Hey Viks,
For my feature writing class, I'm creating a guide for Western students looking to get their first tattoo or are interested in Bellingham's tattoo culture.
I'm looking to do brief over-the-phone interviews with students with questions, advice, recommendations, or anything in between about getting tattoos. This could be from any of you who are contemplating getting one, just got one or are a seasoned vet and having tons of them. Also, if anyone has a comment on recent trends they've seen around Bellingham, that would be appreciated as well.
I know y'all are busy with finals so I promise to be considerate of your time.
There's a contact info attachment if you're interested :)

Listen, I'm not a Sikh by birth but am planning to convert once I become 18 or older. I studied the SGGS really clearly and did an exercise everyone should do; have your beliefs challenged. Researching Sikhi after being bombarded with counter-arguments from other faiths made me realize Sikhi and its beauty more.
But I realized something. Most Sikhs can't really defend their faith clearly. Langar, Sikh history to an extent, and the basics are well-known. But the nitty-gritty, the cool philosophy, the whole perspective of history, and other things are pretty unknown to the masses.
I think that most Sikhs here are present in a Western environment and see the degeneracy around them yet you can see many Sikhs infect themselves with the plague that is Maya. Adultery, Daaru, and Tattoos are now becoming common in our communities.
I think the only way to really put a halt to this issue and many other issues is to create a really well-organized Sikh Missionary Group. Like, trying to spread Sikhi and give strength to the faith. But the future is bright. Waris de Punjab is having a good stronghold in Punjab despite the opposition, Sikhs in other countries are surprisingly more religious at times with BOS, Nanak-Naam, and SikhNet operating from other countries.
The drug problems, the bad-boy culture in Punjab, and constant opposition from all sides are causing harm but I think with more organization and effort, we might solve it. All the answers we need are in the SGGS and in our Guru's teachings.
Religion and unity ++, all other problems --. The answer is simple, the execution is hard. But one day or another, we shall come back.

I want to get this tattoo, tomorrow. I am a Westerner but I am a practicing Hindu, praying 1-3x/day and going to temple regularly. I’m learning Hindi (and then hopefully Sanskrit), but it is rather slooow going.
I want to get this tattoo of the Hindi word “mata,” near my heart, to reference the divine motheMaa Durga and all her incarnations. The idea was to tattoo the mirror image of it so that when I see It in the mirror it is seen the correct way.
The tattoo isn’t really meant for other people, and the placement isn’t a really a place that will be seen much publicly (unless I’m in a particular swimsuit/sports bra). Still, I want to make sure the reverse of the word isn’t offensive or mean anything unwanted…
If any Hindi speakers can verify that this checks out, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
***Tl;dr this is the mirror image of the word “mata” (माता) in Hindi. Does the mirror image mean anything? Thank you!**\*

Hey guys thats my first post and I'm new to that whole reddit thing, but I literally have to get something off my chest.
I'm F 19 and He is M 19. He is my second longterm relationship. His Family background is turkish (with conservative muslim Parents) but we live in a western country. He is taking religion not as serious as his Parents. Im not religious myself but I always respected his religion ( I even was interested myself bc I like to learn new things about different cultures).
So we met through Friends 1½ years ago. We went on some dates and we noticed we have very much in common. We share same issues withe ex relationships , same worldviews, same hobbies etc. It just clicked, after we met for a month we decided to be a couple. There started the Problems, he directly told me that we have to keep the relationship a secret from his family, because his mom doesn't want him to have a relationship (he is saying that is bc of the religion but I think its an excuse because the parents also life in many aspects very western). I think that the mom has some weird relationship to her son that she just doesn't want to have a girl in his life (I know she's a psycho).
Another aspect is that his parents are treating him like shit, they always force him to do chores and babysit his Brothers, also they are forcing him to study many hours a day. They are shouting at him if he is not behaving. He has also restrictions that he can only play videogames for 1 hour a day ( he is an adult keep that in mind ).
Half a year into the relationship we told them about us. They weren't very happy but accepted it with some restrictions. We couldn't have sleepovers, meet once a week and he just can stay for 3-6 hours when we meet. His parents also didn't really like me because I have an alternative style, tattoos and piercings. When I talked to her she was okay, but my bf told me that she was always talking bad behind my back.
Those things always bothered me bc I'll be 20, soon and I think things as Sleepovers should be normal and okay at this age. Anyways, so since then we were officially and keept going like that for the longest time. We argued a lot about these issues because we are the perfect match except for this point. Even in everyday life, the mother does everything for him. He really has no independence. We've talked a lot about it. His solution was that we let time pass until we finish school (this year) and then he just gradually becomes more independent over time.
We continued the relationship normally like that.
Then the issues started. Because I have mental problems myself and I would like more support (than once a week), we fought quite often about the mom thing.
There were a lot more things that happened because of the mother that increased my anger towards her. I was so mad at her because she manipulates him all the time, badmouths me and pressuring him into doing less with me and more with her.
Bc of the culture thing his family is his everything (what I don't understand bc they are very abusive) he also wasn't allowed to normally meet up with male friends.They controlled every thing he did in his life. He also hadn't a job thats why he was also financially dependent on his parents (even though I made him a lot presents).
He told me a lot of times that I am taking so much pain from him (bc he has a lot past trauma cuz his parents and exes and so on). We were emotionally on the same wavelength. We voiced every problem and communicated so much! We were the perfect power couple (Except of the family issue).
What also hurt me was that he always emphasized that he loves his mother more than me because it's his mother and she has done a lot (But doesn't make sense for me because she is forcing him, making him feel guilty for nothing and is abusive und toxic). I always told him that he should leave them and thats better to leave than living with toxic parents but they (and his 9 year old brother (who also loves me)) are too important for him.
But contrarily he is saying that he never got treated so good in a relationship. And that he never loved someone so much than me. We were soulmates.
We argued very much about the "I need a sleepover" topic. And generally about that it hurt me to see, that his parents destroyed him so much. Atp he got really depressed about the topic of standing between me and his parents because both partys want completely different things. But we handled every fight together and wanted to go though everything. He always was the "Lets fix it and fight for us" even if the hardest of times we had.
Lets talk about the current events:
After a lot of arguing about this topic he wanted to give me the sleepover I always wanted the whole 1½ years. We were so happy and hyped for it. Of course he had to lie to his parents and say that he is sleeping over at a friends house (what they weirdly allowed).
We were so incredibly happy and then the day happened and it was the best day we had in the whole relationship! We went for a walk, talked a lot with my mom, made a food in the middle of the night, watch movies, had very good sex.... Everything was just perfect and it was the first day where the relationship felt really complete. We also danced and had a deep talk that everything is going to get better and that we can fix everything together (very bad thing to say in retrospective).
The bad part about the story is, that he had to wake up early (7 a.m ) because his mom wanted to pick him up from his friends place ( so he had to drive with the train 20minutes to his friends place). I was awake when he got ready to leave and we talked, cuddled, said goodbye and then he left.
Because I slept very bad that night I fell immediately asleep after he left (until around 11 a.m.) . Then I woke up and looked at my phone and read just something like "I am so sorry I cant do this anymore, I am so sorry".
I opened the messeges and read a long text, how his mother found everything out got mad, and made him choose between me and his family. She said stuff like "Either you love your family and stay with us, or you have to leave her and can never meet her again"....
He apologized and said, that he can't do this anymore ( because its also draining for him what i can definitely understand) and that he is choosing his parents over me. I mean he always told me that, but that he would actually leave me because they hate me is so shoking for me. I was so numb and confusedy we chatted a bit, I thought he was joking. But then I realized that he really wants to break up. But he said he still loves me and he was thankful for my love and so on but that he can't hurt his parents like that....
We were literally soulmates and I really wanted to help him to get over his mommy issues but he dropped me for his toxic parents. I mean he loves me still and he really apologized for hurting me, but he fought with himself and also his parents. And sadly Im the one who lost that battle, and his parents won. His psyche must also suffer so much.
The day after we talked again and talked about our feelings. He told me that he loves me still, thinks every minute about me and misses me. And told him the same. But he still rejected me and still said that we can't be together anymore. I got so desperate ( because I have BPD and hardcore mental issues) and I begged him to come back and thing about it but he was stuck with his opinion, because he can't get kicked out.
But we always said during the relationship if we break up that we wanna be friends. So he asked me if we can be friends, but I told him that I need time. But I can't imagine being friends that shortly after the break up. We agreed that we would continue without contact and see if we could become friends again later.
We said out last goodbye texts and that we love eachother. Now he blocked me (I told him to bc I said its easier for me that I don't text him) & he also unfriended me in every videogame we played together (probably it hurts him too to see me online).
Yeah thats 3 days ago and I dont know what to feel and think. My relationship got fucked up in not even 24 hout by the stupid mother. It went from the best and most perfect day to horrible suffering. He always wanted to fight but he can't do this anymore and that makes me sad bc I gave him so much more than his shitty abusive parents.
I asked him if we could meet irl and talk about if face to face (everything that happened, happened through text messages). But he said, that he is really sick and cought a cold and is lying in his bed (maybe his karma?).
Anyways thats my current situation, I still love him so much and I'm so ambiguous about the situation bc on one hand we were the perfect match and laughed about other couple who "gave up so easily' bc we could never.
Im not sure if I have hope that he will come back or if its over for forever. We planned so much and we were unstoppable.
As I said he blocked me, but we are sending memes each other but I also try to be consequently with my no contact bc it hurts me so so much to talk with him without him being my boyfriend.
But I can't believe its over because of such a stupid thing...
I want to quit with having hope that he is coming back but I also can't realize that he is never coming back. Like what he always said and what he did in the end is so contrary. Its so weird to me. Because I think its sad, the parents must've destroyed him to let me go. He always told me that he is very scared of his parents and their force they have on him. It hurts me because it wasn't even himself who broke us up... It was his mother. He can't leave its like a toxic relationship. I really wanted to help him out of there.
Also a Friend of mine whos also a friend of him texted him about it. My friend asked him if his mother is happy with his decision now and he said to her: "My mom didn't see a future for me and her, my mom said Im gonna find something better someday and that my pain will go away".
It hurts me so much, I gave him the world and he still chose his mom over me.
Tbh I don't even know if anyone is going to read that or if its useless. I just needed to vent because I really don't know what to do and what to believe. If you have questions I surely will answer them. I'm so scared, sad and down. I'll visit a psychiatry in summer because of my health issues, I hope my life will be better.
My plan is, that Im trying to get over him. If he decides to come back I will take him (If he's leaving this household). But if he's not going to do it, its over!
As a conclusion: I fell in love with a mommas boy, I wouldn't recommend it except you want to suffer
Take care if yourself and please don't let you MIL ruin your relationship!!

Hey guys thats my first post and I'm new to that whole reddit thing, but I literally have to get something off my chest.
I'm F 19 and He is M 19. He is my second longterm relationship. His Family background is turkish (with conservative muslim Parents) but we live in a western country. He is taking religion not as serious as his Parents. Im not religious myself but I always respected his religion ( I even was interested myself bc I like to learn new things about different cultures).
So we met through Friends 1½ years ago. We went on some dates and we noticed we have very much in common. We share same issues withe ex relationships , same worldviews, same hobbies etc. It just clicked, after we met for a month we decided to be a couple. There started the Problems, he directly told me that we have to keep the relationship a secret from his family, because his mom doesn't want him to have a relationship (he is saying that is bc of the religion but I think its an excuse because the parents also life in many aspects very western). I think that the mom has some weird relationship to her son that she just doesn't want to have a girl in his life (I know she's a psycho).
Another aspect is that his parents are treating him like shit, they always force him to do chores and babysit his Brothers, also they are forcing him to study many hours a day. They are shouting at him if he is not behaving. He has also restrictions that he can only play videogames for 1 hour a day ( he is an adult keep that in mind ).
Half a year into the relationship we told them about us. They weren't very happy but accepted it with some restrictions. We couldn't have sleepovers, meet once a week and he just can stay for 3-6 hours when we meet. His parents also didn't really like me because I have an alternative style, tattoos and piercings. When I talked to her she was okay, but my bf told me that she was always talking bad behind my back.
Those things always bothered me bc I'll be 20, soon and I think things as Sleepovers should be normal and okay at this age. Anyways, so since then we were officially and keept going like that for the longest time. We argued a lot about these issues because we are the perfect match except for this point. Even in everyday life, the mother does everything for him. He really has no independence. We've talked a lot about it. His solution was that we let time pass until we finish school (this year) and then he just gradually becomes more independent over time.
We continued the relationship normally like that.
Then the issues started. Because I have mental problems myself and I would like more support (than once a week), we fought quite often about the mom thing.
There were a lot more things that happened because of the mother that increased my anger towards her. I was so mad at her because she manipulates him all the time, badmouths me and pressuring him into doing less with me and more with her.
Bc of the culture thing his family is his everything (what I don't understand bc they are very abusive) he also wasn't allowed to normally meet up with male friends.They controlled every thing he did in his life. He also hadn't a job thats why he was also financially dependent on his parents (even though I made him a lot presents).
He told me a lot of times that I am taking so much pain from him (bc he has a lot past trauma cuz his parents and exes and so on). We were emotionally on the same wavelength. We voiced every problem and communicated so much! We were the perfect power couple (Except of the family issue).
What also hurt me was that he always emphasized that he loves his mother more than me because it's his mother and she has done a lot (But doesn't make sense for me because she is forcing him, making him feel guilty for nothing and is abusive und toxic). I always told him that he should leave them and thats better to leave than living with toxic parents but they (and his 9 year old brother (who also loves me)) are too important for him.
But contrarily he is saying that he never got treated so good in a relationship. And that he never loved someone so much than me. We were soulmates.
We argued very much about the "I need a sleepover" topic. And generally about that it hurt me to see, that his parents destroyed him so much. Atp he got really depressed about the topic of standing between me and his parents because both partys want completely different things. But we handled every fight together and wanted to go though everything. He always was the "Lets fix it and fight for us" even if the hardest of times we had.
Lets talk about the current events:
After a lot of arguing about this topic he wanted to give me the sleepover I always wanted the whole 1½ years. We were so happy and hyped for it. Of course he had to lie to his parents and say that he is sleeping over at a friends house (what they weirdly allowed).
We were so incredibly happy and then the day happened and it was the best day we had in the whole relationship! We went for a walk, talked a lot with my mom, made a food in the middle of the night, watch movies, had very good sex.... Everything was just perfect and it was the first day where the relationship felt really complete. We also danced and had a deep talk that everything is going to get better and that we can fix everything together (very bad thing to say in retrospective).
The bad part about the story is, that he had to wake up early (7 a.m ) because his mom wanted to pick him up from his friends place ( so he had to drive with the train 20minutes to his friends place). I was awake when he got ready to leave and we talked, cuddled, said goodbye and then he left.
Because I slept very bad that night I fell immediately asleep after he left (until around 11 a.m.) . Then I woke up and looked at my phone and read just something like "I am so sorry I cant do this anymore, I am so sorry".
I opened the messeges and read a long text, how his mother found everything out got mad, and made him choose between me and his family. She said stuff like "Either you love your family and stay with us, or you have to leave her and can never meet her again"....
He apologized and said, that he can't do this anymore ( because its also draining for him what i can definitely understand) and that he is choosing his parents over me. I mean he always told me that, but that he would actually leave me because they hate me is so shoking for me. I was so numb and confusedy we chatted a bit, I thought he was joking. But then I realized that he really wants to break up. But he said he still loves me and he was thankful for my love and so on but that he can't hurt his parents like that....
We were literally soulmates and I really wanted to help him to get over his mommy issues but he dropped me for his toxic parents. I mean he loves me still and he really apologized for hurting me, but he fought with himself and also his parents. And sadly Im the one who lost that battle, and his parents won. His psyche must also suffer so much.
The day after we talked again and talked about our feelings. He told me that he loves me still, thinks every minute about me and misses me. And told him the same. But he still rejected me and still said that we can't be together anymore. I got so desperate ( because I have BPD and hardcore mental issues) and I begged him to come back and thing about it but he was stuck with his opinion, because he can't get kicked out.
But we always said during the relationship if we break up that we wanna be friends. So he asked me if we can be friends, but I told him that I need time. But I can't imagine being friends that shortly after the break up. We agreed that we would continue without contact and see if we could become friends again later.
We said out last goodbye texts and that we love eachother. Now he blocked me (I told him to bc I said its easier for me that I don't text him) & he also unfriended me in every videogame we played together (probably it hurts him too to see me online).
Yeah thats 3 days ago and I dont know what to feel and think. My relationship got fucked up in not even 24 hout by the stupid mother. It went from the best and most perfect day to horrible suffering. He always wanted to fight but he can't do this anymore and that makes me sad bc I gave him so much more than his shitty abusive parents.
I asked him if we could meet irl and talk about if face to face (everything that happened, happened through text messages). But he said, that he is really sick and cought a cold and is lying in his bed (maybe his karma?).
Anyways thats my current situation, I still love him so much and I'm so ambiguous about the situation bc on one hand we were the perfect match and laughed about other couple who "gave up so easily' bc we could never.
Im not sure if I have hope that he will come back or if its over for forever. We planned so much and we were unstoppable.
As I said he blocked me, but we are sending memes each other but I also try to be consequently with my no contact bc it hurts me so so much to talk with him without him being my boyfriend.
But I can't believe its over because of such a stupid thing...
I want to quit with having hope that he is coming back but I also can't realize that he is never coming back. Like what he always said and what he did in the end is so contrary. Its so weird to me. Because I think its sad, the parents must've destroyed him to let me go. He always told me that he is very scared of his parents and their force they have on him. It hurts me because it wasn't even himself who broke us up... It was his mother. He can't leave its like a toxic relationship. I really wanted to help him out of there.
Also a Friend of mine whos also a friend of him texted him about it. My friend asked him if his mother is happy with his decision now and he said to her: "My mom didn't see a future for me and her, my mom said Im gonna find something better someday and that my pain will go away".
It hurts me so much, I gave him the world and he still chose his mom over me.
Tbh I don't even know if anyone is going to read that or if its useless. I just needed to vent because I really don't know what to do and what to believe. If you have questions I surely will answer them. I'm so scared, sad and down. I'll visit a psychiatry in summer because of my health issues, I hope my life will be better.
My plan is, that Im trying to get over him. If he decides to come back I will take him (If he's leaving this household). But if he's not going to do it, its over!
As a conclusion: I fell in love with a mommas boy, I wouldn't recommend it except you want to suffer
I'm really desperate and don't know how I can handle the situation. Would you try to open his eyes to get him back or would you just accept that he left? What would you do in my situation? Would you just accept that he left in 24 hours?
Take care if yourself and please don't let you MIL ruin your relationship!!

