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#like a way of breaking down the chemicals in the near area in such a way its 'relatively' safe but would still be interacting w the lungs
headspace-hotel · 2 years
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A lot of people don't know about why lawns are so disliked outside of how they are a waste of water, so here:
carbon emissions put out by lawn mowers (and other devices like leaf blowers). Lawn mowers produce significantly more greenhouse gases per hour of use than cars, and majorly contribute to smog.
Fertilizers get into bodies of water and cause algae blooms, converting all the diverse water plants to homogenous green slime.
Pesticides kill fireflies, bees, and all sorts of other beneficial insects, and many can kill or harm fish, birds and even humans.
Herbicides can have negative effects on the wrong targets too, but they are also causing common agricultural weeds to evolve resistance faster, increasing our dependence on pesticides.
Watering lawns does waste a lot of fresh water.
Lawns replace areas that once could have contained 100+ plant species with monocultures of frequently invasive species. Butterflies can't find host plants this way. Bees can't find food. Thousands of insect species rely on specific plants for food, and no other plant will do. A huge amount of the land is taken up by these wastelands.
Lawns also create dead, compacted, lifeless soil that is hard to grow other things in or near. The root systems of turf grasses are not robust enough to allow water to penetrate in. No matter how much nitrogen and phosphorous you dump on a lawn, it will still be lacking in the organic matter needed to create lush, absorbent dirt.
Dirt is supposed to be full of fungal mycelium. Scientists have discovered recently that the vast majority of all plant species are dependent on a network of symbiotic fungi attached to their roots for 80% of their phosphorous needs and 90% of their nitrogen needs.
Yes, this means that when you put a fungicide on your lawn, you've just nerfed that plant's ability to absorb nutrients by up to 90%. And you've also devastated its ability to absorb water, because plants are partly dependent on their fungi to get water out of dirt.
But fungicide isn't the only problem. Every plant in a natural environment is attached to multiple species of fungus, and most fungi are attached to multiple species of plant (though some are specialists). Trees literally use this system to send nutrients to other trees. We discovered recently that trees in deserts in California can survive extreme drought because they're attached to fungi that can break down rocks and extract water from the rocks.
If you don't have a good variety of plant species and rotting leaves and sticks and stuff, it doesn't matter how much fertilizer you put on it, your soil isn't "healthy" because it's not alive.
Vegetation that has been cropped extremely short doesn't hold in water, so a heavily maintained lawn is likely unnaturally dry for your climate, and a flower or bush in the middle of a lawn without tall grasses, shrubs and weeds nearby is getting pounded by the sun much harder than it's meant to handle.
Yeah, gardening isn't hard, most native plants are falling all over themselves to grow, it's just that the standard suburban backyard is ridiculously hostile to life.
Of course at this point you may be wondering
"What do I do instead?"
Well, here you go:
Stop weeding, spraying and fertilizing. Seriously. Stop it!! Stop it!! Chemical intervention in your lawn traps you in a vicious cycle of creating problems that need to be solved with more chemicals.
"Weeds" are a perfect example. Plants commonly considered "weeds" are adapted to take over areas that have been cleared out of other plants. Many "weeds" are actively harmed by the fungi that other plants depend on, meaning they can ONLY thrive in disturbed or devastated areas. The harder you work to eliminate biodiversity in your yard, the harder nature is going to bomb your yard with weeds.
By the way, google the "soil seed bank." Seeds can stay dormant in soil for years or even decades. If you want a "weed-free" lawn, get ready to apply herbicides for the rest of your life.
Mow less often. You really can't go wrong with this one.
Don't try to grow grass where grass doesn't want to grow. Lots of shade? Try moss. Extremely dry? Try drought-adapted plants. See what wants to grow there and let it do its thing.
It's fine to have a lawn area that you actually use. But if no one walks or plays on a stretch of your lawn, it should be something else. A wildflower patch, a stand of prairie grasses, some large shrubs, a grove of trees.
By the way, the idea that shrubs or flower beds are higher maintenance than lawns is wrong. The neat thing about native species is that once they've gotten settled, you literally just do nothing.
People think flower beds are high maintenance because people almost always underpopulate them. They think that there should be big spaces of mulch in between each plant. In a full sun flower bed that's actually filled to capacity, you shouldn't be able to see the ground. If your plants aren't babies anymore and there's still space, more plants.
if you live in an area that was once forest, PLEASE, plant some trees, and not just one tree. Trees are somewhat like guinea pigs, actually, they don't want to be alone. They send each other nutrients through their roots and screen each other from wind damage.
By the way, the "mature spread" of a tree as told on websites means when you plant it by itself. Trees can generally be planted 6-10 feet apart and be perfectly happy, they'll just grow taller and straighter instead of spreading out. (Look at pictures of forests.) HOWEVER large trees like large oaks should really be 25+ feet from structures and septic tanks
(Trees pop up by themselves in lawns. Constantly. Search for them in a woodland biome and you will likely find baby oaks and maples and other cool guys.)
Trees introduce competition for light into the areas you plant them, helping eliminate the "weeds." You know how fast your lawn grows up and gets weedy when you don't mow it? Yeah, that's partly because it's getting a CRAP TON of sunlight dumped on it with reckless abandon.
A shade garden gets "weedy" WAY slower, and unlocks all sorts of gorgeous flowers that don't thrive in a full sun garden. Fallen leaves serve both as compost and mulch. If you live in the right area for it and have room, you cannot go wrong with trees.
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Rain Therapy | Bucky Barnes
bucky barnes x fem!reader ✧ oneshot
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Summary: The line between friends and lovers is impossibly thin, yet somehow the hardest line to cross. It's a line that you and Bucky just can't seem to break, but it's nothing one of Tony's infamous parties can't fix.
A/N: Another fluffy one for me, which is still something I'm growing used to writing. I'm getting anxious for some angst, so ask me for some and I'll see what I can do!
Warnings: two idiots in love, slight angst, tooth-rotting fluff, language, allusions to smutty content, jealous Bucky
Word Count: 7,206
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The whisper of lightning, the promise of thunder, the answer of rain. The sky darkens and the sun is forgotten, casting a gloomy light on the earth below.
And yet, in the midst of all that chaos, I find it to be a chemical mixture for peace.
“Y/N, Y/N what the hell are you doing out there?”
That illusion of peace shatters, and I let out low groan, keeping my eyes shut as the raindrops fall down on my form outstretched on the pavement.
“I was having a peaceful moment of bliss until someone decided now was an opportune time to bother me,” I call back.
“An opportune time to-” I hear him cut off incredulously, muttering something to himself as heavy, booted feet slosh through the rain to reach me, “Get off the damn driveway, doll. You’re gonna get sick.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s a myth,” I respond, staying pleasantly where I lay right in front of the Avengers Compound.
“Myth my ass, now get up and inside before I throw you over my shoulder and do it for you.”
I click my tongue, not having to open my eyes to know my best friend is standing right beside me, “So much violence, so much language. You should join me, some inner peace would do you good.”
Thunder cracks above, rumbling through the earth and into my bones. Even though I don’t hear his steps moving away, Bucky goes silent beside me. I begin to think he’s taking me up on my offer of a little rain therapy.
“See,” I sigh into the cacophony of nature, “Isn’t that peaceful? Maybe-”
I don’t even have time to react when a pair of strong arms, one of them freezing cold due to the metal in the rain, grab my waist and lift me clear off the floor. My eyes snap open with a jolt as I see myself being thrown over Bucky’s shoulder just like he promised.
“What the-” I stop myself as he secures me with his arm dangerously near my ass and slap his broad, muscular back, “You little bitch!”
“A little bitch who’s gonna keep you from getting a cold,” Bucky responds, and I can hear the smugness in his tone from back here, “Is the rain still peaceful?”
“No, there’s a jackass who got in the way.”
I feel his body rumble with laughter, feel the noise pass through my body and make my heart tumble in its cage. With that, his arm edging near a zone that’s clearly more than friends, and the sight of his wet t-shirt stuck to his back, I feel the anger flood from my body. Instead, I find myself thinking about what his abs look like with his rain-soaked shirt pressed against them.
Damn it, I’ve really got it bad.
I try my hardest to shove the image from my mind, but it only sticks harder and makes the spot where Bucky’s hand rests burn. I notice his metal hand on the other side, rain dripping off of it, and I can’t help but let my mind trace to-
I halt my thinking abruptly. He’s your best friend, he’s your best friend, he’s your best friend.
He’s my unfairly hot, broody, and annoyingly heart-fluttering best friend
With his free hand, Bucky shoves open the front doors to the Avenger’s Compound, walking a few steps until we enter one of the large, high-ceiling living areas where a television blasts a movie.
“I told you,” Tony announces after the group of my friends and teammates sees Bucky walking in with me on his shoulder, “Sam, you owe me five bucks.”
“Put me down, terminator,” I grunt, to which Bucky finally sets me on my feet.
Immediately I go to hit him, but the sudden change in my body’s gravity sends me off balance slightly. I stumble back slightly, trying to make the blood rush from my head so I can balance again.
“Woah, careful there, Bambi,” Bucky laughs, gripping onto my waist to help steady me.
Where his hands touch, metal and skin alike, my skin sets on fire. The radiating electricity from his touch only annoys me further and I shove out of his hands, swatting his chest.
“I’m fine,” I grumble, tilting my chin up to meet his gaze and holding a finger in his face like a scolding parent, “Next time you manhandle me, I’m going to remove your arm like Ayo showed me.”
Bucky smirks at me coolly and says something, but I miss it because my eyes drop down to where his t-shirt sticks to his abs from the rain. Just like I imagined it would, it makes my mouth go dry and my heartbeat miss a step.
“See something you like?” Bucky taunts.
Cheeks flushed, I look up at him calmly and smile, “Just thinking about what a shame a body like that is wasted on the grumpiest man alive.”
The group of Avengers lounging around the various chairs and couches in the living room snicker, their attention drawn from the television. He lifts an eyebrow at me and those infuriating steel blue eyes ricochet my pulse.
“Sure you were.”
“Whatever,” I mumble, turning and looking at team, “Who bet against me?”
Tony, Bruce, Wanda, and Nat lifts their hands and I gasp, pressing a hand to my chest in feigned hurt.
“Traitors,” I grumble, not being able to stop the smile that wants to twitch onto my lips as Bucky walks up beside me and rests his arm on my shoulder.
“They bet right, didn’t they?”
I look up at him with the half-smile I wasn’t able to stop, “Screw you,”
I turn around and leave the living room, making my way towards my room so I can shower and change. From behind me, I hear Bucky’s laugh that sears itself into my memory.
“Love you too, doll!” He calls out, and my heart launches into my throat.
He doesn’t mean it like I want him to, not like how I mean it. Not like how I've meant it for months.
As I finally get to the confines of my bedroom, I shut to the door and let out a trembling breath. I keep my back pressed to the door for a moment, leaning my head against it and forcing myself to forget the way his hands felt, to strike from my memory the beauty of his laugh. When I finally peel off my wet clothes and step into a scalding hot shower, I let the water and steam surround me long after I'm already clean.
I'm a coward, a coward and a fool for falling for my best friend and not being able to say a word to him about it.
Long after I'm out of the shower and cuddled up with a book on my bed, a knock sounds on my door. I've barely glanced up at it in confusion when Natasha's voice calls out, "I know you're probably reading a book but put it down and let me in unless you want me to break down the door."
A half-smile tugs onto my lips and I set my book aside, untangling myself from my covers and opening the door for my friend. She gives me a smug smile and waltzes in, plopping down on my bed. I can't help but shake my head at her as she makes herself at home.
"Why are all of my friends so violent?" I taunt, sitting down next to her.
