#Tropical Leaf Punch

[craftystampin]

Online Exclusive Products Now Available

Online Exclusive Products Online Exclusive products are all about the future of shopping. And a great opportunity for new experiences! You won’t find these products in any catalog, which means we have a new way for Stampin’ Up! to share fresh, never-before-seen products to spark your creativity and expand your crafting collection. All from the convenience of my online store. See Tami and myself…

[c4tth3w]

matthew Q&A for GQ <3

Here’s a recap of everything that’s happened to Matthew Tkachuk over the last five weeks. First, he and the Florida Panthers took down the Boston Bruins in one of the biggest upsets the NHL has ever seen: Florida came back from a 3-1 deficit in their first-round series to oust the team with the best regular-season record in league history. Both Games 5 and 7—elimination games for the Panthers—went to overtime, and Tkachuk was heavily involved. He netted the game winner in the fifth game and assisted on the Game 7 knockout punch that sent Florida to the next round.      

The Panthers completed a gentleman's sweep of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round, and shortly after that, Tkachuk was named a finalist for the Hart Trophy, given to the NHL’s Most Valuable Player. The Eastern Conference Finals pitted Florida against the Carolina Hurricanes, a juggernaut that would have had the league’s best record if not for the Bruins going supernova. The Panthers only needed four games for them. The final fixture of that series provided the biggest moment of Tkachuk’s career. With just 4.3 seconds left in regulation, Tkachuk buried the goal (his fourth game-winner of the playoffs) that clinched Florida’s first trip to the Stanley Cup Final since 1996.

The Panthers have one more challenge standing between them and Lord Stanley. The Vegas Golden Knights, owners of the best record in the Western Conference, are no slouch. Bringing down a fourth 100-point team would be a fairytale ending to the Panthers’ postseason march—and very much in line with the fairytale that the 25-year-old Tkachuk has been living. (He uses the word “unreal” frequently.) As his Panthers have climbed the postseason ladder, Jimmy Butler has worn Tkachuk’s jersey, strengthening the bond between two South Florida underdogs gunning for improbable championships. Tkachuk has also appeared on Inside the NBA, and by sweeping Carolina, he’s had some leisure time to soak up the sun before starting the Stanley Cup Final. In his first year in Florida after six with the Calgary Flames, Tkachuk has adjusted accordingly to the tropical lifestyle. As he told GQ in a recent interview, there are far worse places to be.  

You’ve had a lot of time to chill. What the hell have you been up to?

I’ve been hanging out and going to the beach a lot. I’ve taken a few quick trips. One of the perks of living in Florida is you have the ocean right there. It’s super good for your body and mind to go in there—it’s pretty peaceful in there. I’ve gone out a couple times for dinner. But mostly I’m just staying quiet at the house. I don’t know, I’m really trying to put everything into the Stanley Cup Final. I’m at the rink every single day, some days to skate and some days to recover. Obviously, I’m using everything in the basket to try and win it all here. 

Oh, I went to the Heat game the other night! I got to see Game 6 and sat with Charles [Barkley] and Shaq for a little bit.  

How fun was it to guest on Inside the NBA and witness that legendary Charles and Shaq energy up close?

It was awesome! It all happened last minute—literally that morning I was asked if I wanted to come to the game and talk with Charles and Shaq. Hell yeah! Let’s do it. But what was really cool was talking to those guys off camera. That’s when we were really talking. Hockey, sports, golf, just talking about everything, getting to pick their brains, and learn about stuff I don’t really know about was super entertaining. 

Are you more of a Charles or a Shaq?

That is tough. It was crazy that I got to meet them. I think that [dynamic] would be a great comparison for how me and my brother [Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk] are. We bicker a lot. But we’re really tight and actually best friends. Always there to chirp each other and have fun. They were both unreal players too. I watched more of Shaq, because he was closer to my generation, but I just watched Charles in the Dream Team documentary. I don’t know who I would be.

You’re in South Florida now, but I just learned that you went to high school in St. Louis with Jayson Tatum. So who were you rooting for in that Heat-Celtics series?

I honestly just loved going to watch Jayson and Jimmy Butler. I didn’t care about the final score. I know all the people in St. Louis would be pissed at me if I was rooting against Jayson and all the people here probably wouldn’t be happy if I was rooting against the Heat. I thought it’d just be easier to root for a couple players. Now that the Heat are in the Finals and I have zero allegiance to the Denver Nuggets at all—if the Heat can pull off the upset it’d be unreal for all of South Florida. 

The idea of playing hockey in Florida always has this kind of funny connotation. It’s a relatively new franchise, you’re playing in warm weather in the south, it’s a very opposite idea of what most people have in their head when they think of the NHL. But you’re making it all sound pretty great.

It’s the top destination in the NHL. When you look at it—this is my opinion, and I would say most people’s opinion—the top two destinations in the league right now are the Florida teams. Third would probably be Vegas. It’s funny how that’s who we’re playing in the Final. People probably don’t look at Florida as the biggest hockey market, but Tampa’s won all these Cups recently and been to a bunch of Finals, the Panthers had some good runs before I got here, and when you go out West, Vegas has been right there at the top. Dallas has been right there too. These warmer climate markets aren’t the same as Toronto or Montreal, but the success that everyone’s had down here is no secret.  

When I chose to come here, the number one reason was to be on a competitive team, compete for championships year over year, right behind that was the way of life. But you’re not just coming here to live the Florida life, you’re coming here to win. It’s just a perk that you get to live in Florida on top of all that. My life has changed so much since coming [to Florida]. The lifestyle has been unbelievable. The way I’m able to live down here is insane. It doesn’t get better, anywhere. Playing in the U.S., having these opportunities with people like Jimmy Butler and Charles Barkley, having way more nationally-televised games, competing for the Stanley Cup, that’s made not only myself but everyone on the team more of a name than we were before. 

Have you become a boat guy since moving to Florida?

I have not. I’ve gotten as far as a few jet skis. I’m not a boat guy. I like to go on boats, but I don’t want to drive a boat. No chance I could park it. 

How many texts did you get after scoring the game-winning goal to go to the Final? Was your phone just unusable?

I don’t know, probably close to 400 or 500. This run has been unreal. 

After scoring that goal, when did reality set in?

I don’t think it felt real until the next day. With that goal, I knew there wasn’t much time left. When Ryno [Sam Reinhart] shot it off the post, I figured we had about ten seconds, maybe a little bit less. The next few chances, whether it was one or multiple, had to be on the net quick. I sort of just walked out from behind the net. I knew I had a little bit of time to make a move, but not much. Once I saw it go in I was the happiest person ever. First thing I did was look up to see if I got it in on time, and saw there was four seconds left or whatever. I don’t know what I was thinking after that! I did the slide [celebration] and it felt like the roof was going to come off because it was so loud. Then I got a little nervous because [the Hurricanes] challenged it [for goaltender interference], and you never know with challenges. But, it was obviously a good goal, and that was the moment where I was like, “Holy shit. That just happened.”

When I got back home I hung out with some family and friends and talked about how crazy of a night that was. I woke up the next day, which thankfully was an off day, and just thought, “Wow, Stanley Cup Final, here we come.” I’ve seen enough highlights of the goal just from being in places where it’s on TV—and trust me, I love seeing it—but I don’t want that goal to define the season. 

When the puck drops on Game 1, it’ll be your first game since May 24. Is the concept of rust mostly a myth, or is that something that you guys are actually talking about and acknowledging?

You know what? We had a week off before the third round and maybe there was a little bit of rust in the first period. That’s something that we’re going to learn from. In the playoffs, with days off—even if there’s ten of them—it’s great for players that have some bumps and bruises.

You’ve gotta be pretty beat up at this point of the year. Does everything hurt when you wake up? 

When you win it doesn’t hurt that much.

From your perspective, why is a lower seed making it all the way to the Final much more common in hockey than it is in other sports?

Well, it’s happening right now in basketball, too! But it’s really just, once you get in, everything resets back to zero. We got into the playoffs by one point. When it came down to that—then we realized, holy shit we’re playing the Boston Bruins, the best regular season team in NHL history. [But] none of that really mattered anymore! It was 0-0. Let’s go. It gave us confidence. We do a great job of keeping our focus solely on each game. That’s what’s made us have a lot of success.  

It’s gotta be that plus whatever they’ve put in the water down there that’s given you and the Heat superpowers.

[chuckles] We’re feeding off each other.

I know that hockey players are famously superstitious, but I’m wondering if you’ve allowed yourself to think about what you would do with the Stanley Cup if you get your day with it. 

It’s natural to think about that stuff. But every time I go down that road I pinch myself and try not to. The one thing you do think about constantly is that feeling you’d have from lifting the Stanley Cup for the first time. That’s gotta be the most amazing thing in your whole life. One team is going to do it—hopefully it’s us.   

What’s up with Brooks Koepka? He seems to be the Panthers’ fan ambassador right now, and he’s intense! It’s clear that it’s not an act at all—he really cares! 

I actually just met him right after Game 4. He wanted to come down and meet me. I got a picture with him and got to chit chat for a little bit. He’s really excited. It’s great to see support from other athletes. Success in a tight community makes everyone pull for each other. Him and the rest of the fan base has been unreal. This building is so loud. We were talking about in the offseason—which is hopefully a few weeks from now after winning the Stanley Cup—maybe we can link up and golf somewhere. 

[greengirlfight]

💚GREEN GIRL BRACKET!💚

Here's the official bracket for the Green Girl Fight! The first round of polls will be posted in 4 parts, and each part will last a week. Round 1 polls will be tagged as #round 1, and I should have the first part up by June 26th! So start getting your propaganda ready!

Full list of names under the cut!

Elphaba/Wicked Witch of the West (Wicked/Wizard of Oz) VS Mossie (Cattails)

Takane Yamashiro (Touhou) VS Nepeta Leijon (Homestuck)

Tree Hugger (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic) VS Rottytops (Shantae)

Collei (Genshin Impact) VS Emira Blight (The Owl House)

Ibara Shiozaki (My Hero Academia) VS Demeter (Lore Olympus)

Lime Cookie (Cookie Run) VS Usura (Princess Tutu)

Nott the Brave (Critical Role) VS FF/Foo Fighters (Jojo's Bizzare Adventure)

Vera Oberlin (Monster Prom) VS Saria (Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time)

Leaf Fairy Aoba (Guardian Tales) VS Kyoshi (Avatar The Last Airbender)

Jade Harley (Homestuck) VS Freya Fatima (Coffee Talk)

Wakasagihime (Touhou) VS Nevanthi (AFK Arena)

Frankie Stein (Monster High) VS Sam (Totally Spies)

Cure Oasis (Tropical Rogue Precure) VS Fauna (Sleeping Beauty)

Green M&M (M&M's Candy) VS Tiki (Fire Emblem)

The Dolorosa (Homestuck) VS Polaris (X-Men)

Mew Lettuce (Tokyo Mew Mew) VS Jessica Cruz (Green Lantern)

Doc Ock (Spiderverse) VS Sandy (TokiDoki: Cactus Friends)

Aisha (Winx Club) VS Fire (DC Comics)

Cure March (Smile Precure) VS Illusen (Neopets)

Lottie Person/Snotgirl (Snotgirl) VS Mashiro Kuna (Bleach)

Rhea (Fire Emblem) VS Ermes (Jojo's Bizzare Adventure)

Number 3/Kuki Sanban (Codename: Kids Next Door) VS Tisiphone (Hades)

Nasmira Satrinava (The Arcana Mystic Romance) VS Mei (Lego Monkie Kid)

Porrim Maryam (Homestuck) VS Tiana (Princess and the Frog)

Sailor Pluto (Sailor Moon) VS Pidge Holt (Voltron Legendary Defender)

Divine Beast of Harvest Mayreel (Guardian Tales) VS Disgust (Inside Out)

Vendetta (Making Friends) VS Scarah Screams (Monster High)

Terrible Tornado (One Punch Man) VS Gwen Mortia (Sleepless Domain)

INFP (MBTI) VS Hera Syndulla (Star Wars Rebels)

Buttercup (Powerpuff Girls) VS Cure Mint (Yes! Precure 5)

Peridot (Steven Universe) VS L'Archel (Fire Emblem)

Granny Smith (My Little Pony) VS Willow Park (The Owl House)

Nowi (Fire Emblem Awakening) VS Tsuyu Asui (My Hero Academia)

Peridot (Cucumber Quest) VS Cheadle Yorkshire (Hunter x Hunter)

Kirika Akatsuki (Symphogear) VS Tinkerbell (Disney Fairies)

Cure Felice (Mahoutsukai Precure) VS Minty (My Little Pony G3)

Amphitrite (Lore Olympus) VS Artemis (Hades)

Gamora (Marvel) VS Shiho Hinomori (Project Sekai: Colorful Stage)

Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty) VS Fearne Callaway (Critical Role)

Candice Catnipp (Bleach) VS Fink (OK KO!)

