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babysfirstpentagram · 3 years

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Witch Tips pt 3

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List of Closed Practices:

A list Of Closed Or Semi-Closed Practices, Objects And Religions

White sage: A sacred herb used in Indigenous American practices and currently endangered. Used in smudging rituals.

Palo Santo: An aged wood that is burned in South American practices and currently endangered. Palo Santo is important to Hispanic/latinx culture and is currently endangered. Commercial buying of this wood is generally looked down upon by those not belonging to this group of people.

Dream catchers: A hand-made woven willow hoop adorned with sacred items made by Indigenous Americans. Any that are not made by an indigenous American is not a true dream catcher.

Sweetgrass: Considered sacred to Indigenous Americans and is used in smudging rituals. Also is currently endangered.

Practices:

Smudging: A sacred, elaborate, exclusively Indigenous American ritual using smoke. Very different from smoke cleansing an area.

Spirit Guides/Spirit Animals: A purely Indigenous American belief/ part of the religion of certain tribes. Nobody not belonging to this group simply does not have one.

Egg Limpia: A South American practice to cleanse oneself using an egg.

Karma: A Hinduism belief/concept that the energy someone builds in their life (good or bad) affects how their later lives turn out.

Chakras: A term specific to Hinduism and Buddhism referencing various focal points on the body used in meditation practices. Within Kundali yoga breath exercises, visualizations, mudras, bandhas, kriyas, and mantras are focused on manipulating the flow of subtle energies through chakras

Sour Jars: A spell belonging to hoodoo and vodou and various other closed practices using a jar to hex.

Haitian Vodou: A polytheistic, syncretic religion coming from west African (Yoruba and Fon) Roman Catholicism. Developed among Afro-Haitian communities amid the Atlantic slave trade and the main religion in Haiti as well as Catholicism.

Hoodoo: A syncretic religion created by enslaved Africans, this religion is practiced in the Caribbean and in southern America, an amalgamation of spiritual practices, traditions, and beliefs that were held in secret away from white slaveholders.

Santeria: a polytheistic, syncretic religion originating in Cuba and combines Yoruba and Roman Catholic beliefs. Also developed during the Atlantic slave trade.

Many Native American cultures

Many African cultures

Saami (in Finland)

Religions

Shinto (There are branches of Shinto practice that are open, but this kind of practice should be approached with a high level of respect, and some branches are definitely closed. Jinja Shinto would be to most prominent example of an open denomination)

Druidism (proper not neo)

Gardnerian and Alexandrian Wicca

Haitian Vodou

Hawaiian

Some parts of African Vodou (It depends on the section/group/family etc.)

Hinduism (There are denominations of Hinduism that are open and available, just as there are sects that are closed. Some of the “open sects are highly problematic, and so it does one to be very careful when looking at joining a sect of Hindu faith. Dharmic law is part of what makes this a little sticky to navigate, so best to be approached with deference and caution. )

Hopi

Inuit

Judaism (You must earn the right to be called Jewish)

Raastafari Movement

Tribal (almost all)

Voodoo (Dependent on the group which you decide to learn from)

Voudon

Zoroastrianism

Practices Requiring Education

Kemetic Orthodox- This does not require an initiation per say, but does require a rite of passage of sorts and there is a series of coursework that should be completed.

Tibetan: closed

Hindu: closed

Semitic: closed

polynesian: closed

Indian: closed

Russian: closed

Aztec: closed

Aryan: closed

Maori: closed

Lapp: closed

Voodooloa: closed

Etruscan: closed

Native American: closed

Stregheria: closed

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The only difference between a pentacle and a pentagram is there is a circle around the star in a pentacle. That’s it. Both give you protection, both are used in rituals.

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Both burry spell jars, its bad for the environment.

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When writing your spells, be very specific. Don’t just put “I want happiness.”

Instead put: “I wish to be happy, surrounded by friend and family that love me.” or “I wish to be happy, living comfortably in my easy going job.” The more detailed, the better.

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Some crystals bleach in sunlight, some crystals dissolve in water. Please research before buying expensive crystals and letting them lay around.

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wiccan/witch sabbats are not real, the word they should've use is "solar holidays" or "wheel of the year"

Esbats, wheel of the year/solar holidays are real and fine!! Though, sabbats aren't. Their origins are anti-semetic. https://twitter.com/honeybeebuggy/status/1373334936225075203?s=21 https://www.jewitches.com/post/witch-history-jews-and-the-witchcraze

Except for: the Christian Sabbath which is a day of 'religious observance and abstinence from work'.

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A few things you can start researching once you begin your journey:

- meditation - grounding - basics of energy - cleansing - charging - crystals - herbs - oils - wicca vs witchcraft - history of witchcraft - the elements - intentions - color magic - divination (tarot, pendulums etc.) - altars - altar tools - astrology - numerology - types of witches - runes - the wheel of the year - protection - warding - spells

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The more you keep hyping up my witch tips posts, the more witch tips posts I make. Inbox is open for questions and suggestions for posts. Remember, you are loved and important and very very handsome/pretty/attractive (platonically, of course!) Now go kick some bigoted ass and drink water.

#baby witch #baby witch tips #witchcraft #witch #witches #witchblr #beginner witch

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mephistagain · 3 years

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Everything, or Nothing At All

Hello good, sweet, kind, wonderful friends who follow Flawed by Design.

Here is an epilogue which will not appear in the actual story, but which I*gleefully embraced and ran, ran so far away*toyed with the idea of at one point a few months ago.

If you’d prefer to wait for me to finish FbD prior to reading any spoilerish content, abort reading now.

John parked the warthog in the usual spot at the edge of the redwoods. He retrieved his pack, slung it over his shoulder, and hauled the camo tarp atop the vehicle so that it didn’t stand out like a sore thumb against the backdrop of the verdant mountainside. Then he turned and started into the forest. The trek generally took him two hours, and while the warthog could handle the terrain for part of the way, he preferred the solitude of travelling on foot.

Briar had also complained on the one occasion he had driven closer that the approach had been about as inconspicuous as he was - which was evidently not very, he’d been given to understand.

The hike gave him time to clear his head of the latest sim test results, the monotony of base life, and the lingering impotency of being involuntarily removed from active duty. He was still a highly functioning tactical asset, so while he understood the decision as it had been explained to him by Brass as a matter of PR, he didn’t like it. Linda didn’t either, but she never complained. Unsurprisingly, Fred and Kelly were transitioning from life in the field with the most ease. They were anticipating instructional appointments as an opportunity to guide and shape the next generation of Spartan-IVs.

Not him.

Pausing, John examined the trunk of one of the towering trees - more specifically the scarred markings some animal’s claws had torn into its bark. She’d informed him when he’d last left that there was a cougar lurking in the area. He continued on, the familiar weight of the M6H2 strapped to his thigh precluding any concerns about crossing paths with the predator. The territorial scorings didn’t appear recent, sap had already wept over the abrasions and hardened, but he still recentred his focus. Which wasn’t easily done as he tallied up just how long it’d been since he’d last left base.

An unfamiliar weight settled in his gut, but he knew it for what it was - guilt. Seven weeks was not inconsiderable. And while it hadn’t been his intention to avoid returning, neither had he sought rec time or leave in order to do so. Hadn’t even given it much thought between the day in, day out routine trials Blue team had been selected to participate in for the Gen3 MJOLNIR platform.

He now had to wonder if that had been subconsciously purposeful because of his conflicted feelings over the pregnancy. Briar had encouraged him to seek the input of Fred, Linda, and Kelly, and yet he’d not done that either. Not even when Fred had noted that he was behaving more introvertedly than was characteristic of him. The reason for that, at least, was logical. As Blue team’s leader, undermining the others’ confidence in him by requisitioning advice on a subject none of them were more likely to have experience with than he did was irrational. Fred and Kelly may be more sociable than he was, but he doubted they were concealing clandestine children out there in the systems somewhere. The thought nearly made him snort, in fact.

The elevation increase and time elapsed since he’d set out from the warthog suggested he was better than halfway there now.

Would she be displeased with him? He hadn’t gotten the sense his initial reaction had caused her to be so. If anything, she’d seemed as uncertain about the development as he’d been. She hadn’t questioned him when he’d prepared to head back to base earlier than planned. Just requested that he speak with his fellow Spartan-IIs.

The issue stemmed from the fact John had never factored children into his future. He’d factored another few decades of service in. But not much beyond that. And now, here he was; forced into semi-retirement for all intents and purposes, and staring fatherhood down the barrel. What that even involved, he couldn’t begin to fathom. His memories of his own childhood were so watered down and repressed that it took a Herculean effort just to recall that he’d possessed one at some distant point in the past. He would have a duty to protect the child, that much was obvious. And provide for it - though with the healthy settlement he’d been saddled with as compensation from the UNSC, there should prove no barrier to that.

What would life for a child born to two Spartans even look like? It had never been explicitly expressed, but there wasn’t a shadow of doubt in his mind they’d never been expected to produce offspring. And while the inquisition into Orion and the subsequent Spartan programs had clued up, and public perception had shifted dramatically in light of its innumerable findings, it still didn’t feel as though society was prepared for Spartans to fully re-integrate. At least, not IIs and IIIs. The IVs had been regular enlisted before being recruited into their program. They’d led normal lives. Had families. No so for his and Briar’s generation. Despite having been stationed there for six months now, Blue team still received a variety of conspicuous reactions from the base’s other personnel as they went about their assigned duties. He ignored them, but the relief of leaving it all behind when he drove past the last checkpoint and the wild landscape opened up before the warthog had been palpable.

The fact he looked forward to Briar’s company wasn’t the enigmatic response it had initially presented as to him any longer. With her, he was just John. And whatever that entailed, she took in stride. No expectations.

He smelled it before he saw it. The copper tang of blood hung heavy in the air as he approached the clearing the cottage occupied on the ridge. Through the foliage, tawny hide could be glimpsed. Brandishing his sidearm, he strained his honed senses for further signs of intrusion as he stalked in towards his quarry. Within twenty metres, John could detect the error in his assessment. The once-predator’s pelt hung from a make-shift frame of pliable branches, stretched out wide in a curious display of victory. So, she’d taken care of the cougar. Bypassing the trophy, he was returning the magnum to its holster when he noted the smear on the doorframe. Briar wasn’t as fastidiously tidy and organized as he was wont to be, but a bloody handprint seemed grisly even for her to disregard cleaning up.

John glanced back to the hide. The dark stain from blood which had pooled beneath it seemed to indicate it’d been hung there for some time. Hours, probably. His attention returned to the smeared handprint. Was it possibly not the result of the animal’s blood, but her own? Had she been injured?

“Briar?” he called not without apprehension as he pushed through the door and inside. Crimson droplets led directly across the rustic floorboards towards the lav. His heart rate kicked up a notch. She hadn’t responded. Dropping the pack with a thud, he stepped over the trail as he strode to the open doorway. No light spilled out, so he wasn’t surprised not to find her within, but the open med kit, mess of bandaging supplies, and blood ringing the sink did alarm him more than he cared to admit. She’d treated herself for whatever wound she’d received, he reasoned with himself. Everything was likely fine.

Noise outside pulled John away from the chaos which had been unleashed in the lav. He re-emerged from the cottage just as Briar was latching the door on the small tool shed he’d insisted they erect during his last visit, to remove the clutter of equipment from the limited space offered in the main living structure.

She looked about as bewildered by his presence as he felt about the scene he’d witnessed upon arrival, but as usual, recovered first. “Could have used your help earlier,” she commented while wiping her dirty hands on her already soiled pants. A combination of blood and grime interrupted their dark green camo patterning.

“With the cougar?” he surmised, having paused just outside the door.

“With burying it.”

That explained the mud, anyway. “Are you alright?” She appeared whole, but the med kit had been rummaged through for a purpose. Her black t-shirt revealed a few shallow lacerations on her arms, but none of them were bandaged.

Briar shrugged, or began to, though the motion was cut short by a grimace. “It got the jump on me, nothing serious.” She lingered by the shed, her gaze having shifted to the hide. “Should have driven it off a while ago.” It didn’t seem a conscious action, but one of her hands drifted briefly to her abdomen before falling back to her side.

It hit him with the sheer, unrestrained force of a NOVA. She’d been in danger - the child she carried, his child, had been in danger - and he hadn’t even known. No matter his uncertainty, the overwhelming and fierce instinct to protect that precious unborn life consumed him with an abruptness he’d never before experienced in his 48 years. He didn’t know what to expect from fatherhood, but the fear of having that opportunity snatched away by variables outside his control was perhaps the realest he’d ever known.

She was eying him pensively as he closed the distance between them. Dark strands of hair had escaped her braid and smudges on her cheek and temple implied she’d probably been pushing the loose locks out of her eyes. He reached up to do so for her now after she’d unsuccessfully attempted to blow them out of her line of sight.

“Are you going to tell me what you’re thinking, or should I stand here waiting like an idiot for you to say something for another ten minutes first?”

“I’m thinking that cougar chose its prey unwisely.”

She rolled her eyes, but they then shot down to where his hand had come to rest over her stomach before she could reply.

“And that I shouldn’t have waited so long to come back,” he supplied with regret. Not only did he now comprehend how cowardly it had been, even if it shamed him to ascribe such a trait to himself, it had nearly cost him more than he’d at first understood.

