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spnae · 2 years

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Chapter 17 Underground

***** ****** *****

Buffy had to admit it, the girls could really get a job done fast when they put their minds to it. Right now they weren’t in the mood. The girls stood around Buffy and Spike looking moody and disheveled. It was barely sunrise. The duplex was now completely cleaned out and looked much better than it did when Buffy and Giles had originally looked at it.

Now without the dead animals, the nasty carpeting, and the fact they had been working with the windows and doors open as wide as possible; it felt, and smelled, much more inviting. Buffy really was able to start thinking about it as her future home. Sure she had a flat in Rome with Dawn, Willow and Kennedy. But this was hers she actually co-owned the building with Giles. Soon it would be just her, Spike, and Dawn.

Buffy took in a deep breath and called the girls together, “Alright that’s enough. Where are Ursula, Addison, Zari, and Wendy?” The four oldest girls came forward, “First of all, I want to thank all of you for the amazing work you’ve done in here over the last two days. You’ve blown me away with how much you’ve accomplished in such a short time and I can’t thank you enough.”

“I second that!” Spike interjected.

Buffy nodded at him and continued, “Those of you who were working in the basement on this side already know that one of the main reasons we picked it is that it has super convenient access to the underground tunnels. I have subterranean maps here, one for each group,” she passed the maps out to each of the four oldest girls, “You’ll notice the maps are not complete. That’s where you come in. The other day I had Willow do some tech work for me, updating the tracking system we already had on your phones. We should be able to track you underground as well now,” a couple of the girls made some derogatory sounds at that, “We’ve been over this, we’re not big sister spying on you, this is for your safety. If you go missing or if you’re in trouble, this is the best magicless— magic-lite… the easiest, way we have to find you. It’s not perfect but it’s better than microchipping all of you don’t you think?”

Spike grunted, “Trust me, a phone is way better than a chip.”

“Go on Buffy,” Ursula said, casting a glare at the girls grumbling the loudest.

“Normally we would use these only in emergencies, tonight we are going to use the system to help fill in the blanks on the maps. I have pencils here you can use to make notes. The whole point of this is that we don’t know what is down there; stick together. You get into trouble you can’t handle, you call me. We’ll start out together and split up into groups as the tunnels diverge. It will be daylight soon and a lot of things will be heading for shelter. We’ve talked about evil vs not so evil,” she hitched a thumb at Spike.

“Hey!”

“You’d rather be evil again?” She asked, bringing a stake up.

Spike chuckled, “I’m good, being good. Much better perks,” he grinned.

“That’s what I thought. Point is, assess the situation. If it’s attacking you, feeding off of humans or performing some ritual or something, it’s probably a good bet it’s evil. That said, these tunnels are extensive, take your time and don’t get lost. Any time you see an access point to the surface, take a peek. Get your bearings and make a note of it on the map. Any questions?” There weren’t, “Let’s go.”

Spike lead the way into the basement and opened the concealed door, “Adventure awaits children.”

“I’m not going first,” Cora, a level two girl interrupted.

“No you won’t. That honor belongs to me and Buffy. We’ll be taking the longest tunnel on the map there that should lead all the way into the heart of Edinburgh. You girls will follow behind and branch off where we tell you. Watch for structural damage and collapsed tunnels. You hit a dead end, mark it on the map, text Buffy and head back, take another route. If it starts getting late, head back to the castle. This is a day trip kids, Buffy and I don’t plan on being back to the castle early, very probably nightfall. Hope you all brought snacks.”

“We are just gathering intel, once we have maps drawn up we’ll probably add the tunnels to the patrol lineup.”

There was a general murmur of agreement. Spike turned to Buffy and extended his hand gallantly, “Shall we, Love?”

She placed her hand in his, “We shall,” she smiled.

The tunnel went on as far as they could see, which wasn’t very far because there was very little light. Buffy clicked on her flashlight, the beam penetrating the darkness several feet in front of them. They walked on for less than fifteen minutes before they came to the first intersection of tunnels. Two tunnels branched off to the right at acute angles. Buffy raked her flashlight along the walls and the high ceiling inspecting the bricks.

Buffy checked the map, “Addison, if we’re right, this one to the right here should take you right into town. See where it comes out and mark any tunnels that might intersect. Our theory is that this should be a complete underground road system.”

“Very cool. Alright, let’s go girls, you heard the lady,” Addison shot Ursula a fleeting smile and the girls branched off from the group.

Buffy turned to see who was closer to her, “Ursula? You want to take the second tunnel?”

“Sure thing,” she took a few steps into the tunnel, raising her hand and waving her group over.

Buffy and Spike proceeded down the main tunnel leading the other girls. Sometime later they came to what looked like a large domed room with two tunnels coming off of it. There were shafts of light coming down from the surface here. Buffy climbed a ladder connected to the wall to get a better look.

“What do you see up there, Pet?”

“Definitely a town. Looks like the Wallyford Post Office.”

Spike smoothed the map out on the brick wall and made a note, “Come on down, Love. I think I know where we are.”

“Wallyford?” She asked sarcastically, moving over to him.

Spike pointed to the right hand tunnel, “Smart ass. Look here. That’s our route. It’ll take us through Musselburgh and eventually into Edinburgh. That one over there should run into Dalkeith, eventually.”

“Nice, I think that’s where Sheena is from.”

“Yeah, it is,” Thea answered, “She goes to a Catholic school there during the year.”

“Alright, Wendy, why don’t you take Dalkeith?”

“Got it!” Wendy called

“That leaves Musselburgh for Zari’s group and Edinburgh for us.”

**************

Meanwhile in Callum’s apartment.

“God, Cal,” Faith screamed breathlessly as he pushed her over the edge again. She gripped his shoulders while she rode out the intense wave of pleasure that consumed her, “Cal!” He continued on, building to a fever pitch until finally she felt his own release. Faith screamed in ecstasy again, as yet another wave crashed over them both.

Callum held her in place while they caught their breath. “Hold me, Cal.”

“Aye Lass, I don’t think I could let you go even if I wanted to,” he said as he squeezed her gently.

Once again Faith felt the sting of tears but she pushed them away. Instead she buried her head in his chest. She was just getting herself under control when Callum let out a huff.

“What’s the matter?” She asked.

“I just remembered I made dessert.”

“Seriously?”

“Chocolate mousse with raspberries.”

“Damn, Cal, that sounds really good right about now.”

He kissed the top of her head as he murmured his agreement, “Do you feel like having some now, Lass?”

She grinned, “You had me at chocolate… ya know what, I just noticed something?”

“What’s that?”

“You just let me call you ‘Cal’.”

“Yeah well, I kinda like the way you've been screaming it. Definitely not going to put a stop to that now, am I?” he grinned.

“I did not!”

“Oh aye, Lass, ya did. Over, and over, and over, again. It’s definitely grown on me after that, Love,” he kissed her shoulder, “I’ll happily make you the exception. After tonight you can call me ‘Cal’ anytime you want. Well you and Spike apparently, bloke can’t seem to take a hint.”

“That’s just Spike, he likes his nicknames. He also likes to aggravate people. Might actually stop if you tell him it’s a turn-on.”

Callum laughed, “Maybe I’ll give that a try. Right now I think I’d rather just hear you scream it a little more.”

“Nah ah, you said chocolate.”

“Oh wow, that took an expected turn.”

“Damn straight, amazing sex and chocolate, two of my favorite things.”

Callum grinned, “I’ll let you up on one condition.”

“What’s that?”

“Not a stitch,” he said as he ran his index finger along her throat and down over the dagger and rose tattooed low on her sternum. The breath hitched in her throat as he did so. Callum continued, “Is it just me or does this sweet little dagger here look like it should be the focal point of a larger piece?”

“It was supposed to be. I wanted it to be the start of an underbust design but I just haven’t got around to it. Been seriously busy.”

“I’ll talk to my friend, she can work with you on that if you like. She’s brilliant, she’d give you whatever you want and then some.”

“She did yours?”

“I had another artist do one once and it didn’t turn out so great. I had Gemma do a coverup to fix it and I’ve only gone to her ever since. I think you’d like her. She gave me a hell of a time for not going to her in the first place. Never saw her so pissed.”

“I’d definitely be interested in having this one finished, but right now, I just want chocolate.”

He grinned as he let her up off the bed and followed her out to the kitchen. “Now there’s a sight I could get used to in a hurry,” he said as he watched her take a seat on one of the barstools.

“Back at ya stud,” she winked at him as he pulled two parfait cups filled with pretty layers of mousse, raspberries and whipped cream out of the fridge.

“You got fancy.”

“This?”

“Look, when I was a kid, dessert was a freaking ding-dong. This is amazing.”

He set one down in front of her and went to get spoons from a drawer, “I’m going to laugh and just pretend I know a ding-dong is some sort of a sweet treat and not—“ he gestured to his own naked body.

She bobbed her head, laughing, “It's a pretty versatile word, in this case, it’s this little cake with cream filling and a waxy frosting on the outside that really makes it look like a hockey puck.”

“Sounds appetising,” he said doubtfully as he handed her a spoon.

“Trust me, you’re not missing out. This looks like something you’d pay for in a fancy restaurant.”

“It’s funny to hear you say that. This was a common dessert when I was growing up. My mum used to make this a lot, especially in summer, it’s quick and easy. So what are the others up to tonight?”

“Nothing tonight, taking the girls out in the morning,” she said, taking a bite, “Oh that’s good!”

He smiled as he watched her from his seat next to her, “Glad you like it, Lass.”

