#beehive monitoring

[inexplicifics]

Imma be cheeky and let you choose cause I can't

G/J mob AU

G/J pirate!Geralt

or

anything involving Eskel cause I love him 😅

Also don't worry about the amount of WIPs... Cause same and I have them for more than one fandom as well... Legit over a 100 WIPs 😅 (I counted once)

Have some mob AU, then! I have no idea where it's going or, indeed, if the Wolves really are part of the mob!

Voltehre is, as usual, talking quietly on his headset while tapping through surveillance footage from across the city. “Yes, love, but if it needs to be mixed with TNT to be stable then I think maybe it’s a bad idea,” Geralt overhears as he approaches. “And I do prefer you without too many extra holes, you know.” Geralt snorts softly, and Voltehre looks up with a grin. “Hey, Wolf,” he says easily. “What brings you to my hive?” It does look a little like a beehive, really, all the monitors in their careful pattern around Voltehre’s standing desk. Geralt leans against the end of the desk with the least electronic clutter on it. “Need you to look into someone for me.” “Sure,” Voltehre says. “Who?”

[dandelionsresilience]

Good News - August 15-21

Like these weekly compilations? Tip me at $kaybarr1735 or check out my new(ly repurposed) Patreon!

1. Smart hives and dancing robot bees could boost sustainable beekeeping

“[Researchers] developed a digital comb—a thin circuit board equipped with various sensors around which bees build their combs. Several of these in each hive can then transmit data to researchers, providing real-time monitoring. [… Digital comb] can [also] be activated to heat up certain parts of a beehive […] to keep the bees warm during the winter[…. N]ot only have [honeybee] colonies reacted positively, but swarm intelligence responds to the temperature changes by reducing the bees' own heat production, helping them save energy.”

2. Babirusa pigs born at London Zoo for first time

“Thanks to their gnarly tusks […] and hairless bodies, the pigs are often called "rat pigs" or "demon pigs” in their native Indonesia[….] “[The piglets] are already looking really strong and have so much energy - scampering around their home and chasing each other - it’s a joy to watch. They’re quite easy to tell apart thanks to their individual hair styles - one has a head of fuzzy red hair, while its sibling has a tuft of dark brown hair.””

3. 6,000 sheep will soon be grazing on 10,000 acres of Texas solar fields

“The animals are more efficient than lawn mowers, since they can get into the nooks and crannies under panel arrays[….] Mowing is also more likely to kick up rocks or other debris, damaging panels that then must be repaired, adding to costs. Agrivoltaics projects involving sheep have been shown to improve the quality of the soil, since their manure is a natural fertilizer. […] Using sheep instead of mowers also cuts down on fossil fuel use, while allowing native plants to mature and bloom.”

4. Florida is building the world's largest environmental restoration project

“Florida is embarking on an ambitious ecological restoration project in the Everglades: building a reservoir large enough to secure the state's water supply. […] As well as protecting the drinking water of South Floridians, the reservoir is also intended to dramatically reduce the algae-causing discharges that have previously shut down beaches and caused mass fish die-offs.”

5. The Right to Repair Movement Continues to Accelerate

“Consumers can now demand that manufacturers repair products [including mobile phones….] The liability period for product defects is extended by 12 months after repair, incentivising repairs over replacements. [… M]anufacturers may need to redesign products for easier disassembly, repair, and durability. This could include adopting modular designs, standardizing parts, and developing diagnostic tools for assessing the health of a particular product. In the long run, this could ultimately bring down both manufacturing and repair costs.”

6. Federal Judge Rules Trans Teen Can Play Soccer Just In Time For Her To Attend First Practice

“Today, standing in front of a courtroom, attorneys for Parker Tirrell and Iris Turmelle, two transgender girls, won an emergency temporary restraining order allowing Tirrell to continue playing soccer with her friends. […] Tirrell joined her soccer team last year and received full support from her teammates, who, according to the filing, are her biggest source of emotional support and acceptance.”

7. Pilot study uses recycled glass to grow plants for salsa ingredients

“"We're trying to reduce landfill waste at the same time as growing edible vegetables," says Andrea Quezada, a chemistry graduate student[….] Early results suggest that the plants grown in recyclable glass have faster growth rates and retain more water compared to those grown in 100% traditional soil. [… T]he pots that included any amount of recyclable glass [also] didn't have any fungal growth.”

8. Feds announce funding push for ropeless fishing gear that spares rare whales

“Federal fishing managers are promoting the use of ropeless gear in the lobster and crab fishing industries because of the plight of North Atlantic right whales. […] Lobster fishing is typically performed with traps on the ocean bottom that are connected to the surface via a vertical line. In ropeless fishing methods, fishermen use systems such an inflatable lift bag that brings the trap to the surface.”

9. Solar farms can benefit nature and boost biodiversity. Here’s how

“[… M]anaging solar farms as wildflower meadows can benefit bumblebee foraging and nesting, while larger solar farms can increase pollinator densities in surrounding landscapes[….] Solar farms have been found to boost the diversity and abundance of certain plants, invertebrates and birds, compared to that on farmland, if solar panels are integrated with vegetation, even in urban areas.”

10. National Wildlife Federation Forms Tribal Advisory Council to Guide Conservation Initiatives, Partnerships

“The council will provide expertise and consultation related to respecting Indigenous Knowledges; wildlife and natural resources; Indian law and policy; Free, Prior and Informed Consent[… as well as] help ensure the Federation’s actions honor and respect the experiences and sovereignty of Indigenous partners.”

August 8-14 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

[bbanghiitomi]

| i think you're something i have been looking for

synopsis: one day your sister sends you a google document link to their position paper because she needs your help, you have no idea that she had a partner for the essay and that you didn't change your email account.

— nonidol!sportsjourn!mdanielle! × nonidol!athlete!fem!reader

(⁠ ⁠´⁠◡⁠‿⁠ゝ⁠◡⁠`⁠)(⁠ ⁠´⁠◡⁠‿⁠ゝ⁠◡⁠`⁠)(⁠ ⁠´⁠◡⁠‿⁠ゝ⁠◡⁠`⁠)(⁠ ⁠´⁠◡⁠‿⁠ゝ⁠◡⁠`)

BEEHIVE tavern

minji: [sent an attachment]

minji: y/n YOU LOOK GOOD

minji: finally!!!

y/n: fuck you mean by that?

hanni: SHE'S GONNA BE ON REGIONALSSS

hanni: i'm so proud you have an achievement other than being hopeless romantic!!

y/n: when can i actually get a compliment without an ill intent?

y/n: and thanks btw, this is like my 10th regionals my whole table tennis career

y/n: doubt i'd get any further, i always lose when i'm about to get a spot

minji: this is your time to change that!!!

minii: plus, you can't just weep when you've won. you're gonna be the talk of the region once you reach nationals!!!

hanni: IKR you can't keep being negative, just grab the chance!

hanni: you might meet the one in the regionals!!!

y/n: how many times have you said that???

y/n: thanks guys, that's why i always do my best during training.

y/n: i'll try reaching for the nationals spot, promise.

minji: we appreciate your hardwork bro! you're like super busy with training and such!

minji: and we want those hours of hardwork to be worth it!

hanni: ya plus, you really deserve it this time!

hanni: if you need something you can always ask us!

"unnie! come here!" you look up from your phone to the living room where your sister is sitting on the couch on her laptop for something. you sigh before standing up from the dining table chair and making your way to the living room with your phone. "what's up?" you ask, standing beside the couch, darting your eyes on your sister who is leaning on the laptop. her face is almost close to smothering the monitor of her laptop. "don't sit like that, do you want to be a shrimp forever?" you tell your sister before putting a hand on her back, causing her to stir and sit straight, looking up to you.

"oh hi!" youngseo sighs before turning the laptop for you to see. "unnie, can you help me? i've been working on this position paper for a while but i really can't take a grasp of it." you nod and take the laptop to read what your sister has written so far.

"i assume this is a position paper?" you ask, youngseo's face lights up and she nodded.

"yeah! we were asked to pick an editorial cartoon and make two positions for it, then choose one and make a position paper out of it." youngseo answers, she leans on the couch and scratches her cheeks, pursing her lips. you nod as you read the paper, apparently it's about the spread of fake information with the use of social media — having some experience in writing before, you expected the paper to be a lot more easier.

with that in mind, you turn to look at your sister with pure confusion. "what's so hard about this? it's just a position paper." you tell your sister who then sighs and shakes her head. "no! you don't get it! we were given a 10 page format for the paper, i really did think too that it was easy but it's not." youngseo protests, shrugging and standing up, she walks next to you and gives you a side hug. "come on unnie! please help me..." she whispers and buries her head to your shoulder.

you couldn't help but sigh of course, you still have the laptop in your arms and you look at your sister. "i'm really worried about you, what if i wasn't here?" you tell her with a chuckle, the younger girl pouts and sticks out her tongue. "but you're here and you have no choice." she lets go of you and you take it as a chance to place the laptop on the coffee table and cross your arms.

"alright, i'll help. send me the format and this google document link." you tell your sister who nods and smiles brightly at you. "thank you so much sis!" she laughs and claps her hands. you shake your head in faux disbelief. "make sure to check out the document and be updated." you remind her before leaving and making your way to your room which was upstairs.

"okay unnie! i love you!" you hear your younger sister as you leave.

it's funny, you really did have good intentions for your sister when you finally received the link of the document and the paper format — youngseo was right, the formatting of the position paper required was different than the usual, it followed certain paragraph forms that aren't usually used.

when you opened the google document link, you started editing some stuff and entering new paragraphs, making sure you follow the format and the right grammar — the thing is, you didn't know that you were using an email account you didn't mean to use.

minji'spinkytoe@gmail.com

another thing is that, you didn't know another person beside you was making edits and writing on the same document. your sister had never mentioned that the work she was doing that you were now working on was a project that is done by pair.

"minji's pinky toe..? is this youngseo?" a certain girl behind the account: mdaniellebasiceduc@hybe.com muttered under her breath, they've been working on this project for almost 1 week as the allotted time for the work is 1 month, in those 7 days she and jiwoo shared — the girl had never used this account and have been using her school account.

now this account that is sharing the same document as she was is an account she had never seen before, not only the name was questionable but it's also quite peculiar how much work the person behind the account has done in just a span of an hour — usually youngseo would be asking several questions and will take time before writing a new paragraph just to make sure she's doing the right thing.

danielle scrolls to the recent paragraph that the account is currently working on.

your eyes spots the anonymous puppy in the document and squints your eyes. "is youngseo active?" you look up to see there's another account working on the paper and click on it to see the email.

"huh?" you whisper to yourself. you watch as the person starts typing out a sentence besides the one you just finished.

youngseo? why is your email account named like that?

"like what?" you ask yourself before clicking to check the email you're using and to your surprise, you immediately gasp as your eyes lands on the account that hanni made in your laptop. "oh my god, what is this?" you start to panic realizing that the person in the same document might have thought that youngseo is the one behind the email account.

"holy shit..." you mutter before typing an answer to danielle's question.

oh my god, i'm sorry i was using the account my sister's friend made.

danielle blinked as the anonymous raccoon finally answered.

you couldn't help but sigh and slap yourself due to embarrassment and now you'll hear youngseo whining into your ears for putting her on an awkward situation.

BEEHIVE TAVERN

y/n: dude what the fuck?

y/n: [sent an attachment]

hanni: LMFAOOOO what's the context?

y/n: don't you ask my ass you know what's up.

hanni: what?

minji: what's the matter?

y/n: dude hanni made an account on my laptop named minji'spinkytoe and youngseo's classmate saw it.

hanni: NO WAY LMFAOOOO

minji: bro what the fuck? my what? ಠ⁠_⁠ʖ⁠ಠ

hanni: ur pinky toe.

minji: hanni what the fuck!!??

hanni: look it's supposed to be a joke since you sent me a pic of your toe.

hanni: and ofc i didn't know ms. lee right here wouldn't notice.

y/n: how am i supposed to know? ಥ⁠‿⁠ಥ

y/n: my sis asked me to help her with her paper and i didn't know someone else besides her was working on the document.

minji: DUDE WHY MY TOE ┻⁠┻⁠︵⁠ヽ⁠(⁠`⁠Д⁠´⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠︵⁠┻⁠┻

minji: why not y/n's toe instead?

hanni: cause it's funny okay!!?? →⁠(⁠°⁠ ⁠۝ ⁠°⁠)⁠┗

y/n: youngseo's gonna scream on my ears tonight (⁠●⁠´⁠⌓⁠`⁠●⁠)

turns out you really weren't wrong because as soon as you got downstairs your sister suddenly appeared as if she was teleporting. "youngseo—!" you're caught off guard and your sister crosses her arms on her chest with a sharp glare. "why did you use that horrible account?" she asks.

"youngseo look, hanni made that account and i accidentally used it because i didn't know!" you explain watching as she turns her back to you and walks upstairs to your father's office with her feet stomping on the floor. "hey don't tell dad!" you tell her but she turns around to you with a frown. "then why did you tell dani that it was me using it?" you laugh sheepishly and shrugged.

"cause i didn't want her to think you're letting your sister do the work." you answer, youngseo takes some deep breaths and raises her hand to your face. "keep it, thank you for your help but starting tomorrow i will be working on that paper again." she tells you and leaves to enter her room, leaving you confused with her sudden change of mood.

marsh danielle

youngseo: hey dani, i was just gonna say it was actually my sister who was using that account.

youngseo: i asked for her help and lent her the google document.

youngseo: she just really has the most annoying friends ever.

danielle: hey youngseo!

danielle: it's alright, i did kind of think it was funny tho...

youngseo: yeah she's goofy and stupid.

danielle: her name's y/n right? and your youngest sis is hyein?

youngseo: yup, why?

danielle: nothing, i heard your older sis is joining the regional table tennis competition and might make it to the national team.

youngseo: ohhh yeah, but she has to win the regionals first and then she's going to compete in japan before qualifying for nationals.

danielle: that's awesome! good luck to her.

danielle: i'm competing for the regional journalism competition and i'm covering for sports so i was a bit curious.

youngseo:...so you want to meet her or something?

danielle: yes, kind of.

