#Textile Ranch

[crescend0ll5555]

[wally-b-feed]

[colour-is-its-own-reward]

The Huntington Library: 'Go behind the scenes with our horticulture manager Kelly to see how we harvest cochineal in our Experimental Ranch Garden!

This natural red dye has been utilized by many cultures to color food, cosmetics, and textiles for thousands of years...'

[backroad-life]

Credit: Backroad-life

[vefania]

sup, here I come with my delusions again, so, remember the map we see in TBOSAS, when Lucky is explaining the weather given the inactivity in the arena? I don't know if it appeared somewhere else or whatever

District 10 is basically Texas and part of México, specifically what seems like Chihuahua, Durango, Sonora and Coahuila, and I'm tired of moodboards with orange barns and Yankee cowboys, so, imagine this other half of the district kinda like:

Drought-resistant flora like mesquites, yucca, sotol, and ocotillo.

Dry grasslands and ranching plains, with caves.

Regional livestock like goats, criollo cattle, and mules.

White-tailed deer, puma, coyote, and roadrunner.

Nopaleras (prickly pear groves) —but not cartoonish cactus landscapes.

Rarámuri and Yaqui influences, although the majority would be mestizos.

Dried meat, queso asadero, and flour tortillas

The use of colorful skirts and rebozos.

Textile art, basketry, or pottery with geometric patterns.

Regional dances.

But adapted to Panem sure. I know that many parts of northern Mexico have more American influence than central or southern Mexico, which is why I didn't add things like Día de Muertos, but it's also an option; same with many traditions such as Holy Week or patron saint festivals since I don't know if Catholicism prevails in Panem.

Anyway, kinda like:

The poverty is missing, you may say, but trust me, my grandmother lives like this and we still depend on Government's money so 👍

Also I tried to find images from these states but you know how internet is, I'm sorry if some images are from somewhere else. 😪

[theplottdump]

𝗬𝗮𝗿𝗻. The whole thing was full of watcher forsaken YARN. And not only that - there was a cloud of that same sweet smelling - jojoba euycalptus whatever bullshit again - it seemed to emanate from this hole in the foundation, clinging to the textiles in the room.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙡 - it was so familiar. It was overpoweringly sweet - like the one buried under all the pine and cinnamon back at the ranch. Skin sweating, substance slowing starting to cling to her dress, Poppy attempted to slap her few functional braincells together to assess her confusing discovery.

‪Poppy: 008 Come in. Kate: Here. Did you get in?

Poppy: Yeah- the whole thing is full of - I don't know yarn? Kate: Like Knifty Knitting? Shit. Maybe it's buried in there? Did you dig deeper?

Poppy: No not yet- Kate: 𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭 … ? Poppy: Yeah yeah I'm going.

But something Poppy was still learning about spywork- sometimes even best laid plans, 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙛𝙚𝙬 𝙗𝙡𝙞���𝙙𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙨.

Shepherd: You know, I think that's quite enough of that.

[arecaceae175]

trick or treat~ 👻

(First Part) (<- Previous Part)

“Is he still talking?” Wind moaned.

Time nodded. "Go on to the next house, squirt. If he's not done by then, we can resort to drastic measures." Time gently pushed Wind's bandana, steering him towards the next house. Wind squeaked in protest and shoved his hands away.

"Not a squirt!" Wind shoved his finger between Time's ribs then ran to the next house before he could recover.

"Trick or treat!"

A generic couple opened the generic door Wind had knocked on. They smiled their generic smiles and offered him some generic candy.

"Aren't you cute. Now, what are you supposed to be?" They asked in unison.

"I'm a pirate," Wind answered, because he was. If he had to blend in, he might as well make it easy for himself.

"Aw, you sure are. Have a fun night!"

"Thanks!" Wind called as he skipped away. Time was waiting at the end of the sidewalk, and Warriors was still talking to whoever he was talking to.

"So..." Wind said. "Should we just leave him?"

Time hesitated. "...No."

"You thought about it!" Wind said, pointing at Time.

"You can't prove that."

"You so thought about it." Wind laughed. "Drastic measures?"

Time smirked. "Drastic measures."

Wind sucked in a breath and cupped his hands around his mouth, but Time stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

"Keep it PG. There are kids around," Time said.

