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yuesgirlfriend · 8 months

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of birds and honey

part 1

(simon "ghost" riley x reader) medieval AU

summary: the year is 1312, and your fathers knight follows you to the wood.

The great hills surrounding the castle are a patchwork of green and yellows, as they always are during the summer months. Gray skies up ahead do nothing to dampen the mood of the castle; everyone is bustling about, preparing for the feast marking the new battalions arrival, as if their presence signifies something happier than impending war.

She can see them, now, where she is perched atop the highest wall-practiced, without fear- in a way her old governesses would have certainly called unbecoming of a lady. But did not the bible speak of the virtues of a young lady- justice, fortitude, among them?

(It takes great fortitude to learn the secrets she has learned, to climb over steep walls like they were bales of hay, to listen to words she would have heard anyway, had she been born a man. Listening from the eaves and skulking about is an act of justice, not a sin.)

The men, traversing down the trail, look like ants, she thinks- where she sits high above them, balancing on the stone, they look like children's toys. Tiny wooden figures, a small boy's idea of heroes, lined up on the yellow-green patchwork quilt.

When they finally ride over the moat and into the stronghold, they look like any other collection knights she has seen- some cloaked, some helmetless, all shining in the half clouded, setting sun.

That night is boisterous and rowdy, like any other feast. The courtyard is crowded with people- servants, villagers, everyone coming together to eat and drink and be merry. The tables are laden with the finest of foods. The smell of roast goose and heron, wine, and vomit hangs in the night air with the shouts and bawdy songs. The new knights drink and eat and throw things, singing their songs with everyone else. The castle hums with life, every voice and every soul another cell in one great organism.

(The whole time, she sits quietly as a lady should, but listens as a lady shouldn’t. No one notices, and why would they notice the Lord’s waif of a girl, silently eating at his right hand? The servants, the townspeople, even her father speak of her when they think she isn’t listening- she is, to them, as unnaturally quiet as a changeling and as likely to smile as a mourner. Such a shame, my lord, that her birth took your wife, god rest her soul. And for the child to not even be a boy…)

The stories that feast are rambling and, wine drunk, but the message is clear- they are hired soldiers with no Christian names, under orders from the king to protect the stronghold that is her home.

But one stands out. The only one still wearing his painted helmet, and as such doesn’t eat or drink with his companions. Instead, he sits on her fathers left side, speaking in low and gruff tones only when spoken to.

She picks at her food as her ears pick up words like more men and allies and a thousand dead, all spoken in an accent she thinks more suited to a farmer than a soldier.

As the feast begins to die down, dancers lying about drunk, he walks with her Lord father, presumably to show him a weak point in the castle walls.

She follows along, unseen, silent footsteps trailing behind them in the shadows. The knight with the painted helmet is tall and broad when he waves a hand at a wall that, upon closer inspection, does seem weaker than the rest. A chink in the castle’s armor, he says.

The fire dies out, people lay around in drunken heaps, and rats are scurrying for food in corners of the room by the time she retires for the night. Her maid is nowhere to be found- based on the way the Scotsman and her were wrapped around eachother earlier, it is likely best not to go looking for her- so she wanders alone to her quarters, a candle in one hand and a half eaten honey cake in the other.

The halls are dimly lit labrynths, and every footstep she takes makes a wet scuff along the perpetually damp straw covering the chilled stone floors. She does not believe in sneaking about when not needed, and enjoys a reprieve from constant surveillance as she licks honey carelessly from her fingers, focusing more on the sweetness of the honey cake than her surroundings.

And just as she turns the corner to the starcase, a hand shoots out from a shadow and grabs her arm.

Her gasp is muffled by a large hand, gloved. His other hand plucks the candle from her grasp, rests it on the narrow windowsill behind him. She scrapes and thrashes at the silver of his forearm, scrambling to reach for the knife at his side before he speaks.

“Pray, be silent, Lady- I know you are able.”

In response, she bites down on the gloved hand, hard. The man hisses but doesn’t let go, only roughly spins her to face him; and this is when she realizes it is the helmeted knight, eyes and armor shiny in the candlelight.

She shoves at his arms, and he concedes, letting her retreat three steps up the stairs before he takes her by the hand again.

“Release me, sir, or you will not enjoy the consequences,” She hisses. Something furious inside her is growing like a wildfire.

“I meant no offense, but only to warn you, fair lady,” he says, seemingly contrite, but with mirth in his voice. Is he smiling, behind that hideous helmet?

“Warn me?” She rips her hand from his. “Of what? Churlish knights, skulking behind corners?” She turns to go.

“You are one to scold on skulking behind corners, Lady. ” Her feet freeze where they are on the steps.

“Yes.” His voice is rough. “You are not as invisible as you may think- not to those trained to see, Lady. You should exercise more caution, when listenin’ from rafters and castle walls like a little bird.” He tilts his head, eyes trained on her, like a cat looking at a tree it’d like to climb. Or a bird it’d like to claw.

“I have been told you have a lovely mind. It would be a waste to see it dashed on a tower’s stony base.”

For the first time in ages, she forces her eyes to meet anothers. His are dark, redless, with what looks like coal smudged on his eyelids and undereyes. His eyes never falter from her stare, as would be proper. His pale lashes don’t so much as flutter.

She turns and continues walking upstairs- but before she rounds the corner, she looks behind and down to where he stands, at the base of the stairs, licking remnants of honey off his glove.

#simon ghost riley #simon riley x reader #simon ghost x reader #cod mw2 #ghost cod #ghost mw2 #cod mw ghost #cod mwii x reader #simon riley x reader angst #part 2 coming soon #call of duty #simon ghost riley x you #simon ghost riley headcanons