Briar was regarding him with an unreadable expression. She hadn’t stepped back, but neither did she seem particularly welcoming of his proximity. What must she have thought of him as the weeks had stretched on in his absence? “I knew you would,” she said after some time. “Eventually.” It didn’t sound as though that certainty had reassured her much, it was more of a statement of fact.

“I didn’t speak to the others about it.” She deserved to know he’d disregarded her request along with leaving her out here alone without explanation.

“John-”

“But I’m going to. When I go back.”

“It was just a suggestion-”

“What were the bandages for?” he cut her off, having already made up his mind on the matter. Blue team might not be able to offer parenting advice, but they would give him their honest assessment of the situation. And since the added responsibility could potentially affect his performance as team leader, they needed to be aware of that.

Sighing, she turned around and lifted her shirt to reveal the gauze padding haphazardly taped to her back. Blood had already seeped through several wads, suggesting the wounds they covered were deeper than those on her arms. “I’m going to clean up the shitstorm in there, I just wanted to deal with that asshole before dark,” she said while shooting the pelt a miffed glare and dropping her shirt again.

“So you decided to skin it.”

“Only after it tried to eat me.”

John took her by the arm to gently propel her inside. Fortunately, she didn’t resist. In the lav, he again turned her so that she faced the opposite direction and pulled the t-shirt up and over her head, prompting her to lift her arms in the process. Then he began the painstaking process of peeling the medical tape off, doing so slowly so as not to aggravate the injuries beneath.

All of this, Briar endured cooperatively in silence. Even when he applied the biogel, which he knew from plenty of personal experience, stung owing to its antiseptic component. Once he’d reapplied the bandaging in plush squares, he returned the supplies to the med kit and rinsed out the sink.

She was still standing in the same spot, shirt held in one hand as she faced the shower unit. Her posture didn’t point towards being receptive to physical contact, so he leaned against the doorframe to give her some space.

“Listen, I’ve been thinking… if this isn’t something you want to go through with, I understand.”

The sudden remark set him on edge almost as swiftly as the cougar pelt had. “Explain,” he prompted her when no further information was offered.

“Explain what - that neither one of us would have any clue how to raise a kid?” She was shaking her head and he knew without needing her to say more exactly where her doubts stemmed from. She’d confessed before to having no memory of her parents, and his own were vague impressions in the few flashbacks he’d experienced over the years.

“I want to try.”

When she turned around finally, she was frowning. “It’s not something you ‘try’, John. There are no trial runs. No sims. You can’t fuck it up, you don’t get to reset to alpha position.”

Jaw setting with determination, he pushed away from the doorway. “Then we don’t fail.” They’d been forged with a will to succeed at all costs as ingrained as the fundamental functions of breathing, eating, or sleeping.

“And we’re going to base it off of what? How Mendez treated us? The other drill instructors? AIs?” Briar moved to bypass him, but he prevented her by blocking her path. It wasn’t difficult in the confined space. “I won’t be responsible for screwing some kid up as badly as we were.”

“Some kid?” John repeated, chest tightening at the description of the child even now developing in her womb. He searched her features for some sign she held no attachment whatsoever to the new life they’d inadvertently created. All he saw was diffidence and frustration. This time when she tried to squeeze past, he caged her in against the cabinet the sink was built into, an arm to either side to keep her there. “I see you,” he told her, voice even despite his own inner turmoil. He couldn’t pressure her into a role she wasn’t prepared to undertake. Even if he’d come to the conclusion it was what he wanted. One of the few things he’d ever wanted - not because it was a duty he’d been trained and groomed to carry out, but because it was one he desired the privilege of fulfilling.

Dropping her gaze, she balled up the shirt. Her shoulders rose and fell with shallow breaths, another indication of her state of agitation.

It wasn’t something that came naturally to him, but he brought one hand up to cup her face nonetheless, offering her the comfort he perceived she required in that moment. He still recalled the light and foreign touch of her own fingers upon his cheek in ‘Vadam’s keep. It’d been the first time anyone other than Fred, Kelly, Sam, or Linda had laid a hand on him for a purpose other than addressing an injury, delivering punishment, or examining his MJOLNIR since he’d been conscripted into the Spartan program. She’d advised him not to analyze it, but that’d proven impossible when, from that moment forth, a steadily growing part of him he hadn’t previously known existed had craved that contact. Expressing that hadn’t been something he’d been aware of how to do, or even whether he should do.

“What’s going on in there?” she asked quietly.

Chagrined to have lost focus, his brow furrowed. He ran his thumb over the dirt smudged across her cheekbone, but it didn’t remove the blemish. Neither did it diminish her appeal, however. “Thinking,” he answered. “About you.” About how much had changed for him in the time they’d known each other, none of it anything he could have ever predicted.

She was waiting for him to elaborate, he could tell.

“And about being something other than a Spartan.” Something more. Something he chose. “But only if it’s what you want.”

Her lips grazed his palm as she turned her head. She pressed a kiss there. “I want you.” Rising up onto the balls of her feet, she gripped his shoulders, the t-shirt slipping to the floor. “I want everything. With you. And it scares me, John.” And he could see it in her eyes. That terror. The fear of daring to want something.

Carefully drawing her in close with an arm around the small of her back, which hadn’t sustained any gouges, John held her gaze. “Someone told me being human can be like that.” He was expecting physical repercussions for the cheeky reminder, namely a punch, but gladly obliged when Briar instead tugged on his tags. Lowering his head, he released a pained grunt when her mouth only briefly met his before she captured his lower lip between her teeth.

“Smartass,” she scolded him with relish and then kissed him - properly this time.

#halo fic #flawed by design #john-117 #b312 #spartan badassery #false epilogue

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imperial-martian · 4 years

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—LETTERS: george washington x reader x king george iii (hamilton)

Author’s Note: this is an old oneshot that I wrote two years ago but it is one of my only good oneshots from back in my first Hamilton phase. This is also in first person (which I used to only write in and now I hate it, but that’s fine) so fair warning this is really old and very different to my writing now. Also, this diverges into two endings, King George’s than Washington’s, they’ll be marked at the end of certain sentences.

Trigger Warnings: first person point of view, two year old writing, death, guns, war, fighting, betrayal, swearing, injuries

I stood in front of my horse looking behind me as I was about to hop on.

"Y/N, come back alive," King George told me.

"I'll try my best," I smiled at him. He gave me a sharp look and I replied differently. "I will."

"Good. Y/N you are the best spy we have right now. We cannot afford to lose you," King said.

"Your Majesty, they will need at least 10 men to take me down," I winked. King George gave off a small chuckle.

"Stay safe," he said grabbing my hand and placing a kiss on top of it. He stood up straight, still holding my hand, and I smiled. He nodded turning around and walking away. I hopped onto the horse and signaled to one of the generals that I was leaving. They nodded and I flicked the rains up. The horse charged forward as I directed it where to go.

Hours passed and I finally arrived at the colonist's army camp. I tied the horse to a tree deep in the woods. Taking my jacket off I laid it on the horse and leaned down to get some mud. Smudging it onto my clothes, face, and arms I wanted to make it look as though I was lost. I gave the horse a little water and a carrot I had put in my bag. Leaving everything behind I headed to the camp. I had made little tears in my clothes to give the effect that I had been injured.

Walking within a hundred feet of the camp I began to limp. I saw a few soldiers talking among themselves as they all held bayonets close to them. I finally made it out of the woods and over to the camp. I walked up to one of the soldiers and grabbed their arm.

"Please help me! I was heading home from the store when a British soldier attacked me. I ran as fast as I could, but when I entered the woods I tripped," I explained on the verge of tears. The man looked at his fellow soldiers and nodded. One of the men ran off into a tent which I assumed was the nurse's tent.

"Follow me, ma'am," the soldier said. I nodded following him. I was a little slow since I still had to pretend to limp. He opened the tent flap and a woman had already set a spot for me to sit. Limping over I sat down and she examined my ankle. The soldiers left the room and walked back to where they were. The nurse grabbed a few tools. I realized how uneducated they were with injuries because they still bandaged my ankle even though nothing was wrong.

"Lay down for a bit. I'll be right back I just need to have a word with the General," the nurse explained. I nodded and watched as she walked out. I looked around the tent noticing that most nurses were out on the battlefield. I stood up and walked over to an empty cot. Laying down I closed my eyes and prepared to get the battle plans by the end of the week.

•••

Today was the last day I could attempt to get the plans. I had been receiving letters from King George quite frequently. He had sent another spy to bring me letters in the woods every day. Since the soldiers believed I was attacked by the British they decided it was best I stayed at camp and help around. Which I did. Having received the letters from King George we communicated often, although I was receiving letters from someone else. Someone I didn't know. When I talked to the nurses about it they all said they had never seen that handwriting before. I shrugged it off and hid the letters.

Having been here for a week I met a few clever soldiers. A few being Alexander Hamilton, Marquis De Lafayette who was an ally from the French, and George Washington. George Washington was the General of the continental army. He was a very unique man. Brave, intimidating, and stern, yet he had a sweet side. He heard that I had been injured and asked me to visit his tent darning my break today. Today was my only opportunity to get the plans without being noticed.

I passed time helping soldiers who came in by the minute. Finally, my break arrived and I had received a new later. Not from King George but the other person. I shoved it into my pocket and stood up. Walking over to the tent I headed for Washington's tent. Walking over a few soldiers who passed by waved. Making it to his tent I stood in front of it a little intimidated to go in.

"Sir, may I come in?" I asked trying to keep my heart rate at normal.

"You may," I heard Washington call out. Walking into his tent he looked up. I saw him smile and put down his quill. He stood up and walked over to me taking my hand and placing a kiss on it.

"Now, Miss L/N, could I have a word?" He asked. I nodded and he smiled grabbing a chair and putting it in front of his desk. We talked for a little while as he asked questions about my life, family, and interests. I had to lie about most of it until we heard someone from outside.

"General Washington, you are needed I'm the nurse's tent. Marquis De Lafayette was shot in the foot," a soldier from outside called. Washington jolted up and threw his coat on.

"Y/N are dismissed for now. It was a pleasure talking with you," Washington said making his way tot he tent flap.

"The pleasure is mine sir," I replied. He turned around smiling and walked out. I walked over to his desk rummaging through the papers to find the plans.

"Aha!" I exclaimed once I found them. I ran out of the tent and towards the woods. King George was supposed to meet me here in a few minutes. He wrote in one of his letters that he would. That reminded me of the later I had received earlier. I went to look for it in the pocket. I panicked once I realized O couldn't find it.

"Shit," I muttered. I must have left it in Washington's tent. I debated if I should have gone back when finally I took another step farther into the woods. I made it to a deep part of the woods and sat in front of a tree. I heard footsteps approaching next to me. I turned my head to see Washington. Shit.

"Y/N, I found this inside my tent I assume it's yours," Washington said holding out the letter. I was about to speak when we heard a branch snap. We turned our heads to the sound and saw King George.

"Y/N, stay behind me!" Washington ordered. He took out his gun from its holster.

"Y/N, dear, do you have the plans?" King George asked.

"Dear?" Washington asked. He turned to me confused. I simply gave him a devilish smirk and held up the plans. I walked past Washington and handed King George the plans. Washington pointed his gun at me.

"Y/N please don't make me do this," Washington pleaded.

"I love you," Washington whispered. His hand was shaking and his eyes had tears in them. King George laughed.

"You love her?" Now that's funny. Sorry to tell you General but when we return to England she will be mine," King George said pointing his own gun at Washington. I was a bright shade of pink at King's words. I didn't know King George felt this was about me. While I was distracted in my thoughts Washington shot King in his leg. He fell to the ground in pain. I grabbed King's gun and pointed it at Washington.

"Y/N DON'T MAKE ME SHOOT YOU!" Washington yelled tears falling from his eyes.

"Do it George," I challenged him using his first name. I realized it. Washington was the person who sent me all of the letters that weren't from King. No one knew the handwriting because Hamilton writes all of Washington's letters. My thoughts stopped as I heard Washington fiddle with the trigger. He dropped to his knees.

"I can't do it because I love you," he muttered.

"But I don't," I replied lifting the gun and pulling the trigger. The bullet went straight to his rib. The spy who gave me the letters from King was helping King George. I walked over helping the spy bandage King. I was shocked that no one found us in the woods or heard the loud shots of the gun.

I looked over at Washington who was barely breathing and laughed.

"That's my Queen," King George said placing a finger under my chin and kissing me softly.

[King George's Ending]

"Y/N, stay behind me!" Washington ordered. He took his gun from its holster and pointed it at King George.

"Y/N, dear, do you have the plans?" King George asked.

"Plans?" Washington whispered. King George took his pistol out and pointed it at Washington. This was when I realized Washington was the man who sent me all of the letters. It was obvious. No one knew his handwriting because he never wrote his own letters. He was always kind to me even when visiting the nurse's tent under the worst conditions.

"Yes plans, Y/N do you have them?" King asked again.

"No," I answered.

"No? What do you mean 'no'?" King asked growling.

"When someone says no they mean no," Washington said through gritted teeth. King had enough with Washington and swiftly lifted his hand, pulling the trigger. I watched Washington's gun fly into the air as the bullet entered his shoulder.

"No! You bastard," I yelled at King.

"Y/N come on let's go back to England and stop this little game," King said turning to walk away.

"Not with the likes of you," I said running over and grabbing Washington's gun.

"Excuse me?" He asked standing still. I shot the gun and saw King drop to the floor. The other spy ran up to him. Before he could shoot me I took the first shot and ensured both men were dead. I sprinted over to Washington making sure he was alright.

