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vipier · 1 month

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padawan to jedi to clone war general to inquisitor au timeline:

45 BBY: tristan patel is born.

42 BBY: the jedi order comes to his birth family’s door after discovering that he is force sensitive. tristan’s biological father is eager to let his troublesome child go with the help of a few credits.

41 - 33 BBY: as a jedi initiate, tristan is trained in cobra clan with a group of approximately 20 other students in the ways of the force. he struggles maintaining his emotions, which causes concern for several of the jedi masters. however, he possesses enough power and raw talent, and demonstrates enough progress, that he is permitted to continue.

33 BBY: tristan participates in the initiate trials and catches the eye of master seneca kappel, who takes him on as his padawan.

33 BBY - 23 BBY: tristan remains master seneca’s padawan. his master is a bit more “ hands-off ” in his training than most masters with their padawans — but, regardless, always seems to know what tristan has been up to, so there’s at least an understanding from tris that he’s being watched most of the time he isn’t directly at his master’s side. not that this improves his behavior ; if anything, he acts out in subtle ways, including eventually beginning an arguably reckless romantic entanglement with naval academy student and eventual senator’s aide cassian jeron andor, of which his master vocally disapproves but somehow still tolerates.

23 BBY: master seneca finally permits tristan to complete his jedi trials and takes him to the jedi temple on lothal to do so. despite struggling immensely with three of the nine steps — namely teamwork, anger, and forgiveness — tristan ultimately passes the trials and is knighted, just in time to see the galaxy descend into chaos the following year when the clone wars begin.

22 BBY: as a fully fledged jedi knight, tristan is made a general and placed in charge of his own troops, despite his misgivings. he struggles tremendously with leadership, and at times, his men doubt him. he seeks the counsel of his master, but finds far greater assistance in the advice of his secret lover, now a naval captain with a born knack for command and attracting loyalty. gradually, his leadership improves, and although he knows he will never be any truly great leader, his men begin to trust him more.

22 - 19 BBY: tristan and his men fight through the duration of the clone wars, often alongside captain andor’s troops, and all the while, he yearns for a swift end to the war, gradually disenchanted with battle and republic rhetoric and the orders issued by the jedi council. in his weaker moments, he asks his lover to run away with him, knowing they’d never make it without being executed as defectors — and knowing he would never agree.

19 BBY: tristan receives a visit from his old master while stationed with his troops on kashyyyk. master seneca confirms reports that general kenobi has gone to engage general grievous on utapau and that the war will soon come to a close. he also informs tris that captain andor has been revealed as a separatist and traitor, and that he expects tristan to arrest or, if necessary, kill him, because he's the one person who might be able to get close enough to do so. tristan first refuses to believe this information, then patently refuses to complete the task whether or not the information is true. the argument escalates until both men simultaneously sense a vast disturbance in the force. unbeknownst to both of them, order 66 has begun, and within moments, tristan's clone forces have turned on them. master seneca see his chance and abandons his former padawan without a glance back. it is only by a stroke of the most unlikely fate that tristan manages to escape with only the clothes on his back, his lightsaber, and a number of nasty blaster burns. although he is unable to piece together what actually happened until weeks later, he knows he is on the run. in reality, through all official channels, jedi general tristan patel is presumed dead.

19 - 17 BBY: he is a fugitive with no friends and no resources, merely surviving, flying under the radar and terrified to reveal even a fraction of his identity for fear of being discovered by vader and his inquisitors. he managed to flee kashyyyk to the outer rim and inhabits mostly desolate planets, foraging for most of his food, and trying to stifle his connection to the force as much as possible for fear of being discovered. he has surmised that the few allies he may have had, including captain andor, are dead.

17 - 16 BBY: tristan's greatest fear is realized and he is captured by lord vader's inquisitors on the outer rim planet of vaal in the gordian reach, where he had made a temporary home for himself in a remote area of the vast savannah there. after a fight, and despite expecting death, he was taken to the fortress inquisitorius, where he spent the next year incarcerated. throughout this time, the inquisitors, purge troopers, and some empire scientists interrogated, tortured, and performed experiments on him in a calculated effort to break his will. while tris finds himself tormented and hopeless during this time, the most prevalent emotion is rage. eventually, he realizes that he can use this rage to make it appear as though he's fallen completely to the dark side - which he does successfully.

16 BBY - 4 ABY: tristan becomes a full inquisitor, the eleventh brother, and for the next twenty years of his life, must hide in the lion's den, shielded from detection amongst his own ranks of force users by his unpredictable anger, which effectively eclipses his intentions of revenge and sabotage of the empire after having everything taken from him. unfortunately, this gamble of his opens a dangerous door that leads him down the path of actively fighting descent to the dark side as he balances the use of his rage for his own protection and the protection of the eventual rebel networks to which he feeds information, and attempts to pull himself away from the precipice of being consumed by darkness completely. throughout this time, he probably saves hundreds or thousands of lives - but is also forced to do countless things he never wanted to, all of which pull him further toward an edge from which he fears he can never return.

TIMELINE BETWEEN 16 BBY AND 4 ABY UNDER THE CUT:

15 BBY - 6 BBY: tristan successfully makes contact with two different rebel forces: saw gerrera's partisans and bail organa's resistance network. he uses the alias of viper to send the appropriate information to each faction, namely assisting gerrera's partisans in identifying the most effective times and places for empire sabotage and delivering the names of force sensitive and other vulnerable individuals, as well as potential spies, to organa's network for rescue or recruitment. for almost a decade, he manages to ferry information under the radar. nobody suspects on either side that the eleventh brother could possibly be this rebel informant, whose valuable information leads his moniker to be whispered with increasing frequency among those who would align themselves with rebel cells.

6 BBY - 2 BBY: saw gerrera becomes increasingly paranoid, including developing suspicion for the individual calling himself viper, especially after nine years of refusing to reveal himself. through saw, tristan is able to make contact with luthen rael, who agrees to assume any risk associated with the anonymous informant. tristan spends the next four years in contact with luthen and his associate kleya marki to deliver sensitive information.

2 BBY - 4 ABY: the rebel alliance in its final form finally comes to fruition. for convenience, tristan's viper reports siphon their way solely through rebel intelligence via general davits draven, rather than both through luthen and bail organa's contact, for approximately the first year after the alliance's official formation. in 1 BBY, however, when cassian andor commits to the rebellion after years of chaotic and dangerous solo work, apparently with a new resolve and commitment, viper transmits that he with only communicate with andor moving forward. while a bit baffling to rebel high command - and a bit of a hit to general draven's ego, to lose exclusive access to a vital informant - the rebellion allows this. the reality is that tristan discovered cassian's survival many years before, when he was captured by the eleventh brother's purge trooper squadron. without explanation, tristan let him go and has been monitoring him and protecting him as best he can since without revealing his own identity, for fear other inquisitors - or force forbid, lord vader - might sense the shift or andor might be discovered and killed. sometime in 2 BBY, a course of events forced his identity to be revealed to his former lover and they were reunited under dangerous circumstances. tristan urged cassian to commit to the rebellion, to help him, and for the next five years, cassian becomes his " handler, " with nobody else the wiser that viper is, in fact, the eleventh brother.

4 ABY: after the conclusion of the battle of endor, the rebels storm the fortress inquisitorius. tristan, already fighting what feels like a losing battle within himself with the dark side, attempts to flee - not out of cowardice but out of fear he will destroy the entire invading squadron if they attack. he finds himself cornered, unable to explain himself to a group of reactive and distrustful rebels who've just faced a number of his supposed brethren, all prepared to kill them all. with blasters trained on him, the air pressure crackling around them as tristan attempts to control his power made vast by his constant and purposeful fostering of hate, it all nearly comes to a head before captain andor intervenes and dispurses the troops as he pulls tristan back from the brink. tristan, overwhelmed and drained, collapses and is brought back to rebel headquarters, where he remains in a bacta tank for a week. he wakes in a panic, exploding the bacta tank and setting off a number of alarms, after which that particular medbay is evacuated, save for tristan himself, a number of medical droids, and captain andor, who refuses to leave. it takes a number of weeks for tristan to even partially recover, and by the time he is debriefed, pardoned, given his accolades for his service, and discharged, he still walks with a cane. with cassian, he leaves as soon as he's able for a remote forested planet on the outer rim, where cass has a house waiting for them to return to.

FOLLOWING 4 ABY: tristan sheds the title of both jedi and inquisitor. he suffers deeply from night terrors and struggles with remants of the dark side rising to the surface which remain persistant for years, but begin to dissipate, even though they never fully go away. to heal himself, he focuses hard on removing the rage, on building a home with his lover, cultivating hobbies, discovering a life after four and a half decades of war and use by others. eventually, after spending a significant amount of time isolated in nature, he begins to repair his relationship with the force on his own terms, without the tie of any particular label. to his delight, he's able to pull the corruption from the kyber crystal which powers his lightsaber, turning it back from red to its original yellow. he's little interest in the politics of the new republic, but very occasionally, he's sought after for advice relating to his knowledge of the empire as well as his knowledge of the force. he also becomes useful to the small community on his planet for the deep connection he develops with the forest, which proves a boon for the farmers, loggers, and ranchers in the area.

#EVERYONE APPLAUD THIS TOOK ME SOOOO LONG #this is a heavily featured moss post to nobody's surprise #but this is one of my better verses i've written if i do say so myself #life to life. soul to soul. you pull me from the dark with this single thread of gold. ( star wars arc ii )

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lovingcollectiveguidance · 2 months

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Zodiac Element Collective Reading - Where You Are On Your Journey

Hii for my first readings on my blog I want to provide guidance for each zodiac sign based on what the Divine wanted you to know about where you are right now on your journey and where you’re headed. Enjoy!

Fire Signs🔥

Fire signs I see you have been truly on a good path. Spirit wants you to know that you are flowing and allowing and this is creating your desires and amplifying your manifestations. I’m seeing you in your power and really living the lessons you’ve learned and been taught from the people around you. You may be noticing synchronicities more at this time, so know that they are illuminating your path and confirming that you are on the right path. For those of you that are religious or just committed to something or someone I see that more happiness can enter your life if you change your perception and certain limiting or rigid beliefs about yourself or others. This is about the heart chakra, Fire signs. It will amplify your manifestations even more if your heart chakra is activated, working in harmony with your Solar Plexus. Yes have your values, but remember and honor the feeling that comes from those values. For those with partners I see a marriage/proposal on the way and for singles I see a dating period that will be very short and quickly evolve into engagement and marriage. For those already married loosen up your grip on your expectations and have more fun, you’ll greatly benefit from it. I’m feelings like a lot of you already knew this and this message is just confirmation because your spirit team has really been speaking to you. If you feel like you’ve been receiving divine guidance and protection this is confirmation that you have. If you see butterflies your spirit team wants you to know that is a reminder of their presence.

Messages from the Rune ᛗ Mannaz: The Self

The starting point is the self. Its essence is water. Only clarity, willingness to change, is effective now. A correct relationship to your self is primary, for from it flow all possible right relationships with others and with the Divine. Remain modest—that is the Oracle's counsel . Regardless of how great may be your merit, be yielding, devoted and moderate, for then you have a true direction for your life. Be in the world but not of it. And yet do not be closed, narrow, or judging; rather, remain receptive to impulses flowing from the Divine within and with-out. Strive to live the ordinary life in a nonordinary way.

Remember at all times what is coming to be and passing away, and focus on that which abides. Nothing less is called for from you now. This is a time of major growth and rectification and, as a rule, rectification must come before progress. The field is tilled before the seed is planted, the garden is weeded before the flower blooms, and the self must know stillness before it can discover its true song.Instead of seeking credit for accomplishments or focusing on results, be content to do your task for the task's sake. Herein lies the secret of experiencing a true present.

