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starseed-twenty · 2 years

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🪐 Juno in the signs 💍

Juno, in Roman and Greek mythology, was the wife of Jupiter (aka Zeus), and she was hailed for her unbreakable loyalty to her husband. She's responsible for the pairing of soulmates.

In simple terms, Juno in astrology is known as an asteroid that represents marriage, commitment, and a deep bond to another person. Its energy is always exuded in matters of deep commitment, a marriage, or any long-term romantic union.

P.S. I just happened to make the 'What to be aware of' a bit of a drag 😅 #sorrynotsorry [And I made this a thread on Twitter @starseedtwenty. Follow for the earliest updates]

💍 Aries Juno 💍

What they want in a marriage: A long-term union that's fun, loving and fiery (and fiery doesn't mean explosive or full of drama, just lit and active). Just those 3 elements can make them feel comfortable, and perhaps committed. They like something where the night is full of passion and fireworks, and the day is full of touchy-touchy (jokingly or sensually). All round though, they want something wholesome and exciting that even in 20 years, they're excited to see you when they/you get back from work.

How they act in a marriage: Their love is pretty basic and standard but far from boring. They don't want anything boring, at all. If it does get boring, they're there to make it fun (but on the low, they want you to make it fun), if it still doesn't get fun, they'll ration it out with you, until you guys are on happy vibes again. If it's constant sad vibes though, it might be the beginning of the end for them.

What to be aware of: They can be pretty demanding. They are the type to test you or challenge you just to see where you stand or whether you'll also meet them at their level and challenge them/be smart. It's like love is sometimes a little chess game to them (in a good way, not in the way of playing games and being wishy washy), so they just wanna see if you can beat them at their own game. So they love a challenge. If you don't, walk away from them. If you like it, or feel like you can handle it, then stay. Oh and they're pretty fast-paced, so they move quick, if you're slow or you're not ready to move with their pace, don't bother.

💍 Taurus Juno 💍

What they want in a marriage: Something loving, reliable and full of beauty. Something that feels safe and stable, and romantically traditional. To some, what they envision and yearn for in a long-term union could be boring because it's much like a routine and pretty (repetitive/redundant), but it's what makes them feel secure, and that's all they want - security. Then additionally they want to feel relaxed, comfortable, and loved. That's all.

How they act in a marriage: They are very dependable, supportive and romantic omg. They give love in a headstrong way and commit to marriage like no other sign can, you can never say they betrayed you or you don't trust them, even if (depending on other placements) they're the type to act aloof. They just naturally know what marriage is and have no problem or any hard time being loyal in it.

What to be aware of: They can be pretty mundane and routine-orientated. If you're someone who likes things more crazy, or challenging, or unpredictable, or intense, don't hold your breath with them. They are not any of these things when it comes to marriage. If you are this type, you may consider them boring or underwhelming, but they love it because predictability gives them a sense of stability.

💍 Gemini Juno 💍

What they want in a marriage: An intellectual/mentally-stimulating union that mixes childish fun with old-age wisdom/intellect. A marriage that allows them to express all the babbles they want to say, as well as learn a lot from you and other things (they like to learn and know certain information, perhaps for future sake). They want to laugh with you, watch fun things with you, learn more about life with you beside them, and just overall explore things and explore you and your mind.

How they act in a marriage: They like a multifaceted energy in the union, which is then the type of vibe you could expect from them. Occasionally, they also like to babble about stuff that's on their mind, so you just be accepting and aware of that (the babbles). Be able to be their person they can bounce their ideas off of, or even better, communicate your ideas with them. I mean they do like to try things if we're being real. They also have a sense of duality so you can get the best of all worlds with them. Or none if they're not in the mood with you or just simply want to isolate. They choose their side depending on the day.

What to be aware of: Not necessarily that they're two-faced, but they do change their minds a lot, or just think about a lot of stuff, enough to dabble in all of them. So, if you're the type to be one-sided and dead-set on that side or expect them to be like that, don't bother with them. They like exploring (their mind, your mind, their inner self, their outer self) so you'd have to like their changeable nature if you want to last with them and have long-term union. Additionally, they are quite the talker, so the marriage would have to consist of a lot of communicating. Or else, it won't last.

💍 Cancer Juno 💍

What they want in a marriage: A long-term union that has proper care, love, emotions, loyalty, and devotion. They want a partner who will be there for them in times of distress, the same way they are to be there for you in bad times. They want a partner who will also treat them like a hidden treasure that needs to be protected at all costs.

How they act in a marriage: They are so gentle, and kind, and loving, and tender. They basically give a 'motherly love' (whatever their gender). One where you feel cared for by them and that you can call them when you're in a hectic situation or you're feeling sad. They're a long-term partner that supports your endeavors and wants to make sure that things are okay inside and out (basically that the household is also cared for).

What to be aware of: They have moments where can be pretty moody and demanding. In a lowkey way sometimes, they expect you to know what they're feeling and care about their feelings [all the time] and not be selfish or nonchalant. Funny thing is that they can be selfish or nonchalant sometimes though, so… just be prepared to deal with their fluctuating emotions (though they're not dramatic about them, at all actually, they're shy), and just handle them with care and respect. Other than that though, they're very caring, perhaps too caring for their own good (that they can even seem depressing from another person's pov) - so also beware of that.

💍 Leo Juno 💍

What they want in a marriage: Something passionate, and warm, and pretty sociable. Something where you guys are proud of one another and almost like you can brag about your guys' achievements to your friends. That's not the end-all be-all though, they want a long-term union that's fun, with occasional drama and child-like fun, as well as mature where you guys are emotionally supportive and ambitious towards each other's visions and goals.

How they act in a marriage: So… not necessarily that they act or want to be the star of the show, but they do want to feel like they really matter in your world, as well as be able to show you off to the world as well. So basically, they are very confident, and expressive, and pretty creative. And more than likely, their personality is them showing their best side 98% of the time. [Even in 50 years, you have a husband/wife you can be proud of] Unless you piss them off of course, then it gets really ugly.

What to be aware of: They have a side that doesn't care sometimes, but not in a bad way or as if they'll bluntly act like they don't care. They just know what to care about and what not to care about, and practically have 'out of sight, out of mind' subconsciously engraved in their brain. But it doesn't mean they're disloyal, not in the slightest, just nonchalant. [This is for those who want or expect them to care a lot or deeply all the time. Don't. They're okay with their nonchalant selves.]

💍 Virgo Juno 💍

What they want in a marriage: They want a long-term that is reciprocated, where both of you pour something into the marriage. Both of you guys pour out your love, care, trust, loyalty and generosity. And it is at a level that's not too dramatic, but not underwhelming or boring either. Just cool, calm and charismatic in a sweet way.

How they act in a marriage: They are highly dedicated and faithful, and work at pleasing you as their spouse, their eternal love, their life partner for the rest of their life. They can pick at you a lot jokingly, and annoy you in many ways, but this is all out of love to them. They never really want to upset you in deep ways, and if they do, they're quick to apologize, because they care about you. More than anything, they are devoted, attentive, logical and thoughtful in the ways to treat you as your spouse.

