#Water Filtration System for Office

[cloudwaters]

Discover the Best RO Water Filter Cartridges for Your Home

How Do RO Filter Cartridges Work?

RO (Reverse Osmosis) filter cartridges operate by using a semipermeable membrane that allows water molecules to pass through while trapping unwanted impurities. These cartridges effectively remove sediment, chlorine, unpleasant tastes and odors, hardness-causing minerals, and harmful bacteria. The multi-stage filtration process ensures high-quality water by addressing both physical and chemical contaminants, making it safer and more pleasant for drinking and other uses.

See Also: Choosing the Best RO Water Purifier for Your Office

Types of RO Filter Cartridges

There are various types of RO filter cartridges for pure drinking water, each serving exclusive functions when it relates to making your drinking water safe and clean. Below are the most common kinds of Best RO filters for water treatment you find in most water filtration systems.

1. Sediment Filter Cartridges:

Sediment filter cartridges are the first line of defense in any RO filtration system. These cartridges help in catching larger particles in the water, like dirt, sand, rust, and other debris, that may further clog the more sensitive parts of the RO system downstream, such as the RO membrane, and reduce its efficiency.

Key Benefits of Sediment Filters:

Avoid clogging and damage to the system

Remove visible impurities such as dirt and rust

Improve the general lifespan of the RO system

Sediment filters are normally presented in various materials, including but not limited to polypropylene and cellulose. Apart from the mentioned ones, they also come in different micron sizes to filter the particles effectively.

2. Post Carbon Filter Cartridges:

The post-carbon filter cartridge is the last stage of filtration an RO system usually goes through. Once the water has passed through the RO membrane, which removes most contaminants, the post-carbon filter cleans it further to eliminate odors, chlorine, and volatile organic matter. This is highly important if one wants the taste and smell of the water to be good enough to drink.

Good-quality activated Post Carbon Filter Cartridges can be found at Cloud Water or other similar platforms; these are largely made of activated carbon, which is very effective in absorbing impurities.Key Benefits of Post Carbon Filters:

Improve the taste and smell of water

Remove chlorine, VOCs, and other chemical contaminants

Ensure the water does not have any aftertaste or unpleasant odors

3. RO Membrane Cartridges:

The RO membrane is the most important component of any Reverse Osmosis system. The water molecule passes through while bigger contaminants like heavy metals, bacteria, and dissolved solids get blocked by a semipermeable membrane with tiny pores. In this regard, one RO membrane is capable of catching up to 99% of contaminants, thus making it the most effective stage infiltration.Key Benefits of RO Membrane Cartridges:

Dissolved solids, chemicals, and contaminants are removed up to 99%.

Overall ultra-pure water quality assurance.

Ensuring safety from such harmful substances as lead and fluoride.

You can find RO Membrane from Cloud Water to ensure efficient filtration.

4. Mineral Filter Cartridges:

One side effect or disadvantage of using RO filtration systems is that they can remove calcium, magnesium, and potassium from the water—all essentials that your body actually needs. That would be where the mineral filter cartridges come in. These filters put the essential minerals back into the water after it has passed through the RO membrane to ensure you still get all the vital minerals your body needs while drinking clean water.

Key Benefits of Mineral Filters:

Return vital minerals lost in the filtration process

Give water a great taste back with the return of natural minerals

Return needed minerals to improve health

You can buy Mineral Filter Cartridges at Cloud Water to ensure the ideal mineral balance with your drinking water.

5. Alkaline Filter Cartridge:

The alkaline filter cartridges work to raise or increase the pH of water, hence making it more alkaline. Some studies propose that alkaline water smoothes out acidity inside the body and allows for better rehydration and overall health maintenance. Normally, these filters contain mineral balls to raise the pH level in the water, therefore giving less acidity and more advantages for consumption.

Key Benefits of Alkaline Filters:

Increases the pH of water, making it alkaline in nature

Neutralizes body acidity

Promotes easy hydration for improved wellbeing

Cloud Water provides alkaline filter cartridges that are available for an effective solution to boost water quality.

6. Spun Filter:

Another type of pre-filter used in RO systems is a spun filter. A spun filter, made from polypropylene or other synthetic fibres, is designed to capture and remove larger particles and sediments from the water. It is usually used as a first-stage filter to prevent the clogging of the more sensitive filter cartridges that follow.Key Benefits of Spun Filters:

Larger particles such as dirt, sand, and debris can be captured.

They protect more sensitive filters, such as the RO membrane, from potential damage.

Ensuring that the system is smooth and efficient in its filtration process.

You will find Spun Filters at Cloud Water to ensure efficiency in the filtration process right from the very beginning.

Benefits of using RO filter cartridges

Purity and Safety: RO cartridges are designed to minimize the levels of harmful contaminants like bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and chlorine; hence, healthy drinking water is delivered.

Enhanced Taste: The taste is further enhanced by post-carbon filters and mineral filters removing unpleasant odors from the water and adding beneficial minerals.

Health Benefits: Alkaline filters and mineral filters add the essential minerals taken out during the reverse osmosis process in your water, which improves the water quality to the extent of enabling you to stay healthy.

Read More: Top Reasons to Invest in an RO Water Purifier

Conclusion

So, the process of choosing the RO water filter cartridges is one of the important steps to ensure the purity and quality of your drinking water. By knowing what each type of cartridge does, sediment, post-carbon, RO membrane, mineral, alkaline, and spun-you will decide on the right choice to improve water quality, taste, and health. Maintaining your RO system is also about changing cartridges regularly and at the right time. With the proper filters in place, you will find yourself drinking clean, healthy, and great-tasting water every day.

This blog is already Publish: RO water filter cartridges

[chronicbitchsyndrome]

so... i'm seeing a lot of activism (like, actual activism, not just tumblr posts--letters & scripts to us senators, for example, copy written for press, etc) focusing on improving ventilation & filtration as primarily an access issue for immunocompromised people. basically, presenting the argument as "this is in service of this demographic, who is blocked from public access currently."

this is like. true. of course. it is the main reason i want clean air and i think it is the most pressing reason overall for it. but i think it's the wrong tack for building a clean air movement and getting legislation passed.

like, unfortunately, the vast majority of people in power--and of americans in general, tbh--are not immunocompromised and do not have immunocompromised roommates or family members. should you have to have this experience to understand that public access is a big fucking deal for, like, staying alive? no! you shouldn't! but most people straight up will not understand whatsoever unless they have personal experience with immune compromisation.

trying to change hearts and minds to have cognitive sympathy for disabled people takes a long time, decades' worth of work to just change a handful of people; meanwhile, getting legislation passed is 1) imminently important, 2) while still a lengthy process, takes significantly less time if it doesn't hinge on first converting the majority of the population to have sympathy for a marginalized demographic they have no contact with (and yes, they have no contact with us because we are barred from public access to begin with, again, i am aware of how fucked up this is).

here's some arguments for passing clean air legislation that are designed to appeal to a normative, conservative-leaning crowd:

air filtration is a public health and sanitation baseline just like running water. we provide clean water to drink and wash our hands in as a baseline for public life; we should also be providing clean air to breathe similarly.

improved ventilation and filtration in schools results in less sick days for students, meaning better attendance and less time off work for parents.

improved ventilation and filtration in the workplace results in workers taking less sick days. it also makes it less troublesome when a coworker comes in sick; it's less likely you will have to take sick leave as a result.

improved ventilation and filtration in hospitals, doctors' offices, etc, helps combat the health care worker shortage by reducing the amount of sick leave health care workers need. it additionally makes hospitals safer overall; for example, it makes it safer for cancer patients to be in the same building with patients with highly infectious airborne illnesses such as chickenpox.

improved ventilation and filtration in public buildings at large could improve the economy, as less workers stay home, more people enter the workforce, more people begin attending public businesses like bars and venues, etc.

if government programs to upgrade ventilation and filtration are created, this could create jobs for blue-collar workers, further improving the economy.

the last note i have is that, as much as this sucks shit, don't mention covid as much as you can avoid it. covid has become a massive culture war thing in the usa and as soon as you bring it up, the entire discussion becomes about virtue-signaling and showing in-group affinity--it doesn't matter what you're saying about covid, anyone who thinks "covid is over" will immediately shut down and become incapable of listening to anything else you have to say. and unfortunately, a majority of the population does, in fact, think covid is an irrelevant concern even for immunocompromised people in 2024.

importantly, all general air sanitation improvements will improve the covid situation significantly. in this context, you do not have to talk about covid in order to make real, material changes limiting the spread of covid. system-level changes that limit the spread of things like the flu and chickenpox are equally effective in limiting the spread of covid. take advantage of that!

[mangooes]

Koi Fish

It all started with a simple text.

Wifey: “Sysy, I adopted a koi fish today! Isn’t he cute? His name’s Mochi! You’re in charge while I’m away, okay? Feed him twice a day, no slacking!”

Sylus stared at the message, standing in the middle of his office like he’d just been asked to raise a dragon hatchling.

“…A fish.”

Luke, eavesdropping from the hallway, wisely pretended to cough to muffle his snort. Kieran was less subtle, wheezing outright.

“The missus leaving you to babysit a koi fish?” Kieran grinned. “Poor Mochi. Rest in peace, lil’ buddy.”

Sylus slowly turned his crimson gaze on them.

“Would you two like to replace the koi in her affections?” he asked mildly. “Because I can arrange that. Permanently.”

They fled.

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

Day 1.

Sylus stood before the koi tank, arms crossed, eyeing Mochi like he was negotiating with a rival organization boss.

“You and I will get along under one condition,” Sylus said, voice low, predatory. “Don’t die while she’s away.”

The koi fish blinked slowly, unimpressed.

Sylus huffed. “Fine. You’re lucky she likes you.”