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bumblesimagines · 1 year

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Under The Moonlight

Part 2

Request: Yes or No

~~~

Their cell felt cold and dark. Hay sparsely covered the solid ground and the windows were covered, making the circle in the ceiling their only form of light apart from the single torch in the corner. Dust clung to the air and walls, telling (Y/N) the jail was very rarely used. Jarl Haakon appeared to run a tight ship.

But even with years of experience under her belt, she hadn't foreseen the attack Freydis had launched on the Christian. She'd been successful without Harald's keen eye trained on her. Using her knife, she had carved a cross into the man's chest just as he had done to her back years prior. The aftermath had been far from calm but Jarl Haakon had been convinced to provide them a proper trial rather than take their heads.

So, there they were... Sitting in a cold cell with a murky future ahead of them. (Y/N) could only stare at the flickering flame of the torch, his finger tracing over the thread of his necklace, feeling his skin brush against the canine teeth tied to it. None of them had gotten a wink of sleep with the threat of death looming over them and (Y/N) could feel the consequences of it knawing at the back of his eyes. His siblings sat silently with their knees up to their chests, gazes distant as they stared forward.

"Do you feel justice?" Leif broke the silence first with his words, lifting his head and looking at the exhausted Freydis.

"Yes, I do," Freydis answered softly and craned her neck to look at them over her shoulder. Even with the dim lighting, (Y/N) could still see the drops of blood splattered on her face. "I feel cleansed."

"Good." Leif breathed, nodding to himself before continuing. "Because now they intend to kill us."

"I don't believe that. Father said-"

"Father was wrong." Leif interrupted and Freydis frowned, looking away from them as her bottom lip began to quiver. "He's a stranger to this world, Freydis. He does not know how much has changed since he left."

"Then I believe in Jarl Haakon." Freydis asserted, eyes beginning to gloss over with fresh tears. Guilt and hope battled within her, (Y/N) saw it in her eyes. She'd gotten her justice but at what cost? Her life? Her brothers' lives?

"I believe in her too." (Y/N) muttered, voice barely above a whisper. "Her face changed when she heard what happened, Leif. She may not allow us to go unpunished, but she may allow us to live."

"Jarl Haakon may feel sympathy, but she is in a difficult position. If she releases us, she risks war. Christians will burn down Kattegat and many of her people will die. It is in her best interest to have us killed."

"Then we die together. We came here for Freydis. We knew the risks and dangers. I would rather die beside my family than surrounded by strangers on a battlefield." (Y/N) declared, turning his attention onto Freydis. Her lips pursed and she released a breathy, sad chuckle as she turned her head to gaze fondly at her brother. Tears had already begun to slip down her cheeks but his words put a warm smile on her face. Allowing his shoulders to slump, Leif inhaled deeply and nodded in agreement, reaching his arm out to wrap it around his brother's shoulder.

"We fought together and we'll die together," Leif muttered, resting his cheek against (Y/N) head.

Freydis's lips parted, almost as if to speak, but her words caught in her throat when the cell door slung open and three Vikings entered with chains and shackles in their hands. While the one with chains approached Freydis, the other two walked toward the brothers and roughly pulled them up onto their feet, placing the shackles on their wrists and shoving them forward toward the doors. They were escorted out of the cell and down an equally dimly lit hallway before being directed outside and toward the hall where Jarl Haakon and King Canute waited for them.

The hall had already been filled with Vikings, mainly Christians seeking justice for their fallen friend. They glared and sneered and jeered, gazing upon them as if they were mere filth. (Y/N) felt the hate and rage in their gazes. Even if they barely cared for the murdered Christian, following another god was a sin worthy of death for many of them. Their hatred could move mountains, but on most days, it burned down homes and slaughtered innocents.

"Freydis Eriksdotter, you are accused of murdering a man you claimed attacked you." Jarl Haakon took her seat on her throne, head lifting as she regarded Freydis. "Have you a way to prove this?"

"Did I put the scar on my back?"

"Any one of your lovers could have done that to you!" One of the Christians, Jarl Olaf Haraldsson, sneered from his spot in the crowd, glaring at them with the same fury and disgust.

Freydis scowled. "The Gods know the whole truth!"

"False Gods!" Jarl Olaf spat back, rousing the crowd with his words as Vikings called their agreements or disagreed with him. In an attempt to quiet the crowd, Jarl Haakon repeatedly hit the floor with her staff, frown deepening when it proved futile and tensions grew.

"There is only one false God! Your Christian God!" Jarl Gorm bellowed, his voice carrying above all others.

"Silence!" Jarl Haakon called, slamming her staff down one last time and watching the men finally settle down. With the attention back on the trial instead of religion, Jark Haakon sighed and nodded to Freydis.

"In the old ways, you would be well within your rights to take revenge. But we live in different times. There are those gathered among us who feel that your claims require further truth. Can you provide it?"

"A trial by combat." Freydis proposed, shifting her gaze onto Jarl Olaf, a man thrice her size. (Y/N) felt his breath catch in his throat, widened eyes meeting Leif's as the two exchanged a panicked glance. Freydis could hold her own, they knew that well, but Jarl Olaf was far more experienced in combat and strategy than any of them. "If I am lying, the Gods will not protect me."

"Combat? With me?" Jarl Olaf snickered and the rest of the hall howled with laughter.

Lips pulling into an amused smirk, Jarl Haakon eyed the cackling man. "You are her accuser. Are you afraid?" Her words caused Jarl Olaf's face to burn, glaring at those among him who laughed at him instead. Eager to shake the embarrassment and attention off, he stepped forward and addressed the quiet man beside Jarl Haakon.

"King Canute, this woman's actions have robbed you of a valuable part of your arsenal. Not having Gunnar puts the lives of everyone in this room, Christian and Pagan, at risk. Therefore, I implore you and the noble ruler of Kattegat to acknowledge that debt and make her pay for it with her life!" Turning, he shouted as he pointed at Freydis. With the crowd once again growing rowdy, Jarl Olaf smugly smirked and stepped back into line. The confidence on his face made (Y/N) grind his teeth.

"Jarl Haakon, may I speak?" Harald called out, stepping forward when the woman nodded. Motioning toward Jarl Olaf, he began. "Jarl Olaf makes an excellent argument. Gunnar was an important part of our strategy, and his loss will indeed cause hardship. But my brother may have also offered a better solution. Since this woman cost you a vital element to your mission, should she not be forced to render something of equal, if not greater value to our endeavor?"

"Such as?" King Canute prompted and leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. With King Canute's interest piqued, the end of Harald's lips twitched upward and he turned his head to look at the siblings, gaze lingering on Freydis before he lifted his arm.

"Her brothers: Leif Eriksson and (Y/N) Eriksson." Harald answered. Freydis went rigid, eyes widening as her brothers were pushed forward for King Canute to look upon. "Sons of the Great Berserker, Erik the Red. Leif is one of, if not the best ship captains in this room. He piloted his ship across open ocean from Greenland through a storm that killed scores of others, with the help of his brother, (Y/N), who possesses incredible fighting skills I've witnessed myself. Should we doubt their motivation, they will be fighting for the life... of their sister."

Harald had offered a solution without bloodshed. A solution that saved their lives, if they didn't die in the war instead. (Y/N)'s throat felt dry but a sense of relief settled on his chest, eyes shifting to look at his sister. Freydis appeared near tears, nearly trembling as she stared at Jark Haakon and King Canute. They could easily dismiss it and proceed with killing them but as the two leaders looked at each other, it seemed like they were in agreement.

"Leif Eriksson, (Y/N) Eriksson, I ransom your sister to King Canute. To repay her debt, you both must pledge service to his cause. Do you accept these terms?" Jark Haakon asked. (Y/N) looked at his brother next, staring into Leif's blue eyes and searching for any ounce of doubt. But he found none. And Leif found none in (Y/N) either.

"I do." With their answer, Jarl Haakon nodded for her men to release the brothers. One man took Freydis by the arm and pulled her away, only letting the brothers stare after their sister as the shackles were removed from their wrists. And while they physically weren't shackled anymore, they were still in chains. Tied to King Canute until his war ended. But their sister would live and that was all that mattered to (Y/N).

"I believe this is yours," Harald said, pulling their attention onto him. Harald extended his arm toward him, offering back his precious dagger. (Y/N) felt a sense of relief and security wash over him, gently picking up the dagger and sliding it into his rightful place. Noticing the calm that wash over the younger man, Harald smiled. "Come, both of you. I must show you something."

"What is it?" Leif asked curiously, a hint of caution in his voice as the brothers followed Harald out of the hall but the Viking simply grinned at them. The other Greenlanders quickly joined them, quietly asking questions and glancing at each other nervously when Leif answered them. They weaved their way through the bustling town, reaching the dock where ships awaited them, many being prepared and packed for the trip to England. Harald led them toward one in particular.

"It was my father's ship." He revealed, stopping before it and watching the Greenlanders begin to board and explore it curiously. (Y/N) followed his brother on, looking over the woodwork of it. The ship was far larger than the boat they'd used to sail to Kattegat, sturdier and meant for many Vikings. A true warship. "And now it's yours," Harald added, drawing the brothers' attention. (Y/N) met Leif's gaze, shrugging his shoulders when the older man raised a brow.

