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2023.06.04 18:42 piepurefeatherran Lilly Pulitzer Black Friday 2023 Coupon Code
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submitted by piepurefeatherran to OffersExhilaration [link] [comments]
2023.06.04 18:28 ppetak Help our Jet Powered Duck to swim...
 | So we are planning on jet powered duck, I have the duck already, it is simple pre-painted hunting decoy model, but on water it looks really good. It is real-duck sized, full scale :) submitted by ppetak to rcboats [link] [comments] I'm building and flying planes, and this will be my first boat build (although I have RC sailboat, but it was ARTR (or S as sail?) so no big build. My friends is 3d printer - maker, so we will use his skills and printer. https://preview.redd.it/zzzh33u1014b1.png?width=487&format=png&auto=webp&s=ecbe84ab92e5b0ac3c9fccb0ae24e009321c78ae For what is the plan: I'm going to cut out the weight, cut the opening in the bottom, and 3d print boat-like appendage with motor and jet drive. This will be like model ship with almost flat bottom, and I don't need much speed, as from videos I have seen it becomes unstable and not looking too good. I was searching internets for jet drive model and ofc there are all motor sizes covered. But also some ppl at the end resort to print boat with the jet drive as one print, which makes sense on one hand, but I can see also downsides as more needs to be reprinted if we want to make changes or tuning. I want to decide this before we cut into the duck, as integrated solution could be smaller. We have some questions: - is there some jet drive implementation that is especially good for this project from your experience? - any recommendations on do/don't in our plan, before my friend starts printing? - if I want to add gyro / controller, what options do I have? I only know about flight controllers, what do you use in boats? (I have also one all black, which will get racing colors and some more power and maybe gyro, but that is for next iteration) |
2023.06.04 18:20 ClerkImpossible3376 Which monitor is better? I have a g70a , and a vg24
 | submitted by ClerkImpossible3376 to pcmasterrace [link] [comments] |
2023.06.04 18:17 Pale-Benefit-6043 Empty Sekai Miku - My First Doll Ever
 | Hi, this is my first Reddit post. I am currently on a long vacation in Japan and managed to snag a great deal on this Hatsune Miku doll with several sets of clothing secondhand recently. This is my first doll ever at the age of 26 (M) and I adore her! submitted by Pale-Benefit-6043 to dollfiedream [link] [comments] Her previous owner didn’t take the best care of her as her wigs were pretty messed up from not being stored properly, and she had a lot of color on her skin that had bled on from the colors of her outfits. Took a trip to the local DD store here in Tokyo and they showed me how to get her all cleaned up. She’s looking like new now! (I have a skin-colored sock under the black sock to prevent something like that from happening again 😉) |
2023.06.04 17:47 bingo0619 Mediterranean Shore Excursions, Celebrity Infinity
Just got back from 11-day Mediterranean cruise on Celebrity Infinity. Thought I would share what we did and what learned and liked since this gets asked about a lot. Hope it's helpful :)
FYI-We prefer doing food and wine activities over sightseeing and touristy stuff, I will try to add things I heard from other passengers re: things we did not do. I am going to put he tour provider for each excursion for those who might want to book direct. Also, we sacrifice cabin class for good food and more expensive excursions to stay within our budget.
Barcelona- We embarked here and spent a few days prior. We were not prepared for the jet lag as we flew overnight and had one quick layover. We arrived midday and napped, but our schedules were off. I would recommend trying to stay up as long as you can and sleep at night, your normal time. Barcelona is seven hours ahead of the Midwest, where we live. Nevertheless, we rallied our middle-aged asses and had and an amazing time.
I pre purchased skip the line tickets for La Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell on separate days. We went at our scheduled time and did not wait. We stayed on Las Ramblas and took cabs there and walked back. Many people did hop on/off and that worked well. We also went to La Boqueria Market and bought little things from many stands and sampled a lot. Very fun and cool experience. Did a DYI tapas tour I put together on my own from just research. We did not know this, but Elton John was performing when were there and we got to go, which was amazing! Coldplay was also performing there so the city was crowded.
We stayed on Las Ramblas, which was close to the port, but I would recommend staying more inside the city. Our hotel was okay, clean, but not many amentities. Suited our purposes, but was loud some nights. Cabs and food are relatively cheap and easy.
Day 2- Marseille- We did a walking food tour through Shore Excursions Group since the Celebrity one was sold out. This was operated by a company called Do Eat Better Experience. There were six of us, the other 4, not on cruise. Was a four-hour tour and worth it. Went to places I would not have known about. Guide was ok, but not very interactive. We had a great time with the other couples.
We got off early to walk around before the tour which met at 11:30. However, shops and cafe's do not open up till later. I would recommend sleeping later and going into port later, if you dont have an excursion booked. By the time our excursion was over, the towns were buzzing. We took a cab from the port and back, but you can take a bus or shuttle, I believe. Very nice day.
Day 3-Nice (Villefranche)- We did a tour through Celebrity, called Destination highlights, Nice and St. Paul de Vence Village. This was operated by Intercruises Shoreside and Port Services. We tendered super quickly. This was great day and included a lunch at a Michelin starred restaurant and a wine tasting at Cave Bianchi in Nice. We also had plenty of free time to explore each place. The formula 1 racing was in Monoco so there were Ferrari's, Lambo's and other racecars all over the place. We were allowed to look and take pics which was cool.
The lunch and wine tasting were phenomenal. The beach at Nice was gorgeous and if we would have known we would have brought our bathing suit and towels to go there, rather than walk around in the town. You can easily take a cab there and go on your own without doing an excursion. This was an all-day tour. So were back on the ship in time to relax and eat in MDR and chill for the night. It was a great, great day. I will say the people and guides were not as friendly and helpful as in other places, but it's not really an issue and doesn't ruin anything, we just didn't expect it. Our guide in Nice as a little on the unprofessional side, but, to each their own.
Day 4-Florence/Pisa (La Spezia), Italy- We booked a tour through Celebrity called, Destination Highlight: Coast of Cinque Terre and Portovenere, operated by Aloschi Brothers. Our guide was absolutely incredible, probably the best one we have had. her name was Duna in case you ever do this privately. We had individual small receivers and ear buds so we could hear her perfectly. We started in Portovenere where there is the famous Church of San Pietro. Just amazing and stunning views. The town is charming, and we walked and sampled. Did not buy much, just some food to take home.
We then took a boat ride up the coast and ended at the last of the Cinque Terre Villages, Monterosso. I am so glad did this over the three-village tour by bus. The boat ride up the coast was just amazing, and I assume this villages were similar. Gorgeous village. Rather than fight the crowd we hiked up a steep hill to the just incredible Porto Roco hotel and ate an incredible seafood and pasta lunch. The views were fabulous, and we had it to ourselves. Great meal. There is also a small, but beautiful beach at Monterosso you can hang out on. This was our favorite day.
We did the Chef's table on Celebrity that night which was otherworldly. A lot of eating and drinking this day. Incredible day!
Day 5- Rome (Civitavecchia) We were never going to Rome, no desire to travel there and deal with the crowds. I booked a private car from We Love Italy to go wine tasing in Tuscany. We had a husband-and-wife couple, Paulo and Nicola driving us, and it was great. They were absolutely lovely, and it was a pleasure and privilege to be with them, so kind and generous. They have an open invitation to stay with us if they ever visit. They also took us to a village and beach in Capalbio and for lunch in Manciano-Saturina. Again, amazing food and wine. The boat left late so we had lots of time.
I heard Rome was not as crowded as some thought and some of our shipmates actually got a glimpse of the Pope at the Vatican, which is so special.
Day 6-at Sea- up by 7 :( and got a spot and the hot tubs after breakfast. Stayed by the pool most of morning, it was great weather. Lots of activities to do but we chilled. We did the Mixology class offered by Celebrity which was a blast. We were bartenders at Martini bar for a few hours learning to make and serve cocktails. So, so fun and crew and guests were great.
Day 7- Valletta, Malta: We did an excursion from Celebrity called, Destination Highlight: Seaside towns of Vittoriosa and Marsaxlokk. Operated by Sam Mifsud and Sons. The tour was so so, the best part being a trip for wine and food tasting. Do you guys sense a pattern? It was rather boring, I should have researched better on this one. The fishing village, Marsaxlokk was a basic tourist trap with a makeshift market and nothing open. Vittoriosa was nicer and where the restaurant was. They did set up a nice area and what was served was good. I think doing more on your own or going to Gozo or Limoncello tasting would be good. I looked after and there are some excursions that looked way better.
Day 8-at Sea- Very chill day. We did the Blendique Wine Class and the World Wine Tasting which we have done before. Both super fun with great people and crew. We did not eat much or go to pool.
Day 9- Santorini, Greece-We did an excursion through Celebrity called, Small Group Discoveries: Island Wine Tasting Experience, operated by Rhapsody Travel. Tendering ashore was organized and quick. Went to three wineries on the island and had food at each. Also visited black sand beach and red sand beach. the latter of which was spectacular. Very nice tour with not a lot of people. This also included our cable car tickets down. We ate lunch at a restaurant on the water, which I forgot the name, but it was good. There were 8 other ships there, so it got crowded, we left after lunch and waited a very reasonable hour for the cable cars down to the tender spot. Up tp this point it was nice day.
Due to something very upsetting I witnessed in the town, not cruise related, I will never, never, ever step foot on Santorini again. Not necessary to discuss as it was personal to me, and I don't want to cloud anyone else's experience or opinion.
We watched the famous sunset from the top deck and it did not disappoint. We avoided the very long lines to get back to ship at night.
Day 10-Mykonos, Greece: We did a Celebrity excursion called, Small Group Discoveries: Mykonian Cooking Experience, operated by Rhapsody Travel. People, I cannot tell you how great this was. We went to a private home or spiti. There 14 of us. Teta was our host and the home own. So gracious and generous. We learned so much and all interacted and prepared an authentic lunch and sat down to eat. She prepared dessert as well. It was around 4 hours. She was incredibly gracious and generous. Probably the second-best day we had. One of the best excursions we have ever done. I would do it again for sure.
We walked around Mykonos after and had ANOTHER lunch at a restaurant called Promenade that was great. Very fresh seafood and authentic food. This a was very nice town, we loved it. There was a very small church with a blue dome, (others had different colors) that was open and it was beautiful inside. It was right by the water. I'm not Greek orthodox or even religious, but I got chills. I small prayer of thanks to my G-d for giving me this experience. I would 100% come back to Mykonos.
We bought beautiful piece of art from a local artist and owned studio called, Triciclo. It was really our only big purchase. We don't really but T-shirts, magnets, etc.
Day 11-Athens: I had transfer and we went right home. :(
This was a beautiful, beautiful cruise. I could not have asked for better experiences.
Celebrity tendering was fast and organized and easy. This who had excursions at applicable ports met and left by group with 30 minutes of docking. Those who had tickets to tender without a Celebrity excursion got called overhead by group and left from a different deck, also fast.
Quite a few of the guide said Celebrity tender the quickest and best. They mentioned other line by name that were not good, but I don't be negative or worry someone else, so I won't mention specifics.
My other suggestion for Celebrity would be to pick excursions that are "Small Group Discoveries", or "Destination Highlights". These seemed to be a better experience.
Happy and safe cruising everyone!!
submitted by bingo0619 to Cruise [link] [comments]
FYI-We prefer doing food and wine activities over sightseeing and touristy stuff, I will try to add things I heard from other passengers re: things we did not do. I am going to put he tour provider for each excursion for those who might want to book direct. Also, we sacrifice cabin class for good food and more expensive excursions to stay within our budget.
Barcelona- We embarked here and spent a few days prior. We were not prepared for the jet lag as we flew overnight and had one quick layover. We arrived midday and napped, but our schedules were off. I would recommend trying to stay up as long as you can and sleep at night, your normal time. Barcelona is seven hours ahead of the Midwest, where we live. Nevertheless, we rallied our middle-aged asses and had and an amazing time.
I pre purchased skip the line tickets for La Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell on separate days. We went at our scheduled time and did not wait. We stayed on Las Ramblas and took cabs there and walked back. Many people did hop on/off and that worked well. We also went to La Boqueria Market and bought little things from many stands and sampled a lot. Very fun and cool experience. Did a DYI tapas tour I put together on my own from just research. We did not know this, but Elton John was performing when were there and we got to go, which was amazing! Coldplay was also performing there so the city was crowded.
We stayed on Las Ramblas, which was close to the port, but I would recommend staying more inside the city. Our hotel was okay, clean, but not many amentities. Suited our purposes, but was loud some nights. Cabs and food are relatively cheap and easy.
Day 2- Marseille- We did a walking food tour through Shore Excursions Group since the Celebrity one was sold out. This was operated by a company called Do Eat Better Experience. There were six of us, the other 4, not on cruise. Was a four-hour tour and worth it. Went to places I would not have known about. Guide was ok, but not very interactive. We had a great time with the other couples.
We got off early to walk around before the tour which met at 11:30. However, shops and cafe's do not open up till later. I would recommend sleeping later and going into port later, if you dont have an excursion booked. By the time our excursion was over, the towns were buzzing. We took a cab from the port and back, but you can take a bus or shuttle, I believe. Very nice day.
