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marshmallowatheart · 6 years

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To All The Boys I've Loved Before (Part 16)

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15)

“Okay, what’s going on?” Logan finally asks, hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road but he’s too well attuned with his surroundings to not notice the giggling kids in the back seat.

“Heather and Darrell are playing cupid,” Veronica remarks, chewing on a piece of liquorice as she twists around in her seat to get a look at the giggling duo.

“Cupidress,” Heather corrects. “Or well you could just go ahead and call me Aphrodite, the goddess of love.”

Logan chuckles, brows perking up, amused, “Alright, Miss Goddess of Love, who are you aiming your arrows at?”

Veronica tilts her head and informs him, “Nope, Cupid’s the one with the bow and arrow," she points directionless at him with her liquorice as he drives. "Aphrodite has a magic girdle.”

His lips curves, remarking, “Chill out Athena, I was talking to Aphrodite here.”

Veronica rolls her eyes, munching away, trying to focus herself on the scenery outside instead of the boy next to her. “Sure, Poseidon, get back to your mixed up mythical references.”

“Sheesh, someone’s testy this morning.”

“Not all of us can sleep through the car ride like Wallace here," she jerks her thumb in the direction of the back seat where Wallace is leaning his head against the window, snoozing away until they reach the zoo. "And I didn't get enough sleep last night."

"Thoughts of me?" He quips, batting his lashes. "Hey, I get it. Sometimes I’m up all night, just thinkin’ about myself.”

She resists the urge to smack his shoulder since he's driving and settles for making him regret his unwanted snark. "Actually I was baking a chocolate cake for us to have for dessert but guess who just cost himself a slice?"

Logan groans, he wants to look at her with pleading eyes but he doesn't want to take his eyes off the road for too many seconds. "C'mon, Veronica, don't I get credit for driving us all there?"

"Nope, you wanted to drive," she mercilessly points out.

"Heather asked me to drive," he retaliates. "Who am I to deny the kid her wish?"

Veronica sneers at the reminder. "I drive perfectly fine, thank you very much and if she had a such a problem she could have rode with Dad and Mrs Fennel."

"No!" Heather objects, almost leaping out of her seat to defend her choices but thankfully has on her seatbelt holding her down. "The whole point is that Dad and Alicia can have some alone time!"

"Oh," Logan lets out, comprehending who her two victims of love were.

"And she said you drive like you're in a NASCAR game," Darrell points out and Heather objects with a loud hey for the treachery. He shrugs, "That's what you get for sticking me with the middle seat."

"Urg!" Veronica huffs. "That happened once! And I thought we were being followed by the E-String Strangler. And maybe you shouldn't get any cake either."

"Who wants a piece of the leaning tower of Pisa anyway?" Heather snarks. "Besides we want ice cream for dessert, not cake."

Veronica lets out a long psshhttt sound and grumbles, "It goes down your throat the same either way."

--vm--

“We’re getting on the bus!” Keith eagerly says, map in hand, ready to go.

“Dad, no," Veronica whines, she's hungry and hot and wants to just sit and eat something - anything - before they start their journey from one end of the zoo to the other.

“It’s only half an hour Veronica. Half the zoo, half an hour," he emphasises like it's a bargain they can't possibly pass up on.

"I've got snacks," Alicia interjects and Veronica's eyes are drawn to the overly big beach bag that Alicia's carrying. "You can have some to tide you over until we can eat," she offers with a smile and Veronica eagerly accepts, looking at her best friend's mother like she's a savour sent from above.

"Sandwiches are life savers," Veronica hums happily, settling on the upper level of the double decker bus with Logan next to her. She admits, it is easier to take the bus but hunger takes precedence over everything else and Veronica's never been more grateful for Mrs Fennel.

Logan chuckles, nodding his head and stares at her adoringly. Yesterday while surfing he'd come to many revelations; one being that he's gonna show Veronica just how real they are. He's come to understand her a lot in their short time together and knows he can't lay out his feelings to her just yet.

She'd been firm in the fact that she doesn't want to date him and doesn't like him but he feels like that's changed - they've changed - in the sense that she does care about him, has fun with him, can be honest with him and maybe all these feelings were always there buried underneath the spells of her letter. And now he's opened the letter - broken the spell - he's seen her bared feelings and he wants to open her heart and see what's in there now.

