#like. if i was the god of bees or whatever and got invoked all the time for non bee-adjacent things i would be pretty irritated | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

blackkudos · 4 years

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Al Green

Albert Leornes Greene (born April 13, 1946), often known as The Reverend Al Green, is an American singer, songwriter and record producer; he is best known for recording a series of soul hit singles in the early 1970s, including "Take Me to the River", "Tired of Being Alone", "I'm Still in Love with You", "Love and Happiness", and his signature song, "Let's Stay Together". After an incident in which his girlfriend committed suicide, Green became an ordained pastor and turned to gospel music. He later returned to secular music.

Green was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. He was referred to on the museum's site as being "one of the most gifted purveyors of soul music". He has also been referred to as "The Last of the Great Soul Singers". Green is the winner of 11 Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also received the BMI Icon award and is a Kennedy Center Honors recipient. He was included in the Rolling Stone list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, ranking at No. 65, as well as its list of the 100 Greatest Singers, at No. 14.

Early life

Albert Leornes Greene was born on April 13, 1946, in Forrest City, Arkansas. The sixth of ten children born to Cora Lee and Robert G. Greene, Jr., a sharecropper, Al began performing with his brothers in a group called the Greene Brothers at around the age of ten. The Greene family relocated to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the late 1950s. Al was kicked out of the family home while in his teens, after his devoutly religious father caught him listening to Jackie Wilson. He then lived with a prostitute, began hustling, and indulged in recreational drugs.

"I also listened to Mahalia Jackson, all the great gospel singers. But the most important music to me was those hip-shakin’ boys: Wilson Pickett and Elvis Presley. I just loved Elvis Presley. Whatever he got, I went out and bought."

In high school, Al formed a vocal group called Al Greene & the Creations. Two of the group's members, Curtis Rodgers and Palmer James, formed an independent label called Hot Line Music Journal. In 1968, having changed their name to Al Greene & the Soul Mates, they recorded the song "Back Up Train", releasing it on Hot Line Music. The song was a hit on the R&B charts and peaked at Number 46 in the Cash Box Top 100. However, the group's subsequent follow-ups failed to chart, as did their debut album Back Up Train. While performing with the Soul Mates, Green came into contact with Memphis record producer Willie Mitchell, who hired him in 1969 to be a vocalist for a Texas show with Mitchell's band. Following the performance, Mitchell asked Green to sign with his Hi Records label.

Career

Early success

Having noted that Green had been trying to sing like Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, Wilson Pickett, and James Brown, Mitchell became his vocal mentor, coaching him into finding his own voice. Before releasing his first album with Hi, Green removed the final "e" from his name. Subsequently, he released Green Is Blues (1969), which was a moderate success. His follow-up album, Al Green Gets Next to You (1971), featured the hit R&B cover of the Temptations' "I Can't Get Next to You", recorded in a slow blues-oriented version. The album also featured his first significant hit, "Tired of Being Alone", which sold a million copies and was certified gold, becoming the first of eight gold singles Green would release between 1971 and 1974.

Green's next album, Let's Stay Together (January 1972), solidified his place in soul music. The title track was his biggest hit to date, reaching number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. The album became his first to be certified gold. His follow-up, I'm Still in Love with You (October 1972) went platinum with the help of the singles "Look What You Done for Me" and the title track, both of which went to the top ten on the Hot 100. His next album, Call Me (April 1973) produced three top ten singles: "You Ought to Be with Me", "Call Me (Come Back Home)", and "Here I Am (Come and Take Me)". In addition to these hit singles, Green also had radio hits with songs such as "Love and Happiness", his cover of the Bee Gees' "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart", "Simply Beautiful", "What a Wonderful Thing Love Is", and "Take Me to the River", later covered successfully by new wave band Talking Heads and blues artist Syl Johnson.

Green's album Livin' for You (December 1973) was certified gold. He continued to record successful R&B hits in the next several years including "Livin' for You", "Sha-La-La (Makes Me Happy)" from his album Al Green Explores Your Mind, "Let's Get Married", "L-O-V-E (Love)" and "Full of Fire".

By the time Green released the album, The Belle Album in 1977, however, Green's record sales had plummeted, partially due to Green's own personal issues during this time and his desire to become a minister. His last Hi Records album, Truth n' Time, was released in 1978 and failed to become a success.

Gospel recordings

Continuing to record R&B, Green saw his sales start to slip and drew mixed reviews from critics. In 1979, he injured himself falling off the stage while performing in Cincinnati and took this as a message from God. He then concentrated his energies towards pastoring his church and gospel music.

From 1981 to 1989 Green recorded a series of gospel albums.While still under contract with Hi Records, Green released the 1980 album, The Lord Will Make a Way, his first of six albums on the Christian label Myrrh Records. The title song from the album would later win Green his first of eight Grammy Awards in the Best Soul Gospel Performance category. In 1982, Green co-starred with Patti LaBelle in the Broadway play, "Your Arms Too Short to Box with God". In 1984, director Robert Mugge released a documentary film, Gospel According to Al Green, including interviews about his life and footage from his church. In 1985, he reunited with Willie Mitchell along with Angelo Earl for He Is the Light, his first album for A&M Records. His 1987 follow-up, Soul Survivor, featured the minor hit, "Everything's Gonna Be Alright", which reached number 22 on the Billboard R&B chart, his first top 40 R&B hit since "I Feel Good" in 1978.

Return to secular music

Green returned to secular music in 1988 recording "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" with Annie Lennox. Featured on the soundtrack to the movie, Scrooged, the song became Green's first top 10 pop hit since 1974. Green had a hit in 1989 with "The Message is Love" with producer Arthur Baker. Two years later, he recorded the theme song to the short-lived show Good Sports. In 1993, he signed with RCA and with Baker again as producer, released the album, Don't Look Back. Green received his ninth Grammy award for his collaboration with Lyle Lovett for their duet of "Funny How Time Slips Away". Green's 1995 album, Your Heart's In Good Hands, was released around the time that Green was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The one single released from the album, "Keep On Pushing Love", was described as "invoking the original, sparse sound of his [Green's] early classics."

