#Evolve Cellars

[mywinepal]

Sparkling Wine Suggestions for New Year's Eve

Sparkling Wine Suggestions for New Year's Eve #NYE2023 #bcwine #bcvqa #cava #prosecco @BlueMtnWinery @TIMEWines @HesterCreek @ChurchStateWine @seguraviudas @mionetto_

New Year’s Eve is just around the corner.  Have you purchased your sparkling wines to celebrate?  Here are some sparkling wines I enjoyed this year that you may want to consider buying.  Some BC sparklers are only available at the winery, but the foreign bottles should all be available at BC Liquor stores.  Cheers! My Sparkling Wine Suggestions BC Wine Blue Mountain Vineyards and Cellars Gold…

[doorinthefloor]

A boy!

[statsbot]

SITUATION In an alternate history where time travel has been invented, a cabal of time-traveling traders and politicians are engaged in intertemporal arbitrage, using their future knowledge to corner markets throughout history. They've recently set their sights on the oyster trade of 19th century New York City, hoping to use their advanced refrigeration tech and insider info to make a killing. But their actions are destabilizing the timeline and threatening to erase key historical figures from existence. The party must unravel this temporal trade network and confront the mysterious mastermind behind it all before irreparable damage is done to the space-time continuum.

SETTING The adventure spans multiple eras, but key events occur in:

New York City, 1842 - The booming oyster trade has made the city the oyster capital of the world. Oyster cellars line Canal Street, shucking a staggering 700 million oysters a year. The docks bustle with oystermen.

The Far Future Oyster Vaults of Neo-Nassau, 2891 AD - Towering refrigerated vaults hold trillions of perfectly preserved bivalves. Chrono-barges zip through pneumatic tubes overhead. Neon-lit canals crisscross the city.

The Temporal Trade Hub, Outside Time - A mind-bending nexus where past, present and future intersect. Causality-defying architecture shifts like a kaleidoscope. Traders haggle over price fluctuations yet to occur.

CAST

Crassus Rockefeller III - Robber baron, mastermind behind the Oyster Futures Syndicate. Seeks to monopolize history's oyster supply. Wields a Causality Anchor that stabilizes him in spacetime.

Vivian "Viv" Wellfleet - Rogue chrono-trader with a heart of gold. Wants to stop Crassus and restore the timeline. Former collegiate oyster shucking champion.

Shucker Jim - Grizzled 19th century oysterman. Secretly an undercover Chronoguard agent. Rocket harpoon prosthetic arm. Loyal but haunted by a tragic past.

The Muculent Sibyl - Prophetic oyster-human hybrid from an alternate timeline where oysters evolved sapience. Whispers maddening future-truths. Chained in Crassus' vault.

Ostreida, the Oyster Goddess - Eldritch bivalve deity worshipped by a future oyster-cult. Seeks to flood Earth's history, returning it to a primordial sea.

The Chronoguard - Temporal law enforcement. Hardened time-cops in chromed exo-suits. Seek to stop illegal intertemporal trade by any means necessary.

The Oystermen's Union - Tough New York oyster workers, their livelihoods threatened by future sabotage. Burly, bearded, and brawny. Know the oyster beds like the back of their callused hands.

INITIAL CONDITIONS The 19th century oyster trade is booming, but prices have started fluctuating wildly and oyster shortages loom due to temporal meddling. Anachronistic tech has been found in oyster beds. Strange future-cultists lurk in oyster cellars, preaching the coming of an Oyster God. The Chronoguard has dispatched agents to 1842 to investigate, but Crassus' syndicate has a head start and deep pockets. The timeline is already fraying at the edges - historic oyster-lovers like Queen Victoria are fading from existence. The players arrive in old New York to find a temporal powder keg ready to blow.

GOALS

Crassus Rockefeller III - Corner the oyster market across all of history, making trillions. Ascend to economic godhood.

Vivian "Viv" Wellfleet - Stop Crassus, restore the original timeline, save the future. Maybe shuck some oysters along the way.

Shucker Jim - Complete his mission, avenge his partner, keep the space-time continuum safe from rogue traders and their greed.

The Muculent Sibyl - Escape her imprisonment, reveal cosmic truths, bring about the Oyster Singularity her visions foretell.

Ostreida, the Oyster Goddess - Flood Earth's history, make the world a oyster's paradise. Destroy upstart humanity.

The Chronoguard - Arrest Crassus and his cronies, stop the temporal trade in its tracks, preserve the integrity of the timeline.

The Oystermen's Union - Protect their way of life, drive out strange future interlopers, keep oyster prices stable and bellies full.

TOOLS/RESOURCES

Crassus Rockefeller III - Vast wealth, future tech, Causality Anchor, bribed officials across eras, oyster futures contracts.

Vivian "Viv" Wellfleet - Heirloom chrono-compass, knack for disguise, knowledge of oyster lore, her trusty quantum-shucking knife.

Shucker Jim - Rocket harpoon arm, Chronoguard combat training, 19th century street smarts, loyal oystermen contacts.

The Muculent Sibyl - Precognition, psychic whispers, eldritch oyster magic, fanatical mollusk-hybrid cultists.

Ostreida, the Oyster Goddess - Divine bivalve powers, oyster monster hordes, tidal magic, beachhead temples across history.

The Chronoguard - Jurisdiction across spacetime, stun-harpoons, chrono-cuffs, hardened exo-suits, orbital trawler-ships.

The Oystermen's Union - Strength in numbers, intricate knowledge of oyster beds, sturdy oyster boats, shucking solidarity.

