#Not noted are some of the quality of life items in question

[mystxmomo]

Some passing thoughts on Enclave and her weapons and magic usage over the years

[anna-357]

Jaemin and Haechan fic recs

Jaemin

Kissing Na Jaemin

fluff | angst | friends to lovers!au

Accidentally in Love

fluff

while packing up his things to move out of his house, jaemin comes across some nostalgic items that conjure up some unspoken feeling about his best friend

LOWKEY

smut

You and Jaemin are best friends but behind the close doors you have a lowkey relationship that no one knows about.

ATTENTION

smut

you just want jaemin to pay attention to you, though maybe getting under the table as he's gaming isn't the best way to go about it. or is it?

Room 119.

fluff, slight suggestive

HUSBAND!JAEMIN TEXTS

jaemin horny boyfriend texts pt. 1

jaemin horny boyfriend texts pt. 2

Haechan

Again & Again

smut

Haechan is needy. So needy that he can’t wait until you get home to play with himself, breaking the number one rule in your book. What was supposed to be a night of innocent quality time ends in Haechan getting milked dry, begging for you to make him come over & over again.

Hits Different

smut, fluff, angst

nobody ever got under your skin, not until Haechan came in your life and changed everything. 

moles ♡‧₊˚

fluff

you read something on the internet that made you feel jealous of a person you didn’t even know but haechan knows just how to reassure you.

Bus stop

fluff

haechan rides the bus. you hop on the same ride. minutes later, you two were a couple. he never questioned why.

[7:43am]

fluff

late night texts w/ bf!hyuck

suggestive texts w/ bf!hyuck

haechan horny boyfriend texts

note: do y’all want more Recs???i write Nct, Svt, Ateez

[antivan-sprig]

A Pyre Side Chat for this lovely summer night!

Sorry this took SO LONG. I was honestly just having fun HCing stuff about Lis and Cara pre VG, but obviously a lot of that wouldn’t come up in a pyre session, I just think it’s neat that she’s one of the few that know who Lis is and vice versa. Anyway- definitely going to revisit these two during summer!

Also- Ghil’an = a Dalish word for guide/teacher and is what Lis calls Viago in private/around people she and Viago trust. I never know where to put the Dalish translations lol

@pixiedurango : So here go into the fire in no particular order (and without context)

- a peach pit

- a little bundle of cat whiskers, tied with a thin thread

- half of an elfroot joint 👀👀👀👀

- a cork from a bottle of red wine

- a carefully tied together long strand of her own red curls

- a parchment. on it a recipe for churros, scribbled down in lucanis (teenager) handwriting

Lisel watched with a sense of awe at everything Cara decided to burn. She couldn’t help but wonder at the reasoning behind each item- the peach pit and the cork, remnants of something she’d enjoyed? Or perhaps a reminder of quality time shared? Liselath couldn’t tell what was written out on the note, try as she might, the fire encompassed it immediately and she saw no hint of whatever message it might have held.

“Sure you aren’t using me to dispose of evidence of something?” Lisel teased, “I’ll know if you are.”

As each item went into the flames, the fire reacted differently. Some items eliciting a hiss, others briefly changing the color of the flames or causing the fire to arc. Once all the items had been tossed in the fire blazed with brilliant light and heat. A purple column of smoke rose, smelling strongly of elfroot. Lisel began to see convoluted visions, shadows crossing through her mind’s eye. It was difficult to ascertain what exactly was happening, Cara had seemingly led a very episodic and busy life thus far.

Liselath hummed to herself in an attempt to focus.

Cara gave a look of concern at her furrowed brow, but just as she was about to break the silence Liselath began to speak in a clear, questioning voice. She opened her eyes to stare at the redhead.

“The stuffed crow you keep beside your bed… I didn’t know Ghil’an gave you that?” Lisel said as she studied Cara’s face, “That’s lucky of you.”

Cara noticed a twinge in Lisel’s tone, but couldn’t quite place what emotion it was. Although she swore it could have been jealousy.

“Or wait…” she paused, audibly confused, “Lucanis gave it to you- not Ghil’an…”

The image was fuzzy, seemingly having two distinct beginnings associated with it.

The fire ebbed and arched in time with Lisel’s breath, a detail only Cara noticed. Lisel was seemingly lost in thought again.

“You read… romantic novels?” Liselath questioned, “I had no idea…”

She held out her hand to the fire, getting so close to it that Cara was surprised it didn’t burn her. Instead it splashed up around her outstretched hand, twisting between her fingers like a snake.

“He returned your bag to you. Perfectly folded. Better than how you’d left it.” Lisel fumbled through the memory, “Secret notes back and forth- a recipe, a confession, a warning. The hallmarks of youthful love.

“The three of you hanging about, smoking. Catarina thinks you’re asleep.” Lisel’s voice was joyful.

The fire took on the sound of voices. A busy street, a marketplace. Coins clinking in small purses. Heavy laden steps in the rain. Rolling carts, the scuffle of rats. Murmurs of those passing through, tourists and residents alike. The sounds of Antiva.

“Your life is dictated by what he wants. Your worth is measured by what you lack: obedience, discipline, respect.”

The shape of each flame blurred and the fire took on a mistlike quality, faint and ethereal. It no longer seemed to put off any heat at all, but somehow staring at it was painful, almost like looking into the sun.

“Grueling mornings, you awaken before sunrise, the only hint of happiness being the peeks beneath his mask. The smell of coffee- prepared just how you like it.”

Liselath rocked side to side for a moment, seeing what else she could ascertain from the memory. But to her surprise, and disappointment, she couldn’t sense anything else. She felt as if she’d somehow taken a wrong turn on a familiar path; not quite sure how it happened but lost nonetheless.

“Caramella,” she said softly, “I think that’s it for now.”

“But come back soon, please?” Lisel said, an altogether unfamiliar phrase to the elf. She’d never once asked someone to stay longer or return unless it was for business.

“I know there’s something more I can tell you. I’m just not sure what it is yet.”

[sallyyysal]

silly low quality reference for my twst self insert I made 3 days ago!

| backstory |

Sal was a teenager girl born in a religious family who hated magic, witchcraft and anything related to that, while she was the opposite. she loved magic, and always wanted to learn about it. but anytime she mentioned it, her family would get angry and tell her not to talk about that ever again.

though, despite the family's hatred of magic, one night sal went to the basement where she was forbidden to go several times, and to her surprise, it was full of items related to witchcraft and magic.

while she was exploring the dark place and trying to understand the use of those objects, she unintentionally hit a book with her hand, causing it to fall to the ground and open to a random page. bright light and letters started coming out of the book towards her body and hit her, causing her to faint.

when Sal woke up, it was early in the morning, around 4 a.m. she slowly stood up from the floor, head spinning and causing her pain. when she managed to stand up and slowly walk towards the door, a dusty mirror reflected her figure while she was passing in front of it and she instinctively looked at it. when she saw horns and tails attached to her body and sharp fangs after opening her mouth in shock, she panicked, not knowing what to do. if her family found out, they'd certainly kick her out, or who knows, maybe do something even worse...

as these thoughts tormented sal, she ran upstairs and reached her room, picked up her stuff and writing a little, messy note saying "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause more problems. I should've stayed away from the basement like you told me" and ran away.

she spent some months at her best friend's house, who was an expert in witchcraft and she knew she could trust her about it.

as expected, her parents never looked for her. she felt abandoned, deceived, wrong. a monster. the fainting episodes kept happening, her body still adjusting to magic, and never seemed to get fully used to it, as if it wasn't meant for her. but at least, she managed to control her horns and tail, making them disappear for a while so she could at least go outside and live her life. but that sucked the energy out of her body. so much energy.

...

how long has it been since the accident? a century maybe? yet, she was still stuck in the same exact body and mentality. years were passing, sure, but she never seemed to grow, she was doomed to be stuck like this forever, watching all the people she loved die, her best friend... she wondered when her parents passed away, if they even thought about her when they did, if they ever thought about her since she left, but those questions will never be answered.

head was spinning again, her vision getting blurry and darker each second, the sounds of the outside world becoming more and more distant, as if she was underwater, going deeper and deeper in a dark ocean of despair she was slowly drowning into.

she opens her eyes, her head hurts again, but she was used to it now. what she wasn't used to, however, was waking up in a different place after passing out and be surrounded by people who looked like they came out of a story, from a different world all the way to earth. or maybe, she was the one coming from another word, and maybe, that wasn't earth anymore.

[neopianbiologyproject]

Abominable Snowball (poll at bottom)

sorry about the delay in getting this blog up n' postin', I realized after getting setup going that I don't actually know how I want to order this stuff. anyway, let's start by going roughly alphabetical

this is an Abominable Snowball!

Abominable Snowball A great friend... for as long as the weather stays cold.

Item Category: Wintery Petpet

Available From: Restocks in Wintery Petpets (Terror Mountain), but also available from the Ice Arena of the Battledome (Terror Mountain) and The Snowager (Terror Mountain)

the other places the Abominable Snowball occurs use rarity-based systems of item generation (i.e. they can give any item of a certain rarity regardless of origin, e.g Esophagor in Haunted Woods, The Wishing Well in Neopia Central, Kiko Pop in Kiko Lake).

therefore it's pretty easy to determine that the Abominable Snowball's natural territory is Terror Mountain, primarily Happy Valley and the Ice Caves.

Habitat: Terrorpolar Alpine Forests

here's the rub: Abominable Snowballs may not be naturally occurring

How to Build an Abominable Snowball Its quite easy once you look up how.

Abominable Snowballs can be built! this doesn't preclude them occurring naturally, but it is possible to roll some snow together, decorate it, and bring forth new life

note: it is not actually mechanically possible within the game of Neopets to build an Abominable Snowball, but that does not mean it doesn't happen outside of player influence.

(there is the question of whether Abominable Snowballs are even sentient, but it's the opinion of this blog that all Petpets are alive, or at least self-mobile, even Rocks, because all Petpets can enter and exit the Symol Hole independently)

this puts the Abominable Snowball's kingdom as either Elementa or Constructa, depending on whether they occur without Neopet influence.

i couldn't find any other items that lead me to believe one way or another, except that it's probably a common pastime to build Abominable Snowballs as one would a snowman:

Abominable Snowball Fights Those poor Abominable Snowballs...

Abominable Snowball Usuki Set This Usuki set comes with a carrot, mittens and buttons to dress up your Usukis Abominable Snowball.

the Abominable Snowball Acara Muffler and Abominable Snowball Acara Wig even equate the Abominable Snowball to a snowman:

Abominable Snowball Acara Muffler A muffler for the added effect of a snowman.

Abominable Snowball Acara Wig A pretty brown wig with a snowman hat for your Acara!

that said, building a regular snowman doesn't require instructions, as building an Abominable Snowball apparently does

also of note, Abominable Snowballs melt in heat and hot weather:

Desert Abominable Snowball Maybe this was a bad idea...

