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womenofpandoraweek · 11 months
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Women of Pandora Week 2023
June 25-July 1
Day 1: Tsaheylu | Forest | Trauma
Day 2: Eywa | Music & Dance | Hair
Day 3: Recovery | Songcord | Sisterhood
Day 4: Motherhood | Grief | 5 + 1
Day 5: Ancestors | Resurrection | Sky People's Return
Day 6: Scars | Rescue | Battle & Hunt
Day 7: Childhood | Firsts | Atokirina
Here are the prompts for Women of Pandora Week! You can tackle one a day or mix and match prompts—do whatever comes to your mind!
Reminder that anything can be made for Women of Pandora Week! You can write fics or headcanon posts, make a playlist or a moodboard or a web weaving, you can make video edits or fan art! Anything and everything is welcomed! Just remember to post and tag this blog once the day comes!
The general rules for Women of Pandora Week can be found HERE.
If you have any questions please send an ask!
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eruden-writes · 11 months
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Scent Match - Part 6 (Augustine x Amber)
lycan x human celebrity x non-celebrity contemporary fantasy chapters: 6 of ??
(Note: Started with an anon asking for the phrase prompt, “Oh. Oh.”)
Summary: When Amber Dyer decided to attend a Creator Con, she never expected to run into Of Wolf and Blood lycan hearthrob, Augustine Prime.
But, there he was, stooping over her table, asking to buy the unflattering drawing of his character. Valuing integrity over taking money from a celebrity and running (though she was sorely tempted,) Amber finishes the sketch and delivers it to Augustine.
However, he continues to doggedly pursue her and entwine their lives.
All because of her scent.
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“So, think he’s gonna show up today?” Addie grinned as she carefully dropped the crate of supplies to the floor, nudging it beneath the table. 
Last night, Amber and Addie had a long discussion about the situation. As excited as Addie had been, she also was a voice of reason. There had been a back-and-forth, a list of pros and cons, and even a little research concerning celebrity marriages and legalities. It wasn’t until Amber’s head throbbed with information and her eyes burned that the two decided to crawl into their respective beds. Even then, she and Addie spoke about the unforeseen turn of events until they both mumbled off to sleep.
“I don’t know. He’s probably busy or tired,” Amber shrugged after placing her own crate of supplies and her bag down on the floor. Taking the banner they hung on the front of the table, she carefully affixed it as she had done the other two mornings. “He did mention a charity thing he had to do, so he’s probably getting prepping for that? We probably won’t see him again.”
Amber focused on her table and the bustle of other vendors around her in an attempt to ignore the conflicting feelings roiling in her chest. Did she want to see Augustine again?
Maybe she did, Amber admitted to herself. Their short time together hadn’t been terrible, even if she found his attention odd. The attention was just weirdly endearing, she supposed. Maybe even flattering, if his feelings were as genuine as he said.
So focused on her task, and pushing away curious thoughts, Amber didn’t notice the other figure standing opposite her at the table until he spoke, “That event isn’t until this afternoon. My morning’s completely free.” 
Amber jolted and her eyes wheeled to the other side of the table. Augustine stood there, his scruffy beard that had grown over the course of the other day gone. By the evening, his jaw would be bristly again, she suspected. Or maybe not, since his wolfish ears and tail were nowhere to be seen. Amber found herself wondering if he was more prone to hair growth when half-shifted.
Like his clean-shaven chin, he also wore clean-cut clothes. A light blue button-up - with the top two buttons undone - fit snug to his torso and paired with black slacks with dress shoes. Laden on his arms were a few bags, either from a nearby store or checking out the other stalls already set up.
Augustine grinned as Amber obviously looked him up-and-down, before she averted her gaze. He had agonized for a good part of the morning over what to wear, going so far as waking his castmates with a video call for advice. She was dressed much like yesterday. The same hoodie, a new pair of jeans, and a fresh tee-shirt with a graphic from some show Augustine had yet to watch. Unlike yesterday when her hair was down and loose, today Amber sported a ponytail.
“Good morning! What’s all that?” From Amber’s side of the table, Addie stepped forward and smiled brightly at Augustine. Today, she was dressed in yet another cosplay, though Augustine couldn’t put his finger on what exactly. Some sort of ninja, he thought, but excitement quickly took over observation. 
“Oh, I brought some breakfast!” Eager to please Amber, he sidled around her table without invitation and set the bags on a spare chair behind her. He missed how Amber’s eyes flicked from him to Addie, quietly exchanging an apprehensive look. “I got some breakfast sandwiches and donuts and-” 
“We, uh, already had breakfast. At the hotel,” she interrupted him, an awkward lilt to her words. She tried to ignore Addie’s amused grin, which world counter to Amber’s own assessment of Augustine’s appearance and treats.
He paused, his attention jumping to her. If he had his wolf ears out, they would have drooped. “Oh.” 
“Pfft, you mean that piece of cardboard they called toast and the water with a hint of orange that the hotel tried to pass off as orange juice?” Addie chuckled as Amber shot her a look, but she ignored her friend as she peeked at the offerings. The longer she looked, the wider her eyes got and brighter her words glowed with excitement. “I’ll have one of those sandwiches and- ooooh is that a chocolate-filled croissant?” 
Buoyed by Addie’s reaction as she started going through the offerings, Augustine shot Amber a grin and motioned to the opened containers. “Want to look, at least?” 
As well as Addie had pepped him up, Amber managed to deflate his hope. She quietly ignored him, continuing to piece together her table with merchandise and price placards. As she carefully stacked books and prints, placed pins on display, and configured her money box for the day, Addie sat to her right and ate. 
Well, ate was debatable, Amber thought. The other woman was moaning and groaning appreciatively at the food to the point others glanced over curiously and Amber felt her own self flushing from secondhand embarrassment. 
“These are delicious.” Addie wiped a stray glob of chocolate glaze from her chin, licking it off her thumb. “Where are these from?” 
“The Glaze Phase. They had tons of stellar reviews,” Augustine answered as he returned from grabbing yet another extra chair from a pile not far away and settled to Amber’s left. The bakery in question came highly recommended by Camry and Delilah, as well. While the average reviews were fine, in his experience, he felt better having someone he trusted vouch for the food. 
Along with his clothing choices, the others had given him some ideas of what to do to woo Amber. Or at the very least get on her good side. Hopefully. The fact she was refusing his food offerings made him wonder if everything would be for naught.
“I heard that place is, like, the ambrosia of the gourmet bakery world!" Addie turned to Augustine's target of affection, holding out a half-eaten and an equally half-devoured pastry. "Amber, you need to try some of this! When else can you eat such luxury?” 
For a silent moment, Amber stared at her friend and the food she held aloft. It was true. When else would they be able to sample so many high-end breakfast options? Just looking at the food still sitting in the boxes, Amber could smell the quality wafting from them. 
She hazarded a glance at Augustine, fending off the sensation of being flanked by friend and potential admirer. His gold eyes were wide and attentive, a hopeful smile curled on his lips. The intensity of his expression made her head duck down. “No, thanks. The cardboard and OJ from this morning was fine.” 
Addie groaned, leaning closer to Amber. “It was not! Why are you being so stubborn?” 
Amber cast her a withering look from the corner of her eye. She knew exactly why Amber was putting up distance. Last night, she had made her concern about his genuineness clear. Even if she wasn’t entirely sure it was a valid excuse anymore herself. Augustine still had a chance to be flighty or insincere in his schemes and Amber was going to protect herself until the very end, until he couldn’t back out. 
With a frustrated sigh, Addie turned back to the treats before plucking one up from the masses. She raised a light pink pastry in Amber’s direction, offering the other woman an encouraging smile. “Here, just try one of the scones. I think it’s cherry and almond and I know you love cherry and almond.”
“I said I’m fin–mmfh!” Amber's words muffled as Addie shoved one of the scones into her mouth. She threw her friend a dirty look, swatting her hand away before resignedly taking hold of the pastry and finishing the bite. 
