Financing Of the Disney Project Samples †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Questions: 1.What wellsprings of assets are there that Disney can use for the extension? 2.What are the expenses related with getting capital for the development? Answers: 1.The wellsprings of assets that Disney can use for its extension are talked about underneath;- Value Financing Value ?nancing is the best wellspring of reserve for Disney for its extension. In value financing Disney should trade a part of its responsibility for the money related interest in the business. The proprietorship stake coming about because of a value speculation permits the speculator share in the Disneys pro?ts. Value includes a perpetual interest in the organization and isn't reimbursed by the Disney sometime in the future Inclination shares Disney can likewise give inclination shares for financing its development. Inclination shares gave by Disney will have a fixed rate ofdividendwhich is paid to the normal investors. In the event that Disney issues normal offers, at that point inclination profit will be paid just if adequate distributable benefits are accessible, be that as it may in the event that Disney issues 'aggregate' inclination shares at that point right to an unpaid profit will be conveyed forward by Disney to later years. The unfulfilled obligations of profit on aggregate inclination shares must be paid by Disney before it delivers any profit to the conventional shareholders.(Philips, 2014) Debentures Another wellspring of reserve accessible to Disney is Debenture. Debentureis an endorsement of acknowledgment of credits which is given under the Disney's stamp and it will convey an endeavor that the debenture holder will get a fixed return (fixed based on loan costs) and the chief sum at whatever point the debenture develops. It is given for a significant stretches of time. Debentures can be uninhibitedly transferrable by the debenture holder. Debenture holders will have no democratic rights and the intrigue given to them by Disney is a charge against profit.(2014, ANZ) Bank advance Another wellspring of store for Disney is acquiring from Bank. Disney can borrowfrom bank on present moment, medium term or long haul according to its necessity. Disney should pay enthusiasm on such getting. This intrigue might be fixed or variable. Disney on the off chance that takes a drawn out advance, at that point it will be required to security or insurance for the loan.(hall, 2012) Renting Disney can likewise support its development by renting. A rent is an understanding between two gatherings, the lessor and the resident. The lessor claims a capital resource, yet permits the tenant to utilize it. The renter makes installments under the provisions of the rent to the lessor, for a predetermined timeframe. Renting is, in this manner, a type of rental. Rented resources have for the most part been plant and hardware, vehicles and business vehicles, yet may likewise be PCs and office gear. There are two fundamental types of rent: working leases and account leases.(Business, 2015) 2. Weighted Average Cost of Capital(WACC) is the number-crunching normal (mean) capital cost, where the commitment of every capital source is weighted by the extent of all out subsidizing it gives. WACC is generally communicated as a yearly rate. Cost of Borrowingsimply alludes to the aggregate sum paid by an account holder to make sure about an advance anduse reserves, including financing costs,account support, advance origination,and other credit related costs. An expense of obtaining aggregate will doubtlessly be communicated in money units, for example, dollars, pounds, euro, or yen. Cost of Debtis the general normal rate an organizationpays on all its debts,typically comprising primarilyof securities and bank credits. Cost of obligation is communicated as a yearly rate. Cost of Equity(COE) is a piece of an organization's capital structure. COEmeasuresthe returnsdemanded bystock marketinvestors who will bear the dangers of possession. COE is typically communicated as a yearly percentage.(Wyka, 2014) Cost of Fundsrefers to the premium cost that budgetary organizations pay for the utilization of cash, generally communicated as a yearly rate. Henceforth one might say that these above sources could help the task Disney to get the necessary assets that it is expected to back the whole undertaking of the organization in general. The sources featured here comprises of the significant sources that are accessible on account of the money of the different ventures that are being utilized to development of the organization and help the organization to extend in the current situation and orchestrate the assets with no distress.(UELAND, 2011) Book index 2014, A. R. (n.d.). ANZ. 1-1. Business, B. (2015). banks. 1-1. corridor, A. (2012). 5 Ways of Funding A Business: How To Get Your Piece Of The Pie. Forbes , 1-2. Philips, R. (2014). Antisense Therapeutics. Answer , 1-1. UELAND, S. (2011). 13 Crowdfunding Websites to Fund Your Business. Functional Ecommerce , 1-1. Wyka, S. (2014). Biomass Project Financing Solutions in Today's Difficult Capital Markets. Biomass , 1-1.

Different economic factors Essay Example for Free

Diverse monetary components Essay In this report I will depict the way that Cadbury are influenced by various financial components. I will depict the impact of two differentiating monetary conditions on the business exercises inside the associations. I will at that point contrast the difficulties with chose business exercises inside the associations, in two distinctive financial conditions. Downturn Recession is the point at which the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) falls and goes negative. The GDP speaks to the abundance of the economy. When there is a downturn there is a decrease in business movement, over in excess of a couple of months. Work rates, family unit pay, business benefits and venture burning through all diminishing while joblessness rates and the measure of liquidations rise since individuals start to be increasingly cautious with their cash and are less arranged to purchase expensive things, for instance vehicles and houses. Individuals will in general face less challenges when putting away their cash and organizations likewise can't generally bear to utilize the same number of individuals and this is the means by which the joblessness rates increment. The effect of downturn on Cadbury Recession will influence Cadbury yet not very definitely. The purposes behind this are individuals will at present keep on purchasing Cadbury items since they are a low evaluated item and still reasonable to numerous individuals. The deals for Cadbury may even increment during a downturn since individuals may fall into comfort eating over the downturn which would bring about expanded deals for Cadbury. Increasingly costly items, for instance Cadbury blessing boxes and festivity cakes nonetheless, will diminish sought after and deals for these items will fall reasonably radically in light of the fact that they are more expensive than single bars so less individuals will be set up to go through that measure of cash in a period of downturn. This will anyway build the offer of little, singular bars. In a downturn Cadbury will effortlessly have the option to enroll individuals. This is on the grounds that a higher level of individuals would have been made excess from their past employments thus they will be cheerful simply carrying out a responsibility until they discover something better. They won't be as troubled if the compensation rate isnt as high or on the off chance that they dont get any advantages, they will simply be cheerful about winning cash once more. Accordingly in downturn enlistment for Cadbury would be a simple procedure as a lot of individuals will be searching for work. Cadbury would likewise have the option to pay a decreased pay to new representatives. Monetary Growth Economic Growth is the place the abundance of the expands, this can be estimated by taking a gander at the GDP (Gross Domestic Product. ) As the abundance of the economy is developing there is a more popularity for a businesss items or administrations. When there is a monetary development, individuals will in general have a sense of security about their occupations, their feeling of employer stability increments and they in this manner feel increasingly great about going through out bigger measures of their cash. It is during a period of monetary development that individuals will be bound to apply for a new line of credit with a bank or purchase an extravagant thing, for instance a vehicle since they will be sure about realizing they will be in their activity sometime later. The effect of monetary development on Cadbury When the economy is developing, Cadbury will see an expanded interest for their items since more individuals will be more joyful going through their cash. The offer of bigger, increasingly costly Cadbury items will likewise increment since individuals wont mind paying out more cash for these, dissimilar to they would if there was a downturn. Cadbury will have more workers during this time since they should stay aware of the interest. Enrollment nonetheless, will be a much more slow procedure than it would in a period of downturn. It will be a moderate procedure since individuals are as of now prone to be in an occupation working so it will require some investment for Cadbury to pick up laborers. Cadbury would then bring to the table a higher pace of pay than different organizations so as to get individuals to need to work for them. A great many people would remain with their present place of employment if the compensation is comparable. This could be exorbitant for Cadbury as they should offer as much as possible manage the cost of so as to draw in individuals.

