a wonderful one and would recommend others to explore the magnificence of Egypt. Egypt Key Tours is a reputed travel agency and offers a wide range of Egypt holidays packages at affordable rates. Whether you want to enjoy a Nile Cruise Luxor Aswan or a Dahabiya Nile Cruise, they have it all.

Disclaimer- The information provided in this content is just for educational purposes and is written by a professional writer. Consult us to know about how to choose the best travel agents in Egypt.

#nile cruise luxor aswan #Egypt trip package #Best Travel agents Egypt

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atlanticcanada · 1 year

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Priest, neighbours issue plea for help for struggling international students in Cape Breton

It’s not everyday you see a plea from a Catholic priest in the local paper asking people to take in homeless university students.

"Recently, I learned that some of these students are sleeping in cars while they look for a place to live. That is simply not acceptable," writes Reverend Dr. Albert Maroun.

"As Cape Bretoners, we know that something must be done to ensure it stops."

Father Maroun knows the needs of international students at Cape Breton University well, because he meets them during lunch. Hundreds depend on the local community kitchen, Loaves and Fishes, for food.

It’s a community-run kitchen, primarily funded by churches around Cape Breton. The facility was overwhelmed when the university recruited thousands of newcomers in just a few years. They offer up to 250 free meals a day, the majority of them go to foreign students.

Cape Breton University has aggressively ramped up enrollment in the past five years for international students, most of whom are from India.

That’s because students from abroad often pay double what most Canadians do, which has been a saving grace for university budgets across the country.

Today, CBU has 7,300 students on campus, more than 70 per cent of them are international. That’s the highest percentage of international students from the 30 public universities W5 surveyed across the country (see chart below).

In his letter to the editor, Maroun alleges that the university wants to make money but doesn’t take responsibility for these students.

"When the steel plant was setting up here over a century ago, they built housing first… maybe CBU should look to the past to see how it is done right."

NEWCOMERS STRUGGLING

W5 spoke with dozens of international students, both on the phone and on the ground in Cape Breton.

Many are frustrated by the lack of affordable housing, buses that don’t have enough room for students to get to school, and the challenges of finding part time jobs. But most students were too scared to speak on camera out of fear they would be penalized by the school.

"I wanted to grab the landing gear and fly back," one student tells us, when we agreed to hide her identity. "My mind just shut down for about a week after I landed here. It’s so desolate and there's nothing here."

This student had studied abroad before, where a transition team at her first university had helped her find accommodations. CBU currently has apartment listings in the community on its website and a dedicated off campus housing coordinator, but this student claims, she was not told anything like that existed and it was difficult to find a place when she arrived.

"I often wake up at midnight, 3 a.m, 4 a.m… I just know my hair is turning grey," she says about the pressure to succeed in Canada.

Before the influx of students, Cape Breton was already facing a severe affordable housing shortage. While there are dorms available on campus, there are no kitchens, so students can’t cook and must purchase a meal plan costing roughly $3,000 a semester.

Damanpreet Singh is CBU’s Student Union President and also an international student who came to Canada in 2021.

"They should have built kitchens so students could cook, but they didn’t," he said. "They don’t want students cooking in their rooms."

He says most students can’t afford to live on campus because many have already taken out personal loans and it’s much cheaper to live in the community. But he also thinks students need to do more research about housing and jobs before coming to Cape Breton.

Another student, who asked to remain anonymous, says he has poured his life savings into this degree, but has struggled to find a place to live. His first rental had rusted out sinks and bathtubs, and mice running around.

"It’s the most disgusting place I’ve ever been," he says. He temporarily moved in with a friend. He says he has lost 20 pounds from all the stress and hasn’t video-called his family since arriving in Canada in early 2023. "I'm really afraid to Facetime my family because I don’t want them to figure out how terrible I'm looking," he said.

He also shows us the snow-filled, isolated road he was waiting on to take a bus to school.

"I was waiting for the bus for one hour," he tells us. "All my shoes, my socks, my pants were all damp."

