#(though if you're just texturing out of a box then yeah we're all using the same sieves)

[glitchlight]

everyone who has been memeing about the USDA soil textural triangle for approximately the past decade doesn't even know the best part: there's another entire classification system that is far more widely used and more important

[ambiguousdisorderken]

Hello, a soon-to-be veganuary participant here! Do you have any tips on how to communicate your veganism when you have e.g. family gatherings, sometimes with… a bit more conservative members, where there is a meal offered? I don’t want to seem too difficult😬 Also Food and easy everyday vegan food ideas would be appreciated!

Absolutely, it’ll be my pleasure! And Thank You!!!<3

So, I'll start with the last part of this ask. I think it's easier not to think of it as "vegan meals", and instead veganize whatever one usually eats. For me, I loved to have scrambled eggs in the mornings, now I have scrambled tofu (extra firm, not silken), that way I can still enjoy my comfort food but have it be animal-free.

meal suggestions:

Breakfast foods are perhaps the simplest to turn plant-based, takes mostly switching a few ingredients. Other meals are not difficult, but traditionally they might rely more on animal products, so you might have to tweak them more. These two (lunch and dinner) I'll be pairing because I eat them interchangeably at either noon or evening. If you want specific recipes, Pinterest is your best friend (my ask box will still be open though).

-Breakfast: oatmeal, toasts/bagels with either sweet or salty toppings, cereals, smoothie bowls, PB&J like Cas (still an SPN blog, sorry), hashed browns or smoothies, if you're like me and have no time in the mornings.

-Lunch/Dinner: rice&beans with a little extra something of your choosing (I like avocado or a simple green salad on the side), wraps/burritos (throw anything veggie in there, really), pasta (just had it with sautéed green beans and cashews), hearty salads (bulk up with, yes, beans - garbanzo/chickpeas are great for this!), thick soups (roast some veggies, then put in a blender and voilà. Great for low energy days and easier digestion), chili sin carne and curries.

-Snacks: i'm partial to nuts and seeds, but fruits are great too, as well as veggies/whatever with hummus, chips and the like (original Pringles, Lay's and Fritos, some pretzels and Takis too!), cookies (many options, original Oreos reign supreme), chocolate (most dark choc is vegan, sweeter options made with plant milks are also available), most popcorn, vegan ice cream (if you have access to Oatly and like chocolate, try the Fudge Brownie, so good) or vegan protein bars if you're in need of a protein-dense pick-me up (protein bars across the board aren’t the best in taste though, so, yeah).

general tips:

start increasing your fiber intake gradually, Now - this is because plant-based diets tend to be higher in fiber, and a sudden boost in it when you're not used to might lead to temporary bloating/discomfort because your digestive system is going to be doing some adjustments.

keep protein and fats in mind - DO EAT THEM! if you're filling unfulfilled after a meal, it might be because it was lacking in those. a lettuce, cucumber and tomato salad is not high in calories or satisfactory in general, it'll be disheartening and it may have you quitting or cursing vegans. if consuming salads make them hearty!

on the same line of protein - as a whole and from what i see in my own country, these days we're a bit obsessed with protein. and even if it's necessary we tend to overestimate our needs and underestimate our intake. if it's more convenient for you, there are many mock meats (depending on where you live, of course) that offer chicken/beef/fish-like products with high protein, but they can be pricier, aren't a necessity and are not really reflective of what most vegans eat for every meal every day. tofu, tempeh, beans and tvp (textured vegetable protein. super cheap and versatile) are my go-to. 

tofu - holy grail, unless you're allergic to soy. if not, it's a great base for literally anything. they key is squeezing out the water and seasoning well.

b12 supplementation/fortified foods

condiments are your best friend - this goes for any and all sorts of cooking, it's amazing what spices can do to enhance flavors.

most ingredients list on food labels will list allergens at the very end or have it in bold letters. here you'll see things that you wish to avoid, like eggs and milk, if the product contains any.

same if you have any safe foods for whatever reason, don't remove it from your diet, simply try to find a vegan alternative or tweak it a bit.