Does School Essay Writing Stifle Creativity

Does School Essay Writing Stifle Creativity The OE Blog After one quarter of primary schools in England boycotted last year’s SATs, a government investigation has concluded that the English schools examination system promotes “no element of creativity”. So what is wrong with English essay writing, and how can we work to improve creativity? The investigation, lead by Lord Bew, took into account the findings and opinions of a group of highly respected and experienced head teachers. Greg Wallace, one of the members of the panel, who is executive principal of four schools, argued that the so-called “creative writing” SAT exam simply drilled children into the ability to construct formulaic sentences. Far from encouraging their imagination and creative flair, he argued that their creativity was in fact stifled by so rigid a means of measuring their creative writing. The point seems to be that whilst children in England are constantly reminded of the importance of structured, ordered essay writing, with a familiar structure including an introduction, separate paragraphs and a conclusion, a strict adherence to these aspects as the only markers of value in a written test is detrimental to a child’s own powers of imagination and individual expression. There were even fears that our academic perceptions of what is a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ piece of writing might be pushing students into churning out one ‘custom essay’ again and again, with only minor alterations made to the structure each time according to the content of the piece. Meanwhile, children’s authors including Michael Rosen and Roger McGough backed the study, warning that the SAT tests were “killing creativity”. They, along with the review panel, argued for a less intrusive system of assessment, whereby a teacher would mark a child based on their creative writing over a whole year instead of on the basis of one single assignment completed under time pressure. This is good news for children with learning difficulties, who have frequently been seen to suffer under the constraints of time-limited examinations, and will provide a fairer, more reliable assessment of children’s progress. But one can’t help wondering whether more than simply a change of assessment technique is required in a system so restricting that a very ‘creative writing’ test is actually accused by head teachers of having a detrimental effect on children’s creativity. Perhaps a move away from our formulaic expectations of essay writing structure and format would be an effective way to begin to encourage pupils to express themselves using new and more meaningful methods? Certainly it seems likely that a move away from a system so obsessed with examinations and results league tables must be a move towards individuality and creativity in our children’s writing.

Comparing and Contrasting Serial Killers - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 7 Words: 2056 Downloads: 9 Date added: 2019/06/17 Category Society Essay Type Compare and contrast essay Level High school Tags: Serial Killer Essay Did you like this example? Since the 1800s scholars and scientists alike have been piecing together the puzzle that is the mind of a serial killer. Early scientists believed phrenology, or the measuring ones skull size, could be used to determine if that individual had the tendencies of a serial killer (Class Lecture). This theory has been since debunked and deemed too simple of a tactic. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Comparing and Contrasting Serial Killers" essay for you Create order In fact, the ecological model implies that intentional homicide is the result of an interplay of individual, relational, social, cultural, and environmental factors (Dogra, Leenars, Chadha, Manju, Lalwani, Sood, and Behera). It would be unbelievably simplistic if, in our modern era, we could measure all the skulls of inmates and determine which ones would only ever commit petty crimes and which ones would actually harm others. Sadly, this theory has proven to be erroneous. It is clearly far more complicated. It is now known that being a serial killer is usually not a predetermined mindset that individuals are born with. Of course there are characteristics that are more likely to make someone exhibit such tendencies such as being a psychopath, or someone who is incapable of feeling empathy for others. While psychopathy can contribute to an individuals serial killer ways, the individual, social, and environmental elements of the individuals life can form the mind of a serial killer (Ma lizia). These elements typically work together to produce the response that occurs in the case of a serial killing. For example individually the individual may have low self-esteem and socially they are withdrawn and antisocial (Malizia). This combination may be what it takes to make someone a killer while it may take more to push others to that point. Everyone is individual and that is where the problem lies in identifying who will become a serial killer and who will not. Taking all of that information into consideration, the question of whether a combination of these factors can shed light onto who is or will become a serial killer. Specifically we will be comparing and contrasting the lives, personalities, and crimes of male and female serial killers to develop a better understanding of how their crimes came to be and to see if there is one or more characteristics that can be utilized to determine who in the present and future will also commit such crimes. Far more widely know are male serial killers. Males in general commit crime at much higher rates than women especially in reference to serial killings (Frei, Vollum, Dittmann). This has nothing to do with the number of victims or the nature of the crimes because women serial killers have killed equal if not more victims than their male counterparts and in equally upsetting ways. In fact, lesser known female killers like Mary Ann Cotton and Amelia Dryers kill list reached at least twenty victims per women which is far more than the more famous Jack the Rippers five victims (Gurian). Despite being lesser known, adequate research is available to uncover the mystery that is female serial killers and attempt to unearth any similarities they share with their more well-known counterpart. One of the main similarities between male and female serial killers is their victim selection. Though the victims may not appear to be similar upon first inspection, a closer look confirms. Males are notorious for killing adult women, specifically women who are strangers to them (Gurian). Whereas women will kill both genders and usually do not target strangers. They will target people who they know such as members of their family, those who are in their care like patients, and children (Gurian). While these two types of victimology seem quite contradictory they are actually more similar than it seems. Both males and females appear to kill victims that present low risks. Men likely kill women because, genetically speaking, it is easy for a man to over-power a woman. The easier it is for them to overpower their victim the quicker the crime and the higher their murder rate. If a victim were to overpower the potential killer, than the victim would be able to get away and report the attem pt to the police which would potentially lead to an arrest of the killer (LaBrode). Men choose their victims based on the idea that they can control the victim and the outcome simultaneously. If the killer does not have complete control of the situation, he feels helpless, without power (Malizia). Likewise, women also look to control the victim and the crime. Due to women typically having a smaller frame than men, it naturally make sense that they would target people who they would be able to over power as well. Targeting family members gives them an element of surprise that males tend to not need. Most people would not expect a member of their family to hurt them. This is the surprise that would give them the upper hand on a male spouse that would otherwise be able to overpower them. These killers are known as black widows and typically have the longest time frame for their killings because they generally go undetected (Case 6). Furthermore, in regards to killing children and patients, it is general knowledge that most adult women are stronger than children and people who are sickly and or elderly who need the help of a caregiver (Gurian).This fact confirms the idea that both men and women do not target people at random. Instead they both target victims that they can control and overpower, thus proving one of few similarities between the two sexes. There are various methods that a serial killer can choose to take the life of their victim. While this may seem like something that is decided one of two ways: premeditate with whatever means the killer has access to or in the heat of the moment with whatever items happen to be near them, this is only partially correct and actually goes much deeper into the analysis of a serial killers actions. Weapons are typically chosen for a reason. For example, women typically choose to kill their victims with poison. This killing method is incredibly quit and in some circumstances nearly impossible to detect (Gurian). Also, considering that many female serial killers work in a field of medicine or act as caregivers it would give them easier access to such poisons that the average individual would have difficulties