Others tell us, at the beginning of the semester, there weren’t enough seats when the bus arrived. Many said they missed classes because of those delays. In response, CBU has purchased two city buses and added shuttles to help students get to class. But those buses continue to be crowded.

The university largely touts its growth as a success, though it acknowledges there are some growing pains. David Dingwall, the president of CBU, says the university plans to add 240 more beds on campus and is working with the private sector to generate more options in the community.

"But let's not kid ourselves, housing in every community across the country has grave difficulties and we're no exception," Dingwall says.

In 2019, CBU purchased land to develop affordable housing in the community, but no ground has been broken yet. It’s also expanding the dorms to accommodate families coming from abroad and capped certain programs for enrollment.

For a complete list of improvements made by CBU, click here.

Open Letter to the Cape Breton Community

Forever CBU Campaign

CBU Newsroom: Cape Breton University Will Do More

'CANADIAN MAMA' HELPING STUDENTS

Community members are coming to the aid of students. Brenda Matheson from Sydney is one of them. Last year, she started noticing international students, mostly from India, everywhere.

"My community has become the nicest shade of brown," she laughs.

The 61-year-old grandmother is as Cape Breton as they come. You can hear her beautiful laugh and accent a mile away.

That warmth is what drew an international student to her doorstep, begging for a place to live. She says she couldn’t turn him away in the cold. A year later, he still lives with her, rent-free, with another student planning to move in April. From these newcomers, she started to see what was really going on in her community.

"Kids are sleeping in cars. Kids are sleeping on floors, in people's living rooms, kids are sleeping in laundromats," she claims. She says she’s ashamed that so many students pay tens of thousands of dollars to come to Canada to live like this.

Her home has since become a hub for struggling students. Many of her neighbours are also now housing foreign students because of the influx.

"I think that if you are going to invite thousands of people to any community anywhere on the planet, that maybe you would have lodgings for them, maybe there would be accommodations available, maybe there would be a job for them," Brenda says.

"These kids aren't kids. They're a commodity. They're a cash figure. They're a bottom line."

youtube

Can't see the chart of international students by university below? Click here

Watch the documentary 'Cash Cows' on CTV W5, Saturday at 7 p.m.

from CTV News - Atlantic https://ift.tt/7puUckX

#new brunswick #prince edward island #nova scotia #news #politics #canada #CTVAtlantic

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tehuti88-art · 1 year

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3/17/23: r/SketchDaily theme, "India." Ganges, with an unintentionally creepy person.

...

This week's character from my anthro WWII storyline is Edelgard (no last name ever given). She's a newer character who never appears in the main story but plays a big role in the history of one of the major characters. There'll be more about her later in my art Tumblr and Toyhou.se.

TUMBLR EDIT: Aside from one brief mention in Godfrey Klemper's updated entry, you'd have to go to my Toyhou.se to see whose name Edelgard's resembles, another character given only a first name and whose last name is never given. He's developed quite a backstory--and a future story--since I last described him, and Edelgard here plays a massive role in it, despite being long gone and presumably dead by the time the main plot takes place. Her character, despite existing only a brief time so far, has already undergone massive changes--including a sex change. (No, not within the story--originally her character was male, then I wondered how different the plot would go if she were female, and it abruptly happened.) It's yet another disturbing tale in a plot full of them, I realize, but yet again, here we go.

Let's set the scene, which is still heavily in development so may still change. In the current story, various units of the Wehrmacht which patrol the countryside often stop to rummage through abandoned houses for goods since the supply chain is frequently fractured. One of these units is PFC Klemper's, under the command of 2nd Lt. Frieder Dasch. Klemper is a child soldier who grew up dirt poor, working early on on a farm, and was orphaned young as well; he knows how to scrounge and provide for himself. So he knows, from a quick peek inside, which houses have the good stuff. Dasch often sends him in first to see if the effort is worth it. One day, the unit crests a rise and is surprised to see below them at the edge of a vast clearing near the woods not a house, but a castle--a veritable castle. Sure it's short and boxy and nothing like the castles in picture books, but still, aside from Castle Schavitz it's the first castle they've come across, right in the middle of nowhere, too. They know of no castles supposed to be in this area yet here one is! After a few moments of puzzled speculation, during which they observe it through binoculars and conclude it must be abandoned, they decide to go down and check it out. Maybe there's something good inside.

