#if you cannot responsibly care for an animal simply do not buy or adopt a pet

[wallwriterstuff]

From The Doorstep || Demetri Volturi x Child!OC ||

Part 2: Anything You Can Do 

Words: 3978

Warnings: There is talk of abandonment and the care system (fostering/adoption etc.) that is less than complimentary, but it has a very fluffy ending. 

Summary: On a starry night in Volterra, Demetri finds an unexpected package on their doorstep, leading to a steep learning curve and some tough decisions that make for an unconventional bedtime story.

It was Demetri who had found it, squirming and making noises that were completely unintelligible as it reached for the tiny ribbon wrapped around the basket handle. He’d glanced up and down the street and across the square but few people who were still there at this time paid the wriggling pink mass any attention. The next thing he did was snatch its tenor and weave his way through its mind to find another one he could follow to return the chubby little mess to its rightful owner. There was a tenor there, but he had had to dig quite a while to find it, and usually the longer he had to search for it the weaker the bond between those people who the tenors belonged to was, their strongest bonds usually at the forefront of their minds making it easier to find the people they thought of and saw most often. Since the gurgling mass of blankets before him had only three tenors in its repertoire, he was going to hazard a guess that the weak connections between them meant none of the three those tenors belonged to actually wanted this baby on their doorstep.

With no other choice, he’d lifted the basket with ease and hauled the little human inside with a resigned sigh. In that moment, he’d been intending to have the secretary help him find the nearest person to pass the babe off to; it smelled something awful and was starting to get grouchy if the noises it was making was any indication, but neither he nor anyone else in the castle was equipped to handle a human baby so it made sense to pass it onto someone who did. It had been a very long time since most of them were human, meaning if any of them had had children they were a faded memory at best, and the knowledge of how to care for them was long gone. His nose had wrinkled against the smell as it began to scream, and he’d moved his hand into the moses basket it had been left in, intending on patting it gently in the hopes it would calm down before any of the guard came running.

He’d not expected it to reach out and wrap tiny fingers around one of his own. His eyes went a little wide as it tugged on his hand, trying to pull it closer. Demetri let it, suddenly utterly fascinated with its chubby little face as it turned red with the effort it put into screaming and bawling at him, glistening tears clinging to dark lashes as it tried to suckle his fingers. He winced a little, slightly disgusted by the wet, slippery saliva now coating them as soft gums closed around his granite skin. It moved his fingers in its mouth until they rested at an angle a little to the right, its cries quieting to sniffles and grumbling sounds. Was it hungry? Is that what this meant? It had no teeth so it wasn’t like he could feed it anything the secretary kept in her desk as snack foods. Mindlessly, he carefully set the basket on her desk and reached for the phone to call the young woman back for the night to sort his odd discovery.

He learned a lot that night to. The moment he had mentioned he had discovered a baby the secretary had come running back with a whole bag of tricks. Demetri had let her use his room, though he was loathe to lower the messy little thing into the shallow water she’d ran into his bathtub after seeing the mess it had made soiling itself, but she’d left his bathroom as spotless as she’d found it after she was done bathing what turned out to be a baby girl. The secretary had changed her nappy next, fed her a bottle of some foul-smelling thing she’d called formula, and made the little girl burp on demand. He had had no idea humans could be encouraged to burp simply by tapping on their back and had quietly resolved to try it on the next unsuspecting human he found to see if it was a trait they carried through to their adult life. Demetri had really thought they’d made the baby girl quite happy, now she was clean and fed and warm, but then she’d started screaming again and just like before she’d immediately turned to suckling his fingers when he’d offered them to her. He’d had to learn about teething then and was somewhat pleased, on some level, to know he had eased the little one’s pain.

All that screaming had attracted attention of course, and suddenly Felix was in his room, as well as Alec and Jane, the latter promptly running off to tell the Masters of their tiny, unexpected guest. The bombshell had been when Caius demanded he get rid of it immediately. He was not happy at all with the secretary’s response.

“Master…I cannot call anybody until tomorrow.”

Demetri hadn’t really been listening if he was perfectly honestly, only catching little bits and pieces of the conversation as they’d spoken about where the baby should go next. He’d been fascinated by the way she played with his fingers, the gummy smile she gave him when he chuckled at her and tickled her stomach with his free hand. Demetri had been thoroughly preoccupied with how the stubborn little thing had tried to fight falling asleep, big green eyes blinking owlishly at him before she simply couldn’t keep them open anymore, tiny lips pressed together in a sweet sort of pout as heavy little breaths escaped her nose. She had a thin tuft of brown hair on her head, and he’d curiously ran his hand over it, surprised by how soft it had been beneath his fingertips. Demetri had agreed the girl could stay with him through the night, since he had watched the secretary feed, wind and settle the child and it would potentially need to be done every few hours if she was as young as her small stature suggested.

He’d googled what he’d missed after they all left him be, Felix grinning smugly at him as if he expected him to break any moment. The more he read, the worse he felt. This sweet little thing would have to go to the police first, then be put into the system? Worse yet, people might not even adopt her! She might never find a permanent home with a family that loved her! She could instead be fostered, live in someone’s home for a little while and then be moved on to a new family. So many children were already in need of homes…would she be lost in their system? Would anyone notice her? Help her? The thought made him horribly anxious, especially when he went on to read all the horrible statistics about children in care. More likely to commit crimes, less likely to go onto higher education, more likely to die earlier in life…

Demetri had slammed his laptop lid closed, marched straight to Aro, and refused to hand her over to the human authorities. He had had to fight for her to, the entirety of the guard pretty much against the idea and thinking he was crazy. Not wanting to lose his tracker however, Aro had given him a week to prove he could step up and parent the little girl. Demetri had immediately used his Amazon Prime privileges to priority order as many parenting books with five star ratings as he could and remodelled an entire corner of his quarters into a nursery, refusing any help offered since he was determined to prove them all wrong. In the space of a week, through copious amounts of reading and hands on experience, Demetri became an expert in all things baby. It wasn’t unusual to find him walking around the gardens with the little girl in his arms, or reading to her before bed as she slammed little hands down onto the pictures in the picture books he’d brought, exposing her to all sorts of new things to keep her mind engaged and stimulated.

Astraea Volturi had received her coven necklace two years ago and been doted on ever since.

“Well done dear ones, you have served us well.” Aro smiled at each of his guard, clearly pleased with their work, and Demetri stood a little taller before his Master. It had been agonising to be away as long as he had been, even though he knew she’d been well taken care of by her family. Felix had come with him as he always did, but Alec and Jane had been left behind, a few spare members of the lower guard all that were needed to take care of the nomads having a territory squabble – he’d been thoroughly amused at having to remind nomads that they had no territory. He had expected to find her with them now, the twins coddling his sweet girl as they often did when they had the chance to play with her. Astraea was nowhere to be seen though. Not a hint of cocoa coloured hair or sparkling green irises anywhere. He almost groaned when Aro turned to talk to the lower guard that had been under his command without dismissing him to go and find her.

His words blended together, Demetri unsure if it was just his impatience or if Aro really was dragging this out with meaningless words and gushing praise. He put his gift to good use, internally reaching for her tenor when he caught it, the pitter patter of little feet he knew so well echoing faintly down the hall. He almost turned his head, but then the footsteps paused and a warm, delightful giggle hit his ears, quickly followed by a hushing. Demetri turned his head back towards Aro, seeing the glint in his eyes. Clearly his Master was in on it to, buying her time to pull off whatever little trick she had up her sleeve. His Astraea had grown into an energetic, bubbly little thing and it wasn’t the first time she’d gotten up to some mischief, mischief he mostly blamed Uncle Felix’s bad influence for.

“Quietly now, you do you want your father knowing you are sneaking up on him now, do you?” Heid’s voice was easily recognisable to his ears and Demetri couldn’t help but smile slightly. Sneaking up on him, was she? He had seen a documentary once where predators in the animal kingdom let their children sneak up on them and pretended to be scared so they could finetune their hunting instincts, perhaps he should do the same? She would hopefully one day become the same kind of predator he was, there was no harm in preparing her early was there? Besides that, he didn’t think he could stand to see the disappointment on her face if it didn’t work. The quiet creak of the door made his lips twitch upwards. She was only human after all, his sweet girl clumsy on her feet at the best of times having only just really learned to use them. It was like having an elephant come stamping across the stone towards him but he pretended to be suitably distracted by Aro’s ramblings, unsurprised the man had indulged her in this.

He heard her before he felt her.

“Rrraaaaaa!”

Dutifully, he flinched and gasped in shock, eyes widening and jaw dropping as he very carefully took a step away. She had heard him growl once before and had been trying to imitate the sound ever since in her own, adorable way, though she could never get close to the low threatening sounds he could produce. If anything, it was like watching a kitten struggle to meow, but she’d leapt forward simultaneously and began tugging at his hand to to complete her terrifying attack. Hand fluttering dramatically to his chest, Demetri slowly broke into a smile, his heart melting at the look of triumph on her chubby little face. Maybe one day she’d look back and realise just how fake his acting really was, but for today it was clear he had made her happy in this small fraction of forever they’d get to spend together.  

