#1000 miles in its light

[your-bestamericangirl]

endgame || pt. 2 to tolerate it

caitlin clark x reader (previous paige bueckers x reader) || previous: tolerate it || masterlist

notes: fluff, lmk if you guys want more caitlin stuff!! sorry for taking so long lmao, hope you like it <3

now playing: endgame by taylor swift

Endless streams of black silk flowed along her arms, down the small of her back, the weightless tule pooling at her feet. Gems stitched across the expanse caught sight of the flashing glares, absorbing the endless bursts of light. 

(Y/n) had been positioned at the beginning of the velvety carpet, the expanse of red spreading to the entrance of the 2024 WNBA draft.

With her smiles, she carried along her reputation. She held the weight of tonight's unknown outcomes atop her head, her chin never wavering. Soon, (Y/n) would take the first leap, discarding everything and everyone who dared to trap her in the past. 

Luckily, she wouldn’t be alone. 

“Caitlin! (Y/n)! To your left here, please!”

The two girls moved together in unison at the request. An arm clad in white made its way around (Y/n)’s waist, finding solace in the familiar position. Soft smiles were placed upon their features. Their presence swallowed the venue whole, demanding attention. 

Before, (Y/n) would’ve shied away from the sudden spotlight. She had been taught that seeking attention was greed, and only those who deserved it received it.

Now, she learned from someone else. 

She met a girl whose love contrasted with anything she’d ever learnt before. Every word the girl spoke had been dipped in nectar. Apologizes were sent along with flowers and warmth, there wouldn’t be room for doubt anymore. 

Ever since that night, days with Caitlin moulded into months. Savoured kisses were hidden behind curtains, bodies tangled beneath soft sheets. 

Anyone would assume they had been cut from the same cloth given their natural lines that effortlessly fit together. 

Now here they stood. After a lengthy conversation, the two eventually decided to make their first appearance together. 

Another thing Caitlin had drilled into (Y/n)’s mind; never change who you are.

They addressed no comments towards their relationship. Only offering welcoming replies, carefully steering from the unsaid questions that plagued everyone’s mind: what were (Y/n) and Caitlin to each other?

If they had real answer, they would’ve told any who asked. But, unfortunately that was still a question left unanswered between the two girls. 

Of course, they were friends. They had been friends ever since playing on the same team in seventh grade. They were friends who had shared each other’s first kiss. They were friends ever since they knew what it meant to want the princess, not the prince. 

Being friends was the safest option. They both lead a busy life. There wasn’t much they could do together but send a ‘happy birthday <3’ text when they lived (about) 1000 miles away.

Though, together now, there still lied this unanswered question. 

“Did I mention you look gorgeous, love?” 

Caitlin’s soft murmur travelled across the expanse of (Y/n)’s neck, the sensation sparking warmth throughout her body. She swept her gaze upwards towards the brunette, eyebrows raised playfully. 

“Yeah,” (Y/n) laughed, “like, three times already. You’re so dumb, Cait.”

Her last words were laced with love, of course, Caitlin knew what she was doing. After her comment, (Y/n) stepped out of Caitlin’s reach, continuing her path down the carpet. The brunette’s gaze trailed behind the deep cut of her black gown, she was never out of Caitlin’s sight.

It was a given that they would be separated tonight. Even before their arrival together, they had been the main topic of the night. Everyone wanted to talk to the all-time NCAA leading scorer from Iowa just as equally as they wanted to talk to the March Madness MVP from South Carolina.

Flash

“Please stand here for an interview, miss.”

“(Y/n), who are you wearing tonight?”

“Caitlin, how are you feeling?”

“Please sign my jersey, I love you guys so much!”

Every comment, instruction and praise was met with the genuine smile that places itself on her features. Her gown flowed along the carpet as she made her way towards her third interview of the night. However, her steady gait soon faltered as her gaze found an unexpected variable in her path. The shock rippled through her, momentarily freezing her in place. It had been months since they last spoke, since they last exchanged words that weren't filled with bitterness and hurt.

Paige's presence hit (Y/n) like a sudden gust of wind, stirring up memories that she had buried deep within herself. She remembered the laughter they’d shared, the late-night conversations, the warmth of Paige's embrace. Unfortunately, alongside those memories came the pain of their parting, the arguments, the tears, the lingering sense of resentment.

But, despite those average thoughts that came up on the topic of Paige, (Y/n) now felt something additional, something different. 

As she stood there, her gaze briefly catching Paige's figure in the crowd, a wave of indifference washed over her. It wasn't that (Y/n) harboured any ill will towards Paige—far from it. (Sure, if Paige tripped and fell in that moment she would laugh at her pain, but no one would know that.) She had long since disregarded her for the actions of the past. But forgiveness didn't equate to a desire to rekindle what once was.

Paige Bueckers had exited her life. Whether anyone else thought differently, it didn’t matter. 

Her performance over her college years had granted her a seat at the table. 

Well, her own table.

She stood atop the stage among teammates and competitors she’d met over the years. The only difference this moment held, they would all be happy for each other no matter the outcome. Every player here had earned this moment. 

And no one would doubt that (Y/n) and Caitlin deserved this moment. 

Hard work leads to rewards. 

But, hard work and raw talent lead to a spotlight reserved for the best.

The line defining the two is a delicate balance, one that is forced to put both against each other. Nevertheless, what the media depicts as a head-to-head is never the true case.

Throughout their careers, Caitlin and (Y/n) had unwillingly been placed on opposite sides of a scale. What others perceived as a rivalry, the two girls simply considered their competitive nature. Nevertheless, they found no reason to acknowledge the headlines.

Who would be granted the championship? 

Who would the title of MVP belong to?

Who would win? 

On that significant night, (Y/n) and Caitlin painted a masterpiece of determination and skill. As the clock dwindled to its final seconds, Caitlin conceded—it was (Y/n)'s turn to shine. And shine she did, her brilliance lighting up the court with a mesmerizing career high of 39 points.

South Carolina roared with triumph, claiming the championship banner, while (Y/n) (L/n) ascended to MVP status. Amidst the cacophony of celebration, whispers of debate lingered, but for most, there was no denying—she had earned her crown.

Now, on this electric draft night, (Y/n) waded through a sea of flashing lights and eager faces, her senses alive with anticipation. The air crackled with anticipation, pregnant with the promise of new beginnings and boundless opportunities. Yet, amidst the excitement, one question lingered—whose name would be called first?

With each step, purpose pulsed through (Y/n)'s veins, a steady rhythm guiding her forward. Tonight wasn't just about personal glory—it was the culmination of years of dedication, an opportunity to showcase her artistry on the grandest stage.

As she settled into her seat at the draft table, nerves and excitement tangled in her chest. The room buzzed with energy, a symphony of voices and whispered dreams. But amid the chaos, one figure stood out—Caitlin, a beacon of unwavering support, making her way to (Y/n) with purpose.

"Hey there, superstar," Caitlin's voice, a melody of pride and affection, washed over (Y/n) like a warm embrace. Leaning in, she planted a tender kiss on her lover's cheek, igniting a spark that danced across her skin.

(Y/n) returned the gesture with a soft smile, her heart overflowing with love. "Hey yourself," she murmured, reaching out to intertwine her fingers with Caitlin's, their connection a lifeline in the swirling chaos.

"Okay, sassy are we?" Caitlin teased, a playful twinkle in her eyes.

(Y/n) rolled her eyes in mock exasperation, her laughter a melody that danced through the air. At that moment, amidst the clamour of the crowd, they were a symphony unto themselves.

Though, soon enough, the minutes they were sharing vanished as the familiar chords sung, marking the beginning of the 2024 WNBA draft. The look shared between the two girls could only be described as duplicated. While their loving smiles spoke ‘good luck’, their eyes held nothing but determination. With one final squeeze to (Y/n)’s hand, Caitlin weaved back through the tables and took her seat. 

Truthfully, (Y/n) couldn’t give a damn about the speech that Cathy Engelbert was reading. The probably scripted words only added to the weight on her heart as she awaited her next team assignment. Despite the dragging minutes, she kept up a facade of interest for the camera.

“And now, we don’t have to wait any longer because the pick is in!”

Those words flipped a switch in (Y/n)’s mind, her senses sharpening as Cathy Engelbert took the stage, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Each click echoed through the room, a metronome counting down to the pivotal moment. The air was thick with tension, electric and charged, every breath laden with anticipation.

The moment drew closer and closer.

“With the first pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, the Indiana Fever select…”

The words hung in the air, estatic with possibility. Everyone held their breath as the selection came down to two athletes. (Y/n) glanced over to Caitlin’s table, finding her already searching for her eyes.

“Caitlin Clark, University of Iowa!”

Time seemed to stand still for a moment, the room erupting in chaos as the crowd roared in ecstasy. (Y/n)’s heart thundered in her chest, adrenaline coursing through her veins. It was a rush, overwhelming and intoxicating.

With her eyes still locked onto Caitlin’s, she broke into a blinding smile, Caitlin mirroring her. In that moment, everything else faded into the background, the world narrowing down to just the two of them.

(Y/n) stood, her heart pounding, her pulse thrumming in her ears. Every step toward Caitlin felt like an eternity, the ground solid beneath her feet. Suspense hung in the air like a heavy fog, thick and suffocating.

With a barely contained laugh, she tumbled into Caitlin’s embrace, the world spinning around them. Nothing else mattered but the warmth of Caitlin’s arms around her, the sound of their shared laughter drowning out the noise of the crowd.

“You did it. You deserve this, Caitlin,” (Y/n) spoke, her voice ringing clear over the clamour of the crowd. Her words were a declaration, a testament to Caitlin’s strength and resilience. Her final words slipped out in a hush, “I love you.”

Amidst the cacophony of noise and celebration, Caitlin held onto (Y/n) as if she were the anchor in a tempest. Each beat of her heart reverberated with the pulse of the crowd, her senses heightened by the rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins. It was a moment suspended in time, a fleeting eternity of shared joy and boundless emotion.

As Caitlin finally released her grip, (Y/n) felt a bittersweet pang in her chest. Her heart swelled with pride for her friend, yet beneath the surface, a whirlwind of conflicting emotions threatened to overwhelm her. In another time, her stomach might have plummeted, her throat constricted by the weight of unshed tears. But now, amidst the chaos of the draft, she found only a sense of serene acceptance.

Her gaze lingered on Caitlin, the embodiment of success and possibility, as she stood adorned in her Indiana Fever jersey. In that moment, (Y/n) glimpsed the future unfolding before her, a future that held boundless potential and untold promise.

Returning to her own table, (Y/n) was met with sympathetic glances and unspoken assumptions. But she brushed them aside with a knowing smile, the genuine ecstasy of Caitlin's triumph shining through her features. For in that moment, she understood that second place held no sting, no bitterness. Caitlin's victory was her own.

The room buzzed with anticipation as the attention shifted to the second pick of the night, belonging to the LA Sparks. (Y/n)'s heart raced with a mix of nerves and excitement. She couldn't help but steal glances at Caitlin, who was now enveloped in the embrace of her family, her smile radiant with joy.

As the tension mounted, (Y/n)'s mind raced back to all the years of hard work and putting up with undeserved bullshit. She remembered the countless hours spent on the court, the sacrifices made, and the people she overcame. It had all led to this, the culmination of a lifelong dream.

But amidst the anticipation, there was a sense of contentment that washed over her. She had already achieved so much, and seeing Caitlin's success only fueled her determination. Her focus remained unwavering, her heart filled with pride for her lover.

And then, it happened.

"With the second pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, the LA Sparks select... (Y/n) (L/n)!"

The words echoed through the room, but Mayari hardly registered them at first. It was as if time stood still, her mind unable to comprehend the magnitude of what had just been announced.

But then, reality crashed over her like a wave. The cheers of the crowd filled her ears, and she felt a surge of emotion welling up inside her. The room seemed to spin, the lights blurring into a dazzling array of colours as she stood, her legs trembling with a mix of exhilaration and disbelief. The warmth of the moment enveloped her, and with every beat of her heart, she felt the weight of everything she had worked for lifting off her shoulders.

Just then, amidst the applause of the crowd, she heard melodic notes of her name being called out.

Suddenly, (Y/n)’s world tilted on its axis as she was swept up into Caitlin’s embrace. Their gazes locked smiles mirroring one another in joyous ecstasy. The sounds of the cheering crowd seemed to fade, replaced by the pounding of her own heart and the warmth of Caitlin's arms around her. 

"I love you too," Caitlin whispered, her voice barely audible over the roar of the crowd.

(Y/n) felt her heart swell, her emotions threatening to overflow. They rested their foreheads against each other, their breaths mingling as they shared the profound intimacy of the moment. It was as if the world had fallen away, leaving just the two of them in their shared victory.

The fans in the crowd went wild, their cheers and applause creating a wave of sound that crashed over the two girls. Cameras flashed, capturing the raw emotion etched on their faces. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated joy, one that neither of them would ever forget.

As they finally pulled apart, (Y/n) felt a laugh bubble out of her throat, the sound drawing an admirable expression from the brunette. She turned to face the stage, her heart pounding with excitement and anticipation. This was it—the moment she had dreamed of for so long.

Taking a deep breath, (Y/n) made her way to the stage, the cheers of the crowd propelling her forward. She felt the warmth of their support, the love and pride radiating from every corner of the room. This was her moment, a testament to all the hard work, the sacrifices, and the unwavering determination that had brought her here.

As she stepped onto the stage to accept her LA Sparks jersey, she glanced back at Caitlin, who was watching her with a look of pure, unadulterated pride. (Y/n) knew, in that moment, that they had both achieved something extraordinary and that this was just the beginning of their journey.

With the weight of the jersey in her hands and the future spread out before her like a vast, open sky, she felt a profound sense of peace and accomplishment. The journey had been long and arduous, filled with moments of doubt and resilience, but standing there under the bright lights, she knew it had all been worth it.

As she held up the jersey, a symbol of her new beginning, her eyes swept across the sea of faces, each one a blur of colors and emotions. The lights above her were warm, casting a golden glow that bathed the room in a surreal, dreamlike quality.

