#whether they'll be needing a third one remains to be seen

[i-like-anything-water]

Ok I already sent this to another blog worded differently too so sorry if you see it later haha but I just really thought you'd like the idea?? Artist Chloé, sketching and painting her secret crushes and stashing them away where no one can reach (and take it away from her), musician Chloé who plays the violin or piano ("exceptional" and elegant) or flamenco guitar that she learned from a Spanish teacher (or in Spain!!!) whether it's a hidden skill thing or when she gets away from Audrey and everyone else and she wants do DO something, BE something!! Chloé taking pictures of friend groups, parents with kids, women with their girlfriends and she stares at everything she couldn't have, couldn't ALLOW HERSELF TO HAVE!! Pictures that are filled with sadness in a way other people can't articulate despite being so so beautiful and framing happiness but there's just something heartbreaking about them that no one can quite get. Chloé Bourgeois, alone in some penthouse apartment just drawing and playing her feelings away, thinking about what could've been?? The bittersweet feeling of seeing the Dupain-Cheng label on a jacket she shoplifted on an impulse just to feel something, not even realizing the label until she was out of the store, then questioning if she DID notice what it was on a subconscious level?? Chloé Bourgeois, a tragic young woman working her ass off through university, giving up on anything but work, hiding that artist inside her away because she's scared if people know she loves and enjoys something, something "useless" especially, they'll take it away from her

this is the third time I'm answering this fic and hopefully this doesn't exit before I could finish -

anon, sweet anon, that is already halfway an amazing fic.

Chloé Bourgeois, who was showered since she could breathe with various forms of 'perfection'. Of what is considered beautiful, meaningful and worthwhile and for a while, she believed it. Mommy believed it, Daddy believed it, so should she.

It's only when she grows older, when she starts playing and painting after discovering more of herself during her teenager years. After discovering what she wants and not what her mother wants. After discovering genuine admiration as opposed to the well practiced script of compliments from her father's colleagues.

Beauty, she has come to realize, was freeing. It was not perfect, rarely it was, and it sometimes caused your fingers to bleed and your voice to tremble.

But beauty was yours. And she have seen and loved beauty in various forms, tucked away in paintings hung on her walls and unfinished tunes in her notebook.

Beauty was freeing. Beauty was hers.

During her late twenties to early thirties she was making do everyday, far from the once rich and proud heiress of a narcissistic businesswoman and enabler father. She was free, struggling yes, but free. Beauty that has transformed as an extended limb - a companion - was with her.

It's when she gets a job accidentally, in the hands of Marinette Dupain-Cheng did she feel the need to retreat and hide.

She never told anyone her beauty, she knew people would make fun if she were genuine. After all, she'd done it as child. Yet, mommy never turned even a glance at her approvingly.

She knew Marinette Dupain-Cheng was beautiful. She wasn't perfect, despite knowing she was Ladybug few years ago. She was beautiful, bold, clumsy, determined, passionate, sarcastic and smart. She was a woman who has seen many things yet chose to remain seeing everything in wonder and in light.

Beauty within beauty itself.

It's no wonder Chloé Bourgeois kept falling for her, again and again.

#chloe bourgeois #chloenette #marinette dupain cheng #FINALLY I MANAGED TO ANSWER THIS WITHOUT IT EXITING #I HAD TW PREVIOUS ANSWERS LOST TO TIME JUST CAUSE THE APP EXITED JEHDUEHSHWHSJWJDHRBF #Anyways this is beautiful and if y'all wanna write a fic about it goooooo #ooc chloe but really canon chloe is still waiting for her redemption

[shikai-the-storyteller]

I've seen people saying Rubius never loved Vegetta and that Vegetta "finally has someone who loves him" and it's driving me insane, I don't even know much abt Karmaland but I know he loved Vegetta pls what is this misinformation </3

The easy explanation is they didn't watch Karmaland.

That's literally all it comes down to.

Everyone who's seen Karmaland, whether it's K5 or K4, know Rubius and Vegetta love each other. Hell even Roier, who was a fan before he was a streamer, knows this (hence the nod to Rubegetta in his presentation).

However, lots of people, particularly non-Spanish fans, haven't seen Karmaland, so they only know about incidents like the wedding second or third-hand. What people don't talk about is the aftermath of the wedding. The wedding didn't happen at the end of the series. Things between Rubius and Vegetta didn't end in tears and anger and betrayal. In fact, it happened (relatively) in the middle of K4. While there were undeniably hurt feelings, that wasn't the end of their friendship, or their relationship. They had many more happy, sweet, heartfelt moments, but people like angst so that's usually what gets talked about more.