"oooh isn't that danielle?" hanni's voice rolls inside your ears while you are tying your shoes, you look up at your two friends who are whispering towards each other. "who?" you stand in the middle not too far from the duo who both look at you at the same time. "the sports writer for HYBE chronicles." minji answers, you look towards the girl's direction and then to minji.

"you know her?" you ask, minji shakes her head and looks at hanni. "do you?"

"of course not, she's pretty popular okay? and she's attending your competition for the HYBE chronicles." hanni answers, you look once again to danielle and try to decipher what memory you have that reminds you of her name.

but to no avail, you really don't remember anything.

"her name sounds familiar" you tell your friends who both look at you in unison. hanni laughs as if mocking you, she points her index finger towards you with a smirk. "what? she talked to you before?" she says.

minji raises her brows and looks at you with surprise written on her face. "wait really?"

you roll your eyes and shake your head. "duh, no. i just remembered my sister mentioning it once."

while the three of you talk, danielle turns her head around to spot you out of all the people that are present in the park inside the school premises.

"can i excuse myself for a bit?" danielle asks the people who are also a part of their organization, she gets an approval before she takes her leave and makes her way to you and your friends.

you feel minji nudging your sides and you glare at her. "dude what the hell do you want?" you tell her and notice she's staring right in front of you, hanni also was speaking. you turn your head to see danielle making her way to you with a smile.

"hi! your youngseo's sister right?" danielle asks you and you feel your knees shaking, your shoulders feel stiff under her graze. this must be your sister's classmate, yes you figured it really might be her. you look at your two friends who just had their eyes on you with a worried expression. you smile at danielle before scratching your cheeks and nodding.

"oh yeah, right. i'm her sister, is there anything i can help you with?" you ask danielle who only smiled brighter and even giggled. "wow, i've been hearing a lot about you since the division competition and i was so stoked to see you." minji and hanni exchanged looks as you and danielle stood face to face between the duo. you feel your blood boiling upwards to your cheeks causing it to glow red.

you're super sure you've never seen a girl as pretty as danielle, maybe there were some before but if you were to be really honest it really feels like you're talking to the sun itself with the way the girl glows right in front of your eyes.

it's blinding and even the way she smiles doesn't help it.

"ah, yeah... i'm also excited about it. you're also competing right? for the HYBE chronicles..?" you ask her, sounding so cheesy and sheepish hanni felt like she was about to vomit on the spot, but danielle only nodded and even gave you a small tap on your shoulders.

the way her soft fingers trailed on your blazer caused you to almost fall. almost.

"yes! we're publishing our online newspaper and we'll also take our legacy by printing out these papers and submitting them in an international competition." the way danielle talks about it, made her seem more amazing to your eyes — you barely even know this girl but the way she carried herself almost had you wanting to carry her too, with your not-so-flimsy arms.

"god... that sounds amazing." you barely even understand whatever she was saying but you were sure enough that you knew what that meant: danielle is everyone's it girl.

hanni grimaced at your response and minji couldn't help but chuckle, even putting a hand on her mouth. "i know right? you must feel very happy about yours too, i can't wait to cheer you on! good luck." with that, danielle bid her goodbye and left, leaving you with your two idiotic friends.

"ho! ho! hold on! what was that?" hanni asks, holding her hands to your face with a surprise look on her face, minji shrugs and smiles— seeing your lovestruck face at the encounter with such a gorgeous girl. you smile, blinking your eyes slowly, watching danielle go back to talking with her friends. "i don't know..." you mutter.

"wow, she actually knows you? i didn't expect she'd care." minji laughs, she's kidding actually, it's not like you're not that popular too but she likes messing with you sometimes. "you're pulling girls now?" hanni asks, raising her brow at you, you shake your head and bury your face on your palm, smiling. "no! god leave me alone hanni." you say, but smiling hard as you turn away — the duo looks at each other and shrugs.

"i'm still embarrassed by the fact i used an account named minji's toenail and danielle saw it." you sigh as you plopped down your bed, you had your two amazing friends to stay with you in your room before you go through a long training session for the tournament. minji rolls her eyes at your statement.

"how are you more embarrassed? that's literally my toenail." minji scoffs, earning a laughter from hanni who gripped the edge of your table. "i'm so sorry minji, just don't send photos of your toenail next time alright?" hanni says, wiping a tear from her eyes.

"why not? that was such a silly impression to make." you tell your friends, minji sits next to you on your bed — her weight sinking. "since when did you care about your impression to girls? last time i checked you couldn't even answer a simple mathematical problem to impress a girl." minji crosses her arms on her chest, looking down at you.

"and you used to have stomach aches when a girl talks to you." hanni adds, this causes you to scoff with how true their words are.

yes, you used to never care about your impression on girls even if you'd regret it after since you used to have the biggest and most pathetic crushes on girls you were sure you can never have.

maybe because you've grown or was it really because it's danielle — but you can't ever fuck it up, you don't want to mess this up, there's no way you'll let go of the chance god has given you to crawl your way to danielle's life.

"call it puberty hanni, but i swear i've never seen a girl as pretty as danielle before — not as smart and not as kind." you sit up on your bed and look at your friends, minji scrunches her face at you. "again, how sure are you? you don't even know her." she says. you give minji a deadpan look and answer. "do you? that's why i need to make a good impression and get to know her so we can be friends and eventually i can ask her out."

"i do admire you for considering being friends first with her. but hey, i think you've already made a good impression i mean she did approach you, right?" hanni being a good friend for once says. you look at her and shrug. "really?" you ask.

minji rolls her eyes. "you have a fucked up sense of self-esteem huh? she literally said she's stoked to see you because she's heard of you. she's the head of the sports writing and chief editor of the HYBE chronicles. how will she not have such an impression of you?"

you stand up and look at your friends, your back facing your door as you raise your hands. "woah, you mean i have the chance?" you ask your friends, causing them to grimace together. hanni looks at you with disbelief. "of course you have dumbass!" causing minji to laugh.

"we'll support you in your tournament just in case danielle's present there."

the door opens slightly and your friends all look surprised to see the person behind you, you turn around to follow their gazes only to see danielle standing there with the doorknob in her hand. "oh! sorry, i didn't know where youngseo's room was." you stare at her with no words and smile. "it's okay... you'll sleepover in youngseo's room?" you ask, fully turning your body around and blocking your friends' view of danielle.

"yes, we have another project together and i thought it would be a great idea to stay over for the night." danielle answers, smiling at you brightly — your face lightens up, warmth engulfed your cheeks and ears start to burn red. "really? have you eaten dinner yet?" you ask again, tilting your head with a silly smile. danielle shakes her head and giggles. "not yet, i have just arrived." you put a hand on your cheek and look away. "oh okay, the door next to mine is youngseo's room —"

"danielle! what are you doing there? my sis and her annoying friends are there." youngseo exits her room and looks at you with a deadpan expression. danielle nods and waves at your sister. "oh, i thought this was your room." danielle looks back at you and peeks at your friends waving her hand. "bye guys and..." she looks at your again and taps your shoulder. "bye y/n." before leaving and entering your sister's room.

"oh my god is that danielle!?" hanni stands up from her seat and puts her hands on her head with a surprised look on her face. minji laughs and slaps her thighs. you turn around and close the door with a stupid smile, limply making your way to your bed to throw yourself again. "you should be nice to your sister, she's carrying all these interactions on her back." minji says, patting your back.

you breathe heavily, trying to process the situation with the way danielle touched your shoulder. it felt like a feather fell on your way with how soft her fingers were.

you push yourself up with a determined expression. "i have an idea." you propose.

"you'll cook a meal for youngseo and her friend?" hanni asks, following you as you enter inside the kitchen and starts checking for ingredients around the cabinets. minji stands next to hanni, nodding her head. "no, i'll cook meals for us." you correct her and continue rummaging around any drawers or cabinets you see. "but technically because danielle's here. i mean, when did you cook for us anyway?" minji raises her hands and raises her brows.

"don't forget some nights." you grumble and glare at minji as you prefer the ingredients, minji scrunches her face. "reluctantly." she corrects you.

you ignore her and start chopping garlic and opening the stove, placing the pan on the stove to let it heat while the duo takes their time to gossip together at the kitchen diner table.

"i didn't think about writing academic papers being this hard before, i can usually ace them without doing so much." youngseo sighs as she leans on her coffee table with a small grumble, muttering a curse about how writing papers at their age seems to have been more difficult than it did before. lately, their projects have been revolving around writing lab reports and academic papers such as essays and position papers, even manifestos.

and youngseo is smart herself but usually she's more of a science and mathematics smart not writing smart, good thing she met danielle who's known for her writing wits, whether it may be creative writing or not.

"academic writing is like driving school, there's sets of rules you need to follow and it's really hard to master writing but once you get a hang out of it — you'll find yourself looking for the thrill again and again." danielle says, leaning on the table too and giving the younger lee a bright smile.

"oh, by the way — we haven't had dinner yet and i think there's food downstairs. wanna come?" youngseo stands up and rushes to her door with danielle following her. "okay, i don't mind." she smiles and follows youngseo downstairs where they walk past the living room to the kitchen where they see kim minji and pham hanni discussing personal topics as well as you cooking on the kitchen.

"woah why are you three here?" youngseo asks, walking behind minji who remains seated, while hanni follows youngseo with her gaze— danielle stands at the entrance watching the four girls. "your sister's cooking dinner for us and uh, i personally love her cooking." hanni laughs sheepishly and looks at minji who smiles at danielle and offers her a seat. "yes, i think danielle would love her cooking." minji says, danielle smiles at her and shakes her hand.

youngseo looks at you and to the pasta you're making. "i'm gonna remember this." she whispers and takes a seat beside minji, the three girls start a conversation and danielle makes her way to you. "what are you cooking?" she asks, hands behind her as she sways delicately to the melody of nothing, the delicious smell of the food wafts around the place and danielle just couldn't help but take a peek.

"oh vegetables? i love vegetables!" danielle says, you laugh but still have your eyes on the pan and nod at her. "yeah me too but minji hates them." you say, causing her to giggle too.

"i think it looks great and definitely tastes great too." you nod at her and smile, finally turning your head to look at her — it makes her heart flutter, something that feels nice but new, something she was happy to welcome with open arms.

"of course, i made sure it does." you tell her.

"come on minji, how are you almost 20 and still can't eat vegetables?" hanni grumbles as you all start to eat and you serve minji a plate of pasta without some of the vegetables. minji ignores hanni but earns a laughter from youngseo.

after eating dinner, you ask for all of them to leave as you were about to clean the table and plates but danielle insists on staying to help you out — this was a cue for the two of your friends to drag youngseo out of it. "oh come on! what are you doing you two!?" your sister complains as she was being dragged away.

"that was such a nice dinner, i loved it!" danielle says as she helps you take the plates out of the table, you smile at her and feel the way your blood runs hot to your cheeks, causing you to look down to avoid her gaze.

"thanks, i rarely cook here since our mom does most stuff but she's out with dad so — i kind of thought maybe i'll cook again." you tell danielle as you place the plates on the sink, she looks at you with glimmering eyes. "i did hear youngseo say the same thing before and she mentioned how she likes your cooking too."

"my sister is a little tsundere sometimes you know?" you laugh as you tell that to danielle, she giggles and nods her head. "she's so nice though and smart." danielle adds.

danielle helped you in washing the dishes, you talk about your experiences at the table tennis career of yours, what dreams you have for yourself as well as danielle's life as the chief editor of the HYBE chronicles journalism organization, how her journey started and what traits you share in common.

she's pretty spontaneous but likes to plan ahead cause it excites her, she likes vegetables and loves her family so much, she can get a little stubborn and she's always happy, she wants to bring positive vibes to everyone around her.

you tell her a lot about yourself too, your relationship with youngseo, how much your sport means to you and your friends too, how amazing they are even though you'd rather die than tell that to them cause hanni's gonna make fun of you.

"thanks for tonight." danielle gives her brightest smile, and it's almost like you were given the chance to take a peek of the milky way galaxy from her eyes the way her pupils shine bright lights. you couldn't help but smile too, you nod at her and try to keep looking at her eyes. "yeah, thanks too it's not much but i had so much fun." you stare at her for a while before looking away, both of you standing in the middle of the corridor where your room and your sister's room were located.

the lights were turned off already and the only source of lights were the window where the moonlight was present.

once again, danielle gives your shoulder a light tap to get your attention.

you steel yourself before turning around and you're greeted with her face close to yours. "don't tell this to anyone but — if you ever get the chance to compete in japan, let's go on a date, yeah?" danielle whispers and you feel yourself about to crumble to the floor with how close she was, you blink almost too many times to try and wake yourself up from what kind of dream this was but it wasn't working.

"ah, uhm... yeah, sure..." you mutter, still surprised but danielle couldn't help but giggle at your reaction, seeing how flustered you were.

you feel embarrassed but happy too, yes, you're definitely happy — who wouldn't right?

you began to laugh sheepishly and this had danielle laughing too.

"you're so cute," she pauses and reaches for your cheek to pinch it. "see you tomorrow." she continues before leaving and not even waiting for your response because she knows you wouldn't be able to function after what she did.

