#but it sure isn’t a shanty or reel!

[inga-don-studio]

Concertina? Now I've just got this song in my head...

Well, that makes two of us then DJFSJGSJFS!

Looks like I have an addition to the list of “songs I want to learn that would make a stuffy traditionalist self-combust.” :)

#I haven’t heard Squeeze Box in eons!!! All the innuendos... which were definitely lost on me when I was a kid #Concertinas were of course popular with sailors so maybe the innuendos wouldn’t really be too strong for a traditionalist’s blood- #but it sure isn’t a shanty or reel! #Audio #Also I really miss listening to oldies radio stations all of a sudden...

[undead-merman]

🧜‍♂️MerMay- The Brothers🧜‍♂️GN Reader- SFW

Lucifer

Appearance

Lucifer has a long black tail with a hint of a royal blue striping on the back. His scales are smooth and small, ganoid shaped and are completely flat. A few black scales are on his face, just at the corner of his eyes giving them a sharper appearance and forming a diamond shape on his forehead. There is one scale slightly out of place on his diamond mark; it's not noticeable unless seen close up.   

His fins are long and flowing and are in the shape of rounded spades. He has a tear on his dorsal fin which goes all the way through the fin and has a scar on his back. His caudal fin is the largest on his body and has a peacock like pattern that can be flushed making the colors go from the normally black with barely visible blue to bright flashy blues, and reds on deep blacks.

His human skin is colored like a great white shark: creamy light skin on his stomach, fading to grey on his back; granting him the ability to countershade and aid in avoiding detection from above and below.

His face exhibits many shark features: broad and round head, small eyes, his mouth is filled with large teeth, and a flat nose.

Daily life

He’s very broody so he prefers the twilight and night hours; being accustomed to swimming in the deep parts of the ocean, too much light hurts his eyes but he also just enjoys the dark endless water with starlight above.

He has a very strict schedule, patrolling his nest, fighting off intruders, meeting up with Diavolo to hunt, clean up his brother's messes, patrol, try to sleep and get interrupted by one of his brothers if not more, and repeat.

He’s a carnivore so he enjoys eating whales, and sharks. He dislikes crabs and lobsters since they’re bottom feeders and he finds the idea of eating them very distasteful. 

He’s meticulous with grooming himself. He’s always sharpening his claws and forever growing teeth, picking them and cleaning them until they gleam in the light and buffing his scales to make them shimmer. 

When alone he enjoys trying to nap amongst a peaceful patch of seagrass. Drifting away slowly as curious little fish swim around him and the plant life softly brushes by with the current. 

He enjoys playing the violin, which surprisingly works, making melodies that haunt divers unfortunate enough to hear.  

Life with you

If you're a morning person you’ll get to see his sleeping unguarded face. He’ll try to wake up with you once he realizes, and within a few weeks he’ll be waking up far before you. He somehow has a built-in clock wired to try and make him wake up before you.

If you're a night person he’s thrilled to share some of the prettiest sights the ocean has to offer when the moon is out. Showing you his favorite spots to enjoy the night in silence. 

He becomes very protective of you and constantly scents you before leaving your side. Rubbing his palms on your cheeks or circling his tail loosely around you before brushing up on you as he swims away. No one will dare come near you if you smell so much like him.

He hates to admit it but he has the natural instinct of him bringing shiny things to you. He won’t even notice it until he pulls your hands in his and suddenly you have a shiny piece of sea glass in your hand. His face heats up if you tease him about it and suddenly he finds a speck on the wall very interesting.

Mammon

Appearance

As golden as gold can look, being actual gold, Mammon has the boldest scales of all the brothers. He’s not sure why they are, they’ve just always been that way and their weight doesn’t seem to be affected. His scales are ctenoid and can cut if he flares his scales and hits you with his tail. He doesn’t have any scales on his face and his skin seems to glow in the morning sun. 

His fins are exactly like that of a long spined sea scorpion with them having large painful spines inside them. Unlike the other fish he has a painful venom that can leave someone reeling in pain for days. It won’t kill but it’ll hurt!

He has two sets of canines that are very noticeable when he opens his mouth to talk. His upper right canine tooth has a gold coating making the tooth look like it’s made of gold. The top pair always hang out of his mouth while the lower one is hidden. 

He has shorter nails more meant for prying than slashing. Though they’re surprisingly well manicured and painted white.

Daily life

100% a morning person. Wakes up all groggy but after brushing his scales he's peppy and ready to start the day.

Mammon hoards his shedded scales, after all they are gold. He puts them in an old vintage submariner foot locker, nearly rotted apart but he sticks random stickers or patches onto it to help keep it together. A lot of the time the brothers will just take the money they are owed from the chest and Mammon whines about it; however, if they're pissed they’ll pluck some scales from him painfully.

His scales get plucked often: by the sea witches to whom he owes a massive debt to, his angry brothers, even Solomon sometimes plucks them off like he’s a pez dispenser. Because of this he sometimes has very sensitive scaleless spots. They grow back within a day but it still hurts.

He joins Lucifer in patrolling their territory. He’s just as protective over his space as Lucifer is, and of course he wants to look out for his younger brothers, but he won’t admit that unless it gives him a chance to use pity points to get out of trouble.

Very particular about his scales. He wants them looking pretty and as bright as they can be. Contrarily, he doesn’t give the same treatment for his hair, calling running his hands through to get the tangles out good enough.

Life with you

If you show concern for his scales he’ll play it off like it doesn’t hurt and it's really just a bother, but it isn’t. If you continue to worry about him or even offer to help patch him up he will become much more protective of you. You treat him so kindly that he doesn’t want that to stop.

If he’s in a bad mood or he gets jealous of someone, he'll grab you and shove his face into your neck and twist till his face is thoroughly buried. He wants to smell you so he can calm down and basically scream at anyone who comes by that you are something very close to Mammon so don't you dare touch.

He’ll try to drag you around to join in his mischief. Joining him in gambling rings or minnow racing. He’ll insist you're a lucky charm, though he just likes your company. He loves to bear hug you if he wins big and he holds you above him in the water with a big smile on his face.

Another victim of random shiny gifts for you. He's more aware of it and brags about how neat it looks even if it's just some old mirror. He’s always trying to play up how amazing his little gifts are.

Leviathan 

Appearance

His tail is very long, much longer than his brothers though it's thinner and has less muscle. His scales are ganoid shaped and colored the same color as his hair with a white underneath. During the night he has bright cyan bioluminescence circles on his sides. His eyes and tongue glowing as well with a very faint glow to his teeth as well. 

He’s embarrassed about it but he has multiple random patches of scales around his face and he thinks it makes him look weird.

His fins are shaped much like a goldfish, even having a round double tail and flowing fins. He is the most delicate looking one. But if he gets angry he transforms into a gigantic sea monster and can cause storms. 

He’s an omnivore so his teeth are small and much like a humans. They fall out if they get damaged but like a shark they’ll always grow back.

His skin is also counter shaded like Lucifer. Though more ashy gray color than his older brother. Unfortunately his bioluminescent colored scales, even though they pulse in brightness, make him much easier to spot. 

Daily life

He’s a night dweller through and through and refuses to swim during daylight hours. He likes to dwell in deeper waters so the light isn’t too much for him; but he mostly likes to stay in his cave and obsess over his washed up anime knicknacks. Making sure to pluck away barnacles and clean the muck off.

Since he’s an omnivore he’ll eat whatever is nearby. He enjoys jellyfish and the deadlier they are to humans the more he likes them. He's unaffected by their venom. Though he’ll enjoy a crab or free swimming fish. 

Leviathan does not like patrolling; he’d much rather leave the scuffling to everyone else so he can focus on more important things, like trying to dry out a keyboard in his open air room. 

His room is open air and inside a cave that can be accessed by a nearby beach. Inside is a shrine to his collection and he’s always fawning over it.

He loves that he matches with his fish friend Henry. They are extremely similar in shape, even having similar tails. He has a fresh water tank inside so Henry doesn’t get too dried up from the salt water. Leviathan can handle both fresh and saltwater so sometimes he hops into the tank to swim near his friend.

He’s very self conscious of his scales, especially the ones on his face so he has to make sure they look nice. His hair has to be styled just right to distract them from his face. He has a habit of pulling his bangs down over his eyes when he’s flustered.  

Life with you

Once he’s bonded with you he is constantly by your side and wanting to spend as much quality time with you as he can. He’ll be trailing you talking about the little curiosities he’s found. He whines about how he wants to go back to his cave but he won’t leave your side.

He’ll show you his collection of nicknacks and if you're able to set up a little television and gamecube he’ll be ecstatically waving his fish tail around like a dog. He’ll constantly beg you to play with him. He wants to CO-OP this game with you!

If he’s feeling cuddly that day he’ll float up to the surface and let you lounge on him and let the waves gently rock you both. He’ll hum old sea shanties he’s heard from sailors long ago as well as some anime songs from a series you enjoy together. 

Expect him to drag you to his spots for finding his little curiosities, he’ll want you to help him scour the area and find more fun items. He’s very happy with whatever you bring and he’ll keep them around his nest.   

Satan 

Appearance 

Satan is built similarly to Lucifer though his scales are more raised and spiny. His tail is a bright shamrock green which shifts to a seafoam green. He has a bunch of scales on the corners of his mouth and completely covers his cheeks.

His fins are long and have a crowntail shape that are tipped a deep black. When he gets angry his fins flare up making him look much, much bigger.

He has a flatter nose and bigger teeth like Lucifer. While they aren’t as sharp they are still dangerous if he’s mad. 

His skin also glows in the bright morning sun and if he’s lounging around he’ll attract nearby small fish to swim around him enjoying the serene glow he has.   

Daily life

He takes a long time waking up, and he’s not a morning person at all. He’s dazed for an hour or so until he’s fully awake, though he’s not much of a night person, more preferring midday.  

He’s currently got the goal of piecing together the world’s true histories. Figuring out what happened to old forgotten cities, lost treasures, and destroyed civilizations. He has a long way to go and he treats this handcrafted book like a child, holding it far above the water.

He explores with random, yet reputable exploration teams. Helping them with identifying relics or gems. He’s earned a reputation for himself by doing this and is often approached to go on expeditions. 

He is another type to patrol around his territory. He does it around midday though and hunts during these. He’s a carnivore and likes tuna and other free swimming fish, but refuses to eat squid and octopi due to how smart they are. He likes to feed nearby ones. Though they aren’t as cute as human world cats.

He’ll go to a human world pier and try to attract the local stray cats with his tail. He’ll leave them little gifts so now all the local cats come to the docks at a certain time to wait for him. He really wants to have a cat but sadly it’s a love that’s not meant to be, they are from two different worlds.    

Life with you

He’ll enjoy taking you on expeditions. Showing you beautiful sunken landscapes very few eyes have seen before. He loves seeing your reactions to sights.

He enjoys learning your hobbies and trying them out with you. He’ll go out of his way to provide an accurate experience to what you're used to since he enjoys learning and experiencing new things, especially now that you're here.

He's another one that loves to rub his smell all over you. He’s just as bad as Mammon, his smell is all over every part he can get to and stinks of “back off, don’t touch” causing others to give you a wide berth.

He’s going to hang off of you every morning. If you're larger than him he shoves his face into your chest and tries to go back to sleep. He looks so different with his sleeping face, he looks peaceful in your arms. But if you're smaller he’ll flop onto you and try to use you as a pillow. He’s surprisingly warm and his underside isn’t as spiny and sharp.

