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xtruss · 2 years

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Map of gas pipelines across Mediterranean and Sahara

Algerian Gas Can’t Be Panacea for Europe’s Energy Needs, Report Warns

— Ilya Tsukanov | May 19, 2022

Europe’s major economies began a new “scramble for Africa” in March, traveling to major oil and gas-producing nations in both North and Sub-Saharan Africa in search of oil and gas to replace supplies traditionally provided by Russia.

Algerian natural gas won’t be able to save Europe from its reliance on Russian supplies of the strategic resource, London-based Arabic-language digital newspaper Rai Al Youm has warned.

The outlet noted that while Algerian gas has become a source of hoped-for energy security for Spain, Italy, France, and even Germany, domestic factors and Algiers’ desire to remain on good terms with Moscow may prevent the country from becoming the energy panacea the Europeans are looking for.

Algeria, the largest exporter of gas in Africa, was the seventh largest in the world in 2020, and has at least 4.5 trillion cubic metres of proven gas reserves. A network of pipelines winds from massive fields in the centre and south of the country, taking the blue fuel to Iberia and the southern tip of the Italian "boot". The nation also has two large liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants in Arzew and Skikda along the Mediterranean coast, allowing LNG to be loaded up and delivered to other European destinations on board tankers.

However, Rai Al Youm points out that much of the country’s energy infrastructure is ageing, and rising domestic consumption is impeding the country from quickly ramping up output.

A number of European energy companies, including Italy’s Eni, France’s Total, Norway’s Equinor, and Germany’s Wintershall already operate in the gas-rich nation, cooperating with Algerian state-owned energy giant Sonatrach on a broad range of projects. Italy alone imported about 21 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas from Algeria in 2021, and has signed an agreement for an additional 9 bcm between 2023 and 2024 – equivalent to about 12 percent of Rome’s annual gas consumption. Wintershall has agreed a six-field contract expected to produce 2.8 bcm annually until 2041.

Europe’s plans to wean itself off Russian supplies has also prompted France and Spain to discuss reviving MidCat, an abandoned 190 km pipeline project that would pump Algerian natural gas across the Pyrenees to Barbaira in southern France. Proposed in 2003, the project was abandoned in 2019 after squabbling over costs and environmental impact considerations.

There are also geopolitical considerations at play. Last month, Algeria threatened to terminate gas exports to Spain if Madrid tried to resell it to other countries – pointing to Spain’s move to supply gas to Morocco, with whom Algiers is in a dispute over the region of Western Sahara. The Spanish government immediately backed down, vowing that “in no case will the gas acquired by Morocco come from Algeria”.

🇷🇺🤝🇩🇿 As part of his visit to Algeria, Sergey Lavrov took part in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument to the Heroes of the War of Independence of Algeria and he holds talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria Ramtan Lamamra.

Morocco lost its access to natural gas supplies coming through a pipeline from Algeria in October 2021, after a 25-year gas distribution agreement expired. The kingdom annexed Western Sahara in 1976, with Algeria backing the Polisario Front independence movement in the region.

Russia also won’t stand idly by as the Europeans seek to cosy up to Algeria for energy, Rai Al Youm suggested, pointing to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s visit to the country earlier this month to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

During his 10 May visit, Lavrov stressed the strong and friendly relations between Russia and Algeria, pointed to plans to strengthen economic, energy, and military cooperation, and to make good on the 2001 treaty aimed at scaling up strategic bilateral ties.

the two nations have enjoyed close ties going back to Soviet days, when Moscow supported Algiers’ fight for independence from France, and sent aid to help rebuild the country’s economy and demine wide swathes of territory after it achieved independence in 1962.

Lavrov’s trip to Algeria was preceded by that of Antony Blinken, who travelled to the country in March, becoming the first US secretary of state to visit in 22 years. In his public remarks, Blinken was said to have discussed regional security, economic cooperation, and human rights with his Algerian counterparts, as well as dangled US technology exports before his hosts.

Behind the scenes, Rai Al Youm suggested, the visit may have constituted “American pressure on Algeria to increase gas supplies to Europe and to try to coopt the country into the ranks of the West”.

Ultimately, the outlet stressed that Algeria will not be able to “save” Europe or “rid it of its dependence on Russian gas”.

“Algeria is facing a difficult situation”, veteran German energy expert Cyril Widdershoven told German media last month, emphasising that if it seeks to help Europe with additional relations with Europe, Algiers will threaten its strategic ties with Moscow. On top of that, “it’s not clear to what extent Algeria can be an actual alternative to Russia, at a time when it is suffering from the stagnation of its oil exports due to a lack of investments in the sector, and the rapid growth of domestic demand”, Widdershoven said.

Dr Hussein Kadri, a professor of international relations at the University of Algiers, characterised the diplomatic commotion around the country amid the Ukraine crisis as a situation in which Algeria is “between a rock and a hard place”.

“Algeria can be an alternative, but at the same time it needs investment because its energy capabilities do not allow it to replace Russian gas over the short term”, Kadri said, speaking to Sky News Arabia.

Scramble For Africa

Algeria is one of several African energy powers the Europeans have engaged in recent months in a bid to find alternatives to Russian oil and gas. In March, European officials flocked to Nigeria to discuss a potential “strengthened partnership” in the energy sector with the country. Earlier this month, Bloomberg reported on the existence of an EU energy plan characterising Nigeria, Senegal, and Angola as nations with “largely untapped potential” for liquefied natural gas production.

Late last year, Nigerian Environment Minister Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar accused developed nations of deliberately defunding Africa’s natural gas projects on the grounds that they contribute to the global climate crisis.

The European Investment Bank stopped financing African fossil fuel projects in late 2021. The same year, the Western-dominated World Bank said it too would shift resources away from natural gas projects in favour of initiatives that would help in “combating climate change”.

Energy Suicide

European countries have spent months promising to reduce energy imports from Russia, with the European Commission recently proposing an embargo on Russian oil in a proposed sixth package of sanctions. Hungary blocked the initiative, saying a ban on Russian oil would be equivalent to dropping an "atomic bomb" on the country's economy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on these measures on Tuesday, saying that if the European Union wanted to commit economic suicide, it was its business.

“Obviously, together with Russian energy resources, economic activity will also be leaving Europe for other regions of the world. Such an economic auto-da-fe, or suicide, is of course the internal affair of European countries. We must proceed pragmatically and proceed primarily from our own economic interests”, Putin said.

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mysmegrace · 3 years

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i recently installed mystic messenger again after like a month or more of not playing (was afraid of someone finding the game in my phone) , and it felt good to "see" the characters again , so can i please request headcanons of the rfa seeing mc after a long time ?

hello, that's completely understandable lol. i remember back in 2016 when i played it the first time around (i deleted it after the first bad ending and didn't play again until 2019 lol) and was worried people would look on my phone and see it. oh how times have changed lol. but of course!

RFA Seeing MC After a Long Time

---

yoosung kim:

you attended the rfa party during the last summer you had before going to college.

life was looking up for you.

you found an amazing boyfriend, started becoming independent, and got a good summer job.

things only got better when you found out you had gotten accepted to college.

only problem was that the college was in the US, and your friends and lover were in South Korea.

as much as you loved your new life here, you reminded yourself of your feelings before meeting the rfa.

how everything you created here would only be temporary.

but now, you didn’t want to stick to that anymore.

your life was going so well, and you knew yoosung wouldn’t be happy about you leaving to go across the globe.

however, it was too good of an opportunity to let it go.

this was what you were to planning to do for the last decade.

if you were to give up now, all your hard work would be for nothing.

you were incredibly conflicted, but eventually choose to follow your passion at college overseas.

and yoosung was frantic about it.

he wouldn’t be able to see you, protect you, help you, feed you, walk with you, the list went on.

however as he’s gotten more mature over the past few days, he knew he didn’t have the power to stop you, nor should he guilt you about it.

besides, he wanted you to pursue something you were passionate in and become successful.

some sacrifices would just have to be made.

that didn’t mean he would let you go either.

the two of you made a promise to call, facetime, and visit each other as often as possible.

you’d make it work.

so with much regret, you left to the states.

and when the holidays approached, you decided to bring yourself to him as a gift.

it had been months since he saw you at this point.

you both could enjoy the holidays together while relaxing.

it was a win win.

and what better way to carry out your surprise than by showing up to his front door at 10pm?

and that’s exactly what you did.

giving the door a good few knocks, you waited until you were greeted by yoosung standing in his unwashed pajamas, staring at you.

it took a few seconds for it to click who you are, yet once that processed, he was overcome with joy.

you thought it was adorable how his hands flew to his face as he began to pull you into a hug shortly after.

you were met with only parts of words as yoosung couldn’t explain his excitement fast enough.

and you were ecstatic as well.

you never realized how much you missed him until you were reunited with him again.

hence why after you two spent the holidays together, you found it incredibly difficult to leave again.

however with his encouragement, you went off to work your hardest so he could meet a successful you the next time you reunited.

hyun ryu / zen:

much like zen, you were an actor too.

you were a much lesser known actress, but you had began building connections.

and those connections all paid off when you were offered a new role in a movie that was predicted to be going big.

you couldn’t be more grateful.

yet as you began reading farther into the offer, your heart slowly sunk.

if you were to take the role, you would have to relocate to germany for the next 9 months.

you wanted this so bad, but you didn’t want to leave zen alone for 9 months.

he if could, he would join you in germany.

but he already had a role to work on in south korea.

as much as you wanted him to join you, you didn’t want him to give up his role he had been working so hard on for the past year.

you were conflicted, and knew it would be best to talk about it to zen.

not only to see what he thinks, but to ease your feelings.

and once you had the discuss about it with you, you came to a conclusion.

you would could, keeping in contact with him everyday.

though zen was heartbroken about it, he knew how much you wanted this and how much this would advance your career.

so with a heavy heart, he sent you off.

the moment you left on the plane, he was already longing for your reunion.

9 months never went by so slow.

when you were with him, there was never enough time to bask in each others love.

but without him, everyday had an extra 8 hours.

even though you were working 24/7, time stayed still for days on end.

yet when the production ended a month early, all your worries and stresses eased as you could finally reunite with your love in person.

without thinking, you packed all your stuff up once you got back to your trailer to get the next plane back to seoul.

you hadn’t even thought to tell zen until you boarded the plane.

too late now though, as you weren’t aloud your phone on the plane.

what an idiotic rule, you thought.

but perhaps it was better this way, as you could surprise zen with your return sooner than expected.

you gave into the tiredness that followed you around for the months prior, awakening to the speaker saying you’ve landed.

in your half awake state, you got off the plane and called for a cab.

it only took an hour to reach your destination, in which you got more sleep on the way there.

you thanked the driver before heading out, practically running to the front door.

you knocked, hoping to make zen believe you were only a door salesman or a mailman.

you heard some footsteps approaching behind the door in a hurried state, before the door opened and you were greeted with your future husband.

his expression changed in the speed of light once he quickly realized who you were.

you were met with a tight embrace, doubting if you could breath for a second.

zen pulled away not too long after, his excitement getting to him as he said “i didn’t think you were supposed to be home so soon!”

to that, you could only giggle as you admitted the reason behind your surprise.

zen was more than happy to see you home earlier than discussed before.

“this day is too important, we have to do something now!” zen said as he got dressed up to go out in the christmas weather.

with a small laugh, you agreed.

the rest of your day was spent going out to cafes and buying presents for the other rfa members.

and to your luck, the movie turned out a huge success.

not only in germany, but in korea as well.

things worked out for the best, you thought.

but one thing was for sure, you weren’t doing that again.

jaehee kang:

jaehee had brought up the idea of opening a cafe, to which you were 100% in on.

however, in korea you had to have a culinary certificate to own a cafe.

i dont know if thats legit or not i completely made that up

but if you had to get a certificate, you were going to get it in the best way you could.

and a college you had come across was perfect for that.

it was a good price and had a great reputation.

there was one problem however, and that was that it was located in france.

which was a 12 hour flight away from seoul.

you knew there was no opportunity like it, but you couldn’t stop yourself from being on the edge about it.

you didn’t want to leave your friends and family here for 2 years while you went off to another country on your own.

plus who knew if something would happen to you while you were aboard?

your concerns were slightly lessened after you brought up your worries to jaehee, and the encouragement she gave you was overwhelming.

she suggested for you to go for it and that she would hold everything down in seoul while helping the rfa in planning future parties.

on the upside, it would give her more time to save up more money for the opening just in cause it was needed.

with hesitation, you decided to go along with her words and study in france for some time.

you would miss each other, but you both knew it was what you two needed to ensure a sucessful future.

while you were aboard, jaehee would attend culinary classes in korea here and there.

you would keep in contact frequently, but never had the money to go back to seoul on holidays to reunite.

so once those two years had passed, you were out as fast as possible.

you loved france, but you loved your girlfriend more.

you hopped on the plane home, eager to see everyone again.

and once you arrived at the airport in seoul, the first thing you saw as you exited the plane was your girlfriend standing there, eyes focused on the doorway waiting for your arrival.

and once your eyes met, you were quick to run up to her while opening your arms to hug her strongly.

two years was such a long time to be apart, but all was well now.

shortly after, the two of you opened the cafe and were met with an incredible amount of support from the community and rfa.

now you were content to settle down in seoul with the love of your life.

jumin han:

you were very business driven, which jumin liked about you.

even having your own fashion company.

you were unlike many other women he had come across before in various ways.

but the downside to your business focused mind were your frequent business trips.

some would last a day while others would last a week.

though this recent one you were expected to take was unlike anything you had ever had to do before for work.

it suggested you stayed in china for a month as you worked out many business issues and proposals.

while your company had began trending recently, you had never expected this.

the first thing that came to your mind once reading the email was your husband.

you felt horrible when you had to leave him alone for a day, but a month?

you couldn’t even imagine how much that would hurt him.

however, this wasn’t something you could just refuse.

if you did, you weren’t sure if your company would continue standing.

and so later that night, you told jumin everything over wine.

how you didn’t want to but knew your company wouldn’t survive without it.

he didn’t know what to make of everything.

this came at the worst timing.

he needed to stay in korea for the time being for business, so he couldn’t join you in china either.

reluctantly, he supported you in your travels.

he understood your situation, but made you promise to call him every night.

which you had no problem with.

and so with a sad smile, you had left a few days later.

things were frustrating in beijing, but you at least had the comfort of your husbands voice to fall asleep to.

everyone at the office noticed jumins shift in mood as soon as your left.

yet without a voice of concern, things carried on as if nothing happened.

the day you were set to come back, jumin cancelled all plans to spend the day with you.

you needed to make up for the time the two of you lost, and you needed to rest in the comfort of your own home again.

thankfully, your company didn’t meet it’s downfall just yet.

in fact, it was now prospering.

saeyoung choi:

your day was going as it normally would.

well, as normal as a day with saeyoung can go.

yet it all changed when you got a call that your brother had gotten into a bad car accident, and the situation wasn’t looking good.

you didn’t know how to react, so many emotions and fears were overwhelming you.

you knew you were your brothers emergency contact, as he had no one else close to him in his life, so it was no question about why they called you while you were in seoul and he was in brazil.

but after learning about the situation, you quickly realized that you needed to get back to brazil as soon as possible.

they didn’t know how long he had left, and the remainder of his days would require for him to get help to do everyday things.

with your eyes barely spilling over, you told saeyoung everything.

you were met with a hug as he comforted you.

when you brought up the fact of needing to leave, he didn’t think twice before giving you his blessing (though he knew you didn’t need it).

it would be hard on him because he wouldn’t be able to join you as he was in an active mission, but he would keep in touch and make sure of your safety from countries away.

after all, he would do the same if saeran were in your brothers position.

the next day, you backed your flight to brazil, packing only what you needed.

your days in brazil passed in pain, as you watched your brother fight for his life daily.

until one day, his body gave up on him and he passed.

you were devastated.

you were on autopilot in public and breaking down in your hotel room when no one was around.

after attending your brothers funeral and a week of mourning, you began to book your ticket back to seoul.

yet in your state of heart ache, you didn’t realize the change in the countries health as the coronavirus started running through every town in the nation.

planes were unavailable and travel was banned.

now you were stuck here for the next 6 months, always hopping the next month would be better and you’d finally be able to go home.

saeyoung was on his toes all the time, not feeling the same without you.

and you missed him more and more as the days went on.

when the time finally came, you rushed to buy a ticket, though most people weren’t flying due to their fears surrounding the situation.

the plane was empty, allowing you to sneak your phone, sending a text to saeyoung.

“i’m on the plane home now” you typed.

saeyoung was overcome with joy to see your message.

though you had to isolate for 14 days, at least you were in the country and close to him.

once you got off the plane, went into isolation, and tested negative for covid, you ran to your shared home.

opening the door to be greeted with the same old smile that teased you every morning was a refreshing sight.

you ran up as he lifted you in a tight embrace, swaying you side to side in a wave of excitement.

after months of stress and anxiety, you could finally breath.

that realization alone was enough to make you burst out into tears of relief.

your feelings were contagious, as you saw saeyoungs eyes starting to water as well.

you were finally safe and sound in his protection, and that was all he could’ve asked for..

---

01:51 AST - 09/01/21

#mystic messenger #mysme #juminhan #jumin #jumin x mc #707 #saeyoung choi #saeyoung x mc #luciel choi #yoosung x mc #yoosung kim #zen #hyun ryu #jaehee kang #jaehee x mc #mystic messenger headcanons

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nonbinaryeye · 3 years

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My dear Jonathan...

Written for @jonahmagnusweek

Day 1 - Letters

It has been years since Jonathan Fanshawe cut all the contact with Jonah Magnus.

