#Lighthouse Signal

[vortexofadigitalkind]

Kai follows a forgotten pulse into the depths of the mesh. What he finds isn’t light, but memory. Echoes. A question left behind. Part 5 of The Scarcity Engine is live. The Lighthouse doesn’t shine. It remembers. Read: https://wp.me/p19z04-XJ #SignalFiction #SpeculativeSciFi #TheScarcityEngine

[jadafitch]

Whaleback Light, Kittery. In 1886 waves from a powerful storm broke the windows, and water poured into the lighthouse. Keeper Leander White used a blanket to signal for help.

Today on Maine Calling (Maine Public Radio at 11am), a special on Maine's Lighthouses! And tonight (Sept 4th) at 8:00 on Maine Public Television, the premier episode of, Safe Harbors: Lighthouses of Maine. Yay!

[patheticbatman]

Chapter Four is up!!! It’s a sickfic now lmao.

[deweydell25]

(via GIPHY)

[nikonstudio]

Signal Hill Historical Site situated at St John was next!

[ayzenigma]

thinking about lighthouses (as one does) and how they’re often used as like, a symbol of hope. a guiding light in the dark, something to reach for and go towards.

when, in functionality, lighthouses are used to warn away from dangers like cliffs and jagged rocks and other hazardous terrain. it's not a goal post it's a warning sign to stay back and not approach

i'm not really going anywhere with this, it's just funny to see the figure and the functional so at odds lol

[baylardian-1]

guildmaster janeway???????????? 😳

[starswallowingsea]

its foggy as hell out right now and that means whenever a freighter comes through the passage they have to blow their fog horn every minute or so to make sure everyone is aware theyre there. its been jumpscaring me all day

[cursezoroark]

For personal reasons, Mona decided to call off from work in Reborn. This was an unusual circumstance, as they had peddled into fieldwork very smoothly over the past year. In an almost seamless manner, they handled paperwork signed by Adrienn with ease, or headed into New World with their boss, or scavenged ruined cities for any signs of PULSE.

Simply put, it was like they were made to work there. For everything to build up to this point, it was easy to fall into the pacing of work. So Mona hasn’t gone home since they were enlisted.

Until now.

Two weeks. Mercury was very generous, she gave two weeks to them as soon as they cracked open their worries to them. How it had been so long since they’ve actually hung out with their friends, or drank Tesla’s tea. At first, Mona wondered if this was out of their place to even consider asking, but-

“Am I to believe you don’t call your friends?” Mercury hummed, methodically tapping their fingers against the railing of the rooftop.

“No. I do. I catch up to them about their work, and their condition. They’re alright.” Mona replied, taking a sip of their coffee.

“Are they?” Mercury tilted their head. “That’s wonderful to hear. I heard Aevium is a lovely place, natural climate and all. Sunny beaches, the Grand Dream city, it sounds like…well, a dream.”

“It’s the best place on Earth.” Mona agreed. Content to let the conversation pass, they took another long sip of their coffee, before moving towards a spare trash can on their right.

“I might take a vacation there.”

Mercury’s voice cut through their movements, silky and smooth. Mona knew that tone of voice over the months, being dragged across regions by her command. And her commands were very unique, to say the least.

A wave of exasperation rolled through them quietly, before responding- “Is that our next fieldwork? If so, please notify Marble ahead of time.”

“It could be.” Mercury began tracing their fingers against along the railing, as if pondering. “But no. It’s just yours.”

Mona blinked. “Huh?”

“I want you to run a survey.” Mercury continued, almost ignoring Mona’s blatant confusion if not for the smirk on their face. “On every city and route in Aevium, go by them one by one, and talk to their leaders. Ask them about how life is, yknow?”

“And this is for?” Mona pressed further. You always had to with Mercury.

“Reputation, and like I said, surveillance.” Mercury replied. “You’re the Aevium champion, and you haven’t been in your region for more than a year? Tsk tsk. Shameful!”

But that’s your fault. Mona internally groaned, before shaking themselves out of it. This is their boss, and they’re reasonable 80% of the time. Yet, they couldn’t help the scowl that crossed their face, wounded from the insult.