He’ll want to introduce you to his octopi friends. Each one is named after a different sea or famous author. If you agree he’ll be delighted to take you there and let you play with them. Though he might get a bit jealous if you get along with them a bit too much. He won’t show his jealousy though.   

Asmodeus 

Appearance 

He’s the most serine and delicate looking of all his brothers. His thin body has a bright cherry blossom pink tail and has long silky looking fins. His bright scales sparkle and shimmer and have a pearlescence to them. He has perfectly pure white scales patches on his tail as well giving a koi pattern. 

He resembles a butterfly koi but with longer and frankly impractical looking fins. They flow around him weightless and they look like silk in the wind around him. Even his dorsal fin is long and flowing.

He doesn’t have any scales on his face and he looks perfectly human from the waist up. His skin has an angelic like glow and shimmers in the sun. He has a few freckles on his face, chest and elbows. 

He has small pearly white teeth just like a human would, he’s very keen on keeping them perfectly white, just like his white scales, but his canines can extend like a cat flexing their claws.  

Daily life

He wakes up to his internal alarm clock, which is scarily accurate. Bright eyed and bushy tailed from the moment his eyes open. Swimming around and preparing himself for another day, brushing his tail, combing his hair, and cleaning his teeth, all while chatting to whoever will listen.

He is a highly requested entertainer for festivals and celebrations. He’s invited to grand openings, large festivals, and even private birthdays to those who pay him well enough. His dances and singing is the best among his kind and can easily enrapture sailors let alone his own kind. His voice mixed with the way his fins trail behind him like long fans is an easy way to get hypnotized. 

When he’s not booked for a celebration he’s helping Diavolo keep humans away from their city. He uses his voice to entrance anyone he deems a threat and can make them turn and forget why they were out here and what they saw. He doesn’t get into any of the violent stuff. That’s not his style.

If he’s not at home, he is always with someone. He’s like a fairytale princess with a crowd behind him, be they other mers or fish schooling around him. He always has a smile on his face and he’s not very quiet about how much he enjoys attracting an adoring crowd. At home he enjoys a nice relaxing self care session.

When he’s angry his canines poke out he doesn’t notice this habit of his, but it's usually because he’s extremely angry at the time and holds himself back.

He doesn't bother with patrolling and he’s not territorial in the slightest. He’s a lover not a fighter so his big brothers can handle any scary monster.     

Life with you

He’s bringing you to all kinds of festivals and parties as his +1 every time. You’ll be able to experience all the wonders Diavolo’s kingdom has to give and he’s extremely happy to be there with you every single time.

He’ll use his charm to get you whatever you want. Did you want that cute seashell necklace? Or that shark tooth bracelet? He’ll approach the store owner, shake his tail and flirt a bit and it’s his now. Which he immediately hands to you with a huge grin on his face, telling you how well it suits you and how you make that item look even better.

He’s always trying to groom you in any sort of manner. Rubbing your scalp and smoothing your hair with his finger. Trying to rub thick creams into your skin, or rubbing pigment onto your nails to paint them. You're the only one he’ll do this for.

He needs to hold your hand at least 3 times a day and needs a kiss before he goes to sleep and he’ll break into your room if he doesn’t get them all. He’ll act all innocent but he knows exactly what he’s doing. He just likes being a brat so he can cuddle and love you.

He also gets upset if you smell like someone else so he randomly jumps you and cuddles you in his arms rubbing his cheek against yours and rubbing you with his tail and brushing all of his fins against you. If you check you can see his fangs sticking out when he’s jealous. 

If you’re ever feeling down he’ll sing for you. Dance with you, twirling you around as if he’s the moon and you're the earth itself. He gets lost in the dance and by the time you're done you're both embracing and laughing. 

Beelzebub and Belphegor

Appearance

While being twins they couldn’t be more polar opposites. Beelzebub has radiant skin that seems to glow even in the darker parts of the ocean and a long sunset orange tail full of powerful muscles and reaches the longest out of the brothers. His tail is smooth and has a cycloid scale pattern. Belphegor has the shark-like appearance some of his other brothers have. Counter shaded skin, flatter nose. But he seems to absorb the light around him making everything seem much darker than they really are. His tail is medium size and is pretty thin. His tail is a deep eggplant purple with black spots.

Both of them have matching fin shapes, their caudal fin being shaped like a swordtail guppy and the rest of their fins are wide and shaped like fans. Belphegor's fins are mostly black but with the same eggplant purple speckled in. Beelzebub’s are the same sunset orange.

Beelzebub’s face is free of scales but on the sides of his cheeks and around his jawline and down to his shoulders scales are clustered around. They are thick hardy scales making his neck his strongest area besides his tail, but he has a scar just under his chin.

Belphegor has a freckle-like pattern of small scales they scattered all around his face only one or two at a time. They’re much smaller than the ones on his tail.

Belphegor has extremely sharp teeth and while they’re small they’re serrated. Beelzebub has mostly human teeth, though his canines are much bigger and wider, he’s able to crush stones with those teeth.

Daily life

These two have been inseparable since they were young and it's a trend that is clearly there to stay. They may have a different schedule but when they go to rest they rest and sleep in the same nest. 

Beelzebub helps teach the younger mers to fight. He’s been permitted to teach not only the royal guard but other everyday mers. He’s a proud teacher and he’s always trying to come up with ways to help each student of his even on an individual level, but that’s when he’s not eating. 

He’s also the kingdom's best hunter, and a small team is sent out with him every once in a while to hunt down any monsters that come too close to their kingdom. Beelzebub ends up eating the thing before they get back though. The bigger and more ferocious they are, the better they taste. That’s what he says at least.   

Belphegor is the kingdom's most talented astrologist. Unlike his twin brother though, he doesn’t put his skills to much use. He’ll help, maybe, if he’s not tired or if he’s in a good mood, but those chances are slim to none. Instead he’s actually a doctor. 

He’ll laze around in his office and sleep on the table, but when a patient comes in he’s somehow able to look over them once and tell what’s wrong with them. Even his brother’s are confused how he can just wake up, take one look at someone and perfectly diagnose them. 

He also seems to nurse others on an auto pilot. He barely has his eyes open and is able to patch up any wound he can find. Because of his talent yet lack of effort he has earned some ire from his peers. He doesn’t care though as long as he can keep sleeping on the job.

Many other Mer’s have approached him in hopes to become his apprentice but he’s ignored every single one. He’s too lazy to even try. Which many people think is selfish since he’s so skilled. Though he doesn’t care what they say.    

Life with you 

You will always find them not too far from you. Once they grew attached to you they began not moving too far from you. Sometimes they even drag you along with them so you can be near them. Belphegor is guilty of dragging you to his workplace more than Beelzebub, sometimes trying to trick you into keeping everyone busy so he can nap.

Beelzebub just brings you so he can keep an eye on you and give you hugs when he’s feeling a bit stressed. You can tell when he’s getting stressed because the longer part of his tail fin flicks back and forth. If you end up hugging him right when he starts he’ll end up holding you until you ask him to let you go. It always makes him smile if you do that. 

They are both picky about having you sleep in their nest. Belphegor will complain and try to guilt you into their nest if you try to sleep anywhere else and Beelzebub will give you puppy dog eyes. They won’t stop until you agree, and they both coil around you when sleeping.

Beelzebub is very protective of you since he knows how monstrous things can be outside the kingdom so whenever he gets worried about you he pulls you by the hips closer to him. Belphegor simply just gets jealous of others talking to you and will rest his chin on your shoulder and stare at whoever is talking to you. 

If you let him, Beelzebub will groom you. Brushing your hair is a favorite of his. He likes playing with it. If you were to return the favor by polishing his scales or even playing with his hair too he gets left in a great mood for the rest of the day. The smile he gets never leaves his face. 

Belphegor when he’s feeling up to it will show you the stars at night. He’ll let you float on him or next to him and gaze at the bright night sky, untouched by light pollution or blocked by trees. Just the sounds of the open ocean and the two of you. Sometimes he’ll end up like an otter and fall asleep while holding your hand so you don’t float away.  

#obey me #obey me lucifer #obey me mammon #obey me leviathan #obey me satan #obey me asmodeus #obey me beelzebub #obey me belphegor #obey me monster headcanons #lucifer x reader #mammon x reader #leviathan x reader #satan x reader #asmodeus x reader #beelzebub x reader #belphegor x reader

[methoxyethane]

“Gather up all of the crew, it's time to ship out Bink's brew, sea wind blows, to where, who knows? The waves will be our guide…

“O'er across the ocean's tide, rays of sunshine far and wide, birds they sing of cheerful things, in circles passing by…”

Lance followed the sound of singing all the way to the beach. The sea shanty was farmilair in words, but the normally cheerful song was being sung in a slow minor key, turning it into something soft and beautiful to the ear.

“Bid farewell to weaver's town, say so long to port renowned. Sing a song, it won't be long, before we're casting off...”

Normally Lance wouldn’t feel any urge to randomly follow anyone’s voice to an unknown location, but there was something about this one that was… compelling. Alluring, even, and though Lance’s senses were on high alert and warning him of imminent danger, he couldn’t seem to stop his body from following the sound of that seductive voice all the way to the rocky ends of the shore.

When he finally arrived at the source of that enticing song, he saw someone sitting on a rock, half in and half out of the water. Long black hair spilled down their back like ink, and at the sound of footsteps approaching in the sand they turned around, revealing the most stunning pair of violet eyes Lance had ever laid his gaze on.

It took a second to even notice that it was a man, so caught up was Lance in the stranger’s beauty. But of course it was a man, he had the low beautiful voice that only a man would reasonably have, but Lance had been too bewitched by the song to even think of noticing that fact.

The stranger locked eyes with Lance, and slowly smiled. “Cross the gold and silver seas, the salty spray puts us at ease~” He continued to sing, and Lance, not sure why, found himself stepping closer still. “Day and night to our delight, the voyage never ends…”

It was, he realized as he rounded the rock to face the beauty he’d followed, a mermaid. That should have also been obvious much earlier, like, as in when he noticed the stranger was shirtless and sitting in the water, but. Well, Lance could be forgiven for not figuring it out until he saw the smooth shiny red tail leading down into the ocean.

“Yohohoho, yoho hoho… Yohohoho, yoho hoho…” The merman sang, locking eyes with Lance and smiling. Lance moved closer still, within reach of the beautiful creature, who was slowly reaching out a hand to Lance.

Lance put his hand in the merman’s, eyes never straying from that lovely violet gaze for even a moment. He was drawn closer still, close enough to be a breath away from the merman’s face, close enough to kiss…

And then the merman grinned, toothy and razor-sharp, and Lance had half a second to think “Whoops,” to himself before the merman was tilting his head and sinking his teeth directly into Lance’s neck.

He had jerked back in time to prevent any arteries from being hit, but not fast enough to prevent being bitten. Fortunately for him, that didn’t last long - after just a moment the merman - no, the siren’s eyes were blowing wide, and he reeled back, releasing Lance’s throat and spitting his blood into the water like he’d just tasted something rancid.

“What the fuck?” The siren coughed, glaring at Lance like he was the one who’d done something offensive. “What is that, why do you taste so... wrong?”

Lance stumbled back a few steps, clutching at his already-healing bitten neck. “What the fuck, dude! You just tried to EAT me!”

“Of course I did, that’s what sirens DO!” The siren defended hotly, still glaring daggers at Lance. “I’ve been singing here for two days waiting to lure someone in, I finally catch someone and you’re completely inedible! What is wrong with you that I can’t eat you, you freak?”

