#also what does dag dag mean??

[charlesslut16]

hi love <3

could you maybe write for pierre :

Like you and your friends are talking about pierre, who alsways wants everything to be perfect in bed but y/n also wants to have quickes. Pierre hears the conversation and decides to show you how capable he is of having quickies with you.

thank you in advance bae ( :

-quickies-

summary : you and you're friends are talking about how pierre doesn't have quickies with you. Pieere hears the conversation and decides to change it.

PAIRING : pierre gasly x fem!reader

WARNINGS : +18, smut, NSFW, dirty talk, dom!pierre, fingering, spanking, p in v, badly translated french, curse words, public sex, unprotected sex (be safe!)

note : i hope you like it! Send in more requests and i will work them off! Love you <3

masterlist 

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Pierre opened the front door of your apartment, with the keys you had given him for emergencies, and walked up the stairs to your bedroom, as you hadn't opened the door, when he sent you the message that he was in front of your house.

His step haltered, when he heard his name being mentioned, followed by a very know loud girl group laugh. He stopped in the middle of the stairs and waited quietly.

"So what is he like? Is he like a machine in bed too? Like a beast? " One of the girls asked, cackling, and he chuckled quietly with a shake of his head, a smile visibly on his face.

"No," he head your voice and the smile on his face grew wider. Of course, he wasn't cold and clinical during sex. If there was something people couldn't accuse him, it was the lack of passion.

"I mean, he does want it to be perfect all the time, so in a sense..." He held his breath, his brows knitted together, as he listened to her carefully, being visibly confused.

"You, girl, you're saying that like that's a problem." One of her friends laughed loud and he huffed. He couldn't understand why this sounded more like a complaint than a compliment.

"All my man does for me is put it in and take it out." Pierre's spine straightened a little bit, a smirk tugged at the side of his lip. He could go for hours, and loved to go for hours.

"Of course it isn't a problem, but sometimes I just wish he could do quickies without having to plan a day ahead," you exclaimed.

"Quickies are nice, but we don't have them, you know. I can't just say that we have ten minutes before the race starts or let's have a quickie in the shower before you need to go to the airport, because well... it wouldn't be perfect."

Pierre's eyebrows raised to his hairline. He figured you liked that he'd rather wait than just get it out of the way like it was a meaningless act. You were always the more sensitive one, and so he made sure that you felt cherished and treasured even when you were in bed together.

He couldn't wrap his mind around what the problem with that was. "But the thing is sometimes, you just need to fuck without any special treatment." you stated.

His fingers tapped against the railing before he inhaled deeply and walked up the rest of the stairs. No one had ever had the nerves to complain about his performance in bed. But if you wanted to be fucked, he could give it to her now.

"Good evening, ladies." He flashed them his most dazzling smile before he walked straight to you, grabbed you by the elbow and pulled you up and after him.

"What the... Pierre..." you complained, your voice slightly off from the booze you clearly had, one glass of wine as always, but it was enough to get her tipsy a little bit.

He completely ignored her words, and walked down the stairs, dragged you with him without haltering even for a second. You could only see the sight of his face, but you knew that look very well. He was pissed. 

 Pierre's jaw was clenched, his fingers dag into your arm so hard you wondered if you were going to get bruises later on. When you both hit the floor area. He turned to the right and headed towards your home office.

"Baby." Your hand tugged at his shirt, but he brushed your fingers off with a low grumble. You bit your bottom lip, felt your panties soaking trough between your legs.

There was something beautiful in a raging Pierre Gasly, how his eyes turned from a light colour to a darker one, his determination shining through. He was always like a force of nature, but these times, he reminded you of a tornado.

"What are you even... Pierre, they are going to... the girls will know..." you said breathlessly as he pulled you into the tiny room and closed the door behind you. 

Pierre pushed you up against the wall of the tiny home office, wasting no time before he parted your legs and his hand slipped between your legs, making you almost buckle.

"Je n’en ai rien à foutre qui entende quand je te baise la cervelle," he growled in a low voice, another wave of wetness gushed between your thighs. I don't give a fuck who hears when I fuck your brains out,

"Qu’est-ce qui t’a pris?" You asked, accompanied by a moan, as he pushed your panties aside and thrusted two fingers into your pussy. What the hell has gotten into you?

"Ma copine ne peut pas se plaindre que je ne la baise pas correctement." He grabbed your jaw and pounded his fingers hard in you, in and out, fast and mercyless, his palm brushed over your swollen clit in small circles. My girlfriend can not complain that I don't fuck her properly.

Your knees trembled, and you could feel the familiar pull in your belly approaching you way too fast. Your hips lifted to pierre's hand and a whimper escaped your mouth, when his knuckles brushed over your sweet spot.

His fingers sank into your jaw deeper for a moment, and you hissed quietly. You were about to reply, as he pulled his fingers from your soaking hole and with a well planned moves grabbed you by the hair and pushed your face on the table.

The air, getting knocked out of your lungs, when your upper body hits the hard surface. You could hear him unbuckling his belt behind her and glanced over your shoulder.

Your boyfriend's big veiny hands wrapped tightly around both ends of the belt, and you felt your core pulsing with need, your ass lifted into the air involuntarily.

"Je n’ai pas le temps de parler en ce moment, juste une salope rapide." He smirked at you before the belt came around your wrists and pulled so tight, the leather cut into her skin. I have no time to talk right now, just a quickie, slut.

Your thighs quivered, and you could hear him huffing when you spread your legs just a bit wider. He looked you up and down before giving your ass a little pat.

"Tu vas crier mon nom, princesse, ne laissant aucun doute à quiconque à l’étage sur la façon dont je peux te baiser," You're going to scream my name, princess, leaving no doubt for anyone upstairs just how properly I can fuck you,

You could feel the tip of his cock against your entrance, and you tried to push back to him, but his hand came around your waist and held you so tight, you knew for sure the edge of the table was going to bruise your hipbone.

"Watch the clock. 10 minutes." He ordered, and your gaze fell on the small table clock. Pierre was unbelievable. You were about to make another snarky comment, but he was faster than you.

Without giving you even a moment to adjust to his size, Pierre thrusted into you with one swing of his hips, and you cried out. Tiny colourful blurs appeared in your vision as his cock invaded your tightness, every little bundle of nerves alive for the rough treatment he was giving you.

Pierre was a man on a mission, no doubt about it, fucking you so hard, the table moved inch by inch forwards. You could do nothing but scream as he held you down by the waist and pounded into you so powerful, you were a trembling mess in no time.

"Putain viens me chercher, qu’ils l’entendent." His hand landed on your ass with such strength, the print of his palm coloured your butt checks red, over and over again. Fucking come for me, let them hear it.

He switched between your cheeks before you cried out in desperation, the power of your orgasm nearly knocking you off your feet. It wasn't enough for him tough, not far enough.

"Eyes still on the clock, I hope." He smacked your burning red ass one more time to get your attention and to not let you slip into the bliss of your orgasm just yet.

"3 more minutes." you mumbled, as an answer through your haze, your breathing heavy as you pushed back into him, unable to follow the speed that he dictated.

"Alors vous pouvez m’en donner un de plus, n’est-ce pas?" He growled before one of his hands slipped from around your waist over the line of your spine up lightly to your hair, and he pulled you up against his body. Then you can give me one more, right?

Your eyes rolled back into the back of your head when the angle changed and his cock brushed against your g-spot repeatedly, sending all of your cells into a frenzy.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck, Pierre, please!!" You screamed, pierre's thumb brushed over your clit and your body crashed against his when you came undone with a glass chattering scream. 

Your swollen pussy clamped down on him, his thrusts turned erratic as he fucked you through your second orgasm before he followed you with a low grunt.

""Was that quick and unexpected enough for you?

"I petition you to be spontaneous more often."

"Next time you criticize how I fuck you, I'm not letting you come for a week." You laughed out but instantly nodded because you knew too well Pierre and his punishments were not to be taken lightheartedly.

#pierre gasly one shot #f1 #formula one #formula 1 #f1 smut #f1 imagine #f1 one shot #pierre gasly fanfic #pierre gasly imagine #pierre gasly #pierre gasly x reader #pierre gasly drabble #pierre gasly smut #pierre gasly f1 #pierre gasly x y/n #pierre gasly x you #dom!pierre gasly

[inkrabbit]

Alla hjärtans dag

little Valentine's Day hcs for Repugnant members

Mary:

Mary doesn't really believe in celebrating alla hjärtans dag

Then again, he doesn't believe in celebrating most holidays just because of how artificial it all feels, especially when it comes to love

But that doesn't mean they're gonna completely ignore and forget the holiday. That's no fun

It's not going to be filled with the cliche roses and chocolates, but it'll be special in his own way

... Okay, Mary does buy chocolates for you two to share. They couldn't resist

But for the day, they'll walk around Stockholm with you, enduring the tourists and even showing you some hidden gems in the city that they've stumbled upon

And at night, he'll lead you out of the city and pass Jakobsberg, taking you to the nearby lake

Maybe it's not entirely romantic or the most ideal evening, but Mary loves being alone with you, underneath the stars and with their arms wrapped around you

This is one of the times where they'll be completely vulnerable with you. It's the lease he can do. Mary knows they look scary and that a lot of people don't trust them based on his looks. So you coming out to the lake with him, at night, means a whole lot

By the time you guys leave, you'll be wearing Mary's jacket as a way to keep you extra warm and show who you belong to

DD:

DD works a lot but he's got everything planned out for today

He worked the morning shift for a reason and by the time he gets to you, he's already got some things he knows you've been eyeing

Your favorite drink, food and even the body spray you had told him you were thinking of getting when you got your next check

He also got you a couple extra gifts, having mainly bought you things that he knew you could use or was running out of

While DD is pretty romantic, he prefers to have the night be to just the two of you. No one else needs to know you two are together. No one else needs to know that you're taking each other out for the holiday

All that matters is you and him. So with a couple glasses of wine, DD will happily cuddle up with you on the couch and play a few of your favorite movies

But don't think it's just gonna be silence and drinking

DD will take this time to hold you close and tell you just how much you mean to him. This isn't something new since DD does this occasionally

But today is meant to express your love for your lovers and he's going to take full advantage of that

Hopefully you like soft kisses and being told that you're the light of his life

G. Grotesque:

He's trying his best, honestly

G.'s always been a little shy and, truth be told, he can overthink a good amount

Everyone said how they had to get flowers and chocolates for their partner, how they needed to get them gifts. So that's what people expect, right? Flowers, chocolates, gifts?

