#amaranth yellow

[jennystinson]

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1595690932

🎨 Elevate your walls with instant downloadable modern art! 🖼️✨ Transform your space with vibrant saffron, platinum, amaranth yellow, and burnt sienna hues. Get that pop of color you've been craving! #PrintableArt #AbstractArt #ColorfulDecor

[chroniclesofskye]

Blooms of the Day 🌺

[textless]

Monsoon wildflowers. Cochise County, Arizona, August 2024.

[enteringdullsville]

Oh look! It’s Rosie’s class! Nothing bad will happen around them when I eventually finish episode 50, I’m sure!

[magic0lotl]

[invoke-parlay]

Some different little yellow wildflowers. Cape marigolds maybe, honestly I’m not sure what variety at this point. My hollyhock never blossomed but it’s still a pretty plant.

[apiswitchcraft]

altars for greek gods

this post includes hades, persephone, artemis, apollo, aphrodite, hermes, and hekate. for part 2 including zeus, hera, poseidon, hestia, hephaestus, dionysus, ares, demeter, and athena click here, for the titans and protogenoi click here.

keep in mind that this is largely UPG, new age stuff, and historically accurate offerings to the gods include meat, wine, grain (specifically barley), honey, and incense (myrrh and frankincense).

colors can be used for candles, banners, decor, whatever you want

HADES

Colors: black, red, and white for association with death. purple and metallics for association with riches/wealth

Offerings: mint, asphodel, white poplar, pomegranate, coffee, cinnamon, elm, money, chocolate

Crystals: gemstones, black crystals (obsidian, black tourmaline, smokey quartz, etc.), pyrite, hematite, labradorite

Animals: black ram, owl, serpent, Cerberus

PERSEPHONE

Colors: purple, pink, yellow, green for association with springtime. black and metallics for association with Hades. white for purity.

Offerings: pomegranate, flowers, grains, asphodel, lavender, rosemary

Crystals: amethyst, gemstones, moss/tree agate, milk quartz, jade, lepidolite

Animals: deer, ram, bat, talking birds (including parrots)

APHRODITE

Colors: red and pink for love/sexuality. white and blue for association with the ocean. gold for association with, well, gold.

Offerings: roses, chocolate, shells, myrrh, gold

Crystals: rose quartz, pearl, emerald, opal, aquamarine, rhodonite, rhodochrosite, ocean jasper, morganite

Animals: swan, dove, hare

ARTEMIS

Colors: white, blue, black, and grey for association with the heavens. brown and green for association with nature/the hunt.

Offerings: moon shaped foods, frankincense, cypress, mugwort, amaranth

Crystals: morganite, moonstone, aventurine, selenite, celestite, moss/tree agate, amethyst, quartz (specific dendritic), labradorite, silver

Animals: deer, wolf, wild boar

APOLLO

Colors: yellow, white, and blue for association with the heavens. red, orange, and pink for healing. purple and green for the Oracle

Offerings: sun shaped foods, bay leaves, laurel, cypress, playing music, poetry

Crystals: sunstone, amber, calcite (specifically honey and yellow), quartz (specifically rutilated or clear), rose quartz, silver

Animals: cow, snake, hawk, crow/raven, cicada, swan, bees

HERMES

Colors: green and gold for money/luck. white and brown for travels.

Offerings: money, crocus/saffron, strawberries

Crystals: jade, malachite, fluorite, pyrite, lapis lazuli, citrine, alexandrite

Animals: tortoise, ram

HEKATE

Colors: purple, blue, and green for magic. red and black for association with underworld

Offerings: garlic, saffron, crossroad dirt, black salt, ashes, sage, cedar, yew

Crystals: labradorite, obsidian, hematite, black tourmaline, amethyst, bloodstone, serpentine, lepidolite

Animals: wolf, boar, serpent, lion, horse, cow

[aventurineswife]

The Language of Flowers | HSR Men x Reader | Completed

“The Language of Flowers” is a short, symbolic series where you, the giver offers flowers to various HSR Men, each bouquet chosen to reflect their personality, story, or emotional state. Through carefully selected blooms, themes of admiration, healing, remembrance, and unspoken emotions unfold. The flowers become a silent form of communication—revealing what words cannot, bridging distances, soothing wounds, and deepening bonds. Each interaction highlights how something as simple as a flower can carry powerful meaning, offering quiet comfort or heartfelt recognition.

