Ana came down the stairs in a red satin night gown wrapped in red satin robe. The rest of the help had gone to their rooms so there was no one to see her but him. And it was always a wonder that she was openly his now. Even if he'd never accept her marriage proposal. There was too much at stake.

"I thought you were asleep?"

Ana smiled. "I was, but I got a text from a boy who is apparently on American time right now and forgot the hour here in Moscow."

"Nox texted you?" 

Ana nodded. "I thought it might be an emergency since he'd never text at night otherwise, but it's nothing so dire. He's safe, with Sage but he wanted my advice."

Christian raised his eyebrow. "Girl advice?" Nox didn't like girls, he was not that sort of gay man who was especially effeminate so it wasn't about make up or clothing. "From a motherly figure?"

Ana shook her head. "Well maybe. It's not exactly parenting advice he's looking for, though he has a doll of girl on his hip at the moment."  Ana came close to Christian and he could smell her high end perfume she'd always used to lure him into the darkest closets of the house.  

He hummed in appreciation and nuzzled her neck. "Are you trying to distract me?"

Ana laughed that knowing laugh and he was ready to take her up stairs but her wallet was held in front of them while she wrapped around his body. A picture of a tiny baby girl lying on Nox's lap. Couldn't be anyone else's legs, Christian knew those ripped jeans anywhere. Most people would think it was a fashion statement but Christian knew otherwise, he was just to unbothered to buy new ones unless they were unsalvageable because of monster ichor.

"Her name is Lily.  She's the progeny of rape by monsters, the mother passed giving birth and Nox has taken on the guilty responsibility of raising her now."

"Ana, that's not guilt. He wants more. He's taking responsibility. He's growing up."

Ana nodded. "He took in a handful of other children, that are staying at his place in the Red Light District. There are a lot of displaced orphans and he can't take them all in. A lot of displaced people in general he says he wants to help. A whole church full of refugees. He asked me if I knew any foundations he could contact to set up an idea he had."

Christian laughed. "Growing up indeed. Did you tell him of your work in Madrid?"

Ana shook her head. "Not yet. He's having Sage compile his idea and send it to me. I will tell him of Second Chances after we've read his plan." Ana sighed. "How does the child who is most broken have a more full life than our child? I wish Cruz would see that he is more than Jivana or the Vega name."

"Cruz is finding his way for the first time in his life, Ana. He'll find his way. Nox has been finding his since he was 16 years old. And Sage, well his life hasn't been easy either. The three of them have their own challenges."

Ana laughed. "And Elyse too, she's working Kallisti too. Sometimes I think we should send Cruz there. The house of burlesque seems to be a far better learning environment than Moscow University."

Zef sat in her apartment staring at the two devices sitting on the coffee table. She had no idea what they were, or how she was supposed to use them.  This looked like dangerous and creepy bugs like something you'd see in horror flick.  She sipped at a glass of white wine and wondered what Jaxen was doing, or what he'd been doing while she was gone. Though from the calendar she hadn't been gone more than a few days, but she'd done had a baby and spent a month or more nursing him before her son had been ripped away from her. He would lead a rebellion and thwart the gods, it was a small price to pay to end them in whatever time he was. But still, Zef was sad. She'd never get to know him. 

She should make a visit to Jaxen soon. But right now she wanted to tear him a new one and she couldn't exactly tell him he had a son, and that he'd been taken from them cause of some deal he made. When had he made it?  It didn't matter, it was done.

And Jaxen still owed her a child. She sent him a text.

Meet up?

She didn't care when, or where, but she needed to give him ... she didn't know what but she had to see him.  Angry sex was still good sex and probably he wouldn't even notice.

Zef picked up one device and held the cold metal in her hands, the gem staring up at her. "What the fuck are you?"

So Asc mentioned in chat that we are close to 20,000 posts here, and it got me to thinking that we’ve been here for over ten years. So I looked. The date on the Ascendancy’s biography is June 15, 2013.

That means as of now - we’ve been here about 11.5 years. 
1600 threads
19,700 posts
A user created and maintained wiki
Character/author driven worldbuilding
So many characters

That’s a recipe for some great storytelling. What we’ve done here is truly amazing.

Press Release from the Holy See
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

His Holiness Pope Patricus I to Visit Moscow Ahead of Christmas

Vatican City, December 1, 2046 – The Holy See is pleased to announce that His Holiness Pope Patricus I will embark on a brief apostolic journey to Moscow from December 17 to December 19, 2046. This historic visit underscores the Vatican’s commitment to fostering dialogue, promoting peace, and nurturing relationships with religious leaders worldwide. 

While in Moscow, the Holy Father will meet with prominent religious officials, including members of the Russian Orthodox Church, to continue building bridges of mutual understanding and spiritual solidarity between the Catholic and Orthodox traditions.

In addition, Pope Patricus I will meet with the Luminar of the Brotherhood of Ascension, a recently established religious movement that has rapidly gained influence on the global stage. The Brotherhood of Ascension advocates for spiritual unity and the moral elevation of humanity, and His Holiness hopes to engage in a meaningful dialogue about shared values and the responsibilities of religious communities in an era of unprecedented change. 

His Holiness will also hold a landmark meeting with the Ascendancy, an interfaith council of global influence dedicated to addressing moral and ethical challenges in a rapidly changing world. 

This journey reflects Pope Patricus I's dedication to ecumenical outreach and the deepening of interfaith cooperation during the holy Advent season. His Holiness believes that such dialogue is critical in reaffirming the shared values of peace, reconciliation, and the dignity of the human person. 

