text:
... now they must watch their abundance of luxuries fall away, making room for the tools of survival, and witness this time of relative peace wither into the same fears that harper's ballads had warned them about for generations.
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Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Thu Mar 20, 2014 2:44 pm
It amazed him, the stance that Noxaura took on the whole situation. She'd been following him all along; how could he not assume she'd come here because she'd followed him somehow? Though it was just as strange that she ended up here just prior to he. Regardless, of that though...
For a moment longer, Axiar stood quietly, listening to her chatter, never removing the sword from where it positioned.
Axiar had no idea how she could be so bold, nor so sure of that assumption in the face of him; at least given the fact that she had already taken him for a rebel. What kind of faction did she believe the Chorong Rebels to be? They weren't exactly known for their benevolent deeds.
So it was, he addressed that final statement by her, "I wouldn't be so sure of that."
Sladpping her hand aside with the flat side of the blade, Axiar rushed forward, pressing her back until she couldn't go any further, at which point, he spun her around roughly and stuck the point of his weapon to her back.
Axiar knew exactly how much preasure he would have to apply to draw blood, but he didnt. He did however, sever the bottom laces of her corset, the tension releasing on the garment gradually as he drew the reverse-gripped blade along her spine. While he did so, his other hand held her firmly by the arm, without any concern for her comfort.
He watched her carefully for whatever response was elicited, daring only to slowly cut the laces from the bottom three gromets of her dress; the sharp edge of his sword probablly just started to draw blood -just barely.. he was obviously being careful. Well.. careful, or tempting her.
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Thu Mar 20, 2014 8:41 pm
She gasped, suddenly aware that he was trying to intimidate her. Well she wouldn't be intimidated. Even if he was stronger and wielding a weapon, Noxaura didn't see any reason why he should resort to killing mostly innocent young women. He probably had not thought this through very well.
"Really? Ugh." She said as he ruined her dress. Although his grip was uncomfortable it was more irritating to know she would have to repair her garment. "Do you have any idea how long that will take to fix?"
She groaned, "This dress is worth more than my life. You dimglow."
As she felt the tip of the blade breaking her skin, she thought maybe she had pushed him too far. But then she thought about it, he was nowhere near ready to kill her.Otherwise he wouldn't be holding her against a wall.
"My stepfather is going to kill me and if he doesn't my mother will and if she doesn't then I'm just going to be indentured to them for the rest of my life. Just kill me now, it'll be faster, easier and my fingers won't hurt."
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Thu Mar 20, 2014 9:37 pm
"I don't see how cost matters when it seems as though you're quite adept at coming by many expensive and priceless things by your own methods." The retort was perhaps a little sharp, but spoken quietly into her ear from where he stood, letting his breath be felt lightly upon the side of her neck.
Axiar felt half tempted to tell her it would be more pleasurable to know that she was being indentured to servitude for the remainder of her days here, than to do the killing for them; anyway, if she were very serious, it just wasn't his style to bring undue harm to those weaker than himself -though in certain aspects he couldn't exactly consider her 'weaker', per say. Perhaps that is why he'd resorted to battling her on her own grounds in some way.
Hmmmmm... He mused silently in his head, wondering just what he should do. Whether she really knew it or not, she was right; he couldn't kill her. And he didn't really have any desire to leave any deeper cut that might leave a scar behind, so what to do?
At length, Axiar finally answered her final statement, the words bringing a chuckle beneath his breath even before he spoke them. "Your servitude awaits you then. "
With that, the man with amber eyes like an eagle's used the blade in hand to sever the remainder of the ties up the back of the dress, cutting it completely loose of her form. Figuring that this was the only way to best her, he wondered if she would continue to seek him, now? Not like she'd be able to go walking freely through the streets like this... she might just have to wait until dark to get home. Or maybe even use a saddle blanket or something to cover herself on her way home. Well, whatever she chose to do, there was likely no easy answer -not one that she would likely prefer.
So, stepping back from her, Axiar sheathed his sword, replacing it at his side as he eyed the girl, awaiting a reaction.
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Sat Mar 22, 2014 2:38 pm
This was where telling someone the truth got you. Now she knew why she preferred to lie. At least she could get some pleasure out of lying.
"It doesn't matter how I come by them. I don't sell them and therefore they are priceless and will not help in this situation." She said back, through gritted teeth. As thrilling as having a sword in her back might be, she wasn't sure she wanted him that close to her when her dress was half undone.
The dress was worth more than she should have mentioned because it seemed to her, he wanted her to be punished forever. It made her angry. Why did he have to be so hateful? Then he went and tore the rest of the lacing.
She let the bodice of the dress fall, after all, her undergarments made certain he couldn't really see anything important. Turning to face him, she glared. If looks could kill, he would be dead where he stood. "You maggot faced, ass-hat!" Her hands were balled into fists at her sides.
Nox didn't say she never thought he would do that. Obviously he was capable of many stupid things. Given one more second to think about her situation she grew even angrier. No one could say she wasn't a passionate person.
And then she came at him, fists beating towards his chest.
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Sat Mar 22, 2014 3:26 pm
Expression unmoved by her severe words, he was honestly a little surprised that she came back at him so strongly. And now he knew how best to defeat her. By tampering with her 'things'. Even when she refused to seem to care for anything else.
But it seemed that their little game seemed to have gotten to the point of going too far, because when she turned and started throwing fists his way, Axiar could sense that it wasn't out of indignant, stubborn behaviour. He'd truly upset her, in a way much deeper.
Though remorse was not beyond him, he wouldn't let himself regret what he'd just done. She was equally as deviant, he had no doubts. But all the same, he didn't do anything to avoid her strikes as he usually would have. There was not much damage she'd be able to do to him like this, anyway.
Letting her pound on his chest a few times, his hands soon rested on her shoulders, sliding down to where they could hold more firmly at the sides of her arms. Drawing Noxaura to him then, much closer to his chest, it was so that she'd have no way of hitting him.
He'd gone quiet again, but was looking down, into her eyes, wondering if he'd almost made her cry; she was so worked up over it. And... well... honestly, he'd had no intention of making her cry. But she was always acting so strong. How could she cry?
Watching her eyes intently, he waited to see if she would calm down before saying or doing anything else. Though, in that moment, he was perhaps more than just a little tempted to lower his head to kiss her -if not just to seek her response. But he didn't.
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Sun Mar 23, 2014 11:00 am
Extreme as punching someone in the chest over and over for cutting her dress might have seemed, it was not so severe in here own mind. She was angry. He had made her angry and that only served to make her even angrier. Why could he not have accepted that she had come here for a completely different purpose than he accused her of? Granted, she was never one to tell the truth when a lie could do better. It was only when she told the truth that people didn't believe her. Lies were easier to believe because they were usually what people wanted to hear.
When he held her, she stopped punching, because she had no choice and because she sort of froze up. Technically speaking, he was just trying to keep her from attacking him so he had pulled her in but it didn't feel like she was being held there for that reason. Maybe that was why she froze. All she knew was her arms had suddenly stopped working along with her words.
She might have considered he held her in an intimate fashion, if he hadn't just threatened to kill her and then tore apart the laces on her dress, although that in and of itself would make this seem more intimate. Noxaura was not the sort of young woman who found herself in the arms of random men. She did not flirt or even tease men. In that respect she had been a very proper hold girl. What he was doing now was entirely improper.
Nox could always scream to summon help. She could thrash until he let her go. There were any number of ways for her to get out of his hold and no doubt he would allow her to leave without a second thought. She didn't see why it was so easy for him to dismiss her. Although she had come to the conclusion that he was peculiar.
Her brown eyes stared back at him, not knowing what to say just then. She was bolder than perhaps he might have expected but she was still rather innocent when it came to men and woman and how they might behave in this kind of embrace. In fact the embrace in and of itself made her wonder if he was actually attracted to her in some way. Nox knew better though, she knew better than to think about his beautiful golden eyes while he stared at her. She knew better than to think about how strong his arms were as he held her there.
She cursed herself inwardly. He was a murderer. He was no better than the men who killed her father, she absolutely could not allow herself to find him attractive. Besides he was a complete mystery, she knew next to nothing about him. They could never even consider being together in any capacity. Besides, he said he was leaving. There was one part of her not in accord with the rest, if he was leaving then what harm was there in being attracted to him?
She did not know what to say. Maybe for once, he could say something instead.
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Sun Mar 23, 2014 12:07 pm
Though he wished he could have admitted otherwise, outside of the periodic pillowcrafter, Axiar had never been in an intimate relationship before. And honestly, pillowcrafters were exceptions to those types of relationships generally. So, being with Noxaura like this now, was pretty exciting for him.
Noxaura was herself quite different from most of the girls he'd ever known, though he'd never had any close girl Friends before. He
find her just as interesting as she must have found him to be, and even sought to tempt her in unusual ways just to find out what sort of reaction he'd elicit. Not just because her reactions were amusing, but because she possessed a certain boldness of spirit that many girls didn't. Feeling out her strengths and weaknesses, all of her little personal particularities, lent a little excitement to their interactions so long as it was all in order to conquer her in the end.