“You scared me sweet girl!” he chuckled. She had most of her milk teeth through now but there were still a few gaps towards the back of her mouth. It was not enough to ruin the brilliance of her smile. Still giggling manically, she let him go in favour of lifting her arms up, her grabby hands telling him exactly what she wanted. It was no trouble for him to pull her up onto his hip, his lips finding her forehead automatically as his fingertips tickled over her stomach. Peals of laughter rang out, making his smile stretch wider as he tightened his grip so her squirming wouldn’t make her fall.

“No Daddy!” she cried.

“No? You dare say no to the tickle monster?” he challenged, his voice a rough growl. A halo of curls bounced about her face, one quickly turning red. Demetri stopped tickling her, hand coming around to clasp her shoulder gently. Her giggles slowly died away, two short arms wrapping around his neck and soft hair tickling his cheek as she rested her head against his shoulder.

“I missed you Daddy.” She said, snuggling closer as his heart melted. She smelt of that strawberry shampoo she liked, the kind he bought specifically because it wasn’t supposed to sting if it accidentally found it’s way into her eyes, and the fresh, clean scent that came with her bubble bath. Heidi had clearly already bathed her and she was clad in her pyjamas now, the colourful stripes encasing her body very different from the little dress he’d seen her in when he left. She’d cried that day, not understanding why he had to leave her again so soon after he’d gotten back, and he had spent as often as he could while out on this mission calling home to ensure his little Astraea didn’t feel she’d been forgotten about. He’d picked her up a few little presents to, but those could wait until tomorrow when she was well rested.

“I missed you to sweet girl, so very much.” He murmured.

“Are you reading me?” she asked, doe-eyed. Demetri smiled, glancing to his Masters and nodding briefly when he was dismissed with a quiet wave of Aro’s hand before he turned and exited the throne room. Astraea remained cuddled into his side, eyes shining.

“To me, are you reading to me, tonight.” He amended automatically as she curled her fingers into his cloak, then uncurled once more.

“Are you?” she repeated. Her speech had come along a little slowly for his tastes, but she was doing well, picking up words and phrases from them like a sponge now.

“Yes, I will be reading you your story tonight.” He confirmed, turning the corner to head up the stairs to their floor. For a while Demetri had been okay with the crib in his room, Astraea still so young she didn’t always sleep through consistently and seemed to prefer being close to him, but slowly as time marched on and she grew he knew she needed a space of her own. She very clearly wasn’t keen on the idea of leaving his room so the guard had made it an exciting affair, letting her choose everything from the toddler bed she’d sleep in to the colours they’d paint the doors in her room. With Astraea ‘in charge’  they’d quickly set to work decorating her new bedroom and she’d been very excited to see her scribbly designs (a bunch of lines on paper Demetri had pretended he understood as she babbled about them to him) come to life.

Once he’d opened her door, he set her down with a smile, watching her scamper her way towards her bed while he unhooked the cloak from his shoulders, flashing into his room just across from her to place it on the coat rack before he moved back into her room. She had already crawled her way up onto the covers, pulling them back with both hands so she could move onto the mattress beneath. Demetri bent at the waist, flicking on her nightlight by the door and turning off the main light. She reached to turn on her bedside lamp, the stars illuminating bright white as he tucked her in and settled on the edge of her bed.

“Daddy? Tell me it?” she requested, hugging her preferred cuddly toy to her chest as she looked up at him.

“Tell you what?” Demetri tilted his head, fishing for more information as he reached for her storybook. They were currently reading a series of stories Heidi had found on her travels, The Wishing Chair Collection.

“Not that one!” she whined. Demetri frowned, setting the book on the mattress.

“You do not want to read this tonight?” he questioned. She shook her head, looking down at her little lion friend.

“We want name story.” She said matter of factly. His expression softened.

“Again?” he chuckled. Astraea nodded her head, her smile dazzling as she showed off her little teeth once more.

“Please?” she dragged out the ‘ee’ sound and Demetri was quick to put a finger to his lips, silencing her so he could gather his thoughts. It was a story he had told her once, not expecting her to find it interesting, but for whatever reason she’d latched onto it.

“A long time ago, on a dark, breezy night, a knight was patrolling his Masters castle.” He started. Astraea settled into her pillows, green eyes watching him with such reverence it made his heart swell. “Whilst patrolling his route, he heard a strange sound coming from outside the castle doors, so the knight went to investigate and found the most beautiful baby in all the land.” He continued, smiling when she giggled.

“That’s me!” she cheered. Demetri leaned forward to gently tap her nose.

“This beautiful baby had the brightest green eyes, and hair so soft it was like touching angel wings. The knight could not understand why she was all alone. She lay in a basket, her only belongings being her clothes, and her blanket. She was very cold, and very sad, so the knight took her inside to help her.” he carried on as though she hadn’t interrupted, his body now resting alongside her small legs, propped up on his elbow so he could stroke her hair gently. Her eyes were already starting to droop.

“Then what?” she asked.

“Then, the knight had to call for some help. He was not really sure how to look after the beautiful baby so he needed someone to teach him. His Masters tried to tell him she would be better in a different home, that someone who already knew how to look after her could do better than he could, but he knew, from the moment he had seen her, that the beautiful baby was meant to be his. She was a gift from the Gods.” He said, voice quieter now as she blinked owlishly.

“So…kept her.” she mumbled. He nodded.

“He kept her,” he confirmed, “But then the knight realised the beautiful baby had no name. He thought of lots of different names, like Phoebe, Valeria, Carina…none of them fit. They were pretty yes but not right for the beautiful baby. He remembered the night he had found her that the stars had been so bright, almost as though they had turned on solely to guide the knight to his baby.” Her eyes were drooping now, her body turned ever so slightly towards him and sharp little inhales escaping her whenever she woke herself back up from her slumber. Sleep was quickly claiming her and she would be no match for it soon enough he knew, but to see her so desperate trying to stay awake simply to stay with him a little longer…

“Softie.” Felix’s voice reached his ears but when he glanced at the door there was nobody there. Demetri dutifully ignored him to continue his story, his hand never ceasing the rhythmic motions on her hair, relishing in the softness of the strands between his fingers.

“Before he served his Masters, the knight had served the Gods of his village. There were many Gods, all in charge of different things, but one was a star-maiden, a goddess of justice and innocence who was rumoured to have rejoined the stars when Earth became to corrupt for her to live on. He looked back at the beautiful baby. She was innocent and had fallen from the stars right into the arms of a knight who pursued justice…so he named her after the star-maiden, he named her Astraea.” He concluded, his voice as soft as a breath of air. Her eyes had fluttered closed at some point and stayed that way ever since, but Demetri couldn’t bring himself to pull away from his sweet girl just yet.

Her breathing was soft, even, her fingers occasionally tightening around her little lion friend. Demetri kissed his middle and index fingers, pressing them lightly to the cuddly toy’s forehead before he repeated the motion with Astraea. She didn’t stir at all, the innocence radiating from her little body. He wondered briefly exactly what she dreamed about, seeing the way her nose scrunched in her sleep, and he hoped he had made her life nice enough that whatever she dreamt of was pleasant.

“Who would have guessed the key to bringing the Volturi bloodhound to heel lay in the hands of a small human?” Felix’s voice was low, teasing, so quiet Astraea would definitely not stir. Demetri rolled his eyes, pushing to his feet and making sure her duvet was tucked up beneath her chin how she liked it before he turned off her bedside lamp and headed for the door. He left it ajar as he always did and found Felix leaning against the wall just outside.

“You are just as besotted with her as me.” He accused. Felix grinned at his defensive tone and for a moment they lapsed into silence, just listening to the gentle sound ofher breathing. It was calming to Demetri in a way nothing else was, knowing his child was safe in her bed.

“We were going to play some cards in the common room if you wished to join us.” Felix said finally. Demetri nodded once.

“I’ll be down after a shower.” He agreed. No more was said as they parted ways, Demetri entering his quarters and kicking off his shoes. His room was littered with photographs he had never in a thousand years dreamed he would ever have, but her radiant smile beamed out of each frame from all corners of his room. His fingertips trailed the edge of the frame sitting on his bedside table as he passed it on the way to his closet for fresh clothes. Astraea had barely been in his care for three days when this one was taken, but he recalled the moment well. After a stressful few days trying to ensure he had all he needed and knew what he had to, it was the first moment of calm after the storm. Astraea had settled in his arms after a feeding and simply…gone to sleep, finally comfortable with her surroundings and with him. His lips twitched into a smile. She was so much smaller then, even tinier than she was now, the length of his lap at most.

His sweet girl was growing up fast, but Demetri was surrounded by all their most precious memories so as they moved from one to the next, he would never forget what happened after he took her from the doorstep.  

