#High Performance Enclosures

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[foldingfittedsheets]

The location of the sex shop I worked was a haven for spiders. We had tall ceilings and skylights and unused storage rooms. It was a spider paradise. We quickly sussed out which coworkers to call on in case of emergency. The Dorito lady was a solid ally for spiders but absolutely petrified of moths.

But there’s actually a hierarchy of fear. Most people don’t realize. The person least afraid is the one forced to deal with the bug in question. If coworker B was scared, but coworker A was petrified, well coworker B was gonna have to screw their courage to the sticking place because by the law of fear they were the most competent person on scene.

Thus enters Rick. Rick first appeared in the back storage room. This room doubled as a second bathroom so we went in on a semi frequent basis. The girl who’d gone in to pee shot out again gibbering with fear about the biggest spider she’d ever seen had just run across her boot.

We sicced Dorito lady on it. She returned, shaking her head. “He was squatting on a power cord where it plugs in. I couldn’t get a clean shot at Rick.”

“Rick?”

She shrugged. “Spiders that big need a name. Seemed like a Rick.”

Rick, freshly named, became a store menace. I’d normally say this was probably a case of multiple spiders being mistaken for one but everyone who encountered him swore up and down there could be no mistake. This spider was massive, fast, and distinct. A gladiator among arachnids.

I never encountered Rick. His exploits grew in the telling but the theme was consistent: no one could kill him. He’d hunker in places that no one could reach and dart away when a strike missed. He also chased off the more faint hearted, charging them in bold dashes. There could be no benign cup transplant to remove Rick from the premise. He was not leaving.

The saga of Rick continued for two months. Not seeing him was almost worse, a fearful wariness when going to the bathroom or stepping into quieter areas. I waited with dread, hoping my eventual run in would have me on shift with Dorito lady to protect me.

It was not to be. There was a girl the same who hated my one moment of singing that was absolute piss-herself scared of spiders. She’d slam straight into a panic attack and couldn’t think or speak. And so it was that one night on shift, I heard her scream.

It was unmistakable. I was in the front window turning off the open sign. Through an obstacle course of mannequins and lingerie I performed an acrobatic sprint out of the window, darting up to find her quivering at the front counter, fully crying. I radiated calm at her and said, “Just point.”

I knew it was Rick. Our destinies were intertwined and we had always been pulled toward the inexorable battle that was drawing nigh.

Her hand raised to point to our sandwich board sign at the front of the store. So Rick had the metaphorical high ground. There was no quick easy strike on the slanted signs surface.

I armed myself and marched into battle, my knuckles white on my chosen weapon. I would do this, because I must. Because there was no one else. And because I wanted to close and go home.

I saw Rick immediately and I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen a bigger spider since. Outside of a tarantula, he was truly the most massive spider I’ve ever beheld outside a zoo enclosure or terrarium.

We regarded each other. Rick launched off the sign toward me and I stomped my foot reflexively, making him pause in his charge. Then I raised my weapon. Anything else, I believe Rick could have evaded. He’d bested most of the store thus far. But I had chosen chemical warfare.

I doused the shit out of that spider with cleaning spray, stunning him with a barrage of chemicals. While he froze, choking on the unexpected deluge, I dropped a paper towel over him. My foot came down.

I felt his exoskeleton crunch and I can feel it still to this day. The shattering was as of bones and I truly mourned that we had been forced into senseless war. If only he has cleaved tighter to the shadows. If only he’d crawled willing into a cup for relocation. I released a full body shudder of horror, fear, and adrenaline as I stepped back.

I took several quivering breaths. I donned a veneer of calm and tidied the battlefield of it’s corpse then went to reassure my coworker that all was well, while internally I still shook.

You fought well, Rick. I hope you sired many more monstrous children to haunt retail workers in the years to come. Rest in valor, you monster.

[onlybeeewrites]

Angel Eyes

Request: Hello I would like to request a Coriolanus Snow x fem! Reader! I see that you also do starwars and it had me thinking. How would Coriolanus do if either your his tribute or a mentor or his wife? and a little kid came up to the reader and asked her if she was an Angel?

Pairing: Coriolanus Snow x Fem!Reader

Word count: 1.5k

Warnings: classism, mentions of malnutrition/malnourishment, Coryo’s manipulation, slight diversion from canon for fic sake

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

The Capitol Zoo was unusually quiet that morning, as if the city itself was holding its breath in anticipation of the Games. The sky above was pale and washed-out, making the enclosures seem more like cages.

You walked slowly beside Coriolanus, your fingers brushing together before he finally gave in and laced his with yours. It was one of the few soft things about him—this quiet affection when no one was watching.

Well, when he thought no one was watching, at least.

His eyes were locked on the girl in the District 12 enclosure, her bright dress muted by the grim bars and stale air. Lucy Gray stood with her chin tilted high, a performer through and through, even in captivity.

You both watched her for a few moments—Coryo calculating, curious, captivated. You, quieter, unsure how to feel about the girl who smiled like she knew secrets.

“She’s different,” you murmured, your eyes trialing her up and down.

“She’s dangerous,” he replied. But there was something like admiration in his voice. Though you weren’t threatened by it.

After all, she was the one behind the bars; you weren’t.

You nodded once, then gently tugged his hand. “Come on. I want to see mine.”

Your tribute was a girl of only twelve, a slip of a thing with tangled hair and limbs too thin for her frame. She was tucked in a corner of the enclosure, knees pulled to her chest like she was trying to disappear.

You reached into the elegant satchel slung over your shoulder, the one your mother insisted matched your family’s station.

“A Tolston never leaves the house looking anything less than exceptional.” Was what your mother had always said to you.

The Tolstons were old money. Old, influential, and perpetually seated at the Capitol’s highest tables, with your father’s name on every infrastructure committee and your mother curating the Capitol’s most exclusive fashion exhibits.

You weren’t supposed to cry about the Games. You weren’t supposed to feel things for tributes. But it was different now that you were in charge of taking care of one, to try and help your tribute to win.

So here you were, with wrapped honeyed bread, pear slices and soft cheese tucked between embroidered linen napkins. A large fancy ‘T’ stitched into it.

“Hi,” you said gently. “This is for you.”

She blinked up at you, wide-eyed, hesitant. Then slowly, carefully, she stood and crept over, taking the bundle like it might vanish if she moved too quickly. Her fingers brushed yours, feather-light, and you smiled.

She stared at the food, then at you. And then she said, in a small, wonder-filled voice

The little girl stood on the other side of the bars, hay in her hair while she stood in the dirt. The food you had passed was clutched tight in her small hands like she was afraid someone would take it back.

“Are you an angel?” she asked, voice breathy, eyes too big for her thin face.

You blinked, caught off guard. “What?”

She nodded seriously, stepping a little closer. “An angel. My mama used to talk about them all the time. She said they were the most beautiful creatures in the world. That they come when you’re really scared. When you’re about to give up.”

Your heart twisted. “Oh, sweetheart…” you crouched lower so you were more at her level. “No. I’m not an angel. I’m just…” You hesitated, glancing at the food in her hands. “I’m someone who thinks you shouldn’t be hungry. Just someone who is looking after you,”

She frowned thoughtfully, tilting her head like a curious bird. “You look like one. Your voice is soft. Like my mama’s was.”

Behind you, the soft buzz of a camera lens adjusted, zooming in. You could feel the eyes of the Capitol watching—Lucky Flickerman’s commentary somewhere off to the side, smooth as ever.

“Your name is Lina, right?” you asked gently.

“Lina,” she said with a nod, “Lina Grove,”

“Lina Grove,” you repeated, giving her a small smile. “That’s a beautiful name. Mine’s—”

“I know,” she interrupted, suddenly shy. “They said your name on the screen when we got here. You’re the pretty girl that walks with the white-haired boy.”

You choked on a surprised laugh. “The white-haired boy?”

Coriolanus, who’d remained behind you but close, let out a breath that sounded suspiciously like a scoff. His fingers tightened around yours—possessive, protective. “Charming,” he muttered under his breath.

Lina giggled.

“You’re funny,” she said to you. “And you smell nice. Not like the rest of this place.”

You leaned in conspiratorially. “That’s because I carry soap in my bag. Want me to sneak you some tomorrow?”

Her eyes lit up like you’d promised her a crown or the most sparkly jewels on earth.

“Really?” she whispered. “Even just to smell it?”

“Promise.”

She hugged the food to her chest like it was a lifeline. “Do angels make promises?”

You hesitated, just for a second. “Only the good ones, I suppose,”

Lucky’s voice rang out from somewhere behind the camera. “And there you have it, folks—our mentors are shining this year! Capitol hearts everywhere are absolutely melting.”

You stood slowly, wiping your hands on your skirt. Lina backed up a step but kept her eyes on you, like she wasn’t ready to let you go just yet.

“Will you come back tomorrow?” she asked hopefully.

You gave her a nod. “Every day until the Games.”

She bit her lip. “Even after?”

Something in your chest fractured. And unfamiliar ache.

“I’ll try,” you whispered. “I’ll do everything I can, I promise,”

Coriolanus stepped closer, slipping his arm around your waist, his voice low beside your ear. “You’re going to make it very hard for them to forget her.”

You didn’t answer. Just watched as Lina sat back down with her food next to her district partner; an older boy maybe around 16. And, for the first time, looked like a child again.

And for a split moment you felt guilt. 

    · · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

The gravel path shimmered faintly beneath your shoes as you and Coriolanus walked away from the enclosure. The buzz of cameras had finally died down, Lucky Flickerman’s voice trailing off into some other scripted sentiment. 

The air felt heavier now, quieter. As if your lungs were remembering how to breathe again the further you got away from it all.

You glanced back once—just once—toward where Lina now slept in one part of the zoo’s enclosure.

“She’s so little,” you said, more to yourself than him. “Twelve. She still has baby teeth, Coryo.”

His hand tightened on yours. Just a bit. Just enough. Though you didn’t see it, there was a small shift in the boy you loved so much.

“She’s a tribute,” he said, like it was supposed to explain everything. So simple. How could it be that simple?

“I know,” you murmured. “It’s just—” You hesitated, chewing the inside of your cheek. “She called me an angel.”

“She’s scared. They all are.” His voice was soft but sure, like velvet hiding steel. “And you gave her exactly what she needed in that moment. Comfort. That’s not a bad thing, my love,”

You nodded slowly, but something still stirred beneath your ribs. Not outrage—nothing so dramatic. Just a quiet ache. A tug of something soft and uncertain.

He stopped walking, gently pulling you to a halt beside him. You looked up at him, and the Capitol haze made his blond hair shine almost silver. Stunning. He was absolutely stunning.

“I know it’s hard,” he said, brushing your hair from your face with careful fingers. “But we don’t get to be soft right now. Not when everything we want is within reach.”

You blinked up at him, uncertain.

He leaned closer, voice dropping like it was a secret meant only for you.

“We’re doing this for a reason. You and me. The mentor who make it out of this with winning tributes—our lives change. We move forward. Higher. We don’t get stuck in the mud like the rest of them. The Games are there for a reason. To keep the districts in line. But now they’re also the one place we get to prove ourselves.”

You swallowed, your chest tightening. Your eyes never leaving his, not once.

He slid his hand to your cheek. “You want a future, don’t you? Not just for her. For us.”

Your throat bobbed. “I do. Of course, I do, Coryo,”

He smiled then—slow, warm, like sunlight cutting through clouds.

“Then we play the game, my angel,” he said softly. “And we win it.”

Something about the way he said we made your pulse flutter. As if your names were already written into the Capitol’s future. As if this moment, however sharp around the edges, was only the beginning.

