#sometimes I call Martin Mister positive

[lazymonth]

Martin Li AKA. Mister Negative the youngest crime lord

In Chinatown Martin is the owner of the F.E.A.S.T he is a very famous person and a lot of people know him as a rich philanthropist but that’s the only thing most people know. In the world of crime he is also known as Mister Negative, one of the powerful crime lords with his minion The inner demon. His power just likes his name. Negative power has the ability to switch people personally from good to bad or bad to good and he also can control people who get corrupted by the negative power too. It’s not all bad because on the Martin Li side he has a light power that can heal people even with cancer. All of this power is from the mystery antiques he found long ago when he was a child it’s more than just giving him a power.. it’s giving him a second personality it’s later on call himself Mister Negative

#marvel #spider sona #spider sona villain #design update #mister negative #martin li #inner demon #procreate #procreateart #procreatedrawing #drawing #sometimes I call Martin Mister positive #LOL #he’s another character with Dissociative Identity Disorder just like green goblin and moon knight in this universe #the full lore will come later (?) #maybe if I’m not forgot it

[joaquinbumblebee24]

Onslaught 3/11

A week and a half later, June 23, House packed his bag with Wilson’s help. They had been packing all day yesterday; their backpacks were brought to the brim.  Wilson overpacked; he wanted to make House comfortable. He and House had wanted to treat this trip as a vacation. While away for five weeks in the Philippines,  one week they would spend in the city of Clark in the province of Pampanga, two hours drive from the capital Manila. Then after the conference, the plan was to go backpacking across Luzon, one of the three main islands of the country.  

After the incident with his birthday House told Cameron that he was on the spectrum. The woman was on a hissy, half pitying and half freak out. She had almost blurted to a patient's father that Dr. House was autistic. Chase just removed her from the potential disaster on time.  

House was furious, and stress out. He finagled a five-week vacation from Cuddy. He told her about an offer for a research position at UCLA, and he was ready to take it. Wilson was willing to go with him. Cuddy was taken aback; she gave in without any fuss.

They took an Uber to the John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City. As soon as they were there, House’s nerves were shot to hell. He had taken his Luvox, which he only takes when extremely anxious.

“Greg, You okay?” Wilson asked while they walked to their gate. House put a hand on his ears, even though he has his noise-canceling headphones on. The airport was busy;  people were rubbing against him. House was on the brink of a meltdown. “Okay, Greg,” Wilson said dragging him to go to a bathroom.

As soon as the bathroom open House went inside a cubicle. Wilson followed him in; his partner was rocking back and forth. The oncologist slid down next to House and hugged him. The noise overwhelmed him, and too many people. Wilson knew this; He just stayed in the bathroom for thirty minutes. Luckily for them, they were an hour early.

After the meltdown ended, House felt humiliated. Wilson sensed this. “Hey?” Wilson said. “You don’t need to feel embarrassed, Greg. I love you.”

House huffed; he lost his words. As a child, whenever he had a meltdown, his Oma would know how to coax him, hugging him tightly.  “Jimmy, I’m fine,” House said, regaining his barrings.

Wilson blinked and handed House the cane.  He used a cane whenever they would walk far. His legs were easily fatigued due to hypotonia, which was related to the  Autism. They walked hand and hand; Wilson kept House’s guitar bag, it was the Martin LX1.

The next hurdle of this trip was the pat-down search. House past thru a metal detector fine; an agent stopped him. “Mister, where do you think you’re going?” The TSA agent asked.

House; oblivious to the sarcasm said. “To a medical conference in the Philippines, I’m a doctor.”

Wilson frowned. “Sir, please forgive him, he has Autism,” He said. The glare from House didn’t stop him. “He doesn’t understand sarcasm.” The statement was half correct. House could understand sarcasm when he knew the person speaking.

The TSA agent, a man asked. Are you his brother?”

Wilson glowered at him. “He's my husband.”

The TSA agent looked at House with disgust. Wilson sighed. “Where the hell is your supervisor? Because I won’t let you harass us for being gay. Being gay is not a crime.  I don’t know what you saw on him, but you are looking at the wrong person here. As he said, he is a doctor, not a terrorist. “ The agent looked humiliated.  

Wilson led House out to their gates. They sat at a frequent flyer lounge, Wilson and House were both frequent flyers. They flew at least once a month to go visit House’s 86-year-old Oma in Portland. While his parents settled in Eugine.

“Greg? You doing okay?” Wilson asked while they drink coffee.

House looked at him. "What do you think? You called me autistic in front of a bear;  I have no choice but to give a speech." He said, and his voice was bitter.

Wilson knew House. His spouse didn’t like it when people questioned their relationship, saying that because he had autism he didn’t know how to Love, romantically. “I’m sorry, I just need to get him off your back.”

House sighed. “I don’t want you to tell people I’m on the spectrum, James. It’s my business. “ He knew that House was upset when he uses his first name, not his nickname, ninety-nine percent of the time he was Jimmy to House or (Wilson at work.)

He knew not to argue with him; he was right. “Okay, I am sorry again.”

The overhead speakers announced their flight. They both got their backpacks, Wilson took the guitar, while House took his cane. They boarded the flight without any difficulties.

As they sat at first-class, House opened his laptop sleeve and got his MacBook Pro;  and began editing the speech, that Wilson wrote. While Wilson got to sleep.

The fifteen-hour flight was a success.

During the flight,  House played on his phone and iPad. While awake, Wilson researched  LGBT issues in the Philippines. Although there are no laws on the criminalization of homosexuality;  the country has no protection for being a gay man. According to his source, a nurse back in Princeton; "The Philippines is like the US in the ’90s. People in the country were more tolerant and accepting, though."

The plane touched down at Clark-Diosdado Macapagal International Airport. This was Wilson’s first time here in Asia; He and House had vacationed in Europe a bit.  They had avoided Asia and Africa for safety reasons.

“Jimmy, welcome to my home for five years.” Said House as he ordered a (Grab car) an Uber-like service in the country.

The Grab CAr arrived. As soon as they were in the got inside the car, House slumped in a seat. “Mabuhay, Welcome to the Philippines, My name is Carlos.”

Wilson looked at his partner for cultural guidance. “People in the country understands English pretty well, they had been learning it for years since Pre-School,” House told Wilson while slumping next to him in exhaustion.

“Okay, Carlos,” Wilson said. “What are the best places for food?”

The driver smiled. “There is the mall;  you can eat at some of our restaurants. First timer?”

Wilson smiled despite his exhaustion. “Yes, but my partner lived here when he was a teenager.”  

The driver’s smile was never faltered. “Where are you from?”

“We are from New Jersey.”

They arrived at their hotel. “If you want a ride, call me,” Carlos told Wilson in parting, giving him his personal number.  

Wilson booked a suite; at the Clark Marriott hotel. As soon as House saw their bed, he removed his blue Hershel & Co backpack and slumped to sleep. Wilson followed after a quick shower.

GH/JW

Hours later, It was ten in the morning they had arrived at 4AM. House woke up.  They needed to buy OTC medications.  They didn’t usually bring so many things, because he and that conveyor belt don’t mix. “Jimmy? You awake?” House asked, shaking Wilson. “Am hungry.”

Wilson  mumbled, “Greg, what time is it?”

House looked at the alarm clock. “ten-thirty. I‘m hungry.”

Wilson stood up and got his jeans from underneath the bed.

“Can we call for room service instead of going outside?” House asked,  getting his laptop from his bag.

Wilson most defiantly wanted to say no; Let's go outside and mingle in with the locals at the mall, but no, House needed to rest, for lunch, he would urge. “Okay." Wilson got the hotel phone. Then he asked as though forgotten. “What kinds of Filipino food do you eat when you were younger?”

House remembered the taste of one of the handfuls of mushy food he would eat, Kaldereta. Kaldereta was made of goat or sometimes beef with liver paste and tomato sauce. He’d love the beef version. “Kal- De- Re- Ta. Kaldereta.” When Wilson gave him a questioning look. “or Adobo.” He said the words with the correct accent.

“You call them yourself,” Wilson suggested. House looked at Wilson as if Wilson killed his puppy. Right, social anxiety, he thought. House swallowed nervously. “I won’t let you call them, okay?” Wilson was reminded; how House was in many ways a kid.

He dialed the number, “Do you have, Kaldereta or Adobo?” The staff on the other line answered an affirmative, “An order of adobo and kaldereta, please,  Rice?" House gave a big nod, he ordered rice too. “So what are we going to do today?” Wilson asked; when the phone call ended.

“Do some touristy things with you?” House said, peering from playing on his iPad.

They have watched CNN Philippines on the hotel’s flat-screen TV. It was an English channel but was geared towards Filipinos and what was happening in the country. “There is a freaking Typhoon,” House commented as he saw what was on the TV screen.

“Where is it headed?” Wilson asked.

“We don’t know yet,” House said, as he peered towards a half-opened window. Meteorology had been one of his obsessions growing up.

Their food arrived fifteen minutes later. House looked at his food, and the Kaldereta looked and smelled lovely. House tasted it; as soon as he tasted his food. He was brought back almost 30 years ago; in the same town, that was previously a military base.

Wilson was delighted to see him eat; House regularly didn’t eat, he didn’t like the texture, or the smell or its high caloric. His partner was closed to being too thin. “Greg, you really love it here?” He asked as he took a bit off his chicken adobo; it was really good.

House looked at everything, but not at Wilson. He is gearing up for a speech. “When I was eight, I was homeschooled because of autism. I was bullied. I was with Oma Abbigail in California, while mom joined father somewhere in South America. I didn’t come; it's too dangerous. When I got here, in Clark, knowing a few words of Tagalog.  I started in the third grade. They just put me on the fourth grade a month into it, After that school year I was entering the sixth grade.”

“Where I went to school was an international school, but 80 percent are Filipinos. Kids didn’t bully me, unlike that back in the states. They liked me, Here I was a Kano-puti or white American.” House said, touching the keyboard of his laptop repetitively.

Wilson didn’t know what to say. “I am sorry you went through that, babe.”

“Don’t be,” House said, making eye contact for the first time since the question started.

End of Chapter 3

#house md #house md fanfiction

[askdawnandvern]

A Lamb Among Wolves

Chapter Fifty-Two: Something Old, Something New

It was only after Dawn had twisted the key into the lock of mailbox number four-o'-five, and drew back the door did she realize just what a big mistake she had made. The edge of a stray letter sticking out between the seam of the box should have been a red flag; a warning telegraphing to the ewe to open the box with some degree of care. But the lull in overall mail over the course of the previous week had fooled the ewe into thinking the steady stream of fan letters had finally started to diminish, and in response, the ewe had grown significantly less wary and cautious when opening the box. Her guard had begun to slip, perhaps based on a maligned hope that the frenzy surrounding her and her mate was finally starting to die down now that the 'Last Night' case was beginning to fade from the imminent public consciousness.

Dawn's time spent under parole had afforded the ewe a great deal of privacy thanks to the various security provisions included in Zootopia's criminal rehabilitation and reintegration program. Her address, both when she lived alone, as well as when she  first moved in with Vernon, had been largely limited knowledge. The information was only divulged to those to whom knowledge of Dawn's whereabouts was deemed crucial, both for the sake of her own safety and security, as well as the safety of the public at large should she succumb to her previous criminal inclinations. The short list had included her parole officer Don Polaraski, the members of the parole board, key members of the Savannah Central ZPD, and finally, the Savannah Central post office. That was, of course, where the legal use of a 'cover name' was afforded to the ewe. This was the name the post office would be instructed to use for anything associated with Dawn's current address in order to help shield the ewe from harassment through the mail. Any mail received for 'Dawn Bellwether' would be written off as being delivered to a non-existent P.O. Box by the head of the office, but in actuality the mail would be rerouted and delivered in bulk to an 'Abigail Weathers' at the ewe's actual address. The end goal was to leave no mention of Dawn on the postal registry that could lead back to her actual residence should any mammal with a grudge try to dig it up.

Of course, getting that mail rerouted and delivered in the first place was easier said than done. Despite having the legal edict from the mayor's office, which was signed on by every member of the parole board as well as her parole officer, the mammals at the post office had absolutely refused to even handle her mail. Several mammals on the staff had even gone as far as threatening to burn any mail that they received under her name should it turn up at their branch. In the end, it took the a combination of Vernon's silent, but imposing presence, and Don's legal threats over Dawn's Carrot phone to force the few 'problematic' workers into complying with the law, albeit begrudgingly. Don had threatened the mammals that would be directly involved with handling her mail that they were not to so much as 'look at any of Dawn's mail the wrong way', or he would be more than happy to bring the full weight of the law down on ever single mammal working there. All the while Vernon stood in the background, maintaining the most menacing fanged smile he could muster. Looking back, the ewe knew it was rather petty to take such joy in the way the post master general seemed to tremble with each threat from Don or Vernon, but she was more than okay with that.

Of course, now with her parole being lifted in the wake of her 'heroic actions', the previous privacy curtain that was afforded by the cities rehabilitation program had not only been drawn back leaving her naked and exposed, but a blaring spotlight had been cast upon her, drawing the attention of the entirety of Zootopia and beyond. More eyes were on her now than during her career as Assistant Mayor, and perhaps even more than when she was an infamous criminal mastermind. In theory it should have been what she had always wanted: to be appreciated despite being so small and weak. No longer a mere shadow in the corner on the best of days or a punching bag for bigger mammals on the worst. Public opinion of the ewe had taken a near complete one-hundred-and-eighty degree turn overnight. In many mammals eyes, the ewe had managed to earn some form of renewed respect after what she had done for the city. So she could only imagine most would assume she should be happy to receive all the praise and attention she could possibly get, but in truth, the sudden surge of positive attention felt overwhelming at times, especially when it came to the getting her mail.

Dawn had only been out of the hospital for about three days when the first of the letters had shown up. She could never be sure exactly how much time had passed between her parole being 'officially' lifted, and how quickly her address began to disseminate into the public sphere, but checking Zoogle maps that day had revealed that her current address registered among the general listings. She could only assume someone at the post office had done it, perhaps as revenge for all the big talk and bluster from Vernon and Don, or perhaps because they, too, had a change of heart and generally thought they were doing a service.  Regardless, the information was out there. And as the days turned into weeks, and the information continued to spread despite their attempts to have it removed, the swath of mail arriving each day continued to swell well beyond the capacity that her and Vernon's little post box could feasibly hold. Fan mail from mammals of every size, filled with pledges of forgiveness and admiration, admissions of new found respect, and even some rather inquisitive and sometimes personal questions. A surprising number of mammals had actually asked her and Vernon for advice; the semi-public knowledge of their relationship spurring mammals in similar couplings to reach out to them for help. And despite the almost dizzying, almost unbearable publicity currently swirling around the pair in the wake of 'Zootopia's Last Night', it was those letters, coupled with Vernon's support and encouragement, that managed to keep the ewe's head above water. It kept her focused on completing her novel, and made her all the more determined to publish it.

With the constant stream of letters, it soon became a weekly event for Vernon and her to take an hour to sit down and read as much of the mail as they could, as well as brainstorming a way to even begin to reply to it all. Of course there were still more than a few letters spattered with hate, either regarding Dawn's past actions, or her current public perception as an open 'crosser'. However, so long as they didn't arrive attached to mysterious ticking package, Dawn was more than happy to take her mate's advice and simply shred the letters without reading beyond the first sentence.

The door of the post box was only a quarter of the way open by the time her grievous error in judgment became visibly apparent; her eyes widening sharply as they fell upon the bulging mass of letters swelling from the interior of the mailbox. Her internal warning flags shot up in an instant and her reflexes were screaming as they surged into a panicked attempt to slam the door closed again before the letters began their escape, but by that point it was far too late. The compressed mass of letters that had barely been held back by the flimsy little bronze door began to spray out of the mailbox as though it had been spring-loaded.

“Mutton chops!” The ewe cursed loudly, frantically trying to catch as many of the letters as she could as they continued to pour from the box, but in the end only a small hoof-full had ended up in her arms, and by the time the pressure began to die down, the bulk of the letters spattering across the floor as though they were a spilled deck of cards.

“Shells preserve us! Seems like you got your hooves full over there Miss Bellwether.” A familiar voice called drawing the ewe's attention to the short, tired looking otter standing a few feet behind her.

Martin Otterley, the couple's landlord, offered the ewe a kind smile as he leaned on the handle of the baby carriage in front of him, running a free paw through his his frayed coif of head fur. Nestled in the crook of his arm the ewe could make out the edge of a swaddled cloth.

“Surprised that hadn't managed to blow the door off the box with that much mail.” Mr. Otterley laughed.

Dawn rolled her eyes, letting out a dry laugh of her own. “I'm more surprised the post-mammal could even get it closed in the first place.” The ewe sighed in defeat. “I suppose it's my fault for not checking it yesterday.”

“I'd say you could use a helpin' paw lass.” The otter continued, gingerly bouncing the pup resting on his arm.

Dawn let out a chuckle as she crouched to the floor, clasping several of the scattered letters up into the clump already in her arms.

“I'd say the same to you Mister Otterley.” Dawn replied, gesturing her head in the direction of the otter's pups before rising to her feet. There was still more mail on the floor, as well as crammed into the small post box, but if she didn't take a few moments to straighten out the clump of mail she was holding into something a bit easier to grip, most of it would end up back on the floor.

“And it's Misses Hunter-Bellwether now...” Dawn added proudly, tilting the door of the mailbox nearly shut in order to show off the new label Vernon had stuck on the face of the door. Where once it had simply said 'Hunter & Bellwether', it now read 'The Hunter-Bellwethers.'

To most mammals, it may have read as a minor change if they noticed a difference at all.  A simple change from ampersand to hyphen would have probably meant very little to most, but to Dawn it meant the world.

With a laugh, the older otter made his way over to Dawn, crouching down as he began to scoop some of the stray letters into his free arm.

“Right, right....O' course deary.” Mister Otterley replied. “I keep forgettin' seein' as how it happened so fast and all.” The mammal shook his head dismissively.

Dawn sighed warmly. “It was a surprise for us, too, considering Vernon's parents sort of sprung it on us.”

Mr. Otterley ceased bouncing the little pup cradled in his arm, the move a clear effort to allow him to gather more of the letters with ease.

“From what Vernon told me the Hunter's pulled out all the stops for ya.” The otter replied, straightening the clump of mail in his arm as best he could. “Not that'd I'd be expectin' any less from 'em based on the stories I've heard.”

Grabbing the last of the stray letters from the ground, Dawn rose to her feet, flashing the older otter a small smile.

“They certainly did, but-.” Dawn stopped, shaking her head dismissively. “But that's far too long a story to tell out here.”

With a laugh, Martin stood, shifting the letters clasped to his chest neatly into his paw as the pup in his other arm began to stir.

“I suppose me and the misses will have to have ye up fer tea sometime this week.” Martin replied, handing off the stack of letters to the ewe. “And we do still owe ye a wedding present after all.”

Dawn shook her head with a decisive 'no', letting out a soft chuckle. “Talk about owing, I still owe your mate a baby shower gift .”

Mr. Otterley rolled his eyes, the pup in his arm starting to whimper as the otter turned his attention back to gently bouncing it.

“Easy Shaun me boy, easy...” The mammal chuckled before glancing back at Dawn knowingly. “These pups are spoilt enough as it is, trust me! I can't put little Shaun here down for a second without him makin' a fuss!” Martin sighed, running a paw though his head fur. “He's more fussy than both his sisters combined!”

Dawn struggled to hold a hoof to her muzzle around the mound of mail in her arms in an effort to stifle a giggle. It was the best she could muster, but it did little to hide her smirk from the older otter.

Martin lowered his gaze at the ewe. “You laugh, me arms practically ready to fall off over here!” The otter said with a tired sigh.

Bringing his attention back to the small pup, the otter gently brought his other arm to rest underneath it, shifting from the more erratic bouncing motion to a gentle rocking as he regarded his pup with a warm smile.

“It's worth it though.” The otter chuckled. “No doubt about it.”

Dawn couldn't help but let out a soft 'aww' as she watched Martin attend to his fussy pup. Despite the tiredness in his eyes, she could see the gleam of love and adoration at the little barely furred bundle in his arms. Despite being unable to open his eyes, little Shaun seemed aware enough of his surroundings to effectively grasp his father's finger as Martin brought it close to the pup; the little mammal quickly drawing it into his mouth before he began to chew on it rather fruitlessly. Still, it seemed to be enough to appease the pup, as he let out a rather happy sounding 'coo' as he gummed it.

The sight alone was enough to stir in Dawn a fleeting vision of Vernon tending to an adopted pup or lamb of their very own. While Dawn found herself uncertain with the prospect of making a very good mother, in her mind Vernon was made to be a dad. It was easy to imagine him cuddling and nuzzling their pups regardless of how old they grew. To picture a little lamb swinging from his neck, or a little pup trying and failing to keep him from smothering it with kisses. And it was just as easy to imagine Vernon making their kids feel safe and protected, and knowing just when a situation called for him to be stern. Between Audrey and Dorian, Vernon had been given a head start in terms of the qualities one would think were perfect to raise a child. But where did a mammal from a miserably broken home like Dawn stand?

The ewe was quick to brush the thoughts aside as she turned her attention back to the letters still crammed into the mailbox. There was plenty of time to talk about pups and lambs, and the type of mother she might turn out to be. For the time being, the ewe was more than content to simply enjoy the fact that her and Vernon were together. Emotionally and legally.

Appraising the crumpled letters that lingered in the dim bronze chamber, the ewe let out a tired sigh before reaching a wary hoof inside.

“I think it's time I talked to Vernon about investing in a new P.O. Box, and possibly paying someone to screen our mail.” Dawn shook her head. “If my book gets picked up, I can only assume we're going to get that much more mail, and the last thing we need is to end up getting a shrapnel bomb in the mail like what happened with Gazelle a few years ago.”

“Oh aye, I remember that.” The otter muttered. “ The Gazelle Stalker. Grisly business that was.”

“I'm just surprised her dancer lived through the explosion.” Dawn muttered scraping the remaining letters into the pile clasped to her chest. “If he hadn't received it by mistake, and Gazelle had been the one to open it...” The ewe trailed off, shuddering at the grisly thought. She may not have been a 'Gazelle Head' like Judy, but the ewe was loath to wish death on any mammal aside from maybe Leodore Lionheart.

As the ewe pulled the last letter out of the box, a glimmer of gold caught her eye. There was a large seal emblazoned on the back of the envelope, one the ewe was rather familiar with, but hadn't expected to see so soon after sending out the final draft of her novel.

Dawn had nearly dropped the entire clump of letters she was holding on the ground as she fumbled to bring the business envelope up to her muzzle, inspecting it with a keen eye.

“Serval and Hoofster!” Dawn spat excitedly, the hoof holding the letter starting to tremble as nervous excitement began to take hold of her tiny frame.

“The publisher?” Martin asked, quirking a brow.

Dawn turned her attention to the otter, waiving the letter in her hoof as she spoke.

“I-It is!” Dawn chirped, biting her lip. “I sent them a c-copy of my book!”

Dawn was desperate to bite a hoof nail to ease her nerves, but even more desperate to open the letter now and find out just what they thought. While Serval and Hoofster hadn't been her first choice in publisher, it was still a largely recognizable and distinguished firm, and out of the four she had spoke to over the phone, they had been the only ones interested in taking a look at her draft.

“I have to go Mister Otterley! Have a good day! Bye!” Dawn said, flashing the mammal a nervous smile before turning on her heels and making a mad dash for the elevator. The faster the ewe had her hooves free, the faster she could find out just what decision the mammals at Serval and Hoofster had made.

“Dawn! Your key! Ya left yer mailbo-!”

The elevator doors had closed before the ewe even had time to register Martin's words, Dawn now bouncing on her heels impatiently as she watched the the numbers slowly shift from one to the next. Never had the ride up to the fourth floor felt so painfully long, and all the while the ewe's mind was in a haze, plagued with endless questions as to just what the letter actually contained. Did they like it? Did they hate it? Would they publish it or tell her to move on to another company? The ewe could feel each chamber in her stomachs twisting into individual knots as the elevator finally opened once more.

Without a moments' hesitation the ewe was barreling down the hall, all the while scrambling to keep the clump of letters pressed tightly to her chest while her eyes remained fixated on that golden seal: the ticket to her big break.

Stumbling to the front door, the ewe finally came to a an abrupt halt, and with a giddy hum allowed the rest of the mail to unceremoniously fall out of her arms and spill onto the floor of the apartment. With Serval and Hoofster's letter now clasped with both hooves, the ewe pushed the door behind her closed with her rump.

