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the-worst-bracket · 1 year

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The Worst Bracket Begins!

Polls are going up starting Wednesday, April 19th, 32 per day! Bracket and list under the cut.

Round 1

Bracket A (4/19-26)

Mineta Minoru (My Hero Academia) v Anglerfish from Dark Bramble (Outer Wilds)

Iago (Othello) v Barbas (Skyrim)

Brendan (Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald) v Mimic (Dark Souls)

Dan (Dan vs) v Pink Diamond (Steven Universe)

Jurgen Litner (The Magnus Archives) v Lily Tucker-Pritchett (Modern Family)

Lonnie Byers (Stranger Things) v Zeus (Greek Mythology)

Lemongrab (Adventure Time) v Steve Cobs (Inanimate Insanity)

Alex Eggleston (Yiik) v Larry Butz (Ace Attorney)

Jerry (Undertale) v Po (Teletubbies)

Billy Hargrove (Stranger Things) v Old Man Who Snitches on Haru (A:TLA)

Kai Winn (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) v Ashfur (Warrior Cats)

Mr. Burns (The Simpsons) v Boscha (The Owl House)

Octavian (Heroes of Olympus) v Makoto Teruhashi (The Disastrous Life of Saiki K)

Robbie Valentino (Gravity Falls) v Gendo Ikari (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

Walter White (Breaking Bad) v Guy Mortadello (Papa Louie)

Medusa Gorgon (Soul Eater) v Snowball (Pinky and The Brain)

Bracket B (4/19-26)

Rohan Kishibe (JJBA) v Jin Guangshan (The Untamed)

Agravaine (Merlin) v Michael (Wii Sports)

Scout (TF2) v Mitsuhiro Higa (Danganronpa)

Creek (Trolls) v Berdly (Deltarune)

Manfred Von Karma (Ace Attorney) v Jeff Winger (Community)

Nazeem (Skyrim) v David (Animorphs)

Simon Laurent (Infinity Train) v Mayuri Kurotsuchi (Bleach)

Kikimora (The Owl House) v Cronus Ampora (Homestuck)

Michael Tritter (House MD) v The Director (Red v Blue)

Eridan Ampora (Homestuck) v Lila Rossi (Miraculous Ladybug)

Skadge (Star Wars: The Old Republic) v Lord Henry Wotton (The Picture of Dorian Gray)

Claptrap (Borderlands) v Jodie Foster (Dungeons and Daddies)

Bill Hawks (Professor Layton) v Carcer (Discworld)

Bender Bending Rodríguez (Futurama) v Izaya Orihara (Durarara!!)

Corrin (Fire Emblem) v The Dark Lord (Miitopia)

Cybelle (Carole and Tuesday) v Jasper (Steven Universe)

Bracket C (4/20-27)

Gul Dukat (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) v Admiral Zhao (A:TLA)

Hordak (She-Ra) v Rachel Berry (Glee)

Book (Battle for Dream Island) v Darth Maul (Star Wars)

Jessica (The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself) v Lester Papadopoulos (Trials of Apollo)

Pong Krell (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) v Aaron Burr (Hamilton)

Armand (Vampire Chronicles) v Gamzee Makara (Homestuck)

Dorodoron (Futari wa Precure Splash Star) v Weiss Schnee (RWBY)

Christopher Taub (House MD) v Tate Landon (America Horror Story: Murder House)

Izzy Hands (OFMD) v Princess Daisy (Super Mario Bros)

Spike (MLP:FIM) v Atlas May (Lackadaisy)

Clutch Powers (LEGO Ninjago) v Orin Scrivello (Little Shop of Horrors)

Thanos (MCU) v Minecraft Skeleton (Minecraft)

Frank Burns (M*A*S*H*) v Lieutenant Nolan (Star Wars: The Bad Batch)

Carter Pewterschmit (Family Guy) v Anakin Skywalker (Star Wars)

Miyo Takano (Higurashi When They Cry) v Borsolino (One Piece)

Hiyoko Saionji (Danganronpa) v Pennywise (IT)

Bracket D (4/20-27)

Pierce Hawthorne (Community) v Ren (Ren and Stimpy)

Whirlpool (Wings of Fire) v Cinder Falls (RWBY)

Thaddeus Campbell (Dishonored) v The Grabber (Black Phone)

Takumi Ichinose (Nana) v Heimskr (Skyrim)

Gale Weathers (Scream) v Lee Kiyoung (Regressor Instruction Manual)

Ianthe Tridentarius (The Locked Tomb) v Alvin Marsh (IT)

Director Ton (Aggretsuko) v Angelica Pickles (Rugrats)

Pencil (Battle for Dream Island) v Odalia Blight (The Owl House)

Kyubey (Madoka Magica) v Newman (Seinfeld)

Jacob Hill (Abbott Elementary) v Gregory House (House MD)

Rachel (Tower of God) v Monkey D Luffy (One Piece)

Dame Alina (Keeper of the Lost Cities) v Miki Kawai (A Silent Voice)

John Winchester (Supernatural) v Kyouichi Saionji (Revolutionary Girl Utena)

Magikarp (Pokemon) v Hippeux (Animal Crossing)

Elmo (Sesame Street) v Saint Charlos (One Piece)

Melli (Pokemon Legends: Arceus) v Dr. Janet Lubelle (WTNV)

Bracket E (4/21-28)

Martin Blyndeff (Epithet Erased) v The Blue Border (Scott the Woz)

Calico Jack (OFMD) v B.E.N. (Treasure Planet)

Doogal (Doogal) v John Gaius (The Locked Tomb)

Crawlings (The Mysterious Benedict Society) v Liza Lotts (Scott the Woz)

Zolf J Kimblee (FMA) v Baron Draxum (Rise of The TMNT)

Kaito Momota (Danganronpa) v Nandor the Relentless (What We Do In the Shadows)

Logan Roy (Succescion) v Mike Wheeler (Stranger Things)

Fermet (Baccano!) v Seymour Krelborn (Little Shop of Horrors)

Emperor Belos (The Owl House) v Taylor Kelly (9-1-1)

AM (I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream) v Jar Jar Binks (Star Wars)

Stuart Little (Stuart Little) v Vinsmoke Sanji (One Piece)

Bibble (Barbie: Fairytopia) v Dennis Nedry (Jurassic Park)

Byakuya Togami (Danganronpa) v Grima Wormtongue (LOTR)

Moe (Calvin and Hobbes) v Balloon Boy (FNAF)

Felix (Red vs Blue) v Klorgbane the Destroyer (Regular Show)

Bro Strider (Homestuck) v Jughead Jones (Riverdale)

Bracket F (4/21-28)

Count Olaf (A Series of Unfortunate Events) v Mort (Madagascar)

Mantle (Dr Stone) v Phillip Anderson (Sherlock)

Eisuke Hondo (Detective Conan) v Drosselmeyer (Princess Tutu)

Hiram Burrows (Dishonored) v Chat Noir (Miraculous Ladybug)

Vriska Serket (Homestuck) v Prince Diamond (Sailor Moon)

Marty (Steven Universe) v Hibiki Shikyouin (PriPara)

White Diamond (Steven Universe) v Norman Osborn (Marvel)

Stregabor (The Witcher) v Cedric Jeanne Elmir (I'm the Villainess, So I'm Taming the Final Boss)

Barney Stinson (HIMYM) v Charlie Bradbury (Supernatural)

Griffith (Beserk) v Chloe Valentine (Be More Chill)

Scott Pilgrim (Scott Pilgrim) v Lionel Luthor (Smallville)

Lydia (Skyrim) v Shadow Weaver (She-Ra)

Rand Ridley (Inside Job) v Jun Kawanakajima (Ultra Maniac)

Krusty the Clown (The Simpsons) v Fire Lord Ozai (A:TLA)

Joseph Sugarman (BoJack Horseman) v Huey Emmerich (Metal Gear)

Anti - Pops (Regular Show) v Kylo Ren (Star Wars)

Bracket G (4/22-29)

Ross Geller (Friends) v Akito Sohma (Fruits Basket)

Henry Bowers (IT) v Junko Enoshima (Danganronpa)

Winner Sinclair (Chibi Vampire) v Evil Do-er/Dark Blue (Animation vs Minecraft)

Clint (Stardew Valley) v Luke Castellan (Percy Jackson)

Kokichi Ouma (Danganronpa) v Colin Robinson (What We Do In The Shadows)

Spy (TF2) v Ghetsis (Pokemon)

Billy (The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy) v Queen Vanessa (A Hat In Time)

Doofus Drake (Ducktales) v Servantis (Ben 10)

Elias Bouchard (The Magnus Archives) v Francisco Guerra (Paranatural)

Tingle (The Legend of Zelda) v Hawt Saus (Chikn Nuggit)

Trishna (Papa Louie) v Mark Brendanawicz (Parks and Recreation)

Unparalleled Innocence (Rain World) v Morgana (Persona 5)

Lady Gisela Sencen (Keeper of the Lost Cities) v Vanitas (Kingdom Hearts)

Suzy Johnston (Phineas and Ferb) v Kaidou Shun (The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.)

Souichi (Junji Ito) v Dr Hotti (Ace Attorney)

Morgoth (LOTR) v Sarah (Ed, Edd, and Eddy)

Bracket H (4/22-29)

Han Sooyoung (Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint) v Barney the Purple Dinosaur (Barney)

Andy Bernard (The Office) v Lars Barriga (Steven Universe)

Dio (Zero Escape) v Caillou (Caillou)

Gideon Gleeful (Gravity Falls) v Balgo (Burn the Witch)

Joshu Higashikata (JJBA) v Toby Flenderson (The Office)

Touga Kiryuu (Revolutionary Girl Utena) v Teledji Adeledji (FFXIV)

Chairman Rose (Pokemon) v Donnel Udina (Mass Effect)

Father (FMA) v Harumi (LEGO Ninjago)

Akio Ohtori (Revolutionary Girl Utena) v Richard (Requiem of the Rose King)

Miranjo (Ranking of Kings) v Kray Foresight (Promare)

Xander Harris (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) v The Worst (Ben 10)

Hisoka Morrow (Hunter x Hunter) v Doc Scratch (Homestuck)

Tony Stark (MCU) v Sakura Horuna (Naruto)

Sir Tristan the Cold (Penumbra Podcast) v Clay Puppington (Morel Orel)

Bling Bling Boy (Johnny Test) v George Constanza (Seinfeld)

Quiche (Tokyo Mew Mew) v Enji Todoroki (My Hero Academia)

