#gemstone mining kit

[wolven91]

New Style. New You.

Fur was a standard amongst the stars.

Oh sure, some of the races sported beautiful feathers. Others look resplendent in beautiful scales that shone like gemstones. But most of the races had fur. The taurians had mostly short velvet-like cover, except atop their heads. The felinoids ranged from the short to the long fur and the ursidains had fur several inches thick at times.

Thanks to this, everyone had grooming kits. Small bundles that unrolled into a selection of tools for removing knots, brushes for straightening ruffled patches and even small scissors for the removal of that which will not obey its owner. These self-grooming tools were common. Even children would have their own, despite lacking the scissors.

With a body worth of fur, it was expected that one would need to maintain their own pelt.

But, that did not stop the need for those who could take an unmoulded medium of unsculpted head fur and turn it into something that pulled the owner's chin up, push their chest out and whisper into their ear that a strut was needed from them. There were groomers of course, beings would like up and would be brought back into acceptable appearances via a groomer who just wanted to get as many customers sorted as they could.

But then there was Notila.

Notila was a taurian and had dedicated himself to this act of artistry. His medium, was other's fur.  He could take a loveless taurian woman and with his tools, a bit of product and a peptalk, turn her into a taurian who's horns rivalled the very mountains. He had managed celebrities, lords and even royalty. More than once had he had received gifts to his private shop as thanks for his work, it was so life changing. Everyone wanted him to 'do' their fur.

The taurian male, draped in the finest shimmering silks, and glittering gold jewellery, from his own little kingdom, enjoyed the fact that he was the premier stylist in the system. Twenty-two billion souls and they all dreamed for him to cut their fur.

So, when the human settled down into Notila's chair for the fifth time and asked for a 'short, back and sides'. Notila clasped his hands together and touched the sides of his palms to the tip of his snout. With his eyes closed, Notila took in a calm and steading breath. The human watched the gold bangles tinkle together as the taurian remained still for a moment, seemingly gathering his thoughts.

"You live in the same high security building as me and you're human. This is why you can get your hair cut here every few months." The taurian explained carefully to the human. His many earrings sparkling in the light.

"Without throwing myself to narcissism, it would be... disingenuous to not point out that this career of mine has made me the number one in my craft..." The bull continued. The human at this point was merely looking up at the male, blinking innocently. His fine silks were flawless, despite being in his shop most of the day, the taurian's robes were nary a jot out of place. Not a single errant strand of fur or hair lay on his clothes.

"I could make you anything." The hornless taurian promised. "Your hair is sculpt-able. Malleable. I could make every man, woman and child look at you and want to *be* you." Notila opened his eyes and gazed at the customer that sat waiting in the chair that could easily have been a throne elsewhere. The human's lips pulled into a tight smile and nodded gently in understanding as Notila's palms, still pressed together, fell and pointed at the human.

"So why do you torture me so and ask to have everything lopped off every time?!" The taurian demanded with a serious tone, 'almost' glaring at the customer.

"It's what I want?" Replied the human dumbly. Notila's mind crashed to a desktop before rebooting causing him to stutter in his response, his fists clenched immediately.

"Bu- You- It-" The taurian had to physically stop himself from allowing his now outstretched hands from throttling the beligerant alien. "Fine. You want to be shaved? We'll shave you." The taurian snapped, waving a dismissive hand above his head as if throwing the idea of anything else away. Having a small tantrum from being denied, Notila put away his tools and went to get his clippers, almost unused except for when the human arrived.

"You know shaving is seen as sickness or punishment right?" The taurian called back, grabbing the clippers from the drawer and sneering at them before stomping back in a display almost never seen in male taurians. They were meant to be grace, untouched by the world around them. But Notila had been denied his passion in his own shop one too many times.

In his defence, the human was not unaware of the taurian's distress, but knew that he couldn't be bothered to keep up with whatever design the exuberent taurian gave him.

"I didn't... but... Look... If you were to-" Sputtered the human, suddenly acutely aware something was wrong. His words however, sharked hope within the taurian's breast.

"*Yes?!*" Notila replied, practically running back over to his customer, and swinging himself around the back of the chair and landing against the counter the human was sat infront of. This was the furthest he had ever got with the fleshy alien; was he about to agree!?

"I'm not going to be able to keep up with whatever you do. It would look like a great hairstyle, but then tomorrow it would just be back to my usual messy style. I don't want to disappoint you by wearing it wrong." Explained the human carefully, trying to articulate the issue.

Notila took a breath, and hesitated before he answered with a calm and steady tone.

"So it's not that you're allergic to fashion?" He asked.

"No, I'm just lazy." Admitted the human.

"My dear, lazy I can deal with. You ever met my kind's 'other half'?" Grinned the taurian, merely mentioning the ladette ladies of his own species.

"So you wont care if I don't keep it up?" Questioned the man, unsure where this was going. If fiddling with his hair made the hornless flamboyant bull happy; why wouldn't he let him?

"Oh, I absolutely will. It would be like throwing mud at a painting the day after it was finished." Admitted Notila.

"Oh." The wind being stolen from the human's sails. "Then-"

"I will come to yours each morning and personally complete your hair." Interjected the alien with a sharp, toothy grin.

"Wha-" The human started, but lost his voice, mouth opening and closing like a fish on dry land.

"Let me style your hair, let me tame these beautifully long strands into art and I will make the effort to come to you any day you plan to be seen in public. If, by the time of your next haircut, you want to go back?" A casual shrug, foreign to the taurian normally, but he was appealing to the human at this moment; manners be damned.

"Then I shall never mention it again and will live my remaining days happy that I was able to show you your potential at least once."

The pair were sat in silence for a time, the taurian perfectly still, his many dangling bits of jewellery not even 'tinkling' together he was so still. Until he decided to push it just a bit further.

"After all, I can bring a squidgit to the water, but I cannot force it to drink." He finished with a grin, then showed his hands.

In his left; shearers.

In his right; scissors.

The human sighed and gave a flat smile again.

"I am a blank canvas. I trust you."

-- 0 --

When the human turned his head from one side to the other, he had to admit; he would have *never* picked this.