“Woah Floofs.” Dawn looked up to find her mate eyeing her from the couch in the living room. The wolf's ears were standing at attention, his expression a mixture amusement and concern. “Where's the fire?”

She was running again, further scattering the crumpled pile of mail as she tore through it and straight into the living room, coming to a stop at her mates side. Dawn could barely compose herself as she jutted the letter toward the wolf so quickly it caused him to reflexively flinch.

“P-Puppy! Puppy!” Dawn stammered. “I-It's I mean-It-!”

“E-easy now Mutton Chop.” Vernon replied, placing his paws out defensively. “Take a minute to breath. Get yer thoughts all lined up before ya tell me.” The wolf chuckled.

Dawn tried to stand still, taking a long, deep draw of breath as she began the counting exercise she had learned from Dr. Gnu, but she only managed to make it to three before the building excitement and fear inside forced her to blurt out an awkward explanation.

“My book! Remember my book?!” Dawn spat excitedly, only for the smirk on her face to melt away as she realized just how silly what she had said must have sounded.

“Yes Honey Lamb.” The wolf chuckled. “I remember yer book.” Vernon pushed himself off the couch, allowing his legs to hang to the floor as he placed his paws on his knees. “If I recall y'all had me help write some of it.” Vernon added with a smirk.

Dawn sighed, pressing the letter to her forehead in slight irritation at her own stupidity.

“Right...” Dawn muttered in a defeated tone. She hadn't even made it one sentence without making a fool of herself. “Of course you know about the book.”

Vernon chuckled.

“What about it?” The wolf asked, leaning closer to inspect the letter still tightly clasped in the ewe's hoof. “Is this the fellas that were willing to take a look at it?”

Dawn nodded briskly, gulping sharply as she attempted to catch her breath.

A moment of silence passed between the two mammals. With nothing save for the ewe's withering pants and the faint sound of rain-forest fauna acting as the rooms ambient noise the two simply stared at one another.

“Are y'all gonna open it?” Vernon asked, breaking the awkward silence.

Dawn glanced at the letter in her hooves, the swirling torrent of thoughts assailing her mind and dragging her emotions in every direction now suddenly fixing on the actual source of all the excitement. Dawn had gotten herself so worked up over the letter even being here that she had nearly forgot about actually opening it.

But now that there was little more than a thin paper cover separating her from a possible fresh start career-wise, the nervous tension began to outweigh the excitement. The thoughts that had muddled her brain had quickly shifted entirely into the negative. And with it, the prospect of open the letter became less and less appealing.

“Oh, now what's wrong Honey Lamb?” Vernon's comment drew the ewe's attention back to him, his deep green eyes laced with concern as he placed a paw on her forearm. “Yer ears are all saggy, and yer frowning now.”

Dawn reached up with a free hoof, running it over her muzzle and into the creases on either side of her frown. The muscles in her face felt so numb she had barely even felt her smile slip away.

“Y'all are lookin' paler than Trenny when he's sick.” The wolf chuckled. “Where'd all that excitement run off to?”

Dawn glanced at her feet uneasily, rubbing one leg against the other as she squirmed in her stance.

“W-what if they didn't like it?” Dawn murmured. “W-what if they don't want to publish-?”

Dawn felt the wolf's paw nestle under her chin, slowly drawing her gaze up to meet his own.

“Then we'll find someone who will Lamb Fry.” Vernon replied, flashing the ewe a comforting smile. “There are plenty more publishers out there.”

“B-but..” Dawn's lip began to quiver. Part of her felt silly for getting this worked up about the possibility of being rejected. Her mate was right after all, there were more publishers. But the fact that this firm had been willing to read her book before deciding whether or not to make an offer on it made her all the more uneasy. To Dawn, what they had to say would actually reflect what they read, and if they had chosen to pass on it then the ewe could only assume it was her writing style that was at fault.

“And...” The wolf gently steered her chin back up, keeping the ewe from averting his gaze as he held up a claw. “All it takes is one publisher to make it a hit, and then all the big publishers will be banging yer door down to get their claws on it.”

Dawn's irises fell back to the shining gold emblem sealing the letter, studying the logo as it glimmered in the mid-day sun light. The ewe bit her lip nervously.

“Honey Lamb...” Vernon cooed softly, placing a paw on her shoulder and squeezing it gently. “The longer y'all drag it out, the more agony yer puttin' yerself through fer no reason.”

It was an expression Dawn had a feeling the wolf had picked up from his mother. Something about it made her picture it being said in the she-wolf's warm and familiar tone. But regardless of where it had come from, it didn't make it any less right. If she opened the letter to find the decided to pass on her novel, then she could mourn afterward, but if not, then it was rather pointless to preemptively mourn what could turn out to be a victory.

Dawn took in a slow drag of air, holding it for a few moments as she attempted to take a more serious stab at her breathing exercises. All the while the ewe kept her gaze fixed on her mate, his warm and comforting smile helping to stoke the rising courage within the ewe to simply tear the letter open and see what it said.

Dawn averted her gaze as she dug her hoof under the seal, the sound of shredding and tearing paper causing her to wince as she carefully dragged her hoof-nail across the length of the envelope. Flipping open the torn top of the letter, the ewe grasped it's contents between her fingers.

With another deep breath, the ewe slammed her eyes shut, holding her breath as she yanked the letter out of the envelope with far more force than was required. Holding the letter at arms length, the ewe's hoof began to tremble as she mustered the courage to open an eye.

“You can do it Darlin'.” She could hear her mate coo softly.

Biting down hard on her lower lip, the ewe managed to force an eye open. Her lime colored orb scanning the header of the letter as it wavered in her trembling grasp.

“From the Desks of Cadence Serval and Arnold Hoofster

Dear Misses Hunter-Bellwether,

After having your manuscript reviewed by several of those on our staff, as

as well as Mrs. Serval and Mr. Hoofster personally, we are delighted to

inform you and your mate that your book proposal, tentatively titled 'Predator seeking Prey' has been accepted for publication by...”

The air left Dawn's lungs, and with it all the tension and nervousness that had been wracking the ewe up until that very moment, the moment her shimmering green irises scanned over the word 'accepted'.

“A-Accepted...” Dawn voice wavered as the grin returned to her muzzle.

Lowering the letter, she could see Vernon's own gleeful expression seemed to match, if not surpass, her own. The wolf's ears playfully skewed as he regarded her with awe.

“No!” Vernon said in clear mock surprise.

Dawn nodded briskly as tears began to spill from behind her lenses.

“They accepted it!” Dawn yelled excitedly. “T-They're going to publish it!”

The room was spinning; Dawn found herself suddenly aloft as her mate leapt from the couch and scooped her into his arms. For a moment they simply spun, the pair lost in a whirlwind of excitement as the wolf pulled her into a tight embrace. In response, Dawn threw her arms around the wolf's neck, squeezing her mate with as tight a hug as she could muster and burying her muzzle into the wolf's thick, luxurious pelt, before letting out a squeal of pure joy.

Over her own muffled squeals, the ewe could hear Vernon's own bellowing, celebratory howl ring out through the sleepy little apartment, and while the wolf had limited himself to two howls total, it didn't take long for the sound of muffled howling to begin filtering in from some of the other apartments.

Drawing back from her mate's embrace, the ewe placed her hooves on his shoulders as she smiled down at him with glee.

“We did it Puppy!” Dawn yelped. “We did it!!!”

Vernon flashed his fangs. “ I knew you could do it Honey Lamb.”

Turning his attention to the living room wall, the source of some of the loudest howls, Vernon placed a paw to the side of his muzzle.

“Y'all boys hear that!” Vernon announced loudly. “My mate's about to be a published author!”

“That's great Vern!” Came a somewhat muffled reply. “And thanks for getting Gary started by the way!”

Vernon winced, turning to his mate as he flashed the ewe a meek smirk. “Oops.”

Dawn giggled softly before placing her arms around the wolf once more, flashing the wolf an amorous, half lidded gaze as she caressed the side of his muzzle with a hoof.

The wolf barely had time to react before Dawn had drawn him into a kiss so powerful that by the time the wolf had finally managed to draw free of her grasp, he was gasping for air.

“Sweet Sawgrass...” The wolf panted, running a paw though his head fur as he nuzzled Dawn's nose. “What 'ewe' do to me, I swear.”

The wolf had made sure to emphasize the word 'ewe' before flashing the Dawn a cheesy grin.

“Oh hush.” Dawn giggled, giving the wolf a playful swat with her hoof which only served to make the wolf laugh.

Adjusting his grip around the ewe, the wolf gestured over his shoulder.

“So what do we got to do?” Vernon asked, quirking a brow. “What's the next step?”

Following the wolf's gesture, the ewe's gaze returned to the letter still tightly gripped in her hoof. With a laugh, the ewe brought the letter back up to her eye line, carefully unfolding the rest of the page to read the whole letter.

“Let's see...hardcover, softcover, e-book...” The ewe murmured as she scanned the next few sentences.

“Ideally we would be looking at a November fifteenth release...” Dawn paused, lowering the letter and furrowing a brow at the wolf holding her aloft. “November fifteenth...?” The ewe murmured.

“Vernon...” Dawn shook her head. “T-That's barely a month away!”

Vernon lurched his head back slightly, raising his eyebrows. “A month?!” The wolf replied. “Do they usually publish books that fast?”

Returning her attention to the letter, the ewe continued to skim.

“It says it's unorthodox, but they also say they believe it has the potential to be a best-seller if it came out in time for Yule.” Dawn's eyes were wide as saucers as her mind began to wander.

“Best seller?” Dawn murmured to herself. She hadn't even considered such a prospect. Pred-prey romance was a niche genre of literature after all, and Dawn had purposefully remained light on the details of her time working under Lionheart and the first Night Howler case mostly in part to keep the lion from writing a rebuttal in the form of his own biography. Dawn had anticipated a modest career at most with a core group of readers who related to what she wrote, and could maybe glean some sense of solidarity from her works. But just the possibility of the book becoming a best seller, against all odds was practically unfathomable.

“Can ya do it?” Vernon's question drew the ewe from her stupor.

“W-what?” Dawn replied.

“Can we get it out that quick?” Vernon added, his ears skewing inquisitively.

Dawn glanced back at the letter and continued to skim.

“It says they've already passed it through their editing department, and there was very little clean-up to be done....” The ewe murmured, her eyes scanning the most pertinent keywords to find what she was looking for as quickly as possible.

The ewe gasped, drawing the letter down sharply at she stared at her mate in shock.

“T-they want us to come in tomorrow to negotiate and sign the contract.” Dawn muttered, placing a hoof to her brow to steady herself. “Lamb sakes...”

“Movin' faster than a cheetah on prom night.” Vernon replied.

“I-I mean if they edited it...” Dawn murmured. “I-It's mostly ready to go.”

Vernon smiled broadly, giving his mate a tender, albeit it shorter, kiss before gingerly lowering her to the ground.

“Teeth to Tails...” Vernon laughed. “Fast to tithe, fast to publish...” The wolf shook his head. “Maybe Gus ain't wrong about pups considerin' how quickly we're flyin' past these goal posts.”

Dawn took a step away from the wolf, too lost in her own thoughts to really register the wolf's comment as she began to pace. The ewe scratched her head wool as she tried to run through the mental check-list of preparations that needed to be done in order to meet the date.

“I still need to pick a book cover design...” Dawn murmured. “Pick fonts maybe?” Dawn began to pace. “Oh, I'll h-have to write a bio for both of us...”

The ewe turned on her heels to face the wolf, placing a hoof to her forehead.

“We need good pictures for the book jacket!”

Vernon laughed. “We'll get 'em, we'll get 'em. Relax...” The wolf assured, turning his attention Dawn's work station. Dawn watched as the wolf squinted slightly, scratching his chin as he seemingly appraised the area.

“You aren't going to tell me my workspace is messy again are you?” Dawn asked with a dull chuckle.

“Nah, I already heard that 'organized chaos' cover story a million times.” The wolf replied with a chuckle of his own before turning his attention back to the desk. Dawn watched as the wolf placed his arms out toward the computer, framing his paws in the air as though he was shooting a movie and trying to set the scene.

“I think the first thing we should worry about is where we're gonna fit that letter on yer ol' wall o' achievements.”

Dawn blushed, shrinking into her shoulders bashfully.

“Veeernon...” The ewe cooed.

“I'm thinkin' right under the 'key to the city'...” The wolf continued, angling his paws carefully. “Right up next to our partnership license.”

“T-that's our wall of achievements Puppy.” The ewe corrected. “Our key...our license.”

The wolf chuckled. “Well, either way, it needs a nice, proud placement.” Glancing back Dawn's way, the wolf flashed her a smirk. “My Honey Lamb is forging a new career path fer herself, and that ain't no small feat. I want everyone who walks in to be able to see that.”

“Vernon...” The ewe cooed, strolling over to her mate and wrapping her arms around his leg. As Dawn nuzzled into his hip; she felt the wolf's paw come to rest atop her woolly tuft of hair, tussling it gently.

Glancing up to her mate, the ewe flashed him a warm smile.

“Thank you...” Dawn murmured. “I couldn't have done this without you...”

Vernon placed a paw against her cheek, which the ewe proceeded to lean into, holding it with her hooves as she nuzzled into it affectionately.

“Nah...” Vernon replied. “You could have done it.” The wolf sighed. “I'm just glad I got to be the one by yer side to see you do it.”

Dawn scoffed, ready to rebuff her mates claim, but Vernon was quick to cut her off before the words had a chance to leave her muzzle.

“Before y'all get on me about bein' too selfless here, I'm admittin' ahead of time that I'm really looking forward to callin' all the folks and showing off what ya did.” The wolf grinned. “I'm callin' every Hunter relative in my damn contacts list and tellin' them I'm tithed to a future famous author!”

Dawn let out a giggling snort, playfully pushing the wolf away as best she could before flashing him a look of mock surprise that barely hid her amusement.

“Ohh...Bad Puppy...” The ewe shook her head as she sarcastically scolded her mate.

The wolf chuckled, a mischievous gleam forming in his eye as he grinned down at the ewe.

“Ooh...Darlin', keep that kinda talk up and we'll have to move this party to the bedroom sooner rather than later.” The wolf replied, bobbing his eyebrows impishly.

Dawn feigned a shocked gasp, but could barely hide her grin as she sidled up closer to her mate.

“You are awful!” The ewe laughed, playfully swatting the wolf with a hoof.

Vernon feigned a wince, shrinking slightly as he held his paws up in mock defense.

“Ah! Domestic abuse!” The wolf laughed, only to earn a another swat from his mate. The wolf's comment caused the ewe to puff her cheeks in irritation, letting out a huff as she gave the wolf another, firmer swat.

“That's not funny Puppy.” The ewe whined.

Crouching to his mate's level, the wolf's struggled to shake off the last of his laughter, wiping a tear from his eye as he spoke.

“Alright, alright...” The wolf snickered. “Too far...”

Dawn crossed her arms, letting out an irritated huff while at the same time fighting to stifle a smirk.

“I tell ya what...” The wolf continued. “As punishment I'll get to scoopin' up the mail y'all left in front of the door, and you can get started on the calls.”

Dawn was just shy of cracking out a laugh as she gave the wolf an affirmative nod of approval.

Before rising to his feet, the wolf booped the ewe on the tip of her snout, immediately breaking her facade and forcing a spat of giggling out of her as he made way across the room.

Taking her phone out of her pocket, the ewe began unlocking her home screen.

“Oh, I should call Judy first!” The ewe announced excitedly. “Her excited squeals would probably put my performance to shame.”

“Wouldn't bet on it.” She heard to wolf mutter with a gleeful chuckle. “How are they doin' anyway? They back in Zootopia yet?”

Dawn glanced over her shoulder toward her mate as she opened the contacts list.

“The text yesterday said they should be back sometime today.” Dawn replied. “Of course Nick's still going to be in a cast until late November.”

“Fallin' off a Ferris Wheel is bound to do that to ya.” The wolf shook his head as he scooped some of the mail into his paws, clumping it into a fairly neat stack. “Not that I'd expect any less from some dumb fox.” The wolf grumbled.

Pulling up the entry for 'Judy Hopps', the ewe hit the dial button.

“Oh Vernon, be nice.” The eye replied, furrowing her brow at her mate. The wolf let out a soft grumble before shifting his attention back to the pile on the floor and changing the subject.

“He's gonna be off duty that long?” Vernon added, placing the stack of letters on the breakfast bar before crouching back to the floor.

The ewe shrugged. “I think Judy's going back tomorrow. I'll have to ask her about Nick.”

“Imagine his boss won't like him bein' out fer that long...” Vernon muttered. “I ain't no psychic, but I think I see take home desk work in ol' Red's future.” The wolf said with a chuckle.

“Bogo's not that cruel...” Dawn replied, waiving a dismissive hoof. “Well...not always.” The ewe corrected herself, wincing slightly.

“Oh, we definitely need to send them a get well present!” Dawn added as the idea came to her, turning her attention back to her mate for a brief moment. “At the very least we should stop by when they get settled.”

The wolf grumbled something that was barely audible, the only words that managed to stand out were something along the lines of 'Red' and 'dumb jokes', followed by a derisive snort.

Dawn giggled. “Oh hush Puppy.”

The phone rang once, then again as Dawn waited. The ewe barely able to contain the building excitement as she awaited Judy's answer. But as the phone continued to ring, Dawn's enthusiasm began to wane, eventually leading the ewe to let out a disappointed sigh as she hit the doe's voice mail on the sixth ring. Placing her phone into sleep mode, the ewe turned to face her mate.

“Machine?” The wolf asked as he slapped the second stack of letters onto the breakfast bar.

The ewe let out a quiet huff.

“I don't want to leave a message...” The ewe muttered, twisting her foot into the carpet in disappointment. “I want to get her live reaction, you know?”

The wolf chuckled softly as he sidled around the breakfast bar, plopping down on a stool as he began to sift through the mail he had neatly stacked up.

“I know...” The wolf replied. With a ginger swat, the wolf tapped his paw against the nearest stool, gesturing his mate to join him. Dawn let out a small sigh before moseying up to the adjourning stool. As she began to clamber up the side of the stool frame, Vernon halted his sorting and offered a paw to help keep her steady as she made her way up to the seat. It took a few seconds to finally reach the 'summit', but soon enough Dawn had firmly planted herself by her mates side, the ewe leaning into him as she watched the wolf separate the bills from the fan mail.

“Wanna call my Ma?” Vernon asked. “I'm sure she and Pa would be over the moon to hear about the book.” The wolf continued.

Dawn nuzzled softly into the wolf's sweater.

“I'm not sure if I should call them first or last...” The ewe muttered. “If we call any of your brothers first, they'll likely tell Audrey before I get to calling her.” Dawn shrugged. “But it might have more 'oomph' if we saved the best for last.” The ewe sighed.

“Not to mention Pa's probably at work about now...” Vernon added. “It's what, two in the afternoon?”

“Two-fourteen.” The ewe corrected.

The wolf nodded, placing an arm around his mate and rubbing her upper arm affectionately.

“Even if it's a Friday, police work ain't exactly the kinda work ya'll can just cut out early on without advanced warnin'.” The wolf sighed. “Not everyone has the benefit of havin' a paid internship that only has ya workin' three days a week.”

The wolf let out a pleasant sigh. “Part of me will miss that if them folks at the city's architecture department decide to take me on full time.”

“I suppose that means Zach and Vanna are out?” The ewe asked, glancing up at her mate with a frown as she balled some of the fabric of his sweater in her hooves.

“Suppose so.” The wolf replied. “They're pa's right hand mammals. So they generally have the same shifts.”

“And Wade..?” Dawn continued, running down the list of Hunters in her head.

“I think he may have  moved to a night shift again...” The wolf mused, scratching his chin thoughtfully. “But seein' as how Giz is a barista, and they don't live together, I don't think we got a good chance of catchin' 'em at the same time.”

Dawn let out a defeated sigh, slumping deeper into the wolfs side in disappointment as Vernon continued to sort letters with his free arm.

“Same with Yuri and Ada.” The wolf continued. “At least one of 'em is at work right now, I can guarantee it.” The wolf stopped his sorting, gesturing a paw at nothing in particular as he continued to rattle off the list of remaining Hunters. “Xavier, Trenny...”

The wolf sighed “I figure just like Judy, ya wanna tell 'em all the news in sets.” Vernon continued, running a paw through his head fur. “So even if Qali or Mal were off today...”

“Yeah...” The ewe replied, picking up on just where the wolf's statement was leading. It was frustrating to say the least. Dawn was bursting to tell the news to Vanna, let alone the rest of the Hunters she had grown so attached to in such a short time.

Whereas telling Judy the news would have most likely gone relatively quickly with how busy the rabbit always seemed to be,with Vanna Dawn had expected the call to last an hour or maybe more depending on just how side tracked they grew in all the excitement. Since the wedding, Vanna was first and foremost the sister-in-law she called to simply 'girl out', as it were. To catch up on what was happening in their lives, the local goings on, and keeping each-other up to date on Suri Nick's tour page, waiting patiently for the day 'Zootopia' would be added to the list of venues so they could reserve front row seats for the four of them. Of course, the announcement that her book was being published seemed like the perfect excuse to visit her favorite sister-in-law, along with mister misses Hunter to celebrate over a dinner. But with her and Zach on duty, even if the ewe could get a hold of her, she would be forced to keep the call brief and to the point. And with news this big sitting in the ewe's lap, she knew such a call would be impossible for her to keep short.

From there the diminishing list of family left to call only made the ewe that much more discouraged. She did want to tell her sister-in-laws the good news along side their mates, even if she assumed the Hunter girls would be the more enthused of the lot. Qali alone would probably hit the ceiling with excitement before asking exactly what it means to be published. Giselle would probably hit the ceiling too, but it wasn't exactly hard for the giraffe to do so considering her apartment had low ceilings to begin with. And Malcolm, being at work, would probably go as far as to offer free pie slices or something along the like to the patrons currently at his restaurant. But the nagging knowledge that chances were high that everyone would be far too busy to take the call, or give it the amount of time the ewe hoped for continued to dash Dawn's visions.

Vernon was right, it was Friday after all. The day which heralded the weekend and the notion  relaxation. But it was also one of the busier days of the week for that very reason, especially for mammals in the service industry like Malcolm who was probably elbow deep in batter at this very moment. And from her previous conversations with Qali she could only assume the little vixen was out trimming trees with her father and sister by now, getting them ready for harvest in November. Then there was Ada...

Dawn turned her attention to the strange tribal looking bracelet her mate was wearing on the wrist opposite his tithe-mark. She had thought it strange Vernon had even brought up Yuri when discussing mammals to share the news with, nearly forgetting what the wolf had told her about the strange gift, and Yuri's attempt to start mending the fences between them. In truth, the lamb was a bit dubious that such a plan could ever hope to work considering how she had seen Yuri behave, but Vernon seemed to believe in it. Perhaps due to his 'everyone deserves a second chance' creed he liked to live by. It had been true in her case after all, hadn't it? And at the very least it meant the ewe stood a chance of seeing her second favorite sister-in-law more often than just reunions.

Throwing another bill on the significantly smaller stack, Vernon glanced down at his mate, offering her a playful smirk.

“Ully's probably not doin' nothin'.” Vernon chuckled.

The ewe rolled her eyes.

“He's last.” Dawn decided. “Yep, I've decided, he's last.”

Vernon snickered in response as the ewe continued to toy with the hem of his sweater with her hooves, tilting her head curiously and flashing him a pleading expression. “Actually....do we even have to tell him at all?”

“Do y'all want to be open and honest?” The wolf quirked a brow. “Or would you rather he find out on his own and see how that goes?”

Dawn winced, her head drooping slightly as she gave her mate a weak and defeated nod in agreement. As with the letter regarding whether or not her book was to be published, it was best to pull of the Ulric band-aid in one swift motion rather then try to delay it by simply not telling him. One prolonged, accusatory phone call was probably better than the wolf blowing up his brother's cell phone for days on end.

Dawn sighed as she turned her attention back to her phone, idly scrolling through her contacts list for a few moments as she considered which of her friends should be the first to hear the news.

“Oh, duh.” The wolf chuckled, slapping his head with a paw as if whatever had just come to him had seemed elementary. “You should call-.”

The wolf paused, stopping mid-sort as he began to inspect the letter in his paws. Dawn watched his deep forest green eyes shrink as his eyelids tightened around them, his irises intensely scanning to envelope for a few moments before turning his attention back to the ewe and quirking a brow.

