#Crocus Group

[inkskinned]

it is the first snow today. i think we should all have off work, even though it didn't stick. i think there should be 4 national holidays, one for each season. happy first snow, go home and make cookies. for spring it can be the first crocus. for summer the first lightning bug. for autumn, the first golden leaf. go home, kiss your dog, feed your cat (who is absolutely already-fed but somehow still starving.)

i think we should all take more showers together, but i mean that in the soft way. i mean it like taking a nap. two years ago i had 5 adult friends in my queen bed, all of us laying across each other, head over belly over thigh over hand. any time one of us would giggle, it would ripple over each of us, like pulling on a spiderweb. kim actually needed to nap and didn't get to sleep and i am still sorry for it even though this is one of my most precious memories.

i think we should all wash each other's hair, i mean. i walk my dog and i watch someone put up twinkle lights around their front porch. alex and i just moved, and i love the neighborhood. already so many of our new neighbors have stopped by to say hello. the nice lady downstairs also collects plants, like me. she gave us her number on a pink post-it note. i am trying to decide whether to make her cookies or brownies.

i am going through a very hard time. something bad happened this weekend that i do not wish to discuss. it is hanging over me. i think of the green ribbon, and the woman who had her throat cut. it feels like that sometimes, inside of my body. like i am walking and talking despite being half-corpsed. like i am hanging on by a ribbon, standing on some kind of cusp. i keep saying - at least it wasn't worse. we are so lucky it wasn't worse. the idea is river-rock smooth now, all the edges worried off.

in this very dark night - the sun sets by 3 now - people don't need to, but they try anyway. they paint the missing light into things. i have an embarrassing number of missed calls and texts, but i feel the love from them nevertheless - hey. if you need something, i'm here. i will bring you food/puzzles/anything. i got you.

i think we should all have a big group chat where we do errands with strangers. this week i got lost in a home depot, which is wild because i'm a lesbian and we are actually hatched in a lowe's lumber section. there were two other women in the whole store. we ended up shopping together, at first by accident (we all needed things in the same aisle), and then because, well, why not. one of the ladies was taller than me, so she pulled down the screws i needed. i am agile and have the personality of a raccoon, so they sent me after anything below 3 feet. we talked about holiday plans and never learned each other's names, but did learn all the drama about each other's families.

i am making you cupcakes, because i have so much affection i want to pour it into batter. you ask me if i am eating enough per meal. i wrap your gift twice, trying to do it prettily. i get excited to give it to you, just because i hope you'll be excited too.

my parents drive an hour just to see the new apartment and to do the parent thing; standing in the kitchen saying things like "oh you'll get so much use from this dishwasher" and "well, you could paint that" and "when your mother and i moved it was uphill both ways and in a snowstorm and of course your brother was an infant." my mother brought me a plant for housewarming. i always say i love you before she leaves.

i play dnd on tuesdays still, after all these years. we all keep that night free. at one point, between grad school and marriage and all of it, we had to have a serious discussion about how to keep it running. we will keep going, we decided eventually. just to see each other, even if we don't play - you are all important to me. sebastian is not prone to affection but last night he stole my usual sign off - i love you all, be good, he said. he was laughing.

i don't love the winter, actually. i like snow in theory, but i grew up in the north, and am too-familiar with the season of "mud and sludge". i don't like being cold. but i do love something kind of soft and rare: every year around this time, people remember oh yes. you and i are human together. and i have love to spare.

it is the first snow, and something in my heart is finally warm again. i have spent what felt like the last 18 months just going-through-the-motions. it has felt blank and immediate, like i would never actually feel again. that sounds extremely trite and stupid - but that is the boring and familiar experience of depression. life just washes up against your windows, and you watch it happening. you see things that should be lovely and affecting, and it just whispers too-thin. i was desperately uncreative. uninterested in my hobbies. unimpressed by my writing. i told my therapist, often, i don't know how to find hope again.

almost sheepishly, something strange and lovely is burning in my chest. i keep not-looking at it, worried it will scamper back into the shadows again. it is skittish and wild, but it is so warm i want to sink my hands into its fur and feel it breathing. i love-hate it: if it's real, it can hurt me when it leaves again. but i am icarus-born, sun-lover and poet: i can't help myself. despite my best intentions, i am falling in love with life again.

i am planning to make cookies for my friends. alex and i are going to go christmas tree shopping. we picked out matching dish towels last night, and they have little mushrooms on them.

i love you. it does come back. yes, even after a long time. even for you. i promise. keep trying. you will wake up and it will be a day you can smile about.

write me when you get there. we will take the day off of work, and i will wash your hair, and we will both be laughing.

[drawthemoon101]

DanMay days 1: Flower and Day 4: Danmei Crossover!!

For Day 1 I had Mobei Jun finding a group of independent flowers that stay strong even in thr snow and ice, a bunch of crocus’s that can survive his cold touch💜

For day two, a redraw of a piece with the same peompt from last MXTXtober, with Shen QingQiu and Li Yu sharing their experiences being transmigrators! Of which this time I have a much better understanding of the characters and the storyline so I’m much happier with the piece!🐟

Obviously I’m not doing each day as sadly I’m very busy this month, but any I do make will be put here and in my stories each week!

My comms are now open with links to my carrd and Ko-Fi in my pinned post with all info if you’re interested!😆💛

[cloudedmoonofficial]

Crocus - Unbound Marauder

Children: Breezeheart and Crowstalker

Crocus had always lived in the barren desert. She knew the best times to get a drink, where to find her food, how to survive. She didn’t know how to take care of kittens. She couldn’t even remember ever being a kitten. Was she ever this young and helpless? 

When she was young, she could remember the various travelers her and her mother would stumble across. Some mean and cruel, some kind, most indifferent. 

But Crocus has heard of a group of cats who take care of kittens. They live together in huge colonies and help each other survive. They won’t take in adults, not that Crocus would be comfortable giving up her life of solitude anyway, but maybe, just maybe, Crocus could offer her kittens a better chance at survival by taking them to these Colony cats. 

Crocus knew how to survive.

