#elder ephraim

[dramoor]

#Orthodox Christian #Elder Ephraim #Lord Jesus Christ #God's will be done #peace #hope #prayer #ask for wisdom and guidance

[orthodoxadventure]

#Elder Ephraim #christianity #orthodox christianity #eastern orthodoxy #religion

[orthodoxicons]

#Greek language #Christianity #links #orthodoxy #Orthodox Christianity #English language #Elder Ephraim #repentance

[ms-scarletwings]

Off my chest but I hate that Cthulhu is the flagship lovecraftian figure I hate that all eldritch horror icons get to be compared to Cthulhu in our timeline now that it’s all called the “Cthulhu Mythos” and what for???

I got into HP for the short stories, but I did eventually get around to the bulkier, connected stuff, and honestly? “Call of Cthulhu” is one of the weakest and underwhelming examples of the guy’s work that I’ve gotten through. THIS is the monster that in huge part made Lovecraft a pop culture name? THIS story?

Like sorry not sorry but Cthulhu is a little bitch boy stuck in timeout. Yes yes, I admit he’s pretty cool in a vacuum and I guess the “that is not dead which can eternal lie” quote does go pretty damn hard. But put into context it’s just…. Eh… like, I’m not going to even touch the overflowing can of worms that is the racist overtones since it’s already-taken low hanging fruit at this point. I honestly just found CoC boring and anticlimactic because I made the mistake of chomping through so many of huge other monster stories first. Once you’ve inoculated yourself into the stakes of At the Mountains of Madness or gotten in the know on Innsmouth or Yog-Sothoth, you feel like squidboi doesn’t really throw much punch even for the amount of suspense that he does build up to. He’s the first and only otherworldly deity so far I’ve even read to be defeated and shooed back by mere mortal men- mortal men, ones that didn’t even know wtf they were doing or facing, mind you.

I have less than nothing against people who enjoy the story and Cthulhu, but I just want to know… why? More specifically why this one got so famous and influential for a whole genre of horror. Cthulhu is just not really even scary to me. Ephraim Waite is scary. Shoggoths are fucking terrifying. The lore of Elder Things are everything I never knew I wanted in eldritch horror, and their story was genuinely compelling. The Deep Ones I thought I got their gist and wasn’t so interested in before reading, and they actually pulled me in past expectation. Cthulhu’s like…. A “safe” to “euclid” class scp at worst. The Innsmouth plot is the real setting for the theme of serious danger that is plotting and bubbling just beneath the uncanny surface.

I’m not telling anyone to not read Call of Cthulhu, but if you already have and you didn’t really get the appeal and hype for Lovecraft, Don’t be afraid to try explore down a different branch of the Mythos. You might be surprised. If you did read and enjoy CoC, make sure you check out the other stories because in my opinion it’s pretty uphill from there.

#hp lovecraft #lovecraft #horror literature #at the mountains of madness #the thing on the doorstep #scarlet rants about things #scarlet talks about things #the only thing I like about Cthulhu is the way he looks #enthusiastic recommendations #lovecraftian horror #but actually

[clickerflight]

Clove: Part 13 - Play?

GUESS WHO'S BACK! IT'S THE BOIIII!!! Let me know if you want to be on the taglist.

Masterlist

Part 12

Content: Werewolf whumpee, fear, ignorant comments about his scars, mentions of past abuse

...............................................

Ephraim had to leave to help make the house safe again. 

Hyrum knew he was safe, he knew Ephraim would be back, he had his bird toy and he was full, huddled under the blankets as snug as a hibernating creature…. but every new sound scared him. A subtle creak of the house settling had him clutching the blanket and toy closer, his heart pounding. He just wanted to be home. In Ephraim’s house. 

He pressed his face into the pillow, taking a deep breath to fill his nose with Ephraim’s scent. It was like warm raspberries picked right off the cane, undertones of bread and flowers firmly carrying home the feeling of safety. 

He slowly relaxed again and got more comfortable, pulling his toy out of the blankets to get a better look at it, running a finger over the carved features of the bird, ears twitching as the ball rolled around gently inside of it.

He sighed and tried to relax, closing his eyes again. 

That went away when he heard footsteps and voices and the front door opened. He sat up quickly, the scents of the werewolf children from the trip to see the merchant reaching his nose. 

“I don’t think we’re supposed to be in here,” said one voice, which Hyrum completely agreed with as he slipped out of the bed on the opposite side from the doorway. 

“Oh, stop being such a pansy.”

Hyrum silently dropped down and wiggled under the bed, cupping his hands over his face to muffle his breathing as he heard the two sets of footsteps come down the hall, stopping at the door. He closed his eyes as it creaked open. 

“Is he in the bed?” the younger sounding voice asked. 

The older one approached and Hyrum flinched as he patted the bed. 

“No, doesn’t look like it.”

“Is he still in here?”

“Course he is. Can’t you smell him?”

Hyrum opened his eyes in time to see knees contact the floor and a face peering under the bed, right at him. 

“Aha!” the grey haired werewolf said, tail sweeping the floor. “There he is!”

Hyrum scrambled back out without thinking, getting to his feet and backing up quickly enough that he banged rather loudly into the wall, hands searching the blank space behind him as his tail tucked itself between his legs and he ducked his head to protect his throat.

The other wolf, a younger kid with darker hair, though not quite black, stared at him while the older came around the bed, slowly and steadily, like he was stalking Hyrum. 

Hyrum felt his heart beating faster, and he whimpered as the wolf took another step towards him. 

The wolf froze, head cocked to the side for a moment. He took another step and Hyrum started seeing spots from how quickly he was breathing, none of the air actually making it anywhere. 

The wolf froze in place, halfway through another step. He backed up a bit until Hyrum felt like he could breathe again, still shaking like an aspen leaf and gasping for air, tears escaping down his cheeks. 

“What’s wrong with him?” the younger one asked.

“I don’t know,” said the elder. “Here, back out of the room. Maybe he’ll be less scared with just one of us.”

