#but since he failed in his duty to protect his flock i guess he was suddenly very determined to be | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

hedgehog-moss · 1 year

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I lost one of my chickens :( she was caught and carried away by a fox... I’ve been growing complacent about my chickens’ safety I think because we’ve only had one other attack before, a goshawk that swooped in abruptly (unsuccessfully), but no fox sightings nearby so I’ve been assuming Pandolf was a great deterrent. Which he is, just not foolproof. I’ve talked to some people in town about this and they were pretty philosophical about foxes stealing chickens, like “it’s the tribute we pay to woodland animals, it’s just a few hens here and there.” I don’t begrudge the fox for being a fox, if anything I have a renewed respect for foxes because everyone I talked to proceeded to give me their best / worst fox stories, and most of them involved foxes outsmarting humans (learning people’s habits / timetables, opening latches, faking a limp...) Still I feel terrible for my hen, she was only three. RIP Cordy :( You’ll be remembered fondly... (except by the cats.) I feel bad for the other hen too, who just lost her pal!

When I said that last thing, one of my neighbours jumped on the opportunity to try and convince me again to accept a rooster from him. He had a rooster baby boom last summer and I’ve been telling him for months that I don’t need a rooster, I don’t want to raise chickens I just want eggs, and his new argument was that a rooster would protect my hen (or if it comes to that, would heroically sacrifice himself rather than let the hen be eaten—I’m sceptical...) I asked around for a young hen but there aren’t any to be had in this season, so my remaining one is going to be alone until the spring, and my neighbour said she’d get stressed and male company is better than no company. (I wish I could ask my hen what she wants! Maybe she’s penning A Coop Of One’s Own as we speak.) I said the rooster was more likely to stress her out and harass her and he said nah they’re free ranging all day, it’ll be fine, and he’s young so your adult hen will boss him around. I was like, but then will he be any good at protecting her? etc. etc. and after a while I caved in.

When I told her about this on the phone my mum sighed “you’re terrible at saying no”—excuse me, I said no so many times and the guy just kept ploughing on until he could foist a rooster upon me. I’m good at saying no, other people are terrible at hearing it! I reassured her that I had only agreed to take the rooster for a short probationary period, and if he bothers my hen too much I’ll drive him back to his native farm. My mum was like “Drive him back? look I’m sorry I raised you as a city kid but there’s no need to waste gas on driving a rooster around, I’ll have no qualms about wringing his neck for dinner if he’s more trouble than he’s worth.” The rooster’s fate is not sealed though, if he is anywhere from vaguely useful to not actively problematic I’ll keep him, so we’ll see...!

#if i return him where he came from he'll end up eaten anyway #prove yourself rooster! escape your fate #to go back to the fox attack; my other chicken went to hide in the barn (which is always open and they were not far from it)#and i thought she'd been eaten too because i couldn't find her anywhere. until i heard her clucking to herself anxiously #i called her and she clucked louder in response but refused to come out of her hiding place #after 10min of playing marco polo with a chicken in the barn i finally found her huddled at the bottom of #the large basket i use to store kindling #and pandolf & i went to look for cordy although i didn't have any hope #and we ended up finding feathers quite far away in the woods #i was very impressed by pandolf's ability to follow the fox's smell ! i've been teaching him 'cherche' but he's not that good at tracking #or not motivated enough when it's just for fun #but since he failed in his duty to protect his flock i guess he was suddenly very determined to be #a good dog in some other way and he was sniffing the ground so seriously #sorry the post was already long and i'm writing another one in the tags!

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hawkinsindiana · 4 years

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i should go

ALMOST PARADISE: PART TWO - CHAPTER FOURTEEN OF FIFTEEN

pairing: steve harrington x henderson!reader

word count: 2.5k

a/n: these are scary and confusing times. so here ya go. i hope everyone’s staying safe and healthy, i love you all <3

masterlist

You don’t know why you thought things were going to get better. You should’ve known better; you’ve never been able to catch a break, even before all of this happened.

The dreams have been getting worse, and more frequent; now, they’re about the kids too. You’ll be back in those tunnels, the ones crawling with vines, and their voices will bounce against the walls. They’re calling out, desperately crying for you to help them, but they’re never found.

It feels like you run in circles for hours on end, throat going hoarse from screaming their names until you wake, pebbles of sweat dripping from your brow and body frozen in terror.

Those seem to scare you more - the ones about them. Because it’s your duty to protect them, and you’ve come so close to failing so many times.

Those ones never let you sleep; you’re left to lie there until morning, fear bubbling inside that something’s happened while you were asleep, thinking they’re gone now and there’s nothing you could’ve done.

Your brother hears it every time. When your careful footsteps approach his door at those ungodly hours, and the door creaks open just a touch so you can quiet your restless mind; Dustin’s always there, safe and sound underneath the sheets, Tews tucked against his feet.

You’ve done that six times now - he figures he should ask what that’s about. Maybe he’ll bring it up to Steve, see if the older boy knows anything.

But with the town buzzing with holiday cheer, they’ve barely seen you around. Extra shifts at Radio Shack have filled your schedule as the people of Hawkins flock downtown for gifts, especially now that Bob’s no longer there for his usual hours.

Dustin thinks you should take a break while you’re off from school. He can tell that it’s exhausting when you come home and don’t have the energy to return Steve’s call, but you always have the same answer:

“I need to keep myself busy anyways.”

And Steve - he understands the circumstances. But that doesn’t make it hurt less when Dustin has to deflect and apologize on your behalf.

God, you hope it’s not too much on him-

Your mother snaps you from your trance, tapping the phone against your arm before placing it in your hand, “It’s for you.”

You hadn’t even heard it ring. You don’t know how long you’ve been standing here, shoulder pressed to the wall and eyes focused on the evening news.

You answer it with a sigh, “Yeah?” A perky voice flows easily through the receiver, unfazed by your delivery.

“Hey, it’s Stacy, from the dance committee? We’ve got an emergency over here.”

Mike and Lucas thought it might be a good idea for you to help organize and plan the Snow Ball. Since the group of middle schoolers would be attending this year, they wanted your help to ensure that it was the best one thrown yet. You weren’t so keen on the idea, until you remembered how lame it was a few years back when you went.

“I don’t have to come down there, do I? I thought we took care of everything last night.”

The girl nervously laughs on the other end; you can hear the music from the gym echoing in the room. It almost makes it hard to listen.

“Turns out we need three more bottles of soda. Simon only got five. Since you’re the only one with a car-”

“Yeah, of course,” You interrupt, “I’ll grab some and bring it over. Be there in a jif.”

