#I would very gladly submit to the eye for knowledge because not being able to get information makes me want to throw my laptop out a window | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

apparentlyaswarmofbees · 3 years

Note

I've been asking around this one question for a few people now, because I like hearing what people have to say about it...

So I wouldn't mind it if you shared a list on who's your favourite (from Most to Least) from the Obey Me! Crew (Brothers & Formally Undatables)...

Also, please feel free to ramble on about why you placed them in each space...

O-oh dear-

First off, you spoil an infodumper like me too much lol (I am happy sfjsjjdjn) and I am going to go overboard (and changing the order of things) for my own pleasure.

And so...

Second off...

Gladly

Here is My List of LEAST to MOST Favorite of The Obey Me Boys ^^

That I just did on spot because I didn't have one ready because it's hard for me to rate the characters as they all have their traits and even their flaws add something good to the character but I'll be dammed if I don't enjoy deep frying my brain for fun.

Please take note I am taking this literally and all characters in here are FAVORITES, just some will be more and some less, which mean I LIKE ALL OF THEM. Yes, I have changed my opinion on a certain two characters I have said to not like, and I am not ashamed to say I was incorrect.

So let's start this off with the right foot shall we?

#12 | Diavolo

He is still infuriating I won't deny that. And I won't pity him though he is a tragic character that is so lonely he overrates any kind of affection, that doesn't know how to interact with others without exagerating, that has no one to give an oposing opinion because of his status and so it's increasingly hard for him to learn to make good decisions, and with his goal to unite the realms I could almost say he is naive. He's a bit of a puppy always wanting some pets, but as a not dog person, I don't have enough in me to be always playing, so to me an overly needy puppy can end up getting annoying, though of course, I can't help it but at least give it a few pets before going my way.

#11 | Simeon

Yes in the end I actually liked him all along but was just in denial after I thought about it. Simeon is a good character, he's a dick even though he's an angel and he doesn't bother to be any different, he definetelly has his own set of rules he follows and I believe he would be a Chaotic Good just like me. He's well made. And as much as he is pretty unlikeable, the mystery, the questions, the fact that he has always been the same we just didn't get to interact with him much to see it, to have a naturally asshole character put down some of his walls to help us even if part out of possible self interest. And of course he's also fun. Simeon is charming, and I have come to appreciate all of him.

#10 | Luke

A kid. A brat and a tsundere. I Absolutely love the character development and it's extremelly adorable. He's now officially our guardian angel and I love that. He was just a prick that I rolled my eyes so hard whenever I encountered him in the game and now he's just a lil' bratty brother that is fun to tease and squish the cheeks off. He's a really nice kid in the end, just previously ignorant, but still nice because he was willing to learn and change despise saying he didn't want to. I personally can understand Luke as I was pretty alike as a kid. Again, he's a nice kid I would gladly buy some balloons and cotton candy for.

#9 | Barbatos

The number 1 buttler, he's just, a good dude l o l. He has his distance from everyone due to his position but that doesn't make him any less interesting. He is mysterious and powerful and yet he feels, so chill. He's also fun and actually has a pretty soft personality in which he knows exactly when to switch off to strict. He's a character I respect and wish existed in real life so I could be friends with (╥﹏╥).

#8 | Solomon

Shady sorcerer is actually a pretty good guy though mildly insane. He is actually responsable (and takes it pretty seriously seeing he's basically the representative of the human realm). He's kind though again, mildly insane, and diligent. He may have terrible food but the fact he does it with good intentions is pretty adorable, he just likes to follow his instincts and be spontaneous because he likes new and exciting things. He probably has quite a bit of angst to him due to his not only immortality in not aging but also by not being able to be killed but even so it feels that, contrary to how many human immortals end, he still hasn't lost the light in his eyes and can still enjoy things and enjoy being alive, and that is most likely thanks to other immortal/long living beings such as demons.

#7 | Lucifer

Yep. Lucifer is actually a really fucking great character, he's fond of his family, hard worker to the point of destroying himself, self punisher, elegant, pretty af, cute at times. But not exactly my most favorable cup of tea. Seeing I can see through his bullshit all his posessiveness, all his pettiness, all his actions just becomes ridiculous and annoying. And theres also a problem with the fact we always end up submiting to him, I don't want that. For every time he disrespects me I want him to kneel and kiss my feet. His pride collides with my own, and his decisions do too. But even so he is very reliable and so he has my respect for that, I do want to hug him and tell him he deserves nice things and that he can rest now this is not the war anymore you don't have to bow down to anyone anymore you didn't doom your brothers but freed them instead, but then again he makes bad decisions because he has zero braincells for emotional intelligence and that pisses me off and makes me just want to yeet him off a cliff. Yeah Lucifer, I would gladly kick you in the balls with ♡°.•love•.°♡.

#6 | Leviathan

Surprising is it not? But it's true, I often focus on Levi due to him not only being pretty alike to me but also because he's related to many things I have been familiar with since I was born: animes and games. His anxiousness is relatable, the outcastness is relatable, the awkwardness is relatable, the obsession is relatable, the references are relatable, the infodumping is relatable. He's very relatable to me, but not my most favorite, and all because of his envy. He's a guilt tripper, and though I am long immune to it in real life due to extreme exposure to it from my family, it still is enough for his rank to go down. I still love him though, but mostly as the character that represents the thing I am most familiar with in life: myself.

#5 | Beelzebub

Big puppy, he's the type of guy who will talk to plants. He has big and strong hands that could crush anything and yet he will do his best to handle some things gently. He's chill and non judgemental, loyal to the core. Once you win him over, you win him over, he would die for you. He is purposely childish at times and it's cute. He is amazing. I wish I could enjoy eating like he does. He's the only character I truly feel hurt for, as he is deeply inflicted by survivor's guilt and it just pains me I can't comfort him because he isn't real ಥ‿ಥ

#4 | Belphegor

Hoh boy. The brat. The fandom itself is pretty divided on their liking of Belphie and it's understandable lol. But I personally understand Belphie. To hide hurt behind anger, hate and spite, to turn to agression to prove a point but you end up just fucking up. But the guilt and wish to fix things can lead one to giving themselves up, and so it becomes a constant battle of getting close but not too close for the sake of both parties involved. I get this boy more than I wish I ever did, and that's why he's high on the ranking. And because he's cute ngl.

#3 | Satan

H o h b o y, another one that reminds me of myself, only it's the aftermath of the above where one bottles up all their negative feelings because being emotional is not being rational and who the fuck even wants to not be rational. Where you have no fucking idea who you are because all you know is to stomp your feet and scream for the sake of making an statement but that just proved all your enemies a point so now you turn to smarts to prove yourself. To make others angry, to make them frustrated and infuriated with your knowledge because you want to prove yourself, be reconized for who you are, to be someone and also, hopefully, change other people's ways, to make them understand they are wrong because you deep down actually want to get along with them. Yeah, Satan is high on the list, and it's also because he likes detectives uwu.

#2 | Asmodeus

What a fucking icon he is I love him okay. It frustrates me when people use cheating as a angst prompt for him as he's obviously someone who just isn't made for monogamy, and he's pretty honest and I feel he would have nothing to hide and would talk it all out with all his partners. He's a sweetheart that works hard on daily basis and hour after hour to mantain an image, he likes the attention, he wants to be loved. If anyone mildly self centered ever told me 'I love you as much as I love myself' I would marry them on spot. Asmo is just incredibly sweet and I love all his affection and respect him for all the work he does to make a good impression and look up to that self confidence even though most of it is actually just him trying to convince himself. Also perfect example off gender is an ilusion lol.

#1 | Mammon

Yep, our number 1, The Great Mammon, the most lovable dumbass that has been by our side from the start though with a bit of whining. This man is perfect. He has incredible self control over his powers, and as someone who used to be an angel to be able to use money all you want bro. I wouldn't feel bad either. He's our protector from start to end to the point he focuses on us instead of the queen in the Dame event. He isn't stupid just has selective focus just like me! And all the people with ADHD and many other neurodivergents. When he wants something he does is perfectly and diligently, he just needs the right push at the right time. He's the most good of all demons and even angels and he loves all his brothers deeply, he is always there to support everyone to the point of even allowing himself to be the punching bag for the sake of them not turning too much on one another. He was literally our first SSR card, our first call, our first pact, our first and the best. He IS great, truly.

#god I need to sleep #any typos are due to sleep deprivedness and I will be fixing later #obey me #obey me!#obey me shall we date #obey me! shall we date?

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blueprint-han · 3 years

Text

a musical encounter.

pairing: music major senior!han x music major junior!reader

genre: university (?? idk) au; fluff.

⇥ warnings: very terribly™ written by a person who has a -8.9 knowledge in music, also the singing parts are not very well described and this may seem incomplete because i’m trying to force teach myself to write short, but oh well 🤧 I wanna write a longer fic based on this in the future hhhhhhhh. me after writing this fic: wow i really clowned myself at “short fic” didn’t I 🤡 also not proofread so be mindful of errors and google autocorrect <//3

word count: 1.7 K 🤡

⇥ disclaimer: this writing does not aim to represent the activities of the real Han Jisung, nor does it represent JYPE in any form. Events are pure fiction. ♡

type: blurb drabble 😭 (why can I never write sh0rt hmph >:( )

network tag: @stayverse @districtninewriters @inkidz + @sunoo-luvs

part of: the url drabble game; requested by @missinghan :’’) (requests for this are closed now!)

!!; song y/n is imagined to sing here is ‘Freedom 90, the Pitch Perfect Version (of course, with pre added acappella). You may find the song here, if you wanna listen to it. hhhhhh this is based on my rusty research about music equipment (which may be wrong) so if this is not what it’s supposed to mean please go easy on me. 😂

↯ note: hhhhh okay so this one has no direct mention or relation to your url but I rather picked it up from your url ~vibes~ (since the only idea that was dropping into my head was making han go missing ufhurg) so I hope you don’t mind ! Hope you like it uwu 💓 Happy reading. <3 Again this will not compare to your writing queen, but I tried. 😔 ⇥ dawn.☀️

“Gosh, this is a music recording, not a date — what’s there to be scared about?” Your friend chided, setting up the mic and the filter as you panicked behind the glass. “You’re a music major! Isn’t this supposed to be what you do?”

“You’re saying that like you aren’t one, and you totally didn’t freak out two days ago, Sana.”