“Hey Hon?” The wolf asked. “What was that er...fella's name who was with my ex-girlfriend at the fair? The fancy, all trussed up fella?”

Dawn blinked a few times in surprise, the question seeming bizarre, almost out of nowhere.

“Uh...Kendrick Loupon.” Dawn replied, tilting her head in confusion. “The Assistant Representative of the North Meadowlands, remember?”

Vernon bit his lip as an uneasy expression crossed his muzzle, the wolf's eyes shifting back to the letter in his paws.

“What is it Puppy?” The ewe asked.

The wolf rubbed the back of his neck uneasily, averting his gaze from the ewe as he spoke.

“I-I'm purty sure this letter is from him.” The wolf replied.

Dawn grimaced slightly as she eyed the letter in the wolf's paws, hesitating for a moment before taking it into her hooves. Scanning the return address proved the letter had indeed come from the Ken's office. It bore the official government seal from the district, distinct with it's own special imprint bearing the wolf's name and position, but confirming it with her own eyes only managed to baffle the ewe that much more. After how events had played out at the Harvest Festival, and the sizable scene the wolf and his mate had been at the center of, she could scarcely conceive of a reason the wolf would have for contacting the couple.

Unlike the letter from her publisher, the ewe opened this letter with much less anticipation and fanfare, making quick work of the envelope with her hoof before slipping the letter out. Gently the ewe opened the neatly folded letter, gesturing to her mate with a nod to lean in and read over her shoulder as she held the paper in a way that made it easily visible to both of them.

Dear mister and misses Hunter-Bellwether.

I would like to start this letter by profusely apologizing for my behavior at the harvest festival two weeks ago. I'm not sure any amount of apologizing on paper will truly encapsulate just how regretful and ashamed of my behavior I am, but it felt even more inappropriate to try and call or visit your residence despite my intentions. Call it an abuse of power, but to be honest I fear I was more afraid that should I have attempted any other methods, you both may not have been willing to even hear me out this far along.'

“Got that right.” Vernon said, letting out a derisive snort. Clearly the wolf had been reading along about as quickly as Dawn had been.

Grabbing the letter with a paw, Vernon tugged on it gently as he glanced down at Dawn. The wolf expression a mixture of annoyance and ire.

“I think we should just toss it right now.” The wolf said, giving the letter another gentle tug. “That's as much as that smug 'native' politician deserves.”

Dawn frowned, pulling the letter free of Vernon's paws.

“Vernon, that's our hate mail policy.” Dawn replied. “So far I haven't read any hateful remarks and we are several sentences in.”

Vernon drew back slightly, crossing his arms and turning his snout up at the letter.

“I ain't never met a native wolf that grew out of the belief system.” The wolf retorted. “And any mammal dumb enough to hitch himself up to Ana at his age-.”

“Aren't you the same mammal who told me 'everyone deserves a second chance, especially if they are trying?'” Dawn cut the wolf off, placing a hoof on her hips and cocking her stance in the chair. Her muzzle turned up in a knowing smirk.

Vernon's expression faltered slightly, his ears skewing at two different angles as a look of mild surprise overtook his features.

“W-well...” Vernon stumbled. “I-I mean...”

“Ruddy was a part of that too, and look at what he did for us.” Dawn continued, holding up a finger as to emphasize her point.

With a defeated sigh, the wolfs slumped in his seat, his ears sagging sharply as he regarded his mate.

“I know, I know...” The wolf muttered. “Yer right...”

Bracing his neck with a paw, the wolf turned his snout up toward the ceiling.

“It's just after how Ana was threatinin' us, I mean...” The wolf shook his head. “I just figured this is some fake olive branch er somethin', and he's buried threats of a lawsuit in there behind his pretend flowery words.”

Dawn rolled her eyes, letting out a soft chuckle.

“Well...” Dawn replied. “The only way we are going to find that out is by reading on.” The ewe raised a hoof, idly waving it in a small circles. “So far all he's done is apologize.”

With a another sigh, the wolf leaned his elbows on the counter, reluctantly turning his attention back to the letter as the ewe held it steady once more, Dawn slumping back into the wolf's side as she continued to read.

'I would apologize for Ana's sake as well, had we not decided to separate shortly after the incident.'

“Well I'll be...” Vernon muttered, letting out a soft chuckle.

Dawn pat the wolf on his arm affectionately.

“I don't think any case Ana could try and make for herself would have a chance of standing up in court without any help from Loupon.” The ewe said with a snicker.

“Provided he's tellin' the truth.” Vernon mumbled.

The ewe gave her mate a playful swat with her hoof.

“Oh Hush!” The ewe chided.

'The break up was not on good terms. Not in the slightest.

I will keep it brief by saying that it had absolutely everything to do with her childish behavior at the fair, and her inability to admit she was wrong.

Of course, this does not excuse my inaction by letting her lead that mob,and failing to intercede. But if I'm being honest, for all the claims by Ana of me being 'alpha materiel', In actuality, I've lead the life of a meek, timid wolf, one often so afraid of being pulled into confrontation that I let others speak on my behalf regardless whether I truly agree or not with what comes out of their mouths. And I think that Mister Hunter-Bellwether knows just how a mammal like Ana can take advantage of such traits.'

The ewe could here her mate let out a soft, muttering whine. It was a sound of discomfort, almost as if he had recalled something particular painful.

'That said, I wish to congratulate you both on your tithe. Forgive me, I don't know how personal you want to keep that information, but I had seen Mister Ruddy officiate the license the day after he had apparently been at the ceremony, and I would be remiss not to wish you all the best. I don't believe it could happen to a nicer couple, or a more respected ewe.'

“Respected huh?” Dawn murmured. “I suppose he was just as moved by the 'Last Night Case' as everyone else.”

Vernon tightened his grip around the ewe, pulling her in for a side hug.

“Well, it's not every day a mammal literally tried to sacrifice herself to save a city of fifteen-million plus mammals.” The wolf replied with a chuckle. “Who wouldn't be impressed by that?”

The ewe let out a soft giggle, nuzzling against the wolf's side.

“Still, if I didn't have that I'd be just as hated as before.” Dawn murmured.

Dawn felt herself being drawn back from the wolf's side, her mate placing a paw on her shoulder as he looked down to meet her gaze, his forest green eyes filled with affection.

“Ya already had my heart Darlin'.” The wolf shook his head. “Far as I'm concerned that little stunt of yers was just proof of what I've seen in ya since day one.” The wolf smiled warmly. “This here is one mammal ya earned the love of without needin' to do anythin' but be you.”

Dawn placed the letter down on the counter before wrapping her arms around the wolf's torso, burying her face in his side as she gave him the tightest hug she could muster. The wolf reacted quickly, squeezing the ewe in a hug that matched her own in vigor and enthusiasm as she felt the wolf's lips press down through her woolly poof and place a tender kiss atop her head.

Drawing back, the ewe lifted her lenses as she lamely swabbed at her eyes with her forearm.

“Oh Puppy stop.” The ewe sniffled. “You're going to make me cry.”

The wolf chuckled. “Sorry Darlin'...” Vernon replied, rolling his eyes slightly as though he were mulling things over. “Although you do look purty when you cry.”

“O-Oh stop.” The ewe rebutted, wafting a hoof at her eyes in an effort to stem the tears as she grasped the letter with the other. “L-let's get back to the letter...”

The wolf nodded.

'I must confess, as stated at the fair i was quite enamored with your career as a politician before the...'incident', and I would feel remiss to pass up the chance to expound on it without Ana talking over me. It is a shame so much of your diligent work for Zootopia went unnoticed and un-credited considering it was no secret among political circles that Lionheart was little more than a pretty face. While studying for my own political degree, I watched your role in his campaign, as well as the debates that you were a  part of, and was quite impressed. And...well, I would be lying if I said I didn't end up developing a bit of a...crush on you.'

“A crush?” Dawn murmured, a slight blush forming on her muzzle as she re-read the sentence.

“A crush huh?” Vernon growled. Dawn could feel the wolf's arm wrap around her once again, this time a clearly possessive gesture as the wolf sneered at the letter. “I mean the fella seems to have some taste...but...”

Dawn let out a giggle.

“Oh Puppy stop.” The ewe murmured, giving the wolf's paw a rub. Still, the wolf's brow remained furrowed, which only prompted the ewe to reach out and pull his left paw over to her side of the counter. The ewe gingerly flipped it over, revealing the wolf's crimson 'tithing' mark before turning her right hoof over next to it to display the same.

“We're tithed, see?” The ewe chuckled before slipping her marked hoof gingerly on top of his matching paw, completing the moon between them. “I'm not going anywhere.”

The wolf let out a soft huff. “I -I know...” Vernon winced slightly. “H-he just better not try anything if I ever...”

The ewe laughed that much harder, gingerly patting the wolf's paw with her hoof.

“Ooh...Possessive Puppy.” The ewe cooed, fluttering her eyelids suggestively at the wolf. “I kinda like it.”

Vernon quirked a brow, his expression a mixture of concern and confusion as his ears sagged.

“I-...” The wolf uttered..” Really?”

Dawn smirked. “It's kinda hot...”

All hints of the wolf's previous sour expressions dissolved as a beaming smile over took his muzzle, and his tail became a blur as it wagged frantically against the seat, which only made the ewe giggle that much harder.

“O-Oh don't tease me like this Floof's...” The wolf whined, the hint of a blush forming on his muzzle. “At this rate we ain't gonna be making any calls till tomorrow!”

The ewe flicked her hoof at the wolf playfully.

“Okay, okay...” The ewe cooed. “No more flirting until we finish the letter, we're on the last page anyway.”

Vernon nodded briskly, his tail continuing to wag against the seat as though it were keeping rhythm for a band.

'I guess, I've always sort of harbored feelings for....carpid folks if I'm being honest. It was just something I tried to suppress, to bury deep down because it conflicted with my family roots, and my future goals, at least I thought so. But watching Mister Hunter-Bellwether stand up for the both of you, to proudly announce to the world his unabashed love for you regardless of species, well...it made me reflect on those old dormant feelings and gave me the courage to explore them.

And so, it may surprise to learn that I am in fact currently seeing a ewe. Granted we've only been an official couple for about a week, but it already feels like we've known each other forever.'

Dawn placed a hoof to her muzzle in an effort to stifle a gasp.

“Wait? Really?” The wolf muttered, clasping the edge of the letter with his paw as he leaned in to inspect it. “Loupon's crossin'?”

“T-that's what it says.” The ewe uttered in mild surprise.

'I realize this might jeopardize my position depending on how this information plays with my constituents, but in all honesty, I really can't find it in me to care. It's such a relief to just...let it go. To embrace my feelings and see where the road takes me. I'll tell you dating a mammal like Claire is probably the first time I've felt 'happy' in a relationship, even if it is a tentative one.

And so from myself, and my mate Claire Chilver, we wish you all the best. And the next time you visit the Meadowlands, I hope we can meet for tea some time and really patch things up.

Hopefully your friend,

Kendrick Loupon,

Assistant Representative to the North Meadowlands'

“Wow...” Dawn murmured. “I-mean...”

Turning to her mate, the ewe rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly.

“I-I don't even know how to take that...”

The apology was surprising enough, but the fact that Loupon had admitted that her and Vernon had inspired the wolf to actually date outside his species had blown her away. The ewe was fairly new to the 'crosser' life, her feelings for Vernon being the first of their kind for a mammal outside her species. But here was a mammal like Loupon admitting to having been struggling with long term feelings of attraction and desire toward those outside his species, let alone a prey mammal, for years. The idea was something she had only scratched the surface of in her writings; those mammals out there who lived in a quiet sort of misery as they forced themselves to suppress those feelings and live a 'normal' life. But, Loupon was the first mammal who had actually told her about dealing with such an issue to any degree.

With all the fan mail the ewe had received, most of those inquiring about life as a cross species dater, or being a pred/prey couple had come from those already established. Those mammals who partook in such a relationship but were hiding it from family and friends, or the public at large. But Loupon's admission had the wheels turning in her mind; a quiet realization dawning on her as she scratched her chin thoughtfully.

Just how many mammals were hiding? How many thought they were alone in their feelings, or are just to afraid to simply indulge them? Would her book serve to help them too? She could only hope. By Loupon's own words he was 'happy' for the first time in a long time, and perhaps her book would not only give courage to those in inter/crosser relationships to step out of the shadows, but maybe give those mammals hiding alone the courage to seek out others like them. To find that same happiness that Loupon had found, and that she had found in Vernon.

“Clair Chilver?” Vernon muttered, drawing the ewe from her thoughts.

“What?” Dawn muttered, inspecting the name in the letter once more curiously.

“Claire Chilver...” The wolf scratched his chin. “Not our Claire Chilver?”

Dawn tilted her head curiously as she regarded her mate.

“'Our' Claire Chilver?' The ewe questioned, quirking a curious brow.

Turning his attention to his mate, the wolf scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

“Back in high school there was this ewe that was part of our friend group with the same name.” The wolf muttered. “We were all real tight, she even dated Gus fer a bit.”

“Oh?” The ewe added. She was starting to recall something regarding the name as well. She had definitely heard of her at least once before.

“Wait...” Dawn recalled. “Is this the ewe that basically stopped talking to everyone in your B&B group a few months back?”

Vernon nodded briskly.

“Granted she was still livin' in the Meadowlands, but she kept in touch on Furbook.” Vernon ran a paw through the tuft of fur on his head. “Talked to me more than Gus.” The wolf shrugged. “Least till she decided to block me.”

“Messaged you a lot huh?” The ewe muttered, eyeing the wolf suspiciously.

Vernon laughed. “Hey now Floofs, it wasn't like that.” The wolf shook his head dismissively. “I told y'all, you're the first and only ewe I've ever been attracted to.”

Dawn scratched her chin thoughtfully.

“That doesn't mean she wasn't harboring feeling for you though, does it?” Dawn asked.

The wolf scoffed. “Who, Claire? Pft...” The wolf waived a paw in the air dismissively. “No way. I woulda' been able to tell.”

Dawn crossed her arms, flashing the wolf a smirk.

“If I recall, you told me Gus had told you that there were a bunch of ewe's in high-school begging for your 'attention'.” The ewe chuckled. “And you admitted you were oblivious to all of it.”

Vernon rubbed the back of his neck, an uneasy expression lacing his features.

“Y-Yeah but I mea...” The wolf's eyes became focused on the counter top in such a way that told the ewe the gears in his head were starting to turn.

“They called you 'Sheep dog' Vernon.” Dawn added.

“Yeah but it's because I had so many caprid friends, not cause-!” The wolf stopped himself, placing a paw to his muzzle as he seemed to return to his thoughts. The ewe shook her head dismissively.

“When did you put the fact that you were in a relationship with me on your Furbook Vernon?” Dawn asked, the ewe now almost one-hundred percent sure the theory she was building was correct.

Vernon rubbed the back of his neck, that uneasy expression returning as the wolf now seemed reluctant to answer.

“I-Er...” The wolf muttered. “Around the time Claire blocked me...”

Dawn rolled her eyes. There was no need to say what she could only assumed had happened with Claire, she could see in the wolf's eyes that he was quickly coming to the same realization.

“Damn...” Vernon muttered. “I guess wolves are as dumb as they say.” The wolf chuckled weakly.

Dawn giggled, giving the wolf a reassuring pat on the knee.

“You aren't dumb.” The ewe chided.

The wolf's ears dipped sharply, a sorrowful look overtaking his features as he glanced down at the floor.

“I feel awful...” Vernon whined. “I mean, the feelin's weren't mutual but she must'a felt terrible tryin' to get my attention over and over again and failin'.” The wolf shook his head.

“Vernon.” The ewe cooed softly.

“Is that why she dated Gus?” Vernon asked, seemingly to himself. “Was she tryin' to get closer to me?”

“Puppy Love.” The ewe finally had the wolf's attention, rubbing his knee affectionately as she looked up into his deep green eyes.

“She's okay now.” Dawn replied, nodding in the direction of Loupon's letter. “She's with Ken, and from what he said they are happy.”

The wolf whined softly.

“I-I know...” Vernon muttered. “I-I just feel guilty.”

The ewe shook her head.

“Hey, if we ever meet them for tea, you can apologize.” Dawn added.

The statement seemed to earn a weak smile from the wolf, his tail wagging lamely as he eyed his mate hopefully.

“Really?” Vernon asked.

“Of course.” Dawn replied, patting the wolf's knee playfully before drawing her hoof back. “Just don't get to close to her now.” The ewe chuckled, flipping her right hoof palm side up and displaying it once more to the wolf. “Remember which ewe you're tithed to.”

Vernon chuckled, the wolf rolling his eyes in response.

“Now who's bein' possessive?” The wolf snickered.

Dawn crossed her arms, flashing the wolf a smug grin.

“You know it's cute when I do it.” The ewe retorted.

Vernon rolled his eyes, seemingly mulling over what he was going to say in his head.

“Somewhere between cute and sexy I'd argue...” The wolf chuckled. “But it is harder to take you seriously Misses Hunter-Bellwether.”

“Oh-ho-ho?” The ewe smirked, placing a hoof on her hip. “Do I need to get the leash and collar out of the bedroom drawer and remind you who you belong to Mister Hunter-Bellwether?”

Vernon let out a playful growl, before suddenly lurching forward and scooping the ewe into his arms, smattering her in a playful flurry of kisses as she giggled and flailed in an attempt to resist.

“Ooh you know just how to bring out the 'alpha' in me.” The wolf growled playfully. “The calls can wait, we're headin' to be right now!”

“V-Vernon, n-no!” The ewe let out a giggling snort as the wolf continued to kiss her. “N-not yet! C'mon.”

The wolf chuckled before burying his snout in the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply before drawing back, throwing the ewe a mischievous glance.

“You say 'no', but them pheromones are screamin' 'yes'!”

Dawn rolled her eyes before clasping her hooves around the wolf's muzzle, effectively silencing the wolf and stymieing his efforts to kiss her.

“Oh, c'mere my big, fluffy Sheep Dog.”

With that, the ewe drew him in for a powerful passionate kiss, one that demanded the playful dancing of tongues the moment their muzzles touched. Dawn could feel the fire inside begin to roar as she drank deeply of her mate, caressing his cheek and holding him tightly to her muzzle with her other hoof.

However, the passionate, frenzied kiss was short lived as the familiar sound of Vernon's ring tone began to rise from somewhere on his body. The wolf seemed rather keen to ignore it, but despite her great reluctance, the ewe managed to break the kiss.

“They'll call back.” The wolf was quick to spit out, running his tongue along his muzzle.

“Vernon.” The ewe shook her head, patting the side of the wolf's muzzle affectionately. “Who calls these days unless it's important? They'd text otherwise.”

Vernon scoffed. “Telemarketers!”

The ewe rolled her eyes.

“Vernon you have a private number.” Dawn retorted.

“Still...”

Dawn merely furrowed her brow at the wolf, her less than intimating glare she had tried to crib from Audrey at least managing to put an end to her mate's protest as the wolf let out a tired sigh.

Placing the ewe back on her stool, the wolf scooped his phone at of his pocket, answering it without even looking at the screen.

“This better be-”

The wolf immediately pulled the phone away from his face as a loud howl emanated through the speakers. It was a call so loud that Dawn could easily hear it despite the volume, and apparently so could the neighbors as the wolves next store started up again.

“C'mon Vern!” Came the muffled cry through the wall. “Damnit Gary!”

“Sorry, sorry!' The wolf announced before shifting his attention back to the phone. Vernon briefly scanned the face before a look of confusion overtook his features.

“Ma?” Vernon asked.

“Audrey?” The ewe quirked a brow. The fact that she had opened with a howl showed the she-wolf was clearly excited, but that lead the ewe to question why. Was Audrey so good at reading mammals that she had become somehow psychic, and divined that Dawn had landed her book deal from across the county?

“Get Dawn in the room and turn on muzzle time!” Audrey chirped through the phone. “Iv'e got a surprise fer y'all!”

“I'm here Misses Hunter” Dawn replied as her mate took his place back at the stool next to her. Lowering the phone to the counter, the wolf held it far enough out so both of them could easily see the screen. Hitting the muzzletime button, the camera connected on Vernon's end, however Audrey's screen remained black.

“Dori, how in the-sweet sawgrass.” The she-wolf cursed. “What button was it?”

From the other end, Dawn could hear Dorian groan, and after a few moments both wolves were finally on screen revealing a very tired looking Dorian with an arm around a positively beaming Audrey. Both wolves flashed the couple a smile.

“Howdy you too!” Audrey practically sang.

“Hi mom and dad.” Dawn replied, offering a weak wave amidst her confusion and excitement.

“Pa, yer home?” Vernon asked.

“I took the day off to take yer mom out to the docs.” Dorian replied.

“Don't spoil it!” Audrey snapped, giving the wolf a playful swat.

“Spoil what?” Dawn asked, leaning in closer to the phone.

“The doctors?” Vernon asked. “Is everythin' alright?”

Audrey nodded so briskly her head looked like little more of a blur as the connection struggled to keep up with the speed.

“Everythin' is great!” Audrey replied cheerily. “Heck it's more than great! It's a miracle!”

Vernon scrunched is muzzle in confusion.

“A miracle?” The wolf repeated. “Ma, what's goin' on exactly?”

Audrey turned to her mate, the wolf quirking a brow.

“Should I tell them?” Audrey asked.

“That's why we called.” Dorian shook his head.

“Noooo!” The she-wolf replied sarcastically. “I mean should I tell them, or do you want to?”

Dorian scratched his chin. “I think you should tell 'em.”

Audrey lolled her head indecisively. “But it might be more fun if you do it.”

“It's your surprise.” Dorian replied.

“Our surprise!” Audrey corrected, giving her mate a tap on the nose. “ Which is why I-!”

“Could someone just tell us somethin' already?” Vernon cut the wolfess off.

Dawn had expected Audrey to flash Vernon a glare for his retort, but the she-wolf simply looked at her mate, tilting her head curiously.

“Together?” Audrey asked.

Dorian sighed. “Count of three?”

Audrey nodded briskly.

“One...” Audrey said.

“Two...” Dorian added, building the anticipation.

“We're expecting!” The two wolves announced, Dorian pulling Audrey into a tighter hug and kissing the top of her head before relaxing the hug.

Dawn placed her hooves to her muzzle in surprise. But for Vernon it seemed to take a little longer for the expression to click.

“Expectin' what?” Vernon muttered, drawing the ewe's attention. Dawn looked up to her mate in disbelief, which only drew an expression of confusion from the wolf. Vernon looked as though he was about to ask the ewe 'what?' when the realization seemed to dawn on him, his eyes growing wide in shock as he suddenly snapped his attention back on the phone.

“Wait!? Y-Y'all mean!?” Vernon stammered. “I-Is Ma on the nest?”

Audrey nodded excitedly ,flashing the couple and ear to ear smile.

“I'm pregnant!” The she-wolf replied before breaking into a squeal of joy, one that Dawn couldn't help but join in on as both Vernon and Dorian's ears flattened in response.

“I can't believe that!” Dawn spat excitedly.

“I can't believe it either!” Vernon replied, running a paw through his head fur. “A-aren't y'all too...er...?”

“Old?” Audrey asked, the hint of a glare permeating her expression as she eyed Vernon. Dawn watched as her mate seemed to shrink in response.

“I mean...y'know...?” Vernon muttered. “Pup-bearin' wise?”

“I thought so too!” Audrey chirped, wrapping an arm around Dorian and squeezing him tightly. “But it turns out there was a few good eggs left in yer Ma's den!”

Dawn could see Vernon cringe visibly at the comment, but it wasn't enough to stop Dawn from asking a question that was sure to make her mate feel that much more uncomfortable.

“How?!” Dawn had simply blurted it out without even thinking, which earned a wide-eyed glare from her mate.

Audrey chuckled.

“Well, after the weddin' wrapped up, and all yer brothers and sisters went home, well...” Audrey blushed slightly. “Me and yer Pa got to mendin' thangs.” Audrey gave Dawn a sly wink. “I mean, really got down to mendin' thangs.”

“Ugh..” Vernon murmured.

“Multiple times.” Dorian added. “All over the house, includin'-”

“By the gods Pa stop!” Vernon pleaded, the wolf bringing his finger to hover directly over the disconnect button. “Don't make me have to hang up!”

Dorian and Audrey shared a knowing laugh.