Lance bristled like an enraged cat, having heard the word ‘freak’ thrown in his direction many, many times in his life. “Well forgive me for only being half human! Maybe YOU’RE the freak for trying to eat a Fae to begin with!”

“Fae? Goddamn you and your cursed blood, too! Useless!” They were interrupted by the sound of the siren’s stomach growling, low and loud.

Then his words registered to Lance, and he asked, “Wait. You haven’t eaten in two days?”

The siren gestured out to the ocean, which was, on this part of the sea, enclosed by rocks on most sides and a low beach on the other. “It’s low tide. I’ve been stuck here for three days, and I already ate the few fish that were dumb enoguh to get caught in this spot with me.”

Lance looked out over the waters. “You can’t just climb over the rocks?”

The siren glared at him, turning back towards the ocean again. “That’s not your business,” he hissed, but instead of hiding his left arm he only brought attention to it’s mangled state.

Lance stepped forward again, turning the siren around by the shoulder to get a look at his left arm. It looked broken in at least one place and probably hurt like a bitch, and Lance winced in sympathy at the sight of it.

The siren jerked back out of Lance’s grip, slipping into the water and out of reach.

“Wait!” Lance called, wading into the water. “Let me help you,” he pleaded. “I can help you, I promise. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I just tried to EAT you,” the siren reminded him.

“Yeah, which means you owe me for the bite you just tried to take out of my neck. Now hold still and let me see your arm.”

The siren eyed Lance warily, but the water wasn’t deep enough for him to be able to swim out of Lance’s range and they both knew it. Hesitantly, but not welcomingly, he allowed Lance to wade close enough to see his arm, which looked like it had been bashed against the rocks and snapped in two places when he’d been washed onto this shallow beach.

“What happened to you?” Lance asked, activating the little magic his blood awarded him with to begin to ease the swelling and close the bloodied gashes on the siren’s arm.

Violet eyes widened as the siren watched, and more likely felt, the healing magic start to do its work. “I was chased here,” was all he said in reply, and honestly Lance could guess the rest. These shores were not friendly to those who were less than human.

“The bone isn’t going to heal unless I set it back into place. Will you let me do that?”

The siren glared at him, pouty bottom lip jutting out in displeasure, but after a moment he nodded.

“This is going to hurt,” Lance warned, feeling out where the three separate halves of his broken arm were so he’d know what direction he needed to realign them into.

Having figured out what he needed to do, Lance gave the siren no warning. With two quick movements he snapped the bone shards back into place, causing the siren’s pained hiss to turn into a yelp of surprised agony, reeling back and clutching at the arm Lance had just relocated.

“I’m not done yet,” Lance said carefully, beckoning the siren to come back towards him. “I have to heal the bone or you’ll never get out of here in one piece.”

The siren hissed at him again, but after a few moments of hiding in the water, he eventually swam back to Lance to offer his arm one more time.

Lance’s healing magic was not strong, so it took long minutes of the siren’s pained laboured breaths before the bones were knit back into place. Unfortunately for both of them, Lance couldn’t even finish the job before his magic was completely depleted, and he could help no more.

He let go of the siren’s arm, stepping away back towards the shore. “That’s as much as I can do for now. It won’t be enough for you to scale those rocks yet, but…”

Warily, the siren asked, “But what?”

“If you’ll let me, I’ll come back tomorrow and try and finish healing it. And… Maybe I can bring you some fish, too. So you don’t starve in the meantime.”

The siren still looked like Lance had two heads, and he wasn’t sure which one to trust. “And why would you do that for me? Why would you do any of this for me?”

Lance shrugged, and smiled. “Maybe because you’re cute? But probably… Probably because us freaks have to stick together, right?”

The siren sank down into the ocean again, only his eyes visible over the water.

“I’m Lance, by the way.” Lance finally offered, just as he was turning to wade back to shore. “I’ll see you again tomorrow?”

The siren popped his head up out of the water just long enough to utter one word. “Keith,” he said, almost too quietly to hear.

Lance grinned. “I’ll see you tomorrow… Keith.”

Keith ducked back under the water again, but not in time for Lance to miss the slight flush that reddened his cheeks at the sound of his name rolling off of Lance’s tongue.

Huh. So much for sirens being cold-blooded.

—

#klance #mermay

[snowbellewells]

CSSS20 Fic: “One Little Ray of Hope”

Merry Merry Christmas @let-it-raines!!! Can you believe we ended up being each other’s Secret Santas?!?  It was all I could do not to spoil the surprise yesterday when you posted your amazing story gift for me, but here I am finally with yours in return, and I truly hope you will enjoy it.

You mentioned that you like friends-to-lovers and mutual pining, which I genuinely tried to do to the best of my ability. However, I discovered neither of those things are actually types of fic I have done much.  This comes out more like bantering crushes, and Emma-in-denial-finally-admitting-what-everyone-else-already-knows. I did set it in the Enchanted Forest for you, and I tried to mix in the humor and the feels so it has a bit of everything. And there are Christmas touches but it isn’t holiday overwhelming. I got to the stopping place I envisioned though, and it just wasn’t enough. I hope you will forgive me if I say this is only Part One and there will be a Part Two coming shortly once the holiday hoopla dies down. (In all honesty, I was anxious that my story was for you - I love your writing so much, and I am not at all sure this measures up! And then I read your gift and was even more blown away.)  Still, here’s hoping this brings a smile to a shipmate like you who has been so friendly and kind and made me smile with your writing all year long!  Part Two - and hopefully some fic cover art - to follow soon!)

“One Little Ray of Hope”

by: @snowbellewells

               Though the fire in the stone hearth was blazing merrily, the lights from their lamps combatted the dark sky and frigid wind blasting flurries of snow outside their windows, and the jovial voices of many of their regulars mingled on the air to make things cozy inside the little inn and tavern, Emma Swan still shivered at the winter's chill. There, was some hint of frost that wouldn't go away, forming small icy crystals inside her chest - one particular voice that always stood out from the rest to her ears, was missing. She cursed herself for noticing, cursed him for being so unmistakable, and slammed an empty tankard onto her tray as she cleared the just-vacated table more violently than she had meant to.

               Naturally Ruby would be passing by just then, on her way to wait on some exuberant new arrivals, and she playfully arched one of her dark brows with a teasing smirk. "Looks like someone's a little frustrated this evening."

               From over her shoulder, where Emma hadn't even realized anyone was nearby, Tink tittered with a playful little giggle to Ruby, "Well, you know, we do seem to be short some of Emma's favorite guests this evening…" pirate was not her special anything. Honestly, she was just tired, overworked, overheated, and ready for some fresh air away from the evening crowd. It didn't have anything to do with the fact that Captain Killian Jones, with his unfairly blue eyes and his stomach-flipping accent wasn't here pestering her and getting in her way. What did she care if his farewell to her before he set sail nearly two months' back was that he would return in time for the Yuletide festivities? False hope and nonsense, all of it anyway…

               And yet… tomorrow was Christmas day, her traitorous mind whispered as she plunked her heavy tray of dishes on the counter where the Widow Lucas - the proprietor of their inn, and 'Granny' to all of them - was serving up orders and Ashley was doing dishes as fast as she could to serve warm bread and hearty stew on them once more. Again, her approach was none too gentle, as she huffed out a breath of air and pushed her hair from her face impatiently.

               "Careful there, my girl. Any dishes you break will be comin' from your pay," the widow threatened idly. Granny put on a tough front - one had to in a rough and tumble harbor town - and she meant business if she had to bring out her crossbow from where she kept it close to hand beneath the counter, but she was a soft heart beneath the necessary bluster and hard shell. She loved all "her girls" and most of her patrons dearly, wanting them to know they were welcome and cared for in her inn - and while many like she and her granddaughter had little in the way of blood-related family, she aimed to give them a feeling of home in her place.

               Emma smiled slightly, acknowledging Granny's words without comment, despite knowing the older woman would do no such thing. She unloaded the dirtied tankards and bowls more carefully into the soapy water for Ashley and forced herself to draw a couple of deep breaths as Granny loaded her up with the next order.

               Just as Emma moved to lift the tray and move off again, Granny placed her own hand over Emma's kindly, keeping her there until Emma met her eyes. "Don't let Ruby irk you. She means no harm," was the quietly offered advice, to which Emma nodded sagely, already knowing as much. It was only when Granny winked and added, "Of course, if you're awaiting some handsome sailor, I wager he'll be here soon," that Emma let out an exasperated huff and spun away to the sound of her boss and pseudo-grandmother's laughter at her back. Shaking her head, she seethed, 'Everyone thinks I'm waiting for Jones…. Well, I'm not!'

               The night went on without much further interruption; the snow fell in continued flakes, swirled and eddied by the window and pilling up on the windowsills. Inside their crowded tavern, however, the cozy warmth continued to rise right along with the songs and laughter of those gathered within. Soon Emma found her face flushed, cheeks pinked from the heat and close quarters. Even as the gathered crowd began to dwindle, slowly trickling out the door and homeward in twos and threes, as she, Ruby, Tink, and Ashley began to wipe down empty tables and see to storing up leftover food and seeing drinks stoppered and sealed for the night. Granny had gone upstairs nearly an hour before as the midnight hour had come and gone, claiming her old bones needed the rest, and Mulan, who did not appear the musical type, but who had once confessed when more than a bit tipsy on dwarf mead that her parents had seen that she was learn all sorts of marriageable skills in the hopes of seeing her matched with a smart, dashing husband before she had left hoe to make her own way - had switched from plunking out bawdy sea shanties and reels for the gathered revelers and lighting begun pecking out chords to a few softer and slower Yuletide carols as a background accompaniment to the cleaning and the quieter murmurs of those who still lingered in conversation over their last drinks.

               Not long after, Ruby silently slipped out the kitchen exit in back with the solemn huntsman who came every night to break bread and drink not at all other than to drink in her presence and bask in her company had stood and followed her like a silent shade as she beckoned from the doorway. Ashley had headed upstairs herself for some rest in her own apartments, as had Tink, saying the last town gazette's gossip section was calling her name. Mulan had paused at the door before heading to her own house a couple streets over, telling Emma she would make rounds of the block first, to see that all stragglers had gone home, and no trouble was lingering about them before she left.

               Emma thanked the beautiful warrior sincerely, knowing that it was no more or less than the other woman did every night, determined that these friends who took her and all others at face value, welcoming all lost and weary travelers without trying to change them were safe and secure. She would see no harm come to the Widow Lucas and her adopted "sisters" on her watch; Emma knew Mulan took that charge upon herself as a sworn duty. The rest of them would never have put such weight on her shoulders, but each one of them also slept easier knowing Mulan was nearby. The slim build, shining curtain of silky black hair and delicate features could have long ago earned Mulan the hand of any prince, pirate, or nobleman who laid eyes on her, but those physical attributes all deceptively hid her strength, speed, and core of deadly steel if anyone threatened harm to those she loved.

               "We'll be alright," Emma assured again, as Mulan bid her goodnight. "Everyone was in good spirits this evening. No fights, no trouble. Please rest easy once you get home. I can't imagine anything should happen until we see you again tomorrow."

               "As you say," the raven-haired woman replied simply, and with a slight dip of her head in a bow, she turned and slipped into the night with such soundless agility and grace that she seemed to melt into the darkness - unseen in mere seconds.