But by the end of the day, he’d installed a high-grade water filtration system, replaced the tank lighting with “ambiance-enhancing mood lights,” and had imported koi-specific gourmet food flown in from a luxury breeder.

Because if his wife entrusted him with Mochi, this creature was going to live like a king.

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

Day 2.

“What do you think, Mochi?” Sylus leaned over the tank, sleeves rolled up as he sprinkled in premium food pellets, their container labeled in gold-embossed letters.

“I run an empire. Yet here I am, hand-feeding a koi.”

Mochi gave an elegant flick of his tail, basking under the soft glow of the tank’s fairy lights.

Sylus quirked a smile. “Hmph. You’re just like her. Demanding, pampered, and somehow I still indulge you.”

He even started playing low jazz vinyls in the background. Said it was for “Mochi’s enrichment.” Luke and Kieran watched in stunned silence as their boss, the most feared man in the N109 Zone, adjusted water temperature readings with the same seriousness he gave to weapons shipments.

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

Day 3.

When (Name) returned, suitcase in hand, she expected maybe a sulking Sylus, maybe a last-minute “oops I forgot to feed him” scramble.

What she didn’t expect was to walk into their penthouse to see—

Sylus, crouched by the koi tank, sleeves lazily rolled up, tie loosened, crimson eyes surprisingly soft as he muttered, “You’d better appreciate this, fish. She’ll scold me if your colors dull even a shade.”

(Name) froze in the doorway, staring.

“You’re… talking to Mochi.”

Sylus didn’t even flinch, his finger under the water, touching the said fish ever so slightly. “He’s a good listener, welcome home sweetie.”

“Sylus. Did you just… brush Mochi’s scales?”

“I read it improves blood circulation.” He stood slowly, straightening his shirt with a practiced flick. “A koi of this stature deserves royal treatment.”

(Name) blinked. Then smirked. “Oh, so now you’re a koi expert?”

“I adapt.” Sylus closed the distance, tugging her suitcase from her grasp and setting it aside. “But don’t misunderstand, kitten. I do this because you asked.”

“Mhm.” (Name) crossed her arms, amused. “Not because you got attached?”

“…Irrelevant.”

“Oh my god, you like him.”

“I tolerate him.” Sylus smirked. “He has a better temperament than the twins.”

From his pocket, he produced a tiny koi-themed charm. “Consider it a souvenir. Mochi’s likeness, imported jade. For you.”

(Name)’s heart melted.

“You’re so whipped.”

“I do what is best.” He leaned in, brushing his lips against her ear. “Though you still owe me for leaving me alone with a fish as my sole conversational partner.”

“I’ll make it up to you,” she promised, laughing.

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

Later that night, as they lounged on the couch, (Name) peeked over to see Sylus adjusting the lighting of Mochi’s tank once more, muttering, “Tch. Needs a better viewing angle.”

(Name) snapped a photo.

Blackmail material? Absolutely.

But really, it was just another reminder that beneath the scary exterior, Sylus would do anything—even spoil a fish—for the woman he loves.

KOI FISHES R CUTE OKAYY >:( MY FAV TYPE OF FISH LMAOO and also the most hardest fish that i've taken care of.

[rottenpumpkin13]

all the soldiers plus cloud get stuck on the soldier floor because the elevator breaks how does everyone react

Sephiroth: Calm, cool, collected, the picture of professional composure. Can he do anything about the situation? No. Will freaking out solve anything? Also no. He's sitting cross-legged on the floor, meditating, reaching a state of transcendent peace, all is well. The chaos around him might as well be happening in another dimension.

Sephiroth, after discovering that Professor Hojo is also on the 49th floor: Attempting to use the window as an escape route while Lazard and Angeal hold him back, calculating the probability of surviving a 49-story fall versus spending one more minute in the same vicinity as Hojo.

Angeal: Not worried at all. The 49th level has showers, a kitchen, a fully stocked fridge in the break room and enough rations to survive a small apocalypse. He's treating this literal hostage situation like it's a luxury camping retreat. Has apparently been preparing for this exact scenario his entire career, with his office resembling a doomsday prepper's paradise. There's medical kits, pillows, blankets, emergency flares, three different types of water filtration systems, and what appears to be a small herb garden. Has produced his guitar and is insisting everyone share their feelings around his makeshift "campfire" (a desk lamp turned sideways).

Zack: Full blown freakout. He's mildly claustrophobic and the idea of being stuck anywhere sends him into crisis mode. He's banging on the elevator doors screaming "LET ME OUT!" while trying to pry them open. He's holding up posters to the windows with "S.O.S." written in various sizes and colors. Attempting to flag down pigeons as potential messengers. Keeps trying to send morse code with the office lights to passing helicopters, despite it being broad daylight. Had to be physically restrained from attempting to punch through the elevator doors with his "face first" strategy. He's drafting his will and doing stress-induced squats in the corner, and Angeal has to physically hold him down while another SOLDIER assists him with paper bag breathing. Has already gone through the office's entire supply of paper bags.

Genesis: Freaking out like Zack but with 300% more determination. He is a free man, a SOLDIER of destiny, and no mechanical malfunction shall imprison his spirit. He has maps of the ventilation system complete with annotations and escape routes. He's rounded up a group of Seconds who are either brave or just really bad at saying no. He's going to prison break this bitch with style. Last anyone sees Genesis, he's disappearing into the vents like a determined raccoon in a red leather coat.

Genesis, after falling through a weakened section of the ventilation system and crashing through the ceiling panel: Breaks his wrist.

Cloud: He's not even there anymore. He managed to pry open the door to the stairwell an hour ago and is currently in his bunk in the barracks, chilling.

[moeitsu]

The Dark Tide Siren!Arthur Morgan x Reader Modern AU Ch 3 - Salt Remembers The Sea Summary: You and Arthur share an intimate moment as you connect on a deeper level, he allows you to explore him with curiosity and reverence. Arthur, slowly beginning to open up, reveals fragments of his painful past, shedding light on the trauma he's endured. wc: 6.5k tw: detailed monster anatomy, exploring body parts, slight nsfw, 18+ Swim Back! ↞ ﹏𓊝﹏ ↠ Sail Ahead!

AN: This is the chapter where things really start to get a little strange. You thought it was weird before? Just you wait. Its about to get very....wet. This is your warning :)

My sleep was about as good as it could get, considering my bed was nothing more than cold, unforgiving tile. My body ached, stiff from the awkward position I had curled into, but I had grown used to nights like this—odd hours, odder sleeping arrangements. Late-night emergency rescues often left me dozing off in Charles' office chair or curled up on the lumpy couch in the breakroom, a crumpled jacket serving as a makeshift pillow. None of it was comfortable, but exhaustion had a way of making anything tolerable.

Still, sleep hadn't been kind to me. My dreams were fragmented, restless. I was back on that beach, watching Arthur bleed out in the sand, his dark hair matted with salt and blood, his body broken beneath the weight of the cruelty inflicted upon him. Then, suddenly, the scene shifted—I was in the water, a sharp, searing pain lancing through my side. Panic constricted my chest as I tried to swim, but something unseen wrapped around my limbs, pulling me down, dragging me backward toward something vast and inescapable. I was running—no, swimming—but the ocean had turned against me, trapping me in its endless depths. A crushing sense of isolation settled in my chest, raw and suffocating. I wasn't just afraid. I was alone.

I jolted awake, my breath coming in short, uneven gasps. A dull ache settled in my spine as I stretched, my limbs protesting the movement. The fog of sleep still clung to my mind, blurring the edges of reality, but the cool morning air against my sweat damp skin grounded me. Sunlight streamed through the open skylights above, casting golden beams onto the tiled floor and into the gentle water of the pool. Reflecting off its surface like molten crystals. The soft cry of gulls outside mingling with the rhythmic crash of waves against the rocky shore. The steady hum of pumps and filtration systems filled the space, a familiar and constant background noise of the facility.

And then, through the haze of morning light, I saw him.

A pair of deep blue irises, locked onto mine. Watching. Waiting.

Arthur.

The weight of the night before came rushing back to me in an instant, the exhaustion, the surgery, the quiet unspoken bond that had settled between us. My heart tightened at the sight of him, submerged in the water, his body still but aware. He hadn't taken his eyes off me. And in that moment, I was reminded exactly why I was here.

Sitting up, I twisted my spine, relishing the satisfying pop of my joints as a deep groan escaped my throat. My muscles were stiff, my body sluggish from a night spent on cold tile, but none of that mattered now. As I shifted forward onto my stomach, tucking an arm beneath my chin, my gaze locked onto the creature watching me just as intently.

Arthur's presence was quiet but heavy, the weight of his stare pressing against my skin like the ocean depths. Only his eyes remained above the waterline, gleaming pools of deep blue, unreadable and vast. The rest of him lay submerged in the shallow pool, his massive form hidden beneath the rippling surface. I had the distinct feeling he was mirroring me—lying on his stomach as I was, observing with the same patient curiosity I felt toward him.

For a while, neither of us moved, allowing the early morning stillness to stretch between us. The air was thick with the scent of saltwater and antiseptic, the distant cry of seagulls filtering through the facility's high windows. The quiet hum of filtration pumps was the only reminder that we were not somewhere out at sea, but here—together, in this strange, shared limbo between two worlds.

Tentatively, I reached out, letting my fingertips trail through the water, tracing aimless patterns across the surface. The warmth surprised me, smooth and welcoming against my skin. It felt like the ocean at sunrise, still and peaceful before the day stirred it to life.

"Good morning, Arthur," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "How are you feeling?"

I wasn't expecting an answer, but the words felt natural, as though speaking to him was no different than speaking to any other patient under my care. And yet, this was different. He was different. I extended my palm toward him, driven by some unspoken need—to touch him, to feel his skin beneath my own, to reassure myself that he was real. That this was real.