So he figures out which flowers you like most, what types of candy you prefer, and even gets a couple of tickets to the band you've been talking about seeing

Okay, so G. is going to celebrate alla hjärtans dag early. The band is playing a few days earlier and he thinks it would make the best gift

No matter how close you two have gotten within your time dating, G. will always approach you with that bashful smile and tinted cheeks

He's known for stumbling over his words, especially when he speaks English, but he'll be a little worse during this time and he can barely hold eye contact with you

Really, he's so worried that you'll laugh at him and call him names. So many people have done that to him in the past and the trauma has stuck with him

Just give him a few kisses and some reassuring words and he'll calm right down.

When the night winds down and you two get home, all G. wants to do is take a shower with you and cuddle until you both fall asleep

E. Forcas:

Similar to Mary, E. doesn't exactly celebrate alla hjärtans dag

He doesn't care for it. It's just a day that's never really been for him

But he also has an extra excuse to spoil you now, and he's going to take full advantage of that

He might be the quietest member out of Repugnant but that doesn't mean he's above giving you whatever you want

So for the day, it's whatever you want to do. Wanna go out to dinner? Great! Drinking at the bar? He'll keep you close to him and fend off any creeps. Wanna stay home and cuddle? Even better, he'll grab a blanket and get some snacks

If you ask him why he doesn't care to celebrate the holiday, he'll just shrug and tell you that he loves you every day. He doesn't need a "special holiday" to treat you right

If it makes you feel better, he'll buy you all the holiday gifts next year to make up for it

He does try to be romantic. There's a candle he got years ago that he decides to light while the lights are off and you two are watching a movie together

It's there. It smells sweet but he doesn't really care for it. He's mainly focused on you and making sure you're happy and comfortable

Really, E. is just a giant teddy bear and he's more than happy to go with the flow. So long as you're with him and happy, then everything is right in his little world

#hcs #headcanons #mary goore #dd sars #g grotesque #e forcas #repugnant #hi I'm back for a limited time #I'll get to the ghouls and papas.... whenever

[depressedhatakekakashi]

.... Is it weird I kind of like the idea of Madara and Gai having a kid together in GOS, but NOT in any traditional way! At all.

But more of, I picture during their fight, that Madara's magic was booming all around. And near the end, when he lay split in two, there was a lot of blood coming from him (probably more than even a human amount, likes its becoming a stream! Like, oh my gosh man!!!), that Gai stepped through to make the finishing blow. And Gai, likewise was also bleeding a lot. Sometimes I even picture him losing a foot from his last lightning attack so he's hobbling over to Madara (who is paralyzed from the lightning! Some pokemon logic XD) and when he does, their blood intermingles. Gai is still in the blood when he does the final attacks.

And sometimes I just wonder, if subconsciously or not, that could have created something. Gods can create new gods in this universe without meaning too, it happens quite often. So maybe it wasn't even immediate either, maybe it festered and came alive later when no one was looking.

I just... like to wonder... if someone/ something could have been created that night, when a human made a creation god bleed.... when that god made that human into a monster, elevating him to god status. That's a lot of emotions being triggered and... its just kind of cool to think about.

Hope that's not too weird/ out of bounds.

So i would probably go with more of a natural disaster like what happens when Baki and Kakashi get too close (they create tornadoes)

And this is partially because i had M*daG*i and do not want to interact with that ship XD but also a calamity that could threaten the entire world at once would be so cool

Something that makes the world shake

The ground crack

The sky’s turn pitch black

It’s far scarier than Kakashi’s floods or The tornades that are made when him and Baki come to close to each other

This is why Hashirama is so opposed to a second fight. He knows that it could end very very badly.

The world only git a taste of what disaster could follow a fight between Gai and Madara, and it lives down in history as one of the most terrifying moments shared by everyone in the world.

#God of Storms au

[vacantgodling]

🌻🌻🌻🌻

thank u for the excuse to ramble about celestial weddings cuz i haven’t talked about this wip much on this iteration of my blog lol

celestial weddings as a wip started when i was watching a series of documentaries in 2021… i think? or 2022 i can’t remember. but it was a series documenting different wedding traditions and rituals across the globe and that got me thinking about a story that explored a multitude of different wedding traditions being the main focus. this lead to the idea that it shouldn’t just be a bunch of random weddings but it should be a polyamorous vibe where the main character is almost in an otome game scenario except they have to marry a number of different suitors for one reason or another with MY overarching goal to make fun and interesting fantasy wedding traditions.

this developed into the character of dagmar. i don’t have any updated art of him but here’s the most recent art i have of him

and then the story started to snowball.

so, dagmar is non-binary; and along with polyamory that’s the other aspect of this wip: every character is non-binary and most of them tend to go by multiple pronouns. dagmar himself (i use him a lot bc he is inherently masculine and he is the first of his pronouns in preference) goes by he/they/she. and i think what’s interesting about this wip and about dag in general is that pronouns tend to shift in relation to the person that they’re around and the relationship they have. for instance with one of his lovers, lilliabet, dag mainly goes by he/they. however with another of his lovers vigustav (one of the only two who uses a singular set of pronouns) dag actually goes by she/her pretty exclusively. i don’t know why this is exactly but i’ll explore it more when i have more of a brain.

the reason dag is marrying all these people tho is bc he’s been chosen as a potential candidate for the celestial ruler, who p much oversees everything that goes on in the realm and throughout the 8 spheres (or realms) in this world. they all have names and the like which maybe i’ll ramble about later but we move on for now. the celestial ruler has a council of celestial lovers who help them in their decision making and ruling and it’s one person from each of the 8 spheres that they marry. marriage does not have to be inherently romantic btw but in this story and in anything about this universe i may do it will be cuz i personally like romance but it doesn’t gotta be so yknow.

anyway i love all of dag’s relationships with his partners. btw this poly circle is a one axis many spokes scenario. the other celestial lovers become friends and close like family but none of them are particularly attracted to each other in a romantic or sexual way (this does not mean orgies or group sex is off the table in any way tho yknow. ya can do what you want without attraction in pursuit of closeness and bonding etc etc i don’t feel like getting into the weeds) however there have been more complicated circles of polyships of previous celestial rulers so yeah.

ALSO i wanted all of the relationships to kind of speak to a different type of dynamic that i like tho i��m still working on the kinks of this as i learn more about the other lovers and their personalities. lillia, viggo, aenlin, and zhujen i have the best grasp of a personality and dynamic of so that leaves 4 others i gotta get to know better. but here’s a doodle of all the lovers it’s kinda old also and not entirely accurate but i need to make character and realm sheets for them LMAO. also now all the lovers have names but back then they didn’t LMAO. so going L to R top to bottom:

lilliabet (she/they) ; rhohanen (they/he) ; vigustav (he/him) ; almine (he/she) ; aenlin (he/they/she) ; zhujen (she/her) ; muu (they/she/he) ; izul (they/them)

and slightly better doodle of my faves

(vigustav, lilliabet, rhohanen, aenlin)

#s: celestial weddings

[jackfrostsander]

‘De Zevende Dag’ interview about Knokke Off (21/05/2023)

Notes

I’ve tried to do the translation as literally as possible without condensing the text or ‘cleaning it up’ as people where changing their mind while talking. Of course, it’s sometimes difficult to translate specific expressions or the way in which something is said without losing some of the meaning. I’ve also tried to include some explanations in between brackets to further help the reader to understand the interview and to clarify some of the non-verbal communication.

De Zevende Dag is a talk show on VRT1 mainly about politics but also interspersed with some culture, sports, music and lifestyle.

Interviewers

·         Lieven Verstraete

·         Lisbeth Imbo

Guests

·         Willem De Schryver (Alexandre)

·         Ruth Becquart (Eleanore)

Source

https://www.vrt.be/vrtnu/a-z/de-zevende-dag/2023/de-zevende-dag-d20230521/ (start: 1h 45 minutes)

Transcript

It started with a short piece from the Knokke of trailer.

Lieven: Knokke off, a new and striking series on VRT Max, our online platform, about the ups and downs of the uberwealthy jeunesse dorée (gilded youth) in Knokke and also their parents.

Ruth: Yes, and good afternoon to two of the main characters: mother and son, Ruth Becquart and Willem de Schryver. Willem, I will start with you. You play “Alexandre”, the name itself already says it (she stressed the ‘dre’ part indicating the name is in French).

Willem: Correct, it’s a very special character to play who has his dangerous sides and who, in the series, can be very threatening and the things he does… I was stunned when I read it for the first time because I myself… I thought how do I depict that arrogance, assholeness… It’s really extreme.

Lisbeth: But also someone who struggles.

Willem: Yes

Interrupted by Lieven: “He’s a victim, right?”