What to be aware of: They can be pretty nitpicky, and pretty pay too much attention to insignificant details sometimes. This is not always the case. However, they have a clear picture of what they want, and if they don't get it they can pretty iffy or act up in certain ways. If they are a bit more on the undeveloped side though, they can be selfless and too pleasing to what you want, which is what they think of as being a good spouse, to them.

💍 Libra Juno 💍

What they want in a marriage: They want something of a balance. And equality. They can be themselves outside of the marriage and not caged in, but they know they're in a commitment and act like it, and would hope you act like it as well. A long-term union that's a mix of traditional as well as new school. They don't necessarily want a marriage, but they want a union that kinda feels like a marriage (filled with respect, loyalty and generosity) but also modern with a twist of modern romance, sensuality and sweet passion.

How they act in a marriage: They're pretty basic [in a good way] with the way they love: communicating with you, showing you they care, going out if you want to, staying in if you want to, considering you when making decisions, being patient, and being faithful. And they're a ball of fun when they can be. I mean, it should probably be noted that Libra rules the 7th House in astrology, and 7H is about marriage and partnerships and one-on-one connections. So they're pretty good at the whole marriage/long-term union thing when they're serious.

What to be aware of: So uhm… they're indecisive as hell. And quite giving/accepting. A bit too much sometimes. [But that only really shows laater in the marriage. Not immediately]. It's as if they don't know what they're worthy of. So, that's something to be aware of before committing long-term with them. Basically if they love you, they are invested in this, so they end up being diplomatic, meaning they give their opinion/idea half the attention and the other half to yours. In the end, they become a bit indecisive, or giving towards you because they love you. [They can be selfish as well though. Don't think they won't be.]

💍 Scorpio Juno 💍

What they want in a marriage: Something desirable, powerful and deep [and occasionally intense]. They want something that speaks to their soul. They want to feel like they're cared for, and catered to, and deeply loved with every fiber of their being. That's what they want to feel within the marriage. What they want the marriage to look like is along the lines of sweet and simple, yet passionate and dirty with those who look closely enough.

How they act in a marriage: They are very private. They love intimacy, and depth, so they guard this beautiful thing they have with you with all they can. They can thus be possessive (or what they call 'protective') and very loyal. If they truly love you, they love you until time stands still. They don't turn back from the decision (or the feeling rather) of being yours forever.

What to be aware of: With their possessiveness, comes a lot of jealousy and some trust issues. They do want to learn how to trust and let you be however, but they also don't want too many people coming too close to you or acting too friendly (or 'flirty'). As private as they are, if there's anything the world should know, it's not to come near their partner. Also, they can be pretty guarded and it can take them a whiiile before they let their guard down layer by layer, because they don't really trust easily. So if you're not willing to be patient and loving and consistent with them, then just walk away.

💍 Sagittarius Juno 💍

What they want in a marriage: Something that's larger than life. A long-term union that feels so fun, vibrant, passionate, cool and open-minded. Sag is an optimistic sign, and a sign that likes to explore, so they want something that makes them feel like they can explore on this - whether it's the romantic connection you have, or you, your mind, your body - they want to look in and feel what's going on. Their optimism also makes them prone to looking at the bright side on things, which is what they'd want from you. If you're more on the negative side or like to complain or look back on things in a sad/bad way, that bores them.

How they act in a marriage: A marriage where there is a lot of freedom (not enough to disrespect each other but the kind where you can say, do, feel whatever and express it easily to each other and you guys respect each other's opinions, actions and feelings) is what they want. So they want to be able to easily express themselves and for their partner to also be an expressive and liberated person. The long term union itself also has to be liberating and full of creating memories, that even in 30 years, you guys laugh at the dumbest things, or are willing to try new things.

What to be aware of: They are probably the last on the list of signs that understand or even care about marriage lol, but that does not mean they hate it or don't want it. It just means the traditional idea of marriage must be mixed and shaped and drizzled a bit with a mix of the new age way of a long-term union. Because the old-school of 'you do the chores, I go to work, I come home, we sleep' grates their tits/nuts. Sooo… if that's the case with you, beware of them [gradually] disinvolving themselves from the union.

💍 Capricorn Juno 💍

What they want in a marriage: They want a long-term union that's [stable] and organized. Something that makes sense and makes them feel like 'you're here for a long time, not just a good time'; not something complicated, and full of games, and in and out or wishy washy. They want something that has a direction and committed movement. Before even the marriage though, they want to feel like this something worth working towards (which is why they also have high standards). They lay that foundation by being good, respectful partners while you are still in relationship phase with them.

How they act in a marriage: Capricorn, as a sign, has this authoritative approach to things, so having Juno here, they make for a spouse who knows how to take charge or let you take the lead and back you up respectfully. They can also be very intelligent/wise (mentally, financially, emotionally) and fairly mature. They also have a way of thinking very long-term, which is why they're able to stay within the marriage because they want to see the reality of being with you, living with you and being 70+ and still married to you.

What to be aware of: For those who don't get them, they can be a bit boring, but it's in a way that is mature, not in a that they aren't interesting [because for many people, their version of fun is rather youthful and living in a YOLO way - they're not really like that (depending on other placements though)]. Then also, being ruled by Saturn, they can be quite pessimistic or just hard on themselves or other people. This can bore the hell out of someone who likes things lighthearted and fun.

💍 Aquarius Juno 💍

What they want in a marriage: A long-term union where there is a sense of individuality, and not something where you are engulfing them and making them your world and they should make you their world (anything that feels like co-dependency). They want partner who is unique and who can be both their best friend as well as their husband/wife. And a marriage where you guys respect each other's place in your lives, as well as respect each other's opinions and ideas and are expressive of them. Also something where you follow through with any visions you guys have.

How they act in a marriage: One thing they know very much how to do and will do is treat you like an equal, but here's the thing - their 'equal' isn't ordinary, it's out of this world, and you guys both share this vision and therefore treat each other equally. They want something extraordinary, beautiful, cool and eye-catching, something along the lines of 'goals'. You guys are just 'thee couple' to your friends. Even in 50 years, people can still say 'wow, they had such a cool marriage'. So they act like 'that person 😎' and want you to act and see yourself like 'that person 😎' as well, and you treat each other that way.

What to be aware of: They can seem pretty detached or aloof. They don't mean to seem that way, cause it could be far from what they're feeling. But they just have this vibe of caring about you through words, but very, very chilled (almost cold even) with their actions. It does not mean that they don't care. I repeat, it does not mean that they don't care. They are simply shy/coy and are willing to let you take the action the most. Or they're just warming up to you, because in due time, they do becoming more attached and loving.

💍 Pisces Juno 💍

What they want in a marriage: A long term union where they feel truly cared for, understood, and purely loved. Something that's spiritual and out of this world, that consists of caring for each other until the moment that last breath is taken. Something gentle and generous, and contains all five love languages. They don't want something too strict on how they should think, or act, or feel, or speak, but something free and feels almost imaginary by how good it is, yet it's real.