SAMPLE SOLUTIONS

Infiltrate Crassus' syndicate posing as fellow traders, destabilize his operations from within while searching for evidence of his crimes. Coordinate with Chronoguard to arrest him in a dramatic sting.

Rally the Oystermen's Union to sabotage future tech and resist the Syndicate's strong-arm tactics. Stage a general strike to force the city to crack down on rogue traders.

Beat Crassus at his own game by cornering the oyster market first. Flood the market with your own supply via time travel, tanking prices and ruining his monopoly.

Cut a deal with Ostreida, brokering a compromise where oysters and humans can coexist across history. Use her power to threaten Crassus into surrendering.

Rescue the Muculent Sibyl and convince her to aid you with her prescient visions. Navigate the fluctuating timeways to always stay one step ahead of Crassus and his goons.

[leibal]

Cal Serni is a minimal house located in Monistrol de Calders, Spain, designed by Bouman. Originally intended to be revamped into a cellar and a social area for family gatherings, the project evolved to address a key architectural challenge: reconnecting the basement to the main house. This need arose from a past renovation that had sealed off the original staircase linking the two levels, effectively isolating the basement.

[siriusly-the-best-bi]

Ya know what’s curious to me? In Episode 2 when Crowley asks Aziraphale in the cellar whose side he’s on, Aziraphale responds “God’s, of course!”

Ya know why this is curious?

Well, for one, they’re talking about sides. Heaven and Hell. Their respective bosses. Crowley’s response of going along with Hell as far as he can makes sense, it’s what we expect to hear, but when he turns the question on Aziraphale, he doesn’t exclaim ‘heaven’s obviously!’ He immediately associates himself and his values with God directly.

Second of all, In episode 6, when talking about accepting the Metatron’s job offer as the new supreme archangel with Crowley, Aziraphale says “but heaven! Well, it’s the side of truth, of light, of good.”

For the entirety of Good Omens season 1, Aziraphale had always talked about following God’s ineffable plan, which was a noticeably different turn of phrase than those such as Gabriel used in heaven, always referring to it as the Great Plan. This is even the very thing that lead them to wiggling their way around Armageddon in the first place when confronted by Gabriel and Beelzebub.

Aziraphale has always made the distinction that he is an angel and does good because he believes that God is good and he trusts in their design.

Now I might just be loosing it, it is nearly 3am, but this sudden distinction and the choice of Aziraphale to not only discuss heaven in such a manner, but to refer to it as an entire Side, and use the adjectives he uses to describe heaven when we’ve only ever seen or heard him talk about God this way… it just all plays very intentional to me. It feel’s weird.

Especially once you take into consideration the flashbacks we’re shown of Beelzebub and Gabriel discussing the failed Armageddon in their little pub rendezvous. They never once mention their respect ‘boss’. Gabriel says “we are ready for round two.” And Beelzebub’s response is “as are we.” This we that they’re referring to isn’t God. It’s not Satan. They’re talking about the beings who reside in these respective places. The Angels and the Demons. And the conversation then continues with Gabriel admitting, “everyone in Heaven is all like, ‘Well, you’re the commander-in-chief, can’t you just make the war happen anyway?’ Like, I make the rules.” And whats Beelzebub’s response? “That’s exactly what my lot said.”

The pressure isn’t coming from God anymore. In the past, like seen in the Job episode, when there were divine tasks at hand they were dealt with by the angels for God, and God was directly involved in finding the outcome. There was no going through management or filing paperwork or monitoring miracles. And hey, I get it. As time evolves along with the humans, so does everything else.

My question is, is it possible that with these evolutions in the human world, that Heaven and Hell have perhaps learned a thing or two from humanity as well? Already they’ve mimicked the clothing, the office spaces, the entire design of heaven and hell down to the management hierarchy. Is it possible that these wars and these fights aren’t being started by God anymore, but an act of civil war amongst the Angels and Demons? We already see Michaels urge for power and control paralleled and almost foiled by Shax’s drive for control and power and both were the driving factors between any of the Major problems this season that lead to major conflicts between Heaven and Hell.

That brings us of course, to the Metatron. Who is he and where exactly did he come from? When did his position become necessary and why wasn’t he present as the ‘voice of god’ in the job minisode? Why suddenly are all of God’s plans, only being carried out by him?

Do you want to know why I think Gabriel was being demoted and not sent to Hell as a fallen angel? Because I don’t think they can. I think that’s something only God can do, but what kind of fear and control would that hold over all the busy bee’s? No, no, instead, let’s frame it as a Kindness. Heaven won’t cast you out because it will make them look bad! because it’s happened before, so they have no choice but to play a game of politics to keep everyone in check.

But here’s my question. Has there been a fallen angel since the great war? Why is it that after all this time, Aziraphale hasn’t fallen time and time again? Why is it that instead of an Angel falling from grace to join the armies of hell, the response to an act of rebellion is absolute destruction. The same could be said for hell. If you have demons walking around that are doing good, wouldn’t that simply just re-spark their halo’s? Why is it that they’d be destroyed by Holy Water instead of simply returning to Heaven?

It’s because God plays an ineffable game of their own design. They’re not playing with earth, or humanity. They’re toying with the Angels and the Demons. It’s why they’re placing bets with Satan.

When Crowley’s attempting to convince Aziraphale to run away for the last time, he doesn’t say Fuck God and Fuck whatever game this is, we don’t need to be a part of it. He says Heaven and Hell are toxic we need to get away from them.