Art by Tennelle

[sleepy055]

Shanks x fem!reader x Buggy ( Platonic Roger pirates x reader ) headcanon

Context : FEM!READER with healing ability No skin color ( no blushing etc... ) Reader is around the same height and age as Shanks and Buggy Mention of Rayleigh taking care of Y/n hair English is not first language Just some headcanon that I had in my head about how would life be on the Oro Jackson as a young girl treated like a princess ( for a different context you can always ask )

As being a young girl part of a pirate crew, everyone took good care of you. Even grumpy and meanie Crocus was nice to you. You were always put aside during the fight, they gave you the best food and White beard would even have a gift for you, even Big Mom tried to get you when she crossed path with Roger.

Rayleigh was your caretaker as this man is 100% girly dad material considering his relationship with Shaky and how close he is with the Amazon Lily women and girl (You probably became a sister figure to Boa and her sister later on)

Rayleigh would take care of your hair giving you cute haircut washing it with the best shampoo, he took care of your wardrobe and training as he wanted you to be able to defend yourself, if you wish to become a swordsman you will have to prove him your worth (you probably were able to make him lost his guard for a moment that impressed hi)

You hanged out a lot with Roger, he would also bring you into his shenanigans escaping from a group of lions while he laughed running really fast holding you in his arm. Help you prank Shanks and Buggy as vengeance for their own prank. Will come to bed and tell you a bedtime story of his legendary adventure as a rookie pirate, like his meeting with Brook. (He probably would have wished to do the same with his son :c)

Gaban would teach you tips and tricks of being in the life of a pirate. Being a big bro give you brotherly advice, he is always honest, telling you if he worried or mad at you for something.

Crocus is a strict serious man, but he has a soft side for you, he would teach a lot about medical knowledge to help your healing power. You serve him as an assistant helping him a lot in his work charge, he gives you rewards like candies or booze for your hard work. He surprisingly never speaks harshly to you.

Oden, when he met the crew he was curious as to why a young girly would be here, then you managed to help the people that were cut by Rayleigh sword during the Roger vs Withebeard fight. He was curious about your ability, asking you a question.

The people of the ship would bring you gift, cute dress, gift linked to your hobbies like book music instrumental or art furniture anything really that will make you smile

Withebeard would be so nice and sweat you always smiling and laughing for you and giving food even gift you sit with you to eat and even gifted you an accessories (will even laugh about adopting you which did not make Rayleigh laugh)

You get free hugs from Inuarashi and Nekomamushi !

Shanks x Reader x Buggy

Oh these two, the chaos. They would make you part of their shenanigans pulling prank on the other crewmate you will always be the one with the least consquence wich would make them jealous

They would also bring you to their fight," Y/n tell him I'm right ! "" Stop lying Y/n you know I'm telling the truth" when you usually did not even know what they were talking about.

Would try so hard to impress you protecting during fight or do a thing for you which you could use at your own advantage, making the crew laugh while they fight for who will cut the most fruit for you.

Whenever they talked about their future they wanted to make a crew with you and get many treasures but deep down they knew it was kinda more complicated than that for you as they knew that the adult of the ship made everything in their power to protect you from a life of a pirate.

You would go adventure with them trying to solve mysteries, steal from bandits, run away from monsters, you would heal a lot of their injuries and every time you would be the one injured they would lock in to take you out of danger and take care of you bringing you tot the other crying and worried about you.

They have an engraved memories of you in their head, the three of you lying on the beach looking the stars in the sky the wave of the sea it was such a moment of peace. Shanks x reader focused

He always tries to be flirting with you (at least he tries to copy Rayleigh charisma) would offer his hand when you leave the ship. Open doors for you, pose in front of you.

Decently put his straw hat on your head when you were looking at the horizon, saying you looked pretty wearing it.

The crew would notice and ship you so hard (especially Marco during Roger Withebeard fight) watching you sit next to Shanks smiling over two kids being cute.

The day Roger find you kissing Shanks (at age 13) he would be so shook and laugh happily that will interrupt the kiss, he would even harder while Shanks hold you while he blush. Buggy x reader focused

If you complimented him on his intelligence or his strength he will be over the mood, his ego being boosted (he deserves it)

One day when he did not wear his hat you told him he had beautiful hair would change him, he will start to show it a little bit more once adult then have longer hair as an emperor later on.

Will always be a big tsundere with you calling you an idiot, but you know damn he doesn't mean that as he blush.

He will sleep putting his head on your shoulder and will run away once waking up, realizing.

When he kissed you and Roger caught both laughing happy for the both of you, he screamed embarrassed which brought the other who were surprised by the scene.

(I know it wasn't great, but it was a first try =~=)

[helloarchivist]

Okay I gotta ask this silly question bc I see this headcanon around a lot and I want to hear your take on it: do you think Shanks bathes? Like I don't think he has a five-step skincare routine or anything but I also don't think he's severely lacking in personal hygiene either, y'know? Any thoughts? 😅

I have a little backlog of Shanks asks in my inbox but THIS one I absolutely have the energy for.

I have no idea beyond like. A desire to apply this universe's pirate era hygiene to the OPverse's residents, and/or a need to kind of downplay a fictional man's standards by applying IRL men's aversion to soap to them, why or how people have come to the conclusion that Shanks stinks and never bathes and all his clothes are greasy and so on and so on ad nauseam. Weird work weird behavior, even from the folks who like want him real bad.

Like to a degree I can see where a group just starting off might end up a lil stinky if they're like. On a skiff like Luffy Zoro and Nami started out on in the baking sun or whatever but like?? Shanks went from Roger's crew on Roger's big nice ship where prime Rayleigh was and where they also had facilities, money, and a doctor on board, to his own crew and the shortest stint ever as Regular Pirates before becoming a Yonko himself and acquiring the Red Force which is also a big nice ship with facilities and a doctor on board.

Not only would hygiene be easy to keep up with, but any doctor worth their salt (which Crocus and Hongo both certainly are) wouldn't let them get the battery of preventable illnesses that come from not keeping themselves clean.

Additionally?? And I covered this briefly in another ask, but like?? Shanks has nice clothes! Are the prints on his pants silly? Sure. But everything he wears is nice good quality fabric, his hair is thick and soft, he keeps his facial hair, brows, and nails trimmed nicely? Aside from just like. Being a guy, I would love to know what part of his appearance suggests he doesn't take care of himself. Because I truly don't see it.