How they act in a marriage: The thing about the sign Pisces is that they look at the bigger picture and look at it with rose colored glasses, so having Pisces in Juno of marriage, they tend look at the far, far future and the beauty of it, so they don't mind the bad little things of the small picture (the present) and just overlook them because since they love you, they will focus on the bright side. Which can then make them quite forgiving (a bit too much sometimes).

What to be aware of: They are very sensitive. Sometimes unnecessarily, but only because they care a lot. They are also pretty idealistic and imagine a load of stuff, much to not see things with a realistic eye, so they eventually end up seeming self-centered and delusional. Cause they have their own idea, and end up forgetting about the truth and reality. It's both good and bad though, not entirely bad. They basically have a beautiful, creative mind & heart. But the downside is that they're either naïve, or selfish because they don't want to listen to what you have as an idea, even if it may be the truth.

[Can apply to sidereal Juno as well]

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spacexseven · 1 year

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oooo a demon au! I like it! question, do you think demon chu and daz would be content with just tormenting darling for the rest of their days and leaving it at that, or would they want the relationship to... progress, at some point? like I feel like this can go one of two ways 1) demon yan just wants to torment their little human until they break and then move on or 2) demon yans possessive feelings take a more romantic, softer (soft used VERY generously here) note and they move onto courting practices. of course demonic courting is objectively terrifying and you probably won't realize that's what they're even trying to do but, you know. modern dating, amirite? I could see dazai specifically learning about what marriage is from watching your TV unsupervised and becoming VERY taken with the idea. chuuya would probably think it was stupid, he doesn't need a RING or a damned PRIEST to stake his claim on you! (though, maybe you'd appreciate the effort? hm... much to consider)

or maybe it'd be a mix of both, or a secret third thing I haven't thought of yet!

also what kind of demons do u think the boys are? dazai is giving me incubus vibes from the way you've written him so far but I can also see him being very torture-oriented, maybe even some kind of eldritch monstrosity entirely in his own league. demon!dazai saying he wants to lock you up in his little torture hell dimension for all eternity and thinks he's VERY romantic for saying it too! mmmm chuuya would definitely be a much more powerful sort than one might intitally assume. has a very large sphere of influence, possibly even his own cult (that might cause issues for you down the road). who knows!

- 🩹

cw: yandere characters + themes, implied imprisonment, mentioned murder and violence, chuuya has a cult

i like the sound of chuuya having a cult of fervent worshippers; since he's so well known and revered for his strength and his power, it would make sense as to why someone decided to curse you by tacking him onto you. it was obvious that under normal circumstances, you'd have been devoured by the demon by now.

speaking of cults, you're shocked at first to know that he has one. chuuya tells you he doesn't care for his human worshippers (does that mean he has demon worshippers, too?) but it's somewhat true that fear is power for him. he doesn't care about their antics, but he was pleasantly surprised to see them offer sacrifices and relics to him (though he doesn't mention the first to you, knowing how...weak human hearts are)

he doesn't take you to see it, of course, unsure of whether his worshippers would be happy to see you by his side, or feel offended that he had to be tied down to a human. of course, he was ready to slaughter them all at a moment's notice if you would feel better about it, but you seemed appalled by the suggestion.

for the most part, he's definitely a lot softer than dazai. sure, he has a better understanding of human relationships, having mingled more with people than dazai, but it doesn't mean his understanding isn't skewed. chuuya thinks that kidnapping a priest will mean that your wedding will be recognized by the divine law, and he doesn't know why you'd be upset when he offers you the corpses of every person who's ever slighted you as a wedding gift.

putting dazai with a human is the worst thing to ever happen because he has no understanding of how humans work. why are they so weak, and small? why are they so frightened by everything? why are they so preoccupied by that strange box with flashing lights??

initially, he's all about making your life a literal living hell. he almost felt embarrassed that you of all people summoned him, to be honest, and he takes it out on you. since you were able to bring him here, stupid human, you should be able to keep him as well! but as we've discussed, his torment turns into something strange. it's thanks to human technology that dazai learns that humans like when a potential partner brings them gifts and helps them out, so when he sees you suffering trying to finish all your work, he happily burns down the pile of paper and brings you the ashes in a little jar he made the other day. oh, and they like verbal assurances and physical affection? dazai is always cooing at you about how smart you are for a human, and then proceeds to literally wrap himself around you and pet your hair.

god forbid he decides to surprise you with a visit to his home. while he promises you that you'll just love his majestic castle, you don't expect to be shown a very...in-depth tour of his torture chamber as well. and then he grins at you and says that he'll love for you to stay with him longer, all the while holding his one-of-a-kind, custom made blade in one hand.

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streets-in-paradise · 5 months

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Nightfall Enchantress - Dastan x (Fem)Servant!Reader

Requested by Anon

" hi hi, loved loved loved the Dastan fic btw. Was wondering if u could write another Dastan fic but with a maid who has a fake scar on her face that she puts on in the morning to prevent ppl taking advantage of her and Dastan sees her without it. tytyty and ty especially for writing for Dastan 😭 "

Hi! Thank you so much again for your sweet message and I hope you will enjoy this one too 😊

Warnings: AU were Tamina married Tus, the reader is her handmaid. ( Since Alamut has excellent make up artists, i thought introducing her like this would be great for the specific plot of the request) Fear of sexual assault experienced as a woman in the defeated side of war, reader is particularly sensitive about it because of her backstory.

Summary: After the persian invasion, your princess finds herself circunstantially forced to accept the marriage proposal of the eldest prince. Following her as loyal servant means you would be working for a different family and you are unsure of the protection they can grant you. By choice and chance, your kind encounters with the youngest prince start to modify your perception as he would try to show you that you have nothing to fear.

Note: This partially ignores the bigger conflict of the film. i'm borrowing the context it introduces as framework to develop a different thing.

Tags: @thorssweetheart

Orders were very clear and in any other situation, you would have fullfilled those with dedicated rigurosity. Tamina was sumitting the enemy to a proof of character, even during sujugation her wisedown exceeded.

Persians were threatening her life and that was an exception you couldn't tolerate, so you screamed against the sentence demmanding your princess' blood for the negatory to a political marriage to their future king. The loyal display of desperated concern deviated the attention to you for an instant.

" Eager to share her fate, girl? " Prince Tus mocked you, condemning the interruption. " The princess has choosen pride to be her demise."

Surprisingly for him, the extention of the threats managed to break her haughty resistance.

" STOP!!" She screamed, her tone yet sounding slightly softer. " ... She is like a sister to me."

Confussion awakened his curiosity, desire and greed probably mixing to the unexpected fact being revealed to him.

" Sister, you say? Well, that changes everything!" He sarcastically proclaimed, obtaining laughter from his crowd of soldiers. " If she is as fine as you, more than one arrangement can be made. "

In a matter of instants you were dragged closer so the Princes of Persia could inspect you, Tus presenting you to his brother as if you were a stolen item possibly about to be offered.

" Check her out, Garsiv. "

Excitement overcame the hot headed persian, lascivious smile on his face as he felt so close to possessing a smiliar beauty to take as wife. The claims of the princess made them mistake you for a noble and the richness of Alamut was such that you weren't distinguishable from one to the persian eye. Despite your looks were humbler than Tamina's, you were in all white and cloaked as most of the people from the temple.