Willem: “Yes, I think that’s the beauty or it can be the beauty of the character. In the beginning you see a side of Alex that is not very sympathetic of where you as a viewer think, I cannot relate to that because I don’t understand his thinking. But as the series continues, I think it becomes clearer that there’s an other side to Alex and that his behavior doesn’t come out of nowhere.

Ruth interrupts: “Don’t give too much away”

Willem: No

Lisbeth: But also Eleanore, also here the name says it a bit. She’s not the easiest either.

Ruth: Common, that’s a sympathetic lady. No? (laughs) A rich woman who you might think of, she has everything in life to be happy but in reality she’s missing a lot.

Lisbeth: Was that the appeal for you of the character?

Ruth: Multiple things. It’s like the crazy world but also the people with who I was going to work.

Lisbeth: Did you know Willem?

Ruth: No, he studies on the same drama school as my daughter. Or I should say he sat because he graduated. I found that really nice. And the production company are really risk takers. And sometimes you must give the risk takers a chance. I find it so amazing that I worked with young people, people who didn’t do drama school and others who had, with Dutch people, young, old, everything mixed together. When I was at the premiere I was like what a group of people is this…

Liesbeth: And you played the mum.

Ruth: Yes, and that’s nice because… I was thinking a bit in the car… It’s going well, people really enjoy watching… And that’s really great. And on the one hand that’s based on the story. It’s a guilty pleasure for a lot of people to watch the lives of rich people.

Lieven interrupts: Yes, uberwealthy in Knokke

Ruth continues: You look forward to it. Wooow. And at the same time you also malicious pleasure, ah also they have their demons. But on the other hand what makes me emotional is all these worlds that come together and that makes it’s so enjoyable. I get many reactions from both young and old people, so I think it’s really appeals to a wide audience.

Lieven: And Alex has a relationship with Louise and Louise is nobody other than…

Willem: Pommelien Thijs

Lisbeth: The ‘IT girl’ of the moment.

Ruth: Yes, very much so.

Willem: Incredible (I think he says, they are all talking simultaneously).

Lieven: And Alex and Louise are also in a very toxic relationship. And without giving too much away, we have selected a little fragment.

They showed a piece of the relationship of Alex and Louise (bed scene where Louise hits him after he suggested he prefers her without taking his pills).

Lieven: That’s intense, I can imagine that for many of the young actors this is far outside of the comfort zone.

Willem: Yes, yes. I think that the first time when we with the whole young cast looked through the script and understood how many intense scenes where in the series, my heart started to beat a bit faster. How are we going to depict this in a good way. When I rewatch I myself get a bit afraid of how it all looks.

Lieven: You were even guided by an intimacy coach.

Willem: Correct, Feline worked with us on set. She was absolutely present for all intimate scenes to guard the limits. I think that was a super super good thing on a set especially as young cast, maybe that’s different for experienced… (he gestures to Ruth)

Ruth: It’s…

Lisbeth interrupts: It probably didn’t exist in the past?

Ruth: No, not in the past but I am very happy that it now exists. Times have changed. And to give you an attitude and awareness.

Willem: Absolutely, awareness. You’re with two but you must respect each other’s limits and I think that Pommelien was very professional about that. We have always been able to really talk about it without that anyone ever crossed the border.

Ruth: But that’s also why it looks so good. Because you felt safe.

Lisbeth: You discuss a few things, there are many issues in… a toxic relationship, bipolar disorder, cheating… There’s so much in this series. Almost more than a human can take in a whole life. Was that also the goal? That next to the mundane it would also put up some issues for debate.

Ruth: Yes, I think that was absolutely a goal. In a fiction series you always push things a bit together but it’s good to mention all these topics and that people can recognize themselves in these. And struggling with the demons. Everyone has to a larger or smaller degree something…

Lieven: It’s no coincidence that via VRT Max there’s a reference to watwat.be and awel.be where young people can reach out with questions and problems. Does this mean it’s useful or needed?

Ruth: Yes, I really think so. We are still living in the aftermath of corona. I have noticed that with young people or friends of my daughter or other inhabitants of a ‘kot’ (‘kot’ is a Dutch word used for a student accommodation. It can be either a dorm from a university but more often these are private rooms that students rent (often houses converted into multiple induvial rooms)). Wow, life is just gigantic.

Lisbeth: It’s of course an exaggeration because else it wouldn’t be fiction but does it touch somehow with your life? Because you said in the beginning, when I read this for the first time (makes an expression of amazement) that degree of assholeness is quite high.

Willem smiles

Lisbeth: But did you think Alexandre and Willem are two people of the same generation? I recognize that?

Willem: Yes, definitely if we speak about the same generation or the mental problems that Alex struggles with or where he’s small and vulnerable. Because he see him as a tough guy who overpowers everyone with his big mouth but deep inside it’s a boy with a very fragile heart who…

Lisbeth: Everyone screams ‘love me, love me’

Willem: Absolutely, the whole time he screams with his eyes.

Lieven: But we haven’t talked about Knokke yet. The wealthy kids in Knokke. How far is that removed from you?

Willem: It’s relatively far away from my life. I did go in the past with my best friend (who has an apartment there, I think he said) on vacation to Knokke.

Lieven: Could you get used to it?

Willem: We talked about it with the cast: could I live here? I think the thing is… It’s such an environment… It’s also when we were filming there… Everything is super beautiful there, the streets are clean, everything is perfect, trimmed to perfection…

Lisbeth: The boxwood bushes are trimmed to perfection.

Willem: Everything there is like an utopia of what it is in reality. But I think it can all be a deceiving look or especially in the series it’s a deceiving look for what is really going on underneath.

Lisbeth: Is it cliches or is it the truth?

Ruth: About Knokke?

Willem snorts

Ruth: I think it’s a bit of the truth. I think that many wealthy people live there (laughs) and that’s a fact.

Lisbeth: You didn’t go undercover to get into your character?

Ruth laughs while shaking head: No, for me it’s far from my bed. I hadn’t been there many times. We do go there once a year with the ‘Clan’ (a TV series she played in before) team of friends/colleagues. To Knokke.

Lisbeth: And why Knokke?

Ruth: Just because there’s an apartment there where we…

Everyone laughs.

Lieven: What is true is that ‘Het Laatste Nieuws’ (a Flemish newspaper) went to Knokke yesterday for an expose. They talked there with young people of your age (gesturing towards Willem) and they said, the series is really like real life here.

Willem: Yes, I continue to be amazed… Ok, I had to some degree expected this. Of course, they did enough research and the series is based on something, or it comes from something. I often get the reaction: it’s really recognizable. But to that extend that I heard from people: It’s so accurately and it’s so true that I myself was stunned… That I can’t believe… Okay I had expected that… To some extend there would be parallels with reality… But if it would be really so close…

Ruth: But it’s an arena… It’s a fiction…

Willem: Yes, indeed.

Ruth: It’s about the people, we’re all rich or poor… I mean…

Lisbeth interrupts: But you haven’t yet received angry messages: Becquart you shouldn’t show yourself here anymore.

Ruth laughs: Imagine. No.

Lisbeth: But indeed it’s something that interests people it will also be on vrt hmmm one… (the TV station). I still have to get used to it… (laughs, the TV station changed name on the 30th of April 2023 from ‘Eén’ (one) to VRT1). But also on Netflix. It has potential, maybe to attract more international attention… Because also in Hollywood do they recognize this. Is that an ambition? A dream?

Ruth: I think that could definitely happen. And you’re allowed to dream.

Willem: Being ambitious, yes. Laughs.

Ruth: What I just said, the combination of young and old people, I think that’s fantastic, that the Netherlands and Belgium comes together because that always gives something… (she uses gestures to indicate that it’s special).

Lisbeth: But sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.

Ruth: For me… I am also at the moment working in the Netherlands, and there’s really a difference and if you really stay in the arena of the story and you engage than something happens…

Lisbeth: What is the difference?

Ruth: A different way of communication, another… We’re more… (crips together, I assume she means timid, less out there)

Lieven: We also saw that in Arcadia (another tv series with Dutch and Flemish actors). And what are you doing in the Netherland?

Ruth: I am working on a Dutch thriller series with Diederik van Rooijen.

Lisbeth: So, you’re very active. And you (turning towards Willem)? Because you were already a bit active. It’s not your first role.

Willem interrupts: Correct

Lisbeth: But okay this now (she indicates non-verbally that this is something bigger than before). The posters will be printed… The drawing pins will be fetched… No, they don’t do that anymore these days in girls rooms. Who knows…

Willem laughs.

Lisbeth: But how do you see the future?

Willem: At this moment the future looks very bright and I am very happy that I am allowed to keep searching and discovering how enjoyable it’s to be in the working field.

Lieven: Something concretely?

Willem: Not very concretely that I can talk about. Sadly.

Lisbeth: Oh, something secretive.

Everyone laughs.

Ruth: A bit teasing…

Lieven: That sounds like something very important.

Willem: No, no. It’s very nice… I am still very young… I am 21. And to get these opportunities now, it’s a childhood dream to be able to do this. And to get nice reactions… It really warms my heart. And it’s really really nice to be able to do this.

Ruth: It’s nice to be able to make stories together.

Willem: Absolutely!

Lieven: And it’s really worth it! Thank you to come and explain this to us. Knokke off, pure entertainment but sometimes also an eye opener. Now already on VRT Max and later on VRT1.