A mohawk, His sides were still shaved, but with intricate patterns and strange shapes gently sculped into his hair line. Not only that, but the dye that Notilas had used was special. As and when heat was applied; it would change colours gradually. The man had been shocked when Notilas had started using a hairdryer to dry off his hair and watched in the mirror how it went from a deep purple, to blue, to yellow, to red. The taurian was of course, grinning from ear to ear the entire time. Even the man's beard had not been safe from Notila's ministrations as swooping curls had been finely shaved into it using the very edge of a scalpel.

As the human stood from the chair, and looked at himself in the mirror, inspecting the hair and hairline, but also leaning in and running the tips of his fingers over the swirls in his beard; he liked how it felt, even if it was rather loud compared to his usual fare.

As the human straightened, his usual slouch; didn't suit the bold and powerful style.

Briefly frowning, the man straightened. His spine clicked as he pulled his shoulders back.

So long had the man spent trying to get by, he'd attempted to hide himself in plain sight. But the powerful symbol he now wore needed, or rather demanded attention.

Turning and checking himself in the full-length mirror, the human felt... seen.

"Huh..." He murmured.

"My dear human... If you had merely said it was a lack of habit, I would have offered this when you had first arrived. You deserve to be seen. I'm not ignorant to you or your people's plight. It is your, and your kind's duty to bellow and bleat against the crowd now. To be seen. Heard. If nothing else remembered."

The human smirked, still getting used to standing tall.

"Maybe you're right..."

"Of course I am. Look at me! I'm the great Notilas!"

[r/WolvensStories]

[Ko-Fi]

[simplepotatofarmer]

dbt class project is to start creating a sensory kit and i'm gonna make mine c!techno and friends themed.

thinking of things like:

white faux fur for steve/the foxes

green gemstone

small gold bell

give me your ideas, especially rivals duo themed ones <3 it can be visual, scent, touch, sound, etc.

[boyslit-moving]

actually did i ever ramble on here about my 'fake'/fan hsr region? aside from posting Maraschino's combat kit and lines because he's my special 4★ princess

it all kicked off bc of this picrew 👇 my friend found and i loved making little elves with pink hair and then they started putting a story together in my head without my say-so lol

The Stellaron affecting Celarys is actually a half of one and its slowly going mad trying to find it's other half (which is also trying to get home to its counterpart).

The planet itself is largely agriculture and manufacturing for an extremely large confectionary conglomerate, and millennia of farming the land and consuming food grown on it has eventually changed the populaces' hair and skin to be tinted bright pink :3 there's some kind of harmless chemical that does this, don't worry too much about it

So that Stellaron half that's out and about was originally harvested as a gemstone, used to decorate an intricate clock and sold far away for like a bajillion dollars. But the Stellaron half wants to go home, and so anyone who has it ends up wanting to visit Celarys...

Previous owners had either had the clock stolen from them or ended up visiting Celarys without the clock, suddenly couldn't remember why they'd wanted to come here so bad and identified the clock as a cursed item and promptly got rid of it, and eventually it ends up in the stash of a rare antiques dealer. The Stellaron half is fed the fuck up at this point, and is basically making this poor man lose his mind, filling his head with nightmares and threats of her doesn't take this fucking clock to some pink little planet at the edge of some galaxy. He finds someone there interested in strange antiques and sells it to the CEO of the confectionary company, President Marinelo Rousseau, who delights in it's cursed history bc he's a weirdo and displays it with his collection of other histories strange antiques.

And where there's a Stellaron, there's mental manipulation and disaster, and also often the Astral Express :3

The president's mental focus and emotional stability take a major hit, and his son Marcelle who's being groomed to take over his position when he retires in a few hundred years starts worrying big time. Between him and the trusted CFO they manage to get him to take a leave of health, but his condition worsens, he starts slipping in the middle of the night to god knows where and returning with wild eyes and dirt under his fingernails. (The Stellaron is making him dig to find his other half buried in the mountainside. He really should have just asked the local miners about it but both halves are half-mad with the grief of not being whole and desperation to reunite, so neither the Stellaron pieces nor the president are making good choices)

Meanwhile, since this is a Stellaron we're talking about, there's all sorts of shit going haywire. The president's recent insistence on increased production and potential deal with the ipc, the stress on the agricultural and manufacturing workers leading to dissatisfaction and organizing in both factors, lobbies in the government from not only ag and manu but also mining because they're also in proximity to the buried Stellaron half and are feeling a desperate need to expand their tunnels unconnected to production directives

The face of the agriculture union movement is a tough rancher named Anaïs who honestly didn't mean to be the driving force behind all this but increased demands are putting stress on her beloved dairy cattle and thus must be stopped.

There are of course weather disturbances affecting crops and livestock and also daily life on the planet. The governor and her assistant are running around putting out fires, so to speak, regarding these issues, especially because the agricultural and livestock products are a huge part of their economy. There are a few Senators looking to take advantage of the chaos but they're less fleshed out lol

eventually the Astral Express crew gets wind of this, March and the trailblazer get excited about the snacks they'll be able to find there, and they arrive to help root out the Stellaron

Marcelle has called his older brother (Lieutenant) Marinelo (Junior) back to Celarys to help. Marinelo arrives about when the express does, recognizes the big train and knows they might be able to help, after news of all the places they've helped out with great disasters.

The dock where the express starts isn't that far from the heart of the main city Rosaire, but Marcelle sets them up in the guest manor on their grounds both as an apology for having to beg their help and to station them closer to important spots in Rosaire and the surrounding land. Let the investigation begin!

Marcelle begrudgingly allows them to contact his little brother Maraschino who is, for most appearances, a drunken philanderer wasting his father's money on personal pleasure... but the truth is that he's got a masterful network of connections and information and has been keeping an eye on the goings-on around the city ever since his dad went off the deep end. He does try to hit on Himeko though and March and the TB close ranks to remind him in no uncertain terms that their mom that himeko is off limits! especially to *you.*

Dan Heng assists with information on stellarons and previvous encounters, Lt Marinelo allows him access to the Rousseau family library which is quite extensive. also. there is a mutual crush there. :3c and Marinelo is worried about acting on it because humans live such a short time compared to Sucrelves which is on average 500 or so years

during the investigation they cross paths with a journalism student who's trying to track down these weird rumors about the Rousseau Confectionary Company's president and his mysterious illness. Laurent Vivier is also keeping tabs on, and writing articles about, the work the governor is doing and the workplace organizing, but this has been his secret passion project ever since he heard the rumor about the president sneaking out at night to go digging in the mountainside with his hands.