               Closing the door at last, Emma latched it securely, making certain the tavern and rooms above were locked properly for the night. She then began to move about the large, open main room, blowing out the candles still left aglow on scattered tabletops and snuffing out the wall sconces as well as she made a final pass around the main space. At last her final chores were complete, one last lit candle in her hand as she stood before the front window, looking down the moonlit street toward the docks for a moment longer. Captain Jones and his crew had yet to be seen in town, and while she could tell the others she didn't care - could even tell herself that in the light of day - here alone in the silent frosty night, Emma couldn't help wondering where he might be, and if he were well.

               "Jones, if you're out there," she murmured, hoping only the snow and ice and the Christmas star would hear her, "Take care or yourself… and be safe 'til we meet again."

               She had crossed the darkened room, placed her hand on the stair rail and was on the first step up to the second floor, when she heard the lightest rapping at the side door into the alley. Pausing there, Emma held her breath, listening uncertainly for the knock again, hardly daring to hope. She only had her candle in hand, the shadows long around her. Were Ruby and her huntsman still outside keeping each other warm despite the winter's chill? Could there be a prowler who had lain in wait until their self-appointed guardian had left for the night, or might it be the visitor she had been promised? The face she had looked for in anticipation every time the inn's door had opened to welcome a new patron that night? She would deny it to anyone, but those dark brows arched up into his windswept hair in challenge or jest, over eyes as blue as his beloved ocean, had been sorely missed; she had hoped to see him home again for Christmas more than she wanted to allow herself.

               She drew nearer to the side entrance, not wishing to give any her presence if the person on the other side bore ill intent, but straining to hear all the same; seeking some sign she was right and to confirm the feeling she had about who awaited on the other side. Gathering her courage, Emma reached for the fireplace poker beside the large stone hearth. Its embers were now dead for the night, but only a short while ago it had been blazing hotly, heating the entire space. She was not some frightened child at any rate; she'd hold her own against any intruder if the opened door led to a nasty surprise.

               Sure enough, the rapping came again, more firmly and with the added hushed entreaty, "Swan? Are you still about, Lass? Emma Swan! It's Captain Jones if you're still about and wish to see your sailor!"

               Her concerns brushed aside at the tones of that voice she could not mistake, Emma let the metal of her makeshift weapon clatter against the stone as it dropped from her fingers. With an exuberant little cry, she was at the door and lifting the latch in a second. The candle in her hand flickered and nearly went out with the stunned breath that left her upon glimpsing his handsome form once again after so long away.

               To his credit, Jones didn't tease; instead looking rather stunned himself as his gaze appeared busy drinking her in as well. Soon, he slipped inside out of the blustery chill and, seeing that her hand holding lighted taper was shaking considerably, he took it from her with care and reached to light the nearest sconce, casting their immediate surroundings with enough warm glow by which to see.

               Finally, she regained enough of her faculties to speak, and Emma stuttered, "It seemed you were not coming, Captain. Ruby mocked me all day for my foul temper and Tink joined in of course to say it was due to my missing and certain pirate and his crew. The busybodies!" she scoffed. But then she reached across the space between hem to catch his hand. "I did worry you might have been arrested, or hurt, or wrecked…or lost…any number of things. Or perhaps I gave you no clear assurance, and instead you had moved on, not to return."

               Killian shook his head just barely, looking troubled that she could even think he would abandon or fail her so easily. "Hardly Lass," he stated fervently, a sort of fiery glow in his eyes she had not seen before. I did say I would return by Yuletide, did I not? A pirate I might be, but I still have my honor.  It would take more than the increased vigilance of the Evil Queen and her forces to keep me away."

               Emma sucked in a worried breath at the cause of his delay. They all hoped to keep far under the notice of the usurper monarch - as cold and cruel as she was darkly attractive, she would end a life as easily as snapping her fingers, and at the slightest provocation, real or imagined. Life had been all the harder and more fraught with danger since Regina had wrested the crown from her kind and gentle stepdaughter Snow White, the rightful heir to the crown. If Killian were wanted by Queen Regina and had snuck back into her borders only to keep his promise, Emma could not bear to consider what would happen if he were discovered.

               Now was the moment of truth, before anymore needless time slipped past. It was time she told him what she had realized while no teasing friends or rowdy onlookers were listening in. "I missed you," she finally managed to croak out around the lump in her throat. "Thank you… Killian…for keeping your word."

               He dipped his head to look into her eyes where she had dropped her gaze to her feet. A strong, calloused hand, warm and gentle in its intent, tipped her chin back up to stare into his searching gaze. "Of course, Swan - Emma. All I could have wished for this holiday was…" he paused, his tongue darting out to wet his lips nervously and a hand coming up to worry the spot behind his ear - gesture she had long ago noticed signified nervousness. But he plunged on determinedly, "was to see you again, to see you and give you this."

               Pulling a small pouch from some inner pocket of his long leather jacket, he held it out to her with sparkling eyes, appearing almost boyish for a moment in his eagerness to see her open his gift, and whispering "Happy Christmas, Emma," as he placed it in her upturned palm.

               Emma's mouth formed a surprised "O", having not expected or hoped for anything more than his safe return. Opening the ties, she tilted the soft material until the item within spilled out in her hand. Holding up a long, golden chain with an exquisite stone of lovely pale green, near to jade in color, swinging from it, she was enchanted by the pendant he had brought her. "Oh, it's gorgeous," she breathed, rather stunned at how nice the piece of jewelry was.  She wore (or even owned, to be honest) little of such finery.

               "It's sea glass," Killian explained, taking the piece back in nimble fingers when she offered it, then turned, lifting her long hair so he could place the chain around her neck and fasten it for her. "Though sailors believe sea glass is good luck, that it keeps the wearer safe, and I would always wish you to be so, I knew it had to be yours because of the color. It reminded me vividly of your eyes…" Though the necklace was secured, his fingers still grazed featherlight along her skin, causing prickles of awareness to course throughout her body, and his own voice had turned decidedly husky.

               At last, Emma turned to face him once more, breaking the trance between them, but needing to thank him, and for him to see how touched she was by his gift, even if her voice was breathless and her words trembled with emotion. "I don't know what to say. You shouldn't have, but I adore it all the same. I'll treasure it, Killian. Truly." And without further hesitation or pausing to think and second guess, Emma threw her arms around him, squeezing him tightly to her. "Thank you," she whispered against his chest, breathing in the salty, spicy essence of him and nuzzling against his chest. She realized with a force that almost knocked her off her feet that she never wanted to let go.

               She felt Killian Jones' fingers thread through her hair, stroking gently, reverently as they stood there wrapped up in each other, swaying slightly in the candle glow and the howl of the wind outside. Emma felt they might indeed stay that way forever, and that neither of them would mind at all, until more rapid knocking interrupted their silent moment. The door handle rattled urgently, and she heard a nervous voice she recognized as Killian's first mate's speaking in hurried words. "Cap'n, you told me to summon you when an hour had gone. I've already seen one patrol of black guard go by. If they notice the Jolly in the harbor…"

               "Aye, Smee," he gritted out, stopping the anxious flow of words. "Head back and make ready to sail. I'll follow in a moment."

               He sighed as he turned back to Emma, tracing his thumb over the apple of her cheek and pausing to caress the dimple in her chin as he cradled her face in his hand.

               "You have to go," she acknowledged reluctantly; hating it, but understanding and wanting to see him safe, just as he did her. Her words were wistful, wishing he could stay there with her - or that she could run away with him - but it was too much, too quickly, no matter how she dreaded being parted again so soon.

               "I must, for now," he affirmed, the regret lacing every syllable of his words. "But I hope that now you know I will return."

               She nodded mutely, her mind trying to memorize every detail of his face, his voice, his touch, until she could see him again. "And I will be here waiting for you," she promised with equal intent.

               Bending slightly, Killian brushed his lips against her cheek, his stubble tickling her skin and again making her shiver at the sensation. It was the lightest and most gallant of kisses, and yet it only served to make her burn for more - for him to take her in his arms, for those firm lips to kiss her everywhere, for him to take her to her own apartments, or back to his cabin. It would keep her burning for however long they might be kept apart.

               As he had to leave, heading out again into the dark night, Emma stood at the door watching until the very second his vanished from her sight, no longer able to deny how anxiously she would await his return.

#csss20 #cs EF au ff #cs two shot #gift for @let-it-raines #one little ray of hope #part one #cs secret santa 2020

[mithrilwren]

Prompt fill for @eldritchjackalope, who requested “Fjord singing a sea shanty?” Now with bonus Caduceus :) I decided to post it as its own post, since I’ve had issues with cuts when replying to asks in the past. 

This is set at some ambiguous time prior to reaching Rumblecusp.

The deck of the Balleater tends to be quiet at night - empty, save the watches that hold at port and stern, watching for yellow eyes in the deep. Most of the Nein try to maintain their sequence of sleeping hours when possible, preferring to wake with the dawn while they have the choice. And Fjord… tries. He really does. But with the memories of long-fingered creatures dragging him from his bed towards the water below come visions of other sleepless nights, all the things he dreamed of back then, and it’s hard to keep his eyes closed for long.

Better to catch a nap during the daylight hours, when the rest are alert and awake on his behalf. And besides, the storm of the previous night blew the rigging out, and somebody has to haul the jib back in if they want to stay on course. They’re short-handed as it is - might as well be him.

It takes longer than it should to catch the drifting line, all his strength engaged in hanging by one arm from the ropes and reaching out into the open air, but when he does, it’s easy enough to clamber back down to the deck and start hauling the sail in. The wind beats the ocean against the hull in time with his pulls, and he finds himself humming a familiar tune beneath his breath, the muttered words matching the motion of his hands.

Eight days on to Feolinn, the wine is getting low Our barrels long for drink and song But there’s seven more to go

There’s no one to echo back the refrain, and for a moment, Fjord’s hands pause in their task. The sail goes slack, and what’s left open catches in the evening breeze. Fjord catches it just in time before the furl yanks the rope from his hands, and he shakes himself as he resumes hauling, finishing the line that would typically be a boisterous chorus with something of a sheepish mumble.

Seven more to go…

“I didn’t know you sang.”

Startled, Fjord whirls around, clutching the rope to his chest lest he lose it again.

Caduceus is there, leaning against the deck rail with a handful of nuts in one palm, and a skin of something - maybe water - in the other. Immediately, Fjord’s cheeks begin to burn - how long had he been standing there, listening?

“Don’t really,” he says. The line in his hands gives another tug, and he quickly finishes pulling it in and securing the sail before turning back to Caduceus - a task that takes far too short a time, in Fjord’s opinion, because Caduceus is still there, watching as curiously as ever, when he finishes. “It’s not really a song, just something I learned on Vandran’s ship.”

“Forgive me if I’m confused,” Caduceus says, and pops a nut into his mouth, “but I’m not sure what you’d call that except singing.”

Fjord huffs, the embarrassment over being caught not quite dispelled as he joins Caduceus at the railing, a careful five feet away. “It’s a chanty.”

“Which is…?”

“...a song,” Fjord reluctantly concedes. “But it’s not really a song song. It’s more… a chant, I guess. To keep people working in time. You can’t haul a sail in evenly if everyone’s pulling to a different rhythm.”

“Ah. That makes sense.” Caduceus takes another nut, then offers the hand to Fjord. He reluctantly reaches out and takes one. At least the chewing gives him something else to concentrate on besides his own burning cheeks.

Caduceus cracks the skin open next and takes a deep swig. It comes away from his lips, leaving them wet, and slightly reddened.

Fjord stares.

“Just because it’s got a practical application, doesn’t mean it’s not music. My family wasn’t much for singing, but a lot of the poetry my parents taught us was supposed to be instructional, as well as beautiful. Always like that about them. It’s nice, when things can serve more than one purpose. Convenient, really.”