The younger wolf pouted, but did as he was told. 

Hyrum did not feel any better, pinned down under the gaze of the older wolf. Was he older? He looked older. He was bigger than Hyrum, with broader shoulders and shinier teeth and flesh on his bones. He would be a real weapon. 

Not that it mattered. Hyrum wasn’t even supposed to be a weapon anyways, apparently. 

“You’re Goldenrod, yeah?”

Hyrum relaxed a little upon hearing the nickname and nodded faintly. 

“I’m Isaac.”

Hyrum watched nervously, not certain of what the other wolf wanted. Isaac seemed to be waiting for something before looking around a little, confused. 

He looked back and asked, “What are you so scared of?”

Hyrum didn’t know how to answer. Wasn’t it obvious? There was a bigger, tougher wolf in the room, blocking his exit after breaking into the house he and Ephraim had been staying at. How was that not terrifying?

Isaac stared at him for a long time before taking a slow step forward and all of Hyrum’s muscles which had relaxed even the slightest were tight again, sweat breaking out down his back. 

Still, Isaac didn’t stop until he was a few steps away, leaning closer. Hyrum could hear him sniffing, could see he was open and relaxed. 

“Wh… What do you want?” Hyrum whispered hoarsely, terrified. 

Isaac leaned back again and frowned. “I haven’t seen another werewolf in a while that’s not from my family. I just wanted to see what your deal was.”

Hyrum didn’t know what that was supposed to mean and didn’t respond, which, to his horror, seemed to frustrate the other wolf. 

“I mean, what is your deal? Mum said there was an intruder in the village and Ephraim has been staying here and you haven’t even left this house once! Don’t you want to go outside? Don’t you want to see other pups and play?”

Hyrum shivered. Being in the sun sounded nice. It always did. But playing with pups? Isaac talked about it like it was a normal thing. And Ephraim was expecting him to be here when he got back. What if he went outside and Ephraim thought he’d been taken? Just the thought of Ephraim worrying over it for even a moment freaked Hyrum out. And what if he did get taken?

“‘M scared,” Hyrum said softly, head tucked in still. He was afraid that Isaac wouldn’t like his answer and would lash out at him and hurt him. Jack always did. 

“Why? We’re not going anywhere crazy. Me and my sibs are playing out in Mrs. Julien’s yard. It’s basically across the road from here.”

Hyrum was beginning to consider the idea, if only because he loved the feeling of sun on his skin. Isaac seemed genuine as well. 

After a long moment he nodded. “Okay… and I can come back here whenever I want, right?”

“Right,” Isaac said, impatient now. “You should bring your toy. It’s almost Angie’s turn to play and she always wants to play house or rescue the princess or sacrifices to the demon lord. Come on!”

Isaac left, leaving no context for what he’d just said, but Hyrum carefully scooped up his bird and left the comfortable room. He saw the two wolves go out the front door, talking to one another. He passed the table in the front room, giving it a wide berth as feelings of panic and fear stirred around him, as though he’d left them under there when he had been hiding there a few nights before. 

He very slowly stepped out of the house and onto the front porch, the wood rough under his bare feet and the sun like a blessing on his skin. 

He closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the feeling of it in his curls. His curls! He’d never had curly hair before. Ephraim had told him that now he was getting more food and sleep and he wasn’t covered in mange, he was getting his ‘real hair’ in. Hyrum didn’t fully understand it, but he was glad for it as a sign of being taken care of and fed. 

He stepped down onto the dirt path and quickly crossed the road, smooth rocks poking up through the dirt and pebbles here and there. 

He got to the other side and hesitated on the edge of a yard of soft grasses and small wildflowers, four wolves gathered together in the center of the yard where another brother and a sister had been waiting. 

Isaac waved him over and he approached carefully. 

“This is Goldenrod,” Isaac said, and the girl nodded, eyeing Hyrum’s toy a little bit, making him clutch it a little tighter. “Goldenrod, this is my brother Simon, you’ve met Lionel, and this is Angie.” Lionel was the wolf who had come to the house with Isaac, it seemed. Simon and Angie both had black hair and fur and Simon nodded, a little intrigued, though it was Angie who spoke first. 

“What’s wrong with your face?” she asked, tilting her head. 

Hyrum felt a swoop of… what was that feeling? Like he was anxious, but in an entirely different way. He didn’t realize that the way Isaac had talked to him had given him a new idea. One of being accepted by more than just Ephraim, and now he felt like that was dashed. Destroyed by Jack because of the scars on his face. 

He could feel his eyes watering and he looked down quickly, glad for his curly hair for another reason now. 

“Hey! Be nice, Angie,” Isaac barked. “Seriously, mum taught you manners! I was there for it!”

Angie huffed. “I just wanted to know,” she whined. 

“It really isn’t nice,” Simon said in a quiet, slow tone. 

“Oh, come on! Scars are cool!”

Cool? What could possibly be cool about the pain and starvation he went through? What was good about that written across his entire body? For no good reason? There was no reason for it. None of it. None of the silver or knives or ‘training’ or the initials in his arm. No reason for the burns or the broken fingers or the bleeding head wounds or the mange. 

Hyrum turned to go back to the house, wrapping his arms tightly around his body causing the toy to be shoved harshly into his ribs. 

“Wait!” Lionel said, running up and coming around to stand in front of Hyrum. He was shorter than Hyrum was, but he still looked stronger. He looked up into Hyrum’s face earnestly and said, “Please can you stay? We can make her go home! We want to play with you!”

“Hey! You can’t make me go home!”

“We will if you don’t apologize,” Isaac nodded and Simon added, “A real apology, Angie.”

She huffed at both of them but she came over, a rather worn doll in hand and she took a deep breath. 

“I’m sorry, Goldenrod. I shouldn’t have asked about your scars and I won’t ask again. Will you play with us?”

Hyrum was puzzled by her tone. It was strange but he didn’t recognize it enough to put a finger on it. Still, hesitant and feeling a little bit pressure from their eyes all on him, he nodded. 