"Hm. Yeah, ok, fair." Perhaps 'Hurry up, I gotta take a massive shit!' wasn't the best thing to yell in a neighborhood of trick-or-treating children.

"Wars!" Wind yelled instead, as loud as he could. "Quit flirting, we gotta go!"

Warriors held up a middle finger over his shoulder and continued talking. Wind huffed in frustration, but Time squeezed his shoulder again. "Count to twelve. That's as long as I usually give him to finish a conversation."

Wind rolled his eyes and started counting. By the time he got to ten, Warriors turned and sauntered back to them. Wind, again, rolled his eyes.

Warriors held out his arms gleefully. "Guess who got a commission?"

"Really? Well done," Time said.

"She was so impressed by my handmade Corpse Bride that she wants me to make her cosplay for a convention next year!" Warriors said.

"Cool," Wind said, in the tone of someone who very much did not care about textiles and wanted to eat candy. "Can we go now?"

"Yes, you little heathen. We're due back at the ranch soon. Two more houses, go."

Wind scampered away.

(Next Part ->)

[spacesapphi]

Guys... Can I talk ab the Marnie lore for the main story I'm writing for my interp of Stardew...

Too bad, doin it anyways

Marnie Lore Doc is Here!!!

This mostly goes over her backstory as in what she was like when she was younger, all the basic story points of what happened with her leading up to the parts that I'm writing about in my fanfics (there will be no spoilers here)

CW for some talks of health and death

Everything is below the cut!

Marnie and her sister Mona were born in 1959 (Stardew in my writing takes place around 2010) and grew up in the ranch house in Pelican Town. The farm had been in the family for generations now, the Yoder family taking great pride in their roots as PA Dutch people. The girls’ father instilled the ideals of working hard and taking pride in said work from a young age, having them help out on the ranch when they were as young as 5. 

The girls were each other's best friends growing up, and they grew extremely close. They knew each other's deepest secrets and biggest dreams, and supported each other wholeheartedly. Mona was the first person to know that Marnie wanted to be a textile artist instead of a rancher. It wasn’t like she didn’t like the animals, she loved them! But life in the valley felt too stagnant for her, and she felt like she could only truly excel if she made something of herself out in the world. Mona supported her wholeheartedly, giving her praises and critiques on her works, and overall being her biggest fan. Her father wasn’t exactly so excited about this, however. He worried that going out into the city would change his daughter too much, make her forget her roots. Not to mention, the ranch needed to be cared for. It took a lot of convincing from Marnie, and Mona assuring him that she’d take over the business for him to finally come to accept that choice.

She worked for the ranch through highschool and into her early 20’s to save up to go to her dream college, a fabulous arts institute in Zuzu City. It was incredibly expensive, but she managed to save every spare cent to pay for her classes. She was so proud of herself, as were her father and Mona. Unfortunately, the year before she was set to go didn’t go as planned for anyone. Their father passed away unexpectedly, leaving Mona as the sole caretaker of the ranch. Marnie offered to stay home, to push off college and help Mona with the work, but she kept insisting she could handle it, telling Marnie to pursue her goals. Reluctantly, she agreed to go forward with college, thanking Mona for being so kind and understanding. 

The first year away at college was interesting to say the least! The valley was so small and tight knit, and it was jarring seeing so many people all crammed into one place like in the city. Marnie felt like a true fish out of water. People in the city commented on her clothes, how she ‘talked funny’, and how her mannerisms were ‘odd’. She started feeling like maybe she made a mistake, and almost went home during orientation week. However, she changed her mind after meeting her roommate, Pamela Finch.

 She was an… odd woman to say the least. Pam dressed in all kinds of bright, funky clothes, wore heavy makeup and had her blonde hair teased to high heaven, the poster child of the 80’s. She didn’t seem to take many things too seriously, just ‘going wherever the wind took her’. College was her dad’s idea, as he wanted her to do something big and important with her life. But Pam? Her dream was being a trucker, driving all across the country with nothing but the open road and the radio to keep her company. Though in many ways they were opposites, Marnie grew to enjoy her company. They were both considered ‘odd’ by people in the city, just in different ways. Pam was her best friend of all time, a fun and rowdy one who got in all sorts of trouble. They were great for each other, though. Pam was able to mellow out a little and Marnie was brought out of her shell through their friendship.