It’s hard to tell with just moonlight to see by, but he could swear Caduceus’s pale cheeks are as flushed as his own. And there’s a smell on the air… something sweet and pungent, even noticeable over the salty brine that soaks the deck.

It’s not just water in that skin. He’s sure of it now.

“Any particular reason you’re up so late?” Fjord asks carefully, letting himself creep just a little bit closer, to see if there are any other signs to confirm his theory. “Couldn’t sleep?” The smell grows stronger. It’s one he’s more used to from the shortest in their group - not the tallest, without the weight or constitution or practice to carry it.

“No real reason. Just needed some air,” Caduceus lies, easily, so easily that if he wasn’t so clearly drunk Fjord’s not sure he would have caught it: the twinge in Caduceus’s voice, something just slightly off, that even inebriation can’t disguise. “How about you?”

Any other night, Fjord might have been persuaded to answer, to shift the conversation back onto himself, but the sight of Caduceus standing against the railing, holding a skin of what must be, has to be, alcohol in his hand, and swaying slightly as the ocean rocks, is strange enough to compel him to push a little further.

“You know me. Night owl. But seriously, Caduceus. Something got you up?”

“Maybe I was a little hungry,” Caduceus suggests, gesturing with the nut-filled hand, and that makes sense, but it still doesn’t explain the wine in the other. “I didn’t feel like cooking, though.

“I can see that.” Fjord debates just taking a swipe for the skin, curiosity and concern quickly eclipsing any thought towards Caduceus’s privacy. At least the attempt is less likely to end in the scratches down his arm that a similar action would have gotten with Nott. But after reeling his more impulsive instincts in, he decides on a more subtle approach. “Say, I’m pretty parched. Could I have a sip from that?”

The hesitation tells Fjord all he needs to know. “This is almost empty,” Caduceus lies again, immediately betrayed by the clearly audible sloshing from the skin in his hand, and Fjord frowns.

It’s not like him, to be dishonest like this.

…Is it?

Is he just a better liar when he’s not drunk?

“Don’t think wine’s the best thing to fill your belly, honestly. You’re already seasick,” Fjord says, trying to keep his voice as non-judgemental as possible. Caduceus’s flinch tells him he doesn’t succeed in the effort, but just as quickly Caduceus’s typical easy smile floats back to his lips, still red-stained, and beginning to crack near the middle from too many days in the sun.

“I’ll be fine. I only had a little.”

Another lie. He should probably be offended, that Caduceus thinks he won’t see through so many in a row.

But honestly, he’s just worried.

“Since when do you drink, anyway?”

“Veth suggested it.”

“And you agreed?”

Caduceus shrugs. A number of the nuts fall out of his hand and onto the deck, and after a moment too long he looks down, as though surprised to see them scattered there at his feet.

“She said it helps you sleep.”

Ah. So he couldn’t sleep. Some truth at last.

“A little, maybe,” Fjord says. “But you have too much, you’re going to pay for it tomorrow.”

“Trust me, I know,” Caduceus replies, and it’s the most sober he’s sounded the whole conversation.

Fjord’s only seen Caduceus truly gone once before - all silly impressions and smiles, and laying his head down at Yasha’s shoulder. He’d always figured him for a happy drunk. But his voice is melancholic tonight - tired, and darker, somehow.

Fjord closes another foot or two, until their arms are close to brushing.

“To steal a metaphor from you, oh, five minutes ago, you sure the wine isn’t doing double duty?” He gives Caduceus’s shoulder a gentle nudge with his own, trying to keep his tone light, to not drag the conversation down any farther.

“What?”

“Just wondering if there was any other reason you were drinking tonight, besides to sleep?”

Caduceus looks startled, for the first time fully meeting Fjord’s gaze. His eyes are too wide, too blown out for their shape, and Fjord finds himself freezing in place, caught in a stare that is, for once, fully unguarded, and all the more terrifying for it.

“I don’t know,” Caduceus says. “I- it seemed like the thing to do, at the time.” He laughs, turning his eyes back down to the deck. “I don’t remember. I think I lost track.”

Caduceus falls silent, and Fjord nudges him again, bringing his eyes back up.

“Lost track of what? How much you drank?”

“No. The reasons why.”

Fjord lets out a slow breath. It feels like they’re on the precipice of something, a conversation too heavy to have in this dim light. Part of him wants to push, while Caduceus is open like this - vulnerable, in a way he so seldom lets himself be.

The other part of him knows they’ll both regret it in the morning.

“I think it’s time for both of us to get some sleep,” he says, and takes Caduceus by the arm, leading him back towards the hold where Caleb’s bubble is waiting to shelter them both. Caduceus goes willingly with his hand, only stumbling a little as they walk towards the staircase that goes below. The rest of the nuts fall to the deck, and neither bothers to clean them up - the seagulls will do the work by morning. “Let’s talk later, ok?”

“Hmm,” Caduceus hums. “Alright.”

“I’m holding you to that,” Fjord says, only half-teasing. “Now let’s get you back to bed before you puke all over my deck.”

They’re almost to the lowest hold by the time Caduceus speaks again.

“Fjord,” he says quietly. “Sometime, you should sing the rest of that song. I’d like to hear it.”

“Chanty,” he corrects. “And you know what, let’s make a deal. You tell me what’s going on with you, tomorrow, and I’ll sing you any song you want to hear.”

“I’m holding you to that,” Caduceus repeats - a little more slurred than normal, but sounding more like his usual teasing self.

That assurance is enough to let Fjord get a few winks, at least.

#critical role #fjorclay #i finished this JUST in time for the episode #literally minutes to spare #im proud of myself lol #my writing

[whumpqin]

Day One - Anchor

Soooo I decided that I want to participate in the May 2020 whump challenge! I’m not planning on being able to finish this in time, but I do have an idea of where I want to go with all of this. Hopefully this counts...? This fic DOES include an anchor in it but the whump isn’t... surrounded by the anchor so idk fingers crossed!

Masterlist

General taglist: @spiffythespook (If you want to be tagged in my stuff or a specific story, just let me know!)

CW: Failed escape attempt, creepy/intimate whumper, gun involvement, drowning threat, broken fingers threat, alcohol use, noncon kiss on the cheek, maybe some other things I forgot to tag! Let me know if I have to tag something.

Word Count: 2,493

All is still and quiet, save for the sounds of the ocean waves rocking the boat back and forth in a continuous rhythm, waves crashing in the distance. Even the creaking of the boat itself was pleasant to the ears, moved against the ocean without need of worry or care. The ocean carried The Seeker like a dear friend, never once threatening to sink it below its depths. A kind of assurity that he could only dream of.

The only other noise besides the sound of the sea was the gentle sweeping of a broom against the deck, trying to rid the ship of what little dirt had made its way here. He tried to let himself focus onto cleaning as much as he could. That way, he didn’t have to think about anything else but the waves and where to sweep next.

For now, he was alone. The rest of the crew was down below in the underbelly of the ship, partying and singing whatever stupid songs they had come up with over the course of the voyage. It wasn’t often that they left him be and didn’t drag him to their celebrations over nothing, so he relished in the stillness they had left him in. He hoped that they would forget about him until morning..

Nereus paused in his cleaning and sighed heavily, as if trying to let the weight of everything flow off of his shoulders.

He cleaned his way up and down the ship, sweeping what he could off of the boat and into the dark waters below. By the time he had finished this end it was already dark, the light of the moon illuminating the deck in its cool glow. He couldn’t see in the dark like some other crew members or the Captain, so he was forced to squint against the little light that he was given. Nereus prayed that he didn’t slip and tumble over into the waters. Alone, there would be no one to find him. He wasn’t even sure if he could swim.

With a sigh Nereus wiped what little sweat he had on his brow away, lifting his head to see the silhouette of the ship as it rocked back and forth. His eyes caught sight of a dark, looming machine, round in nature with a large, hooked metal object on the end of a chain.

The anchor.

Because they were steadily going to the north, the anchor had been raised for as long as he could remember. Raising the anchor was a  big to-do with several crew members all working together to make sure the thing didn’t break off when they moved it. He knew it was probably one of the most important parts of the ship. After all, without it you’d have no way to properly stop the ship without it getting damaged in the process.

Nereus looked away quickly. He shouldn’t be thinking of that. It was hard to say what could happen to the ship, to the people, if he did such a thing. Everything might get ripped apart or worse!

In his attempt to divert his gaze, his eyes rested against one of the life rafts. Wooden with a couple of oars, small enough to fit on the side of the ship safely tucked away and pristine. Sometimes the crew would drop anchor and use it to catch fish to eat, when supplies were really running low. Nereus knew he could figure a way to untie it. If he’s really careful, he could let the anchor down and rush over to the boat and throw it into the water before anyone can get topside. He’d be gone before anyone could catch him.

It’s such a bad idea. He knew what happened the last time he tried to escape. But the whisper of freedom still called, beckoning him into the ocean. Nereus was desperate.

He dropped his broom where it was and made his way to the liferaft. First he needed to untie it and prepare for it to be in the water. It took him a moment longer than he’d liked, but soon everything was unfastened and the oars delicately placed inside the raft itself. Nereus shifted it so he could easily push it into the water, then stood up straight to look back at the anchor.

This is such a bad idea, his mind warned. Begging him to reconsider. But I have to try. If I don’t try then I’m just what he says that I am.

Nereus shrugged off his worries and embraced the idea of freedom. His feet carried him quickly to the anchor, stopping just in front of levers and buttons - things he never took the time to learn how to operate.

A rush of anticipation sped up his heart as he frantically tried to read anything that might tell him what the levers and buttons did. Just his luck, however, all of the words that may have once been there were no longer present, scratched off with time and use. Nereus cursed under his breath, glancing down to the cabin entrance.

The door opened, and his heart froze.

A Cambion, tall enough to have to bend forward to go through the frame, exited onto the deck. His skin was as blue as the sea, dark enough to look nearly black in the night air. Messy, nearly white hair was tousled and forced into a ponytail, strips of missed strands lying over his light blue eyes.

The Captain.

Nereus ducked for cover as The Captain’s gaze moved over to the liferaft, obviously noticing how it wasn’t secured like everything else should be. He hid behind the anchor, trying to still his breath enough to listen to the Captain’s boots thud against the deck of the ship. Nereus could hear him begin to hum a low tune, one of those dumb sea shanties to himself as he moved.

He wasn’t sure why he hadn’t been called. He wasn’t going to try and find out. Instead, he listened to which direction the sounds were coming from and slowly tried to shift away. Maybe if he swerved to the side he could still get away, still push the raft into the water before the Captain had a chance to grab onto him-

The sound of a gun clicked next to his head.

Nereus swallowed thickly, slowly moving his gaze to his right to stare down the barrel of a gun. He aimed his eyes higher, to look at the softly smiling face of the Captain as he watched. Nereus lifted his hands upwards, a sign of surrender. Tears almost immediately sprung to his eyes as the Captain took a step forward and placed the gun against his forehead.

“Thought you could sneak off in the middle of our celebration, did you?” When there was no answer, the Captain’s smile fell into a frown. “I left you with enough brains to speak, at the very least. Be honest with me and I won’t blow them out across the deck.”

“Y-yes…” he breathed, almost so quiet he could barely be heard above the waves. “I, I did.”

“Did what? What’s the magic words, boy?” The Captain lifted his thumb, cocking the hammer of the gun back to ready it to fire.