Day 3-Nice (Villefranche)- We did a tour through Celebrity, called Destination highlights, Nice and St. Paul de Vence Village. This was operated by Intercruises Shoreside and Port Services. We tendered super quickly. This was great day and included a lunch at a Michelin starred restaurant and a wine tasting at Cave Bianchi in Nice. We also had plenty of free time to explore each place. The formula 1 racing was in Monoco so there were Ferrari's, Lambo's and other racecars all over the place. We were allowed to look and take pics which was cool.
The lunch and wine tasting were phenomenal. The beach at Nice was gorgeous and if we would have known we would have brought our bathing suit and towels to go there, rather than walk around in the town. You can easily take a cab there and go on your own without doing an excursion. This was an all-day tour. So were back on the ship in time to relax and eat in MDR and chill for the night. It was a great, great day. I will say the people and guides were not as friendly and helpful as in other places, but it's not really an issue and doesn't ruin anything, we just didn't expect it. Our guide in Nice as a little on the unprofessional side, but, to each their own.
Day 4-Florence/Pisa (La Spezia), Italy- We booked a tour through Celebrity called, Destination Highlight: Coast of Cinque Terre and Portovenere, operated by Aloschi Brothers. Our guide was absolutely incredible, probably the best one we have had. her name was Duna in case you ever do this privately. We had individual small receivers and ear buds so we could hear her perfectly. We started in Portovenere where there is the famous Church of San Pietro. Just amazing and stunning views. The town is charming, and we walked and sampled. Did not buy much, just some food to take home.
We then took a boat ride up the coast and ended at the last of the Cinque Terre Villages, Monterosso. I am so glad did this over the three-village tour by bus. The boat ride up the coast was just amazing, and I assume this villages were similar. Gorgeous village. Rather than fight the crowd we hiked up a steep hill to the just incredible Porto Roco hotel and ate an incredible seafood and pasta lunch. The views were fabulous, and we had it to ourselves. Great meal. There is also a small, but beautiful beach at Monterosso you can hang out on. This was our favorite day.
We did the Chef's table on Celebrity that night which was otherworldly. A lot of eating and drinking this day. Incredible day!
Day 5- Rome (Civitavecchia) We were never going to Rome, no desire to travel there and deal with the crowds. I booked a private car from We Love Italy to go wine tasing in Tuscany. We had a husband-and-wife couple, Paulo and Nicola driving us, and it was great. They were absolutely lovely, and it was a pleasure and privilege to be with them, so kind and generous. They have an open invitation to stay with us if they ever visit. They also took us to a village and beach in Capalbio and for lunch in Manciano-Saturina. Again, amazing food and wine. The boat left late so we had lots of time.
I heard Rome was not as crowded as some thought and some of our shipmates actually got a glimpse of the Pope at the Vatican, which is so special.
Day 6-at Sea- up by 7 :( and got a spot and the hot tubs after breakfast. Stayed by the pool most of morning, it was great weather. Lots of activities to do but we chilled. We did the Mixology class offered by Celebrity which was a blast. We were bartenders at Martini bar for a few hours learning to make and serve cocktails. So, so fun and crew and guests were great.
Day 7- Valletta, Malta: We did an excursion from Celebrity called, Destination Highlight: Seaside towns of Vittoriosa and Marsaxlokk. Operated by Sam Mifsud and Sons. The tour was so so, the best part being a trip for wine and food tasting. Do you guys sense a pattern? It was rather boring, I should have researched better on this one. The fishing village, Marsaxlokk was a basic tourist trap with a makeshift market and nothing open. Vittoriosa was nicer and where the restaurant was. They did set up a nice area and what was served was good. I think doing more on your own or going to Gozo or Limoncello tasting would be good. I looked after and there are some excursions that looked way better.
Day 8-at Sea- Very chill day. We did the Blendique Wine Class and the World Wine Tasting which we have done before. Both super fun with great people and crew. We did not eat much or go to pool.
Day 9- Santorini, Greece-We did an excursion through Celebrity called, Small Group Discoveries: Island Wine Tasting Experience, operated by Rhapsody Travel. Tendering ashore was organized and quick. Went to three wineries on the island and had food at each. Also visited black sand beach and red sand beach. the latter of which was spectacular. Very nice tour with not a lot of people. This also included our cable car tickets down. We ate lunch at a restaurant on the water, which I forgot the name, but it was good. There were 8 other ships there, so it got crowded, we left after lunch and waited a very reasonable hour for the cable cars down to the tender spot. Up tp this point it was nice day.
Due to something very upsetting I witnessed in the town, not cruise related, I will never, never, ever step foot on Santorini again. Not necessary to discuss as it was personal to me, and I don't want to cloud anyone else's experience or opinion.
We watched the famous sunset from the top deck and it did not disappoint. We avoided the very long lines to get back to ship at night.
Day 10-Mykonos, Greece: We did a Celebrity excursion called, Small Group Discoveries: Mykonian Cooking Experience, operated by Rhapsody Travel. People, I cannot tell you how great this was. We went to a private home or spiti. There 14 of us. Teta was our host and the home own. So gracious and generous. We learned so much and all interacted and prepared an authentic lunch and sat down to eat. She prepared dessert as well. It was around 4 hours. She was incredibly gracious and generous. Probably the second-best day we had. One of the best excursions we have ever done. I would do it again for sure.
We walked around Mykonos after and had ANOTHER lunch at a restaurant called Promenade that was great. Very fresh seafood and authentic food. This a was very nice town, we loved it. There was a very small church with a blue dome, (others had different colors) that was open and it was beautiful inside. It was right by the water. I'm not Greek orthodox or even religious, but I got chills. I small prayer of thanks to my G-d for giving me this experience. I would 100% come back to Mykonos.
We bought beautiful piece of art from a local artist and owned studio called, Triciclo. It was really our only big purchase. We don't really but T-shirts, magnets, etc.
Day 11-Athens: I had transfer and we went right home. :(
This was a beautiful, beautiful cruise. I could not have asked for better experiences.
Celebrity tendering was fast and organized and easy. This who had excursions at applicable ports met and left by group with 30 minutes of docking. Those who had tickets to tender without a Celebrity excursion got called overhead by group and left from a different deck, also fast.
Quite a few of the guide said Celebrity tender the quickest and best. They mentioned other line by name that were not good, but I don't be negative or worry someone else, so I won't mention specifics.
My other suggestion for Celebrity would be to pick excursions that are "Small Group Discoveries", or "Destination Highlights". These seemed to be a better experience.
Happy and safe cruising everyone!!
2023.06.04 17:44 cousinconley Escaping the SDA Church School, the first couple of years, and the remnants of that massive oxytocin hit
I have brought this up numerous times in varying degrees, but it just lingers. I went to a one room SDA church school 1st through 7th grade. I then transferred to an SDA academy 8th through 10th grade. Both schools were predominantly white. This statement will play in later to my post. In that time, I was constantly reminded we were the one true church and non-SDA would persecute to the point of beatings and killing me if I left the circle. Throughout that time, my dad felt it appropriate to tell me if I didn't behave, he would send me to the local public school, and they would "straighten" me out. He always hovered that over me as a scare tactic like an older sibling picking on a younger one. Non-SDA kids were scarry to me...like some demonic presence in a horror movie.
Toward the end of 10th grade, the academy decided to no longer offer grades 11th and 12th. The closest to my area that offered those two grades was over the State line and far too expensive for my family to afford.
I remember my parents taking me in to register at the local public high school and I was petrified. It was almost like an out of body experience. I would plead with my parents to send me to the out of State SDA academy and I would somehow figure out how to make it work. Maybe work odd jobs to pay tuition. I reminded my parents that I will be persecuted and killed. But in hindsight, they knew that was all BS scare tactics. They also denied ever telling me they would send me to public school as a punishment.
That first day of school, I drove myself. I had my license by then. I damn near had a wreck because I was starting to have panic attacks. I just knew I was going into the pits of hell where God would test me as an Adventist. I accepted the fact that I would most likely die, and I made my peace with God.
There I was sitting in first period. My fellow classmates were NICE. They were socialable. They did not persecute me. The same with each period. One of these classes was biology. I sat, and not to sound racist, in the midst of black students. I thought, damn these are gang members, and this is where is going to happen! Nope. I sat next to the biggest guy I had ever sat next too. I think he was a football player. I was respectful to him, and he to me. Hell, I even helped him on a couple of questions on assignments.
My last class of the day. Junior English. I picked a seat and was surrounded by metal heads! Hell, this is where it going to happen. One guy had long black hair and wore a t-shirt with a skull...or maybe he had a skull earring or skull necklace. He turned to look at me. I anticipated the worst. He said, "hey what's up!" in the friendliest voice. I introduced myself, and the others introduced themselves. I was floored! I thought well, maybe tomorrow it will happen. The persecution.
I can't remember the next few days, but nothing sinister happened. That is when the anxiety attacks really kicked in. When was the persecution going to start! I can't take this shit. I got sick. I started having stomach cramps and severe constipation...sorry for the TMI. I ended up having to go on home study because I just couldn't deal with reality now.
I can't recall how long I was on home study. I may have been out the first part of the semester of 11th grade. My dad started talking to me about just dropping out and going to work for the postal service or something like that. My mom took me to a doctor. I told the doctor about all of the above, the threats of persecution and just waiting for the inevitable. My mom jumped into being and SDA apologist and said they never told me I would be persecuted nor that they would send me to public school for punishment.
I eventually went back to the public school to finish the second semester of 11th grade and 12th grade. It was like seeing colors for the first time. I went on dates. I had girlfriends. I hung out with other kids on the weekends. I had a job. Those first two years was such a massive oxytocin hit that those memories bounce around in my head daily 30 years later. Hell, I can still see images and conversations associated with this post like it happened a couple of days ago.
Now don't get me wrong. It was not a cake walk. What I did not realize, from a maturity perspective, I was emotionally behind everyone else. They had experienced things years ago that I was just now experiencing. There were social interactions I could not comprehend. Nothing catastrophic, but I wish I could have handled better. This is something not exclusive to the SDA Church. I knew a couple of girls from different denominations where one was almost 40 before getting married looking for the perfect Christian man and another, almost 50, who has never married due to the same situation. I learned this just recently, the one who is almost 50 told me she had a crush on me in high school and wanted me to ask her out. However, her Church told her no because I was of a different religion.
Religion can be very toxic regardless of the denomination. The deeper you are in, the more water above your head to swim out...and most don't realize they are drowning.
So, my point to this post, primarily for myself. Writing on this subreddit organizes my thoughts. Second, for you readers that are still in the church school system. One day you will get out. And it will hit you like a ton of bricks, but not via persecution, but the realization of the lies you were told about the outside world and the dismay of being emotionally behind everyone else...which can make new situations harder to process. My advice is to not take things too seriously and don't use Adventist doctrine as a grid for measure. Read posts such as mine and others. Third, for those who had similar experience and simply use this post as affirmation.
I could ramble on, but my smoker is running, and I have ribs, bologna, and sausages cooking.
Just one final note, my senior year I started rapidly dissociating myself with the Church itself.
submitted by cousinconley to exAdventist [link] [comments]
I have brought this up numerous times in varying degrees, but it just lingers. I went to a one room SDA church school 1st through 7th grade. I then transferred to an SDA academy 8th through 10th grade. Both schools were predominantly white. This statement will play in later to my post. In that time, I was constantly reminded we were the one true church and non-SDA would persecute to the point of beatings and killing me if I left the circle. Throughout that time, my dad felt it appropriate to tell me if I didn't behave, he would send me to the local public school, and they would "straighten" me out. He always hovered that over me as a scare tactic like an older sibling picking on a younger one. Non-SDA kids were scarry to me...like some demonic presence in a horror movie.
Toward the end of 10th grade, the academy decided to no longer offer grades 11th and 12th. The closest to my area that offered those two grades was over the State line and far too expensive for my family to afford.
I remember my parents taking me in to register at the local public high school and I was petrified. It was almost like an out of body experience. I would plead with my parents to send me to the out of State SDA academy and I would somehow figure out how to make it work. Maybe work odd jobs to pay tuition. I reminded my parents that I will be persecuted and killed. But in hindsight, they knew that was all BS scare tactics. They also denied ever telling me they would send me to public school as a punishment.
That first day of school, I drove myself. I had my license by then. I damn near had a wreck because I was starting to have panic attacks. I just knew I was going into the pits of hell where God would test me as an Adventist. I accepted the fact that I would most likely die, and I made my peace with God.
There I was sitting in first period. My fellow classmates were NICE. They were socialable. They did not persecute me. The same with each period. One of these classes was biology. I sat, and not to sound racist, in the midst of black students. I thought, damn these are gang members, and this is where is going to happen! Nope. I sat next to the biggest guy I had ever sat next too. I think he was a football player. I was respectful to him, and he to me. Hell, I even helped him on a couple of questions on assignments.
My last class of the day. Junior English. I picked a seat and was surrounded by metal heads! Hell, this is where it going to happen. One guy had long black hair and wore a t-shirt with a skull...or maybe he had a skull earring or skull necklace. He turned to look at me. I anticipated the worst. He said, "hey what's up!" in the friendliest voice. I introduced myself, and the others introduced themselves. I was floored! I thought well, maybe tomorrow it will happen. The persecution.
