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incomplete-nano-stash · 4 years

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Welcome to Technasia Ch 21

Princess Hanna shuffled her way back into her greenhouse. The meeting at the Central Palace had gone much later than she had expected, leaving her in desperate need of sleep. Helena noticed her re-entering the building and slumping down in a chair, and immediately ran over to her side.

“Are you all right, Your Highness?” Helena crouched in front of the seated Princess, taking her hand. “Let me get you to your room.”

Princess Hanna shook her head. “I’m okay, How’s the tree …?”

“Thriving, just like you said it would, I managed to finish the job.” Helena helped Princess Hanna to her feet. “Here, let me help you.”

Princess Hanna suddenly felt very weak. “I appreciate that, thank you.” She smiled over at Helena.

The attendant returned the smile, then her face took a shocked expression. “Oh, I almost forgot. You had a missive come while you were gone. I didn’t read it yet.”

Princess Hanna nodded. “Let me see it. You keep helping me, okay?”

“Of course, Your Highness.” She handed over her hand slate to the exhausted Princess, continuing to help her shuffle through the hallways, as Princess Hanna opened up the new missive.

She was attentive right away, although she did not have the energy to show it. The missive was from her sister.

Hanna –

By the time you read this, most likely you and the rest of the Royal Corps will have noticed our absence. We have gone into the Darklands, looking for answers to our current situation directly from the Darklands Assassin Guild. I’m not sure how long this trip will take, but we will return as soon as we have answers. I have taken Princess Imogen and her Litigian refugees with me, as I have a feeling they will come in handy.

Please, convince the Royal Corps not to do anything drastic in our absence. No matter what, Litigia is most likely not the culprit of the assassinations. If anything, they may be a victim as well. We are getting to the bottom of this situation as soon as possible.

Hold down the fort for me, sis. I love you.

Ramia

Princess Hanna clutched the hand slate to her chest tightly, just as Helena’s ministrations had brought her into her bedroom, and she was being laid out on the bed. She handed the hand slate back to Helena.

“Could you do me one more favor before you go home tonight?”

“Of course,” Helena responded, “anything, Your Highness.”

“Compose a missive to the Queen on my behalf, and attach the missive I just got tonight to it. She’ll want to know what my sister is up to.”

Helena nodded. “As you wish, Your Highness. You get some rest now, you look like the living dead.”

Princess Hanna smirked. “Thanks a lot. Have a good …” she yawned loudly. “… night.” The Princess’s head dropped to the pillow, and after five seconds her breathing was slow and rhythmic, indicating she was asleep.

Helena looked at the missive in the hand slate. She moved the missive to one side, tapping a button to delete it, then opening a new missive of her own.

Ramia and Imogen in Darklands. Strike now.

Lord Poe would not admit it to anyone, but these long days, despite the exhaustion they caused, were good ones for him, profitable ones. He had completed his most recent check of the assembly floor, and was slumped behind his desk.

“My Lord,” an attendant called from his door.

Lord Poe realized he was slightly dozing off. He shook his head awake. “Yes, Jeffrey?”

“My Lord, urgent missive for you.”

Lord Poe groaned. “Great, another missive from Son of Shitbird, what does he want?” He took a hand slate from Jeffrey, thanking him before dismissing him. He opened the missive and read its brief contents.

His eyes darkened. “Jeffrey, please come back in here!”

Jeffrey rushed back in the door. “Yes, my Lord?”

“I need a missive composed. Send it to the caterer.” Lord Poe scribbled down a message for Jeffrey to pass along. The attendant took the small note from his Lord, reading it aloud.

“Let me make sure I’m reading this correctly. You want to order baby onions, pickled corn, and strawberries?”

Lord Poe nodded. “That’s correct. Send it, as soon as possible.”

Jeffrey nodded. “As you wish, my Lord.” He turned and exited the room. Lord Poe picked up the hand slate, tapping a new missive.

Events in motion. Will give the word for strike.

Princess Anyia resumed her work at her desk, the candlelight still flickering strongly at her desk. Every once in a while, her hand would cramp up, forcing her to stop writing temporarily to rub the cramp out.

During one of these stops, her hand slate on her desk began vibrating. She picked up the hand slate and read the message contained. She nodded, closing the missive and setting down the hand slate. She closed up her archive book and slipped it back on the shelf, stretching.

Princess Anyia’s attendant stepped into the room. “Is it time to close up for the night?”

The Princess nods. “Yes, ah, it seems that, ah, my body can’t keep up with, ah, these late nights as much as I used to be able to.” She cracked her neck gently. “Go ahead and, ah, go to bed as well. We’ll continue this, ah, in the morning.”

The attendant bowed. “Very good, Your Highness. Good night.”

Princess Anyia smiled and waved. “Good night, Bess.” The attendant stepped back out of the library room. Princess Anyia, though, did not leave. She made her way to the back corner of the library, into the shadows of which she soon disappeared.

Three collection bags of blood had already been drawn, now lying filled on their sides next to the kit. Princess Ramia, Tuck, and Firnian had moved outside, to get food and recover from the process. Undric was left with the final member of the party, his grandson Thaylen.

The younger Halder offered his arm. “This will do it?”

Undric nodded. “It will. Completely.” The elder Halder installed the needle on the draw hose, using a cotton ball soaked in alcohol to swab Thaylen’s arm. “Okay, son, clench a fist for me.”

Thaylen did as he was told. The metal of the needle felt cold as it slid its way into Thaylen’s vein, and soon enough the red fluid of life was flowing through the hose, out of Thaylen’s body and into the collection bag.

Thaylen winced slightly as he re-shifted his position to his back, holding his arm on his chest, making sure not to kink the hose. Undric checked the other three bags, then returned his attention to Thaylen. He studied the man’s figure, lying on the couch.

Undric raised an eyebrow. “So I’m going to assume my son has no idea you’re a girl, right?”

Thaylen’s eyes widened. “What?”

“Relax, boy, it’s okay.” Undric raised his hands. “I’m not going to expose you before you’re wanting me to.”

Thaylen sighed deeply. “My friends already know.” He looked up at Undric. “I had to tell them. Especially Firnian, she was the first.”

Undric smiled. “Probably a little obvious, if you know what I mean.”

Thaylen chuckled softly, then focused on the old man’s eyes. “It’s only fair you should know, on our way here we got word that … well … your son is dead.”

Undric lowered his eyes respectfully. “I see.” He cleared his throat. “So why is the heir to the throne in the Darklands?”

“Because I’m not the heir. My brother Guent is.” Tears formed in Thaylen’s eyes. “Guent would be just as happy to have me executed, right after outing me. The man has no morality other than that which gains him power.”

This gave Undric pause. He brushed Thaylen’s hair gently with his thumb. “He’s like I was, long long ago.” He coughed. “When I was a leader of men, I didn’t care who got hurt so long as the end result was my power rising, my esteem growing, my reputation being strengthened.” He focused in on the young man’s eyes. “When I look in your eyes, I see all of the potential that I wasted in my utter lust for power. Things I didn’t realize I had missed until I had a fatal disease and was shunned from my society.”

Undric absently looked over at the bag. Only half full. Thaylen reached out with his free hand for Undric’s shoulder. “But you’re alive now, all these years later. You’re the rightful King, you should come home, take the throne away from Guent.”

Undric’s features took on the look of regret. “I am an old man, Thaylen. Too old to take back my crown. I’ve already been shunned and left here to die, forty years and counting, and yet somehow I continue to live. I lead these poor souls.” He motioned toward his window. “This is my kingdom now. It is a kingdom where we all work together toward a common good and a common goal, where no one holds their power in higher esteem than anyone else.” He sighed deeply. “It’s much, I imagine, like Technasia’s system, a meritocracy. And I am happy here, above all else I’m happy to be a part of something much bigger than myself.”