In 2000, Green released his autobiography, Take Me to the River. Two years later, he earned the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and recorded a hit R&B duet with Ann Nesby on the song, "Put It On Paper". Green again reunited with Willie Mitchell in 2003 for the album, I Can't Stop. A year later, Green re-recorded his previous song, "Simply Beautiful", with Queen Latifah on the latter's album, The Dana Owens Album. In 2005, Green and Mitchell collaborated on Everything's OK.

Green's 2008 album, Lay It Down, was produced by Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson and James Poyser. It became his first album to reach the top ten since the early 1970s. The album featured a minor R&B hit with the ballad, "Stay with Me (By the Sea)", featuring John Legend and also featuring duets with Anthony Hamilton and Corinne Bailey Rae. During an interview for promotion of the album, Green admitted that he would have liked to duet with Marvin Gaye: "In those days, people didn't sing together like they do now."

In 2009, Green recorded "People Get Ready" with Heather Headley on the album, Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration. In 2010, Green performed "Let's Stay Together" on Later... with Jools Holland. On September 13, 2018, Al Green released his first new recording in almost over ten years, "Before the Next Teardrop Falls," most famously recorded by Freddy Fender in 1975. It was produced by Matt Ross-Spang and is part of Amazon Music's new "Produced By" series.

On June 25, 2019, The New York Times Magazine listed Al Green among hundreds of artists whose material was reportedly destroyed in the 2008 Universal fire.

Personal life

On October 18, 1974, Green's girlfriend, Mary Woodson, assaulted him and then committed suicide at his Memphis home. Although she was already married with three children, Woodson became upset when Green refused to marry her. She doused him with a pot of boiling grits as he was preparing for bed in the bathroom, causing second-degree burns on his back, stomach, and arms which required skin grafts. Shortly after, Woodson fatally shot herself with his .38 handgun. Police found an apparent suicide note inside Woodson's purse that declared her intentions and her reasons. A few days prior, Green had sent Woodson to convalesce at the home of his friend after she had taken a handful of sleeping pills and slit her wrists. Green cited this incident as a wake-up call to change his life.

Days after Green was released from Baptist Memorial Hospital Memphis, where he was treated for his burns, he was reportedly held hostage at gunpoint by his cousin who demanded that he owed her money. Green refused to press charges.

In 1976, Green established the Full Gospel Tabernacle church in Memphis. Green resides and preaches in Memphis, near Graceland. He is a member of the Prince Hall Masons, the African-American wing of Freemasonry, at the Thirty-Third Degree.

In September 2013, Green's sister Maxine Green was reported missing from her assisted living home in Grand Rapids, Michigan. According to her daughter Lasha, Green has not reached out to the family about his sister. As of March 2020, she is still missing.

Marriages and children

On June 15, 1977, Green married his first wife Shirley Green (née Kyles) in Memphis. Originally from Chicago, she was one of his backing vocalists and an employee at his church. Together they have three daughters. Shirley first filed for divorce in 1978 on the ground of cruelty and irreconcilable differences. She filed again in 1981, charging that Green had subjected her to domestic violence throughout their marriage. Green accused her of cruel and inhuman treatment in a countercomplaint. In a sworn deposition in 1982 as part of her divorce filing, Shirley testified that in 1978 while five months pregnant, Green beat her with a boot for refusing to have sex. The assault resulted in head wounds, one of which required stitches. After the incident she filed for divorce, but they reconciled. According to Shirley, they separated several times when the beatings became "too frequent and too severe." Initially, Green denied beating his wife, but under oath in 1982 he admitted to striking her. Their divorce was finalized in February 1983. Green agreed to pay her $432,800 in alimony and child support. In 1995, the story of Nicole Brown Simpson inspired Shirley to go public with the abuse she endured in order to help other victims.

Green has six children: two sons, Al Green, Jr. and Trevor; four daughters, Alva Lei, Rubi Renee, Kora Kishe (with Shirley Green), and Kala.

Green was reportedly remarried by the 1990s.

Assault charges

Green's former secretary, Linda Wills, filed a $25,000 civil suit against him in 1974. Wills charged that Green beat her and shoved her through a glass door in his Memphis office after a dispute about how much back pay she was entitled to for her duties. The civil suit was dropped because of "conflicting testimony," but in 1975 they settled a $100,000 lawsuit for assault and battery charges.

In 1977, Green and his former organ player Larry Robinson were arrested for assault on Memorial Day in Irving, Texas. According to Robinson, Green and his bodyguards jumped him when he confronted Green about owed money from previous gigs. They both posted bond on a misdemeanor charge.

In 1978, Green was charged with assault and battery for allegedly beating Lovie Smith unconscious with a tree limb. The charges were dismissed after Smith, who had moved, did not receive a subpoena and therefore missed the court date.

Discography

Awards and honors

Green has been nominated for 21 Grammy Awards, winning 11, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Two of his songs, "Let's Stay Together" and "Take Me To the River" have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Green was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. In 2004, he was inducted into the Gospel Music Association's Gospel Music Hall of Fame. That same year, he was inducted into The Songwriters Hall of Fame. Also in 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him No. 65 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. He was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2009 BET Awards on June 24, 2009.

On August 26, 2004, Green was honored as a BMI Icon at the annual BMI Urban Awards. He joined a list of previous Icon honorees that included R&B legends James Brown, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Bo Diddley.

In 2009, Al Green was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.

Green was recognized on December 7, 2014, as a Kennedy Center Honors recipient.

#04/13

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windingriverherbals · 4 years

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NEW CRESCENT MOON IN ARIES

We have passed through the Dark Moon in Aries into the New Crescent Moon today. We passed through the Spring Equinox last week, which is the official start of the lunar year, and have moved into the New Moon in Aries which is the official start to the lunar year. We can all feel the palpable energy of Mother Earth at this time of year as we watch the seeds push upward and out of the topsoil. As they make this upward movement, they meet resistance! Yet once they break through they receive the reward of the sun’s warmth. The sun’s light even when they are scarcely born fills them with a great desire to attain full growth.

Under the Aries Moon, we can tap into Aries ability tot face our fears in new ways, to find the courage to live a full and meaningful life. This is a time to follow our internal wisdom, our intuition with every ounce of courage we have been given because it takes courage to move deep into our wisdom. Because once we do this work, it becomes difficult not to be true to our hopes and dreams.