I can't remember the next few days, but nothing sinister happened. That is when the anxiety attacks really kicked in. When was the persecution going to start! I can't take this shit. I got sick. I started having stomach cramps and severe constipation...sorry for the TMI. I ended up having to go on home study because I just couldn't deal with reality now.
I can't recall how long I was on home study. I may have been out the first part of the semester of 11th grade. My dad started talking to me about just dropping out and going to work for the postal service or something like that. My mom took me to a doctor. I told the doctor about all of the above, the threats of persecution and just waiting for the inevitable. My mom jumped into being and SDA apologist and said they never told me I would be persecuted nor that they would send me to public school for punishment.
I eventually went back to the public school to finish the second semester of 11th grade and 12th grade. It was like seeing colors for the first time. I went on dates. I had girlfriends. I hung out with other kids on the weekends. I had a job. Those first two years was such a massive oxytocin hit that those memories bounce around in my head daily 30 years later. Hell, I can still see images and conversations associated with this post like it happened a couple of days ago.
Now don't get me wrong. It was not a cake walk. What I did not realize, from a maturity perspective, I was emotionally behind everyone else. They had experienced things years ago that I was just now experiencing. There were social interactions I could not comprehend. Nothing catastrophic, but I wish I could have handled better. This is something not exclusive to the SDA Church. I knew a couple of girls from different denominations where one was almost 40 before getting married looking for the perfect Christian man and another, almost 50, who has never married due to the same situation. I learned this just recently, the one who is almost 50 told me she had a crush on me in high school and wanted me to ask her out. However, her Church told her no because I was of a different religion.
Religion can be very toxic regardless of the denomination. The deeper you are in, the more water above your head to swim out...and most don't realize they are drowning.
So, my point to this post, primarily for myself. Writing on this subreddit organizes my thoughts. Second, for you readers that are still in the church school system. One day you will get out. And it will hit you like a ton of bricks, but not via persecution, but the realization of the lies you were told about the outside world and the dismay of being emotionally behind everyone else...which can make new situations harder to process. My advice is to not take things too seriously and don't use Adventist doctrine as a grid for measure. Read posts such as mine and others. Third, for those who had similar experience and simply use this post as affirmation.
I could ramble on, but my smoker is running, and I have ribs, bologna, and sausages cooking.
Just one final note, my senior year I started rapidly dissociating myself with the Church itself.
2023.06.04 17:27 Southh_ Are used black Teslas more sought after than other colors?
I'm currently looking for a good deal on a 2019/2020 LR black model 3. I noticed that other colors tend to be lower priced on tesla.com inventory. White makes sense since it's bundled with the car, but even the midnight silver, blue, and red tend to go for less money. Anyone know a reason for this?
submitted by Southh_ to TeslaModel3 [link] [comments]
2023.06.04 17:26 scottemick Looking for a replacement for my HP M477fdw
I prefer another HP. I need it to work with Linux, Windows, Mac, Android, and Apple Phone. This printer has been a great workhorse for many years for me, but I feel like its nearing the end of life.
I have stuck with HP for color laser printing because of the easy compatibility with Linux, Windows, and Mac. So I'm not really interested in other brands..
Thanks!
submitted by scottemick to printers [link] [comments]
I have stuck with HP for color laser printing because of the easy compatibility with Linux, Windows, and Mac. So I'm not really interested in other brands..
Thanks!
2023.06.04 17:18 piepurefeatherran Lilly Pulitzer Black Friday
Check this out for Lilly Pulitzer Black Friday. Find the best deals for you by looking at the current promo codes and coupons on that page. You'll always find the newest coupons, promo codes, and deals on that page. Choose one to apply to your order and save money.
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2023.06.04 16:52 micronesiarain Episode 5- "Killer Queens" 🔪😱
 | Before this episode begins, I am so happy to say that this is the 100th episode of MDR! I guess I knew we'd reach it one day, but still can't believe it. It has truly felt like it's flown by, but the countless memories I have are a reminder of the past year and a half, and all 100 episodes. I am so appreciative of the support on this project, it has been so much fun to bring to life, and I can't thank everyone enough for letting us get to this milestone. Enjoy the episode <3 submitted by micronesiarain to XtinasDragRace [link] [comments] ------------------------- the queens return to the workroom after Sharris' elimination 🏁Kami CF: Coming back from the last elimination, I feel like we need at least two to three business days to decompress. It was wild! Steph: Well...how y'all doin'? the queens look around the room in silence Whorechata: I just wanted to say something. Things got really out of hand earlier, and I know it was hard for all of us. But if there was any group to go through this with, I'm glad it was you all. Wren: Aw, thank you. I feel the same wa- Whorechata: I mean really, there's no group I'd want to go through being safe with. It was such an intense moment, but you all held me down. Sue: ... Anthyy: That's not where I thought you were going with that! Whorechata: Oh and I guess the Sharris thing was unfortunate too, but the real tragedy was just so much worse. 🏁Whorechata CF: Whew, let me try and hold back these tears. I knew this competition would get intense, but I never knew the level it would get to. So when Micro called me safe, it was a wake up call about just how nasty things can get here. A disaster, truly. Morgs: I don't want to excuse what Sharris said. It was definitely not a nice thing to say. Wren: I swear there's a "but" coming. Steph: Wren, this is a family show... Morgs: But, I have to be real and say that I'm sad to see her gone. She was someone I was really close with, and I know that this meant so much. Blondie: You can be sad that your friend isn't here anymore, but you really can't be sad that her toxic energy was removed from this environment. Morgs: My relationship with Sharris wasn't toxic. I know she did some of you wrong. But that wasn't my experience. 🏁Morgs CF: I feel like I'm put between a rock and Jackie Cox's face right now. All of the other queens are allowed to react however they want to when it comes to one of their friends going home. But when I do it, it feels like I'm not really allowed to feel sad about it. Anthyy: I never saw myself picking Sharris to go home, especially this early. But I can reveal that I chose her lipstick. And I do feel for Morgs, that's your sister. What it came down to was that I needed to make sure the competition was kept as drama free as possible. Morgs: I understand, it's okay. 🏁Anthyy CF: Morgs and Sharris were two people I had an alliance with. Even before we came here, I knew we'd look out for each other. However, it comes down to what feels right on a human level, and Sharris took things too far with Wren. I had to take a stand, even if it meant sending home an ally. Wren: Full tea, what Sharris said didn't really bother me. I've heard worse, and I'm sure I'll hear worse in the future. Blondie: That's not fair to you, though. Wren: It's okay! You all know that me loving myself isn't an issue, I'm not about to let that get to me. 🏁Wren CF: I mean, how did Sharris want me to react? Did she want this to be the part where you bring out the tiny violin and switch everything to black and white while I wistfully look through a window while a single tear falls down my well defined cheekbones? Girl bye. Blondie: One thing's for sure, people proved who they really were. Some of you who rode for what Sharris was saying, I won't forget that. Fleur rolls her eyes and laughs 🏁Blondie CF: My relationship with Fleur has gone down to a zero. Or scratch that, a negative two. We do run in similar circles, and I was expecting that to mean something in this competition. And it did for the first day or so. But when the pressure got turned up, Fleur showed her true colors. I need space from her right now, or else I'll pop off, and I'm not trying to be a fighter again. All that screaming messes up your vocal chords, and Fleur is not worth that! Fleur: The vagueness is killing me. Blondie: I'm not being vague, I'm just not giving you the attention you're craving. Fleur: Blondie, be so real right now. Do you think I'm scared of you? Do you think there's any reason why I should be scared of you in this competition? Blondie: Based on who won a challenge, maybe! Fleur: Oh right, I forgot you won a challenge. Or did you even win it? It felt a lot like Zodya carrying you. Blondie: The win is still sitting pretty. Something not everyone can say! 🏁Fleur CF: Blondie, I tried. I tried to defy the odds and actually get along with you here. But you've just proven to me that everyone here is truly awful. I'm not worried about anyone here being able to take me out. So why not give them hell and make them all miserable? That sounds even nicer than a crown. Yes, that'll do just fine. Get ready for it, you woke up the bitch. Well, the inner bitch. The outer bitch has been here the whole time. You know what I meant. And edit some nice villain music under all of that. It's showtime! The Next Day the queens dance into the workroom and over to the table 🏁Kami CF: It's a new day in the workroom, and I'm hoping the next challenge is something like baking cupcakes. That might be the only thing capable of bringing us back together. But for real, that would be so fun... Zodya: Sue, I have to ask how you felt during the last lipsync. Sue: I was fine. Really, I was so fine! And side note, but the sheets in the hotel are really great at absorbing tears. Or so I've been told. 🏁Sue CF: I really thought that last week could've been it for me. Everything felt so right, but it just wasn't enough. I'm desperate to prove myself as a strong competitor here, and someone that people should be afraid of. But without a win, it's hard to do that. Whorechata: I was surprised at the top two, and that's only a moderate read. Zodya: I'm scared for this answer, but who would you have taken out of the top? Anthyy: And I know you might say me, but I don't really care. I know I turned it out, mama. Whorechata: I would have replaced both of you! I think Sue should've been up there. And the other spot would have to go to a beautiful queen, full of talent, starts with a W... Wren: Aw, me? Whorechata: No, me. Wren: Oh! Not sure why I'm even surprised by that at this point. the workroom door swings open and Micro walks in, wearing a tailored white suit with a matching hat and cherry red lip Micro: Hello queens! Steph: Alright, pimp mama! Micro: Last week, things got a little tense. And uh, that might be a bit of an understatement. Which is why for your next challenge, it would make sense to do something a little more lighthearted. Kami: Yes please! Micro: But you know how we do things around here. For your next challenge, you'll be killing each other. Blondie: Oh dear god. Micro: With your acting, of course! The ten of you will be randomly split into two teams of five. In this group, you will be in charge of producing a plot, trailer, and captivating poster for the next big horror movie. How you choose to work within your team, that's up to you. But if I were you, I'd be sure to contribute if you want to avoid the bottom. And on the runway, category is "Pretty Little Prosthetics". Good luck, and get ready to scream! 🏁Blondie CF: For our challenge this week, we're split into teams as we create a horror movie. On my team, we have Fleur, Kami, Whorechata, and Zodya. And on the other team, Anthyy, Morgs, Steph, Sue, and Wren. Less than thrilled to be on a team with Fleur, but it's a strong group, and I think our chances of winning are pretty solid! the teams scatted through the workroom, with Blondie, Fleur, Kami, Whorechata, and Zodya talking by the couches 🏁Whorechata CF: It's starting to get to me that I haven't really been performing at the level I know I'm capable of here. I'm feeling a new sense of determination this week, and I have a whole list of ideas for this challenge. It's time to prove why I'm here. Whorechata: So...I have ideas. Fleur: There's a first for everything! Whorechata: I'm thinking it could be cool to have the movie be shown from two different perspectives. The same story, but you see it differently depending on who it's focusing on. A sort of play on how the same situation can be perceived differently by different people. Zodya: Wait, I love that? Kami: That's a really great idea. Whorechata: I know, that's why I said it! I mean...thanks! 🏁Kami CF: I do tend to feel stressed in group challenges. Especially with this big of a group. There are five of us. There might be more room to hide, but it's also so much harder to stand out. I want my voice to be heard, and I want to shine, but I'm not sure how. Fleur: I'll volunteer to work on the poster. Kami: Nice! Do you want help on that? Fleur: Hmm, I think I can do it on my own. 🏁Fleur CF: First of all, I'd rather eat sand than work with anyone on my team. And, the poster is a huge part of this challenge. If I do it on my own, that means all the credit goes to me. Maybe a bad idea if the poster turns out ugly, but I'm not too worried about that. My only worry now is what to wear for the lipsync this week! Zodya: Blondie, do you have an idea of what you're working on? Blondie: I'll do whatever you need. Put me wherever and give me something to do. Whorechata: Work with me on the script. I need someone to read through it and make sure it makes sense. One little issue, can you read? Blondie: You bitch. 🏁Whorechata CF: I didn't plan on taking a leader position this week, but it kinda fell into place. We're getting some good work done, most of us at least. Kami, I know she wants to contribute, but I don't know what she's done yet? And that's starting to worry me. We might not be able to get this done in time... the team of Anthyy, Morgs, Steph, Sue, and Wren talk around the table Anthyy: Ladies, ready to win? I need this one! Wren: Oh please, you do not need another win right now. I'm already getting the Greantee flashbacks as is! 