On top of gaining a new friend, Marnie would soon gain another family member! She and Mona made it a point to call each other at least 3 times a week, updating each other on their lives. Marnie typically was the one with the most exciting news to share, as the valley often was not exciting, but Mona actually had something interesting to share. She was going to have a baby, and Marnie was over the moon at the thought of being an aunt. When she asked who Mona was seeing, and when she would meet the lucky man, Mona got standoffish. The man pretty much ghosted her when he found out, and Mona didn't want to talk about it. Marnie got the hint quick and wouldn’t bring it up again.

The next spring, right after the Spring semester let out, Marnie went home to meet the baby for the first time. This baby would be her little nephew Shane, and he was the cutest thing she ever saw… though she was a bit taken aback at his purple hair. The shock wore off quickly, Marnie claiming that such a unique trait was the mark of a future artist like herself! She absolutely adored and spoiled her nephew, and was so pained to leave him and Mona to go back to the city once the Fall rolled around. 

When she got back, she dormed with Pam once again, who proudly announced that she had gotten married over the Summer! The two barely knew each other for two months, but she swore they were in love. He was the man of her dreams, a wild and handsome trucker who promised to take her all over the country with him as soon as she was out of college. Her dad was not happy about this, almost disowning Pam over it, but he eventually came around to it and reluctantly accepted his daughter's choice. (Pam would only come to realize YEARS later that she was dealing with comphet, and realizes she's a lesbian when she moves back to Pelican town)

The next school year was exciting, consisting of many elaborate projects and even gallery showings for Marnie! Mona showed up to every single one she could, always telling her sister she was gonna go far with this. It gave her the motivation to keep pushing herself above and beyond, making more conceptual pieces, always inserting symbols of the culture she grew up in and loved so much. She promised her dad she wouldn’t forget her roots, and stuck by that promise. 

In her Junior year, Marnie found herself getting considered for a grand opportunity, an apprenticeship with one of the greatest artists guilds in the country. The job would almost guarantee herself a spot in the art scene. She was ecstatic, overjoyed! Pam insisted they go to a party that night to celebrate… and Marnie learned quickly that she did not enjoy the party scene, especially after she got stuck with a nasty hangover in the morning. 

She chose to work even harder on her art, improving steadily to prove that she deserved this apprenticeship, and her spot in the art world. Her dreams were coming true before her eyes, and she couldn’t possibly be more excited. Whenever she called Mona, she had the most enthusiastic voice, chattering away about all her plans and projects, everything that kept her so busy. But perhaps she was too busy, at least too busy to realize Mona was progressively beginning to sound more tired and unwell with each call. 

Mona convinced herself she was able to handle the ranch and a child, but it was becoming clear she couldn’t. The stress was taking a toll on her health, and she was already starting to go gray in her twenties. She was getting weaker as time passed, the strain of it all having disastrous effects. She refused to tell Marnie though, knowing she would drop everything to come back home, give up and turn back when she was so close to touching the stars. Marnie noticed when she came back home though, seeing how much older and tired her sister looked. She insisted she was going to stay home, Mona telling her no, and a fight broke out between the two over it. Marnie eventually agreed to go back to school and finish her degree, though she felt uneasy about it. 

Senior year was nerve wracking. All the work she had put into this degree was under intense scrutinization, the apprenticeship on the line. All those sleepless nights and days spent squirreled away in the textiles studio were finally paying off. Marnie was noticeably off her game this year though, her thoughts too preoccupied with Mona's health. She was also afraid she was going to fumble this, make a fool of herself in front of everyone and lose the opportunity. But to her surprise, and relief, she was chosen in the end. Upon graduating she would start the apprenticeship, and join the greats in the art world! This should’ve been the happiest time in her life, and it could’ve been if not for the devastating call she got just after graduation.

She and Pam were clearing out their dorm, talking about the future and all the exciting things they had planned. They had graduated just a few days ago, and the excitement was still buzzing in them (though Marnie couldn't help but feel disappointed that Mona couldn't come).

Pam was talking about starting a family with her husband, so excited about the life she saw ahead for the two of them. And Marnie would be on her way to New York, living the high life in the big city and throwing her life into her work. Pam promised to visit her if her work ever brought her to the state.