There must have been an enchantment involved, Amber thought. Bright tart sweetness and nutty depth danced over her tongue, drawing an unexpected mmm from her lips. surprised by her own reaction, she desperately glanced at Augustine, hoping he hadn't heard.
No such luck for Amber. Excitement suffused the man's features, making his eyes bright and smile wide. Like a kid who got just the birthday gift he had hoped for. His heart even jolted wildly at the sound she made, very not-child-appropriate thoughts hedging at the edges of his mind. He wanted to hear more of that, hear more of her enjoying herself thoroughly.
“See, they’re good," Addie crowed, pointing at Amber's face. 
Amber averted her face away from the grinning man, her own heart pattering. Ignoring how her cheeks warmed, she grudgingly admitted, “They’re alright.” 
Addie's expression pinched, her nose wrinkling at her friend's little fib. “You moaned in ecstasy after that first bite.” 
“I was humming while considering its taste," Amber shot back with a glare, her face snapping to her friend as heat rose further in her cheeks. She leered at the scone, feeling ridiculously betrayed by a baked good.
Amber’s cheeks only burned warmer as Addie snorted, “Bullshit.” 
Thankfully, Augustine seemed oblivious to the exchange between the two women. Instead, he excitedly leaned to the pile of goodies and withdrew another box from the hoard. “If you like sweet breakfast stuff, I have muffins and donuts and other stuff too.” 
Of course, he was showing off his wealth, Amber thought bitterly. Ooh, look at him, providing nice treats from a gourmet store. Isn’t he such a catch? She barely stifled a roll of her eyes.Still stinging from Addie’s little call-out and her own embarrassment, Amber sighed heavily, “What didn’t you buy?”
Her tone cut through to Augustine’s excitement, making his smile dwindle and the delighted gleam in his eye soften. Looking from Amber to the food, his shoulders slumped. “I guess I did buy a little of everything.” 
He now realized it was a lot of food, especially for three people. If he was being honest, Addie hadn’t even crossed his mind, so it was mostly for him and Amber. He was more than willing to share with his castmates or even people who came to her table, though. 
Still, he couldn’t help but feel like he’d pushed her patience too far. Something he was prone to doing with everyone. Augustine laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. “It is kind of a lot. I just got excited about bringing you food. That silly old ‘providing’ instinct.” 
Watching how Augustine deflated sent a guilty pang through her. Oh no, he was giving off the air of a kicked puppy. Try as she might to retain her frown and hardened demeanor, Amber couldn't last. Grudgingly, she held her hand out and mumbled, “Fine, give me one of those donuts.” 
Unlike last time, pure delight didn't entirely flip Augustine's demeanor. Though he did brighten enough to smile, Amber couldn't help but feel she had messed up. He held the open box up to her. “Any preference?” 
There were too many options laid out before her and Augustine’s excitement wasn’t helping her think straight. WIth a wave of her hand, Amber sighed, “Surprise me.” 
With a sigh and grudging smile, Amber accepted the donut from Augustine. 
She didn’t even think to consider fillings as she chomped into the end of the long john. Cool custard squirted from the pastry and Amber jerked, a startled squeak leaving her. 
“Dammit,” she hissed, checking her shirt to make sure nothing splattered over her clothes as her free hand cupped under her chin. When she found no stray splatters, she hurriedly swiped the cream into her mouth with fingers and tongue, before gratefully accepting a napkin from Addie.
Another wave of embarrassment washed over Amber, remembering who else was present. Gods, what a great impression for a second day, huh? First, being standoffish. Now, being a slob. Not that it should matter, Amber reminded herself. But it did matter… a little.
Hesitantly, she hazarded a sideway glance to Augustine. He just stared at her, an expression on his features she wasn’t ready to actively parse. Between the flush at his human ears and how intently he stared at her mouth, Amber subconsciously understood what had him enthralled. She ignored how her stomach twisted under his gaze, taking in the rest of him.
In his hand, he had a donut poised to enter his open mouth, but his fingers had twitched or clenched. Red filling oozed from the end of the pastry, pooling in his palm and down his arm.
She watched the jelly creep further down his arm, waiting for him to notice. When it became clear he was too far gone in his head, she cleared her throat awkwardly. “Uh, your donut is oozing, Mr. Prime.” 
“Oh?” Augustine only vaguely heard her words, his brain preoccupied with sudden inclinations. It took an additional beat before her words registered and he felt the filling dribbling down his arm. “Oh! Shit.” 
Bringing his arm to his mouth, Augustine licked the wayward drizzle of jelly off, completely unaware of the wandering eyes of others.
Another warm sensation lanced through Amber, catching how his tongue swiped up the jelly. Brief and unwelcome thoughts flared through her. She tore her gaze away, focusing on her own donut as Augustine cleaned himself up.
On her other side, Addie's smug smirk did little to help Amber cool down. In an effort to ignore the heat, Amber finished her donut and fiddled around with her displays. At the far end of the hall, she could hear the loud doors finally opening to let in the non-vendors of the convention. From the last two days of experience, Amber knew it would be another few minutes before any customer would wander on by her table.
Like clockwork, Addie rose from her chair just as potential customers started milling in. “Well, I’ll leave you two to it. I have a cosplay contest to win!” 
Amber squinted at Addie, frowning in mock contempt. She had already known about the contest and that Addie’s presence would be brief in the morning. Given Augustine’s sudden appearance, Amber had hoped her friend would stay a little longer. “Mhmn.”
“Hey, I know when I’m a third wheel, Amby-cakes,” laughed Addie, bending down to give Amber a jostling, one-armed hug. “Have fun.”
Silence fell in Addie's absence. Well, as much silence as a convention hall could garner. In the lull, Amber pulled out her sketchbook to distract her attention from the man beside her. Noise in the hall slowly blew into the air, excitement buzzing from the entering crowd.
Aware of the oncoming con-goers, and knowing conversation with Amber might be limited with such an audience, Augustine broke the quiet between them. “I am sorry if all of this put you off. I really was just trying to be nice.” 
Her eyes flicked to him, warring thoughts fighting in her head. It was a nice gesture. If it had been from someone else with less fame and wealth, she would have more gracious. Knowing Augustine wanted to marry her while also knowing he could back peddle up until a marriage certificate was signed and certified, made her heart feel jerked in two separate directions.
So Amber fell back into joking sarcasm, hoping the wards didn't come with too much of a bite,“You were providing me sustenance, like a good alpha.” 
Augustine choked on his water. Thankfully, he was turned away from her products and only made a mess over the carpet he leaned over. As he made a quick recovery, his cough turned into a laugh. “Why do you make that sound so bad?” 
“What?” Confusion creased her brow and she made the mistake of looking at her companion. The lopsided grin on his lips made her heartbeat catch. 
“Being an alpha. Do you have a problem with that?” One of Augustine's eyebrows arched as he carefully watched Amber. Humans had varying opinions when it came to alpha dynamics. Though more recently the concept had climbed into the "daddy" or "sir" territory. And there were plenty of fans that gushed over alpha!Montos or presuming Augustine's own "alpha-ness" in bed.
Uncertainty colored her words as she tilted her head curiously to the side.“Isn’t the whole alpha/beta/omega thing, like, a myth or misunderstanding?” 
“A little bit. Some lycans do have hierarchical structures similar to that, though.” He gave a half-shrug while scratching at his jaw. The faintest hint of a five o’clock shadow was beginning to form.
Amber quietly gnawed on that information, wondering if his own family was the same. It would be good information to know. Would Augustine's family even accept Amber as part of the clan? Further, was this some act of rebellion on Augustine's part? “Does that include your family?” 
“Not especially,” Augustine chuckled, quietly elated at her interest. Though his excitement dimmed a little as a wryness tightened his smile. “Although we do hold Grandma Ginger’s opinions in high regard.” 
