#Green Web Foundation

[andypiper]

Finding affordable Air Quality sensors for FOSDEM

Thinking about how to support a CO2 monitoring activity at #FOSDEM...

Pick two There’s a well-known project management / product management adage… you have three variables – speed / price / quality – and must choose two. FOSDEM 2025 My friend Chris Adams is, like me1, headed to FOSDEM 2025 – in fact, for the last couple of years, that is the only time I’ve had the joy of seeing him, so I already treasure the opportunity to go there! Background factoid: Chris…

[reasonsforhope]

"In China, a landscape architect is reimagining cities across the vast country by working with nature to combat flooding through the ‘sponge city’ concept.

Through his architecture firm Turenscape, Yu has created hundreds of projects in dozens of cities using native plants, dirt, and clever planning to absorb excess rainwater and channel it away from densely populated areas.

Flooding, especially in the two Chinese heartlands of the commercial south and the agricultural north, is becoming increasingly common, but Yu says that concrete and pipe solutions can only go so far. They’re inflexible, expensive, and require constant maintenance. According to a 2021 World Bank report, 641 of China’s 654 largest cities face regular flooding.

“There’s a misconception that if we can build a flood wall higher and higher, or if we build the dams higher and stronger, we can protect a city from flooding,” Yu told CNN in a video call. “(We think) we can control the water… that is a mistake.”

Pictured: The Benjakitti Forest Park in Bangkok

Yu has been called the “Chinese Olmstead” referring to Frederick Law Olmstead, the designer of NYC’s Central Park. He grew up in a little farming village of 500 people in Zhejiang Province, where 36 weirs channel the waters of a creek across terraced rice paddies.

Once a year, carp would migrate upstream and Yu always looked forward to seeing them leap over the weirs.

This synthesis of man and nature is something that Turenscape projects encapsulate. These include The Nanchang Fish Tail Park, in China’s Jiangxi province, Red Ribbon Park in Qinghuandao, Hebei province, the Sanya Mangrove Park in China’s island province of Hainan, and almost a thousand others. In all cases, Yu utilizes native plants that don’t need any care to develop extremely spongey ground that absorbs excess rainfall.

Pictured: The Dong’an Wetland Park, another Turescape project in Sanya.

He often builds sponge projects on top of polluted or abandoned areas, giving his work an aspect of reclamation. The Nanchang Fish Tail Park for example was built across a 124-acre polluted former fish farm and coal ash dump site. Small islands with dawn redwoods and two types of cypress attract local wildlife to the metropolis of 6 million people.

Sanya Mangrove Park was built over an old concrete sea wall, a barren fish farm, and a nearby brownfield site to create a ‘living’ sea wall.

One hectare (2.47 acres) of Turenscape sponge land can naturally clean 800 tons of polluted water to the point that it is safe enough to swim in, and as a result, many of the sponge projects have become extremely popular with locals.

One of the reasons Yu likes these ideas over grand infrastructure projects is that they are flexible and can be deployed as needed to specific areas, creating a web of rain sponges. If a large drainage, dam, seawall, or canal is built in the wrong place, it represents a huge waste of time and money.

Pictured: A walkway leads visitors through the Nanchang Fish Tail Park.

The sponge city projects in Wuhan created by Turenscape and others cost in total around half a billion dollars less than proposed concrete ideas. Now there are over 300 sponge projects in Wuhan, including urban gardens, parks, and green spaces, all of which divert water into artificial lakes and ponds or capture it in soil which is then released more slowly into the sewer system.

Last year, The Cultural Landscape Foundation awarded Yu the $100,000 Oberlander Prize for elevating the role of design in the process of creating nature-based solutions for the public’s enjoyment and benefit."

-via Good News Network, August 15, 2024

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Notes: Pastel Colors

Pastel Colors - pale variations of primary colors and exhibit lightness and low saturation.

To create a pastel shade, blend white into the original color, mixing the pigments until they fully combine.

The more white you add to the original color, the lighter the pastel shade becomes. 

Examples of Pastel Colors

As tints of primary colors, pastel hues are not on a traditional color wheel. Their limited saturation and pale shades create a soothing and romantic atmosphere. Common shades of pastel colors include:

Baby blue: Similar to sky blue, baby blue is a light shade of azure that pairs well with pastel yellow and pink. Baby blue is also a signature color scheme for nurseries and children’s rooms.

Lilac: As a mix between mauve and light blue, lilac is a pale shade of violet that resembles the lilac flower. This pastel color creates a bright contrast alongside shades of olive green and gray.

Mauve: Like lilac, mauve is also a pastel variety of the color purple. There are different shades of mauve, with some tints containing pale pink hues and others containing light gray shades.

Mint green: A blend of blue, green, and white, mint green is often a staple shade on a pastel color palette. Different tints of mint green vary according to the proportions of white, blue, and green.

Peach: A bright summery tone, peach is a pastel color in the orange family. Its warm hues resemble a bright cream, making it an ideal color base upon which to build.

How to Use Pastel Colors

By matching the right colors, you can effectively incorporate pale tones into different design trends. Try these steps for working with pastel colors:

Create a pastel color scheme. As an arrangement of complementary color combinations, a color scheme is a foundation that balances bright and dark shades. Start by choosing a pastel color as your base. Select complementary colors by pairing this main color with tints on opposite ends on the color wheel. If your color wheel does not include pastel colors, find the primary color closest to your pastel and then note which color is across from it. The pastel version of this second primary color is your complementary color. For example, if pastel blue is your main color, use pastel oranges as your complementary colors in your color scheme.

Test your shades. Before applying any color to a new space or template, test your color scheme. Pastel colors appear differently depending on how the light hits them. Consider doing a small patch test to ensure you like how the color looks after you apply it.

Incorporate contrast. Contrasting colors enhance different aspects of your design. Pastel on pastel can result in a faded look the eye has trouble viewing. Instead, layer your pastel background with color contrast. For instance, in a pale yellow web design, consider using a saturated hue for the lettering so the text is eye-catching. Darker tones that pair with pale colors include magenta, eggplant, navy blue, and dark green.

Add an accent. For a more dramatic look, you can incorporate accent colors in your template. Soft pastels amplify the appearance of bright colors. To make a statement in your design, consider incorporating a primary color shade into your palette. For home décor, use primary color throw pillows as an accent to a pastel-colored couch.

Tips for Using Pastel Colors

Consider these styling tips for using pastel colors in graphic design or interior design:

Add intrigue with metallic shades. Since pastel colors have less saturation, shimmery colors, such as gold and silver, are attention-grabbing against pastel backgrounds. Experiment with different metallic shades to add texture to your pastel look.

Play with patterns and shapes. Pastel backgrounds are an opportunity to incorporate bold shapes and interesting textures. Consider adding a geometric pattern to a wall with a pastel color scheme. The soft gradient of the pale colors allows the unique shapes to stand out.

Use neutrals for balance. Adding a pale hue to a neutral color palette creates a fresh, eye-catching look. Neutral colors, such as white, gray, and beige, ground pastel shades and prevent an overwhelming blend of color. This technique works well for business cards and logo designs.

Graphic designers, interior decorators, and artists incorporate pastel colors into their work to blend color palettes, build texture, and balance bold patterns.

Source ⚜ More: Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[garussy]

6 people have shown interest in my WoF rewrite and that’s enough for me so I’m sharing some of my changes and notes so far this is just for arc 1

One of the worst parts of the first arc is how dumb the villains are

So in this rewrite Morrowseer and Blister are manipulative they show sympathy towards the dragonets of destiny for how the guardians treated them

Blister and Morrowseer sort of have a mother gothel and lord frollo vibe

They are so sneaky and their voices are so fake and almost patronizin

But they are the first adults the dod have met who didn’t hurt them or yell at them or imprison them

Now onto info about the DoD

CLAY

Clay is the dragonet with the most scars only second to Glory

Most of his scars are from Kestrel and Dune

Webs didn’t physically hurt Clay but his bias from his time in the sea kingdom showed and he was the one who talked about how dumb and lazy mudwings are

Clay was the foundation of the dragonets he was the one who broke up all the fights and kept them safe and took the blame for everything especially when it came to Glory

He knew that Tsunami could handle herself and Starflight never got in trouble and Sunny was sweet enough to avoid any serious punishment

But Glory was a target the guardians hated her and everytime Clay can’t get there fast enough to take the blame he cries a bit when he sleeps because he feels like a failure

Clay is a bigwings he doesn’t know it but he was born to protect his sibs and that’s why he feels so hollow everytime he fails to protect them

When the guardians discuss killing Glory (the dragonets still don’t know yet that Morrowseer ordered them to) Clay is reluctant to leave the cave and let them out he doesn’t want to leave Glory behind

For the first time this is real life and death and if he is too slow like Kestrel says or too dumb like Webs says or too lazy like Dune says then Glory could die

When they get captured by Scarlet and put in the arena or held captive or n display Clay just lays there not eating or drinking he feels like everything the guardians said about him was true

Peril finds him and throws a rock at him to get his attention

Clay doesn’t talk to her or even look at her for a day or two until she finally asks him what’s wrong and he tells her

He says he’s a failure to his friends and everything the guardians said was right and Peril asks him why

His and Peril’s romance will be teaching each other that one screw up in their past doesn’t define who they are and they don’t have to be what people say they are

That will also be Clay’s solo arc learning that his friends still love him and they know he tries his best and sometimes Clay needs to know it’s okay to lean on them as well

TSUNAMI

Tsunami my girl my love

She has the third most scars out of the dragonets since she was most likely to fight back and she was good at fighting

This Tsunami is not at all princess material especially not sea princess material

She fights and she yells and she won’t be silenced she is angry and everyone needs to know

Coral is disappointed her lost daughter isn’t like the daughter she wrote about and Tsunami knows this

Which is why when Blister shows up praising Tsunami for her strength and tells her she truly has the pride and confidence to be a queen Tsunami latches to her

Tsunami’s arc in the second book would be about her juggling everything in her life and trying to be the strong warrior Blister praised her for acting like

She is the leader of the dragonets it’s her job to make the right calls and now she has a sweet little sister with too much power for a dragonet to understand and a slimy suck up whispering in the queen’s ear (whirlpool)

And then she offers to guard the last princess egg in the hatchery her mouth had moved before her brain could catch up and how she was responsible for a little green egg that had a massive target on it

Then she rests on a beach with the egg whispering her frustrations to it and another dragon arrives a laid back happy seawing who is the opposite of her

Riptide has no worries sure he’s sad his dad disappeared and his mom died but that happened when he was young and now he lived on one of the outer islands with his aunt

Tsunami envies him he’s lost so much and he’s still so carefree she wants to be like that

Riptide knows Webs is his dad but he never thinks of him he hasn’t seen him in who knows how long

And Tsunami is angry she’s furious and she yells at him that all this time her friends had to listen to that slimeball talk down to them that coward who wouldn’t even act like a dragon and fight her all those years

Who stole her away from the place she was truly meant to be and stole away a life where she could’ve grown into the princess Coral wants her to be

Her and her friends had to endure years of Webs and all this time he was supposed to be doing it to this guy who had the audacity to act like nothing was wrong in this life

And Riptide says sorry which shocks her to the point she falls backwards and just sits there

He says he’s sorry that happened to her and her friends but he thanks her because now he knows his dad isn’t a good dragon and he won’t ever wonder what he could’ve had

And Tsunami calms down her racing heart slows and she stops barring her teeth and for once in years she lays in the sand and feels the waves crashing against her talons and she relaxes

Tsunami and Riptide are opposites she is fiery and passionate and wants to yell and he is calm and collected and willing to listen to everything she has to yell about

They learn from each other Riptide gives her a place to relax and calm down and just rest and Tsunami gives him a place to let out that built up frustration

Tsunami’s arc focuses on her role as the leader and her struggle balancing everything in the sea kingdom and with her friends and now her little sisters one who is so powerful she might crack under the pressure and another who isn’t even hatched yet but already has her life at risk

GLORY

Glory has the most scars she was the most hated by the guardians and they wanted her gone

Now they were free and two of those monsters were dead and one was injured and his life rested in their talons

If it was up to her she’d leave him for dead

But Sunny was near tears when Glory suggested that and Sunny was her little sister so how could she say no to her?