To my surprise, he moved closer.

I kept my hand still, letting him decide. My lips twitched into a small smile, reminded of how we taught children at the touch tanks—hold your hands still, let the creatures come to you, let them explore you on their terms. Arthur was doing the same.

His gills flared as he inched forward, hesitation battling curiosity. I watched the way his body tensed, his movements cautious yet deliberate. He reminded me of a skittish sea pup, torn between instinct and intrigue.

His face came within an inch of my palm before he suddenly grimaced. His pupils contracted, his gaze darting between me and my outstretched hand. A subtle shift, a flicker of alarm or confusion.

Then it clicked.

Ah. The sweatshirt.

I had forgotten I was still wearing Charles' hoodie, the heavy fabric still clinging to me from the night before. To Arthur, I must have smelled foreign—like another male, unfamiliar and wrong. Dangerous even. Nothing like the woman who had held him the night before. I mentally noted that he was incredibly scent driven, like a shark or an octopus.

Without hesitation, I peeled it off, letting the cool morning air prickle against my sweat-damp skin. Clad only in my sports bra, I settled back onto my stomach, dipping my arm into the water once more.

"That's better, huh?" I mused softly.

Arthur's eyes flickered down the length of my arm, tracing over my bare skin before settling back on my face. I smiled. I could feel him studying me, the same way I had studied him last night. And I let him. I wanted him to.

I wondered, Did his species have a way of communicating outside of words? Did they swim in pods, share gestures, brush against each other like this? Or was he always alone?

Before I could dwell on the thought, Arthur reached for my wrist.

I tensed, not out of fear, but out of sheer surprise. His webbed fingers moved with delicate precision, his claws barely grazing my skin as he began unraveling the damp, bloodied gauze wrapped around my wrist.

I swallowed a wince as the fabric peeled away, the dried blood pulling at the torn skin beneath.

"Guess I should have Charles take a look at that today," I muttered, more to myself than to him. "Probably needs stitches."

Arthur didn't react to my words—only to the wound itself. His pupils contracted slightly, his nostrils flaring. Smelling my blood. Committing my scent to memory.

Somewhere deep in my chest, I knew I should have been afraid. Blood was a trigger for predators, a primal lure that awakened the basest instincts of the hunt. I had seen it countless times in the wild—how a single drop in the water could send sharks into a frenzy, how wounded seals would attract the silent approach of something lurking just beneath the surface. Even the most docile creatures could turn savage at the scent of it, driven by an ancient, unspoken law of survival.

But Arthur didn't move like a predator.

There was no sudden tension in his body, no sharp intake of breath like he was fighting the urge to lunge. No flicker of hunger in those deep blue eyes. His grip remained careful, deliberate—his webbed fingers barely grazing my wrist as if he were handling something delicate. As if he didn't want to break me.

It was a contradiction, this creature with the power to rip me apart, yet holding me like I was something worth protecting. He was watching me, not like prey, but like something fragile. Something he didn't want to break.

And yet, as I watched him open his mouth, as I gazed upon the pearly white rows of razor-sharp teeth that were almost human, I couldn't pull away.

There was no fear, no instinct screaming at me to recoil. Only a strange, electric stillness settling over my body, a deep-rooted certainty in my chest that he would not hurt me.

But nothing—nothing—could have prepared me for what he did next.

A long, dark blue tongue unfurled from his mouth, ribbed along the sides and top, an evolutionary marvel designed to grip and manipulate prey—but as it slipped past his lips, I realized it was something far more intricate. The ridges along the surface flexed with a sensual fluidity, the textured muscle curling and undulating as if tasting the very air between us. It was long, sinuous, almost serpentine in the way it moved, tapering to a fine point that flicked out experimentally before retracting.

There was nothing predatory in the way it reached for me, yet I couldn't ignore the way it twitched and pulsed, slick with warmth, glistening under the morning lights as it hovered tantalizingly close to my skin. It was slow, deliberate, exploratory—intimate in a way I didn't yet understand.

And then, he licked me.

Warm. Slick. Wet. The hard muscle dragged over my wrist, gliding over my open wound with an almost reverent touch. I sucked in a breath, heart hammering against my ribs as I watched, entranced. His breath fanned hot over my skin, and after that first taste, his lips parted further, his mouth closing around my wrist.

I should have been terrified.

Instead, I shivered.

Viscous saliva pooled over my cuts, coating them in a thick sheen, and his tongue worked methodically, spreading it deeper into my skin. The sensation was... indescribable. A pulse of heat shot through me, curling at the base of my spine. My body reacted—not with fear, but with something darker, something instinctual.

The act was so tender, so gentle, it completely betrayed his monstrous form. Arthur was the one in pain, the one suffering, and yet he was the one tending to me. Cleaning me. Marking me.

A soft noise slipped past my lips, and an ache settled low in my stomach. When he finally pulled away, a thick strand of saliva connected us, catching the light like a thread of liquid silver. And then—gods help me—he kissed it. A chaste press of his lips to my wrist, as if sealing his work, as if telling me you're mine to heal.

I exhaled, trembling. His pupils were blown wide, the black nearly swallowing the blue, his expression unreadable. But I could feel it—the weight of his gaze, the intensity in the way his fingers twitched toward me. The moment stretched, charged, thick with something I didn't dare name.

It wasn't until I caught the faint, flickering glow beneath his skin that I finally pulled my gaze away. His veins were lighting up again, faint but unmistakable, bioluminescence dancing beneath his flesh like phosphorescence in the deep.

I barely had time to wonder what it meant before I looked down at my wrist—

And choked on my breath.

The wounds were gone.

There was no trace of blood, no broken skin, no sign that I had ever been wounded at all. In its place, four iridescent scars shimmered beneath the dim lighting, their color shifting like polished opal, contrasting against the natural hue of my skin. They looked just like his own—etched proof of pain, survival, and something far stranger.

Had he... had he healed me with his saliva?

I stared, my breath caught somewhere between awe and disbelief. My fingers trembled as I brushed them over the fresh scars, the skin smooth and cool to the touch, as if it had been untouched by injury. The realization sent a shiver down my spine, my stomach twisting with something I couldn't comprehend.

"A-Arthur wha—"

"I'm real sorry for hurtin' ya."

The deep, gravelly timbre of his voice sent a jolt of shock through my body, rooting me in place. My gaze snapped up to him, my pulse hammering against my ribs. I hadn't heard him say more than three words in the past twelve hours, and now he was apologizing to me?

"H-holy fuck, you can talk?!" My voice came out breathless, stunned.

Arthur only nodded, his gills flaring slightly. His expression was unreadable, but something about the way he held my gaze—steady, cautious, yet unguarded—made my chest tighten. Had I been too forward? Had I ruined my only chance to hear him speak again?

I exhaled slowly, trying to gather myself, to settle the erratic thrum of my heart. "Sorry, that was rude of me," I admitted, lowering my voice. "I just—I didn't think you could speak more than a few words. How do you know English so well?"

I waited, desperate to hear his voice again, to break the fragile silence hanging between us.

"Been 'round people long enough." He spoke slower this time, deliberate, like he wasn't used to stringing so many words together at once. "Picked up on it eventually."

Holy shit, he has an accent.

That drawl—low, thick, undeniably Southern—rolled through me like a gentle tide, and I felt its weight settle deep in my bones. It was rough around the edges, worn down with time, and yet, there was something almost soothing about the way the words left his lips. But the mention of people sent a ripple of unease through me.

Had he been around them by choice? Or had they kept him?

I had so many questions, but I forced myself to rein them in. Pushing too hard could make him shut down, and I wasn't willing to risk that.

"I see," I said gently. "Must have been really hard for you to talk last night, with all the pain you were in."

Arthur gave a slow nod, his expression unreadable. His slitted pupils flicked down toward my wrist, the scars still catching the dim light, before shifting back to my face.

I took him in, really looked at him. He seemed healthier now, stronger. His color had returned, the luminous sheen of his skin no longer dull and lifeless. For the first time, I realized just how much I wanted him to heal.

"You're looking much better," I admitted, offering a small smile. "The color's come back to your skin... maybe soon we can let you go home."

The words felt like a betrayal the second they left my lips. I didn't want him to leave. And I knew how selfish that was.

Arthur's expression shifted, his jaw tightening just slightly. "Don't have a home."

His voice was quiet, but the weight of those words crushed the air from my lungs.

I swallowed hard. "What about a family? Could they be looking for you?"

His pupils narrowed slightly—whether from fear, memory, or something else, I wasn't sure. But then, with a slow shake of his head, he answered me in silence.

That hurt more than I was prepared for.

I bit my lip, fighting against the ache settling in my chest. I had a feeling pressing him further would only make things worse, I didn't want him to shut down or feel overwhelmed. So instead, I softened my tone. "Would it be alright if I checked on your wound?"

For a moment, I thought he'd refuse. Now that he was awake, fully aware, maybe the fragile trust I had built last night would vanish. Maybe he wouldn't let me get close to him like that again. And yet, the ghost of his touch lingered—his tongue, warm and slick, lapping at my skin, the slow press of his lips leaving a phantom heat that refused to fade. Even now, my wrist tingled where he had kissed it, the memory of it searing deeper than it should have.

But then, those soft lips parted, his voice rolling over me like a slow-moving tide.

"Sure."

It was a lazy, drawn-out syllable—more like shoar—and something about the way he hollowed his mouth around the word made heat creep up my spine.

I smiled, trying to shake the feeling, and stood up, stretching until my muscles loosened with a satisfying sigh. "I'll go change into my wetsuit."

Arthur watched me, those deep blue eyes tracking my every movement. There was something unreadable in his gaze—something that made my pulse quicken just a little too fast. I turned on my heel before I could overthink it, heading toward the locker room, my mind still reeling from the way his voice curled around a single word.