Also ALSO additionally it's canon that Shanks is very attractive and well-enjoyed by loads of folks but esp women, and I can't imagine if he was gross and filthy and stank that that would be the case. To each their own, ofc, but like. Statistically speaking.

tl:dr I think that while he probably isn't doing a 12 step K beauty routine or whatever, Shanks is clean and well kept and smells nice and takes care of his teeth and the like. Definitely not a man who would be shy about washing his ass, you know what I mean?

[stories-and-stars]

Traveling Mages

Traveling towards Crocus to Malba City the weather took a turn for the worse. The small town inn she could see off the road seemed to have a lively atmosphere despite the downpour and darkness outside. She hoped to get more ground covered that day but given as she couldn't see much past her feet, she turned towards the smaller stone path.

Most people inside she determined were other travelers doing the same. The warmth of the hearth floating through the tavern and the smell of ale hitting her nose. Walking towards the bar, a different earthy musk hit her senses, one of cedar and cypress. She ordered a smooth whiskey before turning to find an empty side table somewhere. One nestled off to the right was lit dimly by a small lacrama, the weight off her feet felt better than she expected setting her travel bag down. Simply watching the ramble of people dancing and laughing as the bard, who made some decent change off the already drunk crowd, was amusing enough for the evening. A large figure strolled past to a bench just beside the fire, the scent of cedar and cypress she discovered belonged to him. Nearly intoxicating with the whiskey intensifying the feeling washing over her, her eyes lingered on him while his attention was not on her for the moment. He sat with an ale in his hand, an impassive expression matching his sharp features. His blonde hair slightly damp and a large coat hanging from his shoulders, she guessed he was another traveler. She tore her eyes away from him, pulling out a journal. Checking a map for tomorrow's travel, a small picture slipped out and he noticed it fall from the corner of his eye. A vibrant young woman with h/c hair draped over her shoulders, arms wrapped around a smaller blue haired woman. Both beaming brightly with smiles large enough to make anyone smile, including him in that moment. A slender hand swiped it off the floor before he could make out more details. He followed the dark fabric of her sleeve to the same long h/c hair in the photo swaying lightly, The same vibrant light has long left her features. She tucks the hair behind her ear, a few gold pieces of jewelry adorning her ear as he tries to make out what they are. Her features are older than in the photo but graceful. She was younger then, he thinks to himself and turns his eyes back to the music before she sees him staring. The drunken group and the warmth of the fire slowly bringing his demeanor up from the darker feelings he constantly fights in his thoughts. Trying to focus on bettering himself after his banishment from Fairy Tail, knowing it can't be forced and he can't control it is something that frustrates him from time to time, but continues on his travels to grow himself nevertheless. She looks up from picking up the photo to see a small smile grace the man's now softened face, watching the merry bunch sing loudly in the middle. A small smile crosses her own lips as she sees her friend In the photo. Searching for her in her years of traveling and hoping to somehow come across each other again. The smile leaving as quickly as it came remembering the night they got separated, when the bandits attacked the small town they both called home. y/n knew her friend had escaped but didn't know where they had managed to go. y/n simply became a nomad from that point, she had wanted to mainly travel when she got older anyway but didn't think it would start the way it did. As the crowd died down, she leaves her seat to pay for a room from the inn keeper. The cedar scent catching her senses again before she disappears down the hall. He did the same shortly after he finished his last ale. The room small but comfortable, a lacrama illuminates a small table next to a bed. He almost doesn't fit on it with his height, Sleep does not find him easily and his dragon slayer ears pick up on the quiet scratching of pen on parchment in the room next to his. The calming scent of lavender drifts in from somewhere and lulls him to sleep finally.

The next day she completes her short trek to the nearby town large enough have a train station. She was able to secure a seat to Malba and hopped on the next train out. Seated by a window to enjoy the sun on her face, The landscape rolls by. Malba is supposed to be known for its outdoor market place and scenery, she was very intrigued to walk through. Hoping to pick up a silver trinket she could carry with her. He boarded the train with a small bag in hand, A specific herb Porlyusica asked him to bring to Malba for a friend of theirs. Someone both She and His grandfather knew from the start of the guild, specialized in plants from what he could remember. Walking down the middle isle, that same scent of lavender hit his nose. The h/c haired woman at the tavern. Curious of her intention, he laid back a row and planned on waiting to see if this was anything more than coincidence. Lost in her thoughts for a moment she didn't see the blonde mage that had sat a row behind. He quickly realized she was oblivious the her surroundings looking out the window. Cute, he thought before shaking it away.

She deboards as its nearly dusk but there's enough time to stroll through the stalls still out in the market. Laxus only tails her for a moment off the train until he can tell she's not paying attention to him. He delivers the bag and finds out that this man is named Warrod and started Fairy Tail with the others he'd learned about, Including his Great grandfather, Who Warrod commented Laxus looked very similar to. As he walked back to the town center and a found a local bar to get something to eat at, he passed by the same area the stalls had been. He didn't pick up her scent since he'd parted to go to Worrad's, he thought no more of it. After enjoying his food he straightened himself on his bench seat to feel a sharp point of metal and a sly voice behind him.

" Hey there, wouldn't move much further back if I were you" Slipped off her tongue in a flirty voice.

" Don't threaten me with a good time" He jested in return. How he hadn't picked up on her being there made him reel for a second. She'd concealed her presence to him and skillfully so. His rumbling, deep voice washed over her and she nearly lost concentration. Regaining her bearings she leaned closer to him.

" Why follow me to the market?" She said quietly, her hot breath hitting his ear and neck. She couldn't see the way his eyes fluttered shut for a moment.

" Thought you were following me, went on my way after I thought you hadn't noticed me" He turned his head to bring her into peripheral. She lowered the dagger concealed by cloak fabric, he made no move to sit forward. She slid herself around to be seated next to him.

" Names y/n, Apologies but I can't be too careful. Seems you had the same idea though" She extended a small hand from under the draped cloth.

" Laxus" His hand slid gently around hers, the touch felt conductive.

[boymanmaletheshequel]

Symbolism of Hermes

🪽🩴🪽🩴🪽🩴🪽🩴🪽🩴🪽🩴🪽🩴🪽🩴

The god of messangery, communication, travel, the patron of thieves and companion of Apollon, messenger of Zeus, Apollo is one of the youngest of the olympians, a tricky, cunning, but charming and friendly god who is friendly to man and god alike. Let’s go over some of his sacred symbolism:

🌈 colors:

• Blue and White: the colors of the sky, communication, and messengery, are blue and white, as a result, these colors are the ones most often associated with Hermes. The shade doesn’t matter too much, but light blue is generally preferred to darker blues.

