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inkribbon796 · 3 years

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Lost in a Lightning Storm Ch. 2: Far from Home

Summary: You shouldn’t talk about people, and not expect them to find out.

Chapters: 1, 2

While Henrik and Anti were talking to Tubbo and Logan, and then subsequently went off to Nate’s house to do some research, Mare went to go find Anti.

Anti was cackling with the Duke on some rooftop, who had escaped arrest after the chaos he had created. The two chaos-loving criminals were laughing and joking.

“Anti! Your boyfriend is getting too brave, you gotta[1] do something!” Mare said as he leaned over a massive air conditioning unit to get into the glitch’s face. Anti was lying on his back on the rooftop.

“Ooooooohhh~ You have a boyfriend?” Remus gave a huge smile, turning on his stomach and kicking his feet up like they were a bunch of pre-teens at a slumber party. “And you didn’t tell your best friend? For shame.”

“Shut up,” Anti kicked him in the face. Then he turned back to Mare. “I don’t got[2] a boyfriend.”

“Oh, yeah, then what the hell is he?” Mare bit back.

“None ‘a yer fookin’ business,”[3] Anti spat back.

“M’kay,[4] whatever,” Mare rolled his eyes. “Point is, he’s trying to find you.”

“I’m right here, let ‘im[5],” Anti scoffed, still lying on the ground.

“No, the old you, the human one,” Mare warned.

“Why?” Anti spat.

“I don’t know, humans are dumb,” Mare spat. “He’s your problem, you deal with him.”

“Fook[6] you!” Anti spat and stormed off.

Directly after he stormed off, he realized that he hadn’t asked Mare where Henrik was. But it was too late to storm off. Mostly because he overheard Remus trying to weedle information out of Mare. Anti was too in his own head to admit to even himself that he was embarrassed.

So he went out to find Henrik. Except he wasn’t at the hospital . . . and Logan didn’t seem to know where he was. He wasn’t at the hospital either so Anti ran around for a little bit and found them in Nate’s house.

For a couple moments, Anti debated on how upset Mare would be if he barged into his territory. Then he figured that if Mare didn’t want him to trespass, he shouldn’t have told him to take care of Henrik . . . and Anti had been in Nate’s house before on multiple occasions.

So Anti tripped about three alarms to get into the house and Nate and Henrik watched him stroll right into the living room where they were.

“Don’t yeh[7] two know not ta[8] talk about someone behind their back?” Anti layered on the glitching and blood as much as he could.

“You are certainly getting better at zat[9] effect,” Henrik complimented.

“You bleed on my carpet and I will stab you with a soul splitter,” Nate threatened.

Anti pulled out his knife, completely offended that they weren’t screaming in terror.

Nate helped up a stake, the wood was etched with runes and spell writing. “Anti, I don’t want to explain to the rest of your friends why you’re in pieces.”

“Why the fook are yeh diggin’ inta my personal shite?”[10] Anti demanded.

“Because zer is much I do not know about you, und I vish to correct zat,”[11] Henrik told him, Nate was on his computer, still looking through old census records and newspaper reports.

“I’m right the fook[6] here,” Anti spat.

“I cannot recall a time ven ve have ever talked about any’zing,”[12] Henrik told Anti pointedly.

Anti glared at him, his nose scrunched up like the demon was about to pull his lips back in a snarl. “Why, though? No point in lookin’[13] fer[14] a dead man.”

Henrik stood up, really studying Anti’s expression, “If it makes you uncomfortable, I can stop.”

Anti sputtered for a moment, “I don’t care.”

“I am serious Anti, if all zis[15] investigation makes you uncomfortable or vas[16] a traumatic experience, I vill[17] stop.”

A myriad of uncomfortable feelings, that Anti refused to unpack or acknowledge, prickled under his skin and boiled his blood. He absolutely refused to be afraid of some past specter he could barely remember. Anti was better than some human who’s only contribution to the world had been dying so that Anti could be brought into the world.

So instead Anti just scoffed, some derisive, forced laugh, “Whate’er yeh two arses wanna dig up some dead bitch that did me the favor ‘a dyin’, go ahead. Here, I’ll e’en help.”[18]

Henrik watched for any sign that Anti was joking or would destroy Nate’s computer. “If you are certain.”

“Oh yeah,” Anti dismissed. “What did yeh shitebags find?”[19]

“Well,” Nate stalled as he watched Anti walk over, he stayed braced with his stake. “Don’t break my stuff.”

“I won’t,” Anti smiled. “Come on, we got some loser ta[8] find.”

“That “loser” is also a past version of you,” Nate pointedly reminded.

“Watch it, meatbag,” Anti warned. “If he wanted ta[8] stay alive, he shouldn’ta[20] died.”

“Eloquent,” Henrik commented.

“Shut,” Anti hissed back.

“Do you remember your country of origin?” Nate asked. “I’ve got several different deaths from lightning storms and factory accidents from the past 150—”

“I ne’er[21] worked in a factory,” Anti huffed, before mentally stalling because he couldn’t remember how he knew that, just that he did.

“Really?” Nate commented without even blinking. “That helps narrow it down. Means you only could have died from lightning if you’re as old as Mare says you are.”

“Mare needs ta[8] learn ta[8] keep his trap shut,” Anti scoffed.

“You were right there when he told me that, and you didn’t say anything,” Nate reminded.

Anti looked away from him, “I don’t remember this, it didn’t happen.”

“Anyways, do you remember where you came from?” Nate turned back to his computer. “I know the Septics first met you in Ireland, but are you from there too?”

“Been ta a lot ‘a places,”[22] Anti shrugged. “How am I supposed ta[8] know?”

“Well it vould[23] make it easier,” Henrik reminded.

Anti rolled his eyes, “I woke up in Australia. I hitched a ride on several hosts until I got ta[8] Ireland. I don’t know if I died there, my first ten years were a blur.”

“You are Australian?” Henrik was staring at Anti.

“No.” Hunching his shoulders up defensively, Anti glared at the doctor, “Maybe? I can’t remember. What’s it ta[8] yah[7]?”

“No, it’s not a bad thing,” Henrik rushed to say. “I just . . . it is a good thing.”

Nate and Anti just stared at him, neither of them sure which direction to take that comment, but Henrik wasn’t looking Anti in the eyes anymore. He was glancing at Anti though, a lot.

But with a country narrowed down, Nate was able to eliminate several different possible candidates. Until there were five people left, four men and one woman. Mostly because it wasn’t unheard of for gender changes to occur when a human became a demon.

“Okay,” Nate said. “We have: Caleb Carson, Hannah Laverty, Brendan O’Heyne, Angus Collins, and Joe Morrin. Does anyone sound familiar, I don’t see any pictures so . . .”

Anti’s brain felt clouded, like there was something wrong but he couldn’t place it. He felt the urge to stab something and run. Like he was in danger.

“Anti? Are you alright?” Henrik asked, there was a look on Anti’s face that the German doctor hadn’t seen on him before.

Anti’s attention drifted towards one of the names in particular. He had no memories left of that person.

Much of that person was gone now, eroded away by time, but snippets remained. Being arrested for something . . . feeling disgusting inside afterwards . . .

. . . Feeling sick as the boat wouldn’t stop shaking the world around him . . .

. . . The heat of the sun burning his skin, almost hot as the anger that burned inside of him . . .

. . . And then a deafening CRACK as he felt like his body was exploding with pain. And how they’d just . . .

“They left me there,” Anti remembered, his form glitching erratically. “They left my fookin’[24] corpse ta[8] rot!”

“Anti‽” Henrik called out but the two humans watched Anti violently shatter apart in a discorporation.

Nate surged up immediately and took out an amulet necklace. One he had once’s a while ago to safely carry Mare around. But he used his magic to scoop up as much of Anti’s aura as possible to keep him from fracturing.

“Vat[25] happened?” Henrik demanded.

“He must have remembered something,” Nate tried to calm Henrik down as he was casting spells to see how violent the discorporation was, “I don’t think it was a good thing.”

Henrik snatched the necklace away, looking at it. “Vill[17] he be alright?”

“He still seems to be in one piece, but it might take a while for him to reform,” Nate warned.

“I zink ve should stop,”[26] Henrik looked over at Nate’s laptop. “If I had known his reaction vould have been zis violent I vould have stopped ven he confronted us.”[27]

“Yeah,” Nate agreed and watched Henrik put the necklace on. “Be careful with him, an injured demon’s a more dangerous one.”

“I vill[17],” Henrik promised, and gathered up his stuff with a stiff thank you for Nate’s help and the doctor went over to his apartment with the necklace. Anti took a couple of days to reform, but he didn’t talk to Henrik. The demon would escape the necklace and then slip back in whenever Henrik was distracted or busy.

After almost a week since the incident at Nate’s house, Henrik decided that, if Anti wasn’t going to talk to him, Henrik would talk to Anti. He started out small, complaining about the coffee machine at the hospital, about how muggy the weather was.

Then, one night, while Henrik was sitting on his couch, watching some TV show, or at least had it on in the background while he was staring down at the necklace in his hands, the doctor decided to be a bit more blunt. He watched the gem, saw almost like glitchy lightning crackling underneath the surface. “I must admit, part of ze[28] reason I went digging vas[16] to get a reaction out of you.”

There was a pause to the energy in the necklace. But after a bit the glitched lightning continued as if nothing had happened.

“If you do not vant to talk about zis matter, I vill not force you,”[29] Henrik told him. “But I had hoped to get a violent reaction out of you, not to actually harm you. For zat[9] I am sorry.”

Anti’s aura shot out of the necklace was just staring at Henrik. “Why was that what yeh were goin’ fer?”[30]

“You have tried to kill me und[31] my friends many times, und[31] I vanted[32] to get you to attack me,” Henrik admitted.

“Why?” Anti scoffed, plopping down on Henrik’s couch. “If I wanted yeh[7] dead, I would’a[33] done it already.”