⋅─⊱༺ 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 ༻⊰─⋅

Arthur sat on the lip of the pool, his tail partially submerged, the sun catching on the water's surface and throwing shimmering reflections onto the walls. The early morning light illuminated his body in a way the dim fluorescents of the facility never could. His scales, now clean and glistening, shimmered with a brilliance that nearly stole my breath. Blues and purples interwoven like the Milky Way on a clear midsummer night, scattered across the vast ocean of his skin. He was beautiful. Otherworldly. Ethereal.

I glanced at the clock on the wall. The facility would be opening soon. Hosea would arrive to check in, expecting an explanation for the frantic call from last night. And when that happened, everything would change. No more quiet moments, no more stillness between just the two of us. The world would come crashing in, demanding answers, demanding that Arthur be studied, tested, examined.

Selfishly, I already mourned the loss of our solitude.

I shook the thought away. That wasn't my concern right now. My focus was on him, on making sure he was healing properly. Whatever came next—I'd deal with it then.

From my position beside him, I traced my gaze down the long expanse of his body. I couldn't help but admire the way his tail gleamed as if the constellations themselves had been pressed into his flesh. As if sensing my fascination, he suddenly flicked his tail, sending a playful spray of water in my direction. Droplets pitter-pattered against my skin, cool against the morning warmth.

I gasped, swiping a hand over my face, then looked up at him with narrowed eyes. "Oh, real mature—"

But then my breath caught.

Was that...a grin tugging at his lips? Or just a trick of the light?

The idea of Arthur—cautious, guarded, pained Arthur—smiling at me made something flip in my stomach.

"You're quite a sight, Arthur," I said before I could stop myself, voice softer than I intended. "You put all the pearls in the ocean to shame."

For a fleeting moment, the iridescent glow beneath his skin flickered again. I was sure that it meant something. But before I could ask, he scoffed, brushing off the compliment like it was second nature.

"Oh, darlin', you ain't seen too many pearls then. I'm 'bout as pretty as the underside of a sunfish."

I lifted a brow, my lips twitching into a smirk. He winked. Not a trick of the light. A full-on, deliberate wink.

Was he...flirting with me?

A flutter of nerves ran through me, heat curling in my stomach. The tone of endearment, the teasing lilt in his voice—it sent warmth creeping up my spine, made my chest feel lighter. I had no idea what this was between us, but I knew I liked it.

I grinned, tilting my head, tracing idle patterns in the water with my fingers. "Oh, so now you're an expert on beauty, huh?" I teased, letting my gaze drift over him in exaggerated scrutiny. "Because I hate to break it to you, honey, but I've seen plenty of sunfish—and none of them have eyes that glow like starlight."

His gills fluttered, his bioluminescent veins pulsing faintly again, and I knew now it was a response to something. A reaction.

Shaking his head, he huffed. "They also don't got teeth like mine," he drawled, flashing me a sharp grin, "or a tongue that can make a grown man cry."

Heat flared up my neck at that remark, and I barely smothered a choked laugh. "Oh yeah?" I shot back, arching a brow. "And exactly how many grown men have you made cry, Arthur?"

His pupils widened slightly, something playful, something darkly amused lurking in those deep blue depths. "Wouldn't you like to know, pretty girl," he murmured, voice dipping into something rich and slow, something that sent a shiver rolling down my spine.

I sucked in a breath.

Pretty girl?

The most beautiful creature I'd ever seen was sitting right next to me, calling me pretty? The one with glowing veins, eyes like the ocean at midnight, and a tail that shimmered like the galaxies above thought I was beautiful?

My stomach flipped.

I swallowed hard, feeling warmth creep up my neck, and cleared my throat. "W-well, I'll be sure to keep my wits about me then," I managed, aiming for breezy, casual—but failing miserably as my voice wavered slightly.

Arthur just watched me, gaze steady, unreadable. My heart was hammering in my chest.

Gods help me, I was enjoying this way too much.

Looking down his torso, I reminded myself to focus on the task at hand—his wound. But as my gaze traveled over his long body, I found my thoughts drifting. I wondered what it would feel like to press my ear to his chest again, to listen to the steady rhythm of his tandem heartbeat's, that soft purring sound vibrating through his skin. I couldn't help but admire the way his muscles flexed, the subtle dusting of sandy hair leading down from his chest, tracing the curve of his abs.

There was something undeniably captivating about him. He had that rugged, raw appeal—the kind of man you'd find at the bar at the end of a long, hard day, sitting quietly with a drink in hand. His whiskey-smooth voice still echoed in my mind, and I found myself drawn to him in a way that felt all at once comforting and dangerous. There was a quiet strength in his presence, an unspoken promise of safety.

Shaking my head, I forced my attention back to the wound I had been avoiding. His mating slit, once gruesome, had begun to heal faster than I expected. It almost looked... normal again, as normal as I thought his reproductive organ could look. The swelling had gone down significantly, and the irritation had vanished, leaving behind smooth, unblemished skin where it had been torn.

I couldn't help but marvel at it. "This is incredible, Arthur," I whispered, a note of awe in my voice. "It's almost entirely healed."

Without thinking, my fingers hovered just above the area, drawn by a mix of curiosity and the desire to help, to feel for myself how much progress had been made. Would the stitches need to come out already? But as my hand hovered, I stopped myself. What am I even doing? It felt too personal, too intimate, to touch him like this so casually.

Before I could pull my hand away, Arthur's hand closed gently around my wrist, guiding it down his body, towards his slit. His voice was soft, almost reassuring. "You can touch me," he said, his tone quiet but firm.

I barely managed to get the words out. My throat tightened with his movements. "O-okay..." My voice caught as his hand led mine to the smoothness of his skin, the heat of him still radiating through the water. It felt like silk, like liquid warmth.

Arthur leaned closer, his breath brushing against my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. "I like it when you touch me," he murmured, voice low, filled with something I couldn't quite place but was undeniably erotic.

Oh, I'm so fucked.

A rush of heat flared through me. The careful distance I'd tried to maintain was crumbling beneath his gaze and his touch, replaced by a raw, intense need to be closer, to understand him more. And it frightened me. But I couldn't pull away.

Letting go of my wrist, he leaned back, and I felt my curiosity surge, pulling me under like a fierce undercurrent. I hesitated, drawn to the curiosity that had been gnawing at me since the moment I first saw him. My fingers traced the raised edge, gliding over the surface with a touch that was both deliberate and tentative, smooth and featherlight. The flesh here was softer than expected—more pliable—and strangely different. It was nothing like the taut muscle or the hard scales I had touched before. This was an entirely different texture, unfamiliar yet intriguing. Despite his hips being above the waterlevel, the area was wet, slick beneath my touch. And warm like melted honey.

I became acutely aware of how close we were, of the delicate balance between curiosity and respect. I dragged my middle and ring fingers down the center, carefully adding pressure, testing the entrance. The stitches were deeper inside, where the harpoon tip had once lodged between muscle and skin, leaving its mark in ways I could still barely comprehend.

Suddenly, Charles' words echoed in my mind, clear as if he'd spoken them just moments ago: The slit opening is where you'd expect female reproductive organs. I thought of my own, of the delicate way my body mirrored the things I had just learned about his own. The comparison felt surreal, yet there it was—more striking the longer I stared, more connections forming with every second. The shape was longer, more...animalistic in its own right. And then it struck me. The outermost part, thick and full, resembled the labia majora. And as my fingers slowly parted the skin, I realized that what lay beneath—hidden and delicate, like the petals of a water lily—was akin to the labia minora.

How incredible.

This hunk of a beast, this creature who resembled so much of a man in his upper half, shared the same organ as I did. The thought twisted through my mind, unexpected yet indisputable. I couldn't argue with the science right infront of me. Before I could stop myself, my thumb found its way to the top, gently moving over the soft skin, searching for that familiar, pearl-shaped bundle of nerves—one that could make a grown woman cry out in sheer euphoria.

Arthur's breathing hitched, growing rapid, and that thick, wet sticky substance coated my fingers. But I couldn't stop. I didn't want to. My thumb pressed deeper into his slit, pushing past the softness until I felt it—there, hidden beneath the surface. And oh, Arthur felt it too. I bit my lip as a shudder rippled through him, his body trembling in response, releasing a delicious, low moan that made my throat tighten. My knees wavered as his tail subtly twitched with the rhythm of his pleasure.

The sound of his moan snapped me from my trance, and I glanced up.

His eyes were closed, his face soft and serene, as though lost in the bliss of the moment. His veins glowed with an otherworldly light, a natural show of warmth that could rival Christmas lights in their brilliance. He was breathtaking in his vulnerability, in this raw display of emotion and trust.

And as the reality of the situation sank in, I suddenly realized—I was the one arousing him.

I didn't want to stop, but at the same time, I didn't know how to keep going. How far were we supposed to take this? Did he—did he want to finish? Could his species even do that? Christ, what the hell was I doing? I was fingering a man I barely knew—a species I hadn't even known existed until last night!

"What do they mean?" I blurted out, halting my movements. I could hear the faintest whine escape his lips, the sound so soft, so intimate, it almost felt like it was meant just for me. I quickly pulled my thumb away from his clit. "T-the lights, I mean."

Arthur's pupils were wide with arousal, and something deeper, more primal. He glanced down at his body as if he hadn't fully realized what was happening. "Ah, sorry if that's weird. Can't control 'em."

He thinks that's what's weird about this?

"N-no, it's not that," I stammered, trying to steady my breath. "It's just—is it a stimulus response? I've seen you do it a few times since last night." I explained, my words rushed but genuine.

He scratched the back of his neck, a sheepish gesture that only made him seem more vulnerable, more real. "Yeah. Like I said, I can't help it. They're always goin' off this time of year."