Miss Edel (Princess Tutu) VS Test Tube (Inanimate Insanity)

Honey Swamp (Monster High) VS Heather Duke (Heathers)

Harpy Gee (Harpy Gee) VS Sanae Kochiya (Touhou)

Jolyne Cujoh (Jojo's Bizzare Adventure) VS Lyn (Fire Emblem)

Sailor Neptune (Sailor Moon) VS Fiona (Shrek)

Marie (Splatoon) VS CC (Code Geass)

Flayn (Fire Emblem) VS Penny Polendina (RWBY)

Setsuna Tokage (My Hero Academia) VS Anode (Transformers IDW)

Sailor Jupiter (Sailor Moon) VS Chie Satonaka (Persona 4)

Rosie Cotton (Lord of the Rings) VS Gumi (Vocaloid)

Eternity Larva (Touhou) VS Mallow (Pokémon)

Gavial (Arknights) VS Nene Kusanagi (Project Sekai: Colorful Stage)

Marcy Wu (Amphibia) VS Marina (Splatoon)

Kaede Kayano (Assassination Classroom) VS Inko Midoriya (My Hero Academia)

Byleth (Fire Emblem Three Houses) VS Toph Beifong (Avatar The Last Airbender)

Te Fiti (Moana) VS Rina Touin (Mermaid Melody Pitchi Pitchi Pitch)

Venus McFlytrap (Monster High) VS Palmon (Digimon Adventure)

Tekno the Canary (Sonic) VS Ceres Fauna (HoloLive)

Cure Milky (Star Twinkle Precure) VS Shego (Kim Possible)

Clara Valac (Welcome to Demon School Iruma-Kun!) VS Dusa (Hades)

Futaba Sakura (Persona 5) VS Poison Ivy (DC Comics)

Kanaya Maryam (Homestuck) VS Rika (Pokémon Scarlet & Violet)

Surge the Tenrec (Sonic) VS She-Hulk (Marvel)

Sothis (Fire Emblem Three Houses) VS Rue (Sleepless Domain)

[terabyteturtle]

Fighter #12 - Jigglypuff

- Jigglypuff is a sassy little creature. She’s a big diva who isn’t afraid to speak her mind.

- Her most prized possession is a pair of pink star-shaped sunglasses. She never wears them out on the battlefield because she doesn’t want them to get broken.

- She doesn’t know what it’s like to have a nightmare because she’s never had one in her life. Her dreams are always super nice and fun.

- Anyone who upsets Jigglypuff will be slapped into next week. She might look sweet and adorable, but she’s not afraid to throw hands if the fancy strikes her.

- If a fighter is having trouble sleeping, she'll sing them a soothing lullaby.

- Pufferfish are Jigglypuff’s favorite animals. They remind her of herself—puffy and cute, but also strong and quick to defend themselves. She has a tank with three of them in her room.

- Forget props on April Fools’ Day—Jigglypuff can prank people using her voice alone. When someone sits down, she’ll make a quick whoopie cushion noise and run away. At this point, the fighters know that it's just her messing with them.

- Thanks to Ken, Jigglypuff is a HUGE fan of Powerpuff Girls and has tons of merch from the franchise. Even her pufferfish are named after them—Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup.

- She is always the first to sing on karaoke night. Once she has the microphone, you’d have to literally pry it from her hands or else you won’t get a turn. Jigglypuff never gets tired of singing and could perform all night if given the opportunity.

- She is her own number one fan.

- On the subject of fans, she makes for a great cheerleader.

- She's a major contributor to the party planning committee, which consists of all of the princesses, Palutena, Marth, Lucina, Sora, Kirby, and herself.

- When Peach first heard that Jigglypuff evolved with the power of the moon, she took it very literally and wouldn’t let her go outside at night. Red eventually picked up on it and explained to Peach that Jigglypuff only evolves when given a Moon Stone, not when exposed to the moon itself.

- Speaking of which, Jigglypuff loves roaming around outside at night. Every evening, she'll go out and sing to the moon, gracing the ears of anyone nearby with a peaceful serenade. Even back when Peach was adamant about her staying inside, she still found a way to sneak out. Nobody tells her what to do (unless she trusts their judgment).

- She's the type to punch the air in her sleep.

- Jigglypuff loves falling asleep on people. She finds their presence comforting and having them there makes her feel extra safe.

- She’s proud to be part of the original twelve. Since they’ve been with her the longest, Jigglypuff has formed strong bonds with every single one of them. She grew particularly close to Samus, as she was the only other girl in the group.

- Some of her accessories are actually gifts from the original twelve. The sun hat was from Mario, the bow was from Samus, and the flower was from Ness.

- Due to her bubbly and upbeat personality, she appears to be very energetic. However, Jigglypuff actually tires out pretty easily and needs at least two naps a day.

- She is a master at using the curler. If you want curls done, Jigglypuff’s the girl to ask.

- Tropical vacations are her absolute favorite. To her, nothing beats the warmth of the sun on her body as she relaxes on the beach, listening to the waves crash along the shore. She and Incineroar are trying to convince the roster to go on a trip to Alola.

- Leaf is her real trainer, but whenever Jigglypuff returned to Smash Mansion, Red was in charge of taking care of her. It wasn’t until only recently that Leaf decided to tag along for some reason.

- On nice days, she enjoys going outside and catching butterflies with Villager.

- She has tons of slumber parties with Samus. Usually, they start out with Jigglypuff busting into Samus’ room while she’s trying to relax. Initially, Samus will tell her to leave so she can unwind, but one look at those big round eyes and she can’t help but smile and cave in.

- Jigglypuff LOVES ribbons and bows. Samus gets her a new one for her birthday every year.

- Jigglypuff always has a first-aid kit on hand for when fighters receive injuries. She’s an amazing caregiver and will try her best to cheer up whoever she’s treating.

- She’s the type to always pick “Dare” in a game of Truth or Dare. She has nothing to hide; she just enjoys a good challenge.

- She and Kirby have this game where they copy each other for the whole day and the first one to stop loses. The loser then has to buy the winner ten bags of their favorite snack. If Jigglypuff loses, this is an easy task; Kirby isn’t picky and loves pretty much any food you give him. If Kirby loses, however, it’s a different story. Jigglypuff refuses to have anything aside from those apple gummy rings which, for whatever reason, are super difficult to find in the Light Realm.

- She and Leaf like to go fruit picking together. When they get back to the mansion, they’ll bake pies, pastries, or any other fruit-related dessert using their fresh pickings. Sometimes Kirby will tag along too.

- Jigglypuff is currently teaching Toon Link how to flirt with girls. He insists that he doesn’t have his eye on anyone, but she doesn’t believe him in the slightest. She’s dedicated herself to finding out his mystery crush and becoming his wingwoman.

- She sang opera once and made a single tear fall down Ganondorf’s cheek. No one saw except for Jigglypuff herself, and surprisingly, she hasn’t said a word about it.

- She loves giving and receiving head pats. They’re her primary form of affection.

- If something doesn't go her way, her first instinct is to pout. For some fighters, it's too adorable to ignore and they end up just giving her what she wants. For others, Jigglypuff has to resort to more devious methods of getting their attention.

- She and Kirby frequently go for rides on the Warp Star together.

- Her favorite song from the Smash soundtrack is Pokemon Center. It’s upbeat, fun, and reminds her of her travels with Red and Leaf.

[snake-in-dallas]

Top Ethos Strains in 2022 by Ethos Genetics

The cannabis industry has been supported by Ethos Genetics, a US seed bank, for more than 20 years. They raise seeds to be of high grade. Ethos Genetics uses science and technology to specifically breed their strains. In ethos genetics, superiority and quality are meant.

It's no surprise that these strains have won cannabis cups. Ethos Genetics claims to breed and sell the ideal cannabis to increase yields and consistently produce top-quality buds.

You can tell how well-liked Ethos strains are by the amount of coverage these genetics have received in major publications like High Times, Adam Dunn, and Cannabis. Cannabis consumers regard Ethos Genetics as a celebrity.

Best Strains of Ethos Genetics

1. Super Lemon Haze F5

In the cannabis industry, Super Lemon Haze F5 by Ethos Genetics is a well-known variety. It is worthwhile to invest. Both growers and stoners love this primarily sativa strain.

SLH inherits from its parent, Jack Herer, and lemon skunk the pleasing scent of sweet-tart and lemon. You will appreciate the strain since she is quick, according to growers. It blooms quickly after germination. You also don't have to be concerned about the plant's tolerance to tests mites and molds.

So, even a novice may successfully cultivate it. You'll receive good yields from it. Additionally, its energetic, rejuvenating, and stimulating impacts make you fall for this strain. Its sativa nature causes her to grow tall.

2. Ethos Apex

Ethos Apex is an ideal cannabis strain for easing pain and reducing tension. Creation of Ethos Genetics what you want amid your suffering and depression is Ethos Apex. Ethos Apex is a cross between two delicious strains Mandarin Cookies X Lilac Diesel BX3. 

From the popular Ethos Genetics comes the epic-sounding, evenly balanced strain known as Ethos Apex. It is a strong but manageable plant that provides enormous amounts of marijuana along with massive stoner highs, soaring THC levels, and plenty of giggles. While the user unwinds to the plant's potent punch, the orangey, chemmy terpenes mix to create extremely delicious flavors.

For people who have persistent loss of appetite, stress, muscle cramps, depression, or pain, the strain is a wonderful companion. The overall result, a euphoric sense of enjoyment that uplifts the mood, can cut through the thickest cloud.

3. Mandarin Sunset

Mandarin Sunset- the premium strain was developed by Ethos Genetics. Through the crossbreeding of the parent strains, Herijuana and Orange Skunk. Initially, it was found in Colorado, USA.

The zesty, creamy mandarin orange flavor of this mostly Indica strain is adored and has a hint of skunk flavor. The buds of this large plant have a flavor that is spicy, vaporous, fresh, lemony, and similar to organic tropical items with a hint of diesel.

It has 1% CBD and 23% THC. It is the best strain to smoke on warm evenings. It would be ideal if you kept in mind that ingesting too much Mandarin sunset could result in a nasty high in this situation. So, pay attention to the dosages. She helps you battle aches, anxiety, and loss of appetite.

A potent sedative indica high is associated with Mandarin Sunset. It grows into a distinctive flower after a moderate amount of stretching, and the great calyx-to-leaf ratio makes Mandarin sunset simple to grow. 

4. Mandarin Cookies

A charming yet rare Sativa-dominant hybrid from Ethos genetics is called mandarin cookies. This strain was bred by using the outstanding Cookies X Mandarin Sunset genetics. If you're looking for a beautiful flower with mouthwatering flavors and significant effects, you've found it here!

Mandarin cookies have a flavor that is crisp, tangy, and slightly nutty when inhaled. With a sharp tangerine impression that becomes fairly potent as the nugs are burnt, the aroma is unusually natural and kushy.

Similar to the flavor, the high is uplifting and just as enlightening. In a nutshell, you will also feel inspired and energized. You will also get to know your most creative self!

The strain works well against depression, pain, stress, and ADHD.

5. Purple Sunset R2BX

Purple Sunset is a diverse cannabis strain that leans heavily on indica. This Harvest Cup winner is a hybrid strain of Mandarin Sunset, Purple Punch, and Mandarin Cookies.

What we can say about the purple sunset strain is that it produces beautiful but extremely dense nugs that stack deep. This strain also possesses rich mint green nugs with purple and orange notes, which indicates that its parents may have had some influence.

This stunning plant is appropriate for both the day and the evening. You can overcome stress, depression, chronic pain, and mood swings with the help of this delicious nug.

This strain quickly blossoms. So simple to grow. Continue to prune your buds for high yields. The medium-height plant is ideal for producing euphoric and soothing effects on the body.

6. Banana Daddy

Ethos genetics' powerful invention, Banana Daddy is a hybrid child of Granddaddy Purple and Banana Hammock R1. The sweet flavor and excellent head high of these strains are well-known.

It will blow your mind with the distinct flavor of banana mixed with fruity and grapes undertones. You won't be able to stop after a few puffs due to the potent floral aroma.

But keep in mind that the strain is very active. It moves quickly and has incredible body-high and calming effects that will have you smitten. With a mind-blowing THC level of 26–30%, it will keep you unconscious for a while. Not recommended for beginners!

Banana daddy is quite simple to grow, though. This will flower in as little as 7-9 weeks. Regardless of whether they are grown indoors or outdoors, these medium-height plants produce good yields. These medium-sized nugs work well for treating anxiety, chronic pain, and insomnia.

[eclairmoiselle]

Temu mangga is like a tropical flavor explosion in your mouth! It's a zesty, tangy, and slightly sweet herb often used in Indonesian cuisine to add a punch to dishes. Think of it as a mix of ginger, mango, and citrus vibes all rolled into one tasty herb. It contains natural antiseptics and acts as a natural laxative, a component often found in laxative medications. This spice is beneficial for boosting immunity, has high antioxidant content, contains anti-cancer properties, possesses anti-inflammatory qualities, and also rejuvenates the skin.

Sambiloto, also known as bitter leaf, is a super bitter herb packed with health benefits. People use it for boosting immunity, fighting infections, and improving digestion. It’s like nature’s tough medicine, not tasty but great for keeping you healthy!

Daun tempuyung is a wild leafy plant from Indonesia, often hailed for its medicinal properties. Locals use it to treat kidney stones, inflammation, and more. It’s got a bit of a bitter taste but is packed with health benefits. You’ll find it in traditional remedies and teas.

Keji beling, or Strobilanthes crispus, is a cool plant from Southeast Asia known for its health perks. It's got these leaves that people swear by for detoxing, aiding digestion, and even lowering blood sugar. You often find it brewed as a herbal tea or in supplements.

Pegagan, also known as Centella asiatica or gotu kola, is like the superhero of herbs! It's used in traditional medicine for its calming effects, promoting wound healing, and even boosting brain function. It's like nature's chill pill with a side of brainpower!