He took glared at him. “Zat[9] is exactly the problem, you have zis[15] odd stalking infatuation but you have tried to kill me in the past. Not to mention you utterly ruined Average’s marriage und[31] his ability to visit his children.”

“The fooker was gettin’ cucked an’ e’eryone knew it,”[34] Anti dismissed.

“She vas doin’ no’zing of ze sort,”[35] Henrik defended heatedly.

Anti looked away angrily.

The two sat in angry silence for a little while, before Henrik sighed, taking off his glasses to massage the bridge of his nose before carefully putting them back on. “Anti, vat do you vant out of zese interactions ve have?”[36]

The glitch demon decided he would rather talk about literally anything else, but his only other option was talking about his former human life and he wasn’t sure which made him look worse. “I like it when yeh[7] get angry at me.”

“Is it simply ze[28] anger or ze[28] attention?” Henrik asked, genuinely trying to understand.

Anti still wasn’t looking at him, deciding that he’d rather take the human talk. “My name used ta[8] be somethin’[37] else.”

“Vich[38] do you prefer?” Henrik asked.

“Anti,” Anti told him hesitantly.

“Zen[39] you are Anti,” Henrik agreed. “As you said, zat[9] man is dead, und[31] you are here.”

Something in Anti’s chest tightened, he didn’t like it. He didn’t like even the reminder that he was human. But he started leaning over towards Henrik. It was just a little bit of a lean, not enough to even get near Henrik. So the doctor closed the distance for him, lightly resting his shoulder against Anti’s.

“I zink zat you like the attention, vich I am more zen happy to give to you,”[40] Henrik smiled at him as Anti still refused to hold eye contact with him. “Und ven you know vat you vant, you can tell me in your own time.”[41]

For the rest of the night the two of them sat in almost near silence. Anti wasn’t ready to admit anything, but still tantalizingly close all the same. Anti getting closer and close to Henrik until the doctor was pressed up against the side of the couch and Anti was leaning against him. Anti sat next to Henrik as the doctor just ran his fingers through his hair. Anymore and Anti would have started hissing and pulling away. But as he leaned into the touch the glitch decided that he liked this attention.

Henrik occasionally looked over at Anti, smiling at him.

And if, as he scratched his fingers across his scalp, heard him give out very quiet purring sounds, the doctor decided not to tease the glitch demon about them . . . at least not yet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Post A/N: Anti in his AU used to be a man by the name of Angus (Jack’s “survivalist” character he made super early in his channel and in this AU Angus was arrested and sent to Australia where he subsequently died from a freak lightning storm, and then cue villain arc.

Side note: Henrik likes Anti’s Australian accent, he likes it a lot! No I will not back down from this extremely unpopular headcanon.

Accessibility Translations:

1. have to

2. have

3. None of your fucking business

4. Okay

5. him

6. Fuck

7. you

8. to

9. that

10. Why the fuck are you digging into my personal shit?

11. Because there is much I don’t know about you, and I wish to correct that

12. I can’t recall a time when we have ever talked about anything

13. looking

14. for

15. this

16. was

17. will

18. Whatever you two assholes want to dig up some dead bitch that did me the favor of dying, go ahead. Here, I’ll even help.

19. What did you shitbags find?

20. shouldn’t have

21. never

22. I’ve been to a lot of places

23. would

24. fucking

25. What

26. I think we should stop

27. If I had known his reaction would have been this violent I would have stopped when he confronted us.

28. the

29. If you do not want to talk about this matter, I will not force you

30. Why was that what you were going for?

31. and

32. wanted

33. would have

34. The fucker was getting cucked and everyone knew it

35. She was doing nothing of the sort

36. Anti, what do you want out of these interactions we have?

37: something

38. which

39. then

40. I think that you like the attention, which I am more then happy to give to you

41. And when you know what you want, you can tell me in your own time.

#Superhero AU #Masks and Maladies #birthday post #footnotes #henrik von schneeplestein #antisepticeye #Nathan Sharp #Antistein #Doctor Glitch #Anti trying desperately to run away from his emotions #finally some relationship progress #Anti's just a scraggly alley cat that doesn't know how to get a home #Anti has feels #angst and feels

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charlielongclo-blog · 5 years

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¡Que Viva Changó! -Exploring the popularity of Changó in Cuba.

(Image 1: Changó, dios de trueno)

Background

The transatlantic slave trade saw not only the movement of people from West Africa to the Caribbean and South American continent, but also the spread and evolution of hybrid religious practices stemming from a shared pantheon of Yorùbá deities from Southern Nigeria.

The African Diaspora developed these religious practices across a wide geographical area and under different systems of colonial rule which lead to differences in names and spellings as well as morphing religious with the beliefs with those of the oppressors to guarantee clandestine survival. Here I focus on Cuba where African deities are equated with Roman Catholic saints (Welsh, 2001) and are survived not only in religious practise but in popular music.

Who is Changó?

Known as: Sàngó in Africa, Xangó in Brazil and Changó or Shangó in Cuba, Changó is a strong warrior deity connected to thunder and fire and associated with the colours red and white. Ernesto Pichardo, worshipper and ‘child’ of Changó describes him as:

‘Thunder and lightning. Justice and truth, warrior and king. Dancer, owner of the sacred Bàtá drums, original diviner[…] Excellent strategist in warfare. Excellent governor of people. Always present where there is injustice. Brings order where there is confusion. These are ways in which people describe him[…]’ (Mason & Pichardo, 2009)

His popularity and prominence in Cuban popular music makes me wonder: why Changó? There are many other deities in the pantheons of Cuba’s Santeria and Lucumi, each with their own attributes, powers and ritual, yet Changó stands out.

In ‘Ochun con Changó’ Celia Cruz very clearly describes the deity and her feelings towards him:

Él es el macho fuerte siempre de rojo y blanco

He is the strongest always in red and white

Con su espada en la mano guerrero y emperador

With his sword in hand warrior and emperor

Oshun con Changó, Changó con Oshun

Oshun with Changó, Changó with Oshun

Ellos son mis orishas y yo los quiero a los dos

They are my orishas and I love them both

Akínyemi defines Changó as one of the most powerful and universally worshipped Yorùbá deities in the (African) Diaspora, and goes on to explain his multi faceted traits that could be attributed to causing this:

‘…the prestigious position that Sàngó [Changó] occupies among the Yorùbá people stemmed from his association with Òyó royalty and the institution of kingship, his specialised divination system[…] his commitment to social justice, his association with thunder and lightning, his military might and pursuit of the two main themes of a warrior culture - prowess and honour - both of which his devotees believed were part of the reason he did an enormous variety of things towards their improvement and for humanity in general’ (Akínyemi, 2009)

This gives insight into Changó’s position and appeal within the pantheon but does not explain his particular popularity in Cuba.

In ‘Saludo a Changó’ Company Segundo covertly refers to Changó as papa (father) singing: ‘Pa saludar a papá ‘ - say hello to father - meaning Changó. This reference could be easily missed were it not for the closing refrain where he sings: ‘Obaé obayana yana’ which is in the Yorùbá language and translates as ‘my father is here’. Religious practices often use African derived languages and this use of Yorùbá acts as a coded reference, aligning him to these practices. It is hidden to those who do not understand it, but an obvious statement to those who do, hiding in plain sight.

Orisha Royalty?

Although not explicitly a leader of the other deities, Changó has an elevated status often described as regal:

‘…in the diaspora, where Sàngó [Changó] is syncretised as Saint Barbara (as in Cuba)[…] his association with Òyó royalty is still recognised, and he is subsequently accorded royal respect[…] he is regarded as the divinity of thunder and lightning[…] and he dances to the rhythm of the Bàtá drum beaten in a virile, warlike, dignified and kingly fashion.’ (Akínyemi, 2009.)

Could this royal association be the source for his popularity? The evidence within songs does not suggest so. Although he is described as having royal status by scholars with regard to ritual practise, there is no evidence of this in popular Cuban music which could explain his popularity there.

In ‘Changó ta veni’ Celia Cruz sings enthusiastically in a major key uptempo track that demonstrates excitement at his arrival, however there is no further lyrical elaboration as to specifically why this is:

Con el machete en la mano tierra va temblar

With machete in hand the earth will tremble

Changó ta veni

Changó is coming

The Power of Changó

Changó has control of thunder, lightning and fire which as strong elements undoubtedly give a certain appeal, however his power also extends past this. Changó has the ability to resolve all kinds of human problems (both spiritual and physical) through his mysterious and mythical power. His superhuman nature is demonstrated in his military might and ability to provide physical protection for his followers’ (Akínyemi, 2009)

The group N.G La Banda appeal to this power in their song ‘Papa Changó’ where the lyrics to their heavily rhythmic track state:

¡Que miedo que volverias!

How scary it is that you could return!

Papa Chango […]

Father Changó[…]

Darme la luz mi padre, darme la luz […]

give me the light my father, give me the light […]

a matar muchos enemigos […]

to kill many enemies […]

So we can see here how the physical power of Changó is appealing and called upon in a devotional way in the song. However the request of powerful help has not only been asked for in the immediate present for dispatching enemies; the history of slavery itself can be seen as just cause for people to turn to Changó for help and guidance:

‘The protective power of Sàngó is well recognised and appreciated by his devotees in the Diaspora. Since Sàngó worshippers in the New World developed from a background of slavery in an atmosphere of bondage and suffering, the deity is often called upon in their chants as an instrument of deliverance.’ (Akínyemi, 2009)

The suffering through slavery that brought these deities to Cuba demonstrates why a powerful deity like Changó would be held in high regard as a saviour for the oppressed. However we can attribute this to Changó’s survival in the New World, but it still doesn’t account for his popularity., the reasons for which are more specific.

Musical heritage as cultural identity.

So still the question remains: Why Changó?

To answer this we need to look at cultural heritage, preservation and reinvention in Cuba.

