The adrenaline of amazing recording sessions and her impromptu time with Ezvin was dying down. Cadence had spent some time at Kallisti when she was able to learn and share more about magic.  She resisted the urge to find the light within her, but ever since The Nest, she had felt stronger. Not by a lot, but it was noticeable. The people at Kallisti were great. They always seemed willing to share and were welcoming. Learning how to connect her power with someone else was pretty amazing too. 

But the energy was coming down.  Cadence knew what this meant. She would crash.  Sometimes it was depression, other times it was anger or just the feeling of not wanting to do anything. What had surprised her though was that she hadn’t wanted to stay in as she usually did.  She didn’t want to hide in her house. She wanted to be out. So she googled places to go and found this cafe with paintings on the wall. Cadence read the name of the artist: Thalia Milton. Cadence wasn’t a visual artist, but she had a great appreciation for it.  Some for for sale - maybe she’d take one home. She ordered her beverage, a cortado, and noticed how the barista gave her a second glance. Cadence just smiled and sat down underneath one of the paintings and began to think. There was a lot on her mind and a lot she was worried about. 

For one there was Nox. She hadn’t gotten a chance to meet him because she had felt a strong need to help the girl Marta, but she already admired him.  What he was doing for those kids was nothing short of amazing. She had finally met with Emily Shale about her orphan project, and Nox was involved there too. Cadence had made a sizable donation, but kept it anonymous. She grew up frugally, but music had made her wealthy. She had way too much so she gave a lot to charity.  She believed in that mission though, but the way he had changed had been on her mind. She hoped he was okay. It seemed like he had a lot of people who cared for him.  

On the other hand there were her parents. Things were very unstable in the United States and she was worried about them. They’d be arriving for Christmas soon. Maybe she could convince them to stay. Cadence just didn’t like them being there with everything going on.

Then there were the normal stressors which at this point was her album. Recording for the new project had been going extremely well though. The momentum had built with Ezvin’s guidance and had just stayed. She had the vision and they were seeing it happen. It had been an amazing experience. 

Her thoughts went to Ezvin and in a way she was surprised he wasn’t among her worries.  She liked him more than she had really liked anyone before. But he had told her early on that he wasn’t good at the long game. Maybe that’s why she was content with where they were currently. She still couldn’t believe she had invited him over. Perhaps she was growing a bit. 

Cadence sipped at her drink and looked around, gauging the other art. It really was a lovely place. Cadence pulled out her wallet and began to look through her contacts. Maybe she could ask someone to come and talk or something.  She didn’t really want to be alone right now, but also didn’t want to bother. Casey would come in a heartbeat. Cadence put her wallet back down and wrapped her hands around the warm cup holding her beverage.  She closed her eyes end breathed in the steam, trying to relax.

Cor stood outside, a cigarette dangling from his lips as he took a deep inhale. People thought it odd or even ironic that a firefighter was a smoker.  There were more of them than most thought.  It was a stressful job and people often found nicotine relaxing.  Strange since it was a stimulant. Oh well that didn’t matter. 

Cor removed the cigarette and blew out the smoke, deep in thought.  The Blackthorn fire still on his mind.  In the end, it was ruled as an accident. Cor was sure it wasn’t, but he couldn’t prove it. Things just weren’t adding up.  The damn house went up too fast, and the CCTV in the area going offline just reinforced that.  But technically it was all circumstantial evidence. There was nothing else to go on overall. So it went down in the books as accidental. 

A final inhale on the cigarette, and Cor blew out the smoke as he snuffed the cigarette out. He placed the butt in the receptacle next to the door before heading in, leaving his door open. Unless he was meeting with someone, his office door was open. The crew was sitting down, playing cards it seemed. It wasn’t a heavy day, but he knew they would all drop whatever they were doing if the call went out. They waved at Cor amicably as he entered, and he returned it with a smile as he entered his office. The Blackthorn Fire had him thinking of a lot of possibilities. Possibilities that he decided he wanted to discuss with someone else - just to see what they thought. He was about to call for someone when the door to the department opened. A brunette wearing a paramedic coat walked in and was about to join the rest of the crew. She would do.

”Raikov, come in here. Want to chat for a bit,” he said, smiling inwardly. She had taken a long lunch today. He didn’t care, but the use of her last name might make her think she was in trouble. At the very least it would get her attention.