Sana huffed, shaking her head before moving to connect all the wires in place. “Yeah. but…” Her voice came out low when she crouched down to fix all the wires. “The nerves shake off eventually. You’ve nothing to worry. Did you hydrate?”

“I’ve been sipping on this water bottle for the past half an hour!” You sighed, walking inside the booth to stand next to your friend. “And what do you mean ‘shake off’ — you mean that time you ‘accidentally’ broke the headphones when you wear putting them on?” A bite of your lip to stifle your laugh, and Sana’s mouth dropped open in disbelief.

“Wow, you’re gonna-” She slapped your arm after getting up. “-bring that up even though we had an agreement that we’re gonna keep it a secret?”

“Okay, ouch that hurts!” You chortled. “There’s no one here though, I still kept my promise.”

“Yeah right, in a rented schoolroom studio, with cameras everywhere.”

“They still wouldn’t be able to hear me, right?” You pointed out, bursting into a fit of giggles, nervousness be damned when Sana pouted in defeat.

“Fine, now help me set this up. Come onnnnn…” Your friend shook your arm violently to kick you out of your laughter. You shook your head, crouching over again to fix the wires while your friend set up all the equipment outside the booth.

“All set?”

“Yeah…” You took a deep breath fixing your dress up a bit before reaching your hand out, fitting the headphones snug over your ears. Your eyes caught on something black lying on the tables, and you pointed it out.

“Whose headphones are those?” You pointed out, and Sana looked to the direction. “Eh,” she brushed it off. “Probably the person who’d received this room to record before, they’ll take care of it.” You tucked a loose strand of hair behind your ear, nodding. “Now come on, let’s start. We have to submit this tomorrow and I have a movie date, so it can’t get later than this.”

“Alright,” You chimed, clearing your throat once, twice before inhaling deeply. You were surely nervous before, but somehow singing always helped you disconnect from your surroundings, it was your escape — one of the main reason you’d chosen music technology in a heartbeat when you found out it was an option for your major.

“Ready? And, go.”

Sana hit a button, causing soft music to play through the headphones, a melody she’d carefully crafted over nights of 3 am coffee and many, many texts to you — most of them saying “I wanna sleeeepppppp waaaaa”. You’d obviously heard it before but you realised why it took her so long (nearly a week), because it was near perfection.

“Heaven knows I was just a young boy~”

The song went pretty smoothly on the most part, with Sana stopping you in between verses and and going over parts she wanted you to repeat, which you gladly complied. She was the senior, of course.

When it cam down to the last verse, about half an hour had passed — and you felt pretty good about it. your vocals were shining pretty well and blended with the music perfectly, which put you at ease.

“Okay, let’s finish this.” Sana said, focused on changing up the settings, before giving you a countdown, hitting play. You closed your eyes, taking a deep breath as you waited for the beat drop to end, leading to your high note. That again. went pretty well, along with the rest of the song, finishing it up with an exhale.

When you removed the headphones and got out of the booth — you met the eyes of someone you did not expect to see standing there.

“O-Oh, hello Han-ssi.” You bowed down in gratitude, overly surprised of his presence.

Han was, just like Sana, your senior. He was one of the best students in your academy — of course, scoring the highest grade in all of his tests. Many would say otherwise because of his tsundere nature, but you could tell that he had a burning passion for music under those eyes. You’d listened to his tracks in various events your university hosted — and safe to say you were in love with his music. He had a way of making his tracks sound so… real? And natural — the kind that you wouldn’t get bored of no matter how many times you heard it.

Han bowed back and mumbled a silent “hello~” back to you before extending hia hand past you to grab the headphones placed on the table. Ohhh, so that’s why they were familiar. You’d noticed them hanging around his neck multiple times on campus.

Once he’d chatted with Sana and you for a bit (more Sana than you) and bowed before he left, you grabbed Sana’s arm before pulling her towards yourself.

“How long was he here for?” You whispered, a pout on your face.

“Umm, I think throughout the last verse?” Sana shrugged.

“What?” Your shoulders slumped. “Didn’t he come to pick up his headphones?”

“Are you seriously getting flustered right now?” Your friend narrowed her eyes playfully, making a teasing noise as she pushed at your shoulder.

“Ah,” You rolled your eyes. “Stop being so teasing, I’m just a little shy of anyone else hearing my singing.” You flapped your hand to brush her statement away — before she could say something or point it out how evidently flustered you’d grown of the fact that your role model — the Han Jisung — had listened to your music.

“Well, you’re a music major, kid. Get used to it.”

And with that, Sana bid her goodbye to you, helping you wrap up the place before hopping down the stairs, earphones plugged into her ears as she hummed a tune all the way.

You silently stood in front of the elevator, playing with the hem of your sleeves as you waited for it to arrive. Curse at your studios for being on the last floor of the building, waiting for the elevator seemed like an eternity.

You also didn’t notice the random person that stood beside you. it was getting late anyways, the sun was almost close to setting by the time you were done, so it was only obvious that the remaining students would go home.

“So, you sing?” A very familiar sounding voice echoed in your ears, and you flipped your head to the side, once again meeting the eyes of someone you didn’t expect to meet right now.

And of course, if was Han Jisung.

Now that you weren’t freaking out (but you were close to), you could focus on him a little more properly, and you immediately noticed the headphones hanging around his neck, again. He had a large black hoodie on, his hands were shoved into his pockets and his hair was neatly combed and parted. If you had to describe him in three words, it’d be “messy but clean”.

“Oh, h-hello again.” You bowed.

“Hi!” He reciprocated your actions, looking at you. “My question?”

“W-what?” Your eyes widened as you fiddled with the edge of your shirt.

“You sing?”

“I-” You started. “I do, I’ve loved singing since I was six.”

“Oh.” Jisung nodded, letting his words trail of for a second. “You sing really well. I listened to that last part of the song — really well done.”

Tensing up, a smile tugged at your lips. “R-really?”

“Yeah,” Jisung chuckled. “You have a pretty voice, Y/N. And that’s a genuine compliment.”

“O-oh.” You felt yourself grow bashful of his presence all of a sudden, your cheeks feeling hot as the heat spread to your cheeks. “Thank you.” You mumbled, diverting your gaze from your eyes as you tucked a strand of hair behind your ear. “That’s so sweet of you to say.”

“I mean it.” The boy said, frowning. at the sight in front of him — your eyes drifting from place to place and the way you shifted from one foot to other — you seemed to be uncomfortable, but in reality you just didn’t know how to respond. “You okay?”

“A-ah, I am, it’s just.” Moving your hands around, you tried to put your thoughts into words, only to fail miserably, before you sighed and collected yourself. “I just really like your music a lot, and I…” You trailed off, rubbing at your shoulder. “Kinda look up to you, so hearing you say that, it just means a lot to me. Thank you”

The boy standing beside you beamed like sunshine at your response, gently poking at your shoulder as he eyes you mischievously.

“You look up to me, huh?” He giggled when you stumbled over your words, bringing a hand to rake through his hair. “You’re adorable, I’ll tell you that too.”

“Oh my god stop, do you want me to combust?” You laughed, the nervousness laced throughout your statement.

“Okay fine,” Jisung nodded, attaching his headphones to the audio jack of his phone, rummaging through his playlist. “You wanna come to my studio once?”

“What?” Your head snapped in his direction, eyes widening as you took in what he said, excitement filling your veins? Han Jisung’s studio? Seeing him make music in front of your eyes? Is this a fucking dream?

“I mean, only if you want to, of course. I was just asking because you seemed like you’d like to see my music making process. You don’t have to say yes though.”

“Oh gosh, no, I’d love to!” You yelped, stopping him in his tracks. He smiled gently, nodding at you as he scratched his chin in thought.

“So, tomorrow morning is fine?” He looked at you with almost, almost pleading eyes, and you felt like your heart melted into a puddle on the spot. He was cute.

You smiled, shyly nodding as you quickly went through your schedule in your head. “I can work with that.”

“See you tomorrow morning then.” The elevator chimed, the doors sliding open as the both of you got in, giggling at each other.

You couldn’t wait for tomorrow morning, that was for sure.

*silently puts on clown hat and leaves*

↯ note: 🕯️ ignore me this is just a small prayer that tumblr doesn’t make me battle the tags yet again 🕯️ may the tumblr gods be in my favor atleast this once ;-; 🕯️ ⇥ dawn.☀️

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spneveryseason · 4 years

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Yes hi please elaborate on your many not good thoughts about the S10 finale because I would LOVE to sip some of that tea 🙃🙃🙃

Oh god...ok I’m gonna try to put it into words so I hope it makes sense.

So this finale always made me feel kinda...icky. Lots of ppl LOVE it bc they love the symbolism of Sam just letting this happen, of submitting to Dean’s will and eventually letting himself die in order to save the world. Usually it’s seen as some sort of expression of their ultimate love for each other and trust in each other, and “close your eyes, Sammy” is sort of inducted into the hall of “deep meaningful phrases that define the brothers’ relationship”. But...I don’t know. I definitely didn’t see it that way at all.

I talk about it a bit here but basically after the season trajectory of Dean growing more and more menacing and dangerous, after the mark began to overtake him completely, after the “it should’ve been you up there...” I don’t buy it. I know Dean flips it last minute, I know that he’s able to overcome the darkness and save Sam, I know it’s a reversal of Swan Song, but I don’t think we look at this scene uncritically at all. We like to see the surface meaning of this scene: Dean loves Sam so much he kills Death to make sure Sam doesn’t die. And that’s true. But there’s so much more than that going under the surface.

With the context of what we know about them up until now, there’s just something here that feels kind of disturbing. Having Sam, fresh out of a desperate quest to heal Dean that led to Charlie’s death, a year out from being gaslighted into carrying an angel for months without his knowledge, two years from being actively suicidal and wanting to die because he felt like he was hurting people with his very existence, three years out from intense hallucinations due to his PTSD, kneel down and accept death gladly because it comes from his brother...it places Dean almost as a deity to Sam. He’s been Sam’s stone number one for three years, and it clearly didn’t end with Cas taking in the Hell trauma. Sam will always submit to Dean on this: if Dean tells him he should die then he will. And it’s that willingness to obey, that acceptance of Dean’s word that he should die being enough, that I find very upsetting. Not only that, but it is when Sam submits that Dean is able to back out of killing him. It is only when Sam stops fighting back that he is seen to be worthy of living, and when he fights, when he puts himself first, he is painted as unworthy of his continued existence.