"Y/N it isn't as bad as it looks," Washington assured me. I still gave him a panicked look and rushed out of the woods. I grabbed Alexander, who was right outside of the woods, and a nurse and ran back to Washington. The nurse cleaned Washington's wound while Alexander walked over to King George. Alexander went to get a few more men to help with King and the spy. Turning around I saw that the nurse had bandaged Washington's shoulder.

"Sir, you'll need to rest for a little and make sure you don't fight for a while," the nurse explained.

"Of course! Thank you very much," Washington said. The nurse nodded and walked out of the woods. I looked down at my hands and clothes and noticed the blood.

"Sir, I'm going to clean up," I said turning around to walk away. Washington grabbed my wrist with his non-injured arm and placed a kiss on my lips.

[Washington's Ending]

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secret-engima · 4 years

Text

Very AU Snip of Calling for Rain verse

(I will explain myself at the bottom of this snip, but for now I want everyone to be surprised. ;))

...

Nyx-kun idly pushed one of his tiny braids behind his ear and it reminded Kushina of an important question, “Say…” he looked up from the notes he’d been scribbling, —he had relaxed enough now in their presence to forget himself and start jotting down notes for another seal, how cute— and made an inquiring noise. Kushina gestured at his braids, “How do you get the ink inside the stone? It’s been driving Minato crazy trying to figure it out, ‘ttebane.”

“Oh,” mouthed Nyx-kun softly. He raised his voice, “I forgot about that. Uh…” he fidgeted, “I could show you? It might be easier than trying to explain.”

“Is it safe?” Minato asked, because he was a wuss like that sometimes, and the glance at her belly told her why.

She glared at her husband and Nyx-kun hurried to answer, “Yes, Yondaime. I perfected that part years ago. It’s perfectly safe to observe.”

Minato relaxed, “Alright then, and please, call me Minato when I’m out of my office.”

She could see the protests getting bottled up and the gears turning in the kid’s head before he tipped his chin and reached into a pouch on his hip. He pulled out a storage scroll and unrolled it on the coffee table. A flick of his fingers and tools puffed out, including an entire sack of rattling stone pieces of lots of different colors. Minato leaned closer to watch as Nyx-kun sorted through them, humming under his breath as he seemed to judge them by some unknown criteria and then find them wanting. Kushina tried to lean closer but … yeah no. Not with Naruto so close to being due.

Eventually, he picked out a stone and rolled it in his fingers thoughtfully. He looked … unsure of himself, suddenly so very young and tired under the weight of whatever he was thinking. Then he shook it off and set the stone aside, sweeping the others into his bag. He had chosen one it seemed, an oblong one that was a beautiful orangey color with dark blue stripes running through it. She had no idea what set it apart from the others, but he seemed satisfied with his choice. He looked up at them with a smile, “I’ve done this enough times I can just do it with my hand, but when I was first figuring this out, I used to take a little piece of paper like this…” he tore a corner off the scroll he’d used to take notes, and inked out the seal.

The seal he made was tiny and Kushina’s fingers ached in sympathy for the practice it must have taken to make a perfect seal at that small a size. Nyx-kun’s eyes flickered red for a moment, checking his own work before he showed it to Kushina and Minato. Kushina spotted the difference in the seal, but Minato beat her to asking about it, “The outer ring is new. … Melt?”

“Absorption,” Nyx-kun corrected absently. He then wrapped the bead carefully in the paper, making sure not to smudge the new ink with his finger’s, and held it out to them, “Hold your hands over mine and push some chakra into the seal. Don’t worry about overloading it, I’ll control the flow.” Kushina and Minato shared a look, then held out their hands and obediently sent the seal some of their chakra. She could feel Nyx-kun’s wrapping around theirs, cool and sharp like thunderstorms and lightning, controlling the flow into the seal until it-.

Lit on fire. A soft puff of flame that Nyx-kun didn’t so much as flinch from even though it was in his bare hand. The paper burned away, but the ink of the seal … stayed. Wrapped around the bead and then sank into it like the bead was liquid rather than stone-. Kushina breathed, “That’s brilliant, dattebane. You used ‘absorption’ to mean ‘absorb into the stone’.”

Nyx-kun grinned at them as the ink settled into place inside the stone, “Yeah. That way it can’t get scratched off. The only way to disrupt it is to break the bead itself.” He juggled it a bit until it stopped glowing faintly from heat and chakra. He rolled it in his fingers a few times with a strangely sad look on his face, then he held it out to Kushina, “Here. It’s yours.”

Kushina blinked, “Eh-, are you sure?”

The young Uchiha nodded, his gaze solemn and … fragile. Like he was afraid she’d get mad, “You both donated chakra for it, it’s keyed to you now. If someone pushes chakra into it,” his hand glowed and it felt like someone was yanking on Kushina’s hair, drying to drag her attention to the bead even though she was already staring at it, “you’ll both feel it.” He hesitantly reached out, pulling Kushina’s hand toward him with the palm up. He dropped the bead into her palm and curled her fingers around it with a smile, “A gift. For- for the child.”

Kushina hesitated. Because seals weren’t just something you gave away, especially not one that you had personally created. But there was something fervent in his eyes, that familiar faith and Will of Fire Minato inspired in a lot of his ninja, as well as something almost desperate, worried.

As she accepted the bead with a laugh and a thanks, she wondered if Nyx-kun had lost his mother to childbirth, if her own pregnancy was making him nervous with memory and this was how he assuaged it. She didn’t ask, just grinned and rolled the little bead in her fingers, “I’m sure little Naru will love it, when he’s old enough I’ll braid it into his hair just like yours. Would you like that, Naruto?” She asked the question at her swollen belly, more as a joke than anything, but the midwife had said talking to the baby was good for him, so she made a point to do it semi-regularly —only semi since Minato talked to Naruto incessantly when they were home alone and she was pretty sure the sheer amount of her husband’s words had any health benefits more than covered—. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Nyx-kun suppress a flinch and glance away, heard him take a careful breath she knew by experience was from having to suppress a sharp and grieving memory.

“Are you alright?” Minato asked him, because he cared about all the village, but he and Kushina knew very well how deeply Uchiha’s emotions effected them, how powerful their reactions could be.

Nyx-kun took another breath and shook himself, then smiled, “I’m fine. Just- memories.” He cleared his throat a little, suddenly awkward all over again and stood up, “I’m sorry Yondaime, Kushina-san, but I should-. I need to go home now, it’s- it’s late.”

Kushina and Minato exchanged glances. Having raised a genin team and worked with a lot of younger ninja, they knew the sound of a teenager trying frantically to leave a situation before he made a fool of himself with his emotions. Better to let him go and track him down later for that apprenticeship idea of hers rather than pushing him here, “Of course, I understand,” Minato murmured smoothly, “let me walk you to the door.”

“Thanks.”