When they had finished, Callum cleared the dishes including the ones from dinner. “What next? Movie, sleep, another round?” He grinned.

Faith took his hand leading to the bedroom, “I could go for another round with the champ.”

“Don’t need to ask me twice”, he said as he scooped her up into a fireman’s carry.

She squealed as he deposited her on the bed and made a move to join her. As he did he caught sight of the clock on his nightstand, “Bloody hell, is that the time?”

Faith turned to look. “3:15? Sounds about right. Bet the kids are starting out on their field trip about now too.”

Callum rolled over with a huff, grabbed the phone by the bed and began to dial.

Faith got up on her elbows, “Who the hell are you calling?”

“Leaving a message at the hardware store. I can’t go anywhere with food poisoning, now can I?” he grinned.

Faith pulled herself up close to him, laying kisses along his back as she let her hands wander freely. She had to give him props for staying focused on his phone call. Grinning to herself, she kissed his neck just as he finished leaving his message. Callum hung up the phone and reached around to grab her by the waist, “Now where were we?”

Faith threw her leg around him, straddling him where he sat on the edge of the bed. “Does that mean I get you all to myself today?”

“Tomorrow too if you like.”

“The love-birds can handle things. I’ll call to check on Giles later, he was going to ask a ‘friend’ of his to come over.”

“I’m not opposed to going back to your place later if you need to.”

“Let’s hope not. I’d hate to have to put clothes on. Makes it really hard to do this,” she said as she positioned herself over him, and settled down. Slowly, she began rolling her hips.

“Oh aye, Lass, can’t have that now can we?” He asked in a hushed tone.

He held her in place helping her glide up and down on top of him. Faith raised her arms above her head sensually and Callum moved his mouth to her breast, teasing her with his tongue. Faith let out a little gasp and brought her arms down around his neck as she increased her pace. Callum moved to kiss her neck roughly, “Hang on tight,” he whispered in her ear.

“Cal!” Faith called out as she gripped him firmly. He flipped them over and further onto the bed. “Oh God, Cal!” Faith screamed as the first wave crashed over her a few moments later.

“That’s it, Love,” he said and kissed her again.

********************

“Got something up here, Love,” Spike said in a hushed tone.

“I see it too.”

There were lights shining from the end of the tunnel Buffy and Spike were in. Not long after they had broken away from the last group of girls the tunnels began to change into something that more resembled a buried city. They had been on their own for about an hour and had only come across two vampires that gave them any trouble. Most of the other creatures they saw made it a point to get out of their way quickly. The closer they got to the city above ground the more the city underground took shape. Along the way they had passed several tunnel-like streets going in various directions.

As they came into an open area similar to a town square, Spike turned to her, “Welcome to Edinburgh Undertown, Pet. I think I have a general idea of where I am now. If memory serves, this is pretty close to the market. Think of it almost like a demonic flea market. They sell everything from the usual charms, spells and trinkets to exotic bloods and weaponry.”

“We’re not shopping.”

“Nothing is open now anyway. Most of these folks sleep during the day. The ones who don’t are probably on the surface.”

“Hence the reason we’re here now.”

“Don’t you ‘hence’ me, you little minx, I know the mission. I’m just trying to give a little context. Good bit of the folks you got down here are more like the demons at Xander and Anya’s not-wedding. Not exactly the hardcore evil types. The real nasties are on the outskirts, not so much here. Dru and I lived in a place like this for a couple years, quite nice really, but it got boring. Needed some excitement, some carnage.”

“Yeah what I’m seeing right now seems kinda tame, and weird…” Buffy said as they passed what looked like a daycare on one side of the street and a barbershop on the other.

“What were you expecting?”

“Definitely not this... I mean, a daycare? And look, that barbershop is advertising horn grinding.”

“Oh yeah that’s pretty common. A lot of Demons need to have them ground down either to fit in with folks on the surface or because they grow too fast. They cater to all sorts. Get a lot of vampires in these places.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely, not easy to cut hair without a reflection. Got to do it all by feel. I’ve got pretty good at it over the years. Now I know this place is here, I’ll probably be giving it a try.”

“Seriously? How did I not know this was a thing?”

“Didn’t you ever go into the one in Sunnydale?”

“Didn’t know there was one… how is that even possible?”

“Sort of makes sense I guess. Remember Rack’s place?”

“That guy,” she said darkly.

“Yeah, well it was cloaked like that. Guess they didn’t want the Slayer coming in while folks were getting spiffy. Never thought you didn’t know about it though. Where did you think Angel and I got our hair done?”

“I just thought you guys did it yourself…”

“Can and have, a lot. It’s just nice having someone else do it from time to time.”

“Huhh… yup, still a little weird, I don’t know.”

The two of them made their way along the main street until they came to a corner pub. Inside it was very like many of the pubs in Edinburgh. There was a lot of stone and wood work. A gleaming bar was lined with a variety of demonic patrons.

The bartender, a human looking demon with large rams horns curling out of his head, looked up at the two of them skeptically. He was tall and thin with a pinched face and curly dark blonde hair , “What can I get for you?”

“Scotch on the rocks,” Spike answered and turned to Buffy.

She looked at him with the barest hint of disapproval but didn’t say anything. In truth a drink didn’t sound like a bad idea, so instead she just shrugged and turned to the bartender, “We’re new to the area, just checking things out.”

The bartender looked at her even more critically, “New to the area? Right… well not much to see around here,” he looked around the bar and leaned towards Buffy dropping his voice, “Look Slayer, we run things above board. Keep our noses out of other’s business. Everyone around here is just trying to get by.”

“If I had a dollar for every time I heard that. How do you know who I am?”

He grabbed a glass and a bottle of Scotch as he spoke, “I got a sense about these things. It's no secret that there’s more than one slayer around and it hasn’t been real great for business, I’ll tell you that.”

Spike accepted the glass of scotch and took a sip, “This your place?”

“It is.”

“What’s your name?”

“Steve.”

”Right Steve. I’m Spike, this here is Buffy. Look, we’re not here to stir up trouble.”

“You bring a Slayer in here and you expect me to believe that?” the bartender said in a strained whisper, “What’s she got on you anyway vampire? She promise not to stake you if you show her around?”

“Not exactly. You know, a lot of things can’t pick her out of a lineup. It does pique my curiosity. Must come in handy as a bartender.”

“What’s it to you?”

Spike glanced at Buffy, “If you can read her, you can probably read me too…”

“Sure, vampi— wait a second—-“ the bartender’s face took on a look of confusion as he looked more closely at Spike, “What the— How—“

“I’ll take that as a ‘yes’—“ he drained his drink and tapped the bar for another, “You know what’s going on around here; you have your ear to the ground. Let’s make a deal.”

“W— What kind of deal?” He stammered still looking at Spike aghast as he refilled his glass.

Buffy leaned in a little, “The kind where you feed us information and we don’t wreck the place,” she reached for Spike’s drink and took a sip.

“Or your customers,” Spike menaced.

“Look, I’m not joking. Most of the demons that come in here are just regular folks. Most of them barely ever even go to the surface.”

“I’m not interested in little fish. I want you to tell us when something more unusual comes along. We’re talking about the real nasty, big bad, kind of stuff,” Buffy said.

Spike took another sip of his drink, “I’d take the deal. The lady doesn’t work by halves. Gets cranky when she doesn’t get to kill something for too long too.”

The bartender studied the two of them nervously before answering, “How— how do I contact you?”

“Oh someone will be through fairly regularly. If it’s not one of us, we’ll send someone. You’ll know. If you catch something big that’s going down fast, you can call this number,” she told him as she pulled out a simple business card. The card simply read, “Slayer Central”, with a phone number Willow had rigged up as a party-line that rang in on Buffy, Faith and Willow’s phones at once. It was the number they handed out to pretty much everyone outside of the Scoobies and the Slayerettes. The number was also untraceable by electronic or magical means.

The bartender locked eyes with Buffy as she handed him the card, “Alright, sure. Whatever you want. Just keep it civil alright?”

Spike offered Buffy his drink, “Cheers, Love.”

She took a sip and handed it back to him. Spike tipped his glass towards the bartender, “Here’s to ya Steve, to the start of a beautiful friendship,” he said downing the last of his drink.

The two of them left the underground pub a few minutes later, after making a few adjustments to their map. They continued down the street looking into shop windows and up and down alleys just to get a feel of the place.

“At least now I know where demons get all their robes,” Buffy said as they passed the third robe shop.

A large burly looking demon came out of what looked like another pub, coming their way. He didn’t seem to notice them until they were a few feet away. The demon’s head suddenly jerked up and he started sniffing the air, locking his eyes on Buffy.

“Is that a human I smell?” he growled, licking his scaly lips.

“Sure is!” she smiled sweetly.

“Stirring up trouble, mate?”

The demon glanced at Spike for the first time, “What do you care, vampire?”

Spike shrugged a shoulder, “Could say I’m protecting my interest,” he said changing his face, preparing for a fight.

The demon staggered drunkenly as he tried for a fighting stance. Spike rolled his eyes and glanced at Buffy, “Talk about low hanging fruit,” she said.

“Let’s get out of here, Pet.”

As they moved past him the large demon swung drunkenly at Spike, “This isn’t any of your business, Vampire.”

Spike dodged the punch easily, the big guy toppled and landed on his face. Spike eyed him in disgust. He sighed, “Help me with this idiot would you, Love?”

“You’re kidding right?”