Glay has a thread with translations of Rubegetta moments from Karmaland 4, which I highly recommend perusing if anyone's interested in learning more about their relationship. Like you said, there is unfortunately a lot of misinformation about them (and Rubius in particular). As I said it in a previous post, those two aren't toxic, they just need some therapy and need to learn how to communicate better. Rubius needs to learn how to let people get close to his heart without fearing they'll hurt him, and Vegetta needs to learn how to communicate his thoughts and feelings better.

But at the end of the day, this is an entirely different server. Technically nobody's past relationships should matter, but ripples of the past clearly still carry over. Friends in previous worlds are still friends in this one (ex: Roier and Mariana), and many relationships, both romantic and familial, carried over too (ex: Wil being Phil's son, whatever the hell's going on between Q and Luzu and Q and Wil, etc). The moment he saw Rubius, Vegetta gave him a kiss, and Rubius declared Vegetta as his one love in the song he sang for Vegetta's birthday, so it's clear that the love they had is still there. Whether Rubegetta is your thing or not, that fact remains.

Anyways, I'm always gonna be a Rubegetta fan, but I respect other folks' opinions so long as they don't try and spread misinformation or purposefully paint a character in a bad light for the sake of a ship.

I also want to take this opportunity to say I don't really care about shipping discourse. I think it's fun to discuss and analyze things, but I can't stand toxic fans who harass real people over fictional relationships. I'm very salty that so many Foo/getta shippers harassed Rubius so much that he hasn't logged on for an entire month, so if I seem a bit " :/ " towards that pair, it's solely because of toxic fans and not because of the cubitos, CCs, or regular fans. We're all here to enjoy goofy block man roleplay, everyone just needs to remember that and chill out.

#i talk #qsmp talk #karmaland talk #replies #ethogirlie #I like Foo/getta from a very very specific perspective #but rubegetta's always the big fave

[acourtofthought]

Hello :) Maybe I’m off base, but I think this is also proof that Elucien may be endgame (narrative wise):

Feyre ended up with Rhys, and developed a strong bond with his best friend, Cassian.

Nesta ended up with Cassian, and developed a strong bond with his best friend, Azriel.

Elain ends up with Lucien, and will develop a strong bond with his best friend, Tamlin.

I know this is controversial, and maybe you won’t agree, but I think that Elain and Tamlin - as friends - would get along really well. I also think it ties into all the Spring foreshadowing connected to Elain, and I do wonder that if Elain is indeed a shapeshifter (a theory I’ve had for a while now), that Tamlin will be the one to help her master these powers. It would lead into his ‘redemption arc,’ because one of the main criticisms of Tamlin in books prior is that he refused to train Feyre (so it’s as if he learns from this mistake - and it would be somewhat poetic that he trains and helps Elain… the one person who people, especially the IC, believe actually needs protecting…).

SJM is clearly still keeping the door open for Tamlin (especially with those quote in ACOSF; “Not if Tamlin cannot master his guilt and grief and become what he once was.”) His story is still to be told… and it fits in perfectly with an Elucien book.

To me, it just makes sense 🌸🌷🌿

While I'm not sure that Elain and Tamlin will be close friends in the way Nesta / Az and Feyre / Cassian / Az are, I do think that her relationship with Tamlin will be different than what we've seen between Tamlin and the other Archeron's.

In SF we have this:

"I don't care how much you apologize or try to atone for it or claim you didn't know the King of Hybern would do such a thing or that you begged him not to do it. You colluded with him. Because you thought Feyre was your property."

In the novella we have this:

Eris's mouth curved in an adder's smile. "Because Tamlin's territory is the only one that borders the human lands. I'd think that anyone looking to expand would have to go through the Spring Court first. Or at least obtain his permisson."

Another person she'd one day kill. If Feyre and Rhys didn't do it first.

It didn't matter what Tamlin had done in the war, if he'd brfought Beron and the human forces with him. If he'd played Hybern.

It was another day, another female lying on the ground, that Mor would not forget, could not forgive.

and this:

"Do you think she will forgive me?" The question was a rasp. As if he'd been screaming.