(note that this is also the only Abominable Snowball color that has a unique description)

Abominable Snowball Plushie Unlike the original, this ones an all-weather friend.

Abominable Snowball Borovan Oh no! Who dropped that poor Abominable Snowball in the mug?

however, there is something to be said for the fact that the Desert Abominable Snowball retains the intelligence of a white Abominable Snowball, and can be converted back into an Abominable Snowball of any color by repainting it -- there is some quality of its aliveness that is carried across all colors, even if it appears to have melted, and despite the apparent ease with which one can put together their own.

due to the magical properties of Paint Brushes, though, this only goes for melting or other conversion through painting; that one in the borovan is gone forever.

there is also something to be said for the fact that all Abominable Snowballs of one color share identical accessories in identical configurations. one requires a green and red hat with a pompom to make an Abominable Snowball; no other hat will suffice. likewise it is possible in theory to make a small snowman that is almost but not quite identical to an Abominable Snowball, but that does not come alive as a true Abominable Snowball would. maybe this indicates the platonic nature of an Elemental, but one that can be replicated by Neopians? or perhaps one that is intangible in its natural state and, through creation of a suitable host, brought forth to inhabit a body?

finally, there is no indication that an Abominable Snowball can be made in any of its other colors, only its default color of White. that is, it may be the case that one can build a white Abominable Snowball, but must repaint it to achieve other colors. (which raises questions about the Robot color and others, but we don't need to worry about them thank god).

note that if it may occur as an Elemental, it should be considered an Elemental, even if it could also occur as a Construct

you can also make an argument in the replies or in my ask, etc!

all of the items examined in making this post have been added to this wishlist on Jellyneo, including some that were not discussed here but had some other tidbits about the nature of Abominable Snowballs.

[vagonca-rigo]

top 5 games?

Okay kinda tough but let's see

Felvidek Okay, kind of an obvious choice given my recent obsession with it, but it's so great. It's an RPGMaker game where you play as Pavol, an alcoholic knight whose wife left him, who is at first tasked with finding out what struck the old castle, to later joining an emerging cult that has been recruiting the locals and making them disappear, accompanied by Matej, a priest from Debrecen, who's original task was trying to get Pavol off of alcohol. You don't need to level up, you just need good equipment and strategy to win all battles you encounter(and there are optional ones too, but they're not worth it unless you want more crowns). The ending is also extended as you help certain NPCs.

Kynseed Harvest Moon/Stardew Valley kinda farming game where you inherit your uncle's farm, have a little fight with your sibling you gotta make up with later, and some mysteries to uncover. There's wayyy more to the game though, for instance you have to have good reputation with the villagers in all villages to initiate certain quests or buy certain shops to maintain AND if you are particularly nice to some villagers and their family members(even in later generations!) you get to piece together a code you get bit by bit as you talk to them after a certain friendship level for a locked chest with money or resources. You can get boons from some sort of hare time fae in exchange for some years off your life, there's also combat regions and the combat mechanics themselves are really neat. You can also gather notes to find out how to grow high quality crops, learn recipes, and read journals for additional lore about the world.

Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight Okay so, Momodora is a game series(I'm almost through 4 of them!) and playing all will give you some lore, but the 4th and 5th entries are the best. The 4th, RUtM honestly made my jaw drop, especially after seeing the previous games. You play as Kaho Reinol, a priestess from Lun who seeks the queen of Karst to combat corruption, but the queen has been cursed along with her country, and it's up to you to fix it. The visuals are absolutely stunning and the combat is really great, and along the way you can collect items to apply modifiers to your weapons or gain a certain ability, as well as for healing and damage boost(some of which get permanently increased as you find more of them, and every time you hit a bell to save, all restock). You also get boons for defeating bosses without taking damage, which is difficult, but worth trying (note: if you do wanna attempt, quit to the menu and reload to the last save if you get hit or die). There's also a spider at the beginning of the game that if you don't kill, it will sell you great items later(and is the reason i had to make an entirely new save T_T). I can't tell more, as it would slip into spoiler territory, but this and the last game in the series(Moonlit Farewell, that btw, has notes in a menu about lore you might be missing out on) are absolutely worth checking out.

CrossCode You play as Lea, a girl who lost her memory, wakes up in an MMO(CrossWorlds) as a rather rare choice of fighter class(spheromancer)among players, who also happens to have her mic broken, so with the help of Sergey(who got you into the game in the first place), you get basic lines as you progress, like your name, greetings, questions and basic answers(so her talking is often just "Hi! Lea! Yes! Lea! Lea!"). There are many regions in the game, most of which you can only access if you acquire a certain elemental extensions to your Circuit tree(these you can get in select dungeons full of puzzles). The combat is really interesting and you get to have fun with elemental modes, but you have to look out as you can get overheated using one mode for too long, so you have to switch frequently. There's also a wiki and plenty of guide videos from the editors of it.

Moon Remix RPG This is an anti-rpg, so it parodies common tropes present in the genre and doesn't take itself seriously. You play as a little boy who, at the beginning, is seen playing some generic RPG about a mighty knight who defeats evil. He is told to go to sleep, but in the middle of the night, the TV mysteriously turns on with static, and takes him in, right to the world of the game he was playing. He is invisible, and only after visiting his...grandma(?) does he get clothing items he is able to be seen in(which looks real reminiscent of Rayman as his arms and legs are not covered by any in-universe item). Your mission is to learn about love, expand your heart, and sleep. Speaking of, as you level up your love, you can stay awake longer and explore more. You can do this in many ways, like quests or finding creatures according to hints in a book. If you "oversleep", it stacks, and you can also recover sleep by eating certain items. Along the way, you also get to observe the knight the boy played as in his game, which reveals that the guy's just a big strong idiot, not giving a single shit about his surroundings and using his fame to not hold responsibility for his actions. One thing I love in this game is the "voice" of characters. You are mute, but everyone else has some sort of 'yap' or 'wobble' or 'eh eh' that vaguely sounds like a voice and they vary a lot. From what i know, the game has only recently been translated to english and released on steam, so you might not find much about it if you're stuck somewhere.

[itslikesearcingforsomething]

I need advice on romantic gift ideas!! The gift is for someone who is very minimalistic/doesn't like having any clutter, doesn't wear jewelry, and doesn't like having a lot of money spent on them?

We've been together for 6 years and I feel so bad but I'm completely running out of ideas at this point!

I want to do something to make them genuinely excited, but I feel like everything they would like I've done before.

I've done dates to specific places (car museum visit, art show displaying work by a South African artist they like, movie they were excited to see)

I've done gifts that are practical and usable (gift cards for restaurants they like that are near their workplace, high quality knit sweater, new expensive work boots while they were doing construction)

And I've done more traditional romantic gifts (date nights at fancy restaurants, flowers, love letters, a playlist with notes on why the songs were chosen).

I feel like besides the two museum trips and the work boots nothing has been a "wow" moment, and I'm out of new places to go, and they don't need any new clothing or practical items right now 😭😭

we have our seven year anniversary coming up and our two year anniversary of moving in together the day after, so I really want to do something impressive 🥹 but I can't think of a single thing and I feel SO guilty about it because I feel like I should know them well enough to come up with something but I'm just out of ideas at present

ohhh this is a good question i love to see!!

thank you for sharing details, it cut off so many ideas that wouldn’t help you. also, please don’t let it guilt you, you’re doing your best and i can tell you put a lot of energy in this! it’s genuinely amazing and so sweet. of course it’s getting hard to come up with something, but i’ll try to help you out a little.

i think you should go for experience, if your partner doesn’t need anything specific right now and also that they really liked museums. i’m not sure what their hobbies are, if they’d like it, and what your budget is, but i will hand you a list with as many ideas as i can come up with 💞

1. a trip somewhere: plan a surprise getaway

2. food experience: a cooking class together or going to a unique place

3. something extreme if you’re into it, would give you so many emotions: air balloon ride, bungee jumping, etc

4. theatre performance

5. spa day together, would be very sensual and relaxing

6. hiking together, depends if you feel safe to do so and have the equipment

7. escape rooms, not so romantic but very fun

8. dance classes together, also very sensual and fun, gets you out of the comfort zone

9. stargazing, omg i personally think it’s so cool. if you can drive somewhere after a romantic night out far away from city lights and if the sky is clear, it’s so beautiful

10. classes for something they would be interested in getting into

overall, maybe there’s something they would like to have but would never buy it themselves? or there’s something they always wanted to try as a kid? go for emotional things! also, maybe something for your apartment but what they would use specifically? that might make their day to day life better/easier?

i really hope i gave you some ideas 😭✊

but please don’t pressure yourself!

[the-haunted-office]

A door within the office creaks open. Orange light bleeds into the room, along with a spectacular amount of moon dust. There's the crunching of heavy boots outside, followed by a gloved hand reaching into the office. Heavy, assisted breathing can be heard from the other side of the door.

R carefully peaks their visored head into the long corridor, watching for any signs of those horrid monsters that normally reside within the remains of facilities. However, this place was... different. None of the walls looked decrepit. Neither did all the floors, nor did it smell of the remains of the poison sprayed by the spore lizards. In fact, R had never seen a place so clean before in their life.

Since they had been a great asset to the company, they upgraded their ship engine, updated their terminal and let them jet away. To be fair, they did pick a moon they've never seen before. 427-Parableus? There's not many notes on the company terminal about this moon. All it did was show up in the terminal autopilot directory, they typed it in and forced the ship to bring them here.

While they continue to peak from the doorway, a loud thumping of a giant beast begins to follow behind R. For a moment, they remain calm, hoping that the beast is yet to see them. They can't decide what the best decision is for them. They need to make quota. This place looks like it would have heaps of high quality items laying around. But this environment is incredibly disturbing to them.

The thumping stopped, forcing R to slowly turn around, hoping not to make too much noise. The Forest Guardian had frozen in place, looking directly towards R. Then came the enormous roar of the eyeless dogs, hoping to track down R's movement. The Guardian began to run, it's decaying arms stretching out for R. The dogs, feeling the vibration of the Guardian moving towards R, began to leap and follow in hopes they would receive a small, rather delectable dish.

R stepped into the corridor and slammed the door behind them. As they leaned against the door, they could feel the eyeless dog continuing to crash into the door behind them. Maybe someone would help them? Or maybe they'll find a horrid beast.

Most importantly, they hope those dogs will go away.

[ For any of your muses :)c / R / @reubyrp ]

Dorian is rather enjoying its existence. There's a lot about it to enjoy, after all. All the wondrous sights and sensations, not to mention all the little creatures inhabiting its walls. It sure does love those little humans. They're so much fun to observe and converse with. To learn about.