Part 1: Yellow Acacia

Symbolism: Secret love, optimism, enlightenment, happiness.

For: Sunday, Aventurine, Ratio

A quiet offering of Yellow Acacia—bright and warm like sunlight held between fingers. It speaks of unspoken affection, of feelings tucked safely behind smiles and passing glances. To each, it carries something different: a hidden heart, a shared spark, or the hope of something more. Whether noticed or not, the meaning lingers in the petals.

Part 2: Amaranth

Symbolism: Unfading love, faith, immortality.

For: Sunday, Dan Heng, Blade

Amaranth, ever-blooming and defiant of time, is left behind like a quiet vow. It is love that endures beyond distance, beyond silence, beyond scars. To some, it is a reminder that no matter the path taken—or the pain endured—what was once true remains untouched. A bloom that never fades, even in the harshest hands.

Part 3: Aster

Symbolism: Patience, daintiness, good luck, admiration, elegance

For: Sunday, Aventurine, Jing Yuan

Aster—soft-spoken yet steady, offered like a wish whispered into the breeze. It carries grace in its petals, a quiet kind of charm that lingers long after it's gone. Given in admiration, it says: 'I see the poise beneath the bravado, the calm behind the smile.' A small bloom, but never insignificant—just like the moments shared.

Part 4: Arbutus

Symbolism: Love, resilience, endurance; the strength and beauty of the human spirit through suffering

For: Dan Heng, Boothill, Blade, Jing Yuan

Arbutus is not a loud declaration—it’s the quiet strength in staying, in trying, in healing. It’s offered when words fall short but presence says enough. In moments of stillness and shared glances, it speaks of hearts learning to trust again, of pain not erased but understood. Beneath the bloom is a promise: we grow, even here. In soft confessions and silent protection, something fragile begins to bloom—resilient, and real.

Part 5: Asphodel

Symbolism: Death, mourning, the underworld; remembrance and the afterlife

For: Blade, Phainon, Mydei

Asphodel is not a flower given lightly. It speaks of things that linger—grief that doesn't vanish, love that refuses to fade. It blooms in shadow, not to glorify sorrow, but to honor what was and what still aches quietly within.

To offer Asphodel is to say: I carry your memory, even when you cannot. It’s laid down in moments of silence, of held hands, of choked-back words. For those who have lost parts of themselves in battle, in time, or in love, it is a fragile balm—reminding them that in mourning, there is still connection. That in darkness, a soft bloom can still rise.

Part 6: Baby’s Breath

Symbolism: Everlasting love, purity, innocence, new beginnings

For: Sunday, Aventurine, Dan Heng

A sprig of Baby’s Breath—delicate, almost weightless, yet carrying so much. It’s the gentleness of feelings unspoken, the quiet wonder of something new. In tender moments and lingering silences, it offers comfort without expectation. There’s no rush here, only the slow unfolding of trust, of hope. It speaks of hearts finding light again, of beginnings wrapped in softness. Not a grand gesture, but a gentle one—pure, and full of promise.

Part 7: Belladonna

Symbolism: Danger, deceit, mystery, and beauty

For: Aventurine, Blade, Moze

Belladonna blooms with a beauty that warns—elegant, but edged with shadow. It’s the flower you don’t pick without consequence, the feeling that lingers long after it’s gone. Given in silence, it reflects truths too sharp to speak, desires tangled with doubt. In them lies conflict: the fear of being seen and the aching need to be understood. Love here is not soft—it is complicated, aching, cautious. But in its weight, there’s growth. In the darkness, the first flickers of clarity.

Part 8: Strelitzia

Symbolism: Joyfulness, paradise, freedom, anticipation, faithfulness, love, thoughtfulness

For: Sunday, Aventurine, Phainon

Strelitzia stands tall—vivid, striking, impossible to ignore. It’s the promise of something just ahead, something worth the wait. Given with a quiet smile, it carries both joy and yearning: the kind of love that grows not from ease, but from choice. In every glance and softened word, there's faith—faith in what could be, in what’s already blooming between the lines. Even in sorrow, the flower does not droop. It looks forward, always, to the moment hearts finally meet without fear.

Part 8.5: Carnation

Symbolism: Love, devotion, distinction (meaning shifts with color)

For: Mydei

They looked away not out of disinterest, but out of self-preservation. In the face of a warrior too striking for their own good, they found safety in petals—carnations soft at her feet, blooming as if to catch their heart before it wandered too far. From then on, their hands tended to flowers, not men. Their devotion became silent, their affection buried in soil and scent.