A wiser observator could have realized that your clothing style matched with the princess' because you were her handmaid, her company servant, but there wasn't a single well oriented mind there other than hers.

Details were in his way to get a full visual. The hood had the covering support of your long, voluminous hair at the sides of your face. It was clear that Prince Garsiv wasn't precisely a patient man, but he paid the price of his arrogant approach. Once the hood fell back, abruptly and by his own hand, he stumbled with some unexpected imperfections.

A huge scar on the left side of your face going from your forehead to your chin, deforming what otherwise could have been a beautifull face. Your hair acted as curtain trying to cover most of it, but in his avid examination the prince made it fall back for full exposure.

The result wasn't of his liking,

" … Maybe Dastan would rather have her. "

More persian laughter followed his despective comment, but that didn't hurt you in the slightlest. In fact, you looked proud of humilliating the enemy by subverting his expectations.

Checking on the reactions you got with a satisfaction that was beyond their understanding, you noticed at least one man in the crowd not joining the mockery. Your glance collided with Tamina's in his direction for completely different reasons.

You were staring at him while she saw the dagger and wherever the sacred object would go, she would follow.

" Prince Tus … " Tamina called, her tone making him suspect a reconsideration. " Promise that the people of Alamut will be treated with mercy. "

The eldest prince seiled the agreement kissing the back of her hand with agressive passion, gesture that you found repulsive. While Garsiv was quite amused with your disgusted reaction, you barely cared because your eyes were following the sad confussion of the man keeping the dagger.

Most handsome man you have ever seen.

For a brief instant, his eyes found you and you smiled instinctively.

" I guess we still have to figure out what are we going to do with you. " The voice of Garsiv brought you back from the distraction. " I'm not sure you are Dastan's type."

He referenced the scene you both witnessed, the shade of dissapointment on the prince's face when comfronted with the beauty of the princess at the same moment it was clear that she would never be his.

The sad man was his youngest brother, the one to blame for the fall of the city.

" Actually, i'm her handmaid. We grew up together so i'm also like the sister she never had. " You clarified, pridefully. " One fact doesn't exclude the other, my blood doesn't matter when it comes to our affection. "

" Tamina must have had a solitary life here, i bet Tus will fix that. " He concluded, then proceeded to comment regarding the strange family bond " And I understand that better than what you imagine, girl. My little brother doesn't share my blood. "

Even if he wouldn't want you for himself, he was sure you could get along well with his adoptive brother. Despite it was most likely you were going to remain as handmaid of the bride after the wedding, your company could provide him comfort through the situation. While Garsiv just wanted to cheer up his brother, Tamina had her own private interests involved to consent your kind approach to him. His trust could grant her access to the dagger and you knew she wasn't going to toss aside her pride to win it.

Aside from all the interests involved, the first close encounter happened spontaneously. The melancholy in Dastan's heart was evident to anyone with a sensitive perception and despite all the destruction he caused, it sadden you.

The very first thing you did as soon as you were left alone with him was gifting him a small white flower you kept hidden in your outfit.

" For your heartbreak. " You explained while posing it on his hand. " If it works as consolation, I know Tamina well enough to grant you that she doesn't want him. Prince Tus is still unaware that he will have to prove his worth to her through the marriage if he really wants to get something out of it, and she is very demmanding. "

You managed to make him chuckle.

" I appreciate this, but my brother's marriage shouldn't be of my concern. " He pointlessly denied. " … And your princess is insufferable. "

The efforts for hidding his true opinion of the matter were slightly cute.

" Peraphs, to you, but she is beautifull. That's really all men need to loose reason. " You called him out. " Beauty turns men into beasts, brothers into enemies. It's a curse in disguise, they go blind of desire. "

He quickly noticed how your phrasing posicionated you as self perceived outside the concept.

" … And I suppose you think yourself beyond that. "

" Less gracefull girls don't have to worry about that. " You inmediately explained. " As a royal maid, it's a blessing. "

Unlike his brother, he understood exactly what you meant.

Wisedown of the streets, far away from the narrowed vision on a noble warlord's mindset.

" Less men inclined to annoy you and possibly hurt you. " Dastan continued, proving that understandment." … Or attention coming only from the ríght man. "

You weren't expecting that, too wise for a persian prince.

" I'm hideous and, for so, safer than my own princess. There are no arrogant warriors seeking to take advantage of me."

"Allow me to return the kindness you had with me, you aren't as repelling as you pride yourself in being. " He purred, sweetly approaching to caress your face. " I don't think this is a problem."

You shunned his touch with despair, terrified of it.

" I grant you that I'm nothing like those men. " He clarified, then smiled before proceeding to do what he considered was comforting you. " I could never hurt you ... and why would I do that? After you have been nothing but kind with me for no reason. I invaded your city and you gifted me a flower, it makes no sense in the sweetest way."

"Even enemies can show respect." You concluded. " And I firmly believe that simple acts of kindness can twist fates for good. "

For some reason you couldn't yet understand, your words seemed to had hit him deep.

" Me too." Dastan replied right away. " I'm pretty much the living proof of your philosophy, believe it or not."

You smiled and looked down for an instant.

" Your methods go against the persian warfare style, that's for sure. Sneaking inside the city instead of going for a direct clash? You fight like a greek."

He laughed, full loud chuckles that time.

" You can consider that kindness. " He explained later. " The attack that my brothers planned was going to be a massacre, so what I did was stopping it the only way I could."

Dastan sounded sincere and you knew he was, because he had no reason to seek impressing you. As far as you knew, his imposibility to marry Tamina darkened the triumph in his heart.

" I see you are not like them." You admitted out loud. " That's why I feel the treasure may be safe with you for now, as long as you don't let it fall in the wrong hands."

" You mean in Tus's hands?" He wondered out loud. " Are you trying to turn us against each other for your princess? "

You laid your hand in his, the one that still held your flower.

" You have good hands, strong enough to take a life but guided with the wiseness to spare it ... No hunger for unecesary slaughter."

He was enjoying the attention, you could tell he was flatered. When he noticed your glance descending, checking his frame, then stopping right at his hips he was full of himself thinking you were enjoying of the sight.

" The dagger in your belt is an ancient relique, keep it safe. "

Dastan didn't catch the full dimension of your warning, but the brief time you shared did manage to make him feel better. His best friend catched him smelling the flower and twirling it on his fingers a while after you circunstantially parted ways.

He did tease him over it, but believing it was a token of Tamina.

All what was left to secure the political marriage Tus seeked with her for not so political reasons was waiting for the arrival of King Sharaman. According to the estimations of Lord Nizam, the father of the groom was close and any matters of that sort had to be arranged by him. His blessing would determinate which one of his sons would marry the princess, not that she seemed convinced by any of them.

As a protective friend, you would advice the youngest was the best option. Not only he was keeping the dagger, you were rooting for him already. However, the fact that you started to like him made things difficult. It could be said you had trapped yourself in the very same situation Dastan was going through, only your case was considerably more hopeless.