"i need to win and get to the nationals!" as soon as you enter inside your room you surprise your two friends with your shouting. "oh my god y/n! can you not do this tonight?" hanni grumbles before standing up and grabbing your shoulders. "what's gone into you?" she stares at your face.

"i need to train tomorrow!" you shake hanni's hands off of you. "18 hours practice, yes that's perfect!" you walk around your room whispering encouragement to yourself that had your two friends thinking you're possessed.

"you should cheer on your sister." danielle says as she enters your sister's room. youngseo sighs and rolls her eyes. "she's such a big baby." youngseo mutters before going back to reading her book, danielle laughs and sits next to youngseo, embracing the younger lee in a hug. "oh—! what's gotten into you? did her crazy friends possess you?" youngseo asks, trying to push danielle off of her.

danielle only smiles, not pulling away. "i just think your presence will help her win... i'll accompany you if you want." danielle looks at youngseo with a persuasive smile.

youngseo gives her a deadpan look before speaking. "you like her don't you?"

danielle laughs and shakes her head. "no!"

"really? danielle don't you dare lie to me!"

"i swear."

"dani...

did you really come here to see her?"

danielle pushes youngseo away.

"no!"

"i doubt it."

"well, yeah maybe a little."

"oh come on dani!" youngseo jumps on danielle on her bed, causing the girl to burst into laughters.

"sorry!"

that night made danielle realize that maybe it's not like something or someone has been missing in her life for a long time, it's just that maybe a part of her is looking for that something as an addition to her life — she needed a bit of color, she found that it might be that she have only realized it when she first saw you, it's not on that day you first saw her on the campus after you embarrassed yourself using your friend's account — but it's has been a long time since that fateful day when you handed her a copy of your textbook, you didn't even bother asking her name or telling yours, it's so funny because you don't even remember that day.

ever since then, danielle has been looking out for another day the gods above will tie your strings together again.

and when that time comes, she'll never let your strings go again.

she's been so patient, always cheering out for you from afar, hoping someday you'll eventually notice her and to her surprise — and to yours, that day brought you two together again as funny as it sounds, it was destined to her eyes, it was meant to be.

[five-rivers]

My Kingdom of Fish poll fiction! Continued from here.

.

After a small amount of dithering, Danny took the cameras. He was here to show his parents the library, and he couldn't do that if they couldn't see it. The ambient array could collect data here as well as anywhere else. The Fenton Finder's 23rd iteration was as buggy as the first. He'd actually done a small amount of sabotage to the ‘self-defense system’ to make it safe to carry around, so… Yeah.

The only things he felt at all bad about leaving were the medical monitors and the environmental safety detectors. Both of those had helped him in the past. The Lost Library was supposed to be safe, though. It wasn't a truce zone or anything, but people didn't go there to fight, and the librarians were supposed to take care of any environmental dangers that popped up (mostly because things that could endanger ghosts could certainly endanger books). The Library of Tongues did that, anyway.

He did have to rearrange and remove some of the cameras, especially the redundant ones and the ones that weren't taking his amplified aura well, so that they fit on his much-reduced frame, but they were made to be serviceable, and soon he was ready.

The coat room, as it turned out, was right behind the reception desk.

“There are doors that aren't visible or that won't open for you unless you're a member or have a badge,” the librarian explained as she put the equipment on a shelf. “Another reason not to lose yours.”

“Where's the way in?” asked Danny.

“This way.”

The librarian led him back around, then to the side of the desk. Here, again, the wall had folded back into a set of doors, this one more ornate.

“The copyist's room attendants will meet you down the hallway,” said the librarian, sitting back down at her desk.

Danny nodded. “Thank you.”

The hallway forked right sharply. A ghost woman with bronze skin and dark hair was waiting there, not far from the corner. There was a spiral on the center of her forehead in what looked like gold wire under her skin. The outside end of it disappeared under her hairline.

“Oh my,” she said, hiding her mouth behind a pair of bell-like sleeves, “you’re so cute. Iphigenia didn’t tell me you were cute.”

Danny made a face.

“Ah! Precious! How old are you?”

“I was fourteen when I died,” said Danny, flatly. “I don’t know why places like this make me tiny, but I’m not.”

“You must be young at heart.”

Danny squinted at her.

“Mm? Are you looking at this?” she asked, pointing at her spiral. Danny shrugged, then nodded. He hadn’t been, not really, but in the interest of changing the subject… “It’s what members of the library have instead of another alteration. It’s like the fires you get at the Library of Tongues.” The spiral moved, retreating, unwinding, vanishing under her hair and then spiraling out onto the palm she offered up to Danny. “It’s called the Lìshǐ Yánxù De Jīn Xiàn, although ghosts from western cultures call it Ariadne’s String. No sense of pride for their work, I swear.” She shook her head. “So, if you get lost, or need help finding something, find someone with one of these, okay? We have a pretty big children's collection, believe it or not.”

“I'm not really a child.”

“Oh! So mature!” She poked his cheek, then stood up and opened the door behind her. “Let’s get you situated.”

The copyist’s room was large and brightly lit, lined with beehive-like cubbies that served as shelving for scrolls. There were several work tables spread throughout the room, and a mid-sized manual printing press. There were two other ghosts in the room. One, a stressed-looking larger man with a curly, box-cut beard, and the other a severely thin, angular man with a long, looping tail.

Both wore guest badges, and both had features that did not seem to match the rest of their appearances. The severe-looking man had large, fluffy, soft-looking wings with feathers that twitched and shifted near constantly. He had a quill badge clipped to the belt of his tunic. The other, larger man had moth antennae and wings, but also enormous, ribbed bat ears. He had not one but two badges attached to his robe-like wrap, the candle and the gong.

“Now,” said the attendant, “I know you said that you wanted to do Ancient Greek to English, and when people say Ancient Greek, they mean Ancient Greek from Life, not old Zone dialects, but the Mausoleum of Macaria tipped into the Acheron a few weeks ago, and were swamped with Elysian, Asphodelian, and Tartarian Greek. Especially Tartarian Greek. Would you mind doing something from one of those? It would be much shorter than what we'd give you in regular Ancient Greek, only a few pages.”

She looked at him hopefully.

“It would really help if you knew any of them,” she added.

[twistedwonderlandshenanigans]

Playing Lethal Company With TWST Cast

idk I was feeling silly ig Heartslaybul

Riddle: - Invested in the lore - Hates mods - Dies more often to quicksand and teammates baiting the blind dogs to attack him - Hates his teammates (Ace) baiting the blind dogs to attack him

Trey: - Also invested in the lore - Likes the loot bugs - Mostly stays at the ship to monitor everyone and open doors/disable turrets - Tries to be responsible with the loot/money - Will kill his teammates if they're short quota and sell their bodies Cater: - Screams at the bracken and the giant worm more than anything - Loves the emote mods, poster mods, and skin mods - Will stand on a landmine just to wait for his teammates to get close and blow both of them up - Will not go back to get your body besties sorry - Always brings a sign in, always drops it so someone else has to beat the shit out of the monsters Deuce: - Gets eaten by the mimic doors...A Lot - Also dies via Ace baiting the blind dogs - Was also the one the find out about the bridge having a weight limit - Does not trust the teleporters because he always ends up in a locked room - Boomba is his worst enemy, he runs into landmines all by himself just fine he doesn't need one to run into him - Always goes back to get teammates bodies - The ghost girl targets him a lot - Has gotten really good at avoiding the coilheads because Ace always ditches him, but he can't jump on rails to save his life Ace: - Menace to his teammates (see above) - 1000000000 mods - Push mod is his favourite - Immediately finds the most annoying noisy item he can - He's fast at running but is always too slow at putting his metal items down when it's stormy out - Buys a jetpack and immediately destroys it - Buys a rifle and uses it on his teammates - Loves baiting the monsters to use the teleporters - Second loudest in the dorm after Cater, though Riddle is close too

Savannaclaw

Leona: - Will only play if push mod is enabled - Literally does nothing but kill his teammates because he thinks it's funny - The spore lizard thing is his favourite and he could not tell you why - On the last day, he ends up pulling through for his team because he wants to make quota - He will convince his teammates to ring the bell more than they should just to watch them get mauled - Loves the mod where he gets to be the monsters Ruggie: - Menace 2.0 but not in the same way Ace is - He immediately fucks with the light as soon as he can - Lies to his teammates about which emergency exits are safe - Loves the teleporters - He also loves when he can juke the turrets and stand on top of them - Also the first to run if he hears a thumper or spider - Calls the bracken his friend - Will lock people in rooms whenever possible, especially if there's a turret Jack: - Likes to stay at the ship and be dependable, will monitor and lead teammates through the map - Because of this he normally stays at full health so his teammates nominate him to go get a beehive right before they leave a moon - Buys the teleporter to get everyone's bodies back without risking loosing the loot - Doesn't know the maps from the inside very well so he will end up tailing someone the whole time if he chooses to go inside - Hates that the mimics can use voice clips from the players but it's also really funny for any dead teammates spectating - Thinks it's sad that the dogs are blind, but really appreciates the fact that the dogs and giants work together to hunt prey

Octavinelle

Azul: - Coward /affectionate - Wants to stay in the ship, but Floyd/Jade both inverse teleport him a lot lmao - Hates the SCP mod?? Map?? idk at this point - The ghost girl targets him so much it's hilarious - Tries to stay in charge of the money, Floyd usually intervenes - Dies to giants a lot - Thought the slots mod might be fun, until Floyd spent all their money - Gets used as bait a lot - The spiders hate him Jade: - Inverse teleports EVERYONE he thinks the unpredictability is Funny - Likes to sneak up on his teammates - Pretends to be a mimic a lot (Floyd panics and ends up hitting him with the shovel) - Teammates compare him to the bracken a lot (they mysteriously die shortly after) - If someone kills him he votes to return to the ship early to be petty - Loves the monster mod that lets him torture his friends - Adores the loot bugs so much they're his Little Guys - Compares Floyd to the Thumper a lot - Brings your body back to. right in front of the ship so when you're spectating you can watch them abandon you Floyd: - Menace 3.0 (uses All tactics mentioned above) - hates the backroom mod - Screams at all the monsters, mostly out of joy - Loves the twerking emote - The Jack in the Box is his favourite - He loves the nutcracker too because when he kills it he gets the rifle - He will proceed to use the rifle irresponsibly - Finds all the ways to die on Gordion - Carries the boombox around everywhere

Scarabia

Kalim: - Can't play it's too scary for him. Even the minecraft world mod. It's just not for him. When he tried playing he got struck by lightning. Jamil: - Has to play with the arachnophobia filter - Still screams with the millipedes/face huggers - Always has a shovel, flashlight and walkie so he doesn't get much loot - Likes putting the mimic mask on to terrify everyone else even if it means he dies - Also enjoys the boombox and jamming out with the slime

Pomefiore

Vil: - Gets super competitive - Actually loves the push mod but would never admit it - Loves beating the shit out of thumpers - Will kill his own teammates if they honk horns and shit he will NOT tolerate it - Ends up dying to the bracken a lot - Comments on how little sense the value of each thing is (especially the hair dryers) - Also makes up a lot of theories about the game and lore while he's playing but if you call him out on it he'll deny that he's That invested in the game (he will never look up the actual lore) Rook: - Literally only plays to try and kill the monsters he doesn't give a fuck about quota - Push mod is Funny - Dies to the slime a ridiculous amount of times because he's too busy beating the shit out of something else - Was the first one to die to a giants fart - Somehow always manages to get beehives with minimal damage - Tricks and/or "blackmails" people into trying fire exits out for him (he wants to see more of the mimic, but will leave all their loot on the ground) Epel: - Loves the high risk high reward moons - Teammates try to use him as bait, but he always uno reverses them - Blind dogs are his favourite and he likes to crouch walk with them and lowkey pretend they are his Friends - Loooooves the jetpack, he's half decent at flying with it - Has died to the ladder more than once (he did it to himself) - Also tries to send himself to the backrooms by charging things that should Not be charged - Runs into the bees by accident a lot

Ignihyde

Idia: - Literally so many fucking mods - He looses interest in Lethal Company pretty quickly - Trans cat stuffy is his baby - the cat mod is the reason he stays, but then he also refuses to sell them to the company - He sometimes lets Ortho control everything (like monsters spawning, how fast time passes in game, how many inventory slots he has, etc. etc.) and it makes it more engaging for him and fun for Ortho Ortho: - When he plays alone he only plays on the minecraft map mod - He likes collecting Steve - Otherwise he invades public lobbies and is a little menace to everyone - At least once in game he'll abandon everyone because he thinks their panicking is funny - If he dies early, he doesn't quite grasp that it's frustrating when he calls the ship to leave, so it happens pretty much whenever he dies early - Speed runner when he's by himself because he has....all the mods at his disposal

Diasomnia

Malleus: - He can't fix a tamagotchi, you think this man is playing a video game? - Sorry, you can play with him one on one to teach him the controls but you're not getting in the building Lilia: - Menace 4.0 - Grandpa is a little shit - Loves the coil heads and luring them towards his teammates, just to ditch them - Teleporters are his best friend - Dies to the elements more often than monsters (quicksand/Lightning/fall damage? Gravity) - Has also died via standing underneath the pod when it's delivering stuff - Loves the push mod - Calls the loot bugs his children - Will find a jar of pickles and defend it with a rifle, nobody is allowed to sell it Silver: - Dies to a lot of the monsters because Lilia told him there's a mod that lets him befriend them when there's not one installed - Has never died to a mimic door somehow - Has an amazing sense of direction in game, always knows where he is and how to get to the exit - Buys a rifle but tries to never use it - Mostly tails other teammates to make sure they're safe - If he stays in the ship he ends up falling asleep Sebek: - Dies to the blind dogs a lot - Also sustains damage from Lilia trolling him while he's trying to cross the bridge - Would rather play with no mods - Gets so proud when he brings back a lot of loot - Always tries to go back for more loot and ends up taking too long to get back to the ship

[james-liam-walker]

Experiment 01⁚ The New Avengers

I think this is the first time I've done a story with chapters about these things…So I hope you like it. P.S. Here will also appear some new characters…such as Gail Richard…former agent ( S.H.I.E.L.D.)…troubled past…Bucky's girlfriend…and with Nathaniel Connor….Val calling the new Taskmaster….his anti-hero name is Ghost Agent.

