#NET community. Logging

[tinydefector]

Okay. You've got me invested on the newest installation of Human Effects.

Now I can't stop imagine both Humans and Mechs alike having some sort of Google Form where they click on the Human/Mech they want to fuck and see which is the most desired amongst their respective species.

Now that I think about it, I think there'll be a lot of fighting. And chaos.

But then again, we live for the drama.

Human Effects Lost Records

Wordcount: 1.5k

Warnings: talk of sex, human/alien, pornhunting

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Lab logs

Did I take this as an opportunity to merge Human effects and laboratory logs together into a series yes I did. I'll be working on the human Effects timeline where human Effects 2 is spin-off pieces from the mainline.

_____________________

The Holo, cyber and inter webs had a strange beauty to them. It has given many the ability to communicate with different planets, species, to share culture, laughter, debates, videos And all sorts thanks to the many different satellites floating out in space. Everyone also enjoyed it for the use of downtime the most. Some had taken to enjoying Earth's entertainment platforms such as YouTube, Netflix and many other sights, others fell into more depraved sights such as Reddit, Twitter,Tumblr, Pornhub, interlink, Processed and other sights. 

Commlink: post Humans Aboard BLO freight.

BigBotNoStop: Alright mechs, I come bearing an inquiry. As you may have heard from some of my last posts, the newest additions to our crew are a thriving colony of soft, squishy humans. Word in the taproom is some have taken quite an interest in... extending cultural exchanges, if you catch my drift. Not really my field of experience and was hoping some of Xeno's here might have some input. 

Posted to Sublink: Human and cybertronian relationships?

But I'm curious, are interspecies acts even possible without harm? Their frames seem so fragile. One wrong motion and SPLAT! No more humans. quite a few members of our crew have shown interest in flirting... Thoughts? Suggestions for how to proceed with care- help a mech out!

Blazemech: Yo! You got fleshies on your ship! Fragging jealousy!. Your ship is looking for any dock workers?

TailOrTrails: Oh Primus, are we really having this discussion?? Look, I get the appeal of those soft little flesh bags. Really, I do - different wiring can be so freakin' hot. But there's no way a romp with one of those puny things ends well for them! Even accidentally bumping into a table puts them in the medbay. Think of the mess, One wrong thrust and you've got squish all over your plating.

ISOCLEAN: Just download some holofacing and use your imagination if you're that jonesing for an organic interface. Trust me, it's not worth the risk - or hassle of cleaning up after. sure you can find something from the Human sites on Mechanophilia, slutty Show and shine or Car Washes. Stay shiny and keep those servos to yourself, mechs! Some curiosities are better left to fantasies.

Flyboi69: Don't leave a mech hanging, I want deets!, has anybot here actually gotten friendly with a fleshie before? I'm talking about hands-on experience. We've all gotten curious watching, but has the real thing lived up to the fantasy? 

Pimptheride: Any tips for coaxing one into the berth, or does their tiny size mean you've got to take it slow and gentle? And most importantly... any videos out there of the deed? A mech's gotta do some, ah, research before taking the plunge. Hook a brother up if you've found any good amateur organic-on-mech action out there in the 'net. Gotta see it to believe it. 

ScienceSorcerer: For reasons. Does anyone know if humans have both Spikes and Valves? Or if they have any human anatomy holos or books and such from Earth they are willing to sell for some decent Shanix.  

T-Wrexz: Primus, you mechs are hungrier than fragging scraplets. As far as I know, relations between our kinds are still uncharted territory. Could be amazing, could end badly - who's to say until we try? Personally I'm keeping an optic out, just curious to see what new experiences those squishy aliens can offer us tough metal mechs. 

Bar-rizzla: Oho, look who's swapping tall tales. I've been keeping a close optic on our ships squishy company since they came aboard. And between you and me... I may have an in with their ambassador that could lead to some juicy first-hand intel. Just trying to track down the bot we think they are berthing with. Crews got bets out. Turns out they get just as curious about us big metal hunks as we are them!. The other night, their chat got particularly saucy after a few drinks. Lots of gossip and speculation about which lucky bot one of them might take for a private ride. 

WPHAS-Violation: I may have a certain special "human entertainment" vid I could share. Let's just say the organic in question got quite... friendly with an eager mini-con. You know where to find me if you're brave enough to watch! 

Tapemix54: Oho, mechs - think you've got it bad now? You should've seen some of the real deviants back before the war. When I was still stationed on Petrex, I knew this one smuggler - went by the name Rattler. Sneaky little scraplet, but Primus if he didn't have the wildest stories. Rattler used to run goods across time and space, dodging security at every turn. He'd pop up out of nowhere selling the rarest exotic "pets" to rich senators and other high caste mechs looking for a thrill. I'm talking aliens so bizarre even our data banks had never heard of their kind. But the highest bidder always walked away with a new "plaything" to break in, if you catch my drift. Word was Rattler even had a collection of sentient organics that he'd let special clients "test drive" between runs. Humans were apparently a favourite - their smaller frames could take all sorts of creative handling. Rattler had vids, too, of course, to entice buyers. I saw one once, let's just say "versatile" doesn't begin to cover it. Naturally the vids have all been scrubbed by now. But I bet if you knew where to dig in the deep web or some easily swayable Archivist, you might find traces of Rattler's stash still floating around out there.

 T-Wrexz: Whoa, whoa, slow your intake there tapemix! As much as I love a good far-fetched tale, I gotta call scrap on this one. Humans weren't even around back then, much less roaming the streets of Rodion as black market pets, I'm all for imagining exotic interface scenarios, but let's keep the stories at least somewhat rooted in known history, yeah?. Last I checked it was probably fabricated by Caminus cartels to make their actual goods seem tame. 

A few other mechs agree with T-Wrexz before a few kliks later a new post is put up. 

Post: 

"Old Iacon records saved of the Senator and his human Conjunx”

It's a file collection of holotapes and pictures: "Enjoy these are pre war photos of Senator Shockwave and his Human holding their sparkling" 

There are many holos and videos of the long gone senator smiling with his human perched on his shoulder, in the crystal garden with a young sparkling held in the human's arms. Videos of the sparkling playing with the two but the last The last holo looks like a family portrait with Shockwave’s frame in a lime green blue white paint with gold accessories,  his human lover is dressed in elegant robes and the small blue praxian sparkling held in their arms. Each holo is dated with the Iacon records seal of authentication. 

FlyBoi69: NO FREAKIN' WAY. Is this real?! *downloads files faster than Blurr* FRAG ME SIDEWAYS, I think I just popped a gasket! How in the PIT did you manage to dig up the holos of senator Shockwave, most of his speeches, debates and lectures were wiped. Where did you find this! 

Jackin0: of all mechs, with an actual human back in the Golden Age?!. I'm calling scrap on this being real. It's gotta be a flawless deepfake. By PRIMUS if true - to think ol' Shockers was living it up with a squishy. Maybe there's more to those Senatorial types than meets the optic...

T-Wrexz: Okay, I'll bite... but someone better explain to me RIGHT NOW how any of this computes! Last I checked, time travel and inter-species relationships were the stuff of erotic imagination, not legitimate pre-war archives. Tapemix, you better start talking. Where in the PIT did you source these files? How do we know they're authentic and not just an incredibly convincing parlour trick? Because if I'm gonna let these images ruin me, I wanna be ruined by the real deal! Spill it, mech. 

Iacon-Records: Tapemix54 could i please request where you discovered these as i work with Iacon records and this here is history that needs to be preserved. I'm willing to talk with you through a contractor if you would be willing for us to add these back into the new hall of records. Cybertron has lost so much and to find something like this I ask that we find a way to preserve it.  

BigBotNoStop: Pit take me now... I think I may have to reassess everything I thought I knew about interface and partnerships. That human is holding a sparkling curled around them - frag if it isn't the most beautiful thing I've ever seen! If anything could make me believe in miracles, it's this! Tapemix, you glorious glitch - how can I ever repay such an enlightening gift?

Tapemix54: These were filed only cycles after Shockwaves Emputra; they were added to the Iacon records by some Archivist under the title. 'I will Remember you for who you were'. This was right when the senate fell apart on the brink of the war. From my knowledge of information on Rattler he apparently had an outlier who he got to take them to different times since he was a shuttle made it easier to transport. That's from the  records that still exist at least. I'll take you up on that offer Iacon-records. 

________

photos in the collection

_____________

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[rjzimmerman]

Grist doesn't have a paywall, so if you want to read this story, just do the click/tap routine on the caption. The story is long, informative and important. I never considered how integrated our food system has to be (and has been) and how destructive trump's approach is.

Excerpt from this Grist story:

Despite its widespread perception, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is involved in much more than farming. The federal agency, established in 1862, is made up of 29 subagencies and offices and just last year was staffed by nearly 100,000 employees. It has an annual budget of hundreds of billions of dollars. Altogether it administers funding, technical support, and regulations for: international trade, food assistance, forest and grasslands management, livestock rearing, global scientific research, economic data, land conservation, rural housing, disaster aid, water management, startup capital, crop insurance, food safety, and plant health. 

In just about 100 days, President Donald Trump and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins have significantly constrained that breadth of work. 

Since Trump’s inauguration, the inner workings of the agency have been in a constant state of flux — thousands of staffers were terminated only to be temporarily reinstated; entire programs have been stripped down; and a grant freeze crippled state, regional, and local food systems that rely on federal funding. 

What’s more, the USDA has broadly scrapped Biden-era equity and climate resilience scoring criteria from dozens of programs across multiple subagencies by banning language like “people of color” and “climate change,” and tightened eligibility requirements for food benefits. The agency has also announced the cancellation of environmental protections against logging to ramp up timber production, escalated trade tensions with Mexico, eradicated food safety processes like limiting salmonella levels in raw poultry, and begun rolling back worker protections in meat processing plants.  

In order to report on the full scope of the downstream impacts of these actions, Grist interviewed farmers, food businesses, and agricultural nonprofits across seven states about what the first 100 days of the administration has looked like for them. Nearly all of them told Grist that the agriculture department’s various funding cuts and decisions, as well as the moves to shrink its workforce capacity, have changed how much trust they have in the agency — and, by extension, the federal government. 

Food policy analysts and experts throughout the nation also told Grist that this swift transformation of the USDA is unprecedented.

“Multiple parts of our food systems are now under attack,” said Teon Hayes, a policy analyst at the Center for Law and Social Policy. At the same time, food prices and overall costs of living are continuing to rise. The result, she fears, will be escalating hunger and poverty, which will “come at the expense of Black and brown communities, immigrants, and other historically marginalized groups.”