Accompanying the unit is 1st Lt. Ratdog, a sniper whom Klemper has been assigned to watch; when not busy sniping ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ he sometimes travels with them, since he and Klemper, who've grown close, are often separated for weeks on end. He's as surprised to see the castle as they are, but seems strangely dismayed as well; Klemper notices his reluctance to approach it although he goes along. No smoke rises from the chimneys, plus, oddly, the windows and doors have all been left open. Result, the elements have gotten to the place, with the interior being quite worn, damp, and unsuitable for longterm habitation. Ratdog sits on a mouldering couch in the main hall while Klemper ventures up the great staircase and the others mill around curiously. Dasch notices a large portrait of a couple in Prussian noble dress over the fireplace, but the faces have been damaged. There's an engraving in the wood above the mantel and he brushes off the dust; he reads aloud, "'Herr Herzog und Frau Herzogin von...'" but the surname is gouged out and unreadable. All he can tell is the castle once belonged to a Herzog and Herzogin--a duke and a duchess. Whoever they were, their name is now lost to history.

Upstairs, Klemper rummages through the living quarters; he finds nothing much worth salvaging aside from a child's toy--a carved wooden horse, which he tucks into his coat--but is quite curious about a pile of portraits he finds at the end of a hallway. Just dumped there after being pulled from the walls. He looks through them in the hopes of learning about who once lived here. Some of them are what appear to be family portraits--a mother, a father, two children--but, creepily, the faces of the parents are all destroyed. The children are a younger boy and an older girl with long straight hair, both of them unsmiling. Klemper tries to push down his unease though it's difficult the more he looks. As he browses, the children in the portraits get older, until finally he digs out one where the girl looks almost grown, the boy perhaps in his mid teens. And Klemper drops the portrait, eyes wide, and pushes himself to his feet. He runs back up the hall and down the great staircase to the ground level where everyone else is milling around.

Klemper stumbles into the main hall so abruptly that everyone looks at him. Dasch asks if he found anything useful; he says no, he didn't. Dasch decides that they'll sleep the night there, since at least it provides adequate shelter on a dry mild night, and they'll head out again in the morning. Everyone gets out their bedrolls and they start a fire in the fireplace, settling down to eat and talk a bit before turning in. The next day, as planned, they head out again, leaving the castle behind.

Ratdog notices Klemper giving him a furtive look now and then, but neither says anything.

It isn't until later on, when they're alone, that Klemper pulls out the little toy horse and shows it to Ratdog. Ratdog blinks and actually flinches back a bit. Klemper hesitates before venturing, "It used to be yours...?"

An aside, now. When they were still getting to know each other, and on rather poor terms yet improving, Klemper had asked Ratdog his real name. Ratdog had replied, "It doesn't matter. I'm the last, it dies with me." Implying it must be some kind of old, rare name. Klemper said, "What's your first name, then?" to which Ratdog paused but then said, "Adel." Klemper henceforth refers to him by his real name, Adel, and is the only one to do so until after the war (when most of the characters drop his wartime pseudonym and refer to him as Herr Adel).

Now...when I chose a real name for Ratdog, I don't believe I put much thought into it aside from it being German, and sounding good. I likely looked up the meaning and thought that was cool too, but it wasn't why I chose this particular name. This is my way of saying I had NO idea about this future plot point when I named him...but it worked out in an odd way.