“Yes, yes Captain! I did Captain, I’m so sorry! I won’t do it again I promise, I won’t-”

The Captain raised the gun away from Nereus’ face and slammed it into the side of his head, sending him reeling against the ground. He whimpered, curling inwards to prevent any likely kicks against his ribs. He couldn’t do that again.

Above, the Captain grinned that fanged smile that struck fear into the hearts of the entire crew.

“I don’t need none of that babbling from you. Doesn’t work, from what I’ve seen.” He holstered his gun against his left pocket, taking care to put the safety on before doing so. “I know you’re not stupid, you’ll say anything to get someone off of your back, wont ya?”

Nereus didn’t say anything and only nodded, too afraid of what might happen if he accidentally started his “babbling” again.

“No, didn’t think so. Come on, I suppose a lesson’s in order, isn’t it? Gonna have to teach you humans the only way that seems to get through your thick fucking skulls, it seems.”

Hands snaked across his shoulders as the Captain leaned down, hooking fingers into Nereus’ collar and lifting him up with ease. He was so skinny now, it was hard to imagine anyone in the crew having trouble picking him up, let alone the Captain himself.

Nereus was flipped around, rough hands gripping onto the back of his shirt as he was marched to the side of the boat. He could see the waters much more clearly now, and it only filled him with fear as it got closer and closer. It was hard to say what the Captain was going to do with him, whether this might be his last night alive, eaten by whatever lurked in the dark waters or drowned because Nereus couldn’t get the hang of swimming in time, or if he was to be mercifully spared this time around.

He was pushed forward, nearly toppling over one of the metal bars. Suspended only by the Captain’s hand as he held him aloft. Hanging over the waters dangerously, but completely unable to save himself.

Nereus screamed.

“Captain! Please, please Captain I’m sorry! Please don’t drop me I don’t wanna drown, please!” he cried, arms reaching behind him to grab onto the Captain’s wrists.

“What? I thought you wanted to be out there in the open sea! Isn’t this what you wanted?” The Captain’s grip slipped just slightly, instead holding onto Nereus’ pants as he dangled further over the side of the ship.

“No! No, please! Captain I’m sorry! I don’t want to be in the water, please, Captain!” Nereus wasn’t sure if his begging was making sense, anymore. The primal terror in his bones screamed at him and every hair stood on end, proper words were hardly in his mind at the moment.

“That’s what I fucking thought.”

He was hoisted back up onto the deck of the ship and dropped into the floor. Nereus’ weak legs could barely hold his weight, and he collapsed against the floor sobbing. He curled up against himself, trying to protect the important areas even as fear coursed through his veins. There was no telling if the Captain would just leave his lesson at that, or if it would escalate into something worse.

Nereus whined as he was lifted into a sitting position, forced to face the gaze of the one who nearly threw him overboard. The Captain took his chin roughly and tilted his head to the side, inspecting where he had hit him.

“Ah, damn. Looks like that’s gonna bruise. Sorry about that, Roo. Wouldn’t have had to do that if you weren’t stupid enough to try and leave.” The Captain heaved a small sigh, watching Nereus cry into his hands for a moment. He could smell the tinge of alcohol on his breath. “You do realize that you’d likely get yourself killed if you tried to leave on your own, right? No food, no water, no idea where you’re supposed to be going? Why the fuck would you waste time trying to squander the one gift I’ve given you, huh? Look at me.”

Nereus forced his blurry eyes back up to the Captain, who smiled in return.

“There’s my trophy. Now, repeat this back to me. ‘I’m not going to try and escape ever again.’ Go on. Say it.”

He swallowed. “I-I won’t try to escape ever again, Captain,” Nereus murmured softly, voice gravely and cracking.

“Again. This time with feeling.”

“I won’t try to escape ever again, Captain.” It was stronger, with less breaks. Like a passionate opinion said amidst frustrated tears. 

“Good. Now,” the Captain murmured, leaning close to whisper in his ear, a hot breath making him shudder at the feeling. “If you ever try to escape again, Roo, it’ll be your last time. You understand me?” Nereus nodded quickly, terror latching onto his vocal cords and refusing to let go of them. “Good. And if you ever touch that raft again without someone telling you to, I’ll break all of your fingers one. By. One. Just to make sure you’ve gotten the picture. Got it?”

“Ye-yes, Captain. I understand, Captain,” Nereus finally blurted out, voice quaking and hardly any strength put behind it.

“Alright. Now you have two options, because you obviously can’t be trusted by yourself. You can go below deck and help pick up after my crewmen, or you can come up to my room and stay with me. You choose, Roo.” His voice was poisonous, the air of a threat that hung over him like a weighted cloak. It was hard to speak with the Captain’s hiss in his ear, let alone think.

Nereus weighed his options carefully. If he went to clean up after the crewmen, they might be drunk enough to leave him be for the night. He might be able to get a full night’s rest, curled into the safest corner that he could find. Though, the chance that they might be fully aware of him and might try to play mean tricks was always an option, too… But, if he went with the Captain, it was hard to tell what might happen to him. He was at the very least drunk, and the fact that Nereus might have pissed him off made him so very scared of what might happen behind closed doors.

The lesser of two evils was, like always, still evil. But Nereus was going to need plenty of energy to work tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that. If he wanted to survive, whatever would hurt him the least had to be the better option. 

“I’ll clean up after the crew, Captain,” he finally said, after he had managed to gather enough courage for it.

The Captain breathed a deep sigh, and Nereus wasn’t sure if he had made the right decision or not. He felt the gentle press of lips against his bruising cheek, before the Captain pulled away to stare him down with cold eyes.

“Skitter on down to the underbelly, then. I’m sure you know your way around by now. Don’t get any other… ideas, you understand me?” The Captain’s voice had turned to ice, and Nereus certainly wondered if there was a right and wrong choice. 

But he nodded like he was supposed to. You never disobey the Captain. 

Nereus forced himself to his feet and dusted himself off, before running to the door that led into the lower cabin of the ship, holding back king-sized tears and praying that none of the crewmembers asked him about the new bruise against his cheek.

#whump #whump community #whumpblr #whump writing #my writing #writing #WaterWhump2020 #ww-no.1 #failed escape attempt #creepy whumper #intimate whumper #gun tw #drowning threat #broken fingers mention tw #broken fingers threat #alcohol use tw #noncon kiss on the cheek tw #noncon kiss tw #The Captain #Nereus #The Fallen Seekers

[ducktracy]

91. those beautiful dames (1934)

release date: november 10th, 1934

series: merrie melodies

director: friz freleng

starring: n/a

back to color, permanently this time! now we’re using two-strip technicolor, focusing on red and green as opposed to the red and blue two-strip cinecolor process. this seems to be a follow up to the shanty where santa claus—a poverty stricken girl longs to have toys of her own, and it seems her wish may be granted after all.

parallel to the introduction of the shanty where santy claus lives, a little girl trudges through the snow, hugging her shawl close for warmth. she stumbles upon a toy shop and eagerly glances inside, enticed by the happy and warm nature of the toys. the scene is staged nicely—i love the detail of the street lamp in the background bent slightly.

forlornly the girl continues her trek, wrapping her shawl around her and bracing against a terrible wind. the scene of her walking against the wind overstays its welcome slightly, stretching on for awhile, but it isn’t supposed to be a scene that’s urgent anyway. and, of course, friz’s love of butt gags prevails as the wind blows some snow inside the girl’s pants. can’t have anything too sad, now!

she approaches a tiny little shack and warms herself up by the stove conservatively. even the mice are starving—a mouse that’s all skin and bones checks the contents of a bread box, thoroughly disappointed. the meager flame inside the stove is also disappointing. a few blows inflate it ever so slightly, but melting ice on the inside of the stove extinguished the flare with ease. the poor girl cries herself to sleep as she situates herself in the chair. the first half is drawn out, but again, there’s no need for urgency, and it establishes pathos quite effectively. you instantly feel bad for the girl.

the fun enters once one of the toys from the toy store approaches the shack, a gang of toys approaching behind her. tentatively the leader creeps inside, finding the girl asleep at the chair. the coast is clear—the toy motions for the others to stroll on in.

a very cute scene as the toys spruce up the place as a nice little surprise. firefighters eject red paint on the door, a horse spreads glue with its tail on some wallpaper waiting to be hung, and a bulldozer spreads the wallpaper, driving up the wall. the gags aren’t entirely original, but they’re very cute. the newness of the color enhances the scene entirely. i’m sure that same magic wouldn’t be there had the cartoon been in black and white, not that the black and white cartoons are dull by any means because of their appearance, but the cheeriness translates better in bright greens and reds. it’s a fitting cartoon to test out the two-strip technicolor process.

hours fly by as indicated by a church clock (a very moody and pretty scene). the hands whirl from 9 to 12, and we spot the finished interior. a hearty fire roars in the fireplace, the wallpaper is cheery and happy, there are rugs and chairs galore... the girl has a proper home. all of the toys crowd around the slumbering girl and cheer, waking her up. she glances around in bewildered glee, absolutely delighted.

a few dolls launch into the titular “those beautiful dames”, harmonies beautiful as always. there’s a quick tap dancing sequence from a windup jazz toy (featuring blackface caricatures as always... ugh) and all the dolls sing: a monkey and a trowel, a clown and a paintbrush, a bear with a hammer and saw... two more blackface dolls (ughhh) singing about how they made a chocolate cake for the girl, etc. the girl claps on the performance, thrilled. we have a tap dancing number between two jack in the boxes. nothing too exciting, but the backgrounds are especially nice, the gaudy green and red floral curtains a nice touch. the color will definitely boost the enjoyment factor in these merrie melodies, adding some much needed charm (though black and white cartoons are just as beautiful... i suppose it all boils down to quality of the cartoon, which isn’t the say of the original creators).

elsewhere, a toy dump truck gorges itself in chocolate cake as the dance rages on. rude! this poor girl is starving! both scenes go on for awhile, the dance and the eating, until a doll catches the truck in the act and scolds it. the truck mopes away like a dog with its tail between its legs.

the girl approaches a toy phonograph and gives it a few good cranks, putting on a record of “those beautiful dames”. the animation of the teddy bears dancing on the base of the phonograph is very fun, very smooth, very well articulated, especially when they shuffle along to opposing sides (“turning corners” is the best way to describe it). even more amusing to watch the dance halt, the bears all hopping on one leg and ogling at the record as it skips. the girl fixes it and the dance continues on. some amusing moves from the girl herself as she boogies down to the melody. this cartoon isn’t anything too fascinating, but it’s a lot of fun, even if it’s not necessarily funny.

two toy soldiers march in front of a set of doors and trumpet a fanfare. the doors open to reveal a marvelous, sugar coated feast for the girl, all of the toys cheering and whooping in celebration. very cute to watch the girl happily walk along the table and fix herself a seat. a little pep is added to the scene as the girl turns the meal into an eating contest, declaring “one, two, three, go!” and all the toys indulging in plates of ice cream. this is a very feel good cartoon, even if it’s not the most exciting. i found myself smiling like an idiot at this part. how can you feel down watching a crane shovel ice cream into the mouths of various toys while happy jazz blares in the background?

now, time for the girl to indulge herself. some nice animation as the girl antics, reeling back to really get a good shovel full of frozen cow juice. unfortunately for her, her ice cream is a protective layer to hide a jack in the box that springs out at her. she’s a good sport, though. iris out as the girl joins in with the giggles and jeers of her fellow companions.

interesting to note, the merrie melodies sign off would gain a new mascot. the tradition used to be that the star of the cartoon would sign off, either saying “so long, folks!” or “that’s all, folks”. it got to be quite entertaining when the sign offs with particular characters were reused often—piggy, who had starred in only 2 merrie melodies, was used quite frequently as a sign off. though it is pretty hard to keep up with a new sign off for EVERY cartoon, new voice and everything. pretty hard and pretty costly. the jester would serve as the “mascot” for the 1934-1935 season.

a very endearing cartoon, much better than the shanty where santy claus lives. it didn’t have much going for it, and was relatively... not exactly boring, but mild. nothing really stood out to me (except the occasional blackface caricatures, which, at this point, i shouldn’t be surprised by seeing anymore. still needs to be addressed as always). however, that’s not always a bad thing. this cartoon was very cute, very endearing, very sentimental. the ending was extremely feel-good and warm. i caught myself smiling like a goof while watching it. the girl, although without any discernible personality, was a character you wanted to root for, and thus it was satisfying to see her house all spruced up and to see her reunited with her toy friends. worth a watch, especially towards the second half where the toys come in.

link!