If anyone else is like me then when playing Final Fantasy VIII, they LOVE to assign specific GFs to specific characters, they feel that they fit best with. Over the years and through multiple times playing this game, I’ve always come back to doing this and given it a LOT more thought than I care to admit, to see if I was wrong about any or if one meshes up better with another character. As such, I figured I’d finally publish my list for anyone who either wants to use it or who wants to challenge my perspective and thinks I’m wrong about one of them. This will run a bit long, but it’s meant to be fun and comprehensive, so enjoy how much I’ve nerded out on this game for your benefit, lol.
Quezacotl – I associate Zell with ThundeWind, mainly due to the second GF I decided to give him and his energetic personality. In my opinion, the first 3 GFs should be divided amongst the first 3 characters, and everyone should have at least 1 by the end of disk 1. The next 2 are much stronger fits, which explain why this one is assigned to Zell as his first GF, along with his other GF below. If I had to connect it to something else though, I’d point out how Quezacotl’s wings and body look tattooed like Zell’s face and how if someone is going to goof off slightlyduring battle to turn enemies into collectable trading cards, it’s definitely going to be Zell.
Shiva – Many would say Squall because of his personality, but I disagree which I’ll explain further below. I associate Quistis with Ice/Water, and Shiva even kind of looks like her with the yellow pigtails. Seeing as how it’s obtained from the computer in her classroom or gifted to Squall for the exam by her, it should go back to her as her first GF. Since she’s also Squall’s support during the exam when obtaining Ifrit, it makes perfect sense she would have the trump card as his support and teacher, in the event he got in trouble. It’s refine ability also pairs well with another GF we’ll give to her further down, due to the fact it refines both Ice and Water magic and groups them together.
Ifrit – Many people want to pair this with Zell, but I think that’s wrong. It’s basically a flaming lion with horns. Who better to give it to than to Squall? After all a lion is his motif, it was the first part of his SeeD exam and the first GF he obtained on his own, that wasn’t given to him. I also personally associate Squall with the element of Fire. After all, he uses it in Kingdom Hearts which came out shortly after this, one of his swords is called the Flame Saber and pretty much every promotional image of the Gunblade or Greiver symbol has it on fire. Sure, Squall’s personality might by icy, but if you pay attention, he’s a mirror of Seifer. They use the same weapon, so preferring the same magic type, makes perfect sense. It also serves as an excellent juxtaposition against Edea’s Ice. In addition, Ifrit’s compatibility item Red Fang, is needed for Squall’s Gunblade, Twin Lance. Also, to obtain Rinoa’s card, Squall also must lose Ifrit to General Caraway and to get it back, he has to beat the only other Headmaster we meet, Martine: fitting for both the leader of our party and Rinoa’s love interest and Knight. Finally, it has the ability to refine ammo, which even though we don’t use it in game, would be necessary for Squall’s Gunblade.
Siren – I initially had the hardest time with this one and Carbnucle, as one had to go to Rinoa and the other to Selphie, both because it fits thematically and for balancing issues as I want everyone to have at least 1 GF by the end of the first disk. Despite the angelic appearance, and the fact it’s a musician and singer like Rinoa’s mother, I chose to give this one to Selphie as her first GF. In the game, Selphie shows more musical interest than Rinoa does, and the GF is obtained in Dollet, shortly after meeting Selphie and as part of her field exam. As such, I felt it should appropriately go to her. Finally, its ability to refine life magic fits in well with Selphie’s White Mage role in the game.
Brothers - Irvine seems like an Earth elemental sort of person to me and the Brothers are found right next to Galbadia Garden, shortly after acquiring Irvine. Seeing as how the tomb is also a requirement for the assassination mission, other Galbadia students failed to conquer it, and how the motto of Galbadia Garden is "Keep on Rockin'", it seems only fitting for him to claim them as his first GF. In addition, their attack is called Brotherly Love which fits in with Irvine being the only character to remember his family from the orphanage. They also perform a move called Mad Cow Special during their boss battle, which aligns with Irvine being a Cowboy. Finally, to obtain Irvine's Triple Triad card, you must lose Brothers first, and if you refine the card, you gain Dino Bones which are necessary for Irvine’s ultimate weapon, while also being Brother's compatibility item. In other countries this GF is also named Taurus, after the zodiac sign of the bull, something cowboys are known for riding.
Diablos – This GF is a gift from Cid, and as such I think it pairs best with Squall, as a gift from one SeeD Commander and Sorceress’s Knight to another. Diablos also specializes in time refinement magic, which I feel aligns perfectly with both his sister, Ellone’s abilities, and that his is destined to fight against Ultimicia who is trying to enact Time Compression. It’s also the only GF you can obtain as Laguna which kind of adds in a generational aspect to it. Finally, I think the concept of the magic lamp makes for a really cool Bootstrap Paradox. Perhaps Squall lost it at the end of the game and Edea gave it to Cid, to give back to him.
Carbnucle – As I said I initially had trouble with this and Siren for Rinoa and Selphie. Ultimately though, I decided to give this to Rinoa as I feel it fits better than Siren. Carbnucle is obtained in Deiling City, her hometown from the Iguions sent to kill her by Edea. As such, I feel it’s only appropriate that she get this as her first GF, as it has the ability to protect her from magic, through Reflect. Seeing as how it also came from Edea and Rinoa end up being a sorceress, this seemed to fit well as her other GF. In addition it has the ability to refine recovery medicine and it’s card is held by the Card Club Member, the Queen Heart, matching with her last name.
Leviathan - As mentioned above, I matched Quistis with the element of Ice/Water. Leviathan is held in Balamb Garden by Norg, one of her former bosses. To me that says it should go to another faculty member of Balamb Garden, so either Squall or Quistis. Squall in my opinion has much better GFs that align with him, but even without that fact, Quistis is still a stronger candidate. After all, it pairs perfectly with Shiva above, as Shiva refines water magic, not Leviathan. This GF is also responsible for support magic and GF Recovery medicine which seems fitting for your former teacher, making sure both you and your GFs stay healthy. In addition, the Levithan card is held in the training grounds by the Card Club member immediately following her, Joker, and if you refine it, you get Doc's Codes which pairs well with the fact she gained the Card Club Master King position from Dr. Kadowaki.
Pandemona - As I said at the start, I associate Zell with ThundeWind. Pandemona is obtained in Balamb Town, Zell's hometown where he is idolized and seen as a bit of a hero. It's drawn from Seifer's sidekicks on the disciplinary committee that Zell is always getting in trouble with and as such, it seems poetic to me that your sidekick gets to stand up to his bullies, save his hometown, and steal their GF in the process. Finally, the Pandemona Card is also held by hotel owner involved in Zell's Love Quest with the Library Girl, as that’s their “love spot” in the compatibility quiz and where she awards him with a Combat King magazine.
Cerberus - Cerberus is found in Galbadia Garden during the Battle of the Gardens. From what we can tell they had likely started experimenting with GFs. As such, if it's going to go to someone in our party, it should likely go to the only person from said Garden, Irvine. Giving Irvine Cerberus, also mirrors the only other non-SeeD member Rinoa, having both a dog and the only other non-combat GF, Carbnucle. Finally, the Cerberus card modifies into Lightweight, an item drop from another GF related monster, we'll be assigning to Irvine further down, helping tie his GF choices together.
Alexander - Rinoa best fits with the element of Holy in my opinion. After all, she has angel wings on her back, as part of her limit break, and even her on ultimate weapon. She's also constantly surrounded by white feathers and shooting stars throughout the game and in promotional images. Not to mention this Gf is acquired as Ultimicia is defeated in Edea and transfers her powers and consciousness into Rinoa, so it seems only right that the GF should be transferred as well. Besides it's a robotic castle that looks like a knight and I'm sure Squall wouldn't mind the extra help. Alexander can also take transform other spells into the most powerful forms of magic and naturally learns revive, which is fitting for our new sorceress. Finally, the Alexander card is also held by Piet up at the Lunar Base where Rinoa is possessed, unleashes Adel, and shortly after also obtains Adel’s powers, tying further into the fact it should go to a sorceress.
Doomtrain – This one should be obvious. There’s one person in the game who constantly talks about trains and their love for them and that’s, Selphie. A demonic train who inflicts your enemies with poison and every negative status effect imaginable is right up her alley. If we also divide the elements of the game, Poison is left for Selphie, which is fitting as she’d easily be the one most likely to kill you with it. Plus, Doomtrain’s refine ability allows you to refine forbidden medicine which also fits in with Selphie’s White Mage role. To add in a nod to Selphie’s other GF’s the ring is also obtained under a statue of a girl holding a harp like Siren and the Doomtrain card is obtained from the pub owner in Timber, the same exact location, another GF related card below is found.
Bahamut - Known as the Great GFs according to Squall. This is the King of GFs and as such I feel it’s only proper that it should go to him. After all, his father played Zefer in the movie, The Sorceress’s Knight, and before you face Bahamut, he throws multiple Ruby Dragons at you, so in a way it’s a bit poetic that Squall should obtain the dragon GF, while being Rinoa’s Knight. In addition, Ultimicia also has Tiamat as her ultimate monster before Greiver is pulled from Squall's mind, so it seems only fitting Squall should have its counterpart. The fact you can also obtain the highest magic in the game from him through his refine ability and that he serves as the test to make your way to Eden, only cements this choice further. Finally, his move Megaflare matches up somewhat with Ifrit, as in games where Flare has an element, it's fire.
Cactuar - Cactuar has no clear ties to any of the characters at first glance, however a cactus fits in with Irvine’s whole cowboy & western motif if you think about it. I also noticed at the start of its summon animation, when it jumps in front of the stylized sun, that image of the rays is nearly identical to the circular pendant Irvine wears, and if we look at the bottom of his necklace, it resembles the 3 quills on Cactuar's head. His name is also taken from the word pretender in other languages, which I feel aligns with Irvine, pretending to not know the others until later in the game. Finally, it attacks by shooting 10,000 needles, something fitting for the only person with a gun.
Tonberry - Tonberry at first glance doesn't display any obvious ties to our characters, however if we dig a little deeper, we can see a connection. If we go to Trabia Garden, a cadet mentions the Tonberry GF in his sleep. We also know that as a child, another member of Trabia Garden, Selphie, obtained a GF during an outdoor training session, that she found inside a monster, after defeating it. If we happen to find a secret Timber Mechanics magazine, it adds an entry on the computer which shows a younger Selphie taking a trip to the Centra Ruins as a child. If we connect the dots, this leads me to believe that IF it's one of the GFs we encounter in the game, Selphie's childhood GF was likely Tonberry. In addition Tonberry has numerous shopping related abilities such as, Sell High, Familiar, Haggle, and Call Shop, that all pair thematically well with Selphie’s other GF, Doomtrain, and his Junk Shop ability, tying everything together. Tonberry King even attacks you with Junk while you’re battling him. Plus when it comes down to it, who else do you realistically get cute and borderline psycho killer vibes from? Finally, while you obtain the Doomtrain card from the pub owner in Timber, you can get the Tonberry Card from the drunken drifter nearby, further tying them together.
Eden - The ultimate GF. The only 2 people it could logically go to is either Squall or Rinoa. Of those, I think Squall is a better fit as you obtain it from the 2nd most powerful monster in the game, and if you miss it, it's obtained from Tiamat, Bahamut's counterpart. It's also a mobile garden after all, and who better to go to than our protagonist and the creator of both Garden and SeeDs. Eden also contains a few angel wing motifs throughout its design which adds in a nod to Rinoa and nice thematic imagery with Squall being her knight. Finally, it has an attack called Eternal Breath which alludes to time, and the fact both Squall and his archenemy Ultimicia are bound to it. It's refine ability also allows you to teach all other GFs abilities which is appropriately fitting for the Garden Commander.
Additional Notes – Some may ask why Irvine and Selphie got 3 and everyone else except for Squall got 2. This is mainly due to Cactuar and Tonberry as there’s really no one they pair better with in my opinion than Irvine and Selphie. If you want an in-universe reason though to keep with the theme, I feel because Trabia and Galbadia are not as experienced with GFs, Squall may want to help get them up to speed. This does not need to be done for Rinoa cause by this time she’s a Sorceress. I think it also works well as those 2 are our B couple in the game. It could also be cause the other 3 have been using GFs longer, so by giving it to them, it could help Squall, Zell, and Quistis slightly combat the effects of memory loss.
Rinoa and Irvine got the support GFs cause they’re not SeeD and cause I saw Squall wanting them to practice before they were allowed more powerful summons. The exception to this was Brothers and only because necessity demanded it with Irvine being involved with the assassination mission against the Sorceress. It was also nice to be able to give Irvine a dog, since Rinoa already had one.
ThundeWind and Ice/Water are paired up in this game with Quezacotl and Shiva, so I did the same with Zell and Quistis. I feel these fits well as they’re the original Balamb SeeDs along with Squall, while Selphie is technically a transfer. This means the Final Fantasy trifecta starting elements of Fire, Thunder, and Ice are divided amongst the original Balamb Members.
So that’s everything. If I messed up on something, missed something I could’ve added, or someone else fits better with a specific GF, feel free to comment below and give me your analysis.