Thaylen allowed tears to fall finally. “Then Litigia is truly lost. Without a leavening influence, Guent’s thirst for power will lead to war and destruction.”

Undric smiled warmly. “Not necessarily. Maybe in our own way we can steer your brother away from his destructive path.” He looked over at the bag. “Ah, it appears your contribution is complete.”

Thaylen twisted his head around to see the bag, now just as full as the other three. Undric placed another alcohol-soaked cotton ball at the needle’s entry point, quickly sliding the needle out of Thaylen’s arm. Instant stinging burn overcame the young man as the alcohol hit the newly opened pinhole wound in his arm, but at Undric’s urging he held the cotton ball to the spot dutifully.

“You should join your friends, son. I think they’re out in the town square getting dinner. Once you’re all recovered, I’ll take you to the Guild.”

Interis felt the missive arrive on his hand slate before anyone else did. He pulled it out and found there were two simultaneous missives for him to consider. He reached for a piece of nearby parchment paper and a pen before opening the first missive.

To: 580257

Order: Bachelor Party, prime guest

Extras: baby onions, pickled corn, strawberries

Location: royal palace of Litigia

Interis scrawled down the details of the missive, his mind working through the codes presented by the communications. He opened the second missive.

To: 580257

Order: Girls’ Night Out, prime guest

Extras: deviled eggs, beer kegs, chicken legs

Location: Central Palace of Technasia

Chuckling at the rhyme within the code, Interis scrawled the details of the second missive. He looked over his handiwork, comparing the two missions and missives against each other. With his parchment in hand, he walked out of the throne room and into the general living space.

Hungras stood, looking over toward a group of newly minted assassins, receiving the stitching of their lips. Interis tapped the larger man on the shoulder, making him turn around.

“My lord, what can I do for you?”

Interis handed Hungras the sheet. “I need teams for these assignments. Do you have anyone you can send?”

Hungras considered the two sets of instructions. “I might have some specialists for the Litigia assignment, maybe I can get some recruits. Technasia, though, that one’s going to be tough, not a lot of the guys want to go there.”

Interis looked down at one of the new assassins. “Did you just get here?”

The new man nodded eagerly.

“Do you have a problem with going to Technasia?”

The man nodded again, indicating he was scared. Interis reached down and grabbed the man by the stitches holding his mouth shut, making him whimper in fear. “NOW do you have a problem with going to Technasia?”

The man shook his head this time, not wanting to be killed by his new lord. Interis released his grip on the newcomer’s stitches, then turned back to Hungras.

“See? One. Follow my lead and get these assignments set. By the rise of the next full moon, we will have forced new leadership in both nations, and our coffers will be that much fatter.”

#nanowrimo #incomplete nano

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shippingeruri · 7 years

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Birthday fic

Dear @kittyboo8015,

It’s your birthday (well, here in Central Europe it is already :D) and @zedsdead1001 and myself want to wish you all the best in this world! Happy birthday - we hope you have an awesome day! You are a wonderful human being and we are very happy to have you around.

Don’t let life get in your way or drag you down <3

Since you are so in love with the new Imagine Dragons album (which Zed and I love, too) I got inspired for a fic... so I asked one of my favourite authors if they’d be up to write something together with me (which I’m really honored about O_O) and together we worked on the details.

And here we are... a modern au fic, heavily inspired by Imagine Dragons lyrics.

Dancing in the Dark

Erwin ~ myself Levi ~ @zedsdead1001

Read it on AO3

~~~

Letter 1

It was the worst day this year so far.

Flight missed due to heavy flooding. Laptop dropped and shattered as they ran and tried to catch the flight (and yet missed it). Mobile locked because Hanji had tried to unlock it while they were waiting for their next flight home. She had taken the opportunity when Erwin had excused himself to the bathroom and of course failed to enter the correct code. Now Erwin would need to find the shitty backup code when he would be back home.

There was no way to contact Levi, inform him about his delay. Erwin felt like shit and just wanted to be home. The tournament was good, especially if one considers that he and Hanji were above 30 now and their competitors were in their mid twenties.

Yet, he just wanted to be with Levi, wanted to be home.

Home was another place than what 99% of the people in Erwin's life assumed it was. It was not the spacious, expensive, luxury penthouse flat with a roof terrace that provided a view on the canals of Amsterdam – paid by his agency.

His real home was a cosy, lovely furnished 3 bedroom flat in one of the side roads near the city centre. A place that he and Levi had chosen carefully three years ago when they had their second anniversary, an anniversary that nobody was aware of besides the two men themselves.

Their relationship was a secret. Not because they were ashamed or wouldn't want to make it official, but their careers made it quite difficult.

Professional dancing was quite a rough place. Knowing the right people, playing the right cards and playing the role that society expected were more important than talent. Talent was the base, everything else was personality, character and looks. It sucked but they were both so deep into it and they both loved dancing from the bottom of their hearts.

When they were younger they both danced for fun, each on their own. Their talent got discovered and in Erwin's late teens he started to participate in tournaments. This was also when he and Levi met for the first time.

Erwin was well educated and spoke English way above the average German teenager in his age group – and yet, Levi would mock him about it. There was this competitive atmosphere – fuelled by their trainers, by the press and later on by the agencies that would dictate a great deal of their lives.

Since Erwin was a few years older than the absolutely talented Levi, he was the one that kept a cool head until the end and led him and Hanji to victory. This went on for a few years – each encounter heating up the rivalry between them more. Sometimes Levi and Petra would win, sometimes Erwin and Hanji would claim the title.

Erwin's biggest talent was the waltz and he would specialise on the ballroom dances while Levi clearly had the fire for the Latin American dances, so they didn't see each other again on tournaments in the next years. At least they didn't see each other in the flesh �� but it was very rare that they missed the live stream of the tournament of the other. They both knew about the talent the other one had and they were of course curious about their development.

It was six years ago when they met again. Two dance events were held in Amsterdam at the same time and the after show parties for both events got combined. Rivals, both established in their field of dancing, both men in their 20s now, actually talked to one another, complimenting the success of the other. The chatter got interrupted by agents that wouldn't want them to be seen together – for the image of them being competitive, looking down on the other should be held up. It was good publicity if they stayed rivals but they didn't care. Nobody had to know.

So they exchanged mobile numbers in the bathroom and soon a friendship developed. From daily chit chat about jurors, other dancers, the floor at certain locations, it soon went on to favourite bands, movies, book, family matters, dreams, hopes and fears.

They started to Skype on a regular basis – no matter the time zone. Erwin and Hanji attended tournaments in the USA and a week later, Levi and Petra would be in Argentina. It was quite a stressful time – both being international pros in their disciplines and still trying to live a civil life.

And when they met again on the same event, one year later, there were butterflies and nervousness, sweaty palms and dry mouths. Seeing the other one again felt different after all that they had shared. Erwin didn't actually feel like meeting a friend again, but meeting the person he'd fallen in love with. And so did Levi.

They started 'dating'. Quite difficult, considering their packed schedules and the expectations everyone had. Erwin and Hanji had somehow ended up not only a dance couple but mimicking real lovers. It was absurd since Hanji was like a sister to Erwin and she obviously felt the same towards him. But their agents demanded it, set up fancy dinners in expensive restaurants, booked holidays for them and rented them this luxurious apartment where they should live officially – and above all: dropped hints about everything for the press.

When the plane landed in Amsterdam there were paparazzi that wanted to get some nice pictures of the couple and so Hanji and Erwin gave them some practised poses, smiling all lovey-dovey, holding hands, exchanging shy kisses.

They got picked up by their agents and dropped off at the luxury complex. Hanji actually lived there but Erwin had told her that he wanted to have his peace and quiet. So far she didn't ask where he was really living, just asking him to promise he didn't do anything illegal.

He waited until the paparazzi were gone and then took a taxi to his and Levi's flat that was rented under Mike's name. Erwin had told his best friend that he wanted to have a place that nobody knew about and the deal was set.

It was quiet in the apartment, only their cat, Pix, greeting him with husky meows as he took off his shoes and bent down to pet the quite fat cat.

“Hey Pix.” He spoke with a gentle smile and in return received a rough cat tongue licking on his palm.

“Did Levi not feed you before he left?”, Erwin asked as he made his way to the kitchen.

The bowl was empty but there was a paper on the counter.

“Don't trust fatty. I fed him.”

Erwin had to laugh as he gave Pix quite a look.

“You sneaky animal. Worth a try at least...” and he received another meow in return from the three coloured cat.

He pulled his suitcase in, hung up his dancing outfits on hangers and put on a laundry wash. He would take the outfits to the dry cleaning tomorrow before he would leave again in two days. It was high season for tournaments and he and Levi hardly had any chance to see each other for more than a few hours if they were overlapping at all.

And Erwin just had managed to fuck up one of those rare encounters.

With a sigh he wandered over to Levi's side of the bed and took the pillow. The last time they had slept here together was about a week ago and they even managed to have an argument. It had been unnecessary. Something about bringing down the trash and cleaning Pix's toilet. One accusing the other of failing his duties and when things heated up, more accusations were thrown in. A normal fight that every couple would have. Nothing too serious, yet unpleasant.

Erwin was the one who had ended the argument because he didn't want to fight with Levi a few hours before he would fly to Paris. He wanted to embrace his lover, feel him, touch him, kiss him.

Yet he didn't, because Levi didn't want to. But they fell asleep cuddling, murmurs of “I love you” on both their lips.

With a smile he buried his face in the pillow, inhaling his lover's scent. A mixture of lemon, rain, grass, peach and flowers. Unique and wonderful.

On the coffee table in front of the sofa he found another note:

“I guess you missed your flight? But why's your mobile switched off and why do you not reply to my email?

You performance was stunning as always.

I love you.

Levi”