“It’s been more than 3 years since Xenpurgis, and I want to know if the region is updated on their social development.” Mercury’s voice took on a heavier note, their fingers paused from their movement. Almost instantly, Mona went on alert. “If nothing is being progressed, and if life is similar to before the event, then simply put, something’s up. Any sort of change is a good sign.”

Mercury’s gaze never left Mona’s eyes, strong as much as it was demanding. “And I want to know what it could be. Any anomaly should be handled by us.”

“But…why me?” Mona questioned. “You could easily assemble a meeting. So quickly. You don’t need to send me over.”

“Because you know the land.” Mercury sniffed, as if it was obvious. “And I’m busy.”

That was bullshit. But Mona shrugged it off, fueled by the adrenaline of going home. Home. Where they could attend Amber and Venam’s concerts once again, drink Tesla’s tea, train with Aelita in Sheridan, try Ren’s cooking-

It was shockingly exhilarating. The coffee cup in their hand began to crinkle from the pressure they put.

“Right. Ok.” Mona blinked rapidly, finally releasing their grip on their cup into the trash can. “I’ll do it.”

“Of course.” Mercury sang-songed back. “You’ll be gone in 5 days. Prepare, and I’ll see you off. Send me reports and postcards.”

And with that said, Mercury turned away from the railings and headed down the stairwell. It was back to work.

This gave Mona a bit of time though, to revel in their excitement. Shakingly, they fumbled for their rotom-phone, quickly pacing through apps to reach their contacts, and swiping to a single number.

…

…

“Melia? Are you busy this week? Could you prepare a landing signal? I’m coming home.”

[bitsy83]

Seriously, if you have a few minutes, read this!

Keeper -- a short comic about an angel meeting a robotic lighthouse keeper that doesn't know the world has already ended. Made in about 18 hours for a 24-hour 24-page* black and white comic challenge (that I arrived late to, ha.)

*the actual submission does not include the cover, which was created after the fact for this post.

This was a really great learning experience as someone who's... never really made a completed comic. I ended up really attached to the story by the end of the project (possibly due to all-nighter deliriousness lol) and ultimately am very proud of what I made.There are some things I'd still like to change, particularly text placement, but in keeping with the spirit of the challenge I've elected to leave it as is.

[rabbitcruiser]

Jacques Cartier visited Newfoundland on May 10, 1534.

[vortexofadigitalkind]

The Scarcity Engine – Part 6 is live. Memories are being rewritten. Milla must choose what to keep and what to forget. Read now: vortexofadigitalkind.com/the-scarcity-engine-the-memory-hack #SpeculativeFiction #TheSignal #ScarcityEngine

[captainseamech]

Tags go brrrrrr part 2

[patheticbatman]

More Duke Thomas Hurt/comfort. This chapter is mostly hurt, more comfort to come later :)

[tunedtostatic]

The radio fog signal, which has come into actual use within the last three years [~1921-1924], in conjunction with the radio compass, is likely to prove one of the greatest advances yet made in providing aids for the guidance of mariners. The radio compass, also perfected in the last few years, is probably the most important navigational instrument provided for use on shipboard since the invention of the magnetic compass. The navigator is most in need of help during fog and thick weather. Of all the former aids and navigational instruments, there were available to him in time of fog only the sound signals of uncertain range and on which he could not take accurate bearings, the magnetic or gyroscopic compass, sounding devices, and the restricted use under fog conditions of visual aids. The radio compass and radio fog signal for the first time give the navigator a means of taking accurate bearings of fixed points or of other vessels, regardless of fog or weather conditions, and at much greater distances than are possible for sight bearings even in clear weather.

- Radio Fog Signals For The Protection of Navigation; Recent Progress (George R. Putnam, commissioner of the United States Lighthouse Service, 1924)

[aphroditesmoon]

smoke signals (part i)

lighthouse keeper!sevika x selkie!reader

summary: sevika is content with her life, the loneliness that comes with her job is inevitable. but then one day, as she reaches the peak of mundanity, almost turning towards insanity, you appeared. cold, quiet, clueless, sea-sent you, like a wish fulfilment for her.

warnings: selkie!reader, reader has selective mutism. soft!sev, sev curses a lot.

a/n: i promise the next part will be more interesting lol.

taglist: @lilredbird101 <3

PART 2 PART 3

---

Sevika must be dreaming. The air felt warmer today. Which was impossible. The air out here has always and will always be brutally cold. almost painful to the skin without a protective layer.