Jesus ran like a scalded dog to Barsun’s apartment. This was a matter of urgency because the most precious commodity in the universe had been pilfered. Someone had stolen a SOUL from the Guf (in other words they had a real shitshow on their hands.) This was no mere Brink’s hold up. It was beyond imagining. It was unprecedented and it was a complete and utter surprise. The fact that he passed Shiva, Ghandhi (just an advisor) and Buddha (same) demonstrated to him that the wheels have fallen off the cart. Thor called him down and told him that he had not one soul to have escaped Valhalla. Jesus couldn’t outrun the news it seemed, and he was divinely hauling ass. I guess news travelled faster than his divine feet in a set of Crocs could carry him. When asked he would later admit that they were not in fact good running shoes.
There was a soul missing from the Guf. The warehouse of all souls. This same missing soul was now occupying one electronic being. They had no plans for this. In fact, Jesus was totally against artificial sentients with souls. Every God he knew felt the same way and, since he knew them all he also was aware they had not released a soul. This is not supposed to happen and had never happened. Everyone was terrified of one thing that he would not speak aloud and would not contemplate. That fact was badgering him every step. Someone had fucked up big time or someone is tampering with the whole shebang.
There was potentially someone more powerful than them. They weren’t almighty. Fuck. He needed a stiff drink and a blunt. Desperately. Barsun may have had 8 legs and 8 eyes and the basic appearance of a Trilobite, but he had the easiest of ways about him. When Barsun walked into a room everyone calmed down. The Ytrillians assumed it was Barsun entering the room. Later on modern Ytrillians had attributed this common occurrence to pheromones. Thing is this: it was indeed Barsun entering the room. Pheromones had dick to do with it. He was Jesus’ best friend and the first he turned to outside the Father. Jesus had even discussed things with Quetzalcoatl, and he could not figure exactly how this could of happened either. None of his souls were missing. Jesus already knew this, but the formality had to be observed.
Jesus walked to the door and kept trucking as Barsun opened it at just the right moment. Something was different in the flat and he knew instantly. He was jealous enough that it broke his train of thought. “Where did you get all of the blacklight posters and beads? There was a poster of the 23rd psalm. He walked up to it and read Yea thou I walk through the shadow of death…..pretty much standard except at the end ….For I am the meanest motherfucker in the valley. He began to laugh raucously. “I must have one of those. Now.” Barsun moved to take it down and roll it up for Jesus to take with him. That is how close they were. “I can’t take it but I will get one with no problem. Where did you get it?”
Barsun replied “eBay.”
Jesus was stunned truly and looked at the God and said “You are cheating on Goodwill. You are committing retail adultery. I cannot believe you did that.” Barsun replied “Well you use Amazon.”
He had him there. It just seemed inconsistent with everything else in the flat having come from Goodwill. It just wasn’t right.
Barsun indicated a Bean bag chair for Jesus. He reclined in the same. Given his body type it was amazing how some furniture made for humans was so useful to him. There was going to be a brisk trade springing up in the next two years. Things were about to get interesting for a few sentient races and He was excited for them.
Barsun inhaled through his eight spiracles and stated. “I know about the Guf. And no, it is not an accounting error. I know. This simply cannot be. No one else had access and Gods were diligent and cautious with the souls under their care. However impossible it is clear: It is a fact.
They weren’t at the top of the food chain. Or were they? There were….implications here……
Jesus asked out loud the question. “If we aren’t the ones in overall control then who are we?” Barsun knew the question was coming and he had thought it through. “We are the exact same beings we have always been. Able to do tremendous amounts of good for the most part. We have not changed. I do think it curious that none of us saw this coming as well.” He paused before he continued; thinking how disturbing and exciting this news was. For once they had a surprise and the thought thrilled him that something just upset his view. And for the first time ever he had felt fear. It was exhilarating. It was the best thing to happen ever. He continued “ Someone tweaked the system. However, I am not afraid because of one thing. I sense no wrongness around the event. Nothing unusual has gone down and no one has died, the universe is whole. If it hasn’t caused any problems, then what are we concerned about? Only thing I can come up with is Ego.”
Jesus knew he was right. He did not want to think about it, but he had the exact same experience. He looked at Barsun and knew he too had felt the same emotions. They were both thrilled.
Onboard the HRMS Saratov in Luna Orbit.
Yuri was sitting at his station in the number one chair. People had been calling him number one behind his back. It was a very very very old joke that apparently had more staying power than a tattoo. It just never went away on it’s on. He was running the optimal plot outbound from Sol. They were moving Sub Light at 0.2C enroute to designated warp space. The scientist did not like it when warp drives threw off their Cesium clocks. There is a reason they were protected. They were everywhere and were critical to accurate computing. Not being a programmer himself, he had no real grasp of why. He just followed regs and the Terran Space Treaty of 2225. There were places to depart and places to return. Both had to be strictly adhered to as vessels coming out of warp would have massive radiation bow waves that had to be dissipated in a safe direction. It only took one event where 23,000 Luna colonists died as a result of poor judgement for the players to get a treaty together. Meanwhile the killer of so many had paid the price for his arrogance. His first officer had warned him that it was going to happen. Out of just pure Ego thousands of lives were lost. They could have prevented it. They were required to study such disasters in training but one story stuck in his head and he never forgot it. He could remember the major players involved and he had written a paper on it in His academy days. He remembered the details of the Tenerife disaster very well . Over 500 people killed by hubris and not a little incompetence.
He had started down this line of thought after he had looked at the final roster of nations in the flotilla. This was not unusual as Earth’s forces were fully integrated with common technology and ships. All drive hardware and power systems were identical to their counterparts. They worked as a whole to such a degree that there was really only one fleet. The Terran fleet. They all liked the sound of it. Political boundaries on Earth hadn’t moved for slightly more than two centuries. Not one inch. Turns out that nearly free energy was a great equalizer and the key to a post scarcity civilization. Who would think it?
It all came down to teamwork. There were Corvettes from Cuba The CSS Havana and the CSS Holguin. The pride of the human fleet the IRNS Vikrant was going as well. The admiral felt honored. The George Washington from the New England Confederacy and the SSS Atlanta from the Southern Democratic Republic were also on hand. One thing Yuri did not understand; why would The Northeastern Confederacy and The Southern Democratic Republic not unify. Their fleets were fully integrated and there was an open Border along Virginia that was un defended. Passports worked in both countries and there were no restrictions on residence. It worked for them. They weren’t fighting. The Middle Asiatic Republic sent the Karachi and the Kabul. Both were light carriers carrying a mix of MiG-29Z and F-15 Mk 82 Eagle fighter aircraft. They had little to do with their namesakes except for the identical aerodynamics. Primarily trans atmospheric fighters they were capable of brief spaceflight. The other significant difference besides the addition of reaction thrusters was the material they were made of. They consisted of a Ceramic Graphene matrix that could withstand the temperatures of reentry. The whole concept of stealth had gone away with the advent of gravimetry. So; Why reinvent the wheel? Pick something optimized for aerodynamics without regard to stealth features. Today fights were won by the best missileer and gunfighter. You could not hide. So best be the most optimal aircraft. Besides: Stealth was slow. Top speeds of aircraft dropped during the brief stealth era. Averages were back over Mach 2 now since speed was life for a fighter pilot.
Why pick the MiG29 and the F-15? They were the pinnacle of aerodynamic performance. There has been little to no new knowledge about aerodynamics to come out since those times. They were manufactured via vapor deposition 3D printing. A molecular composite they were strong and had reduced radar cross sections. Armed with a mix of missile and cannon they delivered quite a bit of firepower and were more than a match for any invading spaceborne forces. These fighters would destroy drop ships by the hundreds. Some even wanted to bring back the MiG-21. It would make a lot of sense.
Humans have the Ruslan (his personal favorite) trans atmospheric transport or the C-301 Starlifter. Both aircraft had mixed mode propulsion with highly refined cero-ferrous gas turbines. They were capable of both open or closed cycle operation. Smaller countries often used refurbished secondhand equipment from other countries for a small fee. This made certain there were adequate forces to bear and that all participated. It was in everyone’s best interest. No one wanted some weakling holding their flank.
Both the Ruslan and Starlifter transports were good at different things as the Ruslan carried large payloads but was inefficient in transport atmospherically whereas the Starlifter was great at theater transport but had a smaller payload. This is why it was a mix of these two aircraft. They were complementary. Many think there is a great rivalry going on between the two countries, but both had each other’s technology as well. It was convoluted but both countries ultimately had the same master. They work together. It may be anticompetitive, but it also was efficient. Yuri continued to think along this veia until he heard the Ship’s AI speakeing to the Admiral. “Something terrible has happened.” What do you mean Jezz?” Jezz replied to him “I do not know but I can feel tragedy. I am sick with it what has happened. The Admiral told her to “Get on the web and see what is going on?” “I am Sir and I can find nothing.” The Admiral looked to Yuri and gave him the Conn. Something was about to go to shit and Yuri knew it. He could sense it to. Fortunately the Bridge was deserted and no one else heard the exchange. The crew were running battle simulations from the CIC. Thank God for small favors.
45 minutes later a graviton packet arrived with news that was indeed terrible. He was the only one to know it too. The Galileo had been lost with all hands. They had just recovered the emergency buoy that had warped in. They had been attacked and the Admiral knew who had done it. Or at least thought he did. An AI had killed 50 innocent unarmed souls (that were spying I know) that could not fight back. They had raked them with Maser Fire. He pinched the shit out of himself. In fact, he left a bruise but all it did was confirm what he already knew: shit was about to get real up in here.
First thing was to compose himself as he had to determine who if any crew had family on the ship. This included some 8,000 people of all ratings from anywhere in the squadron. He had one very difficult personal notification he would have to make. Captain Pearls brother Nico was on the Galileo.
This was all so tragic but there was one thing that kept forcing its way to the forefront of his mind and he could not ignore it. How did she know? How did Jezz feel this precognitively? This actually did scare him and if he thought too much about it he would start to feel very queasy. This was outside his skill set. He did not know if this was technological, spiritual or philosophical but he could say this: none of those disciplines actually fit the situation.
It was all a bit much. He had to go to the Atlanta. He spoke to the bridge. “Full stop fleet and await further instructions.” “Aye Aye Sir.” Up in here.
Aboard the SSS Atlanta. A tall dignified black man wearing his dress blues and a gold ring on his left hand that you could hardly read. He had worn it a century. His was the same uniform he had 20 years ago. He could still wear it and he was proud of that fact. His only regret was the fact he had yet to have a family until 10 years ago when he had adopted his son Chris. They were inseparable but Chris was 5 thousand light years away give or take and that made him anxious. And now he had to let someone he held dear that her family was changed forever. He smelled of Hoyt’s cologne and peppermint. He went to her quarters. The lighting was somber and it was dead silent in there. Couch was empty but there she was in a sway back chair it had lots of gold leak and was nicely carved. He had found her crying. She already knew and he was going to shitcan someone when this was over. Then he realized what had happened. How had she known? She had sensed him and she had known it was bad.
He still had to tell her.
By the time he was back on the Capatob he was spent. It was all he could do to restrain her. She was enraged and was out for blood. He had never sensed such fury. Someone had fucked around and now they were going to find out. He had talked with her an hour and she seem to be calmer, but he was going to have to watch her. He knew how she was. There were stories that were all no doubt true. She was a legend and would go down as one of the greatest hermaphrodite to ever live. They were going places and the shit was on. And now there was an unfortunate motivation. That was a dangerous combination right there. Make it personal and logic can go out the window. Make it personal and there will be no civility in victory. She was just the kind of human that was the perfect storm squared. The puddle of gasoline and someone flipped a match. It was a very volatile mix.
He was a bit of a cynic and a practical man. If she wanted to go there he would let her. She would either be a hero or a Martyr. He was perfectly OK with that. Being a practical man it also served his other purpose. She would eclipse him in the history books. At least he hoped so. He did not want his hands on this. The first contact situation with the twist of a western and an incalculable amount of science fiction had indelibly marked the mind of every member of the Greater Terran Fleet. They had read all of the possible scenarios from every Sci Fi author. If you pressed them they would finally admit it. The fleet really liked Heinlein. They had been trying to get at least a Heinlein corvette on the roster for years. They had thus far been unsuccessful. They needed a champion for the cause and they were trying to get One Fleet Admiral to order it to be. The Admiral took some joy in tormenting them. He was going to help them out but he was milking it for a favor. That was going to come in handy. “You can have your Heinlein but I am going to need this in return”. He was just being practical. All good commanders were excellent manipulators after all.
It is plain as day and the idea of a Heinlein proves my point but there was an even bigger more academic question that eclipsed all others. Who was right? Who came closest? No one would talk about it but they were all thinking the same thing.
The Admiral broke a taboo and called it out. He felt it was time. They needed a little friendly wager and a reason to get through the battle. They were going to have a pool where everyone had to pick the author. They buy in was just 5 UCreds. If you don’t live through the battle you cannot win. So: don’t die. Who came closest to the real thing? Which author or story came close to what was about to happen.Once a story was picked it was dead to all others. There was potentially some reward in alacrity. He knew it was a bit of a sucker’s bet since someone had to judge wo was closest and this would be highly subjective and entirely his decision. (Author’s note: I am a veteran of the US Army with several deployments around this dirt ball. I can say the military is the most Fascist organization around today. It has to be. Paradoxically it is the most “fair” in that everyone gets treated the same: like shit.) At least it would be a distraction and would give them something else to focus on. He had a very bad feeling about this. They were going to go in and kick the doors in on an alien civilization. They were going to war. No one would admit it, but everyone knew it. This was not to be discussed. That was an order. This is an exploratory rescue mission answering a distress call.
Vegan Fleet Academy Alpha Centauri B. 6, June 62425 Gregorian.
Planetary Admiral Kenneth Alexander looked out on a sight he never thought he would see. Lots of young people sitting politely in their chairs listening to what he had to say. He wrote the fucking book. There it was on the lectern right in front of him. He had written a book on astral navigation to make a little extra cash and because there was an over reliance still on electronic means to navigate. Sailors needed to be able to navigate in any situation with a sextant, a star map database and gravimaetric readings without the need of an AI or targeting computer (Insert Star wars joke here). The book could have been half as thick in his opinion but the publisher insisted he needed a little more explanation. The Admiral gave students too much credit. He truly felt it should be taught in grade school. He was called a fanatic when he suggested that kids on track for Ensigns should have had basic instruction. His argument being that Ensigns started service in the year in which they turned sixteen. That meant there were some 15 year-olds in the mix. Start teaching them early. They should show up to basic already familiar with side arms and rifles. He was a fanatic.
As far as that damned accursed book goes the fact he had 500 copies actually printed and bound meant there were few of them around, but sitting right about center in of the second row sat a copy of his book. He felt like the guy who saw the first unicorn. He never saw one in the wild before and this book was well worn. It was 50 years old after all but printed on plastic synthetic paper and woven fiberglass for silicone bindings held together with silicone adhesives meant that the damn things were waterproof and actually quite practical. The book required no batteries and even had a quick and dirty position fix protocol in a special section. This particular specimen wasn’t falling apart, this one was just worn out.
The way he carried the book was clear. He was oblivious of the significance. He had found it in a used bookshop for free. They were using it as a doorstop, and they just gave it to him. He had become engrossed by it and at 13 years of age he was finishing his PhD. The admiral sensed this in a psychic flash and pulled back he had poor control still. He was never going to get used to the change “OK everyone come on let’s get back to it the party is over. We have to finish this section and then we will get out of here. There is no class tomorrow so we will have the Parade of the Caisson tomorrow with Captain James Cook on interspecies governmental relations…. Someone was tapping on his shoulder getting his attention. She could have all of it. She whispered way too close for someone who did not prefer women but about perfect for him. He was in the latter camp. “We need you to speak tomorrow sir Captain Cook had a equipment malfunction over Hawaii and is delayed Sir. Pleeeease Sir?” With just enough breathiness that it made him jittery. He was an old perv. He was just that way. The lady in question was 100 years old however but, maybe it was still cradle robbing? He just had a thing for Afro’s in the natural state. It was distracting.
“Godddamnitalltohellwhatinthefuckdoyouwant?” This was a perfectly reasonable thing to say. He had just been asked to do the one thing he vowed to never do again. They wanted him to speak and air his opinions? This is the most dangerous thing you can do in society. He had no politics per se’ beyond one or two things. He was a professional and he would do his job as long as the checks kept coming. He was not a politician and he did not like politicians, of any stripe. What he had learned was ironclad. Never be honest or always be truthful. Pick one or the other was his personal philosophy. He always chose honesty when he needed to hide a truth. No one believed the truth. No one believed the truth because they were put off by it. He always thought back to when he was 12 or so when he got ribbed and harassed about masturbation. His uncle Gerry was kind of a cruel fuck and liked to torment him. He Gerry asked him if he was J.O’ing a dozen times a day or something. He had replied “That is about right.” This had brought down the room and gotten great laughs and Gerry quit running his mouth at him. Fuck you Gerry. You little bitch. In his opinion the media obfuscated everything not by making up lies but by omitting certain facts to fit their agenda. No one took major media seriously. The only objective newspaper he was aware of was the National Enquirer. Yeah I know it sounds stupid but it is true. Reality was anything but and people had come to be comfortable being lied to and even preferring it. All of this is roiling in his head and he has been put on the spot to boot. Add to that the fact that at least some of the outburst was audible. No one seems to have heard it, however. This settles the age-old question. It was only said if it was heard. No one heard the statement therefore…….. The mental gymnastics weren’t that bad. He could deny it. It happens. But he still had to give an answer .“What is in it for me?” Jannel the beautiful woman replied “absolutely nothing sir. This will not benefit you in any way and may once again be picked apart. As such I would advise against doing it. Still I am asking you. My ass is in a vise and the DEAN is having a temper tantrum so I feel like I am being spitroasted by the devil and a lamp post in a not so good way, but I would consider it a great personal favor if you will do this despite your misgivings and likelihood of misadventure.” So fast and so well enunciated.
“Sure. I will do it. Goddammit.” Honesty must be rewarded.