[onespices]

Exploring the Flavorful World of Homemade Vegetable Pickles: A Delicious and Healthy Alternative to Packaged Foods

In today's fast-paced world, where everyone seems to be in a perpetual hurry, convenience often takes precedence over health. Recent surveys indicate that an increasing number of people are leaning towards ready-to-eat meals as a quick fix for their busy lifestyles. However, relying solely on packaged foods for daily sustenance may not always be the safest or healthiest option.

Enter the humble yet versatile world of vegetable pickles. These delightful condiments, made with natural ingredients and often crafted at home, offer a perfect solution for those seeking both convenience and health benefits in their meals. From the tangy and spicy Avakaya Pickle to the zesty Mango Pickle, the options are as diverse as they are delicious.

Let's delve into the flavorful world of vegetable pickles:

Avakaya Pickle: Hailing from the southern state of Andhra Pradesh in India, Avakaya Pickle is a spicy concoction made primarily from raw mangoes, mustard powder, red chili powder, and a blend of aromatic spices. Its bold flavors are sure to tantalize your taste buds.                                                                                                                                                                               

Mango Pickle: A beloved favorite across many cultures, Mango Pickle offers a delightful combination of sweet and tangy flavors. Made from raw mangoes, spices, and oil, this pickle is a perfect accompaniment to a variety of dishes, adding a burst of tropical goodness to every bite.

Lemon Pickle: Bursting with citrusy goodness, Lemon Pickle is a refreshing addition to any meal. Made from fresh lemons, spices, and oil, this pickle packs a punch of flavor that complements both traditional and contemporary dishes.

Tomato Pickle: Rich in umami and bursting with the freshness of ripe tomatoes, Tomato Pickle is a delightful blend of tangy and spicy flavors. With its vibrant color and robust taste, this pickle adds a zing to sandwiches, rice dishes, and more.

Red Chilli Pickle: For those who crave heat, Red Chilli Pickle is the perfect choice. Made from fiery red chilies and aromatic spices, this pickle is not for the faint-hearted. A small dollop is enough to ignite your taste buds and elevate any meal.

Gongura Pickle: A specialty of the Telugu cuisine, Gongura Pickle is made from the leaves of the roselle plant. Its distinct tart flavor adds a unique dimension to meals and is often paired with rice and ghee for a simple yet satisfying treat.

Coriander Leaf Pickle: Fragrant and fresh, Coriander Leaf Pickle offers a burst of herbal goodness in every bite. Made from fresh coriander leaves, spices, and oil, this pickle is a delightful accompaniment to Indian bread, rice dishes, and snacks.

Garlic Pickle: Pungent and flavorful, Garlic Pickle is a must-try for garlic lovers. Made from whole cloves of garlic, spices, and oil, this pickle packs a punch of intense flavor that pairs well with a variety of dishes.

Ginger Pickle: Known for its aromatic and spicy flavor, Ginger Pickle is a versatile condiment that adds a kick to any meal. Made from fresh ginger, spices, and oil, this pickle offers a perfect balance of heat and tanginess.

Drumstick Pickle: A lesser-known gem, Drumstick Pickle offers a unique blend of flavors. Made from tender drumstick pods, spices, and oil, this pickle is a nutritious addition to meals, boasting a distinct taste that is sure to impress.

Vegetable pickles made with natural ingredients and crafted at home offer a delicious and healthy alternative to packaged foods. Whether you're craving something spicy, tangy, or herbal, there's a pickle to suit every palate. So, the next time you're looking to spice up your meal, consider reaching for a jar of homemade vegetable pickle and savor the goodness of traditional flavors. Your taste buds and your health will thank you for it!

In conclusion, as we journeyed through the flavorful world of homemade vegetable pickles, we discovered a treasure trove of tastes and traditions. From the fiery heat of red chili to the refreshing tang of lemon, each pickle offered a unique culinary experience that celebrates the richness of natural ingredients and the artistry of home cooking.

As you embark on your own gastronomic adventure, remember that the joy of homemade pickles lies not only in their delicious flavors but also in the knowledge that you are nourishing your body with wholesome goodness. So why wait? Explore the diverse range of vegetable pickles at 1spices.com and elevate your meals with authentic taste and affordable prices. Embrace tradition, savor the moment, and indulge in the simple pleasure of good food. Buy now today and let your taste buds rejoice in the wholesome goodness of homemade vegetable pickles.

[workhome214]

Grabba Leaf vs Fronto Leaf: What's The Difference?

There’s a lot of talk about the leaf but not enough about the leaf. Yes, it is true - leaf has a lot to say and it’s only getting started. There are different types of leaf, each with its own unique traits and benefits. One such leaf is grabba leaf and another is fronto leaf that have got a lot of attention in recent times. Read to know what grabba leaf vs fronto leaf are and their difference.

What are grabba leaf and fronto leaf?

- Grabba leaf and fronto leaf are two different types of leaves commonly found on plants.

- Grabba leaf is the smaller of the two leaves and is used for photosynthesis. This type of leaf is thinner and more pointed than fronto leaf, with a green or brown leaf structure.

- By contrast, fronto leaf is the larger of the two leaves and is used in respiration. This type of leaf has a thick leaf structure that can be either green or white. Both types of leaves play an important role in plant growth and survival, but grabba leaf is more common in tropical plants and fronto leaf is more common in colder climates.

What are the benefits of grabba leaf?

Grabba leaf is a type of leaf-shaped tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis bush. It has a stronger flavor than fronto leaf and more caffeine than green tea leaf. Grabba leaf is often used in Chinese and Japanese cuisine, as it adds a unique taste to dishes. Due to its high levels of catechins, grabba leaf is considered to have strong antioxidant properties. These antioxidants help fight chronic diseases like cancer, making grabba leaf a great choice for people looking for a healthy and energizing drink.

Grabba leaf is less processed than fronto leaf, which leads to higher levels of antioxidants. Additionally, its high fiber content makes it a good part of a healthy diet.

What are the benefits of fronto leaf?

Fronto leaf is a type of tobacco that has a higher nicotine content than grabba leaf. This means it possesses a more intense tobacco flavor and can be used in cigarettes designed for large-scale production. Fronto leaf is usually more expensive than grabba leaf, which is the reason it's often used in high-quality smoking products. In addition to its enhanced nicotine content and unique tobacco taste, grabba leaf has vitamin C and other nutrients that help replace the tobacco leaf with healthier options.

Furthermore, grabba leaf has a higher level of nicotine than grabba leaf, making it more addictive and harmful to your health. Fronto leaf has a sweeter flavor than grabba leaf, which makes it ideal for use in smoking products designed for those who prefer a mild tobacco taste. Overall, grabba leaves have many benefits to offer, making them an excellent choice for smokers looking for flavorful tobacco with less harm to their health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between grabba leaf and fronto leaf?

Grabba leaf and fronto leaf are two different types of leafy green vegetables.

Grabba leaf is a type of lettuce that is generally more bitter than fronto leaf. This means that grabba leaf is typically used in dishes that need a strong flavor kick, like salads or spicy chicken dishes.

Fronto leaf is a type of lettuce that is generally more mild in flavor. This makes it the ideal choice for food items that don't require as much of a punch in terms of flavor, like sandwiches or Caesar salads.

Conclusion

Both the leafy greens are nutrient-dense leafy greens that pack a number of benefits for your health. Grabba leaf is more bitter in taste, which makes it a good substitute for people who dislike leafy greens. It also has higher levels of vitamins A and C as well as carotenoids, including lutein and zeaxanthin. It is a good source of fiber, calcium, iron, and magnesium. On the other hand, fronto leaf is softer in texture and milder in taste, making it an ideal vegetable to introduce to children. It is rich in folic acid and minerals such as potassium, folic acid, zinc, and iron.

[workertonki]

Reviews weather up bar

#REVIEWS WEATHER UP BAR FULL#

Scotch and sherry combine in the Artists' Special ($11), with a quick swap of house grenadine for red currant syrup. The Dama de la Noche Crusta ($14) has a similar tropical feel – pineapple and lime juice, curaçao, Angostura, and orange-flower water anchored by cognac – as does the Daisy de Santiago ($12), using the base trio of the daiquiri (rum, lime, simple) with soda and a yellow Chartreuse floater.īrown liquors are well represented with the Maple Leaf ($12), a fairly doctrinaire interpretation of the spiced bourbon cocktail with lemon, real maple syrup, and a dusting of cinnamon. The Singapore Sling ($12), a grenadine atrocity through much of the latter part of the 20th century, reclaims its more sophisticated roots. His Hurricane ($11) removes the treacly, artificial sweet of Bourbon Street with a house passion fruit syrup. Those wanting something more fruity can choose from a pair of reworked tiki standards.

#REVIEWS WEATHER UP BAR FULL#

The bar opened with a very limited menu of basics like the Manhattan and Sidecar, but has since expanded to a full range of martinis, cocktails, and punches that cover a wide range of personal tastes. Dirty isn't a dirty word either, they'll just steer you to a spirit that doesn't interfere with the brine. The chart lists both gin and the much-maligned vodka. There's a refreshing lack of snobbery here. Presented as a flow chart, it helps drinkers cut through what they think they want to what they actually want. Each drink is listed on the menu with an illustration, the recipe, a contextual blurb, and a citation. His approach at Small Victory is historical, drawing from recipes developed not only from the voguish period directly prior to Prohibition, but the full craft canon. There, Loving is certainly no slouch, with a decadelong hospitality career that has included stints at Fino, Vino Vino, Midnight Cowboy, Weather Up, McGuire Moorman, and Half Step – where he led the much ballyhooed ice program. Still, atmosphere only goes so far with our city's increasingly sophisticated craft cocktail palate.

[scentsywitherica]

⭐️ NEW warmer and bar promo ⭐️ 🤩 🤩 Grab any of the 3 warmers below and get 4 wax bars FREE with your purchase. 🏠 Bless This Home 🍃 Unbe-leaf-able 👩‍❤️‍👨 Wherever I’m With You Available scent bundles 🍁 Autumn Time Bundle 🍁 Cozy Fireside Scentsy Bar Warm spice notes with zesty ginger and cinnamon. Enchanted Mist Scentsy Bar Romantic blend of juicy apples, enhanced and sweetened by rose petals and rich jasmine. Honey Pear Cider Scentsy Bar The scent of pure autumn bliss — fresh, juicy pear and sweet honey together with subtle hints of spices. Pumpkin Marshmallow Scentsy Bar Sticky, sweet marshmallow spooned onto fresh-baked pumpkin and wrapped in a graham cracker crust. 🥧 Fresh From The Oven Bundle 🥧 Buckleberry Scentsy Bar A bite of summer’s bounty: bursting fresh berries atop a buttery blanket of crumbly coffeecake. Central Park Pralines Scentsy Bar A decadent confection of rich roasted pecans, buttery caramel and cinnamon sugar. Cherry Almond Pie Scentsy Bar Orville’s favorite dessert. Graham crackers, sweet almond, cream and cherries. French Toast Scentsy Bar A perfect, light slice of bread dunked in golden egg batter, dusted with powdered sugar and finished with a swirl of sweet maple syrup. 🏖 Take Me To The Beach 🏖 Camu Camu Scentsy Bar Tropical oasis of lush mandarin, camu camu and passion fruit. Havana Cabana Scentsy Bar Luscious medley of pineapples, oranges, bananas and berries. Lemon Coconut Chiffon Scentsy Bar Melt-in-your-mouth lemon custard layered with butter cake and sprinkled with toasted coconut. Paradise Punch Scentsy Bar A medley of wild Indian orange and sunny lemon juice, açaí berries and starfruit. https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch-VEugOkHz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[falcor-thee-luck-dragon]

Forgive, But First Fun - Nandor x f(vampire) reader

Summary: After getting left behind to fight off a pack of werewolves on your own, now mad at Nandor, you and Nadja have decided a little night out couldn’t hurt.

Warning: slight angst, fluff, fun times, and a tiny smut mention

Masterlist

Trudging angrily through the manors wooden doors, face stern and almost scary enough to put the fear of God into anyone. Your boots stomp into the large opening and onto the wooden floor boards as Gullimero, Nandor, and the documentary crew follow you in.

Your cloak is ripped and dirty as it lays in a pathetic black heap of cloth in Gullimero’s arms, your hair not looking any better, not to mention your face and arms that have various cuts paired with grass smudge marks adoring your skin. All in all you look like a hot mess.

“What the fuck happened to you lot? You’ve been gone all night.” Questions Laszlo as he walks into view from out of one of the hallways, his eyes scanning over a perfectly clean and handsome Nandor, then over to the dirty crew and disheveled Guillermo who’s got some leaves stuck to his hair.

“I don’t know.” You snap sarcastically, “How about you ask Mr. Dodgy-shit-stick over there.” Referring to Nandor who’s looking anywhere but you, keeping as silent as ever.

Gullimero looks between you and Nandor, then back at a confused Laszlo. “Oh, um they’re not speaking to each other right now.”

“And why the fuck not?”

Guillermo sighs before leaning towards Laszlo, “Nandor wanted to graffiti where the werewolves live and Y/N said he’d get caught and then Nandor said no I won’t and then he did.”

Laszlo raises a curious brow, “That’s it?”

“Oh, um....” Guillermo awkwardly scratches the back of his neck, suddenly pulling off a green leaf, “then they chased us to the park and when the pack closed in on us Nandor turned into a bat and left us behind so Y/N had to fight one of them off so we could escape and now we’re here.”

“Well that sounds rather exciting.”