It’s just so curious to me how this season has carefully and slowly taken us away from the idea of God and God’s Ineffable Plan and instead led us into this drama between Heaven and Hell, no mention of God whatsoever. No narrator.

[seafoamreadings]

week of october 15th, 2023

these are written predominantly for the *rising* signs but they are also intuitively "channeled" enough that they should work for any dominant energy you have! (try your sun if you don't know rising, or more advanced readers can try moon, anywhere you have a stellium, etc and see what works best for you!)

aries: there is a lot of nodal activity this week affecting you and the way you see yourself, and are seen by others in the world. bolster your personal image without going too far into arrogance. it helps in that regard to also make others feel good about themselves. if you can do that, it all becomes quite karmically auspicious for you.

taurus: many good things will come to you if you can volunteer your services this week, or starting from this week. especially if you can travel a bit to do so. because of nodal activity in your 12th house, hospitals, prisons, and mental health are good avenues for this work.

gemini: we are in for a very mercurial period, which has its pros and cons. for you, mostly pros. but you'll have to get comfy with some intense plutonic energy. it starts this week and continues for a couple more. shallow interactions won't cut it, even if you're normally a fan of small talk. large talk only this week.

cancerians: don't mistake a week between eclipses to feel like a week off. you're on lunar duty even more than usual. your comfort is sought, even as you need to be comforted. give and take in good balance.

leo: northern leos entering the dark time of the year may feel a bit burnt out and southern leos experiencing longer daylight may feel more energetic. either way, your words and thoughts sparkle and glitter and radiate out of you, so try to use that to your advantage.

virgo: make this week about good discipline. not punishment! devotion! boundaries, not blockages. make a plan and stick to it as a way to honor yourself, don't make it torture.

libra: a whirlwind of nodal activity occurs. and it may really feel like a tornado passing through; quick but momentous, possibly damaging, yet strangely beautiful. just find yourself a good cellar and be patient.

scorpio: mercury reaches your sign just a bit ahead of the sun (who arrives next week.) this parade of ingresses makes for a series of friendly trines to saturn in pisces. saturn is feared by many but in a trine, he is much more benevolent. not the chronos who eats his children, rather the spiritual teacher. follow the light of the truth even as the world seems to grow darker.

sagittarius: the only significant mutability for a while is saturn in pisces, and saturn is not exactly known for his fluid nature. keep your mobility in good health, literally and metaphorically. don't forget to warm up and stretch.

capricorn: the week is cardinal and saturnine. in other words, very well suited to yourself, even without direct activity in your sign (other than a bit of pluto stuff.) others are sliding down the sides of their mountains but you scale upwards with graceful ease.

aquarius: mostly this week is not supportive to you but on the bright side it's not particularly antagonistic either. more saturnine aquarians also get a bit of a boost toward the end of the week.everything is still in flux between eclipses, so everyone's feelings are changing from one moment to the next. they will get their feelings confused with their thoughts or values, so be patient with them.

pisces: the sign of the fish may feel a bit bogged down in the mud this week. it means you have to start to evolve and adapt. this week is sandwiched between two eclipses, so it's a good time for using chaos to your advantage, which applies to these adaptations as well as anything else.

[picsani]

[I wanted to make a short post at first but then it evolved into a fanfic lmao enjoy♡]

Now that I think about it...

If you were a damsel in distress,Jack would come to save you HIMSELF.

That man fears nothing and the movie proves that he doesn't let his men do all the work,he is quite capable.

Jack is a man who wants only the best so he'd go for a princess or noblewoman.

Like Lord Farquaad.

By saving you himself,his reputation would also benefit from it(and make him more known among people).

You,of course,are unaware of the rescue mission.

You've been held captive in a nasty dungeon for quite some time and long for someone to come and rescue you.

And finally... it happens.

You are suddenly startled by distant screams and sounds of explosions.

"What the heck is happening?!" You think.

After minutes of chaos,everything is silent again.

You hear the sound of footsteps growing closer.

The cellar's door loudly bursts open,your view is blocked by thick magical smoke and sparkles.

Did a frigging wizard come to save you??

You spot a large figure slowly coming out of the smoke and you start worrying again.

A giant? Or is it a demon?!

The smoke dissipates and you finally get a clear view of your saviour:

It's a very tall and large man,well dressed and goofy looking.

He coughs a bit and says "Ugh,I might have overdid with bombs and magic stuff..."

He walks up to you and easily opens the gates using a magic staff,setting you free.

"Come on,let's go!" He says without even looking at you.

"W-Wait!" You say,still a little shaken.

He turns around with a groan,noticing the chains on your wrists.

"Oh yeah...give me a sec"

Aiming at the chains with the staff,he shoots them,making them explode into little flowers.

You caress your wrists and quietly say to the man "Thank you... for saving me,I am quite-"

"Yeah yeah,let's go now there's no time to lose" he says with an annoyed tone.

You feel a large hand on your back,firmly pushing you to the exit.

"H-Hey! Where are we going?!"

"To my luxurious mansion,it should be all set by now..." he smirks proudly.

"Ummmm,set for what...?" You start sweating.

"For our wedding,duh! You are one VERY lucky woman,you know?

You are going to be the wife of an important man,many would love to be in your place"

He laughs to himself as you two walk up the stairs.

You follow the strange man in silence,still processing what had just happened.

You intently stare at his back,wondering many things about him.

"This is madness...!" You say to yourself.

A growing feeling of curiosity starts taking over you;

You find this goofy looking man absolutely bizzare! Yet you can't wait to know more about him...