She's been hurt, she has trust issues and she'd rather leave before she's left. She has all these pre-determined notions in her head and he's hoping he can deconstruct each one and in time she'll come to see him as he sees her.

So he's doing his best, showing her he likes her, showing her she can trust him and showing her that he's there - that he's going to be there. And he can see that she's doing the same even if she doesn't realize it yet.

“Ronica," Heather says, bright eyed as she turns from her seat in front of them. "Make sure to take out some good koala-ty pictures,” she giggles and nudges Darrell, who's looking excitedly at said Koalas and giggles along with her.

“Don’t worry, she’s got the koalafications,” Logan winks, instantly joining in before Veronica can make a snarky remark.

"And if she's underkoalafied, we just have to bear with it," Darrell outright laughs along with Heather, the two thoroughly enjoying themselves the moment they stepped out of their houses.

"So glad I could be of amoosement to you," Veronica remarks, straight-faced and seemingly exasperated. The kids giggle wildly and Logan chuckles, happy that she's not really upset and Veronica obligingly snaps shots of the Koalas hugging the trees and eating leaves.

"Guess what," Wallace leans forward in his seat, his head popping between Logan and Veronica, startling the couple.

"You've finally found where they're stashing the unicorns?" Veronica pipes, hope springing in her eyes.

"It's better than unicorns, Vee," he grins widely, suddenly full of energy unlike his earlier slumberly state.

"Damn, man," Logan chuckles. "You've got it bad."

"You would know," Wallace reproaches, nudging Logan with his shoulder from the back.

Logan peaks at Veronica and she shakes off his look. "Is this about Georgia?" She asks, brow arches, already knowing the answer.

He bobs his head. "She said she can meet me at the zoo. Isn't that great?"

"Ronica," Heather calls out once again. "Look," she says, pointing to an Orangutan swinging on the tree. "It's you!" She bursts out in giggles.

Veronica huffs. "Oh and look at that, you're right there next to me," she sticks out her tongue, unwilling to be defeated by her little sister.

"Who's the eleven year old, again?" Wallace chuckles, shaking his head.

"I'm eleven and a half," Heather points out, firm in the fact that she's not merely eleven anymore.

“Oh, hey, Heather, look it’s you,” Veronica smirks, gesturing to the Tasmanian Devil, a cheeky smug look on her face while Heather gasps.

“I happen to think it’s adorable,” Logan winks, earning Veronica a playfully triumph tongue out from Heather.

--vm--

Heather obsesses over getting a picture with everything. And more so, she obsesses over getting Logan and Veronica to take coupley pictures together whenever she sees coupley things. Like if two animals are being cute together or if there's statues that seem romantic - not that there are many - except maybe for this one particular statue. It's a statue of a sailor, dipping a nurse and kissing her full on the mouth.

Veronica hasn't denied her sister much but this is one of the things she simply cannot do and Heather whines, "C'mon, Ronica, it'll be so romantic! I mean you dragged Logan to the zoo and you can't even give him one kiss?"

Veronica gaps at her little sister. "You dragged Logan to the zoo and I'm not gonna kiss Logan like that here with dad right there! I'm not insane."

Heather concedes the point but she's not happy with it. "Urg, fine, but I still want a picture of you two with the statue. I need proof to send Meg that you actually have a boyfriend."

Veronica sighs, she's been meaning to tell Meg about Logan's new role in her life and now that everyone but Meg knows, she really doesn't have much of a choice.

She's standing next to Logan, their fingers laced with a camera ready smile in front of the statue as Heather snaps a picture and shakes her head, asking them to try another pose.

It takes three more tries before Heather is satisfied with one where they're gazing into each others eyes.

She leaves them be and turns to her father, begging him to let her take one out with him and Alicia.

Keith chokes back a cough while Alicia chuckles, accepting the request. Veronica's just glad that Heather didn't demand they kiss in front of the statue like she'd done with her and Logan.

--vm--

“I am a koalafied match-maker,” Heather brags, puffing out her chest and twirling around like the power of love has given her unreserved energy even though it's the end of the day and everyone else is exhausted.