Anna stood offstage ready to go on for her set. Tonight was a little different. It wasn’t Christmas Day, but it was close. Anna decided to go for a Christmas themed dance for tonight. Tonight she wore bright red lingerie and a red Santa hat. Her clothing didn’t cover much. Kallisti wasn’t a strip club, but that is where Anna first bit her experience with adult entertainment. She wasn’t ashamed to leave little to the imagination. 

Anna’s song (an upbeat jazzy Christmas number) began and she pulled out her prop. It was simply a candy cane. She put it into her mouth as she walked on stage. Her dance began. She pulled no stops. Anna knew how to be sexy. She moved with a grace she hadn’t show before at Kallisti. It hadn’t been bad before, but she had been hiding back. It was partially comfort. She had grown comfortable being here now, but also she wanted this to be a night to remember for her. 

She recieved applause and a few whistles to her outfit and dance. The candy cane would certainly get some men thinking about things. That of course was the point. At times she’d remove it as she danced. It was all in fun. She smirked as she embraced her power and began to channel. 

Anna had never done it before. She had never channeled at Kallisti. She summoned lights of  red and green that sparkled around her. She had been working on it quite awhile, and her confidence was to a point where she could do it. Anna had learned how to tie off weaves, so she created the orbs one at a time, tying them off to float around the stage. They’d last through her dances and dissipate. If not, she could easily untie them for the next dancer. 

Magic being used at Kallisti wasn’t a new thing, but like most dancers here, she had her regulars. A few gasps of surprise came from the crowd as she arranged her orbs in the shape of a Christmas tree. Anna moved to the front of the stage and got down, lying on her back. She began to entertain those close to the stage. 

”I didn’t know you could use magic’” one of her regulars said. 

Anna smirked, pulling the candy cane out slowly. ”We all have our surprises,” she said with wink as she returned the candy cane and stood up to finish her dance.

Nox had sent his contacts at the Kremlin another important message 

New information the Ascendancy will want to hear personally

Though he never expected to meet with the man himself, he was always pleasantly surprised the most powerful man in the world took the time to meet with him -- personally.  He could just send a guy no matter how important the information was that Nox needed to relay to the Ascendancy. He had a handler, though he'd never actually met them in person but still the day to day stuff was not Nikolai Brandon's problem, but this -- this not channeling, healing and linking -- that was important.  Important enough to request the audience directly.

Nox did the usual.  He came dressed like always though this time he was sans the big puffy coat he'd been wearing.  There was no need for it with the warmth of the power flitting around his skin keeping him warm.  Though he dropped the power once he was inside. He didn't want to set off any of the Nine Rods of Dominion -- and he wasn't exactly sure he wanted to see Jay anytime soon.  That rejection stung alittle more than it had when it happened.  A lot hurt more now, than it had a week ago.

The receptionist looked up and gave him a curious glance.  She wasn't new. She knew who he was but Nox gave her his best smile. "I've an appointment with the Ascendancy -- Nox Durante." She nodded towards the chairs. "Someone will be with you shortly."  As usual they always doubted someone like him had a meeting with the Ascendancy. It'd be funny if one day the Ascendancy actually greeted him.  But that wasn't likely unless he was on the way out and it was a walk and talk meeting.  He didn't think the Ascendancy did those -- he was a normal person and he was always busy.

The church was tucked between two wide, snow-dusted boulevards, its bell tower rising like a sentinel against the Moscow night. Not a landmark for tourists, nor so small that it went unnoticed. Its stones were worn but tended, the old wood of the doors darkened by years of weather and hands that had pushed through them.

Jensen chose it for exactly that reason. It was Catholic. Foreign enough to him that he would be just another quiet stranger slipping into a pew, but not so obscure as to feel abandoned. He wasn’t here for novelty. He was here for a place where no one would know his name. Where no one would look twice.

The nave was warm, filled with the low murmur of prayers and the scent of incense that seemed to sink into the stone itself. Midnight Mass. Candles flickered in their brass holders. Children yawned against their mothers’ shoulders. Families gathered close, coats draped across pews.

