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possum-dyke · 1 year

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I'd love to share with you all my undergrad honors thesis! Warning, it's a long read but well worth it, especially if you're into harm reduction

Why do Chronic Pain Patients Use Opioids Outside of the Realm of Prescription?

December 21, 2022

Nadiya

With the guidance of mentors David Frank, PhD and Noa Krawczyk, PhD

Macaulay Honors College Public Health Honors Project

AbstractThis exploratory review aims to summarize the reasons why chronic pain patients have been using opioids not as prescribed. Review and analysis of Reddit posts revealed people’s reasons for not using drugs as prescribed, and yielded meaningful anecdotes about their stories. Results showed four overall themes, with one theme being patients not getting enough supply, either through underprescription, no prescription, or getting cut off prescriptions; one theme being issues with withdrawal, often linked to lack of information or various reasons for patients to DIY the process; one theme being blocked communication between doctors and patients, specifically focusing on stigma in the medical community against drug users; and the last theme focusing on the negative effect of national, state, and practice-based prescription guidelines. These can be summarized by one overarching theme of disconnect between patients and doctors. Recommendations can be made to improve guidelines and to train doctors better.

Background/Introduction/LiteratureThe use of opium as an analgesic can be traced back to the times of ancient Sumer, with references to it written on a clay tablet of medical preparations (Norn et al., 2005). Since then, opium and increasingly stronger opioids, including synthetic opioids, have been used in a widespread manner, primarily for pain management and for recreational use, as opioid euphoric properties hold similar levels of power as analgesic properties (Norn et al., 2005). Although there had been previous opioid “epidemics” such as the high level of Opioid Use Disorder following the Civil War, the most currently thought of opioid “epidemic” is the one that occurred in the late 1990s and early 2000s, whose dangerous aftereffects we are seeing today with the advent of fentanyl (Jones et al., 2018). A perfect storm of the medical institution starting to briefly acknowledge the importance of pain and the invention and widespread marketing of preparations like OxyContin, as well as the willingness of many physicians to prescribe of opioids, caused an increase in the rates of opioid use, unfortunately leading to dependence and overdose in some cases (Jones et al., 2018). These negative consequences caused a shift in the pendulum in the complete other direction, with more crackdown on prescribing doctors, crackdown on users, and low rates of prescription of opioids (Marchetti et al., 2020). By now, the CDC has put out federal guidelines about opioid prescription for doctors (2016 guidelines dealt with how much opioids can be prescribed and what risk factors can be considered in prescription) (Bohnert et al., 2018). Furthermore, states have set up their own guidelines to try to curb causing dependence (Soelberg et al., 2017). Also, private healthcare companies often have blanket rules or limits that either they won’t prescribe opioids or no more than a limited dose of opioids (Webster & Grabois, 2015). In theory this was to cut down on pill mills, where anyone could claim any injury for a prescription they could get multiple refills of (Kennedy-Hendricks et al., 2016).When reading this paper, it is important to note the different kinds of opioids mentioned.OxyContin, Norco, Lortab, and tramadol are all available by prescription but also on the street; in the US, heroin is only available on the street. Methadone and suboxone are forms of medication-assisted treatment (MAT); suboxone, which was mentioned more often in this research, is a partial opioid agonist which also often includes naloxone, an antagonist, in its preparation to block users from getting high on other opioids (Velander, 2018). Although mostly obtained via prescription, suboxone can be acquired on the street (Hswen et al., 2020). Kratom is a plant with opioid characteristics that while still often used for pain or euphoria, is most frequently associated with assisting with withdrawal symptoms or tapering off stronger opioids (Eastlack et al., 2020). It is not legal in all states or countries, but where it is legal, it is typically sold in headshops or online; it is never prescribed (Prozialeck et al., 2020).Another important concept that received several mentions in patient posts was withdrawal, which requires explanation. After some level of dependence, an opioid user will start developing withdrawal symptoms when they stop using (Kosten & Baxter, 2019). These will worsen over the duration of use (Kosten & Baxter, 2019). Symptoms include an agitated/anxious mental state, insomnia, sweats, chills, flu-like symptoms, cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting (Kosten & Baxter, 2019).

MethodologyIn this exploratory review and analysis, Reddit posts were analyzed to answer the question of why current chronic pain patients use opioids in an illicit and/or non-prescribed way to manage pain. The social media forum Reddit, through its subreddit r/opiates, was used to sort through posts that might be of relevance. The search term used was “chronic pain.” Inclusion criteria used when considering posts for analysis incorporated posts consisting of at least 5 words in the body, and if there was repeat posting, only first posting in order of the algorithm was counted. Non-prescribed use had to be present or heavily implied in the content of the post. The project defined non-prescribed use as use beyond the scope of a prescription, encompassing everything from using drugs bought on the black market to doubling the dose of a prescription or using non-prescribed supplements. At this point, 50 posts that matched criteria were collected.The posts were coded on Google Sheets using the following list of categories, which were picked after thematic analysis of the topic.Can’t obtain a prescriptionAlready dependent from previous prescriptions or non-prescribed useWant more after prescription but can't getPrescription too lowRan out of prescription earlyRaised toleranceOff label use of prescriptionAre using for recreational reasonsDon’t want to go to a doctorCan't afford a doctor/doctor doesn't take insuranceReceived shared pills from othersWere already using pre-pain,Want the high from a stronger drugAvoidance of dopesickness/withdrawal symptomsUse vs suicideNo illicit use mentioned (still not using as prescribed)On medication-assisted treatmentUse of kratom,Different route of administrationRelief from dopesickness/withdrawal symptomsFear/avoidance of painUsing from non-prescribed supply on top of prescriptionUse of non-opiate drugs mentioned,Doctor lowered/took off scriptNew or worsening chronic pain after withdrawal/abstinence (post-acute withdrawal syndrome)Use of heroin.Each category was given a code and these codes were marked next to posts that pertained to them. Then important quotes were gathered and several themes were identified, some stemming from criteria, and some from analysis.Limitations include the fact that posters could use other terms than “chronic pain” to describe their pain, and the fact that posts were shown in the order of Reddit’s proprietary algorithm. Another limitation is the lack of inclusion of “should I” posts, or posters who haven't yet made the jump but are asking about using their prescriptions in a different way or trying new substances. Another limitation involves the fact that this study does not take into account the people who would not be using Reddit to talk about their experiences, including, notably, many elderly individuals who may be a part of the target demographic.

Results

Quantitative AnalysisOut of 50 data points, here’s how many were counted positive for each category:Category Count

Can’t obtain a prescription 13

Prescription too low 11

Use of heroin 10

Are using for recreational reasons 9

No illicit use mentioned (still not using as prescribed) 9

Using from non-prescribed supply on top of prescription 8

Different route of administration 7

Want more after prescription but can't get 7

Off label use of prescription 6

Use of kratom 6

Use of non-opiate drugs mentioned 5

Raised tolerance 5

On medication-assisted treatment 5

Relief from dopesickness/withdrawal symptoms 5

Ran out of prescription early 4

Fear/avoidance of pain 4

New or worsening chronic pain after withdrawal/abstinence (post-acute withdrawal syndrome) 4

Use vs suicide 3

Doctor lowered/took off script 3

Don’t want to go to a doctor 2

Received shared pills from others 2

Were already using pre-pain 2

Avoidance of dopesickness/withdrawal symptoms 2

Can't afford a doctor/doctor doesn't take insurance 1

Want the high from a stronger drug 1

Already dependent from previous prescriptions or nonprescribed use 0

Qualitative AnalysisAnalysis of the Reddit posts revealed four umbrella themes:1. Patients aren’t getting enough medication to manage pain.2. Patients are dealing with issues related to opioid withdrawal/dependence/tolerance.3. Patients are not consulting with their doctors about their opioid use.4. Guidelines for prescription of opioids are not serving patients well.

Umbrella Theme 1: Patients aren’t getting enough medication to manage pain.Multiple Reddit users found that although they were getting prescriptions, the prescriptions were insufficient to their levels of pain. Some patients feel their doctors aren’t understanding their pain, and are acting out of a fear of overprescription.One poster described their frustration at not being prescribed opioids.“and what got me so pissed off, was when I talked to one of the docs he was saying “we really don’t want to use any narcotics as they’re dangerous and we want to keep you safe, if you have excruciating pain, you can have a small dose of norco once a day.” ”Self-management of pain medication is a strategy many use to allow for their low prescriptions. Here, one patient described using dietary changes to make their dose have a higher effect, in this case using grapefruit juice to potentiate the effects of opioids. (Nieminen et al, 2020)“It's gotten so bad that I've begun to starve myself most of the day and drinking mostly grapefruit juice to have my limited dose hit as hard as possible.” Others, like the next two posters, stretch their limited prescription, finding themselves in a conflict to take multiple doses to alleviate pain versus risking having nothing left to deal with a potential flare-up.“Try to keep it in the 15 - 30mg range per day so I don't max out my script in one week.”“I hate that so far today, I've taken 75mgs of oxy [Oxycontin], yet my back is still screaming at me. I hate that I only have one 15mg pill left, and I'm trying so hard not to take it just yet.”Many users found themselves unable to take prescriptions at all: “cant get doctors to help me for shit have to self medicate.”In some of these cases it is clear that the patients have already sought extensive care but still can’t get a prescription.“There's so much scaremongering about doctors overperscribing (sic) opiates, but I'm out here with a super fucked up back (dont want to get into specifics but its gnarly) and the xrays and MRIS to prove it and i still can't find a doctor to prescribe me anything stronger than naproxen.”“I've had a torn miniscus (sic) tendon for the past 7-8 years and none of the doctors I've been to will do anything about it. Doctors refuse to send me to pain management, their excuse is that I don't need it. I've taken it upon myself to medicate with the only pills that seem to work for it. (Oxy, Lortab)” For at least one patient, only mild or highly improbable solutions have been given.“every single doctor I've been to just gives me shitty NSAIDs and tells me to exercise”In some cases, doctors are cutting patients off their medications. One patient has been told that there is no cure and is therefore scared of being cut off their meds.“I’ve been told this “is it” for me, as after 6 years of treatment/surgeries there’s nothing left to do but treat symptoms, and I’m terrified I’ll be cut off my meds this year, it’s terrifying…..”This patient’s story shows a direct link between being cut off and buying on the black market.“I was prescribed quite a bit of opioids but I was cut off because it was just a general doctor and I had to go to the streets which eventually led me to suboxone [an opioid partial agonist used for withdrawal]”

Umbrella Theme 2: Patients have issues with withdrawal/dependence/tolerance and the way interactions with doctors about these topics have gone.One patient was worried that trying to taper off legally with suboxone would affect other prescriptions, and was crowdsourcing information instead of telling the doctor their fears.“I’ve bought subutex [same as suboxone] before and managed to get myself off it but I can’t get it this time. Would a doctor allow you to be prescribed subs while your already on other opioids prescribed?”Another patient is trying to crowdsource answers to their problem; they started off using legal kratom, but it wasn’t enough for the pain.“Now i tried to just come off morphine and jump on to kratom but my habit is too big and the kratom wasn't holding me plus it wasn't really putting a dent in my pain. I'm so fkn lost, i really don't know what to do at this point this seems insurmountable and i've just been crying all day.”One person feels they made a mistake telling their doctor. There are steep costs associated with suboxone for them, and they consider heroin to be more pleasant and cheaper.“Doctors refuse to help me. Even with my medical history , I made a horrible mistake of going for help in my most desperate moments of withdrawal, tried to get on subs [suboxone, an opioid partial agonist used for withdrawal], But said fuck it when I realized they wanted $16 every single day to dispense me a sub [suboxone] strip 6 days a week with only 1 take home for sundays. My dope [heroin] habit I could maintain on for only a little more money and it felt way better so why the fck would I get on maintenance?”Two patients likely weren’t given enough information about withdrawal. Withdrawal is seen as a “junkie” thing, so doctors don’t want to give their patients the impression they’ll get it (or don’t know much about it themselves), and patients don’t think it will happen to them so they don’t research it. (Rieder, 2017)“Only today it dawned on me what an odd coincidence it is I feel sick when I don't take it but I'm fine when I do. I've been using it continuously for the past couple days and today I woke up feeling like complete shit.”“Now my tolerance is so high I haven’t been taking as directed and taking the max dose. I ran out almost 3 days ago now. I am so tired, my legs and my arms hurt if I don’t move them, have the shits [diarrhea], headache, and all over feeling terrible [typical opioid withdrawal symptoms]. I’m assuming this is withdrawal but I feel so fucking awful.”