Her gaze found Paige amidst the cheering crowd. Paige's smile was radiant, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, her expression a blend of pride and a quiet acknowledgment of their shared past. The sounds of applause and cheers seemed to fade into the background, replaced by the rhythmic thudding of (Y/n)'s heart. The moment hung in the air, thick with unspoken words, a silent reconciliation and mutual respect woven between them.

(Y/n)'s heart swelled, a rush of warmth spreading through her chest, filling her with a deep sense of closure and peace. She returned Paige's smile, a genuine and heartfelt gesture, before her gaze naturally found its way back to Caitlin. Caitlin's eyes sparkled with joy, her love and pride shining brightly, grounding (Y/n) in the whirlwind of emotions surrounding her.

Caitlin's eyes were bright with joy and love, reflecting everything (Y/n) felt in that moment. The applause of the crowd seemed to fade into the background as they shared a private, intimate moment amidst the public celebration. Caitlin, in all her seriousness, blew (Y/n) a kiss, a tender gesture that drew a smile out from her. (Y/n), with a smile, reached out as if to catch it and then graciously tucked it into her pocket.

As she stood there, the weight of her journey lifted, she knew this was the beginning of a new chapter. With Caitlin's silent encouragement echoing in her mind, she felt ready to embrace whatever came next. The next step would be difficult, but it was hers to shape, and she would no longer be alone.

a/n: IM SO SORRY FOR TAKING SO LONG SHIT'S BEEN TOUGH. anyways hope you liked it, if you wanna see more cc x reader lmkk also next chapter of midnight love will come out soon IM SERIOUS I PROMISE DON'T HATE ME

anyways thank you for the support love you guys, mwah <3

taglist: @kenzie-luvzz , @idratherbesleepingrn , @h34rtsformilli , @pinkandlilacroses , @i-bribri-i , @thatonemarvelfan03 , @girlokwhatever , @ihrtthotdads , @kc88888888 , @nfleditsrjustbetteridk , @imsobabygiirl , @vi0lentb3rry , @sejus-wife , @katemlk , @littlelesbianinternujung, @ktaerssoi, @evangelinexo , @c999sh , @yazmunson , @choibeomkai , @ekisokay

[thewritetofreespeech]

1000 Nights: Night 1 - Wedding Night

WORDS: 1.5K

RATING: T

PAIRING: Gale x Tav (post game pairing)

SUMMARY: A journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step. And Gale & Tav's first night of 1000 begins after their wedding. [aka: starting my 1000 Nights series]

Ao3

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It was very late into the evening by the time the wedding was over. More drawing into the early morning, if he was being honest.

Gale had forgotten, away from his family for so long as Mystra’s Chosen and then his own personal confinement, how lively his family could be. And how large. He had warned Tav but honestly hadn’t realized himself. It took nearly half the night to just greet everyone, much less have conversations.

Tav took to it like a fish to water, however. Her bright smile and friendly disposition winning everyone over simply with the gift of her presence. His mother doesn’t even have to introduce her to everyone, but he’s glad she did.

When he returned to Waterdeep, restraining himself from running into his mother’s arms like child, Gale introduced her & Tav and told her of their plans to be married. Morena had not been as…. delighted as he had hoped initially. She wasn’t disappointed, or even chastised him for rushing into things. All she simply asked was, “is this really what you want?” Which Gale had to admit was a perfectly reasonable question.

They hadn’t known each other long. Their plight had made it feel like they had known each other for decades. In reality, their romance was quite a whirlwind. They had lived in different cities, come from different backgrounds. Gale had never met her family or friends they had before all this.  Hells he didn’t even know what her favorite taste in music was. Art. Literature. Values.

But all he could think of when his mother asked him, glancing over to the other side of the room at Tav chatting with Tara, like it was a completely normal thing to be talking to a Tressym, was “more than anything.”

The wedding planning had taken up most of their time after that, and a lot of those trivial things came to light by sheer luck. Gale found out she preferred lilies to roses, unless they were blue hydrangeas. She liked classical music, which was a blessing. And although she liked the sound of Lliirian Suites on a self-playing piano, she liked them better on the strings. Gale made a note to buy a harp as soon as they were settled.

Coming home after the wedding, the tower felt completely different. Nothing had changed really. Their books were still there; on the shelves and on the floor as they tried to make room for both their collections. The furniture was all in its intended place. All four walls were intact. Yet…. everything was different now.

This was their home now. Not just his that he was sharing with Tav. It was theirs. Together. And she was his now, completely. Just as he was hers. Gale would never want for anything else in his whole, hopefully long, life now as long as that stayed a constant.

He watched as Tav breezed past him into the bedroom, which was set up very nicely for them. Candles and wine. Flowers on the bed. The window open to let in the night breeze and sea air. Moonlit ocean. A scent he hadn’t realized was real yet brought a flood of nostalgia to him. The perfect newlywed suite. He almost doesn’t want to touch anything.

“Gale, can you do something about this please?”

His attention was brought back into focus from examining the details of the room, onto its prime intended. Gale snickered, despite himself, as he watched Tav struggle to get the pins out of her hair to take her headdress off. The veil itself wasn’t too elaborate, but the pins….his cousins must have had a field day with all of them.

“Come here. Let me help you.”

He led his wife over to the bed, and realized he would never grow tired of that phrase. His wife. His wife. Gale sat her down and then took a seat next to her as he worked to get the pins out. He may not have the dexterity to pick locks, but his fingers were nimble enough for this. Each pin that comes free lets loose a new curl. A new ringlet to tumble down and rest at her shoulder. By the time Gale had gotten all of them free the candles were noticeably shorter, and his desire for her burning just as hot as the flames.

His fingers tucked under her chin and gently pulled her towards him for a soft kiss. Gale realized that he hadn’t kissed her in hours with all the excitement. Able to count on his hands the number of times he had kissed her that day. A terrible mistake. One he wouldn’t make again.

They kiss slowly and gently for a while. Neither in any rush it seemed. Exploring this kiss like it’s their first. When they eventually pulled away, Gale rested his head against hers. Foreheads touching. Breathing in the same air. The same essence. He tilted his head down to kiss her again and was caught by surprise when Tav suddenly yawned. “Oh no! I’m so sorry!”

Gale pulled back just as her hand flew up to cover her mouth. Embarrassed, clearly. Mortified honestly. He didn’t want to laugh, but she was just so adorable. He only did it once. “It’s alright.”

“It’s not you. It’s not! It’s just….been a really long day. Getting ready. Meeting everyone. And I barely got any sleep last night I was so nervous. I’m sorry….”

Gale reached out and took her hand in his to stop her from babbling. It was odd. Gale couldn’t imagine a world where Tav, their leader, their defender, Hero of Baldur’s Gate and vanquisher of the Elder Brain, could be nervous. Yet here she was. It was almost a comfort to know that they were both a little lost in this. Nervous, cautious, and he hoped still a little excited. At least he was.

“It’s really alright Tav. You don’t have to apologize.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. A cool brush of metal & precious gemstones against them from the wedding ring on her finger. Handcrafted. Understated yet beautiful, just like Tav. The Dekarios Clan signet on either side of the stone. He’d spent the better part of a day working with the jeweler to make sure everything was just right. All worth it to finally see his ring on her hand. “We have the rest of our lives together. One night won’t make much more of a difference.”

Tav’s eyes cast down. Clearly disappointed in herself and about to protest something like ‘but it’s our wedding night’, but Gale cut her off at the pass. “This night is already perfect, because I have you. Come on. Let’s get to bed.”

“We’re already in bed.” Tav quipped, and Gale scoffed out a chuckle at his clever bride.

Rising, they undress in silence. Gale helps Tav out of her dress. The thin, wafty material falling away from her body instantly once its few buttons & ties were undone. Gale’s outfit was significantly more complicated. Snaps, ties, latches, lapels. When he put his wedding garment on this morning, he hadn’t realized how intricate it was. Although, he may have been distracted thinking about the wedding and the woman who was moments from being his wife.

Gale watched as she helped him out of his robes. Eyes focusing on her task but drifting up to him every now & then before they fall back down. He hoped she saw the adoration in his eyes when she looked up. The desire he had for her. The love.

He caught one hand in his and turned it up to kiss the inner side of her palm and wrist. Exhilarated at the sound of a soft gasp from Tav. He wanted her, desperately. But, she was right. It had been a very long day. Gale never thought there would be a time he would be too tired to make love to her, but it seemed a day full of his family, friends, wine, and just general revelry was enough to get him close.

Naked now, with nothing but the moonlight and sea air between them, Gale pulled Tav into his arms and kissed her. Another slow, soft, passionate kiss. One where Gale poured all of his heart into it in hopes that it would reach her own. Judging by the way she kissed him back and her soft little moans, he succeeded.

They pulled apart, and Gale walked them back to the bed. Tucking them in under the covers. Wrapping his arms around Tav in a way they had well practiced by now, but still felt entirely new. Tav was nearly asleep by the time her head hit the pillow. Softly snoring in even breaths against him while Gale stayed awake a little longer to watch her. Smiling to himself as it finally sunk in now. This was his life. This was going to be his life now. Not just for tonight, or the first thousand nights, but every night for the rest of his nights moving forward.

A year ago, he used to hate going to sleep. Afraid that when he closed his eyes that that would be the last. Now his life was filled with firsts.

Gale couldn’t wait to see what firsts the future held, with his wife. His wife. His wife. Gods, he would never get tired of saving that. 

[canaidliafail]

what she brings out of me

sadie adler x f!reader

4.5 k words MDI

old piece that isn’t proof read but I wanted to post it. Sort of canon compliant for 1/7 of the story so read at your own risk + bad english ahead. enjoy

hunting with Hosea was a chore more often than not but the man raised you to be the hunter that you are now and you were willing to tolerate the withered old man. He had his fun but he couldn’t do the miles he did before and his aim left much to be desired. But he kept you company and gave you maps for all the legendary animals he wanted to see and you, to catch.

That winter while you sought out shelter and a temporary camp while leaving blackwater,he was more prickly than usual.He insisted you stay in and help Pearston skin and cook the animals and man were you a shitty cook.

Pearston decided he would let you sneak out to hunt being the greedy drunk fool that he was so long as you brought something other than vegetables for the crew to eat.

You had barely managed to mount your horse when Arthur came back with Dutch and the rest with a new guest. a woman, frightened like a rabbit, shaking from the cold and the grief judging from her tear stained cheeks

the crowd came in with questions and she shrunk in herself stepping behind Dutch. You hitched your horse back and half ran your way to them

“This is Ms. Adler. Abigail help her out, she's had a rough night” he said and Abigail approached the woman who seemed reluctant to move from her spot as everyone discussed what took place. fed up with the situation you pushed the others away clearing a path for her and stopped beside Abigail

“Christ people give her some air can't you see she’s frightened?” You commanded and they lowered their heads, hats covering their eyes.

The three of you made your way back into the cabin and left it up to Abigail to talk to the woman.

Men widowed her that night and took everything else with them, money,silver, dignity….

the night was grim and you could hear her weep quietly, mourning her lost husband till daylight hit and she passed out from exhaustion. You woke up first and made coffee and left one by her bunk bed with a note

You probably won’t have much appetite but try to consume some liquids at least

Throughout your whole stay there you never conversed any further than a tip of the hat when you entered the cabin at night and a soft sigh when you replaced her untouched plate and cup in the morning.

You felt for her despite not knowing what it meant to lose a husband. You didn’t know what it meant to even have a husband in the first place

But your heart still ached to see such a lovely woman stripped of all joy and light

•••

“a 1000 pound bear and you thought we could take her out with our piss poor rifles?!” You asked bewildered and glanced at Arthur who had much more patience than you that day, which said a lot. Hosea passed him the map with a hand over his heart still scared and in shock how quickly he came face to face with death

“Ill head back…You two gonna chase after that thing are are you coming with?”

“coming with. Arthur its all yours” You said and mounted your house and he did the same

“Had enough entertainment for now. Let’s head back” He agreed and you all three started the two day journey back talking about everything and how everyone was settling in

“By the way, Karen has been asking for you again”

“hm?” you looked up at Arthur. Of course she was. you leave for a few days and she is looking for you again to let out some steam. You stay at camp and she won’t bat an eye your way. You took little offense however simply enjoying that you had someone to have your fun with when no one was looking

“Ill go by her tent later…” you mumbled

“Speaking of can you keep some company to Ms. Adler as well? You two have a spunky spirit and might lift her up a bit”

Sadie Adler had continued her daily routine of wandering off to the far end of the camp sitting on the rocks and crying. You caught her talking to Abigail more than anyone else and despite wanting to get close to the woman you had no idea how to approach her

“Ill…see what I can do”

you agreed and continued silently too tired to indulge in small talk

you arrived at the hideout the next evening. Arthur took off shortly to go back to blackwater for a lead on some members that stayed behind

You bathed in the dreadfully cold river and made it back to your tent combing your hair into two braids, putting on a clean pair of jeans with a shirt to go out and see if there was any coffee or herbs to make tea.