anyway that's kind of where i've gotten to with it. but it just keeps kind of expanding on its own, and when I get stuck sometimes I go back to the picrew and play around with character ideas lol

pink hair is fun :) but also dangerous, because sometimes you end up with an entire new region for your favorite game in your head

[obscure-introject-sources]

A care kit for a fictive of Eki Eveland with red, black, and gold jewelry for 🥝 anon

Links: x x x x / x x x x / x

Photo ID below the cut - 🐻

[Photo ID:

A set of mine photos on a black background for a care kit. The images are:

A set of earrings made to look like scissors, photographed from multiple angles; a set of dangle earrings with a red jewel and black hardware; a set of 7 multicolored beaded drawstring bracelets arranged in a circle around text reading “Undertale Inspired Bracelets”; two silver heart charms with the deltarune symbol on chains; a bracelet set of three bracelets, two made of black cord, the third with brown-ish red gemstones and silver hardware; a simple necklace with black jewels; gold earrings with rattlesnake vertebre and a spike on the end; three gold tarot card pendants on gold chains with colored details; a gold band bracelet reading “stay determined” tilted on a pile of poker chips

End ID]

[losangelesdiamondbuyer]

Hidden Treasures: Turning Old Jewelry into Instant Cash

To sell gold jewelry for cash is a practical and rewarding option for anyone looking to declutter, generate extra income, or repurpose unused valuables. Whether it’s broken chains, mismatched earrings, outdated designs, or inherited pieces that no longer suit your style, your old jewelry could be worth more than you think.

Jewelry often sits in drawers for years, gathering dust. Many people underestimate the value of these forgotten items. Gold, silver, and platinum all have intrinsic market value that fluctuates daily, often rising over time. Gemstones like diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds can also be appraised and sold separately, increasing your return. Instead of letting these items sit unused, converting them into cash allows you to benefit financially while freeing up space.

There are multiple options for selling old jewelry. Local jewelry stores, gold buyers, pawnshops, and online marketplaces all offer ways to exchange valuables for money. Each has its pros and cons. Jewelry stores and gold buyers typically provide expert appraisals and fair market prices based on the weight and purity of the metal. Pawnshops may offer fast cash but at lower rates. Online platforms specialist gold-buying sites offer competitive prices, especially for unique or vintage pieces, but require effort in listing and shipping.

Before selling, it's crucial to prepare your jewelry. Start by sorting items by metal type and stone presence. Clean each piece gently to restore shine—this can improve its appearance and appeal to buyers. Next, consider getting a professional appraisal, especially for high-value items. This gives you a realistic understanding of worth and protects you from underselling. Make sure to check current market prices for gold and other metals, so you know what to expect.

Transparency and trust are key when choosing where to sell. Look for Gold Dealers Los Angeles with clear policies, verified reviews, and secure transaction methods. Many gold-buying companies offer mail-in kits and free evaluations, but always check if they provide insured shipping and a satisfaction guarantee. For in-person transactions, choose locations with certified professionals and clear documentation.

Selling old jewelry can also be a sustainable and eco-conscious decision. Recycling precious metals and stones reduces the demand for new mining, which has a significant environmental impact. By selling your jewelry, you’re contributing to a circular economy, promoting reuse over waste.

Sell your jewelry for cash near me is a smart way to unlock hidden value while decluttering your space. With proper preparation, knowledge of the market, and careful selection of where to sell, you can turn unused items into financial gain. Whether you use the proceeds to pay bills, fund a holiday, or invest in something new, selling old jewelry is a win-win decision.

[podjewellery]

The Growing Popularity of Australian Jewellery Supplies and Jewellery Making Courses

Introduction

The world of jewelry making is ever-expanding, offering a creative outlet for artisans and hobbyists alike. As interest in personalized, handcrafted jewelry grows, many people are turning to jewelry-making courses and local suppliers to fuel their passion. In Australia, the demand for Australian jewellery supplies has surged in recent years, with both beginners and professionals seeking high-quality jewellery making supplies. From gemstones and beads to wires and tools, these supplies are the foundation of creating unique and beautiful pieces. This article explores the role of jewelry supplies and jewellery making courses in nurturing the craftsmanship and creativity of aspiring jewelry makers.

The Role of Australian Jewellery Supplies

Australia has a rich history in crafting jewelry, with its local suppliers offering a wide range of products suited to both traditional and contemporary jewelry making. Australian jewellery supplies cater to a diverse audience, from hobbyists looking for materials for personal projects to professional jewelers needing top-quality tools and components for their designs.

What sets Australian suppliers apart is their commitment to offering a range of sustainable and ethically sourced materials, particularly for those interested in using eco-friendly materials. Many jewelry supplies include ethically sourced precious metals, conflict-free diamonds, and locally mined gemstones, ensuring the final product not only supports local artisans but also promotes ethical production practices.

Suppliers across the country provide everything from beads, stones, and chains to metal wire and soldering materials. Whether you’re creating delicate wire-wrapped jewelry or bold statement pieces, jewellery making supplies are readily available to suit any design. Additionally, many Australian suppliers also offer specialized items like custom molds, findings, and other essential tools that help jewelers bring their vision to life.

The Significance of Jewellery Making Courses

For those looking to expand their skill set, jewellery making course are an excellent option. These courses, offered by a variety of institutions and online platforms, are designed to teach the basics and advanced techniques of jewelry creation.

Beginners can learn fundamental skills, such as bead threading, wire wrapping, and soldering, while advanced students can explore more complex techniques like gemstone setting, casting, and working with precious metals. Jewellery making courses often cover the necessary tools and materials, so students not only gain practical skills but also learn about the jewelry supplies they will need for future projects.

In addition to skill-building, these courses often emphasize creativity and design. Students are encouraged to experiment with different materials and develop their own distinctive style. For those aspiring to turn their jewelry-making hobby into a business, some courses offer entrepreneurial insights, helping learners navigate the marketing and sales aspects of the jewelry industry.

Benefits of High-Quality Jewellery Making Supplies

The quality of jewellery making supplies can significantly affect the final product. Low-quality materials may lead to breakage, tarnishing, or dull designs, while premium materials help ensure that each piece is durable and visually striking. Choosing top-tier jewelry supplies also reduces the amount of time spent on repairs and adjustments, allowing makers to focus on the creative aspects of the design process.