#announcement

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milfjagger · 11 months

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lord of the rings actually has good horse casting and here’s why

there are four horses with significant screen time in the trilogy: bill, the hobbits’ pack pony; brego, ridden by aragorn; asfaloth, ridden by arwen; and of course shadowfax of the mearas. asfaloth and shadowfax are of course played by andalusians, the classic “movie star” horses, usually grey or white with a powerful but graceful build and beautiful flowing manes. however i can’t really be mad about it because asfaloth is an elven horse so who knows what magical rituals they are using to keep him shining white…and his colour is also important visually in the flight from the nazgul (all of whom ride black horses). shadowfax is also literally a magical horse and needs to stand out visually, plus he is described in the book as a pure white stallion. basically, having the two horses that are associated with magic be stunningly beautiful and well groomed just makes sense ok

bill and brego are casting choices that i think could have been improved but i understand why they did what they did. bill is actually not played by a pony at all but by a quarter horse, which are usually around 15hh and sturdily built. he doesn’t really look like a pony, but the reason they did it is actually pretty obvious: so that he would be proportionate to the actors playing the hobbits. letting his mane grow out long was a good choice for making him more rustic and pony-like. brego, like all the horses of rohan, is kind of problematic to me, because the vast majority of them are tall, sporty-looking warmbloods which is a horse type that has literally only been developed over the past century or so, as people have a) got taller and b) demanded their horses be more athletic (a tall, lightly-built horse is generally physically capable of jumping higher, for example). rohan is largely based on saxon civilisations, and there is no doubt that their horses were smaller, stockier and much hairier than any of the horses in the movie. HOWEVER, Viggo mortensen is 6’4”, and clearly needed a horse that he wouldn’t look too tall for. i can kind of excuse the horses of the rohirrim looking a bit fancier since they are essentially the king’s guard, but it still doesn’t excuse the complete lack of draft horses and farm horses in rohan.

some other details that i like: all the horses are solid colours. while i wouldn’t mind seeing some piebald/skewbald cobs, especially in the shire, piebald and skewbald horses in the battle scenes would be a complete deal-breaker for me. unless they were full-on vanners (which would be awesome btw) it would give the movie way too much of a western feel, especially i think to american audiences who associate that colouring with paint horses (= american breed, and there is no equivalent of the quote unquote “new world” in tolkein). i also like that legolas’ horse, arod, is a percheron cross!!! those kinds of shorter but extremely solidly built draft horses are perfect for the setting imo. finally, really minor detail but one that i like a lot: eomer’s horse, firefoot, is an iron grey. this is a colour that very rarely lasts throughout a horse’s life, as they tend to lighten very quickly with maturity. this means that firefoot appears to be a young horse, which i think really works for eomer’s character as this fiery young heir to the throne (and also as an excellent horseman)!!!

hope you enjoyed this pointless analysis peace and love on middle earth

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workof-tortured-poetsdepartment · 10 months

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pt 12.2

her pov-

what the fuck what the fuck are you out of mind payu? you hate PDA and you now want to do it?? ''wait are you really thinking I am serious?' WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME, i am too carefree about this all 'calm down im joking, lets go play some other game' I laugh it out and turn around to withdrawn the won tickets. He is still standing silently looking here and there when I get up 'come on' I think I broke his brain or something I turn around to go to another machine but he grabs me by my hand and drags me to a corner behind a machine, 'no one is here.' 'what are you doi-' and his lips are on mine, I forgot where we are, his lips are as always warm, and his kiss is soft, my body has a weird sense of calmness, its like standing on a beach watching the sun drown as breeze hits your face. His hands wrap around my waist, and I pull him closer.

We break apart on suddenly hearing a few giggles, there were kids, probably 10th graders, crossing by, 'don't mind us, lovebirds' a girl says doing a mock salute and they all walk away, Ayan is standing a feet apart and we both are red, shy and smiling looking at each other 'we should go now..' 'yeah' he says while rubbing the back of his neck he is cute.

It's slightly raining, more like a drizzle, and I am driving the car now, to keep my mind straight and away from my mind. At one point I want to un-button that goddamn shirt and feel his skin. What if he finds me unlikable and disgusting for thinking sinful thoughts for him.. Its not like i havent seen his body, but the urge to touch it was always in control of me, but ever since then, I have been loosing my self control. I want to keep feeling his hands on mine, his body beside mine.

on other side I am scared how to tell him about my past. Just the thought of it makes me ache, what if.. what if he looks at me with those eyes that scream I am an ugly monster behind this facade.. what if he leaves me, It wont be a surprise tho.. I see a stall of makai ka bhutta (corn cob) 'hey, see there?' I point towards it, 'let's have some?' 'oh hell yesssssss its the perfect weather for it' 'i know right' I pull up near the stall.

we were standing in the small shed, our shoulders touching. He is smiling, watching the rain as we wait for corns, he always does when it rains, as if he is 5 year old watching rain and being fascinated by it. 'today is nice' he says turning to me 'yep it is'. The seller hands us beautifully roasted Corn-cobs, with their tips all black and soaked in lime juice and rock salt, ugh I love this, everything about this, from the fresh hot corn in my hand and the slight rain on my skin and him beside me, It is perfect. One day we will have a house and we will wait for rain to come and then dance on the roof kissing each other.. what the hell, I shouldn't be daydreaming things. I don't want this to be ruined.. I cannot dream about future.. what if I tell him and.. he leaves.. I know he isn't that kind of person but still.. how can I let hope grow in me? Every time my expectations are broken and I am too messed up to be in love and to be loved. 'what are you thinking?' 'nothing' 'umhmm' 'nothing' he gives me an eyeroll and we let out a laugh.

He starts humming Badde ache lagte hai in between each bite

'ye dharti'

'ye nadiaa'

'ye raina'

'aur?' I ask

'aur tum' he says looking straight at me and smiling

'hum tum itne pass hai, durr hai chand sitare....' we both are humming together as we eat

His pov-

later at her house, 6.08 pm

We are sitting on the sofa thinking of what to watch, more like she is scrolling and searching while I stare at her, how do I explain tell her I just said yes for movies it to spend more time with her, I am such a creepy clingy person.. but we wont get time for next 2 week until the gala ends because of all the work. She puts on some thriller comedy and I am looking at her, they way eyebrows furrow and creases on her forehead, the way she smiles in between and her peeking side glances at me.

'why are you staring at me focus on the movie' she asks me, her eyes still glued to screen. 'Just cause I want to focus on you.' she presses her lips then asks 'so are you just gonna stare me?' 'I want to do more than that.' I don't know why I am so honest right now, but ever since we kissed in Arcade, I just don't want to stop at kiss. I tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear, for clear look at her face and she is silently staring at me. 'more than that.' her eyes are wide open. I nod. 'then why are you still?' 'may I?' 'do it coward' she is smiling wide. 'don't complain about it later' I shift near her and she shifts away while trying to keep her smile contained. I shift again and so does she and now she is at edge. I shift for the last time and hold her hands. 'stop running away Payu.. after pulling on my desperation' She lets out a grin and leans towards my face I am grinning too, we are looking at each other and she plants a kiss on my forehead and re-establishes the eye contact. 'here happy?' I pout at her 'greedy huh?' I nod and give a peck on her lips and my stomach is tingly. 'this is better' and I turn away from her, sitting straight looking at the TV. A guy is chasing someone in night-time or something.

I want her, to be kissing her but what if I ca- She tugs and moves me towards her and leans close, lingering with her lips on mine, touching, but not kissing. My thoughts were all over the place but all I know is her hands on me, her brown eyes staring at me with same need, her rosy cheeks and the way she is breathing, I love her.

her pov-

I tug his shirt and lean close to his face. We are holding our gaze as my lips are slightly brushing on his lips. My insides are going feral, as if I have no thoughts but him, which is true. I want to call him mine, do things to each other and have secrets between us no one will know. My heart beats are audible, I shudder a breathe I need him, fuck it. I pull him by collar and crash my lips on his, my eyes are shut and it was red, everything felt red and burning, I haven't felt this impatient about anyone. I pull away, I don't want to look at him, what if he, he doesn't feel the same. His hands cup around my face and he tilts my face, I open my eyes to find him gazing me, with the same gaze as last sunday night, making me melt in his palms, he is pretty, his hair is kinda messy. His eyes are dark brown, like chocolat- He pulls me in again, our lips are locked with each other.

@pheonix-thefirebird @damnn-dorothea @vellhighbandi @hell-lit011019

#im severely bored so im writing shit #the hyperactivity insect has bit me so here you go #next part they are gonna get fucked in not that sense that sharma wants :D

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jgmartin · 10 months

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THE TOMBSTONE IN THE SEA

There is a tombstone in the sea, a great stone marker that rises above the frigid waves of the Arctic Ocean.

It is a new thing, built not long ago. But if you ask around, nobody seems to know who built it or to whom it belongs.

Most don’t even know that it exists.

But there is an old man, frail and white-bearded, who has sailed the Earth for many years and has come to know many things. One of the things he has come to know is the location of this tombstone.

And another of the things is to whom it belongs.

_____________________

The man’s bones ache against the cold. He looks out to the grave marker— a twisting, decrepit cross that sits above the waves and he takes a deep drag on his corn cob pipe. He breathes out, and his breath becomes fog.

‘It’s not at all as I remember,’ the sailor says, guiding his skiff toward the grave. He is alone on his boat. It’s only him, all by himself at the end of this frozen world, and that’s just fine because even though there’s a storm brewing, and even though he’s tired and weary, he’s here. And that was all that he ever set out to be.

When the boat nears the twisting headstone the sailor throws out a line, mooring himself to the grave. Satisfied that his boat won’t wander, the old man goes below decks. He searches for something, unclasps a steel chest filled with many things. He tosses aside instruments for navigation and seafaring, and tosses aside tattered shoes and socks and old, crumpled papers filled with half-written journal entries that no one shall ever read. He tosses it all, and then at the bottom of the chest he pauses.

Smoke billows from the corner of his mouth.

‘There you are,’ he mutters, resting his pipe on the deck. He pulls forth a book. It’s an old thing, weathered and beaten, its spine a mangled carcass that seems magical if only for the fact that it still holds its yellowed pages in place.

‘It’s been a long time,’ says the man of the sea, and he opens the book. Outside, in the small port-hole window, lightning streaks the sky like the threat of a god. The air rumbles. Thunder— thunder and something else. Something wondrous.

Sinister.

The man opens the book and a feeling runs through him. It’s the sort that burrows deep beneath his jacket, shirt and skin and finds a home inside of his bones. It’s a chill. One both familiar and haunting. One he thought the would never again feel, but perhaps that was just the dream of a young man, desperate to believe that there would be a life for him at the end of all his mistakes and failures.

His old fingers tremble as they flip through the ancient pages. There are words upon them, but the words are alien and rotten-looking, written in strange symbols that the man cannot interpret. Each page is a different language. A new blasphemy. Finally though, he finds the page he has been searching for. It is a page written in symbols the man can understand. There are consonants and vowels, and sentences and small stains where long ago, tears fell upon the parchment like scars to flesh.

Most importantly though, there are memories.

By the light of the dying sun, the man reads words that he promised to never again utter. He reads words that have ended lives, ended worlds. This time he recites them without tears in his eyes, but instead a hollow emptiness, a vast loneliness in his heart. The man feels apart from things. Perhaps, he thinks, he has been apart from things for too long.

The boat is rocking now, moving like a leaf in the wind. The storm is surging around it with such sudden intensity that the old man knows it cannot be a coincidence, cannot be the work of nature alone. Through the porthole, he sees the sky is red and scattered with black clouds. Some of these clouds are lit up, filled with shimmering veins of lightning.

There is something here.

Someone.

A voice rises on the wind, impossibly loud and indecipherable. It sounds like shrieking. Hollering. There’s a voice upon the wind and it’s speaking to the man, but for the life of him, he cannot understand it— not anymore.

But then, he was never meant to. That voice, that ageless power that seeps into all things living and dead, was always meant to be beyond the understanding of men. So far above, so far beyond, that the thoughts and ponderings of mortals are barren before it. Empty. Insignificant.