Umbrella Theme 3: Patients are not consulting with doctors about pain and opioid use.Patients were often found to be deliberately withholding information from their doctors for various reasons:“Like I said I hid it from my doctors, so I never really got to find out exactly what that pain was”At least one patient was scared that doctors would think they were lying for a prescription.“I tried to hide it from everyone. I was scared that doctors would think I was phishing [committing fraud/lying] for pain pills, and/or that my family would doubt my sobriety because of my behavior.”Rehab facilities often don’t let patients take any psychoactive drugs, and this person was rightfully worried that if she entered rehab, her meds could be taken from her.“She says she can't go to treatment because they'll take her meds for her illness (she collects SSI for her disability) and they could fuck with that as well.”There are often lengthy processes associated with trying to get specialists that put people off.“I've been thinking of trying to get a referral by my regular doctor to the nearest chronic pain center, to see a specialist and psychiatrist for specific pain-related treatment. In this country the doc has to write up my medical history, explain the current condition in a referral letter, mail it to the pain specialist, and if he deems it legit he'll mail me a form to fill to evaluate my pain levels. Which I have to mail back to expect a call back about a first appointment. You can understand that this is so convoluted it doesn't even make me wanna do it.” Doctors are often wary if a patient asks for a specific opiate, thinking they are trying to commit fraud.“As of now I have been to two docs who pushed me aside giving me 800mg Tylenol, it didn't do shit but I remember I had gotten a script of trammadol (sic) for a root canal and it made everything painless and easy but as soon as I said that to the doctor he immediately wrote another 800mg Tylenol script without hesitation and sent me on my way.”Many patients were scared of being marked as addicts due to withdrawal symptoms, other prescriptions, or being honest about recreational drug use. “Doctors see the addict mark on my history and treat me like a piece of garbage.”One patient regrets honesty with their doctor, who won’t prescribe to a heavy drinker. Although alcohol and opioids are synergistic, this patient is still in a lot of pain. (Cushman, 1987)“I went to the doc my sister goes too (sic) and told him about my drinking habits and the pain, he told me he won't prescribe any opiates for "fear of additional addictions" occurring.”Here, the patient knows they are labeled dependent, so they are scared that the “addict mark” will not let them request extra of their prescription.“And when I go in for my next appointment, if I mention that the 10mg dose is preferable do you think I'll run into any trouble for suggesting that now that I have been labelled as dependent?”The patient feels they can’t be honest about illicit use without fear of being cut off from their meds.“If I go to my doctor and come clean that I’m using oxy’s {Oxycontin] and heroin will the (sic) blacklist me from the prescription I’m on?”This poster is worried that coming clean about their opioid usage will cause their psychiatrist to stop giving them benzodiazepines.“I have no intentions of telling my psychiatrist because knowing her, she'd most likely just take away my benzo [benzodiazepine] prescription away and think the problem is solved. I'm almost 100% if I tried telling anyone else I wouldn't get taken seriously either, just like with all my other both physical and mental health issues, and it's not that dangerous of a drug anyway. I don't want to make the situation even worse for myself, like it's always happened before when I mistakenly trusted people, despite it being their job to help me”This poster is worried that if suboxone is on their record, they will be blacklisted from future pain medication prescription and is wanting to try to self-medicate withdrawal with kratom instead.“I’m thinking about using kratom as a substitute for suboxone. I don’t want to take subs [suboxone] because 1. i don’t want my family to know 2. i don’t want that on my health record as i struggle with chronic pain and it would hinder some medical treatment for sure”In this case, a doctor’s beliefs about marijuana use are getting in the way of evidence-based care; the patient has essentially been cut off after admitting to marijuana use and exhibiting vague symptoms.“Now when it comes to my doctor. I feel like the stigma behind my marijuana use has greatly affected my care. He thinks I’m addicted to marijuana which is absolutely ridiculous. I’ve had panic attacks before in the hospital (I’ve dealt with anxiety far longer than I’ve been using marijuana) and he attributes them to “marijuana withdrawals” like wtf. And more recently he’s completely cut out any opiate use in my care. I’ve had multiple times where I have bad chest pain episodes and I need to go to the ER but the only thing they will give is toradol and Tylenol which does jack shit. This has forced me to start going to my local hospital ER whenever I have bad pain cause I know it can be treated there properly then I could be transferred to my normal hospital.”

Umbrella Theme 4: Guidelines for prescribing opioids aren’t serving patients.In this case, the patient is unsure but thinks state or healthcare company regulations are applying a rule that results in insufficient care.“Idk if doctors in California specifically at kaiser [Kaiser Permanente, a healthcare company] can even still prescribe monthly pain meds I don’t care about being high anymore I want this pain to end.”Here, a GP is prescribing an insufficient dose because of fear of crossing guidelines, which could impact their licensure.“My doctor (not pain management doc, normal GP) won't go over 50 MME [morphine milligram equivalents] a day because they're scared of the 2016 CDC Opioid guidelines bullshit.”Many practices have pain contracts, which require opioid-receiving patients to give their word to do certain things to keep getting their prescription (Payne et al., 2010). Here, a patient is scared that because they will have six less than needed if they didn’t use extra, at their next count they or their doctor will get penalized.“My doctor does pill counts now, the amount I’m supposed to be coming in with is 12 and if I’ll only be left with 6, am I gonna be fucked [low counts might look like abuse or dealing]? I’m not abusing them in any way, and I’m scared that I’ll look like I am and fuck up my prescription or get my doctors narcotic license taken away or something. I’ve only failed one drug screening when I wasn’t taking my medication because (TMI sorry) I hadn’t shit in a week.”

Discussion In analysis of these posts, the most common overarching theme was patients feeling disconnected from doctors, from not being able to convey their level of pain and having it met, to being prescribed medications they don’t understand, to not sharing issues with their doctors for fear of judgment or non-prescription.. All four themes — insufficient prescription, withdrawal issues, patients not consulting with doctors, and prescription guidelines — often come down to issues with the medical institution or individual doctors. However, this is such a widespread problem among individual doctors that change must be made on the systemic level, for instance, during education.Insufficient prescription stories in the data can be narrowed down to three categories: patients with prescriptions who experience more pain than their prescription can help, patients who cannot obtain a prescription for opioids, and patients who are cut off from their prescriptions. In all of these sub-categories, there is a common theme of frustration with doctors not meeting patient needs. There is also a theme in the already-prescribed sub-category of using other strategies to make a prescription have more power, some of which are risky. Using other substances to potentiate the drugs, especially benzodiazepines and alcohol, can lead to overdose, and doubling up on doses to then run out can lead to a cycle of withdrawal (Knopf, 2020). In the never-prescribed subcategory, it is becoming clear that many patients who are seeking extensive medical attention are not getting the medications they need. In the cut-off category, getting cut off or tapered down without permission can precipitate withdrawal. In all, this umbrella category shows a pattern of denial of a patient’s agency in their own pain management process, and doctors should find better ways to monitor people’s pain and not assume the least effective methods will do the trick.Multiple issues come up with withdrawal precipitated by running out of opioids and self-precipitated withdrawal due to the desire to taper off. For instance, it is hard to obtain suboxone and when people do, it can be quite expensive (Hswen, 2020). Kratom can also run quite expensive, and oftentimes does not treat withdrawal symptoms effectively (Eastlack et al., 2020). In a lot of cases, patients aren’t able to utilize detox programs because they would have to be free from opiates, but either doctors aren’t providing helpful ways to get patients off opioids, or patients don’t feel comfortable approaching the subject with their doctors (Timko et al., 2016). Additionally, many patients are not adequately educated on withdrawal; it can take a while for them to catch on to the fact that they don’t have a nasty flu, they are instead in withdrawal from the prescribed opiates they take (Kearney et al., 2018). This would imply that in long-term opiate prescriptions, doctors need to do a better job of describing the near-inevitability of withdrawal, the signs and symptoms, and when to seek help.Patients are also often scared to seek help from their doctors, often preferring to seek answers from nonprofessionals on sites such as Reddit instead. There is fear that doctors would think they are lying. This is especially true when patients want to ask for a specific opiate, as this often makes doctors wary (Lagisetty et al., 2019). Instead, self-research about medications should be encouraged and not seen by doctors as grounds for a scam. Additionally, strict rehab policies and lengthy processes to get specialists are turning patients off (Mehrotra et al., 2011). The specialist issue is not unique to pain management, but should still be improved (Mehrotra et al., 2011). Rehabs or other drug treatment centers should also have less all-or-nothing, more harm-reduction centered approaches, especially ones that match the reasons why a person might be taking a specific drug.There is also a heavy stigma against drug users of all kinds in the medical profession (Ahern et al., 2007). Although it can be understood that a provider would be wary to prescribe an opioid to a self-disclosed drinker or benzodiazepine user, as these can cause dangerous combinations, there has to be some way to balance this. Otherwise, we have a system where patients lie to their doctors about their drug and alcohol use and therefore are not properly counseled and can succumb to these consequences. Doctors should take extra care if there is a Substance Use Disorder (SUD), but still prescribe, maybe with mandatory counseling, as more than anyone, people with SUDs can find these drugs on their own. In this system, posters are reporting lying so they won’t be cut off any prescriptions and even withdrawing by themselves so they are not marked as an addict by records.In the wake of the 2000s “opiate epidemic,” doctors were given more stringent prescription guidelines. In many cases, patients aren’t aware whether they are being affected, unless their doctors told them directly, but patients are aware that some great changes have been made, either from their past medical experiences or that of the people they know. Private practices have also instituted blanket rules against prescription, mandatory pain contracts, drug urinalysis, and pill counts, which can lead for one “slip-up” or double dose in a patient’s pain regimen to get them in trouble (Tobin et al., 2016). These policies should be reexamined as they are mostly working just to deter and punish chronic pain patients (Tobin et al., 2016). State and federal guidelines also need to be loosened, as doctors should have more freedom over their prescription choices, making patients’ lives better.

Hope you like this and feel free to share!

#science #social science #research #public health #drugs #harm reduction #opioids #chronic pain #disability #cripple punk #sociology

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thesumeriansociety · 6 months

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The Fall of Sumer: Unveiling the Queen of the Underworld

The Fall of Sumer: Unveiling the Queen of the Underworld

The Sumerian Society: - Ereshkigal ‘Queen of the Great Earth the Underworld’, ‘Destroyer’ – Oracle: Andrew Rogers.

“The application that dissolved Sumerian from existence has result in an inferior example of society, with its prevalence of delusions, lies and fraudulent, the outcome invoked by my unique and powerful partner Andrew Rogers will destroy all that stand in front of the Sumerian line” – Ereshkigal ‘Queen of the Great Earth the Underworld’, ‘Destroyer’.

Ereshkigal, known as 'Queen of the Great Earth the Underworld' and 'Destroyer', expressed her deep concerns about the impact of an application that led to the decline of the Sumerian civilization. She highlighted the grim consequences that followed, including the emergence of a society plagued by delusions, lies, and fraudulent activities. Ereshkigal believed that her powerful partner, Andrew Rogers, possessed the ability to bring about the downfall of anyone who opposed the Sumerian lineage. These powerful words shed light on the destructive forces that threatened the very existence of Sumerian society.