Like everything was already promised, and all you needed to do was just grab it.

You exhaled slowly, letting the guilt drift back into the shadows. He was right. He always had a way of being right. And you were grateful he was there to bring you back to common sense.

“I hate when you talk like that,” you whispered, lips curving into a reluctant smile.

“Why?” he teased.

“Because you always make me believe it.”

His grin widened, all charm and quiet power. He kissed the back of your hand, elegant and practiced. “Good.”

The two of you then continued down the path—two golden children of the Capitol, walking the road toward something both of you could only hope for; while Coryo was determined to grab.

A life he deserved, with plenty of money, power, and the Angel of the Captial at his side.

[elysianightsss]

I am not even sorry to be horny on ask cause my god you just keep hitting it out the park. All your mini series’ I’m fully in love in dirty ways with. Your roommates drabblessssss my goodness don’t even get me started on ND reader then THEN you hit us with a dark Simon Riley abducting reader….there isn’t any more crumbs but I’m licking the plate hoping for a taste of moreeeeeeeee. I am so damn excited for this fic/series I am humping the bars of my enclosure hoping for some friction. Pls pls pls a teaser? Even a sprinkle of crumbs for this pour soul🥺🥺🥹💛💜🤍

-❤️‍🩹anon

Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou😭😭😭 I love this ask so much. I’ll give you some crumbs in exchange for these beautiful words🤭

Dark Simon Riley x Abducted reader teaser

Fucking Aldi, cheap Lidl knock off but cheap is what he is going for and the nearest Lidl is thirty minutes away and there’s no way he’s going to Sainsbury’s. The last time he went in there was to end Johnny’s bitching about how the specific type of protein bars you can only get in there. Full of prissy rich folk who stared at him like he didn’t belong. He definitely thought that too.

But this was the best he was going to get, the safehouse round the corner but completely void of food even though John had told him differently. Simon lazily looked over the high protein ready meals, there was nothing that looked particularly good. All of them watery and speckled with condensation, none of them look appetising but he grabs a Thai green curry and a chocolate protein shake hoping he can stomach the meal once it’s hot.

He trips over himself changing direction from the self checkout area to the bread shelves when he thinks of toast for breakfast before he’s picked up by the heli. As he turns the corner, you’re there. A pallet taller than you full of bread crates, you’re on your tippy toes reaching for the top one, face going red as you almost drop it. You move quickly taking the old ones off and placing the new ones on to put the old crates on top of the new ones.

A tedious motion but part of your job so you do it without a complaint. Simon has to jerk himself back into action when he realises he’s been standing there just staring at you, basking in the silence that seems to swallow you. His life is so loud and you’re so quiet, he’s entranced with it, with how in your own head you are. He can see you’re thinking, pretty eyes moving quickly to keep up with your thoughts. You’re not the most gorgeous women he’s ever seen in his life but fuck you’re pretty. The kind of pretty that makes him wish his children take their features from their mother instead of him.

He’s so awkward when he slips past you to grab a loaf of half and half, not so subtly taking a deep breath of your scent in, closing his eyes for a moment. And in that second he doesn’t see that it’s wrong, doesn’t see that even if it’s not wrong, it’s weird. It looks weird to your colleague who comes over and says you’ll be on the self checkout for the next half an hour while she takes her break. You just nod and put the bread pallet away before making your way to the self checkout. Fob keys in hand and a bright yellow gilet on that makes you look washed out.

There’s something in him that festers when he thinks about you later that night as he stares up at the crumbly ceiling. How unhappy you looked. The slump of your body showing how exhausted you really were even when you painted that fake smile on your face for the whiny customers. Like how a clown paints his face for his performance so he’s always smiling even when he’s crying.

No sparkle in your eyes, nothing twinkling there, no life gleaming behind those pretty coloured orbes of yours. You just looked so miserable. He couldn’t stand it. It caused a pain in his chest to grow in a way he doesn’t understand. A pain that ferments and rots his insides so much so that he returns to the supermarket once more.

To be continued…

[averagewriter-inthedark]

Symphony 🎻 | Rhaenyra Targaryen Headcanon

GOT/HOTD Masterlist

note: I wrote this because I want to be part of Rhaenyra's symphony 😩😉

Rhaenyra falling in love with a musician would look like:

The first time the Crown Princess laid on eyes on you was during her name day celebration. The king had called upon the finest performers, artists, dancers, and jesters in Westeros for the eighteenth birthday of the Kingdom's heir. You were part of a traveling music group, where you played the violin and were the lead vocalist. 

Immediately drawn to your captivating presence, Rhaenyra barely paid attention to the others in your group, and when the rest of the performers were brought on stage, her thoughts lingered with you and zoned out the rest of the celebration. Searching the grounds the moment the final performance ended to try and get another glimpse of you. When she finally did, Rhaenyra swore she'd never seen anything as beautiful as you before in her life. 

"Princess!" You abruptly stood from your chair upon realization the young lady was behind you, too emersed in the conversation with your friends until one of them cleared their throat with wide eyes and pointed over your shoulder. "My apologies I did not realize you were there." "Please, do not apologies, I should've announced myself. I was wondering if you'd be interested in talking a walk with me. I'd like to hear more about your music and travels of the country."

For an hour you strolled through the area reserved for the performers and vendors. Tents and stands on every corner. At one point you stopped to see the small animal enclosure with baby goats and cows. Rhaenyra learned you were from the Riverlands, and your family were nomadic. Traveling all over Westeros, from Dorne to Winterfell, at the request of lords and ladies to perform. The most recent journey before coming to King's Landing was High Garden to celebrate the knighthood of Lord Tyrell's son.

There was an evident spark between you two. You felt it. Rhaenyra felt it. The warmth in your chest spread each time you made eye contact, her cheeks flushed when you complimented her. She hung onto every word you spoke, and in return you observed her body language. When someone interrupted, there was visible annoyance where she pretty much pleaded with whoever to leave with her eyes, and dismissed them with a, "Yes of course, tell my father I'll only be a moment."

When the celebration came to an end and it was time for the dinner, the princess asked you to join her table. Of course you were surprised, and a little nervous, "My Princess, my thanks to you for the generous off, but I fear that would be inappropriate. I am employed by your father, not a guest." "Nonsense, you are my guest. I've said it--and it is my name day after all so it shall be upheld. Join me so we can continue our conversation." How could you say no after that?

When the day rolled to the next, you and your group were set to leave after breaking your fast, but as you loaded the carriage a guard rushed with a note and informed you the Princess had requested your group to remain in King's Landing and be the permanent performers for when the Royal family hosted banquets, balls, and tourneys with the promise of payment, lodging, and all the benefits employees of the Red Keep get. 

Yeah, you all accepted that without a second thought. 

To say you didn't miss traveling would be a lie, but you enjoyed living in the Red Keep. You were given food, clothes, money, and a section of the lower levels for your friends to live. The Princess called on you regularly, to play your violin or sing ballads while she either admired you from beside or read her books. Soon you two fell into a routine. Progressing as the weeks go by to moments where you broke fast together, strolled the gardens, accompanied her on trips around the kingdoms. 

Each time you performed, Rhaenyra sat as close as she could to the stage. Staring in awe as your fingers and bow moved graciously across the violin, your beautiful voice so enchanting it'd make the Seven fall in love, echoing against the walls. Eyes full of love, finding each other's with smiles painting your face. 

Unfortunately a union between you would never be approved. Not by the court, the country, or her father--no matter how happy you made Rhaenyra. She was the Crown Princess, the heir to the Iron Throne. It was expected of her to marry a nobleman, bear children, and take her place as Queen. You'd have to remain in the shadows. A secret to the people.

Of course, rumors spread of the tales between the Princess and her close companion. Most of them diminished upon Rhaenyra's marriage to Ser Laenor---which the three of you had come to an agreement that the two would uphold their image to the Court, but in secret Rhaenyra's heart laid with you--but even then, whispers echoed the halls.

She's sneak to your quarters in the middle of the night to hear you play when she had trouble sleeping. You gifted her favorite sweets whenever you went into the city. When she felt the threat of the Greens growing as her father's conditioned worsened, you joined Rhaenyra at Dragonstone. By then your musical group had decided to part ways, many stating they wanted to return to their homes and raise their families.  

Over the course of your relationship with Rhaenyra, you wrote many songs of her and your life together. She'd become your muse, the inspiration for your works. Sometimes you'd sing them for an audience, but there few reserved only for her ears. 

So when the decades passed and you two were lost to the Dance of Dragons, the songs of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen and her violinist lived on. Passing from generation to generation like the songs of the Conqueror and eventually Jenny of Oldstones. People live and die, but music is immortal. And you had immortalized the beauty and love of Rhaenyra through your art. Making her part of a symphony. 

[quiurifam]

*＊✿❀○❀✿＊* 𝕄𝕂 𝕗𝕚𝕔 𝕤𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕤 *＊✿❀○❀✿＊*

𝒁𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒓

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 1

Liu Kang; Raiden; Bi-han; Kung Lao; Shang Tsung; Kitana; Tomas; Kuai Liang; Syzoth; Kenshi; Havik; Johnny; Rain (all hybrids) x fem reader

Tʜɪs ɪs ɢᴏɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴀ ғɪᴄ sᴇʀɪᴇs, ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴇɴᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀ sᴍᴜᴛ ᴏғ ᴀ ᴅɪғғᴇʀᴇɴᴛ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀ ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ғɪᴄ ᴅᴏᴇs ғᴏʟʟᴏᴡ ᴀ ʟɪɴᴇᴀʀ sᴛᴏʀʏʟɪɴᴇ, ᴛʜɪs ɪs Kᴜɴɢ Lᴀᴏ's ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ + ᴛʜᴇ ɪɴᴛʀᴏ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡʜᴏʟᴇ ᴘʟᴏᴛ^^

Warnings: NSFW; Cream pie; Mating cycles (rut); biting/marking; I think that's about it :D

A miracle, that's what you chose to call it. Right in your moment of need, when your salary wasn't cutting it anymore and your bills were through the roof, a perfect opportunity, too perfect to even seem real, fell on your lap. A local hybrid-zoo had been looking for a new zookeeper to hire, one of your closest friends happened to work there and knowing your difficult monetary situation decided to indicate you for the position. You had aced the interview and got the job, finally being able to quit your old barely paying one.

The thing about hybrid-zoos is that they had great pay since hybrids were still fairly new and rare, in total there were only five hybrid-zoos in the whole world and you happened to be lucky enough for there to be one right in your city. People from all around the globe would travel to see them and the richer ones would even try to buy them from the zoo. You didn't exactly agree with the way species were treated, after all they were still humans, but you really couldn't let the opportunity pass or you would be in the streets soon enough.

Not wanting to be late you put on your new uniform and got ready an hour before you actually needed to leave. The thing about taking care of hybrids was that for being part human and part animal they required way more care than normal animals, and knowledge about them was scarce thanks to them being so uncommon. Your position was not a high one, but just the handling of hybrids guaranteed a high pay. You were determined to do your best to not screw this up!

Getting there, you were met with the other two zookeepers of the place, they would show you the ropes around the zoo and instruct you on how to safely interact with the hybrids. They showed you each enclosure, from the outside at least, and gave you a few tips on the hybrids: they would almost certainly not talk to you, a very few nicer ones might respond sometimes with one word or two, the meaner ones might mock you sometimes, but almost always you were met with silence when working with them. Some of them are very territorial and will only let you into their enclosure if you keep enough distance, so be careful to not come too close to them. Aside from the shark, they do not like to show themselves and perform for the visitors, sometimes needing incentive from the workers to come out of hiding.