Axiar didn't think of her like that necessarily -just something to be conquered- but that was his masculine instinct, and she'd piqued the intrigue of that instinct by making herself a difficult target.
Though he should have had no intention whatsoever of becoming any more 'intimate' than they'd gotten already, Axiar felt himself more and more inclined to want to kiss her lips the longer they stood like that, together. But still hesitant... abiding by an ever duty-bound heart, he too, was unmoving for some time, simply lost, staring back at her, being drawn into the depths of her dark, glassy eyes.
Reluctance though, seemed to wane, as his head lowered very gradually; as though he waited for her to sense what was coming, and push him abruptly away. But perhaps they were both still frozen with that anticipation, because it didn't come as swiftly as he thought, and soon his lips hovered just above hers, barely brushing over them with the intent to kiss. Only, he didn't kiss her. Though he wanted to.
Considering what it would be like to have this girl fall into his embrace, weak with desire and a desire to be loved and cared for, Axiar, in that moment, thought that perhaps he could be the one to fulfill her in that. But perhaps he was letting his thoughts run away on him, forgetting again his purpose here at Telgar River Hold.
Still... with their lips so near -near enough to feel her sweet breath- it was difficult want to pull himself away.
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Sun Mar 23, 2014 12:40 pm
There was a knot in her throat and her stomach. She couldn't move, she couldn't speak and all that was left to do was to watch him. As he stared back into her eyes, she knew she had not been wrong to think he was attracted. He might not be the first young man to think so but he was the first who had caught her eye as well. Part of the excitement in tricking him and taunting him had been that she didn't know him and had no idea what he would do next. It only bothered her that he wasn't equally as intrigued but now she saw it differently. He had led her through a merry chase on purpose. He wanted her to be interested.
Well it had worked, which she did not really want to admit. As his lips came toward hers she thought about shoving him and telling him not to dare. She also thought no one had to know he kissed her and where was the harm in a kiss? Only he did not kiss her, just tempted her with the thought but his mouth remained close. Close enough that if she wanted she could kiss him. If she wanted…
She knew she wanted to. What was the worst that could come of kissing him? Rejection? She did not handle rejection well at all. He obviously wanted to kiss her though. Or why come so close if he didn't fear she would tell him no? She should tell him no. Like a good hold girl.
Being good was not nearly as fun as being naughty.
With that thought in mind, she leaned her head in just enough to have her lips meet his. She was gentle, soft in her kiss, a bit unsure of what she should do. Noxaura felt her eyes close when she kissed him. She didn't allow her lips to linger too long, pulling away and opening her eyes. Would he reject her now? Would he make the excuse that he shouldn't be here or that he would be leaving?
Nox spoke with a slight tremble in her voice, "How very improper of me...I shouldn't have..."
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Sun Mar 23, 2014 1:19 pm
She kissed him?! Axiar almost jolted, he was stunned enough that she obliged him such a thing. But instead, he remained, tasting her cherry lips for the first time -and perhaps the last? Yet, who was he to say?
Was she toying with him? Was she really just as intrigued by him as he'd been by she? Obviously all along, there'd been some vague interest there, but to think that in the short time they'd been together that it might have escalated this far?
Whatever the case might be, Axiar had let her do the kissing in the first round; his lips played a part, but he had not yet really kissed her back. Perhaps it was an innocent thing, letting her decide the extent of that first kiss, not wanting to put her off in some way by becoming too eager. So, as she stepped back from him, he looked into her eyes again, just as speechless, but did not release her. Instead, his hands tightened on her arms a bit, wanting to keep her close.
Honestly, Axiar wasn't quite sure just what he should do next -in such anticipation, his breath caught in his throat for a few seconds. He certainly didn't want to be too assuming; yet she had kissed him on her own volition. Wasn't that enough excuse to kiss her, in return?
Her words brought him away from that reverie for the time being, eyes sparkling at that, though his expression, still rather serious, was otherwise unchanged. And she was right to think that he probably should have turned and left from here long ago; left her to go about her normal activities, but it was too late for that now. When he bent to give her that opportunity to kiss him, it was decided -he would likely seek out her company through the rest of the day. Perhaps even the remainder of his time here, which was only for another day or two.
But if Noxaura wasn't going to press him for any unnecessary information constantly, then there was nothing to worry about.
, on the other hand, had already decided that it was acceptable to be caught in his company.
For a moment, Axiar wondered if he should tease her with another jab at her worrying over being 'proper' as any other Hold girl, reminding her again that he already knew she wasn't quite like the rest, even if she did hope to maintain some semblance of propriety about her behaviour, in general. Instead, he only offshouldered what blame she felt was there, putting some portion of it on himself. "There's no need to feel sorry. It was
who tempted you."
Far more gentle than he'd been with her before, granted the previous threats at sword point, Axiar's hands did not release her, but they softened on her arms, hoping for a moment longer she would stay. With great tenderness, his right hand slid up her shoulder and around to the back of her neck where he could gently hold her to him.
But again, where his head lowered with a growing desire to kiss her, he paused over her lips. This time, to speak softly, "Would it be wrong of me to return the kiss?"
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Sun Mar 23, 2014 2:13 pm
His reaction was hard to read and suddenly she felt as if maybe he had not wanted to cross that line with her. Maybe he had but he didn't want her to know it. But when she tried to move back, he held her firmly to him. Of course he would find this all rather silly. He wasn't a holder. It would be normal for him to have no rules of how to engage a woman. At least he was willing to admit his part. The tease!
Still he hadn't really reacted all that favorably to continuing such acts while he readily admitted he had urged her to kiss him. Maybe he thought she would attack him again? Well she had no real reason to, unless he decided to try to hurt her or hinder her in some way again from doing what she wanted. Whatever she did, she always did for her own selfish reasons and the sooner he came to understand that, the sooner he would realize how truly corrupted she already was.
There was nothing he could do to make her a worse person or a better one. She was who she was. If he was concerned for her reputation he shouldn't be. None of her peers would DARE start a rumor about her and lying was as natural to her as telling the truth was to most people. No one would ever suspect or care.
No one really ever cared what she did. So why should she? If it affected other people around her badly, oh well.
His grip changed, softened and one hand came up to old her neck, so that she was closer to him. He wanted her nearer? Noxaura wanted to believe she had not scared him off with her boldness. A hold-boy would be long gone by now. She would have made him nervous with her affectionate act; which was why she never had much interest in Hold boys or Hold men for that matter.
He had bent his head again, lowering his lips where he stopped to ask permission. She could almost have laughed because he seemed so unsure how to proceed with her. She didn't laugh though. She didn't hint that she found it amusing he would ask what she wanted. Shouldn't it have been obvious? If she was still there, she figured there was a reason. He had yet to leave too, which meant he wanted to be around her.
"It would be very wrong." She said in a breathless voice because she didn't care that it was wrong. "Kiss me anyway."
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Sun Mar 23, 2014 2:47 pm
At the insistence of her words, he bore no more hesitation, meeting her lips in the next breath. If there was a next breath; because that contact between them felt like a million fireworks coursing through him, completely tantalizing every one of his senses.
Unlike her previous kiss, Axiar did not let her break free of this one so easily. He was a full participant, and while their lips were ardently locked, he let his left hand lower around her waist, sliding his hand across her lower back where he could feel her warmth beneath her bodice; but still remain separated by the thin layer of underclothing she wore.
Eventually, their lips parted long enough to take a breath, giving him a moment to orient himself again, but.. only
long enough. Soon, his lips were on hers again.
Axiar wasn't sure how long they stood there like that, kissing, it could have been a few minutes or half a candlemark, but it didn't matter. Neither of them had anywhere to go just yet. Though, he did need to figure a way to get her dress fixed since he'd been the one to ruin it for her. Previously, he'd planned on leaving her there, until she came at him, hitting him. After that, every one of his cruel plans dissolved into.. well...
"It'll be dark soon. Come with me, and I'll have your dress fixed before you return home." Really, he didn't want to make it seem as though she had a choice. Though, he knew she'd do whatever she so pleased; yet, he was hopeful she'd stay with him a while longer.
So, undoing the belt and sash about his waist, both his sword and the scroll tube stashed under the collar of his tunic were removed with it. Then, unwrapping himself of his tunic, he laid it about her shoulders to cover her. Tying the sash and belt back around his middle, he secured the scroll tube and sword there, leaving his fairly well-sculpted torso and arms bare.
He seemed to watch her for just a moment then, gauging her reaction before reaching to take her hand. "Follow me." At which point, if she did not resist him, he would head them off toward the Inn he'd a room at, while most of the Settlement was already inside their own homes, eating dinner.
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Sun Mar 23, 2014 5:28 pm
Surprised at his sudden fervor, she felt her lips responding before she could think. Not that thinking seemed to matter at all. Nox felt her heart thudding in her chest, her mouth opened slightly under the pressure of his lips. She didn't know when to come up for air but he eventually allowed them both a moment to collect themselves.
