#Steele and Kale

[arianwen44]

I got the urge to repaint an old painting and went back to this monster. An old Frozen Fire illustration I made waaaay back in uni, it’s been so long since I drew my boys! 💚💙🥰 (I added in the old one for comparison…)

[pegasister60]

It me!!! :D

If Pom Pom could be half as epic as Arrow Guy that’d make her day. What she lacks in the obsessive placement she makes up for in well-drawn signs and efficiency.

She also has a running tally of how many times she puts up a sign and almost immediately sees the Project Armstrong Ambassdor rush past, completely ignoring it. She’s watched him run off ledges like a cartoon character at least twelve times now and it’s stopped being alarming and circled back around to being funny.

[accursedkaleeshi]

RIP General Grievous, you would have loved Order 66 lol

No, but for real. “Grievous survives” fic writers, you’re awesome.

Don't deny that he has committed atrocities upon the galaxy that will take generations to even begin to heal & in numbers unheard of in recent history. Grievous did not care. His job was to inconvenience the Republic for as long as possible & to kill Jedi. And holy shit did he ever. Maybe he considered himself already dead & this dumbass war was just a really fucked up bonus level. (& brother, I’m zerg rushing it)

Grievous was operating on the bastardized values of his people kept together by rage & steel, stuck in Sith 1 & Sith 2’s fucked up mind games. He hated the Separatists. Unfortunately for the rest of the galaxy, he hated the Republic more. Maybe he oscillates wildly between the thrill of battle & befuddled emptiness, making him a contrary bitch that no one bothers trying to deal with.

But lord help Palpatine if General Grievous ever figured out that he & Sidious were one & the same. The sheer amount of indignant rage would be like a lens of clarity he hadn’t managed since becoming a cyborg. This?? Single human man? Broke apart the galaxy so he could be the one to fix it? The known universe will remember me only in cold blooded fear. I was stripped of my culture, my agency, my FLESH so that this LITTLE OLD COLONY WIZARD can sit in his big boy chair???

Mr. Psycho Martyr? His petty ass would tell everybody. He would make his superiors’ lives a living hell. If they didn’t immediately push the Cyborg Emergency Kill Button (canon), how do you stop this pissed off war machine that YOU made to be unstoppable & YOU taught how to use unstoppable laser swords? As far as the Separatist resources, he knows nearly EVERYTHING. You can’t send shit after him that he doesn’t already know how to take apart, rewire, counter, & give back to you with a rude note on it.

And goddamn, if you thought Kalee hated the Republic? Just wait until it becomes the Empire & stops even trying to hide being tyrannical (hehe tyrannous). Grievous spent his entire life fighting oppression much more advanced than him & fucking winning. That’s why his resume was at the top of Palpatine’s murder machine CV pile. This bitch excels at adaptive guerilla warfare & he will use every last wheezing breath to fuck up your shit. Even if he has to work with Jedi to do it.

In conclusion, an enlightened General Grievous would gladly die for a chance to punch Palpatine in the face & this is why he would be an immense asset to the rebel alliance. He’d be an insufferable asshole but that is the cost you pay for him having to be right all the time.

[witch-undercover-agency]

Origin: Greek Mythology

Symbol: The Ram

Quality: Cardinal

Element: Fire

Colour: Red, Blood Red, Midnight Black, Armor Silver

Metal: Iron, Steel, Bronze, Brass, Copper, Silver, Gold, Lead, Mercury

Crystal: Bloodstone, Red Jasper, Carnelian, Red Agate, Hematite, Black Obsidian, Pyrite, Garnet, Ruby, Red Tiger's Eye, Red Calcite, Mahogany Obsidian, Red Aventurine, Fire Agate

Fruits: Cherries, pomegranates, strawberries, raspberries, red apples, watermelon, passionfruit, dragonfruit, cranberries, guava, tomato, fig, plum, apricot, red currants, currants

Vegetables: Red bell peppers, chili peppers, beets, radishes, tomatoes, carrots, red cabbage, red onions, red potatoes, red kale, red Swiss chard, red lettuce, red spinach, red mustard greens, red beans

Flower: Tulip, poppy, red rose, hollyhock, anemone, amaryllis, geranium, carnation, sweet pea, marigold, hibiscus, dahlia, daisy, gladiolus, ranunculus, red camellia

Herb: Basil, cayenne pepper, ginger, garlic, nettle, thistle, coriander, lemongrass, mustard, pink peppercorn, wormwood, vervain, calendula, rue, dragon's blood resin

Animal: Ram, wolf, hawk, eagle, shark, badger, lynx, vulture, crocodile, warthog, scorpion, bull, cobra, panther, hyena

Number: 1

Day: Tuesday

Season: Spring

Time of day: Sunrise

Anatomy: Head, face, eyes, muscles

Key word: Courage

Key phrase: "I am a warrior of the spirit."

Moon phase: Full Moon

Musical note: D

Tarot: The Emperor

Tool: Spear

Spell type: Protection

Offerings:Red wine or blood-red wine to symbolize vitality and bravery.

Freshly sharpened weapons or replicas as a symbol of warfare.

Spicy foods, as Ares was associated with the heat of battle.

Olive oil, a symbol of peace and victory.

Red roses or other red flowers to represent passion and strength.

Frankincense incense to purify and honor the deity.

Ares figurines or statues for his representation.

Honey, as it was believed to be an offering to appease the gods.

Pomegranates, a symbol of fertility and life force.

Bay leaves, which were associated with victory in ancient Greece.

Offerings of meat, such as lamb or goat, to represent strength.

Myrrh resin, often used in ancient rituals and associated with deities.

Red candles to invoke the fiery aspect of Ares.

A spearhead or other warrior-related artifacts.

A prayer or poem expressing your admiration and respect for Ares.

