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gamer-logic · 3 years

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Since my state, Georgia, is having the annual Peaches to Beaches event which is two days of statewide yard sales, I thought it would be interesting to show how America, the states, and any other countries wanting to participate both 1p and 2p would be during this event. So here you go!

Georgia is happily selling fresh produce like boiled peanuts and Vidalia onions and peach-based deserts. Her homemade peach cobbler and ice cream are to die for!

Antonio (Spain) also sells many fresh tomatoes, olives, and other vegetables. He doesn't understand why no one wants his Olive Juice though.

Hawaii and Alaska make a killing selling lemonade at their stand with a free complimentary handmade flower crown with every purchase. While using their sheer cuteness to attract everyone including one of those sweet biker gangs. It's really surreal to see a huge gang of buff, tattooed, tough-looking guys in leather wearing flower crowns and drinking lemonade. Allen's also there to supervise and ward of creep. Also, to provide people more 'incentive' to buy their lemonade.

Texas breaks out the Texas BBQ and is in a Barbecuing turf war with Jett (Australia). They draw huge crowds for the five-alarm chili as well and hold a competition who can eat the most without burning out their tongues and/or passing out.

Florida sells some of the weirdest stuff you'll ever see. "Want a full-scale model of a gator made entirely out of bottle caps? Only ten bucks! Want a portrait of Florida Man painted with orange juice? 15 bucks!"

Nevada also tries to sell weird and sketchy stuff to scam everyone. "This piece is the genuine article folks! One napkin gently used by Elvis Presley himself! Just 500 bucks! Also, gets into a haggling war with Lars (Netherlands). Somewhere Alfred's dad instincts go off and he reminds himself to ground Nevada.

California, Oregon, and Washington collaborate and California sells anything vegan or made with avocadoes and the autographs of Hollywood stars, Oregon sells his old tye-dyed shirts and records, they also made him sell his old groovy hippy bus from the sixties he'd never got rid of no one knew they had. Oregon can be a bit of a hoarder, so they had to tie him to a chair and gag him because he wouldn't surrender the bus without a fight. Washington also tries to sell and drink cups of coffee, but in the hot Southern heat, this doesn't end well.

Louisiana sells anything Cajun-style from frog legs to fresh gumbo, to beignets. Also has a full collection of Mardi Gras masks and shrunken voodoo heads on sale for two bucks a pop.

Gilbert (Prussia) gets tricked by Nevada and gets a ton of stupid things he doesn't need. Ludwig (Germany) tries unsuccessfully to keep him on a metaphorical leash.

Ludwig always checks the quality of things he sees and buys dog toys and supplies for Blackie, Berlitz, and Astor. Later, he actually buys a kiddie leash for Gilbert.

All the while Lutz (2p! Germany) is asleep in a lawn chair with his hat on his face after drinking like six cold beers from this really good booth. All the while, Klaus (2p! Prussia) finds an antique Teutonic Knights flag from a vendor whose family was from Germany.

Vash (Switzerland) buys antique guns from Alabama and Roderich (Austria) also checks out some of Tennessee's guitars. He's horrified upon seeing Alabama's banjo and washboard.

Mathew (Canada) and Emma (Belgium) combine their powers and tag team to sell the best pancakes and waffles on earth with genuine Canadian maple syrup.

New York sells tons of baseball memorabilia and collectibles. Allen, trying to save his bad-boy image, tries to be discreet when buying some while taking Hawaii and Alaska around to get something with their lemonade money. James also gets some hockey memorabilia with Michigan and Minnesota who also got snow cones.

Alaska and Hawaii see a giant deluxe dollhouse but are almost in tears when they don't have enough money. But they end up getting it for free because no one can resist their weaponized puppy dog eyes. Also, no one can resist a growling Allen. Using the leftover money, they buy cute little rainbow umbrella hats for everyone and have Allen wear one who begrudgingly accepts it.

James, walking by with an armful hockey gear and flannel shirts, bursts out laughing when he sees this. In revenge, Allen forces him to wear one too and help him carry the dollhouse, much to Hawaii and Alaska's delight! "I said go my way puck head!" "No, it's my way, you vegan loving hoser!" A passing Francis (France)' is in stylish horror when they also make him and a nonchalant Luis (2p! France), holding a case of vintage wines, wear them too. Hawaii and Alaska go around giving umbrella hats to everyone including a sleeping Lutz they pass by.

Loving (Romano) practically has to supervise Feliciano (Italy) and keep him from buying anything too stupid on impulse or get scammed. They still end up with stacks upon stacks of cookbooks, kitchen wear, and a Mona Lisa made entirely out of Macaroni. They also get umbrella hats.

Flavio (2p! Romano) browses through clothing racks to get ideas for his vintage line. Also checks out the handmade fabrics like quilts. "Such craftsmanship! This pattern is so unique and chic! I simply must have it! What's your price Bella?" The nice old woman selling the quilt just smiles, "Oh just about five dollars young man." "Perfect!" Flavio hands the quilts off to Andreas (2p! Spain) who's practically buried underneath the fabric. Luciano (2p! Italy) facepalms while holding a new knife set in its case. "Oooh! Look at those adorable hats I just have to have one." Cue three more umbrella hats and a humiliated Luciano. "Just kill me now..."

Katyusha (Ukraine), Elizaveta (Hungary), Lillie (Liechtenstein), Natalya, (Belarus), Katya( 2p! Ukraine) and Anastasia (2p! Belarus), and Michelle (Seychelles) explore with armfuls of clothes, new ribbons, and a gun case for Switzerland (Lillie), cast iron frying pans (Elizaveta, watch out Prussia!), farm tools (Katyusha), Jewelry and unmentionables (Katya), dresses (Anastasia), an assortment of switchblades (Natalya), and one of those singing fish on a plague (Michelle). It's definitely an interesting group.

Kiku (Japan) and Kuro (2p! Japan) find a nerd booth selling comics, manga, and Japanese weapons like katanas. Kuro test swings a blade and tries to slice the table so hard it breaks the blade, "Hmmm, not sharp enough for me, got anything else?" He throws it on the pile of broken blades he's already tested. Kiku stockpiles on limited-edition manga and he and the vendor end up getting into a huge, heated by Kiku standards, debate on who's waifu is best. Further down, Alfred reads every Marvel/DC comic while keeping an ear out on every state's location. He checks on Texas via his glasses and notices he's beating Australia in the chili contest. "That's my boy!"

Wisconsin wearing a cheese head sells anything cheese-based. He's got cheddar, goat cheese, string cheese, cheese spray, gorgonzola, grilled cheese, cheese curds, Mac n' Cheese, cheese sculptures of all world monuments, you name it he's got it! He also starts a war with Iowa's corn dishes and Idaho's potato dishes. They eventually end up flinging cheese, potatoes, and corn after they start dissing each other's foods. "Take this cheese brain!" "Nice aim, I-da-ho!" "I told you not to call me that!" "I'm gonna go children of the corn on y'all's behinds!" Poor Nebraska is stuck in the middle.

Alfred (America) hears the commotion and using his parent radar, immediately knows who it is and reminds himself to ground Iowa, Wisconsin, and Idaho later along with Nevada who, though still grounded for sure, makes him feel a little proud of since he managed to out haggle Netherlands.

New Mexico and Arizona also sell Native American handicrafts along with things like dreamcatchers and giant inflatable aliens. While Delaware, being the boring stick in the mud that he is, walks by with a framed and complete U.S. quarter collection from a vendor.

Kansas sells out of every sunflower she had courtesy of Ivan (Russia). Ivan and her the team up to buy out every sunflower seed from here to kingdom come. Viktor (2p! Russia) buys all the vodka he can find and a new shovel while Xiao (2p! China) tries giving people tattoos for 10 bucks a pop.

He tries to convince Yao (China) to get a hello kitty one to match the giant plushie he's holding, with the encouragement of Leon (Hong Kong) and Yong Soo (South Korea) who all collectively agree he needs to quit being such a grandpa. They also like calling him an antique-like the items on sale. " Aiyah! I'm not that old, aru!" "Yeah, you are Sensei." "Don't deny it! Da Ze!" Respect your elders!" "Tattoos originated in Korea da ze!" He totally is that old.

Oliver (2p! England) holds a bake sale and has people lined up for blocks to get some. Arthur (England), after having his scones shut down after it poisoned some unlucky squirrels, fries selling authentic magical items like unicorn hair or pixie dust. Everyone thinks he's a little crazy but he did sell a good bit of old magic books he needed to get out of his house, after making sure no one could actually use them of course.

The Nordics also went perusing for antique and handmade furniture when Mathias (Denmark) spots two full sets of Viking costumes and tries to get Lukas (Norway) to try them on with him. Lukas wasn't amused.

Berwald (Sweden) and Tino (Finland) also find a great handmade table to get after inspecting the workmanship and a full Lego set for Peter (Sealand), now if only Mathias would stop squealing like a little kid at the full piece lego death star. Emil (Iceland) keeps thinking he's the mature one until he spots a mini top hat and cane for Mr. Puffin.

In the end, everyone ends up wearing umbrella hats courtesy of Hawaii and Alaska, loving all the strange things they bought or counting the profits they made. Alfred (America) is proud of his kids and visits everyone one of their stands. He ends up looking pretty funny with an umbrella hat (HW, AK), a washboard, (AL),a picture of Florida Man, (FL), a balloon alien (NM, AZ), a tye dye shirt (CA, WA, OR), hockey stick shaped glasses (MN, MI), a giant stack of comics with a replica Thor hammer and Captain America shield on his back, all in a shopping cart (NV), and a giant turkey leg in his hand (Tx). Unsurprisingly, it was a tie between Oliver, Texas, and Australia for who earned the most with their food. Georgia just smiled as this was another great year for her state and people!

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tobacconist · 3 years

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bizarre wordsalad response to a question on yahoo answers about an incest dream:

Luck=Moloch=demon.Gov't is killing you with highfrequencyelectricity. Theotokos Virgin Mary gave prayers to "Schema-nun Antonia" on how to save aborted babies from hell. If you pray these prayers diligently, aborted babies are released from hell. On each painted nail there are forty demons. Smoking is censer to the devil.Using foul language calls upon Pagan deities (aka demons); Holy Spirit departs on seven meters. People who use drugs see demons who cleverly disguise themselves as ghosts and aliens.America will be last country to switch to Euro (antichrist's world currency). Contraceptives = abortion;using contraceptives for one year = five aborted kids.Miscarriages happen because of high heels; cesarean because of pants (second generation cesarean will be infertile).Unbaptized aborted/miscarried/unborn babies burn in hell until Final Judgement; if pregnant, keep the kid and deliver at home because kids are chippedusing IVs and vaccines in hospitals. Dentists and doctors chip patients secretly. Ultrasound leads to mark of the beast; don't do ultrasound, please. Abortion leads to breast cancer; a demon is released from hell for each aborted kid. Dogs can become possessed; don't keep dogs inside your home [Pelageya of Ryazan]. Walmart has technology to administer mark of the beast to those who have cat bacteria in their stomachs/brains; stay away from cats [Athanasius 3rd of Constantinople]. Next false flag is the Statue of Liberty. Above earth there is ice (dome); when rockets go up they bring ice down from upper sky to lower sky; ice stuck in lower sky will fall on us during Apocalypse. Earth is flat; earth stands on three stalactite pillars (The Most Holy Trinity); pillars stand on water at zero Kelvin; underneath this ice there is a bubble; and then the abyss. Zodiac is planetary prison of demons; don't believe in horoscopes or you'll exhibit the traits of the trapped demons. Most thoughts and dreamsare from demons; demons never do good. Sleep fully clothed; pray the Jesus prayer. Pray to your guardian angel to have normal sleep. Vyacheslav Krasheninnikov was the last prophet before Apostle John (who wrote the Book of Revelation), Enoch, Elijah, resurrected Seraphim of Sarov, and resurrected Sergius of Radonezh will preach against the antichrist. Humans were created about 7530 years ago. Birds participate in time creation. It's a sin to kill birds. Dinosaurs live under our level; they will get out through sinkholes and lakes; to kill them, go for their nerves. Save the birds; but kill the dinosaurs. First dinosaur will come out of Volga River in Russia. Scientists don't see dinosaurs under our level because of radiation. Sinkholes happen because people dig for resources underground and because earth is heating up. Demons grow human skin (from a sample taken during abduction) and put it on so as to look like us. Demons will invite peopletobehealedinsidetheirUFOs; those who go will be like zombies after. Gov't provides demons with diamonds and allows demons to abduct people. If you're being abducted, slowly pray the Jesus prayer. Don't panic. Demons use diamonds and souls to power their UFO craft. The bigger the diamond, the more it lasts. Demons have 4 UFO bases: 1)moon 2)inside fake mountain Kailash (Tibet) 3)in lake Baikal in Russia 4)in Atlantis which is underneath double ocean floor of Mariana Trench (Pacific Ocean). There are no aliens. Nobody lives on other planets. Airplanes that go down are hit by demons because they need the airspace to fight Jesus. Antichrist is pale with red eyes. He's possessed by Satan since he's 12 years old [Lavrentiy Chernigovskiy]. He flies super fast; deceived people will say: "Christ is here; Christ is there" when he's flying from one city to the next very fast. He wears gloves to hide long nails. He'ssurrounded by demons who appear as angels of light. Antichrist will trick people that he can do mountain moving and resurrection using holograms/hypnosis; fire from the sky is real because of pollution gases in the atmosphere. Antichrist will have food only for 6 months; then he will feed his 666ed people flourfrom mashed up turtles (Tavrion Batozskiy), but this won't be enough because 666ed people are 10 times as angry and 7 times as hungry as normal people even though 666ed people became shorter (3-4 feet tall = 80 - 120 cm)because nanochips do function of organs (organs diminish) [Nilus Myrrhgusher]. If you have a lot of nanochips in your forearm, then you will not be able to make proper Orthodox sign ofthe cross (last mercy for you will be to cut yourforearm off). Nanochips are sprayed by the gov't usingchemtrails; they're also in gov't food andmedicine; so, eat food from your own garden. In case garden is destroyed by ice from the sky, have chickens for eggs and goats for milk (Paisios). Lipstick contains cells of abortedfetuses, dog fat, and placenta; human fleshis in McDonalds, Pepsi, toothpaste, antiaging,anticancer, vaccines, perfume, etc.; that's why you should not be using anything that modern society has to offer. You're better off hiding within a 10-15 people group in order to escape Apocalypse. During Apocalypse,Christians will eat dirt from under pussywillowtree as it's filled with tears of Theotokos VirginMary; this water will flee if a 666ed person tries to get it. Barcode is Druid black magic curse; QRcode is Mayan curse; when food is scanned, it becomes dead because laser is a substance from demons. Don't go into a UFO to be healed by demons. Unforgivablegreen666 is given by isotope rays on wrist or forehead when people stretch hands to receive small plastic grey card with no name on it (WorldPassport). It doesn't just have to be during this procedure (could be anything you sign up for or anywhere where there is a secret scanner); biometrics (fingerprints, eyescan) or getting picture for passport are very dangerous because they could mark you secretly. GabrielUrgebadze said thattheydoitonindexfingerwhenthey scan your finger. Basically, trytoavoidnewdocuments at all cost. Policewill microchip and isotope ray people on highways. Chipped people will be influenced by computers to take grey plastic card; but when they do, greenmark by isotope rays is given on forehead/wrist. Food stores will isotoperaypeopletoo. Antichrist will also release prisoners/insaneasylumpeople tomarkpeople. Reject 666 at all cost because it leads to permanent hell. If you're about to be marked, pray the Jesus prayer. Hide with OrthodoxChristians to escape 666; leave all electronics behind so that antichrist's minions can'ttrack you; burn documents because they're fromSatan. TheMostHolyTrinity gives you a name during baptism; devil gives an antiname during antibaptism (ex. SocialSecurityNumber). People who die with these Satanicdocuments go to concentrationcamp in hell to await FinalJudgement; once the BEASTComputer is burned down, souls will be released for FinalJudgement. That's why you should give back documents of your deceasedrelatives back to the gov't so that the gov't cancels these digital antichristiannames given during antibaptism by the beastsystem; or just burn thesedocumentsbecause gov't could get upset and could send demons to mark you because of this outright act of defiance. Prophecy from halfamillennium ago describes FinalJudgement like this: Jesus was very upset with people who had littleboards (plasticcards) in their hands because they wanted discount from the antichrist. Givetocharity in the name of ArchangelMichael; he rescues people from temporaryhell twice a year [at midnight September18-19 and similarly on November20-21; pray at these times on your knees remembering the deceased by names (adding "and relatives by flesh up to Adam") so that they arerescued if they're in hell] (orbringsthemupalevel, that is, to a level with lesspunishment;eventually, people arefreed). Feed thepigeons;when pigeons bowdown, people are savedfrom temporaryhell. It's a big sin to rememberthe deadwithwreaths (because demons put thesewreaths on their necks if they're inhellwith theirwrists tied up behind their back while hanging by their wrists), meat,alcohol,sweets,andworldlymusic. Demons printiconsof saints/crosses/8sidedstarofVirginMary in newspapers/products so that you throw these newspapers/products in the trashblasphemingthesesaints. Crosses on solesofshoesandbackofpants are blasphemy. Demons makecarpets with crosses and put them on sidewalks so that people walkoncrosses. Playingcards mockhow Jesus sufferedonthecross: clubs(cross on which Jesus wascrucified), diamonds (fournails Jesus was crucifiedwith), hearts (sponge with vinegar that Jesuswas given to drink),spades (spear with whichJesus waspierced).Cremationisdevilworship; onlyblasphemers suchasLenin should be burned; if Lenin is buried, earth will be polluted, and China will attack Russia because of this. AfterChinaattacksRussia, RuskiOrthodoxTsar (shown by resurrected SeraphimofSarov) willcome topowerinRussia;this Tsar will slay traitors insideChurch andgov't; asaresult, Russia will be the only country not under the antichrist.Ecumenism=263heresies;each heresy leads to hell. In 2006 in Moscow (that's why Moscow will sink),representatives from most religions signed a document where it says that all religions worship the same SupremeBeing [aka thedevil]. Priests who participate in ecumenism/COVIDrestrictions will have Pagans walking on theirheads in hell. ArkhimandriteAntoninKapustin left a prophecy that Church of All Russian Saints in Gorny Monastery, EinKarem, Israel will be blessed by forerunner of antichrist; pseudoPatriarchKirillofRussia and MarkofBerlin blessed thischurchin2007. Whenpriestspray forcurrent gov't (insteadofprayingfor futureTsar),Jesus getsupfrom Histhroneand turns Hisback tothem. DryLindens leaves(bathbroom)toeatduringfamine.

Source(s): Womenwearheadscarvestiedatthefronttopreventheadachesfromskypushingdownandtopreventthroatcancer. Megatsunami forNewYork willbe400 meters;then engulfed-in-lava LosAngeles willbe floodedtoo; also, asteroid destroys Gulf of Mexico; onlyAlaska (soonwilljoinRussia), Eurasia, and Africa remain (obviously without coasts). 1stbigearthquake in Russia; 2nd bigger one in China (willbesplitinhalf;peoplewillfallinto this hole;radiation!); 3rdbiggestwillbeintheUSA (GreekOrthodoxmonkElidiyfromAfrica). Mutantsfromgov’tlabswillescapeaftertheearthquake; youneed guns/ammo todealwiththem; if gov’ttries totakeyourgunsaway, givethemonewhile leavingthreehidden (to deal with mutants). If gov’twilltakeyoutoaconcentrationcamp, have a bag of old very worn warm clothes (so that they won’t be stolen when you’retakingashower)and specialcuptomeltsnow. If the last descendant rejects mark of the beast, then his/her ancestors go to heaven (saint Vyacheslav Krasheninnikov = Archangel Uriel); forgive me

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therainroguefanfiction · 3 years

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⁂ American Christmas (Axis Powers & Allied Forces)

Genre: Friendship, Family, Comedy, Holiday, Christmas ☁

Word Count: 1,987 ☁

Pairing: None ☁

World: Hetalia ☁

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“Alfred~!” you groaned, following behind your blonde brother as he headed towards the living room. In his hands was a large brown box filled to the very top with various types of ornaments. “Did you have to invite all of them? I can barely stand putting up with you and England, let alone the other idiots!”

Alfred smiled as he set the box down in front of the tall, lush Christmas tree that stood against the wall. It was bare aside from the brightly colored lights that danced along the branches. “You worry too much, dude! It’ll be fun!”