I’m not saying it’s bad to like this scene, or think it’s great: hell, the scene is sacrifice that I love probably has as many issues. As does the final confrontation in Swan Song. But I think we have to look at it with a more critical eye and acknowledge that there’s lots more at play here than it may seem.

#anti dean winchester #just in case #speaks

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the-littlest-goblin · 4 years

Text

Everyone pretend I posted this on Monday for @shadowgast-week day 3: ritual

Also, I’m sorry.

_______________________________________________________________________

Everything about this is wrong.

It’s wrong that they’re doing it here, in the desolate ruins of Molaesmyr, further scorched and destroyed by the battle that took place.

Essek’s presence is wrong, a lingering shadow at the edge of the Mighty Nein’s united fellowship. What insufficient aid he was able to contribute to the fight, he is even more useless now.

And, of course, the most egregious inaccuracy that the universe has allowed to take place: the limp body lying in the thin dusting of snow, red hair and purple coat as bright as gemstones against the gray-white ground.

Someone has closed his eyes, Essek can see now, even from here. But he still knows what it looked like to see the life leave those eyes, the utter wrongness of dull vacuity where there should be a sharp spark of intelligence.

He will never be able to forget it.

The weak sunlight glints against the diamond that Jester produces from her haversack, almost the size of her fist. She exchanges a whisper with Caduceus, holding the gem out between them, uncertain. He inclines his head, touches her shoulder with a gust of warm, divine magic. Jester heaves a deep, steadying breath, and kneels next to the body.

“What the fuck are you doing.” The wet, raw voice is not asking a question. Essek didn’t notice Beauregard approach him, too focused on the scene unfolding a few yards away. A fist wraps around his forearm hard enough to bruise. He doesn’t resist as she drags him into the circle they have formed, but a distant part of him is idly curious that she does not understand what he knows so intrinsically: he should not be a part of this. This is a sacred, delicate ritual, and he is a blight on all that is holy and pure.

Still, once there, he can’t find it in him to argue the point, and none of the others protest as he stands among them.

He waits for someone to point out the obvious, because this is his fault, beginning to end. His actions led directly to this. Essek’s treason allowed Ikithon the dunamantic power that he’d wielded to such devastating effect before they could subdue him, and it was Essek’s spell that failed to bring down the mage before he landed the killing blow.

But no one speaks. No one even acknowledges Essek beyond a gentle pat on his shoulder from Caduceus.

Jester raises her hands, about to begin the ritual.

“Wait,” a voice cries. It is his. The others all look at him in shock.

He shuffles over to Jester, reaching into his components pouch for the pearl. Understanding dawns on her face as he holds it up to her forehead and murmurs the incantation.

She smiles at him weakly in gratitude, tears brimming in her eyes and falling over the well-worn tracks down her face.

Essek has never witnessed a resurrection ritual before. Apparently, this is a first for the group as a whole. While Jester continues the somatic motions, muttering a prayer under her breath, Caduceus explains,

“We can help her. The ritual requires three offerings - words, objects, whatever you can give to the soul to help it return.”

Veth steps forward immediately. She barely needs to lean her halfling body down to press a kiss to Caleb’s pale forehead. She slips the button necklace from over her head and clasps it around Caleb’s neck, then begins to speak.

Essek barely processes her words. He hears them, listens to them, feels them, but if asked to recall her speech later, he would be unable to quote a single phrase. The same for when Beau steps up, the unrestrained anger in her tone at odds with the tenderness of her words.

She finishes with a watery sniff and a swipe at her bloodshot eyes. The others begin to look across the group, exchanging silent questions of who will go next, who has something to coax Caleb’s soul back to them.

It takes Essek several seconds of dumb blinking to realize that all eyes have turned to him.

He doesn’t move.

It’s difficult to keep secrets when traveling with a party like this, as Essek quickly discovered. He knows that they all know, to varying degrees, about the unnamed, unspoken thing that has built between him and Caleb over the months. But it still feels wrong, because they are the Mighty Nein, and he will always be an outsider, and Caleb is first and foremost one of them before he is Essek’s... whatever he is.

Jester pauses her spell to smile up at him. “I think he would like it, if it was you,” she whispers.

Essek has never been able to turn Jester down. Even back when he was ingratiating himself with them only for self-preservation, she had opened her arms and gazed at him with doe-eyed expectance, and the notoriously cold and calculating Shadowhand of the Bright Queen had leaned in and let himself be hugged for the first time in decades.

Gazing back at Jester’s encouraging expression, he becomes aware of an idea in the back of his mind, percolating silently through the whole ritual without his conscious acknowledgement.

He steps forward. Dropping to his knees next to Jester, he opens his component pouch once again and summons his spellbook from its pocket dimension.

Tether Essence ends when one of the targets fall unconscious. He has never tried casting it on a dead person. Probably no one has, because it is clearly pointless.

Veth and Beau both said something as part of their offering, so Essek speaks as well, as he gathers the elements of the spell together.

“When I met you, Caleb Widogast,” it feels strange, addressing the lifeless corpse, but he forces himself through the awkwardness, “I thought that I had at last found an equal. Over our early conversations, I saw how smart you were, how capable, how adept with magic. After years of always being the smartest person in any room - as I thought, in my arrogance, that I was - I had finally met someone I could engage with on my level.”

Heat rises in his cheeks, aware of the Mighty Nein all listening raptly.

“Eventually I realized how wrong I was, because we are not equals; you are so far beyond me in every way. Smarter, wiser, kinder. You proved to me by example that intelligence does not have to mean detachment, that one can pursue the kind of knowledge that we do without cutting themselves off from the world. From friends.”

And here, he risks a glance around. Jester smiles at him encouragingly.

“My soul was damned long before you found me, and I thought that that was the end of the story. But you knew better. You took it upon yourself to guide me beyond my own myopic world and showed me that there was still more I could do. That I could balance the scales, if I wanted. And you were willing to show me how, when there was nothing in me that should have merited a second chance.

“I am still a mere student in the study of atonement. I am not ready to lose my teacher. Please. I can’t do it without you.”

He releases the spell at last. He submits to it willingly, feels it latch onto himself. He altered the mechanics slightly - experimental, probably not advisable outside of laboratory conditions, but needs must - so that it spreads not just to his physical body, but deep into the core of his soul.

He feels it fizzle and snuff out on the other end, Caleb’s body no longer capable of receiving that kind of magic. He sighs, dropping his hands in defeat. He knew it would happen, but that doesn’t stop him from being disappointed.

Except...

The spell is still up. It’s not supposed to work unless it holds on both targets. Essek can still feel the magic humming through him, which means that somewhere beyond this plane of existence, his spell has reached Caleb’s departed spirit, linking them across life and death.

He leans back, but stays kneeling, scared of somehow breaking the tenuous connection.

Jester’s voice grows louder as she reaches the culmination of the ritual, beseeching her god with a conviction in her voice that penetrates the very atoms of their surroundings.

They all wait with bated breath, trembling in fear and suspense. Jester brings the diamond down on the center of Caleb’s chest, and it shatters into a millions tiny motes of dust, glittering and joining the snow.

Essek has never witnessed a resurrection ritual before. He doesn’t know how to read this, if the component shattering means success or...

Caleb’s eyelids flutter. Once. Twice. They open slowly, drearily, like he is merely waking up from a deep sleep.

The spark of life in them is blinding. Essek would gladly stare at those sky-blue stars for the rest of his days.

#critical role #cr fic #shadowgast #shadowgast week #critrole #my writing #largely unedited (compared to my usual process)

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inukag-week · 4 years

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Acceptance

Submitted by: @shupadoop

It’s not the smoothest writing, but I’d be damned if I’d missed day 1 of my first Inukag week because of lack of editing time. Warning: smut ahead (near the end). Length: approx 6 pages. Sorry I’m Posting a day late. I didn’t realize I still don’t show in search results :’(

Can I really never go back? A full week passed since Kagome was forcibly removed from the time that she had long called home. Every day that week she checked on the well twice; once before school and once right after. And sometimes when she thought she heard Inuyasha’s voice on the wind, but it was always her imagination.Another week passed and the faux-assured smile she always wore was starting to fade.

“Kagome, this is the most days in a row we’ve seen you all year! We’re so glad you’re feeling better. But is something bothering you?”

“I just can’t believe I’m able to be at school so much now. It’s kind of a shock coming back.”A third week and her perfectly practiced smile was gone completely.“Kagome, why do you look so sad? Did something happen with your delinquent boyfriend?”

“Did he secretly like that you were sick and needed him and now he can’t handle your independence?”

“Did he see you flirting with Hojo and got so jealous he bolted?”

“He’s gone far away and I can’t see him anymore.”

“He went to a foreign school? That’s too bad, but I bet it will be really exciting when you can finally visit him!”At that Kagome started to sob.————————————————————————————————

“Miss Higurashi, we don’t normally make exceptions, but given how sick you’ve been, we want to make sure you have every chance of getting into a good high school. We’d hate to hold you back for something beyond your control. We are happy to reschedule some of your tests so you have extra time to study and we can arrange for you to have some one-on-one time with some of your teachers. Please, just let us know how we can help. We’re relieved to see you back at school.

”I can’t say no to that. Even if I could go back-She broke her thought to avoid further crying.

“… Thank you. That’s very kind. I’ll work my very hardest.”

————————————————————————————————

It was true that throughout her time in the Feudal era, (lack of) studying made her panic, but it was also a welcome relief from the tension of being in constant life and death situations. Now that it was all she had to do, it felt so pointless.

I could be helping orphaned children, or cultivating medicinal plants, or…

But she couldn’t. Once again she was just a school girl.

As she studied more and more, Kagome went to the well less and less, only occasionally stopping by when she could no longer bury her grief beneath her studies.

“Hey, sis. I thought you’d given up checking on the well.”

“Of course I haven’t, how could you say that?”

“So you really think Inuyasha will be able to make it back here some day?”

“Of course he will!”

Won’t he?

She turned back to the house for dinner when her mother called to her.

“Hey, Kagome, Mrs. Hojo gave me this plant. She said it’s been used for hundreds of years to treat inflammation. Have you seen it?”

“Yeah, Kaede taught me about it. I used to prepare it all the time for Inuyasha, even though he insisted he didn’t need it. You grind the leaves and use it topically.”

