#( verse | marina murders. )

[oculiaperticlausi]

apple's place — @demidevildiva

Zekai lays his head on her lap, his eyes focusing on the screen of the television. There was one person on this island he would allow to comfort him like this and it was Apple. It probably helped the two of them have been best friends for as long as he could remember. He places his hand on her knee, brushing his thumb against it. "How are you doing?" He asks softly, lifting his eyes up towards her.

#zekai arlsan — threads. #threads — apple kiraz. #— demidevildiva. #verse — marina murders.

[palmbleeder]

with a taste of a poison paradise,

when: sunday, 7pm.

where: marina funeral home - the morgue.

who: mourad ramzi.

status: oops!

content triggers: poisoning, religious guilt & general pondering, death (in relation to) grief, needles.

Myria had always made all too fun - even more than it usually was, at times. Mourad would hear the music first, softened by the walls separating them in other rooms he's working on and know she'd started her day. Danced along to it when he couldn’t keep her company or when she didn't require assistance in the labs where she takes charge for the most part; Mourad's own work mainly having much to do with directing and presentation.

Tonight and the nights prior since, he had honored her wishes by having Britney provide ample entertainment to her unlively audience and partly himself. He never minded it, however when it came to his own work ethic regarding handling the dead, Mourad's was a little different. He preferred the silence; wishing not to disturb them in the eternal slumber they've succumbed to in ways natural or recently, obscenely unnatural. It also came with personal veering on spiritual views, particularly when it came to handling those of his own religion; a crucial reason why he'd considered an associate degree in mortuary science, he figured the places he'll be in could always use more Muslims in their staff. that included Marina.

Half-jokingly, he'd taught River how to wash him if it was his time to go — ‘I wouldn't want it to be anyone else.’ but what he meant is that it couldn’t be anyone else, as the religion that added a deeper layer to their already-profound bond prohibits anyone else. He'd also reminded himself to keep contact with others capable, in case river couldn't go through with it. It's already so much he would have to do, having to lift him into his grave, all the way back home. he'd already notified his mother that he'd like to be buried there - not France, but home. in Cairo, where her late husband and his father lay, all the way in Egypt. right where it all started; his first life, their first loss. She wasn't too comfortable and half participated in those morbid conversations he'd start casually on occasion but so long as he made his intentions clear, he figured, and cut those with a joke aimed at both his mother and river, ‘Ah, and you'd also get to have me in white for once! isn't that what you've always wanted of me?’

Humming along to Toxic - banger, he'd say if he was normal - Mourad wheeled the second to last cadaver back into its locker and returned to his station with another, tirelessly preparing the body through the easier processes from inspections to wiring jaws and securing lids shut, pouring the embalming fluid into the machine (sweetly named the Cauldron) that stood waiting to roar to life. Just then, the door to the morgue chimed in. They'd hung a bell above as a joke to clock running spirits desperate for a second chance at a life and knowing he wasn't meant to be with company, Mourad peered over his shoulder thinking they'd found their first ghost friend.

Not quite, but a puzzling visit all the same, it seemed.

“I... didn’t think I’d be having a guest over or I would've tidied up, hello." Mourad laughed in his confusion, his brows drawn together, a playful glint in his eyes at his the familiar figure. “What are you doing here? you seem lost, my friend.”

He'd found himself in stranger encounters, he thought, and on a whim suggests the unwise when he piped up; rather rushed, seeing the time.

“Shit. I have to get done here. Just... you don't mind hanging back here, do you? — Yes, perfect! So long as you can stomach all of this, of course - but please careful not to touch anything.”

Almost comical, how they'd barely found a rhythm, how all has gone eerily quiet the second the Cauldron started brewing, even as Britney sang away in what seemed to be the longest song ever compared to what befell him and his living company of the night, how the sensation he'd grown accustomed with to his right is now closer behind, when Mourad felt a rather harsh stab into his neck.

"Ah... Fuck, what the.." Dumbly and slowly, he stumbled back, his hand flying to the offending spot and then everything rushed back; the context, the bodies, Myria, this cursed town. Too late when his side hits the station and he winced before instinctively grabbing at a flying hand latching onto his jaw.

"St...op, what the hell are you doing? What did you do-" confusing himself by his own interrogation in his panic, his heartbeat already racing in trampling, arrhythmic steps made worse by the adrenaline. what else are they doing, Mourad? Their grip on his jaw tightened, almost to keep him quiet but then strangely pulling his jaw apart; open, inviting to something he hadn't known until the other arm came in, holding the tube attached to the machine. No.

It took too much effort left in him to push off; a breathless struggle that he realized, a little after he'd finally managed to send them slamming into the cupboard behind and then leaving him there, that he'd been struggling that entire time. that he was no longer pulling in air into his body, that he'd been fighting a losing battle anyway.

The strangest he'd felt, like a hole sucking inwards into his chest, trapping him in, doubling him over, dragging him knees first onto the ground. His head lulls to the side and there it was, the needle in his sights. Emptied out into his neck what could only be what they'd conjured for the Cauldron. Mourad frowns, This is it, his palms lock onto his neck and he's punching out a few breaths he desperately needs when he remembered, Oh, fuck.

Ash-

Mourad tried to say it. tried to establish the line between himself and his maker, tried to get there. How could he forget?

Ash-h... Shit, shit, shit.

His hands flex as he struggled to draw out more air. His shoulders shake, mourad doesn't realize he's sobbing now. He'd imagined it all so differently; so peaceful, a slumber lowering him into the ground to wait until he's called over. A complete circle of a checkered life, that he'd made amends and made it all better - and he couldn't achieve it now, far too suffocated and overwhelmingly exhausted. An instilled fear he never realized would come to him this way, never thought he'd forget; If you can't say your Shahada, you will never find peace.

No - You have to, Mourad. this is for you and your father, for River to carry you over. His shoulders shake as he renews his resolve. C'mon, die as you lived.

Ash-hadu alla ilaha illa Allah, wa ash-hadu anna anna Muhammadan Rasulullah

Relived, Mourad slumped back and let himself fall way away, his mind swirling; his initial fear overpowered by a last sliver of joy that he did utter it. Not think it, not pray that counts in his slipping mind but that he did say it.