[cliozaur]

In presenting those monstrous barricades in the previous chapter, Hugo wanted to illustrate how much the art of building barricades had evolved since 1832. Ok.

And while the National Guard left them in peace for now, the insurgents spent their last hours as they saw fit. It’s amusing that Marius “no longer looked after anything,” as if he ever did. No wonder he is back to his melancholic mode (hopefully exacerbated - at least partly - by witnessing Éponine’s death.) Meanwhile, significant changes occurred: the barricades were enhanced, the women from the inn finally left for a safer place, the tap-room was transformed into a mortuary. Feuilly engraved “Long live the peoples!” on the wall of the tavern, so that this part of his individuality and sympathy for the oppressed people would outlive him and remain visible in 1848.

Bad news: insurgents had already depleted all the provisions, and Hugo draws a chilling comparison with the raft of the Medusa—where people resorted to killing and eating each other out of desperation. So, Gavroche is not the only one starving. However, they discovered bottles in the cellar, which would soon play their role.

And then they began to talk—Joly, Combeferre, Bossuet. It’s moving that they finally had the opportunity to reminisce about their fallen friends. I only wish they spoke more about them.

The Raft of the Medusa by Géricault

[val-victory]

Meet the Trainer

You can call me Val, i am an Ace Trainer from Unova on my way to become Champ. i can beat some of the Elite-4 but i lack the consistency to beat all of them. (and i am scared of the Champ).

Btw my Partner is Piper @/justyouraveragepoketherapist they are the loveliest Person i know.

//CURRENT ARC: BITLEAKS (read them and every Post marked #lore)

Bitleaks File 01: Toxic Voltage

Bitleaks File 02: Paperwork

Bitleaks File 03: coming soon //

Here are my two Teams, featuring the cutest and friendliest little Mons you could possibly meet.

6v6 Team: Glassstorm

Every single Member is immune to Sandstorm which is my Main Strategy with them (bring your Goggles if you wanna fight)

Scizor - "Sense"

My beloved. Even though he lost a Part of his Pincer, he still packs a Bullet Punch. He is emotionally dependent on me and follows me everywhere.

"Torterra - "Cheli"

he is just a sweet little Boy who often forgets that he is no longer a small Turtwig. a real gentle Giant, unless he wants to play.

Magcargo - "Kratik"

She is slow, but she warms my Heart and my Home. Literally, she lives inside of my Cellar and gives off enough Excess Heat to keep my Home at a warm 20 degrees even in the Winter.

Tyranitar - "Dess"

The bringer of the Sandstorm. Do not get on her bad Side, otherwise you will have to sweep the Floor(from all the Sand).

Mawile - "Schkrinkel"

He is cute and knows it, he constantly demands to be pet otherwise he will nibble on you with his small Mouth. But don't worry he might bite you with his Big Maw too.(positive)

Gliscor - "Fledex"

Tried to teach him Flight. didn't work. He's well versed in Literature and Art but because he can't talk he just hangs upside down on the Ceiling. i like his Pincers :3

3v3 Team: "Lightning Polygon Team Star"

Porygon2 - "Bit"

It likes to digitize itself and lives in my Computer, i don't mind since it never corrupts anything. Also i won't evolve it, i am not giving a sweet little thing weird Data from another Dimension.

Vikavolt - "Don"

i honestly think that she is evil. But since she listens to my Commands i don't have to fear for my Life, but sometimes when i hear her flying around... those Wings are the sound of Death. She is larger than a typical Specimen of her Species, the Alolans called her a Totem.

Toxapex - "Quäli"

He is so sweet, i like him a lot and even though his poisonous Stings hurt a lot and for a long Time, i can't be mad at him, he is just trying to hug me. i think it's mostly on me when he attacks me, since i disturbed him in his Aquarium.

//HUGE BITCH ALERT. do not attempt Contact unless comfortable with being Called a Shithead.

mild rules.

if you don't want to be yelled at you have to write in an overly friendly tone, hype up Val's achievements or write something like "genuinely curious". Expect a rude answer otherwise.

Val is not an evil Villain, don't treat her like one. treat Val like a rude Person who just took your Bus Seat.

Pelipper Mail:open

Magic Anons: off(unless you think that your idea is like really good but i will probably delete anyway)

Musharna Mail: open

[mimssides]

Victory

Roman is beaten. Roman is borken. Roman is bruised. And Roman fights. Aka I got inspired by the recent birthday photoshoot Thomas just posted. Happy birthday my favourite boy❤️ (672 words)

Link to the story on AO3 | Masterpost | Taglist

I'm beaten, I'm broken, I'm bruised. My legs hurt and my head throbs.

Thomas' hair was falling out and we had cut it short now. I felt naked and helpless. So exposed to the world. More exposed than showing the world part of my inner workings on a silly comedy show. I hid in the imagination. I sat and my head felt cold and my ears were ringing.

I don't feel like a prince anymore.

Then change.

What?

Then change. The imagination whispered. You are his sense of self. You can change as he does. You can evolve when he does. Change.

To what?

Into anything that you wish. Into anything that makes you feel whole.

I didn't know what it was. But I knew what it wasn't. I threw down my sword. I stood up. The clothes were wrong too. There was heat in my chest.

I can change. I can imagine a world how I want it to be. I am the one to form this place. To form myself. I can transform.

And I can ask for advice when I need it.

I walked through the Imagination. The grass went brown and the flowers black. The air smelled like sulfur and smog. I inhaled it deeply and felt the heat ripple through my skin. Something in me rejoiced.