Marnie chattered on about her plans once she got to the city, getting interrupted by the phone ringing. It was a call from back home. The town doctor was on the line, informing her Mona was hospitalized, and the outlook wasn’t good. Life ground to a halt immediately. Marnie packed the rest of her things as fast as she could, rushing out the door without saying goodbye to her roommate, speeding home as fast as she could.

She didn’t leave Mona’s side once in her last moments, the two talking about life, regrets, and what the future would be like. Marnie scolded her for not opening up about how bad it actually was, and for insisting she go back to school when the stress was legitimately killing her. Mona told her she just wanted her to follow her dream, but if her dream came at the cost of her sister, her best friend, Marnie didn’t want it. Mona asked her to take care of Shane, and Marnie promised she would. By the next morning, Mona was gone.

Marnie of course had to turn down the apprenticeship, moving right back into her childhood home instead of that flashy apartment in the city she had looked forward to. Getting back into the rhythm of ranch life, and adjusting to life with a toddler was difficult, to say the least. The guilt of knowing this is just how Mona felt for so long weighed on her heart, and she promised herself she would do her best to make up for that. As time went on, life began to get easier, though it was never the same. Having no support system, no close friends or any family here was so hard. But she had her nephew, and knowing that he needed her kept her going. 

About two years later, a very familiar woman moved into town, trailer hitched to the back of a pickup truck. When Marnie realized it was Pam of all people, she was overjoyed. Finally, she had a close friend, a familiar face back in the valley with her! She had a baby of her own too, a little girl named Penny that she just adored. Pam explained how her husband had walked out on them recently, and she decided to settle back here for a simpler pace. She was going to take over the bus driving job as well, a position that had very recently opened up! The two talked about the past few years, exchanging stories of the highs and lows of it all. Neither of them expected to be here in Pelican Town, living such similar lifestyles after having such lofty goals and dreams. Pam seemed to find the humor in it though, and expressed that she hoped Penny and Shane would grow up to be good friends. (They would not </3 )

The next few years were a whirlwind. The ranch was a lot of work of course, but there was so much more too! She’d been invited to an aerobics group with all the other ladies in town, won the valley fair quite a few times, had a short, fleeting romance with the man running the saloon, her nephew came out to her as trans (Marnie was actually the one to pick out the name Shane!), the old farmer next door had struck a wonderful business deal with her, and she surprisingly found herself happy in this spot in life. 

This life wasn’t the one she had planned, that was for sure. There were still many things that she regretted, so many things she wished she could’ve done and achieved. She still grieved too, grieving the loss of her opportunity and her sister. But despite it all, and through all the future troubles and misfortunes that would befall her family, she couldn’t help but keep a glimmer of hope that everything would be okay in the end. And with time, it would be.

Pam and Marnie YEARS in the future, almost 30 years after college, will come to realize they have feelings for each other. Pam fell first but Marnie fell harder when she came to realize she also likes women. The two are married and living their best life on the ranch, very much in love

[phoenixyfriend]

They Went to Live on a Farm

No, really. Rex and Wolffe got a ranch. Ahsoka's visiting!

Written for "Alive: A Rexsoka Zine," over at @rexsokazine. We just got permission to post! Whoo!

-----------

She comes to the planet on public transport, safer now than she has been in years. She pays for a ticket, and hardly worries about bounties or Imperial inquisitors. She’s outlived that regime.

Renting a speeder is similarly easy.

(It’s been less than a decade since the destruction of Alderaan. It’s been only five years since the battle on Endor. Ahsoka is only forty-five, and she’s outlived civilizations.)

(It’s a sobering thought, always.)

Rex is waiting in the fields when the speeder pulls up. He’s out there with some herd animals that she’s forgotten the name of, wearing a straw hat on his head to protect his scalp from the sun.

His hair’s been thinning. He’s forty-one, but the clones aged double for the first ten years, so he’s really more like fifty, and…

Well, he hates to admit it, but his age is really catching up to him. Ahsoka’s usually too polite to point it out.

“Commander!” He calls out, and she disembarks straight into his arms with a laugh. The speeder is even still sputtering behind her.

“Commander,” she greets right back, and he chuckles against her montral, stubble rasping against the skin that’s leathered with age. She still swats at him for it.