Two persian princes trying desperately to avoid fighting for the princess of Alamut was one thing, but her handmaid laying eyes on one was simply unforgivable. The transgression it meant didn't matter to you as much as the breaking of your pacted scheme with Tamina to survive the fall.

It was too risky, you were safer the way you planned it. Even if you could make Dastan want you, it could only be for the only thing somewhat allowed between masters and servants. Once his fun with you would be over, every other man in the persian court would want to try you. Being a royal handmaid in Alamut implied being submitted to high standards, your purity was as unquestioned as the princess you served.

Before their invasion got to happen, you ratified her that you preferred death to persian hands and you intended to stick to that promise. Continuing your life of maiden away from the temple, watching her become a wife and remain by her side was what you had to do. If she had to marry Tus, then you were going to serve a persian family following the code of conduct established by the noble traditions of your city.

If she had to marry Dastan, your heart will break just a bit, but your goal of remaining intact would be stronger than ever. Invisible, undesirable to persian eyes, you were not only safer but way more usefull to the interests of your people and their sacred mission that couldn't be interrumpted.

The main supply for your facade was still inside the temple, left behind accidentally in the confussion. Nightfall had made you aware of that, when your dear friend helped you to clean up your face for a proper rest that was circunstantially delayed. Sneaking in hopes of recovering the valuable loss was the only solution, since it was most likely that persians already pillaged all the storages. The place was under their control, so reaching the temple unseen was nearly impossible.

Not to you, or at least you thought so.

In the middle of the road you wanted to move forward, but someone made it impossible. Dastan, pretending to just be going for a walk, was clearly awaiting for the end of your day serving the princess. You weren't scared anymore, but that didn't mean you wanted him to see your clean face.

Twice he begged you to stop and you acelerated the pace, but there wasn't going to be a third one. His strong arms trapped you and stopped your every movement for an instant before you began to struggle.

" Calm down!" He exclaimed prior to defending himself. " I'm not going to hurt you, i just want to talk. "

You believed him, but that didn't make you stop.

" Not a good time, let me go. "

Dastan held you tíght, making you perfectly able to feel his body against yours even if he didn't seek so.

You were like a precious load, not a prisoner. The struggle turned out in his favor on the worst possible end: your hood fell back. Exposed once more, you could only look at him with a wondering expression.

Inmediate mesmerizement was what he felt looking at your real image for the first time, he simply couldn't believe his eyes. His lips parted with pure amazement, to what you were only smiling innocently as if you tried to excuse yourself from the scheme.

What kind of miracle was he witnessing? Not only your scar was gone, your face looked completely different. The sweet woman he had already considered quite pretty regardless of her specifical flaw was in fact a divine beauty, her natural grace had nothing to envy in Tamina's.

" I hope you won't believe now that i'm a desperate slave girl. " You recalled, aware of the princess comments on who she imagined were the girls that Dastan preferred. " I didn't meant to be seen like this, even less by you."

Dastan wasn't thinking clearly, bitting his bottom lip furiously as if he intended to keep his mouth shut before he could try to kiss you.

" You are … breathtaking. " Was what he finally managed to say. " The most beautifull woman I have ever seen. "

It made you smile, then look down ignoring that the shying gesture would make your eyes land on his chest giving the compromising position.

" It's a secret, one more i'm asking you to keep. " You started to explain. " Only the priests and my lady have seen me like this. "

The revelation was a bit frustrating to him.

"How? Why?" He wondered out loud. " That's so unfair … you are so beautifull I could cry! "

Although you tried to keep serious, you couldn't help chuckling.

" It's a long story … "

He wasn't going to leave you untill his curiosity would be satisfied.

" I have all the time in the world. "

" Remember what I told you, about the dagger? " You attempted to approach the topic from an already established point. " There is real magic in Alamut, that we can sometimes combine with other great skills we have developed. Among other things, the city has excellent artists of the appearance. Tamina's looks are a reflect of that, the religious symbols on her skin are painted every single day and removed by nightfall ... and so do my scars. Experts of all sort downgrade my looks into what you have meet."

" Under your princess orders, surely. " He wrongfully accused. " I bet that arrogant spoiled girl can't handle having a servant as beautifull as her. In my humble perception, peraphs even more. "

You couldn't let him trash the reputation of your beloved princess.

" It's not what you think, Tamina has been wonderfull to me all my life. There has never been any sort of envy between us, she is my protector. "

" She forces you into a disguise because her beauty reflects her nobility and yours can't question it. " He insisted. " Not being born a noble doesn't erase the fact that you have the face of a princess and the heart of one. "

" You don't know what you are saying, I submit myself to it willingly and I have valid reasons to do it." You cutted him off. " I don't expect you to understand it, even when you seem more open than your brothers."

He lifted your chin so your eyes won't escape his.

" Then explain me, because without it, this seems an act of cruelty from the princess and i believe it needs to end. "

You tried to escape from his touch once more, out of shame regardless of your enjoyment.

" Alamut thrives to stay pure, away from any sort of corruption, but years ago an execrable act was commited on its holy ground and i'm its product … My mother commited suicide after giving birth, she couldn't stand the shame, and I became an orphan. Kindness stopped the regent from abandoning me to the fate of orphan girls outside the citadel, of ending up just like my mother."

Dastan knew what you were talking about, girls living in the streets would sooner or later get sold to brothels. You were born from rape and feared that as a mark of fate chasing you.

" The priests consulted the omens and they were amazed. They recommended I should be given to the princess to flourish with her because they knew that I would become an exceptionally fair girl. My innocence was proven in that prophecy, believing beauty was a sign of blessing showing the gods weren't blaming me for what happened. "

" I could totally believe you were blessed by your gods." He sweetly praised you. " I still don't understand how you weren't made a princess."

" The royalty of Alamut is strictly dynastical because it's the sacred keeper of a mystical secret. " You simply explained. " They didn't need to make me one of them in order to protect me."

" I'm an orphan made prince, the king gave me a family after watching me save my friend." He pridefully confessed you. " He could have made me Garsiv's servant, but he didn't. I'm a prince, his son, and his birth sons are my brothers."

" I'm a handmaid loved as a sister of the princess and that's enough for me. " You concluded. " When we realized we weren't little girls anymore and the eyes of men started to turn on us, Tamina promised me she wasn't going to let me suffer desecration. Together we elaborated this scheme. I have been wearing the fake scar since then, but I have asked to be made uglier on purpose when your army arrived to our gates because I knew your savages would end up fighting over who should steal my purity. Even without her artists, Tamina can still help me to create the disguise, but I need the supplies that were abandoned on that temple or otherwise all the persians will see me like this tomorrow morning"

There was real desperation in your voice tone at the end of your tale and it broke his heart.

" No more hidding. You won't need that anymore, because now I'm promising you that the bastard trying to lay a hand on you will fall by my blade "

He took your hand and kindly kissed your knuckles: a deal of prince.

" Would you protect me from your brothers? Or your friends? "

The mere implications were incredibly misguided.

" They are all good men, you just have to give them time and a little bit of trust. I know the enforced marriage on your princess doesn't make Tus look good, but he isn't like that. Neither are Garsiv, or Bis. If you trust me, you can totally trust them."