🌸 plants and flowers:

• Crocus: now this one is kind of confusing because the god associated with it differs on the author, but it’s said that either Apollo or Hermes accidentally killed their companion crocus in a game of discus, and that when they mourned them, their tears sprouted crocuses from the ground around their body.

🦌 Animals:

• Tortoise/turtle: it is said that one of the very first shenanigans Hermes got up to after his birth and escape of his cradle, was to steal and fashion a lyre out of tortoiseshell! (RIP to the tortoise but ain’t that just the way). This was the first lyre, and the first of many inventions the god would be credited with!

• Hawk: (I’m trying VERY hard not to make an ironic hawk-tuah joke but I’m afraid he would abandon me if I did, rightfully so) hawks are one of the sacred animals associated with hermes, and it is said that when he would deliver messages from the gods, he would do so in the form of a hawk!

• Ram: another sacred animal to Hermes was the ram, as he was said to ride on the back of a ram to deliver messages to and from the gods on Olympus!

💎 crystals and gemstones:

• Blue Topaz: blue topaz is often seen as a stone that helps one to overcome social anxiety and to speak and converse agaisnt their anxieties, especially in public, or during important discourse. Making it a great stone to represent Hermes.

• Celestite: the stone of messengery, Hermes’s main forte, Celestite is also a stone of spiritual and practical communication, it is also widely available and more affordable than topaz for those who may want to devote or wear a crystal for Hermes!

• Blue lace agate: a beautiful blue member of the agate group, and a stone known for its wavy and transcendent veins, it is a stone of clerical communication, fortune, and good messages both spiritual and physical! One of my favorites to dedicate to Hermes.

🪐 Planets:

• The Romans were known to have identified Hermes with Mercury, a planet of fire and mahatma closest to the sun, which makes since as Apollo, the god of the sun, in Greek mythology was one of Hermes closest Allies. He was also associated with Charon, and helped reaped souls for the underworld, Mercury is a notoriously hellish planet. It also makes the most orbits around the sun than any other planet in a year, harking to Hermes association to travel.

🌟 Astrology:

• Gemini

Probably the most obvious correspondence here, Hermes is a very social, talkative, active god who thrives on his relationships to the gods and the people he acts as a vessel for, all qualities shared with Gemini.

🪽Other iconography:

• Lyre

The lyre was the very first invention of Hermes, and it was he who first introduced it to Apollo, having crafted it out of the guts of the livestock of apollos he’d slaughtered. Apollo was so stricken with joy and appreciation for his music and his invention, that he forgave Hermes for his trespasses, and would go on to teach him his own divine knowledge.

• Traveling hat

Hermes iconic traveling hat that he would wear as he heralded his messages to the gods and mortals alike is another common asset associated with his iconography.

• Sandals

His infamous winged sandals are perhaps the most unique and renowned symbols of Hermes, having granted him the ability to fly in order to deliver his heralds and messages to and from Olympus.

Like my posts? Please consider giving me a follow to learn more about the gods of Helen, and learn about other interesting topics as well! May your day be blessed 🏛️💙

🪽🩴🪽🩴🪽🩴🪽🩴🪽🩴🪽🩴🪽🩴🪽🩴

[outofangband]

Spiderwort in Beleriand

Continuing my flower world building from last year where I do flower related world building! More in the spring flower game tag! This was a request from last year I believe from @aronoiiel 🪻🪻

Let me know if there are more areas you want me to cover!

Spiderwort is a genus of eighty five wildflowers that can be found in a variety of subtropical and temperate habitats, most commonly thin deciduous woodland, meadows and prairies. Beleriand (and the eastern lands beyond the Ered Luin) likely contain dozens of species though not all of them are considered to be in the same category.

Tradescantia longipes is sometimes called wild crocus though it is not closely related to crocuses. It’s a deep purple flower growing low to the ground and in rock gardens. I imagine it can be found in Gondolin near walls and in parts of the mountains, perhaps becoming one of the symbols of the founding of the city

The zigzag spiderwort is a light blue purple flower with three petals. It grows in the region of Nargothrond and its name in the region likely would be related to the word helin which describes pansies and other flowers of a similar color.

The prairie spiderwort is a vibrant purple flower that can be found in southern Beleriand around the Andram. It’s a favorite of the Avarin groups that live there and is referenced in poetry and song

Several species of spiderwort have flowers that bloom for only a day. I imagine these are considered to be of special significance in Sindarin and Noldorin cultures in Beleriand, especially in Doriath and Barad Eithel, perhaps being used to represent impermanence or ephemera. There is also likely a word for flowers of this kind, just as there is a canon word for flower that opened and shut quickly with any change of light. My suggestion for this is erlosta, a Quenya neologism I created meaning once blooming though this is imperfect

[fallensnowfan]

A few days have passed since reading chapter 1140, time for the usual in depth thoughts on some of the specifics.

Gaban wanting to keep Luffy in the dark about his connection to Roger was an interesting choice I feel. I like it though. If Luffy wasn't letting himself get so upset by Gaban joking around, he may be able to figure out who he is. Zoro seems to be connecting some dots, though he remains silent.

Luffy and Zoro have heard that Collun's dad is a former pirate, both know he has a connection to Shanks, and that he's traveled around Wano. There are only so many people who can check all of those boxes.

Luffy may be slow to put things together, though I feel he is capable of it. Just not when he's angry like he is with Gaban joking around.

However, Luffy has developed a good sense of when not to pry into people's business, which he doesn't say out loud, but he does restrain himself.

Compared to Zoro during early Wano, where by saying what he is thinking, is risking losing the trust of a new ally who wanted to keep her connection to Oden a secret, lest any of Kaido's crew catch word of it.

If Gaban had a reason to not trust Luffy's crew, he wouldn't have given him the key, same as how Crocus wouldn't have given the Log Pose to Nami if he didn't trust the group. Zoro not speaking up after remembering that Collun said his dad was a pirate was a smart move.

[shychick-52]

In the s2 episode 'Enchanted Science Fair', Cedric tells Sofia and her classmates the only place to find the rare Hocus Crocus after they accidentally waste the only jar Cedric gave them. After they leave for the place it grows, Cedric grins and says "And watch out for the ogre!"