He did say it.

Au revoir. All is well.

Right?

#* — ramzi › scripted. #* — verse › marina murders. #tw poisoning #tw death #tw needles #yuh

[brightstvrlights]

status: open

location: rise and shine

"Seriously? You want to talk theories this early in the morning? Let a man finish his coffee first, damn," Lucas stated half-jokingly as he took a long, welcome sip from his mug. He didn't have many vices but coffee sure was one of them. "My brain can barely put two and two together right now, let alone figure out who murdered Daniela. I still can't believe that even happened here."

#marina:starter #( verse | marina murders. ) #sry to contribute to the starts but come love me

[letters2fiction]

Welcome to Letters2fiction!

The concept here is to send in a question or a letter request, and you’ll get a response from your fictional character of choice, from the list below. Please stick to the list I’ve made, but of course, you can ask if there’s some other characters I write for, I don’t always remember all the shows, movies or books I’ve consumed over the years and I’m sure I’m missing a lot 😅

Status: New Characters added - Thursday March 21st, 2024

TV SERIES

A Discovery of Witches:

Matthew Clairmont

Baldwin Montclair

Gallowglass de Clermont

Marcus Whitmore

Philippe de Clermont

Jack Blackfriars

Sarah Bishop

Emily Mather

Diana Bishop

Ysabeau de Clermont

Miriam Shepard

Phoebe Taylor

Gerbert D’Aurillac

Peter Knox

Father Andrew Hubbard

Benjamin Fuchs

Satu Järvinen

Meridiana

Law and Order:

Rafael Barba

Sonny Carisi

Joe Velasco

Mike Duarte

Terry Bruno

Peter Stone

Hasim Khaldun

Nick Amaro NEW!

Mike Dodds

Grace Muncy

Kat Tamin

Toni Churlish

Amanda Rollins

Olivia Benson

Rita Calhoun

Casey Novak

Melinda Warner

George Huang

Sam Maroun

Nolan Price

Jamie Whelan

Bobby Reyes

Jet Slootmaekers

Ayanna Bell

Jack McCoy

Elliot Stabler

One Chicago:

Jay Halstead (Could also be Will if you want)

Antonio Dawson

Adam Ruzek

Greg "Mouse" Gerwitz

Dante Torres

Vanessa Rojas

Kevin Atwater

Sean Roman

Matt Casey

Kelly Severide

Joe Cruz

Sylvie Brett

Blake Gallo

Christopher Hermann

"Mouch"

Otis

Violet Mikami

Evan Hawkins

Mayans MC:

Angel Reyes

Miguel

Bishop

Coco

Nestor

911 verse:

Athena Grant

Bobby Nash

Henrietta "Hen" Wilson

Evan "Buck" Buckley

Eddie Diaz

Howie "Chimney" Han

Ravi Panikkar

T.K. Strand

Owen Strand

Carlos Reyes

Marjan Marwani

Paul Strickland

Tommy Vega

Judson "Judd" Ryder

Grace Ryder

Nancy Gillian

Mateo Chavez

The Rookie:

Lucy Chen

Tim Bradford

Celina Juarez

Aaron Thorsen

Nyla Harper

Angela Lopez

Wesley Evers

BBC Sherlock:

Greg Lestrade

Mycroft Holmes

Sherlock Holmes

Moriarty

Molly

Bridgerton:

Anthony Bridgerton

Benedict Bridgerton

Simon Basset

Daphne Bridgerton

Eloise Bridgerton

Kate Sharma

Edwina Sharma

Marina Thompson/Crane

Outlander:

Jamie Fraser

Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser

Frank Randall

Black Jack Randall

Brianna Fraser

Roger MacKenzie

Fergus Fraser

Marsali Fraser

Jenny Fraser Murray

Ian Murray Sr.

Ian Fraser Murray

Murtagh Mackenzie

Call The Midwife:

Shelagh Turner / Sister Bernadette

Dr. Patrick Turner

Nurse Trixie Franklin

Nurse Phyllis Crane

Lucille Anderson

Nurse Barbara Gilbert

Chummy

Sister Hilda

Miss Higgins

PC Peter Noakes

Reverend Tom Hereward NEW!

Narcos:

Horacio Carrillo

Peaky Blinders:

Tommy Shelby

Downton Abbey:

Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham

Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham

Lady Mary Crawley

Lady Edith Crawley

Lady Sybil Crawley

Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham

Isobel Crawley

Matthew Crawley

Lady Rose MacClare

Lady Rosamund Painswick

Henry Talbot

Tom Branson

Mr. Charles Carson

Mrs. Hughes / Elsie May Carson

John Bates

Anna Bates

Daisy Mason

Thomas Barrow

Joseph Molesley

Land Girl:

Connie Carter

Reverend Henry Jameson (Gwilym Lee's version)

Midsomer Murder:

DCI Tom Barnaby

Joyce Barnaby

Dr. George Bullard

DCI John Barnaby

Sarah Barnaby

DS Ben Jones

DS Jamie Winter

Sgt. Gavin Troy

Fleur Perkins

WPC Gail Stephens

Kate Wilding

DS Charlie Nelson

Sergeant Dan Scott

NEW! Once Upon A Time

Regina / The Evil Queen

Mary Margaret Blanchard / Snow White

David Nolan / Prince Charming

Emma Swan

Killian Jones / Captain Hook

Mr. Gold / Rumplestiltskin

Neal Cassidy / Baelfire

Peter Pan

Sheriff Graham Humbert / The Huntsman

Jefferson / The Mad Hatter

Belle

Robin of Locksley / Robin Hood

Will Scarlet

Zelena / Wicked Witch

Alice (Once in Wonderland)

Cyrus (Once in Wonderland)

Jafar (Once in Wonderland)

Gideon

Tiger Lily

Naveen

Tiana

Granny

Ariel

Prince Eric

Aladdin

Jasmine

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Hercules

Megara

Tinker Bell

Merida

Red Riding Hood

Mulan

Aurora / Sleeping Beauty

Prince Phillip

Cinderella

Prince Thomas

NEW! The Vampire Diaries / The Originals

Stefan Salvatore

Damon Salvatore

Caroline Forbes

Elena Gilbert

Bonnie Bennett

Enzo St. John

Niklaus Mikaelson

Elijah Mikaelson

Kol Mikaelson

Rebekah Mikaelson

Freya Mikaelson

Finn Mikaelson

Mikael

Esther

Marcel Gerard

Davina Claire

MOVIES

The Pirates of the Caribbean:

Captain Jack Sparrow

Barbossa

Will Turner

Elizabeth Swann

James Norrington

Kingsman:

Merlin

Harry Hart

Eggsy Unwin

James Spencer / Lancelot

Alastair / Percival

Roxy Morton / Lancelot

Maximillian Morton / The Shepherd

Orlando Oxford

Jack Daniels / Whiskey

Gin

BOOKS

Dreamland Billionaire series - Lauren Asher:

Declan

Callahan

Rowan

Iris

Alana

Zahra

Dirty Air series - Lauren Asher:

Noah

Liam

Jax

Santiago

Maya

Sophie

Elena

Chloe

Ladies in Stem - Ali Hazelwood books:

Olive

Adam

Bee

Levi

Elsie

Jack

Mara

Liam

Sadie

Erik

Hannah

Ian

Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros:

Xaden Riorson

Dain Aetos

Jack Barlowe

Rhiannan Matthias

Violet Sorrengail

Mira Sorrengail

Lillith Sorrengail

Bodhi Durran

Liam Mairi

#a discovery of witches #law and order svu #law and order #law and order oc #chicago pd #chicago fire #mayans mc #911 abc #911 lone star #the rookie #bbc sherlock #sherlock #bridgerton #outlander #call the midwife #narcos #downton abbey #peaky blinders #land girls #midsomer murders #once upon a time #the vampire diaries #the originals #the pirates of the caribbean #kingsman #dreamland billionaires #dirty air series #love hypothesis #love theoretically #loathe to love you

[spittyfishy]

Hey, it's me, and I'm asking. Plz explain the dvr3 despair au playlist. Plzzzz

You got it!!

•New Americana by Hasely

This is one of the ones I listened to a bunch while first figuring out the au back in 2022! It’s mostly there for just general vibes for the whole cast

•I Love You Like An Alcoholic by The Taxpayers

This is one of the ones there for Kaito and Maki lol, hard to go wrong with evil ship-y songs

•P.S I Love You by Robin Sparkles

One of the most Remnant Tenko songs ever lol, every part of it fits, she’s going through it lol

•Mary On A Cross by Ghost

This one is there for Angie! Not necessarily for any specific lyrics but just for the vibes lol

•Villain by Stella Jang

Fully a Tsumugi song, largely because there’s a really cool animatic with her to that song on YouTube

•Murders by Miracle Musical

I put this one on there for Rantaro as Kamakura! It has the kind of unnerving vibes I like for him

•The Fine Print by The Stupendium

This just has generally good remnant vibes, and really most villains in general (it’s on my Carmen Sandiego playlist as well)

•The Red Means I Love You by Madds Buckley

Another Tenko one! Focusing on her fixation on Junko

•Killer Queen by Mad Tsai

This one just is for Junko lol, applicable for cannon as well

•Who is She? by I Monster

Also Junko, it’s a really neat song!

•Seventeen by Marina

This one’s there for Kirumi! I think at the time I was thinking it would be good for if the future foundation showed up and tried to reason with her and she was sort of arguing sort of explaining what happened

•Disobedient from Steven Universe

Another Kirumi one!

•Someone Gets Hurt from Mean Girls the Musical

I believe this one’s on there for Junko manipulating Kaito but I can’t fully remember

•Cough Syrup (Glee cast version)

First one we got for Himiko!

•Magic Dance by David Bowie

Another Himiko one, with the others as the goblins interjecting lol. Mostly it works because it mentions magic and that’s her whole thing lol

•Below The Surface by Griffinila

This one’s for everyone! I did an animation with part of it for the au and it was fun!

•Evil Like Me from Descendants

So this is in the context of remnant Tsumugi talking with the tsumugi ai that was put in the neo world program (the Chiaki equivalent) since the ai one isn’t actually in despair she’s just programmed that way lol

•Monster by Beth Crowley

I don’t remember who this was for specifically but really it could fit anyone lol

•We Will Rock You by Queen

I this one was a combo of characters with each verse being about someone else, I feel like Kaito and Kokichi were involved but really you could probably make anyone work

•All Star by Smash Mouth

Another that’s just for the group as a whole!

•Class Fight by Melanie Martinez

Tenko again! I’m pretty sure all the Tenko songs are related to her feelings for Junko lol

•Kiss With A Fist by Florence and the machine

This one if for both Tenko and Angie! Because they do not like each other one bit in the au lol (it also works Really Well for Kazuichi and Gundham lol)

•A Change Would Do You Good (Glee Cast Version)

Junko talking with the whole v3 group

•Don’t Speak (Glee Cast Version)

Gonna be honest I fully don’t know why this is on the playlist anymore lol

•Insane by Black Gryph0n

I think this was for everyone

•Cuphead the Musical by Random Encounters

This one’s for all the remnants planning on what to do with Makoto once the thh survivors defeated Junko

•That Beautiful Sound from Beetlejuice

Remnant Kaito and Maki >:3

•Boys Will Be Bugs by Cavetown

I think this might be the only Gonta song on the playlist, whoops?

•Brutal by Olivia Rodrigo

Another for the whole group! I did an animation for a bit of this one as well

•Smells like Teen Spirit by Nirvana

Whole group!

•Lay All Your Love On Me by Abba

Everyone talking about Junko lol

•Tricks Up My Sleeve by Trixie & The Illusions

Himiko!

•You Give Love A Bad Name by Bon Jovi

I think this is another about Junko

•Mad World by Tears for Fears

Whole group

•Dirty Night Clowns by Chris Garneau

Kokichi I think?

•& by Tally Hall

Just a good remnant song in general lol, for any group of them

•Welcome to the Circus

Kokichi again! I think largely Junko taunting him

•Watermelon by Queen Chimera

Tenko still thinking of Junko lol (when isn’t she)

•E.V.O.L by Marina

Any of the remnant ships, take your pick lol

•Hypnotic by Zella Day

Junko manipulating everyone!