“Oh, are you now?” Veronica arches her brow, she's holding Logan's hand and they're walking up a nearby park to set up a nice evening picnic. Alicia has prepared a variety of food and kept it in a warmer in the car along with a cooler filled with water and soda. They also have Veronica's homemade chocolate cake for dessert that Veronica's been coaxed into sharing with Logan. And Logan has somewhat been coaxed into getting ice cream for the two kids - three kids including Veronica.

"Mmmhmm," Heather hums, she's smiling wide, proud and again she's got that 'I know something you don't know' look on her face. "Just look at you and Logan.”

Veronica's hand tightens it's hold on Logan's. “Me and Logan?”

Heather notices the look on her sister's face and freezes, decidingly changing her mind from saying anything more because one, Veronica looks stricken and two, she doesn't know if Logan's supposed to know what she knows.

Veronica stares at her little sister, she's got a feeling that she needs to know what Heather knows so she lets go of Logan's hand and dashes after the now running girl. She feels an adrenaline rush hit her because it all makes sense if what she thinks is true, she just doesn't know why her sister would do that to her.

"Heather, get back here," she calls out, she's the star of the soccer team and she's beaten Heather many a times at racing so it's only a matter of time until she catches her.

Logan stays rooted in his spot, deep confusion spreading over his face as he watches the girls get further and further away, everyone else is setting up for their evening picnic and he wonders if he should leave them to it or catch up. The moment Veronica had tightened her grip on his hand, he'd felt the tension right to her fingertips.

Heather is hiding behind a tree, darting back and forth so Veronica can't grab her. "Okay, I was the one that sent out the letters," she admits, hoping her honesty gets her some mercy points with her sister.

“I’m gonna kill you, you little brat," Veronica lunges across and Heather darts away as quick as her small body allows.

“Oh, come on, Ronica, Logan’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you," Heather makes her plea. She can see the difference in sister's life; everyone in Veronica's life let her live in her comfort zone and Logan brought her out of it in a way that didn't seem all that uncomfortable and Heather figures that's a rare thing to have.

“Veronica," Logan calls out, jogging to the girls.

“You didn’t have to send out all five!" Veronica says as she thinks of how messed up everything has gotten with Duncan and how she's now keeping secrets from Meg.

Heather pouts, puppy eyes are out and her head tilts, just like she'd learned from Veronica and she slightly shrugs, “I thought five chances at a boyfriend were better odds.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Logan holds Veronica steady before she could once again dart to her sister and Heather quickly runs behind Logan. “What’s going on?”

“Veronica’s being totally irrational," Heather says, her adrenaline rush catching up to her.

“I’ll show you irrational," Veronica grunts, trying to move away from Logan but he wraps his arms around her and holds her tight against him with a soft but firm, hey - a hey that's reminding her that she's going attack mode on her eleven year old sister.

“She sent out the letters," she tells him, her anger slowly subsiding.

“Oh," he lets out a breath and loosens his hold on he see her face. "Well, you can forgive her since it worked out, right?” He gives her a pointed look.

“I just wanted you to be happy, Veronica," Heather softly admits.

Veronica sighs. “I wasn’t unhappy.”

“But you’re happier with Logan, right?” Heather peaks, still slightly behind Logan but now can visibly see her sister's facial reaction.

“Right," Veronica pats Heather's hair, softly, letting her know that she's forgiven. "But you owe me one."

Logan leans down to Heather when Veronica starts to to walk away, "Hey, kiddo, I owe you one," he winks and Heather brightens, all regret officially thrown out the window.

"You better not hurt her, Lo," Heather warns. "Especially not since you've got the Mars seal of approval."

He chuckles, rubs a hand over her head like Veronica had done. "I don't intend to," he softly says. "Thank you, Heather."

She bobs her head, smiles widely and drags him along to the picnic; she's glad she invited him.

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saddlepatchkid · 3 years

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Some of the worst takes I’ve seen on procap twitter lately:

-MSQ isn’t that bad Actually/small habitats aren’t that bad Actually (the worst part is someone well respected by antis feels this way... they used to be anti but I don’t they they are anymore 😬)

-rehashing the collapsed dorsal argument à la: “collapsed dorsals happen in the wild too!! Just look at floppy fin!!” Yes, they do! Are they ubiquitous/common? Fuck no! And most of collapsed dorsals in the wild are directly related to physical trauma or oil spills so fuck off!