You groaned again, falling onto the couch. “It will not be fun, it’ll be torture! I should go stay with Greece for Christmas…”

When the comment reached his ears, Alfred dropped the little red ball that he was about to place on the tree. It clattered to the wooden floor but thankfully didn’t break. He turned around, lips stuck out in a pout with his eyebrows furrowed and eyes shining with sadness. “You have to be here for Christmas! We’ve never had separate Christmases before!”

“Don’t look at me like that!” you scowled, looking away from your older brother. The puppy pout was too hard to resist.

He whimpered like a lost child, sitting on his knees in front of the couch with his head in your lap, “Y/N~ You have to stay here!”

“Meh, I’ll think about it, Aly dear.”

He frowned for a minute before his lips curled up into a bright smile. He launched himself at you, arms wrapped tight around your neck, “Okay!”

You watched as your older brother bounded back over to the tree, humming happily as he placed the colorful glass orbs on its branches. Apparently, Alfred took ‘I’ll think about it’ as ‘I’ll stay’. You let out a sigh, pushing off the couch and walking over to the box.

Alfred smiled even brighter when you started placing them on the tree. It was fun to decorate Christmas trees, it was one of the best aspects of Christmas, beaten only by the snow and present wrapping, but it was even more fun when you did it with someone you truly cared about and loved.

When the last ornament was placed on the tree, you stepped back to admire their work. The tree was brightly lit, the lights taking turns flashing a rainbow of colors. The star on top was clear like glass. There were various types of ornaments, from round balls to doves and Santa Claus with sleighs and reindeer. Underneath the tree lay several presents, varying in size. Most of them were for yourself, Matthew, and Alfred, but there were quite a few for the other nations, as well.

You were thankful that you had chosen to go shopping before the holiday rush. That way you didn’t have to deal with crazed holiday shoppers that had a bad habit of pushing you out of the way to get what they want – you sore up and down they were barbarians in disguise.

“I’ll start cooking!” Alfred announced, turning around and heading towards the kitchen.

“Hold it!” you grabbed the back of his t-shirt, pulling him back to his original position, “Number one, Christmas isn’t ’til tomorrow. You’re supposed to cook the food the morning of, remember? And number two, what were you planning on cooking, exactly?”

He looked over his shoulder, blue orbs blinking innocently, “Hamburgers.”

The urge to slap him was strong, but you somehow resisted. “You eat hamburgers every day, Alfred. Christmas is special and I will be cooking it, understand?”

He frowned, “But I wanted hamburgers~”

“Too bad. Now, give me your credit card, I have to go grocery shopping.”

Alfred looked at your outstretched hand before whining and placing his silvery-blue credit card in your hand. You simply grinned and left the house. This was one time when Alfred would not get his way – opposed to all the times he did get his way which, according to record, was quite a lot.

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It was Christmas morning and you had woken up around seven A.M. After admiring the small flakes that were falling from the pale gray sky, you headed into the kitchen and got to work. You had plenty of time to cook, but due to how much food you actually had to make – Alfred alone could eat a whole family’s worth – , and the fact that you were cooking alone, made it slightly challenging. You knew you could rely on China for help in the kitchen, but he wasn’t due to arrive until noon. Until then, you’d just have to play the role of superwoman – or, in this case, supercook.

When noon finally arrived, the house was alive with the aroma of standing rib roast, honey ham and dressing, along with the scent of the pine tree in the living room. It truly did smell like Christmas and that brought a smile to China’s face when he entered America’s home. The blonde was nowhere to be found, but you were in the kitchen cooking your American butt off.

“Would you like some help?”

You whipped around, breathing a sigh of relief when you saw China standing in the doorway of the kitchen. Your lips curled up into a smile and you nodded, grabbing his wrist, “I’m so glad you’re here! I could really use a hand!”

“Well, you’ve got two, aru~” He smiled, walking over to the stove where a pot of eggs was boiling.

“Just cut those up and add it to the giblet gravy, okay?”

“Sure,” Yao pulled the pot from the stove and set it in the sink, draining the hot water before running cold water over them to cool them off, “Where’s America?”

“He went to meet up with Iggy, I think. Apparently, he, Germany and Italy all came together.”

“I see.”

Spreading the marshmallows on top of the candied yams, you wiped invisible sweat from your forehead and smiled. Dinner was coming along nicely.

You had told Alfred that you weren’t too happy about all of the nations belonging to both the Allied Forces and the Axis Powers coming to the christmas party, but deep down, you were happy that both groups could come together and share Christmas without trying to tear each other apart. The only ones you were really worried about was the bi-polar Russia and that womanizer France.

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“Good afternoon, Y/N-san.”

“Don’t touch me, you bloody git! Hello, Y/N.”

“H-Hello, Sis.”

“Bonjour, beau.”

“Hiii~ Y/N! Are you making pasta for dinner?!”

“Thanks for having us, Y/N.”

“Здравствулте, Y/N. This Christmas, you will become one with mother Russia, da?”

“Don’t hit on my sibling, Russia~!”

You facepalmed as you watched the Axis and the Allies interact with one another. Japan was standing off to the side of the room watching the idiots argue. England was attempting to shake off America, who was busy yelling at Russia about hitting on you while clinging to his back. Canada was also standing off to the side, holding Kumajirou and trying to add his two cents – though he was blatantly ignored. France was standing beside you, trying to woo you. Why Alfred was ignoring that and going after Russia, you couldn’t understand, but you’d much rather be hit on by Russia than by France.

Italy was standing at Germany’s side; he was singing about pasta and pizza for Christmas, while Ludwig was trying his hardest to ignore him by focusing on the three-sided fight between America, England, and Russia – who simply smiled that creepy little smile of his.

You shook your head and facepalmed again.

China, who was standing beside you, let out an airy laugh and set his hand on your shoulder, “It is good that everyone is together for such a joyous holiday, even if they are arguing, aru~”

“I guess, but…” you glanced at the group before looking back at him, “Is it really worth it if they end up killing each other?”

“Hmmm,” he set his hand on his chin in thought before smiling brightly, his dark brown eyes closing. “Look at it this way: If they do end up killing each other, at least you will have fewer idiots to deal with~”

You watched in disbelief as he walked back into the kitchen. Did he…? China just pulled a Russia! You shook your head and followed him. You didn’t make it far, though, thanks to the auburn-haired Italian who latched onto your body.

The blonde german was blushing and attempting to pull the male off, to no avail.

“When will the pasta be done, Y/N~?”

“She already told you, Italy. We are not having pasta for Christmas, now let go of her!”

“But, Germany! Christmas can’t be without pasta!”

“Sorry, Feliciano.” You turned in his grip and ruffled his auburn locks with a small smile, “If you eat dinner with us tonight, I’ll buy you some pasta tomorrow before you return home, okay?”

His face lit up and he jumped up, his legs wrapping around your waist and arms around your neck, “I love you, Y/N~!”

‘I’m sure you love everyone who offers you pasta’, you thought, patting his back awkwardly.

“Get off of her!” Ludwig shouted angrily, ripping the Italian off. He then turned to you with a sheepish look and tinted cheeks, “I’m sorry.”

You smiled, patting his warm cheek. “No worries, Luddy~ You can’t always take responsibility for Italy’s actions.”

He simply smiled, nodded and dragged Italy away.

You headed into the kitchen. Yao was grabbing plates and beginning to set them up on the large table that had been placed in the kitchen for the holidays. You helped him place as much food as you could fit onto the red-clothed table, the rest being left on the counters and stove along with the dessert and giblet gravy.

It was a tight squeeze trying to fit everyone at the table, but everyone managed to find a spot and the feast began. Some of them were reluctant to try the American food but once they decided to try it, they found it to be quite good. Of course, they still preferred their own country’s food over America’s, but it was edible enough. The fact that China and yourself had been the ones to cook it made it even better – or so you were told by both England and Japan.

“That was great, sis! So, what’s for dessert?”

Everyone froze, staring at Alfred like he had just grown three heads and seven tails. They couldn’t believe how much he had eaten. Alfred had consumed five helpings of food. Not normal helpings, either. His plate had been so full, it was stacked like a mountain that reached over his head. After eating five mountain-sized servings of everything the two of you had cooked, how in god’s name did he have room for dessert?

“Errr… We made three, actually. Apple pie, pumpkin pie and fudge.” you blinked, fork stuck in the air in mid-flight to your mouth. Your eyes were slightly wide as you stared at your older brother. You secretly wondered if he was a cow with three stomachs.

“Sweet! I’ll have all three!”

How had he not gained a single pound over the years? It just wasn’t possible! ‘Meanwhile, I breathe and gain ten pounds,’ You snapped out of it, standing up and rushing after your brother while yelling, “You better not eat all of my pumpkin pie or I’ll bake you!”

“Haha! Whatever you say, sis!” was his carefree reply.

The table full of varied countries erupted in laughter at the one-sided fight over the pumpkin pie reached their ears. Common knowledge was that you loved pumpkin pie, and would fight anyone to the death for it. Knowing that better than anyone, oblivious and carefree Alfred continued to test you.

Their laughter could be heard all around the world~

The all American Christmas wasn’t so bad, after all.

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gadgetgirl71 · 3 years

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The Ultimate Betrayal Kat Martin (Maximum Security #3) Publication date: December 29th 2020 Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

To prove her father’s innocence, she’ll have to turn a killer’s sights on herself

When her father is accused of espionage and treason, journalist Jessie Kegan has no doubt the man she looked up to her entire life is innocent. Worse yet, before Colonel Kegan can stand trial, he’s found dead of a heart attack…but Jessie knows it was murder. Forcing aside her grief, she’s determined to use her investigative resources to clear her father’s name. But going after the truth means Jessie soon finds herself in the crosshairs of a killer who wants that truth to stay buried with her father.

Protecting Jessie Kegan is a job bodyguard Brandon Garrett can’t refuse. Jessie isn’t just a client at Maximum Security—she’s the sister of his best friend, Danny, who was killed in Afghanistan. With dangerous enemies gunning for Jessie from every angle, keeping her safe will mean keeping her close, and Bran finds their mutual attraction growing, though being Danny’s sister puts Jessie out of bounds.

With their backs against the wall, Jessie and Bran will have to risk everything to expose her father’s killer—before his legacy dies with his daughter.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

They ordered-in Chinese and Bran turned the TV on in the living room, but neither of them were in the mood to watch. Jessie knew exactly what she was in the mood for. She hadn’t thought about sex this much in the last three years. Now, every time she looked at Bran, having sex with him was all she could think of.

Everything about him turned her on. The cadence of his voice, the way he laughed, the way he moved. Just watching him amble across the living room sent a curl of heat into the pit of her stomach.

What would it be like to kiss him? Run her hands over all the lean, hard muscles she had seen and couldn’t get out of her head? What would it be like if he made love to her?

Would she ruin it the way she had when she had tried before? Start thinking about Ray Cummings and the intimate way he had touched her? Conjure images of the rape he had planned to carry out the third night if she hadn’t managed to escape?

Fidgety and unable to relax, she headed for the pool, Bran reluctantly accompanying her. Exercising in the warm water was the perfect stress reliever. She glanced over to where he paced the deck at the opposite end of the pool, tall and lean-muscled, blue-eyed, and built. Nothing better than swimming–except for hours of erotic sex with the man of her fantasies.

It seemed so outrageous she found herself grinning as she stroked to the far end of the pool. She was still smiling when she came up out of the water, dripping and adjusting her swimsuit, just a few feet away from him.

“What’s so funny?” Bran asked, as grumpy tonight as he had been the night before.

She looked into his hard, handsome face and some little devil made her say it. “If you really want to know, I was thinking what it might be like to have wild, uninhibited sex with you.”

Hunger flashed in his eyes so quickly she took a step back. “Is that so,” he drawled, his gaze running over her, assessing every curve her orange-striped bikini displayed.

Her whole body flushed with heat as she realized she wasn’t the only one who’d been thinking about sex.

She swallowed. “I was imagining what it might be like, but I… I know if we tried, I’d screw it up. After Ray, I’ve got, you know, hang-ups.”

His gaze grew more intense. “What kind of hang-ups?”

She picked her towel up off the mesh table next to a lounge chair and quickly dried off, then slipped on her white terrycloth robe. Fortunately, the overhead lights began to flash, signaling it was time for the pool to close.

“Time to leave.” She started walking back to the room, wishing she’d kept her mouth shut. By the time Bran opened the door and checked inside to be sure it was safe, she was starting to relax.

“What hang-ups?” Bran he as he closed the door behind them.

Jessie’s stomach instantly knotted. What had possessed her to mention it? But Bran had opened up to her yesterday, which meant she owed him the same courtesy today.

Trying to appear nonchalant, she shrugged. “You know, kissing’s okay, but if a guy starts touching me, my mind flashes back to Ray Cummings and I-I start thinking about the way he touched me, where he touched me, and pretty soon sex is the last thing I want to happen.”

Bran’s jaw looked iron hard. “He rape you?”

She swallowed and shook her head. “On the third day, just before he got home, I managed to get loose. I couldn’t get out of the basement, so I searched for a weapon.” Her lips trembled as the memory became all too clear. “I found a wooden box and pried a board loose. The board had a nail in the end so I held it like a bat, and I-I waited till he came down the stairs.”

“Go on,” Bran said so softly she felt a chill.

“He always wore this black knit ski mask with a red ring around the mouth, which made him look even more terrifying. Knowing what he planned to do gave me courage. The minute he stepped off the bottom step, I swung the board as hard as I could and smashed him in the side of the head. As soon as he hit the floor, I starting whacking him over and over with the nail in the end of the board. He was unconscious and bleeding when I took off running.”

“Finish it,” Bran said when she paused, more a demand than a request.

Her voice trembled. “The woman in the house next door let me in and called the police. Ray was still unconscious when they got there. Turned out he was a serial rapist. He had abducted four other women and locked them up just like me. Eventually, he released them somewhere, but they couldn’t identify him or the place he had taken them. I was the only one who escaped.”

She was shaking. She didn’t realize she had tears in her eyes till Bran pulled her into his arms.

Author Bio:

Currently living outside Missoula, Montana, Kat Martin is the New York Times bestselling author of over sixty-five Historical and Contemporary Romantic Suspense novels. Before she started writing, Kat was a real estate broker. During that time, she met her husband, L. J. Martin, an author of Westerns and high-action Thrillers. Kat is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara where she majored in Anthropology and also studied History. She spends her winters in Arizona.

"I love to travel and especially like visiting the places where my books are set," Kat says. "I love history and enjoy spending time in museums and art galleries. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and historical houses. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."

To date, Kat has over seventeen million copies of her books in print. She is published in more than two dozen foreign countries, including Germany, France, Norway, Sweden, China, Korea, Bulgaria, Russia, England, South Africa, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Japan and Greece.

Kat is currently writing her next Romantic thriller.

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wingsofkpop · 5 years

Text

Finding SKZ - 6: FL00

pairing(s): Hybrid!Bang Chan x Reader, Hybrid!SKZ x Reader

genre: Hybrid!AU, Dystopian!AU, lots of Angst, spoonful of Fluff, eventual Smut

warning(s): Mature language, verbal abuse, mentions of physical abuse, flashbacks, mentions of death

word count: 5k

synopsis: After rescuing an abandoned hybrid from his fate of death, he has one other favor to ask of you. Not only do you have to find his eight other hybrid brothers, but you have to keep them safe from the deadly dangers of your city: Miroh

chapter directory

The Third World War sparked almost a century ago after the leak of a secret terrorist operation against what was known in the Old World as Europe. To this day, the origination of the group, nicknamed R.U.I.N.S., is still unknown. Members of R.U.I.N.S. first began their nuclear attack in London, Britain, where they wiped out nearly 60% of the population as well as completely demolished the lands. The remaining 40% either fled to neighboring countries or died out due to the dangerous aftermaths of the bomb, usually sickness from lingering toxic chemicals or starvation. R.U.I.N.S. moved on to spread the genocide to the rest of Europe and were met with strong resistance from world superpowers such as Saudi Arabia, China, Japan, the United States and Russia. Unfortunately, the influence of the terrorist group spread and planted corruption in the superpower’s government, which would eventually lead to the outbreak of a full fledged nuclear war that killed 95% of the world population, known today as the Mass Genocide…

You lean away from your laptop screen with a sigh, a dull ache lingering within your eyes. For the past few hours, you had been writing, more like trying to write the research paper your professor had assigned a couple days ago. You wanted to get it out of the way in order to study for the rest of your finals which started this upcoming Friday.

You meant to do it during the weekend, but you were a little preoccupied with helping your two new additions settle in. The office/extra bedroom had become way too crowded, especially considering you could only fit a twin bed and a tiny air mattress in there. As a solution, you went out and purchased one of those pull out sofas. The one in your living room was old and rotting anyway so it didn’t make much of a difference to you. Plus, it was either that or give up your own bed, and you don’t know if you’re ready to do that just yet.

Lifting your arms high above your head, your tense muscles loosen as the sickening cracks of underused bones enter your ears. Relaxed, you slide your laptop off your lap and do the same with your legs. Just as you were about to force yourself back into the historical world, your bedroom door opens.

You lift your gaze to watch Hyunjin walk through the doorway, two mugs within his hands. He offers you the pastel yellow one, which you accept with a sigh of gratitude. The fragrance of your favorite tea enters your nostrils and your stomach is already filled with the ghostly warmth of the drink. After taking a well-earned sip, you hum, “Thanks, Jinnie.”

“You’re welcome, noona. Woojin-hyung said you haven’t left your room in hours.”

“Yeah,” You nod, gesturing to your computer, “I have to write this paper before Friday. Sorry, I haven’t really been around that much today.”

Hyunjin shakes his head while taking a sip from his own cup, “Don’t apologize. We know how busy you are this week.”

Your heart melts at the young hybrid’s words. With a smile, you reach up to caress Hyunjin’s cropped ears. The fur beneath your fingertips is like velvet. Hyunjin releases a breath of satisfaction, leaning more into your pet. Originally, you had been wary to touch his ears, seeing as Chan had made the comment that his original owner altered their shape. But Hyunjin had quickly waved your worry away and welcomed your affection. As did most of the boys.

“I see who the favorite is in this family.” Seungmin grumbles from the doorway, his eyes narrowed in annoyance. “You’ve barely been here three days and are already getting all the attention.”

“It’s not my fault I’m cuter than you,” Hyunjin chuckles, saluting his younger brother with a lift of his mug.

Seungmin sends him a playful growl before crossing the room and plopping on your other side. He pulls your phone from his pocket and points to the screen, “I think I found more about Felix. For real this time.”

When Seungmin said he found Felix last Saturday morning, it wasn’t him. Nor were the other four Lee Felix’s he found. Since you kind of ran out of options, you guys agreed on the conclusion that whoever bought him probably changed his last name or something. That really hasn’t made your search any easier, considering there were a lot of Lee Felixs as it is, but there are even more Felixs.

“Oh yeah? Let’s see.”

“So I found three possible houses,” Seungmin pulls up a web page depicting the owners of a home near where your dad lives. He allows you to skim through the information while continuing, “The first one has records of a cat hybrid called Felix that has lived with them for about a year now. The other two are the same, except one records residence for about five months and the last one of two and a half years. All of them are how old Felix would be now.”

Hyunjin hums, “You’re sure one of these could be him?”

Seungmin shrugs, “Surer than the last ones. It’s not a hundred percent but it doesn’t hurt to try.”

“Okay,” You nod and turn back to face the beagle hybrid. “What’s the plan this time?”

“I was talking to Woojin-hyung and Chan-hyung and they thought it’d be best if we split up and go to the homes ourselves.”

Hesitance immediately fills your veins at his recount. It’s not that you were against going straight to the houses, you’ve done that before, you just didn’t like the whole ‘splitting up’ part. The idea of some of the hybrids traveling through the streets of Miroh without you at their side didn’t sit well within your stomach. In fact, it made you sick. Look at the whole thing that happened with Chan back at the circus. You really didn’t want a repeat of that again.

“I don’t know, Min… That’s a little-”

“-Woojin-hyung would go with Hyunjinnie, and Channie-hyung with me. You’ll have nothing to worry about, noona.”

Your eyebrows furrow, “So that means…”

Hyunjin nods, “You’re with Minho-hyung. Channie-hyung originally wanted to go with you, but the rest of us thought that it would be better divided this way.”

In your thoughts, you fail to notice the knowing look both Hyunjin and Seungmin send one another, complete with raised eyebrows and mischievous smirks. Since you were paired with the coyote hybrid, that means you have to be with him… alone. Lucky for you, Minho kept his promise and didn’t tell anyone about what happened in the alleyway or about the things you said. But that doesn’t mean he’s not going to inquire about such things further on his own terms.