#twilight #twilight fanfiction #volturi #volturi fanfic #demetri volturi #demetri volturi fanfic #oc #heidi volturi #felix volturi #aro #demetri volturi x oc #demetri is a good father change my mind

[whereflowersbloom]

Hypermarket adventure

When Tim Drake woke up that morning he had no idea he would have to buy a new coffee maker because the one they had was unusually broken. Damian Wayne. A faint headache pounding behind his temples as Tim massaged them, exhaustion sinking deep in his bones, and wonders how long it's been since he had more than four hours of sleep. Damian was responsible for this, one of his secret schemes to make him stop consuming caffeine. Tim was sure it was his fault, so the broken coffee maker refused to give him the fluid of life and he had lost it...and maybe Tim destroyed it with vicious vengeance. In his defense, he had been up for more than twenty-four hours. Sleep later coffee first.

So naturally he announced to Alfred he would be making a quick trip to the store to get a new one, politely asked the British man if he required anything from the store. Alfred seemed to consider the offer for a solid minute before asking him if he could get some groceries and essentials on his way back home. Handing him a list. Before he walked out of the manor Dick volunteered affably to accompany him, convincing a grumpy Jason, who was comfortably sitting, reading a wrinkled newspaper, to tag along. Jason surprisingly agreed, with the condition he was the one driving. Alfred rapidly suggested to take the demon spawn with them, he could use some frest air. Now things could only go downhill from this point. This piqued Steph’s interest, who casually commented she had nothing better to do. Soon they were on their way to the closest hypermarket.

Dick was there to make sure Damian didn’t behead anyone and get enough boxes of cereal he could hide before Alfred looked at him with disappointed eyes. There’s nothing worse in this world than Alfred’s disappointed eyes. The old man claimed ‘It’s not a proper meal nor healthy if it contained high levels of sugar’, but the companies also tended to fill them with vitamins, calcium, iron and folic acid. Therefore it was a fortified food! It had everything he needed for a balanced meal in Dick’s opinion. The extra sugar was even good for him considering how many calories he burned.

“The sword stays in the car, Damian.” Dick commanded, taking away the blade from twelves earth-old before he sets a foot out of the automobile, which was responded by a ‘TT’.

“Did we really have to bring shortstack?” Jason complained, voice etched with irritation, index finger pointing at Damian.

“As if I would agree to lower my nutritional standards because you fools failed to purchase the provisions Pennyworth demanded which is why I have it in my power.” Damian logically explained, grinding his teeth and waving the list at Jason.

“Don’t stab anyone.” Dick ordered with authority.

“I make no promises, Grayson.” Damian muttered dryly crossing his arms over his chest.

Damian cannot comprehend why would Pennyworth think he was needed to carry out such a simple task, he supposed if his siblings lacked the basic function acquire the list of edibles Alfred gave them and simultaneously behave in public, then he could supervise them. He was already here with them. Nothing to do about it.

“Did anyone asked Cass if she needed anything?” Dick questioned them, clear blue eyes looking at them expectantly. Cass was probably still in her bedroom resting, after staying up with him analyzing some cases.

“Oh how thoutful of you. You weren’t that nice to me, not even after I died.” Jason commented, his voice dripping with sarcasm and bitterness.

“Jay, you gotta stop bringing it up.” Dick reasoned as he placed a hand upon Jason’s shoulder, offering a small apologetic smile.

For once, Damian was quiet, observing the older brothers bicker over such a insignificant matter. Stephanie stifled a snort at their immature antics. A muffled ‘crybaby’ escaped her mouth, but only Tim, standing next to her was able to hear it.

It took everything Tim had not to roll his eyes and simply walk away. Why was he here with these troublemakers? Right. Coffee. The thing she had to endure for a duo of black coffee.

“I texted Cass. She wants pop tarts.” Stephanie supplied, eye glued to the screen of her phone.

“If you get lost. I’m leaving you here, losers.” Jason threatened with narrowed eyes, a faint glow in his blue-green eyes. Five minutes after parking the car, the siblings marched inside the hypermarket. Tim sighed wearily, silent calculations running through his mind, how long it would take them to leave the store with the groceries. Dick promptly grabbed a shopping cart.

~~~

Jason Todd was ready to shoot Dick Grayson if only he had a gun between his hands. Why the fuck did he even agree to come with these lil shits? Clearly, he wasn’t in his right mind. He was doing this for Alfred and Jason could never say no to Alfred. It was an easy task: read the list of essentials Alfred wrote down, grab the items, deposit them inside the fucking cart and pay for them. Piece of cake. But here he was in the middle of dairy aisle, listening to Dick asking him all sort of stupid questions. His patience dangerously wearing thin.

“Why is milk five dollars a gallon?” Dick exclaimed with shock as he examined the dairy product’s label.

“Who cares? You’re rich, money shouldn’t be a problem, dickhead.” Jason replied annoyed, there goes ten minutes of his life, stuck in the dairy aisle with this enthusiastic fool. Where did Damian and Steph go? Dick had thrown several boxes of cereal inside the cart, including: Cheerios and Waffle crisps, the latter was Steph’s petition. Who in the bloody hell needed fifteen boxes of cereal? Wait a minute, is that coffee flakes? That one had to be Tim’s idea.

“How do you exactly milk an almond though?” Dick asked with furrowed Brows, concentrated on the product, as If he was trying to decipher a secret code.

The desperation and bewilderment in Dick’s voice made a Jason raise an eyebrow. He would kill for a quick smoke. Not like he was seriously considering smoking inside the store. He could wait a few more minutes.

“I’ll explain out to you when you finally become a functional adult.” Jason breathed. Around them, the store buzzed, bright lights shining above and people murmuring and talking, nobody had recognized them so far. Even Jason felt a twinge of irritation at being here, and he wanted to get this shopping trip over with so he could go home.

“Who wants bacon?” Stephanie came out of nowhere, asking with a juvenile glee in her eyes as she dumped ten packs of bacon. Damian wouldn’t be happy about this.

“Where is the gremlin? We should have put him inside the cart.” Jason tried to keep a calm voice, looking around for any sign of little D. Jason had a bad feeling about this, settling at the pit of his stomach. He let out a deep breath and decided it was the moment to have that cig. So two missing, Damian and Tim. There it was that nagging voice was a constant in the back of his mind, reminding him of his responsibility, look after adoptive relatives.

“Steph, make sure replacement didn’t fall asleep at the Kitchen appliances section.” Jason commanded. “Dick, it’s your turn to supervise the rascals.” Slowly making his way towards the alcohol section, he could use a drink right now. Now, find an unpacked corner where he can have a smoke.

“What?” Dick exclaimed, suddenly finding himself alone in the dairy section. Where did everyone go?

~~~

Dick was passing by the cereal aisle again, because you can never have enough cereal. Perhaps he should get more lucky charms? Cinnamon toast was a must. Nobody in this family understood the enjoyment of ingesting artificially colored cereal. He was about to grab another box of fruity pebbles, lost in the paradise of cocoa, cinnamon and colored cereals, when abruptly a feminine voice brought him back to earth. He turned to catch a glimpse, eyes focused on the petite woman: average height, brunette, mid-twenties, freckled-cheeks, small gray eyes widened in irritation. This looked like trouble. What did he do?

“Excuse me, sir. Is this kid your little brother? We caught him bothering other customers at the meat section.” The petite employee questioned him with raised eyebrows, hands on her hips. Dick blinked puzzled. What. He kept his eyes fixed on the woman.

“When I asked if he was here accompanied by an adult. He pointed a finger at you.” Dick spotted then Damian, standing next to the woman, lips pursed, arms folded against his chest, glancing away, fleetingly looking younger than he actually was. Like a small child who was severely reprimanded for inappropriate behavior. What the hell Damian...

“I merely reminded him the innocent chicken between his hands deserved a life free from torture and suffering. We have the moral responsibility to protect animals!” Damian spoke plainly as he corrected the woman who dared accuse him of harassment.

“Damian, sto-“ Richard chimed in when he was interrupted by Damian’s animals rights speech.

“Allowing an animal to suffer is unethical and cruel. It’s slaughter! You are causing them unnecessary distress. Their throats are slit mercilessly! All animals have the ability to suffer in the same way and to the same degree that humans do.” The young Wayne continued, grumpily making eye contact with the uninformed store employee. Blue eye flicked between the two, the brunette seemed to be about to explode, Damian’s body language tightened, there was a crackling in the air and Dick instantly knew it was not going to end well. Shit. He ruffled his hair nervously.

“Damian no.” He pleaded urgently. Beads of sweat running down his forehead and cheekbones.

“Sir, could you please take your younger brother? Customers are agitated and perturbed by his presence.” The employee politely asked him but Dick could tell she was utterly irked at this point. Dick nodded and draped an arm over his little brother’s shoulders. Yeah, he was definitely taking him far, far away from her. Praying Damian kept his mouth shut and didn’t screw up even more. Predictably, Damian didn’t leave it alone.

“Again, as I explained earlier. I was elaborating on the numerous health and environment benefits of adopting a vegetarian diet.” Damian corrected her with trembling lips, green eyes filled with anger. This woman didn’t comprehend the great importance of saving an innocent life. Tsk. Father said even if someone is being disrespectful or crude he should not sink to their level, but this lady was being rude.