For example, using high-quality beads and gemstones ensures that colors remain vibrant, and metals will retain their shine and luster over time. Top-tier tools, such as precision pliers, cutters, and soldering kits, offer greater control and ease, allowing for more intricate and professional results.

Conclusion

The world of jewelry making is brimming with creativity and opportunity, especially with the availability of premium Australian jewellery supplies and expert-led jewellery making courses. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn the basics or an experienced artisan seeking quality materials, Australia’s jewelry supply market has everything you need. By choosing top-quality jewelry supplies and taking advantage of professional courses, you can enhance your skills and create beautiful, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. As the demand for handcrafted jewelry continues to rise, the growing network of suppliers and educators in Australia ensures that anyone with a passion for jewelry making can find the tools and resources needed to succeed.

[dancingbearrockandminerals]

Discover the joy of learning with our Dancing Bear Gemstone Dig Kit! Perfect for kids learning games, this kit lets children excavate 16 real gems and crystals, including arrowheads, quartz points, and amethyst. Ideal for sparking a love of science and rock mining, it's a fun and educational gift set for both girls and boys. Buy now and inspire young minds with hands-on discovery!

[toptanzanite1]

Answering Why Top Tanzanite Is Your Trusted Choice For Ethically Sourced Jewelry

When deciding where to buy tanzanite from in 2024, ethical sourcing is a paramount concern. We, at Top Tanzanite, are pleased to have made significant progress in promoting responsible consumerism. Our exquisitely crafted tanzanite jewelry pieces embody lawful luxury and reflect your conscious and impactful choice. Read on to discover the process of creating ethically sourced jewelry and how it makes us the best place to buy tanzanite jewelry.

Q: What does ethical sourcing mean?

A: Ethical sourcing means obtaining gemstones in a responsible and fair manner, ensuring social and environmental standards are met throughout the supply chain. This includes practices that support workers, protect the environment, and promote transparency in sourcing and production processes.

Also Read: From Mine To Market: The Journey Of Tanzanite Jewelry

Q: How does Top Tanzanite ensure ethical sourcing and sustainability?

A: Our entire supply chain, from sourcing gemstones with vendors to collaborating with manufacturers, and service providers, ensures sustainability from mine to market. As a tanzanite company complainant with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, we have priority access to an exclusive mine. Hence, you are guaranteed environmentally safe, fair, and conflict-free gemstones from a trusted source.

Q: What does "Mine-to-Market" mean?

A: Businesses that follow a "Mine-to-Market" model must be involved in every stage of the gemstone's journey, from mining the rough material to creating the final product and then delivering it to customers. It covers the entire supply chain process and guarantees total control and transparency about the gemstone’s sourcing, cutting, polishing, and craftsmanship.

Q: Based on affordability, why should customers choose Top Tanzanite?

A: As compared to other brands, and even wholesalers, we have minimal markup and the lowest prices. We also do not engage in price-fixing and offer the most honest price we can.

Also Read: From Gemstone To Polished Jewelry - What Goes Into Making Tantalizing Tanzanite Pieces

Q: What measures does Top Tanzanite take to reduce its carbon footprint?

A: From ethically sourced materials to streamlined shipping practices, we are committed to our CSR values. Participation in rainwater harvesting and installation of solar panels on our factory rooftop are two of our initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint. This also minimizes our dependency on the local resources.

Q: How does Top Tanzanite ensure the health and safety of workers?

A: We provide free safety equipment to our workers. Such facilities include fire extinguishers, eye flush stations, goggles, gloves, masks, first aid kits, and more. Despite these precautions, we ensure that emergencies, if any, will be dealt with in an appropriate manner.

Also Read: What Does Ethical Sourcing Of Gemstones Really Mean

Q: What sets Top Tanzanite apart from other jewelry brands?

A: As the best place to buy tanzanite, we proudly hold GIA and RJC certifications. Our "Mine-to-Market" approach helps eliminate middlemen, resulting in the best prices, all while maintaining transparency and trust in our supply chain process. The broader design and customization options are a cherry on top!

Have more questions? Drop a mail here or connect with us on Instagram @toptanzanite.

[toysadelaide]

The Mega Gemstone dig kit for your kids to experience digging and read about gems.

National Geographic Gemstone Dig Kit: 

The Mega Gemstone Dig Kit by National Geographic is an educational playset that allows children to dig up their own set of gems. The kit includes a brick which the kids can dig, a chisel and brush as digging tools, a magnifying glass to inspect the gemstones, 15 gemstones and a 16-page learning guide in full color which shows how the gemstones are formed and how they are mined. The 15 genuine gemstones in the brick are pyrite, geode, quartz crystal, amethyst, sodality, rose quartz, fluorite, aragonite, red jasper, hematite, desert rose, agate, snowflake obsidian, tiger’s eye, and aventurine.

https://switchedonkids.com.au/product/national-geographic-gemstone-dig-kit/

#australia #adelaide #sydney #melbourne #perth #brisbane #toys #school #kids #play #educational #learning #studygram #study #uniquegiftideasforkids#educationaltoysforkids #CreativesToys

[pin-jar-uk]

New mini Altar Kits!

Available on Etsy.

[harrypuzzle]

Harry Puzzle Geo Gemstone Mine Dig Kit National Geographic Educational ...

[marlynnofmany]

Space Weather and Shuwogs

This ship didn’t have any humans onboard either, but they did have an extra spacesuit in one-size-fits-most human measurements. It smelled, predictably, like feet. It was also a little short for me, but I could deal with a bit of tightness in the shoulders. Much better than braving an actual spacewalk with just a cheap air shield.

They needed my long human fingers, you see.

“It’s between these panels,” explained the small lizardy being beside me. Her suit was the same boring gray as mine, but the face behind the dome was a yellow more eye-searing than the ship. She was a very businesslike lemon lizard. “We have tools somewhere that can probably reach it, but those might scratch the surface, and anyway an idiot who shall remain nameless put them in the wrong place. No idea where they are. Go ahead and grab it if you can. Then we can finish welding.” She waved back toward the pair of crewmembers waiting with repair gear.

“No rush,” called the other lizardy Heatseeker, her scales a mottled orange. “It’s a nice view out here.” She pointed her tail down at the moon we were orbiting. “Lovely clear space weather.”