I knew whom he meant. And I didn't know. I didn't know if her wishing him happiness was the same as forgiveness. If Feyre would ever want to offer that to him. Forgiveness could be a gift to both, but what he'd done..."Do you want her to?"

His green eyes were empty. "Do I deserve it?"

No. Never

Rhys goes on to say (in regards to his mother / sister), "As if an apologize would ever right it. As if an apology would ever cover the loss that still ate at me, the hole that remained where their bright, lovely lives had glowed.

Then, "It was not forgiveness - it was not kindness. I could not, would not, ever forget what he'd done to those I loved most."

So.......we have Nesta hating Tamlin, Mor hating Tamlin, Feyre and Rhys hating Tamlin.

I definitely don't think Lucien hates Tamlin and I think he does probably forgive him for the abuse however I am not sure what has been broken can be repaired and that they'll ever go back to how they may have once been (in the centuries before Amarantha).

I'm also not sure whether or not Tamlin will ever be able to resume his position as High Lord because his people have lost all faith in him.

But....it's clear SJM can't keep Tamlin the way he is. She doesn't seem to be fond of his character, saying he sucks in one interview and saying he's an example of toxic male masculinity in another (I could swear there was a third where she calls him a douche).

But he's not a villain either so his character does need resolution and the other characters hating on him forever and ever just stands in the way of their own true happiness, like Rhys says, offering forgiveness can be a gift to all parties involved and it's something Tamlin clearly needs in order to let go of his guilt.

I think Elain will be the person to bring that change about for everyone. Whether it be her simply offering Tamlin forgiveness and that helps him on his path of healing which in turn is something the others note and let go of their past grudges is one possibility. Whether she actually talks to the others and encourages them to let go of the old animosities is another. But I don't see Elain as the type to hold on to a grudge, no matter what part Tamlin played in what happened to her and I think having even one person who he wronged show kindness and forgiveness will be the turning point for him.

But either way, I'm not sure I see him playing a major part in Elucien's journey, not where they're all hanging out as buddies laughing.

Forgiveness is one thing but becoming close in the way the others are with their mates friends doesn't feel right to me.

Either Elucien will end up in Spring for a time and Tamlin will set off on his own to finally find what makes him happy (because he never wanted to be High Lord in the first place) or they'll help get Spring and Tamlin back on their feet and they'll set off for Day.

Since Elucien's story also seems to be hinting at them traveling to the continent (a place we know Vassa will end up in), I imagine Jurian will become someone Elain develops a close friendship with as Jurian is currently the person Lucien is thankful for in terms of male friends. He's also got his head on his shoulders in a way that Tamlin doesn't which means he could actually offer friendship to Elain versus Tamlin who Elain would be offering something to and probably not getting as much in return.

But as Elucien makes friends wherever they go, we also might see them develop new friends in Day. We might see Lucien reconnect with Eris and maybe she'll develop a comradery with her brother in law once he stops hiding behind his mask.

I could see Elain getting on well with Helion, maybe he'll even fill some of what's been missing since she lost her own father.

There are a lot of directions SJM could take with their story.l but I agree with you that Elain may be able to shift as it does tie in with the High Lord of Spring

#elucien #elain archeron #pro elucien #tamlin acotar #pro lucien vanserra #lucien vanserra

[connectwired]

Since I have no other place to go for this, I want to start out by saying that Nintendo needs a refresh. By doing a refresh with games and hardware, expectations can be thrown in a new direction, and speculation can be all the more fun. That said, what we want and need differs from how Nintendo views, so what I say should be taken lightly unless stated otherwise. I'm VERY open-minded, so I may go on and on, and I'm also open to criticism on the things I think about.

First off, the next console. I believe it'll stay relatively the same as the Switch but with the best internals they can get their hands on. They'll probably update the Joycons a bit and reintroduce the standard D-pad, or they may take the Steam Deck approach and glue them on. The standard will have a higher quality OLED screen to compete with others and possibly better sound. Not much more I could think of but it's enough to compete for next gen and try to bleed into the future gen. It opens up the possibility for more open first party games as well as more intricacy and design, increasing the odds for success (most of the time). Third party games will run better too.

Next, let's talk games. 2D Mario has been refreshed with Wonder, Zelda with TotK and BotW, Pikmin is still going, and Metroid... we don't know what's happening there, but it did have Dread. Mario Kart is still going strong, but there's only so much left they could do until they run out of options for one game. Smash is dead for now, but that's a topic for later with Mario Kart. Animal Crossing is iffy, as the player base has likely been halved since release; I know I don't play it anymore, and I've heard that it's got several issues that I agree with.