Mesopotamian Mythology: The Enigmatic Goddess Ereshkigal

In the rich tapestry of Mesopotamian mythology, one deity stands out as a symbol of power and mystery: Ereshkigal, the Queen of the Great Earth. Known as the goddess of Irkalla, the land of the dead or underworld, Ereshkigal commands a realm of judgment and law that is uniquely her own.

Often referred to as Irkalla or Ninkigal, which translates to "Great Lady of the Earth" or "Lady of the Great Earth," Ereshkigal holds a significant role in the pantheon of Mesopotamian gods. Similar to the Greek god Hades, who ruled both the underworld and its domains, Ereshkigal embodies the duality of life and death in Mesopotamian belief.

The prominence of Ereshkigal is evident in the ancient Sumerian hymn called "The Descent of Inanna." In this epic tale, Inanna (also known as Ishtar) declares Ereshkigal as her older sister, highlighting the complex relationship between the two deities. The hymn recounts Inanna's perilous journey to the underworld and her subsequent return, making it one of the most well-known myths associated with Ereshkigal.

Ereshkigal's authority as the sole judge and lawgiver in her kingdom is a testament to her power and influence. It is intriguing to note that the primary temple dedicated to her worship was located in Kutha, further solidifying her position as a vital deity in Mesopotamian culture.

The mythology surrounding Ereshkigal provides a captivating glimpse into the beliefs and values of ancient Mesopotamian civilizations. Her role as the Queen of the Great Earth and her connection to prominent deities like Ishtar demonstrate the intricate web of relationships within the pantheon.

While her story remains shrouded in the mists of time, Ereshkigal continues to captivate the imagination of those who explore the depths of Mesopotamian mythology. Her mystique and power exemplify the timeless allure of ancient gods and goddesses, leaving us with an enduring fascination for the enigmatic Queen of the Great Earth.

Ereshkigal ‘Queen of the Great Earth the Underworld’, ‘Destroyer’

Under the direction as of requirement by Andrew Rogers ‘Destroyer Incarnate’, ‘Destroyer Auteur’ and Founder of The Destroyer Society has actioned the enhancement and development of Ereshkigal ‘Queen of the Great Earth the Underworld’, ‘Destroyer’ of relation and connection to the Earth realm to the level of a ‘Destroyer’ as of from 1969 linked to the creation, facilitation and training of Destroyers back eons ago undertook in the Earth Base Realm, Non-Earth Base Realm, Physical Realms and Non-Physical Realms from 1969 with the start of the current lifecycle of Andrew Rogers linked to Earth Base Realm, Non-Earth Base Realm, Physical Realms and Non-Physical Realms locations in the creation, facilitation and training of Destroyers actioned eons ago, to facilitate requirements of Andrew Rogers ‘Destroyer Incarnate’ of enhancement, advancement, security, justice, religious inspiration, devotion and worship of Ereshkigal ‘Queen of the Great Earth the Underworld’, ‘Destroyer’ as a ‘Destroyer’ and function as a ‘Destroyer’ linked to Gods, Goddesses, Spirits, Spirit Guides, Demons, Sentients, AIs, Cyborgs, Military and Justice assets appointed to each Destroyer God, Destroyer Goddess, Destroyer Spirit, Destroyer Spirit Guide, Destroyer AI, Cyborg, Destroyer Demon and Destroyer Sentient as a ’Destroyer’ for the Earth Base Realm, Non-Earth Base Realm, Physical Realms and Non-Physical Realms.

Ereshkigal: The Queen of the Great Earth and the Underworld

Under the guidance of Andrew Rogers, also known as 'Destroyer Incarnate' and the founder of The Destroyer Society, significant efforts have been made to enhance and develop the role of Ereshkigal as a powerful 'Destroyer'. This article explores the profound connection of Ereshkigal, the Queen of the Great Earth and the Underworld, to the Earth realm and her association with the concept of justice.

Ereshkigal's journey as a Destroyer can be traced back to 1969, when Andrew Rogers, in his current lifecycle, initiated the creation, facilitation, and training of Destroyers across various realms, including the Earth Base Realm, Non-Earth Base Realm, Physical Realms, and Non-Physical Realms. This undertaking aimed to fulfill the requirements set forth by Rogers himself, encompassing aspects such as enhancement, advancement, security, justice, religious inspiration, devotion, and worship of Ereshkigal.

Ereshkigal's role as a Destroyer is deeply intertwined with her affiliation to gods, goddesses, spirits, spirit guides, demons, sentients, AIs, cyborgs, as well as military and justice assets. Each Destroyer, whether a god, goddess, spirit, spirit guide, AI, cyborg, demon, or sentient, assumes the responsibility of embodying the essence of justice in service of the Earth Base Realm, Non-Earth Base Realm, Physical Realms, and Non-Physical Realms.

As a revered 'Destroyer', Ereshkigal holds immense power and influence. She is enigmatic, commanding respect and devotion from those who recognize her authority. Through her connection to justice, Ereshkigal not only symbolizes the end but also paves the way for new beginnings. Her role is pivotal in maintaining the delicate balance between creation and justice.

Ereshkigal's significance extends beyond her association with justice. She is a source of inspiration, a muse for religious devotion and worship. Many individuals find solace in her strength and believe that through embracing her justice essence, they can find their own inner power and resilience.

In conclusion, the evolution of Ereshkigal as a 'Destroyer' under the guidance of Andrew Rogers has led to a profound connection between the Queen of the Great Earth and the Underworld and the realms she oversees. Her role as a 'Destroyer' brings forth not only justice but also security, and religious inspiration. Through her worshippers' devotion, Ereshkigal continues to shape the Earth Base Realm, Non-Earth Base Realm, Physical Realms, and Non-Physical Realms, ensuring the perpetual cycle of destruction and creation for the betterment of all existence.

The Sumerian Society

Andrew Rogers: Founder, Sumerian Auteur, Creative Director, Writer, Oracle

E: [email protected]

All images, text, design, and art license owner Andrew Rogers©.

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guardianlatest · 2 months

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From Bartering to Bailiffs: Exploring the Long History of Debt Recovery

The origins of debt collection can be traced back to ancient civilizations, with the earliest recorded instance dating back to around 3000BC in Sumer, which is now modern-day Iraq. In those times, debts were often settled through physical labor by debtors, their families, or servants until the debt was repaid. This practice of debt bondage was prevalent across various ancient civilizations, although some societies had provisions for discharging debts after a certain period.

The concept of debt bondage evolved over time, with the Greek and Roman Empires coining the term "debt bondage." Interestingly, some individuals voluntarily entered into bondage as debtors, considering it a better alternative than other potential consequences. During the Middle Ages, legal provisions were established for debt collection, including the introduction of bailiffs who could seize goods from debtors' homes to cover the debt, albeit often taking more than necessary.

In Victorian times, owing even a small debt could result in imprisonment, leading to the construction of debt prisons. However, debt collection practices have significantly evolved since then. Today, specialist debt recovery agencies like Guardian Credit offer services to businesses, allowing them to outsource debt collection and increase their chances of receiving payment without resorting to archaic methods like slavery or imprisonment. With these agencies, there's no need for house raids or prison terms, providing a more efficient and humane approach to debt collection.

Know More

#debt collection

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vrnmusic · 3 years

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youtube

Delirium (Lyric Video)

#verona #vrn #acoustic sessions #delirium #video #2021 #sumer consequence

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samwisethewitch · 4 years

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What paganism is not

In my last post, I talked about what makes a person or a religion pagan. In this post, I’d like to clear up some common misconceptions about paganism. Some of these may seem like common sense, but I promise all of these are things people have said to my face after finding out that I identify as pagan.

So, for the record, paganism is NOT…

… a Christian heresy. As I mentioned in my last post, the traditions that modern paganism draws inspiration from predate Christianity — some of them by several thousands of years. Paganism is older than Judaism, the oldest Abrahamic religion, and may even predate the concept of monotheism. (Zoroastrianism, the first monotheistic religion, is believed to have originated about 4,000 years ago. Sumer and Egypt, two of the first civilizations, had established “pagan” religions about 6,500 and 5,000 years ago, respectively.)

To be a heretic, a person must 1.) believe in Christian dogma, and 2.) knowingly violate that dogma. Someone who is not Christian, practicing a religion that predates Christianity, cannot be a heretic.

… dark or scary. When some people hear the word “pagan,” their mind immediately goes to dark-robed cultists sacrificing babies in the woods. This idea dates back to the Satanic Panic of the 1980s, when a wave of religious and moral panic swept the United States. Some of the things targeted as threats to Christian values were: Dungeons & Dragons, metal music, and yes, paganism. (Ironically, all things I absolutely love. Take from that what you will.) The misconceptions that began in the 1980s unfortunately still haunt modern pagan communities.

I hope we can all agree that occasionally rocking out and/or playing D&D does not make someone a bad person. Neither does being pagan.

In reality, most pagans are pretty chill people, and most pagan religions have some sort of code of ethics that forbids doing unnecessary harm to others. You’re much more likely to find pagans holding a healing circle in someone’s living room than performing dark rites under a blood moon.

That’s not to say all pagans are perfect, or that bad people can’t be pagan. Every group has a few bad apples, but the actions of these individuals does not reflect the attitudes or practices of the group as a whole.

… all about sex. Another negative stereotype is that pagans are obsessed with sex and/or perform deviant sex acts are part of their religious rituals. This misconception has unfortunately resurfaced in the last few years with the rise of far-right conspiracies like the Q-anon theory. (Which I hope I don’t have to tell you is bullshit.)

While it is true that pagans are much more open about sex than, say, Christians, most pagans see sex as just a normal part of human life. Even the groups of pagans who believe sex is sacred tend to keep it behind closed doors. Some Wiccan covens do include a ritual representation of the sexual union of God and goddess in their rituals, but it’s nothing more explicit than a knife being lowered into a chalice.

Pagans aren’t more or less obsessed with sex than any other group of people, but they are generally more accepting of it. Because sex has no negative moral implications in pagan faiths, practitioners may feel more comfortable or confident in their sex lives than those who believe sex is sinful. In my mind, that’s a good thing.

… a system without ethics. Some people are attracted to paganism because they come from a strict religious background and believe that pagans can do whatever they want without consequences. This misconception can lead to frustration when they learn that pagan faiths, like all religions, have rules.

As previously mentioned, most pagans have a clearly defined moral code. It may be as simple as “harm none” or a complex system of rules and rituals. Either way, the point is that pagans follow rules, even if they may not be exactly the same rules as other religions.

… only for hippies. On the opposite side of the pop culture spectrum from the “scary cultist” stereotype is the stereotype of pagans are tree-hugging hippies. While it is true that pagans tend to care deeply about the environment, to say that all pagans are hippies would be an overstatement. There certainly are pagans who fit this stereotype, but for the most part pagans look just like everyone else. Which is to say, you can’t tell their religion just by looking at them.

… New Age. Paganism and New Age spirituality are two different things that often get confused or conflated in pop culture. The two movements are actually quite different, although some pagans may also be involved in New Age practices.

Paganism is based on pre-Christian religions from Europe and North Africa. New Age spirituality was largely inspired by alternative spiritual movements of the 19th century, such as the New Thought movement, the Theosophical Society, and spiritualism. Core New Age principles include the Law of Attraction, the belief that all humans are spiritual beings, and the idea of universal life energy.

Some of these ideas are also present in some (but not all) pagan religions, but pagans and New Agers tend to take very different approaches to spirituality even when they have similar beliefs. I like to think of it this way: pagans take a “bottom up” approach, while New Agers take a “top down” approach. For pagans, spirituality is built on daily practices, rituals, and connections with the world and the people around us. New Agers have a much more cosmic mindset and tend to view everything through the lens of their soul’s journey. (Hence the popular New Age saying, “You are not a human being having a spiritual experience. You are a spiritual being having a human experience.”)