🏁Wren CF: Being on a team with Anthyy is really scary. I like her, we get along. But if we do well, that means another win for her. At a certain point, we need to stop her. Sue: I feel like I could work on the poster? I can do my best with that! Wren: That's perfect. Do we want ours to be a parody of iconic movies, or should it be fully original? Morgs: I would maybe bring those ideas together. It can be a new and fresh idea, but still referencing certain ideas that have worked before. Wren: I like that, I like that. Anthyy: I would feel most comfortable working on the poster. Steph: I think Sue mentioned wanting to work on that. Anthyy: I don't want to take it away from her of course. Sue: No, it's okay! Whatever is best for the team. Anthyy: Are you sure? Sue: If that's what will make our team strong, that's what we should do. Anthyy: Thank you Sue, such a queen! Morgs, do you want to get some work done on this? Morgs: Anything for you, well of course! the team works on their script before coming back together to go over their progress Anthyy: I have the outfits for the poster almost done. But don't worry, they'll be done. Wren: Not to be shady, but what were the two of you doing for all that time? You were gone for awhile, and didn't get anything done. Morgs: She just said she was working on the outfits and that they're almost done. Wren: The two of you talked a lot about what you were going to contribute, I'm not seeing much of anything. You need to do your part in the group. Anthyy: We are. Don't diminish our work! Wren: I don't see what work I'm diminishing... 🏁Wren CF: Maybe I need to appoint myself as the team leader, because we are not making enough progress. Anthyy and Morgs are like the two friends in school who work together on all the projects, but never get anything done because they're talking the whole time. We have serious work to do! Morgs: I've been adding to the script, Anthyy's done the outfits, we've done more than enough. Wren: That's not what I asked you two to do. Morgs, you were supposed to look over what I was doing, not add your own stuff. Morgs: I get that, but I'm not going to sit back and do nothing. Wren: Well it feels like you're either doing nothing, or just making things worse. 🏁Anthyy CF: Wren is making me and Morgs feel horrible during this challenge. We're doing the work, more than some other people in the team! But she ignores that since they're friends. It's making me question if I want to even be here, because she's making me feel so bad right now. the teams continue to work, as Whorechata goes over to the other team Whorechata: So like, what if we had more time? Steph: We have to be on the runway soon, I don't think that's an option. Whorechata: If we all ask for a few more hours, maybe Micro will give it to us. 🏁Whorechata CF: What we have so far is good. But time is our biggest issue. If we can get a little extra, I know we can pull it all together. And it helps the other team too, it makes sense. Anthyy: I don't think we need the extra time. Wren: We don't, I know we don't. 🏁Wren CF: Your poor time management is not my fault. We were given the time we were given. If you can't make that work, start packing your bags. Whorechata: But would you be against it? Anthyy: I'm not making a scene over extra time, but we don't need it. Whorechata: So what I'm hearing is that I can ask for more time... Morgs: I wouldn't be mad with more time. Sue: I'm happy to make it work either way. Whorechata: Perfect! Whorechata leaves the workroom to ask a producer about extra time, before realizing there are no producers, only Micro. She drags Micro into the workroom while she's halfway done with getting ready for the runway Micro: Chile, what now? Whorechata: You know how much we love you, right? And how you really don't even need a corset, no matter what everyone says about your waist. Micro: Excuse me? Whorechata: What I'm saying is, we need a little more time for the challenge. Micro: And everyone's good with that? Whorechata: They'd love it! Micro: I'm asking them...not you. Whorechata: Sorry, I'm just speaking for the people. I'm motherly like that. Micro: Does anyone strongly object to a few more hours for the challenge. Anthyy and Wren hesitate before raising their hands, and bringing them back down when nobody else objects Micro: Alright, you can have a few more hours. But you better use it and make this the best challenge yet. Whorechata: Mwah, thank you! 🏁Wren CF: When Micro says that there's an extension, I start to see red. Our group does not need this extra time. We may not have everything done right now, but when we hit the runway, it would've been ready. Micro leaves the workroom and the queens talk while getting ready by the mirrors Wren: This is such bullshit, just so you all know. Kami: What happened? Wren: This whole extra time. Kami: Were you guys done with your work? Wren: ...that's not the point. We would've been done with it. Anthyy: To me, it just feels like riggory. Micro wants the underdogs to win this week, so she's giving you more time. Zodya: Underdogs? Anthyy: I don't mean that in a shady way. I'm just saying that our team seemed stronger, and Micro wanted to make it less obvious. It's clear to me. Wren: Exactly. 🏁Zodya CF: I don't know what Anthyy and Wren are trying to get at with this. I saw their work, it's nowhere near done. And in what world are we the underdogs? Anthyy sees everything by the numbers, but that isn't the only thing that matters in a challenge like this. Anthyy: Look, it doesn't matter. Congrats on winning this week, woohoo! Runway the lights flicker and an electric magenta light floods the runway as Micro struts down the center Micro Episode 5 Look Micro: Welcome back to the runway of Micro's Drag Race: All Stars Two! This week, the queens were challenged with working in teams to come up with original horror film concepts. And joining me on the judging panel is a queen with killer creativity, Lisbon! Lisbon Guest Judging Look Micro: Lisbon, thank you for being here! Lisbon: Anything for you...as long as you give me a crown one day. Micro: Ha! Lisbon: I'm not joking...oh at all. Micro: Oh. I'll see what I can do about that! Do you have any terrifying moments from your time on MDR that might inspire you in a challenge like this? Lisbon: Why yes, I have quite a few! Season One Episode Twelve, All Stars One Episode Twelve, XDRVTW Episode Six. I'd have to say those really stick out. Micro: Any reason? Lisbon: Nope, none at all! Lisbon pulls out her voodoo dolls of Unieke, Tiwa, and Crystal Micro: Well, that is not at all troubling! You ready to get into things? Lisbon: Please, before I turn these dolls into a pile of fluff. Micro: Alright! First up on the runway, category is "Pretty Little Prosthetics"! "Bad Juju" by Jujubee plays Anthyy: Tonight on the runway the theme is prosthetics! And honey trust me this theme is just asking itself for it to be a creppy spooky lewk, but i already served that last week and on episode 1 an literally thorught the whle halloween special for miss Xtina so this time i wanted to make sure i am as girly as i can be with this prostehtics them! But also there is another layer to it i would never just go for a look and dont do nothing behing to it. Tonight on the runway i am channeling a broken porcelain ballerina doll. My whole dress is made out of glass and i am walking very carefully but stunning-ly by the runway. Her story is that her soul is trapped inside a ballerina's figure body and as you can see on the skin an thorughout her body she is slowly turning into that sad ballerina with the glass pieces cutting through her skin,, thats what the prostheticas are in my look! they modify her whole face, she is sad on the glass side, she is trapped and she is bleeding! but in pink! cause pretty girls have pink blood! Don't try and check it though! This runway also need to have a personal touch for me to feel good about it and tonight i wanted to honur my grandma, since she always wanted to become a ballerina but never made it! so granny tonight! you are the prettiest glass ballerina on the mainstage of the biggest compeitiotn! Anthyy Look Blondie: KERMI! I AM READY FOR MY CLOSE-UP MON AMOUR! Tonight I am representing the original camp/fashion icon Miss Piggy! I am wearing prosthetic ears, a nose, and a cute wiggly tail! I am also wearing more passing than usual to create that big girl magic energy, so not only am I appropriating fat people, but pigs as well! The dress is completely made by moi and completely bedazzled, I get actual pearls and diamond encrusted headband, and I styled the 40 inch weave myself! I am taking a huge risk going camp, but I rather go out looking like a pig, than actually being one (cough cough Alex cough cough) . And you don't like it, expect this karate chop! HI-YA! Blondie Look Fleur: People say I am two faced which I don't necessarily agree with because I say what I want when I want but I just wanted to pay homage to the losers of my past arguements who call me two faced by wearing a prosthetic head! Two heads is always better than one head, am I right Fleur Look Kami: For my prosthetics lewk I am getting down and dirty mawma! I just wanted to do something fun this week, so I have gone with this sort of pig prosthetic thingy. This is for my fellow vegan/vegetarian qweens! #ISTANDWITHVEGANTEACHER Kami Look Morgs: Silicon manufacturing with your own skin using inorganic compounds of negotiated slurp products for your bodacious perfect size scabs snack for youthful glow anti aging properties may turn vou slime new products for you soon including waters I discussed with Wren stay tune #microfracking Morgs Look Steph: for my prosthetic look tonight i wanted to gag everyone by showing that i can be green with envy and still be pretty. just look at my skin and my long nose and she’s bald! also that rat is just a little scrumptious snack for later YUMMY YUMMY!! what’s not to love. i love a long soft prosthetic nose, ears, and chinnnn. if ur chin ain’t long, you’re just wrong! Steph Look Sue: So for this runway I am serving you the end of the world but she I still a bad bitch because uwu. Sue Look Whorechata: On the runway tonight I am feeling very SAFE! I am a kraken craking backs mawma! She is giving a full squid head prosthetic this evening. I am ready to wreck holes and boats tonight!!! Whorechata Look Wren: Today on the runway I am giving you Ratrina Ratson, heir to the Ratson throne. She is DRIPPING in like a million fucking layers of jewels, necklaces, bracelets, and silver. When she moves it sounds like windchimes. I have been consistently getting the critique that I don't drag things up enough, and I hope thisll change that. This is what happens if the rats in Cinderella were sent to the ball instead of her, Cinderella has rats in it right? I'm literally just realizing while typing this that I have never seen Cinderella. Wren Look Zodya: For this runway, I am showing off a look inspired by the Dilophosaurus! I have used prosthetics to make myself look fully reptilian, including my large, colorful flaps of skin off my face and hands. And don’t forget to mention my talons, as well as the horns sprouting out throughout my body. Don’t mess with me, queens, or else I’ll tear you apart and eat you alive…in Minecraft! Zodya Look ------------------------- Micro: Thank you ladies. You all look gorgeous, or terrifyingly disturbing. But hey, these looks will definitely be hard to forget. Now, let's take a look at your horror movie scripts. Team 1: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e-6bIAzNsvFOqKMMaqR7z5Y2ca503HZnzg15Ym4GfLc/edit# Team 2: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EoPn63HhkzwHNf1O4zJJ_Zj0U7tk07x96rx_iCZO4jg/edit?usp=sharing https://youtu.be/eVFuGpRHkdU Critiques Micro: Based on your performances tonight, Lisbon and I have formed some opinions. It's time for your critiques. Micro: First up, Team 1 (Blondie, Fleur, Kami, Whorechata, Zodya)! Lisbon: Well, hello ladies… and Fleur. This concept was really interesting! I like that you weren’t afraid to approach it more seriously and it felt very atmospheric. However, it fell a little flat for me I guess? The addition of the hallucinations felt odd and left me wondering if Desireé or whatever was like- magic? I think this felt like a solid horror short story but I feel like it lacked imagination and was pretty middle of the road content wise. As for your runways… Blondie, I really love this look as I am the Miss Piggy extraordinaire but I wish it was elevated a little more. It’s giving Ariana meets Miss Piggy which I love but it’s definitely a bit more pedestrian than I’d like for All Stars. Fleur this is one of my top looks of the night you look absolutely horrid, no note really other than the glitter bouquet feels a wee bit cheap. Kami, this is cunt. No notes. Lucky, you look good! It’s a great look, I just want more mug I suppose. Zodya this is fierce, I love a concept that is well executed! One note and this is mainly a personal preference, I wish the face was more cunt less monster, but obviously that’s nitpicking. Micro: Hello pretty ladies!! I think within this group, you all have such clear strengths, and I was curious to see how that would work in a team format. And I have to say, I’m really impressed by what you came up with. Starting with the poster, I think it captures that eery feeling and the split down the poster played perfectly into the story of the movie. I think some more contrast on the poster could’ve made it pop even more, but I thought it was nicely done! In the plot, I think this was structured a little more as a scene or trailer, rather than it being an overall summary of what the film would be about and the journey it would take us on. It was well written, I just think it ended up being overshadowed by the trailer since the vibe was quite similar between the two. Speaking of the trailer, it was so gripping. I was reading as fast as I could to see what would happen next, and that level of suspense isn’t easy to achieve. My one little nitpick would be that I wish the split perspectives were showcased more, but really fantastic work. On the runway, solid looks from each of you! Kami, I love the campiness of this look, and how you and Blondie played into the pig elements of the movie. Very clever! Fleur, this is the blend of concept and glamour that you do so well, nicely done. Lucky and Zodya, these creature looks can be tough to hold onto the fashion, but you both managed to pull it off. The scaling is grand and extravagant, two of the strongest looks of the night. Overall, very impressed by your group! Micro: Next, Team 2 (Anthyy, Morgs, Steph, Sue, Wren)! Lisbon: You guys… acting challenges are hard and I get that but this thing? Was super fun!!! Oh my god!!! I think taking the camp and parody route is a risk that is well worth taking because this was really good! Troglodyte was a standout in my opinion, but everyone had their moments. This was such a fun watch and you mixed two horror franchises really well! Micro is a lot scarier though to be honest. My issue tonight with this team is the runways as opposed to the other team over there. Starting with Anthyy, I love the concept as a former dancer, I just know this execution could’ve been a little more en pointe. I’m hilarious. I just wish it was more clearly prosthetic. Morgs, this is a well executed cliché with a fun twist. I’ve seen and was expecting a booby girl but I like that you are pink, this runway isn’t winning any awards though. Steph… girl… these prosthetics are so good… but this dress is god awful. You are giving Party City girl, and that’s the point blank truth. Sue. Meh. It’s fine, just not mind blowing. WREN WHY ARE YOU A RAT? This look is train wreck central. Those are necklace and earring PNGs on that dress and I don’t even know what’s going on with your face. Rat? Why? But like, this group had a phenomenal challenge, but was challenged with looks. Micro: This team is full of some creative creative ladies, so I was really excited to see y’all in a team together. And I just have to say, the execution of this was incredibly well done. The poster, I love the custom looks, the dark shadowy feel, the scary ass “person” in the back, and the little “probably not though” at the bottom. That was a really fun little comedic touch that gave the poster some depth. I have to be honest, I was a little worried when I saw that the concept was so similar to Drag Race, just with a darker twist. I think for a challenge like this, it could’ve been an opportunity to go balls to the wall. But within the concept, you found really nuanced ways of telling the story. The character building and storytelling was next level, and it made me so invested in what was happening. The audio as well, in the words of Wendy Williams, “it was scuh-ary”. I think the way you structured everything as well was something we could actually see with a plot and trailer, clean and concise. The twisted humor throughout the trailer added lots of special touches, I loved to see it. On the runway, some serves were served! Anthyy, this dark ballerina moment is so pure, but also has darker levels beneath the surface. Steph, I think the actual prosthetic work here is amazing. But the dress, I wish it was so much more!! Morgs and Sue, I love how you both took a more standard fashion silhouette, and infused that prosthetic twist throughout. Wren, rat queen! This week was truly a return to the originality and dedication you showcased on Season Six, and this runway proves that. It’s weird, it doesn’t make sense, it’s glamorous, it checks all the boxes. Nicely done. Overall, great work from this team!! Micro: Thank you ladies. This week, you worked in teams. But your individual work is what matters here. When I call your name, please step forward. Micro: Anthyy, Fleur, Morgs, Steph, Zodya. The five of you are safe. You may step to the back of the stage. 