But the man has come here for this voice. He has come here for this storm. Book in hand, he stumbles out from his cabin on the little boat, stumbles out into a growing maelstrom as his vessel twists upon the wretched gravestone, driven by the malice of the tide.

‘Who are you?’ he bellows into the wind. ‘Who are you, and what is it you’re doing with my voice?’

Laughter echoes around him, infinite and maddening. It speaks words the man has long since forgotten, words the man has sworn to never again speak or hear, and yet if he could, he would scream them to silence this beast.

‘Who are you?’ the old man shouts once more, and this time his voice is broken by fits of coughing. He keels over. His frail hands grip the guardrail of the deck, his feet slipping. The sea is sloshing over him now, drenching him in a coldness worse than he’s ever known, a coldness that’s as inescapable as it is painful. ‘Speak your name!’

‘I am the thing that has always been,’ the Voice says, slithering about him like a snake. ‘I am the Beginning. And now, I am the End.’

No, thinks the man. That’s not true. ‘I am the Beginning,’ he insists, and his voice is weak. Hoarse. ‘I was there when this world was a mote of dust, when all the universe was painted in the black strokes of the abyss.’

‘The strokes of me,’ says the Voice. It sweeps about him, and now the sea is towering, raging, and his boat, still tethered to the awful gravestone, remains upright only by the will of this monster. ‘I watched you from the nothing, from the void. I watched you weave worlds and sing things to life. I watched you dance light into this empty space I called my home, inviting stars to banish my darkness, all so that they could shine upon your broken creations.’

The man breathes. It cannot be.

His memories, lost as they were, are coming back to him now and perhaps it is a trick of this beast, but the man remembers the beginning. The time before time. He remembers the empty palette upon which he painted the colours of this reality, and he remembers the infinite power flowing through him as he shaped the first worlds, the first laws.

He remembers that he wasn’t alone.

‘You,’ he says, and for the first time, he is afraid. ‘The Shape in the Shadows. I dealt with you. I burned you up in the heart of a star, and then scattered you across eons.’

Silence.

If the thing is still there, the old man doesn’t know. The maelstrom, the lightning, the voice of a god fades away and now there is only the gentle froth of waves, gleaming in the setting sun.

‘Come back!’ the man roars. ‘Where are you?’

But the man is alone. Cocooned in silence, he sits upon the deck of his vessel and reads from his ancient book. He has long forgotten most of what was written— his power now so vacant that even looking upon his old words makes his mind ache. But he tries. He sits there, for hours as day turns to night, and he tries to read the pages of that ancient book, but he can’t.

If there is an answer to his misery, to his folly in those pages then he can longer find it. It has left him behind. The only words that make sense to the man are the words written on the final page. Human words. Words written the day he stepped down from the heavens.

They tell a story of a sort. A reminder.

They advise the man that he buried something here, deep beneath these waves ages ago. Pieces of himself. Small fragments of eternity. The words explain that the man locked these fragments away so that he could walk among his children, so that he could see his creation just once through their mortal eyes.

The words speak of regret. Of concern.

They speak of the power of what lay buried, about the terrifying wounds it unleashed upon this world— great fires, floods, and plagues. All of them His will. His reaping.

The old man rests his face in his hands, and he weeps. He weeps until the tears freeze upon his palms, and his lungs, now estranged from infinity, wheeze under the weight of his mortal age. He weeps for a great many things— for his children, his arrogance, and his wondrous creation.

Most of all though, he weeps for the glimmering stars high above, and their bright lights that are fading, fading.

Gone.

#writers #writeblr community #writeblr #creative writing #writing #horror #creepypasta #original writing #writblr #one shot #short story #flash fiction #scary shit #religion #jgmartin

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sweetbee127 · 3 months

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Oh, Golly! Welcome To Bee's Dreamscape! #1

Date: Sunday Jan 14, 2024

TLDR: An old friend walks with me in the woods. The goddess of discord gives me a weird recipe that's supposed to cure my mom of poison. The cure is just corn and basil. No moms were hurt in the dreaming of this dream. kinda.

Note: I plan on writing my dreams here as a log and also as a form of entertainment for the lovely folks who follow me. this is the first of this series. This will contain story elements to enhance the experience. Enjoy!

There was lots of chaos. They had taken my mom off the bus we were on and laid her out on the side of the road as I looked around in shock. It was just supposed to be a hike and we were already halfway up the mountain just minutes away from a trail when my mom collapsed in her seat. I immediately knew what it was. Poison. No one knew who did it. Everyone on the bus was calling for help, asking questions, trying to rouse my still mother while I stood in shock. I turned to my friend who had come along with us for guidance. In reality, I hadn't seen her at all since we parted ways in middle school. There wasn't a clash or a disagreement, we just said "bye" one day and never said "hi" again. But now, it was like she never left.

"Let's get help," She insisted pointing to the woods nearby. "I know a place, but we need to hurry, the police are arriving and if we leave with them here it would look suspicious."

"Alright," I agreed. "Lead the way."

We made our way through the woods in silence for a while. The trees were dense above our heads, but the forest floor was so clear there wasn't a dead leaf in sight. My friend spoke up after a while of walking and I noticed then how calm we were despite it all.

"Would you ever lie to me?" she asked, looking up at the trees. It wasn't accusatory but spoken as if it was just a curiosity.

I didn't look at her, but I felt my face scrunch in confusion. "What? No, why?"

"I mean a white lie. Something to make me feel better about something."

I didn't have time to answer. I blinked and suddenly we had made it to a large mansion in the middle of the woods. We were met with an elegant, iron gate with an equally as elegant golden 'M' embedded in the middle of the arch. My friend rang the buzzer, I blinked again, and we were inside the mansion the gate protected.

The room was smaller than one would expect, white and sterile looking, and well-lit with a massive window taking over much of the wall facing us. Also facing us was an ornate throne which seated the Goddess of Discord, Eris. I couldn't see her eyes, but she looked down on us with an unamused look. She wore a white dress that clasped at one shoulder with a large gold pin and slit down one thigh. With one leg crossed over the other, her black heels added modernity to her look.

I heard her speak in a surprisingly soft yet authoritative tone. She taught us the recipe to a cure for my mother as we knelt at her feet.

"For this," She began. "You will need red corn and basil. Steam this. present the bowl to your mother. She will be well again."

In an instant we were at my house, miles away from any thick woods or mountain trail. It still all made perfect sense as I rummaged through my fridge and found regular yellow corn cobs and some frozen basil. I figured this would have to do as I also figured my mother didn't have much time. With the food in hand, not even bothering to cook any of it, we sprinted for the door.

Touching the knob brought me right back to the road just before the trail. I noticed people had already started walking away from the busses and it made me spiral into a panic. I started to run again, jumping over some cones that separated the mountain edge from the pavement, and shoving some people out of my way.

"MAMA?" I screamed. "MAMA!"

I kept calling for her in the crowed, pushing my way towards the bus. At some point, I decided to ditch the corn and basil and right as I dropped it, I saw her. She was standing and walking with a few others completely fine and smiling. I was overjoyed to see her ok, ran to her and hugged her close.

I woke up feeling exhausted and relived.

#Bee's Dreamscape #Dreams #greek mythology #poison but not really #divine intervention #someone tell me what this means #I love my mom #Come on down and try some corn

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reddogf13 · 6 months

Text

Outlast 2: Deliverance CH 4

Also on A03

Status: Incomplete

Rated: M - Dead Dove Do Not Eat This takes place in the Outlast 2 universe after all, Blood and Gore, Child abuse, Sexual abuse of children & adults, Child killings, religious trauma, Torture and abuse both physical and mental.

Previous chap: CH 3: Atonement

Next chap: CH 5: Deluge

_____________________________________

~Ch:4 Eucharist~

Blake handed out basic orders to everyone else. “Fix what you can. Gather up everything that could be useful.” They spread from him down the town streets. Some fixing their own houses that collapsed from the major storm. Gathering chunks of metal buried partly in the mud. Barbwire taken down wherever it remained tied.

He went out to find the farmers followed by Marta. They were working on gathering what they could. Hanging the cobs looking mostly dark. A few rotten tomatoes on a table having its seeds plucked out. A few sacks of potatoes covered in fresh roots set aside. Approaching James to check in. “How are things going?”

“Better than first expected. Scoured the fields and found all of that left in the dirt.” waving the knife he was using toward the collected stuff. Using the blade to scrape out more seeds from mushy tomatoes. “The potatoes were at the back of the barn regrowin' on their own. We can plant them right away if you want?”

“Uh. … What do you use to water all of this? The lake and river?”

“River only, why?”

“I don't know if it's poisoned or not. There were a lot of dead fish when I crossed the lake.”

“Yeah, we worried about that. Many of us noticed it depends on which part you were at. Down round the main river the mines leached out to it. Spreading further into the lake. Anybody who drank from there suffered some serious illness. Us, meanwhile on the split river creek did fine. Long as you didn't eat the fish jumping up and down river rapids in between.”

“So the creeks fine, but fish aren't?”

“We can strictly take northern river water and be safe. Otherwise there ain't much more we can do. Canned food we can live off of a little while longer. Have to mention though that our pantries are gettin' tight. Something Knoth always made a point of not mattering.” James repeatedly side eyed Marta for a reaction. faking the priest's voice next. “ “Ignore your empty bellies for soon we'll be feasting off God's harvest in heaven.”. ” Dropping the act. “I think he sang a different tune in private.”

“True. Can't live strictly off hunting for forever. Sounds like you didn't have the same faith.”

“Hard to after a while.” Watching Marta. “Faith works like food. Can be good for ya or bad. With Knoth we had a black moldy loaf of bread. Starved, we ate in the hopes it'd kill the pains. Deep down I think we all knew it only made things worse. Made us sick from the inside out. Might take some longer than others to see it. This place used to be better, not so rotten, although I admit it still had its dark spots that we ignored. I pray from here we can get better.”

Blake breathed out a “Yeah.” Telling James to plant the potatoes despite the concern about their water. Asking next. “What's with all the tall fences and barbed wire?” Didn't know you could put corn in a max security prison.

“Couple reasons, Thieves or escapees. Certain people ate first and the rest got desperate for scraps.”

“Mm, I don't think it's necessary anymore. Break them down If you have some free time.” Finishing his check in. Passing through town to try and find the group of hunters. Wanting to learn himself how to trap and forage. Marta limping beside him had him think of what she should be doing. Can't be an enforcer anymore, shouldn't have been in the first place. I guess every town needs a sheriff to break up disputes though. Won't have to kill anyone, she's intimidating enough to stop people from fighting. But her limp could drag her down if things get serious. Feeling bad that she was limping to follow him everywhere. “You don't have to come. You can rest at home if that's better for you.”

“No.” she stated then spoke out what sounded like an excuse. “I won't miss the word of a visiting Angel.”

“I'm not- … What if the angel tells you to go home?”

She let out a rough hum. “... Then I'll go home.”

“Then go home.” He stopped and so did she.

An annoyed bible verse mumbled before she asked. “What will you be doing?”

“Learn how to trap and forage until the day ends. I'll come back and maybe we'll all get to eat something that's not canned. Go home and rest your ankle.”

“It's fine, I can still move.”