Your caught Sadie with the corner of your eye sitting by the rocks looking off into the distance and decided to give it your best shot. At this point you were the only woman who had not talked to her and it felt rude

you grabbed two chapped mugs and poured whatever hot liquid was available and made your way to her

“Evening Ms. Adler” she looked up at you

“Good evening”

“Mind if I keep you some company?” you said pushing the warm cup in her direction which she took without protest and schooched to the side giving you space. You sat next to her and looked at the dim light from the sparse fire pits enjoying the cracking of wood and soft unison of voices talking in the background

“Listen Im sure everyone had asked how you are doing so I won’t try to remind you of that but, I hope you are finding your stay with us of some comfort”

you said and dared a fearful look at her admiring her untamed blonde hair and freckled nose. A second longer and you may have found yourself in love with a widow so you turned your sights back on the coals and fire in the distance

“As much as I'd rather be left alone, its nice to have some company” she confessed and you nod, waiting to see if she had anything else to say. With a shaky voice she continued

“I just wish my Jacky was here with me. He was a good man you know, better than anyone out there”

your lips thinned almost feeling her anger. Karen passed in front of you in the distance quirking a brow indicating she would be waiting for you tonight

“I just wish it was me in his place. I feel so lost”

you brought your attention back to her and slowly pressed a hand against her back gently moving it in circles. she leaned into your touch and you felt her breath stutter

“I wish I could take my own life…but i’m not brave enough to do even that” you matched your breathing with her own pulling her closer silently trying to calm her down the minute you felt her shoulders shake

“To be brave is to keep on going. To keep on living” you quietly offered your thoughts and she shook her head tears falling again

“I don’t know…”

you kept caressing her back

“Keep on living Adler. Show those fuckers what you’re made of”

You said boldly and she turned to look at you surprised. she seemed to consider your words and then your face. maybe both. You knew you weren’t good at this but you were satisfied to see the tears stop and her features soften

You smiled and hesitantly tucked a lose strand of hair behind her ear and then stood up

“We are here for you. Take your time to grieve the man. He is worth it” she nod and took in a deep breath looking into the distance, taking a sip from her tea “Thank you for listening” your shrugged “least I can do for a pretty lady. Should you ever seek company my tent is open” you said and saw a soft smile graced her lips for the first time before she turned away. Remorse hit you quick and hard realizing you accidentally just made a pass at her and felt shame drown you.

with a tip of your hat you excused yourself.

You feared you had messed up, spoke too soon and maybe with too much ignorance. You prayed she’d brush your words off. Its not like anyone even considered that a woman could flirt with a woman.

You sought out Karen and her willing touch that night. You forgot yourself in the pleasure of her spread legs and let her soft gasps fill your mind.

However the next day you were surprised to see Sadie with her hair braided and her shirt tucked in neatly with a lovely brown straw hat shielding her face from the sun. she went to pour coffee and caught you staring and for the first time greeted you first with a smile

•••

Days turned into weeks and Sadies curt greetings turned to small talk that turned into long conversation and eventually she took interest in your role with the gang asking of your trips

“a huntress?”

you felt pride in your chest. sure women weren’t expected to do much but you loved that you challenged that standard from a young age

“I feel I am of more use with a bow in the wild than with pins and needles”

“What's up with you managing to have every woman all over you?” Arthur asked one day and you laughed pushing him away with a soft punch on his arm

“Its my talent”

“and here I thought that laid in hunting animals. ‘s that why we’ve been starving lately?”

he asked meaning no harm and you saw his crooked grin and the softness in his eyes, crinkling with wrinkles

“shut up arthur. Don't you have a train to rob or something?”

“my bad, I won’t take any more of your precious time with Ms. Adler”

You also quickly found out Sadie had a sharp tongue and a short temper. Her strength and quip was overshadowed by her grief before but slowly it raised to the surface and more people took interest in her. She grew more familiar with Arthur and her long skirts were slowly replaced by the occasional tight black jeans that accentuated her assets even better

Some nights she was still haunted by nightmares and you took it upon yourself to invite her to your tent. You talked for a while and when she tried to excuse herself you stopped her and patted the side of your bunk bed

“You can sleep here for tonight”

“and you?” you laughed “Ill also sleep here. Never had a sleepover with a friend before?”

“Not like that you prick” she said and laid next to you. Her eyes widened, noticing she was a little too close than she calculated. you held her by the waist guiding her “turn around for me” you whispered and she obliged. You pressed your chest against her back and held her like that and felt her tense shoulders slowly relax only to stiffen again when you spoke again close to her

“Goodnight Sadie”

“goodnight”

It only happened once but after that night You often caught yourself admiring her, those warm brown eyes, the raspy voice that gave you goosebumps and when no one paid you attention you shamelessly eyed her figure.

“You are no better than a man,huntress” Karen teased and leaned next to you against the tree. You chuckled and glanced at her “jealous?”

“you wish” she said. It didn’t go past you that she wore a dress that exposed her chest nicely yet it did little to arouse you and in horror you realized your mind drifted over to Sadie and how nicely she tucked in her shirt leaving no more than two buttons open barely exposing her collar bones

“The boys are going out for some job” she said leaving the invitation and you smirked looking down at her

“Hm…Maybe Ill join them”

“or..” she said and carefully flattened her palms against your chest pretending to fix your bandana for you “you can join me instead” she looked up at you with doe eyes and your lip twitched in a smile. She left swaying her hips and you let your gaze linger for a second before looking up. Sadie stood there with an unspoken question in her eyes and then cocked a brow in challenge.

you took two cigarettes out of your pocket and she approached you accepting your offer. she placed the stick in her lips and you motioned her to come closer.

her head tilted in confusion and you carefully pulled her in by the back of your head till the ends of your cigarettes touched and lit them both in one go

you tucked the lighter back in your pants and she took in a long puff in thought “You seem closer to Karen than the rest. Does your friendship go back in time?”

you laughed at the innocent and awfully unsuspecting question and decided to test the waters

“Friends ? Hardly, we are close though. In different ways” she seemed even more puzzled “Everytime you answer my questions I end up more lost and confused than I was before”

“Maybe I'm just that bad at conversing with others” she chuckled, a low raspy giggle almost “You give yourself too little credit. Had it not been for those coffees you left and your company Id probably still be on that rock crying” you smiled

“Glad I could help” you continued to smoke in silence and you inspected her clothes your eyes falling on the yellow brooch tied around her neck

“That's a nice brooch” she looked down and smiled “thanks. One of the few good things I own”

“Oh don't say that. You have a lovely sense of fashion darling” you held the ornament in your fingers leaning closer feeling her breath fan your cheeks. Something shifted and it wasn't even anymore. you looked up and saw her completely focused on your every movement catching her eyes that were stuck on your lips. Flattered, a cocky smile escaped you.

There was a tense moment that snapped from Peaston calling out to everyone informing them that dinner and drinks were ready.

You both pulled away from each other abruptly and pushed yourself off the tree patting your pants and dusting them off

“Will you join us?” you asked and she shrugged “Was about time I did”

•••

You were drunk. Way too fucking drunk.

“shit how many…” you tried to look around and count how many glasses of whiskey you had. everything was spinning and buzzing. Karen and Mary-beth were singing and you clumsily joined. Sadie sat next to you cracking a joke here and there but still was mostly quiet listening to all of you and sometimes laughing. Karen laid her head on your shoulder and her hand fell on your thigh beneath the table going upwards and staying there fondling your thigh. Too drunk to care if Sadie was looking, you indulged her sensual move and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

unbeknownst to you Sadie withdrew from you slightly and confused looked at the pair of you her frown growing deeper as Karens hand traveled higher eventually tugging at the metal belt clasp

amidst the chaos- which you were uncertain if there was any due to your drunken state- you remembered getting up and escaping to the quieter place of the camp, then your hands were on Karens hips and her lips on your neck biting and sucking and everything else was a blur

had you been slightly more sober you would have noticed that you weren’t completely hidden. Because Sadie was interested in you in ways she couldn’t explain and she was out looking for you that night. And she unfortunately caught a glimpse of your nasty sexual endeavors with the other woman who you had so willingly pinned against the tree and who elicited the most pornographic sounds

•••

Sadie caught herself interested in you. She liked the fact that you were a huntress and she liked more that you took little pity on her state and gave her solid motivation to get back on track with her life. She realized she chased your polite compliments when she wore a new accessory or when she braided her hair.

but to feel like this towards a woman? how?

she questioned and doubted it immediately believing it was the grief that made her lose her mind. That was until she saw you devouring karen in the deep of the forest. Something woke within her. fiery jealousy and heat bloomed in her chest and her core ached.

She-at first- was convinced she was repulsed by the act, finding it vulgar. than she thought that she was simply taken aback by it but not in an unpleasant way. eventually she decided to sleep frustrated and confused, unable to understand what she felt.

two days later she sought out Karen who seemed very eager to tease and taunt her

“What a voyeuristic eye that you have Adler”

“Are the two of you in a relationship?”

she laughed, loud enough to almost make her feel humiliated and stupid as if the answer was obvious

“Gods no! I mean I know she only likes women but I don’t care for things like that”

“only women?”

“If you ever find yourself with too much frustration pay her a visit. In my opinion every woman should feel her tongue” Sadies eyes widened and then she shook her head in disappointment

“Ill find other ways to keep myself busy” she barked growing angry with Karens games

“Suit yourself. I'm just saying that I trained her well” and with that she left. Sadie was angry. Jealous.She saw Karen marking her territory and she didn’t like that

why does she try to claim something that isnt hers

She avoided you on purpose for the upcoming days and she hated seeing your confusion and visible pain to her dismissive attitude

You once tried to approach her more boldly and in her spitefulness she spat

“what's up with you? Nothing to do?”

You huffed out a frustrated breath and crossed your arms standing in front of her.

“Ive thought about it a lot and it all boils down to you probably finding out I swing the other way”

“I did find out”

you nodded in repeat looking away and she saw your jaw tense and your brows lower “well Fuck me then” you hissed exasperated

“Id like to be alone” she said with a low growl and you scoffed “Really Sadie? Am I that disgusting to you now that you won’t even say goodmorning to me?” you raised your tone and she stood up “Don't you use that tone on me”

“or what?!” she stared at you long and hard. You were the first to break contact and took a step back, arms swinging softly

“You know what Sadie? You wanna be alone ? then be fucking alone” she watched as you turned your back on her and left immediately regretting how sbe handled that conversation.

She didn’t see you for a week after that. That week she herself was busy with her first bounty hunt and she could hardly be happy about it. Her stomach felt like she’d swallowed stones and her throat was dry.

and when you came back it was with Arhur, Hosea and another woman. Someone you rescued on your recent bounty hunt who was as lost as she once was. You attention was on the hurt woman keeping her company making sure she felt secure with your group of people

“Listen we ain’t good but we ain’t them either” you consoled an arm around her shoulders soothing her and Sadie had enough of it. She approached you with heavy steps the heel of her boots digging into the dirt

“I wanna talk to you”

you looked up and the girl in your arms seemed intimidated by her. Sadie disliked that she seemed threatening to an innocent person but her focus was on you and you alone

you silently questioned her, eyes wide, jaw tense as if saying really?! now?!

she stood her ground until you gave in and followed her back to your tent where you could have some privacy

“You wanted to talk? speak”

“Why do you have to be like that?” she asked annoyed and you shook your head defeated “Like what hon? I am around you and you are repulsed, I give you space and you are equally unsatisfied. The hell do you want from me, woman?!”

“I just needed time! Time!” she emphasized the words and you sat down knowing your knees were too weak to handle this unprovoked attitude

“time? for what?” You tried peacefully and truly exhausted knowing someone had to be tame or this conversation wouldn’t go far without resulting in you pulling a gun to each others head

“Christ I- I just was confused. I didn’t know a woman could look at a woman like that”

“And why does it concern you?” you asked and she seemed taken aback. Why indeed

Because I considered you that way too

she came to the conclusion her tongue numb and heavy, unable to speak these words out loud.

She hated how quickly you caught on and in a delightfully predatory way she watched you stand up and approach her, circling her like a vulture

“Sadie did you hate that I look at women like that or did you hate that you weren’t one of those women?”

the hair on the back of her neck rose and heat pooled in her stomach again. A feeling she thought had surely died with her late husband yet here it was.

“I wasn't?” she asked, her confidence faltering. She was sure she caught you staring at her chest, her lips, her hips at first not questioning the wandering gaze until she put the puzzle pieces together to figure out the reason behind it

your hands were on her shoulders running up and down the length of her arms slowly

“Would you like to be?” she turned around and as if in a dance sequence your hands fell on her neck to pull her in for a hungry kiss

She could feel how starved you were in the way your lips pressed against hers tasting her, imprinting the feel of her skin against hers. She returned the notion with equal fervor if not with more and was reluctant to be the one to submit. her hands landed on your hips pulling you in and she was shocked to find how right this position felt. how velvety your tongue felt against her own and how your skin molded into her palms becoming one.

she pulled away to take in a few deep and heavy breaths looking at you and was pleased to find you putty in her arms, to see the mighty huntress small, fragile and ready to do anything she would ask you to

“Do I awaken something in you Sadie?” You asked and held her closer, your arms wrapped around her neck and she responded by kissing you again loving the power and control she had. The passion melted into something more gentle, affectionate and tender and when you pulled away the second time she held your cheek in her hand caressing the flushed skin

“ that answer good enough for you?” she asked with a lazy smirk and you huffed out a laugh still gasping for air “Never thought you packed such heat” you confessed and her ego grew dangerously “You haven’t experienced the half of it”

•••

Unlike you, who was secretive and shameful of your nature the minute Sadie felt sure in herself she didn’t hesitate to greet you with a good morning kiss letting everyone think about what they just witnessed. As outlaws you certainly had bigger problems than two girls deciding to kiss each other and you came to the stupidly obvious realisation. Hosea and Arthur were the first ones to tell you

well we knew men didn’t do it for you, but I didn’t exactly know what did so…I just do now thats all it is

and you felt good about his awkward and reassuring words. Sadie didn’t care on the other hand. if she spent the night in your tent she didn’t hide it and if she felt like making a move on you while at the saloon she would and dealt with the consequences violently and eagerly still needing to vent out her pain and frustrations.

“are you not…scared?” you asked her once at night when you both laid together, naked beneath a thin sheet and she smiled giving you small kisses on your cheeks, jaw, neck

“I am scared of other things darling. Death is one of them. Random drunk men ain’t on the other hand are not”

“You aren’t indestructible Sadie. I worry for you” you confessed and she smiled “Nobody’s taking nothing from me ever again” she said and kissed you “And nobody’s taking me away from you either”

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Say Hi to the Spotted Hyena

The spotted hyena is also known, perhaps most famously, as the laughing hyena (Crocuta crocuta). This species once ranged throughout Eurasia, but following the end of the Ice Age was restricted to sub-Saharan Africa. Today they can be found in many types of dry, open habitat, including savannah, semi-desert, and mountain forests. At times, the spotted hyena may also enter urban areas in search of food.