And yet today, she extends her arm out of the square hole carved on the rough tall walls of the tower and felt it, the slight heat coming from the outside wind, almost undetectable. But Sevika detected it. She never missed a thing.

Not a hard thing to do when you're forced to live in an isolated space on your own. Sure sometimes Vander and his daughters would make a trip in their old ragged boat with supplies or to help take her back to town to stock up, but those monthly visits move quickly. She would always regret not saying more, or looking longer once they'd bring her back after the trip.

Sevika decided she would cherish the little gift of warmth by the sun by going out to rest against the rusty railing and felt its light on her face. The wind was still incredibly chilly, but she adapted. Closing her eyes, her lids have painted her vision red as she lets out a slow somber sigh.

Most people think working here as a lighthouse keeper must be a gift. being able to stay so close to waters, the peace and tranquility that comes with it. And they aren't completely wrong.

Sevika isn't a people person, and so yes, she appreciated the silence. But sometimes it gets too much, too quiet. And when she reaches that point, she she could hear every tiny little noise the walls and the floorboards make and it drives her mad.

And it's worse when it's raining thunderstorms. The waves would lash out against the sky so strongly, she could've sworm she heard a voice calling for her from the sea.

But today, the weather is good, and the deep sinking feeling in her chest isn't as persistent as it usually is.

A loud but distant growling, lapping sound fills her eardrums. Sevika looked down and smiled at the source of the noise. The greyish, wide eyed seal from inside the water, greets her joyfull. The sight was so endearing, it had manage to warm the woman's solid heart.

Seals aren't completely a rare sight. Sevika has been working here for over a year, and has so far spotted them for about a few times now. They don't stay close or linger long, but are always an enjoyable company.

"Fancy seeing you here, little guy." Sevika yelled down, aware of the irony in referring the enlarged seal as "little."

The seal shook it's body as if agreeing before diving back unto the water, and jumping back out with a splash pulling a grin out of Sevika. "A show? All for me?" She joked with it, well entertained.

The adorable seal let out another growl-like squeal before it made its way back underneath the clear blue waters and disappeared from Sevika's line of sight.

The deep sinking feeling in her chest returned. She sighed tiredly. There goes her only friend.

Perhaps she'll spend her evening sketching again. She isn't exactly a connoisseur of art, but she was skilled enough for it to be a worthy hobby. Her bedside wall is filled with her little drawings of the seashells she had found, the lighthouse tower itself, the view of the sea from inside the window. She should add a seal to her collection, she thought.

Walking herself back into the enclosed space, Sevika decided that there wasn't really anything she could do about that hollow feeling inside of her chest. It was like a boulder that sat on top of all her other feelings. She would describe the feeling as, "it's like you're mourning all the could've beens and what have beens."

Climbing up the small staircase leading to her bedroom, she changed her mind back to the seals, letting the wide eyed creature's face dominates her thoughts.

---

It's 7:45 PM, her wristwatch read. Sevika shoved her sketches aside on her desk and gave herself a light slap on the face to wake herself up before she stood up and began walking downstairs.

She needed to cook something up for dinner. To eat and to have something warm in her arms again. If you thought the air in the afternoon is cold, then you'll never survive the air in the evening and night.

Sevika reached her small but sufficiant kitchen and began boiling herself some eggs to go with her rice. The meals here are repetitive, but you'd never catch her complaining. Almost everything she does is for survival, It wasn't necessary for her to like her routines, She simply had to live through them.

Once her boiled eggs were done, the scent of the food filled the whole tower and she felt her stomach growl in automatic response. She placed her meal on the small table and let herself take a peak outside the small window that served as a balcony.

It was already so dark out. The moonlight glowed down on her dark cheeks as she gazed up, counting on how many stars she could seek out.

Sevika dipped her head down, looking into the water and felt a small relief at stillness in tonight's waves.

She stayed for a while, simply watching the large empty space that's guarding her. And then as her eyes roam, she saw it. The long, white piece of fabric that clung to the rocks of her tower.

