#How To Make Grapes Grow Faster

[welcometoneverland-98]

Fire of Venus // 𖥸 Chapter 3 𖥸

#Geta’s POV#

I had tasted many sweet things in this lifetime. The gods had been kind to me during my lifetime, the only thing I could complain about was my own half, my shadow and twin Caracalla. How he disdained what I did and how I disdained him in return. Our favorite game to play as we tugged back and forth with whatever we wanted. The empire was ours and yet he liked to try and claim whatever I had for myself and I was starting to grow more and more impatient. 

Any whore I had, he had to whine and have as well; any food I enjoyed he had to go and say he enjoy and almost grip it out of my mouth. Rome seemed to be lacking sweet things and I had been so focused on making it bigger that I didn’t even realize what I had been missing until it stared at me right in the face. The sweetness, the woman whose body was untouched and eyes had yet to be grazed with the terrors of this world. The general’s daughter. The one he so much tried to hide from our eyes and by finally looking at her I was tempted to say I understood his reasoning for that. 

The shape of Venus herself stood in our very own halls and for the first time I felt like my eyes were underserving of such a sight. 

So it was obvious that once I stood up to greet her that Caracalla would start to spin in his own mind. Not even his fucking monkey could keep him occupied and out of my business for a moment. This was to be my moment, this was to be my own sweet thing and I had to find a way to make that happen. 

I made her sit between our thrones, a chair had been brought just for her at my command as I helped her sit down and began to talk to her about the people that filled our rooms. The commotion around us recommenced as they saw their emperors deep in conversation once more but I saw their eyes on us, I enjoyed their eyes on us. 

Then there was the general and his little wife, standing in a corner and staring at her. Clearly uncomfortable and waiting to see what I, or my brother, would come up with and the looks on their faces only made me want to come up with something even more. He had been a good general, our territory was growing by the day and I knew we could get even more, we would get even more. The next conquest was already planned and he was to leave soon enough that he would have to, once more, leave the women alone. But not her. I wouldn’t let her alone anymore now that I knew she existed. 

She sat still for most of the event, drinking softly from the cup of wine that had been brought just for her at my request and she ate just as softly, plucking grapes that were served near my brother and that he loved feeding to his stupid pet monkey. He was looking at her most of the time, I knew it without even looking at him that he was doing so. Caracalla was easy to read and even easier to anticipate. It was obvious that he was plotting some stupid way to get her attention, the grapes was the first introduction to whatever he had plan, if it even was a plan. There was the disease in his mind that kept him from acting accordingly, dear mother said he was just different, closer to the gods than most of us, but I knew that to be untrue. I was the one in a closer reach to the gods, they spoke to me and through me and it was them that made me act they way I do. It was their intention for us to expand the empire and so we did, and now they gifted me with something so sweet to reward my efforts and my brother thought he could slither in and take it. Not a chance. 

“How are you enjoying yourself sweet Anna?” I turned my face to her, my hands clapping as people danced in front of us to entertain us. 

She looked back at me and for a moment something in my chest moved faster and seemed to stop all at once “it is quite a commotion emperor. I assume this is all to your liking”

I found myself nodding my head to the melody that were her words, her voice sounding like the most beautiful tune that had ever been played. This was to our liking indeed. It could probably have a little more blood in it but all could be arranged at the proper time. 

“I have been thinking you know” I brought my cup to my lips, my gaze finding the one of general Acacius and a smirk appeared on my lips “You are to have a new purpose you see?”. 

This brought my brother attention to the conversation as he stood taller on his chair and looking at the both of us. 

“You can’t marry her!” He yelled out like a little child whining like a toy had been ripped from his hands. 

I shook my head and laughed out loud taking Ana’s hand in my grasp. 

“Dear Anna you are to spend time at the Palatine with us and I am to use your talent of storytelling to my favor”. 

There were rumors about her. We had obviously heard them before, everything reached our ears no matter how well people would try to hide it. She was said to love stories, clever little thing. And was also said to be a good story teller and I could just do with one of those. 

It had been brought to my attention that some of my best entertainment was growing weak due to discomfort. Those weak gladiators were not putting on the types of shows we intended them to and I had been growing tired of even attending those, so this was something to improve that. 

A storyteller to appease the beasts and get them motivated for the best show. A storyteller to keep my mind sane and my eyes cleansed from the weariness of ruling a whole city and soon the world. She would be by my side through it all. 

Thanked be the gods.

A/N

New point of view unlocked. 

Since the chapters have been smaller I will try to upload them more often. 

[the20thangel]

The Emperor and His Lady Chapter 5

Summary: As Arabella slowly began her game, Noticeable changes started happening in the palace. While some are pleased with the changes, others are not. Making a foe to rid of the lady from her emperor's side.

Word Count: 2.9K

Tags: Smut, fluff at the end, Minors DNI, 18+ !!!

Taglist: @barcelonaloverf1life @justnobodynothingmore

Masterlist

The next few days were a blur, but at the same time, it was painstakingly long for Arabella. Instead of spending time with her lady and the general, she forced herself to stay in the company of the emperors. At first, Geta did not notice the change until he noticed many of his concubines were distancing themselves from him. Not understanding the change, he took more notice of his background and saw the company of his day, seeing Arabella in his crowd. Shocked, he had no idea she was there, but since then, he searched for her each day, and each day, she was there, wearing the same colors as he was. Seeing how she intentionally dressed to match him made him feel extra possessive, and he started requesting that she stay by his side by holding onto his arm. 

Another change he noticed was that since Arabella’s presence, more and more of his people were willing to speak with him and no longer seemed to fear him. He had mixed feelings about this new change since the start of his reign; people had always feared him and his brother; it was how they created their empire, but at the same time, seeing people willing to talk to him made him feel a different emotion; it made him feel loved. 

The main person who was not happy with these changes was Caracalla; it had always been just his brother and him against the world, against their enemies and allies. Now, all because of a stupid woman, he was losing his brother, leaving him alone. He didn’t like being alone. This, unfortunately, allowed Macrinus to slither his way to the younger’s ear, telling him his foe was the sweet lady hanging off his brother’s arm, letting him know how everything could go back if the lady were ruined for Geta.

“Wouldn’t you like to have fun with her and finally get your brother back? Take her, and your problems will all disappear, my emperor.” Macrinus whispered, growing in sadistic delight as Caracalla hungrily watched his next prey. 

Sighing, Arabella rolled her shoulders. She sat behind the emperors as they talked with the game master about postponing the next set of games. 

“Filling up the Colosseum with water is taking more time, my imperators, but I assure you that everything will be ready in a month, " the game master said, growing nervous with the emperors’ glare. 

“Or you can work twice as hard and fill it faster, and the games can take place how we want them,” argued Geta, drinking his wine while he stared at the game master. 

The Game master gulped as he felt small under Geta's glare while Caracalla cackled, allowing a concubine to feed him a grape. Seeing the impending temper, Arabella prayed for the gods to be merciful as she stepped in. 

“My Imperator, the game master, just wants to ensure he provided the best games he can offer you, but it is not meant to be a slight. Rush the preparations and have a mediocre game, or move it back a month and ensure an entertaining game for you and the whole of Rome. Imagine the success; people will thank you and your brother for throwing a spectacular gladiator fight,” she soothes, placing an arm on Geta’s arm. 

As Geta turned to his lady, the whole room froze, watching the internal battle between emperor and lady. After what seemed like minutes, Geta took a sip of his wine. 

“If what Lady Arabella says is correct, I only expect the best games from this postponement. If it does not meet my expectations, you will make her a fool and shame my brother and me. Then, only the gods will hear your plea as your body is ripped limb by limb. Do I make myself clear, game master?” Threatened Geta, smirking as the game master stuttered in fear. 

Arabella closed her eyes and exhaled. Considering what could have been the outcome, it was a positive sign. Leaving the resolution as it was, the emperors moved on to have enjoyment.  Geta noticed Arabella’s slight scowl and discomfort as the Emperors started messing with their concubines. 

“Arabella, you are free to go…” Geta dismissed her, turning away. 

Arabella, feeling grateful, bowed before hurrying away from the room, not noticing hungry eyes following her out. Feeling like she was being stared at, she turned, making eye contact with Caracalla as the younger emperor licked his lips, not paying attention to the concubine on his lap. Shuddering, the lady left fast and walked to the gardens to relax her breathing. As she leaned on the fountain, she steadied her breathing when she heard a warm voice calling for her. Lifting her sight, she smiled, seeing Former Empress Lucilla walking towards her. 

“My lady, how I missed you. I apologize for not spending time with you as of late, " Arabella said as she kissed Lucilla's cheeks. 

“No worries, sweet one, I… I have been busy as well…” hesitated Lucilla, looking around her surroundings before pulling Arabella closer. 

Being led around the gardens, Arabella waited as she watched her lady gather her strength.

“I want to tell you something, but please, it must stay between us… no one can know.” Lucilla warned the younger. 

Nodding, Arabella promised as she leaned closer to the former empress. Smiling, Lucilla caressed her surrogate daughter’s cheek. 

“Lucius is alive. My Luicus is with life!” she exclaimed quietly, tears glistening. 

Arabella paused in shock, having conflicting feelings. For one, she felt happy for her lady that the son she grieved all these years was alive and not dead. On the other hand, she felt envious; Lucilla’s son was alive while hers was buried in the ground, and she never had the chance to hold him and love him. Third, if Luicus was alive, would he want his throne? What did it entail for her and for the two emperors? Lucilla’s smile dimmed at Arabella’s silence, causing the younger to force a slight grin. 

“I am happy for you, my Lady. Truly, how joy you must feel to know he is alive and safe… is he not?” She paused, seeing Lucilla frown at her words. 

Tearfully breathing, Lucilla responded, “He is one of the gladiators; he goes by Hano… He…He pushed me away. He does not want a relationship with me.” 