“We have a patch of dirt in the back that is mostly full of weeds now. I thought it could go there. Maybe you’d like to tend to it?”

“… Yeah. … I guess I would. Thanks, mom.”

————————————————————————————————

Even when her heart wasn’t in it, Kagome was always true to her word. She studied as if her life depended on it. She got excellent marks, even in math, and started high school with her friends.

“We are finally in high school! This is so exciting! I heard they have great sport programs here!”

“You should try out for Basketball, Yumi; you tower over everyone else since that growth spurt.”

“I’m going to try swimming.”“How about you, Kagome?”

“Huh? Oh, uh, I don’t know. I’m not really good at sports.”

“What do you mean? You were always on the winning team when we played in class. And you looked so healthy every time you came to school even after you’d been off sick for so long. That must indicate you have a strong physique.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

They were walking together to the first day’s assembly when Kagome caught something in the corner of her eye that made her freeze, causing a pile-up of new students behind her.

Kikyo!?

She ran to the window overlooking the courtyard for a better view.

No. Not Kikyo. Just an upper year with their hair tied low… holding a bow?

“Maybe I��ll join the archery team.”

“Really? That would be great, Kagome. I’ve heard archery is really hard and this school has one of the best teams in the country.”

“That’s it. I’ll try out for archery.”

As you might expect, Kagome easily beat out the competition. Firing at a still target was nothing after purifying tiny jewel shards embedded in wriggling demons. She became the youngest competing member on the team, and shortly after, the youngest team captain.

“We’re so proud of you, Kagome!” said her mother, after hearing the good news. “You must be enjoying high school then.”

“… Yeah,” still a touch of longing in her voice.

“What subjects do you think you’ll focus on?”

“I really don’t know. It all felt so far away before, and now the decision is right in front of me. I have no idea.”

“Why not history?” suggested Souta. “You could study the feudal era. You’d have a big advantage over everybody else. None of you classmates have lived it.”

“Yeah… I guess that’s true.”

The following morning after breakfast, Kagome grabbed her bag, and her bow and arrow set, and left for class, glancing at the well that she no longer visited, but was still present in the back of her mind.

History. Why not? It’s not the same as living it, but maybe it could bring me some peace now that I’m cut off from that world. Maybe I’ll finally learn why demons no longer live in Japan.

“Help, stop him! My puppy is in that bag he stole!”

Kagome ran the rest of the way down the steps to see the urgent scene ahead. Instinctively she grabbed one of her heavy, rubber-tipped practice arrows and shot the thief straight in the neck. She did a running slide toward him, catching the terrified puppy. Unaware of what she was doing, she started to rub its pointy ears.

“Miss, thank you! That was incredible!”

“Oh, you’re welcome. Don’t mention it. Happy to help.”

When did I get so capable?

In fact she was always capable. She thought back to one of her earliest adventures with Inuyasha when she helped an angry spirit find Nirvana. Inuyasha told her he knew nothing of spirits and she’d have to figure it out on her own. And she did. When did she become so reliant on others?————————————————————————————————

Throughout high school she become more and more self-assured. She rivalled Hojo for the title of Most Likely to Have a Home Remedy on Hand. She led her archery team to victory in nearly every match. She settled on history and biology as her focal subjects - I might as well make use of all Kaede taught me about plants, right? - and her time in the past started to feel less like reality and more like a wonderful dream she always knew she would have to wake up from eventually.“

Kagome, do you know which university you want to go to? I was thinking of this place,” she thrust a brochure into Kagome’s hands. “It’s far, though. I hope I know someone else going. Then we could be roommates.”

“Yeah, I was thinking about going there too. They have a really good horticulture program, and a great history department. Let’s be roommates!”After a few late nights, and just a couple tears, Kagome graduated high school with excellent exam results to start university. She immediately joined the archery team, and created a spin-off team where she worked with kids in difficult situations teaching them to channel their anger into the bow instead of a more dangerous vice. Her and Yumi’s apartment became known across campus as the breathing room. Flowers and herbs climbed the walls, and Kagome gladly shared her knowledge with anybody who asked.

“Everybody should know. There is so much basic first aid you can do at home with these plants. You wouldn’t have to worry about emergency runs to the drug store.”

From the outside Kagome’s life looked perfect. From the inside, she couldn’t complain, but there was still a loneliness she couldn’t overcome. She tried to date a bit throughout high school, but the boys around her were so boring. In the past it annoyed her to no end that Inuyasha couldn’t put the thought of Kikyo to rest, but at least his story was a real tragedy that would be difficult for anybody to overcome. She just found herself with loser hung up on their exes.

“Come on, Kagome, they weren’t all so bad. What about Mizore’s brother? He was sweet. And didn’t you say he was a good kisser.”

“Yeah, but… I just didn’t feel anything in the end.”

She didn’t feel anything because she didn’t want to feel anything. But she knew this couldn’t last. She wouldn’t be truly happy in her present until she could fully let go of the past she knew she’d never see again.

At this rate I’ll die an old maid. Do I really want to be celibate the rest of my life? I’m sure even jealous Inuyasha wouldn’t wish that on me.

————————————————————————————————

“Kagome, are you sure you don’t want to come to the party? There will be lots of cute gu-uys.”

“Yeah, I’m sure. Thanks, though.”

“Come on, I thought you wanted to meet a nice guy. You have to get out there eventually.”

“I know, but my shoulder really hurts after archery. I’m just not up for it tonight. But invite me next time, I promise, I’ll put the effort in.”

“Okay. I’m going to hold you to that.”

I know I have to make an effort. But I can make the effort next week, right? I’ve waited this long.

After Yumi left Kagome’s phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Kagome. Will you be home tonight.”

“Hi, Souta. Yeah. I’m not going anywhere. Why?

”“I have a surprise for you. Expect the doorbell to ring in 10 minutes.”

“10 minutes? How can you get here so quickly?”

“You’ll see.”

She swore she heard a giggle as Souta hung up the phone.

She went to the kitchen to make some tea. 10 minutes passed and she heard a knock. She walked across the apartment to open the front door, “Souta?” but nobody was there. Maybe someone else tried the wrong door? When she turned around she nearly screamed. Perched on her window ledge was Inuyasha. She rushed to let him in.

“I can’t believe you’re here. I thought I’d never see you again! I checked the well all the time for months, but it seemed so hopeless.”

“I thought I’d have to give up too. But Sango and Miroku had their third child yesterday and I couldn’t help but think of the life I’d hoped you and I would live. I had to try one more time.”

“I’m so glad you did.

”They started to lean in, but the tension of years apart made them hesitate.“Kagome, you aren’t seeing anybody else, are you?”

“No. Are you?”

Inuyasha just laughed. With that, Kagome threw her arms around his neck and kissed him like nobody else ever had. And nobody else ever would. A kiss that made his head spin and his blood run hot. With her nails she traced lines down the sides of his face, past his neck and onto his chest. She started to pull apart the fabric of his iconic red outfit. He stared at her in disbelief.

“Don’t you want to?” she asked. “After all this time?”

“I - uh… I-“

“I do.”

His look of confusion turned to panic. He didn’t know what to expect of Kagome after more than 3 years, but he definitely didn’t expect this. She was no longer the girl who blushed at the thought of boys and shielded her face from any hint of nudity. She was a confident woman who went after what she wanted.

“Didn’t you once tell Miroku it’s only a fool who refuses a woman who offers herself?”

“Did I?” panic turned to horror.

“Well?”

She smiled at him, and his expression eased. He allowed himself to be guided to her bedroom.She locked the door and resumed where she had stopped. She slipped her hands beneath the fabric that covered him and exposed his chest and shoulders. Then she undid the ties of his hakama and let everything fall to the floor. She stared hungrily at his naked body.

“Are you afraid to undress me?” He was. “I won’t stop you.”

Slowly Inuyasha undid her buttons and pulled the shirt down her arms and to the floor. Then he ran his hands down her back to undo her bra clasps and skirt.Finally she removed her panties and sat at the end of her bed, waiting to see what he would do next.

He sat down beside her, clearly afraid of making a wrong move. She hopped into his lap and locked him into a deep kiss. She was so wet and dripping onto his erection that grew bigger with each passing second. She rubbed herself up and down his length and he thought he might burst on the spot.

“Not what you expected to find, huh?”

“No.”

“Better?”

“Yeah.”She motioned for Inuyasha to move further up the bed. “Let me get a condom. You’re in luck, the nurse’s office was handing them out this week.”

“What’s a condom?”

“It’s so that I won’t get pregnant.”

“… Don’t you want to?”

Kagome laughed. “Eventually. Not right now. It would be too hard with school”

“School? It’s been 3 years, didn’t you already have school?”

Kagome laughed again. “I’ll explain later. For now, we need a condom.”

They slithered up the bed so she could pull one out of her bedside table. Inuyasha moaned as she slipped it on him, and then slipped him into her. She ground herself into his lap, steadily rocking back and forth, her hands tangled in his beautiful silver hair. He raked his claws gently over the soft skin of her thighs and she thought he might end her then and there. An explosion went off somewhere inside of her and she began to bounce on him, pushing her clit into the base of his shaft with every movement. She squealed and arched her back while Inuyasha squeezed her breasts and kissed her neck. When her breathing calmed back down he flipped her over and thrust against her most excitable spots. She screamed and dug her fingers into his back.

“Do I need to slow down?”

“NO!”

He started to moan while she screamed from the wonderful pressure he created inside her.

“I love you, Inuyasha.”

At that he came undone.

When he finally caught his breath he said “I love you too.”

For a moment they basked in the warm after-glow, but soon the sticky reality got the better of them.

“Leaves you really dirty, doesn’t it? Why don’t we take a bath.”

She drew a bath and motioned Inuyasha to get in first, so she could lean into his embrace.

“Say, Kagome, “ Inuyasha sounded nervous. “When will you come back with me to my time?”

“Well, things are different now, Inuyasha. I have a life here, and I can’t just abandon it.”

“So… what are you saying?” there was audible fear in his voice now.

“I spent so much time in your world. Maybe it’s time for you to spend some time in mine.” She smiled at him.

“Everything is so strange here. You think I can live with you in this world?”

“Well, maybe we’ll do things half and half.”

Now he smiled back.

“Half and half.”