Kushina waved as they left, “Come again soon, dattebane! I’m sure Naruto would love to meet you in another week or two!” Nyx-kun’s step hitched on nothing, but he smiled over his shoulder and agreed with her invitation like nothing was wrong. She listened to Minato saying his goodbyes to Nyx-kun in the door, and rolled the bead over in her fingers thoughtfully. When Minato came back, they talked for a while, first about Nyx-kun, then about their son who was about to be born.

~~~

In the quiet of the village at night, no one noticed the Uchiha who fled with feet like wings to a secluded training ground. No one saw as he crumbled in the nook of a high tree branch, knees pulled to his chest and shoulders shaking.

No one saw tears drip from sharingan eyes over the little orange and blue bead he knew Naruto’s parents wouldn’t live long enough to give to him.

...

(Okay so this is where my muses got weird. I started this to play with what I thought Nyx’s sealing ability/style would be when he grows up, but I’d JUST watched Lost Tower and so my brain went “Hey you know what would be cool? If teenage Nyx met another Seals master and that’s the lens we saw Nyx’s seals through!”

And I went “but we hate Jiraiya and so does Nyx”

And the muses went “TEmpORaRy TImE-TrAVeL AnGsT shOt” and here we are now, so behold the snip of the time travel/exploratory ... THING that I am in no way saying is canon for this verse (I’m also not saying it ISN’T canon because we all know I love my angst).)

#Secret Engima Rambles #Melodies and Manuscripts #Calling for Rain verse #nyxsuke #minato #naruto #kushina #long post

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myeclecticjourney · 4 years

Text

Making Your Own Magic Wand

Hi guys! Magic tools are important on every witch’s journey. So today I decided to share how you can make your own magic wand if you don’t have one already, nor the money to buy an expensive one. I’ll show you step by step with pictures

So this is my wand. I made it a year ago. Before that I didn’t have one, and I was simply practicing witchcraft without a wand. I began looking for wands online, and in pagan shops in my area, but none of them really pulled my attention entirely. I thought that if I was gonna have a wand, it might as well be the perfect one, right? So one day I was outside my job and saw this beautiful branch that had fallen from a three. Without thinking twice, I grabbed it, took it home and my wand journey began. The wand I’m gonna make today it’s a complete different one as I didn’t took pictures of the process of mine.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

- 1 branch or stick (try to find one that it’s long and thick enough)

- 1 rose quartz

- 1 white quartz

- Rosemary

- cypress leaf

- sea Lavander

- 2 white candles

- Salt

- moon water

- string (any color you want)

- colored jewelry craft wire (any color you want)

- silicon (or white glue)

- sharpie

STEPS:

1. Cast a circle

I normally start by cleansing the materials I’m going to use. Light the candles, use the salt to create a visible circle around them. I did two, one for herbs and crystals and other one for flowers, but you can do one for everything. Move your hand on top of the circle, twice deosil and repeat this words: “Clean above so as below, cleanse this materials for positive to grow” After that I would sprinkle some of the moon water into my materials. And close the circle thanking the elements.

Herbs and crystal

Flowers

2. Decide the length

Deciding how long you want your wand to be it’s fundamental. In this case I took off the tip of the branch because it was really thin and weak, so I decided to add an extra crystal at the bottom to replace that missing length. The one that I’m using at the top it’s the rose quartz, it’s kinda pointy, so if you can find a pointy crystal it’s better, this way you can direct the magic while using your wand. For the bottom part, I’m using a long white quartz.

3. Tip of the wand

Use silicon in the bottom of your crystal and in the top of your wand. Put them together and wait a few minutes for them to dry. Then using the string, secure the crystal with the branch. I’m not gonna lie, this is a tedious step. It’s hard at the beginning, but I’m sure you can do it. Use silicon or glue to make it easier. I would recommend start from the branch and then up to the crystal. Tie the string in different directions to secure the crystal correctly. Do the same for the bottom crystal.

String in different directions.

Top of the wand ready

4. Candle wax

So working with sea lavander sometimes might be a little annoying (at least for me). Even tho I love them and they have amazing properties, they also have these itty bitty tiny thorns that are almost invisible but oh man, how much of a pain in the hat they can be! So my advice to you, if you’re also triggered by this, you can seal the back of them with wax. I know, it sounds weird, but trust me, it helps and it gives a really interesting look to the flowers. They’re still beautiful, they still smell amazing, but it will be easier for you and your hands to work with them. Just be careful not to burn yourself.

5. Design the layout

As you did in previous steps, use the silicon to put the herbs where you find fitting. You can get as creative as you want. Just remember you’ll need to secure everything with string after. Tho, it is much easier than the crystals, lol.

Initial layout with glue

Secured herbs

6. Decorating your wand with wire

I actually didn’t do this to my wand, but decided to do it to this one and oh man! It looks so beautiful, it gives the wand a plus. I used red craft wire around the blue string. It gives contrast and uniqueness. Did it in the lower and upper crystals and over the herbs. You can use a color that means a lot to you to make it more personal.

7. Symbols

You’re already creating an amazingly strong bond with your wand by making it. Make it even stronger by adding symbols that means something to you. You can use the elements symbols, runes, maybe create a special sigil and then using a thin sharpie, draw it in the branch. It can be in the upper part or the lower. Get creative! I did symbols all around the upper part of the branch. Looks great, and makes it powerful.

8. Wrap it up

Your wand is ready! All you have to do now is to bless your wand through a ritual. You can cast a circle using your wand. Invite every element and/or deities you practice with. Introduce the tip of your wand in the water while inviting the element. Pass the tip through the fire. Cleanse it with a smudge stick or incense for the air element. Cover it with salt for earth. Charge it with another crystal or tarot card for spirit. Every witch has a different way for rituals, do it as you feel right.

There you have it! Your own beautiful and personal wand. Use the crystals and herbs you like. The intention behind all of this is that you make a tool to walk by your side during your journey with magic I really hope you liked it and helped you.

Image source: my camera 📸

Blessed be,

- May xo.

#witch #wicca #magicwand #craftywitch #crystals #herbs #magic #love

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kanabepark · 3 years

Text

Essay about Wood block printing

It was my first time to do lino cut prints last year at NQ creative course. Since then, I got really interested in carving.

It’s reminded me that I did a couple of wood carving and wood block print at my primary school which I had great time.

I like doing lino cut prints however, my interest goes to wood block print more than that at the moment. For me, it’s quite difficult to choose the right type of wood boards and materials just now because I have just started but I hope the experience will give me an answer for this later on.

I like the smell of woods and their natural warm texture compare with manmade lino.

Woods are much harder to carve and takes longer time but I am quite patient person so, I even really enjoy these difficulties as well.

Wood block print was invented in China around 700AD.

Since then, this carving wood block method had been the most common in East Asia printing method for printing books, texts and pictures. In fact, now I understand why I am quite familiar with wood block print. As I said earlier, I did a wood block print when I was a child and still used Japanese traditional wood curving tools and baren for the art classes ( It`s a disk like hard tool with a flat bottom and a knotted handle used in Japanese wood block printing. It is used to burnish the back of a sheet of paper lifting ink from the block.)

Woodblock prints are a typical type of relief print. It is called woodcut or xylograph because it uses wood as the original plate.

Ukiyo-e prints are well known all over the world. Ukiyo-e prints are not made by one artist. They are basically and traditionally made by three specialists.

A drawing or painting artist who provided the design image, a wood carve technician and a printer.

I think this fact is really interesting because usually one artist does all these works to create artworks in European countries.

Japanese traditional woodblock printing materials are very unique as well.

For example, we have been using a prunus serrulata (cherry species) wood board as the best quality printing block. Recently, we use plywoods because they are much cheaper.

Traditionally, we use a waterbase paint/shuhi-enogu (mud-pigment)and adding a glue as paints. There are also monochrome printing using only black sumie ink.

Washi paper (traditional Japanese paper) has been used for printing. One especially has a strong quality for rubbing method, this paper is called Ko-zo paper (mulberry paper).Also, before we print on this, it’s very important to damp the paper to get a beautiful result then, put special paint on the board by using a special brush not a roller.

Usually we don't use more than one color on a board. To make one multicolor print, the printer has to print between 5 to 30 times using different boards for the colors.

ARTIST RESEARCH

Kiyoshi Saito (1907-1997)

He was a woodblock printing artist from 20th century in Japan.

Mt.Fuji (1980)

Mt. Fuji has long been respected as a mountain of gods in Japan. Therefore, showing it in artwork must be very respetful and formal for Japanese people.

Normally, Mt.Fuji is shown in blue to express it, but because this one was used red, I think he draw Mt. Fuji as seen in the evening. As the expression aka-fuji in Japanese is used, it depicts Mt. Fuji in a particularly beautiful appearance. Belive or not, you can see this red color Mt.Fuji in real life! Also, this red is not vivid color and uses a very warm natural color.

What is interesting is the color of the sky. It is slightly pink compared to the white snow on the top of the mountain. From that, I think this pale color was intentionally used to make Mt. Fuji, which I admire, stand out. The shape of the clouds looks like a dragon is flying. Even in Japan, it feels like a combination of the myth of a dragon. It's a very proud and elegant movement and in the middle of the cloud, there is a gray blackish line in it. This means this cloud has got a soul in it as well.

Looking at the lower part, a black plum tree that has not yet bloomed is drawn. From this, it can be estimated that the season is between the end of winter to the beginning of spring. Do the white branches represent the snow that has fallen? It looks like it's still in cold weather. Also, the black color is smudged on the bottom parts which means the real world is a dark and terrible place to live but the mountain parts are pure and sacred. It could be meaning of mythology in Japan as well.

The most interesting parts of this work is texture.

He used wooden natural organic woodgrain patterns for the body of mountain. I have never seen a print like this before. It is almost saying this artwork belong to nature world. I think this method will be very useful for my next project.

Clare Leighton (1898-1989)

She was an English-American artist best known for her wood engravings.

Watcher Of The Sky (1955)

This work is a mixture of realistic and idealised.

Some people are included and I think they are all professional scientists who try to investigate new facts of the sky.

The mysterious shape in the middle and right hand side shows the science of the sky was so mysterious at that time and these scientists are trying very hard to find out the fact or truth. Also, the swirl shape shows confusion inside their head or the hope for a different world.

The color is black and white so it shows the night time and the white color around people look like showing the furure hope to the people.

The bottom right zig zag lines may explain their excitement feelings and cause waves of their heart to pump or could be the sign of universal movements or vibrations.

I found that this is quite scary because not so detailed about people and they are all looking the same direction. Especially, all faces are the same shape and clothes are the same, kinds of very creepy. Maybe wanted show the scientist does not have feeling and they are only interested in the fact. It looks like all people are men. It shows the time of this era, men had more power and access to the education than women. It is very sad and not fair but it was the truth.

They are quite a lot of abstract shapes in this. It is all belong to the scientic world.

Textures are all over the place so there are no plain bit at all on this work makes me a bit breathless and give me emotional pressure.

I think so clever to show the serious and mysterious emotions at the same time on this.

Even thought this is a woodblock print, shows details a lot. Some lines are really straight and the microscope looks real. She is very good at describing the shapes and works are so neat.

Also, I can see the lots of depth in the work almost like an illusion especially on the spiral.

Jed Henry

He is a woodblock print illustrator.

Pocketing a Wager

The most interesting power which he has got is he can change almost all world famous animations or TV programs scenes to Ukiyoe style illustrations. I have never seen before such cool illustrations before. I can not explain well but something old and new are combined together makes really beautiful attractive artworks.

This artwork is about Pokemon and Sumo wrestling.

I can recognize some of characters from Pokemon. All animals look very different from the show but he turn in to them to real Japanese yokai (monster) looking very well. Also he uses Kanji (Japanese character) it makes this piece like it belong to Japanese traditional culture.

I can see the audience in the background but they are not colored just line drawings. It makes the battle scene more powerful and outstanding.

He uses the Japanese traditional paint colors as well. He must study hard to get to know original Ukiyoe very much otherwise it would not work well.

There are no modern items at all in this work. All clothes are kimono, hats and other accessories are also old style.

There is only one bit I can see the modern is the Pikachu`s thunder lines. It is almost like abstract art there which never seen in original Ukiyoe arts. Because of using white lines it is very pale and not overpowering the rest of work.

He did a signature using the alphabet and also used Japanese stamp and the red color really stands out. (we only use red color for this kinds of stamp) It looks very old style but a lot of Japanese people still using this kinds of stamps. ( I have one as well)

So, it makes me want to use my Japanese stamp as signature in the future it would be very unique.

There is not religion a message on this but definitely showing the Japanese traditional culture.

References

www.takezasa.co.jp. (n.d.). 木版印刷による版画制作工程 -摺師の仕事・役割- | 木版印刷・伝統木版画工房竹笹堂. [online] Available at: https://www.takezasa.co.jp/mokuhan/mokuhan01_3.html [Accessed 8 Mar. 2021].

Wikipedia Contributors (2019). Woodcut. [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodcut. [Accessed 8 Mar. 2021]

武蔵野美術大学造形ファイル. (n.d.). 武蔵野美術大学造形ファイル｜武蔵野美術大学による、美術とデザインの「素材・道具・技法」に関する情報提供サイト. [online] Available at: http://zokeifile.musabi.ac.jp/. [Accessed 9 Mar. 2021]

ukiyoeheroes.com. (n.d.). Ukiyo-e Heroes | Our Story. [online] Available at: https://ukiyoeheroes.com/about-us.php. [Accessed 10 Mar.2021]

‌www.clareleighton.com. (n.d.). Clare Leighton. [online] Available at: https://www.clareleighton.com/ [Accessed 10 Mar. 2021]. ‌

やないづ町立斎藤清美術館. (n.d.). ギャラリー. [online] Available at: https://www.town.yanaizu.fukushima.jp/bijutsu/gallery/ [Accessed 10 Mar. 2021].

‌

#bm _hndcpm1

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bisexual-inuyasha · 5 years

Text

Promises Made, Promises Kept

AN: Canon-divergent. Ling is absorbed along with Greed, but his philosopher’s stone survives with Ling inside. Ed is told he can save him.

Ed splayed across his bed. Dark smudged under his eyes like shadows. Research was never easy. This research was harder than anything he’d undertaken. So many rules had never needed breaking. He’d never been so unwilling to break them.

A clock ticked beside him. Every second counted down closer to all of this being over. The sound was mesmerizing.

Tick—tick—tick—tick.

His eyes grew heavy. The sky lightened to the east. Ed curled into a ball, clutched his pillow over his eyes, and fell asleep.

On the tray beside his bed, surrounded by the tools of transmutation, a red stone glowed in the sunrise. A vial of similarly colored liquid rested beside it.

