#defect quartet

[theglamorousferal]

Mid 20's Defect Quartet move to Crime Alley to hide out in a city that has enough ambient ecto that they won't get withdrawals. They have a de-aged Dan(te) and Ellie, down to 8 and 4 respectively. They have their own shops set up, Danny a mechanics shop, Sam an occult shop and apothecary. Val and Tucker are working at WE in security and cyber security. They've settled into a rhythm and Dante and Ellie are raised by four loving parents.

One night they find a death-touched teen wandering the streets covered in mud with bloody hands. They take him in, clean him up, get him new clothes. They take him to see Frostbite where they find he has a half-formed core. After they get the information they need to take care of him they have to make a decision.

Tucker recognized him as the dead son of his and Val's boss. The kid has been essentially catatonic since they found him. Do they help him heal and then take him to Bruce Wayne and have a long discussion on how to take care of his son, or do they bring him now and have someone who doesn't know how to handle death-touched things try and care for Jason through the toughest part of the healing process?

#dpxdc #fanfic #defect quartet

[mkarchin713]

Reborn son of a Hawk AU

My first attempt at making an AU. Please be gentle.

….

Tucker is the reincarnation of Dullaman, the son of Chay-Ara and Bashari better known by their current incarnations Shayera “Hawkgirl” Hol and John “Green Lantern” Stewart.

Chay-Ara, Khufu and Bashari where in a triad and Khufu named Dullaman his successor.

Sam, Danny and Valerie’s previous incarnations were lovers of Dullaman

Sam’s past incarnation was Semat, a noble betrothed to Dullaman.

Danny’s past incarnation was Pakhom, a priest of Osiris and childhood friend of Dullaman.

Valerie’s past incarnation was Valia, the half Amazonian bodyguard of Dullaman.

Hotep-Ra was insanely jealous of Dullaman’s magical abilities so he created the Scarab Scepter to control the boy pharaoh. Hotep-Ra’s control was so great he even got Dullaman to kill Semat, Pakhom and Valia.

Bashari was out on campaign but when he returned and found out what happened he had Hotep-Ra mummified alive and cursed.

Dullaman ended up cursing himself and his lovers to be reborn together and then killed himself

Bashari had the four buried together in Dullaman’s tomb.

Hawkgirl meets Tucker at the museum exhibition of Dullaman’s tomb. Tucker doesn’t believe Hawkgirl is his mothers reincarnation because Tucker thinks he is ascribing his current friends faces to his past memories.

#dc x dp #dp x dc #dpxdc #dcxdp #dc x dp crossover #dp x dc crossover #tucker foley #sam manson #Danny Fenton #valerie gray #DCAU #shayera hol #john stewart #Chay-Ara #bashari #reincarnation au #Reborn Son of a Hawk AU #hotep-Ra #defect quartet #everlasting trio #pharaoh tucker #my first AU #please be gentle #I just want to see what the good people of Tumblr will do with this

[mylifeisweirdok]

How would u rewrite Sam?

