#the interim

Shadow magic is a powerful form of magic that can only be wielded by those that possess the blood of a Qesha'ementalan running through their veins. This can occur through direct descendants (as beings crafted from this blood and their descendants) or through intentional blood transfusions. The later is extremely uncommon, and doing so is seen as a way of marking this blood receiver as a new member of the Qesha'ementalan's 'kin'.

Shadow magic gains its powers from darkness and opposition. In Ansera, it is split into the six main magik types, being a condensed and more powerful version of all of them - a hypothetical level ten, while in Golden-Hearth, it remains as the mark of the power of the Qeshentel Gods and their descendants - though it should be noted that the God of Darkness, Twilight, also possesses this ability.

Shadow magic gives the user several main abilities - travelling via shadows, the ability to step - bodily - into another's dreams, mild shapeshifting with little effort, conjuring a magical, impenetrable darkness, the ability to use shadows and one's own blood as a healing elixir, crafting items out of shadow, and summoning a reflection of one's self from a shadow, which acts independently to their creator.

This magic entirely relies on the presence of shadows, the darker, the better. All spells have to performed in shadows, and the user must be clear of mind to manifest these abilities. Most shadow magic users tend to be more nocturnal in nature, and prefer to be active at night to effectively use their abilities. Unless in total darkness, these powers are often limited.

The creature that one is capable of summoning with their magic will typically appear as a large, often draconic entity, and will carry all the marks and scars of the summoner. If the summoner is missing a leg, so will the creature they summon, so on, so forth. Quite commonly these beast will also reflect their creator's personalities, both in action and appearance. If they are killed while summoned, their summoner will loose access to their powers for a period of time (usually a day, but can be up to a week or even a month), and they will experience weakness and light-headedness.

Shapeshifting via shadow magic while allow its user to change their species or size, but not change their build, or noticeable markings. Some will even retain features from their previous, or 'base', form. This transformation is semi-permanent, and can only be changed back if the user wishes it, or if they knocked out or otherwise go unconscious.

If one is not focused while using shadow magic, it will lead to the power bursting out in uncontrollable and destructive ways, negatively affecting all of those around them. This can manifest in a consuming darkness, explosions, transformations reducing the user into a strange amalgamation of flesh, summons being similar, the spell simply not working and fizzling instead, or leaving someone permanently separated from their body in the form of an Echo (in Ansera), a Lingering Spirit (in Golden-Hearth), or a sprite (in the Interim).

Navigating the next month

December 27, 2024

Robert B. Hubbell

Handling the news cycle over the next month will be a challenge. The American public is understandably turning away from legacy media in droves—both from exhaustion and disgust. See HuffPo, Americans Are Exhausted By Political News. TV Ratings And A New Poll Show They're Tuning Out.

The temptation to look away is understandable for both political and personal reasons. As Democrats honor the Constitution by facilitating the peaceful transition of power, the first president to interfere with that process will be inaugurated in little less than a month.

While Democrats follow the rules, Trump is ratcheting his obnoxious behavior to unplumbed depths of depravity and lunacy. His race to the bottom does not faze business leaders and major corporations flocking to Mar-a-Lago like gulls after a storm scavenging for scraps at the nearest landfill.

In short, it stinks.

My modest goal over the next several weeks is to help navigate through the unpleasant reality of the transition from the Biden to the Trump administration. We can’t look away completely, even though the urge to keep the odiferous news at arms-length is an act of self-preservation. But we have a democracy to defend and cannot do so unless we remain engaged and aware of the threats to the rule of law.

Out of respect for those of you who are gingerly re-entering the news bubble after the holidays (or the election), I offer a 60,000-foot summary in one paragraph below. Details follow. Jill and I are still hosting family through next week, so I will be briefer than usual. (You are welcome!)

The news from 60,000 feet

Trump is making reckless statements about US expansion into Canada, Iceland, and Panama. The 119th Congress will convene on January 3, 2025, and will elect a new Speaker (or not). A joint session of Congress will convene on January 6, 2025, at which time the President of the Senate (Vice President Kamala Harris) will announce the electoral votes by state. By operation of the Constitution and enabling statutes, if a candidate receives a majority of the electoral votes, that person will be elected as the next president upon the announcement of the vote totals by the President of the Senate. The president-elect will be inaugurated on January 20, 2025, at a taxpayer-funded ceremony—which will be followed by obscene galas underwritten to the tune of $150 million by cowardly businesses and CEOs eager to curry favor with a man none of them would hire.