#willem de schryver #knokke off #vrt max #netflixnl #vrt1 #de zevende dag #interview

[majimemegoro]

answering this yakuza OC ask for kadokura

How would your character react to one of the canonical protagonists stepping in to protect them? hed probably be amused by it like ooooh looky here, we got a extra special fighter OwO !! he might be annoyed by some specific people though

How does your character react when they see a fight starting in the street? Do they intervene? Cheer on the side? Join in? depends on what hes doing, if hes in a rush or otherwise occupied hed probably be annoyed and try to pass on by. but if one of the fighters piques his interest hed certainly stay and watch if he has nothing better to do.

Does your character fight? Under what circumstances? What sort of fighting style do they use? he doesnt seek out fights so he doesnt get in them that often, but he has legit combat training and a no-nonsense style that’s quite methodical and brutal and he uses like a bowie knife. hes also a gun expert; no good as a sniper bc his vision isn’t great, but he almost always has a handgun on him and hes legit a quickdraw and very good aim at close range.

Could your character win a fight against any of the canonical protagonists? Which one(s)? he might give them a good run for their money if he had his weapons, but he would always always lose in the end. but hes EXCELLENT with cutscene bullets :)

If your character got to be a protagonist or main character in a canonical game, what city would the story be set in? Sapporo.

If your character got to be a protagonist or main character in a canonical game, when would the story be set? id LOVE to see the late 70s prequel game!!

What would your character be like if they appeared in Ishin (or Kenzan)? oooh ooh well he could be affiliated with Izo or something !! i forget the details but yeah hed probably be like a two-timing government guy whos involved with assassins OOOH and also hed be secretly working with andre richardson or something !! historical andre richardson I forget his name. dag i really wanna draw Ishin! Kadokura now.

What would your character be like if they appeared in Dead Souls, or a Dead Souls spinoff? hed be fascinated and go ham for awhile and then hed get killed and then hed be an epic monster zombie boss fight. probably deserved it bc i bet he was invovled somehow with the people who caused the outbreak.

If your character’s only canonical role was to appear in one substory, what would that substory be? i answered that here!

Previous question, but make the substory wackier !!! same as previous

What’s your character’s favourite canonical restaurant? Which canonical restaurant do they eat at most often? Which canonical restaurant is their least favourite? i forget the restaurants in tsukimino :((( but when he visits Sotenbori he definitely loves the Crab place!! as for least favorite.. idk, hes not that picky

What is your character most likely to purchase at the pawn shop? what are they most likely to pawn off? would buy novelty weapons if he found something unique. probably doesnt bother to sell stuff, hed just throw it away or give it to someone for free.

What sort of canon gear would your character equip? idk. gun.

What does/would your character like to do on a night out in Kamurocho? drink. go to clubs and bars and dance.

Your character finds themselves snowed in at the mountain village from y5. What do they do? well first off best hope that he doesnt see mr okudera bc that would be a Whole Thing. if theres no one he knows there i guess he might be a bit sulky at first, but could genuinely enjoy the challenges of hunting etc. Although i guess he KNEW this is the village near where sato died so that would be looming over him and might make him a bit depressed.

Would your character sing karaoke? If they had to sing one of the canonical karaoke songs, which would they choose? hmmmm i think he would sing as long as he isnt in a bad mood. as for the song, idk i could see him doing a mean rendition of baka mitai ?? he WOULDNT be sincere with it though, hed like be smiling the whole time and just kinda ham it up.

Would your character be good at disco dancing? yes. hes definitely a good dancer, maybe not a pro at disco specifically but hed definitely be good.

Which canon character would/does your character get along best with? Why? uhhhhhhhh sagawa and andre richardson because theyre all freaks with no morals

Which canon character is/would be your character’s worst enemy? sato if kadokura found out he was alive. also like.. anyone with morals idk. saejima and kiryu woud hate his guts if they knew anything about him.

What random bit-character would your character be buds with? koga!!!!! headcanon that koga got his start as an intern with kadokura’s company Rachi Heavy Industries. if koga isnt niche enough, i think kadokura might get along with some purgatory people in the 80s.

Your character sees Majima being mean to Nishida. What would they do? kadokura is actually very nice and respectful to all his own employees & staff, but he understands that other bosses have different approaches. at most hed glance over and raise an eyebrow and be like ‘huh they sure dont go easy in the majima family do they’

What’s the most important canonical event your character witnesses/is involved with? his company developed the rubber bullets.

What sort of weird stuff you pick up off the ground is your character most excited to find? he brobly wouldnt pick stuff up off the ground

What would happen if your character met ono michio? hed be like ‘wow a weird mascot’. he wouldnt really care

#kadokura kenshi #yakuza oc #memecomradeoriginal #yea #my art #if anyone wants to ask follow-up questions i love you forever

[twelvelms]

While I realise that the writers wouldn't want their Lore pages to give away everything they want to reveal within the show itself, I would like to ask if the world building around 'extinct' covens with Irish associations will be addressed in some way. With no offense intended towards the extinction of the Great Auk species, I'm not sure that's the first association someone will think of when they see that Beithe Coven [whose name uses an Ogham letter] has an extinction year just a few years before The Great Famine. (AKA the Irish Potato Famine, which is much more well known than a specie extinction year.) Dagga Coven has a name that's similar to the Dagda [a king in Irish mythology associated with magic and druidry], and it's extinction year is one year off from the extinction of the Eurasian Wolf in Ireland. I don't want the writers to think this is an attack of some sort. I can understand not wanting to try to present any current Irish magic users as being forced to remain within this UK focused system. It's more a matter of how 'extinct' covens function, really. Does an 'extinct' Irish coven mean that there are no Irish magic users in the current day? Or does it mean that Irish magic users never joined the alliance (and are doing their own thing instead)?

These are very interesting questions!

I'll do my best to answer them. I'll start by saying that the Alliance is a strictly British institution, and magic users in this world exist and thrive outside of it. The Alliance and the way it runs and controls information, such as about the loss of theses covens is not necessarily a good system. It should invite criticism.

There are no Irish covens in the Alliance because I do not feel personally comfortable writing Irish people into this system which mirrors the United Kingdom. From my research, it also seems that Ireland was impacted by the proximity of the Roman Empire through their occupation of Britain in a really complicated way that's massively distinct from what was happening in Britain at the time, which is significant for important Story Reasons. This provides me with an in-world explanation for there not being Irish covens in the Alliance, as it means covens in Ireland would be far less likely to become a part of the Alliance at its formation as its formation had so much to do with the specific impact of Roman occupation on Britain.

I am a Welsh person, my only ties to Ireland are ancestral, and through a fascination with folklore and the connections between different Celtic countries. Specifically in Twelvelms I'm trying to write about the marginalisation of Celtic identities in the UK as it relates to my personal complicated feelings about the place where I grew up.

Beithe was a coven in the Irish sea between Anglesey in Wales and Ireland. It would be primarily Welsh, culturally, but heavily influenced by Ireland due its proximity. I've chosen to change the name to Bedwen to soften this association with Ireland, as I don't want to associate the loss of this coven with the Potato Famine. If the association was strong enough for you to make a connection there as it stood, I'd like to specifically avoid that moving forward.

I hadn't previously made the connection between Coven Dagga's name with the Dagda! Their names probably share a root origin, in Proto-Celtic word 'dagos', which seems possible! 'Dagos' is a reconstructed word which would roughly mean 'that which is good', and is the grandfather to the Welsh word for good, 'da', as well as the Old Irish 'dag' and 'deg', and the modern Irish 'dea-' and 'deagh-' prefixes. 'Dagga' is a potential origin of the word 'dogwood', which is this Coven's sacred tree. The date of this coven's loss being associated with the last sighting of a wolf in Ireland is not an accident. For story reasons I won't be getting into this deeply right now.

I also won't be fully discussing the way the extinct covens become relevant to the story more broadly, but I will say that access to information and who controls it is an important in the story's world.

I will mention in addition to all of this that there are mages who are part of the Alliance who live in Northern Ireland who are part of some of the covens of the Alliance, who do have their own purlieus (closed of magical communities that the Alliance likes its mages to live in). One of the main four characters, Reilly, grew up outside of the Alliance's strictly managed Purlieus with her father, a Northern Irish Derwen mage, and her mother, who is an umage from just outside of Belfast. Reilly moved to Coven Derwen's central purlieu, Deva, to live with the leader of her coven when she turned 13, which is common practice for half-mages. And should definitely be raising red flags about the Alliance.

Thanks for these questions! They were really thoughtful.

-- Eira xx

#twelvelms #eira speaks

[otakween]

Digimon Adventure 02 (manhua) - Vol. 1

Eurgh...I think this one is even worse than the first series. However, it is mercifully short (2 volumes), so at least it will be over quick. I think copies of this manhua in English are kind of a rare commodity so I'm just reading scans.

Ch. 1

-Back at it with the rushed adaptations as illustrated by Yuen Wong Yu. So far, the art in this is looking pretty good, but the writing is a mess, just like the previous series.

-This was a super condensed intro to 02. Veemon, Hawkmon, and Armadimon are all introduced simultaneously and the 01 kids don't even attempt to hide the Digiworld from the 02 kids. It bugged me that when Daisuke got his digivice he was like "so this means...!" How does he know what anything means?? He just got sucked into a computer with zero context.

-Charmingly lame translation. Daisuke says stuff like "mad skillz" and "dag yo." Honestly, he would. Sooo funny how they kinda-sorta incorporated the Japanese names. "I'm Daisuke, but my friends call me Davis." That's like saying "I'm Maxine, but my friends call me Meredith!" Just...a completely different name lol. (Then again, I guess East Asian people do choose "American" names, so maybe it's not so crazy).