Today your job was mostly just cleaning floors, all very quiet aside from the chattering of the visitors, they weren't kidding about the hybrids not talking to the keepers. You got a look at some of them while walking around, they wore something akin to beachwear, it showed their physique for the guests while keeping it from being inadequate. They were beautiful, truly mesmerizing, you were sure you accidentally stopped a few moments to gawk, but who could blame you? It was not something you saw everyday, well technically now you would be seeing it almost everyday. Right before your shift ended one of the keepers gave you a little explanation on how they closed things at the zoo.

The person in charge of closing had to do a whole round around the habitats, calling for the animals to make sure they were there. After receiving either verbal or physical confirmation that they were in fact in their enclosures, making sure they were all locked, and turning off the lights, you could leave the zoo. You were given a key to open the enclosures, but today was not your closing day fortunately.

The following days were much the same, learning new information about the zoo, sometimes a visitor or two would stop you to ask some directions to specific habitats, and now that you were actually getting inside the habitats you could see a little of each hybrid's personality.

The great white shark really liked being admired by the humans, putting on a show for them. When it was close to afternoon and the zoo had fewer visitors, if he was bored enough he would talk to you while you fed him, answering with few words between the bites. He was one of the most friendly hybrids.

His tank buddies were different though, both the eel and the sea-horse wouldn't talk to any keepers, the eel was very peaceful and would show himself when called but would not engage verbally with you at all, just eating in silence near you and then leaving. The sea-horse you had barely any interactions with, he was very reserved, only surfacing on feeding time, taking his food and going underwater again to eat it. And it definitely takes more attempts to get him to surface than what you needed with the other two.

The waywalk to feed them had no handrail and while the long path extended through the whole tank, it was only large enough for one worker to stand, so you had to be extra careful to not fall in the water. The tank was stupidly big and deep, and you were told the mermans would not help you get back on land based in past experiences from your coworkers. Normally you would just sit on the walkway while you fed them to not risk losing your balance, only the underwater part of the tank was visible so there was no problem in doing so.

During your first days you had mostly taken care of the aquatic hybrids, it seemed they were the ones with the most easy temperament so they were easy training for you to get used to your new job. By the second week on the job you had started feeding and cleaning other species too, slowly encompassing a larger number of hybrids under your care. They were not difficult per se, just more intimidating with their stares, and also the fact that they could actually walk around you, unlike the aquatic ones, was quite distressing.

Not to say that the hybrids from the tank weren't intimidating as well in their own way, whenever you had to clean the floor in front of the aquarium and saw those gigantic tails and fins through the glass you wondered how you were able to get so close to them without freaking out. You hadn't exactly measured their tails but if you had to guess, the shark tail seemed to be around three and a half meters long, the sea-horse was close to that too but a bit shorter, the eel’s tail was way longer, you'd guess an almost five meters tail. You've heard that the snake hybrid tail was even longer but you hadn't seen him properly to confirm, the reptiles area wasn't one you had explored much yet, at least not from the inside of the enclosures.

“So as you can see it's pretty simple, there shouldn't be any problems.” Today would be your first time closing the zoo, one of your coworkers had just given you a quick run through of what you needed to do again. You thanked her, ready to start the routine.

While the rest of the workers of the zoo started getting ready to leave, you started your round by the aviary, doing just as you were taught you called for the hummingbird hybrid. You saw between the tall trees of her habitat a blue, black and white feathered wing of considerable size opening lazily as a sign she was in fact in her enclosure.

One down a lot more to go. You continued calling for the animals as you passed by their habitats, some would grunt in response, some would show themselves, and some would even flip you off! By now you were the only one left in the facility, with only a few more enclosures to go you were feeling relieved that soon enough you'd be in the comfort of your bed. You had just checked in on the polar bear, who looked at you as if your existence was an offense in itself but you paid no mind to that as you were warned he would usually look like that at everyone, now you were on your way to the tiger’s enclosure.

You couldn't see him anywhere, that was fine, you'd just call for him like you did for most of them when you couldn't find them.

“Tiger?” You got close to the bars so you could be sure he would hear you without the need to get your voice high. You waited… nothing, you called again, your voice now slightly nervous…nothing again. Okay this wasn't supposed to happen, but you were sure it was fine, you'd just go in and see it for yourself that everything was just fine. Slightly anxious that things would go wrong on your first night closing, you jittered a bit trying to unlock the door to his enclosure.

The tiger hybrid was one to often not take the keepers seriously, so you were hoping this was nothing but him being a little mischievous. You were deep enough into the man-made forest-like habitat that you could no longer be seen from the bars if someone were to look for you, not that there was even someone to do that considering you were the only one left there, the thought made you a little anxious. You started hearing some movements to your right as well as what sounded like grunting and faint whimpers, worried that something had happened or that the hybrid wasn't feeling well you hurried following the sounds.

“Oh my! Are you alright?” You saw him hunched over on the floor, quickly you kneeled beside him checking to see if he was hurt. He looked at you, apparently a bit shocked to see you next to him, before his face contorted into a pained expression.

“Please..” He said in a hissed breath, his hand clenched your thigh, his claw like nails digging into your uniform, like he did not want you to leave. It startled you, you put the back of your hand against his forehead, his skin was feverishly hot, he whimpered at the contact.

“You are practically boiling!” Exasperated, you were wondering what you were supposed to do. A squealed surprised sound left you when he, in a swift move, pressed his face against your neck. You went still as his mouth and nose were pressed tightly against your throat, his claws digging even further into your uniform making you worried he would rip it apart. He just stayed there and took a deep inhale, his mouth slowly opened so his teeth could graze against your skin, you felt his sharp fang’s pressure on you.

As he kept grunting and growling with his mouth on you, you considered a possibility of what was happening, no there was no way this was what you thought it was… you put your hand on his shoulder, pushing him a bit so you could take a better look at him, he backed off easily but still hissing at your touch. You've learned the zoo had protocols to follow under ‘special’ circumstances, one of them was tracking precisely the hybrid's heats and ruts, which would normally follow a pretty exact cycle with no fluidity. Routinely, when the time was arriving for one of the hybrids to start their mating cycle, the hybrid would be removed from their habitat a day before it actually started, and put in a room whose only purpose was to accommodate them while they go through that time. You looked down at his figure, which confirmed your guess.

This wasn't supposed to happen, why had his rut started earlier then what was expected? You were panicking inside your head while looking at the very big tent in his shorts. You couldn't move him from his enclosure while he was in this state, especially not by yourself!

“Please, I need- nngh- you need to help me..” But you couldn't just leave him either… his hand was still digging into your thigh and his noises were only getting needier by the second. What could you do? What were your options right now??

“I don't know how..!” You answered him agitated. Of course you knew how he wanted you to help him, but that would be preposterous! You could even lose your job if someone found out, which again, you could not afford to happen! You could leave and just pretend you didn't know what was happening, but for some reason you felt really bad about leaving him like this. He was still groaning and his dick was marking the thin shorts painfully, but he was not making a single move forward ever since he first moved away from you, desperately waiting for your say. Making a very hard decision in your mind, you decided to go against what was considered the socially acceptable option “Alright! Alright, I'll help you!”

As soon as you said those words he was on you again with his teeth pressing into your neck, you yelped in surprise. This time though, he pressed his body down on yours, like he was commanding you to lay back both with his teeth and body. Still quite confused on how this was going to work you followed the man's request, laying with your back on the florest-like floor. When your back hit the ground he licked your neck and pulled back from it, no longer pressing his fangs into you. His claw-nails moved up to the waistband of your bottoms, and sensing what he was about to do, you interrupted him quickly.

“Wait! Don't rip it!” You were not buying a new one, no way, it was not just because he was hot that he could make your financial situation worse. He looked surprised at you before letting out a funny laugh followed by a sweet grunt as he properly took your uniform off. You were a bit embarrassed to be without your bottoms under him, it had been quite a while since you last got laid, and even if you told yourself you were doing this for the hybrid, the idea of having sex with him after so much time neglecting your sex life was making you ache with arousal.

He nuzzled the side of your face, rubbing his cheek against yours trying to mark you in his scent. He purred out your name while he pressed his hard-on against your cunt.

“You know my name?” You blurted out. Even if your mind was overrun by the lust you were feeling you stilled, surprised by the use of your name. It was written on your uniform, and your coworkers would often call you by it, but you didn't expect the hybrids to care enough to learn it, especially considering how much they disliked interacting with the keepers.

“How could I not know? We hear it all the time.” He said backing away a bit, just enough for him to properly lower his shorts down, low growling when his cock sprung free from the clothing. You looked shocked at the size of his dick, it was definitely bigger than one of a normal human, the fur on his pubic area had the same color and tiger striped pattern his chest and arms had. You took the opportunity to take off the upper part of your uniform. “I want you to call me by my name too,” He took your thighs in his hands, resting them on top of his own, you felt your face heating up as you laid there completely open to him “Don't call me ‘tiger’, it's Kung Lao.” He slotted his dick between your lips, moving it up and down to coat himself in your wetness.

You moaned as he rutted into your cunt, bumping into your clit, he was harsh with it, driven by his need to breed you. His head nealy enters your hole and you both moan at the feeling, he doesn't have the patience to wait more and takes the opportunity to start filling your cunt with his cock. You whine out his name and he loudly groans in response.

“You're so- ngh tight.. are all- ah! humans like this?” He was halfway in and you already felt like this was the fullest you had ever felt, his cock was stretching your pussy like you had never experienced before. All you could do was tightly hold onto the grass beneath you as your moans got louder and your thighs trembled around him. He was very vocal the whole time, not only with words but with hisses, groans, growling and sometimes a whined ‘meow’ like sound. When he bottomed out he stopped for a few seconds, his mind was screaming at him to fuck the shit out of you but he sensed you were still not used to the stretch and did his best to wait for you.

His face was red with how high his body temperature was, his eyes were hazed, his breath was hitched and heavy, and his claws were dug deep in the ground around you. You moved one of your hands down to your clit, stimulating it, and when you felt ready for him to start moving you rolled your hips into his. Like a switch had been flipped he started crazily pounding into you, desperate, hungry, completely consumed by his rut. You didn't stop the movements with your hand even though you could barely think straight with the way he was plowing his cock into your cunt. His moans and meow-like whines only increased and he once more nuzzled his face into the crook of your neck.

This time though, with his face lower and closer to your clavicles, he bit down on your skin, you gasped feeling the bite. It wasn't deep or hurtful, more like a ‘love bite’ of sorts, though with a bit more sharper teeth. It was a weirdly pleasant sting, and it had you squeezing his cock as you came on it. He whined loudly into your skin, still sucking, licking and biting the area around your clavicles. He was still going crazy with his thrusts, and you, in your sensitive state, could feel the wetness in your face both from the tears forming and from the spit dribbling down your chin. You brought the hand that was not between you two to his hair, tugging hard on his ponytail, he actually separated his mouth from your skin as he let out a cry-like moan and burst his load inside you.

His tiger ears were flat against his head, and took the opportunity that your hand was already near his head to pet them. He purred sweetly, closing his eyes, and you took the moment to gather your breath. He was just as much of a mess as you were, with the tears and the sweat.

“Such a good mate… I might have to steal you away from the humans more times.” For a moment you thought that was it, now you would leave and go home, but as your cunt fluttered around his dick you noticed it was still hard. He wasn't done yet.

“I wouldn't mind that.” You were too horny to care about how this was supposed to be strictly a one time thing and that he should definitely not ‘steal you away from the humans’.