I've seen people say he deliberately sent them to get hurt by the ogre, and... uh, no?? Cedric isn't a monster- he wouldn't deliberately send children to their death, especially not Sofia and the twins (hell, it's not like it would have even furthered his goal to take over the kingdom in general, but I want to believe he still wouldn't have gone that far even if it would have)!! Cedric knew about the place where the flower grows, and he's knowledgeable about magic/enchanted stuff and locations in general, so he obviously knew the ogre on the mountain was harmless but annoying; he knew the ogre just tested all those seeking the flower with riddles!

Cedric obviously was getting back at the kids for wasting all his potion ingredients, especially one of the rarest ones he had... and he was therefore gleeful at them all racing/struggling/fighting over the only Hocus Crocus left, that each group needed for their project, not caring who got it or if none of them got it. And he was gleeful at the thought of the ogre making things more difficult for them with riddles.

But Cedric wasn't trying to harm them!

[octorockff]

Rush Hour

Lucy hated rush hour with a passion. Who in their right mind would like to squeeze in jam-packed transporting tube, filled with body odors and humid air? No sir, not her.

But the young editor didn’t have a choice as her boss Jason, the chief editor of the Crocus Weekly, had urgently requested her to gather the material to prepare for their sudden, exclusive interview with the hot shot - Salamander last minute.

Being a people pleaser and this was her boss, whom had helped her greatly when she was just starting out her career and normally was very reasonable with working hour, of all people, she readily agreed.

But she hasn’t anticipated the amount of work she had to pour in to prepare the material. Admittedly, sport was never her forte and this Salamander guy, who supposed to be a rising star in the baseball world, surprisingly having little to no information at all about him.

From grapevine, she learned that the guy avoided the paparazzi and presses like plague. The only information about him she got from the internet was general information that his club had released publicly, or snippets from group interviews.

Why he decided to change his mind and do an exclusive interview now of all time was beyond her. But she knew this was too good of an opportunity to pass up, and the information they collected from the Salamander himself would definitely put their magazine in the leading place.

With little information to work with, it certainly made her job all a lot harder. But Lucy has always been known as an overachiever, and she had never backed down from a challenge before. If anything, she was more than determined to scrape together whatever information nuggets she could find.

And finished it she did. With a list of strategic questions and leading topics that would surely encourage interesting answers, Lucy mentally patted herself on the back for making Jason proud.

However, that also meant her little investigation and info digging session dragged on longer than necessary. Meaning she was stuck in the worst possible train ride ever during rush hour.

Being squeezed between sweaty and depressed office workers was just what she needed on a Friday evening (not!).

And to make the matter worse, the hanging handle was just a bit out of her reach even if she tiptoed, snuffing out her last hope to stay balance on the occasional jerking train ride. Curse fate for her inconvenient height and the fact that all seats were taken!

A phantom feeling of her butt being groped filled Lucy’s veins with ice at the audacity of the pervert who dared to grope her blatantly in public.

Indignant swelled her heart and fueled her temper as the blonde turned around, ready to give the dirty fleabag a piece of her mind, when the sudden jerk of the train threw her off balance and sent her careening towards the door.

Cursing her rotten luck, Lucy squeezed her eyes shut and braced for the painful impact. But her falling momentum was reverse when the she felt something encircled her waist, pulling her body flushed against a wall of solid and warm muscles.

The smell of sandalwood and patchouli, with a hint of smoky campfire, filled her nostrils and Lucy couldn’t help but take a big sniff of the wonderful scent. She was a sucker for drool-worthy scent damnit!

Finally gaining her balance back, Lucy’s body went stiff as she realized the thing that wrapped around her waist in a vice-like grip was a toned, tanned arms - definitely belonged to a man, was still there. And it seemed like he had no intention to let go just yet.

Despite this man had saved her from a rather painful bump, the blonde was still skeptical of this total stranger and his intention with her. For all she knew, he could be the pervert that groped her earlier.

“Miss, miss! Are you alright?”

Turning around in the slightly slacken hold, Lucy was met with a rather stunning face, despite half of his upper features were shadowed by the band of his baseball cap.

Straight, high-bridged nose, cut jawline with sharp cheekbones, and a pair of brightly-lit, slanted viridescent staring down at her as his thin lips forming words she couldn’t hear. This guy easily ranked high in her top 10 of most attractive men list, and Lucy had had interviewed numerous hot celebrities to know what a good looking man was.

“Hey, are you listening? Did you somehow hit your head during your fall?” A large, calloused hand waved in front of her face, snapping the blonde out of her stupor. Heat rushing up her face and she was sure her complexion now rivaled that of a tomato. Damn, it must have been quite sometimes since she actually being in a close-range with such a handsome, good-smelling man that she was lost in a trance. Control yourself Lucy!

“No, I’m fine. I’m just a bit disoriented from the fall that I didn’t hear what you’re saying. Thank you for saving me.” Lucy signed as she put her hands against his chest to put a bit of distance between them, not that she could moved further out even if she wished, seeing how jam-packed the people around them still were. It’s a good thing those people didn’t care enough to pay attention to her and the mysterious guy.

“Aye, that’s great to hear! I’m glad you’re okay. Wouldn’t want you to smash your head against the door, it quite painful from my experience.” A toothy grin stretched across his face, showing off his sharp incisors and lit up his demeanor despite the shadow of his cap.

She couldn’t help giggle a little at his carefree remark, and she swore his smile stretched a tad bit wider and eyes a lil more sparkling at her laughing. But that was far-fetched thinking, so she quickly brushed it off as the lighting.

“So..what make you almost kiss the door like that?” He tilted his head and Lucy thought he looked like a curious puppy, a really cute one at that. But the reminder left the blonde in a sour mood as she thought back of the blatant disrespect she had faced.

Her expression must have been off putting, when the tall guy waved a hand in front of her face: “Whoa, you don’t have to tell me if it’s make you uncomfortable. I’m just worried - ah no, curious, yes, that’s all..”

Warmth filled her heart at his concern, not only he’s cute, but also kind as well, score Lucy! Patting his arm, which she now noticed was still wound around her waist loosely and something in her screamed how right it felt, she effectively stopped his sputtering and smile kindly at his reddening face.