accessing (Frei, Vollum, Graf, and Dittmann). Another common method of killing for females is strangulation or starvation of their victims. Yet again a method that is respectively mes s free. This too aligns with female killers victimology. Essentially it would be easier for a women to suffocate a child or an elderly person she is acting as caregiver to rather than to smother a healthy adult. Opportunity is the key word when it comes to women and the methods they choose because of their typically smaller frames and the need for them to think uncongenially about how they can most effectively complete their crime. In contrast, men tend to be quite messy when it comes to their killing method. They are far more likely to physically assault their victim with a weapon or with their bare heads. Men will also use knives and guns (Gurian). Such weapon selection will literally leave behind a trail of blood. Fighting with fists certainly will bruise and injure the victim, but can potentially injure the killer as well. If the killer gets a cuts then there is a risk of their blood being found at the crime scene which can lead to an arrest. Being picked up by the police with b ruised and bleeding knuckles will also not help their case in any way. This also means that the victims blood could be found on the killer or their clothes and that will further help bring forth a conviction. Men choose messy methods. There are many factors that affect how long a serial killer will kill for. One of the major contributing factors is how soon they are caught or if at all. Mens timeframe of taking victims is typically shorter than womens. It is estimated that men will kill for two years or less whereas women will kill for four ou more years. The reason that women kill longer is because it generally takes longer for them to be caught by authorities (Gurian). Thus reflecting on why mens killing time frame is shorter. Perhaps if they were able to more deftly evade the police they would be able to kill for a longer time frame. Women are typically spared because of societys reluctance to view women as offenders instead of victims (Gurian). Pulling into victimology, women often kill their families and that is a difficult reality for society to wrap their minds around. No one likes to think that a mother killed her husband and children. It almost seems to defy nature, therefore female serial killers are oft en overlooked. Furthermore, since women kill primarily poison it makes it difficult for the crimes to be traced back to them. Lastly is the most daunting question of all: why do they do it? This is also known as an MO or modus operandi. There are two ways to break down the MO of a serial killer, whether male or female: pleasure or purpose orientated (Wilson and Hilton). With these categories in mind, men typically fall into the pleasure-orientated category. This can be attributed to the fact that most male serial killers are sexual sadist (LaBrode). In other words, males who kill repeatedly tend to enjoy the thrill of inflicting pain onto others. They seek the excitement that such acts give them and to go without becomes a burden for them. That is the driving force that causes them to search for new victims. This can also perhaps shed light onto the reason why men choose to kill women more often because it does provide that sexual experience that they are unable to obtain in regularly sanctioned activities (Gurian). Completely opposite of that is women and their modus operandi. Women are primarily purpose- orientated in their killings. Some examples of purpose-based killing include killing for financial gain, attention, or for religious reasons (Wilson and Hilton). An example of such behavior is the case of Gesina Gottfried from Bremen, Germany. She exemplifies both killing for profit and for attention. Gottfried married three times throughout her life and each time her husband would die. Interestingly enough, she came from a poor family and seemed to move up the financial ladder with each death of her many husbands. In addition to that she would play the role of the caring, doting wife who cared for her ailing husband each time who had the worst of luck. In the eyes of an unsuspecting world she was a sad widow. She further gained attention and sympathy by killing all of her children. While it was not considered infanticide because her youngest child was three years old, she did kill her own children and gained even more attention and thus more sympathy. She was later given the nickna me the Angel of Bermen (Holck). Gottfried clearly gained from her murders. The motives behind male and female serial killings share no similarities. In conclusion, we have learned that there is little similarities between male and female serial killers. Males kill more frequently and in shorter bursts, they kill women, with violent methods, and they usually do it for their own pleasure. Which happens to be almost opposite of women killers. They kill patients and children over longer periods of time, they use poison most often as their choice of method, and they kill for purpose not pleasure. The one detail that can connect their crimes in the slightest way is their choice of victimology selection and their need to be in control of the situation. Obviously they choose victims that are different based on age and gender, but these victims all give the killer, despite being a male or female, what they are looking for which is a sense of control. While this information is not a solid piece of evidence that can be used to automatically determine if someone is a serial killer or not, it is a starting point. Perhaps individuals who have a lack of control of their lives are the ones who need to be paid more attention to.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ( Ptsd ) - 1271 Words

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder commonly known as PTSD is a mental illness that forms when one has experienced a traumatic event or an overwhelming event in one’s life. PTSD can have a severe impact on the nervous system. The nervous system can become stuck in the stressful situation and it will be unable to return to its normal state. PTSD has many symptoms such as avoidance, isolation and flashbacks. There are a few treatments for PTSD available and these include medications and therapy. Even though PTSD is a problem all on its own, there are also other issues associated with this disorder. Acquiring PTSD can lead to depression, alcohol abuse and heart disease. By the end of this synthesis, I hope that one will gain a better understanding of what PTSD is and how it can affect the mind and body of individuals that are affected. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder One always hear the saying, â€Å"The mind is a terrible thing to waste† but does society know what the mind really is? Post-Traumatic Stress disorder commonly known as PTSD is a mental illness that affects the mind. Throughout one’s lifetime, one must have heard or even experienced PTSD at some point. This disorder can develop after a traumatic event or even after an overwhelming period in one’s life. This study was developed to illustrate the causes of PTSD, how it affects the mind and the treatments and issues associated with this mental illness. Contrary to popular belief, post-traumatic stress disorder isShow MoreRelatedPost Traumatic Stress Disorder ( Ptsd )990 Words   |  4 PagesPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder Post-traumatic stress disorder is a common anxiety disorder characterized by chronic physical arousal, recurrent unwanted thoughts and images of the traumatic event, and avoidance of things that can call the traumatic event into mind (Schacter, Gilbert, Wegner, Nock, 2014). About 7 percent of Americans suffer from PTSD. Family members of victims can also develop PTSD and it can occur in people of any age. The diagnosis for PTSD requires one or more symptoms to beRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder ( Ptsd )1471 Words   |  6 PagesRunning head: POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER 1 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Student’s Name Course Title School Name April 12, 2017  Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental disorder that many people are facing every day, and it appears to become more prevalent. This disorder is mainly caused by going through or experiencing a traumatic event, and its risk of may be increased by issuesRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder ( Ptsd ) Essay1401 Words   |  6 PagesAccording to the Mayo-Clinic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, commonly known as PTSD is defined as â€Å"Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that s triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event† (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014). Post Traumatic Stress disorder can prevent one from living a normal, healthy life. In 2014, Chris Kyle playedRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder ( Ptsd )1198 Words   |  5 Pages Post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) is a mental illness that is triggered by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. â€Å"PTSD was first brought to public attention in relation to war veterans, but it can result from a variety of traumatic incidents, such as mugging, rape, torture, being kidnapped or held captive, child abuse, car accidents, train wrecks, plane crashes, bombings, or natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes(NIMH,2015).