Years passed. War changed faces, titles shifted, and one day—he remembered theirs. Not the shy glances, but the stillness. The calm. And now, when the weight of his battles becomes too much, it’s their presence he seeks. The herbalist with a quiet heart and a garden full of memories. He doesn't need to ask for flowers. They give them freely—while he’s still here to hold them.

Part 9: Amaryllis

Symbolism: Love, beauty, strength, determination, resilience, hope, achievement

For: Ratio, Boothill, Mydei

Amaryllis stands proud—bold in bloom, yet born from quiet persistence. It doesn't open all at once; it unfolds slowly, purposefully, like feelings long held close to the chest. This flower is given not in the height of certainty, but in the glow of almosts—of long glances, lingering touches, and unsaid things that echo between shared moments.

To love like this is not weakness—it is strength. The strength to wait. The strength to feel. To hope. In every gesture, there's a silent promise: I see you, and I won’t look away. The bloom is not a confession, but a beginning—bright, unshaken, and steady. Just like them.

Part 10: Yarrow

Symbolism: Healing, youthful love, everlasting love, protection

For: Phainon, Aventurine, Dan Heng

Yarrow is a healer’s flower—ancient, enduring, laced with quiet strength. It doesn’t pretend to erase pain, but it stands beside it, offering protection where words cannot. It’s given to those still piecing themselves together, those who carry guilt like a second skin, and to those who’ve forgotten how to receive kindness without flinching.

This bloom is not a cure—it’s a hand outstretched. A reminder that love can be both tender and strong. That hearts can heal in time, even if they remember where they broke. It asks nothing but honesty and offers only this: You are not alone anymore.

Part 11: Asphodel (Revisited)

Symbolism: Death, mourning, the underworld; “remembered beyond the tomb,” “my regrets follow you to the grave”

For: Blade, Mydei

Asphodel does not whisper—it lingers. In soil stained with ash and blood, it rises, pale and unwavering. A flower not for celebration, but remembrance. Given in silence after the storm has passed, it is a tribute to what was lost, and to what still haunts the living. The words never said. The hands not held. The guilt that clings like a second skin.

But even here, among broken ground and weary hearts, there is softness. In sharing grief, in tending wounds both old and new, something fragile takes root. Not absolution—but understanding. And in that quiet, when armor is shed and silence is no longer feared, there is a kind of healing.

A flower placed not just in mourning, but in love. The kind that endures, even when it can no longer be spoken aloud.

Part 12: Borage

Symbolism: Courage, joy, resilience, emotional fortitude, solidarity

For: Dan Heng, Ratio, Phainon

Borage is the bloom that rises when everything else has fallen—bright against the wreckage, stubborn in its will to stand. It’s given not in victory, but in survival. In the aftermath of storms, it speaks of the courage it took just to endure. Of strength found in trembling hands. Of the quiet bravery behind soft words and guarded eyes.

To offer Borage is to say: I see your struggle, and I stand with you. It doesn't ask for heroism. It honors vulnerability, the resilience of those who’ve carried too much and kept going anyway. In the hush after battle, when the armor is heavy and hearts are heavier, this flower is a reminder—you are not alone, and you never were.

Part 13: Burdock

Symbolism: Clarity, courage, protection, purification

For: Sunday, Mydei, Phainon

Burdock clings—not to trap, but to connect. In the soft brushing of shoulders and the burrs caught on fabric, there’s an old truth: sometimes affection sticks before we even know it’s there. It’s a flower of quiet courage—the kind it takes to show up, to speak gently, to stay close even when words falter.

Offered in passing, almost teasingly, it marks a shift: feelings once hidden now brushing the surface. A game in childhood lore becomes something more—Will it stay? Will it fall? And when it stays, they notice. They always do.

In shared laughter and long looks, in steady hands and half-spoken thoughts, Burdock blooms. Not loudly—but persistently. Like feelings that simply won’t let go.

Part 14: Cactus Flower

Symbolism: Endurance, protection, love, resilience (with colors deepening meaning)

— Yellow: Heat, security, endurance

— Red: Love

— White: Endurance

— Pink: Gentle love, spontaneity, thoughtfulness

For: Boothill, Jing Yuan, Phainon

Cactus flowers bloom in defiance—thriving where others wither, unfolding petals in the most unlikely places. They don’t bloom often, but when they do, it’s unforgettable. Each color tells a truth: heat and safety in yellow, tenderness in pink, unshaken love in red, and strength woven into silence in white.