There is a way to bring him back. I can show you, for a price. It is all the way, far away in his Truth. Do you want it, Edward Elric?

The world was cold. A hand, colder and empty all the way through, reached for his. He pulled his hand away but it grabbed. When the Truth reached him, it took everything.

He saw a palace, extravagant and golden. A yellow shirt lay resting on his bed in his apartment in the city. A thousand faces pushed against their binding, a thousand souls reached for him. The sun set a hundred times and rose a hundred more and still the only sound Ed could hear was a heartbeat. All the world moved on without him, far away, unattainable.

Hunger gnawed on his desire. Anger burned low in his belly. He reached and reached and nothing found him. Finally, he turned around, unable to watch the world any longer. A pair of eyes caught his.

The last eyes he saw belonged to him—all the way in his Truth. And then Ed disappeared.

Ed jolted awake. The sun poured in through his window. Frost climbed up the panes. Outside, snow surrounded his small mountain cabin. His blanket lay folded on a chair across the room. His jacket lay crumpled on the floor. Ling would be cross with him if he saw the state Ed was in.

He’d probably tell him so with a snarky joke and a gentle touch.

“Yeah, well, if you want to chastise me come out here and do it then.” The stone did not respond. It never did. “I’m going to try a new circle today. Mei says she may have an idea from Xing that could work, but she’s practicing first. We don’t want to hurt you whenever we pull you out of there.”

He swung his legs over the side of his bed. His shoulders and joints ached. His head swam when he stood. He’d forgotten to eat yesterday. From the creaking of his knees, he’d forgotten to drink as well. He rubbed his eyes and hurried to his cabinets. Dust and cobwebs collected in the corners. Everywhere else was bare.

He sat down and fiddled with his braid.

Alphonse would find him soon. When he did, the game would be over for a while. Until he found his way away again. Somewhere new to hide. Some new thread of evidence he could find.

“I hope you’re working from inside get out. I’d hate to find out you were just lazing around.” Ed considered his meal options. He could make his way down the mountain and into town. A small convenience store at the bottom of the trail usually stayed open through bad weather. Sometimes they had jerky sticks he liked. “Would be like you, though.”

Would Ling come out hungry? Would he come back ravenous for all the delights he couldn’t have? Would he be thin as sticks? If he was hungry, Ed wouldn’t be able to feed him right away. Not like this.

Or would being stuck in a Philosopher’s stone be entirely different from being possessed by Truth?

He had asked this question every day for the last three years.

Al said worrying about it was turning him gray.

Al also said Ling had moved on from this world, and he would want Ed to move on from him.

What did Al know anyway?

He couldn’t possibly know more than Truth. And Truth said he could bring Ling back.

Ed shrugged on a coat and fought on his shoes. Just because he had to be cold didn’t mean he had to starve. Shopping wouldn’t be so hard. Probably. The whole money situation would be a hassle but most grocery stores didn’t understand when he explained he was on the run from his brother and so had no access to his savings.

He’d figure something out.

It was a three hour walk down the mountain to the store. If he followed the path. Ed had only become more meandering in his days since the military. So, he took a moment to enjoy the winter. It ached in his bones—in the new hand he’d had taken months to bring fully to strength, in the hollow spaces he neglected with his apathy, in the cobwebs of his memories which could not remember a winter before his mother passed.

Birds still landed on the dead branches. Cardinals. A blanket of white covered the cracks in the ground. Every imperfection lay hidden beneath a glittering foot of snow. Ed wondered if he should miss the days when he wouldn’t appreciate the beautiful snow. In those days he would not have appreciated the absence of the birdsong in the midafternoon. He wouldn’t miss the spill of gold and red of the sunrise he’d slept through this morning. He was too busy looking ahead. Too sure he’d get everything he needed in the end. He didn’t miss things with any purpose. Life was too fast back then but it was easier to ignore the things he didn’t have.

The people, too.

He pulled his jacket tighter around his shoulders. A stiff wind blew through his hair, kicking up snow and rustling the last dead leaves clinging to the branches. He could see the light of the shop up ahead. A small radio system played something sappy over the radio. Ed hadn’t listened to modern music in a long time, so he didn’t recognize the melody. The song was pretty, in its tinkering, slow way.

He found a few coins and a 100 cen bill dropped outside the door. It was enough to buy a couple of cans of beans. The dinner of kings.

He even managed to sneak out with a can of soda tucked in his pocket. He was nearly certain the woman at the counter would have let him have it, but found it best to keep her from trouble.

Maybe, if his research didn’t work out today, he’d take a vacation to travel again. Real travelling, with his brother and his new wife. He and Mei needed to swap their findings soon anyway. Phone calls weren’t as helpful as physical copies of the progress she’d made in all these years.

They’d tried every extraction and remodeling they could. Ling’s philosopher’s stone could do a lot of things. It didn’t seem able to remember his body with its limbs in all the right places. Al forbade Ed from connecting Ling’s soul to anything inanimate. Life as an empty shell was hardly worth living, he’d said. He hadn’t looked at him when he said it.

Slowly, on the walk home, the doubts crawled in.

Maybe he couldn’t do it. He hadn’t sacrificed to Truth, not this time. He knew the price would be too high. Life—real life—offered no short cuts.

How could he find someone else’s truth? How could he learn where Ling’s hid?

He just wanted to reach into the stone and pulled him out. If he could see what Ling saw, see Ling’s truth himself, he knew he could figure out how to bring him here.

He just needed a window.

He sat the can of beans in the cabinet. His notebook lay open on his bed. The philosophers stone lay on his bedside table. Someone had removed the stone and the vial from its spot in the center circle. Al had found him.

He collapsed into the chair, on top of his folded blanket and all. He hadn’t expected the end of this trip so soon. He thought he had another few weeks at least. His mind wandered, even as his mouth spoke.

“I guess Mei told you where I went?”

“Not for the reason you think.” Al stepped from behind the bedroom door. A round disc wrapped in a white cloth rested in his hands. “Mei found him.”

Al did not smile. Ed’s heartbeat picked up. His wandering mind snapped back to attention.

“What do you have, Al?”

“He’s not well, Ed.”

Ed closed his eyes. He prepared himself. All the words he’d rehearsed escaped him. He said the only words he could think. “I’ve got to see.”

Unwrapping the disc lasted longer than Ed’s patience. Al looked as tired as Ed felt. Whatever he’d seen in the disc, he didn’t want to share it.

The cloth fell away to reveal a silvered glass, etched with one of Mei’s pentacles. The design of this one was different—alchemic symbols of fire and air alternated at each point. In the center, the mark of Greed glowed faintly red.

“You’ll want to take a step back.” Al ignited the circle. He’d excelled in Alkehestry under Mei’s tutelage. Ed hadn’t benefitted from a lover’s constant guidance, so he was good but not well practiced. He wouldn’t have trusted himself with something like this.

The reflection flickered. Gold eyes shifted to black and back again. Ed reached for the glass. The reflection settled into black eyes, boxed in by unkempt black hair. The ponytail, the easy smile, the lazy posture was all gone. In Ling’s place, Ed found a shell.

Greed, despite his best intentions, had eaten Ling alive. His body was all there, but it was not as Ed had left it.

“Ling?” Ed called to him without thought. The Xingese would be emperor did not stir. His gaze was unseeing.

“I’m sorry, Brother.” Al pulled the cloth over the glass.

Ed grabbed his hand. “No.”

The single word crushed Al. He handed the disc over, quietly went to the bed, and turned his back. He wouldn’t leave. Ed knew this as well as he knew the snow fell outside. But he wouldn’t watch Ed tear himself to pieces over what he thought was a hopeless cause.

“You didn’t have to show me, you know. You could have hidden this. I may never have found him.”

Al snorted. “You’ve been at this for years, brother. I had to bring him to you.”

Al wouldn’t venture any closer to reassurance.

Ed knew what he’d have to do. He’d only try it as a last resort.

“I have food, Ling. Not much, but when I get you out of here, we’ll go for something better.” Ling didn’t move. Ed wasn’t sure the other man could hear him. He talked anyway.

He tried different methods throughout the night. Seeing Ling, he tried some of the old techniques again.

He tried to pull him through, first creating a Ling shell and then transmuting the person into the untrapped version of himself. The method had worked long ago, but the Philosopher’s stone was not a failed attempt at a gate to Truth. The stone was just a stone. It travelled nowhere.

So Ed tried again. He tried opening up the stone from what he could see of Ling’s surroundings. He chose a particularly glum patch of ground and tried to transmute a hole into it.

“I’ve got your jacket somewhere, too. You know, when you get out of there, you probably won’t have greed anymore. You can wear your own clothes again. I haven’t seen you in that yellow outfit in years.” Ed forced himself to sound positive. Ling would be out soon. He had to have hope. Ling hadn’t moved. Only the rise and fall of his chest gave Ed any clue he was alive. Ed wasn’t sure Ling even blinked. No hole formed in the ground beside him. Ed tried again.

“Lan Fan misses you. She checks in sometimes, but she has no stomach for bad news anymore. Mei helped me with research. Her notes say she sifted through the chi of the stone to find your chi markers. Now we’re able to see you.” He set the red vial beside the stone and tried again to transmute Ling from the stone. This time, he planned to have an intermediary vessel—something between Ling’s removal from the stone and the return to his form.

Ling’s time was fading. His lines were beginning to blur inside the glass. Ed didn’t think it was a sudden problem with the alkehestry. No. Ling was losing himself.

Ed didn’t know what to do. Whatever Ling’s Truth was, wherever his gate was, Ed wasn’t having any luck finding it. Attempt after attempt failed. He scrubbed a dozen circles off his floor before Al grabbed his hand one day to stop him. He was holding the disc.

In it, Ling was barely visible. Everything was edged in red. Ling’s eyes were closed. His body arched back, hair pushed up on the wall he’d leaned against. Tears left clean tracks against the grime built up on his cheeks. He said something.

Ed couldn’t hear.

“What’s happening, Ling?” Ed yanked the mirror hard from Al’s hands. Three years he’d been at this. For weeks he’d been able to see Ling. He’d assumed Ling couldn’t hear or feel, that whatever place he was stuck in eroded the senses. Now Ling looked pained. A crack formed down the middle of the glass. Ed lightened his grip. “Ling!”

Ling flickered away.

Panic seized Ed’s chest. For three solid beats, he didn’t breathe. Ling flickered back. His face was blank again. His eyes were open. The tears kept falling.

Ed couldn’t hear him, but he could see Ling’s mouth moving. At first, he couldn’t make sense of what he saw. Ling was repeating the same words over and over again. He followed the shape of the lips, cracked and dry.

I want… I want… I want…

“Al.” Ed put the glass carefully onto his bed. The crack lengthened. “Al, I’m out of time. Help me.”

Al turned from the window. “What did Truth say to you exactly, Ed?”

Ed explained the dream to him, how it had been the same dream every time Ed fell asleep since he’d talked with Truth to get Al’s body back. He had never shared the story. Truth had offered him a choice then—Al or Ling. Or at least, he was pretty sure that’s what the choice Truth offered. Either way, he wasn’t willing to risk it at the time. He’d never regretted it. He hadn’t wanted to burden Al with that knowledge. Despite everything, Al would have blamed himself for Ling’s loss. In denying Al this initial guilt, he’d denied himself Al’s help all this time.

“You’re not looking for Ling’s Truth. Ling is stuck in the stone. He has no power over where he is. Knowing his Truth won’t help you. No.” Al rubbed his hands over his eyes. “You’re looking for Greed’s. That’s his stone, right?”

Ed nodded. Greed was supposed to be able to come back using the Philosopher’s stone. All the others had used their stones to regenerate themselves if needed. As long as their stone, and some small part of themselves, existed, they could return. It’s how they lived so long. Ed assumed he’d needed to race against Greed’s regeneration.

He’d approached it all from the wrong angle.

He needed to convince Greed that what he wanted was Ling to come back alive. How did one convince Greed he wanted to give himself up so someone else could live?

Ed rubbed his hand over his eyes. Greed had done it once before. He could do it again. He just had to understand his Truth. As far as Ed knew, only one person had ever been close enough to Greed to know, and he was stuck in a useless stone.

“How can I talk to him? He’s a stone, it’s not like he has ears.” Ed wanted to throw the stone out the window and never see it again.

“There has to be some part of him left or the stone would be gone.” Al shrugged. “I know what you’re going to do, brother. You may as well do it. It’s not like Greed will stop you.”

Ed closed his eyes. Al was angry with him. He could feel it in the distance of the words. He could see it in the slump of Al’s shoulders. “I can’t just leave him, Al.”

“You think I don’t know?” Al’s voice raised, just a little. His temper deflated as quickly as it flared. “We finally get back and still you’ve got to be a hero. I can’t even pretend like I would do any different. Ling was family.”

“Is family. I’m going to bring him back. If I’m not back soon, have Mei make another mirror. Or maybe fix this one. Then you’ll know I’m alright.”

“Ling doesn’t look alright to me.” Al grabbed a piece of chalk. “It’ll be safer if I do the transmutation. Your alkehestry is shaky.”

Going into the stone was easy. Ed didn’t have to create somewhere for himself to go like he had to create a vessel for Ling. He wasn’t trying to get somewhere unknown. Ed was aware of what was being done. It was the difference between walking to the store and asking someone in a different country to leave the same store.

The transmutation still hurt. His entire body burned then turned weightless. He was in the stone but not, as well. Al didn’t need to transmute all of Ed. Only the part of him capable of travelling across gates.

Landing in Greed was not what Ed expected. Ling was nowhere to be found. Souls, tired and already lost, stretched out from the lining of the walls. Their groans chilled Ed’s blood. Some of the groans sounded like words, and those words were familiar.

I want… I want…

Ed walked, searching for Ling while he figured out how to approach his new goal. He had to bring Ling back from the edge—the Xingese would-be emperor was dangerously close to losing himself. But he didn’t have to wait until he found Ling to start convincing Greed.

But how?

Greed had kept Ling this long for a reason. And it wasn’t because he didn’t know what would happen to him once he’d stayed so long being ravished by Greed’s hunger. If he was already willing to sacrifice himself for Ling once, why hadn’t he already done it again?

“Greed, can you hear me?”

The groaning of the walls paused. Everything was quiet. Ed could hear a whisper far away—Ling had not stopped when the others had.

“What do you want?”

“You know why I’m here, Greed.” Ed moved towards the low sound of Ling’s voice. He could see only one wall beside him. Darkness swallowed the others, but they must look the same. “Where’s Ling? He deserves to be free.”

“Can’t, runt. He’s part of me.” The voice surrounded him. It was weak. “The part that’s alive.”

“Not yet he isn’t. He doesn’t have to be.” Ed strained his ears to hear. He was getting closer. “He still has a chance.”

“If he goes, what’s left?”

“You were willing to give him up before.”

“Yeah, when I was—” Greed stopped. The break off hung heavy in the air.

When what? Greed had thrown himself into Father before—there’s no way he could have survived. If Ling hadn’t been determined to save him, he would have died for sure. What could be different now? At least now he’d probably survive.

Ed’s steps faltered. The truth—Greed’s Truth—hit him like a steam train.

“You don’t want to live alone. You were going to die before, and that was alright. But now, only one of you can leave. That’s all the energy left in the stone. So if you let Ling go—”