Unlike other hyenas, Crocuta crotuta is a predator, not a scavenger. They most commonly prey on wildebeast, but they may also hunt zebra, gazelles, Cape buffalo, and warthog. In addition, desperate times may cause packs to hunt on more dangerous prey such as young hippopotamus, giraffe, and rhinoceros. Spotted hyenas have incredible endurance, reaching speeds of 60 km/hr (37 mph); a single chase can last over 24 km (14 miles). When live prey is scarce, the laughing hyena can also turn to carrion, as well as snakes and ostrich eggs. In turn, this species may be killed by lions, though this may be motivated more by competition than prey drive.

Spotted hyena females are typically larger than males, weighing 44.5–67.6 kg (98–149 lb) to the males' 40.5–69.2 kg (89.3–153 lb). The height range for both sexes lies between 70–91.5 cm (27.6–36.0 in). In addition, female laughing hyena are somewhat famous for their masculinated genetalia; the clitoris is enlarged, resembling a penis, and is accompanied by sacs filled with fibrous tissue that resemble a scrotum. As the name implies, the coat is light brown with darker spots over most of the body. Because the species has such a wide diet, it has was is considered to be the strongest in relation to size of any mammal. The bite force is stronger than that of a brown bear, and can exert a force of 4,500 newtons-- enough to crush bone.

The laughing hyena is a highly social animal, and individuals live in communities up to 80 strong; size largely depends on prey availability and whether or not the group migrates. A clan territory can be anywhere from 40 km (24 mi) to 1000 (621mi) squared. Females dominate the males, and a pack is usually led by a matriarch. Hierarchies are strictly enforced, and positions are primarily inherited through birth and transferred through death. In addition, one's rank is maintained and recognized through social alliances and their contributions to the clan rather than size or dominance displays. The entirety of the clan comes together most often when defending a territory, gathering at the communal den, or at a kill; however, these kills are more commonly produced from smaller offshoots of the clan.

Crocuta crotuta can breed year-round, though mating is at its peak during the wet season from April to June. Members of both sexes pair indiscriminately with multiple mates, both within their clan and without. To offer himself, the male performs a mating ritual in which he lowers himself to the ground before the female, and retreats if any aggression is shown. Once impregnated, the female carries for about 110 days before giving birth to two cubs-- three is fairly rare. Weaning takes another 14 to 18 months, during which time cubs learn to hunt and defend the clan, as well as establish their place in the social hierarchy. Sootted hyenas reach maturity at about 3 years old, and can live an average of 12 years in the wild, though individuals as old as 25 have been recorded.

Conservation status: The spotted hyena has been determined Least Concern by the IUCN. However, outside protected areas the population is declining due to deforestation and hunting as a nuisance species.

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Photos

Augusto Bila

Elise Pianegonda

Evie Davidian

Art Wolfe

[galaxywarp]

I was FINALLY able to afford to get my car checked out and they flushed the whole engine and all the warning lights on the dashboard r GONE babeyyyyyyy

They said the tires and axels need some pretty hefty repairs too (almost $1000 worth oof.) but I’m gonna get a second opinion and wait cuz like. This Chevy almost has 200,000 miles under its belt. I’m not sure if I wanna spend $1000 on his tires when maybe it would be better spent just towards my next car. But we’ll see

[pearls-and-vignettes]

Spaceway 70 - Pablo

The Marlin heaves out of the darkened dock, whining with unwarmed engines. A simple objective:

- Assess damages, neutralize threats.

I've done it a million times before. Come to think of it,—

Red lights blare outside and the station's distress call is picked up by the radio. I fly around the cylindrical body—perform a systematic scan. How would the incident report be written?

- Upper hull damaged in a hit-and-run bombing; station status unknown.

- Soldier casualties: ...

Soldiers. They never chose to lay down their lives—to fight for an uncaring ruler—not them.

- Assailant(s): Unknown vessel, presumed solitary. Heat signature detected, actively pursuing.

Ambiguous language. Open to litigation. Sarge would be sad.

- Disregard previous entry. Chasing assailant via engine heat; infrared reading with 0.87 certainty. Monitoring radar.

- Radar confirms a small ship. Moving at 75% of own velocity. Distance 2000 mi.

-

-

- 1500.

-

-

- Approaching civilian zone

-

-

- 1000.

-

-

- 500.

-

- 250.

-

- 175.

-

- 100.

- 50.

- 25.

- Contact.

They pull up and to the left, attempting to get above and behind me, though it's too little, too late.

- Assailant neutralized with ballistics. Assumed to have hit engine.

- Upon visual examination, there appears to have been no pilot. Control is either automated or remote. No outstanding radio frequency detected.

Darn...

Out and ahead of me are markers indicating a commercial route. Safe for traders.

A transponder on one of the markers pings my ship. Something about remaining in place, a unit arriving soon. I don't make it a good hundred miles before a squad comes in with weapons hot.

I dodge a few shots and they graze me with a laser. I'm not about to make war with a whole task force.

The Marlin is a ship of esoteric construction. It has a hull constructed for incredibly heavy salvos—granted you have enough sealant [1] aboard. It comes with a cloak [2], more a scrambler than anything, which uses up insane amounts of power, and an EM pulse [3] which likewise drains my batteries. It's a perfect ship for an early retirement [4], as long as my encounters are few and far between.

With the push of a fader I turn my radio into a tool of war, creating a streak of white along their IR imager and making their radar unusable. Similarly, with a press of a button the magnetron pulses on, disabling their steering and warming up their cabins.

- Three combatants neutralized; nonlethal means

Two more pull down and in front, shooting and missing. I pull up and turn around, hoping to hit them with more microwaves.

< -#- VACDETEC V1.4 -#- >

< ALARM >

<HULL BREACH | d.0s>

<HULL BREACH | d.1s>

<HULL BREACH | d.2s>

I begin to sweat as the laser weapon dissipates as heat into my cockpit.

< HULL SEALED >

< SEALANT AT 25% >

I need to leave.

I reach up to grab a solar compass [5] and scribble my heading onto the cockpit glass.

- Taking extratactical measures: Magnetron shielding angle set to 175.8 degrees

< ## Are you sure? Use of EMP with current settings may cause systems to misbehave. ## >

[ YES ]

Navigation goes dark as two more ships behind me lose steering. I launch a wide-range RF jammer [6] and a hot net [7]. I cut my engines and seal the exhaust [8].

This is a special dance they taught us in Academy; " . . . each ship has its own precise limits, though with them come potential," they had us memorize old literature, "that is why you must know yours more intimately than the body of your lover . . . " I positioned one hand over the exhaust control and another over the ignition. Two seconds, three seconds, and

< -#- SHELL -#- >

< ALARM >

<ENGINE OVERHEAT>

The ship rattles as I rocket dead ahead in the direction of home. Another alarm blares on my monitor,

<CHECK ENGINE>

A few milliseconds too late. I hear a faint whisper—a hiss—join the chorus of the Marlin's song. I'm sorry. I'll fix it soon. It'll be ok.

" . . . for each time you take up the helm, you partake in a romance far more real than any other, for no other can see the terror

of a deprivation so terrible, or a death so swift."

[1]: A chemical formulation which undergoes an extremely exothermic reaction when exposed to the vacuum of space. Akin to tire sealant from when vulcanized rubber was used for land vehicles.

[2]: A system consisting of telescoping antennae and an ultra-high amplitude RF generator. Hides a ship's exact location within a much broader, irregular radio signature.

[3]: A high-powered magnetron capable of producing strong microwaves with multiple miles of range. Temporarily scrambles navigation systems, causing affected ships to veer off-course.

[4]: I can't keep doing this

[5]: An indicator which points in the direction of the closest star, when properly calibrated. Detects the unique products of nuclear fusion.

[6]: Akin to the cloak, a disposable projectile which blanks out vast swathes of a ship's radio imager.

[7]: A large, mechanized retroreflector which concentrates heat from all directions, and shoots it back at the viewer, making infrared imaging of a ship nearly impossible.

[8]: In reference to a mechanism which seals the exhaust vents of the Marlin. This turns the entirety of the engine tract into a bomb. A stupid idea if held closed for more than a few seconds.

[saltygilmores]

Thoughts While Watching Gilmore Girls, 3x8, Let The Games Begin. Part 8-Party People Are You Ready to Cmrh?

Then she Cmere'd... I looked up the full lyrics of this song, Then She Appeared, for the first time today. And I feel this song is quite fitting for Jess and Rory, if for no other reason than they both appreciate References to Things.

Then she appeared Apple Venus on a half open shell Then she appeared The first photograph on Fox Talbots gel

I was a little frightened Flying with my senses heightened Cherubim cheered, then she appeared

Then she appeared As the giggling crew of Mary Celeste Then she appeared Pale Atlantis rising out of the west

I was a little dazzled Catherine wheeled and senses frazzled Know it sounds weird, then she appeared

And the sun which formally shone In the clearest summer sky Suddenly just changed address Now shines from her blue eyes

Then she appeared Brittle shooting star that dropped in my lap Then she appeared Dressed in tricolor and phrygian cap

I was a little troubled Hookah with my senses bubbled All Edward leered, then she appeared

And the moon which formally shone On the marbled midnight mile Suddenly just packed its bags Now shines from her bright smile

Then she appeared Out of nowhere Then she appeared Out of nowhere

I CANNOT. *leaps off a short building* Every time I'm about to put a pox on AmyShermanPalladino's home for ruining What Could Have Been, I center myself. I remind myself that this is 1000% Milo Fucking Ventimiglia's fault. We could have had it all. But no. He had to break free. He had to explore greener pastures. If greener pastures were unforgettable cinema classics such as Dirty Deeds (the movie where he jerks off into a loaf of bread) And Stay Alive. Amy Sherman Palladino was like, hey Milo, how about 5 years of steady work? And he was like no can do Amy but how about Jess gets hit by a bus for funsies?

You know what AmyShermanPalladino did ruin, though? This scene by having Rory abandon Jess to go find Dean for some reason.

That's DIRTY. What part works? Your wiener? Are you saying your wiener is working, Jess? I mean, that's good to know. But moot. The little fella is not going to see the light of the day for the next 8 months.

Uh oh. She's got that far off look in her eyes, people. Rory wears many crowns in this episode. The Queen of Blue Balls. The Queen of the Smooch and Run. She's got important business to attend to in both kingdoms. Jess will just have to attend to his own, apparently functioning, wiener.

Sports announcer named Bill who doesnt know anything about sports and is also a referee kinda and the other announcer is named Jim: Bill: Oh, it looks like there's been a violation on the court! To the bench for Gilmore! Jim, I've never seen such flagrant blue balling in all my years of describing television shows while I watch them as if they were basketball games! Jim: This is an unfortunate day for Jess Mariano's wiener, Bill. Bill: An unfortunate day indeed, Jim. Just as it's career was getting off the ground.

First of all Rory, of course you said "I look forward to many similar occurences in the future" after a mind bending makeout. Secondly, Why NOW? This very minute? Did Dean throw up the Butt Signal or something?

Yes, let us all Cumurrrh. If only life were made of nothing but sunshine, rainbows, and Cmeres.

She's still thinking about Dean while this is happening.

What Jess is going to be doing to his meat for the next 8 months. #beatit #justbeatit #beatthatmeat

Indeed. Hey, do you think Rory will run into Luke on her way to find Dean? I think his cock blocking mission went awry, he got lost and he's wandering around with a flashlight somewhere on the outskirts of Hartford, he thinks he sees movement in the bushes and thinks it must be Jess and Rory screwing on the ground in public (as it appears everyone thinks they do this) and he's like Aha! Found you! Jesstopher Mariano, as long as you live under my roof you will keep your pants on! It's back to the diner for you! You will work 12 hour shifts! I will pay you in acorns and pine cones and you will like it! And then he shines the flashlight but its just two stray dogs going at it. Between all this cock blocking and blue balling, there is a flicker of light. Of hope. of Joy. of Dean telling Rory to her face that nobody likes her. *wipes away tear* Dean was so real for this.

We get Dean creeping on Lorelai's window, Jess creeping on Lane's window, Rory climbing a tree and creeping in Dean's window...In none of these instances are any of the people behind the windows surprised or freaked out (Lorelai loved it, in fact). This one is particularly egregious. Girly really left Jess at a gas station so she could risk life and limb to climb a damn tree to talk to this clown with ugly curtains. Just what she needs, another broken arm that everyone could turn around and blame on Jess somehow.

Rory says she didn't want to ring the doorbell because she'd have to talk to Dean's mom who she thinks must hate her. Dean states his mom doesn't know anything. Yeah, it's probably not something Rory has to worry about, as I'm convinced Dean's parents dont know or care he exists. They just think a family of racoons lives upstairs and they made their den homey with a dartboard and a football poster. In any case, I don't think Mrs F gives a shit about her son's dorky high school drama. Thankfully not all moms are like Lorelai. Constantly meddling and sticking their noses into every tiny nook and cranny of their adult child's personal life. Speaking of Lorelai, Maybe Dean's Mom should be concerned though that he is being hotly pursued by a sexual predator (Lorelai). Okay, so not only did Rory leave Jess to talk to Dean, it wasn't even to discuss status of their own former relationship. She climbed a fucking tree just to implore Dean to tell his mom they broke up and to pout that his mom must hate her and thinks she's a little floozy (why would she think this? Mrs F's own worthless son dumped Rory, not the other way around. Also, Dean's mom better strap in in 2004.) Does my ex boyfriend's mom still love me and if she doesn't then why? Everyone loves me, Rory.

Describe Gilmore Girls Poorly: A show about about not engaging in any romantic relationships within a small town until you can escape and move at least 30 miles away. Again, if you think things are awkward now with your ex's mom... *whispers* 2004... Rory pouts that Dean is going to tell Clara and Clara is going to hate her too. Meanwhile, back at the gas pumps, Jess is realizing Luke is hopelessly lost and takes advantage of the situation.

Portrait of the jerkoff artist at work.

Sometimes, something happens in an episode of a tv show, something so DELICIOUS, that nothing else that happens afterwards even matters. Closing time, I know who I want to take me home, etc etc.