-blaming BWP on antis. Again. Even to the point of saying ARAs paid the CCC to prevent SW from breeding??? Never heard that one before, or seen evidence. Not saying it didn’t happen, but... I’d like to see the evidence lmao. And even if it DID happen, SW decided that breeding their San Diego whales was more important than their welfare, cancelled BWP and funnelled that money towards rides, AND THEN SELF IMPOSED A COMPANY WIDE BREEDING BAN ANYWAYS. Also, let’s not forget, SW was only interested in expanding SWO and SWT if BWP brought it enough cash at SWC

-procaps: ugh sw needs to do better. Also procaps: go to sw every weekend and spend money on tickets and merch and then go online and defend sw and encourage people to support sw. Like, they won’t feel pressured to change if their biggest fans support them monetarily and keep their image up. At this point SW doesn’t even need to pay for PR, procaps do it all for them.

And my personal favourite:

-“it’s ableist to criticize me for supporting SW because it’s my hyperfixation”

Dude... I’m neurodivergent af but if my fav zoo, which I hyperfixate on, turned out to be bad for the animals welfare I’d drop them like a hot potato and never look back. Like you can still hyperfixate on sw’s animals (I do, ive never even been) without GOING TO SW DURING A PANDEMIC TO BUY A T SHIRT??? YOU CANT COMPLAIN ABOUT THEIR ANIMALS WELFARE AND THEN DO SHIT LIKE THAT??? Like The op did absolutely experience ableism from both sides, which is awful and I agree with them in that point and they’re right to call ppl out on it, but saying “sw is my hyperfixation which is why I can’t stop going there” ain’t it chief. To be clear, I don’t think people should go after said person for supporting sw ever, but saying sw is your hyperfixation to defend going there despite disagreeing with their welfare is... shit. As a fellow ND I resent that implication very much

Anyways, procaps can complain about sw all they want but their actions (aka buying tickets) speak loud and clear

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fukozawa · 5 years

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30 Days of Autism Acceptance 2019!!

(I’m a bit behind oops lol)

Day 1 - introduce yourself

👁 My name is Katherina but most people besides family call me Kat. Im 22 years old, a cis lesbian, mixed race, autistic, brujita (lil witch) born in San Diego CA but grew up between there and Tijuana, Mexico where my moms side of the family lives (the side that matters). Im also very short at 5 ft tall and have green hair! Currently living in Seattle WA, have lived here 3 or 4 years with my best friend who i met online. Have grown SO MUCH while living in seattle it’s unbelievable to think I’m only 22 and still have so much learning and experiencing to do. Recently landed an amazing job at the zoo as a facepainter!! I’m also a portrait artist and you can follow my art on instagram @ plaidalien !

👁 Growing up ive always been fairly odd. My mom loooves telling stories about me as a kid and how i would always freak her out with how much i knew/was capable of. I think she always expected me to be different from other kids because of how traumatic my birth was (my heart stopped beating for a minute when i was born but the dr was able to revive me, and i spent a week in the ICU with a bunch of tubes in my head). She says i would freak my white family out and they thought i couldnt talk because i legit never spoke around them but my mom understood i was perfectly capable of speaking and told them straight up that its not that i couldnt talk, its just i didn’t want to talk to them. She always understood me like no one else and was the best autism mom i couldve asked for. Shes always been my biggest advocate and would push her own comfort zones if it meant i was comfortable and happy and not having meltdowns lol.

👁 I’m self diagnosed but i plan to seek out a prof dx whenever I’m more financially stable and get past the anxiety that is trying to figure out how to get that done in general. I don’t think ill ever feel comfortable telling ppl I’m autistic without a prof dx since I’m “high functioning” and am extremely talented at masking my autistic traits to the point where a lot of it is unconscious (tho I’m teaching myself to not mask as much cuz i want to be able to be who i am and not give a single fuck if people think im weird)

👁 I consider myself an old soul for sure. Just yesterday my mom called me just to genuinely thank me for how much ive taught her and how much ive helped her become a better person, it honestly made me cry a little lol. Ive always been that person that shakes peoples mental paradigms if they come into my life, i love to get people out of their comfort zones. And by comfort zone i mean a mental one, one where youre used to believing and seeing the world in a certain perspective, well my passion lies in expanding the ways in which one perceives this reality into knowing how truly limitless and powerful we are as humans.