So they head for the rainforest hoping to learn about poison and venom

Glory is already picturing the rainwings

Clay got his happily ever after meeting his brothers and sisters and learning he isn’t a monster

Tsunami found out she was a princess and even if Coral wasn’t a good mom she still had two sisters who adored her

Now it was Glory’s turn to find the hidden rainwing utopia filled with knowledgeable warriors who were the opposite of what everyone told her she was

But they enter the rainforest and her friends start disappearing one by one her heart is racing and she feels her throat closing up

Glory didn’t like being touched but she also didn’t like being alone she had always been with her friends she had never been truly alone before

Even Tsunami who she fought with constantly and would probably trade for a ripe mango was still her sister and the thought of a world without her made her face hot and her eyes sting the thought of anyone laying a claw on her brothers and sisters made her want to scream

Then a friendly pink face appears and Jambu introduces himself and calmly explains what they did and her friends are safe and they just want to take her to their village

Glory feels pride as she learns to tree glide and she thinks that her dreams have come true her tribe had sleeping darts and a unique way around the rainforest when Webs wakes up she is going to make him eat his words

Then they land on a platform and her dreams are crushed as she learns her tribe sleeps in the middle of the day and spend their time eating fruit and napping

And worst of all this pink faced baboon is her brother and there’s some old purple rainwing who’s face sags that sits in the treetops and always seems to be watching Glory

But it turns out to be not all bad when they find the healers and she is greeted by a rainwing around her age with shiny violet and blue scales and sweet brown eyes and a flower tucked behind her ear

The rainwing introduces herself as Morning and jokes that together they are Morning Glory and for some odd reason Glory liked that and she smiled

For some reason Glory kept visiting Webs but spent all her time asking Morning questions

Glory learns from Morning and Mangrove that dragons are going missing two of which were Mangrove’s partner and a friend of Morning’s little sister Tamarin

Glory tells the current queen that she will investigate this all on her own and she’ll bring back the lost rainwings

When she is getting ready to leave the old purple rainwing lands beside her and Glory recognizes those pale green eyes

She wishes her good luck and adds in her two cents that she thinks none of the current queens should be on the throne including Grandeur the purple rainwing says Grandeur is too old to be on the throne

That makes Glory laugh because this rainwing must be the oldest dragon she’s ever seen granted she hadn’t seen that many old dragons in her life

Glory investigates and she feels eyes on her which makes her go back to the rain village

The regular things happen Glory meets Blaze who is a bit ditzy and she meets Deathbringer who is goofy in a way he almost reminds her of Jambu but he’s an assassin so he’s deadly enough to bare no resemblance to Glory’s goofy and sweet older brother

Deathbringer arrives in the rainforest attempting to assassinate Glory but the regular thing happens he gets captured then Glory gets kidnapped

Glory and Kinkajou escape the volcano and when she arrives and after Jambu tackles her in a hug Morning gently takes on of Glory’s talons in her own and tells her she’s glad Glory’s back

And Glory is starting to maybe like being touched so gently as if she might break

Glory challenges the Queens for the throne and to her surprise the old purple dragon WAS Queen Grandeur and Glory wondered why in the world would she say she shouldn’t be Queen

The challenge goes as it does in the book and once Glory is crowned queen and Grandeur is revealed to be her relative the old dragon admits later in years she wasn’t a very good queen but she felt she had to stay on the throne to make sure the other idiots she shared it with couldn’t make this tribe any worse

Glory and Morning will be a very slow burn they probably won’t they together until arc 2 or maybe 3?? But Morning will show Glory that their tribe is still worth fighting for even if it isn’t what she imagined

Glory learns that not everyone will treat her like she’s useless she has a place in this world and there are dragons who care about her and believe in her and the guardians that told her she was useless and unwanted should be buried on level ground so she could dance on their graves

STARFLIGHT

Starflight’s beginning stays the same he was quiet and stayed out of trouble with the guardians he has the least scars next to Sunny

He was desperate for Nightwing powers he’d lay up at night with his eyes closed shut hoping to hear a thought ther than his own or see a glimpse into his future

Sunny was his lifeline during that she reassured him that powers or not he was their starflight and they loved him

But everytime he wished she’d say that he was her Starflight he felt a weird pit in his gut the same pit he got when he lied to himself and said that maybe one day his powers would kick in

Starflight’s arc will revolve around lies I headcanon the sky kingdom as being very homophobic (Scarlet is a homophobic lesbian she will kiss Burn then ban gay marriage because she’s the worst) and Kestrel ingrained it in the dragonets (because she’s the worst) or tried to because Starflight was the only one who actually takes it in

Starflight focuses on Sunny convincing himself that he loves her and wants to be with her

And as a dragonet he imagined the night kingdom as a beautiful kingdom full of knowledge and wisdom

So when he is kidnapped and taken to their secret island he is met with nothing but disappointment to find an island covered in ash and smoke with grey clouds so thick you can hardly tell if its day or night

He meets a sister who despises him and a father who is in charge of the rainwing tests and he just feels a wave of disappointment wash over him

Then Morrowseer seems to switch on him as if having Starflight in his clutches made him comfortable enough to show his true colors and Starflight sees how truly nasty the large dragon was and Starflight realizes he’s completely alone and everything he hoped for and believed in was a lie

Until Morrowseer brings him to meet five dragonets backups for Starflight and his friends and Starflight makes his first friend on that island

Fatespeaker is a little odd and quirky but Starflight likes being friends with her and thinks her and Sunny would get along

The other dragonets acted like meaner versions of Starflight and his friends he couldn’t tell if they liked each other or not because one minute they were joking then someone would step on another’s tail and it would turn into a fight

The angriest of the bunch seemed to be Flame he was a big red Skywing and he seemed to despise Starflight for a reason he didn’t know

Then one night or day Starflight couldn’t tell he was laying in the dormitories and Flame approached his bed and in a hushed voice he asked if Starflight had seen the other kingdoms

Starflight could only make out Flame’s gold eyes in the dark cave and whispers back a yes

And then Flame asks (hesitantly) if there were couples that were the same gender

Starflight gets a pit in his stomach and Kestrel’s hissed words rang through his head

But she was dead now and her words shouldn’t effect him anymore

So he whispers yes and he sees Flame’s eyes widen

Flame and Starflight sat and whispered to each other until Fierceteeth hissed at them to shut up and go to sleep

Starflight had only known violence from Skywings from Kestrel to Scarlet

He had no idea a Skywing could talk in such a gentle voice

The rest of the book goes on like usual with Fatespeaker and Starflight exploring and investigating but with more moments between him and Flame

Then the prophecy is revealed to be a lie and Starflight is blinded by the volcano and when he wakes up in what he guesses is the rainwing infirmary

And Flame’s hushed voice speaks up from the other side of the room asking if he’s okay

Flame and Starflight are a crack ship I came up with while planning relationships I’d like to keep or rewrite and their relationship will begin with Flame despising Starflight because of Flame’s own internalized homophobia he met a cute boy and every voice in his head told him to push him away

Meanwhile Starflight’s internalized homophobia made him cling to any girl who was nice to him in hopes of being “normal” like he thinks he needs to be

And Starflight’s arc revolves around lies and truth learning the truth of the Nightwing home and uncovering all their lies and even the lies he tells himself in hopes of living up to be what everyone expects him to be

SUNNY

Sunny is Dune’s favorite she doesn’t notice how he snapped at the other dragonets or hurt them she was quite literally the golden dragonet

Sunny doesn’t know why she was his favorite since she didn’t look like a sandwing

Dune died in front of her and her only example of her tribe was dead and with his last breath he whispered “six-claws”

But she was the happy one sure the others saw her as their goofy little sister but she didn’t mind so long as she helped end the war

But now the prophecy was revealed to be fake what she thought was her destiny and what she was born to do wasn’t real

Poor Starflight was blinded and Sunny wanted to comfort him but he had his new friend to comfort him so Sunny assumes he will be okay in the meantime

She can’t exactly remember the nightwing’s name but Sunny knew she had pretty violet eyes and a soft face that made Sunny want to smile

Sunny gets kidnapped like usual by Fierceteeth, Strongwings, and Preyhunter and when she makes it to the scorpion den where she finds wanted posters for an odd looking sandwing dragonet, Morrowseer, Dune, and a Nightwing she doesn’t recognize

Sunny meets Six-Claws and when he tells her his name she audibly gasps and tells him Dune told her his name before he died

Sunny assumed it was a strange code word but it was actually a dragon

Six-Claws gets teary eyed and tells her that he and Dune were very close before Dune left for the talons of peace (You can pry Dune x Six-Claws out of my cold dead hands)

Sunny meets Thorn and is told the truth about who she is or part of who she is

Instead of Thorn killing Preyhunter she has Sunny’s captors imprisoned because killing him just made her look a little cruel??

Sunny spends a day in the scorpion den talking to Thorn and her new adopted brother Qibli (who she insists on calling her tiny baby brother even though he’s taller than her and honestly?? Let her have this she was the little sister her entire life she deserves a little brother she can baby)

The rest of her book carries on like usual and she gets kidnapped by Addax and held captive by Burn and Peril helps her and Scarlet escape

When Sunny makes it back to her friends she is greeted by Fatespeaker first who is decorated in flowers thanks to the rainwings and Sunny thinks she looks very pretty but she stops herself from getting distracted and runs to her friends

First she tells Clay that Peril says hi because above all else she is a little sister and her job is to embarrass her older siblings and she definitely does that and is so proud of herself

When she tells them about her mom and getting kidnapped Fatespeaker claims she knew it and she could sense it but Starflight said she was crazy

Sunny thinks Fatespeaker is a little kooky but Sunny likes that and she thinks Fatespeaker is very pretty to boot

The dragonets gather the tribes but now they are wary of Blister because they know Morrowseer had been faking sympathy so how would they know if Blister was genuine or not

The queens gather at Burn’s stronghold and it plays out like usual with the second dragonbite viper that kills Burn and it starts heading towards the dragonets and Clay in an attempt to save Starflight gets bitten (might change this??)

Peril saves Clay and Sunny notices Prince Smolder’s pet scavenger Flower waving her paws and chittering

Fatespeaker says her “moon powers” are telling her that Flower wants to show her something

Sunny could’ve guessed that on her own but she played along and thanked Fatespeaker because she liked the smile Fatespeaker gave her

Sunny finds the eye of onyx, blister dies from greed, Blaze survives, and Thorn is chosen as the next queen yippee (again might change some things here)

Sunny’s arc will kind of remain the same? I want her to not know who she is supposed to be when the prophecy is revealed to be fake her entire life she’s known she is one of the dragonets of destiny but it’s all a lie and she has to find her place in the world and decides she is sick of having others speak for her

Fatespeaker and Sunny are endgame here they will be a very healthy relationship they enjoy each other’s company and spend as much time as possible together once they are official since Fatespeaker and Starflight are just friends there won’t be any of that weird Sunny being jealous incesty thing?? Anyway Sunny and Fatespeaker are chubby girlfriends and I love that for them

Finally here are some general changes and even some descriptions??

Clay is chubby and bulky like usual and Peril is taller than him

Clay assumed he and Peril have been dating since she saved him from the dragonbite viper so she is worried over absolutely nothing

Glory is very thin like unhealthy thin since in this rewrite Rainwings are complete vegetarians they aren’t supposed to eat meat and the guardians refused to get her fruit or vegetables so Glory ended up throwing up most of what she ate

Morning keeps having taste tests with Glory where they find the strangest fruits and vegetables and try as much as possible in hopes of getting Glory to a healthy weight

Peril is also thin because she was eating straight up rocks so she bonds with Clay over food now that she can eat and they will find a secluded place to just hang out and have a picnic

I can’t decide if Moon should end up with Carnelian or Kinkajou?? Maybe they should all be together?? Anyway I know I want the love triangle to be Kinkajou, Moon, and Carnelian

Qinter will be in this rewrite and they will not be sunshine x grumpy because that just ruins their characters??? So instead they will both be “this guy thinks he is completely unlovable and horrible and I swear I’m going to prove him wrong”

Turtle might be aromantic?? Maybe a qpr with Pike??

Peril and Glory bond over Scarlet and actually become pretty good friends

I’m still working on this and most of this will definitely be revamped so any suggestions will be great

Also Sunny and Fatespeaker are chubby girlfriends and I love them

Tsunami is thick and muscular like she could 100% bench press Clay and Riptide would cheer her on from the sidelines

That’s all I have so far I might add more later on and again a lot of this will be revamped so any constructive criticism or suggestions will be appreciated (please be nice tho or I’ll cry)

[strangelittlestories]

Here is the first lesson we can learn from the wandering druids: every grove is a sacred grove.

It does not matter if it is an ancient copse nestled in the heart of the forest, or a handful of shrubs sprouting anaemic from the oil-clogged veins of a city.

A garden that springs up on the rooftop of a building by mistake is still needful and worthy of our veneration. It will also need a little more help, since its connection to wider nature is much more tenuous.

An ecosystem cannot exist in isolation after all, so it is the work of those mortals who fractured it to kintsugi the fragments together. It is the work of the leafwalker to *show* the grove how to be sacred.

We see this in the roadside orchards planted by the druid Richmond Crabapple. Turning the highways into snaking green creatures, her trees offer shade to travellers and fruit to the needy. It is easy to remember a thing is sacred, after all, when it so obviously gives you life.

Here is the second lesson: everyone and everything is nature.

We are animals. Our towns and cities are animal habitats. The separation of the urban and the rural is as much a mental one as a physical. It is a mind game we play to give us the illusion of mastery, and to excuse the damage we do.

A good earthspeaker will tell you to listen to those who have stayed in conversation with the world. Those people who know the give and take of blood and bough and mulch. Those peoples who, so often, we have called savage. Those who we looked down on from our towers made of bones.

Listen. Listen and follow, if they will have you and if they will teach you.

We see this in the truce the druid Cambridge Ironweed made with the Skullcluster. This spirit takes the form of a pack of skeletal cats, and was thought to be a genus of demon predator. When Ironweed planted his feet in the dirt offered them his throat, he made himself a conversation between two worlds that should always have been one.

Now everyone in its domain lives with a skeletal cat. They know that, one day, they will die and it will eat the flesh from their bones. This is how their flesh and spirit will return to the earth.

Remember Ironwood's dying words: “Oh, you think we are special because we have souls? Here, let me show you how widely the river of the anima flows…”

Here is the third lesson: we tend that which we would see flourish.

If you would see people fed, grow food. If you would see forests thrive, tend trees. If you would see the a community safe from predators, grow thorns.

But never forget that anything that cures can also kill. Crops can choke a landscape and a sick landscape kills its creatures. A forest grown thick is fuel for wildfires. A town that is safe can forget it is part of a wider world and turn thorns into spears.

We see this in the work of the druid and rootweaver Devonport Blackwood.

The many buildings created by Blackwood are things of beauty not because of their aesthetic, but due to their function. In the towns and cities Blackwood traveled, they planted webs of needroot beneath the foundations. Needroot is weed-like in its dormant form, a wispy white root happy to live in pavement cracks and kiss the boots of commuters.

But if you need shelter? If you are desperate and vulnerable and cry your needs out like burnt offerings to the heavens? Well, if the heavens don't need you, the needroot will.

The structures it builds are strange things, bulbous and pale. They use whatever materials are to hand. They claim whatever space is unused (though not necessarily unowned). They look like nests built out of discarded tarmac, copper and mycelial strands - a mix of turnip-pale rubbery organic matter and urban detritus. As if someone had reconstructed the mythic roc from mushrooms and given it a building permit.

Everyone who needs a home in these places has one. This is the need Blackwood sought to tend.