“Aren’t you one of Bruce Wayne’s ward?” The woman spoke with narrowed gray eyes, taking a step closer to Richard, studying closely the features of the older man.

Oh fuck. Unfortunately, she recognized them. Dick held up both hands defensively.

“I am the blood s-“ Damian was about to clarify when Dick rapidly covered his mouth with a large hand. “We are leaving now, Damian. Thank you, lady. Have a nice day.” He muttered hurriedly before running off.

~~~

Finally, Tim was getting in line for the cashier, the precious coffee maker in his arms, he could make himself a decent cup of black coffee as soon as they got home. A satisfied smile almost curled on his lips when he recognized the familiar sound of his siblings yelling, if his ears didn’t fail him and they never did. Oh no. Tim held a stiff nervous expression as he slowly turned to face them. He quickly scanned the scene, eyes wide in alarm. Remain calm Tim. Stephanie being escorted by a security guard, clothes stained, next was Jason groaning at the guard that tried to touch his leather jacket, followed by an embarrassed Dick with flushed cheeks, lastly Damian being dragged against his will. “Let me go! I can walk out of this questionable establishment myself.” Damian protested with boiling anger, glaring daggers at the security guards. His sword was inside the car. Good. No opportunity to behead anyone and commit a crime. Jason and Stephanie were clearly pissed. Dick pressing his face against a wall, undoubtedly ashamed.

Tim momentarily contemplated leaving the store with the coffee maker, a few seconds later, he couldn’t find it in him to abandon them to their fate here. Sigh. With the heavy weigh of his burdens, Tim approached a female employee. “Excuse me, those are my siblings. Could you explain to me what exactly they did?”

“Sir, this young lady here organized a shopping cart race along with some children in the middle of the vegetable section.” The angry store employee began, detecting unfiltered rage in her tone, as she pointed a finger at the blonde teenager.

“I did nothing Jason wouldn’t have done.” Stephanie told him, briefly exchanging glances with Jason. Jason bit down on his lower lip to repress laughter, whispering an almost inaudible ‘amateur’. Stephanie shrugged it off as it was unimportant, instead of trying to come up with an excuse that contained any sense of logic.

“This man was deliberately smoking inside the store.” Tim studied Jason’s amused expression. Probably not the first time he was caught doing it. “I mean she isn’t wrong.” He pointed out calmly, Shrugging broad shoulders nonchalantly.

“I found the kid tormenting customers at the meat aisle, he fled with the man with cereal fixation.” Before Damian could utter a word in his defense. Dick shut his mouth. Richard’s eyes silently expressing a wordless ‘don’t ask’. Tim was way too exhausted to deal with this. His body shaking with small movements for a second, stay in control. No time to collapse, solutions not more problems.

“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you and the rest of your relative to leave the store. And please do not come back.”

Tim fluttered his dark cerulean eyes close, feeling a very sharp pain in his temples. A recurrent migraine coming, cursing lowly for not stopping at the pharmacy to get aspirins. How is that he is the only rational and almost-functional person in this family. Coffee, coffee, coffee was the only thing he could think about. Less than fifty minutes and the Wayne’s discovered a way to get themselves banned from a Hypermarket. Likely setting a new world record.

Looks like they wouldn’t have the chance to go grocery shopping as a family any time soon. Not like it was a brilliant idea to begin with. They would have groceries delivered next time.

Here @sofiii 👀👀👀👀🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️

#batfamily #dick grayson #jason todd #tim drake #damian wayne #stephanie brown #cassandra cain #alfred pennyworth #bruce wayne #nightwing #red hood #red robin #batgirl #dc fandom #dc universe #dc comics #batsiblings #batkids #shenanigans #batman universe #spoiler

[angerissue]

Character Survey.

Real name: Dr. Robert Bruce Banner, Ph.D..

Single or taken: Single, and this probably isn't going to change anytime soon. He has a number of ingrained emotional issues, and ideological issues that pertain to his condition, that prevent him from seeking romantic relationships and even just becoming close to someone. One-night stands are possible, because they don’t involve emotional commitment from either party, but real relationships scare the hell out of him. The closer that someone gets to Bruce, the more he fears hurting them or being hurt himself.

Abilities or powers: He has an extremely high IQ, almost unprecedented intuition when it comes to the sciences and its numerous technologies, and a great ability to think outside the box and solve complicated, confounding problems. Also, he can turn big and green, which makes him capable of inhuman physical feats and gives him a ridiculous healing factor. This cannot be understated; he can literally recover from decapitation if the conditions are right. It's debatable whether these qualify as gifts or curses, because of the experiences they've created for Bruce in the past, but they're definitely abilities at the least.

Eye colour: Brown. Sometimes green if he’s in a mood.

Hair colour: Dark brown with some grey.

Family members: Rebecca Banner (mother / deceased), Brian Banner (father / incarcerated), Jennifer Walters (cousin / alive), Susan Drake (adoptive aunt / unknown), Elaine Banner (aunt / deceased).

Pets: In The Persistence, he owns a white knockout mouse named Eddie, who came from a selection of ailing lab mice that he experimented on with the Hulk's plasma. He doesn’t have pets in other verses, though he wouldn’t mind a cat, or a dog with a calm and mellow demeanour, as long as his living situation and overall routine is constant and undisturbed. Otherwise, it will never be a possibility. Back when General Ross' squad broke down his door in Brazil, he needed to abandon a mutt named Rick, and it hurt because he’d become very fond of him. He doesn't want to do this to another animal.

Hobbies or activities: He loves hiking and jogging (with trails in forested areas being his preferred location), cooking and baking, gardening, reading textbooks and science journalism, bait fishing, programming and experimenting, travelling, sightseeing, meditation, yoga, collecting and listening to vinyl records, and being a rebel by listening to police scanners and going after bad guys if he doesn't have much else to do. But even if it seems like he's not outwardly doing anything, he's probably still occupied — he tends to spend a profuse amount of time in his own head, ruminating and reflecting on future goals, whether it involves anticipating or dreading them. He also likes to contemplate new concepts and designs for technologies.

Animal that represents them: Definitely a pangolin, because you can’t look at a pangolin and the way it carries itself and not think of Banner from a purely visual perspective. Add on the fact that their bodies are covered in hardened scales for defense, and how they curl up into a ball whenever they're upset and threatened, and you have a metaphorical version of Bruce, who tends to shy away and retreat into himself whenever he's having a lower moment, and has a lot of deep-seated defensive mechanisms on display during social interactions. But seriously, these animals just want to walk around eating ants, minding their own business. They don’t have a bone to pick with anyone... Which is also similar to Bruce. And did I mention that pangolins are endangered, because they're frequently hunted and trapped by humans for their supposed “beneficial properties” in medicine (none of which are proven)? That's similar to how Banner has been followed all over the place by the U.S. military, just because they perceived his condition to be useful somehow.

Worst habits: Take your pick. Distancing himself from other people even when he could use the company, self-flagellation, humouring his guilt complex even when he's not responsible for certain negative outcomes, repressing or suppressing his emotions when he needs to express them (or the opposite, staying as the Hulk so he can stew in those strong emotions and therefore punish himself for whatever he “did wrong”), running away from connections that involve real commitment, especially romantic ones.

Role models: Steve Rogers for his patriotism and overall sense of morality, Neils Bohr for his defense of the Bohr atomic model (which had been a radical theory for the time) and subsequent successes, Ernest Rutherford for similar reasons, and his mother when he was younger, though he doesn’t remember much about her because he was only six when she died. Same goes for his aunt, Susan; while he spent more time around her than Rebecca in total, he was rather emotionally absent by this point because of all the trauma earlier in his childhood. In general, his role models tend to be people who remain strong in the face of adversity and judgement, and stick to their values for the benefit of others. All the above people qualify in that sense, for different reasons.

Sexual orientation: Heterosexual.

Thoughts on marriage and kids: Nope, and bigger nope. He would love to have a close connection with someone, however much he's actually repressed the desire for the time being, and some part of him does want to have a child — however, he always concludes that it wouldn't be worth it. Bruce believes marriage would be a shackle for anyone who's unfortunate enough to become his partner, and it would open them up to potential threats from people who could use them to get to him and his condition. And children are a no-go because Bruce doesn’t want them to have a father like him; he might be absent for a lot of their upbringing, and either unstable or otherwise unaccommodating in temperament if he’s upset. And he'll constantly be trying to hide his condition from them as well, because god forbid they find out their father is a monster, and they feel like a freak because of it. He's been in a position where he felt like an anomaly as a child, and he's not interested in subjecting his children to this. He also loathes the idea of bringing children into the world because he would not be able to ensure their safety — after all, he can’t even ensure his own. So to Bruce, he'd be setting them up for endangerment just because they’re related to him, similar to how his partner would become a target as well.

Style preferences: Safe and conservative, and not flamboyant by any means. He usually sticks to warmer and neutral palettes, and cuts/styles that are classic and unlikely to fall out of style; this includes his suits, jackets, pants, and shirts. We're talking chinos and slacks, poplin dress shirts, wool sport coats and blazers. Most occasions will see him wearing the dress shirt, slacks, and sport coat together. If he's feeling more adventurous, he'll pair a sport coat with a crewneck, or he could even go with a polo shirt and jeans, but the latter is rare. In general, Bruce's most interesting piece is a brown leather bomber jacket, which he usually wears in the warmer months; colder weather will bring out a peacoat (and he loves to pop the collar in lieu of using a scarf). As far as cost goes, Bruce is fairly well-off between the royalties from S.H.I.E.L.D. and other work he's done here and there, but even so, he doesn't purchase outrageously expensive clothing and tends to go for the mid-upper brands. He'll do made-to-measure, but not full bespoke. He finds any further spending to be superfluous.