† PTSD is recognized as a psychobiological mentalRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder ( Ptsd )1423 Words   |  6 Pages Mental diseases and disorders have been around since humans have been inhabiting earth. The field of science tasked with diagnosing and treating these disorders is something that is always evolving. One of the most prevalent disorders in our society but has only recently been acknowledged is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Proper and professional diagnosis and definitions of PTSD was first introduced by the American Psychiatric Association(APA) in the third edition of the Diagnostic andRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder ( Ptsd ) Essay1162 Words   |  5 PagesSocial Identity, Groups, and PTSD In 1980, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD,) was officially categorized as a mental disorder even though after three decades it is still seen as controversial. The controversy is mainly founded around the relationship between post-traumatic stress (PTS) and politics. The author believes that a group level analysis will assist in understanding the contradictory positions in the debate of whether or not PTSD is a true disorder. The literature regarding this topicRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder ( Ptsd ) Essay1550 Words   |  7 PagesPost Traumatic Stress Disorder â€Å"PTSD is a disorder that develops in certain people who have experienced a shocking, traumatic, or dangerous event† (National Institute of Mental Health). Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has always existed, PTSD was once considered a psychological condition of combat veterans who were â€Å"shocked† by and unable to face their experiences on the battlefield. Much of the general public and many mental health professionals doubted whether PTSD was a true disorder (NIMH)Read MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder ( Ptsd )944 Words   |  4 Pageswith Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD Stats). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental disorder common found in veterans who came back from war. We can express our appreciation to our veterans by creating more support programs, help them go back to what they enjoy the most, and let them know we view them as a human not a disgrace. According to the National Care of PTSD, a government created program, published an article and provides the basic definition and common symptoms of PTSD. Post-traumaticRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder ( Ptsd )1780 Words   |  8 Pagesmental illnesses. One such illness is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental illness that affects a person’s sympathetic nervous system response. A more common name for this response is the fight or flight response. In a person not affected by post-traumatic stress disorder this response activates only in times of great stress or life threatening situations. â€Å"If the fight or flight is successful, the traumatic stress will usually be released or dissipatedRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder ( Ptsd )1444 Words   |  6 PagesYim – Human Stress 2 December 2014 PTSD in War Veterans Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition that is fairly common with individuals that have experienced trauma, especially war veterans. One in five war veterans that have done service in the Iraq or Afghanistan war are diagnosed with PTSD. My group decided to focus on PTSD in war veterans because it is still a controversial part of stressful circumstances that needs further discussion. The lifetime prevalence of PTSD amongst war

The Indigo Spell Chapter Three Free Essays

string(75) " discussing Alchemist affairs with those who didn’t know about them\." TRUE TO HIS WORD, Adrian made no other mention of the relationship – or lack thereof – between us. Every once in a while, though, I could swear I saw something in his eyes, something that brought back an echo of his proclamation about continuing to love me. Or maybe it was just his typical impertinence. We will write a custom essay sample on The Indigo Spell Chapter Three or any similar topic only for you Order Now A connecting flight and an hour-long car ride later, it was night by the time we finally reached the small resort town in the Pocono Mountains. Getting out of the car was a shock. December in Pennsylvania was very, very different from December in Palm Springs. Crisp, frigid air hit me, the kind that freezes your mouth and nose. A layer of fresh snow covered everything, glittering in the light of the same full moon that Ms. Terwilliger and I had worked magic by. The stars were out here in just as much force as the stark desert, though the cold air made them glitter in a sharper way. Adrian stayed in our hired car but leaned out as the driver handed me my small suitcase. â€Å"Need any help with that?† Adrian asked. His breath made a frosty cloud in the air. It was an uncharacteristic offer from him. â€Å"I’ll be fine. Thanks, though. I take it you aren’t staying here?† I nodded toward the bed-and-breakfast the car had stopped at. Adrian pointed down the road, toward a large, lit-up hotel perched on a hill. â€Å"Up there. That’s where all the parties will be, if you’re interested. They’re probably just getting started.† I shivered, and it had nothing to do with the cold. Moroi normally ran on a nocturnal schedule, starting their days around sunset. Those living among humans – like Adrian – had to adapt to a daytime schedule. But here, in a small town that must be bursting with Moroi guests, he’d have the chance to return to what was for him a more natural schedule. â€Å"Noted,† I said. A moment of awkwardness followed, but the temperature gave me an excuse for escape. â€Å"Well. I’d better get in where it’s warm. Nice, uh, traveling with you.† He smiled. â€Å"You too, Sage. See you tomorrow.† The car door closed, and I suddenly felt lonely without him. They drove off toward the towering hotel. My bed-and-breakfast seemed tiny by comparison, but it was cute and in good shape. The Alchemists had booked me here precisely because they knew the Moroi guests would have other accommodations. Well, most of them. â€Å"Are you here for the wedding, dear?† asked the innkeeper as she checked me in. â€Å"We have some other guests staying with us as well.† I nodded as I signed my credit card slip. It was no surprise that there’d be overflow to this inn, but there’d be a lot less here than the other hotel. I’d make sure to lock my door. I trusted my friends in Palm Springs, but all other Moroi and dhampirs were questionable. Towns like this, and the inns within them, always seemed intended for couples on romantic getaways. My room was no exception. It had a California-king-size bed draped in a gauzy canopy, along with a heart-shaped Jacuzzi by the fireplace. It screamed love and romance, which brought Adrian back to my mind. I ignored it all as best I could and jotted out a quick text to Donna Stanton, a higher-ranking Alchemist who oversaw my assignment in Palm Springs. Arrived in Pocono Hollow. Checked into inn. Her response came quickly: Excellent. See you tomorrow. A second text followed a moment later: Lock your door. Stanton and one other Alchemist were invited to the wedding as well. But they were already on the East Coast and could simply travel here tomorrow. I envied them. Despite my uneasiness, I slept surprisingly well and dared to emerge for breakfast in the morning. I had no need to worry about Moroi, though. I was the only person eating in the sundrenched dining room. â€Å"How strange,† remarked the innkeeper as she delivered my coffee and eggs. â€Å"I know many of the guests were out late, but I thought at least a few might be here to eat.† Then, to emphasize the oddness of it all, she added, â€Å"After all, breakfast is complimentary.† The nocturnal Moroi, who were all still in bed, emboldened me to explore the town a little that day. Even though I’d prepared with boots and a heavy coat, the weather change was still a bit shocking. Palm Springs had made me soft. I soon called it an early day and spent the rest of the afternoon reading Ms. Terwilliger’s book by the fire. I flew through the first section and even went on to the advanced one she’d told me to skip. Maybe it was the fact that it was forbidden, but I couldn’t stop reading. The scope of what the book described was so gripping and consuming that I nearly jumped a foot in the air when I heard a knock at the door. I froze, wondering if some confused Moroi had mistaken my room for a friend’s. Or, worse, for a feeder’s. My phone suddenly chimed with a text message from Stanton: We’re at your door. Sure enough, when I opened it, I found Stanton standing there – with Ian Jansen, an Alchemist the same age as me. His presence was a surprise. I hadn’t seen Ian since he, Stanton, and I had been detained by Moroi for questioning in the escape of a dhampir fugitive. Back then, Ian had had an unwelcome crush on me. Judging from the dopey smile on his face when he saw me, things hadn’t changed. I gestured them inside, making sure to lock the door when I closed it. Like me, both Alchemists had golden lily tattoos on their left cheeks. It was the sign of our order, tattoos infused with vampire blood that gave us quick healing and were magically designed to stop us from discussing Alchemist affairs with those who didn’t know about them. You read "The Indigo Spell Chapter Three" in category "Essay examples" Stanton arched an eyebrow at the heart-shaped tub and then settled into a chair by the fire. â€Å"No trouble getting here?