Jensen slid into a seat near the back, leaving distance between himself and the nearest worshippers. He did not belong among them. He knew it in the tightness of his chest, but he bowed his head when they bowed, rose when they rose, murmured the words he half-remembered. It was enough to pass as one of them, even if the motions felt borrowed.

His mind was elsewhere anyway. With Rachel’s trembling hand in his, with the sudden light that had returned to her eyes. With Emily’s relief, with her gratitude. He’d left them to their celebration, but the image of them lingered. For one evening he had been a miracle worker. A vessel. A man who could pluck nightmares out of the air and leave peace behind. And now he was, what? Nothing again. Adrift?

His thoughts slid toward Jessika. His wife, ex-wife, widowed wife - he wasn't sure how to think of her. She was here in Moscow now, walking halls of power, wielding authority like it had always belonged to her. He hadn’t spoken to her tonight. He wasn’t even sure he could if he wanted to. But the knowledge pressed on him all the same, stirring up memories best left buried.

The service passed in solemn rhythm. When the priest dismissed them, the congregation drifted out into the winter air in small clusters, voices muted with emotion and weather alike. Jensen followed behind, his steps indirect but steady.

Outside, the cold bit sharp against his cheeks. He pulled his coat closer and was about to cross the street when something caught his eye: a statue set off to one side of the churchyard. A lone angel carved of pale stone, weather-softened but still graceful. Its wings arched behind it, its face lifted slightly toward the sky.

Snow had gathered along the folds of its robe and the curve of its shoulders, softening its lines, but its presence felt like it was watching him.

Jensen stopped before it while the crowd drift on by, their voices disappearing into the night. He studied the angel in the dim light, the way its expression seemed almost tired, yet resolute. A guardian, still standing after years of wind and cold.

He lingered a moment longer, the breath from his lips clouding the air, before lowering his eyes.

Christmas Eve. It was Christmas Eve and Emily's child had already gotten her a present: Nausea. Of all of the evenings she could have been spending puking her guts out, this one was particularly inconvenient. She had heard of the "morning sickness" but her OBGYN had informed her it could really happen anytime. But tonight - she really wished she didn't have to deal with it, not because of the holiday, but because of what was planned.

Rachel was lying down in her bed. Jared and Mara had gone out into the city for the night. They had all thought it would be easier for Rachel tonight with less people here. Then, at least, Rachel wouldn't be overwhelmed. The sickness she was experiencing wasn't worrying her tonight. It was Rachel - because she wasn't getting better. Emily didn't think it was because of what happened with the sentient. It was because Rachel wasn't trying to fight it anymore. Maybe that was exacerbating things. Emily didn't know. Emily didn't care. She just wanted her sister back. Then Emily had heard the rumors and whispers. She followed them and found they were true, and it led to tonight: Christmas Eve.

Emily finished emptying the contents of her stomach and began to wash her hands, hoping that was it for the vomiting for tonight. Emily looked in the mirror. She wore no makeup tonight. She never needed much of it to begin with, but without it, she couldn't hide the flushing of her face from throwing up or the way her eyes looked tired. She hadn't had the energy to even pick a "nice" outfit to wear and wore simply a pair of jeans and a light blue t-shirt. As Emily looked at herself, she felt like she was seeing a woman who had tried to be strong for so long and was on the verge of snapping.  That made sense because it was true.

Emily was pulled from her thoughts from the ring of the doorbell. She could have used her wallet to see who was at her door, but she didn't need to. She knew who it was. It could only be one person. Emily felt her breath hitch as she left the bathroom. She paused outside of Rachel's bedroom for a second, hoping that this worked.  If it didn't, she would know what she would do.

Emily took a calming breath as she headed downstairs, wishing she had time to get a drink of water before answering the door. The breath was unhelpful.  As she neared the door, her nerves began to take over and her anxiety grew heavier. She reached for the knob and opened the door to see her guest. "Hi," she said, her voice quiet. "Ummm...please...come on in."

Emily found it hard to look him in the eye, so her gaze was downcast. Emily stepped aside so her guest could enter the home unimposed, waiting for him to enter before shutting it behind him.

Jensen was not wrong. It would be better to do this elsewhere. He was trying to keep this a secret. And Xander might want to exploit it in the future. Or maybe…

There was no telling what might happen. 