But, because local landlords were rarely happy about this, they also left a twist in the tale.

So the needroot also provides every settlement with a communal poison garden. They are lush, lovely and deadly.

After all, many natural things need teeth to flourish.

---

This particular story was inspired by this post about druids, which y'all should read.

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[reignpage]

South District, Gibraltar 3rd Martius Day 24 10:30am

I saw her.

I met her.

She was waiting for me in the water, her head all but submerged, and watching me. It was the strangest thing. Moonlight shining down, reflecting off the gentle water, and a cool wind blowing between us, I felt entranced. Eyes fixed on each other, I could do nothing but wade in the water, soaking my trousers as I pushed through and delved deeper and deeper until I was within arm's reach from her.

We spoke.

Well, at first, we didn't say a thing. None would blame me, I'd hope. After all, I was mesmerised. She was mesmerising. For weeks now, I had been wondering ceaselessly what she looked like, truly looked like, and not just through the blur of near-death and sea water. I doubted my own eyes. What if her hair was completely different than I had remembered? What if her skin was not as smooth and soft as I felt it had been?

So, for what felt like hours, we stayed there, staring at each other. We were so close to the shore, I could still reach the sandy floor. I understood even then that she had likely realised I couldn't swim and compromised for my comfort. That realisation was what urged me deeper into the water, I think.

The sea was warm. Or maybe it was cold. I can't seem to remember that detail very well.

She has a tail!

Fish-like with fins and scales and ever so slightly glowing.

It was difficult to tell in the blanket of the night exactly what colours her scales were but they were light and almost green-seeming by her waist, much thinner and transparent, until they thickened and darkened into dark blue as they descended down where legs should be. I so badly wanted to reach out and feel but I feared it would not be proper.

Her torso and up looked human enough. She had arms, ample breasts, a neck, jaw, lips, nose, eyes, sharp Elven ears, hair and gills (I think they were gills, I'd have to ask for clarification). Another oddity she had, though, was the glittering material that resembled jellyfish tendrils wrapped around her chest. A binding, it seems. I could see more than I should have but she didn't seem to mind the discrepancy in our modesty. Perhaps it was common among her people.

She reached out first — it seems she is always making the first move between us.

I wish I was bolder. That's a mark of a true researcher. As Professor Watanabe, of Divination 101, loves to say, 'Bravery is the foundation of Eden. It takes only one act of courage and one leap made in faith, to begin something new.'

He'll be proud of her, at least.

Webbed and with a pearlescent sheen to her skin, which shone under the moonlight, she had raised her hand, held it up in the air and showed me who she is without words. I knew, without needing to ask, what she wanted.

Our hands pressed, I felt her warmth once more.

There was something in the air or in the water that coated our skin. I could not and cannot place it, but I was electrocuted. Zapped and startled, I had backed away, not in fright, to be clear, but because I was suddenly so aware of her and of myself. I know now that there was not a second, even just one, where I felt afraid. Me. The man who practiced every experiment we were due to have in class weeks prior so I could get every step and variable right, so I would not reveal myself a fool or, worse, injure another.

My hair must have been a mess from the tossing and turning I had been doing, my skin ghastly pale, whereas she was gorgeous magnificent pretty.

She swam closer, her nose (she had one! whatever could an underwater creature need a nose for, I couldn't ask, what if it was rude?) brushed mine, and a smile took over her expressions. Splashing water onto me with playful giggles, I felt a wall come down between us. It was ridiculous, sudden, and out of place, but oddly fun.

I could never confer this information to any respectful scholar since it absolutely defies our rules about fraternisation with subject matters. Could you imagine the look on Professor Yaga's face if, when asked how I went about building rapport with a representative of the world I'd been chasing, I replied, by splish-splashing!

The horror.

Well, anyway, feeling braver, I told her my name, my origins, how I'm from another world, and my purpose. I wanted to be honest. Somehow, I felt I owed it to her. She did not look surprised.

When asked about this, she said, many have come before me, but none have ever gotten as close as I have. I was taken aback by her openness, though I dared not say a thing about it, lest she retracts her transparency. Every single detail she offered, I consumed eagerly, inching closer and closer until the two of us had drifted further and further away from shore, aided by her strength. She allowed me to hold on to her arms and some odd current or other held me up, keeping me afloat.

That was very interesting, in hindsight. It seemed she, and likely her people too (whom I noticed she didn't talk much about, seemingly out of a need to protect them) had Vis, which we know to be the ability to harness the energy inherent within the soul, should they be awakened and sensitive to the forces around them. Her kind are truly advanced. The academic board will be very interested to hear about that.

They'll also be very interested to hear that I have found Atlantis. Or, rather, will come to find it.

She is the key.

I asked her why she had saved me, had risked herself and her people for a stranger. A look washed over her. I don't know what it was, but she said, she didn't know. In truth, there was nothing special about me at first glance — I was yet another bumbling student, too engrossed in what is hidden to understand why it is. I search for what is out of reach and ignore what is in my grasp. Of course, that hurt to hear. Being told I was just like everyone else before me stung in a way I hadn't expected it to.

Perhaps sensing my disappointment, she further clarified, still swimming us around, never venturing too far, that there was something different about me. Her people didn't understand her fascination, why she'd watch me. They thought she was being overly cautious but she was just drawn to me.

She laughed when I blushed.

I wanted to make her laugh again.

Apparently, she also felt bad that I was so close to finding them that when I fell over board, she thought it only fair to give me a second chance. For that, for her, I will be eternally grateful. And if time ever came that I can return the favour, I shall not hesitate.

Feeling bolder, I asked her if that haunting tune came from her. She nodded, a little shy, I think. She explained that she thought she might never see me again. That the last student who had gotten hurt was whisked back home expeditiously. That wouldn't happen, I told her. Not to me. Not now. And all because of her. Because she had been so kind as to save me, to give me hope, to let me in, even just an inch.

We drew quiet eventually, just floating in the water, under the moon's light. I never let go of her arms. I felt a peace I had never before, a tranquility I knew not existed. If I could bottle it up, I would have. In her, in this stranger, I felt an odd sense of belonging I never knew I needed. For that too, I could never thank her enough.

I had so much to say. So many questions to ask but, late as it was, I had to part ways with her. She understood. It seemed she already knew our time would be short.

Having left, I found, for the first night in a long time, comfort in sleep. There was no melancholy song overwhelming me, no stress from the fear that I was lost, searching for something that could never be found, that might not even exist, and no feeling of loneliness for the first time in my life.

This is not the last time we will see of each other. I'd like to search for a solution to my inability to flourish on her turf, as they say. I don't want to keep relying on her to carry the burden of this budding, strictly professional relationship. At the present moment, we more closely resemble a knowledgable aunt and the pitiful idiot nephew. I'd very much like to stand (or rather, swim) as equals. I don't want her to see me as someone who needs help all the time.

So to the books I will go. I do not have access to the library of Eden but Haibara might be able to help, he simply has to find out where the library is. After I've solved that problem, my mission seems clear.

First, write a letter to Professor Yaga

Second, build rapport with the woman whose name I now realise I never got the name of....

First, find out her name.

Second, write a letter to Professor Yaga.

And third, get her to lead me to her home and grant me permission to research her civilisation.

My people need to know Atlantis has been found.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

John Knefel at MMFA:

Several right-wing organizations known mostly for opposing abortion, immigration, and trans rights are also involved in supporting and funding election denial groups, a sign of the issue’s centrality to the MAGA movement.

Following former President Donald Trump’s loss in 2020 and subsequent attempts to remain in power, a complicated and sprawling web of organizations emerged to sow doubt about future elections and spread debunked and baseless allegations of widespread voter fraud. Stringing these overlapping efforts together is the Only Citizens Vote Coalition, an umbrella organization connecting state and national election denial efforts with the broader right-wing policy ecosystem. These groups also significantly overlap with Project 2025, an effort organized by The Heritage Foundation to provide the next Republican presidential administration with staffing and policy recommendations.  Even as early as March 2021, mere months after Trump’s multifaceted effort to reverse the 2020 election, socially conservative groups began pouring money into election denial initiatives. That trend has only accelerated in the intervening years, with a host of anti-civil rights groups — often euphemistically characterized as engaged in the “culture wars” — having expanded their operations to include so-called election integrity.

These groups include the anti-abortion Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, the anti-trans American Principles Project, a fund run by Hobby Lobby founder David Green, and high-profile right-wing charities National Christian Charitable Foundation and Christian Community Foundation, among others.  One of the primary myths that the election denial movement has spread this cycle concerns noncitizen voting, which experts agree is exceedingly rare. This manufactured scandal synthesizes two key pillars of the MAGA movement — demonizing immigrants and claiming that elections are rigged against right-wing candidates. The partners listed in the Only Citizens Vote Coalition include anti-immigrant groups the Federation for American Immigration Reform and the Immigration Accountability Project, illustrating how election denial groups have incorporated nativism into their movement. Both FAIR and IAP have strong links to the Tanton network, named after John Tanton, whom the Southern Poverty Law Center refers to as the “the racist architect of the modern anti-immigrant movement.”

Right-wing anti-civil rights organizations are going all-in on pushing the nonexistent “noncitizen voter” canard.

[liltalle]

Sorting A Practical Guide to Evil - Sorting Hat Chats

This web serial is one of my favorite stories of all time, and it's all about differing perspectives on morality and the effectiveness of different methods—perfect for SHC. (The premise is a girl of the heroic mold joining up under the Dread Empire to help her people when all the attempted heroes have failed—reminiscent of Baru Cormorant if anyone's read that.)

I've had sorting notes in my back pocket for years, and it's high time I put them out into the world. I don't know how many people here are still into it, it's still live if anyone wants to try it, but there will be spoilers below. The basics of the sorting system are explained here, archetypes reference found here.

Catherine Foundling - Badger Lion. The Dark Protagonist sorting, I love it. Cat is very clear that her loyalty is to Callow, and a core theme of the story could be described as the lengths Loyalists are willing to go for what's theirs, how they shed Idealist restraints, and how they discover that sometimes playing nice is actually the practical way to get what they want. Cat is contrasted early on with William, who at least performs Lion, with his naive idealism about the ideal of Callow, the King, the banners, "freedom". Cat insists that it's about the people and their well-being, under whatever flag. She is attached to Callowan culture, grudges and so forth, "she is Callowan, in the end", and those ideas drive her decisions, even as she breaks with some of them. It's a source of conflict and sadness for her, that she's gone against her people to help them, that they hate her, that she can't last as Queen. Her Primary becomes more open as she goes on: she comes to see Praesi as more diverse and human, she adopts the Fifteenth and its varied peoples until she becomes a banner for all oppressed people's under the Praesi, and her aegis eventually extends over all of Calernia when it's clear that the only way to solve her problems. But her heart never seems to leave Callow. She regrets sacrificing personal loyalties for what she needs to do, but she always does it. And the recklessness and ruthlessness of her Lion Secondary is legendary in-story. Everything explodes around her, she sacrifices her own life as an opening gambit, her power depends on an unbroken string of victories, she's a Thresher (as the Pilgrim describes her) driving deep loyalties and animosities. She picks up a Bird Secondary model from Black as the story progresses, learning to stand back and scheme from a distance rather than risking herself, and it reaches brilliant heights at the Prince's Graveyard, she relished the planning and stayed steps ahead of everyone else, but she's a brawler at heart.

Amadeus of the Green Stretch - Badger Bird. The King / Mob Boss archetype is on point. An inveterate schemer, de-facto king of Callow, always has another sword or sharper in his shadow. Maddie tries to convince Cat that he's on the side of Evil spitting in the eye of the Heavens, but as @lilietsblog argues eloquently here, his true loyalty is to Praes. He raises the idea of Evil as a group for Cat to put them on the same side, and engage that Lion Sec defiance, avoiding the clear fact that their loyalties are to Praes and Callow, and those are likely to clash at some point. He hates much about Praes, but Alaya correctly points out to him that he can't butcher his way into being born in a different homeland. Everything he does is to break the cycle that's devastated his homeland (and Cat's, but that's not his problem) since its foundation. Watching Nefarious' rout and learning about the grain problem are formative experiences for his path. His break with Alaya is a clear split between their different Loyalties: he's loyal to what Praes could be, needs to be, and is willing to break it to make that happen, while Alaya is a Snake in need of control, and she's content to play the game if that's what she needs to do, reform is a nice idea to her but it's not a moral imperative. Amadeus dies for it.

Akua Sahelian - Double Snake (Double Bird model). - Akua thinks she's a Double Bird early on, with all her speeches on "iron sharpens iron" and the glory days of Evil, her elaborate brilliant schemes and devices. But it's not where she truly shines. She becomes something different after Catherine beats her on the terms of her philosophy and shatters her plans. She's a spirit bound to a cape and she... works with it. She's endlessly subtle and seductive, she plays the Woe off each other and inserts herself into the group with alarming ease. She loves flirting with Catherine, she prides herself on her resilience - a Snake Secondary. As for the Primary... oh, poor Akua. She was deliberately Burned young, when her mother ordered her to kill her only friend by her own hand. Akua remains attached, amazingly, to her father, and a little to Barika, though she doesn't want to admit that one. Her father's death is one of the times we see her truly wounded. When Catherine beats her, her philosophy says that she belongs to her now, but that bond becomes something else. The easy companionship of the Woe, that Akua's so deftly maneuvering into, makes her feral. She describes being invited to a fireside feast with Cat's friends as maybe the cruelest thing ever done to her. Because there's nothing in the world she wants so much as love like that. Catherine herself becomes Akua's focus, someone she wounded beyond all forgiveness becoming the only person she wants... (God, this story. My unBurning Snake Primary bleeds with hers.)