~~~

The next morning he started to search for the backup code for his mobile but couldn't find it. After going through every single drawer, box and place that this shitty piece of paper could have been, he gave up. He'd probably thrown it away when packing boxes to move here with Levi.

For a moment he considered to do a hard reset but he would lose all pictures of him and Levi on it. No backup – for security reasons – so this was not an option.

A short trip to the dry-cleaning service around the corner, a quick visit at Hanji's with a brief practise of some of the movements they weren't too familiar with yet and then he went back home.

Even without his mobile, he knew exactly when Levi would be seen on the live stream, so thanks to the internet stick on their TV, Erwin was able to watch his boyfriend perform.

Just in time he sat down on the sofa and once more was blown away by Levi's rigour and charisma...

~~~

After Erwin had picked up his dancing outfits again, packed his suitcase, had taken a shower and fed Pix, he placed an envelope with Levi's name on it on the coffee table and left. When his boyfriend would get home a few hours later, he could read the following:

My dear Levi,

This might be the first time since my childhood that I'm actually writing a letter by hand. I've never written a 'love letter' before either, so consider this a premier in more than one way.

I'm so incredibly sorry that I didn't contact you or reply to your mail. I dropped my laptop while Hanji and me tried to get our flight but we missed it. And then Hanji was trying to unlock my phone, failed and now it's locked. I can't find the back up code. I know this sounds like the script of a really cheesy movie but please believe me.

You'll find my mobile on the kitchen counter – should you have any idea where we've put those backup codes, please feel free to unlock my phone.

Oh and while I'm writing this, Pix is begging for food, although I just fed him an hour ago. We really should try to find some diet food for him or buy a treadmill and force him to walk on it.

When I came home last night our neighbourhood watch was on its duty again... the old couple from across the street couldn't believe how late I got home. I still think that they believe that we are just renting this apartment together to save some money. Gay people in this area? Never!

Thank you for the note on the coffee table – it's good to hear that you value my 'old man' dancing, as you like to call the ballroom dances. I start feeling old this season indeed – not because of my body but because of my competitors. They are all younger than me, younger than you and I feel like they deliver a completely different atmosphere while dancing. Fresh, vibrant, dynamic and yet perfectly fitting for the ballroom dances. It's like they take the fire of the Latin American dances to our long dresses and sweeping movements. And to me it feels like Hanji and I are dropping out sooner than we might think.

Speaking of 'fire'... you performance was marvellous as always. Brilliant to watch. I'd take a guess and say that you made some women in the audience very happy. And I'd love to show up at one of your events and experience this live again... but the risk is too big, I guess. I mean we've discussed this several times and if we want to be what we are at the moment, we can not risk to be seen at the same event without a good reason.

Petra is so lucky to have you as her partner. The rhythm is in your blood, you feel the music, can adapt to every new beat within a split second, change your figures within the blink of an eye – it's stunning. I'm truly mesmerised whenever I see you dancing.

But it's not only the way you dance, it's your whole presence, the aura that you create. Your outfits are always on point, perfectly harmonising with Petra's dresses. Your body looks beautiful, your legs move so fast and yet coordinated. It's definitely an advantage that you are not that tall. And may I tell you how wonderful and seducing your ass is? I don't think that's something new to hear from me... but watching you dance gives me another perception for you and your body.

Your arms are strong, leading Petra, holding on to her but at the same time giving her freedom. Your upper body is in the perfect angle, strong, every muscle knowing what is has to do. Your shoulders – just mindblowing– Petra can hold on to you, you re-assure her movements and yet she is not giving away all lead. I can see that even on the screen. And that is wonderful because the woman has a way more important role in Latin American dances compared to ballroom dancing.

You neck gets in line with your ass – I'd love to touch it, caress it, lick it, kiss it, bite it, suck it, mark it. If I'd do that, the jurors would for sure decrease their rating due to your lack of professionalism and everyone would believe it was Petra's doing. Your agent would kill you. The latest instruction was: play the bachelor that has taken an interest in his dance partner but still give the fans hope? Or has anything changed about that?

Oh how much I'd wish one could survive in this business without managers and agents...

But let me get back to you, the man I love, and his stunning looks while dancing.

I really think you chin is cute. Sorry – I'm not sorry. You know how much I like to nibble on your chin or tickle it – and even when you dance, your chin still is cute. But the overall facial expression is so different and so much more.

The way your jaws are working while you switch from seductive smiles over wetting your lips to getting really close to Petra. Wow that is just... it's hard to describe.

Your eyes, your nose, your lips, everything is just perfect. You have annexed the ways of Latin American dancing like nobody else that is not Latin American that I've ever seen. You play with everyone in the room as well as with the audience behind their screens. There's so much passion, desire, heat and sex appeal between you and Petra, you and the jurors, you and the audience – and even when I'm sitting here, just watching a 720p stream, I can't deny that I'd love to touch you in a very much inappropriate way...

I'm addicted to you and it's not because of your looks. I can't deny that I love your body, your face, your hair – everything about you. But what makes me the happiest man on this planet is your heart and soul.

I love you, Levi. I really do, with all my heart. Every day with you in my life is a better day and I can't imagine a life without you.

If I think back to our first encounter... oh god I wanted to kill you. You were ... 14 years old maybe and you were really mean to me. For no particular reason. But then our managers totally got on that train and the whole “Germany vs. England” PR began. God, how I hated it. But we both played it. For our dream...

And then my dream became a different one. I wanted to get to know you after I'd seen every single one of your performances and I probably had a crush on you ten years ago already. You fascinated me and when we finally met again... you really were mesmerising. Thank you for sneaking to the bathroom with me back then and giving me your number. The year that followed made me really happy. That was six years ago...

And these five years that 'we' have been what we are, are definitely the best in my life so far. If only we had other circumstances to cherish the love we have. I don't know why but I guess it's got something to do with you and the way you hypnotise me. I never would have thought that I'd be capable to live a 'hidden' relationship. It's dangerous nevertheless, and I would lie if I'd say that I didn't want to take you on a date, go eating with you, go to a concert, spend a vacation with you – things that couples normally do.

And now that I've faced my latest opponents in my career, I'm almost at a point where I want so say: Fuck it. I want to be together with you, no more hide and seek. Show my love to you, let everyone know how much I desire you.

But I know that you are not willing to go this step yet, and I respect that.

Your career is at its peak at the moment and when you fly to Argentina in a few weeks, I'd love to be there, cheer for you, see you, feel you. And yet I know this would break your neck and this is the last thing I want. So I'll try to catch you here as often as possible until then. In eight weeks everything will go back to normal for a while. I'll work more for Mike then, you'll continue your PhD and yet... we still have to pretend to not love, like or even know each other. And honestly... I don't know how long I can go on like this without starting to suffer. But I will endure as long as you want to mesmerise people around the world with your dancing. Because I love you and seeing you happy is one of the greatest joys in my life.

Your smile, your beautiful smile is something that can turn my day around completely. Our 'silly selfie' in the living room really makes me smile like an idiot every time I look at it. And probably I am an idiot.

Jesus... why am I even writing so much? I just wanted to give you a short note why I was not available and congratulate you on your performance? And now I'm... what... ten pages in and my wrist starts to hurt... but now that I'm about it... there's another thing I might bring up while I'm at it.