" I didn't trust you this willingly." You reminded him. " It was an accident."

"For much you struggled, I could tell you feel safe in my arms." Dastan commented, sensation that you shared. " And that is alright, the tragedy of your family is not a birth curse forcing you to hide from the world. We make our own destiny, my fair friend. "

The persian prince craved to kiss your lips, but he self restrained and kissed your forehead instead. Chaste display of his growing, intense affection on tone with the conversation. He liked you and could tell you felt the same, but rushing steps was counterproductive.

If he wanted to do things right, he had to start by making you feel safe beyond the promise of physical protection. He had to show you there was nothing to fear because, once living among them, the fierce persians weren't precisely the rouge barbarians in your nightmares.

On the next morning, you were cassualy re-introduced to everyone. Dastan asked you to accompany him on a walking tour arround the place in your role of local that knew the new territory better than him. During the occasion you told him bits of the local legends, and the saftest part to share of what you knew about the dagger hoping the fading of his skepticism would make him able to understand he had to give it back to Tamina.

She would get it as a wedding gift, he assured you, implying his intentions with her were over.

Your return granted a good oportunity to put his idea on practice, since Bis was already desperatedly looking for him under orders of the princes. When they looked at you, the three men were wondering if the thirst of battle had severely modified their perceptions the day before.

" Garsiv! So nice to see you, my brother! " Dastan saluted him, about to friendly mock him. " I accept your offering, the royal handmaid of Alamut is the finest company arround."

" What kind of sorcery is this? " Tus asked for him. " Her face is flawless."

" Cosmetic art, only applied in reverse. During daylight I show myself in disguise and the secrecy of night reveals my true face. " You defended yourself, ignoring the magical aspects in the questioning. " I turned myself undesirable to escape your men, but your clever brother discovered the scheme and this is how I really look like."

The regret on Garsiv's face was a perfect parallel of his initial dissapointment.

" You beautifull deceiver, i'm bafled. " He replicated in a slightly huskier tone." Is it too late to correct my mistakes? "

You answered with a cordial smile.

" The humilliation didn't hurt me in the slightlest, it was exactly what i wanted. Your disdain convinced your soldiers of staying away from me, I played you … Why should I be upset? "

The answer pleased him.

" If you put it in those terms, i guess you do believe in second chances. "

He was trying to keep it up with some uneffective flirting, but he wouldn't be the only one.

" My lord, with all the deserved respect, it's still important to remember she is beneath a man of your rank and prestige " Bis interrupted, then approached you. " Wouldn't you rather pick a humble man that would give you everything he has? Which isn't much, by the way, but for beauty like yours I would give it all. "

The surprise made you chuckle.

" Dastan should keep her, he discovered the secret. " Tus commented, amused by the situation. " Surprisingly, he is the only one she couldn't deceive. "

" Stop, all of you, before you start scaring her for real. " The youngest prince complained, then redirected his attention to you once more. " Still afraid, my nightfall enchantress? "

The threatening aspects had faded, at least two persians had humilliated themselves for you.

" Not so much, I believe peraphs we had mutually misjudged. "

Dastan had the last word, and his reason was the most convincing of all.

" I never did, I thought you were beautifull from the beggining. "

#prince of persia #prince of persia:the sands of time #dastan #jake gyllenhaal #dastan x reader #jake gyllenhaal x reader

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gatheredfates · 18 days

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KORET SWAN.

Nickname: Kor. Generally only reserved for people she knows well, otherwise it's Koret or Captain. Age: Mid-thirties. Nameday: 32 Sun of the 5th Umbral Moon (All Saints Wake) Race: Mix-race Ala Mhigan Highlander (on her father's side) and Limsan Midlander (on her mothers). Gender: It's complicated. I could write an entire essay about Kor's perception of gender and where she fits in it but that would take up 90% of this mini dossier. However, to keep it brief: Kor is unsure if her desire to abandon her femininity is due primarily to her father's distain of it or that she simply does not see herself as a woman. There are times where presenting masculine suits her, pronouns and all, until she suddenly feels alienated and abandons it altogether. There are times she feels she is everything and nothing at all. There are times were being a woman is a comfort and strength. She fits somewhere on the spectrum of gender fluidity, but she is constantly questioning her place and constantly feeling invalidated by the way her own mind undermines her when it comes to it. She is a pronoun because it is easy; she is not employed because she believes she is always female. If she could stop thinking about it altogether, she would do it in a heartbeat. Orientation: Bisexual, no preference. Profession: Captain of the Wolfsbane; a notorious galleon once commanded by her father, Dimitri. It was 'gifted' to her in a decrepit state when Kor was considered old enough to command.

Fleet Captain of her father's ships in his death, answering predominately to the thalassocracy of Limsa Lominsa when called upon - though she mostly ships goods for Firelight Trading Company.

Warrior of Light in the applicable verse!

PHYSICAL ASPECTS

Hair: A deep, wavy crimson, cut just above the breast. Kor will often plait it when she is working — if not cut it shorter altogether. See aforementioned gender grappling. Eyes: Amber. Her father's eyes. In her non-WoL verse, she lost her right eye in an altercation with @riftdancing's Blink after her father tried to pit her against the other woman and her forces. The loss of vision was a mercy to spare her life. Skin: Pale, closer to her mothers, though she tans without too much trouble. However, seeing much of her skin beyond her face is reserved only for those she trusts, as beneath her clothes her body is marred with scars and pock-marks from her father's abuse. There are callouses on her hands. Tattoos/Scars: See above regarding scars. She is considering adopting some tattoos in light of seeing Vamp and Rex's, but hasn't committed fully to the idea yet. FAMILY

Parents: Dimitri Swan, youngest in a family of Ala Mhigan men forced to watch their city fall. He abandoned his homeland quickly after revelations about the Garleans and the Mad King emerged and took to Limsa for promises of wealth and prestige. Fighting, bargaining, trading and even killing for what he wanted, he became a notorious figure within Limsa Lominsa — reviled and respected in turn —and was not one readily crossed. His desire for a true-born son to inherit his legacy was all-consuming and, ultimately, his undoing.

I haven't given a name to Kor's mother yet, but she was a pretty little thing Dimitri met one night in the Drowning Wench. He wooed her with promises of a luxurious life and the first few years of their marriage were unremarkable — primarily due to Dimitri being constantly at sea. However, when she failed to produce a living heir after two daughters and numerous miscarriages/stillborn children, his opinion of her soured. She died when Kor was thirteen of a 'mysterious illness', though she maintains her mother simply gave up on life due to his ongoing abuse. In her youth, she hated her. As an adult, her opinion of her is complicated. Siblings: One full-blooded sister, Lily. Because I play hard and fast with character ages, and the canonical passage of XIV time makes no sense to me (and I don't subscribe to it), she died at the start of ARR. Whether that was one year, five years or anything in between... you tell me.