The slave trade brought people and with them their religious belief systems also made the Atlantic crossing. As Lovejoy explains:

‘Easily identifiable cultural icons, such as Bàtá drums, can reveal the conscious efforts of people to reestablish institutions of their homeland, even if only in symbolic and ritualised forms associated with religion, in this case òrìshà worship’ (Lovejoy, 2009)

And with this, most importantly:

‘Bàtá drums in Cuba also have an important relationship to Changó in that they belong to him’ (Lovejoy, 2009)

In Cuba, programs such as the government funded Casa de las Américas strengthened pan-Caribbean and pan-African cultural links through arts preservation and economic support.

‘Cuba is exceptional in the Spanish Caribbean in the degree of attention it has given to its links - historical, cultural and ideological - with Africa.’ (Pacini Hernandez, 1998)

And this even saw the ministry of culture elevate the status of Rumba to a national cultural symbol.

‘Rumba[…]has emerged as a national symbol of twentieth century Cuban society’ (Payne Daniel, 1991)

Through the use of bàtá drums Rumba is heavily connected to Changó so in effect, Changó was being promoted yet hidden in plain sight under the guise of Rumba music and dance.

We can see this clearly in tracks like ‘Elube Changó’ by the Afro Cuban Allstars, ‘Que viva Changó’ by Lazarito Valdés and ‘Highway One (Changó’s Dance)’ by the Bobby Matos Afro Cuban Jazz Ensemble. These all display Rumba musical features, either in vocal call and response style, harmony, the use of the rumba clave or in more general polyrhythmic rhythm parts. All of these reference Changó in their titles, yet don’t describe or make a devotion to him. He is the focus through the Rumba musical features which are integral to the tracks which clearly supports the idea that with the promotion of Rumba naturally came the promotion of Changó which can explain such a level of his popularity.

Machismo and Changó?

Leaving aside the influence that the promotion of Rumba and black Cuban culture had on the popularity of Changó for a moment, can we see any influence from wider Cuban society?

Often described as ‘machismo’, could the cultural landscape of Cuba of had a natural affinity with the virile and strong warrior deity Changó?

‘…an atmosphere of lingering machismo - the emphasis on being a male, male virility, superiority of men over women. Men are still the dominant group in Cuba. Notions of superiority and defence are embedded in their attitudes and behaviours and both men and women are products of an historic machista culture.’ (Payne Daniel, 1991)

We cannot debate the nature of the culture, only to say that yes on an individual basis Changó might have an appeal due to his ‘macho’ qualities, however we know that African deities were hidden in Cabildo worship by merging or disguising them as Catholic saints based on common features of iconography or traits, e.g the virgin Mary wears blue and white clothing and so does the sea deity Yemayá, so they are paired together through their shared colours. Changó is paired with Saint Barbara who is a patron saint of the military in Catholicism and is often depicted wearing red and with lightning behind her. The military focus, red colour and lightning were enough to merge her with Changó in forced cabildo worship, but we can clearly see that Saint Barbara is female and Changó is male, yet this is not addressed as an issue.

(Image 2: Saint Barbara and Changó)

In the Cuban classic ‘Santa Barbara’ by Celina y Reutilio y Su Conjunto Tipico (with many other artists’ versions available) we see the lyrics weighing heavily towards the Saint in the verses, only to name Changó in the chorus:

Virgen venerada y pura, Santa Bárbara bendita

Revered and pure virgin, blessed Saint Barbara

Nuestra oración favorita, llevamos hasta tu altura

Our favourite prayer, we rise up to your height

Que vive Changó

Changó lives

This use of both clarifies that they are merged as the same deity which dismisses claims that the popularity of Changó in Cuba is purely the result of the machismo culture, as the female saint and the male warrior deity are inextricably linked.

The Form of the Orishas

Finally, the nature of Changó as an entity must be recognised. As well as his physical abilities we need to take into account the Orisha system itself. All Orishas are connected in the pantheon when they ‘become active in the realm of others’. (Mason & Pichardo, 2009) So in this sense their strength and popularity can be seen as mutually dependent. Changó also has the very specific elemental traits of lightning and fire which Mason & Pichardo see as ever changing:

‘Since fire is associated with Changó, take that as an example. fire has not changed. Fire is fire, but its manifestation has changed and will continue to change…(about fully knowing Changó) You can never master it because it is always taking on new forms that make you go right back to square one[…]The influence of Changó’s blessings will vary[…] not in principle but in form.’ (Mason & Pichardo, 2009)

Conclusion:

‘The worship of Sàngó in the New World has thus become a strategy for survival and for freedom. Therefore, the deity is seen in the Diaspora as a national heroic symbol as well as a protective spiritual leader’ (Akínyemi, 2009)

Alongside this statement I argue that Changó has survived thanks to hiding and merging with the image of Saint Barbara, the ever changing forms his elements can manifest in and the strength of a co dependent pantheon of deities he belongs to. Changó has thrived under promotion as part of a Cuban cultural identity through Rumba music, as well as having a place as a spiritual link across the wider Caribbean and in Brazil thanks to his African roots.

Here I show the multiple possible routes that lead to Changó and thus his popularity in Cuba.

I call it ‘El Camino a Changó’ -(The route/way to Changó):

(Image 3: El Camino a Changó’)

The hip hop group ‘Orishas’ promote their identity as Cubans through their music and their song ‘Canto Para Elegua y Changó’ devotes a verse to Changó. The song shows Chango´s representative colours, connection to Saint Barbara, strength and guidance, the diversity of these come together to show why he is so popular:

Blanco y rojo represento[…]

White and red I represent[…]

Santa Bárbara bendita es tú Changó […]

Blessed Santa Bárbara is you - Changó[…]

Fuerza, esperanza, en ti confianza, con tu espada avanza[…]

Strength, hope, trust in you, with your sword advancing[…]

Guía por el bien camino a tus hijos, como yo[…]

Guide the way to your children, like me[…]

However I believe the most important of these features that have insured Changó’s popularity are his link to Rumba music and cultural identity. All bàtá drums are Changó’s and the inclusion of these drums in Rumba music means that his legacy will always continue as long as the musical tradition survives. With the government promotion of Rumba as a national symbol of Cuba, Changó’s fingerprint or DNA is promoted implicitly through music which strengthens Changó as part of a Cuban/Caribbean/African identity. It is perhaps more accurate to invert the visual image and in place of routes leading to Changó, in fact see the stretching reach that he spans.

(Image 4: ‘The Reach of Changó’)

References.

Audio Tracks:

Afro-Cuban Allstars - Elube Changó

Accessed online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMTw0TLdTx8

Bobby Matos Afro Cuban Jazz Ensemble - Highway One (Changó’s Dance)

Accessed online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5NLjKHFUY0

Lazarito Valdés - Que viva Changó

Accessed online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy10PcV-qZg

Bibliography:

Akínyemi, A. (2009) The Place of Sàngó in the Yorùbá Pantheon. In Tishken, J, E. Fálolá, T. & Akínyemi, A. (Ed.) Sàngó in Africa and the African Diaspora. Indiana University Press. (p. 24, 26, 32, 34, 35, 37)

Atwood Mason, M. Pichardo, E. (2009) Searching for Thunder: a Conversation About Changó. In Tishken, J, E. Fálolá, T. & Akínyemi, A. (Ed.) Sàngó in Africa and the African Diaspora. Indiana University Press. (p. 328, 331, 336,

Hernandez, D, P. (1998) Dancing With The Enemy: Cuban Music, Race, Authenticity, and the World-Music Landscape. Latin American Perspectives, Vol. 25, No. 3, Race and National Identity in the Americas. (pg. 110 - 125)

Lovejoy, H, B. (2009) Drums of Sàngó: Bàtá Drum and the Symbolic Reestablishment of Òyó in Colonial Cuba, 1817-1867. In Tishken, J, E. Fálolá, T. & Akínyemi, A. (Ed.) Sàngó in Africa and the African Diaspora. Indiana University Press. (p. 289, 286)

Payne Daniel, Y. (1991) Changing Values in Cuban Rumba. A Lower Class Black Dance Appropriated by the Cuban Revolution. Dance Research Journal, Vol. 23, No. 2. (p. 1-10)

Welsh, D, B. (2001) Voice of Thunder, Eyes of Fire: In Search of Change in the African Diaspora. Dorrance Publishing Co. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (p.113, 138-139)

Discography:

Celina y Reutilio y Su Conjunto Tipico. A Santa Barbara. ’Santa Barbara’ Discos Fidel. 2015. Mp3

Accessed online at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B015LZAPEE/ref=sr_1_1_rd?_encoding=UTF8&child=B015LZAQIO&qid=1515888474&sr=1-1%3C/a%3E

Company Segundo, Colección. ’Saludo a Changó’ WM Spain. 2012. Mp3

Accessed online at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006NQF4QK/ref=dm_ws_sp_ps_dp

Cruz, C. 2En1. ’Ochun Con Changó’ Universal Music Digital Services. 2017. Mp3

Accessed online at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06VY9NWKF/ref=sr_1_2_rd?_encoding=UTF8&child=B06WGVLLQL&qid=1515888381&sr=1-2%3C/a%3E

Cruz, C. Celia Cruz:The Essential. ’Changó Ta Veni’ Lets Go Home Records. 2017. Mp3

Accessed online at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06WD5MPB9/ref=sr_1_1_rd?_encoding=UTF8&child=B06VWRQCWS&qid=1515888081&sr=1-1%3C/a%3E

N.G La Banda. Cuba Classics 3: Diablo Al Infierno! ‘Papá Changó’ Luana Bop. 1992. Mp3

Accessed online at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00G71DT0E/ref=dm_ws_sp_ps_dp

Orishas. A Lo Cubano. ’Canto Para Elegua y Changó’ EMI France. 2003. Mp3

Accessed online at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lo-Cubano-Orishas/dp/B001J9JG60/ref=sr_1_1?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1515888657&sr=1-1-mp3-albums-bar-strip-0&keywords=orishas

Images:

Image 1:

Changó, dios de trueno

Available at: https://www.cibercuba.com/lecturas/chango-dios-del-trueno

[Accessed January, 13. 2018]

Image 2:

Martinez, A. (2011) Día de Santa Barara, Changó. Chango y Santa Barbara.