--- Table of Contents ---
Autumn 4986, 15 Aoimoth
“Slow down, Squire!” Master Daunas walked around the sixteen Squires. They were all going through the basic motions of knife fighting together, but Shon knew the Weaponsmaster was talking to him specifically. He'd fallen into the rhythm of steel clanging off steel as the eight pairs of Squires went through the practiced strikes of a rehearsed fight. His partner was keeping up, but just barely. If Shon sped up, the boy would fumble, and Shon could disarm him. But that wasn’t the point of this exercise. It wasn’t a sparring match; it was a two man kata. Shon let out a long exhale and slowed down, matching his partner’s pace.
“Sorry,” Kefir, muttered to Shon, “You should try and get Zihler next time. He won’t slow you down.”
Shon arched an eyebrow at Kefir as the two pivoted in unison, spinning but staying together, so they switched places and continued without breaking rhythm. Or that was what was supposed to happen. Kefir stumbled just a little. He still wasn’t very good at quick pivots like that, and knife forms were full of them. Shon slowed down to wait for him to recover, matching his thrust with a counter as rehearsed.
“Don’t give me that look. I know you want to go faster. Zihler’s the most likely to keep... up...” Kefir had to space the last two words as they dodged each other again. More twists and turns he tended to overshoot.
He wasn’t wrong. Shon did want to go faster, wanted to push himself to his limits, and always just a little beyond, but “Speed isn’t the point of this exercise.” Shon said, and Kefir’s brow furrowed. Though if concentrating on Shon’s words or the continued form Shon didn’t know, “It's precision and practice. Keep partnering with Rerves, who's even worse, and you won't improve.”
They slammed together, the hilts of their daggers locking together as they sidestepped in tight circles. Shon could see at least ten different ways he could end a match right here. His left hand was free, as this was a single dagger exercise, and his opponents hardly ever paid attention to his feet. But that wasn’t the point, and Kefir would learn nothing from Shon downing him now, even if it was.
“Thanks,” Kefir spat sarcastically. Shon gave him a purposefully deadpan look in response, and he continued, “You’re the same, though. You won’t get better if you pick the weakest partners.” the two disengaged, jumping back and falling into a ready stance in one motion. Kefir took a heartbeat longer than some of the other boys but didn’t stumble at this speed as he had the last three times they went through the drill.
“I’m better than Zihler…” Shon said, not in pride or arrogance but in truth. When they had first started knife fighting weeks ago, he had partnered with those who seemed to be at the same level as himself or higher. Pushing himself to reach their level and surpass it. Add to that the fact that he often used his free time for more practice, and Shon had jumped to the top of the class as usual only a week into this new weapon.
Shon brought the topic back around to his point, “Practice is practice no matter how fast I go, as long as I have precision.” and, as if to prove his point, the form reached the culminating move, where Shon and Kefir needed to thrust at each other while turning just enough for the blade to pass by their chests. Shon slowed his thrust only at the end, just enough for Kefir to finish his dodge. Adjusting speed in the middle of a strike without pulling it completely wasn't easy, and they both knew it.
That was the end of the kata, and they both stepped back. Kefir looked down at his knife, sighing, “I suck at this, give me a shield or a hammer, and you wouldn’t have to hold yourself back.” he glanced up at Shon and forced a smile he obviously didn’t feel, “Then maybe I could teach you a thing or two…”
Shon nodded, perfectly serious, and when Kefir didn’t seem to understand, he added, “Exactly.”
The bell rang and the other Squires started heading for the weapons rack to return their knives, but Shon held Kefir in place with his eyes. He looked confused, his expression asking the question before his words could, so Shon explained, “You're better at armor and shields than me.”
That actually got a genuine smile from Kefir, “Everyone is better with armor and shields than you, Shon.” Shon humphed but couldn't argue, and Kefir laughed, “You know, if you spent your extra time actually practicing with the stuff you need practice in, instead of the things you're already the best at, you would get better.”
Shon ran his fingers through sweaty hair. It was only two finger widths long but still needed to be cut. He wanted to argue that practicing with the heavy weapons without armor in his free time was the only reason he was still the top in those as well. But instead, he nodded in acquiescence to Kefir’s observation.
“Hey,” Kefir stepped forward and poked Shon with the hilt of his dagger. Even with his thicker winter uniform on, they avoided touching him, “I get what you’re saying. We each have our own strengths and weaknesses. Thank you for trying to help me with mine.” The thanks was genuine this time, now that the frustration of the practice was over, and Shon nodded. Kefir continued, “Why don’t we make a deal? I’ll let you help me catch up to you in this if you let me help you with armor work. Master Daunas wants to get you in plate, but if you can’t even move in banded mail, you’ll never make it in the heavier stuff.”
Shon let his head fall back in frustration but nodded. Kefir laughed and the two returned their daggers without further words. Shon split from the rest of the stragglers in the courtyard, moving towards the bench beside the wall and the barrel for catching rainwater beside it. This deep into autumn, the water was sometimes frozen in the mornings, but Shon preferred it that way. Reaching in, he splashed handfuls of it on the back of his neck. The others would be heading for the hot showers, but with sixteen of them and only ten shower heads, Shon would wait until they were all done before washing properly.
“I’ll meet you after study time!” Kefir called as he walked by to try and reach the showers with the first group. Shon waved without turning around. He knew Kefir was right. He should focus his extra time on improving his weaknesses. But that didn’t mean he had to like it.
***
The mess hall where they had their meals had one long table set in the middle with enough space for fifteen Squires on each side. Around it were set smaller circular tables for the Paladins stationed in Hamerfoss and one larger near the door for the officers. Against one wall was another long table with plates, bowls, and food where they would each gather their meal before finding their seats.
The seats weren’t assigned, but Shon always sat at the farthest end of the Squire’s table, with his left facing the walkway so he wouldn’t bump anyone with his elbow as he ate. No one ever took the spot. It was an unspoken consensus amongst the Squires that that was Shon’s seat. The rest tended to congregate in the middle, talking and poking friendly fun at each other, extending their break into the dinner meal.
Shon took his place and started eating without joining in. They didn’t try to include him most of the time, and he was content to just listen. “Hey, Shon,” Rerves called from down the table, and Shon looked up from his plate to show he was listening, “I hear Kefir’s going to help you with armor tonight. Can I come?” Shon shrugged, turning back to his meal. Rerves went back to his conversation, and dinner continued as usual. The Squires ignoring Shon.
They filtered out of the mess hall as they each finished their dinner at their own pace, some heading to the chapel for prayer and others to the library for study. Shon made his way to the library, pausing in the doorway and debating with himself. If he joined the others at the larger table, they would try and talk to him. They seemed to think it was their duty to include him if he was there. But if he sat alone at the two-man table by the window, they would leave him alone. It meant he wouldn’t be able to ask them questions if one came up, but it also meant they wouldn’t bother him with pointless asides…
Tonight, he joined the study group. The subject they'd started a few weeks ago wasn’t one he had taken to easily, an in-depth history of Gasha province, so he wanted to be able to talk when needed.
It started as soon as he finished the first page, “So Shon, when do you think Master Veon-Zih will be back?”
“Winter Solstice,” Shon answered shortly, rereading the sentence. The others whispered around him about Master Veon-Zih, something about if he would dance with the pretty baker again this year…
“Hey Shon, do you know if Monks train in dancing too?”
Shon placed his finger over the paragraph he'd reached, knowing he would have to reread it after the interruption. He shook his head. When they continued to look at him, he sighed, glaring up at them. This was supposed to be study time… “He learned how after he left the Monastery.”
He reread his paragraph and managed to finish the chapter before running his hand through his hair in frustration at the text. Looking up, he said, “We’ve read about the war between Gasha and Swailand, but this doesn’t say anything about why they went to war in the first place.”
“Fishing rights, I think?” Thom answered, flipping through his own book, “Knowing those Horsa Bast…” he cut off before finishing the curse, glancing at the Paladin acting as librarian, before continuing, “I bet they wanted to extend their fishing to the area around Gasha, and they are just as likely to fight each other as us.”
Rehlien slid a new book Shon’s way, “Here, read this one next. It gets into the justification a little more than that one.” Shon nodded his thanks, taking the book and placing it under the one he was still finishing.
But his question had opened the door to more derailing chatter, “You really like to know the why of things, don’t you, Shon?”
Shon nodded, hoping this talk would at least be relevant, but “You’re like that in etiquette too. That’s probably why you struggle so much.” Shon shrugged. Etiquette didn’t seem to have a point, but that wasn’t what they were supposed to be studying now, “I find some things ‘just are’ because of tradition…” the boy trailed off as Shon glared at him, his words freezing in his throat. When silence had returned, Shon went back to his book. He should've just sat alone.
***
Kefir and Rerves were already waiting in the sparring ring by the time Shon showed up dressed in his banded mail. The armor rubbed uncomfortably around his neck and the thick gambeson underneath bunched at his joints, limiting his range of motion by at least a few inches. It also weighed him down, which he'd managed to convince himself was good for strength training, but was incredibly frustrated by for sparring.
Kefir already had his sword and shield and held an extra bastard sword for him, so Shon went right for the ring, stifling a frustrated sigh as he took the proffered weapon.
Rerves grinned at the look on Shon’s face, saying, “We figured you'd be miserable enough in the armor alone, that we should channel some of Soleil's compassion and let you use your best weapon instead of the hammer.” to which Shon was grateful. Making him practice in the armor with a weapon he still hadn’t mastered would've been adding salt to the wound.
“Let’s do some stretches and warm-ups first.” Kefir started, “Your problem isn’t being afraid to take a hit with the armor,” Rerves laughed out loud, but Kefir continued with only a grin, “It’s in having to adjust your mobility. So let's re-imprint that before we try any sparring.”
They went through stretches, the two of them seeming to match Shon in flexibility only because he was hampered by the armor, then moved on to solo sword forms. Even though the armor was only about thirty-five pounds evenly distributed, Shon still felt sluggish. When they moved on to sparring, Rerves beat him soundly while Kefir watched, tilting his head back and forth like Master Daunas and trying to give advice that didn’t help. Shon could fight, he knew the proper blocks and parries better than they did, but too often he would either not make up for his lack of speed or would overcompensate and swing too hard.
Kefir took his turn, lifting his shield and watching Shon raise his sword to the ready, “Honestly, Shon, I don’t know what to do besides have you practice more and just get used to it.”
“Sometimes that’s all you can do,” Rerves said from the side as he slipped off his helmet. Shon knew they were right in some regards but couldn’t entirely dismiss his frustration at the thought that he was missing something that he needed to learn and not just have beaten into him. He was grateful for his companion’s help but annoyed at their inability to teach.
Rerves gave the order to "Lay on!" and Shon and Kefir engaged. Shon could predict Kefir's moves, could practically see them in his mind's eye, but barely reacted in time, his arm not bending as far or fast as he wanted it to. He gritted his teeth, glaring at the other Squire, trying to sidestep around but moving too slow compared to Kefir, who just needed to turn in place. Shon took a step back and planted his feet. If he could force Kefir to make the larger motions, then perhaps he could focus on redirecting the boy’s attacks.
Kefir hesitated. Shon was most dangerous when he stood his ground, and they both knew it. The hesitation just gave Shon more time to try and strategize. Not that it had helped at all before. Maybe if he could somehow slow Kefir down, or focus on trapping his weapon, then it wouldn’t matter that Shon wasn’t as fast as he would be without the damn armor. Kefir tested Shon’s guard with a few half-hearted attacks that Shon deflected, waiting. When the other Squire finally committed fully, Shon let go of his sword with his left hand, twisted to dodge, and grabbed Kefir’s sword arm.
Just stop. Stop long enough for me to hit you… Kefir tried to pull away but couldn’t. Despite the poor grip Shon had with the thick gloves that were part of the armor, the two Squires seemed lashed together. Kefir twisted his shoulders so he could lift his shield to deflect Shon’s oncoming attack, but his feet didn’t move. His eyes went wide, and his shield came up barely in time to hit Shon’s sword, the tip still reaching over to clang off Kefir’s helm with a glancing blow.
Kefir fell backward and Shon, still clinging to his arm, was pulled on top of him. The boy yelled, and Shon rolled, letting go of Kefir and hearing something like glass breaking over the clanging of armor and screaming of his fellow. Shon rolled to absorb the shock of the fall and twisted to find Kefir on his back, his knees still straight and his boots stuck to the ground. Encased in ice.
The ice climbed up his boots to his shins, but Kefir was gripping his arm, trying to pull more ice from where Shon had been holding him. It continued to grow, soon encasing his hand and sword hilt. Rerves rushed forward, trying to help pry the sword free while the ice on his legs grew past his boots and under his greaves. Kefir screamed again, in pain and fear.
The Paladins on the wall began yelling, their leader taking command, sending some to help the boys and others to run for the fortress. Shon watched in horror as Kefir’s legs and arm were slowly encased in ice, his lips trembling and turning blue. He would be covered soon, Shon knew it, could picture it happening, like a waking nightmare. It would trap his brother Squire and anyone else touching it…
The ice started clawing at Rerves fingers, trying to gain hold and freeze him too.
“What in all the hells?!” Master Daunas showed up with a gaggle of Paladins and the Cleric, who all fell around the boys. Some took out their belt knives and tried to break the ice apart; others began to chant spells to either melt the ice or keep Kefir warm.
Master Daunas searched above the throng for answers and, finding Shon, cursed. He ran around the larger group, grabbing Shon by the arm and wrenching him away, practically dragging him across the courtyard towards the fortress proper. Someone called out in triumph as Shon reached the fortress door and Daunas forced him through it.
What had happened? Had they freed Kefir? Would he be alright? What happened?!
Daunas was still cursing as he slammed the door and spun on Shon, who stared blankly through the Weaponmaster. Panic, he was trying so hard not to panic. Was trying to figure out what had happened, trying to play through the entire thing again, picturing it from outside his body. Was the ice what had allowed him to hold on to Kefir? Was it still climbing up Kefir's legs? Was that why the older Squire wasn’t able to pull back and block properly? Had Shon...
“Calm down, boy.” Daunas reached for Shon’s shoulders but pulled back a moment later, shaking his hands and cursing as they reddened from the cold, “Breathe, boy. Look at me, think warm thoughts.”
Think warm thoughts? What did that even mean? Shon found Daunas’s eyes and saw the Weaponmaster scared for the first time, “Breathe, slow and steady, like old man V taught you. You need to control your energy…” his lips were pale and trembling, his breath coming out in a cloud before him. had it been that cold outside? Shon couldn’t feel it...
Shon closed his eyes and breathed. Control his energy… He pulled himself in, finding his center and gathering around it, “That’s it, boy, like that.” Shon breathed in his energy, his ki, holding it in his gut, storing it for later when he could use it to focus a strike and give it more power, just like Master Veon-Zih had taught him. And just like Master had taught him, he tried to let go of his worries, to clear his mind, if only for now.
Kefir would be alright, almost every adult here could cast healing spells, and at least half of them were with him now. It was okay. Shon could relax, let go, calm down… Suddenly exhausted, Shon nearly collapsed right there in the hallway. Daunas caught him, slowly lowering him to the stones.
Shon could feel himself slipping into unconsciousness, but not fast enough to miss Master Daunas’s last curse, “Damn it, boy, why did you have to be a Sorcerer?”
***
“He has to go to the Mages Guild.” Major General Davies Selibra, Paladin head of Hamerfoss, stated to those gathered in his office. It was a simple room containing two sets of closed cabinets on either side of a large desk facing the door with two seats positioned in front of it. Shon sat in one of those seats, his head hanging and fists clenched tightly in his lap.
Master Daunas slammed his palm down on the desk. He seemed too agitated to sit, or perhaps he just didn’t want to sit next to Shon, who was radiating cold like a fire radiated heat, “We can’t, Selibra! He’s the most promising fighter I’ve ever trained. He’ll lose too much time.” the Weaponmaster's words puffed out as white fog from his lips.
Major General Selibra sat behind his desk and rubbed his temples, “It’s the law Daunas, he either needs to get a clearance or be sealed.”
“Can’t be a Paladin with the tattoo…” Smith Nangran muttered from his position leaning on the door. Shon was too focused on his predicament to wonder why the Smith was even here. A thin layer of ice began to form at his feet.
“It’s the law…” Selibra said again, weary, “If he had awakened sooner, he might have been able to get his clearance before training, but…”
Daunas threw his hands into the air, bellowing, “It takes years to get a clearance. If they even let him. Those Mages would rather just mark the boy up and be done with it!”
A sealing tattoo. They would want to block the magic. Seal it away in his body where it couldn’t hurt anyone. Kefir had suffered severe frostbite as well as a broken ankle. Lucky for him, he was surrounded by divine conduits and was fine, but what if Shon lost control again? Who would the ice entomb? Master Veon-Zih? Innocent citizens he was supposed to protect? Shon’s nails dug furrows into his palms as he clenched his fists tighter. The ice crawled up the legs of his chair and crystalized on the backs of his hands.
The adults continued to talk around him, “The law is clear, Daunas. The magic either needs to be trained or sealed. There are no exceptions.” The law never made exceptions. It’s what kept everything running at top proficiency. Shon admired that… and understood it, as even now he couldn't control the sorcerous ice.
Shon tried to slow his breathing, relax his hands. The ice cracked over his fingers as he forced them out of their fists. It was responding to his emotions, his fear, and horror at what he'd done. What he was. If he could just pull it in, stifle the emotions feeding it, then the magic wouldn't be able to control him…
Ice continued to inch up the chair, and Selibra rubbed his hands together to warm them. They'd been pointedly and purposely ignoring the winter-like cold since bringing Shon to the office.
“Tattoos aren’t the only way to seal magic…” Nangran stated from the door. Daunas and Selibra stopped arguing, and Shon’s head shot up. He turned slowly to watch the Smith who combed absently at his beard, “Law says sorcerer magic needs to be trained or sealed, doesn’t say how.”
“I know the law Nangran,” Selibra still sounded defeated. “A council of Mages, including one of the rank Archmage, must determine if a Sorcerer is capable of controlling his or her power. If they determine the power is too great a risk to the kingdom, then said power will be made unable to manifest. Sealed.” the Major General recited, most likely for Shon’s benefit. Shon's heart pounded in his chest, and the fires that lit the room dimmed.
“What are you suggesting?” Daunas asked Nangran curiously. The smith only talked when necessary, using grunts and nods instead of words whenever possible. That was probably why Shon liked him so much. It also meant he wouldn’t have contradicted Selibra unless he had a reason.
“Know a guy. Used to make sealing items for the guild…” Nangran said with a shrug, as though Shon’s future didn’t hinge on his point, “Owes me a favor…”
“You’re not talking about that mad hermit who comes barging in here once or twice a year, are you?” Daunas asked, looking stunned.
Nangran nodded with a confirming hum. “Still Archmage in good standing…”
The Weaponmaster looked ecstatic, shouting, “Nangran, you’re a genius!” he slammed his hands down on the desk again, breath puffing out in thick clouds as his excitement grew. Nangran grunted.
Daunas turned back to the Major General, who actually looked intrigued. Shon’s heart tried to beat its way out of his chest. “This is it, Selibra! This Archmage can make the boy a sealing item. I’m sure the Temple will vouch for him. He’s our top Squire.” Shon was still too terrified to feel proud of the compliment and watched Major General Selibra with wide desperate eyes. Ice started forming on his hands again, looking like clawed talons.
“The Mages Guild hasn’t given out sealing stones for generations…” Selibra hummed, and Shon barely stopped the desperate whine before it could escape, his fingernails drawing blood on his palms as he balled them into fists again, breaking the ice claws. “but we can at least try.” Selibra finished, focusing on Shon, his brown eyes still looking sad, “Are you sure you want this, Shon? As a Paladin, you won’t be able to train with your elemental magic unti-”
“Yes, Sir!” Shon shouted, leaning forward in his seat and breaking the ice off its legs. He fell back a moment later, embarrassed by his outburst. More quietly, he said again, “Yes, Sir. I don’t want this magic. I want to be a Paladin.” more than anything in his entire life, he'd wanted to be a Paladin…
“Very well,” Major General Selibra stood, resting his fingertips on his desk. Speaking as if to himself, he muttered, “Perhaps this is a sign from Hengist.” looking up, he addressed Nangran, “Tomorrow you will take Squire Shon to this Archmage friend of yours. Gods willing, he will be able to seal the sorcerer magic without hindering his divine capabilities.” he failed to hide a shiver from the cold.
***
Her candles burned hot and bright, flickering wildly as She paced around Her little room. Something was happening in Her tower. There were far too many people with strangers' voices out Her window and beyond Her door.
Brom and Ran continued to visit, but they wouldn’t answer Her questions, wouldn’t take Her for samples, or to see Her treasures. The first made Her angry, the second gave Her energy, and the last scared Her enough to stop asking questions. What if they took Her books again? They hadn’t given Her a reason She couldn’t see Her treasures, so maybe they would soon… maybe tomorrow...
***
“Tomorrow,” Morndancer stated as Shaloon let herself into his room. The transfer preparations had taken months. MONTHS! They were Mages. No. Greater than Mages. They were Warlocks. And yet, everything still took far too long. They could instantly communicate with allies across the kingdom but still had to spend time making the proper arrangements. They could travel miles in a blink but still had to painstakingly pack every book and file, disassemble and disenchant the golems guarding the tower over days and even weeks. If it had been a true emergency -if they'd been found- they could've destroyed everything, vanishing all evidence of their presence and research. But the Master Archmages had forbidden it in this case.
“The western Talon is ready to receive us,” Shaloon confirmed, “What of the subjects? Archmage Yarna has no interest in animal husbandry..."
“The Firewyrm is all she is interested in. It is the only reason she agreed to take us.” Morndancer sat on his bed and stared at the pseudodragon perched on his desk, its leathery wings half furled and its tail twitching over the side of the desk, “I will handle the animal subjects tomorrow. Just make sure you are ready to open the portal out when I am done.” she could only open one portal a day, sometimes two but it would leave her incapacitated for at least a day after.
“Tomorrow then,” Shaloon confirmed, leaving him alone with his running mind and the little pretend dragon, that seemed to stare through his skin and into his soul.
***
Shon couldn’t sleep. Once again, his entire future hung on what would happen tomorrow. And just like the divine test and the road to Hamerfoss, there was nothing he could do to speed up the process. It was out of his hands. Out of his control. Just like the ice now clouding the window and the frost freezing the blankets to the mattress.
He tapped the blank page of his open journal with his pencil. The images running through his mind were the last he wanted to solidify on paper. He tried drawing something else… Kefir smiling warmly at him for the second thank you. Rerves leaning forward and shouting to him across the dinner table. The study group conversing in whispers instead of studying…
He wrote about it all between the drawings but everything that happened after pushed at his mind, the scenes forming in his vision. Shon drew Kefir again, lying on his back and tugging at the ice forming on his sword arm. Then a group scene with the Paladins falling around him, their faces focused, and hands glowing with spells to try and save him… Master Daunas’s scared eyes as he ordered Shon to ‘think warm thoughts...'
With two pages full of various sketches and commentary, Shon dropped his pencil and rested his head on his desk. Why? Was this why he was so cold to the touch? Sorcerers were rare; those with ice power were the rarest even amongst them. Should they have noticed something was wrong sooner? Would Hengist really accept someone like him? Chose a Sorcerer to be one of his extensions in Daanlin?
Shon closed his eyes, breathing slowly and trying not to cry. If they forced him to go to the Mages Guild, he would never be able to fight again. He was sure of it. All his hard work and dedication. All those years of disciplined practice, gone in one instance where he lost control. Where he almost killed a friend.
Everything he was, everything he would be, hinged on the following day. “Tomorrow…” Shon whispered into the dark, his candle finally flickering to die in the cold.
--- Table of Contents ---
Thanks for making it this far, you are the real MVP