These flowers are not soft because life was easy—but because they survived anyway. Offered to those who’ve lived through storms with laughter still in their throats and warmth still tucked behind guarded hearts, the cactus flower is both armor and affection. A slow burn, a steady root, a love that refuses to give in.

In every careful glance and lingering touch, the message is clear: You are safe with me. You are seen. And you are loved, even in your thorns.

Part 15: Camellia

Symbolism: Love, devotion, admiration; meanings shaped by culture and color

— China: Eternal love, union of two lovers

— Japan: Divinity, grace, beauty, perseverance

— White: Purity, innocence

— Pink: Long-distance love

For: Dan Heng, Ratio, Jing Yuan

Camellias bloom with grace—elegant, deliberate, and full of meaning. In their silence, they speak volumes. Each color whispers a different truth: white for the innocence still clung to after wariness, pink for love stretched thin across space and time, and red for the quiet vow—I choose you, still.

Camellia doesn’t beg for attention. It is simply placed. Gently. Unmistakably. A bloom that falls only when ready—and always with its other half.

Part 16: Cape Jasmine (Gardenia)

Symbolism: Love, purity, trust, spiritual connection; often associated with weddings and sacred bonds

For: Sunday, Dan Heng, Phainon

Gardenias do not shout their meaning—they are felt in the stillness. Given in moments when words tremble or fail, they represent a kind of love that is earned, not rushed. Trust, fragile and precious, weaves itself into the heart of this flower. A silent vow: I see you. I trust you. I respect you.

Cape Jasmine is not about grand declarations. It's about being there when it matters. About love as sanctuary. About trust being sacred.

Part 17: Cardamine (Cuckoo Flower)

Symbolism: Rebirth, hope, thoughtfulness

Folklore: Said to be sacred to fairies, the cuckoo flower was considered too wild, too otherworldly, to bring indoors—lest it bring misfortune. Yet even so, it blooms in spring, where frost once lingered.

For: Dan Heng, Sunday, Boothill

Cardamine isn’t loud in its promise. It doesn’t offer perfection or erase pain. Instead, it marks the return—of warmth after cold, of feeling after numbness. It’s given not to forget the past, but to say: you can begin again. In the moments where guilt still whispers and grief still clings, it becomes a symbol of choosing to live anyway.

This flower is found in quiet glances, in shared silence, in held hands that no longer flinch. It’s the first step after sorrow. The slow breath of something new. A love that grows not in spite of pain, but beside it.

Part 18: Cherry Blossom

Symbolism: Life and death, beauty and violence, transience and renewal

For: Blade, Jing Yuan, Mydei

Cherry blossoms fall even as they bloom—petals soft as breath, yet heavy with meaning. In their brief, brilliant lives, they remind us of everything fragile and everything worth holding onto. A contradiction in motion: love born in chaos, peace found in battle-hardened hearts, tenderness blooming beside pain.

To give a cherry blossom is to acknowledge that life is short, but meaningful. That beauty can exist where sorrow once lived. That something fleeting can still be profound. It’s for the moments of stillness between storms, when a glance carries a thousand unsaid things. When comfort is given not in words, but in presence.

They do not last. And that is why they matter so much.

Part 19: Clematis

Symbolism: Mental strength, creativity, artifice, and the beauty of ingenuity

For: Sunday, Aventurine, Jing Yuan, Blade

Clematis climbs—graceful but persistent, winding its way toward the light with careful intention. It’s a flower of the mind as much as the heart: thoughtful, strategic, always quietly adapting. It blooms in unexpected places, and never without purpose.

To give Clematis is to recognize the strength it takes to keep going—not just physically, but emotionally. The kind of strength that hides behind charm, stoicism, or silence. The creativity it takes to live with contradictions: love and duty, power and guilt, connection and detachment.

This flower speaks in subtle gestures—shared tea instead of apologies, a gaze held a moment longer than necessary, the restraint of hands that could destroy but choose instead to hold. Clematis is for those who think too much and feel too deeply, who love with precision and ache with elegance.

Its beauty lies not in ease—but in endurance, in brilliance, in choosing love even when it hurts.