if for some reason you eat something non plant-based, don't make a big deal out of it or quit veganuary. just choose a vegan option the next time.

consider other aspects in your life that rely on animal products and, if safely possible, evaluate alternatives

it's not an all or nothing mentality, remember it's as far as is possible and practicable

As for your first question and based on my personal experience, people who judge or mock others' dietary choices mostly to do so with vegans and vegetarians only, so that's something to unpack there. In your case since it's specifically Veganuary, I'd simply say it's a challenge/activity you want to participate in to help with the environment and animals. Don't knock it til you try it sorta thing.

There are going to be questions and comments, there always are. If very conservative food-wise, relatives or friends may throw negative comments your way, but know those are a reflection of them and whatever they're dealing with rather than what you're doing or with you as an individual. It's literally their problem, not yours, cliché but true. Don't take as personal what other people might say about it because many do get defensive and touchy, even if you aren't out to "get them." In gatherings, if they offer you food, try to veganize the meal, if possible. If meat is optional, just substract it. It might not be the best or most balanced of meals, but you can make up for it later and it shows you've got nothing against their cooking because I bet you don’t. Also, if you know there won't be anything vegan, try bringing in a plate/side dish yourself to share with others, that way you won't arrive empty-handed and you'll make sure to stick to your goal.

// We are latine and my family goes heavy on the animal products consumption, there's not a single meal without them, not one. At the start you yourself might believe your eating is “difficult” but trust me, it isn’t. Past that initial hurdle, people tend to go ‘oh, this is vegan too!!’ (excitedly. very cute!, especially when they wanna share it with you. i just love it). They're used to me being vegan now though, even my grandmas and aunts are now way more receptive of alternative eating styles other than those they raised us in and are mindful of having something for me available (which is usually eaten by everybody else, anyway). The whole thing is gradual and slow, but being vegan is the best decision I've made for many reasons besides the dietary aspect of it, plus it cranked up my creativity in the kitchen, oof!

[spookysanta]

Valentine’s Day. ❤️

(s.m.)

Summary: it’s love day, and (Y/N) has the perfect gift for her perfect man.

WARNINGS: cursing (i think?), implied smut, fluff, bad writing

this isn’t DT related but shawn looks SO delicious in his CK campaign so.. yeah. if y’all let this flop i will be HURT (1 of 2 posts for today)

**

"Sweetheart?"

"Mm."

"Good morning." She said, her gaze moving from his curly chocolate hair splayed across his forehead, to his plump, pink lips that were currently holding a quiet smile. "Guess what?”

"Hm?" He cocked a brow at her, looking down at the gorgeous brown girl laying on his chest with excitement all over her face.

"It's Valentine’s Day!" She exclaimed with a grin.

"Oh yeah?" He rubbed his eye with the heel of one hand while the other rested gently on her lower back. "I literally had no idea."

"Shawn!" The girl that was obsessed with one of her favorite days of the year exclaimed, smacking his bicep gently. "You knew! You're not excited?"

"I'm excited, yes." He nodded. "Not shriekingly excited as you, though."

"Shut up. I'm just excited for your gift." She kissed his right pec that she'd previously been laying on. A kiss right on the nipple. He sucked in a bit of a breath. "I think you'll like it."

"Yeah? You think so?" He ran his fingers through her tied back hair, her Brazilian straight tresses flowing softly down her back. It's not necessarily the texture of hair he prefers on her—he is in love with her natural hair, and misses it terribly when she wears it in a protective style—but it looks good on her. "What'd you get for me?”

"Can't tell you," she smiled again. She's been like this all week, and not just because it was Valentine’s Day, but it was because she was with him, and he was with her. It's rare that they ever get times like this to themselves. But Shawn decided recently that they should start their lives together sooner, rather than later—as their own little family. She loved the idea. "You have to wait. But I promise you'll love it."