“You shouldn't be walking on it. I'm ordering you to go rest.” Smiling at her mumbled along verses when turning to leave. Splitting with one heading up the mountain and the other down. Traveling around the forest while keeping Temple Gate insight he found the group of hunters. Gathering around a cluster of berry bushes. Listening to John explain trapping while they worked. Blake was greeted as he joined in. Caught up to where they were in the lesson. Reported to on where rabbit wires were set in the hopes they'd snag something. Based on how many baskets of berries they collected he hoped everyone would get at least a small bowl's worth. Having some luck with the rabbit wires. Not enough for everyone between the small numbers caught. It turned into a topic of who would get some.

John stated what felt like the obvious. “You should take one.”

“No, there are a lot worse than me.” Wish I could feed everyone with a single rabbit. “Think we'll find anything else today?” taking in the sun approaching the horizon.

“Maybe, up on the mountain side we used to find a ton of edible plants. Wild onions to carrots were up there. Don't know how much we'll find now. Since heretics were running rampant all through these woods.”

Blake nearly choked on his spit at the mention. “You think we'll see any?”

“I'm sure we won't. This is considered a bit far from where they normally spread out. Long as we keep heading west toward the sun set.”

“Mm. … If we do find anything we could try and make a soup. Boil everything in a big pot, if we have one. Keep starvation back for a day.”

“Sounds good. I know a lot of leafy greens that should be up there. Not as filling as actual vegetables, but good for now. … What will you do about the heretics?”

“... I don't know. … Feels weird calling them heretics still. They were just people who wanted to escape Knoth.” Stomach churning on the topic. “I rather not get involved unless I have to.” Ending the topic there to press forward up the mountain. Collecting various edible plants that satisfied Blake's needs for a soup. No carrots, but they found onions along with a collection of mushrooms on a tree. Their group took a break at the mountain's top to eat a small collection of edible flowers. Some weren't flavorful while some were a bit sour like lemons. Blake winced at his shoved down handful making him drool excessively. Unsure if chewing them of flavor felt better compared to harshly swallowing early. At least he caused others to chuckle at his ridiculous eating. Happy to have a little something in his stomach after so long. “Think we'll make it back by nightfall?”

“Just about.” John partly covered his eyes to see how low the sun was set. “Dinners gonna be late by the time we finish cooking it.” Carving bits out of a branch making the rough shape of a fox.

“Heh, I used to carve stuff like that. Haven't since I left scho-” His happy memory ruined by another. Jessica. ... I should have carved a rock for her too. Even if it's been years. By the change in Blake's expression John offered him the small carving knife.

“You can have it if you want. They're easy to make.”

“You sure?” He perked up at the small gift.

“Yeah, got five more at home. I lose them constantly.”

“Thanks.” He glanced around him for something to carve. I could make something to place at the graves. Locking onto a dead looking sapling sticking straight from the ground. Its measly branches bare of any leaves with its bark sun bleached white. Tall yet thin enough to fully grasp with a hand. Should be easy enough to take a chunk off. Grabbing onto the whole thing to yank back. Discovering it to be far sturdier than it looked. Shoving it back and forth to yank its roots free.

“Uh, I could find you some wood?” John offered. Watching Blake continue to struggle against the dead sapling.

“No, I'm not letting this tree win.” Blake joked through his fight. Ripping it enough to pop it free of the earth. Coming out with it was a smooth rock the sapling grew around. “Wow.” he turned it over for a closer look. No wonder it was so sturdy. Dirt brushed away from the roots thick as its own branches. Taking in the whole thing he was excited to start carving. Wanting to spare a lot of it with only a few extra twigs shaved off its branched top. Woodworking was one of the few classes he loved and was exceptionally well at. He cleaned the sapling of any sprouting branches down to a long straight shape. Smaller stringy roots snipped away for a cleaner look. Preserving the smooth rock it had attached itself to. Carving the rough shape of a snake winding down its long length. The head of it coiled just under the rock in a winded back position. Threatening to strike out from under the rock. That was as far as he got before they started to head back. Blake worked hard to carefully carve out the criss crossing scales down the serpent.

Forced to stop when it got too dark to work. Pausing for the moment when they returned to the dining hall. Setting up a whole makeshift process to cook dinner for a mass of starving people. Huge pots gathered to cook chunks of prepared rabbit followed by the various veg. Collected baskets of berry's delicately spread out by the cupful. If there were any extras they'd be put aside for tomorrow. The town was gathered in to be lined up for their dinner. Pots brought out to a bar top outside the kitchen doors for soup to be poured into bowls. Given a cup of berries as a strange side of sorts, but nobody was complaining.

Blake skipped eating for now to finish his carving in the kitchen. Off to the side was a small carved out dove. A fake banner around its neck donning the name Jessica. He planned to place it soon on the stone graves. Smoothing out the last few angles of the rattlesnake currently. Smiling over his finished staff of white turned black surrounding the stone still attached. Its shape resembled a bulky hammer that would surely kill someone if slammed down hard enough. various open areas between the snake lightly carved to show imprints of leafy ground litter. Satisfied that no more needed to be done he left the kitchen to find Marta. Asking around he found out she finished eating a while ago and was back on patrol. He ignored any offerings of food to take before going back out. Wanting to give the walking staff to her soon as possible. Running around in the dark for her going by vague memories of her patrol. Eventually she found him first, leaning against a building to catch his breath.

“Come to find me, Angel?”

“Yes, and you don't have to call me that. Blake's fine.” Wheezing for more air. “Made you this.” Offering her the walking staff. She inspected it up and down without a move to take it. In fact she leaned away from it. Realizing he'd have to do some convincing. “I thought you would need it to walk. It's lighter than the … Last thing. ... Pretty sure with the rock you could still crack a skull.” Based on her negative reaction he was quick to follow up with. “But I saw it more of a defense thing. Better to have and not need than the other way. Everything's fine now, but if anybody needed saving I'm sure you can do it. I promise that I'll never ask you to kill anyone.”

Given an honest promise she took the staff from him. A soft spoken. “Thank you.” given back.

“Welcome.” Turning to visit the child's graves next.

“You want me to watch the streets tonight?” Using the staff to walk more smoothly by his side.

“Well, you don't have to. If people want to run they can.”

“What about the heretics?”

“... Yeah. Keep an eye out. Just scare them away, you don't have to hurt them. … Should stop calling them heretics too.” Delicately placing Jessica's white dove between some stones across the grave site.

“Then what are they?”

He walked silent as he thought of a new term. Can't call them outsiders. I didn't like that when Knoth used it against me. Strangers? But they're not really. Could call them survivors, but isn't everyone? Just use them or people, but if we need to talk about them it could get confusing. Them just seems rude and ostracizing. Developing a headache from the running in circles he was doing. Settled on a label he himself thought was stupid, but felt right. “Goats.”

“Goats?” Marta's brows furrowed. “Why that?”

“It sounds better that the mountains are infested by goats then heretics.”

“What shall goats be called then when differentiating?”

“They'll be heretics.” Letting out a light chuckle. Marta let out an amused puff of air while giving him a questioning look. It was the first time he didn't see Marta so depressingly serious.

“If that's what the angel wants. I'll watch out for visits by “Goats”.”

“Make sure you get some sleep.”

“More plans for tomorrow?”

“Nothing like today. More rebuilding, more hunting for food.” Entering the dining hall to collect his serving. Long cold by now from when it was set aside. “It takes so long to gather everyone. I don't want to interrupt things so often.”

“The speaker horns still work after the storm. I can see the green light out the room's window. It was the best way for word to travel without physically doing so.”

Ugh, then I have to use something Knoth touched. Finishing his small meal. “Can you show me?”

“I can.” Leading him off toward a large two story house. Neighboring the compound near the helicopter crash site. Fully white with pillars lining the front with a second story balcony. The two front doors boarded over where the glass panels were broken out. A green light shown through a front lower window. Blake checked the doors and found them unlocked. Stepping through he saw the insides far more decorated then other places. Nice large rugs covering the floors. Many paintings covering walls blocked by fine carvings and vases.

Stepping to the radio room he saw Marta staying back outside. “Not coming?”

“This was Knoths home.”

Of course it is. “Oh. … Well, he's not here anymore.” Coaxing her to step inside. Waiting for her to duck under the doorway before moving deeper inside. Taking in the long set up radio controls. Most he figured out were to alert what was connected and what wasn't. The ones on were green, but many more were blacked out. “Do you know where “Eastern top road” is?”

“A road leading up toward goat infested forest.”

“Makes sense.” other unlit labels saying eastern this or that. John said the goats were spreading out around there. Pressing a button that was labeled “talk”. “Testing.” his voice heard loud and clear from outside. “Heh, still works.” His smile dropped when he found an orange medicine bottle sitting out not far. Swiping it to read the label. Prescribed to Ethel Garrison. Penicillin G Benzathine - (100mg) to be taken twice daily for 14 days. Hmm, still in date. Must've bought these from someone recently. Pouring himself a couple to swallow down dry. “We need to find more of these.” Holding the bottle up for Marta to see.

“... Those aren't study aids, are they?”

“No, They're antibiotics for all the diseases around here. I said he could've helped the scalled at any time. These are how.” Rattling the bottle before setting it in a pocket on his vest. Facing her, she had a burning glare pointed toward the floor. “Did you know?”

“None were allowed to ask, but still others spoke about- ... I was told to quiet them. …”

“How'd people know? A guess?”

“Us who are older once lived on the outside. Convinced by Knoth and rejected by others, we followed him en masse. 'till we settled here. I was far younger then.”

“You've been outside? How long ago?”

“Mm.” she hummed in thought. “'Bout more than 40 years past since.”

“That's - that's a while.” he nervously chuckled. “Has anyone been out recently?”

“Jacob has. His last visit may have been a month away now. He was sent out to lead a small group for buyin’ a list. Stuff we couldn't make like gas for the generator, “study aids”, to name a few. Don't remember seein' his fellow travelers around.”

“We'll have to find him tomorrow. It's time for another trip.” Leaving the radio room to snoop around the place. Drawers filled by many other bottles left empty. More canned food Blake noted to take back when done. Upstairs he found an office covered in drafts of his gospel. Swept away into the trash bin until it was over filled by Blake. Buried under a pile of fallen papers was a huge floor safe. “Whoa, wonder what Knoths got in here.” He grabbed an iron poker by the empty fireplace. Using it as a makeshift crowbar to stab along the sides. Managing to stab it in between the door to force it up. He could wedge it enough to see the door bending up, but not enough to break it. Even with him leaning his whole weight onto the bar.

“Want me to try?”

Blake couldn't answer through his wheezing, giving a tired head nod as he stepped back. Marta set her staff to the side to grip the poker. Slamming it down firmly with a shout that cracked the safe door free. Thrown back to slam into the floor behind it. The poker itself stuck dented in a curve tossed aside by her. Both peered down into the large hidden safe.

“Guess this solves one problem.” Pulling out a huge brick of cash. A quick flip told him it was indeed all hundred dollar bills. Laying down on the floor he dipped his head into the dark space. Surprised there was a ladder below buried in the pile. Counting the stacks sitting on stacks of hundreds then sitting back up to stand. “Without messing up the stacks I'm guessing there's at least 9 million on the surface alone. If this thing is six feet deep it might be closer to 27 million. When we find Jacob we'll take some of this and buy everything we can to get things running again.”