•EVIL by Melanie Martinez

I’m afraid I can’t remember who this was for because more recently I put it on my Akuma playlist for miraculous ladybug (for Vanisher specifically) so now that’s all in an think lol

•Oleander by Mother Mother

Tenko about Junko

•Lights Out by Mindless Self Indulgence

Remnants in general, it’s a fun fight song

•Gross by Penelope Scott

And Tenko once again!

#and I think that’s all of them! #as of now at least I’m always adding more songs as I find them #danganronpa #ndrv3 #v3 remnant au #remnants of despair

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Andrew Doyle

Published: Feb 13, 2024

In his novel Shalimar the Clown, Salman Rushdie traces the deterioration of Kashmir from a place where Muslims and Hindus could live together in peace and co-operation to a country ravaged by conflict. This descent is signalled early in the novel with the arrival of a character called the Iron Mullah, a blood-and-thunder preacher with “skin the colour of rusting metal”. We think his name is metaphorical, but the Iron Mullah had risen from the scrapheaps of the Indian army, the junkyards of weaponry and tanks that have been left to decay. When he arrives, he removes his turban and raps his knuckles against his own head so that the locals can hear the metallic clang. It’s Rushdie’s way of portraying the idea that it was the actions of the Indian army that gave rise to the appeal of Islamic extremism in Kashmir.

Soon after the appearance of the Iron Mullah, a local Muslim man challenges him.

“Be off with you. We don’t want any trouble, and you, standing here in the middle of our little town and yelling your head off about the punishments of hell – you look like trouble to me.” “There are big infidels,” replied the stranger calmly, “who deny God and his Prophet; and then there are little infidels like you, in whose belly the heat of faith has long since cooled, who mistake tolerance for virtue and harmony for peace.”

For the likes of the Iron Mullah, moderate peaceful Islam is just another form of heresy. He soon has a mosque built in which he preaches from a pulpit made of scrap metal, old bits of radiator and “bent fenders spearing upwards like horns”. He is a frightening and ridiculous figure, but everyone is too intimidated to laugh.

Religious intolerance is something that Rushdie has had to live with for most of his life. Whereas extremists cannot reason and therefore resort to violence, Rushdie’s power has always been in his words. He is one of the handful of living authors whose work I genuinely adore, and Shalimar the Clown is undoubtedly my favourite. His depiction of Kashmir’s degeneration from an ecumenical paradise to a sectarian warzone is heartrending. It was published in 2006, seventeen years after the fatwa issued by the Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran following the publication of Rushdie’s novel The Satanic Verses, and surely the Iron Mullah was inspired by these experiences.

That evil spectre of the Iron Mullah was resurrected in August 2022, when an Islamist fanatic attempted to murder Rushdie at an event in New York, leaving him struggling for his life in hospital with multiple stab wounds. And although there was widespread condemnation, the silence from the Royal Society of Literature was curious to say the least. This week, fellows of the RSL have come forward to criticise the charity’s leadership for not being forthcoming on condemning this atrocity. The RSL’s former president, Dame Marina Warner, has said its leadership refused to issue a statement in support of Rushdie’s right to free expression because to do so “might give offence”. Do knife-wielding maniacs really deserve all that much consideration?

The RSL’s current thinking on the subject was outlined in a piece for the Guardian by its president, Bernardine Evaristo:

“Finally, to the matter of “freedom of speech”. There’s no question that the current leadership believe in this. However, the society has a remit to be a voice for literature, not to present itself as “the voice” of its 700 fellows, surely a dangerous and untenable concept. It cannot take sides in writers’ controversies and issues, but must remain impartial.”

The best response came from Rushdie himself. “Just wondering if the Royal Society of Literature is ‘impartial’ about attempted murder? (Asking for a friend.)”

Apparently, remaining “impartial” means not issuing statements of support for authors when there are attempts to cancel them both figuratively and literally. When activists hounded the poet Kate Clanchy with spurious allegations of racism and ableism in her award-winning book Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me, the RSL were mute. “They would not make a stand about the attacks on Clanchy,” said Warner, or any kind of defence “for all writers facing these social media attacks”.

In recent years, we have seen attempts by activists of many stripes to conflate language and violence, to claim that offensive words can cause the equivalent of physical harm. By this kind of twisted logic, bloody repercussions against authors and artists can be deemed a form of self-defence. A survey of American students in 2017 found that 30 per cent of respondents agreed with the statement: “If someone is using hate speech or making racially charged comments, physical violence can be justified to prevent this person from espousing their hateful views”. In this regard, today’s identity-obsessed self-proclaimed “social justice activists” have something in common with the mullahs of Tiran.

[ Protesters gather outside of the Batley Grammar School in West Yorkshire ]

Consider what happened to the schoolteacher at the Batley Grammar School in West Yorkshire who, in March 2021, was suspended for displaying a caricature of the Prophet Muhammad during a lesson on free speech. The protesters that gathered outside of the school couched their objections in terms of “safety and well-being”. One read aloud a statement in which the school authorities were accused of failing in their “duty of safeguarding”, and the teacher himself was charged with “threatening and provocative” behaviour. Here we saw a sinister alliance of religious fundamentalism and “safetyism” (a term coined by journalist Pamela Paresky to denote the elevation of emotional “safety” to a sacred value). The teacher from Batley Grammar is still in hiding to this day; I would suggest that his safety ought to take priority.

When activists say “this person makes me feel unsafe”, they are effectively saying “I don’t agree with this person and I want them to be censored”. Depressingly, this tactic generally works. Event organisers, school authorities, and employers feel obliged to act because they are gulled into believing that this is an issue relating to their legal duty of care. But disagreement and causing offence are not a threat to anyone’s safety, and we need to stop pandering to anyone who claims otherwise.

Of course, the RSL is not responsible for violence against authors, but they could at least offer their vocal support to the principle of artistic freedom. Let’s not forget that there have been many commentators over the years who have tacitly blamed Rushdie for writing his book in the first place. I recall one of teachers at school making the case that Rushdie “should have known better”. How exactly? The Satanic Verses is a brilliant and thoughtful work of fiction, and I daresay my teacher hadn’t even read it. 