Amber blinked, instantly recalling - thanks to Addie's obsession with celebrity gossip and history  - who he referred to. Ginger Bailey. Mother to Augustine’s own mother, Imani Bailey-Prime. A pioneer in her prime decades earlier, forcing the entertainment industry to see the worth of lycan and other non-human ancestries in the business.
The slight dampening of his usual sunniness was not missed by Amber, either. There was something, some sort emotion that nettled at him, being left unsaid. Before she had the chance to probe at the curious reaction, a flock of Augustine’s fans rolled in.
“Oh my gods, Augustine? What are you doing here?” 
“Did the charity auction already happen? I could have sworn it was later!” 
“Can I take a picture with you, Mr. Prime?” 
“Can you sign my Montos figurine?”
Just like that, his sunny disposition returned full-force. Amber quietly watched as every lick of anything other than charm dissipated in his demeanor. He fielded questions, offered uneaten pastries, took pictures, and autographed an assortment of trinkets.
The attention didn’t solely fall on him, either. Many of the people drawn by his presence perused Amber’s offerings. Whenever someone asked what her relation was to Mr. Prime, Augustine would swoop in with a diversion or a vague answer. He’d even redirect their attention to Amber’s goods, throwing out some charming - canonical - tidbit of her own story.
Even if Amber didn’t realize it, Augustine was driven to be useful to her.
There were few lulls between the fans, but when they had a moment to breathe, the two would exchange light conversation. 
Amber had to admit that having him sitting behind her table the whole morning certainly helped push her product. She couldn’t help but be a little thankful, even if part of her felt bitter knowing her art and comics only sold thanks to a celebrity endorsement. 
Whatever, it was money. 
Plus the more people that saw her stuff - or Augustine’s social media - meant more people saw her webcomic and art. Even if her time with him was short, his posts had wide reach, especially the longer he kept them live on his feeds. And if he did delete the selfies after this weekend, there were tons of fans that wouldn’t. They were taking selfies with the man himself or attempting to take sly candid shots of Amber and Augustine.
As the morning crept into noon, Augustine’s phone started to buzz incessantly. He’d give it a dirty look, tap in a reply and set it aside, but it’d soon buzz angrily again. More than once, Amber shot his phone with a curious look, but Augustine never elucidated.
By the time he had to excuse himself to go take a call, most of Amber’s goods were sold. When he returned, a dourness pinched his voice as he flopped into his chair he had planted his butt in all morning. He thumbed toward the exit with a sigh, “Hey, Amber, I gotta go get ready for the charity auction.” 
“Oh, the thing where whoever wins you gets a date?” She glanced up from her sketchbook, which was carefully angled away from the actor. The last thing she wanted was him realizing she was taking the opportunity to reference his physical presence for sketches.
Even if Augustine suspected she was drawing him, the dismal fact he had to leave her was distracting him. His shoulders slumped further as he slouched in his chair. “Yeah, I gotta go.” 
She didn’t even pause to consider how disappointment prickled her thoughts. Amber just nodded and returned her attention to drawing. “Alright, well have fun.” 
The quickness with which Amber responded had Augustine narrowing his eyes. If he could wriggle out of the engagement, he would. Anything to stay near Amber. He thought they’d had a good time chatting in-between customers and fans.
There was another concern hovering in his thoughts. Leaning forward, elbows bracing on his knees, he asked, “You sure you’re not going to get jealous?” 
“No, I’m not going to get jealous.” She rolled her eyes, Augustine’s tone and expression somber, before a thought struck her. Casting a suspicious look at him, her eyebrow ticked upward a little. “Do you want me to get jealous?” 
“I’m just used to partners getting frustrated about this aspect of my career.” Again, he shrugged and scratched the back of his head. Though he had been close with many of his previous lovers, he didn’t actually care too much if they wound up jealous. Given how distant Amber was, Augustine did admit to himself that he would have liked if she had been a little more possessive. Then he’d know that this wasn’t aimless, even if he just liked being around her.
Despite herself, Amber found the corner of her lips twitching upward into a smile. Augustine was on the verge of pouting, eyes averted, and obviously a little bummed by her answer. But she had to be realistic. With a shake of her head, she gave a half-laugh, “We barely know each other and I don’t have any right to stake some sort of claim on you.” 
Augustine’s eyes snapped to her face, making Amber’s nerves jump. There was that intensity again. Earnest and seemingly sincere and so strong, it made her heart thrum. “You do have that right, though, since we’re going to get-” 
“Shush! That’s not decided yet.” Amber lurched toward Augustine, her hands immediately pressing over his mouth. Fearful someone had heard, she scanned their surroundings. Thankfully, the closest bystanders were across the aisle at another booth.  
It was only when Augustine’s grin kissed her palms she realized what she was doing, realized where exactly her hands were. She jerked her hands away from his mouth, palms tingling as she jerked back in her seat. 
The smirk that had brushed her hands remained firmly intact on Augustine’s face, even as Amber turned away from him and hunched over her sketchpad. Heat licked over her cheeks as she tried to busy herself with drawing, only to freeze as Augustine’s knuckles gingerly brushed down her cheek.
Hesitantly, Amber peered up at him from the corner of her eye, her blush burning hotter as she registered his expression. Fondness had softened the amused smirk. Even the look in his gaze could have been described as loving. Which was absolutely ridiculous. He didn’t know her! 
“Besides, you might find someone whose scent you like more than mine,” Amber heard herself say, tearing her gaze from him as she waved his hand away from her face. She meant her words to sound practical but, for some reason, it came off teasing.
“Not likely.” She wasn’t able to argue back as Augustine leaned over, nose close to her neck as he inhaled deeply. Amber’s eyes wrenched shut, fighting down the flurry of butterflies as Augustine’s contented breath ghosted over her skin. “Nothing can compare to you, Amber.” 
She couldn’t pull away. Didn’t want to pull away. Her fingers clutched tightly at her sketchbook, nails digging into the cardboard back as she acknowledged her own lack of desire to distance from him. Not ready to address the feelings buzzing through her, she turned her face from him and groused, “Shut up and go get ready for the auction, Mr. Prime.” 
“You’ll call me Augustine one of these days,” Augustine retorted, his breath still teasing along her throat as he inched away. His tone dipped low, so only she could hear. “Even if I have to get you to groan it.”
A strangled sound escaped Amber as heated shock struck her. Turning swiftly toward the man, she smacked her sketchbook against his shoulder as he jumped up from his chair. Some part of her kept her voice low, knowing the wrong ears could turn her words into a PR nightmare, as she held her sketchbook to hide her face from the view of those passing by. “That is sexual harassment, Prime.”
“I never said it’d be a sensual groan.” Thankfully, Augustine followed her lead, keeping his voice quiet even as giddiness swelled in his chest. Amber’s cheeks were the reddest he had seen yet. That had to mean she was flustered by him. And that meant she had to like him a little, right? He leaned over her, that insufferable shit-eating grin on his lips. “That’s your inference.” 
A renewed heat claws across her cheeks. She lightly smacked her sketchbook against his face, hiding his expression from her view as she pushed him away. “Just go already!”
“Fine, fine,” he sighed, gently shoving her sketchbook away to view her again. As he straightened from his stoop, he still watched her, finding it hard to pull himself away. She had gone back to her sketchpad, dutifully ignoring him. Or trying to, at least. He wanted her to look up at him again, flustered or pouting. But she didn’t.
Stifling his disappointment, Augustine bid farewell and made his way to the exit. Halfway to the door, his phone angrily buzzed with yet another call. He answered it, unaware of Amber’s gaze following his retreat.
It was a miracle that Augustine managed to retain some sense of presence during dinner after reading Amber’s first - and as of yet only - text to him. While sitting at her table in Artist's Alley, he had badgered her all day for her contact information, but she had completely refused. She had said they wouldn’t need to text and if he needed to contact her, her business email was on her business card.
And yet she had texted him. Simple and straightforward, but the short message lodged itself in his chest and made Augustine’s heart race with delight.
