#but we should all take steps to protect ourselves from those who would do us harm.

[gasolinerainbowpuddles]

ezra + bath oil + titties

GO

You absolute menace ily hahaha. Initially I was just going to do a short lil drabble that was a continuation of our disgusting musings about this man, but then I said why not make this into an entire feature in honor of @swiftiscruff's Friendship Exchange? You know, give our boy Ezra some real time to shine, and all in the name of celebrating friendships formed over that little verbose slut?

So, here is my Ezra oil shower titty fic dedicated to the lovely Kelli in celebration of the Friendship Exchange.

𝗔𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂

PAIRING(s): Ezra x fem!reader RATING: explicit material | 18+ WORD COUNT: 3k CONTENT: AU where Cee doesn't exist sorry lmao, established relationship, titty fixation, edible/food safe bathing oils, Ezra comes with his own warning, egalitarian assplay, cumplay, fabric washcloth used as gripping agent

Your nose for the most part had become blind to Ezra’s signature, tangy musk that edged into a ripe stench on hotter days. Even though you’d settled into the outskirts of a modest trading town and begun taking on the doldrums of keeping house, Ezra hadn’t fallen from his habit of going a little too long in between bath days. In times past he would go unshowered due to lack of amenities – the worlds you’d traveled and harvested from had hardly offered much in the way of hygienic routine – but now there was no such obstacle. He could bathe any time he wished and take as long as he pleased. You had your own home together now, one you were building upon each and every day, but the transient, unpredictable life that had become so ingrained into him was hard to shake. The notion of permanence was fleeting no matter how many days passed under your roof.

You, on the other hand, had become part fish since putting down roots here. There was a bathtub and a separate shower, and you craved the warm pool of water to soak in after a long day. Ezra liked to give you grief for wasting such a precious resource as water even though this planet was abundant in it. And yet, his admonishing never kept him from slipping into the wash room to ogle your bare form in the bath. You just wish every now and then he’d partake himself.

“The suns in all their unwavering glory has me feeling wrung of every bit of moisture,” he huffs as he fills a glass with something to wet his tongue and flood his scratchy, dry throat. “It’s good fortune that we needn’t adorn ourselves in protective suits here. I can only imagine the sort of foul fog that would cling to me then.”

You’re well aware of the second sun’s habit of becoming unbearable in these few weeks that your now home planet rotates closer to it. Your skin is sticky and wet with exertion, but at least all the growth pods you and Ezra have worked so tirelessly to establish are flourishing. They needed as much extra attention as any human on this planet did during these hotter spells. Soon enough you will forget all about the vehement heat when you and Ezra take your yields to the market during The Great Exchange and come home with lighter wagons and heavier pockets.

You accept the glass from Ezra and drink down whatever he’d poured. The cool creep of it down your throat already feels one step closer to equilibrium. “I guess we should wash up before we get the entire house dirty,” you reason.

“Hm, I suppose we should.”

You trod upstairs to the bathroom and bite back a scream when you see Ezra procure one entirely too small washcloth from the cabinet.

“You’re only washing at the sink?” you ask in what you pray isn’t a too panicked timbre.

“You don’t think the sink is robust enough to address my filth?”

You scrunch your nose, and that’s all the answer he needs. He chuckles a little and sets the singular washcloth aside. It already has smudges of who knows what just from him handling it.

“Tell me what you propose, my Little Gem.” He has an easy smile and those dangerous, glittery eyes fixed onto you.

“I mean, if you’re too tired I could, you know, I wouldn’t mind getting you washed up.” You shrug as though it’s enough to offset your way too eager proposition.

“You believe my own efforts are inferior?” he teases. “My Little Gem needs to take matters into her own hands and not rely on the fates?”

“Well, you’re always talking about wasting water. Wouldn’t it be saving water if we showered together?”

He cocks an eyebrow. “You would forgo your hallowed soak just to bathe with me, Little Gem?”

“I’m way too gross to just get into a bath. It’d just be sitting in a pool of my own funk. This level of gross calls for a full on shower, I think.”

“And you’ll tend to me in there?” he purrs as he steps closer to you and curves his hands over your hips. The pungent tang of his body makes your nose scrunch again.

“Much to tend to, it seems,” he remarks in response to your overt repulsion.

You need to take Ezra up on his noncommittal commitment of getting into the shower with you before he changes his mind. You quickly concoct a plan to hold his attention and agreeability in the small shower. You grab the soaking oil you drizzle into your baths on especially achy days and prop it on the shower ledge. You start peeling off grimy, damp layers of clothing and nod to Ezra, who begins doing the same.

You cross the room to where you stow your accessories and extras and grab a few items to pin your hair back. The last thing you need is something getting in the way of you giving him a thorough scrub down. Ezra saunters after you like a cat on the prowl, eyes roaming greedily up and down. Before he can derail the entire enterprise, you slink into the shower and start the water.

The initially cool spray is a contrary sensation to the heat emanating from your skin, but it quickly warms to a soothing slip. The stall darkens as he steps inside, broad shoulders blocking out the light struggling to filter in through the expanse of him. His frame was a thickened amalgamation of corded musculature padded in the softened flesh of a satiating supper every evening. The work here kept him lean for the most part, but you much preferred this iteration of him – all brawn and lithe but with the markers of an untroubled life.

“It seems all displeasure with my hygiene is forgotten once I’m naked as the day I was born,” he murmurs low and self-satisfied.

You roll your eyes but know he’s correct. A lover as competent and enthusiastic as Ezra meant overlooking other personal drawbacks wasn’t too difficult. “I’m sizing up my work,” you protest.

“And what do you make of its sizing?” he purrs with a gentle roll of his hips against you.

You knew this was where things would go almost immediately, and yet you still had the nerve to be caught off guard. “Ezra,” you grit out. You guide him under the stream and tell him to stay put while you grab the stack of washcloths you’ll need.

Upon your return you note the ashen brown water falling from him and circling the drain. “I must admit–” he says through the water rushing over him. Your eyes catch the flex of his biceps as he raises his arms up to work the water through his hair and scalp. “–There is something quite divine about the ritual. All sins washed away. A clean slate. A pure soul ready to be defiled once again. Isn’t that right, Little Gem?”

“What?” you mumble absentmindedly, too preoccupied on ogling the trail of water snaking down his torso and into the thicket of brown coarse hairs below his waist.

He only grins with a devious slant to his mouth and pulls you under the spray with him. His hands wander across your body in a lazy exploration. The only thing keeping you from abandoning your task altogether and just letting him take you right there in the shower is the persistent odor still clinging to him, now taking on a damp quality that only heightens the earthy grub and grit components within.

“Take a seat on the ledge, Ezra.”

He gropes the curve of your ass and presses a few kisses to the column of your neck before complying. “I’m at your disposal.” He spreads his arms open, inviting the work and focus of your hands on him.

You avoid looking at his half hard cock bobbing gently with every movement and soap up the first cloth. You try to avoid the snare of his gaze as you begin scrubbing his face, but he catches you with it as you lather through his beard. The corner of his mouth pulls up, an instant reassurance that he knows exactly the effect he has on you.

His face is a brighter, pinker vision once you rinse it, and it solidifies your resolve to scrub every inch of this man while he’s indulging your whim. His hands roam up and down your legs as you scratch and scour his hair. The fragrance of the soap combined with the purged dirt fills the space. You move to your hands and knees and start scrubbing from toe to knee then thigh to groin. He surprisingly doesn’t make too much of a fuss, which is good considering it takes three separate washcloths to get that section entirely cleaned.

“Surely I’ve indulged your caretaking long enough to have earned a different kind of corporeal attention?” He leans forward and noses at your neck and earlobe, and your body shivers despite the warm rush of water trailing down your back.

“Grab that bottle to your left,” you order as you start scrubbing down his torso. Your breath catches when your wrist bumps into his fully hardened, weeping cock, and you catch the curve of a smirk playing on his mouth. He holds up the unlabeled bottle and gives it a questioning shake. 

“An aphrodisiac?” His eyebrow cocks in devilish curiosity.

“Bath oil,” you snort. “You can, um, put some on me while I’m working on you. You know, just so it has time to soak in before I wash up, too. If you don’t mind.”

His eyes narrow and pull the edge of his mouth upward. He sees right through you, just like he always does. “Here I was thinking my purest Little Gem wouldn’t resort to such lowly deceit and bribery.” He pops the cap of the bath oil open and drizzles a moderate amount into his hand before setting the bottle aside again. He’s clearly amused with the ruse you’ve concocted, but unfettered exploration of your body is apparently a bribe he’s willing to accept.

“Resume your venture to free me from all the remnants of my labors,” he obliges.

“You know, you could just say ‘keep scrubbing me because I know I still smell’, Ez.”

He grins and raises his hands until they hover above your chest, little trickling lines of oil falling onto the slope of your breasts and dripping down slowly. You push your tongue against the back of your teeth to keep yourself grounded. If Ezra decided to start toying with you, you didn’t stand a chance at resisting his efforts.

You slather his arms from wrist to shoulder and work your way to his torso. Meanwhile he grazes a slick finger against your nipples in a ghost of a touch that has you subconsciously chasing his hand. You finish underneath each of his armpits, and, just when he’s behaved himself long enough to catch you off guard, he flicks one of your nipples hard with the edge of a fingernail. A shaky gasp of sharp pleasure flies from your throat quickly followed by a second one when he does it to the other side.

“See to my hindparts, won’t you?” he solicits with a deceptively innocent expression.

You clench your teeth together and take a step forward so you can reach over his shoulders and wash his back. He dips his head and takes as much of your breast into his mouth as he can and suctions with as much strength as he can exert. You yelp and attempt to release the clutch of his mouth from your sensitive bud, but he only sucks harder with a satisfied groan. His arms circle around each of your legs and cause you to lose your footing, which he uses as a distraction to switch sides.

Little pinpricks of purple have cropped up in a bloom of red from where he already sucked, and the force of his pull now promises no different for the other side. He loved to do this to you – get you off kilter, overstimulated, and seeking out more, often all at once. Your breaths come out whiny as he latches and pulls on your nipples and tissue.

“Ez,” you gasp. “I’m–I have to–to finish.”

He grips the flesh of your ass and pulls one cheek aside so that he can deftly push a thick fingertip into your puckering rim. It glides in with no resistance, and you almost think the oil wasn’t even necessary with how much you ached for him to fill you there. He pulls away just enough to disorient you with his intoxicating diction.

“Perhaps before our wash is complete, you’ll be beseeching me just to feel the breadth of me cleaving you apart,” he husks. “Nearly weeping for me to bury my cock in this hole just as you did only two nights ago.”

 “It feels good,” you mewl weakly. 

He hums low and gravelly in agreement as he resumes his ministrations on your breasts. The tip of his finger plunges shallow, a slow in and out, and you know it’s just to tease you for what you won’t get until you are begging him for it. You think that he must revel in the sway he has over you when he so fervently succumbs to you. There’s something so raw and vulnerable in the way he cannot deny his devotion and attachment to you, and so he must have some part of you in the same way as to not feel entirely powerless.

You’re panting despite exerting very little energy at the moment. “I-I really need to finish washing you u—”

He pops off with a loud smack and abruptly stands. He crowds you against the corner and props a foot up on the ledge, caging you in with his cock right at your eye level. Your hands rush with a washcloth and soap, now more greedy to feel him than cleanse him. You lather his entire groin area and resist the urge to lick up the beads of precum dribbling from his ruddy tip. Your eyes keep traveling up to meet his where he watches down on you with an almost omnipotent, divine consideration.

The last washcloth falls to the shower floor, and Ezra slowly walks backward into the water to rinse himself. It’s probably just a trick of the mind, but you swear he appears less hazy than usual with all the grime cleared from him. Your mouth is slack as you watch from your hands and knees on the shower floor, impossibly cramped into the corner of the small space. He smiles down at you. You know how much he loves seeing you on your knees in front of him.

Without a word, he moves the shower head to the side so that it pelts against the tile instead of spraying down on you both before turning around and hitching his other leg up on the ledge. He braces himself on the wall and the wobbly metal and glass door on the other side.

“Reap the benefits of your work, Little Gem,” he says over his shoulder.

You frantically douse your hand with a generous dab of the bath oil and walk on your knees until your mouth is flush against the cleft of his ass. A strangled whimper ekes out of him as you reach a hand between his legs and stroke his neglected cock with the slippery pull of the oil. You entrench your face into him until your flicking tongue delves into his asshole. You massage and prod into it, eyes rolling back when you feel how it clenches in delight at your motions.

Ezra turns again to face you now with what can only be described as a wild, hungry look in his eye. He takes the neatly stacked pile of used washcloths and tosses them onto the floor. You have no time to question his motives because he’s grabbing the bottle of oil and squeezing globs of it onto your breasts, barely returning the bottle to its place on the shelf before he’s massaging them and awkwardly shoving his cock between them and rutting against their pillowy, fleshy tightness.

“Shit,” he hisses. “That ass. That asshole of yours. These tits.” He sounds pained just trying to speak. His face screws up as he fucks between them, moaning appreciatively when you use your hands to press them closer together for him to fuck.

“You like my tits?” you ask a little breathlessly.

He makes a noise of great effort, eyes pinching shut at your goading question. He frees his cock and takes the flat of his hand to slap against your peaked buds. You cry out in pleasure at the sharp, blissful sting. “Bet I could make you come for me just like this. Couldn’t I, Little Gem?” he grits.

“Y-Yes,” you moan.

He makes some unhinged noise and slaps against your breasts in quick succession, barking out an order for you to touch yourself, and teeth glinting in the light with a manic grin as you climax. He starts fisting his length over your face, breaths coming fast and heavy.

“Open wide now,” he pants as he tugs his cock faster. The tip of it knocks against your lip, and you open wider with your tongue jutting flat and spread out for him to cover.

“Just like that Little Gem,” he rasps. “Hold it open and drink me.”

A few short strokes is all it takes before he’s moaning and erupting all over your face and mouth, the hot, thick bands of his spend sticking to your skin wherever they land. He doesn’t stop jerking himself until every last drop is spent. When he’s finally done, he smears his softening cock against your face, collecting his cum in sloppy swipes.

“Now look who is soiled, Little Gem,” he hums. “Clean up the mess you’ve made.” He watches you with half-lidded eyes and a heaving chest. “Wouldn’t want to leave things filthy, would you?”

You oblige and take him into your mouth, sucking and licking until every trace of his spend has been swallowed.

#PPCUGiftExchange2024 #ezra prospect #ezra x reader #pedro pascal characters

[talonslockau]

Fire and Ice - Chapter 43

Chapter 42 || Index || Chapter 44

It wasn't long until they heard rustling in the undergrowth nearby. "This way! I smell blood!" It was Sandstorm. Firepaw grit his teeth at the yowl. Sandstorm wasn't the most understanding cat in the Clan, as his first encounter with her had proved. Still, he patiently waited. 

Soon the patrol emerged, headed first by Sandstorm and then shortly after by Whitestorm. Whitestorm! He was easily the most level-headed cat in the Clan. If there was any cat that would listen to reason, it would be him. Behind him was Tinyfrost, Peppermask, and Lionheart; those that were the least injured in battle, he assumed. They were good for him, though. All would listen to reason, except Sandstorm, and even she could be convinced by her former mentor.

She studied the ground carefully. "There's a little here. Not much, though. No more than a cut." She paused and sniffed at the air. "Then…" She frowned and sniffed again. "That's strange. I smell-"

""Thunderclan." Firepaw chose that moment to step out, the Thunderclan patrol bristling angrily as he did so. He gestured for Graypaw to join him. "You smelled us."

"Firepaw? Graypaw?" Whitestorm stepped forward protectively. "What in Starclan's name are you doing here?"

"Bluestar sent us!" He spoke quickly, glancing at his friend. "She sent us to get help from the Shadowclan elders. Yellowfang was already there, making sure they were okay."

"I see!" The large white warrior mewed, his yellow eyes shining brightly. "Now I understand why Bluestar told us we might find a friend out here. So they're nearby?" 

"They are." The apprentice purred with a dip of his head. "They've promised to help us get Goldenflower's kits back at any cost."

"That's good to hear." The lead warrior looked around curiously. "I don't see where they could be hiding, though. Can they hear us?"

"Of course we can." Yellowfang rasped as she emerged from the peat they had been hiding in. "We're Shadowclan, you know. You're not supposed to see us… until it's too late." She gave the Thunderclanners a toothy grin as she spoke, exposing her broken fangs. As she did so, the other Shadowclan elders descended from the trees.

"I should have guessed." Whitestorm admitted with a dip of his head. "Very well, then. What do you know? How should we attack?" 

Nightpelt stepped forward, his dark fur largely untouched by the rain. "Brokenstar will know you are coming. He'll be expecting it. Likely, he's fortified his position within our camp."

"And the kits?"

"That we're unsure of." He admitted, glancing off over the marshy territory. "We think it most likely several of the queens and warriors have been assigned to watch over them. There will be no sneaking them away."

"And the queens allow this?" Whitestorm narrowed his eyes. "Surely they know how Goldenflower and Frostfur are suffering without their kits by their side."

The Shadowclanners shifted uncomfortably. "They do as Brokenstar orders. They have to, if they want to protect their own kits."

Peppermask snarled behind them. "That's sick. What kind of leader threatens kits to get his way?"

"A tyrant." Whitestorm replied, returning his gaze to Nightpelt. "So, sneaking in won't be an option. Neither will a full-out assault, from the sound of it." He considered their options thoughtfully. "What are your thoughts, then?"

"Brokenstar did not technically exile all of us." Cinderscar spoke up from behind his brother. "Only Yellowfang, Archtail, and Crowtalon. The rest of us were merely banished from camp, sent to catch our own prey and take care of ourselves rather than waste valuable resources."

"I see." Firepaw perked his ears forward curiously as the older toms spoke. "I sense you plan to use this somehow."

"We will pretend that we have captured Yellowfang." They all looked to the grumpy old healer, who looked less than amused with this plan. Still, she nodded, giving her approval to it. "We will announce that we have done so to prove that we are still loyal to Brokenstar, and that we can still be a part of his new, stronger Shadowclan."

"His ego knows no limits." Nightpelt added quickly. "He may even believe us. At the very least, he will come to claim his prize. Then we will strike and trap him. His warriors will defend him, but that is where you all come in."

"And what of his warriors?" Whitestorm asked with a frown. "We are strong, especially with these apprentices, but Shadowclan is stronger. How can we hope to beat them?"

"You will not meet as much resistance as you think." Yellowfang growled. "Many are still loyal to the code, and despise what Brokenstar is doing. They miss the old days of Raggedstar. Back when Shadowclan was feared for its cunning, not its depravity."

The large tom nodded sadly. "Those days were not so long ago. There is still a chance for them to return."

"That is why we seek your help." Nightpelt replied. "You will get your kits back, and we will get our Clan - our lives - back."

"Let's get going then." Sandstorm snapped impatiently. "The longer we wait, the more time they get to recover."

"Hmm. Impatient. I like her." Yellowfang grunted. "Come. We will take you to the Shadowclan camp."

The patrol traveled quickly, especially with the Shadowclanners leading the way. Firepaw was glad he didn't have to guess his way across the territory; it was obvious each Shadowclanner knew the land as well as their own paws. It wasn't long before they slowed to a walk in a purely pine forested region.

"Our camp is there." Yellowfang hissed at them, pointing out a cluster of fallen trees surrounded by a messy thorn thicket. "Hide in the peat patch over there until you hear battle cries. It will disguise your scent."

They all crowded in and waited. It was a little small, especially when all but Tinyfrost were warrior sized, but they did their best to hide despite it. 

"What if this is a trap?" Sandstorm hissed to her mentor. "They could be telling Brokenstar about the seven Thunderclanners just waiting to be attacked right outside their camp. What if they've been spying on us all along?"

"Spying on what? Tallpines?" Firepaw retorted, keeping his voice soft and quiet so it wouldn't carry into camp. "Only Yellowfang has seen any of our camp, and it wasn't by her choice."

"Hush." Whitestorm growled at both of them, keeping his eyes on the hollow entrance. The two ginger cats glared at each other, their eyes burning green, but they did as he asked.

Then wails erupted in camp, and they all sprang out of the bushes. They all scrambled through the tree hollow entrance, emerging in a clearing surrounded by thorn bushes not unlike Thunderclan's own camp. In the center were the elders, being pulled off of Brokenstar by large, vicious warriors that he recognized. All of them had been involved in both assaults on the Thunderclan camp.

Yet around the edges he also saw scrawny toms and several queens huddled against the thorns, eyes wide as they stared at the sudden intruders to their camp. He recognized a couple of them as having been part of the hunting patrol on Thunderclan territory, the ones that had vanished into thin air. All of them were unmoving as they watched, as though hoping they would be ignored if they sat still enough. 

 He would never have imagined such a pathetic-looking Clan, from Shadowclan's recent displays of strength. It seemed as though the Clan was separated into two halves; those loyal to Brokenstar, that did whatever he asked and got whatever they wanted, and those that suffered under the cold, unyielding might of the tabby tyrant.

Firepaw leaped at a thick-furred dark tom that was wrestling with Poolcloud, digging his claws into the tangled and matted fur. It wasn't until he bit down that he tore into the flesh, causing the rogue below him to screech in pain. He dragged his head back and forth, relishing the taste of blood before he finally let go. 

The tom whirled around, fur bristling angrily. He leaped towards Firepaw. He didn't get the chance to retaliate, however, as Graypaw slammed into him from another side. "Get out!" The other apprentice spat, digging in with his claws and chomping into the tom's shoulder. He yowled in agony, taking off for the entrance before either apprentice could stop him. 

Graypaw nodded quickly to Firepaw before leaping back into the fray to help his sister tangling with a brown tabby. Just as he was about to follow, he felt something small slam into his side.

It was a kitten, about four months old and easily half his size. The dappled gray kit was puffed out, spitting angrily at him as it lashed out with claws that were far too small to do any real damage to his thick fur. "I'm sorry, little one." He murmured, sheathing his claws and batting it away gently. "Try again at the Gathering in a few moons."

The kitten stumbled back, evidently shocked by the strength behind his relatively gentle swing. It glanced around, and after a moment backed away into a group of mollies - queens, if he had to guess.

He looked around. Whitestorm was wrestling with Spiderfoot, the two toms nearly an even match in size and strength. Lionheart and Sandstorm were teaming up against a brown tabby that was missing his tail. 

His eyes narrowed as he spotted Tinyfrost facing off against a large, brown tom covered in scars. Clawface, he remembered, from the first Shadowclan attack. He had nearly killed Firepaw and Sandstorm then. If what Yellowfang said was true, he had attacked Dewpaw and killed Spottedleaf. His ears flattened as he watched his mentor dodge out of the way of a heavy paw-slam. Now was his chance to get revenge.

Blood pounded in his ears as he leaped onto the tom's back. He dug his claws in as far as he could, his lip curling in a smile as the rogue below him screeched in pain. He reached out to bite into his spine, fangs bared, but before he could do so Tinyfrost slammed into the killer's side, knocking Firepaw off.

When he got up, Clawface had fled into the bushes and his mentor was watching him. "Warriors do not need to kill." The black tom warned his apprentice before darting off into the fray once more.

An angry scream rang out over camp. On the far side, Yellowfang had pinned Brokenstar down. This time, however, there were no loyal rogues to pull her off. Her broken fangs were bared in a snarl as she glared down at her former leader. Thunderclanners and Shadowclanners alike began to circle her as Brokenstar tried to free himself from her powerful grasp.

"I never thought you would be harder to kill than my father!" The dark, matted tom growled up at the healer with a vicious grin.

She recoiled as though a snake had bitten her. "You killed Raggedstar?" She yowled in shock.

"You found his body. Didn't you recognize my fur between his claws?" Brokenstar rolled onto his side and stood up, starting to circle her. She stared in horror as he did. "He was soft and weak. A foolish leader. He needed to die."

"You!" Yellowfang cried, backing up as he spoke. Then, regaining her senses, she arched her back and bristled her dark gray fur. "And what of Dawncloud's kits? Did they deserve to die too?"

"Those kits were weak." Brokenstar spat at her. "They would have died anyway. They were of no use to Shadowclan."

A light tabby queen wailed as he spoke, and Firepaw's heart lurched. How could any cat say that, let alone about kits? No wonder he had discarded Volepaw so easily.

"I should have killed you when I had the chance." He snarled at Yellowfang. "I must have some of my father's softness after all. I was a fool to let you leave Shadowclan alive!" He lunged with his teeth bared towards her, ready to sink his claws into the healer.

The dark gray molly was frozen in place. Gone was her desire to fight, taken by the horrible revelations of the depths of depravity her former leader was willing to go to. She didn't even blink as the matted tabby closed the distance between them. Someone had to help her.

Firepaw moved first, leaping forward to slam into the leader. The tabby landed heavily on his side, not expecting the intervention of another cat. As he scrambled to stand, he growled at the ginger apprentice. "Don't waste my time, apprentice. I have nine lives! Do you really think you can take all of them from me?" 

He shook his head in disbelief. He knew some older cats liked to use that saying, but surely this mangy rogue didn't believe in it? "I'm willing to bet you've already wasted eight of them." He snarled back, bushing up and staring him down.

For a moment, it seemed like Brokenstar was actually going to fight him, but then he took in his surroundings. His loyal code-breaking warriors had broken ranks and fled. Now all that remained were furious Thunderclanners and mistreated Shadowclanners, bent on getting revenge. "This isn't over." He spat at all of them, before finally backing away and vanishing into the bushes.

There was silence for several long moments. "What now? Do we go after them?" Firepaw asked, looking to Yellowfang or Whitestorm for answers.

"Let them run." Nightpelt stepped forward, his eyes dark as he gazed across his old camp, ruined by the battle. "They know they are not welcome here. And if they dare to come back, Shadowclan will be ready to face them."

He looked over the Shadowclanners. They were almost skeletal, as though they hadn't eaten in moons. Around camp, the stench of crowfood hit him. He remembered what Featherstorm had said; Spiderfoot hadn't bothered to teach his apprentice any hunting techniques. The Clan had always been at war, with no time for hunting or caring for each other. Perhaps they really hadn't eaten in moons, a thought that made his own stomach churn.

"The kits!" His head snapped up as he heard Graypaw's cry. From what he gathered was the nursery, five kits rushed out, crowding around the dark gray tabby. All of the Thunderclanners padded over to look at them.

"Thank Starclan they're alright." Peppermask purred, nosing over each of them. They gazed up at the Thunderclan patrol with wide eyes that were beginning to change color.  "But Cedarkit has a bad scratch on his shoulder. That must have been what Sandstorm smelled when we were coming here. It's not been treated, either." 

He sniffed at the group, finding the tom she was talking about, a small dark ginger kit that was colored a bit similarly to him. "Do you think he can wait until we get to Dewpaw, or-"

"Let me see." Firepaw moved back as Yellowfang shouldered her way through. She peered at it for a few moments before looking over her shoulder. "Wetnose! Marigold and cobwebs!"

As if on cue, a small gray tom limped up, his white paw covered in cobwebs and several golden flowers dangling from his mouth. He dropped them respectfully in front of her, allowing her to apply them before smoothing over the wound with several layers of cobwebs.

"He'll be alright for the return journey. I'll treat him better when we're back at camp." Yellowfang's voice was hollow. Even though she was talking to them, he could tell her mind was still focused on what Brokenstar had said.

"Back at camp?" Firepaw questioned. "You're not staying here?"

The healer gazed out over her birthplace. "A season ago, I would have." She admitted. "But I cannot stay. Not after everything that has happened." She let out a bitter sigh as she turned her attention back to the kits. "Besides, Thunderclan has no healer now. Someone will need to train Dewpaw."

Whitestorm nodded. "Thunderclan will be glad to have you." He purred to the old molly. "I'm sure Bluestar will have no problem with it."

Nightpelt approached the Thunderclan crowd. "You have helped Shadowclan in their darkest time, and for that we are grateful. Brokentail and his rogues will never darken the territories of the other Clans again." He dipped his head respectfully to each of them, even the apprentices. "But it is time you returned your kits home. I promise that your hunting grounds will be free of Shadowclan, so long as we can find food in our own territory."

"Thank you, Nightpelt." Whitestorm stepped forward, his voice warm as he spoke. "Hunt in peace for one moon. Thunderclan knows you need time to rebuild after Brokentail's savage attacks."

Firepaw didn't miss the significance of the exchange. It seemed they had rejected the leader and his connection with Starclan. He couldn't blame them, after all Brokentail had done.

With a sweep of his tail, Whitestorm signaled the patrol to leave. Each picked up a kit, except for Firepaw, Yellowfang and Whitestorm, and began the long journey back to camp. At last, it seemed there would be peace in the forest, at least for a short while.

#talonslock #warrior cats #wc #fanfic #the prophecies begin #talonslock story #fire and ice #thunderclan #shadowclan #firepaw #graypaw #sandstorm #whitestorm #tinyfrost #peppermask #lionheart #yellowfang #nightpelt #cinderscar #spiderfoot #clawface #brokenstar #dawncloud #cedarkit #wetnose

[wtheckzukasubs]

Sharing and gatekeeping in the fandom

This will be long and there’s a big chance it won’t reach those who I wish read it, but here it goes...

Though most should be aware, there have been an abusive use of subtitles in this fandom. Along with that, the fandom have been “outed” in platforms like Tiktok, where it gives over-exposition to our illegal subtitles and streamings.

Yes, making subtitles to a commercial show is illegal. Of course, streaming them is also illegal. However, we’re in a fandom that is hard to access (no subtitles in the releases, the need of specific VPNs or the high costs of using a proxy, shipping and paying for import tax—in my country the latter can be more expensive than the total I’ve paid for the product, when the product isn’t lost in the way). And we’re a fandom, we love our product, we want people to know it, and people won’t if they don’t understand it much less if they can’t have contact with them. That’s why we take these risks.

Why not just share with a friend, who we can trust not to leak us and get us sued/arrested? More than many, as someone who takes meds for anxiety and depression, I know it’s hard to become friends with people, say hello to me and I’ll take days to say hello back because I’ll be freaking about how much I should tell this stranger who wants to talk to me (and why would anyone? Did I do something wrong??). So, if it weren’t for these amazing people sharing there stuff with me, my knowledge of Takarazuka could have ended when I came back from Japan and could no longer have uninterested access to it. I wouldn’t pay my month’s salary on a video of a show I don’t even know I’ll like just to practice my Japanese, as it all started for me. That is why I know the importance of sharing beyond my real friends (there’s also that my non-zuka friends never became zuka friends lol).

However, and this becomes a cycle hard to break from, Takarazuka is a super small fandom. There may be people who will casually watch it, but those who are willing to put their time and/or money into supporting it as well as being involved in group activities only because they like the same thing, that is still a small number. We can have communities on Livejournal or servers on Discord with over 500 people, but how many are active? Even including all those who just forgot to leave the servers when they gave up on the fandom, 500 is still a small number for people all over the world supporting a company as large as Takarazuka.

My point is, we’re so so so small, anything we share is easily traced back. I have never said my name here, and you still know who I am, for example. It’s different from the anime comms who work in large teams, their subs are done in so many steps the translator would probably not recognize their own work. I’m one person. I know my word choices, I know where I tend to do things wrong.

This is not about getting credit or thanks (will never be about getting money). This is about being traceable to people who’d want to do me harm. I’m going first person, but I’m still lucky not to live in Japan (in this aspect only lol) and be the first to get the blow. Some of us, however, either live there or have ties there, which makes them sitting ducks for a lawsuit or at least a very traumatizing cease-and-desist order.

I’m keeping my subs available here. For now, I have weighed the risks for me, and I think it’s still worth it.

But if you are not sharing your stuff, things processed on your computer that could have your fingerprint on it (and probably do), you may not understand the we’re not keeping any gates but protecting our integrity. This doesn’t deny that gatekeeping exists in this fandom. It does in all fandoms. So do foreigners unaware they’re proliferating xenophobia against us foreigners enjoying Japanese media. It’s good to always ask ourselves why the hell we’re reinforcing this or that rule. Some had a reason at a point and lost importance along the way. Some were never meant to exist. Some are so selfish compared to the number of benefits nor following it would generate...

Notwithstanding that, don’t call it gatekeeping so lightly when it does endanger the individual, someone we can name and so could their lawyers.

I feel I had some more to say but I’ve forgotten. And it’s already too long.

Follow the rules of anyone sharing content with you. They’re probably the ones who personally went through the headache of making it happen, and each share to even a friend is increased liability. People sharing around are publicly exposing the very members of the fandom who make it possible to make it grow so we can have more people. The more we get, the more anonymous we become, the harder it is to point fingers. That’s how it’s becoming easier to access. But we’re still not there. We must continue to test limits to increase territory but doing it without risking others.

Lastly, thank you everyone who have alerted me, I’m not in the Tiktok generation and I never search for Takarazuka on Youtube, so I’d never know about it. And thank you all for keeping to the rules of this site.

(If anyone had the energy to read these ramblings and still want to leave their opinions, feel free.)

[nozomi-akamivt]

Scalpels and Paintbrushes || Chishiya Shuntarô x Reader

- read ‘til the end for notes -

When a freelance artist travels to Japan to rekindle her passion for art and her life, she finds herself in a whole other predicament. Dangerous games, dangerous people, a dangerous world with dangerous rules. She’s alone, fending for herself, until she meets a disoriented medical student that will bring her comfort but might bring more difficulties and heartbreak aswell.

Chapter 8: Strangers

Shuntarô Chishiya

The guy I fell for in this God forsaken world.

The one that left.

That motherfucker-

"YOU HAVE FOUR CARDS WE NEEDED! You're a good one aren't ya girlie? And now because of you here we are, four steps closer to freedom!"

Hatter shakes my shoulders and myself, with the four cards in hand, hard enough to make me nauseous as he giddily laughs. But as he does so he looks confused and touches my right arm and the left sleeve of my trench coat to compare. So I take off the garment and due to my tank top the man can clearly see my left arm or lack of one.

"What? Got you stumped?"

His shock and confusion turn into manical laughter as he goes to cross the cards on the giant board at the end of the room.

"You got humor! I like that."

"Self-pity a-mound-s to nothing in this world."

I hear snorts from people all around, a few giggles and a choke from Chishiya. I turn to Niragi and see him hiding behind his rifle and smirk back at Hatter who, as always, flamboyantly walks back.

"Well little miss, what's your reason for wanting to be a part of our utopia?"

"I have sworn to myself I'd protect others, it'd be easier to do so that actually contains people to protect."

"Oh we got a hero over here. They don't exist sweetheart, so you better get your mind out of the gutter."

I turn towards the stoic woman with sunglasses.

"I didn't say I was or wanted to be one did I? No, I just don't have anything to return to, so I better help those that do. And even if they don't, at least I don't want them to die alone. This world is cruel enough for us to be cruel amongst ourselves other than in games in which we are pitted against each other."

I get up from my seat and face Chishiya as I utter the words "die alone". Pouring salt into the injury as I turn towards the boss.

"This is an organisation, there must be rules then."

"Yes, only three:

One! Always wear a bathing suit, harder to hide weapons in them.

Two! Live your life the way you want it! Drugs, sex, booze, we have it all! So live it up before you die.

Three. Death to all traitors, conspirators, and people who keep cards from me."

This man changed from a manic excentric to a murderous psychopath as he uttered the third rule. He's probably lost it, but we all would one day or the other, I guess being the allmighty boss of the only civilized org in the world got to him. And as my stump started itching I realized I had one question.

"Should we shake on it?"

I shake my amputated limb and his curious face turns to hysteric as he laughs and gives me my bracelet, containing the key to my room.

"Welcome to The Beach! Enjoy your stay!"

And that was it, I nodded my farewells to all in the room, not bothering to give Chishiya a look. If I waited for him for eight months he could very well give me a little chase. And as I passed the doors I heard two sets of footsteps behind me, one running and the other keeping its distance, it was obvious who was who.

Niragi put his right hand on my shoulder as he insisted he guided me to my room. I shake his hand off of me but follow him still, hearing him be as exuberant as always, like a brat that got what he wanted for his birthday. When people looked too hard he'd threaten them, and to that I had my own answer.

"What the fuck?"

"You didn't hear what I say back there? You threaten someone in front of me again and it won't be the back of your knees that I kick Niragi."

"I'd normally be angry, you're lucky you're hot."

"You're lucky you're armed."

He snickers and leans against the wall next to what I can see is my room. I thank him for leading me and quickly shoo him away. A cat that was too curious was lurking nearby and I wanted to rest a bit before he came pouncing.

So closing the door behind me I rush towards the bathroom connected to my room, twisted the knobs on the bathtub and held back a gasp.

Hot water

"Yeah, that's about the only good thing around here."

I groan and set the water to a temperature I feel would suit my first bath in a year.

"I couldn't be alone for five minutes could I?"

"Why were you talking to Niragi?"

"Why are you interested?"

"Why are you acting like a child?"

"Why are you acting like a self-righteous asshole?"

I hear a sigh and a thump which turns into a russling and then a second thump, he had let himself hit the wall and sit on the ground. Probably out of frustration, good for him.

I start to undress, my dirty clothes of no use to me anymore as I set them in the bin. The one piece bathing suit, which could hardly be called that as it was more lingerie than anything, picked by niragi was set on the sink next to the bathtub. And once the water was high enough in the tub, I turned it off and shed the last of my clothing as I finally layed in the warm water, feeling my doubts and fatigue rub off a bit.

"Why don't you talk? Shouldn't you be sad? Angry maybe?"

Oh, the fatigue is back actually.

"I stopped being sad after two months Goldylocks. And I am angry. I just see no point in talking to you that's all."

"Don't you want answers?"

"With how you're acting you'll give them to me."

"Maybe."

And with that I look at him, scowling at his gall. He leaves, never calls, and once he sees me again he keeps acting like a...like a-

"You act like a petulant child Chishiya."

"And you finally looked at me. No matter how you changed, you always were the more emotional out of the two of us."

He smiles, a tight lipped smile that seems to hide something else. But what? Frustration? Or maybe relief? Both?

"And you're still an ass."

"Did it hurt when I left?"

"Scratch that, you're worse than ever."

He chuckles. Leaning his head against the wall. And I sigh, leaning mine against the edge of the bathtub.

And it was all there was for a while, the noises of both our breathing. The muffled music and yells from outside. The clock in my room. The drops of water from my hair falling into the bath.

inhale

click

exhale

drop

inhale

click

exhale

drop

click

click

silence

"It did."

I hear the shuffling of clothes, looking up to the sink, the metal of the tap shows he he turned to look at me. And in turn I look at the ceilling.

"It did hurt Shuntarô. Like hell, and it still does, even more now that you're here."

Silence again, but this one was shorter, a pregnant pause.

"I needed to cut you off, for both of our good."

Hand gripping the edge of the tub, the water was getting cold.

"Who were you to make that decision in my place? To put words in my mouth? Ideas in my head?"

"Someone who cared too much."

"For themselves. You stopped yourself so by all means continue."

"I wanted to call, I did. Everyday I willed myself not to, and it was killing me to admit it that you'd be better off without me."

"And you without me? It's more about this isn't it Chishiya. There's still a lot you're not telling me, spit it out."

"My walkie talkie got destroyed in a game, I thought it'd be better if I never called back at all. You were a weakness I couldn't afford in this game and I still can't. So I left for good, I saw you you know, but each time I'd change places with someone else to not be with you. I couldn't look at you, not anymore."

"Then leave."

"What?"

"You cut me off without talking about it to me after I got my arm exploded, and now you call me a weakness and say you saw me but avoided me? You said it was because you cared too much, but it was just because the feeling of caring for someone was too much of a hinderance to you wasn't it."

"Yes. And it seems my actions helped you get stronger."

"You didn't do shit Chishiya so stop patting yourself on the back!"

I yell as I stand up, cold and shaking of anger, my sobs barely contained inside of my exposed scarred body, showing Chishiya how much I endured after he left.

"I'm done with you. You're an egotistical maniac and honestly, with the shit you pulled and how fine you seem to be with it? You're no better than your fucking parents. Now go and shove your savior complex up your ass before I decide to maim you, and don't think I won't do it."

His eyes widened slightly as his body tensed, he turned around slowly and as he walked away he left one last look over his shoulder and the door of the room opened and closed as silently as the breeze.

It was as if nothing had even happened at all.

The bath was red with blood, it contrasted to the man that just exited my world for good. It was a contrast, how we were then and how we are now. Just like the blood red and white.

The change was an unwelcome one. I used to think I'd run into his arms and he'd embrace me back. I used to think of how beautiful he was and how safe I felt with him.

Things have changed.

I am a hinderance to him, always have been. And so I laugh, it was stupid really, what good would come out of a love blooming in a world where everything is ripped to shreds?

And so I sob,

what good would come out of a love blooming in a sea of corpses?

"(y/n) you're there, I caught Niragi and asked him where your room was I hope you dont mind!"

I heard Kuina say as she knocked.

"I was taking a bath, please come in, let me just get dressed!"

I yell as I pull the bathtub plug and wipe my tears. Drying my body as quickly as I could I tried to figure how to put the swimsuit on as it was akin to a spiderweb to this point.

"Sorry I took time, this swimsuit can barely be called one."

Kuina was laying on her back looking at the ceiling from my bed and turned on her stomach, looking me up and down with a smirk.

"Niragi picked it for you?"

"..Yeahhhhh."

"Ew."

"You caught my drift. What did you need Kuina?"

She kicked her legs in the air, munching on the candy of her fake cigarette.

"I wondered if you'd like to eat with me and a friend of mine! He's already down there in the mess hall!"

"Sure, why not. It's been a long time since I ate something I didn't make."

"Why's that?"

"I hunt and grow veggies, so I cook what I hunt and grow. It beats the hell out of konbini shelf stable food, but I'd still kill for a good ole greasy fast food."

"Tell me about it!"

And we talked more and more, making our way to the base floor and to the mess hall. Kuina was kind, but she was also very honest and strong without lacking empathy. Unfortunately I couldn't get attached- I'm starting to sound like him don't I?

"Hey."

Shit.

"Hello."

"(y/n) this is Chishiya, Chishiya this is (y/n)!"

"We are well aware."

"You two know each other?"

"Not really, we're pretty much strangers. I saw him around though."

I say, sitting down and looking at the young man who narrows his eyes at me.

"Oh that's cool, you can learn more about each other then!"

Kuina doesn't get social cues. Got it.

"Welp, Imma go get some food, you two get to know each other!"

No, no don't lea- and she left.

Double shit.

"You do the shit you've done to me to her and I'm castrating you."

"As bad as my parents huh."

He repeats my words from earlier and I look at him, he is pensive, he looks almost irritated.

"I told you nothing about them."

"It's easy to decypher that they weren't good people when we know you enough Shuntarô. And yeah, I appologize, I was harsh. But did it give you a wake up call or do you need to chase after me long enough to see how it is to be in my shoes to realize what you've done?"

"I know what I have done."

"I know, I just want you to realize the feelings involved behind that whole thing. Feelings are a hinderance to you Chishiya, but you didn't have to trample mine."

He sighs and leans on the table, I do the same and look in his eyes.

"I loved you, the least thing you could have done was let me down slowly."

"You don't anymore?"

"What?"

"Love me."

"I don't know. I did what I believe you have done, I pushed them aside and locked them, then threw away the key and ran as far as I could. I've been used and abandonned to many times to let someone get away another time. I'm sorry but it has to be you.

From now on you're a stranger to me Chishiya Shuntarô."

And with this Kuina came back and fake smiles were exchanged, I went to serve myself food and we talked, small talk, just like strangers would.

<Prev /Next>

M.list

taglist wanters

AND THIS IS THE NEW CHAPTER! I know, I know, I'm generous, I mean two days in a row?!?! But I have so many ideas! Here he is back with his reasons, or are they really true to what he feels? There is tension and there is agression but also the smell of something bittersweet in the air. The next chapter today (i know two in a day?!) will enter more into the life at The Beach and the tensions and moments between Chishiya and Reader. I believe the tenth chapter will be when I start the canon story and include it in the fic so keep your eyes peeled for it!.

#shuntaro chishiya x reader #shuntarou chishiya #chishiya shuntarou #chishiya #chishiya shuntaro #chishiya fluff #x fem!reader #x female reader #shuntaro chishiya #chishiya alice in borderland #imawa no kuni no alice #arisu alice in borderland #alice in borderland #scalpels and paintbrushes

[power-rings]

Light Consorting with Shadows

Chapter 5: Rescue

By daybreak, Aurora woke up alone in her current living quarters. Quickly, the princess jumped off of her not-so-comfortable bed. Despite the dizziness that she felt, she managed to leave her room to find Lancelot; hoping he didn't abandon her to find her parents without her. It wasn't long before she found him among a crowd of strange men dressed in heavy armor just like him. His ear twitched, hearing her approaching them. Lancelot stepped aside, meeting her halfway down the corridor of the palace. "Princess." His gaze searching her.

"Did you really think I was gonna stay behind, Lancelot?" She saw the Knight shift his weight uncomfortably.

"Yes." He answered very cautiously. "The only thing we can do is hopefully pick up their trail. They have some dogs that-"

"I'm coming with." The princess stood her ground, their gazes locked. Aurora wasn't gonna be cooped up in some stranger's land. She started to walk pass the Knight, not waiting for his reaction. She heard him sigh, and follow her.

"My job is to protect you, and your family. You're already hurt from the other night, I advise that you stay behind." His voice was stern, but she could hear the concern in his tone.

Aurora turned to face him, "Lancelot! Please...! My parents could have been killed," she choked on those words. "Dad didn't raise me to be a coward. And you trained me to handle my own in a battle." Their conversation caused the other men to glance over at the commotion that echoed in the corridor. "Grab me some armor, will ya'?" Lancelot studied her in silence, however, to the princess' surprise he left her behind to retrieve some armor in another room. With his help, she was able to get it fitted properly.

One of the taller men, who appeared to be a black-tailed deer with short antlers poking through his helmet was the first to approach the pair. He glanced at Lancelot in question, "are you insane?" He pulled his helmet off. "I'm not sure how your King runs things. But, royalty never accompany us." He scoffed. "Perhaps, your lack of protection and carelessness was what got your King and Queen kidnapped in the first place." The deer character looked at the other men, and nodded. "With all due respect-"

"Excuse me?!" Aurora bristled, seconds later she was inches away from the deer. "He would die for my family and I!" She jabbed a finger in his chest plate. "We don't have to accompany you, either! My Knight here and I can go by ourselves!" Aurora felt Lancelot's hand going to her shoulder, trying to draw her away from him. The leader stepped back, and composed himself. Aurora was still royalty and he had to respect that. He gave her a humble bow, then pulled his helmet back over his head.

He cleared his throat, "We will have several men near the camp location you had mentioned in case we run into trouble. Their scents should still be fresh, I hope. I will send only 4 of us and a couple of dogs to search."

"Erhan, once we find a trail..."

The deer gave a sharp nod, "I will give you a signal. Lancelot and I can take the lead. Princess, for your protection you will take up the rear. I will have some of my men watching your back. We don't know what to do expect." Everyone gathered around the gate, some mounted on horses, while others kept the dogs at bay until they were ready to depart. "It could be a gang of thieves. Lancelot, do you recall their appearances?" The knight shook his head.

"They were masked up. I just know there were over 10 members.." Lancelot addressed, trying his best to reflect back to that night. He didn't remember much other than fighting hard, only to be knocked out quickly.

Erhan nodded, but said nothing more. He gestured that they follow and the group went down a steep set of stairs and made a haste into the forest. Two men came alongside the princess, while Erhan and Lancelot took the lead while the men with the huge dogs followed closely.

It was a good travel to find their previous campsite. There were remains of some random items left behind, empty tents, cookware, some clothing, canteens of water, a good supply of food. When Erhan searched the wagon, it appeared that someone had rummaged through whatever belongings that was behind inside. Two men gave the dogs something that belonged to the King and Queen and then they paired off to the left, sniffing around the campsite. Aurora was behind everyone, surveying her surroundings for any sort of clue. Lancelot held tightly to his weapon, and walked around the camp, searching high and low. There was a bark from one of the bulkier dogs, he started going further out of the campsite. Everyone followed the lead of the two animals. They were able to pick up some visible footprints, and hoofprints leading in the opposite direction.

---

Miles away, King Sonic was trying to pry the cell open at the keyhole. Amy was in a separate cell beside him. “Almost got it…” he said in a hushed tone. Trying his best not to make too much noise, and draw the guards towards them. During the night, Sonic was able to distract one of the guards and retrieve the key. Once their attention was on something else, Sonic started working at the keyhole. Unfortunately, their escape wasn’t going to be that easy. One of the men that ambushed their camp, and took them away… he came stomping down the hall towards their cells. Sonic quickly moved in the back of his dark cell, hiding the key behind him.

The masked individual shout echoed throughout the facility. “Where is it?!” He opened the cell with his own set of key. More men surrounded the leader, making sure the King wasn’t gonna get any ideas about escaping. “I know you have it!” He searched through Sonic’s cell. Whatever belongings he thought the King had wasn’t in there.

Sonic prepared himself to be attacked. He was ready. Quill’s bristling in defense. “What exactly are you looking for? You took what money had.” Sonic didn’t care about money, all he was concerned about was getting out with Amy and reuniting with their daughter.

“The emerald!” Towering over Sonic, the coyote inched closer. Sonic eyed him as the enemy reached for his dagger. “We will search your palace if we have to.” He withdrew it from his sheath, and held it to Sonic’s neck. “Tell me where it is and you will live,” Sonic’s scowled at the scent of the coyote. He smelled of alcohol, and smelled like he hadn’t bathed in ages.

Sonic narrowed his eyes, “you have no right to own a Chaos Emerald.” The coyote was not pleased with the king’s answered and pressed his blade further, drawing a little blood. Sonic winced, and quickly sidestepped. His attempt at escaping was short lived as one of the foxes tackled the king and pinned him against the wall of the cell.

“You made a mistake, majesty. Tell me where it is.” He walked over and yanked Sonic by the ear. “I’m giving you one more chance.” The King highly doubted that. Sonic opened his mouth to respond, but quickly closed it when he heard another group rushing towards them.

“Sir!!” A younger coyote ran up to catch up to the leader. “We have company. One of our men came across a group…they're probably here for the royal couple." He announced, panting out the warning.

“… Shit.” When the fox released the grip on Sonic, the blue hedgehog quickly got to his feet, making a dash for the exit and to Amy’s cell. He was attacked again from all around him. “They’re probably here for the King and Queen. Bring them outside. This isn’t over, sire.” Unfortunately, Sonic was outnumbered, one gabbed his knife and stabbed him in the side, they managed to cuff him, and roughly lead them outside.

Lancelot caught a glimpse of a group forming at the the top of the hill. He gestured to the others behind him to stop. Not sure what was gonna happen next. He withdrew his weapon, as well as the rest of the men, and Aurora was in the back of the group, and withdrew her own weapon. They slowly inched closer.

“I would stop right there if you want your King and Queen to live.” A voice roared, causing the group to freeze in their advances toward the hill. The leader of the group presented Sonic and Amy before Lancelot and the rest of the group. The knight bristled in rage under his armor. Aurora stepped toward the front with Lancelot and Erhan. Lancelot stepped infront of her, and shook his head. He could see the anger and the fear in her eyes. Acting on her emotion could be deadly… not only for her, but her parents as well.

“Drop your weapons.” The same coyote commanded.

“Not until they are safe.” Lancelot snarled.

“Tch, I can’t promise that until we get what we want.” With a warning, he drew a dagger to the Queen instead. Sonic bristled in rage. He struggled in the grasp of the his capture. Despite the tight grip, Sonic managed to wiggle free to help his Queen. He headbutted the fox that threatened her, but, Sonic was roughly forced away and forced on the ground, with a bulkier individual holding him at bay.

Aurora was ready. Whatever Lancelot taught her during their training, it was gonna come in use if they hurt her parents. Lancelot grabbed her by the arm. “What do you want?! We’ll give you whatever you want. Let ‘em go!” She blurted out, her eyes locking with the leader.

Their leader started making his way down the steep hill. “Ah. You must be the princess.” Lancelot quickly got in between them. They stared each other down. He held his hands up, showing that he didn’t have any weapons on him this time. Lancelot still held his stance, protecting the princess while the others surrounded the coyote. Their weapons ready. He stood tall, and looked over the knight’s shoulder. “You’ll give me whatever I want, hm? Perhaps instead of a Chaos Emerald. You could accompany me.” His grin was devious while his hazel eyes searched her.

Lancelot shoved him. “Back off!” The coyote glared at him, but distanced himself slowly from the knight.

“A Chaos Emerald really? That’s why you attacked us and took off with my family?”

“Oh, honey. You must not know the power that it holds.”

Aurora glanced towards her parents. She knew exactly how powerful a Chaos Emerald was, but one alone had limited powers compared to having 7 in ones possession. She hadn’t seen it used much growing up, her father only told her what it was capable of. “If I give it to you…” From the corner of her eye, she saw Lancelot look at her, skeptical. “You’ll return them safely?”

He bowed, promising the young princess. He gestured towards his group and told them to hide their weapons. But, they were still on edge.

“Princess. I know you want your parents safe. But, I don’t think…” Erhan whispered from behind them.

“They’re not gonna wait too long. I’ll go retrieve it.” Lancelot muttered. The knight had an idea, but they had to act quickly. He pulled Aurora away, and told her to accompany him on his journey back to Camelot. He was honestly concerned what would happen to her if he left. Sure, he was concerned about the royal couple, the knight had faith in Sonic; he was very skillful about getting out of such situations. The priority was that Aurora would be safe if the situation went downhill for them.

--

As expected, it was a long journey back to Camelot. If they didn’t make haste, it would take them about two days to arrive on foot. By daybreak the following morning, they reached the gates of Camelot. Around them, citizens were whispering, they sounded concern because the knight returned only with the princess. Lancelot walked down the corridor of the palace, ignoring the glances, he took a flight of stairs leading to his living quarters. “It should be in here…” He removed his helmet, feeling like he couldn’t breathe. He searched through his room. Aurora stopped at the doorway, watching him roam through his room. Was the Chaos Emerald seriously hiding in his room? She had thought dad told her it was hidden under the palace. Not a simple living quarters like this. She thought Lancelot used them more than her dad, but she wasn’t sure. She saw him pull out a red Chaos Emerald from underneath his bed. That was securely locked in a small box.

Aurora noticed that it wasn’t as shiny as she thought it would normally be. Lancelot must have realized that she was confused by its appearance. “Its a fake Chaos Emerald.” He retorted. Lancelot wiped the sweat off his brow. “This may not work, Aurora.” The knight admitted, “I don’t think your father would want to risk giving them the real one, though.”

“Could one alone really be that dangerous?”

“Yes. If they’re witty enough they could use it to find the 6 others.” Lancelot walked towards the princess. Aurora bit her bottom lip. Praying that this will work and her parents will be returned safely. “Hold on to me.” Lancelot pulled her closer. Heat rushed towards her cheeks when they touched.

“W-what?”

“Chaos Control.” He whispered under his breath, and closed his eyes. Thinking about the destination, within seconds there was a bright light and they were gone.

Just as quick as they disappeared they reappeared near the two groups. Aurora stumbled on her feet after they appeared. That was a feeling she had never experienced before. Perhaps with a real Chaos Emerald, it would have a different effect on her; not that she ever experienced the true power of a Chaos Emerald, anyway.

Lancelot walked ahead of the others, finding the other group’s leader. He put on an act as if he was reluctant to let go of the emerald in his grasp. “Return the King and Queen first. Then, you can have it.” He gestured. One hand reaching for his sword. The coyote groaned, but he released their cuffs and let them reunite with their side. Aurora ran to embrace her parents, tears rolling down her cheeks now they were that they reunited. The coyote jerked the Chaos Emerald out of the Knight’s hand and admired it. The rest of the group joined him, they talked amongst themselves about their plans with it. Some wanted to sell it so they could have thousands or even millions in their possession, while their leader plotted about finding the others and all that he could accomplish if he had them. They didn’t linger around, in a rush they returned to their base while Lancelot, Erhan and his group made their way back. Sonic got his wound patched up, while Queen Amy was checked for wounds. The peace treaty was signed between the two leaders.

Once they arrived to Camelot the following night, Sonic caught up with Lancelot shortly after. The blue blur never doubted his head knight, but he was slightly concerned about his decision between those thieves. “We’re gonna have to keep a good look out for these guys. Lancelot, why did you…?”

“Sire, it was a fake.” Sonic blinked. He didn’t realize the knight just kept fake Chaos Emeralds around. “Perhaps, you are right though. They may be a threat again once they realize…” Sonic patted his shoulder, feeling at ease knowing that the real Chaos Emerald was still safe at the palace.

“We’ll be ready. They’re just a bunch of thieves. We can take them.” Sonic gave a stretch. “Until then…I’m hitting the hay.” The king flashed him a smile, Lancelot nodded in respect before going in the separate direction.

-

At midnight, Aurora took a stroll around Camelot and found Lancelot sitting at one of the benches near the lake. The knight didn’t notice her presence until Aurora sat next to him. “Shouldn’t you be getting some rest?” She elbowed.

“Same goes for you, Rory.”

She rolled her eyes at hearing her nickname, “I slept like a baby, earlier. I’m energized now.” Aurora admired the reflection of the moon on the surface of the water. “I never felt glad to be back here.”

“Perhaps you’ll sneak out less.”

“Chaos… no." Aurora laughed, then gave a deep sigh, now sitting in silence. "Thanks for letting me go with you guys, today." The black hedgehog nodded. "I hate to admit it, but today was frightening." Aurora reflected, their eyes meeting.

"You handled it well, though. I was impressed."

"Ah! The greatest Knight of my father's Kingdom is impressed with lil' o' me?!" Aurora saw the corners of Lancelot's mouth turn into a grin.

"Hm, don't get too cocky, now. You could use more training." The knight stood up to stretch his back, feeling stiff. "Only one or two sessions of sword training wouldn’t suffice. You will also need to learn combat training, in case you don’t have a weapon. That… I would speak to your father about.” He added.

"That's a great idea! Perhaps you and I can train some tomorrow?" Aurora nodded, maybe the King would be willing to teach hand to hand combat as well, at least she could hope.

Lancelot shrugged, "we shall see. After yesterday, we're gonna be on high alert. Once they find out that it's a fake Chaos Emerald, they'll be pissed." Aurora knew he was right, but the princess didn't want to deal with these guys again. But, Camelot was more than prepared now. "We'll set a date and time for another training, though." Though he never admitted it to the princess, he really enjoyed training her. Sure, it was probably breaking some sort of rule; but King Sonic never said anything against it... yet.

Aurora smile grew wider, "sounds great to me!" She pecked him on the cheek, "goodnight." Thankfully, she was gone before seeing his reddening face. Lancelot surveyed outside of the walls of Camelot before getting back to bed, trying to get some rest before he had to patrol the territory by daybreak. All he could think about was the princess, and how that kiss on the cheek made him feel weird.

---

Days later...

Aurora was disturbed by her lady-in-waiting opening her curtains, allowing the bright afternoon sun to seep into the room, the princess groaned in complaint. "Princess, are you feeling alright?" The young rabbit laid out some clothing for the princess. Aurora confirmed that she just overslept, she was helped with her layers of clothes. She found her parents in the dining hall, neither of them lectured her for waking up so late in the afternoon. Just small talk among the royal family. It was a nice change. Aurora had a feeling that this wouldn't last long very long. Being royalty, and the responsibilities that came with it would always ruin these moments, not that Aurora was complaining.

By 2 that afternoon, Aurora exited the palace in search of a familiar knight. Near the stairs, Sir Gawain was standing guard- another knight that the family formed a close bond with, he nodded in her direction. She acknowledged warmly, "morning! Have you seen Lancelot around?" Aurora searched the courtyard.

"... I think he went to the pub, princess." Gawain wasn't quite sure why the princess needed Lancelot, but he didn't have the right to pry.

Aurora thanked him, and made her way in the direction of the pub that was popular in Camelot. She didn't really like the idea of going in this place, but she was determined to see the knight after not seeing him for three days. She assumed he had been quite busy, and she respected it. Something about his company.. she yearned for, and Aurora started to realize the knight had started to make a huge impression on the young princess heart, and she couldn't deny that as much as she tried to. When she entered the smelly pub, she was given some curious looks from the costumers inside. But, she ignored them and made her way towards the bar where Lancelot was sitting. He was startled slightly when the princess tapped him on the shoulder. "Rough day?" Aurora took note that Lancelot had drunk a tall glass of rum, and currently taking a huge gulp of another glass.

"I can enjoy a little rum without having a bad day, princess."

"A little?" Aurora's eyebrow raised a brow.

"This will be my last one, I promise." Lancelot mumbled, before taking another sip. "You don't need to be in here." He gently warned, glancing over his shoulder keeping an eye out.

"When is your next patrol?" Aurora interrupted the knight. She watched him finish his drink, toss some money on the bar, and stand up. Leading her towards the exit. Lancelot didn't want the princess in her any longer.

"Actually, Gawain will take over the next following days." He allowed Aurora to exit the pub first. Catching up to follow alongside her now.

"Maybe we can fit in a training session then, huh?" Aurora's eyes gleamed in excitement.

"You ready to lose to me so soon?" Lancelot grinned back at her.

"Excuse me?" Aurora shoved him. Acting offended by his response, "if this was a competition, I can assure you that I'd win in a heartbeat!" The princess challenged, feeling confident before the knight.

"If you say so. I'll meet you at the training grounds before sunset." Lancelot brushed against her shoulder, as he walked pass her, walking in the direction of the palace. The knight froze at the top of the stairs when he noticed the Queen had been watching the pair. "M'lady." He bowed his head in respect.

"Sir Lancelot." Her eyes softened, "what was that all about?" She motioned in Aurora's direction. The knight hesitated, not sure if he should be fessing up to the queen about what was discussed between them. But, he knew well enough to not hide things.

"I've been training your daughter..." Lancelot admitted, his gaze fell to the ground. The queen's expression didn't change whatsoever.

"Well, I couldn't choose anyone better to train her." Lancelot acknowledged her compliment with a simple nod. They parted ways, and the queen reunited with her daughter.

--

That night...

The queen was getting ready for bed, her maiden left the room shortly after Sonic made his appearance. "We need to talk about Aurora's upcoming courtship with Alastair's son." At the edge of the bed, Sonic froze for a moment before kicking off his shoes. "I think we should reconsider the agreement." She slipped underneath her silk covers, waiting for her husband's response. "I don't want her courting someone she doesn't even know."

"It's how he runs things." Sonic sounded frustrated with the situation. "This could end our peace with them if we disagree out of the blue."

"We can at least let him meet her, I reckon. Aurora should have her own say who she courts. " She laid beside her husband, and got closer to him. "I've noticed a certain knight growing fond of her." Sonic quickly turned to look at the pink hedgehog. "Honey, don't tell me you didn't notice."

"She's suppose to marry another royal suitor." Sonic rolled his eyes. Honestly, he couldn't even think of his little girl getting married. Time was flying by, and sooner than later their daughter will be Queen; whether or not she desired to take that role or not. But marry a Knight? That wasn't common, at least not that Sonic knew of.

"He'd make a great leader, Sonic. You know that."

#sonic the hedgehog #sonamy #lancelotxaurora #light consorting with shadows chapter 5 #aurora the hedgehog

[hellhound5925]

Cyare Verd *Beloved Warrior*

Chapter Three

When I entered the mess hall I could not believe the number of troopers in there. I scanned the room while heading toward the mess line not really paying attention to where I was going. I bumped into someone "Ni ceta (sorry)" I say looking up to meet Captain Rex's eyes. "Oh I'm sorry Captain, I didn't see you there" I say. Osik... he makes me so nervous...Maker WHY?!

He laughed and awkwardly scratched the back of his neck (must be I make him nervous too) "No it's my bad, I wasn't looking where I was going". He then gestured for me to enter the line in front of him.

I smiled at him "Vor entye (thank you) Captain".

"Ba'gedet'ye (you're welcome)" he replied. "By the way you can just call me Rex".

"Okay 'just Rex', I am impressed by your Mando'a" I reply which causes Rex to blush and chuckle.

"One of my teachers on Kamino was Mandalorian. They taught me and the rest of my batch some of the heritage which included Mando'a" he says proudly.

I can feel the heat creeping up my face and I smile. "I wondered, I noticed the Jaig eyes on your helmet" I say pointing to his buy'ce (helmet) under his arm.

He looks down at it and was now beaming with pride "Painted them myself. I know you usually earn them by acts of courage or bravery but one of my teachers thought it was fitting."

"They say Mandalorian's are good at reading people. By what I have heard about you, you live up to the expectation." I said to him smiling.

"Vor entye (thank you)." He smiled back at me.

I give him a respectful nod as we finish getting our food.

I hear loud chatter and loud foot steps to go with it approaching me and Rex.

"I still think we should have gone to 79's!!" Fives says to us as he grabs Hardcase and puts him into a headlock.

"I don't know why you are taking this out on me! Jesse is the one who shot that idea down!" He yells, while struggling under the ARC Troopers grip.

Fives laughs "Because you are the one closest to me!" He yells.

I laugh at the boys and Echo swats at Fives. Fives lets go of Hardcase, "You take the fun out of everything" he says. "And you always act like a di'kutla (fool)" replied Echo.

Rex rolls his eyes and sighs before walking toward the table - where I now see the rest of the guys sitting - and I follow.

"Those two remind me of my two vode (brothers) Ordo and Mereel." I laugh.

Rex looks back at me in surprise "The Null ARC's Ordo and Mereel???" He asks.

"Yeah those would be the ones" I reply. Rex seemed shocked and confused so I explained further. "My Kal'Buir took them in as young boys because the Kaminoans said they were 'too unruly and would not follow orders'. They were wrong though, they are some of the most loyal men I know but dangerous yes."

"Wait what?" Kix said as Rex and I sat down at the table. "The Nulls are your brothers?!"

I laughed "Well not literally but yes, I was raised with them pretty much. Kal'Buir taught us how to fight to protect ourselves and each other".

"I'm just glad you are on our side. How does that saying go... Ke nuk -" Jesse begins to say before I cut him off.

"Ke nu'jurkadir sha Mando'ade. I give you credit for trying." I smile at Jesse who repeats the phrase.

"What does that mean?" Asks Hardcase as he, Fives, and Echo join the group.

"Don't mess with Mandalorians" says Rex between bites.

"Not all of us had the privilege of being trained and taught out heritage from Mandalorians. They have picked up on it since they joined the 501st." He continues lowering his voice so only I can hear. I hum in understanding.

We all finish up our meals chatting and laughing about various embarrassing stories Hardcase and Jesse tell about Fives. Most of them are him flirting with girls at 79's who are - in the words of Jesse 'way out of his league' - that usually end in him being rejected.

Fives is cute I'll give him that but he's definitely a little errogant and has an ego. He closely resembles Jango in those ways.

Fives finally speaks up "why do all these stories have to be about me? Why can't we tell embarrassing stories about Echo or Hardcase?" He whines.

This causes Echo to laugh quite loudly "Because you di'kute (idiot), you do stupid stuff all the time".

I giggled, Rex rolls his eyes, and the rest of the table nodded in agreement.

"You guys sure are an interesting bunch" I say laughing as I grab my tray to take care of it.

The rest of the table gets up and follows suit.

I catch Rex talking to another trooper whose armor is white and yellow.

"Whose that?" I ask Tup who is the closest to me.

Tup looks over to where I was looking "That's Commander Cody. He's the Commander of the 212th under General Kenobi. He and the Cap are pretty close."

"Ahhh" I say as I nod in understanding. "So, what's the rest of the night look like for you guys?" I continued.

Kix comes over and chimes in "I've got to go to a shift in the med bay. I'll catch up with you guys tomorrow." He says before we all say goodbyes, and he walks off.

"Basically it's the only downtime we get during the week so sometimes we stroll around Coruscant, or play cards in either the court yard or our sleeping quarters." says Dogma who really has been pretty quiet this whole time.

"Do you mind if I join?" I asked.

Echo and Fives lit up "Or course not!" They both said at the same time.

"Just don't forget about curfew....I'm not getting chewed out by the Cap because you di'kutla (idiots) were out too late." Says Tup.

Fives gives him a shit eating grin while he salutes "Sir, yes, sir" He says causing Tup to roll his eyes.

"Don't worry Tup, you guys are training with me first thing and I can promise you I'll kick his sheb (ass) myself if he's late" I say.

The boys laugh and head their separate ways. I follow Echo, Fives, Hardcase, and Jesse out of the mess hall. "So cards it is then?" Asks Jesse.

"I'll go get them we can sit in the courtyard!" says Hardcase before running off probably to their quarters.

"This way my lady" Fives bows and points in the opposite direction Hardcase went bounding off to.

"Why thank you kind sir" I joking bow to him. Which gets a snicker out of Echo and Jesse.

Masterlist

#clone captain rex #may the 4th be with you #may the force be with you #rex star wars #star wars clone wars #star wars the clone wars #the clones #rex x you #rex x reader #captain rex x you #dogma #arc trooper echo #arc trooper fives #clone medic kix #tup #hardcase #jesse

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it?—Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never!—All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Buonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years.

At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.

I hope I am over wary; but if I am not, there is, even now, something of ill-omen, amongst us. I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions, in lieu of the sober judgment of Courts . . . . Accounts of outrages committed by mobs, form the every-day news of the times. They have pervaded the country, from New England to Louisiana . . . . Whatever, then, their cause may be, it is common to the whole country. . . .

But you are, perhaps, ready to ask, “What has this to do with the perpetuation of our political institutions?” . . . When men take it in their heads to day, to hang gamblers, or burn murderers, they should recollect, that, in the confusion usually attending such transactions, they will be as likely to hang or burn someone who is neither a gambler nor a murderer as one who is; and that, acting upon the example they set, the mob of tomorrow, may, and probably will, hang or burn some of them by the very same mistake. . . . [A]nd thus it goes on, step by step, till all the walls erected for the defense of the persons and property of individuals, are trodden down, and disregarded. But all this even, is not the full extent of the evil. By such examples, by instances of the perpetrators of such acts going unpunished, the lawless in spirit, are encouraged to become lawless in practice; and having been used to no restraint, but dread of punishment, they thus become, absolutely unrestrained. Having ever regarded Government as their deadliest bane, they make a jubilee of the suspension of its operations; and pray for nothing so much, as its total annihilation. While, on the other hand, good men, men who love tranquility, who desire to abide by the laws, and enjoy their benefits, who would gladly spill their blood in the defense of their country; seeing their property destroyed; their families insulted, and their lives endangered; their persons injured; and seeing nothing in prospect that forebodes a change for the better; become tired of, and disgusted with, a Government that offers them no protection; and are not much averse to a change in which they imagine they have nothing to lose. Thus, then, by the operation of this mobocractic spirit, which all must admit, is now abroad in the land, the strongest bulwark of any Government, and particularly of those constituted like ours, may effectually be broken down and destroyed—I mean the attachment of the People. . . .

—Abraham Lincoln, speech to the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, IL (Jan 27, 1838)

[Robert Scott Horton]

#Robert Scott Horton #Abraham Lincoln #quotes

[moonlit-positivity]

Thoughts on discipline & following through when you've experienced parental abuse as a kid

There is such a harmful rhetoric around "discipline" that is completely misguided and I think it's time we talked about it.

Finding discipline as an adult when youve been abused can be such a difficult thing to sit with. You may have been taught that discipline = humiliation, degradation, shame, and corporal punishment. Basically feeling bad for breaking a rule.

Here's the kicker though, who sets those rules and are they realistic for who you are as a person? Are they rooted in outdated philosophy that is just there to induce shame and strip a person of their dignity?

Discipline should be none of those things. Discipline is just the way we follow through for ourselves. If we set a personal rule, discipline is the practice of following through.

Discipline should not be a punishment. Humiliating yourself to say you're sorry or to prove your worth to someone, degrading yourself both inwardly through self inflicted punishments and/or outwardly to others, discipline should not be painful or cause physical or emotional harm in any way. Starving yourself as a form of discipline, taking away your comfort as a form of discipline, these things are punishments, these things are not what discipline is about.

You can absolutely make a mistake and be comforted without inducing shame, humiliation, and punishment. Even if you made that mistake on purpose. You are allowed to experience life in your own way, which is just a fancy way of saying you are allowed to make mistakes and break rules and be "bad". And you are allowed to still be comforted and supported and met with love and validation when you do. That is a fact of life.

I think sometimes there is conflict that can occur inside us between our adult minds and our inner child, where we NEED to openly rebel against the incorrect ways our parents enforced punishment under the guise of discipline. And i think this rebellion is healthy. I think that we all move on our own timelines and that by giving your inner child a chance to rebel and throw temper tantrums, you are giving them a chance to heal. You are giving them the freedom and trust to know that they are now in the care of someone who will listen to them cry and express the unfairness of what they (you!) went through. I think this is a necessary step to have when healing.

And when they're tired and ready to talk about it, now you can sit with them and explore together the harmful definitions of discipline that have taken away your control, and begin to make your own rules for following through and focus on the actual harmful situations and behaviors around you that you would like to protect & remove yourself from.

Because actual discipline is about knowing that you are holding this boundary in order to improve your well being. If the action is causing harm, that is not beneficial to your well being.

If you are wondering how you can explore this, I have a few thoughts of my own that may give you some ideas on reframing the way you look at enforcing your personal goals.

Living a life of self sacrifice can lead us to better understand why discipline is needed.

Self sacrifice leads to feeling like we are unworthy of care and attention. Like we are unable to stand up for ourselves in order to keep the peace. Sometimes these feelings can even lead to self sabotaging behaviors.

Boundaries teach us the concept that we are allowed to disagree with the words and actions of others, and even the words and actions of ourselves, and keep ourselves safe from potential threats.

The more we learn, hear, and see the concept of walking away from harmful situations-and the more we surround ourselves in environments where you are encouraged to speak up when something bothers you- the more we reinforce the feelings that we are worthy of protecting ourselves.

Reinforce these feelings in order to follow through. Remember the self sacrifice and self sabotage that you have already been through and counteract those worthless feelings with a newfound purpose of wanting to protect your energy at all costs. Reinforce your right to disagree, your right to live a safer life, your right to change your mind, in order to find the courage and strength to follow through.

I think if & when you are at a place to start actually feeling like you are worth protecting, discipline can be a bit easier to talk about.

And I think the best way to start feeling that way is to find communities and spaces that hold a place for you to be seen, appreciated, and valued for all the harder things you have to say.

Hope this can help 💗🌸

#discipline #ptsd #recovery #boundaries #trauma #mental health #bpd #affirmations #setting boundaries #inner child

[m-c-gs-storyblog]

USF SPEECH SNEEK PEEK

In the vast expance of the universe, it is impossible for humanity to be its sole inhabitor. In the near future, we may reap what we sow as a result of brodcasting our progress throughout the universe. Perhaps as a way to make ourselves more interesting or as a way to communicate with extratarrestials. However, is it the most intelligent thing to broadcast our existence to a potentially dangerous species? A species that does not share our morals, our code of conduct, and most importantly, our empathy for other sapiant spieces. currently, we can only conseptualize only three types of alien socities. The parasitic spieces, a hive-like spieces, and a techlologicly superior spieces. Moreover, these theorized spieces may not even view us as intelligent and may view us the same way we view the humble ant colony. This is why for humanity for ensure we have a good first contact with extratarrestials, we must do two things: we must come togeather under a common flag when the fate of the world is at stake and we must bolster our planitary defences.

     

     While the idea of coming togeather under a common flag may not be appealing to all the global leaders, for fears of losing athority over their countries in times of strife. It is a neccessity when the fate of the spieces is at stake. Furthermore, it ensures that those living under those athorities have a chance to live, create, work, and survive whatever force may endanger us. In an ideal world these things would be handled democraticly with voting from the people of the nations and in turn, voting from the leaders of a nation. ultamatly the desision will be made by the planet and its people under a common flag. Alternativly we can remain seperated and decide through military power who shall lead the earth into the future. However, when the dust settles and the victor is named, we may not have a planet to fight for anymore and our spieces would be as doomed as it would have been had an alien spieces glassed our planet. With this in mind, take a minuite to imagine a world that does not squabble over the metals in the ground, or the right to a piece of land bacasue of its elements. Where humanity does not fight over food, land, water, or wealth. A world at peace. Moreover, if we can not settle differeces be it with relligion or claim to a terratory. If war is unavoidable it can be decided off-world. let petty wars be fought off-world to ensure humanity is safguarded from the horrors of nucular annilation and the dread of war. This not only ensures civilians are safe but to also ensure that those whom wage war can state their cause is just by recruting people to fight in space for said cause. Making it more difficult for those to endanger the lives of civilians with petty wars. While many wouldn't take to this for fears of their cause being unjust and therefore, people not enlisting. Some might to to acts of terrorism to make political statements, others may turn to activism to change policies. while these are welcome in countries in which it is permitted others will disagree and fight tooth and nail to not be involved in a world government. Others will welcome the oppertunity and reap the benafits of said allience.

     These benafits should include, access to technology, building methods for arcatecture, orbital defence from below and above in the senerio of hostile invasion be it foreign or domestic. These will be the first steps in ensuring humanity's safty as well as a global standard for technology which allows for a greater understanding of said technology and faster distrabution of innovations in technology between nations. universiel standard for education and garentieeded resources when innovations are made. furthermore, to ensure this new form of government is never used against the people. To rule over then and exploit the people they are tasked with protecting. the people will have the right to bare arms and this right shall not be infringed upon by any government offical or state or system. Any government offical that violates these rules shall get the sword and it shall be weilded by the people to strike down corruption and manipulation where ever when ever it spawns.

    These ideas are radical because they are so different from what we are accustomed to. Becasue of this many will label me a madman. However, I ask of you would you rather have a world of peace, or a world of perpetual war, conflict, strife, were the world could be ended with the press of a button or worse. We are culled by any alien spieces that wishes to, simply on a whim. we must come togeather under a common goal, under a common flag. To ensure we are not vaporized out of existance again like many species have on our planet. we must understand that with this technology we could be mining gold, iron, cobalt, and a myriad of other elements. We could be assembling great ships that take our spieces to the next planet or our own moon. We could be so much more than what we are if we put aside our differences and come togeather for the sake of our spieces.

#humanity #the next step #A future for all of us

[hellxfireclub-archived]

Just some thoughts...

I think this incident that occurred is a good time for all of us to take a step back and perhaps reflect on how allow ourselves to get too attached to people that we don’t actually know, and likely will never meet. The truth is, you can never really know someone through the internet, rp, etc. Some of us get lucky and get to meet our online friends and they become wonderful people and IRL friends. Hell, this has happened with me more than once and I adore those who I’ve met and connected with through rp and have become a true, real life, tangible friend. 

But I think it’s a good idea to have a healthy amount of disconnect from the people on the other side of a screen, whom we’ve never met and may never meet. It’s easy to lie to people on the internet, easy to present oneself as something that you’re not. Most of the people I’ve met through rp are genuine and kind people, but that can’t be said for everyone. Maybe this way of approaching rp comes from my many years on Tumblr, maybe from the fact that I’m well into my 30s and I’ve seen a lot of shit, but the best thing anyone can do to protect themselves is to keep a health amount of...aloofness? I don’t know if that’s the right word or not but I’m going to roll with it for now. 

I adore my RP partners, but I’m also acutely aware of the fact that one day any of those I write with could suddenly disappear and never return, or that they could turn out to be someone other than who they presented themselves to be. Would that make me incredibly sad? Absolutely. Would I allow it to drag me down and live rent free in my head? No. This is just a hobby, after all. It doesn’t affect my life outside of Tumblr at all. It’s a level of separation I keep firmly in place and I think others would do well to practice that as well. 

So yes, I am annoyed and I do feel manipulated and it pisses me off. At the same time, I’m not going to let this ruin my rp experience because I won’t let them have that kind of control over me. I just won’t. Sorry. No one dictates my life, online or offline, but me. 

If you need to take some time to process this and work through your feels, absolutely that’s what you should do. But I do think that we do sometimes invest too much of ourselves into these almost parasocial-like relationships and it ends up becoming unhealthy. 

Don’t let other people control your life/experience. No one has that right but you.

#✘ ❛ out of the upside down ❜ ⇾「 ooc 」 #i don't know if any of this made sense #but it's something that's been brought into perspective with what happened #and i get it #we all want to live in this bubble of #my rp partners are amazing and they could never #but the truth is they can #because you don't actually know them #and we let ourselves get too close to something #that isn't at all tangible #and when it burns to the ground we spiral #a healthy amount of skepticism is okay #being cautiously optimistic is okay #but i really think we need to stop #exerting so much emotional energy #into people we don't actually know

[amorevolousfaith]

Chapter 3: Committing

Paring: Marcus Moreno X Reader

Rating: +18 (NO MINORS)

Word Count: 1.2K

Warning: adult language, consumption of alcohol, minor character deaths, hella angst, lots of self-doubt, strangulation, smut, betrayal, death threats.

Summary: Being a single mom is hard, being a single mom to your sister’s kid is hard, being a single mom to your sister’s super powered kid is harder, and being a single mom to your sister’s super powered kid while working as a villain is hardest. It doesn’t help that your kids want to be a superhero, it also doesn’t help that all those super heroes really hate your guts. But, you're making it work.

Note: I really took this kid’s show out of proportion guys...

I let out a heavy sigh as Mrs. Garada locks the braces over my wrists before I step into the building. I am then escorted to the classroom where the PTA meeting is being held. I give a mocking salute to the guard who escorted me as he walks away, only to step into the room and be greeted with familiar glares and sneers from the hero parents around me. I walk to the back and lean myself back into a chair.

Mr. Moreno steps up in front of all us and clears his throat, “Welcome back to our monthly PTA meeting, I’d like to start off with that parent day went off pretty well. I am happy to report that there were no major damages to the building.” He smiles weakly. I let out an amused laugh, knowing full and well that it wasn't entirely my fault, but Miera did give me an ear full about the trouble I provoked. Even if things didn’t get physical the building wasn’t left unshaved.

“Moving on to this month is our yearly talent show, we encourage each of you to join your kids in their act, however we know that some of you aren’t able.” He announces stiffly. I let out a soft sigh, knowing Meria is going to be disappointed to hear that. “HA! He’s talking about you Storm!” Red Lightning Fury laughs, my eyes widen at her blatant taunt. The room goes quiet at the sudden yet predictable attack, “Don’t you have a husband to nag? Shut your mouth.” I grunt, grinding my teeth down in an effort to retain any sense of control.

The woman scoffs and flicks her hair over her shoulder, “It’s not like you would know what it means to be committed to another person.” She scoffs. Hot white anger flushes my veins, I stood from my chair aggressively and knocked it over. “Shut. Your. Mouth.” I sneer, feeling the burning currents of lightning being forced to pulse through my body. “What exactly are YOU going to do about it? You don’t have your powers.” She laughs, “Bold words coming the Heroics’s knock off version of me.” I grin with a feral smile. I watch the woman screech and stand from her own chair, “Says the one who’s using her own niece for protection, if you weren’t protected I would have locked you up.” she snarls.

I felt what little self control I had snap, “Let’s go a round then, I’ll take everyone in this room. Let's go.” I challenge. The room erupts into chaos, and despite Mr. Moreno’s best efforts we all found ourselves in the training room. I push off my leather jacket as I look over the racks of practice weapons, “You know how to fight?” The soft voice of Mr. Moreno questions. “Yes, nothing like your katanas but close enough to do damage.” I muse picking up a wooden Bo staff, I give it practice spin before giving it a practice swipe.

“Spear training?” He realizes, “Ever since I was little, the same training I wanted to give Meira, but I had to pick between weapon training and hand-to-hand combat when I enrolled her. Meria’s powers are a good enough weapon to start out with, her hand-to-hand training will do her more favors in both defense and power development.” I ramble twirling the staff to get used to its weight. “You sound like you know, I assume you learned a fighting style?” He guesses, “Northern Shaolin Kung Fu. When Meria was handed over to me I decided she should study Ba Gua Zhang, because that’s what her mother studied.” I recall shortly.

Before Mr. Moreno could answer I’m called to battle by Red Lightning Fury. I take the Bo staff in hand and walk to the mat. I gave myself a few stretches as she just stood there with her arms crossed and a smug smeared smile over her face. The other heroes around us watch with a sick sense of excitement, most likely hoping to see me get my ass kicked. Oh how wrong are they going to be. Once I’m ready I twirl the Bo staff and assume first form. Red Lighting starts off with a bang by shooting out a single ribbon of lightning, kinda sad really. I roll out of the way before sweeping my staff to the back of her heels and knocking her to the floor.

A grin forms on my face as I stand and give my bow a taunting swirl as I circle her on the mat. Red Lightning Fury lets out a huff and stands back on her feet, this time I don’t let her get the first strike. I push the blunt end of my staff in her gut, before knocking it up into her chin when she doubles over, the force has her fly back and land right back on her ass. “Come on, I thought you had more fight than this.” I groan and twist my staff around tauntingly. Red Lightning stands back to her feet and throws a punch this time, an insanely sloppy punch to be specific, one that I just took in my hand and redirected it back effectively twisting her arm. She jerks back with a squeal and it only draws laughter from me.

Red lighting screeches as her body pulses, finally charging up the way I want her to. I hear calls from the other heroes to chill out but I grin and toss my Bo to the side. I push my feet into form and as soon as her lightning shoots out I point two fingers to meet it. I feel the burning pulse rip through me as I quickly draw it into my body and direct it through one arm to the other, twisting my body and making sure to avoid my heart. The red now blue lighting shot out of my opposite arm which now points right back at her, her shock froze her in place and the strike hit her dead on.

The attack sent her flying across the mat, not that I paid any mind to her, instead my attention focused on the fritzing bands on my wrists. I push one good burst of lightning through my body and bands short circuit before falling to the floor. The heroes around me gasp and I sent them one smug smile before I clap my hands. All the light black out leaving everyone in total darkness, everyone but me. I clap my hands again allowing the lights to come back on, however instead of where I was before I’m now looming over Red Lightning Fury.

“Don’t you, EVER, doubt my commitment to my niece. I might not have brought her into this world, but she is mine, she is my daughter. I have given her everything that I am, and so help me if you threaten or mock her in any shape of form I will end your career. Permanently.” I snarl viciously, letting blue sparks pop off my body in agitation. “You can’t kill me.” she hisses, “Who said anything about killing? I threatened to end your career, I’m not so cruel that I’d take you from your children. I’ve seen what happens after, I know what happens after a child’s parents are ripped from this world.” I mumble grimly.

I stood straight and stepped away from Red Lightning, I plucked up the wooden staff and placed it back on the rack of weapons. “It’s been fun, but I’ll see you clowns at the next meeting.” I chime before walking to the nearest exit.

<---- Prev // Masterlist // Next ---->

#marcus moreno #marcus moreno x reader #marcus moreno x you #marcus moreno x y/n #marcus moreno fanfic #marcus moreno fanfiction #we can be heros #WCBH

[likitesplit]

This man is dead.

The fine young patriotic veteran pictured here looking as if he just stepped off the pages of Gentleman’s Quarterly, and if faced with an intruder clothed head to toe in body armor and armed with multiple weapons, would be as dead as the children he is there to protect.

I don’t think there should be any disagreement whatsoever that any child goes to school with the intention of being shot and killed in his or her classroom. One would’ve thought that this issue might’ve been firmly addressed decades ago. Sadly, The decades have passed and we find ourselves talking and reliving this unspeakable horror once more.

Sadly, we seem to leave a solution to this to our leaders, regardless of political party and affiliation, who seem leaderless to do anything about it. They, like everyone else, are only in it for the money and/or the name recognition which their ‘power’ gives them. All have to thread a fine needle of constituents who are both scholarly and informally and emotionally challenged, as both demand the right to be heard and represented.

Sadly too, we seem to be solution-less, due to the firm emotion-based intransigence from all sides. A huge number of us live in the year 1791, and are unable to seemingly understand that the year is, or so I’m told, 2022. To offset that, we have a huge number of us don’t seem to understand how to share society with those that can understand apparently nothing but ‘zero’ change, and that the year 1791 is the ‘only’ year there is.

This nation is at a turning point. I thought that it might’ve been at a turning point decades ago, but apparently we felt that it was easier to live with this pornography then to critically deal with it!

With every mass shooting that occurs, we seem to forget the fact of how these events play out in our collective consciousnesses. We seem to want to forget that with every murderous school rampage, the psychological toll that is taken by not only the survivors, but by the community and the nation as well. We seem to dwell on the long term psychological effects these events have upon the students, but NEVER do we ever discuss the long-term psychological effects and PTSD of the educators whose job it is to teach and care for the students. ‘PERHAPS WHAT NEEDS TO TAKE OCCUR IS FOR EVERY EDUCATOR IN THIS NATION TO GO OUT ON STRIKE IN THE FALL, AND ‘STAY OUT’ UNTIL POSITIVE CHANGE IT MET!

For those sportsman and hunters and the well-rounded of us who love and want to keep our firearms, firearm reform should be nothing to fear. They in fact should be the ones championing and help writing the changes, the changes that are so long overdue and need to take place, for they have nothing to fear from it. It seems that many on here feel that at any sort of gun reform will restrict their personal right to gun ownership. If those that are steadfast in this opinion want to keep this emotionally charged dialogue as their only argument, then perhaps they are indeed the ones that firearms reform should be targeting, if for no other reason on earth then to get them to begin to think outside the box.

And finally, for those who feel that proffering up ‘thoughts and prayers’ and comparing this event and others to scripture, I can only say that if this is your first response then perhaps you should join the clergy to spread your gospel.

[grumpyblackbird]

You look like you’ve seen a Ghost.

Pairing: Sort of Simon “Ghost” Riley x Fem!CIA!OC

Authors Note: This is my first time publishing anything I’ve written on tumblr. So please behave and be nice. If you have constructive criticism it is welcome. Please bear in mind that english is not my first language. The spanish phrase in this was translated via Google translate and I apologize for any mistakes. I feel like some parts of this don’t really make sense, as well. But maybe that’s just me. Please enjoy, anyway.

Summary: This is basically a quick rewrite and somewhat of a self-insert of the Cutscene before they take back the Vaqueros and go after Graves and Shadow Company in Modern Warfare 2022.

Skylar had just finished cleaning and reassembling her assault rifle, getting ready to take down Graves and his Shadows, while listening to Price. The captain had started to chew out another of his superior officers. Just like he did back then with Colonel Norris. No matter the tense situation she found herself in, this made her smile. Price always seemed to get away with mouthing off. Yet, John would rain hellfire down on those, who would mouth off to him.

“I don’t need fixing. I’m a patriot protecting my country.” As Sky heard this, she stood up from her seat in the corner of the room scoffing. Not loud enough for the microphone to pick it up and for Shepherd to hear it. But loud enough to get Price's attention at the end of the table. “He should be protecting his country from himself. That last missile could start World War 3, if we don’t find it in time.” Skylar couldn’t have kept this thought silent even if her life had depended on it. This concern of hers had to be voiced, because no one else in this room was going to say it and she had enough time since coming back to the safe house to go through all of the information Kate had gathered.

Instead of voicing his own thoughts on that matter John stood up and started pacing while berating the General on how you’re not supposed to bury each other in shit. While watching that scene unfold Sky could feel someone's eyes on her but none of the men in the room were obviously watching her. As she moved closer to the table, Price had already turned back to the screen telling Shepherd to “call off his Shadow”. “He’s a dog with a bone, and I highly recommend you do not try and take it.” The General's response made her step around Gaz obviously about to give him a piece of her mind on that matter, only to be held back by Kyle’s hand on her right shoulder. “He’s the one who threw that bone but he doesn’t have the balls to admit it!” There had always been a certain temperament in her and sometimes she just couldn’t keep silent, especially in high stress situations like these. Not exactly a good trait for a special forces operative but so far it didn’t get her in too much trouble. Maybe she did learn that from a certain Captain.

“This is your last chance to change your mind.” “Then what?” “Then after I go for him…I’m coming for you.” With that Price ended the call by closing the laptop and giving all of us the go ahead to mentally prepare ourselves for the next mission. His eyes found me standing next to him and a silent reprimand was passed between us. He did understand where I was coming from but it wasn't a good idea for me to also antagonize a superior officer. Alejandro left the room first, pushing open the doors and marching towards Rodolfo standing at the other end of the barn-like building. Sky followed in the back shouldering the strap of her rifle. Alejandro had already called the attention of the Vaqueros towards that table. Price was taking lead on this briefing starting with “Alright, listen - we are taking back your HQ.” Skylar was moving around the table to take her place next to Rudy.

“We are killing Commander Graves.”  “When?” “Now.” There had been a certain urgency in Rodolfo’s voice asking that question and to Skylar and definitely every Vaquero in this building it was understandable. Graves and his PMC had committed war crimes in Las Almas. Killing women and children. Killing everyone in their search for Soap, Ghost and her. It couldn’t stand and it wouldn’t. This filled Skylar with a well familiar rush of pre-combat adrenalin. Pushing away the weariness of the last battle. The Reaper was coming to collect.

“This is a fight against our own… We are not 141 and Los Vaqueros on this. We’re a team.. Ghost Team." Everyone in the room was watching Price and now turned to Ghost who pulled out a bag, emptying its contents of skull balaclavas on the table. Silence rang out and you could have heard a needle drop as soon as Ghost pulled off his signature mask revealing his face and identity to most of them for the first time. Skylar felt herself freeze up. “Good to see you again, Simon.” It was like everything else in this room seized to exist. All of her senses were honed in on the one fact that Ghost was very much a ghost.

There he was. Her Simon.

The man she had mourned for the past few years was the same man she had been working with for a while now and he never once deemed it necessary to tell her. Everyone else had already taken a mask and was putting it on or moving towards their gear to put it on before getting ready. But Sky hadn’t moved a muscle, hadn’t even properly taken a breath up until Rudy knocked his shoulder into hers whispering: “Parece que has visto un fantasma.” It broke Sky out of her trance. Turning to Rudy and taking a shaky breath before suddenly stepping around him and beelining it towards the nearest exit. She needed air. All of the adrenaline formerly rushing through her had faded and now she felt sick. He was alive!

“Breathe.”, came a deep voice from behind her and a hand was laid on her shoulder. Skylar pushed away from said hand and turned around. “Don’t tell me what to do! You...all this time. And you knew. You gave me that dog tag with his name on it, knowing full well he was alive.” Price was his usual calm self while Skylar was feeling betrayed. “Even Kate knew and she never said a word. Why?” “It wasn’t our secret to tell.” Skylar scoffed and took a few steps away from Price. “And you think it was a good idea to have this secret revealed right before we go into combat?” “No, I don't think it was a good idea, but I also didn’t know he would do it, and that’s why you’re with me” With that he handed Skylar a balaclava, turned around and moved back inside the building.

@ thetravelingtyper

#codmodernwarfare #simon ghost riley #call of duty oc #{i will always have your six} {skylar johnson} #simon riley x oc

[o0phylyra0o]

Pov: you are walking on a street and see dog shit just lying on the ground. It's smelly, and you could've lived without seeing it. What would you do now?

A. Take up your cleaning supplies and clean up the entire park every single day.

B. Beat and eradicate the homeless dogs who shat there, then clean up the entire park

C. Wrinkle your nose and walk away without doing anything.

Now, equate this to Ao3.

Before I start ranting I just want to let you know that you're just free to scroll past this post, just like you walk past a homeless person on the streets with a simple "so sad, but not my problem".

Do you know the full form of Ao3? It's Archives Of Our Own.

1. It's an archive. Which means it's supposed to store everything, regardless of what that "thing" is. Once we start picking and choosing what to put into an archive, it just becomes a personal collection. A personal collection is not an archive.

2. Of. Our. Own. It's for us. And when the 'us' becomes a single 'I', it stops serving its purpose.

I'm pretty sure that a lot of people have had some less than pleasant experiences while browsing Ao3. But just because something is unpleasant doesn't mean it loses its right to exist.

In my years of using Ao3, although I've come across many things I did not wish to see, I am mature enough to realise that all the problems surface from the fact that

A. I did not filter the tags properly

B. The person who wrote the fic did not tag it properly.

The problem had never been with the website, but with the people using it. The site didn't write those stories, the site didn't force you to read them. Hell, the site didn't even force you to use it.

All the dirty bad wrong stuff in there was written by people. And some other person will come and say "this and this is disgusting so we will censor it"

Except the list of things being censored will keep increasing.

What most people don't understand is that censorship is a power. Who is censoring it? Humans? Do you really trust in the humans, the same species that shoved all that bullshit there in the first place?

And if one human is getting the power to censor, I want it too. Believe me, the first thing I'll do if I ever get censorship rights is ban all shipping fics. It will all be platonic love, gen fics. Like that? No? Well, that's why you can't trust humans with censorship rights.

"Such and such thing is iMmOrAl, it shouldn't exist" well, homophobes will say the same about homosexuality. Transphobes will say the same about trans. "That's different because the homophobes and transphobes are wrong, we aren't wrong". Well, how do you know the people making the decisions when it comes to censorships aren't transphobes and homophobes? Can you claim to be the roundworm in someone's stomach, the tumor in someone's brains, able to know what and how that person thinks deep inside? Can you claim to be omniscient? Are you sure you can choose the right person to lead? If you are, then I suggest you take a look at your own country's government.

In the country I live, saying swear words and being a part of LGBTQA+ is also immoral.

It's easy to start censorship, but once it starts, it will never stop.

Before pro censorship netizens start lynching me, calling me a pervert for "standing up for pedos" and other such bullshit, please tell me why nobody is lynching publishers and libraries for still keeping mein kampf on their shelves. Doesn't that make them a 'nazi'?

It doesn't. We live in a world where we have to protect ourselves instead of trusting in authority figures. It's always been "don't like don't look" for everybody. Pedophiles and rapists shouldn't exist, but the world isn't ideal, and 'should' can never be realised here. All we can do is defend ourselves.

When you walk on the streets and see dog shit, that doesn't mean you need to go and smell it, neither does it mean that dogs need to be eradicated or something. Stepping on dog shit is obviously very disgusting, and I don't I feel like dog shit is required to exist in this world, but it still exists, just like the darkness in a person's heart. All we can do is wrinkle our noses and go the other way, leaving behind the few of the perverts and weirdos who go there to smell it.

Let's be real here, do you really think censorship will change anything? Oh, writing about non-con and explicit stuff is illegal now? Then they'll just move to another site that has a worse tagging system. Or even worse, they'll continue writing that bullshit and post it without the proper tags or use symbols in between with the hope that their work will somehow pass detection.

I assure you, when that happens, you'll regret everything. This isn't the first time this has happened, after all.

Also, unpopular opinion but if you can't differenciate between reality and fiction, maybe you should stop reading fictional stories in the first place?

The power of censorship is already in our hands in the form of filters and tags. However, it does need some work.

If I had to suggest one change, I'd want to be able to filter out fanfictions that have a certain phrase anywhere inside it. I feel like that would solve quite a few problems that led a lot of people to go pro censorship. Filter works great. The only way you'll get a non-con fic in your dash when you already filtered it out is if the author themselves didn't put in the tags. In that case, the fault lies in the author and not the site.

I'd say once again, censorship in media has never been a good decision. Or more accurately, trusting some representative to "censor correctly" has never been a good solution to any problem ever.

#ao3 #archive of our own #censorship #discourse #fanfictions #i'm late

[healingpolyphony]

Yesterday our partner brought something up with us. We hadn’t thought of it before, or really processed our progress with this.

tw for anger and self harm

Part of our learning to feel emotions via therapy has been learning to feel anger, and in that, learning how to control anger. For most of our life, we weren’t allowed to feel anger, because feeling that meant that we were bad, we were abusive, we were corrupt and just pretending to be good. It also put us in danger, so being quiet and non feeling but being able to pretend we were okay was safest. If we were put into a situation where we should have been angry, we just… went numb. Even the alters who “held anger” had this a lot of the time, with very rare exceptions, and those exceptions made us feel triggered, disgusting and loathsome, and would inevitably end up with us punishing ourself for any outbursts.

First; We started learning how to identify what anger feels like in our body. Where did we feel it, what sensations does it bring, does it remind us of any colours, do those sensations change depending on what the situation was? From there, we started slowly being able to actually connect the emotion to the sensations.

The problem there is that once those barriers came down even a little, that anger exploded. The “anger holders”* no longer had control over the explosions by “going cold”, and that leaked out to everyone else too, or the angry parts of us would sort of… channel through their anger, sometimes misdirected. While we never raised our voice much, or lashed out physically, we’d still be visibly angry, and get snappy and defensive. The smallest thing would set us off and then either we’d be abrupt and snappy with others, or - more often - we’d internalize that and would end up with self harm.

Apparently… we’re better. We hadn’t noticed, really - it’s not a thing that we’ve consciously done for a while, but according to them we’re really good at recognizing when we get set off, taking a second to mentally pause to see if we need to step away, then reacting appropriately. We don’t explode, we don’t snap, we haven’t converted it into self harm either - we’re just feeling it, understanding the rationale behind it and working through it. That’s huge.

They said they’re proud of us, and honestly… this means the world. We never, ever wanted to be a bad partner, and they said that we never were, but that it was harder during that time. Which… there’s guilt, but we’re also not beating ourselves up over that. Partly because we know we’re better now. We’re making progress in ways that we hadn’t even noticed. And we’re going to continue to improve being a good partner.

* we remember the times that we *did* get mad as being either absolutely explosive rage at certain triggers or quiet, seething rage. And honestly, we mostly remember that with Grey and Valentin. We have a memory of some teenagers jump scaring us and Grey snapping to the front to scream at them, as well as times when he’s been so tense from anger that our entire body has hurt, then we have a faint memory of living at the “housing for vulnerable adults” house and there being a woman who used to walk around the house singing hymns and praising Jesus and all that which set Valentin off into an emotional fireball at her 😬 we also remember Jake being angry!protective over certain people in our past when there was a threat to them

[meghansynan]

It's All True

Please Read To The End:

"For the past 18 months, I kept saying; “A storm is coming!” For the past 12 plus years, I kept saying; “we the people need to unite together and take back our country!”

Besides myself, there were thousands of people voicing similar statements, more, now than ever! And, many of the current theories are quite sensible. In fact, there are a few that seems to be right on point.

One thing that is for sure! What we are being told by the MSM, and all of our politicians, yes, all politicians, is very tainted, very misleading, and very ambiguous!

Now, the important question isn’t “what is going on?” The most important question that needs to be found is; Why? Why is this going on?

I’ve been solving personal and business problems for well over 60 years. When a problem arises, whatever it’s nature, people have a tendency to address the nature of the problem, rather than, finding out what’s causing the problem.

A simple example; You get a headache, so you take an aspirin or other similar remedies to get rid of your headache. Very rarely do we ask ourselves, why did we get that headache?

More larger problems are handled the same way. When the problem is fixed, we have no thought to investigate, as to why that problem occurred.

It’s like that saying; “I don’t need to know how it works, I just want to know it works.”

Most major companies run on this format. The top management hears of a problem, calls lower management, lower management try’s to explain why, but, top management says; “I don’t want to know why, just fix it!” Sound familiar?

Well the problem all of us are dealing with here in our country, everyone is asking what is going on? Again, the real question should be “Why is this going on?”

Many of us (for years) were trying to get people to understand the nature of all the problems that have been going on in our country, in hopes that they would see why those problems surfaced to begin with, but, it was to no avail.

So, while we are wondering what is going on, and, with most of us relying on MSM, and our politicians for answers. We are again, falling for their divisional and suppressing traps, which, keeps their brainwashing techniques to further our passive sheep behavior under their control.

I use to say why does it take something catastrophic to wake people up. Like someone who gets a heart attack, and then realizes that me maybe they should take better care of themselves.

Or, someone who gets lung or throat cancer, and says; maybe I should quit smoking.

Well here we are, with the biggest catastrophic event in history, and all of us just fell to our knees! All of us just gave in! Closed all our businesses, restricted ourselves to our own confinement! And, without any resistance! Fear!

I said this countless times. There are only two ways to get someone, anyone to do what you want, and that is; 1) Money (greed) what’s a person’s price!? 2) Fear! Fear is the number one motivator!

This is what separates the bad guys from the good guys - Fear!

This unspeakable condition our country is in, didn’t just happen. This was a very methodical procedure orchestrated by the bad guys.

And, the success of this event was largely, because, us people, us good guys, were “Fearful” of any level, of any possible repercussion, to whatever action we may have taken, to fight the bad guys.

Think about this: what if we the people didn’t fall for any of the bad guys divisional traps, chaos traps, etc.

What if we pressed the issue to round up Obama, Clinton’s, Soros, Pelosi and the rest of those Treasonous corrupt politicians, including, all their lower clan, judges, councilmen/woman, and so on? And, force them to be brought to justice, instead of being fearful to step up, United together without any fear of repercussions.

Just like all our military servicemen and servicewomen, who fought without any fear! Just focused on protecting our country, and the people of this country. Keeping others from stripping our freedoms and rights, of being an American! Living in this country as our founding fathers intended for the American people!

Do you really want to let that be taken away from you? Really?

I said a Storm was coming, and now, it’s here! Ask yourself... are you willing to fight for your country, yourself, your children, your grand children... or, are you just going to lay down, and hide in some corner waiting in fear, to see what’s next!?

Remember, this is still, and always been a country where the people are the power, the people are the government.

The government does not dictate to the people, the people dictate to the officials we placed in office to run our country the way we want our country run!

We are a government of the people, by the people, and for the people! Period! Truth!

Quit allowing the bad guys to continue to brainwash you in thinking that they are the power, and what they say, goes!

No, “We The People Are The Power!” What we say; GOES!

We need to quit being barking dogs! And become dogs that attack, dogs that bite! We need to become actionable!

We need to attack these corrupt officials and put a bite on all their corrupt ways, and stop any further destruction of our country!

At some point, there is no excuse. You either want to do everything it takes to make it happen, or you don’t!

We can no longer can use the excuse that we are busy, and just don’t have the time to become actionably involved!

And, always remember; God didn’t create us to be depressed, defeated, guilty, condemned, ashamed, or unworthy, we were created to be victorious!

In close; May God our Father, give you the understanding, courage, and protection of the Blood of Jesus, and move you to defend our God given county, in Jesus Christ Glorious name, Amen! Thank you for your time. ♥ ☮ 🎸 🙂"

By: Shear’Ree