"This time of year?" I echoed, not quite processing it yet.

"Mmhm," he rumbled, the sound coming from deep within his chest, vibrating through the air around us. "Mating season."

I couldn't move. I felt stiff, like a statue, unable to shift or look away from the reality unfolding before me. This wasn't real. None of this could be real.

Mating season?! Gods above, I was dabbling in forces I scarcely understood.

Not knowing how to respond, I quickly pulled my hand away from his slit. My nerves were painfully obvious, but I couldn't help it. I'd only had one partner in my life—what the hell made me think I knew how to pleasure a siren? And during his mating season, no less. What the fuck was I thinking?

Staring down at my fingers, I noticed they were slick with the same sticky substance that had come from his mouth earlier. "Is this how you healed so quickly?" I asked, hesitant. "The mucus from your...uhm..." I couldn't finish the sentence, the words feeling foreign in my mouth. "It's the same stuff you used to heal my wrist, right?"

Arthur nodded, unfazed, as if my question was nothing new to him. Then, with the grace of someone who'd done it countless times before, he pushed himself off the lip of the pool and slid smoothly into the water, his head now level with my torso. The water lapped gently at the edges of his face, he looked totally nonchalant, as though he were casually offering up his body as a mystery I could unravel at my leisure.

His openness was undeniable, his body offering itself for exploration in ways I could barely process.

I started to connect the dots. He had some kind of magical property in his mucus—something that allowed him to heal rapidly, not just himself, but others as well. And yet, despite that power, his body was covered in scars, each one gleaming with an iridescent sheen, much like the mark on my wrist. His ability to reproduce on his own was extraordinary, but clearly, someone had tried to take that ability from him. During a time when his body was vulnerable, overwhelmed by hormonal changes. Was this same person trying to harness his power for their own gain? The same one who struck a harpoon through his body?

My breathing quickened, and my heart hammered in my chest. Arthur noticed the shift immediately. His large hands wrapped around my waist, grounding me in the moment. Oh god, it felt so good when he touched me, as though his very hands could steady the chaos within me.

"Oh, sweetheart, I didn't mean to scare ya," he murmured soothingly, his voice a deep balm that somehow settled the storm in my chest. I almost chuckled at the absurdity of it all—this creature, this beast, with claws and teeth that could tear through human flesh like it was wet paper, yet here he was, coddling me.

I ran my hands up the length of his forearm, the delicate fins beneath my fingers sending a strange thrill through me. His skin was so smooth, almost silky, yet there was an undeniable strength in the way he held himself. "You didn't scare me," I said, my voice soft. "I was just trying to make sense of it all..." I inhaled deeply, steadying myself for the next question. "Arthur, why would someone do this to you?"

I felt him shift, the tension in his body telling me he was about to pull away. But before he could, I sank down to my knees in the pool, the water rising to my chin, pulling us back to eye level. Looking into those deep blue eyes, I felt as if I were drowning in them—yet strangely, I didn't want to come up for air. I reached up, cupping his face gently in my hands, my fingers brushing through his beard, marveling at its softness.

"I can't help you if I don't know the truth," I whispered, my voice thick with the weight of my words. "You can trust me." Slowly, I traced my thumb over his lips, the gesture feeling both intimate and natural, as if we had always been this close. "These hands will never hurt you." I repeated the words from last night, when he had been bleeding out on the sand, his body trembling and begging for my touch, my reassurance.

Arthur moved closer to my face, and for a brief, breathless moment, I thought he might kiss me. Do sirens even do that? But before I could find out, he spoke, his voice low and heavy with something I couldn't quite place. "Got caught up with some disagreeable men, that's all."

"That's all?" I echoed, my voice trembling. "Honey, there was a harpoon lodged inside you. They tried to take away—"

He cut me off, his words sharp and bitter. "I know what they did. It's what your people do best." The venom in his voice wasn't directed at me, but it still stung. I bristled at the thought of being lumped in with them, with those people.

A deep, weary sigh escaped him, as though he were surrendering to the weight of his own history. "My father was human, and my mother was a siren. He took me from her when I was still learnin' to use my gills. Lyle sold me to a man who promised him a fortune—and promised me a family." The word 'family' slipped from his mouth like something vile, something toxic.

"For as long as I can remember, I was poked, prodded, and exploited. He was some kind of businessman, workin' with new-age scientists who wanted to harness my ability to accelerate cell regeneration. He told me it was love. Said I was helpin' folk, that it's what families do. And I believed every word. I gave him everything."

His eyes darkened, and the sadness that swirled within them carried a weight of betrayal so profound it nearly stole my breath. The intensity of his gaze shook me to my core. My pulse quickened as the realization hit me—he had used that same healing ability on me so freely, when his entire life had been spent with it exploited. Without thinking, I reached out, my fingers trembling as I threaded them through his hair, pulling him closer. I traced them gently down from the base of his skull to the curled tips of his shoulders, offering him the only comfort I knew how. I urged him, silently, to continue.

"As I started to get older, the lead scientist suggested that I produce an offspring, so they could continue their research once I was gone. Told me I was passin' on my legacy. So..." He paused, his voice faltering, and when he spoke again, it came out in a whisper, laced with raw emotion. "So I gave 'em a son."

Oh no.

Gods, please. Please don't let this end the way I think it's going to.

Arthur shuddered, his entire body tensing as though he were bracing himself against an onslaught of painful memories. I saw the tears well up in his eyes, and before he even spoke, I knew what he was about to say.

"Isaac didn't have his old man's ability to heal people, so—" He let out a humorless chuckle, the sound ragged and broken. His tears spilled freely now, tracing down his cheeks in silent testimony. "So, they took him from me..."

My heart shattered, the weight of his words crashing down like a wave. He didn't need to finish the sentence to confirm my suspicion. They had killed his son, stripped him of his only remaining piece of hope, because he served no purpose in their eyes. They saw Arthur as nothing more than a tool, something to be exploited, not someone with a heart, with feelings, with dreams, with goals of his own.

"Oh, Arthur..." My voice cracked as I reached up, using my thumb to brush away the tears that spilled from his eyes, cradling his handsome face in my hands. "I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry." The words felt hollow, inadequate. Christ, how could I console someone who had faced such unimaginable loss? What could I say that would ever ease this kind of pain?

He leaned into my touch, his cheek brushing against my palm, the intimacy of the gesture both tender and heart-wrenching. His veins flared with their familiar, ethereal glow again. But this time, despite their beauty, there was something different about them—a sadness, a heaviness that lingered in the air around him. He hadn't been joking when he said his body was sensitive during this time of year.

"You're safe here. I won't ever let those men hurt you again," I promised, my voice steady despite the uncertainty that churned inside me. But even as the words left my mouth, I knew how hollow they felt. I had no idea how I would protect him. Hell, I could barely comprehend the danger we were facing.

Arthur shook his head slowly, his expression hardening. "I ain't safe here, darlin', I ain't safe anywhere." His voice was low, heavy with resignation. "That harpoon was just a desperate effort to control me, but it won't be their last. They'll come for me. They ain't gonna let their prized pony go so easily."

I wanted to argue—a harpoon through the mating organs wasn't exactly a quick or easy way to let go. But the words stuck in my throat, too raw to speak.

"Who, Arthur?" I asked, my voice tight with both fear and curiosity. "Who is the man that thinks he has some kind of ownership over you?"

His ocean-blue eyes darkened, a storm brewing behind them. The weight of his words hit like a slap, and the fury in his gaze sent a chill down my spine.

He spat the name thick with venom and years of bitter history.

"Dutch van der Linde." 

AN: This chapter had me all over the fucking place. I was blushing, i was giggling, i was horny, then i was crying. However, despite the rollercoaster i really enjoyed how this came out and i'm honestly shocked i pulled it together because now i feel like i have some kind of real plot to work around! Yippee! But i must ask, chat, how do we feel about arthur being intersex and the reader exploring that female anatomy. Tbh, i wanted to do that first because i found it the most 'taboo' and wanted to explore it further. Literally. If you're uncomfortable with this, i do apologize. But there will be more fingerfucking of arthur's cunt. So be aware :)

I love you freaks <3

[hometoursandotherstuff]

Today, we have a bunker for sale. It's not as interesting as a decommissioned missile tower. "Originally constructed in the 1960s at a cost of $4.5 million, an equivalent value today exceeding $34 million, this bunker represents the pinnacle of security and resilience." Located in Polo, Missouri, 35 min. from Kansas City, it has 4bds, 2ba, $2M.

The entrance hall has an industrial look, but they tired to make the home look elegant.

It has 2 massive 3,000 pound blast doors, 2.5-foot-thick concrete walls, additional layers of earth & EMP-resistant copper shielding, plus an emergency escape hatch and a towering 177-ft communication tower.

it's roomy- look at the size of the living room. One must wonder why people decorate these with traditional furniture. It needs colorful, modern stuff.

There's a bar for entertaining.

One of the bathrooms.

This is a soundproof room- it's not as if there are any neighbors around, though.

They have a home office here.

Laundry and stuff. The self-sufficient home has a private water well, a pump, and a 10,000-gallon stainless steel water storage tank, all connected to a Water Filtration System.

And, here's your new hobby- it's a glass blowing studio. I wonder if the owner would teach the new owner how to use it.

Looks like a massive air system.

Above the workshop is a large loft area.

There's a family room- notice the windows above, they are for some of the bedrooms. There's also supposed to be a home theater room, but it's not shown.

On the 2nd fl. is the 2nd bath. Not liking the hole in the wall behind the toilet.

This is the kitchen.

This is an odd place to locate the kitchen w/all this other equipment.

Through the kitchen you can see the upstairs living room.

You can see that the kitchen is on the other side.