“No, it’s okay. I’m just mad at the douche who dared to grope me earlier. I was about to give him a piece of my mind when the train jerked and threw me off balance.” A light frown marred his handsome face as he pursed his lips at her explanation.

“Well that’s not cool at all. No one should go through something like that. If you recognize the guy, let me know and I’ll be happy to pound him for ya.”

“Well, isn’t that nice of you Mr. Shining knight in armor. But unfortunately, I didn’t see their face so I guess they’re lucky to escape your justice wraith.”

“I’m no knight. I prefer to be known as a Dragon instead and you betcha I’m gonna beat the bad guys with my awesome dragon powers!”

Lucy laughed, and soon both of them guffawed at his silly declaration, making a few heads turned and stared at them incredulously due to their loud volume. But the blonde couldn’t find it in herself to care, too busy thinking how it was so easy to talk and joke around with a guy she just met.

Finally calmed down enough, she realized she didn’t even know the name of her savior, and that they were still standing so close that she could feel the warmth of the man’s body seeped through her clothes.

Blushing at their close proximity, and the fact that how unnaturally comfortable she was interacting and touching with a total stranger, Lucy spoke up:

“Say..I believe I didn’t catch your name. Mind telling me so I could thanks you properly?” Her fingers skirted up the length of his arms, barely rested on the man’s shoulder blade as she fluttered her eyelashes at him.

Lucy could hear his breath hitched and his pupils dilated, the hand on her waist unconsciously tighten its grip as his pretty eyes bored their gaze into hers.

Normally, she wouldn’t be so bold to flirt with a total stranger right off the bat, only when under the influence of alcohol or within the setting of social gathering. But she was heavily attracted to the man in front of her, be it his look or his charming personality, and she didn’t know if she’d ever see him again.

And Lucy was confident he’s interested in her too. She knew she was blessed with good genes and curves in all the right places, and was witty enough to hold any types of conversation. And not to mention, she was certain her savior had definitely tried to prolonged the contact and conversation between the two of them as he had yet to let go, or excuse himself after helping her.

That was all the good signs, so why not let him know she was interested as well?

“Why, how forgetful I was. But it couldn’t be help when you was the only thing I could focus on, any minor details seemed to slip my mind.” His voice dropped to a low timbre, the baritone tickled her brain in the most delicious way, and his large warm hand on her back pushed her closer until their front pressed flushed together.

“The name Natsu, and yours?” His name practically rolled off his tongue in a near purr. Natsu leaned down closer until the tips of their noses nearly touched, and Lucy could see tiny specks of gold ladened within his pools of vivid green.

For a fleeting second, his name reminded the blonde of Salamander, both of them bore the same name after all. But there’s no way the famed baseball player would end up on the same train, and openly flirted with her..right?

From what she knew, if there’s anything that could instantly rat out the sport star, it would be his shocking pink hair and motion sickness.

But the guy in front of her looked fine, though his cap had hidden any visible hair strands, and the varsity jacket he wore made it hard to tell whether he had any motion patches on or not.

Anyways, she quickly dismissed her silly thoughts and focused back on the sole objectives of getting this cute guy’s contact.

“It’s Lucy. And your name would definitely look amazing on my contact list.” She matched his tone, and her full lips curved up in a sensual smile that would surely swayed any man to see her ways.

“Pretty name for a pretty girl. I like your confidence, it looks hella sexy on you. Was ‘bouta ask for your number anyways, cuz I’d love to see you again beautiful girls”

Inwardly, Lucy nearly swooned from his praises and her ego had sky-rocketed to the roof for snatching such a hunk. But she maintained a cool facade and dig through her purse to get the phone.

After exchanging their contacts, the blonde was about to chat with Natsu some more when the intercom announced the arrival of her destination.

Sullen from the abrupt end of their conversation, Lucy reluctantly pushed herself away from the male, when he caught her hand and raised her palm to his lips, putting a light peck to the skin.

“Text me when you’re home, I wanna know if you’ve arrived safely” Natsu mumbled, his slightly chapped lips moving against her palm, effectively turning Lucy into a tomato with how flushed her face became.

Pulling her hands away, she gave him a timid nod and a bashful smile, no longer the brazen girl as she escaped from their own bubbles previously, as she rushed off the train before the door closed off.

Watching the train rode off, her stomach was filled with butterfly and a mixture of elated and nervous feeling swelled up her heart, and Lucy couldn’t help but cupped her mouth and squealed a little like a crushing schoolgirl at the whole event.

Who knew getting stuck within a rush-hour train ride, would lead her to such amazing encounter - as if it was fated. Lucy really hoped that they would get to meet each other again.

Little did she know, her wish would be granted in such a spectacular way, and led to something more than what she could ever hope for.

[everloke]

Small redesign of these two sillies!

I’m calling their group the balladeers for rn

Hers some info!

Salem Kingsley~

Salem has mouth scars

Salem has poliosis!

Salem has two braids in the back of their hair!

Salem wears tap shoes!

Salem has a lot of poppy imagery!

Salem is based on sirens and hulders!

Griffin clement~

They have heterochromia! + an eye scar

They wear a cape!

They wear a tattered dress!

They have crocus imagery!

They are based on Perseus from Greek myth!

[beaulesbian]

one piece ch. 1114 spoilers

how fitting that upon hearing vegapunk's prediction about the sea levels rising, we see the people of Mock Town literally mocking his thoughts

especially given that Mock Town / Jaya is connected to Skypiea - high up in the sky, which they never believed in either

augh i loved this chapter! all those details with people around the world witnessing this broadcast and the way Oda chooses these location to show reaction is very interesting:

last chapter it was very medic focused (crocus, kaya & syrup town, the island where chopper trained medicine during the time skip).

and in this chapter it's more about the water itself - Mock Town where Noland's ancestor believed Skypiea went underwater. Impel down being the underwater prison, then a place currently flooded from the last rising of the sea water level, and of course Fishman island.

and then the part about the mother flame - and the flame literally captured inside the sea? or water? (i wonder what or who it is from...)

and how this composition is so very similar to the symbol of the sun with circles around it - this motif that we have been seeing sometimes on clothes, architecture or other places since alabasta.

and joy boy!! the first pirate !! i have so many questions now!!!

last thing that i liked to read - finally a mention to which group were zoro & jimbei running towards! (maybe we will get to see them again soon ;-;)

[boricuabrujita]

Female Blood Rites in Ancient Times

A sneak peek of a brief segment I’ll be going over in one of my upcoming classes for November. I’m currently doing research for my upcoming class “Mythos Astrology: The Underworld Descent with The Goddess Persephone”. For more info visit my Instagram @priestessofmoonlight.