If you take the Rune of the Self and cut it down the middle, you will see the Rune for Joy with its mirror image. There is here a subtle caution against carelessness. The Self is required to balance the self. Nothing in excess was the second phrase written over the gateway to the temple at Delphi. The first counsel was Know thyself.”

Earth Signs🌲

Earth Signs I’m seeing you all have been joyful, hopeful, and open minded. You may feel like you’ve been ascending or upgrading energetically, this is confirmation. If you’ve had spiritual experiences recently, deep meditations, or very vivid dreams I see this is amplifying your awakening and awareness of your own vastness and creative potential as a Being. You’re in your divine feminine energy and this means you are experiencing the natural flow and growth of the self. You could be nurturing yourself a lot more at this time and getting more into aesthetics, comforts, and luxury. With all this positivity however I do see negative thoughts or situations that may be affecting you at this time and potentially either scaring you or giving you a flux of emotions such as impatience, powerlessness, and anger. The universe wants you to know that it loves you despite all of that so even in those moments don’t allow those “tricks” to lead you astray, you are still Ascending. You may meet a soulmate soon as you continue on this ascension path or you already have and this relationship will ascend to something more serious and purposeful. There’s a lot of chemistry between you and this person, they could be a leader of some kind that enjoys talking or leads a group involved in discussions. If you don’t already know this person you could meet them within the next couple of months or during Pisces or Virgo season or this is when the relationship will most develop. They could also be a Pisces or Virgo and live on or near the West Coast. This person is very goofy, I see that both of you are actually and this is going to add to the chemistry. They or you may have abandonment issues, this is just a message I’m getting for confirmation purposes. Another message I’m getting is when things get hard and you feel the impulse to isolate, you may do so, but do not allow it to carry on for long. Self isolation could be a way of tricking yourself into believing you can heal more effectively but that is not the case. The world’s challenges teach us a lot so they are necessary, being uncomfortable is necessary. Happiness, stability, new experiences, new love, and creativity are all present in your future.

Messages from Rune ᛞ Dagaz - Breakthrough, Tranformation

“Here is the final Rune belonging to the Cycle of Initiation. Drawing Dagaz often signals a major shift or breakthrough in the process of self-change, a complete transformation in attitude, a 180-degree turn. For some, the transition is so radical that they are no longer able to live the ordinary life in the ordinary way.

Because the timing is right, the outcome is assured although not, from the present vantage point, predictable. In each life there comes at least one moment which, if recognized and seized, transforms the course of that life forever. Rely, therefore, on radical trust, even though the moment may call for you to leap empty-handed into the void. With this Rune your Warrior Nature reveals itself.

A major period of achievement and prosperity is often introduced by this Rune. The darkness is behind you, daylight has come. Nevertheless, you are reminded not to collapse yourself into thoughts for the future or behave recklessly in your new situation.

Considerable hard work can be involved in a time of transformation. Undertake to do it joyfully.”

Air Signs🌬️

Air signs the message I’m receiving is one of relationships, friendships, and alignment and their role on your journey. You have freedom regardless of what you may tell yourself. You have options, you have opportunities, and you have choice. In the past you may have chosen people or groups that did not serve you or your highest potential. Maybe you felt alone in the crowd or simply misunderstood and if you have separated yourself from these individuals then you will see reward; if not, you will also see the result of that choice to stick around groups and people that aren’t for you. We’ve all heard from our elders that we are the company that we keep or birds of a feather flock together. It is up to us to implement this advice and take advantage of positive connections to benefit every area of our life. You are the artist and life is your canvas, if you want a prettier picture, make wiser decisions. In the future I see meditation, contemplation, and the necessary time for you to make a decision on something, separate yourself from something, or overcome some hardship and you will be joyful. You could benefit from listening to solar plexus frequencies especially if you have been emotional. A lot of you reading this could be an Aquarius or you just feel very unique and different, if there are any limiting beliefs surrounding inability to find your crowd, nurture yourself with more positive thinking. If you’re young but have heard that you are wise beyond your years you may find you resonate more with people older than you.

Messages from Rune ᚹ Wunjo - Light, Joy

“This Rune is a fruit-bearing branch. The term of travail is ended and you have come to yourself in some regard. The shift that was due has occurred; now you can freely receive Wunjo's blessings, whether they be in material gain, in your emotional life or in a heightened sense of your own well-being. This is an alchemical moment in which understanding is transmuted from knowledge. The knowledge itself was a necessary but not sufficient condition; now you can rejoice, having been carried across the gap by the Will of Heaven.

Joyousness accompanies new energy, energy blocked before now. Light pierces the clouds and touches the waters just as something lovely emerges from the depths: The soul is illuminated from within, at the meeting place of Heaven and Earth, the meeting of the waters.

There is a new carity which may call for you to renounce existing plans, ambitions, goals. It is proper and timely for you to do so, for Wunjo is a Rune of restoration, of the self properly aligned with the Self.”

Water Signs🌊

Water signs, I’m seeing a struggle here in your past regarding connection. I’m seeing arrogance, selfishness, and isolation. Before you get upset with me hear me out, we all have beliefs or thoughts sometimes that are not the most positive toward our terrestrial brothers and sisters. I’m not saying that you are a bad person, in fact I’m seeing the exact opposite, a good person that wants to heal their not so good ways for the sake of others because you are recognizing yourself in others and recognizing the gifts that connection can provide to you. I feel that you are very protective over yourself. Spirit recognizes your humility and the effort you’re putting in towards Love. Practice makes perfect, and with each new experience you are gaining more and more understanding of others as well as yourself. I see you Water signs in the future really humbling yourselves and moderating that ego to fully receive the abundance and gifts of the universe. There is something or someone on the way towards you to offer you assistance and help. I’m seeing a battle between introversion and extroversion, this may be where you need to create some balance to be sure not to isolate yourself or become too rigid. I see you putting a firm end to acting solely based on self interest and preservation. You are now acting on the basis of humility and unconditional love. So where is this leading you, water signs? What does this inspire you to do? Whatever it may be this is confirmation to trust it. If you were thinking about donating something to charity, donating your time to volunteer, or anything that speaks to your humanitarian heart follow that feeling and ACT. You will be rewarded, provided for, and protected.

Message from Rune ᚲ Kano : Opening , Fire, Torch

“This is the Rune of Opening and renewed clarity, of dispelling the darkness that has been shrouding some part of your life. You are free now both to receive gifts and to know the joy of non-attached giving. Kano is the Rune for the morning of activities, for seriousness, clear intent and concentration, all of which are essential at the beginning of any endeavor. One of the thirteen Cycle Runes, the protection offered by Kano is this: The more light you have, the better you can see what is trivial and outmoded in your own conditioning.

In relationships, there can now be a mutual opening up which you may trigger and set in motion through your awareness that the light of understanding is once again available to you both. Recognize that while on the one hand you are limited and dependent, on the other you exist at the perfect center where the harmonious and beneficent forces of the universe merge and radiate. You are that center. Simply put, if you have been operating in the dark, there is now enough light to see that the patient on the operating table is yourself.”

#tarot #channeled message #collective reading #zodiac reading #zodiac #tarot reading #fire signs #earth signs #air signs #water signs #self growth #healing

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jeeourney · 3 months

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GUESS WHAT... I THINK I DID IT!!!

It has been so long since I have posted here. I started this blogging so that I can share my thoughts (truest thoughts) of how I feel during this journey of preparing for the JEE exam and its aftereffects. If you see my previous post, it would have sounded depressing as hell. But I am here to update you on my life. And this is going to be LOOONNGGG. so hold yourself up till the end.

So I give my JEE Advanced and when I calculate my score, it is known to be below par. Poor enough to make me forget my IIT dreams. The counseling starts, and I get production engineering from NIT, CALICUT. It is decent but not what I wanted to get. At this point, I lost HOPE in everything. Literally everything. I used to pray to god like crazy but then I didn't bother to pray at all. I thought I was not going to college this year. I will study for one whole year again to give JEE the next year. To see my friends get into the nicest colleges, I felt really really LOST (I am being real).

Though my parents were disappointed, they were still trying to boost my morale. They took me to a temple and I did some rituals and poojas but with literally NO HOPE. Every night I cried about how much of a fool I was on this journey to have wasted my potential.

But then one evening, I think I was watching a series or something. Maybe B99 (which u guys should definitely watch). My parents came rushing through my door only to say " YOU GOT INTO NTU." (In case you're wondering, NTU is in Singapore and is one of the finest universities in Asia). My mind just .... it just FROZE. I didn't know how to react. My mom was crying and my dad... shit even my dad was tearing up. I have never seen him that emotional in my life. But in front of my parents, I just didn't feel like expressing anything. I just acted like KAY, IT AINT A BIG THING. But it really is a HUGE thing for me. I just waited for their emotions to settle, I went into my room and took my laptop to search the god's name to whom I did the ritual and started praying and crying. At that point, I just gave god the credit for my acceptance.

YES. I got into NTU. Hell, I even completed my first semester here at NTU. Oh well, I am studying MECHANICAL ENGINEERING with a second major in DATA ANALYTICS. I think this is my happy place. I just want to say one final thing. Time is the biggest problem as well as the biggest solution (at times the ONLY SOLUTION) in a lot of scenarios. Either you use it or you wait for it to use you. In my case, I failed to use but it used me when it wanted to. It may not be such a big accomplishment for many, but for a guy who let down his parents, who thought he wouldn't go to college that year, who basically lost interest in life cuz his dreams went down the drain... I should say that the guy is HAPPY right now ( I am the guy if you're wondering who).

From here on, I will try to post frequently. and it may not be about JEE every time, but my name still wud be JEEOURNEY, cuz that's where it all started!!!

#iit jee #jee #jeemain #studies #ntu #happy place #relief #update

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forevershiningshinee · 11 months

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[Trans] SHINee official twitter update - D-6 ❔❔❔ 230519

Q: 🩵15년 전, 데뷔 전날 밤의 자신을 만난다면 어떤 말을 해주고 싶나요?

Trans: If you were to meet yourself 15 years ago, a night before you debut what would you say to yourself?

Onew: So nervous!!take a clear mind pill! Minho: don's think so much just rest. Key: There's no difference to eat or not to eat so let's eat~ Taemin: this is the best choice of your life

Q: 🩵나를 샤이니 노래로 표현한다면? Trans: Use a song of SHINee to describe myself:

Trans: Taem: I want to decide song for Hyung's too.

Onew: Wish upon a star Key: Lucifer Minho : woof woof

Q:🩵샤이니가 아이돌로 데뷔하지 않았다면 어떤 직업을 가졌을까요? Trans: If SHINee isn't idol what occupation would they be?

Onew- Artist Key- soccer player Minho - Florist Taemin - architect

Onew: Temple Restaurant Owner Key: The Dean of College Counseling entrance exam Minho: Manual Therapist Taemin: Stationery store owner who loses money every month

Onew: Car Dealer Key: Director of Kpop dance academy Minho: Pro golfer Taemin: Shopping Mall employer

Onew - Vocal Trainer Key - Fashion Designer Minho - Golf Player Taemin- Pianist

Credit: SHINee Trans: Forever_SHINee (May contain error not 100% accurate)

#Pre_SHINee_Week #샤이니 #SHINee #ONEW #JONGHYUN #KEY #MINHO #TAEMIN

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royalmedani · 1 year

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The Comi of Apricus (part one)

Ever since the great split between Apricus and Fideli roughly 200 years ago the ruling houses of Apricus have remained some of the most stable in the isles. Or rather, lacked the infighting a lot of the other nobili families across the isles display. This is usually credited to the fact that the oldest child of the current head of the family is always legally assumed to be the heir at birth instead of the normal electoral system seen in other great Sorori families. It has its drawbacks as it can be very hard to challenge an heir that may not be suitable for the job.