🏁Anthyy CF: Disappointed to only be safe, but this week was really awful for me, and I'm just glad I was able to make it through. Micro: Blondie Dahl. On the runway, you were a blushing bacon bride. Micro: Whorechata Grande. In the challenge, you had us all questioning reality. Micro: Wren Wyvern. This week, you scurried your way to the top. Micro: Whorechata, Wren. Congratulations, you are the top two queens of the week! 🏁Whorechata CF: And that's how you do it. 🏁Wren CF: Yes!! Fuck yes!! Finally I get my moment, this is what I've been waiting for! Micro: Blondie, you are safe. Blondie: Better than getting the pork chop! Micro: Sadly, that means Kami and Sue, you are the bottom queens of the week. 🏁Kami CF: This is a horrible feeling. I know how badly I want this, and the thought of my dream being cut short, it's heartbreaking. 🏁Sue CF: I'm devastated right now. I wanted this to be the week where I got to the top, not fall to the bottom. I don't want to be the reason Kami goes home, but I need to fight for my spot. Micro: Whorechata, Wren. In a moment, you will lipsync for your legacy and for the right to eliminate one of the bottom queens. Head backstage to Untucked and deliberate. Untucked the queens enter Untucked 🏁Zodya CF: The bottom two this week is crushing to see. You don't want it to be you, but it stings seeing such amazing people in the bottom. For once, I am glad to not be in the top. Kami: First and foremost, congratulations! Not the ideal situation, but the two of you crushed it, and we need to celebrate that. Wren: Aw, thank you. I don't want to be obnoxious with how I'm feeling, but this just feels amazing. Like, ahhhhh!! Whorechata: I told myself that I would be able to win this challenge if I set my mind to it. And look at me now! It makes me feel great. Steph: I'm obviously really happy for the two of you, but devastated at who's in the bottom. I really didn't expect this. Sue: I thought I gave it my all this week. But when you hear the critiques, it's hard not to feel like you could've done more. I guess that's what I'm feeling right now. Steph: Aw, Sue. I thought you were great. Sue: Thanks. This just, it means more to me than I thought it did? And to go from feeling like I was picking up steam to totally crashing, it's not a slay moment. Steph: Very not slay. Blondie: Whatever happens, you two have brought so much to this. It means a lot that I can call you my sisters. Morgs: Did anyone have issues working with their team? Zodya: I think we all got along! Kami: There was a clear end goal of what we wanted to get done. It would've been nice to feel like we all had the chance to do our fair share, but it was a good experience overall. Whorechata: I know you wanted to do more. But it's up to you to step in and make sure you're involved. You'll get left behind if you wait for us to bring you in. Kami: Yeah, I get it. It's just a lot of emotions, sorry. Whorechata: Hey, you're good. Anthyy: I thought we worked really well. We all brought our own unique twist, and it came out great in my eyes. Morgs giggles 🏁Anthyy CF: The other team does not need to know how bad things were for us. If they know, then they'll think I'm not good at working in a team. They need to think that everything went perfectly! Kami: I would love the opportunity to speak with the top queens if that's alright. Just plead my case a bit. Sue: That would be nice for me as well. 🏁Sue CF: I want to prove to the top queens this week that I deserve to be here. I regret letting Anthyy take over for the poster. But a lot of the love that the characters got, I helped with that. This isn't my time to go, I know it isn't. Whorechata: Alright, let's chat! Kami talks with Whorechata and mentions their connection to Season Five, and how she wants to represent for that. She shares that during Season Five, she felt like she was overshadowed by Moof, and unable to really stand on her own as a strong competitor. Being in the bottom made her realize how badly she wants this, and moving forward, she's dedicated to giving everything she has to this competition Sue talks with Wren and Wren says that she thought Sue would've been in the top this week. Wren tells Sue that her heart is being pulled in two different directions. While she's gotten close with Kami, she can't overlook her long friendship with Sue. Sue tells Wren that she stands by what she did in the challenge, and wishes she took more responsibility for her contributions while the top and bottom queens deliberate, Anthyy and Morgs chat by the touch up mirrors Anthyy: Honestly, I'm over it. Morgs: Oh no, over what? Anthyy: I feel like I need to leave maybe. The way Wren made me feel during the challenge, and saying we weren't doing enough. 🏁Anthyy CF: When we were working on the challenge, Wren said multiple times that she didn't think Morgs and I were doing enough. And to me, that felt like a really shady way of ganging up on us to make sure none of the praise for the challenge got shown to us. I felt myself getting closer with Wren, but her questioning my work ethic, it really broke me. Morgs: You can't leave. You're doing too well. Anthyy: I didn't come here to deal with all this stress. I came here to win, and the pressure is eating away at me. And now for someone to be coming after me, I can't do it anymore. 🏁Morgs CF: Losing Anthyy isn't an option right now. She's the closest person I have here, and I know that she would regret leaving. That's my girl, I need to make sure she's alright. Morgs: I will cry if you go home, and you don't want to make me cry. Anthyy: No, I don't want that! I know I need to fight through this, but it's really hard. I'm not sure what I'll do. the queens return to the runway Micro: Welcome back queens! Will the top two queens of the week please step forward. Whorechata Lipsync Look Wren Lipsync Look Micro: Prior to tonight, you were asked to prepare a lipsync performance of "Die Young" by Kesha. https://youtu.be/NOubzHCUt48 Micro: This is your chance to impress me, and earn the right to give one of the bottom queens...the chop. 🏁Whorechata CF: Little do they know, I put pockets all up in here. Give me all the lipsticks, send 'em all home! 🏁Wren CF: Oh bitch, I'm ready for this! I need to give these girls a few lessons. Micro: Good luck, and don't fuck it up! Read the lipsync here! Micro: Well, that was something! I've made my decision. ... ... Micro: Wren Wyvern. You're a winner, baby! 🏁Wren CF: I did it!! If you asked me how I felt a few hours ago, I would've said that I was questioning my place here. But this little taste of victory, it snapped me right back into place. Micro: Whorechata. You are safe to slay another day. You may step to the back of the stage. Whorechata: Safe, of course. Smile through the pain, smile through the pain. Micro: You may step to the back of the stage. Whorechata: I mean, I could. But what if I stood here? Would I be a winner. Micro: ...no. No, you would not. Whorechata: Shh, no more words. Micro: Now, will the bottom queens please step forward. Kami and Sue step to the front of the stage with shaky hands Micro: I won't lie, this sucks. Both of you are such special queens in this competition. Wren. With great power comes great responsibility. Wren: Ugh, this is the worst part. Micro: Which queen have you chosen...to get the chop? Wren: Ultimately I believe with one of you I would not be in the top and you were such a joy to have on our team and you did a lot of the conceptualizing. I am not about to have my Bebe Zahara Benet moment so the person I have chosen is… ... ... Wren: Kami. Wren's Lipstick Choice Kami smiles and wipes away a tear as Micro and the other queens get emotional Wren: I'm so sorry. Kami: It's all good, I promise! 🏁Kami CF: I wanted this. I wanted this so bad. But I'm leaving this competition as a better queen than I was when I walked in. Seeing people believe in me gave me permission to believe in myself. My time will come. Micro: Kami. You are one of the kindest, genuine, and most talented queens to ever grace this stage. Kami: I appreciate that more than I can say. It might not have ended the way I wanted, but I'm forever grateful for this experience. Micro: Sadly, I must ask you to sashay away. Kami walks to the back of the stage as Anthyy leads a crowd of queens up on stage to embrace Kami before she leaves Kami: Love you all. Until we meet again! Micro: Whew. Congratulations to the nine of you for making it through another week. I know I get all "whaaaa" and a little "oh my damn" at these eliminations, but this one hit different. And they're only getting harder each week. Keep up the great work, and let the music play! "Banjo" by Bebe Zahara Benet plays Next Time on Micro's Drag Race: All Stars Micro: Get ready for the buffoonery, riggory, and tomfoolery of "Robbed: The Musical!". Anthyy: I don't know if I can do this anymore. It's all too much. 🏁Wren CF: The competition is being flipped on its head. Things can change so quickly. Track Record Cast Shot w/ Placements |
2023.06.04 16:44 I-am-the-Peel (Spoilers Extended) A Character Analysis of Varys, the fake and lying eunuch
Apologies for the length and lateness of this post, past few months have been quite chaotic and haven't had much access to the internet, I dunno when I'll be back on this sub again after this so until then, more posts from me will be a Dream for Spring Summer (probably)
Over the years I've read a great many theories about the character of Varys, his motivations, his scheming throughout the series and his endgame, but none of them have ever truly sat well with me for how much his character feels simplified. He is one of ASOIAF's most complex characters who I still believe we haven't entirely cracked yet, and I for one still believe even after writing this post up and reflecting on it, there's still some of his character that I haven't figured out.
However, I want to propose an alternative character analysis to the character of Varys, one that drifts away from the more common take on his character - Varys is not a eunuch or a friend of Tyrion Lannister, and has spent his entire life lying about his manhood to deter anyone from thinking that he could father any children, so that fAegon, his true son, would always be protected while hiding.
Let us begin by breaking down each of the lies that define his character.
First, the lie that he was castrated as a young slave and had his manhood thrown into a fire by 'a certain man', which resulted in the fire turning magically blue and 'a voice' speaking out to Varys.
Illyrio, the same man who praised R'hllor, a God that Varys despises;
It makes little sense that Varys would entertain the company of those who worship R'hllor or magical forms of fire, if Varys truly is traumatised by what seemingly happened to him as a slave child by fire.
As well as Illyrio, this is apparent in Aerys II, who would regularly burn people in the throne room with wildfire, in the presence of Varys;
But it makes a lot more sense that Varys actually never had a problem with R'hllor or wildfire, and instead chose to encourage Aerys' paranoia so that he would always both seem useful to Aerys and be on good relations with him, to solidify his position of power on the Small Council, given that he was just a young foreign man in Westeros and wholly dependent on Aerys' support to maintain his standing in King's Landing.
The second lie of Varys' character that I wish to tackle is his apparent concern for the wellbeing of children;
However, we later learn in the series that Aegon seemingly survived and was swapped with a tanner's child, bought by Varys and swapped with Aegon, so that this bought child could be sacrificed to the Lannisters, who Varys presumed would want to kill Rhaegar's children;
The first red flag of this story is the idea that Varys, a former slave child who abhors slavery, would willingly buy another man's young child. Also pay attention to the mention of 'Arbor gold', which has been well documented on this sub for years for how its always a signal of lies, as individuals like Littlefinger mention it in passing whenever they are telling a lie.
The second red flag is the idea that Varys, someone who seemingly abhors the murder and suffering of innocent children, would willingly sacrifice an innocent young child and allow them to be murdered just to spare another, more valuable child. The idea that Varys would also take Elia's child away from her, either willingly or unwillingly on her part, is also questionable.
The third red flag is why Varys chose only to switch Aegon with another child, and not do the same for Rhaenys. Having two imposter Targaryen children raised to believe they are Targaryens could've helped to support their claims, build them up as a rival power in Westeros and also provide a backup option for Varys incase fAegon didn't survive his childhood.
The final red flag is the idea that Varys was able to foresee how the Rebellion was going to end, accurately guessed that Rhaegar's children would be murdered by the Lannisters, knew where and when to find Elia and her children, be able to remove one of her children away from her without anyone knowing, and knew that one of Tywin's men would kill the children so brutally that next to no one would be able to recognise them - the idea story is built on a series of flimsy conveniences and incredible predictive abilities on Varys' part.
If Varys truly cared so much about the protection and well-being of children, he would not have willingly bought and sacrificed an innocent child to be sacrificed in exchange for Aegon's survival, nor would he have abandoned Rhaenys to her fate if he could have prevented it. This means either Varys truly doesn't give a damn about the wellbeing of children and just lies to the likes of Ned and Tyrion about it, or that the entire story about Aegon being swapped with a tanner's child is a lie like some fans believe, or that both stories are lies muddled together to make it more difficult to discern the truth.
Perhaps the truth of Varys' lies is best exposed in this often cited excerpt from ACOK, a conversation between him and Tyrion about the infamous "Shadow on the Wall" riddle;
I however believe that Varys is talking about himself.
Varys was once a very small man when he came to King's Landing at Aerys' calling for him to join the Small Council. He was seen as a young ex-slave, without a lordship or house of his own, weak and powerless. But overtime, through his manipulation of Aerys, encouraging his paranoia and own self-inflicted downfall, Varys cast a very large shadow over the empire of House Targaryen in Westeros, and destroyed it forever. What Varys says here to Tyrion is a very veiled threat that he can be dangerous to Tyrion if he underestimates Varys.
Tyrion however, in his arrogance, believes that Varys is referring to him, being a "very small man" and begins considering him a friend.
This is the third and final lie of Varys' character that I wish to dissect here - the lie that he is a friend or useful ally of sorts to Tyrion.
The idea of Varys betraying Tyrion's trust and working against him is first presented to us by Cersei, when she lets slip that Varys informed her of Tyrion's plan to send the Hound into battle at the Battle of the Blackwater;
There are frequent moments throughout the series in which Varys alludes to knowing key information and deliberately withholding it from Tyrion even if it may benefit Tyrion, including who ordered Mandon Moore to kill Tyrion;
On the matter of Varys' choosing to support the Lannisters or Stannis, Varys once again tries to confuse Tyrion with riddles and not directly answer the question;
However, like with Cersei and Tyrion, Varys needs to tell those on the Small Council a certain amount of secretive information in order to gain their trust and support, including Stannis. That Varys even chooses to give a deeper and more unsettling laugh about the matter is another example of him openly laughing about his treachery in Tyrion's face and Tyrion not realising it.
When Tyrion almost stumbles upon this ruse and Varys realises that his laugh was too deep and questionable, Varys tries to brush it off by saying its harder to keep a secret secret if so many people are investigating it, and insists that there were so many of Robert's bastards to find for Stannis to figure out the truth on his own. But again, this last statement from Varys is littered with half-truths.
Varys insists it is hard to keep deceiving King Robert about the truth of his children's true parentage, and even harder to keep deceiving the truth from those who are deliberately looking for the truth and wanting to find it. This in itself is a reference to his believe that Stannis was always power-hungry for the Iron Throne, and was just looking for an excuse to try to claim it for himself as Robert's true heir, regardless of whether or not Cersei's children were Robert's or not.
But his own comment about "betraying a secret I have held for so long" is a direct allusion to fAegon's existence, and his determination not to reveal the truth of his existence to anyone, including Tyrion.
Even when Tyrion rides with Illyrio and Jon Connington's entourage in ADWD, Tyrion is only led to believe that they are going to support Daenerys' claim for the Iron Throne, and has to work out for himself that fAegon is actually Aegon and the one Varys and Illyrio wish to crown;
This likely angers Varys, and is the reason why Varys no longer affectionately calls Tyrion by his name or by '"lord" and instead refers to him as "the imp" in ADWD's epilogue, a term that Varys knows Tyrion hates;
Varys never considered Tyrion a friend or ally in ASOIAF and was just using him, another lie that he tells throughout the series, and by the end of ADWD, he hates Tyrion for his scheming and knowing too much information than Varys wished him to know.
But there is a bigger telling point about how much Varys uses Tyrion, and a more ground-breaking twist in the narrative that reflects both how much Varys underestimates Tyrion and how much Varys never cared for him;
In ASOS, Varys didn't tell Tyrion how to reach the Tower of the Hand to go and kill Tywin. Varys told him this key information so that Tyrion could go and kill Shae instead, who Varys considered a greater threat to him.
Shae is one of the few, perhaps the only, people in ASOIAF to see through Varys' disguises;
Wearing disguises is a very important part of Varys' many schemes, including visiting Ned Stark in the Black Cells as the gaoler Rugen;
It is also fundamentally not in Varys' interest for Tyrion to kill Tywin, as keeping Tywin alive for now would ensure the Dornish would have someone to rise up and seek vengeance against for Elia's murder. As readers are shown in AFFC and ADWD Dornish chapters, the Martells are divided and frankly confused about how to seek vengeance for Elia's murder now that Tywin, Gregor and Armory Lorch - the three men involved in her murder - are now dead. **If Tywin had lived, Varys could've played on the Dornish thirst for vengeance against him and had fAegon promise them it in exchange for their support, something which they likely would've agreed to.
So by this point in the post, we've explored some of the key lies of Varys' character to know for sure what he is not;
Well, Varys is not a eunuch, and in fact fAegon's true father by blood. Varys has deliberately spent his life lying about being a eunuch in order to discourage people from the truth that he is the father of fAegon by Illyrio’s sister, and wants to control the Iron Throne through fAegon.
Recall Varys' conversation with Tyrion in ACOK that I previously cited earlier;
Varys was never castrated and he is not bald. He deliberately shaves his head to hide his true parentage and lies about being a eunuch to discourage people from believing that he is capable of fathering a child, a child with Blackfyre blood that he wishes to sit on the Iron Throne, a secret that Varys has cared for and kept so long.
The last time we see Varys in ADWD, he finally begins to tell the truth about fAegon's existence, and when he does, and speaks about the son he loves, he begins to speak in his real, deeper and non-emasculated voice;**
TLDR:
Varys is not a eunuch but instead the father of fAegon, a secret he has spent his life protecting, and a lie he has spent his life telling to better protect his son.
Varys does not hate R'hllor or those who worship magical flames, his entire story about his manhood being sacrificed to flames is a lie he tells to gain Tyrion's trust in their efforts to defeat Stannis in ACOK. Varys is close friends with Illyrio, a man who praises R'hllor, and spent the early parts of his life encouraging Aerys to feed innocent people to the flames of wildfire.
Varys does not hate the suffering of innocent children, he was prepared to buy an innocent child from a man and sacrifice him in order to protect the "real" Aegon, he was prepared to abandon Rhaenys to her brutal death even if he could have saved her too and prepared to send Viserys and Daenerys into a doomed invasion of Westeros that would've led to their deaths just to make fAegon appear a more heroic saviour compared to them.
Varys was never a friend or ally to Tyrion but instead was using him ever since they first met. He has repeatedly withheld important information from him such as who hired Mandon Moore to kill Tyrion and how Stannis figured out the truth about Cersei's children, and on frequent occasions has nearly openly laughed in Tyrion's face at both his misfortune and the information Varys withheld from him. Varys also manipulated Tyrion into killing Shae so that she would not expose Varys' identity as Rugen and didn't trust Tyrion with the information about fAegon's existence, something that Tyrion had to figure out himself. Varys also talks lowly of Tyrion at the end of ADWD as a "conniving Imp" which reflects Varys' true feelings about Tyrion.
Varys has spent his life shaving his hair and lying about being a eunuch to discourage anyone from believing he could father fAegon and better protect him, so that fAegon could one day take the Iron Throne, and cast a very large shadow over the Targaryen Empire forever.
Thanks for reading, if you enjoyed this theory be sure to read some of my other theories below;
All the signs that Tywin directly gave the Mountain the order to badly mistreat Elia Martell
The Father Rhaegaer, the Son Jon and the Holy Ghost Ghost, religious symbolism
Mance Rayder is a servant of the Others
Leyton Hightower is the Lord of Light and Malora the Mad Maid is Quaithe
2022 archive of ASOIAF theories available at the bottom of this post
submitted by I-am-the-Peel to asoiaf [link] [comments]
Over the years I've read a great many theories about the character of Varys, his motivations, his scheming throughout the series and his endgame, but none of them have ever truly sat well with me for how much his character feels simplified. He is one of ASOIAF's most complex characters who I still believe we haven't entirely cracked yet, and I for one still believe even after writing this post up and reflecting on it, there's still some of his character that I haven't figured out.
However, I want to propose an alternative character analysis to the character of Varys, one that drifts away from the more common take on his character - Varys is not a eunuch or a friend of Tyrion Lannister, and has spent his entire life lying about his manhood to deter anyone from thinking that he could father any children, so that fAegon, his true son, would always be protected while hiding.
Let us begin by breaking down each of the lies that define his character.
First, the lie that he was castrated as a young slave and had his manhood thrown into a fire by 'a certain man', which resulted in the fire turning magically blue and 'a voice' speaking out to Varys.
"One day at Myr, a certain man came to our folly. After the performance, he made an offer for me that my master found too tempting to refuse. I was in terror. I feared the man meant to use me as I had heard men used small boys, but in truth the only part of me he had need of was my manhood. He gave me a potion that made me powerless to move or speak, yet did nothing to dull my senses. With a long hooked blade, he sliced me root and stem, chanting all the while. I watched him burn my manly parts on a brazier. The flames turned blue, and I heard a voice answer his call, though I did not understand the words they spoke. "The mummers had sailed by the time he was done with me. Once I had served his purpose, the man had no further interest in me, so he put me out. When I asked him what I should do now, he answered that he supposed I should die. To spite him, I resolved to live. I begged, I stole, and I sold what parts of my body still remained to me. Soon I was as good a thief as any in Myr, and when I was older I learned that often the contents of a man's letters are more valuable than the contents of his purse. "Yet I still dream of that night, my lord. Not of the sorcerer, nor his blade, nor even the way my manhood shriveled as it burned. I dream of the voice. The voice from the flames. Was it a god, a demon, some conjurer's trick? I could not tell you, and I know all the tricks. All I can say for a certainty is that he called it, and it answered, and since that day I have hated magic and all those who practice it. If Lord Stannis is one such, I mean to see him dead." - ACOK - TYRION XNow there is much from this excerpt to raise complaints and questions about Varys' story;
- There are no known instances of individuals being mutilated and having their mutilated parts being sacrificed in the flames for the sake of blood magic or appeasing R'hllor. Individuals have often been sacrificed to the flames, but sacrificed in their whole bodies.
- The details of how Varys was mutilated and that he was able to survive is unbelievable, and even more unbelievable that he went on to live as an orphan on the streets after this horrific ordeal with little to no medical treatment. Varys' simple claim that he "resolved to live" is very vague.
- Varys can remember this mystic and mysterious voice, but not what it send or what the words sounded like. Melisandre claims to hear the voices of R'hllor in the flames and voices could be heard from Drogo's tent when Mirri Maz Duhr was performing her blood magic, but these voices are only heard by the sorcerers, and not the victims. By all accounts, Varys should not have been able to hear these voices, if part of himself was fed to the flames.
"How many days until we reach the river?" he asked Illyrio that evening. "At this pace, your queen's dragons will be larger than Aegon's three before I can lay eyes upon them." "Would it were so. A large dragon is more fearsome than a small one." The magister shrugged. "Much as it would please me to welcome Queen Daenerys to Volantis, I must rely on you and Griff for that. I can serve her best in Pentos, smoothing the way for her return. So long as I am with you, though … well, an old fat man must have his comforts, yes? Come, drink a cup of wine." - ADWD - TYRION IIIllyrio is Varys' best friend and closest confidant, who he works with to protect Daenerys for much of her life and is willing to crown her as Queen alongside fAegon even though she has magical fire-breathing dragons that Varys, a victim of magical flames, would despise.
Illyrio, the same man who praised R'hllor, a God that Varys despises;
Her brother was waiting in the cool of the entry hall, seated on the edge of the pool, his hand trailing in the water. He rose when she appeared and looked her over critically. "Stand there," he told her. "Turn around. Yes. Good. You look …" "Regal," Magister Illyrio said, stepping through an archway. He moved with surprising delicacy for such a massive man. Beneath loose garments of flame-colored silk, rolls of fat jiggled as he walked. Gemstones glittered on every finger, and his man had oiled his forked yellow beard until it shone like real gold. "May the Lord of Light shower you with blessings on this most fortunate day, Princess Daenerys," the magister said as he took her hand. He bowed his head, showing a thin glimpse of crooked yellow teeth through the gold of his beard. "She is a vision, Your Grace, a vision," he told her brother. "Drogo will be enraptured." - AGOT - DAENERYS INeither Viserys or Daenerys were followers of R'hllor at this point, or surrounded by any followers, meaning Illyrio didn't need to bring up this form of prayer to R'hllor unless it was genuine or near genuine on his own part.
It makes little sense that Varys would entertain the company of those who worship R'hllor or magical forms of fire, if Varys truly is traumatised by what seemingly happened to him as a slave child by fire.