Read on AO3

...

Jonathan Fanshawe has never given much thought to his future. There hasn’t been any reason to dwell on it too much; anything can happen any time, there is no point to plan anything; no one can predict what will come. Besides he usually has had much more important things to focus on! There have been so many things he wanted to figure out and discover. There has been his hubris telling him he will be able to. Of course he hasn’t had time to concern himself with his future.

That being said though he never imagined he would end up as a local doctor in small village in the middle of Switzerland. But well… anything did happen indeed.

It has been years since he cut any contact with Jonah Magnus. It has also been years since he left England and if he said he is not missing London he would be lying. But it isn’t that bad. His life now is much more… peaceful. Also more frugal. But that is fine. He can be actually helping people instead of chasing his own ambition. He can do some good for a change.

“Good evening, doctor!” as soon as he enters through the doors his housekeeper Frieda welcomes him. She is a widow and even though she’s somewhere in her sixties she is always full of energy no matter if she is cleaning the house or informing him about newest gossips in all the nearby villages.

“Evening, Frieda.” He gives her a tired smile and hangs his coat on a hanger expecting flow of questions. She could never stay quiet for too long; no matter what is the topic she has something to say. In the past these kinds of people used to annoy Jonathan but now no matter how exhausting it can be he prefers it over the alternative of being trapped in silence only with his own thoughts.

“How was your day? The autumn is almost here. There is always much more sick people when the summer ends. We are lucky to have you. You were visiting that Butcher’s kid today right? How is he doing?”

“Hm? Yes, yes… The fever is almost gone. Few more days and Wilhelm will be back on his feet.”

Fanshawe has been living here for almost three years now. He had to deal at first with lots of hostile looks but they quickly changed to more accepting ones as soon as people learnt he is a doctor. Then they changed to fully welcoming when they realized he is a real and actually good doctor who can do more than just offer to people some herb tea. And so no one bothered to ask him too many questions what exactly made him leave all the comforts of London and move in remote village in foreign country.

“You look tired. Go get some rest I will start making dinner. I’ve prepared the fireplace for you it was quite chilly in your room. The autumn really is here isn’t it? As I said more people will start getting sick soon. It is always like that when autumn arrives…”

“Call me when it’s ready.” He might maybe spend the evening by reading next to lit fire place. Maybe he will even pour himself a glass of… well he isn’t sure what kind of alcohol it was exactly, he got it as a gift from one of his patient as a thank you. But it doesn’t taste the worst and he could not exactly be picky here.

“Oh also I would almost forget, a letter for you arrived today. Isn’t it strange, doctor? I don’t remember that you would ever get any.” It is indeed… unusual. There is a seed of worry starting to grow inside him. He doesn’t receive letters very often. He is doctor after all so when someone needs him it is usually way too urgent to wait for post to deliver message since they usually come by only once every two weeks. Still it doesn’t have to mean… “Do you have any idea who might write you? It looks rather fancy it is even in an envelope!”

Jonathan feels a horrible feeling of dread washing over him. “Yes… I mean no. I have no idea. Where is the letter, Frieda?”

“I left it on your table-…”

“Thank you. That is all I… Good night,”

“There will still be a dinner, doctor!” Fanshawe barely registers her words. He rushes into his room. Since Frieda keeps whole house very neat it takes him only few second it find a single letter lying on his writing table. He doesn’t know how long he only stares at it before he finally dares to pick it up.

The space for sender’s address is empty but Jonathan doesn’t need it to know who exactly has sent it to him. Even without the extravagant envelope; even without the seal with the owl imaginary; even if he couldn’t recognize the handwriting he still knows painfully well; there is only one person who could.

It has been years since he cut any contact with Jonah Magnus.

Unfortunately Jonah Magnus still hasn’t decided to cut a contact with him.

When he return from his… “trip” to Germany he was welcomed at his house in London by series of letters from Jonah questioning his decision. And they haven’t stopped coming. After a consideration Jonathan decided to move away, afraid Jonah might eventually try to reach out to him personally. ‘It is just because he doesn’t want to have anything to do with him,’ he was telling himself at first. ‘He has no reason to be afraid. What could Jonah do to him after all?’

The answer on his question was waiting at him every night in his nightmares which were full of eyes. Sometimes they are just floating in nothingness. Sometimes they are staring at him from Albrecht’s dead body. And sometimes he sees himself and he is the one covered in eyes.

After thinking about some of their past conversations and after looking at some of their past correspondence he started to notice lots of double meanings he chose to overlook at the time but which he can ignore no longer. Also what was the name of Jonah’s ‘dear friend’ who so mysteriously disappeared few years ago? Barnabas? There is no doubt something is very wrong with Jonah Magnus. And one should rather get out of his way before they find themselves standing in the middle of it.

He thought simply moving to a different city will solve his issue. He found out he has thought wrong since just as he is settled another letter from Jonah Magnus arrives. Jonathan was more annoyed than worried. At this point he assumed Jonah obtained the address through some acquaintances; he seemed to have some everywhere. And so Fanshawe thought that maybe staying abroad for year or two might solve his problem. He returned to Kingdom of Württemberg but then he very quickly moved to Baden. Then to Nassau, several parts of Saxony, Luxembourg, Hanover and many others German countries.

But the letters never stopped coming. Sometimes he received letters only weeks apart. Sometimes it took months. Now it has been the longest time since the last one. He really hoped that he managed to disappear from his sight. Or that at least Jonah got finally tired and decided to stop bothering him.

As many times before he is wrong. The letter in his hand is proof of that.

He should just throw it out. Destroy it. But he needs to know – it would later bother him too much – he needs to see for himself if there will be some threats. Requests. Curses.

He opens the letter.

My dear Jonathan,

It has been a while since my last letter and I would like to apologize that I haven’t find a time to write to you any sooner but I have been very busy with my Institute lately. I have finally found a perfect place where could I relocate my institute I think that I mentioned my intentions to do so in the past somewhere in our correspondence. I must admit that I might have helped it a bit by…

Jonathan tears the paper in half.

There are no mean spirited words no laughs at him for thinking he might be safe. No. There is just politeness the words written as if they were intended for an old friend. Just mundane information about his everyday life Jonathan couldn’t be less interested in. He doesn’t want to know any of this. He doesn’t care. He doesn’t want to have anything to do with Jonah Magnus and his damned institute.

He tears the letter again. And again. And then once more. Only as he is throwing the scraps of paper in the fireplace he notices how much are his hands shaking. His heart is beating fast and the feeling of dread is swallowing him whole. Defeated, he sits down on a chair by the fire.

He feels so silly now. How could he think he can ever escape him? How could he think he is able to get rid of him?

The content of the letters really isn’t the point. It doesn’t matter whether Jonathan reads them or not because they already fulfill their purpose by just successfully reaching their destination. All Jonah wants is to remind Fanshawe from time to time that no matter where he moved no matter where he tried to hide he still knows his exact position. He isn’t about to hurt him. But he wants Jonathan to know that he could if he wanted. He is still at his mercy.

Jonathan should be probably angry. Enraged. But he cannot. He can no longer even bring himself to feel spite for what happened to Albrecht and for what probably happened to so many other people surrounding Jonah Magnus; for all the evil Jonathan unknowingly helped him to spread. He is only exhausted. He only wishes for it to finally end…

But it never will, will it? He should finally accept that there will always be a next letter. But living the rest of his life in state of constant paranoia seemed like fair prize to pay for his sins.

#tma #tma fanfic #magnus archives #magnus archives fanfic #jonathan fanshawe #jonah magnus #jonah magnus week #jonah magnus week 2021 #mEye fanfic #reblogs or kudos and comments on ao3 are appreciated #jonahmagnusweek #Jonah week

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yourdailykitsch · 3 years

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Taylor Kitsch, an actor known for his roles in such Hollywood productions as "Battleship: Battle for Earth" and "X-Men Origins: Wolverine", is starring in the new Canal + series "Defeated". In an interview, the actor reveals what he remembers from history lessons, what connects the series' story with the modern world. He also explains why, according to him, every person should visit the former concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Taylor Kitsch started his adventure in Hollywood as a "hottie" - an actor associated with a great body and beautiful face. All because the first role that brought the popularity of the former model Abercrombie and Fitch was the character of naughty lover Tim Riggins in the cult series "Friday Night Lights".

Kitsch did not avoid tough moments in his career - for example, when the $ 250 million John Carter, his first such big role, suffered a disgusting box office failure. But the Canadian knew this taste already - after coming to the USA, he was homeless for some time before finding a job.

For years, he has been successfully playing in big titles and alongside big names. Oliver Stone ("Savages"), Ryan Murphy ("Heart Reflex"), roles alongside Chadwick Boseman ("21 Bridges"), Michael Shannon ("Waco"), Michael Keaton ("American Assassin") and Rihanna ("Battlefield ), the HBO series "Detective," starring Vince Vaughn and Rachel McAdams. Meanwhile, Kitsch finds his way to charity, especially for children.

From 1 January 2021, we will watch him in "Defeated" . There he plays the role of Brooklyn policeman Max McLoughlin, who in the summer of 1946 is sent to Berlin, which is divided into four spheres of influence. Its task is to support the emerging police structures in the rubble. But upholding order in a space of brutality and lawlessness and clashing political forces - French, American, British and Soviet - will not be easy. Especially since Max does not know that he is used as a pawn in the game to open the Cold War, and somewhere in the maze of Berlin rubble lurks his brother Moritz, a self-proclaimed Nazi hunter who will stop at nothing ...

In addition to Kitsch, the main roles will be: Nina Hoss (local policewoman Elsie Garten), Sebastian Koch (criminal known as Engelmacher, Al Capone of post-war Berlin), Logan Marshall-Green (Max's missing brother, Moritz) and Michael C. Hall (consul Tom Franklin ).

The "Defeated" takes place in Berlin, right after the war. When you decided to play Max McLoughlin, did you have any knowledge of what the situation in Germany was like then?

The seres begins six months after the end of the war. I have the impression that this is a moment that is missing in the educational process - we learn a lot about the war itself, but about what happened immediately after it, for example, I had no idea. The plot of "Defeated" is made up, but our director Måns Mårlind (co-creator of the hit series "Bridge over the Sund") constructed it on the basis of many true stories. I have the impression that fact and fiction are perfectly balanced here. In the process of preparation, he gave us many documentaries and articles that helped to build an idea about the climate of the city from 1946. Discovering the next details of the story was fascinating for me.

Your work gives him a chance to get to know the world, its history, extraordinary places and people. Do you appreciate it?

This is the best part of my job! With each new production, I have a chance to immerse myself in its world and get to know it thoroughly. It could be a war movie like "Survivor", a story about a cult leader ("Waco"), the world of a detective ("Detective") or the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, as in "Heart Reflex". When I was an aspiring actor learning to act in New York, I never imagined that I would be able to live and work like this. Train with Navy Seals or meet Larry Kramer [American playwright, writer and activist for LGBT rights - ed.]. I am very lucky!

Prague, where you shot "Defeated", is a cult city for many Polish filmmakers, due to the famous FAMU school, but also a popular, atmospheric excursion destination. How was your time there?

Lovely. He will refer again to the privilege of working like this: six months in such a wonderful place, it is almost immoral! The only downside was the tight schedule so I didn't discover all the nooks and crannies that I had on the agenda. Fortunately, my driver, a guy in his fifties, was a great-grandfather from Prague, very talkative, and from him I learned the most interesting things - stories about the adventures of my ancestors and friends! Besides, in Prague, if you want to take a history lesson, you go out twenty meters in front of the front door - and it's already getting started. We shot in the summer, before Covid. We had an international team - Czechs, Swedes, Russians, Germans, French ... In use - not only behind the scenes, but also on the set - several languages simultaneously. Really, the only problem for me was my diet. Flour, red meat, stews ... I don't really like to eat like that. At least the beer was delicious, really amazing! In general, I really liked the culture of drinking and eating outside, these gardens, the community ... wonderful thing.

Due to the fact that the film was made in Europe, you had the opportunity to see places related to the war with your own eyes. What made the greatest impression on you? I was lucky, although it is not quite an adequate term that during the shooting we managed to visit the site of the former Auschwitz camp. Of course I knew, I had read about concentration camps before, but this direct contact with the site was invaluable, it gave me a clear idea of what happened. It is difficult for a man to believe what he sees around him. He's standing right next to him, yet he doesn't quite believe it. The space made a huge impression on me. I did not realize how huge Birkenau was, how perfectly organized the entire extermination was. This architecture, the surrounding houses, barracks. Someone designed it, thought over the function down to the smallest detail, and during my visit, I had the chance to trace how and where the whole process took place, step by step. I was standing there and it felt like I was choking, my whole body ached. Such experiences helped me a lot to bring my character to life. Max did not survive the camp himself, but he appears in a place marked by this tragedy, the tragedy of World War II, it affects him. I wish everyone could visit this place because it is a life changing experience.

Movies set in the past can be a perfect mirror for what is here and now. What analogies do you see between that reality and today's world? - Division, the dictate of fear, fear of the unknown, of otherness. Different ways to work through your trauma. These are all threads that connect the "Defeated" space with our reality. For my character, especially the experience of trauma resulting from family history, from the relationship with my brother, becomes the key. They both underwent a similar shock, but their reactions were completely different. I found it very interesting. Max is still hoping for a change, Moritz, as the saying goes, "the platform is gone". They have a completely different perception of one and the same event. Again, it is also a very contemporary thread - one event, situation, and extreme different opinions about it.

Your hero comes from Brooklyn, after you came from Canada, you spent a lot of time in New York. What is so special about the atmosphere of this city that gives it such a "mythical" status? For me, it has always been, I fully agree! Scorsese's "Streets of Poverty" has always been such a cinematic quintessence of New York, with its excellent Keitel and DeNiro. This film is set in the 1940s, which is the present day of Max. He was my point of reference in terms of the accent. Those years were difficult, the inhabitants struggled to make ends meet, and that also had to affect my character's character. Besides, New York has a chic character, New Yorkers feel proud of their roots. It's also something that Max defines.

And you had to transfer this New York feeling to Berlin ... ... to the razed Berlin, which for Max becomes, in a way, another space of trauma, personal again, but this time much more intense.

For this role, you had to master not only a Brooklyn accent, but also the German language. It was difficult?

I had an amazing accent teacher from Berlin, Simone. My rock! Fortunately, Max is an American who speaks German poorly and not a German, because if I had to play a German, I would have had a nervous breakdown! German is a damn hard language, especially for someone who wasn't exposed to such sounds when growing up. I learned everything phonetically. Sometimes I was "suspended" during the scene and then I was saved by Nina [Hoss, a great German acting and screen partner of Kitsch - ed.]. In my career, I have had to play with a South African, Texas, New York accent ... I've learned that there is no such thing as an optimal effect, someone is always dissatisfied. I focus on the vision agreed with the creators and I stick to it. Language is an amazing link between the actor and the protagonist, gives a unique insight into his state of mind and view of the world. I definitely prefer to play the character with an accent than to speak as usual. It's a great transformation tool. The arrangement of the lips, the appearance of the face, and the term are changing. In "Waco" my character, the guru of the sect David Koresh, had an unnaturally high, soft voice, which immediately made the viewer feel differently.

We associate you with American hits, but you are, like Ryan Reynolds or Ryan Gosling, Canadian. Do you feel like an American, or is Canada a state of mind after all?

I started my adventure with the USA when I was 20, I came to school. Now I'm forty, so I've spent half my life here. Madness! Over time, I have grown into this space, I have settled down and I feel at home. I'm talking to you from my home in Austin, Texas. But at the same time, I'll always be Canadian. I go there often, visiting my family and familiar places. Maybe I'll go back one day, who knows?

You've had moments in your career that turned from a promise of triumph to failure, such as the high-budget John Carter, who failed at the box office. Do you have something that you already know: "I'm avoiding this"? I don't have things that, as a rule, I don't do or know that I will never do. But there are some that I don't like. These include radical weight changes. My dear friend must have gained twenty-five kilos for a small, independent film. The first week was great because you eat what you want, then depression started, joint problems, sugar jumping ... I never put my back, but I lost weight. I lost a dozen kilos for the role in "Waco", before that for the "Bang Bang Club". It's fucking hard and very exhausting, especially the older I get. My body and head hate it! Also, until Scorsese calls with some great proposal, I say: enough.