“Yes, rush,” grumbled the bug alien in a segmented exo suit. His gray outfit was decorated with adhesive spangles and fake gemstones, which was certainly a choice. From what I could see under the dome, his praying-mantis face was gaudy purple and similarly decorated. This sure was a colorful crew.

And they were waiting on me. I took a magnetic-booted step towards the damaged area. “Is the meteorite hot?” I asked. Probably a dumb question, since it had hit the ship hours ago, but better dumb than dead from air loss.

“No, no,” the yellow Heatseeker said with a wave of her tiny hand. “Just a bit of junk where it shouldn’t be. Honestly, I would have gotten a Strongarm to pull it out, but the tentacle arms on their suits are thin and flexible; they might tear. Yours has armored fingers.”

“That it does,” I said. I appreciated that armor. “All right, let me see. Not sure I can reach that far. Does this plate pull out farther?”

“Yup.” She waved the bug alien over. “Put those mighty blades to work. Mind you don’t bop her in the face with a shuwog.”

“Shuwog?” I asked as he proudly clicked his way over, pincher arms at the ready.

The orange Heatseeker burst into song. “WHAT THE HELL IS A SHUWOG?” she bellowed, making me jump. “Someone tell me ‘bout the shuwog. All the times I’ve heard shuwog … nothing rhymes with a shuwog … c’mon explain it to meeee…”

“That doesn’t answer my question,” I said.

"It's a song!" she replied.

"An annoying song," the bug guy muttered as he fit his pincher blades into the opening.

"But what's the answer?" I asked.

The orange Heatseeker pushed the repair kit forward and launched into an explanation. "In the Mesmer language, the term for that part of their arm translates as 'Sacred Hinge Upon Which Our Glorious Blade Arms Pivot to Eviscerate Pathetic Prey-Beings.’ That makes the massive acronym 'SHUWOGBAPEPPB.' It shortens to shuwog, and the band The Loud Ones just came out with a song about it, which is very catchy..."

The Mesmer cranked on the panel with more violence than necessary, and held it open for me. "Stupid song," he said. "Disrespectful."

“No it’s not! It honors the sacredness of your arm parts! And makes a catchy dance tune.”

I edged around him to peer into the crevice and reach for the meteorite. "So a shuwog is…"

"Wrist," said the yellow Heatseeker. "It's his wrist. The bendy part. Their language is unnecessarily flowery."

"Very necessary!" the Mesmer objected. “To showcase our glory!”

I closed my armored fingers on the space rock and pulled it out with nary a scrape. “Got it!” I held it up in triumph, ready to say more, but stopped when something bounced off the hull near my head.

"Shrapnel! Get inside!" the yellow one shouted. The others were already scrambling for the hatch.

"Did we do a full orbit already??" asked the orange one, struggling with the repair kit.

The Mesmer looped a pincher through the straps and dragged her along with it. "Yes."

I kept close, hunching my shoulders as more small things hit different parts of the ship. The crewmembers tumbled through the hatch and pulled me along with them, slamming it behind me just before a large chunk of something whanged into it. I managed to smack my arm on the bulkhead, but took no other damage.

"Everybody okay?" the yellow one asked. The others said yes.

"Yeah, just a bump," I said, realizing I was still holding the space rock. I moved it to my other hand and shook my arm dramatically. "Ow. Right in the shuwog."

The glare that the Mesmer gave me, with angled antennas and flaring mouthparts, was balanced out by the bray of laughter from the orange Heatseeker. Even the yellow one snorted.

"Sorry. My wrist's not sacred," I told him.

The orange one was still laughing. "Sure it is!" she said. "It helped get the rock out from behind the panel! Saved the day! We can finish the repairs as soon as the junk cloud is past."

"That may be a while," said the yellow one. "I'll check with--"

"Let's sing to pass the time! C'mon, I'll teach you the words."

The Mesmer slammed a button to open the door between the airlock and hallway (with his shuwog) and flounced out, stomping with all four feet. He took off his helmet as he went. "Call me when it's time to weld. I will be ANYWHERE else."

"Party pooper. Anyway, it starts with a drum solo..."

The yellow Heatseeker left on official business while the orange one trailed out into the hallway before settling down to explain at length.

I followed. The hallways were tall enough for me to stand up on this ship.

“The chorus is the best part, but even the background singers have a good time. If you can say ‘shuwogbapeppb’ a few times in a row, you’ve got it. And the beat is so danceable!”