I really want to end the episode here because it would be just, UGH, perfect, but alas I still have soooo much rambling to do, while I bask in the confusing glow of Dean Forrester's humbling. Rory starts telling a story about some girl who lived in a tree for a year and Dean tries to close the blinds on her. Rory is not having it. Proceeds to tell a speech so unbelievably packed with lies and bullshit it would make Trump jealous. For every bullshit statement about Dean that comes out of her own, I'm going to zap with her with a tiny painless electric shock. Dean, you were the most amazing boyfriend in the world ⚡️ You made me so happy ⚡️ You made me laugh ⚡️ (when was this, exactly?) My mother liked you (and how!) you were nice to my friends ⚡️, you protected me ⚡️ (your friend had to protect you from his temper) you even came with me to that stupid ball (only after pitching a bitchfit about it first) I really did love you (only because my mommy said I had to love you) ⚡️I'm going to miss you sooo much⚡️(my mom will though) Dean: You're with him now? Rory: I don't want to talk about him. I just came to tell you how sorry I am. Wow. WOW.

Your NEW BOYFRIEND who is FRESH AS A DAISY and whose BALLS REALLY HURT right now is wondering where you went! Oh please Jess, do ask Rory tomorrow why she had to run off so suddenly. Let her stew in guilt juices as she struggles to explain how she ran away after your first real kiss as a couple to feed her ex boyfriend a freshly baked casserole of lies about how amazing he is and how much she misses him and how you, the new boyfriend, aren't even worth discussing. HOW IS DEAN THE HERO IN HIS EPISODE. Luke IS LOST really needs MONEY FOR CAB FARE FROM HARTFORD. She profusely apologizes for how she "treated him". Dean humbling Rory: Necessary on occasion Rory apologizing to Dean for anything: No. Just no. Even if she was at fault for certain things, like playing mind games and running around on him with Jess (Dean doesn't even know she cheated on him). We do not apologize to Dean for anything. Rory climbing a tree to grovel to Dean: Pathetic Rory climbing a tree to grovel to Dean and beg for his mom and 9 year old sister to please like her and tell Dean how uhmazing he was: Double pathetic with a side of Pity Cherries on top. We do not CRY-GROVEL to DEAN FORRESTER from a TREE! *whacks her with a newspaper*

Oh no..oh no...I swear she was walking away from the couch like she was going to go to bed, then she had to turn around. SHE HAD TO TURN AROUND. Rory: It was...eventful. Lorelai: It was eventful? *Chuckles in Lorelai* *a dark cloud forms* *Salty braces for impact of Couch Speech*

HUH? WHAT IS HAPPENING?

WHY RORY. WHY. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU. Here's my End of Episode Bingo Card (with two bingos! Almost a full card!)

[literallymechanical]

How do they keep up the fuel input into a fusion reactor? And how do they get the specified fuel mix into the reaction area if it’s sealed?

Oh that is a very good question! So, yes, the vacuum vessel is sealed, but there are plenty of vacuum passthroughs and other equipment that sticks into the torus. In this case, fuel is added to the fusion plasma in a couple of ways: the old-school method where it is "puffed" in as a gas, or as is more common now, it is fired in at extremely high velocity as frozen pellets of hydrogen isotopes.

Here is how the frozen pellet injectors are set up on DIII-D, in San Diego. Some are fired directly at the midplane at extremely high speeds (like, 1000 m/s (over 2000 mph!)), whereas some take a more circuitous, slower route – you get better fuel penetration when launching from the inner wall of the torus, even with slower pellets. This is done with a burst of pressurized light gas, usually hydrogen.

Here's a 1.8 mm diameter deuterium pellet bursting into plasma as it is launched from the midplane of ASDEX-Upgrade at 800 meters per second (1800 miles per hour):

pchooo

However, traditional gas-pressurized systems have a problem with a slow rate of fire (tens of Hz) and introducing potentially unwanted gas from the launcher. How to solve these problems?

ASDEX-Upgrade in Germany has pioneered a new method of rapid pellet launch: extrude a cylinder of frozen fuel into a centrifuge, which slices off pellets and launches them into the reactor! No pressurized gas needed. This iteration can do it at 70 Hz, but future centrifuges could go much faster.

Pellet injectors have more uses than just fueling! These are the nozzles of a "shattered pellet injector," also in ASDEX-Upgrade.

Rather than launch a tiny pellet of fuel, these have a sharp angle at the end that shatters a giant pellet (3 or 4 cm wide) of frozen heavy gasses (neon, argon, etc) and/or deuterium just before it enters the plasma. The sudden burst of fragments will do all sorts of funky things, like stop the fusion plasma dead in its tracks. This is an important way to mitigate disruptions that might damage the reactor.

For a very thorough overview of pellet injection technology, check out this paper out of Oak Ridge National Lab. They are one of the leading pellet injection research labs, and their launchers are installed in tokamaks all over the world:

[the12thnightproject]

Title: Help Wanted

Event: Mayday Heyday OC Exchange 2024 organized by @lorei-writes and @olivermorningstar

Giftee: @fighting-and-drawing

OC/Fandom: Thai Bulan / Ikemen Sengoku

Genre: Urban Fantasy AU

Warnings: Very Large Spider, some violence (involving said arachnid)

Word Count: 1500

See notes/dedications at end

As the sun sunk, building shadows elongated, creating patches of darkness on narrow, meandering streets. Parts of the city had been planned; every road numbered and set out in a precise grid. This was not one of those parts. If anyone planned out the Echigo district, they had done so by tossing noodles onto a map and putting the streets where they landed.

Thai was following their progress on a phone app, and wondered if his driver actually knew where to go. At least once the Uber doubled back, taking a longer, indirect route. As a precaution, Thai made an obvious show of texting the driver’s information to “a friend” (his own cloud account).

In truth, there were no friends to wonder or worry if he disappeared into a void, never to return.

Too many things had disappeared for him this year, the most pressing being a promised job, the one he had uprooted his life for. He’d travelled over 1000 miles, only to discover the job no longer existed. The entire company no longer existed – it had fallen victim to a takeover by Oda International, then dismantled. All previous employees were fired, all pending job offers rescinded.

Now trapped in a new country, with unpaid moving expenses, a dwindling bank account, and no solution for either, he was desperate for work… any kind. Having burned his bridges back home, in fact, having firebombed those bridges, he –

Screech!

The Uber slammed to a stop in the middle of the street, nearly garroting Thai with his own seatbelt. “Get out.” The driver flicked the automatic locks. “Now.”

He checked his phone. “We’re nowhere near-“

“Get out, or ride back to the city with me, but this car goes no further. Not here. Not after sunset.” The driver pulled a thick cudgel out from under the seat. “Yokai. It’s not worth my life to drive through the district.”

No use arguing with superstition. Grumbling to himself, Thai climbed out, then leaped for the gutter as the car zoomed away. He was surprised it hadn’t taken his leg off with it when it sped into the night.

The lights and press of the city’s humanity were far behind. Here in this strange neighborhood, the sounds were alien. No traffic hum or buzz of neon, just a steady drip drip drip of thick liquid onto pavement. The road was gritty, he could feel tiny grains of gravel and dirt slipping under his feet. A stench of rotting garbage hung in the air, dense, motionless, as if not even the wind would dare come to this place. Even the graffiti was different: its colors sharper, appearing bioluminescent, glowing talismans against evil.

Or warnings.

No… he was being fanciful. The driver’s obvious fear had gotten into his head. He wasn’t a big man, but he moved with strength and purpose. He wasn’t worth attacking, was not, even in his best interview outfit, dressed in a way that would not suggest wealth. Because there was no wealth. Even less now that most of his remaining funds had just sped away with the Uber. He’d have to walk the rest of the way.

At least he was within walking distance, as confirmed by his smartphone’s GPS. The voice of the AI (“Alex,” programmed with a soothing attractive Australian accent) told him to continue along this road another 500 meters.

Good thing I’m still within view of a satellite.

Plonk.

Something wet dripped on him and he squinted up at the tangle of ivy that covered the wall of a warehouse. Ivy? In the middle of the city? No time to investigate, he was already late for the interview. Besides… there was something sinister about that mass of ivy, as if it hid watching eyes.

When, as Alex directed, he turned left at a street so narrow he’d have hesitated to call it a street at all, something skittered past his leg, something furry and malevolent.

Yokai…

It had been a cat. Or… a very large rat (not that that possibility was reassuring).

Still, with Alex giving him updated directions he felt almost comforted. As if the AI was his friend, a non-judgmental friend who would help him navigate the worst of life’s bumps. If only Alex had told him, “Stay in college. Don’t move to a foreign country, don’t break up with -.”

Crash! Thud. Ooof!

“You have arrived, mate.” The AI went silent.

Arrived where?

The noises were coming from the bar on his left. With late summer humidity streaking the window, he’d missed the sign. Kasugayama. Through the fogged glass, he could see two shapes locked in battle.

Anyone might have been forgiven if they’d performed a 500 meter sprint back to relative safety. But acting on instinct, an instinct that he cursed a moment later, Thai ran into the bar. He didn’t know what he’d been expecting. Expectations and instincts did not generally go together. Still, one might have expected a simple bar fight, or a less simple robbery. And not… a spider the size of a pony.

Yokai…

There was probably a more proper name for a spider demon, but Thai’s language skills temporarily deserted him.

Of all the gin joints…

Spiders… why did it have to be spiders?

Why am I thinking in movie quotations?

Fighting the spider was a man who wielded a pool cue as expertly as a spear. But the spider had a six arm advantage and…

Sproing!!!

Holy fuck… it can jump!

That damn instinct took over again and Thai grabbed a chair and threw it at the spider. This had the stunning effect of breaking the chair and getting the thing’s attention. It charged toward him, then screeched when the other man drove the pool cue into its butt.

Now it’s just pissed off.

Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, Thai flipped himself over the bar top, grabbed a bottle from the speed rail, and smashed it on the edge of the sink. The scent of fermented rice mixed with the aromas of spider goo and blood. The blood belonged to a rather nasty looking slash on the man’s leg. The spider goo was … well, obvious.

At the sound of the breaking glass, the spider scuttled toward him again, a glare of uncanny intelligence in its red eyes. Thai slashed furiously with his improvised weapon, drawing more goo from the spider, and dammit, there was a paring knife right there on the garnish station.

The spider jumped to the bar top, stretching out a spindly leg (arm?) toward him. Thai switched the bottle to his other hand, grabbed the knife, and slammed it down on the arm/leg, severing it at a joint. The limb snapped off with a sickening crunch and slid halfway across the room. The spider emitted a high-pitched shriek, then the other man drove the pool cue through its head.

It twitched three times, then went still.

In the sudden silence, Thai could hear himself and the other man breathing.

Later, he might think back and take in details – the man’s warm brown eyes, the feel of the sticky floor under his feet and the flicker and hum of fluorescent lights. But the instinct that drove him into this place took over again. While the other man retrieved a well-used first aid kit and treated the slash on his leg, Thai soothed his jangled, spider-hating nerves with the ritual of cleaning. Wipe down the bar top. Sterilize the knife. Sweep up the glass…

Noticing the pool cue samurai was eyeing a bottle of iichiko Shochu, Thai poured him a glass, adding blood orange juice, tonic water and ice when prompted.

Finally the other guy spoke. “No idea why you came crashing in like a wild boar, but… thanks.” The blunt speech was softened with a wry smile.

“Job interview? Advertisement for a barback?” Thai unearthed his phone, getting ready to pull up the confirmation email. “I’m Thai Bulan.”

“Oh, shit.” The other man raked his hands through a mop of sweat-soaked brown hair. “It completely went out of my head. Sanada Yukimura.” He bowed. “Any chance you still want the job?”

It had been listed as minimum salary, but it did come with the mention of a studio apartment above the bar. “Um.” Thai indicated the spider. “Is that what happened to the previous barback?”

“No. This… was new. Never seen one those in here before.” Yukimura took a deep breath. “The last guy quit. Kasugayama’s owner is a bit… unique.”

Then, with what might have been called perfect timing, the front door opened and a man with heterochromatic eyes entered and surveyed the scene. He eyed the dead spider. “Good. I was in the mood for takeout.”

He pulled a sword out of the scabbard on his waist and cleanly sliced off a limb. Then, gnawing on it like it was a turkey leg and he was some medieval king, he disappeared into a back office.

Thai took the job.

Thank you @lorei-writes and @olivermorningstar for organizing this event (and it was super organized with check ins and google docs and everything I could ask for. If they ever do another event, jump at the chance to join).

To @fighting-and-drawing , I really hope I have done Thai justice. Heart of The Warrior has been one of my favorite Ikemen Sengoku fanfics (I've read it more than once), and I was thrilled when I learned you were the giftee. I'm not nearly as confident writing fight scenes though, so I hope it made sense. And yes, I was the anon who asked you what Yukimura might order in a modern bar (and then had to figure out whether he would still drink a sweet cocktail after killing a giant spider).

To anyone else reading this, I encourage anyone interested in reading a fantastically well written, well researched Ikesen longfic to read Heart of The Warrior either here or here

[archangelgabriellives]

Obligatory eclipse ask! I think maybe he needs to take Sam on a fabulous date to the best view possible

*april 9 2024*

there is no way that gabriel would let sam watch this eclipse in any other way than 1000% over the top. sitting on the hood of a car? wearing those little paper glasses?? no. that is how the rest of the populus can “enjoy” this eclipse. sam is dating an angel. a freakin ARCHANGEL! Gabriel is going all out. jusst a touch of his grace and sam is the only human on the planet who doesn't need flimsy cardboard glasses to see the moon move across the sun. a snap of his fingers and sam is being hand fed his favorite snacks. by gabriel of course. a flap of his wings and they can watch the eclipse from any place they want. and no sam. you're not going to the civic center in lebanon. i don't care how many of the old ladies in town invite you to bingo. you don't owe them your gorgeous face. let your boyfriend spoil you. theres a secluded cabin in the smokey mountains that has his name all over it. there isn't another human for miles. the view is unobstrucked and the clouds have mysteriously blown overto reveal the bluest spring sky of the year. 

there is a blink and you'd miss it moment where gabriel thinks sam has a bit of panic during totality. when the sun vnishes behind the moon it gets dark. unnaturally dark. the cold rolls up fast and its like you're in another world. gabriel can see sams face pinch at the edges, fear creeping in like the ice cold of the cage, and the faint cackle of archangels rattling around in his mind. it takes only a touch to pull him back, warm grace covering sam like a blanket. protecting sam from the things that haunt him. the hunter sighs, fingers intertwining with gabriels. it only takes another moment for the light to start to return. for sam to loosen his grip slightly and tug gabriel into his lap. he takes advantage of the mock twilight and their lips meet in a tender kiss. 