They all seemed very excited and had him kneel in the grass to play where he lived the strangest hour of his life giving a personality to his bird toy and helping rescue a princess from a demon who wanted to play house with her. 

Part 14

Clove Taglist: @wolfeyedwitch @the-blind-one-speaks @whumpsday @extrabitterbrain @inkkswhumpandstuff @honeycollectswhump @whump-blog-reblogs @pigeonwhumps @mj-or-say10

#werewolf whumpee #scars #mentioned abuse #anxiety #fear #boi is socializing! #look at him! #he's so freaked out about it! #there are going to be consequences for playing in the sun for too long when he isn't used to it

[rucbarthatbowtiesarecooldw]

Sunday Morning Session

Sweet is the Work

Conducting: Dallin H. Oaks

Go Forth with Faith

I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus

President M. Russell Ballard, Q of 12

Joseph Smith and the first vision

We are blessed by Joseph’s ministry

We have the knowledge that Jesus is the Christ because Joseph was worthy to get the plates

It is important to ensure your children know you believe them – and believe in them

Be a little better, a little kinder, a little more prepared.

He’s our Savior and Redeemer, our best friend

President Emily Belle Freeman, YW President

The Jesus Trail

The five finger promise

He doesn’t ask us to face challenges alone. He will invite us to walk with Him

He has promised to walk with us in the way

Jesus will meet us where we are, as we are

His is a mission of condescension – He will meet us where we are as we are

Staying where we are won’t bring us the deliverance we seek

It’s the covenant relationship that saves us

Just like a marriage, the wedding date is important but ultimately it’s what comes after

What relationship do you want to have with Him?

If you want to live in a continuous covenant relationship with him

Your place or placement on the path is not as important as progress

It’s not the course alone that will save us, it’s the companion our Savior

Adilson de Paula Parrella, 70

Witness through actions and words that Jesus is the Christ

Take upon you the name of Christ

Spain – attending a small church meeting

Brazil story

Everything in church (talks, testimonies, etc) should be about and focused on Jesus

Elder Quintin L. Cook, Q of 12

This is the time to prepare to meet God

Be the peacemakers

Have a peaceable walk among the children of men

Be peaceable followers of Jesus Christ

Which act of the play am I stuck in?

There are three acts to the play (in the plan of happiness), which act are we going to participate in?

If you come in to the performance in the third act of the play you will lack the context of what happened prior

Praise the Lord with singing, music and dancing

If you are sorrowful, call on the Lord with supplication that your souls may be joyful

Being joyful and relying on Heavenly help through prayer is a great way to be peaceable

Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal – Hymn Come, Ye Disconsolate

Come Ye Children of the Lord

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Q of 12

The Greatest Short Story ever told

The prodigal son Luke 15:11-32

#livingmybestlife

He will help you and shelter you no matter what has happened

Even after you squander your entire inheritance

“It wasn’t just an empty stomach that bothered him, it was an empty soul”

Even when you feel no longer worthy, and decide that you must be only worthy for the lowliest roll in the Fathers house, He instead celebrates that His child has returned home

He will unconditionally allow us to return for forgiveness and mercy

It is always possible to go back and become renewed

It is never better to stay lost – Heaven will rejoice at our return

Some of us may wonder if its even possible to go back, if its better just to stay lost. But Heavenly father will run to us!! And embrace us!!

“It is not possible for you to sink lower than the light of Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice shines” - Elder Holland

The Master Healer stands at the road that leads home, welcoming you

Your return will not diminish the blessings of others

Coming back is not an easy thing to do. It may be the toughest choice we make. But Christs power will enter our lives and transform it.

Together we will rejoice – for Jesus Christ is our Strength.

Hear the Father’s voice beckoning us to follow the road that leads home.

W. Christopher Waddell, 1st counselor Bishopric

Ephraim’s rescue

Bring as many people as you can safely home

Hero worship can be taken too far – you can look beyond the mark and lose what is essential – Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ has done everything that is essential for our journey through mortality toward the destiny outlined in the plan of our Heavenly Father. -Dallin H. Oaks

We need to be careful in choosing our hero, so that our hero worship does not become our golden calf

If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God first, then you need to consider carefully what choices you have chosen

Any choice other than choosing the kingdom of God will fail us

Turn to Him, follow Him, choose Him.

It is by choosing Him, the King of Kings, that we choose the kingdom of God.

Hark All Ye Nations

President Henry B. Eyring, 2nd counselor 1st Presidency

Pray and heed promptings to gain inspiration and blessings

Think and pray about Helaman’s sons Nephi and Lehi

Helaman 11:23 (whole chapter tho)

We need the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost – we desire it, but we know that it sometimes isn’t easy to achieve

Remember the sacrament promise

We can be guided by the spirit minute by minute

Purity brings power

Don’t give in to fear, He is there. Repent

Don’t succumb to the fear that God has abandoned us or does not hear us.

Of all the things the Holy Ghost testifies of, the most precious for us is that Jesus is the Christ, the Living Son of God.

Your experiences will be unique and the spirt will guide in the way best suited to you and your experiences

He loves you and He hears your every prayer

The Holy Ghost is sent to faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ

Your relationship with the Holy Ghost is unique to you

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

#ldsconf #genconf #tumblrstake #church of jesus christ of latter day saints #sunday morning session

[jimblejamblewritings]

the imprint or the blood singer | part 14.

Summary: Y/N Black. All about La Push. Shy girl unless you get to know her. Not one to make friends easily despite the fact that she very well could. Friends with her brother’s friends until one Bella Swan comes back to town.

Warnings for the Series: light violence, light smut

Pairing: Edward Cullen x reader, Embry Call x reader

Word Count: 1.6k

Previous Part | (Series Masterlist)

“You’re coming to graduation right? It’s on a Friday so we weren’t sure…” Jessica asked you.

You and Jacob were eating lunch at Forks like usual.

“I’m sure school will let us take the day off for that.”