“Rude,” he mocks, backing away and right into the side of one of the furry creatures that’s ambled up right behind him. It’s tall enough that it’s more like a high wall than anything, and he doesn’t seem particularly surprised by the creature simply showing up in his way.

“So, these are…” she trails off.

“Nerfs, actually,” Rex says, roughly smacking at the creature’s side. Said creature is large enough that it appears not to notice. “Just a bit of a local offshoot, relatively unique breed, bigger than the usual. The fur’s more like a bantha than the usual nerf, longer, that sort of thing.”

“So they’re mostly for textiles?” Ahsoka asks, coming closer by enough to pet the nerf’s snout. “The size certainly seems closer to a bantha…”

“Only when you don’t have them next to each other for comparison,” Rex says. “You wanna stay out here with the animals a bit, or go see Wolffe?”

“He’s in?”

“And only almost as grumpy as usual!”

(Continue on AO3)

[thesimscurator]

Sim File Share Hack

Hi, friends!

I'm sure that by now, many of you have heard that Sim File Share, the site where I and many other creators keep our Sims files for download, got hacked. Some people's files have been infested with rider viruses that get downloaded at the same time as the file, so please use caution when downloading anything from SFS and check for riders, especially .exe files.

I went and downloaded all the current versions of my own files to check them, and can confirm that as of now, the two current versions of Career World (Horse Ranch and For Rent) are both virus-free, and so are the career chart and the Dream Town Makeover save file.

I did, however, find a rider on the list of study abroad opportunities, of all things, so I have deleted that file from SFS. For those wanting to know what study abroad opportunities I have baked into Career World, here's the full text of that list:

Career World: List of Study Abroad Opportunities

Selvadorada: there are two study abroad programs based in Selvadorada! Firstly, the Archaeological Base Camp runs a summer archaeology program for large groups of budding historians and those who want to adventure deep into the jungle. The other option is a woofing opportunity for a solo student: working at the llama ranch at the topmost hill overlooking Puerto Llamante, where you’ll learn the traditional arts of llama husbandry and textile making.

Willow Creek/Newcrest/Magnolia Promenade: “rent” MercuCorp Parcel #2 with your study abroad group, then actually stay at the Hotel Barat in Pendula Row South. Enjoy the many local flavors of greater Willow Creek, including soul food, music clubs, gambling, and even dabbling in the occult. Who knows: you may discover talents—or powers—you never even knew you had.

Oasis Springs: Foxbury students interested in tech have a unique opportunity through their alumni network in Oasis Springs, where prestigious gaming entrepreneur Dirk Dreamer runs a summer internship program at FutureSim HQ just for them. Only one student a year bags this coveted internship, and can spend their summer doing a home stay in his guestroom and working in gaming or robotics, as appropriate to their interests. UBrite students would be better off doing a home stay somewhere else, or maybe just doing some desert camping at Bedrock Strait.

Windenburg/Forgotten Hollow: have your group rent out the old Peteran monastery in Olde Platz, then explore the many historical buildings in the area and have fun partying your time abroad away at the many pop-up parties around Windenburg. If archival research is more your thing, consider visiting the Forgotten Archive in Forgotten Hollow—who knows what strange histories you might unearth?

San Myshuno/San Sequoia: in this vibrant city, real estate is at a premium, so if you want to study here you’ll just have to do a home stay with a local family—if any of them can find space to spare. If you’re attending UBrite, our alumni network would be happy to connect you with esteemed lawyer Rebecca Clarke, who is always happy to host UBrite students in her guest bedroom. Foxbury students, you’re on your own. Of course, there is always the just-outside-the-city option of the Hotel San in Anchorpoint Wharf, but it costs a mint.

Brindleton Bay: there are plenty of rooms at the Seaside Bed & Breakfast for college students as well as for the owners of sick pets. Get some rooms for your group, enjoy the views of the lighthouse, and start exploring this quaint seaside community!

Del Sol Valley: get some rooms at the Plumbob motel for you and your fellow study abroad companions and then head downtown to admire the walk of fame on Starlight Boulevard, take in a show at the Starlight Theatre, attend the vintage cinema (or its newer competitor), or head up into the Pinnacles to see the Celebrity Mansion Museum. Movie shoots are, unfortunately, closed-set.