“I’m stuck here, forever. Alone.” Greed laughed. The sound blew through the space around Ed like an empty breeze. “Never would have bothered me before, but your friend here had to point out that I like having friends.”

“Ling was always too perceptive for his own good.” Ed picked up his pace, keeping his steps even. “You’re going to let him die so you can keep him a little longer?”

“I’m not called Greed because I’m so selfless, kid.”

“You’ll still be alone.”

“I’ll die eventually.” Greed’s voice echoed. He sounded tired.

“If you give him back, I can destroy the stone. You won’t have to live with your loneliness.”

“Defeats the purpose of surviving doesn’t it?”

“Defeats the purpose of keeping him here if he’s just going to die, doesn’t it?” Ed shot back. Greed didn’t respond.

Ed ran. Ling’s mumbling grew less coherent, though Ed was certain he was close. Ling had to be just ahead.

He tripped over Ling’s legs. His shoulder jammed against the ground, one arm jutting out to grab Ling’s shirt.

The mumbling fell silent.

Ling had begun to sink into the wall. Now his eyes were open again. He was watching Ed.

“You’re not real.” Ling’s voice cracked.

“I am.” Ed was just glad Ling recognized him. He tugged Ling away from the wall. Red clung to him, pulling from his hair and clothes like spider silk.

“No. You shouldn’t be here.” Ling lifted a hand to Ed’s chest. He gave a weak push. “There’s no way out. Not even like last time.”

“I’m not all here. Al’s got me back home.” Ed was quiet. He pulled Ling’s arm around his shoulder. Dark hair spilled over his forearm, loose and tangled. “We’re going to find a way to take you out. You hear that Greed?! We’re getting him out of there whether you like it or not!”

Ed wondered if Al was watching, if he could hear them. If Al thought getting Ling back was hopeless, he’d call Ed back without him. Greed hadn’t been promising.

“Al?” Ling’s eyes slid over Ed’s face and down again. “You aren’t real.”

Ling had been here a long time. Ed didn’t know what it had done to his mind. There was a possibility Ling had seen something very similar to this once and it had been an illusion.

“I heard Mei has been practicing her dragon’s beard candy. She says you should try it.” Ed grunted, pushing Ling up onto his knees. “And Lan Fan has gone back to Xing. She says the Emperor is on the cusp of dying. He’ll need an heir soon. You’re famous in Xing already. You’d be even more famous if you,” he grunted and pushed himself to standing. Ling hung from him like a rag. “If you came back from the dead.”

Ling scoffed. Ed took the new response as an improvement.

“I’ve got your clothes at home. I’m ready to see you dressed like you again.”

He didn’t know where he was taking them. They couldn’t escape on their own two feet. The red seeping into Ling’s hair and clothes creeped him out, though. He had to get away from it.

“I’m afraid.” Ling didn’t move his legs to help Ed walk with him.

“Afraid of what?” Ed wanted to keep him talking.

“Of you.” Ling planted his feet, refusing to move.

Ed didn’t know what to say. Ling didn’t explain further. He watched Ed with his dark eyes, gaze steady and unblinking. One hand lifted and cupped Ed’s cheek. Ling’s skin was warm, his palm rough as the day he’d left. Three years hadn’t changed him much. Ed waited. Ling’s hand trembled against his skin.

Ling took a step forward, using Ed’s arm to balance himself. He approached with caution; each step slow. He didn’t stop until Ed’s chest was only a few inches from his. His hand remained on Ed’s cheek.

“You’re not real.” Ling sounded sure. It was not a question. He leaned down, pressed his lips against the corner of Ed’s mouth. Ed didn’t move.

His throat felt dry. His heart drummed so wildly in his chest it drowned out the low groan of the souls around them. A lot of things had been left unsaid between him and Ling. He thought he’d have time to prepare. Now all he could feel was the desperate want of having Ling out of here, of exploring this together.

Ling pressed another kiss against Ed’s cheek. “You look nearly as I remember you. My dreams have gotten creative with your outfit and your new arm. But it is still best I wake up.”

Ed could feel a tug in his stomach, like a string being pulled far away.

Al was calling him back. Too early.

“Ling, please, tell Greed you want to leave. Tell him to let you go.”

“I promised Green I’d never leave without him.” Ling snorted. “I have been telling him for so long. We are the same, Greed and I. We do not want to be alone. Not after finally finding someone.”

Ed clutched onto Ling’s hand, fighting the insistent tug of his soul to his body. “Please, don’t give up Ling. I’ll be back!”

Ed could hold on no longer. His hand fell through Ling’s, and he was gone. He could still feel the press of Ling’s kiss against his cheek.

Anger burned him up. It hadn’t been nearly enough time. Ling could have still come around. Together they may have found a way out. They’d done it before. He pivoted, ready to shout at Al, when he saw the paleness of his brother’s face.

“I thought I was too late,” Al whispered. “I thought I’d lost you, too.”

Al pointed to the circle.

Red particulate stirred across the chalk. The vial was empty. The Philosopher’s stone was gone.

Ed’s face felt hot. His body flashed cold. Knees buckling, he fell to the floor. Something must have used the last of Greed’s power. Was it him? Had he somehow used Greed’s power entering the stone?

“Al, I…” Al hurried to his side. His brother had always been quicker to hugs, to comfort, to understanding. Ed crumbled into the embrace and knew what it was to want so strongly it hurt. And no one could give him back what he’d lost.

The ghost of Ling’s kiss lingered on the corner of his mouth. Ed couldn’t even cry. Nothing felt real.

He heard a knock at the door. The sound barely registered.

He hadn’t told anyone where he’d gone. Al had only found him because they were brothers, linked through a bond that drew them together. Al could have found him in the dark across a hundred mazes. No one else had the luxury.

He ignored the knocking. No one on the other side of the door was anyone he wanted to see.

A heavy thump drew his attention again. This time the sound reminded him of a body falling.

He wasn’t even allowed to be in shock in peace.

Al lifted him and placed him carefully on the bed. Ed felt the cracked glass at his fingertips. So close, after so long of trying. Now the glass wouldn’t even work. There was no Ling to see—no dragon’s pulse to find him in.

Al opened the door. He didn’t move or shout to tell Ed who it was. Ed turned his back to the door. The start of tears pricked at his eyes. He just wanted to be left alone. Maybe he and Al could take a trip somewhere. Somewhere new. More places existed in the world than Amestris and Xing. Maybe more types of Alchemy existed too.

“Tell them to go away, Al.” Ed called over his shoulder.

“I don’t think so, Brother.” Al grunted. He was pulling whoever it was into Ed’s small cabin. So whoever it was probably needed help. For once, Ed was tired of helping.

Ed turned to face his brother. “I really don’t want to—”

His protest caught in his throat. Al’s grin practically lit up the room. In his arms, an exhausted and dirty Ling sighed. His clothes were rumpled, red still clinging to the crevices. Ed almost couldn’t believe it.

“So, I guess you were real after all. Greed let me go.” Ling wriggled across the floor. “You always were the charmer. What did you do, use force?”

Ed looked back at the red dust on the circle. “I promised to kill him, so he wouldn’t have to live alone.”

“I see. You were fast to act on your promise. I can’t sense him anywhere.” Despite the relief, Ed heard a twinge of sadness. Greed had been an ally and a friend in the end. He deserved his peace. Even still, he thought maybe Ling would miss him.

“I didn’t do it. Releasing you must have used the last of the power of his philosopher’s stone. He said you were the part of him that was alive.” Ed wanted to rush through all the obligatory exposition of what had happened while Ling was away. And yet, the room could have been the same if he’d found Ling just days after he’d been taken. Three years disappeared like nothing.

“I need to go call Mei and tell her you’ve found Ling.” Al shuffled his way to the door. “There’s a shop a little way down. I’ll be back. Maybe with better food than two cans of beans.”

“I’m starving.” Ling sat heavily in his chair. “Thank you, Al.”

Al very carefully didn’t glance back to Ed when he left. His brother was giving him the chance to use this time however he liked, with no added pressure of meaningful glances. If he wanted to just watch Ling and say nothing, he could.

“I have a lot of questions,” Ling stretched his legs and arms as far as they’d go. “I don’t really care about any of the answers right now.”

“What do you care about then?”

“If you were real inside of Greed, then you remember what I did?”

Ed was too exhausted to talk about feelings and possibilities and why exactly he’d spend three years fighting against the odds to pull Ling from the stone. So instead, he walked up and kissed Ling on the corner of his mouth. He kept his hands at his sides, kept his stance gentle and unaggressive. The last thing he wanted to do was pressure Ling into anything.

“Yes, my aim was off wasn’t it? I blame delirium.” Ling reached for Ed’s shoulder. His grip was not gentle or careful. Ling had been stuck inside Greed, after all. His chosen vice. This time his aim was true. His lips pressed against Ed’s, persistent even as Ed’s surprise made him unresponsive.

Ed kissed back.

They had a lot to talk about, he and Ling.

Lan Fan, Mei, the Emperor. Even, Ed was sure, Ling would want to talk about Greed and all the complications of their relationship. But right now, they did not need words.

The kiss was hungry and angry and awkward all at once. Ling’s lips were rough, dry. His body was too tired to respond, despite his wandering hands. Ed’s fingers kept running into clumps of tangles in his hair or strings of red buried in Ling’s clothes. All too soon, Ling pulled away. His eyes were bright. He grinned sheepishly at Ed and stepped back.

“This is more than I wanted, and I’m not still certain it’s not some dream Greed’s made to appease me, but I feel like I have never seen the inside of a shower. Would you mind?”

Ed hurried back three steps, his hand lingering on Ling’s arm until he couldn’t reach anymore and laughed. “I never expected everything to happen so suddenly. All your clothes are back in my apartment in Central. But I can see if Al brought something—you might have better luck with him. If you want to jump in the shower, I’m sure Al will be back soon.”

His stomach trembled, filling up the tense room with a low rumble.

Ling laughed. “Where is the shower?”

Ed gestured towards the door on the right. “Towels are in the cabinet.”

Ten minutes and a few stolen kisses later, and Ling disappeared into a warm steam. Ed pretended not to hear the broken sniffles. He couldn’t imagine how he’d react to freedom after three years locked in hell. The road to recovery would be long. Mental, physical, emotional. They’d have to take things slow, work things out as they came to it. Already Ed could see that Ling’s grasp on stability was shaky at best. How long until he fully believed Ed, and the rest of the world outside Greed, was real?

But for now Ling was back. And that was enough.

@edling-week

#edling #edlingweek19 #fmab #edward elric #ling yao

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whiteappalachianwitch · 6 years

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A Witch’s Tool Kit

For the new witches, or witches seeking further education into their practice, here are some essential tools you should acquire in your home.

The Altar

This is a place to do magickal work on for the new or already established witch. Charms or objects that speak to you should be on your alter. A large extravagant alter is not needed. You can use a shelf or tabletop. If you are born under a fire or earth sign, you may prefer to do your alter on natural wood. If you would rather cover your altar-top with cloth, lavender or deep purple are wonderful colors to decorate with, the most positive color to attract spiritual fulfillment. Chakra balancing and healing thus creating a perfect mood for magick is also associated with the purple hues. Placing your cloth on the floor for quick ritual access can also be done if you’re traveling or more discreet about your practice.

Leanna’s Tip: “If an item’s position on the alter is not specified in the following list, then just placed it in a spot you feel comfortable with. Except for certain items, modern Wicca is quite flexible about the arrangement of tools on the altar” (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014).

The Pentacle

This is a very essential item a witch can use when casting spells. The five-pointed star, or pentacle/pentagram, is believed to date back are than five thousand years to ancient Mesopotamia. It is a powerful and positive symbol for many religions throughout history, as well as alchemy. The symbol was worn as an amulet in pagan times for spiritual protection and to ensure a safe, happy homecoming.

The five points of the start represent the five elements (moving in clockwise direction):

Spirit (the top most point)

Water

Fire

Earth

Air

If you turn the pentacle upside down, it assumes the shape of a goat, symbolizing the horned got of some neo-pagan faiths. Westernization has made the upside down pentacle into some sort of tan and devil worship. Sensationalized in horror movies and the adoption of the upside down pentacle in darker magick has also given it a bad name.

However, many witches that want to practice purely white magick will use the pentacle in its upright position to where the star’s image itself represents a person; head, two arms, two legs. It is normally worn on a necklace in this day and age.

When casting spells, have the pentacle on yourself or your altar. You can also draw the pentagram symbol. But whatever you choose, place the pentacle in the center of your altar and arrange the other items around it. The size of your pentacle does not matter.

Steps to take for your pentacle:

Charge it either by cleanse and blessing or leave it outside during a full moon. Place your charged pentacle in the center of the altar to ward off negativity and protect

(Robbins & Greenaway, 2014)

Candles

The representative of elements fire and air, most spells will include one candle or many candles. Always have a selection of colors at hand. The traditional candle to have is one white one on the altar to neutralize the energies. The best place to put this candle is near the back of the altar. No need to inscribe or anoint this candle, but bless it with water is advised.

To bless with water, dip your fingers in some bottled water and run them over the candle while saying “this candle is now cleansed and blessed.” Dry it with paper towels.

(Robbins & Greenaway, 2014).

Incense

When a spell is in progress, one must always burn incense! The magickal properties help create an atmosphere that is perfect and spell potency-boosting. There are many varieties of incense to choose from, but here are a few with their benefits and properties:

Basil: A very aromatic smell used for attracting wealth and prosperity and in fertility rituals.

Eucalyptus: This will center and balance emotions. It is also an excellent in helping you make decisions.

Frankincense: A spiritual disinfectant that is wonderful if anyone in the family has a cold, as well as any health spells.

Opium: Sleep-induction and invigoration of psychic senses. Light about an hour before bed to sleep deeply.

Sage: Used as a smudging stick or can be burned as incense. To cleanse the space in prep for a spell, burn sage. It is an automatic negative energy dispeller and gets the bad vibes out.

Sandalwood: Warm, gentle and woody that relaxes and eases distress.

Ylang-ylang: Enhances any love spell and attracts new love, harmonizing marriages and healing impotency problems.

(Robbins & Greenaway, 2014).

Soil and Water

For natural earth elemental symbols upon your alter, one should have these substances to bring balance and harmony to the work space. A small bowl or eggcup of garden soil should sit on one side of the pentagram. The water can be in a similar container sitting on the other side of the pentagram (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014).

Salt

Salt is a wonderful source of protection and can be used in a lot of banishment spells of anything evil. Sprinkle a little sea salt over the altar cloth or put some on the altar in a small bowl (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014).

Optional Tools

Chalice

Symbolizes fertility, once represented the womb of the Goddess. The base of the vessel signified our world as we know it and the stem suggests rapport between humans and spirits. Filling it with magickal water and keeping it on the altar can be helpful.

Cauldron

Used for making infusions and potions. If your spell calls for burning herbs, the cauldron can be a useful object since it is usually fashioned from copper or cast iron.

Bell

Banishment spells call for bell-use the most. However, you can use a bell to indicate that a spell is about to begin, or to get rid of any unwanted vibrations. It can help settle the atmosphere for calm feelings again.

Athame