"Most of us are trained assassins." Nat gives me a playful nudge, already lifting my spirits from the gloom and doom they were resting in. Her knowing gaze immediately notifies me that I can't escape the conversation to come, so I don't even bother to skirt around it.
"Why does my life suck?" I groan, dropping down onto my back dramatically. Nat laughs beside me, shaking her head down at me.
"So many questions tonight," She remarks, following the words with a tired sigh and laying down beside me. As we both stare up at my ceiling, my mind is held captive by one person. Both it and my heart have been held hostage and I'm starting to understand the truth in Stockholm Syndrome.
"You know, and brace yourself because this is gonna blow your mind, you could just tell him how you feel," Nat advises.
"And risk ruining everything that we already have?" I reply, my brows creased in an ever-present state of worry, "I could live with being friends with him forever as long as it meant I still had him in my life. But if I tell him how I feel and it changes everything to the point where he can't even be around me?"
I take a charged pause, startled by the sudden rise of emotion. I swallow down the burning pain, but ultimately I decide to go easy on my breaking heart. The poor thing doesn't know any better. All it knows is that it wants Bucky Barnes and I keep locking it and its desires into a cage of bones in my chest.
"A life without him...I couldn't live like that."
Nat sits up beside me, catching my attention in time to see the sympathy flashing across her features, "Y/N, I know it's scary but if you'd just trust me I think the outcome would surprise you."
She can tell that I'm still not convinced, so in a last ditch effort to rally me from my slumber of inaction, she reaches across me and grabs the book I was reading. I sit up, a protest just starting on my tongue as I reach for it. She pulls it out of my reach and holds it in front of her chest, displaying the cover for me to see.
"Do any of the characters in these books ever fare well from denying their passions?" Nat asks, and I find that she has me in a figurative corner, "Do their stories end well when they decide, 'Nah, I'm too scared to tell him I love him'?"
"I don't love him," I protest, but the lie is sour on my tongue and allergic to my soul. It gets rejected so quickly by everything within me that I almost think I'll have a physical reaction to it.
"Bullshit." Nat challenges, setting the book aside and grabbing my hands. I shake my head, trying to escape her arguments that my heart jumps in agreement with.
It's a brutal thing, to have your heart yearn for one thing and your mind so resolutely against it. I've always thought it strange how the dichotomy of desires could root in a person, but it makes sense in a way. The heart is led by our passions, our intuitive cravings. The mind is hardwired by nature and instinct to protect us, to propel our survivals.
Even if that means our passions must be slaughtered.
I'm keeping my mind in charge by sheer will that's hanging precariously over the edge of a cliff. My will only has a few fingers left to hold with, and I can feel it slipping every day Bucky's near me, every time his skin brushes mine, every time he simply is.
“I need to move on,” I almost desperately announce, gripping handfuls of my sweatshirt to keep from crying, “I need a way to move or this is going to kill me. He’s going to kill me.”
Sympathetic to my distress, Natasha lays a reassuring hand on my shoulder, “You know, with Tony’s Semi-Annual Charity Gala coming up this weekend it’s the perfect time to move on.”
I perk up slightly, the thought breaking a sliver of hope in the pit of despair and self-pity I allow to well up. For an Avenger, I sure know how to wallow in pain.
“…or make a move on a certain super soldier.” Nat continues.
“Don’t be silly, I’d never steal Steve away from you,” I jest, my tone wavering but stronger than before. Nat rolls her eyes from beside me before shoving my shoulder. With a sigh, I finally meet my friend’s gaze, “One last chance. One chance and then I’m putting myself out of my misery”
That’s so easily said. The unspoken truth is that my poor heart doesn’t stand a chance. It hasn’t for a long time.
“Great!” Nat smiles, squeezing me into a side hug on the bed, “I’ll start planning your outfit now!”
And with that, she’s off my bed and into my closet. As we spend the better part of the night deciding on what to wear to the upcoming gala, I can’t help but let my mind stray to its usual focus. With a groan of exhaustion, I drop my head into my hands and tell myself that same lie.
“He’s my best friend. That’s all.”
It’s getting harder and harder to believe.
|||
A few days later
It's been a few days since the rain incident, and I've finally managed to garner a moment alone from everyone. It's not that I don't love being around them, but it taxes me more than I care to admit to be around him.
A forlorn sigh brushes past my lips, but as I nestle down on the floor in the library Tony had put into the Compound, I find my worries drifting away. Instead, they're replaced with the story in the pages, rapturing my attention and distracting my mind.
That is, until the door opens and I feel his presence before I see or hear him.
"There you are, doll. I've been looking for you all day," Bucky calls, his deep, smooth voice cascading into my very soul. I shut my eyes for a moment, trying desperately to not let it show on my face how jarring it was to be snapped from the book to the person I've been trying to avoid.
"You've been looking for me?" I ask, managing to make my voice seem calm and pleasant. He approaches where I'm sitting on the floor, a breath-stealing smile tugging at his lips.
"Course I have, I haven't seen you in days," He replies, his face the picture of relaxed calm, drawing a fierce dichotomy to the barely-veiled confliction on my own. Bucky takes a moment, surveying me sitting on the floor amidst all of the chairs and couches available. He lifts an amused brow at me.
"Why are you on the floor?"
I can't stop myself from smiling up at him and all control I had in keeping myself away from him disintegrates, "It's more comfortable to me. Are you judging me Barnes?"
His laugh bursts light into the depths of me, and as I watch his face relax I can't help but look on in awe at how far he's come. When he first joined the team, he was withdrawn and quiet and even grumpier than he is now. He never smiled, never laughed, and barely spoke. Now, of course he's adorably grumpy most of the time, but he smiles and laughs. He enjoys life, and he more than anyone else in this world deserves to enjoy life.
"What're you reading?" Bucky asks, and I try to ignore the way my pulse rockets up when he settles down beside me on the floor.
He stretches out his long legs, keeping the one furthest from me bent and resting his arm on top it. His other leg is stretched out and nearly touching my own. To help balance his weight, he settles the hand closest to me, his metal hand, onto a spot on the floor behind my back. The position makes his chest brush against my shoulder ever so slightly and all I can feel is the burning of his presence and the searing of his gaze.
"Just some fantasy book," I reply, not wanting to bore him.
I look over at him to see his eyes already on my face, his own radiating a serene peace. He furrows his brows at my prolonged examination of his features and the ghost of a smile twitches at the corner of his lips, "What is it?"
"Nothing, it's just," My mouth has gone dry again, and I can't seem to clear the haze on my mind, "You look at peace."
"Well someone pretty incredible suggested rain therapy, which works like a charm for my grumpiness."
A laugh bubbles out of me, only widening the smile on his face. I find myself subconsciously leaning into his presence and bringing our faces closer.
"Seriously," Bucky continues, making me realize our proximity and pull back to a normal distance, "I'm always at peace around you."
My heart doesn't just miss a step, it stumbles and falls and nearly gives out in my chest. His words affect every part of me and it's a feat of pure resilience that I don't reach over and press my lips to his.
"Unless you're doing something stupid and testing my nerves," He adds on, lightening the air and making me giggle. He nods towards the almost forgotten book in my hands.
"You were going to tell me about your new read," Bucky reminds, and I smile.
I spend the next ten minutes detailing what's happening in the book, my excitement about it taking over and making me ramble on without barely taking any breaths. I occasionally look between the book and Bucky, sometimes gesturing with my hands to establish my enthusiasm.
Even when I'm not looking at him, Bucky's gaze never leaves my face.
So much for giving myself space to try and move on from him. That thought is far from my mind, though. The longer I’m near him, the closer he is, the harder it is to remember to forget him. And now, with Tony’s Gala tomorrow night, I don’t know how I’m going to move on.
Maybe I really can give this one last shot. It could break me if it goes wrong, but I have a feeling I’ll break a little regardless.
|||
The next night
Not even the pounding of the music and the chatter and clatter of hundreds of guests can drown out my racing mind.
“Stop tugging at your dress, you look great,” Natasha chides from beside me.
With a huff of anxiety, I heed her words and stop fiddling with the snug material of the one-sleeved dress. It hugs my curves down to my waist before draping elegantly to the floor, broken only by the high slit up the thigh.
“I know,” I reply, downing my second drink of the night and setting down the empty glass on the tray of a passing waiter with a brief smile, “I just haven’t seen him yet. He’s coming right? Tony told us all to be here, so he wouldn’t just-”
“Why does there have to be so many people here?”
My words die out at the distant but unmissable rumble of words behind me. I turn around, and my entire world seems to focus on the epicenter that is Bucky Barnes as he walks in beside Sam Wilson.
“It’s a party man, I thought you loved parties back in the day,” Sam replies, smiling at a few people as he walks in.
“Yeah well I don’t like people like I did then,” Bucky grumbles back, messing with the edges of his all-black suit that is tailored so perfectly that it hones every inch of his body.
His broad shoulders, his muscular form, his piercing blue eyes in a fierce dichotomy with the darkness of the getup…I almost trip in my heels.
“You don’t like any people? That breaks my heart, Barnes,” I manage out coolly, walking up to the pair with a half-smile tugging on my lips and my heart dancing with the butterflies within.
Bucky’s gaze turns from the party goers to where I walk up to them, and a part of me melts at the way a light filters into his features. His dashing smile makes my own grow before I can stop it. The way he simply stops for a moment and stares at me, as if the throngs of people around us don’t exist…
It’s more than an effort to shove my poor heart into its shackles.
“I guess you’re an exception, doll,” He amends, and Sam rolls his eyes beside Bucky as they stop before me.
“It’s not like I’m right here,” Sam announces, making me giggle slightly and look to him.
“Hey Sam, good to see you,” I greet, walking over and hugging the man. He hugs me back, smiling brightly.
“Good to see you too,” Sam responds, his eyes catching on something over my shoulder, “Now if you’ll excuse me, I believe there are some fans who need me.”
I laugh as I watch him walk over and greet a group of women by the bar. When I turn back to Bucky, I shove down my nerves and shake my head as I pull him into a hug.
“You look incredible, Buck,” I announce, trying to ignore the rightness of his body against mine as he pulls me into a hug that lasts a moment more than I should have let it.
“Y/N,” he deadpans, pulling back but leaving his arms on my waist to admire me. His eyes sparkle with something akin to awe that makes hope rise in my chest, “You put me and everyone else in this room to shame.”
“You obviously haven’t looked in a mirror,” I remark, desperately trying to not show all over my face how beautiful he is.
Bucky just smiles. He looks at me and he smiles and I am undone.
My eyes catch on Natasha over Bucky’s shoulder as she mingles in the background of the party. When our gazes meet she gestures to Bucky with a hand, mounting the words ‘Come on’ as she does. Nodding back to her, I remember the conversation we had a few days ago and right before we joined the gala. I have to be bold and make a move, take a chance before I lose the ability to do so.
“So,” I turn back to Bucky, smiling knowingly up at him, “How’re you doing with the whole party thing?”
Bucky takes in a breath, nodding his head slightly as he surveys the party scene around us. Drinks are flowing, laughs rising, and music is permeating through every sector of the Avengers Compound. The floor shakes with the base and the clattering of shoes as he looks back to me, “Oh you know, just fantastic.”
“Is that so?” I taunt, almost laughing at the dripping sarcasm in his voice. He shoots me a grumpy glare that finally unleashes my laugh. At the sound, Bucky’s features soften and a smile touches his lips. I notice this and furrow my brows up at him.
“What?”
“Nothing,” Bucky whispers, just holding that’s soft smile in his eyes that makes me almost forget the track of the conversation. When I snap myself from my daze, I gasp.
“Oh, I almost forgot!” I exclaim, holding my clutch up and opening it to find what I stashed earlier, “I know how you are with parties like this and all so I thought that this might help make it a better memory.”
“You got me a gift?” Bucky asks, shaking his head at me with furrowed brows, “You should have told me, I would’ve gotten you something too!”