I want to go in depth about the state of Mario. Mario fans will be feasting soon with Wonder and RPG, and I'm one of them. Super Mario RPG is, if you couldn't tell, my favorite RPG, and I'm incredibly ecstatic for the remake. I have faith it'll sell well and be given the recognition it deserves. The music and graphics seem phenomenal in the remake, and everything seems like how we viewed it in the original; our minds were brought to life with this game.

Next is Wonder, which is an interesting beast I would love to tackle. The art style is amazing and a big step from New, just as much as the soundtrack is. It's all soft and colorful while remaining fast and enjoyable; such an appealing game hasn't happened for 2D Mario in over a decade. I love the new voice lines - despite Martinet possibly being replaced - and the new sound effects are great too. It's so experimental yet seems to be promising.

3D Mario games are pretty much due for a new game at this point. We haven't seen one since Bowser's Fury, which was only about half a game, if that. The last full game was Odyssey all the way back in 2017. It's understandable why it would take so long, but at least throw us a hint once the new system is revealed. It would be cool for it to be inspired by Wonder, but I could see it branching off of Odyssey or Galaxy too.

Super Smash Bros. should be getting a new game within the next 5 years. Whether it be a reboot, Ultimate Deluxe, or a continuation, I'm certain it'll be good. If they reboot the series, I imagine they'll keep a handful of characters and add a lot of new ones while also making completely new movesets for most fighters. Ones without new movesets would obviously have some changes though. The stages have a chance to be completely new. A continuation would likely cut some of the roster while adding new ones and do the same with stages. A continuation could be Deluxe but with different features and a new story. There are lots of debates about what characters would get in no matter what way they take, but I think the few that are locked in are Geno, Shantae, Sans, and possibly Cuphead. Personally, I wish Springtrap and Reimu would be in too, but sadly I don't believe they would. Same for Goku who will never be in.

Mario Kart is the only thing left on my mind, as it hasn't had a new game in about 10 years, less if you count Tour (but who would; it's a live service mobile game based on Mario Kart 7). It needs a new game very soon after the DLC is done, but there's one question that everyone has: where do they go next? I think they could take the Sonic R route and have it be more open world. Mix that up with all of the items in Tour and maybe some new stuff inspired by 2D and 3D Mario, and you've got something magical. Doing something like Double Dash and having two drivers per kart would be cool too. The roster needs an update as well, but Tour has added plenty of characters over time. They could bring back all characters, and if possible, add a separate menu for costumes and alternate colors. Tracks could be more based on games and even the recent movie. I would love to race around in something like Beach Bowl Galaxy or a fire flower field.

[katharaya]

touch on a scar + reiah 😌

cw: this is a bath scene, and therefore involves naked people, but is otherwise SFW 😌

—

Ziah has just finished washing Rei’s hair for her, pinning it up to keep it out of the sudsy water, when Rei turns a little between her legs and asks, “Can I wash your back for you?”

Ziah’s face is unreadable for a long moment, long enough to make Rei wonder if it was a mistake to even ask, but Ziah’s eyes flick up from pondering the soapy water to meet her eyes as she says, “Very well.”

Ziah rises, stepping around Rei to sit in front of her, the thin rivulets streaming down her skin glimmering in the candlelight. The water sloshes over the lip of the tub as she moves, but soon enough it settles, and Rei settles on the task at hand. She takes a small towel, lathering it with some mildly floral-scented soap, and slowly, gently, begins to scrub down Ziah’s back.

Ziah remains stiff at first, the slope of her shoulders tense for several long moments, but gradually she begins to relax, leaning forward to rest her chin on her knees, seeming to almost arch into the sensation as Rei drags the towel in measured swipes down the length of her back. Rei works the lather into a soft white foam, making iridescent bubbles catch and shimmer in the scars spiderwebbing across Ziah’s skin.

She has never been allowed to look this closely. She has hardly ever been allowed to touch, and even that had been a recent development. It’s mesmerizing, almost—the way lines of scar tissue crisscross over Ziah’s back, laid out like a story she doesn’t know in a language she doesn’t understand. In the geometric shapes formed between healed-over scars there are still spatters of freckles and moles dotting the unblemished skin, like little glimpses of Ziah’s past before she’d been permanently marked by whatever injustice forced her to bear these old wounds.