Lucilla shed a tear, remembering how Lucius pushed her away. Arabella's eyes softened. Wiping the tear away, she tried comforting her lady. 

“But he is alive, my lady. That is what matters, and he is so close to you. Pray for the gods for his protection; if he plays his cards right, he can earn freedom. Then there, no one can ever take him away from you.” she comforted her lady, grinning as Lucilla giggled with delight at the idea of Lucius being with her. 

“Yes, I hope so. May the gods protect and guide my son,” Lucilla prayed as the two ladies walked more. 

Soon, the ladies thanked each other, leaving Arabella to enter her chambers and see an upset Marcella waiting for her. 

“Marcella, please not tonight…” pleaded Arabella, growing exhausted hearing the scolding each night she did not lay with her emperor. 

“No! It will be tonight; while you were walking with the former empress, Caracalla and Geta overindulged in their wine, and again, I heard Macrinus urge Caracalla to make his move tonight, given how drunk Geta is; he will not be able to notice what happens until the dawn. You must go tonight; do not let that man win, Arabella….” Marcella nervously scolded her lady. 

“I… I will go tonight…” Arabella confirmed, closing her eyes in defeat. She had no idea how to seduce Geta. She was drunk the last time she did and stupidly naive. 

Marcella shook her head, helping her lady prepare and giving her spoken advice to seduce the emperor. Arabella flushed and bit her lip as she listened to the advice. Once they finished, Marcella led her lady to Geta’s chambers. 

“Now remember what I told you, my lady,” soothed Marcella as she fixed Arabella before bowing and leaving her alone. 

Sighing, Arabella searched for wine, wanting to calm her nerves. Seeing a cup, she walked towards it, looking at it in slight disgust. How many had drank from this cup? She thought to herself. Hearing commotion approaching her, she took a deep breath and drank the rest of the wine before walking back to the middle of the chambers. 

As Geta drunkenly entered his chambers with two concubines, they all froze at the beautiful sight of Arabella waiting for her emperor. Her cheeks blushed as she licked her scarlet lips, her brown waves framing her angelic face. As Geta loosened his hold, both concubines shared a look and silently left the room, leaving the emperor and lady alone. 

“Why are you here, Arabella?” slurred Geta as he staggered, and Arabella met him halfway.

Pressing herself to him, she explained, “I wish to spend the night with you. I have missed you, my imp—” She paused before finishing her sentence as Geta snorted. 

“Missed me, huh? After years of being distant, you now miss me?”  taunted Geta, watching as Arabella lowered her eyes for a second. 

Channeling her bravery, she pushed herself closer, her lips lightly touching Geta’s. She whispered, “Yes, I have…so please, Geta…. My Geta, please let me in.” 

Shuddering, Geta closed his eyes, her words affecting him again. Opening them and seeing his lady’s hooded eyes, with lust in her eyes, he closed the gape. Both allowed the walls around their hearts to fall as they embraced and deepened their kiss. After years of yearning for each other, they were finally breaking free. Arabella gasped, feeling her emperor's tongue enter her mouth. She tightened her hold of his arms as she pressed her body further to his. Groaning at the feeling, Geta grabbed her waist while pushing her closer to his bed. 

Falling on his bed, the lady, heavily breathing, stared up at her emperor, her lips swollen, her night dress falling off her shoulder, exposing more of her skin. Grinning, Geta leaned down, capturing her lips, before he moved down her jaw, down to her neck, where he began his attack, sucking a spot with licks and bites, enjoying the delicious whimpers he brought out from her. 

Arabella, falling more into her lust, wrapped her fingers through the ginger hair as she gasped, feeling Geta bite down on her neck. Yes, it was painful, but her pleasure was more remarkable. Moving to expose her neck more, she moaned, feeling him grind his clothed budge to her exposed and drenched cunt. Biting her lip, feeling devious, she, too, started to grind her hips up. She was matching the rhythm of her emperor. Grunting, Geta released his lady's neck, growing in satisfaction, seeing a red mark starting to form. Taking hold of her hip, He rubbed himself on her wet cunt, his grin growing, seeing her wither and pant from his humping. 

Opening her eyes, Arabella reached up, cradling her Geta’s face, “Please…My Geta, make me yours again; I want to be yours again…” she pleaded, breaking her promise to her 15-year-old self. 

 Growling, Geta began to undress while commanding Arabella to do the same. She did as she was told, shaking in pleasure. Arabella shed her gown before crawling onto Geta’s lap and kissing him again. She moaned into his mouth as he pushed himself inside her. He was thicker and larger from the last time she had him. Releasing her lips, Geta kissed the top of her breast before he began thrusting into his lady. Arabella moaned louder, moving her hips to match the rhythm but losing it once Geta started changing his speed, pounding into her. 

Wanting to have more control and speed, Geta pushed her to lay on her back; raising her hip, he pushed harshly, pulling out at a fast and bruising pace. Arabella screamed in delight at the overwhelming pace, her breasts bouncing with each thrust from her emperor, her mind in a daze, and she could only focus on his cock sliding in and out of her. 

“Who do you belong to…”Grunted Geta.

Leaning her head back, Arabella whispered, “I’m yours…” 

“Louder! I want the whole palace to hear you scream for me!” growled Geta as he pulled entirely out before slamming back inside her. 

Gasping wide eyes, Arabella screamed, “Yours, I am forever your Geta…. Yes… Yes… more…please… My Geta… I want more of you!” 

Grunting, losing a little of his pace, Geta grunted, “Yes, you are mine. Nobody shall ever have you. You were made for me, and nobody can ever… mmm… no one can ever compare to your cunt.” 

Nodding, Arabella squeezed her legs around Geta’s waist, grabbing his hands and placing their intertwined hands on her hips. She entirely gave herself to her emperor. 

“Yes, I will always be your Arabella. No one else can ever take me from you…” she declared before moaning loudly, feeling her emperor’s warm seed enter her. 

 As they gasped for their breath, coming down from their high, the lady ran her fingers through her liege’s hair. 

Listening to his lady’s heartbeat, Geta thought back to her declaration. Did she mean it, or was it in the heat of their pleasure? Unable to fight the tiredness, both lady and emperor fell into Morephus' domain. 

The following morning, Marcella entered her lady’s chambers, ready to prepare her for the day, when her heart jumped to her throat; Arabella wasn’t in bed. Thinking the worst, Marcella ran out of the room towards the emperors' chambers. As she nearly passed by Geta’s chambers, she stopped. Looking around, she quietly entered, growing nervous seeing the emperor naked with a woman in his arms. She decided to creep forward; the sight before made her face grow red, and she quickly moved her eyes away. In his arms was an equally naked Arabella with a slight smile on her face. A smile grew as she quickly covered them with a sheet and left in relief. 

Arabella, feeling warm, snuggled deeper into the arms around her before she realized her actions. Sharply inhaling, she opened her eyes and inclined her head to ensure she knew where she was. Staring at her, Geta’s calm face flushed as memories of last night returned, the heat blooming in her stomach again. Feeling selfish, the young lady pushed herself up, grazing her lips to his; she stared at him for a moment before leaning in and giving a chaste kiss to her emperor, waking him from his slumber. 

Usually, Geta would grow annoyed when any of his concubines tried to kiss him from his sleep, but once he opened his eyes and noticed it was Arabella, he closed his eyes again, enjoying her warm, soft lips on his. Allowing his vulnerable side to take hold, he raised a hand to her cheek, caressing it. Arabella's eyes snapped open in shock, breaking the kiss to lean away from Geta. Geta grumbled as he opened his eyes, annoyed that his kiss was cut short. As both lovers stayed frozen, staring at each other, neither knew how to begin their conversation. 

Geta decided he would be the first to speak, his question from last night coming back to him: “Did you mean what you said last night…” 

Arabella searched his face for his emotions but was unable to read him, “...I-” 

“Did you mean that you will always be mine, Arabella, that no one has or ever will touch you?” questioned Geta more firmly as he sat up. 

Arabella’s heartbeat echoed in her ears, staring into Geta’s soft eyes, even if his tone was firm. Even if her 15-year-old self screamed to place her walls up, pleading not to fall again, begging to protect their heart, Arabella could not lie anymore; she would not deny it. 

Softening her face to grace a sincere smile, Arabella kissed her lover before whispering her words on his lips, “Yes, I am forever yours, Geta, my love… not one person in the entire Roman empire shall ever take your place. I do not want to; I only want to be with you, My Geta.” 

Feeling tears prickle his eyes, The Emperor ignored his 17-year-old self, screaming at him to push her away, that if he pushed her away, they could not suffer through the same heartbreak they felt when their son died. Geta held his lover’s face as he kissed her back. She lay back on the bed as she wrapped her legs against his waist, again begging for him to enter. 

As he entered her sweet body again, hearing her quiet moan, he whispered in her ear to make sure only she would listen to his vulnerable words. “I have missed you, My Arabella, my sweet girl, my empress.” As servants passed Emperor Geta’s chambers, they heard the sweet sounds of two lovers rejoining their hearts together again. 

Later, the feast chamber was tense as many had conflicting feelings about the scene before them. Usually, Geta and Caracalla sat on an extended bench flocked by concubines as they were fed. However, Arabella sat beside Geta’s left today while Caracalla sat beside his brother’s right. Everyone saw the enormous angry mark on Arabella’s neck that she wore proudly as Geta ate happily. Acacius and Lucilla, who were invited, in truth, more commanded to come, shared a weary look between them before Lucilla drew in a sharp breath. Geta raised Arabella to his lap, looking at her with admiration as the young lady smiled at her emperor with the same look. While Caracalla and Macrinus also stared at the lovers, one in shock and the other in annoyance. It would be more challenging to separate the two, thought Macrinus as he drank his morning wine.

[seresinhangmanjake]

Stolen Angel - part 2

Demon!Jake Seresin x reader

Summary: You thought you were having a one-night stand with some random, normal guy. Turns out he’s a winged, demon-like stalker who has been obsessed with you for years.