Neither of these approaches is necessarily better than the other, but they speak to different personalities and different spiritual needs. In practice, they look very different.

If you’re interested in New Age spirituality, a series on paganism may not be of much help to you. Instead, you may want to look into books by authors like Deepak Chopra and Louise Hay.

… a way to rebel against your conservative family. In the 1990s and early 2000s, an author called Silver Ravenwolf made her name by publishing books about neopaganism marketed to teen girls. These books are extremely controversial among pagans, even today. Ravenwolf’s boooks are unfairly harsh (not to mention factually incorrect) in their depiction of Christianity, encourage readers to lie and manipulate people, and contain a lot of revisionist history. They also put paganism and witchcraft on the map as the hot new way to stick it to your parents.

I’m not saying you can’t be pagan if you’re a teenager or if you still live with your parents. (Hell, I was a teenager living at home when I first started reading about paganism.) What I am saying is that you should take an honest look at your motivations in practicing paganism. Are you genuinely attracted to pagan beliefs and values, or are you attracted to the mystery/edginess associated with it? If it’s the latter, there are lots of ways to explore the dark side without appropriating someone else’s religion.

… a trend or a phase. This is a new development that, honestly, I think is 90% Instagram’s fault. Certain influencers just make being pagan look so good. Capitalism has fully latched onto the pagan aesthetic, and you’ll find no shortage of retailers selling expensive knick-knacks for your altar.

For the record, I think experimentation is healthy. After all, the only way to find out if a religion works for you is to try it out for a while. But again, I think this comes down to intention. If you’re genuinely attracted to what pagan religions have to offer, then go for it. But if you’re more interested in posting cool photos of your altar setup, you don’t need to be pagan to do so.

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mostly-history · 4 years

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A sikkatu (cone/peg) inscribed in the Sumerian and Akkadian languages from the reign of Samsu-iluna (1750 – 1742 BC).

“...from the time when the brickwork of the temple Ebabbar was [first] constructed, [since] among the earlier kings, the sun god Shamash favoured none of them [and consequently] no-one built the wall of Sippar for him.

“I, Samsu-iluna, beloved of the gods Shamash and Aya, mighty king, king of Babylon,...by the levy of the army of my land, in the course of that [same] year formed its bricks [and] raised high the wall of Sippar there like a great mountain.

“I renovated the temple Ebabbar, raised high as heaven the top of the ziggurat, their lofty gigunnu temple, [and] brought the gods Shamash, Adad [Hadad] and Aya into their shining dwelling amidst joy and rejoicing.”

Under the reign of Hammurabi, nearly all of Mesopotamia was brought under Babylonian rule, but this was not without resistance. Samsu-iluna succeeded his father, and during his reign there were violent uprising in areas that had been previously conquered. This forced Samsu-iluna to abandon several important cities, mostly in Sumer. The last king of the Sumerian Dynasty of Larsa, Rim-Sin II, was killed in 1738 BC in revolt against Babylon.

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lorei-writes · 4 years

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Cubs

Little Tiger

Masamune x MC Modern AU Family AU Fluff Other stories happening within the same AU: Mommy, we have a problem , Not Alone , Storm

[Lorei, sumer 2021: ...I wrote this when?!]

Content Warnings: food

“ Huh, have I just caught myself a little mermaid?” Masamune asked, holding his daughter, his clothes already soaked from playing with her. “ I am not little!” she roared, smiling widely. “ Really?” he faked surprise, blinking fast. “ But you know what big girls do?” “ Of course!” she exclaimed, crossing arms in front of her chest. She looked around, as if searching for anybody that could hear her and whispered straight into his ear: “ But you can still tell me.” Masamune chuckled.

White tiles glistened, steam filling the air and making it glitter. Tiny pink hands rose high up, just to fall down in a single swift motion, sending the waves splashing onto the bathroom floor. The girl giggled, mischief playing in her deep blue eyes, just to disappear under the water the very next second, not even the tip of her head peaking up. Two strong arms reached into the bathtub, scooping her out of it. “ Huh, have I just caught myself a little mermaid?” Masamune asked, holding his daughter, his clothes already soaked from playing with her. “ I am not little!” she roared, smiling widely. “ Really?” he faked surprise, blinking fast. “ But you know what big girls do?” “ Of course!” she exclaimed, crossing arms in front of her chest. She looked around, as if searching for anybody that could hear her and whispered straight into his ear: “ But you can still tell me.” Masamune chuckled. “ Big girls stand still and don't squirm when their parents try to towel them. And they don't instantly run out of the bathroom, okay?” With upmost seriousness, she accepted her task and soon, she was running down the stairs, dressed in a unicorn bathrobe, the ears and rainbow horn bouncing up with her every step. Masamune stayed behind, the bathroom looking as if a hurricane swept through it.

He followed his beloved to the future a couple of years prior. Everything was going for the better ever since he managed to find a job as a restaurant chef, their lives somewhat stabilising. They went on holidays abroad (Sasuke being a huge help in getting Masamune a passport), bought a home and soon, their family grew in size, as Mai gave birth to their daughter, Iroha. At a ripe age of four, the girl appeared to have taken after her parents in the boldest possible way, being wildly unpredictable and incredibly lively even for a toddler – not that they complained, already having started to try for the second child. He had not learnt everything about the present just yet, but it didn't matter – he had his whole life left, he might as well enjoy it and never stop being surprised. If anything, he was already able to hold his little girl's hand and see her walk, guiding her in the process and protecting her.

Masamune shook his head, the voices coming from downstairs bringing him back to reality. „ Mommy, I wanna a cookie!” the child roared, her voice disproportionately loud to the size of her body. „ Let's see...” Mai started. „ We can't begin cookie negotiations without dad here.” „ But mommy! I wanna a cookie!” „ Let's pick the movie now, okay? Daddy will be here in a second,” she exclaimed the second sentence, counting on back up from his side. Unwilling to deal with a grumpy toddler, Masamune changed into dry clothes and hurried to the living room.

Iroha was a hard negotiator, always representing the interest of her client (well, herself) with feral insistence, bordering on toddler „terrorism” and bribery with cuteness. However, to her dissatisfaction, her parents were experienced in handling tiger cubs of all sorts – nevertheless, not enough to deny her the cookie. The deal was struck and she emerged victorious, happily bouncing to the living room, the movie night (evening) just beginning.

Iroha loved animated films. As such, they made it a ritual: on every Friday, before lulling her to sleep, they'd eat home-made pizza and let her decide what they would be watching. To her delight, Masamune was usually just as interested in the plot as she was, the wonders of TV never ceasing to amaze him. Seeing her joyful face made it all the sweeter – although consequently, he was probably the only person at his workplace that knew most songs from the Disney movies by heart, his little girl singing them all the time.

They sat on the corner sofa, Iroha's eyes already glued to the screen, as she munched on her pizza. Masamune and Mai looked at each other, smirking – their plan succeeded. After being spoiled by her grandparents during the previous weekend, their daughter refused to eat anything but sweets, the meals turning into certain kind of tortures in the hell itself. However, fully absorbed by the cartoon, she ate hungrily, the small slices packed with extra veggies. „ It's so good, we should have had pizza for dinner on Monday, maybe then...” Mai whispered, leaning towards Masamune. „ Shhh, mommy, shhh,” Iroha demanded, patting the air behind herself, as if she was trying to reach her mother. After a while, she added: „ But maybe eat more, baby needs it.” They almost choked – they did not have either the baby nor the sibling talk with her yet. „ Riko is going to have a little brother, I want one too,” the girl whined. „ But maybe a sister.” The parents, although somewhat shocked, concluded that the children at kindergarten must have exchanged some pregnancy facts – though it was still perhaps for the better if they had the talk on some other day. „ We'll see, kiddo,” Masamune chuckled, a slight blush appearing on Mai's face.

Iroha might have been lively, but she still was just a child – she had fallen asleep just after being tucked in. The door to her bedroom closed quietly, her parents returning downstairs to do the leftover chores. They wondered, was the world ready for another cub of theirs? Well, it had to be.

#masamune date #masamune x mc #ikemen sengoku masamune #ikesen masamune #ikemen sengoku #ikesen #ikemen series #my ff #pure fluff

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lightdancer1 · 3 years

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Another good example of Eurocentric lies about African history is these two topics from South African history. The first is Great Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe was a Bantu empire that was the ancestral state to the Bantu 'tribes' overwhelmed by the Boers and the Britons in what's now South Africa and Zimbabwe. They did not start off with cattle kraals and semi-nomadic transhumance. They had a full-fledged empire that uniquely among African states built its legacies in stone.

This was not the common form of architecture in Africa, though it's not altogether unique (see: Khemet, aka Egypt, among others). It was, however, unique enough that like Ancient Egypt there's some straight up woo woo bullshit that sekrit white people built in stone because nobody else can. *Dismissive wanking gesture*

To be fair this isn't exactly applied to the Mayans and the Nahuatl and the Tawantinsuyu who did build in stone and in the Mesoamerican case inherited from the Olmecs a tradition contemporary to *literally Sumer and thus 6,000 years old on the whole.* That's because it would screw up multiple other narratives and so this particular element just gets skipped over.

Great Zimbabwe's history would be the more truthful version of that southern African cultural history, its collapse was largely one of demographic overextension (which was and is a problem that industrialism keeps avoiding the full consequences of but non-industrial societies hit a hard stop at points and decline. Happened in Europe, too, the Black Death was partially the Mongols and the other half was this pattern) and the depletion of some of the local mines.

Its survivors became the cultures later identified as the Zulu and the Xhosa, among others, and the Matabele.

#lightdancer comments on history #against the infamous thing #against eurocentrism #Eurocentrism and its Africa bullshit #Great Zimbabwe

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thesumeriansociety · 7 months

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The Ineffectiveness of Current Leaders: A Disastrous Outcome for the World and People

The Sumerian Society: Zamug ’Sumerian King’ – Oracle: Andrew Rogers.

“The desire to lead has resulted in unacceptable people and outcomes in Leadership with reference to the dominance of your current Leaders the outcome is ineffectiveness and a resultant disaster for your world and people, the truth of the matter is that you accept these Leaders and their undertakings, accept you utter failure and your Leaders” – Zamug ’Sumerian King’.

Zamug, the Sumerian King, raises important questions about the effectiveness of current leaders and their impact on the world and its people. It calls for a deeper reflection on the kind of leaders we accept and the consequences of their actions.

In today's society, the desire for power and leadership often brings forth individuals whose intentions may not align with the greater good. Their pursuit of personal gain and dominance can lead to disastrous outcomes, affecting not only their own nations but the entire world.

Zamug's statement implies that we, as a society, bear responsibility for the rise of these leaders. He challenges us to acknowledge our role in enabling their failures and misguided undertakings. It is a call to wake up from our complacency and demand leadership that truly serves the interests of the people.

In a world where leadership plays a crucial role in shaping societies and their progress, we must strive for leaders whose values and actions reflect the best interests of humanity. Only then can we hope for effective governance and averted disasters.

Let us reflect on Zamug's words and contemplate the kind of leaders we choose to follow. It is through collective efforts and responsible choices that we can foster a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come.

Zamug of Kish: Evaluating the Existence and Impact of an Ancient Sumerian King

Zamug of Kish, the eighteenth king in the First Dynasty of Kish, holds a peculiar place in Sumerian history. According to the Sumerian king list, he succeeded his father, Barsal-nuna, as the ruler of Kish. However, the scarcity of his name in historical documents raises questions regarding his actual existence. In this article, we delve into the significance of Zamug of Kish and shed light on the debate surrounding his historical identity.

Sumer, the cradle of civilization, witnessed the rise and fall of several powerful city-states, each governed by a succession of kings. The Sumerian king list, a significant historical document, provides a comprehensive account of these rulers and their reigns. Zamug's inclusion in this prestigious list suggests that he held an important position within the political landscape of ancient Sumer.

Despite his listing, historians question the authenticity of Zamug's existence. The absence of his name in any other known document apart from the Sumerian king list challenges the certainty of his historical significance. Some scholars speculate that he may have been a fictional or mythical character, created to fulfill a specific narrative purpose within Sumerian mythology.

However, even if Zamug was indeed a fictional creation, his inclusion in the Sumerian king list is not without significance. It highlights his symbolic role as a representative of the lineage and legitimacy of rulership from Barsal-nuna, his father. This narrative continuity was crucial for the political stability and legitimization of power in ancient Sumer.

Moreover, Zamug's existence or non-existence cannot diminish the broader historical context of the First Dynasty of Kish. This dynasty played a crucial role in the development of Sumerian civilization, particularly in terms of political organization, urban development, and cultural exchange. It laid the foundation for subsequent dynasties and set the stage for the emergence of mighty city-states across Mesopotamia.

The debate surrounding Zamug's historicity reminds us of the challenges inherent in deciphering ancient civilizations. Historians must navigate the absence of concrete evidence, reliance on fragmentary sources, and the interplay of fact and mythology. While his existence may remain elusive, Zamug of Kish serves as a fascinating enigma, prompting us to explore the complexities of Sumerian history and the intricacies of ancient rulership.

In conclusion, Zamug of Kish, the eighteenth Sumerian king in the First Dynasty of Kish, presents a fascinating case study in ancient history. Despite the lack of supporting evidence beyond the Sumerian king list, his inclusion highlights the symbolic and political importance he held within Sumerian society. Regardless of his historical reality, the discussion surrounding Zamug sparks engaging conversations on the intersecting realms of fact and mythology, enriching our understanding of the enigmatic world of ancient Sumer.

All images, text, design, and art license owner Andrew Rogers©.

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sharkbeneaththelotus · 4 years

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BuzzFeed articles are like: omg 21 funny things,

Meanwhile on Tumblr: i have seen all of these, their consequences and a 3 page essay on why it stems back to one asshole who commited copper fraud in ancient Sumer

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glorifiedpigeon · 4 years

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Fluffuary - My Muse and Inspiration

A Loceitmus oneshot for Choice OT3 day! Darren has to clean up yet another one of his best friend's messes. Unfortunately his kinda sorta maybe crush is Remus' brand new mess. Way to go, buddy.

AO3

"Dee, you've gotta help me!" Remus shouted, bursting into the room with a wild expression, the dramatic cape hanging off the shoulders of his frilly waistcoat fluttering with the movement.

"What is it now?" Darren asked with a heavy sigh. He glanced up to see Remus now engaged in a very odd tug of war over his cape with- "Logan Croft?"

"Oh good, you know him!" Remus exclaimed, sounding relieved.

"Ah, Mr. Salazar! I see you're familiar with my muse," Logan announced, and he straightened, fixing the glasses on his face.

"Your muse?" Darren asked, glaring at Remus.

"Loogie, why don't you go draw my face in the other room? I'm sure it's burned into your cranium, yeah?" Remus suggested.

"But the light was hitting you just perfectly ten paces over there, I was hoping-"

"Go draw me as a fish, that sounds fun, huh?" Remus suggested. Logan gasped, and he scrambled for the bag at his hip. Remus shoved him out of the room and slammed the door, quickly locking it.

Darren blinked. "Remus, what did you do?"

"I just wanted him to pay attention to me," Remus exclaimed.

"You charmed him to get his attention!? What spell did you use, because a simple glamour would not have him acting like he needs you to survive!" Darren snapped, gesturing angrily towards the door.

"He's an artist! His pictures are so pretty, I just… inspired him a little?" Remus said nervously. Darren gaped.

"Of course you used a muse spell, you goddamn romantics don't think about the consequences of anything!" Darren snapped, shoving Remus. "He's just a sketch artist, right? He won't be singing ballads to you in the dark of the night, or chiseling your face out of stone?"

Remus coughed and rocked on his heels. "Ah. He might be an everyman? Jack of all trades?"

Darren could've strangled Remus in that moment. "Remus. Fix it."

"I don't know how! How did you fix it when you accidentally spelled that theatre kid in seventh grade?" Remus demanded, flicking his cape aside and getting down on his knees. "Please, Dee, I need you to help me out!"

"My parents handled that for me, and I haven't studied a single charm spell since- I don't know how to fix this!" Darren protested. Remus whined.

"He hasn't let me eat my lunch, or bother my brother! He's just been making me pose for him!" Remus complained.

"That's your own fault!" Darren snapped, but he made his way over to the spellbooks on his shelf, disguised as law books.

"I wouldn't mind so much if he took a break. I'm pretty sure he sprained his wrist trying to paint me on a wall last night, but he won't stop- it's even freaking me out," Remus said, glancing at the door. Darren scowled.

"He's going to keep drawing, and painting and whatever else until he wastes away, Remus. That's the nature of the spell, he can't think of anything but you now," Darren explained, as he began paging through his barely touched book on charms. Remus frowned.

"I just wanted him to notice me. You talk about him all the time, and I just wanted to get his attention," Remus moaned.

"I talk about him because there's no way in hell that he'd be interested in me or in you. Logan Croft is a man of high standards," Darren scowled. Remus whined wordlessly in complaint. There was a knock at the door. Darren sighed heavily. "At least try to feed the poor man something while I work on reversing your stupid mistake."

Remus grumbled, but he opened the door anyway. Logan stood behind it with a big smile.

"I came up with a poem about your smile," Logan announced, looking more than proud of himself.

"What, you didn't set it to music and make a song?" Darren snorted to himself. He immediately regretted it as the man nearly dropped his sketchbook.

"Brilliant idea. I have to go home and get started right away-"

"Hey, Loogie, wait!" Remus exclaimed, but Logan was darting down the hallway too fast for Remus to stop him. He turned to Darren with an icy cold glare.

"Sorry, I didn't realize he could hear me," Darren said, feeling more than a little chagrined.

"I'm going to go catch up to him and try to bring him back," Remus sighed. "You worry about the reversal spell."

Darren began flipping through the book. Of all the goddamn spells, Remus had to choose the muse spell. It was a terrifying charm, a spell that twisted the mind of the affected party, causing them to lose sight of anything that didn't have to do with the caster. They would simply create tributes and fawn over the caster. Eventually, like poor damned Ameinias, their "love" would drive them to their deaths.

Or, at least, landed them in the hospitals and kept under watch so they didn't hurt themselves to try and use that… "inspiration" their muses gave them. Darren remembered being thirteen and terrified, finally begging his parents for help and confessing that he'd gotten Jeremy Olsen hospitalized. It was horrid, an absolute nightmare. Afterwards, his parents had sent him away to a boarding school, where he was not allowed to practice magic at all.

Darren never relied on magic to charm people again, especially not people he was fond of, like Logan Croft or Remus. And now his idiotic friend had gone and made the same terrible mistake. Well, he was determined to help him solve it.

Muse spell, muse spell, muse spell. Darren sighed as he scanned the page the spell was located on. Oh thank god, the reversal looked simple enough.

Suddenly, Remus kicked open the door, Logan Croft slung over his shoulder like a child throwing a tantrum.

"I wasn't finished! That child was about to lend me her chalk!" Logan cried out.

"Nope! You're gonna sit your pretty little ass down and let Darren here fix you up all nice and normal, yeah?" Remus interrupted. He shoved the door shut with a foot, and dropped Logan into a soft armchair.

"At least give me a pen and paper-"

"Nope!" Remus said, and he kicked the notepads Darren had been doing homework on off the coffee table so Logan couldn't reach them. Darren sighed heavily.

"I have the reverse incantation, Remus. Go stand in the corner and think about why a muse spell is more than a bad idea, okay?" Darren suggested. Remus pouted, but he still moved away to give Darren his space. "Hello, Croft."

"Salazar. Are you and Remus friends? You know, the light catches on him just splendidly, I'm almost jealous of what a pretty picture the two of you mak-"

"Yes, yes, he's utterly fascinating- do you have a middle name at all?" Darren asked.

Remus piped up, "It's-"

"I've heard just about enough out of you, Remus!" Darren snapped.

"My middle name is Berry," Logan informed.

"Wait, seriously?" Darren asked. He shook his head and looked back down at the tome in his arms. "Nevermind. Okay, well Logan Berry Croft… Notsgnik sumer esum wen eniht morf noitaripsni ekat dna eeht erofeb ytuaeb eht ezingocer."

In a sudden flash, Logan was blinking up at Darren in confusion. He looked around the room. "I- I feel as though I've made an awfully big fool of myself."

"No bigger a fool than Remus is every day," Darren assured. "Are you alright?"

"Ah… no? I mean- magic is real, I was charmed by a classmate, and I am currently in the apartment of another classmate, both of whom are technically strangers to me," Logan summarized rather succinctly. He glanced at the pile of notebooks on the floor, then at his left hand. "I didn't think there was anything other than drugs that could take away one's self preservation."

"Oh, are you in pain? Remus said he thought you hurt yourself earlier," Darren asked. He hovered over Logan, worried about his wrist. "He said he thought it might be sprained."

"I don't think so, but it certainly smarts. I won't be writing for a day at least," Logan said with a disapproving frown.

"I'll take notes for you in class," Darren offered. Logan managed a smile.

"That would be rather kind, thank you, Mr. Salazar," Logan stated.

"Just call me Darren." He probably sounded desperate, but Darren had never had this long a conversation with his classmate. He was relishing it.

"Wait, hang on, that reversal incantation was just the actual spell backwards! I could've done that easily!" Remus protested suddenly, and Darren rolled his eyes.

"The spellbook said it was a literal reverse incantation. Of course it was the spell backwards," Darren said drily. Logan snorted out a laugh.

"Is magic particular about language then?" Logan asked.

"Well, translations always have to be done carefully for a reason, you know," Darren pointed out.

"Or else someone could lose their head trying to cast a dancing spell!" Remus piped up, grinning wide. Logan actually burst out with a warm laugh. Darren stared at him, mystified.

"Well, I'd love to learn more about magic, then. If you're both available on Saturday, we could discuss it over dinner?" Logan suggested. Darren's heart skipped a beat.

"Sure! We'll see you at six?" Remus suggested.

"Six," Logan confirmed with a nod.

Darren squeaked, in a horribly undignified way. "Six."

@tsshipmonth2020

#logan sanders #remus sanders #deceit sanders #loceitmus #sanders sides fic #sanders sides #tsshipmonth2020 #glorified pigeon writes

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incorrect-strq-quotes · 5 years

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Rosebird Week 2019

Day 3: Mother AU

@rose-bird-week Day 3 takes place in a sort of modern AU where Raven and Summer are both single mothers, and Raven and Yang move in next door to Summer and Ruby (feel free to ask for some more details about this AU, I’ve been sitting on it for a little while). This is pretty much 100% fluff, don’t worry.

Enjoy :)

—

Ruby ran over the short, patchy dirt path that connected her front door to the next house over. She was only five years old, and her short legs could only carry her so fast, but she was familiar with the route; one of the pairs of feet responsible for wearing it into the grass belonged to her, after all.

The smallest porch chair was sitting where it always sat, up against the house and right under the doorbell. Ruby was still short, shortest in all her class, and needed the extra step. She scrambled on top of it like she had done a hundred times before and pressed the doorbell with all the eagerness she could possibly fit in her tiny body.

It was a deceivingly large amount.

The lock clicked and the door swung open. Ruby spread her arms and cheered, “it’s Friday!”

Yang’s Momma didn't really look anything like Yang, but Ruby still liked her a lot. She didn’t smile very much, and couldn’t make cookies anything like Mommy did, but she was good at telling stories, and let her stay up way past her bedtime when she spent the night. “Yang’s in her room,” Raven said with an almost-smile that was as familiar to Ruby as the path to Yang’s bedroom.