After ending the call, you grab your cash off the counter on your way to the bathroom.

“Hey Dustin, I gotta bolt. Can you find-”

You’re greeted with the sight of your brother, putting the finishing touches on his look for the night - a can of Farrah Fawcett hairspray in one hand. You can’t help the laugh that bursts from you.

“What, Mom buy you that?”

His head snaps to you in an instant, cheeks turning bright red as you lean your weight against the doorframe. The product’s out of sight immediately afterwards, quickly shoved behind his back, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Dustin swallows harshly at your squinting eyes, arms folding over your chest as you study him. You decide not to ask.

“Uh huh.”

A few tense, silent moments pass as he waits for you to comment further; he hates that smirk on your face, “Did you, uh, need something?”

You clear your throat, shifting on your feet before replying, “Yeah I gotta get to the school now, can you find another ride? Maybe Mrs. Wheeler can come take you?”

Dustin’s expression grows confused, “What are you talking about? I already have a ride.”

Your brow raises in surprise, “You do.”

He shrugs, “Yeah, Steve’s takin’ me.”

And then it clicks; your grin grows.

“Oh… okay. I’ll see you afterwards then,” You go to grab the door on your way out, but not before adding something else with a wink.

“Don’t worry,” You say, “I won’t tell anyone. And keep this open a touch, yeah? I’d hate for you to suffocate on the fumes.”

—

The gym’s loud and filled with prepubescent teenagers. You can’t wait to get out of here, back to the comforting security of your home.

That feeling intensifies when you lock eyes with who’s standing behind the punch bowl; you already feel yourself retracting inwards before a conversation even begins.

“I didn’t realize you were coming tonight,” Nancy speaks first, letting a small smile spread over her face as you approach the beverage station.

She seems so much lighter, so much happier since you last saw her. You’re glad that she’s been able to finally move on, even if it is at Steve’s expense. Nobody deserves to be trapped in a relationship they don’t want to be in; you can’t blame her for that. You just wish it hadn’t happened the way it did.

“Oh, I’m not,” You answer, gesturing to the liters of soda you carry in your arms; they’ve started to grow tired from the weight, “I’m just dropping these off.”

Nancy’s expression drops a touch as you place the bottles on the bleachers behind her, “I figured you’d be bringing your brother.”

You brush the condensation off onto your jeans, “No, uh, Steve did that already.”

Confusion is evident as she grows speechless, turning back to face you; the expression she has on her face is enough to explain her emotions - that doesn’t seem like something he’d do.

You laugh at her, “Yeah, I know. Trust me, no one’s more shocked than I am.”

Nancy shakes her head in awe as your back straightens, and she chews on her lip as she debates bringing it up. She decides to.

“Remember when we came to this thing?”

Your eyes move to see her, leaning back against the table, knuckles turning white as she grips the edge. A scoff escapes your mouth as you nod, “How could I forget? Jimmy Hawthorne spilled punch all over my dress twenty minutes in.”

Nancy laughs at the memory, remembering the priceless look on his face as you threatened him, right in the middle of the dance floor, “God, it took my mom all night to get that stain out.”

The silence between you that follows her comment isn’t… uncomfortable. If anything, it’s another step in the right direction. But you still chose to retreat; it’s almost too much, seeing her look at you like that again.

“I guess I’ll see you around, Nance,” You mutter before moving past her, jingling the car keys in between your fingers. All she musters back in response is a wave as she’s swarmed by an incoming gaggle of girls.

The cold air invigorates you as you exit the school building; you don’t know how much longer you could’ve been cooped up in there, surrounded by all the memories. And as you’re making your way to your mother’s car, that’s when you spot him.

“What the hell are you doin’ here?” You raise your voice while you approach, arms crossing over your chest. Steve’s attention is brought up to see you, walking across the parking lot, a lazy smile growing over your rosy cheeks.

“I could ask you the same thing, Henderson,” The corner of Steve’s mouth quirks up as your brow raises at his response, “I asked you first.”

He sighs before running the hem of his sweater between his fingers, “Oh, I figured I should stick around just in case. You never know...”

You snort lightly after Steve allows his sentence to trail off, “Jesus, you’re starting to sound like me. I’m supposed to be the protective one.”

“There are worse things to be,” Steve’s focus is gentle as he watches you come to his side; he’s appreciating every single little detail about this moment.

The snow is just right - there’s enough of it to create a picturesque scene around you. The muffled love ballads that echo from the school make him feel warm in his chest - he thinks about you when he hears them. The streetlights illuminate your face enough for him to notice when the bridge of your nose scrunches at his words, “Aw, I knew it.”

“Knew what?”

“The kids,” You nudge Steve before your gaze drifts to him; your heart skips when you catch him already peering your way, “They’re making you soft, Steven.”

Steve’s grin spreads wider as your laugh fills the space between, rolling his eyes as he falsely acts annoyed by your observation, “Great, just what I need.”

“Oh, also,” Your tone makes him meet your mischievous look, and it ignites a bit of anxiety in him, “Farrah Fawcett, really? You thought I wouldn’t figure that one out?”

Steve grows shocked by your deduction in record time, further spurring on your joy; it almost counter-balances his embarrassment.

“Relax, your secret’s safe with me,” You say, and Steve just shakes his head, “You and your brother are so dead if anyone finds out.”

You bring your fingers to your lips, faking to lock them before throwing the invisible key over your shoulder. And then it hits him - he hasn’t seen you since that night, after the funeral. That night where you almost kissed him.

”Why aren’t you in your car?”

Your words catch him off guard, and he simply shrugs in response, “The snow’s nice, dontcha think?”

“I guess, but Christ, aren’t you cold?” You ask Steve as you shiver and pull your hooded sweatshirt tighter against your frame.

He inhales before going to answer, but he decides that his words aren’t enough. His arm gets extended outwards before he gestures for you to move closer, “Come on, get over here.”

You feel your heart beat in your throat as a misty breath expels itself from you and into the night sky. It’s almost like the air gets thicker the closer you get to Steve, but you can’t stop yourself from tucking your body into his side.

His arm drapes heavily over your shoulder as soon as you’ve settled, and you decide to pull him closer with the limb that would’ve gotten trapped between you. Steve emits a light laugh at the feeling of your arm wrapping around his middle, tugging him in further; you both relish in the heat that emanates from the other.

A few silent moments pass - neither of you has the courage to comment, even though both of your minds are running wild with what to say.

Steve shifts beside you, adjusting his feet against the parking lot pavement. The action prompts you to spin your focus in his direction and you freeze as he does the same - his eyes landing on your gentle expression.