"Adel" isn't just a name. In combination, Deutscher Adel, it refers to the old German noble class: The barons, the counts, the dukes. (Adelina Dobermann's name is from the same root word.) "Herzog," duke, is almost as high a noble rank as somebody can get without being a literal prince. The name and faces of the duke and duchess of the old castle were wiped out, but the portraits of their children, the young Herzog and Herzogin, survived. Klemper has no idea who the girl is, but despite being only a teenager in the image, Ratdog was easily recognized. Ratdog isn't just a Junker, he's the last of a long, ancient line of dukes, and that was his castle.

In one part of the story, a Nazi official offers to put together Klemper's family tree; he manages to do so from the names of Klemper's late parents and gleefully proclaims that Klemper is of pure Aryan blood and comes from "a long, proud line of peasant farmers." Klemper isn't impressed either way. Ratdog turns down the same offer. Klemper now wonders if this is why; he doesn't want anyone to know he's a duke? Ratdog asks if this changes anything between them--he's the exact opposite of Klemper, and maybe a hundred or so years ago, somebody just like Klemper would've worked his fingers to the bone on Ratdog's estate. Klemper says it doesn't matter. He's curious why Ratdog would want to hide such information, though, and why he apparently abandoned that life. Because as long as Klemper's known him, he's lived alone in the woods in a tiny stone cottage he built himself. Why would he give up a castle? What happened to all the portraits and the family name? And most of all, what became of Ratdog's older sister? For that's obviously who the unknown girl in the portraits must have been.

Ratdog is just as obviously quite reluctant to share his story with Klemper, but the two of them are learning to be honest with each other, and this is a pretty big thing to not be honest about. In bits and pieces he tells Klemper his story.

His family of dukes and duchesses had lived in the castle for generations, hundreds of years. The farmland around the estate, and the number of people working for them, dwindled more and more over the years so that by the time of his grandparents, it was pretty much just them and their son and daughter. One winter day the older duke and duchess went off hunting in the woods near the castle and didn't return by evening. A snowstorm passed through, so it wasn't until the next day that the younger duke could finally go out searching for them. He returned home emptyhanded. The only thing he and the younger duchess could assume was that they'd been caught in and succumbed to the storm. Later in the following year, he would indeed find two scattered sets of bones inside a cave in the woods where they must have tried to seek shelter, but most likely froze to death in the cold.

Now it was just the younger duke and duchess living in the castle. Although there was a distant neighbor here and there which they could trade with when necessary, aside from that they were on their own; the duke knew how to hunt, so he could provide for them, though it was quite a lonely, isolated existence. They eventually had a daughter--a new young duchess--but from an early age it was obvious something was wrong with her. She was prone to extreme violent fits which her mother couldn't handle, ending up locking her in her room for extended periods. Her father tried to get through to her when he could, but didn't do much better. He disagreed with the duchess's decision to lock their daughter away, but without anyone else to help calm her down, there was little they could do.

After several years they had another child, a son. He didn't share his older sister's violent temperament, seeming every bit a normal, healthy child, and his mother doted on him. One day when wandering the castle unattended, he discovered a locked door and managed to get inside. By the time the older duchess realized he was missing, and tracked him down to the room where his sister had been confined, the girl already had a scissor blade pointed at the boy's neck.

The duchess's screams brought her husband running and they both stood and stared at their daughter, holding their young son with the weapon at his throat. No amount of begging and cajoling would convince her to let him go, until the boy looked up at her. Unlike his parents, he was too young to understand the seriousness of the situation, and so wasn't afraid. Seeing him looking up at her, the girl let him go. The duchess grabbed her son and pulled him away and the tense standoff ended.

The duke asked for the scissor blade and held out his hand, the girl lashing out and gouging it open; when he held out his other hand, however, instead of getting angry with her, she finally relinquished the weapon. He refused to lock their daughter away again--the way she'd reacted to her brother proved, in his mind, that she wasn't entirely broken. Surely they could help her. The duchess didn't want anything to do with her for threatening their son, so he took it on himself, finding her some decent clothes, washing her up, brushing and fixing her tangled hair; before long, she looked like any noble child any family would be proud of. He tried to spoil her and pay her all the attention he could, but it didn't seem to get through to her much; a few times she would hold her arms out to her mother and make noises indicating she wanted to be picked up, but the duchess refused. A chill fell between them and they never grew close, though she did grow close to her younger brother, who would often keep her company and play with and read to her. He didn't seem terrified of her like their parents were.