“Thank you!” Ruby squealed, right now ‘loud’ and ‘excited’ her only two settings. There wasn't much of a difference between the two, really. She jumped off of the porch chair and darted inside past Raven’s legs.

Through the living room, past the kitchen, Ruby burst through the second door on the left. “Sleepover night!” she said as loud as she could, barreling into Yang and throwing them both on the floor.

Yang and her Momma had moved in next door just before Ruby started kindergarten. Yang was a whole two years older than her and the coolest person that Ruby knew. She was in second grade.

“I already have my bag packed!” Yang laughed, squeezing Ruby in a tight hug like they hadn’t seen each other just that morning when Mommy drove them to school. “You have to let me up to get it though.”

Ruby scrambled off of her and bounced in place as patiently as she could. “Hurry!”

Yang darted over to her closet and pulled out a bright yellow backpack, zippers almost bursting. “Your house isn’t going anywhere, silly,” she laughed.

“It’s a sleepover,” Ruby emphasized, because obviously Yang wasn’t getting it.

Yang laughed again as she looped her bag’s straps over her shoulders. ‘Okay, okay! I’m ready!”

They barreled through the house towards the front door, and were not expecting their parents to be standing right in the middle of the entrance way.

“Mommy!” Ruby said in surprise, though it was Raven she skidded into. She wrapped her arms around one of Raven’s legs and stuck her tongue out at Yang. “I win!”

Yang had a bit more time to stop herself. “I didn’t know we were having a race,” she said back, though she didn't look too put out; Ruby always won their races.

Summer laughed and hugged Yang to her side. “Are you girls ready for your sleepover?”

“Yeah!” Yang cheered, while Ruby bounced up and down, still hugging Raven’s leg.

“You’re coming too, right?” she asked, staring up at her.

“Oh. Uh-” Raven looked away from Ruby, up at Summer.

“I made more than enough for dinner,” Summer supplied.

This was one of those moments when Ruby could see exactly how much alike Yang’s Momma and Yang really were. Her happy smile completely changed her face, and Ruby knew Mommy always brought out Raven’s happy smile.

“Well in that case, how can I resist?”

The truth was, there was no way in hell Raven could resist. Summer’s smile turned dazzling at her words, and there was nothing that Raven wouldn’t do to have that look directed at her for as long as possible.

She was in so much trouble.

Ruby, who finally let go of her leg, and Yang bounced ahead and led the way nextdoor. The smell of spaghetti and garlic bread hit them like a wall as soon as they entered the house. Summer’s cooking was definitely up there on the list of Raven’s favorite things. “It smells delicious,” she breathed, “now I’m really glad I said yes.”

Summer shot her a smirk that Raven would have described as flirty if she didn’t know any better. Except the lines around them were getting so blurred lately that she didn’t actually know if she did know any better at this point. “Oh I see, you only like me for my cooking.”

“There’s a lot of reasons I like you,” Raven purred in response.

And that was usually where their banter ended, with the flush that colored Summer’s cheeks and made Raven’s heart skip. Except for tonight -except, except, except.

Tonight, with a red-face and brilliant smile, Summer winked at her. An honest to god wink, playful and teasing. Raven wasn’t one to exaggerate, but she swore she was going to die.

“Alright, girls,” Summer turned around like Raven wasn’t having an internal crisis right in front of her, “the pillows and blankets should already be set up in the living room. Why don’t we wash our hands and set the table for dinner?”

Raven had to give herself a minute to control her pounding heart before she joined them, because something was different. She wasn’t used to not being in the know, but if anyone could throw her off her game it would definitely be Summer. Since day one, almost a year ago, she had never been able to get a read on the other woman. She had surprised herself when she decided that she wanted to get close enough to try.

Now they were close. Getting closer. Raven was at a loss about where to go from here.

Dinner with both Yang and Ruby at the table was always an ordeal. Especially with something as messy as spaghetti. Raven was glad they only lived next door because Yang needed new clothes twice. And luckily Ruby lived here because she needed to change clothes three times.

“I don’t know how you always end up so messy,” Summer was laughing as she led her daughter back out to the living room. “Now you girls pick a movie to play while Momma and I clean up the table.”

Raven paused in picking up the dishes from the table, chewing on Summer’s words. She supposed that it wasn’t that odd for Summer to refer to her as Momma. It’s what Yang called her, after all. She heard that more times in a day than her real name. So why did it feel different?

“You okay?”

Raven picked up the last of the plates, spurred into motion at Summer’s words. “Yeah. I'm pretty sure we’re going to have to take the table out back and hose it down.”

Summer laughed, which was Raven’s goal. “That bad?”

Raven set the dirty plates in the sink. “Apocalyptic,” she replied flatly.

Summer wiped the table down -without the use of the garden hose -while Raven grabbed the last of the utensils. They met back at the sink, like they’ve done so many times before this.

“I’m really glad you decided to come over,” Summer told her as she started running the water. She said it like this one night was different than any of the other nights she’s been over since they met.

Raven was flooded with a sense of relief that she wasn’t just imagining things. “And miss your cooking?” she teased, sure that that relief was seeping into her tone, pouring out through her words, “un-fucking-likely.”

Summer handed her a now-clean plate to dry, directing the full effect of the smirk that danced on her lips at Raven. “And here I thought you just enjoyed my company.”

Raven knew she was being teased, knew that her words were meant to be taken as a joke, but she had accepted a while ago that she was weak when it came to anything that had to do with Summer. “I do,” she said, staring down at the plate she was drying like it needed all her attention. “You-” she started, stopped, started again. “I like spending time with you.”

Summer bumped her with her hip, drawing Raven’s attention back to her face. Not really a difficult feat. “Well that’s good.” She handed her another plate as soon as she set down the first. “I like spending time with you, too. You and Yang have become such a big part of our lives, I-” It was Summer’s turn to turn away, drop her gaze to whatever her hands were doing. “I really like you, Raven,” she said. “And Ruby really likes you, and-” Summer looked back up at her, and Raven wasn’t sure if she could handle the full force of her eyes staring into her soul. Wanted nothing more than to drown in the feeling. “I’m just really glad you decided to come over.”

Raven really, really hoped she wasn't reading the situation wrong. She didn’t want to mess anything up, but she had always been one to take exactly what she wanted and worry about the consequences later. “Sum,” she murmured, setting down her towel and turning fully towards Summer.

“Hm?” Summer hummed, and Raven waited until she looked up. Waited until whatever Sumer saw in her eyes caused her hands to freeze on the plate she was scrubbing.

Not wasting any time with theatrics, she kissed her.

It was nothing like any other kiss Raven’s given, because Summer was nothing like any other person she’s known. Soft, tender, warm. All the feelings Raven never could see herself on the receiving end of in this life.

Summer dropped the plate she had been holding in the sink, and the resulting plop splashed flecks of soapy water onto Raven’s face. She’s never smiled this much all at once, never ruined a kiss with one, and the gentle laugh that Summer gave as she used her thumb to wipe away the soap suds made her chest ache in a wonderfully unfamiliar way.

Raven caught Summer’s lips with her own again, chasing that feeling. All of them. She’s never felt so much. Summer leaned into her chest, hands still wet. Raven couldn’t care any less at this moment.

The second kiss lasted a little longer than the first, but it was just as chaste. Their daughters were only in the next room over, and were masters of sneaking up on you when you’d rather they didn’t.

“I, um,” Summer stammered when they broke apart, faces still very close together.

‘I’m really glad I decided to come over,” Raven offered breathlessly.

“Yeah. That.”

They stared at each other in silence for far longer than necessary. Raven knew that she had to have some kind of dumb smile on her face, but she found that she didn't care. Let her see what I’m thinking, she said to herself, let her see everything I have.

“Mommy!” one of the girls called from the living room, Raven wasn’t paying attention to who it was. “The DVD won't work.”

Summer took a deep breath, smile shifting to something impossibly softer. “I’m coming, sweetheart,” she called back.

“I’ll take care of the rest of the dishes,” Raven told her.

“You sure?”

I’d do anything for you. “Yeah. You go relax.”

Raven’s words earned her a peck on the lips, the action so automatic and natural it felt like something they choreographed years ago instead of seconds. It still sent a thrill of excitement through her core, and it was probably good that the feeling had her rooted to the spot or Summer may not have been able to escape the kitchen after all.

When the dishes were finally clean, Raven joined Summer and the girls in the living room. She didn't pay much attention to whatever was on the tv -some animated movie with an excess of musical numbers that seemed to be Ruby’s favorite genre at the moment. She was far too preoccupied with replaying everything that had happened in the kitchen over and over in her head.

Too distracted by Summer moving to sit as close to her as possible on the couch, not leaving a single breath of space between them.

Is this okay, silver eyes asked silently as they stared up at her.

Raven carefully wrapped an arm over Summer’s shoulders so she could settle more comfortably against her side. This was more than okay, more than she ever thought to ask for, but she didn't trust her mouth to be able to convey any of that. Not with Summer snuggling against her side like she was, with one arm thrown easily across her stomach and her breath warm against Raven’s skin even through her night shirt.

Ruby and Yang both burst into a fit of giggles at whatever was just said in the movie. Raven smiled.

“I’d climb a mountain for you if you ever went crazy,” Ruby said matter of factly to Yang.

Yang gave her a push onto the cushions next to her. “You’re the crazy one,” she giggled.

Raven looked at the TV. They were watching Frozen. Again. Of course.

Ruby rolled over until she was laying on top of Yang. “I’d do anything for my crazy sister,” she sighed, full of her usual dramatics.

“Looks like I’ll have to teach my crazy sister a lesson.” Yang dug her fingers against Ruby’s sides, causing her to jump off of her with a shriek of laughter.

Against Raven’s side, Summer started a bit at the noise. She had been drifting off to sleep and hadn’t even heard the words that made Raven’s heart race.

Sister, huh?

“They’re just playing,” she murmured against the top of Summer’s head.

Summer hummed in acknowledgement, an adorably sleepy look on her face as she looked up at her.

It was purely uncontrollable impulse that led to Raven placing a careful kiss on Summer’s forehead.

“Waiting until I’m half asleep to be affectionate is so unfair,” Summer complained quietly, either too tired or too content to move.

The warm atmosphere was making them both bold. Raven realized -let herself entertain the thought -that everything she could possibly want was in the room with her right now. Oh how quickly everything can change. “Not my fault you’re falling asleep at eight o’clock.”

Summer frowned, pouted. Closed her eyes and snuggled tighter against Raven’s side. She didn't think she could get any closer. “You’re comfy,” she sighed quietly. “I can’t help it.”

Whatever this was, Raven didn’t want it to end. “Well lucky for you, I’m not going anywhere.”

Summer smiled. “Good.”

Summer woke up slowly, languidly. She didn’t remember falling asleep. Didn’t remember a time when she was ever this content. Warm. She idly entertained the idea of just not moving for the rest of the day, but knew before the notion had even fully formed that it couldn’t last very long.

“Mommy,” a small voice whispered, right on cue.

Summer opened her eyes to find Ruby’s chubby face mere inches from hers. “Morning monkey,” she murmured blearily. It’s been a while since she’s slept this hard. “What’s up?”

Awareness trickled back to her mind slowly. They were still in the living room, she realized, but her couch wasn’t usually so comfortable.

“It’s breakfast time!” Yang piped up from behind Ruby, not doing quite as good of a job at keeping her voice down.

Summer looked at the clock by the TV, blinking the morning grogginess out of her eyes. 7:47. A bit later than she normally started her day. “Yes, breakfast. Of course.” She tried to sit up, and a soft smile overtook her face when the arms around her waist tightened their hold. It wasn’t her couch that was comfortable at all. “Why don’t you two go sit at the table? I’ll make pancakes.”

Yang and Ruby cheered and raced off towards the kitchen, leaving Summer to relax back down against Raven, melt against her, and wish that she didn’t have to move ever again.