Warnings/Notes: Jake is a little dark. Kidnapping. Manipulation. Obsessive behavior. Brief smut 18+. I’m sure there are typos. This used to be a different fic for August Walker, so if you see it, it’s fine. I wrote that one too.

Words: 1551

Part 1, Part 3

He moans so sweetly for such a strong, toned man. And it’s odd.

As he moves in and out of you, filling and stretching, his lips graze across one of your cheeks before he makes his way to the other, his nose nudging yours between those kisses. 

You try to meet his thrusts harder so you can get him to fuck you faster, but he plants a giant hand on your hipbone to hold you in place so he can continue at the pace he wants. It is not a pace you are used to, and certainly not one you expected, but you don’t hate it. 

Eventually, you succumb to it, you thrive in it, and when he flips you over and you sink down onto his cock, you keep it slow. You would like to think his hands on your waist are stopping you from increasing speed, but they just rest there, occasionally moving to your ass or breasts and gently squeezing. 

“Beautiful,” he sighs, eyes locked onto yours. “Absolutely beauti–”

You shoot up at the sound of knocking at the door, instantly groaning at the ache of your healing back. There is more healing to be done, but you’ve made rapid progress, and, to your dismay, you’re slowly starting to get used to the weight of the new appendages. You’d resisted accepting the wings at first, but after multiple mornings of waking to find them still attached to you, you gave up on the idea that any of this could be a dream.

There’s another knock. You have no idea why he bothers, seeing as he hadn’t bothered with politeness when he invaded your body with whatever drug he used to get you here. But then, true to character, he opens the door and walks right in despite your missing permission. 

The small tray in Jake’s hands is covered with an assortment of what appears to be familiar foods, but you’re no more certain that they are real than you are certain that the view outside of your window is real, or that he is real. There could be a monster under that handsome disguise. A fitting figure to match how he has treated you. His skin could be an unnatural color, bones twisted and mangled, teeth razor sharp, with eyes to compliment his misplaced soul. 

You hope you’re wrong. You hope you didn’t let a creature like that inside of you. 

As Jake nears, the blaze of his gaze over your body is unashamed and cuts into your skin like a heated knife. “Tell me you didn’t sleep in that again,” he says, disappointed.

You glance down at the dark brown smock cinched at your waist with a thin piece of rope; the first item of clothing given to you after your wings had finished growing.

“What happened to the nightgown?”

“It’s see-through," you huff.

“And?” he questions, setting the tray on the table beside your bed. “I’m the only one who will see you in it, and I’ve seen you in nothing at all, so what does the opacity of the fabric have to do with your not wearing it?”

“I don’t like it."

“So what did you do with it?”

Your eyes flick to the fireplace on the other side of the room, the fire long burnt out since its lighting the night before, and Jake’s head turns to follow. He sighs, clicks his tongue, and says, “I’ll bring you another.”

“I don’t want anoth—”

“You need to eat,” he interrupts, nudging the tray closer to you. “You haven’t in days.”

You get a better view of the fat, green grapes, and thin apple slices next to cubes of cheese and round plums. All foods you enjoy… coincidentally? No, suspiciously. You’re increasingly wary of the hints telling you that he knows so much about you.

“Not hungry,” you tell him, crossing your arms like a petulant child. 

“Yes you are, you little liar. I heard your stomach groaning from down the hall,” he replies with a slight smirk. “So, you’re going to eat whether you want to or not. I don’t need you getting any ideas about starving yourself until you’re skin and bones,” he says. “That’s not to say I wouldn’t still find you appealing, but I prefer the woman I love to be a touch livelier than that.”

Just when you think you’ve gotten over the last of the nausea, another wave rolls through you—you would rather be skin and bones than be anything that pleases him—but then the sickness is overpowered by a rush of gritty determination. 

“I don’t care what you like or prefer,” you spit back. “You want to dress me up and feed me as if you’re trying to play house, but I am not your girlfriend, I am not your wife, and I am not your toy. All you’ve done is kidnap me and put me through unbearable pain, so drop the bullshit.”

Jake’s fists are balled at his sides by the end of your words, face harshly contorted, eyebrows knitted, and the corners of his mouth tipping down. 

“You think I wanted you to hurt?” The low rumble of his voice shakes the walls. The vase of flowers on your other bedside table shatters. A small frame you’ve never noticed before falls from its hook and smashes to pieces on the stone flooring. “You think I enjoyed hearing your screams? I wish I could’ve taken it all away, but that's not possible!”

You stand sharply, sturdy despite the tremor of the floor, and try pushing him back, but he doesn’t budge this time. He’s like a brick wall, tall and six feet thick. 

“You could have left me alone!” Your fists slam into the rock-solid muscles of his arms and chest and shoulders; anywhere you can reach. “I’m not meant to be here! I don’t belong! I’m not supposed to be whatever the fuck you are, I'm supposed to be human!”

Jake snatches your wrists, presses them together, and wraps one large hand around both. Your eyes widen and wings fan out to keep you steady as you’re forced into a seated position on the mattress. The room descends into still silence, and with a tightening grip, Jake leans in until his nose nearly touches yours. 

“You are meant to be with me,” he growls. “You are my Angel, and you couldn’t return to your old life even if I released you. You are not human. This is your home now.”

You try your hardest to hold your position in the stare-off, but you're distracted by a bright red that begins to seep into the green of his eyes, like little tendrils slithering from the pupil and infecting the iris. It's barely noticeable, but it calls for you to back off, to stand down, and though you don’t want to, you have to look away. 

“I hate you,” you grumble.

Jake exhales heavily as he straightens to full height. “You will learn to love me,” he says. 

You look up to find all traces of that red gone. “How could I? Why would I even try?”

“Because I saved you from a miserable life in a useless world. Because no man could love you like I do,” he replies. “Because before you knew about any of this, you enjoyed having me in your bed.”

When he goes to tuck a stray piece of hair behind your ear with the hand not holding your wrists captive, you jerk your head to the side. “Bastard,” you mutter.

Jake chuckles dryly and releases you, but there is a warning in that chuckle, a threat in the way he frees your hands. You can feel it—how he wants you to understand that he will have no problem putting you in your place if you refuse to cooperate, but that for now, for reasons you’d be wise not to test, he's willing to be lenient.

“I don’t know what we are going to do about that rude mouth, Angel,” he says, crossing his arms. “I’m getting a bit sick of it.”

“Yea, well, then maybe you took the wrong girl.”

His lips pull into a closed-mouth grin as he stares down at you, almost in examination. After a few seconds, however, you realize it’s not examination, it’s adoration. He’s not scanning your face as if to memorize all of its fine details now that he has ample opportunity, he’s gazing appreciatively at what’s been previously memorized. As his eyes drink in your features, you’re starting to believe he could map them out in complete darkness if necessary; he could paint your portrait with no source of light. They follow the curl of your eyelashes, trace the bow of your lips, give attention to each faded freckle as if caressing a long-lost lover. 

“No, I didn’t,” is all he says before he turns and walks to the door. He pauses halfway through and points a finger at the tray of food. “Eat,” he demands. “And I want that attitude sorted out by the time I come back.”

Plucking a grape from the bunch, you hurl it his way as the door shuts behind him. You miss, of course. Because, somehow, he’s just a tad too quick. Somehow, he’s always one step ahead of you.

tags: @wkndwlff @kmc1989 @sagittarius-flowerchild @dempy @oliviah-25 @rosiahills22 @xoxabs88xox @matisse556 @hardballoonlove @lynnevanss @pono-pura-vida @tgmreader @amgluvsbooks @ravenhood2792 @djs8891 @shakespeareanwannabe @penguin876 @tgmavericklover @athenabarnes @emilyoflanternhill @wretchedmo @shanimallina87 @crowsreadsarahjmaas @mamachasesmayhem @sky2nd @jessicab1991 @rosedurin @averyhotchner @horseshoegirl @roosteraloha @b-bradshaw @fandom-life-12 @hookslove1592 @buckysteveloki-me

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VVBS FAMILY DECREPATION DROPED!

+ new familys

I also updated the family descriptions from the previous post here. Like last time, I have provided a link to the wiki for new sims to understand the reference

Albany wanted a big family, and he got it without paying attention to the growing strife from within. Meanwhile Goneril has been having a secret affair, in which she found a lifeline and a chance break free from her old beliefs in order to openly express her genuine thoughts and feelings. Will Mrs. Capp be able to go on with it or will she once again withdraw into her shell for the supposed family “stability”? And will Miranda, Hal, Desdemona and Ariel carry on the Capp pseudo-traditions, or smash the establishment to smithereens?

Antonio Monty’s emotional state and career are sinking to the bottom of a “grape juice” bottle. Will his children be able to help him recover from the loss or is he going to need the outside help? Where has Hero disappeared to? Was it an alien abduction, like how it happened to that lady in a red dress? Or does Regan Capp have something to do with it, since Hero wouldn’t stop going on about her until the day she vanished into thin air?

Regan and Cornwall had to move from the big city of Belladonna Cove back to the small Veronaville due to unsuccessful financial shenanigans. It appears that these two will have to move in with, in Cornwall’s own words, a no-good, insignificant, useless and lazy Regan’s younger brother until the duo gains the strength to start all over again.

Bianca Monty has always dreamt about children, and someone from above gave her a clear answer by leaving a young and eccentric Benvolio on her doorstep. Recently, however, the young mother has been feeling uneasy and is growing distant from her adoptive son. How does Benvolio feel about this and is he aware of the reasons behind his mother’s anxiety?

The Snout (my post) - Zhung (wiki link)

Madam Snout, a fashion photographer and designer, once belonged to an influential family of tea planters – the Zhungs. But one day Madam’s worldview took a 180 degree turn and she fled to Veronaville with her daughter in tow to start a new life away from her strict family. Things went on as usual until one day Madam’s mother, Madame Yingtai herself, appeared on her doorstep. What could be a reason for Yingtai to make a surprise visit to her “prodigal” daughter?