Elizabeth Lower-Basch, who served on the USDA Equity Commission during the Biden administration, called the decisions made by the USDA in the last 100 days “deeply disheartening” and “unprecedented, even when you compare it to the last Trump administration.” 

It is of significant consequence to note that the money being withheld from grant programs isn’t merely not being spent. Experts say the agency is taking support away from local and regional food systems while at the same time showering industrial agricultural operations with billions of dollars, eliminating nutrition safety nets, and rolling back environmental protections. How will this change the fabric of the nation’s food supply? 

As Rollins and Trump charge forward in undoing how the federal government has long supported those who grow and sell our food, and climate change continues to deepen inequities and vulnerabilities in that very supply chain, one thing is obvious: The USDA, and the communities that rely on it, won’t look the same once they’re done.

[thr0wnawayy]

Chapter 429 has been my Dabi's Dance

I can't stop smiling.

I wanted to start off by saying thank you. Not to Hori, but to you all. Every last one of you in these tags for your contributions. Be it analysis, re-reads, fan works or simply your perspectives. I look forward to seeing what you will make in the future.

So, Thank you.

I suppose I should start at the beginning. MHA was always in the background of my life and I hated it. I don't watch anime and yet still MHA related media would make it's way onto my socials in all it's obnoxious forms. This went on for years.

And then suddenly, it stopped. It seemed like MHA's craze had died down, I'd still see it from time to time through merchandise but never to the consistency it had prior.

That was until Dabi's Dance was published and the net went wild.

I knew a few things about Endeavor from my past exposure, he was universally hated and abused his kids and wife (to the point she scalded her son in a fit of psychosis).

Deciding I had nothing better to do, I found myself searching to see what kind of consequences would befall such a monstrous character.

Would he fall like Icarus, be torn apart by the public, how would the family he ruined react to the news?.

And then, nothing. No punishment, no reaction. Just dead air.

I recall that my face dropped internally. My blank expression mirrored my phone screen's sterile nature, as it displayed the information in front of me.

He got away with it. So I did some digging and it got so much worse.

Bakugo's evasion of any consequences or damages, coddled and shielded by Hori's inability to go through on anything.

Hawks who murdered a near crippled man on a hypothesis, for the mere crime of having the "wrong" quirk, for not giving up, for being "unlucky"

Aizawa, Hori's little mouthpiece. who decides to play judge, jury and executioner with the futures of students he's supposed to be teaching. Only for the Nedzu and the narrative to allow him, his friends turned into lapdogs that agree to the letter.

The Commission who strive to keep theirrotting husk of a system alive through assasins, child soldiers and indoctrination.

Even if it's gears must be lubricated with blood, even if it means lying to the world and having them clean up the mess. They MUST stay on top, the illusion must be upheld.

I just couldn't fathom how this was seen as a good thing.

And somewhere along the way I began to feel something akin to hate. Not your typical ire, one powered by anger, no.

I wanted to see how low Hori would go, just how horrifically he would mangle a series that everyone had once praised.

I wanted to witness what wonders a jaded community would create, to show what they were capable of (to create and understand MHA in a manner Hori wishes he could even emulate a fraction of)

I wished to see your own expressions of love and hatred.

The thought of witnessing the breaking point, the dust settling to expose all the glaring flaws and infested wounds of MHA. It buzzed in my brain like electricity.

The idea that when all was said and done, you, the people would do what Hori couldn't/wouldn't and forge the bones and salvagble bits of MHA into a story worth remembering.

One where abusers are punished for their crimes instead of rewarded

Where victims can have a voice, feel and grow, carve their own paths and move forward from their trauma.

Where the implications of MHA's rotting and disingenuous society get explored instead of swept under the rug

Where people get a chance.

I waited eagerly for the day it would all fall apart.

So, do you know what I did when I logged onto the tag and saw your posts!?.

I laughed, the shrill giggle in the back of my throat quickly surging into an almost manic cackle. It was like lightning, vindicating and sobering all at once. My face was stretched to it's absolute limits with how wide my grin was. I could almost hear the shattering of MHA's last bit of integrity and I loved it.

The realization MHA's greatest threat was the author himself, It's one that I grasped long ago (as far back as the Dark Dekiru Arc) and I'm sure most of you understood this as well.

But to see that more of you are starting to get it, to realize there's no going back. That as the curtains draw near and the lights begin to dim, there is no other side here. Violence begets violence and Hori's gone past the event horizon.

It feels, hopeful. Perhaps we can build something worth saving.

It's been a wild ride so far and it's still ongoing. Hori's time is long over, it has been for a while now, so I suppose what I'm asking Is:

Now It's Your Turn, what's your play?

_______________________________________

Update:

IT'S FINALLY HAPPENING!

[xomakara]

Game On, Love

(re-posting from my old account seulrinnie-rinrin/xomakara-secondary)

SUMMARY | Yunho's a gamer and so are you. In fact, you're both so good at it, you reach top rankings in international competitions, and that's how you notice each other. But romance is more than a game—or is it?

PAIRING | Yunho x Reader

GENRE/CONTENT/WARNINGS | gamer!Yunho, gamerl!Reader, smut (with some plot), literally just pure unadulterated filthy smut, consensual sex, vaginal sex, unprotected sex (wrap it up y'all), fingering, dirty talk, pet names (little one, etc), praise kink

RATING | Mature, Explicit, 18+, NSFW, MDNI

LENGTH | 4.642 words

TAGLIST |  --

NETWORKS |  @cromernet (reuploaded so only tagging nets that haven't reblogged it yet)

AUTHOR’S NOTE | Hi, hello~ 👋 thanks @yessa-vie and @yourlocaljonghoe for beta reading this (and loving it 💚). Love you much and I hope you all like it! Comment, like, reblog, anything would be greatly appreciated~

ATEEZ Main Masterlist

As the weekend sun streams through your window, you wake up with a sense of warmth and anticipation. Today marks the beginning of the international gaming competition you've been eagerly preparing for. Feeling a surge of adrenaline, you get out of bed and head to the kitchen to brew your morning coffee. The rich aroma of the brewing coffee fills the air, wrapping you in a sense of comfort and steadying your nerves as you take your first sip.

You've got your coffee in hand as you sit at your computer desk. The soft padding of your gaming chair provides comfort as you boot up your system. As you log into the tournament, you feel your heart rate quicken as the reality of the competition sinks in. Players from every corner of the globe gather in this virtual arena, all eager to showcase their talent and claim the top prize. But you're confident. You've dedicated yourself to this, honing your skills daily, and now it's time to let your talent shine.

The early rounds pass in a blur of concentration and precision. You move through them with ease, your strategies paying off as you adapt to the playstyle of each new opponent. As you progress, a name starts to stand out: Yunho. He's a fellow competitor from your region, and you can't help but notice his impressive performance. Curious, you decide to observe one of his matches.

Yunho, with his striking appearance and intense focus on the camera, effortlessly defeats his opponents with his skill. Although his confidence may come across as arrogant, it's this very quality that captivates you. His movements are smooth and captivating, drawing you in. Before you realize it, you find yourself seeking out his matches, eager to witness more of his undeniable talent.

As you advance in the tournament, the online community buzzes with speculation about a potential showdown and the rivalry between you and Yunho. Little do they know that your interest in Yunho goes beyond his gaming skills.

Intrigued, you decide to do some digging. You learn that Yunho is a force to be reckoned with. With his dark hair and piercing dark eyes, he exudes an air of mystery. Blessed with height and a toned build, he certainly stands out. There's an intensity to him, a fiery focus that translates into lightning-fast reflexes, and a strategic mind that predicts his opponents' every move. But it's the contrast between his confident gaming persona and his unknown real-life self that fascinates you the most.

Then, finally, your paths collide. It's the semi-final round, and the anticipation is palpable. You and Yunho are pitted against each other in a best-of-three series, and the winner will secure a spot in the grand finals.

In the first game, the tension is high as you both adapt to each other's strategies. Your persistence pays off as you ultimately clinch the first game, taking the lead. During the break before the second game, you feel a sense of respect for your opponent and look forward to continuing the competition.

"Great game," Yunho types in the chat, his avatar giving a casual nod. "Let's see if you can keep up that level of play."

There's a hint of teasing in his words, challenging you to rise to the occasion once more.

You stretch your arms over your head, fingers laced, feeling the satisfying pop of your spine as you reply, "Just enjoying the warm-up. I'm ready for more."

You emphasize the last word, knowing full well that this friendly rivalry is sparking something special.

"Good. Let's get back in the game," he says, his avatar nodding once more before returning to his seat.

The match resumes, and the two of you continue your battle for dominance. Yunho brings his A-game, demonstrating why he's earned his place among the tournament's elite. He evens the series, claiming the second game as his own and setting the stage for an epic conclusion. As the third game loads, you take a moment to gather yourself. This is it—the moment that could decide your fate in this tournament. You steel your resolve, determined to leave it all on the digital battlefield. The game becomes a fierce battle of wits and endurance, with both of you refusing to yield. The match stretches into overtime, each of you landing blows, but neither willing to concede defeat.

At some point, your motivation changes. It's no longer just about winning; it's about impressing this mysterious opponent who has gained your attention and respect. You want to show Yunho that you are a formidable presence both in and out of the game.

And impress him, you do. In a stunning upset, you manage to eke out the victory, claiming the third game and the series.

"Congratulations," Yunho types. "I guess I'll see you in the finals."

He's not bitter or angry, and the sincerity of his message warms your heart.

"Thanks, and yes, you will. See you there." You return his message with a smile.

Elation courses through you, but there's a hint of disappointment as your encounters with Yunho come to an end. Throughout the semifinals, you've become accustomed to the thrilling rivalry and the unspoken connection you shared.

As you advance to the final round, your thoughts drift back to Yunho. He was a formidable opponent, one who challenged and inspired you, and you can't help but feel the absence of his presence. Perhaps if you meet him again...

Your daydream about a possible encounter is interrupted by the buzz of your phone. Glancing at the screen, you see a notification from the tournament. It's an invitation from Yunho for a private voice call. You accept, feeling excited and curious about why he's reaching out. The call connects, and a deep voice comes through the speakers.

"Hello, stranger," his voice was smooth and playful. The sound sent a shiver down your spine. "Congratulations on making it to the finals."

"Thanks," you replied, hoping he couldn't hear the tremor in your voice. "I'm surprised you reached out. Aren't you afraid of the competition getting into your head?" You teased, unable to resist poking fun at him.

He chuckles with a deep, melodious sound that causes your heart to flutter. "I'm up for a little friendly competition," he says.