Well, most of them are human. Some of them are dead, though, but that's all right, they are pleasant too. Even the ones who sometimes accidentally leave pools of blood on its floor are pleasant. The ones who shoot holes in its walls are questionable, but at least they tend to apologize when it screams and they realize that it can feel pain.

Dorian has a rather good relationship with the humans who live within its walls. They all take care of each other. They protect it from dangerous outsiders and keep it nice and clean and decorated. They even feed it! That's quite nice of them. And Dorian keep them protected from the elements and provides them space in which to live. It's a nice symbiotic set-up, the way humans and buildings were meant to live together.

Now this creature who has just stepped through one of its doors... Dorian can't quite tell if it's human or not. It seems like it might be, although it's dressed a bit funny. And it's acting in a rather peculiar manner.

The Office decides to greet the potential human in a friendly manner anyway. "Hello!" it chirps, its voice seeming to come from all directions at once, or at least not from a location that can be pinpointed. "Is something bothering you there? I assure you this place is quite safe! Most of the time. I am not dangerous, at any rate. Have I frightened you? I haven't meant to, so if I have, I do apologize. Ah. My name is Dorian, and this place is, well- me. And you are welcome here. Do you require a human face to speak to? Because I can- I can call one out for you. There are plenty of them here, you see, and, um... Why are you backed up against the door like that?"

[ladylaviniya]

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐳𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 — 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟒

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 23 || 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 || 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 25

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: 𝐀𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧.

𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤!𝐀𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐞𝐧 𝐗 𝐋𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐲𝐚 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐞𝐧 (𝐌𝐲 𝐎𝐅𝐂)

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: 𝟏𝟖+ 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐃𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐨 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐄𝐚𝐭, 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭-𝐖𝐚𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐀𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞, 𝐏𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐞, 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞, 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠.

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 𝟒.𝟔𝐤

𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬:

★𝐀𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 (𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐦.)

𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠: "𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝" 𝐛𝐲 𝐈𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐬

  Two heavily-armed knights made their appearance, hauling a slender man between them. The man appeared to have lived a hard life; he was sallow-faced with greying hair and eyes that betrayed a weariness far beyond his years. His face was mapped with deep wrinkles, premature for his age, and a fresh bruise blossomed at his temple. His clothing was of fine quality, but some items appeared wrinkled and dishevelled, as though he had been subjected to a rough handling.

Laviniya couldn't help but note the striking similarities between Aldus Marbrand and her dear friend Myrielle. His dark brown eyes, high cheekbones...it was eerie how much they resembled each other.

A pang of guilt struck her heart as she realized that she would play a role in the downfall of Myrielle's uncle. This knowledge weighed heavily on her soul, mixing with an unsettling feeling that things were rapidly spinning out of control.

Aemond’s voice carried a tone of command as he spoke to the captive, “Ah, Lord Marbrand. How kind of you to join us. Please, make yourself comfortable.”

The soldiers promptly marched him over to the nearest chair, forcefully seating him. It was Laviniya’s idea to hold this interrogation within the king’s own personal chambers. Lord Marbrand’s first glance darted to the grand swinging pendulum clock standing to his left, his gaze lingering for a moment before lowering demurely.

“You know why you’re here, I presume?” Aemond continued, his eyes piercing through the man as he spoke. He settled into his seat, crossing one leg over the other as he made himself comfortable. Laviniya moved silently to stand beside him, her hands clenched tightly by her sides, the urge to dig her nails into her husband’s shoulders almost overwhelming.

Aldus remained quiet, his dark brown eyes fixed firmly on the floor as if the answers to all the world’s questions could be found there. Laviniya, standing beside her husband, fixed the lord with a stern gaze.

“Lord Marbrand,” she stated clearly, “the King asked you a question.” Her voice held a firmness that couldn’t be argued with.

Laviniya's brow furrowed in thought. There was something strangely unsettling about his lack of reaction, a wrongness that she couldn't quite pinpoint.

There was something off about Lord Marbrand that Laviniya couldn't quite identify. He should have been anxious, fearful even. Aemond was known for his lack of mercy, and his reputation for cruelty preceded him. Yet, despite the circumstances, Lord Marbrand showed no signs of fear.

There was a disturbing lack of distress or fear in Lord Marbrand's demeanour. He appeared calm, almost unnervingly so, his eyes taking on a glassy, empty look. His expression was one of unusual tranquillity, as if he had reached some sort of resolution in his mind.

Laviniya could feel the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end as she observed his unnatural composure. Something was desperately wrong.

Laviniya paused, a flicker of understanding crossing her features as a thought suddenly occurred to her. Perhaps Aldus Marbrand had not handed himself in merely to face punishment. If he truly considered himself a martyr, why would he attempt to flee the city? And if he had accepted the futility of escape, why wouldn’t he choose to take his own life instead of allowing himself to be captured and to face a brutal fate?

Laviniya’s gaze narrowed, a dangerous suspicion taking hold. Was the Lord anticipating a different outcome, a twist in the unfolding events? Perhaps Marbrand did not intend to suffer the consequences at all...

At last, his silence was broken, the petty lord of the westerlands shuddered, “I should have slit your throat.” his gaze shifting to the pendulum clock once more.

The threat would have sent shivers down her spine if she didn't find it particularly intriguing that he had glanced at it just minutes ago, seemingly more eager to keep track of the time than to pay attention to the interrogation.

Marbrand's repeated glances at the clock puzzled her. What was so special about the time?

His eyes were pink. It was apparent to Laviniya that Aldus had perhaps been crying before being dragged into the interrogation. What she couldn’t understand was, why his fingertips purple and black.

The king wanted to kill him. Rip him apart. Whip him and crucify. How dare this low noble speak to his wife in such a way. 

Aemond’s gaze wandered, first to the man’s finely tailored clothes, then to the clock which he had noticed him look at multiple times. When he saw Laviniya glance at the clock as well, a sly smile curled at the corners of his lips. Finally, he permitted himself a smile, an understanding passing between them.

Aemond chuckled, his tone laced with a touch of mischief. “You know, I quite fancy a bit of wine right now.”

He turned to Laviniya, capturing her hand and planting a kiss on it tenderly. “My love, would you be a dear and fetch me the green bottle, the one at the bottom of the wine cabinet?”

Laviniya tried not to bristle at the term of endearment. She almost told him to go fetch it himself.

“And while you’re at it,” he added, his gaze flitting to the Lord Marbrand before returning to Laviniya, “Why not a cup for our esteemed guest as well?”

She obeyed begrudgingly inside.

Laviniya returned with the requested items, placing the green bottle and the two cups delicately on the table between them. With practiced ease, she poured the wine into each cup, her mind racing with confusion. She was unsure why the king wanted wine at a time like this, let alone to offer some to the man that had destroyed one of the very few dragon eggs left in the world.

She wondered what her husband's plan was. Was there a deeper meaning behind this seemingly innocuous offering of wine?

Aemond gestured to the wine, his tone light and conversational. “This here is straight from the famed Highgarden vineyard. It’s been aged to perfection, or so they say.”

Seeing Marbrand’s hesitation, Aemond let out a smirk. “If I were to end your life, I assure you I’d find a more creative way,” he said, taking a deliberate sip from his own glass. “Come now, Lord Marbrand. Take a moment to savour the finer things in life. You should get in all the enjoyment you can before it’s too late.”

After a small, charged moment, Marbrand shrugged, as if surrendering to the situation. He finally reached out for his cup, bringing it delicately to his lips and taking a generous sip.

Aemond’s tone remained deceptively mild, almost pleasant as he said, “I was recently married, as you are well aware. I had planned to enjoy my time with my new wife in blissful solitude.”

He paused, swirling the contents of his goblet before taking another sip. “But my peace was shattered when an assailant sneaked into the treasury, disguised as a banking assistant. Naturally, given the gravity of the situation, particularly the destruction of a dragon egg and the threat he posed to my wife’s life, I feel compelled to conduct some necessary inquiries.”

Marbrand did not offer a reaction as Aemond spoke, merely taking another sip of his wine.

Laviniya touched her husband’s shoulders as she spoke gently, “Your name comes from a noble house in the Westerlands, yet you’ve journeyed here to bring harm to my family and my house.” she tilted her head, a look of disappointment crossing her face. “I must say, Lord Marbrand, I expected more from a man like you. Can you not see the futility of your actions? What do you have to say for yourself?”

The room was filled with more uncomfortable silence as the distant sound of the Sept bells tolled, signalling the arrival of six o’clock.

Strangely, it was this that seemed to stir Aldus from his silence. He twitched slightly, darting a glance in the direction of the pendulum clock, and then shifting his gaze to Aemond and Laviniya. He took the final gulp of his wine, setting the cup down with a thud.

Aldus’ low and gravelly voice cut through the silence as he spoke. “It was two years ago that your husband, m’lady, took control of all my family’s mines. He granted every last one of them to House Lannister, and left us with nothing.”

Aemond raised an eyebrow, his expression reflecting a mixture of surprise and disbelief. “Is that what this is really about? A conflict over a few mines? You shattered a priceless dragon egg. Hell you could have sold it and gained more than your pathetic mines could have granted you.”

“Those mines formed the backbone of our very livelihood,” Marbrand responded, a trace of his resentful emotions finally showing through, “My ancestors have worked them for generations, cultivating their rock and gems. Yet you stole and gifted all that to the fucking Lannisters because—”

Aemond cut him off with an unapologetic tone, “—because you and your family refused to bend the knee to me after I clearly had won the war, yes.”

Marbrand attempted to refute, “We did not support those wars –“

“That is a matter of opinion,” Aemond interrupted, his voice steady. “Your brother, Lorent Marband was the Pretender’s Lord Commander. It’s irrelevant. Regardless, you have a duty to obey your King, just as any loyal subject should.”

Laviniya glanced to the King. She was the daughter of the Rogue Prince Daemon. This man was the brother of a Lord Commander. How could he mistreat this family more than he had mistreated hers and her kin in the Runestones?

“In reality, I was being generous,” Aemond added smoothly. “I could have taken more from you.”

Marbrand’s voice dripped with resentment. “You left us penniless. Is that how you define generosity? You took everything from us.”

He paused, his gaze darting toward the pendulum clock once more, and then fixing on his hands. “Yes, I orchestrated the attack on your life. And yes, I wanted every last dragon gone. I have no regrets.”

“You claim the full and total responsibility, then?” Laviniya dared to ask.

Marbrand’s gaze flicked in Laviniya’s direction as she dared to pose the question. He nodded emphatically, his voice filled with vehemence. “I take full and total responsibility, without a doubt,” he declared, his tone seething with a mix of conviction and anger. Then came the defiant gleam in his eyes. “And let me make this clear, I would do it again without a moment’s hesitation.”

Laviniya felt a chill run down her spine as Marbrand's words sank in.

"You would harm a child... to destroy a dragon’s egg?" she asked, her voice scarcely more than a whisper.

