#Lumpy Rex

[bizarrebuns]

"Pebbles" - Warwick, RI

I never learned how to fold a shirt properly, either

[unexpectedtechnicality]

4 Times Cody Felt Obi-wan Use the Force, and 1 Time it Was Someone Else

This is the first time I’ve published a fic! But I got very excited for Cody day and quickly finished up this little wip I had going.

Rating: T to be safe, Cody gets pretty injured at one point, but nothing is very graphic.

Light Codywan, about 4,900 words.

I’m very new to this, please let me know if there’s anything I should be tagging!

1.

Rex, Cody decided, was a liar. Rex had fought on Geonosis. He claimed the jedi were astonishing warriors, brilliant strategists, excellent all around. 

Well, maybe the problem wasn’t Rex’s integrity. After all, he hadn’t met his general until after the Battle of Geonosis. And he had never met Cody’s for that matter.

Not that High General Kenobi wasn’t an astonishing warrior, brilliant strategist, or seemingly excellent all around kind of guy. Just…Skywalker had gotten it somewhere, and “somewhere” was starting to sound a lot like “Kenobi.”

The original plan had been solid. Cody honestly couldn't have improved upon it. The problem had come when the charges went off early, cutting off their narrow rock bridge back to the Negotiator and stranding Cody and the general on the other side. 

Technically that wasn’t the general’s fault. But if they had left a few minutes earlier…

“I’ve got an idea.”

Cody’s musing was interrupted by the general, who was staring off the edge of the cliff into the mist. 

“Sir?”

“The canyon leads back around to the rendezvous point, it’s just a few kliks further.”

Cody stared at him. He couldn't really mean–

The general looked up serenely. “We’ll have to jump.”

Cody peered down into the mist. The ground was not visible. “Sir, we have no idea how far down it is.”

“It’s perfectly alright Commander. Just a slight detour.”

Sensible, Rex had said. They’re good leaders, they think things through. Cody was never listening to a word his brother said again. 

Blaster fire sounded somewhere behind them. Kenobi smiled. “Now or never, Commander. I’ll go first, wait about 10 seconds and then jump.” 

Before Cody could protest, he was gone. Kriff. His general had just committed suicide rather than be taken by the enemy and expected Cody to follow. This couldn’t be what the Kaminoans meant when they said good soldiers followed orders. What the kriff! 

“Jump, Commander!” The general’s voice floated up from below, almost like it was too far to be heard properly. Had he even heard it at all?

A full platoon of droids appeared behind him. Cody glanced at them, weighed his options, cursed his short existence, his general, and Rex for good measure, then jumped.

He plummeted through the mist, tense, waiting for the crunch of his bones against the rocky floor. But before he could reach the bottom, the air seemed to condense around him. It was as though time slowed down. The mist thickened, and it nearly felt like he fell softly into a net, like he was still in drop training. Something felt familiar about it. Like someone he knew, or–

The mist cleared and there, a few feet below him was General Kenobi, hand outstretched and brow furrowed in concentration. Gently, he lowered Cody until his feet were on the ground, and the strange feeling surrounding him dissipated.

Kenobi grinned. “See? Perfectly fine.”

Cody could only nod vaguely, slightly stunned. “Yes….ah, sir.”

“Now come on, we don’t want to keep our men waiting, do we?”

Cody smiled, and despite his bucket still being on his head, it felt like Kenobi knew. “No, sir.”

2.

Cody jolted awake, his comm blaring. It was his off shift, and they were slow traveling through neutral space. What could have possibly happened in the few short hours he had to sleep? He scrubbed a hand over his face and glanced to his left, where his chest plate was floating next to the lumpy pillow from—

Hang on. 

Suddenly very awake, Cody surveyed the room to discover that something had happened to the artificial gravity on the ship and he was now floating in the middle of his quarters surrounded by his own armor and meager belongings. 

Just great. 

I’m assigning every man in maintenance to latrines for a month if this is someone’s idea of a practical joke. 

Cody located his comm, floating a few meters away near the door. Angling himself that way, he kicked his feet and swam the best he could with his arms. After a few minutes, he managed to grab it and stop the infernal beeping. 

“Go for Cody,” he snapped. 

“Ah! Commander, sorry to wake you. We have a bit of a…situation.”

“You don’t say.”

He could practically hear the smile in Kenobi’s voice. “Yes, well, if you could meet me on the bridge?”

Cody rolled his eyes. “Yes, sir.”

Putting on his armor proved to be quite a challenge when all of it was floating in a different corner of the room. Cody ended up kicking off every wall, and the ceiling several times just to get kitted up. It took far longer than normal. Every time he wasn’t intentionally moving, he was drifting. 

Slapping the control for the door while speeding at it was probably not the best strategy, but luckily it opened before he could slam into it. Then Cody began the arduous task of propelling himself to the bridge. Eventually he settled into a bit of a rhythm: kick off a doorway or wall, attempt to “swim” the right direction, then give up and desperately flap about until the destination was reached. Rinse and repeat. 

The way to the bridge passed the mess hall, as well as several busy corridors. He passed brothers who seemed to be moving with ease through the space, tumbling slowly through the air, gliding from one doorway to the next. He passed Waxer and Boil as he flailed his way past the mess, both of whom took one look at him and burst out laughing. 

KP for a week shut them up quickly enough. 

When the bridge was finally in sight, Cody had just about had enough. The door slid open to admit him, presenting one of the strangest things he had ever seen. 

The bridge was the picture of order. Officers floated near their work stations, calmly anchoring themselves with one hand or foot tucked into a chair or railing. As he watched, an engineer pushed off the central holo table and soared gracefully to the hyperdrive console, inputting numbers from above with ease. 

At the center of it all, floating upside down with his robes billowing around him like a flower, was General Kenobi. When he saw Cody, gripping the doorway for dear life and gaping beneath his helmet, Kenobi smiled and lifted a hand, beginning to slowly turn himself upright to his usual spot on the walkway. 

Cody gave himself a little shove, aimed for his typical spot next to the general, and crossed his fingers. 

“Good to have you, Commander. As you can see, we got into a minor skirmish with a passing neutral envoy. We came to a temporary truce, but I’m still in discussion with them to see if they will continue to attempt to blow us out of the sky. One of their shots knocked out our artificial gravity.”

Cody was struggling to keep himself near the general. His initial push had gotten him nearly where he wanted to be, but he was drifting forward. He tucked in slightly, trying to roll himself back.

“I would like your opinion on a plan of attack should it be necessary. Over half the battalion is on rest right now, and I’d hate to rouse them.”

His roll had failed. Now Cody was drifting upwards to Kenobi’s right, slowly turning away from him. Letting out a frustrated groan, Cody attempted to twist himself back to rights. 

“One option would be to— Cody?”

“Sorry, sir. Give me a minute.” He renewed his twisting efforts with more vigor. How was Kenobi staying in one place when— oh. The kriffing force. “General, uh. Would you mind—?”

“Oh! My apologies Cody. Yes, one moment.”

A light, warm pressure materialized at his right hip, then his left, and he began to turn to face the general and drift down to stand next to him. It was almost as if someone had put their hand– no, not someone. Kenobi. It was most definitely Kenobi’s hands resting comfortably at Cody’s waist, and now anchoring him to the floor. He turned to look at the general, and found his face much closer than expected, eyes seeming to bore right through his visor.

Cody felt his face heat under his bucket. “Uh. Yes. Thank you, sir.”

The general cleared his throat. Was it Cody’s imagination, or was he blushing too? “Of course, commander. Can’t have you floating away, now, can we?”

Force-Kenobi’s hands stayed comfortably at Cody’s sides the rest of the battle, and Cody…found he didn’t really mind. 

3.

His ears were ringing. Cody blinked, trying to clear his vision. What—?

There was a blast somewhere to his right. Instinctively, he tried to curl up to protect his head. Fire erupted across his left side, shoulder to knee, ripping a ragged scream from his throat. He flopped back onto his back, gasping for air. He must have been hit by a blast earlier. No way to tell how long ago.