He grunted lowly at your words as he started thrusting again, this time it was a bit slower but it still contained the same urgency to get you full of his cum. You wondered if pulling on his tiger tail would have the same effect pulling on his hair did, but you were too entertained with playing with his ears to try that out. You could feel both his and yours cum wetting his hips and dripping down to your ass, his own cum was being pushed out of your pussy with his thrusts. His hands, that were previously on the ground, now were holding your hips with a tight grip. The claws were marking your skin.

He stopped for a moment and you whined for him, he only growled in response. He adjusted your position, pushing your thighs to your chest and locking you in a mating press before quickly resuming with his thrusts. From this angle his cock hit you even deeper, you cursed and moaned as you arched your back. It didn't take long for you to finish on his cock again, mixing even more of your cum into the wet mess your hips had become.

“You were made for me.. so perfect.” He was grunting as he drove you crazy, you were barely hearing the words just nodding along completely fucked out “Made for my cock, made for me.” You moaned out his name again, with need and a tad to erotic for the hybrid who let out another whine at the sound of your voice.

His hips stilled as he let out another load into you, there was so much of it he could see a slight bulge on your belly, and you could feel part of it spilling out of your pussy. He started rutting into you almost immediately when he saw the mess he had made on your body, still turned on thanks to his rut. You could tell he was tired, only humping his hips into yours now, he let go of your legs, which you wrapped around his hips, and laid down with his head on your chest, between your breasts.

He was softly purring as he lazily thrusted into you, still repeating how much of a perfect mate you were for him. The wet noises made when your hips moved were making you quite embarrassed, it was all so lewd, but you were too spent to actually care enough. The friction this position offered was making you lose your mind, and still overly sensitive from your very recent orgasm, it was enough to push you over the edge again. Now tears were definitely falling, you sight blurry with them, your whimpers matching his as you felt so good it hurt. Wanting to help him finish again you moved your hand from his ears back to his ponytail and tugged on it again, this time less harsh as you were completely drained. Once again he responded to your stimulation with a high, but now hoarse, whine. You knew tigers were supposedly very vocal on their mating season, but the way he was moaning and growling at your every touch was something you didn't imagine you would be so into. His claws held your hips with such force you were sure you would find red marking all over them when this was over, you could feel the burning sensations on your skin as he scratched it.

With one last growled moan from him he finished once more inside you. Both of you just stayed there for a second catching your breaths, totally worn out. Then he lazily took his cock out of you, there was so much cum coming out of your pussy, you felt completely stuffed with him even without his dick inside you. For a few seconds he just stood there looking at your pussy, and the way his seed was coming out of it, entirely fascinated by the sight, till he took his fingers, collecting his cum around your lips, and pushed it back inside. You weakly moaned at the feeling, your thighs trembling and your body limp at this point.

When he was satisfied with his work he laid down cuddling your side with his arm around you and purring softly into your neck. It didn't take long for him to fall asleep with how exhausted he was, and you were just as much. But while you really wanted to close your eyes and sleep, you knew if you didn't get out soon, you would end up spending hours there, maybe even until morning, and you couldn't let anyone find you there. The mating period could last up to a week, so this was your call to get your things and go home for the day. Tomorrow the workers would find him in the middle of his rut, and with more people and more experience with the hybrids, actually be able to move him to the designated area.

With your body sore you begin moving, firstly you pushed Kung lao’s arm from your waist, you looked at the hybrid's sweet face and felt a bit bad for leaving him with no warning, but there was no other alternative. You gathered your clothes, feeling the tiger's cum dripping from inside you as you moved. It was a fairly uncomfortable sensation now, an embarrassing one too, but soon you'd be home and take a bath. As you put your clothes back on you could feel them getting wet with the sticky fluid and once again you comforted yourself by thinking about your very soon to come bath. With one last look at the man laying on the ground you left his enclosure, ready to finish your shift.

Yes, technically you still hadn't finished checking on all hybrids… still missing the fennec fox, the eurasian wolf and the andean cat, but you were not about to do your work in this state! You just hoped they were where they should be and that there were no other problems for the night. You finally finish turning off the lights in the zoo and head out for a much needed sleep and a much needed bath. Hoping no one would ever find out about what had just happened…

[ssivinee]

❥ 𝚁𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝙴𝚖𝚙𝚒𝚛𝚎

iland 2! Mai x 04! Trainee! F reader: Iland fans were currently waiting patiently for the sequel to the first. With the new faces involved, the fans love your interactions with the visual trainee.

Word Count: 4.2k

Author's Note: Ya'll this fic was killing me since i didn't entirely watch iland BUT TRUST AND BELIEVE I DID MY BEST. I'll be working on my next fic right after this tho🤓.

Clip #1 🎬

The large enclosure rotated for the next team to appear. Koko, Yuju, Yui, and Y/n grasp each other's hands tightly, and they cheer when they see the other trainees seated in front of them. Before exiting, the girls bow down slightly in confusion due to the new environment. Noticeably, the team seemed to be chic yet “cool” due to the outfits worn. Koko and Yuju wore leather jackets, Yui wore a black sweater, and you came out with a dark blue demin jacket over your outfit. “They’re total hot girls,” you hear one of the unfamiliar trainees say. 

The four stepped down and took their seats as their profiles began appearing on screen. Y/n is the last profile to be shown, and many of the girls gasp when they see the facts and photos. “#All-rounder?” you hear from one of the trainees sitting below. You were ranked as one of the top trainees, and the room filled with many amusing sounds once the production showed many clips of you singing, rapping, and dancing exceptionally well. 

“#Former HYBE trainee?!” the girl you recognized, Fuko, said in surprise. Despite not being a formerly known trainee like your friend Jeemin, who you knew was in the show, many of the girls under the company respected you due to your kindness. Although, that was usually never enough. With your talents, every trainee found you as a threat, which led to many fake friendships along your training journey. “#Dancing AI,” Koko, being a close friend of yours, giggled as she read it. “What does that mean?” Gyuri asks, looking at you with her big doe eyes. 

“Y/n unnie can learn almost any dance within a few minutes!” Yui says, ecstatic about her teammate's skill. You nod, giggling at the younger girl's excitement. “I’ve been dancing since I was three, so it comes to me quickly.” The rest of the girls nod, and some clap slowly out of shock. “Sometimes it takes me four hours to get one dance right!” Nana, despite her shy demeanor, says in Japanese, and you chuckle. 

As you were mentally preparing yourself for the show, it was time for the final team to arrive. Before you could even process anything, you see the enclosure turn open, finding four girls who ranked quite high… and are clearly going to be on the same team. You heard some girls calling them the Avengers, and you were aware that Jeemin wasn’t there yet, so you were ready to give her a happy welcome. However, that plan changed when you made eye contact with a girl whose feline-like eyes captured your attention. 

If only you could show so much emotion right now, you probably would’ve fallen out of your chair at the sight of her beauty. She was absolutely gorgeous, and you almost couldn’t hold back the cheesy grin. Your eyes travel down to her name tag, reading ‘Mai’ in your head. Along with the other girls, you clapped for them but never kept your eyes off of her. Thankfully, the camera was focused on this last unit, or else you probably would’ve been flamed by everyone who was watching the show. 

You shake your head slightly, trying to get your head back in the game without messing up your hair. Soon after NaSURI and the weird robotic lady voice welcomed you all and gave you the rundown of everything, performances were to begin shortly. All of the girls stood up at the sight of the countdown and shrieked in shock. We were asked to change and moved to another set.

Everyone sat down, anticipating and anxious with each performance that was called. The first was Unforgiven, performed by Minsol, Sarang, Jiwon, and Juwon. You weren’t one to react so much, so your eyes stayed focused as the girls showed their talents. When Sarang begins the song, your eyes widen slightly, and you are shocked by the younger girl's stability and presence on stage. It's a fierce song, and out of all the girls, you almost always nodded every time Sarang was center, somewhat giving your ‘approval’ as a long-time trainee. 

When coming into iland, you had the mindset of being quite strict and stern with not only yourself but every other trainee. You were one of the oldest amongst the girls and had one of the longest training periods, so you thought it was only fair to think this way. After every performance, you felt that each performance had a ‘stand out girl’, and the rest didn’t seem to catch your interest in comparison to the rest of the teams. But your mindset of being a judge mentally came to a pause when it was your team's turn. 

Knowing the stakes of getting into iland were very low almost lit a fire in your eyes. You, Koko, and Yui begin the performance by standing over Yuju, shaking your jeans as the music begins. After Koko’s intro, your deeper voice sang as you danced with much energy. The rest of the girls looked in awe as you and the girls performed such a heavy hip-hop dance. You and Koko shared the center during the chorus, and many of the girls watching were impressed with your facial expressions. Behind the scenes, Taeyong and Monika nod as they jot down their notes on you. “She’s very good at portraying the song through her facial expressions,” Lee Jung states, nodding as she points at the screen with her pen.

“It’s ironic, she’s a strong performer, but off stage, she looks like a puppy,” Monika says, making the other coaches giggle, and the production put a cute photo of you on screen. You guys were getting to the end of the song, going strong throughout the entire performance, even with the difficult choreography. As you guys hit the ending poses, you do your best to regulate your breathing as the camera pans to each of you. “How? Y/n unnie doesn’t even look tired?” Saebi says, looking at her teammates like she just saw a superhero flying in the sky.

Now, you believe your team did great. I mean, Monika and Lee Jung even gave you such high remarks. “Out of all the girls, you were one of the ones we had high expectations from, and you went above those expectations. We were impressed by your performance today,” Lee Jung finishes when the camera suddenly cuts to Monika’s face. “Your dance was strong, your voice was stable, and I definitely felt the charisma and stage presence. Just try to mellow down, depending on the rest of your team. Being too strong can sometimes make the team feel unbalanced in the fan's eyes,” you nod, understanding Monika’s warnings. 

There were a few mishaps, but as you were the final girl to receive her iland votes, you were a bit anxious, especially with the unexpected vote for the rest of your team. Yuju held your hand, and you smiled through the anxiety that was literally about to consume you if they didn’t show your results fast enough. Thankfully, all the cards turned in one, showing the purple and pink design on all five, and you sigh in relief with hands over your chest. “I don’t think it was gonna be a secret for Y/n to make it in with 5 i-cards,” Jeemin says out loud, but almost saying it to herself, being so proud of her friend. 

With everyone's focus on the current emotional team, no one notices Mai’s attention on your face. Through her team, she found out that many of the trainees found you extremely intimidating in spite of your sweet personality, yet all Mai could really focus on was how cute your face was with the bright smile after your success of getting into iland. Your cheeks puffed out, almost holding back the tears after the stress you felt for you and your teammates, and Mai cooed at the expression.

Once your team takes their seats, you take a deep breath for the sad and good results. You guys didn’t actually have time to think, as the Avengers team was quickly next. Now, after all the stress, you just wanted to enjoy the performance. Your eyes go the largest it's ever been through the show as you see the slices and red peeking out of the black stage set up. The outfits of the four girls gave the song choice away, but you were getting excited. Sure, you wanted to see Jeemin perform for the first time in person, but you also didn’t want to admit that you were about to be so focused on Mai.

As Jeemin starts off Drama, you smile widely, seeing your long-time friend start off VERY strongly. She then moves back smoothly, and Mai’s eyes truly captivated everyone and the camera. When hearing her tone going ‘ziggy ziggy zag, I’m new. Cause i go biggie biggie bad, it’s true~’ you were surprised at the nasally yet unique tone that definitely impacted the song. Mai’s facial expressions also added to her presence, which had your jaw hanging low. You weren't sure if Mai was just that good of a performer, but you weren't exactly someone who was easy to impress, yet here you were, staring at the girl with hearts in your eyes.

As the performance ended, you huffed out a loud breath and thought, ‘Well… this is just sooooo great for me.’

Clip #2 🎬

After spending time with many of the iland girls, you gained many friendships. You and Jeemin became closer as time went by, and you even found yourself getting closer to other trainees like Fuko, Sarang, Jiyoon, Sujung, and Juwon. The girls gave you a sense of comfort, but due to past friendships, you never wanted to keep them too close. Once you all got close, feeling hurt was inevitable, especially on a survival show. 

In the upcoming weeks, it was finally time to prepare the signal song, Final Love Song, and Jungeun appointed you as the center of the stage after much consideration. The younger girl believed you and Juwon were the best candidates for the job, but in the end, Jungeun picked you.

Now, it felt as if every day, you were in that practice room dancing and singing every moment you could. You were aware that you had to take care of your body, but you wanted to guarantee your center position was safe. Every day was nine hours in the practice room, only taking five-minute breaks for water and a quick stretch.

You were, unconsciously, training much harder than usual. The title of center was something you believed you were capable of. Yet the judges had put an insane amount of pressure on you and another trainee. It seems as though the producers needed to keep the viewers entertained. So, behind the scenes, staff brainstormed new ideas, and they finally came up with something.

Now, all of a sudden, the new topic was ‘Y/n versus Saebi.’

The judges created this narrative on the show that the two of you are similar, have great centers, star quality, good expressions, good dancing, and are tall in height. Viewers even noticed the comparison was beginning to affect them. It was a mental warfare in your mind, and it was quickly physically draining you. At first, it was a friendly competition, a common thing amongst trainees, but it seemed like every comment the coaches said to the two of you was blatantly pitting the two of you against each other, and it seemed like Saebi was on the winning end of it.

It was now nearing the day of the performance, and you sat in the upper-performance room alone. The rest of the girls were loud and enjoying each other's company on the lower floors, dancing and singing with loud music on. Unbeknownst to you, the Japanese beauty was looking for you, and out of all the girls, you were the only one missing. The two of you may not have been as close as the others, but throughout every practice, it was like a silent trade of care. You would give Mai water and little smiles while Mai gave you vitamins, snacks, and comfort every time you were compared to Saebi.

She finds you in the far corner of the practice room, staring off into space, and she softly knocks to get your attention. Startled by the sound, you snap out of it to find Mai staring through the window, mouthing if it was okay to come in. You nod and try getting yourself together, comb your hair with your fingers, and rub your eyes lightly. 

“Why are you all alone up here?” Mai asks, sitting next to you. You sat there, not knowing how to respond to the question. Yet it felt like Mai understood you even if you didn’t say anything. You guess it’s a blessing in disguise as she was the first to approach you this time. 

“Why’d you leave them?” Mai chuckled briefly at your question as she shook her head, “No deflecting the question, Y/n. Why are you here alone?” You sighed, feeling tired all over again at the thought of the situation. “I needed to ‘think’ about everything because of the coaches this week,” you say with your face distraught, tucking your head into your knees. “About… you and Saebi?” You just stayed quiet, and the lack of response gave Mai the answer. “Y/n, they just wanna create drama and stress. You don’t actually believe you and Saebi are that similar… right?” She asks in a concerning tone, not a single hint of disdain.

“At first, I thought that was the case, but it feels like I'd just be compared to Saebi every single time for everything I’ve said or shown, no matter how good it is. Don’t get me wrong, Saebi is great, and it’s kind of a good thing that she’s now my ‘rival,’ but it’s just messing with my head. They make me feel like I’m chasing the wrong dream for myself,” you express, tearing up as Mai rests her arm around your shoulders. 

Your brain wasn’t even processing that you and Mai were getting closer or rather that she was even holding you. You just needed someone to listen and stay. “Y/n…”

Mai began but paused, “hm?” You asked and looked up at her. “Every person here brings something special to the table,” you nod, and she continues, “You're special, one of the most talented people I know on this show. Just because the judges create this rivalry between you two doesn’t mean it's bad. Saebi is Saebi, you are you. No one can exactly compare to you.” 

Your eyes tear up at the statement; for the first time since you got into iland, someone was able to calm you down and alleviate your nerves. You let out a shaky breath, wiping the tears away as you give her a small smile. “You didn’t answer my question, though,” you say as you straighten your posture. Mai looks over, eyes enticing you like always, “I couldn’t imagine having as much fun as them without you around.” Your heart was close to bursting out of your chest at the statement.

You already had many Mai + Y/n fans, but especially after this moment, you both just gained an entirely new fandom.

Clip #3 🎬

All the remaining girls were excited about the newest mission, the 1:1 position battle. You were currently in the room with Team B and decided your positions together. After several challenges and showing your strengths, you decided to go for the main vocal position. The girls agreed, and as excited as you were, it became another rivalry with the main dancers becoming the main vocalists this mission as Sujung became the main vocalist of Team A. 

This mission didn’t put much stress on you, though. You were confident in your skills, and since the signal song test, there hasn’t been much stress put on you. As time passed after your interaction with Mai, the two of you seemingly got closer. Many fans noticed the several interactions and how close you’ve gotten to the point that your duo was trending on Twitter, and many edits began circulating tiktok. 

When these videos started, it was due to the last episode when Mai got extremely happy with you staying in iland and gave you a small kiss on the cheek. You were seen blushing and smiling hard as you gave her a hug, and this clip went viral amongst the community. 

Fans began calling you “star-crossed lovers” because it seemed as though the two of you were never on the same team on this mission. That didn’t seem to stop your bond, though. No matter what mission it was, no matter what team you both were on, the two of you would take breaks and visit each other when you could. Everyone loved it and didn’t know how much better it was going to get for them until today. 

As confident as you were, the situation was riskier as you were sharing the main vocal position with Jiyoon. So not only was it a 1:1 battle, it was a 1:1:1:1 battle for you, Jiyoon, Sujung, and Gyuri. Leading up to the performances, the practices had been great for you. There were no mistakes, nothing stressful, and it was an exciting mission overall. Yet a strike of bad luck hit you like a truck. On performance day, you find yourself waking up feeling very sluggish and weak. 

You were sick and had a fever.

Getting out of your room was a difficult task in itself. You practically dragged your body out to get ready with the makeup team. Sitting on the tall chairs, the artist applied makeup to your face as you drifted in and out of sleep, taking little cat naps. 

Mai, who was sitting right next to you, takes a glimpse at you, brows furrowing a little at the look of your paler complexion. “Y/n? Are you feeling okay?” You truthfully shake your head, “I’ll push through it, though.” Mai winces, listening to the rough and groggy voice you let out. “But your throat sounds and looks painful for you to even talk,” she stares as you massage your throat a bit. “I’ll rest after the mission,” you nod at her, face painted with pain. 

You changed into a light blue top, and rehearsal began. Your hoarse voice was too noticeable, and many girls told you to rest instead. Jiyoon was kind enough to give you candy that helps with sore throats, and Koko made a small cup of tea for you.

So when performance time came for team B, you could imagine how bad it went for you. Dancing caused slight dizziness now and then, which caused you to lose balance at times, and you were evidently in pain as you pushed through the performance. Mai watched with the rest of her team, her eyes looking very uneasy. The camera would cut to her, and every time it was right after showing you, her hands were clasped together tightly, almost wishing you were going to finish strong. 

You couldn’t as the performance ended; you collapsed on one knee as the exhaustion weighed on you like a ton of bricks. Mai jolts up from her chair, wanting to run to you immediately, yet holding herself back. The result wasn’t shocking, but you lost hard in that mission and were sent to the grounder level.

The next time Mai sees you, you are slouched over, paler, and sweating as you walk in, and Mai does her best to not hug you. As much as she wanted to, you likely needed space and just someone to support your body. The camera followed the two of you as she took your arm and supported your weight, leading you to the bedroom area and settling you into bed. She let you rest while running around getting medicine, water, and some snacks as she had to go back to filming with the other girls.

“I’ll come back as fast as I can and help you settle into bed, Y/n; just change into your pajamas first,” Mai says out of breath as she lays your pajamas on the edge of your bed, nearing your arms. She gave you a quick hug and dashed out. You changed at such a slow pace and felt your body going sore as you finished and laid back down. 

After eating the crackers Mai left, you took the medicine and were knocked out instantly. Your eyes flutter open as you feel a wet feeling on your forehead. You see a bare-faced Mai with a bowl of soup in her hands, stirring it as she blows the steam away. “Mai?” 

Mai looks at you, a bit startled, but smiles at your cute-looking face. You were still in a daze from the medicine, so you didn’t really mind the cameras being still on… not that you were even aware at the time. “Are you feeling any better now, sweetie?”

Not feeling sure if you just felt even worse at the moment, but you feel your body heat up at the pet name. “Uhm, yeah yeah, I’m feeling a bit better,” You stutter out and Mai nods as she stirs the warm bowl, “good good.” 

She begins feeding you spoonfuls of the delicious soup, “how was the mission,” you asked. Mai gives you a sweet yet regretful smile, “it went okay, I won the one v. one.”

You do your best to sit up and give her the widest smile you possibly could in your current state. “Mai, that’s great! You can be happy for yourself,” you tell her softly, grabbing her hand with a small smile. “Your win makes me happy enough,” you said with much more sincerity as you made eye contact with her. She smiles wider, “I am pretty happy about it,” you giggle at her happy face, and she continues feeding you as you keep looking at her beautiful face.

It was a week before the finale, and the girls decided to have a final get-together in one of the bedrooms. Some of the remaining girls huddled up on the three beds as they shared snacks and sipped one drink. The room was filled with sounds of laughter. 

Mai, Jiyoon, Jeemin, Gyuri, and Yuju decided to heat up some warm snacks while the rest stayed back. You and Koko were giggling, and Jungeun gasped at the video on her phone. “Y/n unnie~,” she calls out and walks over to your bed. You and the other Japanese look at the younger girl, and she flips her phone to display it to the two of you. Once you see Mai’s face, you take a closer look and softly take her phone. Suddenly, you hear a squeal beside you, “Unnie~, an edit of you and Mai unnie?!” Koko asks, shaking you as she looks so giddy. 

You just laughed and continued watching. It was a video comprised of all the hugs, small kisses, and sweet moments. Your face couldn’t hold back the blush when you saw the clips of the first episode, with you staring at Mai with lovey-dovey eyes. Koko and Jungeun slap your arm playfully, and the girls from the kitchen start pooling back into the room. Mai sees the interaction between the girls. “What’s going on?” Mai sets the food down on the side table and swiftly lays in your arms. You hold the phone down to her face and show the video.

Mai watches as IWALY plays as the songs edit, and she wiggles in your arms, hearing the addictive tune. Jeemin takes a peek at your phone and giggles, “Only if all your fans knew; they would probably be the happiest fanbase in the world. " You nod and laugh as Jiyoon looks at the three of you confused. “Knew what?” she asked, and Jeemin pointed at the two of you, “That the two of them have BEEN together all this time.”

Mai sits up a bit, staring up at you as she pouted. You gave a quick peck and squeezed her tighter, not being able to handle how cute she was. “Hold on, when did you guys even meet?” Gyuri asked, laying on the end of the bed. She kicked her feet like a child asking their parents about their first interaction.

“It was two years ago at a modeling gig here. We worked together for three days and started hanging out of work, and we found out we were both trainees. A year later, I asked her out, and here we are,” you summed it up as Mai squeezed your hand and kissed the back of it. “You can say the rest is history,” Mai giggles as you pat her head, and the girls tease their unnies for the rest of the night.

Note: Yall this fic was literally beating my ass... my BraIN AiNT FunCtiONiNg prOPerLy.

[glassaround]

Glass door

A glass door is a versatile, stylish feature widely used in residential, commercial, and industrial spaces. It primarily consists of glass panels, providing transparency, modern aesthetics, and the benefit of natural light. Glass doors can be tailored to suit various functional and design needs.

Types of Glass Doors

1. Frameless Glass Door

Design: Minimalistic and sleek, with no visible frame.

Common Use: Shower enclosures, offices, and modern homes.

Benefits: Provides a clean, contemporary look.

2. Framed Glass Door

Design: Glass is enclosed in a frame made of aluminum, wood, or steel.

Common Use: Entry doors, storefronts, and patio doors.

Benefits: Increased durability and design flexibility.

3. Sliding Glass Door

Design: Moves horizontally on a track.

Common Use: Patios, balconies, and space-saving areas.

Benefits: Smooth operation and space efficiency.

4. Swinging or Pivot Glass Door

Design: Hinged or pivoted at the top and bottom for a smooth swing.

Common Use: Entryways, offices, and high-end interiors.

Benefits: Adds a statement element to interiors.

5. Bi-Fold (Folding) Glass Door

Design: Multiple panels fold and stack to the side.

Common Use: Large indoor-outdoor openings.

Benefits: Maximizes open space and creates a seamless transition.

6. French Glass Door

Design: Double-hinged doors with glass panels, usually framed.

Common Use: Elegant entrances and partitions.

Benefits: Adds a classic and luxurious look.

Glass Options

Clear Glass: Offers maximum transparency and light.

Frosted Glass: Provides privacy while allowing light transmission.

Tinted Glass: Reduces glare and solar heat gain.

Tempered Glass: Heat-treated for safety, breaking into small, harmless pieces.

Laminated Glass: Bonded layers provide security, sound insulation, and UV protection.

Benefits

Natural Light: Brightens interiors and reduces energy costs.

Aesthetic Appeal: Offers a sleek, modern look or classic elegance.

Customizable: Can be designed to fit various styles and sizes.

Versatility: Suitable for both interior and exterior applications.

Durability: Modern glass is designed to be strong and safe.

Applications

Residential: Patio doors, shower enclosures, room partitions.

Commercial: Storefronts, office spaces, display areas.

Industrial: Security doors, soundproofed partitions.

Considerations

Privacy: Opt for frosted, tinted, or patterned glass if privacy is a concern.

Energy Efficiency: Choose insulated or low-E glass for better thermal performance.

Safety: Always use tempered or laminated glass for safety in high-traffic or exterior areas.

Maintenance: Regular cleaning is required to keep the glass clear and streak-free.

[sojournerstales]

WF1999: Summer Heat

fem!drifter x Eleanor Nightingale.

Drifter and Eleanor catch-up after last night's instant messaging doesn't end well.

01: Alone With You.

Late September. Höllvania summer heat. Sun-bleached colours and acrid air. Everything goes by in a blur spurred on by the roar of the atomicycle's engine. The sound of it pitches down, coming to a hard left swing at a junction pile-up. Its tires squeal, burn out against the asphalt, and then I pick up speed again.

The air feels good on our sword-steel skin.

Today I am Mesa. The world around me is highlighted by chokes and vantage points. Things she notices when we blitz by on the Tomi, like the corner café balcony that turns the plaza below into a shooting gallery. Or the hard corner coming up signalled as a blind spot. I feel it like an itch, Mesa wants to either take it slow and snug to register what lies ahead, or at a wide smooth arc to aid her reaction time.

'Sorry girl,' I talk to her sometimes, 'We're just cruising right now.' And we take the angle easy, 'Danger nil, yeah?'

Our destination - which we are closing in fast on - is the Höllvania Zoo. It's the first place my mind went to when Arthur asked me if I 'have any idea where she's gone now.'

Yeah, I have some idea.

We park up, dismount, thumb the barrel-end of Mesa's index finger. That last bit is a habit I picked up from embodying her for so long. The kid (long story) and I each have our favourites, Mesa is mine.

Höllvania Zoo. The sign above us is adorned with silhouette animals I only just recognize. I look around and different points are highlighted again. In just a quick scan I have everything I need to turn the zoo entrance into a shooting gallery, but I don't have immediate visual on Eleanor.

So she gets the jump on me. Like a warm hand down my spine from a great distance. "I swear," She says - and her voice is threaded through Mesa and directly into my head - "there's not a moment's peace in this town."

The sound is entirely internal. Telepathy, right now just a projected voice and a hanging line for me to think in reply. "Where are you?"

"I can see you," Eleanor sing-songs in my head. Mine, not Mesa's. That's the strangest part of this feeling. I'm so used to the Frame being the point of contact - but here Mesa is just a throughline.

I look around again. Mesa's senses hone in on tracking. She spots the tail-end of someone else's atomicycle sticking out from behind an information booth.

"Up and to your right," but Eleanor gives us the answer. I get the distinct feeling of an eye-roll along with it. "Go on then, show us your legs. Get up here."

Eleanor is at a rooftop corner looking down at us. It only takes a hop, a skip, and a bullet-jump to reach her. I've come to appreciate Höllvania's urban sprawl. There is always something to kick off from and rarely a ceiling to stop me so long as I'm above ground. Mesa performs a quick tuck-and-roll to come over the ledge of the roof and then we rise to our feet.

There she is. Cross-legged, barely turning to look so I catch her in profile. I quickly dismiss Mesa's highlights - now focused on the technocyce nerve clusters, the weaponry, and Eleanor's head.

"I had to cover for you. Told Arthur I knew where you went." Mesa has no mouth, I talk to Eleanor through that telepathic link she left open.

"Hardly covering for me if it's the truth, is it?" Eleanor smiles. The smile widens when she catches my reaction, because you can't hide anything from her. And it's complicated, too, it's like how a kavat buffs your hands. It's playful, but it's on her terms.

Putting feeling in my replies comes as second nature. It isn't so different to learning Transference. "Not what I meant," I groan. I walk up next-to-and-behind her. A foot of distance. From on high like this we get a good view of the zoo grounds. Animal enclosures overrun with techrot and weeds. Facsimiles of Earth's habitats turned alien. If you can get used to the pulsation, the living signs of the techrot, then it's a nice view. One of the few nice views left in Höllvania. I know for Eleanor it is a little more than that.

Eleanor raises an eyebrow now. Maybe I'm thinking too loud. "I know what you meant," She reclines and pats the empty space by her side. "Come on, take a pew."

Invited, I leave Mesa behind. The feeling is like emerging from a viscous pool. An immediate cool sense of relief, even stepping into a hot summers' day. My Self peels from Mesa and all those base senses that a human ought to have sharpen and everything Mesa feels is lost. The Frame relaxes, inert, processing only just enough to remain upright. She is a body without consciousness.

I slip my jacket off so I can take a seat on it and swing my legs over the ledge of the building Eleanor had claimed for a throne.

"Don't breath in too deep now," Eleanor warns me, projected voice as a purr, "They might prefer coming out at night, but that does absolutely nothing for the smell."

"Yeah," I rasp, "Got it."

Eleanor still talks in my head even when I switch to speaking out loud. No surprises there. "You didn't have to come looking for me, you know. I am a big girl." She casts a side-long glance in my direction, "I swear, it's like having a warden. I bet they love it."

They being Lettie and Arthur. "They just worry, that's all."

"Oh, don't I know it. I see the looks they give me."

Now I roll my eyes and I sigh and I nudge Eleanor's shoulder with my first, "Not what I meant, again." With emphasis.

"Yes, your See-The-Best-In-Everyone good nature is very well established, thank you." Her tone takes on that warning quality again, now without the purr, "That does not change the facts of the matter."

I have to concede, "No, it doesn't." But I'm working on it. I don't say that latter part out loud, but I suspect she gleams it from me easily enough.

Eleanor hums in my head by way of a response. The hum is followed by her honeyed voice, playful tone returning, (so mercurial,) "Neither Arthur nor Lettie are why you are really here, as convenient an excuse my brother can be. You want to talk about our little tiff."

I hold my breath for a second. "That all it was?"

Eleanor shrugs.

It had happened last night over KIM. She had been in a melancholy mood quickly spiralling down to the feeling of being an utterly insignificant speck in the face of something that spans a whole entire universe. A human lifespan weighed against the sheer totality of the Indifference. I'd had my own long day. I got short. I told her the same thing - something I realized - that Arthur had been telling her for years.

When was she going to make up her mind and fight? Wrong question to ask, wrong thing to say.

Eleanor is looking at me, expectant.

"How far does 'sorry' get me?" I ask.

"Your arse is still on this roof, so it's a start."

"Well, sorry." Because I have to actually say it for it to count. I shrug my arms close to my body and lean forward. It's a test of that feeling of vertigo when I look all the way down. Heights feel high when you aren't piloting a Warframe. "I get it. Realize that what I said wasn't what you were looking for."

"Ding-ding. Two for two, Drifter." She is still talking like it's a game, but with the connection between us I know it runs deeper. There are the words on the surface and the current they are carried on. Everyone is like this, of course, but it's most obvious with a telepath.

"But for what it's worth, might not be much, I wasn't talking about picking up arms and firing blind into the Void."

"I know," Eleanor's thoughts cut through that playful affection she had put up, "I may have been... Somewhat ungenerous in my interpretation of your messages. I was in a bad state of mind."

"Caught in a spiral. I get it." Believe me.

"Sometimes a girl just wants someone in the muck with her." And it's Eleanor's turn to nudge me. She does so by leaning her shoulder against mine. Brief, warm.

I smile. "Yeah, a girl can get that. Thing is though? With me? I'm never gonna stop trying to crawl out of it. I can't."

"That just sounds utterly exhausting. I don't know how you do it, honestly."

"Eh. Once you reach the top there's rooftops and pretty women."

"Ha!" This gets an actual sound out of Eleanor. Her laugh is a sharp bark from the back of her throat, followed then by something far more melodious in my head. She shoves me sideways. "Oh! You are a sly one, aren't you?"

I laugh it off, bracing against the edge of the roof. My expression gets all twisted into an awkward smirk. I'm about to push her back, but Eleanor hops to her feet and offers me a hand.

"Come on. This is where I wallow. I don't want to ruin that with too many saccharine memories."

Pulled up to my feet I get close to Eleanor and sense something. A spike of danger in her head, projected to mine, and tension up the arm I am holding onto. She releases me all at once and takes a big step back and apologia flashes across her face.

"Woah. Hey, we good?" Concern is obvious in my voice. I follow her half a step and am halted when she bristles.

"A little over-excited, that's all. Don't worry about it. Let's just get back before a purge-squad rolls through. Ha. That'd be just our luck."

"Yeah..." I am not terribly convinced, but I'll buy it for now, "Yeah, sure."

It takes less than a second to pull my Self back into Mesa. My senses re-immersed into her perspective of the world. Her muscles wake back up in sequence, sensation reigniting in every limb and mechanic. It feels like the best damn stretch of my life. Every time.

"--lo? Earth to Marty?" It's Aoi's voice coming through over the comms channel. Her voice all tinny. Not the full bass experience I get from Eleanor.

I send two signal-pings over the line so Aoi knows I am finally listening.

"There you are! Arthur is ten seconds away from hunting you down. El too, I assume. Listen, we've got Scaldra buzzing about a Hex sighting and considering all but two of us are home right now - Yeah, that's you."

Two more pings. Eleanor can see we're talking to someone, I have Mesa's head downcast, canting to one side, like she can pick up the signal better that way with two fingers touching her temple. Eleanor raises a brow at us.

"So-o-o you might want to start heading back here if they haven't caught up to you already."

One ping. No run-ins with the Scaldra yet.