Available at: http://www.cubaenmiami.com/dia-de-santa-barbara-chango/

[Accessed January, 13. 2018]

Image 3:

El Camino de Changó’ - Author’s own image.

Image 4:

The Reach of Changó - Author’s own image.

#Orishas Cuba Chango Ethnomusicology CubanMusic Music

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shadowluverworks · 6 years

Text

Unforeseen: Chapter 6

A wet washcloth was laid on the black forehead that was quickly becoming warmer, warmer than usual anyway. The bat sat next to the fainted creature for a second before getting up and walking back to the office desk where the Commander sat. The blue hedgehog sat in a chair across from the human, looking rather distraught, though he tried to remain calm. The Commander’s office was nicer than the others, a larger room with a window that sat behind the mahogany desk. Two chairs that could belong in a living room, and a couch near the wall where a dormant black hedgehog lay. After he had lost consciousness, the blue hedgehog had carried him to the office they currently sat in while the Scientist returned to the lab. The Commander came with the bat and hedgehogs, making sure they behaved themselves until their comrade regained consciousness.

As the bat returned to her chair, the human continued their conversation, “You said Shadow wasn’t feeling well? How long has that been going on?” The agent crossed a leg over the other, “About a month. He insists he’s fine, but I know better.” The hero’s ears seemed to perk up slightly as the bat continued, “I tried to get him to do something about it, but he wouldn’t listen to me. I’m a bit surprised he actually passed out though, I’ve never seen him do that before.” Worry shown on her face as the man across from them sighed slightly, “Well, I asked the lab to do some blood work before continuing the research to see if we can find out what’s wrong. If he is ill, then that could affect the research as well.”

The man turned his attention to the hero, “As for you.” The hero flashed a nervous grin. “Care to tell me why you decided to trespass onto GUN property?” The accused scratched behind his ear, “I, uh, needed ta talk ta Shadow. Found out he was working here full time now with Team Dark, so I decided to come find him. Guess I shoulda waited ‘till he was done with work.” The Commander seemed to roll his eyes slightly, “You did come in handy today. Just make sure it doesn’t happen again.” The hedgehog saluted with another grin, “Yessir!”

A soft groan sounded across the room as the black hedgehog shifted slightly. The bat was quick to return to his side, dabbing the sweat away from his head with the towel. After twisting slightly, the alien stilled once more. Peach hands twiddled helplessly. Wish I could take ‘im home. Nothin’ I want more than ta take care of ‘im right now, but I can’t just steal ‘im. Rouge’d kill me. Plus, I dunno if he’s said anythin’ bout us or not. Prolly hasn’t even thought about that night. He made it pretty clear he didn’t want me here. The minutes seemed to tick by in slow motion as they waited for the blood test to return. It had already been a few hours since he’d first arrived, and the black hedgehog had hardly moved since he had collided with the floor.

Finally, a knock at the door was heard from the side door, followed by the Commander giving permission to enter. The lab’s Scientist from before had returned along with a woman, also dressed up in typical lab attire. The human at the desk rose from his seat, “Ah, glad you could join us, Doctor. Have you discovered anything?” The Scientist gave a short nod, “We have.” He seemed to glance nervously at the other two occupants in the room. Sensing he was not welcome to hear, the hero stood and joined Rouge at the other side of the room as the Commander and the two new entries seemed to form a tight circle and talk amongst themselves.

Sonic tapped his foot impatiently, a little miffed at not being able to hear what concerned the black hedgehog. He mumbled quietly to the bat, “Not like we’re not his friends. I don’t get why they gotta be so secretive over there.” The bat’s ear was turned behind her as she swatted at the other a little, “Shhhhh! If you stay quiet I might be able to hear what they’re saying!” The hero quickly shut his mouth, lowering to where she knelt next to the black hedgehog. He waited, at least he tried. “What’re they sayin’?” The agent mentally rolled her eyes, “...something about...high levels of hCG...the Commander asked if they were sure...they also found evidence of...PAPP-A.” The blue eyebrows furrowed, “Wassat mean?” Turquoise eyes met his, “Do I look like a Doctor to you?!” The other pouted slightly, before standing up and walking back towards the group as Rouge silently cursed at him.

His presence was immediately noticed and the conversation stopped. The Leader turned to him, “Can I help you, Sonic?” Said hedgehog wore a look of determination, “What’s wrong with Shadow?” The two humans glanced at their superior, as the bat stood beside the hero. The man shook his head slightly, “I’m sorry. This is very personal information, and I’m not at liberty to discuss it with you without Shadow’s permission.” Rouge stepped forward slightly, “Sir, as Shadow’s teammate, I believe I have a right to know whether he can still be a member of Team Dark or if he needs to be taken care for the time being. I’m the closest thing to family Shadow has.” The human put a hand to his head as if a bit exasperated, “While that may be the case, I still cannot disclose such information. It would be best for him to take some time off and rest. Can you bring him home?” The bat shook her head, “He doesn’t have a home, he’s been staying with me every now and then, but unless you give me a reason to keep him there he’ll leave again. If he’s as ill as it seems he should not be wandering the streets at night in the rain.” The multicolored eyes flipped from Rouge to Sonic, as if considering her plight. Rouge took the hero by the arm, “I’ll need his help too. I alone can’t keep Shadow somewhere by myself, I’ll need him to help me. Plus he’s his friend.” Sonic was grateful to be included, she must have noticed his worry when the other fainted, “I care about Shadow a lot, I’ll make sure he gets the rest he needs.”

The man sighed, “I suppose while Shadow is still unconscious I don’t have much of a choice. Doctor, will you please explain?” The bat turned her attention to the woman. Her and Shadow were well known by the nurses and Doctors after their missions. Although Shadow for the most part resisted medical attention, Rouge had needed it several times. They had often conversed back and forth while her stay in the medical ward. Being told this news about her dear friend from someone she knew slightly more than her boss was well appreciated.

The Doctor stepped forward slightly, “We ran the blood test several times to confirm, but we know what’s plaguing Agent Shadow.” Rouge looked at her in worry, “Is he alright?! Is he sick?!” The woman smiled slightly to reassure her, “I know you care for him deeply, Agent Rouge. I assure you he’s alright. He just needs to rest. I want you two to keep an eye on him for the next week. Keep him in bed if you can. The important thing is that he gets the rest and nutrition he needs.” The bat’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, “He’s never slept that long before. I never even saw him sleep before a month ago. He hardly ever eats either.” The hero crossed his hands behind his head, “He told me he doesn’t need ta do much of either. His chaos energy makes it so he doesn’t need ta eat or sleep like we do.” The Doctor nodded, “That’s true. Normally that would cover the essentials for his body. However, now he needs to be eating as well as resting regularly to keep his energy levels up. At least for the time being.”

The blue hedgehog’s furrowed his eyebrows as well, “Did somethin’ happen to ‘im? Why does he need ta do all this stuff now?” The woman seemed to hesitate for a second, “As I told the Commander, we found high levels of hCG in his blood, as well as evidence of PAPP-A.” Sonic was growing a bit frustrated, “Yea, yea, we heard. But we ain’t doctors, Doc. Wassat mean?” After getting confirmation from the Leader with a nod, the Doctor continued, “These particular chemicals are only found in pregnant women.”

For several minutes the bat and hedgehog simply stared at the humans. It was as if time had stopped for a while. Finally, the blue legs could not continue to hold up their owner, and he wobbly moved backwards into a chair, “Th-That’s not possible!” The Scientist shrugged, “I ran the blood multiple times to be sure it was not contaminated. Apparently, there’s more to Project Shadow then we had originally thought. If we were able to properly examine Shadow, we might have been able to discover this sooner. Or the possibility of it.” The blue hedgehog was starting to almost hyperventilate in panic, his mind running rapid, “B-but...he said...he told me that...” The bat simply stared in shock. How is that possible?! I never thought that he could...I thought he was still a virgin! Who did he... Her short locks whipped in the air as she caught eyes with the hero, “...you...What did you do?!” The hedgehog looked as shocked as her, “W-What?! I-I...” The bat walked up towards him, pointing a finger at his chest, “It was you! A month ago when he showed up at my house drenched and acting strange...he had been with you!”

The humans looked on at the spectacle before the Commander spoke, “Sonic, is this true? Are you the father?” Said hedgehog began to sway slightly, looking a little faint. “Oh, no!” The bat grabbed the peach face, slapping his cheeks a bit, “You don’t get to pass out too, you have too much to explain! Plus, I need you to carry Shadow!” The fear of making her even more mad than she already was snapped the blue hedgehog awake. The Commander ran a hand through his short gray hair, “Why don’t you three head home. It’ll give you some time to...work things out. The Doctor will be available if you need help; just call.”

Taking his advice, the hero was able to steady himself enough to stand, and picked up the dormant alien hybrid. Rouge nodded, “Thank you, sir. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” "Wait." The Doctor stopped them, handing Rouge a set of papers, "Show Shadow these. It's his blood results on paper. From what little I know of him, he seems to be someone who'll need to have proof." The spy took the papers, looking them over. It was all Greek to her, all sorts of terms and names she had never heard of. But she took the Doctor's advice, storing the papers in her pocket, "Thank you." The bat led the pair out of the room and down the hallway. When the door closed, the Commander was able to let out a breath he’d been holding. This new revelation was going to make things involving Team Dark a bit more complicated from now on.