“Alright, alright...” Audrey cooed. “The no details deal goes both ways, I remember.” The she-wolf chuckled. “I just figured me and yer pa would get a little revenge fer yer antics in the cornfield.”

Both Vernon and Dawn blushed sharply, the two mammals briefly making eye contact before averting their gazes bashfully.

“Incidentally, we did do it in the cornfield.” Dorian added.

“Oh gods, I'm hanging up!” Vernon snapped.

“Wait, wait!” Audrey held up her paws defensively, stopping Vernon just shy of hitting the button.

“We weren't gonna be long anyway, we got the rest of the pups to tell.” Dorian spoke, running a paw through his silvery mane of head fur. “But before we let ya go, we should tell ya it's triplets.” Dorian smirked. “All girls.”

“Girls?” Vernon muttered. “Y-y'all mean I'm gonna have sisters?”

Audrey cocked a brow. “Well, y'all already have sisters.” The she-wolf replied, cocking a brow. “Better to think of it as gettin' to be a big brother as not to offend yer sister-in-laws.”

“Big brother?” Vernon murmured softly. “I ain't barely been a mammals big brother before.”

Dawn quirked a brow. “What about Trenton and Ulric?” Dawn asked.

“Well, I mean if y'all count older by minutes.” The wolf replied, shaking his head.  “But I mean, I was the smallest remember? Weren't no one in the family small enough to look up to the runt of the litter.”

Dawn chuckled softly, grasping the wolf's paw and giving it a gentle squeeze.

“That means y'all get to be a big sister too Dawn!” Audrey added, flashing the ewe a warm smile.

“A big sister?” Dawn felt a warm smile crawl across her muzzle as she mulled over Audrey's words. While Vernon had never gotten to opportunity to be some in his families big brother, at least the wolf had brothers. Dawn had grown up with no other siblings, and so the thought of any mammal looking up to her as part of there family was an alien concept, but a welcome one.

“I can't wait to have y'all back up for the shower!” Audrey let out another excited squeal, pumping her fists in the air and displacing her mate in the process. Dorian nearly tumbled off the couch, the camera shaking and stuttering as the wolf clambered to steady himself. “It's gonna be a hoot!”

As the camera grew steady again, Dorian sidled up back next to his wife, the wolf letting out a relieved sigh.

“How d'y'all know it's gonna be girls?” Vernon asked, quirking a brow. “Isn't it a little early to tell?”

Audrey lowered her gaze at her son. “A mother always knows.”

Dorian chuckled. “Mother's intuition is the one thing that puts the 'Hunter Family' intuition to shame.”

“Welp, we'll let you go.” Audrey said, wrapping her arm around her mate once again and kissing him on the cheek. “We got more calls to make, and we're sure y'all got things to do so-”

“Wait!” Dawn blurted out, suddenly remembering her own small victory in the wake of all the she-wolf's excitement. “Vernon and I have something to tell you too!”

Audrey crooked her head, her ears lolling at skewed angles as she regarded the ewe.

“Oh ya do?” Audrey asked. “What is it?”

“Wait a minute!” The she-wolf suddenly snapped to attention, her curious expression gone in a flash, over taken by an even wider, beaming smile.

“Don't tell me you two are already fixin' to adopt are ya!?” Audrey seemed to practically swoon as she spoke, clasping her paws together almost as if she were praying. “Oh sweet Freyja, I don't think my heart could stand so much joyful news at once!”

Dawn blushed sharply, exchanging a rather bashful, timid expression with her mate. For the second time today the ewe's mind had shifted back to the idea of Vernon as a father, and her uncertainty as a mother. But in Vernon's case, while the wolf was wearing a bit of a blush himself, his smile was warm and inviting as he took the ewe's tithing hoof, gently clasping it in his own as he gently stroked the top of it with his thumb. The adoration in his eyes, the warmth in his smile, it was more than clear the wolf was happy with the idea. And that same feeling of confidence quickly began to spill into the ewe, slowly, but surely, silencing those lingering fears of what kind of parent she might make.

She and Vernon had each other, even before the tithe. They were a team, and together they had braced themselves for whatever life could throw at them. But glancing back to the face of Vernon's phone, and the older wolves smiling back at them, Dawn realized she had so much more now. No longer did Dawn have just Vernon in her corner to rally her onward, and to turn to when the chips were down. But she had the entire Hunter family; her family.

Audrey, a mother who's sweetness rivaled her own mothers. Dorian, the father she never had. Vanna, her best girlfriend, Qali and her boundless enthusiasm, Ada and her snark, and her other sisters. Her countless brothers, even the likes of the less than pleasant Yuri and Ulric. For better or worse they became her pack from the moment she had officially became a Hunter. And with her family by her side, she could surely rise to the challenge of motherhood when she and Vernon were ready to adopt.

Turning his attention back to the phone, the wolf offered his mother a soft smile.

“Not yet ma, but soon.” The wolf replied.

“We promise” Dawn added, squeezing Vernon's paw affectionately, once again making the two half moons whole.

#Zootopia #Fanfiction #dawn bellwether #Assistant Mayor Bellwether #romance #Drama #comedy #bellhunter #wastedtimeee

[thecomicsnexus]

Jimmy Olsen, Superman's Pal, Brings Back the Newsboy Legion!

SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #133 OCTOBER 1970 BY JACK KIRBY, AL PLASTINO AND VINCE COLLETTA

SYNOPSIS (FROM DC WIKIA)

Jimmy Olsen is paired with the new Newsboy Legion, the sons of the original boy heroes plus Flippa-Dippa, a newcomer, to investigate the Wild Area, a strange community outside of Metropolis. 

The boys are given a super-vehicle called the Whiz Wagon for transport. When Clark Kent shows concern for Jimmy, Morgan Edge, owner of Galaxy Broadcasting and the new owner of the Daily Planet, secretly orders a criminal organization called Inter-Gang to kill him. But Kent survives the attempt, and later hooks up with Jimmy and the Newsboy Legion in the Wild Area. 

The youths have met the Outsiders, a tribe of young people who live in a super-scientific commune called Habitat, and have won leadership of the Outsiders' gang of motorcyclists. Jimmy and company go off in search of a mysterious goal called the Mountain of Judgment, and warn Superman not to stop them.

THE BRONZE AGE OF COMICS

The Bronze Age retained many of the conventions of the Silver Age, with traditional superhero titles remaining the mainstay of the industry. However, a return of darker plot elements and story lines more related to relevant social issues, such as racism, drug use, alcoholism, urban poverty, and environmental pollution, began to flourish during the period, prefiguring the later Modern Age of Comic Books.

There is no one single event that can be said to herald the beginning of the Bronze Age. Instead, a number of events at the beginning of the 1970s, taken together, can be seen as a shift away from the tone of comics in the previous decade.

One such event was the April 1970 issue of Green Lantern, which added Green Arrow as a title character. The series, written by Denny O'Neil and penciled by Neal Adams, focused on "relevance" as Green Lantern was exposed to poverty and experienced self-doubt.

Later in 1970, Jack Kirby left Marvel Comics, ending arguably the most important creative partnership of the Silver Age (with Stan Lee). Kirby then turned to DC, where he created The Fourth World series of titles starting with Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #133 in October 1970. Also in 1970 Mort Weisinger, the long term editor of the various Superman titles, retired to be replaced by Julius Schwartz. Schwartz set about toning down some of the more fanciful aspects of the Weisinger era, removing most Kryptonite from continuity and scaling back Superman's nigh-infinite—by then—powers, which was done by veteran Superman artist Curt Swan together with groundbreaking author Denny O'Neil.

The beginning of the Bronze Age coincided with the end of the careers of many of the veteran writers and artists of the time, or their promotion to management positions and retirement from regular writing or drawing, and their replacement with a younger generation of editors and creators, many of whom knew each other from their experiences in comic book fan conventions and publications. At the same time, publishers began the era by scaling back on their super-hero publications, canceling many of the weaker-selling titles, and experimenting with other genres such as horror and sword-and-sorcery.

The era also encompassed major changes in the distribution of and audience for comic books. Over time, the medium shifted from cheap mass market products sold at newsstands to a more expensive product sold at specialty comic book shops and aimed at a smaller, core audience of fans. The shift in distribution allowed many small-print publishers to enter the market, changing the medium from one dominated by a few large publishers to a more diverse and eclectic range of books.

JACK KIRBY

In 1968 and 1969, Joe Simon was involved in litigation with Marvel Comics over the ownership of Captain America, initiated by Marvel after Simon registered the copyright renewal for Captain America in his own name. According to Simon, Kirby agreed to support the company in the litigation and, as part of a deal Kirby made with publisher Martin Goodman, signed over to Marvel any rights he might have had to the character.

At this same time, Kirby grew increasingly dissatisfied with working at Marvel, for reasons Kirby biographer Mark Evanier has suggested include resentment over Lee's media prominence, a lack of full creative control, anger over breaches of perceived promises by publisher Martin Goodman, and frustration over Marvel's failure to credit him specifically for his story plotting and for his character creations and co-creations. He began to both write and draw some secondary features for Marvel, such as "The Inhumans" in Amazing Adventures volume two, as well as horror stories for the anthology title Chamber of Darkness, and received full credit for doing so; but in 1970, Kirby was presented with a contract that included such unfavorable terms as a prohibition against legal retaliation. When Kirby objected, the management refused to negotiate any contract changes. Kirby, although he was earning $35,000 a year freelancing for the company, subsequently left Marvel in 1970 for rival DC Comics, under editorial director Carmine Infantino.

Kirby spent nearly two years negotiating a deal to move to DC Comics, where in late 1970 he signed a three-year contract with an option for two additional years. He produced a series of interlinked titles under the blanket sobriquet "The Fourth World", which included a trilogy of new titles — New Gods, Mister Miracle, and The Forever People — as well as the extant Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen. Kirby picked the latter book because the series was without a stable creative team and he did not want to cost anyone a job. The three books Kirby originated dealt with aspects of mythology he'd previously touched upon in Thor.

 The New Gods would establish this new mythos, while in The Forever People Kirby would attempt to mythologize the lives of the young people he observed around him. The third book, Mister Miracle was more of a personal myth. The title character was an escape artist, which Mark Evanier suggests Kirby channeled his feelings of constraint into. Mister Miracle's wife was based in character on Kirby's wife Roz, and he even caricatured Stan Lee within the pages of the book as Funky Flashman. The central villain of the Fourth World series, Darkseid, and some of the Fourth World concepts, appeared in Jimmy Olsen before the launch of the other Fourth World books, giving the new titles greater exposure to potential buyers. The Superman figures and Jimmy Olsen faces drawn by Kirby were redrawn by Al Plastino, and later by Murphy Anderson. 

Kirby later produced other DC series such as OMAC, Kamandi, The Demon, and Kobra, and worked on such extant features as "The Losers" in Our Fighting Forces. Together with former partner Joe Simon for one last time, he worked on a new incarnation of the Sandman. Kirby produced three issues of the 1st Issue Special anthology series and created Atlas The Great, a new Manhunter, and the Dingbats of Danger Street.

Kirby's production assistant of the time, Mark Evanier, recounted that DC's policies of the era were not in sync with Kirby's creative impulses, and that he was often forced to work on characters and projects he did not like. Meanwhile, some artists at DC did not want Kirby there, as he threatened their positions in the company; they also had bad blood from previous competition with Marvel and legal problems with him. Since he was working from California, they were able to undermine his work through redesigns in the New York office.

REVIEW

If you are a ninenties creature like me, you remember all these concepts very well, because they came back in the form of Cadmus in the superman titles of the “triangle” era. This is proof that Kirby left a big legacy on more than one company. It is sometimes hard to tell where Kirby starts and where other writers come in. It is hard to tell on his Marvel work at least (and Stan Lee would often take credit for Kirby’s work). So the Fourth World is a good place to check on the real Jack Kirby. Away from Joe Simon, away from Stan Lee.

Now, about this issue. As I said, I knew most of these things from the 90′s Superman titles (that was also the last time Jimmy Olsen mattered). But I have to imagine what it was like to new readers... Jimmy Olsen readers in particular, that a few months ago were reading about Superman trying to prevent Jimmy (an adult) from being adopted. I also have to have in mind that comic-book readers were probably very aware of who Jack Kirby was. The sixties were pretty much dominated by Marvel, and a big part of that success was because of Kirby. But, as I said before, Stan Lee would take the media and take credit for everything. So I am not sure how aware casual readers were with Jack Kirby.

If they weren’t, by this issue they probably were, as DC did a lot of fanfare about the fact that Kirby was coming to DC. Some people compared Bendis coming to DC to this period of time in particular. While there are similarities, it is too early too judge Bendis legacy at this point in time.

The story in this issue is ok. There are a lot of characters and plots being introduced. It’s the first appearance of Morgan Edge, the Wild Area, the Outsiders, the Newsboy Legion (Junior) and other concepts. It is important to remark that this Newsboy Legion is not the golden age version of that group. They are the sons of the originals (and they look pretty much the same... and dress the same). Flip is a bit weird, though. I am pretty sure he doesn’t need the scuba kit on all the time. I will be reviewing the original Newsboy Legion in the golden age reviews.

The art is better than the usual Kirby style, but as it was said above, Al Plastino redrew Superman and Jimmy’s faces. This was common practice at DC, as they didn’t want their most emblematic characters changing too much from issue to issue.

I give this issue a score of 8

#jack kirby #al plastino #fourth world #vince colletta #gaspar saladino #bronze age #dc comics #1970 #jimmy olsen #superman's pal jimmy olsen #newsboy legion #comics #review

[proudtobeadepphead]

GQ Germany Interview:

Interviewer: Mister Depp, let's talk about coolness: You often been called "cool". What does that mean to you? Who would you call cool?

Johnny: Cool can mean so many different things. I have always thought that an individual personality is cool. Someone who is just himself. It's actually quite simple - I like those people cool. Patti Smith is cool, she is unadulterated. Iggy Pop is cool, he is unadulterated. Jim Morrison was cool and unadulterated. Marlon Brando was cool and unadulterated. Hunter was cool. You know, only today someone told me about his work as a counselor for children with HIV. Children who have been adopted. It is so brave of him to give something back to others in this way. He impressed me so much that I wanted to be hugged by him. I worked a lot with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and got to know these children. Children with whom fate has not meant well, who have to deal with serious illnesses and pain. In their eyes is not fear, but only bravery and courage. That's really cool. Would I call myself cool? I do not know if that really applies to me, maybe people will see me that way because I'm rather quiet.

I: In the summer you go on a european tour with your band Hollywood Vampires. How important is music in your life?

Johnny: Music is everything, even in my work. The access to my work as an actor is the same as that to my work as a musician. I deal with it, I learn, I listen. By teaching myself how to play the guitar, just by listening to records, I had a pretty good starting position to train my hearing for the shades in the human voice. Be it the timbre, the accent or the attack. As a kid, I've been puzzling various people, and probably this trained hearing helped me a lot. I constantly use it in my work. I think we all have a soundtrack in our heads at all times. For certain scenes I use music. If I want to mentally get back into a situation, or if I have to feel or show something, then it works with a song within seconds. Certain songs immediately evoke memories. My memory is sorted by music. That's why I use music very often.

I: What does "male" mean to you?

Johnny: A real man is a man who keeps his word. The definition of a man is to be true, loyal and present. He must fight against any injustice, be it on the small everyday level or on a large scale, with or without fear. The masculine is to go out into the world as oneself, when there is nothing else. And being sincere and trustworthy.

I: You made a campaign for Dior for the second time - do you think that the image that Dior and photographer Jean-Baptiste Mondino created for "Sauvage" reflects your personality?

Johnny: I think when Jean-Baptiste looks at someone, it's like dissecting his personality. He shifts layer after layer to find the aspect that interests or inspires him, and then he catches some of you in it. This is shown, for example, by the wolf. The wolf is a lonely figure, right? There is definitely a part of me that tends to be a loner. You can never find me in the middle of a crowd.

I: So you're more of a loner?

Johnny: I prefer to stay in the shade and like to hold back. I feel better in the dark. Jean-Baptiste Mondino has captured this side of me. I am a shy person. It's interesting if I play a role, I have no restrictions at all. I can do anything in front of the camera. It's a bit strange to feel better in front of the camera in a role than in your own skin. If I had to get up at a dinner party and say a toast ... I would be a disaster! As a character, a completely different world opens up. Jean-Baptiste has captured something of mine, the part that does not want to talk about all these strange words, or even to perceive them at all. "Celebrity" or "prominence" and all the other nonsense that I can not really connect with.

I: Do you think that Mondino has incorporated some of your roles in the campaign? Did you remember something about the movie characters you played?

Johnny: No, it does not have that. Do you know what has reminded me more than anything else? For an actor it is not the most important thing to act, but to react. That's what it's all about, and you have to do one of the hardest things in the world, being easy. Being in a state of being. It felt very natural, not at all like a roll. I gave him this state of being, and he laid free, layer by layer, until he found what he was interested in. He revealed it, and I accepted it. He allowed me to get involved, and that's the beauty of it. It had nothing planned, cumbersome or intentionally cool or unusual. Just the look that he has for the light, how it hits the mountains. He is a master in it. Honestly, I had more fun with the few days of filming in the desert than with most films, because it felt natural.

I: Is there a person you would like to play once? A character of history or the present, or someone who inspires you in particular?

Johnnny: Oh yes, there are people who fascinate me and books that I'm obsessed with. It is possible to really love a fictional character. For example, the "catcher in the rye". No one should actually watch a movie version of Holden Caulfield. Holden Caulfield must look like the imagination of the reader, as described by J. D. Salinger. Then you have these great personalities, Picasso for example: you can never do it justice, and that's why you should rather stay away from it. Or take "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac. That was my Bible as a child and still is in many ways. It has given me so much and helped me grow up. I never thought that this book should be filmed. I did not see the movie a few years ago, but I know the director, Walter Salles. He's a nice guy, but the character Sal Paradise from "On the Road" is Jack Kerouac himself, right? It is difficult to think of someone else or to imagine someone else. It's just too good to falsify.

I: Are there any Hollywood icons that inspired you during your career that made you do what you want?

Johnny: Ultimately, I have always been inspired by individual personalities, whether on television or in films. Real individuals, very different types of comedians, entertainers, actors or singers. These unique individuals really inspired me, for example Charlie Callas or Don Rickles, Foster Brooks, who was able to imitate a drunk, Dean Martin, Marlon Brando, Yul Brynner. These were all clearly defined and completely unique individuals, and for me that is the most important thing. They never tried to imitate anyone. They just went their own way and it was unique. The present generation and the generation that comes after me think that they do not have to experience this individuality, these people who are absolutely unique. In the meantime, everyone just wants to become famous to be famous. But why would you want to be famous? I do not know, and I do not care. It never really mattered to me.

I: Your most famous character is undoubtedly Captain Jack Sparrow. How much fun is it to play this character? How connected do you feel with him?

Johnny: To play a man like Jack Sparrow - who can just say anything, even if it does not make any sense at all, and then somehow has to try to make sense of the whole thing, which in turn makes it more tangled and abstract, and he can get away with it … It is strange. When I play Captain Jack, I have to grin almost all the time. Being him makes me laugh. He can do anything, he can say everything. "Hello, sweetheart!" He can be incredibly naughty. His character is the opposite of mine. I can also be naughty, but I've never been so extroverted. I have always been very shy. To become Captain Jack Sparrow, to find him in me, to allow myself to drop that curtain, and to be simply absurd and disrespectful and to try out nonsense in a roll, is an endless experiment.

I: How much of that is written in the script? And how much of yourself is in the role?

Johnny: I have been in this business for a long time, and I have always rewritten individual sentences. Sometimes you have a script and it sounds fantastic, but in reality it just does not work because people do not speak the way it stands there. In general, people do not talk as much in reality as in movies. That's why I've always rewritten individual parts. But I write everything with Captain Jack. I stopped reading scene instructions many years ago. Sure, when I read a script for the first time, I read the dialogues and instructions to understand what the movie as a whole is. But after that I never read the instructions again. I do not want to know what to do or where to stand, it should just happen. So you have more freedom. Of course, the director can point out the script if he wants. But I would prefer to know nothing about it. Sometimes a scene is self-explanatory.

I: What criteria do you use to select your films?

Johnny: It depends. For a script, I can usually say it after the first ten pages, or even after the first three or four pages. Normally I give ten pages to a script. After that, I know if I'm the right person for the movie. I agree if I feel like I can contribute something to the film, to the vision. Something that has not been done a thousand times before regarding the performance or the interpretation of a role. That's all. If something touches me or makes me curious, then I can think of pictures of the character I am reading about. First thoughts come to me, and nine times out of ten, the first thoughts are the best. Kerouac also said that the first thought is the best. Hemingway too. When asked how to become a good writer, which is the biggest challenge, he said, "All you have to do is write a true sentence." It sounds so easy, but it's incredibly difficult. (X)

#Johnny Depp #wearewithyoujohnnydepp #youcantkeepagoodmandown #dior #sauvage #made by me

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Getting Hot with the Scot by Melonie Johnson

Sometimes in Love #1

Cassie Crow and her friends have been planning their trip to Europe for years and finally, about five years after they graduate from college, they have gone on their dream trip together.

This book begins in Scotland and is the first in a series of books that will no doubt showcase each of Cassie’s friends and how they find the person who will become t heir partner in life. But, this is Cassie and Logan’s story.

Cassie is in a Castle and happens upon a hunky kilted Scot inside a library wall. Is he a time traveler or??? Well...when Cassie realizes that the tall gorgeous redhead with the brogue is Logan Reid, prankster extraordinaire, she put the kibosh on his hopes of putting the impromptu kiss they shared onto his website. Not wanting to give up on getting her to sign the release form he puts the moves on to see if he can change her mind. Little does he know that HER goal is to have a torrid European fling while on her dream vacation. And thus begins their journey toward a HES...maybe. Beginning in Scotland they move on to England, seems to end, picks up again in Chicago and continues on from there. How they manage to find their HEA involves some maneuvering, includes Cassie’s friends and sets the reader up for book two that will be the story of one of Logan’s friends getting together with one of Cassie’s friends – these two meet on the European vacation, too.

This book had a New Adult feel to it so my guess is it will be a favorite with those who read this genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars  

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The first in a new series, a journalist focused on her career and a sexy Scottish comedian turn a one night stand into forever.

Cassie Crow leaves for vacation with two goals: fill up her empty charm bracelet and have a one night stand. For once, she wants to have fun instead of obsessively checking her work email. And kissing a man in a castle who’s dressed as a Scottish Highlander is the perfect solution.

Except when that man turns out to be Logan Reid, the host of a popular sketch show—and Cassie has just been roped into his latest prank. She wants nothing to do with his antics, but that was a really great kiss, and one night together couldn’t hurt.

It’s clear that one night isn’t enough and when Logan’s show brings him closer to Cassie, they decide to give dating a try. Can the woman who’s focused solely on her career and the man who refuses to take life seriously make it work?

EXCERPT

Would you look at that? The man is wearing a kilt.

Note to self: Cassie Crow—be careful what you wish for.

The man groaned again and raised a hand to shield his eyes from the sunlight now cutting across the hidden al- cove.

“Are you all right?”

“I will be fine once ye douse that blasted light.” He squinted up at her. “Be ye a new chambermaid?”

Chambermaid? She eyed the wide sleeves and open neck of the old-fashioned piratey shirt he wore. “Not sure what kind of weird-ass stuff you’re into buddy, but I don’t do RPG.”

“Weird . . . ass?” His dark red brows drew together as he shaped his mouth around the letters. “Are pee gee?”

“Role playing games. You know, like cosplay or what- ever.” She pointed at him. “Look, you’re the one wearing that get-up and talking like a reject from Macbeth.”

He narrowed his eyes at her finger. “Be ye a witch?” “What did you call me?”

With another groan, he lurched forward. Oh God, what if he was hurt? For all she knew he was a member of some

historic castle tour who got lost in a back passageway and hit his head. She leaned down to inspect him for bruises.

He threw a hand out, palm up, warding her off. “Back away, sorceress,” he hissed.

“Seriously?” She slapped his hand out of the way. “Here, let me help you out of there.” Cassie tugged gently on his shoulder. The voluminous shirt was loose, but she could feel—and appreciate—the thick spread of muscle beneath the soft fabric.

Just my luck, I finally run into a hot Highlander, and he’s delusional.

The man waved off her assistance and struggled to his feet, shaking a wild tousle of thick, red hair out of his eyes. Cassie never fancied herself to be a ginger girl, but it worked on him . . . or maybe that was the kilt talking. She eyed the swath of plaid fabric wrapped around his hips and wondered, like any female in her position would, what might or might not be under there. Reluctantly, she raised her gaze and caught him scrutinizing her in return.