Hakram Deadhand - Double Badger. We have a Evil Peacemaker too, it's so good. Hakram is Burnt at the beginning, not because of trauma, but because nothing's really inspired him until Cat. Her project brings him to life, and he loves it... until his people need him. It's a terrible decision, but in the end, the orcs are his in a way Callow is not. (These conflicting Badger loyalties between people who love each other do make my Snake sad.) And he, along with Scribe, is one of the most brilliant Badger Secondaries I've ever seen. He has magical paperwork-speed abilities, he doesn't sleep, he maintains vast networks, he's explicitly the power behind the throne. And when pushed to a crisis with Vivienne, what does he does but sacrifice himself, embodying the solution, trading a piece of himself for her trust. He's kind and scary and thorough, I love it.

Indrani - Double Snake. Girl's a pretty easy sort. She cares about her hedonism and her freedom and her friends. She's a flirt, she talks a lot but carefully doesn't reveal much. She's the one to tell Cat how deeply the personal loyalty she's offered means to the Woe. She singed under Hye's harsh treatment, put that cruelty onto her fellows, but with Cat's kindness, she unBurns that part of her Primary, reconciling with Cocky.

Masego - Double Bird. Another on-the-nose stereotype, our magnificent autistic boy. He's got a speech about his world collapsing before his eyes was a formative experience for his effort to understand the nature of reality. He's frank that apotheosis is a higher priority for him than his friends, but he does work them into his system a little. He invents a new theory of magic. He's unsettled by Cat's recklessness, he's tempted by knowledge, he's a magpie when it comes to arcane tools... I want to talk about him more because I love him, but I think this one's solid (it could be the standard autistic Bird Secondary model, but he seems very comfortable with it, so, Occam's Razor, it's his base).

Vivienne Dartwick - Lion Snake. I have a less of a read on Vivienne's internals, but this one makes the most obvious sense. Her loyalty shift is different than Catherine's, and I think it's suggestive how Cat leans on Viv as a moral compass when she doesn't trust herself. While I don't remember the details of why she joined the Woe, Hakram convincing her to stay I think points strongly to Lion. She doubts herself and her worth, and it throws her into a spiral, until she knows, by Hakram's brutal in-her-face sacrifice, that she's trusted and needed. And then she lights up again. Her Secondary... she's literally doing the Robin Hood thing, she fits the archetype. She doesn't build her network quite like Hakram, she doesn't seem Built at all, she's quick on her feet, but not great in a direct fight.

Alaya of Satus - Double Snake. Alaya's formative moment was when her father was nailed to the floor of her inn by the Sentinels. She was powerless to protect someone she loved, and then she was kidnapped into one of the most dangerous environments on Calernia. Her Primary got a little Exploded wrt her need for control, she sharpened her Secondary to terrifying subtlety, and she became Empress. As I said above, her break with Maddie about her need for control ("Praes is a game that can be won") vs. his moral drive for reform ("Praes is a mold that can be broken").

Scribe - Snake Badger. - Scribe's function is to serve Amadeus (even without his knowledge), and her abilities are the apotheosis of a Badger Secondary - unobtrusive, insanely fast at paperwork, can maintain a cross-continental spy network from a tent. (I'm so jealous.)

Sabah - Snake Lion. - Sabah fights with the Calamities because they're her friends, and is happy to go home to her husband when they don't need her. She's slightly sad about the heroes she has to kill, but if they're in her way, she doesn't regret it at all. Her hammer, and the directness of the Beast? Very Lion Secondary. She gains power on her vision quest when she just... asserts loyalty to the Calamities and fucking kills the god.

Wekesa - Snake Bird. Another Occam's sorting. Wekesa blatantly cares about his husband and son, his friends, and his fun research. He refuses to run a mage academy for Amadeus' project because it would be annoying. His specialization in wards and creative use of that is one of his edges. And it does fit the archtype.

Hye Su - Lion Bird. I'm a little baffled by Hye, but this one might work. Her need for freedom points to an Internal Primary, and she doesn't attach to people really. She dedicated to herself growing stronger, doing ridiculous things like visiting Keter to see one of the few people who can still challenge her. She fights the Queen of Summer, because (and is vicious about her dignity, she doesn't kill them for annoying her because Amadeus would be bothered, but it's a very shallow Snake model). And the Secondary, I'm going off of vibes: the impulse to perfection, to turn herself into the weapon, the hard work, resonates with my Badger Secondary, but she doesn't network at all, and it feels more like a Rapid-Fire Bird, learning new tricks for Keter's traps every time, but internalizing everything so she'll be ready for anything. Her tools, her Aspects, are meta, they're about learning, and they're very dangerous, but I think it's a superficial similarity to a Badger's become-the-tool method.

William of Greenbury - Burnt Snake, Lion. I'm taking the more interesting choice here. William is tormented by a choice he feels he can never be forgiven for: butchering his sister to save himself. While any Primary is likely to find this horrific, a Snake would find it the most pointedly devastating. And running with this theory, we find William trying to model a Lion Primary by running to Contrition. I think a True Lion would hate himself a little less, would see a righteous cause as meaning something in atonement. William feels that the debt can never be paid down. That Burning's in his Name, he's the Lone Swordsman, he doesn't connect with anyone anymore. And the Lion Secondary seems straightforward. While he's not the best inspirational leader, he mirrors Cat in ruthlessness and blowing stuff up and self-sacrifice.

Cordelia Hasenbach - Double Badger. Another of the many nationalist Badger Primaries in this cast, Cordelia is loyal to Procer. She only seeks to rule it when it's clear no one else can save it from itself, she works herself into the ground, crosses lines with superweapons, all for her love of her country. And her power is in her mastery of etiquette, that thing the Lycaonese usually scorn, Southerners don't expect it of her, but she triumphs in the Highest Assembly in her darkest hours via mastery of the rules even in the midst of a coup. I can feel her Secondary's delight at winning within the system despite the chaos around her. And she refuses to cheat by taking a Name, she's no better than anyone else, they're all citizens of Procer and no one is above the law. She's only tempted by one when she seems to need one for her people to be safe.

Hanno of Arwad - Double Lion. I'm a little confused about Hanno, but the coin is definitely about a Burnt Idealist leaning on something external to himself, which he then loses, so he has to learn to trust himself again. And he feels more like a Burnt Lion using the Seraphim as an infallible external system (imitating Bird). Secondary-wise, he's offended by the suggestion of deception. In the trial of the Red Axe, he expects his heroes to be good, fights Christophe to the ground when he has to, but refuses further action, he feels betrayed when Cat and Cordelia come up with a clever solution around him.

Juniper - Lion Bird. Juniper's in love with war, the challenge. Not because it's an orc thing, she avoided her responsibilities to draw battles in the dirt, but because she wants it. Glory is motivating to her, she wants to fight battles like no one's ever seen, she revels in it. And her methods are very explicitly Birdy: she likes a versatile toolbox, and she's the best at using it. Only a Built Secondary could plan out a battle, see the crossbow she has pointed at the enemy in her mind's eye... and go to sleep, confident that her forces will win without her.

Robber - Double Snake. The beautiful little gremlin. He wants to be free of the Grey Eyries, he delights in mayhem, bloodshed, and pranks, he's loyal to Cat personally and gives no shits about the rules (to Juniper's exasperation)... love him.

Pickler - Double Bird. A simple guess: she loves engineering... and that's kind of her whole thing, she wants to make cool new ballistae, Robber and Nauk's attentions are nice but they're not her focus...

Kairos Theosodian - Bird Snake. In the Artist archetype with the Joker, he's got a philosophy about why he's truly Evil, and delights in chaos and betraying everyone around him and using that chaos as a ladder until he goes out in glorious making-a-point.

Phew, that was so many characters (I could add Grey Pilgrim, Saint of Swords... but it's long enough for now). I haven't brushed up on the books in a while, let me know if I got any details wrong.

This book has much to say about morality and problem-solving that I feel I should have more meta relating it to SHC, maybe I'll work it out another day, it'd be very fun, but I've wanted to post this for actual years, so... here it is!

[shadowyone]

Velocity!

I caved and made a fan kid for Turbo and Scarlet. I was playing the game, Life and landed on a kid spot which the first was a girl for Vanellope, and to my surprise, there was a boy right afterward. This is for the Royal Family AU. They're back from the dead and now living in the dark web. Scarlet was feeling upset and Turbo caved and they made a kid together. His eyes work like traffic lights. The default is green, but they can turn yellow or red as well! Depending on mood or just whichever he can switch to for the day. He's a sweetie, unlike his parents. Forgive the quality going down. I am very sleep-deprived and was running out of ideas for the sketches.

First Doodle concepts on paper-

They love their son very much! I still have to come up with more of a foundation for Velocity. This is already far better than the god-awful sequel.

[nagito-kissmaeda]

Community Gardens - Komaeda/Reader

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO [here]

Word Count: 4734

Contains: No warnings as of yet Summary: You were a member of the reserve course before everything went to hell. Now you’re helping the Future Foundation by tending to a small farm on Jabberwock Island, the real Ultimate Farmer was busy, so you will have to do.

The last member of class 77-B has just woken up, and he has questions.

AKA: A talentless reader teaches Komaeda about the smaller things in life, and maybe they fall in love.

Read on Ao3

The classroom is empty, but for you and the inky black hands hiding in the shadows. Reaching out with long grasping fingers that pass right through your flesh like you aren't even there, voices whisper close to you, pressing their cold lips against your cheeks, your throat. Fingers trail down your spine and sink their nails into your vertebrae. 

A set of hazel eyes turn to you. The form they reside in shifts and changes like dye poured into water, indiscernible but for those eyes. Their desk drips with blood like it is alive. You gasp for air, looking down at where your own hands are clasped around your throat, squeezing tighter and tighter as rivulets of blood spill out over your fingers, dying them a permanent red. You can't breathe. You can’t-

It’s with a jolt that you finally wake up from the familiar nightmare. A cold sweat slowly drips down the nape of your neck, catching the cool night breeze sneaking in through the open window. Your voice catches in your throat and you cup a hand over your mouth, sobbing loudly into your palm. This dream has been a constant companion since the tragedy, you’re lucky to get four hours of sleep most nights.

You squeeze your eyes shut and rub them with the heels of your palms trying to force the images lingering in the corners of your vision to dissipate. Your limbs are shaking, and you can feel your heart racing. There’s no way that you’ll be able to get back to sleep if you don’t manage to calm down. So you take a deep breath in through your nose and swing your shaky legs over the side of the bed. Your bare knees are covered with scrapes and bruises from accidents around the farm, or from kneeling on the hard ground for too long. Your calves are covered in bites from strange insects that live on the island, and a particularly nasty cut that you didn't want to bother Tsumiki about. 

It hurts when you slap your hands against your cheeks, but it does manage to wake you up a little more, you can feel your legs swaying underneath you when you finally stand up. Knees wobbling, as your body prepares itself to run from something that isn't actually there. You push your hair back from your face and sigh as you head out the front door of your small cottage to stand on the porch. It’s just on the outskirts of the farm, overlooking some of the flowerbeds that you planted when you had some time to spare. Koizumi likes to come around and take photos of the honeybees sometimes, so it’s nice to know the flowers have been useful.

The cool ocean air blows through your hair and dances around your bare legs. You take a deep breath in through your nose and look up at the sky. The stars are beautiful on the island, much more beautiful than they even had been in the city. It isn't until you feel the wetness of tears rolling down your cheeks that you realise you’ve been crying.

“I didn't expect to see you this late.” A voice says, startling you, “I hope I didn't wake you.”

Komaeda is standing just beyond the flowerbeds, soft white hair blowing in the breeze. It looks even messier than usual like he has been tossing and turning for hours. The moonlight catches in his curls like dewdrops on a spider’s web. 

“Oh, hello!” You say, hurriedly wiping away your tears with the back of your hand and replacing them with a smile, “I didn't expect to see you either. Are you doing okay?”

“Fine, thank you.” Komaeda says, his ghostly green eyes digging into the marrow of your bones, “How are you?”

You know that he caught you crying and yet, you still lie, “I’m doing great, thank you for asking!” 

“Ah, then I guess you were just having trouble sleeping?”

It feels like he is interrogating you. Needling you. Nails are digging sharp into your palms as you watch him cross the flowerbeds to meet you on the porch. When he’s close enough, you notice the heavy bags under his eyes, and the slowed blinking of his tired eyes. You melt, all tension leaving your shoulders as you reach out towards his face. Quickly thinking better of it and letting your hand drop back to your side. You swallow. 

“You look so tired.” You whisper, “Did something happen, Komaeda-san?”

He laughs, a wheezy little noise that makes his shoulders quiver, “You know what happened. I can tell you aren't sleeping either.”

“I am sleeping.” You say

“Ah, but not very well. Am I right?”

“No. Not very well.” you sigh, “but this isn't about me, I'm worried about you.”

“I haven't been sleeping at all.” His mouth curls into a sad imitation of a smile, lips only tugging up on one side like anything more than that would be painful, “Nightmares. Best to stay awake.”

You find yourself nodding. The last thing you want to do is burden Komaeda with your problems when he already has plenty of his own. So instead you manage to give him a small smile and gesture back into your cottage, “Do you want something to drink? I have tea.”

“Tea sounds good, thank you.”

He follows behind you as you head back in through the front door, ducking under the dried flowers you have hanging from the ceiling. The cottage is very small, and really not designed for entertaining, you surmised that it once must have housed the Jabberwock island groundskeeper, back when it was a tourist destination, “Take a seat and I’ll boil the kettle, it shouldn't be too long.”

Komaeda sits gingerly in one of the wooden chairs sitting by your small kitchen table, you can hear him gently rapping his fingers against the tabletop, “I’m sorry for intruding.” Komaeda says, laughing airily to himself as the tapping of his fingers grows faster, “I walk by here at night because I know I won't run into anyone.”

“Anyone except me.” You reply, grabbing two chipped teacups from a cabinet, “Sugar?”

“Ah, no. Thank you.” Komaeda clears his throat and leans forward on his elbows, “Allow me to clarify my previous statement though, please. I---ah, I meant that I wouldn't run into anyone I didn't want to see me.”

There’s a pleasant tingling in your fingertips when he says that, but you try to ignore it.