“I mean… I guess that’s fine.” You shrug, glancing toward the screen of your laptop. “Whatever works.”

Seungmin nods, “Good. Chan said you don’t have class or work on Tuesday, so were figured we could try then.”

“Yeah, sure.” Sinking your teeth into your bottom lip, you reach for your computer and position your fingers across the keys. “Sorry guys, I really need to finish this.”

“It’s fine, noona.” Hyunjin sends you a sweet smile before tugging Seungmin toward the door. “Don’t stress yourself out and enjoy your drink.”

Only when the door shuts behind them with a click do you free the building anxiety budding within your chest. You toss the laptop away once again and bury your face into your palms. A deep sigh spills from your lips and echoes through your bedroom. The sound couldn’t compare to the loudness of your thoughts.

You’ve kept everything a secret for so long, but like most, you knew you wouldn’t be able to keep it forever.

***

Tuesday came a lot quicker than you really wanted it to. Then again, you did spend most of your time suffering through schoolwork.

Before everyone went their separate ways, Chan made sure to give Minho a long spewl of making sure nothing dangerous happens to you. You, still embarrassed about the whole bathroom encounter, didn’t have it in you to relay your favorite ‘I can take care of myself’ line. It’s not like you were purposely avoiding Chan, you just happened to have a lot of work you needed to get done… C’mon, you can’t even lie to yourself.

Your original plan was to stay away from Chan for a bit to let whatever spur-of-the-moment hormones dissipate. But your plan definitely backfired because the longer you were away from him, the more you thought about him. His soft, blonde curls. His gentle touch. His deep brown, shimmering eyes. And the more these thoughts took over your mind, the greater your fear grew. You were supposed to be protecting him and the boys. And thinking about him in such ways was only doing more harm than good. Even if you were behind closed doors, the two of you would still get hurt. They couldn’t stay with you forever. They had to leave someday.

Still, you so desperately wanted to be selfish.

A blaring horn awakens you from your thoughts and reminds you of your current setting. You were sat in the back of a taxi with Minho beside you, currently staring out the window. His fluffy auburn, pointed ears were hidden beneath the hood of a new black sweatshirt you bought him. When you gave it to him, he claimed he didn’t want it and would never wear it. Guess he forgot.

“The sweatshirt looks nice,” You murmur softly, reaching across the space between the two of you to tug on his sleeve. Minho flinches away from your touch and turns his head to send you a warning glance. Defeated, you retract your hand and retire your attention to the passing scenery outside your own window. So much for good terms.

Bungalow houses pass by your vision in blurs, each one more different than the last. The Felix you and Minho were heading to see actually lived near your father’s neighborhood. Obviously, you wouldn’t be paying him and his family a visit, but it’s nice to see familiarity for once. Plus if things go bad, you actually had transportation to get home.

The cab driver pulls the car to a stop after a couple more houses and a smaller, red brick and pine wooded home stands in front of you. From its size, you could tell it didn’t have too many bedrooms, maybe one or two, and on top of that, not many rooms at all. The front yard was well kept and filled with various decorations like creepy gnomes and plastic flamingos. There was a single Jeep in the driveway. A good sign.

You pay your driver and follow Minho as he exits the vehicle. You almost want to laugh as he eyes the lawn ornaments with distaste. You settle with a hidden smile instead.

The two of you make your way up the driveway, silent except for the gravel crunching beneath your every step. Minho had not spoken a word since you left the apartment and it was beginning to frustrate you. You knew he still had questions, so why wouldn’t he just ask? Why does he have to let you suffer?

“We’re college students, remember? And we’re interviewing them for a research project.” You turn to see if Minho acknowledged your reminder at all, but once again, you’re only met with the side of his face. A huff pushes past your lips and you quicken your pace to the front door, Minho allows you to go ahead and you wonder if he’s purposely doing it to make you wait.

You shake your head, “Ready?”

The hybrid just shrugs.

That’s answer enough for you to raise your hand and rap your knuckles against the door. You barely wait thirty seconds until the obstacle swings open and reveals a short, pudgy and older woman. Her face comforts to confusion, before a bright smile stretches across her face.

“Well isn’t this just a nice surprise!?”

Her voice is like nails on a chalkboard to you, too high-pitched and quirky. You conjure up a kind grin of your own and gesture between both you and Minho, “I’m sorry to bother you, ma’am, but my friend and I are doing a research project for our Biology class on hybrids living in residentials. We were wondering if you had one-?”

“-Oh yes! We do!” The woman turns back into the house and shouts something that has your ear drums splintering. You glance warily toward your companion before turning back just in time to see another figure enter the doorway.

And your face goes pale at the sight.

You didn’t know exactly what Felix looked like, but from Chan’s brief description, this hybrid looked pretty damn close. His hair was a shade of bright blonde, bringing more emphasis to the orange cat ears emerging from the sides of his head. He had a kind face with big brown eyes and rose colored lips. You could also see lines of freckles dotting across his cheekbones and down the arch of his nose.

It has to be him.

“This is Felix. Say hi to the nice students, honey.”

Felix doesn’t say a word, his eyes wide and centered straight at Minho. You peer over to see the coyote hybrid with a similar look, all except his lips were compressed into a straight line. You start to reach over to ground him, but a sudden yelp has your head snapping back toward the other pair.

“I’m not going to ask again, you little brat. Greet our guests.” Unlike before, her voice is mellow and full of warning. Your eyes trail down to see the woman clutching Felix’s wrist, his skin around her fingers a stark white. Felix inhales an unsteady breath before stuttering in a deep voice, “H-Hello…”

The woman smiles and nudges him into the house, “There we go. Now go be useful and make some tea. Come in, my dears, let’s talk about this project in the living room.”

Before you can decline her offer, the woman was already grabbing your wrist and dragging you through the doorway. You send Minho a terrified glance, who quickly lurches forward to grab your other hand. He shakes his head, “Miss, we don’t-”

“-Nonsense. We’ll discuss your project over some tea and cookies.” She doesn’t take no for an answer and quite literally, pulls both you and Minho inside. She seats the two of you in an old fashioned parlor filled with victorian style decorations. The couch you sit on is harder than a rock and very uncomfortable. Minho’s face gave away his pain too. You could only think of his poor tail right now.

The woman takes a seat in an armchair across from the two of you, pushing her glasses up her hooked nose. She smiles again and speaks, “You’ll have to forgive me, it’s been a while since I’ve had any visitors. Now tell me about this project.”

You go into this long detailed discussion about this fake project both you and Minho rehearsed beforehand, or you at least did. The woman believes every single word that leaves your lips, her eyes never straying from your talking form. You passed the strange feeling in your gut off as anxiety for Felix. But the goosebumps on your arms claimed otherwise.

“How wonderful. I’ll help you with anything you need!” The woman leans forward in her seat, reaches toward you and thumbs a loose lock of your hair. “My, what a pretty, little thing you are.”

Instantly, you recoil from her touch and scoot closer to Minho. You laugh awkwardly, trying not to physically cringe, “Oh, thank you…”

“My son would think you’re just absolutely divine. You should meet him!”

Minho feverishly shakes his head, “I don’t think-”

“-He gets home at five. You can stay until then.” The woman grins radiantly, oblivious to the expressions of shock on both you and Minho’s face. When Felix enters the room, she turns her head and nods, “Ah, good boy, Felix. Put the tray on the coffee table.”

Felix does as he’s asked, placing his porcelain tray on the table separating Minho and you from the adjacent woman. The cat hybrid goes about pouring a couple cups of tea and plating some cookies, his orange tail limp behind him.

“Cream or sugar, love?”

You shake your head, “Uh, no thank you.”

Felix hands you one of the teacups, his fingers brushing yours. You lift your eyes to meet his gaze and you feel your heart practically break in half. You’ve never seen so much sadness in a pair of eyes before, and it made you think back to how the woman was grabbing him. You immediately weren’t in the mood for tea.

“Perfect. Now let’s get on with this little interview.” The woman leans back in her chair and snaps her fingers. Felix sinks to his knees where he’s stood and takes his own seat on the floor. You eye the vacant chair next to the woman but don’t say a word.

Minho clears his throat, discomfort laced through the sound, and nods, “O-Okay… Well, how long have you been living with Felix?”

“Oh no, dear, you have that wrong.” The woman shakes a single gnarled finger toward the hidden hybrid, “Felix has been working for me for almost a year now.”

You can’t help but glance toward the boy. His eyes haven’t moved from the floor.

“Right…” Minho hums, “...How has that been?”

“Oh well, he tries, I suppose.” Your hostess shrugs and sends Felix a disappointed look. “In my opinion, human slaves were much better than hybrid ones.”

You try to suppress the anger burning within your core by digging your fingernails into your palms. Swallowing the retorts on your tongue, you send Minho yet another wary glance and force yourself to listen to the older woman’s words, “Sometimes we have some hiccups here and there, but-... Darling, aren’t you going to drink your tea?”

“I will, I just-”

“-Take a sip, love. Just one.” The intensity of the woman’s gaze sends chills coursing throughout your body. The weight of the cup between your fingers seemed to grow heavier and heavier. Out of the corner of your eye, you see Felix slightly shaking his head. His eyes wide with fright.

You shake your head with a small laugh, “Actually, I’m not-”

“-It’s rude to deny your hostess, darling. I said drink the tea.”

At her tone of voice, your hands began to shake. Memories flash within your mind like a firework show, a familiar voice taking over hers. Though your logic and common sense were screaming no, your body disobeys and soon the bitter liquid is cascading like gasoline down your throat. You regretted the decision as soon as you felt the tea sit within the depths of your stomach.

The smile returns to the woman’s face, “See, was that so bad? How was it?”

You nod, “Good. Very good.”

“Wonderful.”

A tense silence overtakes the atmosphere. You feel yourself cowering beneath the woman’s still smiling face. You slide your hand over to Minho’s knee, squeezing at the flesh in warning. He covers your hand with his, returns a gentle squeeze then rises from his seat, “I think we’re actually going to be leaving now.”

The woman pouts, “Already? My son hasn’t come home yet...”

“Miss, your son isn’t coming home.” All eyes turn to at Felix’s deep voice. He shrinks beneath the glare his owner sends his way, but he continues to speak, “He died a couple months ago. You know that.”

Goosebumps spread across your skin at the absolute fire burning within the woman’s eyes. She growls, “What do you know, you useless punk. You know nothing.”

“Don’t talk to him like that.” More gooseflesh arises when you turn to peer back at Minho. His second set of teeth was visible, showcasing his sharp incisors. He bares them toward her and hisses, “Felix-ssi, you’re coming with us. Let’s go.”

“You can’t! My son! I swear to the Lord I will…”

As you’re rising from your seat, a sudden wave of dizziness rushes over your body and dulls your senses. You could vaguely hear the woman threatening to call the police before your knees buckle and you collapse into Minho. The hybrid catches you, his face immediately contorting to concern, “(Y/N)-ah, what’s wrong?... (Y/N)-ah!”

“The tea. I laced it with a sedative.” Felix rushes forward, helping Minho keep you upright. Tears of panic were streaming down his face, he sobs, “I’m so sorry, hyung! I had to!”

“Shit, just… Hey!”

The last thing you hear before fading into darkness was a large crash and Felix’s scream.

***

You’re in a closet. The closet. Darkness cradling you like a blankets. The shadows are your guardians. They keep you hidden. They keep you safe.

Crash after crash. Scream after scream. Covering your ears does nothing. The sounds are engraved within your mind. You can’t escape.

“Somebody help me!...”

“Come here you fucking slut! I’ll teach you a fucking lesson!”

“Please! Stop-ah!...”

Tears spill down your cheeks like blood. You hide your face in the crease of your knees, which are pulled to your chest. It muffles your helpless sobs. In the dark. You are the darkness.

“(Y/N)!...”

“Shut up, pathetic whore! I’ll put you in the fucking ground, pathetic piece of shit!”

This nightmare will never end. Your demons follow everywhere you go.

You can’t escape.

“(Y/N)-ah?” Your eyes snap open at the call of your name. Minho’s face enters your vision which makes you realize you weren’t in a closet at all. He tilts his head, “(Y/N)-ah? Can you hear me?”

You nod, “Y-Yeah. I can.”

“Can you sit up?”

“I think so.”

With Minho’s support, you’re able to easily maneuver your body into a sitting position. A throbbing headache hits you head on (mind the pun). You clutch your head with a groan, feeling sick all of a sudden. It’s like that time you woke up after bar-hopping with your friends. Worst hangover ever.

When you manage to adjust to the pain, you take the chance to look at your current setting. You were in your bedroom, in your bed. Felix was sat in a chair a couple feet away from both you and Minho, his concerned eyes directed your way.

“I shouldn’t have drank that goddamn tea,” You groan, massaging at your pulsing temples. “What happened?”

“After you collapsed, shit hit the fan.” At Minho’s retort, you notice the small gash decorating his forehead. It didn’t look like it needed stitches which was a good thing. A really good thing considering the situation you are in. “We were able to lock her in a room long enough to get the hell out of there. I wanted to take you to the hospital, but Felix-ssi said no.”

You shake your head, “But why? I-I don’t understand…”

“She’s troubled…” Felix’s deep voice wrenches your attention away from Minho. At your gaze, he looks away, almost as if he couldn’t meet your eyes. “Ever since her son died, she’s been so…”

“Bat shit crazy?” Minho offers.

The other hybrid shakes his head, “She just… wanted companionship… Even so, I’m so sorry.”

“You have nothing to apologize for, sweetheart.” You wince as you swing your legs over to sit upright on the side of your bed and better face the male. You send him a soft smile, “It wasn’t your fault.”

Felix nods, but you can still read the guilt all across his face. You decide not to press and turn back to Minho, “Did you let the others know?”

He nods, “Yeah. Everyone’s outside. Channie-hyung wanted to come in, but we thought it would be better for you if we were the ones to explain what happened.”

You try not to notice how your heart flutters at the mention of the wolf hybrid. You clear your throat and shrug, “Yeah, I get it. Thanks.”

The two of them take your statement of gratitude as a permit to leave the room. Felix meets your eyes before he steps through the doorway, almost as if he were about to say something, but decides against it and completely rushes from the room. Minho also seems to hesitate, locking eyes with you before following his feline brother.

You didn’t like the knowing look you saw within his eyes.

Before you can think too much into it, another figure enters the room. Immediately, your cheeks start to burn and your heart race began to pick up. You will yourself to remain calm as the newcomer makes his way across the room to sit on the mattress beside you. Your attempt, though a good effort, fails. Because when you lift your gaze to connect with his, you’re immediately done for.

“Hi…”

Chan chuckles, “Hi…”

You purse your suddenly dry lips, licking at the course flesh. You try to think of something else to say, not liking how the silence matched the beat of your heart. No tangible thoughts entered your mind though. Which is why you’re thankful Chan was the one to break the silence, “How are you feeling?”

“Oh, I’m fine.”

“You sure? You were asleep for a while.” He lifts his hand to caress your hair back, his hand trailing fiery touches down your cheek. With his thumb, he rubs the skin just beneath your right eye, probably taking the dark lines beneath them. “Four or five hours actually.”

“Trust me, Chan, I’m okay.” You chuckle, grab his wrist and pull his hand away from your face. Your gaze trails down to your lap as you swallow at the stone in your throat. “I’m okay.”

As the quiet stretches on, you can’t help but think about when you were last alone with Chan. When you could feel his hands on your skin. His breath on your cheek. His lips…

“Stop.”

Chan furrows his brows, “What?”

You shake your head, “N-Nothing… It’s nothing. I just-”

“-(Y/N).” Your rambling ceases when the hybrid places both hands on your elbows, pulling you toward his body. “What’s wrong?”

Putting your hands against his chest to avoid him pulling your bodies any closer, you shake your head feverishly, “We can’t do this.”

“Do what?”

“You know what, Chan.” You sigh, “This… whatever this is.”

Chan remains confused with his silver ears pulled back, his eyes a blend of concern and wonder. He removes one of his hands to lift your chin up, forcing your eyes to meet. The more the feelings inside you stir, the greater your fear grows. You feel like you’ll suffocate. But fly at the same time just sat in his arms.

“Your heart is beating really fast.” Chan murmurs, placing his free hand right over your pulsing organ. His other travels up to cup your cheek again, your face fitting perfectly in his palm. He sends you a small smile, “Don’t fight it, (Y/N). Don’t be afraid.”

Tears well in the corners of your eyes. You don’t know why you’re crying, but you do know that you can’t stop. Each tear creates a river down your skin. A river of fear, sorrow and love. You don’t like feeling this vulnerable. Especially in front of him. Your whisper is filled with raw emotion, only audible enough for him to hear, “I don’t want to hurt you, Chan… And I don’t want to get hurt…”

Not again.

“Do you trust me?”

You close your eyes with a sob, more droplets escaping your eyes. Even so, you can’t help the smile that contorts upon your lips, “More than anyone I have ever known.”

“Then will you trust me if I tell you that I’ve never wanted anything more in my life than to kiss you right now.” Chan laughs, and the breath from his joy paints stars across your skin. You feel as if you were beneath a trance, only seeing him and only wanting to see him. “(Y/N)...”

He leans closer and closer until your lips are barely centimeters apart. One slip, and they’d touch. But he doesn’t deplete the space, and instead murmurs softly, “The world has taken anything and everything from me… And maybe it’s wrong, but for once, I want to be selfish…

“But I need to know you feel the same way.” His chocolate eyes bore into your own, and you swear you can see another universe hidden within the irises. A universe full of love, and life, and pain, and even death. You don’t see what the world chooses to see, but something that it chooses not to see: A beautiful creature that has lost everything, and is slowly gaining it all back.

The two of you aren’t so different in that sense.

Defeated, you shake your head, “This is a bad idea.”

Chan smirks, “Maybe. But an even worse idea is not kissing you this time.”

“Then kiss me.” You whisper, “I trust you.”

No sooner had you spoken the words did Chan diminish the remaining space and connect your lips to his. All hesitation and panic from before disappears in the actual act, and you can’t help but lean more into him, craving more of his touch. Your hands fly into his soft curls, like the many times you’ve wanted to before, and your bodies just mold into one. You’ve kissed a couple other people over your years, but none have ever felt like this. And as cliche as it sounds, you could spend hours just kissing Chan’s lips.

Your first kiss felt like hours honestly. And even when it ended, you could still feel the ghost of his lips hovering over yours. The two of you simply stare into one another’s eyes, before Chan kisses you. Once. Twice. Again and again until it may have actually been hours that passed. You didn’t want it to end any time soon.

It may have been selfish, but you didn’t care. You felt safe. Peaceful. Loved. In ways that you’ve never felt safe, peaceful and loved before. With Chan, the pain life has brought and will continue to bring dissipates into passion and longing. It was as if the world only held the two of you.

Nothing else existed. Just him and you.

#stray kids x reader #stray kids fanfic #stray kids au #bang chan x reader #bang chan au #stray kids #bang chan #woojin #lee know #changbin #hyunjin #han #felix #seungmin #i.n.#kpop fanfic #kpop au

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darylandbethfanforever9 · 4 years

Text

Downfall Of Us All: Chapter 13

Downfall Of Us All

Chapter 13

AN: Sorry, for the wait. I’ve been feeling down recently. I hope you all enjoy the latest chapter.

"Yeah, we know her, she's the bitch who stabbed me and killed our two children. I'll deal with her," Clint said darkly, a dangerous expression on his face. Something told Lilia that Clint would not make Laura's death quick, no he'd make it painful and slow. "Her real name is Ekaterina Kravchenko, she was born in Russia, Stalingrad which is now known as Volgograd. She was born on the 4th of July 1986," Lilia said grimly, showing a picture of Laura on the screen.

"We don't have a lot of information on Laura, what we do know is that she's dangerous and she's a master spy. We believe that these two are operating the program together, and we need to be careful. These people are dangerous." She said warningly, when she heard her phone ring.

It was her father, Mihai Dumitrescu. "Excuse me, I just need to take these phone call." Lilia said quietly, moving out of the room, causing everyone to stare. "Who's that on the phone to her?" Scott Lang asked curiously, Tony shook his head at him warningly. "Her dad, Dr Mihai Dumitrescu. He lives in Romania, Budapest but he does a lot of volunteer work in third world and war-torn countries. He's in Sokovia, at the minute." Tony explained quietly, as he took over the meeting.