The Blood Mysteries of Womanhood have unfortunately lost their importance in appreciation, celebration and even proper education. In my own experience with menarche; it was overlooked, painful, scary, and lacked meaning. It was as simple as “here is a pad. It’s normal. An unfortunate circumstance with womanhood”. Which couldn’t be further from the truth! With this lack of a rite of passage, many women go on to depreciate their bodies, fear the inevitable changes and receive ridicule along with disgust from their ignorant male counterparts (and fellow females). Ancient Minoans would perhaps look in horror at how we’ve neglected our gratitude to the natural cycles and world.

As pictured in photos 2 and 3 are sketches of frescoes found in Santorini, Greece at the archaeological site Akrotiri, Thera. In photo 2, you’ll see three girls all in different age groups. The far right being the youngest with a shaved head with scalp locks, no breasts and veil which covers her completely. Looking in shock at the shrine with horns which bloods draws down from; a formidable reminder of blood and womanhood via menstruation and birthing.

While the woman in the middle has fully grown hair, sits down and is experiencing pain and blood directly from her foot. You can see her breasts and her hair is adorned with olive branch and an Iris pin. Since she’s sitting on a rock as well surrounded by crocus, she is the only one who is part of the landscape in a sense. Apparently, Minoan art also uses inverted landscapes to suggest depth. The bleeding of her foot while she is foraging for crocus/saffron might allude to the female rite of passage; that is the pain/blood of entering womanhood. For the festival of the goddess girls coming of age were tasked with journeying the hills to gather saffron as an offering. Oftentimes, leaving the city or venturing outside of the mundane and the seclusion alludes to a rite of passage taking place. Doing the trek barefoot is bound to make for bloody feet. Again, a pain-causing venture to teach the young women endurance for pain and awareness of one’s blood.

The third girl to the left is the oldest and is fully initiated. Her breasts are full, she doesn’t have the forelock of youth, long hair, and is carrying a necklace. Most likely, an offering to be deposited inside of the innermost sanctuary of this temple.

In photo 3, pictured is a crocus/saffron gatherer aka priestess giving her plant offerings to a throned goddess. A monkey to the left and griffin to the right are the Goddess’s attendants.

Source: “Minoan Religion: Ritual, Image and Symbol”, Nanno Marinatos (1993).

[elkieselkiewrites]

OC Kiss Week 25

Day 6: Forbidden

Ship: Hawley/Meregrund

WIP: Tupper's Tale

Warnings: Minor character death, discussion of funeral arrangements, cremation

~*~

Brother Hawley had arrived at Ryneminster already a young man. He was not new to the Church of the Night Father, of course, he had been cloistered at a smaller enclave east of Rathburch since he was a boy, but Ryneminster's old sactrist had passed away and the Abbot Kentigern had written to the Abbot Indract and requested they send their most meticulous brother. Indract had sent Hawley.

So it was that, green as he was, Hawley was installed in Ryneminster as the under-sacrist beneath the Abbot Kentigern himself. He knew the job inside and out, the bells were rung on time, the candles were always resfreshed, and there wasn't a flask of oil misplaced. Hawley was, for all intents and purposes, a perfect sacrist. At least, from the outside.

The day Hawley had met Brother Meregrund was not memorable in the slightest. He had been part of a group introduction in the scriptorium, alongside Brothers Jermin, Tancred, Ruffin, and Guthlac, and had not stood out in particular. He was a larger man the others, not in height but certainly in frame, and his skin was a shade darker, but there was little else to distinguish him. It wasn't until several months after Hawley first arrived at Ryneminster that he came to remember Meregrund's name out of anything other than professionalism.

Brother Guthlac had been of an age where his skin seemed little different to the parchment he had spent so many years painting, brittle and translucent. His limbs were spindly, thin in places and knobbly about the joints, and though his illuminations were by far the best in the scriptorium, it took three times as many candles to cast enough light on the parchment for him to see clearly enough to work. All of that is to say that very few were surprised by his death, he simply slipped into the Night Father's arms quietly and was not noticed until the bells were rung for dawn prayers and for the first time in nearly eighty years, Brother Guthlac did not attend.

It was Hawley's job to see him sent into the night with correct ceremony, and it was in the sacristy, preparing for that ceremony, that Brother Meregrund found him.

"I do not mean to disturb, Brother Hawley, only I had a request to make of you. I shall not be offended if your answer is no, but I would regret not taking the chance to ask."

Hawley regarded him for a moment, his usually bright demeanour was dimmed with grief, the kind not simply for a brother, but for a friend. He bid him continue.

"I work in the gardens as well as the scriptorium, and Brother Guthlac taught me all I know about the plants there. He showed me how to mix madder root, and properly prepare turnsole and crocus. Without his instruction there would likely be not a drop of ink in all of Ryneminster." He sighed and reached into his habit, producing a small pouch. "He was a gentle soul, and never more at peace than when in his garden. I know it is not usual to change the incense, but I think he would appreciate being sent off with something more familiar."

He handed the pouch to Hawley almost sheepishly. Upon opening it, Hawley was met with the distinct bouquet of dried lavender. Sure enough, in the small bag was a selection of round, grey blossoms.

"It is not usual, you are correct. Lavender has a strong presence, the Abbot will notice it amongst the balsam and torchwood."

Meregrund's expression did not change, but Hawley could see a light dim in his eyes. His answering smile was sad.

"I understand."

The disappointment in his voice stung more than Hawley had expected, and watching him walk away, lavender pouch cradled gently between his hands, he couldn't help but feel that he had made the wrong choice.

On the day of Guthlac's funeral, the pyre seemed too large for the frail body lain atop it, but smaller still was the congregation there to bid him farewell. It appeared that Guthlac had kept to himself so much in his later years that many of the younger monks did not deem him relevant enough to attend his funeral. Hawley was surprised to find that despite his earnest pleas the day prior, Brother Meregrund was not in attendance either. This would have been a blow to Guthlac, and Hawley felt sorry for it.