#inuyasha #inukag #inukag week #inukag week 2020 #2020 #fanfic #day 1: acceptance #submission #sorry it's not showing up in the tags op!!#you can always tag us

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comebeforegod · 5 years

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The Inner Meaning of Resurrection of the Dead: How Much Do You Know?

By He Ying

It is recorded in chapter 37, verses 5-6 in the Book of Ezekiel, “Thus said the Lord Jehovah to these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live: And I will lay sinews on you, and will bring up flesh on you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am Jehovah.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16 says, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” We all believe that when the Lord Jesus returns, saints in ages and generations past will become resurrected, and the bodies they took with them into death will be given new life. This is what many brothers and sisters think, but will the prophecies that are in Scripture really come about as we imagine? What does the dead being resurrected mean? In the text below we will focus on this issue.

Who Really Are “the Dead”

If we want to understand what the dead being resurrected means, we must first understand who “the dead” are. When we speak of the dead, everyone knows that those whose hearts have stopped beating and who are no longer breathing are dead people, and that these are people whose physical bodies have died. But is this what God means when He speaks of “the dead?” In the beginning Adam and Eve listened to the word of God, they were able to submit to God. God called them as living human beings with spirits. But when they both ate from the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, in God’s eyes, they had already died. As God said to Adam: “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:17). And the Bible records, “And another of his disciples said to him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said to him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead” (Matthew 8:21-22). It’s clear that the dead that the Lord Jesus speaks of are not people who have physically died.

So who really are “the dead?” I found a passage in one book that touched upon this subject: “‘The dead’ are those who oppose and rebel against God, they are those who are numb in spirit and do not understand God’s words, they are those who do not put the truth into practice and have not the slightest loyalty to God, and they are those who live under the domain of Satan and are exploited by Satan. … Originally the man made by God was alive, but because of Satan’s corruption man lives amid death, and lives under the influence of Satan, and so these people have become the dead who are without a spirit, they have become enemies who oppose God, they have become the tools of Satan, and they have become the captives of Satan. … The dead are those who have no spirit, those who are numb in the extreme, and who oppose God. Moreover, they are those who do not know God. These people have not the slightest intention of obeying God, they only rebel against Him and oppose Him, and have not the slightest loyalty” (“Have You Come Alive?”).

This passage says it very clearly, in the beginning the men created by God were living beings possessed of spirits, they listened to the word of God, they were able to submit to God, they were the manifestation of God’s glory, but after they were tempted and corrupted by Satan, they then lived under the domain of Satan and became the spiritless dead. Up to today, the human race has become more and more corrupted by Satan, everyone is following the trends of the world, we are weary of the truth and adore what is evil. We do not worship the true God; we all live in sin; we covet sinful pleasures without considering repentance. Even those who have believed in the Lord for many years also follow the trends of the world without keeping to the word of the Lord. They often commit sins and oppose God. For example, often we are still able to tell lies and offend the Lord; we say nice words when we pray to God but we don’t practice the truth behind His back; when we have dealings with other people we are still able to rely on our arrogant disposition to act in accordance with our own ideas, unable to accept other people’s suggestions; sometimes, when we come across indispositions or trials and tribulations, in our hearts we are even able to blame the Lord, to the point that we betray the Lord, or worse. From these facts we can see that the so-called “dead” are not physically dead, but rather they are dead in the spirit, and this kind of person is filled with corrupt disposition of Satan within them, they are full of disobedience and resistance to God. That is to say, even though they believe in God, they are unable to put the truth into practice, they often live within their corrupt disposition, they live under the domain of Satan, they have no faithfulness or obedience to God. These are “the dead” in the eyes of God. On the other hand, “the living” refers to those who have thrown off Satan’s corrupt disposition, those who are able to do everything in accordance with the word of God, who follow the path of God, who have achieved true love for and obedience to God. Only these people are living beings possessed of spirits, and they are the ones who are truly resurrected from the dead.

How Are “the Dead” Resurrected

We understand who “the dead” truly are, so then how can the dead turn into living people? The Lord Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die” (John 11:25-26). “I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come” (John 16:12-13). “For as the Father raises up the dead, and vivifies them; even so the Son vivifies whom he will. For the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment to the Son” (John 5: 21-22). Peter, when receiving the Holy Spirit’s enlightenment, said: “Who are kept by the power of God through faith to salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5). “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God” (1 Peter 4:17). A book says more clearly about it, “The sins of man could be forgiven through the sin offering, but as for just how man can be made to sin no more, and how his sinful nature may be extirpated completely and transformed, he has no way of solving this problem. The sins of man were forgiven, and this is because of the work of God’s crucifixion, but man continued to live within the corrupt satanic disposition of old. This being so, man must be completely saved from his corrupt satanic disposition, so that his sinful nature may be completely extirpated, never to develop again, thus enabling the disposition of man to be transformed. This would require man to grasp the path of growth in life, to grasp the way of life, and to grasp the way to change his disposition. Furthermore, it would require man to act in accordance with this path, so that his disposition may gradually be changed and he may live under the shining of the light, so that all that he does may be in accord with the will of God, so that he may cast away his corrupt satanic disposition, and so that he may break free from Satan’s influence of darkness, thereby emerging fully from sin. Only then will man receive complete salvation. … Therefore, after that stage of work was finished, there still remained the work of judgment and chastisement. This stage is to make man pure by means of the word and thereby give him a path to follow” (“The Mystery of the Incarnation (4)”).

“If people wish to become living beings, and to bear testimony to God, and to be approved of by God, they must accept God’s salvation, they must gladly submit to His judgment and chastisement, and must gladly accept the pruning and dealing of God. Only then will they be able to put all of the truths required by God into practice, and only then will they gain God’s salvation, and truly become living beings” (“Have You Come Alive?”).

From these words we are able to understand that the Lord Jesus used His own life to rescue mankind from sin. We are no longer sinners, we are qualified to come before God, and pray to Him and worship Him, and enjoy the grace of God. But even though our sins have been absolved, the source of our sins still lies deeply rooted within us, and we often commit sins. This is a fact. God is holy and great, He will not allow “the dead” to enter God’s kingdom. As a result, in the last days God will “resurrect” every single person who truly believes in Him, that is, through expressing the truth He carries out the work of judgment starting from the house of God, He expresses every truth necessary for us to attain salvation, which allows us to come to a true understanding of our satanic nature that disobeys and resists God and at the same time we have an understanding of God’s righteous disposition. Then we will come alive in God’s words of judgment and become living beings who possess truth and humanity. Just as it was with Job and Peter, we will be able to love God deeply and obey Him unto death, we will live out the reality of God’s words, and we will have God’s words as our life. In the end we will become the manifestation of God’s glory. Only such people will be the newly made man and the truly living man. So long as we receive God’s words of judgment and chastisement, then our corrupt disposition will be able to be cleansed and changed, and we will become people who are truly obedient to God and who worship God. This is what the dead being resurrected really means. This proves what the Lord Jesus said, “And this is the Father’s will which has sent me, that of all which he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:39-40).

#Devotionals #Daily Bible Reading #Meaning of Life

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cookiesandcreame1983-blog · 7 years

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Bible verses for Monday February 6,2017

Faith bible verses Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – NIV Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ NIV Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. NIV Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. NIV James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if people claim to have faith but have no deeds? Can such faith save them? NIV Galatians 3:26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith NIV Hebrews 12:2 Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. NIV Hebrews 4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. NIV John 14:12 Very truly I tell you, all who have faith in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. NIV 2 Timothy 3:15 And how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. NIV Romans 12:3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. NIV ============================================================ Peace bible verses Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ NIV John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." NIV John 20:19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" NIV John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. NIV 2 Corinthians 1:2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. NIV John 20:21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." NIV Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. NIV Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. NIV 1 Thessalonians 5:23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. NIV Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. NIV Luke 24:36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." NIV ============================================================ Kindness bible verses John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. NIV Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. NIV 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. NIV Titus 3:4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared NIV Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness." NIV Psalms 138:2 I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame. NIV Joel 2:13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. NIV Acts 14:17 "Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." NIV Psalms 107:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. NIV Isaiah 30:18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! NIV Acts 4:9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed NIV ========================================================== Past bible verses Acts 17:30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. NIV Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. NIV Ephesians 2:2 In which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. NIV Hebrews 2:1 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. NIV ========================================================== Patience bible verses Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, NIV 2 Peter 1:6 And to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness NIV Romans 5:3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance NIV 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. NIV Revelation 2:3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. NIV 2 Thessalonians 1:4 Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. NIV Revelation 3:10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth. NIV Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. NIV 2 Peter 3:15 Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. NIV Revelation 14:12 This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus. NIV Romans 15:5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had NIV Ecclesiastes 7:8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. NIV ============================================================ Confidence bible verses John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." NIV 2 Timothy 3:15 And how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. NIV 1 John 5:14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. NIV Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus NIV 2 Corinthians 3:4 Such confidence we have through Christ before God. NIV Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. NIV Hebrews 13:17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. NIV 2 Corinthians 2:3 I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. NIV Ephesians 1:12 In order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. NIV Philemon 1:21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. NIV 1 John 2:28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. NIV 2 Thessalonians 3:4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. NIV

#Faith bible verses #peace bible verses #kindness bible verses #past quotes #patience bible verses #confidence bible verses

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shannaraisles · 7 years

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Her Beacon And Her Shield - Chapter 30

"It is time, Inquisitor."

Amelia drew her gaze back from the windows, turning to look across the war table to where her advisors waited. It was time. Long overdue in one case, according to popular opinion. She couldn't put this off any longer. With Leliana's people and their allies closing in on Corypheus' position in the Arbor Wilds, this might well be the last space to breathe any one of them could expect for some time to come. That meant she had to perform a duty she had never cared for, a duty that many people expected of her. It was also a duty she had not performed since before she had discovered the truth of the Anchor and the Divine. For the first time, she would be passing judgment in the sure knowledge that the words were wholly her own.

"All of them?" she asked, her voice trembling. They knew what she was really asking. Two of those who had to come before her for judgment were closely tied to her, in blood and in friendship.

"Florianne du Chalons was executed yesterday morning, by her brother's hand," Leliana answered the unspoken side of the question. "In exchange, Orlais has formally relinquished all rights to the judgment and punishment of Thom Rainier."