You pause for a moment, carefully weighing your next words. "Well, maybe we can spar off-camera then," you suggest, hoping he picks up on the hint of flirtation in your tone.

"I'd like that," he said sincerely. The promise of an intimate encounter sent a rush of heat through you. You made plans to meet up after the final match, feeling anticipation building at the prospect of getting to know him better.

As the conversation comes to a natural end and the call disconnects, you can't help but smile. Yunho has captured your attention, and you can't wait to see where things go.

The grand finals are a whirlwind of cutthroat competition and tactical maneuvers. Driven by your ambition to secure the top spot, you bring your absolute best to every match. It's a battle for the ages, and in the end, your determination pays off. You're crowned the champion, and the elation is almost enough to drown out the bittersweet realization that your encounter with Yunho has come to an end.

Almost.

But there's a silver lining: you and Yunho have decided to meet in person.

When the day comes, you're feeling very nervous. What will it be like to finally meet the person you've been chatting with? You've seen what they look like on camera. You try to stay calm as you wait, but the suspense is almost unbearable.

Finally, you see him approaching. He is tall and you knew he was handsome because you talked to him virtually. You can't help but notice his long fingers as he adjusts the cuffs of his shirt, the movement revealing a glimpse of his muscled forearms.

"It's a pleasure to meet you in person," he says, his voice as smooth and inviting as you remember. "I knew you were pretty on camera, but you're even more beautiful in person."

"You too." You're thankful for your steady voice, even as your heart races at his proximity.

"I'll be honest, I've thought about you a lot since the tournament," he admits. "I'm glad we finally have a chance to meet."

Your cheeks flush at his admission, and you can't help but reciprocate the sentiment. "Me too," you say, your gaze never leaving his.

The tension between you is electric, and as the conversation flows easily, it's clear there's something special between you.

"Can I take you to dinner?" he asks, his hand reaching for yours, and the touch is enough to send a jolt of desire through you.

"Yes," you say, knowing there's no turning back. You're already committed.

Dinner is a blur of delicious food, intriguing conversation, and a growing sense of intimacy. Yunho's charming, and you can't stop stealing glances at him as you eat. With each moment spent in his company, you feel closer to him, drawn to his magnetic personality and effortless confidence.

"So, tell me more about yourself," Yunho says, leaning forward, his eyes intense. "What do you like? What turns you on?"

"Hmmm..." You took a sip of your drink. "Why do you want to know?"

His lips curve into a sinful grin as he slides an arm along the back of your chair, his body angled toward you. "Call it...curiosity."

You take a sip of your drink, feeling the warmth of his skin radiating through you, and heat pulses in your veins. You've never been so forward, but there's something about Yunho that makes you want to be honest.

"Well," you begin, your voice soft. "I like whispers, gentle touches. But I also enjoy a little roughness. It's a contrast, I guess. I like to feel desired."

A slow, sexy smile spreads across Yunho's face, and he leans closer, his voice lowering to a whisper. "I think I can help you with that. I love a woman who knows what she wants. And I have a feeling you and I are going to have a lot of fun together."

His words send a shiver down your spine, and you feel yourself getting wet. You take a bold step forward, reaching out to trace his strong jawline with your fingertips.

"What about you?" you ask, looking into his dark eyes. "What do you like?"

Yunho looks down at you, a teasing gleam in his gaze. "That's a dangerous question, little one."

You arch a brow, challenging him. "Don't tell me you're afraid."

His lips tilt up into a crooked smile, the dimples in his cheeks flashing. "Hardly," he murmurs, his voice a silky purr.

You feel a spark of delight at his words, and the confidence in his voice ignites a fresh surge of arousal through your body. The air between you crackles, and you let your gaze run down his body, admiring the lean muscles hidden beneath his tailored clothes. He's everything you imagined and more, and you want nothing more than to take him home and explore all his hidden talents.

"All right, little one, challenge accepted," he murmurs. A shiver of excitement races down your spine. "How about we have a game of our own, just the two of us?"

His gaze burns through you, and you can't seem to tear your eyes away from his. The atmosphere is tense with arousal and promise, and all you want is a chance to discover just how good you both might be at playing together.

"You're on," you reply with a sexy smirk. Your body's trembling in anticipation. The raw, sexual attraction is there. Now, it's a question of who's going to initiate it. You'll bet it's going to be him.

The dinner is done and so is the playful flirting. But the night's still young. You want to let the real you play. That is if he's able and willing to rise to the occasion. The arousal pumping through your veins gives you the boldness you need to slide your foot along the taut length of his thigh. And with a smoldering stare, you ask him, "Should we play at my place or yours?"

Yunho responds by laying his card on the table and signaling to the waiter. You're only too happy to pay as the two of you leave the restaurant to continue this little adventure elsewhere. The destination? Well, it doesn't matter. You only care about the journey. And if the sexual tension is this electrifying on the short ride home, then you're eager for what's to come.

The cab seems to take forever to reach Yunho's apartment, but finally, you're stepping inside, the door clicking shut behind you. You waste no time, turning to face him and pressing your body against his. You feel his desire for you, hard and insistent, and it fuels your own need.

His hands are on your waist, pulling you closer, and your lips find him in a hungry kiss. You taste the beer he was drinking earlier, and you moan into his mouth, wanting more. His tongue tangles with yours, and his hands move lower, cupping your ass and lifting you slightly so you can feel just how much he wants you.

You break the kiss, gasping for air. He takes the opportunity to trail kisses along your jaw, down your neck, and onto the sensitive skin of your collarbone. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do this," he whispers, his hot breath sending shivers down your spine.

"Then don't hold back," you plead, arching your neck to give him better access. "Take what you want."

With a growl, he lifts you, wrapping your legs around his waist as he carries you towards the bedroom. The slight roughness of his actions sends a thrill through you, and you tighten your legs around him, pulling him closer.

He kicks the bedroom door closed with his foot and lays you gently on the bed, his eyes burning with desire as he looks down at you. Slowly, he begins to undress you, kissing and caressing every bit of skin he reveals. He takes his time, teasing you with soft touches and gentle whispers, contrasting it with the rough hunger in his eyes.

You can't take it anymore; you need to feel him. You tug at his shirt, pulling it over his head and running your hands over his toned chest. He leans down to capture your lips again. It sends a wave of desire coursing through you, and you pull him closer, needing to feel his weight on you.

His hands are in your hair, holding you still as he dominates the kiss. He leaves no part of your mouth unclaimed, exploring every inch with his lips and tongue. He pulls back slightly and meets your gaze, his eyes dark and intense. "I want to make you come undone, make you lose yourself in pleasure," he whispers, and you whimper in response.

He leans down, his lips tracing a path across your collarbone to your shoulder. Your hands clench on his biceps, feeling the solid muscle under his skin. His fingers caressed your skin, finding all the secret places that make you gasp. "You're so perfect," he whispers.

Yunho looks down at you as his finger trails down to your navel. The suddenness of his movement causes a gasp. A subtle smirk forms across Yunho's gorgeous face, but then the next moment, you feel his fingers trailing lower and lower as they reach the juncture of your thighs.

"Please..." You let out a groan when his finger is almost hovering over your clit.

You want his mouth on yours; his hands, his body, his breath, his everything. You crave his attention—not only during the daytime but also during the night. But you don't know if he wants the same; if this is just a game for him like all the other tournaments or something more... You know he enjoys the challenges you bring, and you do too.

Your breath stutters. The sensation of his finger resting there is enough to send jolts of pleasure running through you, and yet he hasn't even made proper contact.

"Look how wet you are for me," he whispers, his voice sending another ripple of pleasure through you. "I love hearing the way I affect you, the way you gasp and moan for me."

His finger made contact with you, and your entire body shuddered from the contact.

"Is this what you want?" he asks, his thumb stroking slow, torturous circles around your clit. "Want my fingers inside you, making you come apart for me?" He slips one long digit inside you, and you arch your back at the sensation.

You bite your lip hard. It feels so good, so damn right, but the sensations aren't quite enough to push you over the edge.

"Not enough, am I?" He teases, pumping in and out of you with his finger, and you can't suppress the whimper that escapes.

"More," you plead.

"Beg for it," he says, his gaze never leaving yours.

You open your mouth to retort, and he quickly slips in another finger, plunging deeper inside you and forcing all coherent thoughts from your mind.

"Yes," you groan, shamelessly grinding against his fingers. "Fuck Yunho. Your fingers—god—you know exactly what I want, exactly what I need."

Your words spur him on, he adds a third finger and curls them perfectly, hitting the spot that makes you see stars. God, you knew his fingers were good. Knew that all the hours of playing games would mean he was damn near skilled at playing your body.

But you want more. So. Much. More.

"Please," you gasp, grabbing at his arms, and feeling the hard muscle beneath his smooth skin.

"Begging already? Such a good girl." He leans in close, his lips ghosting over yours as his fingers pump in and out of you with a relentless, steady rhythm that's sending sparks shooting down your spine.

"For someone who won the tournament...it looks like you're losing this game right now. Any last words before I claim my prize?" He taunts, his dark eyes never leaving yours.

Before the tournament, you didn't even know each other, but after many games against each other, and countless interactions after every victory, you learned some things about Yunho and he, too, became interested in you.

"If you want a prize, all you have to do is ask," you say. "I mean you did make it to the semi-finals."

He laughs softly, the sound rumbling through you, his fingers continuing their steady pace, not once relenting the intensity.

"A consolation prize, then," he murmurs, bringing his lips back to brush against the soft shell of your ear. His free hand moves to grasp your hip, holding you firmly in place while he increases the speed of his fingers, his thumb never missing a beat on your clit.

It's too much. You cry out, clutching his shoulders and pulling him closer, desperate to feel him, all of him, against your body.

"Come for me, little one," he commands, his lips finding your neck and sucking on the sensitive skin just below your ear. "Come all over my fingers and show me how much you like losing to me."

His words send you spiraling over the edge. You clench around his fingers, his thumb keeping up a maddening pressure on your clit. Pleasure flows through you, rolling over you in waves and drowning your senses until you're a panting, blissful mess.

Yunho removes his hand and slowly licks your juices off, one finger at a time. Fuck. He's a total show-off, but you can't help watching. After all, he's a gamer in a broad sense; that skill carries to the bedroom.

When he finishes cleaning off his fingers, he leans down and licks your dripping folds. You flinch a little, overly sensitive, but he grips your hips tight and doesn't let you move away.

"So fucking sweet," he says against your slick center, his gaze fixed on your face. You groan, heat rushing to your cheeks. The attention makes you feel vulnerable, and exposed, but also hot as hell.