Klemper stops the story and asks the question that has to be obvious by now: The only people who had been living in the castle were the old duke and duchess, and their son and daughter. The older couple had disappeared into the storm. Now, there's a new duke and duchess, and their son and daughter. "This girl and this boy, this is your sister?--and you?" When Ratdog confirms it--these two children are himself, Adel, and his sister, Edelgard--Klemper then furrows his brow and says, "Then, your mother and your father...they were...?" Ratdog confirms this, as well: His mother and his father were brother and sister, the children of his grandparents. It's never stated outright, but the implication is that his grandparents were also siblings, and who knows how far back this particular arrangement goes.

Klemper then has to gingerly ask: "You and your sister...?" Ratdog shakes his head--no, the two of them were never a couple; although they were likely expected to be, they weren't interested in each other that way. It's obvious now why he didn't want his family tree made out; he again asks Klemper if this changes anything between them. Klemper replies, "It's...odd...but odd things happen out in the country." He would know. Ratdog theorizes that this long family tradition may have contributed to his sister's fractured mental state, though he isn't sure why the same didn't happen to him. Does Klemper want to know the rest of the story? He nods, so Ratdog continues.

Despite their father's, and his, best efforts, his sister was never quite right, and the resentment between her and her mother only seemed to grow over time. Whenever Adel and his father left the castle to go hunting, his father teaching him everything he'd need to know when it was time for him to take over, this left Edelgard at home alone with their mother. The two simply tried to avoid each other as much as possible. Privately, Edelgard would confide in Adel her feelings about their mother, and they were dark ones; he tried to reassure her, but wasn't sure how. The older the two of them grew, the more strained the situation became.

One day Adel went out hunting alone--he was old enough now--while his father remained behind to tend to their mother, who wasn't feeling well. Edelgard of course remained home as well. It was late by the time he returned, puzzled by how silent the place was; sure it had never been noisy what with only the four of them there, but there should have been voices at least, or dinner on the table. He grew uneasier the longer he looked around, but there was nobody on the ground floor; so he went upstairs where the living quarters were. When he reached his parents' room, he finally found his mother, still in bed, but now drenched in blood; his father was slumped on the floor beside the bed with blood pooled around him as well. He panicked at first, trying to wake them, then realizing they were both gone--then breaking down sobbing--then gasping and cringing back when something moved in the corner of the room. Edelgard was there, her own clothes soaked red, though she wasn't hurt. She still held a long, dripping hairpin in her hand.

When he asked her what she'd done, she hadn't much answer, aside from the ever-present enmity between her mother and herself. What about their father, though?--he'd never rejected her, he'd only ever been kind. Why would she kill him, too? Edelgard's eyes grew dark when she described how he'd reacted upon coming into the room in response to his wife's screams. "He called me 'monster,'" Edelgard said quietly, and that was bad enough.

For a few moments it looked as if she would turn the hairpin on him as well, but when he didn't turn on her the way their father had, she faltered. Instead, she advised him to take what he needed, and leave the castle--"Before I hurt you, too. It's only a matter of time, anyway." Despite the horror of the situation he was reluctant to leave her, but had to do so when she started screaming at him in a rage; he hurriedly rifled through the family's belongings, fetched a few things, and fled. Over the next day or so he visited a distant neighbor who was willing to help him settle some monetary issues and trade him a few things he needed; he intended to return to the castle, but a heavy snow fell, delaying him from doing so. When he did return, he found the castle almost exactly the way Dasch's unit found it, with the doors and windows cast open, snow drifting inside and piled into corners and dusted upon furniture. His parents' bodies were gone, as well as Edelgard. After searching the castle from top to bottom he ventured into the woods, calling for her, but there were no prints to follow, nobody to be found. He lingered nearby for a bit, but nobody ever returned to the castle, and so he finally left it, and his name, behind for good.