I set the rock down on the floor next to my helmet, listened to asteroid chunks raining down outside, and I learned a very catchy song.

~~~

I’m exploring backstory in honor of the book coming out soon. There are so many adventures to be had!

[mysteryshoptls]

SSR Trey Clover Outdoor Wear Personal Story: Part 1

"Something a little tastier"

Part 1 (Part 2) (Part 3)

[Dwarfs' Mine – Campsite]

Trey: Are you ready? We'll be heading out to do the mining task soon.

Science Club Member A: I need you guys to wait just a bit. I thought I had put in my mining research kit in my bag, but I can't find it at all!

Trey: Got it. Hurry and find it, will you?

Trey: Seriously… He's really going to put his own research before our tasks? There are way too many guys in the Science Club that just go at their own pace.

Trey: I guess I'll sort through my things while I wait. …Hm? That looks like…

Idia: Rule 1. Small fires require small logs. Rule 2. Don't crowd the fire, leave a moderate amount of space.

Idia: Rule 3. Once the flames grow higher, feed it branches with High Attack power… Whew.

Idia: Fuheehee, I've totally memorized Premo's 3 principles of making a bonfire.

Idia: Might be obvious steps, but their word choice makes it easier to remember.

Idia: I need to complete the wood gathering missions so I can mimic what they did in their video, too.

Trey: Idia, you seem pretty fired up.

Idia: Eek!? T-T-T-Trey-shi!? You scared me… Don't just come up from behind and start talking…

Trey: Haha, sorry, sorry. I was just surprised that you're getting into the groove of camping. Didn't mean to startle you.

Idia: Getting in what groove? If I could go home ASAP, I would…

Idia: B-But, I know I can’t… S-So I thought at least I could watch the stream my faves made on bonfires…

Trey: Neat, so there are things that even you want to do while camping, huh.

Trey: There's a guy in my club too, who's all excited to do some research in the mines since we're all here for camping, anyway.

Trey: He's usually always doing research on geology and mineralogy. I remember that his reports are always pretty fascinating.

Trey: That reminds me, that guy did say something interesting before.

Idia: …Something interesting?

Trey: He said that there's a theory that this whole area around the mine used to be underwater many, many years ago.

Trey: Although, this area isn't anywhere near the sea, so we really can't tell if that's true or not.

Idia: …Don't think it's that impossible. Mines like this with magical gemstones are more prone to form in areas that have high volcanic activity…

Trey: You really know your stuff.

Idia: Eep… N-No, no, no, anyone would know that kind of thing. It was just taught in class, so…

Trey: Was it? Well, sorry. I didn't mean to talk about something you weren't interested in.

Idia: Ah, I mean, it's not like I'm not interested… And originally, I was looking to join the Science Club…

Trey: Eh, really?

Idia: Y-Yeah… I thought it'd be time-efficient if I could research my interests as part of my club activities…

Trey: Yeah, I get that. A bunch of us in the club had the same sort of idea as you. You should have joined us.

Idia: Wh-When I went to check the club out, there was a lot more people than I thought, so there was no way…

Trey: A lot of people…? True, I guess we have one of the larger culture clubs.

Trey: Ah, but what a pity. If you had joined our club, I might have picked up a thing or two in new fields.

Idia: Hah!? A pity!? T-Trey-shi, what are you scheming…!?

Trey: Scheming…? Are you that shocked I'd say something like that? There's no one out there more knowledgeable about digital engineering or technomancy.

Trey: That's why I thought if you had joined the Science Club, you would have found a different way to do your research than the others in the club.

Idia: I-I only want to do the things I like to do… I'd rather not have to deal with presenting results, or other people's expectations…

Science Club Member A: Trey, I'm ready now. Sorry I made you wait.

Trey: Gotcha, let's go, then.

Trey: Thanks for chatting with me. Good luck on your tasks, Idia.

Idia: Ah, y-yeah…

Idia: …HAAAAAAAAAAAAH～～～～～ THAT WIPED ME OUT!

Idia: I heard that the guys in the Science Club just do their own research on whatever they want, but in the end, they still rove in packs!

Idia: They seriously go and do their thing in large groups like that? No way, no way, I'd never be able to do that!

Idia: He's not as intense as those other happy-go-lucky guys, but even Trey-shi'll just keep the conversation going like that…

Idia: I can't deal with that kind of thing. It's the worst. I hope he never talks to me again…

Part 1 (Part 2) (Part 3)

Requested by Anonymous.

[dramarising-replacement]

Devs are allergic to lore friendly "functional" apparel so excuse me while I yell about the wasted potential for 20 years below:

Plague: Plague-themed survival gear; could be boots, monster-skin ponchos (or wing protectors) for protective gear, Plague-specific eyewear which combines a gas-mask... there's tons of ideas here for plenty of protective gear for non-Plague dragons. We have clothing that uses leather, but never says where it comes from; I'm going to assume some of it is from monsters & could be used to help waterproof a dragon from acid rain/Plague-infused rain. I'm honestly surprised there's really nothing besides the alchemy masks & gloves for that. Sure, there's magic, but it could be cool for players who'd rather find other means for their dragons to protect themselves. Another idea is simply a more traditional medical kit apparel set, with a rations pack & clean water pack for traveling through the territory.

Earth: Earth's whole deal is spelunking & crypts, yet all we have for that really is whatever magical ideas we can come up with from old event apparel, or gem shop lanterns. Why don't we have other means such as mining helmets fitted for dragon heads with something silly like magical spotlights or a candle set on them? Clearly not every dragon can see in the dark if we have the shoulder lanterns to begin with. Other ideas could include gloves which have big digging claws for the breeds who want to dig deeper in Earth territory, or ones who want to augment their natural talons. We have some of this on the site, but not many that seem emphasized for digging or are very needle-like. Surely every dragon doesn't use shovels? To be honest even simple tail-lanterns would be neat, or more shoulder bags filled with gemstones & geodes. Something. Earth is so barren. The Dwarf player inside of me is going bananas at Earth not having more fun delving gear & clothing. I'm going to eat a rock now.

Fire: Not much to say about fire, besides I feel like it could always have more protective/smithy-themed gear that isn't all event apparel. There's really no reason why we can't also have stuff like welding masks, more protective gloves or something like clothing which is meant to protect the wing-feathers of non-fire dragons in Fire territories. It doesn't even need to be clothing; with any flight I am sure players would appreciate even accenting apparel like soot smudging for arms/legs or crafter's aprons pouches. I do not know why this site is so allergic to subtle accenting apparel like splatters & smudging to put underneath clothing to make a dragon dirty (yes, we have skins & accents but so does Lioden & crap & they get tons of this type of thing... on that note, where's war paint apparel?). Why not more apparel which is dragon-accessible like neck/chest pouches? I'm aware this wouldn't work for every pose, but some could be slung over the shoulder & partially closed/more dynamic with those. Or even the tools flying out. Magic floating crafter's tools? Many players already headcanon flights mixing magic for that sort of thing, why don't we have more stuff that references flights working together to make gear like that...?