Kor is also aware she must have an innumerable amount of half-siblings due to her father's sexual appetite. Even when their marriage was good, there were always rumours he was taking women in far-flung ports — something he denied at first, but wholeheartedly used as a battering ram later as another blow to hurt his wife. It would bemuse Kor if he only shot blanks, but she's not an optimist. At this stage, none have come out of the woodwork and tried to communicate with her. Grandparents: She knows little about them. The ones on her father's side died during the fall of Ala Mhigo and the ones on her mother's she never learned anything about. Others: (God this is going to get so long).

To begin, Kor has a rather large extended family. On her mother's side, she has her cousin Paprika (played by @riftdancing). On her father's, she has Ashe and Eve. Dimitri tried to look like he was assimilating into Limsan society by taking on his wife's last name and abandoning his own, leaving Ashe with to carry the mantle of 'Hawke'. However, Kor was never close to any of them until adulthood.

In Ashe and Paprika's case, though they lived within the same city-state, Dimitri's iron fist over his family ensured Kor couldn't ask for help. They were also not really in a position to assist without inflicting his retribution onto them. Dimitri abandoned his brother when Ashe's father first arrived, and consequently isolated his wife from any contact with her family.

Eve didn't come into the picture until Kor was well and truly an adult. Ashe kept up with her via letters but, due to going due west to Thanalan with the other refugees, she was only able to escape her own captivity in her mid-twenties. They are incredibly distant for numerous reasons I won't get into here (because it'll be a novel).

Kor found a pseudo-father figure in my partner's character Rex, though she will not admit it to him directly. They came into contact through my character Crow (I enjoy all my characters being loosely interconnected), another fleet-captain hoping to push Dimitri out of the picture because he conflicted with her aspirations, and he quickly surmised her predicament through Crow's inference and Kor's eventual admission. His company is a second home to her, both metaphorically and literally these days.

Literally because she's dating one of the Head Mechanics — an Ala Mhigan man by the name of Vamp. This was another cheeky ploy by Crow to give Kor some connections to her homeland in the company of a man she knew to be gentle and kind; to the point she refused his charter from Limsa to Ul'dah, even if Rex was paying handsomely for the fare. Crow hadn't expected them to grow as close as they did... but she also won a bet, so that was nice. If she's in Firelight, she can be found in the workshop or the airship hanger keeping Vamp company while he works on Firelight's various vehicles.

Her relationship with Blink is... a thing. Don't quantify it. In another life, they're dating. In another-other life, one is dead by the other's hand. She's the embodiment of 'I fucked around and found out' — literally! What are they? Is she an ex, an enemy or something in between? Who knows! She calls her a friend these days. That's close enough.

You know who Kor's best friend is? She won't say it. It's Sarrai. Sarrai will happily say it, though. She'll sing it from the rooftops! She once asked Kor for her bones if she successfully died and the Captain was far too taken aback to say no. Dark humour wins again.

There's also some lore around her and my other best friend's OC Beau, but a lot of that is tied into Beau's WoL verse and makes it hard to properly quantify here without talking about that verse and making this post even longer. However, there's a lot of homoerotic tension. That's all you need to know. Same for the numerous connections she has with my friends' ocs at FTC and beyond. Most of them aren't active on tumblr but they know. They know. Pets: I jokingly have the Ugly Duckling out on Kor. She had a dog called Nipper in her WoW verse. Maybe she has a pet? Who knows.

SKILLS

Abilities: Kor is a captain. With that come a myriad of skills including, but not limited to: commanding a ship and reading the seas; diplomacy, negotiation and bartering; mastery over a myriad of weapons including a gunblade and a musket (I maintain Kor was a musketeer in ARR despite it being moved to machinist in HW); a depth of political understanding/manoeuvring; and a shit-tonne of luck. She also possessed the Echo, a 'gift' given to her the night her sister died. Hobbies: Kor is a workaholic. Down-time is few and far between, because it gives her too much time to think. However, she does enjoy reading for its escapism.

TRAITS

Most positive trait: I think it's her accountability. Kor doesn't like to admit she is wrong and doesn't like to look weak, yet she will grit her teeth and apologise eventually because she knows it's the right thing to do. She's also got mountains of endurance and will put her own life/limb on the line for her love ones because she knows she can take it. Most negative trait: Her melancholy. Kor is jaded from a lot of life's experiences, and this manifests in someone who is closed off, hostile and downright nasty when people push her too far. She battles with extreme suicidal ideation that can often make her endurance a detriment because she doesn't always care if she dies. Her father called her a dog for her bark but she's also known to bite.

LIKES

Colours: Navy blue, bottle-green and red. Smells: Sea-salt, brine and freshly-carved wood. Smoky cedarwood colognes and anise. Rum and other similar spirits. Coffee. Textures: Water, wool and steel. The feeling of wood beneath your fingers. Drinks: Hot chocolate.

OTHER DETAILS

Smokes: Frequently. It's her go-to vice, only because it has less 'negative' side-effects to alcohol. Dimitri was an alcoholic and Kor possesses his rage. She knows what she can be like when she drinks. Drinks: ...Semi-frequently. Just because she knows what she's like doesn't mean she won't partake, especially in times of turmoil and strife. These days she tries to drink sweeter things like mead and wine, rather than hard spirits/beer, because she finds she's more aware of how much she has drunk rather than losing herself to the bottle. Drugs: She's dabbled, but it's not for her. Kor has an addictive personality and wrestles enough with booze and tobacco. She doesn't need anything else. Mount Issuance: Does a ship count? I also fully believe that the fall of Garlemald has brought technological advancements to Eorzea and Rex would not have passed up the chance to build things like cars and motorbikes. If so, Kor has the latter. Been arrested: Sure! She's been drunk and disorderly and had a few nights in a Limsan gaol. That's kind of the part of being a privateer, y'know?

Tagged by: @sundered-souls — at least for this one! I'm going to try and do one character per tag. Tagging: @halikyon, @zylphiacrowley, @abracarabbit, @laurel-resting, @starforger, @corsair-kovacs, @cindernet-explorer & @eriyu! (provided you haven't done it already; if so, maybe an alt?) If you'd like a chance of being tagged, you can like my permanent interaction call here!

#｡･ﾟﾟ･ — sea speaks #｡･ﾟﾟ･ — 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫 : koret #｡･ﾟﾟ･ — sea answers things #｡･ﾟﾟ･ — character answers / memes #god i knew this was going to be massive for her and it's like #i didn't even include ~everything~#and it's still huge!!

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feminismisstillahatemovement · 2 months

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Google’s push to lecture us on diversity goes beyond AI

by Douglas Murray

The future is here. And it turns out to be very, very racist.

As the New York Post reported yesterday, Google’s Gemini GI image generator aims to have a lot of things. But historical accuracy is not among them.

If you ask the program to give you an image of the Founding Fathers of this country, the AI will return you images of black and Native American men signing what appears to be a version of the American Constitution.

At least that’s more accurate than the images of popes thrown up. A request for an image of one of the holy fathers gives up images of — among others — a Southeast Asian woman. Who knew?

Some people are surprised by this. I’m not.

Several years ago, I went to Silicon Valley to try to figure out what the hell was going on with Google Images, among other enterprises.

Because Google images were already throwing up a very specific type of bias.