“Your being talentless, it…” he takes a long breath in through his nose, “It means I am able to discuss certain things with you that I would not feel…” His brow furrows like he is trying to think of the right word, and he eventually settles on, “ comfortable talking to the other ultimates about.”

You aren’t sure how to respond. Your heart is beating hard but slowly in your chest, an anticipation is building inside of you. The kettle finishes boiling, and suddenly the room feels deathly quiet, “Do you...want milk?”

“Yes, please.” Komaeda breathes

As you walk over to your very sparse fridge, you watch Komaeda from the corner of your eye, “I’m glad that you feel comfortable around me, but I don't understand why you can’t talk to your fellow ultimates about these things.” you grab the bottle of milk from the fridge and move it to the counter where you start preparing the tea, “I’m sure they would be glad to help, I mean, I know that Hinata-san is worried about you.”

He seems to grow smaller in his chair, sinking into himself, “I am…not ready.” You hum thoughtfully, placing the chipped teacup on the table in front of him before taking your own seat. The tea is still a little too hot and you burn your tongue, “It’s going to take time, it took time for the others as well.” “It isn’t just what happened in the Neo World Program.” He replies, a nervous twitchy smile appears on his lips, “Or even what happened in Towa City, there is something…aha…something sickly inside of me, something dark and--and--” His breath is coming faster now, but it doesn't frighten you. One of your hands reaches out and rests on top of his. It's like he comes to his senses, blinking quickly and tugging his hand away.

“I--I think I am…” his arms slowly curl around himself, and his eyes turn down to the ground, “I am using you...to work through some, ah... personal problems. 

“Oh.” You reply, your heart turning to warm butter in your chest, “Well I--uh. I don’t mind being used…If it helps”

Komaeda laughs under his breath, “You… don’t mind?” he laughs some more, it makes his bony shoulders shake, “What is wrong with you?” You don’t know how to answer that, “I’m not sure.”

His hands are still shaking when he picks up his teacup, “I’ve been nothing but dismissive of you, what do you gain from this?” he whispers before raising the cup to his lips. 

In the dim light of your kitchen, you can see the way his bony knuckles protrude from his skin, the sickly blue veins hiding just below the surface. His thin hand quivers as he takes a sip, but he moves with a practiced grace and elegance despite his weakness. 

“I like seeing you happy.” 

Komaeda’s eyes widen, peering at you from over the rim of his teacup, “You…like seeing me happy.” He repeats slowly like he is committing the words to memory. 

Your heart races and you are terrified that you might have overstepped one of his delicate boundaries, “If I can help you find some joy in this world, then-” you swallow, hands clenching and unclenching under the table, “Well, that would mean I've done something wonderful.”

His teacup clinks when Komaeda places it back down, “What if I can’t? What if there’s no joy left for me?” You give him a wobbly smile, and ignore the beginnings of tears prickling in your eyes, “You won’t know if you don’t try!”

***

You are surprised when you see Komaeda walking towards the farm only a day after your last conversation. Usually, his visits are at least a week apart, but you are not at all disappointed to see him earlier. A new shipment from the foundation must have finally arrived because he is now wearing a shirt that actually fits him. It dips tantalizingly low at the collar, low enough that you catch the slice of both his collarbones. 

“Good morning, Komaeda-san!” You call out to him, waving from where you are crouched by a garden bed.

He raises his hand in greeting, and comes to stand beside you, “what are you doing today?” He asks

You hum to yourself, watering some barely sprouting red cabbages, “Watering and then hanging some netting up around the fruits that are coming in.” You shoot Komaeda a sunny smile, “The blueberries are almost ready! Which is very exciting, but does mean we need to keep them safe from birds and fruit flies.”

Komaeda nods, “Necessitating the netting.”

“Bingo!” You stand up and wipe your dirty palms on your knees, “For now, do you want to grab the spare watering can? As always, I’d appreciate the help.”

He does as asked, he knows exactly where you keep the spare and is quick to help you start watering the vegetables. There’s something tense and shaky between the two of you, the conversation in your cottage was more personal than any other you’ve had, and to see him again so quickly leaves you feeling especially fragile. 

His hair is tied up today, and you find yourself tantalized by the expanse of his bare neck for reasons you’d rather not acknowledge just yet. Solidifying these feelings might be the end for you, and knowing your track record, might drag him down with you. Komaeda needs someone to look after him, and if he isn't ready to let his friends do that for him, you’ll suffice for now. Not that you mind, you’re honored to have been given the chance. 

“How much longer did you say you would be staying with us?” Komaeda asks suddenly, not looking up from the garden bed. 

You’re surprised by the question, unsure why he would care to ask, “Probably just a month from now, maybe longer if Souda-san hasn’t gotten irrigation sorted by then.” You turn to look at him, and notice that he is still avoiding your eyes. You swallow, “Why?”

His eyes dart to meet yours, and then back down just as quickly, “Everyone is going to miss you.” You freeze, gripping tightly to the handle of your watering can. After a few deep breaths, you force a smile, “There’s no reason for them to miss me! Not when they’ll have you to look after the garden instead.” Komaeda stops watering, he stands up straight and his eyes are firm when he looks down at you, “You know that isn’t what I meant.”

You laugh, trying to ignore the aching, “What else could you possibly mean? Come on, I have to get the netting set up and it’s going to be tough without an extra set of hands.”

The awkward feeling gets worse. You head over to a nearby shed and pull out several feet of rolled up netting, Komaeda follows quietly behind you as you make your way over to the plot of fruits you have growing. The berry bushes and fruit trees had some time to grow on the mainland, so most of them are almost ready for their first harvest after just two months. You kneel down in front of the blueberries and smile as the small green growths that (given proper care) will be proper edible food very soon. 

“The hard work has paid off, huh?” You say to Komaeda, “Thanks for all your help these past few weeks, it’s been nice to have company.”

Komaeda doesn't say anything in reply, he just gives you a look that you have trouble interpreting. His brows pull tight, and the curve of his mouth almost reads sad . 

“It’s okay if you aren’t in the mood to help, today.” You suggest tentatively, “Just let me know, okay?”

Komaeda laughs breathily, “ I’m fine. I can help.”

“Alrighty, then.” You pull yourself up from the ground and pass Komaeda one end of the netting and some garden pegs, “Just pull that to the other side of the plot, over the top of the plants. The pegs just go into the dirt, it’s pretty loose so a firm push should be enough to get them in.”

Nodding quickly, Komaeda lifts the netting up and over the blueberries, settling into a crouch on the other side as he starts securing it. You do the same on your side, watching how his hair dances in the light breeze. 

“I asked Mikan about her knitting.” Komaeda says, peering across at you, “Like you said I should.” You smile, warmth blooming in your chest, “Yes? How did that go?”

“You were right. She isn’t very good at it.” He replies, but is smiling as he does, “It’s getting better as she goes though, she’s managing a pretty straight line now. It ah-” he shrugs a shoulder, “It seems to make her happy.”

“Maybe you should pick up a hobby. I know there isn’t much to do around the island, but I’m sure you could find something.”

Komaeda smiles at you from across the blueberries, “I’ve already taken up gardening, that’s enough for now.”

Your cheeks warm, “I’m glad.”

The both of you settle into a comfortable silence for some time, and once you finish covering a collection of blueberry bushes you quickly move onto the next. Komaeda is a fast learner and takes half the netting from you as before without you needing to ask him to. You can’t help but think about that conversation the two of you had in the middle of the night.

“Can I ask you a question?” Komaeda begins, tilting his head to the side. 

You smile, “I don’t see why not.”

“Why didn’t you just go to a normal school? The reserve course was incredibly costly and if I hadn't been scouted I would have been-” He sighs, “Never mind.” “No it’s okay. I won’t be upset, say what you want to.” Komaeda stares at you a moment, before a sickly little smile crawls up the side of his cheek, “I, aha, would have been too ashamed to even step foot on the grounds, why weren’t you?” “It wasn't my choice to make, Komaeda-san.” Your brow creases, and you sit cross legged on the ground when you finish securing the netting, “Things have changed a lot since then, but at the time I had parents who just wanted what they thought was best for me, no matter the cost. I think you’ll find most of the reserve course students were in the same boat, we were just kids, you know?”

He goes silent for some time, staring down at his hands and picking at the cuticles on his remaining flesh fingers. You know him well enough now that you just let him think it over, sitting quietly and waiting until he works out what he wants to say. The ocean breeze is calm today, but it still tosses around the leaves on the ground and tangles in Komaeda’s already unruly hair. 

“Was it…a good education?” He asks quietly, “By regular standards, I mean.” “No.” You answer truthfully, “All the tuition fees from the reserve course went straight to the Ultimate division, we were underfunded and most of our teachers didn’t pay much attention to us.” You look down at your lap, worrying your lower lip, “They did experiments on us too sometimes, small ones, not invasive. Just to see how we would react in certain circumstances. I mean, you know what they did to Hinata-san, I think they were gathering data for that .”

Komaeda doesn't say anything in response, though at first it seems like he wants to. He doesn't look up at you, he pretends to busy himself with some of the pegs, but you know he finished pegging everything down a long time ago. 

After a while, you take an uneasy breath and say, “I don’t think Hope’s Peak had our best interests at heart.” He scoffs under his breath, “Why would they? I couldn't expect them to waste their time on the talentless when there were more important educations to foster.” “No, Komaeda-san.” You say, gently, “You’ve misunderstood me.”

He peers up at you, something pained hides behind his eyes. 

“I don't think they had anyone’s best interests at heart. Not even yours.”

***

It’s Koizumi who comes by next, as always she’s clutching tightly to a well worn polaroid camera. You haven’t heard much about it, but apparently the digital camera she favored had an almost full memory card when she awoke from the simulation and she was too scared to open it up and wipe it. So for now she’s making her way through the collection of dusty polaroid film cartridges in the Jabberwock Island gift shop. 

You’re in the middle of weeding around some of the carrots when she comes up the path. She’s wearing a thin green sundress over a white t-shirt, the breeze kicks up her skirt and it dances around her ankles. Like you, she’s also sporting a wide brimmed hat to protect her face from the sun, she tilts the brim back and shoots you a warm smile. 

“Hi Koizumi-san!” You say brightly, it’s been a bit since you’ve seen her, “What can I help you with?”

She laughs and shakes her head, “I don’t need help with anything, I’m just dropping by to check in on you.” She takes a quick look around the farm, “Everything seems to be growing nicely.” You nod, “We almost have some fruit, shouldn’t be too much longer now.”

“That’s good! You’ve done well.” Koizumi says, but her smile wavers when she adds, “Hey, I was just wondering…Why didn’t you come to the party last week?”

“Oh.” You reply, turning your attention back to the garden bed, “I was just tired, sorry.” Koizumi hums, fingering the shoulder strap of her camera, “We were all pretty upset that you couldn't make it. Some more than others.” she looks quite stern when you peer up at her, mouth pulled in a tight line, “You can come to the hotel, you know? You don’t have to stay up here by yourself.”

You shake your head, “Thanks for offering, but I have a lot of work to do. It’s easier for everyone if I stay here.” “Well, if you insist.” Koizumi says with a shrug, and you are glad that she’s dropped the subject, “We’re not going anywhere, if you change your mind.” There are a few stray weeds left amongst the carrots and you go back to pulling them out, too nervous to look Koizumi in the eye anymore, “I probably won't, but that’s very kind of you.” The wind is stronger today, and it knocks your hat straight off your head. You don’t mean to, but having to struggle to catch it before it blows away has a giggle bubbling up and out of your chest. Putting the hat back on your head, you turn to Koizumi to ask if she is alright, and are stunned by the flash of a camera. 

You blink for a few seconds, and Koizumi chuckles good-naturedly, “Sorry, sorry. That was just the first real smile I’ve seen from you, my instincts kicked in.”

Another laugh escapes you, though this one is nervous and insincere, “I smile all the time, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She shrugs, “When you take as many photos as I do, you get pretty good at picking out a genuine smile.” she gives you a look that borders on sad, “You are very good at faking it, though, I’ll give you that.”

***

The nightmares keep you awake once again. Desperate for fresh air and the quiet crashing of waves on the sand, you stumble to the back of your farm where the grass disappears and the beach begins. It isn’t as large as the beach by the hotel, only two meters or so of sand and gentle lapping saltwater, but it’s just you here, so two meters is all you need.  

You kick off your sandals before sitting down in the sand, tucking your knees up to your chest and burying your face in them. You should tell Hinata someday, maybe right before you leave. It won’t help any, it won’t undo what’s already happened but keeping this secret buried deep and festering in your chest is killing you. Everyone is so nice to you, everyone is too nice to you. There is nothing of value that you can offer, nothing you can do, all you ever do is run and run and run and-

Someone is calling out your name, from the sound of it, they’re standing out the front of your cottage. You sniffle, and try your best to sound like you haven’t been crying when you call out, “Down here!”

It takes a few minutes, but you do eventually hear the sound of shoes crunching on the sand. Something cold taps against your shoulder, and you turn around to see Komaeda holding a can of Blue Ram out to you. He has at least five more in a plastic bag hanging from his other hand, “Do you want one?” He asks, “They help.” Trying to ignore how instantly your heart warms when you see him, you reach out to take the can from him, apologizing under your breath when you fingers brush against his, “Thanks, Komaeda-san,” You say quietly, gesturing to the space beside you, “Take a seat if you want.”

He does, wordlessly. His long legs cross beneath him, and you notice that he’s wearing a pair of loose cotton pants instead of his usual dark jeans. Reaching into the plastic bag, he pulls out a can of Blue Ram for himself and cracks it open, heaving a long sigh before he turns to you, “Are you sleeping?”

“I am.” You reply quietly, opening your own can with shaky hands. 

Komaeda smiles, and repeats his assertion from nights before, “But not very well, am I right?”

“No.” You reply knowingly, “Not very well.”