Ch. 2

-I really wonder about the production of this manhua. 01 was 5 volumes, but for 02 we only get 2. The writer/artist must have known from the start that they would only get 2 volumes because of how blisteringly fast the pace is. Was this based on bad sales for the first manhua? Or maybe the fact that the second season of the anime wasn't as popular?

-This chapter starts with Koushiro saying "I found out why digivolution isn't working," but we never had a scene showing digivolution not working lol. We also see all of the armor digivolutions in this chapter...without any chapters of those getting introduced. So yeah, this is another adaptation that assumes you've seen the show so they skip all the exposition that would be helpful to a newcomer.

-Daisuke said "wiggedy wack"

Ch. 3

-Lol at Koushiro calling the 02 gang "kids" when he's like 2 years older than them. Middle schoolers do be like that tho...

-They just threw all the new digimon armor evolutions together in a way that I thought didn't really make sense. They find the digimentals and can't lift them up, but then later in the same chapter the digimentals just fly over to the kids and work? Why couldn't they pick them up the first time? Were the vibes off or something?

-I was sad to see they cut out the part where they make fun of Ken for calling himself the Digimon Emperor/Kaiser. I did enjoy Iori's "how does he do that with his hair?" bit tho lol

Ch. 4

-Wow, this one was laughably bad. Somehow we're already on Ken's redemption arc. The instant after Wormmon's sacrifice Taichi appears literally out of nowhere (he wasn't in the previous scenes at ALL) to be like "guys it's okay, Ken's brother died." WTF? How did he know that and where did he come from?? Clunkiest exposition ever. They could have at least thrown in a separate "Ken backstory" chapter to make this go down a lot smoother.

-Daisuke literally says "Dag. This thing got the bling bling" when he finds the miracle digimental loool. Why.

Ch. 5

-In horrible 90s/2000s slang news, in this chapter Daisuke calls Veemon "boo," randomly shouts "Extreme!" and says "that's straight." (I don't even remember that last one being a thing).

-I liked how they drew Stingmon. His face is a little more Wormmon-like than it was in the anime. I always prefer it when digivolutions bare a resemblance to their earlier forms instead of being totally random.

Ch. 6

-In this chapter, Daisuke calls Ken "homeslice." He's the only one they made talk "street" (or whatever you want to call it). The other characters are just like "Wtf?" lol. Of course, I'm sure none of this was in the original Chinese.

-Not gonna lie, going through this again is just reminding me how dull 02's story is :/ I think they kept presenting questions "who is this mysterious lady??" but then the answers we eventually got were underwhelming, so you were left feeling like "what was the point...?"

Ch. 7

-They mention the dark ocean, but it's completely without context because they didn't bother to adapt that episode lol. So much of this manga is out of context in general and would be a nightmare to read without prior knowledge.

-Weirdo dialogue when Hikari saves Miyako from falling off a cliff and says "I believe in you!" and Miyako's reaction is "wow! That was really nice, thank you!" As if Hikari was mean to her before...? Just awkward.

Onto the next! I bet it will be just as underwhelming (especially since the 2nd half of 02 isn't that great in the first place).

#digimon adventure 02 #manga #digimon #don't read this lol #manhua

[thorraborinn]

I'm trying to get ideas for my private practice (I don't want to call it my "hearth cult" because the people involved with the Longship have overused that term and now it feels cringe to use). I was hoping you could point me in the direction of any sagas that have some mention of how people might have worshipped at home or any prayers they might have used?

Unfortunately, there's actually surprisingly little to go on. Most of the sagas are very oriented toward public events, so the religious expressions they describe also tend to be equally public. However, there is a quite interesting paper by Luke John Murphy on the subject, and if nothing else you can skim it for the descriptions of the source material even if you're less interested in the comparative angle he takes.

Terry Gunnell's paper about indoor ritual space is probably a bit difficult to adapt for use nowadays but is very interesting and might spark some creative ideas.

One of my recent favorite books on Old Norse Religion, An Arena for Higher Powers by Olof Sundqvist, might also be helpful. It's big and dense, probably a lot more than what you're looking for right now, and is very much more about public religion, but is very thorough and some of that public religion stuff can probably be adapted for individual use. It's stealable as a PDF online.

I gave my own subjective answer to a question about private/individual heathen religious expression a little while back here: https://thorraborinn.tumblr.com/post/653078088152956928/how-does-one-worship-the-gods-in-private-im (my response starts at "As always"; my formatting doesn't tell you what's part of the ask).

I don't really know of any prayers but a common go-to is the "Heill Dagr, heilir Dags synir" ('Hail Day, hail sons of Day') stanzas from Sigrdrífumál. If you're up to writing something yourself, I think that would be great. I'd advise against overthinking it (do as I say, not as I do... overthinking it is why I don't really write poetry). A lot of the preserved poetry is extremely formally well-constructed but that doesn't mean that's all that people wrote or recited back in the day or that it's all that should be considered valuable, it's more that well-constructedness was a feature that made poems more likely to last (and professional poets had direct influence over what lasted) so there's heavy sampling bias. There's also no shortage of poetry and music by modern heathens like @poeticnorth.

#ask #anon

[peanutbutteresque]

salut, bonjour, guten dag, ciao!

get to know me and le château of my mind (っ˘ڡ˘)っ♨

⍣ i never get caffeinated even after drinking two cups of coffee in less than 10 minutes time gap (i feel like i can pull five cups of coffee in a day and still feel nothing, haven’t tried it yet but i’m pretty confident). it is probably because i have been having lattes, not that tiny yet deadly shots of espresso or proper drip coffee. i normally have one instant coffee and low-calorie sweetener dissolve in small amount of hot water, then put some ice cubes, and at last, pour the pricey-but-hard-to-resist oat milk on it cause we need to balance that less than a dollar grinded coffee with a five dollars milk. believe me, this simple recipe creates a decent typa coffee. it does taste so good and addicting but it doesn’t kick in, i need something stronger which means more acidity and bitterness that i don’t think my tummy is ready for a level up yet. i’m saying this all as if i’m in a person who needs a specific dose of caffeine per day to get their busy business life done lol wrong person *cough cough*. but no, i adore coffee and its caffeine on behalf of dopamine and antioxidant. i also do have a very special coffee buddy whom i cherish the most. we have paired our lattes with an interesting range of food, we went from cakes/cookies to instant noodles. we literally have everything with our lattes. i wish we can go out more and do cafes hopping to explore all the coffee recipes that exist. anyway, y’all better drink water more than coffee, we can’t deny the fact that it’s 100000 times healthier and more important than that colored drinks. 

⍣ i am an aries, yup, “the leader” of all the signs, the hard to get, the dominating, the chaser, the independent, mr/ms. confident, the headstrong, type of personality, and the list goes on. frankly, i don’t always feel like i own those natures, it feels like i lean more toward the soft and emotional kind of aries. i can be as indecisive as a libra, sometimes confidence doesn’t seem to be my strong suit, i can’t always say what’s on my mind like most of the aries i know seem to be really good at, i tend to put myself on other’s shoes, i think too much than i act, there were numbers of argument i lost because i chose to breakdown and cried rather than defense myself, i can be as gossipy as gemini. just like many aries, i do have a perfection side but it often leads to me being angry and depressed about it. they said, aries is the type of person who is strong and reliable, i might seen as one with my appearance and how i am in my daily life. can’t deny the fact that people see me as a joker, i always make them laugh in any occasion with or without a purpose. i often wonder, am i doing it because they expect me to do so or is there even a possibility that i am a natural joker? hate to break it to you, i don’t think so, it is true that deep down, i am a wreck, i am lost, i am scared, i do not know what to do. the future i once had a clear vision of seems blurry right now. i need someone to wake up the real sleeping aries in me, she must know how to face a situation like this with such grace and poise. anyway, sorry for turning this into a journal but it will eventually just so you know ;)

⍣ let’s get into the real business, i will use this space to post reviews about movies and tv shows (mostly on netflix and disney+) have watched that leave strong impressions on me. it actually will be rewritten from the reviews i have done on my instagram. most of them posted in close friends, and please note that i have a really really small circle, that’s why i’m planning to re-post them on this platform so it will be more accessible. since i am a full-time fangirl, i will also be liking, re-blogging and might be posting everything about my favorite artists, be it holywood peeps, kpop or cpop idols (mostly wang yibo and xiao zhan)!! 

thank you for coming to my ted talk. please check out my blog regularly for the new updates! take care my loves and be happy! see you latte(r)! <3

#first point seems fun and all then 2nd point shows up in all goth #im thinking of my dear latte as im writing this #yup no time for self-reflection #why go to therapy when you have your latte #quarter life crisis in a nutshell

[zcastle06]

What's a random character from any franchise you know that you think would be besties/get along well with Big?

I've already mentioned it before, I think Big and Olaf (Snoopy's Brother) from Peanuts would get along perfectly as both are very similar to one another in their own respective series.

(It's also my main crackship 🥴)

this is another one of those things i don't rly consider often & also i can't really name many characters off my tongue that would be outright besties with big. however! i do have one

ben. yes, THAT ben. the one from barnyard. not only is he shown to be a fisherman in a flashback, i feel as though they're similar enough to at least get along well. ben is very much driven by the responsibility he felt the day he found otis in the meadows. and on that same night, he saw the stars dancing and took it as a sign that this was where he belonged & that he should take care of things (which also ends up reflecting the journey otis goes on throughout the movie) and does everything he can to protect the barnyard however, he does not consider his own safety as he risks his life fighting against dag, thus ultimately leading to his death.

big is very much care-free much like otis, and generally prefers to live a peaceful life in nature. but unlike otis, he takes action and does everything he can help his friends (& people) out when present and needed. big's devotion to froggy and those around him is very much akin to ben's devotion to the barnyard, even if it means potentially risking his own safety in the process. again, like ben (mainly for froggy, there are examples of him helping out with non-froggy related issues in sonic media though are usually more scarce)

and thus i can actually see ben respecting and getting along pretty well with big and thinking of him as an example of what otis should strive to be (and eventually does) without becoming EXACTLY like he is. fun-loving yet still willing to take action when the time calls for it oh yeah and again. they're both fishermen. the care-free laid-back fisherman & the stern responsible fisherman. honestly? i could probably see it.