#taylor kitsch #Shadowplay #interview

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stoolcattle51 · 3 years

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A Summer Without Coming Home For Many Spaniards Abroad

Jaime (4 years old) does not lose hope of getting on the plane and visiting his grandparents in La Coruña and Cádiz, as he does every summer. "Tomorrow, maybe the coronavirus is gone," he says hopefully to his father, Chiqui Esteban, as he paints with his brothers, aged seven and nine, a huge cardboard box as if it were a shipping package. Then he gets inside, closes the box and announces: "Now you can send me to Spain." "The annual trip to our land is always very good for us because we see our family and children take the opportunity to speak Spanish," explains Chiqui, who is Spanish, arrived in the United States in 2016 and now works as Director of Graphics at The Washington Post. From behind you can hear Álvaro, the oldest, asking his father to mention how badly he is doing for not seeing his grandparents, in a tone between joke and conviction. Chiqui laughs when listening to her son and assures that "they have understood the situation quite well, as far as possible." The family had planned to fly in mid-July and spend the holidays in Spain until mid-August but, when in April they saw that the situation got complicated and the deadline for a possible cancellation of the tickets ended, they decided to postpone it, as commented on the Chiqui Esteban himself on his Twitter account: "We have canceled our annual summer trip to Spain. We assume that in these conditions no one from there will come to see us. The enormous drama is that we have just opened the last bottle of Cola-Cao that we had left "read that message. "Both my wife and my parents are risk groups, so we decided not to risk because they are very long flights and it is too much exposure," he explains more seriously. The health crisis caused by the coronavirus has completely disrupted the summer of many of the 2,618. 592 Spaniards who, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Institute (INE), live outside our borders in 2020. Before the pandemic, the summer season meant much more to them than a break: it was going back to the roots, hugging yours, go back to where you started. However, fear of infection, economic uncertainty and doubts about border measures are leading many Spaniards living abroad to postpone summer in their land. A proof of the uncertainties that surround travel currently is that the Executive of Pedro Sánchez changed this June 14 the scheduled date for the opening of borders with the countries of the Schengen area and without quarantine, which has become June 21, except for Portugal. For the rest of the countries it will continue to be July 1. However, for the latter cases, Spain is waiting for Brussels to draw up a list that includes countries that meet three requirements: their epidemiological situation is analogous or better to that of the European Union, that assume certain health conditions at origin, route and destination, and that they act reciprocally (that is, that they accept the entry of travelers from the European Union). In addition, the Government is preparing automated processes, such as electronic forms and thermal cameras, which it will apply to travelers coming from abroad, which implies the risk of being isolated in case something goes wrong. And as if this were not enough, some neighbors in the rural environment, where the population is particularly aged, already asked their relatives last Easter not to travel to the towns for fear of contagion. Thus, returning home generates more uncertainty than emotion. Rosana Rovira (30) works as a Spanish teacher in Baton Rouge (United States) and has decided not to travel with her three daughters this summer due to the financial risk posed by the 'new normal'. "Each trip with my girls to my land, Tarragona, costs me 10,000 euros," she calculates. On previous occasions, her mother has helped her cover this figure and now she doesn't want to risk losing her "because I'm isolated or because they won't let me enter the United States later." Of course: "The girls have become quite sad because we have not been going for two years and they love spending time with my mother, eating paella and bathing on the beach." Of the nearly two and a half million Spaniards who reside abroad, more than half (63%) do so outside of Europe. One of them is Francisco Abolafio (40), who had to spend the pandemic in Brazil, especially far from his loved ones. In 2014, as soon as she moved to Sao Paulo, she lost her great-grandmother and couldn't say goodbye. "After that, you are much more afraid that something will happen to someone and you will not be able to be," confesses this Malaga draftsman to whom the airlines have already been canceling his flight since the end of April. "There are days when I dream that I am there with my family and my friends, eating paella... and then I wake up."

Coming home, an emotional need

Return has always been a fundamental ingredient in the emotional well-being of emigrants. As Natacha Lillo, a professor at the University of Paris, explains in the analysis A century of Spanish immigration in France, the generation that emigrated to France in the 20th century "already saved to buy a car and be able to make annual trips to the town ". Mothers first traveled with their children in early July by train and then fathers met them in August by car. The objective: "not to lose contact with the family." Natalia Flores (24), a native of Mallorca, lives in Homburg, in the southwest of Germany, and has decided not to travel to her land in June for fear that her two little ones will catch the infection. Their daughter, who was born in Germany in January, spent several weeks intubated in hospital due to a respiratory virus. "My son also caught bronchitis at the same time and my husband and I went on a chain," she explains. They are left wondering if their respiratory problems were related to the coronavirus, although they have not been able to know for sure. "It hurts my mother because she saw her newborn and has not seen her again. The whole family wants to meet the girl and I am sorry that these moments are lost, but after going through that experience in the hospital we do not want to risk more ", assures Natalia. "Even an employee of the Embassy advised us against traveling this summer when we told him that we wanted to give the girl a passport to buy tickets to Mallorca." Celia Arroyo, an expert psychologist in migratory grief, describes the return to the place of origin as "an oxygen balloon" for the emigrants. However, that oxygen balloon has now exploded. "It is not the same to live the coronavirus in Spain as it was. Until now, being outside of Spain was a reversible situation at any time," explains the expert. "However, to some extent now they can have the feeling of being trapped, which has increased the psychological distance with the family." People who emigrate to a country without knowing the language or without access to the health system traditionally experience a sense of fear for their health, according to Arroyo. This emotion, known as "mourning for physical risks", has spread during the health crisis to anyone abroad, regardless of their knowledge of the language or their access to the health system. "The pandemic has shown that there is an emotional part to the idea of getting sick outside the home that is intrinsic to anyone who has left their country of origin," he says. "In addition, we have also detected another common denominator in a large part of the emigrants: they come to feel guilty if they fall ill and infect a relative during their summer visit," Arroyo points out. The process of the pandemic has been marked by a cocktail of negative emotions. This new fear of ending up infecting loved ones has been added to other feelings already present in these months. Some emigrants, for example, have commented in the Arroyo sessions that they are afraid to argue with family or friends when expressing their opinion about the health situation in Spain "due to the social tension that the coronavirus crisis has produced." The feeling of ambivalence regarding their Spanish identity has also grown in them, as the expert explains, due to having been exposed to certain comments in their host country. "They have heard questions like 'What's wrong, that in Spain you don't wash your hands?' or 'After this you will not continue thinking about having surgery in Spain?' "says Arroyo. "In a situation of so much suffering far from yours in which it is implied that our health system is third world, when in addition the Spanish know that it is not true, a lot of impotence is generated and that affects self-esteem." Virginia Manzanares (39), who has lived through the pandemic from Israel, where she has been installed for half a decade, will not go to Spain either. Her mother had planned to visit her in May and she was going to travel to Toledo and Santander in August but, after two canceled flights to Istanbul and Prague, Virginia has decided to cut her losses. "In addition, in Israel at the moment there is a mandatory 15-day quarantine for anyone who arrives, and we still do not know to which countries borders will be opened," he adds. "It hurts a lot because I love spending time with my mother, my grandmother and my cousins, but I just have no other choice."

If you are not going to travel to Spain

CS If you are not going to be able to travel to see your family this summer either, you can follow the advice of psychologist Celia Arroyo: - Schedule regular videoconferences with your loved ones in Spain, you will feel that you are more united in the face of adversity. - Maintain a fluid communication with yours, expressing your concerns without being alarmist. - Ask your family to keep you informed of the good and bad news. - Provide emotional support to your family: do not think that you are not useful because you are far away, your encouragement is essential now. - Share your concerns with your network of Spaniards abroad. - Encourage your loved ones to follow the recommendations and to stay busy and active. - Don't let intrusive thoughts of guilt flood your day: remember that you are not to blame for the pandemic. - Check the sources from which you receive news about covid-19 and avoid rumors. - Get involved in solidarity activities to fight the virus: symbolic actions protect our mental health and give us back the feeling of unity. Sure you can contribute your grain of sand.

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thejosh1980 · 3 years

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The Denial Twist...

Today is an anniversary, one that I really don't like to think about, but it is inevitable, after all, the mind wanders...

Today marks 1 year, a full year of hope, that I would get to see my puppy, Mijita.

It was on this day in 2020 that I made the choice to say goodbye to Mijita, and pass her back to her Mum, my ex, for the last time.... I knew I was leaving Dresden, Germany soon, my home for the past 12 years, and that I didn't have permission to bring Mijita along for the ride down under.

I said goodbye, deep down inside, hoping it wasn't the last time I could be her fur-daddy.

Later on, I wrote Mijita a letter. I wrote to her that I loved her, I would miss her and I was so proud of all the things we had done together. I reminded her that she will always have my heart, and that no matter what, I would be there for her. The letter helped me process some of what was going on, as did my blog in October last year, “My daughter”. However my feelings are still very strong and very raw. Having to say goodbye to my little girl, the perfect symbol of unconditional love and support, was up there with one of the hardest choices I've ever had to make.

We had a connection unlike any other. The trust we had, my goodness, I miss it. I miss her so very very much. I haven't seen a photo or had an update, and she's in the back of my mind daily.

Sometimes when Alex is fast asleep, and I'm not yet tired enough to shut my eyes, my mind wanders back to this beautiful brown ball of energy who experienced a lot of adventures with me, all over Europe. We grew up together. Somehow, through our experiences, she taught me to trust myself.

Mijita was at most of my therapy sessions, a few concerts and most of my personal travel trips. She supported me through my early days of learning to cope with my mental health issues, sobriety and the slow end to the relationship I was in. I always had something to do, someone to take care of, when she was around.

Today, when I think back, I have mixed emotions of love, enjoyment, grief, worry and, mostly, hope.

I still hope, every damn day, that my ex would call me, and say her situation has changed, and would I like to bring Mijita to Australia? Would I heck!!!! I still have money in my savings in Germany just for that very thing!!! Put her on the next plane!!

Lately, I have been thinking about my experiences, and how they relate to hope. Honestly, hope feels evil to me, it robs me of something I just can't put my finger on...

I think about Mijo, my beautiful little kitten who recently had to be put to sleep because his blood was slowly killing him, poisoning him, and no test we had done (while he still had enough blood to do so) would tell us why. I think I spent the better part of 2 months hoping he'd start to put on weight, he'd start to eat, grow and be like any other cat, content. I was hoping with each visit to the vet, the news would be different than the last, the news would be “he's getting better”. When he got really bad, in those last days, I was hoping, wishing, praying, screaming, that he would just get better, because we loved him.

I went into shock and collapsed when he took his last breath and hope could no longer exist for him.

In my last relationship, I spent the better half of it wishing and hoping that we could work it out. I felt like I tried a lot of different approaches, hoping to find a path to a better understanding between us, but it wasn't meant to be. I knew we loved each other and I just hoped, with a bit of work, we could have a good relationship.

I've been in bands, where I was hoping the show would get bigger, better and the band would gain more recognition for being high quality and entertaining. I hoped we'd find a way to encourage more fans to shows, but it never happened. Instead of plateauing, we would sky rocket to success.

I spent the better part of 35 years hoping my Dad, whom I do love very dearly, would be a Dad. He was an example of something else to me, but not a Dad. He just didn't learn or want to learn, how to be fatherly. I kept hoping he'd see the light, and change, but it didn't happen.

When Mijo was gone, and Alex and I were talking about what had happened, one of the things that stood out, like in the other stories above, was how much hope I placed on the situation changing to something positive. One of the conclusions we came to was that my hope was really just denial.

I've come to the realization my feelings of hope, are just hidden feelings of denial. I have denied myself the acknowledgement of what the situation really is, either because I don't like it or can't handle it.

Mijo was really really life threatening sick! Together, my ex and I were really toxic! The bands were just not good enough! My Dad, as much as I love him, does not know how to be a good father!

I should not deny the truth, therefore....

Mijita is no longer my puppy!

With hindsight, any given situation can be a real eye opener, however when you're in the thick of it, how can you really see what is going on? Honestly, while the above situations are all things of the past, Mijita is the only one which could still change. There's still a chance of a positive outcome for me. The circumstances could change, couldn't they?

Kitty could send her over to me, why not, it's possible. I haven't actually given up my right, my ownership, have I? I haven't denied that I am still Mijita's Dad, I surely haven't disowned her. I love her just as much as I did 1 year, 2 years or 4 years ago... Admittedly, I'm a proud and loving Dad, with no rights to his kid.

I guess that's where I am at with this one. I still feel optimistic that things will be different, one day. Mijita was always destined to be here in Australia, since she was born, it was always the plan... Even though it's been a long year without her, she may one day end up back in my arms.

Am I in denial, or is hope truly the last to die?

Thanks for reading,

The Josh

#denial #hope #dealing with grief #pet love #mental health

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stularsen · 3 years

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THE HURRICANE vs THE CORONAVIRUS (part one)

That time we planned a once in a lifetime hurricane world tour for March 2020..

I’m currently on a plane for the first time in six months. It feels strange to not have been in the air for this longer than usual period of time but also strangely normal to find myself once again on a flight surrounded by complete strangers. The main difference now is that everyone seems even more in their own worlds than before. Maybe this is because we have replaced invisible masks with real ones and we now happily hide behind these physical barriers, to protect us and others from the virus that stopped the world from moving almost entirely.

The last time I was on a flight was back in March 2020 as the planet was beginning to understand just how serious the situation was becoming. Unfortunately for me, I had planned a once in a lifetime tour for this exact period of time.. The Hurricane Tour. It was an adventure I had been dreaming up for many years and planning for many months. The idea was simple enough, to travel around the earth in one month, playing eleven shows in eleven different countries, experiencing different cultures and meeting different people all along the way. We would start in Australia on the first day of March and then visit Japan, India, Botswana, Turkey, Germany, England, Canada, USA and Mexico before eventually finishing in Argentina on the last day of March.

The lead-up to this crazy tour wasn’t particularly smooth and it was looking like it might be a kind of storm before the calm scenario. One week before we were due to begin, I landed back in Australia from a few months away only to find my precious guitar had been split right down the middle during the flight and my passport had somehow been damaged and needed to be replaced urgently. At the same time Jarrad Seng (the man behind the photos and videos) was having some major laptop issues and needed to find a decent replacement in the last remaining days before we set off on this epic journey. Through some minor miracles and generous support from friends and strangers and also a tour manager who refuses to ever say the word ‘impossible’ (thank you Thomas!) we began this absolutely insane tour where we would quickly learn that we would need to rely on more miracles and friends and strangers to help solve some pretty interesting problems every single day throughout the tour.

The first show was in AUSTRALIA and somehow everything went pretty much to plan. A very jet-lagged Tim Hart (album producer as well as band member and support act for the night) had flown back from London the day before to then drive out west and play one of the best shows I have ever seen him play (while his newborn son watched with us from backstage). My slightly nervous and always teary mother joined me on stage for a little song. My dream of playing a show at Empire Theatre in Toowoomba had finally come true with 500 of the loveliest people to share the moment together. It was a truly special evening with lots of family in attendance as well as old friends from so many places and work colleagues from the bank days. Perhaps the most special person in the crowd for me was Bob Cook, the man who taught me to play guitar when I was a very shy 14yr old kid, to whom I am forever grateful. What a night! It seemed like the storm before the calm scenario had played out and we were about to have the smoothest and most incredible tour of our lives! In reality though, it would turn out to be the exact opposite and what we had just experienced was actually the calm and the greatest storm I’ve ever witnessed was fast approaching.

Thomas, Jarrad and I were up early the next morning and off to Brisbane Airport where we should have been boarding a flight for Tokyo, but a few days earlier we had been notified that due to the virus situation we would not be able to play the show in Japan and would potentially be putting the rest of the tour at risk if we even entered the country. So we somehow managed to change our flights very last minute and head to SINGAPORE instead, but without a show to play. We decided to put the word out and see if anyone knew anybody who might be able to help. It was truly incredible to receive so many messages and comments from people who desperately wanted to help us find a place to play. It didn’t take too long before the team at Timbre X @ The Substation came to the rescue and let us bring in a few people and play a few songs on their outdoor stage before Supersonic helped everyone dance the night away. Show number two, somehow completed.

INDIA is next on the list and it’s looking like everything is maybe going to happen as planned.. until we are waiting to board the flight to Mumbai. I hear my name called over the speaker at the airport in Singapore. An upgrade to business class perhaps? Oh how nice that would be. But no, there was a problem with my visa not being recognised with my new emergency passport and they would not allow me to board the flight.. we pleaded with them to see what they could do while I scrambled to contact people in India at 5am local time to try and amend the visa. It was beginning to feel impossible. If I missed this flight there was a chance there would be a knock-on effect and the rest of my flights for the month could be cancelled. With no other viable option, we decided it might be best for Jarrad and Thomas to board the flight for India and for me to wait in Singapore to try and fix the problem and hopefully get on a flight later that day. But just as we were saying goodbye to each other I heard my name called again and we were told that they had heard back from the flight captain and he had overturned the decision and I would now be allowed to fly?? A medium sized miracle! We celebrated and quickly disappeared feeling both jubilation and disbelief. Surely now is where good things start to happen..

Of course not.. We landed in India to an email notifying us that our show had been cancelled, with very little explanation. We pleaded with them to reverse their decision but it wasn’t looking hopeful, so we put the word out to the people, again. Very soon we had been saved, again, this time by the wonderful people at Veranda Bandra who rearranged their schedule to fit us in super last minute. It was crazy to play a show in India and have people singing along to my songs, it just didn’t feel real, but it was happening right in front of me. Our time in Mumbai was so short but so incredible and we made fast friends with some amazing people. But onwards now to our next destination, the most random location of the tour but also maybe the smoothest show of the tour..

We arrived in BOTSWANA after a long day of travel via Ethiopia and Zimbabwe to the warmest of welcomes. Local musician and Stu Larsen fan, OneSpared, was there to greet us. We had connected a while back when OneSpared (Thuso) had covered one of my songs and I couldn’t believe that someone so far away was not only a fan of my music but was also singing my songs. When the idea for this tour started to become a reality, I contacted Thuso to see what he thought about playing a show together in Gaborone. He said we should do it, so we did. We turned up. The crowd turned up. It was magical and so full of love and energy. Finishing the show at The No1 Ladies Coffee House by singing Whisky & Blankets unplugged with the entire crowd singing and dancing was maybe the highlight of the tour for me, it still feels so surreal when I think about that moment.