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"Papa, are you alright?" Lilia asked worriedly, her father wasn't exactly a young man anymore but that didn't stop him from helping people. God bless him, she was proud of her father and his kindness. "I'm fine, Lily. I've just finished a surgery, it's complete chaos over here again. Serbia is fighting for control of Sokovia again, people are terrified." Mihai said concerned. Lilia felt her chest tighten at his words, and she heard alarms going off, she frowned. "Papa, what's going on?" She asked anxiously, worry surging through her like a firestorm. She felt worried for her father's safety. "It's nothing, that explosion wasn't anywhere near us. I love you, Lilia," Mihai said quickly, knowing he didn't have long. "I love you too, papa." Lilia said bravely and wiped her eyes as the line went dead. She sat still for a moment, before sobbing quietly into her hands. Her dad had to be alright, he had to be. He was her hero, he always came home safe and well.

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"The Extrimis serum killed this woman, the baby was born stillborn as a result. Given what they've used, it seems they're improving because the latest victims gave birth without any complications." Helen informed the team, and Fury. "So, what killed them?" Steve asked wearily, Helen sighed grimly and pulled down the sheet, so they could see the third victim's throat. "Yulia Zarhenkova's throat was slit, minutes after giving birth. The same MO was done to Nadia Nadarević, and Elena Nikolayev." Helen said grimly, and swallowed. "Tony, there's no easy way to say this but Pepper is pregnant with your baby. When we explained to Pepper's doctor what was going on, she informed her doctor that she was pregnant. She was.... scheduled to have an abortion today, at 2:30 PM." Helen explained gently. Tony's face turned cold at her words, he'd always wanted children with Pepper. It was why he'd become like a father to Peter, and Pepper was planning to abort their baby? "Could the baby survive? Despite the Extrimis?" He asked quickly, urgency in his voice. "It's possible, you did have the Arc Reactor and it could have genetic impact on your baby," Helen said carefully. Tony nodded, and swallowed as he looked at the rest of the team who were in shock. "I need to be alone, just for a few hours." He said numbly and headed to his lab. No one stopped him.

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"So, patient twenty-five is pregnant along with patient twenty-six, and you're sure our candidate isn't the father?" Dr Lozchenko asked intently, Laura nodded. "Positive, the fathers are Iron Man and Thor. The two women were scheduled to have abortions, neither of them wanted the child." Laura confirmed smoothly, a smile on her face. This was their advantage. Once the two women were in the late stages of pregnancy, they would induce them. The Avengers would be distracted. It was perfect.

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"So, you wanted to kill your baby with Tony Stark? And you wanted to kill your baby with Thor? Looks like you two aren't such nice women." Rumlow said cruelly, eying the two women who were hooked up on IV drips. Jane sobbed openly, she didn't want children and that was why she'd broken up with Thor for the final time. He wanted children, she didn't. Pepper said nothing, she was too busy staring at Rumlow who was absently running his hand over her stomach. "None of you three are like my girl. She's beautiful, she's got light blonde hair, and big china blue eyes. Plus, she's got breasts that I'd loved biting and cutting. You should hear the sounds she made, and she put up more of a fight then you two did." He said viciously and pulled out a video camera. He looked at her coldly and forced her out of the bed. She got up shakily, feeling nervous. "Strip for me. And I'll give you a taste?" He offered teasingly, Pepper was shocked at what he was offering.

"What?" Pepper stared at him in shock. Rumlow grabbed a handful of her strawberry blonde, dragging her out of the room and pulling out the IV while she cried out in pain. Dragging her into the next room, with sterile white walls and a narrow bed, he slung her out into the floor. "Let's make a deal," he told her, grinning. "You want to make things easier for yourself? You tell me things about Tony and you tell me things about a certain…" Looking at the phone in his hand, he read, "Lilia Dumitrescu." Pepper stared at him in confusion from the floor. "She's a new employee at Stark Industries… I interviewed her, but I don't know a lot else. She's a new addition to the AI team." "Whatever you've got," he told her, "whatever you know about her. About him. Tell me and make things easier for me here and things will go better for you." "So tell you what I want to know and… not fight you?" Pepper wanted to make sure she understood what he was saying. "Yeah," he smirked. "The intel I'll get from you either way. The easy way or the hard way?" Pepper started to quietly cry, wanting an end to this nightmare. "I… I thought you liked it… when we fought you." "I have the other two for that," he said, seeming amused. "Besides, that can't be easy on an older gal like yourself. What do you say?" Shaking, Pepper thought over her options. It didn't take her long to reach a decision. She nodded. Rumlow's face lit up. "Stand up." Pepper climbed unsteadily to her feet, trying to stop her tears since they were pointless. "Now, strip," he ordered. Pepper pulled the hospital gown off and sat down onto the bed.

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Sophie, since she was little had used cooking to calm her nerves. It was barely working today but it was working. With each day bringing some fresh horror, she needed to do something to feel normal again. Grace caught her making dinner, smiled and jumped right in. They were so used to working together in the kitchen, long hours side by side and it was a small bit of comfort for them. Natasha came to grab the remains of her green smoothie from the fridge, grinning at finding them there. "What in the world are you two up to?" the gorgeous spy asked with a grin. "It smells wonderful." "Dinner," Sophie told her. "Something so I can feel like me again." "It doesn't hurt that we have everything imaginable in here," Grace told Nat with a wink. "Beef Wellington," Sophie told the spy. "With brussels sprouts and baby carrots. Asparagus with Hollandaise sauce. And a cake to die for, pun intended, for dessert." Nat raised a brow but still looked very happy. "Let's talk portions, have you seen how much these guys can eat?" Nat wondered aloud. Sophie nodded. "Well, I've been thinking about that. I'm sure with their enhanced metabolisms, the super-soldiers have quite an appetite." "Bucky does," Nat winked at Sophie. "Clint, however, is the bottomless pit. At least he was before… Okay, let's make a plan here." "You cook?" Grace asked. "Hell, no. I can burn water. But no one has ever been able to out plan me," Natasha assured them. "Fair enough," Sophie told her with a grin. "Let's make that plan." And what a plan it was. It involved adjusting numbers and thank goodness they had time to pull more off, coming up with a salad, and the perfect wine. "We should have a movie night," Nat told them. "It would be a perfect way to finish up a meal like this. What do you think?" The sisters nodded, happy. Steve happened by as he came looking to see if anything had been planned. His face lit up to see the bustle in the kitchen. "What's going on in here?" he came to stop, hands on hips. "Dinner, Cap," Nat told him. "A home-cooked meal," he told them. "Sounds great. What can I do to help?" Steve started carrying platters out to the sideboard and table in the dining room. Nat winked at Sophie. "You couldn't have come up with anything better to charm Bucky," Nat told Sophie. "Good job." Sophie felt her face heat up. "I thought everyone would maybe enjoy it." "Especially Bucky. Come on. You know he likes you," Nat told her. Glancing past the spy, Gracie was nodding her agreement.

Sophie said nothing but smiled happily, as she started focusing on the dessert while Grace and Natasha helped with it. The large Beef Wellington was cooking in the industrialised, oven in the large kitchen. The Beef Wellington finished cooking, and she took it out of the oven, before putting it on a plate. It was steaming hot, and the pastry was perfect. "The Wellington's done, and so are the vegetables, and sauce. Just need to get the cake in the oven," Sophie said relieved, Grace and Natasha smiled. Once the chocolate cake was prepared into the baking tray, they put it in the oven, and set the timer. Natasha, Grace and Sophie put the food on the table. "Holy shit, that smells good." Tony said hungrily, he and Lilia had been looking over all of the files, Clint and Grace had found in the HYDRA base but so far had no more luck. "The cake will be ready after we've eaten, it's just in the oven." Sophie said softly, seeing Bucky sitting down next to her, and she gave him a shy smile. He smiled back, and passed her the plate with vegetables as she put some on her plate. She then passed it to Grace, who had some and gave it to Clint. It was like a proper family having dinner.

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Bucky honestly thought he would burst out of his jeans, after eating the deliciously cooked Beef Wellington with steam cooked vegetables, asparagus and hollandaise sauce. He had to unbutton his jeans, but he still had room in his stomach for the chocolate fudge cake that Sophie, Grace and Natasha had cooked. "Damn, that meal was better than what restaurants serve up," Bucky said amazed, Sophie smiled at him as the timer went off, and she went to get the cake out. The smell of dark chocolate wafted through the air, causing everyone's mouths to drool in hunger. Bucky actually felt his stomach growl in hunger. "I don't usually eat chocolate, but I'm letting go for tonight." Bruce declared seriously, and Sophie came out with the cake. It sat on a cake stand, smelling and looking delicious as she cut slices for everyone. Bucky bit into it, and felt the fudge melt on his tongue, bringing back memories. His mother and Steve's mother, both baking cakes for them on special occasions. Or, when it was their birthday, or to celebrate something. "This is delicious, dolls. You three knocked yourselves out." Bucky said impressed, causing them to smile. And Sophie smiled, her blonde bangs falling over her forehead. He smiled back at her.

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Unsurprisingly, there was still a lot of chocolate cake and once everyone got changed into their pyjamas for the night. The team were trying to decide what movie to watch.

Horror films were out of the question, considering what they'd found out. Clint didn't feel like being scared tonight and sat on the velvet sofa next to Grace. Lucky sat on his dog bed, with Salem, Starling and Custard all dosing off, while Tom sat on the armrest. The fluffy black and white cat, lightly snoring. The other cats, were sitting on people's laps, or on the sofas. Wanda had Patch on her lap, while Bruce had Paul on his chest. Bucky and Sophie had Bonnie, and Jack. Thor and Loki had two Norwegian Forest cats sitting on them, both were so fluffy it was like fluff mania. Loki stroked the cat affectionately. Sam, Sharon, Steve, Natasha, and Helen were all sitting comfortably on two other sofas. While, Tony and Lilia sat next to each other comfortably, and her ginger cat sat by them, Rubio. "Can we watch a funny film? I really don't wanna watch Alien VS Predator." Scott said uncomfortable, the film had always freaked him out. "How about Star Wars?" Peter suggested optimistically.

"Star Wars." Tony raised his brows. "Original trilogy? Prequel trilogy? Or sequel?" "No," Clint called. "I veto the prequel trilogy. It sucked!" "The one with Qui-gon? That one's good," Peter argued. "Which one had the teddy bear planet?" Wanda asked, snuggling with the cat. "I liked that one." "What is Star Wars?" Thor asked curiously. Tony rolled his eyes. Natasha got up from her place, walked by Tony to the console and simply typed in an entry. Tony turned around to see Jurassic World load up. Then he looked really excited, clapping his hands together. "Yes! Watch this, guys," he said, further typing into the console. When the room darkened, Grace looked around, seeing minor projections behind them, all around the room. As the opening sequel started it looked completely 3D. "Oh wow, Tony!" Clint was excited. "How the hell did you do this?" "Well, as I was developing B.A.R.F, I thought wouldn't it be neat to use this for 3D movies for that fully immersive experience?" "Wait, can we do this with pornos too?" Clint teased, Nat slung a pillow that narrowly missed Grace and hitting Clint in the face. "It's not a bad idea," Sam threw in there prompting Sharon to shove him off the couch. "Children!" Nat yelled. Steve and Bucky looked fascinated by the technology, especially one of the four raptors appeared to have walked around the couch. Thor looked around with wide eyes, trying to decide if any of it was really. Loki, shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose with his fingers.

By the time, the teen and his younger brother were stranded in the park, Nat had snuck into the kitchen and made three huge bowls of popcorn, passing those around while everyone watched the action all around them, the sound lending an atmosphere that truly was immersive. Steve kept his eye on Bucky who seemed a little nervous at first but who came around pretty quickly, only occasionally ducked and dodged. Grace noticed him grin at them later, then she saw why. Sophie's hand was tucked into Bucky's. That was a good thing she thought. Grace had curled into Clint's side, so he threw his arm around the back of the couch, so she could be more comfortable. By the time the new mutant dinosaur came on the scene, his arm was just wrapped around her, pulling her even closer. Feeling so safe and comfortable wasn't something Grace felt a lot since the loss of her parents. It was nice, and she enjoyed it, letting it lull her in a happy place. She dozed against Clint, catching him looking at her in her peripheral vision.

He smiled at her, and she smiled back as they watched the film. It was very suspenseful in parts, particularly when it was revealed the mutant dinosaur had raptor DNA. The film ended with Claire and Owen left the hospital, bit Grace couldn't wait to watch the sequel. It had been enjoyable, and the team wanted to watch another film. So, they decided on Star Wars: Return of the Jedi with the cute teddy bears. 'I can get used to this, I can,' Grace thought peacefully, and leaned into Clint, who held her close.

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Sophie sat next to Bucky as Star Wars: Return of the Jedi played, she could see Grace drawing cake designs on her sketchbook, and she had ideas too. Like plans for an Ewok and C - 3PO cake, or just generally a Star Wars themed cake. She fondly remembered for Peter's tenth birthday, they’d hosted a Star Wars themed birthday party for him. "Aww, these teddy bears are so cute. Look at how cute they are," Wanda said adoringly, Lance Hunter rolled his eyes as he watched the film with them. "Darth Vader redeemed himself, I believe." Thor said quietly, as they saw Darth Vader grabbing Palpatine and throwing him into the electrical grid. Everyone nodded in agreement, Bucky sat next to Sophie as they watched the ending of the film. Luke cremating his father and celebrating with the others. "And the moral of the story?" Loki asked intrigued, he had secretly enjoyed this film, as much as it pained him. "That people can always change, Loki." Sophie answered softly, and squeezed Bucky's left hand tightly, Bucky felt his heart swell with emotion towards her. She was a very special dame.

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Sophie and Grace took the team to visit the Melnychenko Drăgoi cake bakery and were shocked by what Tony's renovation team had done to their store. It was beautiful, and it had that homey feel around the shop that only their parents could bring to the store with Zach. Three framed photos hung behind the store, of their parents and Zach. Grace felt tears of happiness sting her eyes, as she stared at their beloved store. She looked at Tony who had his hands in his pockets and pulled him into a hug. Sophie joined the hug, and the two women hugged him tightly. Tony seemed to understand what they were saying silently, and hugged them back. "Tony, we can't thank you enough. How much do we owe you?" Sophie asked thickly, trying not to burst into tears. The store felt like home, like their parents were here with them. Tony looked at them both seriously and smiled genuinely at the two young women. "Could you make me a cake? Anything that had chocolate and coffee in it?" He asked hopefully.

"Every day if you like," Sophie told him, swiping at her face with the back of her hand. Grace ducked behind the counter with her and they got to work while the others took a look around the bakery. Bucky caught Sophie's attention, pointing to Zach's photo on the wall. "Is that Zach?" Sophie nodded quietly, not wanting to draw Grace's attention while she helped her to get the cake started. Bucky stared up at the image with sad eyes, studying it for the longest time. "You knew him, didn't you? Rumlow?" Sophie asked quietly. Bucky nodded. "He was part of Pierce's S.T.R.I.K.E. team. I knew him very well. Fortunately, Zach has Grace's eyes." Sophie knew that was true. "What is he like?" Grace had cut them a glance, but Sophie was reasonably sure her sister didn't know who they were talking about. Bucky moved closer as she got out flour, baking powder, and eggs. "World-class combatant," Bucky said keeping his voice low. "He could street fight, knew martial arts. He was a tough son-of-a-bitch. At least he was until the Triskelion fell. He was supposed to take out Steve, with my help. That didn't work out so well for him." Bucky watched her work, while Grace chatted happily with Nat, Steve, and Clint. "You worked with him?" Sophie wanted to know. "I wouldn't word it like that, doll," Bucky explained. "I wasn't his equal. I wasn't even his subordinate. I was a tool he wielded like the rest of them. I wasn't even considered… human." Sophie's heart sank. "You know that's not true, right? You are so much more than they made you believe." "Was I?" Bucky dropped his gaze, looked embarrassed to be there. "You're a hero," Sophie told him. "No matter what happened during those years HYDRA held you captive." "I don't know what your history books told you, doll," he whispered. "But it wasn't that I was a hero." "Don't argue with a lady," Steve said quietly as he passed by, winking at Sophie. Sophie grinned at that. "Not that I'm one to disagree with the captain, but I think your status as a hero or not is dependent on perspective. You're a hero to me." "What did I do to earn that?" Bucky asked, a corner of his mouth tipping up. "Well, you're my mentor, aren't you?" Sophie asked, beginning to mix her dry ingredients. "You didn't sign up for that. At least, I know you didn’t. But you had to take on a scared, unwitting child of HYDRA agents. All you've done is watch over me, try to comfort me, keep me safe. What is it that a hero does again?" Bucky fought a smile, wasn't quite successful. "So how long have you had this shop? How long were you working in here?"

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"We've owned the store since we emigrated here from Ukraine, Odessa. Our parents were worried about the radiation from the Chernobyl disaster, so we moved here in 2001. My parents had saved up money, and we opened the Melnychenko Drăgoi cake shop." Sophie said fondly, thinking of her parents.

Bucky smiled at her words, he could see how much she loved her parents and she wiped her eyes.

"The third and fourth photographs are of our grandparents, mama's parents and papa's parents. We never got to know them, they died before we were born," She explained quietly, seeing his questioning look.

Bucky squeezed her hand tightly, his own maternal grandparents had been killed during the Holocaust for Jewish and Romani. It left a bitter taste on his tongue. Because once again, children were being ripped from their mothers, and fathers. He hated the new President, and what he stood for

Tagging list: @jtargaryen18, @marvelfansworld, @sapphirescrolls, @nomadicpixel, @queenoftheunderdark, @sweater-daddiesdumbdork, and @my-favourite-fics

#Hawkeye Fanfiction #Ronin Fanfiction #Clint Barton Fanfiction #Clint Barton x OC #Winter Soldier Fanfiction #Bucky Barnes Fanfiction #Bucky Barnes x OC

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bond-villains-are-winning · 5 years

Text

There is NO Capitalism.

There is just Socialism. mainly four types...

1. Socialism Only for Banks (USA, post-Brexit UK),

2. Socialism Only for Party Bosses (Communism: Vietnam, China. Plus the Old USSR and the Warsaw Pact)

3. Socialism Only for the State (Fascism: Turkey, Brazil, Philippines, North Korea. In the past Mussolini Italy, Hitler Germany, Tojo Japan, Franco Spain, Salazar Portugal)

4. Socialism for Organized Worker Resistance and, incidentally, everyone else(E.U.,Japan, Korea, Singapore, Cuba. The USA 1946 to 1973, UK 1926 to 1960)

[This is a LONG post]

US Socialism Only for Banks - a History

US Bank failures prior to 1913 & the Federal reserve:

When checks from one bank are cashed in another bank, unfortunately, actual printed paper money does not relocate from bank to bank.

Nor do the banks handle accounting for liabilities as must any other business.

The Originating bank issues a check and sets up an account for the bank that cashed the check; an IOU has been issued to the 2nd bank.

The check cashing 2nd Bank books as “Income-available-for-loaning-out” the IOU from the originating bank. That IOU becomes, through the miracle of accountancy, “available” money. A current “asset”. Not a future “receivable “ as it would be in any other business.

When the second bank uses the money for one of its depositors’ checking accounts which issues a new check to pay a third party - that 2nd IOU becomes through “deposit” in the 3rd bank magically transformed into 2x the money available. Because “it”now exists in 2 banks as “an asset”.

And so on 3x) and so on (4x) an so on (5x) and...

The originating bank may be making the IOU based on a deposit or a loan

If the Originating bank makes a loan, it books as “Available-for-loan-today” both the principal and anticipated interest not due in full for many years in the future.

Any, any, any hickcup in cash flow in any bank in line creates a domino affect with the IOUs. Sufficiently sized hickups and bank failures and the various multiple Panics, five “Great Depressions” and 40+ Recessions 1782 to 1912.

(See Fed Reserve article at end of post)

Socialism Only for Banks post-1913 from the Establishment of the Federal Reserve until 1935.

Same as above (what? You thought...)

PLUS Socialism Only for the 1/3 of Banks that had joined the Reserve.

The Reserve bailed out its members after the 1929 Crash and the stronger non-member Banks at the taxpayers expense.

The taxpayer depositors lost whatever they had in the non-bailed out banks.

The St. Louis Fed Reserve in 1930 declined to bail out non-members. Triggered catastrophic failure. That failure which in turn gave rise to bank robber folk heroes Bonnie & Clyde, Ma Parker, Dillinger, Nelson, etc in the mid-west.