#big the cat #ben #sonic the hedghog #barnyard the original party animals #ask #this would all be before ben's death btw which would probably also end up hitting big pretty hard too for various reasons

[tojikai]

Chapter: X

I finally had a day where I could sit and finish this dumpster fire go down and oh my God do I have words.

You don't own and manage a business on pure luck. I'm so glad that the mother is observant. I don't like her but I can respect her as a character. She neglected her daughter and realizes this but I really need her to actually do something about it. Words can only do so much it's actions that really count.

I'll never understand how people cheat on their significant others. I know this is fictional but honestly this isn't so unrealistic that this could not happen to someone in real life. Don't cheat kids.

"It’s never ok to step on someone’s heart just because you’re healing your own. Causing them chaos won’t grant you peace. You learned that the hard way." Well dag. I have to steal this line now. This is on you for writing such banger sentences. /hj

I'm sure it's been mentioned in previous asks or chapters but what does Gojo do? I completely forgot.

Rie please sit down and mind your business. You're getting too involved and it's only going to hurt you in the end. Girl how'd you even come to the conclusion that she was scheming for this to happen. Why are you thinking like you're playing 4D chess when it's just connect 4. You're doing too much. I was trying to give her the benefit of the doubt. I really was. But girl why are you like this?

Gojo thank you for using your brain. Now keep using it please.

I read the warnings I know where this is going but reading how much she cares and loves this baby hurts.

OH THE DRAMA. Don't get scared now Rie you did this to yourself. Also Gojo nothing you will say in this moment will save you just sit down and shut up. Oh I can't look but at the same time I can't look away.

I KNOW SHE DID NOT JUST. I know I did not just read that with my own eyes. I really tried to at the very least not completely hate this girl but honey I can't. What do you even gain from this? *Why?* Just why? I'm glad she got slapped.

There's a reason why y/n' mother is the CEO of her own company. She didn't hold back any shots. You can tell that she definitely loved her daughter in her own way.

"In your dreams, you were holding a beautiful baby to your chest as a man kissed you on the forehead…They were your heart's deepest desires." STOP IT. STOP IT RN. I knew it was coming but the way you worded it makes it even more devastating. You want me to go back to the normal world after reading this.

I've learned from this story that love cheating isn't worth it. I mean I'd never cheat anyways but wow. Um.... Fantastic chapter as always. I'm genuinely scared to go finish this now. But I gotta know how it ends.

Hope you're doing well. Make sure to get some rest and drink some water.

wow, i missed reading these and i missed uuu!! <33 and yn's mother is very observant especially when it comes to yn. knowing abt what yn went through is like a wake-up call to her to step up, not as her mentor or boss but as her mother. to answer your question, satoru's family runs a restaurant business and he owns one of them. And Rie lmao she came back. she's still into satoru bc she thinks that whatever he had for her in hs is still there. but that's far from how satoru feels abt yn. satoru liked rie back then but he fell in love for yn, solid. Rie just can't accept that Satoru doesn't really want what he thought he wanted with her. YN losing the baby was the hardest part to write in these last chapters. I wanted to show everyone how much she loves her child. that pregnancy changed her outlook in life. that's why even after losing it she was still hopeful. bc she wanted to feel that happiness, that love again. and maybe the next time she does, she'll be able to meet and hold her little angel :'))

#🍭—kaitalks #f: permanent mark

[recommendedlisten]

Album Review: Praise - ‘All In A Dream’

Lately, it’s felt like hardcore has been doing most of its heavy lifting looking outside of itself. Turnstile? Knocked Loose? Code Orange? All incredible artists respectively doing something truly unique than what usually is expected of a modern hardcore band. Praise -- a band which even features members from one of those bands in drummer Daniel Fang of Turnstile -- are modernists as well, but they also wanted to remind listeners of the scene’s roots.

With the Baltimore area straight edge band comprised of vocalist Andy Norton, guitarists Anthony Dye and Austin Stemper, bassist Chris Bavaria, and Fang assembling themselves from the likes of Champion, Give, Have Heart, Mindset, Protestor, and the aforementioned Turnstile, the emotively melodic D.C. scene blueprints of Embrace and Dag Nasty naturally bleed into their canvas. Then again, so does an underlying melodic proficiency many of today’s hardcore futurists have seemingly honed in on to fingerprint their sound with an identity that reflects on the individual listener.

Praise have been amiss for a few years, with only one album in 2016′s Leave It All Behind, some EPs and singles to their name, but their return on their second full-length effort All In A Dream is perfectly on time. Across nine consistent knockouts, the listen is a document to where life has led its membership and the worn wisdom that carries into their sound -- A personification of Norton’s own darkness and light (”All In a Light”), anxieties and letting go (”Hotline to Memory”), and ultimately, his anthemic reminder to keep hanging on (”Keep Hanging On”.) The adage that all of its members came to the studio more sure of who they are today than who they were yesterday solidifies Praise’s presence to everything hardcore represents in giving listener’s that nonstop feeling with substance and meaning behind.

All In A Dream artistically presents Praise’s growth as well. Tracks like “Suddenly Human” and “Life Unknown” smooth aggression with grungy pop bursts amid Norton’s leveling existential, and for the melodic post-hardcore purists, “Return to Life” and “Peace of Mind” are Praise at their best selves despite which hardened forces attempt to stand in their way. It’s a reminder that hardcore music like this exists in two timelines, with it sounding both timeless, yet playing like an album sent from a future version of our own selves to rally us from a weighted slumber, and lift us back into the present. It knows where we came from, but it also knows where we can go, too.

All In A Dream by Praise

Praise’s All In A Dream will be released May 6th on Revelation Records. Physical | Apple Music | Bandcamp | Spotify

#albums #praise #revelation records

[vacantgodling]

@henrike-does-writing-sometimes

gl with resetting your sleep schedule! i know that's a struggle lmaoooo

so when it comes to dag's lovers i still am working on a lot of their personalities and everything but i can give you a kinda basic rundown of whats going on

tl;dr in order to have a chance at becoming the celestial ruler, dag & 7 other hopefuls (chosen by the previous celestial ruler's lovers when they pass on) are chosen young in order to be trained, and then go on a worldwide journey to each of the 8 spheres (or realms. or gates. however you would like to call them lol) to marry a member of each realm's royal family. they have to basically choose the right one (soul destiny some shit lol) in order to ascend to the throne :)

some hopefuls aren't in it for the romance they're just tryna get it over with; or they marry platonically (but thats not this story im obsessed with romance lol). dag however, really loves all of his partners and seeks to genuinely get to know and fall in love with them and whatnot

so without further ado, these are the partners & what i know about them so far:

*also as a side note everyone in this story including dag are nb. but i do list their pronouns and you can call them anything in that realm lol

LILLIABET (she/they/he) — lillia is dag's childhood friend and is the youngest child of the dattenmaow royal family. i just first of all, love her aesthetic she wears red most of the time and has long braids. favorite part of her outfits/design is her big heavy beaded jewelry, its a bit of a staple in dattenmaow! the two of them have been in love for a long time; dag was taken to the celestial city for training when he was 6 years old, and for the 27 years he was away for training (yeah its that long lol) the two of them kept in contact through letters! lillia is excitable and can be a little childish, but she cares deeply for people. they're also a very skilled fighter and love exploring and adventuring. she feels like she's not taken seriously by her family because she is the baby, and appreciates how dag has always seen her as his equal! she also saved her first kiss for him lmao. it's a well known fact in dattenmaow that if dag hadn't been chosen to be a hopeful, he and lillia would've been wed regardless lol (especially bc she and dag's parents were close).

IZUL (they/them) — i don't know much about izul yet tbh. they're the fifth child of the mukhiru royal family. i definitely know that they tend to go most places barefoot (i think it might be a cultural thing for them) and they have a lot of anklets. their skin is sooo pretty and dark and they have short kinky curly hair. i think they're a bit more of a reserved person; they tend to laugh behind their hand a lot and i think they're also more reserved with affection. dag definitely appeals to them as a friend first.

VIGUSTAV (he/him) — VIGUSTAV MY BELOVED i gotta calm down. he’s the third child of the vukter royal family! something to know about dag is that he's actually pretty tall, but 2 of his lovers are taller than him: vigustav and almine. viggo is an absolute sweetheart, which is actually looked down upon in his culture. i don't know much about everything that their culture does yet, however i do know in order to become accepted as a true warrior or some shit, they have to complete a SUPREMELY dangerous trial that its seen as more of an honor if you die in than to come back and fail and... unfortunately vig failed. he lost his arm in the trail actually and while he's not in the extremely dark place that he was before he met dag, he definitely was suicidal back when it happened. he's matured a lot as a person since then but that doesn't necessarily mean people's treatment of him is any better, and tbh, he really struggles to see himself as a worthy partner for anyone, esp when he meets dag. they have such a sweet romance like i'm laying on the FLOOR. dag helps vig feel attractive and desirable and worthy of affection and vig absolutely spoils tf out of his wife. there's this really sweet scene that i see happening during a courtship ceremony when viggo and dag dance together and bc of his disability most of the time vig sits out dances or has to be "led", dag lets him lead the dance and boy it restores his confidence a lot. if you can't tell absolutely adore this big bear of a man he has my whole heart.