This is also known as a ceremonial knife. Black handled, with a double-edged blade, it is an ancient tool that isn’t used on many altars today. Some witches will use an athame to inscribe their candles or cast a magickal circle around the altar before spell commencing.

“To cast a magickal circle, hold the knife in your right hand and draw a circle clockwise over the altar, a few inches above the items on it. The athame works by conducting your powers through it, and it is to be used only for magikal purposes” (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014).

Wand

Traditionally, these are crafted from wood of the willow, elder, apple, or cherry tree. You can buy wands many places, but it is recommended that you make yours yourself sincerely the magick is channeled into it by its maker. If you decide to make a wand yourself, you can use any tree branch you feel an affinity for. Always thank the tree for sharing its wood with you after.

The length of the wand should measure from your elbow to the top of your index finger. Designs on the wood are welcome as well as painting it; decorate your wand however you like. You can charge your wand the same way you would a pentagram.

For casting a spell, the wand is used as summoning tool and also to bless and charge certain objects. Before your ritual begins, touch each object on your altar with the end of your wand to transfer the natural earth energy to the items, adding a little extra magick.

“Some witches like to “draw down the moon” prior to casting a spell. This is a very old tradition that involves standing outside during a full moon phase and pointing the wand at the moon. It is thought that the moon’s power charges the wand, making its magick more powerful” (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014).

Broomstick

The round-bottom of the broomstick, or besom, is most commonly associated with fertility, long used by female witches in fertility rituals and to sweep away negativity. The sweep, or brush part, is associated with female genetalia, and the staff is associated with the male phallus. Therefore, the broomstick is a symbol of the male and female combined. Besoms were often propped near the hearth of a witch’s home to keep evil energy from entering through the chimney (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014).

Crystals & Gemstones

These beautiful rocks possess a pure, natural magick. Keeping some on your altar for their specific magickal purposes is recommended. Charge your gems and crystals in the full moon regularly (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014).

Feathers

Most spells invoke angelic energy, therefore use of feathers is common and called for. Place a selection of feathers on your altar to entice the angels to visit. Color coordination is okay in the practice with the candles you’re using. You can also use white for purity and peace (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014).

The Book of Shadows

The Book of Shadows is a journal/diary for witches to keep close-by for jotting things down or spells down. Any type of notebook can be used, but because this is very private it is recommended to get something fancy or something that locks. When you cast a spell, write down the details of the ritual such as the date, the ingredients used, and the phase of the moon. Leave a place to record the results underneath somewhere. This is a wonderful way to pass down spells to your family (Robbins & Greenaway, 2014).

References

Robbins, Shawn, and Greenaway, Leanna. Wiccapedia. New York: Sterling Ethos, 2014. Print.

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theantibridezilla · 6 years

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Pre-Summer ‘18 Beauty Game Changers

Okay, so it’s absolutely no secret that I’ve been a tad scarce around these parts. What can I say except, adjusting to motherhood means sometimes my little bundle of joy kicks my websites out of the priority seat! Anywho, I’m back with a much needed beauty story. Between last month and this one I’ve had a TON of beauty deliveries and also attended The Makeup Show’s press preview day. So, I will most definitely be giving a highlight on some of the cool products we were given - including a full sized Pat McGrath palette!!!

To get back into the swing of things, I’m kicking off my return to TAB with a beauty roundup of game changing items I’ve been using since mid April. As usual, I’ll let you know which items were gifted by the brand and which were bought by me. And yeah, I’ve been that busy for the last two months that most of these items were gifted by the brand. But as usual, my reviews are honest - even if I’m a brand ambassador. A big focus this time is skincare because thanks to postpartum hormones and a general neglect of my regular skincare regimen, my skin has been in sad shape recently.

1. Shea Terra Organics African Black Soap (gifted)

If you’re unfamiliar with African black soap, it’s often used to even out skin tone, help reduce excess oil and can be used as part of an exfoliation routine. So, one thing I’ve been dealing with for the past four months has been what feels like an excess of dry skin which leads to dull patches that come through even under makeup. What I love about Shea Terra’s version of African black soap is that it’s a powder that you can mix to the consistency level that you want. I can add a minimal amount of water to create more of a paste and strategically place it on areas that need more attention. Or, I can add water to turn it into more of a liquid traditional foamy soap for an all over wash.

2. Pixi Beauty x Weylie Hoang Dimensional Eye Creator 2-in-1 Liner (gifted)

Now this liner is actually part of an entire kit, but I’m only talking about the liner. Anyone who reads TAB regularly knows that I tend to be really critical of felt tipped “liquid” liners because I often don’t feel that they stand up to the same inky blackness and longevity of my tried and true liquid liner, Wet ‘n Wild megaliner in black. So, I went into this being skeptical and was profoundly and happily surprised. This is a dual ended liner that offers a fab inky black felt tip on one side for precise lines and a soft creamy kohl on the other for smoky eyes or smudged liner effects. I don’t really bother with the kohl side because often times creamy liners have a way of shifting and feathering out over the course of a day. But that ink liner...yes ma’am I’m in love! Although the finished look has a bit of a shine instead of the overall matte liner I prefer, I think Pixi hit it out of the park with this liner.

3. The Makeup Mitty & Mitty Blackout (gifted)

Now makeup removing cloths aren’t necessarily new anymore, but I love the shape and functionality of these particular cloths. The Makeup Mitty (blue) is shaped in a tear drop form so that you can use the rounded side to remove larger swaths of makeup say on your overall face or cheeks. Meanwhile the pointed end gets in for fine cleaning around the eyes. And if you’re heavy on eye makeup, The Mitty Blackout (black) is specifically just for taking off stubborn eye makeup. What I love is that these Mitties are specifically made to be used with your preferred cleanser, which is the only way I use makeup cloths these days as I find it gives me a more total cleansing experience.

4. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup 3-in-1 Wipes (gifted)

Whereas The Makeup Mitty is great for when I’m home and have all my cleansers with me, these wipes are ideal for when I’m on the road and am trying to minimize the amount of stuff I’m bringing with me. Although I don’t think these give me as thorough a cleansing as when I use a cleanser + cloth (mainly because I wear a full face of makeup and normally do a 2 step cleanse, so that’s a lot of damage to put on one disposable cloth), I do like that it can take off stubborn eyeliner and matte liquid lipsticks - which can be hard for traditional cleansing cloths to do. Also, my skin doesn’t feel dry and chafed afterwards.

5. Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Soft Peeling Gel (purchased)

If you’re a long time TAB reader, you know my holy grail of exfoliators is Cure Aqua Gel. But, over the last year I have been branching out to other brands, and Nature Republic does a great job of creating a less visual version of a top notch exfoliator. And by that I mean, you don’t get the gross white beads of skin. Whereas Cure’s exfoliator is a bit more liquid based, Nature Republic’s has a granular texture and is truly a stiffer gel. But most importantly, I instantly feel the results on my skin after washing it off. The only thing I don’t love is that this definitely has fragrance in it. It’s not intense, but if you prefer scent free skincare, this isn’t for you.

6. Erborian Waterlock Bamboo Moisture Mask (gifted)

I love that this mask can pull double duty as either an everyday moisturizer or as a moisture pack depending on how much you apply. I’ve definitely used this moisturizer as a traditional moisturizer after the cleansing step as well as a sleep pack where I add other light oils like my rose oil to give it a bit more longevity. What I love is that this gel, although lightweight, has some serious staying power. And although the packaging doesn’t say, I strongly suspect that the soft gel consistency is due to a healthy amount of aloe vera (plus it smells heavily of aloe).

7. Kevyn Aucoin Neo-Blush (gifted)

Now, it’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Kevyn Aucoin. But I do love this Neo-Blush which are basically ombre blushes with a hint of shimmer. The team at KA sent me their entire Neo-Blush collection but my personal favorite is the Sunset shade. (And P.S. if KA’s Neo-Blush is outside of your budget, NYX Cosmetics’ ombre blush is a great budget friendly dupe) The KA blush is perfectly milled and doesn’t settle into fine lines. Meanwhile, the color payoff is fantastic and lasts all day.

8. Kevyn Aucoin Neo-Elixir Weightless Beauty Oil (gifted)

Now this tri-layer beauty oil is a serious game changer whether you use it for just a skincare tool or as a pre or post makeup application tool - it seriously pulls double duty. I love that this oil is a lightweight and scent friendly castor oil based concoction. If you’ve stayed away from castor oil because of its heaviness and strong scent, you’ve got to try the Neo-Elixir. Unlike straight castor oil which can be too heavy for daytime use, this one is mixed with other oils that creates a durable oil that lasts all day without feeling greasy. Now, the website suggests you can use it as a post-makeup step to give yourself a dewy look - I don’t do that. I use it as a regular skincare oil and on occasion if my skin is super dry, as a pre-makeup step. I just don’t do “dewy” because it’s easy to err and mistakenly end up in greasy territory.

9. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Tinted Moisturizer in Deep (gifted)

Now everyone knows that my current favorite foundation is NYX Cosmetics Total Control Drop Foundation in Deep Sable. I’ve been using it for over a year now almost exclusively. But when the weather gets really warm, a strong foundation isn’t always high on my list of must haves. And it ended up that a few weeks ago I was in North Carolina during an early pre-summer heat wave. Every day was 90+ degrees. So, I had to find something that would help to even out some skin tone issues I’m having while not being too heavy. The tinted moisturizer does the trick in that department. Another bonus is that even though this contains SPF 50, it doesn’t stink. Full disclosure, I’m not 100% in love with this tinted moisturizer for the following reasons:

This moisturizer can easily verge on a greasy finish if you don’t use a setting powder. The amount of shine you get on this moisturizer from the minute you apply if you don’t know how to finesse it can be a turn off for some people. When I use this foundation, I have to use my Laura Mercier setting powder to tone down the shine otherwise I look like I’ve been sweating.

IT Cosmetics often falls into the brown foundation pitfalls of veering on orangish tones. In my case, it works out because for super warm weather it compliments my inevitable tan. But in the winter months I’d be hard pressed to want to use this because it’s so orange.

Deep is the darkest shade they offer so anyone darker than me has sadly been ignored in the shade range.

10. ELF Cosmetics Beauty Shield Daily Defense Makeup Spray (gifted)

So, this was also something I’ve come to love when I’m traveling. For me, this spray pulls double duty. Normally when I’m home, I spritz my foundation and concealer brushes before applying product so that I can create a soft touch flawless finish. But the spray I normally use is in a huge container and isn’t practical for when I’m traveling. So, this smaller alternative is ideal to keep the flawless finish without taking up too much space in my travel makeup kit. I love that the spray is even and not too forceful. Additionally, it is a great spritz for when I’m done with my makeup. Now in a head to head with my Skindinavia makeup setting spray, no this will not be as intense as that because ELF focuses more on hydration whereas Skindinavia ends with a slight sticky finish to lock in the makeup. But again, I took this with me to North Carolina a few weeks ago and my makeup stayed in place during the heat wave.

Full disclosure: I’m a brand ambassador for Kevyn Aucoin, IT Cosmetics, Pixi Beauty, Erborian and ELF Cosmetics. Occasionally I post affiliate links so I may receive compensation on some of my posts.

#tab beauty #beauty must haves #beauty roundup #skindinavia #elf cosmetics #NYX COSMETICS #kevyn aucoin #it cosmetics #pixi beauty #erborian #the makeup mitty #nature republic #beauty review #product review #shea terra organics #african black soap

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darkhymns-fic · 7 years

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No Other Place

To a young Lloyd, the dwarf looked to be a bear, ready to eat noisy children like him.

Fandom: Tales of Symphonia Characters: Lloyd Irving, Dirk Rating: G Mirror Links: AO3, FF.net Notes: Written for Tales of Symphonia Week 2017, for Oct 8 - A Place to Call Home. (Thanks so much for creating this event!)

“Stay wary of bears,” his mother once said to him, tucking him among the leaves, for blankets were only a luxury. But his parents’ arms were warm enough, and he enjoyed feeling the sun on his face at dawn, slipping through the boughs that shielded his family from above. “They are always looking for food, and noisy children catch their attention. So you must always be quiet when we travel, Lloyd.” And such warnings were lightened with hugs and kisses to his forehead, so that he didn’t go to sleep with fear.

Yet the man who carried him reminded him of such a bear. His arms were as thick as tree trunks, and his steps made deep prints into the wet soil as the rain continued to pour that night. With his little body tired, and his head swimming with foreign sounds, Lloyd let himself be carried by this bear that had been drawn to his cries.

“Oh? I’m a bear, am I?” spoke the man once Lloyd was fully awake. The place he was in now was like a cave – a bear’s cave where the walls were of earth instead of wood, and where the ceiling was low for creatures that rarely needed to stand. The man smiled, showing flat teeth instead of fangs, although he had dark fur that covered the lower part of his face. “Well, I’m a nice bear!”

This bear was not in want of food. He even fed Lloyd, giving him a filling meal of oatmeal and berries out of clay bowls. Occasionally scratching at his bandages while he ate, Lloyd stared at this creature. He had on thick gloves that covered his hands, and wondered if claws were hiding away in there. Yet the bear-man had ruffled his hair before, and he had felt nothing sharp brush against his scalp then.

He was tying up bundles of cut wood together, just a few feet away from the door. Lloyd wiped his mouth, wide-eyed at the amount, at the way the bear-man heaved such heavy wood outside and into the cart that was near. From not too far off, he could hear Noishe whine, still laying near the home that seemed to be carved straight into a mountain. The dog would not leave his position, healing away wounds that young Lloyd could not place how they came to be.

“What are you doing?” he asked the bear-man. He kept his distance still, mindful of this person’s strength.

“I’m building a home for us.” He tugged at a knot, tightening it further so that it stayed rooted to the top of the cart. There was no mule or horse to help lug it along – not like those farmers Lloyd would see when his family would pass through a village. “Humans like you are not meant for a dwarf’s abode.”

Human? So that means he really was a bear if he called him that! Lloyd watched as the bear-man went to the front of the cart, grabbed both outward spokes in his hands and started dragging the cart behind him. The wheels made deep tracks in the road, but the bear-man showed little strain as he pulled.

Lloyd followed along. His shirt was still torn across the torso from before (What was before? All he remembered was darkness and rain) and the scrapes on his knees continued to sting, even with the care the bear-man showed him. The cart lumbered over every stray stone or dip in the road, but it continued forward, its speed staying consistent.