I love you Levi, with all my heart. So please don't take this too 'serious'. But lately I've gotten the impression that we are starting to have more and more of those unnecessary problems and arguments that are perfectly normal if you are living together with someone. I know that it is partly my fault, yes and I want to apologise if my behaviour upsets you.

Another thing is that the amount and content of 'fan post' gets to a point where I'm getting concerned. I trust you. And so far you've given me no reason to believe different. But especially with our 'daily problems' showing up and – pardon to say it so bluntly – our sex life not being at its best, I honestly feel like there is a possibility that you might get tempted. You are 28, beautiful and handsome, you can have everyone from 18 to 80 that you want within the blink of an eye. And here I am. 32, problems with my knee, by far not as striking as you in appearance and somehow thinking that I might no longer make you as happy as I used to? You've turned me down quite often in the last weeks and I respect that. There are also times when you are in the mood and I'm not. Nothing wrong with that but nevertheless I honestly am a bit afraid especially since we won't be seeing each other that much in the next weeks.

6 years since we met again, 5 years relationship, 3 years living together. That is quite a long time and I want to tell you once more how much I love you. But the overall situation might stress us both more than we might be willing to admit. Hiding, always being at risk – what for? I'm happy with you and yes, I love dancing, I love it with all my heart. But for me, the competitive tournaments are – honestly – no longer my métier. This will probably be my last season. And this doesn't mean that I'm no longer willing to dance. But do you know how much I'd love to dance with you? Take you to New York or Sydney, to Tokyo or Buenos Aires, to London or Vienna and buy tickets for a “casual ball” and dance the whole night with you?

I'm sorry. This sounds like I'm blaming you and I don't. Because we met in a time of our life where competitive dancing was and still is everything to you and to me. But I've more and more come to the realisation that you as my partner, as the person I love, are more important than this show business. And since I love you, I'll be what you need me to be for as long as you want me to be that something.

Please, don't take this as critique, I'm just … a bit drunk and probably lonely at the moment. I miss your voice and I miss your touch, your kiss and the way your fingers run over my neck. And I do wish for a 'normal' relationship more and more. Especially with our perfectly fine problems occurring. We have nobody to talk about our relationship than you and me.

Let me end this now – I feel like an asshole for writing pages and pages of words, my handwriting looking like shit and you will come home, find this and then have to deal with an old man's drunken words. I should go to sleep anyway. My flight goes as 1 PM and it already is 3 AM. Have to be at Hanji's at 9 AM.

If I'm not mistaken you have one day off in between? If you can't find my backup codes, can you maybe buy me a new mobile? Nothing fancy, I just want to be able to call you, write with you, see your face.

I miss you, your pillow smells like you and you've been on my mind all the time. I love you, Levi. You are wonderful and your performance today (or when you read this: yesterday) was wonderful. Please know that although I can sometimes be annoying or stressful (or an old man), I have no bad intention. I only want you to be happy.

I love you.

Erwin

#eruri #erwin x levi #eruri fanfic #modern au #birthday fic #birthday present #professional dancing #dancing eruris #secret relationship #love letters #love confessions #domestic eruris #established relationship #kittyboo8015 #zedsdead1001 #my writing

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thisislizheather · 5 years

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October Occurrences 2019

Forgive the lateness of this post! It was an insanely busy month and I’ll try not to let this kind of delay happen again. SO MUCH HAPPENED! Details below.

I went on two trips this month! The first was to the Bahamas and it was so great. I stayed at Atlantis (because well, that’s where my parents were staying and they kindly let me stay with them, IF YOU MUST KNOW) and while Atlantis was super nice, it really felt like what I imagine a big cruise ship to feel like. I’m not meaning that as an insult at all - it just felt sort of stiff, well maintained, with a very controlled environment. I tried lionfish for the first time (very good), drank Bahama Mamas and slid down the shark-surrounded Leap of Faith (horrifying). We ate at Jose Andres’ restaurant Fish and it was absolutely unreal. The seafood was phenomenal.

Above Photo: Parents in the Bahamas

My second trip was to New Orleans for the week of Halloween! I’ll do a full post on this one because there’s too much to say. (Full post here!)

In some upsetting news, I accidentally “recovered” my phone and lost most of my Bahamas photos. I was so upset because it was completely my own fault. I hadn’t backed up my photos to my computer yet either, so it truly sucked. I do have iCloud but I never opted to pay for the extra space so it’s been full for about a year already. Enter my saviour Marla who told me about Google Photos (which is free) and I’ve already started using and backing up almost daily. I’ve moved on from losing the photos by rationalizing it in thinking that I wasn’t meant to have those photos, they were meant to be memories.

Remember when I told you to watch Tuca & Bertie because it’s so lovely? Well, if you did, this is a really great piece about Bertie’s boyfriend, Speckle.

Can’t get enough of the Pink Lady Apple flavour of Health-Ade. So goddam tasty.

Years ago, I watched and hated the second Sex & The City movie (too xenophobic, cliched and generally terrible) but I rewatched it on a plane recently and while it’s still a bad movie, I had completely forgotten about the storyline about Carrie and Big “defining the parameters of their own relationship.” Best part of the movie! I won’t give away too much, but you may want to rewatch this stinker if nothing better is on.

We rewatched all of the Sleepaway Camp movies and they really hold up well. Such a solid series.

I did two of Nathan’s podcasts this month: one where we talked about vaping and one where we talked about what annoys Nathan and my Joker thoughts! I had a lot of Joker thoughts. Quick summary? IT BLEW. I feel like the world grieves for broken men and I do not wish to.

I tried pumpkin-flavoured Kit Kats and although a little gross at first, they really do taste like pumpkin. And after two or three bites, become delicious.

In keeping with autumn flavours, I tried the pumpkin cream cold brew from Starbucks (I know, despite this one instance, I am still trying to stay away from the corporations that are slowly eating away at society as we know it). Anyway, the drink was only MEH. It’s wild how we’ve made milkshakes acceptable for adults to drink at 8am.

I’m not sure if I’ve already shared this tip, but I have THE greatest advice for someone who’s trying to avoid a cold from starting. You know that point right before you get a cold, when your throat feels a little tingly and sensitive? And you know that a cold is coming right around the corner? All you need to do to avoid this from happening is buy the blue Listerine and gargle with it once in the morning and once before bed and gargle for about 30 seconds each time. I SWEAR TO GOD THIS WORKS. But only with the blue Listerine. I’ve tested this theory twice now and it absolutely works, someone give me a medal for curing the common cold. (And if you really don’t believe me, buy the travel size before you commit to the larger bottle, geek.)

Riverdale is BACK! The season premiere episode dealing with Luke Perry’s death was so good and so sad and that’s all I have to say about that. As for the more recent episodes of Riverdale? The latest Halloween episode was pure and complete madness and I love how nuts it’s becoming.

I started watching the new season of This Is Us and I think I figured out what’s wrong with this show: every character on it is almost TOO in love with their partner. It’s enough already, we get it, love exists. The show is so wildly saccharine now. Maybe it was always that way and I never noticed before? Either way, I might be passing on it this season.

I read and reviewed Abbi Jacobson’s newest book and you can see that full post over here.

I really hate cleaning shower curtains and the mold-free one that I got from The Container Store (only $10) has lasted me a full six months before getting gross. Highly recommend!

Cannot stop playing this song or this song.

J. Crew was having a pretty sweet sale and I bought this gorgeous-fitting underwire 90s swimsuit that I can’t stop praising. No one told me about underwire swimwear! So fucking flattering.

My absolute favourite place to get Halloween costume accessories is by far the Village Party Store in Manhattan. They somehow have every single thing you’d need for a costume, they’re super inexpensive and the staff is so helpful (eons better than any Spirit). I was talking about costume stuff with one of the guys who works there and he mentioned how a group of women had just come in to get stuff for their group costume: they all were going to be different Keanu Reeves characters. Is it just me or is that the greatest group costume you’ve ever heard of? He said they were definitely going to do Neo from The Matrix, Ted from Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Jack from Speed, Duke Kaboom from Toy Story 4 and Sad Keanu. PURE GENIUS.