There’s a slightly larger mole just beneath her shoulder blade shaped almost like a heart, and Rei, entranced, unthinkingly traces the tip of her pinky over the dark brown beauty mark. Ziah flinches, shoulders tensing beneath her hands, and Rei immediately pulls her hands away.

“Sorry,” she says. “Too much?”

Ziah is still for space of two breaths, then three, before she lets out a long, low sigh, and says, “No. No, I am simply … unused to the feeling.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, I am alright.” A pause, and then, “You may continue, if you wish.”

Rei places her free hand on Ziah’s shoulder, staying far enough away from where her scars begin. Her thumb traces soothing circles into the smooth skin there, leaving little soap bubbles in its wake. “You’re sure?”

Ziah’s hand comes up out of the water to rest atop hers, and squeezes. “Yes. I am sure.”

Rei presses a kiss to wispy strands of hair at the top of Ziah’s nape, and returns to lightly scrubbing her back, slower and gentler than before. They lapse into a comfortable silence, broken only by the soft sloshing of the water, until Ziah says, “Does it not bother you?”

Rei looks up from her work to find Ziah staring straight ahead, not even the slightest tip of her head in Rei’s direction.

Rei hums, pondering the question, then slowly, deliberately, rests her fingertips on Ziah’s skin. She eases Ziah into the feeling of being touched, with fingertips then finger pads then fingers then palm, until her whole hand is flat on Ziah’s back, just below her shoulder blade. Her thumb swipes over that heart-shaped mole again, twice, thrice. Ziah startles at the first pass, causing little ripples in the water, then relaxes again.

“Mostly, I just wish …” Rei says, carefully choosing each word, “that you didn’t have to bear them. I wish you were never hurt like this.” She traces a finger along one of the longer lash marks, cutting from right scapula to left hip. Ziah shivers, but neither objects nor moves away. “No one deserves this, I think,” Rei continues, leaning forward. “Especially not you.”

Her mouth presses onto the topmost knob of Ziah’s spine, her hands slipping below the water to rest on Ziah’s waist. Ziah inhales once, soft but sharp, before she leans forward, an invitation. Rei kisses her again, lower, and again lower still, just at the spot where smooth skin dips into the edge of the first scar.

“You said you weren’t used to this,” Rei murmurs against her, breath skimming down her damp back, raising goose pimples along her spine. “Do you want to get used to it?”

A moment, and then another, wrapped in silence and flickering candlelight, and Ziah sighs, turning her head slightly at last, just enough for Rei to catch the upward quirk of the corner of her mouth.

“Yes,” Ziah says quietly, “I think I would like that.”

Rei catches Ziah’s eye over her shoulder and grins, pressing another kiss to Ziah’s scarred, freckled, beautiful skin with a lovingly exaggerated mwah.

#the arcana #the arcana fic #katharayawrites #rei #ziah #other people's ocs #this is their second bath of the day and it's not even noon 😏 #whether they'll be needing a third one remains to be seen #and also partly depends on what time asra breaks down ziah's door looking for his missing housemate

[feminist-space]

"A new report from One Fair Wage surveyed 1,675 food service workers between Oct. 20 and Nov. 10 from five states, including New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Illinois, Pennsylvania, as well as Washington, D.C. The study found that not only are servers receiving piss-poor tips, they're also being harassed for enforcing social distancing and mask-wearing, NPR reports.

In some situations, food service workers endure “maskual harassment,” a disgusting new phenomenon in which restaurant-goers request the server remove their mask to gauge how much they should be tipped — which, if they comply, puts them at an increased risk of contracting the virus.

“We were really shocked with how horrific the situation truly is,” president of One Fair Wage, Saru Jayaraman said in an interview with Weekend Edition. “But I think the most horrific thing, that honestly all of us who are involved in the study were all blown away by, was the huge increase in hostility and sexual harassment.”

The study, titled “Take off your mask so I know how much to tip you,” found that more than 80% of food industry workers have seen a decline in tips, while 40% claim sexual harassment from customers has increased.

Additionally, 60% of workers who rely on tips say they're hesitant when it comes to enforcing pandemic protocols, like asking customers to remain masked when moving throughout the restaurant or maintain social distancing while dining, because they fear it could risk how much they are tipped or whether they'll be harassed as a result.

And it's not just harassment and tips that service industry professionals are concerned about.