"It's a nice boat." (Y/N) murmured, running a hand over the ledge of the boat before peering up at Harald and catching sight of his prideful smile.

"I'm glad you find it so," Harald replied, his gaze focused solely on the young Greenlander. His eyes studied (Y/N) closely, almost as if he were trying to commit every detail about him to memory. When Harald finally pried his eyes off him, he motioned toward the boat docked beside them. (Y/N) turned his head and easily spotted it. Perhaps twice as large as the boat they were on and suited for royalty. Shields had been fasted to the sides of it, proudly displaying the colors of Norway's flag. "But that is the ship I covet."

"King Harald of Norway, hm?" Leif spoke in a teasing tone, his grin only growing when he noticed the surprised look that passed over his brothers' features. (Y/N)'s eyes widened slightly and his head snapped in the direction of his brother. His skin flushed lightly and he avoided Harald's amused gaze.

"Someday." Harald smiled warmly before nodding to them and heading down the dock.

Leaning his hip against the wall of their new ship, (Y/N) watched the dark-haired prince, feeling his skin prickle with some embarrassment when Harald looked back toward him, coming to a slow stop and holding his gaze. Averting his eyes, (Y/N) cleared his throat and faced his brother, arms crossing over his chest. "You could've mentioned he was a prince."

"I enjoy it when you make a fool of yourself." Leif chuckled, helping Yrsa and Toke bring everyone's belongings on board. (Y/N) couldn't help the small smile that stretched across his face, rolling his eyes at his brother's words and stepping toward Yrsa to help as well. Leif questioned his friends, allowing them to choose whether they'd join him in battle or remain safe in Kattegat. With the boat ready to go, (Y/N) and Leif stepped back onto the dock and exchanged farewells with the friends who chose to remain in Kattegat.

Feeling Leif tug on his arm, he turned his head and spotted their sister making her way down the dock with Harald, a wide smile on her face. She embraced Leif first, giving him a tight hug and rubbing his arm. Gazing at (Y/N), she hugged him next and sighed softly, tightening her hold on him for a moment before stepping back. With quivering lips and watery eyes, she smiled. "I will make sacrifices to Odin for your safe return."

"We'll be fine. You take care of yourself." Leif smiled softly at her and she nodded, leaning in to kiss his cheek. She inhaled and looked at (Y/N), rolling her lips into her mouth and stepping forward for a second hug. (Y/N) chuckled softly, stroking the back of her head and holding her close.

"Protect each other." She whispered shakily, hand rubbing his back.

"We will." (Y/N) assured, pressing a tender kiss to her temple. Freydis leaned back, using the back of her back to wipe away the tears sliding down her cheeks. She smiled warmly at the rest of her friends, stepping forward to give them each an embrace. The familiar feeling of tears prickled the back of his eyes but he blinked them away and stepped onto the boat, inhaling shakily. With the goodbyes finished, Freydis smiled sadly and looked over each of them, taking slow steps along the dock until she reached Harald and uttered a soft thanks. She glanced one last time over her shoulder before heading down the dock and disappearing from sight.

A few more Vikings joined them, some Christian, others Pagan. Among them were Jarl Gorm, the outspoken Pagon with a large figure and long ginger hair, and his son Arne, a young man with a scruffy beard and short blonde hair. Then there was Johan, a Christian Viking with hair that swept over one eye, and Tomas, a younger man with short curly black hair and boyish features. Birger, a Christian Viking who appeared to be a close friend of Harald's, joined them as well.

(Y/N) watched the new faces join them and introduce themselves, and even with each friendly smile, he felt more and more uneasy. It'd taken nearly a year for (Y/N) to grow comfortable around the other Greenlanders, and it took another year for him to fully trust them. To have so many strangers on a boat with growing animosity between a few of them... (Y/N)'s stomach twisted.

Noticing his tense figure, Leif placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Easy, (Y/N). We're all working together." He murmured and (Y/N) nodded, turning to watch him step onto one of the seats and look over his new crew as Njal and Skarde brought a barrel to the center of the boat.

"Listen up! All knives and axes in the barrel. No one rows with a weapon on them."

"I don't give up my knife for anybody." Jarl Gorm voiced defiantly.

"There's only one reason to row with a weapon, and that is to kill someone else on this boat. Your enemy is not here." Leif responded, gaze shifting to his brother and giving a small shake of his head. (Y/N) rested his hand on the hilt of his dagger, satisfied he didn't have to toss it into the barrel.

"What if he is?" Arne piped up, eyeing Johan and Tomas when the two stepped by him.

"Then I'll deal with it," Leif answered cooly, face remaining stoic as he looked over the crew. For him to be taken seriously, he needed to act like a leader. Otherwise, those like Arne and Jarl Gorm would do as they pleased, even at the cost of others' lives.

Moving forward, Harald spoke and dropped his axe into the barrel. "I have no enemies here."

With Harald making the first move, the others soon followed, dropping their axes and knives into the barrel. The outspoken men hesitated, glancing at each other and staring at the barrel as weapons were dropped in. Arne cracked first, begrudgingly dropping his axe in. Jarl Gorm held Leif's gaze challengingly but ultimately stepped forward and tossed his weapons in. (Y/N) watched him, taking note of the way he readjusted his coat with his back turned to them. Humming softly, he looked back at Leif and quirked a brow, his brother giving a small nod of acknowledgment before beckoning him over.

"I want you beside me," Leif told him, sitting down on his seat and resting his arms upon the steering oar. (Y/N) eyed Harald when the prince sat down behind Leif, a small smile appearing on the prince's face. (Y/N) frowned at him in return and took a seat on the bulwark, feeling Harald's eyes burn into the back of his head. Propping his leg up, (Y/N) placed his arm on his knee as the boat began to move forward, following King Canute's ship. Vikings released shouts and cries of encouragement as they rowed out into open water.

"Interesting necklace," Harald mentioned, retrieving a discarded rope and beginning to toy with the ends of it, gazing at the threat holding the canine teeth together around the Greenlander's neck. (Y/N) turned his attention out onto the dark waters, watching the ripples and small waves in a blatant attempt at ignoring the prince.

Leif made a noise of amusement and shook his head, fingers drumming lightly against the steering oar. "My brother has never been much of a talker."

"I can see that," Harald chuckled.

Hours passed, the occasional silence filled with small talk between Leif and Harald. The two seemed to grow a quick tolerance for each other, even going as far as cracking a few jokes. And despite Harald's attempts at communicating with the younger Eriksson, his questions remained unanswered, though it only fueled his curiosity. Jarl Gorm eventually walked toward them, being mindful of holding onto things unless he wished to be tossed around by the rocking boat.

"So, is this your first Viking raid? Are you nervous?" Jarl Gorm questioned, resting his hand on the side of the boat and planting his feet firmly on the wood beneath them.

"Our father was a raider. He told us he was a Berserker." Leif said and shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.

"That means he was a mighty warrior and killed many men." Jarl Gorm explained, stepping closer to Leif and moving his hand onto the oar. "Like Harald." Jarl Gorm motioned toward the prince and for the first time since the boat set sail, (Y/N) turned his head to look at him.

Unable to read his expression clearly, Harald cleared his throat. "So, why did he go to Greenland?"

"Because he killed men, even when he wasn't raiding," Leif answered grimly. The subject of their father never failed to make him upset. Even when Erik made attempts at being a decent father, his past and crimes always caught up to him. A past his children had to accept but Leif grew to resent.

"Have you ever killed a man before?"

Shaking his head, Leif frowned at Jarl Gorm. "No. I've never had a reason to."

"And you, boy?" Jarl Gorm turned toward (Y/N) next. The younger Greenlander held Harald's gaze for a moment longer before looking at the older man and nodding, lips pressed into a thin line.

"Almost." (Y/N) answered and Jarl Gorm raised his brows. "He insulted my family so I bashed his face in with a rock. He lost an eye." He still remembered the day. He'd only been nine when the thirteen-year-old boy had decided to bother Erik the Red's son. He found out just how thin (Y/N)'s patience ran at the cost of an eye. The memory of his screams and wails still brought a smirk to (Y/N)'s face.

Smirking widely, Jarl Gorm nodded his approval. "It appears we've got a Berserker in the making."

"We were children." Leif clarified hastily, a frown pulling at his lips.

"Still." Jarl Gorm insisted before he sighed heavily and looked between the two. Without their father there to guide them, it seemed as if Jarl Gorm wanted to take matters into his own hands. "The first time is sometimes difficult. A man is different. He fights back."

"So does a polar bear." Leif chided and Harald smirked, chuckling softly under his breath. Seemingly irritated with his dismissive response and Harald's amusement, Jarl Gorm's lip curled and he turned, heading back to his seat. (Y/N) watched him go, turning his head to meet his brother's eyes and frowning. Leif responded with a small nod.

Noticing the interaction between the brothers, Harald hummed. "You can speak freely before me, (Y/N)."

"Why should I?" (Y/N) frowned at him. "I do not trust you. Prince of Norway or not, you are... nothing to me."

"I saved your lives." Harald reminded softly, brows furrowing when (Y/N)'s eyes narrowed, almost reeling back at the irritation that appeared on his face. "How can you not trust me after that?"

"Because you had no reason to. People only help others when they wish for something in return and you've yet to reveal what you want from us."