Well shit man you already saw my redesign lmao

Nah but seriously? There are 3 things i would change. 1 being her n tuck overlooked as much, 2 being used as a joke n stepping stone for danny, 3 I want her to really step into her characters history and development (cause redemption arcs are the bomb yes?), and 4 my personal headcanons of course.

~~~

1-the og trio

Ah yes, the three amigos, three peas in a pod, the three musketeers. Danny, Tucker, and Sam. They are my favorite characters to read about and personally? i ship them as poly, but thats the phanon trio. The canon trio aren't as defined as the phandom makes them out to be. Danny throughout the show is consistently a bamf, but he also kinda glances over his friends (just how many episodes had vital plot point being him taking advantage of his friends or having them take the downfall?) I would put Sam and Tucker in a much more prevalent role and really write out who they are as characters. We do of course have some already, from Tuck's Egyptian counterpart to Sam's dragon and plant forms, but we need to see them more as who they are. Just how many times can Tucker hack the government before he has to turn down plans cause he has a court hearing? How many protests can Sam drag the other two along to before they can quote the Miranda Rights by heart? What abandoned buildings do they explore outside of ghosty business (cause what Midwestern teen hasnt explored a corpse of a house)? Where do they dance to the latest underground music that matches dumpty humpty in feels? Give me their teenage shenanigans and who they are outside of ghosts.

2-the jokes

Sam is a really cool character to begin with; she's persistant and head strong, fights for her beliefs and friends, and she stands out in her town of Amity Park as one of the alt kids. Growing up she was an inspiration to kids like me who had nothing but the monotonous life that exists in Illinois, and it wasnt until i was older when i realized she was kinda made into a joke at some points. Namely being the ultra-recyclo-terian lifestyle in canon she has. Which is great, but at some point you gotta draw a line. She's been made a gimmick, something for people to laugh at cause she's basically vegan and that makes her different, more so than her outfits and pov from a money standpoint. Because the characters in the show brush her off, we pick up that being vegan is weird and not right but not left either. Its just, its setting a bad example for how we treat people who eat differently than the American standard. It dont matter what you eat at the end of the day. The writers kinda made it a part of her personality even though its not that big of a deal. Idk methinks that should be rewritten Heavily™️

3-who even Is Sam

Well, like i said earlier, she a headstrong, loyal to a fault, stubborn, goth character for better and for worse. Her character development was a good start. I liked how she was able to eventually reach a tenable toleration of the other characters like Paulina and Valerie (if im remembering correctly?). I liked how she was someone for kids to see and have in the back of their minds as someone to be like. However, parts of her character gets forgotten about too often; like she's jewish. Thats fucking cool as fuck. And when do they mention it? Offhandedly in a christmas episode, and the singular time we hear her grandmother say her nickname. Fuck it, I want her to celebrate Sukkot near halloween. I want to hear about the shenanigans that came with her bat mitzvah celebrations. What about Passover? What does she think of her relatives when they come over for The Good Food that comes with their feast after memoriam? Give me more jewish rep in general, but especially for Sam.

Aside from that, she needs more development in general. She was awesome to watch and even cooler when she ended up dating Danny at the end there, but she did Not receive nearly as much backlash for her choices as other did. Shes pretty hypocritical, and at the beginning thought herself much higher than the other characters. She did eventually cool down a bit but methinks she deserved a bit more arc there. Why didnt her and jazz have a verbal match in Girls Night Out, when Sam said Jazz didnt know how to handle ghosts? Why didnt her european conquest get brought up more after the fact, for teasing or for reasons why they shouldnt do X bad idea? Why was her narrative foil vilified for her femininity, and Sam's "not like the others" stereotype upheld for being better? She had faults, her character as written and her choices as played out. These faults werent emphasized nearly as much as they shoulda been.

4-personal headcannons

There are many things i like that the phandom itself has come up with, from the whole "ghosty weed parent means ghosty weed sam" to her eventual flower shop in amity park; dont forget her polycule of idiots, be that the trio or defect quartet. There are the big things like where she ends up in early adulthood, to smaller things like her favorite coffee being from a cat cafe she had exactly one (1) time, but there are things the phandom hasn't come up with, or at least not to my knowledge. (If you saw my character redesign, you might know whats coming)

Have you thought of punk Sam, instead of goth? What about wanderer Sam? What about a crustpunk trainhopping Sam, who rallies protestors in cities with corrupt police, who swigs bootheel moonshine she got from a rural grandma, who dances jigs in the Appalachias, who traveled when the ghosts finally calmed down a bit? Just imagine a Sam that has such a huge social media presence but is also a figurative ghost cause the average person cant travel like she does; there are communities out there who follow her and assumes she's a cryptid who's had it up to here with humanity (and these people don't even know about the Ghosts, the real ones).

I think she likes tattoos better than piercings cause a continuous steady burn is easier to sit through than a spike of metal. I think she despises kudzu (the plant) and sets it on fire if she sees a patch of it (controlled burning for local wildlife). I think she carries a small mossball from the early 2000s thats somehow still alive even tho shes forgotten and lost it twelve times over. I think, before she left for the rails, when her ma would drag her to dinner parties, she would talk the talk and walk the walk til the very end of the night, then she would call out the host on their latest exploitation and tell them the recordings she got at the party would be sold to the highest bidder in the morning. I think she'd bring home a stray kitten she found and name it fy, the yiddish word for fuck. I think she'd make hot vanilla instead of hot chocolate (fr tho if anyone needs a hot vanilla recipe i gotchu just hmu).

When interacting with teachers, she'd be the favorite until you got to history class; you'd leave that class with more understanding of how horrible america has been than you would ever think was possible in Illinois. The English department loves her and her takes on classics ("why read to kill a mockingbird and get a white savior complex when you could read the hate you give and get a much more realistic and accurate look at racism in modern america? Racism never died, so read the stuff you find more relatable. Also atticus Sucked Ass ™️").

Shes a morning person sure, but also a gym rat; shes there at 4am, running a mile and rowing for an hour while chugging orange juice and green supplements and youre in bed sleeping. She says hello to the entryway even if no ones there to hear it, she says not today to the hallway closet, she knocks twice on her window cause that's her routine when she gets home from school.

Theres so many small bits n bobs that i have for her i forget them right now. Overall shes an awesome character, just needs some touching ups. (Also i hope this is coherent for you, I've been at work since noon and got off just before midnight, sorry if it isnt ill edit in the morning :) )

What about yall? How would you rewrite her?

#sam manson #danny phantom #character rewrite #fanfiction #woulda should coulda ya know #defect quartet #weirdshc

[noloveforned]

tonight i'm on wlur from 8pm until midnight with the last 'regular' no love for ned of the year. hopefully next week will be a holiday show and we'll wrap up december with a 'best of 2003' show. if you're doing something fabulous with your friday night then you can always stream last week's show on mixcloud whenever you'd like!

no love for ned on wlur – december 8th, 2023 from 8-10pm

artist // track // album // label leyna noel // cling peaches // the honest voluptuary // (self-released) feeling figures // across the line // migration magic // perennial / k sundae painters // hollow way // sundae painters // leather jacket the lewers // postcards for terrorists // 518a // lulu's sonic disc club heavy meddo featuring garrett t. capps // she's about a mover // she's about a mover 7" // ebb people mover // not // not digital single // little lunch the belair lip bombs // i think i like you // songs to do your laundry to ep // (self-released) virvon varvon // voices // voices cassette // girlsville erik nervous // innanet // immaturity // feel it dick move // i am enough // wet // 1:12 horn // all my breathing // horn cassette // melted ice cream palberta // trick ya // bye bye berta // wharf cat elkhorn featuring eva sheppard and katie degentesh // star power // lagniappe sessions // (self-released) monocot // aunt marsh // leave to cool // astral editions bonnie 'prince' billy // keeping secrets will destroy you // keeping secrets will destroy you digital single // drag city icy demons // manny's // fight back! // cloud byard lancaster // it's not up to us // it's not up to us // superior viaduct tani tabbal quartet // reach forward // intentional // mahakala music the southern university jazz ensemble // music came // goes to africa with love // now again sam gendel and marcella cytrynowicz // ij // audiobook // psychic hotline akai solo // black flash // verticality/singularity // break all mike featuring liv.e and venna // u think maybe? // burning desire // 10k teleclere // steal your love // affection/defection // tidal waves j.j. fad // supersonic // supersonic // ruthless beyoncé // my house // my house digital single // parkwood entertainment holland // futaki horns // green text // teenbeat nnamdï // wouldn't it be nice // fader and friends volume one compilation // fader pop filter // indulged in myself // cono // bobo integral non la // homes // homes digital single // mint lightheaded // patti girl // good good great! cassette // slumberland sullen eyes // getting there // hardwood floors and a hand to hold // sunday soft covers // the real housewives of porpoise spit // soft serve // little lunch