The silence hangs in the air for a moment, you sip gently at your Blue Ram, you haven’t had one before and it’s a bit too sickly sweet for your taste. Komaeda looks especially pretty in the ocean breeze with his low cut shirt and unruly hair, you sigh and close your eyes to keep from staring at him, “How are you, Komaeda-san?” He shrugs a shoulder, “I’ve been thinking about what you said, about Hope’s Peak Academy.” “Oh.” you reply, “I hope I didn't upset you.” “ You didn’t upset me.” 

That’s good to hear. You know that Komaeda’s boundaries are firm, even if he isn’t willing to disclose where they lay. You are glad you haven’t crossed any. 

He reclines backward a little, resting back on his elbows and peering up at the stars, “My luck it-” he frowns, like he isn't sure how to continue, “Well it isn't consistent, aha. I try to control it, the outcome of it, I mean, when it backfires.” You have enough sense not to interrupt, but you do spin slightly to better face him as he speaks. He looks beautiful in the moonlight. 

“Even then I never really have full control, no matter what I do.” He gulps a desperate breath, his voice growing shaky, “They never… helped me.”

The salty air tosses and tangles in your hair, and your voice is high and weak in your throat when you whisper, “Who didn’t?”

He laughs breathlessly, “Hope’s Peak. I didn’t take much notice at the time, the fact they were even interested in a talent as worthless as mine was so exhilarating that I couldn’t think about anything else but-” he makes a choked sound and sits back up to he can wipe his eyes with the back of his hand, “They knew what my luck did to me, but never taught me how to control it. They had experts and researchers but they were all too busy watching us and studying us to actually help .”

You lean forward, hand shaking when you reach a hand out and rest it on his knee. For all you know about Komaeda, about his opinions of himself and his talent and his emotional state, it feels like you’re missing all the surface level information, the things he divulges on a first meeting. You swallow, “You don’t have to tell me, you don’t have to tell me anything if you don’t want to but-” his eyes meet yours and you are stunned briefly into silence, steadying yourself, you ask, “What does your luck do to you?”

Komaeda starts laughing, but it sounds almost painful and his shoulders tremble with the intensity of it. You fall backwards when he suddenly stands up and takes a few determined steps towards the water, he bends down and grabs a rock from the shoreline, giving you a pointed look before arcing his arm back and skipping the rock across the water once, twice, thirteen times and even more beyond that. He turns back to face you, arms crossed against his chest like he is waiting for something. Then, after what feels like a few agonizing minutes, the ocean rises, and a wave much larger than any you had seen at the small section of beach crashes directly into the back of him, soaking completely through his clothes. 

It was only a taste of it, but you understand completely. 

He seems surprised when you stand up, but you’re so desperately emotional that you aren’t thinking straight. It only takes a few monumental steps to reach him, and then you are standing on your toes and wrapping your arms tight around his shoulders and burying your face in his chest. 

Komaeda makes a choked sound above you, and one of his hands eventually settles shakily on your waist, “I’m all wet.” He says shakily, “I’ll ruin your clothes.” You hold him tighter, “I don't care.”

[theamityelf]

Spiderverse AU with Makoto and his assorted survivor classmates being spiderman/woman/something.

Kyoko in her lavender suit, byakuya in a fancy white suit (he wouldn't be caught DEAD in anything white normally), Hiro in a mishmash homemade suit that was clearly self-made but it's cozy so no complaints, Toko/Jack in deep maroon-purple, and Makoto with his silly little green hoodie suit.

What do you think their canon events are? :3

This might be much too on-the-nose, but my first thought was that the killing game was their canon event, and it's a situation where each of them was in their universe's version of the killing game, and their killing games ended with everyone getting killed except the one with spider powers (because their spider powers helped them survive whatever it was that killed the others).

The reason I say this is, it'd be kind of sweet to have each of them, as lone survivors, get to meet lone survivor versions of the friends they lost.

Most of the survivors became more solitary than ever, after outliving all their friends; they're very lofty and disconnected from the world, as spider heroes. Especially Kyoko, Toko, and Byakuya. Those three aren't at all doing the "Friendly Neighborhood Spider-person" thing. Kyoko is an aloof hero, Byakuya is a rude anti-hero, Toko is probably just using her powers defensively where Syo uses them offensively.

It'll be good for them to get to meet versions of their friends who went through what they went through. Makoto is still the Ultimate Hope, which is mostly good, but it also means the Future Foundation is probably trying to assimilate his hero stuff into their image. Lot of webs in their logos and their site UI and everything. But he's still just as willing to defy them for the good of others as he is in canon.

Alternatively, their canon events could draw upon the UDG captives of each THH cast member, so it's like:

Every one of them has experienced their closest loved one being kidnapped and then coming back wrong. In a Lizard Peter Parker kind of way; they had to fight their loved ones as overpowered mutants. (Kinda funny for Toko; she had to fight a giant mutant stink bug.)

And maybe it's a Miles in Across the Spiderverse situation, where the others are treating it as inevitable that Komaru is going to die but Makoto refuses to accept it. He'll find a way to save her!

[sanguinescorpio3]

Herbs & Plants Used by African Americans During Slavery

Black Apothecary: Delta Arrowhead 

By: Sanguine Scorpio

Photo credit:https://images.app.goo.gl/ZPGLovpGaYuC4H1UA 

Laying down the foundation for Black Apothecary.

Our ancestors endured the toughest of times while being captured and enslaved in America. Their resourcefulness and resilience ensured their survival through it all. As a black woman, I have always been interested in herbs and the properties in which they heal. Capitalism in medicine is a large reason why black people of today still hold on to “Big Mama’s Kitchen Remedies”. 

Roots have always been our magic and as a writer and fellow researcher, I believe it’s a duty to continue to shed light on what our ancestors learned and discovered for our health and well-being.  

The Delta Arrowhead

Sagittaria platyphylla

Characteristics and Uses

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial

Habit: Herb

Fruit Type: Achene

Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.

Leaf: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White

Bloom Time: Jun

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , KS , KY , LA , MO , MS , NC , OH , OK , SC , TN , TX , VA

Native Habitat: Still water, Marshes

Uses

The Delta Arrowhead is a swamp plant that our ancestors made into necklaces to be worn by teething babies to relieve pain and fever.

Web Reference

Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

[reachoutandtouchfaith-pccw]

To Preserve The Greenery

Ah, the protection of nature, a topic close to my heart as a witch. Nature, dear friend, is not merely a collection of trees and creatures but a sacred web of life, interconnected and interdependent. We must protect it, for in its beauty and abundance lies the essence of our existence. The forests are the lungs of the earth, breathing life into our very souls. Preserve the balance and harmony of the natural world, and ensure that future generations may bask in the wonders of creation. "Ni neart go cur le cheile" — there is no strength without unity. For in protecting nature, we protect all living beings who call this magnificent planet home.

GIF credit goes to @racoonjohn.

To Preserve Ireland:

The Native Irish Honey Bee Society.

Green Foundation Ireland.

Native Woodland Trust.

An Taisce.

ECO-UNESCO.

CELT.

Cloughjordan EcoVillage.

Crann.

Friends of the Irish Environment.

Many More Can Be Found On IEN.

To Preserve The World:

Clean Air Task Force.

World Wildlife Fund.

350.

Greenpeace.

Environmental Defense Fund.

Earthworks.

Earthjustice.

Friends of the Earth.

The Sierra Club.

The Nature Conservancy.

[spider-mandaily]

What are your opinions on Gwen Stacy?

Alright, Anon, strap in because we’re about to go DEEP into every version of Gwen Stacy across comics, movies, TV, games, and animation. I think that Gwen Stacy isn’t just a character—she’s a cornerstone of the Spider-Man mythos who has transcended her origins. Let’s explore her legacy in excruciating detail.

COMICS GWEN STACY: THE FOUNDATION OF A LEGACY

Earth-616 Gwen Stacy: The Original Love Interest

Gwen Stacy’s first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #31 (1965) by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko establishes her as one of Peter Parker’s first major love interests. She’s a fellow student at Empire State University, introduced alongside Harry Osborn. Gwen is immediately striking: intelligent, confident, and beautiful. But her personality is far more layered than the archetype suggests.

In the early issues, Gwen is portrayed as a complex mix of warmth and insecurity. It is important for us to know and understand that Gwen did not initially build an attraction towards Peter here, not to mention that they only first met each other in college and not in highschool. While she and Peter obviously get much closer later, both in their own ways, at moment she did not really like him, as Peter’s constant worrying of Aunt May caused him to ignore his classmates almost entirely!

Yet, later, she obviously quickly develops feelings for Peter, but his double life as Spider-Man keeps pulling him away from their budding relationship. This causes tension, and Gwen’s emotional volatility mirrors Peter’s struggles. For example, in The Amazing Spider-Man #33, while Peter is fighting to save Aunt May’s life (the iconic “lifting the rubble” scene), Gwen is frustrated by his absence at school. This conflict becomes a recurring theme—Gwen represents Peter’s longing for a normal life, but his Spider-Man responsibilities constantly sabotage their happiness.

One of Gwen’s most defining moments comes in The Amazing Spider-Man #90 (1970), when her father, Captain George Stacy, dies during a fight between Spider-Man and Doctor Octopus. As Captain Stacy dies, he reveals that he knows Peter is Spider-Man and asks Peter to protect Gwen. This moment cements Peter’s sense of responsibility toward Gwen, but it also adds layers of guilt, as he indirectly blames himself for Captain Stacy’s death. Gwen, unaware of Spider-Man’s identity, is devastated and begins to distance herself emotionally.

“The Night Gwen Stacy Died”

Gwen’s death in The Amazing Spider-Man #121-122 (1973) is one of the most famous—and controversial—events in comic book history. The Green Goblin (Norman Osborn) kidnaps Gwen and throws her off the George Washington Bridge (though the comic mistakenly refers to it as the Brooklyn Bridge). Peter attempts to save her with his webbing, but the sudden stop causes her neck to snap, killing her instantly.

This event shattered readers in the 1970s. Gwen’s death marked a turning point in superhero storytelling, transitioning from the lighthearted Silver Age to the darker, more mature Bronze Age. It wasn’t just that Gwen died—it was how she died. Peter’s failure to save her, despite his best efforts, highlighted the harsh reality that even superheroes can’t save everyone. This moment haunts Peter for the rest of his life and becomes a foundational part of Spider-Man’s mythos.

Spider-Gwen/Spider-Woman (Earth-65): The Hero Reborn

Decades later, in Edge of Spider-Verse #2 (2014), Jason Latour and Robbi Rodriguez reimagined Gwen Stacy as Spider-Woman in an alternate universe. On Earth-65, it’s Gwen who is bitten by the radioactive spider instead of Peter Parker. This reinvention flips her traditional role on its head—she’s no longer a victim but a hero in her own right.

Spider-Gwen’s world is a vibrant punk-rock-infused universe. Gwen is the drummer for a band called The Mary Janes (with lead singer Mary Jane Watson). Her costume—sleek white with pink-and-black accents and a hood—is instantly iconic.

Her backstory carries shades of Peter’s original guilt: in this universe, her friend Peter Parker becomes the Lizard after experimenting on himself to gain powers. Gwen, as Spider-Woman, is forced to fight him, and he dies as a result. This tragedy defines her heroic journey, much like Uncle Ben’s death defines Peter’s. Spider-Gwen’s adventures explore themes of identity, guilt, and redemption, while also letting her team up with other Spider-heroes in events like Spider-Verse and Spider-Geddon.

In later series like Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider, Gwen’s multiverse-crossing adventures showcase her growth as a leader. She frequently interacts with Earth-616 Peter, Miles Morales, and other Spider-people, cementing her place as a fan-favorite in the Spider-Man family.

GWEN STACY IN LIVE-ACTION MOVIES

Bryce Dallas Howard in Spider-Man 3 (2007)

In Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3, Gwen Stacy is played by Bryce Dallas Howard, but this version of the character is underwhelming. She’s introduced as a rival love interest to Mary Jane Watson, functioning as little more than a plot device to create tension between Peter and MJ. While Howard looks the part and has a few moments of charm, I think this Gwen lacks depth or connection to the tragedy that defines her in the comics. But still, I did enjoy her portrayal of Gwen Stacy.

Emma Stone in The Amazing Spider-Man Series (2012-2014)

Emma Stone’s portrayal of Gwen Stacy in Marc Webb’s The Amazing Spider-Man and its sequel is widely regarded as one of the best live-action adaptations of a Spider-Man character. This Gwen is smart, ambitious, and deeply involved in Peter’s life, both as a romantic partner and a teammate which was seriously groundbreaking to watch in my opinion.

In the first film, Gwen works as an intern at Oscorp, where she demonstrates her scientific brilliance. She’s not just a damsel in distress—she actively helps Peter in his battle against the Lizard, providing the antidote to stop Dr. Curt Connors’ plan.

The chemistry between Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield is electric, making their relationship one of the highlights of the series. In The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Gwen’s ambitions take center stage—she plans to study in England, creating conflict with Peter, who fears for her safety.

Gwen’s death in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is a direct homage to The Amazing Spider-Man #121. The scene is heart-wrenching, with Peter failing to save her in a moment that mirrors his comic-book tragedy. Emma Stone’s performance in this scene captures the raw emotion of Gwen’s loss, making it one of the most memorable moments in superhero cinema.

GWEN STACY IN ANIMATION

A Multiversal Version Of Gwen Stacy Only Appeared Once In Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994-1998)

Gwen Stacy didn't initially appear in the hit '90s adaptation Spider-Man: The Animated Series, which focused on love interests like Mary Jane Watson and Felicia Hardy/Black Cat instead. However, an alternate reality version of Gwen Stacy later appeared in the season's two-part final, "Spider Wars." I think that this version (voiced by Mary Kay Bergman) was unique. She'd survived past her death in the comic timeline and gotten engaged to her Peter Parker, who'd created a powerful Spider-Armor before he was recruited to save the multiverse from Spider-Carnage.