"I want nothin-"

"I do not believe you." (Y/N) interrupted him. "We owe you, you know this. So what do you want? Our blessing to couple with our sister? If she wants you, we will not stop her."

Sighing heavily, Harald shook his head. "Freydis is an incredibly strong woman and I admire her greatly. But she does not desire me nor I her."

"Then why-" A holler for Harald came from King Canute's ship and the prince quickly rose to his feet, noticing the large ship had stopped and tilted slightly to allow for Harald to board it.

"This is not over," Harald told (Y/N) as he climbed onto the side of the ship, carefully making his way along the edge until he stepped onto the larger boat and approached King Canute beneath the pitched tent. (Y/N) clenched his jaw and shook his head, looking back at Leif. His older brother stared at him with a frown.

"What?"

"You don't need to be so harsh. I have no reason to believe he has ill intentions." Leif spoke softly, leaning into the steering oar and gazing at his brother. (Y/N) sighed, turning his head away from him. His lips parted to speak but the sight of dark clouds approaching broke his train of thought. Straightening up, (Y/N) felt the wind pick up considerably, and soon, a horn echoed as a warning of the incoming storm. Cold droplets fell onto his face and he looked back at his brother, groaning softly. Leif watched the storm, looking up at the clouds as thunder began to clap above them.

Turning to the man closest to him, he gave an order. "Lower the sail."

"Lower the sail!" Birger called as those standing quickly sat back down and prepared to hang on for dear life. The ginger made his way toward the mast but tripped over Aren's outstretched foot, causing him to take a quick tumble onto the wet floor.

"Watch out, Christian! Maybe you should pray to be more careful." Aren cackled loudly.

"You tripped him on purpose." Johan scoffed, droplets dripping down the side of his face as the rain pelted them.

"I did not."

"I saw you!" Johan barked and Aren's cocky smirk quickly slipped from his face.

"You callin' me a liar?" Arne questioned and stood, tapping his chest. "Come here and tell me that!" He challenged, causing Johan to rise from his spot and step toward him. But before the two men could meet in the middle, (Y/N) shoved himself between them, putting his hand on Arne's shoulder and forcing him back down to his seat.

"Resolve your issues when we reach land." (Y/N) ordered, turning his head toward Johan. He only had to give the taller man a hard look for the Christian to bow his head and lower himself back into his seat.

Leif moved to stand beside (Y/N), frowning down at Arne. "Do you have a problem with my order?"

"I'm fine." Arne raised his arms in surrender and (Y/N) removed his hand from his shoulder. Satisfied with his response, Leif nodded and patted his brother's back, turning away from the others as Jarl Gorm followed the two toward the steering oar.

"I thought you were both followers of the Old Gods, like your father." He spoke loudly, the rain beating down on his face and causing him to squint. Merely glancing at the older man, (Y/N) slipped some rope around his palm and gripped it as tight as possible, hoping it'd keep him from falling into the turbulent waves around them.

"We are," Leif nodded, getting behind the oar and placing his hands on it.

"Then why take the word of a Christian over my own son?"

"Because your son is a liar, Jarl Gorm." He answered bluntly before leaning back. "I suggest you hold on. It's about to get rough."

➸ ➸ ➸ ➸ ➸ ➸

Thick fog surrounded them on all sides and the wind howled softly while birds circled above them. (Y/N) couldn't hear or see another boat, meaning they were all alone for now. With no land or allies in sight. And yet, (Y/N) didn't have worries or fears. His brother knew what he was doing, that was for certain. As long as Leif didn't panic, (Y/N) had no reason to worry. But the others aboard didn't know his brother as well as he did, they didn't trust him either. It was apparent in the way some Christians prayed and others stared at them accusingly.

"We're lost, aren't we?" Jarl Gorm spoke up first, voicing the thought no doubt plaguing their minds. "You've never been to England, and you've lost us!"

"We're not lost." Leif objected tiredly and (Y/N) turned his head to look back at them, frowning at the way Jarl Gorm scowled at his brother.

"Liar! This is your fault and the fault of all the Christians and their false God. The Gods are laughing at us right now!"

"Shut up, heathen." Birger groaned.

"What did you say to me?"

"I said, shut up. You sound like a frightened child." The ginger gritted his teeth as he spoke, turning his head to look upon Jarl Gorm. The Viking slowly rose from his seat, sneering down at the man and stepping toward him. Tearing himself away from the pow, (Y/N) descended down the two steps and slammed his palm on the mast as a warning, successfully taking Jarl Gorm's attention off the man and onto him.

"Stop rowing!" Leif barked his order, walking forward toward Jarl Gorm. "What do you see that makes you believe we're lost?"

"What do I see?" Jarl Gorm repeated, turning his head from side to side before settling his gaze back on Leif and wildly motioning around them. "No land!"

"See, that is where you and I are different. The sky tells me we are headed west. Auks and gannets flying high tell me the weather is improving and we are nearing land." Leif explained, watching Jarl Gorm glance up at the birds flying above. He looked back down at Leif and swallowed.

"Then where are the other boats?"

"The other boats are not my responsibility. This boat-" Leif tapped the mast, raising his brows at Jarl Gorm. "-is my responsibility. For all you know, the other boats are lost, not ours. Now, we continue." With his words, the others resumed their rowing. Jarl Gorm accepted defeat and headed back to his spot.

"And Jarl Gorm, stop blaming the Christians for your fears, hm?" Leif turned away from the man and (Y/N) followed suit as Birger began laughing. But when his laughter abruptly stopped and turned into gurgling, (Y/N) turned around and spotted him leaning against the side of the boat with blood pouring down his neck. The small group of Christians were immediately held back and the other Greenlanders could only stare at the bleeding man. Liv tore herself from their side and hurried over to Birger but the damage had been done. She could only provide mild comfort as he slowly died.

"I'm taking over the boat!" Jarl Gorm declared. "Arne, get the weapons."

"Let them go!" Leif demanded, pushing his way through the crew as (Y/N) quickly stood in front of the barrel, blocking Arne from reaching it just in time.

"Or what, Greenlander? You're going to kill me? I am not a bear and you are not a Viking." Jarl Gorm called hauntingly. His son glared at (Y/N) but remained rooted in his spot, eyes nervously flickering to Njal as the taller man protectively stood behind (Y/N). "You don't have the stomach to kill me."

"A polar bear thinks the same thing before he dies," Leif replied and with a grunt, Jarl Gorm lunged forward. Leif dodged the swing from his axe, slipping past him and using the mast to block Jarl Gorm's swing before he sprung out, digging his knife into the belly of the man. Leif stared him in the eyes as Jarl Gorm gasped and whimpered, digging his knife deeper and deeper. Arne whipped his head around to look at his father, staggering slightly and swallowing thickly.

"When I pull this out, you will be dead. Before I do, tell your men what you see." Leif demanded, turning the man to look forward.

With one last dying gasp, Jarl Gorm spoke before collapsing on the ground, "England."

"Anyone else wishes to join Jarl Gorm?" (Y/N) questioned loudly, staring at Arne and raising a brow at him. When the blonde turned away from him and slumped back down in his seat, he looked over each Viking, watching them avert their eyes and shake their heads. (Y/N) turned his attention back onto Arne, gaze lingering on him before he hummed. "Good. Now, get to rowing."

Once everyone settled back down into their spots, (Y/N) and Leif dragged Birger to the middle of the boat beside Jarl Gorm. Despite their faults, (Y/N) was certain they'd find themselves feasting with whichever faith they chose to believe in, old or new. Leif returned to the steering oar and settled down, appearing unphased by what had occurred. (Y/N) placed his hand on his shoulder briefly before stepping up and leaning against the pow, watching the cliffs grow closer until a horn sounded off in the distance. Turning his head, he spotted ships appearing through the fog.

Jarl Olaf's ship neared them first, tilting so it could brush past their boat safely. Perplexed faces greeted them, confusion only intensifying upon seeing the two bodies. Following the ship, King Canute's sailed beside them and came to a slow stop, allowing Harald to step onto the ledge and board their ship. Harald paused, gazing down at Birger with a saddened frown. He climbed down, briefly stopping to rest his hand on the chest of his friend before approaching the brothers. (Y/N) crossed his arms as he watched Harald walk toward them, meeting his gaze briefly. Harald placed his hand on Leif's arm, features softening slightly.

With an approving nod, he looked at them. "Vikings."

#x reader #x you #x y/n #x male reader #vikings valhalla x you #vikings valhalla x male reader #vikings valhalla #vikings valhalla x y/n #vikings #harald sigurdsson x y/n #harald sigurdsson x you #harald sigurdsson x male reader #harald sigurdsson x reader #harald sigurdsson #leif eriksson #freydis eriksdotter

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nspired1fanfiction · 7 hours

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Commission for Ichor & Pomegranate

Art by MadBedlam , Fanfic Art

Chapter 3:

"Fortunately, with Marcia's case still being an active investigation, we've been able to keep the church closed. Only the forensic investigator has been in and out of the building since the initial crews came in." He answered as he handed her the crime scene investigation kit. "If we find the pinecone, I'll let you bag it. I want you to make your assessments like you have been."

"Yes, sir," Jill murmured while she studied the contents of the kit before closing it back up.

The double doors to the church were locked and she watched Wesker pull out a set of keys from his pocket before he paused and glanced down at her.

"Did you bring your tension wrenches?" he asked with another cock of his head.