Your toes dig into the mattress and your back arches. When he drags his tongue up to tease your clit, your hands instinctively reach out to bury your fingers in his hair. Your grip is tight, but he doesn't seem to mind. He presses harder against you, pushing his tongue inside, before swirling around your entrance.

You're a mess. You're close. Again. This man knows what he's doing. He keeps at it with that talented tongue, sucking and nibbling your flesh until you're trembling, right on the edge. "Fuck, Yunho! Please..."

His laugh rumbles deep in his chest, a sensation that echoes throughout your core. His hands trail down your sides, feather-light and teasing, until his palms finally rest on your outer thighs. The weight is comforting, the contact enough to ground you as your pleasure threatens to drag you away.

Yunho pulls back and rests his chin between your thighs. He looks so fucking gorgeous, you don't know whether to strangle him or beg him to stay between your legs forever. You meet his gaze, your lips swollen and red from the kisses and nips he gave you.

"Play with me, Y/N," he murmurs. The playful tone sends sparks flying through your nerves.

"Game start," you whisper, a grin stretching your lips.

"Last chance to walk away," he warns. He doesn't need to threaten. There was no chance you'd give this up. Not now, not after everything you went through.

"Shut up and fuck me, loser." You laugh.

That's all the incentive he needed. Yunho's lips pressed against yours. You could taste yourself on his lips, the musky sweetness making your toes curl and heat pool low in your belly. You pulled away with a laugh, staring at him through glazed eyes.

"Can't say I'm not eager." His laughter was like music. "Now, spread those pretty thighs of yours. Let me see how ready you are for this gamer to win this game. Ain't no way I'm losing to you again."

His words heated your core as he began to grind against your entrance. You groaned at the friction. He felt so goddamn good against you, his hardness dragging against your clit and coating the length of him in your essence. It was getting harder and harder to think, especially with him looking at you with his lust-filled eyes, knowing the effect he was having on you.

"Fuck, you feel good." Yunho closed his eyes, sliding into your pussy without warning. You clenched around him, whimpering as he stretched you perfectly. He let out a sharp groan, rocking his hips slowly against yours. "Always knew we'd be good together like this."

"Didn't think…fuck…that we'd get here," you gasped out, pressing yourself against his thick length and enjoying the way his thrusts rubbed against that spot that made stars explode behind your eyes. "Fuck, you're so big, Yunho. Gonna fucking fill me with that fat cock and claim your prize."

"Going to fucking cream yourself all over me. And then I'm going to pin you down and do it all again." His words made you tighten around him, dragging another groan from his mouth as you squeezed his cock.

Yunho shifted his grip on your hips and moved to pin your hands above your head. "Gonna claim that tight little pussy. Every inch of me is going to be imprinted in your memory. So get ready, my little gamer."

You could barely form the words to retort as he pounded into you. The sounds of your lovemaking filled the room, the two of you working in sync to bring yourselves to the brink of orgasm. You were close, so close to release. Just a few more hard thrusts, and then—

His thrusts slowed down, and the change was nearly enough to drive you crazy. 

"Stop fucking teasing," you whined.

"Game's not done," he answered, nipping at your jaw. "How many rounds are we playing tonight, my little gamer?"

"A lot. Fuck, a lot." The pleasure coursing through you is unlike any gaming session you've had, and you can't get enough.

He fucks like a god, his hips snapping with precision and his mouth on every inch of you he can get his hands on. When he groans out a particularly loud moan, you know he's getting close.

"That's right," he gasps. "Keep on squeezing, little one. Can't wait to feel this perfect cunt wrapped around my cock as you scream my name, soaking the both of us."

"Don't... stop," you breathe. It's just too fucking good. You're writhing and shuddering beneath him, chasing your orgasm and determined to keep going until he's spent.

"Never gonna fucking stop." He grabs your ass and rocks you forward, the motion nudging his length to rub against your g-spot. The pleasure intensifies and it's all you can do not to scream at him to keep fucking you, hard and fast. You claw at his shoulders and clench around him, wanting to milk every last drop of cum out of that huge cock he's buried deep inside you.

It's all the incentive he needs. Yunho moans and kisses your neck, your cheek, your collarbone, and then finally, his mouth is on yours, capturing your tongue and teasing the soft flesh there. His thrusts are quick, forceful, and utterly breathtaking. You don't ever want him to stop.

"God, fuck, Yunho." You bury your face into the crook of his neck, teeth sinking in and scraping at his flesh. He lets out a shuddering groan, his hold on your ass tightening as he pins you to the mattress and continues his brutal assault on your body.

"C'mon, cum all over my cock. Let me feel you," he groans, his teeth pressing into the skin on your neck. "Can you do it, little one? Can you cream that pretty little pussy on my dick?"

You whimper and cling tighter to him. "Fuck... Yunho, I'm—"

He cuts you off before you can finish.

"That's it, Y/N..." he purrs, pressing a kiss to your neck and holding you tighter. "You're gonna be dripping for days after we're finished tonight... and that's only the start. We've got plenty more rounds planned, remember? Make sure to come nice and loud for me, okay?" 

With a loud gasp, you throw your head back and cry his name. "Yunho!"

Your fingers scrabble against his back as he buries his length deep, your entire body wracked with tremors. He moans into your neck and whispers his encouragements as you spasm around his throbbing cock, cum running down the insides of your thighs and soaking the sheets. He doesn't let up, grinding his dick against your cervix and sending aftershocks of pleasure coursing through you as you continue your rapturous embrace. 

As you float down from your post-orgasm haze, you can only repeat one thing, "Yunho..."

He kisses you once more, smiling against your lips and panting slightly. "How does my little champion feel?"

"Like a fucking winner," you tell him. "Is this what first place feels like? 'Cuz shit... I could get used to this."

"Round two's starting soon," Yunho growls, pumping into you again, his cock hard once more. "Think you can take it, little one?"

You hold back a smirk as you pull him down for a long kiss. You don't mind giving in, just this once if you're going to get some mind-blowing rewards. Besides, the first-place spot is yours for the taking, and that includes this sexy gamer, Yunho.

Game on.

[do-you-have-a-flag]

with this fanfiction. net scare and people having to make their fics on ao3 only viewable if you log in to stop ai bots scraping them it’s really got me thinking about how the shift on the internet right now is destroying the surface web communities

there’s always been private accounts and communities obviously that’s not new

BUT i think there is a lot of how online subcultures evolve and proliferate lost when people can’t anonymously lurk and observe before jumping in, where invite only discord servers obscure interactions, where having to add a profile just to access anything opens people up to scamming from copycat apps and intimidates out entire audiences, an internet of aggregate websites where people can’t be bothered making five million accounts so they follow repost accounts that take away another layer of interaction between fans

and some of these are problems of how platforms lean towards SEO and advertising and some of it is a case of ai bots ruining things for real people with their plagiarism making it sometimes frustrating and sometimes actively dangerous to post anything online 

i hate having to log in/create a profile to access anything, i hate that the practice is bleeding into real world businesses like restaurants ect

i already have an ao3 account but both ao3 and tumblr were platforms i anonymously browsed for a couple months before signing up because it let me get a feel for the place and who to follow and how to post

the less on the surface net the harder it will be to archive content from places where people have lost access, all because tech people let their toys go unregulated and unrestrained into the wild world, there’s worse consequences of that but this is a very annoying one

[numerouscacti]

DSMP LORE STREAM IN 2024???If you werent aware, recently Jackmanifold lost a net to Tubbo and had to log on to the Dream SMP. It was meant to be a simple stream, wandering through Jack's memories. However, he came accross Tommy.

C!Tommy.

(All names c!) Tommy began to speak as though the time that has passed in our world was passing in his as well, and Jack caught on and spoke that way as well. They were speaking in the Chat on the server, rather than VC.

Its revealed that the only survivors of the nuke that ended the server were Jack, Tommy, and Tubbo.

After the nuke fell, not many survived. For those who did, the memories of this place were far too much to stick around.

Jack has spent the years in the casinos of Las Nevadas, gambling his memories away. Theres no one left to stop him, so he gambles money from the safe. He hasnt emerged since the blast. He speaks about winning big, and how hes not quiting until he does. Jack will return to the casinos again and again, and this time theres no reason to leave.

Tommy moved far away. He has a little cottage, and a sheep named Mareep. He returns to his old home time and again, staying as long as he needs. Theres no one left to hurt him anymore. Then again, theres no one left to love him either. His friends look at him and see too many memories, too many reminders of that forgotten time. Tommy is alone again, but this time he's at peace.

Tubbo is alive, though we're not quite sure where. Tommy sees him from time to time, but their meetings are short and professional. They still care for eachother, as any brothers would, but they need time. Speaking about the past is far too painful, and theres not much else to speak of. Tubbo has his bees, and he'll sell honey to broken markets until theres no money left. Tubbo is no ones sidekick, but hes no ones friend either.

Technoblade is gone, but more than the others. They can tell. The revival book is still around, the others could come back, but not Techno. Techno died before the nuke, and though they might not understand it, the survivors know he is much farther away than anyone else.

The Dream SMP is over, but i hope we can all remember what it was. What it gave to kids like us, the community it fostered. I hope there will be something like this again. I really, really do. We had a helluva run, peace out.

[mossybee-exe]

Solaprunk Worldbuilding 1 - Eco-Cities

I've been working on worldbuilding a solarpunk setting for a slice of life story I'm writing and thought I'd share some of my ideas to maybe inspire other people!

In this world there is no government, no rules, no pressures or bad people. Just society working together after a global crash. A second chance to do things right this time.

(Mind the spelling mistakes)

Although far and few in between, big cities and towns still exist in this universe. However, they've all worked hard to keep it as eco-friendly as possible and still choose to live alongside and work with nature rather than fight it.

Trash and recyclingcans can now be found almost everywhere, giving no one an excuse to litter. Community composters are also a thing.

Skyscrapers, now skeletons of the old world, are draped in thick ivy vine walls, native flowering vines, moss panels, and vertical hydroponics that wrap around the metal and glass bones. These help regulate temperature, absorb CO2, and create habitats fors birds and insects.

Former office buildings and shopping centers like malls have been repurposed into shared living spaces, community markets, workshops, and event areas. Floors have open walls and breeze tunnels to reduce reliance on cooling systems. Those can be shut during colder months.

In taller districts, tree houses extend from reclaimed buildings, blending organically with planted rooftop forests. Rope bridges and wind-activated elevators made if recycled parts help people travel between vertical spaces.

Cities are completely walkable and don't require transportation. Streets are narrow and shaded with plant canopies. Most paved areas are soft permeable cobblestone or moss-tile paths that allow rain to soak through instead of pooling or flooding.