[eregyrn-falls-art]

Went down to Woods Hole, MA, on Cape Code, for brunch on Sunday. Afterwards poked around Woods Hole and Falmouth; and I wanted to see Nobska Light while we were there. While chilly and windy, we were still feeling the benefits of the warm weekend, and had to bundle up less than you'd expect for a trip to the Cape in February.

Nobska Light is very cute and scenic! It wasn't open, and while the Keeper's house seems to have been renovated and is planned to be a maritime museum, it wasn't open either. On the other side of the road was a short path to the cliff above the ocean (really, Vineyard Sound), where we looked out at Martha's Vineyard to the east, and the Elizabeth Islands chain to the west. Birds spotted: common eiders, red breasted mergansers, and a long-tailed duck drake came flying in.

Here's the text of the historical sign:

NOBSKA LIGHTHOUSE Latitude 41 30' 54" N Longitude 70 39' 20" Since 1828, Nobska Light has provided a familiar beacon for "all who go down to the sea in ships". 67 feet above sea level, Nobska's flash every six seconds is visible 17 miles out to sea. This 28,000 candlepower light used a 1000-watt lamp magnified by a Fourth Order Fresnel lens. The red section visible ton the east side of the lantern house warns ships away from Hedge Fence and L'Hommedieu Shoals south of the Cape. The present tower is 42 feelt high and was constructed in 1876. It was built to replace the original "Nobsque" light, a stone cottage with a light tower on top which had stood since 1828. The present tower is made of a cast iron shell lined with brick. It was built in Chelsea, Massachusetts and transported to Cape Cod in four sections. The front half of the current "keeper's house" was also built in 1876. Originally painted dark maroon-brown, it had a covered walkway to the tower attacked in 1899 and a second "assistant keeper's house" added in 1907. [Note: see bottom-right photo above.] Over the year, windows, doors, porches and walkways have come and gone and the color has been changed to the classic Coast Guard white with red roof. [Note: this sign is now out of date; the keeper's house is no longer white, although it still has its red roof; it is now covered in cedar shingles, which have weathered to a grey color.] Nobska Light became part of the Coast Guard in 1939, when the U.S. Light House Service merged with the Coast Guard. Despite this change, the keepers of the light remained civilians until Mr. Hindley retired in 1973, when active duty Coast Guard keepers took up the duty. In 1983, Nobska Light was automated. The two keepers houses were joined and became the quarters for Commander Coast Guard Group Woods Hole and his family. The Woods Hole Group serves the mainland and islands from Plymouth, Massachusetts to the Rhode Island/Connecticut state line.

Older photos above and some information came from:

The Enterprise, Falmouth: "History of Nobska Light Sheds Light on More Than Navigation" (July 15, 2015)

New England Lighthouses: A Virtual Guide. History of Nobska Point Light, Woods Hole, Massachusetts

Friends of Nobska Light

IDs in ALT text

[hel-the-growl]

Nezha Reborn annotations - Part 3

Part 1｜Part 2

Who is Cai Yun? Monkey explains that she is a disciple of the demoness Shiji. 3000 years ago, 7-year-old Nezha accidentally shot and killed Shiji’s gatekeeper and Caiyun’s sister - Biyun - while playing with the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan’s Qiankun bow from 1000 miles away. Seeking revenge, Shiji overpowered Nezha before being killed by Nezha’s master Taiyi Zhenren. After her death, she was canonized at the Investiture Altar as Yue Youxingjun (月遊星君 "Star of Moon Voyage"). Apparently Caiyun has held onto that grudge since that day.

Chentang Pass was Nezha’s birthplace and the residence of Nezha’s family. Two treasures - the Qiankun bow and Three Sky-shaking Arrows that the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan used to kill his rival Chiyou (the Yan Emperor) - were kept there.

The most epic scene.

“But you’re Sun Wukong, the Great Sage who wreaked havoc in heaven”.

It was right here where Wukong obtained his magic staff, Ruyi Jingu Bang. Roughly 2000 years ago, it was sitting in the crystal palace as a piece of scrap metal. Wukong came here to seek the dragon king for a weapon. After none of the celestial weapons satisfied him, the dragon king’s wife suggested that if Wukong could lift the 13500-catty (6.75 tonne) Ruyi Jingu Bang, then it would be his. Not only was Wukong able to pick it up with ease, he could also make it grow and shrink to his command.

The REAL dragon ball.

When Yunxiang tugged on the Ribbon, the earth shook. It is a reference to an incident in IOTG: After taking a dip in a stream, Nezha was drying himself with the Sky Ribbon. Unbeknownst it him, it caused the ground beneath to shake violently each time it touched the water’s surface.

Ao Guang digging into Yunxiang’s guts is also a reference to how Nezha once broke his own bones, slit his belly and gouged out his intestines to appease the dragon king. 

If she’s a doctor, her first instinct should be chest compressions right???

The ribbon encasing Yunxiang like the lotus symbolizing Nezha's rebirth. The visual metaphor is incredible.

These four large triangular flags are nearly always an integral part of Peking opera, used to adorn the performers’ backs. They have their roots in the small flags Chinese generals would use to signal their subordinates. Journey to the West also has its own peking opera play.

Mid credits scene:

The mink is Mo Lishou’s familiar. The other items in the room are Mo Lihai’s pipa, Mo Lihong’s havoc umbrella. Nezha’s wind and fire wheels sit inside the box.

Names from IOTG’s list of gods swirling around the cauldron include Shiji (石矶娘娘), Shentu (神荼), Shen Gongbao (申公豹), Fang Bi (方弼), Jinling Shengmu (金灵圣母), Bo Yikao (伯邑考), Zhao Gongming (赵公明), Li Gen (李艮), Chong Houhu (崇侯虎), Chong Heihu (崇黑虎), Mo Liqing (魔禮青), Mo Lihai (魔禮海), Huang Tianhua (黄天化), Ao Bing etc...

Finally ending in the words “Investiture of the Gods”

Post credits scene:

This is a teaser for the second New Gods instalment - New Gods: Yang Jian.

As Yunxiang rides his motorbike down the street, he is stopped by a white dog. The dog is Xiaotian, and her owner is the formidable three-eyed god, Yang Jian.

Although Yang Jian doesn't end up in Donghai in that movie (yet), Light Chaser did tease an eventual crossover on their youtube channel.

Stay tuned for New Gods: Yang Jian!

Part 1｜Part 2 | New Gods: Yang Jian breakdown

[lonelystarrs]

Unholy

I’ve been on a break from this story on ao3 with the aim to start it again soon. But I’ve had this sat in my notes on my phone for months. Decided to delve into it cause I loved it. 👀

If you’d like to read the story link is here > Ao3 UNHOLY

Gojo Satoru x Reader

Your gaze turned towards the sky, seeing the galaxies opening up like they were putting a display on just for you to enjoy. Bursts of light darting across the vast, endless expanse of darkness that led to worlds unknown, strikes of light and dying fire dancing to a silent tune only the heavens could dance to.

Your soles were cold as the ocean gently lapped at your bare feet, stood on the ocean as its darkness danced below you, reflecting the stars above.

The city was far from here, mere dots of artificial lights in the horizon. Humanity so far from a place like this, letting the beauty of the world show without the tainting of humans to dim it.

He stood behind you watching as you remained in place, stars reflecting in your eyes like the silent ocean beneath you, calmly reflecting the peace in your soul. The fog of cold air meeting your warm breath as it temporarily clouded before dissipating into nothing, reminding you of your anchored body keeping you grounded to this world only able to watch the beauty you knew was there from below.

He didn’t think he would ever fall in love like this, like he had with you. Something so inhuman yet so human at the same time. You took away the loneliness buried in the king of curses, only to take away Gojo Satoru’s a 1000 years later.

Satoru understood why Sukuna would never let you go, he finally understood that if something has malevolent has him could love -so could Gojo.

Only now the damage was done, the weight on his heart was almost too much to hold for him alone. Your mixed eyes shone with the stars above, your skin glowing with a shine of gold under it all. Sukuna’s marks on your arms, the rings of gold baring their mark forever and always.

You were as beautiful as you were horrifying, it was difficult to see that something that shone like you stood besides Sukuna, something like you that tore throats and held the power to challenge both the Six Eyes and King of Curses himself.

“The sky is so clear tonight, it’s kinda sad.”

Gojo inhaled, your voice was a warm welcome back, like a soothing his body didn’t know it needed.

“Sad? Why?” He didn’t recognise his own voice, carrying a softness he wasn’t really aware he had. But the calmness that radiated around you at the moment was enough to calm his own soul.

Stood on the ocean miles from the city, he stood with you in a world for only you both. How he wished it could stay like this, the peace and you both alone without a curse, sorcerer or average joe anywhere in sight. Stripped of his god complex and leaving himself open to feel everything you made him feel.

But it couldn’t stay like this when back at the shores was the life he had to lead - the strongest sorcerer, the curses, the school, his students. The life Gojo Satoru couldn’t run from.

Your true reawakening and meeting with Sukuna again had changed things, you had changed.

Gojo looked up to see what you were seeing, but you doubted he would ever see it like you did. He couldn’t. The freedom in the sky above, the free souls no longer weighed down by flesh and bone were able to dance freely to a melody only they could hear.

“Because if this is the last time I’ll see you, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to look at the stars again.”

[amrv-5]

Horrid Horrid Day of the kind so rarely experienced trying to treat it as a dubious comedic blessing and also remember it’s cool to experience stuff even stuff that sucks and makes you (?) feel bad (probably???) freeverse insanity monologue to my own blog so I don’t commit a homicide

most of it death by 1000 papercuts sort of things besides like 3-5 big Actual Genuinely Bad Comically Ridiculous Chaotic Events (middle of the night hotel eviction and subsequent 35 mile relocation to a Diff Hotel for my parents due to the City Of [Redacted] abruptly buying out the rooms (?!) for the one they were in for some sort of emergency housing thing?? (this is real and really happened)) but after 12.5 hrs and then well 999 other things that happened mostly to Me etc.💥💥💥🔨🔨🔨💥💥💥🔨💥🔨😭🔨🔨🔨💥💥💥💥 godddd complicated relationship w parents aside it is so much to be Completely On and doing the Team Emotional Management the whole time whyyy am I the only grownup… can’t be tired or a little annoyed at being subject to last minute undiscussed demands on my time or even Drop The Cheerful Facade Of Bland Enthusiasm For A Second because I’m Ruining Things For Everyone. but also I’ve got 1 week break between semesters formally and I would like to: Sleep In + Get Meaningful Rest. please. Big ideal day plan wld be to sleep for 12-15 hrs read in bed for a few more go for a little run eat some oatmeal lay around watch movie without thinking about annnnyyything important all day. Is That So Much To Ask. Is This An Unreasonable Demand .

Well anyway I’m being soo dramatic and everything’s really pretty much fine. I cn recognize it’s nice that people went out of their way to make a trip here + want to spend a lot of time together it’s just that due to the Aforementioned Complicated Relationship the Spending Time Together is like. Well u know how wild boars when you stab them you have to have a special Boar Spear with a cross-bar because otherwise they will just keep running up your spear while impaled to Get You, The Spearholder? Well that’s what my relationship w my parents is like in this particular year. Getting stabbed and it sucksss but unfortunately there is the sense that if one keeps going thru the Horrid Feelings there may be some degree of satisfaction (easier or realer relationship? emotional connection? satisfaction of knowing I Tried My Best?) at the other end… but it has to be me (wild boar in this metaphor) doing alll of the work and experiencing the majority of the discomfort in pursuit of unclear ends… ahhhhhh sigh. good reminder I guess that I just still react weird and with maybe a greater than warranted degree of emotional sensitivity to extended intentional infringements on my space + autonomy that don’t take into account that I’m a person with opinions and an inner life and also I Slept Bad and several other problems so I’m much less patient than usual today. condensed: I’m At My Freakin Limit Dot JPEG rn. anyway. ouuughhh. home now going to run a bath (insane. who does that) turn off lights and just sit there in hot water for a while stewing (ha) until I feel less tense + tired (Big Win: reasonably tense + tired ≠ depressed…) maybe light a candle also. I wld bring a book into this if I didn’t know for a certainty I’d drop it in the water immmmmediately and the lathe of heaven doesnt deserve that from me. fuuuck. This probably makes me look insaaaane don’t read this. Or do whatever its my blog though sorry if u followed for fic and are just getting extended musings on my inner mental life + to do lists. In My Defense there’s a read more and if u see this You Clicked It And So Gave Ur Viewing Consent. In conclusion 👨‍👩‍👧🚗🏨🌃😭😔😑🤷‍♀️🙂➡️🛁🕯️📖🛌

[shmorp-mcdurgen]

Mandela Prophet AU: Long Walk Home (Restored)

After being left behind by Jonah, Adam finds himself alone, walking home in the cold. However, during his journey back, he encounters something, and it seems to have an offer for him.

TW: MAJOR body horror, blood/gore, vomiting, character death

Notes: this is a rewrite of THIS fic I made a little while ago when this au was still new, and this rewrite is around 4'860 words (around 1000 words longer than the first one I think.) So yeah. that's funny huh.

January 13th, 2009. 3:31 AM

God, Adam hated the cold.

He had lost track of how long he had been walking at that point, boots dragging against the ground as he kicked rocks down the asphalt road. He crossed his arms, pressing them against himself as he shuddered from the cool winter air that hit him. All that protected him from the frigid air around him was a black hoodie, with the letters “BPS” written on the back and front in yellow letters, along with a pair of ripped skinny jeans. His hood was pulled over his head, covering his hair aside from his pale, dark blond bangs that covered his forehead. His hands were covered in fingerless gloves, though they didn’t help make his fingers feel any less like they would fall off at any moment.

“F-Fucking…dickhead.” Adam muttered under his shaking breath, which clouded the air in front of him. “Prick.”