Everything moves in cycles and this turning of the wheel at the Spring Equinox is springs reminder that we are always moving and flowing. And whenever old growth is stripped away we make the space for new shoots. We can find inner and outer resistance, yet, patters can be broken and living from the energy of your core is stronger than your apathy!

For this New Crescent Moon, I want to share the story of the Celtic Alder Tree. The Alder Tree falls under the New/Waxing Moon Phase from March 18th – April 14th. So if you are born under these dates, this is your tree. The Alder tree is known as the Tree of Fairies and is associated with courage and our expanding spirit. It grows near the water in swampy, bog areas. Its wood is flexible and resistant to the rotting effects of water as when it is left to soak in water, it actually becomes hardened! This made it a perfect wood to use for bridges and it is said mythology, that the Alder tree bridges the magical space between earth and the heavens.

It is a tree that teaches you to follow your instincts and is symbolism is about the release, determination, and inner confidence. It is also a tree that supports and protects you physically, emotionally, and physically. It teaches us to blend strength and courage with a generosity of spirit of compassion. Can we not relate to the teachings of Alder in these times?

It is also the tree of the Spring Equinox when seeds awaken. It calls us to plant seeds under this spring energy. To hold it in our hand and envision a world in which we live in balance with nature, in peace with each other, where creativity and love flourish together. Placing your seed in the earth and watering and tending to are actions we can take to bring her qualities to birth in the world. It is the Alder tree that helps us to find a way to express our hopes and dreams at this Lunar New Year.

With this Lunar Fire, we can mix water and fire to influence us in finding the clarity, action or determination to complete the actions we desire. There is energy now that illuminates your understanding, it circulates endlessly behind and through your emotions. You know it as an inner light that burns clearly and steadily ~ this is a light that radiates out into the world from inside.

Planting & Designing Your Moon Garden

Under the heightened energies of the New and Full Moons we experience our highest tides ~ but did you know that it is a time when the waters beneath the earth are also affected? The same gravitational pull that is placed on the waters of the ocean also pulls the groundwater upward bringing moisture to the soils at the surface, encouraging your seeds to swell and burst into sprouts!

You can plant your flowers in a circle or a half-moon shape so that when they bloom the shape of the Moon is revealed. Find space in your garden, start some seedlings indoors, or plan your garden for the next New Moon. Whatever you do, it will carry the energy and intentions of your heart ~ so don’t wait, start today.

Planting a garden of white and silvery flowers that bloom at night can add a radiant, shimmering energy to your evening rituals. Here are a few flowers I love.

These flowers are fragrant and so if you can place them close to your home, you can also enjoy their evening fragrance on warm summer evenings when your windows are open.

Evening Primrose (Oenothera) ~ a night bloomer that attracts moths and nocturnal bees. The flowers are said to be from the ethereal realm of fairies and have a sweet fragrance that can be enjoyed during the moonlight hours. The symbolism of primrose flowers is patience, kindness and gentleness ~ connecting you to the solar plexus and heart chakra.

Moonflower (datura inoxia) ~ catching her unawares in the moonlight hours is magical, as you can be sure to experience the full glory of her blooms; the night air swirling with her rich, intoxicating scent. Glowing like the moon these flowers contain the mysteries of your intuition and connect you with the mystical movement of the stars and moon. She will connect you to your crown chakra.

Note: these flowers are cousins to morning glories so they will need a trellis or support to climb.

Night Phlox (zaluzianskya capensis) ~ also known as midnight candy; the fragrance of the night blooms is reminiscent of honey or vanilla. Coming from the Greek meaning “flame” these beauties will also connect you to your crown chakra AND are known to stir inner courage and honesty to all that look upon them.

Jasmine (jasminum nitidum)~ the sensuous scent of Jasmine has a fragrance that invokes passion, sensuality, and love (the world needs more love!).

A second way to plant a Moon Garden is to bring the Moon out during the day by planting these sweet plants

Dusty Miller (senecio cineraria) beautiful silvery, a velvety soft plant that is wonderful for contrasting dark foliage and is also a great bed plant ~ represents happiness and delicacy.

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) this plant is not only connected to the Moon but is also known for enhancing your dreams.

A few other day plants for you to consider are Lambs Ears, Silver Thyme, and Silver Sage.

And I could not leave out this most auspicious herb!

Moonwort (lunaria annua) ~ in the language of flowers this plant represents money, sincerity & honesty. It has dried pods that are beautiful and can be used later in the ceremony. However, please note that this is a biannual plant ~ meaning it lives two years and will flower in the second year. Its flowers will be followed by a dollar coin-sized flat pod that changes from green to brown and then as the seed drops, to the beautiful silver color… so planting these for the first two years will ensure flowering each year.

Planting & Designing Your Elemental Garden

Before you plant anything, you’ll need to figure out how much space you have to work with. Ideally, you’ll want to make your elemental garden in a circle. To make a circle in your yard, figure out first where you want the center to be. Mark the center by driving a temporary stake into the ground. Next, figure out what diameter you want the circle to be. Using a piece of string tied to the top of the stake, walk around in a circle, marking the perimeter. You can do this with birdseed, a handful of dirt, or anything else you like. Once you’ve marked your circle, till up the soil. Although it’s a good exercise to use a shovel, it’s also backbreaking work. If you’ve got a large space to cover, you may want to invest in a good rototiller.

Once you’ve tilled up the soil, figure out which way is north. You can do this easily with a compass, or if you know where the sun rises and sets, it shouldn’t be too hard to determine which way is east and which is west. After you’ve figured out your directions, divide your circle into quadrants, so that each direction has one-quarter of the circle, and mark your spaces with stones.

Choosing Your Plants

Each of the four directions is associated with an element. North is connected to the earth, east to air, south to fire and west to water. To plant your elemental garden, figure out which plants are connected with those particular elements — and this will vary depending on where you live. For example, the earth is associated with stability and security. Why not plant some herbs there that carry the same associations? Bryony, cinquefoil, honeysuckle, and pennyroyal* are all related to earth.