“I’ve played cards with plenty of these guys. He might be big but they’re not exactly capital “B” bad. These guys are like the big biker guys that are secretly gardeners or knitters and whatnot. All the ones I met look like big bruisers on the outside but on the inside they’re, well Clem.”

Buffy looked at him doubtfully and sighed, “Sometimes you can be such a softy.”

“Bite your tongue or I’ll do it for you. Just help me with him, would you,” he snapped as he hauled the demon up into a sitting position.

“The things we do for love,” she sighed as she took the demon under one large arm and Spike took the other. “What do you want to do with him?”

Spike pointed to a little alcove next to a set of steps, “Over there’s good, just so folks aren’t tripping over the bloke,” he grunted as they dragged him over the ground, “Where do you get off saying ‘the things we do for love’ anyway, Pet? Not that I’m keeping score or anything but seems to me like I’m the one making most of the sacrifices. Again, not keeping score. I’d do it all over again for you but still… that sort of hit a nerve.”

They heaved the big demon over and made him as comfortable as possible on the hard ground. Buffy straightened up looking squarely at Spike. She had only meant it as a joke but he had a point. She had made sacrifices, sure; but when it specifically came to their relationship, he was right. She gaped at him, “Spike—“

A wave of pain shot through him and he knew it came from her. “Don’t take it like that. I didn’t mean— I don’t have any regrets… well no, I got lots of regrets— but not any of the greater good stuff. Definitely a few of the more unsavoury things I wouldn’t mind scrubbing from the record.”

Buffy shook her head, “No, no, I get it,” she said calmly as she made her way back towards the street the way they had come.

“Buffy…” he said catching up to her, “Buffy, oh come on, Love.”

“No, you’re right—“

He caught up to her spinning her around, “Buffy, that came out a lot worse than I meant.”

“I know… and I know you don’t ask for much because most of that stuff just doesn’t matter to you and—- there’s a lot you could complain about, but you don’t. I mean, be honest, how do you feel about moving to Scotland permanently?” She asked as she pushed her awareness towards him trying to pick up on what he was feeling.

“You know how I feel about that, Pet. I like it here just fine. I’m good with living here, with you. It’s not really about me, Pet. It’s where you need to be and I just need to be with you.”

Buffy looked up at him, a tone thrummed through her head like a literal note of truth striking just the right cord, “Thank you.”

He took her hand in his own, “Don’t mention it, Pet. You know how I feel about you.”

“I just want you to know that if the circumstances were reversed, if it was your job we were moving for, I’d do it for you.”

They walked on through the nearly deserted streets. There were a few signs of life but not many.

“I know you would, Love. Don’t fret. You did a lot for me when the First was using my body as a knife sharpener and my brain as a piñata. That definitely counts for something. Something big. Not to mention that soddingchip.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. But it’s not really the same.”

“Hell it ain’t. I’d been done for, a hundred times over if not for you, Pet. I think I can stand being the supporting boyfriend,” he grinned.

“That simple huh?”

“Damn straight it is. At least for now. You know how it goes, Sweetheart. Something always comes up and we bat it down like soddingcosmic whack-a-mole.”

“Now there’s an image.”

They walked on in a different direction. Buffy kept looking up at the ceiling of the great cavernous tunnel they were in. It was such an odd feeling being in an underground city. Sure Sunnydale had had a tunnel system, but this was huge. She squeezed Spike’s hand as she looked around at the buildings. These were homes and businesses. The place was relatively quiet now but come nightfall it would be a buzzing hub of activity.

“You know what I don’t get?” She said suddenly as they turned down a narrow alleyway.

“Why the majority of them sleep during the day even when they are underground?”

“Could you hear me thinking?”

“Not strong, had a pretty good idea what was going through your head though.”

“Still, that’s something. I wasn’t even trying to push my thoughts towards you.”

He lifted their intertwined fingers, “Minimal physical contact too. Might have to make it a point to work on this thing.”

“I’d like that.”

“You sure you want to go snooping around in my noggin? It’s pretty messy.”

She stopped turning towards him in the dimly lit alley, “If you can be the supportive boyfriend, I think I can handle this.”

“What if we end up not just sharing surface thoughts? What if—“

“You’re worried about me seeing your more ick-some memories too.”

“Well, yeah. It’s not particularly pleasant in here.”

“Let’s just take it one thing at a time alright? We can try a few meditation tricks Willow thought me and go from there. I want to do this for you. I want that deeper connection to you.”

“You’re sure?”

She tilted her head towards him, “I am.”

Spike pressed his lips to hers pushing thoughts of love towards her filling her up like a cup. Suddenly he felt her pushing back, growing more desperate with each movement of their lips and tongues. Love and devotion pushed and pulled between them as they continued the kiss. Buffy reached for Spike’s belt and was ready to take him right there in the alley just like they had in Paris; when Buffy got an incoming text. And another. And another.

“Bullocks, what the bloody hell is going on with that damn thing?” Spike grumbled as he relaxed his hold on her.

Buffy sighed as she looked down at her phone and grimaced, “Well, damn.”

“What’s up?”

She handed her phone over to him:

SOS!!!

Meet at castle

Messed up

Spike read it twice, “Bloody hell… Wendy… yeah alright, let’s go, Slayer. But we’re continuing this first chance we get.”

“God yes.”

“Feeling a little pent-up are you?”

#fanfic #buffy the vampire slayer #bound #buffy fanfic #buffy x spike #spuffy #spike x buffy

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flourishwithfreda · 10 months

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🌸💗 Creating a Safe Space: Fostering a Supportive and Inclusive Environment 💫🤝

Creating a safe space for others is an essential act of compassion and inclusivity. Here are some ways to cultivate a safe space where individuals feel respected, valued, and supported:

1️⃣ Practice Active Listening: Listen attentively and without judgment when someone shares their thoughts, feelings, or experiences. Give them your full attention and validate their emotions, creating a space for open and honest communication.

2️⃣ Show Empathy and Understanding: Seek to understand others' perspectives and experiences, even if they differ from your own. Practice empathy by putting yourself in their shoes, acknowledging their feelings, and responding with compassion.

3️⃣ Foster Respectful Communication: Encourage open and respectful dialogue where everyone feels comfortable expressing their opinions and ideas. Promote kindness, inclusivity, and active participation, while discouraging derogatory language or disrespectful behavior.

4️⃣ Honor Diversity and Inclusion: Celebrate and embrace diversity in all its forms. Create an environment where individuals of different backgrounds, cultures, identities, and abilities feel welcome, represented, and valued.

5️⃣ Practice Confidentiality: Respect others' privacy by maintaining confidentiality. Create a safe space where people feel confident sharing their thoughts, experiences, and challenges without fear of judgment or breach of trust.

6️⃣ Set Boundaries and Address Harmful Behavior: Establish clear boundaries and guidelines for appropriate behavior within the safe space. Address any harmful or disrespectful behavior promptly and firmly, promoting a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.

7️⃣ Lead by Example: Model the behaviors and values you wish to see in the safe space. Be kind, inclusive, and supportive to create a positive atmosphere and inspire others to do the same.

💗🌱 By creating a safe space for others, you foster a sense of belonging, promote personal growth, and nurture authentic connections. Let's continue to build safe spaces where everyone feels heard, respected, and valued. Together, we can create a world where everyone thrives! 🌍✨

#SafeSpace #Inclusion #Compassion #Respect #Diversity #Empathy #PositiveEnvironment #FlourishWithFreda

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glitching-desert-snake · 2 years

Note

for the kj asks! party poison + one of your ocs/sona if you have them! 2, 4, 10, 19!

obsidian rain (my OC)

2. do they have any nicknames?

rain (general), rainbow (by one specific person), flint (in their friend group/previous gang)

4. what do they look like?

hex has blue hair (and pronouns) and sometimes parts of it is dyed purple, hex mostly wears cargo pants a white t shirt or tank top and their battle jacket. hex had pierced ears but hex sold or traded away most of hext jewelry (metal is a very important and specific thing where hex is from)

10 do they believe in the Witch, DESTROYA, no one, or someone else?

hex is not from the zones, hex is from hexstone city (original setting), many folks there believe in the stars or planets and especially in comet/meteor imagery. hex believes in the ground and in pipes, in honor among thieves and in survivance.

19 what are they afraid of?

hex is afraid of stillness and afraid of being dependent, hex believes in working together but hex is afraid of attachment - of belonging with someone

party poison:

2 do they have any nicknames?

red (derogatory), fruit punch (cherri only), pois (general), fiesta (ghoul specifically when party is in a bad mood)

4. what do they look like (if different from canon)?

ze has half zir head shaved and the other half down to zir ears or shoulder depending on how long ze's been without a haircut. it's usually red or fading red. if ze is working on something in the kitchen ze'll be in an apron and tie zir hair up in a short high ponytail. ze likes to wear skirts but not dresses.

10 do they believe in the Witch, DESTROYA, no one, or someone else?

ze is not a believer in any zones thing, sometimes ze thinks about Destroya because growing up in the city that was what ze naturally absorbed as part of how they think about the world

19 what are they afraid of?

they're afraid of loosing the ones they have around them, physically or emotionally. but they're also prone to jumping to conclusions so it's a turbulent cycle

send killjoy asks

#obsidian rain #snakes hcs #danger days #snake wants attention #party poison #anon ask #answered asks

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cherriesink · 3 years

Text

Suwa - Murmurs

Murmurs are snippets of character reflection earned by increasing Explore Points during Exploration. They usually include 6-7 monologues about other characters and 3-4 monologues about things important to the specific character.