Water: I am unsure how dragons handle swimming, but I think it also wouldn't hurt to have aquatic gear for some dragons such as boots/gloves with webbed fingers/claws or things with fins on the arms/haunches to aid in swimming. We have the event gills of course, but this is meant to be mundane gear that anyone can use & nothing magical. Something silly like a vest with a leather inflatable neck & chest tube could be fun as part of a jacket combo. Honestly, deep-sea diving apparel would be a cool thing to try to implement, which I think we could get away with the breeds all being so different by primarily making this body gear with facial apparel which keeps the top of the head free, but covers the mouth & snout with the breathing gear, with the rest to flow down the neck areas. Where's our Wind flight teamups making some silly airbreathing gear? Floaties? Wing fins. Even something like a wetsuit coated with shiny scales for those fluffy dragons, I dunno.

Nature: I'm honestly, deeply, deeply surprised we really have no apparel that is like- actual wood armor with living plant accenting or something like carry-on pottery with plants that isn't like, magically growing out of the dragon. The gardening gear was an amazing start, but we could do with even more plant accenting with that; stuff like vines trailing up the limbs, nets full of flower petals like the vegetables, giant rafflesia clothing (ha ha stinky). Plants are SO varied, & yet we have actually very little green gear to deck out our dragons with, besides stuff like the Leafy Gladeboughs or the Woodbrace stuff (but that's more feathers, anyway). Imagine a whole set of apparel which is just various carnivorous plants that live on the dragon as living protective armor. We have a fair amount of apparel that just sits in front of the dragon or stabs into the ground, why not stacks of pottery or like- foreground type elements of some plants? Nature has SO much potential, I'm screaming.

Wind: Avoiding the general "Asia" theme with Wind, I'm surprised we don't have more aviation gear besides the jackets & things... like we don't have more wing glider stuff that puts a fancy spin on things? Silly blimps under the wings & by the armpits? We really could go even harder on some fun steampunk adjacent ideas here. Similar to ideas for Water, it could be something as fun as rocket wing parts or something like a rocket belt/boots. You know you want glider kite wings in like a ton of colors to match with your dragons. They could even have prints of stuff on them like the wing fans! Other ideas are things like FLYING flocks of birds & more actual in-the-air apparel; more blowing leaves of various types & colors, etc. Fun accenting stuff. I wanna pair of shoes with useless propellers on them.

Lightning: It's a crime we don't have even more obvious mad-scientist apparel. Who do I have to push into a giant cauldron to get us some bandoliers of like, glowing neon potions or like, even "apparel" which is splatters of goo on a dragon. Everything can't be brass batteries, we have some other subtle aesthetics we can work with for Lightning here. That said, we also don't have a powered-exoskeleton suit that goes over our dragon legs. I wanna be Death Stranding out here. Where the hell is our obvious robot arm apparel, or is the implication of a missing limb too gruesome for FR? Geez. Arcane: Honestly I think we're fairly good & varied with both event & nonevent items that fit the general aesthetic & ideas behind the flight, since we have plenty of robe & magical themed gear all over the place that can work for Arcane. All I can really think of is more Alchemy gear in different forms; yeah, we have the bags & protective gear, but I dunno why the site is allergic to not having multiple forms of themed apparel... that is, it wouldn't kill us to have more than one bag drawn differently with different bottles or say bottles now filled with little critters & herbs. Does that make sense? We have say, 5 different scarves but only 1 type of junk bag, etc. It wouldn't kill them to make another set of mage or witch gear that wasn't recolor, is what I mean. Blah, blah "more work for artists" yeah this isn't about that, it's just me realizing how occasionally allergic the site is to get more than just 1 thing out of a theme or object sometimes. That said, Arcane could use some headgear of various magnifying eyepieces similar to that one Earth event apparel or maybe adventuring gear with the bags stuffed full of scrolls & writing equipment. We weirdly don't seem to have much for scribe dragons. Where's my nerd's pocket-pen shirt.

Light: Not many ideas here for Light, since it's apparel is already all over the place in aesthetics besides "gold with glowy orb" on many. I like the general black & gold theme with many years apparel, but the lack of a unifying- I guess "cultural" look for Light makes me struggle to come up with apparel set ideas, along with the flight itself sort of difficult to work with for what Light does (unlike say, Shadow easily being able to have just more Stealth gear themes for example). Light has some Hellenistic themes in it's backgrounds, but all I can come up with are just more glowing elements like maybe stained-glass themed armor with a Roman/Greek theme with accenting or something like firefly cages or blown glass bottles with fireflies/fairies in them...? Emphasis on carrying & moving light, since there's not another theme I can really see with the current lore, unlike say with Earth being more clear with what they DO as a flight as whole, idk. Light kinda bores me, sorry. Y'all pretty, but what the hell you all do in those empty yellow fields?

Shadow: There's a lack of dragon clown makeup that is sorely lacking & I don't think anyone else here is brave enough to say it. We got jesters, bring in the clowns. I wanna turn the corner on a pine tree grove & see a bunch of dragons in grease paint scatter like roaches. Where's our nerd freaks out here playing Dungeons & Humans on their floating board games & card games. Apparel that's just the biggest dice bag you've ever seen & every dragon in their lair is crying for them to stop buying more d20s.

Ice: Besides the cold weather apparel we already have, a lot of low magic weather gear can work for Ice. Examples being things like ember-holders for fire-starting (assuming you're not a Fire dragon), more animal pelt gear to round out what we already have with more primitive aesthetics (or for our mighty hunter dragons) or something for plant (or Tundra) dragons like shoulder carry things for tender green foraging or firewood. Little aesthetic things like that. I know much of Ice flight is probably out in just snow tunnels & living more animal-like given what we can see on the map, but that doesn't mean a dragon can't try to make themselves comfortable. Silly note: where's our dumb dragon holiday socks?

Feel free to 100% use any of this for your dragon lore or art because Sornieth drives me bananas sometimes. I was gonna post this on the forums, but to be honest I'm sure someone would just delete it instantly for daring to call the site uncreative even when I really like a ton of it. I just feel it's wildly untapped potential. I hope some site artist sees this & uses it, holy crap I am dying for more fun, "functional" apparel that isn't only event crap. If you read this far, congrats, go drink a glass of water & eat something nice today. Emphasizing the "no salt" tag here because honestly I am just frustrated & making grabby hands at what could have been. I sometimes feel like the site somehow has no direction & is just throwing darts at a board, forgive me.

[wondersbeyondcompare]