Seeing Steve look at you like that makes you feel like you’re floating - the admiration in his eyes is enough to silence any doubts you had about… well, whatever this is. Your heart thuds against your ribs when he somehow inches even closer and you tighten your hold on him after he does so, hand curling around the material of his sweater.

You want to pull your gaze away from him, because fuck it’s getting to be too much; the way he feels by you side, the way you slid into him to protect yourself from the chilly December evening, the way that neither of you can find any words to describe how you’re feeling.

But then it clicks inside your brains. And maybe, you think, nothing needs to be said at all.

You lean in first, and it doesn’t take Steve much longer to react and do the same. He grows surprised when you pause, mere millimeters away from meeting your lips, brow creasing as your nose brushes his.

Even though you’ve been craving this very moment for about a year, you can’t shake the thought that hovers like a cloud over your psyche. This changes everything. There’s no going back if you continue down this road - it almost makes you afraid, no matter how much you’ve wanted things to be different.

It dissipates quickly, as Steve doesn’t give you much time to ponder; he takes the leap. His lips are pressed to yours. And it’s just like the first time you fell for him - every doubt you’ve ever had about Steve vanishes instantly.

The kiss is so soft and so filled with emotion that you feel like you could cry. His presence is overwhelming your senses and you melt against his palm that slides up your jaw, past where the bruises faded.

You can’t process when your fingers begin to card through his hair, pulling him closer to you because you’re desperate to let him feel everything that’s been churning inside for over a year. You’re still so in love with him that when he finally pulls away, you feel like he took a piece of you with him.

The music starts to fade and your little bubble along with it; you struggle to find something to say.

You don’t know how long you’ve waited to be able to do that. None of your daydreams could have ever compared to this; you’re almost lost in the moment. All of that heartache, all of that pain - it’s finally been released.

Neither of you knows what to do.

But then Steve clears his throat, his thoughts jumbled inside his head because holy shit - he wasn’t expecting it to feel like that.

The silence afterwards is deafening. Your breaths fan against the other’s rose tinted cheeks, still barely inches apart.

“I should uh,” You mutter, fingers trailing down his arms, slowly pulling yourself away from his warmth. You’re suddenly overwhelmed with far too many emotions, all of which you can’t even begin to decipher while standing here in front of him.

Steve grips your hands in his as you lean back; he knows what you’re going to say, but God, he wishes that you didn’t have to.

“I should go,” You finish. It shatters his heart a bit to hear you say it, but he only nods.

“Yeah,” He manages, “I’m sure your mom wants you back.”

You swallow harshly before your touch leaves him completely. Steve can still feel where your fingers were pressed on his palms - it lingers as you turn to leave, and begin your walk to your car.

—

taglist: @stevebabey / @mrs-skywalker / @hannarudick / @crazycookiecrumbles / @hellisateenageheather / @alewifex / @l0ve-0f-my-life / @naomiiiiiiiiiii04 / @daddystevee / @thecaptainsgingersnap / @let-the-imaginationflow / @asianravenpuff / @im-a-stranger-thing / @mikariell95 / @pilunb / @harringtherin / @royalestrellas / @ultrunning / @buggs177 / @poutfull / @yoheyyosup / @duchessdaisybat / @janieavalos / @sassisaluxury / @beththebubbly / @i-bitch-you-bitch / @captainstilinskis / @juliebean247 / @im-nada / @whatabeautifulsurrender / @rexorangecouny / @pass-me-jeez-it / @ahoy-scoops-troop / @halefirewarrior / @jointhehunt67 / @wallacetdog / @ketchuplukehemmo / @m-a-r-i-n-t-p / @fangirl485 / @emmegirl827 / @lookalivesunshine-x / @elite4cekalyma / @marjoherbo / @just-my-fandom / @idumpyourgrass / @alafolieee / @mochminnie / @phantomalchemist / @dustyblueboo / @alonewolfsblog / @ggclarissa / @hufflepuffing-all-day-long / @bippityboppitybabe

if you wanna be added to the taglist, just lemme know!

#steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x henderson!reader #steve harrington fic #steve harrington x you #steve harrington imagine #st fic #st imagine #my gif #my writing #almost paradise

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blog-sliverofjade · 4 years

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Omega Protocol 23: Bite Me

Summary: In the mid-21st century, the elite decided to cement society’s strata into our DNA, creating a genetic caste system. One of the early Omegas is cryogenically frozen and forgotten. Revived nearly two centuries later, she has no idea what she has become and has to navigate a strange new world while surrounded by Alphas, whatever those are.

Leading the military arm of his people in exile on a dangerous planet is no easy feat for Captain Niklaus Reed. He has to build and secure a settlement against megafauna straight out of the Ice Age before families start arriving on the distant planet. When an Omega is found in an old research base, things become… complicated.

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 24

Word Count: 2172

Credit to @pandabearer for beta reading!

Waking up to yet another bland room and ensconced in a bed that quietly registered her vitals made Emma want to scream, but the pounding in her head made her reconsider that urge. Easing to a sitting position woke other pains in other places. She winced, hissed, and grunted with each shift until she managed to swing her legs over the edge. Geez, and she’d thought she was sore after getting knotted through her heat. That was nothing compared to this.

“We have got to stop meeting like this,” she muttered with a rueful pat to the mattress. The bed must have tattled on her because a knock came at the door a minute later. “Unless you’re Dr. Nguyen or Mihaela, go away.” The door swung open to reveal Captain Reed. Since there’d be no getting rid of him, she sighed and waved him in.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he frowned. She suppressed a shiver. Since when was she afraid of disappointing him? She must have hit her head harder than she thought.

“To my own room,” she replied. As inappropriate as it was, he wanted to kiss those primly pursed lips. He could have fallen to his knees in gratitude that she hadn’t lost the spark of temper whenever he’d overstepped his bounds as she saw them.

“You have a concussion.” He could hear the edge of a growl to his voice, but she barely batted an eye. “Do I need to sit on you to make sure you stay in bed, like you did to me?”

“I did not sit on you!” Her protest died as his grin grew. “But that explains the headache.” Grimacing, she squirmed to lay back down. Her features were too pale and drawn for his comfort. He’d crossed the room before he knew it and had to stop himself from touching her at the last minute. Fists held uselessly at his side, he couldn’t force himself to turn away from her. “Ok, fine, please help me before you have an aneurysm or something.”