“There!”

A med speeder pulled up next to him, and Neat, one of their junior medics hopped off.

“Don’t worry commander, we’ve got you.”

Last I remember Obi– the general was by me. The thought sent adrenaline spiking through his veins, pain forgotten.

“Neat.”

“Sir?”

“The…the general, he–”

“He’s safe, sir, please don’t move.”

Neat began running a scanner down his side, but Cody needed visual confirmation on Obi-wan. Obi-wan. He had asked him to call him Obi-wan, alone in his quarters, just a week earlier. If something had happened to him before Cody could figure out—

“Cody!”

Obi-wan came skidding to a halt next to their little party and dropped to his knees beside Cody. “There you are,” he panted. “Neat?”

Neat scowled. “He won’t lie still,” he griped, as Cody pushed up on his elbows to check if Obi-wan was hurt. “Sir, please—“

Finishing his once-over of Obi-wan (a few scratches and bruises but otherwise unharmed, unfairly he seemed to be glowing slightly in the setting sun), Cody finally let himself relax. “Sorry, Neat. Go ahead.”

As Neat did his scan, Obi-wan sent him a slightly reproachful look. “You took the brunt of the blast, Commander, not me. I’m perfectly fine.” He glanced at Cody’s side, brow furrowing.

The pain was starting to creep back, like several hot pokers lined up against his side. Cody leaned his head back against the ground. “Had to be sure. Couldn’t remember.”

Obi-wan frowned, looking even more worried, and the scanner beeped to indicate a finished report. 

Neat swore. “There’s a lot of shrapnel in his side. He’s loosing a lot of blood. I need to remove what I can to staunch the bleeding now and then get him back to base to get the rest out. Possibly put him in bacta.”

Cody was starting to get worried. He tried to look down at the wound, but Obi-wan stopped him with a gentle hand under his chin. “It’ll be fine, Cody.”

Cody. They’d agreed no first names during battle (though Cody wasn’t counting the sanctity of his own mind, the one thing that was truly his own), if Obi-wan was calling him Cody, it was bad.

“General, I’m going to start operating, I might need you to help hold him down.”

Obi-wan shifted, taking Cody’s right hand in his own and holding tight. “Ready.”

Cody braced himself, but when Neat first started prodding at his knee he couldn’t hold back the grunt, gripping Obi-wan’s hand and twitching away from the pain. Neat waiting half a second, then started back in. Every touch felt like a brand, or like the time he had picked up the wrong end of a smoking blaster as a cadet. There were tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. 

Obi-was rested his arm across Cody’s chest to keep him still.

Neat continued his field surgery. “This one’s in deeper. Take a breath, commander.”

Cody tried to do as he was told, but it was like a lance shot through his thigh. He bucked against Obi-wan’s hold, and Neat swore again as everything was jostled.

“General,” Neat pleaded. 

“One moment.” Obi-wan shifted, moving so Cody’s head was resting on his knees. “I’m going to try something different. Cody?”

Cody nodded, hissing through his teeth, trying to ride out the pain. He watched above him as Obi-wan closed his eyes, letting out a slow breath.

The strange sensation of the air solidifying around him that Cody was beginning to recognize as the force surrounded him. A warm feeling, like a heavy, plush blanket pressed down around him. Experimentally, he tried to shift his right leg, and found that aside from breathing, he couldn’t move at all.

It’s should have alarmed him. But the soft, warm feeling wasn’t suffocating…it was comforting. It felt familiar, like the net had, and the hands when the artificial gravity had been broken. Like he was wrapped in a blanket of Obi-wan, or his presence, or something. He vaguely registered Obi-wan telling Neat to continue. Obi-wan rested one hand on the side of Cody’s head, cradling his face, the other supporting the back of his head, and Cody let himself relax into the touch.

The pain was still there, in his leg, now moving up toward his hip, but it seemed…muted. He blinked up at Obi-wan, the picture of serenity.

Alright?

If he could have, Cody would have jumped at Obi-wan’s voice in his head. But it just seemed…natural.

Yes, he thought.

Sorry, I should have asked if this was okay. I was worried.

It’s okay. It’s…nice, actually.

Neat had reached his side now, the familiar cool feeling of bacta covering his thigh. One tug made Cody flinch, and the force-blanket pressed down a little tighter, like he was wrapped up in a bedroll.

The warm, safe feeling was still present all over, but it was starting to condense in one spot, right at the base of his skull, under Obi-wan’s finger. A little bright spot, almost like someone had turned on a light in his brain somehow. It felt right though, especially in his slightly woozy state, so Cody didn’t question it.

Obi-wan and Neat were talking above him, but Cody couldn’t quite make out the words. That was alright, he thought. They would take care of him. Obi-wan said something that almost looked like “sleep.”

A nap didn’t really sound bad. Maybe he’d just shut his eyes for a few minutes. Obi-wan smiled down at him.

I’ll be there when you wake up.

And he was. Everything back to normal. The blanket-feeling was gone. But if Cody really concentrated, he could still feel that little spark in the base of his skull. The little spark that felt like Obi-wan.

4.

At this point, Cody wasn’t even surprised when he and Obi-wan were separated from the rest of the men during the battle. This time, it had been a strange feeling in the force that Obi-wan had insisted on following, leading them through a strange cave system in the middle of the gigantic jungle that may have once been a temple of some kind. It had allowed them to sneak behind enemy lines and take out the tactical droid, allowing the 212th to finish the battle with relative ease, however, the feeling had also gone away quickly after, and Cody was beginning to think Obi-wan did not, as he claimed, remember the way back.

“The left tunnel. I’m sure of it.”

“Are you sure we haven’t been this way before, sir?”

“I thought we agreed on first names when we were alone, Cody.” Obi-wan set off down the left tunnel.

Cody snorted, but followed him, helmet clacking against his thigh plate where it was clipped at his hip. “We did. However we are technically on duty, and you’re being a stubborn bantha. Sir.”

Obi-wan turned with an expression of mock outrage. “Me? Stubborn? My dear commander, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Have you no faith in me?”

He gestured in front of them, and sure enough, there was finally light at the end of the tunnel. Cody just shook his head, smiling.

They emerged into the massive, muggy jungle and Cody immediately booted up his comm and nav, which hadn’t been working in the caverns anyway. The map of the surface he had downloaded popped up, with the little orange beacon marking their base. Several kliks away. 

“I thought we entered the caves just a klik from camp?”

Obi-wan frowned. “We did. Where are we now?”

Cody lifted his arm to show him. “You’re sure you didn’t get turned around in there?”

“Of course not, clearly the caves changed,” Obi-wan said primly. “Well, I suppose we could go back in.”

“Absolutely not. We are staying out here and following the route back. It’s the same distance, just with sunlight.”

They walked in companionable silence through the giant trees for a while, stopping every so often to check the map. They must have passed at least a dozen trees with trunks so wide Cody couldn’t see the other side before he broke the silence.

“Obi-wan, can I ask you something?” The other man nodded. “A little while back, when I was injured and you…helped Neat operate, I think something else might have happened.”

“What do you mean?”

“While you were…talking in my head, it started to feel like there was…a spot. A light? A little patch of warmth, right at the base of my skull. And afterwards, when I was out of bacta, it was still there. It is still there. At first I thought maybe it was something medical, but Neat scanned me again and said everything was normal. The more I thought about it, the more I tried to…interact with it, I guess, the more I realized…it feel like you. Like you inside my head somehow.”

Obi-wan looked pensive. “Fascinating.”

“Do you know what it is? It doesn’t feel harmful.”

They waded through a small stream, and Obi-wan offered Cody his hand to pull him up onto the far bank.

“In the Jedi Order, master and padawan pairs typically form a force bond. A link that lets them communicate directly with each other, often feel what the other is feeling, form a deeper relationship with that person. Usually, it’s only possible for someone force sensitive to form bonds.”