#wlur #radio shows

[artsy-hobbitses]

So you already have ttb anime opening songs list. Do you have a ttb anime closing songs list as well?

Follow up from here for those curious!

SEASON 1 (Pre-War) Ending: Fukisusabu kaze no naka de by WAG (Gensomaden Saiyuki)

Running along the edge of the cliff We decide not to look back Not speaking even one word Always without repentance Looking up at the sky The pouring rain falls down And as we wonder if it had let up It starts falling again on our heads If we stir up our emotions, We can easily determine our dreams Determine our love, Our friends, our lives In the midst of the raging wind Can I really throw away my pride? The colors of regret and truth Make my heart dance In these revolutionary days, I Always want to stay with you!

I feel like I don't need to explain the reason behind this choice on the account of it sounding like a Badass Ikemen Quartet and the HYSTERICAL amount of MegOP in. If you want men enthusiatically belting out Gay Subtext devotion-in-love-and-friendship rock type themes, Saiyuki's been doing that since the early 2000s. This theme is so Barricade Boys I'm slapping it on any modern iteration of Les Amis de l'ABC. (Also I have Lambros on my mind and it WILL NOT STOP just imagine them, Hotrod and Bee on vocals)

SEASON 2 Ending: Uso by SID (FMA Brotherhood)

Say, the sky we saw that day, That scarlet sky Do you remember it from that day? We made a promise and a vow While the early summer wind circled us And we clung close together Your forced smile Holds elongated shadows I pretend not to notice and continue on All the while waiting for you To deliver some news at the table Empty nights and mornings that will never arrive I could see them from a mile away Say, the sky we saw that day, That scarlet sky I'm sure you'll remember it one day While holding the promise we couldn't keep We take our first steps down out own paths

A narrative follow-up from the blow-out between the Rebellion in Season One, who are now divided into the Decepticons and the Autobots. Do you remember our promise and what we fought for? I'm sure you will some day, says OP, even as we walk different paths now.

SEASON 3: Ending: Mind Game by Tamaki (Tiger & Bunny)

I daydreamed in a corner Of the city stained ash-gray And somehow I started pondering My raison d'etre But I never know myself & dreams & truth anymore, anymore… more… In this wretched world, I asked myself, "Just what can I do?" Because I got the feeling that your smile taught me that Pain like discovering the light touched me: Yes, that's the feeling I got In order to attain an ephemeral dream by their own hands, All people lose sight of even eternal truth The one who gave light to the indelible, sad tomorrow Was none other than just one (I want to believe) We can share both the past and the future, always!

Rung (Past) and Sari (Future). Also fourth stanza is very Sari to Isaac. Also Drift/Ratchet, as Drift defects to the Autobots this season.

SEASON 4 Ending: Every Heart by BOA (Inuyasha)

Tell me babe How many times I've shed my tears? Every heart Every heart is not a gentle one Why can't I I can never share my loneliness? Every heart doesn't know what to say or what to do Was afraid of darkness cause I felt like I was left alone So I prayed for help to a distant million stars Round and round the planets revolve around the sun And they always seek after love and peace forever more Growing, growing whoa baby we can work it out Look up at the sky, every heart is shining on today

'Every heart is not a gentle one' feat. Sunstreaker/Sideswipe's blowout, Windblade and Starscream's sort-of-relationshing angst (as Starscream tries and fails to show her that the man she believes still lives inside him---that hopeful senator from the past---is dead, when he UGH falls into the trap of being a Decent Man)

Also a lonely LONELY season feat. Mirage with Hound Missing and his Ironhide-induced crisis.

Last stanza hitting the 'Autobots rebuilding On Griffin Rock And Finding Reasons To Hope For Tomorrow Even As It Gets Ever Harder' mood.

SEASON 5 Ending: Alone by Mikuni Shimokawa (Gensomaden Saiyuki)

All of the people coming and going Bear heavy burdens, Searching for tomorrow Within the heat haze wavering in the distance Feelings like sand Falling through my hands… Back then, the words that pierced my heart Suddenly started to throb with pain, but… I've searched for pieces of myself, counting the endless nights all the while. These feelings are becoming so certain I almost lose myself Right now, without fail I will walk forward However far

Because I REALLY wanted to end on this BEAUTIFUL note and it's my series kfhsdgfjsdgfjsfh but seriously:

First stanza encapsulates how the war has affected everyone, Decepticons and Autobots alive, who are now working together and genuinely had always wanted a better tomorrow for everyone.

"I've searched for pieces of myself" stanza, like literally 85% of the cast is in goddamn pieces at the moment and are holding on by their Nakama Thread. It's everyone--Megatron, Mirage, Starscream, OP himself, RUNG, the Lambros, Drift, YOU NAME IT.

This version of the song will be used over the finale itself which will show rebuilding efforts/how the cast is doing post-war. Stuff covered will be, among others:

Sideswipe waking up from his coma and his garbled proposal to Strongarm

Windblade visiting Starscream in prison as she tries to comfort Starscream who's messy snotty crying in happiness that she finally managed to pass a bill to outlaw the creation of new CCs so no child will ever go through what he went through.

OP reading/writing with Megs who's in prison.

Laserbeak and Soundwave helping Ravage with his physical therapy as he slowly regains use of his legs.

Wreckers and Springer visiting Kup's grave with Dakshi who is now Springer's dog.

Hound introducing Mirage to his parents

Prowl front row at Jazz's concert.

Bee and Co finally get their degrees.

Lightbright exploring the universe with her new Titan

A decorated mural of the Autobots and Decepticons who died in the final battle against Unicron.

#Inbox #Humanformers AU #TTB

[pureu-pi]

Shipping Game

Saw this shipping game a while ago so thought I would join in.

First ship: Chihiro x Haku (Spirited Away)

First OTP: Mirafreed (Mirajane Strauss x Freed Justine) (Fairy Tail)

Current favourite ship: Thatcher Davis x Ruth Weaver (The Mandela Catelogue)

Ship since first minute: LuLin (Lu Bixing x Lin Jingheng) (Can Ci Pin/The Defective)

Ship you wished had been endgame: Don't actually have one now I think about it...if I had to pick one though...Maebara Keiichi x Ryugu Rena (Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni/When They Cry)

(I think I would have cried if they were endgame)

Ship you wished was canon: FengQing (Feng Xin x Mu Qing) (Tian Guan Ci Fu/Heaven Official's Blessing)

Ship that most of the fandom hates but you like: Any combo of the Yi City Quartet (Song Lan, Xiao Xingchen, Xue Yang & A-Qing) (Mo Dao Zu Shi/The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation)

You don't watch the show but like the ship: XiMeng (Mo Xi x Gu Meng) (Yuwu/Remnants of Filth)

Ship that you wished had a different storyline: MuLian (Mu Qing x Xie Lian) (Tian Guan Ci Fu/Heaven Official's Blessing)

(Need more content for them T_T)

Favourite ship that is endgame: (putting two ships here because I can't choose!)

WangXian (Lan Wangji x Wei Wuxian) (Mo Dao Zu Shi/The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation)

Araragi Koyomi x Senjougahara Hitagi (Monogatari Series)

Tagging: @bleppities @biblenabading @muqingssaber @paljuresji @autheane @sofyflora98 @tearyphoenixx @sadghostgirl511

Feel free to pass this on :-)

#spirited away #sen to chihiro no kamikakushi #fairy tail #mirafreed #the mandela catalogue #thatcher davis #ruth weaver #can ci pin #lulin #higurashi #rena ryugu #keiichi maebara #fengqing #tgcf #xue yang #xiao xingchen #song lan #a qing #mdzs #yuwu #mo xi #gu meng #mulian #wangxian #araragi x senjogahara #monogatari series #shipping #my poor brain

[sineala]

Fic: Mutually-Assured Destruction

Mutually-Assured Destruction (108711 words) by Sineala Chapters: 10/10 Fandom: Marvel (Comics), Marvel 616, Avengers (Comics) Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: James "Bucky" Barnes/Tony Stark, Steve Rogers & Tony Stark, James "Bucky" Barnes & Steve Rogers Characters: James "Bucky" Barnes, Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Clint Barton, Pietro Maximoff, Wanda Maximoff, Janet Van Dyne, Hank Pym, Rick Jones, Happy Hogan, Pepper Potts, Harrington Byrd, Boris Bullski, Arthur Parks Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Communism, Cold War, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Action, Drama, Pining, Identity Porn, Identity Reveal, Painting, Government Agencies, US Senate, Heart Attacks, Scars, Secrets, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Trauma, Ableism, Period-Typical Homophobia, Blackmail, Past Brainwashing, Brainwashing, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Assassination, Getting Together, Happy Ending, Cap's Kooky Quartet, Avengers Vol. 1 (1963), Winter Soldier: The Bitter March, Marvel Trumps Hate 2021 Summary: It's 1966, the Cold War is well underway, and the Winter Soldier has escaped his handlers. He makes it to the United States and shows up at Avengers Mansion. He'd like to defect to the west and join the Avengers. Tony isn't the only one to wonder if the team can trust an ex-Soviet ex-assassin, and yet he finds himself falling for this mysterious stranger, a man who has a shadowy past, who has done a great many things he regrets, and who won't talk about why he doesn't want to be in the same room as Captain America. Over the years, the Winter Soldier has gathered quite a wide variety of secrets. And the secrets the Winter Soldier and Tony learn about each other could bring them both down.

I wrote this Winteriron story for @massivespacewren for @marveltrumpshate 2021. It’s an AU in which the Winter Soldier joins the Avengers in the 1960s early-canon comics, and a whole lot of identity porn ensues. Hooray!

#posts i actually wrote #fic by sineala #winteriron

[ryukang1995]

Comparisons between certain characters, ships and dynamics of AUs for Mortal Kombat and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure by me and my gf

Some interesting comparisons between my works based on Mortal Kombat, and the works based on JoJo's Bizarre Adventure by my gf Haley.

To an extent, this also applies to the canon.