Slipping one arm behind her shoulders and another under her knees, he picked her small form up and laid her back down a bit higher on the bed. She stiffened with a sharp inhalation and dug her fingers into his shoulders, mouth pressed into a thin, white line. By the furrowing of her brow, he presumed she was hurting rather than afraid of his touch, yet he didn’t linger more than he had to. If he wasn’t so focused on being gentle, he would have noticed the delicate sniff she gave his shoulder as he withdrew. He hooked a foot around the chair in the corner and dragged it behind him while she fiddled with the bed controls until she was comfortable.

“You’re not afraid of me,” he observed once she settled back with a contented sigh that was music to his ears.

“Should I be?” she quirked a brow.

“After… You were after. Afraid, that is.” The memory of her dark eyes wide in terror still speared through him like a lance. Now they were focused on the ridiculous pink camouflage blanket pushed to the footboard. He took the bundle of fabric and unfurled it to drape over her legs before retaking his seat.

“You were scary then,” she confessed in a tiny voice, still unable to look at him. “You were… you smelled kinda like him.” With a heavy sigh, he leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees, wracking his brain to come up with the words to explain.

“I was feral,” he began, studying palms that a short time ago were covered in blood. “When we or someone close to us is in danger we go a little berserk in their defense. I was… I was worried about you.” For someone who was a member of the Council, negotiating the terms of exile, and accustomed to commanding people he found it ridiculous he was tongue-tied.

“Is it only Alphas?”

“Any dynamic,” he shook his head. “Although we are more susceptible to it than others.” She gnawed on her bottom lip until it was pink and swollen. He ran his hands over his face to shake thoughts from his mind that he had no business thinking.

“I didn’t know there were other people here,” she said to finally break the silence. “On the planet.”

“You weren’t the only person experimented on here,” he began. Waiting for him to collect his thoughts, the Omega reached for the water on the side table. He nudged it closer so she didn’t have to move as far. “The early Alphas and Betas weren’t easily controlled.” She snorted at the idea of trying to control the Captain, or Barbie, or Chimi, or anyone she knew in the here and now. “They were stronger than the scientists, and more of them, almost all of them permanently feral. Before long they killed their creators and had the run of the planet to themselves.”

“I guess I should be grateful that they didn’t find me back then,” she murmured, eyes a little too glassy. “Otherwise this might have happened sooner.”

“This shouldn’t have happened at all.” A crack punctuated his snarl. He followed her startled gaze to the piece of broken armrest in his hand. Scowling, he tossed it into the corner. “What were you doing out there, anyway?”

“I’m s-sorry,” she whispered, hunching in on herself. “I was too afraid of losing even one of the chickens.” The one flock was all they had. They couldn’t afford to lose a good layer. His silent glowering was worse than any yelling he could have done. To her shame, she trembled uncontrollably, still unable to look up from her fists tangled in the sheets.

“And what if we lost you? Over one chicken?” he asked softly. She recoiled as if he’d struck her.

“Technically, I’ve lived for far longer than I should have,” she mumbled, plucking idly at the soft blanket. It was Barbie’s, which, last she saw, was in her room. It still carried that smell of home, such as it was. “Besides, I’m a liability and a drain on resources.” A growl like the one he used at the nomads’ camp erupted from his chest. Before she knew what she was doing, she tilted her bowed head to the side, exposing the line of her neck. Niklaus moved so quickly all she saw was a blur at the corner of her eye, then felt a bruising, tearing pain before everything went black.

What had he done? No one knew if she could be Claimed, being the first of them. The instincts didn’t develop until the second generation, there was no precedence for bonding with one of the originals. What if she couldn’t and there were problems?

“What-?” Dr. Nguyen rushed in, summoned by the noise, and stopped when she saw the bite. If she wanted to harangue him for his rashness, she put it aside for the little female. After an agonizing eternity, the doctor had results from the bed sensors.

“Well?” he barked.

“Does she know what you did?” she snapped back.

“Is she ok?”

“Answer my question, Captain.” She spat his title derisively, hands on her slim hips. “Did she agree to this?”

“No.” His molars ground painfully with his need to shake her until answers spilled out. He would accept any censure as long as she would be fine. The Beta’s right hook caught him by surprise.

“After all that she’s been through, you…” she hissed, words failing her in her anger, and shoved him out of the room while he was still recovering from the shock of being attacked by the normally mild-mannered doctor. No matter how deserved it was.

“You can’t keep me from her.” Only Emma’s need for Nguyen’s care kept him from fighting back.

“Oh, but I can.” She folded her arms and spread her feet as if she’d be any kind of barrier between him and the door. The protective rage pouring off her would have done credit to any Alpha. “Mihaela, please grab an Alpha grade sedative. Don’t worry about needle gauge, I doubt the good captain will cooperate anyway.” She activated her comm wristband. “Lieutenant Triggs, I recommend that Captain Reed be relieved of duty due to mental instability.” She paused as she listened to his response. “Come to med bay and see for yourself. I suggest that you bring a couple of your people to make sure he cooperates.”

The throbbing ache at the juncture of her neck is what woke her. She didn’t recall getting injured there. There was a strange tension at the edges of her awareness. It sharpened, feeding into her own. The voices arguing in the distance wasn’t helping her calm down any. The monitors barely started to beep a warning over her agitated state when Nguyen came bustling in.

“You need to calm down,” the doctor crooned.

“You do realize that telling someone to calm down doesn’t work, right?” she asked with a cocked brow. Nguyen ignored the snarky response as she turned off the alarm and studied the readings. “What happened here?” she asked, gesturing to the thin skin bandage on her neck.

“You were bitten.” Her blithe tone sent the fine hairs on Emma’s neck to prickling. She froze. Bitten? That didn’t match up her with recollections of the assault. Sure, memories could get fuzzy while protecting the psyche, but she was fairly confident that it wasn’t from the nomads. Wincing at the pull of the wound and the pain between her legs, she swung her legs over the side of the bed. The doctor moved to stop her.

“Let me up. I’ve spent enough time in hospital beds to last a couple of lifetimes,” she glared up at the Beta. With a sigh, Nguyen helped her to stand. “Now, is this what I think it is?” She pointed to the mark.

“It is,” she nodded with as much grace and solemnity as Emma had seen when she was given the diagnosis.

“Is there any way to break it?” She knew she was rapidly approaching hysteria, but couldn’t bring herself to care. The squirming knot in her chest wasn’t easing up, which wasn’t helping any. Rubbing at it with the heel of her palm wasn’t making it loosen. She was pretty sure she’d only succeeded in bruising her breastbone, but she couldn’t stop, wanting to carve the odd sensation out of her like a parasite.

“Emma…” Nguyen began soothingly.