If anyone else is like me then when playing Final Fantasy VIII, they LOVE to assign specific GFs to specific characters, they feel that they fit best with. Over the years and through multiple times playing this game, I’ve always come back to doing this and given it a LOT more thought than I care to admit, to see if I was wrong about any or if one meshes up better with another character. As such, I figured I’d finally publish my list for anyone who either wants to use it or who wants to challenge my perspective and thinks I’m wrong about one of them. This will run a bit long, but it’s meant to be fun and comprehensive, so enjoy how much I’ve nerded out on this game for your benefit, lol.
Quezacotl – I associate Zell with ThundeWind, mainly due to the second GF I decided to give him and his energetic personality. In my opinion, the first 3 GFs should be divided amongst the first 3 characters, and everyone should have at least 1 by the end of disk 1. The next 2 are much stronger fits, which explain why this one is assigned to Zell as his first GF, along with his other GF below. If I had to connect it to something else though, I’d point out how Quezacotl’s wings and body look tattooed like Zell’s face and how if someone is going to goof off slightlyduring battle to turn enemies into collectable trading cards, it’s definitely going to be Zell.
Shiva – Many would say Squall because of his personality, but I disagree which I’ll explain further below. I associate Quistis with Ice/Water, and Shiva even kind of looks like her with the yellow pigtails. Seeing as how it’s obtained from the computer in her classroom or gifted to Squall for the exam by her, it should go back to her as her first GF. Since she’s also Squall’s support during the exam when obtaining Ifrit, it makes perfect sense she would have the trump card as his support and teacher, in the event he got in trouble. It’s refine ability also pairs well with another GF we’ll give to her further down, due to the fact it refines both Ice and Water magic and groups them together.
Ifrit – Many people want to pair this with Zell, but I think that’s wrong. It’s basically a flaming lion with horns. Who better to give it to than to Squall? After all a lion is his motif, it was the first part of his SeeD exam and the first GF he obtained on his own, that wasn’t given to him. I also personally associate Squall with the element of Fire. After all, he uses it in Kingdom Hearts which came out shortly after this, one of his swords is called the Flame Saber and pretty much every promotional image of the Gunblade or Greiver symbol has it on fire. Sure, Squall’s personality might by icy, but if you pay attention, he’s a mirror of Seifer. They use the same weapon, so preferring the same magic type, makes perfect sense. It also serves as an excellent juxtaposition against Edea’s Ice. In addition, Ifrit’s compatibility item Red Fang, is needed for Squall’s Gunblade, Twin Lance. Also, to obtain Rinoa’s card, Squall also must lose Ifrit to General Caraway and to get it back, he has to beat the only other Headmaster we meet, Martine: fitting for both the leader of our party and Rinoa’s love interest and Knight. Finally, it has the ability to refine ammo, which even though we don’t use it in game, would be necessary for Squall’s Gunblade.
Siren – I initially had the hardest time with this one and Carbnucle, as one had to go to Rinoa and the other to Selphie, both because it fits thematically and for balancing issues as I want everyone to have at least 1 GF by the end of the first disk. Despite the angelic appearance, and the fact it’s a musician and singer like Rinoa’s mother, I chose to give this one to Selphie as her first GF. In the game, Selphie shows more musical interest than Rinoa does, and the GF is obtained in Dollet, shortly after meeting Selphie and as part of her field exam. As such, I felt it should appropriately go to her. Finally, its ability to refine life magic fits in well with Selphie’s White Mage role in the game.
Brothers - Irvine seems like an Earth elemental sort of person to me and the Brothers are found right next to Galbadia Garden, shortly after acquiring Irvine. Seeing as how the tomb is also a requirement for the assassination mission, other Galbadia students failed to conquer it, and how the motto of Galbadia Garden is "Keep on Rockin'", it seems only fitting for him to claim them as his first GF. In addition, their attack is called Brotherly Love which fits in with Irvine being the only character to remember his family from the orphanage. They also perform a move called Mad Cow Special during their boss battle, which aligns with Irvine being a Cowboy. Finally, to obtain Irvine's Triple Triad card, you must lose Brothers first, and if you refine the card, you gain Dino Bones which are necessary for Irvine’s ultimate weapon, while also being Brother's compatibility item. In other countries this GF is also named Taurus, after the zodiac sign of the bull, something cowboys are known for riding.
Diablos – This GF is a gift from Cid, and as such I think it pairs best with Squall, as a gift from one SeeD Commander and Sorceress’s Knight to another. Diablos also specializes in time refinement magic, which I feel aligns perfectly with both his sister, Ellone’s abilities, and that his is destined to fight against Ultimicia who is trying to enact Time Compression. It’s also the only GF you can obtain as Laguna which kind of adds in a generational aspect to it. Finally, I think the concept of the magic lamp makes for a really cool Bootstrap Paradox. Perhaps Squall lost it at the end of the game and Edea gave it to Cid, to give back to him.
Carbnucle – As I said I initially had trouble with this and Siren for Rinoa and Selphie. Ultimately though, I decided to give this to Rinoa as I feel it fits better than Siren. Carbnucle is obtained in Deiling City, her hometown from the Iguions sent to kill her by Edea. As such, I feel it’s only appropriate that she get this as her first GF, as it has the ability to protect her from magic, through Reflect. Seeing as how it also came from Edea and Rinoa end up being a sorceress, this seemed to fit well as her other GF. In addition it has the ability to refine recovery medicine and it’s card is held by the Card Club Member, the Queen Heart, matching with her last name.
Leviathan - As mentioned above, I matched Quistis with the element of Ice/Water. Leviathan is held in Balamb Garden by Norg, one of her former bosses. To me that says it should go to another faculty member of Balamb Garden, so either Squall or Quistis. Squall in my opinion has much better GFs that align with him, but even without that fact, Quistis is still a stronger candidate. After all, it pairs perfectly with Shiva above, as Shiva refines water magic, not Leviathan. This GF is also responsible for support magic and GF Recovery medicine which seems fitting for your former teacher, making sure both you and your GFs stay healthy. In addition, the Levithan card is held in the training grounds by the Card Club member immediately following her, Joker, and if you refine it, you get Doc's Codes which pairs well with the fact she gained the Card Club Master King position from Dr. Kadowaki.
Pandemona - As I said at the start, I associate Zell with ThundeWind. Pandemona is obtained in Balamb Town, Zell's hometown where he is idolized and seen as a bit of a hero. It's drawn from Seifer's sidekicks on the disciplinary committee that Zell is always getting in trouble with and as such, it seems poetic to me that your sidekick gets to stand up to his bullies, save his hometown, and steal their GF in the process. Finally, the Pandemona Card is also held by hotel owner involved in Zell's Love Quest with the Library Girl, as that’s their “love spot” in the compatibility quiz and where she awards him with a Combat King magazine.
Cerberus - Cerberus is found in Galbadia Garden during the Battle of the Gardens. From what we can tell they had likely started experimenting with GFs. As such, if it's going to go to someone in our party, it should likely go to the only person from said Garden, Irvine. Giving Irvine Cerberus, also mirrors the only other non-SeeD member Rinoa, having both a dog and the only other non-combat GF, Carbnucle. Finally, the Cerberus card modifies into Lightweight, an item drop from another GF related monster, we'll be assigning to Irvine further down, helping tie his GF choices together.
Alexander - Rinoa best fits with the element of Holy in my opinion. After all, she has angel wings on her back, as part of her limit break, and even her on ultimate weapon. She's also constantly surrounded by white feathers and shooting stars throughout the game and in promotional images. Not to mention this Gf is acquired as Ultimicia is defeated in Edea and transfers her powers and consciousness into Rinoa, so it seems only right that the GF should be transferred as well. Besides it's a robotic castle that looks like a knight and I'm sure Squall wouldn't mind the extra help. Alexander can also take transform other spells into the most powerful forms of magic and naturally learns revive, which is fitting for our new sorceress. Finally, the Alexander card is also held by Piet up at the Lunar Base where Rinoa is possessed, unleashes Adel, and shortly after also obtains Adel’s powers, tying further into the fact it should go to a sorceress.
Doomtrain – This one should be obvious. There’s one person in the game who constantly talks about trains and their love for them and that’s, Selphie. A demonic train who inflicts your enemies with poison and every negative status effect imaginable is right up her alley. If we also divide the elements of the game, Poison is left for Selphie, which is fitting as she’d easily be the one most likely to kill you with it. Plus, Doomtrain’s refine ability allows you to refine forbidden medicine which also fits in with Selphie’s White Mage role. To add in a nod to Selphie’s other GF’s the ring is also obtained under a statue of a girl holding a harp like Siren and the Doomtrain card is obtained from the pub owner in Timber, the same exact location, another GF related card below is found.
Bahamut - Known as the Great GFs according to Squall. This is the King of GFs and as such I feel it’s only proper that it should go to him. After all, his father played Zefer in the movie, The Sorceress’s Knight, and before you face Bahamut, he throws multiple Ruby Dragons at you, so in a way it’s a bit poetic that Squall should obtain the dragon GF, while being Rinoa’s Knight. In addition, Ultimicia also has Tiamat as her ultimate monster before Greiver is pulled from Squall's mind, so it seems only fitting Squall should have its counterpart. The fact you can also obtain the highest magic in the game from him through his refine ability and that he serves as the test to make your way to Eden, only cements this choice further. Finally, his move Megaflare matches up somewhat with Ifrit, as in games where Flare has an element, it's fire.
Cactuar - Cactuar has no clear ties to any of the characters at first glance, however a cactus fits in with Irvine’s whole cowboy & western motif if you think about it. I also noticed at the start of its summon animation, when it jumps in front of the stylized sun, that image of the rays is nearly identical to the circular pendant Irvine wears, and if we look at the bottom of his necklace, it resembles the 3 quills on Cactuar's head. His name is also taken from the word pretender in other languages, which I feel aligns with Irvine, pretending to not know the others until later in the game. Finally, it attacks by shooting 10,000 needles, something fitting for the only person with a gun.
Tonberry - Tonberry at first glance doesn't display any obvious ties to our characters, however if we dig a little deeper, we can see a connection. If we go to Trabia Garden, a cadet mentions the Tonberry GF in his sleep. We also know that as a child, another member of Trabia Garden, Selphie, obtained a GF during an outdoor training session, that she found inside a monster, after defeating it. If we happen to find a secret Timber Mechanics magazine, it adds an entry on the computer which shows a younger Selphie taking a trip to the Centra Ruins as a child. If we connect the dots, this leads me to believe that IF it's one of the GFs we encounter in the game, Selphie's childhood GF was likely Tonberry. In addition Tonberry has numerous shopping related abilities such as, Sell High, Familiar, Haggle, and Call Shop, that all pair thematically well with Selphie’s other GF, Doomtrain, and his Junk Shop ability, tying everything together. Tonberry King even attacks you with Junk while you’re battling him. Plus when it comes down to it, who else do you realistically get cute and borderline psycho killer vibes from? Finally, while you obtain the Doomtrain card from the pub owner in Timber, you can get the Tonberry Card from the drunken drifter nearby, further tying them together.
Eden - The ultimate GF. The only 2 people it could logically go to is either Squall or Rinoa. Of those, I think Squall is a better fit as you obtain it from the 2nd most powerful monster in the game, and if you miss it, it's obtained from Tiamat, Bahamut's counterpart. It's also a mobile garden after all, and who better to go to than our protagonist and the creator of both Garden and SeeDs. Eden also contains a few angel wing motifs throughout its design which adds in a nod to Rinoa and nice thematic imagery with Squall being her knight. Finally, it has an attack called Eternal Breath which alludes to time, and the fact both Squall and his archenemy Ultimicia are bound to it. It's refine ability also allows you to teach all other GFs abilities which is appropriately fitting for the Garden Commander.
Additional Notes – Some may ask why Irvine and Selphie got 3 and everyone else except for Squall got 2. This is mainly due to Cactuar and Tonberry as there’s really no one they pair better with in my opinion than Irvine and Selphie. If you want an in-universe reason though to keep with the theme, I feel because Trabia and Galbadia are not as experienced with GFs, Squall may want to help get them up to speed. This does not need to be done for Rinoa cause by this time she’s a Sorceress. I think it also works well as those 2 are our B couple in the game. It could also be cause the other 3 have been using GFs longer, so by giving it to them, it could help Squall, Zell, and Quistis slightly combat the effects of memory loss.
Rinoa and Irvine got the support GFs cause they’re not SeeD and cause I saw Squall wanting them to practice before they were allowed more powerful summons. The exception to this was Brothers and only because necessity demanded it with Irvine being involved with the assassination mission against the Sorceress. It was also nice to be able to give Irvine a dog, since Rinoa already had one.
ThundeWind and Ice/Water are paired up in this game with Quezacotl and Shiva, so I did the same with Zell and Quistis. I feel these fits well as they’re the original Balamb SeeDs along with Squall, while Selphie is technically a transfer. This means the Final Fantasy trifecta starting elements of Fire, Thunder, and Ice are divided amongst the original Balamb Members.
So that’s everything. If I messed up on something, missed something I could’ve added, or someone else fits better with a specific GF, feel free to comment below and give me your analysis.

Bidet yall! I'm looking for a professional tattoo artist to get my first tattoo and would like to find one from our community to work with who can help me land on a design. I'm willing to travel just about anywhere in the western U.S. If you're a tattoo artist or know a fellow critter who is please comment!
The design: I've always loved Fjord's journey and Travis has long been my favorite of the cast. So I've been thinking I want to do Star Razor as a dice sword on my outer forearm. I'm thinking black and grey sketch style but would like input from a pro who understands the source material.