My favourite SNL sketch of the season so far, for sure.

LOVED the new season of Big Mouth. But can we pleeeeease stop with the musical episodes? NOBODY LIKES THEM.

Speaking of Big Mouth, I watched the movie Disclosure and wowza. Great movie. Can’t believe I’d never even heard of it before. Just rewatched it again with Nathan this past week. So good.

Another great NYC Halloween store is Abracadabra on 21st street. It’s a more expensive place to shop, but if you just want to browse then definitely visit this place. There are tons of interactive displays and the whole basement has incredible costumes for rent.

You can see this year’s Halloween costume over here, if you so please. In other costume news, Baby Dog was a lion. Roar.

I finally tried Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion and whoa. I get the hype. It fucking obliterates pimples. It’s hard to sleep in since it goes on like calamine lotion and smudges everywhere if you lay face down (do people sleep like this? I sleep like I’m in a coffin & Nathan hates it because I look like a mental patient but it’s so fucking relaxing, I can’t stop), but it works really well if you can figure out a way to sleep without it rubbing off.

SO, SO excited to hear that season two of Shrill has a release date: January 24th!

Some things that I’m looking forward to this month: celebrating American Thanksgiving since I missed the true (Canadian) one last month while I was in the Bahamas, introducing Nathan to the Momofuku Thanksgiving croissant, taking Baby Dog for autumn walks in Central Park, getting my copy of Lindy West’s new book that arrives in my mailbox tomorrow, still working on doing things off of my autumn list, reading Jenny Slate’s new book, if you find yourself always losing your poppy I find it helpful to attach mine to a safety pin rather than just the regular pin that comes with it, and I’ll probably definitely see A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood even though I do think it’s unnecessary.

If you’ve got any interest in reading last month’s roundup, you can see what went down in September over here!

#this is liz heather #Liz Heather #monthly post #October #best of NYC #Halloween #Halloween NYC

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goldeagleprice · 5 years

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Q. David Bowers on Bill Bierly’s In God We Trust

(Pelham, Alabama) — In November 2019 Whitman Publishing will release William Bierly’s In God We Trust: The American Civil War, Money, Banking, and Religion. The 352-page hardcover volume will be available from booksellers and hobby shops nationwide, and online. Here, numismatic historian Q. David Bowers shares his thoughts on the book.

Bill Bierly’s In God We Trust is one of the most detailed, intricate, and fascinating books in the field of American numismatics—and in American history in general.

The national motto “In God We Trust” is familiar to all of us. Look in your pocket change or wallet and you will find it on every United States coin and paper bill. Before reading the manuscript to Bierly’s book I thought I knew all about the subject.

1864 two-cent piece, PF-65. Hover to zoom.

Some years ago I wrote an article, “God in Your Pocket,” for my local Presbyterian Church, telling of the motto’s use on coins. I knew it appeared on pattern coins in 1863 and in 1864 made its first appearance on a circulating coin, the bronze two-cent piece, a new denomination introduced that year. I had the obscure knowledge that “In God We Trust” is the motto of the State of Florida and was used on certain National Bank notes issued in that state in the second half of the 19th century.

I also knew that the $5 Silver Certificates of the Series of 1886 illustrate the reverse of a Morgan silver dollar of that year, with the motto as part of the design.

But what I didn’t know were 101 other details—make that many more than 101 different details—as to how the motto came to be, how it was used over the years, and the wide cast of characters in the Treasury Department and elsewhere who participated in its use on money.

All too often, books, newspaper columns, and magazine articles about popular subjects lack many details. For Whitman Publishing I wrote a volume on President Ronald Reagan, and I read every book and important study I could find. There were very few details about his personal day-to-day life. Not to worry about the historical personalities involved with “In God We Trust.” While you might not learn the names of the protagonists’ pet cats or their favorite dime novels, there is not much else missing in Bierly’s excellent narrative. Dozens of cast members play cameo roles and small walk-on parts.

It is probably correct to say that no other researcher could add to Bill Bierly’s efforts! He collaborated with professional numismatists, leaving no stone (or coin) unturned in the creation of this book. Commonly believed myths and misunderstandings he examined, debunked, and corrected. Hundreds of historical images were collected, many of which have never been published in a numismatic reference, to which have been added beautiful photographs of rare coins, patterns, tokens, medals, and paper currency, including close-ups of important characteristics. All of this required a lot of work, creativity, and careful attention to detail.

Further on the subject of detail: I enjoy learning about and digging deeply into previously unexplored subjects. I have written books on the Waterford Water Cure (a health spa in Waterford, Maine, that counterstamped coins as advertisements), The Strange Career of Dr. G.G. Wilkins (about a countertstamper who was a dentist, also operated a restaurant with a caged bear in front, and was suspected of passing counterfeit money and also burning down a neighbor’s barn), and, for good measure, books about Alexandre Vattemare (a French numismatist who visited America and became important to the development of libraries here), and Augustus G. Heaton (the teenaged coin dealer who founded the American Numismatic Society in 1858).

Each of these books was popular in its time, despite their obviously obscure subjects. Readers find satisfaction in a well-told story that brings new depth and insight.

That is precisely what we get with In God We Trust, debuting this holiday season. Anyone with a combined interest in American history and numismatics will find a new world of important information, fascinating details, and previously unconnected relationships.

2009 Abraham Lincoln commemorative silver dollar Uncirculated obverse.

The motto “In God We Trust” is hardly history alone. It is so much more, and it means different things to different people. Today there are vocal critics who feel that it has no place on coins or paper currency. For that matter, some believe that God has no place in public (and in some cases, private) life. On the other hand, many more people do indeed believe in the Supreme Being. Sometimes it just seems the naysayers get all of the publicity.

“In God We Trust” has appeared on American money since the Civil War. William Bierly tells how the national motto came to be. (Photographs courtesy of Stack’s Bowers Galleries and the United States Mint.)

Bill Bierly’s In God We Trust approaches the subject respectfully on all sides, with color, personality, dashes of humor, and dogged pursuit of the truth. He has given us a smorgasbord: There is a lot to choose from. If you are a collector and strictly so, with no interest in the million points where numismatics touches American history, you can simply immerse yourself in the coins, paper money, tokens, and medals. If you are like me, however, and enjoy every historical highway and byway connected to American money, you will read and find pleasure in the entire book from start to finish.

David Bowers is the award-winning author of more than 60 numismatic books ranging from 90-page monographs to 900-page encyclopedias, hundreds of auction and other catalogs, and several thousand articles including columns in Coin World, Paper Money, and The Numismatist. He is a past president of both the American Numismatic Association (1983–1985) and the Professional Numismatists Guild (1977–1979). In his 60-plus-year career in numismatics, he has earned most of the highest honors bestowed by the hobby community, including the ANA’s Lifetime Achievement Award and induction in the ANA Numismatic Hall of Fame.

In God We Trust: The American Civil War, Money, Banking, and Religion

By William Bierly; foreword by Q. David Bowers

ISBN 0794845282

Hardcover, 6 x 9 inches, 352 pages, full color

Retail $29.95 U.S.

About the Author