As for their actual powers, they are considered a mouthpiece and protector for their territory. They do not get a hereditary seat in their parliament, instead they have a counsel that is more of an advisory committee for the "civilian” government. They are also expected to use whatever wealth generation they get from their production deals with the temple system to support social programs within their territories (which is the same in Viridis). There’s probably more to this I’m forgetting but this is enough. Anyway, let’s meet these folks.

Crown Prince Esai Arman Ramone Aguilar Medani, Comi of Aurori

So yeah you know this guy. The Crown Prince of Apricus is usually invested as Comi of Aurori as soon as they reach their majority. It’s supposed to help them get used to holding a ceremonial office under the close eye of the other heads of house and the monarch. At 28 years old Esai has held the position now for about 11 years and his term is considered to be generally unremarkable (partially because his grandma and older members of the counsel think his ideas are a bit extreme).

Maxima Edassi, Comi of Silvestri

Xima came to her position as comi two years ago after the death of her father. Before that happened there were a number of rumors that she and Esai were going to eventually go under contract and her sister would end up inheriting the seat instead but that never came to pass. Before taking her position, she studied ecology at the International School in Viridis and now spends most of her time working to strengthen the protections on her sections of the Aprici Wildlands.

Livan “Van” Violeti, Comi of Margarilla

The hereditary “Lord of Pearls” is easily one of the most influential leaders in the country. His family not only controls the majority of the chain’s main high luxury export - pearls, but also the multimedia company known as The Deluge Network. Pretty much all news media, print, digital, or televised goes through this company in some way. Diluvio (the main newspaper), and Diluvinunci! (a daily news program) are directly and openly funded by him but Salve Sorori receives support through back door funding. He is rumored to be the richest man in the isles but as a lot of his holdings are private no one knows for sure. On top of all this he is very close with the Queen, his wife Cira (lovingly called “Queen of Pearls” by the media) is one of her many noble companions, and their three daughters (including Onora) grew up in Esai’s highly cultivated childhood circle.

Since these guys have a lot going on I’m stopping here so this won’t be overwhelming. There are four more but they have less story behind them so it probably won’t be as long.

#ts4 #the sims 4 #ts4 royal simblr #SIWorldbuilding #SIApricus #EsaiMedani #MaximaEdassi #VanVioleti #I kinda couldn't help but share his ridiculous full name here lol

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meret118 · 1 year

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Two New England farms, Indian Line Farm in Massachusetts and Temple-Wilton Community Farm in New Hampshire, have widely been credited with starting the CSA movement in America, said to have been inspired by European agricultural traditions. The farms—one white-owned and one member-owned—implemented their first farm share programs in 1986.

But the story of the CSA model actually begins decades earlier, in the 1960s and ‘70s, with a man named Booker T. Whatley. A Black horticulturist and agricultural professor at Tuskegee University in Alabama (where he followed in the footsteps of George Washington Carver), Whatley was an advocate for regenerative agriculture, among other environmentalist practices. At the height of the civil rights movement, Whatley began counseling the Black farmers who were deeply engaged in that struggle.

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britcision · 2 years

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HOWDY FUCKERS, I’m supposed to be up for a doctor’s appointment in 7 hours but crohns does not care for my mortal schedule so I’m gonna tell you about CHATSMONT!

One of my party accidentally robbed one of his hoards last session, so he’s about to become Super Relevant 😈

Chatsmont is ~technically~ the ruler of Luach, magical hub of the continent and until 20 years ago the capital of a Feywild empire in the prime material plane, but more correctly…

Yeah Luach is his hoard

Not the specific people as such, because Chatsmont doesn’t hoard people (or paltry things like money); Chatsmont is an ancient silver dragon. He hoards the finer things in life, like art and culture

He owns the library, the university, a butterfly garden, and a gallery outright (but not the theatre because the fey still own some of the theatre)

Chatsmont has no interest in ruling or the minutia of running a city, but because he can make his opinions known via bbq he is officially the leader of the city counsel and all important decisions are made in his presence

Not with his attention, because he’s usually distracted by something much more important/interesting, like if his butterfly garden already has the precise species of beetle crawling up the windowsill, but he’s in the room in case he has an opinion

This greatly vexes every other member of the counsel but most particularly the high warlock, who’s been in power since the fey ran the city and therefore dealt with Chatsmont the longest

Of course, Chatsmont doesn’t want it to be known that he’s an ancient dragon! People get all kinds of silly ideas about breaking into his house, him sleeping on a hoard of gold, expecting him to solve their problems for them

So he usually goes about in an elven disguise, and everyone very politely pretends not to notice

Because Chatsmont… Chatsmont has 2 very firm beliefs about his humanoid disguises, which do change from time to time

These are:

1) that he is incredibly clever and subtle and there’s simply no way anyone would guess he’s anything but an innocent elf

And 2) that he is incredibly fashionable

And the most important thing about his character is that he is wrong on both counts

Chatsmont has heard Tan France talk about having a single statement piece and forming an outfit around it

And then he said “ah, but because I am so rich and clever, I can afford LOTS of statement pieces, so clearly it would be much better to WEAR THEM ALL AT ONCE.”

He also favours rich, coppery and rather reptilian skin tones, because who would EVER suspect him of being a silver dragon if he looks like he might be an extremely aesthetic lizardfolk? (Yes in an elven body in all other ways, he’s old not smart)

Anyone who sees him will suspect, because you see, Chatsmont has a short attention span

He has so much fun picking his outfits that focusing on the actual transformation is just so much less interesting, so the tips of his fingers, his ears, and his hairline are all covered in silver scales

Occasionally he’ll just leave his horns poking through his hair or a bit of tail

Pointing these out will offend him though so you’ve just gotta pretend you can’t see them

(Yeah the coppery skin tones are 100% to highlight those silver scales because I really need y’all to understand He Is Not Smart)

(And to keep a nice shiny consistency because that pleases me aesthetically)

But yeah, one of the rogues found a piece of information he did not like in one of the library books last session, so he’s ripped out and stolen the page

The library, like Chatsmont, is gaudy as hell, over the top, and covered in dragon imagery (no he does not think people will notice, and clearly the rogue didn’t so I guess he gets credit for that)

The library also functions as a minor temple to the Archeart, because they’re nerds and so is Chatsmont and they understand his books

I’m so excited to finally get this fucking foppish bastard man into the campaign I’ve been wanting it for months I love him so much 🥹

Chatsmont is a demiromantic moronosexual who thinks he’s sapiosexual because his taste is simply dreadful and he likes when other people agree with him

#dnd npc #queer dnd #dnd homebrew #fuck i have so many good dragons #chatsmont the wonder dandy #i can make a himbo nerd if I want to he’s still dumb of ass #this is not one of the party’s romance dragons #he is in fact Banned from his only planned romance #one of the party’s brother’s is not allowed on the same continent for fear that they’ll find each other #they are my OTP

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betshy · 17 days

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The Wisdom of King Solomon's Legacy

King Solomon, the son of King David, is one of the most well-known figures in biblical history. Known for his wisdom and wealth, he is often credited with building the first temple in Jerusalem and establishing a peaceful and prosperous kingdom. But what is King Solomon's legacy and how does it continue to influence us today? King Solomon's wisdom extended beyond resolving disputes. His reputation for astute judgement attracted people from far and wide, seeking his counsel on a wide array of matters. According to biblical accounts, Solomon's wisdom was not limited to the realm of human affairs; he was also known for his deep understanding of natural phenomena and his ability to interpret dreams and riddles. This multifaceted wisdom contributed to his enduring legacy as a figure of great insight and discernment. Moreover, Solomon's wisdom was often attributed to divine favor, and his renowned proverbs and writings continue to influence and inspire individuals to this day. Furthermore, Solomon's wealth and prosperity are also part of his legacy. During his reign, Israel was a flourishing nation that enjoyed economic stability and success. This legacy of abundance is often associated with Solomon's commitment to God and his dedication to building the temple in Jerusalem, a symbol of spiritual devotion and national pride. In addition to his material wealth, Solomon is also known for his wisdom, as depicted in the biblical account of his judgement when faced with the dilemma of the two women claiming the same baby. His reputation for wisdom and fairness contributed to the overall prosperity and stability of the kingdom during his rule. The combination of economic success, spiritual devotion, and wisdom makes Solomon's legacy a multifaceted and enduring one, continuing to inspire and intrigue scholars and believers alike for generations to come. The wisdom and teachings of King Solomon continue to resonate with people across generations because of their timeless relevance. In the Book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, Solomon emphasises the importance of pursuing knowledge and understanding, offering profound insights into various aspects of life, love, and the human experience. His teachings on wisdom, righteousness, and the fear of God provide invaluable guidance to those who seek to lead a life rooted in faith and moral principles. Through his enduring legacy, Solomon's words continue to inspire individuals on their journey of spiritual and personal growth, serving as a source of wisdom and moral compass in navigating the complexities of life. In conclusion, King Solomon's legacy is a rich tapestry of wisdom, wealth, and spiritual insight that continues to resonate with believers and scholars around the world. His example serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking knowledge, practising discernment, and above all, staying faithful to God. As we reflect on King Solomon's life and teachings, may we continue to be inspired by his legacy and strive to emulate his wisdom and devotion in our own lives. Read the full article

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dodsonsonne17 · 23 days

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Bike Rental Shops In Hanoi And Ho Chi Minh City

When making your Vietnam travel plans be likely to include at least a variety of these spots. Fast forward now four decades and weeks. The nearest mainland cities are Ha Tien and Rach Gia. Ho Chi Minh City in south Vietnam will lie upon the Saigon River north of the Mekong River delta. Ad units French colonial city, you will find over 5 million, is a bustling modern metropolis where travellers inside the historic sites and architecture and marvel at the intricacies of local Vietnamese handicraft. View More: topthaibinhaz.com - Top Thai Binh AZ Reviewed by Team Leader in Top Thai Binh AZ: Trương Tuấn Anh - Truong Tuan Anh Granted, a few obvious methods conflicts in between Vietnamese government and some religious leaders who intercede in national healthcare. I don't conscious of details of people conflicts but I'd venture to say they involve only a smaller minority of religious people today. In the past, certainly there's been severe religious persecution in Vietnam, but everything has changed an awful lot. The official government line is that religion is free and accessible to all, and that i haven't seen anything various kinds of. Billiards is really a style of pool that uses a 5'x10' pool table with no pockets, and three pool balls. Two cue balls and one red ball are always in play. Just one of the cue balls will be either spotted or of a yellow color to differentiate them from each . One cue ball belongs to each player, and they usually may only shoot from their own softball.