With things starting to feel a little smoother, we felt like we were maybe going to be okay in the next days. But when we turn up at the airport to fly to TURKEY we’re told our flight is no longer departing. At this point, we don’t really react. We are so used to being hit with bad news every day. We are in a good frame of mind for finding solutions and after some fast talking and a little bit of confusion, a few minutes later we have another option sorted. We arrive in Istanbul to more bad news, the venue is unsure if we can go ahead with the show due to the worsening and frightening virus situation. It’s now the 11th of March and things are getting serious with the virus, but we want to push ahead while we can and play another show if we can, so we agree to keep the numbers low, the windows open and provide masks and hand sanitiser for the crowd and thankfully Cem at Norm Coffee agreed to let the show go ahead under these conditions. It was a very intimate show with a percentage of the crowd consisting of local cats, an actual dream situation for me :)

After the show, I could see a slightly worried Thomas, he seemed to be rushing to get us all packed up and out the door and back to the apartment.. but why..? Because, he told me as we walked away from the venue, not only our flight, but all flights for the next morning were apparently cancelled. We would spend the next hours trying to work out if there was another way to somehow make the journey from Istanbul to Munich without spending too much time or money or if we would be stranded in Turkey for the coming days/weeks/months. Nothing seemed to make sense so we did what we knew best, we kept moving forward. We had been told that the flight had been cancelled and that the airlines were stopping all flights instantly and that we should not go to the airport the next morning, but every time we searched our flight number it showed that it hadn’t been cancelled and was still on schedule…? We decided to wake up early and make our way to the airport to see what would happen. We didn’t know what we would find when we arrived, but it was eerily quiet and by some miracle our flight was one of only a few flights still operating while the airline and airport finished shutting everything down.

We were so relieved to be able to fly to GERMANY but landed in Munich knowing that the sold out show at Folks! Club was probably going to be cancelled and that it was getting close to game over for the three of us. We searched for an alternate option for the show but we realised that bringing people together was just not the right thing to do anymore. We were starting to understand just how big this virus situation was becoming. We had to accept this and cancel the show and decided to replace it with a livestream instead. We found a friend with a beautiful living room where I played a few songs and shared the experience with a handful of friends and a wider audience online. It was hard to accept that we maybe had to stop this once in a lifetime dream tour which had been unfortunately planned for the exact same month that a global pandemic took hold of the planet, but more and more it was becoming clear that this was the likely outcome.

Waking up in Munich the morning after the little livestream we were told that our next flight had been cancelled, but we managed to be put on another flight which took us to our seventh destination. We arrived in ENGLAND and of course one last thing went wrong. None of our luggage turned up. No suitcases, no guitar, nothing. We waited and waited and waited and waited. We were hoping that for some reason it would just turn up, even after everyone else had collected their belongings and left the airport. Our luggage didn’t arrive and it kind of felt right for things to be this way after somehow surviving the challenges of the previous weeks. We started to make our way towards the ‘lost luggage’ counter to see what we could do but along the way we saw some lonely but familiar suitcases and a guitar sitting beside a completely different luggage belt. We three idiots had been waiting in the wrong place the whole time. Call it exhaustion, call it stupidity, call it what you want, we don’t mind, we were just thankful to not have actually lost our luggage that day in London.

From here, things moved quickly, we made the decision to cancel the sold out London show and we knew we then had to cancel the remaining shows for CANADA (sold out), USA, MEXICO (sold out) and ARGENTINA (sold out). We announced one final live stream from a little cafe in London called Hotshoe 333 where we would officially call it a day. It was a weird feeling, we didn’t want the tour to end, but it simply had to. It was not possible nor sensible to continue. The Coronavirus had well and truly overpowered the Hurricane. Thomas, Jarrad and I said goodbye the next morning and we headed our separate ways.. which is when things started to get really interesting…

Check out the new video for Hurricane - https://youtu.be/xttiOK-0CCE

#stu larsen #hurricane #coronavirus #world tour #march 2020 #jarrad seng #thomas stein

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badlywrittenfilms · 4 years

Text

final destination; lmh

summary; being a stewardess has its' pros and one of it is falling for the pilot, lee minho.

genre; fluff

word count; 2.7K

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[1]

Working as a stewardess has its pros. You are basically hired to travel around the world, but at the same time it meant that you can seldom visit your parents since you’re always in the air. Being a stewardess also meant that you had to deal with different types of people on a daily basis, some are nice and some are just down right unpleasant.

You loved your crew dearly, after-all they’re the ones you spend the most time with, they are just a bunch of eager to please people; with Yeji being the quirky one, Seungmin the savage one, Felix the one that never seems to run out of energy and the pilots, Minho being the main pilot and Hyunjin being the co-pilot while you’re known as the ‘chaotic neutral’. All of you are tight, with Felix and Seungmin always at each other’s neck, Yeji and Hyunjin being lovely-dovely but refusing to accept the fact that they’re in love with each other and then there’s you and Minho; the single ones.

Your relationship with Minho is a weird one, one second you both would be showering each other with love and affection, and the next thing you know, you would both be silently cursing each other.

Now, you’re dragging your suitcase behind you heading to the plane to meet your fellow crew members.

Today, you guys will be flying on a Boeing-757 to Germany, with 250 passengers on board, the number of passengers is not the most you’ve dealt with so you are slightly relieved to have a shift with slightly less passengers, plus majority of them are businessman and businesswoman. Silently thanking the gods that there won’t be any rowdy kids on board, you put on what you call a ‘professional smile’ and head down the aisle asking if any service is needed.

Whilst walking down the else, there are a few perverted old businessmen looking at you like you’re a pray, of course it made you uncomfortable, you aren’t some prostitute for the love of god. Clenching your jaw, you forced a smile at them asking if any of your services are needed.

Thankfully for you, all that was put to an end when you heard Minho’s voice over the intercom;

“Thank you for flying with us, this is your pilot, Captain Minho speaking. We hope you have a pleasant trip in Berlin, Germany.”

You let out a sigh of relief and headed to the exit of the airplane near the cockpit, smiling at passengers, wishing them to have a nice trip ahead as well as thanking them.

As soon as the last passenger left your sight, you let out a groan of frustration which earned you a chuckle from Yeji. She patted your back,

“Horny passengers again?”

You nodded vigorously and started ranting to Yeji about how disgusting their stares were and how disgusted you felt topped with over-exaggerated hand movements. You heard a giggle behind you, turning around you saw Minho, now with his hat in hand, 4-striped blazer draped over his shoulders. Minho then gave you a smile to which you returned.

“(Name), do you want to go grab supper? I am feeling a little hungry.” Minho asked, putting his hand on his tummy.

You smiled, and nodded. Earning snickers and whispers from the rest of the crew.

“Ey our captain Minho getting it tonight.” Felix teased, earning a slap on the back of the head by Minho.

That caused all of you to erupt into fits of laughter, with Felix holding his head while pouting.

[2]

After the meal with Minho, you guys settled into your respective hotels. Your next flight isn’t until three days later so you had some time to explore Berlin all you want; you were still contemplating whether or not to explore this beautiful city or stay in your hotel room to catch up on the sleep you lost. Just then, you received a text from Minho, it read,

“Hey, do you want to explore Berlin with me? Get some good food, take some photos and treat this as a hard-earned vacation.”

That brought a smile to your face, recently, things have been weird with you. Whenever you interact with Minho, you felt smiley, there’s this unfamiliar feeling that you’ve never felt before with Minho. You convinced yourself that it’s just the jetlag, nothing big, not fully wanting to succumb to the fact that you are falling in love with Minho.

Replying Minho with a simple, “Sure, we'll meet at the lobby?”. He then replied almost instantly with an 'Okay'.

When you arrived at the lobby, you saw Minho wearing his ugly sweater that you got for him for Christmas last year overlapping his black hoodie and a long coat that made him look like a typical K-drama male lead. Walking towards him with gentle steps, you tapped on his shoulders. He turned around, looking slightly offended but his expressions immediately soften upon the sight of you.

Giving you a smile, he held his hands out for you to hold them.

“So that I don’t lose you in the streets of Berlin.” Minho explained.

Obligating, you held his hands and with that, the both of you walked out of the hotel and into the busy streets of Berlin. Dragging Minho to all the different shops that caught your eye, at that moment, you looked like a little kid to him; he was lost in his thought until he felt a tug on his sweater,

“Hey Minho, I am going to build a bear to well, obviously, build a bear. Do you want to build one too?”

He ruffled your hair and nodded. Your eyes lit up and once again dragged Minho towards the direction of the outlet of build a bear, rushing up to a staff member and start customising your own bear. Minho too, started his own.

After a while, you both walked out of the shop with your bears in hand; heading to somewhere secluded you found on google hoping to catch a glimpse of the sunset. Settling down on one of the benches, you tapped random beats on the ground with your feet, staring into the sky that's painted in hues of golden, orange and yellow whilst a gentle breeze blew on your face causing your hair to flow along with it.

The golden light from the sun shining on your face made it impossible for Minho to take his eyes off of you, you looked so beautiful; he is resisting the urge to just hold you close to him and shower you with his love. He knew he fell in love with you since the day you joined the crew as an inexperienced stewardess and now, you’re one of the most experienced stewardesses in the crew, he always thought that your existence and addition to the crew was a blessing. That feeling amplified in that momentum, he felt so lucky to just have you by his side even when you’re not remotely doing anything significant.

“Woah, Minho! Look at the sunset! It’s so beautiful” You rambled on, sounding like a kid at the zoo.

‘You’re more beautiful, though.’ Minho thought in his head.

Eventually, time has passed, you both have to head back to the hotel before the last bus leaves. Sadly, you stared at the beautiful silhouette of buildings passing by you, you used your eyes to capture this beautiful view, and that includes Minho.

[3]

Time flew and the three days you had free in Berlin were gone. Back to the normal hustle and bustle, dealing with horny businessman and rowdy kids. The only thing that changed was the relationship between you and Minho, the both of you are getting daring, and more affectionate with each other, Yeji would always whisper-shout “love is in the air” whenever she sees Minho and you interacting.

Minho and you has always been like a couple, but not quite. Sometimes he would have a sleepover at your apartment and vice-versa, it has come to the point that Minho has some of his clothes in your closet and you too, have some of your clothes in his. If a stranger were to look at you both, they’re no doubt going to assume that you both are a couple, a long-term couple at that. This situation frustrated your fellow crew-mates a little, they’re tired of the both of you sneaking smiles and stares at each other, they just want the both of you to officially date.

Today your crew-members has decided on going for a ‘crew dinner’ to celebrate flying to 5 countries in the span of a month. As one of the oldest in the crew, you offered to pay for the dinner to which Minho interfered and offered to pay for half of it since you are both the same age and he claimed that it would be unfair for you. Hearing the news that you would be paying, one of the youngest amongst your crew, Felix cheered in happiness, pulling you and Minho into a passive aggressive hug.

The dinner was really fun. You witnessed more of Felix and Hyunjin's crazy side, and how Seungmin looks like he done with Felix while Yeji is just busy recording the mess and uploading them onto her Snapchat. You stared at them, silently wishing you had the energy they had.

Minho looked at you, chuckling to himself which in return, gained your attention.

"What are you laughing at?" you asked.

"You're looking at them as though they're aliens." Minho responded, holding his laughter.

You sighed and replied, "Well, how are they this energetic? I feel like my legs are going to break if I do those fortnite dances like Felix."

Minho finally erupted into a fit of laughter that sounded like heaven. You smiled unknowingly to yourself, turning your attention back to Felix's antics. Soon, your eyes started to get heavy, despite all the mess and noise around you, you started to doze off and eventually your head landed on Minho's shoulder which startled Minho a little but when he looked down at you, his heart beat starts to speed up.

Silently hoping you can't feel his increasing heartbeat, he carried you bridal style, told the rest of the crew that he is leaving and that he already paid for the bill. Heading towards his car, he placed you gently on the shotgun seat, claimed a hoodie of his from the backseat and drapped it over you and proceeded to put on the seatbelt for you. He smiled a little, brushing off a strand of stray hair off your face and closed the door as gently as he could.

The ride to Minho's home wasn't long, when he arrived, he parked his car in the garage and carried you into his guest room, or well, your room since Minho specifically decorated this room for you ever since the first time you had a sleepover at his house.

He went to the bathroom and took the make-up remover to help you remove your make-up and afterwards, he tucked you in bed, pulling the silk blanket over you; at that very instant, the urge of kissing your cheeks and cuddling you close came back. He gently placed a kiss on your forehead, he went back to his room, hands on his chest trying to calm down his heart.

[4]

Soon the sun rose, you woke up with the bright light from the sun illuminating the room. Sitting up on the bed, you realized that you aren't in your own home, you sat up straight immediately. Minho walked in, surprised that you're already awake.

"Good morning angel." Minho greeted, smiling a little too dazzling for a morning.

Your hands instinctively went to your hair, trying to pat down the bed hair you're known to have. You looked back up and see Minho staring at you, seemingly in love.

"Good morning to you too, handsome."

Minho walked towards you, ruffled your hair, and whispered,

"Go wash up, I have your clothes you left last time in the bathroom ready. I'll be waiting downstairs, I prepared breakfast."

When Minho walked out the room, you shoved your head in the pillow and screamed into it. God you really were in love with him, you were trying so hard to ignore all the heart beating but you can't now, it's a fact and you can't avoid something factual for long.

Wanting to wake yourself up, you head to the bathroom, splashing water on yourself, you stared at your reflection. Thoughts start to run wild in your head, ranging from positive thoughts like "What if he likes me too?" to negative ones like, "What if he secretly hates me?". You are positive that the more you think about these, the crazier it drives you; shaking this off, you forged a smile and walked towards the dining room where Minho was waiting for you with soup and rice alongside with some side dishes on the table.

"I made a simple meal, hope you don't mind." Minho broke the silence, flashing you his toothy smile.

"Of course not! I eat instant noodles or toast for breakfast everyday so this is very much a feast. Thank you so much, Minmin!" You spoke, staring Minho straight in the eyes.

Minho felt heat rush towards his cheeks, tainting it a dusty pink in the process. That's the effect you have on him, every little thing you do drives him insane; one day, he is probably going to just slap you on the lips with his.

Waving your hands in front of Minho, you tried to catch his attention, but no avail. You lightly pinch his cheek and that worked. You smiled at Minho and asked,

"What are you thinking about?"

He shook his head and gestured for you both to start eating.

[5]

It's been roughly about two days since you last saw Minho and your crew, but that is about to end because you're on the cab, on your way to the airport to fly once again.

This time around, Minho would be flying the Boeing 737 MAX 10, with roughly about 200 passengers on board. Luckily for you, there aren't any horny businessman in the Business or First-class cabin you were assigned to, just normal civilised people hoping to get a comfortable rest on this long flight from Incheon Airport to Los Angeles International Airport which will be taking around an estimated 12 Hours and 30 Minutes.

Time eventually passed by, you knew you are allowed you take breather when you heard,

"This is Captain Minho speaking, ladies and gentleman we have arrived at Las Angeles International Airport, it is local time 02:00AM. We hope you enjoyed the flight and we hope you fly with us again."

Soon, passengers start leaving one by one. You felt a sense of relief when the final passenger walked out the cabin with her child in toll. You fell on one of the seats and start stretching, removing your shoes, and rubbing your sore heels. Yeji followed suit, seated next to you, rubbing her sore feet and neck. The both of you looked like you are in immense pain, which was partly true, but you knew that the pain you experienced now cannot be compared to childbirth.

Minho walked out of the cockpit, and he immediately walked towards you. When he saw you rubbing your feet, he kneeled down and started massaging your legs for you which earned a whistle from Yeji.

When Felix walked out of the toilet, he screamed like a schoolgirl.

"Oh my god, they're getting bolder. Can I get a waffle? Can I please get a waffle?"

Seungmin walked out from the upper level with Hyunjin and smacked Felix on the back of the head which earned a 'Hey!' from the very offended Felix.

"Silly Felix, they're obviously married. They look like an old married couple."

Minho looked up at you and giggled, turning towards the two now-bickering boys he said,

"I would ask her to be mine but I don't know if she wants to," he turned to you, "So, (Name), I met you on the plane, and I'm going to confess to you on the plane. I'd love to be your final destination, so will you be mine?"

#stray kids scenarios #stray kids imagines #stray kids reactions #stray kids fluff #lee minho scenarios

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am-imagines · 5 years

Text

Legendary Pt. 3 Morgan!Reader

“O’Hara! Put me down!” You shriek when your best friend decides to carry you over her shoulder.

This is not the first time she does something like this, but a warning would have been deeply appreciated. You’re not that lucky, and Janice only laughs at your disgrace while carrying you all the way to breakfast.

You only have half a day of practice, and then you’re free to explore the city.

You’re excited not just because Australia has a ton of places to visit, but because your mom will be there too. Maybe hanging around their parents would have been embarrassing for most people, but when your mom is a living soccer legend, your biggest idol and the coolest mother ever? You’re glad to have her around as much as possible.

Besides, Kelley will be joining too because this is Australia; the paradise for any surfer.

You are almost vibrating with excitement during practice; much to Janice’s amusement. You’re an emotional player, and no, that doesn’t mean you cry all the time. What it means is that your game reflects your emotions, and most of the time, the team feeds from your energy. If you enjoy the game, so do they. If you’re angry, you play harder and they become a wall to back you up. When you act like a puppy; imaginary tail wagging behind you, they’re compelled to pat your head once practice is finally over.

A few minutes later, Janice and you meet with your parents, and no time is wasted before you jump into Alex’s arms. She laughs but holds you tight for an extra second.

“I’m so proud of you,” she whispers against your hair.

Moments like these make you remember that yes, Alex Morgan is your mother, and she looks at you with pure adoration. She doesn’t have to say those words for you to feel them, but doing so makes you smile a little wider.

Winning three world cups in a row is a giant accomplishment, unmatched by any other team, but when she’s asked about the most important victory of her life, you’re the first thing that comes to her mind.

Lifting the cup is something she won’t forget, or bending to accept a gold medal, but for her, nothing compares to the first time she held you.