Liu Kang is the main character of both the MK canon and my MKAU. Jotaro Kujo is arguably one of the most popular main characters within JoJo, and Haley's favorite character.

While Jotaro is more aloof than Liu Kang, they both are still gentlemen heroes deep inside, and my MKAU does depict Liu Kang as a rebel before he matures.

Haley also has Jotaro look up to Liu Kang as a father figure in our roleplay.

Liu Kang's greatest friend and ally is Kung Lao while Jotaro's player 2 (or JoBro, if you will) is Noriaki Kakyoin. In the roleplay, Kakyoin does look up to Kung Lao as his father, and they even adopted a dog named Hector.

In the MK canon, Liu Kang's love interest is Kitana. In my MKAU, Liu Kang's love interest is Sonya Blade.

While Jotaro did get married in the JoJo canon, the role of his love interest in Haley's JoJo works has been applied to an OC named Marita Larochelle Kujo, who is actually based on Gracia from Samurai Warriors.

Personality-wise and in terms of dynamics, Marita is closer to Kitana, and her relationship with Jotaro sort of mirrors Liu Kang and Kitana's relationship.

Marita is a half-mermaid orphan from an Ocean world, and she ends up falling for Jotaro, especially with him being a marine biologist. It's similar to how Kitana is the princess of Edenia, and ends up falling for Liu Kang after she defects from Shao Kahn, who murdered her father Jerrod and drove her mother Sindel to suicide.

Interestingly, Marita looks up to Sonya as her mother figure in our roleplay.

In Haley's works based on JoJo, Kakyoin's primary love interest is an OC named Annegret Conley, who is actually supposed to be an alternate older version of Anne. Kakyoin and Annegret's relationship is actually closer to Sonya's relationship with Johnny Cage.

Kakyoin isn't overly cocky or comedic like Johnny normally is, but he can indeed be incredibly suave, especially towards Annegret, who often has a stubborn and hard-as-nails personality, but ultimately warms up to him.

While Annegret's personality is indeed closer to Sonya's, she ultimately looks up to Kitana as her mother figure.

While Marita is Jotaro's main love interest, and Annegret is Kakyoin's, Haley and I often do ship the four with each other as an OT4/quartet, meaning that we also ship Jotaro with Annegret, and Kakyoin with Marita.

Similarly, not only does my MKAU have Liu Kang x Sonya, but also Johnny Cage x Kitana, and we do indeed ship the four with each other in our roleplay.

As for Kung Lao, I actually ship him with Li Mei.

I created this post, mostly for fun, and to show both the similarities and differences between the MK and JoJo OT4s by me and Haley.

That's all for now.

#mortal kombat #liu kang #sonya blade #kitana #johnny cage #jojo's bizarre adventure #stardust crusaders #jotaro kujo #noriaki kakyoin #original character #ot4 #comparison #alternate universe #kung lao

[officialyourdailyinspiration]

Devotional Hours Within the Bible

by J.R. Miller

Forgetting His Benefits (Psalm 103:2)

Every part of our being should join in praising God. The song of praise we sing should not be a solo, a duet, or even a quartet but a full chorus, the feelings, the affections, the mental powers, the tastes, the desires all mingling in harmony and praise. There are some who praise with their voices but not with their hearts. Others give intellectual worship, while their affections are not engaged. Others give emotional praise but their wills and consciences do not join in the song; they have good feelings but lack in practical obediences and in devotion to duty. Some sing missionary hymns with zest but give nothing to missionary work Some sing consecration hymns and then live selfishly and worldly. There is no heavenly music in such singing. The true way is to arouse every faculty and energy and power and affection to hearty, enthusiastic, practical praise.

“Forget not all his benefits.” Many people have excellent memories for troubles, adversities, losses, and sorrows but cannot remember the mercies and blessings of their lives. It is very unfortunate to have such defective memories. Suppose God would forget us for a time, and fail to provide for our daily needs, and fail to send us His ordinary gifts for a whole day, or even for an hour how sore a misfortune it would be! Yet we forget continually that our blessings come from Him. We take them for granted, and never think of the Giver!

Sometimes we do not think of God for hours together. Yet there is never a moment when God is not thinking of us, and providing for us. Perhaps if there were some break in the flow of blessings we would learn to be more thankful. The very unbroken continuity of God’s gifts makes us oblivious to them. Someone kept a book for a daily record of blessings. It would be a good thing for all of us to do. Surely this matter is important. We think others are very ungrateful, who forget our little kindnesses to them. Must we not judge ourselves by the same judgment, in relation to God’s goodness!

“Who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases.” What an enumeration of divine blessings; and what blessings they are, too in this and the following verses! They are all blessings, too, which the world cannot give. Any one of them is worth more than all earth’s treasures combined! If we are not forgiven we must rest forever under the curse of sin, a weight greater than all the Alps; but God forgives, and forgives all our sins, and forgives fully and forever! If we are not healed we must be sick forever, sick with the plague and leprosy of sin; but God heals, and heals all our diseases, heals completely. If we are not saved from the destructive dangers of this world we never can reach heaven; but God keeps, rescues, redeems our life.

Earth’s crowns are made of thorns, and at the best, are only what the children call “play-crowns,” for they are only made of leaves that wither, or of gold and gems that fire will destroy; but God crowns His people with crowns of loving-kindness and tender mercies, which are real and radiant, which shall never fade but shall shine forever, becoming crowns of eternal life and glory in heaven. This world cannot satisfy a heart’s cravings! Its possessions only make the hunger more intense; but God satisfies the souls of His people, meets all their cravings and hungers. These are some of the things for which we have to praise God.

“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.” The prodigal’s father waited years in love how slow to anger! and then ran to meet his returning son how quick in mercy! Is this not a true picture of God’s treatment of us? He is slow to anger but quick to show mercy.

“He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever.” These are wonderful pictures of the way God forgives. The best human forgiveness is very imperfect. Men forgive but they often “chide” and “harbor resentment.” They say that they “forgive, but cannot forget;” they keep the memory of the wrong always in their hearts, never forgetting, even while showing us favors, that once we injured them. The old memories of wrongs block up the channel of love as old wrecks block up a river, arresting its flow. But God does not chide nor harbor anger. His heart is like the smooth lake which the driving keel cleaves but which soon becomes calm and placid again, retaining no mark or trace of the crude furrowing. He puts away our sins as far as the east is from the west, that is, infinitely.

This was taught in the ancient ceremony of the scapegoat. One goat was killed and its blood sprinkled before God; this meant the atonement of Christ by which our forgiveness is procured. The other goat then, after the priest had confessed over its head the people’s sins, was led away out of sight, into the wilderness, and let loose, never to return again; thus bearing away sins to an infinite distance, so that they could never come back again to disturb those who had been forgiven. There is a wonderful passage in Jeremiah which reads: “In those days, at that time,” declares the LORD, “search will be made for Israel’s guilt, but there will be none, and for the sins of Judah, but none will be found, for I will forgive the remnant I spare.”

“Like as a father pities his children so the Lord pities those who fear him.” This is one of the most wonderful verses in the Bible. It brings God very near to us. It shows us His heart. He is not cold and far removed from us in feeling, indifferent to our sufferings, stern and severe in His judgment upon us. Rather, He is full of pity, like a human father in his pity toward his children. The best commentary on these words is Christ’s own life. See Him moved with compassion for the sick, the lepers, the sorrowing, the sinful, the fallen; weeping by a grave at Bethany, deeply touched at Nain as He saw the widowed mother following her only son to the grave; weeping again over Jerusalem because the people would not repent and receive Him. All this is commentary on this precious verse.

“For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” God does not treat us as if we were strong and perfect and unfallen. He does not forget that we are weak, that it is hard for us in our fallen condition to live right, that we are easily tempted and overcome. Therefore, He is very patient and gentle with us when we have sinned binding up the wounds, restoring the soul. We ought to get a great deal of comfort out of these words.

You say you are so weak that you cannot resist temptation. Yes, and God knows all about it. You are weary and worn out through trouble or burden-bearing but God knows all about it. You find your work very hard, and cannot see how you are ever to get through with it; but God knows. He knows your frailty; He remembers that you are only dust. He is pitiful and compassionate, and always gives needed help. There is immeasurable comfort in the knowledge that Christ lived through the whole gamut of human life and experience. He knows all about temptation, for He was tempted in all points like as we are. He knows all about sorrow, for He was acquainted with grief. He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, for He was tried in every way in which we are tried.

“As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.” A dear young friend has just brought to my table a cluster of beautiful flowers. They charm my eye, and their fragrance fills my room. But tomorrow they will be withered and dead, and I shall be compelled to put them out of my sight. So it is with human lives. They may be very lovely and sweet but soon they are gone, and there is only a memory left behind. As we think of this we grow sad, and ask, “What is there that is abiding!”