"Very cool. I'll tell Arthur he can untwist his underwear. I figure you don't want him crashing the party."

I allow and internal wince. Aoi has me dead to rights there, she's said before she 'shipped it' between me and Eleanor. Whatever that means.

I let the comms line drop and turn Mesa to face Eleanor. "Looks like you were right about a squad. That was a warning from Aoi to get out of here."

Eleanor doesn't seem to put off by that. If anything she looks like an itch might be getting scratched. She pulls an earpiece from one of her utility pouches. "Sometimes I think I might want to add 'pre-cognition' to the list of gifts all this rot has given me. Let's hop to it, then."

part 1 of ?

next

[clorvismaximus]

Caring for Your Comedic Companion: A Guide to Proper Clown Care

Creating a Clown-Friendly Environment: The Chuckle Chamber

Clowns thrive in environments that stimulate their comedic instincts. Before adopting your clown, ensure you have a dedicated space in your home for them, commonly referred to as the "Chuckle Chamber." If you cannot afford to buy a new enclosure, an old tent painted with stripes can keep your clown happy for the first few months. Equip it with a variety of colorful props, oversized shoes, and a well-stocked assortment of rubber chickens. Ensure the Chuckle Chamber is spacious enough for your clown to express its natural exuberance.

Nutritional Needs: A Diet of Delightful Delicacies

Maintaining a well-balanced and joy-inducing diet is crucial for your clown's health. Offer a mix of cotton candy, popcorn, and custard pies to meet their nutritional needs. For hydration, a continuous supply of seltzer water is recommended. Regularly check for any allergies or sensitivities your clown may have to certain treats. Surprisingly, peanut allergies are common amongst certain breeds of clown.

Exercise and Enrichment: Laughter Workouts

Clowns are energetic beings that require regular exercise and mental stimulation. Engage your clown in laughter workouts, which can include juggling sessions, pratfall practice, and balloon animal sculpting. Introduce new comedic routines to keep their minds sharp and their spirits high.

Grooming: Maintaining the Mirthful Mane

Clown grooming is not just about appearance; it's an essential aspect of their well-being. Regularly check and clean oversized shoes to prevent slips, trim colorful wigs to maintain their vibrant allure, and ensure that the iconic red nose is kept in pristine condition. A well-groomed clown is a happy and confident one.

Veterinary Care: Honk-Checked Health Checks

Regular visits to a certified clown veterinarian are crucial to monitor your companion's health. These professionals specialize in honk-checked health checks, ensuring that your clown is in peak comedic condition. Vaccinations against gloom and routine screenings for joke deficiencies are standard procedures.

Socialization: Playdates with Fellow Funnymakers

Clowns are social beings that thrive on interaction with their own kind. Arrange playdates with fellow clowns to encourage socialization and the exchange of humorous antics. Attend clown conventions, where your companion can partake in the grandeur of collective laughter and collaborative performances.

Understanding Non-Verbal Communication: Mastering the Art of Clownish Signals

Clowns communicate primarily through non-verbal cues, such as honks, squeaks, and exaggerated gestures. Pay close attention to your clown's signals to gauge their mood and preferences. Understanding the art of clownish communication is key to fostering a strong bond with your comedic companion.

Celebrating Special Occasions: Clown Birthdays and Anniversaries

Marking special occasions in your clown's life adds a touch of festivity to their existence. Celebrate birthdays with a clown-sized cake and a chorus of joyous honks. Recognize adoption anniversaries with a memorable performance or a specially crafted routine to commemorate the time spent together.

Providing proper care to your beloved clowns is not just a responsibility but a joyful journey of shared laughter and merriment. By embracing the unique needs and whimsical nature of your clown companion, you'll cultivate a bond that transcends the ordinary, creating a lifetime of cherished comedic moments.

[longlistshort]

The pictures above are of Kapwani Kiwanga's sculpture On Growth, commissioned for the High Line in NYC. This sculpture will be on view until February of 2025.

From the High Line about the artist and the work-

Kapwani Kiwanga is a conceptual artist working across film, performance, sculpture, and installation. Through exhaustive research into topics including colonial history, social segregation, and marginalized stories, Kiwanga constructs artworks that tease apart power imbalances and the imperceptible nuances that comprise the aesthetics of power. Often grounding her projects in architecture and horticulture, Kiwanga has created artworks that engage a wide variety of subjects including mono-crop agriculture in Tanzania, the oil and fracking industries, ceremonies related to key moments in African independence, and historical racist lantern laws from New England and New York. In her ongoing work Flowers for Africa, Kiwanga installs fresh arrangements of cut flowers that are replicas of bouquets visible in archival images of the inauguration ceremonies of African countries.

For the High Line, Kiwanga presents On Growth, a sculpture of a fern encased in glass. The multi-faceted case is constructed from dichroic glass, which captures and transforms the light that passes through it, changing tone and color as it’s viewed from different vantage points. The work references Wardian cases, a predecessor of the terrarium, which were used to transport uprooted plants to Europe from overseas, allowing those species to continue to thrive amid London’s polluted air in the late 19th century. These enclosures resembled jewelry cases at the time and, similarly, often protected treasures from distant lands. On Growth draws on the colonial histories of institutional and commercial botanic nurseries that heavily influenced the scientific understanding of plants and horticulture of today.

[real-darry-curtis]

To properly care for a turtle as a pet, provide a suitable habitat with both land and water areas, maintain a clean environment, ensure proper temperature and lighting, offer a balanced diet, and practice good hygiene.

1. Habitat:

Size:

Turtles need a spacious enclosure, with a general rule of thumb being 10 gallons of tank space for every inch of their body length. A 40-gallon aquarium is a good starting point for many turtles, and the enclosure should be at least four to five times longer and three to four times wider than the turtle.

Land and Water:

Turtles need both land and water areas. A basking area with a heat lamp and UVB light is essential for regulating body temperature and vitamin D production.

Filtration:

A good filtration system is crucial to maintain water quality, as turtles can be messy eaters.

Water Quality:

Regularly change the water, and ensure it is free of chlorine and chloramines by letting tap water stand for 48 hours.

Substrate:

Use appropriate substrate like aquarium gravel or sand, avoiding picking rocks or sand from nature as they can contain harmful bacteria.

Decor:

Provide safe decorations like rocks, logs, and artificial plants for enrichment.

2. Temperature and Lighting:

Temperature: Maintain a temperature gradient with a basking area (85-95°F) and a cooler water area (75-80°F).

Lighting: Provide UVB lighting to help turtles synthesize vitamin D.

Heat Lamp: Use a heat lamp for the basking area to provide warmth.

3. Diet:

Omnivores: Turtles are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals.

Pellets: Feed your turtle high-quality turtle pellets as the main food source.

Vegetables: Offer a variety of dark leafy greens, like lettuce, cabbage, kale, or dandelion leaves.

Protein: Provide protein sources like crickets, mealworms, waxworms, or feeder fish as occasional treats.

4. Hygiene:

Regular Cleaning: Regularly clean the tank, removing uneaten food and waste.

Water Changes: Perform partial water changes (25-50%) regularly, depending on the filtration system.

Handwashing: Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling your turtle or its tank.

5. Health:

Regular Checks:

Regularly check your turtle for signs of illness, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, or sores.

Veterinary Care:

Take your turtle to a veterinarian experienced in reptiles if you notice any health problems.

Salmonella:

Be aware that turtles can carry salmonella bacteria, so practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of the bacteria.

- @kat-r-rein

See that's a lot of work isn't it

[warm-throated]

Rambling about The Collection (2012)

Oh. My God. I think this might be my favourite movie series. My God!

Alright, so I took notes throughout the film for highlights (spoilers ahead as usual) + this will be long, long as hell, so buckle up:

I love the intro being somewhat of an edit for the Collector. The metal music, the buzzing of insects (yes, I want to make a collectkin edit to ptolemaea), the close-ups. Gorgeous, gorgeous. My evil blueberry. I have to show a bit of restraint when writing all this or else it'll become tedious but know that every time the Collector was on screen, I cheered.

The whole thing in the night club was a riot. I was like "What's he doing up there?" and then the combine cutter came down and I was so excited because they really upped the ante for some of these traps. If it wasn't blatantly obvious, I love him?

I liked the crotch shot from below. Yeah.

I love Arkin so much, too ! He always just wants to help out. He's like an anime girl with a heart of gold. I want to draw a picture of a golden locket with his mugshot for theft on one side and him with his cut forehead and broken teeth on the other side (or potentially him with the knifed cheeks, returning to this).

Noteworthy, Arkin's face was basically unscathed by the time he awoke in the hospital. The Collector finds him pretty? Also, the red roses with the card ?? I love the taunting 🥰🥰

When he gets recruited by Lucello, I seriously thought he was smiling like "You really think you can get him?" but he was actually like "What's the plan?" You crazy bitch! Good for you.

Some of the scenes where Arkin was warning Lucello and his team about the Collector felt very much like Will Graham warning Inspector Pazzi about Lecter. Mad as hell that Lucello dragged him into this mess.

"Ladies first." / "Eat a dick..." as a whined response: key interaction!

Was rooting for Elena and I liked her a lot. The manoeuvre with the bra was very cool. Hated Lucello quite a bit purely for tricking and guilting Arkin. It was fairly obvious he'd trick him but the guilting made me so mad.

The drugged victims idea was kind of wild. I don't even know if I want to look into the pharmacological know-how behind that, it's just a bit hard for me to imagine that kind of targeted aggression being the result of just drugs (which could imply hypnotherapy which again isn't something that just anyone can perform effectively). The action sequences were almost comedic at times, similar to Saw IV with its fight scenes, but it didn't feel out of place.

For both The Collector (2009) and The Collection (2012), it's really funny because the plot is quite literally one of those YT videos where a bug keeper has more than one of his bugs break out of their enclosure and he has to find them again. You see his "Not this shit again" expression every time he hears a sound from Arkin or Elena and it's a treat.

I loved loved loved the switcheroo he did with the hook. Was such a fun scene. Also, him bursting in the door with his dogs. Why is he so dramatic? I love him so much.

Returning back to Arkin's knifed cheeks: helloooooo ??? That was so hot💕💕💕 Oh my God. And it was such fun to see the Collector get his shit rocked by Arkin. Look, I'm big into sadomaso stuff (if the cruisin' for a bruisin' tag wasn't obvious enough), but one thing I think about A LOT is how a lot of seasoned sadists like to give heat but they can't really take it? And yeah, it does something for me to see one really get it handed back to him, it's super hot actually. Wow. Great movie. Yeah.

Elena breaking the tanks to save Arkin made me tear up. He's always trying to help others, I'm so glad someone came to help him. [EDIT 28/04: Cutting out some incorrect information on the wet specimen fluids. The % ethanol should be high enough to be majorly flammable so what Elena did should have roasted Arkin, actually. Welp.]

Okay, and now the ending scene. Hooo boy ! WOW. Okay, so. Very tasteful décor. Love the little terrarium displays he has. And the gunpoint interaction ! Tell me you didn't think about Will and Hannibal s2 post-prison ! You can't! MY GOD. Oh, and Arkin was so hot threatening the Collector and shoving him into that damn box. I'm so happy. This was so good. Like the scene speaks for itself; I could never articulate in any meaningful way how satisfying that was.

------------------------------------------------------------

I've purposely avoided talking about Abby until now because I think the relations the Collector has or is implied to have with his victims is important to cover holistically. Firstly, while I think Arkin is interesting to the Collector (he was a part of his collection, at least temporarily, and the Collector was planning to call on him again based on the roses and card), he's not his favourite. Do I trust Abby's word that she's his favourite? Sort of, but I do think if he found another specimen he preferred she would be turned into a wet specimen. I think Arkin has the potential to be that replacement, but again, part of collecting is curating a collection. You may have a prized piece, but the collection depends on the pieces coordinating.