“Thanks, mom.”

“What is this? Aren’t you going to hug your favorite aunt too?”

With a chuckle, you hug Kelley with just as much enthusiasm. She has been there since you can remember, and you wouldn’t be surprised to know she changed your diapers too.

The car ride to the beach is filled with hilarity while Kelley and Alex wonder what happened to Taylor Swift and what exactly you call music nowadays.

“You two are old,” Janice says offhandedly.

“Excuse me!?”

Alex’s outraged question makes you laugh until your belly hurts. One doesn’t call Alex Morgan old and gets away with it. Janice will pay for that once you make it to the beach, and the mere thought makes your mother smile.

Soon enough you arrive at your destination.

Being an L.A. girl has its perks, you decide with a surfboard under your arm.

Kelley taught you how to surf when you were just a kid. Living five minutes away from the beach meant you fell in love with the sea before you could even walk properly. Still, things are a little tougher here; higher waves that look unforgiving, and a permanent alert for sharks that you don’t know how seriously to take.

That’s why you stay close to Kelley; surfing waves that you can control and enjoying the afternoon with your family. There’s no need to risk an injury that could cost you the World Cup. There’s no way to know what will happen on the field; accidents happen, but not like this.

At the end, being careful pays off and you make it safely back to the shore.

Exhaustion takes over you once you’re back in the car. Kelley is the one at the wheel, and you fall asleep resing your head in Alex’s lap. She runs her fingers through your damp hair like she has done since you were a kid. It works like magic, and the tension vanishes from your shoulders.

This is your first World Cup, and you’re glad to have your family there.

The most intense, chaotic and wonderful month of your life has just begun. And you’re glad not to be alone.

One match down. The rest of the World Cup to go.

And you’re ready.

***

“I’m ready,” you mutter to yourself after tying your shoes. “Totally ready.”

A chuckle to your left makes you turn to face “Krash”. Her smile is confident and it helps you calm down. Even when you’re technically ready, the nerves refuse to go away.

“Take a deep breath, Morgan. We know these guys. We face them quite often, right?”

Your next match is against Mexico. Their team has improved greatly over the past few years, but Harris is right. They’re one of the teams you face the most. You know how they stand on the field, how they move, and more importantly, how to stop them.

“It’s the World Cup, and they’re gonna play their asses off, but so will we. We’re determined, disciplined, and hungry. But our biggest advantage is here.”

Harris taps your chest and you feel the way your heart beats; stronger than ever.

This team craves a chance to rise from the ashes; an opportunity to write their own story in a book filled with legends. There’s talent around you, but the passion is tangible beyond anything else. You’re not the only one with a known last name or number, and as such, everyone wants to prove they’re more than handy down.

You’re ready to leave everything on the field; except hope.

“We’ve got this,” Harris says once again.

“Aye aye, captain.”

Harris knows how to be a leader on the field, but also out of it. Sonnett’s trust pays off every time Krash keepers her head cool during a heated moment. It pays off when she keeps pushing you to do more; to do better, even when a game seems lost or won. Her mentality is to never give up because most of the time a match lasts more than ninety minutes.

Your job doesn’t end until the whistle is blown, and even then, there’s a lot of work to do.

You step into the field with a renewed sense of excitement and awe.

This is the second match of the World Cup for the USWNT; winning would put you closer to direct elimination. The next round is just around your corner, and so far, destiny is in your hands.

But you don’t think about that when the game starts. You can’t think about the future when this moment is so big. You don’t think about “what if’s” because the world only follows what you do right then and there. So, you move and run; touch the ball with the delicacy and precision the moment requires. You treat the ball right, and spaces open in Mexico’s defense.

You’re patient when you don’t have the ball, but explode like a firework when you do.

You follow Long’s lead, and a perfect pass turns into an assist to Press.

“The USA is on the board! Morgan with the assist and Press didn’t hesitate to convert. Only ten minutes into this game, and our triple threat proves to be a nightmare for the rival. There’s no better way to start this match. USA 1, Mexico 0.”

The roar of the stadium is felt more than heard. It makes you vibrate with adrenaline when you jump into Press’ open arms. She doesn’t know how to celebrate, so you both laugh and wait for the rest of the team to join your hug.

Somehow, that’s a good enough celebration.

“You’re next,” you tell Harry once the match resumes.

The blonde shrugs although you can see the smirk on her face.

It doesn’t really matter who scores as long as the team wins, but Long deserves a goal too. She’s always grinding, but her efforts aren’t always appreciated by the rest of the world. But you see it; the way most of your goals came from her boots, and when you have an open look is because she pulled the mark. Your numbers wouldn’t look as good as they do without her, that’s for sure. And when all eyes are on the USWNT, you want to return the favor.

Fifteen minutes after Press’ goal, the match is closed up.

You don’t find spaces, but neither does Mexico. It’s a tough battle just to retain possession of the ball, but it’s mostly fair play. Their team has improved, their league has grown and that’s obvious on their National Team as well. It doesn’t look like a team willing to receive another goal, much less five like they did so often in the past.

The world stops not long after. You see it happening; someone in a green jersey taking a shot within an inch of free space. You see it soar with crazy effect, and a moment later is already on the back of the net.

“That’s an equalizer. USA and Mexico are tied to one. They found a way to get through the dense, and boy, they didn’t look good on that one.”

There’s a general sense of frustration while Mexico celebrates, but there’s nothing you could have done better. The defense was tight as it could have been. Harris stretched as much as she could, but it was one hell of a goal; finding its home in the right corner.

However, the frustration doesn’t go away for the rest of the half, but it turns into annoyance when the public boos you all at halftime.

It’s like they don’t see Mexico playing. They don’t see what they do right, and instead focus solely on what you do wrong. It’s a fair point of view, you guess, but then again, you couldn’t have done anything better in that play. People don’t care.

Winning this game won’t matter if you don’t win the next. And whatever you do in the group stage will be in vain if you don’t win the Cup. It seems unfair, but after so many years of nothing, the entire nation has lost faith in you.

“Is this the beginning of the end for this team?”

“I think it is. After what we saw versus Germany, I feel like they don’t know what to do now. Maybe they found an accidental victory last time, but that won’t happen again. They won’t be able to top this poor performance.”

“What about the talent on this team?”

“It’s moment to reconsider if it’s actually there of if it’s what we want to see. Everybody wants the dream team back, and with two members of the golden era leading them, it was easy to believe. But let me tell you right now, this isn’t the dream team even with all those kids with big names on their backs. The USWNT won’t make it to the next round. They won’t be able to win tonight, and they won’t win against Japan. It’s over.”

“There you have it, folks. It’s time to go back to the action to see the end of this match.”

“Heads up, girls!” Harris shouts when you jump back to the field.

You have a new strategy; simple and crazy at the same time.

A position switch is made. Long will be a forward while you take her place as the right wing. The change should be enough to confuse Mexico’s defense; more so when the change is subtle at first. But finally, after what feels like forever, you get a single chance to change the game.

You can’t stop even when you see the hit coming from miles away; you’re surrounded by green shirts and they don’t appreciate what you’re trying to do. You don’t shy away from the contact nor give up an inch. If you did, then the team would have a free kick, but Mexico’s defense would have time to recover.

So, you wait until the last second possible; until Long is on the penalty spot with no mark, to nutmeg a Mexican player and fake an auto pass. It’s only natural for the same player to block your path, but it doesn’t matter.

The contact is hard but Long has the ball and plenty of space.

The hit sucked the air from your lungs, but you couldn’t care less. Hitting the turf is the last thing on your mind when Harry shoots.

The whistle goes off. The stadium breaks into cheers. Long did it.

You want to laugh, but air refuses to make it back into your lungs and pain hits you out of nowhere with a vengeance.

“Unbelievable! They scored! WIth one of the most questionable decisions we’ve seen on this World Cup, the USA retakes the lead.”

Janice makes it to you faster than anyone. She helps to bend your legs until you’re able to gasp. It hurts like the devil, but you chuckle anyway. A muttered thanks is all you can offer before the medical team reaches you.

Everything happened so fast that no one thought you were hurt until you didn’t go celebrate with Harry. You’re not seriously injured, and you thank Heavens for that, but another moment to fully catch your breath does wonders.

The game only has seven minutes left, and Pinoe decides you can catch it on the bench.

There’s no need to risk you, and you trust your team completely.

Even when the pain subsides, it’s impossible to breathe normally until the match ends.

You’ve secured three more points, but that’s not the reason you celebrate. You join your team and hug everyone that comes your way, if the crowd cheers or not, it doesn’t matter. This victory belongs to the team, and no one can take that away from you.

“I told you, you were next!” You say holding Long by the cheeks. “And you scored!”

Before you can say, or do, anything else, someone is carrying you out of the field.

“O’Hara! Oh my God, right in front of the cameras?”

She just laughs, but you accept your fate by wrapping your arms around her neck. You’ll have your payback at some point, probably once she puts you down. Damn it, everybody is watching you.

“I hate you.”

“Yeah, yeah. Love you too, Morgan.”

You can only roll your eyes at that. Best friends, right?

#legendary #fluff route #morgan!reader #BabyMorgan!reader #next generation #uswnt imagine #alex morgan imagine

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the-trans-otter33 · 4 years

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Sanders Sides The Martian AU

Note: I used canon information from the original The Martian characters so jobs, education levels, and other facts could be accurate to the story. It will remain this way just for the sake of accuracy. All original character info can be found on The Martian Wikia and all credit is due to Author Andy Weir, creator of The Martian

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Introduction Post

JULY 7TH, YEAR 2035

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Roles:

Commander: Thomas Sanders

Doctor: Patton McManus

Pilot: [Major] Roman Cone

Computer Specialist: Logan Locke

Navigator: [Dr.] Remus Cone

Botanist: [Dr.] Virgil AsheFord

EVA Specialist: D. Dain Dechard

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Character Info.

April 24th, 1993, 42, Thomas Sanders- Thomas was the first to be chosen for the Ares III mission. He graduated with honors from the US Naval Academy with a Doctorate in oceanography. After the navy, he entered into CalTech's Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences before joining NASA and taking trips to the SpaceX Station. He takes a lot of time to speak at public gatherings and conferences, encouraging others to achieve their dreams as he did and living life to the fullest. Thomas has dedicated his recent months as Commander to making sure his team bonds and remains safe, oftentimes treating them like family or adopted sons. Thomas is NASA’s first openly gay commander and is proud of it and his 22 year long marriage with his husband, Daniel.

Appearance: Thomas Sanders is 5' 10" with a healthy body. He is not lean nor pudgy, being in a somewhat perfect balance in-between. Sanders wears a classic brown undercut with no ability to grow facial hair, much like Patton. His eye color is brown and he enjoys staying in old and new uniforms more than regular clothing.

January 15th, 2001, 34, Patton McManus- The youngest member of the 7 person crew on Ares III, Patton McManus is not someone to be trifled with, especially when it comes to his intelligence. Due to his young age, he finds himself underestimated a lot of the time, and not listened to. It was no surprise to him and his parents though when he got accepted into the Yale School of Medicine, receiving the Norma Bailey Berniker Prize, and his extensive training in Aerospace Medicine as a Captain in the United States Air Force Reserves. He joined NASA in 2029, increasing his training with a Masters Degree in Biomedical Science and was the second person chosen for the Ares III mission. Kind, caring, and generally just a sweetheart, Patton hopes to lighten all spirits on the mission and hopes to bond closely with everyone on board. Dr. McManus hopes that one day his 4-year-old son [from a past relationship] will follow his views on the world and grow up to help people just as his father does.

Appearance: Patton McManus is a soft healthy, 6' teddy bear. Dr. McManus is ginger, his hair always messy with untamed short curls. Freckles spot his face around his nose and under his eyes. He's a bit pudgy around the middle, having close to a dad bod [even though he has no kids]. He cannot grow any facial hair and wears round glasses with thick light blue frames, matching the color of his eyes. Patton tends to wear light-colored polo's and khaki's if he can but jeans work out just fine too. He is also almost always seen with a grey jacket tied around his waist or his neck resting on his shoulders.

June 4th, 1995, 40, Roman Cone- Roman was the third person to join the Ares III Crew, immediately getting along with Commander Sanders and Dr. McManus. Before joining the crew, Roman spent eleven years in the United States Air Force. Originally trained as a fighter pilot, Major Cone worked his way up to the USAF Test Pilot School. Continuing to keep up high marks and great performance he quickly gained respect from his peers and commanders. From a young age, he knew he was destined for NASA so he gained a bachelor of science in astronautical engineering at USAF Academy. At NASA he also became an MDV/MAV Specialist. Witty and outgoing, Roman enjoys taking up all the attention in the room, often doing dramatics to do so.

Appearance: Roman Cone is a sight to see, standing at 5' 9". He is more on the muscular side, though nothing near Dain's level of muscle mass. Major Cone is dirty blond, sporting a magnificent pompadour, never seen without it perfectly done, he has long sideburns that transition from blond to brown the more he grows them out. Roman tries not to let them grow into mutton chops but sometimes finds them there anyway. Surprisingly Roman enjoys sweatpants and baggy shirts more than anything fancy or dramatic. Roman's eyes are light green.

November 3rd, 1998, 36, Logan Locke- Logan graduated at the young age of 16, winning in NASA's largest hackathon a year later. Afterward, Logan moved onto MIT for dual undergraduate degrees in math and computer science. While starting graduate school, Mr. Locke started a private software company in the hopes of becoming a software engineer and CEO. Though his plans changed suddenly when he came into contact with a SpaceX executive who was impressed by his work. His decision to join NASA was later founded when she helped develop software that would later become an integral part of the Hermes operating system. With that knowledge of the Hermes, he wiggled his way into the Ares III crew, being the fourth one to join as the System operator and Reactor Technician. Logan found himself seemingly alone among the crew due to his introverted lifestyle along with his inability to "take a joke" [said by Roman after joke about MIT]. His emotionally repressive behavior got especially worse when Remus joined a few days after, mocking Logan for his OCD. These habits and behaviors seemed to only start getting better after meeting Ares III Botanist Virgil AsheFord, who shared some of these traits. Locke never includes his thoughts though when anyone bring up parents or family back home, no one knows why.

Appearance: Logan Locke is a lanky 5' 8" nerd. Wearing rectangle-shaped glasses with white half frames. Logan has thin cheekbones with a thick chin strap beard connected with a black goatee. His hair is slicked back but not as tightly nor as long as Dain's and without curls in the back. Logan's eyes are dark blue shade, often matching his professional outfits. Mr. Locke often wears button-down shirts or polos with a blue or black tie running below his belly button. he usually tucks his shirts into his pants, which are almost always jeans held up with an always new looking leather belt. he also wears what Roman calls "old man shoes" though he is quite proud of their permanent shininess. Logan actively chooses to not work out, instead, he just makes sure to eat as healthily as he can.

June 5th, 1995, 40, Remus Cone- Remus was the fifth person to be chosen for Ares III. Remus was invited to join the crew through NASA and the European Space Agency after being located in Germany for several years. Holding two master's degrees in chemistry and astrophysics. Remus has also earned a doctorate in chemistry from spending six months on Antarctica. Remus has published dozens of papers in international journals to pass time. Dr. Cone felt the need to assert himself with the family name after his brother Roman upstaged him constantly in college. Remus is fluent in French and German, often using those languages to swear when visiting his brother in the USA. Remus has a knack for being a trouble-maker around almost everyone he meets, making messes mostly on accident due to his childish clumsy nature. Dr. Cone is only found being serious when there's work to be done, the dedication to his job is one of the only things bonding him with the rest of the Ares III crew.

Appearance: Remus us a 5' 10" pure blond man. he is often found wearing unmatched clothing that some would call ugly af [but he likes it that way]. Sporting a low hanging man bun, his hair just might be the most yellow thing at NASA HQ and on the Hermes, but it's completely natural! To go along with his man bun, Remus has a majestically neat handlebar mustache. Remus resembles his older twin brother Roman a lot with his light blue eyes and wide chin. Baring a bigger nose than Roman though. He also cannot grow any other facial hair. Remus isn't as muscled as Roman, being a bit round in the middle but tries his hardest to remain interested in working out. Nowadays his interest is kept by working out with his gym buddy, Dain.

December 19th, 1999, 34, Virgil Asheford- Virgil had spent eleven months already working at NASA when he was chosen for Ares III. Originally attending the University of Chicago, Doctor AsheFord moved to Northwestern University to earn his Ph.D. in Plant Biology and Conservation with an emphasis on hydropedalogy and environmental engineering. When joining NASA, his work focused on hydrologic flow paths and sustainable water resources management within Earth's Critical Zone. Virgil spent the next two years in the peace Corps engineering sustainable agriculture and water irrigation systems for developing nations. Afterward, Virgil applied to the NASA Astronaut Candidate Program and was ultimately selected. Throughout his life Virgil has had a constant battle with his depression and anxiety, growing more introverted over time. His interest in Botany helped him through the battle he has fought so hard to win. Despite over complicating many different thoughts, solutions, and ideas, Virgil often finds the outcome satisfying and without flaw. Emotional repression from before and after his little sister's death made him hesitant to accept his part in Ares III until he met Computer Specialist Logan Locke, who also dealt with emotional repression. The two instantly bonded due to being different from the rest of the team as well as their inexplicable ability to fall into intensely deep existential crises.