"What the hell." She muttered under her breath. There was something else next to it. A build. Something solid. But she wasn't able to see ot clearly in the dark, It seems to hide behind the rocks.

"Fuck me." Sevika groaned. She did not want to have to go out at this time, the blistering coldness was an ass to deal with. But then again, she had to admit, this was the most exciting her life have been. So she pushed herselff of the railing and scattered down the stairs towards the entrance.

Sevika shoved the heavy metal door as strong as she coulf until it opened and then shoved the large stone on the floor in between the space so it wouldn't close. She managed to stop herself from letting out another "fucking hell" as the wind struck her unprotected arms and moved as gastas she could.

"There you are." She mumbled to herself as she picked up the wet, soggy, white fabric up in her hands. It was heavy. The fur is thick, one of a real animal's, she figured. Slinging it over her shoulder, Sevika crouched down and used her arms as stability as she pushed her face further into the rocks in front of her to study the creauture that had landed in her space.

It's a woman. Sevika's heart dropped. This isn't good. An unknown woman appearing on her rocks, passed out, only meant one thing, death. How else would you explain being able to swim this far? Sevika placed two fingers on her neck, checking her pulse. It was beating, and that was enough for her.

Sevika kneeled on the rocks and used her long arms to pull the naked woman into her arms. One her waist is safely secured around her arms and onto her lap, Sevika forced herself up and made her way back inside, kicking the rock that held the door open with one feet, and entered inside with a loud bang from the door.

She carried her limo body to the bathroom, turning her around so she'd face the floor. With the woman's back against her front, she pushed to have her choke out the sea water that would nearly suffocate her lungs. It wasn't too late, there's a pulse, it cannot be too late. Sevika would not soend the rest of her month with a corpse.

She tried the cpr again, pushing onher chest over and over until finay, the woman jerked her head up and threw up clear water out of her lungs.

The movement was sudden and short lived, she turned limp again almost immediately. Sevika twisted her around and saw that her eyes are open, but was blurry with tears. The relief of air comes with chest pains and a headache, she's sure.

"It's alright. you're alright." She assured her, holding the woman close to her. She had gotten Sevika's long sleeved shirt completely wet, but that was the least of her priorities right now.

"Can you hear me?" Sevika asked, enunciating each word slowly. She remained dazed and confused, but Sevika saw how her eyes were following the movement of her mouth. "Blink twice if you can hear me." She tried again. No respond.

"Fucking hell." Sevika groaned. Maybe she didn't understand her. "Look." Sevika commanded. pointing towards her set of eyes. She then closed her eyes tightly and opened them widely. Again, she repeated the movements.The woman was accessing her properly, that she could tell.

Even with the confusion, she seem to be able to focus on her gaze. Sevika almost gave up completely on getting a reaction, until finally, she closed her eyes tightly. It remained closed for almost a minute, her heartbeat fastens as she waits. And then her eyes opened widely, staring right into Sevika's.

A small smile slips onto Sevika's face. "That works for me.'' She said.

---

You must be mute, Sevika thought as she sat on the edge of her bed, watching over your sleeping body.

Once she had helped clean you up and changed you into something more warm and suitable, you had fallen asleep quite easily on her soft sheets, your eyes seemed tired, and with how weak and cold ypur arms and legs seemed, Sevika could only assume that you had been swimming for god knows how long towards shore.

There's must've been a shipwreck somewhere, or maybe you fell of a boat, who knows? But there was no doubt that you had been in the water for hours.

She wished she had something stronger than the little candle on the bedside to keep you warm, but this is all she could afford to offer as of now.

You've been asleep for about 4 hours now. And she had been sat across you for exactly 4 hours too. She couldn't move. Another human to look after, she wasn't sure if its a blessing or a curse.

It isn't as if she's never seen a person before, but your presence has her feet locked on the spot for some reason. You looked so at peace in her small space, taking it up like it's her own. You had a face like no one she's met too. It was as if you've been pieced together by the goddess of beaity herself.

And even though Sevika didn't want to think of that, trying to avoid feeling perdatory or absurd, it's true. You were beautiful.

Sevika shook her head, freeing herself from further thoughts and slowly helped herself up. You would be hungry when you wake up, so she should cook something up for you.