“What be these strange breeks ye wear?” he asked, moving in a circle around her.

Cassie swore she could feel the weight of each of his eyeballs resting on her denim-clad backside. Fair enough. After a prolonged moment, she glanced over her shoulder. “Get a good look?”

“Aye.” He swallowed. “’Tis most unseemly, lass.” He shook his head, gaze still glued to her ass.

“They’re called jeans.” She pivoted to face him. “Are you for real?”

He met her gaze, his answer falling from his lips in a deep, rich brogue with trilling r’s that curled her toes, “Aye, lass, I’m real.”

Cassie’s heart hiccupped. Of course he’s real. Unless

those shots were stronger than I thought. “Were you at the whisky tasting?”

“Whisky?” His green-gold eyes lit with interest. “Do ye have whisky for me, then? I could use a wee dram. Be a good lass and fetch it for me.”

“Ha! I think you’ve had enough, mister. Is that how you ended up stuck in there?” Even as she said this, Cassie doubted it. She didn’t smell a hint of alcohol on him, though she did pick up other pleasant smells. Mint and clove and man and . . . Stop being ridiculous.

His broad shoulders lifted and dropped. “I dinna ken.” “How long were you in there?”

Another shrug.

Cassie dragged her attention away from the wide curve of his shoulders and leaned past him, inspecting the dark, narrow space behind the bookshelf.

He grabbed her wrist and pulled her back, panic edg- ing his voice. “Nay, lass. Doona be going in there.”

“Why not?” She inched forward and tried to get a bet- ter look.

“It canna be safe.” He tugged on her wrist again, his fingers warm and firm.

Tiny butterflies danced along the path where his skin touched hers. She brushed away the tingling sensation and slipped out of his grip, careful not to snag her bracelet. “Well, you were in there, and you appear to have man- aged.”

“Are ye daft, wench? I was trapped!”

She sniffed, not sure she liked being referred to as a wench, and frowned up at him. “What’s the last thing you remember?”

He closed his eyes and slumped against the shelf. “I canna recall anything afore the moment I woke to find my-

self crammed within yonder wall.” He blinked and fo- cused intently on her. “The moment I found you, lass.”

Cassie decided she liked being called lass much better than wench, especially when he was looking at her like that. Gazes locked, her other senses sharpened, heighten- ing her awareness of his body and its proximity to hers. She cleared her throat. “Hm. I think it’d be more accurate to say I’m the one who found you.” Telling herself she was only searching for injuries, she reached up and tentatively skimmed her palms along his temples, her fingers trailing his scalp.

“Looking for devil’s horns?” The man cocked one wicked brow at her as he raised his arms to mirror her movements, running his hands over her head and shoul- ders before brushing his palms down her back. “Ye’ve naught got any fairy wings, so I’d say we’re even. In fact,” he whispered against her hair, standing so close the low burr of his voice became a purr in her own chest, “ye feel perfect to me.”

Like the migrating monarchs her dad studied, the but- terflies made a return trip, enveloping her in a fluttery haze. She shivered. Whether it was the Scot or the scotch or both, Cassie didn’t care. He was here and she was here, and damn it all, it was about time she skipped to the good stuff. With a forceful mental click, Cassie turned off her brain, tilted her chin up, and caught his mouth with hers.

He made a low sound in the back of his throat, of pro- test or surprise, she wasn’t sure. But then his hands settled at her waist, and he returned the kiss. His mouth was somehow soft and hard at the same time, and when he slipped his tongue between her lips, she felt more light- headed than if she’d downed every shot of whisky that had been on that tasting list.

Cassie rolled her tongue against his, savoring the deli- cious contact. He met her thrust for thrust, deepening the kiss until she was swept away on a tidal wave of desire. This. This is what I’ve been waiting for. She clung to him, hands gripping his shoulders, swimming in sensa- tion, drowning in it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Star Wars junkie and Shakespeare groupie who quotes both Yoda and the Bard with equal aplomb, award-winning author Melonie Johnson—aka #thewritinglush—is a two-time RWA Golden Heart® finalist who loves dark coffee, cheap wine, and expensive beer. And margaritas. And mimosas. And mules. Basically any cocktail that starts with the letter m. She met her future husband in that most romantic of places—the mall—when they were teenagers working in stores across the hall from each other. They went on to live happily ever after in the suburbs of Chicago with two redhead daughters, a dog that’s more like a small horse, and a trio of hermit crabs. After earning her Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude from Loyola University Chicago, Melonie taught high school English and Theatre in the northern Chicago suburbs for several years. Now she writes smart and funny contemporary romance and moonlights as an audiobook narrator under the pseudonym, Evelyn Eibhlin.

Buy this book: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250193094

Author website: https://meloniejohnson.com/

Author Twitter: @MelonieJohnson

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meloniejohnson/

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelonieWrites/

SMP Romance Twitter: @SMPRomance or @heroesnhearts

SMP Romance Website: https://heroesandheartbreakers.com/

#Melonie Johnson #Sometimes in Love 1 #New Adult Romance #NetGalley #Scottish Contemporary Romance #SMP #St. Martin's Press

[jaxadele]

Marketing the good word of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

After sitting at the kitchen table for more hours than I wanted, I got a message from Batman/The Dark Knight. DoubleACS had time for me to pop over and film a PSA for On Common Ground and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Committee of Greater Attleboro regarding the Day of Service event on Saturday at 12:30pm at LaSalette Shrine. This event is intended to bring the community together for an inspirational speech by Joel Christian Gill of Strange Fruit Comics and a potluck lunch along with family friendly arts and craft activities. I’ve been on the event committee due to my role as Marketing Manager at On Common Ground. The position is voluntary and works hand in hand with my Fundraising Coordinator role. I’ve been helping to spread the word. This video was part of it. It will play on Attleboro’s public access channel, their youtube, and I believe the radio. (I should probably double check on that.) Batman/The Dark Knight urged me to use the teleprompter which I usually don’t do because I rather be able to say it like a BOSS in one take. He was doing me the favor so I complied. It was interesting watching the words scroll as I talked. Not as cool as karaoke but I got through it in 4 takes. The last being the most energetic because really if you don’t put some umpf into it, what are you doing. Take a look and a big thanks to DoubleACS.

Another cool thing about the event on Saturday is that my altruistic friend Todd aka Zombie Leader will be painting live a portrait of MLK Jr. for attendants to admire as he works. I’ve been very proud of the immense progress Todd has made painting on a regular basis. We were trying to think of other ways we could incorporate more art into the event and Todd was texting me at the time. So why not take him up on his generosity once again? Todd was thrilled and I look forward to seeing the result. I have been blessed with two originals from Todd. One of me as Dazzler, the other a unicorn with blue eyes. You could say it’s me in my true form but you’d have to ask the artist.

Comic Cons

Speaking of Todd, we actually have a very full schedule of comic cons coming up. Todd has asked me to help him as often as possible. I think he realizes how good I am at the table hustle. You can’t just sit there! That being said, I will be happy to be a member of Team Zombie Leader whenever I can. I’ve asked for some fabric to design my own uniform and intend on working on my zombie makeup further. It’s sometimes too stressful to plan cosplay for each con and much easier to just go with a zombie. In previous messages you will see that I am a bit tired of cosplay. I still love it but the reasons for doing it are not the same. It used to give me a way to express myself and be outrageous under the guise of costumed play. Now I can be as garish as I want without fear. I can also wear costumes whenever I want and take photos. Comic cons are expense and are moving towards the mainstream consumer market. Very few of them are focused on community and so I rarely see my friends walking the halls. At least if I go with Zombie Leader, I’m supporting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and my friends will be able to easily find me as I’ll be stationed at the table. I’ll be sure to add any cons I’m attending to my public Facebook events section, you can subscribe to be notified of events as well if you use Facebook. I will try to keep them up to date on my website as well.

Residential Life

After my camera time Batman/The Dark Knight and I finalized the paperwork and submitted to my favorite apartment. By today we were approved and by tomorrow we will have secured an awesome 2 bedroom in the heart of Attleboro. Walking distance to my temporary roommates A & C as well as Morin’s, the commuter rail, DoubleACS, the library, the skate park, and so much more. We are very excited and I can’t wait to move in an unpack my piano and sewing machine. I’m sure they miss me as much as I miss them.

Library

Another visit to the Attleboro Public Library. I returned a few I didn’t need, picked up an audiobook I had requested, and took out 3 new ones: one about writing with a cause, one about musical theater, and one by Tim Gunn about fashion. Can you see how diverse my interests are? I love finding out where these sections are in the library. I get so excited knowing that all of this information is accessible to me. I want it all. I take the books, read them, skim the parts that don’t interest me, and process the information. I make notes in the paper journal I’ve been toting around with me everywhere I go. (Sometimes I text myself too.) Visit your own library. Feel a book. It’s real. It’s in your hand. The information in it won’t be deleted amidst controversy. It will continue to be there, present in the moment with you and in your hand, until your return it.

Consulting Continues

I had an appointment with one of my clients in the evening. It’s always nice to know that you are able to help someone, it makes it better when that person is just a pleasure to work with. This is my favorite part of being a consultant. I can take on clients who don’t want to use me but rather work together. They give me their problems and I give them budget friendly solutions to choose from. We discuss the pros and cons, make decisions and turn problems into opportunities to learn and grow.

Wrestling 

I had received a call earlier in the day. A friend of E and I was thinking of coming to Massachusetts for a visit. I was happy to head to E’s house to watch WWE’s Raw and hang out with a friend. We all share a mutual love of wrestling and wrestling belts. E has so many belts and our friend re-leathers them professionally. I have two but one I intend to sell after it’s been re-leathered. The other one is a Tag Team Championship belt in a children’s size. I love it, I got it because it was New Day’s belt but they have since lost it. It really is perfect for me though, in size and the fact that I will always be a solo tag team champion until I meet my tag team mate. Que sera…I LOVE WRESTLING. I want to be able to go behind the scenes or see them working on the script for the match. At least when I talk about wrestling with my friends who enjoy wrestling they either answer my questions or listen to my ramblings. I’m 100% okay with playing into the story and enjoying it. It’s so campy. Wrestling is violent athletic improv and I would love to learn how to do it one day…and that day will be A NEW DAY. (I’m writing this while watching SmackDown with F. I may be overdosing for the week.)

Neighbors

I’ve started listening to the audiobook for The World According to Mister Rogers. Like the Oprah audiobook, this book is so positive. Mr. Rogers’ an amazing human being. I will write more in depth about this once I finish it but from what I heard, there are so many wonderful quotes in it. I’m trying to think of who you could compare Mr. Rogers to these days but really there is no one like him. I want to be like Mr. Rogers. I want to encourage people, provide them with hope, and make their days better. If I had to write a list of the people I wanted to emulate myself after it would be: Gwen Stefani for style and courage to speak the truth of her feelings, Mr. Rogers for his ability to find what is special in everyone and celebrate it, Pee Wee Herman for his child like sense of wonder and fun, and Martha Stewart for her patience and resourcefulness. If I could be like all of these people but in my own way, I would be happy. I guess that’s what I’m striving to do.

In regards to writing, this is only a portion of the past two days and it’s taken me about two hours to write. I’m tired and content to relax with F, her two cats, and watching SmackDown. Until next time…

XO Jax

MLK day event, Comic Cons in the future, Wrestling, Mr. Rogers, apartment hunting and more. Marketing the good word of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. After sitting at the kitchen table for more hours than I wanted, I got a message from Batman/The Dark Knight.

#apartment #attleboro #batman/the dark knight #comic con #cosplay #LLS #MLK #Mr. Roger #on common ground #wrestling #Zombie Leader

[mixedbagmag]

Not your average diplomats – Conflict resolution relies increasingly on diplomatic back channels | International

<![CDATA[ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ]]> Jan 21st 2020TALKS BETWEEN the Colombian government and the FARC rebels were trapped. The two sides cannot agree on how to provide those responsible for offences during the country’s 52-year civil war in order to account. But with the aid of Inter Mediate, the British charity, a means forward was discovered, involving the appointment associated with three independent attorneys on each part. In 2015 the pioneering transitional-justice offer was reached.Whenever official efforts to solve a conflict lack or bogged lower, another way must be discovered. “You need a referee,” says Jonathan Powell of Inter Mediate, “and which has to be someone who’s trusted by each sides.” The particular involvement of 3rd parties can take a lot of forms. They can assist as advisers (as in Colombia). They might open a back again channel (as Southern Africa’s ruling Nationwide Party did to be able to negotiate an end in order to apartheid with the Africa National Congress—representatives from the two hostile edges secretly met within an English country home owned by a gold-mining firm). Increasingly, they will establish entire choice avenues for conversation. Such diplomacy, called “Track 2”, floods the void still left by the official kind in “Track 1”.The term, first utilized in 1981 by a north american diplomat, Joseph Montville, covers everything from moderate workshops to main initiatives. Even the writer of a book about them, Peter Jones from the University of Ottawa, says Track two “defies easy definition”. To complicate issues, some variants combine into “Track 1.5” (run for yourself but with involvement associated with public officials), whilst “Track 3” links communities.They all have one main thing in common: they are growing. “When I actually first started in the first 1990s, you could possibly count on two fingers the number of organisations associated with this kind of work, however in the last ten years there’s been an expansion,” says Hrair Balian of the Billings Centre in Gwinnett. One driver, maybe, is an increase in discord. The UN Workplace for the Co-ordination associated with Humanitarian Affairs reckons there were 402 “political conflicts” in 2016, up from 278 a decade earlier. (It defines conflict commonly, including anything from your bloodbath in Syria to tetchy trades between Scottish nationalists and the British govt.)Track 2 endeavours proliferated during the chilly war. The Dartmouth Conferences fostered connections between cultural numbers, scholars and political figures from East plus West; the Pugwash Conferences brought collectively scientists. With communism’s collapse the need for choice tracks diminished. The very first two decades after the drop of the Berlin Wall structure brought some 30 major peace contracts, according to David Harland of the Swiss-based Center for Humanitarian Conversation (HD), a leader within private diplomacy. However the next decade noticed only seven or even eight. Technology offers enabled smaller organizations to pile directly into conflicts, making them messier and harder for the particular UN’s state-centric program to handle, Mr Harland argues. Meanwhile, 2 or 3 new wars begin each year.These are generally within countries, not really between them. In the trickiest cases, “Track one as a conflict-resolution device has really dropped its significance,” says Luxshi Vimalarajah, of the Berghof Basis in Berlin, one more leader in the field. The advantages of more flexible methods to bring the parties collectively creates a gap regarding private peacemakers.A few, like Jimmy Billings, a former American leader, have brought abilities honed in govt. Martti Ahtisaari, the president of Finland and like Mister Carter a Nobel peace laureate, setup Crisis Management Effort (CMI). Mr Powell co-founded Inter Mediate after, as an Uk official, pushing regarding peace in North Ireland.For dimension HD, with some 250 people, could competitor the diplomatic program of many a nation. At the other finish are numerous think-tanks plus NGOs. In the middle are usually expert facilitators such as Mr Jones’s Ottawa Dialogue or the United states of america Institute of Serenity (USIP). Nancy Lindborg, USIP’s boss, states that, after a post-cold-war lull, the revival of regional plus great-power rivalry once more requires greater dependence on Track 2 plus 1.5.Peace-building is not the only region for Track 2. In Delhi upon February 3rd-5th the particular “US-India Track II Dialogue on Weather Change and Energy” will gather, since it has each year within India or The united states since 2010, backed by the Aspen Start and other think-tanks. Considering that Donald Trump left the Paris agreement, such meetings (like similar sessions along with China) offer an opportunity to explain how much is nevertheless happening on the environment front. By a single estimate, action in subnational levels can reduce America’s greenhouse-gas emissions by as much as 37% over 2005 levels by 2030.As for Track three or more, it is a way of looking to ensure that a serenity effort is “inclusive, so that you don’t possess elite settlements”, states Jonathan Cohen, associated with Conciliation Resources working in london. In Yemen, CMI is working on nearby ceasefires and possibilities for a wider selection of voices to have their particular say in the recognized UN-led peace generate. Women’s representatives “have identified concrete, doable steps, to ensure women’s inclusion in the serenity process and in wider political decision-making,” says Sylvia Thompson, who manages CMI’s Yemen initiative.Endgame…Private diplomacy has constantly existed. But it offers acquired not only an extravagant name but the reputation and a group of established practices. The reputation rose which includes high-profile successes. The particular agreement that finished the civil battle in Mozambique emerged through patient function by Sant’Egidio, the Catholic organisation. HIGH-DEFINITION helped to assist in a ceasefire among Indonesia and separatists in Aceh: the particular Indonesian government “wouldn’t let an international government anywhere close to its internal affairs”, recalls Martin Griffiths, who played a top part (he has become the UN specific envoy for Yemen). Similarly, Spain’s wish to avoid mediation simply by other governments provided an opening regarding private diplomacy within negotiations with the Basque terrorists of ETA. Whereas officials often favour the state, personal facilitators can be a lot more even-handed.Although Monitor 2 is personal, the public sometimes will get a glimpse. “Oslo”, a play, dramatises the back-channel discussions in the 1990s among Israelis and Palestinians that led to the particular Oslo Accords. This highlights a vital element: deniability. Track two creates a safe area where ideas could be aired and plans tested, without recognized fingerprints. It can allow contacts with a deceptive state such as Northern Korea, or among adversaries such as Saudis and Iranians.The Track 2 conversation may begin with an operating paper and a plan of familiar stances before moving on—after an icebreaker dinner—to a more creative dialogue. Over time, with good fortune, trust and understanding develop. The Oslo meetings made improvement in part because a lot of those involved had used part in training courses between Israelis plus Palestinians organised for a long time by Herbert Kelman, a Harvard interpersonal psychologist. What Mister Jones calls “a facilitated, problem-solving dialogue” can help participants proceed from parroting set positions towards the joint discussion then joint proposals, that they can take to their particular authorities.No one might claim that Track two is easy, or fast. Facilitators have to “provide the space without dictating solutions”, says Microsoft Vimalarajah. “I’ve by no means seen a process that’s been very geradlinig.” This is not a casino game you get into unless of course you’re comfortable with the lowest batting average, records another expert. “Track 2 is limited, let’s be honest,” says Eugene Rumer of the Carnegie Diathesis for International Serenity, a think-tank. He’s been involved in “no bullshit” exchanges among Americans and Russians on security problems; the modest accomplishment may be to give food to a fresh idea or even two back to the particular Kremlin or the Whitened House. Sometimes facilitators do get tantalisingly near to a breakthrough—on legal rights for Kurds within Turkey, for example—only to be stymied with a mood change within government.Is Monitor 2 worth all of the effort? Not most people are a fan. Diplomats sometimes frown upon outsiders’ encroachment. America’s Logan Act associated with 1799 criminalises unauthorised negotiations that challenge government policy. The particular ethics of coping with people with blood on the hands is difficult.…or endless sport?One worry can be confusion. “There’s the proliferation of stars,” says Lakhdar Brahimi, a former Algerian diplomat now using the Elders, a group of peace-promoting statesmen. “Nobody may control it.” He points in order to Afghanistan and Southern Sudan as samples of “overcrowding”, with an abundance of well-meaning specific envoys and NGOs. Quality can endure, too. “I actually question the activities associated with some NGOs deceiving to do Track two,” says the particular Carter Centre’s Mister Balian, “especially if they start advocating for the particular side within a dispute.”A 2nd concern is that Monitor 2 can stay a mere talking-shop. Casual initiatives should be carefully connected to official diplomacy from the start: if Monitor 1 people have not really been involved in the preliminary brief they will not want to consider the debrief. An evident way of ensuring the credible transmission system is to include a few official representatives: therefore the increasing recognition of Track 1.5.A third problem is measuring usefulness. Backers—supportive governments, particularly Nordic ones, plus charitable foundations—want to learn whether their cash is well invested. But how to assess the success of what is usually a long-term business, largely hidden through view? Pathways regarding Peace, a UN-World Bank study, quotes that spending read more about conflict-prevention efforts conserve anything from $5bn a year to $70bn. Specific metrics for that cost-effectiveness of Monitor 2 are more difficult to devise.The entire impact can take yrs to become visible. Within Sudan the Billings Centre facilitated the “Guinea worm ceasefire” in 1995, allowing health services to achieve remote villages; this particular led to formal discussions, a peace contract and ultimately towards the separation of Sudan and South Sudan in 2011. More frequently it is a matter of creating relationships or planning solutions for use once the political time can be ripe.At the best, unofficial diplomacy complements the official kind. “They could do something that we couldn’t perform,” says Jordan Keating of their time as EL envoy for Somalia (he has considering that switched to the personal side as mind of the Brussels-based Western Institute of Peace), “and we could do something that they couldn’t perform.” But that diplomatic ecosystem grows, it needs to develop, with better co-ordination, savvier metrics plus, old hands claim, a greater focus on the particular grassroots. The wider the support at the base, the sturdier a peace is likely to be. 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[youngsternantes]

Not your average diplomats – Conflict resolution relies increasingly on diplomatic back channels | International