View More: topthaibinhaz.com - Top Thai Binh AZ Reviewed by Team Leader in Top Thai Binh AZ: Trương Tuấn Anh - Truong Tuan Anh

If there the actual reason why you plan a tour to Vietnam, it should be the natural and historical beauty of the nation. Other than the magnificent scenery of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam is also the hula , old temples and other historic attractions. There are just plenty of options, which is the reason why planning ahead before your trip and doing a research is important to ensure a memorable and exciting travel in this Asian destination. How are we able to finish strong in 2009 and annually? We have for you to become fit physically, mentally and emotionally. I really believe there will not be failure except in giving up smoking and frequently give up because belonging to the lack of fitness inside a of these areas. Since body, soul and spirit are intimately intertwined and function as one, the deficit of fitness 1 area can paralyze and hinder us from ever fulfilling our maximum potential in serving God's reasons. There are a lot of more ATMs than there used to be this nation, which is the reason using a prepaid debit card carryout a money transfer to Vietnam could act as a good tip. You can withdraw cash from ATMs before you go out shopping, since you need cash when you bargain. You may choose using the prepaid debit card as the same old boring debit card, but recognize that Thai Binh City many stores add a 3% commission fee to credit or debit card transactions. You can use MasterCard and Visa generally in most areas, might be do also take American Express by extra 4% fee. The next several days, traveling from state to state, town to town, brother to sister to brother and so forth and on to copy in which you data of nine innocent family members had its challenges. But that's a story unto by themself.I'll spare you most of the items. Upon my return, the protocol essential me to find all with the data virtually any correspondence from - let's call him "The Brother" that referenced his struggles with many. we're calling it Coffee. Top Thai Binh AZ 247 I was then to use the references I found, and send a copy both to the judge and in order to opposing counsel for privilege and relevance review. Debby and her firm weren't to get a look in the data until anything either private or irrelevant had been picked out, and the perfect remainder produced. Don't let the name of the country scare your business. It has been more than 10 years since the Vietnam War has completely finished. Now, the country is rapidly growing and many eat fine food only for $10 on a daily basis. There are plenty of activities like going to the busy and bustling southern capital of Ho Chi Minh Metro. There are lots of historical sites and museums that you can check out and check out. Tin Top Thai Binh AZ 247 A scenic drive past over high passes takes you to the previous imperial capital of Color. Here you'll sample fine cuisine that matches the city's royal imperial status. The delicious flavors of Hue continue to entice even until today, and you may a chance to sample this famous cuisine within the premises 1 of the town's unique garden qualities. Tao Dan Park a strong and youthful life force, and make it a fresh and peaceful space in the heart of metropolis. Open markets include Ben Thanh Market, the favourite in HCM City. Other people are Binh Tay Market also Dong Market but make sure haggle when creating a selection. Plan on walking plenty while traveling in Vietnam. The majority of streets in areas appealing to tourists were built before cars and trucks were common. Hoi An actually has a sector popular with tourists where only pedestrians are allowed during certain parts of the day.

youtube

Many teachers have a tough time with taking attendance within their ESL classes. What they are called are all foreign, difficult to pronounce and difficult to understand when students say them, and a location full of kids laughing at your attempts to say or understand their names is demeaning. (If a teacher laughed at their students any time you they made a mistake, they couldn't survive a very successful teacher, but students seem to haven't any sensitivity at all when their teacher makes mistakes. They will laugh at you.) I even once overheard another teacher complaining towards the staff at my school, saying that would quit they will had to take attendance any significantly more. Actually, possibilities controlled intersections in larger cities - either with traffic lights or traffic control police officers. Traffic normally stops for red lights. Right turns on red are legal - I think about. As green lights approach is actually no some cheating and jockeying for alignment. Sidewalks are often used for their curb side of the road. Top Thái Bình AZ News However, the crowds are delightful and folks kind and gracious. Mile after mile of terrific Vietnam travel shopping can be found in heart and soul of Thai Binh City and a few of your greenbacks might be a good distance. Streams surge through every part of the town and flowing around Ho Chi Minh Town will be the Saigon Brook itself. In thanks to the deep French roots, completely witness an immaculate culmination of Paris and Asia when you visit Ho Chi Minh City. Now that you have Ho Chi Minh Town on your must-see list, don't forget to pay a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels this are right. What is unchallenged is Phong Nha's beuty. Big chambers posses the solemnity of a cathedral, but on insprired by Dali in his darkest modments. As your boat paddles along the slow waters the scale and subtle colours with the massive statlacitites and acoustic rock formations are frustrating. The cave's status as Quang Binh Province's major tourist attraction is now under imminent danger. In April 2009, a team of British cavers discovered Son Dong Give. Some 200m high, 140m wide additionally 5km long, Son Doong is reputed to work as largest cave not just in Vietnam, but around the planet. A six-hour walk inside the Ho Chi Minh Trail, the cave is currently inaccessible to tourists. Getting employed to a new place frequently the best and most frightening experience of any travels. There is no should certainly worry though as long as tend to be wary and accustom you to ultimately the local laws. The far North (Bac Bo) resembles the four seasons we are familiar with in the temperate world. The cheaper temp. in the wintertime (Jan.-Feb.) can be placed down to about 35-40 deg. F. ( 2 to deg. Tin tong hop Top Thai Binh AZ C) but in the summer, it can actually get to as high as 105 deg. F (40 deg. C). The winter is the dry season while summer time is the wet one. About 15 million an atm card were being used in 2009 according to recent statistics, which translates that many individuals this country are familiar with this payment method. However, not every store accepts a prepaid debit card, especially in smaller cities, so do take this into consideration if your relative is not near a substantial city or tourist lure. In general, though, since your relative can make use of the card to create purchases online, withdraw cash at ATMs, and buy things at some local stores, it has a tendency that the skill to send money using credit card to Vietnam with work for both of individuals. Don't have the name of the country scare you. It has been more than three decades since the Vietnam War has completed. Now, the country is rapidly growing and could certainly eat fine food just for $10 on a regular basis. There are plenty of matters to attend to like exploring busy and bustling southern capital of Ho Chi Minh Metro. There are lots of historical sites and museums that you can visit and reminisce about. Buses - There are public buses on the highway and the fare unquestionably cheap. However, the service is not really geared up for tourists. Timetables either do not exist and bus stops are often difficult to locate. View More: topthaibinhaz.com - Top Thai Binh AZ Reviewed by Team Leader in Top Thai Binh AZ: Trương Tuấn Anh - Truong Tuan Anh Written By Author in topthaibinhaz.com: Phạm Tiến Duy - Pham Tien Duy Written By Author in topthaibinhaz.com: Đặng Lê Nguyên Vũ - Dang Le Nguyen Vu

#Top Thái Bình AZ #Thai Binh

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listentoourheart · 1 year

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JL Episode 4: Paradise Lost

In Metropolis Mall:

Wonder Woman: [gazes around] It's like some kind of temple.

Superman: Yeah, for those who worship their credit cards.

To emphasize the hurricane's power, the poor newspaper man's magazines are blown away. Then his stack of newspapers. Then his hat. Then...to add insult to injury, HIS ENTIRE NEWSPAPER STAND HA

I appreciate that when Wonder Woman is counseled to speak with her mother she IMMEDIATELY leaves. Oh no problem! Never mind the civilians you're in the middle of saving from the hurricane!

Guess who tells her to talk it out? Good olde Smallville.

Wonder Woman and Superman are enchanted to think the other is a demon who kidnapped their friends. A less (more?) contrived version of A Hero vs. The Other Hero.

When everyone shows up to the "Why is Wonder Woman destroying a history museum?" intervention, Batman and Hawkgirl don't show up. While the audience knows Batman is busy detective-ing who Faust is, does Wonder Woman tell her team at any point? Or does everyone just assumed he couldn't be bothered? I like to imagine everyone startles when he checks back in with relevant Faust info (HOW does he know? how would he know? yes like that TikTok sound) and checks their suits for bugs when they get home.

Since Hawkgirl also didn't show up, it looks like Wonder Woman bought an all-male friend group home. TBH, if my daughter brought home four guy friends after running away, I'd be slightly concerned. Much less men? on Themyscira? You had one female teammate and you didn't bring her along to the mission on the island only women are allowed on? If the Justice League had more people, you could've had an Alpha Squad when targeting Bialya.

Considering how often they get knocked out and pick themselves back up, I feel as if these hero types are less "super invulnerability" and more "super durability." Or more "super-get-up-quicker ability." Super concussions-don't-last-long-ability?

I can't quite tell if Hades' lines towards Hippolyta are meant to be threats or just...creepy-possessive-flirting? Which is in itself kinda threatening. It was a teensy bit sweet when he grabbed her to save her from Tartarus.

It would have been sweeter if he was LESS murderous and DIDN'T HAVE three tongues.

Never mind. He started doing the weird "evil guy crawls up the other person body" thing, it's firmly in threat-creepy-evil territory.

And despite it all, Diana is still exiled. Though there's a slight comfort in knowing Hippolyta differentiates between her judgement as a mother and as a queen. Though it makes no difference when it comes to exile.

Episode 1 was team-up. Episode 2 was John Stewart background. Episode 3 is Diana and Themiscyra focused to offset the fact she NEVER HAD A DCAU ANIMATED SERIES MY ONE COMPLAINT WITH BRUCE TIMM.

#justice league animated series #wonder woman #rewatch

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theravenacademy · 2 years

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Hi! I was wondering what the difference between graduation and ordination is, and if graduation is only an option for those on the ordination path? Thanks!

During the school year, those on the Ordination track work very closely with the High Council. After a year of schooling and satisfactory Ordination track specific work, the student has the option to apply for graduation as well as Ordination. If the student has done work to the satisfaction of the High Council, they will receive Credentials of Ordination and a Letter of Good Standing.

Ordination allows one to perform weddings and handfastings. If they so choose, students will also be able to open their own ministry under the belief system of the School & Temple, The Aduno Path. Many of our students choose Ordination to grow more secure in their understanding and craft. These students work more closely with the Deans of their respective Houses.

Ordination students can choose from several tracks each with their own requirements: Teaching, Pagan Leadership, Counseling, or Teaching/Leadership. Graduation is available to any and all students who complete the required amount of credits.

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facewendy · 2 years

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Autobiography I

-wendy

Written as an application for a program in order that I might continue to live and work at the Zen Center.

Zen Center San Francisco

Work Practice Apprenticeship Program Application

1. Your interest in Zen and in participating in the WAP Program at this time. What are your plans for using earned practice period credits?

The support of the Zendo has provided me a leap forward in my Zen practice and mindfulness. Being here for the daily practice, and meditation, as well as the service in the Zendo has provided me a richer understanding and relationship to Zen. I believe having access to the teachers, Darhma talks and other resources while living at the Zen Center has and will grow my knowledge and allow me to move closer to my ultimate goal—to devote my life to become a Zen monk.

I would like to devote time to sitting in a rigorous Monday through Saturday program that includes morning and evening meditation to strengthening both my body and mind as a means to development.

It is my goal to work in the kitchen and practice “Do one thing at a time” “Do it slowly and deliberately", and “Do it completely”. The kitchen therefore is my first choice at the Zen Center. I feel cooking is one of my greatest joys. Of course, I would be happy to serve in the temple cleaning or in any capacity; however, the kitchen is my first choice. Make cleaning and cooking become meditation. I, also look forward to being trained in serving oryoki meals.

I am very interested in becoming the Work Leaders assistant. I have found that the Work leader’s duties are so immense he could use an assistant to keep him organized, as well as set protocols and write repetitive tasks and orientation materials for distribution. This would allow the Work leader to focus on the many tasks more to his honor and the Zen Centers needs.

On a side, I would like to spend my practice period credits at Tassajara in the winter sessions.

2. A brief personal history.

I began my internal work and external practice in a yoga class in college. This was in conjunction with a very rigorous program at California State University at Fullerton’s Human Services program under the Director Jerry Cory the author of “Theories and Techniques of Counseling” and “Group: Processes and Practices”. The program was a Western way of mindfulness and full of Psychoanalyst as instructors. This along with my yoga and meditation resulted in a time of growth beyond my expectations. I graduated with a B.A. in psychology in 1993.

My next deep and powerful experience began when I went to the Dalai Lama’s 60th birthday party in New York. I met a group of Tibetan who invited me into their family. They were so lovely. I could not get enough of Tibetan Buddhism afterwards. At the Berkeley Buddhist Temple, a particular retreat stands out in my mind—four days of silence. (In general, I am a very quiet person as you might have witnessed when I first started coming to the Zen Center interim April of 2016. I did not speak to anyone until late May early June.)

After finding yoga and Tibetan Buddhism, I happened onto Intregal Yoga. I had the opportunity to attended Yogaville, Integal Yoga’s ashram in Virginia. This time was extraordinary. I went there a mid-level yoga practitioner; and left a Yogi. I meditated three times a day along with three yoga classes daily. It was fantastic. My day began with 4:00am meditation, and ended with 9:00pm Kirtan. I also worked in the Hospitality department which I just loved. Long days filled with joy and exhaustion. (I was offered a job after only one month which is unheard of.)