“Not at the time.” Whispers Guillermo to no one in particular as he glances over at the camera.

“Huh,” Mutters Laszlo thoughtfully, scratching his beard as he thinks of how to help this situation, “well if you two dingbats aren’t talking to one another I believe Nadja needs you Y/N. Something about....well actually I’m not entirely sure.”

Perking up ever so slightly at this positive news, you cross your arms over your chest defiantly, “Well since someone does, I’ll be going then.” You grumble with a low growl at your Nandor who’s refusing to make eye contact while he stares frustrated at the floor.

Nodding in acknowledgment, Laszlo watches you stomp angrily up the steps before turning his head over to Nandor who’s now watching you leave with big sad eyes.

“Alright why’d you do it?” Interrogates Laszlo with a raised brow.

“Do whaaat?” Replies Nandor defensively, his once high and mighty aurora reappearing in an instant.

Rolling his eyes, Laszlo sets a hand on his hip sassily, “Well I sure as hell don’t want an angry Y/N wandering around this old place for the next however the fuck it takes you both to make up....in however fashion that may be. So I ask again, why’d you puss out and flee like a mangy opossum?”

Pursing his lips together in apprehensive embarrassment, Nandor mutters to himself before finally crossing his arms over his broad chest and sighing, “Because......I....I don’t know I panicked!” Exclaims the large vampire, causing Laszlo to start laughing. “Why are you laughing?”

Wiping a fake tear from his eye, Laszlo lets out a few more chuckles before finally composing himself, “My good man that is the second saddest thing I’ve ever heard. The first being when one of my many victims offered me one of their rare and exclusive Poki-muns card which I still have no idea what the fuck they were on about. Anyways, doesn’t matter, all I’ll tell is that you better make it up to her.”

“But she’s scary when she’s angryyy.” Whines Nandor with a frown.

“That’s all women my young pup, but since your lovely lady is a vampire she’s more dangerous.” He says while giving Nandor a kind pat on the back, “So uh, stay safe out there.” Adds Laszlo before turning and walking down the hallway leaving Nandor with his thoughts, Gullimero, and the documentary’s camera crew.

“What are you all looking at!” Snaps Nandor to the rest of the room.

——

“Oh my goodnessess that’s awful, my poor dark angel.” Soothes Nadja as you take a moment from your long and needed rant about the adventures in the park and Nandor’s cowardly stupidity. “That big hairy rhino doesn’t deserve you Y/N.” She reasons honestly, doing her best to make you feel better, knowing all to well the level of competent decision making skills of the other two vampires in the house.

“I know.” You mutter in agreement, your body tense and agitated as you pace back and forth in front of her as she sits in a chair, “Fucking beautiful idiot prick horse-fart of a husband. Urgghhh!” You proclaim loudly while throwing your hands into the air angrily, causing the furniture in the room to screech backwards across the old flooring at your outburst of vampiric energy. Nadja’s long obsidian hair blowing backwards as you do so while she keeps seated, unflinching.

Face softening, she gives you a sympathetic smile, “Oh my lovely fierce lioness, I know exactly what will make that sad little frown turn into a happy one.” Beams Nadja with an excited clap of her hands.

Hugging your sides, you let out a frustrated huff before giving your old friend a shrug, “What do you have in mind?”

——

“So we’re at the carnival!” Claps Nadja in delight as she smiles at the camera, “This will hopefully relieve Y/N’s pent up angers and keep her mind off of Nandor.....for now.” She adds a bit uncertainly.

“HA HA take that fuckers!” You shout joyfully from behind her, the camera panning over to you at the ball toss where you’ve been knocking down plastic bottles with a rubber ball. The stall owner cowering in the corner as he shields himself with a stuffed zebra.

The camera focuses back on Nadja, “I think it’s going really well so far.” She confirms with a convincing grin. “Relieving all that..uh....rage.” 

After winning a stuffed snake taller then you and deciding to wear it as a strange fashionable scarf, you and Nadja are wandering the carnivals streets while people watching to pass the time.

“So that’s why I never walk on the roof after 3am when I’ve had homeless man’s blood.” Rambles Nadja as your thoughts about Nandor come trickling down into your brain and nose. Huh, strange, must be cause you’re still wearing a thin red scarf of his.

No, stop thinking about him.

“Good lesson learned then,” You add with the flash of a smile before nudging her shoulder gently, “hey you wanna watch me win you something cool?”

Perking up in an instant, Nadja smiles a devilish fangy grin as she stops to eye up the multiple game stalls, “Why I would be delighted my dear Y/N, how about....um, oooh I want that giant tropical fishy with the long whiskers over there.” Points Nadja as your eyes travel over to the game stall with the large prizes.

It’s a game that requires the individual to shoot an arrow directly on three different sized bullseye’s stationed at various heights. Smiling like an idiot, you nudge your vampiric acquaintance in agreement, the both of you quickly swaggering over to the carnival game and it’s plush flashy prizes just screaming to be won.

“Hello good sir, my skilled roommate Y/N here is going to win me that fish.” Beams Nadja proudly as the teenager jumps off his chair to greet the two of you.

He smells like weed but surprisingly looks decent all things considered, “Uh yeah alright, two bucks for three arrows, hit every target directly on the middle red mark and if you make it on the bonus poster on the far back wall then you’ll have a chance to win that fish, good luck.” Mumbles the kid unenthusiastically as you slide him the cash.

Picking up the shitty yet still functional carnival bow, you give Nadja a wink before fitting an arrow in the nock and pulling back, lining up the shot and releasing directly into the first target to the left. Smirking to yourself you quickly draw again, hitting your second mark just as intended. Pays to be a skilled archer huh.

“Damn that’s pretty good aim.” Nods the teen as he watches in awe as you fit another arrow, releasing and punching a hole in the middle of the third target.

Nadja claps in excitement from behind you, “Yes! Win me that colorful fat bitch my feisty lioness!”

Standing like a warrior ready for battle with your bow in hand and wind blowing in your face, the kid almost drops the arrow he hands you for the winning shot as he practically swoons.

“Get those scissors ready, that fish is mine.” You growl in determination while picturing Nandor’s head as the final target, drawing back, you let the arrow fly straight into the bonus target. Winning Nadja her giant fish plushy.

“Yessss!” Shouts Nadja in delight as you drop the bow onto the table like a bad bitch before eyeing up the kid with a raised brow, “We’ll be taking the fish now.”

Wide eyed he almost falls off his chair, “Wait um, that’s the last one...I didn’t think, uh, my boss doesn’t want me to give away those ones.” He stutters out.

“What!” Snaps Nadja, “Then why are they just hanging there? You lied to us you little shit!”

“I’m sorry.” He pleads apologetically, “That’s what my boss told me. And no one ever wins the big prizes anyway so I didn’t think...”

“Well your boss he can eat a big horse turd cause I’m taking that fish.” You growl before jumping up and unhooking the fish from its perch above your heads, handing it to a practically glowing with joy Nadja who immediately hugs the thing.

Sticking your tongue out at the teen, you and Nadja turn to leave before a boney hand is suddenly on your shoulder, twisting around in an agitated instant, your face is mere inches from the wide eyed boy as he attempts to look even a tad bit threatening.

“No.” Is the only thing that slips from your tongue before your hand shoves him back, his whole body going air bound into the back of the carnival tent while the kid lets out a panicked scream.

“Ooooh Y/N that was very sexy of you.” Smirks Nadja while wiggling her dark brows, “Too bad a certain cowardly lion wasn’t here to see it.”

Petting the stuffed toy snake around your neck absentmindedly, you smile back a fangy grin, “Yes. Too bad.”

Continuing on your late night stroll through the carnival you both pass by random strangers, families, elders, children, and lovers all minding their sweet business completely unawares to the dark supernatural world walking right past them.

Although you’re quite enjoying this time spent with your best friend in the whole wide world, a low dull feeling of emptiness can’t help but creep into your undead being the more you catch sight of new and old couples walking together.

Sensing your growing sadness, Nadja nudges your shoulder playfully to gain your distracted attention, “Hello in there my black rose, what is on your mind?”

Holding the snake close to your body, a small smile creeps its way onto your face knowing she’s looking out for you, though it’s gone soon enough, “Oh you know....uh....blood.” You mutter unenthusiastically, trying to keep your thoughts away from Nandor and how much you miss him right now.

“Blood is it? But we just fed before attending the carnival.” Inquires Nadja in confusion as she keeps a normal pace at your side while the two of you follow the sidewalk past various shops and restaurants. “What is actually plaguing your mind my dear one?” She wonders with a frown, not keen on seeing you upset and in a grey mood.

Biting your lip anxiously, though not hard enough to draw blood, you walk past a couple more people before your eyes catch the sight of a small black bat disappearing behind a corner building just up ahead.

Squinting your eyes, your nose suddenly catches the scent of someone very familiar, “Nandor?”

Turning her head to face you, Nadja’s brows furrow in puzzlement, “What? No my sweet hurricane, forget that mangy old bear he’s not important right now.” Urges Nadja as she looks forward, suddenly surprised to catch a glimpse of someone who looks a lot like Guillermo racing behind the same corner you saw the bat fly behind. “Okay um what the fuck? Did you see that too?”

Glancing at Nadja you nod before quickening your steps as she does the same, her skirts flowing as she tries to catch up with you, though you’re much faster and with lack of annoying dress material, “Wait! You’re too fast.” Yelps Nadja.

Ignoring her protests you book it down the sidewalk like a maniac, almost running into a jogger before skidding round the corner of the brick building and coming face to face with a wide eyed Guillermo who gasps in surprise. Nudging him to the side, your eyes immediately fall upon the nervous fangy grin of your Nandor.

He gives you a shy little wave before shuffling awkwardly in place, awaiting your rampage of verbal and possibly physical assault that he’s certain is in the near future.

Taking a deep breath, you cross your arms over your chest defensively, “Were you following me?”

“Um, well.....I might have been....but only to make sure you were okay.” Mutters Nandor honestly, eyes shifting from you to the ground nervously as he awaits your wrath.

Pursing your lips together in thought, you shake your head before taking off the stuffed toy snake and holding it firmly in your hands. With a low growl do you grasp the snake in your right hand and hold it back like you might swing at any moment.

“You’re a fucking nincompoop you know that right?” Slips from your mouth without an once of anger lacing your words, instead do you hand the snake to Gullimero as Nandor watches in puzzled fear.

Taking a swift step forward, you point a finger into his strong chest while looking sternly up at him, “Racing off and leaving me too fight that angry bitch all by myself, and now following me when I needed a break from you! Nandor....... you’re something else.” You add with a shake of your head.

“Yes I know, and I’m sorry my love.” Smiles Nandor with saddened eyes, “I promise to keep you save from now on and fight off any werewolf who tries to hurt you....even if I am scared.”

Taking a step back, you can’t help the smirk that forms onto your face at his sweet words of forgiveness and sincerity. You know how much he fears werewolves and that he fled the scene thinking you were planning on following too, not realizing that you might actually give a shit about Gullimero’s and the crew’s lives.

“Oh my dear puff dragon,” You declare softly with a small smile, reaching both hands out to grasp his own, “I forgive you.”

Nandor’s face breaks out into the biggest and happiest grin you’ve seen since his last birthday when he walked into your shared crypt only to find you naked and holding a bushel of red roses while seated seductively on his coffin.

“Oh that’s fantastic because I was really missing you.” Reveals Nandor with a gentle squeeze of your hands. “Laszlo and Guillermo can’t make me laugh nearly as much as you can, they’re honestly rather boring.” He says before leaning in closer to whisper, “and not very attractive to look at either.” Causing you to crack another grin and your undead heart to fill with butterflies. 

Chuckling you reach up with one hand to pull his collar closer to you and a second later do your lips clash sweetly against one another in a heated moment of passion. He smiles into the kiss before moving to pull you in closer with both of his hands, one slipping low to cheekily pinch your round bottom.

Feeling him against you once again has to be the best sensation in the whole entirety of the world even if you’ve only been separated for a couple of hours. You absolutely love the way his fingers dig into your back and bum with an animalistic eagerness that’s slowly starting to drive you insane. Oh, the things he does to you.

Especially how his tongue slips into your mouth with ease while you tug at his hair long dark locks. “Y/N!” Suddenly shouts Nadja.

“Nandor!”

Begrudgingly pulling away, you turn around to face the confused lady vampire while Nandor hugs you from behind, happily smirking at her, knowing she can’t do anything to hurt him now. “Yes Nadja.” You answer.

With the fish plushy hung over her shoulder, her brows furrow in confusion, “What the fuck are you doing? I thought you were mad at him?”

“Yeah well, I was starting to really miss him and also I’m kind of horny now so.” You reply with a shrug as Nandor hugs you tighter, resting his bearded chin against your head while Nadja huffs in defeat.

“Alright. See you at home then.” Adds Nadja before turning towards Guillermo and shoving the giant carnival fish into his arms, “Hold this Gizmo I’m going home.” Then just like that she’s gone in a black wispy poof, flying away in bat form towards the vampire resistance on Staten Island.

“Okay then.” Mutters Gullimero as he looks up at the dark sky.

Feeling a wet kiss on the side of your face and neck you smile before turning around to face your dear husband, “Shall we take flight to seek out our bed chambers?” You speak slyly in a soft yet seductive voice.

“Yes.” Grins Nandor with a flash of lust and excitement before turning his attention over to Guillermo, “Hey Guillermo I’m leaving to make passionate love to my wife so don’t bother us or I will have a rat shit in your pillowcase. Okay?”