Signs:A sudden surge of courage or confidence when facing challenges.

Dreams or visions of battle or warlike scenes.

Finding or receiving gifts related to warfare, such as a weapon or armor.

Seeing red objects or colors more frequently, as red is often associated with Ares.

Feeling a strong connection to historical or mythological warriors and heroes.

Increased interest in martial arts, combat sports, or military history.

Hearing or encountering stories, songs, or poems related to war and valor.

A feeling of inner strength and determination during tough times.

Noticing signs of conflict resolution or justice happening around you.

Repeated encounters with symbols of Ares, such as his name or imagery.

Birds of prey, like hawks or eagles, appearing more frequently in your vicinity.

Feeling a call to stand up for a just cause or protect those in need.

A strong desire to learn about ancient Greek culture and mythology.

A sense of honor and duty becoming more prominent in your life.

Meeting individuals who share a similar interest in Ares or warrior-like qualities.

[inonibird]

Zaebar’s elbow pressed into Qymaen’s side, a surreptitious nudge as he tipped his tusks toward their surroundings. “Did you, uh…want to say anything? To them?”

Qymaen felt his stomach curl in on itself as his gaze flickered over the quietly chattering crowd, watching as their collective posture perked upright and eyes lit up in suspense. His kakmusme dangled uselessly at his belt. Curse his lack of foresight. Eight years of baring his face to countless strangers, and there was nothing more he wished for in that moment than to hide himself from the people who may or may not still believe in what he was meant to represent. There was no disguising exactly who he was; his new leathers hadn’t been ready in time for his departure, so Ilona had insisted on tailoring his old white-and-scarlet regalia with only hours to spare.

The last time the Khagan Qymaen jai Sahuldeem addressed the people of Urukishnugal—before he had withdrawn from the public eye, before he had retreated with his family to Irikuum, before he had vanished from the planet itself—the threat of orbital bombardment from a capital ship cast a near-literal shadow over his desperately shouted words. His enemies had stood at his side, monitoring his speech.

He’d told them what he had done was best for Kalee, and so many had perished in the wake of his surrender.

Weak, useless, failure, the voices began to whisper again, but he’d heard this refrain a thousand times before and his recent experience on the shuttle steeled him against their cruel song.

Not this time.

He needed to make it up to them. He needed them to believe in him.

So he stood tall and spoke. —

Chapter 4 of Part Five - Martyr of the Sahuldeem series is up! (chapter art will happen if/when I get to it, to be completely honest)

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Creamy Chicken Orzo with Mushrooms and Spinach (30-Minutes, ONE-PAN)

Creamy Chicken Orzo with Mushrooms and Spinach is a 30-minute one-pan well-balanced weeknight meal that has everything: protein, veggies, and pasta! Skinless boneless chicken thighs are pan-seared with paprika and Italian seasoning. It's the perfect comfort food that will surely become one of your family's favorite dinners! My other favorite quick and easy orzo pasta recipes are pesto chicken orzo with tomatoes and reader-favorite Tuscan shrimp orzo.

30-minute one-pan meal

If you're looking for quick and easy recipes to add to your dinner rotation, this delicious creamy chicken orzo with mushrooms and spinach is a must-try. Even though it takes only 30 minutes from start to finish, the final dish looks and tastes like an entree from a fine-dining Italian restaurant. It's a winning combo of ingredients: skinless boneless chicken breasts, orzo pasta, spinach, mushrooms, and cream. The seasonings are spot on - paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic, and red pepper flakes.

Main ingredients

Chicken - I used skinless boneless chicken thighs. They are super easy and forgiving to cook. You can also use skinless, boneless chicken breasts or chicken tenderloins.

Orzo is an Italian pasta that is shaped and looks like long rice.

Mushrooms. I used fresh baby Bella mushrooms. Other good options are crimini, white mushrooms, portobello, or shiitake.

Spinach is packed with nutrients and antioxidants. It’s high in fiber and a good source of many vitamins and minerals. Spinach is a great source of vitamins A and C, as well as folic acid, iron, and calcium. I used fresh spinach - you can also use frozen spinach - thawed and drained of any liquid. Or, use kale instead.

Seasonings include paprika, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes.

Cream. I used only ½ cup of heavy cream to add a touch of creaminess to the chicken orzo.

Olive oil is for sauteeing mushrooms.

Chicken broth is used to cook the orzo. You can also use vegetable or beef broth (or stock). Or, even water if don't have chicken stock available.

Cooking Tips

Use a high-sided, heavy-bottomed skillet such as a cast-iron skillet or a good-quality stainless steel pan. This will help avoid the burn spots and will ensure even cooking without food getting stuck to the bottom of the pan.

Reduce calories by using chopped cauliflower or cauliflower rice instead of orzo.

You can use either heavy cream or half-and-half - both work equally well!

Toppings. When serving, you can add grated Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, fresh herbs, or cracked black pepper to the creamy chicken orzo.

Ingredients

Chicken

1.3 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon paprika

¼ teaspoon salt or to taste

2 tablespoons olive oil

Mushrooms

1 tablespoon olive oil

8 oz baby bella mushrooms or crimini

salt and pepper

Creamy orzo

1 cup orzo uncooked

2 cups chicken broth or stock

5 cloves garlic minced

½ teaspoon Italian seasoning or Herbs from Provence

½ teaspoon paprika or more

¼ teaspoon salt or more to taste

5 oz fresh spinach

½ cup heavy cream

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes or more to taste

Instructions 

Cook chicken

Season the chicken thighs with Italian seasoning, paprika, and salt.

Heat an empty, high-sided, heavy-bottomed skillet (such as a cast-iron or stainless steel pan) over medium heat for 2 minutes. This allows the skillet to heat through.

Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add chicken thighs. Cook the chicken on medium heat for 5 minutes on one side, undisturbed. This allows the chicken to sear.

Flip the chicken thighs over, reduce heat to low-medium, and cook for about 5 more minutes or longer on the other side, without moving it, until it's cooked through.

The meat thermometer should register 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the chicken. Remove the chicken from the skillet.

Cook mushrooms

Add sliced mushrooms, generously seasoned with salt and pepper, to the same, now empty, skillet. Cook on medium heat for about 2 minutes (flipping once) until lightly browned and softened. Remove half of the cooked mushrooms from the skillet to a plate.

Make creamy orzo

Add uncooked orzo, chicken broth, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, and ¼ teaspoon salt to the same skillet with half of the cooked mushrooms.

Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer (medium-low) and cook for about 5 or 10 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pan until the orzo is cooked through.

Add fresh spinach during the last 5 minutes of cooking the orzo.

Add ½ cup of cream. Stir everything on low-medium - do not bring the sauce to a boil.

Season with salt and red pepper flakes, if desired.

Assembly

Stir in the remaining half of cooked mushrooms.

Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Reheat gently on low heat.

[Julia's Album]

[cookinary]

Werewolf Chai AU

Some people were curious so here’s what I got so far for this AU!

SPOILERS FOR HI-FI RUSH AND THE POST-GAME, PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK

So a few months after the post-game, the second SPECTRA computer gets plugged back in (probably by a clumsy bot or something)

AI Kale gets back online and starts plotting for revenge

He manages to get his hands on Chai (he either get some bots to kidnap Chai or he mind-controls him just enough to lead him where he wants)

Instead of simply using Chai to do his bidding, AI Kale decides to "upgrade" Chai

He turns him into a cybernetic werewolf like Roquefort

And cranks the mind-control up to 11

.

In his wolf form, Chai still has his music player visible in his chest (it looks tiny tho)

His robot arm/paw is aesthetically different from his normal arm/paw

He can still summon his guitar but it's HUGE now

Instead of using the little grabby thingy as a base, he straight up uses a steel beam

Talk about heavy bass

AAAAYYYYYYYY

.

In his human form, Chai does not look that different

But since he's full cyber/robot now, he has junction (? is that the correct word?) lines visible all over his body like Roquefort does

They glow orange/yellow tho!

.

Anyway, AI Kale sends Chai to get rid of the gang

It takes a moment for everyone to realize that "Oh shit, that huge cyber wolf is actually our beloved moron"

They can't fight Chai head on (Chai is already crazy powerful, now imagine him with Roquefort's strength) so they decide to go and destroy the SPECTRA computer instead

They do that by leading wolf Chai down to the secret room

And tricking him into crashing into the computer, effectively destroying it for good and freeing Chai from the mind control

.

Chai actually finds his new body and powers pretty fucking cool

This ends up with him becoming even more fearless and excited when it comes to dealing with enemies

Much to everyone's dismay

"Chai, this Kem-Ono is highly unstable, you should—"

"I'M GONNA HUG IT"

"CHAI—"

Some things are subject to change but I think this is a solid base so here you go

I don’t have art for it yet but I’ll try to doodle some concepts between school work and stuff!

[bokettochild]

As Boketto tossed a handful of vibrant bell peppers into her blender, along with a medley of fresh kale and juicy blueberries, she couldn't help but feel a sense of culinary curiosity. With a mischievous grin, she hit the blend button, eagerly anticipating the unique flavor combination that awaited her.

As the blender whirred to life, the ingredients melded together into a colorful concoction that looked promisingly vibrant. With cautious optimism, Boketto poured herself a glass of the smoothie and took a tentative sip.

To her surprise, the first sip was not what she had expected. Instead of the fruity sweetness of blueberries or the earthy freshness of kale, all she could taste was the intense heat of the peppers. It was as if the other ingredients had disappeared entirely, leaving behind only the fiery kick of the bell peppers.

Perplexed but undeterred, Boketto took another sip, hoping that perhaps her taste buds were mistaken. Yet, with each subsequent sip, the overpowering flavor of the peppers remained, drowning out any hint of the kale or blueberries.

With a mixture of amusement and bewilderment, Boketto realized that she had unwittingly stumbled upon a culinary curiosity – a smoothie that tasted only like peppers, despite the presence of other ingredients.

Boketto's post about her pepper-powered smoothie quickly caught the attention of her online community, sparking a new wave of culinary humor to complement the ongoing turkey jokes. Pepper enthusiasts and foodies alike joined in on the fun, sharing their own spicy anecdotes and peppery puns with gusto.

Messages flooded Boketto's inbox, each one filled with laughter and pepper-themed jests. Some joked about the smoothie being so spicy it could melt steel, while others quipped about needing a fire extinguisher on hand just to take a sip. Pepper-related memes and gifs adorned her social media feed, adding a dash of spice to her online interactions.

and the pepper follow up, of course

Thank God my smoothie wasn't spicy or I'd be wheezing on the floor rn!

I did leave that vague though because apparently I'm a glutton for this sort of chaotic punishment T-T

[windslar]

Not So Berry Names

I just found a list of Not So Berry themed names that I made when I was doing the challenge. They lean on the side of cutesy and unconventional rather than your classic names. Anyway, I thought I’d share the list in case anyone playing wanted to use some of these names for their own gameplay.