It wasn't for long though, as she found her lips back on his. Her arms wrapped around him, of their own accord. She was going with her feelings and not overthinking any of this. It was easier than she thought. It was more fun than she thought. No wonder holders didn't do this in public; they'd never get anything done. His hand on the small of her back elicited, a feeling of pleasure and support. He could stay right where he was forever. Noxaura wasn't keeping track of time, she didn't know how long they'd been kissing but she knew they weren't going to be able to control themselves for long if they continued. Luckily he had some sense.
When he broke them apart again, she was a bit out of breath. They were going? She wasn't going to be seen looking like this though. Not that she minded being seen with him just that she didn't also need to be seen with her dress half torn off. Nox shouldn't have worried though. "Alright." She said, not resisting the idea of going with him to get her dress fixed. While they had been kissing, she had forgotten about the torn dress.
She watched him take off his shirt and bit back the desire that flooded her. All that kissing and then he had to take his shirt off, maybe he was seducing her a little at a time. It was certainly working if that was his plan. When he was done fiddling around with his sash, he offered her his hand.
Like last night, his hand felt rather nice in hers. And she followed him wordlessly to the Inn. If people saw them, they didn't really care. Not that anyone ever cared what she was doing. Would it even matter if she went home? She doubted it, although she could hardly ask him to bring her with him when he left. She didn't even know his name.
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Sun Mar 23, 2014 6:08 pm
More than a little pleased that Noxaura put up no resistance to the idea of following him, he wondered just what she might be thinking just then. Did she expect it to be solely for the sake of fixing her dress and salvaging her good fortunes upon returning home? Or did she think he was the type to lure her there by such a method, in order to pull her into his bed? Honestly, he wasn't sure which he intended more heartily. Though, after that last kiss...
Passing through less frequently traveled allies to get them to the Inn, he figured it was a good thing that the Inn was packed with evening diners and drinkers, too occupied with their merrymaking to really take notice of the two of them making their way through the door and to the stairs that wound upward to the second floor.
When they entered the room, it was arranged in the typical manner of any other Inn, only a few of his things left to be seen about the room; such as the black mask and long white wig still propped on the bedside table in plain view. It was as though he hadn't a concern at all that someone of the Inn's staff wouldn't happen into the room and discover it, knowing that word was all over the streets by now, about the masked and white-haired performer with the sword -and that that in the midst of his performance, he took the lives of multiple Guardsmen. Tragic.
Other than that, there was really only a couple of sets of clothes left draped over the end of the bed, and a small travel pack situated in one corner; but it seemed deflated of any contents.
Closing the door behind them, Axiar focused on his breathing so that he could resist her for a little longer. He'd promised to get her a new lacing for the gown she wore, and didn't know how quickly she might want to leave here. Honestly, he had no idea just how eagerly she wanted to be with him.
Removing the scroll tube and sword from his belt, the weapon was leaned against the wall beside the pack, and the other, he opened to inspect briefly, making sure that its contents were all still in tact. Rolling the scrolls open just long enough to be certain they were originals, they were soon replaced and the entire tubing set at the bottom of his bag.
Sitting at the edge of the bed then, he leaned his posture forward over his knees to rest elbows upon them, hands clasping together there; his eyes came up to rest on her at the same time. "I suppose I shouldn't keep you waiting any longer. I'm sure you would like to have those new laces I promised. And your family must be waiting on your return for dinner."
Of course, in truth, he had little idea about what her family was like, thus little idea whether or not they'd be waiting for her. But he
have that promise to keep and though he didn't really want to leave her just yet, he thought he wasn't probably going to have much choice. If she needed to be back home by a certain time, there was little he could do about that.
Well... he'd let her fill in the rest of the details and decide things from there.
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Sun Mar 23, 2014 6:25 pm
The young woman, deduced after going through the crowded inn that no one would notice her at all. She was certain that mystery man here hadn't brought her to his room to talk about her laces. She was pretty sure he wanted to spend time with her. He wasn't prepared to admit that out loud it seemed though as he suggested she might be in a hurry to get home.
She looked around the bare bones room and decided it must be like that when one traveled often. She had her possessions but they were all small for that very reason. She could move them or travel with them if so she chose. Noxaura stood observing the room for a few moments as he brought up her possible need to go home.
"I stay out late on occasion. They will not expect me. I'm free to come and go as I please so long as I do my chores." She shrugged then moved to sit down next to him on the bed. "I'll need the new laces too though before I leave…" Not that she was in any rush to go.
"Are you trying to get rid of me again?" She said with a laugh. "I thought we were having fun?"
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Sun Mar 23, 2014 7:05 pm
Right. It had been implied more than once that she was deprived of attention at home. It only made sense she nor anyone else cared what time she made it back home. That also made him wonder if he should be surprised she'd followed him here, being that he was giving her at least some of that attention she desired. Her brief story about her family confirmed it.
"If we take long, none of the crafters will be out, available to get your laces from and we'll have to wait until morning."
Take too long doing what? And, well, he didn't think he'd mind the 'until morning' if she was in no hurry to leave. But she hadn't mentioned staying out
night. Only staying out past most young ladies' bedtime. Occasionally. Still... she might be willing to make that exception and come up with some excuse later. Anyway, it seemed she was good at that; lying and finding excuses. Not that it bothered him any.
When she sat down on the bed next to him, he let his eyes wander over her form for a moment before reaching to remove his tunic from her shoulders. Of course, with the top of her dress loose about her bust and shoulders, he could hardly keep himself from staring. Desire welled up in him again as he tore his eyes off of her long enough to toss the tunic shirt over the end of his bed like the rest of his clothes.
From there, Axiar reached to remove the dress from her shoulders, letting it sidle down her arm and across her chest a bit further to leave even more of her soft, fair skin bare. His eyes and hands both, were eager to take her in, though his hands beginning much more gently than his eyes let on. It was obvious now, which direction his mind was traveling in.
"If I could, I would just take you with me, and there would be no need for you to have to go back home."
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:13 pm
Until morning? Nox did not think waiting till morning was a good idea. Why should she still be here in the morning? He was getting a little ahead of himself wasn't he? She did not know him that well as it was and the more she thought about the more nervous being here made her. Not because it was him but because how easy, how fast it was for him to move from one thing with her to the next. Was there an amount of time a person would normally spend before doing any of this? She knew it wasn't two days.
However, he did have to leave town, so she supposed he was used to seeing people only briefly. Maybe he felt he didn't have much time with her. That was a depressing thought. Nox supposed it wouldn't be so bad to wait till morning. She'd have to be at the shop to work tomorrow though.
She didn't say anything to the morning comment. Some things were better left without saying a word. Noxaura was neither confirming or denying that she would be here come morning.
With his tunic removed, she saw the desire in his eyes. His hands were deftly handling the top part of her dress. She felt her chest tighten again. Surprised by his admission that he wanted to take her with him when he left she went wide eyed.
"I wish you could take me away." But since he couldn't and since she was stuck in the Settlement, they might as well make the most of their time. Her body turned a little so she could face him. One of her hands reached up and traced his jawline, ending at his chin where it stopped.
"Would it be very wrong of me to kiss you now?"
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:36 pm
She'd kissed him earlier hadn't she? And he had kissed her. Why would there be a problem with doing so now?
Instead of answering her aloud however, he went back to being his silent self, answering her only in action. Leaning forward to meet her, his lips sought hers out again. Momentarily thereafter, he was pressing her back onto the bed, though never once breaking their kiss.
His hands rested to either side of her then, propping himself up over her, though it didn't take long for one of them to make its way to her skirts, hiking the hem of it up so that his hand could ease its way in a gentle glide all the way up the outside of her thigh. The whole time, kissing her.
Once his hand rested near her hip, Axiar sat up enough to look her in the eye again, making sure she held no reservations about what was likely to happen if she let him go any further. "Will you regret it? Lying with me now? Though you don't know who I am? Knowing you don't even know my name?" He was giving her the chance to stop him there, if she spoke but a word against it; but it would be her last chance.
And thinking about it now, it was a little unfair being together like this, but leaving her without knowing his name. He figured if she asked again, he might tell her -just to be nice, this once. Or perhaps he wouldn't. He might find it in himself to tease her with that secret a little bit longer.
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Sun Mar 23, 2014 9:04 pm
If she was nervous, she never let on. She didn't have any intention of letting him see that she was at all out of her element. Although she hoped he would assume she was pure even if her actions thus far might suggest otherwise. Kissing was a good place to start though, even if she realized a little slowly where his hands were roaming.
Again she was a little concerned about where this was going. On the other hand, she wasn't concerned enough to stop him. As serious as he was when he asked her, she responded.
"I don't know." She paused, "I didn't think about it." Noxaura did not answer if she wanted him to continue or not. "I should keep my honor. Shouldn't I? I'm a hold-bred girl and no respectable hold girl would even be in this position." Course she wasn't going to say she was at all as respectable as people believed.
"This is going to sound crazy..." Probably because it was a little crazy. "I don't feel like I don't know you even if you haven't seen fit to tell me your name. I doubt you'd tell me your real name anyway. Handsome rogues are not known for their honesty."
Then she cupped his face with her hand and brought her lips to his for a quick kiss. Her future spouse was going to be greatly disappointed. "I only ask one thing..." And she knew he would oblige her because he wouldn't be seeing her again, "Pretend if you can, that you love me."