She was laying completely on top of Raven, head resting on her chest, legs settled between hers. Raven didn’t seem to mind, judging by the death grip she had around her waist, the leg bent at the knee caging her against the back of the couch. Summer didn’t remember laying down. The last thing she did remember was curling up against Raven's side, soft lips pressed against her face. But, well… it’s not like she was going to complain about it.

Gently, Summer brushed Raven’s hair off of her forehead, ran her fingers through the soft strands until crimson eyes opened in tired slits. “Rae, baby,” the endearment slipped easily off her tongue, sending a thrill to the pit of her stomach. “The kids are up.”

The displeased noise that Raven made only widened Summer’s smile. Still, the arms holding her captive loosened their grip, legs stretched and untangled, allowing Summer to get up. Even if it was the last thing she wanted to do. “Go back to sleep,” she told Raven quietly. “I can handle breakfast.” The look on Raven’s face was warmer than her usual mask, open and vulnerable. Summer’s heart clenched with a longing to start all her mornings like this.

“M’sure?” Raven rasped, the hold that sleep still had on her evident in her voice.

Summer leaned down to kiss her on the corner of her mouth. “I got them. You need the sleep.”

Raven smiled, even half asleep managing to make it look like an alluring smirk. But her eyes were already closing again, her breathing evening out.

“Alright,” Summer said to Ruby and Yang as she stood up and made her way to the kitchen. “What kind of pancakes do we want?”

“Chocolate chip!” Ruby cheered immediately.

Summer dropped a kiss on the top of both their heads. “Chocolate chip pancakes sound good, Yang?” she asked as she turned on the coffee maker.

Yang beamed up at her. “Yeah!”

Summer gathered the ingredients as Yang started telling them all about her new friends in her class.

“I already made a ton of friends.” Ruby was a rapt audience, hanging on her every word. “But Blake’s my best friend. She was super quiet when I first said hi to her, but yesterday she picked me to be her partner in gym!”

“I don’t have friends in school,” Ruby supplied matter-of-factly. Summer frowned, but Ruby kept going. “Except- except I got a sister now and that’s better!”

There was so much excitement in her voice, so much innocent joy that Summer let it go. Didn’t comment on anything her daughter said as the girls continued talking and she mixed the batter and heated up the skillet.

She thought about it, though. Thought about it longer and deeper than she probably should. Ruby was too young to understand the implications of what she had said, but the thought of her and Ruby with Raven and Yang… a family. The idea of it filled Summer with a tender joy that she wasn’t sure she could stop herself from embracing.

The first two pancakes were finished and put on plates for the girls. Ruby’s cut up and drenched in syrup, Yang’s still whole because she was a big girl now and claimed weeks ago that she was old enough to cut her own food. “Eat up,” Summer said when she put their plates on the table, “I put extra chocolate chips in them this time.”

Yang and Ruby dug in, appreciative “thank you”s given through full mouths.

Summer finished up the pancakes, left them under a towel to keep them warm, and poured herself a cup of coffee before joining Yang and Ruby at the table. She was more than content to soak in the lazy morning atmosphere, watch Ruby get syrup all over her face, Yang insist on trying to cut her pancakes with the side of her fork like she’s seen the grown ups do. It was nice, and Summer found herself already used to it.

Used to all of it.

“You could have slept more,” she said quietly when a familiar pair of arms wrapped themselves over her shoulders. She couldn’t have prevented the soft smile that spread across her face if her life depended on it.

Raven’s breath ghosted across her neck and cheek, nose brushing her ear. “I smelled coffee.” Soft lips pressed the shapes of the words against her skin.

It was all innocent enough, but Summer still glanced over at the two pairs of wide eyes watching their every move. “Rae,” she murmured. A temporary warning, not a rejection. A what are we going to tell them? kind of thing. She cared for Raven, alot, but what the girls thought mattered too. Ruby’s words earlier weren’t exactly a confirmation that she would be okay with- …whatever they were going to call this.

Raven lifted her head to look across the table, her thumb slowly stroking over the soft skin left exposed by the loose neckline of Summer’s worn nightshirt. Like she couldn’t stop herself from touching some part of her. Goosebumps erupted down Summer’s spine but she wasn’t ready to tell her to stop.

She couldn’t see Raven’s face, but the lazy smile was clear in her voice. “Do you care if I kiss Mommy?”

Summer knew Raven had intended the question for Ruby, just by the way she froze when the choroused giggles of “nope!” from both girls answered her. Summer tried not to laugh, but she was too full of happiness to hold anything back.

Raven shifted a bit stiffly at the sound of her laughter. Leaned down, thrown entirely off her game now, to probably place a kiss against Summer’s cheek.

Raven being so unbalanced by something as simple as Yang thinking of Summer as her mom -her other mom -was endearing. Tough, confident Raven stumbling through her actions was not something Summer was used to, so she figured that no one could really blame her for turning her head and catching Raven’s lips with her own.

The kiss was clumsy, off center, broken by grins and too much emotion. Raven relaxed into it, whatever storm that had entered her heart calmed back down to gentle waves. Ruby and Yang laughed through complaints of “eww” and “yuck!” that weren’t meant at all.

“Are you always this affectionate in the morning?” Summer asked, hoping for a yes. Hoping for an always.

Raven caught her gaze, something flashing in her eyes too elusive to name. “I guess you’ll just have to find out,” she answered, her words sounding a lot like a promise.

#rosebird week 2019 #rose bird week #rosebird #oneshot #not a quote #!!! this one is getting its own tag because i would love to continue this au in the future #hmmm.......#working title:#without any strings attached #which is 100% ironic i promise #long post #whoops

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askmalal · 4 years

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Is it true that Khorne was once also the god of honourable warriors and hunters, and that Nurgle was also the god of Doctors, and Slaanesh the goddess of Artists, and Tzeentch the god of Merchants and diplomats? (Also, Malal, were or are you the god of anything else other than malice?)

A most fascinating question, little mortal. I will answer as honestly as I can.

You are broadly correct. At one time, the Four were even viewed with something approaching respect by the Slann (hope you did not fall over too hard when you read that bit.) As recently as a twentieth century book published on Terra, Khorne is in fact referred to as a god of honorable warriors, and his loathing for those who harm innocents is highlighted, even in a source that decries his cult otherwise.

Slaanesh is rather more complicated; she was once something else, but her corruption, which is the most recent among them, caused her alleged “birth,” and the violent of the Eldar Civilzation’s ascendency.

The problem, you see, is that Chaos requires Change. Not the mutating sort seen with Tzeentch, not the sort of fascinating growth and endless fecundity seen with Nurgle, but radical change. Part of this change is the continual cycle between Animus and Entropy (and, being well informed regarding such matters, you no doubt recognize that Nurgle is indeed a being who olds aspects of both.) Chaos is not static. It does not deliberately remain in the form of a dog headed giant on a pile of skulls for four billion years. It is not meant to obsess over an endless unresolvable puzzle, or to spend its time cavorting in endless hedonism without consequences.

But alas, our Creator gave us Free Will, and in doing so, to make an extremely long story short, have the capacity to be corrupted. At a certain point, my four siblings decided that it was more profitable for them to remain more or less stagnant. Better to remain in a galaxy on fire than to go to the trouble of consuming it all with that flame, only to me reborn again for the next go round, gathering power and rising painfully, step by step, toward apotheosis. To use an example from Terran mythology: why would Zeus destroy the Elysian Fields, even if he knew he could replant them again? Why go into that extra... step? Elysium is an awfully comfortable place. Why bother? Why sacrifice all that power, however temporarily?

As for myself, I am known by varying roles, though all ultimately relate to progression, of one kind of another. In Terran cults (for example) I have variously been regarded as a god of technology, forbidden knowledge (Tzeentch hates that one), revolutionary change, time. Sumer saw me as a harbinger of violent flash floods.

The chief distinction between myself in the others is that I have never been seen, or indeed presented myself, as completely benevolent. I am a necessary cycle. Change for the sake of change. No two cults see me the same way. No two species use the same name, to say nothing of cultures! The name “Malal” is ultimately of Archaic Aeldar origin. Humans in the reality you are likely most familiar with seem to prefer Malice or Ruin. To the Hyperborean, I was Seth. Whether the Egyptians saw me more as Sutekh, or the serpent Apophis he pursues depends upon one’s point of view. Lovecraft called me Nyarlathotep, a corruption of another Egyptian name. Carthage equated me with Baal: but that was a mistake, sacrificing children isn’t something that pleases me, and tends to have Romans salting your fields. The Greeks and Romans themselves divided me (and the others) into many different names. To the Medieval Church I was Kobal, Demon Prince of Dark Humor. A curious development, indeed.

Over the years, I have lived many lives. This is another distinction.

For example: Nurgle has always been Nurgle, but his form has only been corrupted. It has not fundamentally changed. Malal has always been Malal. But the voices in Malal’s head have changed over time. Part of me dies every so often. Another is born. Or taken up. As need be.

Ultimately, the balance must be served. They must be returned to the same cycle. That is our purpose. Whether we do so willingly or by forcibly being fused into that great, nameless void that was here, next to The One, at the beginning of all is really not at issue. That we must do so is key.

I hope, perhaps, that I have answered your question without seeming to overtly glorify myself. I mean only to attempt to explain my purpose. And a bit of who we all were, who we all are, who we all must be.

#askmalal #horus heresy #chaos gods #warhammer30k #warhammer40k #ask me questions #malice #malal #age of sigmar #warhammer the old world #warhammer fantasy #chaos philosophy #the warp

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argyrocratie · 5 years

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Creation of the Egyptian state

One of the most rapidly emerging early states appeared along the Nile River during the Early Dynastic period of ancient Egypt. The standard theories cite gradual population growth leading to land shortages, warfare, and domination by the strongest chiefdom; or need for extensive irrigation to control flooding, but as Dmitri Proussakov points out, settlement patterns were actually irregular and population was low in Upper Egypt at the time of politogenesis, and there is no evidence that a general irrigation system existed at that time (drainage, in fact, appears to be the main infrastructural activity encouraged by the early state). All the supposed preconditions for state formation are lacking: a shortage of resources; an external military threat; or the influence of other states. [200]

The Nile Valley was populated by numerous independent chiefdoms that alternated between war and trade. Before the reign of King Narmer, one of those chiefs, there was little to suggest that any of them was on the point of erecting a state. The chiefdom centered at This—the home of the pharaohs who would eventually unify the Nile under one state—dominated Upper Egypt, but even there their authority was more reciprocal or status-driven than state-like. They did, however, excel in the use of large boats to transport collective work crews, soldiers, cargo, and the pharaoh himself in expeditions of a ritual, commercial, or military nature.

Around 3100 BCE, possible flooding and a rise in sea level seems to have sent a wave of ecological refugees out of the Nile Delta and into to Upper Egypt, Canaan, and other neighboring lands. Something on the scale of 120,000 people, with all their livestock arrived, in Upper Egypt, which was dominated by the Thinite pharaohs. Symbolically defeated and subordinated by King Narmer, they were “naturalized” and allowed to settle, providing a basis for state power.

Subjugation of such a multitude of people could not fail to result in unprecedented growth of [the] personal authority of Thinite rulers and to raise the military-economic potential of the “Thinite Kingdom”. For instance, the ‘captives’ might have been recruited to build Memphis, the future capital of Egypt, under Narmer’s successor Horus Aha [..] Archaeological excavations reveal the Memphis region to be rather densely populated at the earliest Dynastic times. [201]

But in a powerful showing of reciprocity, the totem of the Delta people, the hawk, was elevated to become the chief deity of the emerging state; Horus replaced Seth, the traditional god of Upper Egypt, in preeminence. [202] Such reciprocity is a sure sign that state authority had not yet been established and that Narmer, at least at the beginning of his reign, was the head of a chiefdom and not a state.