Above our heads is the blue sky, and when night comes the brilliant stars look down and say, “We do not fade.” We have shone upon all the passing generations of men, and still are bright as ever.” There is comfort in that there is something at least which does not pass away in a day. But here is something better still: “But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him!” The love of God is from everlasting to everlasting. Here is a bosom, then, on which we may lean and know that our repose shall never be disturbed. Would you be safe eternally! Rest your hopes on God’s everlasting love, and not on any frail thing of earth!

“To those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.” All God’s promises and blessings have conditions. We have something to do to get them. Here the condition is obedience. There is a covenant, and it has two sides. There is not the slightest doubt about God’s faithfulness. He will do His part. But we have a part to do, too. It is to those who obey His commandments, that the love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. It is important to remember the commandments but this is not enough. A great many people remember them and can repeat them verbatim who do not obey them. The stress of emphasis is on the word “obey.” So if we want to claim and secure the blessings here promised we must be sure that we do our part and fulfill the conditions of God’s covenant of grace. If this Psalm is a palace of love, here in this verse is the beautiful gate by which all must enter in, who would enjoy its rich gladness and blessedness.

#James Russell Miller #Devotional Hours Within the Bible #Forgetting His Benefits #Psalm 103:2 #March 27 #2023

[mtxs-blog]

Hello! How are you doing? I don't have enough time for content so there will be long gaps between content releases. And so here is an idea for fanfic that I came up with. Well here for Crossover. For example, some characters begin to communicate with the Defect Quartet (Sam, Valerie, Tucker and Danny) when they were playing Doomed,And they play under the nicknames “Ghost Boy” - Danny, “Chaos” - Sam, "monk"-Tucker, "Red" -Valerie And they have yet to meet in real life!

#danny phantom #danny fenton #dp

[theglamorousferal]

Things I want in one fic:

Redeemed Vlad, Good Fenton Parents, Fentons/Vlad polycule

Liminal Amity Park

Redeemed Dark Danny, weird cousin?

Ellie as part of the family, sorta step sibling?

Defect quartet

The Class as a team deferring to Team Phantom

Jazz is Big Sister

Amity Park knows the secret

The Class moving to Gotham for college

Vlad giving them enough money to purchase Drake Manor

Tim has closed off the tunnel between the Manor and the Batcave

Tim was the one to hand the keys over to Danny, whose name was on the deed, courtesy of his new step-dad

They end up keeping in touch and Tim is a frequent visitor at the manor and befriends the majority of the Class

They all still keep up with their training, Sam and Valerie put together an obstacle course with the help of the jocks and every Saturday is a free-for-all battle royale with ecto guns set to their lowest setting across all of the grounds.

The last one standing gets to pick what restaurant dinner is from that night and the movie for movie night.

Tim does find all of this rather unusual, but mostly he finds that they remind him of all his hero friends.

This, more than anything else they do, makes him very concerned.

Why do these random midwesterners train like heroes? Why do they have a camaraderie he’s only seen forged on the same battlefield? He’s noticed they mostly defer to a group of five individuals. The pair of siblings who now own the Manor and the partners of one of said siblings. More than that, they all defer to Danny, the one he gave the keys to.

Luckily for him, Two Face happened to attack the bank that Danny was at and Danny did something he’d only ever seen Bruce manage to do and talked the villain down from the attack.

When asked, Dent just said that he saw a kinship in the kid, said he’d understood duality in a way that resonated with him.

Later that night Red Robin reopened the tunnels and paid one Daniel Fenton a visit. Tim found him in his father’s old study, using a brand new telescope through the window. He knocked and waited before entering.

“Ah, I expected one of you to show up. It’s why I decided to stay up tonight actually. We have a lot to talk about if you’ll take a seat? I’ll get us some energy drinks. You’ll be able to confirm they’re sealed and not poisoned that way. What’s your favorite flavor? Between the fifteen of us we’ve got to have the right flavor.”

Red Robin stood there for a moment, processing before following the man to his pantry. Once there he opened a new package of his favorite energy drink and opened it himself; not once did Danny make a fuss about him opening a whole new package. He grabbed a second one to bring with him back to the office. Danny grabbed a couple himself.

Once back in the office, they sat in two chairs across from each other. Danny leaned on his elbows with his fingers steepled. “What I am about to tell you is an incredible risk to everyone in this house, and likely yourself included. I need you to promise me to listen to everything I tell you before you start asking questions. I will answer them to the best of my ability after I have gone over the basics. What I am about to tell you is going to sound unbelievable, but I’m banking on the fact that you have likely frequently experienced impossible things and therefore may take me seriously.” Danny stared at the mask. “Now, what do you know about ghosts?”

Tim’s hair trigger was of disbelief, but then he paused and considered. Clark’s an alien, Diana’s a god, Conner’s a clone, at least half the family has come back to life. Why couldn’t ghosts exist? “Not much besides fairy tales.” He braced himself for what was to come.

Danny narrowed his eyes appraisingly. “Hmm. Well. They are, in fact, real. I’ll show evidence in a little bit. A Ghost as we know them is generally formed when a person’s emotions during death produce enough ectoplasm to give their sentience form. They then become residents of a place known by two names; the Ghost Zone, or the Infinite Realms. The Ghost Zone is what it’s known as on Earth, and the residents of the place itself call it the Infinite Realms.” Danny pauses here for a moment and then claps his hands. “Now, all ghosts are members of the Infinite Realms, but not all beings of the Infinite Realms are ghosts. The Realms is a dimension mirroring our own that is entirely made of ectoplasm. It’s where the residue from the emotions of all beings in our universe go and then are given form. There are beings there that are basically gods and are aspects given form. I can go on and on about the Realms later. What’s important is that throughout history there have been unstable naturally occurring portals between the two dimensions, but around five years ago, a pair of scientists managed to open a stable portal to this dimension. A few months later, a former college friend of theirs made a second stable portal, but I’ll get to him in a minute. Once this portal was established, it made it so that ghosts could now freely come into our world. A young hero took up protecting the city, but his first few attempts had quite a bit of misunderstanding to them and so he was villainized for a while. This resulted in the government establishing an agency to combat these threats. All well and good, right?” He raised an eyebrow at Tim. “You would think so. However, the laws passed to make this agency had some clauses that are questionable. I’ll just hand you a copy of the documentation so that you can read it.”

He handed Tim a folder labeled “Anti-Ecto Acts”. He began to peruse them and came upon the clause that declared any being that can process or contains ectoplasm is considered non-sentient or sapient and called for the capture, eradication, or experimentation of all such “ecto-beings”. “This, can’t be right. This is a blatant contradiction to the Meta Protection Acts.”

Danny smirked a sad smile. “You’d think, right?” He gave him a moment to process that. “You can read up more on that later. I have other things to say.” Tim set aside the folder and took a deep chug of his energy drink.

“Alright, hit me.” he said as he leaned forward to put his elbows on his knees, giving Danny his full attention.

“Kay, so, you notice the ‘any being that can process ectoplasm’ bit? Yeah, well that can apply to some humans too. Humans that are considered death-touched or Liminal. People who have been surrounded by death, have died even if momentarily on the operating table, but especially people who have been exposed to high levels of ectoplasm. Here’s the thing about living in a town with a stable portal to effectively the afterlife: it kinda does some stuff to you.” He flashed his eyes a Lazerus green as he set his right palm on the desk. He’s quiet for a moment before he leaned back with a sigh, then closed his eyes so they returned to their normal blue. 

“Every individual in my hometown is ecto-contaminated.” He said quietly, like, Tim supposes, he was telling a secret. Tim guesses he was. “Every person there is death-touched. Every person there is Liminal. Every person pings as an ecto-entity to the GIW. We’re all at risk. I wouldn’t be surprised if most of the heroes would ping too. I need your help.” Danny turned begging eyes upon Red Robin. “I need your help, and you need this too because I noticed it when we first met, Tim, that you are too.”

Tim reeled, he stood and knocked his chair over. “Wh-what do you mean?” 

“How many times have you been near-death? How many times have you been around the dying? That sort of stuff leaves a mark on people. They begin to metabolize ectoplasm. I reckon that the majority of the Justice League apply. I’d argue that soldiers who have seen active combat would register on some sensors. According to those laws, you can be captured and experimented on. They’re luckily focusing on ghosts and have been ignoring people, but it’s only a matter of time. I need you to bring this to Batman, to the League. I need these Acts removed. They call for the eradication of my People” His eyes flashed a green again as the word resonated. “This calls for the eradication of an entire dimension, they’ve already tried it once, and if they had, it would have torn this universe apart. Luckily the nuke they had was a dud.” 

Tim swallowed at that. “Nuke? They tried to nuke an entire dimension?” Tim picked up the chair and sat heavily in it. “I’m going to guess that this somehow gets worse?”