“Like what?”

“A shit ton of seeds for one. Fuel to keep the generator running.” Grabbing a nearby empty prescription bottle off a window sill. “And pills, a lot of them.”

“You planning to help the scalled?”

“What kind of angel would I be if I didn't?” Setting the bottle back. “I don't think there's anything else here. Meet me at the hall tomorrow. Bring Jacob if you find him.”

#outlast 2 #blake langermann #outlast 2: deliverance #marta outlast #temple gate #val outlast

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fangirlandtheories · 1 year

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for the top five game: ships, songs you listened to this past week, accessories, dream vacation destinations, fics you've read lately, food stuff you don't get to have often, comfort films

Thank you my love <3

Ships:

Steddie Obviously

Stobin FRIENDSHIP

Fruity Four Friendship/ Steve Harrington and The Party

Jopper

Lumax

Honorable mention: The friendship between Murray and Joyce *chefs kiss*

Songs:

Chiquitita - ABBA

Sunny - Boney M

Take On Me (Symphonic Version) - Aha

Say You Love Me - Fleetwood Mac

Hammer To Fall - Queen

Accessories:

Claddagh Ring from my late grandmother

Nose Ring that looks like this

Necklace, again from my late grandmother, that looks like this

This pride anklet

Clip on earrings, mostly from Claire's, these or these in particular

Dream Vacations: (doing this one in black so it's more visible)

Ireland or England. I am actually planning a trip to Ireland, England. and Scotland so I'm definitely made this the top of my list.

The Island of Tonga. This one is tricky because it's not a very feasible dream tbh. Tonga is very far from me but also this is a very environmentally selfish trip. The reason I want to go is because that is where Humpback Whales tend to migrate. I love whales and I would love to see them in the place where they are happiest and free.

Disney. I went when I was little and now I have 3 young nieces and I want to go with them because the magic of it would still exist for them and thus make it more magical for me.

The West Coast. For those that don't know, I am from Pennsylvania and the furthest west I have been is Wisconsin. I wanna see the other half the country on a big road trip.

Maine. I have spent about a week in Maine and it was my favorite place, to the point that I eventually want to move there. I wanna spend as much time as possible there.

Fics:

If you hold me without hurting me (you'll be the first who ever did) by charlies_ginger This one ripped me apart and is my NUMBER ONE favorite thing I've been reading lately.

2. Where the 20 Chain Links Lead by agentM40

Clearly I like to see Steve feeling insecure about his intelligence. This is my favorite trope right now and so far this one has ticked all the right box.

3. exeunt ; enter stage by stardustcoral

Vecna'd Steve is always a goldmine of angst and this one really focuses on the idea of Steve believing that he's hated by everyone before he can figure out that it's Vecna. A must read.

4. with no cross to bear (these words just come out) by hitlikehammers

Protective Steve is so incredible because that is his wheelhouse and he loves to show his love by protecting others HOWEVER protective Eddie is my jam. Eddie who will put everyone in their place and clear a path for his love is just simply too sweet and I adore it.

5. At Below Zero by StrangerSteddie

I am a whump girl through and through so give me all the Steve whump if you wanna see me happy. Truly if anyone ever wants to send me whump recommendations I'll read every single one. This is a prime example of well written whump.

Food I Don't Have Often:

Salmon, ironic because I am having it for dinner tonight

Oxtail. My mom made it once and it was soft and rich and so fucking delicious.

I call them Beef Rollatinis, it's been the birthday meal for the past few years. It's skirt steak rolled up with bell peppers, onions, and carrots with a balsamic glaze. It's the best.

Kentucky Butter Cake. It's so yummy and a pain in the ass to make.

Low Country Boil. It's a big pot of seafood all boiled together. We usually do clams, muscles, and shrimp, and then add in sausage, potatoes, and corn on the cob. It's expensive and kind of work heavy but it's so gooood.

Comfort Films:

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (Mamma Mia 2) WHEN CHER CAME OUT I SOBBED AND SCREAMED

Night At The Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian. I fucking love every NATM movie but this one in particular is the best fucking one. I am a history nerd and this one just settles so nicely in my soul.

The Wizard of Oz. Surprise! Me making Steve love Wizard of Oz is a reflection of it being one of my favorite movies from when I was little.

The Muppets Christmas Carol. IN THIS FAMILY WE LOVE THIS MOVIE. Michael Caine ate. By far the best Christmas movie ever written and nothing compares. I've watched it every year since I was 8.

Life is Beautiful. This movie comforts me but it also hurts me more than any other movie. It's tragic and painful yet goofy and loving and it makes me swoon every time but I have to insist that you watch it in the original Italian as Roberto Benigni intended.

Thank you so much love, this was a lot of fun!!!!

#stranger things #fic rec #steddie fic rec #ask me anything #steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson

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themeaningofitall · 8 months

Text

08/13/2023

Today marks six weeks since I left home, and also six weeks since I have sat down behind this computer and written. This has certainly not been due to a lack of ideas, considering there have been plenty of moments that I have thought of writing about. Although the trip has hardly been packed with excitement, there have been a number of exciting days and moments. Further, for multiple reasons, this trip will be memorable, so I’d like to record it and remember it well.

First to be discussed was my trip. This was actually fairly uneventful. In total, I drove for about 19 hours over the course of two days, which made it completely manageable. The drive itself was also about as pleasant as a 19 hour drive can be, as I crossed through a number of small towns, Native American Reservations, old route 66, and plenty of dessert to get to my destination; I even saw a (relatively small) wildfire on my way in. Upon arrival I was greeted by my host, a kind older German woman named Christine, and we drove together to her farm.

My first night here was certainly not what I was used to back home, but it was far from anything uncomfortable. We first walked around the property, where she showed me all her various plants, trees, and adobe structures she’s built previously. She then showed me to a camper on the corner of the farm where I would be staying for the time being, I set a couple of bags in there, and we headed inside to talk. That first evening was spent primarily getting to know each other; we told a few stories, had a bite to eat, and even cracked open an IPA. Afterwards, she gave me a quick lecture, which I have still not forgotten, about the potential dangers from wildlife. There are mountain lions and bobcats in the area, and we occasionally see coyotes in the property, but neither pose any real threat to people. There are also snakes and scorpions which are much more worrisome, although most species are not venomous. Finally, there are spiders, which are the worst of all. Only two species of spider here are venomous, Black Widows and Brown Recluses, but all species are deserving of death and extinction. After that, I returned to my camper and spent my first night in this new state.

My first few days here were also quite uneventful. Though there is much work to be done on this farm, Christine was very accommodating and wanted me to work on the sorts of things which interested me the most. So, after a few days of getting to know her, the property, and the type of work to be done, we decided to build a shed out of lumber and a cob-lime mix. Unfortunately, we did very limited work towards this during the first month or so of my stay, as I made the super tactical move of arriving just as the heat wave was commencing. Not deterred, we found random small tasks to do inside the house and the garage, or else we’d work a few hours in the morning and evening. This went on for nearly a month, but it has passed, and I seriously doubt we’ll see that sort of heat again until next summer. And once this heat wave did pass, work on the shed went by much faster. We are now almost done framing the entire thing, and will soon commence the adobe work. I’m excited to see this project advance, and though I will probably not see it completed, it will definitely be rewarding to see my work add up to something substantial and useful. I’ll also do my best to share some before and after pictures in case anyone is interested.

There is one night which I feel I must mention. It was my fifth or sixth night here, work had been finished for the day, and I headed inside to shower; so far, so good. I first went inside the camper to grab a few things, and, by pure coincidence, I happened to see a black spider sitting on its web near one of my bags. Reluctantly, I killed it and headed for my awaiting shower. Once there, I turned the light on, as one does, and I noticed what is without a shadow of a doubt one of the biggest spiders I’ve ever seen outside of a glass cage. Once more, I summoned every ounce of willpower I could muster and blasted the creature with a sandal slap powerful enough to kill a god. Having finished the deed, I finally step in to take my well deserved shower and notice something move at my feet. I then crouched down to take a closer look, and lo and behold it’s a bloody scorpion. Yes, it was very small, but at this point I hardly cared anymore. I finished my shower, grabbed a bug bomb from the garage, and set it off inside the camper, as that seemed the only way, short of a bottle of whiskey, that I could reasonably fall asleep without much worry. This worked out fine for about two more weeks, until it inevitably happened again. I walked into the camper, late at night, and with only my phone flashlight to see. As I’m getting ready for bed, I reached for a lamp sitting behind my pillow, and as I did so my hand went straight through a spider web, disturbing the very much alive spider sleeping there. The fiend touched my hand, causing a nearly incalculable acceleration backwards. It was then, in this moment of fear and hesitation that I realized a fundamental, unwavering truth about myself. That is, that there exists no confined space big enough for myself and a live, roaming spider; in each such case, at least one of us must die. As I stood there, panting and furiously waving my flashlight around, I was overcome with a murderous rage that would have made Hannibal seem tame by comparison. I searched for a weapon, then for my adversary, I spoke some words which should not be typed, and I sent him to the shadow realm. Henceforth, any spider I see will be assumed to be a comrade of the one who ambushed my sleeping quarters, and be treated accordingly. After that little incident, I set up my tent just outside the camper, and I continue sleeping there to this day.

I would also like to mention the few people I’ve met during my time here. This will be quick as there are only three. First was Penny. She’s one of Christine’s friends, a retired single woman who lives by herself on a nearby lot. I don’t have much to say about her, other than she is kind, laid back, and likes to smoke weed. In fact, the third sentence I heard her say, after greeting Christine and I, was “I’m hella stoned.” Then there is Jason. Also one of Christine’s friends and a retired carpenter. He was here to share some advice with us on building the shed, and stayed for a beer afterwards. We had a nice conversation where he shared some of his stories, and I some of mine. Ultimately, he came off as someone who was content with life, quite intelligent, respectful, and even funny at times. Finally, there was Melinda. She was also a volunteer who joined us for about three weeks. She was an interesting personality to be around; Prone to random fits of laughter, impulsivity, some rather unsafe working methods, nonsensical occurrences, and believing most of what she heard provided the person saying it claimed to know what they were talking about. Despite that, she was most often fun to be around and we even made the time to go on two outings to the lake.

Initially I, of course, had some doubts about whether leaving my house, my job, family, etc. for a volunteer program was a good idea, but I can now say with confidence that it was. It is generally fun or entertaining, I’m learning much, and I have not been this stress free in quite some time. I truly did not realize just how simple and easy it could be to change my life so drastically for the better. If anything, I feel a bit disappointed that I have not taken more advantage of my new opportunities. The change in setting gave me the opportunities to focus more on my health, both physical and mental, on my formal studies, and on my personal studies and writing projects, yet I have worked very little towards any of those. I am making some progress though, however slight; it’s taken a few weeks, and will presumably take even longer, to shake some of my bad habits.

Like I mentioned earlier, I have been meaning to write for weeks, but have put it off each time for one reason or another. The catalyst that finally made me decide to sit down and type was a simple dinnertime exchange. Christine and I had cooked our dinner quite a bit late into the night, both of us were tired, and neither of us fully sober. So, as one can imagine, we burnt some portions a good deal. We talked as we absentmindedly ate, when she turned to me and said “This is a good meal!” “Yes, it is.” I agreed, without actually thinking about it. I then thought about it for a moment and realized I hadn’t lied, it actually was a good meal. To be sure, it was far from the best, but I most certainly enjoyed cooking and eating with a friend; years have passed since the last time I did so.