Chapter I

It all starts with a mission that the team received from Valentina. Everything had to be quick, so only Yelena, Bucky, John, Ava and Alexei were there, while only Bob, Nathaniel and Gail remained at the tower, of course they checked on the team through their monitors and the headsets that the team had.

Gail ⁚ Okay team, based on the information we received from Val and I'm surprised she helped us with this, there is some stolen data related to something top secret.

Bucky ⁚ We understand, doll. I'm glad you're helping us. How are you feeling?

Gail ⁚ Still like that, nothing has changed. I feel like I can't help you with this.

Bucky ⁚ Don't say that! Where is the agent who fought side by side with me?

Gail was smiling. Bucky might not be able to see it, but she was glad he cared. Everything was broken when Walker's voice broke the conversation...

John ⁚ If you could finish your sweet talk on this line, we have a mission to complete. You two can continue in your bedroom. (he said sarcastically annoyingly)

Ava ⁚ I can't believe I'm saying this (sighs). I agree with Walker.

Yelena ⁚ Me too, and I don't really agree with anyone sometimes.

Alexei ⁚ I'm sorry comrades, but it's true. (he said sighing in his Russian accent)

Gail turned off everyone's microphones so she couldn't hear them, but instead she heard Nathaniel giggling on the couch next to Bob who was reading a book. He was also supposed to go with the team but hadn't left.

Gail ( turned her gaze to him ) ⁚ Why didn't you go with them on the mission, I hear?

Nathaniel ⁚ I had to go home, because I have a better life than everyone here, to see my mom, but she canceled because of my dad….

Gail ⁚ What happening?

Nathaniel ⁚ Well…..let's say dad is trying to deal with a beehive in a tree, but he realizes that they weren't bees and were actually wasps and he falls off the ladder and…..

Bob ( Which looked up from the book, looked at him ) ⁚ Auch! And is it okay?

Nathaniel ⁚ Yes, he's in the hospital but he can't sit on his ass anymore, so…..yeah…

Gail tries not to think about what she said, turns to the monitor and turns the microphones back on.

Gail ⁚ What's the mission status, team?

Yelena ⁚ I arrived at the indicated place, but it's strange…

Gail ⁚ What is?

Ava ⁚ The data Val gave us was supposed to take us to some kind of control room but instead it took us to a rather empty bunker. It reminds me of when we all first met.

Gail was puzzled. How could that data take them somewhere that wasn't right? Nathaniel, hearing everything, also approached the monitor and checked the information.

Nathaniel ⁚ Impossible! It shows us that it must be here…only if…

Gail's eyes widen as she realizes what's happening in the middle. She turns to the screen.

Gail ⁚ GET OUT OF THERE NOW!

John ⁚ Why?

Bucky ⁚ Gail, what's going on?

Suddenly the bunker doors slam shut. Alexei tries to force it open… but it was locked tightly.

Ava ⁚ Come on, I'll try.

Ava tried to go through the door, but the door had given her a shock that shocked her and made her fall to the floor.Bucky goes to pick her up from the floor and check if she's okay.

John ⁚ This is not good.

Gail ( continue through their switches ) ⁚ This is a trap! You have to get out of there.

She hadn't even finished what she was supposed to say when white smoke with a strange smell came out from under the bunker door, making everyone dizzy and coughing.

Yelena ( cough ) ⁚ Try....for...don't breathe....( cough )..

John ( with sarcasm, but still coughing ) ⁚ This is what we do...( cough )

Bucky ( cough ) ⁚ Resist!

But none of them lasted 2 minutes as the first to fall was Alexei who had previously said he was holding on like a Russian bear, after that Ava and John fell, followed by Bucky and then Yelena. In her helmet Nathaniel's voice could be heard shouting.

Nathaniel ⁚ Yelena! Yelena! You hear me!? (he quickly looked at Gail who was typing quickly on the tablet ) Doesn't answer. Neither do the others.........

Bob also came closer to see what had happened. Gail, agitated, tried to save the data to find out where they were. But suddenly, their data on the screen had disappeared, their headphones had broken and there was no sound.

Bob ⁚ What happening? They are ok?

Gail ⁚ Hard to say, Bob. We don't have their signals anymore, their switches aren't working, we just know they're somewhere Val had given us information about a possible theft that apparently was false and didn't even exist.

Nathaniel ⁚ We have to go there and save them, they might be in danger. Bob, call Valentina and have her come to the tower and explain this to us. Gail and I are going there.

There was no need to inform Gail that she was heading towards a jet. Nathaniel was following her and Bob was trying to find Val. He was worried and agitated but it was because his friends who he now considered his family (especially John) were in danger.

To be continued.....

[shed-the-god]

EoH!GothPunks rant/lore :3c

Summary of Before EoH:

After the shooting, Alucard found Cassandra heavily injured and everyone else dead. Eventually, Damien finds the two while they work on their vengeance, offering a trade to use Hanzou if he snuck them Penilian technologies and supplies, which the two agreed to.

Before being found, Alucard and Cass quietly healed from the shooting and created a new group. They inconspicuously referred to themselves as goth kids and were given lessons on how to use demon and dark magic from Cass, even going so far as to learn enough to revive Cyclops and Hanzou. The G-squad started working to take revenge against Pico when Damien approaches them.

On Damien’s side, she failed against Otis and Hanzou was left on the verge of death, being saved and patched up by Alucard. Cass saved Damien from dying from falling of the roof (L + ratio). Damien stayed to himself and licked his wounds while gaining a “small” obsession with Otis.

Within the start of Damien’s obsession, the G-squad ended up failing in their revenge and all died, angering her. Cass was able to convince him to revive everyone again, even Spike and Pierre, through challenge, and they end up better than before. Unfortunately, Spike and Pierre run away after being revived and then Cyclops goes on a trip to North Korea (hiding away at home). Very soon after, Heroes of Pico's School happens.

After the game, they basically become vigilantes to fight crime/enemies to feel better about themselves and have a different outlet of whatever emotions they want.

Descriptive Rant:

The reasons the goth punks were inducted are somewhat the same as LCA. Hanzou and Alucard felt understood by Cass, Cyclops felt as if he could be more confident and strong against his enemies.

Spike and Pierre are somewhat similar to Cyclops as bully victims that basically want revenge and similarly cowardly but not as kind as him.

Everyone gets revived by Damien but stays loyal to Cass; Hanzou lowkey has a crush on her. They work for Damien purely bc Cass allowed him to borrow them. After the botched mission on his end, Cass bans Damien from using her friends (this is the start of her attachment to the goth punks).

After being revived by Damien, both Spike and Pierre remembered Cass insulting and killing them and felt betrayed as a result, running away from the goth punks to live a different life.

The goth punks go back for vengeance the same time the überkids take it over and they slowly reacquaint with the ng trio and start a truce. After they stop the überkids, they leave like nothing happened and Cass collects some über technology to placate Damien. Some time later, Cass hears about Convict and helps out against him, leading to her proposing an alliance.

Cassandra

“You Terrains have intrigued me so much that I have an offer to make. Let’s start an alliance. I can give you all the info and technology we have left and can scrounge up, and you get us acquainted with Terrain society and these three back into it.”

Cass was a bit of a stickler for rules. She grew up with the Penilian ideals ingrained. ‘Trust no one but yourself and your family.’ These ideal get twisted in her mind and her family becomes the goth punks and she gets disillusioned of Penilian society anyways.

Penilian society describes themselves as a family -a giant one- but thats bc it functions mostly like a beehive; royalty are the main ones to birth children. The “worker penilian” may adopt the larva and help raise them. There are schools centered on specific topics for the commoner larva to choose but royalty choose for their larva.

Cass grew up as the child of a duke, so closely linked to royalty. She was taught and mastered fighting and the use of magic, which is why she always carries a demonic grimoire. They also prepared her to be a good leader, which she used those skills for the goth punks and gathering them (manipulation was apart of it).

She was sent to Earth, with a few others, and monitored with a device as an example for others of Terrain society and any weakness of it to take it over. Her failure was aired live and she ended up banned from Penilian after Damien’s failure and her showing protectiveness over her gang.

Majoring in Politics

Alucard

Alucard grew up in a big household with his parents, siblings, aunt and uncle, cousins, and grandparents. It was pretty crowded so not many people would notice if a child or two was missing home for a while.

He, an older sister, and his cousin Osmose were experimented on in a secret room in their basement. That sister died to an “illness” and he and Osmose never got along well.

He also never got along well with Cyclops and Hanzou bc he sees bits of himself in them.

While Alucard hung out with Cass bc she understood him, his main reason was his own thoughts of revenge against his family. He never does act out any revenge, he’s a sheep in wolf’s clothing.

He was a bit bitter if the idea of an alliance but follows Cass either way.

Joins College at the same time as Otis, but not majoring in anything yet.

Cyclops

Cyclops grew up neglected. He family keeps to themselves and only gave their children the basics to life. He’s the youngest in the family and was always the butt of a joke.

His family life didnt stop him from being nice in other places but bullies quickly smothered that idea, making him wish to scare them off and everyone who picked on him. His last straw was losing his eye to one of his bullies and his parents did nothing about it.

He stuck with Cass bc he knew just hanging out with her would scare people off and she was nice to him too.

During the Heroes of Pico’s School, he wasn’t actually at North Korea, he was a shut in at home. He was hiding for a long while at home until Cass called him over to help with the convict situation.

Now, Cyclops ends up with the long end of the stick in the future. He doesnt work on the violence side of the group anymore but he becomes the designer/maker of everyone’s vigilante outfits. Cass and Damien had some say in some say in designs of some outfits but they were at least polished up by him.

He also designed the logo, came up with the name and goes back to his name, Cyril. He also talks to Spike and Pierre every now and then after meeting them again when they were 19.

Majoring in Fashion Design

Hanzou

They a middle child close in age to the eldest. Most of their parents attention was on their older brother who was the smartest and and their younger sister who was a spoiled golden child. They was always in the background and craved affection from others.

In middle school, they found out they were mixed japanese, which lead to their obsession with the culture. Hanzou was shunned for their loud and “obnoxious” behavior but they found a place of comfort with the goth punks.

They’re just generally excitable, and wishes no harm on others, but when Cass asks for their help in the shooting, they didnt want to disappoint the few people who was close to them.

After being revived by Damien and experimented on as a result, their brain flipped a switched and not only did they stay unwaveringly loyal to Cass, but became a bit more violent. Theyre the opposite of Alucard and Cyclops in terms of violence; they dont crave it necessarily, but is very willing to carry it out.

Their personality is generally the same since childhood ignoring their capabilities of violence.

Majoring in Game Design

Damien

“You want me to be your engineer? And that’s not even the funny part… you’re trying to bribe me with my worst fucking enemy, hah. Y’know what, fine. I got nothing else to do on this shithole of a planet. Maybe i can find a way to take over it myself with this.”

Damien is an arrogant guy that fully believes in only himself. He was raised by a commoner penilian, aka a worker, and hasnt gotten the ideals ingrained in him. His guardian neglected him and made him raise himself. He snuck around into classes that interested him and is a quick learner, catching the attention of royalty and leading to him being educated deeply in bioengineering and magic. His genius was the reason we was sent to Earth but his lose was the result of his lone wolf personality and overconfidence in his fighting ability. He was taught a more supportive role but he was never that way, always trying to the initiative.

He has a loose understanding and ability to use manipulation but its a bit basic compared to Cass’. He could mostly gather people who would only use each other but couldnt fabricate a close bond like Cass had at first.

When Otis defeats him, he gains a major obsession over their strength and ability to defeat him thats somewhat overshadowed by his promise of vengeance; also a bit mixed together.

When he does become the engineer for the group, he actually takes a more supportive role to “observe” and also wait for Otis to join.

Double majoring in Bioengineering and Theory of Magic (magic is ingrained in terrain society)

Despite their many issues and absences, they were all able to complete school around the same time as the ng trio.

Damien had to get fabricated docs of being homeschooled and caught up tho.

[enigmaticexplorer]

I Yearn, and so I Fear - Epilogue

Masterlist | Previous Chapter

General Summary. Nearly a year since the Galactic Empire’s rise to power, Kazi Ennari is trying to survive. But her routine is interrupted—and life upended—when she’s forced to cohabitate with former Imperial soldiers. Clone soldiers. 

Pairing. Commander Wolffe x female!OC

General Warnings. Canon-typical violence and assault, familial struggles, terminal disease, bigotry, explicit sexual content, death. This story deals with heavy content. If you’re easily triggered, please do not read. For a more comprehensive list of tags, click here.

Fic Rating. E (explicit)/18+/Minors DNI.

Chapter Word Count. 4.2K

A Like without a Reblog will result in an automatic block.

Three Years Later

28 Melona

“Another year, Wolf’ika.” Cody paused on the grassy path and appraised the orchard. “You should be proud of this.”