Painted murals double as maps - bold, hand-painted designs show landmarks, walking trails, tram routes, and local art projects. Updated regularly by volunteers.

Giant sculpted trees or mushrooms function ad rainwater collectors, solar lanterns, or even mist sprayers during hot days. Children often climb on them or gather nearby to play. They can also provide shade.

Metal "bike trees" hold dozens if free-to-use bikes, all maintained by volunteers. Bikes come in all colors and sizes, some decorated with flowers or art to reflect the community's personality.

Solar Trams glide quietly on narrow tracks. They're sleek but not flashy, designed with recycled metals and glass. Inside, seats are made from reclaimed wood, each with a small solar lamp or charging port. Solar Buses work in a similar fashion.

Public Plazas now have eco-escalators that are powered by pedaling like on a bike.

Interactive screens at intersections and stops show local events, weather and climate, community votes or messages, and tutorial videos on composting, repair, herbal medicine, or art-making. Digital marketing and advertisements are no more.

Most people carry small, solar-powered devices that have replaced phones called "Data Stones" - slate-like digital notebooks that sync to the city's mesh network. People use them for Journaling, mapping, music, or community messaging, but never for mindless scrolling. Digital use is intentional, not addictive.

The internet exists, but it's localized. Instead of one global net, each town or city has a mesh intranet. Communities upload and share stories, tech guides, magazines, songs, and documentaries- all accessible for free.

At every city node is a "Commons Booth"-a repurposed phone booth now used for small trades, gifts, or lost-and-found. You might find a hand-knit hat, seeds, poems in a bottle, hand-bound journals, or a small bag if dried herbs for tea.

Public parks host weekly workshops: mushroom log inoculation, fixing Guardianers, upcycling old tech, dyeing fabrics with natural materials, and crafting musical instruments from trash.

Fireflies are protected and welcomed into urban life with dedicated "nightlight gardens"- small glowing sanctuaries that bloom under moonlight (usually a mix of regular and bioluminescent plants). People sit quietly here, reading or singing. Festivals are celebrated not with fireworks, but light dances, candlelit parades, or bioluminescent art. It's also a romantic place for a date.

Children and adults alike use "Learning Loops"- open-air circles of benches and tree stumps near gardens and community spaces where mentors teach based on skills, not age. There's no formal school system. Learning is woven into life.

On a certain day each month, citizens volunteer to teach something for free-sailing knots, solar repair, compost chemistry, storytelling, mediation, bird language. The city slows down that day. It's treated like a holiday.

In addition to tire-posted Little Libraries (where people can take a book and leave one in it's place), entire alleys have been converted into "Book Gardens"- free libraries under pergolas or vines, surrounded by reading hammocks and native wildflowers.

Local businesses and shops are still a thing, but are not kept up by money. Money has no use in this world anymore. Businesses upkeep it themselves and will happily trade their wares for something in return. For example, a bakery can trade a cake for something in return like a jar of jam or something else. It's like that everywhere.

Citizens enjoy solar-charged cooking stoves, clean water from centralized purification systems, access to upcycled tech, 3D-printed tools, and digital artist hubs.

Markets overflow with herbs, handmade instruments, mushroom leathers, fermented goods, and hand-bound books from across the region. Some city dwellers specialize in creating high-tech eco-dafe goods to trade with the countryside.

Most people live in co-housing clusters or share entire floors of old skyscrapers converted into lush indoor gardens and social spaces. They might not know everyone, but each block has caretakers and community gatherings.

They're alive with creativity and innovation. Mural projects, street musicians using windows instruments powered by movement, and holographic poetry displays powered by pedals or solar generators.

With more people comes more variety in skills. It's common to find classes in herbalism, robotics, or solar carpentry happening daily in public courtyards.

The ideas are free to use for whatever you want or use for inspiration! All I ask is that you CREDIT ME! And feel free to send me an ask on more details to this lovely world :)

[dostoyevsky-official]

Doomscrolling Is Slowly Eroding Your Mental Health June 2020

For years people have questioned the net benefits of platforms like Twitter and Facebook, and while some studies have found social media, when used responsibly, can have positive effects on mental health, it can also lead to anxiety and depression. Or, at the bare minimum, FOMO. And that’s just the result of looking at too many brunch photos or links to celebrity gossip. Add in a global pandemic and civil unrest—and the possibility that social media networks are incentivized to push trending topics into your feeds—and the problem intensifies. [...] The doom and gloom isn’t all the media’s fault, though. Mesfin Bekalu, a research scientist at the Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness at Harvard’s T. H. Chan School of Public Health, notes that while a lot of the news is bad, “as humans we have a ‘natural’ tendency to pay more attention to negative news.” This, along with social media algorithms, makes doomscrolling—and its impacts—almost inevitable. “Since the 1970s, we know of the ‘mean world syndrome’—the belief that the world is a more dangerous place to live in than it actually is—as a result of long-term exposure to violence-related content on television,” Bekalu says. “So, doomscrolling can lead to the same long-term effects on mental health unless we mount interventions that address users’ behaviors and guide the design of social media platforms in ways that improve mental health and well-being.” The effects of doomscrolling also vary depending on who’s doing it. [...] Many activists didn’t participate in doomscrolling simply because, they said, “I can’t see myself being killed over and over again in this tiny square on my phone.”

It’s Time to Log Off Nov 2023

Scrolling through social media can feel like a nightmare these days. You’re reading about the horrors of the Israel-Hamas war, and then you’re reading about the horrors of the war between Ukraine and Russia. You’re learning about the latest devastating climate news. Democracy is under threat in America. It can feel like everything is falling apart. This, of course, can have a significant effect on your mental health. You start to feel overwhelmed. [...] Matthew Price, a professor of psychological science at the University of Vermont, says that stress is cumulative. [...] Price says ingesting a lot of negative news can cause anxiety and depression, at least for some period of time, but it’s especially likely to “exacerbate” anxiety, depression, and PTSD in people who have a history of experiencing those conditions. He says that people often doomscroll because there’s something bad going on and they want to find a way to fix the problem they’re reading about. “When we’re doomscrolling, we’re kind of looking for the resolution to the issue. Read some more posts. Read some more articles. If I get more information, then maybe I’ll understand the problem,” Price says, describing the doomscrolling cycle. [...] “It’s not about ‘this is a bad thing and this is a good thing.’ It’s about how you engage with it and how it fits in with the rest of what’s going on in your life,” Teachman [a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia] says. “How are you living the rest of your life, and what are the impacts on that?” [...] Price says that acting locally on issues you’re concerned about can help you maintain your mental health because otherwise things can feel too far away and too difficult to solve. Maybe you can’t end a war, but perhaps you can help some people in your community or get your community to do something that helps a bigger problem.

i find the defiance that it's not phones (a shorthand for everything they provide access to) eroding our children's attention spans puzzling. bad news isn't new, the press has always veered towards the sensational, people have always overfocused on the negative. but the technology of access and dissemination is brand new. this is a summary of a few research studies on doomscrolling and the emotional, psychological effects it has on adults. surely everyone reading this has experienced some it in some form. you don't think worse things are happening to undeveloped brains?

[ranticore]

answering all my asks in a big bunch

@help-system

it's kind of cool to think about actually & something i didn't consider (re: the implications for future generations). the reason he has to stay in a town flock isn't just because he's formed attachments there, but because he is vision-impaired and his feathers are fucked from lack of structural pigment and would struggle to live without the support system (for lack of a better term) of the town around him. his survival depends on living in a society. that also means he'll survive to pass on this trait when otherwise he would not. it's recessive so yeah could definitely be passed on!

@focshi

Oh habitat & life habits change the look of the nests completely. for the ama plains eagle harpies I was imagining a kind of gourd-shaped woven bower.. sortaaa like this as the eastern edge of the plains (where they live) has emergent columnar basalt and it's on these big stone stacks where they make their nests. use rope and picks to secure the bowers to the columns and the king's eyrie (the tallest one naturally) is built around a log tied upright with guy-ropes driven into the stone. they are all flexible enough that they blow around a lot in the wind without suffering much damage (see pic below)

in between them are net-like rope platforms and ladders as well as more 'spires' which are the trees propped upright on the columns. solid stone is the only safe 'ground' material to build nests on.

@gardenergulfie many of the monsters were bound by additional magical rules on top of the "you are twisted into a monstrous form" main thing. i hadn't thought of many tbh but i believe sphinxes were more strictly bound by their riddle names rather than just doing it playfully by choice, i know there was more but it escapes me. i'll have to think of some!

wyrms are cursed with immortality in a very classical sense so it would be impossible for Revelation not to be around in Cuinn's time. but ah... i wouldn't say it's in a good state

wildfire unfortunately is no longer with us. in mind & spirit anyway.

For eagle harpies, baby-rearing is not communal. The parents swap brooding/hunting roles (one broods/warms the young, the other hunts, they barely get time to sleep). Once baby is old enough to fly it hops out and joins the other fledglings in their eyrie. Parents rarely have anything to do with them after that but they will occasionally stop by to deliver discipline if they feel their offspring isn't behaving properly.

Partnerships are monogamous (but if the king wants your girl then that's his girl for the night) and last as long as any relationships might; could be many years, could barely last a season. there's a stigma against breaking up while tending a nest so some harpies with relationship problems tough it out for the sake of the kids (this never works)

The king does not care about his offspring as people, only as tokens of his virility and strength. Kings often boast of how many offspring they have (and the All-King can have hundreds) but do they know all (or even any of) their kids' names? of course not

Regular cobs do most of the fathering because most flocks don't have a king and they have to reproduce somehow. There's no visible difference between the offspring of a king vs the offspring of a cob. eggs is eggs

Eagle harpy pens can lay up to 4 eggs in one nesting season. Sibling aggression is common in the early days and if unsupervised they can kill one another but that's seen as a sign of lazy and inattentive parenting UNLESS the baby being picked on was kinda runty and then it's their own fault for being a whimp and they should toughen up. Parents can lay unfertilised eggs but rarely do, it's similar to a false pregnancy. Unfertilised eggs are eaten. Harpies of different species base cannot interbreed, but bear in mind that harpy species diversity is overall much lower than birds.

Eagle harpies are VERY protective of their eggs. It's not unheard of for other harpies of the same eyrie to steal their neighbours' eggs for various reasons (you can gain favour if you have one of the king's offspring in your nest....). many predators also might want to take some as well (sphinxes are... very ferocious predators of harpies, but also you gotta watch out for that little human who might have ambitions of being a falconer). parents will guard their eggs viciously.