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Sun Mar 23, 2014 9:47 pm
Though Axiar desired her, he understood now that she had never been through this experience before; and though he might not have been concerned about that, if she were someone else, she was Noxaura, and he had become quite infatuated with her in some short amount of time. Therefore, the rebel brought to a halt any thought of taking that Honour from her at a time and a place like this.
It also pained him to think that she, who had a family that was complete, was not cherished by that family. Though his father treated him somewhat distantly, at least he knew he was loved and praised by them; and though his mother was deceased, while she was alive, she relished every moment with him. He did not tell her those things now, but somehow, he felt more compelled then to simply be by her side, alone in her presence. Even if just for a little while. To show her that someone saw something in her worth cherishing.
A faint smile tweaked up at the corners of his lips as his body relaxed beside her, leaning up onto an elbow where he lay to face her. The other hand had since left its position upon her thigh, leaving it up to her to straighten her dress out again.
"Well... They do say that Love is about secrets and mystery. Maybe we should leave it that way." Indicating again that he was not going to reveal any identifying information to her. "But even my father does not call me by my name." Maybe that was a sign -that he only mentioned one parent, not two. Now she could assume something else about him.
His free hand went back to touching her after that, but his fingertips only lightly stroked, lingering over the baby smooth skin of her shoulder and neck, then to trace a trail across her chest toward the other shoulder. He seemed rather intent doing that, as though it also brought some sense of relaxation to him.
"Anyway," He went on just briefly before there came another pause, "I won't pretend for you. And I won't take anything from you tonight. But in return, I will ask you to do something for me."
His golden eyes turned to meet her own, wondering if it was a promise she'd be willing to keep, "Save yourself for me. So that when next we meet, I can be the first to treasure you."
He wasn't insinuating that he felt nothing for her now, but he didn't want her to think like that if he was going to be taking her virginity. He didn't want her to think that her first time was with someone who didn't care for her. He might be mean sometimes, cruel when carrying out his duty, but he was still human, and she was still a Lady, whom he was finding a very soft spot for in his heart.
"For now, this will be enough." Just being there with her, like this. Though he still struggled to suppress previous desire for her, so it was not without difficulty that he parted with thoughts of love making for the time. In the future though, Axiar fully intended on making her pay for keeping him waiting, if he was going to. Of course all payment would be taken in pleasure; he was a very passionate man, and he would be saving all of it for her.
His hand went back to tracing small circles on her chest and along her collar bone, then finding its way back to that shoulder nearest him.
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Mon Mar 24, 2014 11:46 am
She didn't expect his reaction, not that she ever did. He pulled away from her, but he was still touching her, still looking at her. Maybe he was concerned he was taking something from her that she wasn't ready to lose. He could be right. Noxaura had not thought about the consequences. Although his hand had moved, she made no attempt to straighten her dress. She wasn't uncomfortable as she was.
"Love?" She asked, a little suspicious then of his state of mind. "I heard it was based on trust and honesty…" Not that she possessed qualities that allowed for people to trust her and he knew where she stood on the honesty. "Admit it, you like being mysterious." Which had absolutely nothing to do with love. She wanted to ask him what his mother called him but she made the assumption shortly after that he must no longer have a mother. Then they both had lost a parent which might explain some things about their behavior.
Noxaura didn't say anything for a moment, thinking about what he was saying. It wasn't taking if she was giving. Was it? "You won't?" Why not? He could just say he liked her, it didn't have to be love. Anything was better than nothing. She wondered what his state of mind must be. He didn't seem the type to stop when he desired something. Should she be nervous that he wanted something else? Nox didn't know what he might want, other than someone else perhaps. Now why would he? She thought indignantly.
Save herself? He did understand she was a hold girl and that she would have to marry and couldn't put it off that much longer really. In the next couple of Turns she would be sold off to some holder or other. Was there a deeper meaning to all this? He just wanted her to save herself so that he could be her first. He would have that power over her life then.
"Will you be saving yourself for me?" She asked, quite seriously. If he was going to swear off women for her, then maybe she would be willing to take the chance. She wasn't going to promise him anything unless she got something in return. He would see how that was perfectly like her. She wanted the upper hand. If she promised him that, he would have power over her, her life. Noxaura stared back at him, "I think you don't like the idea that I could be with someone else…"
And she totally could be, if she so chose. Lucky for him she had yet to really meet anyone she felt strongly enough about to even tease, let alone kiss. It seemed to her of the two of them, he was the one with experience. This thought alone made her won0der just what kind of relationships he had with women.
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Mon Mar 24, 2014 2:17 pm
Axiar didn't seem interested in replying to her words until she seemed puzzled as to why he wasn't going to pretend, or in the other case, just tell her he liked her. He hadn't figured she would still be willing to be that intimate if he didn't confess Love, after saying that. She
said he should pretend to 'love' her; and 'liking' was different.
"I won't. But if liking is enough, then I might admit to that."
"Will you be saving yourself for me?"..."I think you don't like the idea that I could be with someone else…"
His wandering hand stopped in place, sitting up to lean over her again. He was unwilling to answer her next question direcly. "There is someone else you'd rather save yourself for, then?" He doubted there was, because she was here, with him. But if there was, he could certainly try to change her mind. If there was no one else, then he could go ahead and oblige her now, since she didn't seem all that worried about waiting all of a sudden. He just didn't want to seem too pushy before. And he'd just admitted to that he might
like her.
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Tue Mar 25, 2014 10:50 am
Noxaura thought about his answer. He had some feeling in her direction then. Stronger feelings than that would probably have made her a little wary of him anyway. To hear him talk otherwise though it seemed to her that he fully expected his feelings to be stronger later. What if they weren't? With his absence how did he think they would get any closer? It wasn't as if he could write. And even if he could, she wasn't that adept at reading.
"Liking is better than nothing." She said, not sure if liking was really a strong enough emotion for her to settle for. After all, she was a passionate person and she deserved to have someone in her life who felt emotions just as strongly as she did. Even if that meant they may not get along well some of the time.
"No, not yet." She said, hinting that there might be a day where someone else held her interest. Just because she wanted him now, didn't mean she would feel the same when next she saw him. Whenever that would be. That was something worth mentioning to him as well. "I will have to marry you know…" While she did not add soon, she meant sooner than later. He might not have guessed her age but she was well within the age range to be married off.
She laid on her side in order to see him better, "If I am going to wait, then you are going to wait. I don't care if you've had women before." It might be harder for him because he had but that didn't really concern her much. It was him wanting that power over her life that concerned her. "How long will you be gone?" If he had to wait for her in order to have her or any other woman than he would probably be more inclined to come back sooner.
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Tue Mar 25, 2014 12:40 pm
Her reassurance that there was no other man in her life that she concerned herself with woudl have been enough to make him smile. Aixiar did hope to meet her again. Even if it did not mean a romp in the sack. Oddly, the more time he was in her company, the more he was enjoying it.
Thinking about what she'd said, he wondered if Nox was the kind of person he'd wait for if she would wait for him. He did like the excitement she'd brought to his time here in Telgar River Hold, and he did find her very interesting. She didn't have the same reservations about him that most girls would at that point. Axiar wanted to understand why, but perhaps her actions were explanation enough; or perhaps there was no need to understand. Instead, he should just appreciate that fact and grab hold and run with it.
It did cross his mind however, that she might be some informant for the Hold Guard. Noxaura's family might be involved with them; it would get her some good measure of attention to turn in a traitor like him. Then again, thinking back on their time together thus far, distrust of her in that way never seemed to stick. Axiar would just have to go with his gut feeling on it.
Laying back then, onto his back with fingers interlocked behind his head, the rebel considered the rest of what she'd said. Figuring that if he were asking her to wait he wouldn't be able to keep her waiting for too long, granted that either of their situations might change somehow unexpectedly. If that happened, there was no telling when they would see one another again.
Pondering over the possibilities of what futures might await them, Axiar thought that even if she became engaged or married in the mean time, he would still find a way to see her and be with her. And in fact, that thought excited him. Any concern they might have for oneanother should already be forbidden, given his affiliation. But... he'd hinted at that before, and though she knew he'd killed men before, she still was here with him now.
Though Axiar let a long silence pass between them before there came any response. While he stared up at the ceiling, his expression lacked any sign of what he might be thinking. "It could be months. I really don't know." And there wasn't really any telling, seeing as he could be sent on any number of missions before he had the chance to head back north, in this direction.
"I live south of here." That wasn't saying much. "It will be winter soon, and all of the roads will become impassable. Even in the summer, there aren't any well maintained roads between here and there, so its hard to say. It may depend on when the first caravans head back this way in the coming spring."
That was the best answer he had to give.
Axiar fell silent again, still looking up to the ceiling. He was contemplating something else now; comtemplating how fair it was to have her anticipating his return without knowing who she was waiting for.
Maybe after that, he seemed a little in a daze, because he didn't say anything else, and his mind seemed to be distant.