Continued over-extension by Banks led to continual bank failures even with Bailouts 1929 to 1934

Socialism Only for Banks 1935 to 1980

Same as above except...

FDR establishes the FDIC in which the ordinary taxpayers get to replace their own bank-lost deposits in banks to a preset imited amount - of course at the taxpayers’ expense, not the Banks’.

FDR Administration took over 1 million mortgages from failed banks at lower rates. The other million who families who applied...well...

The tax payers through the magic of doubletalk borrowed from their future tax payments to pay through the FDIC to the Bank to put back the taxpayer’s own money the over-extended bank had lost.

Anything not covered by FDIC was lost.

All banks are part of the FDIC and the Federal Reserve. Both of which essentially do the same thing without “reserves” or actual “insurance deposits”.

Regan screws us all: Socialism for Banks Only 1981 to 2007

Same as above except...

In the 1980s Speculators paid Congress to loosen banking regulations and anti-trust laws.

Massive Ponzi scheme involving Speculators purchasing Savings and Loans or “junk bonds”, making loans on wildly inflated property values, losing everything, then declaring bankruptcy 1984-1994.

The ordinary tax payers got to bail out the S&Ls through a couple of new federal agencies. The taxpayers once more borrowing from their future taxes to bailout their own current mortgages.

With Savings and Loans the 25 national commercial banks were “forced” to take over mortgages. By 2008 we were down to 6 national commercial banks.

Couple of 1990-era debacles. Building the cell phone network but somehow lost the investors money. Then overinvestment in early dial-up internet startups which lost the Investors money.

Important gibberish: “... the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 repealed significant aspects of the Glass-Steagall Act as well as the Bank Holding Act of 1956, both of which had served to sever investment banking and insurance services from commercial banking. From 1999 onwards, a bank could now offer commercial banking, securities, and insurance services under one roof.” (Investopedia)

Oh goodie! No more cumbersome “guberment reg-jew-laysions”!

In next to no time Commercial Banks came up with a dictionary full of gibberish (derivatives, tranches, MBS,negative amortization ) to cover bundling and selling mortgages for up to 3x any possible future payments or conceivable property value (just like S&L debacle above - see, business as usual)

In 2004 the Bush Administration “relaxed” the net capitalization requirements at the behest of five Wall Street Banks. (Less than four years later three of these experienced financial geniuses went under while two were saved by brillant...just kidding, two had “friends” in high places and were bailed out)

In 2006 the bottom fell out of the real estate market.

In 2007 no Economist saw the Iceberg ahead.

Socialism Only for Banks 2008 to Present

Same as above except...

In October, 2008 the largest single Ponzi scheme in galactic history collapsed taking down most of the world economy.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but when we were told about the $700 billion “bailout” of 2008...no one mentioned that - according to Forbes (see link at bottom) - it was just the first installment on the $4.6 TRILLION paid out as of 2014 of the...are you sitting down?...$16.8 TRILLION the Geo W Bush Administration committed.

As I’m sure you remember, when the Banks got their Special Socialism Bailout they humbly awarded themselves Multi-Million$$ bonuses. ($132 Million$$ in 2010 when they weren’t loaning)

Then the Banks foreclosed on 16 MILLION HOMEOWNERS who were victims of Predatory loans(see graph below) Over 10% of all households.

I forget, who bailed out the self-bankrupted Banks? Oh, yeah, the US taxpayer. But at $17 Trillion also we taxpayers’ children, grand children, great grand children, etc, etc, etc, etc to sometime in the 22nd Century.

It’s not just the Banks...

Did I mention that when the Banks obtain the money to pay interest on our savings by “investing” in that Great-Ongoing-Ponzi-Institution we call the Stock Market? That 80% of all stocks are owned by the Banks - not the Super-Rich?

The Super-Rich only own about 5% of Stocks The Super-Rich own voting stocks however, unlike the stocks owned by the Banks. So the voting stocks give the Super-Rich “control” with minimal investment.

That of the $700 Billion$$ per year Congress insists the Pentagon spends, $100 Billion is for all service personnel here and abroad living in aging decrepited bases. The Lion’s share of the Budget the Pentagon doesn’t want goes to military contractors (who are, coincidentally, BIG Congressional campaign donors) for obsolete armaments no other country has or wants. Such as sitting duck’ Nuclear aircraft carriers Russia can hit from 300 miles away ; nuclear attack subs with no enemy fleets to attack; $400,000,000 temperamental fighter jets that required a week of maintenance after an hour in the air; etc, etc, etc. ( You didn’t really think we spent trillions and trillion$ fighting Iraq oilfield workers or Afghanistan farmers did you?)

When the Super-Rich screw up as they do with appalling frequency, they pay Congress to take our future tax payments to pay for today’s bailout. Or Subsidy, Or Taxcut. Or...

Of course, thanks to the Bank bailouts, Corporate bailouts/subsidies, and tax cuts for the One-Percent, we are told by their bribed stooges in Congress that “we” have to “do something about Entitlements”. By which “they” mean “gut everyone’s Social Security and Medicare”.

Also “we” “can’t afford Universal Healthcare”. Even though EVERY COUNTY with Universal Healthcare pays HALF or less than the $11,000 per person Private Insurance “Choices” costs the US Insured ($11,000 which doesn’t include “co-pays”, “not covered”, “covered, but denied”, “deductibles”)

Every country pays less. Every country in Europe including Russia. Every country in the world receiving US military aid including Israel. Small Island Nations like Grenada and Fiji with populations of 100,000 (I’ve been there and spoken to the ordinary people).

Same goes for Veteran Care, the Homeless, the Hungry, Education, etc.

What about the Future?

Idk about you, but at $17 Trillion for last decade’s imbecility I don’t think we can afford Banks, Stock Markets, Military Contractors, Big Insurance, Big Pharma, the Fossil Fuel Industry and the Super-Rich anymore.

In the near future when the Predators’ Ponzis fail, we could use the 22nd or 23rd Century’s taxpayers’ money to bail out ONLY our own 21st Century asses.

This next time let the banks fail. Break up the Mega-Corporations. And tax-like-its-theft whatever the Super-Rich have.

At this point it’s ALL been paid for with our great grandparents tax money. Our grand parents tax money. Our parents tax money. Our current and future tax money. Our children’s , their children’s. Their children’s children’s, and, of course, etc.

Otherwise...the same as above.

The Fall of World Capitalism:

Lenin was apparently correct when he predicted in 1912 the imminent collapse of late-stage Capitalism which Marx earlier predicted would be in the form of Imperalism. The First World War errupted as countries chose up “teams” to steal the other “team’s” overseas empires.

The losing side’s colonies were redistributed to the “winners” who had bankrupted themselves to achieve “Victory”. The British Empire, the French Empire, the Dutch Empire, the Belgian Empire had entered their Twilight Years.

The true winners of WW1 were the US and the USSR which took no new territories. Russia exited the ‘War to Steal Colonies’ as the USSR to save what was left of its population. That exit threatened Billion$$ the US had loaned the Allies if the Allies lost. As a result, and not for the first or last time, the US came up with a pretext to enter the war the very next month. (Google “Zimmerman Telegram”. 200,000 US casualties resulted).

“Loser” Turkey came out better as well. Their post-war nationalist revolution was evidently happy to be out from under the burden of maintaining the Ottoman Empire.

WW2 or (the Death of Late-Stage Capitalism part 2) grew out of the disaffection of number of “Victorious”countries and independence movements that felt cheated in the redistribute or in remaining colonies: Italy, Japan, China, India/Pakistan, Indonesia, Vietnam, China.

Of course, Germany and Austria had fought to a stalemate - not a defeat. So the anger of over being blockaded during the supposed 1919 Peace Negotiations with subsequent starvation of friends and families created the Nationalists who helped fuel Part 2.

Part 2 might have been avoided had the Czar spent more on transportation infrastructure for moving food. Then the October 1917 Revolution might have gone on to inflame half or all of Continental Europe and a large part of Asia. As it was, the Soviets couldn’t move food fast enough. So Lenin accepted the British bribe of food to feed the starving. In exchange for continued food supply he backed off on international revolution. (“BS”you say having not read of Revolutionary uprisings n the 1920s in Germany and England).

For a time in the US when labor had strengthened through the war years, the White working class enjoyed a “Socialism for Organized Resistance.” era 1946 to 1973. The rise of Civil Rights to join the Resistance split the White working class organized labor. Thus the downward spiral back into “Socialism Only for the Banks”.

Qualifications:

I have not researched the developing nations such as India and Africa. They may be experimenting with macroeconomic organizations different from anything above.

The Basque region of Spain continues the Anarchic economy that began in the mid-1930s. Evidently very successfully. But I regret I’ve not researched or traveled there - yet.

I have classified Cuba based on the apparent (to an outsider) Social stability and healthcare as something separate from ‘Socialism Only for Party Bosses.’ Perhaps more like Leninism before Dzerzhinsky, Stalin & the Terror?

I fear that Japan and perhaps Korea are closer to the US/UK.

I wanted this Post to be about matters I believe most of the readers don’t know about. So...

I’ve left out tax cuts. I’ve written extensively about tax cuts elsewhere as have many smarter than me. . It’s unlikely anyone who believes in Tax Cuts for the Rich will read much or any of this post.

I’ve left out how our post-Regan Oligarchical Economic System allows the suppression of wages and supplier prices while allowing price-fixing inflation. Others have written whole books. Suffice to say it is the lower half of our countriy’s economic strata who have suffered the greatest loss - about a third to a half of their comparative buying power. The same US Mega-Corporations pay Australians or Germans half again as much per hour than they pay their US workers for the exact same job.

I have left out how specifically Cartels can stagnant wages. In the decade 2008 to 2017, wages generally did not increase while we experienced 16% inflation. A few corporations in each economic sector at the top of the supply chain are in a position to fix wages and supplier prices which fix wages and supplier prices down each tier of the supply chain

I’ve left out Inflation. As has the Media for 20 or 30 years while Inflation has made us poorer but the Rich wealthier. The affect of the Banks multiplying the money supply is in economic gibberish “inflationary”. But the effect is not expansive. “Inflation” decreases the buying power of any money. As buying power decreases, the worker must work more hours to pay the same rent, buy the same food, buy the same utilities, buy the same gasoline. And/Or cut out some purchases. An argument can be made that it is the Banks and Corporate Oligarchies that are driving inflation and not the Governments generally. But I’m not up to the task.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

LINKS

Clarity from the Federal Reserve about “business as usual” and “fictitious reserves”: “One cause was the practice of counting checks in the process of collection as part of banks’ cash reserves. These ‘floating’ checks were counted in the reserves of two banks, the one in which the check was deposited and the one on which the check was drawn.2 In reality, however, the cash resided in only one bank. Bankers at the time referred to the reserves composed of float as fictitious reserves. The quantity of fictitious reserves rose throughout the 1920s and peaked just before the financial crisis in 1930. This meant that the banking system as a whole had fewer cash (or real) reserves available in emergencies (Richardson 2007).”

https://www.federalreservehistory.org/essays/banking_panics_1930_31

The COST of the bailout of 2008:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.forbes.com/sites/mikecollins/2015/07/14/the-big-bank-bailout/amp/

Foreclosures after 2008:

http://static.realtytrac.com/images/reportimages/foreclosure_activity_historical.png

#my thoughts #how the rich earn their money

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antoine-roquentin · 5 years

Link

It was a warm evening this past July when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared a drink with the world’s most powerful intelligence network.

Spy chiefs from the Five Eyes nations had come to a secure resort in coastal Nova Scotia for an informal evening after intense talks in nearby Ottawa.

Trudeau, who’d spent part of the day pledging to fix a “death trap” highway in the Atlantic province, dropped in on the gathering to share some thoughts about geopolitical threats.

When he left, as the lobster dinner was being served, the conversation returned to a debate that began well before this annual meeting and would run long after it: should the agencies go public with their concerns about China?

In the months that followed that July 17 dinner, an unprecedented campaign has been waged by those present – Australia, the US, Canada, New Zealand and the UK – to block Chinese tech giant Huawei from supplying equipment for their next-generation wireless networks.

This increasingly muscular posture towards Beijing culminated in last week’s arrest of Huawei’s chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, in Vancouver, over alleged breaches of US sanctions with Iran. Meng, the daughter of the Huawei’s founder Ren Zhengfei, was granted bail on Wednesday ahead of efforts to extradite her to the US.

As the spy bosses sat down to savour Nova Scotia’s famous lobster that evening with a glass of local wine, their recent clash with Russia was seen as a template for the power of working collectively. The British delegation led by MI6 boss Alex Younger – a man who signs official documents in green ink with a single letter “C” – had detailed evidence of the brazen attacks in Salisbury, where Moscow had used a military-grade chemical weapon on UK soil.

In the aftermath the British went public and the Five Eyes coordinated the largest ever expulsion of Russian intelligence officers from NATO and partner states. All agreed this would significantly degrade Russia’s intelligence capability.

That episode reminded everyone that espionage and foreign interference continues to be a pervasive threat. Some believed since 9/11 that mission had been obscured by the fight against terrorism and so at their own pace each had concluded the greatest emerging threat was China’s Communist Party.

They also knew that to contend with this challenge there was no other group of nations that enjoyed such shared knowledge, cultural affinity and technical expertise.

Not all agreed to speak publicly about China when they returned home, but all were determined to act. And the Five Eyes network would include allies like Japan and Germany in the conversation.

This coming in from the cold was viewed as a countermeasure to China and its many proxies, who have long argued fears over its rising power and influence were a fiction, or worse still, signs of xenophobia.

Since that July meeting there has been a series of rare public speeches by intelligence chiefs and a coordinated effort on banning Huawei from 5G networks. It began with one of Malcolm Turnbull’s last acts as Prime Minister.

The Sunday before he was deposed Turnbull rang the US President Donald Trump to tell him of Australia’s decision to exclude Huawei and China’s second largest telecommunications equipment maker ZTE from the 5G rollout.

Australia’s statement on the rules it would apply to building next-generation wireless networks was released on August 23 and largely lost in the leadership maelstrom.

Huawei was not named but it ruled out equipment being supplied by “vendors who are likely to be subject to extrajudicial directions from a foreign government”.

Mike Burgess put Huawei back on the national agenda when on October 29 he became the first Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate to make a public speech in the organisation’s 70 year history.

Listening attentively from the head table that night was the Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Duncan Lewis and his counterpart at the Australian Secret Intelligence Service, Paul Symon.

All three men were at the meetings in Canada. Again, Burgess never named Huawei or ZTE but said the stakes with 5G “could not be higher” as it “will underpin the communications that Australians rely on every day.”

The man who runs an agency that unlocks electronic secrets had a poacher’s view of the threat: “Offence informs defence and defence informs offence. Or to put it another way, to catch a thief, you will need to think like one (or perhaps, be one).”

Since then he has given a TV interview and opened a Twitter account with a lively first post; “Hi internet, ASD here. Long time listener, first time caller.”

Burgess has even dabbled in some light trolling of Huawei. On November 21 when a Huawei executive boasted of successfully separating the core and access parts of a 5G network in New Zealand he tagged the ASD boss on his post.

To the surprise of most Burgess replied; “Thanks for sharing. In my business I’ve never seen anything “fully isolated...”.

Seven days later New Zealand banned Huawei from supplying 5G equipment to mobile phone company Spark.

Then on December 6, the head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, David Vigneault, who had hosted the annual Five Eyes gathering, used his first ever public speech to warn of an emerging threat.

“CSIS has seen a trend of state-sponsored espionage in fields that are crucial to Canada’s ability to build and sustain a prosperous, knowledge-based economy,” he said.

“I’m talking about areas such as AI [artificial intelligence], quantum technology, 5G, biopharma and clean tech. In other words, the foundation of Canada’s future growth.”

No one was in any doubt he was talking about China. A formal ban on Huawei and ZTE from Ottawa is expected within weeks.

A day after the Canadian spy boss spoke, the head of MI6 was on his feet at his old Scottish university, St Andrews.

In a speech described as “rare” he warned that “much of the evolving state threat is about our opponents’ increasingly innovative exploitation of modern technology”.

The United Kingdom posed a particular problem for the Five Eyes as, 15 years earlier, British Telecom had struck a partnership with Huawei and that example was routinely used to counter arguments it posed a threat.

In answer to a question Younger took direct aim at Britain’s Huawei problem.

“We need to decide the extent to which we are going to be comfortable with Chinese ownership of these technologies and these platforms in an environment where some of our allies have taken a very definite position,” he said.

On the same day the BT Group announced it was stripping Huawei's equipment out of the core of its existing 3G and 4G mobile operations and would not use its technology in the 5G network.

But no country has been more aggressive than the United States, represented at the Canadian meetings by Gina Haspel.

The newly appointed director of the Central Intelligence Agency was battle hardened by a life spent in the shadows. She shed some light on that in a bruising Senate confirmation hearing in May saying she had “excelled in finding and acquiring secret information that I obtained in brush passes, dead drops, or in meetings in dusty alleys of third world capitals.”

Well before her arrival at the helm of the CIA, the US has been focused on Beijing and the proceedings against Huawei’s Meng are just one front in its efforts to bring China to heel.

Washington’s sharp focus on Beijing plays into Trump’s obsession with trade wars but it would be wrong to think it’s solely driven by the President. Over the past two years Republicans and Democrats in Congress and the Departments of Defence, State and the security agencies have come to the conclusion China is a strategic threat.

US prosecutors have filed charges against Chinese hackers and, in an audacious sting in April, American agents lured Chinese Ministry of State Security deputy director Yanjun Xu to Belgium, where he was arrested for orchestrating the theft of military secrets.

There is also speculation further indictments are imminent over a concerted Chinese hacking campaign known as “Operation Cloud Hopper”, which is believed to have penetrated networks across the globe, including Australia.

In addition the White House used its bi-annual report on China, last month to say Beijing had "fundamentally" failed to change its behaviour around cyber espionage giving it unfair access to intellectual property, trade secrets, negotiating positions and the internal communications of business.

The report added weight to revelations in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald the same week that China had diverted internet traffic heading to Sydney and its peak security agency had overseen a surge in attacks on Australian companies.

This industrial scale cyber theft is just part of a form guide which convinced the Five Eyes intelligence chiefs that Beijing would not hesitate to recruit Huawei to its cause and the company would have no choice but to comply.

All the evidence before the spy bosses at the dinner in Canada pointed to a rising superpower mounting the most comprehensive campaign of espionage and foreign interference that any had witnessed.

The Party was aggressively exporting a worldview that was hostile to democracy and actively sought to undermine it.

A new Great Game was afoot and the West had been slow to act. But it is acting now.

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connor-christensen-posts-blog · 5 years

Text

Harry Potter and the Headmaster’s Secrets

With the original Harry Potter series coming to an end, fans would not be left high and dry as there was a new series just beginning to fuel their need for magical studies: The Fantastic Beasts series. These movies are giving us a look into some new, and known, characters we all know and love, years before we ever saw or read about them. Arguably one of the most exciting relationships that is going to appear in the new movie being released this November, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald,(Which after now having seen it I must say it is an absolutely amazing movie) is that between both a younger Dumbledore and Grindelwald. As exciting as this was to see, J.K. Rowling possibly made this even more exciting, and questionable, with an announcement she made in 2007 in New York City. She, in front of a large crowd, announced that she always thought of Dumbledore as being gay.

So, fast forward to November 2018, we are getting a movie of Dumbledore in his youth; and many fans were excited to see how Dumbledore would be played and how his sexuality would be apparent on the big screen, that is until David Yates, the director of this Fantastic Beasts movie, stated that Dumbledore would not be explicitly gay. Fans felt betrayed and were angered at this fact even though there is no telling of what was meant by “explicitly” gay, nor has anyone seen the movie to know what this could mean. But regardless, everyone has formed an opinion about why or whether or not the director was in the right.

I believe that David Yates was correct in making the decision he did. First off this is only movie two in a five part series, so who knows, this issue could possibly come up later in the series and we could see what a gay dumbledore is like. You also have to respect what they are doing, there is no textual evidence stating that Dumbledore is gay, they may want to just focus solely on what was written by Rowling, and not just a comment she made over ten years ago. And possibly the biggest reason as to why they are leaving this controversy out of the movies is the very possible loss in who knows how much money in other countries.