"You promise me that if you want. And if you don't deliver we're fighting." His hand lowered to her asscheek that didn't have any covering on it. Usually, she'd wear a cute pair of shorts to bed--or, at the very least, a pair of lacy panties that kept his mind reeling. But today her ass was bare. Taking advantage of this, he gave it a nice, hard smack. "You got me?"

"Oh shut it. You're not gonna do anything to me." She challenged, sitting up and hopping over him and off the bed, making her way into the bathroom to shower. "And if you plan to, you can do whatever you want to me in the shower."

He sprung out of bed quickly, racing behind her into the bathroom and setting her on the bathroom counter, kissing her lips deeply as he spread her legs open for him.

***

She was the first one out of the shower because Shawn decided that he wanted to take extra time this morning. She didn't ask why, and she didn't care, every day it's a race to see who can make it to the kitchen first to screw up breakfast.

And today she won.

And since today was the day of love, she figured he deserved a little more love in his breakfast. So she decided to make pancakes with bacon and eggs. Which, she figured, would be better than Fruity Pebbles. He came downstairs in nothing but a pair of boxers, coming up behind her and pecking her shoulder. "I like this." He mumbled against her skin.

"What? Putting your dick in my back?" She chuckled as she scrambled the eggs.

"Well, yes. But I meant you and me. Alone. Together." He sighed. "I love our families but I'm glad it's just us."

"Me, too." She turned her head, kissing him happily.

He hummed, moving from behind her to open the cabinet next to her head and grabbed two plates and two champagne flutes. "So, I'm thinkin' that we do breakfast then gifts."

"What's the rush?"

He put the plates down on the counter and opened the refrigerator to take out the champagne. He waved the glasses in his hand. "Because I want my gift, and if I have to get you drunk to get it then fine."

"Two things: one, we're not old enough to drink--"

"In the U.S., child. We're in my territory."

"Anyway, I don't think you'd want to get me drunk in order to get your gift."

"So it is sex."

"I never said it was!" She exclaimed, putting three pancakes on each plate. "Shut your mouth and get your bacon and eggs."

"I'm tryin' to get your bacon and eggs."

"Fool! Go away." She pushed him playfully.

"All I'm saying is if you're planning to give me a gift gift, I'll gladly take that now." He carried both plates--along with utensils, of course-- into the living room. "Bring the alcohol when you come in here!"

"Shawnathan, I'm not letting you get me drunk." She warned but brought the bottle and glasses anyway, even though it was only ten. "I mean that."

"Here's the thing-- I plan to be completely ruined by the end of the day. Because I don't get drunk with my family, I get drunk with my girlfriend. So gimme the bottle and my gift and I'll be satisfied."

"Why do you want to be drunk again?"

"Because," he said as he bit a piece of bacon. "it's festive."

"I--I don't think that's a part of the holiday tradition." She mumbled. "And if you're drunk you won't remember your gift."

"....You've got a point." He shifted closer to her on the couch, setting the plate on the coffee table in front of them. "Speaking of which, can I just have the gift now? I mean, since we plan to be insanely drunk later."

"Mm..." She thought about it for a moment. "I guess so."

"Yes!"

"Go over to the tree and hand me the flat, black box." Yes, the Christmas tree was still up. And neither of them gave a damn. Shawn doesn’t know when (or if) they’ll take the tree down before March, but she’s obsessed with Christmas year-round and there’s no need to even ask about it.

He excitedly got up from the couch, looking under the still colorfully-lit tree, taking the box and handing it to her. She then took the box and ran upstairs with it to their bedroom, closing the door and locking it.

"Are you kidding me?" He yelled after her.

She just laughed as she took off her clothing. She opened the box and took out the lingerie she bought for him, chuckling to herself because she just knows that he would lose the entirety of his mind once he saw it.

After she'd put it on, she examined herself once more before making her way downstairs. He was scrolling through his phone, completely unknowing of the major surprise that he was about to unwrap. "Ahem," she cleared her throat in the doorway of the living room.

He looked up at her, eyes wide. "Is this.. is this my gift?" he asked.

"Mhm." She smirked. "You gonna unwrap your gift, baby?"