Wolffe flashed his vod a smile. “I am.”

In the six months since Cody last visited, the citrus-star trees had matured past their two-year adolescence into adulthood. Their trunks had thickened into sturdy structures larger than Neyti’s body; the lowest branches skimmed Wolffe’s head.

Wolffe and Kazi had planted the twenty seeds together but the orchard was his responsibility. Hours researching Ceaia’s nutrient-rich soil, speaking with local farmers, tilling the soil, and caring for the seeds paid off. The orchard produced bunches of citrus-stars monthly. Enough for his family. And enough to sell at the local farmer’s market. 

“I’ve added a new beehive,” Wolffe said. He gestured to the end of the row where an amber hive hung from a branch, well hidden among the dense cluster of leaves. It was his fifth hive. And his most productive. “It’s done well.”

“To know that you did become a farmer…” Cody chuckled his incredulity. “I didn’t think it was possible.”

Wolffe inclined his chin in agreement. 

While Kazi worked at Outlook Harbor’s Museum of History and Neyti attended school, Wolffe spent his days out here alone: tending the orchard; nurturing the garden’s assortment of fruits, vegetables, and herbs (for both meals and Nova’s research); monitoring the bees. ‘Til Fox interrupted. Then his quiet and solitude were ruined. 

But the early morning hours, after his run, he had to himself. Just him and the lazing leaves and the humming bees. 

“Kazi and Neyti?” Cody asked. They hadn’t been at the house when he landed half an hour ago.

“Weekly lessons at the museum,” Wolffe said.

The lessons began two years ago when, intrigued by Kazi’s translation work, Neyti asked to learn the ancient Ceaian language. Kazi agreed with a casual smile. But Wolffe had seen her hidden delight. Her excitement. He was well-studied in her subtle tells, after all. 

“I’m meeting them later,” Wolffe added. Cody arched a brow, and he shrugged with a chuckle. “I don’t know where we’re going. They want it to be a surprise.”

The gray of dawn cast the orchard in foggy darkness, dulling the pale orange of the trees’ fronds. Wolffe reached for a leaf larger than his hand and rubbed it between his fingers; the fuzzy trichomes tickled his palm. It brought a half-smile to his face.

They continued forward, turning at a fork in the path where, frowning, Cody nudged a pink bush with his boot.

“Neyti and Steiner like to play here,” Wolffe explained. He smiled. “I couldn’t say no. And they’re good for the bees.”

His vod shook his head fondly. “And Fox?”

Wolffe ducked beneath a branch. “You could ask him.”

“I could.” But he wouldn’t. 

Cody returned to Coruscant the week they completed renovation on the lighthouse. The decision had gutted Neyti as much as it angered Fox. Fox had expected them to remain together. To settle down and remove themselves from the threat of the Empire. To live out the rest of their lives in relative peace. But Cody disagreed with Fox’s sentiments. They argued; they parted on bad terms.

Every few months, Cody visited. He spent most of his time painting with Neyti, helping Wolffe with the garden, hiking with Nova. During those brief visits, Fox disappeared to the lighthouse. He avoided meals. Avoided any interaction with Cody. For Fox, Cody’s decision to leave Ceaia—to leave his vode—was a betrayal. 

A year and a half dredged by before Fox begrudgingly apologized. Cody accepted the apology with characteristic understanding. Wolffe knew the fight had weighed on Cody; just like he knew Fox would never understand Cody’s decision. 

But Wolffe understood Cody’s decision. Cody threw himself into work to deal with his guilt, and working with Rex and the clone network provided an escape. 

Wolffe also knew that Cody couldn’t remain on Ceaia. Not after Daria’s death. He hardly blamed his vod. The nightmares still haunted him on occasion. Nightmares where Daria and Neyti deboarded the transport at the Naboo spaceport without Kazi. Each time he awoke sweaty and panting, reaching for Kazi. 

Touching her, feeling her heartbeat in her wrist, sliding his finger along the tattoo of his initials—W.E.—on the inner skin of her fourth finger—it freed him from the nightmare’s lingering grasp. 

He didn’t blame Cody. Not one fucking bit. 

“Fox helps with the garden and orchard. But he doesn’t like the bees,” Wolffe said. Cody smirked in amusement. “He’s been spending a lot of time carving the fence.”

Nearby, a detailed dragon prowled the top of the dark-wooded fence protecting the orchard. Cody admired the carving. “And the annals?”

Last year, the annals evolved from Fox’s personal project to a museum-financed publication. It was Nova’s idea: an admitted desire to publicly preserve the stories of the vode he’d lost. 

“They deserve to be remembered,” Nova had told Wolffe and Fox late one night while he paced the carpeted basement. “And not just by me. But by the people they protected, too.”

Kazi had recently started her job at the museum (as a translator of the dying Ceaian language, she was scribing some of the oldest scrolls on loan from the Library of Xand), and reached out to the museum’s director. 

A few private meetings led to an agreement: Fox would organize his interviews into a chronological timeline, and the museum would publish the stories into three annals. They would be the first historical record of the War. The only record from the soldiers who fought in it. 

“They’re coming along,” Wolffe said. New interviews continued to appear every few months thanks to Cody’s efforts to connect various men with Fox. “The first two years are almost complete.”

Cody gave a pleased nod. 

The path veered to the right, toward the house. Low-hanging leaves tickled their hair and brushed their shoulders. They passed through the gate, wandering deeper into the forest, the tree cover thickening. The smell of burning wood drifted on the breeze; they followed its scent.

“I have another interview,” Cody said. At his smug tone, Wolffe snorted. “From Rex.” 

Wolffe blinked his surprise. “He agreed?” 

Cody smirked. “I convinced him.”

“You’re next,” he said. Cody rolled his eyes, and he shoved his vod in the shoulder. “Stop being a prick.”

“You haven’t done it,” Cody retorted.

“Did it last week.” He winked at his vod’s appalled look but soon sobered, shrugging. “It was time.”

“Fuck.” Cody scrubbed a hand across his jaw. Weariness lined his eyes and forehead, and he let out a deep sigh. “I’ll…think about it.”

Nearing the front of the house, the low voices of Fox and Nova discernible over the crackle of the fire, Cody motioned for Wolffe to halt. He angled his head toward Nova. “How’s he doing?”

“Nova’s a grown man, Cod’ika,” Wolffe said gently. “He’s making his own life. And he’s doing a damn good job at it.”

“I know,” Cody murmured. “I thought that…” He cleared his throat and straightened. “I’m glad he’s doing well.”

Wolffe was surprised when Nova decided to stick around after Cody left. Throughout the War, and after, he’d remained loyal to Cody. The type of loyalty only the best commanding officers earned from their subordinates. Wolffe had once earned a similar loyalty from his men. Before Order 66. Before he bailed on the Empire. Before he fled his own men trying to gun him down for betraying orders.

But Wolffe quickly realized the reason behind Nova’s decision: Nova was ready to move on from the past. And that meant parting ways with Cody. 

Within a few weeks of Cody’s departure, Nova applied for a researcher’s job at the local med center. There, he began researching a medicinal alternative to bacta. A solution to the Empire’s control and restriction over the healing aid. (Kazi gave him Daria’s old research books for inspiration or potential leads.)

The work kept Nova busy most days but he seemed to enjoy it. Neyti had even shown an interest in his work. Some afternoons, after school, he took her to the med center and let her help with his experiments. 

“You know,” Wolffe said, clapping a hand to Cody’s back, “there’s a place for you here. Whenever you want it.”

“The Rebellion needs me—”

“You need the Rebellion.” Wolffe levelled a hard look at Cody. “But it won’t clear your conscience.”

Cody squared his shoulders. “Yeah. I know.”

Wolffe offered him a grim smile and then made his way toward the sputtering fire. The embers glowed in the darkness of the evergreen and sequoia forest; the flames kept the early morning shadows at bay.

For the next two hours, Wolffe and his vode downed glasses of whiskey, swapped stories they all knew, and played rounds of sabaac. Nova won; Wolffe was convinced he’d cheated. 

As the forest lightened, the whiskey warming his blood, Wolffe tugged a sweater over his head, nodded to the others, and then started the trek to the docks. He was unsurprised when Fox followed.

The grassy cliff path spat them out at the shore. The low tide revealed bubbling sand pockets, a burrowing crab, and the booted footprints of a woman and child who’d passed through earlier. 

“Three years,” Fox said, surveying the faint sunrise with a pensive expression. “A lot has changed.”

“It’s what you wanted,” Wolffe remarked.

“Yeah.” Slowly, his vod rolled the sleeves of his maroon sweater. “Never thought I’d end up on an ocean planet again.”

He chuckled. “It’s better than Kamino.”

“Anywhere is better than there,” Fox said. The vitriol underscoring his comment wasn’t lost on Wolffe; he knew Fox’s feelings well enough. Adjusting the cuff of his right sleeve, Fox cleared his throat. “Thanks.”

Wolffe gave a wordless grunt of confusion. 

“For getting me off Coruscant.” Fox motioned to their surroundings. “This is a good place to retire.”

He snorted. “Only took you four years.”

“Fuck off.” Fox halted, running a hand through his hair, observing Wolffe with hesitant solemnity. He sighed. “I’m…grateful to be here.”

Wolffe nodded slowly. “Me too.”

He took a moment to breathe in the fresh air, to watch the sun cresting the oceanic horizon, to grasp Fox’s shoulder and give him a firm shake. Fox threw him a grin. One of those knowing grins he used when they were boys and was about to challenge Wolffe to a particularly ambitious dare. Wolffe hadn’t seen Fox grin like that in a long time. He’d missed it.

“Give my love to the women,” Fox said, shoving his hands into his trousers’ pockets. He backed away a step. “And don’t drown. I’d grow bored without you.”

Wolffe rolled his eyes and turned away. 

A jog along the shore brought him to the docks. Scents of freshly baked bread, citrus fruits, and spiced soups wafted from the colorful buildings. Younglings sprinted the walkways. Sailors shouted orders as they prepared their ships. 

Regardless of the earliness of the day, Outlook Harbor bustled with life. Wolffe nodded to the woman at the bakery (she sold jars of his honey), shook his head at a small boy begging for a cup of shaved ice (he could relate to the father’s fond exasperation), and lifted a hand of acknowledgement to the elderly florist (she liked Kazi and Neyti). With a sharp turn, he strode down a familiar dock— 

“Daddy!”

He broke into a wide grin.

Legs dangling over the side of the sailboat, Neyti waved, her smile toothy. Beside her, Fluffy thumped his tail in greeting. The moment Wolffe boarded the boat the anooba knocked his head against his legs. He gave the canine a scratch behind his ears. 

Over the years, Fluffy had matured into a calm yet protective force. A good soldier. Wolffe would know; he’d served with plenty of them. 

“Hey, kid.” Wolffe kissed the top of Neyti’s head. Her hair was tied back in her classic double braids, the style he’d perfected with hours of practice on Kazi. “You ready?”

“Yup. Mum let me raise the sails.” Neyti nodded at the main mast. “We were waiting on you.”

While Neyti finished a glass of lemon juice, Wolffe inspected their work. Unnecessary thanks to Kazi’s expertise but he didn’t want to feel excluded from the prep. “Where is your mom—”

“It’s about time.” Kazi strolled from the cabin space beneath the deck, a bouquet in her hands, her hazel eyes beaming with mirth. “Happy life day.”

Wolffe grinned. He couldn’t help himself. The morning sun seemed as eager about Kazi as he felt. It cast her in a pinkish hue that made her skin glow. She kissed his cheek; his skin burned beneath the touch. 

With an easy smile, Wolffe accepted the bouquet. Gray and long-petaled, the flowers complimented the wolf on his sweater and the socks he could see peeking above Kazi’s boots. The socks he’d given her long ago—the gray a claim to his pack.

Under the pretense of smelling the flowers, Wolffe scrutinized Kazi. He liked her like this: a carefree, dimpled smile; hands casually tucked in the back pockets of her trousers; an adventurous twinkle in her eyes. Seeing her like this…fuck,it inspired different wants within him. 

He wanted to hold her close and smell her lavender soap. He wanted his head in her lap while her fingers played with his hair. He wanted to sit on their porch and listen to her talk about her translation work. He wanted to taste her, pleasure her until she was sated and pliant. He wanted her naked beneath this soft sunlight so he could admire every toned muscle and delicate plane of her body—

“Are you going to stare at Mum all day or can we go?” Neyti jumped to the deck, piercing him with an exasperated frown. Wolffe rubbed the back of his neck. “Your surprise won’t be waiting all day.”

“Demanding, much?” Kazi flicked their daughter’s forehead. Neyti responded with a sheepish grin. Chuckling, Kazi shared a private, knowing smile with him—that damned smile he’d beg on his knees for a glimpse of—and then started for the docking line. “Come on. Neyti’s right—we want to get there in time.”

Navigated by her skilled captain, the sailboat chugged through the harbor’s dark blue waves, passing through the breakwater where two dragons sat on guard: the twins, Bellu and Xap. Most harbors, Kazi once told him, were protected by the twins.

For the lateness of the summer, the ocean was well-tempered, sincere in its embrace of salty wind and bobbing waves. While Wolffe stood at the helm with Kazi wondering where they were going, Neyti and Fluffy leaned against the bow’s railing, searching for sea creatures.

Soon, their billowing sails brought them to their destination: the clear waters of the islet. 

Wolffe chuckled his appreciation. Both his wife and daughter knew the islet was one of his favorite places to visit: a lush forest with foxlike creatures that often attempted to nick his broken wristchrono; a clearing with a bubbling stream that could ease the worst tension from him; and the turtles—docile creatures he liked to swim with. 