Hi. It’s Amber Dyer. Text me when you’re done with your date.
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Prompt #26: Last
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Artoiel knew that he should probably protest. Plead. And if all else failed--he could call for his men, he could call for the anti-magic irons. A Dominant of Halone had never left Ishgard, never left Corethas before. When word got out, there would be actual rioting in the city streets...
But after the events of the last week, Artoiel couldn't blame Augustine and Mathye for packing their things. Couldn't blame them for wanting to seek freedom. Even with Nidhogg's shade defeated, and the dragon-broods of Dravania willing to try peace...there were still those in Ishgard who just would not let things be. Peace in his home was not going to be bought by spoken word as was Aymeric's wish, but with blood and painful lessons.
"Where will you go?" He asked. Augustine and Mathye shared a look, with Mathye reaching into a pocket and holding up a folded piece of paper.
"This got delivered via post-moogle last night." He said. "A formal invitation for us to join the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. Which we're accepting."
"Ishgard sending her Dominants to aid in the security of the realm will buy the Lord High Commander a great deal of political capital." Augustine continued. "The Archbishop aside...van Baelsar came too close to his goal. The Ultima Weapon would have destroyed the armies of Limsa, U'ldah and Gridania."
"Not to mention that little shite Teledji's scheming would have put all three nations under his thumb faster." Mathye added. "We were next on the list." Artoiel exhaled, nodding.
"War with the Empire, then?" He asked. "Where?"
"Don't know yet. Sebastian and Reinhardt's Eikons are whispering for Gyr Albania to be watched, though." Augustine frowned, remembering the letter Reinhardt had sent.
The Ala Mhigan refugees have been mobilizing. They're gathering around a leader who calls themselves the Silver Griffin. They've even sent out Eikon-hunters after us--but you can guess how well that's been going over.
"Gyr Albania." Artoiel mused. "I heard that the crown prince of Garlemald took Gaius's place as viceroy. Send word of what you find, will you?" At the surprised looks on the Bishop brothers' faces, the new Count of House Fortemps chuckled.
"I'm not above shamelessly using any advantage I can possibly get to help vault the House into a better position to offer you--and the Scions support." He said.
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xtruss · 13 days
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History of St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day Is Celebrated Annually on March 17, the Anniversary of His Death in the Fifth Century. St. Patrick’s Day 2024 will Take Place on Sunday, March 17. The Irish Have Observed this Day as a Religious Holiday for Over 1,000 Years. On St. Patrick’s Day, Which Falls During the Christian Season of Lent, Irish Families Would Traditionally Attend Church ⛪️ in the Morning and Celebrate 🎊 🎉 in the Afternoon. Lente Prohibitions Against the Consumption of Meat 🍖 🥩 were Waived and People Would Dance 💃, Drink 🥤🍹🍺 and Feast on the Traditional Meal 🍽️ 🥘 of Irish Bacon 🥓 and Cabbage 🥬.
— By History.Com Editors | March 4, 2024
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Photograph: Tim Boyle/Getty Images
Who Was St. Patrick?
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Saint Patrick, who lived during the fifth century, is the patron saint of Ireland and its national apostle. Born in Roman Britain, he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at 16. He later escaped, but returned to Ireland and was credited with bringing Christianity to its people.
In the centuries following Patrick’s death (believed to have been on March 17, 461), the mythology surrounding his life became ever more ingrained in the Irish culture: Perhaps the most well-known legend of St. Patrick is that he explained the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) using the three leaves of a native Irish clover, the shamrock.
More than 100 St. Patrick's Day parades are held across the United States; New York City and Boston are home to the largest celebrations.
When Was the First St. Patrick’s Day Celebrated?
Since around the ninth or 10th century, people in Ireland have been observing the Roman Catholic feast day of St. Patrick on March 17. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place not in Ireland but in America. Records show that a St. Patrick’s Day parade was held on March 17, 1601 in a Spanish colony in what is now St. Augustine, Florida. The parade, and a St. Patrick’s Day celebration a year earlier were organized by the Spanish Colony's Irish vicar Ricardo Artur.
More than a century later, homesick Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched in New York City on March 17, 1772 to honor the Irish patron saint. Enthusiasm for the St. Patrick's Day parades in New York City, Boston and other early American cities only grew from there.
Growth of St. Patrick's Day Celebrations
Over the next 35 years, Irish patriotism among American immigrants flourished, prompting the rise of so-called “Irish Aid” societies like the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick and the Hibernian Society. Each group would hold annual parades featuring bagpipes (which actually first became popular in the Scottish and British armies) and drums.
In 1848, several New York Irish Aid societies decided to unite their parades to form one official New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Today, that parade is the world‘s oldest civilian parade and the largest in the United States, with over 150,000 participants. Each year, nearly 3 million people line the 1.5-mile parade route to watch the procession, which takes more than five hours. Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia and Savannah also celebrate the day with parades involving between 10,000 and 20,000 participants each. In 2020, the New York City parade was one of the first major city events to be canceled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; it was again canceled in 2021. The parade in New York and others around the country returned in 2022.
The Irish in America
Up until the mid-19th century, most Irish immigrants in America were members of the Protestant middle class. When the Great Potato Famine hit Ireland in 1845, close to 1 million poor and uneducated Irish Catholics began pouring into America to escape starvation.
Despised for their alien religious beliefs and unfamiliar accents by the American Protestant majority, the immigrants had trouble finding even menial jobs. When Irish Americans in the country’s cities took to the streets on St. Patrick’s Day to celebrate their heritage, newspapers portrayed them in cartoons as drunk, violent monkeys.
The American Irish soon began to realize, however, that their large and growing numbers endowed them with a political power that had yet to be exploited. They started to organize, and their voting bloc, known as the “green machine,” became an important swing vote for political hopefuls. Suddenly, annual St. Patrick’s Day parades became a show of strength for Irish Americans, as well as a must-attend event for a slew of political candidates.
In 1948, President Harry S. Truman attended New York City‘s St. Patrick’s Day parade, a proud moment for the many Irish Americans whose ancestors had to fight stereotypes and racial prejudice to find acceptance in the New World.
The Chicago River Dyed Green
As Irish immigrants spread out over the United States, other cities developed their own traditions. One of these is Chicago’s annual dyeing of the Chicago River green. The practice started in 1962, when city pollution-control workers used dyes to trace illegal sewage discharges and realized that the green dye might provide a unique way to celebrate the holiday. That year, they released 100 pounds of green vegetable dye into the river–enough to keep it green for a week. Today, in order to minimize environmental damage, only 40 pounds of dye are used, and the river turns green for only several hours.
Although Chicago historians claim their city’s idea for a river of green was original, some natives of Savannah, Georgia (whose St. Patrick’s Day parade, the oldest in the nation, dates back to 1813) believe the idea originated in their town. They point out that, in 1961, a hotel restaurant manager named Tom Woolley convinced city officials to dye Savannah’s river green. The experiment didn’t exactly work as planned, and the water only took on a slight greenish hue. Savannah never attempted to dye its river again, but Woolley maintains (though others refute the claim) that he personally suggested the idea to Chicago’s Mayor Richard J. Daley.
St. Patrick's Day Celebrations Around the World
Today, people of all backgrounds celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, especially throughout the United States, Canada and Australia. Although North America is home to the largest productions, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated around the world in locations far from Ireland, including Japan, Singapore and Russia. Popular St. Patrick’s Day recipes include Irish soda bread, corned beef and cabbage and champ. In the United States, people often wear green on St. Patrick’s Day.
In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day has traditionally been a spiritual and religious occasion. In fact, up until the 1970s, Irish laws mandated that pubs be closed on March 17. Beginning in 1995, however, the Irish government began a national campaign to use interest in St. Patrick’s Day to drive tourism and showcase Ireland and Irish culture to the rest of the world.
What Do Leprechauns Have to Do With St. Patrick's Day?