“Cool. You know…” Jess took a bite of her food. “I’m surprised Edward’s not sitting with you today.”

“We’re kind of on a bit of a break I guess,” you said awkwardly.

You knew the Cullens could hear you. You thought nothing but sweet, loving messages knowing Edward would be listening to your mind and not your mouth. Your table of friends looked at you in a surprised confusion.

“Really?” Tyler questioned. “Last thing I expected from you two was a break-up.”

“They’re on a break not broken up, there’s a difference,” Angela said.

Jessica nodded at Ang’s comment.

“Well I hope it’s not a long break. You two are cute together and the way he looks at you… find me a guy who looks at me like that.”

Jacob rolled his eyes and took this time to excuse himself to the bathroom not wanting to hear any more about Edward. Alice took the opportunity to approach your table.

“I’ve decided to throw a graduation party!” She chirped from behind your chair. “After all, how many times are we going to graduate high school.”

You, Bella, and Alice smiled at her words. The rest of your friends were completely oblivious. Jessica’s face lit up.

“A party at your place? I’ve never seen your house before.”

“No one has ever seen their house,” Eric said. “Party sounds great. I’m in.”

“Perfect.” Alice clapped her hands on your shoulders.

You felt something rough slide down the back of your shirt before she walked away. Pretending to scratch at an itch, you pulled the piece of paper out and unfolded it underneath the table. The handwriting was Edward’s: right after the ceremony, stay behind in the gym.

~~

As much as you loved Jessica, you didn’t listen to a word of her valedictorian speech. You clapped when everyone else clapped and waved to each of your friends as they received their diplomas. You stood with Charlie and Jacob waiting for Bella to come see you once the actual graduation was over.

“I’m going to the restroom before we go to the diner,” you said.

“Okay, (Y/N/N). Come on Jake, I want to take pictures with everyone outside.”

Bella helped you out. She pulled your brother, you couldn’t refuse her, outside while you disappeared into the crowd. Jacob reminding you to meet by his car, you were all going to pile in and head to the diner in one vehicle.

Slowly, everyone made their way outside for pictures and to talk. You and Edward sat underneath the pulled out bleachers. You rested your head on his shoulder as he held one of your hands in his. His other played with your hair as the two of you enjoyed the silence.

“I didn’t think you’d be able to see me. Sam’s orders—”

“Can’t be obeyed by Jacob and I for very long. He thought he wouldn’t have to with Jacob here, Sam’s an idiot.”

“He’s the Alpha.”

“I thought you knew about the tribe? My lineage.”

“You and Jacob are Ephraim Black’s great-grandchildren, chief of the Quileutes making Billy the most respected elder in La Push.”

“So you do know, you’re just slow.”

“Then enlighten me.”

“Ephraim Black. Last known shifter until Sam. Chief and True Alpha. It’s in our blood. Sam’s in my position and when I refused it should’ve been Jake’s. Neither of us wanted to be in a pack, let alone lead it. Sam’s Alpha by default but it’s mine by birthright. You can never truly command a True Alpha.”

You lifted your head to look at Edward. “Maybe I should’ve taken the position. I wouldn’t have to hide with you now.”

“You would’ve hated it. I can already see the conflict in your head.”

“But I could’ve commanded them to let us be. An Alpha and I could command anyone for anything.”

“What would you command me to do?” Edward smirked as he watched your eyes flit from his eyes to his lips.

“Kiss me.”

Edward kissed your temple and cheek before he made his way to your mouth. You shivered hard under his touch, it had been a while since you felt the cold skin against yours.

“Jacob’s looking for you. He’s coming down the hallway.” Edward pulled away.

“This is shit,” you muttered as you dropped your forehead onto his shoulder. .

“It’s not your fault. It’s no one’s fault, at least we had right now.”

“I’ll see you tonight, okay?”

~~

Going over to the Cullens’ house for a graduation party wasn’t nearly as fun as it should’ve been. Of course Jacob was allowed over as Bella’s boyfriend. Unfortunately he brought along Quil and Embry, your famous protector. You weren’t let out of their sight.

The only people you could actually talk to were the humans. You managed to sneak a smile at any Cullen that passed by. You saw Alice on the stairs looking at nothing. Embry put his arm out to block you.

“Unless you want her to expose what they are in front of everyone, you’ll let me go,” you said quietly.

Embry and Quil let you go to her.

“Alice?” you raced over to her, Bella followed behind you. “What did you see?”

“The decision’s been made.”

“What’s going on?” Jacob asked.

You guys waited till all the party guests had left to hold a little meeting on the back porch.

“So we’re not going to Seattle?” Emmett asked.

“No, they’re coming here, soon. We have two weeks, if we’re lucky.”

“This could turn into a bloodbath,” Carlisle said. “Alice, can you see who’s behind it?”

“I don’t think I recognize anyone… wait one, Riley Biers.”

“That’s the first boy that went missing in Seattle. Charlie’s been working on that case for a while now,” Bella said.

“They must be playing with the blind spots in your vision,” Edward told Alice. “Either way the army is coming and there aren’t enough of us to protect the town.”

“Hold up. What damn army?” Jacob asked.

“It’s not just a rogue vampire. Newborns, our kind,” Carlisle explained.

“What are they after?” Embry asked from beside Jacob.

“They were passing around Bella’s sweater,” Alice recounted her vision.

“And what does that mean for us?”

“An ugly fight. Lives lost,” Carlisle said.

Jacob turned to look at you, Quil, and Embry; you all nodded. “Alright, we’re in.”

“What? No, you’ll get yourself killed, no way,” Bella protested.

“We weren’t exactly asking for your permission, Bells. It’s our job, babe.”

“Jacob, do you believe Sam would agree to an understanding?” Carlisle asked him. Jacob contemplated but nodded slowly.

“And the others?”

“As long as we get to kill some vampires,” Jacob responded.

“Jasper?” Carlisle turned to his youngest son.

“They’ll give us the numbers, the newborns won’t know they even exist. It’ll give us an edge.”