"Oh fuck yeah." He scrambled off the couch, standing in front of her and reaching around her waist, pulling her closer to him so their fronts were pressing against each other. "I'm gonna unwrap my gift, alright.”

[voyage-to-divinity]

"Our Newly Domesticated Reptilian Family Member"

August 20, 2022, 4:50 am

Jordan with Christopher co-fronting and Clementine co-con

*Trigger Warning: Brief mention of marijuana.

Well. I must say, we haven't updated this blog in quite a some time. That's alright, we're here now.

So, shall we? Let's start with the big update: Ty's surgery. As written before in our previous post, our boyfriend Ty has an aneurysm in his arm and must receive surgery to repair it. We haven't received any phone calls from his doctors, so that's a little concerning to us. They did not say that it would be an urgent matter, but they did say he needed surgery soon. Therefore, I expected something by now--it's been at least two weeks since we initially heard the news of his surgery. You'd expect something... right?

***We will be personally calling his doctor's office this Monday to find out if they have any new information yet--for anyone wondering.***

For something brighter to think about--I don't know if many of you know, but Ty and us are proud owners of three different pets; actually, four, as of today. However, that is to be determined, considering the circumstances of this newfound pet's arrival into our lives. Allow us to explain...

We acquired a seemingly adult gecko, and you'll never believe from where--one of our family puppy's mouths. (By the way, we literally have six dogs in this house. SIX. Isn't that wonderful?)

Yeah, wonderfully abysmal.

Er, that last line was Clementine... We really do love these pups, for better or worse, but they are quite a lot of work. We're doing our best to keep them alive, healthy, and happy as little jumping beans! It can be extremely difficult for all of us, though, we must admit.

We have a four-year-old mainecoon mix cat named Pretty (aka Bellatrix), an eight-month-old corgi-pitbull mix puppy named Honey, and an eight-month-old house mouse named Luna (aka Luna Moon). We are a busy bunch, quite frankly. Our domesticated animals keep us extremely busy, and, besides the constant worry of our animals getting hurt in some way, we are very grateful and joyous to have them all in our lives for the time being! That's all that really matters--the here and now.

IN ORDER FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: A photo of our cat, our mouse, and our lizard in his first (cardboard) habitat we made for him with about one hour of usage before we moved him to his new (Styrofoam) habitat. After we had Frost, one of the family pups, release the lizard from its willful, iron hold, Jordan (this is Christopher typing, currently) quickly scooped it up, said "I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF YOU'RE POISONOUS, BUT WHATEVER," and rushed it indoors to save it with Ty. It sat in our hand, scared to death and traumatized from that horrifying experience, and it didn't move as Ty taped together a temporary cardboard box habitat. But it was breathing--heavily, might I add. It was also blinking every once in a while! So, that meant, to us, that there must've been some life left in our reptilian friend.

As you can see in the photo above, the poor little soul lost his tail in the process. (It seems to us that he also has a laceration or two on his dermis, and his back toes are a little askew, although I don't know if that's just because of his lizard type.) Fortunately, most lizards regenerate their tails' cartilage, at least. But it might be a different color/texture than his current dermis. Ty and I have assembled a makeshift temporary habitat for our gecko. He's not in a shoebox with nothing but a pebble and some grass--just so we're good on that! We have done a surplus of research for this little guy--which, by the way, we do not know his gender yet. The poor fellow doesn't trust us enough to allow us to check--apparently, if it really is a gecko, male geckos have a small bulge on their belly side between their lower legs; females don't.

Our gecko, which, Ty and I have officially named Feifel, is temporarily in a Styrofoam receptacle with small air holes in its sides, and a glass slab for a top, that I used to use as a clay kneading surface. I know how that sounds--not exactly ideal for a reptile. But it's better than being in a pup's tummy! He has pebbles and stones, wooden sticks, a hanging stick to climb on, a hidey-hole, paper towels and newspaper for bedding (to be updated!), and distilled water in a small lid from a jar of Ty's medicinal marijuana.