If you typed in “gay couples” and asked for an image search, you got lots of happy gay couples. Ask for “straight couples” and you get images of, er, gay couples.

It was the same if you wanted to see happy couples of any orientation.

Ask for images of “black couples” and you got lots of happy black couples. Ask for “white couples” and you got black couples, or interracial couples. Many of them gay.

I asked people in Silicon Valley what the hell was going on and was told this was what they call “machine learning fairness.”

The idea is that we human beings are full of implicit bias and that as a result, we need the machines to throw up unbiased images.

Except that the machines were clearly very biased indeed. Much more so than your average human.

What became clear to me was that this was not the machines working on their own. The machines had been skewed by human interference.

If you ask for images of gay couples, you get lots of happy gay couples. Ask for straight couples and the first things that come up are a piece asking whether straight couples should really identify as such. The second picture is captioned, “Queer lessons for straight couples.”

Shortly after, you get an elderly gay couple with the tag, “Advice for straight couples from a long-term gay couple.” Then a photo with the caption, “Gay couples have less strained marriages than straight couples.”

Again, none of this comes up if you search for “gay couples.” Then you get what you ask for. You are not bombarded with photos and articles telling you how superior straight couples are to gay couples.

It’s almost as though Google Images is trying to force-feed us something.

It is the same with race.

Ask Google Images to show you photos of black couples and you’ll get exactly what you ask for. Happy black couples. All heterosexual, as it happens.

But ask the same engine to show you images of white couples and two things happen.

You get a mass of images of black couples and mixed-race couples and then — who’d have guessed — mixed-race gay couples.

Why does this matter?

Firstly, because it is clear that the machines are not lacking in bias. They are positively filled with it.

It seems the tech wants to teach us all a lesson. It assumes that we are all homophobic white bigots who need re-educating. What an insult.

Secondly, it gives us a totally false image — literally — of our present. Now, thanks to the addition of Google Gemini, we can also be fed a totally false image of our past.

Yet the interesting thing about the past is that it isn’t the present. When we learn about the past, we learn that things were different from now. We see how things actually were and that is very often how we learn from it.

How were things then? How are they now? And how do they compare?

Faking the past or altering it completely robs us of the opportunity not just to understand the past but to understand the present.

Google has said it is going to call a halt on Gemini. Mainly because there has been backlash over the hilarious “diversity” of Nazi soldiers that it has thrown up.

If you search for Nazi officers, it turns out that there were black Nazis in the Third Reich. Who knew?

While Google Gemini gets over that little hurdle, perhaps it could realize that it’s not just the Gemini program that’s rotten but the whole darn thing.

Google is trying to change everything about the American and Western past.

I suggest we don’t let it.

There was an old joke told in the Soviet Union that now seems worryingly relevant to America in the age of AI: “The only thing that’s certain is the future. The past keeps on changing.”

#douglas murray #google #racist ai #DEI

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nerdygaymormon · 8 months

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LDS LGBTQ Anniversaries for 2023

For 8 years I’ve been in charge of creating my stake’s calendar. In addition to stake meetings & activities, I include holidays and significant LDS anniversaries like when it was the 175th anniversary of the founding of Sunday School or 40 years ago priesthood and temple blessings were restored to members of African descent.

This year there's only 1 significant anniversary I put on the calendar: Sept 21st will be 200 years since the angel Moroni first appeared to Joseph Smith.

For readers of this blog, here’s a few anniversaries this year that may be of interest:

75 years ago

April 1948 - Gay BYU students Kent Goodridge and Richard Snow met with church president George Albert Smith. They were in love and wanted to get a clarification of their ‘status.’ President Smith treated them with great kindness and told them to "live their lives as best they could" in their companionship. They had gambled making this appointment and worried they could be excommunicated on the spot, instead they left feeling loved and valued.

Unfortunately, this live-and-let-live attitude didn’t last long as President Smith's successor, David O. McKay, felt homosexuals "should be excommunicated without any doubt, that the homosexual has no right to membership in the Church."

30 years ago

May 18, 1993 - Apostle Boyd K. Packer gave an address to the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve, and the Presiding Bishopric, in which he stated there are three great threats to the LDS Church: the gay/lesbian challenge, the feminist movement, and scholars

September - The September Six are excommunicated for publishing scholarly work against or criticizing church doctrine or leadership. This was widely reported in national press and resulted in a chilling effect on academics challenging approved church narratives

25 years ago

October - Mormon-raised Russell Henderson and his friend Aaron McKinney tortured Matthew Shepard and left him for dead in Wyoming. The shocking crime made international news. The outrage over this crime eventually lead to the Matthew Shepard Act in 2009 which expanded the federal law’s definition of “hate crime” to include sexual orientation and gender identity. In 2018, Matthew's ashes were moved to the Washington National Cathedral

15 years ago

Chieko Okazaki, the first person of color to serve in an LDS Church general organization presidency, was first counselor in the General Relief Society President when she published a book in which she wrote “A family with a gay child is not a failed family. It's a family with a member who needs special love and understanding and who has love and understanding to give back.”

California’s Prop 8 - Church leadership heavily encouraged members donate time and money to pass Prop 8 which would ban same-sex marriage in California. About 1/2 of the money raised for its passage came from Mormons. The proposition passed and immediately there were protests at temples in Los Angeles and Salt Lake City, and the church received a lot of negative exposure. Since then the church has preferred behind-the-scenes roles in its efforts to combat queer rights

10 years ago

Dec 20, 2013 - Same-sex marriages became legally recognized in Utah. Seth Anderson & Michael Ferguson, both former Mormons, are the first gay couple to get married in Utah

5 years ago

January 2018 - The documentary "Believer" featuring Imagine Dragon's lead singer Dan Reynolds premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Reynolds discussed the intersection of LGBTQ people in the Mormon community. Later in the year he appeared on The Ellen Degeneres Show and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and spoke of LGBTQ Mormons and suicides

January 2018 - Josh Weed, the most famous LDS gay man in a mixed-orientation marriage, announces that he & his wife will get a divorce. They apologize to everyone who ever had their story held up as an example that gay people can get married and stay in the Church.

February 2018 - Church-run Family Services states it no longer provides reparative therapy or sexual orientation change efforts

February 2018 - Richard Ostler starts a podcast called “Listen, Learn, and Love,” which has LGBTQ members/former members share their stories

March 2018 - BYU sponsors its first LGBT campus event, a panel of four students--Kaitlynn Wright, Ben Schilaty, Sarah Langford and Gabriel Cano–answer student-submitted questions

As president of the LGBTQAI+ and Allies Club, Jill Stevenson worked with administration at Southern Virginia University, a predominantly-LDS liberal arts college, to get the university to officially recognize the club, and to allow same-gender dancing on campus

June 2018 - The Church’s Family Search website starts allowing same-sex marriages to be recorded

July 2018 - The Provo Freedom Festival allows LGBTQ groups to participate in the parade due to a contract it had signed with the city of Provo which included a non-discrimination clause.

Dec 2018 - Stacey Harkey, a cast member on BYUTV’s popular show Studio C, comes out as gay

#queerstake

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