The bedrooms are off a hall off of the living room.

The bedrooms.

This area serves as a closet.

The plot of land is 10.5 acres and the real estate description suggests that you can built your dream home on it, over the bunker.

[lbulldesigns]

Zaun (AITAH Arcane AU Mood board)

The City of Iron and Glass, and revitalisation

Seventy years ago, Zaun, still going by the moniker of the Undercity, was in a constant state of desperation.

The mining colony turned city, was no stranger to hardships. From unsafe mining conditions to unsafe working conditions within the factories jammed packed within the city, to unsafe living conditions due to poor maintenance to residental structure and over pollution brought on my the factories and the toxic gases from the deep mines being compressed within the underground city.

All of this was due to the conscious negligence of Piltover. Whose one and only concern was image and wealth. To them Zaun was an eyesore but they refused to acknowledge that this was due to them.

They preferred the image of being righteous and a city of academics and kept their well-shoed foot to Zaun's throat by unleashing their Enforcers upon them who dealt their "justice" in brutal fashion.

This continuous abuse and oppression had to come to an abrupt end, however.

In 1954 Piltover and its Enforcers had stepped on Zaun and Janna's (Goddess of the Wind) final nerve.

When during an arrest of a factory worker voicing his outrage for being unfairly fired, an officer took liberation to bludgeon a 12-year-old girl who had stepped in to beg her father's release before shooting dead the distraught father.

In this moment something snapped within the people witnessing the scene and every Zaun citizen present attacked the Enforcers without conern for their own lives. This attack would go on to inspire more within the city to take up arms and riots broke out everywhere, with the intention to put as many Enforcers down.

Janna tried to protect as many innocent lives caught in the crossfire as she could, but the death toll was climbing with her people dying in droves.

When Piltover took to trying to blow the bridges and starve the residents in Zaun, Janna had reached her limit and decided something more drastic had to be done.

For a month, the Goddess of Wisdom and Harmony became an unyielding and unrelenting, furious storm.

She took the fight straight to Piltover and wrecked havoc upon the city. Gleaming, unblemished structures that reached to the sky came crumbling down as if they were sandcastles within the oceans reach.

She dispersed her followers to ransack the city of the progress of food, clean water, and medicine. And kept the Enforcers secluded to Zaun, without backup and provisions and many beaten Zaunites looking for their own pound of flesh.

After a month of nonstop terror from the Goddess and many injured and homeless within Piltover, its Council flew up a white flag and begged for an audience.

Upon the Bridge of Progress, Janna stood mighty, if not unproud of her destruction, and yet resolute in her decision. She was done watching the mindless cruelty and violence to her people and would be ruling over them from then on.

An accord was struck that day.

Zaun would be its own nation from then on, and Piltover would pay compensation to the people for their negligence, in the form of money, technology, healthcare, and education.

An accord, that Piltover had no other choice but to agree to.

And this is how we come to Zaun today, under Janna's rule.

A city crushed by oppression and poverty, now turned metropolis of renewed vigor and spirit.

Zaun has transformed within the past seventy years into a technological paradise, built of off science and magic.

Its once toxic air has been dissipated by the trees that now grow within and upon every building, sustained by the HexTech-empowered artificial sun bolted to the cavern ceiling, and scheduled rainy days using the sprinkler system stretched out throughout the city. Water filtration has drastically improved drinkable water, and botany has become an essential subject in every school.

Zaun is now the cultural hotspot in Runeterra, with many coming from all over the world to visit or call Zaun its home.

You'll now find many cultures thriving within the city, as well as old structures standing proud against the tides of time.

One such building is a bar/pub called The Last Drop.

Religions of all caliber operate in Zaun, but none hold a candle to the temples of the Wind Goddess.

Mages with elemental talent, are often in high demand as they assist in the evironmental stability of the city.

And although Enforcers do still operate within the city, their presence holds neither respect nor true authority. Many Zaunites will opt to seek the services of private security firms, such as The Eye Of Zaun or the newly formed Firelights flying through the city on their chem tech-powered hoverboards; invented by 15-year-old Ekko Bennet in 2015, making him one of Zaun's first adolescent millionaires.

However, Enforcers have been reported to tiptoe on the boundaries of the two cities accordance.

With reports of Zaun civilians being killed just on the outskirts of the city, and more than a few being assaulted and/or killed within back alleys of Zaun. It is not difficult to discern what is happening.

The Enforcers are either trying to return to their old ways, or someone is looking to profit of off a potential war.

Either way, Zaun will be ready for what comes at it.

It vows to not wait for their gentle Goddess to bloody her hands again for them, they are the warriors who built this town.

[kathbunny]

A vague lil apocalypse au for RWD I'm gonna do a bit of for fun! This isn't my body horror/Eldtrich apocalypse from Discord, but it might get some elements of it if I decide it's fun.

This just establishes what everyone is up to!

Future parts will not be under the main two rwd tags like with my other writings to avoid flooding the tags!

CW: dead body, blood, injury

Kyana had made it to the top of the office building! Her cloth mask was starting to get uncomfortable from sweat and from panting, but she had still made it higher than she had on any other building. She felt pretty lucky to be finding one where the way up to the roof was so intact.

There was also quite a bit on the roof. Primarily, what looked to be a wrecked homemade water filtration system with a skeleton half hung over it, surrounded by planter boxes with already dead plants. Creepy! Kyana deemed to just walk quickly to the other side of the roof.

The sun was almost all the way down, and soon the sickly colored sky would become that beautiful dark blue and be full of more stars than she could ever count.

-

VR-LA stumbled across the sands, doing his best to rip the fabric of his scarf to make bandages without stopping. He frantically wrapped the wound on his chest with it, his heartbeat in his ears as he saw how much blood he had already lost. Once it dried, his shirt would be stuck to his skin, likely his pants too.

He stumbled slightly, vision blurring and making his almost lose hold of his attempted wrappings. He kept trying and kept moving, even as he tripped or felt his head start to pound with pain.

-

Dani dragged her tool box off the shelf, awkwardly adjusting her gloves as she tucked it under her arm. Her boots thunked against the concrete ground of Oto's definitely-not-stolen bunker as she walked to the exit, forcing the doors to open despite the rust as she went to fix the old rain water collection system yet again.

It was oddly cold, despite how bright the sun seemed in the pale blueish green of the sky. It almost tempted Dani back into the bunker to retrieve her coat, but she resisted as she thought about the lecture it'd surely get her for opening and closing the door so much. She walked through the sand towards their rain collectors, immediately recognizing the problem the second she was facing them.

There was a man face flat in a fallen barrel, actively bleeding, and also a lot of sand in the tarps. The sand would be very annoying when she got to it later.

-

Finbar finished braiding Elyse's hair, opening his mouth to tell her only to stop as he realized she had fallen asleep against him, her bowl still in her lap. He gently took the bowl from her, setting it down by the fire and taking her into his arms. Coriander followed after them, ignoring the bowl despite the food scraps.

He brought her to their tent, placing her within on her sleeping bag. He slowly removed her boots so they wouldn't make her uncomfortable, and then removed her jacket so the zipper wouldn't press into her skin when she inevitably rolled onto her stomach as she slept. He unzipped the sleeping bag to put her inside carefully, zipping it back in.

Coriander sat next to her, as vigilant of a guard as any good girl could be. Finbar gave her a few pats, leaving her in the tent with Elyse to go clean their campsite before he joined them.

-

Vhas wadded through the river slowly, trying not to disturb the fish too much as he got slowly closer to where a few were eating, a smirk on his face. He stood still once he was close enough, letting the majority that had darted away in response start to return.

He had his eyes on the biggest fish, knowing all the meals it'd give him and all the useful bones it had. He readied his hands, watching as it slowly returned to resume eating. He waited longer after that, letting himself become just another weird thing in the water to the fish.

And he grabbed the fish! It trashed, but Vhas thinks he got a pretty good hold on- and it immediately slipped out of his hands. Vhas frantically tried to grab it again, accidentally smacking it back up into the air. During its second attempt at returning from the air to the water, it lands on Vhas's face, sending him falling backwards and it back into the river to dart away to safety.

[militantinremission]

Volodomyr Zelenskyy's time is up. His Term of Office actually ended in May 2024, but he has undermined his competition from contention. His arrogance has cost him Donbas & a large tract of The Black Sea. Donald Trump believes that he can cash in on Ukraine's Rare Earth Minerals, but the lion's share of those minerals are in Eastern Territories under Russian control. Ukraine has lost over One Million Soldiers & have been reduced to kidnapping middle aged men off the street; to fortify their Military against a force of roughly 900,000 Russian Soldiers. The American Public is tired of watching 100s of Billions of Our tax dollars go to the Military Industrial Complex & Ukrainian Oligarchs, while We travel along Roads, Bridges, & Tunnels in need of repair. Flint & Detroit Mi. are STILL waiting for that $2B Water Filtration System... People have short memories, so i'm reposting this Essay to remind Everyone how We got here.

-This could've been avoided 3 Years ago.

[cloudwaters]

Commercial & Residential Filtration: Everything You Need to Know

Water is life   but not all water is created equal. Whether at home or in a bustling restaurant, ensuring clean and safe drinking water is vital. This is where commercial and residential filtration systems come into play. Let’s dive deep into the world of filtration, from the basics of RO technology to the innovations transforming our access to clean water.

What Is Water Filtration?

Water filtration removes impurities and contaminants like chlorine, sediments, and bacteria from water. This can be achieved using various technologies, including mechanical filters, chemical processes, or membrane systems. The result? Safer, better-tasting water for everyday use.

Difference Between Commercial and Residential Filtration

Importance of RO Technology

Reverse Osmosis (RO) has become a gold standard for filtration. Using a semi-permeable membrane, RO systems effectively remove up to 99% of contaminants, including dissolved solids and heavy metals, ensuring pure and refreshing water.

