Kshrlmnt

Cats. Nothing against dogs--there are some I highly respect--but I've never learned to relate to them, whereas cats and I understand each other well. I have two at home that I'm really missing.
It can be odd being around people from cultures where these pets aren't popular, though. It drives me nuts how many have suggested I got sick from my two healthy indoor cats, and with an autoimmune disorder that's literally impossible.

The bright light of dawn breaks over the ocean in the east, turning the sea red and orange and gold. In the temples, the priests light incense; in the palace, nobles begin to stir from their beds as servants continue their frantic preparations in the kitchens; in the streets, guards check and recheck the processional way and women drape banners of red and gold from windows. The day of the Emperor's enthronement is beginning.
The Emperor himself has already been awake for hours; he and his attendants dressed in their ceremonial robes and rode to the Temple of the West long before dawn. Now, as the sun rises, the Emperor stands facing its golden rays, offering prayers to Heaven, in particular to the Jade Emperor Yuhuang Dadi and the Royal Mother of the West Wangmu Niangniang, for the success of his reign. Under their beneficence, he hoped that his dynasty would retain the Mandate of Heaven and prosper for centuries to come.
 
Once the sun has risen and the ceremonial way has been prepared, the Emperor sets out from the temple towards Zijin Cheng, the Forbidden City. As he passes through the streets with his procession of guards and attendants, the masses of people cheer at his approach and bow at his passing. Children bounce on their toes to get a better look; in the future they will tell their grandchildren of this glorious and singular day.
 The Dragon Emperor Marcarius Halo Rahl enters the gates of the Forbidden City to the peal of drums, bo, and luo. In the courtyard stand ranks upon ranks of his warriors, TWPAF. They stand straight and proud as he passes; victory attends emperors with the Mandate of Heaven.
The Emperor and his procession ascend the steps to the throne hall, where he enters first. Waiting at a side door is the Dowager Empress, NeeNee; she steps in after him. One by one members of the court enter, the most senior first, until the throne room is full. Only the space in front of the throne itself is empty, and the Emperor stands still and silent facing it as the room fills behind him.
The room is silent, every man and woman there all but holding back breath. Seeing that all is ready, the Dowager Empress motions to the musicians, who begin a long, slow roll on the strings of the yangqin; the breathy xiao joins in next. The music crescendos and the Emperor walks forward to the throne. As he takes his rightful place, the Dowager Empress calls out his titles:
His Imperial Majesty, Marcarius Halo Rahl, The Holy Principality of Saint Mark, Dragon Emperor of The West Pacific, Delegate, Son of Heaven, Moral Compass, Best Barista and Sovereign Sommelier.
The officials of the court let out a shout, which is echoed first by the warriors in the courtyard and then on and on across the city as people hear the cries and know what they mean: the Emperor has ascended and taken his rightful throne.
In the throne hall, the officials of the region line up to present their memorials of congratulation; the Venerable Sage beside the Emperor taking each scroll on his behalf to be opened at a later date. The Emperor then reads his ascension edict: http://www.westpacific.org/forums/index.php?/topic/3075-honors-of-the-west-pacific/
The festival in the palace will begin soon, once all final congratulations have been given and ceremonies completed. Out in the streets, dragon floats are being paraded to and fro to the sound of music and cheering. The celebrations will last almost until dawn the next day, with fireworks throughout the night. All across The West Pacific, cities will resound with them, their brilliance flickering over the towers and walls of the cities and the faces of the celebrants. A new era has begun.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The bright light of dawn breaks over the ocean in the east, turning the sea red and orange and gold. In the temples, the priests light incense; in the palace, nobles begin to stir from their beds as servants continue their frantic preparations in the kitchens; in the streets, guards check and recheck the processional way and women drape banners of red and gold from windows. The day of the Emperor's enthronement is beginning.
The Emperor himself has already been awake for hours; he and his attendants dressed in their ceremonial robes and rode to the Temple of the West long before dawn. Now, as the sun rises, the Emperor stands facing its golden rays, offering prayers to Heaven, in particular to the Jade Emperor Yuhuang Dadi and the Royal Mother of the West Wangmu Niangniang, for the success of his reign. Under their beneficence, he hoped that his dynasty would retain the Mandate of Heaven and prosper for centuries to come.
 