The Spectacular Spider-Man (2008-2009)

In this critically acclaimed series, Gwen Stacy is voiced by Lacey Chabert. This version of Gwen is Peter’s best friend and academic rival, portrayed as shy and awkward but fiercely intelligent. The show builds her relationship with Peter slowly, making her feelings for him feel earned rather than rushed.

Gwen’s emotional depth is a highlight of the series, especially in her interactions with Peter and her struggles with her own insecurities. The show ended prematurely, but its portrayal of Gwen is widely regarded as one of the best adaptations.

Ghost-Spider Joined The Multiversal Web-Warriors In Ultimate Spider-Man vs. The Sinister Six (2012-2017)

DisneyXD aired the Ultimate Spider-Man animated series, which took on the new title of Ultimate Spider-Man vs. The Sinister Six for the fourth and final season. The series introduced an alternate version of Gwen Stacy/Spider-Gwen (voiced by Dove Cameron).

This version of the character hailed from Miles Morales/Kid Arachnid's home reality. She used technology to replicate Miles Morales' powers and became her reality's protector after Miles stayed in Spider-Man's home reality.

Ghost Spider Joined An Animated Team Of Secret Warriors In The Marvel Rising (2018 - ) Movie Specials

A new series of animated specials that highlighted new waves of young heroes debuted in 2018 under the Marvel Rising banner, which featured Daisy Johnson/Quake as she organized a team that would become known as the Secret Warriors. (This team would eventually include Gwen Stacy/Ghost-Spider).

The character's storyline followed Spider-Gwen's comic origins, although it was blended into the main Marvel universe continuity for Marvel Rising, which also saw Dove Cameron reprise her role as Gwen from Ultimate Spider-Man.

Marvel's Spider-Man (2017 - ) Explored Gwen Stacy's Connection To Dr. Miles Warren/The Jackal

The most recent animated series debuted in 2017 as Marvel's Spider-Man, and included Gwen Stacy (voiced by Laura Bailey) as one of the brilliant students of the reimagined Horizon High, alongside other popular characters like Miles Morales and Anya Corazon/Spider-Girl, all of whom would soon team up with Spider-Man as costumed superheroes. The series merged Gwen with her alternate reality Spider-Gwen character and reimagined her relationship with The Jackal, who became her uncle instead of a twisted admirer. Marvel's Spider-Man is the only adaptation that attempted to explore their long comic history in any form.

Ghost-Spider Appeared Alongside Spider-Man In Marvel Super Hero Adventures (2017-2020)

Spider-Man and his allies star in Disney Junior's Marvel Super Hero Adventures, which began airing in 2017 with kid-friendly stories that teamed the wall-crawler with various heroes in the Marvel Universe, including an alternate reality Gwen Stacy/Ghost-Spider (voiced by Emily Tennant).

Ghost-Spider only appeared in costume in the series, which never explored her character much beyond her various adventures with Spider-Man as they took on classic villains from his rogues' gallery, like Doctor Octopus and The Rhino.

Ghost-Spider Appeared In Disney Jr.'s Marvel's Spidey and His Amazing Friends (2021- )

Disney Jr. launched a new team-up series in 2021 called Spidey and his Amazing Friends, which teamed popular Marvel characters up with Spider-Man. Gwen Stacy appeared as Ghost-Spider in the series, voiced by Lily Sanfelippo.

Ghost-Spider's costume was simplified and adapted with web wings under her arms to allow her to glide, while her unmasked appearance was similar to her Marvel Rising design, which borrowed the pink highlights from the unrelated character Gwenpool.

Into the Spider-Verse (2018) and Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

Hailee Steinfeld voices Spider-Gwen in Into the Spider-Verse, bringing Earth-65’s Gwen to life in stunning animation. This Gwen is confident, stylish, and a skilled hero. Her tragic backstory—losing her universe’s Peter Parker—adds emotional weight to her character.

In Across the Spider-Verse, Gwen’s relationship with her father takes center stage, and the film delves deeper into her struggles as a hero. The watercolor-inspired visuals of her universe reflect her emotional state, creating some of the most visually stunning moments in the film.

LEGACY AND CULTURAL IMPACT

I think that Gwen Stacy’s journey from her debut in 1965 to her modern incarnations as Spider-Gwen is a testament to her lasting relevance in the Spider-Man mythos and beyond. Her character’s impact is profound, not just in shaping the narrative of Spider-Man comics but in redefining how female characters are treated in superhero storytelling. Gwen Stacy has evolved from a symbol of tragedy to one of empowerment, resonating across generations and media. Here’s a detailed exploration of her legacy and cultural significance.

1. A Pivotal Turning Point in Superhero Storytelling

“The Night Gwen Stacy Died” as a Defining Moment

Gwen’s death in The Amazing Spider-Man #121-122 (1973) marked a seismic shift in the tone of superhero comics. Before this storyline, most comic book narratives were marked by optimism and clear-cut morality. Heroes won, villains lost, and the status quo was preserved. However, Gwen’s death broke these conventions, ushering in the darker and more complex stories of the Bronze Age of Comics.

This moment is often credited with demonstrating that superhero stories could be serious literature. Gwen’s death wasn’t a mere plot device—it was a statement about the fallibility of heroes, the unpredictability of life, and the consequences of being a superhero. Spider-Man’s failure to save Gwen highlighted the vulnerability of even the most powerful characters, humanizing Peter Parker in a way few heroes had been before.

Her death also introduced the concept of “fridging” into the superhero genre, a term coined by comic book writer Gail Simone. Fridging refers to the trope of female characters being killed off or harmed to advance a male character’s story. While Gwen’s death is undeniably iconic, it has also been a focal point for criticism, as it set a precedent for how women in comics were often treated as disposable. This discourse around her death remains relevant in modern discussions about representation in media.

2. Redefining Gwen Stacy: From Tragedy to Empowerment

The Birth of Spider-Gwen

The creation of Spider-Gwen in 2014 transformed Gwen Stacy from a symbol of loss into a symbol of empowerment. Her alternate-universe counterpart on Earth-65 flips the script by making her the hero, not the victim. Spider-Gwen’s debut in Edge of Spider-Verse #2 immediately struck a chord with readers, proving that Gwen’s story wasn’t confined to being Peter Parker’s doomed love interest.

Spider-Gwen’s success is a reflection of changing cultural attitudes toward female characters in comics. Her stories center her agency, independence, and growth as a hero, allowing her to step out of Peter’s shadow. The themes of guilt and redemption that underpin her narrative add emotional complexity, but they are no longer defined by her relationship to a male character. Instead, Spider-Gwen grapples with her own choices and the consequences of her actions, solidifying her place as a standalone hero.

Spider-Gwen’s Cultural Resonance

Spider-Gwen’s punk-rock aesthetic and iconic costume design by Robbi Rodriguez have made her one of the most visually recognizable characters in the Marvel universe. Her white-and-pink suit with its hooded design is a cosplay favorite and has become synonymous with the modern reinvention of superheroes. This design’s success speaks to the importance of visual storytelling in creating a character’s identity, as Spider-Gwen’s look reflects her rebellious, independent spirit.

The popularity of Spider-Gwen also reflects a shift in comic book audiences. As the medium has expanded to include more women and younger readers, characters like Spider-Gwen have provided new entry points into the superhero genre. Her stories resonate with themes of self-discovery and perseverance, making her a role model for a diverse audience.

3. Gwen Stacy as a Multiverse Icon

I truly believe that the multiverse concept has allowed Gwen Stacy to exist in multiple forms, each contributing to her legacy in unique ways. While Earth-616 Gwen remains a tragic figure, Spider-Gwen has become a vital part of Marvel’s exploration of alternate realities. The Spider-Verse events, both in comics and on-screen, have positioned Gwen as a key player in multiverse narratives, showing how her character transcends her original timeline.

“Into the Spider-Verse” and “Across the Spider-Verse”

Once again, the animated films Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) and Across the Spider-Verse (2023) have brought Gwen Stacy’s multiversal identity to a global audience. Hailee Steinfeld’s portrayal of Spider-Gwen adds layers of emotional depth to the character, particularly in her relationship with Miles Morales and her struggles with her father, Captain Stacy.

In these films, Gwen’s arc is about finding her place in a world that often isolates her because of her dual identity as Spider-Woman. Her relationship with her father is a powerful exploration of love, trust, and the burden of responsibility. The films’ stunning visual representation of her world—rendered in watercolors and abstract designs—emphasizes her emotional journey, creating a visceral connection between her inner turmoil and her external reality.

Spider-Gwen’s prominence in these films cements her as more than just a secondary character in Spider-Man’s story. She’s a leading figure in her own right, driving the narrative and representing themes of resilience and self-discovery.

4. Gwen Stacy’s Evolution as a Feminist Symbol

I also think that Gwen Stacy’s journey from damsel in distress to hero is emblematic of broader cultural shifts in how women are portrayed in media, you know? Like, in her original incarnation, Gwen was intelligent and kind, but she was ultimately defined by her relationships with men—first her father, Captain Stacy, and then Peter Parker. Her death, while narratively impactful, reduced her to a catalyst for Peter’s growth.

The creation of Spider-Gwen reclaims Gwen’s agency, allowing her to define her own story. This reinvention reflects the growing demand for complex, fully realized female characters in superhero narratives. Spider-Gwen’s popularity demonstrates that audiences are hungry for stories where women are active participants in the action, rather than passive victims of it.

Her punk-rock persona and role as the drummer for The Mary Janes further position Gwen as a symbol of individuality and rebellion. She represents a break from traditional norms, embodying a modern feminist ethos that values self-expression and independence.

5. The Enduring Popularity of Gwen Stacy in Pop Culture

Gwen Stacy’s impact extends beyond comics into the broader realm of pop culture. Her appearances in live-action films, animated series, and video games have introduced her to new audiences, solidifying her status as a household name.

Merchandising and Iconography

Spider-Gwen has become a merchandising juggernaut, with her image adorning everything from action figures to clothing lines. Her costume, in particular, has achieved iconic status, representing the marriage of sleek design and storytelling.

A Legacy of Adaptation

The fact that Gwen Stacy continues to be reinvented across media speaks to her adaptability. Each new version of Gwen—whether it’s the tragic Earth-616 Gwen, the heroic Spider-Gwen, or the multiversal leader in the Spider-Verse films—adds new dimensions to her character. This adaptability ensures that Gwen remains relevant in a constantly evolving cultural landscape.

6. Gwen Stacy as a Reflection of Spider-Man’s Core Themes

At her core, Gwen Stacy represents some of the most essential themes in Spider-Man’s mythology: responsibility, loss, and resilience. Whether as Peter Parker’s first great love or as a hero in her own right, Gwen’s story reinforces the idea that tragedy and triumph are intertwined in the superhero experience.

For Peter Parker, Gwen’s death serves as a constant reminder of the stakes of his double life. For readers, Gwen’s rebirth as Spider-Gwen demonstrates that characters can evolve beyond their origins, taking on new meanings and roles for future generations.

Gwen Stacy’s Cultural Impact

My verdict is that Gwen Stacy’s legacy is one of reinvention and resilience. From her origins as a tragic love interest to her rebirth as a multiverse hero, Gwen has become a symbol of the evolving nature of storytelling in comics and media. She challenges traditional narratives, inspires new generations, and continues to be a defining figure in the Spider-Man universe. Whether you know her as Peter’s first love or as Spider-Gwen, Gwen Stacy’s story is one of the most enduring and impactful in superhero history.

[qingyingpocketlirary]

A Loong History Lesson 2;

This is a post that has Key information for my Snapshots and Tea Collection series and also for information important to the backstory for The Spider Web Story.

It also contains some HEAD CANNONS. Please take note they are headcanons not Original to the Book JTTW or considered Cannon to the Lego Monkie Kid fandom while reading. 

Thank you!

A Loong History Lesson 2.

A recap, for my stories there are five main Dragons, a father and four sons.

Qinglong - The Azure Dragon - Central - Multiple Elements. Ao Shun - Black Dragons - North - Ice Element. Ao Qin - Red/Yellow Dragons - South - Air/Wind Element. Ao Guang - White Dragons - East - Water Element. Ao Ji - Green Dragons - West - Fire Element.

Ao Guang is living in exile with two of his sons after being stripped of their rank and powers for what happens with Nezha. Ao Bing rules the Eastern seas in his stead, by blessings and with the authority of Qinglong and his uncles.

Following the loss of his powers and status, Ao Guang sulked and remained locked within his chambers within the Eastern palace with only his elder sons for company and very limited contact with the outside world. For many years, he stewed in his anger, until the day a Monkey came to visit, seeking aid from the Dragon Prince in finding or forging a weapon that the primate could use without said weapon breaking or shattering from the force of the Monkey’s will.

Ao Bing searched the weaponry, asking the Monkey to show him his style of fighting with some of the strongest weapons the Dragon Clan could offer, in hopes that it would help Ao Bing find a suitable weapon or come up with a weapon that could be used by one so powerful, and for a few days, the Monkey came to visit trying new weapons each down, swords, spears, bows, all kinds of knives, even fans, and still no weapon could stand up to the Monkey’s will for long.

It was during one such visit that Ao Shun, Ao Ji and Ao Qin were witness to the Monkey's struggle, and after a long consideration, Ao Shun suggested that there may be a weapon yet that could be used, but it would not be an easy feat to achieve, and even if the Monkey could reach the weapon, there was no guarantee that the weapon would accept him as its wielder.

The Monkey agreed to try, and if the weapon did not accept him, he would find a means to afford a commission from the Dragons to craft him a weapon instead. With that agreement in place, Ao Shun told the Monkey of Ruyi Jingu Bang. A weapon of the Nameless Hero who had once fought beside Qinglong in the battle against the Primordial Chaos, all that remained of that hero in actually fact, for they had passed some years after the battle, and to honour that hero’s last wish, Qinglong had brought the the staff into the Eastern Sea and left it in the deep catacombs of the Eastern Palace’s foundations.