One icon of the Irish holiday is the Leprechaun. The original Irish name for these figures of folklore is “Lobaircin,” meaning “Small-bodied Fellow.” Belief in leprechauns probably stems from Celtic belief in fairies, tiny men and women who could use their magica
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liesmyth · 1 year
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the locked tomb holiday exchange: it’s a wrap!
Creators for @tlt-holiday-exchange were revealed! Find the entire collection HERE. My rec lists: part 1 & part 2
what I got
you haven't changed a bit by @themorikelife — fic for THE breakout canon pairing of NtN, John/Sarpedon. It’s exactly as delightfully hilarious as you’d expect from this ship and I loved it to bits. 1.2k, rated M.
what I wrote
dreams of the ones who came before us, Augustine & John, arguably shippy but they’re sad about it! Pre-canon slice of life ft. the memory fuckery of it all. 2.8k, rated T
turn our golden faces into the sun, Gideon/Harrow, for the prompt: AU where Gideon was raised on the Erebos, growing up around the Cohort and all of remaining OG Lyctors. Enter: baby Lyctor Harrow. 5.6k, rated T
longest fics in the exchange
Some of the exchange’s biggest MVP! Most people probably haven’t had time to check those out yet, but I have and they’re lovely
Three Points Where Two Lines Meet by NyaatalieWrites — Modern AU, Gideon/Harrow and Camilla/Pash. Canon-typical childhood baggage, but also bartender Camilla and ice skating; happy ending guaranteed (and it was such a treat). 28k, rated T
BEAUTY, BLOSSOM, DIE by @rnanqo  — Cytherea/Loveday, role reversal fic. “Sixteen new hopeful necromancers and cavaliers arrive at Canaan House, seeking to earn a place as one of God’s own fists and gestures, his immortal bodyguards, his Lyctors! Well...most of them are here to seek eternal life.Cytherea's here to die.” 25k, rated M
Everything has breath inside by @aberfaeth  — Gideon/Harrow, FARMING SIM AU. I repeat!!! Farming sim AU. “Harrowhark Nonagesimus moves to Canaan Valley to start afresh. Trouble is, it seems her teenage nemesis had a similar idea.” Live out all your lesbian cottagecore dreams through this fic, 20k, rated T
most prolific treaters
More exchange MVP! creators with 3+ works
@youweremyridehome​ posted 19 artworks in the collection! You can find them all here
PyrrhaDveotee posted 13 fics in the collection! You can find them all here
@themorikelife​ and @aberfaeth​ posted 3 works each: HERE & HERE
Multiple creators posted more than one work. They’re too many to list; I’m just going to link again to the whole collection: HERE. There were 145 works in total (!!!) so plenty to check out still.
Thanks so much to the amazing mods @themorikelife and @rnanqo for running this event <3
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bylersecretsanta · 1 year
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BYLER SECRET SANTA APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED (+ DROP OUT DEADLINE ANNOUNCEMENT)
We finally reached the deadline! 🥳🥳🎉🎉Applications are now officially closed for the Byler Secret Santa.
Now that we reached this far, a couple of things:
Firstly, we want to thank you so much for applying for this event, and we got a total of 98 submissions which is INCREDIBLE. We cannot wait to see what everyone comes up with their gifts!
Secondly, the host would like to formally introduce the co-managers for this event: james @laozuspo and yvie @nnilkyway! I humbly thank them for helping out with suggestions and running this event. Please give them a follow if you haven't already!
Thirdly is the next step moving forward. We will dedicate 2-3 days for the matchup process. You will then be contacted ASAP through our mods with your giftee and prompt around this time.
Also, please expect occasional check-ins until the deadline so we can make sure everyone's on schedule.
Lastly, the official drop out deadline is December 10. Please make sure to send us a message via our inbox by this specified deadline so we may be notified and take note.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us via inbox.
Thank you everyone, and I hope you're having a lovely November so far! ❤️❤️ Let's work together to make this event memorable!
TAGLIST
@pablothefrog @sympatheticfiend @enjolton @starsarefire824 @forever-augustine @xhavibee @dungeonsdragonstdelinquents @consulting-fart @starlightprinceblog @p0megranamanat @willelfanpage @belovdly @notebooknonbinary @ineffable-hubbiewubbies @sugarcubetikki @dictionarydyke @messrsbyler @foodiewithdahoodie @wheelerssecret @madwheelerz @strangersynth @talkingtothelights @quinnick
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perfworldweek · 1 year
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Hello, and welcome to the PerfectWorldShipping Week Tumblr!
The current edition will run between February 5th and February 11th, to celebrate the 3rd year anniversary of the Give and Take event in Pokémon Masters.
For the sake of mobile users who only browse Tumblr through the app, I'll copy-paste the guidelines and prompt list under a cut.
If you have questions about the event, please feel free to ask.
We are also on Twitter.
Your mods are @insecateur & @jonphaedrus.
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GUIDELINES
Please read over these carefully. This is a laid-back event with simple guidelines.
Please tag your work(s) #perfworldweek2024 or use the hashtag #perfworldweek2024 when posting on Twitter. That way, we can find and share them! Untagged fills will not be reblogged/retweeted. You can also @ us on both Tumblr or Twitter. We also have an AO3 collection for fanfiction if you’d like!
Works must involve Lysandre & Augustine together. Mentions of other ships are okay, but please keep the spotlight on them so as to fit the theme of the week. Both フラプラ and プラフラ are welcome.
All types of works are allowed in any language. This includes art, fic, fanmixes, meta, edits of canon art, musical compositions, etc. As the goal of the week is to create more things, it’s preferred that your work(s) be new and/or created specifically for the event. Please only use material that you have created yourself or that you have explicit permission to use.
NSFW works are allowed. To try and keep the tags SFW, please post censored previews for visual based NSFW works with a link to the full work, and please tag and warn for your fills accordingly.
Each day involves two themes. You can pick one, do both, or even do something completely unrelated. Doing themes late or early is also allowed, as well as submitting content after the week is over. Starting in advance is also alright, you have no obligation to create your work within the day.
If you have any other concerns, or if something feels unclear to you, feel free to message the blog or @ us on Twitter.
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PROMPT LIST
DAY 1:
travelling / hot weather
voyage / temps chaud
旅行 / 暑い天気
여행 / 더운 날씨
DAY 2:
grief / acceptance
deuil / acceptation
悲しみ / 受容
큰 슬픔 / 수용
DAY 3:
pokémon battle / shared hobbies
combat pokémon / passe-temps en commun
ポケモンバトル / 共通の趣味
포켓몬 배틀 / 공유 된 취미
DAY 4:
shopping / gift-giving
emplettes / cadeaux
買物 / プレゼントする
쇼핑 / 선물하기
DAY 5:
roleswap / genderswap
roleswap / genderswap
逆転AU / 女体化
롤스왑AU / 여체화
DAY 6:
AU / free day*
UA / choix libre
パラレル / 〇〇
평행세계 / 자유선택
DAY 7:
give&take / reunion
donner&prendre / retrouvailles
与えるものと奪うもの / 再会
주는 자와 뺏는 자 / 재회
* feel free to create anything you want, or use one of the prompts you missed!
Thank you, and have fun!
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gouachevalier · 11 months
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St. Augustine describing the absolute state of Rome following its victories in the Punic Wars
“For certainly your desire for peace, and prosperity, and plenty is not prompted by any purpose of using these blessings honestly, that is to say, with moderation, sobriety, temperance, and piety; for your purpose rather is to run riot in an endless variety of sottish pleasures, and thus to generate from your prosperity a moral pestilence which will prove a thousandfold more disastrous than the fiercest enemies. It was such a calamity as this that Scipio [Nasica], your chief pontiff, your best man in the judgment of the whole senate, feared when he refused to agree to the destruction of Carthage, Rome's rival and opposed Cato, who advised its destruction. He feared security, that enemy of weak minds, and he perceived that a wholesome fear would be a fit guardian for the citizens. And he was not mistaken; the event proved how wisely he had spoken.