† Aside from traveling with a good-looking vampire who thinks he’s in love with me? â€Å"None,† I replied. I regarded Ian with a frown. â€Å"I didn’t expect you to be here. I mean, I’m glad you are, but after last time . . .† I paused as something hit me. I looked around. â€Å"It’s all of us. All of us that were, uh, under house arrest.† Stanton nodded. â€Å"It was decided that if we’re going to foster good relations between our groups, the Moroi would start by making amends to the three of us specifically.† Ian scowled and crossed his arms, leaning against a wall. He had brown eyes, with matching brown hair that he wore in a neat haircut. â€Å"I don’t want any ‘amends’ from those monsters after what they did to us this summer. I can’t even believe we’re here! This place is crawling with them. Who knows what’ll happen if one of them drinks too much champagne tonight and goes looking for a snack? Here we are, fresh humans.† I wanted to tell him that was ridiculous, but by Alchemist reasoning, it was a very legitimate concern. And, reminding myself that I didn’t know most of the Moroi here, I realized perhaps his fears weren’t that unfounded. â€Å"I guess we’ll have to stick together,† I said. That was the wrong word choice, judging from Ian’s happy smile. The Alchemists rarely had social time, and this was no exception. Stanton soon got us down to business, going over our plans for the wedding and what our purpose was here. A file folder provided background on Sonya and Mikhail, as though I knew nothing about them. My mission and history with Sonya were secret from other Alchemists, so, for Ian’s sake, I had to nod along with everything as if it was as new to me as it was to him. â€Å"Festivities will probably last until almost sunrise,† said Stanton, gathering up her papers once she’d finished the briefing. â€Å"Ian and I will be departing then and will drop you off at the airport on our way out. You won’t have to spend another night here.† Ian’s face grew darkly protective. â€Å"You shouldn’t have stayed here alone last night. You should have had someone to look after you.† â€Å"I can look after myself,† I snapped, a bit more harshly than I intended. Whether I liked it or not, Ms. Terwilliger’s training had empowered me – literally and figuratively. That, and recent self-defense classes had taught me how to watch out for myself and my surroundings. Maybe Ian meant well, but I didn’t like the idea of him – or anyone – thinking I needed coddling. â€Å"Miss Sage is quite well as you can see,† said Stanton dryly. Ian’s crush had to be obvious to her, and it was equally obvious to me she had no use for such frivolity. Her gaze drifted to the window, which was glowing orange and red with the setting sun. â€Å"Well, then. It’s nearly time. Shouldn’t you be getting ready?† They had arrived in their dress clothes, but I still needed to prepare. They talked together while I got ready in the bathroom, but each time I emerged – to get a hairbrush or earrings or something else – I’d see Ian watching me with that sappy look. Great. This was not what I needed. The wedding was being held in the town’s claim to fame: a huge, indoor garden that defied the wintry conditions outside. Sonya was a huge lover of plants and flowers, and this was pretty much her dream location for a wedding. The glass walls that composed the building were steamed from the drastic difference between inner and outer temperatures. The three of us stepped inside, into an entry area that was used to sell tickets during the greenhouse’s normal operating hours. Here, at last, we found the Moroi that had been hidden to me in daylight. There were about two dozen of them milling around in this entryway, dressed in rich clothing and eerily beautiful with their slim, pale features. Some were ushers and other attendants, helping organize the event and guide guests into the atrium farther into the building. Most Moroi were simply ordinary guests stopping to sign the guest book or chat with friends and family they hadn’t seen in a long time. Around the sides, dhampirs in neat black and white suits stood sentry, watchful for any sign of danger. Their presence reminded me of a far, far greater threat than some drunken Moroi mistaking us for feeders. Holding the event at night meant exposing us to attack by Strigoi. Strigoi were a very different type of vampire – so different, in fact, that I almost felt foolish being unnerved in this group. Strigoi were undead, made immortal by killing their victims, unlike the Moroi, who simply drank enough blood from human volunteers to sustain themselves. Strigoi were vicious, fast, and strong – and only came out at night. The sunlight that Moroi found simply uncomfortable was lethal to Strigoi. Strigoi made most of their kills on unwitting humans, but Moroi and dhampirs were their preferred food. An event like this – Moroi and dhampirs crammed into a small space – was practically like offering up a Strigoi buffet. Eyeing the guardian dhampirs, however, I knew any Strigoi would have a difficult task breaking into this event. Guardians trained hard their entire lives, honing skills to fight Strigoi. Seeing as the Moroi queen was attending this event, I suspected the security I’d seen so far didn’t even begin to scratch the surface. A number of those gathered here stopped talking when they saw us. Not all Moroi knew about Alchemists or how we worked with their people. So, the attendance of three non-feeder humans was a bit of an oddity. Even those who knew about Alchemists were probably surprised to see us, given the formality of our relationship. Stanton was too experienced to let her unease show, but Ian openly made the Alchemist sign against evil as Moroi and dhampir eyes studied us. I did a pretty good job of keeping my cool but wished there was at least one familiar face in this crowd. â€Å"Miss Stanton?† A round-cheeked Moroi hurried forward. â€Å"I’m Colleen, the wedding coordinator. We spoke on the phone?† She extended a hand, and even tough Stanton hesitated before shaking it. â€Å"Yes, of course,† said Stanton, voice cool and proper. â€Å"Thank you for inviting us.† She introduced Ian and me. Colleen waved us toward the atrium’s entry. â€Å"Come, come. We have your seats reserved. I’ll take you there myself.† She swept us past the curious onlookers. As we entered the atrium, I stopped and momentarily forgot the vampires around us. The main greenhouse was magnificent. The ceiling was high and vaulted, made of that same steamed glass. A central area had been cleared and set with seats draped in flowers, very much like what you’d see at a human wedding. A dais at the front of the seating area was covered in more flowers and was obviously where the couple would take their vows. But it was the rest of the room that took my breath away. It was like we’d stepped into some tropical jungle. Trees and other plants heavy with brightly colored flowers lined the sides, filling the humid air with a perfume that was almost dizzying. Since there was no sunlight to light up the greenhouse, torches and candles had been cleverly placed throughout the greenery, casting a mysterious – yet still romantic – light on everything. I felt as though I’d stepped into some secret Amazonian ritual space. And of course, nearly hidden among the trees and bushes, black-clad guardians paced and kept watch on everything. Colleen led us to three seats on the right side of the seating area, marked with a RESERVED sign. They were about halfway back – not as esteemed a spot as family would get, of course, but enough to show that the Moroi thought highly of us and really were trying to undo the strained relationship caused by our detainment. â€Å"Can I get you anything?† Colleen asked. I realized now her exuberant energy was partially nervousness. We made her almost – but certainly not quite – as uneasy as she and the others made us. â€Å"Anything at all?† â€Å"We’re fine,† said Stanton, speaking for all of us. â€Å"Thank you.† Colleen nodded eagerly. â€Å"Well, if you need anything – no matter how small – don’t hesitate to ask. Simply grab one of the ushers, and they’ll find me immediately.† She stood there a moment longer, wringing her hands. â€Å"I’d best check on the others. Remember – call if you need anything.† â€Å"What I need is to get out of here,† muttered Ian once she was gone. I said nothing, not trusting any response. If I reassured him we were safe, I’d be regarded with suspicion. Yet if I acted like our lives were in danger, I’d be lying. My views were somewhere in the middle of those extremes. Someone handed me a program, and Ian leaned a bit more closely than I would’ve liked in order to read over my shoulder. The program detailed a list of songs and readings as well as the members of the wedding party. I could tell from Ian’s face that he was expecting to see â€Å"Unholy Bloodletting† right after the Corinthians reading. His next words affirmed as much. â€Å"They do a good job making it seem so normal, huh?† he asked, not bothering to hide the disgust in his voice. I was a bit surprised at how vicious his attitude was. I didn’t remember him being quite this extreme last summer. â€Å"Like it’s a real wedding or something.† He also wasn’t regulating his volume, and I glanced around anxiously, making sure no one overheard. â€Å"So you’re saying it’s not a real wedding?† I whispered back. Ian shrugged but at least took the hint and lowered his voice. â€Å"With them? It doesn’t matter. They don’t have real families or real love. They’re monsters.