The Macbeth - Gloucester

“What did the wise and strict Ladya find in such a sad-sack as Erlolf?” - that is the question which has been puzzling the minds of the upper class even after Ladia’s passing. Can it be true that that stroke of lighting boosted Erlolf’s luck up to 10000%? Can luck be inherited? Ask the brothers, who need to split the inheritance and one of them needs to continue their mother’s legacy. But, all things considered, one of them wants to take MUCH MORE of what is due.

yeha sorry I haven't been particularly active here lately because I worked very hard (and studied at the same time) to FINALLY FINISHED MY PROJECT🎉🎉🎉

The process went faster thanks to my good friends

I hope this month I will be able to give a presave for download, BUT the hood is available so far only in RUS

so until the translation is ready, I will try to make more vv:bs content!

[odditycircus-2002]

Medusa!Reader and Shang Tsung in MK1: Part 6

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SPOILER ALERT: Proceed with Caution

You and Shang Tsung land in a stone chamber somewhere entirely unfamiliar. The Sorcerer is quick to push you away when your snakes attempt to bite at him again before using magic to bind your wrists together before you can use either your scythes or remove your mask. He then levitates you into the air to coo patronizingly at you.

"Honestly, my dove, did you really-"

Shang stops in midsentence when he notices a strange growth on his finger. The same one of your snakes knicked him with his fangs. This growth speared like a small flesh-covered branch with a couple of grape-sized orbs that were the same shade of blood, black veins quickly making their way up his wrist under the odd protrusion. Shang narrows his eyes when he plucks one of these orbs and pops them between his fingers, the smell of his blood immediately recognizable. He doesn't notice how the magic holding you flickers.

Shang then lights the growth with a familiar green magical aura before completely removing it from his body. He lets the strange protrusion fall to the ground and shrivel up before turning his attention back on you; watching as the black veins underneath start to recede. He explains that his benefactor taught him and his fellow sorcerer, Quan-chi, the magic Shang could only ever dream of. She promised them realms and, if he succeeds, the realms will be at his feet, and he wants you by his side when he does. Shang knows you're upset with him, but what happened to you came with a grand purpose in mind. He'll grow you gardens even more grand than Sindel's and grant all you desire in apology. His expression softens when he senses your dejection as you turn your head away from him.

"Our time together in our lab wasn't all a ruse, Y/N. Those were truly some of the best days of my life."

You then move your head in his direction and Shang follows your gaze with an, dare you say, hopeful expression on his face. Yet, it's soon erased when you inquire about the growth protruding from his finger, the same finger from earlier.

Shang's brows furrow in confusion as he observes the strange protrusion, his eyes widening when he sees the black veins under his skin grow faster than before. He then uses his magic to kill the lump again, only another to grow in its place with more branches and orbs. To his horror, on the other hand, another similar growth spurts from his wrist, most likely from another knick of your snake's fangs he didn't notice. Growing desperate, Shang rips out the strange plant from his wrist, gritting his teeth in pain as he uses his magic to heal the new wound. But it is in vain, as the veins continue to make their way up his arm. So the process repeats of Shang ripping out the strange branches and using his magic to heal the wound, but he could only keep the effects at bay, not cure it.

You start to lower from the air as Shang's magic wavers around you until it disperses completely, allowing you to drop back on the ground. You watch in morbid fascination as Shang visibly starts to exhaust himself from the vicious cycle you inadvertently put him in, circling around him as the Sorcerer falls to his knees. Shang pants while watching with horror as the veins grow and branches spring from his flesh, causing the skin to shrivel like old apples.

You then let a low giggle before gradually increasing in volume. It doesn't take long before the giggles transform into laughter that echoes in your empty chamber, giving the impression that a crowd of people has gathered around the dying Sorcerer to mock his misfortune. Shang Tsung can barely choke out his question, demanding to know why you're laughing. You could hardly hear Shang's words as the sound of your amusement travels down the tunnels surrounding both you and Shang.

After taking a breath to compose yourself and wiping away tears, you explain to Shang that it's humorously ironic that he's dying for something he created. He made you into this snake-like monster, and now he'll die from the same monster. You divulge to Shang that you're tempted to just watch him die, but you haven't forgotten how the Sorcerer brought you back to health.

You haven't forgotten how he would bring you flowers, prepare your favorite meals, patiently help you relearn how to use your hands due to how their nerves were damaged, gently bathe you, careful to not irritate your burns, and whisper assurances after you first saw your new form... Nor have you forgotten how he turned your innermost thoughts into pure nightmares or coerced you to hand over your life's work.

For these reasons, you offer to put Shang Tsung out of his misery and show him the syringe filled with the poison you use to euthanize your patients when Tarkat takes hold of their minds permanently. Shang catches a glimpse of your sinister grin similar to the one he'd give to his experiments. A grin made more malicious from your fangs. Despite how every breath became harder and harder to draw, he couldn't help but find you beautiful even now.

It doesn't surprise you when he refuses to be euthanized, claiming he will not die like some sick dog. You reply by saying that, at some point, you wished he put you down like a sick dog. With that, you bid the Sorcerer farewell for what you thought the final time. You then take off running down a random hall to, hopefully, freedom. By the time Shang hears your footsteps dissipate completely, he sees the edges of his vision go black. Yet, just as he was about to slip into the inky blackness's embrace, possibly forever, he spotted a familiar pair of glowing electric blue eyes. Once again, Damashi proves to be his salvation when she sticks him with a syringe filled with a blue liquid. Immediately, the bloody orbs shriveled up to dust; then branches started to fall off him; life returned to his skin; finally, the black veins receded from his arms.

"Y/N is ready."

Admittedly, running off into an environment you're not familiar with to escape your captor may not have been the best plan on your part. You can make out you're in a mountain or within a mountainous terrain based on the smells you can pick up. There are seemingly endless tunnels no matter which way you go. However, thanks to your snakes, you could use them as whiskers to feel the airflow around you. They eventually led out to a large chamber where you could sense the most airflow, a chamber filled with mountains of gold koins that glittered in the torchlight from the burning basins surrounding the area.

You silently make your way through the gold, occasionally ducking and hiding behind pillars when you hear someone passing by. It turns out to be primarily guards you recognize from Shao's army, which only confirms your suspicions that the general is in on this whole conspiracy. Yet, out of all the people you expected to be traitors, you didn't want to believe it to be the High Mage, Rain.

You were crouched next to a small ornate boat when you saw Rain overseeing a large pot filled with molten gold with a simple machine fanning the flames. He spoke with a hooded woman with a skull mask about another sorcerer named Quan-chi and how soon Shao is expected to overthrow Sindel. You barely held in a gasp and more or less had to strangle your snakes to keep them from hissing. You have known Rain since he was a child when he used to run around with Mileena and Katana in the palace. He was such a curious and bright boy when you met him after he caught you using your hydromancy to create your medicinal elixirs. You still remember how he visited you practically every day, asking you a million questions about your magic and how you used it. You honestly thought he would've become an imperial healer like you, but you weren't surprised when learning that Rain studied to become a high mage, given his primary focus was how you controlled water.

Was everyone you knew in the imperial house a traitor??? You couldn't help but think to yourself as you ground your teeth together in frustration. Deciding to wrestle with that concept later, you waited until Raine moved away from his spot before making your move. You could see snow raining down, but you restrained yourself until you reached the threshold. That's when you bolted, almost tripping over a stone barrier that led down a steep drop of about 30 meters, but caught yourself just in time. While you didn't get much practice with your wings (with most of them crashing to the ground and frightening Baraka). Still, you're mostly positive that you have a slight chance of dying. You then looked around for any guards, finding them too far to do anything, before running off the stone wall. You smiled widely as you jumped off the wall, glad to be finally free. And then you fell.

Luckily, your wings opened in time for you to catch an updraft that sent you hurdling through the air. You let out a brief laugh, relieved to be gaining air and NOT falling to your death. However, this relief is short-lived when you hear an ear-shattering screech to your side and are tackled back to the fortress by a red blur. You both try to bite at one another as you wrestle one another on the ground, simultaneously trying to avoid being bit by the other. Nitara eventually pushes you away from her when too many of your snakes get too close to biting her. You immediately recognize her as Vaternian from the stories you heard as a girl from the Battle of Chesna Fields and from Baraka during his days in the Daybreak Legion. Because of the latter, you have a good idea of how to take the Vaternian down. Nitara informs you that she's been instructed to not allow you to leave, as Shang Tsung and Quan-chi still have plans for you. Plans that will ensure that Nitara will be able to save her realm. So you and Nitara fight, mercilessly tearing into one another.

A/N: Sorry, I ran out of space😅, but I hope you enjoyed this latest installment! Stay weird, my fellow humans.

[loweya-blog]

MC Gets Turned into a Fairy

(Fluff, gender neutral mc)

(Part 2)

You and the brothers were working on a potion together at RAD. Lucifer had gone off to see Diavolo, who was asking for his presence to discuss something. In those few minutes he was gone, Mammon accidentally added some pixie periwinkles to the mixture instead of hellish hellabore. You were excited to try this recipe since this would result in extra luck and fortune for the rest of the day.

The brothers let you have the resulting potion since they wanted you to have some luck. As the potion slid down your throat, you felt an odd sparkling sensation, like you had some sort of odd soda. Suddenly, there was a puff of smoke.

You heard them call out your name as you felt yourself shrinking to a tiny little size. By the time the smoke cleared, you found yourself sitting in a massive pile of clothes, looking up at the brothers with confusion. On your back was a pair of delicate insect-like wings.

You had been turned into a fairy!

Belphie

His eyes shot open when he heard the shouts of alarm from his brothers. After the smoke cleared, he just saw a tiny version of you with little wings, covering yourself with the pile of oversized clothes.... it was cute.