“Answer me!” The doctor wet her lips and sighed, shaking her head. Continuing to dig at her chest, the Omega began pacing the small room, her quickening steps mirroring the manic spiral of her thoughts. I’m trapped. I was finally starting my life. Free of illness. Got a job. Making friends. Real choices. He ripped that away from me because he thought I couldn’t function as an independent adult. Because of what they did to me. It’s all been taken from me again!

A slender hand gently tugged her wrist away from her breast. Startled, she looked down to find her own smeared with crimson. Nguyen said something, but she couldn’t hear over the pounding of her own heartbeat and ragged breathing. The older woman was leading her towards a hospital bed. No, she didn’t want to go back. She was better.

Shivers wracked her body and she sank down to the floor, ignoring the twinges in her backside. Dropping her forehead against her drawn up knees, she tried to breathe through the impending panic attack. Thoughts buzzed in her mind like the inhabitants of an upended wasp nest. Society might have drastically changed during her extended snooze, but she was pretty sure both parties still were supposed to consent. A curiously soothing sensation bloomed between her breasts as if in response.

The foreign feeling had the opposite effect. Anxiety shot through Emma like poison. The doctor was speaking to her, but a curious droning filled her ears, drowning out all sounds. She jumped to her feet and dashed for the exit, all physical discomfort forgotten in her terror. Throwing the door wide open, the hall was thick with people who turned to stare at her in surprise. Cold sweat trickled along the hairline of her temples and slithered down the small of her back. Footsteps from behind spooked her into jackrabbiting again, leaping to her right. As if someone had pressed play on a paused movie, motion erupted in the corridor. Bodies roiled and she ducked and dodged, diving through at least one pair of legs.

Flesh covered coils of steel wrapped around her from behind and lifted. She threw her head back, but dazed herself against a chin instead of a nose. Her bare feet collided with at least one set of genitals and a face before they were pinned. A sting in her arm brought ice seeping into her blood. Her last coherent thought was, I don’t want to wake up different again.

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monstersofsilence · 4 years

Text

The Slayers of Monsters and Beasts

I will hunt the wicked. I will hunt the unforgiving. It my duty as a hunter or huntress to strike down these monstrosities and purge the world of these beasts that plague the land. We are hunters. We are huntresses. We hunt the beasts and monsters to be sure the world will be cleansed of their filth.

Our oath. We will hold to our deaths. The Order of the Celestial Hunters.

A long tradition passing from generation to generation. Lasting long for it to somehow exist. The Huntress knows of it well and the oath she has committed herself. The times of hunting down the most vile of monsters and beasts that roamed all of Alternia. At that time, these beings plagued the land whether by the doing of the gods or of others. Mostly the latter.

People bringing forth the wrath of the sinister for either power or greed, summoning some of the gruesome creatures she has ever laid eyes on. Those times were when The Order of the Celestial Hunters was formed, a band of professional hunters and huntresses taking on the dangerous task of slaying these monsters. They did not for money nor for fame but to cleanse Alternia of the creatures that would want to purge everyone into extinction.

Slowly, those days diminished as the rise of the Imperial Fleet loomed over the horizon. Rebellions struck out here and there with The Order not wanting to be a part of it. It wasn’t until some people of the Fleet found The Order and eventually owned the entire idea of it completely.

The days of hunting monsters was over. Many hunters and huntresses gave in to the Fleet, now being “mercenaries” for their cause and are being ordered to hunt low bloods or mutants. Some that opposed the notion, were either in hiding or killed for not following the Fleet’s orders. The Huntress, was one of those that gave in. Still, she often wondered if the time they were busy hunting down monsters, they didn’t foresee one growing to immense power to where she’s ending up now.

Thinking up on this, she arrived at a palace, walking down the great hall as she stopped, taking a knee and bowing her head to a sea dweller standing in front of her.

“I suppose you are here to give some news.” She says, sounding annoyed having to see her again with nothing in return.

“I am sorry, madame Zacarn.” The Huntress responded. “I am still on the hunt for Manikin. He’s just-”

“I don’t need to hear excuses.” Zacarn snapped at her. “I asked for you, a professional, to bring him back to me. Unless I am mistaken on how skillful you... hunters from The Order that people boast about.”

“We are the best, madame. I will not fail you. I didn’t anticipate for him to wield the ability to control blood.”

“Control blood?” Zacarn questioned, surprised by the mention of this.

“Yes, madame.”

She silenced herself, thinking on this until a thought came to mind and spoke to The Huntress. “Tell me... wasn’t there someone in The Order that... had such an ability?”

“Yes... he’s referred to as The Bloodless.”

“Interesting...” Zacarn said as she’s quite intrigued by this discovery. “You may leave now... but you better be sure to have him next time.”

“Yes, madame.” The Huntress spoke, standing back up, turning around and walking back outside as a large flock of crows circled above her in the sky until they all swooped down, swarming around her as she disappeared from the area. She was then sent to an old part of town, not known would seem out of place with how modern many of the architecture is compared to the one small town.

Very old fashioned and the one place that remained this way. More than likely still having this design with some of the higher ups in the Fleet taking a liking to the aesthetic. The Huntress walked down the cobblestone road as many people walking by looked at her then up at the sky to see the crows circling above and they eventually leave the scene after discovering who she is. She stopped at a building with only one lantern in the front, the flame burning brightly blue as she knocked on the engraved door. A small window above, at eye level, slid open, revealing the eyes of a troll from the other side. “Password?” They said.

“As the blood moons rise above our heads, we shall hunt the beasts to our deaths.” The Huntress answered.

The troll on the other side was silent. Sliding back the small window and opening the door, stepping aside to let her in. “Welcome back, miss Vilana.”

She walked inside, the place was hard to see, dimly lit. There was still some old hunters and huntresses that she knew as they all looked at her, knowing she shouldn’t be welcomed here considering she gave in to the Fleet long ago. It was until she made it to the bar area where she met her old companion, now actually old, sitting on a chair as he slowly looked up to her. “Caliso... It’s been a long time since I last saw you.” She says.

“I should be angry at you... you know that?”

“I would understand.” She grabbed a chair, placing it to face him, and sat on it, setting her hat on the counter. “The others share the same sentiment.”

“As they should... but I’m not angry at you. I can’t be.”

“How come?”

“... I knew... when the Fleet arrived at our doorstep, that those a part of The Order would either join them... or some would be against them and stay with our old traditions. The days of hunting monsters and beasts alike... I always felt it was for the greater good... and a good majority of The Order are now hunting trolls...”

“... I need your help... more so... some info on of the hunters that were a part of The Order.”

“Ask away.”

“Do you know The Bloodless? By his name? And why he was banished from The Order?”

The mentioning of the title was enough to make Caliso’s eyes widened. “I... haven’t heard that title in sweeps... I knew him... we were... friends. We hunted together but I didn’t know him enough to get a first name. His last name is Lumina. As for the reason of his banishment... he dealt... in things that was sinister... the wicked to grant him the ability to control blood. The practice was enough for others to be curious within The Order and he began to start up a following which concerned all of us... he was then banished, sent away to a prison some time after when it was discovered how dangerous he was. This was still during the time the Fleet was gaining control...”

Hearing this, The Huntress couldn’t believe that she be hunting down a descendant of The Bloodless. “I’m... tracking down his descendant, so it would seem.”

“I see...”

“I... didn’t expect him to possess that kind of power... though... he didn’t use it before when I first fought him.”

“And you came to me for this knowledge... and now knowing this you are having second thoughts?”

She didn’t say anything to respond to the question. “The Bloodless... murdered my lover...”

“I see... I see now what this is all about. Still, I would have guessed that someone hired you to hunt him down, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Interesting... how coincidental...” He says. “... Ethila... I have lived... to hunt down the monsters that stood at our doorstep. We did it not for coin. Not for fame. But for others protection... and now... we’re no longer hunting down beasts... but trolls... just like you and me... sometimes... I wonder how we could’ve prevented this from happening... or perhaps we never intervened all those sweeps ago when the rebellions for freedom were still happening... I think about it... I often wonder... while we were so busy fighting the monsters to protect the defenseless... that there were already monsters rising into power right under our noses.”

“There was nothing that can be done, Caliso.” The Huntress replied. “It’s something we couldn’t have predicted.”

“Aye... I suppose so.” Caliso merely says as The Huntress picks up her hat, put it on her head and stood up, about to walk away until she was called out by name again from him. “Ethila... it’s your choice if you wish to let him go free. He’s not actually the one that murdered Hereta. Remember that.”

“... I will keep that in mind. Until then, fellow hunter.” She said, walking out.

“Until then... fellow huntress.” Caliso said to himself.

#The Huntress #ExpositionzOfSilence

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lnc2 · 6 years

Text

Ch. 2 Penance

Object Permanence

Summary: Adrien makes a mistake.

Chapter Notes: Time is a flat circle. It's been about a year. I'd recommend reacquainting yourself w/ the first chapter before moving forward.

AO3

<< Previous Chapter

Penance

Patrols were quiet.

Ladybug wasn’t ignoring him but everything she said had a purpose and every word was carefully measured. After years of running mad across the rooftops of Paris the change chafed at him like a leash.

I was just trying to do the right thing.

The bitter refrain ran race tracks through his mind. It was the constant, lung-clenching weight that followed him wherever he went. It was the haze that hovered over his classes, his photo shoots, his sleep.

The unspoken but behind every apology he thought to make.

From his father who refused to see him to his friends who refused to fault him, Adrien could have choked on his heavy sense of injustice.

“You’re a hero,” Chloe cooed, planting a wet, smacking kiss on his cheek.

“What else could you do?” Nino said, punching him in the arm.

“If I were mad at you I’d be kind of a hypocrite,” Alya smirked, ruffling his hair. “Relax. Not everything is life and death.”

Chloe smoothed back her ponytail with a sniff. “Besides, Ladybug takes care of everything in the end.”

Adrien gave a nervous laugh before catching Marinette’s eyes, flat and inexplicably knowing. He looked away and never looked back.

The akuma appeared during lunch.

The hows and whys didn’t matter– not when it was wreaking havoc in the halls of Francois Dupont. Underclassmen ran screaming for cover as teachers and their do-gooder assistants tried to usher them towards safety.

Adrien didn’t think– there were so many bodies in such a small space. If the akuma didn’t hurt someone then the frenzied students would. He tried to redirect some of the more terrified students as they mobbed towards him and the exit.

“Don’t go that way! It’s blocked!”

They weren’t listening. Adrien realized too late that they were ready to run him down.

“Move!”

He was slammed from behind into the walls, his face pressed painfully up against a safety flyer, head ringing from impact. He struggled against the tight, angry grip he’d been locked into.

“Dammit Adrien, stop struggling.”

When the initial threat had passed he whirled around ready to have words only to realize that his attacker was Marinette.

Small, breakable, hadn’t spoken to him in weeks Marinette.

“Um.”

She was furious.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

He flinched.

Pinned by her icy glare, Adrien could hardly stammer out one word let alone an acceptable explanation.

She crossed her arms over her chest, scowling. “You need to save the heroics to Ladybug and Chat Noir.”

He resisted the urge to stomp his foot or something equally undignified. That’s what he was doing dammit.

Marinette’s eyes flashed as if she could read his mind.

A terrifying thought, really.

“It’s not safe, Adrien,” She said, gesturing towards the surrounding chaos. “I think we’ve mourned you enough for this month.”

And before he could point out her hypocrisy she was already sprinting further into the collapsing halls. Chastised and more than a little indignant he moved to chase after her when he felt Plagg’s claws sink into his chest.

The message was clear as day.

Adrien frowned, running off to find a place to transform, unable to shake the dark itch bubbling beneath his skin.

Sometimes he felt so resentful he could choke.

I’m not wrong.

Like a mantra from hell, it chased him down and nearly devoured him whole.

I’m not wrong, he thought, fingers pounding out his frustration on the piano.

I’m not wrong, he laughed, embarrassed as reporters flocked and asked what it was like to save the heroine of Paris.

I’m not wrong, he snapped at his kwami who merely sat there, unblinking, as his charge fell apart in rage.

I’m not wrong, I’m not wrong, I’m not WRONG, he wanted to scream as Ladybug danced a ballet between blows from Hawkmonth’s latest akuma.

Like an infection, the words made their home in the back of his throat. Black coils of righteous indignation wound their way around his heart and for moments and hours and days he would wrap himself in the cloak of lashback and martyrdom.

I’m not wrong.

And then he would remember.

He would remember the terror on his partner’s grief-ruined face as she cradled him on the bank of the Seine. He would remember Plagg’s angry cursing and frantic kneading at his hair. He would remember their voices blending together in a heartbroken, furious chorus of oh god, oh god, Chat, Adrien no and what the hell were you thinking and don’t die on me, don’t you dare die on me and know that he wasn’t right either.

What if I can’t save them all, Chat?

And after he had fallen apart, after he proved himself the wielder of the cat miraculous by ripping at his sheets and throwing his remote and tearing apart his books, he would fall to his knees, red-cheeked, tear streaked, and so so sorry, as Plagg looked on, unmoved.

“She wants to talk to you.”

Ladybug rested her head on her arms on her knees and stared down at the pleasure boats that slowly waded their way through the Seine.