Edward reached for you as you guys were leaving. Both Embry and Jacob blocked him before he could even touch you.

~~

The wolves were ready to start training as soon as possible. Everyone agreed to meet in the woods on the Cullens’ side of the treaty line. Your pack snarled and grumbled as they walked to wherever the Cullens said to meet. They could see the little bundles of your clothes left around the woods. You finally reached the clearing.

“They don’t trust us enough to be in human form,” Edward said, reading Sam’s mind.

“They came. That’s what matters,” Carlisle said. “Edward, can you translate what they’re thinking?”

Edward nodded and Carlisle turned to face the pack.

“Welcome. Jasper has a good amount of experience with newborns. He’ll be able to teach us how to defeat them.”

“They want to know how the newborns are different from us,” Edward translated.

“They’re a great deal stronger than us because their own human blood lingers in their tissues. Our kind is never more physically powerful than in our first seven months of this life,” Carlisle said.

Jasper stepped up to explain more.

“Carlisle’s right. That’s why they’re created. A newborn army doesn’t need thousands like a human army, but no human army can stand against them. Now the two most important things to remember are first: never let them get their arms around you, they’ll crush you instantly. And second: never go for the obvious kill, they will be expecting that and you will lose… Emmett, you’re first.”

Everyone backed up to give Jasper and Emmett room to spar.

“Don’t hold back, Emmett.”

“Not in my nature.”

Emmett ran fast at Jasper. Jasper braced himself as Emmett threw him in the air and he hit the ground. Jasper sprung up quickly. Emmett attempted to throw a punch but he missed and fell to the floor as Jasper’s fist collided with his stomach. Jasper and Emmett sparred a bit more before Jasper called Carlisle and Edward to spar.

You watched as they both ran and grabbed each other’s necks. Carlisle threw Edward but missed his next hit. Edward pushed Carlisle down to the ground. Edward stepped a little bit away, looking to Jasper to see if he did a good job.

“One more thing,” Jasper said, “Never turn your back on your enemy.”

Jasper rolled his eyes as Carlisle got up and pushed Edward to the floor. You couldn’t help but let your thoughts about Edward come to the surface as you watched him spar. The pack growled at you causing everyone to pay attention.

“What’s going on?” Rosalie asked.

“I’m fine, (Y/N),” Edward answered you instead of Rosalie.

Training continued and you kept your thoughts in check. For the most part you stayed focused on Jasper and the training, occasionally looking at Edward who always smiled when he caught you looking.

(Part 15)...

#edward cullen x reader #edward cullen x black!reader #embry call x reader #embry call x black!reader #twilight fic

[littlec0ward]

Phasing - Re: Leah, Billy, Jacob

[Why Leah didn't phase when the Cullens first returned, was Billy Black ever a wolf and why Jacob phased after the Cullens left]

In the Twilight universe, some members of the Quileute Tribe can 'phase' into werewolves under a few conditions:

They must be a direct descendant of Taha Aki, the first Quileute to phase (early 13th century). These descendants "are born with twenty-four chromosomal pairs rather than the twenty-three pairs of a normal human"

"This extra chromosome will not have any effect on the carrier if he or she is not in close proximity to vampires during all or part of the critical time between the onset of puberty and the age of twenty-five. If the potential werewolf is not exposed to vampires within this window of time, transformation will never occur. It is the scent of the vampires that triggers the reaction.."

When in close proximity to vampires, it is always the youngest in each family's lineage to phase, becoming a "protector" against the vampires

If the youngest member in a given family's lineage is not between the onset of puberty and 25, they will not phase and neither will their parents/elders

(It is "based on two factors: heritage and the proximity of vampires")

The other factors worth considering are:

"One factor affecting which members of the tribe transform is the number of vampire scents in the area"

"... the pack has usually consisted of three members. With most vampires traveling alone or in pairs, there was never a need for more..."

Members with the strongest blood ties phase first. As more vampires are present, tribe members with weaker blood ties start to phase

Until 2006, only male carriers of the gene had gained the ability to transform

The Cullens first moved to Hoquiam (aprx. 100 miles from La Push) in 1936. At this point, the confirmed "protectors" are Ephraim Black, Quil Ateara II and Levi Uley. Tracing their lineages it is probable that none of them had children that had reached transformation age yet. Billy Black was not born until the late 1950's so he obviously couldn't have phased here. However, the Cullens stayed in the area until 2003 when they moved to Forks (only ~16 miles from the Quileutes in La Push). Though Ephraim Black was likely deceased by this time, his grandson Billy was well past 25 (about 50) and Jacob Black was born but was only 13, meaning neither of them could transform (cond. 2).

Let's put a pin in that to quickly talk about Jacob. It makes sense that he didn't phase in 2003 when the Cullens arrived in Forks because he was only 13. But the Cullens left Forks in September of 2005 and Jacob didn't phase until February, 2006. There were only 2 vampires present in Forks when Jacob first phased, Laurent and Victoria. The Cullen family consists of 7 vampires, so why didn't he transform while they were around? Well, the transformation had actually already started before they left. The first sign of transformation in male gene carriers is a "noticeable growth spurt". When Jacob goes to see Bella at the prom in May, 2005 she comments on how much Jacob has grown.

(Twilight, Epilogue)

So this leaves me with one question unanswered. Going back to 2003, when the Cullens moved to Forks, the only Quileute who phased was Sam Uley, who was 17 at the time. But so was Leah Clearwater. So why didn't she also phase? At this point in time, there had never been a female werewolf, but Leah did eventually become the first around March of 2006, also after the Cullens had left. We can assume that the transformation had began before they left, just like Jacob. So the question is:

Why didn't Leah phase when Sam did in 2003?