Cody pushed a branch out of their way as they climbed over some roots. He could see where this was going. “But clones aren’t force sensitive, so…that’s not what this is.”

Obi-wan hummed. “I’ve heard of a few rare exceptions. The force is in all things, Cody.”

After a few minutes, Cody worked up the courage to ask. “Do you feel anything? In your head?”

“It’s difficult to tell. I do feel quite strongly about you, but I can feel you externally in the force. I also have several other bonds. Anakin and I never fully dissolved our training bond, and I have a small bond with Ashoka as well. I have a different type of bond with Quinlan, and sometimes I can still feel the remains of my bond with Qui-gon. I suspect it would be easier to tell if we communicated through the force but you and I never seem to have the need,” he said, smiling gently at Cody.

Cody smiled back, and some of the anxiety he hadn’t even realized he was feeling melted away. He glanced down at his map. “Should be just over this ridge.”

They came over the top of the hill together, and Cody had to bite back a groan of frustration. In front of them was a downed tree, one of the super massive ones with the unimaginably wide trunks. The sun was going down. They didn’t have time to go around, and the trunk was so high Cody wasn’t sure they could climb over. His mind raced, trying to come up with a solution.

“Ah,” Obi-wan said, surveying the surrounding area. “I suppose we have to guess which was is shorter. We went left before, this time maybe we go—“

“Throw me.”

“I’m sorry?”

Cody grinned. “We go straight over. I run, and jump, and you throw me. Then you leap over after. We use the force.”

Obi-wan grinned back. “I don’t always say I believe in destiny, but surely Cody, you were sent to me straight from the force. Ready?”

Cody backed up, setting his stance. He was going to aim right for the center of the span of trunk in front of them. He nodded to Obi-wan, then took off running. Once he had reached top speed, he leapt into the air, and watched the trunk fly closer to his face until—

A warm, sweet smelling breeze, like freshly brewed tea swept him up, carrying him up, up, and over the trunk. He was so high the LAAT/is at the base below him looked like small animals, surrounded by swarms of tiny ant-troopers packing up to fly back to the Negotiator. Laughing, Cody did a somersault in the air as he flew over the tree, then spread his arms like he was parachuting and let the Obi-wan-wind carry him all the way to the ground, where he tumbled into the grass, still giddy.

A moment later, Obi-wan landed, cat-like, next to him, and helped him to his feet, laughing and pushing wind-swept hair out of his eyes. 

“You’re right commander, that was much more fun than going around.”

+ 1

Cody crept through the hallway, blaster pointed ahead of him. A light flashed on his HUD, Boil checking in. Waxer was due in 5 minutes, then Wooley. They’d set up a rotating check in system as they fanned out to scour the seemingly abandoned ship they’d been sent to investigate. If you asked Cody, splitting up was just asking for trouble, especially since no one was with his trouble magnet of a general. But it was the quickest way to get them out of here, so he’d acquiesced. 

Something rattled behind a door as he passed. He sighed, then pressed himself up against the wall, out of sight, and keyed the door open. Nothing jumped out, so he peeked around the corner.

It was a medium sized storage bay, and he was suddenly very thankful his door was obscured by crates, as he could hear vague voices coming from somewhere else in the room. The door slid silently shut behind him as he slipped in, trying to find a vantage point to see who was there through the crates.

He found a reasonably defendable spot in the corner and considered updating his men, but when he brought up his comm system it was like there was some sort of interference. Strange. No matter, they had his last location and his next check in was in only a few minutes, so someone would come join him eventually.

Through a gap in the crates, he could just make out two figures, one in a cloak and speaking to another cloaked figure who– oh. One figure, one hologram. Strange. They’d found no sign of crew aboard this vessel. He turned up his mic, trying to make out what they were saying.

“...plan has worked perfectly. They’ve already arrived,” the hologram was saying.

“Then they will soon be dead,” the other replied, and Cody’s blood ran cold. He suddenly had a very, very bad feeling about this mission. He knew that voice.

“I will leave you to your work.” The figure standing in the cargo bay removed her hood and knelt, confirming Cody’s suspicion.

Ventress.

Kriff. He had to get out of here, or signal his men, Obi-wan. He checked the time. His check in had passed two minutes ago, they’d be getting worried now. Slightly frantic, he tapped at his comm, willing it to work. What was the point of the kriffing antenna on his shoulder if he couldn’t get through? He remembered what Wolffe had looked like when he visited him in the med center after his encounter with Ventress. He couldn’t face her alone. 

The crates surrounding him suddenly blasted away, leaving him exposed in his little corner. Cody looked up to find Ventress stalking straight towards him.

“Poor little clone, where did your friends go?”

Cody leapt to his feet, blaster already primed to shoot, when a wall of pure something slammed into him, forcing him to drop his blaster and throwing him against the wall behind him. Immediately he scrambled to get up, but Ventress threw one hand out, and a freezing cold vice closed around his throat, lifting him off the ground.

He clawed at the invisible grip, but there was nothing there. He choked, straining to get a breath, but it was pointless. She dragged him through the air, until he was just a few inches from her face. Cody’s bucket floated itself off his head, flying away and clattering to the ground somewhere. The pressure on his neck eased ever so slightly, and Cody sucked in as much air as he could before it tightened again.

“Aren’t you a handsome one?” Ventress crooned, tracing one fingernail down his scar in a grotesque facsimile of how Obi-wan sometimes did when– focus, Cody. “Now. As much as I’d love to just kill you and get on with it, you know what part of the ship our dear Kenobi is on, don’t you?”

Cody tried to jerk away from the clawed fingers tracing his temples, but found the ice cold vice had spread to his entire body. He could breathe now, barely, but he couldn’t move even a single muscle. It was nothing like when Obi-wan had used the force around him before. That was…gentle, personal, it felt safe. This was anything but. Never before had Cody understood the raw power force users had at their disposal. It wanted to rip him limb from limb. Fear gnawed at his stomach. If only his comm had worked–

“Somewhere in that head of yours, we just have to find it.”

In his head. That was it! Desperately, as Ventress bared her teeth, Cody reached for the last warm spot on his being– a force bond, Obi-wan had called it. HELP, he thought, OBI–

Pain like he had never felt erupted from his temples, and he vaguely registered Ventress laughing as twin ice picks drove themselves through his skull, behind his eyes, in his brain, in whatever it was inside him that made him, him. 

Cody screamed, frozen in the air, no way to escape as she tore through his mind, looking for whatever it was she wanted, Cody couldn’t remember any more. There was only the freezing, burning pain.

It could have been hours, could have been minutes, but without warning, the pain stopped, and Cody found himself flying through the air and into the far wall. Pressure like a million duracrete bricks immobilized him a few feet off the ground, limbs splayed out like a pinned bug. Blinking the haze out of his eyes, he was confronted with two blurry forms whirling around the room; red and blue lights flashing. As his vision finally cleared he could make out Ventress, locked in combat with–

Thank the stars, Obi-wan. There was a fierce expression on his face as he met Ventress blow for blow. As Cody watched, Obi-wan glanced his way for a split second, then went back to the fight with renewed vigor. Unable to do anything, Cody found his eyes drifting shut.

He woke a short time later when he tumbled to the ground in a heap, the force holding him to the wall having vanished. Obi-wan was hurrying over to him from across the room, Ventress presumably having run away. Cody groaned.

“Full evac, effective immediately. I’ll meet you back at the ship with the commander,” Obi-was was saying into his comm, several tinny “yessirs” echoing out of it. 

“Cody, are you alright?”

Cody carefully felt along his throat with one hand. “Fine, I think. How–” he grimaced. His body felt like one giant bruise. He was still freezing. “How did you find me?”

Obi-was smiled wanly. “You called. I suppose it is a force bond, and does work both ways, though I can think of several other ways we could have tested it without you being in mortal peril.”