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Wed Mar 26, 2014 9:22 pm
There was a lot of quiet thought on his end, from what she could tell. He wasn't particularly inclined to answer her previous questions. Although somehow he expected her to be forthcoming. Noxaura remained on her side, thinking to herself. Why should she wait while he was free to be with whomever he wanted? It was completely unfair, not that she expected life to be fair. She did however expect something in return for what she was giving. If he couldn't offer her the same in kind or better, then she saw nothing in it for her.
After he mentioned how long he might be gone, she moved closer, then drew herself up, extending her hand and placing it next to his head, and using it to hold her over him. "You might never come back…" She said, acknowledging that he would only come through here if he had a mission or some other reason to do so.
She leaned closer giving him a taste of his own teasing, her mouth about an inch from his. Unlike him, Noxaura had less to concern herself with. If he liked her, he would wait for her too. If not then he would never come here again and wouldn't bother trying to find her. Even if she were long gone by the time he made his way back here, she had to think that if he really had feelings of any kind for her, he would find her.
Her hair fell over her shoulder then as she shifted her weight. "It's alright, I might not be here in the spring either." She smiled wickedly, "So I guess you'll have to find me if you want me."
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Subject: Re: Familiar faces (Tags: Axiar)
Thu Mar 27, 2014 10:52 am
Though he didn't make any reply to her accusation that he might not come back in the Spring, or ever for that matter, his eyebrows did raise at the hint that she also might not be here come spring. What, did she have some plans for her future she hadn't let on about yet?
Amber orbs looking into her own then. It was completely unexpected to him for some reason, that she would lean over to kiss him; he could feel the temperature of his body rising as she did so, though he made no move to kiss her lips when she stopped short of meeting his.
After that however, his hands came from behind his head to reach around her and pull her into him. There, he whispered, "At first you refuse to leave me alone, and now you want to play hard to get?" Referring to her mention of her not being here, either, come Spring. "I'd say that's a little unfair, but coming from you, I suppose I should expect it."
With a bemused chuckle under his breath that was supressed partially behind the faint smirk also elicited, he let his breath be felt upon her ear and neck. Pausing shortly before he let his breath out in a silent sigh, Axiar thought aloud to her, "I should get you some new laces before it's too late." Though it totally crossed his mind to hold her hostage here until the next day.. or perhaps hold the new lacings hostage just to tease her with. He might still do that.
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March 4, 2017 - Ontario is lowering electricity bills by 25 per cent on average for all residential customers as part of a significant system restructuring that will address long-standing policy challenges and ensure greater fairness.
Starting this summer, Ontario's Fair Hydro Plan will provide households with this 25 per cent break. Many small businesses in Scarborough-Guildwood will also benefit from the initiative. People with low incomes will receive even greater reductions to their electricity bills. As part of this plan, rate increases over the next four years will be held to the rate of inflation for everyone.
These measures include the eight per cent rebate introduced in January, and build on previously announced initiatives to deliver broad-based rate relief on all electricity bills.
Taken together, these changes will deliver the single-largest reduction to electricity rates in Ontario's history.
Recently, electricity rates have risen for two key reasons:
The burden of financing these system improvements and funding these key programs has unfairly fallen almost entirely on the shoulders of today's ratepayers. To relieve that burden and share costs more fairly, two system fixes are being undertaken.
Recognizing that the electricity infrastructure that has been built will last for many decades to come, the province would refinance those capital investments to ensure that system costs are more equitably distributed over time. In addition, a number of important programs, such as the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP), will now be funded by the government instead of by ratepayers.
The province will also launch a new Affordability Fund, enhance the existing OESP and Rural or Remote Rate Protection (RRRP) program and provide on-reserve First Nations households with a delivery credit. These new measures will cost the government up to $2.5 billion over the next three years.
Notwithstanding that hydro rate relief costs will add significant pressure on the fiscal framework, the province continues to project a balanced budget for 2017-18, and will provide a full update on its fiscal plan in the spring budget.
Reducing electricity costs in Scarborough-Guildwood is part of Ontario's plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
"Scarborough-Guildwood residents have expressed their concern about the cost of hydro and the impact it has had on their household budgets. Electricity is an essential part of our everyday lives. I am very pleased that through Ontario's Fair Hydro Plan, our government has taken significant action to address these concerns. Our Plan will lower hydro bills by an average of 25% and will limit future increases to 2% per year for the next four years. This is definitive action that adds up to real savings for families, seniors and small businesses in Ontario." - Mitzie Hunter, MPP for Scarborough-Guildwood
This website is provided for your convenience. If you'd prefer to call or email, my staff and I would be happy to hear from you.
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Fishing Report: Barrios becoming proficient bass angler
An angler who was a consistent jackpot winner a few years back when he was a saltwater fishing stalwart is morphing into a rising bass tournament talent.
He hasn't as yet duplicated his saltwater proficiency. That will take some doing. When he was aboard a sportfishing boat out of Morro Bay or Port San Luis, he was a favorite to cop jackpot monies just about every trip.
Now he's making his presence known in bass tournament competition with a win every once in a while and decent placings on other occasions.
That would be San Luis Obispo's Dan Barrios, who paired with Nipomo's Casey Langley on Saturday to win event No. 4 on the 101 Bass tournament agenda at Lake San Antonio.
The victors were fishless until a 15-minute surge happened around 11 a.m., nearly four hours into the competition. They'd blanked in Harris Creek, but their fortunes brightened in the main lake as they caught a limit working a 60-yard stretch of water.
Langley cranked in smallmouth weighing 2 1⁄4 and 2 pounds and drop-shotted for a largemouth that tipped the scales at nearly 4 pounds.
Barrios, 53, employed one of Scott Garman's Crunch Minnow swimbait prototypes for a 4.05-pound largemouth and added a bucketmouth in excess of 3 1⁄2 pounds on a Senko.
"We caught a lot of fish after that splurge but weren't able to improve our bag weight," Barrios said.
The team's 14.97-pound bag was worth $2,725.
Garman, a Morro Bay lure innovator, expects to have his Crunch Minnow on the market by June. It's being manufactured in China. Meanwhile, he's working on perfecting his latest invention, a frog lure that is unlike anything currently available.
Barrios owns the world 30-pound test line class record for albacore. Fishing out of Morro Bay on Oct. 27, 2001, he caught an 81-pound albacore. The saltwater catch is listed in the International Game Fish Association 2013 edition of world fishing records.
On Saturday, a 4.20-pound smallmouth caught by Atascadero's Gene Gray captured big fish honors.
"It was the biggest smallmouth I've ever caught in competition," said Gray, who because he will be entered in two more March tournaments at Lake San Antonio, was reluctant to tell where he caught the smallie and at what depth. "Just say I made the catch around 9 o'clock on a reaction bait somewhere between shallow and deep water."
Gray's partner for the second straight season, Tony Pratt of Paso Robles, contributed a largemouth and smallmouth to the team's runner-up weight of 14.19 pounds. The teammates used a balance beam in Gray's boat before weigh-in. The smallie was a bit heavier than Pratt's largemouth.
Gray's smallmouth accounted for $450 of the team's $2,100 winnings.
With only three events remaining on the seven-tournament schedule, 19-year-old Auston Bonjour of Atascadero owns a 16-point lead in the standings. Bonjour and partner Graham Grove, 21, have 404 points in the Anglers of the Year competition.
101 Bass Top 10 (All 5-fish Limits) Weight, Winnings
1. Dan Barrios, San Luis Obispo, Casey Langley, Nipomo, 14.97 pounds, $2,725; 2. Gene Gray, Atascadero, Tony Pratt, Paso Robles, 14.19 pounds, $2,100; 3. Austin Bonjour, Graham Grove, Atascadero, 12.97 pounds, $700; 4. Nick Salvucci, Templeton, 12.01 pounds, $300; 5. *Brad Shepherd, Clark Endres, Atascadero, 11.80 pounds, $225; 6. Carlos & Jacob Vasquez, Soledad, 11.80 pounds, $225; 7. Sam James, Jason Letterman, Salinas, 11.61 pounds; 8. Dean Miller, Darrel Masterson, Tulare, 11.59 pounds; 9. Steve Bereda, Santa Margarita, Nick Gregg, Atascadero, 11.17 pounds; 10. Byron Hallett, Templeton, George Stamper, Paso Robles, 11.14 pounds.
1st Big Fish, 4.20 pounds, Gray & Pratt, $450.
(*Bigger fish breaks ties)
Patriot Sportfishing
Reservations are being taken for April salmon trips. Call 595-7200 for reservations.
The next crab and sanddab trip is scheduled for March 16 from 6 a.m. to noon. Cost is $60. The next scheduled whale watching and nature trip is March 17 from 10 a.m. to noon for $35.
Virg's Landing
Seventeen patrons aboard the Princess on Saturday returned with 375 sanddabs, 12 dungeness crabs and seven rock crabs. The next scheduled crab and sanddab trip is Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $59 for adults and $39 for children 13 and under. Reservations are being taken for salmon trips starting April 6. Call 772-1222 for reservations.
Nacimiento Lake
Dave Rymal reports from Heritage Ranch that shore fishermen as well as boaters are catching only a few 12- and 13-inch bass. "It's very slow," he said.