My work history includes: Researcher at UCI, Special Education Teacher, Writer for Johnson and Johnson, Ekard, Office, Purple Moon for Xerox Park, and Mattel, Interaction Designer for Stanford University’s NetSage (as well as BMW), Organic Farmer for Honakoa Organic Farm in Hawaii, Writing Tutor for College Students, Healer, “Special Projects” for the United States Government.

Then all that changed when In June of 2014 an accident took away my feet. Injured my back and began the unraveling of my family, my friends, my financial stability. I was hospitalized for over two months. During my hospitalization my husband began planning his exit. He funneled funds out of our joint checking account which held all of my inheritance from my mother. He withdrew the cash by using my credit card while I was still in bed recovering. In the end, he managed to over draw the account, and then shut it down. I was left with no money, no credit cards, and in bed laying there in shock for two weeks. He took my phone, and practically everything out of the house, (including my clothes and shoes.). He left on February 18th 2015, and I have not spoken to him since. It came as a surprise. It has been a lonely time for me, but I have found a great deal of strength in my personal practice, and my church, Grace Cathedral.

I have not been able to pick up where I left off in yoga, and I have had to learn to live simply without extravagance. I believe Zen is right for me for my life. I have recently seen Mark, the Bishop for the Episcopalian Church of California and Grace Cathedral. He is very supportive of my Zen practice, and has agreed that the Zen center is the right place for me to live, work, and study. This all brings me to the here and now.

I began getting up at four in the morning (I had to walk to the Zen Center as there are no buses this early in the morning.) to attend meditation at 5:20am until I arrived here as a Guest Student June 20th 2016. The Zen Center has become a source of support. I could not have imagined. I have been befriended, and taken in as part of a community which I have so needed. I have been accepted and encouraged. I am not always as elegant as I was before the accident, but I am still an athlete with tons of energy and smiles and a readiness to serve others.

(Each of you has played an instrumental part in my healing even in this short time. I do want this healing and supportive environment to continue to be a daily part of my life. It is my desire to live and work here at the Zen Center.)

3. Your experiences studying and or practicing Buddhism or other spiritual traditions (other than at San Francisco Zen Center).

Let me began with the Zen Center. My morning meditation has been a source of peace. It has grown into my Guest Student opportunity, and my integration with the community. I have so much to learn--form, mind, and mediation, but, I have a love of the principles of Zen. I attempt to practice it every moment. Zen, in other words is a lifelong learning and relearning experience. Every minute I am transformed, and learn something new. I deeply honor this experience and look forward to a Residential practice at the Zen Center.

I, also, attend Grace Cathedral on Sundays, and I enjoy the Women’s Community Meeting held once a month. I have attended Grace since 2005 when I began going to Yoga on the Labyrinth. We were about fourteen people to begin with until Daren Main began teaching; and he has grown the community to over seven hundred. Daren is an amazing teacher, and a good friend. I am so happy for his success, and I will be glad to begin practicing yoga with Daren soon.

My understanding and pursuit of Buddhism, as well as, a more fully expressed meditation practice began when I found Tibetan Buddhism. I attended the Dalai Lama’s 60th birthday party in New York. A Tibetan family adopted me that night. I was so full of joy; I had to have more. I then attended the conference the Dalai Lama held at UCLA. I bring this joy into everything I do, and I thank all of them every day for it.

4. Significant physical, Psychological or emotional difficulties, particularly those for which you have received professional help or been hospitalized.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Mayo Clinic

PTSD is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event

www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post.../definition/con-20022540

Bipolar-Disorder

Mayo Clinic

Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).

Bipolar disorder - Mayo Clinic

5. Current use of prescription medications. List medications and briefly describe the conditions being treated.

Lithium

Lithium carbonate is a medication that works in the brain to treat bipolar disorder. It is approved for the treatment of bipolar disorder and acute mania. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of depression and/or mania.

NAMI: Link missing.

https://www.nami.org/Learn.../Lithium

Klonopin

(clonazepam) is a benzodiazepine. ... Clonazepam is also a seizure medicine, also called an anti-epileptic drug. Klonopin is used to treat certain seizure disorders (including absence seizures or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome) in adults and children.

Klonopin Uses, Dosage, Side Effects & Warnings - Drugs.com

https://www.drugs.com/klonopin.html

Gabapentine

Neuropathic pain is pain coming from damaged nerves. It differs from pain messages carried along healthy nerves from damaged tissue (a fall, cut, or arthritic knee). Neuropathic pain is treated by different medicines than pain from damaged tissue. Medicines like paracetamol or ibuprofen are not effective in neuropathic pain, while medicines that are sometimes used to treat depression or epilepsy can be very effective in some people with neuropathic pain.

Cochrane

http://www.cochrane.org/CD007938/SYMPT_gabapentin-chronic-neuropathic-pain-and-fibromyalgia-adults

6. History of alcohol, or substance abuse. Please list any treatment programs

None

7. Current tobacco use?

None

8. Any past or current eating disorders?

None

9. Any current medical problems?

I am recovering from bi-lateral foot surgery from June of 2014. Although my feet have healed I am still learning how to move, and my balance is an ongoing process of relearning. Neither of these issues interferes with my performance. I look forward to getting back into yoga as I have just discovered I am able to do the “downward dog” pose.

I, also, am recovering from a back injury. It has healed, but I do suffer muscular pain from it. I have found I am able to perform all the tasked the Work Leader has assigned me during my time as a Guest Student without difficulty.

Also, I have enjoyed the opportunity to sit in the Zendo. I am finding props to support my knees so that I may sit on the Tanami mats. I look forward to trying the different chairs until I find the proper position for both my feet and my back.

10. Any other limitations that would prevent you from participating fully in the daily schedule.

None

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lanterne · 2 years

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Buonarroti talking about Thermidor transcript

The secret views of these proscribers were disguised under the vague imputation of tyranny. But a tyrant without treasures, without soldiers, without any other friends than the enemies of tyrants —a tyrant who, far from basely pandering to the multitude by espousing its caprices, had often the courage to divert it, at the risk of losing his popularity, from the seductive schemes which others treacherously presented to it. What is such a tyrant but a creature of the imagination —a fiction of the brain? Folly itself is fooled by the supposition. But, said they, he is the tyrant of opinion. Well, now, the process is judged! the argument decided! the tyranny of Robespierre was then, nothing else than the power of his wise councils, and the influence of his virtue. He was the tyrant of the wicked—he was a tyrant against all tyrannies.

And how did you prove his tyranny —you who, after his death, were only capable of tearing one another like beast of prey, and ruining us? Whilst one party accused him of having sacrificed Danton, another party reproached him with having tried to save him! The very men who the evening before called him the Cato of France, or compared him to Orpheus civilizing savage states by his lyre, were those that prepared his act of accusation! One one side he is charged with the crimes of certain Deputies on mission—on the other he is upbraided for the prosecutions which he wishes to institute against them. You gave out that he was rich in the possession of several millions, and France calls him to this day Incorruptible; and, besides it is well-known that the sale of his effects, after his death, did not produce more than 450f. in money!

You declared him to be devoid of knowledge and judgement, at the same time that you are not ashamed to pretend that he subjected you for fifteen months to his domination. One batch of you called him cruel, whilst another batch reproached him with sparing the lives of the sixty-three imprisoned Girondists! You still talk of his reckless ambition, but you forget to inform the world, abused as it is, by your lying inventions, that had it not been for his heroic counsels the magistrates of Paris, at the head of the majority of the sections, and of the cannoniers, would have inflicted on you the correction you so richly merited. Like scholars in insurrection against their master, you insulted him on his bed of death, and you suffered his bleeding wounds to be envenomed by cuts and stabs with a penknife!

There is no parallel for the madness of those committees who, in imitation of the most furious aristocrats of ancient Rome, armed the people against its defenders, by painting them to it, under ambitious colours, as thought they had conspired to re-establish the throne, or aspired to mount it —of those committees who, on the 10th Thermidor, were not ashamed to declare to the Convention that it owed its triumph to the falsehoods by which they had deceived the good and simple inhabitants of the faubourg Antoine. "Mayhap you might not credit it," observed the Reporter of the Committees of Public Safety and General Security, "on the desk of the common hall in which the counter-revolutionary sitting was held, there was a new seal, having for its impression but a single fleur de lis; and already in the night time had two individuals presented themselves at the Temple to demand the liberation of it's inmates. I ought here to record a trait which marks well the state of the public mind. Secret emissaries had wished to corrupt it in the Faubourg Antoine, but no sooner did the representatives of the people speak to them of the emblems of royalism found in the common hall than the Republican sections rent the air with shouts of indignation!"

Robespierre wishes to confound his accusers —he is silenced! Saint Just is cast to irons at the first words of a discourse which he is prevented from delivering. Couthon is arrested, because he desires to oppose injustice. Lebas is proscribed, for the sole reason that he declares he will not share the infamy of an iniquitous decree. The brother of Robespierre desires to defend him, and he, too, is smitten by a decree of arrest; and David, who had said to Robespierre, "I will drink the hemlock with you," suffered a long imprisonment, and was indebted for his life only to the vain celebrity he enjoyed as a painter. To secure their prompt immolation, you created pretenses for yourselves out of the just alarms of the Commune, and from their presence at its last deliberations. But, besides that, you are suspected of having held a snare for them, by yourselves unlocking their prisons, their designs and yours —what they had done, and what you did— the blessings promised to us by the times which preceded their death, and the train of calamities that followed it —all these prove to demonstration that if they rose against you, never was insurrection more holy, nor resistance more imperiously commanded.

#buonarroti's history of babeuf's conspiracy for equality #im not gonna comment on it but you can read the indignation #also yeah this entire thing is a footnote kgjkgjgkd #frev #and after the entire rant bronterre comes in like hi i'll be talking more about this in my uncoming robespierre bio :D #but then you remember his robespierre bio got seized by the cops and you're like NOOOOOO

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tssidesfics · 2 years

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Bonds, Blonds and Cons: TSSides Soulmate AU

Okay, so, this is technically not a fic.

This is the outline of a fic because I don't have time to write an 80K+ slow-burn, but I'll give you some mushy excerpts of what would have happened if I wrote this out as a whole thing. If anyone wants to steal this idea and write it, be my guest.

It takes place in the fantasy world Ennus, which has primarily emotion- and logic-based magics. Most people aren't magical, but it's well-known that magic is everywhere in all shapes and forms.

Soulmates are a more contested issue. There are only about fifty in every generation and there doesn't necessarily seem to be a rhyme or reason that anyone can figure out. There's a whole lot of myths about them, but all they know is that you typically know someone for years before you find out they're your soulmate and once you're bonded, you share minds.

However, soulmates have been historically even rarer than they are when the story starts, at a time where social movements have pushed for the liberation of youth from business-based marriage contracts and after multiple queer relationships have survived persecution to prove that they've been blessed by gods to share a soulmate-bond. Things are still pretty backwards, though, with most communities pushing people into life-bonds with those of the opposite gender for procreation and most marriages being business contracts between families, using their children as commodities.

The most progressive--and coincidentally also romantic--city in all of Ennus is Sandris, which holds a festival every year celebrating soulmate-bonds and awarding couples who prove theirs a place in the temple of their love god trio and a whole lot of money.

The most recently elected mayor of Sandris, however, is restricting that festival to hetero-only bonds and pushing laws that are forcing queer people underground, forcing Sandris to worship the god of infrastructure and politics, Ander, rather than the favored genderless triplet god of love and lust, Vells. His stance, and how he got elected, is that he wants to make Sandris a place where the wealthy and privileged can feel safe coming to, without their values being tested. Coincidentally, the Cult of Ander is one of the biggest cults in this world, and is fueling a renewed and vested hate in queer people and “uncivilized” cultures.