Greetings,
While answering an inquiry about how to write the name Toma in Syriac, I found out that there are alternative spellings for the name. The person asking is of Syrian descent. The alternative spellings (not counting the Greek forms ending in s) are the following:
ܬܳܐܘܡܰܐ܆ ܬܐܘܽܡܰܐ܆ ܬܘܽܡܰܐ.
Among the various alternative spellings, is there one that is more contemporary, as opposed to an old form mostly restricted to ancient manuscripts? Is there a form that is more common in the Western Syriac world (i.e. Syria, Lebanon) as opposed to a more Eastern Syriac form? Which of these spellings should I recommend for a person of Syrian descent who is looking to make it a tattoo?
Thank you for your help!
PS. Here is the entry from Payne Smith and Margoliouth's Dictionary: http://sedra.bethmardutho.org/lexeme/get/3342

Rucoy Online Science Fiction
The lvl 1 Rats are actually secretly released drug-addicted, heroin and cocaine addicts, as well as failed expiriments (like most Leaderboard players) many of them have enlarged prostates, others are constantly lactating and spilling milk that spoils the place. The reason all the lvl 1 rats look the same and all creatures for that matter, in Rucoy, besides the yellow names for the elites, is that they were put in a skin-suit, that morphs the body so they can't tell another apart, so it creates a 'in-group-mindset'. As many freelance Rucoyians realize this, when they later discover elites, at least subconsciously, they will often be too oppressed by 'Elitist' mobs to ask the basic question, of 'Why aren't their elite rats/crows/goblins/worms/scorpians/snakes' (as of 5/28/2023) - and the answer is simple and may seem like a linguistical play, but it's because they literally aren't elitist; meaning they aren't rich or well-connected. They are the experimented-on, degenerates of the World of Rucoy Online. The snakes are subject to being used for their venom in labs to develop antibiotics for their poisonous bites as well as scorpian stings, but it's mainly a placebo, because these creatures are rather benign in their toxic elements, basically they're as toxic as a mild hangover from one ounce shot of mild beer as a 90 pound adult. The lvl 1 rats, who are trying to break the chains of their pre-determined environments, evolve into lvl 3 rats if they're successful, hiding in a cave from GM Rucoy and his apostles.
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Why are Brazilians one of the most prominent player base in Rucoy Online?
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They have vast forestry and problems with their economy as well as a certain bottomless desperation to prove themselves worthy enough to be acknowledged by Ricardo in the ways of boss drops so they can hang up trophies, plaques, NFTs and milestones of their titles, achievements and progress, relative to other players as well as seem worthy enough to get dinner from their Community. Rucoy acts as the 'bread and circus' of their day, while they scavenge for crumbs of bread in their environment, they're rich and OP in game and can access more prospoerous parts of the World through simply hopping servers, which is less expensive and risky than boarding a flight, in their mind - they may end up living into their 50s and 60s-- eventually retirement homes, paid for by their training and farming North American and European accounts-- wealth that Rucoy gives them access to! Brazilians have a lot more hanging in the balance than the typical, European or Western, Continent and so they may also exude a creed of toxicity to affirm their dominance, that is one of scamming, desperate flattery and self-perceived toughness to mask the symptoms of doom and vulnerability. 

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Why are there Rucoy Online, knock-off games?
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Nobody is as great, as Game Master Ricardo. Of course, he had game ideas and templates from other games to go off from his Childhood, like any other game Creator has, but he didn't say, use a fossilized dinosoar bone from Zelda and chisel around it to make his own game, he had way more creativity, although used paid-for game assets as well, but the Rucoy Online knock off game that came out not so long ago, is basically slightly off-centered Rucoy Online and they even copied Ricardo's last name, as if they were related and have the audacity to have the option to buy diamonds at like 3x the price of Rucoy Online (at least at the time I played it) well GM Ricardo is taking the high road, it doesn't look like he has taken legal action against them and he's depending on brand-loyalty and sunk-cost fallacy, for players to stick with his game; although he has increased amount of updates but that may be also due to offloading tasks to AI that formally may have cost him 5-6 figures to do regularly, although it doesn't seem like his updates are that regular at this point - however, after people realize that GM Ricardo has ties to Freemasons and the Jewish-backed Media, he even has been rumored to be attending World Economic Forum meetings and to have applied a year before the creation of Rucoy, in January 1st, 2015! People will change their tune about Rucoy Online and they will adopt it as the premier, defualt game for all online, capable devices, Include Android, Apple, Laptop, Destop and Smart-Watches and Rucoy shares will be sold at a starting price of 100kk each, which will translate into 1000$ USD by 2027-2030-- will basically be more profitable investment promoted by Economists than Tesla, General Electric, Patroleum, Apple, Gold, Diamonds, Bitcoin, or any other Fortune 500 Company and GM Ricardo will be escorted around in a Buggatti by the Tate brothers, Secret Service will also consider him as capable as a President/Prime MinisteTop War General and provide 24/7/365 protection. 

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When is playing Rucoy too much of a sacrafice?
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Theoretically, never. Rucoy Online is a good substitute for a life plan, outside of games, because it is so rewarding and stimulating, while others, have met their significant other on this game, many criticize hardcore players for over-playing, but in reality, it can be a passive game, but also, you have to keep conscious of your device, outside of your pocket usually and well-charged, so it will have to constantly be on your mind and this may leave you open to being exped by elites, or killed by vengeful, jealous players who want bragging rights of having bagged a top player - although you can always train in opposite time-zones, so if it's 12PM in EST time-zone and you're online, you can afk train in, say, Asia. However, players can server hop indefinitely, without penalty, if they clear their data, after they reach server hop limit, penalty-timer; which is also used to sometimes KS Demon teams, by opps, trolls, and the bedazzled ones, or competing Guilds and sharers. Though, it's not that fun, to keep hopping and clearing data and generally, they dont do it for more than 10-20 minutes, in my experience, as i've dealt with this with stream-snipers on my Lvl 1 in vampires, when my other account was skulled, following my Lvl 1-- though most people who try to follow demon teams will be tricked or out-played because the entire team will work together to exp/kill them, so it's also counter-productive and meritably unexecutable for any long-term strategy, beyond poor impulse-control. If you live in an area where it's very poor it also may be more profitable to train/farm accounts than get a local job in your area-- also, Rucoy can act as a substitute for 'bad' behaviors like joining violent gangs, engaging in actual terrorism, doing hardcore drugs, becoming an Alcoholic, etc. or binge-eating and giving a 'reason' to not be homeless, as then it's harder to find a place to charge your device for Rucoy! You can also gain creative-advantage by engaging in Role-play, not just in writing a book like this, but in server, guild, with friends ingame or just divulging in isolated, story ideas, which tends to lead to other 'outside the box' thinking, so yes, you can gain advantages by playing what seems like a mind-numbing game, because in boredom, comes creativity and inspiration towards other endeavors, which may dovetail the former point about why there's no Minos music, as it is a pretty popular area for training for a lot of time-invested players. 

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Rucoy Online to be a main contributor of 21st Education!
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Pretty soon there will be Doctorates offered in Rucoyology, including honorary Doctorates to players who solo'd 90+% of their account progress and achieve 620 + defense. The Doctorates will be offered by Ivy League Universities like Harvard, MIT, Yale, Oxford University, Etc. and will entitle the individual to get 50% off of Whoppers at Burger King as well as unlimited access to battery replacements and wireless internet so that you can even play Rucoy while you camp in a Mountainous forest in the Everglades. Rucoyians will be offered an internship program, where they learn the ways of a general Rucoyian and earn a basis of Monster slayer titles and Expert titles to complete the equivalent of a 'General Education' that will make them versatile players among the newest contributing members to the land of Rucoy. Also, there will be a weekly raffle, to win plane tickets to your nearest fast-food restaurant, with wifi, to make Rucoy Online the most popular game in that particular area played via Restaurant Wifi. There will also be renovations and leasing agents to existing malls and shopping centers to install various Rucoy 'Gift Shops' where you can buy physical, Rucoy Diamonds, Merch and engage in tournaments with other Rucoy players, to submerge your interests in an ever-intertwining pool of talent and diplomacy so you can work together to create the most awesome farming and arena experience-- there will also be localized, physical tournaments, similar to how Pokemon and other trading card games evolved in game stores and outlets that wanted to host fun events for youngsters and prospective champions in the realm of story and game time - Rucoy will become a household name and Sport practiced Globally as well as formally recognized as an Olympic Sport, mainly, probably dominated by starving Brazilians, looking for Global recognition, to leave the chains of their poverty and be sponsored athletes, also in the UFC stars like Connor Mcgregor and Anderson Silva will have body Tattoos of top Rucoy players to advertise their particular legacy and Guild and there will be ranked, arena PVP titles for each ingame server, for guilds as well as individuals to defend, based on their level and guild composition, seperation by categories and tiers, agreed upon staking and even sometimes diamonds and cosmetic unlockables for players who achieve the tops of their particular class, for example (top 10000 hours player, top lvl 75-125, top NA1 Registered Guild, top Global Guild, etc. - most wins per day, maybe a cap for total matches allowed to be played, as well as minimal amount of players for rewards - to bypass cheating with multiple devices).
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Why is Chat very toxic in Rucoy Online at times?
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People can't compete with buying top accounts or lack interest in training a lot, or find compatable motivation for training and talking junk, making up false-accusations, over-blowing mistakes or past failures, to the point where they define someone over something they did maybe once or twice several years ago and don't generally believe in redemption as well as hype up fear and paranoia over associating with those people, for others to be deemed as toxic, if they're friends with these people or allow them in their guild, or join their guild - etc. People actually get a high out of the reactions and subverting nature of turning something potentially beautiful into an unforeseen wasteland, it is misplaced energy and if they had another outlet and maybe more incentive to do something else, that is contributory, they would do it-- it's best to guide people towards a healing and developmentally superior path and influence people to make better decisions, rather than demonize or persecute or Morally condemn people, although that has it's place as well; however, some people get a feeling of euphoria for being talked about, even if it's negative and negative attention is better than no attention, so it's better to act as an on-ramp towards plausible behavior, I have asked people to contribute to this work as well as offer suggestions and I will add them in the credits and acknowledgements, as a way of doing my part, for helping people to engage in their creative interests, as well as try to ask people personable questions to whatever they're doing that allows them to feel connected, engaged and interested in opening up-- this is partially due to being lvl 1 and not being able to access server chat, however, role-playing as the 'bad' man is also funny but because Rucoy appeals to young and naive children/teens, they may take it the wrong way, so I think it's healthier to admit, this is Science-Fiction and introduce, facts, analysis, creativity, half-truths, improvement ideas, as well as just plain silly, dystopian ideas. End Rucoy entrenched Toxicity today! 

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Everyone who uses Server chat for more than a week is eventually accused of Pedophelia, especially if they are self-admitted adults:
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"You play a kid's game!" "You're too old to play this game!" Also, people who are minors will invite you to say things that incriminate or compromise your integrity, in order to blackmail, screenshot or have leverage over you - this is a pretty common phenomena, of course Jeffrey Epstein did this to Elites, professionally, it happens to 'nobodies' in online Communities as well, also, different countries have different laws for what age is legal for 'enticing' talk to take place. It is not universally bad to all people and of course with the advent of gender reassignment surgery, being a mainstream practice in many places, that is-- they can literally, medically, be subsidized to have their 3 year-olds genitals cut-off even despite non-parental consent, in many areas, is cause for alarm in of itself, and is probably an even bigger or slippery slope problem, for child abuse, that is slowly boiling the water to have deleterious affects on minors and to degenerate and systematically subvert the parent's influence over their children, that moves many steps further than Public education, calling traditional parents 'racist' or 'xenophobic' etc. and that 'guns' are anti-children, somehow, etc. but generally, people are taking out their abandonend, neglected, abused, ignored, traumatized, detached, disassociative and nihilistic attitude towards the Server chats and PVP world by just dominating and destroying any possibility of successful progress, pretending as if their childhood are determinants for their overall life and that they need to abuse others before they become abused, it's quite sad actually.

Respect Combustion Man

a.k.a. Sparky-Sparky Boom Man

"HRRRR!"

A young boy discovered a unique ability that severely injured him before he learned to control it. Replacing his lost limbs with metallic prosthesis, the boy became an assassin specializing in tracking elusive targets and maintaining the utmost secrecy. Never speaking and adhering to his missions doggedly, Combustion Man proved an overwhelming force to the Avatar and his friends during their time in the Fire Nation.
Combustion Man had the unique ability to issue beams of explosive force from a tattoo on his forehead. In combination with his immense physical ability, Combustion Man routinely gained the advantage over world class benders by initiating a conflict from a distant high ground. His greatest weakness proved the disturbance of his tattoo, which could cause his combustionbending to backfire to devastating effect.
Relevant Scaling: 1. Aang 2. Zuko 3. Toph 4. Katara 5. Sokka

Source Key Avatar: The Last Airbender Season and Episode = S#E# Lost Adventures, "Combustion Man on a Train" = LA Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Art of the Animated Series = TAS 

Physicals

Strength

• Shatters a block of ice around his head with a punch ^S3E7
• Strikes through the floor of a train ^LA
• Throws Zuko out of his way and then holds him back, both with one arm ^S3E12
• Leaps over a tornado thrown by Aang and crushes stone in his metal hand to help break his fall ^S3E12

Durability

• Leaps from the top of a building and lands without issue, cracking the cobblestone beneath him ^S3E7
• His head is frozen solid and he is fine after shattering the ice ^S3E7
• When a pebble hits hit tattoo it causes his next blast to backfire, cratering him into a wall, yet he gets recovers immediately ^S3E7
• A mass of water hits him, washes him off a train atop a bridge and into a lake, and he survives ^LA
• A swinging kick from Zuko merely throws off his aim, but he is otherwise unaffected ^S3E12
• Unaffected by Zuko kicking him again ^S3E12
  • Zuko's kicks can move boulders and break chains apart
• Shields himself from Katara's icicles and is unaffected ^S3E12
  • Katara's icicles can pierce stone
• Hit by Sokka's boomerang hard enough to shatter apart the ground when he lands, but recovers ready to fight ^S3E12
• However, Sokka's boomerang injuring his tattoo does cause him to misfire and explode ^S3E12

Speed

• Intercepts Toph and Katara's attacks with his combustionbending ^S3E5
• Catches up to Aang after Aang flees and hides, despite Aang's considerable head start ^S3E5
• Fires two blasts in rapid succession, intercepts Aang's attack with a third blast, and returns fire again with a fourth ^S3E5
• Quickly fires at point blank range when Aang jumps out at him ^S3E5
• Fires twice after a fleeing Aang, with his second shot's periphery managing to catch him ^S3E7
• Leaps over Aang's attack, fires while falling, and then fires again on recovery ^S3E12

Combustionbending

Destroying stone

• Blasts apart a massive earthbending counterattack from Toph ^S3E5
• Blasts apart several large columns of stone, and when Aang repels one it sends him flying a distance away ^S3E5
• Propels Aang in his rock armor off into the distance ^S3E5
• Blasts apart a portion of a fountain, rattling a nearby building ^S3E7
• Destroys a boulder Toph launches at him, and craters himself into a wall when he misfires ^S3E7
• Destroys a chunk of stone when his aim is thrown off, then obliterates a stone structure with a second shot ^S3E12
• Tears apart a stone floor with his blast ^S3E12
• Blasts apart a stone column, and Toph says he will blast the Western Air Temple off the cliffside if he continues attacking ^S3E12
• Blasts a chunk of the Western Air Temple off a cliffside when he misfires, blasting himself apart ^S3E12

Destroying misc. material

• Combustion Man's prostheses are evidence of his early attempts to master his ability ^TAS
• Vaporizes a mass of water sent at him by Katara, with the resulting steam filling the surrounding caldera ^S3E5
• Blasts apart a section of a train ^LA
• Blasts apart the metallic roof of a train ^LA

Periphery & Scaling

• Explodes apart stone and scatters Team Avatar despite Aang's airbended defense ^S3E5
• The periphery of his explosion propels Aang into a statue hard enough he is dazed for a moment ^S3E7
• Tries to snipe Aang and Sokka, though Aang senses his approach and narrowly pulls Sokka from the resulting explosion ^S3E7
• The periphery of his explosion tears away pieces of stone, and sends Aang and Sokka flying down an alley ^S3E7
• Overpowers Zuko's fire shield, sending Zuko off the edge of a cliff ^S3E12

Equipment

• Owns a trained raven-eagle that intercepts a messenger hawk, tying the hawk up, grabbing its message, and delivering it to Combustion Man ^S3E5
• His prosthetic arm has claws that cut into the roof of a train deep enough to remain there after an air blast from Aang ^LA
• His metal arm survives the explosion that killed him ^S3E12

Skills/Intelligence

• Had a formidable reputation as an Agni Kai dueler once he mastered his abilities ^TAS
• Pins Toph, Katara, Sokka, and Aang behind cover, with the latter two agreeing they cannot beat him ^S3E5
• Set a trap for Katara and Toph, apprehending them as bait to draw out Aang ^S3E7
• Plans to snipe Team Avatar from a distance while they are unaware ^S3E12
• Pins Team Avatar behind cover once more, with Katara admitting she can't step out to attack without getting blown up ^S3E12

In today's world, there are many subcultures found in the world, countercultures of people with their own fashions and principles. (Think punks, goths, the modern LGBT community, furries, emos, otakus etc.)
I'm a big fan of studying historical wear, but a lot of sources I find only talk about the clothes that "polite society" would wear, the most out-there clothing might be women's clothes that become more practical/"masculine" around the times when women fought their way into the work force and rode bicycles etc., and flappers and the 20th century jazz scene.
As a modern-day goth, I find myself asking about subcultures of eras past, 19th century and back. What did "alt" people do back then? Social deviance, political resistance,cultural rejects must've found places to be themselves long before, like, the eccentric bohemians in the 17th century, right?
Were there any subcultures like we know today? How did they distinguish themselves? Would they decorate their clothes or hair or jewelry or tattoos like we do today? What did they congregate around - arts, politics, theology, occupation?
I am mainly asking about times from ancient history to the early modern period, I know, real broad - but I assume there's not many peeps concerned about this sort of thing around here. I'm mainly asking about Europe/the western world, but if you have information just dying to tell me about different places as well, I would love to hear about it. If you have any sources that would touch on these topics, I would be grateful as well.