The study also found that 44% of workers surveyed reported that “at least one or more of their co-workers” had contracted the virus, with 84% reporting “being within six feet of at least one person who is not wearing a mask” during each shift, and 33% claiming they're in dangerously close quarters with 30 or more maskless guests each shift. More than one-third of workers reported that “their employer had not conducted a mandatory training on COVID safety protocols,” and 70% of workers say their employers aren't consistent when following measures to keep guests and staff safe.

In September, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that adults who tested positive for the coronavirus were “twice as likely” to have dined at a restaurant two weeks before reporting symptoms. Michigan recently implemented a three-week ban on indoor dining, which also targeted social indoor gatherings ahead of Thanksgiving and also forced the closure of movie theaters and casinos, and also put a pause on in-person learning for high school and college students.

What the One Fair Wage study reveals most clearly is that those working in the service industry are scared. One solution proposed by the organization's president could put an end to workers feeling the need to coddle and cater to abusive customers because they're fearful they may not receive a decent tip.

“When you get a full wage from your boss, you don't have to put up with everything from the customers,” Jayaraman said.

In Michigan, tipped workers make $3.67 an hour.

Not all businesses are putting up with customers' rude behavior or negligence to respect COVID-19 protocol. In October, Matt Buskard, owner of casual gastropub chain Bobcat Bonnie's, took to Facebook to announce that they would refuse service to anyone who “swear at us, harass us, or refuse to follow some simple instructions mandated to us.”

“My staff work hard, and tirelessly, they don’t need to hear your thoughts on mask protections, and they don’t need to be called names because YOU refuse to follow some simple instructions,” Buskard wrote. “We are here to ensure EVERY single person who comes in has a great experience, but we will not do that at the detriment of our staff, or other guests around you.""

https://www.metrotimes.com/table-and-bar/archives/2020/12/07/the-worst-people-imaginable-are-dining-out-study-finds

[fatoomie2801]

his queen | kyoya tategami

💫 preview 💫

────────────────────

"How could they do such a terrible thing?" Kenta asked with concern laced in his voice, once they had made their way to the preparation room, Kiara carrying Yu in her arms before placing him gently on the wooden bench situated against the wall furthest from the door.

"I just don't get it," Madoka spoke. "Yu was one of their original members, wasn't he?"

"The Dark Nebula organisation will do anything to accomplish their goal," Yu weakly responded. "It doesn't matter whether you're an enemy or an ally. The losers, no matter who they are, are used as power for L-Drago. Even me. Luckily, I managed to escape. But because of that, Libra was badly damaged." Yu turned to look at his broken bey beside him, the result of a brutal battle with Reiji the previous night. "After all the tough battles we've been through together, I'm so sorry, Libra."

"I won't forgive them!" Kenta exclaimed angrily. "I will never forgive them for this! Never! I'll make them pay! They'll pay for what they did to Yu!"

"I appreciate it, Kenchi," Yu began. "But be careful, okay? Reiji is very strong. When I battled Reiji, I thought I had him cornered, but suddenly I found that I was the one with no way out. That's the first time I've ever been really scared and freaked out during a bey battle. All that guy wants to do is completely crush his opponent, and not only the bey. He tries to break the others' blader's spirit and drag them into a bottomless pit of fear and despair. That is not a bey battle. It isn't. I realised that after battling with Kiki and Gingky. A bey battle is the clash of two spirits. It's fun because both bladers give it their all to compete with each other." The boy paused momentarily, fear washing over his olive eyes as they shifted to meet Kenta's gaze. "Kenchi, listen. Watch out for Reiji's dark move. You cannot let yourself be swallowed up by fear."

"Okay," Kenta responded. "I've got it."

"And also." A faint smile formed on Yu's face. "Um. It's just, will you battle with me again sometime?"

"Of course I will," Kenta replied happily.

"Thank you, Kenchi!"

"Kenta," Madoka began. "It's almost time to go." Kenta nodded and began to make his way to the door.

"You guys go ahead," Kiara spoke. "I'll stay here with Yu."

"Wait, Kenchi," Yu uttered, getting up and running to Kenta. "Here." He placed Libra in his hands. "Take Libra with you. Okay, Kenchi? Show it how cool a great blader like you can be!"