I don't think it's unreasonable to imagine such a scam tbh... yeah sure take this egg it'll tooootally hatch into a big strong harpy. human falconers probably candle their eggs frequently to monitor them so i think they would catch on very quickly though hehe

[cal-daisies-and-briars]

🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️

Just to help conclude this one. Also trying to write a post-apocalypse Buddie AU. Definitely different than yours, a lot darker and from an isolated, angst Buck POV. Hopefully I’ll finish it in this lifetime 😂😂😂😂

AH THANK YOU! And ooooh that sounds really good!

96 for 🧟‍♂️

---

 Maybe three or four years old. She has big, sad eyes that tug at Hen’s heartstrings, even before she knows anything about her. Something has happened to this child.

When Hen and Karen make their way outside to greet Shannon and Taylor, the girl is being held by Eddie. She must have been passed off to him so Shannon could greet her son. They’re hugging tightly, and Chris is chattering to her about everything that has happened since they last spoke. 

“Who’s this?” Karen asks, walking up to him to inspect the little girl.

Taylor turns to face her. She takes a sort of nervous breath. 

“This is Mara,” Taylor says. The little girl turns her head at the sound of her name, but doesn’t make a sound. “Lucy and Felisa found her and her mother travelling. Trying to get out of town. There was an accident, her mother was hurt…”

Hen can fill in the rest. 

“Poor angel,” Hen says gently. 

Karen runs a hand over the girl’s curls. “Oh, honey…”

Shannon straightens up, still hugging Chris to her. “We thought…”

“I mean, maybe you aren’t interested at all,” Taylor interjects. 

“Right, which would be totally fair,” Shannon says. “And we can keep her.”

“We can,” Taylor says. “Not that we have any other kids around.”

“You want us to take her in?” Eddie says. 

“Well, yeah,” Shannon admits. “Or, some of you. Any of you. Whatever works best.”

Hen and Karen exchange a look. 

“Shannon, I…” Eddie starts and trails off.

“Okay, we were being nice,” Taylor says. “We meant Hen and Karen.”

“Or anyone,” Shannon says diplomatically. “Hen and Karen just came to mind first. That’s all.”

Hen and Karen had always wanted more children. They’d talked about it before. And then… The world sort of took that dream from them. 

“She’d have a better life here,” Taylor says. “With all the kids and books. The beach right there. She’s so little. Maybe eventually she won’t even realize her life isn’t normal.”

That’s a good point. It’ll feel more like growing up on a commune than in the apocalypse. The other kids here will all remember the world before. At least parts of it, in the boys’ cases. Mara wouldn’t. Won’t. 

“I mean,” Karen says, taking a nervous breath. “We should talk to everyone. And to each other…”

“Yeah,” Hen nods. “We should.”

Even though they both know no one here will deny a sweet little orphaned girl a home. Half of them are parents, and the other half are Chimney and Buckleys. No way they’ll say no. 

So really, they just have to talk to each other. Maybe spend some time with Mara? But does it even matter how much time they spend with her? She’s just a baby, really. She needs a home. Just like Denny had needed a home. 

Oh, boy. Hen knows exactly what she wants. 

And from the look in Karen’s eyes, so does she. 

When Shannon and Taylor leave, the next afternoon, they don’t take Mara with them. It only takes Hen and Karen a few hours to fall in love. 

October 20th, 2018

Eddie sits on the beach, early in the morning. Not long after sunrise. Everything feels golden and hazy. Warm. Even if the air temperature is a bit cooler than Eddie would want it to be, in front of the water. 

He’s sitting on an old driftwood log, mug of homegrown peppermint tea in hand. He’s just sort of watching. Watching the boys play in the shallow water, splashing each other and laughing. Watching Buck work at the fishing nets. Eddie had offered to help, but he’d been helping Bobby with construction for a long time yesterday while Buck watched the cams, so he told Eddie to relax. Stay in bed even. Eddie hadn’t wanted to stay in bed. He is more than happy to sit here and watch. Getting to watch his son happy and free of fear, with friends his age? Getting to watch his very handsome boyfriend  with sea water glittering off his skin? Yeah. Who would pass up either of those things? 

It’s been going really well. Living here. Being with Buck. Giving Chris a stable place. He’s felt so much guilt for so long. And hey, he still does, a lot of the time. A month and a half doesn't change much internally. It’s a slow process. 

[accord-vn]

Proto-Archon Achamoth

After five years of research and design guided by the initial discoveries of Amirani, Pearson et al, we believe that we have produced a unique interface between the biological and the mechanical, vastly exceeding the capabilities of even integrated syntra, that should prove capable to achieve a nymphic status between hylikos and ██████

With the usage of existing supply lines, we expect to be able to produce a suitable prototype within the next two years. Sophia se kathodigei.

-- Correspondence from █████████ to ██████, retrieved from Dir. Pearson's communications log by ██████

Archons represent the true heights that man can achieve in nearly every discipline touched by them: not just computer science, materials science, and engineering, but psychology, biology, applied theoretical physics, and chemistry. No single person can truly understand the functions of an Archon- it is a construct that requires the unity of man to function. To pilot an Archon unit is to become one with a monster: a robot with synthetic muscle netting, a circulatory system. A spongy mass of ganglia, gold wire and pale nerves intermingling under a ceramic-chitin plate of armor, thrumming with impulse and sensory data.

To pilot an Archon, is to transcend your humanity.

-- Dir. Pearson, onboarding speech to new candidates of the Archon Program

A concept sketch of Proto-Archon Achamoth by @himecommunism !

[castielsparkle]

toys guide for howrse.com (dailies edition)

HI this is going to be as brief as i possibly can and not super in depth BUT. here!! most of this is just like daily stuff u can do to get items and moneys (:

go to community > directories

go to horses > check "Show only special horses"

here you can interact with a few other players divines each day to receive items!

XANTHOS (5x a day)

when you stroke a xanthos, a horse in your breeding farm will receive 10 energy points!

EDIT: as mentioned by @corinne-eaglebridge-sso in the replies -

(text above: reply posted by corinne-eaglebridge-sso 8 hours ago, reply says "I would recommend petting Xanthos 5 times each day! Each has a low chance of you receiving a horn of plenty the next day!")

FROST (1x a day)

defrosting a frost has a chance of granting you a hypnos' blanket black market item! (when equipped to a horse this item allows it to be bedded without being registered in an equestrian center!) and on the first of each month a frost is granted to a player who defrosted her within the past month (:

ARCHIMEDES (1x a day)

archimedes will ask you a question, and if answered correctly you both make the horse more intelligent and win yourself an aging point! if you're not too savvy on horse trivia most of the answers are online somewhere to my understanding tho lol!

TOPAZ (5x a day)

you can congratulate up to 5 topaz a day, and they will net you 50 equus each! (250 equus total!)

this is still divine related but it isn't exactly one of the daily things here - if you rename one of your horses to "junior croesus" there is a chance it can turn into a croesus divine. similarly, there is a chance on the first of each month that a player who has logged in at least 20 days in the previous month can win the divine cascade! and for every player, as long as you have logged in the previous day, you will receive 100 equus in your reserve if you log on the next day :)

if you go to breeding farm > office > the safe haven

you can stroke one of three randomly selected horses residing in the safe haven, and sometimes they will give you an apple or some equus etc as a thank you :) i'm not sure how many times a day it is exactly but i know you can do it more than once lol, i just check every few hours and do it when it allows me to

if you go to achievements > daily objectives

there's a little place to win passes (premium currency) from daily objectives! you can get up to 30 a day - every now and then the requests are a bit nuts lol but often times theyre fairly easy! you can also swap out one objective a day for 20,000 equus. there's also a gauge that resets every week and if you fulfill ten of the objectives you're granted the horn of plenty black market item!

under trade > item exchange

there is a place you can swap out which black market items you have between other players up to three times a week! you can make offers and/or fulfill them:)

and on a final note for the quick item/money-grinding etc etc - i HIGHLY highly recommend doing their events when you can!! the minigames are usually pretty entertaining and the gifts are usually surprisingly generous for not being super paywalled!!

as of writing this they're doing two minigame events:

i only just started the blast: winter minigame a few hours and i already got two precious level companions, a fertility wand, 3*** victory ear bonnet + polo wraps, a lunge, a vintage apple, and 200 straw, and i still have three more chests waiting to unlock :D!! and even if you don't want to use the black market items you receive you can usually trade them in the item exchange so i try to get as many as i can regardless esp since theyre free!!

ok hehe that's about it off the top of my head for daily stuff sorry the post is so lengthy LMFAO but!! if you guys wanted tips about horse/donkey/pony/unicorn skill/gp maxing PLS feel free to ask that's my fav part of the game :") i unfortunately don't know jack shit about selling horses or running an equestrian center bc im usually on the consumer end lolol but!!!<3 ok yay have fun horsing around :3

edit: also!! not to plug hehe but if you want to add a friend on there my user is lesbitwisparkle (on international server) and i love to help out with giving congratulations and fulfilling daily objectives!!<3

[theadventurerslog]

Quest For Glory IV: Shadows of Darkness | Part 1

The Adventurer's Log

Release Date: 1994 (CD version)

It's time for Quest for Glory IV after the cliffhanger of III. What happened to Cinder Win? Where did he end up? At least we saved Tarna, the Simbani and the Leopardmen? Was that indeed the missing Ad Avis in the end screen? What about the hooded figure? Or vice versa?

Unlike the past games in this series, this is a blind playthrough. I pretty much know nothing about this entry except we have voice acting now. John Rhys-Davies is the narrator which is kind of wild to me. I didn't know he'd done anything for games.

The only other thing I saw from checking forums for any set-up things is there needs to something done at night by a certain point or you can hit a dead-end? Or there's a bug that'll result in a dead-end? I don't know the details, but I'll be attempting a night thing for that reason at some point.

I'm excited and weirdly a little nervous, but if there is a series from Sierra in which to tackle a game blind, Quest for Glory is the kinder choice.

The game opens by swooping over mountains before focusing on the above title screen with wolf (werewolf?) howls. They're getting fancier! And really setting the tone here for something Transylvania-esque.

Yeah okay, just to nail this home we've got a zombie looking hand cursor going here.

While I'm then met with the dulcet tones of John Rhys-Davies telling me to import my character and welcoming me to Shadows of Darkness, which was making me giggle a bit because shadows of darkness is hardly welcoming sounding. I'm enjoying this game's version of the main theme though. Got kind of a slightly spooky-edged rock thing going here https://youtu.be/ZBOYz851_mY?si=e2X-lq9qvNtBMMfs.