“I’ll try to remember that for next time.”

Obi-wan shook his head, reaching one hand out to the side. Cody’s bucket flew into it like it was magnetized, and Obi-wan carefully fit it back over his head, then gently pulled him to his feet. Cody half-expected Obi-wan to call on the force and simply levitate him back to their ship, but instead he hefted Cody’s over his shoulder and wrapped his own around his waist. His other hand came up to support Cody’s chest.

Cody leaned into him as they trudged back to the ship, letting Obi-wan take a fair amount of his weight.

“For the record,” he said, “I like it much better when you’re the one throwing me around with the force.”

“Careful commander,” Obi-wan teased, raising an eyebrow, “If someone hears you say that they might get the wrong idea.”

Cody glared at him, and concentrated all his effort on lifting one arm to smack him lightly in the chest. Obi-wan laughed, and Cody felt the world slide back into place around him.

“But yes, Cody, I much prefer that also.”

[chuuyanakahras]

xiao – reminiscence

If anything was constant for the Yaksha, it was pain. Sharp, hot, unrelenting needles that pricked him from every side of his body, thudding, pounding migraines that never seemed to leave him — this was all that he ever knew.

Pain was constant, but it was funny, really, how a single glance, a bright smile made his burden feel lighter. Xiao knew he didn’t deserve that peace though — he had sinned, and this pain was simply the karma of his past actions. He never looked for too long, waiting until after you had left to taste the almond tofu you had left out for the Yaksha. It was always soft, and rather pudgy, but Xiao didn’t mind. You were a terrible cook, and your almond tofu was no exception — one day, you had come to him with a batch that for some odd reason, was singed at the sides (he still ate it anyways, though). But no matter how long you waited for him, he never showed his face to you – he did not deserve it, after all that had happened. 

He couldn’t face you, even if you had forgiven him. He didn’t deserve your forgiveness. But, he would still indulge himself in the almond tofu you brought every day, at least to honor your futile efforts.

Today was no different, and Xiao flew onto the balcony as he saw your retreating figure. He padded over to the basket, the tofu this time looking rather lumpy, and he frowned. Xiao had half a thought to ask Verr to ask the almond tofu deliveries to stop, but he shook away that thought immediately. He didn’t have the right to ask Verr for any more than what she had already given. The texture looked odd today, but it was alright. You had made it, after all. He brought one up to his mouth, and paused. 

“Caught you,” said a soft voice, and he didn’t need to turn around to see who it was. 

“I suggest you leave,” he replied, turning away from you.

“Alatus–” Xiao shivered, “-- you cannot avoid me like this forever.”

Avoid? What a lie, Xiao thought. Xiao never avoided you, for he was always watching you. From the barren glaze lily fields, to the islands drought with ruin hunters, to the banks of the river you frequented, he was always there. He was always there, making sure that you, the last person who really knew him, would stay. 

But he would do no more than keep you safe, and you knew that too. You were a capable enough adeptus on your own, but Xiao wanted to be there for you. He didn’t know how to apologize, how to repent, so he made do in the only way he knew how.

Xiao wondered if he would ever be able to admit to you his surveillance of you, but you were no idiot. You knew he was always there, silent and passive, but there nonetheless. You knew it, but let him do it anyways. You were always a pacifist, Xiao mulled quietly. 

He still couldn’t meet your face, though. 

“Leave,” he repeated. “I do not wish to harm you.”

He could feel the hesitation, thick in the air.

“Look at me,” you said quietly, in a voice that sounded far more solemn than you had intended for it to come out. Xiao paused, and turned around slowly, looking at you. You were in a human form, as always – Moon Carver had berated you quite a bit for hiding your beastly appearance, but you never really cared, did you? Even back in those days, when Xiao still flew as a bird, you were in this same, human form, with the same, soft smile.

Pain was a constant, yes, but you were too. 

The yakshas had died, Rex Lapis had died, Guizhong had died, but you were still here. 

You swallowed, opening your mouth, but paused. You tried again. “I left a supply of almond tofu with Verr,” you said hesitantly, looking into his amber eyes. “And,” you paused. “The traveler is here as well.”

Xiao turned to you, a sharp look on his face. “What?”

“I am leaving, Alatus,” you said, a little louder this time. He blinked.

“Why?” He asked, and you looked away, unable to meet his eyes.

“I am tired,” you replied, and shook your head. “I… I have extended my time here for too long.”

You look up at him, a sad sort of look in your eye. “It is lonely, Alatus.”

An odd sort of fury grew in Xiao’s throat. What did you mean by that? How could you say that when he was standing right in front of you?

“We are Adepti. You must live with it.”

“I don’t want to,” you replied, a lump growing in your throat. You didn’t want to argue with him, least of all now. “I just… wanted to thank you, before I leave.”

Xiao paused. “What?”

“For indulging me,” you added quickly, hastily, as if the words were a waterfall you couldn’t stop. “I know I was immature, many times back then.”

If you had been, Xiao didn’t remember any of it. All he remembered was a small, tinkling laugh as he rested under a tree, the quiet whispers of someone who was far too joyous in a time of war, and the soft smiles of an adeptus, who spread them around to everyone like a disease. Xiao had scoffed at you back then, but he regretted it now, seeing how your eyes gleamed with sadness that he thought you would never have felt. 

Xiao bit his tongue, tasting blood. He was a fool.

How did he not notice it? You healed, and healed, and healed the hordes of your fellow adepti with no complaint, always dining a bright smile. Everyone had thought you were so happy because unlike the rest of them, you healed. You were a pacifist, just how Guizhong had taught you. How hadn’t he known? You had known to fight, but you chose to heal, hoping to save all of your friends, when in the end, they all died.

For you, your only constant was death. The Rex Lapis dying as well was simply the last straw.

The silence stretched, but neither of you seemed privy to end it. Your heart beat in your chest, and you swallowed.

You looked at him, one last time, trying to etch all of the contours of his face into your head, studying every line, every scar, every single eyelash that curled and framed his eyes. 

You turned around, your footsteps light on the wood of the balcony. You waited, you wished, you hoped he would say something, anything. 

“If I asked you to stay, would you?” came his voice, hesitant, and unconfident. 

“It is a little late for that though, isn’t it,” you smiled sadly. It had been far too many years of distance, of miscommunication, of silence for you to stay with him. No, there was no promise of your life being any different if you stayed here with him. But, you were nothing if not sentimental of all the time that you both did have. 

You turned around again, staring at him. “Indulge in me, Alatus, one last time. Will you?”

You stepped closer, eyes open as you brought your lips close to his. He moved closer, and you fluttered your eyes shut, brushing your lips against his in a chaste goodbye. It was a little disappointing, you mulled as you pulled back, watching how his eyes dilated wide until only a ring of yellow remained. It was nothing as the mortals had made it seem with its fireworks and quickened heartbeats and blushes, but nonetheless, you were glad you had tried it out. Leaving without having a first kiss seemed a little disappointing, even for you.

“Goodbye, Alatus.” You said, gifting him your first real smile of the day, and he stopped in his tracks, dazed. “I wish you happiness.”

You disappeared, and the night was silent, once more. 

There were few things constant in Xiao’s life – and now, there was one less. 

\ \ \

masterlist

[sasoarts]

Lauandilings, the Laundry Borderlings

CHARACTERISTICS AND BEHAVIORS

The Lauandilings are green and lumpy Borderlings with skin consisting of stitched fabric. Their bodies are never seen, and if the cloth is removed, the Lauandilings will fizzle and dissolve in agony until they're nothing but floral-scented stains on the floor. Each Lauandiling is unique, having different pairs of legs and eyes. They are rarely seen with two heads or trails. These instances are labeled Lauandiling Rex and are twice as large as normal Lauandilings.

They make only gutteral noises and lip smacks, flipping their jaws loosely as if they're sock puppets. Their green Ichor seeps through their mouths when they communicate and are seen oozing out of loose stitches.