His steps were loud and unapologetic. I turned my head to the side his morning star an inch away from my nose.

"Where's the sword, Ro-oaf?"

I looked at the mace, at the moustache, at the frilly bow he had wrapped around his head, celebrating the new haircut.

"At the same place, where I left my title at."

He stared and his hand remained still and unyielding around the handle of the morning star.

"Why'd you leave behind what makes you, you?"

"Because that trait isn't all I am and it's not helping. It's not helping. I'm beaten, I'm broken, I'm bruised and I've got enough. I don't want to do nothing anymore. I want to fight and you fight. You fight and you show me how. I- I ask you to show me how to fight, without hiding behind that fucking mask."

The morning star dropped. He tilted his head and scratched his chin.

"You wanna fight."

"I wanna fight."

His face split into a wide grin. He lifted his hands and suddenly the world changed and we stood somewhere else. It looked like a cellar and I wanted to look around and he grabbed my jaw and made me look back at him.

"How do you want to fight? What do you want to fight?"

The answers burst out of me without a single second of hesitation or consideration.

"With my bare hands. Everything."

"Everything?"

"Everything." I growled.

He chuckled and let me go.

"Good then change into an outfit in which you can fight everything, Romy."

I looked down at myself. I didn't know. But then I did. The white gone, the shirt hiding my bruises and scars gone. The dress pants and shows vanished for shorts and bandages wrapped around my feet. No sash. No crown. No royalty.

My eyes were burning. He handed me the red boxing gloves and the ring appeared around me. He counted me in. A figure showed up.

My ears are ringing. My legs are throbbing. It's comment after comment. Punch after punch.

It hurts. It swells. It bruises.

But I punch back. I disagree. I fight. I have a split lip, I bleed in the ring, I scream, I fall, I get up.

I win after the fifth round.

The next one comes and I fight.

I'm beaten, I'm broken, I'm bruised.

I win after the sixth round.

I fight. I fight. I fight.

No, I can't anymore but I'm not giving up now. I'm not giving up.

I'm worth more than they can see. Every scar, every black eye, every beat is worth it.

It's worth it, because I'm worth it.

I fight. I fall. I get up.

I win.

___

Taglist:

@vexelore

@exhaustedfander

@alexisrealgay

@wolfs-feder

@just-a-neoclassical-painting

@winter-jay-official

@a-ghostlight-for-roman

@mychemically-imbalanced-romance

@whattheremus

@regalredrose

@spellingwillbethedeathofme

@sarenicide

[mywinepal]

Sparkling and Fortified Wines for the Holidays

Sparkling and Fortified Wines for the Holidays #bcwine #bcvqa #cava #prosecco #port #tawnyport #organic #okanagan #somm @pascualtoso @cvne @masiwines @evolvecellars @mcwatterswine @winebcdotcom @BurrowingOwlBC

The holiday season will soon be upon us.  When I turned on a local FM radio station today they were already playing Christmas songs.  It’s time to start stocking up on wines to celebrate with friends and family.  Sparkling wines are often associated with the holidays.  For some people, a nice fortified wine, like a port wine is also appreciated over the holidays.  It is very enjoyable to sip…

[ferahntics]

Sinnoh Starter Headcanons

I have Sinnoh starter brainworms so here we go, Turtwig, Chimchar and Piplup headcanons, their evolutions included!

You know the drill, under the cut!

Turtwig

Turtwig are natural pacifists, and this is a trait that is further emphasized as they evolve. Because of this, many Pokemon make nests in Grotle and Torterra’s backs, and they welcome it wholeheartedly. With Torterra however, as much as they avoid conflict, they don’t have a long fuse either - if one of the Pokemon nick a sensitive spot on their backs, it can earn them a nasty growl back.

That being said, Turtwig are very anxious about exposing their undersides. Similar to most animals in real life, the stomach is a very vulnerable spot, and if they get knocked on their backs, it can get them to panic. Ironically, this doesn’t happen in scuffles exclusively. Their stubby legs make them clumsy, so sometimes they knock themselves over on their backs and get stuck. But if they’re in a group, the other Turtwig will gather together to help them get back on their legs.

Their health can be determined based on the soil of their shells and the leaves on their heads. If the soil is dry, or maybe even cracked, this is a very tell-tale sign of dehydration - maybe even a fever. If their soil is moist to the touch, that’s a classic flu-like symptom for them, or some other illness. They also require sunlight to channel their photosynthesis - this is quite essential to their well-being!

Should anyone get lost in the forests where they dwell, they will most likely help guide the lost soul back out - they’re aware of their surroundings and can find themselves out of the thickest woodlands.

Chimchar

These Pokemon are physically incapable of sitting still. They are absolute children and will cause chaos out of pure and utter entertainment. However, if they do break something, or if they spot their trainers being upset, they’ll regret it immediately and will try to make up for it with small gestures, like giving berries.

And on the topic of berries, these little guys can be gluttonous. Not to the extent of Skwovet or Greedent, but still - they have quite the appetite, and many have got a major sweet tooth. And as they evolve, that craving gets worse, so be prepared to cook loads of food as they’re guaranteed to want seconds, especially as Infernape.

They love a challenge and will rarely back out of one, but don’t confuse this for being violent. Despite the vicious appearance Infernape have, they’re very calm Pokemon and love company of others, even themselves they form in groups. If they find a Pokemon struggling, the Infernape are quite likely gonna protect them or maybe even adopt if they’re in big danger.