Or Blackwall, as they had known him. Just when he had shaken off the past he had been running from, he had given himself up to the Orlesians, claiming his true name and accepting responsibility for the terrible crime he had committed years before. And, despite her horror, Amelia had not been able to leave it there. Whatever else he had once been, he was her friend. With Cullen's help, she had petitioned the Empress for a prisoner exchange - the former Grand Duchess for Thom Rainier, and, to everyone's surprise, the petition had been granted. And now ... she had to sit in judgment over a friend, his life in her hands.

"How many, Josephine?"

The ambassador checked her notes. "Four, your worship," she told Amelia gently. "The nobles have been summoned. Everyone is waiting for you."

"And still no word from my father?" she asked, tense with quiet hope.

Josephine shook her head, her expression a mask of concern for her friend. "Only that he accepts your authority to judge his heir."

Amelia sighed. She had been hoping someone would find a way to lift that particular burden from her shoulders. But no. This would likely prove every bit as unpleasant as she imagined. "Then we'd best get to it, hadn't we?"

The main hall was packed with bodies. Visiting nobles stood shoulder to shoulder with officially appointed ambassadors, soldiers, scouts, workers. The low hum of chatter peaked as the Inquisitor entered, flanked by her three advisors, walking with slow purpose to the throne that stood on the dais. Amelia mounted the steps, taking a moment to compose herself before she turned back to the hall, taking her seat in silence. That silence spread as she let her eyes travel over the gathering before her, the quiet buzz of voices stilling in the wake of her gaze.

"The court of the Inquisition is now in session," Cullen intoned, formal words falling like lead into the expectant silence. "All evidence has been heard; all defenses weighed and measured. We gather now to bear witness to the passing of the Inquisitor's sentence."

Josephine moved to stand at Amelia's right hand, her expression grave. "Your worship, I submit the case of Lord Lorent Trevelyan of Ostwick," she said, each word clear as Lorent was escorted to stand before the throne, his hands bound. "His trial proved beyond doubt his attempt to assassinate both yourself and Commander Cullen during the course of the masquerade at Halamshiral. He is also known to have been complicit with the ambitions of the executed traitor, Florianne du Chalons. He has made no declaration of innocence, but no confession of guilt, either."

Amelia looked down at her brother, shackled before her. He was defeated; she knew him well enough to recognize that in the way he held himself. Yet, despite his defeat, he met her gaze with contempt, confident that there was no punishment she could hand down to him that would not reflect badly on her, and the Inquisition as a whole.

"Do you have anything further you wish to say, before the sentence is passed?" she asked, giving him one last chance to dig himself out of the hole he had so willingly jumped into.

"I do not recognize the authority of this court," Lorent declared contemptuously. "Nor will my father accept the judgment of a heretic on his sole heir."

"Bann Amadus Trevelyan has, in fact, set his seal to a declaration in support of your trial and sentencing," Josephine informed him, nodding to her assistant, who showed the prisoner the declaration in question. "While he does not openly support the Inquisition, he has accepted the authority of the Inquisitor in this matter."

As she spoke, Lorent's eyes widened, his gaze scanning the document shown to him in dismay. He had been the favored son for so long, he had forgotten that his father was no fool. If the title was the survive this, if the family was to survive, Amadus would have no qualms in abandoning a son who had been caught engaging in treasonous international politics. And he should have known that. Amelia herself had been disowned, after all. Lorent's own actions had placed him here. His dark gaze snapped to the throne, and for the first time in her life, Amelia saw her elder brother afraid. Of the power she held, of the consequences of his actions, of her.

"I will not beg for mercy," he said then, his head held high. "But I acknowledge my guilt. I ask only that you remember that we are kin."

"Yes, we are," Amelia acknowledged in return. "A fact that did not prevent you from plotting my death, in association with an executed traitor. You told me yourself that you shared her ambition. Your personal ambition is at the heart of your crime; your callous indifference to the wider consequences makes you a danger. Yet you are my brother, and though we have never been friends ... I find your sentence too hard to pass."

The murmur that passed among the gathered witness was sympathetic, but uneasy; if she was unable to pass sentence on her own kin, how could she expect her other pronouncements to be obeyed? Lorent's shoulders straightened, a sickening expression of satisfaction on his handsome face.

"Lord Lorent Trevelyan, I offer you a choice," Amelia pronounced, her voice silencing the hall as soon as she spoke. "To die a traitor's death by my hand, or to join the Grey Wardens and risk their initiation."

Lorent swayed back as though she had struck him. He had clearly never believed that his timid baby sister would ever have the courage to sentence him to death. But as her words sank in, Amelia could see him weighing the options. Death was an end, certainly ... but if he was accepted by the Grey Wardens, he might still find some way of exacting his revenge on her for failing to die when he chose.

"I do not deserve the honor you offer me, but I accept your offer," he declared, making a show of gratitude for the sake of the watchers around them. "If the Grey Wardens will have me, I will gladly join them to atone for my actions."

Solemn, Amelia turned her head to where a small contingent of Wardens were watching these proceedings. "Warden Stroud."

Her friend stepped forward, touching his fist to his heart in salute. "Inquisitor."

"This man is the responsibility of the Wardens from this moment on," Amelia told him, aware that Lorent's shackles were being loosened as she spoke. "He renounces all claim to title and land. I would suggest you initiate him soon."

"We shall, your worship." Stroud nodded to two of his fellow Wardens, who moved to escort Lorent from the hall. "With your permission, we will maintain him in his cell until that moment comes."

Amelia saw Cullen turn to hide a smile, even as she raised a hand to hide her own. Her brother no doubt thought he was a free man; it was a shame she was going to miss the look on his face when he found himself returned to the cell he had already occupied for four months. Straightening her expression, she turned her eyes back to Josephine, nodding for the ambassador to continue as the next prisoner was marched into the hall. This one was bound and held by templars, limping a little as they dragged him forward.

"Adamant's influence continues, your worship," Josephine announced for the benefit of the men and women gathered in witness. "I submit Lord Livius Erimond of Vyrantium, who remains loyal to Corypheus."

"We found him alive, offering extreme resistance," Leliana added from behind the throne. "No doubt because the Wardens will ask for his head."

Amelia frowned as she considered the proud magister before her. This man had set a dragon on her in the middle of a demon-filled battleground, yet here she sat, in place of judgment over him. She genuinely couldn't fathom how much that must gall him. But what was this supposed to accomplish? He had almost destroyed the Grey Wardens of Orlais and Ferelden with the intention of using them to destroy the world, all for the glory of Corypheus. Until Corypheus was defeated, Erimond would not believe that he had been defeated.

"Lord Erimond, your crimes are vast in scope," she said, her tone pensive. "I'm struggling to understand how judging you can make up for anything that has happened at your instigation."

The Tevinter sneered up at her. "I recognize none of this proceeding," he declared arrogantly, though the impact was lost thanks to Lorent's similar announcement not so very long before. "You have no authority to judge me."

"On the contrary," Josephine said in a sharp tone, "many officials, including the Imperium, have communicated that they will defer to the Inquisitor on this matter."

"Because they fear," he snarled. Amelia had to admit, she was impressed - even bound and held by templars, Erimond maintained his malicious belief in his own superiority. "Not just Corypheus, but Tevinter, rightful ruler of every piece of ground you've trod in your pathetic life. I serve a living god. Bring down your blades and free me from the physical."

And there was her answer, neatly provided by the posturing of the prisoner himself. "I am not in the habit of making martyrs for any cause, and certainly not for Corypheus," she told the magister firmly. "Since death is a validation for you, I will delay it. Lord Livius Erimond, you will spend the rest of your days in the deepest, darkest hole we can find."

Anger flared in Erimond's eyes, but he did not give in to it, answering with calm malice. "We shall see which of us outlives our legacy, Inquisitor."

She didn't bother watching as he was lead away, gesturing for Josephine to join her for a moment. "Let's call in a favor from King Harrowmont," she suggested quietly. "I'm sure he can find a suitable cell, and will allow us to rune and ward it so that Erimond's magic will be utterly useless to him."

"In light of what happened in the abyss below Heidrun Thaig, I agree," Josephine nodded, adding to her notes with a familiar flourish of her pen. "And this keeps the dwarves involved in surface affairs. A diplomatic solution, your worship."

"I did learn from the best," Amelia reminded her with a smile. "I have a truly masterful teacher in Lady Josephine Montilyet."

The ambassador blushed, ducking her head for a moment. "Are you ready to continue?"

Amelia let out a long breath. "This is going to be difficult, isn't it?"

"Probably. But there are only two more," Josephine promised her. "You have never yet put a foot wrong in your judgments."

Because I believed Andraste spoke through me, Amelia thought to herself. This is so much worse, knowing that She doesn't. But she said none of this aloud, instead offering her friend and advisor a hopeful smile. "Any more goats?"

Josephine bit down on her own smile. "Sadly, no."

"Shame."

The next prisoner awaiting sentence was already being escorted to the throne. This one, however, was unfamiliar to the Inquisitor. It seemed she was a mage, given her templar escort; she was certainly a Grey Warden. Over time, Amelia had come to recognize a certain look in the eyes of the Wardens - an acknowledgement that they had only a limited time to fulfill their duty before the Blight claimed them. Stroud had it; King Alistair had it; this woman had it. She stood between the templars, her head bowed, as Josephine made her case known.

"Another of the lingering pains of Adamant, your worship," the ambassador announced. "Ser Ruth is a senior Warden of the Order. She was one of the many who slit the throat of another to bind a demon. She does not contest this. In fact, she surrendered to us." Josephine paused, clearly troubled by her next words. "She requests no mercy. She wants the public justice of the headsman's axe."

As her wishes were read out, Ser Ruth raised her head, letting Amelia see the anguish on her pale face. This woman clearly struggled with the knowledge of what she had done, her expression devoid of life and hope. She was already dead inside, slowly destroying herself with her own sense of guilt.

"You're very serious about this," Amelia said solemnly. "But there has already been so much death. Is more really the answer?"

"There is no excuse for my actions," Ser Ruth answered. Her voice was dull, lifeless, reinforcing the impression that she was past the stage of caring. "I murdered another of the Order, a friend I had known for many years. That blood marks me more than the Blight ever could."

"Excepting their actions while thralls of Corypheus, many treaties allow Wardens any extreme if it opposes the Blight," Leliana pointed out mildly.