"For when Carthage was destroyed, and the Roman republic delivered from its great cause of anxiety, a crowd of disastrous evils immediately resulted from the prosperous condition of things. First concord was weakened, and destroyed by fierce and bloody seditions; then followed, by a concatenation of baleful causes, civil wars, which brought in their train such massacres, such bloodshed, such lawless and cruel proscription and plunder, that those Romans who, in the days of their virtue, had expected injury only at the hands of their enemies, now that their virtue was lost, suffered greater cruelties at the hands of their fellow citizens. The lust of rule, which with other vices existed among the Romans in more unmitigated intensity than among any other people, after it had taken possession of the more powerful few, subdued under its yoke the rest, worn and wearied.”
— St. Augustine of Hippo Regius, On the City of God Against the Pagans, Book I, ch. 30, AD 426
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bayest · 7 months
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That Blessed Arrangement (3021 words) by Phnx Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Temeraire - Naomi Novik Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: John Granby/Augustine Little, William Laurence/Tenzing Tharkay, John Granby & Tenzing Tharkay Characters: John Granby, Iskierka (Temeraire), Tenzing Tharkay, William Laurence, Temeraire (Temeraire), Augustine Little Additional Tags: Post-Canon, Alternate Universe - Different First Meeting, POV Outsider, Tharkay's parents live, Bad Matchmaking, Granby/Little established relationship, Laurence/Tharkay first meeting, Crack Treated Seriously, Year of the OTP Prompt Event 2023, Blanket Permission Series: Part 8 of Year of OTP 2023 Summary: In a post-war AU where the crew didn't meet Tharkay during the war, Granby finds himself both a victim and a perpetrator of matchmaking. Little is very onboard with this.
[Available on Dreamwidth here]
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thekuraning · 1 year
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Day 6 of PerfWorld week is here!! Prompts were Day&Night and Give&Take.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/44825455/chapters/113071486
A Kalos League event is fast approaching, and Augustine is very, very unhappy about the guest list. Lysandre does his best to talk him into some sort of compromise.
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womenofpandoraweek · 11 months
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Choose Prompts for Women of Pandora Week On June 25-July 1!
This form will be open until May 6! If you feel particularly moved to have a certain prompt in the event, the form is open to more than one submission per person.
If you have any questions feel free to send an ask.
Please reblog so that more people can see and learn about this event!
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eruden-writes · 1 year
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Based on that reblog I'm assuming you're taking requests....if you are may ask for "oh. OH."
If you're not taking them just ignore. Hope your day is really nice
Haha, there's an Arcana flash fic I wrote a looong time ago that this prompt reminds me of.
I asked for a monster and another anon suggested werewolf, so we're going with that.
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Next Part | Masterlist
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The second day of the convention had proved to be less lucrative than Amber had hoped. At this rate, she would likely break a little over even with the stall and overhead. Not terrible, but she had higher hopes for her first convention as a vendor. Especially since she debuted her webcomic earlier in the year. 
It didn’t help that most other vendors near her seemed ten years her junior. Somewhere in their early- to mid-twenties, already popular in their art or writing. It made that sense of imposter syndrome - or the thought she should have done something with her life by now - dig in deep.
Little attention on her stall, plus some rather big name speakers drawing her potential customers away every hour, had left her feeling even more morose. It didn’t help that her best friend, Addie, kept taking off, eager to take in all the sights and programs. Of the two of them, extroverted Addie was more equipped to handle customers. 
And had been the one to convince Amber to risk money on this venture. 
Losing her tenth customer for the morning, Amber had resorted to idly sketching in her sketchbook, letting the sounds of the event wash over her. Her introverted batteries were at risk of exploding if she plastered her customer service smile on for yet-another easily-distracted congoer.
A constant flow of talk, of bodies constantly moving, of noisy little doodads or televisions played. Overhead, a screen indicated upcoming events and, occasionally, played ads concerning prices at the convention hall’s food court. Farther away, near the doors of the main hall, cosplayers posed and cameras flashed.
Someone’s hand leaned at the edge of her table, the plastic creaking under their weight as they leaned to peer at her art. Amber tensed, braced for questions or maybe even a request for a free drawing. Her mechanical pencil continued to sketch, pretending to be too focused to pay the interloper any mind. 
“So, I take it you don’t like Montos?” 
Apparently, someone couldn’t take a hint. Then again, Amber was supposed to be hawking her wares. Namely her art and webcomic. Still, she was bitter over her circumstance and her MIA co-worker. 
Shrugging, Amber didn’t bother looking up as she continued to work on the not-so-flattering caricature of Montos, fan favorite villain of hit streaming show Of Wolf and Blood. “The character is okay - as far as a bad guy, y’know - but the actor is just overhyped.” 
The interloper chuckled, deep enough that the resonance made a tingle shoot down Amber’s spine. There was a smile in their voice as they replied, “I hear that. I’ve been on his sets.” 
“Is that so-” Unimpressed and ready for some harebrained lie, Amber shot the visitor a skeptical look. Her disbelief faded as her eyes landed on Augustine Prime. A pompous name for an even more arrogant actor, if tabloids were to be believed. “Oh.” 
For a beat, all she could do was stare at him. From the back of her mind, she could hear Addie’s gushing voice relaying details about this very man. He/him, seven foot, a lycan with alleged hellhound blood in him, and built like a strongman competitor. 
Amber could see why he was a fan favorite from his size alone, but those dark gold eyes and chestnut brown waves - worn in a way that made Amber think of a surfer dude - certainly didn’t hurt. The fact he was half-shifted didn’t hurt, either. Walking around like a damn anime character with wolf ears and tail on full display. Faintly, she tried to recall if his clothes - a suit with some obnoxiously bright tie - was from a anything she recognized.
“Oh.” It was curiosity and realization that made her glance down at her sketch, part of her trying to gauge how accurately she was. It took her a half-second to realize that perhaps drawing a less-than-flattering picture of an actor would result in retaliation. Her eyes swung back up to Augustine’s face, that infuriating smirk still tilting at his lips. “Oh no.” 
“So, how much?” He nodded to her hands, to her sketchbook.
Amber’s brain grappled for understanding. “H-how much?” 
Augustine’s smile spread a little further, showing off unnervingly perfect - slightly sharp - white teeth. “For the drawing.” 
Instinctively, she snapped her sketchbook shut, slamming it down on the table and folding her hands atop it. “Wh-what?” 
Amusement quirked further through his features as he raised an eyebrow. “The drawing you were just working on.” 
She clutched her sketchbook to her chest, barely keeping a whine down at the back of her throat. From the way the man’s infuriating grin broadened yet again, she was willing to bet he could hear it regardless. Something broke in her mind. Agitation over his smarminess cleaved through her shock and surprise. 
When she answered, her knuckles hurt from clutching to her sketch pad so hard. “I charge $200 for commissions.” 
Augustine’s other eyebrow rose to join its counterpart. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but commissions would mean I’d ask you to draw.” 
“I-It’s not finished.” Amber wanted to bite her own tongue for stuttering, but she sat straighter and tried to sound firm, “So you’d be asking me to complete it.” 
It was only then that she realized people were staring. Hell, they were amassing around her table. There were obvious fans, hoping to catch Augustine’s attention, and nosy busybodies who were undoubtedly wondering what exactly this star was doing at her table. Heat clawed up Amber’s back, threatening to spill a blush across her cheeks. 
Gods, why couldn’t he have dropped by when Addie was here? 
“Can’t argue there. Here you go.” Finally, Augustine shrugged and pulled his wallet out. Amber numbly stared as he slapped down two $100 bills. Her eyes swung to his face, mouth open to protest, but he silenced her with a wink and a grin. “Deliver it to the VIP section when you’re done.” 
Augustine swept away from her table, taking most of the accumulated crowd with him. If he noticed his silent entourage, he didn’t take any notice. As her hand smacked over the cash, sliding it closer to her, she watched the actor swagger off. 