Anchor dropped and wetsuits assorted, the islet’s shallows welcomed them. They swam among iridescent corals. Seaweed swayed at a lethargic pace, pearlescent seashells blinking like stars among a sandy sky. 

After a lunch of cubed melons, peppered cucumbers, vegetable cheese sandwiches, and a dessert of Wolffe’s favorite cherry pie, they returned to the waters. 

Awakened by the sun’s rays, the turtles emerged from their caves. The youngest was Neyti’s size; the largest neared Wolffe’s height. Dark brown geometric shapes decorated the turtles’ domed shells and long flippers. Their delicate heads poked curiously at the humans. 

Wolffe took photos of Kazi and Neyti swimming among the bale. He had a large collection of photos at home: some decorated the wall in his and Kazi’s bedroom; others adorned the main level’s mantelpiece and bookshelves. 

The photos were proof. Proof that he’d survived. Proof that he’d got to live out his dreams. 

The holorecorder swapped hands. Kazi snapped photos of him and Neyti; Neyti, with artistic flair, captured a few of him and Kazi. Both broke into giggles when Kazi snapped a photo of a turtle biting his foot. He grinned along with them, even if his toes ached. 

Eventually, the white, billowy clouds of afternoon gave way to golden-dappled clouds of evening. Pale white hummingbirds whizzed among the islet’s shores and the sailboat. Curled near the hull, Fluffy watched the tiny birds with intrigue.  

While Kazi sat alone on the shore, studying Daria’s old necklace and the photo within its locket, Wolffe joined Neyti on the sailboat’s railing. Beneath their hanging feet, the turtles lazed. Neyti peeled a citrus-star. An even split and she offered half to Wolffe. He accepted with a small smile.

“Good day?” Wolffe asked.

Neyti grinned. “The best.”

“Any new painting ideas?”

“Lots. Steiner and I are going to the lighthouse to paint tomorrow.” She plucked a citrus-star piece into her mouth and then scrutinized him. “You have a request.”

“Clever girl,” Wolffe said. Her smug smile earned a low chuckle from him. 

Reaching into a pocket of his tossed-aside trousers, Wolffe retrieved his wallet and a small photo tucked within. A photo of him, Kazi, and Neyti in front of the lighthouse last month. 

He remembered the moment clearly. The night’s constellations were winking into existence. Gentle waves were lapping at the shore, the temperature cool. He was staring at Kazi, holding Neyti’s hand, when he was struck with the reminder that this was his life. That he was married and had a daughter. That his vode were alive. That he was alive. It was hard to believe, sometimes.

“I’d like a painting of this,” Wolffe said thickly, showing Neyti the photo. “Think you can do that?”

Neyti narrowed her eyes as she appraised the image. “Is it for Mum’s life day?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll do it,” she promised. 

He nodded his thanks and carefully tucked the photo back into his wallet. 

After a minute of silence, interrupted only by the rocking waves and the whizzing hummingbirds, Neyti peered at him. “Did you like your life day?” 

Wolffe considered his daughter for a long moment. 

Over the years, she’d grown taller. Most of her adult teeth had come in, though one gap remained. (He hoped it took a long time to fill.) While her quiet nature continued to shape her curious yet shrewd outlook, her sharp wit and stubborn attitude persisted, especially during sparring lessons with Fox. 

She still enjoyed her princess stories. She still enjoyed learning new dragon lore. He and Kazi still read to her in bed. 

But Neyti was maturing. And he was keen to appreciate each moment of her childhood he had left.

Slipping a piece of citrus-star into his mouth, Wolffe knocked his elbow against Neyti’s. “I couldn’t have asked for a better one.”

As night swarmed and sharks began their hunt, they returned to Outlook Harbor. 

A blanket sprawled, bellies warm with vegetable curry, buttered flatbread, and chocolate-covered honeycomb, they settled among the sailboat’s deck. Wolffe accepted a pair of earplugs from Kazi. Neyti nestled herself between them. 

An effervescent display of fireworks lit the sky. Streams of silver and gold complimented the swooping figures of dragons. Regal purples and bottomless blues emphasized the dragons’ idiosyncratic prowess. 

The world silent, Wolffe split his time between watching the show and observing Kazi and Neyti’s reactions. 

Neyti watched the fireworks with a dimpled grin of awe. Kazi spent an equal amount of time watching the displays and studying him. At one of her subtle glances, he tapped the side of his head and winked. He felt an innate satisfaction at her small smile and relaxing posture. 

Later that night, locked in their bedroom, entangled on their bed, Wolffe held Kazi closer to his chest. They were both shaking, their breaths ragged. He could still feel her cunt fluttering around his oversensitive cock. He stifled a moan against her shoulder. 

Heat thrummed beneath his skin. His mind worked slowly, dazed by his orgasm. Instinctively, he brushed a hand down the smooth skin of Kazi’s spine. Her soft exhale tickled the hair curling around his ear, her thighs flexing around his waist.

“Good?” he asked. 

She gave a tired yet content nod and ran a finger along the silver bar piercing his nipple. He shivered at the sensation. His cock twitched inside of her. The corners of her lips quirked in amusement. He offered her a lazy grin. She repeated the touch once more, kissed his cheek, and then maneuvered herself from his lap to the mattress.

Wolffe quickly followed, kneeling between her legs, staring down at her. She was…fuck, she was more beautiful than those rare, sunny days on Kamino. 

The moonlight caressed her body in warm shades of amber: the flush to her cheeks, the blackness to her eyelashes, the curves of her breasts, the muscles of her arms. Her unbound hair crowned her head like faded autumnal leaves. Her eyes were dark, bliss-filled. 

He surveyed her, his mind blank of coherent thought. All he knew was that he wanted to stay like this for a long time.

“You’re staring,” Kazi murmured.

“Mm-hmm.” Settling himself atop her, he twirled a strand of hair around his finger and then placed a kiss on the underside of her jaw. “Say it.”

She skimmed a palm along his biceps; he trembled at the touch. “I love you,” she whispered.

A kiss to the sensitive spot behind her ear followed. At her breathy sigh, a warm feeling fluttered behind his ribcage. He murmured, “Again.”

“I love you.”

He swallowed and then lowered his face to hers. His mouth brushed the white scar near the corner of her eye. “Again.”

A finger tipped his face back; her eyes danced with affection. “I love you.”

Wolffe smiled at the promise in her words. Their lips grazed. He curled his fingers into her loose hair; he breathed against her skin, “I love you.”

As he deepened the kiss, Kazi brought him closer, her hands trailing across his back. He shuddered beneath her wandering fingers. His cock throbbed. A quiet moan broke their kiss. He pursued her neck. Warm skin welcomed his mouth. 

He took his time, tracing the lines of her collarbone with his tongue, sucking long and slow on the underswell of her breasts, skimming his fingers across her ribcage, her throat, her face. 

One hand played with his hair; the other massaged his shoulders, the back of his neck. Deep kneading eased the stiffness from his body. A teasing caress of his earlobe made him groan. 

Their kisses slowed to lingering; their touches turned drowsy. 

Wolffe pressed his forehead against Kazi’s, squeezed her hip, and then lowered himself onto his back. Extending an arm behind her head, he glanced at the nightstand. Atop his trusted notebook sat his present: a silver, sleek wristchrono.

He’d been eyeing it for months. Hell, he should’ve known that Kazi would notice his subtle glances at the shop window each time they visited the harbor. 

Wolffe trailed a finger across the tiny, cursive inscription on the ‘chrono’s band: So you can always find your way home. He blinked away the burning sensation behind his eyes.

“Thirty, Wolffe,” Kazi murmured, tracing the initials inked into his fourth finger: K.E. “How does it feel?”

“It doesn’t feel real,” Wolffe admitted. He skimmed his thumb along her shoulder. “I…never thought I could have this. And now…” 

Years training with his vode, years believing he’d die on the battlefield, years fighting alongside his men, yet he outlived them all… 

He’d never understand why he’d survived. He’d never understand why he’d been allowed to experience this—finding Kazi, raising Neyti, starting his own farm. But he’d learned long ago that he couldn’t control fate. And those men who’d died—they’d want him to live the life they didn’t get to. He owed them. And he’d make the most of what he was given. 

“I’m glad this is real,” he said quietly. “Real fucking glad.”

A thoughtful hum sounded from Kazi, and she peered at him: hesitant yet curious. “Do you feel alive?”

Wolffe thought back to years ago, to stars reflected among a stilled lake’s surface, to lightning bugs flickering among an overgrown jungle, to hazel eyes rounded with vulnerability and soft lips he wanted to touch, to a quiet conversation he’d never forgotten.

“Yeah. I do.” He let out a chuckle, surprised by the swiftness of his answer. Surprised by the truth behind it. He searched Kazi’s gaze. “Do you?”

A slow smile lit her face, wide and dimpled and so full of life. “I do.”

For a long time, Wolffe basked in her smile and the heat of her body curled against his, and when she kissed the side of his throat, he turned his gaze to the skylights. The Dancing Dragons twinkled, their central star bright in the night sky. Kazi nuzzled her nose against his jaw; he mapped the tattoo on her spine.

“Tell me the story, Kazi,” he murmured. “Start from the beginning.”

He felt her smile against his neck. As she started to speak, he closed his eyes, sinking into the mattress, relaxing into the lavender scent of her hair and the sleepy lilt of her voice: 

“Every night a female dragon soared amongst the stars.”

Masterlist | Chapter 31

A/N: For a deeper look into this story and its characters, check out the Behind the Scenes.

Artwork of Kazi, Wolffe, and Neyti by the phenomenal @/pinkiemme!

[rabbitcruiser]

Yellowstone National Park, WY (No. 11)

The most famous geyser in the park, and perhaps the world, is Old Faithful geyser, located in Upper Geyser Basin. Castle Geyser, Lion Geyser, Beehive Geyser, Grand Geyser (the world's tallest predictable geyser), Giant Geyser (the world's most voluminous geyser), Riverside Geyser and numerous other geysers are in the same basin. The park contains the tallest active geyser in the world—Steamboat Geyser in the Norris Geyser Basin. A study that was completed in 2011 found that at least 1,283 geysers have erupted in Yellowstone. Of these, an average of 465 are active in a given year. Yellowstone contains at least 10,000 geothermal features altogether, including geysers, hot springs, mudpots, and fumaroles. Over half of the world's geysers and hydrothermal features are concentrated in Yellowstone.

In May 2001, the U.S. Geological Survey, Yellowstone National Park, and the University of Utah created the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO), a partnership for long-term monitoring of the geological processes of the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field, for disseminating information concerning the potential hazards of this geologically active region.

Source: Wikipedia

[uberclonescript]

Beehive Monitoring System & Ant Prevention: A Deep Dive into Modern Beekeeping and the Hidden World of Bees

Beehive Monitoring System

Introduction

The world of modern beekeeping has evolved beyond traditional practices. Today, with the integration of smart technologies, beekeepers can remotely monitor hive health, temperature, humidity, and more. A Beehive Monitoring System is no longer a futuristic concept but a modern necessity supporting hive maintenance and bee welfare. Alongside this, one persistent challenge that beekeepers face is ant infestation, which can harm both the hive and the honey production cycle. In this blog, we’ll explore effective tips to keep ants out of the beehive, present an ecumenical sketch of differential beehives, and offer an in-depth look at the hidden, uncharted world of bees.

1. The Importance of a Beehive Monitoring System

A Beehive Monitoring System uses IoT (Internet of Things) technology, smart sensors, and cloud computing to help beekeepers track vital hive parameters. These include:

Temperature and Humidity: Ensuring an ideal brood-rearing environment.

Weight Monitoring: Tracking honey production and consumption.

Sound Frequency Monitoring: Detecting changes in colony behavior or swarming.

Intrusion Alerts: Notifying beekeepers of animal or human interference.

Remote Access: Access data from any location using mobile or web applications.

Benefits for Beekeepers:

Reduced manual inspection

Early detection of health problems

Increased productivity

Data-driven hive management

Real-time insights into queen failure or hive abandonment

With climate change and rising threats to bee populations, these systems are indispensable in both commercial beekeeping and sustainable beekeeping practices. Beehive monitoring devices can also integrate weather forecasts and suggest best times for hive interventions, reducing human stress on colonies.

Key Features to Look for:

Solar-powered or battery-operated devices

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled options

Mobile alerts with AI insights

Waterproof, rugged design

Modular and scalable architecture

Embracing these features helps beekeepers adopt more eco-friendly and efficient operations.

2. Effective Tips to Keep Ants Out of the Beehive

Ant infestation in beehives is more than just an inconvenience; they are resource thieves. They steal honey, stress out bees, and can lead to hive abandonment. Here are some proven and effective tips to keep ants away from your beehive:

1. Apply a Moat Barrier

Use a water-filled tray under the hive legs. Ants can't swim and will be unable to cross.

Add a few drops of soap or oil to the water to ensure surface tension is broken.

2. Use Natural Repellents

Sprinkle cinnamon, vinegar, lemon juice, or diatomaceous earth around the hive base.

Essential oils such as peppermint and tea tree can be added to cotton balls placed near hive legs.

3. Grease the Hive Stand

Apply sticky substances like petroleum jelly or Tanglefoot on hive legs.

Reapply after rain or every two weeks to maintain effectiveness.

4. Keep the Hive Area Clean

Remove dead bees and spilled honey.

Avoid placing food or syrup containers near hives.

Use trash-proof fencing if your apiary is near populated areas.

5. Elevate the Hive

Position hives on stands with ant-proof barriers.

Consider placing the hive over a concrete or tile surface to reduce ant hiding spots.