MUU (they/he/she) — muu is another newly figured out addition. i know my initial description of them was “sports anime protag” bc i just see them being very excitable, hardworking and down to earth. they’re also SUPER dreamy. head in the clouds all the time and very giggly. they come back down to earth when things need to be taken care of but they’re very laid back and love relaxing and driving boats throughout the marsh. they definitely started off being instantly attracted to dag but also admired him greatly for his strength and chill personality.

ZHUJEN (she/her) — WIFE. WIFEY. BELOVED. she’s the eldest child of the guanai royal family though she is still younger than dag by three years. in guanai culture there is a lot of emphasis on the care of elders to youngers and the ruler of guanai is essentially seen as a parent to all of the people. since zhujen (before she weds dag p much) is seen as the next in line to be mother (nb) to all the people of the nation, she’s constantly worn thin by people constantly needing her. between being trained as a ruler, to her peoples calls for her aid, to her siblings relying on her… it’s a wonder that she’s able to handle it all. dag is the first person to really be able to emphasize with the stress of having so much responsibility rest on her shoulders at all times and the two bond over it quickly. she has a fairy-like vibe to her; guanai is a land of thick dense forests with houses built in trees, so to be fair most of the people of guanai feel like that. however zhujen is remarkably patient and loving and kind. acts of service are a huge love language for her both giving and receiving and she promises dag that once he becomes celestial ruler she’ll make sure he never works himself too hard 🥲

ALMINE (she/he) — the fourth child of the royal family, almine is gruff and has a calm command of the room around her. she can be intimidating with her tall frame and large build, and fierce disposition but it’s because she’s a guardian and protector to her core. the only thing she loves more than silence and nature is horses and she is the leader of the zali mountain militia. she’s also the oldest of dag’s lovers and the wisest. it’s definitely a situation where she swept dag off of his feet when she realized he would respect her boundaries and had a similar love for the earth like she did. (i also based a lot of her personality off of geralt of rivia from the witcher down to the scruffy stubble/beard and light hair 😭)

RHOHANEN (they/he) — sixth child of the aeronwen royal family and an ACTUAL brat he had genuinely no desire to be wed off to anyone until dag sort of convinced him otherwise. the deal is that aeronwen, like it’s icy peaks, is a land devoid of integrity like some of the other spheres value it’s intensely cutthroat and ruthless. being one of the younger members of the family, rho has constantly had his ability and existence questioned and constantly has to duke it out with his siblings in order to be noticed and respected. he’s not used to love, essentially. in fact the only reason anything sparks between he and dag is bc rho is a horny lil bastard who says “it’ll be sex and nothing more” however guess who catches feelings 🤪 dag’s probably the most assertive with rho than with any of the other lovers bc rho is someone who refuses to see things even if it’s right in front of his face. dag teaches him how to allow himself to be vulnerable and to trust those who have truly earned it while rho helps dag with his decisiveness bc up until they met, dag has been very much able to use his subtly and humbled nature to solve problems and get by. however it mirrors how, even as the celestial ruler when tough times arise, you have to be cutthroat occasionally for the good of the world :)

AENLIN (he/they/she) — finally, aenlin, the most interesting circumstance of all dag’s lovers. see, the thing about aenlin is that not only is he the second child of the lesedi royal family but he’s also a hopeful himself. all throughout the journey that he and dag have taken through each of the realms (1) aenlin hasn’t courted any lovers or been wed and (2) he’s viewed dag as a sort of rival. this is simply bc since he’s in a unique position of being both a hopeful and a member of the royal court, he essentially was forfeited from birth from the ability to be the celestial ruler (he can’t marry one of his siblings lol). but he also can’t become a ruler of lesedi bc he’s second in line. it’s made him very bitter, and he’s known that dag is the most likely candidate to become the celestial ruler for a decade at least, however they didn’t met officially until the journey of the hopefuls began. he wanted to hate dag and he does his best to. in the times they interact even when dag is kind or neutral towards him, aenlin has been very gruff and almost rude in a way. but all is revealed when they reach lesedi and he’s “welcomed” by his family. dag has no ill will towards aenlin and slowly gets to the bottom of his feelings and helps him reconcile that just because he isn’t “the best” doesn’t mean he isn’t loved and that he doesn’t have purpose. so, as much as aen didn’t want to lol he does end up falling for and marrying dag :) their love story technically takes the longest bc i’d be sprinkling it in all throughout dag’s time traveling and with the other lovers haha.

#oof this was long sorry but hope you enjoyed tm #s: celestial weddings

[alanisbartoletti]

Metaceptine Reviews: Do Not Buy Before Knowing The Truth!!

Metaceptine diabetes supplement reviews – Read my honest 30 days results, complaints, benefits, side effects and discount price details before you order.

Taking supplements was never popular until covid-19 hit us. People got more interested in taking care of their health than they had done in the past decade. One of the popular supplements that got severyone’s attention is Metaceptine. This incredible supplement gained popularity due to its claims of controlling blood glucose sugar and improving cardiovascular health.

Diabetes is one of the most common and debilitating diseases in the world today, affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. While there is no single cure for diabetes, there are a variety of measures that can be taken to help manage its symptoms and minimize its impact on overall health.

Even if the supplement is popular, there are still doubts about its effectiveness. Many people have reported that Metaceptine is not as effective as it claims and others are raving about the results. Whatever the truth is it can be proved easily if you read Metaceptine review below.

⇒ Visit the Official Website of Metaceptine Supplement

What is Metaceptine?

Metaceptine is a dietary supplement that claims to improve cardiovascular health and control blood glucose levels. The manufacturers claim that the supplement is made with natural ingredients that are clinically tested and proven to be effective.

The supplement is available in the form of capsules and each bottle contains 30 capsules. These capsules are first taken with water and then they start working on the body.

The official website of Metaceptine says that a lot of research and work has been put into the formula. It is created in a GMP facility in the USA and also contains FDA approval.

The formula is free from any kind of fillers, binders, or artificial ingredients which makes it something you might be interested in. Metaceptine has been created for people suffering from Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. According to the website, Metaceptine is also helpful for people who are struggling with cholesterol issues.

How Does Metaceptine Work?

Metaceptine promises to help with blood pressure and glucose control as well as improve cardiovascular health. This is done by using a combination of ingredients that help to reduce inflammation in the body, increase insulin sensitivity and improve blood flow to the heart and other organs.

Before understanding how Metaceptine works, we need to understand why one’s blood glucose is not controlled. The reason is very simple. It is because the insulin present in the body is not able to function properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps in glucose metabolism. The job of insulin is to take the sugar from the blood and convert it into energy that can be used by the cells. But when there is some problem with insulin, it fails to do its job properly. This leads to a rise in blood sugar levels.

Now, let’s see how Metaceptine helps in controlling blood sugar levels. Metaceptine is a drug that works by increasing the sensitivity of insulin. It means that it makes insulin more effective in converting sugar into energy.

Metaceptine works by inhibiting the activity of an enzyme called DPP-4. This enzyme is responsible for breaking down GLP-1, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. By inhibiting the activity of this enzyme, Metaceptine helps to keep blood sugar levels under control.

In addition to its effects on blood sugar, Metaceptine also contains ingredients that can help to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. By improving overall cardiovascular health, Metaceptine can help to lower the risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions.

The supplement also works on the DAG molecule that is produced when fat is metabolized. This molecule can build up in the arteries and lead to blockages. Metaceptine helps to break down this molecule, making it less likely to cause blockages.

Apart from this, the AMPK switch that is responsible for the metabolism is also kept in check. When this switch is on, the body starts to burn more fat for energy. Metaceptine helps to keep this switch turned on, leading to increased fat burning and weight loss.

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How Does Metaceptine Help You?

Metaceptine has been formulated in a way that it solves so many issues of the body that are unturned by other supplements. It is not just a blood sugar control supplement but also helps in various other aspects that lead to a healthy body.

Controls Blood Glucose Levels:

Metaceptine is very effective in controlling blood glucose levels. It does so by increasing the sensitivity of insulin. This makes insulin more effective in converting sugar into energy. Working on the DPP-4 enzyme also helps to keep blood sugar levels under control.

There are a lot of supplements that make similar claims but Metaceptine promises to work on the root cause of insulin deficiency in the body and by doing so, it helps a lot in treating the symptoms of diabetes.

Improves Cardiovascular Health:

Apart from its effects on blood sugar, Metaceptine also contains ingredients that can help to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. By improving overall cardiovascular health, Metaceptine can help to lower the risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions.

The supplement also works on the DAG molecule that is produced when fat is metabolized. This molecule can build up in the arteries and lead to blockages. Metaceptine helps to break down this molecule, making it less likely to cause blockages.

Reduces Inflammation:

Inflammation is the root cause of many diseases. Metaceptine contains ingredients that help to reduce inflammation in the body. By reducing inflammation, Metaceptine can help to lower the risk of diseases like cancer, heart disease, and arthritis. In addition, the anti-inflammatory properties of Metaceptine can also help to reduce pain and improve overall joint health.

Weight Loss:

Metaceptine can also help you lose weight. It does so by working on the AMPK switch. This switch is responsible for metabolism. When this switch is turned on, the body starts to burn more fat for energy. Metaceptine helps to keep this switch turned on, leading to increased fat burning and weight loss.

Weight gain becomes common in people with diabetes as they are unable to process the glucose in their bodies. Metaceptine can help you lose this weight by turning on the AMPK switch and increasing metabolism.