👁 I realized i was a lesbian and autistic around the same time as each other about 2 years ago and that was a MAJOR identity adjustment which I’m just barely starting to fully embrace them. Having to deal with internalized lesbophobia as well as internalized ableism at the same time is not fun. But the comfort of finally knowing what the fuck is up with my brain and my sexual orientation and seeing how those two important aspects have always been there and can explain why i am the way i am, feels really good. Feels amazing to know I’m not alone in my experiences either and theres a community i can be a part of who will accept me for my differences.

👁 Sorry this is super long but i never know whats a good cut off point when it comes to introducing myself. I guess thats also why i waited this long to make the day 1 post lol. How do people just limit themselves to only writing a few sentences about themselves is beyond me i think thats just physically impossible for me to accomplish. Wait till i try to write my own artist statement thats gonna be a true challenge. If you got this far thanks for reading!!

#30daysofautismacceptance #2019 #actuallyautistic #aboutme #ill post the other days soon too i just had to get this one out of the way #30daysofautismacceptance2019

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lizartgurl · 6 years

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So for your ocs could you do numbers 1 through 15?

1. How many different places have they lived?

Emma: Has traveled the world and speaks at least five different languages fluently. Can communicate somewhat effectively in ten others.Eliza: Has lived in Dakota City her whole life until she moved to BYU Idaho for school, and then Barcelona, Spain for a mission.Astra: Lingkyra was and always will be her home. Her spirit lives with those of her people. Mount Justice is welcoming, but can never measure up to her Ancient Utopia.Samantha: Sand Diego girl through and through.Kiran: Travels a lot to explore with her parents, but she’s only ever lived in Washington DC and Delhi, India.Jaina: There’s Coruscaunt, and unnamed secret planet for the protection of her and her brothers, Yavin IV for training, Mount Justice, Ossus, and then Coast City. The universe is her home.Lorena: Also a San Diego girl. But Atlantis is amazing too.

2. What is their dream vacation?

Emma: Anything where she or her family don’t have to fight crime. Even a staycation would be fine if Bruce wasn’t so focused on catching Calendar Man of all people.Eliza: She likes cruises so long as her parents aren’t helicoptering over her and her health all the time.Astra: No vacation. The Universe must be defended.Samantha: Family reunions are the best! Even a house full of flies is great, so long as she’s got her cousins, silly aunts, musical uncles, and the rest of the family (based on a true story)Kiran: Visiting Archaeology sites isn’t exactly a vacation for the Singhs, but it’s got the sightseeing built in and Kiran gets to skip school so she counts it. She loves spending time with her parents.Jaina: Just let her have peace and quiet for a few seconds that’s all she’s asking.Lorena: Hawaii.

3. What is their favorite color?

Emma: RedEliza: BlueAstra: PurpleSamantha: RedKiran: Pink!Jaina: Purple and GreenLorena: Silver

4. What is their favorite book?

Emma: Elantris by Brandon Sanderson. She reads it with Kaldur.Eliza: Secrets of the King’s Daughter by Renae Weight MackleyAstra: She has only ever really read the history of Lingkyros, but the myths and legends are entertaining.Samantha: Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day GeorgeKiran: The RamayanaJaina: It’s childish, but her favorite will always be the Little Lost Bantha Cub. Her parents reading to her and her brothers will always be her favorite memory.Lorena: Goose Girl and the other Books of Bayern by Shannon Hale.

5. Have they ever cheated on anyone before?

6. Have they ever been cheated on?

No, though Kaldur betraying the team feels a lot like being cheated on to those who loved him.

7. How many partners have they had?

Emma: She’s only seriously been with Kaldur’ahm, but she has dated Donna Troy, Luke Fox (he’s so cute, okay!), Frankie Charles, Nadimah (from the BG of Burnside), and a couple of people who are dead now.Eliza: Eliza has been on many dates, but she has only seriously dated one or two of them (Kaldur, and a guy from BYUI when he went dark)Astra: TwoSamantha: *Sammy voice* “Ain’t nobody got time for datin’!”Kiran: She’s been so wrapped up with her studies and her parents that she never really thought that anyone would want to be with her until she met Kaldur.Jaina: Jagged Fel, Kaldur’ahm, Tenel Ka, and Zekk PeckhumLorena: She had a “boyfriend” in middle school but it was a kid relationship. She eventually thought it was dumb and broke up with him. And now she’s with Kaldur