Marbrand's jaw tensed as he responded, "Oh, I would have gutted both of you if I’d had the time."

Her first balled, her breath hitched.

Aemond touched her wrist, rubbing his thumb across it softly bring her back to reality, where she was and why she was here. She wanted to lunge at the man, strangle him. Jaehaera was an innocent! A little girl! How could this man say such foul things.

His words were so savage, so ruthless. She hadn't expected Myrielle’s relative to be so barbaric.

Aemond looked at Marbrand for several moments, his expression betraying a hint of bemusement. The laughter that followed caught Aldus off guard, his confusion clear as he turned to the king.

Glancing back at her husband, Laviniya tried to discern why her husband laughed at the disgusting words made by such a appalling man.

Aemond spoke, his tone dripping with condescension. “Well done, Marbrand,” he said. “Truly a commendable performance. But if only you were a bit more skilled in the art of lying, I may have actually believed your story.”

Marbrand furrowed his brow, just as the Queen had, his voice betraying a trace of doubt. “I don’t understand,” he said, his body growing taut.

Aemond smirked, his expression growing more shrewd. “Oh, I applaud you regardless,” he added. “Not everyone has the courage to take the blame for someone else or to act the part of a cruel villain. Believe me, I know all about it...”

Marbrand tried to maintain stoic composure, but his nervous gaze darted once more to the swinging pendulum clock.

“I have no idea what you’re getting at,” he said, his voice betraying a hint of unease. The clock seemed to hold his attention for a few moments too long, as if he was counting down the minutes until something specific would happen.

“You’re not totally unintelligent, Marbrand,” Aemond said, his sigh dripped with a devilish superiority. “Sneaking away through the Rivers Gate, dressed in your most lavish attire, despite knowing the city was searching for your head?... Your objective was deliberately to get captured and paraded before me, all so you could play the sacrificial lamb for your fellow conspirators, sparing them from the full brunt of my wrath.”

Laviniya’s eyes widened as realization dawned upon her. She directed a more pointed gaze at Marbrand, her scrutiny sharpening.

Marbrand tried to dismiss their suspicions, his voice edged with defensiveness. “It was nothing more than a result of panic,” he protested, “Do not —”

“Do not underestimate my husband’s intellect,” Laviniya suddenly interrupted icily, “You described no more than a moment prior that you are desperately impoverished, yet here you are, wearing a finely tailored tunic.”

Marbrand stuttered uncomfortably, his uneasy words betraying a hint of deceit, “Th-the tunic is borrowed, m-merely borrowed...”

Laviniya’s expression held a hint of condescension as she continued, “Who would lend you such a garment when you have no means to repay them?”

The King interjected, his smile was predatory like a fox cornering a chicken as he regarded Marbrand’s nervous fluttering figure. “I am positive you were generously compensated for your role in this. Not enough, of course, to face the full weight of my retribution. But then, you never really planned to.”

Aemond crooned, “You ingested poison,” he flashed his teeth in his starved smile, “Didn’t you Aldus?”

Laviniya’s composure faltered for a fleeting moment, her surprise betrayed by the briefest flicker of her features, but she quickly schooled her expression back to a mask of stoicism.

Marbrand fell silent again, this time, his silence held a bewildered quality. His chest rose and fell hard as he hissed, “How could you possibly know such a thing?”

Clapping his hands, the king stated, “I suspect it was easier than sneaking into the treasury, past the guards. You withheld the truth until you heard the bells toll. I imagine you meticulously planned the timing of your confession, ensuring you’d have just enough time to reveal what you needed to and spare yourself from any repercussions afterward.”

Laviniya could see how a strange purple line snuck up the side of Aldus’ throat. The poison? Surely.

 “Even if your suspicions are correct, there’s truly nothing you can do,” Marbrand’s expression was one of weary resignation as he exhaled deeply, “I’ve already shattered the egg, and before you can enact your revenge, I’ll be long gone. The poison is working its way through my body as we speak.”

If Aldus had taken poison, Laviniya realised they only had a limited amount of time to conduct the interrogation. She wasn’t sure what he had taken, and if there was enough time to find an antidote.

Aemond’s expression betrayed his disappointment. Aldus was correct after all. But Laviniya refused to permit this monster to claim victory through death. She passed the pendulum clock, running her finger tip over one hand, pushing it forward...unseen by the two men. She would see his fear when he realised death was coming sooner.

A smile, both chilling and unsettling, slowly formed on her face as she spoke, “You haven’t looked at the clock in quite some time. By now, the poison you’ve ingested should have already taken effect, shouldn’t it?”

Marbrand’s eyes were irresistibly drawn to the pendulum clock.

Laviniya, her gaze fixed on Marbrand, tilted her head down, an air of satisfaction in her voice. “It was the wine, Marbrand. You’ve unknowingly been consuming an antidote.”

Aemond was confused. He would never give someone like Marbrand an antidote. But instead of interrupting, he let his dragon queen continue her flying act, gliding around this stupid man, taunting him. He was curious to see where it would go and decided to place his trust in his wife’s skills.

Marbrand’s gaze flicked back and forth between Aemond and her, his expression a mixture of disbelief and growing horror.

Laviniya, a triumphant gleam in her eyes, continued, “Did you truly believe we would let you die that easily?” She reached for Aemond’s goblet, extending it as if to toast, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “So you see, we have all the time in the world to spend together, the three of us. And I assure you, it shall be quite productive.”

Ah, Aemond could see it now. Laviniya was merely scaring the idiot to squeak faster! 

Marbrand’s voice trembled on desperation as he protested, “But you – you couldn’t have known which poison it was. There are countless poisons, how could you possibly know which antidote to administer?”

Aemond then quickly built on the lie his wife had concocted, “It’s Highgarden Honey-wine, my dear fellow. There is no elixir more purifying, no poison too potent for its cleansing. It matters not what you consumed. Your body has already rid itself of its poisonous influence.”

Laviniya wondered if there was such a wine to exist.

Marbrand’s face turned ashen with incredulity, his protests growing increasingly feeble. “I simply cannot believe that-“

"You’d be dead if it wasn’t true,” the dragon queen hissed.

Genuine fear finally crept into Marbrand’s expression, the reality of his situation starting to take hold. In a frenzy, he made a desperate attempt to flee, only to be swiftly overpowered by Aemond’s and Laviniya’s guards. They forcibly slammed him back into his seat, the chair creaking under the impact.

“Ah, there’s some fight left in you yet.” He took Laviniya’s wrist gently, guiding the cup to his lips and taking a sip. She leaned towards him, the movement intimate and practiced. She wished to pour it down his shirt and cover his face.

‘slap me? I should drown him in his own wine,’ she thought crudely before taking a short breath and putting on a fake smile.

“I was starting to doubt your abilities,” he continued, his gaze returned to Marbrand’s panicked struggles against the guards. “But now I see I was needlessly concerned.”

Laviniya wondered if those words were actually meant for her...

Aemond saw it, he could see the fire in her eyes. He contemplated fucking her on her hands and knees to quench her dragoness’ frustration. To let her release over and over would relax and tire her, make her more palatable.

Aemond made a subtle gesture, and Ser Raynard swiftly dealt a blow to Marbrand, knocking the wind out of him and finally silencing his protests.

Aemond casually swirled the wine in his goblet, his manner deceptively calm. He looked Marbrand straight in the eye, his voice cool and calculated.

“I will make this very clear for you,” he said. “I am offering you just one chance, at this very moment, to willingly tell me what I want to know. But understand this – it will be your one and only opportunity. However, if you should decide to cooperate, I will consider being lenient.”

Marbrand appeared sceptical, asking, “You plan to kill me regardless, don’t you?”

The king of Westeros responded calmly, without hesitation. “Naturally,” he replied. “You engaged in treachery. However, I will ensure your death is swift and painless.”

Marbrand remained uneasy, so Laviniya piped up, as though reciting a well-rehearsed script. “And we will protect your family, assuming you’re concerned about any attacking punishment from your traitorous comrades. I believe you fear for the life of  your loved ones should you divulge their secrets?”

A glimmer of doubt flickered across Marbrand’s features. “You would protect them?”

Laviniya nodded, “Indeed, Lord Marbrand, for I am merciful.. Your children and kin cannot be held accountable for the unwise choices made by their father and house leader. I better than anyone understands this. You shall depart this life without fuss, leaving behind no trace of your treachery. I shall then make provision for them, allowing them to lead modest yet comfortable lives.”

Marbrand’s head descended into his hands, his fingers curling into his temples as he appeared to struggle with the situation. Laviniya exchanged a brief, knowing glance with Aemond, their eyes flicking back to the clock.

Aemond then spoke, his tone holding a hint of indulgence. “In our line of work, time is of the essence. I value efficiency and I am known for rewarding it. Therefore, the sooner you cooperate, the swifter this entire process will be.”

Laviniya gently set down the cup and perched down onto Aemond’s lap. Her voice was measured as she spoke, “However, should you fail to cooperate or provide us with all the necessary information, then we will inevitably have to resort to more... brutal methods of eliciting it.”

She averted her gaze, faking a threat,, “You have a young niece, Myrielle, who just celebrated her nineteenth nameday in the spring. She resides in the Runestones, a charming young woman, I’ve heard. Unmarried and very beautiful.”

Aemond allowed the false threat to linger ominously in the air, his gaze fixed on the Lord.

As his hands fumbled with his hair, Aldus’ desperation filled in his eyes.

“Look at me, Marbrand,” Aemond commanded firmly. He waited until the other man made eye contact again. “I will get the information I seek, no matter what. I have already tortured stronger men. With time, pain can be quite persuasive. You’d be astounded by how quickly even the most stubborn person will spill their secrets.”

Aemond held Marbrand’s gaze, making his intentions crystal clear. A thin layer of perspiration had formed on the captured man’s face.

“If you force me to resort to such methods, I will not hesitate to subject you to immense pain,” Aemond warned. His smile remained fixed and unwavering. “I promise you I will not leave a single piece of you larger than this cup. And should you still resist, I’ll hunt down your family, one by one, and destroy them all. Just like how you destroyed my brides dragon egg.”

Aldus Marbrand’s speech stuttered as he spoke, his eyes darting to the queen. “But your wife promised...” he whispered. “She said they wouldn’t be held responsible for my actions.”

With a resigned sigh, Laviniya closed her eyes for a moment, knowing that Aemond had backed her into a corner.

Laughing, Aemond responded, “Indeed, they shall die innocent, if that’s of any comfort to you. It is only thanks to my mercy that they might not die at all if you were to co-operate.”

A look of despair washed over Marbrand’s face, his head shaking in disbelief.

As Aemond gingerly placed his goblet aside, he posed, “So, have you come to a decision then?”

Marbrand hesitated, his voice faltering. “I... I...”