With her mouth dropping open slightly, "Sir, that's a crime." When his eyebrows went up, she quirked her lips, patted a pouch on her belt, and continued, "Of course I did. May I?"

"You may not, Valentine," his tone was colored with amusement when he put the key in the door and pushed it open. "I just wanted to be certain that my little B&E Specialist was adequately prepared."

She smiled at his back from his usage of her previous taunt back in the car and followed him through the threshold.

The tall chandelier hung a good ten feet from the vaulted ceiling and was bright enough to light the rich textures of the following room.

"Beautiful," Jill breathed into the muted atmosphere of the Nave.

Her captain shifted beside her, but he made no comment on the scenery and was instead looking toward a taped off area to the right.

She followed behind him again as he led her down the row of dark walnut pews. Their steps were muffled on the royal red runner carpet. The surrounding floor was made of tile; the polished surface reflected the many angles of the church as they moved.

"The nave, the main room in churches, were always my favorite," she spoke aloud while she followed. "The design was adapted by the early Christian builders from the Roman hall of justice, the basilica. The nave of the early Christian basilica is generally lighted by a row of windows near the ceiling, the clerestory." She pointed even though he wasn't looking back at her.

"You seem to have a continuous religious theme about you. A passion you follow through on Sundays perhaps?" her captain responded after a moment.

They both came to a stop where the crime scene tape marked the beginning of the tracking site.

"No." she winced when her response came out somewhat harshly. "Frankly, I find the levels of fanaticism... worrying; the spoken word of gospel calls for a lot of unnecessary violence. I've seen groups of people cling to some atrocious things in the name of God. Whether I believe or not is my secret, but I do not attend church."

"Yet, you find yourself clinging to the written word of a polytheistic religion." He lifted the tape and motioned for her to step through.

"And what of you, captain? Do you prefer the stories of the gods, one god, or none at all?" She held the tape for him while he stepped through next.

"I believe in knowing them all."

Jill tilted her head up at him and was somewhat pleased for a little more detail, even if it was rather vague.

"For what purpose?" she asked curiously.

"Stories have always been man's easiest weapon." He removed his glasses and set them carefully into his breast pouch on his vest before jutting his chin toward the stained-glass window on their right. "That was the original purpose for windows like these. To teach the gospel to those who couldn't read. What better power than to teach belief, Valentine?"

Grabbing the CSI kit from his hand, Jill pondered the thought while she cracked open the box and handed him gloves before she carefully donned her own.

The silence rang out and Jill wasn't sure he expected an answer from her. He turned from her then and began to move to where they had noted the pinecone in the picture that hung over to their right.

Stooping low, she watched his tall form lower to a crouch as he glanced beneath the pew in the front portion of the corner space.

"You'll need to grab it from your side; it's still here. Are you capable of bagging this on your own?"

Jill glanced over to see him holding out the tweezers to her. Once more, she met his challenging stare before her gloved fingers wrapped around the tweezers and pulled the instrument from him.

"I haven't let you down yet," she murmured and turned for the task.

"Indeed," he said quietly, now behind her when she carefully knelt on her side of the pew and gazed under the wood.

#resident evil #jill valentine #albert wesker #fanfiction #weskertine #greek mythology #ao3 fanfic #fanfic #resident evil 1 #pre resident evil 1 #Madbedlam art

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lboogie1906 · 3 months

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Judge Oscar William Adams, Jr. (February 7, 1925 – February 15, 1997) was the first African American Supreme Court Justice appointed in Alabama and when he stood for election to a full term, the first African American elected to a statewide constitutional office. He litigated many civil rights cases in his career as a lawyer and was part of the first African American law firm established in the state.

He was born in Birmingham to Oscar William Adams and Ella Virginia Adams; he was the older brother of Frank E. Adams. He graduated from Talladega College with a BA in Philosophy. He attended Howard University School of Law and graduated. He was admitted to the Alabama State Bar and began his legal career that would span five decades. He married Willa Ingersoll Adams (1949-82) and they had three children. He married Anne-Marie Bradford.

He litigated many civil rights and labor cases, and his clients included Martin Luther King Jr., the SCLC, Fred Shuttleworth’s Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights, and the NAACP. The firm handled school desegregation and discrimination cases, as well as voting rights cases. Notable cases included Armstrong v. Birmingham Board of Education (1964), Terry v. Elmwood Cemetery (1969), and Pettway v. ACIPCO (1974).

On July 8, 1966, he became the first African American member of the Birmingham Bar Association. He ran his law office until 1967 when he went into practice with white attorney Harvey Burg, creating the state’s first integrated law practice. In 1969 he and James Baker became Adams and Baker Law Firm, were joined by U.W. Clemon, and the firm became known as Adams, Baker & Clemon.

He retired from the bench on October 31, 1993, after retirement, he worked with the Birmingham law firm of White, Dunn & Booker and served as co-chairman of the Second Citizens’ Conference on Judicial Elections and Campaigns.

He was inducted posthumously into the Alabama Lawyers’ Hall of Fame (2005) and the Birmingham Gallery of Distinguished Citizens (2008). #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

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castlesrp · 2 months

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Face Claim List

Below the cut, you will find our list of face claims featured on our canon list. Enjoy this sneak peak at what is coming your way when the canon lists start being released this week!

FC List:

Abigail Cowen Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Amita Suman Amy Adams Ana de Armas André De Shields Andrew Garfield Angela Bassett Anna Kendrick Anne Hathaway Anthony Anderson Anthony Mackie Anya Chalotra Anya Taylor Joy Aja Naomi King Avan Jogia Avantika Audra McDonald Austin Butler Beanie Feldstein Ben Barnes Beyoncé BD Wong Bette Midler Caleb McLaughlin Camila Mendes Catherine O'Hara Charles Melton Chiwetel Ejiofor Chloe Bennet Chloe Bailey Christina Hendricks Christina Nadin Chrissy Metz Cody Christian Constance Wu Courtney Eaton Dakota Johnson Danai Gurira Daniel Ezra Daniel Wu Danny Trejo David Harbour Deepika Padukone Denzel Washington Dev Patel Diana Silvers Diane Keaton Dianna Agron Dove Cameron Dylan O'Brien Eddie Redmayne Eiza González Emily Alyn Lind Eva Longoria Ewan McGregor Fan Bingbing Felix Mallard Florence Pugh Froy Gutierrez Gabrielle Union Gemma Chan George Takei Gillian Anderson Gina Rodriguez Gina Torres Hailee Steinfeld Halle Bailey Harrison Ford Harry Shum JR Harry Styles Henry Cavill Hero Fiennes Tiffin Hunter Schafer Hugh Jackman Idris Elba J. Cameron-Smith Jacob Artist Jacob Elordi Jameela Jamil James McAvoy Jamie Chung Jamie Lee Curtis Jasmin Savoy Brown Jason Momoa Jason Sudekis Jean Smart Jeff Goldblum Jeffrey Wright Jenna Ortega Jensen Ackles Jesse Williams Jessica Chastain JK Simmons Joe Locke John Boyega John Cho John Krasinski Jon Hamm Jonathan Bailey Jordan Connor Jordan Peele Julianne Moore Justice Smith Kate Winslet Kathryn Hahn Kathryn Newton Keanu Reeves Keith Powers Keke Palmer Kerry Washington Kit Connor [1] Kit Connor [2] KJ Apa Kristen Bell Kumail Nanjiani Lana Condor Laura Harrier Lauren Ridloff Leonardo DiCaprio Letita Wright Lili Reinhart Liv Hewson Logan Browning Logan Lerman Loretta Devine Lupita Nyong'o Mädchen Amick Madelyn Cline Madison Bailey Mahershala Ali Manny Jacinto Manny Montana Margot Robbie Mark Consuelos Mark Hamill Mario Lopez Mason Gooding Maude Apatow Megan thee Stallion Melanie Lynskey Melissa Barrera Michael Cimino Michael Evans Behling Michael Fassbender Michael Peña Michael Shannon Michelle Yeoh Morgan Freeman Naomi Scott Natalia Dyer Natasha Liu Bordizzo Nina Dobrev Noah Centineo Normani Octavia Spencer Olivia Coleman Olivia Rodrigo Oscar Isaac Paul Rudd Pedro Pascal Phoebe Deynover Phoebe Tonkin Phylicia Rashad Priyanka Chopra Rachel Weisz Rachel Zegler Rahul Kohli Reese Witherspoon Regé-Jean Page Renee Rapp [1] Renee Rapp [2] Riz Ahmed Robert Pattinson Robert Downey JR Rome Flynn Rosamund Pike Rose Byrne Rudy Pankow Ryan Gosling Ryan Guzman Ryan Reynolds Sadie Sink Sam Claflin Samantha Logan Samara Weaving Sandra Bullock Sandra Oh Sara Ramirez Sarah Jeffrey Sarah Paulson Sebastian Stan Selena Gomez Sigourney Weaver Simu Liu Shawn Mendes Skeet Ulrich Sophia Ali Sophia Bush Sophie Turner Sonam Kapoor Sophie Thatcher Sterling K. Brown Steve Martin Steven Yeun Storm Reid Sydney Sweeney [1] Sydney Sweeney [2] Taika Waititi Tati Gabrielle Taraji P. Henson Taron Egerton Taye Diggs Taylor Zakhar Perez Ted Danson Timothée Chalamet Thomas Doherty Tom Blyth Tom Ellis Tom Hardy Tom Holland Tony Goldwyn Tyler James Williams Tyler Posey Uzo Adubo Victoria Pedretti Viola Davis Whoopi Goldberg Wolfgang Novogratz Will Smith Willem Dafoe William Jackson Harper Winona Ryder Winston Duke Yasmin Finney Zayn Malik Zendaya Zoey Deutch

#jcink rp #jcink roleplay #roleplay #rp #jcink #updates #canons

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delightingintragedy · 3 months

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Sun Correspondences

From Christian Astrology by William Lilly

(It is mostly word for word. I tried to format it to fit into a nice correspondence list, but the information itself is untouched.)

Zodiac: Rules Leo. Detriment in Aquarius, Exalted in Aries, Fall in Libra.

Nature: Naturally Hot, Dry, but more temperate than Mars, is a Masculine, Diurnal Planet, Equivalent, if well dignified to a Fortune.

Profession: Kings, Princes, Emperors, & Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, Barons, Lieutenants, Deputy-Lieutenants of Counties, Magistrates, Gentlemen in general, Courtiers, desirers of Honour and preferment, Justices of Peace, Majors, High-Sheriffs, High-Constables, great Huntsmen, Stewards of Noblemen's houses, the principal Magistrate of any City, Town, Castle or Country Village; yea, thought a petty Constable, where no better, or greater Officer is; Goldsmiths, Braziers, Pewterers, Coppersmiths, Minters of Money.