#lt #those beautiful dames #reviews #long post #racism m

[haahrhald55-blog]

Top 10 Ideal Electric Lawn Mowers In 2018.

Flight on mower are the most effective selection for lawns that are around half an acre in size and beyond or if you have restricted flexibility and also can't make use of a standard push lawn mower. A lawn mower with a good created reducing deck will certainly aid you trim easier. The more 'all-singing, all-dancing" gasoline lawnmowers can be up to and also over ₤ 1000. Being self drove and having an 18 ″ cutting size, this lawn mower appropriates for huge yards. Reel lawn mowers make use of a system of vertical blades spinning. Always check your backyard prior to you begin trimming to make sure that there is absolutely nothing the mower is mosting likely to run over. For various other press lawn mowers, there is the Lawn-Boy 10730, which doesn't have the stellar client responses of our choice, the Cub Cadet. Some are the huge, expensive kinds you see on fairway, while smaller designs might be a little easier to push however don't do a visibly far better job on your yard and cost a big amount more than also the most effective human-powered mowers.http://ergpolaris.com/2018/what-you-need-to-do-about-best-self-propelled-mower/ ='float:left;margin-right:10px;' src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/9b/2c/a0/9b2ca0f72813fb2b9d0674064e8868e9.jpg" width="283px" alt="best lawn mowers 2018 consumer reports"/> The Greenworks battery powered lawn mower is a budget option that still provides plenty of power as well as runtime for a routine size lawn. They focus on riding and also push lawn mowers as well as have quite a wide range offered. Gas is simply a power source so you can locate gas absolutely no turn lawn mowers, gas riding lawn mowers as well as gas push lawn mowers. The Honda HRX217VKA goes to or near the top of all of the specialist finest mower checklists, including Popular Mechanics, Top Ten Evaluations, and Lawn Mower Review The testers at Consumer Information offered this design top ratings for dealing with, nabbing, and mulching and "great" scores for ease of usage and also side discharging. This lawn mower runs on a 12 amp electric motor and uses a 20 inch steel mower deck, which suggests that it's durable as well as able to hold up against a little force. If you additionally intend to purchase a lawn mower that will not damage the atmosphere around your home, please do not choose a gasoline mower. The dimension of a blade is 21 inches - typical dimension for the lawn mowers of this kind. If you don't intend to take any kind of significant initiatives, you may intend to think about a self-propelled electrical lawn mower. The Hayter's a perfect choice Because its reducing height goes down to simply 13mm; way lower than anything else on this web page, for bowling green style grass. A replacement to your traditional lawn mowers powered by gasoline, these newest mower are run by the electrical energy, either electric cord or straight as well as a battery device that is rechargeable. The big thing to recognize regarding mower is that there are lots of them around. The lawn mowers on our website are valued between $250 as well as $600. Less effective that gas lawn mowers. People, who find it tough to stroll and also can not handle walk-behind mowers, need to think about ride-on lawn mowers rather. The Cub Cadet RZT S Zero riding electric lawnmower has four electrical motors, two for driving and also two for reducing. The business well known for its garden gadgetry expertise additionally creates its very own excellent lawnmowers. And also certainly, over that time, suppliers can cease an item and also no longer supply a replacement battery, which indicates a new lawn mower. Incorporated CR's number-two spot (together with the Vanity LM2002) is the Mirror CLM-58V4AH press mower According to Consumer Information, this mower cuts actually well" and also is $50 to 100 less than our Ego pick. Electric mower are also a lot more environmentally friendly than gas lawn mowers. All the cordless mower we have actually evaluated use lithium-ion batteries Their features have crucial advantages over secured lead acid (SHANTY TOWN) batteries: they bill faster, have on the house memory" as well as deliver consistent power. A small lawn doesn't imply you can not have a riding mower as well as a huge yard doesn't indicate you can not have a push lawn mower. They need your physical stamina to push the lawn mower and also make the blades work. Likewise, the majority of today's cordless mowers are easily as powerful as their electric and also gasoline equivalents. The average lawn mower is usually able to mow at the very least a pair hours at a time before it requires to be charged again as well as because it charges itself you do not require to worry due to the fact that if the job isn't done it returns, costs as well as comes back out there.

[endlesscloudsoftime]

11 Questions

I thank the ever so wonderful @porkcutletbowltrash for tagging me *bows*! 

1. Which fictional character would be the most boring to meet in real life?

Hmm….I want to say this would be hard but on the contrary there are so many characters that would be boring plainly because in real life we aren’t privy to their backgrounds as we are in the mode of media themselves. Honestly, I would pick Cho Chang [from Harry Potter for those who are unaware]. From what I got on her character she didn’t seem to have any dimension to her that would interest me [other than her being in the Quidditch team] so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

2. What problem or situation did TV / movies make you think would be common, but when you grew up you found out it wasn’t? (i’m lowkey taking a jab at hsm because thanks Disney for making me think high school would be awesome)

People wearing only sweats and looking like they literally rolled out of bed in college. Where I went, most girls were in full makeup for a 09:00 [in the MORNING mind you] lecture and everyone was dressed in smart casuals at the very least. It took me a while but I had to up my dressing game because even just a simple hoodie and jeans had to look tasteful if nothing else.

3. What would be on the gag reel of your life?

A lot of things, but I’ll go with a simple one. Tripping over nothing at all while walking. This happens ALL THE TIME like I don’t get a break *cries*

4. What does “infinite” mean to you? 

Deceptively endless. The things that are infinite we can’t see, and the things we perceive as infinite always have an end point somewhere.

5. If your life was a movie, what songs would be on the soundtrack?

A Freaking Lot. My soundtrack would go on and on honestly. A few that would be there though are (not in order though):

- Shattered by Trading Yesterday

- Wannabe by the Spice Girls

- I Giorni by Ludovico Einaudi

- Tous les Secrets by Celine Dion

- For Me from the N no tame ni OST

- Decompose by NELL

- I’ll Remember by Day6 [don’t be confused by the title in the video - the song is the right one]

- Sing Me by Day6

- Hello how are you by Ritsuka

- Another Sunday by Trading Yesterday

- Main Koi Aisa Geet Gaoon from the Bollywood movie Yes Boss

- Ajab Si from the Bollywood movie Om Shanti Om (2008)

[I have so SO much more but I think 12 is good enough for now. Also I’ve added links for each song if you were curious!]

6. What item would be your top choice to make into a horcrux?

I’ve actually spent years thinking about this and I’m actually STILL not sure what I would make. I would say a note of money, but there is something about that that makes me uneasy. I’m sure this answer will change later, but for now I would make my silicone/rubber phone cover a horcrux because it seems resilient and quite unsuspecting (maybe).

7. Who would play you in a movie about your life?

America Ferrera. I’ve been told I resemble her looks-wise, and since my life isn’t very screen worthy (which means hello Normal Girl) her being amazing as Carmen in Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants is already an overqualification for portraying my life anyway.

8. Most relatable scene from any book/movie/anime/etc.?

When they drool over food and prioritize that over any other situation. Prime examples flitting through my head now are:

- in Lucky Star where Konata and Tsukasa go on a discussion about which side of the chocolate cornet they would eat from and why.

- practically everytime Yui and Ritsu jump at tea time with cakes in K-ON! disregarding doing anything productive.

9. If you were shrunk down and somehow got stuck in a blender, how would you get out?

I would try to disengage the blade cutter and prop it against one side securely so that I can (carefully) climb, use it as a foothold and push the small round cap on the top of the lid out and then crawl out. If that didn’t work then I’d just wait till someone came by and yell at them to get me out.

10. Would you count manga as a piece of literature? Why or why not?

I would because I consider manga as a comic which is technically considered as a literary piece anyway. (I even looked up literature to double check)

11. compliment yourself. (joey, you’re just to freaking good to at making up questions).

Well done on making it through life so far Astea with your stuffed toys *pats on back*

 WELL now it’s time for me to make up these questions muahahahah (okay no I can’t be actually cleverly dastardly to save my life).

1. What season would you have control over if there were masters of the seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, Monsoons etc.)?

2. If you could only have one pet, would you have either a cat/dog/other? And what breed would they be?

3. When looking at the menu in a restaurant, what is the first page you examine and why? [because I don’t look at the appetizers first like a normal human and I’m curious to know if I’m the only one]

4.If you ever had the opportunity of accurately knowing what your future would be, would you want to know? Why/Why not?

5. Which social media platform are you most fond of and why?

6. If you had to choose one sin to be known by for the rest of your life (from the Seven Deadly Sins) which one would it be and why?

7. What form of entertainment would you consume when younger (books/tv shows/magazines/movies etc.) and has that changed?

8. Are you a light traveler? Or the kind that needs two heavy duty suitcases for a week’s holiday?

9. Would you rather life be a steady constant or a rollercoaster?

10. Was being famous something you had ever wanted? If so what kind of celebrity did you want to be? If not, why?

11. Do you believe in reincarnation? If so, do you think you’ve been reincarnated or are you brand new?

I tag @katzuyas, @savedbythenotepad, @exile-wrath, @possibleplatypus, @dreaming-fireflies, @crossroadswrite, @thechroniclesoftrash, @omgkatsudonplease, @peasantaries, @miyakuli and anyone else who would like to try! 

[And as always those who are tagged don’t need to do this if they would rather not!]

#astea's tumblr tag #porkcutletbowltrash #it's been a while #this will never not be fun

[shtfandgo]

New Post has been published on SHTFandGO Rocket Stoves and Water Purification Equipment

New Post has been published on https://www.shtfandgo.com/ice-fishing-safety/

Ice Fishing Safety

To maximize ice fishing safety when enjoying winter fishing outing, it is important to know a few things about ice. The sport attracts people to the frigid winter lakes in Canada and the northern United States. Some take it seriously enough to register for official competitions. But for most people, it is a way to enjoy time with family, friends and perhaps a bottle of schnapps, and ultimately a delicious fish dinner from the day’s efforts. But the seemingly harmless sport, which often involves hours of patient waiting in freezing temperatures, has risks of injuries.

 The following supplies will help you to ice fish using basic supplies that you can carry with you in an emergency.

Auger—there are both hand powered and electric augers to drill holes in the ice

Ice Chisel/Pick—used to clear out slush from hole

Fishing Pole

–          Tip-UP Pole- can be made with wood or plastic. It has a long stick with a reel and trigger device. A flag is placed at the top of the stick using a spring. When a fish bites, the flag will bounce up and down (kind of like a bobber).