After long twists and turns in the long hallways, the three mobians finally made it to the outside world once again. Sonic’s smile was a bit less enthusiastic as before, but still sincere, “Thanks Rouge. I’ll take him home and make sure he gets some rest.” The bat’s face was stern, “No. You both are coming with me. Shadow will be more comfortable if he wakes up in familiar surroundings, and you have a lot of explaining to do in the meantime.” His ears flattened a bit. Shadow was right. She is like a mother when she’s mad. The hero knew there was no way out of it and let out a little sigh, “Yes, Rouge.”

#my story #Unforeseen #chapter 6 #mpreg #sonadow #sonic the hedgehog #shadow the hedgehog #rouge the bat

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rainydaywoes · 4 years

Text

NM2207, NM2219, NM2220 Module Reviews

It is the time of the year again: frantically searching for that one particular module suitable for all your needs – be it academic requirements, to boost your skills, your CAP or just a non-8am lecture slot you can never wake up for?

Whatever it is, I hope these reviews will help you find the module(s) for you 😊 Do just take note these are my personal thoughts and experiences which may differ accordingly to individuals.

Tip: I encourage all CNM majors, especially if you’re in year 1/2, to just look into the various 3k/4k modules you might want to take in the future because some of them might require pre-requisites of other modules. E.g. a particular 2K mod is required for a 3K mod which is a requirement for a 4K mod. Yes, so they accumulate, and if you don’t want to get the short end of the stick – do your research properly~ So enough nagging: here it comes~

NM2207 Module Review

NM2207 Computational Media Literacy aka the ‘coding’ mod of CNM. This mod teaches Javascript, CSS and HTML and is meant for web design. Even if you’re not planning on the game design track or have no coding knowledge at all, you can still consider this purely because of how useful this module is. The mod assumes zero coding background from everyone which really showed in the lecture/tutorial/homework materials that did a really good job in explaining concepts while challenging us to search up more info to enrich our learning.

There are no physical lectures but weekly online videos to watch (around 2.5 hours). I highly suggest you be on the ball and watch the videos before tutorials because we will to apply whatever the videos went through.

Here’s the grading breakdown:

15% Tutorial/participation: 3 hours tutorial sessions (usually 6-9pm for CNM students on internship to join as part of their MOOC courses), one coding challenge for each tutorial session that students (in pairs) can work together to complete. TAs will be around to help. The faster you finish the assigned work, the faster you can leave. :)

15% Midterm exam (either week 6 or 7): 1 hour, closed book pen and paper style.

20% Final exam (week 13): Closed book pen and paper style.

35% Final project: A solo project where you have to design and code an online application e.g. a game/ interactive story/ an animation/ etc from scratch. Don’t freak out yet! We are not expected to churn out a super highly-skilled app to attain decent grades – just something original and creative would do that trick. :)

15% Assignments: These were known as weekly homework and a major pain. We had to follow the assigned instructions to code the final products which are to be uploaded on our webpage by Saturday This was really difficult because some of them were really challenging and I had to email my TA constantly for help. :(

Personally, this was a very intellectually challenging module for me. Especially since I understand things related to coding rather slowly. It was also rather time-consuming; I think I spent around 10 hours weekly on this mod. In fact, I wouldn’t recommend taking this module if you think you’ll have a really packed semester (or just be prepared to use an S/U, in case?) Otherwise, I have to admit, it was really intriguing and super rewarding to finish all these seemingly-impossible tasks and to complete the module with a great end :)

Taken in: AY2019/20 Sem 2

Final Grade: B+

NM2220 Module Review

NM2220 Introduction to Media Writing is basically as the module name suggests – introduction to media writing. This module is super highly recommended for anyone who has an interest in doing writing as a career as it covers a range of writing: news media, both print and broadcast journalism, copywriting for advertisement, public relations, feature writing and writing for the web. It even covers topics like media law and ethics. Basically, whatever fundamentals of writing you think you might need for your career and perhaps even more.

Sounds a lot? Yes, actually this module is considered to be one of the more hardcore CNM 2K modules. Both lectures and tutorial require us to be on the ball constantly and I assure you there’ll definitely be a writing practice in every single session. Depending on your luck, you might even be called on in lecture to share your ideas. So, no random scrolling through Facebook for cat videos and whatnot. Lectures are, as per normal, 2 hours weekly while tutorials are pretty demanding at 2 hours weekly and require you to write on the spot.

I apologise as I cannot remember the exact breakdown but from what I can remember:

10% News angle: Find a local news article and develop 3 other news angle that have not been published before.

20% Feature writing: Write a feature story based on NUS student life with 3 original photographs and optional video.

15% Public release + planning of 4 social media posts: Write a press released based on a provided scenario and organisation (details to be developed by yourself) + 4 pseudo social media posts of 1 pre-event and 1 post-event post (including captions/ visual description) on Facebook and Instagram. And you don’t have to actually post it, just describe the posts.

15% Tutorial participation/ attendance

40% Final exam: Closed book pen and paper style. Three segments based on a single given scenario (mine was an accident by a hired car company outside school): 1. Broadcast journalism report (with details to be developed by yourself) 2. Two social media posts based on the accident 3. Two (?) feature story angles based on the accident.

Overall, I really enjoyed this module. Since I had zero experience in such media writing prior to this, it really provided me with the fundamentals that are pretty important in any career related to writing. Especially for people who consider doing media writing related work in the future, I really recommend you take up this mod to know whether you’re suitable/ whether this would be something you enjoy. :)

Tip: You have to either take this mod or NM2219 to take up certain 3K mods such as NM3219 (find out more on NUSmods).

Taken in: AY2019/20 Sem 1

Final Grade: A

NM2219 Module Review

NM2219 Principles of Communication Management is really good module for everyone to consider if they’re planning to head into PR-related field or to discover whether this field is something for you. The module is very comprehensive and covers various fields related to PR e.g. crisis management, issues management, forms and types of PR approaches. To be honest, this module was really rather dry for me with a lot of PR concepts and content. But I guess a redeeming factor is that the content is quite easy to understand and the workload for this module is rather little compared to NM2207 and NM2220. If you’re considering a 2K module that is good/ useful career-wise (the skills you learn in this module can be easily transferrable to a PR-related career) and also not too much on the workload, this is a pretty decent choice😊

30% Midterm exam (week 7): Closed book, 30 MCQs (not sure if this changes according to the lecturer). I would recommend to read the textbook readings as some of the questions made references to the definition and related stuff.

30% Final exam: Closed book, around 15 MCQs with 2 SAQs and 1 longer question split into various parts (based on a provided PR issue, answer the sub-questions to resolve the issue based on the PR steps).

25% Group project [Presentation (10%); Paper (15%)]: Research on a company with local influence that might have a potential PR issue/ is currently facing a PR crisis and come up with solutions for the issue.

5% Peer review

10% Class participation: Weekly tutorials that are 45-minutes each; mostly used for explaining certain concepts that are to be covered in your group report and for the tutor to check up on your group’s progress.

If you don’t mind a slightly dry module with quite a bit of content (that is rather simple to grasp) and are considering a PR-related field, you should really take up this module. Actually, even if you’re not going into PR, knowing some PR knowledge can be applicable in almost every job that requires human interaction/ brand reputation. So yes, don’t count this one out!

Tip: You have to either take this mod or NM2220 to take up certain 3K mods such as NM3219 (find out more on NUSmods).

Taken in: AY2019/20 Sem 2

Final Grade: A+

#nus #module #module reviews #module review #cnm #fass #nm2220 #nm2219 #nm2207

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shadowluver1242 · 7 years

Text

Unforeseen

CHAPTER 6:

#Unforeseen #my story #sorry it took so long guys #writer's block #The next chapter is longer I promise

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xaligos · 7 years

Text

The Dragon Lord and The Northern Dawn

It was another day in Stormwind, or at least that is no doubt how it seemed. Unbeknown to most denizens of Azeroth, a meeting between two noble orders was taking place. One that might greatly shape the course of the war between the Horde and the Alliance. The Dragon Lord Xamon of House Targaris had traveled from his home of Azurelight Sanctum in search of members from the Northern Dawn, a guild that was owned and financed by House Silverdawn. As far as he knew, their estate drew great wealth from a lucrative mine resting in the heart of their territory, and that they were a prominent force slowing down the advance of the Forsaken beyond Thoradin's Wall.

His own estate was not located very far from theirs, and Targian Dragon Magi had utilized Divination magic to locate a deposit of a particular mineral - a deposit located on Silverdawn land. This mineral would be crucial to the development of a massive project House Targaris was undertaking, and that deposit was the closest and most ideal location. Times had been incredibly trying in recent years, the Kingdoms of men had weakened considerably - many Lords were primed to look out only for their own borders. This made the idea of approaching the Silverdawn, a risky one - for they could have easily begun work to search for the material themselves, after being made aware of its existence. Yet, believing diplomacy would prevail it was decided that approaching them with some form of an arrangement would be the best course of action.

Stormwind was a large city, perhaps the biggest man had ever made - even nobility could be hard to track down, what with so many people concentrated in one area. Though his journey would bare fruit when a tip was received that a few members from the Northern Dawn had met outside the Stormwind Stockades, and were engaged in discussion. Following this new lead, Xamon made his way there, to find that his source had indeed spoken truth.

Before him were three individuals, all armored in a variety of attire. He himself had come dressed fairly light, adorning familial targarian robes. They were made of fine fabrics, but modest in appearance. The Targarians were known for not drawing too much unwanted attention, and as the head of his House Xamon was perhaps a paragon of this virtue. As he neared the group, one among them took notice. It was a woman, and the only of her cohort to bare the crest of the Silverdawn. Why that was so, who could say? Though it certainly marked her as a leader among the party.

Xamon's posture and general body language did not change as she approached him. A dialog ensued, with him explaining that he had come in search of someone baring the very crest she wore. Naturally, she inquired as to why he sought them, and what he had heard about the order. To which he responded.