“Who does?” He asked when she didn’t continue.

“My kwami.”

“Oh.”

Chat wasn’t quite sure what to think about that. Plagg never said much about his lucky counterpart and Adrien never thought to ask. That didn’t stop the stomach lurching swoop in his gut at the idea of a tete-a-tete with the tiny goddess.

And it would just be him and… Tikki? He could tell from the way Ladybug said it.

She wants to talk to you.

“Um,” He said, trying and failing to give voice to his sudden anxiety. “S-sure. I mean of course! I mean… why?”

His partner seemed to smile in spite of herself. “She wouldn’t tell me.”

“When?”

Ladybug shrugged. “Now is fine.”

“Now?”

She watched him as the buckle of his tail thrashed against the rooftop in agitation. “We can do it another time if that’s better.”

Chat shook his head.

“Okay.” Ladybug stood and gestured to the next rooftop over and its large chimney stack. “I guess I’ll just… be over there.”

He didn’t watch her go. He just sat and waited, tail lashing, claws tapping. It wasn’t until he heard a light cough that he finally turned to look.

Tikki was smaller than he expected.

But there was no doubt that she was Ladybug’s.

There was a something about her– something large and simmering beneath her smile.

“Are you going to yell at me too?”

Chat wanted to take the words back as soon as he said them. They were rude and had an edge the creature before him didn’t deserve.

She merely blinked, blue eyes slow and patient and knowing.

“Do you want me to yell at you, Chat Noir?”

He wanted to shake his head but he honestly didn’t know. It was so much easier when people were yelling.

Chat’s miraculous let out a low beep. Tikki smiled.

“I think Plagg has something to say.”

Chat shook his head. “He hasn’t spoken to me since the accident.”

“No, I’d imagine not.” She said, frowning thoughtfully at the ring in question.

“I was just trying to do the right thing,” He whispered, mortified when his voice hitched as he held back the emotions crawling up his throat.

“I know.”

“They hate me now.”

Tikki flew into his eyeline. “They don’t hate you, Chat Noir.”

When he continued to avoid her gaze she sighed floating down to rest on his knee. He could tell she was waiting for him to look at her but he struggled. There was something unsettling about the kwami’s eyes. It was almost like he was looking at Ladybug herself.

“They care about you, Adrien,” She said, softly.

Chat couldn’t help his disbelieving cough. Tikki’s chiding look was gentle but earnest.

“Plagg has lost enough Chat Noirs to stupidity,” She said and he was ashamed.

He knew that.

“And Ladybug?”

Tikki’s smile was uncomfortably knowing.

“She cares about you too,” She said, cautious, like she was walking around a promise. “It’s not… easy for her. She’s under a lot of pressure– it’s too much for her to think one wrong step could mean losing you too.”

Chat let out a low growl, tugging roughly at his hair.

“What am I supposed to do then?” He snapped. “Not protect her?”

Everything in him recoiled.

Impossible.

His crazed eyes sought out the kwami floating beside him. Her gaze was steady and filled with impossible understanding.

“Ladybug needs a partner, Chat Noir, not a shield.” Tikki’s words were firm but not unkind. “There is balance in everything. Your duty now is to find your balance with her.”

#we write the stories when we feel like it #lnc2 writes #miraculous ladybug #chat noir #the story no one wanted to see another chapter for but too bad because i've got four #byeeeeee

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dailyofficereadings · 5 years

Text

Daily Office Readings May 20, 2019

Psalm 56-58

Psalm 56

Trust in God under Persecution

To the leader: according to The Dove on Far-off Terebinths. Of David. A Miktam, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.

1 Be gracious to me, O God, for people trample on me; all day long foes oppress me; 2 my enemies trample on me all day long, for many fight against me. O Most High, 3 when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I am not afraid; what can flesh do to me?

5 All day long they seek to injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil. 6 They stir up strife, they lurk, they watch my steps. As they hoped to have my life, 7 so repay[a] them for their crime; in wrath cast down the peoples, O God!

8 You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your record? 9 Then my enemies will retreat in the day when I call. This I know, that[b] God is for me. 10 In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, 11 in God I trust; I am not afraid. What can a mere mortal do to me?

12 My vows to you I must perform, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. 13 For you have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from falling, so that I may walk before God in the light of life.

Psalm 57

Praise and Assurance under Persecution

To the leader: Do Not Destroy. Of David. A Miktam, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.

1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by. 2 I cry to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. 3 He will send from heaven and save me, he will put to shame those who trample on me.Selah God will send forth his steadfast love and his faithfulness.

4 I lie down among lions that greedily devour[c] human prey; their teeth are spears and arrows, their tongues sharp swords.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth.

6 They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my path, but they have fallen into it themselves.Selah 7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make melody. 8 Awake, my soul! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn. 9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. 10 For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens; your faithfulness extends to the clouds.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth.

Psalm 58

Prayer for Vengeance

To the leader: Do Not Destroy. Of David. A Miktam.

1 Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods?[d] Do you judge people fairly? 2 No, in your hearts you devise wrongs; your hands deal out violence on earth.

3 The wicked go astray from the womb; they err from their birth, speaking lies. 4 They have venom like the venom of a serpent, like the deaf adder that stops its ear, 5 so that it does not hear the voice of charmers or of the cunning enchanter.

6 O God, break the teeth in their mouths; tear out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord! 7 Let them vanish like water that runs away; like grass let them be trodden down[e] and wither. 8 Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime; like the untimely birth that never sees the sun. 9 Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns, whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away!

10 The righteous will rejoice when they see vengeance done; they will bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked. 11 People will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth.”

Footnotes:

Psalm 56:7 Cn: Heb rescue

Psalm 56:9 Or because

Psalm 57:4 Cn: Heb are aflame for

Psalm 58:1 Or mighty lords

Psalm 58:7 Cn: Meaning of Heb uncertain

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Psalm 64-65

Psalm 64

Prayer for Protection from Enemies

To the leader. A Psalm of David.

1 Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from the dread enemy. 2 Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the scheming of evildoers, 3 who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows, 4 shooting from ambush at the blameless; they shoot suddenly and without fear. 5 They hold fast to their evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, “Who can see us?[a] 6 Who can search out our crimes?[b] We have thought out a cunningly conceived plot.” For the human heart and mind are deep.

7 But God will shoot his arrow at them; they will be wounded suddenly. 8 Because of their tongue he will bring them to ruin;[c] all who see them will shake with horror. 9 Then everyone will fear; they will tell what God has brought about, and ponder what he has done.

10 Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him. Let all the upright in heart glory.