Sicknesses: Pimple in the Face, Palpitation or Trembling, or any Diseases of the Brain or Heart, Tympanies, Infirmities of the Eyes, Cramps, sudden swoonings, Diseases of the Mouth, and stinking Breaths, Catarrhs, rotten Fevers; principally in man he governs the Heart, the Brain and right Eye, and vital Spirit, in Women the left Eye.

Colours: Yellow, the colour of Gold, the Scarlet or clear Red, some say Purple.

Savours: A mixture of Sour and Sweet together, or the Aromatical flavour, being a little Bitter and Stiptical, but withal Confortative and a little sharp.

Herbs: Those Plants which are subject to the Sun do smell pleasantly, are of good savour, their Flowers are yellow or reddish, are in growth of Majestic form, they love open and Sunshine places, their principal Virtue is to strengthen the Heart, and comfort the Vitals, to clear the Eyesight, resist Poison, or to dissolve any Witchery, or Malignant Planetary Influences; and they are Saffron, the Laurel, the Pomecitron, the Vine, Enula Campana, Saint John's Wort, Amber, Musk, Ginger, Herbgrace, Balm, Marigold, Rosemary, Rosa solis, Cinnamon, Celandine, Eyebright, Peony, Barley, Cinquefoil, Spikenard, Lignum Aloes, Arsenic.

Trees: Ash tree, Palm, Laurel tree, the Myrrh tree, Frankincense, the Cane tree or plant, the Cedar, Heletrepion, the Orange and Lemon tree.

Beasts: The Lion, the Horse, the Ram, the Crocodile, the Bull, Goat, Nightworms or Glowworms.

Fishes: The Sea Calf or Sea Fox, the Crabfish, the Starfish.

Birds: The Eagle, the Cock, the Phoenix, Nightingale, Peacock, the Swan, the Buzzard, the fly Cantharis, the Goshawk.

Places: Houses, Courts of Princes, Palaces, Theatres, all magnificent Structures being clear and decent, Halls, Dining Rooms.

Minerals: Gold

Stones: The Hyacinth, Chrysolite, Adamant, Carbuncle, the Etites stone found in Eagle's nests, the Pantaure, if such a stone be the Ruby.

Weather: He produces weather according to the season; in the Spring gentle moistening Showers; in the Summer heat in extremity if with Mars; in Autumn mists; in Winter small Rain.

Winds: Eastern Winds

Element: Fire

Angel: Michael

Planetary Alliances: His Friends are all of the Planets except Saturn, who is his Enemy.

Week Day: Sunday

Correspondence posts for the other planets: [Moon] [Mercury] [Venus] [Mars] [Jupiter] [Saturn]

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suzannahnatters · 9 months

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Flash Fic: Final Transmission

FARSEEKER: Farseeker to the Lion's Throat. This is Captain Ardent Carta speaking. Do you read me? Over.

[NO RESPONSE]

[DISTANT YELLING. SOUND OF BLOWS - APPARENTLY, THE COMMS STATION BLAST DOOR WAS BEING RAMMED WITH A HEAVY OBJECT]

FARSEEKER: Lion’s Throat, this is Farseeker! I have an emergency! Do you read? Over.

[NO RESPONSE]

FARSEEKER: Read me, ***** it! I know you're there. You spoke to Phillix. Right before he vented himself out the airlock. Then you spoke to Bround. He took an axe to the mess hall. [LAUGHTER] Mess hall. That amused you, did it? You even spoke through one of the cargo, right when the killing started. “You’ve all sinned, reckoning is here.” You're a judgemental blighter as well as a sick one, aren't you? Well, [SARCASM] forgive me, Father.

[NO RESPONSE]

FARSEEKER: I can't believe I'm trying to radio a wormhole.

[HIGH PITCHED WHINING - OUR SPECIALIST’S OPINION IS THAT A LASER CUTTER WAS NOW TAKEN TO THE BLAST DOOR]

FARSEEKER: **** !

FARSEEKER: Look, whatever you are out there—I gather there's some sort of taboo on this wormhole. The Namardian locals said not to intrude—"Death awaits those impious ones who venture into the Lion's Throat", all very ominous and superstitious—but they've barely discovered heavier-than-air, let alone faster-than-light. We're not trying to make trouble. We’re just sentience merchants, trying to get our cargo home to Capita Six. The portal we came by won’t open again for two months and in the meanwhile the cargo is bound to degrade. Over.

[NO RESPONSE]

[A CLANG - EVIDENTLY PART OF THE BLAST DOOR FALLING AWAY]

[LASER CUTTER POWERING DOWN]

[MOMENTARY SILENCE]

FARSEEKER [FORMER CREW]: Let me...in, Captain. You must…pay, just like…the rest of us.

FARSEEKER [CAPTAIN, HURRIEDLY]: There are no Capitan records of this wormhole, but once I'm through I guarantee there will be. No ship of ours will ever disturb you again. Over.

[NO RESPONSE]

[LASER CUTTER POWERING ON AGAIN]

FARSEEKER [LOUDER]: Come on, think this through! You need to leave someone alive! You need me alive!

[SOUND OF DOOR FALLING OPEN]

FARSEEKER: For heaven's sake, answer me! How was I to know?

[LASER CUTTER APPROACHING]

FARSEEKER [SCREAMING]: What about the cargo? I have five hundred sentient Namardians in my hold. Aren't they your worshippers? Won't you have mercy on them—?

[THREE SHOTS IN QUICK SUCCESSION]

[SCREAMING]

[SEVERAL DISTINCT THUDS - REGRETTABLY, CAPTAIN CARTA APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN DISMEMBERED]

[SILENCE]

[SO I NEED TO DESCRIBE THE VOICE. THE VOICE IS LIKE STONE. THE VOICE IS LIKE LABYRINTHS. THE VOICE IS LIKE RUINED CITIES FALLING FROM THE SKY. IT SPEAKS ONLY WHEN SILENCE FALLS]

LION'S THROAT: But I do have mercy on them.

-----

I wrote this flash fic for the Pilgrim Artists' Festival, a small Christian festival of art, music, and words which runs every year in Tasmania's Huon Valley. The theme for the 2022 festival was "Justice and Mercy", and since I've always been fascinated by the way that the Bible often presents the divine as horrifying, especially in the aspect of justice, this was yet another of my regular unsuccessful attempts to write a cosmic horror story about divine justice; this one with a space-opera flavour.

Until 2 September, the 2023 Pilgrim Artists' Festival is open for submissions of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, art, and music from Christian, Nicene-Creed-affirming artists, including children and adults, anywhere in the world. This year's prompt is "Beauty in the Everyday" and there is a 500 word limit on literary entries. There are also dozens of prizes available - check them out and submit here.

Other Pilgrim Artists' Festival flash fic: The Gardens of Hades Strange the Living

#writing #ficlet #my fic #short story #flash fiction #short stories #my books #retellings #short fiction #Pilgrim Artists Festival #christian fiction #christian writers

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preet-01 · 20 hours

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Something that interests me to no end is who people see when they think of certain characters

If I think Batman, I see Christian Bale’s Batman or Batman from Justice League Unlimited. Catwoman is Halle Berry. Robin is from the Teen Titans show, but Nightwing is from Young Justice

Spider-Man is Andrew Garfield, but MJ is Zendaya and Harry Osborn is James Franco

#I find it so interesting to see the different iterations that we latch onto for well known characters #batman #spiderman

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californiahq-archived · 8 months

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Hello! I am very interested in joining, but would like to know if there are any faceclaims you all would really like to see join the rp? There are just so many great faces that I wanted to ask before sending in an application. Thank you!

hi, thank you for your interest! here are some fcs that came to mind! mason gooding, harris dickinson, pedro pascal, oscar isaac, manny montana, rudy pankow, jonathan daviss, andrew garfield, lorenzo zurzolo, arón piper, manny jacinto, evan mock, aaron tveit, thomas doherty, archie renaux, brenton thwaites, casey deidrick, avan jogia, maxence danet fauvel, logan lerman, keith powers, raymond ablack, rahul kohli, andy samberg, joseph quinn, xolo maridueña, tanner buchanan, clayton cardenas, mario casas, bill skarsgard, zethpan smith gneist, bradley cooper, joseph morgan, alberto rosende, emilio sakraya, tom holland, manu rios, luke grimes, kedar williams stirling, regé jean page, andré lamoglia, henry zaga, chay suede, elias kacavas, josh heuston, nico tortorella, felix mallard, jamie dornan, chris wood, justice smith, luka sabbat, alex fitzalan, jeff satur, herman tømmeraas, carloto cotta, ander puig, froy gutierrez, charles michael davis, george sear, darren barnet, jon bernthal, ben barnes, anthony ramos, corey mylchreest, anthony keyvan, sinqua walls, cody christian, eddie redmayne, jaehyun, hugh dancy, michael evans behling, elliot fletcher, emre bey, joe keery, chance perdomo, ross lynch, gavin leatherwood, richard madden, alex aiono, shiloh fernandez, chris evans, chris wood, jacob elordi, danny ramirez, drew starkey, havana rose liu, davika hoorne, lalisa, lulu antariksa, christina hendricks, zion moreno, jennie kim, danielle rose russell, kaylee bryant, anya chalotra, simone ashley, charithra chandran, maia mitchell, cierra ramirez, melissa barrera, hailee steinfeld, diane guerrero, stephanie beatriz, melissa fumero, greta onieogou, maia reficco, alisha boe, paris berelc, camila mendes, bruna marquezine, camila queiroz, anne hathaway, lauren tsai, rachel hilson, inbar lavi, lesley ann brandt, giorgia whigham, antonia gentry, katie douglas, melisa asli pamuk, margot robbie, jenna coleman, halston sage, chelsea clark, brianne howey, cindy kimberly, chloe bennet, halle bailey, sara waisglass, jessica alexander, christian serratos, phoebe tonkin, claire holt, isabella gomez, courtney eaton, madelyn cline, madison bailey, abigail cowen, jessie mei li, blu hunt, auli’i cravalho, anya taylor joy, annie murphy, mila kunis, simary barlas, mimi keene, aimee lou wood, emma mackey, samantha logan, natalia dyer, megan suri, maya hawke, coco jones, jasmine tookes, ana de armas, chase sui wonders, priscilla quintana, maris rascal, keke palmer, angelique boyer, rachel sennott, benedetta porcaroli, valentina zenere, ludovica martino, joey king, fivel stewart, adeline rudolph, natasha liu bordizzo – hope these help!

#appless rp #city rp #oc rp #town rp #mumu rp #new rp #mw

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beardedmrbean · 1 month

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As juvenile justice takes center stage this General Assembly session, a Republican-sponsored bill aims to bar students who have been convicted or adjudicated of rape and other sex offenses from attending school in person.