William (Bill) Bierly was raised on a farm near Walkerton, Indiana. As a child, he heard stories from his grandparents about two of his great-grandfathers who had served in the Civil War. This led to a lifelong interest in that war and that period of history. At about age eight, he began collecting coins from circulating change. Following high school Bierly attended Northwestern University for two years and then completed a degree in sociology and economic development with a minor in Chinese studies at Indiana University. He then worked in India for two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in a dairy development project. Back in the United States, his interest in coins was rekindled. He soon went abroad again, working for three years in Osaka, Japan. Then in the United States, he operated a small business for five years, sold it, and entered graduate school, earning an MBA in finance from Indiana University and embarking on a 25-year career in commercial banking. With his overseas experience, Bierly focused on international banking, particularly Japanese corporate business and Asian correspondent banking. He began his career at the National Bank of Detroit, and he worked with J.P. Morgan Chase for much of his career; at various times at the bank’s Detroit, Chicago, and Columbus, Ohio, offices, as well as often traveling to Asia.

While thus engaged, Bierly continued to pursue his coin hobby, eventually specializing in Civil War–era coinage, in particular, pattern coins. Today he is active in several coin groups and clubs, most notably the Central States Numismatic Society, the American Numismatic Association, the American Numismatic Society, the Chicago Coin Club, the Michigan State Numismatic Society, and the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists, as well as the Civil War Token Society and the Liberty Seated Collectors Club. He sometimes exhibits his collection at major coin shows and frequently volunteers as an exhibit judge.

Bierly resides in LaPorte, Indiana. He has two children, Emma and Ken, as well as a granddaughter, Kiki.

About Whitman Publishing

Whitman Publishing is the world’s leading producer of numismatic reference books, supplies, and products to display and store coins and paper money. The company’s high-quality books educate readers in the rich, colorful history of American and world coinage and currency, and teach how to build great collections. Archival-quality Whitman folders, albums, cases, and other holders keep collectibles safe and allow them to be shown off to friends and family.

Whitman Publishing is the Official Supplier of the American Numismatic Association. As a benefit of membership in the ANA, members can borrow In God We Trust (and other Whitman books) for free from the Association’s Dwight N. Manley Numismatic Library, and also receive 10% off all Whitman purchases. Details are at the website of the ANA.

❑

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cryptnus-blog · 5 years

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Crypto Trends For 2019 - Toshi Times

New Post has been published on https://cryptnus.com/2018/12/crypto-trends-for-2019-toshi-times/

Crypto Trends For 2019 - Toshi Times

The year 2018 is a turbulent year for all cryptocurrency holders. The price is down over 80% from the highs of the end of last year. However, the fundamentals have never been stronger even though the price is falling. 2019 is closing in and what can we expect from next year and what are the major trends?

What has happened until now?

During 2017 the cryptocurrency market exploded, and the altcoins and utility tokens emerged on a large scale. It did not matter what investors bought because most of the cryptocurrencies went up thousands of percent in price. The media started to write about the market and FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) drove millions of retail investors into the crypto world. It is unusual that only retail investors drive a market, but this was the case. During the end of 2017 the market took off, and the total market cap reached $830 billion, and bitcoin reached $20 000 per coin.

However, 2018 is a very different story. The market fell from the all-time high levels of $830 billion to $100 billion. A fall of 87 per cent. How is it possible and what has driven the market lower?

First of all, everything that comes up also comes down. Markets move in cycles, and a move up of thousands of percents is not healthy. Spencer Bogart, an executive at Blockchain Capital, said that everything that goes up tends to go up a bit too much. The opposite is also true. The market went up too much, and the infrastructure was not ready yet. Regulators began watching the space and have started to create a regulatory framework around it.

The infrastructure is improving, and 2019 has a lot in store for us that could turn the tide.

Major trends of 2019

Retail investors drove the market during the last bull run, and many say that institutions might ignite the next. However, the institutions do not want to buy a bitcoin at $20 000 per coin. They want to buy at the lowest price possible, and the big players will most likely enter the market in 2019. Therefore, the market might see one last capitulation where the money goes from weak hands to strong hands, aka the institutions.

Trend one – Institutions will enter the market

Institutions that are entering the market are no less than TD Ameritrade with its 11 million clients and Fidelity with its 25 million customers. At the moment there are only 5 million active bitcoin wallets. Imagine what 36 million customers from two of the worlds largest institutions will do.

That is not all, Intercontinental Exchange, the owner of New York Stock Exchange, will launch their platform Bakkt during 2019 in collaboration with Microsoft and Starbucks to spur mass adoption. The stock exchanges Nasdaq and Boerse Stuttgart, the second largest exchange in Germany, will start to offer crypto related products and trading platforms.

If institutions and exchanges bring a few percent of their customers into the cryptocurrency market, this could indeed initiate the next crypto bull run and create FOMO once again.

Custodial Services

However, institutions are waiting for a safe environment to enter the cryptocurrency world. They are waiting for custodial services to be created. Many big players are working on such services to help institutions to enter. One of them is BlackRock who currently manage a modest amount of $6,28 trillion. They are not alone, the worlds biggest cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase and Goldman Sachs are other examples that are working on similar products. We are not there yet, but the infrastructure is being built in front of our eyes.

Exchange Traded Products (ETF)

Another factor that will bring institutions and other investors into the market is through an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF). Many have tried to launch such a product, but no one has gotten it approved yet. The Winklevoss twins among others failed because the SEC argued that it was not safe enough for investors. The status now is that ETFs are postponed and the SEC might approve it during 2019. The SEC is reviewing the ETF by the investment firm VanEck and blockchain company Solidx on the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE). This ETF is the one with the biggest chance of success due to CBOEs relationship with the SEC.

Trend two – Regulation and the emergence of security tokens

An Initial Coin offering (ICO) is a way for start-ups to raise money, global crowdfunding. However, most of the companies created through an ICO during 2017 will fail because they will run out of money or because no one will use their coins/tokens. Another factor is the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) and regulation. Almost all the ICOs created utility tokens, many of them did not follow the regulatory framework and the SEC is now going after them. Even though they are going after ICOs, they are not against ICOs. The commissioner Jay Clayton even said that ICOs are a great way of raising capital if the startups follow the regulatory framework.

Startups and companies are now looking into other ways of raising capital. Instead of creating a utility token, many new companies are creating security tokens (STO). A security token is, in reality, a share of the company. A utility token, on the other hand, is nothing more than a piece used in a company’s ecosystem. Many argue that security tokens will be the future and breakthrough during 2019. Even Nasdaq wrote:

“If 2017 marked the emergence of initial coin offerings and 2018 has been the year of regulatory uncertainty around those ICOs. Then 2019 will belong to the security token. So far, security token offerings make up only a relatively small percentage of ICOs. But that will soon change. Security tokens, not utility coins, will attract significant amounts of Wall Street money next year.”

Trend three – Stable Coins

Another trend that is under development is stable coins. A ”stable coin” is a cryptocurrency that holds a stable value. The coin gets pegged to another stable asset such as gold or the U.S. dollar for example. Unlike our traditional stable assets, a stable coin is global and not tied to a central bank. The masses are watching the crypto market but are not entering because of the volatility. Stable coins are the solution.

Regarding the future of stable coins, they can indeed drive adoption. The potential for stable coins is huge, in everything from crypto insurance to lending and savings means entrepreneurs also hope there can be room in the market for many successful, stable coins.