I imported but my stats were all boosted. I guess I wasn't at the base levels expected in... anything? They're all higher than where I left them except communication is the same at 228. I guess whatever happened to Cinder did some boosting too! I'll go with that explanation. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this. I mean yay better stats but he's suddenly a lot stronger and dodgier than my wimp. I also had 100 points to spend.

After spending my points here's what was I sitting with.

Time to see what the hell has happened to us.

I woke in a spooky skeletal place...

I lost all my stuff! I have armour and one crown--the new currency. I was left with questions:

Where are you? How did you get here? Who brought you here? And how in blazes can you get out of here?

That gave me a laugh and I'm sure curious to find out!

Large cave... with half petrified skeletal corpses embedded in the floors and walls. And my look icon is a big ol' eyeball. We're definitely getting the dark spooky atmosphere here. I should have tried to get this game started closer to Hallowe'en.

I found an altar to the Dark One. And I got a torch, a magic torch. Inventory!

I decided I needed to brighten things up with a little light-show.

I mean it didn't do anything, but shiny! Keapon will always be with me...

The door out was controlled by a kind of valve thing that I couldn't make out in the dark. But I could use my good old trusty flame dart to light the sconce then light my torch.

Mmm spooky green flames.

But then I needed something sharp to pry open the valve. I found some flint and some money around the bones. Crowns and Kopeks are the new currency for this game. The flint didn't work either on the valve. Then I remembered I'm a wizard dammit and tried my open spell... to failure. The door was bound by magic. More hunting around netted me more money and a dagger though. (I later also realized the dagger and flint is probably the solution to lighting the torch if you don't have magic.) The dagger worked on the valve opening the door.

Leading me to another charming room. And me hoping I found everything in the previous.

I had more stone valve doors, an altar and an exit to the south.

There was also another corpse and a square of canvas sheet. I took the cloth and more money off the corpse... They won't be needing it.

I couldn't enter through the doors... "Perhaps this isn't the right time." I'm getting a sort of trial vibe to this. Like go do other stuff and they gradually open?

As I was trying to investigate the third door, bats came from the south and attacked. And I was thrust into yet another new combat system.

And after an accidental retreat I somehow won?? Because I was having trouble seeming to do anything.

"In a bitter battle, you were better than the Badders." Thanks game.

I retreated to the manual to go see how to do this, something I should have looked at before starting, but I just kind of assumed it'd be the same as QFG III... I'm still not sure I get it but we'll see how it goes in future combat.

The altar was covered in stains like blood--presumably blood--and was creepy. I moved on southward.

There was a rope to take, test, or try flying but I didn't have a fly spell as the game oh so kindly pointed out, but also pointed out I just had levitate which only goes up and down but if there was a way to use some wind...

When I got too close to the edge, I got my first death!

A big tentacle came out and grabbed me.

Sadly the death messages are not voiced... I'm a little bummed about that.

I tried levitating anyway and got another message about the wind, but that I needed a way to catch it. So, cloth like a sail and levitate.

Whee! And escaped the tentacle! And I've already gotten to use magic other than flame dart! Wizarding!

I did do a quick reload to see if it'd let me take or cut the rope. No such luck, though I did accidentally clean and cut my fingernails with a misclick on myself. "Neatness counts!" So that was fun.

I escaped the cave! Jaws snapped shut behind me! A creepy place? A creepy place with a spooky altar and three sealed doors? Is this gonna be a place I return to repeatedly or a place to build up to toward end-game...

There was a woman outside and she was surprised to see I had escaped alive. Only one person had done that.

I would also like to know how, lady, but at least I got a where now. Mordavia. Yeah, that, that's a name that tracks.

She told me there was a town north of here and to be careful as many bad things are wandering around here. No shocks there. She introduced herself as Katrina, hoped we would meet again and left. You could have taken me with you! I mean I wanted to poke around a little out here first anyway but!

Admittedly, joining with a strange man who walked out of a scary cave that apparently has killed most people probably isn't a good idea, but still. And joining a strange woman outside a cave also probably not a great idea, but I'm lost and alone and a little scared!

It's okay. I had stuff to examine.

There was an arch with symbols.

Things that make up life? Bringing something to life?

And an eighth...

Bringing an eldritch horror to life?

Regardless of what this is about, I'm sure it's nothing concerning at all! Nosiree. I was able to take that symbol off though and was told I had the feeling I may need this "sign". It's the 'Dark One Sign' in my inventory. Hm. Is this really something I should be carrying around?

I carried on.

That dark one is getting around. (the eyeball is my look cursor)

Part of the tree looked like a club ready to hit someone. The path was slippery with slimy goo and sure I escaped the cave, but kind of landing in the frying pan it seems.

Okay, the branch left me alone, but I did go sliding down while squinting at that tree the entire time.

But at least I made it. I kept waiting to be clubbed, or fall off or in some way get killed.

So, anyway, with a dark sign there and a dark sign in my possession I had to try using them together.

This was probably a bad idea! But as an adventurer game protagonist I obviously had to try. It was safe for now anyway. Ish.

As I kept examining things it was making it very clear this place is gooey. And slimy. And greasy. Goo galore.

There was however an out of place bonsai plant caught in the goo and rock. I had to knock the rocks loose with a couple of force bolts. Maybe one would have worked if I'd aimed better. Then I could fetch it. Do I know why I need it? Not a clue, but it was there therefore I grab.

It's a rescue plant!

So. much. goo.

Empowered by my magicking I decided to try detect magic on the pillar and of course there was magic. So naturally I tried Trigger, expecting it to blow up in my face or something if it did anything. It actually knocked the pillar over. So I did something I should have? But it still scared me. I wasn't expecting that.

Given the slippery path I slid down I realized this was my way back up. I tried and yeah, couldn't use the path to go back but could climb the pillar. A pillar with the sign of the Dark One is totally bridge-material I guess.

Seriously though, the amount of magic I've gotten to use already is making me so happy after feeling so held back for so much of QFG III.

I'm doing a lot of "I hope I got everything!" but after some fumbling around to find the path to the next screen I got to a swamp.

Hands were coming in and out of the water...more spooky... I didn't find anything here, and the next screen was much nicer.

But I was worried that I didn't do or find anything at the swampy area so I went back to double-check.

I didn't find anything but a detect magic revealed the hands and floating balls of light--what floating balls of light?--are magic as expected.

The forest was nicer...

And punny! "The red bush looks 'reddy' for anything." "Large deciduous trees make their stand among the pines--they know how to leaf well enough alone in the Fall."

The prettiness continued.

I drank some water and picked some flowers. There were several forest screens and I probably should have been mapping. Definitely getting more Quest for Glory I vibes here, which I am very okay with. I prefer this over the attempted overworld map of QFG III. I'm sure there'll be time enough for mapping later. Despite Katrina's warning I didn't run into anything dangerous yet either.

I was also getting concerned that a message about my lack of food popped up...but could only press on.

Teehee

I eventually found myself at a castle gate which isn't the town Katrina mentioned, but there was a gatekeeper to talk to.

I chatted up the gatekeeper naturally.

He welcomed me to Mordavia adding that it was nice to have some fresh blood around. They seldom see strangers. Not happy with that phrasing in this particular environment I gotta say. Though it did turn out they don't get many visitors thanks to the swamp that formed a few years ago. He had lots of information:

The castle is that of the Boyars, the rulers of Mordavia's title. They're like Barons, own the castle and protect everyone within their domain. The castle had belonged to the Borgov family, but the last Borgov has been dead for many years. He disappeared at the Time of Darkness. Mordavia was a safe and lovely land before that time. Much has changed for the worse since.

Mordavia is the name of the valley, town and inn. It means Dark Valley. Delightful.

He seldom sees anyone from the castle, so not certain of who all lives there. There is the Master, a strange foreigner, the Master's daughter and strange guards he thinks may not be quite human. He hasn't seen the daughter, just knows the Master is proud of her. Katrina? Someone/something else?

The Master desires privacy and he respects that wish. As he always says, "The Will of the Master is the Shall of the Servant." Then he chuckled a bit because he came up with that himself and seemed very proud of it, heheh.

The foreigner is unpleasant with a short beard and mustache and funny hat. Rude when giving orders and has a habit of staring at people and licking his lips. Ad Avis? Vampiric Ad Avis? Demonic Ad Advis?? Someone else?

At night the gate's guarded by Necrotaurs whatever those are. Sounds like something to be avoided.

He also gave me directions to the town which I really needed to get to. So off I went again and a few screens later I found the gates.

Thank goodness.

I am a player who will happily talk to absolutely everyone I can and exploring new towns is great. However, it was kind of a nice change of pace to have some immediate puzzle solving and exploring to do. And, it has made getting to a town all the more relieving. So, good start here, good start. I'm happy so far.

Next time is town exploring time!

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from Extinction Today:

If we want more people to connect with crucial news about the climate and nature emergencies, we have to stop over-complicating the message. In pretty much everything we say…

Have you ever considered the words we use on a daily basis in an attempt to wake people up? We are causing them to hit the snooze button for longer.

As a journalist, one of my tasks is to translate difficult concepts into words and phrases that anyone on the street could understand.

Yet the media is complicit in bamboozling its audience with terms which leave most people none the wiser about how important they are.

I’ve written a list below of common environmental terms, and suggested alternatives. Some may surprise you - for example, even the word ‘climate’ is included as being too complex.

But remember that most people are fairly simple folk, most haven't got science degrees, most will use shorter words in place of longer alternatives.

To effectively communicate a message, we have to speak in the language and tone of those we are aiming at. Not the language of scientists and politicians.

The Hit List

Environment

A word that encompasses so much, it’s difficult to develop a personal connection with it. Try natural world, or even our surroundings.

Climate

We’ve had fun with this one, haven’t we? When the leaders of the world confuse climate with weather, it must mean it is difficult to understand - or perhaps, the word is purposely being skewed to send a biased message of misinformation to an uneducated base of followers. Perhaps…

So why don’t we actually talk more about the weather? When it comes to climate change in particular, explain more about a dangerous increase in extreme weather.

Biodiversity

Communicating the importance of the biodiversity crisis and its link with the climate crisis is crucial, but again, it’s an all-encompassing term that is difficult for a lot of people to understand.

Try using terms like all life on Earth, and the wide variety of plants and animals.

Sustainability

The buzzword which has seen increasing prominence in recent years, yet can be a difficult concept for mass audiences to understand.

Try talking about living in a way that protects our natural resources and living within our means for a better future.

Carbon Footprint

This has never been an easy one to measure, quantify or explain, and is by now associated with too much negative messaging about personal vs corporate and government responsibility.

Just talk about our impact on the planet instead.

Greenhouse Gases

Many of us can understand the reason for using the word ‘greenhouse’, but maybe explain more often that carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide are heat-trapping gases - using more of them traps heat in the atmosphere.