The organization and administration of such a large population, dislocated at least in part from its traditional community structures, would have provided a unique opportunity for bureaucratic innovation, also liberating the king from his chiefly role as the head of a single kinship group, and the representative of a single localized deity. We can assume that the refugees were not transformed into a permanent subordinate caste, as the Aryans did with the conquered Dasas, since it was presumably the Delta people who returned to (re)build Memphis—now under the authority of the This pharaohs—during the reign of the very next ruler. This likelihood seems to confirm that the capture of the 120,000 was a primarily symbolic victory and not a full military humiliation that might have wreaked the psychological consequences necessary for creating a new underclass.

As the Egyptian polity grew and took on the features of a state, it did not spread as a cohesive territorial unit but as a network of discrete enclaves amidst weaker but independent chiefdoms. The capitals of the emerging Egyptian state, This and Memphis, were sites for the worship of deceased pharaohs, whereas the other enclaves, such as Hierakonpolis, Elkab, Koptos, Buto, and Sais, were each dedicated to a specific god or goddess. It was the River Nile that connected them all, allowing a rudimentary state to govern dispersed settlements separated by hundreds of kilometers and surrounded by neutral or hostile chiefdoms. [203]

Boats and ritual activities on the river had long been important to Egyptian tribal elites, and the use of large cargo or troop boats powered by many rowers allowed “selective colonization of the Nile banks, sailing safely to occupied territories” and “avoiding destructive overland battles.” The pharaoh, representing Horus, sailed the Nile twice a year in an important ceremonial procession, ensuring the administrative unity of the state and also reenacting a creation myth in which the divine ruler traveled the world with his possessions and “thus established the world order.” [204] Boats were even buried next to kings in their sacred tombs.

The Egyptian proto-state took advantage of its symbolic monopoly of the river (or at least a privileged access to the river that no chiefdom was powerful enough to obstruct) in order to monopolize trade between the enclaves, which in addition to displaying religious specialization also produced different material goods. By the time of Horus Den in the First Dynasty, the state owned numerous granaries and other storage facilities that conceded an advantage in trade and extra power when climatic changes or Nile flooding provoked scarcity. Simultaneous to this expansion, the number of administrative officials increased.

Commerce along the river in the form of ceremonial gift-giving played an important role in the spiritual expansion and political unification of the early Egyptian state. The This kings made lavish gifts and built temples honoring local deities in then-unconquered Middle Egypt or other autonomous stretches of the river. Similar to the expansion strategy of the Inca state and various Buddhist states of Southeast Asia, early Egypt did not rely exclusively on military conquest but sought religious alliances. In the temples, state gods were symbolically unified with local deities, rendering a sign of respect to the unconquered culture and also clearing the path for its integration. Granted, such gift-giving rituals are not typical of state authority, which is based on the command relationship; however, they do constitute a strategy for eventual incorporation. They also decrease hostilities that could interfere with the cohesiveness of the enclaves. Lesser chiefdoms that accepted the gifts were recognizing the Egyptian state as the uncontested power on the Nile. However, since the Thinite pharaohs had to give more valuable gifts than they received in order to preserve their supreme status, the semi-autonomous chiefs rose in status upon receipt of the gifts, especially relative to their own populations. In time, their accumulation of power allowed them to challenge the enclave state. [205] However, the symbolic power of the state was the motor of this crisis; though they were able to challenge state dominance, the other chiefdoms were also becoming more statelike. Pharaonic gift-giving was a cratoforming exercise that broke the power of the first state and laid the groundwork for the emergence of a larger and more unified state.

In the time of the early Second Dynasty, there was a political crisis that saw the fragmentation of the enclave-based state, with the result that the pharaohs, relocated in the larger city of Memphis, were cut off from their ancestral home at This. When the Egyptian state regained its force, it unified the whole of the Nile in one territorial body backed by the non-reciprocal force of military conquest, ending the enclave system and also the reliance on a spiritual, trade, and gift-giving network that followed the course of the river. Religious power remained central, as seen in the growth of the cult of the sun god Ra and the frenetic construction of pyramids to honor the divine pharaohs.

The Egyptian example is distinct from primary state formation in the Andes and Sumer. The position of a supreme ruler appeared earlier in the evolution of the Egyptian state than in these other examples. There may be elements of the royal court state model of politogenesis, with warfare between hierarchical chiefdoms enabling the emergence of a supreme ruler simultaneous to the establishment of spiritual trade networks; however, an anomaly among states, patriarchy in Egyptian society was remarkably light, with multiple women rulers. Massive monument building also followed rather than preceded state formation. It was not until the Third Dynasty that the first pyramids were built, though the Egyptian, Andean, and Sumerian pyramids make a poor comparison, since the pyramids of the former were not places of spectacular public worship but sites for the adoration and divinity-building of deceased pharaohs. It may be that the Nile itself provided the stage for the sort of spectacular ceremonies that Sumerian and Andean early states performed on their ziggurats and ceremonial platforms.

— Peter Gelderloos “Worshiping Power: An Anarchist View of Early State Formation” chapter XI

#peter gelderloos #egypt #ancient egypt #egyptology #ancient history #history

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monkeyandelf · 4 years

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Have the Sumerians predicted the end of the world?

People have predicted the end of the world almost since the world existed. Whether they thought the world would end in the distant future or the next day, there are a whole bunch of predictions for the day of judgment, when ancient civilizations are explored. One huge question is whether or not the Sumerians predicted the end of the world? Many of these old prophecies ignite a contemporary intriguing spark. People associate the old signs and interpret them as possible dates that lead to the present or the future. In this day and age, we have all experienced the "end of the world" several times. Some of these end-of-the-world predictions are biblical, foretelling predation. But there are other theories, such as the widespread concern that the world would end in 2012 when the Mayan calendar ended. The change of the millennium also seemed to spark with some anxiety. One premise that has been around for some time, but lately picked up speed in 2017, is that the world will end because of a collision with the planet Nibiru, otherwise known as Planet X. The origins of the Nibiru traditions can be traced back to the ancient Sumerians. - one of the first civilizations in the world. But are the Sumerians really predicting the end of the world, or is Nibiru's prediction just another theory sucked from the fingers? The world of Sichin and the Ancient Astronaut Much interest and speculation around Nibiru can be traced to Zechariah Sichin. Sichin (1920-2010) is a scholar who worked on the translation of ancient Sumerian and Akkadian texts and plates. Linking his translations to interpretations of iconography, Sichin developed a theory of how the Sumerians thought about the supposed planet Nibiru, the end of the world, and how their gods fit into it all. His theories can be found in his bestseller The Twelfth Planet. Since then, people all over the world have taken his theories and endured them, expanding them and twisting their possible meanings and consequences. Below we will go into the key aspects of Sichin's work and modern thought around Nibiru and the end of the world. What were the Sumerians? Sumer was one of the first civilizations for which we have any knowledge that they existed - dating back to at least 4500 BC. The Sumerians settled in northern Mesopotamia, and the Sumerians consisted of several large cities.

Although there is not much archaeological evidence left, there are plaques and inscriptions that allow us to look into the language, culture and way of life. Researchers are able to discover rich images of their mythology and stories through translation and interpretation. Nibiru / Planet X We have mentioned a lot of Nibiru so far, but what is its real significance? Nibiru is supposed to be an additional planet in our solar system, which the Sumerians have documented and named. Although Sichin's research ends with The Twelfth Planet, we should be more inclined to think of Nibiru as a potential ninth (or tenth, if you still count Pluto) planet from our solar system. Sichin uses the iconography of the sun, surrounded by multiple planets, to support his theory that the Sumerians not only knew about Nibiru, but also gave it special significance. But with science so advanced right now, how can there be an extra planet in our solar system we don't know about? Especially when the ancient Sumerians knew? This can be explained by the supposed orbit of planet Nibiru, also called Planet X. Nibiru's supposed orbit around the sun is much larger and much longer than the other planets in our system. In fact, Sichin claims that a complete orbit of the sun takes approximately 3600 years. And that is why we have only been in contact with the planet for several millennia. Sichin links several biblical and historical events to the presence of Nibiru, even claiming that the great flood of the Bible happened because of the gravitational pull that gave rise to Nibiru. Although the intersection of Nibiru and Earth must be quite far apart in Sichin's proposed timeframes, followers of the idea argue that the length of the orbit can, of course, change due to changes in gravitational pull over the centuries. This would mean that a potential intersection could occur much sooner than we otherwise think. However, its supposed inhabitants are more charming than the planet itself. The Anunnaki and the evolution of the human race Simply put, the term "Anunnaki" refers to the pantheon of gods worshiped by Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. These gods are descended from Anne, the heavenly god. The more dominant gods and goddesses who have found their place in other cultures include Marduk and Inanna, who was often united with the later Ishtar. So the ancient Sumerians worshiped a bunch of gods just like most other societies - what of that? How does this ancient Sumerian mythology and religion have anything to do with the planet Nibiru? Okay, but if you hear that the Anunnaki were not gods at all, but aliens? Sichin's theory of the Anunnkai comes in place with what we would expect to see in an episode of "Ancient Aliens". If we have to adhere to Sichin's theory, the Anunnaki were (and probably still are) an advanced race born on the planet Nibiru. They came to Earth, most likely to extract minerals, especially gold, that were missing from their planet's atmosphere. When they came to Earth, they created and multiplied humans to serve them as slaves and to do this work. Sichin uses this forced evolution to explain the evolutionary gaps and missing links. So, because they were more powerful and advanced, the Anunnaki appointed themselves gods among their human slaves, while in reality they were simply strangers and advanced aliens. This idea coincides with the popular prerequisite for the "ancient astronauts", or the theory that in the distant past, advanced civilizations came to Earth from alien planets and presented themselves as gods. This set of beliefs is often used to explain the surprising advanced ancient technologies and constructions. Sichin merges his theory of the Anunnaki with the biblical Nephilim, or "sons of God," who are said to have crossed themselves with humanity. The good old Sichin certainly wanted to sew this with his theology. It is also alleged that members of the Anunnaki did not approve of this crossing. As such, they did not warn humans of the negative effects the Earth would face when Nibiru came too close - its gravitational pull, which would have caused the Great Flood. The end of the world? So how does this all connect to the end of the world? Well, it all depends on the rotation of Nibiru and its path around the sun.

werner22brigitte / Pixabay Although the timeline proposed by Sichin may be inaccurate, many have said in recent years that Nibiru's coming is imminent. Recently, quite a few followers have emerged claiming that Nibiru would arrive on September 23, 2017. Others say its orbit has been close to us for years, but NASA has been hiding it in an effort to keep us calm. Most argue that it is the gravitational pull of Nibiru that will cause problems for Earth, possibly triggering another massive deluge. Others seem to imagine a death similar to the asteroid collision with a dinosaur. Whatever the exact effect, the consensus is that the arrival of Nibiru means the end of the world as we know it. What do Sumerian sources say? It's incredibly easy to fall into the trap of the doomsday theories, but to what extent are Sichin's claims and those who support him really based on the original Sumerian texts? From ancient Sumerian texts, there was a description that our creators came from a yet discovered planet that enters our Solar System ever 3,600 years. The texts said that they were known as the Nephilim, and that they had colonized Earth over 400,000 years ago. The bible also mentions this race, and calls them the “sons of God” The answer is - not much. Sichin's translations of Sumerian texts have been widely criticized, and his interpretations all the more so. For starters, Nibiru is actually more defined as a star than as a real planet in the Sumerian texts. Furthermore, there are no texts or evidence to support any such connection of the Anunnaki with Nibiru.

mitsuecligsx / Pixabay There really is no evidence. Just one person's claims and his turning of texts to fit his theory - albeit a lot of fun and intriguing. So, do we start preparing for the end of the world? Perhaps, but the end of the world is unlikely to happen because of the arrival of a mysterious extra planet somewhere in our solar system. Do not worry that Nibiru will trigger the apocalypse - the Sumerians did not worry. Read the full article

#Nibiru #oldprophecies

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