"Only that the order is in someway connected to the Silverdawn Mines. My House is currently underway with a massive project, and we are need of aid. We are willing to fairly compensate for such assistance, but I am afraid the details cannot be discussed here, and certainly not without the presence of the head of House Silverdawn. I've come a very long way to find them - if you know anything - please..."

Her suspicions must have been put to ease, for her response would be far better than he could have hoped for.

"I am the political council head of The Northern Dawn, and also the one you are looking for... I am Silverdawn, Countess of Silverdawn mines."

Just as she had formally introduced herself, another of the group approached. It was a Dwarf, a race whom Xamon, and indeed many humans held great respect for. Xamon acknowledged the dwarfs approach with a modest and respectful bow of his head.

"Master Dwarf." He said. Attempting to articulate his respect for their race - for he knew not the Dwarfs rank or personal station.

The Dwarf merely responded with a grunt, crossing his arms as he did. The respect of Dwarfs was not easily earned, something Xamon knew all too well, and in truth - admired. The Countess took it upon herself to introduce him, giving further credibility to her claim of being the head of House Silverdawn.

"This is Doffrag, a dear friend of mine. He knows me more than anyone else in Northern Dawn."

Doffrag let out a snort.

"I knoo ye more then I want ta...I'm jus' stuck with ye."

Xamon allowed an extended look to fall upon Doffrag. He would no doubt play a significant role in the near future. What's more, the question of how he became so close to the Countess sparked a measure of intrigue within him, and it would be something worth exploring - if time and circumstances allowed. He was not really one for small talk, and this made it hard for such details to ever come into his knowledge. Be all that as it may, his response did little if not nothing to allude toward these inner thoughts.

"Very Well, it would seem I am in good company then. Is there somewhere we can speak, less openly perhaps?"

The Countess motioned to the set of buildings nearby. "Will that do?" She had very little time to pick a location, and Xamon's arrival had been unexpected. Thankfully the building she had gestured to was one of Stormwinds most prominent libraries, and but a stone's throw away from the common area just outside the Stockades where they currently stood. Xamon merely responded with a curt nod and the group made way for the entrance of the building. When they had entered they were greeted by the caretakers, with one of their party taking point at the door. The man who had stood guard had remained remarkably silent thus far. While Xamon had not passed any particular attention to him, his awareness of the man's presence was absolute. Who was he? What role did he play within the Silverdawn? Even more so than the dwarf, he had peaked Xamon's curiosity. Why had he not spoken thus far? For some reason the man's aura marked him as more than mere muscle for higher. Indeed, the way he seemed to carry himself suggested that there was more to his character than met the eye. Time would tell.

After finding a quiet location in the recesses of the library, the Countess, Doffrag, and Xamon took their seats.

"Now then, what is it you wish to speak abou...."

The Countess rose from her chair, her sentence left incomplete and instead a new one baring different context took its place.

"Forgive me, but an urgent matter has called my attention and I must depart. Doffrag will finish this conversation in my stead."

"An' I'm nae as nice as her thoo."

Doffrag retorted.

Xamon believed the Dwarf was testing his resolve, or at least that it is how it seemed. "Is he trying to scare me?" He thought to himself. No, that likely was not the case. Dwarven humor was very gruff, it was possible that he was attempting to be a little funny. However, unsure if this was truly the case Xamon simply avoided feeding into the comment. He understood having a demanding schedule and didn't seem particularly or noticeably bothered by the Countess' departure. He had found who he was looking for, and she had seen him. Not to mention the company she was leaving him with. If Doffrag and her were indeed as close as she had lead him to believe, he was confident anything discussed between him and the Dwarf would reach her. If not, he had ways of ensuring she found out.

"Thank you for agreeing to see me."

Was all he said as she walked out, though whether or not she heard him was uncertain as she offered no response and was nearly out the door by the time he finished thanking her.

Doffrag casually moved into her seat in a manner that suggested he had done this before. "They are close." he said in an inner dialog he held with himself. They now sat across from one another, and both seemed uninterested in slowing down the pace of the conversation despite the Countess having to leave.

"To the matter at hand then?"

Xamon had traveled a long way and was not one to waste time. Though, something subtly caught his peripheral attention. A second conversation had ensued, between the silent "guardsmen" who had taken up post outside the library, likely to stop prying ears and eyes. Someone had approached him, and finally words emerged, the silent guardsmen was silent no more.

" Hello."

The newcomer said. With the Silent Guardsmen responding in kind.

"Afternoon. Can I help you?"

"Elf with a bow, told me to speak to you about adventure and employment."

The Silent Guardsmen nodded once, and a feint smile curled from his lips.

"Ahh, I see. I think we might be able to help you."

He stepped up to the newcomer, looking him over. After a moment of inspection he extended his right hand to the man in greeting.

"Gazrael Gnarledmane."

Alas, his name had been spoken. Continuing to focus on that conversation would have been rude, even if he was capable of splitting his attention evenly between the two. After hearing the name of the Silent Gaurdsmen Xamon allowed his ears to let the dialog between the newcomer and Gazrael fall into obscurity.

"My House has officially drafted up blueprints for the refurbishment and reconstruction of Thoradin's Wall. For generations we have specialized in designing some of the Alliances most sound fortresses. This project will combine Dwarven, Elven, and human Architecture. We believe that there is a particular mineral located near or under your mine. Our Scryers are quite certain of this. I've come to see if your order would help us mine it and inÂ exchange we will refurbish your entire estate with this new mineral."

Doffrag let out a long sigh, propping his feet up onto the table,

"She had ta handle something with a comrade of ours. I'm takin' over noo.".

He smirked a little,

"So yer hoose made the blueprints fer the wall eh?"

Xamon nodded - he seemed to be quite understanding of the matter.

"Yes Master Doffrag. We assisted in its initial creation long ago, and we have created a new series of plans that will see Thoradin's Wall remade into the greatest wall that has ever been built. To accomplish this though, we need a material that elven, human, and dwarven masons can work with and that will compliment each of our.... tastes. A huge deposit of said material is believed to be located underneath the Silverdawn Mine."

Doffrag raised a brow as he grabed a cigar from his pouch and put it between his lips. Mumbling through the butt of the cigar,

"So ye want the huge deposit under the mines eh? Well lad ye cannae get stuff fer free, what can ye offer in return? Cause ye understand we coold -sell- it an' make a profit ye knoo?"

Xamon nodded in agreement. What Doffrag had said was very true, however...

"Indeed, you could - and the alliance would be poorer for it. The deposit is on your land, in truth it belongs to you. Yet, my family aided in designing the Scarlet Enclave, a fortress that was only toppled by the full might of the Lich King and his greatest champions. In return we would redesign your order's outpost - to your specifications of course. However, with our Architectural expertise, it would easily become the marvel of the Alliance. There is a great deal located underneath you, enough to at least start the project. What we didn't use you're welcome to keep and sell, make your profit this way. The Forsaken have already breached the wall. It's only a matter of time before they reach your doorstep if they haven't already. "

Doffrag snapped his fingers and a thin ark of lightning hit the end of the cigar lighting it just enough,

"Mm...Design oor ootpost an' build a smaller defensie wall aroond it. If ye can do that? The deposit is yer hooses.".

The Dwarf took a long drag off the cigar, blowing the smoke away and allowing for a momentary pause between them.

"Does yer hoose want ta be within the ranks of the Northern Dawn?"

"I am glad this conversation has progressed diplomatically. Aye Master Doffrag, that is certainly within our power to do. In regards to your question about my House joining the ranks of the Northern Dawn. That is why I came personally. As the head of my family I also hold command over our martial forces. Aid us in building this wall, and you will have the full support of House Targaris and all her resources. I will subscribe myself under your leadership and follow the commands of your Guild, as per the Alliance Hierarchy. Unless the King himself came down for your arrest - I don't suspect you'd have a reason to question our loyalty."

Doffrag took another drag off his cigar, this time blowing the smoke out of his nose,

"Then we're at an agreement then. Jus' knoo soon enoogh I'm nae goin' ta be the one in charge of this stuff fer long...Fedra is bringin' the shark of Ironforge within' oor ranks...An' his wealth dwarfs, nae pun intended, hooses gold.".

He takes his feet off the table and extends his burly dwarvish hand, "Welcome ta the Northern Dawn...Dunnae do anythin' that has me on yer ars."

"Orders are orders. As long as this change in hierarchy does not impede the construction and we're allowed to use this mineral - it shouldn't be a problem. Thank you Master Dofragg, I believe prosperous days for the Alliance are soon at hand. It was a pleasure to have met you, and I am certain we will soon be seeing much more of one another."

Xamon met the dwarfs hand with a respectful and firm grip of his own.

Doffrag nodded slowly,

"Aye. The Alliance will take back the North. Death ta the Horde an' their berasties."

Xamon wasn't all too sure what he meant by "berasties". Dwarves could be difficult to understand, even for someone as versed in their language and culture as he. Though with their talk at its end, the two departed for the door.....

@the-royal-courier

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crossroadsdimension · 7 years

Text

Return

Man, what’s with all these one/two-word titles? Eh, it fits anyway.

So, this is a part of the “Brain Trauma AU” that @radioactivedelorean, @witete, @a-million-chromatic-dreams and others came up with a while back -- and one that I joined earlier this week to flood with fluff. Considering that I’ve been focusing on Ford’s recovery from being stuck in his own body as it shuts down around him, I think you can all guess what it is that this particular title means. :)

You can find all the other stuff we’ve written here!

The town of Gravity Falls was buzzing with excitement as people stood in the town square.

Fiddleford, who had come dancing down from the mansion an hour ago, wove through the crowd, offering confirmation from what he’d heard and letting people see the little card with the frilly lizard that he’d received as proof of it.

“I cannot believe Mabel got to go to another dimension and didn’t take us with her!” Candy scowled, then shook her head as the scowl softened. “But family is more important, and I understand that.”