That fucking asshole; leaving Adam to walk miles in the cold, narrowly avoiding falling every time he slipped on a frozen puddle. If Adam wasn’t preoccupied with the idea that he’d die of hypothermia, he’d find Jonah and beat the shit out of him until he bled. A coward was all he was, deciding that an empty house was too scary for him. To make things worse, Jonah took the only car along with him, meaning Adam had no choice but to hope he didn’t freeze to death during the walk there. As soon as Adam saw Jonah again, he’d regret just abandoning him, as soon as he recovered from the broken nose Adam would give him.

He gave up the hope of hitchhiking, considering he hadn’t seen a single car pass by for the hour he’s been walking. He passed underneath the light of the scarce streetlights, looking up to see that he was nearing a turn in the road, sighing as he realized he was around halfway to the border to Bythorne. Another hour of walking; lovely. He tried to ignore the soreness in his lanky legs as he approached the metal railing on the side of the road, staring out into the dark woods behind it as he paused for a moment. His brows furrowed and his expression darkened as he leaned onto the railing, seeing the steep drop before him as he took in a deep breath, trying to think of what he should do. He could’ve walked back to Mandela in the time it took to get to Bythorne, maybe finding help there, or he could’ve sucked it up and continued the exhausting journey to the BPS HQ without a vehicle. That or he could’ve stayed where he was, wallowing in his own frustration and annoyance until he froze to death. He let out his breath, turning back towards the road as he prepared himself to bear the cold for one more hour, deciding to take his chances and head towards Bythorne.

Adam had only taken a couple steps before he stopped again, staring ahead at the road before him, frozen, though not from the cold. The wind had ceased, and silence fell, overbearing enough to make Adam’s ears ring. He stared down the street, eyes fixated near one of the streetlights, or more accurately, a figure he saw standing next to it, right outside of the lights beams. It was tall and humanoid, though Adam couldn’t make out its facial features from where he was. It wore a white robe from what Adam could see, along with a dark grey sash around its waist. They had long, pale grey hair that draped over their shoulders, along with a large, metal collar around its neck. Adam stared at the featureless monochrome face staring back from the dark as he found himself instinctively stepping back a few steps, shaking his head before turning around to take his chances with going back to Mandela instead.

“Good evening, Adam.”

Adam flinched when he saw the tall figure standing before him, looking up to see their face, seeing that it finally looked at least mostly human, aside from the grey skin and somewhat uncanny smile, along with the pitch black irises staring back at him.

“W…what…are you?” Adam asked, unsure why he suddenly felt a deep pit in his stomach.

“I am the angel Gabriel,” Gabriel introduced, though Adam had a hard time believing it. “I’ve come to simply…chat with you.”

“I…No. No I’m not talking with you.” Adam stated, stepping back a few steps. “Do you think I’m fucking stupid? You’re no angel, and we both know it.”

Gabriel’s smile didn’t wane as it tilted its head slightly. “…Really.” Gabriel chuckled slightly, its voice distorted as it did so. “Well, I suppose you wouldn’t think so, would you. You never believed in such things.”

Adam didn’t respond, taking a few more steps backwards.

“It’s cold out, Murray.” Gabriel stated. “Funny; someone who claims to be your best friend leaves you out to die alone. A coward.”

“How…how do you know about that?” Adam asked.

“I’ve been observing from a distance.” Gabriel answered simply. “I know just how much Jonah has been…a thorn in your side. He’s been preventing you from continuing your search for the truth, holding you back from your…true potential.”

Adam lost eye contact for a second as he looked at the ground, brows furrowing slightly.

“Though, I suppose you never felt the same way he did towards you, did you? After all, you don’t need friends.” Gabriel chuckled. “They only hold you back. They’re hindering your progress.”

“Look, leave me alone,” Adam commanded. “I’m done. I don’t need help from you things. I can handle myself.”

“Perhaps...” Gabriel looked down at Adam, leaning down slightly. “However, you won’t find what you’re looking for by yourself.”

“Sure I can—”

“No…oh, no you can’t.” Gabriel laughed once again; a laugh that felt…demeaning. “You can’t even begin to process the truth; the truth of this world, or…even the truth of your own existence.”

Adam became silent, staring at Gabriel as it began to walk past him, Adam able to see two large open wounds on their back; where wings would be.

“However, I believe you’re looking in all the wrong places; a problem that can be solved quite simply.” Gabriel paused, turning their head back at Adam as they held out their hand within his view, revealing that they were holding a red apple in their hand. “Murray, I can help you. I know exactly what you’re looking for, and believe me; I can help you find it.”

Adam watched as they grew closer, holding out the apple as he stared at it pensively. “Take it…and you’ll find that all your answers are really right in front of you.” Gabriel continued as Adam took the apple out of their hand. “The truth of what happened to you…what happened to your family…everything you have ever desired will be yours.”

“…Everything?” Adam asked as he looked back at Gabriel’s face.

“Indeed.”

Adam looked back down at the fresh looking apple in his cold, shaking hands as he thought to himself. “I’ll…figure out what…happened to my mom?” Adam asked quietly.

“Of course.” Gabriel smiled wider. “And I can guarantee that even your friends will finally see what you are truly capable of. They will find out just how wrong they were about you. You will be ignored no longer, Murray.”

Adam stared at the fruit, even as Gabriel appeared behind him and put their hands on his shoulders. “Everything…right at your fingertips.” Gabriel whispered. “All you need to do…is take one bite.”

Adam took in a deep breath, thinking for a moment before he raised the apple towards his mouth, and took a bite.

It tasted of charcoal and rotten meat.

He choked it down, looking at the apple only to see that it wasn’t a very pale yellow, instead it appeared to be a dull grey, and Adam could see what looked like bug limbs twitching as they stuck out from the “apples” flesh. Adam dropped the “fruit”, seeing it turn to mush the second it hit the asphalt, all while Gabriel began to laugh. Its cackle drilled into Adam’s head; a discordant, inhuman sound that echoed around him. Adam coughed and choked, his throat beginning to burn as he gagged, scratching at his neck as he fell to his knees.

“You truly are a selfish fool, aren’t you?” Gabriel mocked. “Almost pitiful.”

“W…Wh-what…what the fuck…what the fuck was that—” Adam questioned, despite feeling as if something was scratching the interior of his esophagus.

“Thank you, Murray,” Gabriel chuckled, ignoring Adam’s question. “You have made things so simple for me.”

Adam looked back up, seeing that Gabriel had vanished into thin air, all before he looked back down, trembling as he tried to make himself gag, but finding himself unable to. He forced himself onto his feet, gagging and coughing as he covered his mouth, stumbling down the road as he decided to go back to his original plan; returning to Bythorne. He felt sick just thinking of going back to Mandela, though it could’ve also been the strange dread he felt that made his stomach churn.

His breathing was harsh and uneven as he staggered down the road, letting out groans and gasps of discomfort as the pressure where his stomach was soon turned into pain. The lights he found comforting above him slowly began to be unbearable, making his dilated pupils sting every single time he passed under one. He felt as if he would vomit at any moment as he tried to maintain balance despite feeling lightheaded. Was he dying? Was it poison that he ate? He didn’t know the answers to any of the questions that came up in his head, only trying to focus on getting help.

“J-J-J…J…Jonah?” He called into the night air, having to choke out the word, as his throat felt tight. “JONAH?!”

No answer; wherever Jonah was, he was too far away to hear Adam’s calls.

Adam let out a surprised yell as he felt a surge of pain hit him at once, causing him to hunch over as he held his stomach, feeling as if his insides were burning. He covered his mouth as he fell to his knees on the side of the road, lurching over as he threw up a mix of bile and blood. Despite getting everything he could out, the burning didn’t wane; it even began to get worse, even when he had nothing else in his stomach to puke out. Adam swayed in place, shakily rising to his feet as he walked around the puddle of his own internal fluids, trying to ignore how he saw bloody chunks of flesh in it.

For miles and miles, he continued to walk, despite how weak his legs felt with every passing second. Not a single cohesive thought ran through his brain as he stumbled, holding his arms against his torso as hard as he could, despite it doing nothing to help the increasing burning, stabbing pain developing inside of him. He twitched and shook, unable to stay still as if strings were pulling on every limb, forcing them to move in borderline painful ways. His elbow popped every time his arm jerked to the side, his knees cracking with every awkward step, and his head jerking and twitching at random moments. He wanted nothing more than to collapse to the ground and sleep until morning, giving him a break from the increasing agony he felt coursing through his veins as he forced himself to walk one step at a time.

Had it already been an hour? Adam couldn’t tell, with his grasp on time slipping. Thoughts ran through his head, most feeling not his own as he tried to make one cohesive thought to figure out a way to get him out of the situation he was in. However, as he tried to force his mind to slow down, his eyes caught something in the distance. Red lights; a car’s taillights pierced the darkness, Adam able to hear the sound of the engine running as he slowly grew closer. He felt a tinge of hope, for the first time that night, all before he looked down towards the side of the vehicle, the hope turning back into anger. Jonah.

Jonah was sitting against the side of the car, knees hugged close to his chest as he sobbed into his arms. Adam could make out his silver dyed hair, and he was wearing his leather jacket and white sweatshirt, along with blue jeans and red high-top shoes. His quiet sobbing was barely audible until Adam staggered close, letting out a pained groan as he nearly fell to the ground, clasping his stomach as he fell to his knees. He looked up at Jonah, the car feeling so close yet so far. He breathed in and out repeatedly, finding his voice before he choked out: “J-Jonah?”

Jonah looked up, not even glancing in Adam’s general direction at first, looking around before his gaze finally reached Adam. “…Adam?”

“J…Jonah you…you fucking dick…” Adam groaned as hunched over, barely processing the sound of Jonah’s footsteps rapidly approaching him.

“W-What; Adam what ha—”

“Shut up.” Adam stated as Jonah helped him to his feet. “Just…get us the fuck out of here, man.”

Jonah rested Adam’s arm over his shoulders as he led Adam to the car, lightly pushing him into the car through the passenger side door before entering it himself, looking back at Adam as he slammed the driver’s side door closed. “What happened, what’s going on?” Jonah questioned, his eyes showing his unease and fear as Adam bounced his leg and leaned back in his seat.

“Look…I’ll explain it later, just…go, alright?” Adam exhaled. Jonah didn’t question it, driving away as soon as Adam was done speaking, speeding down the road and towards Bythorne. Jonah glanced towards Adam every few seconds, seeing that he was trembling, curled into himself as he leaned against the car door. Jonah tried to keep his breath steady, repressing his fright before he prepared to speak, only to be interrupted by Adam.

“I…didn’t think you’d actually…listen to me.” Adam said quietly.

“What?”

“You…just fucking left?”

“Look I…I can’t just…I couldn’t just stay there,” Jonah stated. “And I thought…you wanted me gone anyway.”

There was silence for a moment as Adam shuddered, feeling a strange twitch in his torso.

“You’re in a fuckin…paranormal group and you’re scared of the paranormal?” Adam glanced at Jonah, Jonah only returning the stare for a brief moment before looking away.

“I-I…I wanted the money, okay?” Jonah sighed. “…and…friends. It’s hard to get a job around here anymore so…I thought it would…help.”

“You never cared?” Adam questioned. “Is that why you never fucking help with anything?”

“I cared, like…God, I don’t know.” Jonah responded.

Adam scoffed before coughing and shuddering once again.

“Look, I’m…just…happy to see you again, man.” Jonah said hesitantly. “I mean…you…are Adam…right?” Jonah smiled nervously and insincerely as he looked at Adam.

“Of course I am.” Adam stated with annoyance. “Blue eyes. If you even paid attention, you’d know that alternates have black eyes.”

“I know but—”

“Wait, you…you think I was replaced?” Adam questioned. “You thought I died in there?”

The silence felt deafening, Adam shaking again as he tried to silence the thoughts that ran through his head.

“Jonah, did you—”

“Yes.” Jonah responded quietly, his voice almost nothing more than a squeak.

Adam scoffed again, brows furrowing as he looked out of the passenger side window. “Of course you did.” He stared outside blankly, barely able to see the trees on each side of the road aside from what was within the headlights beams. The calmness was short lived however, as he suddenly felt a jerk inside of his body, as if something had shifted against his ribs. Adam abruptly hunched over, grasping his stomach as he let out groans of discomfort, Jonah looking at him as he did so.

“Adam?” Jonah felt a pit in his chest grow as he watched Adam shake harder. “You…are you okay?”

“I-I-I don’t…know.” Adam stated, finding himself unable to sit still for even a second. “I think…I need a hospital.”

Jonah’s breath quickened when he heard that statement, turning back towards the road before he saw a sign on the side of it; the sign that signaled the edge of Mandela’s border, and thus the entrance to Bythorne. “We’ll be there soon, don’t worry.” Jonah attempted to sound reassuring, though not even he was sure if there truly was nothing to worry about. “You’ll be okay, alright? You’ll be fine.” Adam’s shaking was becoming worse with every passing second, and the dread creeping up in Jonah’s mind was following suit. Jonah tried to focus on the road as the trees disappeared on the edges of the road, being replaced by a large field on both sides. He was so close to Bythorne, and more importantly, a hospital. Just 20 more minutes at most, less if he ignored the speed limit despite the ice on the road. Jonah took on last glance at Adam to check up on his state, only to see his eyes roll back and his body jerk forward, spitting out blood onto the dashboard.

Jonah let out a surprised yell, staring at Adam as he began convulsing, slamming his head against the back of his seat repeatedly. Jonah pressed his free arm against his chest, trying to keep him still as best he could while also trying to keep an eye on the road. Jonah cursed under his breath as he tried to suppress the urge to panic, feeling Adam resisting against his grasp under his hand.

“O-Out…out.” Adam mumbled.

“What? W-What do you me—”

“Get me out of this FUCKING CAR.” Adam commanded, blood running down the edges of his mouth.

“Okay, okay!” Jonah hesitantly obliged, pulling over and parking beside the edge of the field. As soon as the vehicle stopped, Adam pushed open the door, stumbling out and towards the front of the car. He only got a few more steps before he collapsed, laying on his back as he continued to violently shake, Jonah leaving the car to try and help. Jonah stood in shock as he tried to think of any way he could possibly help Adam as he laid on the ground, convulsing.