It’s now Monday morning. I felt too tired to finish writing last night and instead laid in my tent for a while before sleeping, listening to music, and gazing at the stars with absolutely no stress in mind. This morning I awoke just as the sun began to peer over the mountains, resumed my music, had a smoke, and watched the quail babies run behind their parents. Thus begins another good day.

-Rose

P.S. This is rocket.

#journal #diary #life #my writing #rosereflects

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naturecpw · 1 year

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Maize: From Mexico to the world

For Mexicans, the “children of corn,” maize is entwined in life, history and tradition. It is not just a crop; it is central to their identity. By Matthew O'Leary May 20, 2016

EL BATAN, Mexico (CIMMYT) – For Mexicans, the “children of corn,” maize is entwined in life, history and tradition. It is not just a crop; it is central to their identity.

Even today, despite political and economic policies that have led Mexico to import one-third of its maize, maize farming continues to be deeply woven into the traditions and culture of rural communities. Furthermore, maize production and pricing are important to both food security and political stability in Mexico.

One of humanity’s greatest agronomic achievements, maize is the most widely produced crop in the world. According to the head of CIMMYT’s maize germplasm bank, senior scientist Denise Costich, there is broad scientific consensus that maize originated in Mexico, which is home to a rich diversity of varieties that has evolved over thousands of years of domestication.

The miracle of maize’s birth is widely debated in science. However, it is agreed that teosinte (a type of grass) is one of its genetic ancestors. What is unique is that maize’s evolution advanced at the hands of farmers. Ancient Mesoamerican farmers realized this genetic mutation of teosinte resembled food and saved seeds from their best cobs to plant the next crop. Through generations of selective breeding based on the varying preferences of farmers and influenced by different climates and geography, maize evolved into a plant species full of diversity.

The term “maize” is derived from the ancient word mahiz from the Taino language (a now extinct Arawakan language) of the indigenous people of pre-Columbian America. Archeological evidence indicates Mexico’s ancient Mayan, Aztec and Olmec civilizations depended on maize as the basis of their diet and was their most revered crop.

As Popol Vuh, the Mayan creation story, goes, the creator deities made the first humans from white maize hidden inside a mountain under an immovable rock. To access this maize seed, a rain deity split open the rock using a bolt of lightning in the form of an axe. This burned some of the maize, creating the other three grain colors, yellow, black and red. The creator deities took the grain and ground it into dough and used it to produce humankind.

Many Mesoamerican legends revolve around maize, and its image appears in the region’s crafts, murals and hieroglyphs. Mayas even prayed to maize gods to ensure lush crops: the tonsured maize god’s head symbolizes a maize cob, with a small crest of hair representing the tassel. The foliated maize god represents a still young, tender, green maize ear.

Maize was the staple food in ancient Mesoamerica and fed both nobles and commoners. They even developed a way of processing it to improve quality. Nixtamalization is the Nahuatl word for steeping and cooking maize in water to which ash or slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) has been added. Nixtamalized maize is more easily ground and has greater nutritional value, for the process makes vitamin B3 more bioavailable and reduces mycotoxins. Nixtamalization is still used today and CIMMYT is currently promoting it in Africa to combat nutrient deficiency.

White hybrid maize (produced through cross pollination) in Mexico has been bred for making tortillas with good industrial quality and taste. However, many Mexicans consider tortillas made from landraces (native maize varieties) to be the gold standard of quality.

“Many farmers, even those growing hybrid maize for sale, still grow small patches of the local maize landrace for home consumption,” noted CIMMYT Landrace Improvement Coordinator Martha Willcox. “However, as people migrate away from farms, and the number of hectares of landraces decrease, the biodiversity of maize suffers.”

Diversity at the heart of Mexican maize

The high level of maize diversity in Mexico is due to its varied geography and culture. As farmers selected the best maize for their specific environments and uses, maize diverged into distinct races, according to Costich. At present there are 59 unique Mexican landraces recorded.

https://www.cimmyt.org/blogs/maize-from-mexico-to-the-world/

#Maize #Mexico #House Plants

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shelbbswrites · 1 year

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How do you think Sebastian gets involved with the Titans? Will Jinx pick up on DK being in love with each other but being unaware? What episode do you think we’ll get a DK kiss? What is up with Gar? Although exonerated for Lex Luthor’s murder, will he go after COB? What will Rachel’s new powers be? How do Tim and Bernard get togethe?

The best part about Sebastian’s arc is I’m not sure how he will fold into the Titans’ plot. He’s unconsciously wrapped up with Mother Mayhem and the Temple of Azarath, but I like that I don’t know how his path will cross with the Titans — yet.

As for Jinx, I don’t know if she’ll pick up on Dick and Kory being “in love,” but she will likely pick up on something between them. That scene from the trailer suggests that Kory will be the one to convince Jinx to help them because Jinx doesn’t want to work with Dick. Kory vouching for Dick says a lot.

This opinion MAY be unpopular, but I hope we get to wait a bit for a DickKory kiss. I want there to be a real build-up that creates an anticipation that BUZZES.

Titans has SO MUCH untapped potential with Gar and not only with his skill set. His character depth deserves proper exploration, and the teases in the first two episodes, including him blacking out and unknowingly transforming into different animals, means the show has plans to give Gar MORE story this season.

Likewise, this season explores Conner’s identity and those dueling parts of himself. Going toe-to-toe with Lex is a good way to translate that internal struggle into a physical fight — if the show goes there. I hope it subverts my expectations and takes Conner’s story somewhere shocking and fulfilling.

Honestly, I’m not too concerned about Rachel’s new powers right now. She’s so confident in herself in those first two episodes. She was the scared little girl, and now she’s helping a girl like her. She proudly calls herself Raven. She steps into the scary unknown with courage. She’s steady, and so I think any new power will be exciting to watch her adjust and hone and eventually excel.

I couldn’t tell you how Tim and Bernard will get together because I’m not convinced they will get together, really. I’m not sure what that age gap is, which makes me apprehensive because we know Tim is young. So, that (Near? Almost? Actual? It cuts off) kiss in the trailer lacks context that would give Tim and Bernard’s dynamic more definition. I know about Tim and Bernard in the books, so time will tell how Titans tells this story.

Phew, this post is a long one, but it’s always fun to write about Titans. If you have any more questions or theories or anything, send them my way!

#titans #titans spoilers #conner kent #dickkory #dick grayson #kori'andr #kory anders #gar logan #rachel roth

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rialerthorston · 2 years

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Mis Milagritos (sample)

(first draft so it's a bit messy, if people like it I will post the rest)

The past always affects the future, but can the future affect the past? Once it’s done, it’s done. But if you are able to see the future in the present, doesn’t that mean it’s settled too? Or can it still change. Funny how the past can catch up to you like an excited dog, jumping on to you when you least expect it. The future however, can smack you in the face right in front of you when you least expect it, like a carrier pigeon bringing news you didn’t want to see.

None of this crossed Bruno Madrigal’s mind. You’d think since he could see the future, he would have thought that this particular situation would catch up to him. Perhaps we should cut him some slack, he had much bigger problems at this time. Let us rewind a bit to before any of this.

“No no, I-I believe this is the last trip,” Bruno said, then picked up a crate stacked to the brim with small cardboard cutouts of scenes from his telenovelas.

“Oh I hope so hermano, my back is starting to cramp. And I can’t be sore for the party,” Pepa gripped her box holding clothes. “I think we all know what happens when I get back pain, especially when I was caring Tonito,”

“Heh, well I don’t,” Bruno shrugged one shoulder.

“Oh, right I’m sorry I didn’t-”

“It’s alright Pepa, lame attempt at humor,”

Pepa smiled then looked up at a small cloud forming above her.

“Ay no, not again,” she slumped her body.

Julieta shook her head with a smile and placed a hand on her sister's shoulder.

“It’s okay,” Julieta said. “You know my (tea) helps with that just fine,”

Pepa took a deep breath and closed her eyes, making the cloud disappear.

“Thank you. Anyway, we’re not missing anything are we Bruno?”

Bruno scanned the room where he used to live for years in the walls. Dust and wood still tickled his nose when he breathed in, but the food from the kitchen made it pleasant enough to be bearable for all those years. The only things remaining in the dimly lit room was the worn red chair and a few empty cups and scattered cob-webs and papers. Bruno wasn’t exactly going to miss the place, but he has gotten so used to it that it was his only source of familiarity. He hoped to change that.

He nodded, then his eyes flashed to the chair again. “Yep, that should do it. Oh! I think I have a couple more slides under the chair. You two go on ahead heh,”

His sisters agreed and walked out of the room to make their way back through the walls. Bruno moved his head to make sure they were gone. Luckily they were chatting away as they walked. Bruno sighed and set down the crate, then knelt down by the sofa. He paused for a minute staring at a crack at the bottom where it met the floor. He pulled up one of the floor boards under the front of the sofa, then pulled out a small black leather box no bigger than both his hands. With one motion, he whipped the dust off the top. His hands started to vibrate and heart sped up as he opened it up. A small smile fell on his face after seeing that the contents were still safe inside. He closed it suddenly when tears threatened to burn his eyes. It’s been a while since he looked at it. He placed it at the top of his crate, picked it up, and caught up with Pepa and Julieta.

The guilt killed him. But how could he say anything? All these years later. Besides what good would it do, the past is in the past.

The movie and chatter from Casita snapped Bruno out of his thoughts. Isabela’s flowers and plants covered almost every wall and post in shades of green, blue, red, and purple. She still grew more on tables and chairs, color coordinating it to each of the family members. One may think she was over doing the decor, but no one minded. It was the first time she could grow what she wanted and how she felt. The smile on Isa's face was so bright and happy too, how could anyone stop that.

Julieta beamed as she watched her daughter work on the lower level

“She’s like a whole new girl,” she whispered. “I haven’t seen her this happy since…” she lowered her brows. When was the last time she saw her like this? Her whole life she had to fit a mold Abuela cast. For a moment a grim expression darkened Juleta’s face.

“Why couldn’t I have opened my eyes sooner,” she said.

“Higher!” someone shouted from the other side of the house. The triplets looked over to see Camilo standing on Luisa’s shoulders holding a banner.

“Sorry, but I’m not any taller primo,” Luisa said with a strain in her voice.

“I appreciate you helping me with the heavy lifting and high places-” she adjusted her grip on Camilo’s ankles. “But wouldn’t it be easier if you just shifted into someone….taller?”

“Agh, no. I already told you,” Camilo reached as far as he could to hang up the first part of the banner over the arches. “I-I can do this on my own. I don’t need to shape shift to be-” Camilo leaned over a bit too far and lost his hold on the wall. He flailed his arms and fell forwards before Luisa could catch him. Right before he hit the ground Casita made a ramp where He slid down safely.

“...Useful,” he finished.

“Ay Camilo! ¿Estás bien?” Pepa yelled from the railing.

“Yes mamí,” he said and rolled his eyes brushing off his ruana. “I’m fine,” he mumbled to himself.