Though most of the crowd had left, quite a few people had remained. She realized they were asking about her art, her webcomic, her relation to Mr. Prime and she fielded the question while still trying to process her own shock. 
There was one thing, however, that lit up in her mind. 
She really should have charged him more.
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Next Part | Masterlist
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If you like my content, please consider supporting me on: 
*:・゚✧ Patreon or  Ko-Fi *:・゚✧
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newstfionline · 1 month
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Sunday, February 25, 2024
At the Florida Man Games, tank-topped teams compete at evading police and wrestling over beer (AP) They rose up by the dozens from across Florida, caricatured competitors in tank tops and cutoff shorts, for a showdown that treats evading police and wrestling over beer like Olympic sports. Promoted as “the most insane athletic showdown on Earth,” the Florida Man Games poke fun at the state’s reputation for bizarre stories that involve brawling, drinking, gunfire, reptile wrangling and other antics carrying a risk of time in jail or intensive care. Several thousand people paid real money to come cheer a dozen teams at the debut event set for Saturday in St. Augustine, with contests and sideshows inspired by real events from America’s most surreal state. Events involve contenders wrestling sumo-style while holding pitchers of beer, or running from actual sheriff’s deputies while jumping fences and avoiding obstacles. Some signed up to duel with pool noodles over a mud-filled pool, while others faced a scramble to grab cash flying in simulated hurricane winds.
The next generation of influencers are here. And they’re less than 10 years old. (NBC News) Koti and Haven Garza have half a mouthful of baby teeth and can hardly pronounce the word “influencer.” But the 7-year-old twins are already sharing their skin care routines and fit checks to 4.8 million followers on TikTok. “Get ready with me to go out to dinner,” Haven Garza says to the camera in a TikTok video that has amassed 2.6 million views. The “Garza Crew” first went viral on TikTok in 2020. In about a week, the family’s first-ever video had racked up more than 100,000 views, and the then-toddlers were on their way to internet fame. The sibling duo are part of a new wave of Gen Alpha influencers—creators born between 2010 and 2024—who are building followings online for videos posted on their parent-run accounts.
Colombia will send deep-water expedition to explore 300-year-old shipwreck thought to hold treasure (AP) Colombia’s government announced plans Friday for a deep-water expedition to explore the mythical galleon San José, sunk in the 18th century in the country’s northern Caribbean and believed to contain cargo valued at billions of dollars. The first phase of the scientific research into the deep waters around the shipwreck will collect information to determine which pieces are suitable and possible to extract. The wreckage is 600 meters (almost 2,000 feet) deep in the sea. Colombia located the galleon in 2015 but it has since been mired in legal and diplomatic disputes, and its exact location is a state secret. The ship is believed to hold 11 million gold and silver coins, emeralds and other precious cargo from Spanish-controlled colonies, which could be worth billions of dollars if ever recovered.
WWII-era bomb safely detonated at sea after one of the largest peacetime evacuations in UK history (AP) A World War II-era bomb whose discovery prompted one of the largest peacetime evacuations in British history has been detonated at sea, the Ministry of Defense said on Saturday. The 500-kilogram (1,100-pound) explosive was discovered Tuesday in the backyard of a home in Plymouth, a port city on the southwestern coast of Britain. More than 10,000 residents were evacuated to ensure their safety as a military convoy transported the unexploded bomb through a densely populated residential area to a ferry slipway, from which it was taken out to sea. Plymouth, home to major naval bases for centuries, was one of the most heavily bombed cities in Britain during World War II.
Huge apartment block fire in Spain kills nine people (Guardian) Spanish police have said the final death toll from a devastating fire that tore through a 14-storey block of flats in the eastern city of Valencia is nine, with one person thought to have died now considered missing and all others accounted for. Experts said the block was covered with highly flammable cladding, possibly—along with high winds—accounting for the rapid spread of the fire, which broke out on the fourth floor at 5.30pm on Thursday and engulfed the building within 30 minutes. In dramatic scenes broadcast live on TV on Thursday night, firefighters used a crane to lift a father and his daughter from a balcony where they were trapped, and a man was seen jumping several floors on to an inflatable mat to escape the flames. About 100 soldiers from Spain’s military emergency unit and 40 firefighting vehicles were deployed to the scene, where crews used drones to search the building for bodies and survivors once the flames’ initial ferocity had subsided.
Unpredictable Strongman? Two Years Into War, Putin Embraces the Image. (NYT) After President Biden called President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia a “crazy S.O.B.” this week, the Kremlin was quick to issue a stern condemnation. But the image of an unpredictable strongman ready to escalate his conflict with the West is one that Mr. Putin has fully embraced after two years of full-scale war. At home, the Kremlin is maintaining the mystery over the circumstances of the death last week of Aleksei A. Navalny, preventing the opposition leader’s family from reclaiming his body. In Ukraine, Mr. Putin is pressing his army to maintain its brutal offensive, boasting on television that he stayed up all night as the city of Avdiivka fell to Russian forces. And in outer space, American officials warn, Russia may be planning to place a nuclear weapon into orbit, aboard a satellite, which would violate one of the last arms control treaties. In power since 1999, Mr. Putin, 71, is set to extend his rule to 2030 in Russia’s rubber-stamp elections next month. As the vote nears, he is feeding his conception of himself as a history-making leader carrying on the legacy of past rulers who were willing to sacrifice untold numbers of lives to build a stronger Russian state.
Land mines return to Europe as front-line states fear Russian invasion (Washington Post) With former president Donald Trump encouraging Russia to attack NATO territory and U.S. support for Ukraine flagging, some of the nations that border Russia are looking for ways to harden their defenses, considering land mines and other technologies from ancient wars in a bid to blunt a Kremlin attack. Two years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, countries such as the Baltic states and Finland warn that a threat to their own territory may be just over the horizon, with some intelligence agencies saying the Kremlin could make such an attempt within a decade. Now they are taking lessons from their enemy’s robust defense lines in Ukraine, noting that Russia’s system of minefields, concertina wire and trenches made it all but impossible for Kyiv’s forces to advance last summer. European states are still clamoring for F-35 fighter jets and space-age weapons, but the renewed interest and investment in century-old tactics is the latest example of how Russia’s war in Ukraine is upending long-held assumptions about how to defend NATO territory, with a revived focus on stopping tanks and mobile artillery.
Many in Myanmar consider fleeing to Thailand to escape conscription into an army they despise (AP) Thwel, a 25-year-old schoolteacher, saw very few options left to her after Myanmar’s military announced it is implementing conscription to fill its ranks. “As a person living in this country, I only have two options: to go abroad illegally or die here,” Thwel told The Associated Press by phone while traveling to a border area to try crossing into Thailand with a small group of like-minded people. Some observers believe a mass exodus of young talent is taking place and could become a social problem, with their exit heightening the instability that followed the military takeover that now amounts to a civil war. According to the Thai Foreign Ministry, some 7,000 Myanmar nationals have applied for visas, Thailand’s Bangkok Post newspaper reported Thursday.
China says it aims to ‘contain’ foreign interference over Taiwan this year (Reuters) China aims to “contain” foreign interference over Taiwan and “resolutely combat” any efforts towards the island’s formal independence this year, which is the sensitive 75th anniversary of the founding of communist China, state media said on Friday. China views democratically ruled Taiwan as its own territory, ignoring the objections of the government in Taipei, and has ramped up political and military pressure to assert those claims. Taiwan last month elected current Vice President Lai Ching-te as its next president, a man Beijing has called a dangerous separatist. Lai, who takes office in May, has repeatedly offered talks with China but has been rebuffed. China’s official Xinhua news agency said the ruling Communist Party’s fourth-ranked leader, Wang Huning, held a two-day meeting on this year’s Taiwan-related work which ended on Friday. China “must resolutely combat the division of Taiwan independence, contain interference from external forces, firmly support the patriotic and reunification forces on the island, unite Taiwan compatriots, and maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait”, Xinhua cited Wang as saying.