Up until this announcement, there have been no LGBTQ characters in this series, and some fans have been upset at that fact. Only Rowling knows why she decided to do without those characters, or had she? She stated that she always thought of Dumbledore as gay, so why not make him that way in the books? But regardless, after this announcement, those in the audience stood on their feet and applauded her for this decision as they believed it was a huge step for the LGBTQ community. The only problem, then, is that since this was announced, many fans believed this has become a part of Dumbledore and his youth, and it must be shown in the movies. Now whether that’s because they truly believe it is part of his youth or they just want some representation is unknown to me, but the matter still stands that fans would like to see Dumbledore portrayed as a gay character.

As much as fans loved Rowling for this announcement and agreed with what she said, after Yates’s statement, a lot of anger was turned towards her. Many accused the beloved author of Queerbaiting, or hinting at a same-sex relationship but never depicting it. Rowling was upset that she was getting the backlash of what was said by Yates in his interview and tweeted saying:

“Being sent abuse about an interview that didn't involve me … which is part of a five-movie series … is obviously tons of fun, but you know what's even *more* fun?”,

Either way, though, I believe it is too early for fans to get upset at either Yates or Rowling, due to what was said by Rowling about this being a five part series. Since this is only the second installment, we have no idea where this movie will leave off or how old Dumbledore will be. Until we have seen the movie, there is no room for criticism or blaming of any kind since we have no idea what we are in for. Jude Law, the actor playing Dumbledore, said “We learn a little about his past … But we’re not going to reveal everything all at once”. He also goes on to say how we may not see Dumbledore’s sexuality play out in this film, but there are more movies to come in which it may be more explicit. That’s not to say that there is no depiction of his sexuality, just maybe not much more than a brief moment or hint. But again, we do not know what Yates meant when he said Dumbledore will not be explicit, nor have we seen the movie, so until we do, it is best to focus on the other reasons as to why they made the decision they did.

Seven books, 199 chapters, and 4,224 pages that is all that David Yates and his crew have to go on when developing these characters. Nowhere, though, in any of those words, is there even a hint at Dumbledore being gay. So, then, is it any wonder that they want to stay away from a fact that was given but never written? After all, it could possibly ruin Dumbledore’s character and maybe even some people’s respect that they had for Dumbledore if they were to find out he was gay; not to mention the loved fan theories involving the headmaster and Professor Mcgonagall. Was Rowling even in the right to just say the statement that she did? It is her series after all, so she can say what she would like about it, but it does bring up an interesting question, would Rowling have given that statement if she knew that this movie was going to be about Dumbledore’s youth? Or did she already know this and she was foreshadowing what is to come? These are all questions that we cannot know the answer to yet, but I believe that Yates and his team are completely in the right to follow what was originally written and not add anything that was said after the fact to stay as true to the storyline as possible.

So with as much money as they are spending on the production of these movies, they cannot rely on America alone to make a profit. Huge countries such as China and Russia are key and counted on when releasing a movie to bring in some money, but this could lead to a problem. China has been known to censor gay-friendly movies and Russia is right there with them. When Beauty and the Beast came out, it was almost banned due to a dance that took place between two male characters which lasted only seconds. Having a gay character and same-sex relationships could be detrimental to the amount that they were planning on making from these countries if it leads to it being banned, that could mean a potential loss of $108 million if it does exactly as good as the first installment. Yates has to be thinking that this is a very real possibility and I believe that he cannot afford to add it in, yet. If they do without it and the movie is a huge success, especially in America, then they most certainly can add it in with the next movies hoping for the same turn around. This movie is going to be key because if it does worse it is doubtful that this characteristic of the headmaster would be added in, but if it does better, than the future could be bright for those in support of this. But in the end, whether or not Yates knows what the right thing to do is, he simply cannot afford it with needing help to make a profit overseas.

As I have discussed above, the major argument here seems to be whether or not it is the “right” thing to do, it should be done for one reason or another. We just simply cannot know how Dumbledore will be portrayed yet and we all need to be patient and see; sure you can be upset at Rowling for queerbaiting, but at least watch the movie first and decide for yourself if that is really what is going on here. Yes I agree that there should be equal representation in life, but attacking one author about one movie should not be as big of a deal as it is. There are bigger opportunities to be represented and, with time, it will happen. We all just have to be patient and see what happens this November.

I also refuse to agree with anyone on making dumbledore be gay as the right thing to do. Movies are for entertainment and pleasure, they should not turn into politics and sexual representation. If a character is gay, there is probably a reason for it in the story line; having Dumbledore being gay not only ruins the character we already know and love, but also poses a huge problem for the production team. I mean what constitutes as “explicitly gay”? There is no one way to be gay and maybe Dumbledore is gay he is just hiding it already. How would Yates possibly know when he has done a good enough job to please those who are fighting for it? Everyone has differing opinions so this topic will always be discussed and argued over. It just seems like a headache and not worth the possible loss in money from not selling nearly as well overseas.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is going to be a fantastic movie to Harry Potter fans regardless of Dumbledore’s sexuality. People may be upset, and this is a very debated topic, but it all comes down to wait and see. We are promised at least three more movies so there is plenty of time for Dumbledore to come out, or not. Either way, Dumbledore will always be the headmaster that helped guide us through our time spent at Hogwarts, and to see him in his younger years is just as exciting. So please, try and see the other side of the story. You may want to see this side of Dumbledore and that is great, but they may not be able to afford it in this movie, the next, or possibly in any of them. So let’s all just relish in the fact that we are getting not just one, but five movies to see what the magical world was like before we were introduced to the Boy Who Lived.

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ceruleanempyrean · 6 years

Quote

“My name is Joe Biden. I’m a Democrat. And I loved John McCain. I have had the dubious honor over the years of giving some eulogies for fine women and men that I’ve admired. But, Lindsey, this one’s hard. The three men who spoke before me I think captured John, different aspects of John in a way that only someone close to him could understand. But the way I look at it, the way I thought about it, was that I always thought of John as a brother. We had a hell of a lot of family fights. We go back a long way. I was a young United States Senator. I got elected when I was 29. I had the dubious distinction of being put on the formulations committee, which the next youngest person was 14 years older than me. And I spent a lot of time traveling the world because I was assigned responsibility, my colleagues in the Senate knew I was chairman of the European Affairs subcommittee, so I spent a lot of time at NATO and then the Soviet Union. Along came a guy a couple of years later, a guy I knew of, admired from afar, your husband, who had been a prisoner of war, who had endured enormous, enormous pain and suffering. And demonstrated the code, the McCain code. People don't think much about it today, but imagine having already known the pain you were likely to endure, and being offered the opportunity to go home, but saying no. As his son can tell you in the Navy, last one in, last one out. So I knew of John. and John became the Navy liaison officer in the United States Senate. There's an office, then it used to be on the basement floor, of members of the military who are assigned to senators when they travel abroad to meet with heads of state or other foreign dignitaries. And John had been recently released from the HanoI Hilton, a genuine hero, and he became the Navy liaison. For some reason we hit it off in the beginning. We were both full of dreams and ambitions and an overwhelming desire to make the time we had there worthwhile. To try to do the right thing. To think about how we could make things better for the country we loved so much. John and I ended up traveling every time I went anywhere. I took John with me or John took me with him. we were in China, Japan, Russia, Germany, France, England, Turkey, all over the world. Tens of thousands of miles. And we would sit on that plane and late into the night, when everyone else was asleep, and just talk. Getting to know one another. We'd talk about family, we'd talk about politics, we'd talk about international relations. we'd talk about promise, the promise of America. Because we were both cockeyed optimists and believe there's not a single thing, beyond the capacity of this country. I mean, for real, not a single thing. And, when you get to know another woman or man, you begin to know their hopes and their fears, you get to know their family even before you meet them, you get to know how they feel about important things. We talked about everything except captivity and the loss of my family which had just occurred, my wife and daughter, the only two things we didn't talk about. But, I found that it wasn't too long into John's duties that Jill and I got married. Jill is here with me today. Five years, I had been a single dad and no man deserves one great love, let alone two. And I met Jill. It changed my life. She fell in love with him and he with her. He'd always call her, as Lindsey would travel with her, Jilly. Matter of fact, when they got bored being with me on these trips, I remember in Greece, he said, ‘Why don't I take Jill for dinner?’ Later, I would learn they are at a cafe at the port and he has her dancing on top of a cement table drinking uzo. Not a joke. Jilly. Right, Jilly? But we got to know each other well and he loved my son Beau and my son Hunt. As a young man, he came up to my house and he came up to Wilmington and out of this grew a great friendship that transcended whatever political differences we had or later developed because, above all, above all, we understood the same thing. All politics is personal. It's all about trust. I trusted John with my life and I would and I think he would trust me with his. And as our life progressed, we learned more, there are times when life can be so cruel, pain so blinding it's hard to see anything else. The disease that took John's life took our mutual friend’s, Teddy [Kennedy]’s life, the exact same disease nine years ago, a couple days ago, and three years ago, took my beautiful son Beau's life. It's brutal. It's relentless. It's unforgiving. And it takes so much from those we love and from the families who love them that in order to survive, we have to remember how they lived, not how they died. I carry with me an image of Beau, sitting out in a little lake we live on, starting a motor on an old boat and smiling away. Not the last days. I’m sure Vickie Kennedy has her own image, looking, seeing Teddy looking so alive in a sailboat, out in the Cape. For the family, for the family, you will all find your own images, whether it's remembering his smile, his laugh or that touch in the shoulder or running his hand down your cheek. Or, just feeling like someone is looking, turn and see him just smiling at you, from a distance, just looking at you. Or when you saw the pure joy the moment he was about to take the stage on the Senate floor and start a fight. God, he loved it. so, to Cindy, the kids, Doug, Andy, Cindy, Meghan, Jack, Jimmy, Bridget, and I know she's not here, but to Mrs. McCain, we know how difficult it is to bury a child, Mrs. McCain. My heart goes out to you. And I know right now, the pain you all are feeling is so sharp and so hollowing. And John's absence is all consuming, for all of you right now. It's like being sucked into a black hole inside your chest. And it's frightening. But, I know something else, unfortunately, from experience. There's nothing anyone can say or do to ease the pain right now. But I pray, I pray you take some comfort knowing that because you shared John with all of us, your whole life, the world now shares with you in the ache of John's death. Look around this magnificent church. Look what you saw coming from the state capitol yesterday. it's hard to stand there but part of it, part of it was at least it was for me with Beau, standing in the state capitol, you knew. It was genuine. It was deep. He touched so many lives. I’ve gotten calls not just because people knew we were friends, not just from people around the country, but leaders around the world calling. Meghan, I'm getting all these sympathy letters. I mean, hundreds of them, and tweets. Character is destiny. John had character. While others will miss his leadership, passion, even his stubbornness, you are going to miss that hand on your shoulder. Family, you are going to miss the man, faithful man as he was, who you knew would literally give his life for you. And for that there's no balm but time. Time and your memories of a life lived well and lived fully. But I make you a promise. I promise you, the time will come that what's going to happen is six months will go by and everybody is going to think, well, it's passed. But you are going to ride by that field or smell that fragrance or see that flashing image. You are going to feel like you did the day you got the news. But you know you are going to make it. The image of your dad, your husband, your friend. It crosses your mind and a smile comes to your lips before a tear to your eye. That's who you know. I promise you, I give you my word, I promise you, this I know. The day will come. That day will come. You know, I’m sure if my former colleagues who worked with John, I'm sure there's people who said to you not only now, but the last ten years, ‘Explain this guy to me.’ Right? Explain this guy to me. Because, as they looked at him, in one sense they admired him, in one sense, the way things changed so much in America, they look add him as if John came from another age, lived by a different code, an ancient, antiquated courage, integrity, duty, were alive. That was obvious how John lived his life. The truth is, John's code was ageless, is ageless. When you talked earlier, Grant, you talked about values. It wasn't about politics with John. He could disagree on substance, but the underlying values that animated everything John did, everything he was, come to a different conclusion. He'd part company with you, if you lacked the basic values of decency, respect, knowing this project is bigger than yourself. John's story is an American story. It's not hyperbole. it's the American story. grounded in respect and decency. basic fairness. the intolerance through the abuse of power. Many of you travel the world, look how the rest of the world looks at us. They look at us a little naive, so fair, so decent. We are the naive Americans. that's who we are. That's who John was. He could not stand the abuse of power. wherever he saw it, in whatever form, in whatever ways. He loved basic values, fairness, honesty, dignity, respect, giving hate no safe harbor, leaving no one behind and understanding Americans were part of something much bigger than ourselves. With John, it was a value set that was neither selfish nor self-serving. John understood that America was first and foremost, an idea. Audacious and risky, organized around not tribe but ideals. Think of how he approached every issue. The ideals that Americans rallied around for 200 years, the ideals of the world has prepared you. Sounds corny. We hold these truths self-evident, that all men are created equal, endowed by their creator with certain rights. To John, those words had meaning, as they have for every great patriot who's ever served this country. We both loved the Senate. The proudest years of my life were being a United States Senator. I was honored to be Vice President, but a United States Senator. We both lamented, watching it change. During the long debates in the '80s and '90s, I would go sit next to John, next to his seat or he would come on the Democratic side and sit next to me. I'm not joking. We'd sit there and talk to each other. I came out to see John, we were reminiscing around it. It was '96, about to go to the caucus. We both went into our caucus and coincidentally, we were approached by our caucus leaders with the same thing. Foe, it doesn't look good, you sitting next to John all the time. I swear to God. same thing was said to John in your caucus. That's when things began to change for the worse in America in the Senate. That's when it changed. What happened was, at those times, it was always appropriate to challenge another Senator's judgment, but never appropriate to challenge their motive. When you challenge their motive, it's impossible to get to go. If I say you are going this because you are being paid off or you are doing it because you are not a good Christian or this, that, or the other thing, it's impossible to reach consensus. Think about in your personal lives. All we do today is attack the oppositions of both parties, their motives, not the substance of their argument. This is the mid-'90s. it began to go downhill from there. The last day John was on the Senate floor, what was he fighting to do? He was fighting to restore what you call regular order, just start to treat one another again, like we used to. The Senate was never perfect, John, you know that. we were there a long time together. I watched Teddy Kennedy and James O. Eastland fight like hell on civil rights and then go have lunch together, down in the Senate dining room. John wanted to see, “regular order” writ large. Get to know one another. You know, John and I were both amused and I think Lindsey was at one of these events where John and I received two prestigious awards where the last year I was vice president and one immediately after, for our dignity and respect we showed to one another, we received an award for civility in public life. Allegheny College puts out this award every year for bipartisanship. John and I looked at each and said, ‘What the hell is going on here?’ No, not a joke. I said to Senator Flake, that's how it's supposed to be. We get an award? I’m serious. Think about this. Getting an award for your civility. Getting an award for bipartisanship. Classic John, Allegheny College, hundreds of people, got the award and the Senate was in session. He spoke first and, as he walked off the stage and I walked on, he said, Joe, don't take it personally, but I don't want to hear what the hell you have to say, and left. One of John's major campaign people is now with the senate with the governor of Ohio, was on [TV] this morning and I happened to watch it. He said that Biden and McCain had a strange relationship, they always seemed to have each other's back. Whenever I was in trouble, John was the first guy there. I hope I was there for him. We never hesitate to give each other advice. He would call me in the middle of the campaign, he’d say, ‘What the hell did you say that for? you just screwed up, Joe.’ I'd occasionally call him. Look, I've been thinking this week about why John's death hit the country so hard. yes, he was a long-serving senator with a remarkable record. Yes, he was a two-time presidential candidate who captured the support and imagination of the American people and, yes, John was a war hero, demonstrated extraordinary courage. I think of John and my son when I think of Ingersoll’s words when duty throws the gauntlet down to fate and honor scorns to compromise with death, that is heroism. Everybody knows that about John. But I don't think it fully explains why the country has been so taken by John's passing. I think it's something more intangible. I think it's because they knew John believed so deeply and so passionately in the soul of America. He made it easier for them to have confidence and faith in America. His faith in the core values of this nation made them somehow feel it more genuinely themselves. his conviction that we, as a country, would never walk away from the sacrifice generations of Americans have made to defend liberty and freedom and dignity around the world. It made average Americans proud of themselves and their country. His belief, and it was deep, that Americans can do anything, withstand anything, achieve anything. It was unflagging and ultimately reassuring. This man believed that so strongly. His capacity that we truly are the world's last best hope, the beacon to the world. There are principles and ideals more than ourselves worth sacrificing for and if necessary, dying for. Americans saw how he lived his life that way. and they knew the truth of what he was saying. I just think he gave Americans confidence. John was a hero, his character, courage, honor, integrity. I think it is understated when they say optimism. That's what made John special. Made John a giant among all of us. In my view, John didn't believe that America's future and faith rested on heroes. we used to talk about, he understood what I hope we all remember, heroes didn't build this country. Ordinary people being given half a chance are capable of doing extraordinary things, extraordinary things. John knew ordinary Americans understood each of us has a duty to defend, integrity, dignity and birthright of every child. He carried it. Good communities are built by thousands of acts of decency that Americans, as I speak today, show each other every single day deep in the DNA of this nation's soul lies a flame that was lit over 200 years ago. Each of us carries with us and each one of us has the capacity, the responsibility and we can screw up the courage to ensure it does not extinguish. There's a thousand little things that make us different. Bottom line was, I think John believed in us. I think he believed in the American people. not just all the preambles, he believed until the American people, all 325 million of us. Even though John is no longer with us, he left us clear instructions. ‘Believe always in the promise and greatness of America because nothing is inevitable here.’ Close to the last thing John said took the whole nation, as he knew he was about to depart. That's what he wanted America to understand. not to build his legacy. he wanted America reminded, to understand. I think John's legacy is going to continue to inspire and challenge generations of leaders as they step forward and John McCain’s America is not over. it is hyperbole, it's not over. It's not close. Cindy, John owed so much of what he was to you. you were his ballast. when I was with you both, I could see how he looked at you. Jill is the one, when we were in Hawaii, we first met you there and he kept staring at you. Jill said, go up and talk to her. Doug, Andy, Sydney, Meghan, Jack, Jimmy, Bridget, you may not have had your father as long as you would like, but you got from him everything you need to pursue your own dreams. To follow the course of your own spirit. You are a living legacy, not hyperbole. You are a living legacy and proof of John McCain’s success. Now John is going to take his rightful place in a long line of extraordinary leaders in this nation's history. Who in their time and in their way stood for freedom and stood for liberty and have made the American story the most improbable and most hopeful and most enduring story on earth. I know John said he hoped he played a small part in that story. John, you did much more than that, my friend. To paraphrase Shakespeare, we shall not see his like again."

Vice President Joe Biden

#john mccain #biden 2020 #joe biden eulogy for john mccain

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hetalia-tlw · 6 years

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Hetalia: The Lost World Part 2

“Oh no no no” said England while walking around the room in circles. “I thought he was gone for sure” England then went back into his spell book until he stopped at a page. “It’s all my fault, if only I haven’t cursed him that day” said England. “Now now lad. How could it be your fault?” asked a calm voice that’s similar to England’s. “Who said that?” asked England.

Suddenly a puff of pink smoke appeared and vanished only to leave behind a similar looking England, but was wearing a velvet overcoat, with a pink shirt along with a blue bow tie and he had light blue eyes. “Ello, did you miss me?” asked the England look alike with a smile. “Excuse me? I’m pretty sure we never meet before” said England. “Oh I’m sorry, where are my manners? My name is England, but you may call me Oliver Kirkland” said Oliver. “Ah sorry to burst your bloody bubble, but I’m the one and only England” said England while pointing at himself. “Well lad, I’m your counterpart also known as your dark side. But most importantly I’m your 2P” said Oliver.

“2P? What in the name of all bloody things holy is a 2P?” asked England. “Well if only if you weren’t such a bloody git and look more into your book of creatures, demons, and whatnot it tells you about 2Ps” said Oliver. “Hey! I’m not a bloody git!” yelled England. “Now now England or should I call you Arthur, everyone in your own world/dimension has a dark side, including the country personifications. However during the tide of the balance there’s only a few number of the 2P countries left” said Oliver. “Like how many are left?” asked England. “Well there’s me, also following with the 2P version of the Allied Powers and the Axis Powers. However can you guess whose leading the 2Ps?” asked Oliver.

“Uhh…. 2P America?” asked England. “Close lad, he’s actually leading the 2P Allied Powers, but in a more… how should I call it? Ah, in a much more brutal way” said Oliver. “Umm… is it 2P Germany?” asked England. “Oooh… so close, but no he isn’t. 2P Germany is actually *coughlazyallthetimecough*… what I mean he’s busy way too much and isn’t leading. In fact he isn’t even leading the 2P Axis Powers” said Oliver. “So who is it then?” asked England. “Oh that’s easy, it’s-” and without an explanation Oliver then vanished from England’s sight.