For the east section of your garden, which is tied into the themes of air, use plants connected with inspiration, wisdom, and knowledge. Sage, marjoram, mugwort, and members of the mint family are perfect for this quarter of the circle. In the south, select plants related to the passionate qualities of fire, such as basil, betony, rosemary, and rue. Finally, the west quadrant is where your water-related plants should go — hyssop, yarrow, chamomile, and ivy will do well in this section.

Offering Blessings

As you dig a hole for each plant, you may wish to add a blessing. Get your hands in the dirt, dig in, and feel the soil. Thank the earth for the gift it’s going to give you. As you place the plant or seeds in the hole, you might want to offer something like:

Or, you may prefer to offer a specific blessing for each quadrant – for the southern section, offer a blessing of fire, for the west, a blessing of water, and so on. In some traditions, it’s popular to smudge the garden or perform some other purification rite after planting — after all, a garden is a sacred space.

If you’re going to spend any time in your elemental garden — and you’ll need to if you don’t want your plants to die — it’s not a bad idea to add accessories that make you feel at home. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but you might want to consider some of the following:

Statues of the gods of your tradition

A gazing ball

A fountain or other water feature

A fire bowl

A small altar

A bench or chair for meditation

Wind chimes or bells

A prayer pole or decorative flag

To tie in the accessories to the elemental theme, consider a water feature in the south corner, a small brazier to the west, a pile of stones in the north, or a decorative flag on the eastern portion. Any of these will be perfect for bringing you closer to the elements in your garden. Make your garden a place where you can sit and reflect, and it will indeed be a spiritual and magical place!

Ways that you can use your flowers after they have blossomed under the energy of the moon are many! You can cut and dry the flowers to use in creating mandalas or artwork or add them to your sage bundle; pluck the flowers at the height of their bloom and place them in a bath to catch their healing energy. I encourage you to explore the myriad of possibilities in which their energy speaks to your creativity. by Wigington, Patti. Learn Religions

The beauty of flowers has been shared throughout time as a way to evoke feelings and thoughts that are sometimes difficult to find words for ~ using this time to place or invoke your intentions can bring you grounding, joy, and keep it flowing throughout the summer.

A few thoughts to consider while you are planting or planing ~

What is the beginning? Where is the growing center and how can you tap into your courage? What is just beginning to germinate? How can you follow your inner wisdom more closely?

Spring is a time to replenish, a time when the rains come, plants grow, animals drink ad the Earth replenishes herself. Heed the lesson. We each need time to replenish ourselves as well. Allow yourself to be replenished; get out into the rain, put your bare feet on the earth, remember the joys of being young and free and feel the happiness it brings Plant seeds, plant joy. Spread love and hope.

THE COURAGE TO TRUST YOUR INNER WISDOM NEW CRESCENT MOON IN ARIES We have passed through the Dark Moon in Aries into the New Crescent Moon today.

#Alder #Aries #flowers #Inner Wisdom #journal #moon garden #new crescent moon #Spring Equinox

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sweetcatmintea · 5 years

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A Stranger’s Malice

Hey! It’s Flash Fiction Friday (finished on Saturday because it got late <.<;;) I didn’t see a prompt this week? So it’s time for a stranger and kid update! This had great dialogue until I opened word.. Anyways, I hope you enjoy spending some more time with this weird pair ^u^ Feedback is my life blood appreciated!

Characters: Stranger and Super Ninja Man

Words: 2608

Previous parts: 1, 2, 3, 4

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If I’m being honest, having a week between the kid starting school and my being called to the principal’s office surprised me. I’d have put my money on the third day mark. Turning the ignition off, I take a moment to just sit before I leave the car. Although it was inevitable, my guts writhe. They’ll continue until I find out why exactly I’ve been called in. If I’m lucky, it’s a Strongly Worded discussion about calling my kid Ninja Man. (I convinced him to drop the Super for school.) If not, well, at least I won’t be worrying about dinner tonight. I sigh. Might as well get it over with.

The school is decent. Not too fancy, not too lacking. After Grace started helping, things have smoothed out a lot more. It helps that she has the benefit of experience here. I didn’t expect her to be so on board with all of this. I should’ve called her sooner. Although, it was probably my desperation that invoked her sympathy so maybe not. Making my way down the concrete path winding through the school grounds, I ignore the noises from the classrooms, focusing more on finding the main office again. It’s strangely difficult to resist the urge to detour and poke my head into the kid’s class. Nerdlet that he is, he’s probably enjoying himself. Hopefully. Ugh, what’s up with all this sap lately? It’s just school.

You can imagine my surprise when, after finally finding the dingy little building tucked into the back corner of the grounds, I let myself in and there was the kid. Slouched uncomfortably in a hard, plastic chair, avoiding the receptionist’s gaze. Not that she was looking at him, lost in a cheap novel. He notices me but keeps his head down, avoiding my eyes as well. His sneakers scuff at the linoleum – ugly, as was custom for administrative standards – while he fidgets with whatever his worried fingers can find.

“Whatcha doin out of class?” My voice startles the receptionist out of her book. She tries to greet me, but she can wait. Something’s up. The kid continues to look anywhere but at me. He frowns into his hands, picking at his nails. The new stains on his shirt collar twinge my chest uncomfortably. I don’t let it show.

“’m in trouble.”

Well. This is interesting. “Out with it then. What you do?” The receptionist is still trying to get my attention. I wave her off, she can go back to her book. I want to hear it from him first.

He huffs. “Jimmy’s an idiot. He kept picking on me and calling me names to I made him stop.”

“You’re gonna have to give me more than that. Means squat to me without details.”

He huffs again. There’s no remorse in his scowl, just frustration. His tail twitches as a deep flush crawls over his skin. I doubt it’s me, personally, that’s burning him up, but there is definitely something there. I put my hand on his shoulder.

“Take your time. I want to understand.”

He nods and takes a deep breathe. Trying again, he manages to organise his thoughts well enough to voice them. “Jimmy is in the year above me. He keeps calling me lizard breath and skink brain and I told him to stop because I don’t like it, but he just did it more and then he got Luke and stupid Ben-ja-min to do it. They’re in my class. And they’re the Worst. The keep stealing my pencils and telling the teacher I threw them at them! I didn’t though! My aim’s not even that good! And then Ms. Jacobs made me move all the way to the front and switch with Stacy so I was in front of stupid Benjamin but every time she wasn’t looking, he tried to stamp on my tail.”