Like most Fire-type Pokemon, they are very much in touch with their emotions, displayed by the flame they have. And similarly, they can regulate the heat of them so they’re able to give physical affection with zero issues.

Piplup

In terms of aesthetics, you’ve met your match with Piplup and its evolution line. They take pride in their appearance, their status and their display of strength, so sometimes they can show off in a fight - or they can make prime contest challengers for coordinators. 

Now their pride can blind them, and may make them just a tad-bit overconfident so reckless charging is a given. And they also tend to bite more than they can chew and set unrealistic expectations for themselves - and once they inevitably fail, they beat themselves up about it very harshly. Try to give them all the support they need, because as they become Empoleon, this habit gets more intense - so reassure them it doesn’t affect their worth at all and need to take this more slowly and step-by-step - rather than do a direct penguin slide into challenges.

They hate the heat with a passion and can get quite whiny regarding it.  If you have a pool or a cellar, expect them to be cooped up in there, they’ll do whatever to keep cool - and if you have ice cream anywhere, it will be demolished without a single scrap left.

Empoleon tend to grow out of this pettiness, but still keep their pride in tact. Though they’re less likely to charge head-first into trouble like Piplup just because something looked at it funny, they’re still very much ticked if they spot something that bothers them. They can also take it upon themselves to keep their trainers’ appearance top-notch and will help preen any loose hair strands - though beware, some know how to be gentle. Others? Not so much, so. Ow.

[puncivilian]

Oh shit

Aliens would have their own equivalent to synanthropic animals, aka those organisms which are as ubiquitous as we are because they have made a niche of our living areas (rats, house mice, bedbugs, head lice, cellar spiders and house centipedes are all examples)

Can you imagine also having to deal with random alien pests who didn't even evolve alongside your species

Your ship gets infested, not with cockroaches or rats, but with some weird chitinous worm that's a major pest on the last planet you stopped on

Or you stopped at a space station and they've got roof clingers, aka a weird slime-mold-esque thing that grows along the roof of your ship, exactly where you're least likely to notice

[fortune-fool02]

Healing

Nick Furcillo x female reader

Requested by: Anonymous

I just see you want requests for The Quarry so heres mine : Nick x reader, the aftermath of the night like how their relationship evolved and changed (for good or bad) after the events

Maybe they are already together, or not, as you want

I hope its a good request ! Thank you

Warning: Spoilers for ending of The Quarry and scenes throughout it. Light angst, coping, fluff.

This is my first time writing for Nick so please forgive me. If I think this goes well enough, I'll consider doing more for him and maybe other characters.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, please reblog, like and comment your thoughts on this as I really appreciate it. Thank you.

Please enjoy.

The smell of coffee brewing filled the air, a soft swilling of water as the coffee was made. A light clink of a cup on a table, the only sounds that pinched against the heavy, thick silence that consumed the room. Nick spared a glance from his thoughts, nodding his head in thanks at [Name] who set his cup down for him. 

It had been two months since what happened at Hatchett’s Quarry Summer Camp and the horrors that took place in that one single night. What was supposed to be a fun party to celebrate a friendship and their steps into adulthood had become a bloodbath of corpses, fangs and claws.      [Name] had never shot a gun before and after that night, she could not even look at one without the image of bared, bloodied fangs lunging for her throat. Too many sleepless nights of seeing the faces of her friends with dead, empty eyes or their heads separated from their bodies.

But she couldn’t imagine what Nick was going through. Having been cursed and infected with those monsters, to become one. The image of him staring her down, his eyes lit aflame with a hunger that chilled her to the bone. It haunted her, and for a time, she couldn’t bring herself to look at the man she loved. The air around them muddled, both unsure of what to say to the other that didn’t involve “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t mean to”. The two fell into this silent routine, holding one another to offer comfort when they awoke in the middle of the night, crying and screaming at monsters that weren’t there, of corpses that were still living.      Though cursed of his infection, Nick always feared the moon. His first month he insisted he stayed in the cellar, chained like a savage beast even if nothing happened. He did not want to take the risk.       In spite of this, she couldn’t bring herself to walk away from him. She couldn’t abandon him. 

“Um...” [Name] cleared her throat, trying to think of something to say. Nick’s eyes shifted to her, those gentle brown eyes void of that yellow hue to them. “I... You want to.... wanna....watch T.V?” The words stumbled from her mouth, sounding as weak as she thought they would. A weak attempt to break the silence and actually communicate to Nick. His lips tugged into a smile a little, nodding his head as he held his cup. 

“Yeah... That sounds good.” His own reply was equal to hers but she didn’t mind. The two moved towards the couch and settled down, him holding her in his arms with her leaning on his chest. The warmth of his embrace was just as comforting as it ever was, a sense of security enveloping her. The steady beating of his heart soothing to her. “What do you want to watch?” He asked, offering her the remote. Nothing really caught her attention, she shook her head, letting him pick instead. 

Her hand moved, interlocking their fingers, his own doing the same. His lips brushing against her head, a soft, relaxed sigh made as a result. The screen flickered as channels passed by, searching for anything of interest or, at least, a movie.      As he did, [Name]’s mind began to wander a little. She wondered how Dylan was doing, the last she heard of him, he was in the thoughts of maybe getting a prosthetic hand to help with what became of his hand. The sight had made her sick to her stomach when she learned how he lost his hand. She doubted Ryan felt any less guilty having to cut it off himself. 