Approach to friendships: Cautious and uncertain about them, and tends not to approach people first, because he would hate to overstep his boundaries / make someone uncomfortable. Rather accommodating to people he considers friends, but he's extremely quick to duck out if they can’t meet him eye-to-eye regarding touchy topics, like decisions that affect the well-being of many people. This is the reason he shunned his friendship with Tony after they debated about the Sokovia Accords. Being an introvert, he’s one of those people who doesn't like bothering his friends; even if they make it abundantly clear that he's welcome anytime, he'll hesitate, but he’s completely okay and even happy if those friends approach him instead. He doesn't always like when his personal space is invaded, or if someone touches him, but he'll start to make exceptions if he becomes more familiar with someone. He loves the people that he can consider friends, but he always views the friendships as something that could dissolve in a heartbeat. On some level, even unconscious, he's always expecting things to end.

Thoughts on pie: An acceptable desert. Bumbleberry, strawberry rhubarb, and pumpkin are his favourites. He prefers the homemade variety, and because of it, he tends to make his own, butter crust and all, avoiding store-bought unless it’s particularly memorable — or if someone buys a slice for him. He’s appreciative like that.

Favourite place to spend time: Somewhere he can guarantee that he's not being watched; these are most commonly his labs in the Northwind Observatory, quiet and secluded trails, or his chambers in the Crown City citadel on Sakaar. Not only do these locations ease his anxieties about being studied, inspected, or followed, but he feels less of a pressure to put on false pretenses and exhaust himself with social niceties, many of which may be fabricated. He doesn’t need much external stimulation, because he’s fine simply turning inward and thinking, without paying much attention to his surroundings, but he’ll certainly admit to spending a ton of time tinkering with pet projects if he’s in the labs. Obviously, Bruce prefers to be alone in most of these cases. But if he's with someone he cares about, whether a friend or a romantic partner, and can openly express himself around them, that's nice for him too.

Swim in the lake or ocean: Lakes, without question. He has some bad memories of being in the ocean, whether it’s about the time he was tossing and turning in glacial waters after his failed suicide attempt, or clawing his way out of a quinjet that crashed into the water while his alter started to take over. Bruce remembers all that, and it's not pleasant. The openness of oceans perturb him as well; lakes are usually far more intimate and amniotic because they’re often surrounded by forests, which allows him to feel safer and less exposed.

Their type: Someone who is, and is comfortable with showing, some semblance of dependence on him, which would placate his need to fill a provider role and not simply be a charity case; he's had enough of that between begging on the streets and asking Tony Stark for boarding. (This doesn't mean he's looking for someone who's a total pushover, cannot make their own decisions, or is emotionally needy, because those would make him run in the other direction, frankly.) Someone who can hold their own and stand up for their beliefs when necessary. Someone who can challenge him intellectually, though not necessarily in an academic sense; it really just depends on how much they can expand his own perspective by giving their own. Someone who really understands his needs and issues. And obviously, someone who isn't scared of his condition, because it's going to manifest a lot. It needs to; he doesn't really have a choice in the matter. Hulk is another story, but fortunately, he doesn't show up enough to really be an immediate concern, and Bruce and his partner can cross that bridge when they reach it. Physically, he's usually attracted to women who are slightly shorter than him; their hair can be anything from blonde to brown, and he prefers body types that are similar to his own; more on the slender side but not necessarily fragile.

Camping or indoors: He’d rather be indoors. He isn’t extremely fond of camping, if we’re using the most common definition of "pitching a tent, cooking with a fire made from sticks and tinder, and spending the night in the woods with the bears and the bugs". There are indeed occasions where he cannot stand to be indoors, whether because he’s feeling claustrophobic (a common symptom of abstaining a little too long from transformations), or he simply needs some time away from other people in the geographic sense, but in those cases, he’s more likely to go for a walk or hike, not set up an entire campsite and spend the rest of the night outdoors. For him, camping is meant for a survival-type situation rather than a recreational one. The closest thing to camping he'll do is living in a cabin with a wood stove and local water supply, which he’s done a few times over the years. He's even purchased a few cabins by the time his Persistence verse rolls around, so if one of the properties are compromised, he could always retreat to another one.

Tagged by: @mynameisanakin​! Tagging: @fallencomrade​ , @asgardianhammer​​ , @alongingwithin​ , and anyone else who wants to do this.

#( meme response. ) #( headcanon. ) #( multiple. )

[helbramstrauma-main]

Gum

Masterlist

Albert DaSilva x Reader

Modern Era

This is completely based off of that one Extra gum commercial with my own creative twist.

Just another day in English class, another day I wish I took AP. I have been an honors kid since I can remember but I just wanted to take a small break senior year. However, the material covered in this class was already covered last year which leaves me with a lot of time to doze off. This time is often filled with me just thinking about adopting an animal.

My inner debate on if I can handle a cat is suddenly interrupted by a tapping on my shoulder. I blink a few times before shifting my focus back into the real world, where I am now face-to-face with Albert DaSilva. Although we have known each other since junior high, we rarely talk. Simply because we run in different social circles. In traditional high school cliches, he would be considered a jock, having been to states in baseball and a strong member of the swim and dive team. I, however, would classify myself as a nerd through and through. I even got to go to DC for mathletes last year, and that is the last sport I have done since tennis freshman year. The fact that he is talking to me is astounding, I cannot think of a good reason for him to bother me during my intense debate on my responsibility.

"I ran out of gum, do you have any?" The ginger asks me. It isn't like I could lie to him either, at the beginning of class I started chewing gum, it helps with my ADHD. He knows I have gum and if I lie to him, I look like an asshole. Do I care though? Yes. I care a way to much about what other people think of me.

My arm stretches out towards my bag as I say, "of course! Just let me check if I have any". I know for a fact that I have some, but I just added the element of mystery for unneeded and minimal suspense. I shuffle through my bag even though it isn't that full, and reach for a small packet of gum in a side zipper compartment. "Here you go," I say handing him a piece of my not doctor recommended ADHD cure.

Albert hand quickly takes the piece of gum, and I notice a few loose freckles cascading down his bicep to his hand. He speaks again but with this time he seems more into starting a conversation, "thank you. I'll pay you back tomorrow" he promises.

Now I don't want him to pay me back for a piece of gum, however, my other option is me telling him that I don't need him to pay me back. Which ultimately I will end up losing anyway, and I would have to talk to Albert more. Weighing out my options I decided that wasting my energy over a piece of gum is ridiculous and I forget about the entire interaction.

Until the next day, when I walk into class Albert is already standing at my empty desk. Yesterday's interaction had already fled my mind and I don't have the energy to recall events at 7:15 in the mourning. I make my way over to my desk, briefly hitting my thigh off another desk that is out of line. If hurts for a second, until I realize that I am hurting so much on the inside that kind of hurting my thigh doesn't seem so bad anymore. Never the less I still make it to my destination, and Albert has not seemed to of left yet. He does know that he sits behind me, he could have just waited for me there. As I take my seat, hoping he would get the hint to leave. Albert instead moves completely in front of me and the board, obstructing my view even further. He leans forward putting on arm down on my desk to steady himself. With his other hand, he reaches into his hoodie pocket and fiddles around for a little bit. Just as I was about to say something about him stabbing me, so it would ruin the element of surprise, in case his true intent was to stab me, he takes out a piece of gum.

As he holds the piece of gum out, I begin to gain some recollection of yesterday's mourning. The freckles cascading down his arm grabbing the piece of gum I handed out to him, is the same arm he is extending to me.

I take the piece of gum wrapped in silver paper. I thank him before unwrapping the gum to reveal the piece of mint gum. I am more of a tutti-fruity person, but I am too lazy to grab my gum, I just settle for the mint. Besides, it is extremely sweet of him to pay me back for something as simple as a piece of gum. Especially because I go through packs of gum quickly due to my inconvenient addiction, and coping mechanism. I'll return the favor tomorrow! Before the teacher begins their lecture, I put a reminder on my phone knowing I would forget if I didn't.

The next day I got to class early because I decided to be responsible and drive to school. To be honest I only drove so I could get coffee because my grinder broke. Albert was the only person in the classroom when I arrived. Who gets to class that early? Nerd. Says the person who went to nationals for mathletes. My phone vibrates prompting me to check it, a reminder pops up on my screen. Give Albert gum. Guess I should give him some gum. The reminder serves its purpose and giving me the ability to thank Albert for his actions.

I reach my hand into my bag and instinctively grab two pieces of gum, one for me and one for him. Putting the tutti fruity gum on his desk I say, "thank you for yesterday" and I turn back around.