"I understand. I'll appreciate your support. Let's fight together, Yu!" Kenta responded before leaving the room with the others. Yu took his place back on the bench beside Kiara to watch the battle which was being broadcast on the TV screen. The two of them had their eyes glued to the TV as the battle between Kenta and Reiji began. Both Sagittario and Serpent charged at each other, colliding with intense power, before Sagittario used the bank of the stadium to leap in the air and land behind its opponent, charging towards it in a counterattack. Reiji ordered his bey to move in a zig-zag pattern away from his opponent, however, Sagittario was able to closely follow it with the Eternal Sharp performance tip that Yu had given him.

"Yes!" Yu exclaimed, grasping Kiara's attention. "He's using Libra's performance tip!"

"The Eternal Sharp?" Kiara questioned, turning back to the TV to study Sagittario closely. "You're right!" she exclaimed, smiling proudly as she watched Kenta's bey chase Reiji's around the stadium. Kenta, you're a genius! Sagittario then clashed with Serpent in a barrage of attacks before using its special move, Flame Claw, and charging at Serpent from above, enveloped by roaring flames of fire. However, the move was immediately defeated by Serpent; the bey sent Sagittario crashing back into the stadium, breaking off one of the claws on its spin track as a result. The second and third claws were also broken off just as instantly, Kenta's heart shattering into a multitude of pieces as he helplessly watched his precious bey fall apart with his own eyes.

"No! Sagittario!" The bey retreated from its opponent, but its rotation was slow, allowing Serpent to race after it, catching up in an instant, before pushing it back to the edge of the stadium, sending both Kiara and Yu into a shock as they watched. Luckily, it was able to remain in the stadium with the help of Libra's performance tip. Seconds later, Serpent was seen attacking Sagittario continuously, breaking off pieces of its fusion wheel, before sending it flying in the air, attacking it from below and tossing it around mercilessly, just as Reiji had done in the battle with Hyoma.

"Kenta, no!" Kiara exclaimed. Yu's eyes widened in fear and anger, before he jumped off of the wooden bench and left the room.

"Yu, where are you going?" Kiara exclaimed, running after him.

"Kenchi needs me!" he responded, rushing down the hallway to the arena to support his friend. "Don't give up!" he began once he reached the arena, Kiara trailing behind him. "Don't do it, Kenchi! Don't get swallowed up by Reiji's darkness!"

"He acts like nothing happened," Reiji scoffed in annoyance.

"You can do it, Kenchi!" Yu yelled as he ran closer to Kenta, leaning against the steps for support. "I'm rooting for you! So show everyone how cool you are! Show me and Libra!"

"You can do it, Kenta!" Kiara encouraged. "I believe in you!" Sagittario charged at Serpent, deflecting its attack and sending it flying back against the walls of the stadium.

"Impossible!" Reiji growled, tugging at his hair in frustration. "How could there be that much power left in that broken excuse for a bey?"

"It's in its spirit," Kenta responded with a burning passion. "A true bey spins with its spirit. So, as long as its spirit isn't broken, Sagittario will continue to spin!" Kenta's bey charged at Reiji's with a multitude of collisions before flinging it across the stadium. Seconds later, a roaring wind filled the arena as Reiji began using his true strength. He ordered his bey to smash Sagittario and break it apart, instilling fear for Kenta in Kiara, Yu, and the others as they watched, horrified by the turn of events.

"Sagittario," Kenta shrieked. "Sagittario!"

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the rest of chapter 11 is available on wattpad:

#beyblade metal fight #beyblade #kyoya tategami #fanfic #gingka hagane #ryuga kishatu #tsubasa otori #yu tendo #kenta yumiya #madoka amano

[dfroza]

it is written to speak the truth in Love

which means in a world of great diversity to have respect for people who may see things differently, yet to be free to hold to the truth that the heart embraces and to share it without fear. and it may be difficult because we don’t always see eye-to-eye with others, with sexuality being an issue that greatly divides.

and biblically speaking there are clear moral guidelines revealed by the Scriptures that relate to sex and marriage with this being not man’s opinion since it is illuminated by the Spirit. and of course we each need to choose for ourselves what to personally believe while in this world, as we are free to do so, although truth doesn’t change.

and i write this because i noticed the article below from an email sent on friday which speaks upon this topic in a gentle way, yet still from a Christian standpoint that aligns with Scripture of which is clear. and knowing truth does matter. it is of eternal significance.

(to be sure)

Why Are So Many Millennial Christians Confused About Homosexuality?