Psalm 65

Thanksgiving for Earth’s Bounty

To the leader. A Psalm of David. A Song.

1 Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion; and to you shall vows be performed, 2 O you who answer prayer! To you all flesh shall come. 3 When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us, you forgive our transgressions. 4 Happy are those whom you choose and bring near to live in your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, your holy temple.

5 By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance, O God of our salvation; you are the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas. 6 By your[d] strength you established the mountains; you are girded with might. 7 You silence the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples. 8 Those who live at earth’s farthest bounds are awed by your signs; you make the gateways of the morning and the evening shout for joy.

9 You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide the people with grain, for so you have prepared it. 10 You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth. 11 You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with richness. 12 The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, 13 the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.

Footnotes:

Psalm 64:5 Syr: Heb them

Psalm 64:6 Cn: Heb They search out crimes

Psalm 64:8 Cn: Heb They will bring him to ruin, their tongue being against them

Psalm 65:6 Gk Jerome: Heb his

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Wisdom 9:1

Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom

9 “O God of my ancestors and Lord of mercy, who have made all things by your word,

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Wisdom 9:7-18

7 You have chosen me to be king of your people and to be judge over your sons and daughters. 8 You have given command to build a temple on your holy mountain, and an altar in the city of your habitation, a copy of the holy tent that you prepared from the beginning. 9 With you is wisdom, she who knows your works and was present when you made the world; she understands what is pleasing in your sight and what is right according to your commandments. 10 Send her forth from the holy heavens, and from the throne of your glory send her, that she may labor at my side, and that I may learn what is pleasing to you. 11 For she knows and understands all things, and she will guide me wisely in my actions and guard me with her glory. 12 Then my works will be acceptable, and I shall judge your people justly, and shall be worthy of the throne[a] of my father. 13 For who can learn the counsel of God? Or who can discern what the Lord wills? 14 For the reasoning of mortals is worthless, and our designs are likely to fail; 15 for a perishable body weighs down the soul, and this earthy tent burdens the thoughtful[b] mind. 16 We can hardly guess at what is on earth, and what is at hand we find with labor; but who has traced out what is in the heavens? 17 Who has learned your counsel, unless you have given wisdom and sent your holy spirit from on high? 18 And thus the paths of those on earth were set right, and people were taught what pleases you, and were saved by wisdom.”

Footnotes:

Wisdom 9:12 Gk thrones

Wisdom 9:15 Or anxious

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Colossians 3:18-4

Rules for Christian Households

18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart. 22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters[a] in everything, not only while being watched and in order to please them, but wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.[b] 23 Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters,[c] 24 since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve[d] the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong has been done, and there is no partiality. 4 1 Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, for you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, 4 so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should.

5 Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.[e] 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.

Final Greetings and Benediction

7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me; he is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant[f] in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are[g] and that he may encourage your hearts; 9 he is coming with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.

10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him. 11 And Jesus who is called Justus greets you. These are the only ones of the circumcision among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant[h] of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always wrestling in his prayers on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in everything that God wills. 13 For I testify for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters[i] in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you read also the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “See that you complete the task that you have received in the Lord.”

18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.[j]

Footnotes:

Colossians 3:22 In Greek the same word is used for master and Lord

Colossians 3:23 Gk not for men

Colossians 3:24 Or you are slaves of, or be slaves of

Colossians 4:5 Or opportunity

Colossians 4:7 Gk slave

Colossians 4:8 Other authorities read that I may know how you are

Colossians 4:12 Gk slave

Colossians 4:15 Gk brothers

Colossians 4:18 Other ancient authorities add Amen

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Luke 7:36-50

A Sinful Woman Forgiven

36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus[a] to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. 37 And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. 38 She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.” 40 Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Teacher,” he replied, “speak.” 41 “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii,[b] and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt.” And Jesus[c] said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” 48 Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Footnotes:

Luke 7:36 Gk him

Luke 7:41 The denarius was the usual day’s wage for a laborer

Luke 7:43 Gk he

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

#May 20 #2019

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dailyofficereadings · 7 years

Text

Daily Office Readings May 15, 2017

Psalm 56-58

Psalm 56

Trust in God under Persecution

To the leader: according to The Dove on Far-off Terebinths. Of David. A Miktam, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.

Psalm 57

Praise and Assurance under Persecution

To the leader: Do Not Destroy. Of David. A Miktam, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.

4 I lie down among lions that greedily devour[c] human prey; their teeth are spears and arrows, their tongues sharp swords.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth.

Psalm 58

Prayer for Vengeance

To the leader: Do Not Destroy. Of David. A Miktam.

1 Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods?[d] Do you judge people fairly? 2 No, in your hearts you devise wrongs; your hands deal out violence on earth.

Footnotes:

Psalm 56:7 Cn: Heb rescue

Psalm 56:9 Or because

Psalm 57:4 Cn: Heb are aflame for

Psalm 58:1 Or mighty lords

Psalm 58:7 Cn: Meaning of Heb uncertain

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Psalm 64-65

Psalm 64

Prayer for Protection from Enemies

To the leader. A Psalm of David.

10 Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him. Let all the upright in heart glory.

Psalm 65

Thanksgiving for Earth’s Bounty

To the leader. A Psalm of David. A Song.

Footnotes:

Psalm 64:5 Syr: Heb them

Psalm 64:6 Cn: Heb They search out crimes

Psalm 64:8 Cn: Heb They will bring him to ruin, their tongue being against them

Psalm 65:6 Gk Jerome: Heb his

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Wisdom 9:1

Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom

9 “O God of my ancestors and Lord of mercy, who have made all things by your word,

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Wisdom 9:7-18

Footnotes:

Wisdom 9:12 Gk thrones

Wisdom 9:15 Or anxious

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Colossians 3:18-4

Rules for Christian Households

18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.

Further Instructions

5 Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.[e] 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.

Final Greetings and Benediction

18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.[j]

Footnotes:

Colossians 3:22 In Greek the same word is used for master and Lord

Colossians 3:23 Gk not for men

Colossians 3:24 Or you are slaves of, or be slaves of

Colossians 4:5 Or opportunity

Colossians 4:7 Gk slave

Colossians 4:8 Other authorities read that I may know how you are

Colossians 4:12 Gk slave

Colossians 4:15 Gk brothers

Colossians 4:18 Other ancient authorities add Amen

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Luke 7:36-50

A Sinful Woman Forgiven

Footnotes:

Luke 7:36 Gk him

Luke 7:41 The denarius was the usual day’s wage for a laborer

Luke 7:43 Gk he

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

#May 15 #2017

0 notes