He pauses to catch his breathe. I wait for him to continue. There’s more there, obviously, and I don’t want to break his flow.

“And then today, I went to eat my lunch and I was looking forward to it because you said there was a surprise for me but they stole it and filled my lunch box with worms. All the girls freaked out even though it was just worms and when I tried to tell the break teacher, he told me to stop upsetting everyone! It wasn’t even me! So I didn’t have any lunch and I went to play with Georgie, they’re cool, I like them, but when we were playing, Jimmy kicked a ball right at my face. He did it on purpose too, even though he told the teacher it was an accident. He looked right at me! So I got really reeaalllyy mad.”

He’s not the only one. The dried blood crusting his upper lip makes me feel a certain kind of way. It’s not pretty. It takes all of my self-control to mask how much my fists are shaking. “What did you do?”

I almost don’t catch his mumbled response. “I threw a beehive at him…”

Don’t laugh. “You threw a beehive at him?”

“Yeah… Then he got chased by bees… And then he ran into the door because the bees were chasing him… He went home early…”

Through some miracle, I stifle my chuckles. I’m giddy with anger, it’s hard to maintain my tone. “Did you get stung?”

“No. I was quick.” He mimes the act, tossing an imaginary hive into the air in front of him.

“Alright. We’ll talk about this properly when we get home. We’ll fix your face up too. Do you feel dizzy at all? No? Good. If you start to feel sick, let me know the instant. It doesn’t matter if you interrupt me. Okay? I’ve got to talk to your principal now. Thank you for telling me what happened.”

The receptionist is all smiles now. Probably my murderous face. Her complacency commits her to the crimes. They should have called my much earlier. Not bothering with an announcement, I barge right into the office.

Principal Hobs has his head buried in his work, pouring over several files on his expensive looking desk. I wonder if he knows it’s a cheap replica. By the way it’s lovingly polished to near perfection, I’d wager no. Apparently, I’m not the only one without manners. He stuffs around, fiddling with more papers, medical reports by the look of it, waving me in with a lazy hand. Like he’s to Busy and Important for the likes of me and my Rowdy, Trouble-Making kid. Doesn’t matter to me. I’ve never been particularly moved by his acts. I drop into the arm chair, more armature than filling of course, slinging my arm over the back and reclining into it. Head tilted and brow cocked, I wait for him to face me. I’m looking forward to the expression.

He finally decides I’m worth his time. “I’m sure Louise has caught you u-” He jolts, cool demeanour melting right to the floor. “What are you doing here?”

I smile. Charming as a shrike. “Hi Ratface. It’s been a while, huh?”

He flounders, fumbling through his notes. The window light catches the shine of his receding hairline. Although we’re older, he’s hardly changed at all. I suppose I haven’t much either, just becoming more proficient in my… hobbies. His eyes dart from his notes to me like ping pong balls. He must’ve missed me. How sweet. Clamping onto a file like it’s a raft, he clears his throat, trying to regain composure. “I, erm, we are both adults now. I’m the principal. You will address me with the respect afforded to an individual of my stature.”

“Sure thing, Ratface. Try to move it along. I’m a very busy person.”

He stutters out a response, sitting straighter in his chair. Like the desk, it’s a cheap replica of a nice model. “Y-yes – I mean, urhum, I called you here to discuss the discipline of your son. He is your son? The Tainted boy?”

He’s acting like the kid suddenly appeared and started school midway through the year. Where does he get these silly ideas from?

“My very own flesh and blood. The product of one of my, many, sordid rendezvous over the years. Why? Want all of the juicy details? Haha that’s right up your alley, isn’t it?”

His face glows red. Huh. It is his thing. Judging by the oh-so-subtle glance at the door, it may just be Louise’s thing as well. He changes the topic quickly.

“Are you aware that John attacked another student today? Poor Jimmy Dorrson suffered several injuries thanks to your offspring. That kind of behaviour will not be tolerated in my school.”

I lean in, resting my elbows on his shiny desk. He leans back despite himself. I catch the malice of my eyes reflected in his glasses. “Now there’s a whole lot to unpack here, isn’t there. Let’s start simple. What in god’s name did you just call him?”

“W-w-well, I- uh- I called him John. I-”

“That’s not his name.”

“You, well, you can’t very well expect me-me to call him “Ninja Man” It’-”

“It’s his name. That’s what the kid wants to be called.”

“But-”

“But nothing. You will refer to him by name. But let’s move on, shall we. Would you like to explain to me why, exactly, you called me in here to talk about Jimmy whats-his-face but conveniently failed to tell me that my kid was hurt?”

“Jimmy was attacked! It took priority!”

“Oh yes, poor, poor Jimmy. He’s lucky he’s not here right now. I have some words for him as well.”

“W-what are you implying here? It was a simple case of boys will be boys.” He flinched at my deepening venom. “I, you know, I never pictured you as the over protective type.”

“I’m not. I’m his parent. Boys will be boys? Don’t give me that garbage. I know my kid. I know what kind of people schools breed. Did you bother asking him what happened? Did you listen when he told you how the gutless trio provoked him? No? Did you even Consider the root of his “disruptive behaviour”? Of course you didn’t. That would be too inconvenient for your busy, busy self. God forbid you Teach these kids anything.”

Hobs is gaping like a dying fish. His mouth opens and closes but nothing comes out. He can’t play this off as nothing. Not with me. “You know how it is! You know better than anyone how kids can be. Yours, he’s, he’s different. Bullying was inevitable. What do you want from me?”

“I want you to deal with the situation.”

“But, he’s Tainted!” He growls the words. “I can’t stop what happens. It’s just how things work!”

“What happened to your ‘zero tolerance policy’?” I don’t let him defend himself. “Things are going to change here. Unless you want me to call up some of my friends – you remember Todd, right? Of course you do. You two go way back – and make some things, disappear, as it were – you have taken out life insurance, right? It’d be such a shame if your lovely wife was left high and dry if something were to happen to you – you’re going to make some changes. This school is about to become extremely progressive, isn’t it?”