At the time of the fatwa, there seemed to be endless debates in the media over whether or not Rushdie deserved our sympathy and police protection. A case in point is the singer Yusuf Islam, otherwise known as Cat Stevens, who appeared on the Australian television show Hypotheticals soon after the fatwa was declared. When asked what he would do were he to encounter Rushdie in public, Stevens said that he would inform the Iranian authorities of the author’s whereabouts. As a grim final flourish, he went on to imply that he would rather enjoy the prospect of watching him being burned alive.

In a civilised and free society, it shouldn’t be all that difficult to reach a consensus that violence is not an appropriate form of literary criticism. Or that one of the most important novelists of our time should be entitled to write and say whatever he pleases, just as all of us should be entitled to write and say whatever we please.

I can’t help but think that we, as a society, failed the test of upholding artistic freedom at the time of the fatwa in 1989. We failed again after the massacre at the Charlie Hebdo offices in January 2015. At first, there were widespread declarations of “je suis Charlie”, until the inevitable victim-blaming began. PEN America initially showed much-needed support with a freedom of expression award for the satirical magazine. But then thirty-five writers signed a letter protesting against the decision on the grounds that Charlie Hebdo had mocked a “section of the French population that is already marginalized, embattled and victimized”. This is to misidentify the target. The cartoonists weren’t “punching down” at the Muslim minority. The target was God, and you can’t punch much higher than that.

And if you haven’t read The Satanic Verses, I suggest that you do – not because of the controversy, but because it’s one of Rushdie’s best. It was only a subplot of the book that caused the offence, those sequences based on the founding stories of Islam. The novel is really about the immigrant experience of living in London, but with the author’s characteristic touch of magical realism. It has one of the most audacious openings of a novel I’ve ever read, with the two principal characters – Gibreel and Saladin – falling from the sky from an exploded jumbo jet, dancing and singing deliriously as they tumble towards London. The novel is exhilarating, moving, and frequently funny; I can’t help but notice how many of Rushdie’s critics seem to lack that all-important sense of humour.

Of course, this wasn’t really about people reading a book and being offended by its contents. This was about philistines who hadn’t read the book and who were offended anyway because some Iron Mullah had told them to be. And when it comes to freedom of expression, we all need to be a little braver. We need to remind those who complain about works of fiction that their offence is their own business. They don’t get to decide what other people should or should not read, which cartoons should or should not be drawn, which ideas should or should not be ridiculed or critiqued.

In his memoir Joseph Anton (the pseudonym that Rushdie adopted during his time under police protection), Rushdie includes this letter to a reader:

“Thank you for your kind words about my work. May I make the elementary point that the freedom to write is closely related to the freedom to read, and not have your reading selected, vetted and censored for you by any priesthood or Outraged Community? Since when was a work of art defined by the people who didn’t like it? The value of art lies in the love it engenders, not the hatred. It’s love that makes books last. Please keep reading.”

And that’s exactly what we should do. We need to keep reading, in spite of those Iron Mullahs of the world who would compel us to stop.

#Salman Rushdie #Andrew Doyle #freedom of speech #free speech #freedom to offend #offended #blasphemy #safetyism #blasphemy laws #censorship #islam #this is islam #islamic violence #Cat Stevens #Yusuf Islam #Charlie Hebdo #religion is a mental illness

[subconsciousmysteries]

Reading my descriptions of 8, they sound a lot like how people describe 7… the stuff about being impulsive and seeking experience > deep thoughts and needing to get in touch with your inner curiosity. which makes me wonder if I’m a mistyped 7. But then I go back to the fundamentals of what 7 is — loss of Holy Plan, and all the 7s in my life who embody this as their core fixation by constantly living out 10000 half-baked plans — and I’m like… nah. I relate heaps to 7 as any 8 will (plus my fix is 6w7), but there are strong differences between me and 7 cores. Mainly… they are hyperactive and struggle to stop moving. I’m hypoactive and depressive, even though I have an active mind and I will be determined af when I make my mind up. The 7 cores go wide, and I go deep. They have 483838 games in their steam library and are constantly seeking to try new media. I obsess over the same six games and struggle to detach from my attachments to these same six games to try new games. The 7s are just faster and shallower than me. They resist 5, I disintegrate to 5 and I have a bunch of 5 stuff constantly occurring in my life, such as aforementioned minimalism and over attachment to the little I let myself have. With being so hypoactive I would sooner be a 9 core than a 7 core. But all 8s I’ve met even crazy jail going 8w7 murderer gang lord 8s have this slowness and heaviness to them which distinguishes them from 7s.

7 and 8 are supposed to be similar and difficult to distinguish. Even 7w6s and 8w9s. The same way that it’s impossible for someone who isn’t well versed in ennea and isnt one of these types themselves, to tell 4s / 5s and 1s / 2s apart, it should not be straightforward to tell 7s and 8s apart. 8 is not always obvious. 8 is not the obnoxious boss screaming in your face archetype. That’s Superego and Competency types (with the exception of 5). I stand by my conviction that 8 was ruined by all these obnoxious Te 1s and 3s and 5-fixed 8s who injected all their Te competency shit into 8. 8s can behave domineering and control our space (we often do without even realizing) but all this stuff about us knowing who we are and where we’re going in life is crock. 8s are almost equally as chaotic and lacking in foresight and true introspective ability as 7s are. including 8w9s. 8w9s have an illusion of stability and groundedness and normalness (7-8 liners truly have none), we often tap into the 9-ish ritualism behavior instead of constantly pushing forward with new endeavors and imposing ourselves onto the world like our double assertive siblings. We fall prey to addictions a lot. Anyways dig beneath the surface and you’ll quickly see the retarded impulsive behavior and lack of direction in life and all over the placeness in any 8w9. It’s almost always written off by dumbogram people and Te people who think they’re 8s as something else. Becuz they made 8 into a type that’s all about *marina voice* I know exactly what I want and who I wanna be… but this isn’t 8. It never was.