"You never found her?" Klemper asks. "Alive or dead?" No, Ratdog isn't even sure if Edelgard is dead, though he assumes that, like the grandparents they never met, she simply wandered off into the snow. He himself wandered around a bit before picking a secluded spot to build his own home, where he's lived ever since, when he's not staying in the city. Klemper, who had previously mocked the tiny stone house more than once, refrains from doing so again--now that he knows why Ratdog built it and what he left behind--and instead asks, "Why do you think she ran away? You never hurt her, she never hurt you." Ratdog shrugs and says, "I think maybe she felt she was just too broken and didn't deserve to stay with me. Or that maybe it was just inevitable I'd end up hurting her, too."

Klemper says nothing this time. He's had a very rough life, has been chewed up and spat out more times than he can count, and although he's only around eighteen when he and Ratdog first meet, he's lived through way more awful experiences than anyone should, and it's left him bitter and dysfunctional. Although he wants more than anything to matter to someone else, all he ever seems to end up as is a victim, and by now he just assumes he's too broken to be fixed, he doesn't deserve love, and everyone, Ratdog included, will just hurt him anyway. Ratdog's proven he means it when he promises Klemper he'll be there for him, repeatedly, but Klemper's just been through SO much he can never entirely believe him. Ratdog's description of his sister suddenly hits home hard and he realizes why her story resonated with him. Although their circumstances were quite different, some of the fundamentals are the same. Ratdog's patience dealing with him and his mental instability is because he's already dealt with such a thing, in his own family. Ratdog can tell from the way Klemper falls silent and looks away that this has just struck him, yet he too says nothing.

I believe at some point later in the story Ratdog's true status somehow comes out--it's almost guaranteed for example that the SS, which keeps detailed records on everyone, has a lengthy file on him, especially since he's investigated and even briefly detained when authorities learn he didn't earn his rank in the Wehrmacht and is more of an "honorary" member than anything--and of course Dasch and his unit are surprised by this revelation. Far from it becoming a source of ridicule as he'd expected, Dasch's men seem to respect him somewhat more--he isn't quite the dilettante playing soldier whom they'd assumed he is, although not from a fighting family he's still from old German blood--much like Klemper, despite their vast difference in status--and after learning the ropes he knows how to look after himself. Dasch does take a poke at him here and there referring to him as "Herr Herzog" but it isn't intended maliciously, he grows to grudgingly respect Ratdog since Klemper does. This revelation about Ratdog's personal background might end up benefiting him or the unit at some point though I have yet to determine how.

The rest of Ratdog's plot has developed somewhat since I last wrote about him. It's complex and extended, I've likely gone over parts of it already, so I'll avoid going into minute detail and will summarize best I can. He and Klemper make plans to retire to his little stone house and live there together, away from everyone else but happy; not long after the war has ended, however, while there are still random skirmishes here and there, another German sniper takes a shot at Ratdog but Klemper, hearing it first, shoves him to the ground and is wounded instead. Ratdog brings him home and removes the bullet; they fall asleep in each other's arms after going over their future plans again, with Klemper reiterating that all he'd ever wanted was to know that he mattered to someone else: "I have everything I want." He dies in his sleep, bleeding out from the second bullet that both of them missed; overwhelmed by grief, Ratdog buries him next to the grave of his son Hans, who was killed when only a toddler. He himself is then shot while traveling in the open; his assailant this time is Didrika, a former resistance leader he and Klemper had alternated between fighting against and assisting throughout the war. The three of them had technically been enemies, but more often acted like rivals, with Didrika and Klemper tossing mocking nicknames at each other while Didrika and Ratdog admired each other's shooting skills. Earlier, Ratdog had come across Didrika's lover, Boris, mortally wounded in a ditch; he gave Boris his gun, with one bullet, so he didn't have to bleed out slowly and painfully. Didrika found his body and Ratdog's pistol, and has tracked him down to finish the job. After some back and forth, Ratdog finally snaps at her to kill him: "Go ahead, then! I have nothing left." Instead, Didrika breaks down weeping; she's mourning just the same as he is. Ratdog passes out from blood loss, comes to back in his own cottage, his wound bandaged up; Didrika saved him, unable to bear losing yet another person she knows. Technically they were enemies, but now they're all each other has left. In the absence of the ones they intended to spend their lives with, they become each other's lifeline in the years following the war.