Seeing the dolts hesitation and watching as colour drained from his face, Laviniya reached out and placed a soft and comforting hand on his shoulder. She hated this man and could not wait to see him die, but she wanted him to give up his plotting partners before another attempt of harm came to Laviniya again.

“It’s a simple choice Aldus,” she said gently. “Suffer without reason, and your family will suffer along with you. Or give my husband what he wants, and I pledge I will see that he spares them.”

When Marbrand remained trembling in silence, Aemond sighed, signalling to the knights. They seized the terrified man by the arms, preparing to physically remove him from his chambers.

As the knights began to pull Marbrand away, he panicked and attempted to resist, pleading desperately, “Wait! Wait – I’ll talk! Please, let me speak!”

Aemond allowed a small smile to cross his features, relishing the feeling of satisfaction that came with the man’s capitulation. He gestured for the knights to halt, and then spoke in a commanding tone, “Good. Now, tell me who else was involved in this scheme.”

“My family!” Marbrand exclaimed, his breaths coming in shorter gasps. “You promise you’ll provide for them?” he pleaded, his eyes darting to the queen.

Laviniya’s response was firm yet reassuring, “Yes,” she said. “Now, answer the question.”

Marbrand coughed, his breathing labored, and then let out a shaky breath. “Lady Elenda Baratheon,” he said, his voice steadying slightly. “I only heard her name mentioned once, but I know she provided us with most of the money.”

Aemond eye narrowed trying to discern why the would be magister would do this, deep in thought, he finally recalled, “I had rejected and broken the agreement of a engagement for one of her daughters” He then asked with an edge of impatience, “Who else?”

“Lord Unwin Peake,” Marbrand continued, struggling to catch his breath. “His servants snuck me into the treasury in a chest.” He let out another cough, his hand moving to his throat.

Aemond leaned forward and felt his insides twist, pressing on, “And?”

Marbrand hesitated even more at this final piece of information, his expression betraying uncertainty. “Someone close to you – someone who sits at your side at your table!” He looked directly into Aemond’s eyes, desperation written on his face. “You have to believe me...”

Aemond felt a surge of curiosity, his interest piqued. His voice grew more intense as he commanded, “Continue. Name them.”

Marbrand’s coughing resumed, this time more intense than before. He hacked violently, his entire body wracked with spasms as he lurched forward onto all fours.

Laviniya jumped back from the man, her hand grasped her chest.

Blood and a viscous yellow fluid spattered on the floor. He grasped desperately at his throat, trying desperately to find some relief. In a desperate move, he crawled toward Laviniya, his hand grasping onto her skirt unexpectedly.

He hauled himself up. His bloody hands stained her purple skirts as he heaved.

Horror filled the room as Marbrand’s eyes turned bloodshot, with red streams of blood pouring from his nostrils and lips, staining his chin. His gaze fixed pleadingly upon Laviniya, his expression a chaotic mixture of hatred, fear, and confusion.

Laviniya was frightened but once the stupid man snarled, “You fucking cunt!” She lost any semblance of sympathy she could hold for the man whose family house were robbed by her husband.

She grabbed the remains of his cup and poured the last of his wine over his face. She watched him gurgle choke and drown. She couldn’t do it to the king, but this would satisfy.

She glanced up at her husband who sat idle in his chair, watching the scene from afar, his cheek resting on his knuckle his eye heated and his smirk obvious. It was as if the king was daring her to do more...was drowning him in the wine not enough?

The dragon queen kicked the dripping wet man off her. She tilted her head at the king as an idea, mortifying and wicked came to her mind. If he wanted to hurt defenceless girls and women, he should meet the stranger in his shame.

Laviniya at first had thought of burning him alive, drenched in the wine, it was possible, but to do so in the Kings chambers could endanger their lives and if the flames spread the lives of many others in the Red Keep.

To Aemonds surprised, she marched to his belt and sword that laid by the door.

She pulled the sword out and strained to hold it high. For Dark Sister, once the blade of her father, was heavier than a hound. She held the blade up above the flailing man and with her body weight, launched the tip of the blade down into Aldus Marbrands crotch. Dismembering and de-maning the lord.

He squealed like a pig and choked on more racing blood. His pants had ripped open and Laviniya could see his chopped sausage, drowning in blood and fat, flooding from his body

His last desperate words to her as he died in utter humiliating agony, “D-dr-dragon slut!” emerged as a weak sputter before his body gave way completely, slamming limply onto the cold, unforgiving floor. The sickening crack of his skull echoed as it connected with the hard floor.

She was squeezing the hilt of the sword. Rage dying in her as the deed had been done. Staring at the glob that was once his cock, she shuddered.

Laviniya felt a wave of nausea well up within her as she looked upon Marbrand’s lifeless form. She released the sword but it stayed in its place- that impressed Aemond. She had run the sword so hard and sharply down it had cut into the stone of his fucking floor! She raised a hand to her mouth, stifling a gag reflex as bile rose in her throat. The metallic tang of Marbrand’s blood mingled with the acrid odour of his bodily wastes, creating an overpowering stench that filled the room.

Despite the smells the invaded the air, Laviniya was struck with a morbid awe. The man was only alive seconds ago and now he was dead and walking with The Stranger to the afterlife. It was strange how quick and slow a man’s death could really be.

Aemond hum as he stood up from his chair, moving across the room in irritation. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Laviniya, her nose wrinkling back as she knelt down to lifeless body of Marbrand and looked at his corpse face. Marbrand’s eyes stared blankly at the ceiling, unblinking and unseeing, a trail of blood flooding from the corner of his mouth. His face was a bright red mixed in dark purple. She reached up and laid her hand over his face, shutting his eyelids.

Laviniya glanced at Aemond from the dead man on the floor, her voice soft and contemplative. “I suppose honey-wine isn’t the answer to everything,” she mused.

“No,” he replied humorously, “There’s no magic potion to solve every problem. But honey-wine can slow things down, at least for a while.”

 Laviniya looked up from Marbrand’s body, a knowing smile playing on her lips. She met Aemond’s gaze, impressed. “Long enough to fool him into divulging his secrets...long enough to meet the blade,” she observed slyly, her tone admiring. “You played him perfectly, husband.”

“Unfortunately, it appears not perfectly enough,” he admitted grudgingly. “There is still someone who remains nameless, plotting our family’s downfall.” Aemond’s frustration flared as he spoke, his jaw clenching in anger, “But rest assured, once I lay hands on the traitor behind this treachery, they’ll pay dearly for their deceit.”

Laviniya rose from her position near the dead body and placed a comforting hand on Aemond’s arm, her touch soothing. He smiled.

 “Despite the unfortunate outcome,” she sighed, “it was thanks to your keen intellect and speedy decision-making that we even got this far.” With a hint of determination, she continued, “We now have more promising leads to follow. I suggest we inform Ser Martyn immediately and have Lady Elenda Baratheon and Lord Unwin Peake, along with their servants, detained for further questioning right away.”

“We? Laviniya, count yourself lucky I allowed you to participate in this interrogation. I am not letting you come in harm’s way with this.” Her lips parted but closed the moment he raised a finger to her face, “This is not up for debate, my lamb.”

Dra-gon! She was a dragon! She had just cut the cock off a dying man! She was full of fire and venom- danger and destructive delight!

She rolled her eyes and folded her arms, “Ser Gilbar, send word out, see if you can find the location of Lord Aldus Marbrands wife and children.”

Aemond glanced back at the lifeless body of Marbrand, his focus sharpening. He marched over and tugged his Dark Sister sword from the corpse. He wiped the blood over the corpses new and bloody tunic. Despite his anger, he knew he needed to think clearly to salvage the situation. He fixed his gaze on Laviniya, a thoughtful expression on his face.

“To what end?” Aemond then asked, regarding her with a sharp gaze. “Do you believe his wife and children were involved in this treacherous plot?”

Laviniya lifted her chin defiantly, a hint of triumph shining in her eyes. “Why, to offer them my protection, of course,” she stated calmly. Her smirk widened as she continued, “Did you not hear husband? Lord Marbrand and I had an agreement. And it’s important to keep an eye on anyone else who might be in want of searching for them.

Aemond nodded in agreement, his finger touching his temple as if suddenly realizing something. “Oh I see. Once Elenda and Unwin are apprehended, the conspirators will be aware of Marbrand’s confession. They may very well seek revenge in response.”

Aemond gave a firm nod to Ser Gilbar, his command clear. “Proceed with her majesty’s instructions.”

Ser Gilbar swiftly bowed and hurried away to carry out the orders. Meanwhile, Ser Raynard and the other soldiers in the room set to work, preoccupied with the task of hauling the lifeless body of Marbrand away from the king’s chambers.

Aemond poured himself another goblet of wine, taking a moment to reflect on the recent turn of events. His expression was contemplative, his mind preoccupied with the numerous tasks that lay ahead.

“A lot of work to be done in these coming days,” he muttered to himself, his voice tinged with a hint of resignation. He swirled the crimson liquid in his goblet, lost in thought.

'Someone close to you – someone who sits at your side at your table.' that's what Aldus said. He glanced up at Laviniya. 

Laviniya huffed in frustration, crossing her arms as she spoke. "What am I supposed to do, husband?" she inquired, her voice laced with impatience. "Locked away here, left out of reach of a key, as always?"

Aemond paused in the midst of lifting the goblet to his mouth, a small smile tugged at his lips as he observed the slight pout on his young queen's face. He knew that pout all too well – it was both endearing and mildly infuriating.

Aemond stood form with the swords handle tight in his hands as he leant against it, he smirked in the face of her pout. “Supervised outings, restricted to within the red keep,” he commanded.

He did not miss the long dragging sigh that came from his dragon queen.

★★★

After Aemond had sent her back to her quarters, Laviniya sat at her vanity, her eyes fixed on her reflection in the mirror. She lifted her hand to her cheek, where the impact of her retaliation against him still felt warm. A small, satisfied smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

Laviniya was secretly pleased that she had hit him back, feeling a sense of empowerment in having taken action against his dominance.

She was glad she had caught him off guard by stealing Dark Sister, and for a brief moment, she had contemplated driving it through his body. Could she start a coup? Take over the castle as queen? However, deep down, she knew that going so far wasn’t congruent with her true nature.

Despite her anger and frustration with Aemond, she sought peace, and plunging that blade into his flesh wouldn’t lead to the tranquil life she yearned for.

Laviniya longed for the vast green rolling hills of her homeland and the familiar sight of sheep grazing, roaming about freely. Her heart ached for the comfort and solace that came with the company of her trusted friend, Myrielle. Most significantly, she harbored a deep sadness within her for the part she had played in the tragic fate of Aldus Marbrand.

While Aldus had endangered her life and put Jaehaera in danger, he was still Myrielle’s uncle. Laviniya found herself pondering on the depth of affection between the two kin. Blood was a powerful bond, and she couldn’t shake the reminder of this truth as she looked down at her dress, stained with his blood from his last futile struggles.