As well as Illyrio, this is apparent in Aerys II, who would regularly burn people in the throne room with wildfire, in the presence of Varys;
Frustrated, Aerys turned to the Wisdoms of the ancient Guild of Alchemists, who knew the secret of producing the volatile jade green substance known as wildfire, said to be a close cousin to dragonflame. The pyromancers became a regular fixture at his court as the king's fascination with fire grew. By 280 AC, Aerys II had taken to burning traitors, murderers, and plotters, rather than hanging or beheading them. The king seemed to take great pleasure in these fiery executions, which were presided over by Wisdom Rossart, the grand master of the Guild of Alchemists...so much so that he granted Rossart the title of Lord and gave him a seat upon the small council. - TWOIAF - THE TARGARYEN KINGS - AERYS IINot only would Varys be present to witness these burnings, but Varys even encouraged Aerys to burn other individuals suspected of treachery, and fuelled both Aerys' paranoia and bloodlust;
He floated in heat, in memory. "After dancing griffins lost the Battle of the Bells, Aerys exiled him." Why am I telling this absurd ugly child? "He had finally realized that Robert was no mere outlaw lord to be crushed at whim, but the greatest threat House Targaryen had faced since Daemon Blackfyre. The king reminded Lewyn Martell gracelessly that he held Elia and sent him to take command of the ten thousand Dornishmen coming up the kingsroad. Jon Darry and Barristan Selmy rode to Stoney Sept to rally what they could of griffins' men, and Prince Rhaegar returned from the south and persuaded his father to swallow his pride and summon my father. But no raven returned from Casterly Rock, and that made the king even more afraid. He saw traitors everywhere, and Varys was always there to point out any he might have missed. So His Grace commanded his alchemists to place caches of wildfire all over King's Landing. Beneath Baelor's Sept and the hovels of Flea Bottom, under stables and storehouses, at all seven gates, even in the cellars of the Red Keep itself. - ASOS - JAIME VVarys developed a reputation for egging on Aerys' paranoia and encouraging him to execute apparent traitors by fire, so much so that people like Barristan lay chief blame for Aerys' downfall into madness on Varys for exploiting it;
"It is not a question of wanting. The throne is mine, as Robert's heir. That is law. After me, it must pass to my daughter, unless Selyse should finally give me a son." He ran three fingers lightly down the table, over the layers of smooth hard varnish, dark with age. "I am king. Wants do not enter into it. I have a duty to my daughter. To the realm. Even to Robert. He loved me but little, I know, yet he was my brother. The Lannister woman gave him horns and made a motley fool of him. She may have murdered him as well, as she murdered Jon Arryn and Ned Stark. For such crimes there must be justice. Starting with Cersei and her abominations. But only starting. I mean to scour that court clean. As Robert should have done, after the Trident. Ser Barristan once told me that the rot in King Aerys's reign began with Varys. The eunuch should never have been pardoned. No more than the Kingslayer. At the least, Robert should have stripped the white cloak from Jaime and sent him to the Wall, as Lord Stark urged. He listened to Jon Arryn instead. I was still at Storm's End, under siege and unconsulted." He turned abruptly, to give Davos a hard shrewd look. "The truth, now. Why did you wish to murder Lady Melisandre?" - ASOS - DAVOS IVIt makes very little sense that Varys, a eunuch who seemingly hates worshippers of R'hllor and pyromancers for burning people and sacrificing his manhood to the flames as a child, would be best friends with a man who praises R'hllor or encourage his previous King to burn several people, many of whom were likely innocent of the claims of treachery put against them.
But it makes a lot more sense that Varys actually never had a problem with R'hllor or wildfire, and instead chose to encourage Aerys' paranoia so that he would always both seem useful to Aerys and be on good relations with him, to solidify his position of power on the Small Council, given that he was just a young foreign man in Westeros and wholly dependent on Aerys' support to maintain his standing in King's Landing.
The second lie of Varys' character that I wish to tackle is his apparent concern for the wellbeing of children;
"No," Ned pleaded, his voice cracking. "Varys, gods have mercy, do as you like with me, but leave my daughter out of your schemes. Sansa's no more than a child." "Rhaenys was a child too. Prince Rhaegar's daughter. A precious little thing, younger than your girls. She had a small black kitten she called Balerion, did you know? I always wondered what happened to him. Rhaenys liked to pretend he was the true Balerion, the Black Dread of old, but I imagine the Lannisters taught her the difference between a kitten and a dragon quick enough, the day they broke down her door." Varys gave a long weary sigh, the sigh of a man who carried all the sadness of the world in a sack upon his shoulders. "The High Septon once told me that as we sin, so do we suffer. If that's true, Lord Eddard, tell me … why is it always the innocents who suffer most, when you high lords play your game of thrones? Ponder it, if you would, while you wait upon the queen. And spare a thought for this as well: The next visitor who calls on you could bring you bread and cheese and the milk of the poppy for your pain … or he could bring you Sansa's head. - AGOT - EDDARD XVVarys shows apparent disgust at the murders of Rhaegar's children, Rhaenys and Aegon, at the end of Robert's Rebellion, and the way in which they were brutally murdered.
However, we later learn in the series that Aegon seemingly survived and was swapped with a tanner's child, bought by Varys and swapped with Aegon, so that this bought child could be sacrificed to the Lannisters, who Varys presumed would want to kill Rhaegar's children;
"A true friend, our Lord Connington. He must be, to remain so fiercely loyal to the grandson of the king who took his lands and titles and sent him into exile. A pity about that. Elsewise Prince Rhaegar's friend might have been on hand when my father sacked King's Landing, to save Prince Rhaegar's precious little son from getting his royal brains dashed out against a wall." The lad flushed. "That was not me. I told you. That was some tanner's son from Pisswater Bend whose mother died birthing him. His father sold him to Lord Varys for a jug of Arbor gold. He had other sons but had never tasted Arbor gold. Varys gave the Pisswater boy to my lady mother and carried me away." "Aye." Tyrion moved his elephants. "And when the pisswater prince was safely dead, the eunuch smuggled you across the narrow sea to his fat friend the cheesemonger, who hid you on a poleboat and found an exile lord willing to call himself your father. It does make for a splendid story, and the singers will make much of your escape once you take the Iron Throne … assuming that our fair Daenerys takes you for her consort." - ADWD - TYRION VIThis entire "splendid story" as Tyrion calls it, is full of inconsistencies and unbelievable acts.
The first red flag of this story is the idea that Varys, a former slave child who abhors slavery, would willingly buy another man's young child. Also pay attention to the mention of 'Arbor gold', which has been well documented on this sub for years for how its always a signal of lies, as individuals like Littlefinger mention it in passing whenever they are telling a lie.
The second red flag is the idea that Varys, someone who seemingly abhors the murder and suffering of innocent children, would willingly sacrifice an innocent young child and allow them to be murdered just to spare another, more valuable child. The idea that Varys would also take Elia's child away from her, either willingly or unwillingly on her part, is also questionable.
The third red flag is why Varys chose only to switch Aegon with another child, and not do the same for Rhaenys. Having two imposter Targaryen children raised to believe they are Targaryens could've helped to support their claims, build them up as a rival power in Westeros and also provide a backup option for Varys incase fAegon didn't survive his childhood.
The final red flag is the idea that Varys was able to foresee how the Rebellion was going to end, accurately guessed that Rhaegar's children would be murdered by the Lannisters, knew where and when to find Elia and her children, be able to remove one of her children away from her without anyone knowing, and knew that one of Tywin's men would kill the children so brutally that next to no one would be able to recognise them - the idea story is built on a series of flimsy conveniences and incredible predictive abilities on Varys' part.
If Varys truly cared so much about the protection and well-being of children, he would not have willingly bought and sacrificed an innocent child to be sacrificed in exchange for Aegon's survival, nor would he have abandoned Rhaenys to her fate if he could have prevented it. This means either Varys truly doesn't give a damn about the wellbeing of children and just lies to the likes of Ned and Tyrion about it, or that the entire story about Aegon being swapped with a tanner's child is a lie like some fans believe, or that both stories are lies muddled together to make it more difficult to discern the truth.
Perhaps the truth of Varys' lies is best exposed in this often cited excerpt from ACOK, a conversation between him and Tyrion about the infamous "Shadow on the Wall" riddle;
Varys smiled. "Here, then. Power resides where men believe it resides. No more and no less.""So power is a mummer's trick?" "A shadow on the wall," Varys murmured, "yet shadows can kill. And ofttimes a very small man can cast a very large shadow." Tyrion smiled. "Lord Varys, I am growing strangely fond of you. I may kill you yet, but I think I'd feel sad about it." - ACOK - TYRION IIThe question of who Varys refers to in this conversation has been debated for years on this sub. Some believe that Varys was alluding to fAegon, that if people believe he is the real Aegon then he will have power, even if he doesn't truly have power as a common non-Targaryen child. Others have suggested Varys was alluding to Littlefinger, who was once a young small man who rose very high in King's Landing and cast a large shadow over the realm by starting the WotFk through his schemes.
I however believe that Varys is talking about himself.
Varys was once a very small man when he came to King's Landing at Aerys' calling for him to join the Small Council. He was seen as a young ex-slave, without a lordship or house of his own, weak and powerless. But overtime, through his manipulation of Aerys, encouraging his paranoia and own self-inflicted downfall, Varys cast a very large shadow over the empire of House Targaryen in Westeros, and destroyed it forever. What Varys says here to Tyrion is a very veiled threat that he can be dangerous to Tyrion if he underestimates Varys.
Tyrion however, in his arrogance, believes that Varys is referring to him, being a "very small man" and begins considering him a friend.
This is the third and final lie of Varys' character that I wish to dissect here - the lie that he is a friend or useful ally of sorts to Tyrion.
The idea of Varys betraying Tyrion's trust and working against him is first presented to us by Cersei, when she lets slip that Varys informed her of Tyrion's plan to send the Hound into battle at the Battle of the Blackwater;
"Varys says so." The swan was too rich for his taste. A line appeared on Cersei's pale white brow, between those lovely eyes. "You put too much trust in that eunuch." "He serves me well." "Or so he'd have you believe. You think you're the only one he whispers secrets to? He gives each of us just enough to convince us that we'd be helpless without him. He played the same game with me, when I first wed Robert. For years, I was convinced I had no truer friend at court, but now . . ." She studied his face for a moment. "He says you mean to take the Hound from Joffrey." - ACOK - TYRION XIIOn a first read, we are quick to dismiss Cersei's claims for how much she is built up as an antagonistic and untrustworthy character, but in later understanding her motives in her own POV chapters, we realise there may be an inkling of truth in her claims. In the case of the Hound, Varys has no reason to inform her of Tyrion's plan, however innocent and insignificant in the grand game of thrones they may be, other than to maintain some level of trust with her and to invoke conflict between the Lannister siblings, which benefits Varys.
There are frequent moments throughout the series in which Varys alludes to knowing key information and deliberately withholding it from Tyrion even if it may benefit Tyrion, including who ordered Mandon Moore to kill Tyrion;
Bronn had turned up all he could on Ser Mandon, but no doubt Varys knew a deal more . . . should he choose to share it. "The man seems to have been quite friendless," Tyrion said carefully. "Sadly," said Varys, "oh, sadly. You might find some kin if you turned over enough stones back in the Vale, but here . . . Lord Arryn brought him to King's Landing and Robert gave him his white cloak, but neither loved him much, I fear. Nor was he the sort the smallfolk cheer in tourneys, despite his undoubted prowess. Why, even his brothers of the Kingsguard never warmed to him. Ser Barristan was once heard to say that the man had no friend but his sword and no life but duty . . . but you know, I do not think Selmy meant it altogether as praise. Which is queer when you consider it, is it not? Those are the very qualities we seek in our Kingsguard, it could be said—men who live not for themselves, but for their king. By those lights, our brave Ser Mandon was the perfect white knight. And he died as a knight of the Kingsguard ought, with sword in hand, defending one of the king's own blood." The eunuch gave him a slimy smile and watched him sharply. Trying to murder one of the king's own blood, you mean. Tyrion wondered if Varys knew rather more than he was saying. - ASOS - TYRION IIWhen Tyrion presses Varys for information about Mandon, Varys deliberately skims over Mandon's life and offers vague beliefs about the perfect Kingsguard to try and derail Tyrion's line of questioning, and when Varys pretends not to have known about Mandon trying to kill Tyrion, he watches Tyrion "sharply" to try and gather how much Tyrion himself knows, whether or not Tyrion will seek retribution for it from the anger on his face, and almost openly mocks him for the smile he gives. Tyrion briefly considers the idea that Varys is deliberately holding information back from him, but chooses instead to talk about other matters, which is what Varys wanted.
On the matter of Varys' choosing to support the Lannisters or Stannis, Varys once again tries to confuse Tyrion with riddles and not directly answer the question;
"He accuses my brother and sister of incest. I wonder how he came by that suspicion." "Perhaps he read a book and looked at the color of a bastard's hair, as Ned Stark did, and Jon Arryn before him. Or perhaps someone whispered it in his ear." The eunuch's laugh was not his usual giggle, but deeper and more throaty. "Someone like you, perchance?" "Am I suspected? It was not me." "If it had been, would you admit it?" "No. But why should I betray a secret I have kept so long? It is one thing to deceive a king, and quite another to hide from the cricket in the rushes and the little bird in the chimney. Besides, the bastards were there for all to see." - ACOK - TYRION IIIWe know for certain that Varys didn't want the WotFK to start so soon or for the truth of Cersei's children to come out in AGOT because he wanted more time for Viserys' forces to grow in strength and come closer to Westeros in order to invade, either to take the throne for themselves or be the ones to kill the beloved Robert Baratheon and paint themselves as villainous usurpers to make fAegon more heroic and not taint him with Robert's blood on his hands.