So most people in and around Sandris are looking for a quick trick to get themselves a soulmate-bond. Enter a flourishing business of con-artists exploiting people's naivete with get-hitched-quick schemes charging exorbitant prices.

Now meet Janus Slithertongue and Remus Proudshield. Neither had a delightful life before meeting each other, agreeing that the world sucks and love isn't real, and people are deeply, deeply stupid. So they found a business preying on desperate people looking for quick validation for their youthful infatuation.

Janus has severe facial burns that he constantly hides with a glamor charm. He can only see out of one eye, and even that requires magical aid to work right.

Janus is wandering through Sandris when he hears about a new soulmate pair, confirmed at the Temple of the Vells, who credit a person with their accomplishment. Some Patton Arkheart. Janus investigates.

He discovers that this guy has been counseling people for weeks on end, supposedly "repairing and strengthening their relationships" in the aim of getting them blessed by Vells as proper soulmates. Or at least, soulmate-lite. These guys don't often connect their minds like the legendary soulmate, the kind you hear about in fairytales, does, but they are deeply bound in the truest sense of the word.

Allegedly. Janus wants that word stressed. Allegedly.

Patton is blond. No particular reason, it just worked with the name of the story, so he’s blond. He is also the only one of this cast getting a hair descriptor. Feel free to imagine these characters as whatever skin color, it’s really not important. This is a fantasy world completely removed from race and culture as we understand it.

After spying on a couple sessions using his illusions to hide in the room, Janus decides he's gotta sniff out Patton's trick. He convinces Remus to help him investigate a rival and they pose as a couple looking for help. Janus decides they should be one of the ones obsessed with each other in a very shallow way to see how Patton reacts to it.

Patton is not very impressed. He's an empath, so he can tell the second they walk into his office that something is weird here. Plus he's just tired of being approached by couples and polycules that hooked up last week and think he can give them the shortcut to a lasting romantic connection. But he's patient and kind and does the work.

Janus cannot find the trick. He tries everything he can think of. He even tells Patton that honestly, they wouldn't care if they were really bound that way, as long as they can get close enough to fool the city, if you know what he means.

Patton calls bullshit. Patton calls enormous bullshit, confronts them about being con-artists, and lectures them loudly for about an hour about why they are being terrible people and love isn't something to minimize. It's hard work and it's beautiful, and it's people like them who are to blame for so many toxic relationships that are ruining people's faith in love.

Well, color Janus intrigued, because damn, is this con-artist very good at what he does. He couldn't spot a lie in all of that!

Well, there are certain religious and political leaders who don't like what Patton's doing. People who want the status quo to endure, and that's hard to do when you're getting literal blessings from gods telling you that business-based marriages and queer love is perfectly fine, acceptable, and that queer connections should be allowed to bond, even if they don’t “bear fruit.” So Patton gets hits put out on him.

Janus is still determined to sniff out a lie. Meanwhile, Remus is getting jealous, because the only person who hasn’t left him high and dry is now obsessed with some random “relationship therapist,” as Patton calls himself. So, Remus starts consciously sabotaging Patton’s appointments by dropping in smoke-bombs or manipulating his advice to fail his clients.

Janus is delighted to learn this and completely misses the part where Remus wasn’t doing this for the thrill of the con as much to chase Janus away from Patton.

After long enough of disaster, Patton catches Janus and Remus outside his window spying on a session. He chews them out in a back-alley and tells them that if they keep this up, he’ll be forced to turn to law enforcement, and he really doesn’t want to because “the most progressive city-state” doesn’t hold a lot of weight in a world that’s still stuck in Victorian-reminiscent gender politics.

Unfortunately, this goes very wrong very quickly, because an assassin attacks them and basically ignores Janus and Remus in favor of trying to kill Patton. Remus is maybe a little too willing to let Patton get murdered, but Janus defends him.

I promise Remus is sympathetic, he’s just not always the best. He was born with a cleft lip and palette and immediately discarded to an orphanage. After years of difficulty eating and barely surviving, a sorcerer took mercy on him and healed the defect, although there is still scarring and mild pain when eating. He served the sorcerer, but he was always a rambunctious and free-spirited sort with a hunger for mayhem, so he was quickly discarded as an undesirable servant. Then he met Janus, and Janus is the only person who never shied away from his eccentricities or tossed him away for things he couldn’t control or parts of who he is. Needless to say, he’s defensive of Janus, absolutely terrified that one day Janus is going to make like everyone else and abandon him, and paranoid as hell that Janus developing what is obviously a very weird crush on Patton is going to lead to his abandonment again.

Janus is completely unaware of this, despite usually being exceptionally good at reading people. The thought of abandoning Remus is so far from an option to him that he just...doesn’t compute Remus could be afraid of that.

To be fair, Janus isn’t usually the most likely to leap into a brawl to defend an innocent. He’s not a superhero, he’s a con-artist. But Patton still intrigues the fuck out of him, so saving the therapist it is.

Janus, of course, assumes that the hit means Patton conned some powerful people and didn’t make the cleanest getaway. He sympathizes, given he’s done that a handful of times and simply resorted to glamors to hide. He offers the same to Patton in exchange for his secrets.

“I don’t know about you, mister, but I’d be very glad-mor if you stopped interfering with my business and left my poor clients in peace.”

“You are really committed to this con, aren’t you? Are you working your way into the upper crust, then? Using this con to leverage for greater gains in the future?”

“Is everything a con to you?”

“Life’s just one great big lie. The best you can do is lie well enough to get something out of it.”

“That sounds like a horrible way to live.”

“It’s served me well.”

“What made you think that way?”

“Life experience.”

“Do you want to talk about that?”

“Not particularly.”

“Well, my door’s always open if you want to change your mind--as long as it’s not a con!”

Janus is not dissuaded. Remus continues to terrorize Patton while Janus asks questions of and cons Patton’s patients. This is turning into a long-form con. They’re mostly in the city now. Their whole lifestyle has been uprooted because Janus can’t get over “the most dedicated con-artist he’s ever met.”

Patton’s attacked again--regularly--and Remus more than once considers letting him get dead but then loses his nerve at the last minute and interferes. Patton notices a lot of anger and hatred toward him and asks about it. Remus resists a little bit, but admits that Janus is all he’s ever had and now that he’s found Patton to obsess over, it’s just a matter of time before Remus becomes old news.

Patton offers to do a session with them. It’s mostly to help, but there’s a tiny petty part of him that wants to prove what he does is completely valid and not at all a con.

Remus tells Janus Patton is ready to fess up. Janus is...dubious, but his curiosity wins out. If Patton is ready to divulge his secrets, then Janus simply can’t pass up this chance. And then he finds himself in the middle of a session.

“Son of a--”

And Patton...helps? Janus’ and Remus’ ability to work together had begun to degrade, enough that Janus had noticed, but he had a tendency to get mad at Remus rather than asking him what was wrong, which only worsened his abandonment anxiety. But with Patton mediating, Remus is ready to actually talk about it. Janus maybe isn’t the most sympathetic, but that’s mostly because he’s so bewildered and insulted by the insinuation that he could just abandon the best business partner he could ask for that he’s aghast and a little rude. Patton thinks this is going to blow up worse and starts trying to mediate, but Remus just hugs the hell out of Janus and starts crying.

And then another assassin interrupts the session. This is getting old. Now Remus is more than ready to defend Patton, except he rips the mask off the assassin to beat his face into paste and stops.

“Virgil?”

“Fuck’s sake, Remus! Since when do you defend pillars of society like some weird hero? Heroes don’t have mustaches.”

Remus helps Virgil to his feet.

“You’re an assassin now?” Janus asks.

“Money is tight and I can fight.”

“With your anxiety?”

“I’m a cursed orphan. I’m not exactly getting employed any other way.”

Remus just beams. “Wanna be a con-artist?”

“I’m a terrible liar.”

“You actually aren’t, once you get your anxiety under control.”

“That would be my problem.”

“You have anxiety?” from Patton.

Virgil, for note, has been cursed that his veins and eyes are black as midnight. He looks absolutely terrifying, but he really just has more anxiety than you can shake a stick at and a whole lot of trauma. Yes, all the Dark Sides have physical elements to their appearance that make them undesirable but are all sympathetic because excuse me while I comment on how society is fucking broken. The curse makes it that glamors don’t work, so Virgil wears glasses and masks to get by in normal society. When people aren’t put off by how he hides, they mistake him for a girl because I can’t not write a trans Virgil.

Virgil will always be trans in literally every AU I ever write. You cannot convince me that put in fully-realized personhood that character would be cis. You just can’t.

So Patton teaches Virgil breathing exercises and distraction techniques. Virgil just looks at Janus. “Is this guy for real? I tried to kill him thirty minutes ago.”

“This is the deepest, most dedicated con I’ve seen in my entire life.”

“It’s not a con!”

So anyway, now Virgil would die for Patton, so he switches over to his bodyguard. Doesn’t pay great, or at all, but Patton makes sure he’s fed and tries to give him what money he can. Meanwhile, Janus and Remus con like masters and rope Virgil into multiple low-level ones to build up his endurance to it and cut him in for a percentage.

Patton gets a visit from the mayor, who Patton’s…never liked. Janus, true to form, eavesdrops on it, and picks up on a slew of lies, like the mayor’s concern for Patton’s welfare, in the wake of all these assassination attempts—that Patton never reported. Janus tells Patton the mayor is definitely trying to get him killed because he believes what Patton can do with soulmate bonds and it’s a threat to his political stance as a “sensible, conservative mayor who just wants to clean up Sandris and make it a respectable place for people of all elk again.”

Except this assassin problem is really getting out of hand. And then one of Patton’s clients is held ransom and murdered to prove a point. Patton is devastated and gives up helping people, because clearly the world isn’t ready for it and will only lash out and hurt the good that comes to challenge it.

Janus finally realizes that, holy shit, Patton is totally for real. What? Okay. What? Okay. What? And he finds himself vicariously crestfallen when he sees how depressed Patton is, which is absolutely the worst experience imaginable, Remus, cut it out.

Patton gets an invitation to the mayor’s home.

They stay in a rundown inn on the edge of town before the plan to infiltrate the mayor’s inner-ring--by Virgil “trying to assassinate him” and Janus and Patton saving his life--goes down. Patton isn’t sleeping and is nursing a bottle of gin, because he knows very well that resorting to alcohol consumption to numb his sadness is going to lead to an unhealthy dependency, but he’s lost everything and has now apparently been reduced to relying on criminals to survive, so at this point turning to alcoholism seems like the least of his concerns.

He gets a knock on his door.

Patton: Janus. (surprised) Hi. What are you...?

Janus: I thought you’d be moping, and here you are, watering your depression crops with booze. Painfully predictable, if I may be so bold as to say.

Patton: (looks down at the bottle) Yeah. (quiet and just...miserable) This isn’t the healthiest decision I’ve ever made, but I guess I just...don’t see the point. The thing I wanted to do with my life ended my life. Now it’s just...I don’t see the point. (brightens up and smiles too broadly) I guess we all booze a little, though.

Janus: Umph. A devastating one-two punch, that pun, my dear Patton. Both a dazzling deflection and a painful dad joke. Impressive.

Patton: I try. Wait, I mean--

Janus: (laughs) Relax. (steps inside, deliberately pushing past to Patton’s left to keep him in the periphery of his good eye, taking the bottle of booze from him as he goes and turning to walk in backwards while keeping an eye on Patton)

Patton: You can...have that...I guess. Of course, I mean.

Janus: I don’t drink. Anymore, at least.