There was a twisted sense of satisfaction in the violence she had inflicted upon Aldus. But the guilt gnawed at her conscience, knowing the potential pain she might cause her friend, Myrielle.

With a resolute sigh, Laviniya reached for a sheet of parchment and the ink quill, its tip dripping ink into her inkwell. Without further hesitation, she began to write a letter to her friend, the quill scratching softly against the parchment.

Laviniya didn't even consider the consequences that would come from Aemond.

𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐏𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒:

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐞𝐱𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐞, 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬.

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[tempest-toss]

Excerpt of a Book - "On the Subject of Failed Ascensions"

((Authors note: Muns, Mods, Muses, and ANons are free to interact/react/send questions! The list is a bit long but there is more exposition underneath it!))

[... the page is torn and easily damaged, it seems someone doesn't want the methods of ascension to be read...]

Ascension is not as easy as one might think from the above. Whether it is misuse of items, improper invocation, or by a strand of bad luck, a failure to ascend can occur.

Failed ascensions are never the same. Some are instantaneous and immediately corrupts and poisons the sanity and will of the afflicted. Others are not immediately changed, but do begin their cruel metamorphosis, having to live through the pain of the physical and the slipping of their mind.

No two failures are the same but depending on the deity invoked to help power the ascension, or area of power sought, the failure can have similar aspects. The following is a known list that gives examples of this.

Some names of failures - Area of power sought - Common Characteristics

B. Vessels, Half-Vampires, Giant Bats, Arteries, Choleric Phlegm - Blood and Vampirism - Excessive and never-ending bleeding, loss of speech, thin body and tall stature, exposed veins ____

SkullFaces, Reapers - Death - Loss of flesh, bone growth, the ones with more success gain a death touch, cloak fused with body ____

Ghouls, Living Coffins - Life - Paled skin, forced to retain fragments of humanity, increased durability ____

Wraith, living creep, Shadow tags - Darkness - Aversion to light, limited mobility, death by purity ~~~~~~

Corrupted wolves, Werewolf lords, tree people, and more - Nature - Territorial, more prone to feralness, mostly animal/rare to have human qualities left, when dies becomes grass or other nature ~~~~~~

Corrupted merfolk, Starfish fragments, Jellyfish - Ocean - rare ability to breathe outside of water permanently, animalistic, always covered in scales ~~~~~~

Cordyceps, Spore Factories - Mushrooms - loss of brain control, ability to spread corruption ~~~~~~~

Heartless, the huggers - Love - hearts physically exposed, distorted voices, inhuman strength ~~~~~~~~~

Flesh lumps, fleshlings, the fused - Flesh - Abominations, mish-mash of flesh and organs, often has no mouth yet screams ~~~~~~

Fortune-tellers, Great Sages, the predictor - Fate - Lack of eyes, telepathy, violent and uncontrollable twitches, often take a form resembling a tarot card. ~~~~~~~~

Fox-kin, Three tailed kits, shapeshifters - Trickery - Talks in lying rhymes, fox tails, inability to speak negatively about the kitsune deity, uncontrollable laughter ~~~~~~~~

The crow swarm, the lightning striker, "Mede" - The Sky - Never-ending feathers, often stuck between human and bird, loss of vocal cords. _______

Clockbearers, cog sentinels, the minuteman's guards - Time - Loss of any emotion, loyal to a master, constant loud clanking noises ______

Puppeteers, Melts, Ladies in Red, Sneaking Statues - Arts - Loss of bodily autonomy, fear of being looked at, aggressive if touched, full retention of fate ______

Fused Gunners, The gladiator, Eyesniper - War - Heightened aggression, loss of distinguishing features, attacks indiscriminately, always clothed in some form of battle attire (fused to skin) ______

The Leprosed, Crow Maulers, Spewers, Bloodied Medic - Pestilence/Sickness - Rots immediately after death, often packed with contamination, crow and raven aesthetics. Either crows or coughs, all have crow tail feathers. ______

The inhabited, Atlas Moths, The Alien - Insects - Dies almost instantly to fire, hive mind, often feel compelled by stronger powers, obsessed with turning locale into a hive. Various bug features are seen, from wings to proboscis to stingers _______

Astroid cluster, "Mercury" - Space - Floats, beautiful coloring, lack of aggression, dies without warning ________

Book Stack, Learners, The Professor - Knowledge - Growth of brain matter, telepathy, often the exterior changes to leather and paper, horrible at fighting ~~~~~~~~

Moon Dust, the Forgotten, "Laika" - Moon - Often borrows from other domains, has no gravity, is aggressive, and is rarely seen (heightened chance of dying immediately after failing. ~~~~~~~

Ifrit, Bound-Demon, "The Influencer" - Evil - Often takes a form enticing to an opponent, banished by holy objects and faith, horns and spaded tails, grotesque claws, almost always has a sneer, loss of all prior memories. ~~~~~~~

Bodybuilders, "The Coach", Barbelled - Strength - Aggressive, avoid at all costs!, heightened senses, slow speed, abnormal growth of muscular tissue, no known weaknesses ~~~~~~~

Flame Atronarch, Phoenixes, Coal Sprites - Fire - Constantly aflame, will not chase prey that enters the water, afraid of caves. ~~~~~~

Wisps, the Fallen, Tethered Corpses - Spirits - Incorporeal, tangible enough to harm but most attacks fail, usually melancholy, often begs for opponents to kill it. ~~~~~

Three-winged angels, "The Blind One" - Purity - Flaming wings, often has eyes covered up, senses one based on how corrupt they are, will focus on other failed ascensions before a human. ~~~~~~~

Golems, Sand Shifters, Geode Clusters - Earth - Slow movers, often coated in sand, retention of humanity, shattered if stressed ~~~~~

"Carolers", The festivites, The grapevines - Drunken festivities - Smells of grapes, drunk, easily irritable, disfigured appearance, almost never seen without a mask. !!!!!!

The Bloated, the Starved, Foodies - Sustenance - Disfigured bodies, only has brain functions relating to food or drink. In the case of "Foodies", their body becomes a foodstuff

Not included in the list above are domains that have too few entities to report, and many of the niche and very minor domains (such as horses)

It should be noted that the domains of Unity and Family, do not have any failed ascensions, as all who invoke their domain will die instantly if used to ascend. It has yet to be confirmed as to why or how.

Maybe if one were to ask...

[The rest of the page is worn...]

[tmarshconnors]

Qualities That Define a Minimalist Person

A minimalist person is someone who adopts a lifestyle that focuses on simplicity and intentionally reduces the clutter, distractions, and excess in their lives. Here are some qualities that often define a minimalist person:

Simplicity: Minimalists prioritize simplicity in all aspects of their lives. They seek to simplify their possessions, daily routines, and commitments to create a sense of calm and clarity.

Intentionality: Minimalists are intentional about their choices. They carefully consider what they bring into their lives, whether it's physical possessions, relationships, or commitments. They focus on what truly adds value and eliminates what doesn't align with their priorities.

Decluttering: Minimalists actively declutter their physical spaces, getting rid of items they no longer need or find joy in. They understand that physical clutter can lead to mental clutter, and strive to create a clean and organized environment.

Mindfulness: Minimalists practice mindfulness and live in the present moment. They appreciate the simple pleasures of life, often finding joy in experiences rather than material possessions.

Frugality: Minimalists tend to be frugal and avoid unnecessary consumerism. They question the need for excessive spending and prioritize saving money for things that truly matter to them.

Environmental consciousness: Many minimalists are environmentally conscious and make choices that reduce their impact on the planet. They might prioritize sustainable and eco-friendly products, embrace minimal packaging, or reduce waste in their daily lives.

Detachment from material possessions: Minimalists do not attach their self-worth or happiness to material possessions. They understand that true happiness comes from within and focus on cultivating meaningful relationships, personal growth, and experiences.

Time and energy prioritization: Minimalists value their time and energy. They avoid activities, commitments, and relationships that drain them or don't align with their values. They prioritize activities that bring them joy, personal growth, and fulfillment.

Quality over quantity: Minimalists value quality over quantity. They prefer owning a few high-quality items that they truly cherish rather than accumulating a large number of mediocre possessions.

Focus on personal growth: Minimalists often prioritize personal growth and self-improvement. They strive to simplify their lives to create space and time for learning, pursuing hobbies, and developing meaningful connections.

It's important to note that minimalism is a personal journey, and individuals may embrace these qualities to varying degrees. Minimalism can be tailored to suit an individual's needs, values, and circumstances.

[nickgerlich]

99 And Counting

It is appointed to us all that one day we must die. It is the nature of things, the circle of life that ensures that we don’t over-populate this orb too soon. If you’re into stats and need a little proof, global population is at about 8 billion, but demographers estimate that 109 billion people have died over the last 192,000 years. Death has a pretty good track record.

The same is also true of companies, although with good management, they can have a longer life expectancy than that of humans. But there are those ever-present external forces that we discussed earlier this term that can bite you. It’s one thing when General Electric splits into three separate firms, much like Kellogg did not long ago. It is quite another when inflation completely ruins the price point at which you made the case (and name) for your business.

Strike up the band and start the funeral dirge, 99 Cents Only stores are closing up shop and going home. All 371 stores in California, Texas, Arizona, and Nevada will be liquidated, and 14,000 employees will be out of work.

The firm cited a litany of problems and challenges, including inflation first and foremost, but also changing consumer behavior and shrink. Oh, and while they’re blaming things, they threw in COVID because—well—everyone does. It’s convenient.

The chain was founded in 1982, with the stated objective of offering quality goods at junk product prices, which we see now can be a fool’s errand. When you put the price in your name, you’re asking for it.

Other chains in the genre have also faced headwinds of late, notably Dollar Tree, which also owns Family Dollar. Dollar Tree plans to close 1000 under-performing stores, as well as start offering some products with prices as high as $7. Dollar General is weathering the storm much better, with plans to open 800 stores. Still, with all of these chains bearing monetary references in their names, it can be tough sledding when all of the forces combine to wreak havoc.

While 99 Cents Only stores had conceded the point quite a few years ago that 99 cents wasn’t going to cut it as a maximum price, and thus began offering selected items at different higher prices, it was not enough to keep them afloat. After the latest round of inflation, there probably aren’t many shoppers out there who think they can get much of anything for a buck, there or anywhere else.

It is interesting to note the different locational strategies of the chains. Dollar Tree has focused on the suburbs, as has 99 Cents Only. Family Dollar typically goes into poorer neighborhoods, while Dollar General, which admittedly has stores in many types of locales, has focused on rural areas. It is clear that great care has gone into selecting locations for each of them.

In fact, Dollar General has faced a lot of criticism for creating “food deserts” wherever it opens stores, because it carries just enough food products to put a death squeeze on mom-and-pop groceries. I have spoken to rural residents who found themselves having to travel 30 miles or more to a full-service grocery store once a DG came to town and decimated the vulnerable small-town grocery that once kept the town fed.