StrangerVille: spend your summer abroad attempting to unravel some of the weirdest mysteries anywhere. Start your summer of scientific field research by setting up camp at the old crash site, then follow your own intuition and sense of curiosity to strange discoveries galore!

Sulani: there are two different study abroad programs running in Sulani! If you are scientifically or ecologically-minded, consider joining the Mua Pel’am Conservation group’s volunteer abroad program. In this program, you and your companions stay on your own tiny island at the Mua Pel’am campground, learn about the volcano, participate in beach cleanups and other ecological restoration work, and hopefully leave the area looking better than you found it. If you are more interested in learning about island culture, Ohan’ali Town elder Keala Hoapili will happily put you up in one of the several tiny houses in the intentional community she runs with her granddaughter as a home stay. She’ll teach you all about the islands: the plants, the celebrations, the community, how to cook using a traditional pit BBQ, and most importantly how to make and share kava!

Evergreen Harbor/Moonwood Mill: explore alternative lifestyles and sims’ relationship to nature in a unique homestay with the Moonwood Collective, a commune whose practices make them very close to the natural world. They have lots to teach about living in harmony and healing the land—lessons that you’ll then put in practice down the mountain in the more developed areas of Evergreen Harbor by constructing found-object art pieces at the Evergreen Arts Center; growing natural, organic, healthy food at the community garden in Sprucewood Square, and learning about eco-friendly architecture among the recycled shipping container tiny homes of Port Promise.

Mt. Komorebi/Glimmerbrook: from the cutting-edge capsule hotel where you and up to two companions will be staying, to the tranquil traditional tea ceremonies you’ll take part in, to the epic slope-shredding you’ll be doing and the heated bathhouses you’ll relax in afterward, a summer abroad in Mt. Komorebi offers incredible variety to the adventurous and respectful student. Emphasis on respectful. Learn to bow and shower before you get in the onsen, or expect to find yourself stuck on the first bullet train back home.

Henford-on-Bagley: if woofing is your thing and you’d rather raise crops, chickens, and cows than llamas, consider a solo gig abroad as a farmhand on the Watson farm. In this unique home stay, you’ll be expected to be up at the crack of dawn every day milking the cow and tending to the crops and chickens. When the farm chores are done, you might have time to explore the village of Finchwick or venture into the Bramblewood. Maybe.

Tartosa: a unique woofing opportunity lies on the breathtaking coast of Tartosa, where you and up to five companions can pitch in for a very special home stay helping the Villareal family revitalize the vineyard and nectary on their rocky hilltop. Learn to raise fruits and make nectars in the extensive underground cellars, where you’ll also be sleeping. In what, you ask? Don’t worry about it. But don’t touch anything you may stumble across in the catacombs, or you may be doing more than sleeping down there.

Chestnut Ridge: if you want to learn all about the riding and tending of horses, horse trader and native elder Tallulah Heiheiwuti would be happy to put you up in one of several guest rooms in her New Appaloosa homestead. With both adult horses and foals to care for and train just steps from the equestrian center, this is a great study abroad opportunity for anyone interested in learning about these beautiful animals and the native community’s connection to them.

Tomarang: study abroad in Tomarang is a real group affair—in this program, you and up to seven other students will stay in a youth hostel at the top of one of Morensong’s most storied buildings: Ro Kaya Rockside in the former red light district. Here, you’ll sleep, shower, party, explore the famous night market, eat street food, sing karaoke, get bubble tea, try out Tomarani fashion, tour temples, and learn about the culture from the locals—and that’s all before you head over to Koh Sahpa to see the tiger sanctuary and explore the fabled cave! This study abroad opportunity, perhaps the purest of its kind, is all about immersing yourself in the local culture.

Stay vigilant, stay safe, and happy simming!

[sanders1665]

The light in the kitchen is a soft glow, like an old lamp trying to remember the sun. She’s perched by the counter, eating a pita wrap with the weary elegance of someone who’s been through Monday and lived to tell the tale. Chicken, lettuce, tomato—the predictable roll call of sandwich civility. Her phone’s in one hand, thumb scrolling with military precision, eyes locked in that glazed-over trance that only algorithmic entertainment can provide.