And Abi... the memory of her ached. Seeing her head be severed off by Nick when he changed. The savagery, the ferocity. [Name] stopped there, refusing to fall back to that place, pushing the memory deep down and locking it away. It wasn’t his fault. Nick would never do something like that if he could control it.       She leaned against him more, in an attempt to ground herself to now and not the past. Nick noticed this, wrapping his arm around her more and rubbing her back in a comforting motion. 

“Hey, shh. It’s okay, darling.” He whispered against her, pressing a light kiss on her head. The smell of her shampoo just as sweet as it ever was. His breathing hitched a little as his lips brushed against the scar on her head, how he grabbed her and threw her across the room. The smell of her blood. Guilt clawed at him, chewing away inside of him and gnawing his nerves, pulling them tight. 

“I’m sorry.” He held her closer, resting his head against hers, pressing another kiss on the scar. “I didn’t... I didn’t mean to do it, to hurt you like that-” 

“Nick.” [Name] moved, pulling herself from his hold and turning to face him. Her hand touching his cheek, her eyes on his. “I know. It wasn’t you at that point. I forgive you.” Her words were heavy with sincerity. If she didn’t forgive him, she would not be here now. Unable to form a proper response, Nick buried his head into her neck, tears threatening to spill as the weight of the guilt crushed his back. [Name] simply held him, her fingers playing with his hair as she hummed softly. 

They still had a ways to go before they could hold a sense of recovery, but they were slowly healing. Time will help, hopefully. 

[luxnebula]

It's funny how something can become a really big part of your life in a relatively short amount of time. I heard about the band Voyager in May, when I listened to their song Promise a few days before Eurovision semifinals. It was love at first listen and I'm not exaggerating when I say that. There's so many aspects of that song that really appeal to me, from the synths and the guitars (not to mention that it has a guitar solo AND a synth solo both!), the downright tenderness and sentimentality in the lyrics and the repeated phrase "promise me it's gonna be alright" really struck a chord with me. The phrase especially resonated with me the same way Måns Zelmerlöw's Heroes did, with the line "we're dancing with the demons in our minds".

After Eurovision ended (with Voyager placing ninth! (although they deserved at least top 3 in my opinion)), I went to listen to Voyager's previous discography. And let me tell you, I was mindblown. JRR Tolkien said that when he discovered the Finnish language, he felt like he had discovered a hidden wine cellar full of good wine. Before May, I didn't really understand that metaphor, but when I dove into Voyager's discography, I finally understood what he meant. With 20 years of Voyager to listen to, I had found my hidden wine cellar.

I started with Colours in the Sun, which was their latest album at the time (they've since released Fearless in Love in July 2023, but I'll get to it in a bit) and I was hooked from the first song. Colours opens the album with high energy, bright, fresh and breezy sound that blew me away. I'm really picky about what kind of heavy metal I listen to, but Voyager combines heavy metal guitars and growling with Daniel's clear vocals, bright synths and sweeping prog metal melodies that sweep you away in, hm, voyages, if you will. I have mild synesthesia, that mostly manifests in seeing music as shapes and colours, and Voyager's music makes me see more colours and more vivid colours than I've ever experienced before. I was in love and by June, I started calling Voyager my new favourite band.

It also helped that the band members seem to be incredibly funny, charming and chill. I also didn't get K-pop fans getting so invested in their bands, but with Voyager, I think I understand it a little. While I wouldn't go as far as to call myself a "stan" or a "simp" and while I keep reminding myself of parasocial relationships, I couldn't help but grow even fonder of Voyager because of their funny social media presence like playing kazoo while singing Käärijä's Cha Cha Cha, joking around in interviews and this bit in Eurovision:

They did that in front of all of Europe!

Usually when I listen to a band's discography, I start with their first album and work my way to the latest album chronologically. But with Voyager, I did it in reverse for reasons I still can't name. But I'm happy that I did, because that was the best way to get to know their sound, even if I lost the experience of hearing their sound evolve over the years. This got me listening to Colours in the Sun and Ghost Mile first, which are easily one of their best albums.

Ghost Mile is, in comparison to Colours in the Sun, much heavier and less synth-y, but it's still very atmospheric and bright. A lot of heavy metal has a tendency to be all doom and gloom and very dark, but Voyager breaks the mold with contrasting the guitars with shining synths and Daniel Estrin's clear vocals.

My browser is starting to lag because of how long this post is. Oops. I'll have to gush about Fearless in Love some another time lol!

[architectuul]

La Masia: On Domestic And Territorial Care

The term mas refers to an agrarian and self-sufficient structure that emerged in the southern side of the Eastern Pyrenees between the XVIII and IX centuries. It continues to evolve today and was established during the military conflict between the Christian and Muslim kingdoms to organize and establish territorial borders.

Women with a herd of bulls and cows in front of a farmhouse in Solsona | Photo ©  Lluís Vila i d’Abadal, Estudi de la Masia Catalana (C.E.C.)

The mas is characterized by closely intertwined spatial activities that create a distinct organization of living and working spaces. In households of peasants and lower-income families, the division between these activities was minimal or nonexistent, resulting in overlapping tasks that offset the traditional sexual division of labor.

The components of the mas facilitated the exploitation and maintenance of crops, orchards, livestock, and more. They also played a crucial role in shaping a new social structure, typically centered around one or several families, within a rural setting. The main inhabitable space at the heart of this complex is known as the "masía" or "farmhouse."

Interior of a "sala de la pallaresa" (main social room) in Santa Coloma de Gramenet. | Photo © Josep de Cabanyes, Estudi de la Masia Catalana (C.E.C.)