"I can't do it!" Ser Ruth bursts out, fire showing through her dull visage briefly. "I can't use the greater good to justify my crimes, as if it would create a future I could ever be a part of. It is wrong that this broke me; I've done worse with full sanction. I can do nothing except be an example of the cost."

"When fear clouds our minds, we are all capable of horrifying acts," Amelia said in response. "In your place, plagued by the false Calling, I might well have done as you did. Simply the act of becoming a Grey Warden willingly is an act of courage and sacrifice, often thankless, rarely acknowledged. Would you truly turn your back on the Order, your duty, your life, for one misguided act performed with the best of intentions?"

"If there are no consequences for the worst of us, what will stop others from walking that same path, your worship?" Ser Ruth pleaded vehemently. "Let me bear the punishment for all."

"You are determined, then?" Amelia asked, needing to be certain. "There is no other course you can see, but this?"

"My life ended when I stole the life of a friend to become the thrall of the Blight incarnate," the Grey Warden declared, her voice dull once more. "I have nothing to give ... to the Order, or to the world."

"I understand." And truthfully, Amelia did understand. She could see herself in the broken woman who stood before her - what she might have become, in another life. "But the Grey Wardens are set apart from nations and politics for a very good reason. I have no authority to sentence you, nor will I create a dangerous precedent that others might use against the Order in years to come."

"Your worship -"

Amelia held up her hand, stilling Ser Ruth's protest. "You truly feel your life is over? There's a place for such Wardens. Ser Ruth, you should go to the Deep Roads, where your death may be as quick as you choose. The final act of a true Grey Warden."

"But ... this sends no message," Ser Ruth objected, even as her hands were unbound. "This is just ... an end."

"On the contrary, it sends a very clear message," Amelia corrected her. "That you are a Grey Warden; that no amount of manipulation can change that fact. You asked for death, an end. This is the end that you chose when you became a Warden. You took a friend's life; don't dishonor their death by turning away from the vow you shared."

Chastised, Ser Ruth bowed her head once more. "Then, with your permission, Inquisitor, I will join the Legion of the Dead."

"I cannot give you that permission, Ser Ruth," Amelia told her gently. "But Senior Warden Stroud may."

All eyes turned to Stroud, standing near the throne. He seemed to stand a little straighter, aware that the world was watching through the eyes of their chosen representatives. "Ser Ruth, permission is granted," he declared for the hall to hear. "Join our brothers and sisters in the shadows and know that, in time, we shall join you. In war, victory. In peace, vigilance."

"In death, sacrifice." Ser Ruth straightened her shoulders, saluting Stroud as the other Wardens saluted her, a solemn farewell for one of their number who had decided her time had come. "Your worship, thank you." She bowed, turning to leave the hall with her head held high, some of her honor returned in the ritualized words that meant nothing to non-Wardens, yet clearly meant something very profound indeed to their Order.

"Thank you, my friend," Stroud murmured as Amelia leaned back in her seat. "She would not have accepted that from me."

Amelia smiled faintly, inclining her head in acknowledgement of his gratitude. It felt wrong to have even suggested a fate for a Grey Warden, no matter the woman's crimes. To know that the other Wardens believed she had done the right thing was a balm to her troubled mind. But just the sight of the next prisoner being brought before her was enough to send a chill down her spine, knowing she could not escape this sentencing as she had her brother's.

"Clear the hall," she ordered sharply. "All but official personnel."

To her left, she heard Cullen give the order, watching as the soldiers escorted everyone who did not have an official reason to be present out the door. And why did she want that provision for this prisoner? Because he was her friend, despite everything he had done. He had suffered enough gossip and hearsay already; even if she could do nothing else, she could preserve what dignity he had left. She refused to allow the visiting nobles from Orlais to treat his tragedy as some perverse entertainment they could titter about in corners for weeks and months to come. The man stood silent between his jailers, his head bowed, his bearded jaw set in what she recognized as anger.

"For judgment this day, Inquisitor, I must present Captain Thom Rainier, formerly known to us as Warden Blackwall," Josephine announced in reluctant tones. No one had seen this coming, not even Leliana. It was just a relief that he'd only stolen the man's name, and not his life as well. "His crimes ... Well, you are aware of his crimes. The decision of what to do with him is yours."

His crimes ... what a long list they were. The solicited murder of a nobleman and his entire family, including the children, for nothing more than gold; abandoning the men under his command to face punishment while he fled; living as another man, a good man, to hide from his crime. Yet he had also joined the Inquisition without a second thought; defended her against many foes; saved her life on more than one occasion. And he had acknowledged his guilt, eventually. But seeing him before her, shackled and steaming with unexpressed anger, she didn't know if she had made the right decision in claiming his sentencing for her own.

"I didn't think this would be easy," she heard herself say unhappily, "but it's harder than I thought."

He raised sad, angry eyes to hers. "Another thing to regret," he said heavily. "It was never my intention to bring you into this, Inquisitor."

Inquisitor, she thought. Not my lady, or my friend. He can't bring himself to even speak to me as the friend he has been for so many months. "Did you really think I would not follow you?" she asked, her voice soft with hurt. "You are one of the best companions I have ever known. How could you possibly think I would abandon you?"

"I wanted you to!" he snapped back at her, taking half a step forward before remembering he was shackled and under guard. "You were supposed to arrive too late, not call in favors to have me released to your custody! I accepted my punishment. I was ready for all this to end. Why would you stop it?"

Amelia sat forward on the throne, meeting his angry gaze with gentle understanding. "Because you are my friend," she told him solemnly. "Will you trust me now, as you did once? Will you abide by what I decide, here and now?"

"I've trusted you since the day we met, my lady," he answered in his gruff manner, his eyes shining with what might almost have been tears at the gentle way she accepted his anger. "You've had my back, as I've had yours; never once have you lead me astray. Aye, I trust you. To do what's fair and right, no matter the cost to yourself."

She drew in a slow breath, sitting back once more. "You were already on a penitent's path, chosen for you by Warden Blackwall," she said, her voice quiet but clear. "He intended that you join the Grey Wardens, and I will honor that intention ... once Corypheus is dead. For now, Thom Rainier, the Inquisition needs you."

The man she had known as Blackwall stared at her for a long time, a myriad of conflicting emotions playing across his face. Anger, sadness, astonishment ... and finally, grateful acceptance. "As you command, Inquisitor."

"Warden Blackwall gave you a chance to atone through action, not merely punishment," she reminded him. "I find I can do no less."

Thom Rainier raised his head, bowing low before the throne. "I am ... grateful for this, my lady," he assured her, a hint of the familiar friendship in his voice once again. "I will serve you until you deem my service done, and I will serve the Wardens as long as I am able."

"And remain my friend, I hope." Amelia felt a surge of relief wash through her at his answering nod, glad she had found the middle way that allowed him to atone for his past, and kept a trusted friend close by for as long as she truly needed him there. "Then this court session is ended. Dismissed."

She watched as Thom's bonds were loosed, as he bowed to her and moved to leave the hall, no doubt to seek out the Wardens or to seek solitude for a time. As the various officials retired to write and send their reports, she rose from the throne, turning as Stroud approached her.

"With the exception of Thom Rainier, Inquisitor, I would like your permission to take our prospective recruits from here at dusk, and perform the Joining," the Warden said in a quiet tone. "When you meet Corypheus' army, we would be there in strength to support you."

"You have my permission, Warden Stroud," she assured him formally. "Be advised that we will begin our march in a matter of days. And thank you."

"It is I who should thank you, my friend," he said, his tone gentle and warm. "You have given us back our honor."

"You never lost it," she promised him softly. "Anyone can make a mistake. It's how you come back from that mistake that truly counts."

"You have the wisdom of Andraste, my friend," Stroud told her through his smile. "For the Wardens, and for myself, I thank the Maker that you found us in time."

She watched him walk away, touched that he still believed in her, even after everything that had happened in the Fade. Stroud was a devout man; those revelations could easily have turned his respect for her to disgust. Yet he was still here, and the example he set in his dealings with her was followed by all the Grey Wardens under his command. She could only hope Lorent would embrace his new role, and leave ambition and politicking behind him.

"All right," she said then, turning back to her advisors. "How long before we march?"

Cullen rubbed his neck. He wasn't exactly pleased they were going off to fight again so soon after Adamant, but he knew his people were eager to end the threat of Corypheus and his army. "Provisions and siege equipment are being packed as we speak," he told her. "We'll begin the march within two days."

"And the scouts?" Amelia asked, looking to Leliana and Josephine, who had needed to coordinate their efforts to ensure Corypheus' search of the Arbor Wilds did not go entirely in his favor.

"Have gathered on the eastern edge of the Arbor Wilds," Leliana reported confidently. "There seem to be a number of elven ruins there, all of which Corypheus has his people searching."

"Our allies know the area far better than we do," Josephine added. "Their help has been invaluable in delaying Corypheus' army."

Amelia nodded. "Details in the war room," she ordered. "I'll meet you there. Morrigan has something she wants to show me, which is apparently highly relevant to all this."

"Of course, Inquisitor."

Cullen curled his fingers about hers, lingering in the wake of the others' retreat. He drew her hand to his lips, pressing a firm kiss to the glittering glow of the Anchor on her palm, his eyes locked with her own. "You did well, Ame," he praised her, his voice low and soft. "You have no idea how proud I am of you."

Amelia smiled, stepping close to touch her brow to his. "It might be close to how proud I am of you," she offered, her voice just as soft as his. "I just want this to be over, Cul. I'm so tired of being afraid."

He wrapped his arms about her, gentle enough not to crush her against his ever-present armor. "Corypheus is the one who should be afraid," he told her fiercely. "You ... we ... are coming for him."

Rising onto her toes, she kissed him tenderly, heedless of the curious eyes that turned their way from the people filing back into the hall to go about their own business. They all knew she was married to her commander; if they had a problem with loving affection expressed openly, they were free to complain to her face, if they dared. "Go to the war room," she reminded her husband in a tone tone. "Try not to kill each other until I get there. I won't be long."

He smiled his roguish smile, brushing a kiss of his own to her temple before stepping away to follow after the spymaster and ambassador. As for Amelia, she turned toward the courtyard, and the garden. Morrigan's apparent wonder had better be worth all the mystery surrounding her invitation to see it. They were running out of time.