Then—splat. A glob of ranch flings itself out of the pita like a disillusioned acrobat, landing squarely on her shirt. A gentle plop, followed by a sigh. She doesn’t even flinch. This isn’t her first condiment rodeo. Her shirt, a sort of faded relic from a summer long gone, now bears the mark of another domestic battle lost. She's got a whole museum of food stains in the hamper. This one will fit right in.

I drift to the sink, not in any rush, just sort of floating in the hum of an ordinary moment. Time slows when you're elbows-deep in dish duty. I crouch, reach into the cupboard for the ice cream container where we exile our dish cloths. And there it is.

The sock.

The same thick, yellow sock I keep pulling out of there like some kind of cursed item in a point-and-click adventure game. It's not even hiding. It wants to be found.

I hold it up, dangling it like it's radioactive. “Why is this in here again?”

She barely looks up. “I dunno, it looks good.”

Then she’s back to her screen, unbothered. Like the sock is now part of the decor, a textile sculpture of modern absurdity.

I stare at it, this woolen yellow outlaw, and nod slowly. “I guess it’s been demoted, then.”

No one claps. The light hums. The dishes await.

[mellowdisko]

I’m actually like foaming at the mouth for your legion posts.

Could you dive more into some legion cities like you mentioned in the women’s role post? I’d like to hear your thoughts on some cities they’d have established’

- ☢️🍑

ah thank you! hyperfixation is ruining my academic life but im glad you're enjoying my endless ramblings about fictional fascists.

before i start anything pls note that im not american, and the only knowledge I have of that country is from badly dubbed cowboy movies and fallout. +im taking this map as my reference. idk how true it is, but it's the only one i can find that actually has names on it.

I'm only going to cover two cities bc otherwise this post would be unethically long.

Flagstaff, the capital city!!

i imagine flagstaff as the only city in the legion with a properly structured city plan. the fallout wiki describes caesar as having "established a capital of sorts amid the ruins of flagstaff." ruins. keep that in mind.

the capital of the legion carries roman urban planning principles and also is a city that is built around pre-war ruins. at the heart of flagstaff old world lies: the focal point of political, economic, and social life. this centre is where key buildings stand—antebellum structures repurposed as government bureaus, alongside a grand temple dedicated to mars. next to these is the economic heart of the city: the bazaar. the bazaar is organized around specialized niches, with different sections dedicated to specific trades. alongside it is an ottoman-style merchant inn providing paid shelter for traders arriving from west.

they have a theatre, too. i know it’s out of character, but let me have this.

as the city expands outward from the town square, the zones transition from administrative and commercial to residential and rural ones. the inner city, just beyond the square, is wealthy, mostly housing the families of high ranking officers. while the main trade is at town square. the inner city also has commercial areas such as general stores + communal spaces like bathhouses.

further out is the industrial zone where freeborn working-class citizens live. this zone is mostly workshops like small textile factories. the legion definitely doesn't have large-scale industries, but small, manual production is reasonable enough to assume.

and at the outermost zone are the pastoral settlemets, farmlands, and brahmin ranches. the number of houses is sparse, mostly resembling small mojave towns. this region supplies food and raw materials to the city, yet most of those who live and work here have probably never set foot in the pre-war side of the capital.

Yuma

okay, so i don't know much about real life yuma, and all we're told in the game is that this city has a us military base that folks and merchants scavenge from. i have written a fanfic before (vulpes brainrot) and described this city as "the smallest saddest town in arizona."

yuma is an unremarkable city, very close to the border of NCR, always under the looming threat of becoming an active warzone. it is a harsh, rural place with very few civilian settlements. most of its population consists of legionaries garrisoned there, living beyond the city’s main walls in nomadic military camps, like cottonwood cove.

yuma is a city of funeral, countless soldiers are sent off from there to campaigns in mojave, and they never return. death clings onto this little city. it is in a constant state of mourning. its proximity to the Republic breeds paranoia among the people, sorrow lingers over every home, every camp. yuma is a small city, a sad city.

it is caught between the grandeur remnants of old world and the melancholia of a fallen age—like post-roman europe, where people gazed upon ruins, knowing they would never have that greatness again. yuma embodies that same despair. those bases of america, the grand monuments of a power they can't even comprehend is reduced to cattle pastures and people scavenge within the decayed husk of america. yet unlike flagstaff, they do not try to make a city out of the ruins, they only reduce that bygone glory into sources of scrap.