Mint

Julep

Mojito

Pepper

Chip

Menthe

Minze

Jade

Corsica

Wrigley

Rose

Rosa

Cherry

Bloom

Ruby

Hawthorn

Balas

Camellia

Oleander

Scarlett

Carmine

Cerise

Poppy

Chili

Rowan

Crimson

Maple

Jasper

Clancy

Flynn

Garnet

Rory

Sorrell

Mars

Apple

Holly

Zinnia

Petunia

Cosmos

Yellow

Jaune

Amarelo

Lemon

Ochre

Honey

Zest

Mango

Bee

Honeysuckle

Wheat

Amber

Topaz

Daffodil

Citrine

Flax

Jasmine

Marigold

Xanthe

Sunny

Citrine

Bee

Acacia

Marigold

Honeydew

Grey / White

Siva

Grigio

Silver

Sterling

Ash

Steel

Nickel

Frost

Snow

Mist

Cloud

Rain

Hail

Timberwolf

Smoke

Storm

Wolf

Plum

Plume

Eirin

Violet

Violeta

Lila

Lavender

Amethyst

Indigo

Iris

Lilac

Mauve

Orchid

Thistle

Wisteria

Foxglove

Fig

Orange

Alani

Tangerine

Pumpkin

Apricot

Sienna

Nectarine

Eve

Summer

Roe

Persimmon

Rusty

Clementine

Saffron

Tawny

Butternut

Kumquat

Tiger

Persimmon

Pink

Coral

Orchid

Blush

Rouge

Blossom

Quartz

Clove

Posy

Camellia

Cerise

Mimi

Phlox

Lotus

Azalea

Dahlia

Peach

Peach

Apricot

Melon

Reef

Puff

Georgia

Schnapps

Melba

Blossom

Green

Zelena

Emerald

Leaf

Olive

Jade

Forest

Malachite

Fern

Hunter

Mindaro

Pistachio

Myrtle

Sage

Kale

Hazel

Juniper

Willow

Sylvie

Magnolia

Aspen

Silas

Roscoe

Kiwi

Basil

Pea

Dill

Zucchini

Clover

Blue

Azure

Bondi

River

Ocean

Cobalt

Marina

Periwinkle

Sapphire

Sky

Reef

Lake

Zenith

Rain

China

Robin

Jay

Celeste

Juno

Dion

Hyacinth

Kehlani

Cielo

Aster

Lupine

Freesia

Black

Sable

Onyx

Ebony

Jet

Coal

Carbon

Steel

Ash

Moody

Swan

Panther

Panda

Tea

Pepper

Olive

Brown

Caramel

Coffee

Tawny

Mocha

Coco

Toffee

Cookie

Clay

Hazel

Cashew

Maple

Willow

Flint

[sovereigntism]

Plotted starter for @queenharumiura.

﹉﹉﹉

King was... not having a good day. To explain, let's go back about... Twenty minutes prior. They had just gotten up for the day, lazy afternoon mornings were their favorite. They had gotten up, nuzzled and cuddled each of their cats, waved to Adriel as he was already up and watering his plants while he visited Japan... They even managed to blend up a smoothie drink! Cold fruits, specifically blueberries and raspberries, blended with cut up kale, and mixed with pomegranate juice and syrup, finished with the slightest bit of ice. The morning was truly a great morning. They picked up their bag, aiming to clean their sword this morning while enjoying a smoothie. Turning on their stereo, and having My Type by Saint Motel blaring out as they twirled to sit down in the living room, drink in hand. Only to feel their arm tug and immediately everything went silent. Almost reluctantly King looked up and was greeted with the unfortunate situation that they were no longer in their living room about to sit on the couch, but instead in the middle of a rather... sketchy looking meeting poised over an empty chair with someone behind it.

"[Shit- fuck]." The words came out in English first, habitual of hearing their mother swearing angrily in private over difficult to secure deals. This was... also quite the pickle. Quickly they switched over to Japanese. "Now, hold on gentlemen. I mean no harm-"

Someone shouted Spy! and King threw their drink, glass and all, at that person's face, clocking them clear in their nose, center face. Nervous hands gripped their backpack and they quickly stood from their half seated position. Feet bolted for the nearest door they could find, barrelling past and ducking around the now obviously enemies.

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck. Could this get any worse? Wait, no. I take that back. It really really can't, nope, not at all. Not gonna doom myself! Let's just pretend I didn't just jinx myself with that!

King shoved past more doors, swinging them wide open, looking for any door that led directly outside. They were not dressed for this area, still in house slippers and in loose pajama pants with a tank top on, their clothes were not black suit attire that everyone else seemed to have on. So with every door, a new cluster would join those chasing them. Someone shouted something about mafiosa in Italian and another shouted famiglia in Italian, but they were still speaking primarily Japanese to each other? King was quickly figuring out where they had ended up. But what timeline? Past? Future? A fixed timeline, or a doomed one? They couldn't tell, and they really really didn't care right then, what mattered was getting outside. Their shoes kept getting caught and slipping, so they had to take off their shoes just to get the right traction on the ground. They burst out of the building and continued on a fast track running away. Bare feet hitting concrete hard, and house slippers dangling in their left hand. Their right hand reached for the steel baton tied to their backpack, their enemies hadn't used lethal force yet, so slicing them with a sword felt a bit excessive... While running, they were not looking forward, but instead glancing backwards repeatedly, trying to escape the shouting mafia men behind them.

[skeletonqueen06]

Listen I wanna read a Post Tournament of Power fic where:

1. A week after the ToP, Goku feels bothered somewhat leaving the Zenos behind. (kind of)

2. So, Goku suggests to hold an after-party event (picnic-style) where everyone is invited. Everyone means EVERYONE. The Zenos, participants who participated in the ToP, each universes Kaioshins and their respective Gods of Destructions, like literally everyone, including the Z gang too.

3. When he first proposed the idea to Beerus and Whis, Beerus goes like "Hell naw, not on your fucking life" while Whis goes like "Sounds interesting, maybe I should call my Father and see what he thinks about this." After lots of pestering, beerus and the kaioshins finally agreed and miraculously everyone from other universes are fine with it as well.

4. Then Chichi and Bulma got busy preparing for the after-party.

5. When the picnic finally happen, everyone from other universes were so tense because the Zenos will be there too. The gang from the U7 on the other hand literally excited for the picnic.

6. Goku formally introduced the Z gang and his family members to the Zenos.

7. When Chichi finally met the Zenos face to face, she was instantly on grandma's mode, and said, "Now that I see you up close, you're so small. Here lemme fix you up something real quick, so you'll grow big and strong like my husband.

8. Everyone excluding the Goku's family was hella sweating at this point. Beerus and Champa just kept on eating thinking that they might as well die with full stomach.

9. Goten and Trunks asked the Zenos to play with them. Goten and Trunks taught the Zenos lots of fun games.

10. Pan on the other hand fly around the Grand Priest's head while trying to touch his hallo-thingy. Bulla was crawling around his feet trying to get his attention.

11. At this point, other people from other universes thinks that either the people from U7 have the nerve of steel, or they just literally bunch of crazy bastards.

12. Many fun things happen in the party. Kame Sennin let his perverted nature loose, the Saiyans and other warriors have an eating contest and all. Bonus point if Chichi and Bulma bonded with Kale and the others over how stupid Saiyans men can be while Cabba docilely sitting as he heard their complains wishing it won't be him they go to.

13. Anyway in the end, everyone enjoys the party.

14. Before leaving back to Earth, Goku said to the Zenos that if they ever felt bored again, might as well come to earth and have some fun there.

Sorry for the bad grammar. English is not first language, you see. But I really want to put this idea out there hoping that someone will write the fic or something.

[kopawz]

it is wip wednesday, my dudes. here, hold this:

In fact, Chai was punched *so* hard, he was going *THROUGH* the metallic ceiling, shouting as he was sent flying in a rush of wire, steel girders, breaking of glass, soft cement, crashing of wood, until–

*CLANG*

Chai’s back and head hit the back of metal in a resounding, painful sound– embedding him and 808 in another ceiling.

He coughed, before weakly laughing, “Ha– ha, Ow," He and 808 fell off the ceiling in a crumble of debris, and bounced onto the floor with glass and wood shards following them to the ground with a clatter.

That kind of hurt, actually. He wasn’t lying about the power transfer. Maybe it's a backhanded compliment, if Kale acknowledged that he couldn't beat him if he had just fought normally…

Or maybe he's just a huge sore loser who will gladly cheat if he isn't sure he's getting his way.

Chai looked around at the vaguely familiar surroundings as he made an effort to focus on breathing through a sudden pain.

He'd fallen next to the Chai and 808-shaped hole in the ground he flew out of. Man… we’ve gotta stop leaving these everywhere we go this week.

Glancing up and behind him, the amount of service desks, office chairs, polished wooden flooring, and oddly shaped cubicles were definitely familiar. All the lights were turned off, though, giving the place a different, somber vibe than it would have looked in the day-light.

The only light was coming from the ambient green glow of his core, some occasional moonlight from the windows, and 808’s glowing eyes. The only noise was his breathing, erratic heartbeat he could feel in his ears.

After looking around, he hummed with recognition, "Ohhh, this is just HR…" He took a labored breath, "So they're right above Spectra HQ?... Neat."

Not so neat that he accidentally caused a bunch of property damage again, but…

He's a little preoccupied right now. He’ll make up for it later.

Taking another heavy breath, Chai tried picking himself off his knees and chest to get up– It was very difficult to get up all the way… So Chai just sat up instead.

Reaching out beside him to check if 808 was alright, her eyes went wide with fright.

She immediately started pawing at her chest, sounding off loudly– but other than being startled, she looked fine?

“808? You’re not hurt are you–?”

She ignored his questions, and scuttled up to him, looking at him with concern. Still meowing with urgency.

"What– What’s the issue?..."

After looking at 808’s concerned pointing motions– Oh, is it me?

"It didn't *feel* like I got hit too hard. I mean," He squinted with slight effort if he focused on where the pain was coming from, "There’s this– weird burning sensation, but?..."

"I'm not bleeding, am I?” He reached to where he felt like he got punched, “I didn't even land on anything sharp, though…" There was another small clink of glass clattering to the floor when he tried to feel–

Hm.

Chai reached down to swipe open his button-up all the way to see what the stinging problem was.

"Oh, crap." …He and 808 stared in startled silence. Ok, so. He got suckerpunched a bit harder than he thought.

There was a break– a hole in the center of the protective casing of his power unit.

Glass was missing, and hairline cracks were obvious. Another small shard had fallen off when he moved to open his shirt. His music player had a crack in the screen; it was still thumping, thankfully… but it wasn’t playing any music. Kind of hard to pick a song at a time like this.

But, the real issue was that something was slowly leaking out of it.

Phew. Not red, so it’s not blood.

What even is it, then?... He reached up to lick a small amount from his hand as if that would help him figure out what it was, making 808 cringe at him. It didn’t taste very good, and it was far too hot.

Weakly laughing, Chai mumbled to himself, "...What am I, a lava lamp?" Unsure what the stuff leaking from his core was, he decides it’s best to stop touching his damaged power unit, and get up.

He breathed out, shakily, straining to stand up all the way. So, something was leaking from his core from the hole busted through the glass.

…Probably not great. It would probably be a bad idea to fight like this, so he should try leaving. Now.

Chai leaned his weight onto cubicle walls, and started walking toward an elevator he caught sight of down the hallway on HR’s third floor.

Chai decides on a quick, simple plan:

"Okay!..." He breathed out in a tired puff of air, "Get the hell outta here, get patched up, get backup, and…?”

808 walked beside him, agitated at this injury he insisted on walking off. She kept warbling up at him.

He nodded loosely at 808 to reassure the little kitty, slightly readjusting his glasses, “...Then come back, to kick his ass. We'll be fine. I don’t think that A.I. can leave the HQ, anyway."

A soft elevator chime rang out, echoing across the dead quiet of the office.

…Chai and 808 looked ahead in the distance with confusion, and then shock as they heard the elevator doors open:

Kale was inside. He wasn’t looking this way yet.

He stepped out of the elevator as the glass doors glided open, and the lights and power to the lift had instantly deactivated, and flicked back off as he left.

Kale looked around, confused as he dragged his energy sword that reflected blue light along the polished wooden floor.

His deep voice was faint, but Chai could still hear him pondering to himself with malicious intent,

"Alright then… You couldn't have gotten *that* far. Where are you?"

Crap–!

Rushing to hide inside a cubicle, Chai slumped down in someone's office chair. 808 kept quiet, faux-fur bristling with fright.

He swiped his hands into his hair, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the computer desk. Craaaaaap.

[thesmallmeggles]

WIP Wednesday

Only it's Violet × Zanzo and it's an AU! 🌑 *Two* AUs 🧜‍♀️

(Reminder to block * #launch the megalleon * if you don't want to see my self ship stuff)

👇 Click Read More... If You Dare👇

Shadows Across The Moon (Horror Fantasy)

"Don't just stand there!" Peppermint said. "Finish him."

"Oh, right."

Zanzo is on his hands and knees before the ruined summoning circle. His hair snakes hiss at Chai when he steps in front of him. He raises his head, brows knit and jaw clenched in building fury.

"This is all… because of you!" Zanzo yells as he reaches for his goggles.

Chai raises his weapon right when the goggles lower. Zanzo locks onto his reflection, an abrupt cry escaping him as he petrifies. The resulting statue would make for awesome lawn decoration, minus the frozen expression of terror. Two out of six bosses down for the count. Light glinting on gold catches Chai's eye; the gorgon's head medallion is unharmed. He attempts to tug on the chain but it won't budge. Grumbling, Chai prepares to strike.

"No!" A purple and orange blur passes before him, throwing itself on the Zanzo statue. Blotchy faced Violet stares up at Chai, chest heaving. "Don't kill him. Please."

This woman can't be serious.

"Okay," Chai said, lowering his weapon. "But we're gonna need his magical thing-y either way."

Sniffling, Violet studies the medallion. "Maybe with a chisel?

~~~

One pull and the medallion breaks free from the statue, its indent left behind. Stone softens to flesh and cloth, and a de-gorgoned Zanzo drops to his knees, gasping. He clings to Violet and doesn't let go for minutes.

"That was a nightmare," Zanzo says. His dark brown eyes glisten with tears threatening to spill. "Trapped in impenetrable darkness without sensation. Thoughts spiraling in endless loops." He stiffen and springs back, covering his eyes. "I can't be looking at you unprotected- I'll curse you to the same fate." Gloved hands fumble for mirrored safety goggles that are no longer on his head; they'd fallen off in his altercation with Chai. 

"Zanzo, it's okay," Violet replies. She presents the gorgon medallion to Zanzo, letting it dangle from its chain. "You're human now."

He looks at her with furrowed brows and a slack jaw. "Why do you have that? But more importantly, why are we not in the laboratory?" He fans his arms out to the entirety of the hideout. "I have a backlog of projects to catch up on."

She rubs the side of her neck. "That's… not a good idea given all the monsters roaming around. Even if there are less of them on the west side of the island now."

Zanzo wobbles to a stand with a steeled expression. "So what? With the medallion, they consider me one of their own." He sticks out his palm. "Hand it over."

Violet clasps it to her chest, shaking her head. "Kale is using you. The notes-"

He folds his arms tight. "He is one of the few people who have ever supported my endeavors. Whatever needs doing to stay within his good graces, I shall oblige."

"Even if it gets you killed?" There's a quiver in Violet's voice as she rises. "Because Chai almost…"

Zanzo: "Mister Chai, right. I'd forgotten about him. Where is he now?"

Violet: "Dealing with Korsica alongside the others, I think."

Hurried steps echo down the hall. Wide eyed Peppermint barges into the room, accompanied by a yowling 808. Macaron follows behind, cradling two bodies in his massive arms- Chai and Korsica, unconscious and bloodied. CNMN is last to enter, worry drawn on his face.

"Injured parties," Peppermint barks. "We need clear space." She shoves objects off of couches. Even with personal matters to address, Zanzo is quicker to jump into assistance than Violet.

Violet: "What happened?"

Peppermint: "My asshole brother tried to fire Korisca, literally."

Mermaid/Sea Creature AU

Violet reeled back as a deep green crest breached the water's surface, followed by a lean, sandy-beige torso. The man who had emerged greeted her with an intense smile. Jet black brows arched over shining, upward slanted eyes probing every inch of her. Blue metal arms connected by a chest harness hovered at his sides, fingers twitching.

"Greetings," the man crowed. "Who is it that's summoned me from the depths of my lair?"

"I'm Violet," Violet said, cringing at how her voice hiked pitch. "Sorry, I didn't expect anyone to pop up so soon."

The man chuckled. "You don't need to look so frightened. Promise I don't bite. Typically." He plucked weeds off his shoulders with a momentary scowl before throwing them back. "I am Zanzo! The greatest visionary the world has ever known."

As their interaction progressed, Violet better understood why Caramel warned her away from consulting this guy. His arrogance could start wars.

…

Zanzo hoisted himself beside Violet on the dock with a splash and a grunt. Instead of a fish tail like she expected, the area below his waist divided into lengthy, mottled reddish-pink octopus tentacles. (They twisted around each other.) The two front most tentacles didn't quite match the others; were they prosthetics like his arms?

"Proposition for you," he began. "There are certain items I need for my work that I cannot acquire since I am restricted to the tide. So" -he looks to her, grinning- "I am in dire need of someone who can retrieve them."

"You want me to be your errand girl?" Violet asks.

"Exactly!" Zanzo cheers. "I appreciate you catching on so quickly."

"This would be paid, I assume."

"Mm-hmm. And far from the only benefit."

"What would the other benefits be?"

"I'll tell you upon agreement. So are you in?"

"Let me think about it."

"Don't take too long. I could lose my interest."

[spacenutspod]

Astronauts on board the International Space Station are often visited by supply ships from Earth with food among other things. Take a trip to Mars or other and the distances are much greater making it impractical to send fresh supplies. The prepackaged food used by NASA loses nutritional value over time so NASA is looking at ways astronauts can produce nutrients. They are exploring genetic engineering techniques that can create microbes with minimal ingredients.  Many of us take food and eating for granted. The food we can enjoy is usually flavoursome and the textures varied. Astronauts travelling through space generally rely upon pre-packaged food and often this can lack the taste and textures we usually enjoy. Lots of research has gone into developing a more pleasurable dining experience for astronauts but this has usually concentrated on short duration trips.  The space station’s Veggie Facility, tended here by NASA astronaut Scott Tingle, during the VEG-03 plant growth investigation, which cultivated Extra Dwarf Pak Choi, Red Russian Kale, Wasabi mustard, and Red Lettuce and harvested on-orbit samples for testing back on Earth. Credits: NASA During longer term missions, astronauts will have to grow their own food. Not only due to the nutritional issues that form the purpose of this article but carrying prepackaged food for flights that last many years becomes a logistic challenge and a launch overhead. To address the loss of nutritional values, the Ames Research Centre’s Space Biosciences Division has launched its BioNutrients project.  The team has announced they has come up with a solution, thanks to the wonders of genetic engineering. The approach that the team has developed involves microbial based food (similar to yeast) that can produce nutrients and compounds with small amounts of resources.  The secret is to store dried microbes and take food grade bioreactors along on the trip. Until now I never knew what a bioreactor was nor that they even existed. I live in the world of physics and astrophysics so this concept intrigued me. Turns out that a bioreactor does just what it says. It is a container of some form, often made from steel) inside which, a biologically active environment can be maintained. Often chemical processes are carried out inside which involve organisms undergoing either aerobic or anaerobic processes. They are often used to grow cells or tissues and it is within these that NASA pins their hopes on cultivating food in space.  Even years after departure, the dried out microbes can be rehydrated many years later and cultured inside the bioreactor, creating the nutrients astronauts need. To date, the team has managed to produce carotenoids (a pigment found in nature) which are used for antioxidants, follistatin for muscle loss and yogurt and kefir to keep the gut in good health. The real challenge though is making food that the astronauts will want to eat.  Source : BioNutrients Flight Experiments The post Astronaut Food Will Lose Nutrients on Long-Duration Missions. NASA is Working on a Fix appeared first on Universe Today.

[vegietribe]

A HEALTHY VEGAN GROCERY LIST

There are so many astounding vegan foods out there, you may be surprised by just how many choices there are! Here are a couple of examples of some of the foods, vegans eat.

FRUITS & VEGETABLES

Purchase fruits and vegetables from all the categories beneath. Pick up affordable basics like carrots, apples, bananas, and celery, and supplement with produce that’s in season.

FRUITS

Frozen fruit is useful for smoothies and baking. Previously frozen fruit was used for topping oatmeal or non-dairy yogurts. Dried fruit can be taken on the go with nuts or can be used as a topping for breakfast cereal, and in baking.

Apples Pears Kiwis Oranges Grapefruit Lemons Limes Peaches Plums Nectarines Bananas Raspberries Blackberries Watermelon Honeydew Cantaloupe Apricots Grapes Mangoes Cherries Strawberries Last but not least, Blueberries

FROZEN

Strawberries Raspberries Blueberries Mixed berry blends Sweet cherries Mango Mixed fruit blends

DRIED

Raisins Currants Cranberries Apricots Dates Figs Apple slices Lastly, Banana chips

VEGETABLES

Purchase a couple of vegetables to eat crude in salads, sandwiches, or with dips. Pick up at least 1-2 mixed greens for salad bases and sandwiches. Choose an assortment of fresh or frozen vegetables that are really great for steaming, sautéing,  stir-frying, and roasting. Frozen vegetables are an extraordinary staple and are exceptionally flexible.

FRESH (RAW & COOKING)

Broccoli Carrots Celery Cauliflower Cucumbers Snap peas Tomatoes Bell peppers Avocado

FRESH (COOKING)

Zucchini Mushrooms Squashes Asparagus Kale Garlic

FRESH (LEAFY GREENS)

Baby Kale Baby Spinach Romaine Butter Lettuce Leaf Lettuce Salad Mixes

FROZEN

Broccoli Asparagus Spinach Corn Peas Edamame Stir-fry mixes

GRAINS, BEANS & LEGUMES

Keep at least 2, 100% whole grain bakery products on hand for making sandwiches, wraps, or pitas. These products freeze well so keep a selection in your freezer and simply defrost single servings as needed. Keep 2-3 whole grains or starches & a couple of beans, legumes, and soy items. Blend and match them and add a vegetable side dish for a complete meal. The cereal is incredible to keep on hand for easy & healthy breakfasts.

100% WHOLE WHEAT

Bread Tortillas English muffins Bagels Pitas Pasta

WHOLE GRAINS & STARCHES

Oatmeal (quick, rolled, or steel-cut) Brown rice Quinoa Seitan (wheat gluten) Sweet Potatoes Russet Potatoes

BEANS & LEGUMES

Chickpeas (canned/dry) Black Beans (canned/dry) Kidney Beans Lentils (dry) Hummus Veggie Burgers (lentil, bean, or vegetable-based) Edamame (frozen)

SOY PRODUCTS

Firm Tofu Soft/ Silken Tofu Smoked/ Marinated Tofu Tempeh Soy milk

You can read out the amazing blogs & recipes at Vegie Tribe. Vegie Tribe an assortment of vegan foods.

[dramatic-shitpost-poet]

Guinea Pig

Enclosure:

They need fresh water daily and it can be supplied either in a bowl or in a sipper water container you can hang on the cage.

Guinea pigs can be housed in enclosures made of wire, stainless steel, durable plastic or glass. Wood should not be used because it is difficult to clean and easy for guinea pigs to chew on and destroy the enclosure. There should be one side of the enclosure open to promote air ventilation. It should obviously be escape proof and have no sharp edges or potential hazards for your guinea pig.

The flooring or substrate should be mostly solid as to avoid injury and acceptable bedding include wood shavings, shredded paper, processed ground corn cob, newspaper, aspen shavings, pine shavings, and commercial pellets.

Make sure the enclosure is away from any danger or other animals for safety and the sides need to be at least 10 inches tall to avoid them jumping out

The ENVIRONMENT in which you house your guinea pig should be in a quiet spot away from noise, excitement and stress. You should avoid direct sunlight, as well as cold damp areas. They are nocturnal, so they need quiet periods of light to rest. Guinea pigs do best in dry, cool environments with adequate ventilation.

They do not do well alone as they are social animals (read personality section) and should be housed together in the same enclosure. Females can be housed together along with both sexes, but 2 males might just fight so be wary.

Larger is better when it comes to housing guinea pigs, but 47 x 24 x 14 inches is good for 2 guinea pigs.

They need hiding places for comfort and one should be there for each guinea pig

Their teeth also grow continuously throughout their life so chew toys are needed, but hay grass also helps keep their teeth a good size

The habitat needs to be cleaned once a week minimum and bedding should be replaced along with it. Wet spots should be removed daily as well.

Diet/feeding habits:

They are herbivores like most prey animals and the majority of their diet is hay grass. You can use any hay grass, but avoid legume hay grass as it’s high in calories. You can supply the hay grass by a hay feeder or in the corner of the enclosure. It should be supplied daily.

Dark leafy greens such as kale, collard greens, mustard greens and dandelion greens are particularly good sources of vitamin C, but you can also try offering sweet peppers, apples, pears, berries, broccoli, cucumbers, parsley and basil. You should feed your pig around ¼ to ½ packed cup of fresh food daily. Fruits are a once a week thing though and veggies are daily or every other day.

Specific guinea pig pellets can be given as well, but only ¼ a cup a day max and keep an eye on their weight.

AVOID FEEDING foods high in starch, like peas, beans, corn, nuts, cakes, cookies, cereal, grains and bread along with chocolate or caffeine

Personality:

The sight, smell, taste, texture of your guinea pig’s food can be mentally stimulating for them, as well as the sound of the food preparation, which can provide a joyful anticipation for what is to come. To increase mental stimulation, you can put hay or fresh foods in empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls, non-toxic baskets or in little pieces of crumpled paper. You can also put pellets in a small hollow plastic ball with holes in the side.

Guinea pigs love a good cuddle but on the first day home, make sure to give your guinea pig time to settle in. Speak with your new furry friend in soft, soothing tones. They also like it when you gently stroke their head. Give your guinea pig 15 minutes and then try again if seems anxious

They are very social animals and need to be housed together otherwise they’ll get lonely

If they aren’t used to being handled then they may try to scratch or jump, but frequent handlings may help.

When they are happy they “popcorn” or jump around, sometimes into the air. They also zoom around their cage sometimes when incredibly happy

They are naturally prey animals, so they need places to hide to feel secure.

prefers a routine and similar time for playing, feeding and resting each day

They can get territorial, so it is better to introduce them all at once than later on.

Physical traits:

Average adult size is 8-11 inches long

Teeth are mostly yellow and grow endlessly throughout their lives

Some have fur and some are hairless as well (read grooming section)

Their nails are sharp and need to be trimmed sometimes

Types: Abyssinian, alpaca, american, skinny/baldwin, coronet, himalayan, lunkarya, merino, peruvian, rex, sheba, silkie, teddy, texel, white-crested, etc.

Life span and age:

They can live up to 8 years with proper care, but typical lifespan is 4-8 years

Health concerns:

Diarrhea: Loose stool caused by poor diet, stress, internal parasites, unclean housing or other illness

Malocclusion: overgrown teeth

Mites/lice: External parasites that cause guinea pigs to lose patches of hair.

Ringworm: skin infection caused by a fungus

Scurvy: A disease caused by vitamin C deficiency resulting in poor appetite, sore joints and chest and bleeding from the gums

Exercises to do:

Placing a hand into the cage will often cause the guinea pig to approach. They can then be easily scooped up. One hand should cup the hind end while the other hand cradles the midsection. Two hands are always recommended when picking up and handling a guinea pig so that there is less risk of dropping them. This will help them get used to handling

Never approach from above because that mimics predators, always approach from the side

Grooming needs:

They do not need baths that often, but if they have mites they may need to be cleaned more regularly. You can often just use a wet washcloth or unscented baby wipes to spot clean though

Their nails need to be clipped about once a month, but give or take and just keep an eye

Fur may be brushed with a soft-backed brush. Hairless guinea pigs benefit from a small amount of non-toxic aloe-based lotion rubbed onto skin to keep it soft

Teeth is normal to be yellow and does not need to be cleaned

Grooming them is also a great way to bond as well