State Sen. Johnny Salling and state Del. Nino Mangione cross-filed the bills after they met with two mothers last month who say their toddlers were sexually abused in Harford and Baltimore counties by a teenager who attends a Baltimore City high school.

One mother joined Salling at a Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee hearing Wednesday morning. Salling said he was first introduced to the family after Fox 45 reported that the victim’s abuser was going to a Baltimore high school.

“These are serious incidents of incest and rape, and these sexual offenses, there should be some type of accountability,” Salling said in an interview. “And you shouldn’t allow the students to go back in school because you don’t know the mindset of the individual.”

Under Senate Bill 1145, a child would be prohibited from attending a state-funded public or nonpublic school in person if they are convicted or adjudicated of rape or a sex offense that would be considered a felony in adult court. Each school system would have to provide an alternative education for those students, such as virtual programs. The bill doesn’t outline how long those students would be banned from in-person learning.

Maryland law already bars students who are registered on the adult sex offender registry, which is only for those who are 18 or older, from entering school property or attending public schools. School districts must educate those students in alternative locations until they are no longer on the sex offender registry.

Mangione and Salling’s bill seeks to close what they call a loophole for children who commit sex offenses but aren’t on the adult registry. Maryland does have a juvenile offender registry, but it’s accessible only by law enforcement personnel for law enforcement purposes.

“That’s what’s trying to be addressed here,” Mangione said. “How many others have been walking the halls of these schools?”

Registration is often requested by a prosecutor or negotiated in a deal, said Levi Bradford, an education attorney with Public Justice Center, a nonprofit law firm that is part of a coalition opposing the bill. Some kids can avoid registering if the prosecutor says they don’t have to, he said, but this bill would rope in those kids who are not required to register.

Local superintendents, principals and security officers are notified when students are arrested and adjudicated. But it’s up to a judge in that child’s case to determine if they should return to their community.

Students have a constitutional right to an education, and a 2022 law restricted removal to instances in which a student poses an “imminent threat of serious harm to other students or staff.” In-person school removal can be appealed.

Last year, the state Department of Education found Baltimore County Public Schools violated the law when the district banned a student who allegedly committed a sex offense from in-person instruction.

Democratic and Republican lawmakers have a month left to hash out differences in the two chamber’s massive juvenile justice bills. The main House bill would expand the charges that 10- to 12-year-olds can face to include animal mutilation, firearms charges and third-degree sex offenses.

Sherry Christian, a Baltimore City schools spokesperson, said the school system legally can’t discuss individual student matters, sealed judicial proceeding or comment on the legislators’ and Fox 45’s report that a convicted sex offender attends a Baltimore high school.

“We can share, more generally, that Maryland law requires City Schools to provide an education to all students legally enrolled in our school system, including students found responsible for juvenile criminal offenses,” Christian said in a statement.

The city’s school system can only remove a student “if they follow specific legal protocols and there is specific evidence of an imminent threat of serious harm,” Christian continued. “When making this determination, we review all available documents and work closely with the proper authorities to ensure we are meeting the appropriate standards.”

The state Office of the Public Defender, as part of a Coalition to Reform School Discipline, strongly opposes the legislation, which they say would violate federal law. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act says student who have disabilities, even student offenders, have to be educated in the “least restrictive environment,” or districts could risk losing federal funds.

“Prohibiting in-person education based solely on a conviction or adjudication is counter-productive, strips individuals of an important problem-solving tool and will more likely result in greater harm to children and communities,” Natasha Dartigue, the Maryland Public Defender, said in a statement.

The coronavirus pandemic revealed that virtual school is an inferior form of education, Dartigue said, especially for youth with learning disabilities or other educational deficits. Denying education based solely on past convictions also perpetuates cycles of poverty, unemployment and criminal behavior, she said.

As a mother of Baltimore City school students, Annette Anderson wants to know if juvenile sex offenders go to her kids’ schools. Anderson, the deputy director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Safe and Healthy Schools, a research center, said she doesn’t need to know those students’ identifies.

“I think having a blinded sex registry in a school or a district might be helpful so parents at a minimum are aware,” she said.

Anderson said she’s encouraged by the juvenile justice legislation being constructed in a thoughtful way this session and not in “knee-jerk reaction.” But more work is needed, she said, especially around balancing protecting children and the community’s right to know about juvenile offenders.

#nunyas news

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acquariusgb · 1 year

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Talking it Over- HRC column

Hillary’s weekly column: 21st January 1997 Inauguration Day for Bill and me ended early Tuesday morning after a whirlwind tour of 15 Inaugural Balls. We arrived at the White House around 2 a.m. exhausted but exhilarated. We were also famished. We hadn't eaten since lunch and headed straight to the refrigerator in our private living quarters. As we ate leftovers from a family dinner Bill and I had missed earlier that night, we chatted and recalled our favorite moments of the day. It all began with a prayer service at the historical Metropolitan AME Church in Washington. I couldn't have thought of a better way to start Inauguration Day and the day honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

As Bill prepares for another four years in office, he knows that he won't be able do his job alone. He needs his faith and people of faith to support him. The morning service, which brought together representatives from Christianity, Judaism and Islam, boosted the congregation's spirits and reaffirmed my belief that much more unites us than divides us. Friends from throughout Bill's life spoke and sang at the service. Bill Hybels, pastor of Willow Creek Community Church outside Chicago, spoke of the visits he and my husband have shared every month for the past four years, praying and talking together, strengthening their faith and building a friendship. Jesse Jackson and Tony Campolo, an evangelist minister from Philadelphia, delivered sermons challenging us all to remember our obligations to the poor. And Jennifer Holiday closed the service with a rousing rendition of "Amazing Grace" that lifted the roof and our hearts. After the service, Bill and I returned to the White House, where we greeted congressional leaders who had come to escort Bill to the Capitol. As we drove to the Capitol, I looked out the window and saw people already staking out seats along the parade route. I also saw a few protesters, who reminded me of the greatness of our democracy and our right to disagree with each other openly and peacefully. It was cold and overcast as Chelsea and I took our seats with Tipper Gore and her children at the oath-taking ceremony. I held Bill's Bible open to a passage he had selected - Isaiah 58:12 - which he later used in his speech when he said we should all be "repairers of the breach." When he repeated his name after Justice Rehnquist, "I, William Jefferson Clinton," tears welled up in my eyes, and I thought I was going to cry. I felt proud and awed as I watched my husband walk toward the podium on the West Front of the Capitol, looking out toward the mall and the Washington monument.

I had been worried about Bill's voice for three days. It had turned hoarse on Friday, and I had pleaded with him to stay in for the weekend. (I am known in my family as an incurable worrier.) But Monday, his voice was strong and clear. As Bill began his speech, the sun emerged from the clouds and bathed him in light. Chelsea and I were amazed by the weather's good timing. After the ceremony, we went to Statuary Hall, one of the most historic rooms in the Capitol for lunch with members of Congress. The menu was composed of dishes Thomas Jefferson served 200 years ago while he was in the White House. I sat between my husband and House Speaker Newt Gingrich (who, ironically, was seated to my left). Chelsea sat next to Strom Thurmond, who at 94 is still one of the Senate's greatest charmers. When Sen. Warner presented the President with the traditional gift of an already-framed picture of the morning's ceremony, I did not remember the same event occurring four years ago. Looking back, I realize I was too anxious and overwhelmed to take in the details of my husband's first inauguration. This time, I was much more relaxed and savored every moment. I was thrilled at the number of people who had come out on such a cold day to watch the inaugural parade. Bill, Chelsea and I walked the last few blocks to the White House. We saw familiar faces in the crowds and waved to them. Bill even caught sight of a man he had worked with on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee while he was a student at Georgetown University 30 years ago. The parade itself had everything from mariachi bands to polka dancers to gymnasts. I was especially pleased to see groups that I had personally invited, including Florida A&M's prized marching band and the Yelm, Wash., Elementary School Choir. The hardest part of the day was finding the energy to change into our formal wear for the evening's balls. I was afraid to nap between the parade and the balls for fear of not being able to get up. But before we knew it, Bill and I were in the motorcade, dropping in on one ball after the other and dancing to "Unforgettable." The energy of the people having a good time kept me going, even as my feet protested with every step. And when Bill and I returned to the White House, we realized we had carried all of the day's good feelings home with us.