Ratdog and Didrika aren't in love with each other--those feelings they keep for Klemper, and Boris--and they never marry. They do live together as partners, though, filling the void for each other, and have a son and a daughter, Godfrey and Tatiana (named after Klemper, and Boris's deceased sister). Ratdog's family line doesn't die out with him after all. Shortly after both children reach adulthood, Didrika falls ill, and after a time succumbs. Ratdog is finally left alone, and after so many losses--his parents, his sister, his son, his lover, and now his partner--he's barely holding on; the hurt is overwhelming. However, Tatiana tentatively informs him, on a visit, that she's pregnant; she was worried he would be disappointed in her, as she's not married herself, but Godfrey had insisted she tell their father, believing he'd understand, and that the news might help him. Indeed, Ratdog isn't disappointed in her (he'd been a single father himself), and Godfrey promises to help his sister with the baby when it arrives, so everything is well. After the birth Ratdog goes to visit at her bedside and meets his new grandson; he asks what she'll name him. Tatiana peers up at him and murmurs, "I wondered...would it be all right, would you mind, if I named him Hans...?"

Ratdog gives his blessing for his grandson to be named after his deceased son, Tatiana's and Godfrey's half-brother whom they never met. He thinks he hid his feelings well enough, breaking down only after reaching home; Tatiana's decision hits him hard, and he can't handle it. A knock at the door, however, makes him straighten himself out long enough to answer; he's surprised to see Godfrey. Godfrey is sensitive to others' emotions, in some ways much like his namesake, and he knows his father isn't doing well. They talk briefly, Ratdog assuring him he's all right, and Godfrey prepares to leave; at the door, though, he suddenly hugs his father, hard. "I want you to know," he whispers in Ratdog's ear, "I'll always love you. No matter what happens."

His words make it clear: He knows what's been on Ratdog's mind since Didrika's death, during their whole relationship in fact. It was why he urged Tatiana to tell him about her pregnancy while she had the chance. He knows Ratdog's held on as long as he was able, and this is likely the last time they'll talk. And he tells his father, in his own way, that he understands. It's all right to let go now.

Ratdog tells him he loves him and Tatiana and Hans in return. Godfrey promises to let them know, and leaves. Ratdog waits until he's sure he's gone before breaking down sobbing. His heart feels like it's been sucked out of his chest. It's felt that way since Klemper's death. He gets up and digs around in his cupboards, pulls out a large bottle. He gave up drinking years ago, as it reminded Klemper too much of his drunken father. He starts drinking anyway even though it just makes him cry harder at first--"I'm sorry, Godfrey," he sobs repeatedly, hating to break his promise to Klemper. His crying slowly lessens a little the longer he drinks, though, and he pulls himself together enough to write a short note--"I'm sorry, I tried"--which he leaves on the table, setting a glass atop it. He gets up, opens the window and leans out into the snowy air, taking a breath--it makes him shiver, but a few more drinks warm him up again, and he finally starts to feel drowsy and numb.

He opens the other windows, the door, lets the gusting icy air fill the tiny house, snow flitting in, piling into corners, dusting upon furniture. He takes the toy horse Klemper stole from the castle so long ago and holds it close. Then he lies down in his bed, shuts his eyes, and drifts away.

[Edelgard 2023 [‎Friday, ‎March ‎17, ‎2023, ‏‎4:00:23 AM]]

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