Cachuma Lake
Bass fishing is steadily improving as the water warms. Fish are being found from two to 20 feet of water. A variety of baits are working. The hot crappie bite tailed off last weekend. Trolled Rapalas CD 5's and CD 7's were the hot bait in The Narrrows. Shore fishermen are catching trout using nightcrawlers. Trollers scored using minnow imitations and spoons.


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The National Association of Women's Clubs was started during the 1930's, by the Social Services, initially to provide education and recreation for the wives of the unemployed. Whereas in the 1930's they were mostly run by paid managers to teach women how to budget for, and feed their families, by the early 1940's the members had gradually taken over the management of the clubs themselves on a voluntary basis.
Clubs evolved during the 1950's to serve the needs of the many new housing estates springing up after the Second World War. In 1976 the NAWC became independent and received Charity Status. We had been getting an annual grant from The Dept. of Innovation and Skills which recognised the aims of informal education and citizenship, however, this grant has ceased. We are looking for alternative funding and therefore rely on our members' ongoing support in the form of donations and fund raising activities.
There are approximately 130 clubs throughout the country with a membership of 5000. Each club is a non-political non-sectarian group open to all women over the age of 18, whatever their age and interests. Each club is self-governing, choosing its own officers, meeting place and times to fit the needs of their particular neighbourhood. A wide range of activities caters for all tastes but as the NAWC is an educational charity, the emphasis should be on self-development.
Many activities are carried on within the clubs, from the practice of various crafts to taking part in choirs, drama, keep fit and listening to speakers on every subject imaginable. Outings are also arranged to theatres, exhibitions and local industries. Social events are also organised to suit all tastes.
There are regional associations of clubs in areas where 3 or more clubs can meet and the clubs within these regularly get together so providing each member with further social contacts.
An Annual Conference is held at which resolutions put by member Associations and Groups are debated. Resolutions are of national importance and many pieces of legislation have been passed over the years in which the clubs feel their voice has been instrumental.
Members have the opportunity to attend Weekend Schools or One Day Workshops held in various parts of the country.
Community and charity work is encouraged and there is a real growth of friendship between club members, which results in the development of community spirit.
These and many more activities make the NAWC a very special organisation.


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Hello everyone….welcome to Xustralia! It's been a couple of days since my last post but this one has been one that I have been so excited to write up! Over the past three days I have had the privilege of interviewing new and upcoming artist 'Party Nails', due to us both living in two separate countries (I'm in England and she is in America) the interview took place in the most unorthodox of ways: via twitter direct message.
For those who haven't heard of 'Party Nails' her birth name is Elana Belle Carroll, she is a 25 year old singer who currently resides in Los Angeles. Before moving to L.A. she lived in upstate New York, in the small town of Chatham, at the age of 19 she moved away from Chatham.
I came across the music of 'Party Nails' when she was featured on the 'Neon Gold Records' website (in which they discussed her track 'No Pressure'). Immediately I fell in love with her music and was enticed by her club-esque nature.
without further ado, here is the interview:
KEY: X = Xustralia (me) and PN: Party Nails
X: Hello! How are you?
PN: I'm great, excited. How are you?
X: Excellent glad to hear it! Aww thanks, yeah I'm good! Right okay: for those who're unsure, who is 'Party Nails'?
PN: 'Party Nails' is me, Elana Belle Carroll, the songs and the world around the songs. Everyday I'm working on that world. It's pop music!
X: The world you've created gives me some serious club vibes, it's a world I love to explore!
X(CONT): Who're your artistic inspirations? Or if not "who", "what"?
PN: That's a great question! I love Cyndi Lauper, Miley Cyrus and Dr. Seuss (the children's author).
X: Dr. Seuss? Wow! What's your favourite of his work?
PN: I'm not sure what my favo(u)rite book of his is, I admire his simple, easy perfection.
X: Before I forget, I believe congratulations are in order: congrats on 'No Pressure' getting 27,134 (figure accurate as of 2/2/16) hits on Spotify!
PN: Thank you! I'm not quite sure how that happened to be honest, someone must have put it on a playlist.
X: I for one love the track and often have it on repeat. Whilst we're on the topic of Spotify: recently a lot of artists have expressed their dissatisfaction with music streaming platforms, what're your opinions on them?
PN: I am definitely nostalgic for the days before streaming was how we discovered and kept music in our lives. I think it's missing a lot of the great parts of the experience of listening to records. But it's what we have at the moment and its so convenient and fun to use! It's unfortunate we haven't figured out a better way to deal with the money/business side but I think we will get there soon.
X: That's such a good answer and I can tell it was sincere and from the heart! You're definitely one of the most experimental upcoming artists I've come across and your music reflects it.
PN: That's so interesting! Experimental in what sense?
X: I think you're experimental in the sense that your music isn't following popular music trends that have emerged recently. It has a fresher feel to it, yet it reminds me of eighties electronic dance.
X(CONT): so my next question is: in your song 'No Pressure' you sing the "no holding me back, don't go, I can't give you up". If you don't mind me asking, who is the "you' you're referring to?
PN: The "you" in 'No Pressure' most literally refers to a person that was in my life. But in a broader sense it refers to anything that you need to let go of in order to grow, because it's holding you back in some way. But you are having trouble saying goodbye to it.
PN(CONT): The song is about that moment when you realise that you have to make a change, but you don't really want to. (when) You can't even imagine how things could be different, but you know they must change.
X: That is so interesting and I think in some way or another everyone can relate to the message of 'No Pressure'.
PN: Thank you, I appreciate that compliment!
X: For your song 'Break', did you do your own music or was it a producer?
PN: Break was produced by a friend of mine in Brooklyn, he goes by 'Shadom'. We worked closely for a long time but we have branched out more recently.
X: You two clearly worked so well together but I'm certain you'll both branch out to (bigger and) better things!
X(CONT): What's next for 'Party Nails', any exciting projects that you're able to share?
PN: I'm very excited to release new music soon. Add to the world of 'Party Nails' on the visual side as well.
X: Ah! Is that your way of hinting about the potential of music videos?
PN: Maybe!
X: What do you hope to have achieved by the end of 2016?
PN: I would love to have significantly expanded upon the visual side of 'Party Nails' in a few different ways. Have people enjoy the new music I put out and maybe add something unexpected to the mix before the end of the year.
PN(CONT): Mostly, I hope to play some really awesome shows!
X: Personally, I can't wait to see you explore the visual side of 'Party Nails', as an ex studier of film I can appreciate a good visual! If your music currently available now is anything to go by I just know you'll not only retain and entertain your current fans but also attract new ones! This is definitely going to be a great year for 'Party Nails', I can tell!
PN: Thank you so much! I love positive reinforcement and it makes me so happy that anyone enjoys 'Party Nails' at all, it makes me so excited to do more!
X: That was my final question, is there anything you want to say to the readers before we conclude?
PN: If there's anything I'd like to add it's just to remind whoever is reading to be kind to themselves and others. It's a weird time and world we live and it's easy to forget to be kind!
That concludes my first interview! Big thank you once again to 'Party Nails' for agreeing to do this for me (don't forget to check her out all links will be below!), and once again thank you for visiting Xustralia!
Party Nails Links:
Twitter – @partynailsband
Instagram – partynailsband
Facebook – Party Nails
Youtube – 'No Pressure' (lyric video)
Links to my social media:
Twitter – @MONeill1996
Instagram – Xustralia


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The challenge
Design an app for non-professional healthcare consumers that improves the user's physical wellness, safety or adherence.
The outcome
Hustle, an app that helps users organize and attend group activities, designed to encourage consistency through accountability.
My role
I led the interaction design, including sketching, wireframing, lo-fi and hi-fi prototyping. I also facilitated the design research and user testing.
The problem
Of the 45 million adults in the United States with a gym membership, 67% of them never use it. Even when they are determined to start a routine and try to follow it, it rarely becomes a habit. Committing to staying fit is easy; maintaining that routine is hard.
The solution
I wanted to change this. A team of 3, we felt that this was a real problem that each of us had either faced in the past or continues to face.
We designed an app called Hustle, offering multiple commitment mechanisms for the user to create and maintain a routine:
Final prototype
Primary research
qualitative research
sample size:10
We wanted to understand what motivates people to exercise. Recruiting a sample of 10 people from our friends, we asked them:
1 What techniques do you use to stay fit?
2 Do you usually set goals when trying to exercise?
3 If not, do you use any other tools to keep yourself motivated?
4 Can you tell us about a time when you could not meet your exercise goals?
We began by clustering the responses but eventually realized affinity maps would help us make better sense of them.
Here is what we found:
1 Most people who exercise set some kind of a goal to stay motivated.
Having a goal helps people see how much further they need to go.
2 Athletes or people who have been working out for years want to take on bigger challenges.
They have settled routines and don't need motivation for showing up.
3 People who lose motivation want to be more regular at exercising.
However, owing to a multitude of reasons, they are reluctant to go back.
quantitative research
sample size: 500
To find out if our insights are relevant across a larger sample, we surveyed people to learn what would be likely to motivate them. The responses we heard from the interviews became options for the answers and were randomized using Google Surveys . Here are the results:
People think that "being able to measure progress" motivates them.