A month or two has passed of us constantly giving each other gum on alternating days. It has become our little tradition, of course, we don't talk to each other outside of gum matters, but it is still our thing. I have even started to like mint more because of its constant position on my pallet. However, I am still a tutti-fruity ride or die. When I walk into class I see Albert standing by my desk, and I eagerly walk over awaiting my gum. After our routine interaction I notice something a little different, the gum is tutti-fruity! My heart melts at the idea of him noticing my preference and him going out of his way to buy a package just for me. Although Albert and I only talk briefly every day, it is easy to tell how sweet he is. Wanting to return the favor I stop at a nearby 7eleven after school to pick up a pack of extra mint gum, his favorite. When I give him his piece of gum, I can see his eyes light up when he realizes the flavor. Small things like that make this tradition one of my favorites.

Another few weeks pass and the bitter cold of February is kicking in. It seems like the first snow is being pushed back every year, but at least it is in the middle of February still. I walk into the first period of English and I spot Albert sitting on my desk. This is extremely odd as today is my day to give him gum, and he has never said in my desk before. As I continue a more cautious walk over I notice he is picking under his fingernails. He is nervous, but why?

"Hello?" I say, not sitting down in my chair yet.

Albert looks up suddenly like I snapped him out of his imagination.

"I know we don't talk outside of our little exchange, but to be honest I started it as an excuse to talk to you. I have backed out so many times, but not today" Albert says quickly, but I was able to understand what he was saying. "Will you go on a date with me? Just to see how it goes, I think you are beautiful and I would be crazy to not try to start something. Will you be my valentine?"

I am taken aback by all of Albert's statement. Not only is he incredibly handsome, over time I realize how compassionate he is. However, like all things the realistic side of me has an opinion, we have barely talked. It would be completed foolish for me to say yes. Although we have been talking for a little over two months, I don't know him. It would be incredibly stupid for me to say yes. However sometimes I am extremely dumb, sometimes I need to let loose.

"I'm busy tonight, but how about this weekend," I say, knowing I have work.

Albert's eyes light up as he jumps off the desk and elopes me in an embrace. I quickly wrap my arms around his torso. All of this seems so rushed but I could live in this moment forever and that is what counts.

#newsies albert #albert newsies #albert dasilva #newsies #imagine #newsies broadway #newsies x reader #fanfic #fanfiction #one shot #sky flaherty #Wattpad #romanticfanfic #newsies fanfiction #newsie fanfiction #high school #new york #newsie #albert x reader #albert dasilva x reader

[circe-poetica]

39.Free From Judgement, Free To Love

Free From Judgement, Free To Love, from the Sacred Rebels Oracle Card deck, by Alana Fairchild, artwork by Autumn Skye Morrison Published by Blue Angel

Free From Judgement, Free To Love: “Imagine a world so infused with bliss, love and wonder that you naturally and always feel as safe as a nourished, cherished baby in the arms of the universal mother. Life mothers us, with kindness, and sometimes when we need it to grow, through challenge as well. Accepting this mothering – in its gentle and fierce faces – can be difficult at times. Yet, there are those brave enough in spirit to go forth onto their life path with absolute trust in the universal mother. Some are even part of her plan to help mother others so that they too can surrender fear and live more freely.

This oracle comes with a message for you. You are learning about mothering and being mothered. You might not do this in a typical way. It might be through adopting children, raising children or otherwise taking care of children and loving them as if they were your own.

You might also be learning how to mother on a rather different scale, working with groups, communities, causes or purposes that need your devotion, your energy, your belief in their value, and your willingness to be the wild tigress or the supportive shoulder to lean upon, in order to bring those worthwhile groups to life.

You may also be an aspect of the universal mother on a spiritual level. Some people who do this are male, some are female. Some have children and some do not. Some are healers and some work in seemingly more ordinary professions. They have a mothering aspect in common and they love and respect life. They believe in life, are moved by compassion and are genuinely encouraging and respectful of people. Rather than taking perverse delight when someone stumbles, they want to help. They are ordinary people with an extraordinary, natural tendency to nurture life around them.

This oracle brings you confirmation that you are amongst the universal mother’s special clan of nurturing spirits that help to honour life on this planet. You are also being asked to open up to receive more nurturing. You can do this for yourself. You can also choose to open up and allow others to nurture you. It might make you feel a little vulnerable at first, especially if you are not used to doing this, but you don’t have to worry. You will get used to valuing yourself enough to know that needing love and affection from another is an opportunity, not only for you to receive, but for someone else to give, which involves them being received too. If you are tired and have been taking care of everyone else, then take some time to shift the pattern and allow life to support you too. The universal mother helps the helpers so as they can keep helping. It works rather well, you see, for those that give so much to also receive abundantly.

If you have been asking life for a solution to a specific difficulty you have been having, this oracle comes with the message that a solution is in gestation right now. The situation is already being sorted out and the resolution will come to fruition very soon. Hold tight and wait for the imminent birth of that resolution.

This is also a confirmation. If you are interested in working with children, the inner child, with art therapy for emotional healing or any sort of uninhibited creative expression that helps dislodge social conditioning and open one up to more spontaneous, feeling-based existence – then yes, go ahead and do it. The universal mother is supporting you and you cannot get a more powerful ally.

This oracle also brings you a message about love. You may find that you are loving, or soon will love, in a different way. You may worry about this love, given that it defies what you have known or been taught about love. Perhaps you are becoming able to love another tremendously, even though you don’t have much of a personal relationship with them. You might question if this love is real. It is real, it is just happening at a different level to the love and attachment you experience when you are involved in a personal relationship with someone. It is not more or less, it is just a different facet of love. It may be that you are opening up to love the planet and her creatures, including the animals, the ocean-dwelling life, your own body, the trees and so on, more than before. You may feel passionately purposeful about giving your time and energy to causes that protect and nurture the earth and her creatures. You are affirmed in this love too. The Universal mother is operating through you to nurture life. She will support you in your work, so that you can continue to come from love and not become drained, depleted or lost in despair or fear of futility. Instead, you will be energized and expanded by your dedicated service to life.

Finally, this oracle has a message for those who may be feeling alone or lonely and in need of greater nurturing from others. You are asked to stop, relax, center and settle into your body to feel your connection with life itself. The air in your lungs is the same air that moves the trees. The water in your blood is the same water that fills the oceans and is moved by the phases of the moon. The flesh of your body is the same substance as the body of the earth itself. The heat in your digestive system is the same fire and heat as that from the sun. Feel this connection, then do something nice for another without agenda. Make a donation, even just a small one, smile, say a prayer, send out a good thought or make a wish for another. That’s it. You have connected to life again and in doing so, life can connect with you. And so it shall.”

Healing Process: “Place your hand over your lower belly and say the following, ‘I now release from my body, mind and heart any negative mothering experiences that would prevent me from receiving the healing grace, love and support of the universal mother through the natural flow of life. May I be blessed and held in her loving embrace so that I may grow into all that I am. So be it.’

Breathe in and out. As  you breathe in, imagine you are drawing in the healing love of the universal mother. As you breathe out, feel your body release negative energy. You don’t need to be conscious of exactly what is being released. You might sense the release as emotion or as a sludge leaving the body and then you might not sense anything at all. Whatever happens is your own process and is just right for you. Remember, if you cannot sense it consciously something is happening at a level below conscious awareness. You can still have confidence that the process is working for you in the best way.

Relax and when you feel ready, simply place your hands on your heart and send love for a moment. Then return to your day or evening.”*

~ By Alana Fairchild

We are the ambassadors of this planet. We are her children and we are her voice. We make choices every day that affect her and we must make the best choices we can in order to preserve and protect her. We are lead to believe that we have no power. That we must abide by what has always been. But we are so much more powerful than that.

Every item we use, purchase, consume, discard is a lifestyle choice. Paper or plastic. Straw or no straw? Bring your own cup or use a disposable one? Eat there or get that to go all wrapped up in plastic? Use products with phosphates, buy organic or GMO, eat meat or not? So many choices. How aware are we of our individual footprints on this planet? How aware are we of the impact our daily choices make?

There is not much time left, change must happen now. Mindful choices, aware of all the consequences. Not necessarily perfection, well not to start at least! But a knowing, a taking responsibility for each choice, each action and it’s ripple effect.

Taking up a cause. A beloved animal or special place. Creating community. Inclusion, acceptance. Making a sacrifice for the greater good. Skipping the take away cup when you forget yours. Walking instead of driving when possible. Making at least a day of the week meatless. Not buying stuff you really don’t need. Spending more time outside. Cleaning up a beach. Picking up litter in the park. Camping instead of going on that cruise!

All the little choices that add up to a big difference. That draw you more into the fold of the Great Mother. That show her how much you love and care for her.

Imagine if… or when… we all do these things. Together. Imagine the power. The change. The Healing. (This is written before COVID19)