You giggle to yourself as Gullimero’s cheeks redden while he side eyes the camera, “Understood master. Have fun.” Squeaks out the loyal familiar as he stands there awkwardly with his hands full of two carnival prizes.

Nandor sneakily squeezes your bottom once more as he gives Gullimero a knowing smirk, “Oh, we will.” Then a second later you two are flying high above the city in bat form, ready to make love to your sweet Nandor for probably the twentieth time that week.

Down below the camera pans over to Gullimero as he blinks, “Well uh, I have these things now..” He says, holding up the fish, “and I am so not looking forward to cleaning up their mess.......again.”

[thegrandimago]

This time last April, on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the world was coming to grips with the isolation of quarantine and the economic and travel slowdowns that defined the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Even now, with the rollout of vaccines, the virus continues to affect our daily lives. And the toll keeps growing: 3 million dead and more than 140 million cases worldwide.

If anything, the worst public health crisis in a century has brought our understanding of our planet, and our place in the fragile yet resilient web of life throughout it, into stark relief.

Amid so much grief and loss and uncertainty, the biodiversity crisis paced ahead over the past year, becoming a much bigger theme on the world stage. The climate crisis worsened, too. Wildfires blazed. Ecosystems became even more fouled up than they already were.

At the same time, the marked reduction in human activity spurred by the pandemic — what some experts have dubbed the “Anthropause” — has afforded scientists and researchers opportunities to observe the natural world like never before. Coinciding with these unique observational windows has been an increase in attention on Indigenous knowledge and land stewardship as a way forward in combating ecological catastrophe.

In true Vox tradition, here are the 10 most concerning, intriguing, and — dare we say — hopeful things we learned about our planet since the last Earth Day.

1) We saw just how quickly ocean noise pollution can drop, and how much that can help marine life

For a moment last spring, things got very quiet in the oceans.

The drop in human activity that came with the pandemic resulted in drastic and voluntary sound reductions that ran the underwater gamut: from a drop in shipping noise, the predominant source of man-made ocean noise pollution, to decreases in recreation and tourism. All of it suddenly ceased.

In Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park, the foraging grounds of humpback whales, the loudest underwater sounds last May were less than half as loud as those in May 2018, according to a Cornell University analysis. A May 2020 paper in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America found that underwater noise off the Vancouver coast was half as loud in April as the loudest sounds recorded in the months preceding the shipping traffic slowdown.

Chronic underwater ocean noise had been rising over the past few decades, to the detriment of marine life that have evolved to use sound to navigate their world. “There is clear evidence that noise compromises hearing ability and induces physiological and behavioral changes in marine animals,” reads an assessment of marine noise pollution research published in the journal Science in February.

The majority of ocean noise pollution is a byproduct of economic activity. But compared with massively complex issues like climate change, noise is relatively easy to turn down, at least a little. Silencing it at its source has an immediate positive impact: Famously, researchers studying right whales on the East Coast measured a drop in the animals’ stress hormones in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, after shipping traffic abruptly dropped. Even tiny fish larvae are better able to locate the coral reefs where they were born, which themselves emit sound, when the oceans get quiet.

Man-made ocean noise has since ramped back up and is now stabilized near pre-pandemic levels. But it fell silent for long enough last March, April, and May that a global team of scientists is actively scrubbing through audio recordings gathered by around 230 non-military hydrophones — underwater microphones — that monitor ocean noise around the world. They aim to study the “year of the quiet ocean” in the context of ocean sounds before, during, and after the pandemic.

2) A new study found that the Amazon is likely warming — not cooling — the planet

The world’s largest and most species-rich tropical forest, the Amazon, is home to billions of trees that not only provide refuge to a diverse assemblage of organisms but also store and absorb a huge amount of carbon dioxide.

That’s what makes the conclusion of a study published this spring so alarming: Due to human activity, the Amazon is likely contributing to — not offsetting, as one might expect— global warming. “The current net biogeochemical effect of the Amazon Basin is most likely to warm the atmosphere,” the researchers wrote in the paper.

While the Amazon is still absorbing loads of CO2, human activities in the basin, such as deforestation, are driving up emissions of CO2 and other more potent greenhouse gases like methane and nitrous oxide across the basin.

Deforestation, for one, deals a double punch: It both releases gases into the atmosphere and removes CO2-absorbing trees from the equation. That equation now sees the Amazon generating more greenhouse gases than it emits, the study suggests. (It’s worth noting, though, this is all really complicated. For more, check out Craig Welch’s story in National Geographic or read the full study here.)

3) We discovered a bunch of new species

While humans have made a mark on all corners of Earth, we’ve only discovered a small fraction of the species that occupy it. In fact, that fraction could be smaller than 1 percent. And remarkably, not all of those species are tiny microbes and insects. They’re also fish, lizards, bats, and even whales. That’s right: Even giant mammals can elude scientists.

In January, researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said they discovered a new species of baleen whale in the Gulf of Mexico. (You can find the paper describing the discovery here.) Other teams of scientists are also on the trail of what could be yet another new whale species.

Last year, researchers documented scores of new plants and animals, from geckos and sea slugs to flowering plants and sand dollars, as Vox’s Brian Resnick reported. Our favorite? Brookesia nana, a thumbnail-sized chameleon native to northern Madagascar. It may be the smallest reptile on Earth; it’s certainly the cutest.

4) We got a much clearer picture of just how much wildlife we’re losing

The numbers aren’t good.

In September, the World Wildlife Fund published a report showing that the global populations of several major animal groups, including mammals and birds, have declined by almost 70 percent in the last 50 years due to human activity.

A separate report, published in Nature this year, found that populations of ocean sharks and rays have plummeted by more than 70 percent in roughly the same period. And one-third of freshwater fish have been found to be at risk of extinction.

A number of species were also declared extinct over the last year. Those include the smooth handfish, a bottom-dweller that rests atop human-like appendages on the seafloor. It was the first marine fish species to be declared extinct in modern history. (Environmental journalist John Platt has a list of recent extinctions in 2020 at Scientific American.)

5) Protecting plants and animals hinges on a thriving ecotourism industry

In the early days of the pandemic, the popular “Nature is healing” meme overshadowed a darker reality in many parts of the world: As travel ground to a halt, so did revenue from wildlife tourism, putting some wildlife conservation efforts at risk.

The fallout was most severe in Africa. According to a new collection of research from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a government and civil society group, more than half of the continent’s protected areas had to pause or limit field patrols and other operations to stop poachers in the wake of the pandemic.

“Parks have emptied out to a large extent and there’s no money coming in,” Nigel Dudley, a co-author of one of the IUCN papers, told Reuters last month.

Some communities are deeply reliant on wildlife tourism. Late last year, Vox’s Brian Resnick spoke to veterinarian Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, who is working to keep coronavirus-susceptible gorillas alive in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

When tourism dropped, “everybody was struggling,” she said. “The local economy suffered and poaching went up.” (You can read more of Resnick’s conversation with her here.)

6) Researchers uncovered more proof that a key system of ocean currents is weakening

Graphics that show changes in ocean temperature over time generally reveal one trend: The ocean is heating up. But there’s one critical exception. Just below Greenland lies a large patch of water that’s cooling off. And that patch has scientists concerned that we could be nearing a tipping point for the climate.

The cold patch, scientists say, signals that a network of currents that bring warm water to the North Atlantic — known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or AMOC — is slowing down, and the melting of ice on Greenland is likely a culprit. One paper, published in the journal Nature in March, suggests that the current AMOC slowdown is “unprecedented in over a thousand years.”

The AMOC shapes weather across multiple continents, so any major slowdown will carry major consequences that could include faster sea-level rise in some regions, stronger hurricanes, and other changes in weather, to say nothing of the impacts to marine ecosystems.

But to be clear, the science on this is new and complex. For a great run-down, check out this recent visual feature in the New York Times.

7) The asteroid that killed the dinosaurs gave rise to the Amazon rainforest

The massive asteroid that struck Earth 66 million years ago may be best known for driving non-avian dinosaurs to extinction, but it also transformed entire ecosystems.

It may have even given rise to the Amazon rainforest, according to a study published in Science earlier this month. The finding is based on an analysis of about 50,000 fossil pollen records and 6,000 fossil leaf records in Colombia from before and after the asteroid crashed into what is now Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

The data reveals two vastly different forests. Before the event, the forests were stocked with conifers and ferns, and the trees were spread out, with plenty of room for light to stream through the canopy. After the asteroid event, however, flowering plants started to dominate the landscape and the canopy became much more tightly packed, resembling the forest we know today.

“If you returned to the day before the meteorite fall, the forest would have an open canopy with a lot of ferns, many conifers, and dinosaurs,” study co-author Carlos Jaramillo of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama told New Scientist. “The forest we have today is the product of one event 66 million years ago.”

The idea here is that the asteroid impact somehow triggered a series of events that led to the modern Amazon rainforest. What were those events? One theory the researchers offer is that, before the asteroid, herbivorous dinosaurs prevented the forest from becoming dense by eating and trampling plants.

8) A review of more than 300 studies showed that the rate of deforestation is lower on Indigenous lands

The global conservation movement is pushing forward a plan to conserve 30 percent of the Earth by 2030 — an initiative known as 30 by 30 — and increasingly calling for Indigenous communities to be central to that effort.

These groups have historically been uprooted from land in the name of wildlife conservation. There is also greater evidence that forests fare better when they are governed by Indigenous and tribal territories.

A recent UN review of more than 300 studies found that forests within tribal territories in Latin America and the Caribbean have significantly lower rates of deforestation where land rights are formally recognized.

“In just about every country in the region Indigenous and tribal territories have lower deforestation rates than other forest areas,” wrote the authors of the report, which was published by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization and the Fund for the Development of Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean. “Many Indigenous territories prevent deforestation as effectively as non-Indigenous protected areas, and some even more effectively.”

9) Wildfire smoke can turn the sky an apocalyptic orange

If there was one day in 2020 that defined the climate emergency, it could have been September 9, when the sky above San Francisco turned completely orange.

Strong winds had carried smoke from fires burning across California to the atmosphere above the city. Particles of soot absorbed or reflected blue light from the sun, letting only orange-ish light through. (Wired has the details.)

But what made the image go viral wasn’t so much the science but what it symbolized: a growing climate catastrophe.

Climate change is making wildfires more frequent and severe, and 2020 provided more devastating evidence. Last year was California’s worst wildfire season on record. By the end of the year, nearly 10,000 fires had burned over 4 million acres — an astonishing 4 percent of California’s total land, according to the state.

10) Scientists finally solved the mystery of why wombats poop cubes

Sure, it may not have kept you up at night, but the mystery of the bare-nosed wombat’s poop puzzled scientists for decades. Why do these adorable, chunky marsupials, native to Australia and Tasmania, leave behind feces with six sides?

Thanks to a new study — published in the journal Soft Matter — we now have the answer.

Building on research published a few years earlier, a team of scientists found that wombat intestines have regions of varying thickness and elasticity that contract at different speeds: The stiffer regions contract relatively quickly, while softer sections squeeze more slowly, together forming a cube-like shape.

But there’s still a bit of mystery left: Why is their poop shaped like this? The jury’s still out, but some researchers believe it’s because wombats climb up on rocks and logs, and the cube-like shape prevents the feces from rolling away. This is key for wombats because they use piles of feces to communicate with other wombats.

What a difference a year makes, truly.

[beautifulterriblequeen]

I’m really intrigued by Rayla’s moonshadow assassin peers. I especially am interested in Andromeda because I think she is the only other girl in the group? Do you have any headcanons in how these teen/young adult assassins interacted? Do you think Rayla isolated herself from them because she was always iffy about taking a life? Also TDP finally colored their map and I know you live maps, find any new cool stuff? I especially love how there’s a frozen sea north and a spinning sea south, imagine the powerful Magic’s that channeled to make them.

Okay, so I jumped straight to the map, did 80% of it, and wandered away for a few weeks. I apologize, anon. Let’s get this going again:

I’ve got a few headcanons on the Moonshadow assassins! It seems likely that they hang out mostly with each other, when they hang out, to reinforce their teambuilding and to give them some socialization, since assassins tend to keep others at arm’s length. So I kinda figure they tend to roam as a pack on their evenings out in the village, if they’re not married to a non-assassin like Runaan is.

I think that could be part of the reason that Rayla might not have hung out with the others as much, too: Runaan wanted to be either training or at home with Ethari, so Rayla probably spent a lot of time doing those things just because he did them. And when Runaan was doing more serious training or missions, that’s when Rayla had her free time to run around the forest and make adoraburr friends. 

Runaan could’ve probably insisted that she do something more assassiny with her free time. Shadow an assassin, do more studying, practice certain prescribed skills on her own. But he didn’t. He let her play. Soft assassin is soft!

Listen, anon, I have a fun headcanon for you about Andromeda--and by fun, I mean it’s really angsty half a second after you start thinking about it. Ready? 

What if: Andromeda is Runaan’s half-sister. If they’re both Lujanne’s children by different assassin dads who kept dying in battle, but a Moon mage needs an assassin leader partner to defend Xadia with, and Lujanne knew her son Runaan wasn’t old enough to lead yet, so she burned through three or more husbands protecting him until Runaan was well trained enough to lead the assassins himself and had fallen in love with a mage who adored him and would be his partner in her place.