+ my pre-canon decanus vulpes hc is that he was also stationed at this city before the insubordination incident. i want him to be sad

[wally-b-feed]

[simverses]

WFS Nostalgia Part 14 a: Curtains "Alvina"

Nostalgia - a set with furniture for your farm or ranch, made of old wood, brass and soft textiles. Converted from Sims 2 and adapted for Sims 4.

Original by Wood for Sims.

This is Part 14 a: Curtains in WFS Original Colors, Set "Alvina"

This is a very versatile set of curtains, optimized for my WFS windows, but of course usable for all windows. Seven lengths, three widths: half, 1x and 2x. 

For wider windows you can combine several curtains in a row. 

31 different meshes, 20 swatches - all merged in one package as they share the textures. Special normal and specular.

More colors to come.

Download WFS Nostalgia Part 14 a: Curtains "Alvina" (Curseforge)

[1moreoffkeyanthem]

One of my favorite things about aging up the sp kids to their mid twenties is GIVING THEM CAREERS!!! Ohhhh my god like it’s so fucking fun!!!

Like yes! Give me Cartman starting a wedding planning company called Cupid Me! Give me Marj with a hospitality degree helping him run it! Artist characters! Kenny as a Jack of all trades sculptor/painter/textile artist/welder/woodworker! Astronomy professor Craig! Actor Tweek! Sherif Jimmy! Photographer Heidi! School counselor kyle! Doctor Wendy!

The amount of fun I have especially with Stan and Kenny like I have made Kenny a paramedic on two separate occasions, given that kid soooo many odd jobs, he’s been a pilot! He’s been a superhero! He’s been a former criminal turned ranchhand!

Stannnnn omg he’s definitely my favorite to write different jobs for. FIREFIGHTER STAN!!! (I’m never getting over him) Construction foreman! VET TECH!!! National park ranger! Kids football coach! Former rockstar! Disgruntled garden supply store employee! RANCH FOREMAN STAN!!! Animal shelter manager! (I just love Stan can u tell)

[emo-eyemakeup-evildude]

Ok chief, present us your favorite oc🔫

I love all my children equally of course but Vala holds a special place in my heart

Vala (vay lah) trained as a naturalist in Hyrule castle and depending on which fic they're in they're either a researcher and mentor (like in Long Road To Ruin) or they're an herbalist working for the royal apothecary(like that e//v fic I keep saying I'll post). They're the very first oc I ever made for an Astor fic and they befriend him shortly after he's announced as the new Royal Fortune Teller.

Vala's hobbies include gardening, hiking, and cooking depending on which fic they're in. Their favorite food is cucco soup, their favorite drinks are herbal tea (something fruity or herby, not licoricey or floral) and beer (a cheap light ale, nothing too fancy or hoppy), their favorite color is green because it's the color of life (stolen from my favorite bio professor), their favorite rock is lapis lazuli, and they love horses.

Vala's best friends (besides Astor) are Althea, the older woman who's in charge of the apothecary and adopted them after they appeared at the castle under mysterious circumstances; Delia, the head librarian; and Meli, the Gerudo vai in charge of textiles. They have an affinity for older women. Their relationship with Iddo is sibling-ish because they both work under Delia, they don't really mesh as people but they do like each other. Vala doesn't have much interaction with the other ocs from the lrtr cinematic universe.

They're from West Nabi Village, a tiny village on the north shore of the Squabble River and west of Dueling Peaks. Pretty much no one has heard of West Nabi Village but to the extent it is well known it's for breeding and raising horses. It's the number one source of well bred and well trained horses outside of the royal stables and Mabe Ranch.

I haven't drawn them yet but they're just over average height, heavy set, round face, square chin, lots of freckles and scars; short, dark blond hair (kind of like Link's hair); and their eyes are narrow and dark hazel. They have a long, slightly big nose (like if you made Astor's weirdly thin nose wider) and fairly prominent cheekbones. They often wear a leather vest like the Rito wear but that was made for them by a Rito leatherworker (not stolen unlike some people). Vala is kind of inverted Astor.

Vala and Astor are best friends in a not exclusively platonic kind of way