“What do you…”

“Disappearing not good enough? I can make things appear too. Your wife might deal with you herself if evidence happened to come to light about why you really stay late.”

“You don’t have any proof of that!”

“Oh, but I do. You think I wouldn’t come prepared? That I accidentally enrolled my son in your school? Please. I own the shadows Ratface. You can’t hide in them.”

“Are you threatening me!?” And the last horse crosses the line.

I slam my hands on the desk, leaning over him with an alligator grin. He shrinks back into his cheap chair. “Oh, dear, sweet Ratface. Of course not. I’d never threaten you. I’m making a promise. If my kid ever comes home with so much as a sniffle again, I will make your life miserable in ways you can’t ever imagine. Are you clear?” I think he’s going to pass out. His face is another shade of pale entirely.

“Y-yes. I understand.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I-Implement anti-bullying policy changes.”

“That?”

“Uh,, that are meaningful and not superficial.”

“Good.” I ease off him, leaving him to crumple into himself while I collect the kid and leave. Theatrics are tiring.

---

A comfortable silence builds as we drive home. The kid seems less upset which is good. A bruise is beginning to form across his nose. I’ll have to take care of that. He pokes my arm.

“Do you really know all of Principal Hobs’ secrets?”

I give him a side-eyed look. He pretends he doesn’t notice. Eavesdropper. “No. I don’t. I just made a few lucky guesses. I know the kind of person his is.”

“Hmmm. He seemed real scared of you.”

“Yeah…” I scratch my neck. “I was a little mean to him in school.”

“Were you a bully?”

“Yeah. I guess you could say that. I never touched him personally, but I did point him out to my friends. They liked to torment weaker kids.”

“How come? Did he deserve it?”

How to explain? I’m not exactly proud of what we did but with him, it’s hard to find sympathy. “My friends like to pick on people. I think it made them feel strong. It didn’t matter of they deserved it or not.” He looks more than a little disheartened. “But with your principal, I saw him pulling wings off of flies. He liked to pick on weaker things too. I pointed him out to my friends because of that.”

“Because of the flies? Did you ever tell him that?”

“No. I figured, he didn’t tell the flies why he bullied them so why tell him why he was being picked on?” I sigh. “Really, I shouldn’t have done that. I should have just confronted him about it. No matter the excuse, it’s never okay to hurt people.” I glance at him again. “If you’re ever picked on, tell me. I can’t help unless I know what’s going on.”

“Okay.” He nodded. That was easy. Did he not realise he could talk to me? Hopefully things will change so he won’t have to.

We pull up to the gate but neither moves to get out. I switch the ignition of.

“Am I in trouble?” He looks worried.

“Do you think you should be?”

“Yeah, kinda? I did get Jimmy hurt… But he deserved it. If he left me alone when I asked him to, I wouldn’t have had to do it.”

That was a whole issue in itself. A messy one. “Look, we’re gonna have to have an ice cream talk about Jimmy, but not today. I reckon you’ve had a big enough day as it is. I’m not going to get mad at you for self-defence. The last thing I want to see is you getting hurt. Especially if you’re holding back because of manners or whatever. However, starting tomorrow, we’re digging out a new garden. You’re going to grow native flowers to make it up to the bees. They didn’t ask to get in the middle of your fight, or for you to break their home. I’ll help you, but this will be you taking responsibility for your actions. Does that sound fair?”

“Yeah. I am sorry about that bit.”

“Good. Let’s go in.”

----------

Tag list

@inkovert, @snobbysnekboi, @kainablue, and @i-rove-rock-n-roll

---

Hmm, does the stranger feel out of character here? I’m not sure if their character is loosening up or if I’m going off model..

#original story #short story #flash fiction #Flash Fiction Friday #my story #writblr #A Stranger's collection

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bellatrixobsessed1 · 5 years

Text

Wan High Weeping (Part 18)

About a week since she had brought TyLee over and her mother was still refusing to talk to her. “You decided to leave your brother home all. Alone. To talk to your friend!” The dramatic way she had tossed her hands into the air did little to ease the tension. “I know you don’t think far beyond yourself, young lady, but this is unacceptable. You knew how important that dinner was to your father. We were almost late because of you. We ended up having to leave Tom-Tom…” Mai ended up tuning her out entirely from there. The woman had been lecturing her on selfishness and in that same spiel, admitted her own self-interest. If Tom-Tom’s well-being had matter that much, they would have skipped the dinner.

But no. Because they were the parents and she was the daughter, the blame lie with her. And TyLee hasn’t talked to her since. She couldn’t blame TyLee. Her mother had the audacity to phone TyLee’s parents and so the girl was also in trouble.

And that was her fault too.

She had put all of her soul into not taking things out on Tom-Tom, but the more her mom spoke and chastised. The more Mai wished that the boy had never been born at all. She was a burden to her parents and Tom-Tom was a burden to her.

And he was still a burden because Mai had to watch him after school that day. She had to watch him the day after that as well and, for her crime, she wasn’t allowed company either. She was barred from Chan’s Halloween party too. This particularly vexed her; Halloween was the one time of the year she actually rather enjoyed. It was prime shopping season for her wardrobe, and she hadn’t even had the chance to do so once that season.

She was beginning to think she should just stop trying to enjoy things at all. The less she liked, the less there was to lose. Halloween was a children’s holiday anyways. And it wasn’t the same now that she TyLee and Azula didn’t dress up together. Just to torture herself a little more, she opened her phone and browsed old pictures. The first was very, very old; her first Halloween with the two girls. She had been a ladybug, TyLee was a bee, and Azula was a praying mantis of all things. They each held their little pumpkin buckets staring at the camera with cubby baby faces and the kind of adorably wide smiles that only children could muster. She swiped a few times to something more recent. The Halloween party from two years ago; TyLee was a zombie cheerleader, flashing a peace sign at the camera, somehow managing to hold her pom poms at the same time. Azula’s costume was handcrafted and model after her zodiac sign; complete with full body paint and dashes of glitter and a pair of elaborate wings. She had gone all out that year and won the costume competition. Zuko was in this one too; his was also handmade—he had gone the vampire route but with a steampunk twist. And Mai. She was just Mai. Blah, Mai, with a generic vampire costume. Granted it suited her style well but she wished that she had the ambition to create something original.

It would seem that she wouldn’t be getting her chance.

She swiped again. God, they were so happy. There was always a touch of pain in Zuko’s eyes but at least he was there. And at least he was having a good time for the moment. Another swipe and she had to hold back tears, she wondered where it had gone wrong. How she had let both Azula and TyLee distance themselves.

Indeed, that was somehow her fault too.

.oOo.

Toph didn’t like the look of the place at all—not that she could see it very well through swollen, stinging eyes. But her condition was getting worse and her parents were getting desperate. And so she found herself in the waiting room of the shadiest looking eye doctor she had ever not heard of. She holds her focused on her phone as hard as possible and found the voice command button. Not bothering to keep her voice low she said, “Twinkle Toes, ya gotta help me, this is sketchier than Zhao telling us that our math tests only ask questions about what we learned in class.”

Lao hushed her. “You have to keep your voice down, this man is going to help fix your eyes and then you’ll be able to get back to school and soccer. And he’s doing it for a deal!”

“But he won’t help us if you keep saying things like that, dear.” Poppy added.

Toph folded her arms over her chest. “Stop calling me that!” She grumbled. She had a feeling that this doctor dude would see her regardless of her words, he just wanted to make a quick buck and she didn’t want to be his lab rat.

“Doctor Warui Kōkei, will see you now.”

“To bad I won’t see him.” Toph huffed. She had earned herself more hushing from both parents.

But the nurse chuckled, “well hopefully we can fix that, yes?”

The nurse seemed nice enough, but Toph was still skeptical. Maybe it was the crumbling and faded wallpaper or maybe it was the scuffed and creaking floorboards. It could have been the crying child or the broken clock. Whatever it was, Toph had the most foreboding feeling.

Not that her parents would take that opinion into account.

.oOo.

“Have you heard anything about BeiFong?” Mai asked Smellerbee. It had been a bitch to track the girl down in the after school rush, so she better have an answer.

“What do you care for?” The girl returned with a question of her own. “I have a bus to catch.”

“And I have a question that needs an answer. BeiFong is on your soccer team, have you heard any news.”

Smellerbee rolled her eyes. “Sure. Her parents are taking her to some eye doctor no one has ever heard of. If he does then I won’t have to worry about her taking my place as team captain.”

“I’m sure you will.” Mai stated plainly. She sure hoped that the surgery, or whatever the treatment was, would go well. She watched Smellerbee stop towards her bus, leaving her to wonder if literally everyone attending Wan High—save for Aang—were in endless states of sour moods.

She knew that she was and that it was about to get worse.

Years ago, Tom-Tom running up to her screaming, “Maaaaaaai!” And then jumping into a hug would have turned her day around. That day each syllable was a crescendo off annoyance and his body colliding with hers, was a detonator. It was a silent explosion, but an explosion no less. “Get off, Tom, I’ve got homework to do. Sit down and watch TV or something.”

He looked at her with innocent eyes, “I’m hungry though, Mai. Really, really hungry. We can go to the kitchen and play animal crackers!”

It was almost enough to break the resentment. Almost. But this time she wanted to hold onto and relish in her anger, even if she would only keep it within. On the outside she remained cold. “I don’t have time for animal crackers. Stop playing with your food and just eat it.” She found herself a seat on the sofa and watched him teeter off towards the kitchen, rubbing his eyes.

She pulled out her phone, Azula’s number still remained in her contacts and for a moment she considered giving it a call. But she recalled the girl saying that she had other goth girls to talk to, the though left her bitter so she scrapped that idea, swapping it out for a worse one.

She dialed Zuko’s phone.

Again her message went to voice mail and she was furious. Of all the times he had called her during his slumps…she had always picked up, even if it was to yell and argue. And now he had the audacity to ignore her completely? She really had been nothing more than a person to weep to after his father whopped his druggy ass a good one.

She very nearly threw the phone, when a text appeared on her screen.

She dared to hope that it was TyLee or Zuko. Instead an ugly message scrawled itself across the screen, with an even uglier photo. It took a lot to invoke a physical response, but the phone fell from her hands which came to cover her mouth. The phone fell face up so a glance down could send chills down her spine all over again.

It was bloody, the image. She couldn’t tell exactly what had happened to Toph’s eyes, but they were bleeding. And she was screaming, her face twisted and contorted in pain. Her hands seemed to claw at her seat as her mother held her close.

She didn’t recognize the sender’s number, but the message was clear and cutting.

“I hope you’re happy.”

#Avatar #Mai #Toph #Azula #Tylee #Sokka #Aang #Katara #Suki #Zuko #Fanfiction

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cinnaminja · 6 years

Text

stripped (2) ; kim jongdae

Words: +1.5k

Genre: Angst

Rating: T

Warning(s): Language, Mentions of abduction

{ part one | part two }

[ A/N.- this was long overdue... this was only supposed to be a sequel but I think this turned into an accidental series. they will be a part three to this because I hate cliffhangers just like the rest of you probably do.

“Don’t cry again… I don’t like it when you cry. You’ll be fine with me! I’m a good person. I’ll be good to you. All you need to is—“ he leaned across toward me — “listen to me.”

The glint from our first meeting was now apparent in his eyes. You could see every bit of threat and emotion sparking intimidatingly. The warmth was gone. The friendliness was forgotten. The happy-go-lucky façade was stripped away to bare the core of sin.

This was Kim Jongdae.

It was strange seeing fear in a man that invoked fear. This was a sign of weakness and I wasn't sure if he knew it but if he did, he wasn't ashamed of showing it.

We had been standing in front of the door leading to his house for awhile now. His eyes were transfixed on the doorknob but he made no move to open it. He appeared to be pondering something extremely crucial as if whether he opened the door or not would alter his whole life. The hopeful side of me wished he was having an internal battle with his subconscious that guilt-tripped him for taking me against my will.

After what seemed like forever, Jongdae finally made up his mind and unlocked the door by punching in the passcode. I guessed he was back to his ironically cheerful self since he had gestured for me to go in first in a mock gentlemanly fashion; even so, I preferred this side of him over the raw and uncut version I witnessed earlier.