Trump unleashes Christmas Day torrent of insults and threats

As has become a tradition with Trump, his Christmas Day messages quickly traversed the unhinged mental landscape from “Merry Christmas” to attacking the Radical Left Lunatics—a.k.a. “American citizens” whom he was elected to represent.

At one level, it is tedious and off-putting to recite Trump's crass statements on a day that most people associate with peace and hope. If you would like to read the details, they can be found in these articles: New York Magazine / Intelligencer, Trump Christmas Message Was Basically a Villain Monologue, and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, President-elect Trump continues tradition of Christmas attacks, takes aim at ‘Radical Left Lunatics’.

At another level, Trump's ugly missives matter, especially when they involve threats to expand US territory into sovereign nations—like Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal. Yes, in case you missed it, Trump has directly or indirectly threatened to invade or absorb those three nations into the United States. See Rolling Stone, Trump Threatens to Take Over Canada, Panama Canal, Greenland in Christmas Day Message.

I know that many people have decided to “tune out” Trump's crazy statements—and each of the above falls well into the territory of delusion and detachment from reality. The problem is that there are sovereign nations on the receiving end of those reckless taunts—and their leaders cannot allow Trump's statements to go without response. The response, in turn, will provoke Trump to further lunacy. Wars have started over more trivial matters.

Charlie Angus, Canadian Member of Parliament in the House of Commons, was asked about Trump's threats to make Canada the 51st US state. Angus said,

[T]he message that I'm hearing from people across Canada is they're not afraid of [Trump] because they know you're a convicted felon. They know that all the people that you're bringing in to run your organization right now . . . are all grifters and thieves and thugs. We've got to look after our own interests right now. We will work with your country. We will work with our great neighbors. But, Donald, don't push us around.

In short, Trump's war of words directed at Canada, Panama, and Greenland is not harmless. It will provoke political backlash against the US in those countries. Although it is impossible to predict the outcome of the war of words, the likelihood that it will hurt the citizens of America, Canada, Panama, and Greenland is high.

Donald Trump is unfit to lead the United States—as his reckless comments make clear. That should be a leading story in every newspaper in America every day.

A few weeks ago, I mentioned my WIP, then called The Interim. (I changed the title, but it’s not finalized yet.) It’s taking longer than expected, so I made a moodboard for anyone interested!

If you missed the post, The Interim is about Katara and Sokka’s first month back at the Southern Water Tribe after the war. Basically, Hakoda tells the water tribe siblings to get a childhood. Said siblings then make attempts at being normal kids, with varying degrees of success, which include but are not limited to Bakoda family hunting trips, dates, school teaching, and penguin sledding. Also, in Katara’s case, reviving a long lost tradition of oral storytelling through music.

Previously: Mycroft approaches Greg in the kitchen with intent [x]

Chapter 6 - Coming To Terms

“You should know something about me,” Greg stated with outward calm, his thoughts whirling around.

“I know all that I need to,” Mycroft whispered, as he approached his intended rather stealthily.

Eyes still closed and head lowered, Greg shook his head and said softly, “I cannot do that to Karen.”

The words were so simple, the voice so considerate, while his resolve a mighty blow to Mycroft. Arrested in his advance, he stood still, ramrod straight, shoved his left hand into his trouser pocket, the right swinging slightly.

“Of course. You need not explain,” Mycroft replied curtly, brows raised as his eyelids fluttered slightly, left hand held tightly into a fist in the trouser pocket. Swiftly moving away he turned on the ‘Iceman’ persona and asked, “Would you like me to send for a cab?”

Greg slowly raised his head, eyes wide, watching Mycroft turn and walk away. “No, thank you. I’d like to walk a little,” he added rather reluctantly.

“Hm,” was the only response as he disappeared down the corridor.

Pushing himself off the kitchen slab, he slowly made his way to the front door, stood there thoughtfully as his hand reached for his jacket, mind reliving last night when he had barged in with apprehension.

What was he thinking?! He had led the man to believe there was more to his actions than intended! Or wasn’t there? Greg really couldn’t say. It had been so long for him. His whole life, or at least his active part was taken up by his wife and work.

Raising the jacket with one hand to behind his back, Greg slowly slipped it on, shrugging his shoulders, as if he confirming his decision. Opening the door and stepping out, never once turning back, he missed the shadow that was lurking in the corridor.

1. Ginny is 100% trying to remember if there was maybe an available empty seat in the back of that bus when Mike goes all TMI about his marriage.

2. Mike’s old ass had the nerve NOT TO STRETCH before beginning his workout. Hot mess.

3. It’s my headcanon that Mike has an Under Armour endorsement deal, and I will never give that up.