Qinglong had told his sons of the staff often when they were boys, and told them that only a worthy soul, one whose heart was true, one who was willing to do what must be done to save innocents and bring justice to the world would be  able to lift the staff from where it was resting, and only one truly worthy could speak to the staff and hear its responses. No Dragons so far had managed such a feat, but Qinglong had said that it may be that the worthy soul could be another being, and it would never be frowned upon to allow another to try.

So, with a map to follow and the blessings of the Three Kinds and Ruling Prince, the Monkey had set off into the Palace.

Hours later, the ocean floor shook ever so slightly, and from beneath the garden, a thrum of power washed over them. Ao Guang, having witnessed this and seen how happy his brothers and youngest son appeared when the Monkey came back carrying the red and golden staff, was angry, and in his anger, challenged the Monkey to prove his might.

He lost that challenge, and while the Monkey did not gloat or boast to the victory, Ao Guang’s brothers and son took insult on the Monkey’s behalf, and further offered the Monkey an armour set to make up for Ao Guang’s rudeness.

Incensed and humiliated, Ao Guang formulated a plan. He wrote to the Jade Emperor himself, a letter of half truths meant to sow discord and ruin whatever good will Heaven had with his brothers and son. What Ao Guang couldn’t have known was that his letter had not been taken in the way he wanted and all the mistrust and uncertainty was instead placed upon the Monkey.

Ao Bing learnt of the attempt from a passing disciple some years later and tried to clear the misunderstanding up, but by then, the seeds of doubt and mistrust were already sown. As further punishment to his attempt to ruin any good will, Qinglong forced Ao Guang into a crystalline egg, where he would sleep until such time as Qinglong deemed his fit to be awakened again.

Since then, Ao Guang has become a forgotten ghost of the Eastern Sea, a story told to teach children of the Dragon Clan not to allow power to corrupt them, though this does not always work, as one son from Ao Shun’s branch of the Clan was found to be marrying off his daughters to unsavoury husbands to gain power from Demonic means.

The most interesting news from the Dragon Clan was the birth of Samadhi Wind. A power that came into being along Ao Qin’s bloodline, and through it was a powerful force, the wielder made the choice to separate themself from the Samahdi Wind, and instead craft it into a beautiful fan that resembled the tail of a Loong Dragon, this the name The Loong Tail Fan.

The Fan itself is somewhere within the ranks of the Dragon Clan, though no one outside the clan knows where as many replicas of the Loong Tail Fan were made and handed out to keep outsiders guessing.

Ao Bing did for a long time, while technically reborn through the skills of Master Taiyi Zhenren like Nezha, not consider himself truly alive, as he recalls the feeling of dying and does not feel he is worthy of this second chance he has been given. However, with training and time with Master Taiyi Zhenren and the company of his Grandfather, he has come to accept that this second chance is not something he should reject or feel ashamed of. 

As they often tell him, this second chance has allowed the Dragon Prince to do better than his father before him and that, in  their words, is a step towards change and better things for the Eastern Dragon Family. However, Ao Bing did not truly believe this, until the day Ao Ji came to visit him and brought along his daughter Ao Ming and his young son, Ao Lie.

Ao Lie was a curious boy, eager to learn, eager to please and while intelligent and well learned, he struggled greatly with his coordination and balance when not in his dragon form, so much so that Ao Lie had been teased by his peers and it had been whispered that the reason for this was because Ao Lie was cursed to be clumsy. Ao Ming, Ao Lie’s older sister, did not take kindly to this whispering, and had started many fights to defend her brother from the cruelties of their fellow children, but it had not done much to stop Ao Lie from hearing the words from his teachers and other adults. It had begun to affect his schooling, as the young Dragon refused to leave his room, and had instead begun isolating himself so that he could study in the safety of his room, where he couldn’t hurt himself or others with his ‘clumsy curse’.

For that reason, Ao Ji had brought him to Ao Bing, in hopes that the older dragon could help Ao Lie, Ao Ming had come along because she refused to let her brother go anywhere alone because in her own words, he was too nice to tell rude and mean people to shut up, so she would do it for him.

Sadly, no matter what Ao Lie tried or what Ao Bing offered, nothing improved the younger’s coordination, many nights were spent trying to understand why, many days filled with stumbles, trips, falls and even Ao Ming’s pearl, a gift from their late mother, was almost broken. Ao Lie had hung his head low and spent the rest of that day curled up under the blankets of his bed, and when Ao Bing had come to check on him that night, Ao Lie had just said he’d have to live in a far away place so he couldn’t accidently hurt anyone or break anything with his clumsiness. 

Master Taiyi Zhenren visited, drawn in by Ao Bing’s frustration at his failing to help his young cousin, and offered his services.

With Ao Lie’s agreement, and Ao Ming there to oversee the whole affair, the old Master set to work. First, while Ao Lie was in his dragon form, Taiyi Zhenren slowly examined his back, from the very top of Ao Lie’s neck, all the way down to the very tip of his tail. Then, along Ao Lie’s four claws, from shoulder to claw tips, and pelvis to toe tips, lastly, the old Master checked his chest, carefully counting out and examining every rib.

Ao Lie felt no pain, no strange sentient, no strain or ache and performed every test the old Master set him easily.

The problems began when he shifted to his humanlike form and performed the same tasks, only to stumble, trip, and almost drop something. He said he felt no pains, nor did he feel any differently than he had as a dragon, and instead of being frustrated, confused, or even annoyed, the old master had simply asked Ao Lie and Ao Ming to allow him to read their chi flows while they both shifted from human to dragon and back again, and then while they meditated.

They had agreed and after a long while, Master Taiyi Zhenren had the answer and a solution.

Ao Lie’s bones and muscles did not shift with him in the correct ways. His spine had too many vertebrae, he had two too few ribs and his limbs were held in muscles that were too tight or too slack to work properly. This meant that his weight and balance were uneven in many places and thus, meant he was more likely to trip and stumble. It would sadly never be possible for Ao Lie to ever truly master full coordination of his limbs, the issue had been caught too late for that, but that did not mean it was an impossible problem to correct. With training and extra concentration in his shifting, Ao Lie would improve his coordination and in time, his stumbling and tripping would reduce.

To help him learn, Master Taiyi Zhenren gave Ao Lie two animals to practice turning into and moving around as, to help him learn how to better balance and concentrate on taking care in his movements, his strength and his awareness with Ao Ming’s help.

First, the Elephant, capable of great strength and great destruction, but also incredible delicacy and gentleness with their trunks and able to move without shaking the ground. And the Horse, swift of foot and powerful enough to carry heavy weight with ease, but easily brought down or made lame if they suffer injury to their legs.

Both these animals, according to the old Master, would help Ao Lie relearn his own sense of awareness, both in how his body would move, but also in how he had to balance his weight to avoid falling, forcing the young Dragon to keep his concentration on staying upright and steady, not on the way others were always watching him, waiting for him to stumble so they could laugh. And at first, it was difficult, Ao Lie still stumbled and staggered, but with Ao Ming and Ao Bing there to help him, acting as braces to catch him when he did stumble, to offer him encouragement to keep going, keep trying, Ao Lie began to improve.

After two hundred years, Ao Lie was able to walk, run, and even dance without stumbling or tripping, and with this came a new wave of confidence and assurance in himself. As the old Master had said, Ao Lie never truly learnt to move without the occasional stumbling or trip, but with how infrequent they were now, Ao Lie did not care, and found he quite liked being a horse from time to time,

It was why, just a few scant years later when the Merciful Guanyin had come down and asked for one of the Dragon Clan to aid a friend of hers on a Journey to the West, Ao Lie had stepped up to the task.

NOTE; Below this point are headcanons for Ao Lie and a brief glimpse into the way I personally think JTTW went in LMK verse with my own little twist to it. Consider this as an AU, not as actual cannon to the Lego Monkie Kid verse as a whole. Thank you.

Ao Lie;

 It was very common for many to forget that Ao Lie is the second disciple, not Zhu Bajie, even though Sha Wujing makes a point to say he is the fourth, Bajie the third and Wukong is the first.

He doesn’t mind this and sometimes deliberately stays as a horse, just to confuse people. He finds this amuses Wukong and brings a little playfulness to the long days traveling.

Ao Lie always makes sure that the Monk is safe, even if that means he has to leave his brothers behind after they rescue the Monk from kidnappers.

This does not mean Ao Lie doesn’t feel bad for leaving them, and often apologises to them for running away from the danger without them.

Ao Lie and Wujing get along because they both had terrible experiences with bullies from early ages, but where Ao Lie had his sister to help shield and protect him from the bullying, Wujing had no one.

Wukong helps Ao Lie with his long hair and also makes sure that the Dragon Prince’s clothes are clean every day, just like he does with the Monk’s. Wukong also helps Ao Lie avoid stumbling and tripping in his human form by using his tail to steady Ao Lie before he can fall.

He and Bajie do not get along at first, because Bajie lies and Ao Lie can tell he is lying because of the enchantment upon all Dragons after Ao Guang’s rebellion.

The Monk doesn’t always believe Ao Lie is being fair in his judgements because Ao Lie and Wukong were fast friends and the Monk believes Ao Lie to be biassed towards Wukong because of this.

They start to bond more after Wukong returns from his banishment because Bajie stops lying about Wukong’s actions as much and after they face the Lady Bone Demon for the last time, the pig admits that he was lashing out at Wukong unfairly due to his own anger at Heaven for the curse they laid upon him.

Ao Lie and the Monk have respect for each other, and Ao Lie will protect the man if ever he is in any danger, but that does not mean the two agree on everything.

The Monk’s personal views and beliefs sometimes cause tension between him and Ao Lie, but Ao Lie is old enough to know that the Monk must learn his lessons his own way, and no amount of talking or reasoning will help him along the way.

That doesn’t mean Ao Lie won’t try to lessen the pain those lessons will bring, in his own ways. As proven during the time Wukong was banished from their group, when Ao Lie makes himself the Monk’s protector in Wukong’s place and does not sugar coat his answers when the Monk asks why Ao Lie runs East, rather than going further West.

Ao Lie knows he could make this journey a lot easier for everyone, but also knows that the point of the Merciful Guanyin setting them on this task was so that everyone could learn something, and if Ao Lie just up and carries them all the way West in his Loong form, he is robbing them of their lessons and insulting the very purpose of the Journey to begin with. 

While on the Journey, Ao Lie was blessed with the joy of having three older brothers in Sha Wujing, Zhu Bajie and Sun Wukong, and with them the kind but firm Master, The Tang Monk, Tripitaka Sanzang. So much so that he allowed himself to consider the other pilgrims as his denmates, thus, he was instinctively very protective over each of them in his own ways. For Wujing, he was patient, and listened when the water demon spoke of his struggles early in life, for Bajie, he expressed condolences for the curse Heaven had laid upon him, but reminded him that not all love had to be romantic in nature. For Wukong, it was in his silent permission and allowance of the monkey to stay close to him at times, to sit for hours while careful claws worked through his hair and make sure Monkey got his fair share of the food.

He understands that there is tension between the Monkey and the Monk, but doesn’t know why until he first sees the Monk use the tightening spell on Wukong after Bajie insisted the monkey was lying about the man that had tried to attack them being a demon. He hadn’t, Ao Lie could smell the demon blood and magic on the corpse, but it took the lingering magic actually wearing off as well as Ao Lie’s words for the Monk to release the spell. 

Since that point, Ao Lie made it a point to speak up and defend Wukong’s actions whenever Bajie tried to stir trouble, it did not always work, as the Monk is trying to teach the Monkey not to use violence, but after the mess that was their first encounter with the Lady Bone Demon, it was clear that the Monk and Monkey would never  agree on such a matter and in frustration over Monkey’s refusal to let go of the need for violence, the Monk banished Wukong from their group.

During Wukong's long two years of banishment, Ao Lie took on most of the task of both carrying and protecting the Monk from the seemingly endless kidnappings that came with Wukong’s departure, making a point to carry the Monk away from danger and oftentimes, back the way they had come to keep him and the other pilgrims from harm and to avoid violence, as neither Bajie or Wujing could see the Demons off as effectively as Wukong had, and the few times they did, the Monk was displeased with the fact it had come to violence.

When the Monk asked why Ao Lie did not fly them over and past the danger, and instead continued to bring them back to the safety of the nearest monastery or temple, Ao Lie told the Monk that flying over and beyond the danger just meant they would be chased down, and that would lead to fighting between the attackers and the disciples, and violence was something the Monk did not want and had proven with Monkey that he would punish them for. 

Running away was the only safe choice Ao Lie had if he too did not wish to be punished for acting against his Master’s wishes, and the only reason Bajie and Wujing were resorting to violence was because if they didn’t fight to defend themselves, they’d die, leaving only Ao Lie and the Monk, and Ao Lie could only protect the Monk so much, thus their journey would soon end in failure.

Unable to find an answer to the problem himself, the Monk suggested that they visit the Merciful Guanyin and seek her guidance to find a solution to their problem. Along the way, however, they were attacked by a trio who called themselves the Brotherhood.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Can you tell I like Ao Lie? The rest of how JTTW went in regard to my collection of works will be compiled in a designated History post. Lesson 3 of the Loong History will contain the rest of this tale and the Samadhi Fire.

[mrmozzie]

Spidey Rivals of Aether Alt Costumes

In order, Classic Suit, Web-Man, Symbiote, Iron-Spider, Negative, Advanced (Insomniac), Marvel Zombies, Future Foundation, Spider-Armor, Bulletproof Armor, Electroproof Armor, Big-Time Stealth Suit, Bombastic Bag-Man, Superior, Chasm, Kaine Scarlet Spider, Spider-Man (Miles), Spider-Man 2099, Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Woman (Gwen), Spider-Woman (Jessica), 90's Comic Shading, 90's Comic Shading (Symbiote), Atari Spider-Man game sprite, Marvel vs. Capcom game sprite, Green Goblin, Hobgoblin, Doc Ock, Carnage, Kingpin