These lines are taken straight from the English translation of the game, so fair warning of bad grammar.

About Yatsufusa “Yatsufusa is a lucky dude. Those like him die instantly when they turn into a vampire. I know that from experience. We rescued him, Tenman-ya sheltered him, and Ishikawa showed him the way. An extremely lucky one. He’s like Kurusu how he doesn’t want to kill anyone.

But Kurusu is an A-Class after all. Most vampires avoid him in the first place even if he whines. But Yatsufusa is a C-Class like me... He can die if he lets his guard down.

Well, it’s none of my business. We both like watchin’ plays, so it’s not like I don’t wanna help him out. Only I can teach him hoe to fight as a C-Class. Ambushing and sneak attack is my style. Kill them cold with a cunning, silent, calm attitude. It’s best if the vampires don’t even realize that they’re dead.

Though, I did mess around with them when I was young. That was when I got the nickname “Vampire Hunter.””

About Kurusu “Dear Kurusu is physically A-Class but naïve on the inside. I bet he never went through things like being attacked by a human being, or takin’ shelter in an abandoned house and freakin’ out to a ray of sunlight comin’ in from the cracks. Not even... having to kill anyone for their blood...

A vampire that’s cushioned by the military the moment he got infected and has blood supplied to him without killin’ anyone, huh...

I’ve been alive for some time, but I’ve never seen a vampire like him. He’s no vampire. He’s a complete human inside. I don’t mean to nag him sayin’... “Young ones these days.” Coz those are for geezers that are good for nothin’. Live as long as me, and naggin’ at new things and era becomes stupid.

An era where vampires fight for the government- then so be it. That’s all.”

About Maeda “You bump into guys like Maeda when live long like myself. Most of them die miserably. Guys like him are prepared to die even when they have the privilege to live. Not even a samurai in the Edo period was so bold as him.

After all, Japan lived in peace for 300 years. Most of them died without havin’ to risk their own lives for somethin’. I haven’t seen those strong determined eyes in so long. If you wanna know the secret to longevity, that is to avoid any trouble with that kind. Even if you’re above them, they might turn on you with somethin’ outrageous.

I battled a guy like Maeda once, but he almost chopped my head off. He was a famous swordsman... but I forgot what his name was.”

About Yamagami “Yamagami is useless. His vampire detectin’ skills are even useless. Cos we have Kurusu on our side. They sense us by the time Yamagami detects them. Not to mention that- I’m quite famous between vampires.

So, Yamagami has to be on his own. But even if he detects a vampire, he’s unranked... meanin’ he can’t fight. He clings to things like honor and human kindness. And even to his wife... Kurusu can’t perform at his best because cos he covers up for Yamagami.

Can’t say we need Yamagami on our team as Code Zero. It’s not like he can do experiments behind the scene like Takeuchi so... just make him be our janitor.”

About Takeuchi “I’ve lived for quite some time but never met a vampire like Takeuchi before. Most of us fall into despair right when we become a vampire. The reason is simple. Being told that we can only consume blood, not being able to go under the sun, and end up sinkin’ in water. Just when you think it can’t get worse- we cannot die. That’s where most of us lose it and scream our heads off.

But him, Takeuchi- I heard that guy rejoiced. He yelled, “I can research forever!” I never heard of a vampire like that. Forget about all the nonsense about young ones being so spineless. He’s probably a subspecies of humankind IF he was human to start with...

Anywho, I wish he’s stop usin’ his skunk ball. Even the deodorize mask can’t block the smell if he uses it too much.

But I like these daggers. They fit my style. Who knows how he makes them, but they’re durable and the best.”

About Defrott “Defrott- I haven’t seen a foreign vampire in a long time. My hair stood on end when I first met him. It was my first time seeing an S-Class and also an underaged vampire surviving for hundreds of years.

...He must be intelligent. Stayin’ young stands out so we can’t stay in one place for a long time. Judging by his appearance, people will start noticing him if nothin’ changes about him for three years. So he has to change his hideout every three years with a decent reason for a kid to be on his own...

A lot of underaged vampires will act with a grown one or threaten humans to act as their guardian- It’s a derogatory term, but we call those kinds “Parasites.”

But Defrott chose to parasite on theater. A theatrical company will go on tours from one place to another. And he can disguise with makeup. Smart choice. But the smartest decision is that he doesn’t attack humans for whatever reason.”

About Tenman-ya “Tenman-ya is like a sanctuary for vampires that wanna live as normal people. I heard vampires also have national traits. It’s said that Japanese vampires are quiet... but maybe they’re just timid. They’re probably hesitant of attacking people.

I never cared, but some bragged that they’d only attack criminals... But there aren’t that many criminals out there, so they ended up attackin’ innocent people.

During the end of the Edo period, there were those that impersonated Sonno Joi and attacked the supporters of the Shogun. It was entertaining watchin’ them take advantage of politics.

...Well, vampires made different excuses in order to get blood. But I guess the way Tenman-ya does it by payin’ vampires with blood suits Japanese vampires the best.”

About Code Zero “Vampires don’t act in groups unless they exceptionally get along with each other. They’ll stand out, and it’ll usually end up in a fight if you’re with someone for hundreds of years.

But it seems that vampires act together nowadays. They must be afraid of the Taisho era... the era where everything changes in a spilt second. That’s why they lean on each other.

Well, I don’t blame them... I’m livin’ with a group of vampires under the roof of Code Zero myself. Which I never would have imagined 100 years ago. But lifestyle changes with time.

But man, it was crazy after the Edo period came to an end. I enjoyed it, but it must’ve been tough for those who saw it differently.”

About the Past “How old am I- I have no when I was born. There weren’t newspapers back then or a custom celebrating birthdays. It became easier when the western calendar came in. Peasants and merchants weren’t familiar with the names of eras either.

When I told Takeuchi that I was tortured to death by vampires that snuck in with the missionary, he said, “That must be the Azuchi-Momoyama period.” So I just go with what he told me.

Kurusu asked, “What was it like in the Edo period?” but... I have no idea how long the Edo period lasted. Besides, I didn’t read newspapers so it’s not like I knew about what went on in the human world.

But there were many fires in Edo. Vampires can’t stand the heat so, there weren’t many vampires in Edo. Vampires at the time only had the choice of livin’ in the mountains. Cos people live in villages. If not, it’s under the temple’s jurisdiction according to what I learned in temple school...”

About the Height “My height... I’m fine being a vampire, but couldn’t they have wait for another two, three years before they bit me? The length of your limbs do impact in a battle. Takeuchi was sensible enough to make these boots with thick soles... but I can tell he also sees my height as a disadvantage. It’s the only pain I feel.

...Edo was a good time for me. There were less watchmen on patrol. Now, the Imperial Capital is full of police, and I’d get questioned if they see a kid like me walkin’ around at night. It’s annoyin’. The Special Forces Unit 16 and Code Zero are top-secret units, so they still suspect me even when I tell them where I belong to...

Oh, I can just have Yamagami tag along with me! Finally, he’s useful at somethin’.”

#mars red #suwa

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pastorralffriedrichs · 3 years

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4 Ways Esther Inspires Us to Step Out in Faith

"Before I made you in your mother's womb, I chose you”

(Jeremiah 1:5).

When choosing teams in school, children should never choose teams.

Why?

Inevitably, the least popular or most athletically challenged children would be left standing alone, on display, easy targets for derogatory labels and ridicule.

Choose teams on the basis of birthday month, favorite flavor of ice cream or color of clothing worn that day.

The result?

Every child is chosen.

We all long to be chosen, loved by someone who sees us as we really are. Someone who recognizes our worth.

Esther was an orphan,

an insignificant and unknown Jewish girl living with her uncle Mordecai when she was chosen to be Queen,

the wife of Persian King Ahasuerus.

Esther had reigned for only a short time when Mordecai learned of a plot to assassinate the King. Mordecai told Esther who told Ahasuerus and the guilty men were executed.

The king’s life was spared, but life for the Jewish people became extremely difficult.

Haman, a very influential but evil officer in the king’s court, was promoted to the second-highest position in the land. Haman hated the Jews and convinced the King to issue a law that all people had to bow to the King, or they would be executed. That law would mean certain death for not only Esther and Mordecai, but also for every Jew who bowed only to God.

And there was one other small problem.

The King did not know that his new queen was a Jew. As Esther and her people fasted for God’s direction, Esther planned what might have been the first reveal party for the king and Haman. During the banquet, Esther revealed Haman’s plot.

Esther also revealed the fact that she was a Jew. True love won the day. The King condemned Haman to die and saved the Jewish nation. In short, God raised Esther up to save her people!

Esther made a life-changing decision to step out in faith and obey God. Because she made the right choice, she discovered her true worth in God. If Esther can take those steps, so can we.

Step 1:

Understand That We Are Chosen

“And who knows, you may have been chosen queen for just such a time as this"

(Esther 4:14).

Esther was chosen--not just by a King, but by God. God placed Esther in a high position of leadership at a very special time and for a very special reason. The same is true in your life and in mine.

You are no accident!

Where you are is no surprise to God.

Situational ethics is now being taught in many schools. One teacher, wanting to illustrate that human reasoning is many times wrong, gave the following situation to a class of students:

"Would you advise a mother who was pregnant with her fifth child to have an abortion--given the following facts?

Her husband had syphilis.

She had tuberculosis.

Their first child was born blind.

Their second child died.

Their third child was born deaf.

Their fourth child had tuberculosis.

Most of the students agreed that she should have an abortion. The teacher was quiet for a moment before responding. “Those of you who said, ‘Yes' would have just killed the great composer Ludwig von Beethoven!"