† It was ironic that he mentioned â€Å"real love† just then because at that moment, Adrian and his father were ushered to the opposite side of the atrium. Adrian was always a nice dresser, but I’d never seen him in anything so formal. I hated to admit it, but the look was great on him: a navy suit and vest that was nearly black paired with a pale blue shirt and blue-and-white-striped tie. It stood out from the more somber black and gray suits most men here were wearing, but not in an outlandish or tacky way. As I was studying him, Adrian glanced up and caught my eye. He smiled and gave me a small nod. I almost smiled back, but Stanton snapped me back to reality. I allowed him one last, lingering look, and then I turned away. â€Å"Mr. Jansen,† Stanton said in a stern voice. â€Å"Please keep your opinions to yourself. Regardless of their validity, we are guests here and will behave in a civilized way.† Ian nodded grudgingly, flushing slightly as he glanced in my direction – as if being so openly chastised might ruin his chances with me. He didn’t have to worry, seeing as he didn’t have any chance to begin with. Colleen sent an usher to check on us, and while he spoke to Stanton, Ian leaned toward me. â€Å"Am I the only one who thinks it’s crazy that we’re here?† He nodded toward Stanton. â€Å"She thinks this is okay but come on. They held us captive. It’s unforgivable. Doesn’t that make you mad?† I certainly hadn’t liked it at the time, but I’d come to understand why it had happened. â€Å"I hate that they did that,† I lied, hoping it sounded convincing. â€Å"I’m angry every time I think of it.† Ian actually looked relieved enough to drop the topic. We sat in blessed silence as the atrium continued to fill up. By the time the ceremony was about ready to start, there must have been close to two hundred people in the room. I kept looking for familiar faces, but Adrian and his father were the only ones I knew. Then, at the last minute, a brightly clad figure came scurrying in. I groaned at the same time Stanton tsked with disapproval. Abe Mazur had just arrived. Whereas Adrian had made color work with formal wear in a stylish way, Abe used color to offend the sensibilities. To be fair, this was one of the more subdued ensembles I’d ever seen Abe don: a white suit with a bright, kiwi green shirt and paisley ascot. He wore his usual gold earrings, and the sheen of his black hair made me think he’d been hitting some hair oil pretty voraciously. Abe was a dubiously moral Moroi and also the father of my friend – and Adrian’s former dhampir love – Rose Hathaway Abe made me nervous because I’d had some secret dealings with him in the past. He made Stanton nervous because he was a Moroi the Alchemists would never be able to control. Abe seated himself in the front row, earning a horrified look from Colleen the coordinator, who was supervising everything from the side of the room. My guess was that wasn’t part of her seating chart. I heard a trumpet sound, and those sitting in the back suddenly fell to their knees. Like a wave, those seated in the rest of the rows began following suit. Stanton, Ian, and I all exchanged confused looks. Then I understood. â€Å"The queen,† I whispered. â€Å"The queen is coming.† I could see from Stanton’s face that was not something she had considered. She had a split second to decide on protocol for this situation and how to maintain our â€Å"civilized† guest status. â€Å"We don’t kneel,† she whispered back. â€Å"Stay where you are.† It was a valid call, seeing as we owed no fealty to the Moroi queen. Still, I felt flustered and conspicuous at being one of the only people in the room not kneeling. A moment later, a ringing voice declared, â€Å"Her Royal Majesty, Queen Vasilisa, first of her name.† Even Ian caught his breath in admiration as she entered. Vasilisa – or Lissa, as Adrian and Rose continually insisted I call her – was a picture of ethereal beauty. It was hard to believe she was the same age as me. She carried herself with a poise and regality that seemed ageless. Her tall, willowy body was graceful even among Moroi, and her platinum blond hair fell around her pale face like some otherworldly veil. Although dressed in a very modern lavender cocktail dress, she managed to wear it as though it were some grand Victorian ball gown. A black-haired guy with piercing blue eyes walked at her side. Her boyfriend, Christian Ozera, was always easy to spot, providing a dark contrast that worked perfectly with her lightness. Once the royal couple was seated in the front row – seeming very surprised to find Abe waiting for them there – the throng returned to their seats. An unseen cellist began to play, and everyone released a collective breath as we fell into the comfortable ritual of a wedding. â€Å"Amazing, isn’t it?† Ian murmured in my ear. â€Å"How fragile her throne is. One slip, and they’d fall into chaos.† It was true, and it was why Jill’s safety was so important. An old Moroi law said that a monarch had to possess one living family member in order to hold the throne. Jill was the only one left in Lissa’s line. Those who opposed Lissa because of her age and beliefs had realized killing Jill would be easier than going after a queen. Many opposed the law and were trying to change it. In the meantime, the political fallout from Jill’s assassination would be monumental. The Alchemists, whose job it was to keep the Moroi world hidden and protected , needed to prevent their society from falling into chaos. And on a slightly more personal level, I needed to prevent Jill’s death because against all odds, I’d grown to care about her in the short time we’d been together. I shifted my mind from those grim thoughts and focused on the next stage of the wedding. Bridesmaids in deep green satin led the procession, and I wondered if Abe had been attempting to match them with his suit. If so, he’d failed. And there, I spotted my first friendly face, aside from Adrian. Rose Hathaway. It was no surprise she’d be a bridesmaid, seeing as she’d been responsible for the happy couple getting together. She’d inherited her father’s dark hair and eyes and was the only dhampir among the bridesmaids. I didn’t need to see the surprised looks of some of the guests to know that was pretty unorthodox. If Rose noticed or cared, she didn’t show it. She walked proudly on, head held high and face glowing with happiness. With that humanlike dhampir appearance, she was shorter than her Moroi companions and had a more athletic build than the slender, small-chested Moroi. Rose had what was a very normal, very healthy body among humans. Yet when I compared myself to Moroi, I felt enormous. I knew it was ridiculous – especially since I wore a smaller size than Rose – but it was a hard feeling to shake. Adrian had recently had an unwelcome intervention with me, going so far as to claim I was on the verge of an eating disorder. I’d been outraged and told him to mind his own business . . . but ever since then, I’d taken a hard look at my behaviors. I now tried to eat more and had gained exactly one pound, something that had felt torturous and wrong until my friend Trey had recently commented that I was â€Å"looking pretty good these days.† It had reinforced the idea that a few more pounds wouldn’t kill me and might actually be good for me. Not that I’d admit any of that to Adrian. We all stood when Sonya entered. She was glorious in ivory silk, with tiny white roses adorning her fiery hair. The queen had been magnificent, but there was a glow about Sonya that dwarfed even Lissa’s beauty. Maybe it was just something inherent to brides. There was an air of love around Sonya that made her shine. I was surprised to feel a pang in my chest. Ian was probably disappointed when no bloodletting followed, but the ceremony was sweet and filled with emotion. I couldn’t believe how stone-faced my Alchemist companions looked – I was on the verge of tears as the couple recited their vows. Even if Sonya and Mikhail hadn’t been through hell to be together, this was the kind of ceremony that couldn’t help but pull at the heartstrings. As I listened to them swear they’d love each other forever, I found my gaze drifting to Adrian. He didn’t see me looking at him, but I could tell the ceremony was having the same effect on him. He was enraptured. It was a rare and sweet look for him, reminding me of the tortured artist that lived beneath the sarcasm. I liked that about Adrian – not the tortured part, but the way he could feel so deeply and then transform those emotions into art. I had feelings, just like anyone else, but that ability to express them into something creative was an area I would never, ever have expertise in. It wasn’t in my nature. I sometimes gave him a hard time about his art, especially his more abstract pieces. Secretly, I regarded his skills with awe and loved the many facets of his personality. Meanwhile, I had to fight to keep my face blank, to look as though I was a normal Alchemist with no concern for unholy vampire events. Neither of my companions questioned me, so apparently I pulled it off. Maybe I had a future in poker. Sonya and Mikhail kissed, and the crowd erupted into cheers. They only got louder when he brazenly kissed her a second time – and then a third. The next stage of the festivities, the reception, was being held in the hotel where Adrian and most of the other Moroi were staying. Sonya and Mikhail left first, followed by the queen and other high-ranking royals. Stanton, Ian, and I waited patiently for our row to be dismissed so that we could line up for the limos that were ferrying guests the half mile to the hotel. It normally wouldn’t have been that bad of a walk, even in heels, if not for the freezing temperature. Our turn came, and the three of us got into the back of a limo. â€Å"Now we just have to get through the reception,† said Ian as the driver shut our door. â€Å"At least we’ve got our own car.