“Sorry Cami,” Luisa said, going over to him. “Are you sure you’re okay? I didn’t mean to-”

“Yes! I’m fine. I’m not a baby geez,” Camilo grabbed the banner from the ground and walked away.

Luisa looked after him frowning.

Then Mirabel put a hand to her arm and smiled.

“It’s not your fault Lu, I could use your help hanging these above the doors!” Mirabel said with a grin, showing her big sister the little mats she made for her mother, and Pepa and Bruno.

Luisa, who couldn’t help but smile at her sister’s enthusiasm at the whole thing, agreed.

Not everything was perfect, but that will never be the goal.

The triplets made their way to Bruno’s door with the last load of his things to move back there. After they set the boxes just before the sand fall, Bruno put a hand under the soft cool cascade.

“Okay Casita, you can turn the sand off,” he said, stopping the curtain of sand revealing the rest of the room.

“Oh, so that’s how you do it,” Mirabel observed from behind them, startling them slightly.

“Heh, sorry it just didn’t do anything when I tried,” she said and handed the little mat to Luisa.

“Oh, well maybe it’s because I am the only one who can control the magic in my room. Now that it’s back that is,” he said.

“But can you control how many stairs there still are?” Pepa yelled from the bottom of the sand hill.

“How are we going to bring all of your things to your room?”

Mirabel giggled. “Isa! Could we ask you for a favor?”

#encanto #encanto fanfic #bruno madrigal #pepa madrigal #julieta madrigal

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casspurrjoybell-17 · 2 years

Text

HEART'S DESIRE - CHAPTER 30

*Warning: Adult Content*

"You okay, Kit?" Montreal Hunter asks, setting a gentle hand on his back.

Kit Montaine looks around, drinking in the scene that surrounds them but it is not fear that makes him shiver.

It is wonder.

They are gathered in a small clearing at the edge of the woods, beneath the spreading boughs of a solitary tree.

With the moon in hiding, only the shimmer of summer stars softens the blackness of the sky and many lanterns and candles keep the dark at bay.

The lanterns are little globes of colored paper and hang from the branches of the tree.

Dane’s Mate, Julian Hart has worked some Fae magic, too and tiny firefly sparkles light the air, while the songs of crickets in the meadows and frogs in a nearby streams lend a quiet, wild music to the night.

Beneath the tree, four long tables are arranged in a square, laden with a feast that awaits the alphas' return.

Hot dishes rest in heated pans, while ice keeps chilled things cold and fresh.

Everyone contributed something, even Monty and Kit had made a peach cobbler that Monty said his grand-mama taught him to make.

Besides that, there's Sasha's crispy fried chicken ‘and tofu for Monty’ and buttermilk biscuits from Monty's mother, corn on the cob and fresh fruit salad from Martin's family, spicy gumbo from Freya and something called 'beignets' which were like square doughnuts topped with powdered sugar, from the mysterious Darius L'Amour.

There was grilled salmon and rice from Noah and his Dragon/Mate, Ambrose Thorne and a watercress salad that Julian made.

At least it's not waffles, he had said. Even Kit’s cousin Ophelia is here, with her baby, Kitka and her human/husband, Ed.

They'd brought a coleslaw and kebabs with fresh garden vegetables and aromatic sausages.

In all, the combined scents makes Kit’s stomach ache with hunger, while the peaceful gathering itself has him in awe.

"Yes, I am well," Kit says, answering Monty's question at last.

"It is only that I have never seen an Ascendance ceremony before."

"How do the Mortaines transfer power, then?" he asks.

Ophelia, who shares a blanket with Kit on the sweet dry grass, laughs at that.

"They don't. Obadiah challenged his own uncle as soon as he came of age. Kit and I weren't born yet but people still talk about it."

Kit nods.

"They say the battle lasted all night and only ended when my uncle tore out his uncle's throat and drank his blood, just as the sun rose, all red in the eastern sky. He's ruled unchallenged ever since."

Monty shudders.

"Lords. I still can't believe mom and dad wanted to join the Packs. If Dane hadn't met Julian when he did..."

"We didn't know," Astrid Hunter says, making Monty jump as she appears at his back, apparently having overheard.

She settles on the blanket, sitting cross-legged, and smiles at them.

"The Mortaines keep their secrets well and the face they show the world isn't the face they show at home. At least, that was the case until recently. When we matched Dane with Selene, we knew the Mortaines were fierce and proud but we did not suspect that they were also vicious and cruel. If we had, we would not have agreed to the arrangement, peace or no peace."

Ophelia snorts.

"No wonder you got trouble now. Selene's a spiteful bitch, if there's something she wants that she can't have, she makes sure nobody else can have it, either."

Astrid nods.

"Have you thought about staying? No one would blame you if you pulled up stakes and took your family as far from here as you could. Joseph's got family in Georgia and Dane's got his territory out West. I'm sure you'd be welcomed, either way."

"That's kind of you," Ophelia says,

"But Ed and I have talked it over and we agree that running isn't the answer, this time. We could be Outcasts all our lives, running from place to place, always lookin' over our shoulders for Mortaines. For Kitka's sake, we'd rather put our trust in your strength and take our chances on a better life, here."

She glances at her little girl, where she plays with Luna and Luca nearby.

When she'd set the baby down with the twins, Julian had gone stiff and watched anxiously, worried that Luna and Luca might be too rough with her, or not want to share their toys, or might not accept Kitka at all.

Instead, they had welcomed her readily and been surprisingly gentle with the little half-wolf girl.

Luna had even given her the stuffed fox to hold, pressing it into her arms with an exclamation of ‘fuks!’

“You're right, too," Ophie continues.

"About my former Pack, that is. They're good at hiding things. Just look at poor Kit, outside the family, no one even knew he existed. And nobody dreams of choosing their own Mate, it's all about power and the 'strength and purity of the line.' Not like here, where you actually love and care about each other."

Kit shifts uncomfortably and looks towards where Monty’s brother, Martin sits a few yards away with his four children and his mate, Elena.

Kit knows Monty’s worried about Martin and he doesn't blame him.

Martin’s family isn't like Monty’s but people don't see what they don't want to see and it's easy to turn a blind eye when others don't want to be seen.

"Actually, Mom, there's something I'd like to talk to you about," Monty says.

"Of course." She looks at him expectantly but he shakes his head.

"Maybe later, alone?"

She nods and the talk turns to other things.

Some minutes later, the musical howls of two wolves rise from the darkness, signaling the alphas' return.

They enter the clearing together Dane a towering figure beside his father's more slender form. Whatever secrets passed from father to son, the exchange of power is complete and Dane radiates strength.

His family cheer and congratulate him and he receives their praise with quiet humility.

Kit can't quite bring himself to join in with equal enthusiasm, though.

The Hunter family see hope in his strength and power and Kit does, too but he also know that what Ferrault will see is a worthy Challenger.

~ ☾ ~

Kit’s misgivings are soon forgotten amid the festivities and feasting.

He has never seen such an array of delicious foods, much less been invited to partake of it.

Monty encourages him to try everything and before long he is too full to take another bite.

Sleepy and contented, he leans against Monty where he sits with his siblings, on benches around a little fire and listens to them talk.

They speak of memories from their childhoods, shared adventures, silly mishaps and innocent dreams.

It makes Kit a little sad, not to have known any of those things but he’s happy, too, that Monty did and that now he is sharing them with him.

"Kit?"

Monty nudges Kit and he realizes someone has asked him a question.

"Sorry?"

"I just wondered if you'd tried any of the books I brought for you," Noah says, smiling. "I hope they're not too difficult. I can help you if you have any questions."

Noah had given Kit a fresh stack when he arrived, a mix of Wolf history and legend, some charming children's tales and a big heavy one of various mythologies.

"Oh! Yes, I've read them and I enjoyed them very much," Kit says, returning Noah’s smile with gratitude.

"Which ones?" Noah asks, blinking from behind his gold spectacles.

He is smaller than Martin and prettier, in a way.

"Well, a-all of them."

Noah narrows his eyes at Kit.

"And you understood them?"

"I... I think so."

"He's a fast learner," Monty says.

"I couldn't have read all those books in the time since we arrived and I've been reading since I was three," Noah replies and to Kit, he says...

"Okay, who was Aruna and why did the Wolves of the north revere her?"

Nervous sweat prickles Kit’s skin at the unexpected question but fortunately, he had just read that story the night before, so it was fresh in his memory.

“Sh-she was a huntress who f-fell in love with the Wolf-God," he recites hastily. "He t-took her as his Mate and their child was the first whose nature was both Wolf and human."

Noah nods, his eyes widening with astonishment.

"That's correct."

"What does that prove?" Noah's mate, Ambrose asks, firelight reflecting from his dark eyes and long, red-brown hair.

"He might've heard that story anywhere."

"No," Noah shakes his head.

"I borrowed that book from the shop. It's probably the only copy and it's not the sort of story the Mortaines would tell. Gods mixing with humans, Wolves mixing with all kinds of things, not exactly the pure-breed narrative."

"There is even one tale where a Wolf falls in love with a rabbit," Kit says, eyes wide. "I was afraid to read it, at first because I feared it would be a tragedy but it is actually quite humorous."

Noah draws a breath and pushes his glasses up his nose.

"I believe you, Kit," he says firmly.

"I only wanted to be sure. I've been doing some research of my own, actually and I think your fast learning is a kitsune ability. In some of the legends, foxes don't begin to absorb knowledge until they're one-hundred years old, but that's likely an exaggeration. My theory is that this is the reason you were never taught to read or allowed to go to school, I think your ability to soak up learning like that is the key to unlocking your true potential. Your family didn't want that to happen yet because if it did, they probably wouldn't have been able to control you any more."

Kit stares at Noah, ready to tell him he doesn't have any potential to unlock but Ambrose, winks one ember-bright eye at him.

"I was kept in a similar way, once," he says.

"If I'd somehow managed to understand and embrace my inner fire... Well, my family would have been reduced to ashes long ago. But then I do not know if I'd have met my lovely little wolf and I would not trade him for the world."

Noah blushes a bright coppery-red and elbows his mate in the ribs.

Ambrose merely grins, shows slightly long, sharp teeth and Kit wonders at the two of them, Noah is so gentle and quiet, while his mate seems as volatile and dangerous as fire.

They make an odd pair but they seem to balance each other, just as Kit hopes that he and his Mate shall too.

"Do you have any more?" Kit asks, looking at Noah.

"Books, I mean?"

Noah laughs.

"No. I didn't expect you to go through them quite so fast. But I can get more, if you'd like."

Kit nods and leans against Monty's side.

"Yes, please. I would."

If Kit does has some hidden potential, some secret power to unlock, he wants to discover it, so that he can protect my Mate and his family, as they have protected him.

First, though, he needs to make Monty his...

~ ☾ ~

Later, after the celebrations have ended and the feast has been cleared away and all the little lanterns and candles are extinguished, Monty and Kit retreated to their tent.

They have a choice of two narrow beds or a single, wide one and since Monty had been busy at the time and had left the decision to Kit who chose the wide one.

In his whole life, he had never felt so safe or so comfortable anywhere as he did in Monty’s arms and he would rather have slept with him on the bare ground than alone in the most luxurious bed.

He knew Monty did not trust him and his feelings for him, books were not the only source of learning.

Kit had observed him and his family and those around him and the more he observed, the more he began to understand.