A throaty groan escaped you, Sevika stops on her tracks and turnes hee head slowly towards you. She couldn't tell if it sounded like you were wailing or barking.

"Oh, hey." Sevika whispered out, shyly smiling at you.

You snorted loudly- very unladylike, and then sniffled. "Ah you've got the flu, don't you?" She wasn't expecting you to answer her, and you didn't.

"Well that's what happen when you go out for a swim for too long." She attempted to joke and laughed dryly. She hoped she didn't offend you, but your blank stare assured her that you were completely clueless.

She didn't wait for a response as she rushed to the kitchen to crack up some boiled eggs for you. There isn't much here but eggs, bread, jam, and boxed soup. But she figured it's not like you're in any position to complain.

Sevika walked quickly, she hadn't felt this sense of urgency for ages, the feeling of necessity pulling on her heart. She's never had company over, though she doubted her social skills would come in handy with a mute girl.

Rushing back upstairs with her neatly nade boiled eggs, Sevika was surprised to find you out of bed. She panicked when seeing that only a ruffled blanket was left in your place. She turned her head first towards the open window, as if afraid you might've jumped out.

But then she finally spotted you, huddled over her bags by the window, rummaging through it like a curious squirrel.

"You." She called out, in shock. "Back on the bed you wild creature." She placed the bowl on the bedside table and went for you swiftly, pulling you back by your arms.

You made a grunting noise, and flapped your arms strongly, trying to break free. Sevika was impressed by the sheer strength you have, she had barely left you for 5 minutes, and you're already on your feet, scavenging, or thieving, she wasn't sure.

"You sure know how to make yourself at home." She muttered loud enough for your ears as she dragged you back on the bed against your will.

You didn't fight back, though you scowled snd kept growling at her. like an angry puppy.

"You're in no condition to be whining. You should be glad I didn't leave you out to die, girl." She sternly

Once she had you sat back on the bed, she helped tuck you in safely under the blanket and picked up the bowl of food, bringinh it near to your face, you sniffed it and made a face of distaste. Sevika would be offended if she weren't already amused with your peculiarity.

"Don't knock it till you try it." She said and offered it to you again

This time, you opened her mouth as she fed a spoon to you. You winced at the texture and paused chewing for a bit before slowly continuing it. "Not bad, eh?" Sevika asks with a raised brow.

You scrunched up your nose as if you understood her and let her feed you the rest of the eggs. She knew it wasn't enough to fill you up, but she wanted to see how your stomach would reactl with a little food first. If it's been a while since you ate, then its most likely your guts would need some time to process food and get used to it again without nausea and pain.

Sevika also noticed that you were no longer as pale as when she first found you. Things went by quickly. She had expected you to still be in a weaker position as you had just woken up, but you are accepting your surroundings and condition pretty well.

There wasn't even a glimpse of panic in your eyes despite the fact that you're being fed some shitty boiled eggs by a stranger in a lighthouse. Either you were extremely calculative, or extremely naive. She was willing to bet on the latter.

"You will rest here tonight." She tells you as you kept eating, completely ignoring her.

"It'll be quite a few weeks before Vander's next trip here, and I don't have any other way to reach the outside world for now, so you'll have to accommodate." She continued. You paused your eating and looked up to her, locking gazes.

A small sign of acknowledgement in your eyes before you continued eating.

Sevika let out her 500th sigh of the day and nodded to herself. "Better than nothing." She tells herself.

Once you were finished, you slowly laid your head back on the pillow, visibly getting tired again. The irony isn't lost on Sevika. She's had you for less than 10 hours, and you were already filling up the role of a lazy housecat.

There were deep parts of her mind and heart that are pushing her to start interrogating you, figure out who you are and how'd you get here. But she didn't want to spook you, and either way, your only way out of this place isn't going to be here for a while.

Sevika stood up awkwardly and looked down and at your sleepy presence, unsure of what to do next while your eyes were already droopy. “We can talk tomorrow.” She spoke aloud, more towards herself than to you.

You gave her a smile that is so soft and subtle that she almost missed it, but she never misses anything. Giving you one last nod, she left the room to sleep by the rocking chair downstairs.