In the grand scheme, 99 Cents Only stores are a minor competitor compared to Dollar General (with 19,643 stores) and Dollar Tree/Family Dollar (with 8202 stores). The big guys probably won’t even notice when the little guy leaves the room.

The broader takeaway is the risk of occupying a niche that is literally locked into a price point. Aside from a blip in 2008 when the market cratered and modest inflation occurred, it has been clear sailing since about 1982, when we were emerging from the previous round of serious inflation. Oh, and see above. That’s when 99 Cents Only stores opened. Good timing.

They probably could have opened a few years earlier, but with the sting of inflation still fresh in people’s minds, the timing was good. The question now is can the cheap price genre retool such that it can survive at much higher prices than what were offered in the past? There’s the legacy of using “dollar” in the chains’ names, which would be difficult to erase. But perhaps they can help us ease into the notion that it’s about bargains, not necessarily specific amounts of them or dollars.

Heck, even Five Below, which wisely gave itself a much wider berth by virtue of name, has had to reconsider things as it finds its merchandise mix affected by inflation. It’s tough being a bottom feeder.

RIP, 99 Cents Only stores. It was a bold move back in 1982, but in the end, the Grim Reaper came looking for you just as it will for all of us. Your tombstone can proudly proclaim, “At Least We Tried.” Yup. A dollar at a time, with a penny to spare.

Dr “Passing The Buck” Gerlich

Audio Blog

[cat-talks-with-diya]

10 Tips for New Cat Owners

1. Learn about your new cat.

• Learn about your new cat

- Every cat is unique. It’s important to learn as much as possible about your new cat in order to cater to their needs.

Different qualities of your cat may determine how they behave. When you pick up your new cat, talk to the shelter, breeder, or seller about:

- Your cat’s breed

- Pre-existing health concerns

- Behavior with other cats

- History of trauma or neglect

- Many cats adopted from shelters have unique behaviors based on past experiences. Write down any known health conditions and dietary needs. This information will be important to tell your veterinarian at your cat’s first check-up.

2. Visit your vet for a check-up.

• Visit your vet for a check-up

- After bringing your cat home, find a vet to visit for a cat check-up. If you are a first-time cat owner, ask for recommendations from trusted friends and family members.

Additionally, consider these questions to find the right vet for your preferences:

- Do you prefer to prevent issues before they start?

- Are you looking for more natural or holistic solutions?

- Do you plan to order medicine or food from the vet or search on your own?

At your cat’s check-up, your vet will make sure your pet has all the vaccinations they need to live a healthy life. If your shelter, breeder, or seller shared any known cat health problems with you, pass those along to your vet.

Your vet may also find other health conditions or dietary needs for your cat. Take note of each and work with your vet to create a wellness plan.

Visiting your vet every year for an annual check-up is key to ensuring your cat is healthy and has the tools they need to thrive in their new home.

3. Feed your cat a healthy diet.

• Feed your cat a healthy diet

- If your vet recommended a specific cat food at your cat’s check-up, follow their guidance. Cats with food allergies and certain health conditions need special food.

- If you adopted an older cat, consider feeding them soft, canned food instead of dry food. Older cats are more prone to dental problems, so wet food is often easier for them to eat.

- When starting your cat on a new diet, transition slowly. Mix a small amount of your cat’s new food with their old food to start.

- As they get used to their new food, slowly add more new food and less of their old food for meals. After a few days, only feed your cat their new food.

* PRO TIP:

Exposure to a new environment can be overwhelming for many cats. If your cat refuses their food at first, don't worry. Your cat will acclimate to their new home on their own time.

4. Choose the right food dishes and water bowl.

• Choose the right food dishes and water bowl

- Your cat's food and water bowls should be in a low-traffic area in your home. Loud noise, other pets, and a stimulating environment can deter your kitty from eating their food.

- If your new cat is elderly and has arthritis, consider using raised bowls for cat food and water. Raised bowls help your feline eat comfortably, without bending down.

- Like some dog breeds, some cats eat quickly. Slow-feeder food bowls can help slow down your kitty to avoid digestive problems from eating too fast.

5. Kitten-proof your home.

• Kitten-proof your home

- Kittens are curious and can get themselves into trouble if you don’t kitten-proof your home. To cat-proof your house, remember to:

- Hide electrical cords and breakable items

- Secure your furniture

- Close toilet lids

- Put human food away

- Block access to any appliances

- Create a designated "cat-zone"

• What is a “cat zone”

- A cat space or zone is a designated space just for your kitty. They can help your cat adjust and feel secure in their new home. And, they give your newly adopted cat a safe room to retreat when stressed or overwhelmed.

Your cat's room should have comforting supplies like a soft blanket, a scratching post, and any other toys your cat likes. Your cat's room should keep your cat calm and happy.

Consider a baby monitor or camera to keep an eye on your new kitty if you need to leave them at home. Your new friend will also need essential day-to-day supplies to keep them comfortable.

• Here are a few things to include:

- Cat bed

Kittens can sleep anywhere from 16-18 hours a day. So, be sure they have a cozy bed in a quiet room to rest. When choosing a bed, consider the size, materials, and design. If you have a large cat breed, be sure their bed is large enough for them to sleep comfortably.

- Litter box and accessories

Litter boxes are essential for your cat's hygiene and well-being. Plus, they keep your house clean and free of smells.

If you have more than one kitty, make sure you have one litter box for each. Some cats prefer covered boxes, while others prefer uncovered.

• To keep their area clean and avoid spills, your litter box should:

- Have low walls for easy entry

- Have litter tray or mat underneath

- Be about an inch an a half full of cat litter

- Include a scooper for litter box cleaning and maintenance

6. Keep up on cat grooming.

• Keep up on cat grooming

- Grooming and hygiene are important parts of pet parenting. If you don't have the right tools at home, you can visit a professional groomer to keep your cat's claws, teeth, and hair healthy.

• Trim their claws

Regular trims keep your cat's claws from getting too long. Overgrown nails can cause paw problems for your cat. Trimmed nails not only save your cat's paws, but also your furniture, carpets, and skin from scratches.

• Brush their teeth

Cats have little mouths and teeth, so they need a special-sized brush. We recommend using a finger brush with a pea-sized amount of cat toothpaste.

Never use human toothpaste to brush your cat's teeth. Certain ingredients in human toothpaste like xylitol are toxic to cats.

It can be helpful to use teeth brushing sessions as training times. Have treats on-hand to reward them after brushing, and give lots of pets and positive reinforcement along the way.

• Bathe them occasionally

The stereotypes are true — most cats don't enjoy taking baths or getting wet. But, you can gently wet your cat's fur without getting water on their face.

To bathe your kitty, pour a small amount of pet shampoo onto their fur and rub it into their skin until it lathers. Be sure to rinse all of the shampoo out of their fur to avoid skin irritation.

• Brush their hair

Long-haired cats need regular brushing to prevent mats and tangles. Cats with long hair may also need more frequent baths. Cat owners can use a metal or rubber brush for their cat's fur.

Short-haired and hairless cats are low maintenance when it comes to bathing and brushing. But, they may need extra skincare and protection from the sun.

If you have a hairless breed, consider getting them a cooling vest to cover their skin in the summer heat. You can also use a pet sunblock to keep their skin safe from too much sun exposure.

7. Provide lots of playtime.

• Provide lots of playtime

- Playtime is a great way to bond with your new friend. Plus, playing helps cats exert pent-up energy and satisfy their instincts to help them fall asleep.

For the ultimate playtime experience, consider having these items:

• Cat toys: Toys help with enrichment and stimulate your cat's brain. Having toys around to play with your cat is not only fun, but it also helps keep most cats out of trouble.

• Cat tree: Cats enjoy having a place to climb and perch atop. Cat towers and trees are great places for cats to climb and play, but also to rest. Your cat's tree should be taller than your tallest piece of furniture.

• Scratching post: Alternatively, if your kitty loves to scratch, consider having a scratching post, or a few of them, in your home. Scratching posts give them a place to scratch instead of your furniture or carpet.

8. Spend time training your new cat.

• Spend time training your new cat

- Training is an important part of being a cat owner. Plus, it’s fun to spend time teaching your cat tricks. Training helps your cat understand their new home.

• You can train your feline friend to:

- Use their litter box

- Recognize their name

- Sit, come, and stay

- Spending time with your cat during training sessions can also help socialize your kitty. The more your cat understands how to play the right way, the more they will get along with other pets.

* PRO TIP: REWARD WITH HIGH-VALUE TREATS - Protein-based treats can help speed up development as kittens grow into adults. All-natural cat treats are another great option for your feline friend. New cat owners can find nutritional treats at pet supply stores or through online retailers.

9. Be proactive about your pet’s health.

• Be proactive about your pets health

- Cat care doesn't end with food, toys, and supplies. New cat owners should proactively care for their pet, as there are plenty of other health conditions that can affect them.

- Two common health risks for cats are cat-scratch disease and flea infestations. But these are easily avoided with year-round protection from cat fleas and ticks.

- Even if your new kitty is an indoor cat, they still need flea and tick protection. You may be wondering if your cat needs flea and tick treatment in the colder months. The answer is yes. When the weather gets cold, fleas and ticks can come inside your house and live there for up to a year.

- If you have a dog or other pets in your home, protect your entire pack with monthly topical flea and tick prevention.

- You can also supplement your cat with multivitamins to keep them healthy. Anxious cats especially can benefit from calming treats and catnip.

10. Make a safety plan.

• Make a safety plan

- Having a safety plan for your new pet is important, especially for new cat owners. To keep your new cat safe and healthy, cat owners should:

• Get rid of poisonous plants

- Have pet insurance

- Travel safely with their cat

- Poisonous plants

- Make sure you don't have any plants that are poisonous to cats in your home or yard. Poisonous plants can be dangerous to your cat's health and cause serious symptoms and conditions.

• Some plants toxic to cats include:

- Aloe vera

- Autumn crocus

- Azaleas

- Cyclamen

- Daffodils

- Lilies

- Pothos

- Snake plants

- Tulips

[sparspecials]

Makro Specials This Week – Save Big, Live Better

Every week, you have the chance to score amazing deals on groceries, electronics, liquor, and more at Makro. Whether you shop online or visit a nearby store, the makro specials this week are designed to help you stretch your budget further while getting top-quality items.

What’s Hot at Makro This Week?

This week, you’ll find unmissable promotions on products South Africans love. From bulk food items to smart gadgets and back-to-school supplies, Makro has everything under one roof. These specials are perfect for households and businesses looking to buy in bulk and save.