Patton: Oh?

Janus: Botched a con after getting too drunk once. Forsook the poison ever since.

Patton: Did you have...a problem?

Janus: Who’s to determine what a problem is?

Patton: How much did you drink?

Janus: Daily. The equivalent to a couple pints. It usually kept me sharp. Until it didn’t, at least.

Patton: Yeah, you had a problem.

Janus: This coming from the man drowning his woes in the liver-killer.

Patton: I told you. Not the healthiest decision I’ve ever made. (sits down at his desk, twirling a pen in his fingers and staring down at the page)

Janus: I could be the predictable ass that I am and steal that paper from you to soothe my curiosity, or I could ask with the lingering threat that I will steal the paper from you if you don’t tell me.

Patton: Trying to put my feelings into words. It’s called journaling.

Janus: Absolutely revolting. And how is that treating you?

Patton: No matter what I write...nothing measures up. Everything I ever wanted to do was help people, and now...

Janus: Who’s to say you can’t help people?

Patton: What?

Janus: There are more ways to help people than with your silly little soulmate bonds.

Patton: You’re right, I guess. I just…I was making a real difference. With every “unconventional” love that I helped validate with a soulmate bond, everyone else felt the world get a little less oppressive. That meant something. That changed lives. And now I can, what, help little old ladies across the street? Pick up fallen purses without stealing them?

Janus: Oh, of course, because you only helped people for the glory of it.

Patton: That’s not what I said.

Janus: It’s what you meant. There are other ways to help people that aren’t mundane.

Patton: I don’t have the money to make meaningful donations to charity, Janus, and I don’t know where I’ll volunteer, when I also have to find a way to make a living.

Janus: What if I told you there was a way to make a living, contribute to society, and make a brand new life for yourself that won’t get you or your clients killed?

Patton: I wouldn’t believe you.

Janus: It also comes with revenge on the mayor.

Patton: Why would I want revenge on the mayor?

(Janus gives him a frank look.)

Patton: Oh. Right. Yeah, I guess…he is the most logical guess for who…

Janus: (sighs) Virgil could find out conclusively if you’re desperate for inarguable proof, but honestly, I don’t see how you need it. All signs point to him wanting you very dead.

Patton: Okay, okay, you’re right, I get it. He sent assassins after me because me helping queer people was making Sandris “look bad,” but that doesn’t mean I want revenge.

Janus: He got Sanrel killed.

Patton: (stops and looks at Janus) I…say I wanted to humor you.

Janus: (smirks) I thought so.

Every Sanders’ Sides AU I touch anymore somehow becomes Leverage. By the way, if you haven’t seen Leverage, go watch it. It’s on IMDB TV for free with ads. It’s worth the ads. It’s a bunch of genius criminals conning rich people out of every dime they’ve ever made and giving it back to the people wronged by them and in need. It was autistic rep (coded, but she’s not treated as an asshole and it’s a she), ADHD rep (coded but he’s definitely ADHD), and is found family for days, go watch it. I will warn that it’s behavior with alcoholism could be…improved.

So anyway, they con the mayor.

Step one: Virgil tries to kill him and Patton and Janus, under glamor, stop him. The mayor welcomes them into his home and they spout all the bullshit he wants to hear. From there, I’d need to figure out exactly how they play the con and how to make things go wrong, and while I need practice in non-violent forms of tension and conflict, I’m not messing with that here. Suffice to say, things go wrong a few times, but by the end, they’ve robbed the mayor blind and had him completely humiliated publicly. He won’t be causing any more pain from his position of power.

Patton definitely didn’t enjoy that, though. That would be wrong. Conning people is wrong, even if they’re murderers. He’s a good person. But secretly, he can admit to himself that was kinda fun and getting revenge—and avenging Sandrel—was deeply satisfying.

Remus offers Patton a position on their team as, like, an actual con-artist.

Patton: I…I couldn’t.

Virgil: But you were really good!

Patton: It’s wrong.

Remus: So making ole’ numbnuts lose all his power so he can’t hurt anyone else was wrong.

Patton: Well…no. I suppose you can use lies to do good things, but you shouldn’t have to.

Janus: And yet, we live in a society that necessitates white lies, and for justice, much larger ones than that. The sentiments that you shouldn’t have to lie and that, in order to make a better world, you have to are not mutually exclusive.

Patton: (hesitates) All I’d be doing was stopping bad people, right?

Janus: Maybe a few petty cons besides, but only on the deeply stupid.

Patton: Janus…

Janus: What? Conning stupid people is fun.

Patton: No one’s stupid.

Virgil: Uh…

Patton: That’s a mean thing to call a person!

Remus: There are definitely stupid people.

Patton: They can always be educated.

Virgil: Can they, though?

Patton: You are horrible people.

Remus: (slings an arm over Patton’s shoulder) And you’re one of us, so that either makes you our guiding light or just as bad as the rest of us.

Janus: Unless you’d rather be rid of us, of course. Perfectly understandable, if that is the case. We are all rather undesirable, after all, with our deformities and pasts and criminal goings-on. Truly a respectable man such as yourself would want to get far away from us as soon as possible.

(Remus and Virgil completely deflate and Patton looks at both of them hopelessly, then glares at Janus.)

Patton: I hate you.

So, for a while, they go around conning rich fucks, and while Janus does sneak off to con gullible people too, he finds it more fulfilling to screw over rich guys, and also more profitable.

Meanwhile, Patton and Janus are…circling each other? Janus keeps being supportive of Patton? In an underhanded, subversive kind of way. He won’t admit he’s being supportive, but he always seems to just be there when Patton’s having a hard time and always have the most asshole-ish solution to the problem. Like with suggesting Patton get revenge for having his life ruined, or tricking him into using his knowledge to help a client (or sometimes even a target). Of course, this backfires when Patton rehabilitates a rich man with issues, who then proceeds to want to make amends for all his wrongs committed from his trauma by giving to the world, completely botching the con that was going to bleed him dry.

One conversation goes like this:

Patton: So, I know why Virgil and Remus have turned to lies and crime. What about you?

Janus: What about me?

Patton: Don’t pretend like you don’t have complicated reasons of your own. Neither Virgil nor Remus would give you a chance otherwise.

Janus: You overestimate both my virtue and their morality.

Patton: So. No complicated reasons. No trauma. You’re just one truth-less cutthroat hurting anyone he wants?

Janus: Precisely. Now you get it.

Patton: I don’t believe it.

Janus: Not my fault you’re stupid.

So, yeah. Patton’s got a hunch this little con family they’ve created is just a whole bunch of traumatized people clustered together getting back at the world that hurt them with Janus as the ringleader, but he doesn’t have proof, and Janus will be damned if he lets Patton actually see any of his damage. He won’t be weak. He’ll support the others in his roundabout ways, but they will never return the favor if he has anything to say about it.

They pass through a kingdom, Terlis, led by King Romanlan and Queen Artarnia. Crown Prince Romanlan Jr. is hosting a ball during the upcoming Spring Festival to celebrate his marriage to Lady Ylana.

And suddenly, Remus is a complete fucking nightmare.

He keeps going rogue and robbing businesses—including mom and pop shops just trying to survive under the oppressive fist of too-high taxes that only serve to benefit the rich while the poor reap no benefits—and vandalizing everything in sight. Virgil more than once has to kick the asses of multiple knights (of course with help) to bust him out from being dropped off to a swift execution.

After the fifth time Remus almost gets them all executed, Janus just about takes his head off himself. “What the hell is your problem? Where is this coming from? I know you’re chaos-incarnate, but that’s usually a charming personality quirk, not a recipe for a swift and undesirable death! I’m getting tired of saving your ass, Remus! What is wrong with you?”

But Remus isn’t talking. He’s just staring at the wall hatefully with tears rolling down his cheeks. He’s a brick wall.

Patton: Let me talk to him.

Janus: Oh, please. If he won’t talk to me, the man who’s had his back since we were teenagers, then I don’t see what you could possibly do.

Patton: Maybe be a little less confrontational and a little more open to understanding his reasons rather than just dismissing them as stupid?

Janus: (stops) That’s not—

Patton: That’s how he feels. Let me try. Please. Before we get into any worse. You can criti-lies me later.

Janus: The fact you deem my deceptive side such an immutable personality trait of mine that it’s a default pun is…actually absolutely delightful.

Patton: Not what I was looking for, but okay.

So, Patton talks to Remus without Janus and Virgil and finds out this is his birth-kingdom—and more than that, those are his parents. He found out from a vindictive headmistress at his orphanage, who didn’t like his attitude or how difficult he was to take care of and wanted him to know that he would have been royalty if he hadn’t been deformed. Patton asks permission to tell the others and receives it.

“Remus, you absolute idiot—”

“Janus, I swear to Vells—”

“—why didn’t you say so? So do you want the royal family humiliated, penniless, dead or all of the above?”

“Janus!”

“What?”

“No killing!”

Virgil wishes to challenge this “no killing” rule.

Remus has never loved Janus more in his life and just kinda flings himself at him and kisses him all over except on the lips. Janus does not know how to cope with affection and kinda panics, so Remus backs off. Patton scowls at Janus and notes “reacts to physical affection as though burned with acid” down on the “list of suspicious possibly-trauma related ‘quirks’ Janus has.”

So, they need a way into the castle. They’re about to go with “Virgil tries to murder them and they save them” shtick again, but then an opportunity drops into their lap: the King and Queen are looking to other kingdoms for anyone who can help Romanlan Jr. And Ylana form a soulmate bond to cement their divine right.

As it turns out, there’ve been some…revolts. The people are supremely over-taxed, and even the knights are mistreated, despite being nobility themselves, so people are starting to fight back. The uprising keeps getting quelled, but the crown would prefer these problems to cease and a good way to do that is to have the next people to take the throne be soulmate-bonded.

So, Janus and Remus pretend to be soulmate-bonded—Remus almost too gleefully accepts a glamour as a girl to keep the more Ander-aligned heterosexual sensibility sated—and Patton takes the credit for helping them. Patton tells them firmly that he’s going to actually try to get them soulmate-bonded, but they can absolutely humiliate the king and queen another way.

Meanwhile, Virgil joins the revolt.

Janus and Remus, by the way, can pretend to be soulmate-bonded because they just know each other that well. It’s practically like they can read each other’s minds, no additional magic required.

Patton has a hunch that if they actually completed the ritual to bond, it would take, but he also knows Janus wouldn’t react well if he brought this up.

So, they meet Prince Romanlan Jr., who insists on being called Roman. He’s sheltered, spoon-fed very traditional-based education, and he’s absolutely miserable. He’s completely depressed. The first thing Patton notices is that his wife has to initiate literally all contact and Roman leans away when she tries to kiss him. And they discover that they sleep in different beds, though in the same room.

Janus: Well, he’s going to die miserable and unloved.

Patton: Janus. He’s been forced into a marriage he doesn’t want. Have a little human empathy.

Janus: Him and everyone else in this world. He’s not special.

Janus eavesdrops on Roman and overhears him and Ylana talking.

Ylana: It’s not like we can get out of this, so you might as well try.

Roman: I don’t know how, Ylana. I’m sorry, but I…I just don’t know how to love you. Or any woman. It feels wrong when you kiss me or…or touch me or…

Ylana: I know. And I don’t want to do that to you, but what’s our alternative? Coexist and barely speak?

Roman: Can’t we just be friends?

Ylana: What would your parents say if I conducted myself like your “friend”?

Roman: They wouldn’t react any better to us barely speaking.

Ylana: They barely speak. At least then we’d fit a stereotypical miserable romance.

Roman: I don’t want to be soulmate-bonded with you, Ylana.

Ylana: Me neither! But there’s a reason you chose me. I don’t want to marry. Anyone. Ever. And I don’t have a single damned problem with you pursuing that cute librarian you can’t get enough of.