8. Already answered

9. Already answered

10. Introvert or Extrovert?

Emma: She’s in the middle there.Eliza: Introvert, unless she’s onstage. She gets spiritual support on her mission.Astra: Extrovert.Samantha: More introverted. She likes to keep to herself but when she does talk to other people or strike up a conversation with a stranger she can make them feel very special by the questions she asks and the attentions he gives them.Kiran: ExtrovertJaina: IntrovertedLorena: extrovert

11. Have they ever been arrested and why?

Emma: A few times as a hero, mostly when she was first starting as Finch, but she always escapes. She got a DUI once, on a bad day. She has never drunken again since.Eliza: Never. She is scared to death of police cars.Astra: She was never arrested on her home planet,t he model princess, but she gets approached a few times when first acclimating to Earth, but they were never good enough to actually bring her in.Samantha: NopeKiran: How dare you accuse my perfect angel.Jaina: So many times for various offenses during her rebel teen phase, which is strange because she’s supposed to be a Jedi. She is single-handedly responsible for half of Leia’s gray hairs.Lorena: She’s too good to get caught.

12. Who would they sacrifice their life for?

Emma: Literally everyone except the Joker or Lex Luthor.Eliza: Her parents, Raquel, Kaldur, the team, baby Amistad, and it’s not a person, but she would sacrifice everything for her belief in the LDS church.Astra: All the people of LingkyraSamantha: Her family especially, but also her teammates and the people of San Diego.Kiran: Kaldur, her kids, her parents, Kamala, M’gann, Artemis, Zatanna, Raquel, Gar, and Cassie.Jaina: The entire Universe, which she just might have to do.Lorena: Her family and all of Atlantis.

13. What are their spending habits?

Emma: She likes to be wise with her money like her parents taught her, but Bruce is a billionare so either way he sends her 5mil at the beginning of every month like he does the rest of his children.Eliza: She works very hard to earn money herself for her mission and her car (her parents insisted on paying for college, and they agreed that a mission was something to personally save for). She will always splurge on clothing, accessories, and stuffies. She owns a zoo and an aquarium of plush animals.Astra: She is very conservative with her money, only authorizing insane amounts of money on necessities like food, shelter, water, education, and protection for the people of Lingkyra.Samantha: Her parents can also pay for her school, but she has to save up for a mission. She shares a car with Abby when she gets old enough, but she doesn’t really like to spend too much money, unless it’s on food or books.Kiran: Is drowning in unused notebooks and pens. She loves to spoil Kaldur, and they both love spoiling their kids.Jaina: lol what money?Lorena: Gets an allowance from Aquaman for superheroing and spends so much time trying to think of how to spend it in a way that shows him and her parents that she’s responsible so she usually ends up putting it in savings.

14. Do they like hot or cold temperatures better?

Emma: She likes it in the middle, like fall/spring weather.Eliza: She likes the hot weather. Better for swimming. And outdoor theater performances!Astra: Lingkyra has a temperate climate over the whole planet, so extreme temperatures bother her to the point of sickness. She is not allowed to fight and of the ice or fire villains. Junior always tries to flirt with her anyway (she has that effect on people)Samantha: She likes the cold because then she can wear her scarves, hats, and favorite boots.Kiran: She doesn’t like desert heat, or winter cold. So let’s say in the middle. Fall has such pretty colors, and she can wear her favorite shawls (it’s like carrying a blanket all the time)Jaina: She does not care. Either way, she’ll adjust. And she’s probably seen worse before.Lorena: She likes warm wetter, also better for swimming.

15. Are they religious?

Emma: Yes, Christian.Eliza: LDS Christian.Astra: There are many religious sects on Lingkyra, but she has never participated in one, even though her parents were devout worshippers of their own sect.Samantha: LDS Christian.Kiran: Hindu.Jaina: Does being a Jedi and believing in the force count?Lorena: No.

(I really like making my characters religious. It’s very rarely seen respectfully in media, and religion plays such a big part in my life, I want to see it in others too.)