You and I were created in response to the love of God.

“I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well. You saw my bones being formed as I took shape in my mother's body. When I was put together there, you saw my body as it was formed. All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old”

(Psalm 139:14-16).

We were created in love…for love. The plan came first! God personally supervised our formation. We were created for a special purpose and with a unique plan for our lives. In other words, we were created by God for God!

“Know that the LORD is God. He made us, and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep he tends” (Psalm 100:3).

In this verse “LORD” literally means “Father” or “dearest daddy.” We were not created to be His puppet. We were created for an intimate, loving relationship with God. He created us and chose us, and just as God had a special plan for Esther, He has a special plan for you.

“I know what I am planning for you," says the LORD. "I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future” (Jeremiah 29).

The best plan for every life rests solely in the hands of the One who created it.

In the early days of the automobile, a man's Model-T Ford stalled in the middle of the road. No matter what he tried, the car wouldn’t start. Finally, a chauffeured limousine pulled up behind him and a wiry, energetic man stepped from the back seat, offering his assistance.

After tinkering for a few moments, the stranger said, "Now try it!" The engine immediately came to life. The well-dressed man then identified himself as Henry Ford. "I designed and built these cars," he said, "So I know what to do when something goes wrong."

God is our creator. When our lives are broken, He can heal them. When the plan falls apart, He can fix it. We not only find our strength in that truth, but we also find the core message of our calling as well.

We are wanted, loved, and cherished by God. We belong to Him. We are chosen.

Step 2:

Accept the Challenge

“I will go to the king…” (Esther 4:16).

Esther certainly understood stress! When the King’s law to destroy the Jews was published, Mordecai and the rest of the Jews lost it. Mordecai told Esther that she needed to go to her husband and beg for mercy.

Esther initially refused, but with good reason. If she went to the king without being invited, she would be killed. Now that is a real test!

Like Esther, every time life delivers a cruel blow, we must make a choice. We can choose to accept the challenge, or we can refuse it and miss the opportunity it offers. Yes, I said “opportunity.”

If you are like me, when a trial comes, I tend to look for the nearest exit, hoping to avoid the pain and examination that every challenge affords. At the center of every challenge is an opportunity. Behind every problem is a purpose.

“And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness--secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name” (Isaiah 45:3, NLT).

Don’t miss this truth! God has gone before us, and in every problem, every darkness and trial, has buried a “treasure” and stored “secret riches.” The only way we can discover that treasure or uncover the secret riches is to face the challenge, walk through the darkness, and confront the trial, refusing to give up until the lesson is learned and the truth gained.

When golf balls were first manufactured, their covers were smooth. Golfers discovered that after repeated use, the covers grew rough, giving the ball greater power when it was hit. Life is much the same. It takes some “rough spots” to make us go our farthest.

Jesus did not come to eliminate our problems. He came to fill those problems with Himself. Someone once said: “When God permits His children to go through the furnace, He keeps his eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat.

“So don't worry, because I am with you. Don't be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you; I will support you with my right hand that saves you” (Isaiah 41:10).

Queen Esther came to this truth when she accepted the biggest and, I am sure, the most frightening challenge of her life. She boldly stood for truth and against the enemy’s schemes. In doing so, she saved her people and won a place of honor.

What challenge is before you, my friend? Accept it, welcome it, embrace it--and just see what your God does through it!

Step 3:

Choose to Face Our Fear

“Then I will go to the king even though it is against the law, and if I die, I die" (Esther 4:16b).

The ability to walk through fear comes from trust in God alone. Esther was afraid and uncertain. She still chose to walk through her fear, ignore her own human weakness and limitations, and go to the king.

Fear is a control issue. Its opposite is trust.

Playing God is the root of fear. When we play God, we trust ourselves instead of Him. If you are struggling with fear, the question you must ask yourself is, “Who is God in my life?”

Step 4:

Step Out in Faith

"Go, gather together all the Jews…and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish”

(Esther 4:16).

A teacher was doing her best to disprove the miracles of the Bible. "Take, for instance, the crossing of the Red Sea. We know this body of water was only six inches deep," she said. A little boy immediately shouted, “Praise God for that miracle!" Annoyed, the teacher asked, "What miracle?" The little boy explained, "The Lord must have drowned the whole Egyptian army in just six inches of water!"

Paul writes, “It was by faith that the people crossed the Red Sea as if it were dry land. But when the Egyptians tried it, they were drowned” (Hebrews 11:29). Fear puts our circumstance between God and us while faith puts God between our circumstance and us. God’s people crossed the Red Sea and Esther saved a nation--because of faith.

Esther rose from the ordinary to the extraordinary and proved herself worthy because she understood that God had chosen her, just as He has chosen you. Esther was willing to accept the challenge before her. You can, too. Just as Esther chose to face her fear, you can face yours. Esther stepped out in faith and today, God is calling us to do the same.

#takeyourlifebacktodayshow

#ralffriedrichs

#fall7timesgetup8times

#nevergiveup

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just-graysexual · 7 years

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Sorry if this question was already asked, you can just link the post if you like instead of answering again. The Q in lgbtq stands for queer/questioning,right? Is being ace/gray-a considered queer? I have heard controversial opinions on this, but I really want to understand that. Does being gray-a etc. make me a member of lgbtq? Or not?

Hey Anon,

No worries, no one has ever asked me this. I’m not sure if I can give you a 100% answer, because I don’t think a “resolution” has happened yet. I know that this is quite the hot topic and debated about a lot within the community. I know it’s very controversial, which in return, produces a whole lot of different opinions and not one universal set answer.

The “Q” in LGBTQ does stand for Queer or Questioning, but they do not necessarily represent both together. They don’t have to be used interchangeably. They can be two different stand alone identities. In other words, Queer does not have to mean Questioning and Questioning does not have to mean Queer. Sometimes you might see the acronym abbreviated as LGBTQQ or LGBTQ2; these abbreviations include queer and questioning, because they are two separate labels. Or just because you are Queer does not mean you are Gay and just because you are Gay does not mean you are Queer. You could be, but you don’t have to be.

Obviously if you are Questioning you are unsure or questioning your identity. Whether it be sexual, gender, romantic, etc. Queer, however, has a variety of different meanings. People can identify with Queer for several reasons, all personal to that individual.

From what I can gather Queer can mean: attracted to people of many genders, not fitting into general/cultural norms about sexuality or gender identity, non-heterosexual, a slur, and revolutionary/challenge the status quo/badge of honor.

It’s an individual’s personal choice if they want to identify as Queer or use it as their label. Several people will label their sexual orientation as just Queer. Many other people who are gay or lesbian use the term Queer; many of them have used it to reclaim the word from it’s use of being a slur or derogatory term. More people can identify as Queer if they feel that their orientation does not match up with their gender identity, sexual preferences, relationships, etc. Queer is also used as a umbrella term for any one’s sexual orientation is non-heterosexual.

In regards to if being ace/gray-a is considered queer I think it really depends on the person and why they are using the term queer. Ace/Gray-a does not have to mean Queer and vice versa. Since asexual and graysexual does not mean heterosexual then I believe it is okay if an Ace wants to use the term queer, but only if that person is truly comfortable doing so and they feel queer works for them.

Being gray-a makes you a member of the ace community, the LGBTQIA community, and potentially the queer community. Though I do believe it is up to that person if they want to belong to or participate in any one of those communities at all. You are not obligated to be apart of any of these communities if you do not wish.

I hoped that helped somewhat, Anon. Just remember Queer and Questioning are two separate identities. You can be one or the other or both. Someone who is ace/gray-a can identify as queer if they wish. Being Ace does make you apart of the lgbtqia community, but only if you want to be associated with it. I’m sorry if this got really confusing. If you would like me to try to explain it in a different way feel free to message me again.

#questioning #queer #lgbtqia #lgbtqia community #ace community #ace:question

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evielynsdisneyfemslashfanfiction · 4 years

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You Must Return Home Part 12;

- Maren ... - Elsa whispered enchanted with the warrior's words.

- Elsa, I ... - Honeymaren's words were cut by small lights that began to leave the same room where they were before. - I think it's time to leave.

The brunette pointed out the place informing Elsa of what was happening, both sighed disappointed, her little stolen moment was apparently over and both had to return to their reality.

- Yes, we must return - Elsa sighed.

Both began to go to that place, but the blonde suddenly stopped dead making the warrior do the same.

- Tomorrow we will go for a walk, right? With Heart - asked the somewhat shy queen.

- Sure, I promised you, right? A trip in Heart you and me - the brunette smiled.

- After that ... would you like to accompany me on a trip to the Nokk? - The young woman with blue eyes asked nervously, that was like asking for an appointment, wasn't it?

- Of course, we can go wherever you want -, "if after what I will do you do not stop talking to me," thought Northuldra.

- Perfect! - Elsa smiled. - Let's go then.