#I’ve been in many ennea groups #some mainstream some not #the impossible distinction between 4/5 and 1/2 is a theme #yet people think 8 should always be immediately obvious and never confused with anything else #where’s the symmetry in this mentality ? #Musings #Even myself I can’t tell 7s and 8s apart #I mean sometimes the multicolored grimes 7s just scream out at you #most of the time it’s a gray area tho #some 8w9s seem 7 cuz they talk a lot #8w9-6 is a chatterbox #I’ve heard of one other case and she also never shuts up #7 vs. 8 #enneagram 7 #enneagram 8 #7w6 #6w7 #7w8 #8w7 #8w9 #9w8

[daandyli0n]

aight! time to give some ""playlists"" for my dsmp ocs (playlists in quotes because it's more like links to the songs on youtube) in what i call the "original eight" universe (chesnut, quill, marsh, avi, hawk, iris, cassia, and wilt)

@sunviolet77 if you wanna see this

i'll add in the links later cause i'm not at my computer right now.

here we go (some characters will have more songs than others):

chesnut:

"crybaby" by melanie martinez

"welcome to the internet" by bo burnham (this one feels like it's more from the perspective of c!dream to chesnut)

"devil town" by cavetown (the original version)

quill:

"drugs" by upsahl (this was basically quill first joining the server)

"people i don't like" by upsahl

"sippy cup" by melanie martinez (just the general vibes and also for this line: "He doesn't think I'm That f**king dumb, does he?" which would probably be them referring to c!dream)

"drama club" by melanie martinez

"therefore i am" by billie eilish

marsh:

"six feet under" by vane (remove the romantic vibes from this and the song could be about marsh coming to terms with the fact that c!dream never truly cared for him. also, the part at the very end gives me the vibes of the threat c!dream gave marsh)

"paranoia" by neoni (marsh post-prison break. the actual verses are marsh singing about how he and everybody else in las nevadas are panicking while the chorus is c!dream being an a**hole pretty much taunting marsh over how terrified he is)

"look who's inside again" by bo burnham

"c'est la vie" by weathers (marsh moving into las nevadas)

iris:

"are you satisfied" by marina and the diamonds

"feel better" by penelope scott

avi:

"monster" by dodie (this is purely for the fact that this is basically her voice claim)

"hermit the frog" by marina and the diamonds (for the vibes and the line of "Did you find your b***h in me? Oh, you're Abominable socially." which i feel is directed towards c!dream)

"in the woods somewhere" by hozier (gives me vibes of avi post-hawk's disappearance, as hawk went missing in the woods)

"housewife radio" by ghost (song is about a woman who murdered her husband and couldn't deal with the guilt. gives me vibes of avi attempting to deal with her grief by listening to recordings of hawk's former show recordings)

"lotta true crime" by penelope scott

hawk:

"colorbars" by ghost (gives me alive hawk vibes)

"broadcast illusion" by ghost (gives me ghost!hawk vibes)

cassia:

"american healthcare" by penelope scott

"our word" from 36 questions

"born2run" by penelope scott

"self care" by penelope scott

"i deserve to bleed" by sushi soucy (warning: the song discusses self-harm and someone's desire to do it. the lyrics that i can see really fitting cas are "They say that it gets better, but I guess that was a lie. I guess we all just fake it til we die. Sympathy and love we can extend to someone else, but it's harder when you have to love yourself..." yeah, cas really isn't doing well...)

wilt:

"american healthcare" by penelope scott

"our word" from 36 questions

"novocaine" by creep-p (this song gives their vibes Perfectly)

that's all i've got currently. i'll add links later.

#dsmp oc #oc: chesnut #oc: quill #oc: marsh #oc: avi #oc: hawk #oc: iris #oc: cassia #oc: wilt #the original eight

[oculiaperticlausi]

deadly inks — open

Jesse sits in the dark parlor, leaning back against the seat in her section. Their secret literally died with her, one that will never pass his own lips which was why he came here. No eyes. No conversation. Just silence. He exhales as he stares at the front door as if she's going to walk right through, her trademark grin and the way she mutters what he's waiting for. He chuckles softly to himself, looking down for a second... at least until the bell rings. His eyes lift up, wondering if maybe it was all a lie... when he realizes it's not her standing there. He clears his throat. "What's up?"

#jesse marino — threads. #marina:starter #verse — marina murders.

[palmbleeder]

open starter – post fright fest, same night @ ambiance. directly after the interrogations.

while still seemingly quite tight-knit but not that small of a town, marina was certainly much nicer than some places he’d been in. szymon wasn’t made out to be a transient freak outright but he knew his place all the same and as disappointing as it was, it never really mattered. little did when he’s on the go and a sense of freedom comes with that limited duration of perception imposed on him. nothing said could be true or false even when he does his best at leaving behind positive notions and kind farewells. it could matter now, though. it should matter, and he wouldn’t even blame them. szymon had heard of it before he’d seen it; the commotion behind him when he stood at the ring toss booth, all boisterous grins and proposed challenges, the dread before the absolute horror: the slow fade from laughter and happy sounds miscellaneous turned into murmurs and gasps of shock. by the time he’d made way over; the red and blue a distance away beckoning him, she was already getting pulled away on a stretcher. there was crying he’d heard, too – sobs, some shouting that made him wince. a pain in his chest he knows will keep him awake at night. his feet freeze on the ground where he stood, unable to do anything else but let dread wash over the confusion he’d come with. this is fucked up, still stunned but he manages to step away now and check on what vibrates in his (faux) leather trenchcoat. it’s much worse when he reads over what was being said, his other hand fidgeting with the won toy in his pocket when he finds a lamp post and dutifully stands by it upon hearing orders of remaining put until accounts are taken. he stays there until his turn comes, offering his own with his breath nearly restricted the whole time. he finds himself at the bar & grill when all is cleared and he’s good (well) to go – sat on one of the barstools and seeking comfort in a pint he takes measured sips of, not quite ready to go home yet – by foot or if one of his roommates was awake or around. shifts in his seat when he’s aware of the stares casted upon him by some of the patrons and szymon gets it – the crow’s eric draven. not the most friendly-looking costume but he had all the pieces, the face paint already a staple and simply was a fan. it only made sense. he’s not nearly panicked and alone for longer when the door rings someone in who then stands close by the counter. “hi,” breathless, shaky with a timid smile when they share close vicinities at the counter and an urge stirs ever slightly when the bartender comes by to take their order. “oh, I got it –” he speaks to the bartender first as he fumbles for his wallet and then directs a smile at fellow patron. “no, really. it’s on me. please, enjoy your drink.” perhaps a reassurance sought in a small act generosity and human contact. maybe to remind himself he’s not a freak and he doesn’t have to be perceived as such, maybe to assure them he’s not a freak, only simply here and shaken all over.