There is no definitive answer to this that I can find. The real answer is "Smeyer didn't think that far" but, in universe, it seems like female werewolves were supposed to only be possible under exceptional circumstances. Perhaps, it was supposed to be the passing of her father that triggered her transformation, but we can rule that out because, when she first phased, "She was arguing with her mother about her mood swings, and her father joined the conversation in support of her mother. Leah was so angry that her whole body started shaking, and then she exploded into a werewolf...". So if Smeyer's intended reasoning is "exceptional circumstances", she either forgot or there just isn't a real reason, at least not one that I could find.

- Edited for corrections

(Acc. to the official illustrated guide - sections "Werewolves" pg. 298+ and "Timeline" pg. 404+, Twilight and New Moon)

#Twilight #twilight saga #Twilight lore #Twilight meta #Jacob black #Leah Clearwater #smeyer #new moon

[triple-tree-ranch]

Aryeh Alexander Sandler, the late 5-year-old

The late Gabriel Issachar Sandler, 3 years old

The late Daniel Aryeh Wiplich, 16 years old

The late Elad Fogel, 4 years old

The late Hadas Vogel is three months old

The late Yoav Fogel, 10 years old

The late Yonatan Palmer, one year old

The late Shlomo Nativ, 13 years old

The late Segev Paniel Avihil, 15 years old

Yonatan Yitzhak Elder, 16 years old

Yondav Chaim Hirshfeld, 18 years old

The late Naria Cohen, 15 years old

The late Yohai Lifshitz, 18 years old

The late Avraham David Mozes, 16 years old

The late Roy Aharon Roth, 18 years old

The late Eliyahu Pinchas Ashari, 18 years old

The late Mazel Zaribi, 15 years old

The late Daniel Waltz, 16 years old

The late Amir Naim, 17 years old

Shaked Lasker, the late 16-year-old

The late Omer Menashe Pisakhov, 8 years old

Ella Aboxis, the late 17-year-old

The late Rachel Hali ben Abu, 16 years old

The late Oz Israel ben Meir, 14 years old

The late Nofer Horvitz, 16 years old

The late Avihai Levi, 16 years old

The late Aviad Yehuda Mansour, 15 years old

The late Yuval Abba, 4 years old

The late Afik Ohion Zahavi, 3 years old

The late Lior Azoulai, 18 years old

The late Aviel Yitzhak Atch, 3 years old

Two-year-old Dorit from the late Binsan movie

The late Roni Sarah Hatuel, 6 years old

The late Merav Rachel Hatuel is two years old

The late Hila Esther Hatuel, 10 years old

The late Hadar Simcha Hatuel, 9 years old

Son Jonathan Zuckerman, 18 years old

The late Lior Liorinka Niv, 3 years old

The late Gilad Giladi Niv, 11 years old

The late Avraham Shaked is one year old

The late Tomer Almog, 9 years old

The late Habib Dadon, 16 years old

The late Benjamin Bergman, 15 years old

The late Avraham Bar-Or, 12 years old

The late Shmuel Zargari, one year old

Noya Zar, the late Aviv, one year old

Liran Zer Aviv, the late 4-year-old

The late Erez Gizro Hershkowitz, 18 years old

The late Tom Hershko, 15 years old

The late Daniel Harosh, 16 years old

The late Shmuel Taubenfeld, one year old

The late Moran Menachem, 17 years old

The late Yuval Mandelwitz, 13 years old

The late Abigail Lytle, 14 years old

The late Noam Leibovitz, 7 years old

The late Tehila Natanzan, 3 years old

The late Elisheva Meshulami, 16 years old

The late Elizabeth Liz Katzman, 19 years old

Asaf Blondi Tzur Zollinger, the late 17-year-old

The late Smeder Firstetter, 16 years old

The late Asaf Steyer, 10 years old

The late Issachar Dov Reinitz, 9 years old

The late Tal Kerman, 17 years old

The late Shani Avitzedek Abutzadeka, 16 years old

The late Asnat Abramov, 16 years old

Matan Ohion, the late 5-year-old

The late Noam Levi Ohion, 4 years old

The late Yael Ohana, 11 years old

The late Orly Ophir, 15 years old

The late Noa Orbach, 18 years old

The late Dvir Anter, 14 years old

Yaakov Avraham Eliyahu, the late one year old

The late Lidor Ilan, 11 years old

The late Oriya Ilan is one year old

The late Gal Eisenman, 5 years old

Gilila Bugla, 11 years old

The late Hodia Hudish Asraf, 13 years old

The late Noy Enter, 12 years old

The late Shubal Zion Dickstein, 9 years old

The late Elmer Dzbrailov, 16 years old

The late Adi Dahan, 17 years old

Jonathan Gamaliel, 16 years old

The late Hadar Hershkovitz, 14 years old

The late Rachel Gila Teller, 16 years old

The late Gabriel Hoter, 17 years old

The late Shmuel Ephraim Yerushalmi, 17 years old

Atara Livna, 15 years old

The late Racheli Hali Levy, 17 years old

The late Shiraz Nimhad, 6 years old

The late Shaul Nimhad, 15 years old

The late Liran Nimhad is 3 years old

The late Avraham Eliyahu Nicham, 16 years old

Baruch Asher Zvi Markus, 18 years old

Her father, the late Malka, is one year old

The late Nehmi'a Amar, 15 years old

The late Linoi Serousi, 14 years old

Avraham Yosef Haim Seton, the late 17-year-old

The late Gaston Parfi Parfinial, 15 years old

The late Ilan Perlman, 8 years old

Aharon Mordechai Eric Krugliak, 18 years old

The late Sinai Kenan is one year old

The late Tal Tzvi Tlik Kurzweil, 18 years old

The late Ran Koren, 18 years old

The late Gal Koren, 14 years old

Asaf Moshe Tzafira, 18 years old

Avraham Nere' Shebo, deceased, 16 years old

Avishai Yosef Shabo, deceased, 5 years old

The late Keren Shatsky, 14 years old

The late Nathaniel Riahi, 17 years old

The late Erez Shlomo Rond, 18 years old

The late Ofer Ron, 18 years old

The late Yafit Rabivo is 14 years old

The late Daniel Bat-El Shafi, 5 years old

The late Adi Sheeran, 17 years old

Sara Tafarat Shilon, deceased, one year old

The late Gilad Stiglitz, 14 years old

Zvi Yaakov Yisrael Shabu Zal, 12 years old

The late Hadas Turgeman, 14 years old

The late Michael Sherashevsky, 16 years old

The late Assaf Avitan, 15 years old

The late Irina Usadchi, 18 years old

The late Yosef Ish-Ran, 14 years old

The late Yossi Elezra, 18 years old

The late Yuri Goshchin, 18 years old

The late Marina Berkovski, 17 years old