If he were more human, he would surely have been broken by his sufferings, surely, as Monty said, he would not wish to be touched or held by anyone.

But he had been raised like an animal and treated like an animal and so, to some degree, he had thought and experienced things like an animal, too.

There was 'good' and 'bad' 'pleasant' and 'painful' hungry and not-hungry want and fulfillment.

Simple feelings for a simple soul.

Kit had lived in a box with blank walls, knowing only what had been told to him and not daring to seek more.

Now, it was as if the bottom had dropped out, the sky expanded to the distance of the stars and he had only begun to realize the freedom he had.

It was true, he had been starved of affection and love and now he thirsted for a gentle touch and a kind word but not from anyone.

Monty was wrong to think Kit trusted him, that he loved him, only because he was the first person he had met who treated him like something worth caring for.

Kit trusted and loved Monty because he was someone worth caring for.

Now, Kit just had to convince him of that.

Kit had already used the shower and changed into his sleeping clothes and now Monty returns from washing and strips out of his own garments, facing away.

A single lantern hangs from the top rafter of their wood-framed tent and shadows are sharpened by its slanting light.

Monty's shirt lifts, revealing his muscled back and broad shoulders, fluid strength beneath earth-toned skin.

He casts it aside and sheds his pants and Kit’s breath catches at the sight of him.

He has seen plenty of naked men, most of them have frightened him.

Now though, a seed of want awakens in his core, like a sprout pushing first leaves towards the warm sun's light.

Kit looks away as Monty dons his night clothes and his pulse quickens as he comes to lie at his side, at his nearness, at his scent and Kit finds himself hungry once again, though food is not what he desires.

Now Kit wants Monty, all of him, as his own.

As his own heart's desire.

"Hey Kit," he says, smiling as he lies on his side, facing him.

"You have a good time tonight?"

"Yes." Kit nods, shifting a little nearer to his heat.

"That little Kitka's something else, huh? Looks so innocent with her big blue eyes and blonde curls and before you know it, she got Luna and Luca eating out of her hand. Two little alphas and a half-wolf and—"

"Monty," Kit interrupts, moving a little closer and sliding his hands over Monty’s shoulders.

"I love you."

Monty’s breath catches in surprise and his dark eyes go wide.

"Kit..."

"You love me, too, don't you?" Kit asks.

"I..."

Monty shuts his eyes and takes a breath.

"Yes. I love you, Kit."

Sitting up, Kit straddle him, lying atop his chest to kiss his mouth but Monty pushes him away.

"Wait."

"Why?"

Monty lays a muscled arm across his eyes and shakes his head and to Kit’s distress he see tears slide down the sides of his face.

"I can't, Kit."

"Why?" Kit asks again.

"I want you and I love you, you love and want me. We're mates. Why can't we?"

"Because I'm not ready," he whispers.

"I'm sorry, Kitty. You gotta understand. I... You'd be my first but... not the first to break my heart, if I'm wrong."

Stung, Kit moves off him and lies at Monty’s side again, facing away this time.

"Tell me," Kit whispers.

"I've told you everything. So tell me, Monty, why are you afraid? That's what Mates do, right? We're there for each other, no matter what."

Monty is silent so long, Kit thinks he must have fallen asleep.

Then he speaks, his voice is rough and raw with a mix of emotions Kit can't begin to understand.

"Alright," he says.

"But this gonna take a while and I won't blame you if you change your mind, after you heard it all."

Kit rolls over to face him again and leans close to briefly press his lips to his.

"No. I'm here to stay. I'm yours and you're mine. Like your mom and dad said, all I want is more time with you."

He bites his bottom lip and takes a deep, ragged breath.

"And I won't hold you to that, Kit," he says, with a soft sadness in his eyes.

"We only met a few weeks ago and you... You don't know me, yet. You don't know everything. Once you do, I won't blame you if you change your mind, okay? I won't blame you one bit. I'll still love you, though, no matter what. I'll love you anyways."

Kit shuts his eyes as Monty kisses his brow.

He expect nothing less, from his heart's Mate.’

"I belong to you, Monty," Kit reminds him.

"You can tell me anything."

And so then, Monty tells Kit everything.

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equestrianempire · 1 month

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Information from FutureTrack for Monday News &

The Windurra Riding Academy for little wild babies and little not-at-all-fauna ponies is back in action, and now it’s cross-country time! Everyone who has ever experienced a horse stopping for grazing during a tutoring program deserves this apology. I am aware that there are more of us than any of us would like to say. It’s ok, it’s good, just let the splinter of the little hooves in a water jump help you with your pain.

National Napping Day: The most revered of nights, in my opinion.

U.S. Weekend Action:

Results from Bouckaert Equestrian H. T. International ( Fairburn, GA )[ Website]

Full Gallop Farm March I H. T. ( Aiken, SC )[ Website ] Results

[ Website ] Results ] SAzEA Spring H. T. ( Tucson, Arizona )

Results from Southern Pines H. T. I. ( Raeford, NC )[ Website]

Benefits for the UK Weekend:

Tweseldown ( 1 ) ( Church Crookham, Hants. Results ): ]

Oasby ( 1 ) ( Grantham, Lincs. Results ):

Your Reading Listing for Monday:

What does your daily schedule for post-ride care look like? Possibly, you give your horse a nozzle off to remove the sweat and sand, or perhaps it has undergone a complete grooming to remove any lumps and bumps. But how hands-on are you with him after a journey? It’s definitely worth reading this guide to find out how many icing, hosing, wrapping, and treating you should really be doing in order to identify any problems before they turn into major concerns.

Following a string of happiness violations in dressage, a website has been suggested for after Paris to address the root of the problem. It’s been made clear that it would be a grave mistake to assume that the issues that have been raised in dressage are unique to that discipline, and any misuse of horses in any area of the business should undoubtedly been a matter of great importance to the industry as a whole. Find out more around.

Alexa Thompson keeps ticking off large things off her bucket list, and she’s doing it with a two&nbsp, homebred. The Lexington-based rider’s first venture into breeding about happened by accident, but presently her two nine-year-olds are producing big-time with kind at three-star and a half-season in Europe under their belt. In this report, swim deeper into the account.

Finally, you’re missing out if you have n’t read this one yet. Dr. Anastasia Curwood’s meticulous analysis of the story of all-Black horse shows in the US and during World War II offers a fascinating insight into the cultural attraction of showing and how a daring group of people carved out their own place in an usually incredibly unique world. Continue reading.

Morning Viewing:

Consider purchasing a particular breed of sports equine to enjoy success in eventing? Remake a second thought because husks are having fun! Check out show seven of Cobs You Get Eventing, the seventh show of Horse&amp, Country TV’s new series, and learn how to make the most of these amazing characters with tips from five-star eventer Simon Grieve.

youtube

#Eventing

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xygled · 4 months

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2023 SGI -Middle East (Dubai) International Advertising and Image Technology Exhibition

Exhibition time: September 18-20, 2023 Exhibition location: Dubai World Trade Exhibition Center, United Arab Emirates SGI Dubai 26th in 2023, SGI Dubai International Advertising Exhibition is the largest and only logo (digital and traditional logo), image, retail POP/SOS, printing, LED, textile and digital advertising exhibition in the Middle East. SGI Dubai is the region's largest signage manufacturer, print production company, gift and promotion company, media agencies, mall owners, automotive packaging industry, real estate developers, hospitality and tourism, 3D printing industry, architects, branding and image consultants and a trade show for other stakeholders in the printing, signage and imaging industries. In addition, our last edition paid special attention to the emerging trend of digital signage, showcasing innovative product displays from well-known companies such as Desert Signage and Rainbow LED. SGI Dubai is not just a B2B exhibition, but an ecosystem of innovation and knowledge that connects thousands of talented people from different verticals. SGI Dubai is an important global event, which provides a unique opportunity for its stakeholders. At this exhibition, XYGLED brings you the P2.5 BOB interactive floor screen. The floor screen adopts a high-precision die-cast aluminum cabinet with a standard size of 500*500mm. It is easy to install and transport. The installation foot uses a single-point adjustable floor support, which can deal with different uneven ground problems.This floor screen can be used as both a wall screen and a floor screen. It is equipped with positioning pins and quick locks, making it easy to install and use when used as a wall. It is convenient, fast and saves time. What is BOB? BOB (Bi-layer On Board), multi-layer on-board packaging technology, is a new surface-type light-emitting packaging technology independently developed by XYG. It is based on the chip-on-board packaging (COB) process, using semiconductor automation equipment and new optical thermal conductive materials. Integrated packaging through a special process, that is, surface optical treatment, is called the "upgraded micro-pitch panel process", which can avoid cross-light interference between light panels, uniform light emission, surface light source, wide viewing angle, and a more uniform and soft display effect. The color of the picture is more realistic and full, effectively eliminating moire; the splicing is more accurate; ultra-high transparency and hardness; waterproof, dustproof and impact-proof; super thermal conductivity: more reliable stability and higher cost performance. This time we also showed you the outdoor common cathode energy-saving full front maintenance IP66 full-color LED display.

Combined energy saving Common cathode is an energy-saving power supply technology for LED displays, which can effectively solve the problems of excessive temperature and excessive power consumption of the common anode circuit screen. The average temperature of the common cathode circuit screen is 14.6°C lower than that of the traditional common anode circuit, and the power consumption is reduced by more than 20%. Four-level energy-saving technology Level I dynamic energy saving: when the signal is not displayed, the part of the drive circuit of the constant flow tube chip is turned off; Level Ⅱ black screen energy saving: when the display screen is completely black, the static consumption current of the chip drops from 6mA to 0.6mA; Level III full-screen energy saving: when the low level is maintained for 300ms, the static consumption current of the chip drops from 6mA to 0.5mA; Level Ⅳ shunt power supply step-down energy saving: the current first passes through the lamp bead, and then to the negative electrode of the IC, so that the forward voltage drop becomes smaller, and the conduction internal resistance also becomes smaller. True color, the picture is more realistic Refresh rate up to 3840Hz, high contrast, grayscale above 16 bit, the screen display is lifelike and delicate, the brightness is stable and even, not dazzling or grainy. Red, green and blue three-in-one LED lamp beads have good consistency and the viewing angle can reach more than 140°. Optimized structure, flexible installation Support multiple installation methods such as landing, hoisting, and wall-mounting. Modular design of modules, cabinets, and power boxes, front and rear maintenance, hard connection, structure-free installation, and structural cost savings. Driver scheme It has the blanking function of the upper and lower columns, high refresh rate, improved dimming of the first row, low gray color cast, improved light function of pitting. Stable and high protection Outdoor application product, IP66 protection level, adopts die-cast aluminum box body, has the characteristics of corrosion resistance, high melting point, flame retardant and fire prevention, moisture resistance and salt spray resistance, high flatness, working temperature -40°C-80°C, can be used in seaside environment for a long time Under normal operation, the environment adaptability is extremely strong, and it can work outdoors around the clock. Stable and reliable performance Ultra-low temperature rise, low power consumption, low attenuation, and the aluminum module itself has good thermal conductivity, which makes the heat dissipation effect of the entire screen better, no need to install an air conditioner, high reliability, and long service life. It's an honor to meet you at this exhibition and we look forward to seeing you again next year. Read the full article

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