 Andromeda looks a fair bit like Lujanne, too:

Along with Runaan, they all have long hair, side tails bound in silver cuffs, and some form of braids. Andromeda’s hair is sectioned in front similarly to Runaan’s. Her accent sounds more British than Scottish, though she only has the one line: My eyes for truth. And Lujanne and Andromeda are the only two Moonshadow elves we’ve met who have medium blue horns, while Runaan’s are dark blue. Almost everyone else’s horns have purple or pink as their base color.

But then, see, Andromeda went on Runaan’s mission, and she died. Her spirit was the most aggressive in TTM, usually closest to Rayla with her sword out, as if she hated Rayla the most. If she had a vested family interest in Runaan’s mission succeeding, and then it went pear-shaped because of Rayla, that would make sense.

No matter if she’s related to Runaan or not, she’s wearing horn cuffs, so she was in a dedicated relationship of some kind, and that’s so sad. Someone’s missing her the way Ethari’s missing Runaan. :’((((

Anyway, it’s just a headcanon, but since you asked, there ya go.

Okay, on to my thoughts on the map, of which I have a normal and healthy amount:

The Map Border: 

Everyone doodles in the borders. I love to see what they put there.

Starting in the upper left and going counter-clockwise, the five human crowns are cool

Cornucopia swirls center left look like an homage to Cabbage Man from ATLA

Bait is staring at Evenere. his home? Or maybe he just wants to eat the dragonfly on its logo

Human defender has a beard. Hairagorn. He's very heavily armored but has no helmet. Long hair is braided to rest on front of shoulder, like the blond elf in the painting at the Moon Nexus. Old timey hairstyle?

He’s defending Katolis Castle specifically. I wonder if the little white building is kinda random or if it’s supposed to represent the Banther Lodge. Nah, I have a better guess: that’s where Viren grew up

The crack in the map looks meta. It's been repaired somewhat. Makes me wonder if it's an in-world map, whose, who ripped it, and who fixed it. Sir Phineas Kurst seems like the kind of guy to almost shred his really cool map

The star behind Zym's egg has seven points

The two ships on the southern waters are western and eastern respectively. Tidebound elves from Singapore? Jack Sparrow would be proud

There is land just south of the Dragontail, wonder what’s there?

The leaves around the human figure are small and numerous while the Moonshadow elf has fewer but bigger leaves

The elf is standing in the way of one of the six leaves growing out of the rune rose and that leaf's curly tip seems to have been replaced with a curl of the elf's very long hair

The human pose is more offense and the elf pose is more defense. But the elf has two swords, and one has some wicked hooks in it.

Elf has 4 fingers instead of 3 so whether it’s in-universe or meta, they were drawn by a human :DDD

The elf's braid winds around their horn and I think that's clever

High collar shirt under protective layer, bracers and elbow gloves, bare biceps, complex shoulder getup, ornate hair that's butt long and partly braided, two long slightly curving swords... horn cuffs too. This is a Moonshadow assassin in the same gear Runaan's got, poised to defend the Xadian half of the map as the human is poised to defend his side

The rune rose isn't a compass. It has a two sided pointer and six primal runes. Just decorative I guess. ;)

More lettuces on right center.

Maybe a portaling caterpillar on the center knot? Little bug pal, I see you

“The Five Human Kingdoms” lettered in red, “Xadia” in blue. Giving me Stratego flashbacks. Even the flowers on their banners are color coded

Banners in the corners are similar but Xadia has more fluttery tips

Thunder drawn all attacky top center, does he have anything to do with the Frozen Sea being frozen?

Compass rose under Thunder’s wing

Dick island near the compass. Well, Duren is the breadbasket of the human lands. A most excellent cartography joke! 10/10 would chortle wholesomely again

The Human Kingdoms:

Neolandia

Capital Eboreus seems to be a lake city below a mountain and I'm here for all the Lake Town refs. 

It's also the eye of the elephant shape

Not a lot of trees, mostly grasses or desert. Only borders Duren across a couple rivers/estuaries/sea channels

Heart shaped island next to elephant trunk

Land generally broken into several sections by sea/rivers 

If it’s rivers, they seem to generate from the capital’s lake and flow in several directions. And they say there’s no magic left in the western lands! ;)

But if there was exactly one source of freshwater in a desert land, it makes sense that you’d find a way, magical or mechanical, to spread that lifegiving water in as many directions as possible so your people can thrive so kudos to Neolandia’s ancestors/Tidebound elves/whoever managed that, it’s brilliant

I can and will make up explanations for anything on a map. I adore worldbuilding

Del Bar

Two named locations. Since Del Bar’s national symbol is a serpent, I guess Serpentongue is the capital.

Hinterpeak is a sweet name. Looks like Helm's Deep with that retaining wall. What’s it for? Are there dwarves in this land? Is it an Earthblood stronghold? Maybe it’s like the Mines of Moria, and the Earthbloods were chased out and/or killed inside and now it’s full of nasty orcses but someone left a MacGuffin down there so *nudges hero* Off you pop.

Nice forests around the southern mountain range but northern DB is more arid or grassy lands like Neolandia. 

Considering that crops grow well in Duren, which is farther north, I assume there is a massive meteorological gyre over the human lands, with a southern wind blowing down over the western realms and keeping them icy until the mountains of Hinterpeak block and divert them, protecting Evenere. The winds don't blow eastward without warming right up-- and causing thunderstorms in Katolis how about that-- because there is a warmer side to the gyre over Katolis and Duren, blowing tropical warmth and moisture north and providing rain for trees and crops alike. Most years, anyway.

How does the weather fail in Duren for seven years in a row, anyway? That seems like a Thunder issue. Unless it’s a Sunforge issue, which I’ll get to below.

Ahem.

Borders Neolandia, Duren, and Katolis across rivers, but most border is coastline.

Serpentongue probably got its name from the two river heads around it

Cluster of dead little cracks spawns a single river. Looks like someone cracked the tub and it drained away. I wonder how much of this landscape has been affected by the Mage Wars. Big watery basins have flooded and other spots seem dead. The lands may or may not actually touch depending on how deep some of these waterways are

Evenere

Looks like someone punched holes in the land with a giant pencil to make it a separate island. Broken outline with scattered islands

That Pawprint Isles has only four toes

Moon-shaped island is very crescenty indeed

Are these isles home to refugees or outcasts from Xadia? Listen, I want pirates and that sea looks pretty Caribbean to me

No capital city, hmmm what's that about? Is it underground, does it move? Maybe Fareeda’s capital is on the back of a world turtle and she’s constantly on tour around the island?

That arm of land ending in a peace sign, please can we get surfers

The hills emanating from that claw shaped headland look like something is sleeping under the island, hello yes I am here for giant immortal creatures please

Katolis

its capital is also called Katolis, the only human realm to use the same name twice

Weeping Bay could be a ref to the tears the humans shed after they reached the west. Or the Moonshadow elves as they left their forest for the east. Or both. Both, in this case, is bad but balanced

Boomerang island next to the Dragontail

The river the Dragaang rode on was going uphill

The watery slash in the land between Katolis and Del Bar is awfully straight. So is the one between Del Bar and Neolandia. I call magical warfare.

Katolis has a bunch of mountains in the east, part of an old natural border before the lava one appeared

Mt Kalik is probably volcanic. It's a standalone mountain and it's really tall. Rex Ignius maybe? Oh, probably not, I think I see him peeking on the other side of the map

The trees of Duren and Katolis are different then the western lands. Softer green, deciduous. And the land itself is yellower, warmer in tone

Forests centered on Mt Kalik

The Moon Nexus looks like an eye on a dragon head near the Dragontail, and Evenere looks like a severed wing (Yes I am still wondering where Luna Tenebris went, why do you ask)

Weeping Bay looks like the most natural body of water in the western lands

Three red little trees scattered around the Katolis map. Fruit trees? How very Moonshadow.

Duren

The only land border among all the human kingdoms is between Duren and Katolis. Maybe it used to be further south along the river?

Capital is Berylgarten, set on a lake. Beryl is a stone that’s usually green, blue, or yellow in color, very gardeny

Second smallest realm but the breadbasket of the human lands. Has several little forests and great tilled fields

Being a farmer in Duren is probably as awesome as being an assassin in the Moonshadow Forest; you do what you do for all your friendly kingdoms

Northernmost land is cold and craggy, named Skall's Hook along the sea

Third ship in the Frozen Sea is icebound and crushed. Looks western, indicating no possible passage

Lots of colored trees and shrubs as if fruitbearing, I keep comparing Duren to the Yakima Valley in Washington State

Where the lava reaches the Frozen Sea, it melts the ice next to Duren's mountains

Northern Xadia:

Lux Aurea

Most of the center lands of this map has warm tones for its ground. Maybe that’s because of the long reach of the warmth and light of Lux Aurea’s Sun Nexus, and only the lands that are just too far from it are truly cold and icy. It would explain why Duren is a breadbasket realm so far north--it’s just across the border from Lux Aurea.

If there’s anything to that, then I suddenly worry for the fate of all the human lands now that the Sunforge has gone dark. It’s early summer now in Xadia, and crops in Duren will be ripening soon... Unless the sun’s magic was helping them grow. This coming winter could be rough. Next winter, people will die. Unless they can purify the Sunforge again.

Also, I have to wonder if Duren’s seven years of famine had anything to do with Sunforge shenanigans. They’d have happened at Khessa’s command, and we know she despises humans. If she was responsible for all the struggles that humans had to go through without enough food for seven years, and then their desperate attempt to fix the problem by invading Xadia for a Magma Titan’s heart which extended and exacerbated the war, I can see why Aaravos might feel Queen Khessa deserved to die

The city’s shaped kinda like an Egyptian pectoral necklace on this map, and that’s super pretty and not at all ominous

Also that’s a lot of gold for a whole city and I wonder how they got it all

The Shiverglades and the Shards

These areas are north of Lux Aurea and seem cold but not very icy, even though the Frozen Sea is right there. More thoughtful glances at the Sunforge over this one. Is it warming the land, or not warming the sea? Both?

Shiverglades is a play on Everglades, so this is a cold swamp, which sounds super fun I’m sure. Permafrost, tundra maybe?

The Shards seem to be rock islands with ice mountains. Glaciers are cool. 

I wonder if something broke those islands off on purpose. Have I mentioned how much I enjoy worldbuilding? Yeah, well, I like world-wrecking, too.

Storm Spire

Has a good view on everything that happens for miles, including Lux Aurea, the Midnight Desert, the Shiverglades, the Black Tundra, the Uncharted Forest, and Drakewood. 

Defensible position, no other tall mountains nearby

Also able to alert others to danger, especially since Avizandum could teleport like lightning

The Midnight Desert

It’s pretty big! And it looks like it’s littered with ruins of columns and dead palm trees. Like something else used to be in that great space and then something Very Bad happened to it. Maybe there was one great city where all the elves could mix together, and then it got utterly obliterated and the elves all fled to their respective safe places around Xadia. A city of black stone, back when Aaravos wore a crown? Now pulverized to dust and surrounded by not one, not two, but three primal nexuses? Hmmm...

All the wisps could be heat from the sand, or spooky spirit hints, or just an ominous sign of danger from the snakes below, but the overall effect is that the land is unhealthy if not cursed

The oasis is marked, and it must contain a spring since it runs a river out to join the river that passes through the Moonshadow Forest

Also the actual oasis kinda resembles a blue lizard which is adorable and probably also terrifying

Moonshadow Forest

The Silvergrove is the only village marked in the forest, so in keeping with the other lands and general map legend rules, it’s likely the capital/central village for the Moonshadow elves

The village is marked by four round-roofed homes between two tall leafy trees that shelter and hide them. It’s a hybrid balance between the blocky manmade castles of the human lands and the actual forest around them, showing a blending with nature that even the Sunfire city of Lux Aurea did not embrace, with all its golden buildings

It’s a good-sized forest, and it kinda stretches thin to the east but there it tentatively connects to the Drakewood Forest

Moonstone Path to the west just chilling in the lava like a blank alignment chart. Moonstone Path is Chaotic Hot.

Southern Xadia:

Ruins of Elarion

Elarion is a city, and it’s been lost to the humans for a thousand years

The building outlines are squared-off towers like the more modern castles in the west, suggesting that humans in Xadia built for strength and defense as soon as they could. They felt vulnerable and created protections in their architecture. The three elven cities we see also play to their strengths, but those strengths include magic. Elarion’s humans had to find a different strength, and they went with craftsmanship and ingenuity

It seems to be the only human city from before the border was drawn

“Ruins” doesn’t necessarily mean no one lives there at all, but it’s been emptied of humans and no one else has maintained it since

It had a great position on a vast lake, with sheltering hills and easy sea access

Sea of the Castout

This inland sea has five inlets and outlets. It’s hard to be sure which is which with some of them, with the way the water is drawn on this map. But I’m kinda liking the idea that all the water swirlies are places where Tidebound magic has been placed over the millennia, so the water can do whatever it needs to do depending on circumstances. That goes for the human lands, too. Katolis backward river, you’re off the hook.

With a name like "Castout,” I wonder if it was some kind of universal toilet to flush away things you didn’t want--including humans--who might wash up near Elarion and start to build there. Yeesh.

The rivers that flow into this sea pass through or near the Moonshadow Forest, the Midnight Desert, the Storm Spire, Drakewood, and the Uncharted Forest. That’s a lot of drainage.

It’s pretty far from the Tidebound Archipelago, so maybe its name is referencing Tidebound elves who have left their home colony

Was this always a sea, or did something that Xadia wanted to forget get flooded and hidden in the depths?