As Gaza War Grinds On, Israel Prepares for a Prolonged Conflict (NYT) As the war in Gaza rages on, the situation in the battered enclave is one of devastation and despair. More than 29,000 people have been killed, according to Gaza health officials, the majority in a relentless Israeli bombing campaign. Neighborhoods have been flattened, families wiped out, children orphaned, and an estimated 1.7 million people displaced. While global scrutiny grows over Israel’s conduct in the war, the Israeli military, by its assessment, has delivered a major blow to the capabilities of Hamas, killing commanders, destroying tunnels and confiscating weapons. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s goal of destroying Hamas remains elusive, according to current and former Israeli security officials. An Israeli military intelligence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity under military protocol, said that Israel was engaged in a comprehensive mission to unravel Hamas’s military capabilities. “Is it possible this mission will be left for my children?” he said. “The answer is yes.”
U.N. experts urge embargo on Israel for arms that would be used in Gaza (Washington Post) More than two dozen U.N. rights experts on Friday urged countries to halt the export to Israel of arms that would be used in Gaza, saying such transfers of weapons and ammunition could violate international humanitarian law. In a statement, the experts—who are part of the “special procedures” of the Human Rights Council, a body of independent experts in the U.N. system—said the need for an “arms embargo on Israel is heightened by the International Court of Justice’s [preliminary] ruling on 26 January 2024 that there is a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza and the continuing serious harm to civilians since then.” Francesca Albanese, U.N. special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories and one of the signatories to the statement, said on social media that sending weapons to Israel that may be used in Gaza “may amount to complicity in atrocity crimes.”
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PerfectWorldShipping Week 2024
Posted by: javert 💜PerfectWorldShipping Week 2024💜 Tumblr | Twitter | AO3 This is the second edition of our ship week event celebrating the relationship between Lysandre & Professor Augustine Sycamore from Pokémon X&Y. The 2024 edition will run between February 5th and February 11th, to once again celebrate the 3rd year anniversary of the Give and Take event in Pokémon Masters. All mediums and ratings welcome. For more information, please see our guidelines and prompts pages on Tumblr. Also available in post form for view in the app. If you'd like to spread the word, please feel free to reblog our announcement on Tumblr! Thank you! comments via The Fandom Calendar https://ift.tt/z2mpWJ0
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bylersecretsanta · 1 year
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Hello, everyone! We hope you're doing well.
We believe we contacted everyone with their Secret Santa prompts, so please check your respective DMs.
(Please note that we only considered people in the application form, and late replies/reblogs will not be included.)
If you believe that you haven’t, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
We also updated some minor things, such as the deadline extension. Please give it a good read below:
DEADLINE
Due to matchmaking delays, the gift giving has been extended to December 23-January 5. This can be done through DMs, post your gift and mention/@ your giftee, or both.
Posting period in your social media sites ranges from December 24-January 15.
Throughout the event, you might encounter check-ins from us. This is to ensure everything's on schedule, and will be done through your main form of contact.
The official drop out deadline is December 10. Please make sure to send us a message via our inbox by this specific deadline so we may be notified and plan ahead.
GIFT REQUIREMENTS
Written works' requirements are limited to 300-500 words. If you wish to extend, the maximum limit is 5k words.
Other literature forms such as poetry can vary.
Artworks do not have to be fully rendered, but are expected to be cleaned up. Color is optional, and dependent on the piece.
Video edits are limited to 15-30 seconds. Extended music fan videos can be up to 1 minute max. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your gift plan, you can contact us via our inbox here in @bylersecretsanta.
This is is a strictly NO NSFW event. Requests or gifts that contain inappropriate content will not be tolerated and immediately removed from the event.
Let us know if you have any questions/issues/clarifications.
I hope you all have fun creating your gifts, and we wish you all a lovely holiday season ahead of you! 🎄❄️🤶💙💛
TAGLIST:
@ilikeshinyrocksandcrime @whatever1983 @txmmychanz @4-lemurs-in-a-trench-coat @mikewheelerlikesboys @annabylers @borbealis @bookfansworld @strangerange1s @quinnick @forevereternally-janedoe @bylrndgm @surferboypizzaa @oh-the-moon @itsmyworstself @allens-underground-lair @probablydeadrightnow @super-nova5045 @hei-jessi-draws @bylerisrequited @pablothefrog @enjolton @starsarefire824 @forever-augustine @xhavibee @belovdly @notebooknonbinary @estelinhabb @dictionarydyke @sugarcubetikki @ineffable-hubbiewubbies @runninguplenorahills @messrsbyler @dungeonsdragonstdelinquents @foodiewithdahoodie @madwheelerz @wheelerssecret @strangersynth @spring-picnics @wigglyworms @mage-011 @laozuspo @nnilkyway @disco-phrog @myhyperfixations @buck-yyyy @untitled-byler-blog @dont-open-dead-inside-25 @valiantallie @thefandombringer @p0megranamanat @willelfanpage
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kentronixssfl · 4 months
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Comprehensive Home Security Systems in Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach, FL
When it comes to home security, safeguarding against more than just burglaries is paramount. Modern home security systems in Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach, FL, offer many features and add-ons to provide Jacksonville residents with comprehensive protection. From fire detection to environmental monitoring and medical alert systems, these advanced technologies ensure a holistic approach to home safety.
Fire Detection and Prevention:
One of the crucial features of a comprehensive home security system is fire detection. Advanced smoke detectors, integrated with the security system, can quickly alert residents and emergency services in the event of a fire. Early detection not only saves lives but also minimizes property damage.
Carbon Monoxide Monitoring:
Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that severely threatens households. Modern home security systems in Jacksonville often include carbon monoxide monitoring, providing an additional layer of safety by alerting homeowners to potential leaks.
Environmental Monitoring:
Beyond intruders and natural disasters, smart home security systems in Jacksonville and St. Augustine, FL, now include environmental monitoring capabilities. Flood sensors can detect leaks, helping prevent water damage. Temperature sensors can alert residents to extreme temperatures, protecting against freezing pipes or excessive heat.
Surveillance Cameras with Live Streaming:
Surveillance cameras are no longer just a deterrent for burglars but a proactive tool for monitoring the entire property. Modern systems offer live streaming, allowing homeowners in Jacksonville to monitor their property remotely through smartphones or other connected devices.
Smart Doorbell Cameras:
Smart doorbell cameras have become an integral part of home security systems. Equipped with motion sensors and two-way communication, they allow residents to see and speak with visitors, enhancing security and providing peace of mind, especially when residents are away.
Medical Alert Systems:
Home security systems have expanded their scope to include medical alert systems, catering to the needs of seniors and individuals with medical conditions. These systems enable quick communication with emergency services, ensuring prompt assistance in case of medical emergencies.
Home Automation Integration:
Comprehensive security systems often integrate with home automation features, allowing residents to remotely control various aspects of their homes. From adjusting thermostats to turning lights on and off, these integrations enhance convenience and energy efficiency.
24/7 Professional Monitoring:
Many Jacksonville residents opt for professional monitoring services as part of their home security systems. In the event of an emergency, these services can dispatch assistance promptly, ensuring a swift response to security, fire, or medical alerts.
Mobile Alerts and Notifications:
Modern security systems keep homeowners informed in real-time through mobile alerts and notifications. Whether it's a triggered sensor, a potential security threat, or an environmental issue, residents stay connected to their homes even when they are miles away.
Emergency Response Coordination:
In the event of an emergency, some security systems offer coordination with local emergency services. This ensures that help is dispatched promptly, providing additional protection for Jacksonville residents.
A comprehensive home security system is no longer just about preventing break-ins; it's about creating a protection shield covering various aspects of home life. Jacksonville residents can now enjoy peace of mind knowing that their homes are equipped with advanced features and add-ons that go beyond burglary, offering a holistic approach to safety and security.
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