<![CDATA[ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ]]> Jan 21st 2020TALKS BETWEEN the Colombian government and the FARC rebels were trapped. The two sides cannot agree on how to provide those responsible for offences during the country’s 52-year civil war in order to account. But with the aid of Inter Mediate, the British charity, a means forward was discovered, involving the appointment associated with three independent attorneys on each part. In 2015 the pioneering transitional-justice offer was reached.Whenever official efforts to solve a conflict lack or bogged lower, another way must be discovered. “You need a referee,” says Jonathan Powell of Inter Mediate, “and which has to be someone who’s trusted by each sides.” The particular involvement of 3rd parties can take a lot of forms. They can assist as advisers (as in Colombia). They might open a back again channel (as Southern Africa’s ruling Nationwide Party did to be able to negotiate an end in order to apartheid with the Africa National Congress—representatives from the two hostile edges secretly met within an English country home owned by a gold-mining firm). Increasingly, they will establish entire choice avenues for conversation. Such diplomacy, called “Track 2”, floods the void still left by the official kind in “Track 1”.The term, first utilized in 1981 by a north american diplomat, Joseph Montville, covers everything from moderate workshops to main initiatives. Even the writer of a book about them, Peter Jones from the University of Ottawa, says Track two “defies easy definition”. To complicate issues, some variants combine into “Track 1.5” (run for yourself but with involvement associated with public officials), whilst “Track 3” links communities.They all have one main thing in common: they are growing. “When I actually first started in the first 1990s, you could possibly count on two fingers the number of organisations associated with this kind of work, however in the last ten years there’s been an expansion,” says Hrair Balian of the Billings Centre in Gwinnett. One driver, maybe, is an increase in discord. The UN Workplace for the Co-ordination associated with Humanitarian Affairs reckons there were 402 “political conflicts” in 2016, up from 278 a decade earlier. (It defines conflict commonly, including anything from your bloodbath in Syria to tetchy trades between Scottish nationalists and the British govt.)Track 2 endeavours proliferated during the chilly war. The Dartmouth Conferences fostered connections between cultural numbers, scholars and political figures from East plus West; the Pugwash Conferences brought collectively scientists. With communism’s collapse the need for choice tracks diminished. The very first two decades after the drop of the Berlin Wall structure brought some 30 major peace contracts, according to David Harland of the Swiss-based Center for Humanitarian Conversation (HD), a leader within private diplomacy. However the next decade noticed only seven or even eight. Technology offers enabled smaller organizations to pile directly into conflicts, making them messier and harder for the particular UN’s state-centric program to handle, Mr Harland argues. Meanwhile, 2 or 3 new wars begin each year.These are generally within countries, not really between them. In the trickiest cases, “Track one as a conflict-resolution device has really dropped its significance,” says Luxshi Vimalarajah, of the Berghof Basis in Berlin, one more leader in the field. The advantages of more flexible methods to bring the parties collectively creates a gap regarding private peacemakers.A few, like Jimmy Billings, a former American leader, have brought abilities honed in govt. Martti Ahtisaari, the president of Finland and like Mister Carter a Nobel peace laureate, setup Crisis Management Effort (CMI). Mr Powell co-founded Inter Mediate after, as an Uk official, pushing regarding peace in North Ireland.For dimension HD, with some 250 people, could competitor the diplomatic program of many a nation. At the other finish are numerous think-tanks plus NGOs. In the middle are usually expert facilitators such as Mr Jones’s Ottawa Dialogue or the United states of america Institute of Serenity (USIP). Nancy Lindborg, USIP’s boss, states that, after a post-cold-war lull, the revival of regional plus great-power rivalry once more requires greater dependence on Track 2 plus 1.5.Peace-building is not the only region for Track 2. In Delhi upon February 3rd-5th the particular “US-India Track II Dialogue on Weather Change and Energy” will gather, since it has each year within India or The united states since 2010, backed by the Aspen Start and other think-tanks. Considering that Donald Trump left the Paris agreement, such meetings (like similar sessions along with China) offer an opportunity to explain how much is nevertheless happening on the environment front. By a single estimate, action in subnational levels can reduce America’s greenhouse-gas emissions by as much as 37% over 2005 levels by 2030.As for Track three or more, it is a way of looking to ensure that a serenity effort is “inclusive, so that you don’t possess elite settlements”, states Jonathan Cohen, associated with Conciliation Resources working in london. In Yemen, CMI is working on nearby ceasefires and possibilities for a wider selection of voices to have their particular say in the recognized UN-led peace generate. Women’s representatives “have identified concrete, doable steps, to ensure women’s inclusion in the serenity process and in wider political decision-making,” says Sylvia Thompson, who manages CMI’s Yemen initiative.Endgame…Private diplomacy has constantly existed. But it offers acquired not only an extravagant name but the reputation and a group of established practices. The reputation rose which includes high-profile successes. The particular agreement that finished the civil battle in Mozambique emerged through patient function by Sant’Egidio, the Catholic organisation. HIGH-DEFINITION helped to assist in a ceasefire among Indonesia and separatists in Aceh: the particular Indonesian government “wouldn’t let an international government anywhere close to its internal affairs”, recalls Martin Griffiths, who played a top part (he has become the UN specific envoy for Yemen). Similarly, Spain’s wish to avoid mediation simply by other governments provided an opening regarding private diplomacy within negotiations with the Basque terrorists of ETA. Whereas officials often favour the state, personal facilitators can be a lot more even-handed.Although Monitor 2 is personal, the public sometimes will get a glimpse. “Oslo”, a play, dramatises the back-channel discussions in the 1990s among Israelis and Palestinians that led to the particular Oslo Accords. This highlights a vital element: deniability. Track two creates a safe area where ideas could be aired and plans tested, without recognized fingerprints. It can allow contacts with a deceptive state such as Northern Korea, or among adversaries such as Saudis and Iranians.The Track 2 conversation may begin with an operating paper and a plan of familiar stances before moving on—after an icebreaker dinner—to a more creative dialogue. Over time, with good fortune, trust and understanding develop. The Oslo meetings made improvement in part because a lot of those involved had used part in training courses between Israelis plus Palestinians organised for a long time by Herbert Kelman, a Harvard interpersonal psychologist. What Mister Jones calls “a facilitated, problem-solving dialogue” can help participants proceed from parroting set positions towards the joint discussion then joint proposals, that they can take to their particular authorities.No one might claim that Track two is easy, or fast. Facilitators have to “provide the space without dictating solutions”, says Microsoft Vimalarajah. “I’ve by no means seen a process that’s been very geradlinig.” This is not a casino game you get into unless of course you’re comfortable with the lowest batting average, records another expert. “Track 2 is limited, let’s be honest,” says Eugene Rumer of the Carnegie Diathesis for International Serenity, a think-tank. He’s been involved in “no bullshit” exchanges among Americans and Russians on security problems; the modest accomplishment may be to give food to a fresh idea or even two back to the particular Kremlin or the Whitened House. Sometimes facilitators do get tantalisingly near to a breakthrough—on legal rights for Kurds within Turkey, for example—only to be stymied with a mood change within government.Is Monitor 2 worth all of the effort? Not most people are a fan. Diplomats sometimes frown upon outsiders’ encroachment. America’s Logan Act associated with 1799 criminalises unauthorised negotiations that challenge government policy. The particular ethics of coping with people with blood on the hands is difficult.…or endless sport?One worry can be confusion. “There’s the proliferation of stars,” says Lakhdar Brahimi, a former Algerian diplomat now using the Elders, a group of peace-promoting statesmen. “Nobody may control it.” He points in order to Afghanistan and Southern Sudan as samples of “overcrowding”, with an abundance of well-meaning specific envoys and NGOs. Quality can endure, too. “I actually question the activities associated with some NGOs deceiving to do Track two,” says the particular Carter Centre’s Mister Balian, “especially if they start advocating for the particular side within a dispute.”A 2nd concern is that Monitor 2 can stay a mere talking-shop. Casual initiatives should be carefully connected to official diplomacy from the start: if Monitor 1 people have not really been involved in the preliminary brief they will not want to consider the debrief. An evident way of ensuring the credible transmission system is to include a few official representatives: therefore the increasing recognition of Track 1.5.A third problem is measuring usefulness. Backers—supportive governments, particularly Nordic ones, plus charitable foundations—want to learn whether their cash is well invested. But how to assess the success of what is usually a long-term business, largely hidden through view? Pathways regarding Peace, a UN-World Bank study, quotes that spending read more about conflict-prevention efforts conserve anything from $5bn a year to $70bn. Specific metrics for that cost-effectiveness of Monitor 2 are more difficult to devise.The entire impact can take yrs to become visible. Within Sudan the Billings Centre facilitated the “Guinea worm ceasefire” in 1995, allowing health services to achieve remote villages; this particular led to formal discussions, a peace contract and ultimately towards the separation of Sudan and South Sudan in 2011. More frequently it is a matter of creating relationships or planning solutions for use once the political time can be ripe.At the best, unofficial diplomacy complements the official kind. “They could do something that we couldn’t perform,” says Jordan Keating of their time as EL envoy for Somalia (he has considering that switched to the personal side as mind of the Brussels-based Western Institute of Peace), “and we could do something that they couldn’t perform.” But that diplomatic ecosystem grows, it needs to develop, with better co-ordination, savvier metrics plus, old hands claim, a greater focus on the particular grassroots. The wider the support at the base, the sturdier a peace is likely to be. 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[schoolscom]

Not your average diplomats – Conflict resolution relies increasingly on diplomatic back channels | International

<![CDATA[ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ]]> Jan 21st 2020TALKS BETWEEN the Colombian government and the FARC rebels were trapped. The two sides cannot agree on how to provide those responsible for offences during the country’s 52-year civil war in order to account. But with the aid of Inter Mediate, the British charity, a means forward was discovered, involving the appointment associated with three independent attorneys on each part. In 2015 the pioneering transitional-justice offer was reached.Whenever official efforts to solve a conflict lack or bogged lower, another way must be discovered. “You need a referee,” says Jonathan Powell of Inter Mediate, “and which has to be someone who’s trusted by each sides.” The particular involvement of 3rd parties can take a lot of forms. They can assist as advisers (as in Colombia). They might open a back again channel (as Southern Africa’s ruling Nationwide Party did to be able to negotiate an end in order to apartheid with the Africa National Congress—representatives from the two hostile edges secretly met within an English country home owned by a gold-mining firm). Increasingly, they will establish entire choice avenues for conversation. Such diplomacy, called “Track 2”, floods the void still left by the official kind in “Track 1”.The term, first utilized in 1981 by a north american diplomat, Joseph Montville, covers everything from moderate workshops to main initiatives. Even the writer of a book about them, Peter Jones from the University of Ottawa, says Track two “defies easy definition”. To complicate issues, some variants combine into “Track 1.5” (run for yourself but with involvement associated with public officials), whilst “Track 3” links communities.They all have one main thing in common: they are growing. “When I actually first started in the first 1990s, you could possibly count on two fingers the number of organisations associated with this kind of work, however in the last ten years there’s been an expansion,” says Hrair Balian of the Billings Centre in Gwinnett. One driver, maybe, is an increase in discord. The UN Workplace for the Co-ordination associated with Humanitarian Affairs reckons there were 402 “political conflicts” in 2016, up from 278 a decade earlier. (It defines conflict commonly, including anything from your bloodbath in Syria to tetchy trades between Scottish nationalists and the British govt.)Track 2 endeavours proliferated during the chilly war. The Dartmouth Conferences fostered connections between cultural numbers, scholars and political figures from East plus West; the Pugwash Conferences brought collectively scientists. With communism’s collapse the need for choice tracks diminished. The very first two decades after the drop of the Berlin Wall structure brought some 30 major peace contracts, according to David Harland of the Swiss-based Center for Humanitarian Conversation (HD), a leader within private diplomacy. However the next decade noticed only seven or even eight. Technology offers enabled smaller organizations to pile directly into conflicts, making them messier and harder for the particular UN’s state-centric program to handle, Mr Harland argues. Meanwhile, 2 or 3 new wars begin each year.These are generally within countries, not really between them. In the trickiest cases, “Track one as a conflict-resolution device has really dropped its significance,” says Luxshi Vimalarajah, of the Berghof Basis in Berlin, one more leader in the field. The advantages of more flexible methods to bring the parties collectively creates a gap regarding private peacemakers.A few, like Jimmy Billings, a former American leader, have brought abilities honed in govt. Martti Ahtisaari, the president of Finland and like Mister Carter a Nobel peace laureate, setup Crisis Management Effort (CMI). Mr Powell co-founded Inter Mediate after, as an Uk official, pushing regarding peace in North Ireland.For dimension HD, with some 250 people, could competitor the diplomatic program of many a nation. At the other finish are numerous think-tanks plus NGOs. In the middle are usually expert facilitators such as Mr Jones’s Ottawa Dialogue or the United states of america Institute of Serenity (USIP). Nancy Lindborg, USIP’s boss, states that, after a post-cold-war lull, the revival of regional plus great-power rivalry once more requires greater dependence on Track 2 plus 1.5.Peace-building is not the only region for Track 2. In Delhi upon February 3rd-5th the particular “US-India Track II Dialogue on Weather Change and Energy” will gather, since it has each year within India or The united states since 2010, backed by the Aspen Start and other think-tanks. Considering that Donald Trump left the Paris agreement, such meetings (like similar sessions along with China) offer an opportunity to explain how much is nevertheless happening on the environment front. By a single estimate, action in subnational levels can reduce America’s greenhouse-gas emissions by as much as 37% over 2005 levels by 2030.As for Track three or more, it is a way of looking to ensure that a serenity effort is “inclusive, so that you don’t possess elite settlements”, states Jonathan Cohen, associated with Conciliation Resources working in london. In Yemen, CMI is working on nearby ceasefires and possibilities for a wider selection of voices to have their particular say in the recognized UN-led peace generate. Women’s representatives “have identified concrete, doable steps, to ensure women’s inclusion in the serenity process and in wider political decision-making,” says Sylvia Thompson, who manages CMI’s Yemen initiative.Endgame…Private diplomacy has constantly existed. But it offers acquired not only an extravagant name but the reputation and a group of established practices. The reputation rose which includes high-profile successes. The particular agreement that finished the civil battle in Mozambique emerged through patient function by Sant’Egidio, the Catholic organisation. HIGH-DEFINITION helped to assist in a ceasefire among Indonesia and separatists in Aceh: the particular Indonesian government “wouldn’t let an international government anywhere close to its internal affairs”, recalls Martin Griffiths, who played a top part (he has become the UN specific envoy for Yemen). Similarly, Spain’s wish to avoid mediation simply by other governments provided an opening regarding private diplomacy within negotiations with the Basque terrorists of ETA. Whereas officials often favour the state, personal facilitators can be a lot more even-handed.Although Monitor 2 is personal, the public sometimes will get a glimpse. “Oslo”, a play, dramatises the back-channel discussions in the 1990s among Israelis and Palestinians that led to the particular Oslo Accords. This highlights a vital element: deniability. Track two creates a safe area where ideas could be aired and plans tested, without recognized fingerprints. It can allow contacts with a deceptive state such as Northern Korea, or among adversaries such as Saudis and Iranians.The Track 2 conversation may begin with an operating paper and a plan of familiar stances before moving on—after an icebreaker dinner—to a more creative dialogue. Over time, with good fortune, trust and understanding develop. The Oslo meetings made improvement in part because a lot of those involved had used part in training courses between Israelis plus Palestinians organised for a long time by Herbert Kelman, a Harvard interpersonal psychologist. What Mister Jones calls “a facilitated, problem-solving dialogue” can help participants proceed from parroting set positions towards the joint discussion then joint proposals, that they can take to their particular authorities.No one might claim that Track two is easy, or fast. Facilitators have to “provide the space without dictating solutions”, says Microsoft Vimalarajah. “I’ve by no means seen a process that’s been very geradlinig.” This is not a casino game you get into unless of course you’re comfortable with the lowest batting average, records another expert. “Track 2 is limited, let’s be honest,” says Eugene Rumer of the Carnegie Diathesis for International Serenity, a think-tank. He’s been involved in “no bullshit” exchanges among Americans and Russians on security problems; the modest accomplishment may be to give food to a fresh idea or even two back to the particular Kremlin or the Whitened House. Sometimes facilitators do get tantalisingly near to a breakthrough—on legal rights for Kurds within Turkey, for example—only to be stymied with a mood change within government.Is Monitor 2 worth all of the effort? Not most people are a fan. Diplomats sometimes frown upon outsiders’ encroachment. America’s Logan Act associated with 1799 criminalises unauthorised negotiations that challenge government policy. The particular ethics of coping with people with blood on the hands is difficult.…or endless sport?One worry can be confusion. “There’s the proliferation of stars,” says Lakhdar Brahimi, a former Algerian diplomat now using the Elders, a group of peace-promoting statesmen. “Nobody may control it.” He points in order to Afghanistan and Southern Sudan as samples of “overcrowding”, with an abundance of well-meaning specific envoys and NGOs. Quality can endure, too. “I actually question the activities associated with some NGOs deceiving to do Track two,” says the particular Carter Centre’s Mister Balian, “especially if they start advocating for the particular side within a dispute.”A 2nd concern is that Monitor 2 can stay a mere talking-shop. Casual initiatives should be carefully connected to official diplomacy from the start: if Monitor 1 people have not really been involved in the preliminary brief they will not want to consider the debrief. An evident way of ensuring the credible transmission system is to include a few official representatives: therefore the increasing recognition of Track 1.5.A third problem is measuring usefulness. Backers—supportive governments, particularly Nordic ones, plus charitable foundations—want to learn whether their cash is well invested. But how to assess the success of what is usually a long-term business, largely hidden through view? Pathways regarding Peace, a UN-World Bank study, quotes that spending read more about conflict-prevention efforts conserve anything from $5bn a year to $70bn. Specific metrics for that cost-effectiveness of Monitor 2 are more difficult to devise.The entire impact can take yrs to become visible. Within Sudan the Billings Centre facilitated the “Guinea worm ceasefire” in 1995, allowing health services to achieve remote villages; this particular led to formal discussions, a peace contract and ultimately towards the separation of Sudan and South Sudan in 2011. More frequently it is a matter of creating relationships or planning solutions for use once the political time can be ripe.At the best, unofficial diplomacy complements the official kind. “They could do something that we couldn’t perform,” says Jordan Keating of their time as EL envoy for Somalia (he has considering that switched to the personal side as mind of the Brussels-based Western Institute of Peace), “and we could do something that they couldn’t perform.” But that diplomatic ecosystem grows, it needs to develop, with better co-ordination, savvier metrics plus, old hands claim, a greater focus on the particular grassroots. The wider the support at the base, the sturdier a peace is likely to be. Reuse this contentThe Trust Project <![CDATA[ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ]]>

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[shaunagainsttheworld]

Not your average diplomats – Conflict resolution relies increasingly on diplomatic back channels | International

<![CDATA[ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ]]> Jan 21st 2020TALKS BETWEEN the Colombian government and the FARC rebels were trapped. The two sides cannot agree on how to provide those responsible for offences during the country’s 52-year civil war in order to account. But with the aid of Inter Mediate, the British charity, a means forward was discovered, involving the appointment associated with three independent attorneys on each part. In 2015 the pioneering transitional-justice offer was reached.Whenever official efforts to solve a conflict lack or bogged lower, another way must be discovered. “You need a referee,” says Jonathan Powell of Inter Mediate, “and which has to be someone who’s trusted by each sides.” The particular involvement of 3rd parties can take a lot of forms. They can assist as advisers (as in Colombia). They might open a back again channel (as Southern Africa’s ruling Nationwide Party did to be able to negotiate an end in order to apartheid with the Africa National Congress—representatives from the two hostile edges secretly met within an English country home owned by a gold-mining firm). Increasingly, they will establish entire choice avenues for conversation. Such diplomacy, called “Track 2”, floods the void still left by the official kind in “Track 1”.The term, first utilized in 1981 by a north american diplomat, Joseph Montville, covers everything from moderate workshops to main initiatives. Even the writer of a book about them, Peter Jones from the University of Ottawa, says Track two “defies easy definition”. To complicate issues, some variants combine into “Track 1.5” (run for yourself but with involvement associated with public officials), whilst “Track 3” links communities.They all have one main thing in common: they are growing. “When I actually first started in the first 1990s, you could possibly count on two fingers the number of organisations associated with this kind of work, however in the last ten years there’s been an expansion,” says Hrair Balian of the Billings Centre in Gwinnett. One driver, maybe, is an increase in discord. The UN Workplace for the Co-ordination associated with Humanitarian Affairs reckons there were 402 “political conflicts” in 2016, up from 278 a decade earlier. (It defines conflict commonly, including anything from your bloodbath in Syria to tetchy trades between Scottish nationalists and the British govt.)Track 2 endeavours proliferated during the chilly war. The Dartmouth Conferences fostered connections between cultural numbers, scholars and political figures from East plus West; the Pugwash Conferences brought collectively scientists. With communism’s collapse the need for choice tracks diminished. The very first two decades after the drop of the Berlin Wall structure brought some 30 major peace contracts, according to David Harland of the Swiss-based Center for Humanitarian Conversation (HD), a leader within private diplomacy. However the next decade noticed only seven or even eight. Technology offers enabled smaller organizations to pile directly into conflicts, making them messier and harder for the particular UN’s state-centric program to handle, Mr Harland argues. Meanwhile, 2 or 3 new wars begin each year.These are generally within countries, not really between them. In the trickiest cases, “Track one as a conflict-resolution device has really dropped its significance,” says Luxshi Vimalarajah, of the Berghof Basis in Berlin, one more leader in the field. The advantages of more flexible methods to bring the parties collectively creates a gap regarding private peacemakers.A few, like Jimmy Billings, a former American leader, have brought abilities honed in govt. Martti Ahtisaari, the president of Finland and like Mister Carter a Nobel peace laureate, setup Crisis Management Effort (CMI). Mr Powell co-founded Inter Mediate after, as an Uk official, pushing regarding peace in North Ireland.For dimension HD, with some 250 people, could competitor the diplomatic program of many a nation. At the other finish are numerous think-tanks plus NGOs. In the middle are usually expert facilitators such as Mr Jones’s Ottawa Dialogue or the United states of america Institute of Serenity (USIP). Nancy Lindborg, USIP’s boss, states that, after a post-cold-war lull, the revival of regional plus great-power rivalry once more requires greater dependence on Track 2 plus 1.5.Peace-building is not the only region for Track 2. In Delhi upon February 3rd-5th the particular “US-India Track II Dialogue on Weather Change and Energy” will gather, since it has each year within India or The united states since 2010, backed by the Aspen Start and other think-tanks. Considering that Donald Trump left the Paris agreement, such meetings (like similar sessions along with China) offer an opportunity to explain how much is nevertheless happening on the environment front. By a single estimate, action in subnational levels can reduce America’s greenhouse-gas emissions by as much as 37% over 2005 levels by 2030.As for Track three or more, it is a way of looking to ensure that a serenity effort is “inclusive, so that you don’t possess elite settlements”, states Jonathan Cohen, associated with Conciliation Resources working in london. In Yemen, CMI is working on nearby ceasefires and possibilities for a wider selection of voices to have their particular say in the recognized UN-led peace generate. Women’s representatives “have identified concrete, doable steps, to ensure women’s inclusion in the serenity process and in wider political decision-making,” says Sylvia Thompson, who manages CMI’s Yemen initiative.Endgame…Private diplomacy has constantly existed. But it offers acquired not only an extravagant name but the reputation and a group of established practices. The reputation rose which includes high-profile successes. The particular agreement that finished the civil battle in Mozambique emerged through patient function by Sant’Egidio, the Catholic organisation. HIGH-DEFINITION helped to assist in a ceasefire among Indonesia and separatists in Aceh: the particular Indonesian government “wouldn’t let an international government anywhere close to its internal affairs”, recalls Martin Griffiths, who played a top part (he has become the UN specific envoy for Yemen). Similarly, Spain’s wish to avoid mediation simply by other governments provided an opening regarding private diplomacy within negotiations with the Basque terrorists of ETA. Whereas officials often favour the state, personal facilitators can be a lot more even-handed.Although Monitor 2 is personal, the public sometimes will get a glimpse. “Oslo”, a play, dramatises the back-channel discussions in the 1990s among Israelis and Palestinians that led to the particular Oslo Accords. This highlights a vital element: deniability. Track two creates a safe area where ideas could be aired and plans tested, without recognized fingerprints. It can allow contacts with a deceptive state such as Northern Korea, or among adversaries such as Saudis and Iranians.The Track 2 conversation may begin with an operating paper and a plan of familiar stances before moving on—after an icebreaker dinner—to a more creative dialogue. Over time, with good fortune, trust and understanding develop. The Oslo meetings made improvement in part because a lot of those involved had used part in training courses between Israelis plus Palestinians organised for a long time by Herbert Kelman, a Harvard interpersonal psychologist. What Mister Jones calls “a facilitated, problem-solving dialogue” can help participants proceed from parroting set positions towards the joint discussion then joint proposals, that they can take to their particular authorities.No one might claim that Track two is easy, or fast. Facilitators have to “provide the space without dictating solutions”, says Microsoft Vimalarajah. “I’ve by no means seen a process that’s been very geradlinig.” This is not a casino game you get into unless of course you’re comfortable with the lowest batting average, records another expert. “Track 2 is limited, let’s be honest,” says Eugene Rumer of the Carnegie Diathesis for International Serenity, a think-tank. He’s been involved in “no bullshit” exchanges among Americans and Russians on security problems; the modest accomplishment may be to give food to a fresh idea or even two back to the particular Kremlin or the Whitened House. Sometimes facilitators do get tantalisingly near to a breakthrough—on legal rights for Kurds within Turkey, for example—only to be stymied with a mood change within government.Is Monitor 2 worth all of the effort? Not most people are a fan. Diplomats sometimes frown upon outsiders’ encroachment. America’s Logan Act associated with 1799 criminalises unauthorised negotiations that challenge government policy. The particular ethics of coping with people with blood on the hands is difficult.…or endless sport?One worry can be confusion. “There’s the proliferation of stars,” says Lakhdar Brahimi, a former Algerian diplomat now using the Elders, a group of peace-promoting statesmen. “Nobody may control it.” He points in order to Afghanistan and Southern Sudan as samples of “overcrowding”, with an abundance of well-meaning specific envoys and NGOs. Quality can endure, too. “I actually question the activities associated with some NGOs deceiving to do Track two,” says the particular Carter Centre’s Mister Balian, “especially if they start advocating for the particular side within a dispute.”A 2nd concern is that Monitor 2 can stay a mere talking-shop. Casual initiatives should be carefully connected to official diplomacy from the start: if Monitor 1 people have not really been involved in the preliminary brief they will not want to consider the debrief. An evident way of ensuring the credible transmission system is to include a few official representatives: therefore the increasing recognition of Track 1.5.A third problem is measuring usefulness. Backers—supportive governments, particularly Nordic ones, plus charitable foundations—want to learn whether their cash is well invested. But how to assess the success of what is usually a long-term business, largely hidden through view? Pathways regarding Peace, a UN-World Bank study, quotes that spending read more about conflict-prevention efforts conserve anything from $5bn a year to $70bn. Specific metrics for that cost-effectiveness of Monitor 2 are more difficult to devise.The entire impact can take yrs to become visible. Within Sudan the Billings Centre facilitated the “Guinea worm ceasefire” in 1995, allowing health services to achieve remote villages; this particular led to formal discussions, a peace contract and ultimately towards the separation of Sudan and South Sudan in 2011. More frequently it is a matter of creating relationships or planning solutions for use once the political time can be ripe.At the best, unofficial diplomacy complements the official kind. “They could do something that we couldn’t perform,” says Jordan Keating of their time as EL envoy for Somalia (he has considering that switched to the personal side as mind of the Brussels-based Western Institute of Peace), “and we could do something that they couldn’t perform.” But that diplomatic ecosystem grows, it needs to develop, with better co-ordination, savvier metrics plus, old hands claim, a greater focus on the particular grassroots. The wider the support at the base, the sturdier a peace is likely to be. 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[siriuslycollinss]