Benefits of RO Filtration

Key Products in Filtration Industry

RO Filter Manufacturers

Leading manufacturers focus on innovation, reliability, and sustainability, producing filters that meet international quality standards.

Inline Filters

Inline filters are compact yet powerful, ideal for refrigerators, water coolers, and under-sink setups, ensuring uninterrupted filtration on demand.

RO Membrane Housing

Membrane housing protects the core of RO systems. Made from durable materials like ABS or stainless steel, it ensures consistent performance under high pressure.

Understanding Inline Filters

Inline filters are versatile, connecting directly to water supply lines. Their simple installation and maintenance make them a favorite for both residential and light commercial setups.

Common Applications

Top Features to Look for in RO Filters

When shopping for a filter, consider these factors:

Choosing the Right RO Filter Manufacturer

A reliable manufacturer ensures peace of mind. Look for:

Applications of Commercial Filtration Systems

In commercial settings, filtration systems support:

Residential Filtration Solutions

Home systems are tailored for simplicity and effectiveness:

Environmental Impact of RO Filtration

While effective, RO systems often waste some water. Manufacturers are now creating low-waste options and advocating for recycled filters.

Future Trends in Water Filtration Technology

With IoT-enabled devices, you can track your water quality in real-time. Eco-friendly filters aim to reduce the environmental impact, ensuring clean water without the guilt.

Conclusion

Clean water is essential   whether you’re at home or running a business. By investing in reliable filtration systems, you not only protect your health but also contribute to a sustainable future. Choose wisely and stay informed about new technologies to meet your specific needs.

Contact Us: 9825944828 Company Name: Cloud International LLP Visit Official Site: https://cloudwater.in/ Company Email id: info@cloudwater.in

[uraandri]

i had a dream i was working as an officer (?) at a dam with a task of cleaning the river passing through it from all the junk and trash that people would throw in it and it was a really important job and we had really fancy equipment that could determine the size of the trash chunks trying to pass through the dam and how to more easily break them up so that they could pass through the filtration system and then be stored somewhere else (idk i was not in charge of that part, just making sure that the trash does not damage the dam and the equipment) and onenevening we had all alarms blaring cause of a really big chunk and we soon realised that the speed and the force it was trying to move through the dam was too great for the current waterflow and through satelite imaging (why satelite?) we could see a giant hand with 5 fingers in the reservoir readying for a strike at the dam beneath the surface and suddenly there was a hole in the dam and we all rushed to engage safety mechanism but whatever it was trying to get through the hole so it was preventing the water from rushing out and we couldn't really do anything so we all went outside to look and we saw a truck head acting as a head of a monster with it's neck and choulder stuck in the hole (and it was glowing in the dark and growling??) so all we could do was just look in disbelief but the thing is there was only 8 of us at the dam and i guess we made calls cause at dawn another officer came while i was making the premises and i got really pissed off cause i saw him talking to one of the workers cause nobody informed me that he came and then suddenly he shot the worker he was talking to and then shot at me but i jumped into the river and swam all the way to the city where a bunch of people kept looking at me even though i changed into dry clothes and i entered a church to try and figure out where to go and then he was there waiting for me so we went through a church procession discussing the fact he already knew everything about me and that he killed everybody else and that i'll be blamed unless i work for him

[narrativeglitch]

PANDORA EDUCATIONAL OUTPOST: STUDENT ORIENTATION BRIEF

BEA Program | Bureau of Education & Astrobiologica Advancement CONFIDENTIAL: Authorized Student Access Only

ARRIVAL & ENTRY ZONE

Landing Pad & Docking Bay

Primary shuttle drop-off and departure point.

Please remain inside designated zones until cleared by a BEA field officer.

Airlock Tunnel + Decontamination Chambers

You will pass through a double-sealed airlock with air filtration to transition from Pandora’s atmosphere.

Standard post-cryosleep medical checks will be conducted here.

Emergency oxygen masks and airlock re-breach protocols are posted at all entry doors.

 BASE LAYOUT OVERVIEW

The BEA Outpost is compact and modular, designed for both safety and immersive study. All areas are connected by the Central Hallway, a reinforced glass corridor that runs through the spine of the facility. You’ll notice local bioluminescent plants growing along the corridor please do not tap the glass.

HOUSING QUARTERS (EAST WING)

Student Dorm Pods

Each student is assigned a private climate controlled pod.

Each unit includes a bed, storage compartment, personal interface terminal, and clear ceiling panels for observing Pandora’s sky.

You are expected to maintain your space. Random inspections occur monthly.

Common Lounge & Cafeteria

Shared zone with seating, holo-screen, vending units, and a communal kitchen.

Please clean up after yourself. remember, this is a long term, small space cohort.

Late night use is permitted but monitored.

Staff Quarters

Located on a separate level. Student entry not permitted unless escorted or cleared.

EDUCATION & RESEARCH WING (SOUTH WING)

Lab Classrooms

You will attend sessions on xeno-biology, botany, exo-ecology, and ethical field research here.

Protective gear is required in sample handling areas.

Tech Bay

For drone deployment, scanning equipment, and technical diagnostics. Handle all devices with care.

Students may sign up for supervised access hours.

Sample Processing Rooms

Clean rooms used for handling flora and biological samples. Entry is limited to cleared students and aides.

Conference Pod

Used for Earth communications, video briefings, and group discussions.

MEDICAL WING (NORTH WING)

Med Bay & Recovery Suite

Two-bed care unit monitored by Dr. Amsel.

Used for cryosleep recovery and minor injuries.

Isolation Unit

Reserved for quarantine or high risk exposure cases.

Medical Storage

Backup suits, oxygen tanks, and emergency kits stored here. Not for student use unless instructed.

OBSERVATION & INTEGRATION WING (WEST WING)

Glass Dome Observation Deck

Open-access deck overlooking the forest canopy. A quiet space for reflection or sketching.

Please avoid leaving food, tools, or shoes in this area.

Cultural Archive Room

Interactive learning center with Na’vi approved media.

Holograms, oral histories, and recorded rituals for approved study only.

Student Aide Alcove (Miles Socorro & Melissa Rivera)

Field notes are logged here. You may be called upon to assist or consult with them regarding etiquette, travel readiness, or interspecies protocol.

UTILITIES & SUPPORT STRUCTURES

Engineering & Mechanics Bay

Staffed by senior engineers. Occasionally used for student support roles.

Home to atmospheric regulation systems and backup generator modules.

Greenhouse Dome

Grows Pandora-compatible and Earth crops. Students may be assigned upkeep tasks.

Water Filtration Hub

Pulls and purifies stream water for base use. Scheduled checks daily.

Air Supply Hub

Check your oxygen canister here every morning before exiting the outpost. Filter replacements are logged.

Security Posts & Satellite Tower

No formal military presence on-site.

Tranquilizer towers are for wildlife deterrent only.

The satellite tower is restricted to senior staff and Earth communication liaisons.

FINAL REMINDERS

No student is permitted to leave the outpost boundaries without authorization, oxygen gear, and a partner.

Always log your movements with the duty officer.

Respect Na’vi territory, customs, and the delicate balance of Eywa’s world.

Curiosity is encouraged. Carelessness is not.

Welcome to Pandora. Let it change you, but don’t try to change it.

(Thinking about doing some OC commentary from the students on this, On a roll. I might do some more )

[hotheadrednecksimmer]

Vault Tec Legacy Challenge

In the Overseer's Office

Jameson: They've been gone for well over a month! What are we going to do?

Saylor: I'm not sure, I'm still adjusting to Alexia's notes and reading through all she wrote over the span of 15 years.

Ben: I'm not sure there's much else to do except keep the Vault running and taking care of the Dwellers.

Jameson: Keep going on like as if they never were apart of the Vault? That's my wife.

Ben: Are you going to leave the Vault and go searching for her and leave your kids without a mom and a dad?

Jameson: That's not fair.

Ben: That would be the only option other than to keep on living, Jameson.

Jameson: You've got a lot of nerve to get smart with me.

Saylor: That's enough from both of you.

Ben and Jameson stare at each other with sour faces.

Saylor: Unfortunately, there is not a lot of options for us to do other than to keep on living. I don't want to send anyone else out in the Wasteland and potentially lose them too.

Jameson: So, are we just assuming that Ellis and ... *Jameson pauses looking at the ground* Alexia ... are ... are dead?

Ben: I don't think that we necessarily have to assume that they're dead, just not here.

Saylor shifts in her chair: We have other issues. I'm hesitant to even say this but according to what I've read from Al's notes, the generator that powers the Vault has never ran more than 50% capacity. The power flickers are getting worse. The two people that were engineers and knew how to fix it left.

Ben: I could start doing research and possibly find a manual about how the generator works?

Saylor: I couldn't find one. I've already looked.

Jameson: Al always kept that kinda stuff in her terminal.

Saylor: I'm still going through her notes, maybe I'll find something soon.

Jameson: If you find something or hear something from Al and Ellis, let me know. I'm gonna go find Mabel and Bellamy.

Saylor: Will do.

Saylor and Ben move to the couch in the Overseer Office.

Saylor: I'm sure they are still alive and still searching for things to help the Vault and Kenzie. I can't imagine that they would come back empty handed.

Ben: Knowing Alexia, she's stubborn as hell and determined.

Saylor: She's going to come back and be okay. I have to believe that.

Ben: Is it true about the generator?

Saylor: Yeah, it's true. No wonder Al was so stressed out. I didn't realize how much she had on her plate. As I go through her notes, it just keeps piling on with responsibilities and more things breaking. She installed a water filtration system herself a couple years ago because the water was only filled halfway.

Ben: It lost that much water within 10 years of us living in the Vault?