#her beacon and her shield #multi-chapter fic #dragon age inquisition #dragon age fanfiction #dai #fanfiction #writing #cullen rutherford/female trevelyan #cullen rutherford #amelia rutherford #josephine montilyet #erimond #blackwall #lorent trevelyan #ser ruth #sit in judgment #skyhold #random subplots

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workreveal-blog · 7 years

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Internet warriors: Humans inside the dark world of online 'trolls'

New Post has been published on https://workreveal.biz/internet-warriors-humans-inside-the-dark-world-of-online-trolls/

Internet warriors: Humans inside the dark world of online 'trolls'

Norwegian filmmaker Kyrre Lien started gaining knowledge of on-line commenters on Christmas Day 2014. “I have become fascinated by how a lot of hate and lack of information human beings have been writing within the feedback segment of a news site,” he says, “so I started looking at people’s profiles, trying to work out which they have been. Many seemed pretty reasonable. That they had households and gave the look of social human beings, but the feedback they had been writing in a public space have been so extreme. There was a disconnect.” And so began Lien’s 3-year journey into the lives of humans the web’s most prolific online commenters, now the situation of a documentary, The Internet Warriors.

internet

Lien’s research took him the world over – from the fjords of Norway to the United States wasteland – assembly people of severe, “frequently illogical” beliefs: the racists, the homophobes, the slut- shamers. Lien to begin with researched two hundred ability topics. 1/2 said no while he approached them. It becomes then a manner of elimination: “To discover what their reasons had been, who they have been, and why they held the views they did. In a way,” he says, “I became an investigator.”

Of all the ‘haters’ he is observed online, one kind eluded him. “I contacted many, many misogynists, as I desired to try to understand,” Lien says, “however none might talk publicly, which itself is thrilling.”

What did Lien analyse via the making of the documentary? “That many, many people are lonely – they feel society has left them in the back of – and that a whole lot of the ones I met are former victims of bullying themselves,” says Lien, “but in the long run, I found out that people can trade, that we are works in motion. We can’t see near our eyes and faux that they don’t exist if we need to alternate the manner we debate and communicate on-line. It’s critical to pay attention to these voices now.”

To watch Kyrie Lien’s documentary The Net Warriors, visit theguardian.Com/Net-warriors

‘I’m in opposition to all immigration’: Robert Jackson, 50, steelworker, England

Robert Jackson spends hours every day commenting online. Lately, he wrote that Tony Blair has to be changed. “I stand by way of that,” he says. “I’d gladly put the rope around his neck. He’s a traitor to his humans.”

Jackson’s primary problem is immigration: he believes Britain will “fall apart” under a load of refugees. “I sincerely don’t care in which they’re from, or which war they’re fleeing.” What makes it worse, he says, and the cause he’s especially irritated on the government, is that it value him a lot to bring over his Thai spouse. “I had to pay lots to get my spouse right here from Thailand. Her visa best lasts for six months, after which she has to move lower back. And then we need to do the same thing all once more.”

‘I slut-shame celebrities’: Ashleigh Jones, 21, pupil, Wales

Ashleigh Jones would not describe herself as a troll. “A troll is a person who’s ruining the dialogue, and that’s no longer me.”

Jones’s commenting style is “sincere and brutal. I don’t sugarcoat something,” she says. She uses Twitter as a type of daily diary, an area wherein she will be able to explicit how she is feeling each day. “Like after I tweeted to Amy Schumer: ‘I might say Amy Schumer is a cunt however you have to be smart to be a cunt.’”

She is very used to receiving abuse in go back for her inflammatory comments. “but that doesn’t trouble me,” she says. “I have quite a few sex so that I will be that ugly.”

‘I agree with Israel was behind September 11’: Scott Munson, 49, activist, California

Scott Munson describes himself as “a fact teller”. He considers this to be his complete-time activity, particularly when it comes to sharing “information approximately 9/11 and gun manage”.

Munson says he is “satisfied that the USA authorities are attempting to manipulate us all”. It’s additionally clear to him that “Israel benefitted from September 11. We had more than three,000 Israelis now not displaying up for work after which Israelis were dancing after the assault – it’s obvious that it changed into a nation that won from that occasion.”

He is no stranger to abuse himself: “once I write online that Israel was at the back of 9-11, people call me horrific names, like stupid, dummy, moron and Neanderthal.” but he believes that’s because he’s telling human beings truths that are hard to pay attention. “That’s the technique – many are in denial, however then I help them see. It’s uncomfortable for them to find out that our government is killing its very own humans.”

humans connected to the internet

every day, Munson shares his “reality” along with his five,000 Facebook buddies and his different e-mail list of 23,000, people. “I’m also on LinkedIn,” he adds.

‘I want to be unfastened to hold a gun’: Nick Haynes, forty-two, truck motive force, Pennsylvania

while Nick Haynes become more youthful, he got into frequent “arguments” with the authorities. At sixteen he ran far from home and said he hadn’t regarded lower back because. He’s now lost touch with his circle of relatives altogether. “It’s been four or 5 years considering I last even talked to my father,” he says.

Today Haynes keeps along with his arguments, but this time it’s on social media. He says he tweets: “about fifty-seven times an afternoon.” He provides: “I debate due to the fact if I don’t say something, folks that are in opposition to the second Amendment and people who spread lies will win the arguments. If I don’t combat back while somebody claims something, then they’ll win whenever.”

He watched the USA election along with his three daughters and son. “I advised them what I agree with: that Clinton has raped this u. S .. I am hoping they arrest her.” Now Trump’s received, he says: “It’s the first time in view that 9/11 that I feel our us of a is again on target, again to which it belongs.” His children trust him.

‘I assume homosexuals will destroy Russia’: Alexandra Velichkevich, fifty-one, scholar, Russia

From her rental near St Petersburg, Velichkevich believes she is fighting for Russia. Her fear is that her you. S . Might be taken over by “Gay Europe”. Her seventy five-12 months-vintage mum debates online alongside her. “We’re apprehensive that our beloved Russia may be inspired by way of the homosexuals in Europe and us,” and ruin it with their “crap homosexual way of life”.

She wants to make it clear that she doesn’t see LGBT humans as her enemy, but that they’ve “a defect.” Moreover, she says: “They should stop showing off all the time. They’ve ruined that flag for me. I clearly preferred the rainbow before, but I don’t any extra.”

‘I need to deliver back colonialism’: Kjell Frode Tislevoll, forty-two, retail clerk, Norway

Kjell Frode Tislevoll used to spend hours debating online. “Like once I commented on a piece of writing: ‘What we want in Oslo is a sidewalk for people with darkish skin and a path for those with white skin. That way, we gained be attacked or mugged.” He got 20 likes. Eventually, he decided to apply a clear out on Facebook, so he’d now not see posts about immigration.

But matters are changing for Tislevoll. Last 12 months, a refugee reception centre become built in his home city, and he slowly discovered he turned into turning into “much less sceptical of immigrants”. It coincided with the appearance of a Muslim guy at paintings. “He’s Ok,” he says, “so my issues with immigration are going away. If I met my former self in a discussion board now, I’d probably get into an argument with him.”

Today marks 28 years considering that I submitted my original concept for the worldwide web.

web

I imagined the net as an open platform that would permit all and sundry, anywhere to share facts, get entry to opportunities, and collaborate throughout geographic and cultural obstacles. In many methods, the internet has lived as much as this imaginative and prescient, though it’s been an ordinary warfare to preserve it open. But during the last twelve months, I’ve come to be increasingly concerned about three new developments, which I consider we must tackle so as for the web to fulfil its authentic capability as a device that serves all of the humanity.

1) We’ve lost control of our non-public facts

The current enterprise version for plenty websites offers free content in trade for private events. Lots of us comply with this – albeit regularly by accepting long and perplexing terms and situations files – but we do no more extend thoughts a few statistics being gathered in alternate for free services. But, we’re missing a trick. As our data is then held in proprietary silos, out of sight to us, we lost out on the blessings we may want to understand if we had direct manipulated over this statistics and selected when and with whom to percentage it. What’s more, we regularly do not have any manner of feeding returned to companies what information we’d alternatively not proportion – specifically with 0.33 parties – the T&Cs are all or nothing.

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comebeforegod · 5 years

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The Inner Meaning of Resurrection of the Dead: How Much Do You Know?

By He Ying

Who Really Are “the Dead”

How Are “the Dead” Resurrected

#Devotionals #Daily Bible Reading #Meaning of Life

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cookiesandcreame1983-blog · 7 years

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Bible verses for Monday March 20, 2017

Life bible verses John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. NIV John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. NIV John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. NIV Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. NIV John 5:24 "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life." NIV John 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even though they die;" NIV John 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. NIV John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." NIV John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them. NIV Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. NIV John 5:39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you possess eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, NIV John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. NIV ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kindness bible verses John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. NIV Micah 6:8 He has shown all you people what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. NIV Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. NIV 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. NIV 2 Peter 1:7 And to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. NIV Titus 3:4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared NIV Exodus 34:6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness," NIV Lamentations 3:22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. NIV Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness." NIV Psalms 138:2 I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame. NIV Joel 2:13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. NIV Acts 14:17 "Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." NIV ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Joy bible verses James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds NIV Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. NIV Hebrews 12:2 Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. NIV Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. NIV Romans 5:3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance NIV Luke 1:14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth NIV Hebrews 13:17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. NIV Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace. NIV 3 John 1:3 It gave me great joy to have some believers come and testify to your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. NIV Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. NIV 2 Corinthians 2:3 I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. NIV Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." NIV 3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. NIV 2 John 1:4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. NIV 2 John 1:4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. NIV Psalms 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. NIV Luke 10:21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure." NIV ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thankful bible verses Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. NIV Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. NIV 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. NIV Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe NIV Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe NIV ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Perseverance bible verses Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, NIV 2 Peter 1:6 And to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness NIV Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. NIV Romans 5:3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance NIV 2 Thessalonians 1:4 Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. NIV James 1:3 Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. NIV 2 Thessalonians 3:5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance. NIV James 1:4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. NIV Romans 5:4 Perseverance, character; and character, hope. NIV ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hebrews bible verses Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. NIV Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. NIV Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, NIV Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. NIV Hebrews 1:1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways NIV Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." NIV Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. NIV Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds NIV Hebrews 12:2 Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. NIV Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. NIV Hebrews 7:25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. NIV Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus NIV Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. NIV

#life bible verses #kindness bible verses #joy bible verses #thankful bible verses #perseverance bible verses #hebrews bible verses

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