Apparently, many lizards are either insectivores (main diet: insects), frugivores (main diet: fruit), or a little bit of both. I'm uncertain which type our lizard is yet, so I tried feeding it a blueberry, which I read are okay for them either way, but the gecko refused it. I presume it's not much interested in fruit, therefore veggies are likely out of the question. But I will try anything that a gecko is permitted to eat. I would love to try out raw honey for our lizard, which is apparently a neat every-once-in-a-while treat to them!

But what most reptiles like geckos truly enjoy are insects--cockroaches, beetles, ants, flies, worms, crickets, etc. In a few hours, when daylight hits, I plan to head outside, set up an insect bait trap or two, wait a bit, and then go back and collect the captured bugs for our Feifel to snack on. That should suffice, considering the type of adult gecko I think it is--a house gecko--doesn't need to eat more than once every day or every other day. I've heard people feed them even less than that--like three times a week!--and they're still perfectly healthy.

That's all we've got the time for right now--I'm parched, famished, exhausted, and I need a dang shower. My fingernails are grimy, my hair is greasy, my face is oily.. Okay, I'm done. Lol. Goodnight or good day to you, wherever you are in the world! xoxo

[neotelenta]

3/6/18 (BONUS) OC Tables (Part 1)

1: Voirade The (Brilliant) Thief

2: Baxter Prague

3. "The Soul Designer"

4. "The Soul Designer's Assistant"

5. Storyteller

6. Walter Edgemond

7. Guy Gridley

8. The Servant of Sound

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

"Walter Edgemond finds themselves locked into a malfunctioning elevator with "The Soul Designer's Assistant". What happens?"

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

Walter: Shoot! The blasted thing's stuck! Ugh…

*Walter looks over at the Assistant to find that he's glowing in an impressive multitude of colors*

Walter: Well I gotta admit, Assistant, you sure know how to light up a dark room. You could easily pass for a popular idol here in Strength.

Assistant: Thanks. I'll try and take that as a compliment. Although I'd rather we focus on our current situation, if you don't mind.

Walter: Right, right. Always terse and to the point. Hey, help me out here. Maybe we can get this door open. And climb out, presuming we're near a floor.

Assistant: Sure. Here. Stand back for a second.

*The Assistant brings up what looks like a holographic 3D grid in front of him and overlays it with the crack in the door. The grid turns red in warning, but a moment later, a metallic blob appears in the grid and solidifies into a stake shape, with the pointed end facing directly in between the elevator doors. Moving forward ever so slightly, the stake gets jammed in between, and slowly opens them.*

Assistant: Now. I'll hold it here. Open it up the rest of the way.

Walter: Okay. Let me just….Hrrrrnnnngh!

*Walter, with his calloused hands and significant upper body strength, makes use of the opening and separates the two doors, revealing that they hadn't completely left the floor, and there's room for them to get out from the bottom. Assistant dematerializes the hologram, and the metal stake disappears with it.*

Walter: Hahah! There we go! Not bad teamwork, if I do say so! Classic stuff…

Assistant: Let's just get out of here. I don't like these small spaces.

*From outside the elevator, a voice calls out.*

Designer: Hey! Pixie! Are you alright?

Walter: Uh...You talkin' about your Assistant? Bwahahaha! Yes, he's fine! I'm fine, too, thank you!

Designer: Oh! Walter! Sorry, I didn't know you took the same elevator.

*Walter, in the meantime, crawls out from the bottom and drops down to the floor, with a little bit of help from Designer. Assistant soon follows.*

Assistant: Well that was different. Shall we proceed to the meeting?

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

"Storyteller goes to 'The Soul Designer's funeral."

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

Storyteller: ...I don't see any reason for this to happen. No. Let's go back a bit. There's no need for this. D=

*The scene fades to a paper-textured cream color, and you hear the sound of wind and fluttering pages.*

Storyteller: Cameron doesn't want to do this one, so neither do I.

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

"Guy Gridley has to fight Walter Edgemond."

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

Guy: I really don't see the point in this.