Shoshana Rachel Shushi ben Yishai Zalvat 16

The late Adam Weinstein, 14 years old

Yaakov Israel Danino, deceased, 17 years old

Genia Keren Dorfman, the late 16-year-old

The late Ido Cohen, 18 years old

The late Maria Tagiltsev, 14 years old

The late Tamar Messengisar, 8 years old

The late Jacob Kobi Mendel, 13 years old

The late Aliza Malka, 16 years old

The late Mariana Medvedenko, 16 years old

The late Naftali Ben-Zion Lantzakron, 13 years old

The late Ronen Landau, 17 years old

The late Alexey Lupalo, 17 years old

The late Raya Sahivashordar, 14 years old

Hamda Bracha Sahivashurdar, the late two-year-old

Avraham Yitzchak Sahivashordar, the late 4-year-old

The late Irina Nepomniaschi, 16 years old

The late Yelena Nalimov, 18 years old

The late Yulia Nalimov, 16 years old

The late Avraham Nachman Avrom Nitzani, 18 years old

The late Shalhav Tahiya Pess is one year old

The late Yair Amar, 13 years old

The late Yulia Yael Skalianik, 15 years old

The late Michal Sara Raziel, 16 years old

The late Malka Hana Malki Roth, 15 years old

The late Eliran Rosenberg, 14 years old

The late Simona Rodin, 18 years old

The late Menashe Mani Regev, 14 years old

The late Katrina Arias, 15 years old

Anya Eniota Kazachkov, 16 years old

The late Golan Turgeman, 15 years old

The late Yochaved Shoshan, 10 years old

Yehuda, who is one year old

The late Ofir Rahum, 17 years old

The late Gil-Ad Sha'er, 16 years old

The late Naftali Frankel, 16 years old

The late Adele Beaton, 4 years old

[cassianus]

Abba Pimen says that prayer is the most difficult of all virtues to acquire. It is in prayer that we touch God, that with our mind we are united to God. This is our direct contact with God, our communication with Him. The devil hates this and it is at this time more than any other time that he fights against us. In prayer we must struggle to keep our minds pure and clear from all distractions and totally concentrated on God and immersed in Him.

~Elder Ephraim

[dramoor]

“Do not be shaken by the events of this present life. The struggle will continue with a variety of bad events in humanity in general. Our sins are great. What we sow we shall reap. Fight with faith and courage in the Lord Jesus. Do not despair. The struggle will be hard and dangerous. God's protection will save His true children.”

~Elder Ephraim of Arizona

(Image via orthodoxiaonair.com)

#Orthodox Christian #Elder Ephraim of Arizona #encouragement #Lord Jesus Christ #Do not despair #struggle in faith and courage #God's protection #St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery #we reap what we sow

[orthodoxadventure]

A Prayer by Elder Ephraim

My sweetest Jesus, You sacrificed Yourself for us sinful ones. You spilled your Immaculate Blood. You washed our wounds and brightened the garment of our souls through Your own death. Mortify our passions, and also slay the devil, who continuously stalks us, following us day and night.

Son of God, send us Your help from Heaven, from Your throne of glory upon which You were seated after Your triumphant victory over the devil.

We confess the Grace You have given us; we confess the salvation You have granted us. We unquestionably believe in Your Divinity. We proclaim before all visible and invisible creation that You are the Son and Word of God Who incarnated in order to save us. You are the Only Holy One Who rests upon Your saints. You are the God of love. Our weak mind is incapable of apprehending Your infinite Nous. As an admirable general You vanquished the enemy Amalek, and You freed us like a doe that had been caught in a trap. We acknowledge Your labors, Your pain, Your sweat, and the Cross You endured for us.

Jesus, Son and Word of the Living God, Good Shepherd, You led Your sheep to the pen of salvation. Accept our poor words, our small supplication, and our humble confession; receive them as incense rising before You. Continue, O Lord, in Your infinite compassion, bringing to completion Your beautifully redemptive, magnificent, and multifarious work. You have been glorified wondrously and beyond measure, imperceptibly working out our salvation.

We thank you with all our soul. Accept our impoverished gratitude like the two mites of the poor widow, who offered You everything she had. We too offer whatever we possess. Truly, what can You possibly receive from a poor pauper?

We thank you O Lord. Deem us worthy of worshipping You with our entire being the moment You decide to take our soul, when You command us to come toward You, and on the great and glorious day when the souls of the righteous will shine as they become filled with the endless and unlimited light of Your divine face. Accept the supplications of Your Most-Pure Mother and all Your Saints on our behalf. Amen.

Translated by Saint Nektarios Monastery, Roscoe, NY

#Elder Ephraim #Christianity #Orthodox Christianity #Prayer #Faith

[eretzyisrael]

 HOLY BROTHERS

Every Friday night, Jewish parents bless their children at the beginning of the Shabbat meal. The Biblical Matriarchs are evoked in the blessing for daughters: “May you be like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah.” The blessing for sons is “May you be like Ephraim and Menashe.”

Why aren’t sons likened to the Biblical Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? Who are Ephraim and Menashe and why do we want our sons to be like them?

Ephraim and Menashe are the sons of Joseph, born in Egypt, and two of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Menashe is the older brother, but when Jacob on his deathbed blesses his grandsons, he switches his hands so that Ephraim will receive the firstborn blessing (Gen. 48:14). This mysterious switching of the blessing evokes other Biblical brothers whose birth order is subverted (see: Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers.) Will Joseph’s sons also feud bitterly after the younger is favored over the elder?