#ask lizart #lizart writes #my ocs #nightingale #siren #aster #salamander girl #sosltice #jaina solo #aquagirl

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loriinae · 6 years

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berry trifle & fudge brownie!

berry trifle: first & last concert you went to?

ohhh the first ‘concert’ i went to was uh. steam powered giraffe when they performed at the san diego zoo ... idk if that counts as a ‘concert’ but it was a live performance from a somewhat known group. (if it doesnt then first was mother mother for their vgbt tour!)

last concert was los campesinos abt a year ago, it was fun! i really liked their opener too (band called crying... good gay vibes)

fudge brownie: do you like your name?

idk.. im not particularly attached to it. i really hated it when i was younger (single digit ages) but i never really thought of a better name, so ive just been living with it. its really inconvenient bcus i often mishear ‘at least’ as my name

#fun fact the concerts i listed are All of the concerts ive ever been to (but im seeing hayley kiyoko tmrw )#ysera

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kansascityhappenings · 5 years

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African black leopard photographed for the first time in over a century according to scientist

Biologists shot rare footage of the sleek big cat walking majestically in Kenya — the first time the animal has been photographed in Africa since 1909

Turns out, the mythical African black leopard really does exist.

Biologists shot rare footage of the sleek big cat walking majestically in Kenya — the first time the animal has been photographed in Africa since 1909, said Nick Pilfold, a global conservation scientist at the San Diego Zoo.

Pilfold said they captured the footage after months of watching and waiting. His team of biologists had placed remote cameras to track the leopard population near a conservancy area in Laikipia County last year when they heard reports of a possible black leopard sighting.

“We intensified our camera placement in the area the reports were being made,” he said Tuesday night. “Within a few months, we were rewarded with multiple observations on our cameras.”

The female leopard’s coat color is pitch black as a result of melanism, a gene mutation that results in an over-production of pigment, Pilfold said. It’s the opposite of albinism — and although the leopard’s coat appears black during the day, its rosette patterns are visible in nighttime infrared imagery.

Other sightings reported but without as much footage

While there have been reports of sightings of black leopards — also known as black panthers — the last confirmed observation with photographic evidence was in Ethiopia more than a century ago, he said.

“It is likely that black leopards have been living in Kenya all along, it is only that high quality imagery to confirm it has been missing until now,” Pilfold said.

Kenya’s Daily Nation newspaper said Tuesday that its photographer, Phoebe Okall, shot an image of a black leopard in 2013 in the same region. It’s unclear whether that image was publicized at the time.

The footage shot by Pilfold’s team includes a slew of photos and video footage of the agile animal moving in darkness, its eyes glittering in the night like two shiny marbles.

While there may be reported sightings in Kenya, black leopards are still considered rare in the continent, Pilfold said.

“Melanism occurs in about 11% of leopards globally, but most of these leopards live in South East Asia,” Pilfold said. “Black leopards in Africa are extremely rare, and prior to the observations in our published paper, the last confirmed observation was 1909 in Ethiopia.”

The black leopard’s sighting was published in the African Journal of Ecology.

A longtime dream to photograph the black panther

Will Burrard-Lucas, who shot the images of the black leopard, described his longtime dream to photograph the big cat.

“For me, no animal is shrouded in more mystery, no animal more elusive, and no animal more beautiful,” he posted on his blog. “For many years, they remained the stuff of dreams and of farfetched stories told around the campfire at night. Nobody I knew had ever seen one in the wild and I never thought that I would either.”

Burrard-Lucas said he shot the images at Laikipia Wilderness Camp using a Camtraptions Camera, which focuses on wildlife photography and footage. The cameras were placed near animal trails, and water sources such as pools and natural springs. They were left on 24 hours a day in most places but were only turned on at night in public places, according to the African Journal of Ecology.

Leopards are described as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species.

The total extent of the animal’s population decline is still unknown, San Diego Zoo said in a statement. But several factors have sharply reduced their numbers, including hunting, habitat loss, competition for prey, and conflict with livestock and farmers.

Pilfold is part of a team from the San Diego Zoo working with local partners, including the Kenya Wildlife Service, to monitor leopard populations in the area and help preserve the species.

He marveled at the coincidence of the location of an animal that’s also called the black panther, the title of one of last year’s biggest movies.

“Coincidentally, our observations are very close to where the fantasy Marvel comic country of Wakanda is suggested to be located,” he said.