Summary – What does 2019 have in store for us?

All pieces are coming into place. If bitcoin were seeing its last days, the major players mentioned would not be entering the market like they are. The market is giving us a second chance to enter at low prices. It would be worrying if the market were falling and that no development would occur. Then there would be a reason. Now, however, the market is growing every day just like the internet we use today the blockchain and cryptocurrencies will most likely have a big part in all of our futures. Bare this in mind. The internet we use today is not the internet that was created during the 1990s.

Image Source: “Pixabay”

Dennis Sahlström has been trading and investing since 2012 and has for the last two years been consistently profitable. He has been in the crypto- and blockchain space since the middle of 2017 and realized its potential for our world, not least how it is transforming the society we live in. He has now created an education platform, together with the wealth coach Marcus the Maria. They teach regular people how to invest and trade in the cryptocurrency market with proven strategies. If you want to learn more and feel like its time to get into this new asset class, download our free book and register to the next live training to get your future in cryptocurrencies started.

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aion-rsa · 7 years

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Justice League of America: Rebirth Teases the DC Universe’s Future

SPOILER WARNING: The following article contains major spoilers for “Justice League of America: Rebirth,” in stores now.

“Justice League of America: Rebirth” #1 features the formation of this latest incarnation of DC Comics’ most prominent super-team: the Justice League of America. Not to be confused with “Justice League” also being published, this version of the JLA’s line-up was publicized well in advance: Batman, Black Canary, the Atom, Vixen, the Ray, Killer Frost, and Lobo.

RELATED: DC Comics Has Solved Its Multiple Lobos Problem — For Now

But while Steve Orlando, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado and Oclair Albert’s basic introduction is fairly straightforward, with a few exceptions, the title also provides glimpses into what’s ahead for these characters in the months ahead.

MORTALS, NOT GODS

Grant Morrison and Howard Porter’s “JLA” in the late ’90s made its inspiration very clear: The JLA was portrayed as the DC Universe equivalent of the Greek god pantheon of Mount Olympus. Morrison took that analogy to an extreme, directly connecting each member of its line-up to one of those deities. While no other version of the Justice League has been quite as blatant, the overall idea of the Justice League being composed of god-like heroes has stuck since then, a strong contrast to the B- and C-level heroes that populated the team prior to that revamp.

Here, Orlando is openly repudiating that idea to give a core reason for this version of the Justice League of America to exist. “I’ve started something new,” Batman explains. “A different team. Mortal. Not gods.” It’s an immediate contrast to the line-up in “Justice League” with the characters operating on a slightly different level. Later, Batman clarifies that the world needs, “heroes they can know […] to inspire them, show them they can be heroes.” It’s lining up directly with the initial statements surrounding “DC Universe: Rebirth” #1, with the emphasis on hope within the DC Universe. What better way to inspire hope in the general population than to remind them that they, too, can be heroes?

Almost certainly connected to the idea of a less godly, more everyday Justice League is that this team is headquartered out of a cave in Happy Harbor, Rhode Island. That was the original location for the Justice League back in 1960 (their “Secret Sanctuary”), when the team was a bit more low-level. Interestingly, Orlando and Reis make it clear that this was at one point a team headquarters as well, with old staircases, computers, and the like already within its depths. Batman says that it’s been his for a long time, and calls it, “a remnant of a bygone era.” With the New 52’s Justice League team having only formed in the recent past, is this another hint of the pre-“Flashpoint” timeline seeping into the current reality?

TEASING THE FUTURE

A currently-popular story structure when launching a new superhero comic is to reserve the last page of the comic to show the audience planned stories for the series. Orlando and Reis give us just that, with four panels showing, presumably, four different stories to come. And while the panels may seems lightly oblique, there is at least some hints that can be gleaned from them.

The first panel gives Lobo and the Ray in battle; as the Ray stabs Lobo through the chest, Lobo’s shouting, “Come on, ya bright bastich! Gimme yer best!” It’s clearly meant to imply that at some point that Lobo — already a slightly untrustworthy member of the team — goes bad.

But is that really what we’re seeing here? When Lobo and Batman visit the Atom, it’s worth noting that Batman is the one ready to dismiss Ryan Choi out of hand on behalf of being Ray Palmer’s teaching assistant. On the other hand, Lobo is the one recognizing the Atom’s scientific brilliance, first fiddling with one of the pieces of technology in the lab, then being impressed with the formulas written on a board by Ryan and noting that it, “ain’t bad work… fer a human.” This incarnation of Lobo isn’t a moronic space-biker. He’s got attitude, sure, but there’s intelligence there as well. Could this scene really be a moment where Lobo is deliberately asking Ray to stab him, perhaps as a training sequence, or to exorcise some sort of control or possession? And if the latter, who better for the Ray’s powers to work upon than the ultimate villain behind Lobo’s return in “Justice League vs. Suicide Squad,” aka Eclipso, with a power that depends on darkness?

The second panel gives us Killer Frost in some sort of ancient ruin, while a mostly-unseen figure warns her that Frost’s life, “hangs on an impossible choice.” All we can see of the speaker is a human hand, part of what appears to be red robes, and a few links of chain. The speaker calls Frost a “sister,” heavily implying that the speaker is female. But beyond that, who could it be?

One possibility could be Pandora, the character who wore reddish-purple robes and was central to the early days of the New 52, as well as being associated with old Greek mythology. That said, with Pandora’s disintegration within the pages of “DC Universe: Rebirth” #1, chances are high that DC Comics isn’t ready to bring back an ultimately failed character concept.

If we stick with the idea of the ruins hinting at mythology, this could also be a reincarnation of the Greek Fates; they were destroyed during the Meredith Finch and David Finch run on “Wonder Woman” with their powers given to Donna Troy, but considering how much of both Wonder Woman and Donna Troy’s current history is being rewritten, anything’s up for grabs. The dialogue certainly leans towards a character that can sense the future, after all.

The third panel features Batman holding a shield with the word “Liberty” at the top, five-pointed stars on either side, and what appears to be a cross insignia. It’s hard to tell if the center is a reflection of the person talking to Batman, or merely a glyph of someone with an old-fashioned revolutionary-era hat (complete with feather) and a domino mask. It would be easy to assume it’s the speaker, but the dialogue makes that less than certain. Whoever used the shield beforehand died in the process, while going up against Batman’s foe.

Add in the old-fashioned nature of the shield, and the fact that in “DC Universe: Rebirth” #1 we got blatant hints that the Justice Society of America will be re-entering DC Comics continuity, and we wonder if this could be a relic from the early days of the JSA. If so, the original owner’s face might be engraved on the center of the shield. Add in the word “liberty” and it could be more than just a nod towards the United States; perhaps it was once owned by a JSA-era Liberty Belle? The original version of the character was created back in 1942, and while she was part of the All-Star Squadron, there’s no reason why she couldn’t retroactively be added into the new Justice Society, especially since the two teams have shared members over the years.

The fourth and final panel in many ways feels the easiest to parse, as Ryan Choi appears to have finally found the missing Ray Palmer. (Of course, since the person in question’s face is hidden, we can’t be certain that Ryan Choi’s statement is correct.)

What’s interesting here is how Ray Palmer is dressed. With a hood and doublet over what appears to be some sort of armor and metal cuffs, while wielding a slender looking gun, Ray Palmer looks more at home in the days of the Three Musketeers rather than the modern era. It’s hard to keep from thinking about the Jan Strnad and Gil Kane “Sword of the Atom” comics, which plunged the character into a setting more in line with “Conan” comic books than typical superheroes. Wherever Ray Palmer is trapped this time, chances are now high it won’t look like the world outside our window.