The Pope’s itinerary in Moscow will include: 

• A private meeting with Patriarch Kirill and other senior clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church. 
  
• An address to the Ascendancy, focusing on the themes of peace and spiritual unity. 
  
• A meeting with the Luminar of the Brotherhood of Ascension to explore pathways of shared understanding. 
  
• An ecumenical prayer service at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. 
  

• The Midnight Mass of the Nativity of the Lord in St. Peter’s Basilica on December 24. 
  
• The Urbi et Orbi blessing and message on Christmas Day from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. 
  
• The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph on December 29. 
  

[[written by ai]]

A disturbing case has unfolded in a quiet Moscow suburb after 33-year-old Dmitry Ivanov was discovered near-catatonic in his parents’ basement, leaving authorities and medical experts puzzled.

According to reports, Dmitry’s parents, Sergei and Elena Ivanov, made the shocking discovery late Sunday evening. "We called out to him, but he didn’t respond. He just sat there, staring at the wall," Sergei Ivanov told officials.

Emergency responders transported Dmitry to a local hospital where he remains under intensive neurological care. Medical examinations have revealed severe brain deterioration resembling late-stage dementia, but doctors are baffled by the rapid onset of the condition.

"This level of neurological damage is highly unusual, especially in someone so young," stated the Chief Neurologist at Moscow Central Hospital. "We are conducting tests to determine whether environmental, chemical, or technological factors may be involved."

Authorities have launched an investigation, focusing on Dmitry’s recent activities. Initial findings indicate that Dmitry had been spending prolonged hours in virtual environments through neural-interfacing technology, a popular pastime among Moscow’s youth.

"We cannot confirm a direct link between his condition and neural-interface use at this time, but it is a possibility we are exploring," said the lead investigator from the Moscow Metropolitan Police Department.

Friends and neighbors described Dmitry as a reserved but intelligent man with a passion for coding and immersive simulations. Some expressed concern over his increasing withdrawal from social interactions over the past year.

"He was always online, always in his world," said one neighbor. "We thought he was just a tech geek, but this is terrifying."

Authorities urge anyone with information about Dmitry’s recent behavior to come forward as investigations continue. Meanwhile, experts have called for greater regulation of emerging technologies to prevent similar incidents.

Further updates on Dmitry Ivanov’s condition and the investigation will be provided as more information becomes available.

Roza followed with Esper on her arm, the boy singer had done something Esper didn't like and he followed in their wake.  Their coats lay discarded though Roza was glad for the food she wondered if they'd ever find their way back to the cook.  He was different but ruede. But she was loyal to Esper and her whims were her own.

They would go to the Vegas. Though Roza didn't like the idea of charming them through force. They could do whatever they wanted now. And she'd let Esper do what she did, but Roza didn't need to like it all and if she could she could get her way too.  Without making Esper force anyone.  And the boy had provided a key.

"How does he know the Vegas?" Roza asked.

Merry Christmas, First Age. 

As a fun game, what is a christmas present that your character could receive that they would actually enjoy. 

Nik: He'd enjoy one of the rare First Edition copies  of the book, "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli (1532). 

About the book

"The Prince" (Il Principe) by Niccolò Machiavelli was first published in 1532, five years after the author's death. The initial print run was limited, and due to the book's controversial nature—leading to its inclusion in the Catholic Church's Index of Prohibited Books in 1559—many copies were lost or destroyed over time.

As of recent reports, only about 11 to 12 first-edition copies are known to exist, primarily housed in institutional libraries, especially in Italy. Notably, a previously unknown first-edition copy surfaced in a private collection and was scheduled for auction by Sotheby's in London between November 28 and December 12, 2024, with an estimated value of up to $375,000.

Anna sat in the lounge and took deep breaths. She had sent Juls a message about wanting to meet.  She had struggled with channeling.  Breaking her block hadn't been easy for her, and she had found practice sessions very frustrating. Try as she might, she couldn't even hold the power.  That was now all gone.  Thanks to a day of meeting new friends and day drinking. 

Anna embraced the power, feeling it sharpen her senses.  The lounge seemed brighter and the scent of the club was more prevalent in her nostrils.  It still amazed her how easy it was now.  The power was there, just waiting to be embraced.  It no longer required any effort, but her struggles to get there had put her way behind.  Her frustrations had affected her relationships at work. Until Elyse, Anna had found it difficult to connect to her coworkers, but since then, Anna had worked very hard to befriend her coworkers.  It was as Mae had told her - it only took one to feel at home.  All her coworkers had welcomed her with open arms.

Anna had gotten in early.  She had requested time to work one on one with Juls, but wasn't sure if that was going to be the case.  Her reasoning was simple.  She was playing catch up.  Anna didn't know if Juls was going to bring anyone else or not.  Either way, it was time for Anna to learn how to use her gift.

She had arrived early.  She wanted to show Juls that she as serious about this, and the waiting made her just a little nervous.  Of course now that she didn't need to be nervous, she found everything a little nerve wracking.  Anna just wanted to do well.  She fidgeted a bit with her wallet.  It seemed like every time she did, she thought of Cade.  She still hadn't texted him, and he hadn't reached out to her.  She sighed.

Fuck it! she thought, bringing her wallet up to send a message.

Heya Cade! Just wanted to check in.  Hope all is well! I'm spending some time practicing my magic today

She put her wallet down after hitting send, hoping she wasn't too much.  How could she be? It had only been a few days since they had met. She kept holding on to her power, not using it, and waited for Juls.