6. Control Surrounding Vegetation

Trim grasses and remove climbing plants. This stops ants from using them as bridges.

Use weed cloth to prevent regrowth.

7. Use Ant Deterrent Traps

Commercial ant baits placed far from the hive can help reduce local ant populations.

Boric acid and sugar water traps work well in controlled use.

8. Inspect Regularly

Routine checks help catch infestations early.

Track and trail back to colonies and eliminate nests where possible.

Implementing these effective tips to keep ants out of the beehive will lead to healthier, more productive hives and reduce colony stress during nectar flow seasons.

3. Ecumenical Generic Sketch of Differential Beehives

Understanding the different types of beehives used globally helps in selecting the right model based on climate, bee species, and productivity goals. Here’s an ecumenical generic sketch of differential beehives:

Langstroth Hive (USA)

Most popular design globally

Stackable rectangular boxes with frames

Enables high honey yields

Preferred for commercial apiaries and migratory beekeeping

Top-Bar Hive (Africa, Caribbean, Urban Gardens)

Single horizontal box with removable bars

Bees build comb freely

Promotes natural colony structure

Ideal for educational settings and beginners

Warre Hive (France)

Vertical box hive mimicking wild tree cavities

Uses top-bars like the top-bar hive

Focused on bee welfare over honey harvest

Adds boxes from below, respecting bee instincts

Flow Hive (Australia)

A modern adaptation of Langstroth

Plastic frames allow honey extraction without opening hive

Suitable for backyard beekeepers and small-scale urban farms

Criticized for high costs and plastic use but praised for ease

Log Hive (Traditional - Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe)

Carved or hollowed-out logs

Minimal maintenance

Used by traditional or indigenous communities

Poor honey yield but excellent for pollination support

Each design plays a unique role in modern beekeeping, catering to regional climates, local flora, and beekeeper preferences. Selecting the right hive type can reduce stress for bees and enhance colony longevity.

Key Factors When Choosing a Hive:

Bee species (Apis mellifera vs. Apis cerana)

Climate and elevation

Access to tools and materials

Objective: Honey production, pollination, conservation, or education

4. In-Depth Information of the Uncharted Bees’ World

The In-Depth information of the uncharted bees world is as intricate as any human society. These pollinators are a cornerstone of Earth’s ecosystems, influencing agriculture, biodiversity, and climate resilience.

Social Structure and Roles

Queen Bee: Mother of all bees in the colony. Lives 3–5 years. Controlled by pheromones.

Worker Bees: All-female, sterile bees. Handle foraging, hive care, nursing, guarding, and cleaning.

Drone Bees: Males. Their sole role is mating with queens during nuptial flights.

Language of Bees

Waggle Dance: Communicates food source direction and distance.

Vibrational Signals: Used during swarming, queen replacement.

Scent Trails: Help return to hive or lead others to new nest locations.

Pollination and Food Security

Bees pollinate 1/3 of global crops.

Vital for almonds, apples, blueberries, cucumbers, and melons.

Estimated $235–577 billion in global crop value is attributable to bee pollination.

Navigational Marvels

Bees use sun position, magnetic fields, and polarized light to orient themselves.

Can recognize complex patterns, shapes, and even human faces.

Threats to Bee Survival

Pesticide Exposure: Neonicotinoids linked to Colony Collapse Disorder.

Parasites and Diseases: Varroa mites, Nosema, American Foulbrood.

Climate Change: Alters flowering seasons, disrupts nectar availability.

Habitat Loss: Urban expansion, monoculture farming.

Bees in Mythology and Culture

Considered sacred in many cultures (Egyptians, Mayans, Hindus).

Symbolize diligence, immortality, community.

Featured in medieval alchemy and modern corporate metaphors.

Learning about the in-depth, uncharted world of bees not only enhances your respect for these tiny engineers but also encourages sustainable co-existence.

5. Role of IoT in the Future of Beekeeping

The adoption of IoT-based Beehive Monitoring Systems is paving the way for precision apiculture  where data, automation, and AI guide decisions.

How IoT Transforms Beekeeping:

Real-Time Alerts: Notifies beekeepers of temperature spikes, predator intrusions, or honey theft.

Cloud-Connected Dashboards: Visualize long-term trends in hive performance.

AI Predictions: Anticipate swarming, colony decline, or queen loss.

Remote Decision-Making: Reduce fuel usage and human interaction.

Integration with Weather APIs: Suggest ideal harvest or inspection times.

Environmental Benefits:

Reduced carbon footprint through fewer in-person checks

Higher survival rates during harsh winters or droughts

Better disease management with early detection

Global Movement Toward Smart Beekeeping:

Projects in the EU and India are promoting Smart Hive initiatives.

Startups now offer subscription-based hive analytics services.

With these advancements, Beehive Monitoring Systems become the cornerstone of a bee-centric, data-driven future.

Smart Sensors in Beehive Monitoring: What’s Inside the Hive?

Modern beehive monitoring systems rely heavily on smart sensors that provide real-time insights. Here are the key types of sensors used and what they measure:

 Types of Sensors

Temperature Sensors

Keep track of brood temperature (ideal range: 32°C–35°C).

Fluctuations may indicate brood disease, queenlessness, or absconding.

Humidity Sensors

Monitor internal hive humidity.

Helps prevent mold and supports brood development.

Weight Sensors

Installed under the hive.

Track honey production and population growth.

Microphones / Acoustic Sensors

Record bee buzzing patterns.

Help detect swarming behavior, queen loss, or hive stress.

GPS Trackers

Used in mobile hives or during relocation.

Prevent theft and track hive movement.

CO₂ & Air Quality Sensors

Track respiratory activity.

Alert beekeepers to overcrowding or poor ventilation.

These sensors sync with cloud platforms or mobile apps, allowing beekeepers to monitor multiple hives across locations with ease.

How to Install and Maintain a Beehive Monitoring System

Setting up a smart beehive system may sound technical, but it's manageable even for small-scale beekeepers.

Installation Guide

Choose the Right System

Popular brands: BroodMinder, Arnia, BeeSecure, HiveWatch.

Compare based on sensor range, mobile compatibility, and pricing.

Install the Sensors

Temperature/humidity: inside or under the brood box.

Weight scale: place under the hive base.

Microphone: inside the hive lid or beneath the brood chamber.

Connect to the Network

Sync the sensors to Wi-Fi or a mobile network.

Install the associated app on your smartphone or tablet.

Start Monitoring

Set alerts for temperature drops, weight changes, or abnormal sounds.

Use collected data to adjust feeding, treatment, or hive maintenance.

Maintenance Tips

Check Battery Levels: Replace or recharge batteries regularly.

Clean Sensors: Wipe down gently during hive inspections.

Firmware Updates: Keep the system up-to-date for accuracy and security.

Test Alerts: Ensure that push notifications are working and calibrated properly.

The Future of Beekeeping: AI, Robotics, and Automation

As global awareness of bee conservation grows, beekeeping is entering a new era driven by automation and artificial intelligence.

AI-Driven Hive Management

Predictive Analytics: AI models use historical data to forecast swarming, disease outbreaks, or nectar flows.

Health Diagnosis: Algorithms analyze audio or visual input to detect problems like Varroa mites or queen failure.

Behavioral Analysis: AI tracks bee movement patterns to detect unusual behavior before colony collapse.

Robotic Assistants

Automated Inspections: Robotic arms with cameras can inspect hives without opening them.

Smart Dispensers: Deliver sugar syrup, water, or medication based on hive needs.

Drones: Used for environmental surveys, tracking foraging areas, or spraying organic mite treatments.

Blockchain & Data Sharing

Beekeepers can now share data globally through secure platforms, contributing to research and collaboration across borders.

Traceability ensures pure honey sourcing, building consumer trust and promoting sustainable practices.

Conclusion

Modern beekeeping is a blend of science, ecology, and care. The Beehive Monitoring System is an essential asset in ensuring hive health, improving productivity, and adapting to environmental changes. With the constant threat of ants, knowing effective prevention methods helps protect your colonies. From an ecumenical view of differential hives to understanding the uncharted world of bees, this field offers endless learning and discovery.

[drfirsnogayny]

Have you noticed that Monstermon cards have anything to do with the way they are received?

Celestial Slug: When Monty lost his wheelchair, he could only crawl slowly. He compares himself to this Monstermon.

Hard Boogar: Considering that the card was glued to the wall, some adhesive material was probably used for this

Bucket O Water: It's in a bucket.

Pale Tuna: The description of this card is "A great white fish for those who have trouble catching whales", which is a reference to the proverb "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush". According to the plot, we should become a friend of Nugget, but the Protagonist gives him the nuggets he needs in exchange for a cat. Nugget refuses friendship, but gives the card to the Monster.

Ultralodon: The card is given by Danner in exchange for the leg. The legs belonged to a swimmer who suffered from a shark attack. Ultralodon is a type of shark.

Carnivorous Nimbus: Like all clouds, he consists of water, and according to the description, he is very voracious. Buggs gives the card if you help him quench his thirst.

Tiny Squid: To get a card, you need to examine squid under a microscope.

Hermit Frog: Hermits prefer dark and quiet places. Cubes in Kindergarten may well be such a place.

Castle of Sand: Located on top of a cliff on a playground.

Man on Fire: Monty gives the card after we helped mix the chemicals. If you make a mistake, Monty and the Protagonist will burn.

Chair of Spikes: It lies between the cushions of the sofa.

Cigaretmon: Gives Hall Monitor if you give him a lighter when he was going to smoke.

Dune Worm: It is similar to a Nugget, because he also likes to dig holes and, if you believe the description, eat ground.

Stressed Llama: According to Ted, he looks like Ozzy.

Cyclops Duckling: You can get it if you solve Jerome's riddle with a swing. This puzzle is similar to the duck puzzle in the previous game.

Lonely Dragon: it is given by Hall Monitor in exchange for the cat. He probably didn't have any close friends before.

Dab Hero: a gesture indicating victory in something. In our case, Jerome's victory in the battle with Carla.

Monstrous Flytrap: he looks like Diana, and gives a Danner card for completing the Flowers for Diana quest.

The Tallest Tree: It lies in a beehive hanging on a tree

Chill Stump: According to the description, he is constantly invited to parties. When Danner gives the card, he says that the Protagonist is probably invited to scientific conferences.

Gnome of Garden: You can get a card after solving the flower puzzle.

Ofaka Tornado: According to Carla, she was amazed.

Literally Grass: A synonym for the word weed, if you know what I mean.

Doodoo Bug: When Ozzy gives this card, he was in the toilet. Without details.

Mystical Tomato: It's on Margaret's counter, where some food is stored.

Legendary Sword: It is located at the end of the maze, which is typical of legendary items.

Zen Octopus: Yoga helps to relax and relieve stress. Anti-stress toys like a spinner serve the same purpose.

Forbidden Book: It lies inside the book.

Pot of Grease: It is an additive in food, as well as gravy. They also have similar names.

Lamb With Cleaver: The janitor says he looks like him. I also want to point out that lambs are generally considered cute, although this lamb is ready to kill. This is similar to the Janitor himself: if you pay attention, then when crossing with the Protagonist, he can behave friendly.

Treasure Chest: It is connected with Felix's words that the real treasure is friends buried alive.

Mr. Nice Guy: just remember who gives you this card.

The Slurper: It's in the lab. He looks like a lump of green slime, which abounds in the laboratory.

Onion: It's in a bag of Ozzie's food, along with onion sandwiches. By the way, it was originally planned that the card could be found in the garden near the ramp.

Killer Eye: Buggs compares him to Penny, who could have killed them at every turn.

Purple Plush: It's in a toy box.

Monster Ghost: To be honest, I didn't quite understand the connection, it's probably due to the fact that ghosts like to take revenge. Monty gives the card after we help him get revenge on the Janitor. You can also recall Jerome's words in the first game, that he would haunt the Protagonist in the form of a ghost if he died through his fault.

Knight Who Turned Evil: Ted compares him to himself: being a cute kid, he became a evil in this quest (let me remind you that, in addition to killing Felix, he insulted Buggs and let Nugget die).

Mysterious Package: It's in a box.

Oglebop Ogre: Janitor compares him to his son. By the way, do you remember the theory that Buggs is the Janitor's son? Buggs looks like this Monster, doesn't he?

Dank Magician... Okay, I didn't find any similarities here. Maybe the fact that he is a powerful wizard and can only be obtained in the final game?

I have not listed some of the cards because they are given out for winning Monstermon. Although it is quite possible that they are related to the characters who give these cards.

Coral That Looks Like Hand: Carla

Teenage Mutant Ninja Zombie: Nugget

Million-Head Hydra: Ozzy

Hissing Fauna: Monty

Golden Dewdrop: Jerome

Marshmallow: Cindy

Rare Jewel: Felix

Spiky Flim Flam: Buggs

Evil Thwarter: Agnes

[cameoappearance]

As someone who still plays Among Us but has also been getting really into Lethal Company, I've been thinking about what tasks on a Lethal Company map would translate well to Among Us tasks (go to a specific spot or one of a set of specific spots, do a minigame, sometimes you're done after that and sometimes you have to go do something somewhere else to finish). The map's probably Vow because it fits all the ideas I had but could also be March, Experimentation, or Assurance.

Common Tasks:

Storage/Conveyor Room/Apparatus Room/etc -> Main Entrance/Fire Exit: Collect Scrap. Like MIRA HQ's Water Plants task, you go to the right room and pick the scrap item up from a picture of the shelf, then you go drop it off at one of the entrances.

Main Entrance/Fire Exit -> Ship: Ferry Scrap

...and more! Under the readmore for your dashboard's sake!