With “Justice League of America” #1 arriving in stores later this month, we hopefully won’t have long for the future to become the present. In the meantime, Orlando and Reis are deliberately teasing readers on what the future might be. Let the speculation begin!

The post Justice League of America: Rebirth Teases the DC Universe’s Future appeared first on CBR.com.

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goldeagleprice · 5 years

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Q. David Bowers on Bill Bierly’s In God We Trust

Bill Bierly’s In God We Trust is one of the most detailed, intricate, and fascinating books in the field of American numismatics—and in American history in general.

1864 two-cent piece, PF-65. Hover to zoom.

I also knew that the $5 Silver Certificates of the Series of 1886 illustrate the reverse of a Morgan silver dollar of that year, with the motto as part of the design.

Each of these books was popular in its time, despite their obviously obscure subjects. Readers find satisfaction in a well-told story that brings new depth and insight.

2009 Abraham Lincoln commemorative silver dollar Uncirculated obverse.

In God We Trust: The American Civil War, Money, Banking, and Religion

By William Bierly; foreword by Q. David Bowers

ISBN 0794845282

Hardcover, 6 x 9 inches, 352 pages, full color

Retail $29.95 U.S.

About the Author

Bierly resides in LaPorte, Indiana. He has two children, Emma and Ken, as well as a granddaughter, Kiki.

About Whitman Publishing

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Mr Bowers, I'm thinking about buying the book after your ... by So Krates

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Q. David Bowers on Bill Bierly’s In God We Trust

(Pelham, Alabama) — In November 2019, Whitman Publishing will release William Bierly’s In God We Trust: The American Civil War, Money, Banking, and Religion. The 352-page hardcover volume will be available from booksellers and hobby shops nationwide, and online (including at www.Whitman.com). Here, numismatic historian Q. David Bowers shares his thoughts on the book.

Bill Bierly’s In God We Trust is one of the most detailed, intricate, and fascinating books in the field of American numismatics—and in American history in general.

Some years ago I wrote an article, “God in Your Pocket,” for my local Presbyterian Church, telling of the motto’s use on coins. I knew it appeared on pattern coins in 1863 and in 1864 made its first appearance on a circulating coin, the bronze two-cent piece, a new denomination introduced that year. I had the obscure knowledge that “In God We Trust” is the motto of the State of Florida and was used on certain National Banknotes issued in that state in the second half of the nineteenth century. I also knew that the $5 Silver Certificates of the Series of 1886 illustrate the reverse of a Morgan silver dollar of that year, with the motto as part of the design.

But what I didn’t know were 101 other details – make that many more than 101 different details – as to how the motto came to be, how it was used over the years, and the wide cast of characters in the Treasury Department and elsewhere who participated in its use on money.

All too often, books, newspaper columns, and magazine articles about popular subjects lack many details. For Whitman Publishing I wrote a volume on President Ronald Reagan, and I read every book and important study I could find. There were very few details about his personal day-to-day life. Not to worry about the historical personalities involved with In God We Trust. While you might not learn the names of the protagonists’ pet cats or their favorite dime novels, there is not much else missing in Bierly’s excellent narrative. Dozens of cast members play cameo roles and small walk-on parts.

It is probably correct to say that no other researcher could add to Bill Bierly’s efforts! He collaborated with professional numismatists, leaving no stone (or coin) unturned in the creation of this book. Commonly believed myths and misunderstandings he examined, debunked, and corrected. Hundreds of historical images were collected (many of which have never been published in a numismatic reference) to which have been added beautiful photographs of rare coins, patterns, tokens, medals, and paper currency, including close-ups of important characteristics. All of this required a lot of work, creativity, and careful attention to detail.

Further, on the subject of detail, I enjoy learning about and digging deeply into previously unexplored subjects. I have written books on the Waterford Water Cure (a health spa in Waterford, Maine, that counterstamped coins as advertisements), The Strange Career of Dr. G.G. Wilkins (about a countertstamper who was a dentist, also operated a restaurant with a caged bear in front, and was suspected of passing counterfeit money and also burning down a neighbor’s barn), and, for good measure, books about Alexandre Vattemare (a French numismatist who visited America and became important to the development of libraries here) and Augustus G. Heaton (the teenaged coin dealer who founded the American Numismatic Society in 1858).

Each of these books was popular in its time, despite their obviously obscure subjects. Readers find satisfaction in a well-told story that brings new depth and insight.

That is precisely what we get with In God We Trust. Anyone with a combined interest in American history and numismatics will find a new world of important information, fascinating details, and previously unconnected relationships.

The motto “In God We Trust” is hardly history alone. It is so much more, and it means different things to different people. Today, there are vocal critics who feel that it has no place on coins or paper currency. For that matter, some believe that God has no place in public (and in some cases, private) life. On the other hand, many more people do indeed believe in the Supreme Being. Sometimes it just seems the naysayers get all of the publicity.

Bill Bierly’s In God We Trust approaches the subject respectfully on all sides, with color, personality, dashes of humor, and dogged pursuit of the truth. He has given us a smorgasbord: there is a lot to choose from. If you are strictly a collector with no interest in the million points where numismatics touches American history, you can simply immerse yourself in the coins, paper money, tokens, and medals. If you are like me, however, and enjoy every historical highway and byway connected to American money, you will read and find pleasure in the entire book from start to finish.

Q. David Bowers is the award-winning author of more than 60 numismatic books ranging from 90-page monographs to 900-page encyclopedias, hundreds of auction and other catalogs, and several thousand articles including columns in Coin World, Paper Money, and The Numismatist. He is a past president of both the American Numismatic Association (1983–1985) and the Professional Numismatists Guild (1977– 1979). In his 60-plus-year career in numismatics he has earned most of the highest honors bestowed by the hobby community, including the ANA’s Lifetime Achievement Award and induction in the ANA Numismatic Hall of Fame.

About the Author

William (Bill) Bierly was raised on a farm near Walkerton, Indiana. As a child, he heard stories from his grandparents about two of his great-grandfathers who had served in the Civil War. This led to a lifelong interest in that war and that period of history. At about age eight he began collecting coins from circulating change. Following high school Bierly attended Northwestern University for two years and then completed a degree in sociology and economic development with a minor in Chinese studies at Indiana University. He then worked in India for two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in a dairy development project. Back in the United States his interest in coins was rekindled. He soon went abroad again, working for three years in Osaka, Japan. Then in the United States, he operated a small business for five years, sold it, and entered graduate school, earning an MBA in finance from Indiana University and embarking on a 25-year career in commercial banking. With his overseas experience Bierly focused on international banking, particularly Japanese corporate business and Asian correspondent banking. He began his career at National Bank of Detroit and he worked with J.P. Morgan Chase for much of his career; at various times at the bank’s Detroit, Chicago, and Columbus, Ohio, offices, as well as traveling often to Asia.

While thus engaged, Bierly continued to pursue his coin hobby, eventually specializing in Civil War-era coinage, in particular, pattern coins. Today he is active in several coin groups and clubs, most notably the Central States Numismatic Society, the American Numismatic Association, the American Numismatic Society, the Chicago Coin Club, the Michigan State Numismatic Society, and the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists, as well as the Civil War Token Society and the Liberty Seated Collectors Club. He sometimes exhibits his collection at major coin shows and frequently volunteers as an exhibit judge.

Bierly resides in LaPorte, Indiana. He has two children, Emma and Ken, as well as a granddaughter, Kiki.

For more information, contact publisher Dennis Tucker at (404) 235-5348, or [email protected]

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