† Suddenly, the door opened, and Abe slid in beside me. â€Å"Room for one more?† He beamed at Stanton and me. â€Å"So nice to see you lovely ladies again. And you must be Ian. A pleasure.† Abe extended his hand. At first, it looked as though Ian wouldn’t shake it, but a sharp look from Stanton dictated otherwise. Afterward, Ian kept looking at his hand as though he expected it to start smoking. The drive only took about five minutes, but I could tell from the other Alchemists’ faces that it felt like five hours for them. â€Å"I think it’s wonderful that you three were invited,† said Abe, perfectly at ease. â€Å"Considering how much we work together, we should have more of these pleasant interactions, don’t you think? Perhaps you’ll invite us to one of your weddings someday.† He winked at me. â€Å"I’m sure you have young men lining up for you.† Even Stanton couldn’t keep a straight face. The look of horror in her expression said there were few things more profane than a vampire coming to a human wedding. She looked visibly relieved when we reached the hotel, but we weren’t free of Abe yet. Some thoughtful person – probably Colleen – had put us at his table, probably thinking it would be nice to be seated with a Moroi we knew. Abe seemed to take great delight in the awkwardness his presence provided, but I had to admit, it was kind of refreshing to have someone who openly acknowledged the strained relations between us rather than pretending everything was okay. â€Å"There’s no blood in that,† Abe told us when dinner was served. The three of us were hesitating over cutting into our chicken marsala, even me. â€Å"The only blood is in the drinks, and you have to actually ask for those at the bar. No one’s going to sneak you something, and the feeders are being kept in another room.† Ian and Stanton still looked unconvinced. I decided I would be the brave one and began eating without any more hesitation. Maybe vampires were unnatural creatures, but they certainly had excellent taste in caterers. A moment later, the other Alchemists joined me, and even they had to admit the food was pretty good. When the plates were cleared, Ian bravely left for the bathroom, giving Stanton a brief opportunity to lean toward me for a hushed status report. â€Å"Everything was okay when you left?† Strained relationship or not, our mission to keep the Moroi stable hadn’t changed. â€Å"Fine,† I said. â€Å"It’s all quiet back there. No sign of trouble.† She didn’t need to know about my own interpersonal drama. Keeping my tone casual, I asked, â€Å"Any news about the Warriors? Or Marcus Finch?† Stanton shook her head. â€Å"None. But I’ll certainly let you know if we uncover anything.† I answered with a polite smile, seriously doubting her words. I hadn’t always liked my Alchemist missions, but I’d spent most of my life following orders without question because I believed my superiors knew what was best and were acting for the greater good. Recent events now made me wonder about that. In thwarting some crazed vampire hunters who called themselves the Warriors of Light, Stanton had withheld information from me, citing that we were on a need-to-know basis. She had brushed it off, praising me for being a good Alchemist who understood such policy, but the incident had made me seethe with anger. I didn’t want to be anyone’s pawn. I could accept that fighting for a greater cause meant tough decisions, but I refused to be used or endangered because of â€Å"important† lies. I’d given my life over to the Alchemists, always believing what they did and told me was right. I’d thought I was important, that they would always look out for me. Now I didn’t know. And yet . . . what could I do? I was sworn and sealed to the Alchemists. Whether I liked what they’d done to me or not, there was no way out, no way to question them. . . . At least, I’d thought that until I learned about Marcus Finch. I’d only found about him recently, after discovering he’d once crossed the Warriors of Light by helping a Moroi named Clarence. Although the Warriors usually only went after Strigoi, a rebel group had once decided to target Clarence. Marcus had stepped up and defended Clarence against the Warriors, convincing them to leave him alone. I’d almost believed Clarence was making up the story until I saw a picture of Marcus. And that was where things got really weird. Marcus seemed to have also crossed the Alchemists. In fact, Clarence and one of the Warriors had hinted that Marcus had at one time been an Alchemist – but was no longer. I hadn’t believed it until I saw his picture. He didn’t have a golden lily – but a large tribal-looking tattoo done in blue ink that was large enough to cover the golden one, if you were trying to hide it. Seeing that was life changing. I’d had no idea it was possible to tattoo over something so powerful. I certainly hadn’t thought anyone could leave the Alchemists or that anyone would even want to, not with the way our purpose was drilled into us practically from birth. How could someone consider abandoning our missions? How could someone go rogue and just walk away from the Alchemists? What had happened that would make him want to do that? Had he had experiences similar to mine? And would they let him go? When I’d asked about him, Stanton claimed the Alchemists had no knowledge of Marcus, but I knew that was a lie. She didn’t know I had his picture. His blue tattoo was big enough to cover a lily, and I’d seen metallic hints of one underneath, proving he had indeed once been one of us. And if he’d had the Alchemist mark, then they most certainly knew about him. They were covering him up, and that just intrigued me further. In fact, I was a little obsessed with him. Some instinct told me he was the key to my problems, that he could help me uncover the secrets and lies the Alchemists were telling me. Unfortunately, I had no clue how to find him. â€Å"It’s important no one here knows what you’re doing, so remember to be discreet,† Stanton added, like I needed to be reminded. A small crease appeared between her eyebrows. â€Å"I was particularly worried about that Ivashkov boy coming to this wedding. We can’t let anyone know you two have more than a passing acquaintance. Little things like that could compromise our mission.† â€Å"Oh, no,† I said quickly. â€Å"You don’t need to worry about Adrian. He understands how important our work is. He’d never do anything to compromise it.† Ian returned, and our discussion ended there. Dinner soon gave way to dancing. With the atmosphere more relaxed, a number of Moroi came over to introduce themselves to us. I felt nearly as popular as the bride and groom. Ian shook so many hands that he eventually became immune to it. And as uncomfortable as it was for my companions, I could tell this event was actually accomplishing its goal of smoothing relations between Alchemists and Moroi. Stanton and Ian were by no means ready to be best friends with any of them, but it was clear they were pleasantly surprised at how friendly and benign most of the guests seemed. â€Å"I’m glad we got this chance to be together,† Ian told me during a lull in our public relations. â€Å"It’s so hard with our jobs, you know? I’m in St. Louis now, in the facility archives. Where do they have you?† Secrecy was key in Jill’s protection. â€Å"I’m in the field, but I can’t say where. You know how it is.† â€Å"Right, right. But you know, if you ever wanted to visit . . . I’d show you around.† His desperation was almost cute. â€Å"Like for a vacation?† â€Å"Well, yeah. Er, no.† He knew as well as I did that Alchemists didn’t get vacations easily. â€Å"But, I mean, they’re doing all the holiday services, you know. If you decide to come to one, well, let me know.† Alchemist priests always conducted special services around Christmas in our main facilities. Some Alchemist families made a point of going to them every year. I hadn’t been to any in a while, not with the way my missions kept jumping around. â€Å"I’ll keep that in mind.† There was a long pause, and his next words came haltingly. â€Å"I’d ask you to dance, you know. Except it wouldn’t be right in this kind of unholy setting.† I gave him a stiff smile. â€Å"Of course. That, and we’re here on business. We’ve got to focus on building good relationships with them.† Ian had started to respond when a familiar voice interrupted us. â€Å"Miss Sage?† We looked up and found Adrian standing above us, dashing in his shades of blue. His face was the picture of perfect politeness and restraint, meaning something disastrous was probably about to happen. â€Å"It’s so nice to see you again,† he said. He spoke as though it had been a while, and I nodded in agreement. As I’d assured Stanton, Adrian knew too much familiarity between us might create a trail back to Jill. â€Å"Did I just hear you two talking about building good relationships?† I was tongue-tied, so Ian answered. â€Å"That’s right. We’re here to make things friendlier between our people.† His voice, however, was most decidedly unfriendly. Adrian nodded with all seriousness, like he hadn’t noticed Ian’s hostility. â€Å"I think it’s a great idea. And I thought of something that would be an excellent gesture of our future together.† Adrian’s expression was innocent, but there was a mischievous sparkle in his eye that I knew all too well. He held out his hand to me. â€Å"Would you like to dance?† How to cite The Indigo Spell Chapter Three, Essay examples