Both returned just in time, Elsa said goodbye to Honeymaren and returned to her place without any suspicion. When the light was completely restored, the young queen returned to her duties as a hostess, greeting the guests and watching for them until the time for the dance arrived. As expected, several nobles, mostly young people of the same age, approached her to ask for a dance, but Elsa rejected them subtly, still did not know how to dance, so she preferred to save herself the moment of shame and better observe How did the others. The dance floor was filled with couples dancing to the rhythm of the music and her mind traveled elsewhere, one where she made the same movements with Honeymaren, dancing, coordinating her movements and finished the choreography in the arms of the other, perhaps , someday,

After that, Elsa decided it was time to start mixing more with the guests, so she got off the shelf and began to walk among everyone. He met several familiar faces, people who had gone to his coronation and that of his sister, as many new faces that were companions of his guests with whom he established talks almost automatically, which should certainly be in case these were possible new allies. Everything was going great until he ran into someone, a young king who had barely ascended to the throne, both established some deals due to the situation that both kingdoms maintained, helped each other in what they could and, well, they went ahead. Elsa recognized him immediately and gave him a warm smile, he did not expect to see him, sincerely,

- King Jeremiah! It is a pleasure to have him here - Elsa smiled.

- It is an honor to be here - replied the young man of only twenty-one.

- How the past? I hope you are being treated as you should - the king laughed at it.

- The attention here is wonderful, it is one of the best I've had! - He flattered the boy. - By the way, I am not alone here to greet, I wanted to introduce you to one of my majority partners, since you are queen, maybe I could talk to them and establish some deal.

- Of course, who are they? - The queen was interested.

- Oh, there they are! - The boy raised his hand and two masked figures approached making Elsa wonder.

- Why do you have masks? - The blonde was interested.

- They must have thought that it was a masquerade, many were made in my kingdom and, as I invited them, they might be confused - Jeremiah shrugged.

The men came to where the guardian and the young man were, something did not seem to fit entirely for the queen, but perhaps she was being paranoid, after all, those events made her very anxious.

- Come on, take those things off and greet Queen Elsa - the boy ordered his companions.

The moment both people took off their marks, Elsa froze, more than she normally was. In front of her were nothing more and nothing less than the Duke of Weselto and to his right a robust-looking bodyguard. What the hell was he doing there? How the hell did the palace security protocols pass? And, above all, what did they want?

- Queen Elsa, let me introduce you to the Duke of Weselton -, the boy seemed not to know what was happening, for him, it was as if they didn't know each other.

"Your highness," the toupee man bowed.

Elsa's expression was one of absolute irritation, but she couldn't do anything, at least not at the moment, because she liked it or not, she had to remain as calm as possible and not put together a show in front of so many people, not again.

- May I know what will bring you here after our clear declaration of total rupture of relations between our kingdoms? - The queen asked.

- Just to show my respect to the queen again, you see, what happened a few years ago was quite painful, I regret my behavior at that time and, I hope, now your curse is more controlled - said the count.

- Curse? - He raised an eyebrow Jeremiah.

- Ah, it is a most curious story, the queen here has a curse that allows her to throw ice from her hands as if she were a sorceress, in her first coronation, she froze the entire kingdom returning summer in a perpetual winter -, Weselton explained.

- What? - It was the only thing that came out of the king's lips.

- The winter incident was an accident caused by a certain man that I do not want to mention, in addition to the fact that he was scared and terrified was because a certain duke here began to call the queen “monster” at four winds making the general panic spread - the blonde defended herself. - And, for your information, my powers that, in fact, are a gift, are under control now.

- That's nice to know, it means that maybe we can talk about a possible cooperation between Weselton and Arendelle.

- No, what was stipulated in my mandate is a final decision and do not think about changing it.

- Please, we were great business partners, if only you could give us one more chance.

In the distance, brown eyes saw all that, Honeymaren noticed how tense Elsa was at that moment and not only because of her body language, but because she could clearly see how small splinters of ice began to form on the ground, nothing very important, but if visible enough for someone who knew the young blonde to worry. Without thinking twice, the young cinnamon complexion began to approach the queen.

- Is something wrong, Elsa? - Honeymaren interrupted the talk.

The two men looked at the new member of the conversation missing, the older of them with a gesture of disapproval when he saw how he had gotten so abruptly into a private talk and the youngest with a slight blush on his face showing too much interest in the New female face.

- Who is this woman and why does she have such bad manners? - The duke asked looking very contemptuously at the warrior. - And what about those weird clothes?

- I am Honeymaren Nattura of the Northuldra and a close friend of Elsa - the horseman appeared in a beaten tone. - I don't know who you are, but please, I'd appreciate it if you stopped bothering her.

- Northuldra? I don't know that kingdom, is it near here? - Jeremiah questioned genuinely intrigued by the girl.

- It is not a kingdom, it is a small tribe established in the Enchanted Forest three days from here -, Elsa replied, but not before adding. - My mother belonged to that tribe and I moved with them when I gave my crown to Anna.

- A tribe? Anyone from the royal family living among savages? - The duke was shocked. - And not only that, a member of the royal family marrying one of them and procreating offspring? I see why your majesty was cursed with those powers, if something good brought the unfortunate loss of the previous queen is that she has returned where she belongs. I remember that once I found one of those tribes near an important source of gold, my soldiers cleaned the area in days.

Elsa's face was horrified to see the light way in which the Duke spoke of ending the lives of people, had memories of his grandfather at that time, how he betrayed the Northuldra and how that caused so much pain in so many people. He was going to say something, but Honeymaren stood before her.

- Once you called Elsa monster for her gift given by the spirits, but the only one I see here is you - she growled angrily feels her and, in an agile movement, took a spear from the guards and pointed the duke with it. - You are a murderer.

- Take that thing off me, wild! - The duke demanded.

- N-We don't have to resort to violence - Jeremiah got nervous.

- Maren ... - whispered the blonde placing a hand on the shoulder of the Northuldra causing him to lower the spear, but not for pleasure. - Thank you.

Elsa took a few steps forward, making a prudent distance between the Northuldra and the Duke who was beginning to calm down a little after what had happened.

- You're lucky that Elsa is here, because otherwise, this would have ended badly -, snorted Honeymaren notoriously angry.

- Are you wanting to threaten me !? - The duke was shocked.

"Oh, I'm not wanting, I'm doing it," said the rider. - You bother Elsa again or you speak badly of our tribe and you will know what a true warrior can do.

The brown-eyed girl returned the spear to the guard, who was still wondering how the hell had taken it off in the first place and stood next to Elsa, vigilant and expectant, did not trust anything in that subject.

- Your majesty, I must implore you to better select the people with whom you live, we do not want your deplorable customs to stick to you -, snapped the earl cleaning his suit a little.

- I've had enough - Elsa said in a severe and frivolous tone. - Not only does he enter my court knowing that his presence is, at least, unwanted, he also dares to insult one of the closest people I have calling him derogatory.

The cold was beginning to feel and everyone was watching the show, the serenity of the Queen of Arendelle was quite well known, it was very strange to see her lose control, much less get angry after the summer incident years ago, but now it was different, Elsa was allowing herself feel anger, not to an extreme extent, but enough to bring the temperature around.

- And, to culminate, it offends the late Queen Iduna, my mother, who is like me Northuldra. Is this how you appeal to a negotiation? - Several angry looks of directing to the count, who felt the repudiation come from these.

- I ... Eh ... Your majesty -, the man gave a nervous giggle as he stretched the neck of his suit. - It wasn't my intention, really, it's just that, you know, you're from the realizes and ...

- Enough - demanded the blonde raising her hand without firing a ray of ice. - I extend the same warning to you that I made to your ambassador. You have until morning to withdraw from my kingdom or else I will use force.

- I wouldn't dare! I am the Earl of Weaselton! - The old man shouted with a wig.

- Guards - Elsa called giving a silent order to her soldiers.

From the crowd, a pair of soldiers emerged ready to load the count to the outside of the castle and escort him to his ship. The last thing the blonde saw was the man shouting and kicking about him as he was being treated.

- Sorry, your highness, I didn't know that the count and you were on such bad terms - Jeremiah finally spoke.

- Do not worry, I do not find it surprising that he lied or omitted information to get here - he said without much exalting the queen.

- Even so, I beg your pardon, I should have informed myself first -, the young man this time looked to see Honeymaren. - And I also apologize to you, Miss Nattura, someone as beautiful and dignified as you shouldn't have been treated that way, I hope I can reward you this bad time in a way.

Honeymaren was going to say it wasn't necessary, idiots plover head was everywhere, but suddenly Elsa stood in front of her facing the young man smiling.

- The best way to reward this is with a sincere apology and the promise to further investigate their allies and the relationship between them - commented the queen kindly. - Now, if you excuse us, I must attend to more people. Maren, are you with me?

- Sure - the brunette smiled. - See you later, Jeremiah, right?

- Yes, Jeremiah - the boy smiled stunned.

"Have a good night," Elsa said goodbye, taking Honeymaren by the arm and pulling her away.

Both girls moved away from the place being at a safe distance from the guests, once there, Elsa managed to relax a bit not before noticing that Jeremiah's gaze was still fixed on Honeymaren and that was something she did not like in the least, Why did he see her so much?

- Something happens? - Northuldra asked when he saw Elsa's frown and how she bit her lips.

- Apparently you got someone's attention - discreetly, the blonde pointed to the young man who, just the brunette saw him, made a clumsy movement causing his glass to slip and, incidentally, he also when trying to take it.

- Auch -, was the only thing the brunette said making an expression of pain. - That seemed to hurt. But anyway, he is not my type.

- But it seems that you are his type - the queen snorted slightly irritated.

- Hmn? Does it bother you that I am his type? - He raised a curious eyebrow Honeymaren.

- Hmn ... Maybe? - Elsa whispered, holding her arms and looking away.

- Well, it's a shame - the rider shrugged. - Let's say that I like girls with blonde hair and blue eyes who don't mind the cold.

Elsa immediately turned to see and Honeymaren to see how she had a slight blush on her face and a half smile, as she loved that half smile, was one of the things she liked most about the warrior.