The Torah does not record any reaction from Menashe at being passed over for the firstborn blessing. Righteous Menashe accepts the demotion not with angry complaint but quiet serenity. Menashe doesn’t sulk and Ephraim doesn’t gloat. They are the first Jewish brothers not to fight, and they are Jacob’s only grandsons to become Tribes of Israel.

We bless our sons to be like Ephraim and Menashe because we want them to be men of peace who prioritize family harmony over ego. In the immortal words of King David, “How good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together.” (Ps.133:1). May we all be blessed to live in peace and harmony, motivated not by envy but by love!

Image: "Jacob Blessing the Sons of Joseph"by Jan Victors, 1650

#Torah portion #Vayechi #Judaism

[leonieanderson]

We are passing through the midst of many traps, so it is not permissible to proceed neglectfully if we want to avoid the snares. Let us keep our eyes wide open, imitating the many-eyed Cherubim, so that we may deride the clumsy tricks of Satan and ascend with the wings of divine thoughts through the spiritual ether.

- Elder Ephraim of Arizona -

#inspiration #orthodox quotes #ethiopian orthodox #orthodox christianity #christian faith #love notes #daily life

[economy-wonderglue]

A list of FE fics written by me! It's all Engage. Don't look at me.

Standalone works

Copy Copy Copy - Alear convinces himself that it wasn’t the real Alear who came back from the dead. Against everyone’s advice, he tries to “fix” this.

Frenzy - Marth calls Alear a defect while under Veyle’s control as a Dark Emblem. Lucina comes to Alear’s defense, in more way than one.

Dagger in a Thicket of Flowers - Rafal slowly bonds with Alear and Veyle as siblings.

[ 🎁 Notebook obtained. ] - Short or incomplete snippets taking place in a variety of universes or canons.

Alloy ‘verse

Alear has OSDD, and his alters do their best to help him through the war.

Alloy - A retelling of Engage as Alear fights Sombron's forces with extra helping hands, initially unknown to him.

Electrum - Snippets taking place within the Alloy ‘verse.

Fatherhood of the Holy Knight ‘verse

Sigurd’s struggle and eventual acceptance of his fatherhood as an Emblem.

Decisions - After learning of his Fell origins, Alear flees from Elusia Castle. Sigurd convinces him to return. (Originally written as a standalone, but became a spiritual prequel to the series)

Dad Friend - Rosado calls Sigurd a dad friend, and Sigurd mulls over this new description of him.

Doting Sister - Camilla is very open with her elder sister doting, making Sigurd uncomfortable for some reason. They talk about it.

Starting Over - Following his return after the Second Fell Dragon War, Sigurd struggles with grieving all he has lost. Some of it is still within reach, though.

Picking Up - Sigurd is reunited with a son, and Alear finds a brother. Life settles down, for once.

Frozen in Time - Seliph and Sigurd grapple with the harsh reality of why the other looks so young as an Emblem. The other Emblems help.

There Really Is No Point in Cheating in Paint Tag, You Know - Corrin gets way too serious about paint tag. Ephraim suffers a laughing fit. Sigurd gets paint on his hand. (Not a plot-relevant entry, mainly a light-hearted aside taking place within the series)

On Hold/Hiatus

These stories are on hiatus. I plan to go back and finish them, but no guarantees on when they'll update next

Nil Sub Sole Novum - Alear investigates a series of disappearances happening in Elusia near the ruins of the Mage Dragons' village. (Currently about halfway finished)

Divinity and Regency - Without his mother or the Emblems to guide him, Alear finds himself lost in the role of divinity as he tries to help Elusia and Brodia come to peace. He gets help from a celestial mentor he never expected. (About 80% finished)

Child of the Wind - Alear awakens after a thousand years of slumber, meeting his mother and the Emblems, the Divine Dragon Monarch's knights who protect Elyos. An alternative telling of Engage with various divergences and changes. (Very early in the story, plot-wise right before entering Brodia)

#fe engage #chibiwriting

[thesynaxarium]

Today we celebrate our Venerable Father Ephraim of Katounakia. Saint Ephraim is one of the greatest and most memorable elders of the twentieth century. He was a giant of Athonite hesychasm, renowned for his obedience and his gifts of clairvoyance. The Elder began his life on Athos in 1933 at Katounakia, the desert of Mt Athos, and remained there until his repose in 1998. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1936. Even though he did not live in the brotherhood of Elder Joseph the Hesychast, Elder Ephraim was wholeheartedly devoted to Elder Joseph. His own elder, Elder Nikiphoros, was an extremely severe and simple monk who could not offer the young Father Ephraim guidance in the frequent spiritual states he was experiencing. Father Ephraim found the water he had long thirsted for in the teachings and guidance of his beloved Elder Joseph. He found answers to all his questions, receiving direction in the patristic tradition. Elder Joseph taught him about the Jesus prayer, about the fruits of obedience, about the life of divine Grace, and opened for him the doors to an earthly paradise. But what a dilemma for Father Ephraim! He lived in a brotherhood of elders ignorant of the treasures he had discovered. He had thoughts of leaving to join the brotherhood of Elder Joseph, but the wondrous fruits of spiritual progress were to be won through the life of absolute obedience and so, he remained with Elder Nikiphoros. Elder Joseph once whispered to him: “I know your thoughts and your entire spiritual state. Don’t be afraid; I’ll never leave you alone”. Such words sufficed to comfort the young priestmonk. Thus, a life of obedience saw this holy man receive gifts beyond belief. He became a luminary for the entire Holy Mountain and the Orthodox faithful who made the journey to receive his blessing. From lived experience, Elder Ephraim repeated to all who would listen that “obedience is life; disobedience, death”. May he intercede for us always + Source: https://lychnos.org/elder-ephraim-katounakia-1912-1998/ (at Mount Athos) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpJASCbrqoF/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=