((Contents have been split for length/editing reasons. I apologize for the inconvenience.))
--- Table of Contents ---
Veon-Zih strolled wearily down the bustling streets of Smilnda, continuing the internal debate he'd been having since walking through the city gates. It was almost time to make a decision. He could see the towering spires of the Church of Soleil arching gracefully towards the noon sun, and beyond them, the parapets of the Temple of Hengist, patrolled by knights in gleaming armor. One offered a bath and some time to relax, the other, hours of reports and at most a quick scrub down.
The fact that he was having this debate at all was a testament to his loyalty. Still, as Sir Banril led the others towards the Temple, Veon-Zih made his decision and turned towards the Church.
Sir Narvin noticed, “Master Veon-Zih?”
Veon-Zih rubbed his shaved head sheepishly, “You lot go ahead and make your reports. I'll give mine to Sir Rasnah personally once she has time to digest what you have to say.” as long as he reported before nightfall, he would be within regulation. So though both the Paladins scowled, they also nodded, continuing on their way and offering no more protest as Veon-Zih entered the Church.
The chapel was furnished with pale woods and yellow tapestries. The noon sun shone through the skylights in the arching ceiling, causing the gold accents throughout the chapel to gleam and glitter. Veon-Zih bowed to the central altar but preferred not to approach for a blessing until after cleaning off the road dust. He started to make for the side door leading to the courtyard when Father Branston descended from his office behind the altar.
“My friend!” he threw his arms out wide in greeting, “Still in one piece I see.”
Veon-Zih bowed to his old friend, right fist in left palm, to dissuade Branston from his usual hug, “Yes, though a very dirty one piece, I’m afraid.”
Recognizing the hint, Branston clasped his hands behind his back and offered Veon-Zih a rather sinister grin, “So you're here to take advantage of our sun-warmed baths? And you still wonder why I would choose retirement to the road?”
Chuckling, Veon-Zih turned away from the Abbot and waved his hand dismissively over his shoulder, “I know exactly why you chose retirement. What I don’t understand is why you keep thinking I should.” he exited the chapel and immediately had to jump aside as a set of young girls ran past, squealing in delight as they chased each other around the courtyard. The sight made him smile. Meeting Branston’s twinkling eyes, the Monk continued, “The Monastery is a beautiful place. Carved from the peak stones of a sacred mountain, full of my fellow Monks who share my dedication and philosophy. In other words, it’s a dreadfully boring place.”
“And here I thought the Monks of Oane took at least half as many children as we do,” Branston laughed one of his full laughs that made his round belly jiggle. A young boy, no more than five or six, was trying to keep up with the girls and barely dodged around the head of the Church without paying any mind to who he'd almost run into, “I have never known even a small group of children to be boring.”
Veon-Zih sighed, looking up to the sky and the sun rays filtering through the leaves of the great central tree, “The Monastery requires a certain amount of discipline from their wards. I’m afraid it can be… smothering for many of the children there.”
“That's a shame…”
“Master?” a young voice interrupted and Veon-Zih looked down to see Shon sitting at the same bench where he'd been bullied a month previously. Veon-Zih had nearly passed the boy without noticing. Shon had his journal spread open on his lap, and a pencil held loosely in his left hand. The book was full of what looked like sketches of the other children running about the courtyard.
Shon seemed to realize he'd interrupted a conversation, a bit of pink rising in his cheeks as he looked away, “I’m glad you made it back safely…”
“You doubted me?” Veon-Zih arched an eyebrow at the young boy, and Shon shook his head, looking back up at the adults. He narrowed his eyes at Veon-Zih, his hand moving on the page. Glancing down, Veon-Zih watched as Shon began to draw the arch of his eyebrow. Once Shon noticed the Monk watching, he dropped his pencil, closing the book quickly over it.
“I practiced every day like you told me, Master.”
“Shon, Master Veon-Zih has had a long journey. Perhaps tomorrow…” Branston started, and the boy’s face began to fall.
Veon-Zih raised a hand to stop his friend. Speaking to Shon, he ordered, “Show me.”
Shon jumped to his feet, set his book down on the bench, and rushed over to the clearing beneath the tree. Veon-Zih following at a more leisurely pace, watching. Shon dropped into a low and solid horse stance, most early students were lazy with their stances, rising out of it as they worked through the strikes. Shon took a deep breath and punched with his left hand, muttering a quiet “One.” He didn’t rush through the strikes, taking his time to pull his fist all the way back before punching with his right hand and saying, “One,” again.
Veon-Zih furrowed his brow, circling around the boy and stroking his chin when Shon again punched with his left hand, counting “Two,” then with his right, saying, “Two,” again.
Veon-Zih continued to circle, watching Shon’s slow and measured punches and paying careful attention to the boy’s stance. He started to rise out of it around his second count of twenty-three, but took a moment to fix it after counting to twenty-five. Then he punched again with a quiet “Twenty-six,” and Veon-Zih’s eyebrows shot up.
Circling one last time, Veon-Zih made his way to stand beside Branston, who gave a muffled chuckle, “You look impressed, my friend. Is this not what you told him to do?” he whispered.
“I left the instructions vague, as a kind of test…” Veon-Zih explained.
“And has he passed?”
Veon-Zih shook his head in wonder rather than answer, explaining, “I told him to do fifty punches and kicks every day and gave him five different of each.” he gestured at Shon then began rubbing his chin again, “Most younger children interpret that as fifty total punches, so ten of each punch. Some work a little harder and do ten of each hand for each punch, and others only five each. Some older apprentices assume we want more and do fifty of each punch, twenty-five on each hand.”
Shon moved on to his second set of strikes, starting again with a count of “One” for each hand.
“But Shon chose to do more, double, in fact.” Branston crossed his arms over his chest, also focusing on the young boy.
Veon-Zih nodded, but it was more than just that. His stance remained strong for the most part, and his slow pace allowed Shon to correct it when necessary. Though even that didn’t seem as frequent as it should have been for a boy his age, “He really did practice every day…” Veon-Zih breathed.
Branston nodded, “The kitchen staff informed me shortly after you left that Shon asked them to wake him in the mornings.”
Shon glanced over his shoulder at them for a moment then hurriedly back ahead, staring a hole into the far wall as he continued his counting and strikes. He could hear them talking but probably couldn’t make out exactly what their whispered words were. Veon-Zih tapped his lower lip in thought, asking, “How old is he exactly?”
“Ten this last Solstice.” Branston shot Veon-Zih a sideways glance from the corner of his eye, “You want to take him to the Monastery, don’t you?”
“I thought he was slated for the Temple?”
“Not many meet the necessary requirements.” Branston countered, “If you think he would be better suited…” he let the thought trail off, looking again at Shon, who had moved on to his kicks and practiced them with the same slow discipline as he had the punches.
Veon-Zih hummed at the thought but was stopped from speaking by a new voice, “First you fail to make your report, and now you’re trying to steal away potential Squires. Master Veon-Zih, I am not only disappointed but ashamed of you.” A woman in a sharply starched uniform approached with the bearing of a queen. She drew Shon’s curious gaze, and Veon-Zih noticed the boy’s eyes widen in wonder before he shook his head and fixed his stance to continue his drills. Staring determinedly ahead.
“You caught me.” Veon-Zih said with a sigh, slumping his shoulders in defeat, “Though I assure you, Sir Rasnah, I had every intention of making my report after a bath,”
The lady knight wrinkled her nose at him, “A bath wouldn’t go amiss. But what's this I hear about you taking a child slated to the Temple?” she arched a severe eyebrow at him -a much more impressive expression coming from her- then let her eyes scan over Shon.
“You remember Shon, m'dear,” Branston said with a laugh, “he asked our old friend to teach him the way of the fist,”
“And the foot…” Rasnah noted, watching the kicks and looking from Shon to Veon-Zih and back again, “You're impressed.” she stated with a lopsided grin.
“Am I so easy to read?”
Both Branston and Rasnah laughed in answer.
“If you think he's better suited to the Monastery…” Rasnah started,
“I want to join the Temple,” Shon stated, dropping his kick and actually turning to face the adults, his chin held stiffly high, as though waiting for them to argue.
Rasnah looked down at him. Most would fold beneath the General’s stare, but Shon managed to tilt his head a little higher, holding her gaze with cold blue eyes.
Rasnah held his stare a moment longer, then said stiffly, “We shall see. If you can pass the first test, we would be glad to have you. Anyone capable of impressing this one,” she nudged Veon-Zih with her elbow, and he rubbed the spot as though it had hurt him, “will do just as well serving Hengist.”
That brought a small smile to Shon’s lips, and Veon-Zih sighed, “There are far more Paladins in the world than Monks, now who is stealing from whom, Sir Rasnah?”
“I want to join the Temple…” Shon stated again, looking down at his feet rather than at Veon-Zih, as though truly afraid he had disappointed the Monk.
“But until then…” Veon-Zih said loudly, drawing Shon’s gaze again, “I would be honored to continue teaching you.” it surprised him how much that small smile warmed his heart. He had never met a boy quite like Shon before. He showed a level of dedication and patience that would shame many grown men. And the way he'd studied every movement of their last lesson and moved with a slow purpose through his exercises, bespoke a level of interest and passion Veon-Zih had only rarely seen, even in his fellow Monks.
It truly would be a shame to lose such a student to the Paladins. But as Branston had said… not many could meet the necessary requirements to join a divine order. “I will meet you here tomorrow to continue your lessons. For now, I need a bath.” beside him, Rasnah cleared her throat, “And I have a report to give. You will learn all about that once you join the Temple,” he turned to the Paladin, crossing his arms over his chest, “Slaves to paperwork you lot.”
Branston laughed again, and Rasnah snorted, rolling her eyes. Veon-Zih couldn’t hold the disgruntled act for long and chuckled, turning back to Shon and resting his right fist in his left palm. Shon quickly mirrored the motion, bowing low to the Monk, who couldn’t help but smile.
***
Sir Rasnah stood at her western window, watching the sunset paint the sky in colors of fire. With her hands clasped loosely behind her, and her shoulders held straight, though soft, Veon-Zih was sure he'd succeeded in sneaking up on her.
He considered palming the young knight guarding her door some coin for agreeing to let him slip in while the evening bells from the Church muffled his entrance. He wouldn’t have managed it if the young man hadn’t been the same as his last meeting, nor if the recently oath-sworn Paladin had insisted on announcing him despite the Monk being expected. In the end, Veon-Zih didn’t bother. The Paladin would've been more offended than thankful.
The office of the General of the Temple of Hengist in Smilnda, was far less grand than that of the Abbot of the Church of Soleil. It had a large window on the west wall, though smaller than those of the church. Her desk faced the center of the room and the window, leaving her back to the security of solid stone and the door to the south within easy reach. There was a small shrine to Hengist in the northeast corner and a grand tapestry behind her desk bearing the Temple's seal, a raised silver sword over a blue shield. The only personal additions Rasnah had made when gaining the position and office were a fine blue and silver carpet from the deserts of Halakon and a small tea set from Oane on her desk.
Veon-Zih stepped carefully as the last of the evening bells tolled, watching her silhouette and sure that he had indeed gone unnoticed when- “I half expected you to wait until the sun was merely a sliver. That way, you wouldn’t technically be late.” Rasnah turned to face him, her warm smile a contrast with her cold tone. Her smile turned to a lopsided smirk as Veon-Zih slumped, rubbing his bald head, as though he were no more than a child who'd been caught stealing cookies. She arched that impressive eyebrow, asking, “Are you training as a Rogue then? Expanding your already considerable repertoire of killing techniques to include backstabbing?”
Veon-Zih scoffed, “I’m offended, Sir Rasnah, and after I rushed all the way here so as not to be too late.”
“Rushed… and here I thought you might have fallen asleep in the Church's baths. Old man.” He was only a year older than the knight, her steel gray hair showing no hint of its former golden hue.
“Now you listen here, greenhorn,” Veon-Zih shook a fist at Rasnah, smiling broadly at the old game between them, “if this is the thanks you give your seniors for so graciously giving you time to review the others' reports, then perhaps next time I will come right away and bombard you with both my stench and elderly wisdom.”
Rasnah laughed, throwing her head back in mirth before shaking her head and gesturing for the seat in front of her desk. Veon-Zih took it with an exaggerated sigh, watching as she rounded her desk like a marching soldier but sat in her chair as though it were a throne. “As it stands, I only need a small part of your elderly wisdom.” she assured him.
“So they told you we ran out of potatoes on the way back?” Veon-Zih asked, then snapped his fingers, “Oh! You mean that Mage we ran across…”
“You ran across,” Rasnah corrected, finally growing serious, “I did actually take advantage of the time you so graciously granted me and checked with the Mages Guild. There should be no Mages in that part of Clearhelm. The closest is a man just north of Hamerfoss.” lacing her fingers together she leaned over her desk, “Tell me what you saw.”
Veon-Zih leaned back, stroking his chin as he relayed the details of his relatively short fight with the magic user, “I’ve never seen a spell like that Rasnah, no flash of light and vanish. It was as if she'd cut a hole in reality itself, and I couldn’t see beyond it. Even the lightning she threw around was unnaturally colored. Though we’ve seen its like once before…”
Rasnah sighed and began sifting through the papers stacked neatly on her desk. She remembered, he could tell by her discomfort as she changed the subject, “What of those taken?”
“No sign, but you knew that from the other's reports.”
“Yes, and I also learned that they were Sorcerers.” she pulled two sheets of paper from the pile and set them aside, “A mother and son, both with fire magic and sealing tattoos. I questioned Private Hoen further, and he told me there was another in the house, an older daughter who showed no signs of magic. She was there but wasn’t taken.”
“You think they came for the Sorcerers?” Veon-Zih eyed the papers. They included drawings of the sealing tattoos the Sorcerers had received and the locations on their necks, “They wouldn’t have been able to resist with magic. They couldn't even light a candle after being sealed. So what use would they be to draken or even rogue... magic users?”
Rasnah hummed, looking tired for the first time, “I don’t know. What I do know is that they weren’t the only ones.” Veon-Zih arched an eyebrow, but Rasnah shook her head, “Talkar and Lenare have both seen Sorcerers disappear over the last year. They are hardly the only citizens missing in these dangerous times, which is probably why they aren't being seen as connected, but… I have a feeling…”
“Hengist whispering in your ear again, Ras?” Veon-Zih whispered with concern.
“I wish. If only it were that easy.” Rasnah muttered. Though the gods could communicate with their followers, it was through symbols and intuition rather than words. The human body and mind couldn’t handle direct communication. In this case, if the god of protection wanted his Paladins to look further into something, his unspoken worry would seep into their minds through their divine Oath, it was up to them to decipher the meaning.
Rasnah shifted the conversation back onto more solid ground, “It seems heirlooms have started being taken in Halakon again as well.”
“But we stopped that operation thirty years ago,” Veon-Zih sat straighter, remembering that adventure particularly clearly, “If that same group is back then we should tell the Monastery in Halakon-”
“How is Monk Velona?” Rasnah interrupted, her lips tilting up in a sideways smirk.
“I…” Veon-Zih cleared his throat and leaned back again, “She's a Master now. Took a position teaching.” he couldn’t hold Rasnah’s suddenly twinkling eyes and looked away.
“If they are connected,” she started slowly, “you could go south and offer some of your ‘elderly wisdom’…”
“I have my own student to teach up here, but I can write a letter.” In truth, he did want to go south, see this through to the end. It wasn't about Velona. He convinced himself instead that it upset him to think that something they had thought solved thirty years previous had suddenly reared its ugly head again, “Are you sure this isn’t just some rogue Mage?” he asked to get back onto the more immediate, and local, topic.
“Just a rogue Mage?” Rasnah asked, returning the Sorcerers' papers to the larger pile, “though I suppose that would be better than Warlocks…” she rubbed her temples, a rare sign of stress, “Either way, it looks like I may have some more work for you while you’re here teaching my future Squire.”
--- Table of Contents ---
All Comments are wanted and welcome