For the rest of the time that you're a fairy, he tries to remain awake. The last thing he wanted was to accidentally crush you in his sleep. They were informed you would turn back to normal in three days. It was hard for Belphie to get any private time with you since all his brothers were clamoring for your attention even more than usual.

But when you were busy dealing with the brothers, he would set aside a small bed for you. He made it from magic and tried to make it as cozy as his. Belphie even copied his pillow and made it tiny so you both would match.

And when it looks like you're getting too tired for his brother's shenanigans, he picks you up by your wings (much to your annoyance) and carries you to bed. He also was careful to set your bed right on the nightstand next to his and beel's, despite his other brothers' protests.

Beel

For a moment Beel was terrified. He didn't want that potion to hurt you, he just wanted to give you good luck. The demon was stunned to see a tiny version of you all curled up in those clothes. You were so small. So very tiny. A part of him couldn't help but feel endeared to you even more than before.

During this time he tries to avoid touching you since he worried his strength would crush you. It would take some time but you'd eventually be able to convince him to let you fly into the palm of his hands. The demon couldn't help but admire you.

You were even able to help him! Sometimes you'd catch a grape or some other small fruit from falling off the counter. And your new fairy magic was able to get things to grow faster, including food!

Beel would also let you sit on his shoulder. It was nice hearing you whisper into his ear or chat with him in a way that nobody else could hear. He also helped you learn how to fly, since his wings were very similar to yours.

Asmodeus

The gorgeous demon couldn't help but worry that potion may have done something to mar your perfectness. To his surprise, it just made you cuter instead! You were so tiny and had such pretty wings! Asmo was the first to scoop you up and squeal about your transformation.

Outfits. If you were going to be stuck as a fairy for a few days then he'd simply have to make sure you were stunning! Asmo worked with Levi for hours on designing and creating new clothes for you. And accessories and shoes.

For hours you ended up as his newest and most favorite tiny dress up doll. Even if it would be only for a few days, you had enough outfits to fill up a tiny fairy wardrobe.

Painting your nails was harder so he had to give up on that but he did give you tutorials so at least you'd be able to do it. Oh and your wings! He took so many photos for devilgram of your wings. And he insisted that you'd sit on cute mushrooms or lay on a leaf so he could post it. Though there were a few that were too cute to share.

Satan

He was going to wring the neck of whoever messed up on the potion. The idea of you getting hurt through a simple mistake was inexcusable. He quickly checked the recipe to try to predict what it had done. What he could never predict, was you turning into a fairy.

It was.... cute. Too cute. The whole time Satan couldn't even look at you without blushing. Though he had a preference for cats, seeing how small and delicate you were reminded him of a kitten. He was obliged to check how long the spell would last but secretly hoped it wouldn't wear off too quickly.

He'd suddenly bring you minature books so you could read and even made a tiny chair for you so you could read on the end table next to him. But it was so cute that he wasn't actually able to read, instead stealing glances at you every time he could.

Your wings were even more elegant, which also captured his fascination. He had read about fairies but they were only in storybooks. Actually seeing one was incredible. There was a bit of magic you brought to life that he normally could only find in books... even for a demon.

Leviathan

He panicked when that smoke appeared. THAT wasn't normal! Even a gross otaku like him could understand it. Levi was all but ready to pronounce you mortally wounded or dead when the smoke cleared and instead he saw you in your fairy form. It was just like I Got Turned Into A Fairy By My Careless Magic Friend/Potential Love Interest!

Like Asmo, he also asked to take photos. But instead he'd make tiny cosplays along with actual clothes. Asmo didn't know this, but most of the clothes he made for you were actually cosplays from his favorite fairy-related shows.

Levi even got to take a photo of you flying next to Henry, though he was careful to make sure the goldfish wouldn't try to jump up and eat you. He would also hold mangas up so you could fly around and read them without getting squished by pages flopping over.

Playing games was much harder since you weren't even the same size as the controller. So Levi would have you fly up and sit on his head and tell him what to do in the game instead. You both ended up playing whimsical fantasy themed games as celebration for your temporary fairy form.

Mammon

Oh shit. Dread filled his stomach as he realized his error. He dashed over to the pile of ingredients and yep, there was the hellish hellabore he was SUPPOSED to add. He frantically ran back over to you... only to find a tiny version of you with wings hiding in your clothes.

This man gets even more possessive if that was somehow possible. Rather than letting you fly everywhere, sometimes he'll just carefully catch you in his hands and carry you off somewhere. Mammon couldn't help it! You're the one to blame for being so cute and small and precious!

He'd also bribe you into coming with him to cheat on casino card games. You were small enough to fly around without being noticed so it wasn't hard to be able to have you spy on other demon's cards. Once Lucifer found out about Mammon's schemes, he was quick to put a stop to it.

Mammon covered the costs of Levi and Asmo making your new clothes and any tiny furniture in exchange for photos. It was money he'd saved up to buy himself something nice but now all he wanted to do was spoil his favorite little fairy.

Lucifer

Ten minutes. He'd been gone for TEN MINUTES! Not only had his brothers been foolish enough to have you drink a potion that hadn't been tested yet, but they also somehow botched the recipe. His temper did calm down, especially when you placed your tiny hands on his cheeks.

Lucifer was more strict on his brothers when it came to your safety. You were never to be left alone unless you were using the bathroom, and even then somebody had to be nearby in case you fell into the toilet. Food was to be made your size and your were pretty much sentenced to house arrest until this was all over.

However, he had to admit he liked seeing you with those pretty wings and adorable clothes. He ended up "confiscating" some of the photos Asmo and Levi took, but really he was just secretly keeping it for himself.

At one point you'd been tired out by all the others so he ended up making a small cup, tiny sized for you, and filled it with a beverage you typically liked. After all you'd done so much for him and his family. A little energy boosting drink was nothing in comparison.... and he wanted to see you holding a tiny cup and drinking from it. You were too cute.

(Lemme know if you guys want a part 2 with the other dateables and Luke)

[merrimentsmight]

Cicero and Listener gathering flowers for Mother, then killing people who're bounty hunting the Listener and then just having a cute camp/picnic while still covered in blood,,,,, that's my favourite daydream of Cici

Mother needed dragon's tongue, Cicero said. He would always bring her flowers, and make sure they were fresh and fragrant. It was sweet, and it made him happy. The Listener suspected it made Mother happy, too. So they were picking dragon's tongue off the side of the road south of Windhelm. The Listener was being careful, picking only a few blossoms from each plant to keep them growing and healthy. Cicero was less calculating, and picked whichever ones he thought best, even if that was every flower the plant had to offer. When they had a full basket of flowers, the Listener rested, sitting on the side of a stone ledge, and began to pick wild jazbay grapes, popping some of the sweet berries into their mouth and adding some to the over-crowded basket.

Cicero kept gathering flowers. They watched him flit about in the late afternoon sun, mumbling and laughing to himself and looking, gods bless him, content. “And there was the one with the, no, no that won't do, too crass. Oh, terribly, terribly crass. But perhaps if I reworded it...” he mumbled to himself, following a train of thought whose beginning and end were as obfuscated to himself as anyone else. They were so caught up in looking at him that they didn't notice the quickly approaching footsteps on the road behind them, despite the fact that they were far from stealthy.

“Well!" said Cicero sharply, catching the Listener's attention, “It looks like we have company. Should Cicero set another place at the table?” The rest of the world came back into focus, and they hopped off of the ledge to stand next to him.

“Perhaps it's nothing," they said, as the group approached, "perhaps they'll just keep walking.” They both hoped that it was not nothing, and that they would be stupid enough to make trouble. They both got their wish.

“You! We know who you are,” said one of them, a thick-accented Dunmer near the front.

"Oh?” They asked, clutching the basket of flowers like an innocent youth. A sentiment undercut by Cicero's grim laughter.

“Yeah.” He returned, stepping dangerously closer, “and ever since what you did to the Emperor you've got a mighty fine price on your head, too.” He was in leather armor, as were most of his cadre, and the leather was from cows and not netches. They hadn't traveled too terribly far for the bounty. The Listener wondered how far rumors had spread, and who was spreading them. They had gone to great lengths to remove witnesses in the past.

“Do you have proof, or are you going to execute me on your hunch alone?” They asked.

“Please. You have the jester with you. There's only one little redheaded jester in all of Skyrim, far as I know, and he's your one.”

“Oh! Cicero feels terribly special,” he said, knives already drawn. But he did like that idea of possession, that even strangers knew who he was, and who the Listener was, and that he was theirs.

The Listener smiled in that way they did, sharp and nasty, that made Cicero's heart start beating even faster than the thrill of the impending fight did. The good name of the Dark Brotherhood had been tarnished so badly that these poor men had no idea what they were up against. The man reached for the sword on his belt, and Cicero, like a well trained attack dog, pounced.

He cut the man's throat before anyone knew what was happening. A spray of blood issued from the wound and covered Cicero and the Listener and the basket of flowers, which the Listener set gingerly behind them before drawing their own weapons and advancing to join Cicero in the throng. They made quick work of the rest of the bounty hunters, who reacted slowly, as if they had been expecting the assassins to surrender when outnumbered.

“Mash and bash and swipe and clash! Ha!” laughed Cicero, sidestepping to avoid overturning the discarded baskets of flowers, “nobody gets the best of the Dark Brotherhood.” The Listener allowed themself to laugh with him. When it was all said and done, they were ringed by the bodies of the dead and dying, sitting among the flowers and leaning on each other to laugh like children. By the time they stopped fighting, and then stopped laughing, the moons had come out.

“Oh,” said the Listener, pushing away from where Cicero had clutched them in his helpless mirthful peals, “I suppose we'll have to set up here for the night.”

“Mmhm,” said Cicero, still giggling. He lowered his bloody head onto their lap and popped a blood-splattered grape from their basket into his mouth. “Whatever you say, my Listener.”