It wasn’t a long traveling. The forest path they took soon opened into a wide glade, one that looked to have been recently cleared. There was the peppering of tree stumps around, with brush and leaves having been swept to the outer ridges. A stream was running nearby, cutting into the earth in a long, sinuous shape. Lloyd rushed to that stream, hands on the soft bank as he leaned forward. The waters reflected his face; one such bandage pressed against the side of his head, with smudges of dirt still plastered around his cheeks. The bear-man had done his best trying to clean him, but Lloyd’s tears had been unending, and it was all his caretaker could do to calm him down to sleep while also still dressing his wounds.

There was the plunk of hammer and nail, catching Lloyd’s attention. Some of the wood from the cart was lessened. The sun was bright, beating down on the bear-man’s back. Lloyd did his best to blink away the brightness, trying to understand the sky better without the comforting shield of tree branches (or when it was dark, held together by pinpricks of white as he rode another’s shoulders).

“Am I living with you?” he asked suddenly, careful enough to not be near the other working. There were tools on the ground; of saws and pliers, of nails, dividers, and hammers so heavy and large, they needed to be wielded two-handed by any regular man. All of them were well-used and had seen their share of construction. The bear-man handled them as easily as his father did with his sword.

“Why, I cannot leave a young lad like you to fend for yerself, can I?” The bear-man shook his head with a deep, but heartful laugh. If this was how bears sounded, they didn’t seem as scary as Lloyd once thought.

And what about mommy and daddy? But Lloyd didn’t ask, was afraid to ask. He sat on the ground, clenching the grass between his tiny fists. He watched without understanding how the bear-man built, but he did. He watched the other coax the wood to stay in place, for the ground to stay steady, for the tools to work to his whim. The rhythm of clanging metal and foot stomps, and the texture of that wood being carved stayed with Lloyd long after that day, replacing the darkness and rain.

“But ya don’t have to stay forever,” the bear-man told him, snapping him away from the calm he felt. The sounds of construction were already drowning out the memories of soft crickets he would once listen to, late at night, when his mother’s lullabies weren’t enough. “I know how humans are. Always wandering from place to place, needing to live out everything they can. Not like us dwarves. We’re as content as the stones in the earth to be where we are for years to come.”

Lloyd looked back into the forest, imagining if that’s where his parents had gone. Wandering the world, without him. But why without him?

“Still, until then, I hope to give you a place to call home, for at least a little while.” A swift clapping of hands against the knees, brushing up a cloud of dust from his work – from the dirt, from the freshly-cut lumber, from the sweat that must have been soaking his clothes from working all day in the sun with little shade.

Lloyd, wrenching his eyes away from the trees, watched the other turn to him with that wide smile. A flash of white broke through the fur – the beard – on the man’s face, large hands placed on his hips. “I’m sure no other bear can offer ya the same! Ha ha ha!”

The voice was deep and thrumming, and it made Lloyd’s ears sing from the sheer resonance. But after hours of weeping and confusion, his felt his own face stretch, making his head feel light. Besides the laughter, there was only the water’s eternal flowing behind him, and the soft rush of the trees from the breeze to offset the sun’s heat.

At some point, wanderlust will come to you. I don’t blame you for wanting that. It’s just like you humans, after all.

Lloyd took his time to pack. Not that he had many things to bring along, besides his whittling tools and camping supplies, yet as the time neared to leave, his hands slowed. He didn’t hesitate as much when he had chased after Colette and the others, but now, with the world larger than ever, there was something comfortable about this one place in his known universe, where the walls had been polished with care, and where preserved fruit in their jars were always sitting in the cabinets for a hungry boy.

“Lloyd! Not like you to be hanging about when an adventure’s waiting fer ya! Unless school’s involved!”

Lloyd raised his head, finding Dirk coming back through the front door after another morning of weeding the garden. “I’m just making sure I got everything!”

“Ay, is that all?” Dirk grinned at his son. “Not already feeling homesick?”

“How can I be if I’m still here at home?”

The dwarf only shook his head at such an answer. “Well, ya got nothing to worry about. As long as ya have your friend, and my sword.”

That was something that Lloyd knew intimately, though he still had trouble tightening the knot on his knapsack. His eyes kept roving across the hardwood floors. He had tripped over by those small steps constantly when he was ten years of age, rushing to get his breakfast. He had sat by that corner there, watching the dwarf work on his commissions, until he would see finished swords, armor, trinkets and figurines lay neatly on a mat on the floor, ready to be handled with care towards their destination.

He swung the knapsack over his shoulder, testing the secureness of his swords. “I’ll just say goodbye to mom first, then…” He paused.

Dirk patted the boy’s back, making Lloyd cough from the strength of it. “Remember, lad? We’re like rocks beneath the earth. We won’t move from our place. Unless there’s a world-altering event.” He laughed then, as if at a great joke. “And even then! Here your home still stands.”

This house might as well have been made from stone for how long it stood, how no part of it went to wear and tear. The door’s hinges were still strong and well-oiled as he walked out, looking past the running stream that would lull him to sleep when he left the balcony door open. His eyes then strayed to the trees, where the sky was hidden, where it was easy for one to get lost in.

I’ll still be here for ya, Lloyd, even when you’re an old man and gray hairs are sprouting from your head. You will always have a place here.

He turned around to engulf the dwarf in a tight hug, one that caught the other off-guard. “Now, what’s this all about?” Yet swarthy arms met across his back, his pats a bit less rough this time. “I’m not the one flying away!”

On those days when Dirk would teach the young boy his Dwarven Vows, those sayings of a people hidden away but whose traditions had surfaced through his foster father’s dedication, he would remind him often. This was his home. This was where he can always rest his head. Lloyd, having only known the world as far as Iselia, could not at first imagine why he would leave in the first place.

“Ya remember what I taught ya though?”

“Yeah.” Lloyd quickly wiped his eyes; not that Dirk would ever reprimand him for showing his heart, but so he could look upon the dwarf more clearly. “Let’s all work together for a peaceful world, right?”

“Of course, but also…” Dirk handed over a folded map to Lloyd, which had been forgotten back at the dinner table. “Never forget the basics!”

Lloyd was too happy to even feel a little chagrined by his mistake. “Thanks, dad.” He stepped back then, his grin matching his father’s. Even at his taller height, Dirk would always be that bear to hear his cries, to carry him away from danger and build a roof over his head. What other bear in the world could ever say the same?

“…You forgot one other vow though.”

“Ay? Well, that be a first!”

Lloyd took a moment, looking over the house one more time – the balcony above, the stable to the side, the flower pots hanging from the awning. “There’s no place like home!”

Dirk paused, then laughed – that same laughter from years ago, and still sent Lloyd’s ears singing. “Of course! I’ll make sure to keep the fireplace stoked for when ya come home, lad.”

#tosweek17 #tosweek2017 #tales of symphonia #lloyd irving #dirk #fanfiction #one shot

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thebonegeneration-blog · 7 years

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Incense and Smudging~ A Millennia of Smoke

Read this on THEBONEGENERATION website.

One the few most important things I consider when practicing or living the craft is simply, ” Is my space secure and clean?” Incense and Smudging have been used for thousands of years for all kinds of gatherings, rituals, prayer, and in our case, spells!

What is Incense?

In the most basic of terms, incense is a material gathered in small quantities to burn. The place in which you burn from is most commonly a fixed spot and in most cases: cannot be moved. Different forms of incense include: stick incense, packed cone and other shapes, raw(Sap, splintered wood, & loose leaf) and fine ground (granule).

Stick incense can be put in an incense holder to catch the falling ash, as well as a simple container full of sand. It can be very cheap and easy to maintain if set up correctly. If you are looking to try out incense, Dollar stores and Walmart have a few very cheap scents you can choose from. You can also support online or local artists by buying their handmade products. I find the hand made version to have more care put into the product, leaving the incense smell less invasive and strong.

All others like loose leaf, splintered wood, granules, and cone incense must be put within an incense pot. These types need charcoal, which is heated by a candle, match or lighter from underneath (Sloped side) until sparks being to appear. Sometimes a hanging burner can be a good alternative to an immobile burner. It is best to hold the charcoal with a small pair of tongs to keep your fingers clear of any potential burns.

Note: Do not worry about the sparks. Settle it inside an incense burner on a heat proof surface to drop the chosen incense within. The groove of the charcoal should be facing upward for the incense to settle and burn.

Disclaimer: Hot coal can cause fires and burn you, so please use caution when using the tool! Here is a great way to handle the charcoal effectively without causing harm to yourself and others. Use tongs to handle the charcoal. The longer your burn the disk, the more likely it will break apart with used ash. Please take great care when using incense tools! Always keep a window open so as to not set off a smoke alarm. Burning often can cause some respiratory distress so it is best to burn on occasion.

Until recently, I didn’t know I was burning the incense at too high a temperature directly on the charcoal disk. It is common for the incense to burn quickly since the incense in sitting directly on the charcoal. You can find many different ways to burn it, but the best way I found would be if you bury a hot coal within a mound of rice ash in a heat proof container, (Glass, ceramic, etc.) It allows the bowl to not become too hot. You can lay the incense just on top of the ash, (With the coal covered) it will burn steadily, and won’t waste the incense, leaving the scent as it was intended. I have also found that you can burn the disk on rock salt in a heatproof container.

The smoke is aromatic, creating a smell that is pleasant, and can help change a mood or state of mind. Different materials that can be used as incense are: herbs, wood, resins /tree sap, and some minerals; These materials are dried, ground and burned. Even if you burn different kinds of wood, there are distinct differences in their scent as it wafts up to the sky. These scents are hand crafted to invoke different burning experiences.

Be Careful: Some woods and other natural items can be toxic/dangerous when burned. For Example, Green woods(Not dried yet), Soft wood like Pine (Full of sap, which can explode when burned),Driftwood (Full of Salt), Poison ivy, Sumac, & Oak (Poison being the indicator here, is never is a good idea to burn), Mexican Elder (Natural source of Cyanide), Oleander, etc are examples of things to steer clear of. Always double-check and make sure the natural plants you are burning are not toxic (Whether burned or not, the plant could still be poisonous!) Finally, do not burn anything that is considered a struggling species. This means that if it is endangered, definitely do not cut/gather it, let-alone burn it.

What is Smudging?

Unlike Incense, Smudging is mobile and the matter you burn is whole bundle. -Instead of grinding material into a fine powder or grains, you can gather aromatic herbs (Such as Lavender, Sage, and Cedar) to be bound tightly and left to dry. This allows the bundle to burn evenly for a smudging ceremony or a simple clearing of your space. You can burn the whole things but I like to use the bundles in sections. Smudging is most well-known to be practiced and passed down by the Native North American and South American tribes. Palo Santo is an aromatic wood that is used to cleanse as well as the traditional bundle of herbs. Sweet Grass is braided long, increasing it to a longer life of smudging.

Note: Incense and Smudging can be synonymous, however we must remember that Incense is usually never moved, whereas Smudging is carried by the hand to envelop smoke around an object, place, or person for cleanse and clearing of negative energy.

Origins:

Incense has been dated back to roughly 3000 BCE and has been seen around the globe in many different forms. The further back we look, the less documentation for use of incense has been confirmed. The Babylonians (Deeply centered within Central South Asia and Middle East stretching to the Northern parts of Africa) have been rumored to be the first to create Incense and with time it spread to the Romans and Greeks. Many cultures followed with this knowledge such as: Arabian, Chinese, Indian, Jerusalemite, Tibetan, Japanese, Egyptian, North American, and South Americans.

The use for incense was almost always for the very same reason: To chase off any uninvited and malevolent spirits from the sacred space. This isn’t to say that the well-meaning and benevolent were chased off too. They are generally well in co-habitation with this form of cleansing. This is what I like to call Separation.

It is still uncertain as to whether or not the Smudging and Incense clears of all spirit activity, but it is in my experience that the well-meaning spirits don’t mind leaving on their own, and therefore don’t need to be cleared. This means they can stay despite your removing what energies you don’t want in your home.

(I will be creating an article specifically about different kinds of spirit activity and how to manage the different energies surrounding you further along…)

Sage is considered the most common form of Smudge bundling but this form of smudging is quickly creating an endangerment of the Wild White Sage plant. And so I must urge my readers to consider an alternative and to remember to be respectful to the plants you harvest from. So if you can, replant what you take!

If you are foraging for your herbs, Always use the 1/15 rule which states: Take one for every 15 you see. This can apply to leaves, branches,flowers etc. It is better to spread out your harvest so as to not hurt a singular plant beyond repair. Also, be sure to avoid trails for it hurts the view for other hikers that want to enjoy nature as much as you do.

You could leave the path as long as you are dressed appropriately so you may not come in contact with any potential abrasive, poisonous plants/snakes/insects/spiders,or aggressive animals. Remember where you are wandering from and do not let yourself get lost! This is a common issue for those who want to forage; So please be mindful of where you are at all times.

I do not suggest foraging within a national park, or area owned by the government. Find a place like your backyard, a friend’s place or befriend someone to let you discover what lies on their land. -It can be difficult, but it is well worth it. If you don’t live on the land you are planning to forage, always ask for permission!

Important Note: Make sure you know exactly which plant you are harvesting. Many plants can look similar to each other but can be harmful from the tame version you are looking for. Never ingest plant matter like berries etc. without a professional or proper identification.

How can I balance my work as a witch to give back to the earth?

What a wonderful question! I always encourage bringing a bag of some sort to gather trash if any is present to show respect for the earth you take from. If you are in an area that is on your own land, you can always plant seeds as a thank you. If it is your own Garden: seeds, water, or shiny stones/glass is a fantastic offering to your preferred gods,goddesses, fae-kind, etc. Please be aware of what you leave as a thank you, and be sure to pick it up later if you are unsure if it will hurt the environment.

Resources

https://www.spiritualscents.com/t-art_What_Is_Smudging.aspx

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incense

http://www.naturesgardencandles.com/mas_assets/theme/ngc/pdf/histincense.pdf

https://books.google.com/books?id=1x0sNljp5ioC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

https://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/home/9-kinds-of-wood-you-should-never-burn/slide/10

#smudging #incense #history #how to #witch #witchcraft #thebonegeneration

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