The masía, as an architectural typology, holds significance within this context as it represents a milestone in territorial repopulation strategy. It goes beyond domesticating nature and establishes a new social and economic system in previously uninhabited areas. To truly understand it, it is necessary to examine the architectural spaces that form this typology as a complex system of cohabitation between humans, non-humans, and nature. In the X, XI, and XII centuries, the initial settlements of these masías emerged along the stabilized borders of the Iberian territory. These locations were not primarily determined by geographical factors but rather by historical and social events that shaped a novel system of agricultural exploitation.

The house is internally organized into three spatial sections, separated by four sturdy masonry walls. These walls, sometimes as thick as one meter, are constructed using a mix of stone and soil materials. They provide support for the wooden beams that form the floors above. The construction system of the house follows a logical and coherent set of rules, emphasizing efficiency and functionality to accommodate all domestic activities under one roof.

Typological organisation of a Catalan Masia | Photo © self-office

On the ground floor, the three spatial sections typically consist of a central hall, flanked by the kitchen, stables, and cellar on either side. Moving to the upper floor, the central room serves as the primary living space and also functions as an entryway to the various rooms or bedrooms located on both sides. This central room holds great significance as it becomes the focal point of the house. It serves as a gathering space for communal activities, cultural ceremonies, and religious rituals, making it the most representative area of the entire dwelling.

In certain typologies, a third level exists, designed for permanent ventilation, providing an ideal space for drying clothes or hay by harnessing the natural winds that occur at that height. This section of the house exhibits some morphological variations, often standing apart from the main structure and possessing its own distinct identity within the overall complex. The formal expression of the "masía" has adapted to varying resources and construction systems over time while maintaining essential elements.

Following the second industrial revolution, particularly in Catalonia during the 1950s and 1960s, rapid economic growth led to a significant population increase, resulting in a mass migration from rural areas to urban centers. This shift had a profound impact on the local economies that relied on these longstanding agricultural structures. The traditional role of the Catalan Masia as a caretaker of the land and its productive essence gradually succumbed to a culture of mass consumption and the influence of a free market economy. Nowadays, many of these houses have been abandoned or sold as secondary residences, vacation homes, hostels, or restaurants, primarily driven by the speculative nature of the real estate market.

We find ourselves in a pivotal moment in history where vernacular architecture is reclaiming its significance in the architectural realm. Examining these typologies as low-tech structures holds immense potential for offering alternative solutions in response to the pressing climate crisis. Additionally, it enables us to restore our connection with nature as human beings. 

Kitchen with a floor fireplace in the Vilassar Castle, equipped with furniture, utensils, and tools. | Photo © Unknown, Estudi de la Masia Catalan (C.E.C.)

However, this  metaphorical "return to the countryside" has historically emerged during periods when urban life becomes increasingly challenging and uncertain, and it is intertwined with a romanticized idealization of rural living. Thus, it is important to recognize this romantized idea should be balanced with a realistic understanding of the complexities and challenges of rural life. As we learn from vernacular architecture, we must adapt it to modern needs and achieve a certain balance between urban and rural settings.

Today, this nostalgia for the countryside coincides with new environmentalist political stances, increased global awareness of urban air quality issues, and a rising housing crisis in Western cities. The lack of public investment in housing makes it urgent to explore alternative living options for a generation facing ongoing instability. Recent changes in family structures, gender identities, work organization, and the impact of new technologies provide an opportunity to foster alternative households that can open up new territories and economies.

The Catalan Masia has the potential to bring about new socio-economic dynamics in neglected rural areas. Initiatives like housing cooperatives in these regions are already challenging the traditional model of individual property ownership. One notable example is the "El Turrós" project, created in 2021 by the organization "Sostre Cívic" to promote cooperative housing. The project goes beyond providing housing and becomes a collective effort that utilizes available rural spaces to generate social and economic value. This approach ensures that housing remains accessible and stable for community members and encourages sustainable practices such as local sourcing, waste reduction, and the development of small-scale businesses. This, in turn, nurtures a sense of interdependence and care among residents.

“La Nogareda”  renovation project by self-office | Photo © self-office

“La Nogareda”  renovation project by self-office | Photo © Pol Masip

The revitalization of this architectural typology not only offers a multitude of possibilities for reclaiming traditional identities and forging new social structures but also provides an ideal setting to embrace ethics of care and sharing as a way of communal living. By reframing our perspective on the living environment through a care-oriented lens, we shift away from designing spaces solely based on functionality and instead emphasize the well-being of the individuals who occupy them.

As a practice, our first comissions have primarily involved working with these typologies. Since each project has very specific constraints, it became a great opportunity to develope new formal investigations and question established notions of domesticity. 

“La Nogareda”  renovation project by self-office | Photo © self-office

“La Nogareda”  renovation project by self-office | Photo © Pol Masip

One of our first commissions involved transforming animal quarters into habitable rooms. The existing spaces presented peculiar proportions: one was unusually low in height but spacious, while the other was relatively tall but not spacious enough. Consequently, each space required distinct renovation strategies, and users were compelled to adapt their habits to the nature of the given space. 

The potential of these uncertain spaces is highly significant, as they empower users to make more personalized decisions in establishing their domestic rituals and lifestyles. By actively engaging with the spatial possibilities presented by the Catalan Masia, users can cultivate a sense of ownership and connection to their unique preferences, values, and aspirations.

self-office are Laura Solsona and Eduard Fernandez. | Photo © Urban Cerjak

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by self-office - Digital Architectuul Fellow of LINA.