Restoring Happiness Essay Example For Students

Restoring Happiness Essay As the door opens, you are enveloped in the smell of sweet cinnamon and apple floating through the air. The chuckle of uncle Jeff, the kind of laugh where he laughs so hard he starts coughing like its the funniest thing he has heard in his lifetime. Everyone knows its not really that funny though. He is probably just laughing at something he said while everyone else is laughing just because he is such a character. The twinkling christmas tree sits in the corner just past the family on the couch. Presents are nestled under the loose, low hanging limbs right beside the train track and porcelain town. Down the hallway, pleasant and nostalgic christmas songs are playing while mom is setting the table with plates, flowers and holly decoration. Christmas used to be a time where families could come together and enjoy each others presence, but it is no longer common. It created a warm feeling deep in our souls, the feeling of love and comfort. Throughout the years, modern culture has changed the holiday experience from warm and loving to a season revolved around out devices. I attribute this lack of holiday experience with the rise of technology: increased the ideal of gifts, decreased the religious impact, and has changed the way we interact with loved ones. In present day, presents on christmas have become a necessity and social normality, and technology has affected where we shop, what we give, and how we give presents to others. In the past, Christmas was a gift in itself. Getting to see your family, having a great home cooked meal, and basking in the joy of the season. It is not that simple anymore, families are expected to fork out outstanding amounts of money on gifts for not only their children but loved ones and distant family. Technology has been a supporter this unhealthy trend, now even if you may not see the family you have across the world you are expected to send them e-gifts. We no longer get the experience of going out and finding the perfect gift for our family, we simply buy them a gift card or another gift that has no significance. There are few who do take time in looking for the perfect, meaningful gift and the rising popular online shopping is the way they do it. Without shopping in the stores, there is a sense of bonding and family time that is lost. All of the family going out to the city and picking out gifts for one another and trying to sneak around without them seeing you buy it for them. The process of the purchasing power of the online shopper is a vicious cycle, although convenient in our busy lifestyles, it leaves families sitting in their rooms on their phones or laptops wasting the quality time they could be having. Not only does technology hurt our bonding time, it also has become a large priority in life. Technology has become a significant part of our lives, from our phones, to laptops, to iPads, to almost anything around us. The need for the latest and best technology is in high demand, wanting to be able to post a picture of your new Iphone 6 on Instagram for everyone to see and be jealous. Competition has become fierce, and parents are feeling the heat around the seasons to supply their children with the latest and greatest, or they are deemed the worst parents ever! Ideals have changed, needs have increased, families are struggling, technology is changing our needs for gifts. Not only has technology has changed our needs during the season, it has also changed the religious culture. With the increase of technology, there becomes a vast amount of information at our disposal without much of a filter. This allows for just about anyone to be able to access just about anything online, any time of the day, and anywhere. It creates an opening in the world for religious intolerance and the evil that surrounds it. .u0f9d0e34f64528504ecc3e1c9db87b44 , .u0f9d0e34f64528504ecc3e1c9db87b44 .postImageUrl , .u0f9d0e34f64528504ecc3e1c9db87b44 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u0f9d0e34f64528504ecc3e1c9db87b44 , .u0f9d0e34f64528504ecc3e1c9db87b44:hover , .u0f9d0e34f64528504ecc3e1c9db87b44:visited , .u0f9d0e34f64528504ecc3e1c9db87b44:active { border:0!important; } .u0f9d0e34f64528504ecc3e1c9db87b44 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u0f9d0e34f64528504ecc3e1c9db87b44 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u0f9d0e34f64528504ecc3e1c9db87b44:active , .u0f9d0e34f64528504ecc3e1c9db87b44:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u0f9d0e34f64528504ecc3e1c9db87b44 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u0f9d0e34f64528504ecc3e1c9db87b44 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u0f9d0e34f64528504ecc3e1c9db87b44 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u0f9d0e34f64528504ecc3e1c9db87b44 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u0f9d0e34f64528504ecc3e1c9db87b44:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u0f9d0e34f64528504ecc3e1c9db87b44 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u0f9d0e34f64528504ecc3e1c9db87b44 .u0f9d0e34f64528504ecc3e1c9db87b44-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u0f9d0e34f64528504ecc3e1c9db87b44:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Discuss the Role of the Concepts of the Seduced and the Repressed for Understanding the Place of Consumption in Contemporary Consumer Society EssayMany videos and pictures have been released showing the gruesome activities performed by some religions and cultures. This information creates a bad look for many cultures, and makes many followers question their faith. Atheism and other non-believers have been frowned upon for many years, but with the wide amount of people and information online, it has become seemingly normal. Since Christmas is a religious holiday, the negative connotation of religion has created a bad look for all religious holidays. Although Christmas, the annual Christian festival celebrating Christs birth on December 25, is a religious celebration, many people still practice it. We have lost the real meaning behind christmas without the religious background, soon children will not even know why we have christmas or go to church, just that it is a day they receive presents and are forced to go hangout with the family they dont even like. Another downfall to technology being so widespread is that it has almost obliterated the idea of Santa Claus. Santa used to be the pride and joy of Christmas, waiting in bed to hear him land on the roof to bring you presents if you were a good little boy or girl. It has become way too easy to just google is Santa real and everything is ruined for your childhood. Finding out that it is mom and dad eating the cookies you made all those years, buying you presents, and writing you cards. Religion is changing throughout the ages and being spread through technology, taking out the spirit very quickly from the holidays. Even though technology has helped us connect with family and loved ones across the world, it has changed the way we interact with the people surrounding us. Technology has become one of the best ways to communicate with people across the world. This is especially great during the holidays, we are able to communicate with them instantaneously. There is no more need for snail mail and having to plan it out to send a card ahead to time just incase the ail gets backed up and doesnt make it on time for the holidays. Instant messaging has been developed to talk to others, and most recently video chatting. Video chatting has opened a new realm of connection across the world, allowing us to stream live video over the internet to talk to one another as if they were in front of us. Video chatting has made it easier for families apart, military families, and anyone who can not make it whether it be a sickness, distance, or time. However, technology has also made us more distant from those right next to us. Technology makes it easy to take each others company for granted, while attempting to communicate with others who could not be here. Sitting in the living room around the fire, were everyone should be sharing how their day went, what they are excited about, but instead sit and play on the phone or computer looking at the lives of others while they could be living theirs. The social media networks create a false sense of happiness, being able to post a picture and pretend they are having the time of their lives when in reality they are doing the very same thing. This mindless act, although convenient and helpful for connecting with distant loved ones, makes us disconnected from the real meaning and reason for the holidays As many sit in the living room not interacting with the family and getting the full experience of the holidays, there are still few out there who celebrate the true meaning. Although as the years pass the more modern technology becomes, hopefully the true meaning of christmas wont be fully lost. Even though the odds are against the holiday spirit with increasing materialistic needs, decreased religious beliefs, and the interaction with one another, there will always be that glimmer of hope and spirit in a childs eyes on Christmas morning that will restore all hope in the world.