- But hey, you have to go back to the party, right? I'll be here in case you need me.

The young blonde only watched as the Northuldra walked away with a somewhat flirtatious smile on her face and mixed with the others before disappearing. Honeymaren had just said she was his type? Blonde, blue eyes and the cold did not bother him in the least. The blush she had was automatically accompanied by a snowfall over her where the falling flakes had a peculiar heart shape. Definitely, I had to take her somewhere to talk about all this, I could not continue with this little game of small tracks, no, I should know if the rider had feelings for her beyond a simple occasional flirt and, in addition, she wanted court her openly, not wait until they were in total solitude to be able to show small signs of their emotions, and for a long time she had been suppressing these so that, now, I had to do it again. I would, I would confess to Honeymaren what I felt for her, when? I still didn't know, but I would do it at the moment I felt it was the most appropriate, maybe tomorrow after the ride? Yes, that was a good option.

The rest of the evening passed without any difficulty, everyone withdrew happily, especially two girls who were preparing to take a small big step the next day. Honeymaren went straight to the stables to prepare Heart and, in her work, she fell asleep in the straw dreaming of a certain blonde, who hugged her, kissed her and told her how much he loved her. In another part of the castle, Elsa did the same for her part, she dreamed of a certain Northuldra, in her smile, in her caresses and in her kisses. The two girls, that night, slept with a smile on their faces and hoping for a possible new love peeking over the horizon, maybe, just maybe, would things start to get better? And who knows? Maybe that was the first step to a somewhat brighter future without much darkness.

Chapter 6:

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theauthorandi · 5 years

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The world spun. The sun burned. The blankets stuck to her skin like an extra layer and they wrapped around her without regard to her desire for freedom. In the distance, the sound of vomiting was almost certainly what had woken her.

Sophia groaned.

"You're awake!" The grating sound of the too cheerful voice beside made Sophia want to vomit, and not just because she was enduring the hangover from hell. No, it was because the voice belonged to Benjamin Morris. It was because that sweet moment between sleep and waking had faded away.

It was because the memory of last night was flooding back in all at once.

Mostly it was because she could still hear vomiting from the other room. Poor Madison sounded like she had it far worse than Sophia did. At least, as far as hangovers went. As far as poor life choices and terrible mistakes went, Sophia had her best friend beat.

"Go away." She moaned, flinging an arm across her face to block out the light and all the dreadful things that came with it. The figure beside her didn't budge. She hadn't expected he would. This had been a long time coming, and no matter how hard she'd tried to fight it she'd still ended up in bed next to her best friend's brother. She could almost feel the smug grin he was directing towards her.

"Come on, sweetheart." He said, snuggling closer. "Don't be like that."

"Don't touch me." Sophia snapped. With her words, a sharp bite of electricity zapped out towards him. Benji yelped and jerked back. Sophia grinned, her eyes still closed. She'd meant to throw a wave of energy rather than electricity, but the effect was the same in the end. Hangovers always made her magic go haywire, it was lucky the results hadn't been more dangerous.

"Soooophiiiieee." Madison groaned out. The grin was wiped off of Sophia's face. She pushed herself into a sitting position and dared to open her eyes. Struggling with the blankets was made all that much more difficult when half of them were tucked under and around the mistake laying in the bed beside her.

"I'm coming," Sophia called, flinging the blankets off her. She wasn't wearing much and the chilled morning air picked at her skin, causing gooseflesh to rise. She suspected half of that was from the feel eyes tracing over her almost-bare body.

Sophia turned around with a glare and yanked the sheets from the bed. Benji yelped again, tumbling off the other side. She ignored him, wrapping the sheet around her shoulders and struggling her way into the bathroom. There, she found Madison Morris kneeling before the toilet that had become her weekend alter. Sophia ran a hand through her dark tangles and sighed.

"I've told you not to mix pixie dust and moonshine." She said.

Despite her exasperated tone, she kneeled down beside the other girl and held out a hand. Madison reached for her, grasping her fingers like a lifeline. Sophia dug deep into herself, finding the source of energy that normally came so easy to her.

With her own hangover threatening to empty her stomach it was important that she concentrate in order to get this right. It wouldn't do to kill or lobotomize her best friend because she wasn't paying attention.

"Fuuuck." The sound of Benji in the other room, complaining about some injury or other caused by falling off the bed filtered into the bathroom. He continued to grumble nonsense words that Sophie couldn't quite discern. She knew it was derogatory though, and so before she dared help her best friend she decided to quiet the other girl's brother.

From the bedroom, a startled gargling sound drifted in. Then it cut off entirely.

"What's that noise?" Madison complained, still gripping tight to Sophia. Sophie, now able to concentrate without the distraction of infuriating half-fae on again off again boyfriends, grinned. She focused on healing the pain in Madison's head and the nausea that overwhelmed them both before she answered.

"It's the sound of poor life choices coming back to bite me in the ass." She said. She felt wholly more capable now that her headache was gone and her best friend looked far more alive.

"Benji." Madison sighed, shaking her head. She stood up off the bathroom floor and helped Sophia to stand as well.

They both made their way into Madison's room to find the sight of Benji sitting on the floor beside the bed. There were ties around his ankles and wrists, and a length of silk covering his mouth. He glared up at Sophie, who only giggled at the sight of him.

"Kinky," Madison said, stepping around her brother to make her way into the nearby closet. She vanished entirely into the thing, leaving Sophia and the bane of her existence alone together.

"Lr Mr Gr," Benji grumbled through the gag. Sophia cocked her head to the side.

"I'm sorry, were you trying to say something?" She asked.

Benji scowled harder.

Sophia did not release him from the magical bindings. Instead, she began to pace in front of him, beginning the speech she'd planned to give him before the night had turned towards the worst imaginable outcome.

"Look, we can't keep doing this." She started. The scoffing sound from Benji was ignored, except perhaps for the way the binds tightened in a threatening manner. "No, I mean it. This isn't going to work, it never was. Whatever this is, anyway."

Another disgruntled grunt came from Benji, but he was ignored.

"There are things you don't understand." Sophia continued, and she stopped pacing. Her gaze drifted into the middle distance. "What I am, and what you are. They don't belong together. We don't belong together. We're through."

"R ru griding mr?" Benji shouted through his gag. Sophie turned back to him and seemed almost surprised that he was still sitting there with bound wrists and gagged mouth. She blinked, and the binds disappeared. Benji scrambled to stand up, towering over Sophia. "Are you fucking kidding me?"

"No," Sophia said, steeling her shoulders. "I mean it this time. No more sneaking off, no more random presents. Please. I can't do this to myself anymore. I can't do it to you, either."

"You idiot." Benji laughed.

He ran a hand through his shaggy hair and shook his head. Sophia glared at him and considered reapplying the bindings. The truth was that Benji was morn magical, though. He could have freed himself at any point and he'd chosen not to. Hope swelled within her that he would honor her wishes in this as well.

The incredulous laughter he was letting out seemed to suggest otherwise.

"Ha, oh gods, I'm sorry. Heh, I mean, I know it’s not that funny. It’s just-. Well, you’re so smart but you still haven’t got it. I don't care, Sophia. I've never cared."

"What do you mean?" Sophia asked, eyebrow rising. She'd never considered that this relationship meant nothing to Benji. He'd been chasing her since they were teenagers and only beginning to understand the magic they had a full grasp of now. From the closet, there was a crashing sound, and both of them glanced towards the partially open doors before returning to their conversation. Madison would call for them if she really ended up lost in there.

"I mean," Benji started, and then paused.

He glanced around the room, but Sophie kept her eyes on the man she was trying to save from himself and from her.

"Sophia, you aren't exactly subtle. Did you really think that hiding your world dominations plans under your mattress was clever?"

"I didn't-" Sophia started, but when Benji looked back at her she knew the game was up. "I mean, they were only ideas. I haven't-"

"They weren't bad." Benji interrupted. Sophia's mouth clamped shut and her eyes went wide. Benji grinned. "Really, I think they could work. But, I care about you Sophia and I think you're making a mistake here."

"Of course." Sophia snapped, turning away. She didn't want him to see the disappointment in her eyes.

She hated herself for thinking, for even a moment, that this might work. Her plans would be set in motion in less than a week and this really would be the last time she and Benji could be together. He knew, and he thought she was making a mistake. He wouldn't join her, just like she'd always suspected.

This all would have been so much easier if she didn't care what he thought.

Sophia wasn't going to stop, though. She was going to take over the world and not even the doubts of the man closest to her would get in her way. She didn't need him. She didn't need this. She turned towards the closet and the only friend who had ever supported her choices in life.

"Sophia, stop!" Benji called out.

She ignored him and ended up slamming into a wall of energy that threw her back into his arms. She struggled, fighting to get away from the one person who could stop her. He held her tight though, and all she managed was to turn around in his arms.

"Sophie, please. Stop."

"I won't." She growled, though she did stop struggling. "I won't give up on this. I don't care if you think it's a mistake, I'm taking over the world and that's it. Either you support me in this or you leave me alone. I don't want to hurt you."

"I don't want you to hurt yourself," Benji responded, leaning down so that their foreheads pressed together. Sophia shivered and hated how the familiarity of the gesture made her doubt herself and her plans. She steeled herself again, preparing to resort to magic to get free. Prepared to call of Madison if she needed, though she'd never wanted to cause a rift between the siblings. "I think you've misunderstood me. I'm not trying to keep you from accomplishing your goals. I'm trying to keep you from falling into the cliche of a lonely villain. You don't have to do this alone, you know."