Best Grocery Deals to Fill Your Trolley

Don't miss these limited-time grocery specials available at Makro stores across South Africa:ProductPriceDiscountIwisa Maize Meal 10kgR89.00R10.00 offGolden Cloud Cake Flour 10kgR119.99Save R15.00Nescafé Classic Coffee 200gR84.95Save R20.005L Coca-Cola (2-pack)R59.95Combo deal

Electronics & Appliances That Make Life Easier

Makro’s electronics and home appliances section is filled with big savings. Here are this week's top picks:

Lenovo Ideapad Laptop i5: R7,499 (Save R900)

Defy 4-Plate Stove: R2,799 (Save R600)

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12: R3,399 (Save R500)

JBL Bluetooth Speaker: R999 (Save R300)

Liquor Promotions for Every Occasion

If you’re preparing for a weekend braai or a big event, Makro’s liquor specials are worth checking out:

Carling Black Label 24 x 500ml: R289.95

Jameson Irish Whiskey 750ml: R389.95

4th Street Sweet Red 5L: R119.00

Get the Best from Makro Online

Shopping from home? Makro’s online store is fully stocked and offers fast delivery or free in-store pickup. View and shop all the latest makro specials this week online anytime.

Makro Specials for Small Businesses

Running a small business? Makro is your partner in success. These bulk deals help lower your costs while keeping your shelves stocked:

Large-size cleaning products and detergents

Frozen food multipacks

Office supplies and stationery

Snack boxes for resale or canteens

Benefits of Shopping Makro Weekly Specials

Why you should keep up with weekly Makro promotions:

Save More: Regular deals on household and business essentials.

One-Stop Shopping: Groceries, tech, drinks – all in one place.

National Coverage: Deals apply across major South African provinces.

Online & In-Store: Flexibility in how you shop.

Provinces Where Makro Deals Apply

Most Makro specials are available across:

Gauteng

KwaZulu-Natal

Western Cape

Mpumalanga

North West

How to Check the Latest Weekly Catalogue

Want to see everything? Makro updates its weekly catalogue every Monday. You can:

Visit the website

Download the Makro app

Check local newspapers

Subscribe to SMS alerts or emails

Makro Specials: For Every Shopper, Every Need

Whether you’re buying a new TV or restocking the pantry, Makro has the special for you. Look out for combo deals, percentage discounts, and multi-buy offers. Remember, these deals are available only for a limited time—don’t miss them!

Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When do Makro specials update? Every Monday with new weekly promotions.

Can I buy Makro specials online? Yes, Makro offers full online shopping with delivery or collection.

Do all specials apply in every store? No, some are regional. Check your local flyer.

Is there a loyalty card? Yes, join mRewards for exclusive savings and cashback.

How long do specials last? They typically run for 7 days or until stock runs out.

Conclusion: Makro Specials This Week – The Smart Way to Shop

Smart shoppers in South Africa know where to go: Makro. Their weekly specials help you stretch your money further. With options for home users and businesses, Makro offers unbeatable value on everything from groceries to gadgets. Don’t wait – click here to explore makro specials this week and start saving today!

[palecitadelharbinger]

LED Lightboard Price Insights for Retailers: How to Get the Best Deal in Chennai

In a competitive retail landscape like Chennai, your storefront signage can make a huge difference in attracting foot traffic and standing out in crowded commercial zones. Among the most eye-catching and energy-efficient signage options available today are LED lightboards. But one common question from business owners is: What’s the real LED lightboard price, and how do you make sure you're getting the best deal?

Let’s break down the cost factors, features to look for, and tips to ensure you make a smart investment that enhances your brand without draining your budget.

Why LED Lightboards Are a Smart Investment for Chennai Retailers

With increasing competition in retail areas like T. Nagar, Anna Nagar, and Velachery, it’s crucial to grab customer attention from afar. LED lightboards offer high brightness, long life, and energy efficiency—all essential for Chennai’s climate and power conditions.

While the LED lightboard price may seem higher than traditional signage at first glance, the value they offer in terms of visibility, branding, and low maintenance makes them a worthwhile investment.

Factors That Affect LED Lightboard Price

To understand the LED lightboard price, it’s important to know what goes into it. Here are the top variables:

1. Size of the Board

The larger the signage, the more materials and LEDs are used, increasing the cost. A small name board might cost ₹5,000–₹10,000, while a large outdoor display for a shopping outlet could range between ₹25,000 and ₹1,00,000 or more.

2. Type of LED Technology

Basic LED: Great for simple signage.

RGB or Animated LED: Offers dynamic lighting but adds to the price.

Outdoor-Grade LEDs: Designed for weather resistance, these typically cost more but last longer in Chennai’s humid and salty air.

3. Custom Design & Branding

Custom shapes, fonts, logos, and colors will increase the LED lightboard price, but they help you stand out. Laser-cut acrylic, metal framing, or backlighting also add to the final cost.

4. Installation & Wiring

Some companies include installation in their quote, while others charge separately. Outdoor installations, particularly at heights or with complex wiring, cost more.

At TN Signs, we offer full-service installation with competitive pricing to ensure your signage works perfectly from day one.

Price Ranges for Different Types of LED Lightboards

Here’s a general breakdown of LED lightboard price brackets for Chennai retailers:

Type of LED Sign

Estimated Price Range

Small Indoor LED Name Board (1x2 ft)

₹4,000 – ₹7,000

Medium Storefront LED Board (2x4 ft)

₹10,000 – ₹20,000

Large Outdoor LED Board (4x8 ft or more)

₹25,000 – ₹75,000+

Animated / RGB LED Signage

₹30,000 – ₹1,50,000+

Note: Prices can vary based on materials, lighting complexity, and mounting requirements.

Tips to Get the Best Deal on LED Lightboards in Chennai

✅ Compare Quality, Not Just Price

Cheap boards often use substandard LEDs that burn out quickly. Focus on value over the lowest number.

✅ Choose a Local Supplier

Working with a Chennai-based provider like TN Signs ensures quicker service, on-site support, and easy customization.

✅ Go for Modular Designs

If your business may expand, modular signs that allow for logo or name updates can save future costs.

✅ Ask for a Warranty

Reliable vendors provide warranties ranging from 6 months to 2 years, depending on the components used.

✅ Request a Quote with Breakdown

Ask for itemized pricing so you understand how the LED lightboard price is calculated—materials, lighting, design, installation, and taxes.

Why TN Signs Is a Smart Choice for Chennai Retailers

At TN Signs, we specialize in LED signage tailored for Chennai's climate and business scene. We offer:

Custom design consultations

High-grade LED materials

End-to-end installation

Affordable, transparent pricing

We work with retailers across industries—from fashion to food, and salons to supermarkets—helping them boost visibility and brand image through strategic signage.

Final Thoughts

If you’re shopping around for the best LED lightboard price, remember: it’s not just about what you pay, but what you get in return. High-quality, well-designed LED boards act as 24/7 brand ambassadors for your business, especially in a city like Chennai where the streets never sleep.

Ready to upgrade your storefront signage? Explore customized LED solutions at TN Signs and get the quality and pricing that fits your business perfectly.

[santhionlineplants1]

How Online Plant Delivery Is Revolutionizing the Way We Green Our Spaces 

Plants have long been a symbol of life, freshness, and beauty. From air-purifying indoor plants to vibrant flowering varieties, greenery can elevate any space — but not everyone has the time to visit a nursery or garden center. Enter the world of online plant delivery — a growing trend that brings lush, living decor straight to your doorstep.

Whether you're a city dweller with no car, a busy professional, or simply prefer the convenience of shopping from home, online plant delivery offers a hassle-free, reliable solution. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of using online plant delivery services, how to choose the right one, and what to expect when your green friend arrives at your door.

Why Choose Online Plant Delivery?

1. Convenience Without Compromise

Imagine choosing from hundreds of plants, comparing options, and placing your order — all in just minutes. No more hauling heavy pots or waiting in checkout lines. Online plant delivery gives you access to a wide selection and seamless service from anywhere, anytime.

2. Access to a Broader Selection

Local nurseries often have limited stock based on season and location. Online plant retailers offer everything from succulents and snake plants to exotic varieties and mature trees — many of which are hard to find locally.

3. Perfect for Gifts

Plant gifts are increasingly popular for birthdays, housewarmings, corporate events, and more. Many online plant delivery services offer elegant packaging, handwritten notes, and delivery scheduling to create a memorable unboxing experience.

4. Safe, Reliable Shipping

Reputable services use industry-tested packaging to protect the plant’s pot, soil, and foliage. Most plants are delivered in breathable, insulated boxes with moisture retention systems to ensure they arrive healthy and vibrant.

What to Expect From an Online Plant Delivery Service

A high-quality plant delivery experience goes beyond just sending a plant in a box. Here’s what the best services provide:

Detailed product pages with care instructions, lighting needs, and ideal room placement.

Custom packaging to keep plants secure and upright during transit.

Tracking options so you can monitor your plant’s journey.

Live arrival guarantees or return/replacement policies.

Plant care support, via email, chat, or blog resources.

Customer Testimonial

“I’ve ordered from three different online plant delivery services, and [FreshBloom Plants] was hands-down the best. The pothos I ordered arrived in beautiful packaging, already thriving and ready for display. Plus, they included a free care guide and even a QR code linking to a watering schedule. It made me feel like a real plant parent!” — Jordan R., Brooklyn, NY

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Online Plant Delivery

Q1: Are plants really safe to ship?A: Yes. Top plant delivery companies use moisture-sealed soil, secured pots, and breathable boxes to prevent damage. Most also avoid shipping during extreme weather.

Q2: What if my plant arrives damaged?A: Most providers offer a live-arrival guarantee. If your plant is damaged or dies within a few days, you can request a refund or replacement — just make sure to read the policy.

Q3: Can I schedule delivery for a specific date?A: Absolutely. Many plant delivery services allow you to pick a delivery window, which is especially useful for gifts or special occasions.

Q4: Do online plant delivery companies provide care instructions?A: Yes. Most packages include printed guides, and many companies offer digital support, including watering reminders and plant ID tools.

Q5: Can I order large plants or outdoor plants online?A: Yes. Some stores specialize in large indoor trees, patio plants, and garden-ready greenery. Be sure to check shipping options for oversized items.

Tips for a Successful Online Plant Delivery Experience

To make the most of your online plant order, keep these tips in mind:

Choose a reputable store with verified reviews and transparent policies.

Check the shipping zones and schedules, especially if ordering during hot or cold seasons.

Select plants suited to your lighting and space. Most websites let you filter by light requirement, size, and pet safety.

Unbox your plant promptly once delivered and give it a few days to acclimate to its new environment.

Conclusion: Online Plant Delivery Makes Greening Your Space Easier Than Ever

Thanks to the rise of online plant delivery, filling your home or office with vibrant, healthy greenery has never been more accessible. Whether you're decorating a new apartment, sending a thoughtful gift, or simply growing your own indoor jungle, these services make the process stress-free and enjoyable.