when you Believe in things that you don't understand, then you suffer, superstition ain't the way
--Stevie Wonder
The cause of my life has been to oppose superstition. It's a battle you can't hope to win - it's a battle that's going to go on forever. It's part of the human condition.
--Christopher Hitchens
well today I had someone ask me about how much I pay for cryonics... finally, that is... I have talked to well over 50 people in person about cryo and not one ever asked me how much I pay for it... today someone did finally.. I was talking to two people I know fairly well, a married couple in their 70s I would say..I've known them for over a year, closer to two years.. I don't know their religious beliefs but I would guess that they are believers.. they are two what you might call "people persons"... in other words they are people that are very much involved with the social life of other people, they have a lot of friends, they're always looking to help people out..
today I told them about my cryo arrangements.. after they digested the information, the husband asked me how much I paid for it.. I was interested in their expressions and how they approached it.. now if I had instead told them that I was buying a new car, they might have asked me about the price of it, and I would expect a certain sort of demeanor or expression on their face.. in this case when they asked me about the price of cryo there was shall we say a expression of trepidation.. sort of like they were treading on uncertain ground.. he had sort of a subdued tone in his voice when he asked me that.. it was clear that they had absolutely no intention of ever doing something like cryo for themselves.... they were interested in me as a person because we were friends, that's the only reason he was asking about it..
again as I've seen from other people there was a certain sort of air from them, a sort of vibe from them, which I might call "faint alarm".. I've seen it before many times.. similarly, a couple of weeks ago I reported on a contact I had with an 80-year-old agnostic male, who I told about my plans for cryo.. this was a man who told me that he had no belief in an afterlife after I told him I was signed up for cryo, right after I told him about it, I looked at his expression and demeanor and I asked him, 'but not for you right?".. and he immediately shook his head quickly and decisively.. this is an educated man and engineer, not a religious man at all, and he wanted nothing to do with cryo... that shake of his head came quickly and decisively..
this is one of the most important questions that we cryos have to explore.. why is it that normal people, normal mature adults, are really hesitant to even explore the idea of cryonics.. my belief is that we've actually seen this same phenomenon from all these reporters that have written these countless news stories about cryonics over the decades.. how often these journalist get the simple facts about cryonics wrong? they get them wrong more often than they get them right, by a large margin.. I would say that like everyone else, these journalists are put off by the subject of cryo and it makes them feel uneasy or even queasy.. they don't bother to do their homework on the subject because it bothers them to even think extensively about cryo..
I have speculated that cryo lies in a taboo/superstition void, a psychological dead space that evolution has put there in the mind of the mature human being.. take a look at what taboos and superstitions mean.. from Wikipedia we get the superstition definition: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superstition
"/A superstition is any belief or practice considered by non-practitioners to be irrational or supernatural, attributed to fate or magic, perceived supernatural influence, or fear of that which is unknown....
Common actions in the West include not walking under a ladder, touching wood, throwing salt over one’s shoulder, or not opening an umbrella inside. In China wearing certain colours is believed to bring luck.[50] ...
Greek and Roman polytheists, who modeled their relations with the gods on political and social terms, scorned the man who constantly trembled with fear at the thought of the gods, as a slave feared a cruel and capricious master. Such fear of the gods was what the Romans meant by "superstition"
. Cicero, for whom superstitio meant “excessive fear of the gods” wrote that “superstitio, non religio, tollenda est ”, which means that only superstition, and not religion, should be abolished. The Roman Empire also made laws condemning those who excited excessive religious fear in others."
this is an interesting definition of superstition from the ancient Greeks and Romans--superstition as an excessive fear of the gods
from Robert heinlein's book Have Spacesuit Will Travel we have this description of one of my favorite characters in all of fiction, the Roman legionnaire by the name of Iunio... In the plot of this Heinlein novel, Iunio the legionnaire is transported through time from the time of the Roman empire to the present day.. he and the main protagonist of the novel are to stand in judgment as proxies for the human race before a council of various powerful alien races who are deciding whether or not to destroy the Earth because humans are dangerous... here are some quotes from the book describing Iunio:
"He had a low opinion of Britons and all barbarians including me ("nothing personal-some of my best friends are barbarians"), women, the British climate, high brass, and priests; he thought well of Caesar, Rome, the gods, and his own professional ability..."
so Iunio thought well of the gods.. meaning that he was not afraid to give his opinion of the gods.. so he lacked excessive feasuperstition about the gods..
more here:
"Iunio went back and returned with hard dark bread,..cheese, and a cup. He did not offer me any and I don't think it was the barrier. He poured a little of his drink on the floor and started to chomp."
so the pouring of the beverage on the ground is a superstition but it's not a bad superstition in the viewpoint of the establishment of the Roman empire..
also see here..
"Do you know why we are here?" "I know," he tossed over his shoulder. "Today the Gods try us in their arena. This is work for a soldier and a Roman citizen. You're no help so keep out. No---watch behind me and shout. Caesar will reward you."'
so Iunio was ready to be judged by the gods.. and he was ready to fight back against the gods... so here we see iunio is possibly an idealized archetype of the "good Roman," one who is not afraid of the gods although he may be a little superstitious..
more here..
"Iunio shouted "Witchcraft!" and made horns at them..."
again, the making of the sign of the horns would be a harmless superstition in the viewpoint of the consensus Roman empire wisdom..
however, as the aliens dispose of iunio by the use of invisible forces, his fear of the gods is heightened..
"Iunio looked startled as invisible hands pulled him along. He called on Mars and Jove and laid about him. The sword clattered to the floor-picked itself up and returned itself to his scabbard. Iunio was moving rapidly away; I cupped my hands and yelled, "Goodbye, Iunio!" "Farewell, boy! They're cowards!" He shook himself. "Nothing but filthy witchcraft!" Then he was gone."
so he sees this as witchcraft, and note that he shook himself as he was being carried off.. in other words he shuddered... why did the thought that he was facing witches cause him to shudder? was it that he was afraid of the realm of the gods? I don't think so... he no longer saw the aliens as gods, but his witches.. something ungodly and evil, and something that would cause him to shudder..
let's take a look at the definition of taboo from Wikipedia:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taboo
"Taboos may be prohibited explicitly, for example within a legal system or religion, or implicitly, for example by social norms or conventions followed by a particular culture or organization."...
Hmm....an implicit taboo...
Also see this... "Common taboos involve restrictions or ritual regulation of killing and hunting; sex and sexual relationships; reproduction; the dead and their graves..."
so there are taboos restricting various activities shall we say, ordinary activities or something like that... but what about religious or spiritual tattoos?
see here..
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_the_Father_in_Western_art
"Early Christians believed that the words of Book of Exodus 33:20 "Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see Me and live" and of the Gospel of John 1:18: "No man hath seen God at any time" were meant to apply not only to the Father, but to all attempts at the depiction of the Father."
So is it possible that evolution is placed in the mind a taboo against attempting to be a god?
Perhaps cryonics violates that implicit built-in taboo?
Can taboos change? Yes, certainly.. what is taboo in one society in one year may not be taboo 100 years later... Cultures and societies change..

cryonics, superstition, taboos, the realm of the gods, and the unholy or profane...
when you Believe in things that you don't understand, then you suffer, superstition ain't the way
--Stevie Wonder
The cause of my life has been to oppose superstition. It's a battle you can't hope to win - it's a battle that's going to go on forever. It's part of the human condition.
--Christopher Hitchens
well today I had someone ask me about how much I pay for cryonics... finally, that is... I have talked to well over 50 people in person about cryo and not one ever asked me how much I pay for it... today someone did finally.. I was talking to two people I know fairly well, a married couple in their 70s I would say..I've known them for over a year, closer to two years.. I don't know their religious beliefs but I would guess that they are believers.. they are two what you might call "people persons"... in other words they are people that are very much involved with the social life of other people, they have a lot of friends, they're always looking to help people out..
today I told them about my cryo arrangements.. to make it with it first but then after they digested the information, the husband asked me how much I paid for it.. I was interested in their expressions and how they approached it.. now if I had instead told them that I was buying a new car, they might have asked me about the price of it, and I would expect a certain sort of demeanor or expression on their face.. in this case when they asked me about the price of cryo there was shall we say a expression of trepidation.. sort of like they were treading on uncertain ground.. he had sort of a subdued tone in his voice when he asked me that.. it was clear that they had absolutely no intention of ever doing something like cryo for themselves.... they were interested in me as a person because we were friends, that's the only reason he was asking about it..
again as I've seen from other people there was a certain sort of air from them, a sort of vibe from them, which I might call "faint alarm".. I've seen it before many times.. similarly, a couple of weeks ago I reported on a contact I had with an 80-year-old agnostic male, who I told about my plans for cryo.. this was a man who told me that he had no belief in an afterlife after I told him I was signed up for cryo, right after I told him about it, I looked at his expression and demeanor and I asked him, 'but not for you right?".. and he immediately shook his head quickly and decisively.. this is an educated man and engineer, not a religious man at all, and he wanted nothing to do with cryo... that shake of his head came quickly and decisively..
this is one of the most important questions that we cryos have to explore.. why is it that normal people, normal mature adults, are really hesitant to even explore the idea of cryonics.. my belief is that we've actually seen this same phenomenon from all these reporters that have written these countless news stories about cryonics over the decades.. how often these journalist get the simple facts about cryonics wrong? they get them wrong more often than they get them right, by a large margin.. I would say that like everyone else, these journalists are put off by the subject of cryo and it makes them feel uneasy or even queasy.. they don't bother to do their homework on the subject because it bothers them to even think extensively about cryo..
I have speculated that cryo lies in a taboo/superstition void, a psychological dead space that evolution has put there in the mind of the mature human being.. take a look at what taboos and superstitions mean.. from Wikipedia we get the superstition definition: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superstition
"/A superstition is any belief or practice considered by non-practitioners to be irrational or supernatural, attributed to fate or magic, perceived supernatural influence, or fear of that which is unknown....
Common actions in the West include not walking under a ladder, touching wood, throwing salt over one’s shoulder, or not opening an umbrella inside. In China wearing certain colours is believed to bring luck.[50] ...
Greek and Roman polytheists, who modeled their relations with the gods on political and social terms, scorned the man who constantly trembled with fear at the thought of the gods, as a slave feared a cruel and capricious master. Such fear of the gods was what the Romans meant by "superstition"
. Cicero, for whom superstitio meant “excessive fear of the gods” wrote that “superstitio, non religio, tollenda est ”, which means that only superstition, and not religion, should be abolished. The Roman Empire also made laws condemning those who excited excessive religious fear in others."
this is an interesting definition of superstition from the ancient Greeks and Romans--superstition as an excessive fear of the gods
from Robert heinlein's book Have Spacesuit Will Travel we have this description of one of my favorite characters in all of fiction, the Roman legionnaire by the name of Iunio... In the plot of this Heinlein novel, Iunio the legionnaire is transported through time from the time of the Roman empire to the present day.. he and the main protagonist of the novel are to stand in judgment as proxies for the human race before a council of various powerful alien races who are deciding whether or not to destroy the Earth because humans are dangerous... here are some quotes from the book describing Iunio:
"He had a low opinion of Britons and all barbarians including me ("nothing personal-some of my best friends are barbarians"), women, the British climate, high brass, and priests; he thought well of Caesar, Rome, the gods, and his own professional ability..."
so Iunio thought well of the gods.. meaning that he was not afraid to give his opinion of the gods.. so he lacked excessive feasuperstition about the gods..
more here:
"Iunio went back and returned with hard dark bread,..cheese, and a cup. He did not offer me any and I don't think it was the barrier. He poured a little of his drink on the floor and started to chomp."
so the pouring of the beverage on the ground is a superstition but it's not a bad superstition in the viewpoint of the establishment of the Roman empire..
also see here..
"Do you know why we are here?" "I know," he tossed over his shoulder. "Today the Gods try us in their arena. This is work for a soldier and a Roman citizen. You're no help so keep out. No---watch behind me and shout. Caesar will reward you."'
so Iunio was ready to be judged by the gods.. and he was ready to fight back against the gods... so here we see iunio is possibly an idealized archetype of the "good Roman," one who is not afraid of the gods although he may be a little superstitious..
more here..
"Iunio shouted "Witchcraft!" and made horns at them..."
again, the making of the sign of the horns would be a harmless superstition in the viewpoint of the consensus Roman empire wisdom..
however, as the aliens dispose of iunio by the use of invisible forces, his fear of the gods is heightened..
"Iunio looked startled as invisible hands pulled him along. He called on Mars and Jove and laid about him. The sword clattered to the floor-picked itself up and returned itself to his scabbard. Iunio was moving rapidly away; I cupped my hands and yelled, "Goodbye, Iunio!" "Farewell, boy! They're cowards!" He shook himself. "Nothing but filthy witchcraft!" Then he was gone."
so he sees this as witchcraft, and note that he shook himself as he was being carried off.. in other words he shuddered... why did the thought that he was facing witches cause him to shudder? was it that he was afraid of the realm of the gods? I don't think so... he no longer saw the aliens as gods, but his witches.. something ungodly and evil, and something that would cause him to shudder..
let's take a look at the definition of taboo from Wikipedia:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taboo
"Taboos may be prohibited explicitly, for example within a legal system or religion, or implicitly, for example by social norms or conventions followed by a particular culture or organization."...
Hmm....an implicit taboo...
Also see this... "Common taboos involve restrictions or ritual regulation of killing and hunting; sex and sexual relationships; reproduction; the dead and their graves..."
so there are taboos restricting various activities shall we say, ordinary activities or something like that... but what about religious or spiritual tattoos?
see here..
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_the_Father_in_Western_art
"Early Christians believed that the words of Book of Exodus 33:20 "Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see Me and live" and of the Gospel of John 1:18: "No man hath seen God at any time" were meant to apply not only to the Father, but to all attempts at the depiction of the Father."
So is it possible that evolution is placed in the mind a taboo against attempting to be a god?
Perhaps cryonics violates that implicit built-in taboo?
Can taboos change? Yes, certainly.. what is taboo in one society in one year may not be taboo 100 years later... Cultures and societies change..

Long term studies will eventually show how the human body responds to puberty blockers, hormones etc while the body and brain are still developing.
I'm on hormones myself (Thiamazol) to treat a thyroid disease and it can be wrecking at times and needs constant observation, couldn't imagine this without having a support system and even then I felt like I wanted to give up sometimes.
I can't imagine what children must feel like being on even more cocktails during puberty too. I'd say that the (last I heard) 40% suicide rate is definitely not good. Children need support but mainly social acceptance for who they are instead of offering change.
What change is really necessary, we're practically perfect even if one grows cancer - you're still you, and the world slowly accepts pronouns of each persons choice, people have died to fight for this. This should be worth something.
I'm not saying it's wrong in general, it's just worrysome to have this be put on children, which is anyone under the age of 18 for me (honestly even 21 yo are just teens yet imo but ok).
I guess that's probably just my personal belief kicking in, children aren't fully finished personalities yet, they can have strong opinions but they need to look and observe before taking potentially harmful desicions for them, even if the child wants a tattoo, the parent has to consent and with hormones I know from experience that this can be a gamble and it can change your personality (I tried the pill as teen and it was awful in my head, worse than expected, now I know mini pill should have been taken the exact same hour every day or it does exactly what it did to me but I had no support back then and didn't know how to communicate like today)
There's imo a big difference between social & self acceptance and altering a body to ones liking if it involves children. Imo kids need a lot more understanding and eye to eye conversations about feelings (still a dead topic in my country at least from what I've seen so far).
Offering a life changing opportunity like this to a kid will probably have a positive effect for a while, then you have tons of doctors appointments and feel sick and suddenly it's too late to stop and maybe you realize that this all happened a little fast because, as some transition stories already told, it's not sunshine and sugarcane waiting for you. It's endless procedures, pain and in the end these people who I won't name will then even be shamed by their "own community" for speaking about their unpleasant experience online.
It's been happening and it's been silenced by woke media because somehow western media hates grey zones, everything has to be either one or the other, there can't be individual views that could help people and prevent people from a potential mistake.
It's amazing how accepting humans can be but what about accepting ourselves? Within the body we got by accident, each one of us.
Pure coincidence that were alive now, we could celebrate that for a moment. Just until we're 18 before we start taking pharmacy products to alter the bodies we got. Please.
Sometimes kids run from something because they don't understand what they are feeling and how they can work things out yet. Even as adult we might run sometimes but it's really our choice who we want to be.
It's important to talk about it and be open, this is just my personal opinion, no offense if anything I said seemed rude please point it out so I can learn.
I keep thinking about my nephew and niece, I cannot imagine pumpingeds into them because they want to be called a different name, who cares, I call you Bobo if u want me to. They get all the hugs and understanding I can give, it's going to be hard for them growing up in this harsh and judgemental online world.. We'll see. I still believe they need to learn a lot before having major choices like transitioning beyond verbal and social constructs.
Adults can do whatever the heck they want, I don't care, be my guest, as long as you aren't hurting others - grab a cookie too! I hope you like listening to me talking about how awesome ducks are, then we can be friends too!
To whoever reads this: Thank you for reading.

I say this because this is a counter argument that’s very often brought up in discussions about the morality of god. People will often say that evil must exist in the world because so long as god is good, anything he doesn’t approve of must be evil, and that he doesn’t ‘create’ evil.
Without getting into the other aspects of arguments like that, I specifically want to tackle the idea that evil is the absence of good.
The analogy that’s often used to explain it is that darkness is the absence of light, and that so long as there’s light, there must be darkness. But here’s the thing: light is an objectively observable phenomenon and it is quantifiable. This is in direct contrast to goodness which is a purely abstract concept.
What’s more, the whole light vs dark analogy is often a gross misinterpretation and western bastardization of eastern religious/philosophical concepts such as Yin and Yang. Those concepts do not and have never referred to good and evil. They refer to order and chaos. Both of which are objectively observable and quantifiable, and neither of which are necessarily good or bad.
Since goodness is subjective, it doesn’t make any sense to say that the absence of good is evil. You may consider getting tattoos to be evil, but I consider them to be a form of self expression. You asserting that they’re evil doesn’t prove that there is an absence of good in them. Even if we bring a deity into the equation, that fact still does not change. The only thing that changes is that there is an authority on what is good or bad. That doesn’t mean it’s not subjective.
Since goodness cannot be quantified in any objective way, what exactly does the ‘absence of good’ even mean? The words ‘absence’ and ‘presence’ imply that something is quantifiable. Plus, what about moral neutrality? Couldn’t that be considered to be the ‘absence’ of good as well?
Furthermore, I disagree with the idea that nothing can be good if nothing is evil. As we generally use the terms, ‘good’ just means something that is associated with positive emotion, and ‘bad’ just means something that is associated with negative emotion. We still have a baseline of emotions. You don’t need to be able to feel anger and sadness to know what joy is. These emotions aren’t in direct opposition to each other either. You can be happy, and angry, and sad about something all at the same time. You can simultaneously think something is good and bad.
Some better analogies for good vs evil are ugly vs pretty and boring vs fun.

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