“Hmm… 2P? I could of swore I heard it before but where exactly?” asked England in wonder. England then found a book about different dimensions which was put together with the former North Korea that was his friend and ally. England was roaming through the pages until he came across the page of the 2Ps. England separated the list of the 2Ps between Allied Powers and Axis Powers. England then put down their country names along with their human names, in this order:

1P Allied Powers/2P Allied Powers

1P America: Alfred F. Jones/2P America: Al Jones 1P England: Arthur Kirkland/2P England: Oliver Kirkland 1P France: Francis Bonnefoy/2P France: Francois Bonnefoy 1P Canada: Matthew Williams/2P Canada: Matt Williams 1P Russia: Ivan Braginski/2P Russia: Vladimir Braginski 1P China: Yao Yang/2P China: Xiao Yang

1P Axis Powers/2P Axis Powers

1P North Italy: Feliciano Vargas/2P North Italy: Luciano Vargas 1P South Italy: Romano Vargas/2P South Italy: Flavio Vargas 1P Germany: Ludwig Beilschmidt/2P Germany: Lutz Beilschmidt 1P Prussia: Gilbert Beilschmidt/2P Prussia: Akbar Beilschmidt 1P Japan: Kiku Honda/2P Japan: Kuro Honda

After the list was done, England then heard a noise outside his magic chamber. England then grabbed paper that had the 2P country names along with the 1P country names. England then found the source of noise to a chamber he never dared to go in. When England opened the door and to his surprise, he found Oliver with a man that has an appearance to that of Austria’s. But had black hair and red eyes, in fact he seems to being wearing a punk rock black suit with spikes and matching black heeled boots. “Oh ello there lad. I’m just here to visit an old friend. Ahh… I was exactly trying to set him free” said Oliver.

“Who in the world is that?” asked England. “Oh him, well he’s the 2P counterpart of Austria. Hey there you punk rock reject, care to introduce yourself to my 1P counterpart, Arthur?” asked Oliver. “To hell vith jou all” growled 2P Austria. “Hey do you even remember my little swear jar, poppet? You know, if you say one swear word, you’ll have to pay up” said Oliver mockingly. “I don’t have any money on me, jou cupcake making sweet talking dummkopf!!!” yelled 2P Austria. “How rude of you! I have you know I haven’t even bother to make cupcakes yet” said Oliver.

While both Oliver and 2P Austria were arguing, England quickly took out the paper of the names to the 2Ps and simply wrote the following entry: “1P Austria: Roderich Edelstein/2P Austria: Roland Edelstein” under the newly added section of “1P/2P Extras”. After writing or should I say, giving a name to 2P Austria, England placed the paper back into his pocket. While both Oliver and Roland were still busy arguing, England then pulled out his wand and mumbled something, causing a beam of light to go unnoticed and broke the chains that held Roland. Oliver who then noticed Roland was free, quickly ran behind England, while Roland got up and pulled out a rock guitar from his back. He then came over to both England and Oliver only to stop about three steps apart from England. “I demand jou to step aside for me, so I can kill zhis cupcake loving dummkopf” hissed Roland.

“What will happen if I do or if I don’t?” asked England who wasn’t afraid of Roland. “Hmm… zhere vill be a chance zhat I’ll kill zhe cupcake lover und if jou don’t move, I’ll slice jour throat open und drink jour pool of blood” said Roland through clenched sharp teeth. “Well… there is a slight chance I’ll might do this” said England while using his wand and a spell to knock Roland’s guitar out of his hands and summoned magical binds on him so he doesn’t move. “Vhat iz zhis!? I demand jou to release me at once or suffer zhe consequences!” yelled Roland. “What consequences? With this binds on you, you can’t even do a thing” said England.

“Vhy jou little… vhen I get out of zhese binds und vhen I get mein hands on jou, jou’re-” before Roland can finish his sentence, Oliver covered his mouth with a handkerchief. “Say there lad, we make good team” said Oliver. “Uhh… team? I don’t think so, when I’m working with magic, I usually work alone” said England. “Oh nonsense lad, I’m pretty sure you don’t work alone. In fact don’t you work with Norway, you know the other magic user?” asked Oliver. “Well no, but usually I do work with others. But I don’t trust them at all with potions, because they usually drop them or spill the liquid all over themselves” said England. “So you do work with people. Too late to change what you said. I believe that you do work with people while performing magic” said Oliver.

“Whatever you bloody git. Speaking of which I’m heading upstairs to the kitchen to make tea” said England. With that England left the room and was heading up the steps to the kitchen, leaving Oliver behind. “I have no idea, why I didn’t ask him if I can come with. Say Roland since you’re going to be suck down here, might as well eat something. Speaking of eating I’m going upstairs to make cupcakes for you” said Oliver. Which Roland replies to only being able to grunt angrily while Oliver stands there looking at him, while smiling cheerfully. “Don’t worry I promise you that they’re not going to burn. See ya later poppet!” said Oliver. With that Oliver ran out of the room and up the stairs to England’s kitchen, while leaving behind an angry Roland who was about ready to scream.

While waiting for his tea to be done, England quickly leaves amount of text messages to his friends. But mostly he kept sending text messages to Germany, but mostly France to only call him a ‘bloody git’ or 'bloody frog’. Soon England heard his teapot whistling and England then came to the kitchen to taste his tea. While backing up, he accidentally bumped into Oliver. “Gah!” screamed England. “Oh my! No! Not the cupcakes!” yelled Oliver.

“Geez, why are you in my kitchen and how dare you bump into me!?” yelled England. “I was going to ask you the same question. In fact why are you in here making tea? I was just about to put my cupcakes into the oven, until you bumped into me causing me to drop the cake pan” said Oliver. “Cupcakes!? Why the bloody hell are you making cupcakes!? I thought my counterpart still makes scones!” yelled England. “Ah ah ah, even though I’m your counterpart it means that I’m the complete opposite of you. I have you know that I find scones disgusting and prefer cupcakes. By the way you swore, now pay up the swear jar” said Oliver will pulling out his swear jar from god who knows where. “Well that makes sense and hey! My scones aren’t disgusting. By the way I don’t have money to pay for swearing at you, in fact why do you even have a swear jar?” asked England. “Oh the jar? Well since I’m the opposite of you, I’m very sensitive to hearing swear words. They make me wanna throw up and rip my ears out. In fact with a swear jar, I’m making a living” said Oliver.

“How much money do you even get, when you hear a swear word?” asked England. “Well if I’m hearing a lot of them I make people give me five dollars” said Oliver. Oliver then put in another batch of cupcakes in the oven, he then turn to England only to ask “Say do you mind telling me of what kind of spell you used?” “I guess I can tell you” said England as a flashback appeared. “Alfred! Alfred! I have no time to play your kiddie games! Come back here now!” yelled England. “So little Alfred, are you ready to scare the living stocks out of your brother?” asked a man with long black hair, along with a curl with a face in the center, who was up in a tree with a child with blond hair.

“You’re sure bet I am, cause I’m the hero!” exclaimed the young boy. While moving to tree to tree, they suddenly stopped when they both saw England coming. “Geez! Why the bloody hell am I even bothering? Alfred, if you don’t show yourself to me then no cookies for you!” yelled England. “Boy, big brother Arthur seems very angry” whispered Alfred.

“Who cares? At the count of three we surprise Arthur” whispered the man while Alfred nods in agreement. “Okay, ready? 1… 2…. 3! NOW!” yelled the man as Alfred hold onto him tightly as the man grabbed onto a vine. They suddenly came down to England who was shocked and couldn’t move, as Alfred let go of the man and then clobbered his own brother. “Haha” laughed Alfred as he was on top of Arthur. “Okay enough of laughing, you got me. Now can you please get off of me so I can get up?” asked Arthur. As soon as Arthur got up, he picked up his little brother and looked up at his friend who was laughing on a vine, until he crashed into a tree.

“Ow! Who put that tree there!?” yelled the man in pain. “Looks like you got a piece of your own medicine!” laughed Arthur. “Not funny Arthur! I was just having some fun” said the man. “Now Alfred, since you’re going to be an actual country soon, I might as well tell you who my friend is” said England. “Is he a country like you?” asked Alfred.

“Close, but no. He’s the incarnation of a capital of a country” said England. “Is he the capital of your country?” asked Alfred. “You mean London? No, but I wish he was; however, he’s Korea’s capital and Korea’s older brother. He is known to be Seoul” said England. “Umm… England, you’re forgetting something else” said the capital. “Which is?” asked England.

“Little Alfred, I may be called Seoul but my name is Iyong ju” said Iyong ju. “That name sounds so cool. Where did you get that name from?” asked Alfred. “My brothers gave me that name” replied Iyong ju, “Brothers?” asked Alfred. “His brothers are the Asian countries of Japan and China, but his younger brother is Korea” said England. “So one day I get to see you with your brothers?” asked Alfred. “Of course you will” said Iyong ju with a smile, as England’s flashback ended.

“So let me get this straight, Iyong ju is a capital to a nation?” asked Oliver. “Why yes he is. Until that day when I stepped into Korea or so I thought it was, it was the same day where I regretted everything that I’ve done for him” said England with a sad face. Another flashback appeared. But this time only to skip after World War II and after the separation of Korea between America and the Soviet Union. “Yong Soo? Iyong ju? Are you two home?” asked England as he stepped into Korea’s home. England was searching for both the brothers until he heard a sound.

England searched for the source of the sound until he came across the door. England then heard the sound again and he then tried to open the door, but it was locked. England then pulled out his wand and after mumbling a spell, he got the door to open. England then went inside and to his surprise he was in Korea’s room. England saw broken glass and burnt furniture around the room, until he saw a mantel with a broken picture on it. England walked over to it and carefully picked it up.

A picture was shown in the frame, but the glass of the frame was broken. The picture of Korea was shown, along with Iyong ju next to him and both of them were smiling happily. The picture broke some of England’s feelings, he then took the picture out of the frame and placed it into his pocket as he set the frame back onto the mantel. England then turned to walk away from the mantel until he slipped over something and almost tripped. But England remained his balance and with a stern expression he asked himself “What was that?” England looked on floor until came across some blue and white cloth. That’s when he stumbled across the unconscious body of Korea.

“Yong Soo? Are you okay? Wake up!” yelled England with a panicked tone. England then picked up Korea and came into the living room and set him on the couch. England then gave Korea some painkillers and medical treatment. After an hour passed Korea slowly opened his eyes and noticed England coming from the kitchen with an ice pack and warm tea. “You’re not suppose to be moving, so here put this ice pack on your head” said England. “Thank you Arthur” said Korea.

“What happened here and why were you on the floor of your bedroom?” asked England. With a moment of pause, Korea was remembering his past moments before collapsing on the floor before saying “I was attacked” “By who?” asked England. “I was attacked by the Russians and by other words I mean by Ivan” replied Korea weakly. “Here drink some warm tea to conserve your energy” said England as he gave Korea a cup.

“Thanks again” said Korea as he took a sip. “Anyway after the war ended both Ivan and Alfred were starting to get off the edges” continued Korea. “You mean Alfred is fighting with Ivan?” asked England with a concerned expression. “Yes indeed. It wasn’t that long when they were fighting, they were both focused on my brothers and mostly me. They both decided to break Korea into two halves. However your brother was against it and came here to protect me from Russia. However he failed just like how I was trying to protect my brother” said Korea. “You mean Iyong ju” asked England. “Yes. Ivan had his men grab Iyong ju and I tried to help, but I was too scared of Ivan. I then forgot about my fears and focused on saving my brother. But I was knocked out and beaten by Ivan’s pipe” said Korea.

“Oh my, that’s terrible! What else has both Alfred and Ivan decided for your country?” asked England. “They spilt us up from each other. They took Iyong ju to the northern part of my country and called it North Korea and I remained by America were I’m no longer Korea, but I was called South Korea” said South Korea. 'It’s so disturbing to hear that Yong Soo has been separated from his brother, it’s even worse then splitting up both Germany and Prussia’ thought England. After a couple of years after 1945 it was already the start of the 1950s and during that time, England was called by America for a meeting.

“Okay Alfred, why am I here?” asked England as he walked through the doors. “Arthur, it’s terrible! My country got a distress call from South Korean officials that the North Koreans are going to attack South Korea!” yelled America while panicking and putting his head on the table just to start crying. 'Don’t tell me that the Koreans are now nationally called from whatever part the people are from’ thought England before America managed to get him out of his thoughts. “Another issue is that my country is also dealing with Ivan and this North Korean uprising! It’s even worse then the Great Depression from the early 1920s and 1930s! You know it almost broke me apart!” continued America. “So what do you want me to do about it? Do you realize that my country suffered the same kind of depression as you did? Even Francis that bloody frog, experienced it as well” said England. “I just… I just want your wisdom. I just want you to tell me what I should to do” said America while his head was still on the table.

“Well then like I always do, I side with the country who needs the most help. Trust me Alfred, I had to side with both Francis and Yao for both World Wars. That was also the time when Ivan came in to help” said England. “So you’re saying that I should side with South Korea against North Korea?” asked America as his read raised up from the table. “Yes you should. In fact I even heard that Ivan is going to side with North Korea” said England. “You’re right! I’m going to help South Korea defeat North Korea and save the world! I’m going to be a real hero after all, just like how I ended the second war by dumping two atomic bombs on Japan!” yelled America while standing up in a spotlight. “Ahh I see… so you’re going to be a hero again just like how you bombed Japan for about two times?” asked England while raising a brow. “Ahh… actually it was just a small tini-tiny accident” said America as he begin to laugh nervously.

After the Korean War it wasn’t long before South Korea helped England get into North Korea and which by helping I met by sneaking him in. “Are you sure this is where they kept your brother at?” asked England. “Yeah, I’m sure” replied South Korea. The two countries then went inside the building to find Iyong ju and get him out. They then found him, England was the first one to speak to him. “Iyong ju, I’m glad to see you again. How are you doing?” asked England. When Iyong ju spoke to him, his voice wasn’t smoothing and calming as it was before, it was now raspy.

“Doing? How do you think it is going for me?” asked Iyong ju “Uh… big brother do you remember me? You know your brother, Yong Soo also known as Korea?” asked South Korea. “Korea? There’s no Korea, only South Korea. I may be Iyong ju, but I’m no longer Seoul” said Jason. “What do you mean brother?” asked South Korea. “I mean that Seoul is dead and so is Korea. Only South Korea and North Korea are present and now you’re in North Korean territory boys” said Iyong ju with a grim look. “Okay you’re starting to scare me brother. Can you please stop?” asked South Korea with a nervous smile, until that’s when Iyong ju started to laugh hysterically and said with a grim smile on his face “You scared? That’s cute. I love to see the weak afraid”

“Okay Iyong ju we both know that’s not a nice way to treat your brother. Where are your manners?” asked England as he crosses his arms. “Me? Manners? Oh Arthur, you crack me up sometimes. Since you made me laugh, I suppose it’s time for me to literally break your funny bone” said Iyong ju while laughing at his own little joke until he was slapped on the face by South Korea. “Yong Soo? Why would you slap your brother like that?” asked England with a shocked and puzzled look. “Because of reasons. In fact I no longer know my own brother and I always thought of him as friend, but not anymore” said South Korea through clenched teeth and England even noticed a tear coming from his eye, when he was walking away. England soon followed South Korea and headed by to his country only to say goodbye to him. After years had passed it was already the start of the 1960s, England was in his office while looking at the picture of both South Korea and Iyong ju smiling together. “What happened to you, Iyong ju? You were so nice to me and your brother, but now you’re a jerk” said England while grabbing his cup to drink his morning tea.

He was about ready to do more paper work until, he heard a knock on his door, he quickly put the picture away underneath his plastic set of Revolutionary War army men. “Yes, the door is open. You can come in” said England. It was his secretary and she was holding something in her hand and she said to him “This is for you Mr. England. It’s from a friend” England then grabbed it and it turns out to be a letter, it even had his name written beautifully on the front. England then opened it and pulled out a piece of paper. He than read it and was left in a total shock, when his secretary was about to leave he stopped her only to say “Wait! Something is wrong! I need you to have our officials to call the former Allied Powers together for a meeting at the United Nations. There’s no time to waste” said England.

The secretary did what she was told and soon a meeting was called at the United Nations in New York City. England was the first one to be there and after two hours had passed America, China, and France came. “What’s the big emergency? I was busy finishing my new relationship to Japan, until my boss came to me and said you wanted me to come for a meeting. So this better be good, aru” said China. “Oui! I agree vith Yao here, vat vould ze black sheep of Europe vant me to hear?” asked France. “For the last time stop calling me the black sheep of Europe you bloody frog!” yelled England. “Yeah Francis! Even the hero agrees you should stop” said America while eating a Big Mac from McDonald’s.

'Wow, I’m surprised that Alfred is on my side for once’ thought England until he cut off his thoughts by saying “Look, I know you guys don’t want to be here. But I just got a letter from Yong Soo informing me that something bad has happened to him” “Arthur, I got a letter from him as well. Even Japan got one, aru” said China. “Same as I” said France. “So everyone must of gotten a letter” said England. “Everyone did expect for me” said America while wiping his face with something. “Actually if you just take a look of what you’re using to clean yourself, you might see it!” yelled Canada as he grabbed America’s hand only to reveal a letter from South Korea, which was now covered in cheese, grease, and ketchup.

“Oh thank you! Umm…. who are you again?” asked America which Canada replied while face palming “I’m Canada! Your brother!” “Oh sorry about that dude!” said America. “You better be sorry” mumbled Canada. “Say Yao, since Yong Soo is a brother to both you and Japan, why not tell us what your letter said?” asked England. “Well you’re not going like this…. but….. uh….. he’s d-dead, aru” replied China with a tear in his eye who then put his head down in shame. “WHAT!?” yelled England, America, Canada, and France together.

“Yes you all heard me, Yong Soo is dead. I wasn’t long that I got this letter his boss told me he died. It even said so on the my version of the letter, it even said it on Japan’s version too, aru” said China. “Zhen vho killed him? I mean countries aren’t meant to die, but ve are all immortals. Unless ve’re forgotten or dissolved” said France. “He wasn’t forgotten or dissolved, he was like killed by a special type of poison, aru” said China. 'What? Poison? How can that be? There’s no way poison can kill a country. Unless it was like created by magic and by hatred of a person. In speaking of a person… Iyong ju! Why would he kill his own brother? That’s it to prove that he is the one and only Korea! Well he’s wrong!’ thought England. With anger rising through England, he pulled out his spell back and placed it on the table. He flipped through the pages until he stopped at a spell.

'Iyong ju I thought you were my friend, but since I knew what you did to your brother, you shall be cursed until you dissolve with it’ thought England while a tear came from his eye. England than pulled out his magic wand and while everyone was busy talking, he started put the spell into effect. The building then grew dark, until when the four other countries stopped fighting. “Hey didn’t it just got dark in here?” asked America while having a panicked expression on his face. Then the four turned to see, England summoning a spell from his spell book. “Oh no! Ze black sheep of Europe is using his black magic of death!” yelled France.

Then suddenly a large purple glowing pentagram appeared over England and was on the wall. “This looks very bad” said Canada nervously. England then was mumbling words in another language in a form of a mantra and soon the lights were back on. England then looked up from his spell book to see his friends embracing each other like if they saw a ghost. England then laughed at them saying “Wow I never seen you guys afraid and hug each other for dear life, like you’re going to die” “Not funny, aru!” yelled China.

“Yeah! I zhought you vere going to curse ze beautiful country of love vith your black magic” said France. “Arthur, the hero thought you were going to curse Germany for being mean to me, when I was helping rebuild his country, but found me eating a cheeseburger and he began to yell at me. It really broke my feelings and mostly my heart” said America. “Oh I wasn’t. I was just going to curse both you and Francis, until I used my energy to curse someone else” said England. “Who exactly?” asked Canada. “Oh nobody that meets in all of your interests” said England.

#hetalia #hetalia axis powers #hetalia fanfiction #hetalia fanfic #hetalia fan series #hetalia the lost world #hetalia characters

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just-breathe-fight-cf · 6 years

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Possible End Of The 68 Year Korean War?

2018 SUMMIT PREFACE:

For over 68 years, the United States has been in a armistice with North Korea after the massive failure which was called the Korean War (The Forgotten War). Most don’t know the horrors that came out of North Korean back in the 1950s that sent young men to their deaths for a politically charged feud against the powers of Soviet Russia and their closes ally, Communist China.