#the clintons #hillary clinton #bill clinton #testimonials #personal testimonials #hrc weekly column #White House Years #bill and hillary

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talesofsorrowandofruin · 1 year

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7 Snippets 7 People Tag

Thanks for tagging me, @sam-glade! :D

All of these are from the flashback in Silver Glass. MAJOR spoilers and disturbing content ahead, obviously. (Non-exhaustive list of triggers: homophobia, marital rape, mental and emotional abuse, eating disorders...)

(If you’re wondering: no, the changes between Davit and David aren’t a mistake. He spells his name both ways.)

Louis is in love. He makes David his confidant when he wants to sing his lover's praises. Well, he calls the man his lover. He reveals that he has only spoken to him once, and then only at a party held by Louis's father.

His name is Alexander Lennox.

Louis has a photo of him cut from the society pages. David doesn't think much of him. He certainly isn't the most handsome man in the world, as Louis believes. But that's all right and Louis doesn't even mind him showing his disinterest, because David isn't the one in love with Alexander.

He has his doubts about whether Louis is in love with Alexander either. So far Louis's behaviour shows more infatuation than love.

It doesn't matter. It's none of his business. And it's not as if he'll ever meet Alexander Lennox.

Fate has a sense of humour.

Time proves David right: Louis isn't really in love with Lennox. About a week later his infatuation wears off and he changes his affections to one of his classmates. David forgets all about Alexander Lennox.

Then Reverend Grantley tells him he can have three days' holiday from his studies, because an author is coming to consult him on church history. David thinks nothing of it at first.

It's May 1915. Early evening, Monday the third of May. David opens the Grantleys' front door and finds the reverend in the hall, chatting to a young man. Before David can decide what to do, the reverend has spotted him.

"Come in, Eames! This is one of my students," he says by way of explanation. "Eames, this is Mr. Lennox. He'll be a famous author some day."

Lennox smiles awkwardly. He ducks his head and a faint colour shows on his face at the reverend's words. Then he looks at David.

David is frozen in place. He recognises him, of course. But Louis' photos didn't do him justice. Alexander Lennox looks plain, forgettable even, in black and white. In real life? The sun casts golden highlights through his light brown hair. His eyes are deep blue. His face is... David can't find the words to describe him but he's the most handsome man he's ever seen.

Four months pass. They exchange letters. At some point Alexander becomes Alec, and he starts addressing his letters to "David" instead of "Mr. Eames".

Louis has returned by now. David had been afraid of an explosion when he found out that his fellow student is in love with his former crush. Quite the opposite: Louis is now in love with an actor and finds the whole thing hilarious.

He bears both the credit and blame for starting the sequence of events that end in murder.

No one suspects it at the time. Louis simply wants to do David a good turn. His older brother has just done something remarkable in Parliament (David, who isn't remotely interested in politics, neither knows nor cares what) and their parents are hosting a house party to celebrate. They've invited Alec. When Louis finds out he immediately asks David to accompany him when he goes home.

Alec hadn't answered the invitation at first. But when he hears David will be there, he accepts immediately.

Later David learns that Alec's mother had a word with the countess, which resulted in another name being added to the guest list. It's a name he and Alec will become horribly familiar with: Miss Gwladys Whare.

(When David first sees her name he thinks someone has misspelt both Christian name and surname. Later he discovers he was wrong: her parents actually christened her Gwladys, and they thought the spelling Ware was too plebeian for them.)

David can't remember what they were talking about. He remembers sitting on Alec's coat spread as an improvised blanket, next to Alec with his head on Alec's shoulder. He remembers really wanting to kiss him. And he remembers Alec kissing him back.

They end up lying on the ground. David is half on top of Alec. They're still kissing. Alec wraps his arms around David's waist and pulls him completely on top of himself. David can't wait any longer. He starts to unbutton Alec's shirt. Alec reaches for David's belt.

"Jesus H. Christ!"

They disentangle themselves and leap to their feet at the first word. David's vain hope that the newcomer hadn't got a good look at what they were doing dies when he sees who it is.

Gwladys Whare has just appeared at the side of the summer-house. From where she's standing she had a perfect view of them. And there was really no way to mistake what they'd been doing.

She stares at them both as if they're something she's scraped off her shoe. Alec rebuttons his shirt. David tries to smooth his hair down into something approaching respectability. A profoundly awkward silence descends.

Alec breaks it. "Miss Whare, I apologise for— We had no idea you were nearby. I beg you not to speak of this to anyone."

Miss Whare begins to smile. Her smile widens into something truly sadistic. "Oh, I bet you do. But what if I go right back to the house and tell them all? Maybe you can buy your way outta trouble, but your little tart will go right to jail."

He and Alec have only one short meeting in private before Alec leaves too. They meet in the garden again and make their own arrangements: Davit will live in London until Alec divorces Gwladys. Alec is optimistic it shouldn't take too long. This shows every indication of being the shortest marriage in history.

"I know she's already writing to another man," Alec says. "As long as we stay apart she'll have no evidence against me."

Davit is slightly less optimistic. Once Gwladys has her claws in Alec, he can't imagine her letting go easily. "What if you have a child?"

Alec makes a disgusted face. "There's no chance of that. I have no intention of ever consummating this marriage."

"If you don't she'll use that against you." Davit pulls leaves off a stem of ivy clinging to the old summer house. "Consummate the marriage, play the loving husband when others are around, make sure she has nothing she can use against you."

Alec looks at him in surprise. Davit can guess what he's thinking. That this is odd advice for him to give. But Davit knows Gwladys is a genuine threat to both of them. The best way to deal with threats is with deceit.

Alec has dark circles around his eyes. He's paler and possibly thinner. His smile is pained. He can't stop moving even when sitting down; he constantly fidgets with his watch, or his teacup, or even his hair.

When he finally speaks it's like a dam has burst. "I can't bear it another minute," he says. "She never leaves me alone. I can't talk to a man — any man, not even the waiter in a restaurant — without her making awful insinuations. She knows I'll divorce her, so she's determined to have a child. She doesn't know much about law; she thinks couples with young children can't divorce. And she—"

He stops. He looks like he's about to be sick.

Somehow Davit knows what's coming next.

"She forces me to sleep with her every night. To make sure we have a baby. She insisted on a room with a double bed instead of two connected rooms so I can't lock her out. I tell her I'm not interested and she laughs. Says horrible things about what I'm interested in. Makes... appalling suggestions. And she touches me. I tell her to stop but she never does. I— I struck her, two days ago, to make her stop. I'm not proud of it. She went around like a martyr yesterday and showed all her friends the bruise. That's why I left."

Davit is silent. He thought he hated Gwladys before. It's nothing to how he hates her now.

"So," Alec finishes, "I'm going home. And I... I couldn't bear to leave without seeing you."

On the one hand, what Dzovig told him. On the other, what Alec tells him. Weighed up, there's only one option.

"I'm coming with you," Davit says. He sees the brief hope followed by the crushing misery on Alec's face. "As a friend, nothing more. Not while you're still married. But I won't leave you alone with her."

1917 gets off to a grim start. Gwladys has little time for the twins herself. But when she finds Alec is reading to them, she explodes. She forbids him from seeing them again.

"It's not safe for you to be around children!" she shouts at him in that argument.

In another argument she says something that has devastating consequences. "One of these days I'll poison you!"

Maybe she does put poison in Alec's food once, then loses her nerve. Maybe it's all in Alec's mind, exacerbated by his nerves. Davit doesn't know the truth.

He does know that Alec takes sick after dinner one night.

Davit sits up with him all night. He knows Gwladys's servants are spying on him. The slightest hint of anything non-platonic in their relationship and he'll be kicked out. Probably frog-marched to the police station too. So he keeps the bedroom door ajar and sits at a distance from the bed.

Neither he nor Alec sleeps much. Alec because he's shivering and occasionally retching, Davit because he's planning how to commit a murder and get away with it.

From then on Davit either shares Alec's food or prepares it himself. Alec starts to eat less. Some days he only eats once in spite of all Davit can say. When he does eat a proper meal he feels ill. He thinks he's still being poisoned. Davit thinks it's the effects of his disordered eating.

Tagging @oh-no-another-idea, @acertainmoshke, @sentfromwolves, @shellyscribbles, @primroseprime2019, @thesorcererspen, @sternenmeerkind, and anyone else who wants to do this! :D

#tag game #writing #my writing #my WIPs #WIP: glass #the flashback is basically a horror story

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musicfren · 2 months

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Protests March 2nd (this Saturday). Mostly USA, some global

Albuquerque, New Mexico

11:00 a.m.

Tiguex Park