–          Jigging Rod— a two foot pole that looks like your smaller, traditional fishing pole. You bounce the jigging rod up and down every few seconds to get the fish attention. Can be used with a jig.

Bucket or Chair—so you can sit comfortably on the ice

First Aid Kit

Always remember these following thing when deciding where to go ice fishing. And also remember looks can be deceiving. Always test the ice before going out to far.

New ice is usually stronger than old ice. Four inches of clear, newly formed ice may support one person on foot, while a foot or more of old, partially thawed ice may not.

Ice seldom freezes uniformly. It may be a foot thick in one location and only an inch or two just a few feet away.

Ice formed over flowing water and currents is often dangerous. This is especially true near streams, bridges and culverts. Also, the ice outside river bends is usually weaker due to the undermining effects of the faster current.

The insulating effect of snow slows down the freezing process. The extra weight also reduces how much weight the ice sheet can support. Also, ice near shore can be weaker than ice that is farther out.

Booming and cracking ice isn’t necessarily dangerous. It only means that the ice is expanding and contracting as the temperature changes.

Schools of fish or flocks of waterfowl can also adversely affect the relative safety of ice. The movement of fish can bring warm water up from the bottom of the lake. In the past, this has opened holes in the ice causing snowmobiles and cars to break through.

Check for known thin ice areas with a local resort or bait shop. Test the thickness yourself using an ice chisel, ice auger or even a cordless 1/4 inch drill with a long bit.

Refrain from driving on ice whenever possible. If you must drive a vehicle, be prepared to leave it in a hurry–keep windows down and have a simple emergency plan of action you have discussed with your passengers.

Stay away from alcoholic beverages. Even “just a couple of beers” are enough to cause a careless error in judgment that could cost you your life. And contrary to common belief, alcohol makes you colder rather than warming you up.

Don’t “overdrive” your snowmobile’s headlight. At even 30 miles per hour, it can take a much longer distance to stop on ice than your headlight shines. Many fatal snowmobile through-the-ice accidents occur because the machine was traveling too fast for the operator to stop when the headlamp illuminated the hole in the ice.

Have the right ice fishing safety gear. Wear a life vest under your winter gear. Or wear one of the new flotation snowmobile suits. And it’s a good idea to carry a pair of ice picks that may be homemade or purchased from most well stocked sporting goods stores that cater to winter anglers. It’s amazing how difficult it can be to pull yourself back onto the surface of unbroken but wet and slippery ice while wearing a snowmobile suit weighted down with 60 pounds of water. Ice picks are vital ice fishing safety tools for pulling yourself back onto solid ice. Caution: Do not wear a flotation device when traveling across the ice in an enclosed vehicle.

RECOMMENDED MINIMUM ICE THICKNESS

One of the most important ice fishing basics is that of following ice thickness guidelines. While most anglers know intuitively that thin ice can be extremely dangerous, fewer may know that white ice or “snow ice” is only about half as strong as new clear ice. Follow the ice thickness recommendations below to maximize fishing safety.

2″ or less – STAY OFF

4″ – Ice fishing or other activities on foot

5″ – Snowmobile or ATV

8″ – 12″ – Car or small pickup

12″ – 15″ – Medium truck

Note: These guidelines are for new, clear solid ice. Many factors other than thickness can cause ice to be unsafe. Double the above thickness guidelines when traveling on white ice to ensure ice safety.

ICE FISHING SAFETY WHEN TRAVELING ON ICE

1. Share your fishing plans. It’s a good idea to share your plans with your family, friends, or neighbors. Let them know:

The name of the lake you’ll be fishing on;

The location of your fishing hot spot (i.e. north shore, south shore, etc.); and

When you plan to arrive home.

If the fish are actively biting and you decide to stay out longer, notify them of your change in plans.

2. Bring a friend. When going ice fishing, never go alone. A friend can:

Provide an extra set of hands;

Help you stay focused on safety; and

Alert authorities if something goes wrong.

3. Talk to the locals. They can provide information on ice thickness, water movement, and other information pertinent to the lake.

4. Follow these ice thickness guidelines. Remember, ice is never 100% safe. Ice thickness can change very quickly.

2″ or less – STAY OFF! 4″ – Ice fishing or other activities on foot 5″ – Snowmobile or ATV 8″ – 12″ – Car or small pickup 12″ – 15″ – Medium truck

5. Purchase a flotation suit. A flotation suit is the most important item you can buy. If you fall through the ice, a flotation suit will keep you warm and make it easier to escape the frigid water.

6. Carry a pair of ice picks/rescue claws. Keep a quality pair of ice picks with you at all times. If you fall through the ice, ice picks make it possible for you to climb out. Don’t skimp on this life saving device.

7. Carry a throw rope. A throw rope can be used to pull a fellow angler to safety.

8. Leave the lake before dark. Navigation at night can be treacherous. Without familiar visuals or a navigation device, you can become disorientated making it difficult to find your way off the ice.

9. Install proper ventilation. If your ice shanty is heated, make sure you have good ventilation. A poorly ventilated shanty can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

10. Bring a portable power bank battery charger. Cold temperatures can quickly drain your smartphone battery. A quality charger can save the day. I would recommend buying a high capacity charger. While they’re a bit more expensive, they can provide multiple charges, and can charge multiple phones at one time. To avoid permanent damage, turn your phone off in extremely cold temperatures.

11. Respect the ice auger. Ice augers are built to drill holes quickly and efficiently. Before operating it for the first time, read the owner’s manual. In addition, avoid wearing loose clothing or jewelry. When you are finished with the auger, store it in a safe place. Lastly, always maintain sharp blades to avoid injury while drilling.

12. Stay hydrated. Staying hydrated is very important. Dehydration can happen quickly in cold weather because your body is working hard to stay warm. Check out “8 Tips for Hydrating in Cold Weather.”

13. Layer up. Selecting the right number of layers is important. Beginners to winter activities tend to underdress, especially if it’s a sunny day. Choosing the right number of layers, based on temperature, can only be accomplished through trial and error. Before venturing out on the ice practice at home.

#Ice fishing #safety tips for ice fishing #Thin ice #Be Prepared #Fun #Outdoor Life #Survival #Water

[womenofcolor15]

HIT PLAY: SZA Is Back + Ashanti Tongues Down Joyner Lucas + Drake Joins Khaled & Biebs + Big Sean x Jhene Teaser & ‘Lithuania’ Video Ft. Travis Scott + More!

It’s Friday! And that means there are new music videos for your viewing pleasure. See visuals from SZA, Tekashi 6ix9ine & Blac Chyna, Big Sean, Jhene Aiko, Travis Scott, Mulatto and more inside….

        View this post on Instagram

                  Midnight EST

A post shared by SZA (@sza) on Sep 3, 2020 at 7:37pm PDT

This is not a drill. SZA is back!

Earlier this month, #FREESZA was trending on Twitter after she alluded to not being able to release music. The reason? Well, she didn’t really say. All she told her fans on Twitter was that they would have to ask “Punch,” who is the head of Top Dog Entertainment. She also said in an interview that she wasn't in the mood to create new music after a "wild a** f*cking year of grief."

Well, all of that drama must have gotten sorted out because the singer just released a new song along with a video to go with it.

Just wanted to start sharing stuff.. first time directing ..thank you to everyone involved that brought my heart to life .. thank u for putting up w me #TDE. dump on the way https://t.co/y9hLn1wX4c pic.twitter.com/HmNcisLwAn

— SZA (@sza) September 4, 2020

SZA just released some hypnotizing visuals for her new track “Hit Different” featuring Ty Dolla Sign, produced by The Neptunes. And guess what? It’s ya girl's directorial debut. Check it out below: 

It’s been a long three years for SZA fans since her dropped her debut album, CTRL. Hopefully this means more music is coming soon.

As for another new music video...

The rap game’s most hated rapper just dropped some new visuals.

Tekashi 6ix9ine loves featuring black curvy women in his videos, which we know to be true due to several videos he has that star fellow raptress Nicki Minaj. Well, for his track “TUTU,” he scooped up Blac Chyna, one of Nicki’s homies, who is also an aspiring rapper. No worries. Chy didn’t rap on the track. The Lash Boutique owner just starred as the bootylicious video vixen who showed off her naked “ass”ets covered in sprinkles in the NSFW video. Tekashi’s girlfriend Jade was also in it. Check it out above.

Today, Tekashi released his first post-prison album titled, TattleTales. How fitting.

In another video...

Fresh off the release of his new album Detroit 2, Big Sean just released his music video for "Lithuania" featuring Travis Scott. The track was produced by Hit-Boy and the video was directed by Mike Carson.

Watch Big Sean and Travis trapped in a hotel above.

Earlier this week...

        View this post on Instagram

                  when it’s just me n you cruising on the PCH, the days I wish I could put on loop. This a classic Detroit song I flipped, (Soulful Moaning) and Jhené n Ty took it to that master level! Directed by Detroit’s own @1000000000devwill

A post shared by BIGSEAN (@bigsean) on Sep 2, 2020 at 6:58pm PDT

Sean Don gifted fans a teaser video for his Jhene Aiko & Ty Dolla Sign collaboration, "Body Language."

"when it’s just me n you cruising on the PCH, the days I wish I could put on loop. This a classic Detroit song I flipped, (Soulful Moaning) and Jhené n Ty took it to that master level!," he captioned. Get into their love dovey vibes above.

        View this post on Instagram

                  Twinning twin flame #Detroit2 tomorrow night 9/4. Love

A post shared by BIGSEAN (@bigsean) on Sep 2, 2020 at 7:08pm PDT

Big Sean's album Detroit 2 is now available for streaming on all major platforms.

There's more...

Even in quarantine, DJ Khaled is going to make sure to have larger-than-life visuals. The Miami producer just unveiled his star-studded music video for "POPSTAR," which features Drake. In the clip, Drizzy took center stage along with pop singer Justin Bieber and and his wife Hailey Bieber. Check it out above.

Another video to hit play on...

Rapper G-Eazy teamed up with raptress Ms. Mulatto - who starred in Cardi & Meg's "WAP" video - for his new track and music video for "Down."

They both drop bars on the uptempo beat that would go hard in the club. Watch the video above.

Speaking of collaborations...

Rappers DaBaby and Quavo stepped back in time in their new video. DaBaby tapped Quavo to be featured in "Pick Up," which is cute from his deluxe edition Blame It On Baby album, which features 10 new tracks. The clip was directed by DaBaby's frequent collaborators Reel Goats, who previously directed his visuals for "Can't Stop," "Find My Way," and his 2019 breakout single "Suge (Yea Yea)."

Get into the trippy video above.

On a more concious note...

Pregnant and working! Teyana Taylor isn't letting her pregnancy slow her down. She recently released a powerful protest video for "Still," a cut from her latest project titled, The Album. Peep her much-needed video above.

Lastly...

Ashanti flexed her acting skills in rapper Joyner Lucas' new video for "Fall Slowly" where she starred as his love interest. We don't love the song, but Shanti looked mad cute. And that kiss....um, OK.  We weren't expecting that ish.  Get yours boo. 

Take a peek above.

          View this post on Instagram

                      A post shared by Ashanti (@ashanti) on Aug 31, 2020 at 5:38pm PDT

  By the way, Joyner Lucas will release his new album, Evolution, on September 18th.

So, which video is your fave?!

Photos: SZA's Video

[Read More ...] source http://theybf.com/2020/09/04/friday-music-visuals-sza-is-back-tekashi-nabs-blac-chyna-big-sean-x-jhene-teaser-%E2%80%98lithuan