Black panthers refer broadly to any melanistic leopard, jaguars and other big cats.

It started in the local community

Ambrose Letuai, a local leopard conservationist who was part of the project, said it started after residents complained about leopards. He said the black leopards are famous for killing livestock in the region, where they refer to them as “calf killers.”

“I first heard about the black leopard when I was growing up from the stories of elders, but I didn’t believe it at all until I saw it myself,” he told CNN. “As a local, people have always been talking about the black leopard.”

Kenyan conservationist Paula Kahumbu said there have been many unconfirmed sightings of black leopards, but this is the first time one has been proven.

“I’ve spoken to a couple of safari guides who have seen black leopards in the Aberdares, one of them in the late 80s,” she said. “Despite many challenges in the sector, Kenya’s wildlife continues to awe and inspire the world. … I hope that this rare find persuades the authorities that we must balance conservation with development to protect our spectacular and mysterious species.”

Kahumbu congratulated Letuai for helping spearhead the international project. “I … hope it inspires a new generation of Kenyan wildlife scientists,” she said.

from FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports https://fox4kc.com/2019/02/13/african-black-leopard-photographed-for-the-first-time-in-over-a-century-according-to-scientist/

from Kansas City Happenings https://kansascityhappenings.wordpress.com/2019/02/13/african-black-leopard-photographed-for-the-first-time-in-over-a-century-according-to-scientist/

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stellarstunner · 6 years

Text

I think about moments in our relationship

The first day I met you & I introduced myself to you & how you and I instantly clicked in such a way, Ive never connected with someone before

How conversation flowed easily, I felt I could trust you and I knew you would become a good friend of mine

The night we first kissed at 4am, both drunk and giggling. when you were supposed to sleep downstairs on the couch and I could sleep in your bed but there was this tension between us as we talked sitting up on your bed and our lips just met and I swear my heart has never beated so fast

The day you asked me to be your girl and I was so scared to be with someone again because of past relationships and I remember telling you “people just fall out of love with me and I’m so scared. I never want the love to end” & you smiled at me and said “I’ve been looking at you the same way since the first day I met you. I don’t think I could ever stop having feelings for you”

The times we would hang out together and you would say “I have this feeling I can’t explain when I’m with you. I just don’t know what this is.” And I maybe suggested, “..maybe it’s love? I know you’ve never be in love before..” & you told me you didn’t want to say something you weren’t sure of and I understood but I already knew I, myself, was falling so in love with you already. How couldn’t I? You were everything I could ever want.

The night you first told me, “I love you.” On our vacation to San Diego with my best friend. You & I were in laying in bed together you just said the words. Those 3 words..those 3 simple yet powerful words that meant everything to me. The next morning I asked if you remembered what you said to me and if you actually meant it, and you nodded and smiled.

The day we got a puppy together. The cutest puppy ever. I remember when we were deciding on a name the night before we went to pick him up. “How about Leo?” I said. “Leo...?” You questioned, not liking the name at first. “Yeah. I like that name.” Leo was the perfect name for that guy. Leo came into our lives and brought our relationship so much closer than it was. In the beginning of our relationship we struggled at first with how you were and how I was and with bringing Leo into our lives it helped so much. I will forever be thankful for him. The tragedy it was when Leo passed away so young. But he was a blessing.

I remember all the months of us being together, all the different memories. Hikes, going to the beach, the zoo, all the restaurants , the drunk moments, laughing laying in bed, the sweet random texts, always wanting to spend time with me. When it finally was a year we spent together and I felt so happy we made it so strong as a couple & now in 2 months it will be 2 years I’ve spent my life with you.

Almost 2 years and we have argued a lot, I have questioned if whether or not you’re my soulmate, doubted it you truly love me, you get frustrated with me so easily, the hurtful things said to me. I guess our love goes through different phases. What I fear is for you to fall out of love with me & for us to just fall apart. You know who I am, you know how I am. I apologize for being such a sensitive, emotional person but I will give you my all and love you endlessly. You don’t want to lose me. I am & will be the best thing that has ever happened to you. Don’t take advantage of me.

I just wish I didn’t give my whole self to the person that I love. I wish I wasn’t the one to love the most in the relationship. I just wish feelings could be reciprocated. That’s all.

#personal #remember

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