“I-I’ll go get help okay? I’ll see if there’s anyone around here.” Jonah said as he looked around.

“Don’t leave me…don’t leave…m…” Adam could barely get his words out, feeling a pressure building in his chest.

Jonah ran down the road until he was at the edge of the field, seeing that not a single car was driving their way, nor were there any homes in view. “HELLO?” Jonah called into the night air. “HELP! HELP US! ANYONE?!”

Jonah let out a frustrated and worried groan as he realized there was no one and nothing nearby that could help them, snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Adam’s scream from a distance. He immediately turned back, rushing as fast as he could towards Adam, out of breath by the time he arrived. “We need to get out of here; get in the car.” Jonah exhaled, as he crouched by Adam’s side, grasping his hand to pull him up.

“I-I don’t—”

“I know you don’t want to, but we need to get you to a hospital.” Jonah said quickly. “Come on, let’s go.”

Jonah helped Adam sit up, Adam groaning with every movement as they both slowly stood up. “We’ll get you help, okay?” Jonah reassured. “You’ll be okay—” Jonah felt something shift under Adam’s back, jerking his hand away when he felt it as Adam let out a loud yell, immediately falling back to the ground. Jonah stared at Adam with confusion and fear as he began to let out pained yells, coughing up blood onto the road below him as he grasped the sides of his hoodie with his clammy, cold hands.

Jonah had no clue what to say, feeling a deep fear as he backed away, seeing something crawling underneath the skin on Adam’s back. Adam’s screams of pain continued, becoming worse with every passing second and with every sharp pain he felt in his back, as if something was pressing against the inside of his skin and muscles. Adam could feel and hear his ribs cracking, shifting in unnatural ways and breaking away from each other. He was muttering unintelligible things under his breath, interrupted by more screams as blood began to stain small parts of his hoodie’s back, barely visible through the black fabric. Jonah watched, Adam’s screaming not stopping before something pierced through the skin.

Fingers were pushed through Adam’s back, with a skeletal hand following, then an entire long, disproportionate, mangled arm that slid out of his back, placing its hand on the ground next to his body. Jonah yelled, stumbling backwards and falling to the ground, crawling backwards with his eyes fixed on the half-formed limb until he pressed his back against the grill of the car. Blood dripped off of the limb as skin began forming around its blackened bones, the limb moving in an unnatural way, as if it never moved before. More squelching and tearing was heard as a second long arm pushed itself out of Adam’s back, lying on the ground next to Adam as it felt around.

The choir of agonized screams, tearing flesh, and cracking bones continued as six more limbs followed, much shorter and more proportional than the two that came before them. Jonah watched in horror as they wriggled around, feeling the cool winter air, Adam’s wounds stinging and burning from hitting open air as well. Adam shakily held up his head, blood seeping out of his mouth and his eyes bloodshot from crying, feeling something scratching at the inside of his cheeks. Eight mandibles pushed themselves out of his mouth from the inside of his cheeks, feeling around as Adam gagged and choked.

He saw something appearing in his peripheral vision, barely able to process it before a hand placed itself over his left eye, Adam weakly trying to remove it as two more covered his other eye and his mouth, suppressing his hoarse screams entirely. Jonah watched as Adam thrashed around, trying to free himself from the parasite’s grasp fruitlessly, all before he abruptly became still, his limbs becoming limp as another parasitic limb held up his head.

Silence fell, with only Jonah’s harsh breathing and the sound of blood dripping onto the asphalt being heard. Jonah couldn’t even find his voice to scream, staring at Adam’s bloody body, unsure if he was dead or alive until the limbs twitched once again. The two largest arms pressed against the ground, raising Adam’s limp body up until it didn’t even touch the ground. It looked like a spider almost, with Adam being at the center of the eight parasitic limbs like a spider’s main body. Jonah watched as it grew still, holding Adam’s body above the ground before its arm turned his head around to face the cowering man in front of the car. As soon as Jonah saw the fingers covering Adam’s eye shift and reveal one horrified, watering eye staring back at him, he immediately snapped out of his shock and scrambled to his feet.

Jonah screamed, running across the road as Adam’s eye was covered once again, all before the two limbs holding his body up began to “run” after Jonah. Jonah didn’t look back once, no matter how close the thing’s “footsteps” sounded in the snow behind him. Jonah cried, his tears freezing to his face as he scrambled towards the woods, hoping to lose the thing behind him if he managed to make it there. However, when he felt a hand grasp his ankle, tripping him and making him fall to the ground, he realized he simply didn’t have the speed to do so.

Jonah slammed against the ground, turning onto his back as he stared up at Adam’s body, seeing the hands covering up most of his face. The hand covering Adam’s mouth moved and his mouth opened, the mandibles in his jaw exiting it. One of the main arms pressed against Jonah’s chest, pinning him to the ground as two free arms cracked and twitched, lengthening until they were wrapped around his neck and clasping his jaw. Jonah stared at Adam’s face, sobbing and kicking his legs in the air as he felt the grasp of the hands tighten. “Adam…” Jonah whimpered. “…Please—”

He couldn’t even get his sentence out before he felt his neck crack.

6:11 AM

Adam awoke face down in the field, snow gathering in his hair and snowflakes landing on his sore back. Large red indents in his skin were visible through the large tears in his jacket, barely healed over enough to stop bleeding. Adam didn’t even want to open his eyes, wanting nothing more than to go back to sleep, however as he shivered and felt the snow under his face making his skin go numb, he decided to wait just a little longer to do so.

Adam winced as he pushed himself off of the ground, shakily rising to his feet as he looked around, seeing that the sun was barely illuminating the sky, as if it was still midnight. Every bone in his body felt sore, with his back burning from the cold air. Adam couldn’t even scrounge up a single cohesive thought as he staggered around the field, looking around before his eyes fixated on something in the distance; the car, which still had its headlights on, signaling Adam’s way out of that hellhole. However, when he caught something in the corner of his eye, he paused, looking towards the middle of the field before he spoke.

“Jonah…?”

From where Adam stood, he could barely make out Jonah laying in the snow, unmoving. Adam stared from a distance, glancing back at the car before deciding to shamble through the snow and see what was going on. Jonah better get up before Adam gets there, else he’ll get his ass kicked for making Adam worry about him. Or, well, was Adam truly worried? He wasn’t sure, though he couldn’t help but notice that he needed to suppress the unease he felt as he approached Jonah, muttering as he did so. Soon, Jonah came into view, Adam looking at him with an annoyed, pained look before he spoke.

“I swear to God Jonah, if this is another jo—”

Adam froze when he finally saw Jonah’s body in detail. Blood was coagulating and pouring out underneath Jonah’s body, staining the pure white snow a deep crimson. His limbs were bent in odd ways, with bruises all over his body. Adam’s dilated eyes looked at Jonah, barely acknowledging how the body looked, as he was too distracted looking at where his face was.

Gone.

It was gone.

There wasn’t even a head, with only a bloody, messily torn stump where it used to be remaining. Adam looked behind the body, seeing something written in the snow above where the head would’ve been:

“COWARD”

Adam wasn’t sure why his nausea had left him, or why he felt so empty despite him staring at the horrific scene in front of him. He stared blankly at Jonah’s body, wincing when he felt a stinging sensation in his skin. He couldn’t remember anything before he woke up aside from agony, even being unsure what had caused it; were they attacked? Was an alternate the reason Jonah was gone? Adam wasn’t sure, backing away from his “friend’s” body before turning towards the road, deciding to take the car back to Bythorne.

He walked towards the car, glancing at the road and seeing a frozen, dark puddle in front of the car, deciding to ignore it as he opened the driver’s door. He sat in the vehicle, closing the door behind him in silence as he glanced at the dashboard, seeing yet again more blood splattered on it. With a blank expression and without a single word, Adam started the engine and drove down the road, leaving Jonah’s body behind as he headed home. He wished the car radio in the car worked; then maybe he wouldn’t be left alone with the new thoughts that ran through his head.

As he drove, he pushed back the urge to sleep at the wheel, all while ignoring the faint twitching in his stomach. The heater was barely succeeding in keeping Adam warm in the car, with his breath still visible in front of his face. He hated the cold, and now even his own body felt as cold as ice. Adam reached into his pants pocket, pulling out a small cell phone before dialing a number and holding it up to his ear. He waited a few moments, and when the automatic message came up, he began to record his message.

“Sarah.” He stated, his voice monotone and quiet. “I’ll be back at HQ in a little bit. I…have some new footage. You’ll see. Bye.”

[arvensimp]

Choose Your Own Adventure, pt. 1

As a thank you for the 1000 followers, I thought it might be fun to do a Choose Your Own Adventure fic. I've got a starting prompt below, and each part will be followed by a poll where you, the audience, will pick what happens next. Each poll will only last 24 hours, so definitely act fast if you want your voice heard!

Each part will only be 1000 words, and my intent is to keep this GN.

For now, there are no warnings.

-

The late afternoon sun beats heavy on your back as you ride through Socarrat Trail. Despite the lack of trainers out today (not surprising given the overwhelming heat), it remains almost inconceivably loud, with heracrosses chattering and chirring up a storm to rival the sound of a hurricane. 

Your eyes expertly scan the trail and off the beaten path, going along your typical route of inspection as a ranger in the area, double checking that no one is in any sort of danger and that nothing seems terribly awry. No fires, rock slides, or crazy damage from the inevitable pokemon battles that take place. The usual.

Everything seems typical, so with a relieved sort of sigh, you round the trail to start the return trek to the ranger station on the other side of the forest, eager to get back into the blessed air conditioning.

On the way, you ride close to the rock formation that sits in the middle of the forest. Several years back, before you joined the workforce, apparently some super strong pokemon was released from a cave within the stone, and no one had seen hide nor hair of it since. Or so said all your superiors over at the station. You’re pretty sure it was all hazing tauroshit.

…Pretty sure being the operative phrase, of course. It doesn't hurt to stick close by when you can, just in case some kinda cool Pokemon ever does appear.

In just a moment, you'll see the familiar chains that apparently kept the creature confined…or behind a door…or…whatever. That part of the story always changed, but one thing remained consistent:

Out of nowhere one day, a massive cry shook the ground for miles around the area. 

When the rangers went out to check on the commotion, the cave had been opened, the seal broken, and everything inside…gone. They tried to track it, but other than signs of a battle and mussed up Pokemon prints left in soft earth, there wasn't much else. Anything that had been inside was well and truly gone, scattered to the winds that carried its far reaching cry.

"Son of a BITCH!"

The sudden shout startles you from your thoughts of unknown pokemon, and you quickly make your way toward it. It came from within or nearby the cave, probably some kids from the academy searching for treasure, as some inevitably do every year. Doesn't matter how many signs your team puts up.

"DANGER: ROCK SLIDES LIKELY

CIVILIAN ACTIVITY PROHIBITED"

It's one thing for you, a trained park ranger, to idle along just off the path from the cave. You're a professional afterall. Kids, on the other hand, aren't, and they're drawn to danger like teddiursa to honey. Without real protective measures like those in place around Area Zero, you and your colleagues are left to deal with fallout and infrequent calls for an emergency taxi to take folks to the hospital.

"Hello? Socarrat Trail Park Services here!" You call toward the sound as you approach the cave. "Is anyone in need of assistance?"

"Ugh, fuck," You hear a voice softly echo through the mouth of the cave before continuing more loudly. "No! No, it's fine! No need for help, thanks!"

You continue into the cave anyway, putting on your best Official Ranger posture and tone.

"That's good to hear. However, this area is off-limits to civilians, so I have to ask that you…"

As your eyes adjust to the dim light of the cave and you realize whom you're facing, your official façade drops.

It's been years, but you saw a photo of him not too long ago online.

"Arven Sada-Turo, is that you?"

Wavy, two-toned hair which partially blocks his sight, his bits of scruffy beard, and his stocky, built form face you.

The man sighs, wiping his hand on the back of his pants.

"Yeah, yeah. That's me. Listen, I, uh…didn't realize the area was off-limits or whatever." Probably a lie. There's signage everywhere. He should've seen it. "But I'll be outta your hair soon. Didn't mean to trespass. Promise."

"Wait, Arven. …Uh." Suddenly you feel awkward. This isn't easy to ask. "Don't you recognize me?" You draw closer to the little camping set up he seems to have built for himself in the cave. "Mesagoza Academy? We graduated the same year. Not that I blame you if you don't remember, for real! Geez, what's it been? Must be coming on almost a decade, yeah?"

Arven's eye narrows a bit as you approach, not trusting you immediately. But when he's able to take in your face a little better, his face relaxes with recognition.

"Oh… Oh wow! Shit, uh…" He fumbles for a moment, but he gets your name right first try, and you nod in affirmation. "Who'd have thought we'd see each other like this, yeah?" He laughs, gesturing around him. 

Your expression quirks a bit.

"Yeah… What are you doing here? Like I said, this area isn't really meant for civilians, so…"

He straightens, the single eye you can see brightening. "I was foraging. See, I'm doing research on herbs for use in my café."

You're familiar with the place. Though you've never been yourself, you know Arven's face and frame from a photo of him outside the establishment back when the place first opened.

Massive Munchies: New Café to Open, Featuring Flavors of the Titans!

The article was accompanied by a photo of your current classmate, knelt down next to his Mabosstiff, both giving huge, goofy grins. No longer was he the awkward, broody teen of your school days. He was replaced instead by the impressive form in front of you.

"Research…on herbs?" You chatot back.

"Yup! The region has a rare plant, colloquially called herba mystica. Folks think they're legend, but they're not. Just super rare. I need to find a few more; see if I can get them to propagate… Anyway, I wasn't able to find any here, so, like I said, I'll be outta here shortly."

~~

What will you do? (link to the poll embedded in the text)

Challenge Arven to a battle as "punishment" for breaking the rules

Invite Arven on a tera raid as a potential method to find more herba mystica

Let him leave, promising to visit the café this weekend

Ask to have a picnic at his current camping set up

Ream him out for ignoring official signage