Appearance: Virgil is a 5' 6" pale, thin man. He is healthily thin despite eating a lot [his fast metabolism runs in the family]. Virgil's hair was dyed crow-black before being selected for Ares III but is naturally brown in a Faux hawk style. Virgil usually has short stubble lining the bottom half of his face, never letting it grow longer than 1-2.5 millimeters long. Virgil regularly applies eye shadow around his eyes, earning him the nickname Plant Raccoon from Remus. AsheFord can always be seen wearing dark if-not-black clothing, unless in his NASA jumpsuit or his Ares III Mars EVA suit [he hates that it's mainly white and orange]. Virgil also wears many different types of boots, specifically requesting some from NASA for the Ares III trip to Mars. he takes extra time to make sure they are neat, clean, and shiny each morning, something he now does with Logan.

[Deceit] February 3rd, 1996, 39, D. [Dain] Dechard- The last member to join the Ares III crew, yet welcomed with open arms. Dechard often says little white lies to the crew and others around him to rile them up when he's bored and wants some action. He has a severe disliking towards his first name, so he tells people to call him Dain. The crew is always theorizing what his real name is. Dain was first brought into NASA by his father, a Rocket Engineer, and was immediately interesting in becoming an EVA Specialist so he could travel into space for Ares III. Before specializing in EVA, Dain had been a NASA Mathematician with an associate's degree, bachelor's degree, master's degree, and Ph.D. in Mathematics. From the age of 18 to 34, Dain was in College constantly to earn these degrees and never gained any friends because of it. Dain promised before leaving for the Ares III, that he’d keep in contact with his 9-year-old niece.

Appearance: Dain is a 6' 4" lean [ripped] gym rat. He's got slicked back ink-black hair with lines of grey coming in at his temples due to years of work and school. The back of his head is riddled with curls coming from the ends of strands. Sporting a lighter coal-black Van Dyke goatee [and quite proud of it too] he also has scars riddled across the side of his face from chin to forehead. More scars can be found throughout his body in an inconsistent pattern but suspiciously only on the right side of him. Dain's eyes are dark green and he tends to wear joggers and shorts along with skin-tight shirts. While his gym buddy has an ugly sense of fashion, Dain has no fashion sense whatsoever.

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Not-the-boys cast:

The administrator of NASA: Teddy [Theodore] Sanders [No relation to Commander Thomas Sanders]

Director of NASA Media Relations: Annie Montrose

Director of NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory: Bruce Ng

Head of Mars Operations: Venkat Kapoor

Flight Director for Ares III: Mitch Henderson

NASA Analyst/Satellite Coverage: Mindy Park

Physicist: Rich Purnell

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TAG LIST

@ladylokilove

@girl-of-1000-fandoms

@thatswhat24

@ifrickenhatedeverythingaboutthis

@ahoskarose-76

@marshmallowmischief

@notyourbeesknees

@awkward-child-of-satan

@sanderssidesbuddybois

Feel free to request to be on the tag list and send asks about something you’re curious about within the story! Your asks will strive to be the main drive for the story!

#sanders sides #TheMartianAU #thomas sanders #Thomas is the only one with an unchanged last name #crazy right?#patton sanders #roman sanders #logan sanders #remus sanders #virgil sanders #deceit sanders #intro post #future relationships #analogical

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newstfionline · 4 years

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Monday, October 19, 2020

As the Coronavirus Surges, a New Culprit Emerges: Pandemic Fatigue (NYT) When the coronavirus began sweeping around the globe this spring, people from Seattle to Rome to London canceled weddings and vacations, cut off visits with grandparents and hunkered down in their homes for what they thought would be a brief but essential period of isolation. But summer did not extinguish the virus. And with fall has come another dangerous, uncontrolled surge of infections that in parts of the world is the worst of the pandemic so far. The virus has taken different paths as leaders have tried to tamp down the spread with a range of restrictions. Shared, though, is a public weariness and a growing tendency to risk the dangers of the coronavirus, out of desire or necessity: With no end in sight, many people are flocking to bars, family parties, bowling alleys and sporting events much as they did before the virus hit, and others must return to school or work as communities seek to resuscitate economies. And in sharp contrast to the spring, the rituals of hope and unity that helped people endure the first surge of the virus have given way to exhaustion and frustration. Researchers from the World Health Organization estimate that about half of the population is experiencing “pandemic fatigue.” One New Yorker summed it up: “I am so tired of everything. Is it going to be over? I want it to be over.”

Biden and Trump Say They’re Fighting for America’s ‘Soul.’ (NYT) It is a phrase that has been constantly invoked by Democratic and Republican leaders. It has become the clearest symbol of the mood of the country, and what people feel is at stake in November. Everyone, it seems, is fighting for it. “This campaign isn’t just about winning votes. It’s about winning the heart and, yes, the soul of America,” Joseph R. Biden Jr. said in August at the Democratic National Convention, not long after the phrase “battle for the soul of America” appeared at the top of his campaign website, right next to his name. Picking up on this, a recent Trump campaign ad spliced videos of Democrats invoking “the soul” of America, followed by images of clashes between protesters and the police and the words “Save America’s Soul,” with a request to text “SOUL” to make a campaign contribution. That the election has become a referendum on the soul of the nation, suggests that in an increasingly secular country, voting has become a reflection of one’s individual morality—and that the outcome hinges in part on spiritual and philosophical questions that transcend politics: What, exactly, is the soul of the nation? What is the state of it? And what would it mean to save it?

Spanish demonstrators call for prosecution of former king (Reuters) Waving red, purple and yellow republican flags, demonstrators in 24 Spanish cities on Sunday called for the prosecution of the former king Juan Carlos who left Spain embroiled in controversy. The 82-year-old former monarch has been living in the United Arab Emirates since leaving Spain in August to avoid further embarrassing his son, King Felipe VI. While not formally under investigation, Juan Carlos could become a target in two inquiries in Spain and Switzerland into alleged corruption associated with a 6.7-billion-euro (£6.1 billion), high-speed Saudi train contract won by Spanish firms.

Covid-19’s first wave largely missed southern Italy. The second wave is hitting it hard. (Washington Post) When northern Italy became the epicenter of the pandemic in the spring, one urgent concern was that the country’s coronavirus outbreak would quickly spread to the less-prosperous south and overwhelm under-resourced regional health systems. That fear wasn’t realized. A strict nationwide lockdown largely contained the virus in the north and brought the outbreak under control. But now the virus is raging again, through Europe and through Italy, with a spike that is again hitting the north but this time also the south. In Campania, which includes Naples, the daily number of detected new cases is five times larger than March’s peak. Compared with six months ago, there is more space to accommodate critical patients in southern Italy. There are more ventilators. Still, many hospitals in the south remain understaffed and have fewer beds per capita than those in the north. They could reach a breaking point if the number of critical patients soars.

Tens of thousands march in Belarus despite firearms threat (Reuters) Tens of thousands of people marched through the streets of the Belarusian capital Minsk on Sunday to demand the resignation of veteran president Alexander Lukashenko, despite a threat by officials to use firearms against protesters. Belarus, a former Soviet republic closely allied with Russia, has been rocked by strikes and weekly street protests since authorities announced that Lukashenko, who has ruled in authoritarian fashion since 1994, had secured re-election on Aug. 9 with 80% of votes. The Interfax news agency put the number of protesters at over 30,000. It said about 50 had been detained by the police, and that the mobile broadband signal had been disrupted in parts of the city. It also said loud noises that sounded like stun grenades had been heard close to the march. A senior police official said last week that officers would reserve the right to use firearms against demonstrators.

Russia shuns tough restrictions even as infections soar (AP) It’s Friday night in Moscow, and popular bars and restaurants in the city center are packed. No one except the staff is wearing a mask or bothers to keep their distance. There is little indication at all that Russia is being swept by a resurgence of coronavirus infections. “I believe that everyone will have the disease eventually,” says Dr. Alexandra Yerofeyeva, an internal medicine specialist at an insurance company, while sipping a cocktail at The Bix bar in Moscow. She adds cheerfully: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” The outbreak in Russia this month is breaking the records set in the spring, when a lockdown to slow the spread of the virus was put in place. But, as governments across Europe move to reimpose restrictions to counter rising cases, authorities in Russia are resisting shutting down businesses again. The spring lockdown hurt the country’s already weakened economy and compounded Russians’ frustration with plummeting incomes and worsening living conditions, driving Putin’s approval rating to a historic low of 59% in April, according to the Levada Center, Russia’s top independent pollster. Analysts say his government doesn’t want to return to those darks days. “They know that people have just come to the end of their tolerance of the lockdown measures that would be hugely unpopular if they got imposed again,” said Judy Twigg, a professor of political science at Virginia Commonwealth University, specializing in global health.

China Warns U.S. It May Detain Americans in Response to Prosecutions of Chinese Scholars (WSJ) Chinese government officials are warning their American counterparts they may detain U.S. nationals in China in response to the Justice Department’s prosecution of Chinese military-affiliated scholars, according to people familiar with the matter. The Chinese officials have issued the warnings to U.S. government representatives repeatedly and through multiple channels, the people said, including through the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. The Chinese message, the people said, has been blunt: The U.S. should drop prosecutions of the Chinese scholars in American courts, or Americans in China might find themselves in violation of Chinese law. China started issuing the warning this summer after the U.S. began arresting a series of Chinese scientists, who were visiting American universities to conduct research, and charged them with concealing from U.S. immigration authorities their active duty statuses with the People’s Liberation Army, the people said. Chinese authorities have on occasion detained foreign nationals in moves seen by their governments as baseless, or in some instances as diplomatic retaliation, a tactic that many in Washington policy circles have referred to as “hostage diplomacy.”

Thailand’s king faces trouble on two continents (Los Angeles Times) The scion of one of the world’s most privileged families, he wrapped himself in the trappings of royalty, wealth and a comfortable hideaway thousands of miles from his subjects. For Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn, the cocoon has come undone with remarkable speed. Last week in Berlin, the German government faced questions in Parliament over the king’s legal status in Bavaria, where he resides. Then, visiting Thailand this week to mark the fourth anniversary of his father’s death, the king’s family came face-to-face with pro-democracy protesters agitating for limits on his power. The reverence long demanded of Thailand’s monarchy is breaking down in ways big and small. Thais are refusing to stand for the royal anthem in movie theaters, lampooning the king in Facebook groups and openly questioning his immense wealth and spending. The scrutiny he is now facing in Germany is an added nuisance for a 68-year-old king who has long treated his adopted home as a playground. As the only son of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who reigned for 70 years, Vajiralongkorn was destined to inherit the throne. But since about 2007 he has spent most of his time in Germany, where the tabloid press has followed his exploits with relish. He was pictured wearing a tight-fitting crop top over an otherwise bare torso while getting on a ski lift, and covered in temporary tattoos during an excursion to a Munich mall.

New Zealand’s Ardern credits virus response for election win (AP) A day after winning a second term in a landside victory, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Sunday she sees the election result as an endorsement of her government’s efforts to stamp out the coronavirus and reboot the economy. In the election, Ardern’s liberal Labour Party got 49% of the vote, crushing the conservative National Party, which got 27%. Ardern said the margin of the victory exceeded their expectations. Asked what she would say to those Americans who may draw inspiration from her win ahead of the U.S. elections, Ardern said she hoped people globally could move past the partisan divisions that elections often accentuate. “That can be damaging for democracy, regardless of the side of the House that you sit on,” she said.

As lockdown eases, Israelis again gather against Netanyahu (AP) Thousands of Israelis demonstrated outside the official residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday night, resuming the weekly protest against the Israeli leader after emergency restrictions imposed as part of a coronavirus lockdown were lifted. The protesters gathered in central Jerusalem and marched to Netanyahu’s official residence, holding banners calling on him to go and shouting “Revolution!” Many blew horns and pounded on drums, while others hoisted Israeli flags. Scores of smaller demonstrations were held across the country, and organizers claimed some 260,000 people participated nationwide. The protesters say Netanyahu must resign, calling him unfit to lead the country while he is on trial for corruption charges. They also say he has mishandled the virus crisis, which has sent unemployment soaring. Netanyahu is on trial for fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes for his role in a series of scandals. He has denied the charges and said he is the victim of a conspiracy by overzealous police and prosecutors and a liberal media.

Uganda’s ‘taxi divas’ rise from COVID-19’s economic gloom (AP) Uganda’s new all-female ride-hailing service is called Diva Taxi. The taxi service, dreamed up by a local woman who lost her logistics job at the start of the coronavirus outbreak, was launched in June and has recruited over 70 drivers. They range from college students to mothers hoping to make good use of their secondhand Toyotas. “It started off as a joke, supported by close friends and family, but eventually the idea picked up,” said company spokeswoman Rebecca Makyeli. “They said, ‘Why not? As ladies, you know we can no longer slay on Instagram on the outside, so why don’t we slay as divas with a cause.’ So we called it Diva Taxi.” It’s uncommon to find women taxi drivers in Uganda, a socially conservative East African country where most women labor on farms or pursue work in the informal sector. Diva Taxi believes countless women are looking for job opportunities at a time of severe economic distress. The Diva Taxi app has been downloaded at least 500 times, and each of the company’s 72 drivers makes an average of 30 rides each week. The company expects to have 2,000 active users by the end of this year, a modest target in a city of over 3 million people where taxis and passenger motorcycles are the main means of transport for the working class. “We love what we are doing and it’s really fun,” said founder Kobusingye, an occasional driver herself. “I can’t wait to partner with every woman out there that’s willing to be part of Diva Taxi.”

Nigerian army plans nationwide exercise as protests rock country (Reuters) The Nigerian army will begin a two-month national exercise, it said on Saturday, while denying the move was part of any security response to recent widespread demonstrations against alleged police brutality. Operation Crocodile Smile would run across the country from Oct. 20 to Dec. 31, the first time the annual exercise, typically concentrated in the Delta region, will be nationwide, army spokesman Sagir Musa said. The move comes just days after the army said it was ready to step in and restore order, but Musa said in a statement that the exercise “has no relationship with any lawful protest under any guise whatsoever”. Nigerians demanding an end to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) police unit and pressing for reforms and accountability have been rallying across the country. The army had on Wednesday issued a statement warning what it termed “subversive elements and trouble makers” that it was “ready to fully support the civil authority in whatever capacity to maintain law and order and deal with any situation decisively”.

#headlines #news

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lgbtqiahistoricalromance · 5 years

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LGBTQIA Historical Romance Novels for Winter, Hanukkah, Solstice, and Christmas! - Updated December 19th, 2018

Christmas Angel by Eli Easton (*Book One of The Christmas Angel series) (I thoroughly enjoyed this Georgian era romance. There is a great group of supporting characters, and this manages to delve into period-typical homophobia, without weighing down the hopeful message of the story.)

- When John Trent, a dedicated member of the new Bow Street Runners, finds an exquisite carved angel floating in the Thames, he can’t stop thinking about it. He tracks down its creator, a sad and quiet young sculptor. But neither the angel nor the sculptor is done with John just yet. The blasted angel refuses to leave him be, behaving not at all like an inanimate object should. Alec Allston is resigned to the fact that his love will ever be a river that flows out and never flows in. All he wanted to do was create a special gift so that a small part of himself could be with his unattainable and noble beloved, always. But when the gift keeps showing back up at his shop in the hands of a windblown and rugged thief-taker, Alec will need to reconsider his conviction that love is destined to remain an ethereal ideal. This book is one of seven stories which can all be read and enjoyed in any order.

On Wing of Song by Anne Barwell

- Six years after meeting British soldier Aiden Foster during the Christmas Truce of 1914, Jochen Weber still finds himself thinking about Aiden, their shared conversation about literature, and Aiden’s beautiful singing voice. A visit to London gives Jochen the opportunity to search for Aiden, but he’s shocked at what he finds. The uniform button Jochen gave him is the only thing Aiden has left of the past he’s lost. The war and its aftermath ripped everything away from him, including his family and his music. When Jochen reappears in his life, Aiden enjoys their growing friendship but knows he has nothing to offer. Not anymore.

The Prince and Her Dreamer by Kayla Bashe (Coming December 12th! A f/f retelling of The Nutcracker!!)

- Clara feels stifled by the life that's been planned out for her, and clings to her only hope that something more might be possible: a mysterious book given to her by her Uncle Drosselmeyer, that recounts the tales of the magnificent warrior woman known as the Red Prince. Decades ago, Drosselmeyer trapped the Red Prince in the form of a doll to save her from the Rats. When the magic of Clara's selfless admiration restores her to human form, she and Clara must find a way to stand against the Rats once and for all if they hope to enjoy the life they've always longed for...

Mr. Winterborne’s Christmas by Joanna Chambers (Yes, a new story for those clamoring for more Adam and Lysander.)

- Lysander Winterbourne has been living happily at Edgeley Park for the last eighteen months. By day he is Adam Freeman's estate manager, by night, his lover...but Adam never speaks of his feelings and Lysander has no idea whether their relationship is any more than a convenient arrangement for Adam. When the two men are invited to Winterbourne Abbey for a family Christmas, matters quickly come to a head. Snowed in at the Abbey with a house full of guests, Lysander has to face up to shocking revelations, long-held secrets and a choice he never expected to have to make...

Careened: Winter Solstice in Madierus by Bey Deckard (Book 3.5 of the Baal’s Heart series--pirates!)

-A Baal's Heart short, following the events in Fated: Blood and Redemption Plagued by terrible dreams, Jon begins to distance himself from Baltsaros and Tom. Perhaps a little holiday cheer is just the thing to help the three of them find common ground again.

Phin’s Christmas by Bonnie Dee

- Doubt invades a fairy-tale holiday. Excited to celebrate his first Christmas with his true love, Phin Abernathy searches for the perfect gift for Teddy, the artist who saved him from solitude (The Artist). But his happy holiday dreams are soon threatened. After a year of living on his own, then with his beloved partner, Phin has mostly banished his negative view of himself. He and Teddy are happily saving toward a house they can share, when a chance encounter with a stranger raises Phin’s old ghosts of doubt, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Struggling to quell such negative spirits, Phin focuses on volunteering at a children’s shelter. But when he sees his Teddy and handsome Justin Crump (The Medium) in a suspicious situation, it is difficult to control his racing thoughts. Belief in Teddy’s love for him wars with Phin’s fear his lover wants something more. Phin must decide how far he is willing to go to keep Teddy in his life, and truly embrace his own worth before he can ever celebrate the season.

Simon and the Christmas Spirit (Part of Victorian Holiday Hearts Boxed Set) by Summer Devon and Bonnie Dee (A fun romp of a romance, with heart, and lots of laughs.)

- Simon and the Christmas Spirit: The holiday spirit has forsaken Simon Harris. A recent reminder of the man who used then left him sends lonely Simon on a glum visit to his club where a breath of fresh air in the form of Christopher Andrews enters his stale life. Simon and Christopher enjoy a few hours of pleasure, never expecting to see each other again, but Simon’s new resolution to change may transform both men's lives.

The Holly Groweth Green by Amy Rae Durreson

- When wounded doctor Laurence Payne is stranded in the snowy English countryside on Christmas Eve, 1946, he is surprised to stumble upon Mistle Cottage and its mysterious inhabitant. Avery claims to be an Elizabethan wizard, and Laurence struggles to explain away the atmosphere of the cottage as mere coincidence and trickery. He spends a magical twelve days of Christmas celebrating with Avery, but then wakes to find his lover has vanished and the cottage has fallen to ruin overnight. Laurence’s investigations lead him to the story of an ancient fairy curse—Avery is doomed to spend only Christmas Eve to Twelfth Night in human form until he finds true love. Laurence sets out to give Avery the greatest gift of all—his heart and with it the chance to live for more than the fleeting winter weeks he’s been sentenced to.

A Christmas in Kent by Paul Alan Fahey (Part of the Lovers and Liars set, which entails espionage in WWII.)

- It's December 1941. Caroline, Cyril, Edward, and Leslie are home from their recent exploits on the Isle of Man and are now happily ensconced in their cottage in Kent. Feeling safe from the ongoing horrors of war, if only temporarily, Caroline finds herself surrounded by people she loves and who love her, so she counts her blessings and immerses herself in the spirit of the season. She trims the holiday tree with her newly wedded spouse and makes a last minute shopping trip into London. Other family members are busy, as well. Samson and Delilah -- the group’s adopted pair of shelties -- are running amok in The Peasant’s Revenge and causing the pub’s patrons no end of displeasure. Leslie and Edward have a chance encounter with a child who is separated from her parents in Germany and lives nearby with a foster family. Then there’s that something bothering Caroline that simply can’t be ignored much longer. Christmas in Kent will indeed be full of surprises.

The Christmas Wager by Jamie Fessenden

- Lord Thomas Pendleton, second son of the Duke of Branmoor, needs to discharge a debt to his friend Andrew Nash. In doing so, he must return to the family estate he fled six years earlier after refusing to marry the woman his father had chosen. To Thomas’s dismay, Branmoor Hall is no longer the joyful home he remembers from his childhood, and his four-year-old niece has no idea what Christmas is. Determined to bring some seasonal cheer back to the gloomy estate, Thomas must confront his tyrannical father, salvage a brother lost in his own misery, and attempt to fight off his father’s machinations. As Christmas Day draws near, Thomas and his friend Andrew begin to realize they are more than merely close friends… and those feelings are not only a threat to their social positions, but, in Victorian England, to their lives as well.

Summerfield’s Angel by Kim Fielding (*Book Two of The Christmas Angel series) (This one takes place between a cowboy and the son of a retail magnate, with some nice details about 1880′s NYC, and the sort of class differences we usually only see in romances that are based in London.)

- After the hard winter of 1888 ended Alby Boyle’s work as a Nebraska ranch hand, he returned to New York City in search of his long-lost family. His mother and brothers are nowhere to be found, however, and after Alby’s years of absence, Five Corners no longer feels like home. His prospects seem as dim as the nighttime alleys. When Alby pauses to admire an angel ornament in a department store window’s Christmas display, he meets Xeno Varnham-Summerfield. Wealthy, handsome, and enthusiastic, Xeno brings Alby some temporary cheer. But for Alby to achieve his dreams of love and a real home, well, that may take a bit of holiday magic.

Cursed Miracles by Meg Harding

- Two hundred years ago on Christmas Eve, William Mashinter was frozen in time, cursed by his wife to roam the world on his own, waiting for the love of his life to find him. The love of his life, whom she killed. Time hasn’t healed this wound, and William is tired of the happy holiday and the constant reminders of a love that’s been taken from him. But then the impossible happens, and maybe… maybe he can get a new Christmas perspective.Brady Gallagher has lived three different lives, always aware of the first and most important, yet unable to find the man who will fill in the missing pieces and let him know he’s not crazy. He encounters him at a work event, of all places, but is he willing to throw everything else to the wind and embrace the miracle laid out before him?A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2016 Advent Calendar "Bah Humbug."

Christopher’s Christmas by Adella J Harris

- Valet Chris MacCullan knows better than to fall in love with someone at a Christmas house party, but there’s nothing wrong with a bit of fun. Even with the shy, sweet son of the housekeeper, as long as he’s careful not to do anything that will hurt the fellow later. But as he gets to know his new friend, can he protect his own heart?

A Christmas Hex by Jordan L Hawk (A Hexworld short story)

- Roland knows he will never find love. Everyone views wolf familiars like himself as dangerous beasts, unable to rein in their savage impulses. He’s resigned himself to his fate—or so he thinks, until he meets the dashing Augustus Cao. His witch.Gus is on the trail of a gang of thieves, and Roland holds an important clue. Even though they can never bond, Roland can’t pass up the opportunity to spend a night with his witch.Can Roland conceal his secret, while helping Gus catch the thieves? Or will the handsome detective be the one to steal his heart?

Harmony by Jordan L Hawk (A Whyborne & Griffin short story set after Bloodline)

The Magician’s Angel by Jordan L Hawk (*Book Three of The Christmas Angel series)(Currently reading...)

- Vaudeville stage magician Christopher Fiend lives for the spotlight. His chance at big time stardom awaits him in Chicago, the next stop on the circuit after the little town of Twelfth Junction. Edward Smith wants nothing to do with his family's theater. Until Christopher catches his eye on opening night, then treats him to a very special performance during intermission. When a dead body turns up in the middle of Christopher’s act, suspicion immediately falls on him. If Christopher and Edward can’t work together to clear his name, Christopher won’t make it to Chicago in time. Edward knows he shouldn’t get attached to a man who will be gone in two days, but his heart—and a very special angel—have other ideas. The Christmas Angel series of holiday romances follow the travels of an angel ornament through the decades as she inspires (and sometimes nudges) lonely men to find their Happily Ever After. The Magician’s Angel is the third in series, which can be read in any order.

A Gay Fairy Tale by Christina Lee and Riley Hart (This one is set in an alternate world, where it’s always winter. Has a nice bit of hope at the end, when Merrick challenges his kingdom’s preconceptions.)

- As next in line for the Evergreen crown, Prince Merrick Davendall’s future involves ruling, marriage, and producing an heir of his own. But he’s long been tormented by desires that are far from princely. Especially when the beautiful Cassius is promoted to be his new valet, and Merrick is struck by a longing like never before—a longing to know him far beyond royal and servant. After his father’s passing, Cassius Havendale’s sole duty is to provide for his family. A promotion to serve a pampered prince is something he endures only for their sake. Surely Prince Merrick has no understanding of the true suffering of the common people, nor could he possibly understand what it’s like to desperately desire something he cannot have. Except the prince is not at all what Cassius imagined. Kind, humorous, and caring to those in need, he also shares Cassius’s affinity for the arts. In fact, Merrick understands his deepest vulnerabilities in a most remarkable way. As their affection deepens, the underlying tension between them becomes unbearable and they’re unable to ignore it any longer. But when the queen prepares a lavish ball with all the eligible ladies in the land in attendance, Merrick must fulfill his obligations to his country, and Cassius has the needs of his family to consider. They’ve long known their stolen moments would have to come to an end, but are they ready to give up one another and the idea of a happily-ever-after?

His Regelence Rake by JL Langley (Book Three of the Sci-Regency series)(I love this whole series, but this one was given a holiday theme at the end, and it makes for a lovely HEA background to the story that develops throughout re: the stables.)

- Sebastian Hastings, Viscount Wentworth, is captain of the Royal Guard by day and scandalous rake by night. To protect the royal family of Regelence from the plots of the Intergalactic Navy, Sebastian makes it his priority to personally oversee their safety. Prince Colton Townsend is done pining after the roguish viscount and focuses his attention on his second love—horses. Following his dream of owning a racehorse breeding farm distracts Colton from his heartache… until Sebastian begins shadowing him. When a good deed at a horse auction sparks public rumors, Colton just might get the man and the marriage he’s longed for. But Sebastian’s duties and secrets keep him walled off from those who would get close. To reach Sebastian, Colton takes one last risk that might break his heart….

The Forgotten Man by Ryan Loveless

- In 1932, after Captain Joshua Pascal’s family loses its fortune, the Great War veteran’s sense of duty compels him to help his mother convert his childhood home into a Jewish boarding house. He’s lived openly as a homosexual among his friends, but now Joshua must pretend to be a “normal,” and hiding his nature is a lonely way of life. But in the middle of Chanukah, Joshua meets Will, a street musician with a ready smile, and wonders if he might deserve a chance at love. During the cold December nights they find comfort in each other. But the specter of the workhouse and the possibility of family and personal ruin hang over them, making their every move dangerous. Which would they rather lose: their lives as they know them... or the promise of a future together?

Last Leap of the First-Foot by Ari McKay

- Iain Donaldson and Bran MacRae have been best friends since childhood, despite Iain being part of the gentry and Bran a mere crofter's son. Iain's feelings of friendship have deepened over time, and he suspects Bran might share his inclinations—and Hogmanay may be the time to confess feelings. As the old year becomes the new, Iain keeps his promise to first-foot at the MacRae cottage, and Bran takes the opportunity to bare his heart—will it be enough to overcome the challenges to their budding relationship? A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2013 Advent Calendar package "Heartwarming".

My True Love Gave To Me by Ava March

- Alexander Norton loathes the festive season. The revelry of the ton is a reminder of Christmas four years ago, when his first love, Thomas Bennett, broke his heart and fled to New York without a word. So when he encounters Thomas at a holiday ball, Alexander is determined not to let on how much he still hurts. Thomas has returned for one reason only: Alexander. Having finally come to terms with his forbidden desires, he will do whatever he must to convince Alexander to give their love another chance. But instead of the happy, carefree man Thomas once knew, Alexander is now hard and cynical. Saddened to know he's to blame for the man's bitterness, Thomas resolves to reignite the passion he knows lies hidden behind the wall of disdain...

The Mistletoe Kiss by Ruby Moone (My favorite LGBT historical Christmas romance. An MC with a disability, and a beautiful May/December romance that evolves from friends to lovers.)

- By 1816, widowed bookseller Lawrence Fenton has spent a lonely lifetime hiding who he is. He has convinced himself his feelings for his far too young, gorgeous, but troubled assistant Christy Shaw are nothing more than pride in his protégé and concern for his plight. Christy’s life involves walking fine lines: one between his mother and his abusive stepfather, one where he must keep his needs hidden, and hardest of all, one where he must keep his feelings for his serious employer to himself. Lame since birth, Lawrence cannot imagine anyone wanting him, least of all Christy. But when Christy’s life threatens to spiral out of control, Lawrence steps in. Then Christy’s emotions spill over into a kiss under the mistletoe at Christmas. Will Lawrence be able to face the long-buried truth about himself and keep Christy by his side?

The Wrong Kind of Angel by Ruby Moone (prequel to Trapped) (Charles is a sweet bon bon. Just saying.)

- A reluctant angel, three not terribly wise men, two gorgeous men on a starlit chase to find a child … It can only be Christmas. It’s Christmas 1817 and Captain Charles Farrington has accepted that he is destined to live alone. That is, until Christmas Eve, when a startlingly handsome man crashes into his home and his life. Harry Valentine is a man on the run. A man with secrets. He hasn’t time to fall for the angel who rescued him and, in any case, he knows that once Charlie realises the truth about him, there will be no future for them. Harry’s warmth makes Charles face up to the demons in his past and shows him that he can have a family. All he has to do is persuade Harry to stay. But Charlie knows that, despite whatever Harry says, he’s the wrong kind of angel for happy endings.

The Christmas Curse by Ruby Moone (A dose of cheer and magic for a lonely man at Christmas.)

- It’s almost Christmas 1806, and government agent Jared Templeton finds himself adopted by a beautiful stray dog as he walks his customary route each night to his Mayfair home. Having never owned a dog before, Jared is surprised to find himself talking to the beast. It’s wonderfully easy and lifts some of the heavy burdens he carries. Eventually Jared confides in the dog, not only secrets about his work as an agent, but also the biggest secret about himself. About his innermost desires and needs, safe in the knowledge his companion will never betray him. But at the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, Jared discovers things are not quite what they seem …

The Lion Lies Waiting by Glenn Quigley (Sequel to The Moth and Moon)

- Winter, 1780, and the solstice is fast approaching. Four months after the events of The Moth and Moon, burly fisherman Robin Shipp is preparing for his first Midwinter festival with his lover, the handsome baker Edwin Farriner. But when a letter arrives begging for help, they must travel with their friend, Duncan, to Port Knot on sinister Blackrabbit Island for a final confrontation with Edwin’s mother. Also visiting the island are Lady Eva and her wife Iris, with a stunning proposition that could change Robin and Edwin’s lives forever.The snow-covered harbour town of Port Knot is a dangerous place. While there, Robin, Edwin, and Duncan explore the menacing rooftop settlement known as the Roost, mingle with high society in the magnificent splendour of Chase Manor, and uncover a violent conspiracy threatening the island’s entire way of life.Old rivalries will flare, shocking secrets will be revealed, and as Duncan’s scandalous past finally catches up with him, will it ultimately destroy them all?The men will be tested to their limits as they discover that on Blackrabbit Island, the lion lies waiting.

A Gentleman’s Agreement by J Roman (This had one of the best endings I’ve read, very sweet, and the whole story is one of low-dose period-typical homophobia.)

- Thomas Derrik is about to have the worst Christmas of his life. Three days before the holiday, he finds out the father he doesn’t get along with is arriving on Christmas Eve, his ex-lover and new brother-in-law will be staying at his estate until the New Year, and his beloved brother, Edmund, has died. Luckily, Edmund’s last holiday scheme may well save Thomas’s Christmas: Henry Appleby, a young lord fresh from the Continent, has arranged to court Thomas. But the family tragedy and jealous exes may put an end to the romance before it begins. A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2012 Advent Calendar package "Evergreen"

Yuletide Truce by Sandra Schwab

- London, 1845 It's December, Alan "Aigee" Garmond's favorite time of the year, when the window display of the small bookshop where he works fills up with crimson Christmas books and sprays of holly. Everything could be perfect — if it weren't for handsome Christopher Foreman, the brilliant writer for the fashionable magazine About Town, who has taken an inexplicable and public dislike to Aigee's book reviews. But why would a man such as Foreman choose to target reviews published in a small bookshop's magazine? Aigee is determined to find out. And not, he tells himself, just because he finds Foreman so intriguing. Aigee’s quest leads him from smoke-filled ale-houses into the dark, dingy alleys of one of London's most notorious rookeries. And then, finally, to Foreman. Will Aigee be able to wrangle a Yuletide truce from his nemesis?

The Return of the Earl by Sandra Schwab

- On the Continent they call him the Ice Prince, icy of manner, icy of heart. Now, after thirteen years of exile, Con returns home to England and to Harrowcot Hall, a place haunted by memories of a long-lost friendship and past betrayals, a place where all of his dreams shattered and died. But the past is over and done with, and can no longer touch him -- or so Con thinks. He certainly does not expect to come face to face with Bryn Ellison again, the man whom he once loved beyond everything and who repudiated their bond in the cruelest way imaginable. As snow and frost close in on Harrowcot Hall, Con's icy demeanour starts to melt while he grapples with old hurts and newly awakened passions. Will he give in to the lure of the past against his better judgement?

Ansel of Pryor House by Hayden Thorne (Magical romance in a YA format, with a twist of gothic, and a warming message.)

- Fifteen-year-old Ansel Tunnicliffe has lived a harsh life. Abandoned by his mother and his siblings to a drunk and abusive father, Ansel knows nothing more than hunger, fear, pain, and loneliness in his short life. One evening, a wealthy stranger appears, challenges Mr. Tunnicliffe to a game of cards, and easily wins. The prize? Ansel. The terrified boy is whisked away to a remote and mysterious house, whose stern and aristocratic mistress takes Ansel in for a purpose that remains elusive to him. Little by little, however, Ansel discovers additional secrets in every magical room of Pryor House -- secrets that are somehow linked to him and Miss Peveler’s strange interest in his welfare. One of those secrets also turns out to be a young boy who haunts Ansel’s lonely hours and who may very well hold the key to Ansel’s future and the shadowy history of Pryor House.