Increases Blood Circulation:

Metaceptine also helps to improve blood circulation in the body. By increasing blood flow, Metaceptine can help to deliver nutrients and oxygen more effectively throughout the body. This can lead to improved energy levels, faster healing, and better cognitive function.

Increased blood circulation also supports a healthy heart, which is crucial for people with diabetes.

Controls Hunger Pangs and Jitters:

Another side effect of diabetes is the constant hunger pangs and a feeling of jitters. Metaceptine can help to control these symptoms, leading to an improved quality of life for diabetics. The supplement also helps to regulate mood and promote feelings of calmness and relaxation.

Only diabetes people know the life of jitters and severe hunger pangs. Metaceptine can help to control these symptoms by increasing the sensitivity of insulin and keeping blood glucose levels under control.

Metaceptine is a very effective supplement. It is not just a blood sugar control supplement but also helps in various other aspects that lead to a healthy body. If you are looking for a comprehensive.

⇒ Visit the Official Website of Metaceptine Supplement

What Are The Ingredients in Metaceptine?

The manufacturers of Metaceptine have not disclosed the complete list of ingredients used but they have mentioned some main ingredients used in the formula that are discussed below:

Momordica Charantia:

Momordica charantia, also known as bitter melon or bitter gourd, is a plant that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a wide range of ailments, including diabetes. Research has shown that the phytochemicals in bitter melon help to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels.

In addition, this powerful natural remedy helps to promote weight loss, which can also be beneficial for managing type 2 diabetes. For these reasons and many others, bitter melon is considered to be one of the most valuable herbal treatments for diabetes. Whether taken as a supplement or consumed in its natural form through foods like stir-fried bitter melon or bitter melon tea, this herbal remedy helps to manage disease symptoms and improve overall health and well-being.

Periploca Sylvestris:

Periploca sylvestris, also known as Chinese milk vetch or climbing milk vetch, is a climbing plant that is native to China. This plant has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to treat a wide range of ailments.

Recent studies have shown that the compounds in Periploca sylvestris help to improve the sensitivity of insulin, reduce blood sugar levels, and improve the body’s ability to process glucose. For these reasons and many others, Periploca sylvestris is considered to be one of the most effective herbal remedies for diabetes.

Commiphora Mukul:

Commiphora Mukul, also known as Guggulu or Indian bdellium, is a plant that has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a wide range of diseases and conditions. In recent years, scientific studies have shown that the compounds in Commiphora Mukul can help to improve blood circulation, reduce blood cholesterol levels, and support a healthy heart.

For these reasons and many others, Commiphora Mukul is considered to be one of the most effective herbal remedies for diabetes. Whether taken as a supplement or consumed in its natural form through foods like Guggulu tea or Guggulu-infused milk, this powerful natural remedy can help to manage diabetes symptoms and improve overall health.

Morus Alba:

Morus Alba, also known as white mulberry, is a plant that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a wide range of diseases and conditions. In recent years, scientific studies have shown that the compounds in Morus Alba can help to improve blood sugar control, reduce insulin resistance, and lower cholesterol levels. For these reasons and many others, Morus Alba is considered to be one of the most effective herbal remedies for diabetes.

Cinnamon Bark:

Cinnamon bark is a spice that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various health conditions. In recent years, scientific studies have shown that the compounds in cinnamon bark can help to improve blood sugar control and reduce inflammation, making it an effective herbal remedy for diabetes.

Yarrow:

Yarrow is a plant that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a wide range of ailments. In recent years, scientific studies have shown that the compounds in yarrow can help to improve blood sugar control and reduce inflammation.

Based on the research, it appears that Metaceptine is a powerful natural remedy for managing diabetes and various other health conditions. The ingredients used in this supplement have been shown to promote better insulin sensitivity, reduce blood sugar levels, support healthy heart function, and improve overall body functioning.

Are There Any Side Effects of Metaceptine?

Unfortunately, there is not much research available on the potential side effects of Metaceptine. However, the manufacturers of Metaceptine make huge claim that the supplement is made from organic ingredients and does not cause any side effects in the body.

It is always advisable to consult with your healthcare provider before taking any new supplement, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are taking medications.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also avoid taking Metaceptine or any other supplements without first speaking to their doctor.

⇒ Visit the Official Website of Metaceptine Supplement

Metaceptine Reviews Final Words

Metaceptine is a nice choice for those who want to try an all-natural supplement to help manage their diabetes. The ingredients in this supplement are effective in promoting better insulin sensitivity, reducing blood sugar levels, supporting heart health, and improving overall body functioning.

As of now, there is not enough evidence to say for certain whether or not Metaceptine is safe and effective as there are no clinical trials of the formula. However, the herbal ingredients in this supplement have been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, and many of these ingredients have been backed by scientific research.

The best thing we have noticed is that the company provides a 365-days refund policy if you are not satisfied with Metaceptine which is incredible as not all companies give such refund policies.

Overall, Metaceptine seems fine and a good choice to start as a blood glucose support supplement. Thank you for reading our Metaceptine Reviews till the end.

⇒ Visit the Official Website of Metaceptine Supplement

[neutralityday]

Neutrality, a changing concept.

The United Nations General Assembly Resolution 71/275 of 2017 declares 12 December as International Day of Neutrality – and invites all United Nations Member States to mark its observance. More substantively, it suggests that the Secretary-General should continue to cooperate closely with neutral states, with a view to implementing the principles of preventive diplomacy while using those principles in their mediation activities (all only with voluntary contributions, of course!).

So what does neutrality really mean in 2021? No doubt everyone’s thoughts will first turn to Switzerland, the state most unequivocally committed to a permanent armed neutrality, and to Geneva, the seat of the International Red Cross and home to UNOG, as well as numerous UN programmes and agencies. Swiss neutrality formally dates back to the Congress of Vienna in 1815, and Switzerland has long prided itself on its good offices and its role as a protecting power or a mediator. For the Red Cross, its base in neutral Switzerland reinforces its impartiality and hence its efficacy in caring for victims of conflict.

However, neutrality, even in Switzerland, is not a static concept. When I was Chef de Cabinet at UNOG – quite a while ago – the Swiss electorate dismayed us by voting by a margin of three to one not to join the UN. That was in 1986 and one of the key reasons adduced was that UN membership would jeopardise Swiss neutrality. Even in Geneva, 70% were against joining. And yet, 15 years later in another referendum, the Swiss electorate decided – in a close vote – to join the UN. Apparently, it was no longer felt that UN membership was incompatible with neutrality. And now, Switzerland is set to join the Security Council next year as non-permanent Member. It would take a much longer article than this to analyse the changing motivations behind these diverse positions, but it’s clearly not possible to point to a hard and fast definition of neutrality beyond the basic premise of ‘not taking sides in a conflict’.

The other prominent neutral states within Europe – Austria, Sweden, Finland and Ireland – had no such qualms about joining the UN, and all of them take a different approach to neutrality. As a young diplomat serving in Vienna (also a good while ago), I was frequently reminded of the demands of the Austrian State Treaty, the 1955 agreement with the four occupying powers (Soviet Union, UK, France and US) that bound Austria to not join any military alliances, and led to Austria declaring its permanent neutrality – while in the same year joining the UN. Austria affirmed it would follow a policy of “active neutrality”, offering its good offices for East-West issues. And now, Vienna has of course become the third home of the UN, after New York and Geneva.

In Sweden, the question of neutrality is quite a live issue at present, although not with respect to the UN. Sweden has long championed the UN and sees no problem with the country’s neutral status. Indeed, the most famous of all UN Secretary-Generals is perhaps Sweden’s Dag Hammarskjold. Sweden’s current debate revolves around a closer association with NATO, the Western military alliance with which the country already maintains a degree of cooperation. Membership of NATO, unlike the universal United Nations, would clearly put an end to neutrality, yet there are many voices in the country who would opt for NATO membership as a realistic policy in the current troubled geopolitical situation, as well as many others who would instead hew to neutrality.

Finland and Ireland are other European states which have elected for neutrality at one point or other in their national history and maintain this choice today. Like Sweden and Austria (and Cyprus and Malta, two other professedly neutral states), they are members of the UN, the EU, but not of NATO. And, these memberships do raise questions: Is it strictly neutral to go along with UN sanctions imposed against another state? Perhaps the ‘universal’ nature of the UN allows for such action without jeopardising neutrality, but what of the EU, with its growing initiatives under a Common Security and Defence Policy? At least Costa Rica and other neutrals beyond Europe have no such issues.

The first UN Secretary-General, Trygve Lie, declared that international organisations and neutrality were on two different planes. Now we have the UNGA encouraging respect for neutrality as an instrument of preventive diplomacy. Woodrow Wilson, bitterly frustrated by the US Congress’ refusal to join the League of Nations, dismissed armed neutrality as “ineffectual enough at best”, yet the international solidarity demonstrated by some of the core neutral countries – Sweden, Austria and Switzerland – has long been exemplary. Ultimately, this is all about politics, not international law. The debate over neutrality is linked to domestic political debates pitting isolationists against interventionists: a debate long current in the US and one that straddles party lines of left and right. And, when we debate humanitarian intervention and national sovereignty, we raise some of the same sets of issues. Moreover, in several historical occasions, for example during World War II, neutrality may have been more a question of survival than of free choice. How we view neutrality today depends on shifting political currents, on alliances changing with new conditions, on new threats and challenges in the face of which no one can remain ‘neutral’ – but this is far from the strictly political neutrality understood by that Resolution 75/170, where we began.

#interventionists #isolationists #national sovereignty #neutrality #neutral countries #Preventive Diplomacy #UNtoday