[mrs-gilscarbo]

Chestnut Ridge, Summer 1920s

The decision was made- Nico would stay in Chestnut Ridge. He planned to build a home for June. It wouldn't be the grand mansion he always dreamed of, but it would be theirs, and there was something beautiful in the modesty of that.

And then, just as soon as the plans were made, they changed. June was pregnant, she was certain. Nico would need a lot more money, a lot faster. And if there was one thing he knew how to do, it was make fast money.

In the short term, Nico would sneak out and crack a few safes. He would tell June that he was able to access some money that he had tied up in stocks, from his past life working in "investments".

In the long term, the climate in the area was perfect for growing grapes, and well and truly out of the Crni Orlovi jurisdiction. He hated to keep secrets from June, but more than anything he wanted to provide and to protect her and their unborn child from the dangers of the life he left.

[healthjourneyraghubir]

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[itsclydebitches]

You’re so mean. I’m crying after reading that poor Zevlor specifically about Orin’s gift. Omg that part make me cry. That’s so tragic. Even if I don’t get who is Orin (I’m still at act 1) so mean yet it was so well portrayed my poor heart can’t take it! I must don’t miss him! 😭

It makes me feral, anon! I definitely won’t spoil any more about Orin because she’s a treat in Act 3 but yeah, missing out on Zevlor the second time doesn’t, uh... end well for him...

I might do a followup meta after my 2nd play-through because all joking aside, it is kinda fascinating to me how much Zevlor functions as the narrative’s punching bag. Certainly we have no lack of characters going through The Horrors—which includes all the Origin peeps—yet there’s something about the combination of Zevlor’s past, his place in the conflict, and other characters’ feelings towards him that makes my brain go, “Goddamn what did the man do to deserve this??”

Anyway, until then please accept a happier Zevlor ficlet to make up for the very upsetting meta :D

***

The Feast Pairing: None Word Count: 1,122 AO3

“How are we on rations?”

Zevlor knew, of course. There was very little going on in camp that he wasn’t already aware of. Still, it was either make the rounds and ask rhetorical questions, or pace within the chamber until Tilly threatened to knock him out with the pommel of her sword. Zevlor wasn’t willing to test her resolve in that matter and the others, frankly, were more indulgent—more than he deserved.

Okta smiled, clearly trying to take the sting out of her words. “Well, we’ve got enough for a bowl each, not that a bowl’ll get ‘em very far.”

Zevlor looked down at the gruel, though that seemed such an unkind word for what had been sourced with determination and slow-simmered with love. The concoction was more liquid than oats and Zevlor knew they hadn’t nearly enough milk for that to be the base. Okta was right. His people were subsiding mostly on water and with an inevitable battle on the horizon...

A soft curse suddenly took flight and Okta’s expression hardened—foreign emotions marring her face. “Wouldn’t be so bad if those tree huggers would grow a pair 'a fuckin’ horns and share a bit of what’s theirs.” Her eyes lingered on the storage shed. “Pandirma’s done such a good job guardin’ it for ‘em.”

Translation: She could slip a thing or two into her pockets.

“The druids have given more than enough,” Zevlor murmured.

Okta met his gaze squarely. “No. They haven’t.”

There was no accusation in her words but Zevlor still felt them keenly. Perhaps if he’d had the fortitude to get through to Kagha. Perhaps if he’d found a better place for them to shelter from the goblins. Perhaps if he’d gotten them out of Elturel faster, or done more to lift the city from Avernus. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.

Zevlor’s old blade was locked tight in a chest he had every intention of leaving behind, the mark of his God meticulously filed away. Being a Hellrider had gotten him little but despair, so Zevlor reached into his pockets as only a man and retrieved a single, meager offering.

A simple pear, bruised and missing its stem.

“It’s not much,” he said, holding it out, “but perhaps... for the children...?”

Okta’s smile was as soft as any mother’s but before she could take the fruit a shout sounded from above them. Honed instincts and overwrought nerves had Zevlor reaching for his crossbow. It took him too long to register that the sound was one of happiness.

The adventurers. Zevlor watched, stunned, as Tav and two of their companions came down the slope—carefully so as not to disturb the riches they carried. Wyll lead with a basket of apples that put his small pear to shame. The pale man—Astarion—followed with a pack twice the basket’s size overflowing with all manner of foodstuffs: mushrooms, grapes, bread, fish wrapped carefully in paper, and—Gods, was that alcohol? It was Tav that caught everyone’s eye though, the one drawing appreciative hands to their lower back and arms as they passed. No one could pat their shoulder because they had a massive buck slung across them, the beast sluggishly bleeding into their armor.

“Hungry?” they asked, just this side of cheeky.

“How...?” It was all Zevlor could manage. The amount they carried would feed all the tieflings tonight. Tomorrow too. For days if they were careful.

Wyll shrugged. “It's nothing extravagant, I'm sorry to say. Turns out that goblins don’t just eat dwarf and this food would have gone to waste had we left it behind.”

“Because we killed them,” Astarion took up, a manic satisfaction in the words. “Not all of them. Not yet, darling, but given how generous we’ve been of late, I’d be happy to discuss our payment—”

Tav smacked him with the buck’s hoof as they slipped past. “Ignore him,” they said, letting out a sigh as they finally set their prize down. “You don’t owe us a thing, Zevlor.”

“I beg to differ.”

“What are we getting paid for, Astarion? The strenuous act of picking apples beneath an idyllic tree? The good fortune of spotting a lame buck that fell to a single arrow? Oh wait, maybe it’s your stressful day of... what was it? Right, slipping a single vile of poison into the goblin’s beer tub.”

Zevlor suddenly had the sense that Tav was teasing Astarion—and that this was a rare honor few others were afforded.

Astarion sniffed. “I expect to be accommodated for my supplies at the very least. That poison was of high quality and very expensive.”

From just beyond his shoulder Wyll mouthed, ‘It wasn’t’ with a crooked smile.

All the while Okta had been doing a strange little dance, clapping her hands with glee as she surveyed the feast before her. Suddenly she swooped down and planted a kiss on Tav’s cheek, blood and all. They flushed a deep scarlet and hastily stumbled to their feet.

“Thank you,” Zevlor breathed. There were still goblins, and Kagha, and the long, arduous road to Baldur’s Gate, but this? This was a gift that would carry them through.

Feeling foolish, he pressed the pear into Tav’s hand, daring to go so far as to squeeze as he pressed their fingers around the fruit. “Here. You should have something for yourself too.”

Tav blinked, staring down at the offering. For one horrible moment Zevlor considered all the ways his words could be misconstrued. That the adventurers weren’t allowed to partake of their own food. That their efforts—immense by anyone’s standards, let alone his—were worth only a sad piece of fruit. That impulsive act had been worse than foolish; it was insulting.

“What about you?”

That’s all they said though. Honest consideration. Zevlor had to swallow hard before he could answer. He wasn’t even sure what he said. Something about the skin getting stuck in a tiefling’s teeth. Okta shot him a look that was part amusement, mostly resignation. Then she shooed everyone away so she could begin preparations.

They did, in fact, feast that night. Well, perhaps ‘feast’ was a comparative term, but Zevlor would have taken their meal over a king’s any day. He was conservative with his own plate and most of what he did take mysteriously wound up on Mol’s. The child had a knack for slight of hand but it would be several years before she could catch him in the act.

It was when Zevlor finally returned to his bedroll that he found it. Another gift, another offering of friendship, this one warming him right down to his core.

A cut pear rested beautifully on a plate, each slice meticulously peeled of its skin.

[redshiftsinger]

I think "AI" guys set themselves up for this problem by mis-naming their work.

None of it is actually "intelligence", nor is it actually "learning".

"Machine Learning" is just a pattern-matching algorithm that gets better at matching patterns as its given a larger data set to analyze. Which is superficially similar to actual learning, but actual learning is far more complex and includes the ability to make connections across different kinds of inputs, and to apply imagination to extrapolating from the existing data. "Machine Learning" can only say (for a simplified example, with numbers pulled out of my ass) "in my database there are 278 items which match this input 70% or better, and 216 of them are labeled "apple" including all of the highest-rated matches. Therefore I conclude that this is an image of an apple."

If the data set the algorithm uses doesn't include labeled images of many different kinds of apples, only images of red ones, it will under-estimate the likelihood of an image of a Granny Smith apple being an apple at all and might try to call it a grape if it's loaded with images of green grapes. A human who has only familiarity with red apples and green grapes encountering a Granny Smith for the first time is likely to think "well this can't be a grape, it's too large and the skin texture is wrong, plus grapes come in bunches and this is a single fruit. It's shaped like an apple, but apples are red. I know that many fruits are green before they ripen to another color, so I think this is an underripe apple", which is a lot closer than any algorithm with the same data set could get to the actual answer.

These algorithms are not LEARNING and they are not INTELLIGENT. They're just very large statistical-likelihood calculators that can process a lot of data very quickly.

And yes, that's a useful tool in some cases! They're likely to be able to get very good at tasks like sexing chickens (notoriously difficult for humans, the training process consists of having a trained person tell you every time you get it wrong until you stop getting it wrong, and you start out literally just guessing, there's nothing to extrapolate from, you just have to build up enough experience being told which chicken butt belongs to a male chick or a female one until the subtle pattern starts registering in your subconscious consistently). Or as mentioned above, identifying cancer cells. A "machine learning" algorithm can be fed inputs from many trained chicken sexers at once and build enough of a pattern-matching base for accuracy faster than a human could ever, and can theoretically retain and expand that database indefinitely, well beyond a human lifetime. And it's not exactly a task that needs creativity or imagination to do well.

But it absolutely cannot grow an actual imagination out of the ability to match patterns to a high degree of specificity, no matter how massive and broad you make its database. That's not a moral judgment, it's simply a limitation of what algorithmic pattern-matching technology can and can't do. It will never be intelligent. It will only ever be a large database that can spit out statistical predictions from a lot of sorted information rapidly.

Labeling it accurately in the first place would have prevented grifters from being able to pretend that it's ever going to have a snowball's chance in hell of coming up with actual new ideas (that haven't already been thought up by a human and fed into the database) or creative output that isn't just a statistical mashup of what it already knows. And then people wouldn't be conflating that grift with the useful analytical tool that a fast and effective pattern-matching computer program can be.

(Source)

[grapesinnovations]

Empowering Healthcare Providers with Reliable EMR Software Solutions

Discover how EMR software from Grapes Innovative Solutions helps clinics and hospitals reduce paperwork, enhance coordination, and deliver efficient patient care. This digital system streamlines scheduling, prescriptions, reporting, and documentation while supporting better data accuracy and compliance. Learn how a reliable EMR platform simplifies hospital operations and supports timely, informed clinical decisions across departments.

EMR Software: A Smarter Way to Manage Clinical Data

As the volume of patient data continues to grow, healthcare providers face the challenge of organizing information, maintaining accuracy, and complying with regulations. EMR software has become an indispensable tool in this context. It replaces outdated manual systems with intelligent digital workflows that reduce error rates, improve communication, and optimize operational efficiency. Electronic Medical Records allow for seamless data access across departments, helping doctors and nurses collaborate more effectively. Whether it’s updating clinical notes, reviewing diagnostic test results, or generating prescriptions, EMR software centralizes all essential functions into one unified platform. This not only saves time but also helps avoid costly delays and errors in patient care.

How EMR Software Reinforces Operational Efficiency

Hospitals today are complex ecosystems with multiple departments working in coordination. EMR software ensures these departments function harmoniously. For example, once a doctor inputs a patient’s diagnosis and requests a lab test, the request is immediately available to the diagnostics department. The results, once ready, are automatically linked to the patient’s profile. Simultaneously, if a prescription is required, the pharmacy is notified digitally, ensuring medications are prepared in advance. These real-time interactions significantly reduce patient waiting times and eliminate redundant tasks. They also ensure that healthcare professionals spend more time with patients rather than managing paperwork.

Benefits of EMR Software Adoption

Centralized Data Access:

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Key Features That Define a Powerful EMR Software

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Role-Based Permissions:Controls access to sensitive data by assigning user roles. For example, only authorized doctors may access complete patient histories, while administrative staff may have limited access.

Mobile Compatibility:Physicians and healthcare staff can use tablets or smartphones to update and retrieve patient data, promoting care continuity from any location.

Speech-to-Text Input:Allows clinicians to dictate their notes instead of typing, making documentation quicker and more convenient especially useful during high patient volumes.

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How EMR Software Supports Better Patient Outcomes

Effective EMR software is not just about digitization it’s about making clinical care smarter. When doctors can access a full picture of a patient’s condition, they’re equipped to make faster, safer decisions. For instance, if a patient has recurring issues, the software can show trends in vital signs, previous medication responses, and test results. This helps clinicians tailor treatments and avoid repeated procedures. Patients also benefit from smoother interactions. They get reminders about upcoming appointments, can access prescriptions digitally, and receive timely follow-ups. This improves engagement, trust, and adherence to care plans. Moreover, EMR systems support preventive care by tracking patient history and prompting tests or screenings based on age, gender, or past conditions. This proactive approach reduces emergency admissions and enhances long-term outcomes.

Conclusion

Healthcare is changing, and digital systems like EMR software are leading that transformation. By simplifying processes, improving communication, and securing sensitive data, EMR platforms empower healthcare providers to deliver better, faster, and more personalized care. Hospitals and clinics still relying on paper-based or fragmented systems may find themselves falling behind in terms of patient safety, efficiency, and compliance.

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FAQs

Does EMR software support specialty-specific templates?Yes, most EMR systems offer customizable templates tailored to different specialties like pediatrics, cardiology, or gynecology for accurate and faster documentation.

Can EMR software be used in a small clinic?Absolutely. EMR platforms are scalable and can be customized for single-physician clinics or large hospitals, depending on operational needs.

How often is data backed up in an EMR system?Reliable EMR software like Grapes performs regular automated backups to prevent data loss and ensure 24/7 accessibility.

[dragcnciti]

Yarrow bio. Trigger warning for scars and eating inedible things.

Name: Yarrow

Gender: Non-binary, She/They/It.

Appearance: A wingless, teal dragon with tea green chest and underbelly. They have vibrant green, large leaves growing out of their back, shoulders and head. A giant, hot pink lotus flower is on their back, along with a smaller and antenna - like one at the top of their head. Tip of their tail has lotus petals at the different shades of pink. They have four horns at the each side of their head, a beak - like snout and dark pink eyes. They have slash scars all over their leaves and stamens.

Elements: Water + Nature

Age: 18

Canon description: Fantastically beautiful, this dragon always draws crowds wherever she goes. Have you seen flowers floating on a pond? Maybe one wasn't a flower after all...

Personality: Thoughtful, decisive, creative, optimistic, energetic, thrill seeking, mischievous, bossy and active.

Facts: She is Aromantic.

The scars are the results of Yarrow confusing a Dragonfly or Butterfly Dragon to a regular bug and trying to eat them.

They can't handle eating cooked and warm meals/food. They can't eat big meals either, as they are used to eating flying bugs, mosquitoes, bees and other insects.

Yarrow knows how to read.

It hates canoes and ships.

They like the taste of ink, cobwebs and vines.

She is the oldest sibling of Coral Dragon, Dolphin Dragon and Seahorse Dragon group.

She likes eating pears, bananas and grapes.

It often drinks dirty and muddy water instead of clean water.

She often makes decorations out of reed, weed and lily pads. She is also very skilled at origami, her favorite being paper ships and planes.

Yarrow is a terrible runner and jumper.

Yarrow is one of the main bug and insect controllers of the City and area.

The green leaves on their back as the ability to move and spin, which helps them swim faster and communicate with others.

She is a humanologist.

They love Venus Flytraps and spiders.

At spring and autumn, Yarrow's lotus flowers spew spores, seeds and pollens out of them automatically.

It doesn't like being called a turtle or tortoise, neither being compared to these animals.

Skills/Attacks: 1. Aqua lung: They can breathe underwater. 2. Lotus Throw: They can create small lotus flowers from the lotus on their back. 3. Secondary body: They can use their stamens as tentacles as arms and hands. the large lotus as a second mouth and the smaller one as eyes and nose. 4. Flying Kick: They hit their target with their stamens. 5. Tsunami: They can control the waves of water to push back and attack targets. 6. Poison Ivy: They can summon green vines, which holds their enemy down and releases toxic fumes around at the same time. 7. Flooding: They can create huge and large bursts of water from their mouth or lotus. 8. Hard Charge: They kick and claw at their enemies. 9. Storm: They can create a magical storm cloud to make a short pour down. 10. Head butt: They run at their enemy and hit them with their head as hard as possible. 11. Floral bending: They can manipulate plants, seeds, fruits, flowers and trees; especially lotus flowers and lily pads. 12. Water bending: They can control water, rain, currents, waves and bubbles. 13. Doctorate: They have great knowledge of herbology, zoology, floral health and first aid. 14. Natural: They are marvelous at climbing, swimming, fishing and caretaking. 15. Rotting spell: They can spit an acidic saliva out of their both mouths. 16. Masters: They have great knowledge of marine life, water, currents and storms.

Backstory: Born to Sea Dragon and Nature Dragon as their mothers, Yarrow lived a normal life. They get to play like a dragonet, they learn how to control their powers, they swam around with their siblings, they bother older dragons... However, they always wondered what really was down below the Dragon City and bugging others about it only worked so far. They wanted to see it for themselves. Therefore, decided to move to the Earth and explore it better. After bidding their farewell with their family, Yarrow got moved to a watery swamp with the help of other winged dragons. Now, they are observing humans and learning more about them under the disguise of a normal plant - moving from lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, swamps, bogs, marshes and more - before returning back to the City to report their findings to others.

[nicknackpattyjack]

I like watching tv and YouTube. I like watching my fish swim around. I like reading books. I like hardcovers the most. I like when paper isn’t bristol. I like the way my senior cat has huge eyes because she can’t see otherwise. I like when ceiling fans make a constant noise. I like when the sun shines through the trees and everything is slightly green while the leaves are slightly orange. I like the way birds stare at me from their nests on my porch. I like throwing the seed out into the grass before pouring it in the feeder. I like playlists that are several hours long. I like having music constantly in the background. I like it when the sun shines through the windows and you can see every shadow sprawled on the ground, stretching their bodies out in a different realm than ours. I like stained glass the most. I like art. I like architecture. I like to draw, sometimes. I like how my dog’s nails are a little too long, because she can’t run anymore, and you can hear her walking down the wood floor hallway. I like libraries. I like bowling alleys. I like drive-in theaters. I like lakes. I like the ocean. I like the mountains. I like the way sand is golden. I like the way the sky is blue. I like hearing conversations in the other room. I like peaking around corners. I like wearing socks inside and I like taking my socks off while getting in bed and feeling the sheet fabric. I like the color orange with the color green. I like fruit oranges and green grapes too. I like writing. I like starting projects and not finishing them. I like it when I feel happy. I like it when I don’t really think about anything. I like feeling reassured, even though that seems to slip away faster than I want. I like fixing a hot bath just to feel held. I like who I can become. I like being thought of. I like being shown. I like thinking of. I like throwing my body around. I like feeling stronger, stronger than I really am. I like spinning around. I like the sound of an orchestra. I like feeling the vibrations of my phone speaker. I like when things are serendipity. I like his pretty boy face. I like imagining a future that I’m scared I’ll never have. I like when people reach out. I like when people spend time with me. I like baking. I like cooking. I like fruit juice and smoothies. I like thick, cotton shirts. I like wearing basketball shorts, but not in public really. I like when the sky is cloudy, rainy, and sunning, and outside looks like a painting from the Romanticism era. I like promises. I like forehead kisses. I like to light fall candles in the summer and summer candles in the fall. I like when people tell me things about myself. I like when people say they like me. I like terracotta plant pots. I like the old, wooden furniture at Goodwill. I like the idea that maybe someone would want to be by my side as we explore our future and grow up. I like the idea that I’ll maybe have a house and I can sing, tone deaf, and it won’t matter. I like lamp lighting. I like having the backdoor open. I like birdhouses. I like big gardens. I like being held tightly and for a long time. I like taking the warm clothes out of the dryer. I like when my cats lays their chin on my arm and I like when they purr loudly. I like when my pets blink slowly at me. I like my cd player even though I don’t have any cd’s to play and I don’t have a computer to burn them, even though I have so many blank cds. I like the thought that one day I will live in a home I am undoubtedly comfortable in. I like the thought that that home will never be empty; I like the idea I won’t be home alone again. I like walking through aisles at Walmart and Hobby Lobby. As everyone does, I like the idea of loving and being loved. I like office supplies. I like garden decorations. I like home decor. I like when the people around me smile. I like when the people I love giggle and laugh. I like when.. I like. I.