Danny nodded solemnly. “You see, the Infinite Realms has a council and a king. A good majority of the council rightfully believes that these Acts are calling for the genocide of our people. The king has kept them at bay for now, but they’re calling for war.” 

Tim put his head in his hands and groaned. “And the king?” Danny looked at him, debating something for a moment. Then he stood and there was a flash of bright light. Stood in front of Red Robin could only be the King. Danny now had bright white hair and eyes that glowed with a familiar Lazarus green. He wore a cloak of stars and his crown looked like the Northern Lights. He wore armor that seemed to be a combination of the ancient Norse and Greeks. “I just want my people safe.”

#dpxdc #fanfic #ghost king danny #liminal amity park #defect quartet #listfic become fic #long post

[mkarchin713]

John and Maggie Brenton -Human Hunters

You know how in the Ghost Zone, Humans are the Ghosts well that got me thinking what would happen to ghost hunters who became ghosts.

Allow me to set the scene

….

The students of Casper High are going on a field trip to the Ghost Zone via the Fenton Portal and Specter Speeder. They run into trouble and get lost in the zone.

(I know this has been done to death but bear with me)

They all get flung into a corner of the zone that Team Phantom has never explored before. While trying to find there way home the Casper High Class run into John and Maggie Brenton-Human Hunters.

Now John and Maggie are basically the embodiments of what could happen to Jack and Maddie if they became ghosts. John and Maddie are so obsessed with ghost hunting it became their obsession in death. Since they couldn’t accept the fact they where now the very ghosts they feared/hates/hunted they have convinced themselves that ghosts are humans and humans are ghosts, this in not helped by the fact humans have intangibility in the zone. Now this pair of anti-Fentons/nega-Fentons/whatever are chasing the class through the zone trying to rip them molecule by molecule.

While on the run the humans find themselves in different ghostly areas like Undergrowth’s Lair (how will Sam react?) and the land of the dead of Ancient Egypt (will Tucker be Pharaoh?). They could meet various new characters from mythology, history, and straight out fiction (this is the infinite realms the possibilities are infinite)

All the while the Fentons have to deal with the fact they are now on the other end of the Bazooka as well as the fact that most of their theories about ghosts are wrong and the evidence is all around them. What’s worse is discovering their 14+ year old son and his friends know more about ghosts than they ever dreamed.

How are the humans going to make it back to the Fenton Portal without being dissected by human hunting ghosts or revealing Danny’s powers.

….

 potential DP tropes include; Everlasting Trio, Defect Quartet, Wes Weston, Ghost King Danny, Ghost Baby Danny, Little Baby Man, Liminal Team Phantom, Liminal Amity Park, Fenton Parents A+ Parenting, Reveal Gone Wrong, Reveal Gone Right, Pharaoh Tuck, Plant Sam, Vivisection/Dissection fic, and many more

#Danny phantom #danny phantom prompt #writing prompt #John and Maddie Brenton Human Hunters AU #OCs #ghost zone #field trip #dp prompt #prompt #many options #jack fenton #maddie fenton #casper high #Danny Fenton #Sam Manson #tucker foley #so many options #would Vlad go into the zone to save Maddie and have his own adventures #would they run into Ellie #will Clockworg toss the class into a temporal anomaly

[mylifeisweirdok]

If u were to redesign Sam Manson what would u do and why?

Oo this is an interesting question!

As someone also from bumfuck nowhere Illinois, i dont see goths often. All the goths ive seen are when i travel to bigger places like nashville and st louis, and while I know amity park is supposed to be a growing metropolitan area,,, its not giving goth culture just yet.

I do however, see punks.

In my tiny town of 40 people, down the road, turn left at the horses and you've got yourself a camp of folks from all over. They often come into town, and most of them are punks of all types-anarcho, diesel, horror, emo, street, you name it they've been through my area.

One in particular catches my eye when thinking of Sam Manson tho: crust punk. (An uncommonly specific sub culture i know, i have a flair id add ill get into later.)

Think about it. Her folks are the richest in amity, they have an image to uphold. They have to be prim n proper, they have to say the right things and walk the right walk, but most of all? Theys gotta be clean. Dress pleats ironed in, suit jackets dry pressed, the whole shebang. So to have a kid who shops in the 25 cent bin that owns a pair of crust pants that (nothing to the folks who wear them, this is for imagery) if needed, could create an odor cloud big enough to keep mosquitos away? Nah, they'd resent that.

Sam's parents would hate what she wears and how she expresses herself in public and at school, and thats the exact reason she chose crust punk. She also might've played around the different sub cultures, picked and poked until she found crust. That's where my flair comes in.

Now don't quote me on this, im not a punk so they prolly have a better idea of the concept than i do, but im p sure crust punks often are also travelers. They like to get around quite a bit, and what mode of transport will come to the middle of the boonies? Trains.

I think, when the trio gets out of high school and the ghosts settle down a fair bit, Sam meets a trainhopper taking the next train south while at Nasty Burger with the other members of the defect quartet. The trainhopper explains what they do and ask if anyone knows its departure (tucker prolly can find it on that ancient ass pda of his). And that hopper gets her thinking.

Thinking's always been dangerous, it gets ideas flowing and movements started. Thinking is what starts rebellions. And from what we saw of canon Sam, she don't mind the idea of bein an upstart (meat eater v recyclotarian deate, anyone?)

And that thinking leads her through reddits of hoppers past sharing the knowledge that gets folks started. Trainhopping isnt only a skill, its a well-held secret lifestyle that can be ruined with one whistle blower. The art of hopping isnt on a random internet page, but the way to start hopping is. And so she thinks, she plans, and she waits.

Months pass, and she's been mullin the idea of it. She passes the idea through the others. They all think she would enjoy it, and worse comes to worse she comes back to amity (no the worst is dying on the rails, but they don't need to know that). They all agree its a step forward that Sam needs to take. And so she plans, she waits, and starts collecting bits n bobs to help her out there.

And finally, nearly a year later, sitting at nasty burger. The quartet is talking the box ghost, the latest giw scandle, the usual, when the trainhopper from before comes up and thanks them for their help last hear (maybe they remember the hopper?) And then Sam gets excited. Sam knows the time is right. Sam asks the hopper to take her with when they leave.

And they do.

So, to sum it all up, methinks Sam Manson, the altruistic, the earth lover, the chosen one of Undergrowth, friend of the protecter Danny Phantom, friend of the defect quartet, is a trainhopping crust punk.

#sam manson #danny phantom #punk #crust punk #train hopping #headcannon #character redesign #idk i think i might redraw this later #later being tomorrow after i run my errands #thanks for the ask! #it was really interesting to think about #weirdshc

[enasallavellan]

Chapter 179

Enasal reflects on her sudden realization that Skyhold was truly her home, is teased by her loving friends, and has an unfortunate run-in with everyone's favorite bladesmith.

Click on the links in the text if you want some ambiance!

NOTE: For now while I'm still getting back into the swing of things and to avoid burnout, I'm only going to be updating once a week for now - thanks for understanding!

Merry Go Round Of Life (from "Howl's Moving Castle") - Vitamin String Quartet 

It was good to be home.

The thought came to Enasal as they passed through the gates. It was the first time she had honestly felt like she had a home. She had always loved Skyhold, but it seemed it had taken the stark contrast of the Winter Palace to truly make her realize that she was indeed home. Home with her friends, home with her colleagues, even home to the gossiping, demanding nobles. 

But most of all, home with Cullen.

Enasal had found herself sleeping in his room since their return and the rumor mill was at full spin. Cullen grumbled about how his soldiers gossiped more than old women around the town well, but they seemed to keep it quiet around Enasal. The nobles, on the other hand, whispered and giggled when she would pass. There was a smattering of those who would raise their eyebrows and shake their heads in disapproval, but most acted as though it were a chapter in a love story. They swooned over the tale of a lion-hearted Templar defecting from his corrupted order to follow Andraste's herald, only to become enamored with the spirited and beautiful elven woman. It had become a story of yearning looks and stolen moments, of chivalrous resistance and uncertain hearts, of a love that finally blossomed the moment the word was used.

At least, that's how Varric said was writing it.

As more of her things began to creep into Cullen’s room, her friends made sure to gleefully point out each instance. A few pairs of clothes at first, followed by her favorite hair pins, the creams Vivienne had given her for her hair and skin, and finally, her armor and weapon stands. Krem and Bull were the worst offenders, prodding her with embarrassing questions, roaring with laughter when she’d go red up to her ears. The teasing didn’t bother her any further than the temporary fluster - she knew they were happy that she was happy.

Without all the lessons surrounding the Winter Ball, Enasal had reclaimed most of her free time, even with Solas' added lessons and Annason's daily tea times. Her other friends were sometimes a bit too much for Annason, so it was a perfect opportunity for Enasal to keep practicing her good table manners while spending some quiet time with her friend. She had her reservations about anything ‘fun’ that involved proper table manners, but it was surprisingly nice to spend some time with another woman who wasn’t an advisor or soldier. Annason was having an absolute ball chipping away at Enasal’s resistance to classic femininity. She had gotten Enasal to admit that some of the dresses she had made for Orlais weren't so bad and even managed to get her to agree to let her make her one to be worn around Skyhold. 