The Lauandilings move sluggishly but prefer to stay in place of their generation point. Difficult to spot, they're always seen currled up, making them appear as their mundane counterpart.

Dirty or worn articles of clothing are their diet. Opportunistic, the Lauandilings grab any pieces of clothing, such as socks, and stuff them in their mouths. If full, their bodies gurgle and expand, accumulating new fabric to cover their growing mass.

LOCATIONS AND SIGNS OF ACTIVITY

In corners and overlooked places inside buildings, look for the Lauandilings in places where clothes and fabric are being used or created. In factories, behind clothes stores and donation centers, and in laundromats are locations where this species of Borderling are seen. They're usually active when very few people are around.

Keep an eye behind cabinets and laundry machines for any green residue left by the Lauandilings. These are sure signs that they've visited the area. Take caution when touching the Ichor, as it causes mild irritation and redness of the skin. An artificial floral scent will linger for 24 hours.

Missing articles of socks and dirty cloth are also indicators of Lauandiling activity. Thus, the Borderlings earned the name 'the Sock Goblins.'

INTERACTION AND SAFETY MEASURES

Don't step on any leftover piles of laundry that appear to be breathing. Witnesses who step on the Lauandilings will immediately sink into a vortex of clothing. They will end up in a neverending cavern; its walls are lined with moist, pungent clothing. Unless a Witness has a sharp object, such as a knife, the unfortunate individual is stuck wandering in the labyrinth forever.

To escape from the pocket dimension, look for loose stitches on the walls of the cavern. Cutting through fabric will cause the Lauandilings pain, making ichor flood the cave until you drown. Exposure to large amounts of ichor will dissolve flesh at least 30 minutes, leaving nothing but bleached bones.

[jurassicjoowan]

Some draft sketches I've had of the king of the dinosaurs, Tyrannosaurus rex. I had a lot of feedback and suggestions as to how to stylize. The beginning draft was inspired by the work of @toarcian.

This meanie head was inspired by the big red rex from the original Jurassic Park Kenner line.

This lumpy meathead is definitely my favorite of the bunch, it's based on the DK model tyrannosaurus with its sagging belly and bizzarely proportioned body. It still needs some work tho.

[a-dinosaur-a-day]

Another thing is that old-timey dinosaurs didn't move like real animals. They moved like monsters. When I look at those weird lumpy rexes, I can't imagine how they'd move, beyond "guy in a T. rex costume", like a weird awkward waddle. Looking at the more accurate ones, it's easy to understand how they move and what they'd look like in motion.

I've never heard of Dollo; who was he and what was his bad theory?

Yeah that's fair, it's annoying to see the man moving

that said, the raptors in the original JP were also men in a suit - but they compensated to make it look closer to natural

Dollo was a scientist in the 1800s who created a theory that organisms can't re-evolve structures they lost. he didn't know genetics, so he didn't know that features can be turned on and off and thus it can be possible to re-evolve lost structures.

but, because of that theory, he and others decided birds couldn't be dinosaurs. this was because, at the time, we had no evidence of a dinosaur furcula (wishbone) - or, at least, we thought we had no evidence of one. We did, however, have "thecodonts" (early archosaurs) with wishbones - meaning that, if birds evolved from dinosaurs, they would have had to re-evolve the wishbone

turns out a) non-avialan dinosaurs did have wishbones, they just don't fossilize well b) we did have some, we just misidentified them and c) yeah you can redevelop things actually

so we went from birds being dinosaurs being the best supported hypothesis to almost no one believing it within a few years at the end of the 1800s

leading to the "dinosaur dark ages" (dinosaurs are slow evolutionary failures) that was the first 60 years of the 20th century

so, yeah. we can blame dollo, 100%, for everyone being ignorant about dinosaurs.

[aubreyappears]

monster hunter was really funny for going “what if our t rex monster was a scraggly bully with a lumpy neck who sneezes mucus everywhere”

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

The Allure of Searles Lake Salts

For decades, rockhounds gathered each year at Searles Lake in the Mojave Desert of southeastern California. Wielding crowbars and pickaxes, they hunted for showy deposits of minerals such as halite, trona, calcite, and dolomite. Planetary scientists from NASA and several other institutions are finding many of the same water-soluble minerals, though their tools and destinations are worlds apart.

In September 2016, NASA launched a van-sized spacecraft, OSIRIS-REx, that traveled billions of miles to reach a small diamond-shaped asteroid named Bennu. Scientists think that this “rubble pile” asteroid, which crosses Earth’s orbit every 6 years, formed from fragments of a larger asteroid that broke apart between 1 and 2 billion years ago after a cataclysmic collision.

In September 2020, OSIRIS-REx briefly touched down on Bennu’s surface, collected 4.3 ounces of crumbly regolith, and stowed it safely before returning to Earth. The video below shows what the lumpy asteroid looked like as OSIRIS-REx approached it in December 2018.

In September 2023, the spacecraft released a mini-fridge-sized capsule that parachuted into Utah with the sample. Since then, scientists have been running bits of the dark, powdery sample through a gauntlet of microscopes, mass spectrometers, and CT scanners.

Their findings, described in a new report in Nature, reveal evidence of sodium- and carbonate-rich salts called evaporites. These minerals likely formed when a briny liquid gradually evaporated in the subsurface of a wet, muddy protoplanet about 4.5 billion years ago in the early days of the solar system.

An Evaporite Connection

Few places on Earth produce combinations of evaporites similar to those found in the Bennu sample. “One of the best studied is Searles Lake,” said Tim McCoy, a curator of meteorites at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and co-lead of the study.

Although the minerals discovered on Bennu predate those at Searles Lake, they formed in similarly salty, wet conditions. The OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 8 captured the image at the top of this page on August 15, 2024, showing the mostly dry playa of the lake. The lake is named after John Wemple Searles, a prospector and borax miner who began hauling the white mineral from the lake in 1873 using mules.

A century and a half later, signs of mining still abound. A pit mine and various industrial facilities are visible in the northwestern corner of the image around Trona, a company town established in 1913 and a major source of potash used in gunpowder during World War I. Today, the colorful rectangular evaporation ponds still concentrate valuable minerals like soda ash, salt, and lithium from salt-rich brines.

“Soda lakes” like Searles Lake intrigue planetary geologists in part because they contain highly alkaline waters. With a mixture of sodium, carbonate, and chloride ions, their brines are rich in phosphates—a substance key to the development of organic molecules, including some involved in the formation of genetic material, cell membranes, and other components thought to be critical to the formation of life.

NASA scientists recently announced the discovery of organic molecules—including several that are among the ingredients needed for life—in the Bennu sample as well (see video above).

A Predictable Sequence

Water is a remarkably good solvent, meaning common salts like sodium chloride (NaCl) or calcium carbonate (CaCO3) dissolve easily in it. At the molecular level, salts break into positively or negatively charged ions, such as sodium (Na+), chloride (Cl-), or calcium (Ca+), and are surrounded by molecules of water when they dissolve. The opposite occurs when water is removed from brines rich with ions, which allows ions to bond and crystallize into salts.

At Searles Lake, minerals typically develop in a predictable sequence in zones akin to bathtub rings, with calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate forming first, followed by calcium sulfate and sodium carbonate in a middle ring. The most concentrated brines deposit chlorides and fluorides of sodium and potassium in the center of the lake. Minerals can also precipitate directly from fluids without evaporation if the ion concentration is high enough, as probably happened early in the sequence.

“Precipitation occurred in both ways on Bennu’s parent body,” McCoy said. Researchers identified 11 minerals in the asteroid sample that likely formed in liquid water. Six of these—trona, halite, pirssonite, thénardite, calcite, and dolomite—are also found at Searles Lake. The scanning electron microscope image above shows a close-up of trona, a sodium carbonate mineral, found on Bennu. Each needle is under 1 micrometer wide and 5 to 10 micrometers long; a human hair is about 100 micrometers wide. At Searles Lake, trona is often processed to produce soda ash.