"What?" Sophia asked. She held herself tense and wary. She didn't want to fall for this. She didn't want to find herself trapped years down the road because she fell for the tricks of some hero. Benji had always been her hero despite the antagonistic teasing that always passed between the two of them. Sometimes that teasing had felt more like flirting, after all. But still, she was going to rule the world.

She couldn't fall for some trick and lose it all right at the end.

"Sophia Scott, you are going to be the best empress of the world that ever there was. I believe in you, and I know you can do this without me." Benji said, still pressing their foreheads together. As he did so, she felt emotions that were not her own and knew that there would be no lies spoken between them. This was something that Benji had refused to do in the past, even with his sister. Honesty wasn't a fundamental part of his core foundation, yet here he was opening his mind to her. "You don't have to do it alone, though. You don't have to wall yourself away and refuse love. World domination doesn't exclude you from having an honest relationship, and I'm not going to stop you from doing anything except this. I will not let you ruin what we have."

"Benjamin." Sophia gasped, finally understanding what he'd been trying to say. Joy welled within her and she threw her arms around his shoulders, pulling him in for a fierce kiss. She could see it now, the missing elements to her plans. The parts of her life that wouldn't have been as fulfilling without someone to share them with. She wouldn't make Benji do anything he didn't want to, but from the words and thoughts he'd offered her it seemed that there was nothing he wouldn't do to keep them together. She was on the verge of crying when another crashing sound came from the closet.

They turned as one to stare at Madison, who was coming out of the closet dressed in a full leather suit and carrying a bayonet. In her other hand was a rope that led a pair of camels out of the half-open door. Madison took them in with a raised eyebrow and Sophia gave her a beatific smile.

"Got that sorted then?" Madison asked, and without waiting for an answer she led the camels towards the bedroom door and called out to them over her shoulder. "Good, let's get going. We have less than a week to iron out these plans and perfect our takeover. Long live Empress Sophia Scott!"

Hey there! If you liked this story and want to get more of Sophia, Madison, and Benji let me know! There are plenty of adventures for them to go on that extend far beyond their creation in a Cards Against Humanity prompt, I think.

Now, if you’re interested in seeing more Cards Against Humanity Promptsfulfilled check out my website. If you have any CAHprompts to submit, send me an ask. And as always, if you’re looking for updates and interesting stories of The Author’s life, subscribe to my email list!

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oldmanessays · 6 years

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A Reflection On The Society That We Live In

Let us not murder equality, let us not create a divide, let us not weigh the aspects of the world we live in, measuring everything on a scale of biasedness. Let us not teach our children, the forerunners of the generation to arrive, that all Indians are my brothers and sisters, let us not tell them that the whole world is their family, let us not tell them that we are at war with some other country, that we are hell bent upon suffocating each other within, let us spare them the contradiction. Why embrace equality to finally murder it, our innocence begins to die since the very day we are born, raging psychopaths are we, if anything, for who conjures ethical principles only to wound them open and spill them as guts of innocents, a horrid dream for some, till it becomes a fairy tale notion. You are a Hindu, you are a Muslim, you are a Christian, You are a Jain – wait, why didn’t I begin the sentence with – you’re a Jain, or you’re a Muslim? If I had been born and brought up as a Catholic in America, I might have had initiated my lines with the aspects of being a Christian – see, it has steeped within our minds, infecting our subconscious – the prominence of dominence. A la a in George Orwell’s Animal Farm – ‘All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than the others’ – hence no matter who you are, residing in what so ever part of the world, a fragment of equality shall be denied to you, if you hold your rights back, they shall be snatched, if you fight for them, you would be fought back by people with a zero fundamental range who recite slogans of dementia, and the fight shall continue, until you’ve won or until they have succeeded in oppressing your voice. The righteous has a voice, for the ones the will of who is flawed enough to be judged as wrong, have brute force in the form of guns and bombs, tear gas and pellets, agents of wounds that age into scars, tears that end up nourishing revolutions. Look there goes a Kashmiri, frown upon him. Reason? Isn’t being a Kashmiri enough, he must be despising us, he should be despising this nation and if this form of trending propaganda doesn’t appeal you much, then I shall churn out one too many for you. Come close and I shall whisper in your ear, I whisper for I know, I shall sound rotten to the core – he is a Muslim too. What am I? A Hindu and I feel as if I am flowing in a stream of equality, I have always thought as such. For my life is such a bliss. All through my childhood, I was taught, that in Hinduism exists a caste system, synonymous to ranking – from the most elite in the society, to the most futile – Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra and not only this – I always thought I was a Kshatriya until my father told me that I was a Kayastha and we didn’t belong in any of the above-mentioned categories. And though we were categorised as ‘General’, we were signing petitions to be listed as ‘scheduled castes’, so that we can derive the quotas, that drive the undeserving to access and claim what should have had been rightfully belonged to the deserving. Reservations. Just because, forefathers of many were oppressed a hundred years ago, that means that the future generations of theirs shall be provided with special privileges indefinitely, thereby making up for all that they have lost, no matter if they really deserve it or not. I don’t hear of a black quota in America. Are we Indians coward enough, does hard work and putting up a fight to win over something scares us to such an extent that we adhere to means as mean as such? Now a days, those who are actually capable, those who actually deserve, lose a lot more due to this reservation system, and we don’t realize that in a way, history is repeating itself, if not on a grander scale, if there is no elephant in the room, yet this parasite of a system is sucking us dry. What is this system, where biased tactics thrive, and what’s rightfully someone’s, shall be taken away? It happened then, it’s happening now and it’s just like standing in front of a mirror when axis change but the sense of the scenario transpiring remains the same. Where is the essence of equality in that? I don’t get it. As of being a Kayastha, my father told me that we specialized in writing and other aspects that involved a pen and a paper, but I cannot forget that a classmate of mine in college, a person replete with castists beliefs, was spreading rumors about me, relating them to my caste – hence, you honor, if there is any, if one tries to create a divide with respect to religions, I rest my case, for my religion is rotten enough in itself, that I did rather unfollow the notion, become an atheist and kill any form of religious perspective, that might have had ever existed in me. Thank you. Equality, is it? I believe in the rights of women, I travel via the metro, I witness the separate compartment reserved for them, I witness their reserved seats. All right by me. What is not right by me, if when you are in your twenties, leisuring about your reserved seat, hooked up on your phone, all fine – walking, talking, then how can you deny an elderly woman, who has a problem standing in a crowd, the people in which are basically sticking to one another? From when did our ethical human virtues were taken upon by one’s right as a woman. Finally, a guy stood up and offered his seat to the woman. Equality – woman fight for equality when they cannot stand for one another. My words can be criticized, but yes, a singular incident is exemplary for human nature. Women’s magazines, with women acting as editors, don’t feature obese women on their cover, no short woman, no physically flawed woman, no rape survivors, no acid attack victims – for once we can do without the glitz and the glam, for once we can consider all women equal, and start treating them equally amongst one another. That would be the first step. Same goes for Men’s magazine, same goes for the billboards that prostitute around entire cities, same goes for everything. The truth lies within the folds, it’s a pity we are not opening up. LGBT, people treat your sexuality as if a weapon, people even treat the notion of sex as an abomination. The reason for their very being is an abomination. Three cheers to that. If you’re gay, you shall be frowned upon, you shall be bullied, here in India, you can even be killed honorably. That’s the story, you are a walking talking nuclear weapon, hell you can even be infectious, you shall not be interacted with – and the funny part is, that many a people, who take pride in claiming that they stand with the LGBT movement, make use of words of the likes of ‘Gay’ and ‘Lesbian’ in manners that are nothing short of being derogatory. Hypocrisy, I tell you. And if that’s not enough, in comes racial bigotry. Brown people looking down upon blacks, yellow ones looking down upon brown, a white man looking down them all. Even here, even in our good old nation, if you are dark complexioned, you must be familiar with sarcastic slangs that find their derivation from the color of your skin tone. When not many, but a few in our own nation are racist, how offended are we, when we face racism in distant lands! Religion, sexuality, gender, color – and the forms of inequality have we derived from them are nothing but detestable. What should have had held us together, what should have blended everything in shades that please the eye – is tearing the world apart. And you know what, the most dangerous beings of all, the intellects, use your fallacies to their benefits. Yes, they understand what’s right, they understand what’s wrong, and they are spread everywhere, from politics to corporate enterprises, and yet they do nothing about it, because of narcissistic reasons, they want to be in power, they want to govern, they want differences to arise, they want the debate to go on and on and on, they love playing the puppeteer to us puppets. Every sane mind realizes that loving someone can in no manner what so ever be wrong, and yet, the government doesn’t legalize same sex marriages, owing only to one reason and one reason specifically – they don’t want to succumb to your demands, they want you to beg, plead and even fight them, for they want to show you who is in power, that who is ‘in-charge’. Such dismissive actions reflect of their importance. If the people in power grant us every single thing we demand, they shall be taken for granted, they shall not be regarded and owing to this, they prefer not to lose their Midas touch. That’s the recipe. The world today The world today- bans love, represses voices, kills innocents and chooses maniac clowns for leaders. Here, there, everywhere! Polish your principles to such an extent, that you, yourself, become the principle, then pick up a fight, for in the world as such, there are people who want to bring the change and people who want to stand beside revolutionaries and be noticed. They possess a greater threat than the one we believe we are facing. The change should first occur amidst ourselves, then should it be scattered like pollen in the world yonder, for the greater good.

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