Walter: Haha! Maybe you don't, but you're looking like a mighty proud conniving villain if you ask me! What reality show are YOU from?

Guy: ...I'm no villain, Mr. Edgemond. I'm not trying to be, anyways. You must understand that I'm doing this for the good of EVERYONE.

Walter: Doing what? Convincing depressed and degraded people to commit SUICIDE? Have you lost your mind?!

Guy: I have lost a lot of things, Mr. Edgemond, but in fact, my mind is one of my most prized possessions. I pay a lot of attention to it. Try to think of things from my perspective. I know I do with yours.

Walter: What do YOU know?!

Guy: That all of this is pointless. The countless heroes and villains you deal with. The money. The fickle fame that comes with drawing the attention of millions of people for short periods of time. The fear-riddled culture this whole place reeks of. The only way you cope with all of it is by always showing that you're tough, and that if you pretend you're not afraid, maybe you won't be afraid at all. That if you play by the rules and don't cross any lines, you have nothing to be afraid of. But you KNOW that isn't true. Because the lines will get drawn closer...and closer...And closer...Until even people like you are thrown out like the trash. And you'll be picked clean. I know what it's like, Walter. Please.

Walter: Nnngh…...You just really like to put things in those tidy life boxes with your words, don't you? It's infuriating to hear stuff like that come from someone I barely even know beyond his misdeeds. What do you want from me, huh?

Guy: Your life. But not for me. For yourself.

Walter: Oh, come on, Gridley…

Guy: Yes. Here I am giving you a lecture on why you should die. What's the problem? I can make it look convincing. You won't have to take a SINGLE scrap of blame. No-one will know but me, and I make it a solemn point to never share personal details like this to the outside world if I can help it.

Walter: ……But...I have people to ca-

Guy: Do THEY care about you? They only like you because they see you as a resource. And they treat you as just some person. When was the last time one of your coddled protagonists ever asked you about how your day was going? They never do that, do they? Or what about all of the literal garbage you begrudgingly buy from them to stay in line with what the reality shows want? They say the profit you make is from the 'heroes' themselves, but the 'heroes' don't tell you any of the other stuff they do, do they?

Walter: ……

Guy: Walter, please don't do this to yourself. If you die, it will finally break the system. They'll realize what they've done and what they're missing. That you, and anyone like yourself shouldn't be pushed like this. You will be the great sacrifice that helps TRULY save this town. You won't be missed. You'll be revered. I will see to it that everyone knows about you.

Walter: …...Let me go. Please. I don't want to look at you.

Guy: I...Hm.

*Guy raises his gun at the back-turned Walter and fires*

Guy: May this world be blessed with your understanding.

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

"Voirade and The Servant of Sound go on a quest to save Baxter Prague."

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

*Voirade and TSoS are riding in the back seats of a monorail train.*

Voirade: ...It's been too long, see? I can't believe it's been years, already…

SoS: TTS_Yes.mp3

Voirade: ...I'll be damned if I haven't been wantin' to return Snatcher to you ever since that day. They was wantin' to destroy your music, see? I couldn't live by that. Kekeke...Nah, not me. I'm a thief, but I has me limits.

SoS: TTS_I'm_Glad_You_Kept_Him_Safe_For_Everyone.mp3

Voirade: Yeah, me too, see? We gotta find Baxter, though. Only he can put the two of you back together again. Then maybe we'll get to finally see what it was like when you were fully human. Kekeke!

SoS: …

[[[The other prompts will come later. This was all I could do for today. Thank you again for reading.]]]

[rabbitwrite]

ANTE MERIDIEM: the prelude

✩ "Ante Meridiem" is a fanfic series for nct in game format. For more information, refer to the "Title Screen" (introductory / master post).

cast ≫ reader (gender neutral), nct

genre ≫ suspense, horror, angst

word count ≫ 0.9k

warnings ≫ none

LOCATION: YOUR HOME THE PRESENT TIME IS: AM, 12:07 ... What will you do?