Editor’s Note: Read more about Searles Lake and Bennu in A Network of Dried Lakes.

NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Bennu mineral sample photograph by Rob Wardell and Tim McCoy (Smithsonian Institution). Story by Adam Voiland.

[bizarrebuns]

"Sesame & Big Mac" - Ballwin, MO

You know when a sock doesn't fit on your foot quite right so it's all rumpled in weird places... yeah.

[rygoespop]

List of characters that appeared in my Thomas and Friends AU

Here’s a list of characters in my Thomas and Friends AU

Main:

Thomas

Edward

Henry

Gordon

James

Percy

Toby

Emily

Molly

Rosie

Stanley

Nia

And Rebecca

Secondary/Supporting:

Duck

Donald and Douglas

Oliver

Wilbert

Castle

Eagle

Dane

Alfred

Barry

Diesel

Diesel 10

Arry and Bert

Den

Dart

Mavis

Sidney

Bill and Ben

BoCo

Philip

Salty

Porter

Derek

Timothy

Marion

Daisy

Ryan

Brent the Ballast Spreader

Fergus

Arthur

Harvey

Stafford

Norman

Billy

Charlie

Dennis

Murdoch

Flora

Belle

Flynn

Whiff

Scruff

Neville

Paxton

Hank

Neil

Sonny

Ferdinand

Bash and Dash

Bloomer

Stephen

Glynn

Dustin

Winston

Skarloey

Rheneas

Sir Handel

Peter Sam

Rusty

Duncan

Duke

Bertram

Mighty Mac

Freddie

Smudger

Luke

Millie

Victor

Fred

Culdee

Wilfred

Alaric

Godred

Harry (Formerly known as Lord Harry and Patrick)

Mike

Rex

Bert

Jock

Flying Scotsman

Spencer

Stepney

Green Arrow

Mallard

Patriot the Big City Engine

Duchess of Hamilton

Dudley

Sixteen

Thirteen

Albert

Jinty

Pug

Robert

Samson

Connor

Caitlin

Merlin

Lexi

Theo

Hurricane

Frankie

D261

Roderick/Lumpy

D400

D40

D199

Splodge (Splatter and Dodge)

Hiro

Kenji

Ashima

Rajiv

Yong Bao

Gator

Axel

Etienne

Raul

Gina

Frieda

Hugo

Ivan

Vinnie

Sam

Carlos

Lady

Proteus

Annie and Clarabel

Henrietta

Hannah

Old Slow Coach

The Slip Coaches

Toad

Bruno

SCruffey

Fred Pelham

Hector

Rocky

Judy and Jerome

Bradford

Ada, Mabel, Jane, and Cora

Catherine

Bertie

Bulgy

Terence

Trevor

George

Elizabeth

Caroline

Butch

The Horrid Lorries

Kevin

Madge

Thumper

Jack

Alfie

Oliver

Ned

Kelly

Isobella

Byron

Max and Monty

Buster

Patrick

Bulstrode

Captain

Skiff

Harold

Jeremy

Cranky

Carly

Big Mickey

Reg

Owen

Merrick

And Beresford

Coming Soon:

Ulli

Logan

The Slender Engine

Frank

And many other characters to come up with to add

[little-pup-pip]

My Neighbour Totoro!

Pompompurin (Sanrio)!

Martin Blackwood (TMA)!

Celestia and Luna (MLP)!

Beetlejuice!

Wally Darling (Welcome Home)!

Pinkie Pie 2!

The Magnus Archives!

Pascal (ACNH)!

Scooby-Doo!

Rex (Paw Patrol)!

Puppet (Fnaf)!

Star Catcher (MLP)!

Jake (Ms Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children)!

Pocoyo!

Pochacco (Sanrio)!

Aziraphale (Good Omens)!

Lumpy (Winnie the Pooh)!

Barbara (Genshin Impact)!

Coraline!

Miffy!

Gloomy Bear!

Beach + Watertype Pokemon!

Stardew Valley!

Animal Crossing + Pink!

Kit The Cat (Skelanimals)!

Ghibli Films + Rain!

Skelanimals Roxie!

Project Sekai Wonderland X Showtime!

Hatsune Miku + Pajamas!

Dipper Pines (Gravity Falls)!

[reggiemess]

I don't give a shit that it's unrealistic but imagine a baby t rex that's all lumpy and bug-eyed and toothless and translucent with one tuft of shitty scrappy down on its head like an ugly baby bird.

[jumpy-lumpy]

how does lumpy feel abt rex existing

idk she just kinda misses her children

[thewinevoyage]