Fossil Fuels

This term should be largely understood, but don’t shy away from writing or saying coal, oil and gas - the fact that they are formed from ancient organic matter is not really relevant.

We’ve come up with another great term there, haven’t we?…. Renewable energy is a difficult concept for many to grasp - instead perhaps call them endless energy sources.

Net Zero

As this term is all over politics, many people don’t trust it, never mind understand it. And a lot of politicians don’t seem to understand it, either.

Talk about achieving a balance between the amount of heat-trapping gases emitted and those removed from the atmosphere, or balancing emissions to zero. ‘Net’ is the word that confuses a lot of people.

Deforestation

Again, this should be largely understood, but it’s a word that removes the horror. Let’s communicate more about cutting down forests - for animal farming, logging, or development.

Desertification

Another word which has all serious consequences removed. It actually sounds quite appealing…We’re talking here about turning land into desert, due to human-caused climate change.

Rewilding

A nicer word, and perhaps more easily understood, but let’s move away from all the media scare stories of wolves being introduced into every community in the world, and focus on bringing back nature.

Circular Economy

For the green movement, an economic model based on reducing waste and reusing resources is central to achieving transformative success.

It’s not a sexy term though - just talk about the importance of recycling and reusing everything.

Biodegradable

Another scientific word that is becoming more understood, but still requires explaining to most people.

Let them know the product or material in question breaks down naturally, decomposing without leaving any trace of plastics etc and therefore not causing any lasting harm.

[meeeeeeese]

Moose's Guide to Quick and Easy Gold

So I get the vibes in the community here that a bunch of people don't really know all the tips and tricks to making easy money, so I thought I'd do a writeup on some of the small ways I make gold in Guild wars 2

Trick 1: You have wealth you don't know about

An inportant thing about Gw2 is that a lot of the wealth it gives out isn't in actual gold but in materials that you can then sell for gold. For a lot of people I think its easy to just click 'deposit all materials' and then forget about it. For me personally I have only 100 gold in my wallet but If I were to empty out my material storage I'd gain an additional 300 or so gold. The site GW2 efficiency is really helpful for telling you what high value items you might be holding on to, though It takes a bit of setting up.

Trick 2: Sell Orders!

Admittedly this is something I'm bad about, but if you can delay your gratification, but when you sell something don't fulfill someone elses buy order and instead, set up a sell order. I'll give you up to 10% more gold out of everything you sell

Ok now onto the acutal wealth generation methods

Trick 3: Send your least favorite character to the New Kaineng Jumping Puzzle

Jumping Puzzles in EoD reward jade runestones from their final chest, which go for 80 silver on the trading post.

Find the wiki page to get you through the jumping puzzle here, though there are often commanders on the New Kaineng lfg offering teleport to friend transport to the end of the puzzle. Basically you get a character to the end chest and every reset log in on that character and get your free! runestone, almost a gold for ~30 seconds of work

(as a note you only get the runestone once per day per account so don't send multiple characters there)

Trick 4: Leivas Hands out Gold, make sure to collect it

Ok not actually but he may as well. So this guy who hangs out in Arborstone, once you've gotten the Globalization mastery, will sell you 5 antique summoning stones every week for a grand total of 10 green prophet shards, 10 unusual coins, 100 imperial favours, 7000 karma and 1 gold. The summoning stones can then be sold on for ~3 gold each, netting you a profit of 14 gold for going up to an npc and pressing 'f' (or whatever your interact key is)

Trick 5: fast and profitable metas you should be doing daily

Let me introduce you to my favorite wiki page:

the event timers list

This lists out every meta event and world boss that'll be happening soon and all of them will give you at least something, and the meta's from HoT onwards awards you a hero's choice chest that'll contain at least one of these valuable materials to choose from: amalgamated gemstone (60 silver), jade runestone (80 silver), ancient ambergris (1 gold 70 silver) or an antique summoning stone (3 gold). It should be noted the last 3 only appear in the EoD meta's, for all other times choose the amalgamated gemstone.

With that aside there are 3 events in particular that you should try to get done that'll take 10 minutes or less

first up is the Legendary Ley-Line Anomaly, the naked man. The timer's page tells you which zone it'll spawn in and when it does you have to seek it out and murder it. Mounts are very recommended because this thing dies fast. Anyway when you kill it, it drops 2 things: a mystic coin (1 gold 20 silver) and some vendor trash worth 50 silver, pretty gold for 5 minutes of work

next is Dragonstorm. It happens once every 2 hours starting from the eye of the north and affords you the opportunity to beat up Ryland. If you join the public option you join a crowd of up to 50 other people and its easy enough that you could even afk if you wanted (though that would be very rude). Anyway once you murder the champions and blast the dragons you get to watch them share a passionate kiss as the die and you then get 2 gold straight up, 6 memories of aurene (worth 1.5 gold in total) as well as a chance to win the lottery and get ascended weapons or, even rarer, the very expensive eye infusions

Finally is Tequatl the Sunless, a world boss in Sparkfly Fen that awards you 1 gold straight up as well as a chance at an ascended weapon as well as a bunch of materials and unidentified gear

speaking of which all the other events give unidentified gear too and they aren't actually terrible rewards, you can get a pretty penny from selling them.

Trick 6: Daily Rewards

Firstly, just logging in every day gives you a sadly decent amount of income, mostly in laurels and mystic coins. Coins can just be sold if you're after cold, laurels can be spent on a variety of stuff. And if you're looking to turn a profit, HERE are the best ways to do so.

Also, do your daily achievements people, sometimes they're a pain but the daily completionist gives 2 gold as well as 15 achievement points, more than most other achievements in the game. Also they drive you towards content you wouldn't do otherwise (the daily achievements are the reason why I've done most of the jumping puzzles). Also If you're bad at any of the dailies on offer, usually a bunch of other people are also trying to do dailies and they're often willing to help. I see mesmers porting people through the daily JPs all the time.

Trick 7: Spirit shards can be converted to Gold???

I admit, this isn't something I do myself but if you're accumulating spirit shards like I am there are methods to turn them into gold

They're listed HERE

(again, this isn't something I've tried myself, I can't vouch for how well it works and all the methods require a starting amount of gold. But if you're desperate it might be something to consider

But I want more Gold, how do I get it?

If your looking for serious gold farming there are probably better guides than this but here are a few pointers to start raking in the money

1: As far as I understand, Drizzlewood Coast is the most profitable activity in the game, gold per hour wise. Runs take a while and you kind of have to pay attention to maximise gains but, if gold's what you want this is a good option.

2: Look for meta trains, I notice them happening a lot around reset, basically its a group that goes from meta to meta doing them in sequence. There are a few guilds that do them every day so if you see a train, chances are its on at the same time every day. I find them to be pretty chill, offer some nice variety in content and offer good rewards as well.

3: Fractals. Yeah I know this is getting into endgame content but doing T4 fractal dailies every day gives you around 20 gold straight up, a bunch of materials worth even more gold and a decent chance at ascended armor and weapons (and so many ascended trinkets, seriously at this point they get auto-salvaged if they drop)

Apart from that, pretty much everything in this game gives you some amount of rewards, even if they aren't entirely obvious, so don't stress too much, provided you aren't roleplaying in the serrated blade or whatever (Though good on you for having fun!) you're likely earning some amount of income. Even if it's only in materials

[mossybee-exe]

Solarpunk Worldbuilding 2 - Mesh Intranet

*Artwork by @bird_wells214 as reference*

*Unknown artist*

As mentioned in the previous post, there is still internet in this world but it's different now. No longer is it doom scrolling that's filled with politics, drama, influences, and more. Now, it's the intranet.

The internet exists, but it's localized. Instead of one global net, each town has ther own unique mesh intranet. Communities share and upload stories, tech guides, magazines, songs, ans documentaries - all accessible for free.

"Influencers" exist in a way, but it's different now (more on that in another post).

While every Data Slate has a journal and map built in, there's a collection of unique "apps" that people can get and use.

This includes but not limited to:

Mood Gardens - Like a mood tracker in a sense. A gentle, visual space where users "plant" their feelings like seeds. You can select a mood (calm, angry, happy, sad, etc) and pair it with a sound, color, or image. Others can visit your little digital garden and leave small acts of care - Like a kind comment shaped like a dew drop, or a song in the shape of a mushroom. Mood Gardens bloom or wilt based on how the person feels over time, creating a space of quiet emotional check-ins and empathy.

Story Weave - A collaborative story writing and memory keeping project. Residents can start a thread with a piece of story - fiction or nonfiction, fantasy or memoir - and others can respond with artwork, voice recordings, music or the next part of the tale. It's part art gallery, part campfire circle, and part community archive.

Masked Mosaic - An anonymous space where users can share secrets, confessions, or thoughts they're not ready to attach a name to yet. Every post appears as a piece of Mosaic art with changing colors and patterns based on tone. It's moderated with care and compassion by community - appointed listeners rather than traditional mods.

Patchwork Trades - Kind of like Facebook Marketplace. A beautifully, digital barter board shaped like a quilt. Instead of listings and posts, every item or service offered appears as a patch. You might hover over or click a patch and find "hand-drawn pronoun pins" or "will watch your cat and water your plants." When Trades happen, a thread is digitally stitched between the two patches, showing the connections growing.

BuzzHive - A social update board styled like a honeycomb. You can share what you're up to - "Baking sweet potato rolls!" "Making rain charms today." "Feeling soft + sleepy." - but instead of likes and comments, others can send reactions like tiny bees: "hum of support" "sunbeam hug" "sprout of joy" or "quiet sit with you."

GroveTube - This is where people post tutorial videos - like how to bind books with wild-grass thread, build a bee-sade lantern, or compost using only forest scraps. It also includes soft-spoken vlogs, musical performances from tree balconies, and messages from traveling members. There's no algorithm, just categories like "soothing" "skillshare" "storytelling" or "random joy."

Rest Mode/Gentle Logout - Instead of pushing for endless engagement, the intranet encourages resting offline. If someone logs out for a few days or weeks, their profile softly fades to dusk colors, with a message like, "[User] is in rest-mode. Send soft love." Others can leave soft tokens or small notes that don't alert the person until they log back in.

The Vault of Remembering - A quiet, encrypted memorial place for those who have passed on. It contains memories, audio clips, digital letters, and little symbols like wind chimes or falling stars that friends and family can leave behind. It's updated during community Remembrance days with candles lit both physically and digitally.

The ideas are free to use for whatever you want or use for inspiration! All I ask is that you CREDIT ME! And feel free to send me an ask on more details to this lovely world :)