11:00AM EST 12/13/2018

Michael Brown

How is it that the Bible can be so clear on a particular subject—in this case, the subject of homosexual practice—and yet some Christians are not clear on what the Bible says? And why does it seem that Millennials in particular are confused about the Bible and homosexuality?

Here are the main reasons, some positive (meaning, the intent might be good, even if the conclusion is wrong) and some negative (meaning, there are no good reasons for the wrong conclusions).

First, many Millennial Christians have friends or family members who identify as gay or lesbian.

These friends and loved ones are nice people, friendly people, decent people, hardworking people, loyal people. They are not sexual predators, and they seem perfectly normal in other respects.

Their relationships seem fairly similar to heterosexual relationships, and from what these friends and loved ones say, they were born this way.

How can it be a sin to be gay?

Second, some of these Millennials grew up in church environments where gays were demonized.

This only underscores the contrast between what their parents say and what the young people seem to be experiencing. Why, these Millennials wonder, should I believe what my parents say when they seemed to be so biased and even bigoted?

Third, many Millennials have a heart for justice.

They want to fight against tyranny and oppression. They want everyone to have a level playing field. In particular, they want to stand with people who are treated unfairly, who are rejected, who are stigmatized.

Who has been more stigmatized than gays (and others in the LGBT spectrum)?

Fourth, a significant percentage of Millennials come from broken homes, so they're not that excited about marriage in general and certainly do not see heterosexual marriage as particularly wonderful.

Why shouldn't gays have a shot at it too? Maybe, some Millennials think to themselves, they'll do better than my parents did.

Fifth, many Millennials equate the gospel with being nice, and it's not nice to hurt people's feelings.

If they say that homosexual practice is sinful, without a doubt, they will hurt their gay friends. How could Jesus want them to do that?

Sixth, many Millennials (who now call themselves "nones") have been burned by traditional religion.

They've seen so much hypocrisy and so little devotion and sincerity that they question "religious" dogma, including traditional teaching on sexuality.

These would be the "positive" reasons behind coming to wrong conclusions about homosexuality.

In response, I would note to each point that:

1) There are nice, hardworking, decent Muslims, atheists, Buddhists and others, yet, as followers of Jesus, we still believe they need Jesus. As for people being born gay, there remains no reputable scientific evidence that this is true. And even if it was true, Jesus tells us that we need to be born again. All of us are sinful by nature.

2) It's a terrible shame that the church sometimes demonized gays in the past. Let's not make the opposite error of denying what Scripture says about homosexual relationships.

3) It's great to fight for the underdog, but passion for justice can be shortsighted when it forgets about other, even larger issues, such as God's intent for marriage or how LGBT activism is the principle threat to our freedoms of conscience, speech and religion. Let's not undermine important societal foundations while treating others with love and respect.

4) The solution to broken homes is not to redefine marriage but to rediscover the sacred nature of marriage, which includes lifelong, loving, sacrificial relationships made before God and kept before God.

5) It's wonderful to be nice, but not at the expense of telling the truth. It may sound nice, but it is hardly loving.

6) People in churches may fail, but Jesus remains true, and His Word remains unchanging.

Here are the main "negative" reasons many Millennials come to the wrong conclusions about homosexuality.

The first is scriptural ignorance.

There is an incredible lack of Bible knowledge in the American church today, in particular among Millennials. We can debate whether this is the fault of their parents, their churches, themselves or simply the result of growing up in a digital, soundbite world.

Whatever the cause, there can be little debate that some of the most fundamental truths are hardly known today and that basic questions about the Bible mystify all too many.

Things that were taken for granted in past generations cannot be taken for granted today. We must get back to the Word!

The second factor is moral relativity.

These young people have been raised in an environment where everything is relative—and I don't just mean morality.

There is relative truth, as in "your truth" and "my truth."

There is even relative reality, as in, "I identify as part human, part parrot." Or, "I identify as black even though my skin is white."

The school systems have bought into this deception and have made it part of their sacred gospel. No wonder those who have been raised in this educational malaise have become so deeply confused. (And on the university level, it's far, far more aggressive and anti-God.)

We must therefore emphasize moral absolutes, truth absolutes and reality absolutes. And again, we do this by being grounded in divine morality and reality. We do this by being grounded in the truth.

So, let the old and the young get together, learn together and speak with one mind to the LGBT community. That's the least we can do for these men and women for whom Jesus died.

Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Donald Trump Is Not My Savior. Connect with him on Facebook or Twitter, or YouTube.