The land around it seems open and hospitable. It could be a good place to build/rebuild in a time of peace.

The Far Reaches

Open grassland with low hills

Two of the hills look like giant boot prints

Several colorful trees which I hope are fruit trees

Bounded by two rivers from the Sea of the Castout

Looks homey tbh, great spot to retire to get away from everything if there were a war that really shook you up

Ocean Point

There’s a Star rune here, and it could mean many things

The closest other marked location is Elarion

If this was where Aaravos lived of his own free will, I can see why he’d take a shine to the humans. They were his neighbors.

If he is imprisoned here, it’s literally the furthest point in Xadia from the other elven realms, with the Moonshadow Forest being the closest one and Umber Tor not too much further but in a totally different direction. If they were trying to isolate him physically with a portable mirror to watch over him, that’s a good spot for it

Possible location that the cube is leading Callum toward? Portal to the Star Touch home plane? Aaravos’s seaside B&B? Trap street?

Eastern Xadia:

Drakewood

Umber Tor looks to be the tallest mountain in all of Xadia, save possibly for the Storm Spire. It’s more traditionally mountainy, with a nice snowcap. Since it’s labeled, I’m guessing it’s the Earth Nexus, under which an Earth Archdragon sleeps

Also there’s a giant yellowish-brown dragon chilling next to the Tor. Yeah, he seems nice. Rex Igneous, I presume?

Or maybe not, since the neighboring forest is called Drakewood. Maybe this woods is just where a bunch of Earth dragons hang out? Ezran and Pyrrah flew off and returned with a crew of Sun dragons from somewhere, so dragons must have communities too

The mountains that edge the sea are shaped roughly like a stone dragon in flight

Drakewood seems to be the forest closest to Umber Tor, with both deciduous and evergreen trees, though there’s a huge swath of wooded land here, to the north and to the southwest. I wonder what the locals consider the border where the Drakewood becomes the Uncharted Forest and why. The way the evergreens are drawn almost looks like a border, a sort of kingswood set aside for a specific use. Rex Igneous’s best toothpicks?

Uncharted Forest

Okay this is a properly magical name, very mysterious. But uncharted by whom? People with charts? This might be a Sir Phineas Kurst name, which is outsidery, and it makes me wonder if the locals/neighbors have their own name for it, which the human explorer never learned, a la “Thunder” for Avizandum

Maybe “Uncharted Forest” just means no one ever turned those trees into charts though, old growth ftw

If no one lives here, will someone move here? If someone lives here, who are they? Earthblood elves? Moonshadow elves? Humans? This mystery, it calls to me

the trees are mostly deciduous and fill basically all of this whole section of land, up against the mountains and the rivers, so it seems very fertile land indeed

Earthblood elves could live here, but there is no city marked. Maybe because we haven’t gotten that far in the show, or maybe that’s the wrong sort of descriptor for how the Earthbloods live and organize. Maybe the whole forest is their city, like Pando, the interconnected quaking aspen clone forest

The northernmost part of this forest lies right between the Storm Spire and the Tidebound Archipelago, so it might get a regular flyover route for migration or messages

Yes, this forest is the most interesting place in Xadia to me, I desperately want to learn more about it

Black Tundra

Yeah this place isn’t ominous

Similar to the Shiverglades, but where that has shrubbery, the Black Tundra has single dead trees and creepy curving spikes. Scorched? Poisoned? De-magicked?

The water north of this area isn’t frozen, and with a lake to the south and a river and a moderate mountain range, the whole area looks like it would otherwise be decently habitable, but instead it’s cold and black

Is climate change a thing here, or will we get a nice horrible disaster instead?

Tidebound Archipelago

These islands have dotted lines around them, like they’re submerged at high tide, or maybe made of shifting sand that literally moves around like sand dunes across a desert, or perhaps they’re exactly at sea level with half their civilization in the air and half underwater or in cool bubbles, or maybe the islands actually float

Maybe the Tidebound elves even sank them on purpose for defensive purposes

The archipelago is about even latitudinally with the Storm Spire Lux Aurea, Berylgarten, and Eboreus so they probably get pretty nice weather

There’s no ice in sight here in any direction along Xadia’s east coast, so presumably the prevailing current is a warm one

do they have bridges connecting the islands? Ferries, animals who give them a lift across?

the islands have quite a bit of space on them. I wonder if there’s a big population, maybe a shifting population? Do Tidebound elves migrate up and down the coast like gray whales and return to the islands for certain holidays or social events?

This is probably the hub of the Tidebound elves’ culture, but the sea surrounds the whole land and infiltrates it with many rivers and lakes. The Spinning Sea and the Frozen Sea are pretty firm Do Not Enter signposts, but a determined Tidebound could get around either one if they wanted to

What I’m not seeing here is a city. Either it’s not been marked yet, or that’s not a thing that Tidebound elves have in their culture. If they don’t have a city, they’re possibly migratory in family groups, or maybe they stick to small villages like the Moonshadows do, but with even less central leadership

[bitchiha]

HC of Kiba, Shino, Choji, Neji and Lee playing animal crossing. Do they do it hidden from others or not? Their islands, favorite activities, group interactions (especially) and other things you like.

A/N: Yes!! Thank you for requesting this!! I love writing little fun things like this. I haven’t gotten a chance to play animal crossing on the switch because I was saving up for it w/ my job and everything, but now that Corona has shut down my province I can’t actually buy the switch or Animal Crossing 🥺 I watch gameplays for like hours on end tho and my friends never shut up about it so I know enough to make these HC’s I Hope lmfao and I’ve played it on my DS and phone for timee so I’m educated dw

✎ Animal Crossing x Naruto Characters!

Kiba Inuzuka

He was so pumped for animal crossing to come out. Probably used man the beast clone justu in the game store to make sure that he got his hands on a copy.

He won’t hide that he plays Animal Crossing, he’ll be such a confident douche about it. Once he’s got a fly outfit and he’s starting to get gains he will flex his island to anyone, especially Shino.

He would pick an island in the northern hemisphere and he wouldn’t even strategize tbh like he’s just excited

He would name it like “Dog Land” or “Akamaruville” or some shit like that

He’s the type to read all the things the characters say out loud. Will also 10/10 respond to them.

He’s so excited at little things “look akamaru! It’s a stick!” “Oh shit! Wow! It’s a fishy!”

Or when the seasons change he is so hyped

Hates Tom Nook (greedy capitalist) and also hates Eugene

Starts calling people by nicknames from animal crossing. “Sure, Bunyip!” “Sure thing daddio!” And only the other ninja who play Animal Crossing will get it

Everyone else will be like: (;-;) shut the fuck up dog boy did you just call me “daddio?”

His title on his animal crossing passport is “photogenic animal” I felt the need to include this information

Sometimes I don’t even know what the fuck Kiba does on animal crossing like he just messes around all the time

I think he’ll like fishing a lot tho

Despises the snooty or cranky villagers like he wants to pop one at them through the screen

Having interactions w friends on Animal Crossing can either be fun and friendly or super passive aggressive

Him and Shinos interactions are so ducking passive aggressive like Shino is hitting Kiba with his bug net and Kibas like ?? And Shino will just be like “there was a bug on you” like bruh

Him and Chojis interactions are friendly at first until he realizes how much better Choji is doing than him and he gets so aggressive so Chojis like: aight imma head out

Refuses to let Rock Lee get into his island and it makes Lee so ducking mad bc he wants to flex on him, but Kibas ego will be so damaged so he refuses

Anyway, his house is literally what a 12 year old boys house would look like. Like there’s clutter everywhere the only clear path is the one to his bed

Also whenever he uses the vaulting pole thing he pisses himself like he thinks it’s so fucking funny

I’m sorry but Kibas character will look like a rat like it will look so ugly

I feel like he has like one braincell when he plays this game

Shino Aburame

He’s so secretive about it at first, like this is Shino Aburame, he’s supposed to be this cool mysterious guy

So he will not let anyone know about it, until kiba accidentally finds out

Like they’re on a mission and they’re in their tent sleeping. Once Shino thinks everyone’s asleep he whips out the Switch and starts playing. Then Kiba rolls over to face him and is like “I KNEW IT”

Then Kiba tells everyone else

They’re Animal Crossing rivals now

He’s got a Southern Hemisphere island and he strategically picks his island in a way that he’ll (in real life terms) be able to have access to bugs... but it’s a game, no point in explaining it to him tbh

Like he only strategizes on the game for bugs. Probably talks to himself whenever bugs are involved in it

He doesn’t read the captions out loud, he’ll read them in his head like normal person

Names his Island after a bug species or “Bug Landia”, “Bikochu Island” <- as tribute to those filler episodes lmfao

Starts talking like K.K. (The dog w the stupid ducking guitar) and tbh it fits his personality pretty well, minus some of the hippie energy, but still.. sometimes Hinata and Kiba look at eachother like: is he good?

Will talk like K.K. When fighting enemies and sometimes they’ll stop and be like “did you just quote fucking K.K?” Sometimes it pisses enemies off even more

Also hates Tom Nook, Kiba and him will put their rivalry aside sometimes just so they could gang up on him

Like they’ll just yell insults at him through the screen and think they rlly did something amazing

His fav activity is obviously bug catching!! He gets so hyped when he catches a bug.

If he’s playing the game outside and you can’t rlly see his face bc of his outfit, it will look like he’s spazzing, but in reality he’s bursting with joy bc he caught an uncommon bug

Likes the cranky villagers.. idk why he just gets a kick out of them

His little house thing is bug and tropical themed, he lowkey should be an interior designer

Shinos character will resemble a bug. Don’t know how, but it will.

Choji Akamichi

Loves animal crossing almost as much as he loves food, it’s a close second

He will talk about Animal crossing with anyone, like he thinks everyone is dying to know about his island

One day Sai made eye contact with him for like 2 seconds Chojis dragging him over to his Switch like “oh hey Sai! I seen you looking at me and I figured you must be wondering what I was doing. So I’ll save you the time and just show you instead.” Sais just there like: wtf?

He’s neutral on the capitalist pig that is Tom Nook, Infact, he thinks he’s kind of nice. Poor Choji, so naive.

His island is in the Northern Hemisphere and he doesn’t really strategize it too much bc he doesn’t take the game as seriously as the rest of them like they’re really out here with survival tactics? My G..

Like he doesn’t take it as seriously as Neji and Lee, but he still is doing better than all of them in the game

Anyways, he’ll name the island after his favourite chip brand / chip flavour

Lives for interacting with the other islanders!! Loves Lily and Pashmina bc they’re so nice.

The sisterly and peppy villagers are his favourite

Favourite thing to do is collect fruits and get cool foods. Aside from that, I would go with bug catching as a close second.

Hosts everyone who plays animal crossing for the coolest funking hangouts poor Neji has to sit there and pretend he doesn’t play

Like he is so creative about it to and he’ll think up games like playing musical chairs or hide and seek that they can all play together

Probably results in Lee and Kiba getting into a fist fight irl and accusing eachother of cheating

His house has butterfly themed stuff in there as well as cool food things

Tenten is the only one who doesn’t get pissed tf off when she sees how fly his island is, like she’s jealous, but she isn’t like Kiba and Lee

Chojis character will look so adorable like idc his is the cutest one out of everyone’s

Neji Hyuuga

He first sees TenTen and Lee playing it and he acts like he doesn’t like it, but there are fireworks going off inside his head, like the game looks so fire

So he buys it secretly and he is obsessed, he will deny he plays it if anyone asks though

He wants his islands name to be something thought out, like it takes him 5 days just to name his island.. Only for him to settle on some shit like “Leaf Island” he wanted to name it Byakugan Land but his pride wouldn’t let him

Definitely respects Tom Nook. Like Rock Lee and him both treat the game like a survival tactic so he respects Tom Nook as a superior, even if he has some greed problems. He’s still a superior and he must be adressed with respect >:0

Will get worked up when he overhears Shino and Kiba trash talking Nook and it takes every bone in his body not to knock them out, but he doesn’t want them to know he plays so he refrains

I’m not gonna lie he tries to use his Byakugan when he’s fishing in animal crossing so he can see what type of fish it is through the water and it pisses him the fuck off when it doesn’t work

Like he’s just playing Animal Crossing at like 3 am and you hear him whisper shout “Byakugan!” And then he punches the air bc it doesn’t work

He changes his passport title to “Nook Inc’s Island Dweller”

Nejis favourite thing to do on animal crossing is probably fishing tbh. Like yes it does aggravate the absolute fuck out of him sometimes when he keeps catching the same worthless fish over and over again, but he enjoys the rush of it

His house is all white, like only white furniture idk why

No group interactions, only w Hinata who he made swear she wouldn’t tell anyone he plays

Def critiques her Island and in her head she’s like :0 bruh I’m ur only Animal Crossing friend and youre gonna critique my fucking island nah bitch not w your ghetto ass all white stinky looking cottage

I love Neji I’m sorry but this shit is too funny for me

Neji wants his character to look as much like him as possible, but can’t find the right hairstyle

His drip is fire tho like his outfit is so nice even if it’s all white as well

Rock Lee

Kiba and Shino might be rivals, but they both equally despise Rock Lee on Animal Crossing

Treats it like real life.