But does it really?
Research suggests that most available apps are unsuccessful at changing behavior or worse, unreliable. Clearly, these apps were missing the mark. We felt that if we could build something that reflects progress in a playful way while offering an incentive for behavior change, that might be an opportunity for us.
sprint 1: virtual pets 🐶
Our hypothesis: Since people love to take care of their pets, a virtual one might tap into the same instinct and urge the user to exercise more regularly if there was an observed cause and effect.
Prototype on a cup
Sketching the virtual pet idea: The more the exercise, the happier the pet.
We ran a survey to learn if more people felt the same way.
sample size: 2280
Screenshot from Google surveys
No one was going to use this app!
More than 80% people surveyed felt they wouldn't use an app like this.
More research
contextual interviews
I wanted to learn more about the second most popular response from our first survey: having someone to exercise with. To gain insight into what this meant, we decided to do another round of interviews but this time in a different setting: inside UC Berkeley's gym. Here are some responses we got:
1 Beginners want an easy way to speak with someone more experienced when just starting out.
This could help alleviate any teething problems they have.
2 People want an easy and reliable way to find other people to exercise with at a mutually agreeable time.
Not only does this help their form but also keeps them focused.
3 People want a credible commitment mechanism for showing up for a scheduled exercise.
They want better support in times when they feel like slacking off.
4 Available time depends on individual schedules.
A college student has different needs and schedule than a working mother.
journey mapping
I felt I had enough information to identify pain points and inefficiencies in the user's journey. We considered touchpoints in the user's experience and the questions that arose alongside. This allowed us to uncover the current experience and the opportunities that lay within.
the persona
These findings helped model the goals, motivations and frustrations of our persona, Janice. The quote in particular, stood out for me as it shed light on a nuance that we may have not captured without doing contextual interviews.
We used these findings to help users connect with a person they can exercise with, so the two can encourage and help each other achieve better results.
Sketching the on-boarding experience for 'Workout Hero'
Scheduling the first workout after onboarding
Using different levels of fidelity to understand how the screens would flow
changes based on user feedback
Team leads
Team leads are users with a unique added feature: they can organize and lead workouts. Team leads are proven users who have grown into a great routine of exercise and can inspire folks in their groups to do similar things.
More exercises
Other than gym workouts, we also added the ability for users to schedule runs, football games, swims, hikes and more outdoor sports. We felt this would result in a more engaging experience both the team leads and for the participants.
evolving the design
The outcome
Quotes from the final user testing:
"You know what...I may actually use this to improve my workouts"
"I like how it suggests a good time for me to exercise"
"Can we take breaks with this? I would love to be able to do that"
"Well written paper and strong project. I liked that you clearly showed design iterations based on what you learned. Also strong use of survey data and existing research."
- Robert Youmans, professor, UX researcher at YouTube
Next steps
This is a hard problem to solve and I still have open questions about how long this paradigm may be able to motivate users. While I want users to build a habit, my hypothesis is that once a habit is fully-formed, the routine may become insipid over the long run: users may lose interest in the activity and fail to maintain their routine. I would love to explore ways to make this experience a dynamic one, that changes based on individual behavior and attributes.
My learnings
I learned that in order for the research to be rigorous, I should use several research methods, ideally triangulating my findings. It was also fascinating to see how priming or context changes people's responses, something I observed when I interviewed people in the gym. I felt it was also important to understand that for every commitment mechanism that I design, people will always find a way to circumvent it if they just don't want to participate. Since I was the only designer with experience, I also gained some understanding of how to manage the design process in a team where people needed help with design thinking.


text:
The Year of Randomness continues!
Well, it's been a year of this randomness! I never expected this site to be as viewed as it has been. I wanted to show the world the story of my build and my ambition away from the forums. I was never big into sitting behind a computer and talking shit to a bunch of 17-year-old boys that think they are all professional drivers and such. So, when it came to posting my build I wanted a place that was mine and I could voice my perception uninterrupted to the entire world. Don't get me wrong, I posted on the forums and wanted to share all my hard work, but it just isn't the same anymore. I see it as part of moving on in life as you get older. You just don't care about a bunch of random strangers on the internet anymore approving of your car and what you have made of it anymore. Well, I was always the different one. I never cared what anyone thought. So, here I am. I am still here! And, the journey is just beginning! Last year had its ups and downs, and there is still a lot of testing and track time to come with the car this season.
Thanks so much to all of you out there worldwide that keep reading and staying up to date with my randomness! I have seen a outpoor of readers from overseas recently. I am glad that my life long project keeps you occupied!
Be sure to become a fan on Facebook of the site!! It's finally up!!
Happy New Year!


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Google has spent a decade building servers that can handle billions of web searches a day. The company is now developing chips to deliver the smartest results.
At its annual developer conference on Wednesday, Alphabet introduced the second generation of Google's
The upgraded version is the latest indication that Google doesn't want to depend on other companies for core computing infrastructure. It's potentially troubling news for Nvidia, whose graphics processing units (GPUs) have been used by Google for intensive machine learning applications. Nvidia even named Google Cloud as a notable customer in its latest annual report.
Deep learning, a trendy type of AI, typically involves two stages: training artificial neural networks on lots of
While the original TPU was only meant for the inference stage of deep learning, the new version can handle training as well.
"I would expect us to use these TPUs more and more for our training needs, making our experiment cycle faster and more rapid," said Jeff Dean, a senior


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We tend to think of the Victorian era (1837-1901) as a period of great prosperity, great technological advancement, but also of extreme social rigidity. While it is true that the accepted social norms were more carefully applied back then, this does not mean that the Victorians never engaged in their share of depravity, as the following list will show.
"The Pearl" was in fact a set of magazines published in 18 volumes between 1879 and 1880. The magazine contained pornographic pictures and obscene stories, such as "Lady Pokingham" and "They All Do It". The magazine was finally discontinued after the publishers were threatened with prosecution by concerned citizens.
"The Romance of Lust" is a 4 volume book documenting the sexual awakening and maturity of Charlie Roberts. It was renowned for the perversity of certain scenes, especially those who include orgies and incest.
"The Sins of the Cities of the Plain" is one of the first works of gay erotic fiction. It tells the story of a rent-boy, or a "Maryanne", which was the informal name for homosexuals in the XIXth century. Some of the characters are inspired from real people, making this book very revealing when it comes to the life of high and middle class Victorian homosexuals.
Need I really say more? In the context of the age's religious fervor, "The Nunnery Tales" is an especially saucy piece of literature, including lesbian encounters, erotic flagellation, incest and some cross-dressing for good measure.
This famous erotic novel tells the story of Severin, a young man so infatuated with Wanda that he offers himself as her slave, being subjected to increasingly cruel and degrading acts. The novel became so renowned that it became synonymous with a particular kind of sexual behavior, masochism (named after the author).
The story is told from the perspective of a flea travelling on the shoulder of a young girl. The flea becomes the witness of incredible acts of depravity, including deflowering, priests seducing innocents and incest.
The story revolves around a British lady sending letters to her friends back home in which she describes in great detail how her Turkish captors forcedly ravished her. The main character eventually embraces her role as an Ottoman courtesan and engages in promiscuous sexual adventures.
Also known as "Miss Bellasis Birched for Thieving", this novel shows the inclination most Victorians have for discipline. After a theft occurs in a girls' boarding school, a male disciplinarian is brought in to correct the mischievous behavior of staff and students.
The main subject of this story is the "English vice" which is described to the reader under the form of erotic poetry. Most of the content involves flagellation, which seems to have been quite popular during the Victorian era.
While the Victorian men considered themselves "masters of their castle" in day to day life, it seems that many had a deep fascination with bondage and submissive sexual behavior. "Gynecocracy" is the perfect example of this tendency. Here, young male characters had to wear women's clothes, including corsets, and are forced to serve dominant females. There are quite a few graphic scenes involving corporal punishments, bondage and humiliation.


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Category: Best of Japan
My Top 8 Places in Japan (So Far)
- Best of Japan
October 28, 2014
My bucket list for places to visit in Japan is huge. Still, I've been lucky enough to spend a lot of time in Japan – living in the...
Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Shrine and the 5,000 Vermilion Gates
- Best of Japan
September 16, 2012
All of Kyoto's World Heritage Sites are unique and stunning in their own way, and the mountain complex of Fushimi Inari Shrine (AKA Fushimi...
50 Reasons Why Japan Is Awesome (or, 50 Things To Do & See In Japan)
- Best of Japan
August 14, 2012
This is a MONSTER post with lots of photos, so let's get straight into it. In no particular order, here is 50 cool things about Japan…...
Inside a Modern Designer Capsule Hotel: 9hours, Kyoto
- Best of Japan
May 3, 2012
In the centre of Kyoto is the most amazing capsule hotel you'll find in Japan. In this article: Photos of 9 hours capsule hotel, Kyoto...
Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho/京都御所): Best Free English Tour in Kyoto!
- Best of Japan
March 12, 2012
The most spacious, open and decadent site in Kyoto – and you can take an English tour of it for free… In this article: Pictures of...