#marina:starter #* — sigurdsson › scripted. #* — verse › marina murders. #alcohol tw #this is way too long and the first two paragraphs are licherally only context so worry not!

[brightstvrlights]

closed for Parker - @oculiaperticlausi

"Was startin' to think you were gonna stand me up," Dylan greets, opening the door with a smirk to Parker, who had lived up to her promise of providing tequila also. Stepping aside, he waves her into his lounge room that also doubles as his kitchen. "I even cleaned up for ya."

#( parkerdavis. ) #( dylan | parker. ) #( verse | marina murders. )

[demidevildiva]

welcome to marina, SPENCER ELMWOOD ( nonbinary, they/he ) ! they are a TWENTY EIGHT (ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY) years old DOPPLEGANGER who resides in TOWER HILL. They work as a STRIPPER AT PINK PARADISE/SERVER AT SIMMER DOWN and are said to look a lot like QUINTESSA SWINDELL. People around the island find them to be COMPASSIONATE and ADAPTABLE, but also VULNERABLE and FEARFUL. what do you think? TW: drugs, overdose mention, death

𐦍 VERSE UPDATE 𐦍

Name: Spencer Elmwood Birthdate: Jan 5th Sexuality: Bisexual Specie: Doppleganger Occupation: Stripper at Pink Paradise and server at Simmer Down Birth Place: Hell's Kitchen, New York Residence: Tower Hill Height: 5'7" Definable Marks/Tats: n/a

[ background ]

Spencer was born Claire Smith to two loving parents. Their mother passed away from child birth, and their father raised them on his own as best as he could.

Their father was a member in a gang for majority of their life. He sold drugs amongst other things that Spencer was not privy to. At the age of fifteen their dad tried to run away with him to Marina. They were here for a total of three years before they were found and forced to go back to the states.

Spencer ( Claire at the time ) and their father made a promise to one another to go back into that life long enough to gather up enough money to find a safe place to live and change their names for extra security next time they were able to run away.

While back in the states their father fell into a deep depression due to not being able to provide them with a safe place to call home anymore and he began abusing drugs. Spence was there through it all, and eventually was able to get him to stop using and focus on getting better so they could escape once more.

The gang figure out their plan and before they were able to leave Spencer's father was murder and they'd be next in line. He he didn't have much time prepare so they just took off leaving everything behind.

Finding their way back to Marina, Spencer found a job and before long they met another person that would become their reason for living. The love of their life they thought and the two soon became an item.

But luck was never on Spencer's side and soon the two began to argue over Finn's addiction to drugs. Spence did their best to help them through it - same as they did with their father all those years back - but he didn't understand the gravity of Finn's addiction until it was too late. Then he died...

After Finn's death, Spencer was overcome with so much anger that they shut themselves away from the world. It wasn't too long before they couldn't stand being in Marina surrounded by the people who reminded them so much of him so they left again.

During their time away, Spencer heard stories of people being brought back from the dead. This fueled them to come back into the island and do everything in their power to find someone willing to help him do just that. No matter the price.

[ headcanons ]

Roommates with Robin Shrike!

They wear masks to cover up their features whenever performing at Pink Paradise to remain somewhat anonymous

Working multiple jobs in case they find someone to help them bring back Finn and all they want in money :/

Super close with the Fowlers - like family (just love me ok?)

[ wanted connections ]

Friends! They've been back in the island for at least three years now so snatch him up pls

Exes - most likely on bad terms. He's really obsessed with Finn's memory. Has commitment problems cause they truly believe they will bring him back.

Work buddies who go out drinking/partying outside of work

Music friends - he's been very neglectful on it but loves music regardless

Friends with benefits, hookups, one night stands, booty calls

#marina:intro #lol did not reread/edit sooo #yeahhhhh

[creatureshrieks]

Also updates to Laurie's ST verse because pumpkinstabs is so so so good<3 for all purposes when referring to Michael in this verse it'll def be... Marina's, LOL

Laurie's mother ends up killing herself sometime after Michael kills their older sister, unable to cope with the loss in her family, and it's after this that Laurie gets put into foster care. Her records are still sealed by the governor to distance herself from her family in order to protect her.

Michael returns to Hawkins due to getting the mental help he needs - which is bad news for Laurie! Unfortunately, given the fact a lot of people aren't too happy about an actual murderer coming into Hawkins, people talk. Information spreads. And eventually it gets found out Laurie and Michael are related - especially since Mikey tries to connect with Laurie and she is NOT having it.

Laurie's social standing plummets with everyone except her friends, who are more concerned about her being related to a 'psychotic killer' than anything. She still becomes the victim of bullying, mostly people taunting her that Michael is going to probably snap and kill her too OR that she's probably just as weird and crazy as he is. Laurie's relationship with her parents also suffers and she distances herself from them due to them 'lying' to her for her whole life.

Laurie eventually approaches Michael herself, though it's less out of wanting to connecting with her brother and more out of wanting to know about her birth family.

When connected with Marina's Mikey, the age difference between Laurie and Michael is reduced to one year instead of 4. She's a junior while he's a senior. She was 5 when Michael killed Judith

#tbt #hehe #all that glitters is not silver (ooc)

[allamericansbitch]

Hey everyone! Here’s this weeks (june 13 - june 20) addition to my Creator Shoutout Series! For info about the series, I explained it in the first post here, but generally, it’s to show appreciate to editors and their creations that i love from the past week. To track this series or look at previous shoutouts, please check out the tag on my blog *creatorshoutouts. Have a great week everyone!