Pacifica huffed and tossed her hair back with a hand. “I’m wondering about this giant alien woman everyone’s been talking about. Only McGucket’s seen her, and he’s shorter than the rest of us. I really doubt that anyone’d be able to carry Dr. Pines around, anyway.”

“I COULD CARRY HIM!”

Multiple heads turned. “Shhhh!”

Grenda ducked her head. “Sorry.”

“That’s just because you’re abnormally strong,” Pacifica responded with a shrug. “I doubt that any alien would be able to stand up against you in a test of strength.”

“Indeed!” Candy adjusted her glasses. “And--”

The air suddenly rippled in front of the crowd, causing all conversation to cut off suddenly as a rip in space appeared in front of them.

Bodacious T -- formerly known as Toby Determined -- started to bring up a bat covered in nails, but Fiddleford pushed it down and gave the reporter a look that caused him to stumble back.

“It’s okay. I know it looks dangerous, but this one doesn’t go anywhere bad,” Fiddleford said seriously. He paused. “At least, that’s what I think.”

The hole of space ripped a little, and then Dipper and Mabel stepped through, hand in hand, with bright grins on their faces.

“Dipper! Mabel!” Wendy started waving a hand wildly in order to get their attention.

“Wendy!” Dipper waved back as Stan came out of the portal behind them. “Long time no see!”

“Mr. Pines!” Soos’ voice wavered.

“Hey, hey, don’t you dare start crying on me.” Stan gave Soos a pointed look, and the man-child sniffled and rubbed at his nose. His expression softened. “It’s good ta see you too, Soos.”

“Where’s Dr. Pines?” Candy asked.

“He’s comin’, just give ‘em a second.”

The portal rippled again, and Jhessie stepped through, a rather disgruntled Ford in her arms.

“--can walk, Jhessie,” Ford was saying. “Put me d-down!”

Stan snickered, and Ford shot him an annoyed look as Jhessie carefully lowered Ford to the ground. As Ford’s sandaled feet settled on the ground, he leaned against a cane made of dark purple wood that shimmered, as though made of pure glitter. The grip at the top of it appeared to be made of silver, carved in the form of a little lizard-creature with frills on the sides of its head.

“I simply wanted to make sure that you had passed through my portal safely.” Jhessie patted Ford on the head kindly, making his disgruntled expression soften a little.

“...okay, I take back what I was saying before,” Pacifica said. “That is a really tall alien.”

“Ford!” Fiddleford scrambled out of the crowd and grabbed his friend in a hug. “Yer walkin’!”

Ford’s frown melted instantly into a grin as Stan burst out laughing.

“He’s been walkin’ fer a good two days now!” Stan said. “Took ‘im a bit, though.”

“Well, I’m just glad that yer able ta move around again.” Fiddleford smiled brightly.

“As am I,” Ford agreed.

“Cool cane, Stan Number Two.” Wendy slipped out of the crowd. “Did Mabel have a hand in making that?”

“Yup!” Mabel bounded over to the redhead. “Jhessie let me dunk it in glitter! Isn’t it awesome?”

“For sure!” Wendy held out a hand, which Mabel promptly high-fived.

“What’s with the little lizard thing?” Pacifica asked.

“I-it’s an axolotl,” Ford corrected.

“The Axolotl is an important deity in the multiverse,” Jhessie explained. “My temple is dedicated to him.”

“What, you mean the place where you took them?” Pacifica pointed at Ford and the other Pines.

“That is quite so. The technology I have available to me in my dimension was able to do far more to assist Ford rather than maintain the state he was in. I have done everything I can, and although he is capable of moving about on his own, he will not be without his scars.” Jhessie put a hand on Ford’s shoulder. “I would stay and answer more questions, but I am afraid that I must take my leave of you.”

“You mean you can’t stay a day?” Mabel asked, disappointed. “But -- but you have to meet everyone in Gravity Falls!”

“While that is true, I’m afraid I have other versions of your great-uncle to assist in recovery, so they may continue traveling and eventually find their own ways back to their dimensions.” Jhessie looked at Mabel kindly, then turned her attention to the townsfolk. “I will now take my leave of you.”

With a slight bow of her head and a small smile, Jhessie turned and stepped back through the portal, which winked out of existence.

There was only a short pause before the Pines were peppered with questions on all sides from the people of Gravity Falls.

“COOL IT!”

Mabel’s yell caused the questions to trickle to a halt.

“Thanks, pumpkin.” Stan ruffled her hair before looking at the townsfolk. “I know you guys are worried, but ya mind givin’ us a bit ta get settled back in the Shack an’ arrange fer a ride back ta Piedmont fer the kids? We’ve, uh..we’ve got a lot ta think about.”

“Don’t you mean get back to your boat, Mr. Pines?” Soos spoke up.

“Nah, Soos. Unfortunately, those days are behind us, short as they were.” Stan clapped a hand on Ford’s shoulder, being careful not to throw him off balance. “We can probably find other things ta do around here.”

Ford nodded, but his eyes had a bit of a melancholy expression in them now.

“What do you mean?” Wendy frowned. “That was your dream, wasn’t it?”

“Well, yeah, it was. With how Ford’s legs are he’d never adjust ta the sea too well, so we just figured we’d stay on land where it’s easier.” Stan frowned. “Sides, Jhessie shot down the idea pretty fast.”

“Sh-she’s j-just c-concerned for our w-w-wellbeing.” Ford made a slight face as his words stumbled over each other.

“Yeah, but we don’t need a second mom.”

“If you’re not gonna go out to sea, then what are ya gonna do?” Fiddleford asked.

“Hang around town.” Stan shrugged. “Ford’s got a couple things he can do yet.”

“P-papers to write,” Ford explained. “Sc-scientific dis-s-scoveries to record.”

“Ya ain’t doin’ more field work, though.”

Ford shook his head sadly at Fiddleford’s questioning stare. “Th-those days are behin-nd me.”

“Then you’re going to need help, old man. Right?”

Ford looked up as Pacifica folded her arms across her chest.

“Pacifica!” Gideon hissed from somewhere in the crowd. “Ya don’ talk to the Author that way!”

“Shut up, I can do what I want,” Pacifica called back. “Look, Dr. Pines, if you want to keep doing research on stuff here, you’re gonna need help. Candy and Grenda have already been running around bugging the gnomes and doing who knows what else -- they’ve probably managed to find some stuff that you haven’t.”

Ford’s eyes narrowed.

“Pacifica….” Candy adjusted her glasses nervously. “I really doubt that we have found things that Dr. Pines has not discovered yet.”

“I bet he hasn’t studied a Hawktopus before!” Grenda grinned widely.

Ford reeled back with a spluttering noise. Stan burst out laughing.

“He labeled that thing ‘too stupid to study’ in his journals, so you got him there!” Stan laughed as Ford shot him a sour look.

“YES!” Grenda threw a fist in the air. “We can fill you in on all its awesomeness!”

“I highly doubt it’s that ‘awesome,’” Ford muttered, scowling.

“You shall have to wait and see,” Candy said with a knowing wink. “We will come by when you are settled in.” She turned and walked out of the plaza, Grenda following after her.

“We’ll bring you the one that I’m keeping in my house!” Grenda called back.

Ford spluttered again.

“Guess I’ll see you around. Or something.” Pacifica shrugged and followed after them.

Ford stared after them with an incredulous expression as Stan burst out laughing.

“Those kids are a hoot,” Stan said as he recovered himself. “You’re gonna like ‘em, Poindexter; I guarantee it.”

Ford looked at him with a lidded stare that suggested he might think otherwise.

Stan chuckled and patted Ford on the shoulder. “Come on; let’s get back to the Shack and get things settled in. I’m gonna have to drive down to where I’ve got the boat to get our stuff, obviously, but I think I left a few things here to make do for a couple days.”

“We could call Mom and Dad and get them to bring the stuff up,” Dipper suggested. “I mean, they are gonna want to pick us up.”

“And they’re gonna wanna see you, too!” Mabel chirped. “So we could do that, right?”

Stan tapped his chin in thought. “Well, I don’t see why not. Would save money on two bus tickets. We’ll call ‘em when we get back to the Shack.”

“They’re gonna be so happy to know that Grunkle Ford’s okay!”

Ford smiled at Mabel’s exclamation as she started to dance down the street towards the Mystery Shack.

“We’ve got a car nearby if you guys need--”

“We’ll be fine walking, Soos.” Stan waved off Soos’ suggestion. “Ford’s been stuck in bed long enough.”

Ford smiled a little at Stan’s statement.

“We’ll come by the Shack and make sure you boys are settling in later.” Susan smiled at the two of them and winked her lazy eye. “Wink!”

Stan spluttered a little as the townsfolk scattered back to their homes. Gideon and his father remained there for a moment, but a look from Dipper and a raised eyebrow from Stan caused them to bolt.

“That kid’s got a few more things ta learn before he’s gettin’ anywhere near yer research,” Stan muttered.

Ford grunted in agreement. He turned and started moving down the street, cane clacking against the ground with every slight-unsteady step. Stan followed along next to him, Dipper staying ahead. Mabel was already a pink, sweater-y blob in the distance.

“It’s definitely gonna be different from here on out, huh?”

Ford gave a short hum and nodded in response to Stan’s question. The grip on the axolotl-handle of his cane tightened a little. “M-my research is g-g-going to be dif-f-ferent.”

“Yeah, since ya can’t be out there yourself.” Stan nodded. “Some of the time, anyway. Those kids’ll be a big help, though, I can guarantee that.” He gained a sly look. “So, what was it about that ‘Hawktopus’ that made it too stupid to study?”

Ford groaned.

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salfordelim · 4 years

Link

Neil’s Reflection

This Sunday we will be looking at the second half of the first chapter in Acts 1:12-26. Luke begins to tell the story of how the earliest church navigated really strange times, when they were led from one adventure into another by the Spirit.