Once the sun has risen and the ceremonial way has been prepared, the Emperor sets out from the temple towards Zijin Cheng, the Forbidden City. As he passes through the streets with his procession of guards and attendants, the masses of people cheer at his approach and bow at his passing. Children bounce on their toes to get a better look; in the future they will tell their grandchildren of this glorious and singular day.
 The Dragon Emperor Marcarius Halo Rahl enters the gates of the Forbidden City to the peal of drums, bo, and luo. In the courtyard stand ranks upon ranks of his warriors, TWPAF. They stand straight and proud as he passes; victory attends emperors with the Mandate of Heaven.
The Emperor and his procession ascend the steps to the throne hall, where he enters first. Waiting at a side door is the Dowager Empress, NeeNee; she steps in after him. One by one members of the court enter, the most senior first, until the throne room is full. Only the space in front of the throne itself is empty, and the Emperor stands still and silent facing it as the room fills behind him.
The room is silent, every man and woman there all but holding back breath. Seeing that all is ready, the Dowager Empress motions to the musicians, who begin a long, slow roll on the strings of the yangqin; the breathy xiao joins in next. The music crescendos and the Emperor walks forward to the throne. As he takes his rightful place, the Dowager Empress calls out his titles:
His Imperial Majesty, Marcarius Halo Rahl, The Holy Principality of Saint Mark, Dragon Emperor of The West Pacific, Delegate, Son of Heaven, Moral Compass, Best Barista and Sovereign Sommelier.
The officials of the court let out a shout, which is echoed first by the warriors in the courtyard and then on and on across the city as people hear the cries and know what they mean: the Emperor has ascended and taken his rightful throne.
In the throne hall, the officials of the region line up to present their memorials of congratulation; the Venerable Sage beside the Emperor taking each scroll on his behalf to be opened at a later date. The Emperor then reads his ascension edict: http://www.westpacific.org/forums/index.php?/topic/3075-honors-of-the-west-pacific/
The festival in the palace will begin soon, once all final congratulations have been given and ceremonies completed. Out in the streets, dragon floats are being paraded to and fro to the sound of music and cheering. The celebrations will last almost until dawn the next day, with fireworks throughout the night. All across The West Pacific, cities will resound with them, their brilliance flickering over the towers and walls of the cities and the faces of the celebrants. A new era has begun.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The bright light of dawn breaks over the ocean in the east, turning the sea red and orange and gold. In the temples, the priests light incense; in the palace, nobles begin to stir from their beds as servants continue their frantic preparations in the kitchens; in the streets, guards check and recheck the processional way and women drape banners of red and gold from windows. The day of the Emperor's enthronement is beginning.
The Emperor himself has already been awake for hours; he and his attendants dressed in their ceremonial robes and rode to the Temple of the West long before dawn. Now, as the sun rises, the Emperor stands facing its golden rays, offering prayers to Heaven, in particular to the Jade Emperor Yuhuang Dadi and the Royal Mother of the West Wangmu Niangniang, for the success of his reign. Under their beneficence, he hoped that his dynasty would retain the Mandate of Heaven and prosper for centuries to come.
 
Once the sun has risen and the ceremonial way has been prepared, the Emperor sets out from the temple towards Zijin Cheng, the Forbidden City. As he passes through the streets with his procession of guards and attendants, the masses of people cheer at his approach and bow at his passing. Children bounce on their toes to get a better look; in the future they will tell their grandchildren of this glorious and singular day.
 The Dragon Emperor Marcarius Halo Rahl enters the gates of the Forbidden City to the peal of drums, bo, and luo. In the courtyard stand ranks upon ranks of his warriors, TWPAF. They stand straight and proud as he passes; victory attends emperors with the Mandate of Heaven.
The Emperor and his procession ascend the steps to the throne hall, where he enters first. Waiting at a side door is the Dowager Empress, NeeNee; she steps in after him. One by one members of the court enter, the most senior first, until the throne room is full. Only the space in front of the throne itself is empty, and the Emperor stands still and silent facing it as the room fills behind him.
The room is silent, every man and woman there all but holding back breath. Seeing that all is ready, the Dowager Empress motions to the musicians, who begin a long, slow roll on the strings of the yangqin; the breathy xiao joins in next. The music crescendos and the Emperor walks forward to the throne. As he takes his rightful place, the Dowager Empress calls out his titles:
His Imperial Majesty, Marcarius Halo Rahl, The Holy Principality of Saint Mark, Dragon Emperor of The West Pacific, Delegate, Son of Heaven, Moral Compass, Best Barista and Sovereign Sommelier.
The officials of the court let out a shout, which is echoed first by the warriors in the courtyard and then on and on across the city as people hear the cries and know what they mean: the Emperor has ascended and taken his rightful throne.
In the throne hall, the officials of the region line up to present their memorials of congratulation; the Venerable Sage beside the Emperor taking each scroll on his behalf to be opened at a later date. The Emperor then reads his ascension edict: http://www.westpacific.org/forums/index.php?/topic/3075-honors-of-the-west-pacific/
The festival in the palace will begin soon, once all final congratulations have been given and ceremonies completed. Out in the streets, dragon floats are being paraded to and fro to the sound of music and cheering. The celebrations will last almost until dawn the next day, with fireworks throughout the night. All across The West Pacific, cities will resound with them, their brilliance flickering over the towers and walls of the cities and the faces of the celebrants. A new era has begun.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The bright light of dawn breaks over the ocean in the east, turning the sea red and orange and gold. In the temples, the priests light incense; in the palace, nobles begin to stir from their beds as servants continue their frantic preparations in the kitchens; in the streets, guards check and recheck the processional way and women drape banners of red and gold from windows. The day of the Emperor's enthronement is beginning.
The Emperor himself has already been awake for hours; he and his attendants dressed in their ceremonial robes and rode to the Temple of the West long before dawn. Now, as the sun rises, the Emperor stands facing its golden rays, offering prayers to Heaven, in particular to the Jade Emperor Yuhuang Dadi and the Royal Mother of the West Wangmu Niangniang, for the success of his reign. Under their beneficence, he hoped that his dynasty would retain the Mandate of Heaven and prosper for centuries to come.
 
Once the sun has risen and the ceremonial way has been prepared, the Emperor sets out from the temple towards Zijin Cheng, the Forbidden City. As he passes through the streets with his procession of guards and attendants, the masses of people cheer at his approach and bow at his passing. Children bounce on their toes to get a better look; in the future they will tell their grandchildren of this glorious and singular day.
 The Dragon Emperor Marcarius Halo Rahl enters the gates of the Forbidden City to the peal of drums, bo, and luo. In the courtyard stand ranks upon ranks of his warriors, TWPAF. They stand straight and proud as he passes; victory attends emperors with the Mandate of Heaven.
The Emperor and his procession ascend the steps to the throne hall, where he enters first. Waiting at a side door is the Dowager Empress, NeeNee; she steps in after him. One by one members of the court enter, the most senior first, until the throne room is full. Only the space in front of the throne itself is empty, and the Emperor stands still and silent facing it as the room fills behind him.
The room is silent, every man and woman there all but holding back breath. Seeing that all is ready, the Dowager Empress motions to the musicians, who begin a long, slow roll on the strings of the yangqin; the breathy xiao joins in next. The music crescendos and the Emperor walks forward to the throne. As he takes his rightful place, the Dowager Empress calls out his titles:
His Imperial Majesty, Marcarius Halo Rahl, The Holy Principality of Saint Mark, Dragon Emperor of The West Pacific, Delegate, Son of Heaven, Moral Compass, Best Barista and Sovereign Sommelier.
The officials of the court let out a shout, which is echoed first by the warriors in the courtyard and then on and on across the city as people hear the cries and know what they mean: the Emperor has ascended and taken his rightful throne.
In the throne hall, the officials of the region line up to present their memorials of congratulation; the Venerable Sage beside the Emperor taking each scroll on his behalf to be opened at a later date. The Emperor then reads his ascension edict: http://www.westpacific.org/forums/index.php?/topic/3075-honors-of-the-west-pacific/
The festival in the palace will begin soon, once all final congratulations have been given and ceremonies completed. Out in the streets, dragon floats are being paraded to and fro to the sound of music and cheering. The celebrations will last almost until dawn the next day, with fireworks throughout the night. All across The West Pacific, cities will resound with them, their brilliance flickering over the towers and walls of the cities and the faces of the celebrants. A new era has begun.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The bright light of dawn breaks over the ocean in the east, turning the sea red and orange and gold. In the temples, the priests light incense; in the palace, nobles begin to stir from their beds as servants continue their frantic preparations in the kitchens; in the streets, guards check and recheck the processional way and women drape banners of red and gold from windows. The day of the Emperor's enthronement is beginning.
The Emperor himself has already been awake for hours; he and his attendants dressed in their ceremonial robes and rode to the Temple of the West long before dawn. Now, as the sun rises, the Emperor stands facing its golden rays, offering prayers to Heaven, in particular to the Jade Emperor Yuhuang Dadi and the Royal Mother of the West Wangmu Niangniang, for the success of his reign. Under their beneficence, he hoped that his dynasty would retain the Mandate of Heaven and prosper for centuries to come.
 
Once the sun has risen and the ceremonial way has been prepared, the Emperor sets out from the temple towards Zijin Cheng, the Forbidden City. As he passes through the streets with his procession of guards and attendants, the masses of people cheer at his approach and bow at his passing. Children bounce on their toes to get a better look; in the future they will tell their grandchildren of this glorious and singular day.
 The Dragon Emperor Marcarius Halo Rahl enters the gates of the Forbidden City to the peal of drums, bo, and luo. In the courtyard stand ranks upon ranks of his warriors, TWPAF. They stand straight and proud as he passes; victory attends emperors with the Mandate of Heaven.
The Emperor and his procession ascend the steps to the throne hall, where he enters first. Waiting at a side door is the Dowager Empress, NeeNee; she steps in after him. One by one members of the court enter, the most senior first, until the throne room is full. Only the space in front of the throne itself is empty, and the Emperor stands still and silent facing it as the room fills behind him.
The room is silent, every man and woman there all but holding back breath. Seeing that all is ready, the Dowager Empress motions to the musicians, who begin a long, slow roll on the strings of the yangqin; the breathy xiao joins in next. The music crescendos and the Emperor walks forward to the throne. As he takes his rightful place, the Dowager Empress calls out his titles:
His Imperial Majesty, Marcarius Halo Rahl, The Holy Principality of Saint Mark, Dragon Emperor of The West Pacific, Delegate, Son of Heaven, Moral Compass, Best Barista and Sovereign Sommelier.
The officials of the court let out a shout, which is echoed first by the warriors in the courtyard and then on and on across the city as people hear the cries and know what they mean: the Emperor has ascended and taken his rightful throne.
In the throne hall, the officials of the region line up to present their memorials of congratulation; the Venerable Sage beside the Emperor taking each scroll on his behalf to be opened at a later date. The Emperor then reads his ascension edict: http://www.westpacific.org/forums/index.php?/topic/3075-honors-of-the-west-pacific/
The festival in the palace will begin soon, once all final congratulations have been given and ceremonies completed. Out in the streets, dragon floats are being paraded to and fro to the sound of music and cheering. The celebrations will last almost until dawn the next day, with fireworks throughout the night. All across The West Pacific, cities will resound with them, their brilliance flickering over the towers and walls of the cities and the faces of the celebrants. A new era has begun.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The bright light of dawn breaks over the ocean in the east, turning the sea red and orange and gold. In the temples, the priests light incense; in the palace, nobles begin to stir from their beds as servants continue their frantic preparations in the kitchens; in the streets, guards check and recheck the processional way and women drape banners of red and gold from windows. The day of the Emperor's enthronement is beginning.
The Emperor himself has already been awake for hours; he and his attendants dressed in their ceremonial robes and rode to the Temple of the West long before dawn. Now, as the sun rises, the Emperor stands facing its golden rays, offering prayers to Heaven, in particular to the Jade Emperor Yuhuang Dadi and the Royal Mother of the West Wangmu Niangniang, for the success of his reign. Under their beneficence, he hoped that his dynasty would retain the Mandate of Heaven and prosper for centuries to come.
 
Once the sun has risen and the ceremonial way has been prepared, the Emperor sets out from the temple towards Zijin Cheng, the Forbidden City. As he passes through the streets with his procession of guards and attendants, the masses of people cheer at his approach and bow at his passing. Children bounce on their toes to get a better look; in the future they will tell their grandchildren of this glorious and singular day.
 The Dragon Emperor Marcarius Halo Rahl enters the gates of the Forbidden City to the peal of drums, bo, and luo. In the courtyard stand ranks upon ranks of his warriors, TWPAF. They stand straight and proud as he passes; victory attends emperors with the Mandate of Heaven.
The Emperor and his procession ascend the steps to the throne hall, where he enters first. Waiting at a side door is the Dowager Empress, NeeNee; she steps in after him. One by one members of the court enter, the most senior first, until the throne room is full. Only the space in front of the throne itself is empty, and the Emperor stands still and silent facing it as the room fills behind him.
The room is silent, every man and woman there all but holding back breath. Seeing that all is ready, the Dowager Empress motions to the musicians, who begin a long, slow roll on the strings of the yangqin; the breathy xiao joins in next. The music crescendos and the Emperor walks forward to the throne. As he takes his rightful place, the Dowager Empress calls out his titles:
His Imperial Majesty, Marcarius Halo Rahl, The Holy Principality of Saint Mark, Dragon Emperor of The West Pacific, Delegate, Son of Heaven, Moral Compass, Best Barista and Sovereign Sommelier.
The officials of the court let out a shout, which is echoed first by the warriors in the courtyard and then on and on across the city as people hear the cries and know what they mean: the Emperor has ascended and taken his rightful throne.
In the throne hall, the officials of the region line up to present their memorials of congratulation; the Venerable Sage beside the Emperor taking each scroll on his behalf to be opened at a later date. The Emperor then reads his ascension edict: http://www.westpacific.org/forums/index.php?/topic/3075-honors-of-the-west-pacific/
The festival in the palace will begin soon, once all final congratulations have been given and ceremonies completed. Out in the streets, dragon floats are being paraded to and fro to the sound of music and cheering. The celebrations will last almost until dawn the next day, with fireworks throughout the night. All across The West Pacific, cities will resound with them, their brilliance flickering over the towers and walls of the cities and the faces of the celebrants. A new era has begun.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The bright light of dawn breaks over the ocean in the east, turning the sea red and orange and gold. In the temples, the priests light incense; in the palace, nobles begin to stir from their beds as servants continue their frantic preparations in the kitchens; in the streets, guards check and recheck the processional way and women drape banners of red and gold from windows. The day of the Emperor's enthronement is beginning.
The Emperor himself has already been awake for hours; he and his attendants dressed in their ceremonial robes and rode to the Temple of the West long before dawn. Now, as the sun rises, the Emperor stands facing its golden rays, offering prayers to Heaven, in particular to the Jade Emperor Yuhuang Dadi and the Royal Mother of the West Wangmu Niangniang, for the success of his reign. Under their beneficence, he hoped that his dynasty would retain the Mandate of Heaven and prosper for centuries to come.
 
Once the sun has risen and the ceremonial way has been prepared, the Emperor sets out from the temple towards Zijin Cheng, the Forbidden City. As he passes through the streets with his procession of guards and attendants, the masses of people cheer at his approach and bow at his passing. Children bounce on their toes to get a better look; in the future they will tell their grandchildren of this glorious and singular day.
 The Dragon Emperor Marcarius Halo Rahl enters the gates of the Forbidden City to the peal of drums, bo, and luo. In the courtyard stand ranks upon ranks of his warriors, TWPAF. They stand straight and proud as he passes; victory attends emperors with the Mandate of Heaven.
The Emperor and his procession ascend the steps to the throne hall, where he enters first. Waiting at a side door is the Dowager Empress, NeeNee; she steps in after him. One by one members of the court enter, the most senior first, until the throne room is full. Only the space in front of the throne itself is empty, and the Emperor stands still and silent facing it as the room fills behind him.
The room is silent, every man and woman there all but holding back breath. Seeing that all is ready, the Dowager Empress motions to the musicians, who begin a long, slow roll on the strings of the yangqin; the breathy xiao joins in next. The music crescendos and the Emperor walks forward to the throne. As he takes his rightful place, the Dowager Empress calls out his titles:
His Imperial Majesty, Marcarius Halo Rahl, The Holy Principality of Saint Mark, Dragon Emperor of The West Pacific, Delegate, Son of Heaven, Moral Compass, Best Barista and Sovereign Sommelier.
The officials of the court let out a shout, which is echoed first by the warriors in the courtyard and then on and on across the city as people hear the cries and know what they mean: the Emperor has ascended and taken his rightful throne.
In the throne hall, the officials of the region line up to present their memorials of congratulation; the Venerable Sage beside the Emperor taking each scroll on his behalf to be opened at a later date. The Emperor then reads his ascension edict: http://www.westpacific.org/forums/index.php?/topic/3075-honors-of-the-west-pacific/
The festival in the palace will begin soon, once all final congratulations have been given and ceremonies completed. Out in the streets, dragon floats are being paraded to and fro to the sound of music and cheering. The celebrations will last almost until dawn the next day, with fireworks throughout the night. All across The West Pacific, cities will resound with them, their brilliance flickering over the towers and walls of the cities and the faces of the celebrants. A new era has begun.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

There once was a region called TWP
That greatly interested me.
They held a secret Santa
But it turns out you can't-a
Participate without a forum account.

There once was a region called TWP
That greatly interested me.
They held a secret Santa
But it turns out you can't-a
Participate without a forum account.

There once was a region called TWP
That greatly interested me.
They held a secret Santa
But it turns out you can't-a
Participate without a forum account.