20 Creative Team Building Activities to Supercharge Your Crew Now Why Team Building Activities Are Your Game-ChangerOutdoor Activities That Zap Energy Into Your Team Indoor Activities That Spark Creative Genius Virtual Activities That Volt Remote Teams Foodie Activities That Fuel Creativity Picking Your Creative Zap Conclusion Other interesting links Team Building Activities 20 Creative Team Building Activities to Supercharge Your Crew Now I still grin thinking about the day our HR squad traded clipboards for clay, sculpting wonky dinosaurs in a frantic art-off. By the end, they weren’t just staff—they were a cackling crew, plotting lunch over lumpy T-Rexes while the faint scent of paint lingered in the air. That’s the jolt of team building activities: they don’t just fill an afternoon; they fuse people into something unstoppable, a spark of creativity lighting up the room. In 2025, with hybrid work stretching bonds thinner than a stretched-out rubber band, these 20 creative activities will supercharge your team, blending fun with a fiery edge. Ready to zap your crew into greatness? Let’s get cracking. Why Team Building Activities Are Your Game-Changer Team Building Activities I’ve slogged through joyless days—teams silent as a ghost town, ideas dead on arrival. One well-timed activity shifts it all, like flipping a switch. Gallup’s latest numbers don’t lie: engaged crews spike productivity by 21%, while disengaged ones cost the U.S. economy a staggering $550 billion a year in lost output. Team building activities aren’t fluffy diversions; they’re your turbo boost, turning isolation into inspiration, disconnection into a live wire of connection. These aren’t your granddad’s trust falls or awkward icebreakers—these 20 pack a punch, creative and quirky, built for the hybrid hustle of 2025. Take that clay day: our HR lead, usually all business, giggled as her triceratops collapsed, and the intern who’d barely spoken in a month piped up with a fix. By Monday, they were brainstorming hires with a new rhythm. That’s the trick—activities that don’t just entertain but electrify, pulling your team out of their shells and into a groove. With remote work leaving 70% of hybrid workers feeling adrift (FlexJobs), these ideas are your lifeline, stitching a scattered crew into a powerhouse. Let’s break them into bite-sized brilliance—outdoor zaps, indoor jolts, virtual volts, and more. Outdoor Activities That Zap Energy Into Your Team Team Building Activities Fresh air flips the script—it’s like rebooting a sluggish system. These outdoor team building activities charge your team with energy, creativity, and a jolt of unity, yanking them from desks into the wild unknown. 1. Vineyard Sketch Scramble Imagine your team scattered across a vineyard, pencils scratching as they sketch clues to chase down a stash of wine—maybe a zippy Sauvignon Blanc or a bold Cabernet. It’s a team building experience that’s half art class, half treasure hunt—teams race to draw what they see, from gnarled vines to a sneaky bottle tucked by a fence post, then swap sketches to crack the next step. Finish with a sip under the sun, and you’ve got a creative spark that’s pure voltage. I’ve watched it unfold: our shyest wallflowers bloomed, sketching shaky vines while the loudmouths debated “Is that a barrel or a bush?” By the end, they were toasting their haul, faces lit with pride— “We drew that!” It’s not just about the art; it’s the scramble, the teamwork, the moment when a doodle turns into a win. That’s the juice—raw, messy, electric. Why It Supercharges: Creativity crackles under pressure, forging bonds through shared chaos. Pro Tip: Sip the prize after—local vineyards can set this up, no fuss needed. Boost It: Add a “blind draw” round—eyes shut, pencils wild—for extra laughs. 2. Bubble Soccer Blitz Team Building Activities Picture your team encased in giant, bouncy bubbles, stumbling across a field to kick a soccer ball—or each other—into a goal. It’s pure, silly juice—think bumper cars meet recess. Teams crash, roll, and roar with laughter, strategy dissolving into gleeful mayhem. I’ve seen a stern manager bounce off a newbie, both cackling as they hit the grass. It’s low-skill, high-energy—a jolt that shakes off the office blahs. Back at work, that same crew tackled a deadline with the same reckless gusto. Why It Supercharges: Laughter powers up morale, and chaos breeds trust. Pro Tip: Record the flops—replays are gold. Boost It: Add a ref with a whistle for mock seriousness. 3. Kite Design Duel Hand your team fabric, string, and a gusty field—build kites from scratch, then fly them to see whose soars longest. It’s a breezy battle of imagination—teams sketch, stitch, and sprint, tweaking tails as the wind taunts. I’ve watched a gruff sales guy cheer a wobbly kite like it was the Wright brothers’ first flight, his team rallying behind him. It’s simple but electric, turning a patch of sky into a canvas of connection. Why It Supercharges: Creativity takes flight, and teamwork keeps it aloft. Pro Tip: Award “most artistic” alongside “highest flyer” for double stakes. Boost It: Add a crash-landing penalty for giggles. 4. Guerilla Gardening Raid Team Building Activities Arm your team with seeds, soil, and a sneaky mission—plant flowers or herbs in drab spots around town. It’s covert team building—digging under a bridge or by a parking lot, whispering like spies as they green the gray. I’ve seen a logistics crew turn a barren corner into a marigold patch, grinning like kids who got away with something. It’s purpose with a rebellious twist, bonding through dirt and daring. Why It Supercharges: Shared mischief and good vibes juice up the crew. Pro Tip: Map spots ahead—keep it legal but fun. Boost It: Snap before-and-after pics for pride. 5. Outdoor Sound Scramble Blindfold half the team, give the rest bells or whistles—guides lead their blind partners through a park by sound alone. It’s a sensory zap—trust builds as voices call, “Left, by the tree!” I’ve watched a timid clerk cling to her guide’s tune, beaming when they hit the finish. It’s quirky, quick, and a trust turbocharger. Why It Supercharges: Forces reliance and sharpens communication. Pro Tip: Swap roles halfway—everyone shines. Boost It: Add obstacles for a thrill. Indoor Activities That Spark Creative Genius Indoors doesn’t mean dull—these team building activities ignite genius with cozy chaos and clever twists. 6. Flavor Fusion Frenzy Team Building Activities Dump odd eats on a table—pickles, honey, peppers—teams mix, taste, and pitch their wildest fusion. It’s a team building experience that’s a flavor blast—I’ve seen a “pickle-honey dip” win cheers despite raised brows. It’s sensory madness, bonding over tastebud dares. Why It Supercharges: Senses spark chatter and ingenuity. Pro Tip: Vote for “wildest” and “best” to double the fun. Boost It: Add a wine pairing twist. 7. Desk Diorama Duel With office junk—paper clips, staplers, pens—teams build mini worlds, like a “future HQ.” It’s desk-bound creativity—I’ve watched a crumbling “tower” spark a redo that rocked. It’s low-cost, high-imagination—a spark in a box. Why It Supercharges: Turns mundane into magic. Pro Tip: Judge on story, not just looks. Boost It: Time it—20 minutes max. 8. Silent Line-Up Challenge No talking—teams line up by height, birthday, or shoe size using only gestures. It’s a quiet zap—I’ve seen a room erupt when they nailed it. It’s simple, sharp, and a communication jolt. Why It Supercharges: Non-verbal trust clicks. Pro Tip: Add a curve—say, “reverse order.” Boost It: Blindfold one teammate. 9. Office Improv Jam Team Building Activities No script, just prompts—teams act out “alien job interview” or “pirate sales pitch.” It’s chaos with heart—I’ve watched a shy techie steal the show as a robot. It’s a creativity jolt that drops walls fast. Why It Supercharges: Spontaneity bonds. Pro Tip: Start with a warm-up—say, “yes, and.” Boost It: Film it—replays bond. 10. Puzzle Swap Dash Teams get half a jigsaw puzzle, trade pieces with others to finish. It’s a frantic spark—I’ve seen swaps turn into bartering wars. It’s clever, quick, and a teamwork zap. Why It Supercharges: Forces deals and hustle. Pro Tip: Mix puzzle types for chaos. Boost It: Time it—10 minutes flat. Virtual Activities That Volt Remote Teams Team Building Activities Distance doesn’t dim the charge—these virtual team building activities juice up remote crews with creativity. 11. Digital Doodle Swap On Zoom, teams draw—say, “dream vacation”—swap midstream to finish each other’s work. It’s a virtual jolt—I’ve seen a beach turn into a disco by swap’s end. It’s artsy and connective across screens. Why It Supercharges: Creativity spans miles. Pro Tip: Use free tools like Jamboard. Boost It: Vote “most surprising.” 12. Virtual Sound Story One starts a tale—“The wind howled”—others add via sound effects only—whistles, claps. It’s a sonic zap—I’ve heard a “storm” turn epic. It’s quirky and bonds remotely. Why It Supercharges: Ears unite where eyes can’t. Pro Tip: Record it—hilarious playback. Boost It: Theme it—“space odyssey.” 13. Online “What’s That?” Teams show odd home items—a warped spoon—others guess its story. It’s a quick zap—I’ve laughed at a “haunted fork” tale. It’s personal and playful, a virtual spark. Why It Supercharges: Quirks connect. Pro Tip: Cap guesses—three per item. Boost It: Add a “lie detector” vote. 14. Virtual Wine Guess Team Building Activities Ship wine kits—teams sip blind on Zoom, guessing grape or vibe. It’s a team building experience that’s a taste zap—I’ve seen a Pinot stump all. It’s cozy and clever, bonding over sips. Why It Supercharges: Taste bridges distance. Pro Tip: Guide it live—expert optional. Boost It: Add a “pair it” challenge. 15. Avatar Craft Clash Online, teams build digital avatars—wild hair, capes—then strut in a virtual world. It’s a creative jolt—I’ve seen a “dragon knight” win cheers. It’s techy and fun, a remote zap. Why It Supercharges: Play bonds screens. Pro Tip: Use free avatar tools. Boost It: Add a “mission” for them. Foodie Activities That Fuel Creativity Food’s a spark—these team building activities whip up connection with taste and flair. 16. Spice Mix Mash Teams blend spices—cumin, paprika—to craft a rub, test on snacks. It’s a flavor zap—I’ve tasted a “fiery mystery” win. It’s sensory and bold, a kitchen spark. Why It Supercharges: Taste sparks talk. Pro Tip: Judge on zing, not heat. Boost It: Pair with bread. 17. Dessert Dash Dash Team Building Activities Whip up cupcakes or tarts—teams race to frost and flaunt. It’s a sugar zap—I’ve seen frosting wars end in hugs. It’s sweet and speedy, bonding over chaos. Why It Supercharges: Rush fuels fun. Pro Tip: Time it—15 minutes flat. Boost It: Add a “taste judge.” 18. Snack Hack Hustle With pretzels, jam, odd bits—teams invent snacks, pitch them. It’s a creative zap—I’ve cheered a “jam-twist” win. It’s tasty and brainy, a foodie spark. Why It Supercharges: Ingenuity bonds. Pro Tip: Add a “market” pitch. Boost It: Test on the spot. 19. Coffee Brew Clash Blend coffee—grounds, tweaks—teams vie for best brew. It’s a caffeine zap—I’ve sipped a “nutty kick” that rocked. It’s warm and wired, a jolt of taste. Why It Supercharges: Buzz fuels chatter. Pro Tip: Sip blind—guess the maker. Boost It: Add a pastry pair. 20. Food Trivia Feast Pair a meal with trivia—“Where’s sushi from?”—teams scarf and spar. It’s a brain-food zap—I’ve seen a ramen fact win it. It’s tasty and smart, a double spark. Why It Supercharges: Minds and mouths unite. Pro Tip: Mix fun and work facts. Boost It: Add a speed round. Picking Your Creative Zap Team Building Activities I’ve botched it—dance for introverts, yikes. Here’s the fix: Know Your Team: Loud? Quiet? Poll them—don’t assume. Set the Spark: Fun? Skills? Match it—don’t force. Keep It Lean: A team building experience—say, vineyard art—cuts prep, maxes punch. Conclusion Charge Up Your Crew in 2025 Your team’s potential isn’t asleep—it’s electric, waiting for a jolt. These 20 team building activities—from vineyard sketches to flavor frenzies—supercharge it in 2025. Don’t let routine zap your spark or hybrid haze dim your vibe. Grab an activity—maybe a team building experience with a creative twist—and watch your crew roar with energy, unity, and genius. The workplace isn’t a grind; it’s a playground. What’s your first charge? Hashtags: #TeamBuildingActivities #SuperchargeYourTeam #CreativeWorkplace #TeamEnergy2025 #EmployeeConnection #WorkplaceFun #TeamBonding #EngagementBoost #TeamSpirit #LeadershipPower Find out more about our experiences. You may also want to check out our gallery for past events. Other interesting links CUSTOMIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE Team Building blog Wine Courses THE BLIND TASTING COMPETITION THE PERFECT BLEND COMPETITION TEQUILA & MEZCAL EXPERIENCE Food & Wine Pairing VIRTUAL EXPERIENCES Links to other interesting articles: 73-powerful-team-building-activities unlock-the-fun-with-18-virtual-team-building-activities powerful-tips-for-crafting-a-company-culture Links to other interesting articles: 19-amazing-virtual-team-building-activities 35-powerful-team-building-activities 5-minute-team-building-activities more-than-50-powerful-team-building-activities Read the full article