But he begins this story by explaining how they found another apostle who would be able to take Judas’ reflecting on the consequence of Judas explaining how the leadership question dealt with that. Luke’s story begins by reminding the reader of the failure of one of those who was called by Jesus. Maybe a strange way to begin a story.

This is an imagined email from the editor to Luke and Luke’s response:

The Book of Acts – First Draft

From: [email protected] To: [email protected]

2:37 PM (2 hours ago)

Dear Luke

Thanks for the chance to see your first draft of this second installment in the story of Jesus. We still think it’s a great way of giving people a chance to see the impact Jesus had and it’s an exciting story. I think it’ll be great and we expect that people will be reading this for thousands of years. We think it’ll be a best-seller.

So, taking that into account do you mind if I raise a few problems we have with the way you have begun the story?

In particular, it’s the way you choose to remind people about the problems you had with Judas.I mean it’s fine – it’s just not very encouraging. We feel our readers would want something more encouraging, something that is a bit more upbeat, less … I don’t know how to put it, really … honest I guess.

I mean I know that what happened with Judas was traumatic, tragic even. But I don’t think people want to be reminded of things like that. We know it happened, but do we need to air our dirty linen in public? I don’t think so.

As I see it at this stage, there are two basic problems with what you have written:

1. People want strong leaders. They don’t want to be reminded that leaders fail, that they are the same as us, that they go wrong as much as any of us do. They want to believe that they are so very different that they never face the same temptations. They want them to be perfect, they need them to be perfect.

So could you put more of a heroic spin on your stories?

2. I’m really unhappy about how you describe the selection of Matthias as the 12th man. To be honest, it makes it seem like the rest of them have no succession plan at all. I know that it needed to be someone who’d been with Jesus, but a ballot? Come on, it makes them look weak, uncertain, dependent. Could they not have interviewed people and done some psychometric test to see who would be most suited. (I can’t feel that had Jesus used a StrengthsFinder test or something else he would have weeded Judas out much earlier.)

In brief, I don’t think you are telling this story the best way. It’s giving the impression that the early church was built around people with flaws, people who struggled, people like us. That’s no way to begin a great story!

I look forward to hearing back from you with proposed changes.

RE: The Book of Acts – First Draft

From: [email protected] To: [email protected]

3:37 PM (1 hour ago)

Thanks for your email and the comments. You are right. It’s no way to start such an exhilarating story. And we might need heroes. The problem was, there weren’t any – not really.

It was just us.

And God… that was the difference!

The story stands.

Luke

Interview

You might be aware that this week the BBC launched a series of education programmes for children at home, BBC Bitesize. One of the people really involved in getting all this off the ground is Jo Wozencroft. I had chance to interview her a couple of weeks ago about what life is like for her at the moment. I hope you enjoy watching it.

News

1. Sunday Gathering

The link to this Sunday’s Gathering is here:

Join our Sunday Zoom meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/836810848 Meeting ID: 836 810 848

This will be the same link we will use up to 10 May.

We are going to be working our way through the Book of Acts. These are great ways of getting an overview of the whole book:

2. Inviting Others

During these strange days, we want to stay growing as church. You might have friends and family who might be interested in staying in touch with us as a church. Ask them to fill out the form on our church website and we will add them to our mailing list.

This may be an easy time to invite friends and family to our Gatherings, after all they can be with us from the safety of their own homes. You have nothing to lose, they have a lot to gain!

3. Home Groups

On Thursday evenings from 7.45-9.00 we have three small ‘home’ groups that meet. If you haven’t been part of a group in the past but would like to explore it, you will be very welcome to come along.

The groups are continuing The Prayer Course, so before you come along, make sure you have watched the 7th session. It’s all about listening to God.

Join our Home Group Zoom meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/998857193?pwd=Ni9ZY2pSSWdQcWRvellMWXJYbG5rZz09 Meeting ID: 998 857 193 Password: 820084

4. Friday Prayer Group

The Prayer group continue to meet on Friday mornings. Corinne sends a text around to people with prayer requests so that people can pray at the same time. If you would like to be part of that, contact Corinne directly or Neil.

5. Giving

Thanks for all of you who give to the church as part of your worship. One of the changes that has happened since we can’t meet together is that those of you who used to give to the church on Sunday mornings in the baskets haven’t been able to give. So, this is what you can do:

You can send us a cheque. Make them payable to Salford Elim Church and send them to Bev Walsh, 47 Moorfield Road, Salford, M6 7EY.

You can save it all up and give it to us when you can.

OR ‘Ta da!’ there is another way: You can use your smartphone.

Elim have joined up with Givt, the company that created this solution. First, download the Givt app. Now you can give in the same way you would if you gave cash on Sundays. This is what you need to do:

Open the app.

Choose the amount you want to give.

Choose the third option, give from the List.

Enter the name of the church in the search bar.

Tap ‘give’ at the bottom of your screen.

Finally, press Next to complete the donation. (There is also an option to use the QR code – if you know what that means!)

If you want more information about any of this, do get in touch with Bev Walsh or Neil.

6. You’re not alone

If you need prayer, or to talk, don’t hesitate to contact folks in your WhatsApp group, or Neil – his number is 07771 558058.

Prayers we prayed on Sunday

It was really touching to see all the prayers that were shared on Sunday. We wrote them as we listened to this song.

eople asked if we could let you see them again. You will probably want to say ‘Amen’ to many of the comments, and some you may want to hear as a word of the Lord to you.

Here they are:

Morag Peacock: ‘Can a nation be changed? Show yourself to everyone. Revival – that’s my prayer.’

Emmanuel & Jumi: Yahweh The All Sufficient One

Jill Reynolds: Feel God is making us into pearls – the product of irritation and frustration which is somehow something beautiful. God is going to bring out the ‘worst’ in us, things that we’ve accepted as part of our character, in order to break its power over us. Prov 10:11

Jay and Martha: A prayer for safety – for many of us, we are much safer in our homes currently, but pray for those whose homes aren’t safe. Those in abusive situations, those are stuck with family members who they cannot be themselves safely around, those vulnerable to this illness that are living with key workers who are exposed. May God provide protection.

Emmanuel & Jumi: Be still and know that I am God

Constantin Zabo: I think God is telling us to pay attention to the times and the events around us. And you have to know everything has changed

Helen & Betty: To be open to the Spirit and to be willing to receive the courage and strength to respond.

Hannah Maylor: Good things are coming!

Nev & Lorna Plura: As we go out fill us with your Spirit. I can do nothing without You Lord.

Ian Peacock: I echo Morag’s prayer but also would ask God what he wants us to change as a result of this time. I don’t want us to lose what he is asking of us. Not just us as Christian but for us a society; the principle and gift of Sabbath rest, the refocus on community and relationship above work and money, the relief for the creation God asked us steward…..

Janet Downs: to step out in faith-filled with courage

Nicole Seddon: I pray for peace and that my children/ family (and populace) will feel safe and secure

Jill Reynolds: Also feel that God is moving the boundary stones – the border between races, the border between nations, the borders between ‘I can’ and ‘I can’t’, the people we choose to associate with and those we shun. He is expanding our territory.

Yvonne Simms: to trust Him and be obedient to His calling for me

Adam, Emily & Evelyn: a prayer for peace in the unknown

Steve & Claire: That this enforced “Pause” in life for so many, is an opportunity re-calibrate life and see what is important

Esther Tregilgas: Thank you God that you are in control and have the victory, we can put our trust in you.

Phil Lockett: come Holy Spirit make us bold that we may dare to share the good news and the love of the Lord Jesus Christ

Charlie and Kate Blundell: Go and fish. The seas are all now stirred up, the fish are ready to be caught. Go and fish; they are ready now, but will return to complacency when the waters settle.

Ann Salter: I am reminded constantly that God is a very present help in trouble he is not distant but here with us although this is new to us it’s not new to him who knows the end from the beginning

Gill Oldham: as I have been listening, I was reminded of the report of the spies who went to look at what was there when God was leading them to the promised land-a land flowing with milk & honey-but they didn’t all see the good things, some only saw the giants, but there were also good things there to focus on

Jo Wozencroft: That people will find community and friendship even amongst the isolation. That in the wake of a period of overwhelming division that we find a unity in this.

Jill Reynolds: This will be a time when we set up a memorial – like the children of Israel crossing the Jordan river in Joshua 4 – we will look back on this time and marvel at how far God’s brought us.

Julius Oluseli: It feels , it is a time of Life , we all NEED TO LOOK INWARDS. What is the spirit saying ….

Emmanuel & Jumi: I pray that we will remain Christ-focused and not be distracted by what is happening around us. Amen

Sunita Bih: In my quiet time this morning, I was reading from Luke 24 (road to Emmaus)…one thing that God imprinted on my heart is He is concerned of the physical ails but more our spiritual health-His death and resurrection did more that “restore the nation of Israel” as the disciples had hoped, He made away for us to be reconciled to the Father, for death to self and sin and defeat of the enemy. again in today’s reading, they ask about restoration of Israel and Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God, about being His witnesses…hmmm. our “spiritual health” is more important than our ‘physical health’

Jill Reynolds: Thank you God that we are planted in our society for such a time as this! AMEN!

Constantin Zabo: He wants us to live in the changes of this new time close to him and following his direction. All hearts are ready to receive the good news of Jesus. We have to preach it.

Emmanuel & Jumi: I pray we will remember to appreciate the precious gift of time

Clare and Julian Gittings: that we will be the hands and feet of Jesus in a broken world

Fay Lowe: Someone asked on a programme last night “is the NHS the new religion in Britain, offering hope where the church has failed” I got the question, but it felt so so wrong, the church has a huge potential to bring God’s kingdom on earth. We need to listen for God’s guidance on how best to do this for our community.

MuNatsi’s iPhone: May the Lord make us instruments of His Peace in this time of uncertainty and be the hope that we all need.

#Salford #Elim #Church

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