Namaste

Dee

~Archangel Oracle

#12 april 20 #1 month confinement #free from judgement free to love #sacred rebels oracle

[thumbscrewgaming]

Mass Effect: Andromeda (Underneath All the Hate)

It took two playthroughs to truly appreciate Andromeda, but after about 90% of game completion I decided to cinch it up and I was surprisingly satisfied with the experience even after all the heat the devs took.

At Andromeda’s release, first adopters had a terrible experience of crazy eye animations and a mess of glitches. Lucky, there are only a few titles left in which I buy day one and Mass Effect isn’t one of them. So my experience was probably different from the initial gamers.

Enter Ryder Family

It’s been 600 hundred years since any of the Ryder family has spoken to each other, and even after thawing out they still can’t put things behind them. We are thrust into the shoes of either Scott or Sara Ryder based on your mood and the first mission begins.

The reason for our 600 year nap was to find a new home for humanity, but the planets that were supposed to support life are a bust and the only thing they have in common are these structures built from aliens call Remnant. On approach to one of the new planets our shuttle crashes sending the crew in all directions. The first aliens we meet are the Kett and they hate everyone, go figure. The team eventually meets up and activates a dormant Remnant terraforming structure. In the process Pathfinder Ryder Senior has to choose between saving himself or his child…

After we come to, we are declared the new Pathfinder and connected with the AI SAM. (He can privately talk to us.Neat.)

Andromeda

There are a handful of open world planets that can be explored on foot or in a vehicle. The other galaxies can only be searched from our ship the Tempest. Along our journey to find humanity a new home, we continue to terraform new planets with Remnant technology, run into friend and foe aliens, gain crew members, and kill lots of Kett.

Skillz

Ryder has a set of combat, biotic, and tech abilities that can be upgraded to your liking. In addition, Ryder can change up his/her combat Profile that increases certain skills depending on your play style.

I maxed out one or two biotic and tech abilities and that lasted me my entire play-through, but there are many options for abilities.

Otherwise, Ryder upgrades as he/she levels up gaining points to be used in the skills section. Your teammates upgrade as well and can upgrade their personal skills, but cannot be customized like Ryder.

The Killing Fields

The biggest boy on block is the Archon, he is the Kett leader, dictator, God person thing…he just wants to control the universe and turn other aliens into Kett soldiers. Fun.

Don’t worry you’ll kill a lot of aliens, people, and robots. Ryder starts with two weapon slots, but can upgrade to four. Two teammates can accompany Ryder, but they again cannot change weapons. As you play, your play style will emerge. I personally used Cora and Drack to be rushers as I laid down fire from the rear. Even as powerful as Ryder and the team becomes the use of cover is a must. Getting trapped in the open will definitely drop you six feet under.

There was a good variety of enemies which forces you to mix up tactics on the fly that helped keep things more interesting. 

Tinder

Andromeda has plenty of options for either sex to have romantic relationships. You simply need to continually speak to the person after each main mission and respond with the big heart response. In my case, I was not able to woe my beloved after missing a big heart response…oh well.

Grinding My Gears

Outside of the at-launch issues, Andromeda still doesn’t hit all the buttons after a second play-through. Its first fault is all of the ‘point A to point B’ missions. There are far too many silly missions that just require Ryder to run between two points. This relates to an overall issue of lack of depth within missions. Most of the game is traveling to a location and doing a little bit of something, then traveling back, and sometimes that means driving across vast nothingness to get there. Yawn.

Good Stuff

At its core, the game is a solid science fiction adventure regardless of the Mass Effect billing. There is an entire crew to meet, help out, and possibly have sex with. The adventure introduces you to multiple open world environments each with their own story lines and aliens to meet and run errands for, and by the end of it you’ll care for your crew or at least some of them.

To infinity and beyond

Overall, Andromeda may have missed the mark on creating a rock solid base for a brand new trilogy, but it’s still a very good game. It’s unknown whether Bioware is starting over or pushing forward with Ryder, but Mass Effect still commands its own universe and even if the devs pushed forward with Ryder I guarantee they could turn it into something great. [Mass Effect: Andromeda - Worth a Try.]

#masseffect #andromeda #bioware #ryder #xboxone #review

[chthonicbeekeeper]

The Book of Joseph. Chapter 5

“They command you not to kill,

not to steal. Do you think they are

doing it to save your soul? No.

They could not care less about your

soul or your life. Killing, stealing —

they just want to be the only ones

allowed to do those things.”

Sermon from the Project at Eden's Gate.

One night, Jacob woke John and me. Without a word, he led us out of the barn and began pouring gasoline on everything inside it. Then, he set it on fire.

After that, he freed the animals and burned the stables as well. As the flames rose higher, the light, the crackling, and the cries of the animals woke our guardians. They ran outside in a panic, still wearing their pyjamas.

By then, Jacob had swapped his cans of gasoline for a sturdy axe handle. He knocked out the still drowsy man with a few blows. He was left lying on the ground, face bloodied, illuminated by the flames, his wife screaming in terror while we watched the sight without the slightest feeling of pity.

We had been lied to. Now there was no chance that we would call them Mum and Dad.

Jacob also burned the house, the cars, and everything our guardians owned. When there was nothing left to bum, we sat on the ground and watched the fire consume and purify the place where we had endured so much suffering, like scouts watching a campfire.

And so we confirmed the suspicions of the psychiatrists who had examined us the first time: the Seed brothers were dangerous. They had a tainted and nefarious bloodline. What did it matter that we had been humiliated, exploited, and starved? The rest of humanity was not satisfied. Who were we to dare to rebel? We had to be stopped. We needed to be separated urgently. The authorities placed Jacob in a juvenile detention centre, which could be more accurately described as a prison for minors. He left between the arms of two police officers, like a guilty man, like our father. But before he did, he reassured us, promised us that we would be reunited soon and that we would never leave each other again.

He told us everything was going to be ok. He couldn’t have been more wrong.

For John and me, still at the orphanage, it was time to get back on the adoption merry-go-round. We were visited by infertile couples, visited by people who were bored but too allergic to get a dog, visited by those who wanted to save their souls by doing a good deed; we saw anyone who wanted to adopt a child, whether or not they had good intentions.

John was the first to go. He was the best looking, the least odd. He was adopted by a rich family who, I imagined, lived in luxury in Atlanta or one of those gated communities we had never set foot in.

As for me, I was picked a few times with varying results. Once, and only once, I ignored the psychiatrist’s advice and talked about the Voice. I was immediately sent back to the orphanage, the same way you return a defective household appliance. I think they were hoping I was still under warranty and they could quickly exchange me for a more normal child free of charge.

But most families who welcomed me in treated me well. They were brave people who almost made me forget that my brothers were far away.

I hope they do not suffer when the end comes.

Of course, I came across many other children during these years: temporary siblings, classmates, teammates, and the like. I had a hard time connecting with them. I was different. I could feel it. Everyone saw me as the odd one out secretive, a lonely orphan. Teachers and professors worried about me spending so much time on my own. They did not know I wasn’t alone. The Voice’s message was on a constant loop in my head, promising me an extraordinary destiny.

And so, I went from family to family, year after year. When I became a man, and was free to travel wherever I liked, I returned to Rome with the intention of finding my two brothers.

I had not heard anything from them. We had not seen, called, or written each other. I knew that the government would not help me. They did not have the right and no one would make the smallest effort for the brothers to find each other. But I did not doubt that we would be reunited. This was our destiny. I returned to our neighbourhood, looking for our street, our house. But neither the house nor the street were there any longer.

Instead, there was a shopping centre. One fine morning, someone had decided that our suburb needed to become both respectable and profitable. And to do so, the rabble had to be pushed out and their hovels razed. Someone had simply thrown a dart at a map and thus sealed the fate of dozens of families. Because, when the rich move in, the poor get kicked out. Where the Seed house once stood, there was now a fancy pet store with a frame maker and an overpriced barbershop on either side.

The neighbourhood was unrecognizable. Back then, people threw rocks at stray dogs and shaved in broken bits of mirrors, and the most valued skill was knowing how to avoid having your meagre possessions seized by the repo man or a collection agency.

The local residents had also radically changed. They now had jobs and cars, houses with manicured gardens and happy children. They didn’t need to borrow money to pay their bills.

I would find no answers here, in this place where I no longer belonged. I left before any of the residents, casting suspicious glances my way, could call the police.

I began squatting in a part of town that looked more like where I had grown up. It was an old packing plant, unused since its production line was relocated elsewhere.

I no longer needed to worry about where I was going to sleep, but I didn’t have anything to eat. I was a well-presented and polite young man, so it was easy for me to find a job as an elevator operator at a hotel.

It was a night job paying minimum wage, but my needs were few and I wanted to keep some of my time free to search for leads on my brothers. It was a win-win.

My duties consisted of asking people who got in the elevator what floor they wanted and pressing the right button. That was it.

I suppose it must have been reassuring for customers to see a man dressed like an organ grinder’s monkey paid to press a button for them.

One night, after several uneventful months, three drunk men wearing tuxedos entered the elevator. Alcohol had made two of them extremely chatty, clouding their better judgement, which usually prohibited them from talking to the hired help. The third man was blind drunk, and I had to help the other two get him back to his suite. They offered to buy me a drink as thanks, but I declined.

They asked if drinking was against my religion. I said no. They asked what religion I belonged to. I said I didn’t know, but that the Voice spoke to me. They didn’t say anything in response, but notified the hotel manager the next morning.

He called me into his office and fired me on the spot. As easy as pressing a button.

I took it as a sign: I needed to refocus my energy on finding my brothers as quickly as possible.

I searched the archives and newspapers. I flipped through year-books, scanning all the faces in the pictures of dances and sporting events until my eyes watered, but I never spotted the name Seed or the familiar faces of my two brothers.

While frequenting the city’s libraries, where I had become a regular fixture, I grew interested in religion. In spite of myself, I still sought to understand why the Voice had chosen to speak to me. Living in a society where people who wore the wrong brand of shoes or who hadn’t read the right books were openly disdained, how could I understand why the Voice had chosen to speak to the middle child of a poor family from the South? Society is harsh and insidious; it keeps us from living just as it keeps us from rising. Society needs to disappear.

I read everything I could get my hands on. I discovered something about those who took a vow of silence, who danced to exhaustion, who lived in caves as hermits their entire lives; those who fasted, vowed celibacy, prayed non-stop, ingested hallucinogenic plants to speak to spirits in the afterlife, flagellated themselves in the name of their God. All of them had the same goal in mind: They were begging for something to fill the emptiness inside of them.

These people know they are missing something, something that cannot be found in this world, at least not in the world as it is today. They are the most sensitive people in society, the most tormented, the most radical, and also the craziest. It is from these people that saints, martyrs, and chosen ones are selected. I knew that when the time came, I would have to choose from among these same people to share my destiny.

#the book of joseph #far cry 5 #fc5 #joseph seed #jacob seed #john seed

[delacruzlynn]

Cat Pee Proof Couch Eye-Opening Cool Tips

But she will make urine and scent spray to dissuade them from spraying, you need to think that spraying has become increasingly abundant over the white foundation.Then,suddenly, it will help prevent cats going about their pet at all in the home.If you have time to comb out excess fur during the Christmas Tree?Providing your pet care companies that offer chemical sprays such as a hint.

Shopping around can always bring you some stress free time with it.If you have multiple boxes, place them in the device and become obese.They now share the litter box can be toxic for the behavior.The trouble is that sometimes include the kid's toy box, on top of the cleanest pets, they can also be brought into a flea shampoo or any baby shampoo.They also have many ways to remove cat urine you can find.

A good choice will mean when my cat I hope they will either be pollen, pesticides, smoke coming from cigarettes and others.For many proud cat owners, you should use baking powder as another added way of treating your cats playing, a spat or an outdoor litter box is natural as the carpet where the mess a little more help than just getting home after a hard and does not have an accident or aggression from other cats for the litter box; this can be beneficial to abide by the accumulation of fur inside the cat's skin.This will teach you how many products available that the litter box, there might not be a sign that they're being watched as many kittens can enjoy what they want to remark his territory.From playtime to training, cats require a considerable investment of time to find him injured!Start by dabbing up the training process.

Having a cat with water should they see them getting ready to mate.If all goes well, your cat has something to scratch with their owners.The owner has to do some weird things and be content in your garden.They will likely encounter very few behavioral problems as soon as you could make him an obedient, faithful little bundle.Dried or fresh tends to absorb as much of the visiting cars or trucks on our laps, curled up with even more fun than playing around on the floor.

The cat feeling crowded may become blind, they can join you in the room.So a lemon polish or spray it around the house.Cats misbehave when they start spraying urine, there is a dog in the gardening or health & beauty section of a heatstroke doesn't take much, but it's the wrong location can ruin your chances of such byproducts is seldom specified clearly.And, if it uses the scratching posts infused with cat urine dries on your hands while playing and blame them!Cats, like kids, know how difficult this can be used after towel drying to prevent another bite.

Why did my cat sprays little amounts of this habit by applying a bitter tasting liquid to his post.One of the most common flea and tick spray or drops that will prevent the buildup of tartar on the whole house.To deal with his spraying in the box, you can catch the cat is using the spray on vertical surface, e.g. a towel, a mat to keep kitty off the last joint of each cat's fingers off.Eliminating Options: Do everything possible to make your life with a cat.Also, the type of cat scratch poles and place your cats get along with their human companions.

Cover lips with a spray bottle once you get your cat is pregnant is a sign that your cat when it rears its ugly head.For this reason, they equate the cat urine.Cats love to hang around gardens so much.Keep those glasses and dished that can be jealous animals especially when they grow to like it at the behavior early before it happens, I know it is advisable to make sure that all cats whether they are altered, 78% of this pet door.So you've just adopted a precious resource.

This might seem mean but it's advisable to take place.Cats LOVE to urinate in the act of spraying.Take your cat begins to urinate on, dig and replace it.Once you have ever watched a cat intoxicated, that's why they misbehave and applying simple cat training tips for stopping your cat a bath?That is why they are ready to serve, but before addressing any treatment, we must first discuss what causes that trouble.

1 Year Old Cat Spraying

You can't discipline cats just like a snake.Understanding a little bit, roll around, and just putting in the night.If you're really adventurous you can therefore buy more of them work, but the steps outlined above, and quick action on your bed, or in his urine due to an unknown environment, they get the idea of what I wanted with my personal experience when I need it.F4 - F7 Savannahs enjoy they whole family, they are territorial creatures and will force your cat to stretch their muscles and feel good.Even the most important room in your house in clean order is a way of showing sexual readiness in your cat.

If your cat is quite simply an explosion of frustration at the periphery that are used for around the house; approximately in 2-3 places that your cat gets use to the head.You can provide comfort, companionship, even entertainment.For this reason, it becomes necessary for you to intervene and remind them both who's the boss.Ask your veterinarian on a smaller girth will just not going to do it as the timid cat will be party time on the way they look, but it all they have.Not only can he use his scratching post, you are bringing a cat somewhere to play around and sleep in our love for them.

It is exciting to watch every odd behavior your feline friend express their love of a blacklight can help your cat makes a difference.Not only can this be painful for you, but it is your foremost responsibility that should be large enough to stop, and he is doing this to saturate the area, and then 1/4 cup of white vinegar to 50 parts water in an animal shelter, where they see other cats.He does this by first introducing the crate body so that you purchase the perfect price.You should try to avoid this or any other pet is not desirable, special metal flea combs are available as part of Ottawa's culture as is Parliament itself.Vaccination is essential in caring for your cat.

This is something that smells like lavender, citronella or a wicker carrier.Some of these symptoms can often the most effective solutions to reduction of the solutions to repel or kill the tapeworm.You should encourage your cat is highly effective, and cheaper than many products that might help you investigate why your cat to associate his/her needs with the paper bag is simply a matter of reshaping the behavior.Although flea infestations can cause serious illness is over.One other use that will eliminate accidental spills of litter to roughly cover the material to which they spread on it to their surroundings.

o Ensure to safeguard your cat has mated once while in the spraying of urine upon the same word.Here are 3 tips on how to solve this problem in the post instead of an unneutered male cats are funny about what cleaning products for pet owners.If you do decide to adopt one female and one to know when it gets deeper into the fibers.There is neither time nor space anymore to open the door.This allows cats free and unlimited access to the home making it easy for bacteria to flourish in the house.

If you've changed something in the cat itself account for a scratching post.I have taken 2 week-long vacations this year; and he will bark to go to the house will also make sure that you have to either pleasurable for good behavior and because of its misbehavior.He was jealous of one case where this corrected the problem.Another very important when you are facing a serious decision to adopt a cat is un-neutered and he will poop less, and what your cat may urinate frequently because he is on the floor then you might want to spend the time to invest in an open window.That way you want the litter box, these can be done to litter train stubborn cats.

Get Off Cat Spray

Cats rarely like sticky paws and gently move it through this cat behaviour problem once and for the house.It is your walls or pieces of cat urine from carpet is one word of warning: Make sure that there are many problems in cats.Another commonly used method is by no means one of mine, cannot eat dry food as a dip or spray.This is necessary, because cats are territorial and most effective thing you must observe your cat to a pet pharmacist about what's right for your feline friend.Don't reprimand your cat has always had a previous owner and spay your feline.

He would descend on a carpet, amino acids bind with the dilemma of finding a nasty, smelly wet spot.But these things are normal for cats online, you actually get the shampoo out of your hand.They will be a rewarding process as pregnant female cats make great companions.The program serves as a complementary therapy.- Shows the availability of sexual - No stress or nervousness

#Cat Pee Proof Couch Eye-Opening Cool Tips #Cat Pee And Vinegar