[emeraldpearlpear]

✨🍐✨

COMIC WIPS

Due to a small accident to my pages, we are working on figuring out the best way to.. continue working on them!!!!

But! Here is the progress that way previously made. Please bare with me while I finish my funny little intro for the pear ladies quest northward. Below, I will do the intended storytelling.

✨🌟✨

Le Una Della Vite. "The Grape of the Vine", a small purple jewel in the crown of Fructera. We enter to see a small sunny village nestled in a valley, with fields of beautiful berry crops being tended to by sun ripened grapefolk. On the outer edge of center town, we find a beautiful morter chapel, an extension of the Bulbian church, run by the kind faced Mater Bruna Blackberry.

Lady Condotierre Flavia de Pera, local mercenary for the Bulbian church, has answered summons from the Mater.

"de Pera. Bulbs greetings to you!," chirps the Mater to the pear entering the chapel.

"Mater Bruna. Bulbs greetings to you, as well. I came when I received your missive. Is all well? You have a task of me?"

"Yes," the mater replies, "I do. I have parcels I need you to escort north to the stronghold of the Church. Relics, some garments. I would go myself, but I am needed here. Conflict grows closer to our valley everyday, and I fear they are not safe here."

Lady de Flavia nods.

"I'll prepare my carriage and the Brigade. We will make our way North. I'll stop only once for rations along the road," she states, her mind quickly preparing a list of tasks.

"Yes, thank you," the mater smiles, "I will send letter ahead of you to expect you immediately.

✨🍐✨

We cut now to a bell pepper carriage, ripe and red and crisp, pulled by a funny lemonbeast. It's hard wheels crunch as they make contact with the road, and the sun bears down on the countryside that passes.

They ride long hours, making a quick pace north, long into the night. Blueberry brigaders take turns manning the helm of the carriage, and inside, we see the rest of the bunch and Lady de Pera prepared to sleep. Her bell pepper carriage isn't glamorous, but, it seats everyone well enough. Brustin, the unripened green berry of the bunch, hangs up high in the storage net. He is unruly.

Lady de Pera lays awake, restless in the cool night. Conflict consumes her mind, worry to leave her home unguarded. She rolls to stare out the window, looking at the bright stars and passing trees. The sway of the road is lulling here.

*THNK, THNK THNK*

An impact ROCKS the bell pepper carriage. Three impacts outside the door. The lemonbeast whinies loudly, and Bartholomew outside cries out.

Lady de Pera is quick to her feet, her hands grabbing for her Lemonsledge hammer, and she THROWS her carriage door open. Her eyes scan the darkness as she rushes forward, and gleans in the darkness indicate her marks. Bandits. Highwaymen, maybe? It matters not. Attackers.

(this was rolled in Chat, 15 on a D20 to respond immediately to threat)

Quick on her feet, Lady de Pera brings the Lemonsledge down hard, fast, faster than she really thinks. Her rage begins to cloud her mind as she swings and crushes a grape attacker, an only barely seen combatant.

The Berry Brigade begins to wake up and take stock of the situation, but arrows rain towards them. Fired from shortbow, fruit steel arrows wizz passed de Pera. In the dark, it's hard to hit a moving target.

Flavias mind races, her breath hot. She shouts to her brigade.

"Go!," she commands, "Ride! I'll meet you. Ride!"

(Rolled a 13 to command the brigade, DC 10)

Her brigade argues, but ultimately, know that the task at hand is more important than how it is achieved. Bartholomew urges the whining lemonbeast, and the beast is all too happy to run from conflict.

It's mighty lemon peel hooves pound onto the worn path, and the carriage is swiftly pulled away. From out the window, pieces of gear flutter. Pieces of de Peras strawberry studded leather armor. A napsack. A canteen. They flutter as the carriage rushes down the road and into the moonlit night. They will ride north, far to the town up the road for their rations stop. They'll make good time.

✨This is where we no longer have artwork, so, where the story becomes important. I'm just going to tell you what happens. Sorry.✨

Lady de Pera finds herself, suddenly alone and in a newly darkened forest, still under attack.

With the commission of her carriage leaving and the need for time to ready another tourney of arrows, she begins to sprint into the woods.

Escape seems the best route. de Pera knows immediately she will have to travel north through the woods along the road in order to catch up to the Berry Brigade.

As she flees, she collects her pieces of gear, but doesn't take the time to equip them yet. Time passes as her feet dig into the soil. Dodging and weaving, she escapes her pursuers.

(rolled a 3 on a d4 to take a moment to put gear on. I gave it a low dc because.. I felt like it. Sorry.)

We skip forward again in time to the sunrise.

It's been hours since she has been separated from her brigade, but also, hours since she's caught any indicator of her attackers.

A long time mercenary, making her way through the Forest isn't the hardest task the Lady has encountered. She doesn't have bountiful rations, but having a canteen helps. Determined to succeed the fine lady strides confidently now, staring through the forest canopy to the blooming sunrise.

Her quest has only just begun, and already it has become more difficult. No matter. These are simply the trials of life in Calorum. And should the Bulb see fit, glory will be bestowed upon her.

✨🍐✨

And this is where!! We will leave off!!! For our intro?!!

Thank you very much for being here, and I am so sorry, I am a long winded storyteller. I have tried to leave this open ended in order to give room for future interactions and story.

✨✨✨✨

[huntinorganics]

Downy Mildew of Grapes: What Every Farmer Should Know

Hey farmer friend,

I hope you’re doing alright out there. I know farming isn’t easy. There’s always something — weather, prices, pests. But today I want to talk about something that doesn’t get enough attention, even though it causes a lot of trouble: Downy Mildew of Grapes.

If you grow grapes, please take a few minutes to read this. I’m just a student, not an expert. But I’ve talked to farmers, read a lot, and seen how hard this disease hits. So here’s what I learned — plain and simple, just for you.

What Is Downy Mildew, Really?

Downy Mildew is a disease that hurts grapevines. It shows up mostly when the weather is warm and wet. Once it’s there, it spreads fast. It can mess up the leaves, the fruit, even the growth of the vine.

What’s worse? It can ruin your grapes completely if you don’t catch it early. No harvest means no income, and that’s something no farmer should have to face.

How Does It Start?

There’s a tiny organism behind this called Plasmopara viticola. It hides in old leaves, leftover stems, or even the soil. When rain or dew makes things damp, the disease wakes up. Spores rise up with the moisture and land on fresh leaves. And just like that, it spreads.

What It Looks Like (So You Don’t Miss It)

Your grapevines will show signs if something’s wrong. Here’s what to look out for:

Yellow, oily-looking spots on the top side of leaves

White, fluffy stuff underneath the leaves — often seen in the morning

Leaves turning brown and dying in patches

Small grapes shriveling up and falling off

Overall, the plant looks weak and stops growing well

Sound familiar? If so, you might be dealing with Downy Mildew.

Why It’s Such a Big Problem

One sick leaf turns into many. One sick vine can lead to a whole section gone. And if it rains again? It can spread even faster.

Some farmers have lost half their harvest to this disease. Imagine all your hard work, gone just like that. It’s not just lost grapes — it’s lost time, energy, and money.

That’s why I’m writing this — so that maybe you can catch it early and stop it before it spreads.

What You Can Do to Stop It

Here are some simple things that work. These tips come from farmers, agri officers, and good old experience:

1. Pick strong grape varieties Some types of grapes can handle Downy Mildew better than others. Ask your local seed seller or agri center what grows well in your area.

2. Clean up the vineyard Old leaves and plant waste? Get rid of them. That’s where the disease hides. Don’t let it sit around.

3. Give your vines space to breathe When you prune, open up the plant so air can flow. Wet, crowded vines are more likely to get sick.

4. Water smart Water the soil, not the leaves. If the leaves stay wet, the disease loves it. Try to water early in the day so the plant dries before night.

5. Use safe sprays There are sprays that can help stop Downy Mildew. Follow the instructions and switch them up so the disease doesn’t get used to one type.

6. Watch the weather After rain or high humidity, be on alert. That’s when Downy Mildew is most active. Check your vines often.

A Few Words From Me to You

I don’t know your field or your vines, but I do know this — you work hard every single day. You deserve a good harvest. You deserve peace of mind.

Downy Mildew of Grapes is tough, but not impossible. Don’t let it steal your hard work. Check your vines, share this info with your neighbors, and take action early.

One sick plant is a warning. Don’t wait for the whole field to show signs. If you spot it, act fast. You’ll be saving your crop, your time, and your money.

Stay strong, and know that people out there (like me) truly respect what you do.

— A student who stands with farmers