> RETURN TO TITLE SCREEN

> EXIT GAME ≫ START GAME

Plunged into absolute darkness after drawing the blinds shut, the ritual was one step closer to commence. Every physical requirement was in place, from the candle contained in a miniature glass holder, to the deck of cards and salt sprawled upon the surface of your room's floor. You were ready to begin. Carefully, you sat yourself down cross legged before your hand searched for the matches. The corners of your lips twitched upwards in success once your fingers came in contact with the tattered match box. Pushing the slot outwards with your thumb, you selected a match and struck it across the textured side of its containment. The tip of the match lit up upon contact, and you inwardly celebrated your first attempt working as you guided the strip of wood towards the candle. The light ember illuminating a small portion of the room was just about to make contact with the candle wick whenー The sound of your name being called in the hallway caused you to falter, and you hastily blew out the match before any damage could be done. The wood fell to the ground with a tiny thud and you scrambled to disassemble the ritual you had prepared. You piled up the playing cards while muttering a few curse words under your breath. Damn past you for entrusting Mark Lee with your extra set of house keys. "I bought us some dinner," your friend called out. You could hear the sound of his footsteps approaching, causing you to speed up your pace. "Hope you don't mind another round of pizza!"

"It's fine!" you yelled back, though the response ultimately led to your downfall. The both of you had paused, Mark's trail halting in unison with your card collecting, but you quickly tossed the deck somewhere under your bed as Mark navigated towards your room. Your motions became frantic at this point. "W-wait, wait!" you pleaded, cupping your hands against the ground in attempt to gather the salt. But Mark did not wait. Unceremoniously he waltzed into your room with a pizza box in hand. He flicked open the switch, causing you to wince as your eyes tried adjusting to the light instantly filling up the interior previously shrouded in darkness. By the time you fully opened them, your gaze met Mark's. You could only bring yourself to watch as his line of vision travelled downwards, to the evident usage of salt and almost used candle. All with a flicker of disappointment in his eyes as he looked. "I thought... I thought we agreed to stop with this sort of thing." Mark's voice was just a murmur, and you could feel a small pang of guilt striking your conscience. "I didn't agree to anything," you replied firmly. "You did. You're the one who said you wanted to stop everything we've been doing for fun, and I respect that. I just don't feel the same way." Mark scoffed in disbelief. "You think this is fun? Even after what happened to Donghyuck?" You snapped at the mention of his name. "Of course I don't think this is fun! But I'm doing it for the sake of Donghyuck, this is all for him!"

"Then I guess we're not on the same page," he gripped the cardboard tightly, averting his eyes towards any direction you were not in. "You didn't take the whole mishap as a cue to put an end to things." At this point the remains of your ritual attempt were long forgotten. "Yeah, I guess you're right Mark," you lowered your voice as you stood up from the ground, only to raise it once he made eye contact. "Because I'm not a quitter! At least I'm not forcing my choices onto you like you are to me!" the words leaving your mouth were unintentionally harsh, blind wrath taken out on the last friend you held dearly. You didn't mean to retaliate, let alone yell at him, but it was too late. He broke the shared gaze by turning around, facing his back towards you. The pizza box was placed upon your barren nightstand without a sound; Mark was so silenced by your statement you had almost missed the "sorry" that escaped from his lips. What you did not fail to miss was the soft cry that followed, along with an apology of increased volume merged with a sob. You rushed towards Mark without hesitation, capturing him in an embrace from behind. "I... I owe you an apology," he sniffed. One of his hands locked onto your arm, pulling it closer to him for comfort. "you and Donghyuck." "Me too," you pressed your face against the fabric of his hoodie, the cotton collecting a few of your own tears that had slipped from your eyes. "So I have to do this. I'll finish what we started so everything can be over for us. You, me, and him." You broke away from the physical contact by turning yourselves over, releasing your hold on Mark once you were on the side with the door. "Are you going?" he inquired, blinking rapidly to rid his eyelashes of stray tears. You nodded in affirmation, twisting the doorknob while you were at it. "I need to pay a friend of ours a visit."

《 END OF PART 1 》 ... What will you do?

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