Nonetheless, he swung the thurible, in swirling patterns about the pyre as he spoke the last rites in a clear but sombre voice. He set the candle to the south west corner, then to the south east, then to the north east, but before he could light the last finial wick, he heard a voice from behind him.

Hurrying towards the pyre as best he could was Brother Meregrund, his arms laden with what appeared to be over half a garden's worth of fresh lavender stems, so many they were all but spilling from his embrace. He stepped up to the pyre, caring little for the flames slowly engulfing it, and released the flowers in a blanket atop his friend and mentor. The sight and smell of the lavender swathed the scribe's small body like a shroud, in shades of green and grey and purple.

It was beautiful.

Meregrund watched Hawley carefully for any sign of rebuke. Their eyes did not leave one another's, even as Hawley lit the final corner and stepped back as the flames rushed over Guthlac and his flowers alike.

All the while the flames flickered in Meregrund's gaze, and Hawley felt a heat within his own chest that had nothing to do with the fire. Finally, Meregrund nodded minutely, a thank you, before closing his eyes and breathing in deeply, the smell of the lavender overwhelming the usual funerary incense. Somehow it felt right.

That moment, watching the Meregrund in the glow of the flames, in mourning but at peace with his actions, rooted a profound respect in Hawley that simply could not be shaken. He felt shame at his own inability to make such a meagre exception to routine, one that may not have made any true difference to the sending of Brother Guthlac's soul, but certainly made a difference to Meregrund's.

Hawley made a point of visiting Meregrund in his garden after that. As he walked along the gravel paths between the loamy herb beds he saw the shorn lavender bushes and his shame swelled within him.

"Brother Meregrund." He said softly as he approached, voice less certain than it perhaps had ever been.

Meregrund looked up from his spot, knelt by a patch of tansey. Whatever Hawley had expected to find in his gaze, it was not there. Instead there was unexpected warmth.

"Brother Hawley, it is not often you grace our poor garden with your presence. How may we be of service?"

Hawley felt a blush rush to his cheeks. "It is not the garden I came for, I wished to speak to you. About Brother Guthlac."

Meregrund hummed thoughtfully and stood, brushing the soil from his hands on his habit. "Perhaps we should take a walk, then?"

Nodding, Hawley followed Meregrund further along the path. "I wished to apologise, for denying you the easier path. I feel that any rebuke the Abbot may have given you should more deservedly be given to me."

"Whyever do you think that?" Meregrund replied.

"It was cruel of me to deny such a request when it was asked so humbly. It would have been such a minor change to routine, and one that would have been easy for me to explain. Instead I forced you into a position where more drastic action had to be taken. I regret this."

Sighing, Meregrund led him around to where the lavender bushes had been blooming. "No action that was taken was required of me, Hawley. Guthlac was like family to me, and his death affected me profoundly, but I let that grief get the better of me. You were well within your rights to deny my request, and I did not begrudge you it. In my grief I cut down the lavender bushes that Guthlac had loved so much, thinking that they would ease his passing into the arms of our Father Night. Instead, with greater clarity now than I had before, I realise that he would have preferred the bushes to continue to grow and flourish, not burn with him. That is a shame I must carry with me."

"If I had not denied you your pouch of dried flowers, you never would have thought of doing such a thing." Hawley said, his voice rough.

"Perhaps. But look here, see how even though the flowers were cut, the bush has already started growing anew."

Sure enough, Hawley knelt down to see green shoots beginning to sprout at the junctions where they had been cut.

"Life is forgiving of our mistakes, should we not also be forgiving to one another, and to ourselves?"

Hawley looked into Meregrund's dark eyes then and felt such fondness blossom in his chest it took all his willpower then not to kiss the man. To take his face between his hands and press their lips together. To pour this new affection into it just so that he might share in this revelation.

He had never found anyone as beautiful as he found Meregrund in that moment, all of his passion and impulsivity tempered by gentle care and understanding. He could not sully this man with such thoughts, yet he ached for it.

"Perhaps I may be more inclined to forgive myself if I were allowed to make amends somehow." Hawley said at last.

"There are no amends to make, but if you wish to help this garden in Guthlac's memory, we would be very grateful."

Hawley agreed readily, and with the acceptance of that task came the acceptance that this seed lodged in his heart was sure to germinate under the warmth of Meregrund's friendship. The fragrant blossom of love that he would hold silently in his chest until the end of his days.

[saytrrose]

Rose’s Mafia AU

Rose (Rose) - The Boss. They run the entire gang and everyone answers to them. Has a final say in all decisions.

@a-fucking-nerd (Sunflower) - The Advisor/Right Hand Man. Their purpose is to act as a step in for the boss when needed, and grant any advice when wished for.

@gummy-axolotl Gummy (Cosmo) - The Thief. Their purpose is to steal items and sell them for illegal auctions.

@oogaboogaspookyman (Orchid) - The Dirty Cop. The man on the inside helping sabotage evidence and keep everyone out of jail.

@laurenashleysparks (Daisy) - The Doctor. Their purpose is quite simple. They patch up the gunshot wounds from fights and tend to the wellbeing of the group.

@sweetlittletangerine (Dahlia) - The Double Agent/Spy. They serve to help gather information on other gangs and targets.

@starryyskies (Aster) - The Sniper/Assassin. They act as the gang’s assassin taking out people of interest from afar.

@bunny-j3st3r (Hyacinth) - The Bodyguard. They stick close to the Boss at all times and protect them.

@frost-can-bite (Crocus) - The Weapons Expert. Their job ranges anything from making weapons to bomb diffusing. Anything that has to do with something going boom, this is your guy.

@sm-babie (Lotus) - The Business Man/Lawyer. They keep the clubs and real estate the mob owns in order and also works to keep the gang out of jail.

@butchwaifu (Oleander) - The Money launder. Their job is to make sure all money from the gang seems 100% legal.

@superchillingman (Borage) - The Scientist. They are important for finding people using technology such as fingerprints and DNA.

@helljuice (Gladiolus) - The Messenger/Ambassador. They are the one who delivers messages around the city to other mobs, representing the gang.

@torchiiko (Magnolia) - The House Keeper. They keep the base clean and tidy, also working as the personal chef. In offering their services for the mob, they receive secure protection.

@cconcerned (Zinnia) - Bartender/Bouncer. They work up in the actual nightclub, and are in charge of the entrance to the underground base. They are in charge of the codes used to identify who is allowed and not allowed downstairs.