Not your average diplomats – Conflict resolution relies increasingly on diplomatic back channels | International

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Jan 21st 2020TALKS BETWEEN the Colombian government and the FARC rebels were trapped. The two sides cannot agree on how to provide those responsible for offences during the country’s 52-year civil war in order to account. But with the aid of Inter Mediate, the British charity, a means forward was discovered, involving the appointment associated with three independent attorneys on each part. In 2015 the pioneering transitional-justice offer was reached.Whenever official efforts to solve a conflict lack or bogged lower, another way must be discovered. “You need a referee,” says Jonathan Powell of Inter Mediate, “and which has to be someone who’s trusted by each sides.” The particular involvement of 3rd parties can take a lot of forms. They can assist as advisers (as in Colombia). They might open a back again channel (as Southern Africa’s ruling Nationwide Party did to be able to negotiate an end in order to apartheid with the Africa National Congress—representatives from the two hostile edges secretly met within an English country home owned by a gold-mining firm). Increasingly, they will establish entire choice avenues for conversation. Such diplomacy, called “Track 2”, floods the void still left by the official kind in “Track 1”.The term, first utilized in 1981 by a north american diplomat, Joseph Montville, covers everything from moderate workshops to main initiatives. Even the writer of a book about them, Peter Jones from the University of Ottawa, says Track two “defies easy definition”. To complicate issues, some variants combine into “Track 1.5” (run for yourself but with involvement associated with public officials), whilst “Track 3” links communities.They all have one main thing in common: they are growing. “When I actually first started in the first 1990s, you could possibly count on two fingers the number of organisations associated with this kind of work, however in the last ten years there’s been an expansion,” says Hrair Balian of the Billings Centre in Gwinnett. One driver, maybe, is an increase in discord. The UN Workplace for the Co-ordination associated with Humanitarian Affairs reckons there were 402 “political conflicts” in 2016, up from 278 a decade earlier. (It defines conflict commonly, including anything from your bloodbath in Syria to tetchy trades between Scottish nationalists and the British govt.)Track 2 endeavours proliferated during the chilly war. The Dartmouth Conferences fostered connections between cultural numbers, scholars and political figures from East plus West; the Pugwash Conferences brought collectively scientists. With communism’s collapse the need for choice tracks diminished. The very first two decades after the drop of the Berlin Wall structure brought some 30 major peace contracts, according to David Harland of the Swiss-based Center for Humanitarian Conversation (HD), a leader within private diplomacy. However the next decade noticed only seven or even eight. Technology offers enabled smaller organizations to pile directly into conflicts, making them messier and harder for the particular UN’s state-centric program to handle, Mr Harland argues. Meanwhile, 2 or 3 new wars begin each year.These are generally within countries, not really between them. In the trickiest cases, “Track one as a conflict-resolution device has really dropped its significance,” says Luxshi Vimalarajah, of the Berghof Basis in Berlin, one more leader in the field. The advantages of more flexible methods to bring the parties collectively creates a gap regarding private peacemakers.A few, like Jimmy Billings, a former American leader, have brought abilities honed in govt. Martti Ahtisaari, the president of Finland and like Mister Carter a Nobel peace laureate, setup Crisis Management Effort (CMI). Mr Powell co-founded Inter Mediate after, as an Uk official, pushing regarding peace in North Ireland.For dimension HD, with some 250 people, could competitor the diplomatic program of many a nation. At the other finish are numerous think-tanks plus NGOs. In the middle are usually expert facilitators such as Mr Jones’s Ottawa Dialogue or the United states of america Institute of Serenity (USIP). Nancy Lindborg, USIP’s boss, states that, after a post-cold-war lull, the revival of regional plus great-power rivalry once more requires greater dependence on Track 2 plus 1.5.Peace-building is not the only region for Track 2. In Delhi upon February 3rd-5th the particular “US-India Track II Dialogue on Weather Change and Energy” will gather, since it has each year within India or The united states since 2010, backed by the Aspen Start and other think-tanks. Considering that Donald Trump left the Paris agreement, such meetings (like similar sessions along with China) offer an opportunity to explain how much is nevertheless happening on the environment front. By a single estimate, action in subnational levels can reduce America’s greenhouse-gas emissions by as much as 37% over 2005 levels by 2030.As for Track three or more, it is a way of looking to ensure that a serenity effort is “inclusive, so that you don’t possess elite settlements”, states Jonathan Cohen, associated with Conciliation Resources working in london. In Yemen, CMI is working on nearby ceasefires and possibilities for a wider selection of voices to have their particular say in the recognized UN-led peace generate. Women’s representatives “have identified concrete, doable steps, to ensure women’s inclusion in the serenity process and in wider political decision-making,” says Sylvia Thompson, who manages CMI’s Yemen initiative.Endgame…Private diplomacy has constantly existed. But it offers acquired not only an extravagant name but the reputation and a group of established practices. The reputation rose which includes high-profile successes. The particular agreement that finished the civil battle in Mozambique emerged through patient function by Sant’Egidio, the Catholic organisation. HIGH-DEFINITION helped to assist in a ceasefire among Indonesia and separatists in Aceh: the particular Indonesian government “wouldn’t let an international government anywhere close to its internal affairs”, recalls Martin Griffiths, who played a top part (he has become the UN specific envoy for Yemen). Similarly, Spain’s wish to avoid mediation simply by other governments provided an opening regarding private diplomacy within negotiations with the Basque terrorists of ETA. Whereas officials often favour the state, personal facilitators can be a lot more even-handed.Although Monitor 2 is personal, the public sometimes will get a glimpse. “Oslo”, a play, dramatises the back-channel discussions in the 1990s among Israelis and Palestinians that led to the particular Oslo Accords. This highlights a vital element: deniability. Track two creates a safe area where ideas could be aired and plans tested, without recognized fingerprints. It can allow contacts with a deceptive state such as Northern Korea, or among adversaries such as Saudis and Iranians.The Track 2 conversation may begin with an operating paper and a plan of familiar stances before moving on—after an icebreaker dinner—to a more creative dialogue. Over time, with good fortune, trust and understanding develop. The Oslo meetings made improvement in part because a lot of those involved had used part in training courses between Israelis plus Palestinians organised for a long time by Herbert Kelman, a Harvard interpersonal psychologist. What Mister Jones calls “a facilitated, problem-solving dialogue” can help participants proceed from parroting set positions towards the joint discussion then joint proposals, that they can take to their particular authorities.No one might claim that Track two is easy, or fast. Facilitators have to “provide the space without dictating solutions”, says Microsoft Vimalarajah. “I’ve by no means seen a process that’s been very geradlinig.” This is not a casino game you get into unless of course you’re comfortable with the lowest batting average, records another expert. “Track 2 is limited, let’s be honest,” says Eugene Rumer of the Carnegie Diathesis for International Serenity, a think-tank. He’s been involved in “no bullshit” exchanges among Americans and Russians on security problems; the modest accomplishment may be to give food to a fresh idea or even two back to the particular Kremlin or the Whitened House. Sometimes facilitators do get tantalisingly near to a breakthrough—on legal rights for Kurds within Turkey, for example—only to be stymied with a mood change within government.Is Monitor 2 worth all of the effort? Not most people are a fan. Diplomats sometimes frown upon outsiders’ encroachment. America’s Logan Act associated with 1799 criminalises unauthorised negotiations that challenge government policy. The particular ethics of coping with people with blood on the hands is difficult.…or endless sport?One worry can be confusion. “There’s the proliferation of stars,” says Lakhdar Brahimi, a former Algerian diplomat now using the Elders, a group of peace-promoting statesmen. “Nobody may control it.” He points in order to Afghanistan and Southern Sudan as samples of “overcrowding”, with an abundance of well-meaning specific envoys and NGOs. Quality can endure, too. “I actually question the activities associated with some NGOs deceiving to do Track two,” says the particular Carter Centre’s Mister Balian, “especially if they start advocating for the particular side within a dispute.”A 2nd concern is that Monitor 2 can stay a mere talking-shop. Casual initiatives should be carefully connected to official diplomacy from the start: if Monitor 1 people have not really been involved in the preliminary brief they will not want to consider the debrief. An evident way of ensuring the credible transmission system is to include a few official representatives: therefore the increasing recognition of Track 1.5.A third problem is measuring usefulness. Backers—supportive governments, particularly Nordic ones, plus charitable foundations—want to learn whether their cash is well invested. But how to assess the success of what is usually a long-term business, largely hidden through view? Pathways regarding Peace, a UN-World Bank study, quotes that spending read more about conflict-prevention efforts conserve anything from $5bn a year to $70bn. Specific metrics for that cost-effectiveness of Monitor 2 are more difficult to devise.The entire impact can take yrs to become visible. Within Sudan the Billings Centre facilitated the “Guinea worm ceasefire” in 1995, allowing health services to achieve remote villages; this particular led to formal discussions, a peace contract and ultimately towards the separation of Sudan and South Sudan in 2011. More frequently it is a matter of creating relationships or planning solutions for use once the political time can be ripe.At the best, unofficial diplomacy complements the official kind. “They could do something that we couldn’t perform,” says Jordan Keating of their time as EL envoy for Somalia (he has considering that switched to the personal side as mind of the Brussels-based Western Institute of Peace), “and we could do something that they couldn’t perform.” But that diplomatic ecosystem grows, it needs to develop, with better co-ordination, savvier metrics plus, old hands claim, a greater focus on the particular grassroots. The wider the support at the base, the sturdier a peace is likely to be. 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[sobersundae]

Not your average diplomats – Conflict resolution relies increasingly on diplomatic back channels | International

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Jan 21st 2020TALKS BETWEEN the Colombian government and the FARC rebels were trapped. The two sides cannot agree on how to provide those responsible for offences during the country’s 52-year civil war in order to account. But with the aid of Inter Mediate, the British charity, a means forward was discovered, involving the appointment associated with three independent attorneys on each part. In 2015 the pioneering transitional-justice offer was reached.Whenever official efforts to solve a conflict lack or bogged lower, another way must be discovered. “You need a referee,” says Jonathan Powell of Inter Mediate, “and which has to be someone who’s trusted by each sides.” The particular involvement of 3rd parties can take a lot of forms. They can assist as advisers (as in Colombia). They might open a back again channel (as Southern Africa’s ruling Nationwide Party did to be able to negotiate an end in order to apartheid with the Africa National Congress—representatives from the two hostile edges secretly met within an English country home owned by a gold-mining firm). Increasingly, they will establish entire choice avenues for conversation. Such diplomacy, called “Track 2”, floods the void still left by the official kind in “Track 1”.The term, first utilized in 1981 by a north american diplomat, Joseph Montville, covers everything from moderate workshops to main initiatives. Even the writer of a book about them, Peter Jones from the University of Ottawa, says Track two “defies easy definition”. To complicate issues, some variants combine into “Track 1.5” (run for yourself but with involvement associated with public officials), whilst “Track 3” links communities.They all have one main thing in common: they are growing. “When I actually first started in the first 1990s, you could possibly count on two fingers the number of organisations associated with this kind of work, however in the last ten years there’s been an expansion,” says Hrair Balian of the Billings Centre in Gwinnett. One driver, maybe, is an increase in discord. The UN Workplace for the Co-ordination associated with Humanitarian Affairs reckons there were 402 “political conflicts” in 2016, up from 278 a decade earlier. (It defines conflict commonly, including anything from your bloodbath in Syria to tetchy trades between Scottish nationalists and the British govt.)Track 2 endeavours proliferated during the chilly war. The Dartmouth Conferences fostered connections between cultural numbers, scholars and political figures from East plus West; the Pugwash Conferences brought collectively scientists. With communism’s collapse the need for choice tracks diminished. The very first two decades after the drop of the Berlin Wall structure brought some 30 major peace contracts, according to David Harland of the Swiss-based Center for Humanitarian Conversation (HD), a leader within private diplomacy. However the next decade noticed only seven or even eight. Technology offers enabled smaller organizations to pile directly into conflicts, making them messier and harder for the particular UN’s state-centric program to handle, Mr Harland argues. Meanwhile, 2 or 3 new wars begin each year.These are generally within countries, not really between them. In the trickiest cases, “Track one as a conflict-resolution device has really dropped its significance,” says Luxshi Vimalarajah, of the Berghof Basis in Berlin, one more leader in the field. The advantages of more flexible methods to bring the parties collectively creates a gap regarding private peacemakers.A few, like Jimmy Billings, a former American leader, have brought abilities honed in govt. Martti Ahtisaari, the president of Finland and like Mister Carter a Nobel peace laureate, setup Crisis Management Effort (CMI). Mr Powell co-founded Inter Mediate after, as an Uk official, pushing regarding peace in North Ireland.For dimension HD, with some 250 people, could competitor the diplomatic program of many a nation. At the other finish are numerous think-tanks plus NGOs. In the middle are usually expert facilitators such as Mr Jones’s Ottawa Dialogue or the United states of america Institute of Serenity (USIP). Nancy Lindborg, USIP’s boss, states that, after a post-cold-war lull, the revival of regional plus great-power rivalry once more requires greater dependence on Track 2 plus 1.5.Peace-building is not the only region for Track 2. In Delhi upon February 3rd-5th the particular “US-India Track II Dialogue on Weather Change and Energy” will gather, since it has each year within India or The united states since 2010, backed by the Aspen Start and other think-tanks. Considering that Donald Trump left the Paris agreement, such meetings (like similar sessions along with China) offer an opportunity to explain how much is nevertheless happening on the environment front. By a single estimate, action in subnational levels can reduce America’s greenhouse-gas emissions by as much as 37% over 2005 levels by 2030.As for Track three or more, it is a way of looking to ensure that a serenity effort is “inclusive, so that you don’t possess elite settlements”, states Jonathan Cohen, associated with Conciliation Resources working in london. In Yemen, CMI is working on nearby ceasefires and possibilities for a wider selection of voices to have their particular say in the recognized UN-led peace generate. Women’s representatives “have identified concrete, doable steps, to ensure women’s inclusion in the serenity process and in wider political decision-making,” says Sylvia Thompson, who manages CMI’s Yemen initiative.Endgame…Private diplomacy has constantly existed. But it offers acquired not only an extravagant name but the reputation and a group of established practices. The reputation rose which includes high-profile successes. The particular agreement that finished the civil battle in Mozambique emerged through patient function by Sant’Egidio, the Catholic organisation. HIGH-DEFINITION helped to assist in a ceasefire among Indonesia and separatists in Aceh: the particular Indonesian government “wouldn’t let an international government anywhere close to its internal affairs”, recalls Martin Griffiths, who played a top part (he has become the UN specific envoy for Yemen). Similarly, Spain’s wish to avoid mediation simply by other governments provided an opening regarding private diplomacy within negotiations with the Basque terrorists of ETA. Whereas officials often favour the state, personal facilitators can be a lot more even-handed.Although Monitor 2 is personal, the public sometimes will get a glimpse. “Oslo”, a play, dramatises the back-channel discussions in the 1990s among Israelis and Palestinians that led to the particular Oslo Accords. This highlights a vital element: deniability. Track two creates a safe area where ideas could be aired and plans tested, without recognized fingerprints. It can allow contacts with a deceptive state such as Northern Korea, or among adversaries such as Saudis and Iranians.The Track 2 conversation may begin with an operating paper and a plan of familiar stances before moving on—after an icebreaker dinner—to a more creative dialogue. Over time, with good fortune, trust and understanding develop. The Oslo meetings made improvement in part because a lot of those involved had used part in training courses between Israelis plus Palestinians organised for a long time by Herbert Kelman, a Harvard interpersonal psychologist. What Mister Jones calls “a facilitated, problem-solving dialogue” can help participants proceed from parroting set positions towards the joint discussion then joint proposals, that they can take to their particular authorities.No one might claim that Track two is easy, or fast. Facilitators have to “provide the space without dictating solutions”, says Microsoft Vimalarajah. “I’ve by no means seen a process that’s been very geradlinig.” This is not a casino game you get into unless of course you’re comfortable with the lowest batting average, records another expert. “Track 2 is limited, let’s be honest,” says Eugene Rumer of the Carnegie Diathesis for International Serenity, a think-tank. He’s been involved in “no bullshit” exchanges among Americans and Russians on security problems; the modest accomplishment may be to give food to a fresh idea or even two back to the particular Kremlin or the Whitened House. Sometimes facilitators do get tantalisingly near to a breakthrough—on legal rights for Kurds within Turkey, for example—only to be stymied with a mood change within government.Is Monitor 2 worth all of the effort? Not most people are a fan. Diplomats sometimes frown upon outsiders’ encroachment. America’s Logan Act associated with 1799 criminalises unauthorised negotiations that challenge government policy. The particular ethics of coping with people with blood on the hands is difficult.…or endless sport?One worry can be confusion. “There’s the proliferation of stars,” says Lakhdar Brahimi, a former Algerian diplomat now using the Elders, a group of peace-promoting statesmen. “Nobody may control it.” He points in order to Afghanistan and Southern Sudan as samples of “overcrowding”, with an abundance of well-meaning specific envoys and NGOs. Quality can endure, too. “I actually question the activities associated with some NGOs deceiving to do Track two,” says the particular Carter Centre’s Mister Balian, “especially if they start advocating for the particular side within a dispute.”A 2nd concern is that Monitor 2 can stay a mere talking-shop. Casual initiatives should be carefully connected to official diplomacy from the start: if Monitor 1 people have not really been involved in the preliminary brief they will not want to consider the debrief. An evident way of ensuring the credible transmission system is to include a few official representatives: therefore the increasing recognition of Track 1.5.A third problem is measuring usefulness. Backers—supportive governments, particularly Nordic ones, plus charitable foundations—want to learn whether their cash is well invested. But how to assess the success of what is usually a long-term business, largely hidden through view? Pathways regarding Peace, a UN-World Bank study, quotes that spending read more about conflict-prevention efforts conserve anything from $5bn a year to $70bn. Specific metrics for that cost-effectiveness of Monitor 2 are more difficult to devise.The entire impact can take yrs to become visible. Within Sudan the Billings Centre facilitated the “Guinea worm ceasefire” in 1995, allowing health services to achieve remote villages; this particular led to formal discussions, a peace contract and ultimately towards the separation of Sudan and South Sudan in 2011. More frequently it is a matter of creating relationships or planning solutions for use once the political time can be ripe.At the best, unofficial diplomacy complements the official kind. “They could do something that we couldn’t perform,” says Jordan Keating of their time as EL envoy for Somalia (he has considering that switched to the personal side as mind of the Brussels-based Western Institute of Peace), “and we could do something that they couldn’t perform.” But that diplomatic ecosystem grows, it needs to develop, with better co-ordination, savvier metrics plus, old hands claim, a greater focus on the particular grassroots. The wider the support at the base, the sturdier a peace is likely to be. 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[ungendered-yarn]

Not your average diplomats – Conflict resolution relies increasingly on diplomatic back channels | International

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Jan 21st 2020TALKS BETWEEN the Colombian government and the FARC rebels were trapped. The two sides cannot agree on how to provide those responsible for offences during the country’s 52-year civil war in order to account. But with the aid of Inter Mediate, the British charity, a means forward was discovered, involving the appointment associated with three independent attorneys on each part. In 2015 the pioneering transitional-justice offer was reached.Whenever official efforts to solve a conflict lack or bogged lower, another way must be discovered. “You need a referee,” says Jonathan Powell of Inter Mediate, “and which has to be someone who’s trusted by each sides.” The particular involvement of 3rd parties can take a lot of forms. They can assist as advisers (as in Colombia). They might open a back again channel (as Southern Africa’s ruling Nationwide Party did to be able to negotiate an end in order to apartheid with the Africa National Congress—representatives from the two hostile edges secretly met within an English country home owned by a gold-mining firm). Increasingly, they will establish entire choice avenues for conversation. Such diplomacy, called “Track 2”, floods the void still left by the official kind in “Track 1”.The term, first utilized in 1981 by a north american diplomat, Joseph Montville, covers everything from moderate workshops to main initiatives. Even the writer of a book about them, Peter Jones from the University of Ottawa, says Track two “defies easy definition”. To complicate issues, some variants combine into “Track 1.5” (run for yourself but with involvement associated with public officials), whilst “Track 3” links communities.They all have one main thing in common: they are growing. “When I actually first started in the first 1990s, you could possibly count on two fingers the number of organisations associated with this kind of work, however in the last ten years there’s been an expansion,” says Hrair Balian of the Billings Centre in Gwinnett. One driver, maybe, is an increase in discord. The UN Workplace for the Co-ordination associated with Humanitarian Affairs reckons there were 402 “political conflicts” in 2016, up from 278 a decade earlier. (It defines conflict commonly, including anything from your bloodbath in Syria to tetchy trades between Scottish nationalists and the British govt.)Track 2 endeavours proliferated during the chilly war. The Dartmouth Conferences fostered connections between cultural numbers, scholars and political figures from East plus West; the Pugwash Conferences brought collectively scientists. With communism’s collapse the need for choice tracks diminished. The very first two decades after the drop of the Berlin Wall structure brought some 30 major peace contracts, according to David Harland of the Swiss-based Center for Humanitarian Conversation (HD), a leader within private diplomacy. However the next decade noticed only seven or even eight. Technology offers enabled smaller organizations to pile directly into conflicts, making them messier and harder for the particular UN’s state-centric program to handle, Mr Harland argues. Meanwhile, 2 or 3 new wars begin each year.These are generally within countries, not really between them. In the trickiest cases, “Track one as a conflict-resolution device has really dropped its significance,” says Luxshi Vimalarajah, of the Berghof Basis in Berlin, one more leader in the field. The advantages of more flexible methods to bring the parties collectively creates a gap regarding private peacemakers.A few, like Jimmy Billings, a former American leader, have brought abilities honed in govt. Martti Ahtisaari, the president of Finland and like Mister Carter a Nobel peace laureate, setup Crisis Management Effort (CMI). Mr Powell co-founded Inter Mediate after, as an Uk official, pushing regarding peace in North Ireland.For dimension HD, with some 250 people, could competitor the diplomatic program of many a nation. At the other finish are numerous think-tanks plus NGOs. In the middle are usually expert facilitators such as Mr Jones’s Ottawa Dialogue or the United states of america Institute of Serenity (USIP). Nancy Lindborg, USIP’s boss, states that, after a post-cold-war lull, the revival of regional plus great-power rivalry once more requires greater dependence on Track 2 plus 1.5.Peace-building is not the only region for Track 2. In Delhi upon February 3rd-5th the particular “US-India Track II Dialogue on Weather Change and Energy” will gather, since it has each year within India or The united states since 2010, backed by the Aspen Start and other think-tanks. Considering that Donald Trump left the Paris agreement, such meetings (like similar sessions along with China) offer an opportunity to explain how much is nevertheless happening on the environment front. By a single estimate, action in subnational levels can reduce America’s greenhouse-gas emissions by as much as 37% over 2005 levels by 2030.As for Track three or more, it is a way of looking to ensure that a serenity effort is “inclusive, so that you don’t possess elite settlements”, states Jonathan Cohen, associated with Conciliation Resources working in london. In Yemen, CMI is working on nearby ceasefires and possibilities for a wider selection of voices to have their particular say in the recognized UN-led peace generate. Women’s representatives “have identified concrete, doable steps, to ensure women’s inclusion in the serenity process and in wider political decision-making,” says Sylvia Thompson, who manages CMI’s Yemen initiative.Endgame…Private diplomacy has constantly existed. But it offers acquired not only an extravagant name but the reputation and a group of established practices. The reputation rose which includes high-profile successes. The particular agreement that finished the civil battle in Mozambique emerged through patient function by Sant’Egidio, the Catholic organisation. HIGH-DEFINITION helped to assist in a ceasefire among Indonesia and separatists in Aceh: the particular Indonesian government “wouldn’t let an international government anywhere close to its internal affairs”, recalls Martin Griffiths, who played a top part (he has become the UN specific envoy for Yemen). Similarly, Spain’s wish to avoid mediation simply by other governments provided an opening regarding private diplomacy within negotiations with the Basque terrorists of ETA. Whereas officials often favour the state, personal facilitators can be a lot more even-handed.Although Monitor 2 is personal, the public sometimes will get a glimpse. “Oslo”, a play, dramatises the back-channel discussions in the 1990s among Israelis and Palestinians that led to the particular Oslo Accords. This highlights a vital element: deniability. Track two creates a safe area where ideas could be aired and plans tested, without recognized fingerprints. It can allow contacts with a deceptive state such as Northern Korea, or among adversaries such as Saudis and Iranians.The Track 2 conversation may begin with an operating paper and a plan of familiar stances before moving on—after an icebreaker dinner—to a more creative dialogue. Over time, with good fortune, trust and understanding develop. The Oslo meetings made improvement in part because a lot of those involved had used part in training courses between Israelis plus Palestinians organised for a long time by Herbert Kelman, a Harvard interpersonal psychologist. What Mister Jones calls “a facilitated, problem-solving dialogue” can help participants proceed from parroting set positions towards the joint discussion then joint proposals, that they can take to their particular authorities.No one might claim that Track two is easy, or fast. Facilitators have to “provide the space without dictating solutions”, says Microsoft Vimalarajah. “I’ve by no means seen a process that’s been very geradlinig.” This is not a casino game you get into unless of course you’re comfortable with the lowest batting average, records another expert. “Track 2 is limited, let’s be honest,” says Eugene Rumer of the Carnegie Diathesis for International Serenity, a think-tank. He’s been involved in “no bullshit” exchanges among Americans and Russians on security problems; the modest accomplishment may be to give food to a fresh idea or even two back to the particular Kremlin or the Whitened House. Sometimes facilitators do get tantalisingly near to a breakthrough—on legal rights for Kurds within Turkey, for example—only to be stymied with a mood change within government.Is Monitor 2 worth all of the effort? Not most people are a fan. Diplomats sometimes frown upon outsiders’ encroachment. America’s Logan Act associated with 1799 criminalises unauthorised negotiations that challenge government policy. The particular ethics of coping with people with blood on the hands is difficult.…or endless sport?One worry can be confusion. “There’s the proliferation of stars,” says Lakhdar Brahimi, a former Algerian diplomat now using the Elders, a group of peace-promoting statesmen. “Nobody may control it.” He points in order to Afghanistan and Southern Sudan as samples of “overcrowding”, with an abundance of well-meaning specific envoys and NGOs. Quality can endure, too. “I actually question the activities associated with some NGOs deceiving to do Track two,” says the particular Carter Centre’s Mister Balian, “especially if they start advocating for the particular side within a dispute.”A 2nd concern is that Monitor 2 can stay a mere talking-shop. Casual initiatives should be carefully connected to official diplomacy from the start: if Monitor 1 people have not really been involved in the preliminary brief they will not want to consider the debrief. An evident way of ensuring the credible transmission system is to include a few official representatives: therefore the increasing recognition of Track 1.5.A third problem is measuring usefulness. Backers—supportive governments, particularly Nordic ones, plus charitable foundations—want to learn whether their cash is well invested. But how to assess the success of what is usually a long-term business, largely hidden through view? Pathways regarding Peace, a UN-World Bank study, quotes that spending read more about conflict-prevention efforts conserve anything from $5bn a year to $70bn. Specific metrics for that cost-effectiveness of Monitor 2 are more difficult to devise.The entire impact can take yrs to become visible. Within Sudan the Billings Centre facilitated the “Guinea worm ceasefire” in 1995, allowing health services to achieve remote villages; this particular led to formal discussions, a peace contract and ultimately towards the separation of Sudan and South Sudan in 2011. More frequently it is a matter of creating relationships or planning solutions for use once the political time can be ripe.At the best, unofficial diplomacy complements the official kind. “They could do something that we couldn’t perform,” says Jordan Keating of their time as EL envoy for Somalia (he has considering that switched to the personal side as mind of the Brussels-based Western Institute of Peace), “and we could do something that they couldn’t perform.” But that diplomatic ecosystem grows, it needs to develop, with better co-ordination, savvier metrics plus, old hands claim, a greater focus on the particular grassroots. The wider the support at the base, the sturdier a peace is likely to be. 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[vanquisher2099]