For example: since him and TenTen are friends he’s like “me and Tentens islands are Allies”

Has declared war on Kiba and Shino so many times and they’re like?? Dude you can’t even start a war like wtf

He is so competitive though LMFAOO AND HE MAKES HIS CHARACTER WORK OUT. Like he makes him run laps every morning and it doesn’t even benefit him in the game at all... anyways

His island is in the northern hemisphere for sure and it’s named “Power of Youth” or something involving the word Youth

Uses his Nook phone to take pics will all the islanders he stumbles upon

“Good evening, Lily! Let’s take a picture together, the sun is shining in a way that perfectly accentuates your features!”

He also talks to islanders out loud and reads their captions in designated voices for them, it annoys the shit out of Neji

Jazzes the shit out of his Passport like his title is “horizon bound patron” and his little passport comment is “THE POWER OF YOUTH!”

Takes the Nook miles quests so seriously. “I will complete three quests today.” Thinks of them as missions and so he gives them the same energy

Probably calls Nook “Nook-Sensei”

“right away Nook-Sensei” or “you can count on me Nook-sensei!” Whenever Nook asks him something

Rock Lees fav activity is literally just completing whatever a character asks him to do. Like constantly does quests and enjoys it. Wtf

If there is workout furniture on animal crossing, best believe it’s in Rock Lees house

He gets so pissy when Kiba won’t let him on his Island

Invites everyone to his island and forces them onto a tour of it.

Also his character looks so fucking similar to himself that it’s eerie

Kiba will make fun of him for it (Shino will probably join in too)

[pikapeppa]

From the Three Word Prompts for Rynne and Fen :) 1. Hiding, Fog, Say or 20. Tempestuous, Rabbit, Hurt

Ahhh sorry it took me so long to fill this!! For @dadrunkwriting Friday.

This is a fill for the prompt words “hiding, fog, say”. It takes place during the ~2 years between DA2 and DAI, when Fenris and Hawke are on the run from the Chantry. 

~2000 words; read on AO3 instead. 

**********************

It was still raining.

Fenris was disgruntled, but not surprised; the stretch of mountainous terrain between Ostwick and Markham was known for its unusually wet weather, and it was partly why he and Hawke had decided to travel in this direction after their hasty departure from the outskirts of Wildervale. Constant rain meant that anyone pursuing them would have difficulty tracking their progress, even if the rain meant a risk of leaving footprints behind. But Fenris had been extra-careful to ensure that they were either following rocky paths where they would leave no marks, or leaf-and-mulch-laden ones where their prints would go unseen, so he was fairly certain that they were safe for now.

He glanced over his shoulder into the cave where he, Hawke, and her mabari had taken refuge for the night. The cave was a sufficient size for a night’s rest: large enough that Hawke could nearly stand upright inside of it, and deep enough that her and Toby’s sleeping bodies couldn’t be seen unless someone stepped inside.

And that certainly wasn’t going to happen, not with Fenris keeping guard at the cave’s entrance. 

He adjusted his hood to better cover his hair, then settled his cloak around himself. The cloak was damp, but no matter; the discomfort would help to keep him awake until she woke for her turn keeping guard. Or until the morning, even. Fenris wasn’t particularly tired, so perhaps he would keep guard all night instead of waking her. 

He gazed up at the sky through the gentle drizzle of rain. Not a single star was visible; the sky was a matte black canvas blurred by clouds, and as Fenris watched, a wash of lightning set the sky alight. 

A few seconds later, a low rumble of thunder met his ears. A few seconds after that, the sky trembled with light, then lit up again as a distinct branch of lightning bisected the cloudy sky. 

Fenris continued to watch the sky in silence. The longer he watched, the more surprised he felt: the lightning continued to flash and flicker every few seconds, like a guttering candle that illuminated the entire sky. 

He raised his eyebrows. It had been at least five straight minutes now, and the lightning was nonstop. 

Strange, he thought. He’d only seen a lightning storm like this once before, and he hadn’t thought to see it again, particularly not in a climate that wasn’t tropical.

A few minutes later, minutes during which the lightning and its accompanying thunder continued to roll through the damp nighttime air, he heard a shifting of fabric and a sigh. 

He glanced into the cave. Toby was still fast asleep, but Hawke was stirring in the makeshift pallet of their bedrolls. A moment later, she sat up on one elbow, and despite the unmitigated gloom of the cave, Fenris could see her sleepy smile. 

He smiled faintly at her in return. “Go back to sleep, Hawke,” he said quietly. Then he turned back to face the sky.

A moment later, however, she was sitting down beside him and adjusting her own cloak over her dark hair. 

Fenris gave her a chiding look. “You ought to rest,” he said. “It will be a hard morning’s walk if you want to reach the coast before midday.”

“Oh, you know me,” she said cheerfully. “I do my best long-distance walking when I’m punch-drunk from a lack of sleep.”

Fenris didn’t laugh. “I would prefer if you slept,” he said.

“And I would prefer if you let me just dry this cloak out,” she said. She wrinkled her nose and plucked at his cloak. “It’ll only take a tiny hint of magic–”

“Hawke, I said no,” Fenris said firmly. “I will not have you leaving any traces for the Templars to find.”

She sighed. “Fine. Then let me cuddle up to you and keep you warm, at least.”

He relaxed, relieved that she wasn’t going to argue with him about using magic tonight. “I can agree to that,” he said, and he opened his cloak. 

Hawke nestled against his side and draped her legs over his lap, and he adjusted his cloak around her shoulders. When they were settled together comfortably, she poked him lightly in the abs. “Just so you know, I love you even when you’re bossy.”

He grunted. “I thought you particularly loved me when I am bossy.”

“When you’re bossy while fucking me, certainly,” she said. “When you’re bossy about wearing a damp cloak for no reason? Not so much.”

“An important distinction,” he said dryly. “I’ll keep it in mind.”

She smirked at him, and they fell silent for a time. The rain continued to fall, and lightning continued to flicker across the sky.

“Wow,” Hawke said eventually. “This lightning will not let up.”

“Stunning, isn’t it?” Fenris said.

She nodded. “It really is. I’ve never seen a lightning storm that went on this long before.”

“I have,” he said.

She raised her eyebrows. “You have?”

“Yes,” he said. “Once before, in Seheron. When I was with the fog warriors.”

Her eyes widened. “Ooh, tell me about it. Storytime with Fenris, please.”

He shot her a chiding smirk. “Thunderstorms are commonplace in Seheron, thanks to the climate,” he said. “The island is usually hot, and always humid. Storms were frequent, and you always knew when they were about to strike from the weight in the air. It becomes heavy, like a damp sort of pressure you can feel between your ears.”

“Like when we have particularly hot summer storms here in the Free Marches?” Hawke said.

Fenris tilted his head thoughtfully. “Yes, in fact. But imagine that every other day.” 

She whistled. “Damn.”

He nodded. “The storms usually do not last long in Seheron: often only for a few minutes. They would come as heavy curtains of rain with thunder and lightning, then dissipate before you could even finish drying your armour.”

“Those storms sound like the fog warriors themselves,” Hawke remarked. “In with a blast, then gone before you know it.”

“That is true,” he said with a small smile. “There was one night when the fog warriors and I launched an attack on a squad of qunari. They were in the fog warriors’ territory, and there was talk among the beresaad of setting up an outpost. We descended upon them in the dead of night, and in the midst of battle, a storm began.”

Hawke pulled a face. “Ah. Messy.”

“Yes,” Fenris said, “but we fought on regardless. Storms are no impediment to the fog warriors, nor to the discipline of the qunari. But the lightning that accompanied that storm…” He shook his head slowly. “It was incessant. Endless flashes in the sky that lit up everything in sight, including us. And for some reason, that lightning… it made me…” He trailed off for a moment as he tried to articulate the way the lightning had made him feel. It had lent the fight such a surreal quality, like flashes of clarity amidst the dark, and for some reason, Fenris had felt… charged, almost, or galvanized by the constant flicker and flash of the lightning during that one particular fight. 

Hawke tilted her head curiously, and Fenris hastily picked up the story. “I decided to use my lyrium marks in the fight,” he said.

She raised her eyebrows. “But I thought you didn’t like to use your tattoos when you were with the fog warriors.”

“I didn’t,” Fenris agreed. “I didn’t want to draw undue attention, either from the warriors who had taken me in or from our enemies. But for some reason, that lightning…” He shrugged. “It inspired me in an odd way. I used my marks to fight the qunari, and it caught them off guard. Made them hesitate where normally they wouldn’t. They expected magic from Tevinter, but not from us.” He idly ran his palm along Hawke’s arm. “We used their hesitation against them. Crushed them swiftly in the skirmish, leaving none alive. But when the fight was done, I was… afraid.”

“Afraid?” Hawke said. “Why?”

“I had never used the marks before in front of the fog warriors,” he said. “I was afraid of how they might react. That they might turn me away.”

Hawke nodded slowly. “They didn’t, though.”

“No,” Fenris said. “They laughed, in fact. They said I had lightning in my skin. They congratulated me for the surprise attack, and that was the end of it. Even so, I never used the marks again in their presence.” Not until Danarius came, he thought with a dull pang of guilt.

Fortunately, he didn’t need to voice his final melancholy thought; Hawke squeezed his knee, and her smile was soft with understanding. 

Fenris gave her a half-smile in return. “The strangest part was that the lightning continued, even when the battle was done,” he told her. “We returned to our camp and cleaned our weapons and ourselves, and still the lightning was tearing its way across the sky. An hour of nonstop lightning, not unlike this.” He gestured at the lightning-laced sky. “It was… well, stunning, as I said. An unusual and beautiful sight.”

Hawke didn’t reply right away. Surprised by her silence, Fenris glanced at her.

She was smiling at him, one of her more soft and goofy smiles, and Fenris’s heart did a little flip. “What are you thinking about?” he asked.

She shrugged and continued to smile at him. “You’ve never told me this story before.”

He raised his eyebrows. “It wasn’t a secret. I didn’t mean to keep it from you.”

“No, I know,” she said quickly. “I just mean… It’s funny. We’ve known each other for so long, but you still have stories I haven’t heard from before we met.”

“Ah,” he said. Then he smirked at her. “I’m sure you do as well. Delinquent tales of your youth in Lothering.”

She laughed. “Delinquent tales! Foolish tales of the village idiot, you mean.”

“I meant no such thing,” Fenris said. “You said that yourself.”

She laughed again and fondly pinched his chin. “Fuck off, you,” she said fondly.

Fenris chuckled and kissed her temple, and they fell quiet once more as the lightning continued to light up the sky.

Once again, it was Hawke who broke the silence. “What are you thinking about?” she asked.

He gently squeezed her arm. “That there was once a time that we didn’t know each other,” he said softly. “It is difficult to imagine now.”

She chuckled. “Difficult to imagine a life without my clever and charming commentary being constantly piped into your ear?” she quipped.

“Yes,” Fenris said seriously. “Extremely difficult.” 

Her smile widened, but she dropped his gaze. “Smooth talker. Well, you’d probably be somewhere warm and dry right now instead of hiding in a wet cave with the most attractive and wanted apostate this side of the Free Marches.”

Fenris studied her face carefully as he replied. “If that is what my life would be, I wouldn’t want it.”

She let out another tiny laugh. She still wasn’t looking at him. “You wouldn’t want to be warm and dry?”

He tipped her chin up so she was forced to look at him. “Not if it meant being without you,” he said softly. 

Her beautiful smile melted away, and Fenris’s heart twisted at the vulnerability in her face. He gently stroked her cheek with his knuckles. “I do not regret this, Hawke,” he said. “The running and the hiding… I do not regret this. I need you to know that.”

“I know,” she said.

“I need you to believe it,” he said quietly. 

She licked her lips, then offered him a feeble smile, and he noted with a pang that her eyes were bright. “I’ll… work on that. I promise,” she said.

He nodded, then wrapped his arms around her in a hug. She twined her arms around his neck and pressed her face to his shoulder, and Fenris breathed in the scents of wet stone and the sandalwood in Hawke’s hair. 

Outside the shelter of their cave, the rain continued to fall in a constant gloomy drizzle, but Fenris ignored it. Instead, he kept his eyes on the ever-present lightning that continued to illuminate the sky in a constant flux of chaos and beauty. 

He held Hawke in his arms and ignored the rain, and he kept his eyes on the sky.

[eclairmoiselle]

Temu mangga is like a tropical flavor explosion in your mouth! It's a zesty, tangy, and slightly sweet herb often used in Indonesian cuisine to add a punch to dishes. Think of it as a mix of ginger, mango, and citrus vibes all rolled into one tasty herb. Itcontains natural antiseptics and acts as a natural laxative, a component often found in laxative medications. This spice is beneficial for boosting immunity, has high antioxidant content, contains anti-cancer properties, possesses anti-inflammatory qualities, and also rejuvenates the skin.

Sambiloto, also known as bitter leaf, is a super bitter herb packed with health benefits. People use it for boosting immunity, fighting infections, and improving digestion. It’s like nature’s tough medicine, not tasty but great for keeping you healthy!

Daun tempuyung is a wild leafy plant from Indonesia, often hailed for its medicinal properties. Locals use it to treat kidney stones, inflammation, and more. It’s got a bit of a bitter taste but is packed with health benefits. You’ll find it in traditional remedies and teas.

Keji beling, or Strobilanthes crispus, is a cool plant from Southeast Asia known for its health perks. It's got these leaves that people swear by for detoxing, aiding digestion, and even lowering blood sugar. You often find it brewed as a herbal tea or in supplements.

Pegagan, also known as Centella asiatica or gotu kola, is like the superhero of herbs! It's used in traditional medicine for its calming effects, promoting wound healing, and even boosting brain function. It's like nature's chill pill with a side of brainpower!