They pulled up to Jensen’s building and Kristian paid the driver sliding out after his new friend. It was a nice place. Better than living in a hotel. But that was part of the whole gig. Xander had places all over the city.

Scandle had desired career. That wasn’t what Xander wanted to do. So he didn’t give the driver any ideas
 though he would have if things were different. But Kristian was not looking for scandle.

Kristian followed Jensen through the lobby and to the elevator. He was grateful that he was willing to try. Xander had seen strange things but still he wondered if it would work at all.

In the elevator Kristian stirs to the side space between them, “well then maybe just dinner or a drink, not  payment or a bribe?”

Gio and I were chatting about how it would be neat to see all of our Tav builds. If you have one and want to show them off, post below! I'll get started. 

SPOILERS for BG3 ending!! So if you dont know how the game might or could end, stay away!














This was my resist Dark Urge, Dao. A wood-elf monk who fell in love with Astarion and became his spawn. In my head, they go on to rule Baldur's Gate for a long time until the Urge came for her.

Elyse had come to the Shale’s today to be with Rachel. Emily and Jared had both gone to Kallisti to teach their new power trick. As such, Emily had asked Elyse to come and stay with Rachel today. Mara was around, but she wasn’t always reliable since she wasn’t dealing well with the whole situation. Elyse was able to keep herself in a relatively calm stat which was what Rachel needed. 

They were in Rachel’s room. It was where Rachel spent most of her time now if she couldn’t be convinced to go out. That was becoming more difficult to accomplish. Rachel had only left her bed to go to the bathroom, besides that, she had only moved to switch whatever side she was laying down on. Rachel hadn’t wanted to eat, but Elyse had been able to convince her to do so. 

Rachel smelled of fear as she had since the beginning. Occasionally, Elyse would see her twitch or tremble. Living in a state of constant fear wasn’t good for your mental well-being. Fear activated the fight or flight response. At first, Rachel had been fighting pretty hard, but she was beginning to give in to the fear. She was running. 

Elyse got up from the chair in the room and knelt down next to the bed. Rachel stared up at the ceiling. Rachel’s eyes  that gleamed with emerald fire when she was happy, were dull and unfocused. ”Rachel, honey, you should get up. Maybe we can go on a walk or something,” Elyse said. What they did didn’t matter, Rachel just needed to move. 

Rachel didn’t say anything. She had said very little since Elyse had arrived. After a few moments that felt like hours, Rachel shook her head no. Elyse looked down, uncertain of what to do. Some days were harder than others. Today was shaping up to be a difficult one. Elyse just wanted her friend to be better. 

”Would you like me to leave? Tell me what you need, hon,” Elyse was scared to ask it, but decided to. She wouldn’t leave the house, but she would give Rachel space. 

Rachel shook her head again and very quietly said, ”Please stay.”

That at least meant that she still hadn’t completely given up. Elyse got up and sat down on the bed, placing a comforting hand on Rachel’s shoulder. She would be here for her friend.

Moscow authorities responded swiftly this morning to a bomb threat targeting the headquarters of Shale International, a multinational business located within the business district of the city.. The threat prompted a full evacuation of the building and surrounding area.

According to Moscow police spokesperson Dmitry Kuznetsov, the threat was received via an interview with someone who turned themselves in on the morning of December 14, 2046. The details of this interview, including the name of the informant, are unknown. 

With the assistance of Moscow Fire Department, the employees of the building and surrounding area were evacuated. The Moscow Police Department Bomb Squad responded and did a sweep of the building, employee bomb sniffing dogs and scanners. Traffic was diverted from the location for several blocks in all directions, causing delays across Central Moscow.

“No device has been found at this stage, but our investigation is ongoing,” Kuznetsov said during a press briefing. “We are treating this threat with the utmost seriousness.”

Shale International issued a brief statement on social media at 11:03 AM confirming the evacuation and ongoing cooperation with authorities:

“This morning, Shale International's Moscow office received a credible threat which prompted the immediate evacuation of our staff. We are grateful to emergency services for their prompt and professional response. The safety of our employees and partners remains our top priority.”

Authorities have given no timeline for their investigation and Shale Employees have been directed to stay home for the time being. As of this evening, no device has been found and no arrests have been made. This story is developing. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.

((Article written by AI))