Saylor: Yeah, it's not a very good system. Al really did improve it. I don't know what we're going to do without her.

Ben: We'll manage and hope for the best. That's all we can do, right?

Saylor: She can't be dead. She's my best friend, I can't do this without her.

Ben: She's going to come back, she's going to be okay, honey. She's too stubborn to die out there in the Wasteland. She'll survive out of spite, surely.

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ First | Previous | Next

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Updated Character List

[watercoolersingapore]

Types of Water Dispensers Available in Singapore 

Clean and easily accessible drinking water is essential for every home and workplace in Singapore. With the country's hot and humid climate, staying hydrated is a priority, making water dispensers a convenient and practical solution. However, with so many options available in the market, choosing the right water dispenser can be overwhelming. In this guide, we’ll explore the different types of water dispensers available in Singapore to help you make an informed decision.

1. Bottled Water Dispensers

Bottled water dispensers are one of the most common options, especially in offices and commercial spaces. These dispensers use large refillable water bottles (usually 5 to 19 liters) and provide hot and cold water on demand.

2. Mains-Connected (Piped-In) Water Dispensers

Also known as direct piping dispensers, these units are connected directly to a water supply and filter tap water before dispensing it. They are popular in homes and offices looking for a hassle-free and cost-effective solution.

3. Countertop Water Dispensers

For those with limited space, countertop water dispensers are a great option. These compact units can be either bottled or mains-connected and fit conveniently on kitchen counters or office pantries.

4. Wall-Mounted Water Dispensers

Wall-mounted dispensers are often used in public areas like schools, hospitals, and commercial buildings. These dispensers are directly connected to the main water supply and feature advanced filtration systems.

5. Instant Hot and Cold Water Dispensers

If you want quick access to both hot and cold water, an instant water dispenser is a great investment. These dispensers often come with built-in temperature controls, making them ideal for tea, coffee, or even baby formula preparation.

Which Water Dispenser is Right for You?

Choosing the right water dispenser depends on your specific needs, budget, and available space. If convenience and cost-effectiveness are priorities, a mains-connected dispenser is a great long-term investment. However, if mobility and flexibility are essential, a bottled or countertop dispenser might be a better fit.

Regardless of your choice, always consider features like filtration, energy efficiency, and maintenance requirements to ensure you get the best value for your investment.

If you’re looking for the best water dispensers in Singapore, explore trusted brands and compare features to find the perfect one for your lifestyle. Stay hydrated and enjoy the convenience of clean drinking water at your fingertips!

[parknonwovenindia]

Breathe Easy: The Science Behind Breather Fabric

Introduction

In today's fast-paced world, comfort and functionality are paramount. One innovative material that's revolutionizing various industries is breather fabric. Let's delve into the science behind this remarkable fabric and explore its diverse applications.

What is Breather Fabric?

Breather fabric is a specialized textile engineered to allow air and moisture to pass through while preventing water and other liquids from penetrating. This unique property is achieved through a combination of factors:

Porous Structure: The fabric's structure contains microscopic pores that allow air and moisture molecules to pass through.

Hydrophobic Properties: The fabric's surface repels water, preventing it from being absorbed.

The Science Behind Breather Fabric

The breathability of a fabric depends on several factors, including:

Fiber Type: Synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon are often used in breather fabrics due to their durability and moisture-wicking properties.

Weaving Technique: The way fibers are woven together influences the fabric's porosity and breathability.

Finishing Treatments: Chemical treatments can enhance a fabric's water resistance and breathability.

Applications of Breather Fabric

Breather fabric has a wide range of applications, including:

Apparel: Used in athletic wear, outdoor gear, and everyday clothing to keep you cool, dry, and comfortable.

Automotive Interiors: Used in car seats and headliners to prevent moisture buildup and mold growth.

Medical Devices: Used in wound dressings and medical garments to promote healing and prevent infection.

Industrial Applications: Used in filtration systems, protective clothing, and other industrial products.

Benefits of Breather Fabric

Enhanced Comfort: Allows your skin to breathe, preventing sweat buildup and discomfort.

Moisture Management: Wicks away moisture, keeping you dry and reducing the risk of skin irritation.

Temperature Regulation: Helps maintain a comfortable body temperature by allowing excess heat to escape.

Durability: Resists wear and tear, ensuring long-lasting performance.

Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of applications, from casual wear to high-performance gear.

Conclusion

Breather fabric is a testament to the innovation and ingenuity of textile technology. By understanding the science behind this remarkable material, we can appreciate its many benefits and choose products that enhance our comfort and well-being.

sales@parknonwoven.com 0124-4816111 Corporate Office: Park Non Woven Pvt. Ltd., Gurugram, HR

[aetherceuse]

An exasperating day of meeting with shareholders and regional representatives always left Lusamine drained. It required a great deal of masking to manage these interactions— a perfectly practiced fake personality. The adoring, charismatic Lusamine Delacroix that so many people were captivated by. Her patient smile was always on her face during public appearances, and in interviews. Once the cameras were no longer broadcasting a livestream, paperwork was signed, and meetings came to an end with a firm handshake, the false persona was dropped, her expression and demeanor once more becoming flat, and cold.

A phone call with a professor from Hoenn had been especially draining. Birch was a brilliant scholar, but his jubilant demeanor was too reminiscent of one man that she already had to get rid of.

[ Audio suggestion: Ambiance + OST played simultaneously ]

In the evening hours, the Aether Paradise was quiet. The last of the employees had already clocked out and left their stations. Electronic hums and the white noise created by the air filtration systems were interrupted by Lusamine’s heels clacking against tile. Using her fingerprint to unlock a door, she slips into a quieter room, and locks it behind herself.

Ceiling to floor aquarium glass covered three out of four of the walls in the small study. When Lusamine did not want to be found in her presidential office, she often hid in here, where the lights were dimmer, and the sounds of deep water from behind the glass steadied her thoughts. She takes in a full breathe, and exhales, heavy, weary eyes staring at a large, aged Relicanth that mindlessly swims along the glass— eyes then moving over to watch the endlessly long tendrils dragging off of a passing Jellicent.

In these isolated spaces, away from humankind, she finds a semblance of truth and understanding. She finds beautiful things.

As she takes a few steps towards a lounge in the corner for her to sit in, Lusamine’s eyes catch something that the average person would not notice: a subtle distortion in front of the glass, similar to the waves produced by a heat mirage. And, just as she begins to zone in on it, the distortion shifts a few inches to the left.

Lusamine gives a tired, annoyed frown. It isn’t a curious face, no, it is a knowing one. She moves in, reaching down and putting her hand out—

“You should be asleep,” Lusamine states flatly.

Upon contact with her hand, the invisible interruption twitches and becomes seen— two large, sheepish green eyes framed by delicate blonde hair— diamond-shaped pupils staring upwards. Her cloaking skills still— needed work, and always failed when she was startled, or tense. An unexpected interaction with her mother always succeeded in making her nervous.

“— I uhm, I was,” the young girl speaks up, and she is cut short by the hand on her head being remove— instead, Lusamine holds her finger up, instructing the child to hush.

“Lillie,” Lusamine mutters in that same monotone voice, and the little girl turns her head down apologetically, mirroring her mothers usual habit of bringing her hands behind her back, wringing them, and tapping the floor with the tip of her toe. Lillie was only wearing socks, and her white pajamas.

The study could only be accessed via the fingerprint of either Lusamine, or one of her foundation managers. Lillie, logically speaking, must had snuck behind whoever had been in here last, and used her supernatural ability to conceal herself in order to evade being caught.

It was one of the many other budding talents that the young spawn of an Ultra Human possessed.

Normally, this is where Lusamine’s intrigue would be directed, but in this case, she is far too tired to ask Lillie questions about this incident.

A sigh, and she brings her hand to the child’s back, ushering her to the door. While doing so, Lusamine calls for Wicke to collect the girl; Wicke was always on speed dial on her Rotom Phone, and spent a great deal of time nannying Lillie, when the girl was not the subject of her mother’s studies and observations.

“Your cloaking capabilities have obviously improved since last time,” Lusamine utters, pinching the bridge of her nose and rubbing at her face some. Awaiting the child’s response, she continues to speak, “I will make arrangements for an appointment with your specialist.”

Not a word from Lillie, who wordlessly stood there, on the edge of a panic attack.

Such a low key interaction with her mother— yet she behaved as if something worse were to happen. The child is red in the face, eyes tearing up from anxiety. Eventually, Lusamine turns around, still expecting Lillie’s response, but no words come— the girl shakes her head a few times, pointing to her throat, and then brings her hands up to sign:

<< I was looking for you. >>

Lusamine pauses, and nods.

Right. Lillie had developed a habit of losing her voice when scared. This developed shortly after Mohn disappeared.

She lowers herself down some to meet Lillie’s face, and signs back:

<< You should not wander the building by yourself. >>

Lusamine shakes her head as well, and then points up to the ceiling. She, and Lillie, both look up, and stare at the camera pointed down at them. They then make eye contact with one another, and Lusamine continues.

<< I can see where you are. You are okay. Now you have to sleep. >>

Lillie stands still for a moment, and then nods a few times to agree, wiping her face with the sleeve of her pajamas. And then, naturally— she leans in and clings to her mother’s leg for comfort.

And Lusamine simply. . . Stands still, and stares down at the child.

She was just another controlled factor in the grand scheme of things.

Even when Lillie is a superior spawn to her older brother— even when she is a perfect recreation of Lusamine Delacroix’s own extraterrestrial DNA, the maternal drive to care, comfort and love, is simply not there.

She folds her hands behind her back, and awaits Wicke to collect the girl, breaking the eye contact and staring aimlessly down the hallway of sterile white.

—

Lillie Delacroix has been added to the interaction roster.