Abby is a much more permanent fixture in his collection compared to everyone else and he get so mad about her death. The way he kept glaring at Elena, assigning the blame to her, was fantastic. Using Elena to flush out the others and kill them all is also interesting. The death of Abby provokes total annihilation of his oeuvre (probably not solely because the cops are right outside). We know from Abby that she has been tested several times by him, to the point that she believes it's best to be loyal to him. She's dressed in a pretty dress, her hair is styled, her makeup is done (the makeup seemingly done by the Collector himself to mimic the porcelain dolls). The care he puts into her is distinct to the torture we see every other victim face.

As an aside, I've seen some people mention that she was kidnapped as a kid and that's why she seems mentally regressed, but I don't agree with that. I think it's possible that it's just the sort of psychological defence that can be seen in some adult survivors of extreme torture and abuse, or a learned appeasement technique.

So how is this relation with Abby relevant to Arkin's relationship with the Collector? Her death evokes such a strong reaction out of the Collector, nothing that can be compared to his reaction when Arkin escaped. Perhaps he would have reacted in similar anger if someone had killed Arkin but I highly doubt it—Arkin is not developed, he's just bait (unlike Abby).

But the Collector is significant to Arkin. He is more significant than anyone else, no one has altered his life so drastically as the Collector has. And I think it really irks him to know that he's so affected by him, yet can be cast aside easily enough. Which is part of why the ending is so hot to me. Arkin can inflict on the Collector to the same extent what was inflicted on him to, hopefully, produce similar resultant emotional depth. Until the Collector is as changed by Arkin as Arkin is by the Collector. Until he understands.

Yeah, yeah, doomed toxic yaoiship conclusion. Pack it up.

[beardedmrbean]

DENVER (AP) — It’s often said music is the universal language of humanity. Now a 12-year-old Houston boy is putting that to the test for an unlikely audience — man’s best friend.

Yuvi Agarwal started playing keyboard when he was 4 and several years ago noticed his playing soothed his family’s restless golden doodle, Bozo. He grew curious if it also could help stressed homeless animals.

With help from his parents, who both have backgrounds in marketing, he founded the nonprofit Wild Tunes in 2023 to recruit musicians to play in animal shelters. So far he has enlisted about 100 volunteer musicians and singers of all ages and abilities to perform at nine shelters in Houston, New Jersey and Denver.

“You don’t have to understand the lyrics to enjoy the music. Just enjoy the melody, the harmony and the rhythms. So it transcends linguistic barriers, and even it can just transcend species,” Agarwal said recently after playing hits like The Beatles’ “Hey Jude” and Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” on his portable keyboard at the Denver Animal Shelter.

Agarwal, who was playing for an elderly miniature poodle named Pituca — Spanish slang sometimes used to describe a snob — said many of his four-legged listeners, which include cats, become excited when he enters their kennel. But after a few minutes of playing, they calm down. Some even go to sleep.

He remembers a rescue dog named Penelope that refused to come out of her enclosure in Houston to be fed.

“Within a short period of me playing, she went from not even coming out of her kennel to licking me all over my face and nibbling my ears,” Agarwal said.

A few stalls down from where he was jamming on his keyboard at the Denver shelter, volunteer Sarah McDonner played Mozart and Bach on her flute for Max, a 1-year-old stray boxer that tilted his head when she hit the high notes.

“The animals having that human interaction in a positive way, I think, gives them something to look forward to, something that is different throughout their day,” said McDonner, a professional musician who met Agarwal in Houston.

She helped bring the program to Colorado after moving to Denver a few months ago. “I think it’s very important to give them something different from what they’re used to in their little tiny cages ... and makes them more adoptable in the long run,” McDonner said.

While the effect of music on humans has been studied extensively, its role in animal behavior remains murky.

Several studies suggest that classical music generally has a calming influence on dogs in stressful environments like kennels, shelters and veterinary clinics. But some researchers warn there is not enough data to support the claim.

“We always want these really simplistic answers. So we want to say that music calms animals, for example, and I think that it’s much more nuanced than that,” said Lori Kogan, a self-described “dog-person” who chairs the human-animal interaction section of the American Psychological Association. “There’s a lot more research that needs to happen before I think that we can unequivocally say that music is a great thing for animals.”

Kogan, a professor and researcher at Colorado State University, has studied for more than two decades how animals and humans get along. Research involving the effect of music on dogs often produces mixed results, she said, because there are so many variables: the setting; the volume, type and tempo of the music and the breed of the dog and its previous exposure to music.

She suggests a case-by-case approach to introducing music to animals.

“If you play music for your pet, and they seem to like it and they appear calmer, then I think we can say that that’s a positive thing, that you’re providing some level of enrichment for that pet. ... I would encourage people to give it a try and to see how their pets respond,” she said.

For Agarwal, his firsthand experience at shelters is undeniable evidence that music helps comfort stressed animals, and he plans to grow Wild Tunes into a nationwide program. The volunteers get something out of it, too, he said.

“You get a really great way to practice your instrument or sing in front of a nonjudgmental audience, which can boost your confidence,” he said.

[almondenterprise]

The Difference Between Low, Medium, and High Voltage Switchgear

Switchgear plays a critical role in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical power. It ensures safe and efficient operation by controlling, protecting, and isolating electrical circuits and equipment. But not all switchgear is created equal — low, medium, and high voltage switchgear are designed for different voltage levels and applications.

Understanding the differences between these types is crucial for electrical engineers, electricians, project managers, and anyone involved in power systems. In this article, we break down what sets them apart in terms of voltage range, components, applications, design, and safety considerations.

What is Switchgear?

Before diving into the differences, let’s clarify what switchgear is.

Switchgear refers to the combination of electrical disconnect switches, fuses, or circuit breakers used to control, protect, and isolate electrical equipment. It is essential for de-energizing equipment for maintenance and for clearing faults in the power system.

Classification by Voltage Level

Low Voltage Switchgear (LV)

Voltage Range:

Up to 1,000V AC (typically 400V/690V in 3-phase systems)

Key Components:

Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs)

Molded Case Circuit Breakers (MCCBs)

Residual Current Devices (RCDs)

Contactors and relays

Busbars, metering, control panels

Applications:

Residential and commercial buildings

Data centers and office spaces

Light industrial automation

Control panels and motor control centers (MCCs)

Characteristics:

Compact and easy to install

High frequency of operation

Relatively simple maintenance

Often enclosed in modular panels

Standards:

IEC 61439

NEC (National Electrical Code)

Medium Voltage Switchgear (MV)

Voltage Range:

1kV to 36kV (sometimes up to 72.5kV)

Key Components:

Vacuum circuit breakers (VCBs)

SF₆ (sulfur hexafluoride) insulated switchgear

Current and voltage transformers (CTs, VTs)

Protective relays

Grounding switches

Applications:

Electrical substations

Large factories and industrial plants

Railways and airports

Renewable energy farms (wind/solar)

Characteristics:

Higher insulation and safety requirements

More robust protection systems

Often installed indoors or in compact outdoor enclosures

May use gas-insulated or air-insulated designs

Standards:

IEC 62271–200

IEEE C37 series

High Voltage Switchgear (HV)

Voltage Range:

Above 36kV (commonly 66kV, 132kV, 220kV, up to 765kV)

Key Components:

SF₆ circuit breakers

Air blast or oil circuit breakers (older systems)

Gas-insulated switchgear (GIS)

Disconnectors and earthing switches

High-end protection relays and SCADA integration

Applications:

National and regional power transmission networks

Power generation plants

Interconnecting large substations

Critical infrastructure (e.g., large data centers, airports)

Characteristics:

Complex installation and high-cost infrastructure

Requires rigorous safety procedures and specialized training

Often installed outdoors or in GIS (Gas Insulated Switchgear) format

Includes extensive monitoring and automation

Standards:

IEC 62271–100 (HV circuit breakers)

IEEE C37.06

ANSI C37 series

Safety Considerations

Always follow local electrical codes, use personal protective equipment (PPE), and conduct routine maintenance regardless of switchgear type.

Conclusion

Choosing the right switchgear type is critical for ensuring safe and efficient power distribution. Whether you’re designing a residential panel or a high-voltage substation, knowing the difference between low, medium, and high voltage switchgear helps you make informed decisions about equipment, safety, and performance.

Mastering this knowledge isn’t just good practice — it’s essential for anyone serious about a career in the electrical field.

[theramseyloft]

What do you think is an unnecessary amount of birds for a breeder/fancier ect like could someone keep over a hundred birds comfortably and not be considered a hoarder

The short answer is: Yes. One person could potentially keep over a hundred birds comfortably.

Could every person? Or even most people? No.

That requires a LOT of space and resources.

In order to provide adequate care for 100 birds, one first and foremost either needs a very large loft, or multiple small ones.

The long answer is a lot more nuanced.

I don't think I could set a "specific number of birds over X is automatically a hoarder", simply because of how widely variable the capacity and resources range between individual care takers.

What needs to be considered to identify a hoarder is the physical condition of the animal, the amount and quality of food and water, the cleanliness of their environment, what enrichment is available to them, and whether or not they get medical care when they need it.

Are the animals present healthy and active? That requires there be sufficient space, food, and water available.

Are they able to engage in natural behaviors? This requires sufficient space and enrichment.

If any get injured or fall ill (frankly, an inevitability in living things), is that one separated and do they get any kind of medical treatment?

Birds in particular are naturally messy, but absolutely not naturally dirty!

While there are good reasons one might be (New arrival just uncrated, elderly individual who struggles to preen unaided, or a sick individual being treated), that should not be your overall impression of the flock!

Since you specified a breeder, it does need to be said that outbreaks happen.

No quarantine is 100% bullet proof, however anyone may try.

But if multiple birds are ill, that facility should be closed to the public while they get the issue IDed and treated.

If you see sick birds on the property, leave, for the sake of your own birds' safety, and report it to the Department of Agriculture.

A breeder performing their due diligence will have records to show diagnostic efforts and treatment.

There should be enough space for every bird to have a comfortable perch when the entire flock is off the ground.

Many breeders feed and water once a day, typically early in the day, so scattered seed should not be a concern, but waterers should not be big enough to bathe in and should be changed daily.

Separate places to bathe, offered frequently, will help keep drinking water clean, but even if the bathing places are all put away, you should be able to look at the plumage and drinking water to gauge how clean both are.

Pigeons in particular cannot climb and do not like cluttered flight or walking spaces, so their enclosures can look somewhat barren when compared to a parrot or song bird's.

Shelves, swings and floor space are all used as social spaces.

Look for furniture like caves or nest boxes, mirrors, forage pans, or bath tubs.

Pigeons most like to play with things that feel like sticks, shine, or make a neat sound, so twigs, pine straw, bread ties, blunted tooth picks, q-tips with the cotton tips removed, jingle bells, crinkle mats, wind chimes, bells, or any toy combining two or more of those things should be evident in the living space.

Poop is going to happen.

There is no aviary free of it for any length of time.

But it should not crust surfaces other than a nest box. (babies poop where they sit. It's intended to cement their nest material together into a cohesive pad that can't slide or be blown out of the cliffside crevice they nest in.)

(They are not birds built for high humidity.)

However many birds there are: If they have free access to clean water and feed that meets their nutritional needs, enough space and enrichment to keep themselves clean and engage in natural behaviors, their envoronment is regularly sanitized, and they receive medical care when injured or sick, then the breeder, rescue, or care taker you are visiting is not a hoarder.