The inside was surprisingly well-kept. I wasn't sure what I was expecting from someone with a personality like a two-sided coin but it definitely wasn't a modern, warm looking environment full of pictures and souvenirs from different places. Two things I learned from Jongdae by surveying the interior was that he had money and that he had a solid social circle.

"Welcome to my humble abode," he said after he let me look around his living room. "I think we should go upstairs to my room because they might --"

"Jongdae, is that you?" A voice called from atop of the stairs.

An upbeat man with pink hair thundered down the steps with a visible frown that jutted out his bottom lip childishly. He wasn't aware of my presence yet judging at how he focused his attention onto Jongdae, who was now trying not to express how anxious he was feeling.

"Kim Jongdae, do you have any idea what I had to go through to cover your ass because that place you 'worked' at was hounding me over your sudden resignation?!" The pouty man exclaimed while throwing his hands up. "I had to make up the dumbest shit on the spot!! How they believed me I have no idea but for fuck's sake, at least warn me when you're gonna do something stupid!!"

My mouth was agape the entire time he spoke. Jongdae resigned from the place my dad worked at? I knew he was lying to me when he said that they let him out early for working hard but I had no idea he actually resigned.

"I'm sorry, Baek, I forgot," he side-eyed me as he replied to his friend's outburst.

'Baek' scoffed. "You better be. I could've thrown you under the bus and told them all about your creepy habits. You owe me BIG."

He turned on his heel, ready to walk away from him smugly, but he froze when he finally laid his eyes on me. He pointed straight at me and looked back and fort between me and Jongdae with shock evident on his face

"Who is... Is she... Did you -- oh my god," he stuttered. "It's her!"

"Yes now please tell me Minseok isn't here right now because if he is, you might want to lower your fucking voice so he doesn't find out."

He stared at me but directed his voice back at him. "He isn't here right now but you're so lucky he isn't"

I took a step back out of instinct when he approached me. Jongdae's friend assessed me from all angles and gave an approving nod.

"Keep your distance, Byun Baekhyun," Jongdae warned.

Baekhyun gave me a wide grin and stuck out his hand as if I was a guest in his home.

"Nice to meet you, Dae's lady, I'm one of Jongdae's best friends, Byun Baekhyun!" He leaned forward slightly, "Not to scare you or anything but you're screwed when Minseok gets here but don't worry! I got you and that loser's ass over there covered."

"Baekhyun"

I stared at his outstretched hand in thought. This guy was an accomplice to Jongdae's crime. He lacked common sense and a subconscious just like him and for some reason, I expected him to be as creepy as he was seeing that they lived together. The curling smirk, the shining eyes glinting with fake promises... it's no wonder that they got along so well. They were alike.

Suddenly I was afraid of the third person they mentioned. Would he be like them too?

"I'm not touching you," I hissed out.

Baekhyun retrieved his hand, placing it over his heart instead in faux hurt.

"Ouch! The queen bee stings! Dae didn't tell me you were a feisty one."

"You think I'd sit back and let you two fuck me over?" I glared at him. "I'm not like those girls in the movies. I refuse to throw myself at your feet."

Jongdae's gaze on me hardened. There was an unspoken threat swimming in his eyes and I was reminded of how he told me to 'behave' before he shoved me in his car.

Baekhyun on the other hand let out a hearty laugh.

"Oh man, this is amazing!" He wiped away his nonexistent tears. "You're definitely better than I was hoping for, I like you."

He held up two thumbs. "Welcome, new housemate"

Just as he said this, the beeping sound of the lock pad outside was heard from inside the house. Panic erased Baekhyun's grin and fear settled on Jongdae's face.

"Fun's over, we need to go upstairs," Jongdae rushed as he went to me and steered me to the staircase.

The pink fluffed man stopped him. "Wait, it's better if he knows now because I can't be there for you when he bursts in your room to clean sees the ladybug over there trying to climb out the window"

"Baek, please not now! Maybe in a few hours when he isn't so --"

"Isn't so what?"

All three of us turned to find a blond man dressed in a black-suited business outfit. His sharp eyes glanced between Jongdae and Baekhyun who was trying to shield me away from his view.

"Tired!" Baekhyun blurted out. "We know how tired you get from work so we wanted to get out of the way and let you relax."

The one called Minseok clutched his jacket in his hand. "That doesn't matter because I clearly see the woman cowering behind you two.

"I don't know what I was expecting to see when I got Baekhyun's text about how Jongdae resigned from his mediocre job, maybe Baekhyun half-dead with Jongdae trying to kill him but it sure wasn't another mouth to feed" -- he sighed -- "The two better explain why Jongdae's weird obsession is here before I make sure both of you are half-dead"

Baekhyun shoved the brunet forward, urging him to explain.

Jongdae cleared his throat. "You know that job was only a source to get more information about her. I found a chance to get this whole thing over with so I decided I didn't need to be there anymore."

Minseok crossed his arms. "Still doesn't answer what I asked you"

"I'm getting there," he said. "This is the result from that chance I took. You know how impatient I can get so I quit, followed her and then kidnapped her"

The intimidating blond took in his words as he focused his eyes on me. He did a mini assessment like Baekhyun did but how he raked his gaze over my figure made me feel minuscule and beneath him.

"I see"

"There are no bruises, I checked," Baekhyun spoke up. "Well um, except for her wrist..."

I held up my wrists and saw a ring of purple going around my right wrist. A deep sinking feeling pitted my stomach when I realized it was from when Jongdae dragged me out of the mall in his iron grip. The mark of his hand was imprinted on my skin.

"That's careless, Jongdae"

"She was fighting me," he mumbled.

Minseok rubbed his temples. "You don't hurt things you like, especially not people"

"...I know"

"Okay. Why don't we have dinner first and then we can talk about this mess?"

Baekhyun already made a bee line to the kitchen so he could avoid having to witness Minseok's silent rage. His voice was called, "What does the lady like?"

I stayed silent.

"I'm making whatever we have, okay? If she doesn't like it, don't kill me."

I grumbled. "What makes you think I'll eat?"

Jongdae glanced behind me. "You'll eat"

'...I guess I'll eat'

#exo imagines #exo scenarios #cinnaminja spice

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