Majid Union Birthday

im a month + a day late BUT ITS DONE HAHA HAPPY BDAY TO MY BOY

Part 1

Majid: Another birthday, huh… I still don’t see the point in doing something like this. It’s just a normal day for me, so why does everyone here insist on celebrating it? Maybe this whole scheme was set up by the headmaster to force us into ridiculous outfits and answer inane questions.

Majid: …Maybe I should get out of here while I still can. It’s not like I’m required to do the interview. And all this talk about the “gift of good fortune” sounds like torture just waiting to happen.

Majid: Ok! Now to leave before the presenter arrives-

???: Aaand~ back into the room you go!

Majid: !!! How did you-!

Ace: Are you seriously asking me that? I could hear you mumbling to yourself from the other side of the door. You’re no Sebek, but your voice ain’t exactly the quietest either.

Ace: Also, you’re not technically required to do the interview, BUT the headmaster will get on our asses later if we don’t do this, so I’d rather avoid that, ok~? And don’t give me that “I don’t care about this either way” crap. If I’m gonna get chewed out, then I’m bringing you down with me.

Majid: ‘Geh… Why did I get assigned this guy for the interview? He seems like the lowest of the low. Then again this is Night Raven College, so I guess it’s not unusual.’

Majid: Fine. Let’s get this over with.

Ace: Couldn’t have said it better myself! Ah, and before I forget… *rustle* *rustle* Here you go! A birthday gift from yours truly!

Majid: ??? *rattle* *rattle*

Ace: You gotta open it to see what’s inside, y’know.

Majid: Can I have a hint?

Ace: Right now?!!! When you’re seconds away from opening your gift?? I made it easy for you and everything! I’ve seen you nap around the school as much as Leona-senpai; don’t tell me you’ve become too lazy to pop open a lid?!!!

Majid: I don’t trust you.

Ace: Why’re you making it sound like I planted a bomb inside the box? Look, I swear I didn’t put anything suspicious in there, just open it already.

Majid: …This is… A jeweler’s loupe?

Ace: Yup! I saw one of the upperclassmen gift you a jewelry repair kit last year, so I thought this would be be a perfect addition. Plus you have a crazy knack for picking out the real and the fake when it comes to things like designer brands and gemstones and stuff like that! So this should make the process easier!

Majid: Thank you… But I also feel like there’s some hidden intentions behind this gift that you’re not telling me.

Ace: Oh? Was it that obvious? Well, there’s this classmate of mine who was bragging about the deal he got on this “luxury” watch he bought in town, and he’s being reaaallly annoying about it, so I just thought if I could get you to inspect it and knock him down a peg-

Majid: Never mind. Forget I said anything. Let’s just get on with the interview.

Part 2

Ace: First question! “If you could pick any student from Night Raven College to be your sibling, who would you choose?” Can’t choose anyone from your own dorm though!

Majid: I wouldn’t choose them anyway. They’re both different types of annoying.

Ace: What, seriously?! I mean, Kalim-senpai seems a little air headed, sure, and Jamil-senpai can get a little uptight, but they can’t be that bad. Jamil-senpai’s always reliable during our basketball practices too.

Majid: He’s the last person I’d want as a sibling. I don’t care how responsible he is. If I had to wake up everyday to an older brother telling me what to do, when to do it, and how, I’d throw myself into the same cave that swallowed thieves and liars whole during the time of Sorcerer of the Sand’s reign.

Ace: Aren’t you being too dramatic… Then, who would you pick as a sibling?

Majid: That is… Hmm…

Ace: …?

Majid: ….

Ace: ????

Majid: Nobody. Everyone at the school has too many faults.

Ace: ARE YOU KIDDING ME. EXCUSE ME, MR HOLIER THAN THOU, THAT’S NOT AN ANSWER CHOICE. YOU GOTTA CHOOSE SOMEONE WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT.

Majid: Tch, fine. Then… that sleepy guy from Diasomnia. The really serious one that’s always around the shouty green haired one.

Ace: You mean Silver-senpai? Why him?

Majid: He seems like the least likely to wake me from my naps because he’s also always falling asleep all the time.

Ace: Again, it circled back to your naps… Y’know, there’s more to having a sibling than deciding on the one who gives you the least amount of trouble.

Majid: Well, I never grew up with any brothers or sisters, so of course I don’t know what it’s like. There were some kids I lived with at that place, but I didn’t consider them family. I left them behind soon enough too.

Ace: That place…? Well, anyway, you’re an only child, right? Sorry to tell you the truth, but this had to come out sooner or later. No matter who you pick as a sibling from this school, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE BOTHERED. That’s the sad reality of being the younger brother, take it from me!

Majid: !!!!! N- No way… Then, if I chose someone the same age or younger-

Ace: Younger sibling, older sibling, they’re all the same! One way or another, they’ll find some way to be the most annoying person on the planet! Even more so because they’re always gonna be around you.

Majid: Guh… That’s why I chose “nobody” at the very start-!

Ace: However!

Majid: There’s more?!

Ace: It’s kinda nice to have someone to support you if you ever screw up. Especially when your mom and dad get angry with you. My older brother also teaches me some pretty cool stuff when he has free time! Like card tricks or about any school events that pop up through the year because he’s an alumni. So it’s not all that bad, ok?

Majid: I’m still confused… But I guess it sounds nice to have someone like that…

Part 3

Ace: Alright, next question! “If you could join any dorm other than Scarabia, which one would you choose?” And you’re not allowed to say “none of the above” again!

Majid: I wasn’t going to. Let’s see…

Ace: …

Majid: …

Ace: Please don’t tell me you’re thinking of a dorm that allows you to sleep comfortably at your own leisure.

Majid: !!! How did you-

Ace: It’s so obvious! Are you gonna spend the rest of your life snoozing away? Think harder about this!!

Majid: Then… Not Heartslabyul. Memorizing all those rules seems like a pain. And the current dorm leader seems like an even bigger pain.

Ace: Just a pain is an understatement… Dorm Leader Riddle is ruthless…

Majid: Savanclaw is full of a bunch of active guys which seems like a physical pain. Octavinelle has a nice lounge I sometimes nap in, but I feel like that octopus guy will force me to work or trick me into some shady contract. And Diasmonia is kinda… If the loud green guy’s gonna be there at the same time as me, then I’ll pass.

Majid: I guess I’ll go with Ignihyde in the end.

Ace: Are you really into technology or something?

Majid: I know the basics. Also the guys there seem like the type to keep to themselves, so being forced to socialize won’t be a problem. And the way they maintain their machines are amazingly meticulous. Maybe I can learn something from them when it comes to my own hobbies.

Ace: “Not being forced to socialize” is just code for “not being woken up so frequently”, right?

Majid: …Rude. And I gave proper reasons at the very end, why didn’t you focus on that?

Ace: Does everything in your life revolve around sleeping?

Majid: It’s more of a habit than anything else. And a good way to conserve energy throughout the day for more important things.

Ace: Like what?

Majid: Jobs. Making a quick escape. Waiting until your next meal.

Ace: Well, whatever works for you.

Ace: So! Are you ready for “the gift of good fortune”!

Majid: I never will be, but do I really have a choice?

Ace: Nope!

Ace: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAJID!