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ysabetwordsmithHere are the character notes for "No Faster or Firmer Friendships."
Maria-Vera Navarro -- She has tinted skin, hazel eyes, and long straight hair of dark brown. Her heritage is Mexican, including Spanish and Oʼodham. She speaks Spanish and is learning English, but finds reading very difficult. She is curious about French and Haitian Creole, finding it easier to read in French with its more logical spelling. She is 15 years old in early June 2016 and is about to turn 16 on June 21. She is on the cusp of Gemini-Cancer.
Maria-Vera grew up on a farm south of Naco, Sonora, Mexico. Drug wars killed almost all of her relatives. When she was 13, she saw her last aunt and uncle murdered along with all their children; she was the only one who ran fast enough to escape the narcoleros and warn her other relatives. The few survivors -- her maternal grandparents, parents, youngest brother Panchito, and herself -- fled to America. Panchito suffered from poor health, likely due to exposure to chemicals from drug production or pesticides. Eventually they came to settle in a poor neighborhood of San José, California.
Because of this, Maria-Vera considers the world a dangerous and unpredictable place. She worries about other people getting hurt or killed, and frequently checks up on friends and family. She also hates narcoleros and some of that spills onto drug users, making it hard for her to tolerate them. In America, Maria-Vera has taken some free self-defense classes and wanted more, but her family couldn't afford lessons. Similarly, she has taken advantage of free therapy but couldn't get more. The grief often drags down her mood.
During the Big One, the city suffered a 7.4 earthquake with intensity IX and shaking that lasted for 40 seconds. Maria-Vera was at school; the building took some damage but did not collapse, so she was not injured. Her grandparents were at home; the public housing apartment was relatively new so it survived mostly intact, and they were uninjured. Her parents and Panchito were at the local hospital; it took some damage in the earthquake, which ruptured oxygen supplies and started a terrible fire that killed them and most other people present at the time.
Maria-Vera as a minor and her grandparents as seniors were priority refugees after the injured, and evacuated the day after the earthquake. However, they traveled separately, so they did not know the status of other family members. Her grandparents found out about the fatalities several days later. Maria-Vera wound up in Avery, California and had not heard from anyone. She wears practical girl clothes, mostly in shades of gray and blue.
Qualities: Good (+2) Fast, Good (+2) Observant, Good (+2) Proactive, Good (+2) Survivor, Good (+2) Visual-Spatial Intelligence
Poor (-2) Traumatic Loss
"Witnessing a Murder" The Emotional Wound Thesaurus pp. 78-79
The state of Zacatecas is said to be valuable to multiple organized crime groups (including the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG) for drug trafficking, specifically methamphetamine to the United States. As of 2021, Michoacán is experiencing increased instances of extortion and kidnapping due to a growing presence and escalation in the armed conflicts between CJNG and Cárteles Unidos on regions bordering the neighboring state of Jalisco. CJNG is also currently battling the Los Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel in the North Mexican region of Sonora.
San José 7.4 earthquake with intensity IX. The shaking lasts for 40 seconds.
7.0 – 7.9 about 15 IX – X major – extensive damage, some buildings destroyed
IX. Damage considerable in specially designed structures; well-designed frame structures thrown out of plumb. Damage great in substantial buildings, with partial collapse. Buildings shifted off foundations.
X. Some well-built wooden structures destroyed; most masonry and frame structures destroyed with foundations. Rails bent.
Everything You Need to Know About the Gemini-Cancer Cusp
Discover why this cusp is called the Cusp of Magic
If you were born between June 18th and 24th, consider yourself lucky—your birthday falls within the Gemini-Cancer cusp, or the transitional time between vibrant, intellectual Gemini and sentimental, nurturing Cancer. Gemini-Cancer cusps combine the best of both zodiac signs into one complex, charming, deep personality, giving this cusp the name the “Cusp of Magic.” In this article, we’ll explore the exceptional characteristics of this cusp and reveal their most compatible matches in the zodiac.
The Cancer Zodiac Sign: Complete Cancer Horoscope
August 1, 2025
Element: Water
Color: White
Quality: Cardinal
Day: Monday, Thursday
Ruler: Moon
Greatest Compatibility: Capricorn, Taurus
Lucky Numbers: 2, 3, 15, 20
Dates: June 21 - July 22
Personality Traits
Strengths: Tenacious, highly imaginative, loyal, emotional, sympathetic, persuasive
Weaknesses: Moody, pessimistic, suspicious, manipulative, insecure
Cancer likes: Art, home-based hobbies, relaxing near or in water, helping loved ones, a good meal with friends
Cancer dislikes: Strangers, any criticism of Mom, revealing of personal life
By: Our Astrologers
Deeply intuitive and sentimental, Cancer can be one of the most challenging zodiac signs to get to know. They are very emotional and sensitive, and care deeply about matters of the family and their home. Cancer is sympathetic and attached to people they keep close. Those born with their Sun in Cancer are very loyal and able to empathize with other people's pain and suffering.
The sign of Cancer belongs to the element of Water, just like Scorpio and Pisces. Guided by emotion and their heart, they could have a hard time blending into the world around them. Being ruled by the Moon, phases of the lunar cycle deepen their internal mysteries and create fleeting emotional patterns that are beyond their control. As children, they don't have enough coping and defensive mechanisms for the outer world, and have to be approached with care and understanding, for that is what they give in return.
The Gemini Zodiac Sign: Complete Gemini Horoscope
August 1, 2025
Element: Air
Color: Light-Green, Yellow
Quality: Mutable
Day: Wednesday
Ruler: Mercury
Greatest Compatibility: Sagittarius, Aquarius
Lucky Numbers: 5, 7, 14, 23
Dates: May 21 - June 20
Personality Traits
Strengths: Gentle, affectionate, curious, adaptable, ability to learn quickly and exchange ideas
Weaknesses: Nervous, inconsistent, indecisive
Gemini likes: Music, books, magazines, chats with nearly anyone, short trips around the town
Gemini dislikes: Being alone, being confined, repetition and routine
By: Our Astrologers
Expressive and quick-witted, Gemini represents two different personalities in one and you will never be sure which one you will face. They are sociable, communicative and ready for fun, with a tendency to suddenly get serious, thoughtful and restless. They are fascinated with the world itself, extremely curious, with a constant feeling that there is not enough time to experience everything they want to see.
The sign of Gemini belongs to the element of Air, accompanying Libra and Aquarius, and this connects it to all aspects of the mind. It is ruled by Mercury, the planet that represents communication, writing, and movement. People born under this Sun sign often have a feeling that their other half is missing, so they are forever seeking new friends, mentors, colleagues and people to talk to.
Maria-Vera Navarro -- She has tinted skin, hazel eyes, and long straight hair of dark brown. Her heritage is Mexican, including Spanish and Oʼodham. She speaks Spanish and is learning English, but finds reading very difficult. She is curious about French and Haitian Creole, finding it easier to read in French with its more logical spelling. She is 15 years old in early June 2016 and is about to turn 16 on June 21. She is on the cusp of Gemini-Cancer.
Maria-Vera grew up on a farm south of Naco, Sonora, Mexico. Drug wars killed almost all of her relatives. When she was 13, she saw her last aunt and uncle murdered along with all their children; she was the only one who ran fast enough to escape the narcoleros and warn her other relatives. The few survivors -- her maternal grandparents, parents, youngest brother Panchito, and herself -- fled to America. Panchito suffered from poor health, likely due to exposure to chemicals from drug production or pesticides. Eventually they came to settle in a poor neighborhood of San José, California.
Because of this, Maria-Vera considers the world a dangerous and unpredictable place. She worries about other people getting hurt or killed, and frequently checks up on friends and family. She also hates narcoleros and some of that spills onto drug users, making it hard for her to tolerate them. In America, Maria-Vera has taken some free self-defense classes and wanted more, but her family couldn't afford lessons. Similarly, she has taken advantage of free therapy but couldn't get more. The grief often drags down her mood.
During the Big One, the city suffered a 7.4 earthquake with intensity IX and shaking that lasted for 40 seconds. Maria-Vera was at school; the building took some damage but did not collapse, so she was not injured. Her grandparents were at home; the public housing apartment was relatively new so it survived mostly intact, and they were uninjured. Her parents and Panchito were at the local hospital; it took some damage in the earthquake, which ruptured oxygen supplies and started a terrible fire that killed them and most other people present at the time.
Maria-Vera as a minor and her grandparents as seniors were priority refugees after the injured, and evacuated the day after the earthquake. However, they traveled separately, so they did not know the status of other family members. Her grandparents found out about the fatalities several days later. Maria-Vera wound up in Avery, California and had not heard from anyone. She wears practical girl clothes, mostly in shades of gray and blue.
Qualities: Good (+2) Fast, Good (+2) Observant, Good (+2) Proactive, Good (+2) Survivor, Good (+2) Visual-Spatial Intelligence
Poor (-2) Traumatic Loss
"Witnessing a Murder" The Emotional Wound Thesaurus pp. 78-79
The state of Zacatecas is said to be valuable to multiple organized crime groups (including the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG) for drug trafficking, specifically methamphetamine to the United States. As of 2021, Michoacán is experiencing increased instances of extortion and kidnapping due to a growing presence and escalation in the armed conflicts between CJNG and Cárteles Unidos on regions bordering the neighboring state of Jalisco. CJNG is also currently battling the Los Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel in the North Mexican region of Sonora.
San José 7.4 earthquake with intensity IX. The shaking lasts for 40 seconds.
7.0 – 7.9 about 15 IX – X major – extensive damage, some buildings destroyed
IX. Damage considerable in specially designed structures; well-designed frame structures thrown out of plumb. Damage great in substantial buildings, with partial collapse. Buildings shifted off foundations.
X. Some well-built wooden structures destroyed; most masonry and frame structures destroyed with foundations. Rails bent.
Everything You Need to Know About the Gemini-Cancer Cusp
Discover why this cusp is called the Cusp of Magic
If you were born between June 18th and 24th, consider yourself lucky—your birthday falls within the Gemini-Cancer cusp, or the transitional time between vibrant, intellectual Gemini and sentimental, nurturing Cancer. Gemini-Cancer cusps combine the best of both zodiac signs into one complex, charming, deep personality, giving this cusp the name the “Cusp of Magic.” In this article, we’ll explore the exceptional characteristics of this cusp and reveal their most compatible matches in the zodiac.
The Cancer Zodiac Sign: Complete Cancer Horoscope
August 1, 2025
Element: Water
Color: White
Quality: Cardinal
Day: Monday, Thursday
Ruler: Moon
Greatest Compatibility: Capricorn, Taurus
Lucky Numbers: 2, 3, 15, 20
Dates: June 21 - July 22
Personality Traits
Strengths: Tenacious, highly imaginative, loyal, emotional, sympathetic, persuasive
Weaknesses: Moody, pessimistic, suspicious, manipulative, insecure
Cancer likes: Art, home-based hobbies, relaxing near or in water, helping loved ones, a good meal with friends
Cancer dislikes: Strangers, any criticism of Mom, revealing of personal life
By: Our Astrologers
Deeply intuitive and sentimental, Cancer can be one of the most challenging zodiac signs to get to know. They are very emotional and sensitive, and care deeply about matters of the family and their home. Cancer is sympathetic and attached to people they keep close. Those born with their Sun in Cancer are very loyal and able to empathize with other people's pain and suffering.
The sign of Cancer belongs to the element of Water, just like Scorpio and Pisces. Guided by emotion and their heart, they could have a hard time blending into the world around them. Being ruled by the Moon, phases of the lunar cycle deepen their internal mysteries and create fleeting emotional patterns that are beyond their control. As children, they don't have enough coping and defensive mechanisms for the outer world, and have to be approached with care and understanding, for that is what they give in return.
The Gemini Zodiac Sign: Complete Gemini Horoscope
August 1, 2025
Element: Air
Color: Light-Green, Yellow
Quality: Mutable
Day: Wednesday
Ruler: Mercury
Greatest Compatibility: Sagittarius, Aquarius
Lucky Numbers: 5, 7, 14, 23
Dates: May 21 - June 20
Personality Traits
Strengths: Gentle, affectionate, curious, adaptable, ability to learn quickly and exchange ideas
Weaknesses: Nervous, inconsistent, indecisive
Gemini likes: Music, books, magazines, chats with nearly anyone, short trips around the town
Gemini dislikes: Being alone, being confined, repetition and routine
By: Our Astrologers
Expressive and quick-witted, Gemini represents two different personalities in one and you will never be sure which one you will face. They are sociable, communicative and ready for fun, with a tendency to suddenly get serious, thoughtful and restless. They are fascinated with the world itself, extremely curious, with a constant feeling that there is not enough time to experience everything they want to see.
The sign of Gemini belongs to the element of Air, accompanying Libra and Aquarius, and this connects it to all aspects of the mind. It is ruled by Mercury, the planet that represents communication, writing, and movement. People born under this Sun sign often have a feeling that their other half is missing, so they are forever seeking new friends, mentors, colleagues and people to talk to.