Christmas Homecoming by LA Witt (*Book Three of The Christmas Angel series)

- August 1939. Roger Miller and Jack O’Brien have been close since childhood. By the time they realize there’s more between them than friendship, Jack is leaving their sleepy Iowa town for college. But they console themselves knowing he’ll be home for Christmas. Right? It is Christmas before they see each other again, but that Christmas comes six years and a world war later. Aged, beaten, and shaken by combat, they’re not the boys they were back then, but their feelings for each other are stronger than ever. Neither know the words to say everything they’ve carried since that peacetime summer kiss, though. Even as they stand in the same room, there’s a thousand miles between them. But maybe that’s some distance the little angel in Roger’s rucksack can cross.

A Christmas Carol by Em Woods (Dickens’ classic retelling)

-The Classics Exposed…Love at first sight is a beautiful thing, but sometimes, true love waits a lifetime to shine…and then needs a little help from the Three Ghosts of Christmas.As a young man, Ebenezer Scrooge felt the sharp pain of loss and resolved to protect his heart from all others, taking solace in his gold and silver. Years of discarding his own emotions, and those of anyone around him, has turned Scrooge cold.When deceased lover and partner Jacob Marley pays miserly Scrooge a late night visit, pride and disbelief buoy Scrooge's courage. As the fabled Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet-to-Come arrive to show Scrooge the error of his ways, they also give him brief glimpses of a love so strong it has stood the test of time.In an inspiring tale of change, a deep-seated need flares to life, leaving Scrooge without a doubt that love and family are what really matter at Christmas.Reader Advisory: This book contains gay erotic content with a leaning toward domination/submission and one scene of dubious consent.

A Calm Before The Storm (Dark Is The Night series 2.8) by Kelley York and Rowan Altwood

- James and William’s first Christmas together in their own home ought to be a cause for celebration. But when money is tight, and William is going through withdrawals in an attempt to get off of his laudanum completely, the level of holiday cheer is dismally low. James won’t give up so easily. Especially when he finds the perfect Christmas gift for William, and he’ll do whatever he must in order to get it. A Calm Before the Storm is a sweet, short story companion to the Dark is the Night series.

A Land So Wild by Alyssa Warkentin

- In 1845, the HMS Vanguard, under the command of Captain William Caulderson, departed England on a voyage of discovery to find a Northwest Passage through the perilous arctic waters separating the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It was never heard from again.

Five years later, Captain David Maxwell of the Serapis sets sail to attempt to recover the Vanguard and determine the fate of his former commander.

Naturalist Embleton Hall is running from demons of his own. He doesn’t expect to find himself drawn to Captain Maxwell--but the two men form a bond that will become essential to their survival.

Together, they'll brave the elements on a long and harrowing voyage to discover the fate of the lost ship Vanguard. But they'll also learn that some secrets are best left frozen in ice.

*The Christmas Angel Series (info below the cut)

In 1750, a master woodcarver poured all his unrequited love, passion, and longing into his masterpiece—a gorgeous Christmas angel for his beloved’s tree. When the man he loved tossed the angel away without a second thought, a miracle happened. The angel was found by another who brought the woodcarver True Love. Since then, the angel has been passed down, sold, lost and found, but its magic remains. Read the romances inspired by (and perhaps nudged along by) the Christmas angel through the years. Whether it’s the 1880’s New York (Kim Fielding’s Summerfield’s Angel), the turn-of-the-century (Jordan L. Hawk’s Magician’s Angel), World War II (L.A. Witt’s Christmas Homecoming), Vietnam-era (N.R. Walker’s Soldier’s Wish), the 1990’s (Anyta Sunday’s Shrewd Angel), or 2018 (RJ Scott’s Christmas Prince), the Christmas angel has a way of landing on the trees of lonely men who need its blessing for a very Merry Christmas and forever HEA.

#lgbt romance #historical romance #mm romance #f/f romance #m/m romance #two men in love #two women in love #wlw #christmas romance #jordan l hawk #ruby moone #lj langley #bonnie dee #summer devon #hayden thorne #ya romance

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apricotstone47 · 5 years

Quote

Teenager Sancho has become a first-team regular in Germany since leaving Manchester City and will be back in London to face Spurs at Wembley on Wednesday “My friends in Kennington always ask me: ‘Can I have a shirt for my little brother or my cousin?’ And I always send them shirts,” says Jadon Sancho. “I will never forget where I have come from because I know what it is like growing up in that area … it is not nice. Especially when you have people around you doing bad things.” More than a month away from celebrating his 19th birthday, the first player born this millennium to represent England and a trailblazer for his generation is holding court at Borussia Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion. Dressed in a turquoise green tracksuit and immaculate matching trainers, the unassuming Sancho does not come across as the most coveted teenager in world football as he makes a point of shaking hands with every journalist around the table with the greeting, “nice to meet you”. Clearly at ease in his surroundings in western Germany as he prepares for his return to London to face Tottenham in the Champions League on Wednesday, he is taller and broader in the shoulders than this time last year; something the makers of the Fifa video game may want to take note of. “I am stronger than it says,” he says, laughing. The boy from the Guinness Trust Buildings estate who left home at 12 has now become a man. Will Dortmund stutter prove a useful lesson or open the door for Bayern? “For the kids that are in south London I hope I can give a positive message,” he adds, intently. “Don’t do those bad things. You don’t have to be footballers. You could focus on your school work. Education is the most important thing and a lot of kids in south London get distracted from education.” Had he not been blessed with a talent with the ball that convinced his headteacher at Crampton primary school he was destined to be a star when she first saw him as a five-year-old, Sancho knows his story could have turned out very differently. Eight goals – including the brilliant finish from a tight angle in Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Hoffenheim – and nine assists in the Bundesliga this season have allowed Lucien Favre’s vibrant young Dortmund side to dream of winning a first title since 2012. His bold decision to reject a new contract with Manchester City worth £30,000-a-week and move to Germany in search of first-team football is proving a masterstroke. Yet just like on the pitch, where his outstanding skill and dribbling speed have made him a social media sensation and earned comparisons with Neymar, Sancho has always been prepared to take risks. Having joined Watford aged seven, he would travel across London three nights a week to train and was later persuaded to leave his friends and family behind to join the club’s affiliated school, Harefield Academy in Uxbridge, west London. “I didn’t really want to go to that boarding school,” Sancho reflects nearly seven years on. “I wanted to stay at home and travel but the people around me told me what was best and I listened to them. I am happy that I am here today, where I am.” Now sharing an apartment with his father, Sean, a former security guard, near Dortmund’s impressive home, Sancho is in regular touch with his mother and friends back in Kennington and says he is enjoying life in “a chilled city”, even if he admits “learning German will be always kind of hard to me. But I’m getting the basics right,” he adds with enthusiasm, “working up on speaking German in training. I know what the manager is saying in training sessions, which makes it easier for me and for the players also: that’s how you interact, you come together more. “Me being so comfortable being abroad is due to the fact I’ve always been away from home. When I first left home it was very difficult, because I wasn’t used to it, I was always with my mum. The first couple of years were very tough and then as I got older people started to tell me: ‘It’s either this or going back home.’ And I always loved football, so I always chose the hard option. That’s what’s made me more comfortable being away from home than other people, so I’m kind of lucky.” Last month, Chelsea rejected a bid of £35m from Bayern Munich for Callum Hudson-Odoi that would have made him the most expensive British teenager. Germany’s most successful club remain confident of signing him in the summer and it is no exaggeration to say that Sancho’s impact at Dortmund since he was handed Ousmane Dembélé’s No 7 shirt in 2017 has been a major influence in their determination to sign his former England Under‑17 teammate. BVB’s sporting director, Michael Zorc, said it was during a youth international that they first became aware of Sancho’s extraordinary ability and subsequently made every effort to persuade him to leave City. Sign up to The Recap, our weekly email of editors’ picks. But having come up against his childhood friend Reiss Nelson against Hoffenheim on Saturday – the 19-year-old is on loan from Arsenal until the end of the season – and with several other English teenagers starting to follow in Sancho’s slipstream as opportunities for young players in the Premier League continue to be scarce, he is quick to explain that the adaptation has taken time. “It hasn’t been easy. I’ve had to work for this. Everyone around me is keeping me grounded and keeping me focused. I’m improving every day and Marco Reus, Mario Götze and Axel Witsel are great role models to me and everyone else in the team. It’s really nice to have them around telling me what to do, and what’s not good, helping me solve things I wouldn’t solve by myself, so I’m happy.” Sancho adds: “[Coming to Germany] was about the youngsters here getting opportunities. I really felt Dortmund was the right club for me. They spoke to me and said the right things I wanted to hear. Now they’re showing it and I couldn’t thank them more.” Sancho won his first senior England cap against Croatia in October and was visited in Dortmund last week by Gareth Southgate’s assistant, Steve Holland. He is expected to be part of the squad that will face the Netherlands in June in the Nations League semi-final in Portugal but says being out of the spotlight in another country has allowed him to keep a distance from the developing hype surrounding him back home. “I’m not aware at all,” he says. “Obviously I’ve seen Twitter things, but I don’t know how … I don’t ask questions really, I just stay focused on what I’m doing and just keep going forward. All this media. This is all new to me. This is all crazy. I never knew you could be so known over your success. I thought if you are doing well everyone talks obviously, the fans, but I never knew they would take so much interest, but this helps a young player, the media training. It helps them out but this is the biggest thing. This is crazy.” It must be said that his innocence is rather endearing. Sancho also barely seems able to believe that he will be back in his home city to play against Tottenham in the first leg of their last-16 tie in Europe’s premier club competition. Thirty members of his family and close friends will be at Wembley to see whether Dortmund can gain revenge for losing home and away to Spurs in the group stages last season. “I feel like we have improved so it won’t be the same match as last year. It will be more difficult for them. Especially as they have some big players missing out so it is going to be a tough one,” Sancho says. “It’s a great feeling. I’ll be playing in front of my family, which is something I’ve always wanted to do since I was a young boy. Now I’m able to do it and hopefully I can show London people what I’m about. Everyone was messaging me saying: ‘I need a ticket!’ It’s big. I’m just happy that I’m playing in the Champions League. It is a big thing for me like it is for every player. That’s the biggest stage in the world so I’ve got to keep on working hard and hopefully I will get many more chances.” As well as his quick feet and mesmerising ball control, Sancho attributes his fearless attitude to the hours and hours of cage matches he played as a child on the estate in Kennington. He plans to return to Crampton and Harefield at the end of the season to answer questions from pupils and is clearly passionate about giving something back to the community that helped raise him. “I am trying to go back to my old schools first,” he says. “Hopefully, if things progress I can go to other schools and give things out from [sponsors] Nike. That would be nice for the school – like footballs and things like that. I was where they are once upon a time … just to give them a good message would be nice for them to hear.” Eloquent, intelligent and with the world at his feet, Sancho is certainly a decent role model for any child of the 21st century.

The Guardian 12.02.19

#jadon sancho #Borussia Dortmund

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amora-recs · 5 years

Text

god save our queen┊bae joohyun┊pt. 1

des: deep inside the Black Forest lies a secret. I fell love for this secret. I died for this secret.

word count: 1.5k

parts: ii. iii.

Travelling to another country at a young age isn’t anything new for most people. But as I set foot outside of the airport and into a whole new world, I couldn’t help myself but awe at the foreign streets, smells and people. It wasn’t too cold nor was it too warm, it was the perfect weather for June, the beginning of summer vacation. Although papa told me multiple times about the pretty cabin at the edge of the forest back home in Germany, I had never seen it. Neither his new girlfriend.

“… Are you ready?” my dad asked me, taking hold of my right hand softly as if this was part of our casual routine. Wake up, get a divorce, leave to another country. Completely and utterly ordinary. After a short nod of approval, we entered the black car, on our way to the Black Forest.

“It’s alright to cry, y’know?” was what my mother repeatedly told me as we left the courtroom.

I knew it was alright, in fact, it was more than alright, it was necessary. Or so I thought. Any twelve years old would cry after finding out their parents just got divorced, right? Getting it out of the system and so on. But I didn’t feel the need to -- heck, I didn’t know how or what to feel. I was scared, depressed, confused, disappointed with myself! It was too much for my little head to comprehend all at once already, and now I also had to cry?! I couldn’t. I really couldn’t. And my mother acknowledged that. Hopefully. As I held for dear life onto my court bear, I glanced at the woman holding my much smaller hand. It’s going to be just the two of us now, huh? Does that mean I won’t wake up to the ticklish smell of pancakes anymore? Does that mean there won’t be any more bedtime stories and pillow forts? What about Cherry’s morning walks? Or the late park visits? I did all those things with daddy only. Will mommy take his place now? She had always told me she has to work… But daddy worked too, I’m sure she can do it! My train of thoughts came to a stop as soon as mom let go of my hand, the warm traces of her hold fading too fast.

“Sweetie,” she called out, her pretty eyes all watery. I hate seeing her like this. “Mommy has to go for a while now, so be a good girl for me, ok?” her question was soon followed by a kiss on the forehead, making me smile, nodding along with her. The next thing I knew, daddy was helping me put my seatbelt on, ready to go on our new adventure, as he said. My heart was pounding. What about mom? Why won’t she be coming? I hope she’ll be alright. Soon enough, everything turned into a blur. Everything around me was tinted in grey and the sudden need for sleep hit me like a ton of bricks.

I woke up to the sound of birds. I fell asleep, again. After the emotional rollercoaster I went through who could blame me. I glanced outside the open window of the back seat, the joyful chirps getting louder and louder. The refreshing smell of evergreen surrounded me, complimenting the greenery in front of me together with the pale sun. The sky was still blue, barely covered by white clouds. “What a nice day…” papa murmured taking in the scenery with a big smile, making me smile along with him. I missed it. “How about we do some exploring after we get settled in?” he looked through the rear view mirror. All I did was smile more. I couldn’t help it! I thought, for a second, that maybe things aren’t so bad–

“What about our alone time, darling?” Patricia, apparently, asked with a pout, her dark red lipstick exaggerating her features.

“Oh, right! I completely forgot about it!” wait, what? “Sorry, doll. Looks like we have to go exploring another time.”

“It’s ok, I guess…” it was my turn to pout, planting myself deeper into the backseat. Not even the prettiest birds could cheer me up. All I can do now is wait.

I’ve waited and been patient, for two whole months, but my promised ‘next time’ never arrived. I waited, looking outside the window of my room at the pretty trees and flowers. I waited, reading hundreds of books outside, in the small wooden folly. I waited, picking flowers, naming them, ripping them. I waited together with the fireflies every night, dancing and talking to them. But our ‘next time’ still never came… So tell me, daddy, when will it?

“I’m going outside for a bit,” I yelled, tying up my shoelaces. A sour taste tainted my mouth as soon as Patricia opened her lips, giving me ‘the ok’. At this point, I’m not even surprised by my dad’s lack of response. He gave up around two weeks ago. I winced as I closed the door behind me, ready for my so awaited adventure. It didn’t take me too long to reach my destination. After all, the cabin was so isolated for this exact reason. For two months I’ve wanted to see what’s inside this green beautiful mess, and now the time has finally come.

I walked with a slight bounce in my step, it was as if my eyes gleamed, my mouth twitching into a smile. It all felt so fresh, so good, so green! I loved every second of my little on foot road trip. The sun was shining brightly, hitting my face from in between the trees. The gentle ripple, the cheery chirping, it all blended into a beautiful sonata I never got tired of… But the best part was the flowers. All those daisies, waiting for me to smell them, to sing them and to pick them up. The smell of berries, cotton and dried poppy tears accompanied the warm air. It was literally and figuratively a heaven in hiding. For some reason, I stopped. I wish mom was here. I wish dad was here. I wish they were both here. Why aren’t they here, why did mom leave? In just a few seconds everything fell apart and I didn’t know why. I could feel a line forming in between my brows and my eyes welling up. What kind of fairy tale is this?! All I have to do now is wait for Prince Charming to come and wipe away my tears and live happily ever after, right? Although it wasn’t a prince who wiped my tears, a princess sure made me smile. Her giggle was the first thing I heard. Then a sweet melody followed. It was soothing. It was pretty. My feet moved on their own as if I was attracted by a magnet, but it’s not like I wanted to stop either.

Soon enough, as the melody continued, I stopped in front of a small glade, right at the mouth of a thin, sparkling waterfall shielded by green, musty rocks and a bed of flowers. A bed of daisies, to be precise. Though the princess standing in front of me caught my attention faster than I’d like to admit. She was wearing a white, supposedly strapless, dress covered by a dark green cloak, hiding half of her grinning smile and cherry cheeks. Her eyes sparkled with joy while she sang the group of bunnies a serenade. I blinked. Once, twice, thrice, yet I still couldn’t believe my eyes. So now magical princesses really exist? How and why wasn’t I informed?! My gracious steps were unfortunately futile as I stepped on a twig, scaring the small animals in the process. Before I could scare her away though, I tripped over my own feet, completely ruining the flowers underneath me.

“Oh God, are you ok?” the sweet smell of daisies filled my nostrils, making me feel more conscious than ever. I just royally screwed myself over in front of a very beautiful girl in the span of one minute. “Yeah, don’t worry.” I managed to answer with my face buried deep into the ground. The ground was nice. The ground didn’t have starry eyes and rosy cheeks. The ground also didn’t have the sweetest laugh I’ve ever heard, nor did it have hands that lifted my face gently, forcing me to support myself on my muddy forearms.

“You don’t seem fine to me.” it’s official, I’m dead. That has to be the only plausible explanation as to why was this happening to me. It’s normal for kids to have crushes, but this? This was ridiculous. I didn’t know what to feel. Could someone this pretty be dangerous? What kind of question is that? Of course, they can! The sudden realization made my heart pound and face pale instantly.

“Don’t worry, I don’t bite,” I let out the breath I was apparently holding. “... Too hard that is.” in that exact moment, my whole face scrunched up in fear.

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