My family has personal reasons to despise the North Korean regime for a war that nearly took the life of my grandfather, Donald Bruer. For many years he refused to talk about the war...it gave him night-terrors! For 68 years, the United States has made pointless mistakes with dealing with the dictators of NK.

Since my time (Age of President Reagan), the presidents have made empty promises to deal with the North Korean Dictator on the bases of War Crimes and humanitarian failure. President Clinton funded Kim Jong-il’s maddness to create nuclear weaponry and President Bush and President Obama ignored the humanitarian crises as King Jong-un weaponized these weapons and spread rhetorical about the hostility of the United States.

With President Trump being the first president to meet with the Dictator on June 11th 2018 (June 12th 2018 in Capella, Singapore) at 5pm (PDT) (9am GMT+8); it would be foolish to predict how this meeting will go. I personally think this Summit needs to happen, but I hope that we don’t give anything to the Dictator except that he gets to keep his life and failed government as long as he denuclearize and opens his country for humanitarian aid.

With how bombastic President Trump can be, he needs to exercise his restraint in this meeting to handle this as if this was an important business meeting. If we can have Jong-un take some accountability for the reality of his country...that might be a win for the 28 million people of North Korea.

Kim Jong-un might mingle well with the curiosity of President Trump as Kim has a curiosity of the Western World through his preferences of Hollywood movies, the economy and Western culture. This is some grounds to work with as Kim Jong-un’s father had no interest in the Western World and was trying to live up to his own fathers rule after the Japanese occupation in the 1940s. However, it would seem that both leaders are optimistic for their own reasons: President Trump could bring peace to the Korean Peninsula and end the Korean War for once and for all! And Kim Jong-un could maintain power while his people are given a chance to thrive and one day unite the two Korean states to work together like Hong Kong works with China.

*______________________________________________________________*

WAR IS HELL -- The Battle Of Old Baldy -- Korean War

Based On The Accounts Of Donald David Bruer ~ Sergeant Of The 45th Division

When I was in Elementary academics, I’d ask my parents, “Why doesn’t Grandfather talk about his time in Korea, I mean, it is history and I’m curious?” and my parents would tell me that ever since he arrived back from the war, he never wanted to talk about it, he never even told his wife about the two years he was apart from her, even though he was apparently shot 11 times, shrapnel by a grenade and advanced from a Private all the way up the chain of command to head commander of the 45th division in 1 month.

When I was in Junior High School, I’d look at his wore down hands and see hummocky callous upon his skin like gigantic tumors bulging from the epidermis just below the rough, leather-like flesh, scared and tinted with a blanch mixture of yellow and salmon rawhide. “What are those?” I’d say to my grandfather, and immediately his eyes would look down at the two bumps protruding an inch out, and those eyes seemed to swell with sadness…an emotion unseen in the complexion of my grandfather, which was usually stern, but gentle.

As I looked into his sorrowful eyes, my young mind races over the ideas to why a man of such pride and authority becomes sorrowful at the hint of these wounds. For awhile, I would watch a war movie and ask my granddad if he ever served in any war and he’d never look at me, he’d just stare at the television and would say “Yes.” and he’d just leave it at that.

When I attended South Kitsap High School I seek for an answer to my question, but all I found were more questions. I wondered in silent meditation, ‘why was he avoiding the talk of war…maybe he never was in a war, maybe it is something different?’ I wondered what could actually trigger these emotions, why he would not speak about the ordeal, and what actually could have happened to cause him to silence, when this is not usually his characteristic for socialization. In my grievance, I would never know until I was in college and I dared ask the question once again. When my grandfather did speak, I learned some information that made me consider if really knowing what happened was any of my concern.

When my grandfather was only seventeen years old, his own father was a veteran in the Second World War, and his grandfather was a veteran in the First World War, both serving the German army. Grandfather Bruer, formally named Donald Bruer was a young boy who just moved from Minnesota to Washington and has seen plenty of death and hardship in the 17 years of his life, but the next three to four years of his life would prove to be the most difficult for him.

Five years since Hitler and Mussolini shook the world with their war against humanity; the United States was back in the war-saddle with the Korean radicals of North Korea and the Chinese communist of the north world. Most of the young men were joined with veterans from WWII and for the young men of the 45th Infantry; they rode off to Japan for training before they experience the horrors of Korea.

When I asked Grandfather about his journey to Japan, he said that the men of the 40th and 45th Infantry were having a good time, playing cards and speaking great stories of drunken times. When I listened to the story I shook my head…these boys must have had no idea of the terror that they were going to face. “What about the WWII veterans?” I asked, “They must have been scared?” I added, but by the look in my grandfathers’ eyes, I knew this was the wrong question to ask. I also learned never to use the word scared when talking to a veteran, it’s an insult to their bravery and I wondered if I was actually making the situation worse.

“Quiet…they were quiet.” He just replied. He’d take off his glasses and rub his eyes and release a fake yawn to cover-up the tears in his eyes.

As I sat in a chair, watching a video on the Korean War, I’d ask him a question that my mind could not fathom. “What was it like,” clarifying my question, I refined my question to a singular purpose, “I mean, the whole time you were there?”

My grandfather would look at the television showing him pictures of South Korea at the 38th Parallel and he’d just say one word at first…“Cold!” He would remove his glasses again and rub his eyes and then dare to look at the television screen, while adding on from his 50-plus years of suppressed memories, “I joined the Military and was shipped to Japan in June of 1952. By July of 1952 we arrived in Korea through the landing port of Posan and joined the Turkish, Canadian and US40 regiments and were sent to the Chorwon Valley.”

I had to interrupt him, “The Turkish and Canadian’s?” I thought with my feeble mind that the Korean War was a Policing Action only by the American’s to respond to the threat of communism from the Chinese and North Korean’s under Russian jurisdiction?

“Yes…those Turks!” He’d look at me and say, “When they came to Korea, they brought their sabers, said it was their religion,” he’d laugh sarcastically, “one of the worst fighter I’d say.”

I really did not know where to go from there…I was sort of surprised to learn that the United States was not alone in this war, but when I come to think about it, we don’t learn much about the brave fighting men of the Korean War, we actually seem to skip over that war, to come to think about it, I don’t really think many students from elementary to collage could even tell you when the Korean War started and ended…I know I could not, and to think that one of my grandparents served in that war and I knew not a thing about it.

With this lack of knowledge I turned the tables on the discussion. “What about the winter months?” I paused and then added, “Where did you go and what exactly did you do while in Korea?”

I could see him actually tense up, his eyes narrow and his lips tremble with anguish…‘this was it’ I thought, ‘the Rosetta stone to the secret that plagued my family for 50 years.’ I listened to every gasp and sigh as he lay back in his chair. His eyes were fixed on the television screen and his hands buried so I could not see him crumble and fall into grief. It then occurred to me…he did not talk about the war because it was embarrassing or frightening. Instead, when I would look at the period of 1952, the Korean War for the American forces had went south, and the boys overseas weren’t fighting a war of liberation as it was in 1950-1951. It was now a suicide run, morality rate was less than 10 percent, and due to hospitable conditions of the harsh winter months, the veterans saw a war of death!

“I was to hold the Chorwon Valley Road; there were many hills in that location. In the morning, you’d walk up one hill thinking camp was on the other side, and at the top you’d slip and slid down into an 80 percent grade of mud, snow and blood. The mortars would loosen the ground up so much that just climbing the hill was hell. You’d take a step forward, and slide a half a step back.

At night, I remember that we’d set up camp, we were always cold, for the night was usually a negative 30 I’d say. I remember talking to one of the boys about home and when morning would come, I’d shake to waken him and he’d fall over, eyes wide open, dead from freezing to death. We boy’s did anything to stay warm, from slitting our own wrist and drinking our warm blood, to drinking our own urine. There was a couple times I drank my own urine to stay alive…never could come to mind to slit my wrist though, but if I was that desperate, I’d do it.”

As I just sat there, the pit of my stomach must have hit the ground. I knew what it was like to be cold…really cold. I myself was camping in Utah during the winter when it would get about 15 degrees at night, cold enough that your toes and fingers go so numb that you can cut them and don’t feel it. Imagine a negative 30 and living out here for months. I just could not fathomed the brutality of war lifestyles…it’s nothing like that of the movies you see where the men have the strength to carry on. Grandfather described the next best thing to Hell itself. I’d have nightmares if I had to spend a week in his shoes. Just the idea that I might be shot in my sleep or froze to death in my sleep, and all that marching from place to place, but this was just the lifestyle of war, what about the fighting. Statistics have it that the Korean War soldier spent 90 percent fighting and 10 percent not fighting, so could it have been the fighting that caused my Grandfathers silence for the past 50 years? I was just about to find out.

“Where did you go?” I asked, engaged in the period he was willing to talk, wondering if I should even attempt to ask this question.

“There was a valley where a road leads to the north and to the south through the Chorwon Valley.”

“So you guarded a road?” I asked, trying to engage the conversation so it would not die.

He shook his head and then looked at me for the first time in this moment of reflection. “You remember that picture on my wall I shown you when you were young?” I just nodded, wondering what this picture was all about. “That was the 45th division, nearly 400 young boys; only 13 of them are still living.” I thought to myself, I remember that picture, black and white it is. Like a school photo shot, I can’t comprehend to think only 13 of those boys survived to brutality of the war. “You even heard of the hill named Pork Chop Hill?” I shook my head, I would have spoken, but my own nerves and senses were strangling my vocals. “I had to take that hill 5 times. We’d charge up that hill running from barrack to manhole and claim ground and then retreat, four times I had to retreat with the 45th because the Chinese and Korean’s mortar fire and gunfire. Bullets flying every direction you could not think. When the mortars fells your hearing would be lost for minutes to hours depending how close you were.

On the last attempt to secure that damn hill, we had no choice, no surrender no retreat, take it or die, for a division of our tanks were coming and if we did not take that hill, they’d never make it out of the valley. The last attempt we made it to the top, I was called by the tank division general on our status and asked me to find the general of the division, and I told him he was dead. He asked for the commander and I looked around and he was dead, then the sergeants and they all were dead…he then asked who was the highest in command and I looked at the handful of my boys and most of them were privates, medics, engineers so I realized I was next in command so I said I was. I was then told to hold that hill and that reinforcements were coming.

I was so shot up from that last siege that I don’t even remember leaving Korea, I just remember looking at the bodies of my friends, my officers, the bodies of the 40th division and Canadian and Turkish, the Koreans and Chinese…the hill wasn’t much to look at, no trees, just holes, bodies, blood, machines and flags of many nations…all one color…brownish red. We took Pork Chop Hill and held it along with T-bone Hill, Hill 223, Hill 200, Alligator Jaws, Heartbreak Ridge, Old Baldy and some castle.

About a week later I awoke in Japan, I nearly died, but a young Japanese woman kept me alive. Since then, I look back upon the Korean War,” He shakes his head and then takes a deep breath, “we had no reason to be there. No God damn reason at all.”

As I closed my notebook and agreed to what my Grandfather had said, I knew now exactly why they call it the Forgotten War. We lost the war, we were overrun by the Chinese and Korean forces and in the end we paid the ultimate price on a game of warfare.

For a long time I wondered why it was so hard for my Grandfather to talk about the war and now I knew. It wasn’t a war, it was a slaughter. 400 men against 4 divisions of Chinese’s and Korean’s, out gun, out flanked, out witted, but what the communist forces did not have was the willpower to fight against men who I can only describe as courageous and brave.

#korean #korea #north korea #north #northkorea #war #korean war #summit #singapore #president #president trump #trump #donald trump #kim #kim jong #kim jong un

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nimahrelish · 3 years

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What is the impact of Coronavirus on Three Piece Ball Valves Market Growth?| Key players- Flocontrol, Unison Valves, Ardani Valves and more

Three Piece Ball Valves market report is the major research for those who look for an entire analysis of markets. The report covers all information on the Global and regional markets including old and future trends for market demand, size, trading, supply, competitors, and prices as well as Global predominant vendors’ information. We have provided CAGR, value, volume, sales, production, revenue, and other estimations for the global as well as regional markets. The market is designed to serve as a ready-to-use guide for developing accurate pandemic management programs allowing market players to successfully emerge from the crisis and retract numerous gains and profits. The players included in this report are chosen in terms of their product portfolio, market share, brand value, and the well-being of the organizations. Our report based on current situations across the globe. You can get a sample copy of the report here @ https://www.datalabforecast.com/request-sample/73936-three-piece-ball-valves-market **Note: Don’t miss the trading opportunities on Three Piece Ball Valves Market. Talk to our analyst and gain key industry insights that will help your business grow as you create sample reports. Note- This report sample includes: • Brief Introduction to the research report • Table of Contents (Scope covered as a part of the study) • Research framework (Structure of The Report) • Top players in the market • The research methodology adopted by Data Lab Forecast

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Thinking One Step Ahead In today’s competitive world you need to think one step ahead to pursue your competitors, our research offers reviews about key players, major collaborations, union & acquisitions along with trending innovation and business policies to present a better understanding to drive the business in the correct direction. Three Piece Ball Valves Market: Impact of COVID-19 The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has affected every aspect of life worldwide. The report considers the impact of COVID-19 on market growth. The study provides full coverage of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Three Piece Ball Valves market and its key segments. Furthermore, it covers the present and future impact of the pandemic and offers a post-COVID-19 scenario to provide a deeper understanding of the dynamic changes in trends and market scenarios. Three Piece Ball Valves Market: Key Players The major market players that are operating in the Three Piece Ball Valves market are Flocontrol, Unison Valves, Ardani Valves, Haitima, Trueline Valve, Jomar Valve, CF Valves, Sankey Controls Detailed Segmentation: Global Three Piece Ball Valves Market, By Product Type: ⇛ Three Piece Screwed End Ball Valves, Three Piece Flanged End Ball Valves, Three Piece Threaded Ball Valves, Three Piece Socket Weld End Ball Valves. Global Three Piece Ball Valves Market, By End User: ⇛ Industrial, Commercial, Others. Do You Have Any Query or Specific Requirement? Drop Your Query Here @ https://www.datalabforecast.com/request-enquiry/73936-three-piece-ball-valves-market The Three Piece Ball Valves Market report incorporates the detailed analysis of the leading organizations and their thought process and what are the methodologies they are adopting to maintain their brand image in this market. The report aides the new bees to understand the level of competition that they need to fight for to strengthen their roots in this competitive market. Three Piece Ball Valves Market: Prominent Regions • Asia-Pacific (Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines, Korea, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Australia) • Europe (Turkey, Germany, Russia UK, Italy, France, etc.) • North America (United States, Mexico, and Canada.) • South America (Brazil etc.) • The Middle East and Africa (GCC Countries and Egypt.) What benefits does DLF research studies provide? 1. Supporting company financial and cash flow planning 2. Latest industry influencing trends and development scenario 3. To resize powerful market opportunities 4. A key decision in planning and to further expand market share 5. Identify Key Business Segments, Market proposition & Gap Analysis 6. Assisting in allocating marketing investments Buy Now this Premium Report to Grow your Business @ https://www.datalabforecast.com/buy-now/?id=73936-three-piece-ball-valves-market&license_type=su In conclusion, the Three Piece Ball Valves Market report is a genuine source for accessing the research data which is projected to exponentially grow your business. The report provides information such as economic scenarios, benefits, limits, trends, market growth rates, and figures. SWOT analysis and Porters Five analysis is also incorporated in the report. About Us Transforming Information into Insights We pride ourselves in being a niche market intelligence and strategic consulting and reporting firm driven towards resulting in a powerful impact on businesses across the globe. Our accuracy estimation and forecasting models have earned recognition across majority of the business forum. We source online reports from some of the best publishers and keep updating our collection to offer you direct online access to the world’s most comprehensive and recent database with skilled perceptions on global industries, products, establishments and trends. We at ‘Data Lab Forecast’, wish to assist our clients to strategize and formulate business policies, and achieve formidable growth in their respective market domain. Data Lab Forecast is a one-stop solution provider right from data collection, outsourcing of data, to investment advice, business modelling, and strategic planning. The company reinforces client’s insight on factors such as strategies, future estimations, growth or fall forecasting, opportunity analysis, and consumer surveys, among others. Contact: Henry K Data Lab Forecast 86 Van Wagenen Avenue, Jersey, New Jersey 07306, United States Phone: +1 917-725-5253 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.datalabforecast.com/ Follow Us on: LinkedIN | Twitter |

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thomasmarleyblog · 3 years

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Double Winding Transformers Market – Growing Popularity by Latest Product Type Hints Opportunity| Key players- Siemens, ABB, Eaton, etc.

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Double Winding Transformers Market

Thinking One Step Ahead In today’s competitive world you need to think one step ahead to pursue your competitors, our research offers reviews about key players, major collaborations, union & acquisitions along with trending innovation and business policies to present a better understanding to drive the business in the correct direction. Double Winding Transformers Market: Impact of COVID-19 The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has affected every aspect of life worldwide. The report considers the impact of COVID-19 on market growth. The study provides full coverage of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Double Winding Transformers market and its key segments. Furthermore, it covers the present and future impact of the pandemic and offers a post-COVID-19 scenario to provide a deeper understanding of the dynamic changes in trends and market scenarios. Double Winding Transformers Market: Key Players The major market players that are operating in the Double Winding Transformers market are Siemens, ABB, Eaton, GE, Hitachi, Schneider Electric, Mitsubishi Electric, Toshiba, Alstom, Fuji Electric, China XD Group, TBEA, BHEL, Majestic Transformer, Shanghai Electric, SPX Transformer Solutions Detailed Segmentation: Global Double Winding Transformers Market, By Product Type: ⇛ Single-Phase Transformer, Three-Phase Transformer. Global Double Winding Transformers Market, By End User: ⇛ Power Industry, Transportation Industry, Other. Do You Have Any Query or Specific Requirement? Drop Your Query Here @ https://www.datalabforecast.com/request-enquiry/12267-double-winding-transformers-market The Double Winding Transformers Market report incorporates the detailed analysis of the leading organizations and their thought process and what are the methodologies they are adopting to maintain their brand image in this market. The report aides the new bees to understand the level of competition that they need to fight for to strengthen their roots in this competitive market. Double Winding Transformers Market: Prominent Regions • Asia-Pacific (Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines, Korea, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Australia) • Europe (Turkey, Germany, Russia UK, Italy, France, etc.) • North America (United States, Mexico, and Canada.) • South America (Brazil etc.) • The Middle East and Africa (GCC Countries and Egypt.) What benefits does DLF research studies provide? 1. Supporting company financial and cash flow planning 2. Latest industry influencing trends and development scenario 3. To resize powerful market opportunities 4. A key decision in planning and to further expand market share 5. Identify Key Business Segments, Market proposition & Gap Analysis 6. Assisting in allocating marketing investments Buy Now this Premium Report to Grow your Business @ https://www.datalabforecast.com/buy-now/?id=12267-double-winding-transformers-market&license_type=su In conclusion, the Double Winding Transformers Market report is a genuine source for accessing the research data which is projected to exponentially grow your business. The report provides information such as economic scenarios, benefits, limits, trends, market growth rates, and figures. SWOT analysis and Porters Five analysis is also incorporated in the report. About Us Transforming Information into Insights We pride ourselves in being a niche market intelligence and strategic consulting and reporting firm driven towards resulting in a powerful impact on businesses across the globe. Our accuracy estimation and forecasting models have earned recognition across majority of the business forum. We source online reports from some of the best publishers and keep updating our collection to offer you direct online access to the world’s most comprehensive and recent database with skilled perceptions on global industries, products, establishments and trends. We at ‘Data Lab Forecast’, wish to assist our clients to strategize and formulate business policies, and achieve formidable growth in their respective market domain. Data Lab Forecast is a one-stop solution provider right from data collection, outsourcing of data, to investment advice, business modelling, and strategic planning. The company reinforces client’s insight on factors such as strategies, future estimations, growth or fall forecasting, opportunity analysis, and consumer surveys, among others. Contact: Henry K Data Lab Forecast Felton Office Plaza 6375 Highway 8 Felton, California 95018, United States Phone: +1 917-725-5253 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.datalabforecast.com/ Follow Us on: LinkedIN | Twitter | Data Lab Forecast, Double Winding Transformers Industry, Double Winding Transformers Market, Double Winding Transformers Market Analysis, Double Winding Transformers market growth, Double Winding Transformers market report, Market Strategies, Siemens, ABB, Eaton, GE, Hitachi, DLF

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