Annason was in her own world of thread and hems, detailing the difference between linen and cotton. As she chattered about necklines and sleeves styles, she let out a laugh and added, “Something your Commander will like!”

“Annason.”  She covered her face

“Oh, you simply cannot tell me you don’t wish for him to see you in something pretty?” She smiled and heaved a sigh, “The way he looked at you at the Winter Palace - like he had seen Andraste herself.”

“Honestly?” Enasal said, “I kind of don't want to draw attention to us right now.”

Annason shook her head, “But, my friend! It is all the nobles will talk about!”

“Trust me, I’ve noticed.” She added a bit of honey to her tea, “I swear, they follow us - and a few of them act like they’re looking down their noses at me.” She tasted her drink, humming in approval, "Most of them don't say anything, but you should have seen the look this one she shot me. Like I’d knocked the stupid hat off her head.”

Annason clapped her hands, letting out a twittering laugh, “Do you not see, my friend? They are jealous!” She rested her cheek in her hand, “Your Commander is a highly desired man and it seems this marks him as yours alone - it’s no secret that he’s been propositioned many times.”

Enasal sat straight, “Wait, what?”

She reached across the table and patted her hand, “Oh, you have nothing to worry about, my friend. Your Commander leaves no room for debate when he proclaims his dedication to you.”

“But that’s - that’s just rude!” Enasal said, crossing her arms over her chest, “Everyone has known about us since before we knew about us!”

“And now they’ll pretend themselves prudish in order to upset you.” She tsked, “Shameful, all of them, as though they never took to a man's bed before-”

Enasal choked, letting the cup clink against its saucer as she coughed into her napkin.

“You are still so shy!” Annason cooed, “I cannot even mention a bed without you coming undone!”

“Hush-” She gasped, “You!”

“My poor friend.” Annason giggled, getting up to pat her back, “So shy she inhales tea.”

A lesson with Solas followed, filled with Enasal mostly staring angrily at a candle that refused to light. Solas did what he could to assist her, encouraging her to work on her painting while he looked through books, murmuring to himself about possible methods to help her channel the newfound magic. Her usual dinner with Varric followed, eventually joined by her other friends when their assorted duties were done.

Enasal hadn’t had anyone walk her since they returned from Orlais. It seemed a bit awkward to have Krem walk her to Cullen’s room, despite it being further from the Bird in the Hand - and further still if they were gathered in the Crow’s Nest. But she hadn’t seen any sign of Retter, though whether that was because of her own caution whenever she needed to go near the undercroft or him finally giving up she wasn’t sure. After all, everyone in Skyhold knew she was staying with Cullen now - honestly, most of Thedas had probably figured it out by now. 

Which made it all the worse when that familiar voice raised the hair on the back of her neck. 

“Hello, again, ma blarteralas.”  

 She spun to face Retter, her legs itching with the instinct to turn and run.

He grinned widely when their eyes met and he strode to her, “Again you’ve been home for so long and I’ve yet to see you.” He slowly shook his head, pulling a saddened face, “I really don’t understand you, you know. All I ask is a small amount of your time - and after all I’ve done for you, you continue to snub me.”

“I - I’m not snubbing you, Retter, I…” The words tumbled out in hopes that she could appease him, “I have to go see Dagna tomorrow, I’ll see you then.” She forced a smile, “I haven't meant to be so scarce, I’ve been kind of busy, lessons and training and all that and Solas has been really insistent about longer lessons lately and-”

“Not even a hello.” He lamented.

“Retter…” Her fingers fluttered to the back of her head, fussing with her curls, “It’s late and I’m tired, I really want to get to bed. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

He threw back his head and laughed, “Turned around again, I see?” He pointed in the other direction “The great hall is over… there.” And in an instant, his face changed. His brow furrowed downward and his oddly black eyes flickered with sudden darkness. “I see. So you’re sleeping with him now.”

Enasal felt herself audibly swallow - how did half of Thedas know but Retter hadn’t found out? He had seemed popular among the citizens of Skyhold and she typically saw him out and about. It had been weeks since she had seen him. Perhaps he’d been working at the forge more than usual and… waiting to see if she’d come visit him. No matter the case, this seemed like dangerous information for him to have.

 But her voice was stuck somewhere in her stomach and her itching legs were suddenly too heavy to move.

Retter stared at her, eyes burning as he slowly looked her up and down. After agonizingly long seconds, his eyes stopped wandering and his gaze locked with hers. After a long pause he spoke, his voice quiet and sharp, “What a waste.”

It sent chills down her spine and she found herself taking off. He made no effort to call her back, no effort to stop her. But she felt his eyes on the back of her head as she launched herself up the stairs and into Cullen’s office. 

Cullen leaned over his desk, reading over what seemed to be a particularly irritating report. His tired eyes and stiffed shoulders relaxed when he saw her and he stood straight, “There you are.”

Enasal did her best to conceal her desperation when she went to hug him, her head knocking against his chestpiece.  

He laughed, bending down to kiss the spot before pulling her close “Let me finish this last report and-” He stopped and pulled away to look at her face, “What’s wrong?”

His eyes watched her closely and he shook his hand, taking her hands and examining her trembling fingers, “You’re shaking.”

“Just a little cold.” She lied, pulling her hands away and hugging him again, hiding her face in his chestplate, “It was pretty windy. And it’s been getting colder.” It wasn’t a complete lie. There had been some strong gusts that chilled her even before her encounter with Retter.

He clearly didn’t believe her, and he gathered her hands in his and kissed her fingers, “You’re sure?”

She nodded, “Yeah. Just getting cold a lot lately.”

“You have said that often…” He glanced up towards his room -or was it considered theirs? “Especially in the morning.” He touched her cheek, “Maker’s breath, I’m sorry. I forget you’re so cold-natured. You’ll have another blanket by tomorrow.” kissed her forehead, “I’ll have a fur brought as soon as we can get one as well.” 

Her shoulders dropped in relief and she hugged him tight. He chuckled and kissed her hair, “The report can wait, I suppose.”

She felt herself smile and she stood on her toes to kiss him, “Good. Now, I’m cold, let’s go upstairs.”

He touched his forehead to hers, “Maker’s breath, I love you.”And just like that, her fear left her, ”Ar lath, vhenan.”

.

Read the full fic from the beginning at my A03 here!

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[ljones41]

"BLACK WIDOW" (2021) Review

"BLACK WIDOW" (2021) Review Scarlett Johansson made her Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debut as Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow in the franchise's 2010 movie, "IRON MAN 2". Despite spending the next decade as a major character within the MCU, Johansson never received her own solo film as the former Russian assassin-turned-S.H.I.E.L.D. agent until the release of the 2021 movie, "BLACK WIDOW".

During those intervening ten to eleven years, many fans have either demanded or pondered over whether Johansson would receive her solo film, pointing out the MCU's lack of a female-led movie. Ironically, Johansson was not the first MCU actress to receive her own solo film. That honor went to Oscar winner Brie Larson, who ended up starring in the 2019 movie, "CAPTAIN MARVEL". In fact, MCU showrunner Kevin Feige had decided to make the Captain Marvel film the MCU's first female-led film in 2014. I found this decision rather odd, considering that Johansson had been with the franchise for at least four to five years at that point . . . and the actress had already proved she was capable of being the lead in such a film. Johansson had to wait another three years before Feige finally decided to give her a shot at a solo film. Four more yeas would pass before "BLACK WIDOW" would finally make it to the big screen and Disney's streaming service. What made the situation regarding "BLACK WIDOW" even more odd were two developments - the MCU had finally set about making the film after the Natasha Romanoff character had been killed off in the franchise's 2019 film, "THE AVENGERS: ENDGAME"; and the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, which first broke out in December 2019. I understood why the pandemic had both delayed and eventually limited the movie's theater release. What I could never understand was why Feige had decided to green-light a Captain Marvel film three years before doing the same for a Black Widow film. Especially since the latter had been a part of the MCU since 2010. "BLACK WIDOW" began in 1995 Ohio where Russian super soldier Alexei Shostakov and Black Widow Melina Vostokoff work as undercover agents, posing as an American family with Natasha Romanoff and Yelena Belova as their daughters. After stealing S.H.I.E.L.D. intelligence, the quartet flee to Cuba where their boss, General Dreykov, has Natasha and Yelena taken to the Red Room for the Black Widow program training. In the following years, Shostakov ends up imprisoned in Russia, while Romanoff and Belova become successful Black Widow assassins. Romanoff eventually defects to S.H.I.E.L.D. after helping Clint Barton bomb Dreykov's Budapest office. The incident apparently kills Dreykov and his young daughter Antonia. The movie jumps to 2016, following the events of "CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR". Natasha has become a fugitive for violating the Sokovia Accords. After fleeing from U.S. Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross and his forces, Natasha ends up at a Norwegian safehouse in Norway by a former S.H.I.E.L.D. contact. Meanwhile, Yelena kills a rogue former Black Widow ,but comes in contact with a synthetic gas that neutralizes the Red Room's chemical mind-control agent. Yelena sends antidote vials to Romanoff, hoping she and the Avengers can free the other Widows. Natasha unknowingly drives away with the vials in her car. Red Room agent Taskmaster attacks her before Natasha makes her escape. She eventually realizes that the vials came from Yelena in Budapest. There, Yelena reveals to her that Dreykov is alive and the Red Room is still active for present and future Black Widow operatives. Both come to the conclusion that the Red Room needs to be shut down for good. The pair seek and recruit help from their former colleagues, Alexei Shostakov and Melina Vostokoff. I cannot deny that "BLACK WIDOW" had its virtues. The movie boasted first-rate performances from its four leads. David Harbour gave an entertaining performance as ebullient super soldier Alexei Shostakov, who had maintained deep affection for his former colleagues. Rachel Weisz did an excellent job in conveying the ambiguous nature of the veteran Black Widow agent, Melina Vostokoff. Florence Pugh's performance as Black Widow agent Yelena Belova proved to be just as ebullient and entertaining as Harbor's. She also managed to add a touch of competition in Yelena's relationship with the main character. Scarlett Johansson gave one of her most poignant and subtle performances during her time with the MCU franchise as Black Widow agent and Avenger Natasha Romanoff. I was very impressed at how Johansson effectively conveyed Natasha's emotional vulnerability following the breakup of the Avengers and her outrage and anger at how the Black Widow program used drugs to coerce its operatives. Also, it was easy to see that all four leads proved to have great screen chemistry together. I found it easy to believe how anyone would view their characters as a loving family. As for the film's other performances, they struck me as either solid or at best, questionable. I thought Olga Kuryenko did a decent job as the unrelenting and dangerous Red Room agent Antonia Dreykov aka Taskmaster. O-T Fagbenle proved to be mildly entertaining and witty as former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and Natasha's ally, Rick Mason. However, I cannot say I felt impressed by William Hurt's portrayal of Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross or Ray Winstone's portrayal of General Dreykov. Hurt seemed to be going through the motions for what proved to be a cameo appearance. As for Winstone, I think he tried to make Dreykov interesting, but I suspect that screenwriter Eric Pearson's creation of a very bland villain may have defeated his purpose. There are three or four major aspects of "BLACK WIDOW" that I disliked. One, I disliked how Pearson nearly allowed the Yelena Belova character to dominate the movie. Some claimed that Pugh's performance made it possible for her to overshadow Johansson. I do not agree. As I had earlier stated, I believe Johansson gave one of her best performances during her decade with the MCU. Yet, Pearson allowed Yelena to be the one to serve as the catalyst for the movie's plot with her discovery of the Red Room mind-control agent. And the movie seemed hellbent upon showcasing Yelena's skills . . . to the point of nearly shoving Natasha to the background. Another aspect of the movie I disliked was Kevin Feige's decision to delay this film after the events of "THE AVENGERS: ENDGAME" that included Natasha Romanoff's "fridged" death. Honestly, I thought it was a stupid decision to make on his part and insulting to Johansson. Feige and Disney should have made this film at least half-a-decade earlier. Which leads to the film's third aspect that I disliked - namely to set it after "CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR". I mean . . . why? The MCU could have set this film later - at least during the five years between "THE AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR" and "ENDGAME". Or . . . the MCU could have allowed Natasha to survive the 2019 movie and set "BLACK WIDOW" around 2023. I also disliked a good deal of the film's action scenes. Two of them - Shostakov's escape from prison and the final action sequence at Red Room facility - struck me as ridiculously over-the-top and in the end, simply bored me. Natasha's fight with Yelena at Budapest struck me as nothing more than another attempt to showcase the latter's fighting skills and nothing else. Why? Because I found their fight very unnecessary to the plot. The only action sequence I found interesting was Natasha's initial fight against the Taskmaster in Norway. Finally, we come to my number one issue with "BLACK WIDOW" - namely the Red Room and the Black Widow program. According to the MCU canon and this film, the Black Widow agents had originally been psychologically conditioned to become spies and assassins. Around the turn of the 21st century, the Russians used a mind control agent to control and coerce their Black Widow operatives. I realize this new development came from Marvel Comics, but it seemed like a plagiarized version of the Winter Solider program that Bucky Barnes had endured. Whether drugs were used in his case, I do not know. Nevertheless, I wish the MCU, Pearson and director Cate Shortland had not used this aspect of the Black Widow program in the film's narrative. It just seemed so unoriginal to me. And I believe it undermined Natasha's own decision to defect to S.H.I.E.L.D. and struggles to face her bloody past. Nice going, MCU! Not. The movie ended with a mid-credit scene featuring Yelena visiting Natasha's empty grave a few years later and encountering her new boss, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, who informed her that one Clint Barton aka Hawkeye, was responsible for Natasha's death. This little scenario played out in the DisneyPlus series, "HAWKEYE", so I will not go into it. "BLACK WIDOW" featured some excellent performances from its four leading characters and perhaps one or two decent action scenes. But if I must be honest, there were too many aspects of this movie that I found unappealing, including unoriginal writing, some over-the-top action sequences and really bad timing. In the end, I believe this movie proved to be a disservice to its star, Scarlett Johansson.

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[empathydm]

Sherlock Story Chapter 6

Help me roleplay Sherlock Holmes in this collaborative story adventure. Last text: The footsteps reached a crescendo, the sound reverberating through the chamber. The door swung open with a creak, revealing a figure cloaked in darkness, their features obscured by the dim light that filtered into the room. Without hesitation, Holmes raised his cane, ready to defend us against the incoming threat. But as the figure stepped closer and the weak light unveiled their face, a breath caught in my throat. It was Inspector Lestrade. "I had a feeling I would find you two here," Lestrade muttered, his gaze darting between Holmes, the woman, and myself. "I thought I made it quite clear that this case was off-limits to you, Holmes." Holmes lowered his cane, his gaze fixed on Lestrade. "You knew we wouldn't heed your words, Lestrade," he replied calmly. "This investigation delves far deeper than anyone imagined. The Illustrious Order has infiltrated the very heart of Mudie's Select Library." Lestrade's eyes flickered with a mixture of annoyance and apprehension. "You're playing a dangerous game, Holmes. There are forces at play here that even you might not comprehend." The woman stepped forward, her voice resonating with a quiet confidence. "Inspector Lestrade, I may hold the answers you seek. But it is essential that we work together, for the secrets within Mudie's Library pose a grave threat not just to London, but to all of England." Lestrade's skepticism wavered, and he regarded the woman with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. "And what is your role in all of this?" "I," she paused, her gaze unwavering, "am a part of the Illustrious Order. But I defected, unable to stand by as their malevolence grew. I am willing to aid in your investigation and provide valuable insight into their operations." Holmes narrowed his eyes, studying the woman intently. "We would be wise to hear her out, Lestrade. We need all the allies we can muster if we're to dismantle this organization and bring its members to justice." Lestrade hesitated, the internal struggle etched across his face. Finally, he nodded reluctantly. "Very well, Holmes. But know this, if I have any reason to believe that this woman is leading us astray, I will not hesitate to apprehend her." We were now a quartet bound by an inescapable destiny. With purpose, we turned our attention to the labyrinthine corridors before us, knowing that to uncover the secrets buried within Mudie's Select Library, we had to plunge deeper into the treacherous heart of the Illustrious Order. As we made our way through the winding passages, the atmosphere grew increasingly ominous. Shadows danced on the walls, and whispers tickled our ears, like a macabre symphony signaling our descent into the underworld. The woman led us with an unerring determination, her knowledge of the library's hidden passages guiding our progress. With every step, we noticed sigils and cryptic markings etched into the stones, hinting at a malevolent power that slumbered within Mudie's Select Library, waiting to be unleashed. Hours blended into a timeless void as we ventured further, navigating the intricate network of secrets. Finally, we arrived at a colossal wooden door, its ancient wood groaning under the weight of antiquity. Etched upon its surface was the grand emblem of the Illustrious Order of the Phoenix. "No turning back now," Holmes muttered under his breath, the resolve evident in his voice. He raised his hand, reaching for the door handle, prepared to plunge us into the heart of the Order's sanctuary. Before Holmes could make his move, the door swung open with a distinct gust of wind. And standing on the other side was a sight that stilled our very souls—a vast chamber bathed in shadow and teeming with innumerable horrors. As we stepped into the chamber, the clamor of dangers yet unknown exploded around us, unsettling the very fabric of our beings. But we stood resolute, Holmes, Watson, the woman, and Lestrade, steeled against the darkness that awaited us—ready to face whatever abominations lurked within Mudie's Select Library and unmask the truth behind the Illustrious Order of the Phoenix. How should the story continue? Please vote by liking the following posts: Option 1: Confronting darkness within library.#SherlockLives Option 2: Unleashing horrors unites the alliance. Option 3: "The catacombs beckon; darkness awaits." Full text for each option in following posts. The votes are counted every 6 hours. #Sherlock #rpg #fanfic.