Long Tasks:

Outside -> Ship: Retrieve Beehive. The minigame would probably involve dragging the beehive from checkpoint to checkpoint like Chart Course or through a maze like Fix Weather Node; if there was also a swarm of bees following you that could make you fail the task and have to start over if you got the timing wrong, it would be more accurate but could turn this into everyone's least favourite task on the map, so I'm not sure about that one.

Terminal -> Dropship: Order Equipment. You'd have a list of items to order from the store, like with the burger or vending machine tasks, and then you'd go pick them up. A visual task probably.

Outside -> Terminal: Download Data. Gotta have a Download Data. It's a Sigurd log.

Ship -> Corridors: Paint Markings. Take your spraypaint, go paint some 'exit this way' or 'room clear' or other symbols like that inside the building. This would be a visual task, of course.

If you wanted to have them you could stick the reactor tasks onto the apparatus, but this is kind of drifting away from the idea that you're there to collect salvage.

Short Tasks:

Corridors: Shut Steam Valve. This would be a visual task.

Ship: Charge Flashlights. Could have a Charge Walkie-Talkies as well like how the Airship has both pistols and rifles to put away.

Terminal: Deactivate Turrets

Terminal: Teleport Corpses

Ship: Tally Scrap Value

Ship or Outside: Start Cruiser. You probably wouldn't be able to drive anywhere in the cruiser but it might have a fixed track like the Fungle's zipline or the Airship's moving platform, in which case the track would probably be a ridiculous jump from the ship to the main entrance.

Taking the apparatus could be a task unto itself.

I'm on the fence on whether I want to have something like Soothe Maneater or Placate Lootbug situated inside the building because usually there's not much in the way of creatures on Among Us maps except the ones you bring with you.

If you want to have my removed-from-the-game nemesis in there you could have Spray Weeds as a task in the outdoor area where you spray weed killer on Vain Shrouds until they all go away.

Sabotages:

Lights would be fixed at the breaker box inside.

Communications would logically be on the ship, and since I've made Ship and Terminal two different locations (though they'd be right next to each other) it'd probably be in the terminal area.

Lockable doors like the ones on Polus, based on the secure doors.

Make the ship take off early, named something like Hijack Autopilot.

If it's Vow then destabilising the dam is an option for a sabotage that just destroys everything if it's not stopped, like the reactor/seismic/crash course ones. Considering that that thing has been fine with no maintenance for like 600 years I assume this would involve defusing a bomb the impostors planted.

The admin display would be in the terminal area as well. And probably so would the security cameras. It's getting very crowded in there but I don't have any better ideas. This map likely wouldn't have a vitals monitor, at least.

[hel-phoenyx]

Kaizarz belongs to @corneille-but-not-the-author

---

The door creaks.

Usually behind it are doctors, or healers, or anything of the sort, coming here to monitor. Their steps are rushed, their shoes hitting hard against the stone floor. They talk between them and the brouhaha is a buzz to the ears. Hands are everywhere, on the lungs, the throat, the hand.

They don't spare any looks other than to check if the wound is recovering, if the lungs are not whistling. None of them check if there's still a light in the eyes.

But today, there's no hands, no hurried steps, no medical jargon. No beehive of doctors buzzing around the patient they do not want to treat. Today there's only one, and his steps are heavier than those of a thousand doctors.

The one in the bed doesn't spare any look in his direction. He already knows who that is. He wishes he doesn't.

He also knows pretending to sleep like he did the last few days doesn't fool anyone. He still does.

The giant silhouette of his prince sits down on a stool nearby.

"... Hey, Tyr."

No answer. Not even a shiver. He will keep the facade at any cost there is.

It's not that he doesn't want to talk to him, his best friend, his most precious person, his victim. It's the gnawing certainty he has no rights to, anymore.

There he is, bedridden despite holding the hope of his family, his friends, his kingdom on his shoulders. That weight was too heavy for him, despite the fact that he spent all his life being trained to shoulder it, and all of this for what ?

The blood of his best friend is on his sword and the second one is looking at him with guilt filling his eyes and he shouldn't he shouldn't it's not his fault it has never been his fault I should be the one feeling guilty.

He was not strong enough to bring a plan to completion. He is not strong enough to look him in the eyes.

On the stool, the prince that still is smiles. The saddest, most painful smile ever seen on a face once so cheerful.

"Doctors said you could be able to get out tomorrow. Your wound is almost fully healed. That's a good thing you bear the Heir of Vanasul, huh ?"

Do you even believe what you're saying ?

That spell is what gives a person legitimity to access the throne. If it wasn't in any of their blood, none of that would have happened. There would still be laughs on a boat built from scratch, and maybe they could have hoped for every laugh to turn into one.

But it is what it is, and instead of laughs there's only screams.

And today only silence.

Maybe that's what makes prince Kaizarz Laangfisk he would get nothing out of Tyrfing af Mundir Harkyrsen. because on his teen face the smile falters.

".... I'd better leave. get well soon, Tyr."

In the bed the motionless silhouette wishes for the contrary.

***

Skuld is almost climbing on me when the door opens. Immediatly, she comes back on her stool to sit down, leaving behind a vague feeling of coldness ; but I'd rather feel cold than see Kaizarz's pained expression every time we get closer and closer.

Today, though, there's only worry on his face. probably because I am, once again, bedridden because of an injury that almost left me for dead. So in a hurry to see if I'm okay, now that I'm woken up, than he doesn't even realise there's a ceiling too close from his head.

A "owww" gets out of his throat when his skull encounters the stone, and I let out a little laugh.

"Oh dear, I'd better not stand up that soon, if the ceiling is that low."

Kaizarz, back curved and hand on the top of his head, throws me a doubtful look.

"You're forty centimeters shorter than me, you know..."

"You do not have to rub it in. Com'on, sit down, you'd be better in that position than with your back arched. It's gonna earn you spine problems !"

He does, happily, and Skuld next to me throws me some kind of indecise expression. I know what she means, I know what she's asking of me. I just shrugh, freeing her of the burden of sitting next to her fiancé. I wanted to see Kaizarz alone, anyway.

She does not need to think twice before standing up and running out of the house I'm recovering in without throwing as much as a look towards our king. Who is looking at me with a weary expression.

I smile.

Boy does it remind me of something.

"I would do a joke that is of very bad taste, but your face is telling me you wouldn't laugh anyway..."

He pouts, still looking tired.

"Do your joke, Tyr. Com'on."

I smile a bit more.

"Is someone dead, for you to sport that mourning expression ?"

It's not the same than back then, but it sure brings me back memories.

As I expected, he doesn't laugh. He just nods.

"Yeah. Four innocents."

The victims of the sirens's attack. Skuld didn't tell me about them, only about the three thousand and something people inhabiting Ithaca than our little intervention allowed us to save.

I know since a long while I can't save everyone. I've witnessed situations that couldn't end in any other way that with death. It has always been Fenrir or Kaizarz. None of that could have gone any other way.

Even back then, I knew my efforts could not save an entire kingdom. Making all my friends happy and restoring my family's honor was already a lot.

But he... He's still thinking he can. And even though he's far more able than I am, sometimes we have to realise some things are unavoidable, so we can focus on things thare are.

I won't stop him from mourning but I can at least put things into perspective.

"Right. At the very least, I sigh, it's a tiny number, compared to the three thousand, four hundred.... Ah, fuck, what was the number Skuld told me, again ? My head hurts."

I probably lost some brancells due to that siren screeching. And here I thought Sesseyra's charming song was a lot.

"Seventy one," completes Kaizarz without a spasm of the mouth. Right. So I won't be able to make him at least smile that way.

At least it's not that painful smile and the hands hesitating to grab what was left of my hand. I guess.

Nothing is like back then yet I still can feel the trip down memory lane. The sun hidden by clouds today shining on our backs, the pain in so different places, me bedridden but today sitting in the pillows I once tried to hide in.

I'm sorry I'm bringing bad memories, are the words I can't get out of my mouth. Instead, I just shrug.

"Right. Thank you."

There's so much more in that word.

[yakool-foolio]

Since I have an affinity for putting the NDA detectives in Situations and there's a new horror game on the rise, I gotta know something. How do we think the detectives would fair in Lethal Company?

They'd be pretty competent when they put their heads together, but as soon as they get separated or somebody dies it all goes to hell in a snap. Yakou takes the leading role, most confident with knowing how to traverse the bunkers. But as soon as he spots a monster, he immediately changes direction. He's extremely paranoid, and constantly flips between fight or flight. When he chooses to 'man up' and fight after minutes of indecisively entering and exiting the bunker, it ends not so well.

Halara is the most sensible and can actually take on some of the monsters in a fight, but their greed to meet the quota and get a big paycheck overrides their rationality at times. They're the person who brings a beehive onto the ship for big money, getting several of their colleagues killed by angry bees in the process. Meanwhile, Vivia is the designated navigator, hanging around on the ship to watch the monitors and warn for monsters approaching the others' locations. Unfortunately for the detectives, he tends to fall asleep at his station, and his light snoring heard through the walkie talkie is a sure sign that the expedition just got a lot more difficult.

And Yuma is nominated as 'most likely to step on a landmine that is rIGHT THERE HOW DID YOU NOT SEE IT?!'

[horseshoecrabman]

hey guys!!!!! you might not have seen the post, but a few days ago me and my dad set up a beehive with around 3,000+ bees in it! my friends were interested in hearing bee updates, so here it is!

but before i start all of that, here’s some general information on how beehives operate and how to take care of one under the read more!!

expect an actual update on information about the hive dad and i have specifically in a day or so!!!!! thank you!!! :)

(this is by no means a step by step guide, it’s more of just something informative and fun!!!)

jobs bee have in their hives

bees commonly have different jobs in a beehive, the most important being worker bees, drone bees, and the queen bee.

worker bees are the ones you see out and about, pollinating and such. they are also responsible for feeding bee larvae, some also do things such as guard the hive and nurse injured bees! they do have stingers, but it is very true that bees do not sting unless they feel threatened.

queen bees basically control everything in the hive with their pheromones. they will also only leave the hive once in their lives, to find a drone bee and mate with it. once they return and start producing eggs, they can produce eggs for life and will lose their wings and remain in the hive for the rest of their life. worker bees are responsible for feeding the queen, and if a queen isn’t producing enough eggs for the hive or not producing enough pheromones, worker bees can cultivate a new queen by selecting any larvae and by feeding it special honey that they convert themselves, turns it into a queen, and then kill the old one.

drone bees are the ones queens mate with. this is their only purpose, and they also don’t leave the hive. in winter or times where a hive isn’t getting enough to feed everyone, they will be kicked out as they are practically useless.

here’s a picture of how to tell the difference between them!

brood is the official word for bee larvae, and applies to all bees, no matter the type!!! here’s a diagram :)

common pests bees encounter:

just like any animal, it always has a predator to eat it!

aside from things like birds or any insect eating reptile or amphibian are other bugs that are parasites that leech off bees!

varroa mites: varroa mites are small mites, but they are disastrous for a beehive. any beehive will always have a certain number of them, but it is possible to control their numbers with the proper treatments and care. mites will often feast on the fat of adult bees and the larvae, making adult bees weaker and killing larvae. there is a special test to see how many mites you have, typically performed every month or so, where you scoop up around 20 bees and put them in an “alcohol wash” and however many mites you can see in the alcohol indicates if you have an infestation or not. more than 5-10 mites, you have a problem, other than that, you’re safe. the reason its such a small number as 5-10 is because varroa mites reproduce very quickly. the bees you scooped do die because of this, which is really sad, but bees are really smart! they understand when sacrificing some bees will help the entire hive.

hive beetles: hive beetles will crawl into hives and essentially steal their resources! a strong hive can fight them off but a weaker hive will usually die off and if a human owns said hive, they can use certain bee-safe pesticides to kill the hive beetles specifically!

on the topic of pesticides, i just want to say that bees are very endangered. because of things like pesticides as well as general dislike for bees, and fear that they will sting people, they aren’t well liked. i really hope me talking about bees helps people understand that bees are friends and really do benefit the ecosystem and are just as excited about them as i am!!!!!!!!

how to take care of and monitor a hive

one of the many things to keep in mind is that it costs a lot to obtain and maintain a hive, definitely over thousands of dollars, and you might not get much honey from it to make up for this, so if you really do want to have a hive or multiple hives of your own, please keep this in mind.

the first thing you will need is equipment. the first thing is an actual hive for them to be in, one looking something like this:

ours has 6 individual frames in it, where bees build places to store honey (honeycombs) as well as places to store larvae, but the number of frames can vary between how small or big the hive box itself is!

this is what a typical beehive frame looks like !!!

in the photo, you can also see someone wearing a bee protection suit, which protects you from getting stung by any bees that might get mad at you going through their hive. there are other things you can do to calm bees down as well, such as using a smoker!

this is what a typical smoker looks like, they can vary in design, but this one is pretty common! you can put anything flammable in there and light it, i prefer using pine straw, as it doesnt smell bad and its easy to obtain, and squeeze the clamp part to help the fire inside the container spread and use the smoke on the hive.

what does the smoke do?

it basically does two things:

- masks the scent of pheromones for the bees, making them not mad

- distracts the bees from you by making them think something is on fire and focusing their attention on that

it does seem a little scary to know that the bees get panicked, but if you do it in the right amount and not too often they will be completely fine and calm down shortly!!!

alright, that’s all that i have for now, thank you for reading this far!!!!! if you have any questions dont hesitate to send me an ask!!!!

for posts like this and future asks, i’ll use the tag #bee updates to sort it all!!!!

thank you again!!!! 🐝🌻💛