[vashti-lives]

I’m almost done knitting this but the pattern calls for 1x1 ribbing so even though I only have like six rows left it’s going to take me another 84 years.

This is going to be fairly tunic length on me and I feel like this pic really demonstrates my fucking ridiculous t-rex arms because those sleeves are long on me! They’re quite drape-y and balloon-y! And yet here they look comically out of proportion.

This picture ALSO demonstrates how fucking weird and bubbly that neckline ended up being, but it’s fine!!!! This was weirdly cursed and the final product was attempt number three and I’m not doing it again. Everyone is going to be too busy looking at the rad jackalope I’m going to embroider on it and even if that’s not true I am making this to be cozy not to look good.

In case you’re new here I’m at the point in my project where I have to just keep telling myself the lumpiness will be fixed by wet blocking and I’ll like it when it’s done, which I must say historically has always been true. The green yarn is alpaca so it might not respond the same as sheep wool does but I did wet block the swatch and it was fine so we’ll see.

[tri-poke]

Gale nods and slides expertly off Sweet Swift tugging down the long pull with her to lead him along behind Zach and Demon Tooth.

Inside the barn is more like tree shade than an enclosed space, so many cracks and holes have opened up in the wood that a nice breeze pours through.

The barn is odd. LOTS of coops for such a small space. Like they kept a small mess of human-tall dinos inside in separate pens for themselves instead of altogether in one larger coop for when it gets too bitter out. Where you could also stick a larger dino if they got sick or injured. Could keep a single dino in a different single coop every day of the month if you wanted in here. Which brings a stranger thought. There are no coops that are the right size to keep a Rex in, just the round pen in the back, which is marked by a crumbling thin walk fence that a Rex would bust through without even feeling it. Or hop over if it was feeling delicate. Demon Tooth could probably just step over it.

But where the wood for the corral is way to thin, the troughs kept in the coops are made of metal of all things. And luckily for them, there's some kind of weird boxy one right near that ridiculous round pen that has filled up to the brim with rain water fresh enough that Zach is comfortable with Demon Tooth and Sweet Swift drinking out of it, even if he knows they wouldn't be so picky and would drink out of any of them. They might even prefer some of the rusting ones chock full of algae for the fun of the flavors.

The water box has the additional benefit of the upper three quarters of it being barred instead of solid metal so it's perfect for tying the Rexes up right by provisions and in safety. The barn creaks a bit if the breeze picks up but it seems solidly built in spite of its oddness.

Zach's also forced to wonder a bit about his feeling of the age of the barn. Everything just strikes him as old and decrepit. More than even two years would cause. And he can't see any way that a well known trail that Mr. Suver went straight for would have a settlement that long without him, Cantor, and even Gale knowing about it as a planned stop, rather than a discovery. But no actual answers present themselves, just more questions.

With the Rexes taken care of, it's just a matter of rock climbing, and the barn helps there, too. There's a metal ladder bolted to the wooden wall between the barn doors and the ruin of the watcher's room that leads up to where the lookout post was on the roof.

The roof is the only bad part of the climb, the wood rotten in several places and the struts bent off proper, sometimes holes already there so they have to skirt around. But then they're on the tall rock and there's fair hand holds and both Zach and Gale are decent climbers so they're able to shimmy with just a bit of ache, burn, and sweat up to the top behind the windmill and look down over the settlement.

There's no one out and about. The settlement is awfully large to have been made in a year and the style is wrong somehow that Zach can't put his finger on. Some settlers fresh from the known world from some country not important enough to be well known has shaped them all like lumpy fat arrowheads bulging around the middle. And for some odd reason they painted their houses in gaudy bright colors that haven't entirely been worn away from the weather.

More than a few doors hang open. If there are people here, it's far less than were here.

The windmill has too many sides but what matters most is all the rips and holes in the sails, just like Zach expected. No one has repaired this windmill in a long time and he can see the missing crosswise beam and sails laid out along the ground where it fell and was just left to rot.

Sudden movement catches Zach's eye just as he is about to look over to the house where smoke is coming out the clay chimney.

Out of the most dilapidated house, which nature is trying to reclaim with a furiously green vengeance, steps the strangest dino that Zach has ever seen and he has seen his fair share of strange dinos having lived in the wild as long as he has. It walks on four legs like a herd herbivore but it's legs are as long and dainty as an Arkansasaurus, tipped by a single small point of black claw, like it's walking on its claws instead of the pad of its foot. It's got a small stubby tail which it flicks... along with large crest-like ears. It's horns branch like a tree. And instead of scales, skin, feathers, or even a decorative ruff it looks like it is covered in hair, short as a fellow fresh from the barber. It pauses, one foot hanging in the air, turning it's head to sniff the air with its black nose, it's ears twitching, tail flashing white.

Which is when someone... bout the size of Gale if she tried to armor herself in the remains of buckets and other sundry household goods for an imitation of old-timey armor made of wood rolls in a dramatic crashing tumble out the door of the house that's smoking with some weird kind of crossbow that whips up off its arm as it tries to shoot the dinosaur with a triumphant battle-roar.

And misses.

The weird dino bolts in a streak of brown and white spots as the young or tiny warrior slaps another arrow into its weird contraption and shoots at it again, doing even worse this time.

It bounds to the edge of the settlement and disappears into the rocks and foliage there as the little warrior jumps up and down in the middle of the abandoned street in a childish temper tantrum. Pausing in the middle to shriek and slap a third arrow out of the flower vase that it has strapped to its back for a quiver to shoot at nothing but the general direction, just for spite, before resuming its slowly revolving bounce-dance of thwarted rage.

Gale looks over at Zach like she's wondering if she's dreaming.

Nothing else around seems much to care one way or the other. Or isn't there at all to care.