Roman: Logan has better prospects than me. Besides, if we got caught…

Ylana: You’re going to be king in a few years. No one can touch you then.

Roman: I don’t know. I just feel…suffocated.

Ylana: This is the life we have to live, Roman. What else is there for us?

Roman: Striking out on our own. Taking the world adventure by adventure. Conquering monsters, saving damsels in distress. Being heroes.

Ylana: That’s not reality. Those are fairytales.

Roman: They should be real.

Ylana: The world isn’t going to change, Roman. If it could, we would, but it can’t, so why bother? (sighs and hugs him) Please. I don’t want to be married to someone who can barely look at me.

(Roman sighs and hugs her back.)

Janus approaches the others with what he heard, and Patton gets a brilliant idea: set the king and queen up to lose the throne, set Roman up with that librarian, and then they can legitimatize and stay in an accepting kingdom.

Virgil and Janus burst out laughing. Remus is thoughtful.

Virgil: Uh…Remus? You think this is idealistic bullshit too, right?

Remus: I mean, Patton’s good at this sort of thing.

Janus: No. Absolutely not. I am a conman, not a matchmaker!

Patton: Can’t you be both?

Janus: You’ve corrupted Remus, you absolute monster. He used to scorn the name of romance, too. What have you done to him?

Remus: Romance is still gross, but Roman’s my brother and he doesn’t seem awful like my parents, and as long as I still get to make his life a little bit hell, he might as well have someone who makes him as happy as you make me.

(Janus stares at Remus and then just gets up and leaves.)

Patton: (sighs) Mr. “I Have No Tragic Back-story, I’m Just a Bad Person, Never Mind My Trauma Responses.”

So, the plan is convince the king and queen the treasury’s been bled dry by their extravagance, so they take what money they let them have, abandon the kingdom, and coincidentally later get arrested and executed as wanted thieves. Meanwhile, they have to rom-com this bullshit with Roman and Loganis, or Logan, who works for the royal library and wishes he had political power, because he has ideas.

Logan is painfully awkward. Autistic, because I don’t understand how you can write a neurotypical Logan, like seriously, with high social anxiety that he overcompensates for by trying to avoid people altogether. But then you put him in front of another human being and actually make him converse with them and he’s a stuttery, slightly panicky mess. When Virgil meets him, Virgil immediately goes “kindred spirit” and suddenly Logan has someone to talk to who doesn’t cause him immense anxiety?

Logan also assumes Virgil’s whole…getup is sensory related and just generally doesn’t care about it. His eyes being covered means Logan doesn’t have to make eye contact, so yay.

Except this causes problems because Roman sees Virgil and Logan bonding and his depressed ass completely gives up, and Patton has to come up with some bullshit about soulmate bonds only working if both parties have good friends outside of each other, which is true to some extent. You should have friends outside of your romantic partner. Please have friends outside of your romantic partner, but I understand if it’s hard to make friends. Still. But yeah, it being a requirement is…not as much a thing. You mostly just need healthy ways to deal with your problems that doesn’t require loading all of it onto your poor partner. You can support each other. Don’t be each other’s therapist or sole source of support, though. That’s unhealthy.

So, Roman’s parents push him to make a friend and start pushing him toward people he really doesn’t vibe with, so Virgil steps in to convince Logan to talk to Roman.

Virgil: Seriously. You don’t have, like…any friends besides me.

Logan: The prince tries to socialize with me a lot. I…think he’s just being nice? I can never tell, but I can’t think of a single logical reason why he would want to befriend me. I’m barely aristocracy. My father’s the son of an Earl with barely a nice hut to his name and my only claim to privilege is this position in the library. It doesn’t help that my entire family is seen as “odd.”

Virgil: Maybe you should just…have a conversation with him. One.

Logan: I don’t know how.

Virgil: You’re having one with me.

Logan: Yes, but you make sense. Everyone else…

Virgil: Look, I get it, but maybe he doesn’t care that you’re a little odd. I have other friends who don’t care that I’m a little odd.

Logan: What should I talk about?

Virgil: Linguistics.

Logan: No one except you wants to hear me talk about linguistics.

Virgil: Well, if he likes to hear you talk about them, then you know he’s a good person.

Roman likes to hear Logan talk about linguistics.

While those two hit it off, Janus uses his apparent knowhow of how the aristocracy and treasuries work to further their con to make the king and queen believe they’ve run their kingdom into the ground, which goes splendidly until they call in foreign aid: a man known for his brilliance with royal treasuries, Lord Bultwin.

And this is where it gets triggering. I’m going to keep it as implied as possible, but Janus reacts like someone with serious trauma. To just be blunt, he was groomed. I’ll bold anything that feels like too much and you can skip to the summary of this whole part if you can’t read Janus’ trauma responses. Also, this involves attempted suicide, and Janus has to actually get talked down. Again, I’ll keep it as minimal as I can, but just be safe.

The king and queen summon Janus to the throne room to meet the person he’ll now be answering to. Patton and the others are worried about the stability of the con, but Janus already knows he’ll be able to play mind games with this idiot. It won’t be a problem. But then he walks into the throne room and sees him and just…freezes.

I cannot make myself write a believable interaction between these two, so just…Bultwin is an absolute creep and Janus is a brick wall.

You might’ve noticed it from the lack of anyone touching Janus under any circumstances outside of cons, but you don’t touch Janus. Not without permission, which you’re unlikely to get. But Bultwin won’t stop. No matter how many glaring nonverbal cues he gets that this isn’t welcome, he won’t stop. And he keeps making jabs at Janus’ intelligence, talking about how surprised he is that Janus made it on his own, no matter the treasury is getting into the ground if they’re depending on Janus, no offense, Your Majesties, but Janus only seems intelligent.

And the worst part is, Janus is handling this entire interaction without either Remus or Patton. He went alone to this meeting.

When he gets back to his quarters with Remus, he’s just…gone. There’s nothing in his eyes. He walks through the door, closes it, and sinks to the floor. Remus tries everything. He tries singing his favorite songs. He tries suggesting they go vandalize things. He suggests they go terrorize Patton. Something. Anything. Janus, please, say something.

Eventually, Remus, desperate, guides Janus to the bed and runs to get Patton. He’s hysterical as he explains that he’s never seen Janus like this. He’s been distant and angry after nightmares, but never this.

But when Patton gets there, Janus has already covered it up. But he can’t hide how his hands shake. He can’t hide how he won’t come within arm’s reach of Patton or Remus. He values his personal space, but he doesn’t back up like a wild animal when you approach him. Not normally. But it’s like now, Janus can’t trust them to respect his boundaries. But still, he talks in his usual ways, although a little less collected, and just tells them there’s been a slight hiccup. It’ll be fine. He has it under control.

Janus doesn’t have it under control.

He learned manipulation tactics from Bultwin, from being subject to them for so long. But turning them on him…he just freezes. Bultwin touches him and he can’t think. And Bultwin won’t stop touching him.

Janus tries desperately to salvage the situation, but it’s too much and he has a complete breakdown. He writes a letter to Remus begging forgiveness, but he can get revenge. Kill his parents. Whatever. But Janus can’t make everything he’s done for him up to him. He’s too weak.

0And then he goes up to the highest tower in the castle.

They don’t know where Janus is. All they have is a letter and sinking feeling that if they don’t figure it out right now, there won’t be a Janus much longer.

Which is when Patton tells Remus there’s a way to bond with someone, as long as you have all the other stuff necessary, without them being part of the ritual. It exists basically for this reason: in case one party in a bond is compromised, then as long as they still love and value and support their partner wholeheartedly and as long as they will, when the crisis is past, still value the connection, you don’t need their active consent.

Patton tells Remus this is something he’s theorized through his research, but it’s never actually happened before, but they better hope.

So, they do the ritual. After a long, tense, hopeless moment, Remus gasps and his mind connects to Janus, who almost falls from the tower at the surprise of it.

Remus: Janus, stop!

Janus: What—? (looks around) Remus?

Remus: (chokes on a sob) I guess soulmates are real, after all.

(Janus just…stares off sightlessly, and Remus gets to witness the things he went through. Remus chokes and stumbles back.)

Remus: Oh gods. Janus—I’ll kill him. We’ll kill him. Just…please. Please get down.

Janus: You deserve revenge, and I can’t…I’m not…

Remus: Fuck revenge! I don’t care if my parents live to ripe old age as happy as possible as long as I still have you!

Janus: You don’t mean that!

Remus: Of course I do! You’re all I’ve ever had! You’re the only person who I know is always going to be there. Who’s always going to listen to me. And I’m the only person you know is always going to be there for you. Fuck the rest of the world, Janus, as long as we have each other.

Janus: I’m…I’m not in love with you.

Remus: I’m not in love with you, either. Kissing you sounds gross and weird and wrong, but that doesn’t mean…just get down. Please.

Janus: I…I don’t…

Remus: I’m falling right after you if you jump, Janus. I won’t live without you.

(That finally stops Janus, which, by the way, not the ideal way to talk someone off the ledge. Kind of bad, actually. But sometimes things are really serious and you’re really desperate, and it’s not like Remus is lying. If you have to resort to something like this with a friend, just both of you make sure you get help. Nobody should feel like they have to die rather than be without the other. Grief is immeasurable and terrible, but you will find things worth living for. I promise. You just have to survive long enough to see the light.)

So the con momentarily gets derailed, because this isn’t just revenge, this is taking a dangerous, evil man out of the population. When Remus tells Patton—with Janus’ very begrudging permission—the rough idea of what happened, Patton…something burns inside Patton. For Janus. For the world, that something this horrible could be allowed to happen. He tries to think of a way to rehabilitate Bultwin but anything he thinks of can’t penetrate a mind that depraved as to think doing that to a child is acceptable. So, they decide to curse him.

Remus is the one who finds the spell and enacts it. When they explain to Janus what it will do—force Bultwin to feel everything his victims have ever felt—Janus actually tries to stop it. “No one deserves a punishment that heinous.”

“He did it to you,” Patton says gently.

“Yeah, but I’m—”

“No one deserves that, Janus. But the only person who might is the one who can do it to others. You’ve always been the most vindictive person I’ve known. If it was Remus who’d suffered, what would you do?”

Janus lets it happen.

It literally drives Bultwin mad. He’d rationalized his actions away, created excuses why he wasn’t really getting off on other people’s suffering, and being hit with all of it…it literally drives him mad. He doesn’t survive the guilt.

Summary: Bultwin, the creep, renders Janus incapable of continuing the con from trauma and triggers. Janus almost commits suicide, but Patton helps Remus complete the ritual that binds their minds in a soulmate bond before he can and Remus talks him down. They curse Bultwin to suffer all the pain his victim’s have, and it drives him mad. He doesn’t survive the guilt.

While the whole mess with Bultwin was going on, Remus also found out that Roman’s birthday is the same as his, and they’re the same age, which means he’s now grappling with the knowledge that he had a perfect twin his parents wanted to keep. Thanks to the soulmate bond, once Janus is past his crisis, he comforts Remus over it and asks him if he wants Roman to know they’re brothers.

Remus doesn’t know yet, so they table that discussion.

Meanwhile, Roman’s parents are pressuring him to have an heir. Him and Ylana are starting to have a breakdown. Janus redoubles his efforts to cripple the king and queen.

But finally, Roman can’t handle it and runs, and now they have to track his dumbass down. Virgil takes point.

I want to get this finished and posted, and I don’t have everything else figured out and outlined. If you decide to write it, you can obviously change as much as you like, just please let someone be aroace as a favor to the person who came up with this world. But they catch Roman, depose the king and queen, and Patton and Janus actually bond and I figure are eventually romantic. They’re just very difficult and committed to their enemies-to-lovers shtick, so it’s really slow-burn.

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