The Amazing Golden Pavilion Temple: Kinkaku-ji/金閣寺, Kyoto
- Best of Japan
January 16, 2012
Kinkakuji is perhaps the most famous, easily the most brilliant landmark in Japan. See the Golden Pavilion in this photo heavy post, also including...
Korakuen in Okayama at Night: One of Japan's Top 3 Most Beautiful Gardens
- Best of Japan
November 29, 2011
Famous in Japan, but perhaps a hidden secret to those outside the country. Korakuen offers amazing fews, and once a year you get a chance to...
Awa Odori 「阿波おどり」 in Tokushima, Shikoku: The Great Dancing Festival of Japan
- Art, Culture & Food
October 15, 2011
Awa Odori... over 1 million people visit Shikoku in the summer to see Japan's biggest traditional dancing festival. See heaps of photos and a...
Pictures of Japan: 10 Top Photos
- Best of Japan
June 13, 2011
Pictures of Japan is all this post is about! 10 pictures that show some of the best things about Japan... samurai, geisha, castles, temples,...
Why Go To Japan?
- Art, Culture & Food
May 15, 2011
The top reasons for travelling to Japan have been reviewed to give you this new and improved article on Why go to Japan? Insights from an experienced...
The Best Japanese Beer: Yebisu beer
- Art, Culture & Food
April 13, 2011
After trying many Japanese beers, my favourite is the Premium Yebisu All Malt Beer. It does cost a little more than other beers, but you truly...
Japanese Toilet – The Modern 'Washlet' (ウォシュレット)
- Best of Japan
April 6, 2011
The Japanese toilet comes in many variations. This high-tech Japanese toilet is referred to as a 'washlet' (ウォシュレット...
Pachinko Parlors and Machines
- Best of Japan
February 15, 2011
Pachinko parlors in Japan house pinball like pokies (or slot machines). The Pachinko machines are very loud, here are some photos and info from...
Capsule Hotel in Osaka: Asahi Plaza Capsule Hotel, Shinsaibashi 『カプセルホテル朝日プラザ心斎橋』
- Best of Japan
January 21, 2011
A capsule hotel is a must do when looking for an Osaka hotel. A great experience in Osaka accommodation, this style of very unique Japanese architecture...
Why Travel To Japan? Top 10 Reasons To Go and Visit
- Best of Japan
October 12, 2010
Need reasons to go to Japan? This list will give you 10 reasons to visit Japan, and 10 great things to see and do when you travel Japan. Tokyo...


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Originally posted on July 30, 2011 by John Halstead
Well, I had a wonderful evening listening to Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone talk at the book signing. There I heard about an open Lughnasadh ritual scheduled for the following evening in Oswega, IL, that Janet and Gavin would be attending, so I went to that too. The two experiences generated all kinds of topics for this blog. But let me start with one: Pagan spirituality.
Janet and Gavin had wonderful stories about Wicca in the early years. Janet in particular was full of venom for Alex Sanders and Maxine Sanders. (On the other hand, she idolizes Doreen Valiente.) Janet was full of anectdotes, but it was Gavin who had the outline for the talk, which was about the ideas in their book, Progressive Witchcraft. Gavin's thesis is that Wicca has evolved, and that is a good thing.
Gavin explained that actually connecting with deity is more important than Wiccan lineages and initiations. For Gavin, "spirituality" seemed to mean ecstatic practice, generally — and true invocation, specifically, a.k.a. possession, what he calls "trance work". He seems to have been inspired by Voudon in this regard.
The growth of Wiccan "spirituality" or ecstatic practice probably is an outgrowth of contact with Victor Anderson's Feri tradition. Gavin's observation that this occurred in the 90′s is probably a product of his foundation in East Coast traditional Wicca. On the West Coast, in contrast, the eclectic group NROODG started as a group of college students seeking to recapture an ecstatic experience — and NROOGD and Feri met and cross-fertilized in 1971. I think more recently, T. Thorn Coyle has been responsible for greater emphasis on ecstatic practice. She herself is a product of the Feri tradition.
Interestingly, Gavin explained how he and Janet no longer relate to the gods as archetypes. As I understood him, this is because he finds archetypes to be unapproachable, like God the Father or Brahma, in contrast to the Mary and the Saints, or Krishna. Thus, he explained, that he has come to believe in the gods as individual beings — more like Voudun loa or Yoruba orishas — what I would call "spirits" rather than gods. In fact, he said he preferred the term "deity" to "god". This correlates with his conception of spirituality as trance or possession. I'm going to talk more about this idea as gods as individual beings later in another post.One thing that was interesting is that Gavin seemed to have no problem working with multiple pantheons: Greek, Celtic, Egyptian, Voudon, and so on. This is in contrast to the notion that I have heard frequently lately that crossing pantheons is ineffective at best and dangerous at worst. More on this later.
Gavin seemed unaware that all of the deities he has encountered in his trace work had names he was familiar with. I wonder why no previously unknown spirits or deities appeared. Surely there are thousands of deities whose names have been forgotten, more than remembered actually. I suspect Gavin would likely say that this is because only those deities who are remembered and who are once again being given energy through worship have the power to appear. However, I suspect it is actually because his "trance" work is still a product of the conscious mind, rather than the unconscious. When the unconscious speaks, it is not through the voice of Apollonian gods, but through the voice of Dionysian daemons (and I invoke the ambiguity in that term intentionally).
Interestingly, Gavin also described the Voudun deities as more demanding than the Greek or Celtic etc. deities. He explained this as being a product of the fact that Voudon deities have been receiving energy from worship for a longer time than the Neopagan deities. I wonder though if it is not a product of our unfamiliarity with loa/orishas. They still seem exotic and dangerous to us, while the Neopagan deities have been domesticated by generations of scholarship and Neopagan writing. Consequently, when invoked, the Voudon loa are more likely to be genuine products of our unconscious. Thus, when they are invoked, we are more likely to be communicating with our id (which can be quite demanding) or our shadow, than when we invoke Neopagan deities. The Voudon loa are much closer to chthonic daemons than they are to the ouranian gods.
Gavin also mentioned the aboriginals in Australia commenting that Neopagans are too "full of words", too much in their heads. This reminded be of something Carol Christ wrote about realizing that Wicca was yet another American head trip and that, by simplifying her ritual practice and tying it to the land, she was able to connect with the Goddess through her feet, rather than through her head.
I applaud Gavin for trying to develop the devotional and ecstatic sides of Neopaganism. I would like to see Neopaganism purged of the Apollonian influences of ceremonial magic — the excessive wordiness, the head trips. I think the growth of drumming in the Neopagan movement is step in this direction. And think Gavin is right that the real purpose of Neopagan ritual should be to experience deity …
Which is why I found the ritual Gavin conducted the following evening to be so disappointing. All of this has been a prelude to talking about last night's ritual, which will be the subject of my next post.


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Launch of a global consultation on the Globethics.net draft 'Declaration on Principles of Equality and Inequality for a Sustainable Economy' that was discussed at the Global Ethics Forum 2014, in Bangalore India. Send your comments before the 30 September 2014.
The Global Ethics Forum 2014 Conference in Bangalore, India, focused on the challenge of inequality against the background of global economic, financial, environmental, political and leadership crises. At the conference Globethics.net presented the Principles on Equality and Inequality for a Sustainable Economy. The conference participants agreed that the Principles shall undergo further revision based on the inputs collected at the conference and during an open public consultation following the conference. The finalized Principles will be presented in a final declaration and submitted to the United Nations and other institutions by the end of 2014.
This is the first draft declaration of the Principles on Equality and Inequality for a Sustainable Economy proposed by Globethics.net, which has been elaborated and endorsed in plenary sessions and eleven workgroups by the participants of the Global Ethics Forum 2014 Conference. The document is available for comments and input from the general public during a three months public consultation period starting on 30 May 2014 and ending on 30 September 2014.
We encourage you to read through the draft document and to share with us your comments on the text, as well as to provide your suggestions on specific actions that you and your organisation are committed to take in support of the declaration and for its dissemination and uptake worldwide.
Written comments and input on the declaration should be sent to consultation @ globethics.net . Please provide your full name and contact information in order for your input to be eligible for the document review.
Globethics.net will take into account the comments collected during the public consultation and will finalise the declaration for submission to the United Nations Development Group and its Advisory Group on Addressing Inequalities in the Post-2015 Development Agenda (responsible for the UN Global Thematic Consultation on Addressing Inequalities in the Post-2015 Development Agenda that took place from September 2012 to January 2013) and for dissemination through the Globethics.net +100,000 members network and through its partners' networks.
For more information, documents and video please visit http://www.globethics.net/web/gef/public-consultation


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This breathtaking project will consist of 38 floors and 164 exclusive residences, featuring glass balcony terraces with panoramic Bay views. Located in Edgewater East, this residential development will also feature versatile, expansive floor plans, including a 2/3 + Den, 3/2.5 + Den and 3/3.
Prices, Terms & Availability are subject to change without notice.
Square footage is believed to be accurate, but may be revised.
* (Based on a 30-year fixed rate of 6.25% with 10% down.)