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Histoires De Luna
- Thread starter Velut Luna
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and so we too
Great episode!!!
Velut Luna
Sibilla Cumana
Thanks you all. I'm now with you after a little rest...
Glad to have you back. You've been through a lot lately...
Velut Luna
Sibilla Cumana
to forget it all!
Welcome back Luna, and yes this is a place that helps us to forget it all
oh Luna and what about this?
The Fertility Day Fiasco
The Italian Health Minister’s latest blunder is so spectacular it defies belief
I have tried hard not to rag on Beatrice Lorenzin. I did not rag on her when she claimed that the high incidence of cancer in some areas in the south of Italy was linked to unhealthy eating, rather than the presence of toxic waste. When she opposed the legalisation of cannabis on grounds that “children might use it”, I let it slide. But now Beatrice Lorenzin, Italy’s Minister of Health, has approved and promoted a campaign that treats all women as little more than walking incubators, people who should hurry up and have children for the sake of the country.
It’s called Fertility Day: ostensibly an initiative in favour of reproductive health, in fact a straight-up attack on the idea that fertility and the body are a private matter. The initiative, slated for September 22nd, was promoted through a series of “postcards” that are among the most offensive things I’ve ever seen. The campaign’s website has been down for some time and has now been replaced by a still image, but I have a few gems saved. Here they are.
pics following later
The Fertility Day Fiasco
The Italian Health Minister’s latest blunder is so spectacular it defies belief
I have tried hard not to rag on Beatrice Lorenzin. I did not rag on her when she claimed that the high incidence of cancer in some areas in the south of Italy was linked to unhealthy eating, rather than the presence of toxic waste. When she opposed the legalisation of cannabis on grounds that “children might use it”, I let it slide. But now Beatrice Lorenzin, Italy’s Minister of Health, has approved and promoted a campaign that treats all women as little more than walking incubators, people who should hurry up and have children for the sake of the country.
It’s called Fertility Day: ostensibly an initiative in favour of reproductive health, in fact a straight-up attack on the idea that fertility and the body are a private matter. The initiative, slated for September 22nd, was promoted through a series of “postcards” that are among the most offensive things I’ve ever seen. The campaign’s website has been down for some time and has now been replaced by a still image, but I have a few gems saved. Here they are.
pics following later
Velut Luna
Sibilla Cumana
Velut Luna
Sibilla Cumana
Cuchillos
When we return to the suite Corinne collapses on the bed, taking off only her shoes. I prepare an infusion of fresh coffee and watch the lights in the windows of Paris go out while the dawn is breaking, smoking one cigarette after another, waiting and writing notes. A call from reception comes at six in the morning. When I go down I find Santiago lying on one of the lobby sofas with his feet out on the glass table.
Santiago is a South American guy, with gruesome tattoos on his neck and wrists, identical to the ones that decorate his vest. They are the symbols of the Cuchillos, one of the gangs of Latinos who compete in the streets of the capital without the knowledge of those who aren’t Latinos, police excluded.
'Here I am!'
he yells when he sees me. He gets up to hug me and kiss me on the cheeks.
'How's it going?' I ask him, sitting down in front of him on another couch.
'Always on top. You know me!'
Santiago is a second generation Parisian, born and raised in the city, but he puts on a Colombian accent for style.
'What do you need, hermano?'
'A search on a guy who calls himself ‘the Tsar’ on the internet. He buys little girl stuff.'
'You’ve only got that name?'
I pass the sheet I filled in while I was waiting.
'Here are the sites that he used, and the name of the man he did business with. You can also trace his e-mail.'
'And this man?'
'Dead. I've also written a list of sites which he may have infected, check if it is so. Be careful, the police is investigating.'
Santiago slips the sheet into his jacket pocket.
'The way I move, they can’t even see the dust rising.'
'Be careful all the same.'
'It'll cost you, you know that?'
'How much?'
'Four thousand.'
'Two down, then I’ll have to see, based on what you bring. How do I pay you?'
Santiago dictates to me a number for a Peruvian prepayment card. I promise the transfer today.
'First I want to know something, hermano.'
'Wasn’t our rule no questions?'
'If you’re sleeping with a cop that rule doesn’t apply.'
I’d imagined Santiago would have made inquiries.
'I don’t sleep with her, we only sharing the suite for my safety, to protect me. She’s not on duty.'
'She's still a cop.'
'A problem?'
'No, you can do what you want, you're my friend, though you're not one of us. But I’d like to know why you haven’t asked her instead of me.'
'You said yourself, you're quicker.'
'Only for that?'
'And I don’t trust her contacts.'
Santiago laughs.
'You're right. Never trust the cops.'
'I trust her, you might as well know that. But don’t worry.'
'I never worry, worry is weak.'
'Lucky you.'
'I’ll message you soon.'
'How soon?'
'I don’t know, hermano - a couple of days.'
'Santiago ... I need something right away. Please.'
He picks up my state of anxiety.
'I'll see what I can do.'
We embrace, wishing each other well. Santiago then heads towards the exit, I crawl back into the room dead tired and fall asleep still dressed. I only get three hours, because Santiago really sets to work immediately, he sends the first results on the server I use for private contacts. When I see them, I can't fall asleep.
When we return to the suite Corinne collapses on the bed, taking off only her shoes. I prepare an infusion of fresh coffee and watch the lights in the windows of Paris go out while the dawn is breaking, smoking one cigarette after another, waiting and writing notes. A call from reception comes at six in the morning. When I go down I find Santiago lying on one of the lobby sofas with his feet out on the glass table.
Santiago is a South American guy, with gruesome tattoos on his neck and wrists, identical to the ones that decorate his vest. They are the symbols of the Cuchillos, one of the gangs of Latinos who compete in the streets of the capital without the knowledge of those who aren’t Latinos, police excluded.
'Here I am!'
he yells when he sees me. He gets up to hug me and kiss me on the cheeks.
'How's it going?' I ask him, sitting down in front of him on another couch.
'Always on top. You know me!'
Santiago is a second generation Parisian, born and raised in the city, but he puts on a Colombian accent for style.
'What do you need, hermano?'
'A search on a guy who calls himself ‘the Tsar’ on the internet. He buys little girl stuff.'
'You’ve only got that name?'
I pass the sheet I filled in while I was waiting.
'Here are the sites that he used, and the name of the man he did business with. You can also trace his e-mail.'
'And this man?'
'Dead. I've also written a list of sites which he may have infected, check if it is so. Be careful, the police is investigating.'
Santiago slips the sheet into his jacket pocket.
'The way I move, they can’t even see the dust rising.'
'Be careful all the same.'
'It'll cost you, you know that?'
'How much?'
'Four thousand.'
'Two down, then I’ll have to see, based on what you bring. How do I pay you?'
Santiago dictates to me a number for a Peruvian prepayment card. I promise the transfer today.
'First I want to know something, hermano.'
'Wasn’t our rule no questions?'
'If you’re sleeping with a cop that rule doesn’t apply.'
I’d imagined Santiago would have made inquiries.
'I don’t sleep with her, we only sharing the suite for my safety, to protect me. She’s not on duty.'
'She's still a cop.'
'A problem?'
'No, you can do what you want, you're my friend, though you're not one of us. But I’d like to know why you haven’t asked her instead of me.'
'You said yourself, you're quicker.'
'Only for that?'
'And I don’t trust her contacts.'
Santiago laughs.
'You're right. Never trust the cops.'
'I trust her, you might as well know that. But don’t worry.'
'I never worry, worry is weak.'
'Lucky you.'
'I’ll message you soon.'
'How soon?'
'I don’t know, hermano - a couple of days.'
'Santiago ... I need something right away. Please.'
He picks up my state of anxiety.
'I'll see what I can do.'
We embrace, wishing each other well. Santiago then heads towards the exit, I crawl back into the room dead tired and fall asleep still dressed. I only get three hours, because Santiago really sets to work immediately, he sends the first results on the server I use for private contacts. When I see them, I can't fall asleep.
Last edited by a moderator:
owww... it gets good... I like this Santiago...
Tree
Tree
Velut Luna
It's 3 months now since Luna posted that last chapter, #35.
I think it's time for me to share generally what I've previously only mentioned to a very few friends here.
She'd been away from the Forums for a few weeks, as she said in the post above,
of course I won't breach confidentiality,
but I think I may quote a few short extracts from that conversation
(our chats were in a mixture of Italian and English,
Luna's words are in roman type, my translations in italics):
Ciao cara Eulalia,
sono stata male, male, malissimo.
Hi, dear Eulalia, I’ve been very, very sick...
Ora sto già un poco meglio, lunedì tornerò al lavoro.
I’m a bit better now, I’ll go back to work on Monday (Sept 19th)
Ora carico un nuovo capitolo su HdL.
I’ll post a new chapter of Histoires de Luna very soon.
Ciao cara, mi rincresce non aver potuto avvisarti prima.
Goodnight love, I’m sorry I wasn’t able to tell you (about my illness) sooner.
Thank you! I think to be right! If not send to me a warning!
Buona Notte Cara! Ci sentiremo domani.
Goodnight dear, we’ll be in contact tomorrow.
That was the last I heard from her, on Sept. 16th.
She posted #35 on the 17th, and last visited the Forums on the 19th,
but - unless she contacted anyone by PM - recorded no activity.
At first I wasn't unduly concerned, I knew she was busy,
and I had some problems with my computer that weekend,
so I thought we'd just missed each other.
But naturally, given that we'd become very good friends, enjoying regular chats in PM,
and given what she told me about her ill-health in that last message,
I've been increasingly concerned as the weeks have passed with no communication.
If anyone has had contact with Luna, or can offer any information,
of course I'd be very grateful to know (in strict confidence of course, if required)
Otherwise, if I don't ever hear from her again,
I'll shall cherish the memory of a wonderfully talented, lively-minded young woman,
working with her on her brilliant stories - The Devil in the Convent,
Amica Slavegirl of Pompeii, and this unfinished Histoire,
have been among the most enjoyable times I've spent here.
O Fortuna,
velut Luna
statu variabilis...
It's 3 months now since Luna posted that last chapter, #35.
I think it's time for me to share generally what I've previously only mentioned to a very few friends here.
She'd been away from the Forums for a few weeks, as she said in the post above,
but she told me rather more in our private conversation,
of course I won't breach confidentiality,
but I think I may quote a few short extracts from that conversation
(our chats were in a mixture of Italian and English,
Luna's words are in roman type, my translations in italics):
Ciao cara Eulalia,
sono stata male, male, malissimo.
Hi, dear Eulalia, I’ve been very, very sick...
Ora sto già un poco meglio, lunedì tornerò al lavoro.
I’m a bit better now, I’ll go back to work on Monday (Sept 19th)
Ora carico un nuovo capitolo su HdL.
I’ll post a new chapter of Histoires de Luna very soon.
Ciao cara, mi rincresce non aver potuto avvisarti prima.
Goodnight love, I’m sorry I wasn’t able to tell you (about my illness) sooner.
Thank you! I think to be right! If not send to me a warning!
Buona Notte Cara! Ci sentiremo domani.
Goodnight dear, we’ll be in contact tomorrow.
That was the last I heard from her, on Sept. 16th.
She posted #35 on the 17th, and last visited the Forums on the 19th,
but - unless she contacted anyone by PM - recorded no activity.
At first I wasn't unduly concerned, I knew she was busy,
and I had some problems with my computer that weekend,
so I thought we'd just missed each other.
But naturally, given that we'd become very good friends, enjoying regular chats in PM,
and given what she told me about her ill-health in that last message,
I've been increasingly concerned as the weeks have passed with no communication.
If anyone has had contact with Luna, or can offer any information,
of course I'd be very grateful to know (in strict confidence of course, if required)
Otherwise, if I don't ever hear from her again,
I'll shall cherish the memory of a wonderfully talented, lively-minded young woman,
working with her on her brilliant stories - The Devil in the Convent,
Amica Slavegirl of Pompeii, and this unfinished Histoire,
have been among the most enjoyable times I've spent here.
O Fortuna,
velut Luna
statu variabilis...
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AnimaSinistra
Governor
I miss her too. One of the most talented writers I have ever met. 
Eulalia, I know how close you are to Luna, and I can only imagine your fears at this moment.
I pray that they prove to be unfounded.
algabal
Magistrate
Damn. I forget about this for a few months, come back and find this.
Let's hope that applies.
Yes, very sad.Sadly, still absolute silence from Luna, one cannot help but be pessimistic...
I'd so love to log in and find her back here.