I shake my head, finally finding what I’m looking for and glancing up at Bucky, “Then it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?”
With a bright smile to cover my pounding, anxious heart, I hold out the small book in my hands. Bucky glances down at the gift I hold out, and I watch his body go still. Anticipation dances in my belly as he ever so gently reaches out and takes the old, fading The Hobbit novel into his hands.
“It’s a first edition, don’t ask me how I found it,” I inform, playing with the fabric of my dress to give my now empty hands something to do, “I know how much you loved it and now when you’re watching me read in the library, you can read too.”
My words ring out between us, and yet Bucky barely moves. Just when I’m beginning to grow nervous, my heart melts into a puddle in my chest when he lifts his steel-eyed gaze to me. I’ve never seen him cry before, but here and now I can see the lining of unshed tears in his gaze.
“Buck-"
He closes the distance between us, pulling me so close to him that there’s no room for separation. I melt into the hug, becoming nothing more than an extension of his body. There’s no him. There’s no me. There’s only us as we’re suspended in time, caught in this moment.
“Thank you, Y/N,” he mumbles, not moving back an inch and letting his voice cascade over my neck and down my spine, “You don’t know what this means to me.”
Reluctantly, I pull back. Every part of me shouts in protest, but I know we have to separate as some point. I give him a soft smile, trying to ignore the noose that’s slowly tightening around my heart. I’m a goner. I have no chance of recovery.
“Don’t mention it,”
Bucky stares at me for another moment, the charged silence soon taking on an anticipated feel. We’re both waiting for the other to make the first move, I can sense it. I see Nat nudge me from afar again and decide to finally muster up my courage and stop waiting. I notice Bucky shakes his head at something, mumbling something to himself, but I press on.
“Hey, do you wanna da-”
“I’m gonna go get a drink,” Bucky bursts out at almost the same instant, making me cut off my sentence quickly.
A drink? He’s going to get a drink right now, as soon as I was about to ask him to dance? I know he didn’t mean it as a rejection, but it still stings like one.
“Oh, uh yeah sure. That’s-”
Before I can even finish speaking, Bucky has darted away desperately towards the bar at the North side of the room near Sam. I stand dumbfounded, my heart slowly sinking. This is going to be much harder than I thought.
|||
It's been nearly an hour and a half and Bucky is still managing to be everywhere that I am not.
I can take a hint. Even if that hint shatters my soul a little.
As I watch the super soldier mingle with some of the guests, a polite and slightly annoyed smile on his face, I feel something snap within my chest. Here I am, lounging pathetically at the bar all alone, and there he is, my best friend who I can't seem to fall out of love with. His strong jaw and steel eyes don't dare to turn in my direction, and I feel my fracturing soul crack even more.
I have to let it go. I have to let it go. I have to let him go.
With a long sigh, I pick up the drink before me and down its contents, letting the burn soothe away the edge of the crawling pain in my chest. Once the glass is slammed back down on the bar counter, I steel my nerves and stand.
It's time I stop feeling sorry for myself and move on.
My eyes scan the thick crowd scattered throughout every inch of Tony's gala. Music radiates through every molecule of air, and just one glance at the dance floor has my feet moving before my brain is. As I walk over to the dance floor, I see a random guy standing with a few others. He's cute enough with a charming smile, so I grab his arm as I walk past, making him glance over at me. I flash him my best smile and tug him towards the dance floor.
"Dance with me?" I ask boldly, and his smile widens.
"I'd be honored," He replies, letting me pull him onto the dance floor.
I should let myself be whisked away into the music and the movements and the feel of his hands on my hips as we dance. I should let the base and the crowd and the charming man before me wipe away every thought, but I just...can't. All I can think about when his hands slide gently on my waist is how different it feels when those hands are Bucky's. My heart is crushing slowly, and so I do everything I can to forget it.
It's actually beginning to work until the music abruptly cuts out.
Groans and boo's arise from the crowd with me on the dance floor as we all look around, trying to figure out why the music's stopped. "That's so weird," The nice guy I'm dancing with mumbles. I mention my agreement, my eyes sweeping the edges of the party before I catch a glint of dark metal. My eyes fly back to the metal only to see Bucky storming away from the sound booth, his metal fist clenched so hard that I'm surprised it doesn't malfunction. In his metal grasp is a hunk of wires, and my stomach drops.
He did not.
"Don't worry folks! I'll have the music back up in no time," Tony announces, flashing his winning smile to the crowd as he jogs to the sound booth, "There was a slight malfunction"
I see him shoot Bucky a glare, but true to his words the music is back up in a matter of minutes. I feel anger begin to make my blood boil and I pull away from the guy I was dancing with. I see a frown pull onto his face as he lets me go but follows me a few steps.
"Are you okay?" He calls after me, and my heart twists in sympathy. I must look absolutely furious and he probably thinks it's pointed at him. So, I do my best to give him a sympathetic smile.
"I'm alright, thanks for the dance. I needed it," I comment, before turning and continuing my beeline for the brooding super soldier in the corner. He's standing with Sam, muttering something that I can't hear as I finally break through the crowd and walk up to them.
"Here we go," Sam mumbles, slowly backing away as I come to a stop in front of Bucky.
"What the hell, James?" I grit out.
"Oh she used the first name," Sam comments, his eyes widening, "I'm going to go check on Steve."
Then he leaves, and it's just Bucky and I. Bucky just shrugs, not meeting my furious gaze.
"I don't know what you're so mad about but-"
"Oh really? So you didn't just rip out the sound system?" I accuse, crossing my arms over my chest. He finally turns and meets my gaze, and damn it all I can't stop the swooning of my heart at the dark, rugged look on his face.
I'm angry, I remind myself. I'm angry with him.
"What does that have to do with you, sweetheart?"
I scoff, shaking my head at him, "You are unbelievable! I was finally starting to have a good night and-"
"Dancing with that handsy prick makes your night a good night then?" He interrupts, and I have to fight to keep the smug look off of my face at catching him.
"What were you saying about this having nothing to do with me?" I fire back, lifting an eyebrow. Bucky clenches his jaw and takes a step closer to me, probably expecting me to back off. I don't. Instead, I tilt my head up to meet his gaze, trying and failing to seem taller than him.
"I don't like you dancing with other men like that," Bucky informs, his voice dark. He's so close to me that his whiskey and pine scent invades my senses, threatening to empty my head of the argument at hand.
"I can dance with whoever the hell I want, Barnes. And since certain people made it very clear they didn't want to dance with me, then certain people should have no say in who I dance with"
"I don't dance, Y/N." His eyes are cool fire and they sear right through me. Even in this heated argument, all I can seem to think about is how badly I want him, body and soul. My thoughts are banished when he spits his next words out, "Not with you, not with anyone."
It shouldn't hurt. It shouldn't. So why do I have to fight to keep the hurt off of my face?
Just like that, the fire in my argument is gone. I nod, taking a few steps back, "Okay, that's all you had to say."
And then I turn around and leave before he can see the tears welling in my gaze.
I force myself into the crowd, making sure I move quickly and weave myself between those around me to get away as fast as possible. Then, with my heart in my throat, I finally make it to the outskirts of the party where a glass sliding door leads out into a training field. Through the glass, I can see rain pouring down into the dark, almost moonless night.
Seeing it unravels a bit of the pain within my chest, and I don't even think as I slip off my heels and walk outside. I shut the door behind me, muting the sounds of the party and leaving the downpour of rain and the distant rumble of thunder to take over my senses. I set my heels down carefully and walk out into the field, barely jumping when the cool, refreshing droplets begin to pound into my skin. It's not long before I'm soaked and my entire outfit is ruined. I don't mind, though. I'm not planning on going back there anyways.
I sit down in the grass, not even minding how it dirties my dress, and hug my knees close. When I slip my eyes shut, I'm reminded why I love the rain so much.
In moments like this, I can't distinguish my tears from the rain
I don't know how long I sit like this, my eyes shut and the rain drenching me. Eventually, my body stops shaking from the sobs that have now subsided and any evidence of my breakdown has been washed away. I'm almost at peace when I hear that voice, that stupid, addicting voice, ring out behind me through the storm.
"I'd say you'll catch a cold, but I don't think you'd care much"
I swallow hard, cursing my heart for the way it jumps. I open my eyes, but keep my gaze firmly forward across the training field.
"Especially since it's coming from you," I add on, grateful for the lack of tremor in my words.
"I guess I deserved that one," Bucky concedes softly, his voice getting closer. My body begins to shiver with the anticipation of him being close, the response purely visceral and out of my control. I just hope he thinks it's from the rain.
"You think?" I scoff lightly, not having the strength to be angry anymore.
It's silent for a long while, and I almost begin to think that he's left and gone back inside. I'm proven otherwise when I see Bucky walk out from behind me, standing right in front of where I sit with my knees drawn to my chest. Against my better judgement, I look up.
And there he is, drenched like I am and an unreadable look upon his stupidly handsome face.
"Bucky-"
He extends out his human hand, and my words die, "Dance with me."
Every part of my heart beams, and it’s an effort to keep the fluttering of my heart out of my body language. I pause for a moment, almost as if to give him time to retract his hand. When he doesn’t, I hesitantly meet his gaze.
“I thought you didn’t dance,” I whisper. His half-smile grows as he looks down at me with what almost looks like…adoration.
“I don’t,” Bucky confirms, his voice like sugar and pine, “But for you I’d do anything”
I can’t even try to hide the visceral effect his words have on me. With a thousand butterflies batting in my stomach and my heart beating viscously out of rhythm, I allow a small smile to grow on my lips. A new excitement in my chest, I reach up and slip my hand into his large, rough one calloused with work and time. It fits mine perfectly, as always, and his touch muddles my senses and wakes me up all at once, as always.
As he helps me stand, the rain still pouring down on us, he tugs me close to him so suddenly that I stumble right into his chest. A small laugh escapes my lips as I catch myself on his broad chest. Bucky’s so close, so warm, so intoxicating to me that every fiber of my being yearns for his proximity. I’m nothing but a firing hum of nerves and sparks being this close to him, with a hand on his chest and his arm secured around my waist.
And we dance.
There’s no music, there’s no reason. We just dance. Bucky’s magnificent at it, every step dripping in ease and cool confidence that only makes me love him more. I’m so caught in the moment that every thought of a reciprocated or unrequited love has been banished from my mind. All that exists is here and now, underneath the downpour of the heavens with the cacophony of nature as our song.
He twirls me around, making water splash up and a giggle bubble out of me when I slip and fall directly into him. His body rumbles with low laughter when he catches me stopping my fall. Bucky doesn’t even have to say a word for me to know he’s making fun of me, so I slap his chest with a huff of laughter.
“What?” Bucky’s amused voice is the harmony to the melody of the rain.
“I can feel your judgement from here,” I point out, but before I can raise my lightened gaze to meet his on my own, a metal hand hooks under my chin and gently turns my face up until our eyes clash.
Suddenly, I’m not so humored anymore.
Neither is he, I can tell. The air is different—still light with joy but now corded with something deep, rich, and intangible. His piercing blue eyes seem to be burdened with a million different thoughts, but I can barely bring myself to breathe let alone ask him what is going through his beautiful mind.
Bucky doesn’t say a single word, though. He doesn’t have to. My eyes glance down to his lips for no more than one half of a second, and by the time I’ve returned my gaze to his, he’s closing to distance between us and connecting his lips to mine.
I’ve never understood what is so special about kissing in the rain. I get it now. There’s something so dichotomously beautiful in this moment, in the cold, relentless rain and the desperate, burning heat of Bucky’s lips moving against my own.
Again, no words are needed for us both to understand. This kiss is everything that has been bottling up over our friendship. It’s every quiet moment in the library and loud moment in our arguments. As his hands tug me closer and ignite my skin as if it were burning clean off, as his lips and tongue move with mine, every thought and worry and tear-filled, longing night washes away. The very thought makes me sigh into the kiss, and finally we break apart only for the need for air.
Bucky doesn’t let me pull away an inch.
His arms keep my locked close, his forehead against mine as we both catch our breath. He nudged my nose with his before pulling away only enough to meet my gaze. One hand of his cradles my jaw, his thumb running lazy circles on my cheek.
“Does this mean you like me?” I whisper, a humored glint already lighting my gaze. Bucky laughs roughly, his voice sending shivers down my spine that don't go unnoticed. Rather, the other hand he keeps on my waist lifts to absently trace the path of the shiver, almost making my knees go weak.
“I more than like you,” Bucky quips, a content smile taking over his features. My heart misses a step and I don’t dare to dream.
“You really like me?” I taunt, and another heart-warming laugh pours from those perfect lips.
“You’re gonna make me say it, doll?”
I swallow thickly, my eyes not leaving his. I don’t dare to say another word, leaving the challenge up to him. Bucky sighs, moving the hand he keeps on my spine to cradle the other side of my face, now cupping it in his full grasp. He presses a long, gentle kiss to my lips before pulling back enough to where his lips still graze mine as he speaks.
“I love you, Y/N. Always have. Always will.”
My knees nearly go weak, and suddenly I'm so very grateful for the rain's ability to hide what is a drop and what is a tear. I'd never hear the end of it from him if he knew that's what his confession brought me to. When one of thumbs catches a stray tear, though, I know he's fully aware.
"I love you too, Buck."
Bucky smirks before me, bringing his mouth close to my ear and sending another shiver racing down my spine, "I figured that much out, sweetheart"
"Oh whatever!" I announce, hitting his shoulder but leaning in closer to his mouth that now trails from my jaw back to my lips. He presses a sweet kiss to my lips before holding me close to his chest and looking up into the sky that downpours upon us.
"Rain therapy, I guess it really does work," Bucky remarks.
"I would say I told you so, but-" I'm cut off by Bucky suddenly grabbing me by the waist and throwing me over his shoulder.
"What was that?" Bucky calls up to me, spinning me slightly and only making me giggle louder.
"Bucky, I'm in a dress!" I protest. He slaps my ass smugly and begins to walk with me still over his shoulder back to the compound.
"I know, let's get you out of that"
As my laugh tumbles out of my mouth, it twirls and dances and gets lost with the pounding of the rain and the rolling of the thunder. Once again, I'm in the debt of the rain, and I can't help but smile at it gratefully as my best friend and the love of my life walks triumphantly with me over his shoulder into the midst of Tony's nice party. Neither of us care about the looks we receive, though. Neither of us even notices.
All we see is the rain and each other.
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twisting-roads · 10 months
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GOD. FUCKING HELLLLL I FINALLY MANAGED TO FINISH SOMETHING THAT EXPLAINS THE ANATOMY OF HOW MY LITTLE GUYS WORK.
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Its a bit weird but I love strange spec biology so I hope this is all understandable
I'm very proud of what I came up with
[Image ID]
The title is "OBJECT ANATOMY"
Column 1 reads:
"All objects contain
A small, but compact brain, as well as a few other ganglion-like structures near the limbs for sensory processing
A 2 chamber stomach
An organ that seems to combine the liver and kidneys When the object dies, all of the organs dissolve back into nox very quickly, making it hard to study their structures. However, based on some X-rays, it seems that the organ placement is extremely varied and grows in place over time. Galliacs can regrow organs, similarly to a sea cucumber. Nullics, only partially."
Below, there is a doodle of a circle guy with their arms on their sides with a slightly overlapping caption that says "This is all very normal to them they never think about this stuff like ever"
Another paragraph below reads: "I'm not even getting into all the different limb mutations there are. Objects love to evolve and change all the fucking time they're little freaaaaks"
Column 2 covers their Respiratory system. It reads:
"They have no use for lungs. They breathe through extremely small spiracles in their limbs, like a centipede. There's not too much to note here, objects do not require as much oxygen to live and as such are ok with living in lower oxygen areas. This is a good thing as the higher oxygen levels there are, the larger they become and that's really scary and I'd rather them stay the smaller size they are. Objects adapted to marine environments may have striped gills on their limbs. Pesmexians and Multimodisae have adapted to environments with thick fogs of dangerous chemicals by having special organs either break down or filter these things out, meanwhile other objects would simply just suffocate or breathe in something that would kill them."
Below this, there is another image of Fluorine, an OC of mine, with the caption "Technically an extremophile!" with an arrow pointing at her
Column 3 covers their sensory organs. It reads:
There is an image of an object's arm and leg. There is a diagram of the closeup of the skin on the leg, showing the small spiracles and sensory hairs, as well as the deeper skin layers and vessels that run underneath.
"Objects do not have the best vision. All of them are nearsighted in some way. They must rely on a combination of senses to navigate. They are able to sense the air through millions of microscopic hairs that cover all parts of their limbs with the exception of their palms and feet. An object would be able to sense or "smell" something that they wouldn't be able to normally see."
There is an image of an object's arm and leg, with the arm containing a tuft of long fur on the elbow, and the leg having a few long hairs sticking out of the ankle, looking like whiskers
"Galliacs sometimes have elongated hairs, giving them the look of fur or whiskers. This is more common in places where vision isn't as necessary."
[END ID]
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cosmicyeen · 1 year
Text
OKAY SO I FORGOT TO FINISH THIS POST but basically a few days ago i was wandering the Locations and came across this tree, ive been familiar with it for years but this time i saw something fleeting and incredible:
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A BIRDS NEST FUNGUS
Growing out of the dead outer bark layer!
I've only seen these once before; an almost steely dark species growing on the ground near the chicken run. The irony of seeing a birds nest fungus *in a tree* is also pretty lovely.
The funnel-shape of the nest and the "eggs" inside are a part of its dispersal method. A raindrop falls into the cup, and splashes the spore packets up the sides and outwards.
Anyways, i kept looking at this tree, and saw something else cool. Among the incredible variety of colors from reds to greens to grays and everything in between, there are these black lines snaking through the bark fibers
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Faint, almost hairlike. These are called Zone Lines and are the defensive barriers put up by fungi as they spread and need to defend their resources from other fungi. When it occurs in wood, it's known as spalting, and can be quite beautiful when carved.
This made me think of what i've heard about zone lines from folks while going on nature walks, and i remembered there's this area of wood that looks a lot like one i've heard discussed.
Basically, if you picture a log, with different fungi growing on it, you end up with a 3D matrix of zone borders all intersecting in unique patterns. Some fungi burn out quickly, eating into the wood and turning it into spores and dirt and crumble away; all the while there are other fungi that are secluded in their whimsical 3D shapes long past the decay of the other fungi.
What do these look like? Something like this:
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three dimensional zone lines! A dark black/brown matte surface keeping the fungus defended as it chugs along slowly, breaking down its territory staked out long ago
Breaking open the wood shows this border/digestion area distinction:
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I've got no idea how long this particular variety takes to decay. I've seen this wood here for years just like other rotting logs, but it was only about a year ago that i learned what makes it look the way it did!
Something that *was* new to me was this, though:
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I saw this strange pattern of speckles, almost bubbly, scaly looking patches underneath the barrier. I havent seen this before, nor do i know what it is. Maybe it's the fruiting body of this particular fungus. Maybe it's a defensive wall put up against some foreign invader. Maybe it's a holdover from something in the life of the tree that the fungus simply grew over.
Whatever it is, it's quite fascinating.
This all made me go look for other cool decomposition patterns. I came across this whiterot oak branch that had fallen. Rotted oak like this is great for giving to rolly pollies as a snack, especially when very crumbly. But this time i was interested in the almost imperceptible hairs snaking through it as well:
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it hides quite well in this branch, especially because the walls like to form in alignment with the wood's natural grain. But running through the center from top to bottom there *is* a zone line.
it's slightly more visible from the top, where you can also see the slight color difference between the two zones thanks to the different chemical compositions/byproducts of the competing fungi
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It really is just so cool. wars raged beneath our feet in branches we may throw aside or even burn.
Here's an old post oak stump; for a few years it's been here and we used to use it as a surface for splitting firewood. now large channels have rotted away and the surface has taken on that dark fungal look.
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this final pic is down one of the channels that's decayed into the tree. It appears that all the elements of water, bugs, fungus, *decay* have all hollowed out a matrix that follows along down into the tree roots themselves.
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It's a lot deeper than the ground surface. I've seen chipmunks go in and out of it as well. I can only imagine there's a whole luxury burrow complex down there.
Some pretty interesting stuff to see out there. Hope this was a good summary!
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empresskaze · 2 years
Note
❄️with Noll and Ren? Or 🌹 with Ren reacting to the solvents used for painting or restauration. But only if you feel like it.
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Ok these are both way back from Valentines Day because I'm terrible at ask prompts. I combined both but I am sorry 2nd anon I could not figure out a better way to work kissing in because of how their relationship is currently. These two are very complicated XD Not beta'd
I'm sorry this took so long I hope you're still around.
❄️ Cold
🌹Allergies
🤒 Flushed
💋 First kiss
~~~~
"Why is this room always freezing!" Ren complained while shoving his hands under his arms.
"It's in a basement and it's not climate controlled." Noll said without looking up from his work. "Why are you down here?" Truthfully he was cold too but hell needed to freeze over before he'd admit that to Ren.
"We were suppose to get a supplies delivery today, I haven't seen it yet." Ren looked around the room. "Thought it might have ended up in storage."
"I've been down here all day, no one came in." Noll said again. "I can hear you shivering, go upstairs before you trigger an asthma attack."
"Fine." Ren rolled his eyes as he turned. He didn't see the bottle of solvent on the floor. As soon as his foot touch it, the can fell over knocking the top off.
"What?" He looked down, "God damn it Noll, you...need to...." Immediately the potent chemical smell filled the air. Ren's throat tightened as he cough hoarsely, pulling out a handkerchief to cover his nose and mouth.
Noll hobbled over a quick as he could, gritting his teeth and cursing. "Out! Out!" He demanded as he grabbed the container. Not much had spilled as it had been nearly empty. It didn't stop Noll from also grimacing at the smell. This particular one needed to be watered down before using. Top back on, Noll put it on the counter and turned the fall on. He wasn't sure how long it would take for the room to clear out as the storage room wasn't as well ventilated as the rest of the basement.
Anyway his work in that room was now on hold. Heading back to the desk only to retrieve his cane, Noll exited the room, taking in a deeper breath in the hall. A bit light headed but it would pass as he started down the hall, Ren's barking cough leading him to where the coordinator was.
Ren sat hunched over on a bench near the elevators, inhaler clutched in his hand. Before Noll could even sit down, Ren’s body shook with another harsh breath stealing cough. After it passed, Ren brought his shaking hand up again and used the inhaler.
Noll cleared his throat awkwardly and sat down. "Need...anything?"
"For you to make sure you cap everything properly after you use...it..." His hoarse voice gave out but he didn't cough again.
"Maybe watch where you're going?" Noll snapped immediately. Ren shot him a look.
The coordinator's face was flushed a deep red but his dark brown eyes looked tired. Ren looked back at the floor, concentrating on slow even breaths.
"I think there's water in the break room, want one?" Noll forced himself up as the hard bench and his hip did not get along.
Ren could only nodded as he coughed again. Noll headed down the hallway toward the break room which wasn't anything more than a small room with a table, a few hanging cabinets over a free standing sink and a tiny refrigerator. Sadly on his budget it was all Ren said he could afford. Noll actually had not been 100% sure if there was water in the refrigerator as he rarely used it. He remembered seeing some over a week ago when Jasper had asked for one instead of the tumblr of bourbon Noll had offered him.
Heading back, water in hand, Noll saw Ren wasn't on the bench anymore. Hitting the elevator button he waited until he also ended up on the first floor. The main area was dark aside from a few dim lights which always remained on. Noll saw Ren standing outside of the front entrance.
The night was warm even for early spring. No wonder Ren had complained about the cold storage room.
"Here." Noll said handing him the water bottle.
"Thanks." Ren rasped. Under the street lamp Noll could still see flushed cheeks on his business partners face.
Ren took a few decent sips of the water before letting out a sigh. "Thanks." He winced pressing the other hand against his chest. "Put some of that fire out. Throat hurts more now." Ren removed his glasses and ran his sleeve over his eyes.
"Want me to call a cab or Jasper?" Noll asked but Ren shook his head.
"I will in a bit, just going to..." He motioned to the benches which lined the sidewalk. "Sit again. Bit lightheaded."
"Same." Noll said but didn't sit down. "I'll...uh..."
Ren just waved him off with his hand.
"Yeah that." Noll turned, heading back into the gallery.
***
Back at his own desk in the far back of the first floor, Noll gripped his glass which now was empty.
He hadn't apologized even though it had been his fault. He'd used that can the other day for a quick fix and simply forgot to seal it properly.
Noll knew he'd hear more about it when Ren felt better. Anytime he'd use the storage room for anything now on, he'd hear that snarky voice ragging on him and he'd give it right back. It was their way about things.
Noll thought about how flushed Ren looked after his fit; how vulnerable and tired. Noll never thought about kissing anyone before but wondered if Ren would blush that hard if they ever did.
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inamindfarfaraway · 2 years
Text
My Pokémon Part One
Pherocket and Flarespray, Fire/Steel-type Pokémon based on spotted skunks and fireworks. Both stages of this evolution line are classified as the Pyrotechnic Pokémon. They’re near relatives of the Stunky line and in the Field Egg Group.
These crepuscular Pokémon live in harsh, rocky areas with temperate to moderately cold climates like mountain ranges, cliffs and some grasslands. They eat metal and metal compounds, their diet particularly heavy on alkaline earth metals, akali metals, and other pyrotechnic colourants (metal salts that burn with colourful flames), although we aren’t yet sure how they can tell the metals and salts apart. Going without enough of these for too long will make them sick, since their internal fire sac runs low on fuel. Traditionally they find their food in the form of natural reserves, often underground, but in recent years the ones close to humans are increasingly bold and clever in stealing our metal compounds. Working smarter, not harder and all. Eaten metal not in the form of flammable or combustible compounds reinforces their steely claws.
They have an organ called a launcher inside their hollow tails, a tough, flexible muscular tube that can push flaming projectiles out at unbelievable speed. The elements and compounds they consume are compressed into pellets by a branch of their digestive system, ignited and shot out as fireworks. Yes, fireworks. The human invention of them was directly modelled on this line! It is unknown how the Pokémon know how to produce the beautiful colours, but they appreciate and enjoy firework displays, suggesting they see the same colours humans do. The pellets technically can’t be considered excrement because they aren’t waste; they could still be digested normally if they weren’t used in this way. Due to the sacrifice of fuel and risk of attracting other Pokémon (especially Bug-types), the line prefer not to fire rockets and reserve it for self-defence and battles. Much more common launcher uses are expelling smoke, showers of sparks or split-second blinding flashes to intimidate threats. Before they even do that, they’ll wave their tails high, stamp their feet and stand up on their front paws. However, the launcher’s uses aren’t only aggressive. Smoke and flares are a means of long-range communication. Each individual’s smoke is laced with its unique chemical signature, so they can recognize, keep track of and send detailed messages to one another through their pheromones. Such signals are the main reason the mostly solitary Pokémon sometimes come together. They may be helping a fellow member of their species in distress or joining them in feasting on an abundance of food. They have an amazing sense of smell.
The first stage of the line, Pherocket (‘pheromone’ and ‘rocket’) is a small spotted skunk. It has a longer, more weasel-like build than the stereotypical skunk akin to the western spotted skunk, the better to dig tunnels with. Its coat is the indigo of the sky at dusk with broken stripes and spots of bright red and yellow, and its eyes are an intense green. The vibrant colours are a warning sign. Its fur is thick. Its protruding front claws are silver and strong as steel. Its long tail has a flared shape with the fur clumping in outward spikes around its circular end and is solid red to draw attention to it; looking down it, you can see the opening of the launcher. It is especially warm to the touch.
At level 33, it evolves into the second stage, Flarespray (‘flare’, ‘spray’ and a pun on ‘hairspray’). It’s still lean, but bigger and stronger with powerful legs and longer, sharper front claws for digging, breaking down rock and tearing metal. Its coat is now midnight blue and has a different pattern of smaller stripes and spots clearly imitating the steaks and sparks of light when a firework explodes. Its thick artillery cannon of a tail remains red, but has a helical green stripe along it matching its eyes. It needs more food and preys upon Steel-types that provide, and Rock-types full of carbon like Carbink and Rolycoly. It has even been known to mortally wound Copperajah with the power and precision of its projectiles. With superior stamina and metabolism to its pre-evolution, it can produce a greater number of more destructive and advanced pyrotechnics more efficiently. It is nicknamed the ‘painter of the the sky’.
Pherocket’s base stats:
60 HP
75 Attack
49 Defence
80 Special Attack
50 Special Defence
65 Speed
Flarespray’s base stats:
80 HP
100 Attack
70 Defence
110 Special Attack
72 Special Defence
85 Speed
Their possible Abilities are Intimidate, Sniper and Tough Claws.
Their signature move is Burning Hail. The Pokémon stands on its front legs and shoots an extra large firework directly above the opponent. This consists of a cluster of pellets, that rain down in a circle with glittery trails when it explodes. They too then detonate surrounding the opponent.
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Regional Forms
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sunalimerchant · 29 days
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Maintenance and Longevity of Water and Oil Repellent Surfaces
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Water and oil repellent technologies have revolutionized the way we protect various surfaces, from textiles to construction materials and automotive interiors. These coatings not only shield surfaces from stains and damage but also extend their lifespan. However, the effectiveness of water and oil repellent treatments is not indefinite. Proper maintenance is essential to ensure these surfaces retain their protective properties over time. This article explores practical strategies for maintaining and enhancing the longevity of water and oil repellent surfaces.
Understanding Water and Oil Repellent Technologies
Water and oil repellent coatings are designed to provide surfaces with a protective layer that repels liquid substances and prevents them from penetrating or adhering to the surface. These technologies typically involve the application of fluoropolymers or silicone-based compounds that create a microscopic barrier on the surface. This barrier reduces the surface tension, causing liquids to bead up and roll off instead of soaking in.
Regular Cleaning
Regular cleaning is crucial for maintaining the efficacy of water and oil repellent surfaces. Dirt, dust, and other particulates can accumulate on the coated surface, eventually embedding themselves in the microscopic structure of the repellent layer, thereby diminishing its effectiveness. To clean these surfaces properly:
Use a soft cloth or sponge to avoid scratching the protective coating. Employ mild soap and water for routine cleaning, steering clear of abrasive detergents that can degrade the coating. Gently pat the surface dry with a soft towel after cleaning, as rubbing can wear down the repellent finish.
Timely Reapplication
Even the best water and oil repellent treatments wear off over time, especially in high-traffic or frequently used areas. Manufacturers typically recommend a schedule for reapplication, which can vary from one product to another. Paying attention to the manufacturer’s guidelines can prevent the premature expiration of the surface’s repellent qualities. For instance:
Textile products might need a reapplication after a number of wash cycles. Outdoor building materials exposed to harsh weather conditions may require more frequent re-treatments.
Avoiding Harsh Chemicals
The longevity of repellent surfaces can be significantly reduced by the use of harsh chemicals. Cleaning agents that contain strong solvents, acids, or alkalis can break down the chemical structure of the repellent layer. It’s advisable to:
Check the compatibility of cleaning agents with the specific type of repellent coating. Opt for pH-neutral cleaners that are less likely to interfere with the integrity of the repellent properties.
Handling Scratches and Abrasions
Physical damage such as scratches or abrasions can compromise the integrity of water and oil repellent coatings. Such damage provides channels for moisture and oils to penetrate beneath the surface. To mitigate this risk:
Use protective coverings or pads on furniture and other heavy items that might scratch floor surfaces. Avoid using sharp objects or abrasive tools near repellent-coated surfaces.
Professional Maintenance
Some water and oil repellent treatments, especially those used in industrial or commercial settings, may require professional maintenance to ensure optimal performance. Professional services can provide:
Advanced cleaning techniques that are safe for repellent coatings. Expert reapplication of coatings to ensure uniform coverage and maximum protection. Assessment and repair of any damage that could undermine the repellent properties.
Monitoring Performance
Regularly assess the performance of water and oil repellent surfaces to catch any deterioration in their repellent properties early. Simple tests, such as sprinkling water on the surface and observing whether it beads up, can provide quick indications of the coating's condition. Early detection allows for timely interventions, whether it's a simple cleaning or a full reapplication of the coating.
Conclusion
Maintaining water and oil repellent surfaces is key to ensuring their continued effectiveness and longevity. By adhering to proper cleaning protocols, avoiding harsh chemicals, managing physical wear, and following manufacturer guidelines for maintenance, these protective coatings can continue to safeguard various surfaces effectively. Regular upkeep not only preserves the functionality of these treatments but also extends the life of the materials they protect, ensuring they remain pristine and functional for years to come.
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automedsolutions · 2 months
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The Art of Privacy: Window Tinting in Tyson’s Corner
Many car owners like to have their windows tinted for numerous reasons. These could include protection from the sun’s rays, privacy, and more. Various shops for auto cosmetics offer these kinds of services. You can achieve a privacy-centered car with a reliable expert that secures you from anything. Continue reading to learn more about window tinting in Tyson’s Corner.
Understanding Window Tinting
To begin, there are several perks to adding tints to your car’s windows. Tinted windows deter robbers, prevent people from peeking into your car, and overall bring an additional feeling of safety when you’re in the vehicle. This article aims to break down what window tinting could do for your safety in general.
The Benefits of Tinting Your Windows
Tinting your windows is one of the most ideal ways to build privacy in your car. Unlike cars with no tinted windows, it gives a better sense of security and privacy.
Enhancing Privacy
While tints may look appealing to passers by, it also limits the visibility of your vehicle’s interior. Since many individuals keep valuables in their cars, it should be important to make them safe. These additions prevent thieves from peaking into your car and knowing what’s inside. This, in turn, discourages them from stealing since unsubtly peaking into vehicles raises red flags in public spaces.
UV Protection
On top of being an auto cosmetics service, tints also improve UV protection against the sun’s harmful rays. Most brands claim their window tints block up to 99% of these beams. These additions protect the driver's and passengers’ skin and maintain the vehicle’s integrity so it doesn’t get ruined by these rays.
Energy Efficiency
Additionally, tinted windows promote energy efficiency by optimizing the car’s interior temperatures. In short, it minimizes heat transfer. In line with this, car owners require less air conditioning due to the tint’s role in decreasing the influences of outdoor weather.
Safety and Security
Another perk of installing a tint on your vehicle is that it increases the window’s durability. However, they do not make them impenetrable. With the use of a tint, it will make your windows scratch-resistant in the long run.
Maintenance and Care
Several tips are accessible to the general public on properly caring for their window tints to maintain them. A popular tip is to use foam cleansers when washing windows. These cleaning solutions usually don’t have chemicals that can potentially damage the tint and do not create streaks.
A second tip is to use foam cleansers and partner it with a soft cloth. These fabrics ensure that your tints are not scratched in the process. Additionally, using paper towels when cleaning is not advisable since the rough fibers may damage the tint.
Third, letting the film dry completely is paramount to avoid bubbles or other issues. Owners can let it air dry or use a rubber squeegee or a clean and dry microfiber cloth to speed up the process. Moreover, keeping an eye on the edges is essential to minimize lifting.
Trends for Window Tinting in Tyson’s Corner
Businesses are in the area, and cosmetic and reconditioning services are growing in popularity. That said, various providers offer different services to improve your vehicle’s appearance. Moreover, they offer innovative services for window tinting and other protection films.
Choosing the Right Window Tinting Service
As mentioned, many service providers in the area offer similar assistance. If you’re looking for “cosmetic auto repair near me,” it is essential to take note of the following considerations:
Reputation as local providers
Evaluating options by comparing offers, pricing, and customer reviews
Requesting consultations and asking for quotes on your needed product or service
So, why is it important to follow these points? Well, there are a lot of car enthusiasts out there who only want the best for their vehicles and who can provide the best products and services. To begin, cars are investment items that require significant money. It would be best to partner with reputable shops with positive reputations. Ideally, you should consult with trusted peers with the same passion for automobiles when seeking local auto shops.
In addition, reputable shops will advise automobile owners on properly caring for their new accessories. Numerous services for window tinting in Tyson’s Corner leave customers satisfied with their services and offer a warranty in case any problems arise within a given period. Among these providers is AutoMed Solutions, offering different auto cosmetic services.
Why Choose AutoMed Solutions for Window Tinting?
As a trusted service provider, we aim to change how our customers look at auto repair. Our team believes in transparency, friendly service, and speed. This idea shows that we are committed to helping them achieve their dream appearance for their vehicle.
One thing to look out for in a reputable auto body shop is its quotations. It’s good that our company offers free estimates upon request. So, if you’re looking for window tinting in Tyson’s Corner, consider us your top choice and visit our official website for more information.
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hi2loexteriorcleaning · 2 months
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Roof Cleaning Services
Professional roof cleaning services help to keep your home looking great. They can remove algae, mildew, mold, lichen and moss as well as oxidation from metal roofs.
A thorough cleaning also reveals damage along the surface of a roof that may be hidden under water stains or layers of grime. This allows homeowners to make repairs before they become serious problems.
Roofing materials
Roofing materials are used to protect the top of a structure or building from outside elements such as rain, snow, direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. They are specially chosen to defend against these exterior conditions, and they often include a roof cleaning services membrane and vapor barrier that prevent water from leaking into the house. There are also underlayment and flashing which seals the joints where the roof changes direction. Asphalt shingles are another common choice, and they are available in many colors.
Pressure washing
When a roof is not regularly cleaned, dirt accumulates and causes the shingles to wear down prematurely. This ruins the surface and allows water to enter a home’s structure, leading to water damage and rotting. A professional cleaning will reveal areas of soft spots and other structural damage that may otherwise be invisible under a buildup of grime and soot.
Regular roof washing helps prevent organic growth like mold, mildew and moss. A safe biocide can be applied after the washing to inhibit future growth. This prevents the re-accumulation of dirty spots on the roof and keeps it clean for a longer period of time.
Pressure washing uses high-pressure rinsing to remove moss, stains, algae, and other organic debris from the roof. This type of washing can also be used on exterior surfaces such as wood siding and patios, brick, concrete, and asphalt. A professional power washer will use the correct quick-connect nozzles to avoid damaging these surfaces.
Soft washing
Soft washing is a gentle but effective cleaning technique that uses lower pressure than power washing. It is an environmentally friendly way to clean the exterior of your home without causing damage to the structure or destroying the environment. It also helps to extend the life of your roof and siding, and protects you from the sun’s harmful rays.
The soft wash process involves applying a chemical solution to the surface and letting it sit (or dwell) for a few minutes. This allows it to break down dirt and organic matter on the surface. The solution is then rinsed away, along with any loosened contaminants.
The chemicals used in soft washing are designed to kill moss, mildew, and fungus. They are biodegradable and non-toxic. This method is typically used for second-story exteriors, shingle roofs, and concrete that’s less than three years old. It’s important to find a licensed and insured company that offers soft washing services.
Insurance
Homeowners who are looking for a roof cleaning services near me should ensure that they have adequate insurance. This is because the process of cleaning roofs is not only dangerous, but it can also damage shingles and cause other problems with the home. The most common problem is dark staining, which is a sign of bacterial growth and can cause issues with homeowners’ insurance companies. Insurance inspectors will demand that the dark staining and other contaminates be removed from the roof before they will provide coverage or renew a policy.
The type of insurance needed for a roof cleaning business includes general liability, workers’ compensation, and auto liability. General liability insurance will protect the business from claims made by clients. It will also pay for medical treatment/procedure and property damages caused by the company’s vehicles. Workers’ compensation insurance will cover injuries sustained by employees when they are working on the roof. It will also pay for lost wages.
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nmevahealth · 3 months
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Dealing with Your Pcos And Looking for Legitimate Treatment
Vanquish Your PCOS Excursion: Track down the Right Trained professional and Master Care with Eva Grasping PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Disorder (PCOS), a hormonal condition described by the presence of little sores on the ovaries, influences a dumbfounding 1 out of 10 ladies of regenerative age. While the specific reason stays a logical riddle, its far reaching influences are unquestionable, prompting a range of side effects like:
Unpredictable or missing periods: This trademark side effect upsets the regular monthly cycle, making arranging and anticipating periods a test.
Abundance androgen (male chemical) levels: This hormonal lopsidedness can appear as undesirable hair development on the face and body (hirsutism), skin break out, and, surprisingly, male-design sparseness.
Weight the board issues: Insulin obstruction, a typical component of PCOS, can make weight reduction troublesome and add to weight gain.
Richness concerns: PCOS can disturb ovulation, making it harder to normally imagine.
Past the Analysis: Eva's PCOS Trained professional
While PCOS could sound overwhelming, recollect, information is power. Understanding the condition and looking for the right help prepares you to successfully explore your excursion. At Eva, we have faith in enabling ladies with PCOS to live satisfying lives, unburdened by the limits the condition could force.
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Confided in Guide: Expert PCOS Specialists Near You
Perhaps of the most vital stage in overseeing PCOS is associating with the right medical services experts. Search for experienced  PCOS specialists, ideally those close to you, who figure out the subtleties of the condition and can give customized care. At Eva, we have a group of devoted PCOS trained professionals and best gynaecologists in Mumbai, offering thorough help inside simple reach.
Building a Cooperative Consideration Plan: Custom-made to Your Necessities
PCOS shows contrastingly in each lady. What works for one probably won't be great for another. That is the reason our PCOS specialists advocate for a cooperative methodology, working intimately with you to grasp your interesting requirements and concerns. This permits us to make a customized treatment plan that tends to your particular side effects and objectives.
The Primary Line of Safeguard: Way of life Changes
While there's no enchanted slug for PCOS, integrating solid way of life changes can altogether affect your general prosperity and even further develop your fruitfulness potential. Our group of PCOS trained professionals and specialists can direct you through:
Dietary adjustments: Settling on entire food sources, overseeing sugar admission, and integrating adjusted dinners can assist with directing insulin levels and advance weight the executives.
Standard activity: hold back nothing 30 minutes of moderate-force practice most days of the week. This can further develop insulin responsiveness, oversee weight, and lift your state of mind.
Stress the board methods: PCOS can genuinely burden. Rehearsing yoga, contemplation, or other unwinding strategies can assist with overseeing pressure and work on by and large prosperity.
Tending to ripeness concerns:
The connection among PCOS and ripeness challenges is evident, yet it's memorable's significant that PCOS doesn't characterize your capacity to imagine. At Eva, we comprehend the close to home cost of ripeness battles. Our group of PCOS specialists offers empathetic help and proof based medicines, including:
We work intimately with ripeness specialists to give exhaustive consideration.
Contingent upon your singular circumstance, your arrangement might include prescription, treatment, or way of life acclimations to streamline your wellbeing.
We perceive the close to home excursion you're on and offer help to assist you with adapting to the difficulties and explore your feelings really.
Overseeing PCOS is a deep rooted excursion, and building areas of strength for a framework is fundamental. Encircle yourself with friends and family who grasp your encounters and empower you on your way. Moreover, focus on taking care of oneself practices like getting sufficient rest, participating in exercises you appreciate, and looking for help gatherings to associate with others confronting comparative difficulties.
Keep in mind, you are in good company! Our group of PCOS experts is focused on supporting you all through your PCOS venture. We offer complete consideration and master PCOS direction to assist you with exploring the difficulties, embrace your assets, and carry on with a satisfying life, PCOS and a
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multikore · 3 months
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This is probably going to be the most out of pocket thing I send but here you go?
I present to you; my weird dreams part one.
this is gonna be fun (have the first line then everything cut off because it was way longer than I thought it’d be)
I accidentally fell asleep; my dream was me being Sans freaking Undertale apparently and I was singing with Outer!Sans in a giant broken down motel/hotel/event holder place thing? with stairs lining it in the middle in a spiral way since the middle was like a sort of hollow.
It had a ton of broken down decorations and other stuff which included a ship at the tallest we could go, where we thought (for some reason) it’d be funny to hang the charger of the phone, I think it was Outer’s or something but it wasn’t anything like the phone we see in the UT Game, more modern like now, connected to a battery pack I owned; Outer staying at the top holding it while standing by the side. I don’t own a battery pack but I think it was dark blue or black, or a light blue like Sans’s jacket just a bit different.
I’d like to add the top area had a bunch of holes, most likely caused by the ship or something since it seemed like it fell? It wasn’t huge it seemed like a small scale and simplified version of something as a decoration so yk not too much damage. And apparently I think I was waiting for someone? My head’s saying it was actually freaking Error but it might’ve been a paps?
The oddest bit was probably the fact for some reason me and Outer disregarded apparent zombies in the building, due to the fact most of the furniture blocked them off from us; them mainly being behind on balcony walkways also lining the inside where the stairs connected but whomever were there beforehand blocked it off using furniture was around. It was kinda like those tables near the edge usually with a few chairs maybe a vase with flowers or smth in the middle.
Anyways we hung the phone there, I held it and the charger was freakishly long, like long than height of where the highest we could reach in the building? So I go down the stairs swirling it around whatever greenery was standing in the middle of the column and whatever furniture was thrown in there having nature overtake it; meanwhile dodging zombies and any stray hands beyond the barricades.
(In my head I was half asleep mind you, so the entire time I was partially waking up and seeing my room and being in the dream- at this point I’m jotting down everything, every detail, every phrase, despite me already having bad memory and forgetting what people say within a minute.)
Anyways we have music being blasted and either my head made up a new song or it was something I had heard before but don’t remember at ALL, I think it was a break-up song? Guy’s perspective? I kinda forgot the lyrics and I can’t describe the tune but his voice kinda reminds me of My Chemical Romance (forgot the singer) but more of the Maria Count Me In singing voice I know.
Anyways I reached the bottom, hang out for a bit, Outer screaming the lyrics from the top as I scream them back up as well, complimenting the song too before Outer saying I should probably come back up after a few minutes or so. I agree since I’d rather stick with him in that place but then some zombies enter the bottom and I have to half-rush back up while carefully untangling the wire from stuff, I get to the top close off the entrance and almost trip into the hole where we hung the phone, we get it all back and Outer gives me my battery pack and even his phone and wire.
We talk a bit and make puns to ease me out as I catch my breath and then this bit is a bit blurry and a lot less logical in the actual world made.
I think Outer falls through where we hung the phone but he doesn’t die; I get a sort of phased out gaming screen when I know that’s not the premise where I am but it’s also kinda how it is where I’m physically located sleeping (but there’s no game or screen nearby it’s my ACTUAL VISION, I was in bed and still am right now)
He falls but I can still hear him talking pretty clearly and see his expression through that weird game thing? As if maybe he did die and he’s spectating but I KNOW his body is there, alive, hanging onto something I just don’t know what. (He did not die, do not worry)
Anyways a few Zombies bust through I enter the ship to hide and suddenly physics engine goes out the window and I sort of get glitched into a corner in the boat. Said corner had a hole, enough for me to fit at least and even a bit bigger I think (thinking over this again, this might’ve actually been Outer’s telekinesis thingie guiding me over there in the ship but my struggling confused the both of us)
I’m there panicking slightly as Outer laughs a little and seems worried yet trying to calm me a bit, the zombies come over from what I can hear.
Last thing I hear is Outer saying for me to jump and I think I try to, as I am right above the hole in the floor I use the weird telekinetic thing Sans has and fling the ship to where I heard the zombies and go through, seeing Outer’s hand ready to catch me as he’s standing on a floating star.
Dream ends, I wake up confused in my head was “was I sans Undertale in that” and then realise “oh hey outer was there cool” as well as “WHY WERE THERE ZOMBIES?? WHY WERE WE BLASTING MUSIC IN A BUILDING THAT FELT LIKE IT’S IN A FOREST??”
But yeah
My weird dreams and I love them unconditionally; have a nice day, night or evening, whatever time zone you’re in. Idk where you are and probably for a good reason but good whatever to you :)
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rejectedbad · 3 months
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Rejected Bad: Factory
The following is a rejected script from an early season of Breaking Bad.
INT. WHITE RESIDENCE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Walter White sits on his couch, facing the television, clearly bothered. The air feels heavy with the scent of onions, unfolding a blanket of discomfort throughout the room. Skyler White enters, looking concerned.
SKYLER:  (covering her nose)
Walter, we have to do something about this odour! It's unbearable!
Walter glances at her, deep in thought.
WALTER:  (in a low voice)  It's not just the smell, Skyler. We have a bigger problem on our hands. My sales have taken a hit since that onion factory burned down.
Skyler takes a seat beside Walter, her curiosity piqued.
SKYLER:  (slightly agitated)  Are you telling me the odour and a burned-down factory are affecting your... alternative business?
Walter nods in agreement, his frustration evident.
WALTER:  (exasperated)  Exactly, Skyler! This town has turned into a toxic wasteland, and my clientele doesn't want to come near it. We need a solution.
Skyler shifts uncomfortably, considering their options.
SKYLER:  (suggestive)  Have you thought about moving operations elsewhere? Maybe to a neighbouring town?
Walter shakes his head, disheartened.
WALTER:  No, Skyler. Relocating our entire operation is not feasible. We've spent years building our clientele in this area. We can't risk losing everything now.
Silence fills the room as they both brainstorm ideas.
INT. WHITE RESIDENCE - KITCHEN - DAY
Walter and Skyler sit at the kitchen table, planning their next move. Walter unravels a city map, looking focused and determined.
WALTER:  (pensively)  We need to find a way to eliminate this odour, to cover it up somehow. We can't let the smell dictate our future.
Skyler nods, intrigued and relieved to see a glimmer of Walter's brilliance resurfacing.
INT. RV - DAY
Walter and Jesse Pinkman stand outside the RV, wearing gas masks and protective suits. Walter holds a vial containing a blue, odorous liquid.
WALTER:  (determined)  Jesse, we're going to use our chemical expertise to neutralise this stench. We'll create a counter-agent that will overpower the onion smell and make it tolerable.
Jesse looks at Walter, sceptical at first but slowly giving in to curiosity.
JESSE:  (confused)  So, what? We distribute this stuff throughout the town? Like an onion air freshener?
Walter smirks, seeing his plan come together.
WALTER:  (optimistic)  No, Jesse. We'll take a more discreet approach. We'll distribute it near the factory's smokestack, where the odour is strongest. The wind will naturally do the rest.
INT. WHITE RESIDENCE - BASEMENT LAB - DAY
Walter and Jesse work meticulously, mixing chemicals and analysing reactions. Test tubes bubble, and beakers give off brightly coloured fumes.
WALTER:  (excited)  We're close, Jesse. This formula will be our saving grace – the sweet smell of success.
Jesse grins, finally starting to see the light at the end of the onion-scented tunnel.
INT. CITY STREET - DAY
Walter and Jesse, disguised as maintenance workers, stand near the factory's smokestack. They release small canisters of their chemical formula into the air.
WALTER:  (whispering)  Our secret ingredient, Jesse. The key to regaining control.
They retreat, leaving the canisters hidden in the surroundings.
INT. CAR WASH - DAY
Walter and Skyler, driving by the car wash, witness the odour dissipating, being replaced by a more pleasant aroma.
SKYLER:  (amazed)  Walter, it's working! The smell is fading!
Walter smirks, satisfied.
WALTER:  (resolute)  That's just the beginning, Skyler. Soon, everything will return to normal – and so will our sales.
FADE OUT.
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steamexperts · 4 months
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The Benefits of Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaners heat water to its boiling point and then suck the vapor up through a nozzle at high pressure. The hot vapor kills viruses, bacterias, molds, mildews and other nasty elements.
The only thing they require to work is pure, clean water. That means you can say goodbye to the dozen or more cleaning products that clutter your cabinets.
Eliminate Chemical Smells
Many cleaning products have strong chemical smells, which are not only unpleasant but can irritate some people. Using steam cleaners eliminates these chemical smells and is safer for children, pets and those with respiratory problems.
The heat of steam vapor penetrates surface pores and breaks down dirt, grime and pesky stains. When it comes to stubborn stains, pre-treating with a commercial degreaser can be helpful. The steam vapor then lifts and dissolves the stains without chemicals or harmful residue.
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The steam also kills and eradicates mold spores and dust mites, which can cause allergies in some people. It's a simple and effective way to sanitize hard-to-clean areas, like mouldy tiles in bathrooms, crusted-on food on kitchen floors and bird or animal cages. Steam cleaning also eliminates lingering pet odors and can help kill fleas and their eggs as well. This is a great benefit to those with multiple pets who shed lots of hair. Getting rid of those odors helps to keep everyone healthy and happy!
Kills Bacteria
Steam cleaners heat water until it boils, then they push it out at high pressure as a steam vapor. The hot temperature of the steam kills germs, mold, mildew, and fleas on fabrics. It also works well to lift dirt and messes from surfaces.
Most pathogens (viruses, bacteria, etc) die at temperatures of 160oF or higher. Because steam cleaners use only water and hot steam, they can sanitize most surfaces.
However, you should not use a steam cleaner to clean delicate items such as lace, silk, some wood furniture, or electrical devices. Moisture left behind may attract mold and invite odors later. Additionally, steam can leave moisture on certain types of plastic or wooden materials, causing them to warp or rot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you wash these items in hot water instead.
Kills Germs
Many people stocked up on bleach wipes and cleaning sprays during the pandemic, but can that stuff kill viruses? And what about steam experts cleaners? This alternative idea —that the vapor that cooks broccoli and gets wrinkles out of clothes can also disinfect surfaces—has been circulating for some time.
To make vapor steam, a steam cleaner heats water to its boiling point and then pushes it out at high pressure. The hot temperature of the vapor kills pathogens including bacteria, mold and mildew. The vapor penetrates cracks and crevices, killing germs that would otherwise be stuck in them.
It also kills airborne allergens like the waste matter from dust mites, our own dead skin cells and pollen spores. These microscopic sneeze triggers can lead to asthma, and regular steam cleaning can eliminate them for good.
Cleans Any Surface
With a steam cleaner, you can sanitize all kinds of surfaces with just water. This appliance works well on hard, impervious surfaces such as countertops and kitchen tables, floors made of vinyl, laminate, or polyurethane, and bathroom fixtures and tile. It’s also a good choice for removing grease and food residue from stovetops, ovens, and microwaves and for killing mold, mildew, and dust mites on rugs and upholstery.
The hot vapor molecules penetrate surface pores and quickly expand to force out dirt, grime, allergens, and pathogens. The result is a completely sanitized, deodorized, and hypoallergenic surface.
Commercial steam cleaning near me are a popular choice for restaurants, bars, hotels, and wineries. These devices provide a chemical-free way to keep high-traffic areas and the equipment that comes into contact with food or beverages perfectly clean so that industry standards can be met. They can also be used for rehydrating and revitalizing wine oak barrels and for detailing production equipment and supplies.
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drainageteam1001 · 5 months
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10 Shocking Facts You Didn't Know About Underground Drainage
Underground drainage systems are essential for removing waste and rainwater from the house. They also need to be maintained regularly. The most common cause of drain blockages is tree roots. It is important to avoid planting trees near the drain system.
You can prevent blockages by using a snake or boiling water. If these methods don’t work, you can call a plumber.
1. The Drain Pipes Are Made Of PVC
Most modern drain lines are made of PVC plastic. This is due to its affordability, light weight, and high durability. It also has a smooth interior which speeds up the drainage process and resists blockages.
Older houses often have Orangeburg pipes, which are made of a wood fiber blend. These are still used in some older homes because they are inexpensive and easy to install.
They are also durable, but can rust if they are exposed to acidic wastewater. These pipes direct both sewage and surface water to a sewer system.
2. The Drain Pipes Are Made Of Steel
In older homes, drain pipes are often made of steel. These are sturdy but can get rusty, leading to blockages. Eventually, they will need to be replaced.
When it comes to newer underground drainage systems, plastic is usually the material of choice. It offers a high lifespan, low maintenance requirements, and good chemical resistance.
APL APOLLO underground drainage pipes also have decent surface solidity and tensile strength. They are ideal for conveyance of surface water and potable water. They are also fire retardant. They are a great choice for residential and commercial applications.
3. The Drain Pipes Are Made Of Aluminum
Many older homes have combined drainage systems that transfer both wastewater and rainwater. These pipes rust and can cause pollution to the environment, so it is important to upgrade to plastic underground drainage systems.
Metal drains can crack, break, or even completely collapse when they corrode. The resulting gaps and cracks allow ground water to seep through and pollute the surrounding area. Plastic pipes are a safe alternative that will last for years to come.
Getting the best underground drain system is a big investment, so hiring a professional is a great idea. A professional will make sure that the drains are installed properly and don’t cause any problems in the future.
4. The Drain Pipes Are Made Of Copper
Copper is a durable material that can withstand underground conditions. It does not crack or leak like plastic pipes, and it is also resistant to oxidizing chemicals such as chlorine.
In older homes, you may find drain/waste/vent (DWV) pipes made of cast iron. These can rust, and you’ll need to call in a professional plumber for repair or replacement.
In newer homes, you’ll likely encounter PVC or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) pipe. These are inexpensive and easy to install, with a lifespan that exceeds 100 years.
5. The Drain Pipes Are Made Of Iron
In modern homes, most plumbers will use PVC or ABS plastic pipe for new drain line installations. These pipes are cheap, easy to install with liquid glue and have a long lifespan. They also resist root anchorage.
Older homes often have cast iron pipes that can rust over time. These pipes can also develop bellies that cause them to clog more frequently. These clogs can be difficult to clear. The best way to prevent them is to only put pee, poo and toilet paper down the drains.
6. The Drain Pipes Are Made Of Brass
Brass is a great material for drain pipes because it is resistant to corrosion. In addition, it can withstand high water pressure. Plumbing professionals often recommend this type of piping.
Galvanized steel is another good option for drainage pipes. It is durable and has a long lifespan. However, it is prone to rusting and requires regular maintenance by professional plumbers.
It is important to only put pee, poo, and toilet paper down your drains. Otherwise, you risk causing blockages in the sewers. In some cases, these blockages can even be a hazard to your health.
7. The Drain Pipes Are Made Of Glass
A drainage system is a key part of any home or business. It’s designed to move water away from your property and prevent soil erosion and flooding.
Typically, waste is flushed down the toilet into a drain which connects to larger sewer pipes and transports it to sewage treatment plants. However, it’s not uncommon for sewer workers to discover all sorts of odds and ends in their pipes, from the bizarre to the downright creepy. Some of them are even deadly.
8. The Drain Pipes Are Made Of Plastic
Today, most underground drainage pipes are made of PVC. This material is cheaper and easier to install than clay or cast iron pipes, and it doesn’t rust. It also has a smooth interior that allows waste to flow freely.
When the malodorous sewage leaves our homes, it enters a sewer pipe and connects to larger tunnels that transport it to a sewage treatment plant. Occasionally, this waste can cause blockages. Plumbers have found all sorts of strange things in drains, including false teeth. In fact, Thames Water once ran a campaign to reunite false teeth with their owners.
9. The Drain Pipes Are Made Of Wood
Historically, drainage pipes have been made of wood. A wood drainage system was a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to improve soil health. It also prevented groundwater pollution and reduced the risk of water-borne diseases.
However, modern underground drainage pipes are made of plastic and do not rust or corrosion. These pipes are also easy to clean and maintain.
The most common types of underground drainage pipe are PVC and UPVC. They are lightweight and can withstand high pressure. In addition, they are resistant to cold temperatures.
10. The Drain Pipes Are Made Of Metal
Drain pipes are made of various metals, including galvanized steel, copper, and iron. They are usually used for water supply in homes but can also be found in drainage systems.
Drainage systems are designed to separate stormwater and sewage. The former is typically safe to drain into natural water bodies without treatment, but the latter can contain dangerous bacteria and other pathogens.
The first subsurface drains were probably bundles of brush or gravel and stones, but in the 1800s, mechanically produced clay tiles became popular in England. They were a great improvement over the old brush and stone drains.
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jcmarchi · 5 months
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Angela Belcher delivers 2023 Dresselhaus Lecture on evolving organisms for new nanomaterials
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Angela Belcher delivers 2023 Dresselhaus Lecture on evolving organisms for new nanomaterials
“How do we get to making nanomaterials that haven’t been evolved before?” asked Angela Belcher at the 2023 Mildred S. Dresselhaus Lecture at MIT on Nov. 20. “We can use elements that biology has already given us.”
The combined in-person and virtual audience of over 300 was treated to a light-up, 3D model of M13 bacteriophage, a virus that only infects bacteria, complete with a pull-out strand of DNA. Belcher used the feather-boa-like model to show how her research group modifies the M13’s genes to add new DNA and peptide sequences to template inorganic materials.
“I love controlling materials at the nanoscale using biology,” said Belcher, the James Mason Crafts Professor of Biological Engineering, materials science professor, and of the Koch Institute of Integrative Cancer Research at MIT. “We all know if you control materials at the nanoscale and you can start to tune them, then you can have all kinds of different applications.” And the opportunities are indeed vast — from building batteries, fuel cells, and solar cells to carbon sequestration and storage, environmental remediation, catalysis, and medical diagnostics and imaging.
Belcher sprinkled her talk with models and props, lined up on a table at the front of the 10-250 lecture hall, to demonstrate a wide variety of concepts and projects made possible by the intersection of biology and nanotechnology.
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2023 Mildred S. Dresselhaus Lecture: Angela Belcher Video: MIT.nano
Energy storage and environment
“How do you go from a DNA sequence to a functioning battery?” posed Belcher. Grabbing a model of a large carbon nanotube, she explained how her group engineered a phage to pick up carbon nanotubes that would wind all the way around the virus and then fill in with different cathode or anode materials to make nanowires for battery electrodes.
How about using the M13 bacteriophage to improve the environment? Belcher referred to a project by former student Geran Zhang PhD ’19 that proved the virus can be modified for this context, too. He used the phage to template high-surface-area, carbon-based materials that can grab small molecules and break them down, Belcher said, opening a realm of possibilities from cleaning up rivers to developing chemical warfare agents to combating smog.
Belcher’s lab worked with the U.S. Army to produce protective clothing and masks made of these carbon-based virus nanofibers. “We went from five liters in our lab to a thousand liters, then 10,000 liters in the army labs where we’re able to make kilograms of the material,” Belcher said, stressing the importance of being able to test and prototype at scale.
Imaging tools and therapeutics in cancer
In the area of biomedical imaging, Belcher explained, a lot less is known in near-infrared imaging — imaging in wavelengths above 1,000 nanometers — than other imaging techniques, yet with near-infrared scientists can see much deeper inside the body. Belcher’s lab built their own systems to image at these wavelengths. The third generation of this system provides real-time, sub-millimeter optical imaging for guided surgery.
Working with Sangeeta Bhatia, the John J. and Dorothy Wilson Professor of Engineering, Belcher used carbon nanotubes to build imaging tools that find tiny tumors during surgery that doctors otherwise would not be able to see. The tool is actually a virus engineered to carry with it a fluorescent, single-walled carbon nanotube as it seeks out the tumors.
Nearing the end of her talk, Belcher presented a goal: to develop an accessible detection and diagnostic technology for ovarian cancer in five to 10 years.
“We think that we can do it,” Belcher said. She described her students’ work developing a way to scan an entire fallopian tube, as opposed to just one small portion, to find pre-cancer lesions, and talked about the team of MIT faculty, doctors, and researchers working collectively toward this goal.
“Part of the secret of life and the meaning of life is helping other people enjoy the passage of time,” said Belcher in her closing remarks. “I think that we can all do that by working to solve some of the biggest issues on the planet, including helping to diagnose and treat ovarian cancer early so people have more time to spend with their family.”
Honoring Mildred S. Dresselhaus
Belcher was the fifth speaker to deliver the Dresselhaus Lecture, an annual event organized by MIT.nano to honor the late MIT physics and electrical engineering Institute Professor Mildred Dresselhaus. The lecture features a speaker from anywhere in the world whose leadership and impact echo Dresselhaus’s life, accomplishments, and values.
“Millie was and is a huge hero of mine,” said Belcher. “Giving a lecture in Millie’s name is just the greatest honor.”
Belcher dedicated the talk to Dresselhaus, whom she described with an array of accolades — a trailblazer, a genius, an amazing mentor, teacher, and inventor. “Just knowing her was such a privilege,” she said.
Belcher also dedicated her talk to her own grandmother and mother, both of whom passed away from cancer, as well as late MIT professors Susan Lindquist and Angelika Amon, who both died of ovarian cancer.
“I’ve been so fortunate to work with just the most talented and dedicated graduate students, undergraduate students, postdocs, and researchers,” concluded Belcher. “It has been a pure joy to be in partnership with all of you to solve these very daunting problems.”
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silverlinedrainages · 7 months
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Blocked Drain Near Me: A Comprehensive Guide To Dealing With Drainage Issues
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When You Encounter A Blocked Drain Near Me, It Can Be A Significant Inconvenience. It Disrupts The Smooth Flow Of Your Daily Activities And Often Leaves You Wondering About The Most Effective Way To Address The Problem. In This Informative Guide, We Will Explore The Causes Of Blocked Drains, Potential Solutions, And The Importance Of Seeking Professional Help.
Understanding The Common Causes
Blocked Drains Can Result From A Myriad Of Factors, Some Of Which Are More Commonplace Than Others. To Effectively Tackle The Issue, It Is Essential To Comprehend These Underlying Causes. Here Are Some Of The Primary Culprits:
Foreign Objects: Small Items, Such As Toys, Toiletries, Or Even Tree Roots, Can Find Their Way Into Your Drain System, Causing Obstructions.
Accumulated Debris: Over Time, A Buildup Of Hair, Grease, Soap Scum, And Other Substances Can Constrict The Flow Of Water In Your Drains.
Broken Pipes: Damaged Or Cracked Pipes Can Impede The Movement Of Water, Resulting In Blocked Drains.
Sediment Buildup: Mineral Deposits And Sediment Can Accumulate Within The Pipes, Leading To Blockages.
Improper Installation: In Some Cases, Drains May Be Incorrectly Installed, Leading To Immediate Or Eventual Blockages.
Signs Of A Blocked Drain
Recognizing The Signs Of A Blocked Drain Near Me Is The First Step In Addressing The Issue. Some Indicators That Your Drain May Be Obstructed Include:
Slow Drainage: Water Takes Longer To Empty From Your Sink, Bathtub, Or Toilet.
Unpleasant Odors: Foul Smells Emanating From Your Drains Can Indicate Trapped Debris.
Gurgling Noises: Unusual Sounds Coming From Your Plumbing May Suggest A Blockage.
Water Backups: Water Backup In Your Sink Or Tub Can Be A Clear Sign Of A Blocked Drain.
DIY Solutions For A Blocked Drain
While Minor Blockages Can Often Be Resolved With DIY Solutions, It's Crucial To Approach These Methods With Caution. Here Are A Few Remedies You Can Try:
Plunger: A Plunger Can Be Effective For Dislodging Simple Blockages. Create A Tight Seal And Use A Pumping Motion To Clear The Drain.
Boiling Water: Pouring Boiling Water Down The Drain Can Help Dissolve Grease And Dislodge Minor Clogs.
Baking Soda And Vinegar: This Natural Remedy Can Break Down Debris. Pour Baking Soda Followed By Vinegar, Then Flush With Hot Water.
Chemical Cleaners: Use Commercial Drain Cleaners With Care, Following The Instructions Closely. These Chemicals Can Be Harsh On Pipes And The Environment.
It's Important To Note That These DIY Solutions Are Best Suited For Minor Blockages. If You Suspect A More Severe Issue, It's Wise To Seek Professional Assistance.
The Importance Of Professional Help
When Dealing With A Persistent Or Complex Blocked Drain Near Me, It's Advisable To Enlist The Services Of A Professional Plumber Or Drainage Expert. Here's Why:
Expertise: Professionals Have The Knowledge And Experience To Diagnose And Resolve Various Drainage Issues.
Advanced Equipment: They Utilize Specialized Tools Like Drain Cameras And High-Pressure Jetters To Identify And Clear Blockages Effectively.
Preventing Further Damage: Incorrect DIY Attempts Can Worsen The Problem. Professionals Ensure That Your Drain Is Cleared Without Causing Harm To Your Plumbing System.
Long-Term Solutions: A Professional Not Only Addresses The Immediate Blockage But Can Also Provide Guidance On Preventing Future Issues.
Locating A Drainage Expert Near You
When You're Faced With A Blocked Drain Near Me, The Key Is To Find A Reliable Professional Who Can Offer Prompt Assistance. To Do This, Follow These Steps:
Research: Start By Searching Online For Local Drainage Experts Or Plumbers In Your Area. Read Reviews And Check For Recommendations.
Get Referrals: Ask Friends, Family, Or Neighbors For Referrals. Personal Recommendations Can Be Invaluable.
Verify Credentials: Ensure That The Professional You Choose Is Licensed And Insured. This Guarantees That They Have The Necessary Qualifications.
Request Quotes: Contact A Few Potential Service Providers And Request Quotes For The Work Needed. Compare These Quotes To Make An Informed Decision.
Ask Questions: Don't Hesitate To Ask The Professional About Their Approach And How They Plan To Address Your Specific Drainage Issue.
A Blocked Drain Near Me Can Disrupt Your Daily Life, But With A Basic Understanding Of The Causes, DIY Solutions, And The Importance Of Professional Assistance, You Can Address The Issue Effectively. It's Crucial To Act Promptly To Prevent Further Damage And Inconvenience. By Following The Steps Outlined In This Guide, You Can Find The Right Professional To Help You Clear The Blockage And Restore The Smooth Flow Of Water In Your Home.
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