However, like with Cersei and Tyrion, Varys needs to tell those on the Small Council a certain amount of secretive information in order to gain their trust and support, including Stannis. That Varys even chooses to give a deeper and more unsettling laugh about the matter is another example of him openly laughing about his treachery in Tyrion's face and Tyrion not realising it.
When Tyrion almost stumbles upon this ruse and Varys realises that his laugh was too deep and questionable, Varys tries to brush it off by saying its harder to keep a secret secret if so many people are investigating it, and insists that there were so many of Robert's bastards to find for Stannis to figure out the truth on his own. But again, this last statement from Varys is littered with half-truths.
Varys insists it is hard to keep deceiving King Robert about the truth of his children's true parentage, and even harder to keep deceiving the truth from those who are deliberately looking for the truth and wanting to find it. This in itself is a reference to his believe that Stannis was always power-hungry for the Iron Throne, and was just looking for an excuse to try to claim it for himself as Robert's true heir, regardless of whether or not Cersei's children were Robert's or not.
But his own comment about "betraying a secret I have held for so long" is a direct allusion to fAegon's existence, and his determination not to reveal the truth of his existence to anyone, including Tyrion.
Even when Tyrion rides with Illyrio and Jon Connington's entourage in ADWD, Tyrion is only led to believe that they are going to support Daenerys' claim for the Iron Throne, and has to work out for himself that fAegon is actually Aegon and the one Varys and Illyrio wish to crown;
Young Griff hesitated. "Lannister? Your father—" "—is dead. At my hand. If it please Your Grace to call me Yollo or Hugor, so be it, but know that I was born Tyrion of House Lannister, trueborn son of Tywin and Joanna, both of whom I slew. Men will tell you that I am a kingslayer, a kinslayer, and a liar, and all of that is true … but then, we are a company of liars, are we not? Take your feigned father. Griff, is it?" The dwarf sniggered. "You should thank the gods that Varys the Spider is a part of this plot of yours. Griff would not have fooled the cockless wonder for an instant, no more than it did me. No lord, my lordship says, no knight. And I'm no dwarf. Just saying a thing does not make it true. Who better to raise Prince Rhaegar's infant son than Prince Rhaegar's dear friend Jon Connington, once Lord of Griffin's Roost and Hand of the King?" "Be quiet." Griff's voice was uneasy. - ADWD - TYRION VAfter Tyrion works out the truth and manipulates both fAegon and Jon Connington into riding for Westeros instead of joining forces with Daenerys, he disappears and goes off to seek her out.
This likely angers Varys, and is the reason why Varys no longer affectionately calls Tyrion by his name or by '"lord" and instead refers to him as "the imp" in ADWD's epilogue, a term that Varys knows Tyrion hates;
Ser Kevan tried to rise, but the strength had left him. He could not feel his legs. "I thought the crossbow fitting. You shared so much with Lord Tywin, why not that? Your niece will think the Tyrells had you murdered, mayhaps with the connivance of the Imp. The Tyrells will suspect her. Someone somewhere will find a way to blame the Dornishmen. Doubt, division, and mistrust will eat the very ground beneath your boy king, whilst Aegon raises his banner above Storm's End and the lords of the realm gather round him." "Aegon?" For a moment he did not understand. Then he remembered. A babe swaddled in a crimson cloak, the cloth stained with his blood and brains. "Dead. He's dead." - ADWD - EPILOGUEVarys chooses to frame Tyrion for Kevan's murder, **deliberately and intentionally further putting his life in danger by Cersei's wrath, already knowing that Tyrion has a large bounty on his head because of her, and talks lowly of Tyrion by calling him an "Imp" and referring to his "connivance" in a very scorned tone.
Varys never considered Tyrion a friend or ally in ASOIAF and was just using him, another lie that he tells throughout the series, and by the end of ADWD, he hates Tyrion for his scheming and knowing too much information than Varys wished him to know.
But there is a bigger telling point about how much Varys uses Tyrion, and a more ground-breaking twist in the narrative that reflects both how much Varys underestimates Tyrion and how much Varys never cared for him;
In ASOS, Varys didn't tell Tyrion how to reach the Tower of the Hand to go and kill Tywin. Varys told him this key information so that Tyrion could go and kill Shae instead, who Varys considered a greater threat to him.
Shae is one of the few, perhaps the only, people in ASOIAF to see through Varys' disguises;
A whiff of something rank made him turn his head. Shae stood in the door behind him, dressed in the silvery robe he'd given her. I loved a maid as white as winter, with moonglow in her hair. Behind her stood one of the begging brothers, a portly man in filthy patched robes, his bare feet crusty with dirt, a bowl hung about his neck on a leather thong where a septon would have worn a crystal. The smell of him would have gagged a rat. "Lord Varys has come to see you," Shae announced. The begging brother blinked at her, astonished. Tyrion laughed. "To be sure. How is it you knew him when I did not?" She shrugged. "It's still him. Only dressed different." - ACOK - TYRION XThis catches Varys off guard, and any chance of seeing him being angry or looking threatened is waved away from the reader when Tyrion laughs it off and turns his attention again to his paramour Shae.
Wearing disguises is a very important part of Varys' many schemes, including visiting Ned Stark in the Black Cells as the gaoler Rugen;
"Wine," a voice answered. It was not the rat-faced man; this gaoler was stouter, shorter, though he wore the same leather half cape and spiked steel cap. "Drink, Lord Eddard." He thrust a wineskin into Ned's hands. The voice was strangely familiar, yet it took Ned Stark a moment to place it. "Varys?" he said groggily when it came. He touched the man's face. "I'm not … not dreaming this. You're here." The eunuch's plump cheeks were covered with a dark stubble of beard. Ned felt the coarse hair with his fingers. Varys had transformed himself into a grizzled turnkey, reeking of sweat and sour wine. "How did you … what sort of magician are you?" - AGOT - EDDARD XVHis disguise as Rugen is very important to Varys' plans after Tyrion's disappearance from King's Landing, as Varys seeks to frame Rugen as a Tyrell puppet who broke Tyrion from imprisonment on the Tyrells' behalf, to sow division and further paranoia between Cersei and the Tyrells;
Gold, yes, but the moment Cersei took it she could tell that it was wrong. Too small, she thought, too thin. The coin was old and worn. On one side was a king's face in profile, on the other side the imprint of a hand. "This is no dragon," she said. "No," Qyburn agreed. "It dates from before the Conquest, Your Grace. The king is Garth the Twelfth, and the hand is the sigil of House Gardener." Of Highgarden. Cersei closed her hand around the coin. What treachery is this? Mace Tyrell had been one of Tyrion's judges, and had called loudly for his death. Was that some ploy? Could he have been plotting with the Imp all the while, conspiring at Father's death? With Tywin Lannister in his grave, Lord Tyrell was an obvious choice to be King's Hand, but even so . . . "You will not speak of this with anyone," she commanded. - AFFC - CERSEI IIBut this ploy to incite conflict between the Lannisters and Tyrells would have failed if Shae had lived, as she had seen through Varys' disguises and could've warned Cersei of it, something which Varys could not allow, especially given that he considered her one of Cersei's pawns after Tyrion's trial.
It is also fundamentally not in Varys' interest for Tyrion to kill Tywin, as keeping Tywin alive for now would ensure the Dornish would have someone to rise up and seek vengeance against for Elia's murder. As readers are shown in AFFC and ADWD Dornish chapters, the Martells are divided and frankly confused about how to seek vengeance for Elia's murder now that Tywin, Gregor and Armory Lorch - the three men involved in her murder - are now dead. **If Tywin had lived, Varys could've played on the Dornish thirst for vengeance against him and had fAegon promise them it in exchange for their support, something which they likely would've agreed to.
So by this point in the post, we've explored some of the key lies of Varys' character to know for sure what he is not;
- He is not the victim of slavery or a sacrificial victim to magical fires, nor does he abhor those who worship R'hllor or magical flames
- He does not hate the killing and suffering of innocent children, and has actually sought to profit from it in the past
- He has never been a friend or ally to Tyrion Lannister but has instead used him, and even manipulated him into killing Shae to protect one of Varys' own future schemes
Well, Varys is not a eunuch, and in fact fAegon's true father by blood. Varys has deliberately spent his life lying about being a eunuch in order to discourage people from the truth that he is the father of fAegon by Illyrio’s sister, and wants to control the Iron Throne through fAegon.
Recall Varys' conversation with Tyrion in ACOK that I previously cited earlier;
"He accuses my brother and sister of incest. I wonder how he came by that suspicion." "Perhaps he read a book and looked at the color of a bastard's hair, as Ned Stark did, and Jon Arryn before him. Or perhaps someone whispered it in his ear." The eunuch's laugh was not his usual giggle, but deeper and more throaty. "Someone like you, perchance?" "Am I suspected? It was not me." "If it had been, would you admit it?" "No. But why should I betray a secret I have kept so long? It is one thing to deceive a king, and quite another to hide from the cricket in the rushes and the little bird in the chimney. Besides, the bastards were there for all to see." - ACOK - TYRION III"Why should I betray a secret I have kept so long?" is the biggest hint towards fAegon's existence and Varys' own true motivations in the entire series. Varys makes this spur of the moment claim after being caught off guard by Tyrion and doesn't think it through before saying it and letting Tyrion realise there is more to him.
Varys was never castrated and he is not bald. He deliberately shaves his head to hide his true parentage and lies about being a eunuch to discourage people from believing that he is capable of fathering a child, a child with Blackfyre blood that he wishes to sit on the Iron Throne, a secret that Varys has cared for and kept so long.
The last time we see Varys in ADWD, he finally begins to tell the truth about fAegon's existence, and when he does, and speaks about the son he loves, he begins to speak in his real, deeper and non-emasculated voice;**
"Aegon?" For a moment he did not understand. Then he remembered. A babe swaddled in a crimson cloak, the cloth stained with his blood and brains. "Dead. He's dead." "No." The eunuch's voice seemed deeper. "He is here. Aegon has been shaped for rule since before he could walk. He has been trained in arms, as befits a knight to be, but that was not the end of his education. He reads and writes, he speaks several tongues, he has studied history and law and poetry. A septa has instructed him in the mysteries of the Faith since he was old enough to understand them. He has lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers and mended nets and learned to wash his own clothes at need. He can fish and cook and bind up a wound, he knows what it is like to be hungry, to be hunted, to be afraid. Tommen has been taught that kingship is his right. Aegon knows that kingship is his duty, that a king must put his people first, and live and rule for them." - ADWD - EPILOGUEThis is who Varys truly is - not a eunuch, not a victim of slavery or castration, not a man who weeps for the suffering of children, not a friend of Tyrion Lannister, but a loving father who wishes to cast a very large shadow over the greatest empire the world of ASOIAF has ever known.
TLDR:
Varys is not a eunuch but instead the father of fAegon, a secret he has spent his life protecting, and a lie he has spent his life telling to better protect his son.
Varys does not hate R'hllor or those who worship magical flames, his entire story about his manhood being sacrificed to flames is a lie he tells to gain Tyrion's trust in their efforts to defeat Stannis in ACOK. Varys is close friends with Illyrio, a man who praises R'hllor, and spent the early parts of his life encouraging Aerys to feed innocent people to the flames of wildfire.
Varys does not hate the suffering of innocent children, he was prepared to buy an innocent child from a man and sacrifice him in order to protect the "real" Aegon, he was prepared to abandon Rhaenys to her brutal death even if he could have saved her too and prepared to send Viserys and Daenerys into a doomed invasion of Westeros that would've led to their deaths just to make fAegon appear a more heroic saviour compared to them.
Varys was never a friend or ally to Tyrion but instead was using him ever since they first met. He has repeatedly withheld important information from him such as who hired Mandon Moore to kill Tyrion and how Stannis figured out the truth about Cersei's children, and on frequent occasions has nearly openly laughed in Tyrion's face at both his misfortune and the information Varys withheld from him. Varys also manipulated Tyrion into killing Shae so that she would not expose Varys' identity as Rugen and didn't trust Tyrion with the information about fAegon's existence, something that Tyrion had to figure out himself. Varys also talks lowly of Tyrion at the end of ADWD as a "conniving Imp" which reflects Varys' true feelings about Tyrion.
Varys has spent his life shaving his hair and lying about being a eunuch to discourage anyone from believing he could father fAegon and better protect him, so that fAegon could one day take the Iron Throne, and cast a very large shadow over the Targaryen Empire forever.
Thanks for reading, if you enjoyed this theory be sure to read some of my other theories below;
All the signs that Tywin directly gave the Mountain the order to badly mistreat Elia Martell
The Father Rhaegaer, the Son Jon and the Holy Ghost Ghost, religious symbolism
Mance Rayder is a servant of the Others
Leyton Hightower is the Lord of Light and Malora the Mad Maid is Quaithe
2022 archive of ASOIAF theories available at the bottom of this post
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2023.06.04 15:40 delphinusclarinet Lowes Levolor Black Friday Sale
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2023.06.04 15:37 voyager1ednamode Lowes Christmas Tree Sale Black Friday
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2023.06.04 15:32 delphinusclarinet Lowes Kobalt Black Friday
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2023.06.04 15:28 delphinusclarinet Lowes in Store Black Friday Deals
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2023.06.04 15:26 delphinusclarinet Lowes Home Improvement Black Friday
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