Part Twenty: An Investigator Makes a Delivery

Helen was, as it turned out, was delighted to see John again when he returned the footage. This was, John figured, because he wasn’t above a little flirting, and she apparently wasn’t either. It also helped that John had quickly noted that the truck had not actually made contact with the train before the train burst into flames – that came from something fired from out of view. The truck, as far as John could tell, was there to provide an immediate, obvious cause to the police at the scene which would discourage further investigation.

“I mean, these sorts of attacks have been seen before,” John pointed out, “so it stands to reason whoever actually did it is at least familiar enough with both the way attacks are supposed to look around here as well as the way the LAPD is prone to… let’s say letting things drop.” He shrugged. “Not my business, but you might want to see if you can get the case to be re-opened. If someone’s got the kind of hardware that can stop a train cold, it’s worth looking into.”

Helen chuckled. “Well, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. You did mention an inability to let things drop – but I suppose that could just be stubbornness rather than a sense of honor.”

John got the sense that Helen was trying to feel him out for something, though he wasn’t sure what. She had been the one to suggest they meet for breakfast to exchange the footage, but since his arrival she’d kept conversation relatively light. John was curious enough to wait it out, so in response he just shrugged and replied, “A little bit of both, maybe.”

It didn’t seem to be the answer Helen had been looking for, or maybe, John thought, she was just getting cold feet. “At any rate,” she said, draining her coffee, “I guess I owe you one for the information.”

“Pay for my breakfast,” John said airily, “and we’ll call it even. Or…”

“Or?”

John debated whether or not to just go for it. “Or, I suppose, you could just do me a favor again sometime. Assuming my investigation ends up needing a little more help, at any rate.”

“Hmm.” Helen considered this for a moment. “Think I’d rather just pay for coffee. Your last favor involved me turning over evidence to a third party, after all.”

“Oh, with my honorable streak I’m sure I would never ask you to do anything particularly illegal.” John said, with a shrug. “You’ll also note my discretion in this whole matter, which is one of my better qualities.”

Helen looked unimpressed. “Your discretion, huh? This wouldn’t be some kind of roundabout way of threatening to blackmail me, would it?”

John’s surprise was only partially feigned. “Is that what you think that was? Where’s the advantage in blackmailing you? And what proof would I have that you did anything wrong?”

“Oh please,” Helen said, counting on her fingers. “You could have been recording our conversations, you could have made a copy of the data I gave you, and for all I know you’ve already leaked everything online.”

“I think if I’d done that,” John said, a little testily, “you would’ve heard about it by now. Because if I were you, I would’ve had me followed, or at least been recording this conversation. That or you’d have brought a partner along – say, for example, that fellow over there in the corner – and he’d be ready to take me out if you gave him the signal.”

This answer seemed to be the sort of thing Helen was hoping for, because she visibly relaxed. “So you have done this sort of thing before.”

“It’s part of the job.” John said, trying to conceal his satisfaction at having finally gotten Helen to at least approach the point. “Trading favors is an important part of the private investigation profession – just not the part anyone ever tells you about.” He let the sentence hang in the air for a beat and then added, “So, what favor are you in need of?”

Helen looked surprised for a moment, then burst into laughter. “Should’ve figured you for a clever one, Johnny boy. That or I need to work on my poker face.”

“A little bit of both, maybe.” John said again, grinning in what was probably an infuriating manner. “Either way, you still haven’t told me what you need.”

“This isn’t quite the place for that.” Helen says, with a mysterious smile of her own this time. “We’ll go somewhere a little more private once you’ve finished your breakfast.”

John’s eyebrows raised, but he nodded. “That kind of favor, huh? Fair enough.” He drained his coffee and tapped the table’s screen to bring up the bill and pay. “Lead on, Officer Solstice.”

Helen stood and began walking out of the café. “Come on then, Detective Leavitt. I don’t know about you, but I’ve only got so much time before I need to get back to work.”

It turned out that “somewhere more private” was the sort of hotel that rented rooms by the hour. The front desk clerk recognized Helen as she came in, gave her a nod, and slid a keycard across the counter to her without a word. John refrained from comment, figuring that there were probably protocols in play here that he wasn’t privy to – wasn’t entirely certain that he wanted to be privy to them, in fact – and silence was probably the best move.

Helen led him to an elevator, swiped her card, and hit the button for the fourth floor. The elevator lurched into movement, and she leaned against the wall, watching him with an air of caution. John continued to say nothing, still content to merely see where things were leading. The doors slid open with a surprising smoothness, given the overall condition of the hotel. Helen headed down the hallway to a door that looked precisely like every other door in the hallway, swiped her card, and stepped into the hotel room. John had a very brief moment where he was convinced he was about to be killed, but he quieted his fear and walked in after her.

She was on him before the door had fully closed, shoving him against the wall with surprising strength. John managed a startled “hey!” before her hands were running over him, and it took him a second to realize that he was being frisked with a remarkable efficiency. Helen stepped back, satisfied.

“Okay then,” she said, with a pleasant smile, “now that we’ve taken care of that, I suppose we can get down to business.”

“You know,” John said, unable to keep a little annoyance from his voice, “if you were going to frisk me, you probably should have done that before you brought me all the way to your secret crime hideout or whatever the fuck this is.”

“Eh,” Helen said, shrugging, “if you’d had something on you, I just would have killed you. The guy down at the front desk is great at getting rid of bodies. Heavens knows it wouldn’t be the first time. Or the last!”

Well shit John, the detective thought to himself, what the fuck have you stumbled into? “I’ll just consider that a sort of warning to be on my best behavior, then.”

“Good policy!” Helen said, brightly. “Have a seat anywhere – apologies for the state of the place, I try not to come here very often and it’s not like room service stops by in the mornings.”

John took a moment to actually look around the room. It was a standard hotel room, as far as he could tell – maybe a little big compared to the sorts of rooms one usually found in these sorts of hotels, but there was a screen on the wall, a desk in the corner with two chairs (one an office chair, the other, positioned at an angle that could see the screen more easily, a sort of lounge chair), and a sizable bed. Partially just to be difficult, and partially because Helen had actually bruised his tailbone when she shoved him against the wall, John chose to flop down on the bed.

This prompted an amused look. “I regret to be the one to tell you this, Detective Leavitt, but I didn’t bring you here to fuck you.”

“Yeah,” John said, shuffling into a sitting position and crossing his arms behind his head, “I kind of figured that when you frisked me. So what’s this favor?”

Helen snapped her fingers and the screen sprung to life with the face of a scowling man in his mid-40s. “This is Eduard Martin. He’s an informant for us that keeps us appraised of the Medev Syndicate’s activities. He’s also got a predilection for the finer things in life – namely, for pre-collapse vodka out of the Russian Republic. We happen to have… discovered a bottle or twelve of just such a thing. The only problem is, departmental regulations won’t let us take it out of evidence.”

“Okay,” John said, “so what other gift do you have that you want to give him?”

“Oh, no, he’s getting the vodka.” Helen said, as if this were obvious. “We just need someone to… replace the driver of the transport truck taking the shipment to be archived, and swap it out with something a little less expensive. At which time the real stuff will find its way to Mister Martin, who will repay the LAPD’s generosity by continuing to be a filthy snitch who will most likely end up dead in a couple more years.” She chuckled, all gallows humor. “But at least he’ll have some good vodka before that happens. Least we can do for him.”

“Great,” John said, rubbing his eyes, “and in return for aiding and abetting in the theft and transport of police evidence, you help me with my case a little more?”

“If nothing else,” Helen said, “I can use our resources to chase down the people you came out here to actually find before you got sidetracked by an exploding train. Or whatever the hell it was you were doing before you got in touch with me.”

“What happens to the driver of the transport truck? The one I’d be replacing?”

“Her? She gets the day off and a small donation to her kid’s college fund.” Helen said, giving him a confused look that morphed into surprise. “Christ, John, you think I was gonna ask you to kill someone?”

“In my defense, you were ready to kill me if I was wearing a wire or whatever the hell that frisking was looking for.”

“Well yeah, but you’re not a killer, John. Anyone with eyes can see you aren’t.”

“How flattering.” John said, dryly. “You sure you didn’t bring me here to fuck me?”

Helen’s smile was half-annoyed, half-amused. “Pull this favor for me and we’ll see about it,” she finally said. She reached in her pocket and tossed a small data chip to John. “Details are here. If you show up, great, we’ll do more business. If you don’t, no harm, no foul, we’ll figure something else out. Tell anyone about this, and we’ll kill you, you know the drill, you were a cop. Now get outta here, my shift starts soon and I don’t let people stay here without supervision.”

A day later, John was wearing an ill-fitting uniform (“Don’t complain about the uniform, Leavitt, we work with what we’ve got.”) and babysitting an automated delivery truck as it pulled into the loading dock at the LAPD substation where Helen had directed him to go.

The guard on duty wore an expression of intense boredom as he waved John in. “Not much to transport today,” he said, expression unchanging, “but we’re making room for evidence collected from that train thing.”

“Thought that was just an accident.” John said, playing dumb.

“Yep, it was – and don’t lemme catch you saying otherwise, huh?” The guard was, as far as John could tell, joking. “Anyway that stuff’s still gotta go somewhere, and for now it’s going here, which means this stuff’s gotta get archived.”

“Fine by me.” John said. “I’m just the babysitter.”

That got a chuckle from the guard. “Hey man, I’d love your job. Don’t get me wrong, guard duty isn’t exactly that taxing either, but at least you can stop somewhere for lunch on your way between stops.”

John grinned in response. “That I can. But of course, not while I’m transporting whatever doubtless valuable evidence is being archived. Of course.”

The cargo was, in fact, very little of note – several boxes of files and, of course, the crate of vodka which was the whole reason he was doing this in the first place. It seemed like an awful lot of trouble to go through just to keep an informant happy – the Russian syndicate was particularly wide-reaching, and certainly a real problem, but it was a fairly complex plan for someone that Helen quite accurately observed would not be alive for much longer. It was almost comically clear that Helen was keeping something from him (his personal suspicion was that the real prize was likely incriminating file or something of that nature), but John didn’t have it in him to care. He loaded the truck in a few moments, taking a moment to plant a small camera in the cargo bed as he did so.

Part of John was tempted to nap as he punched the autopilot to set the truck on its way to the archives, but he knew that he would need to manually stop to make the delivery – and at any rate, napping behind the wheel (even on autopilot) was generally frowned upon. John was not particularly worried about being pulled over, but it would have been a fairly ignominious end to his case, so he refrained from the nap.

He pulled over at the designated spot – near a diner, of course, to give his earlier conversation with the guard a little more credibility – and hopped out of the truck. While doing so, he very conveniently left the rear doors unlocked, and walked into the diner where he could get something to eat. He’d skipped breakfast that morning specifically at the thought of getting a proper one there, and savored every bite to give Helen’s people sufficient time to make the swap. He was wearing a set of glasses which delivered the feed from his surveillance camera, and made a note of the appearance of the two men who opened up his cargo truck. The two men replaced the vodka, and, as John had suspected, also withdrew one of the boxes of files. John had his glasses capture the file numbers scrawled on the side of the box.

If he was being honest, John wasn’t entirely certain why he felt compelled to do this. This was not, he knew, related to his search for Charlie – or indeed, his search for Charlie’s parents-who-were-clearly-not-her-parents. At the same time, however, John knew the value of having leverage, and knowing that Helen was conducting a cover-up of something was useful information to have. He finished his breakfast, leaned back, and sighed contentedly.

Back in the truck, he kicked the autopilot back on and completed his delivery. He left the truck there and ordered a cab. He sent a quick message off to Helen to let her know the job was done, and that he’d have a few names for her to look up for him later. His cab was pulling away when he caught the unmistakable flash of an explosion in his rearview mirror.

John sighed. “Well, fuck.”

Part Nineteen

#vanquisher 2099 #cyberpunk #serialized fiction #science fiction

[thrashermaxey]

Tom Wilson Capitalizing on his Top-Line Chance

  This week we take a look at a line Capitalizing on their chances, some Leafs that may be falling, and Senators losing their seat. I usually reserve my Twitter account @BrennanDeSouza for injury updates, so you can pick up players that become relevant when others are due to miss time. However, going forward I’ll be using it to point out notable line changes as well, so you’re the first to snag a guy like Tom Wilson when he’s playing with Ovi and Backstrom.

  Alexander Ovechkin – Nicklas Backstrom – Tom Wilson

  Team ES Point Production: 17 | Line ES Point Production: 12 (71% of team)

  For years Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom have been one of the deadliest duos in the league. Backstrom being mister assister, and Ovi being mister wrister. While Evgeny Kuznetsov was skating alongside the Great Eight to start the season, Backstrom has since reclaimed his spot beside Ovechkin. Tom Wilson has rounded out the trio and their 59.26 CF% together shows a great ability to drive offense as a unit.

  I’ll be the first to say I avoided drafting Ovi this season after Washington Capitals’ owner Ted Leonsis supported him going to the Olympics. Although it became less and less likely that Ovi was going to PyeongChang for the 2018 winter games, I figured I’d just side step the whole situation. While the Capitals’ captain has proven me wrong thus far, the numbers do suggest some regression going forward. Now the numbers aren’t crazy unsustainable, but it seems likely that his 5 on 5 shooting percentage of 11.11% drops a little (Averaged 9.18% last three seasons) and that 1040 PDO starts to get closer to 1000. That being said, it’s difficult to find guys capable of scoring 50 goals, especially on the left wing.

  Despite a cold stretch this season that saw him go pointless for seven straight games, Nicklas Backstrom has tallied 25 points in 30 games. He is currently seeing 72% of the team’s total power play ice time (up from 62% in past two seasons), but is surprisingly on pace for less power play points (27 this year as opposed to 34 and 30 in past two). Another interesting note can be found in his IPP. In past seasons, Backstrom was getting a point on 70-80% of goals scored while he was on the ice, but that number currently sits at 61%, so perhaps there is still room for improvement.

  Tom Wilson has seven points in his last three games. Before you go rushing to add him, keep in mind that after four seasons in the NHL his highest point total sits at 23. Does he have value when skating beside Ovechkin and Backstrom? Of course. But the problem is that he’s not going to remain on this line forever. With Andre Burakovsky healthy again, there’s a long list of players that coach Barry Trotz is comfortable with playing on Washington’s top line (including Devante Smith-Pelly and Jakub Vrana). One look at Wilson’s stat line would tell you his role on the Capitals is much more physical than offensive. While Wilson holds some short-term value, expect to see many variations of Washington’s top line as the season progresses.

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Bobby Ryan – Derick Brassard – Mark Stone

  Team ES Point Production: 5 | Line ES Point Production 0 (0% of team)

  The Senators have been shutout in three of their last four games. They have one win in their last 12 games. To say they’re struggling right now is an understatement. While there has been a lot of buzz surrounding Erik Karlsson’s future with the team, he has made it clear that he is comfortable in Ottawa. I mention Karlsson because his offensive abilities have a huge impact on how productive the forwards are. Few blueliners are able to turn defense into offense as smoothly as Karlsson does with his speed, but offseason surgery seems to have slowed him down a touch. “You can play through it, but it will take a while before you get accustomed to it” Karlsson revealed in an interview with Arash Madani. With one point in his last twelve games, it wouldn’t be outrageous to suggest a relation between his struggles and those of the team. In my opinion, your faith in the trio of Ryan, Brassard, and Stone should depend on your faith in Erik Karlsson turning it around. A CF% of 46.81 doesn’t instill a lot of confidence in their ability to generate offense.

  Mark Stone is currently the most valuable member of this line, but while his 25 points in 28 games this season are impressive overall, he has gone four straight games without a point. In the past three seasons, Stone has consistently produced at 60-point pace. This year, he’s on pace to break the 70-point barrier, so maybe it’s that famous fourth year breakout everyone talks about! While I believe Stone has the individual talent to be a 70-point player in the NHL, I would temper my expectations until the Senators figure things out. Although his high career shooting percentage (16.2%) shows he’s an efficient shooter, his 20.6% shooting percentage on the season should see a bit of regression. That being said, his ice time has gone up by more than two minutes since last year (20:50 from 18:31) which includes a half-minute increase on the power play (3:37 from 3:06. Add in the fact that he’s shooting more than ever before, and you have a recipe for new career highs. 

  After flirting with the 60-point mark in his final seasons as a Ranger, the Senators were hoping for more of the same when Derick Brassard arrived in Ottawa, but that hasn’t been the case. His first season as a Senator was a disappointment, as he totalled just 39 points in 79 games. The 2017-2018 season has come with an increase an ice time overall (17:19 to 18:56), but most notably on the power play (2:34 to 3:27). While the team is putting him in a position to succeed, there is a chance he gets traded before the deadline if Ottawa continues to stuggle.

  My opinion on Bobby Ryan hasn’t changed since I talked about him skating with Matt Duchene a few weeks ago. Instead of throwing more numbers at you, I’ll remind you that he has suffered three separate hand-related injuries in 2017 alone. Stick-handling and shooting obviously aren’t going to be at the same level following a myriad of finger fractures, so don’t expect too much from him going forward. Although they’re different players, I feel like Brendan Gallagher is a good example of how a hand injury might hinder production. After missing time last season, he was only able to score 10 goals in 64 games. Fast forward to this season and he has 12 goals in 31 games. Just a little food for thought.

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  James van Riemsdyk – Tyler Bozak – Mitchell Marner

  Team ES Point Production: 10 | Line ES Point Production: 7 (70% of team)

  When your ‘third’ line consists of two guys coming off 60-point seasons and another one fresh off a 55-point campaign, I think it’s fair to say your team has some depth scoring. It also doesn’t hurt when they’re getting favourable matchups and putting pressure on other teams to play in their own zone as a 54.95 CF% would indicate. Despite this line’s recent production, their lack of ice-time limits their fantasy hockey value.

  After a stellar rookie season, the dreaded sophomore slump seems to have claimed Mitch Marner and disappointed many of his owners. While the beginning of the season saw him on the fourth line with Matt Martin, he has since been reunited with his line mates of last season. Overall, Marner’s ice time has dropped by more than a minute (16:49 to 15:25) and he isn’t shooting as much as last season. Although he was drafted fourth overall in 2015 and should be great asset in the future, his inconsistent usage this year makes even 55 points seem like a stretch.

  Gone are the days of Tyler Bozak as the Leafs number one center. With the young guns taking over in Toronto, Bozak has seen his ice-time drop to under 15 minutes a game. He’s currently on pace for 38 points and there’s really no solid evidence to hope for too much more. His point per game pace hasn’t dropped below 0.60 in recent years and currently sits at 0.47, while that may provide a small beacon of hope, his reduced role might be enough to justify the decrease.

  James van Riemsdyk has been the most productive of the trio, but the numbers suggest it’s time to sell-high. It’s easy to get excited when you see he has scored 14 goals in 30 games, but then you notice he’s done it on only 80 shots. A 17.5% shooting percentage is difficult for the best of shooters to maintain, but it becomes even more difficult when your career shooting percentage is 11.3%. Like Marner and Bozak, JVR’s ice-time has taken a big hit this season (from 15:53 to 14:15), and makes it less likely he returns to the 60-point form of last season. All this being said, his contract does expire at the end of the campaign and players have a tendency to play for job security. While he might not be a Leaf by the end of the year, it seems he wants to stay in Toronto and be part of the promising future they have.

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          Interesting Line Changes

  If you want to see a team’s line combinations in their most recent game check it out over here.  I’ll try to point out some notable shake ups every week that impact your fantasy roster. Keep in mind sometimes these lines are thrown together by a coach in desperation to turn a game around and aren’t set in stone.

  CHI: Alex DeBrincat – Jonathan Toews – Brandon Saad

  DAL: Remi Elie – Tyler Seguin – Devin Shore

DAL: Jamie Benn – Radek Faksa – Tyler Pitlick

  EDM: Milan Lucic – Connor McDavid – Jesse Puljujarvi

EDM: Leon Draisaitl – Jujhar Khaira – Ryan Strome

  LA: Tanner Pearson – Anze Kopitar – Tyler Toffoli

  NJ: Taylor Hall – Nico Hischier – Jesper Bratt

  NSH: Filip Forsberg – Pontus Aberg – Calle Jarnkrok

  PHI: Michael Raffl – Valtteri Filppula – Jakub Voracek

  STL: Vladimir Sobotka – Paul Stastny – Vladimir Tarasenko

from All About Sports http://www.dobberhockey.com/hockey-home/nhl-line-combinations/tom-wilson-capitalizing-on-his-top-line-chance/