22 music video gifset by @tis-thedamn-season

olivia rodrigo graphic by @fairchance

rachel green + outfits (s1) gifset by @herrmione

1989 (taylor’s version) cover concept design by @summertimelover555​

superstore gifset by @livelovecaliforniadreams​

dakota johnson gifset by @ginnyweasely

willow music video + outfits gifset by @newrcmantlcs

brooklyn nine nine + four elements gifset by @ameperalta

taylor swift ‘lyrics mentioning colors’ gifset by @nobodynocrime

legally blonde gifset by @genyasafins

letitia lewis in lovecraft country gifset by @aubrey-plaza

taylor swift ‘tonight i’m gonna dance!’ gifset by @bybdolan

that so raven gifset by @thankunnext

cruel summer gifset by @fromthepedestals

anya taylor joy gifset by @hunterschafer

1989 as 80s adverts graphics by @indemne

olivia rodrigo graphic by @dancearoundallalone

school of rock gifset by @bongjoonsho

taylor swift graphic by @mlssmlsery

selena gomez gifset by @selenaigomez

reputation tour gifset by @sandersdocs

megan fox wearing roberto cavalli (aka snake dress) gifset by @rogerdeakinsdp​

1989 cover redesign concept by @cellphonehippie

law & order: svu gifset by @lucifersmorningstar

folklore album redesign graphic by @dyingday

maddy perez (euphoria) gifset by @hecthers

schitts creek gifset by @davidbrewer

you belong with me gifset by @ed-gamble​

how to get away with murder gifset by @pietro-maximoff

red album redesign by @bybdolan​

solar power lyrics + paintings gifset by @buffyscmmers

evermore graphic by @moonshalf

bo burnham make happy vs. inside gifset by @inejghafta

olivia rodrigo drivers license gifset by @corqeliastreet

taylor swift graphic by @mytaylor​

ready or not gifset by @neve-campbells

spider-man: into the spider-verse gifset by @pietro-maximoff

lorde solar power graphic by @cruellesummer

taylor swift + olivia rodrigo music video parallels gifset by @hermionegrangcr

megan thee stallion gifset by @thankunnext

david rose (schitts creek) gifset by @graceryders

red (taylor’s version) gifset by @jakeperalta

halsey gifset by @demonzplay

jess marino (gilmore girls) gifset by @luke-danes

taylor swift art by @swiftie13aya

janelle monae gifset by @aubrey-plaza

carly rae jepsen/taylor swift gifset by @hermionegrangcr

buzzfeed unsloved gifset by @nessa007​

taylor swift reputation graphic by @dyingday

nightcrawler gifset by @samaraweaving

red (taylor’s version) gifset by @nessa007

eleanor shellstrop (the good place) gifset by @montygreen

taylor swift red art by @becasketches

zoe kravits gifset by @daisylouisejohnson

marina - ancient dreams in a modern land gifset by @starcatching

taylor swift gifset by @jonismitchell

rachel green (friends) season 1 fashion gifset by @foxmudler

hannah montana the movie fashion gifset by @vought

red (taylor’s version) graphic by @graciesabram​

olivia rodrigo good 4 u gifset by @binariesuns

jack antonoff bleachers gifset by @ramonapest​​

red (taylor’s version) vinyl design concept by @morgenthaus

us (2019) gifset by @dwaynejohnsn

the road to el dor​ado gifset by @bongjoonsho​

reputation (taylor’s version) vinyl and merch concept ​ design by @twinfiresign

nick miller (new girl) gifset by @chrishemsworht​

taylor swift 1989 gifset by @messitups​ ​

pride & prejudice poster gifset by @prideandprejudice

willow​ and evermore book concept design by @sadbeautifutragic

red (taylor’s version) graphic by @londonsboy​

halsey manic + music videos gifset by @queenofbadlands​

taylor swift red (taylor’s version) icons by @seegoldendaylight​​​

#*creatorshoutouts #olivia rodrigo

[sciatu]

MARINA DI PATTI - foto di Marco

Oggi i miei pensieri non vivono ne di amore ne di arte. Vogliono solo una spiaggia vuota dove stendere al sole il mio nulla e nutrirlo di ricordi e di rimpianti, non per fuggire al mondo ma per capirlo, desiderandolo.  Abbiamo questa capacità, noi poeti inutili, di rivedere continuamente il film della nostra vita, di seminarne i giorni in lunghi solchi di parole attendendo nuovi germogli con cui nutrire le nostre inquietudini assassine; noi anime incerte, usiamo questa droga legale, questo metterci sotto il microscopio di versi e di allucinazioni verbali per concepire quel  che siamo,  tra canzoni nazional popolari e rime ermetiche da amanti disperati. Ma ora, solo una  semplice spiaggia dove cambiare pelle come le serpi, amare questo mare indifferente ma che ci accetta per quel che siamo, sotto questo  sole dominante, questo silenzio riempito dal vento, queste piccole onde che portano ricordi e rubano malinconia. Solo una piccola spiaggia vuota di anime, dove lasciare libera la poesia e farla correre tra la sabbia rovente, la labile schiuma e il cielo silenzioso.

Today my thoughts live neither on love nor on art. They just want an empty beach where I can lay out my nothingness in the sun and feed it with memories and regrets, not to escape the world but to understand it, wanting it. We, useless poets, have this capacity to continually review the film of our life, to sow its days in long furrows of words, waiting for new buds with which to nourish our murderous anxieties; we uncertain souls, we use this legal drug, this putting ourselves under the microscope of verses and verbal hallucinations to conceive what we are, between popular national songs and hermetic rhymes of desperate lovers. But now, just a simple beach where you can change your skin like snakes, love this indifferent sea but which accepts us for who we are, under this dominant sun, this silence filled by the wind, these small waves that bring memories and steal melancholy. Just a small beach empty of souls, where you can leave poetry free and let it run among the hot sand, the fleeting foam and the silent sky.

#Sicilia #Sicily

[oculiaperticlausi]

in his car — open

There's a thud, a thud that causes his eyebrows to scrunch together. He peeks his eyes open, raising his head up to see someone standing by this window. He jumps, a hiss leaving his lips as the pounding in his head is almost blinding. "Jesus, what's going on?"

#mateo mitchell — threads. #marina:starter #verse — marina murders.