Part 20: Columbine

Symbolism: Virtue, resilience, courage, praise of the divine

For: Sunday, Phainon, Mydei

Columbine blooms in thin soil and harsh conditions—delicate in form, but enduring by nature. It’s a flower for those who carry heavy burdens yet still find the strength to lift others. Given after battle, after silence, after loss, it’s not just a sign of comfort—it’s a quiet blessing. You are still here. And that matters.

This flower is offered not as a cure, but as a companion. A reminder that virtue isn’t always loud, and resilience doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it’s in the way one keeps going despite grief, in how one reaches out after retreating for so long. In the decision to hope again, even when it hurts.

Columbine is for those who walk the edge of purpose and pain. It’s a gift of courage—for those learning that healing is not weakness, and love is not a distraction from duty, but part of what makes it worth bearing.

Part 21: Sylleblossom

Symbolism: Hope, romance, devotion; "flower of zeal" — a bloom of commitment and heartfelt pursuit

For: Noah (OC), Sunday, Aventurine

There are moments when words falter—when feelings press against the chest but refuse to leave the tongue. That is when the Sylleblossom is offered. Not just a token of love, but of readiness. Of wanting to move forward—not blindly, but with intention. A flower of passion not overwhelmed by impulse, but tempered by devotion.

It grows where courage meets vulnerability. In trembling hands, in quiet confessions, in soft gazes held too long. It’s a bloom that says: I’m afraid, but I’m here. A whispered invitation to share a future neither dares speak aloud—yet both hope for.

To give a Sylleblossom is to show not only love, but the will to sustain it. Not perfection, but perseverance. A wish to walk beside someone—not ahead, not behind.

It’s a promise.

[mr-snailman]

cuando me dí cuenta ya habías crecido en mi alrededor como una enredadera llena de flores de colores...

it's finally done... so many flowers...

the yellow ones are ipê amarelo, the national flower of brazil

little blue ones are forget-me-nots

majenta spriggy things are amaranths, which symbolize both death and immortality

all the rest is basically just doodling sorry lmao the roses are orange bc i needed to balance out the colors ;-;

quotes from

this post (Alain's letter)

this post (translated interview from French documentary)

listening to enredadera* in the car the other day and was hit with a massive wave of Prost-Senna feelings. it's about how Ayrton's memory is still vivid and alive because Prost carries Senna with him, it's about how Alain talks about him still, it's about how nothing is gone and nothing is forgotten.

*it's a beautiful song by the way and you should totally go listen to it <3 I could go on and on abt how it's perfect for them... not gonna type out the whole translation here lmao but if anybody wants it ask me and I'll do it

plain ver:

[artpollsblog]

Wounded Angel 1903 oil on canvas by Hugo Simberg

Description: painting showing two boys carrying an angel on an improvised litter. The angel is dressed in white, with white wings with two red scratches visable on one. The angels hair is long and blond, and they have a bandage wrapped around their eyes. Both hands hold onto the litter, but they also hold some snowdrops in one hand. One boy is looking at the viewer with an unhappy expression. They are walking on a brown road beside brown fields with some white flowers scattered on them. There s a bush and a stream running into an lake in the background. In the far background the ground rises out of the lake and two chimneys are visable in a notch.

Propaganda: To quote wikipedia: "The procession passes through a recognisable landscape, that of Eläintarha, Helsinki, with Töölönlahti Bay in the background.[6]" First of all I love when a place is depicted in a way that it is very regonicable for people familar with it, this realness of space gives such personal context. But to quote further "In Hugo Simberg's time, the park was a popular spot for leisure-time activities among the working classes. At the time, many charity institutions were located in Eläintarha park; in The Wounded Angel, the healthy boys are carrying the injured girl towards the Blind Girls' School and the Home for Cripples [sic]." I think both the disability and the working class aspect are very interesting - like look at the boys clothes (the boots of one of them and the ill fitting suit of the other) I do not know what could hurt an angel, but two very ordinary children, are taking care of them, and that touches me.

Propaganda 2: The art is referenced in the music video for "Amaranth" by Nightwish, from 2007. Nightwish is a finnish band (link to the music video here: Warning for flashing lights and quick cuts!)

The wounded angel 1903 by Hugo Simberg. Oil on canvas. The art is 127 cm × 154 cm (50 in × 61 in). The art is at the Finnish National Gallery (link to the art here). This version was accessed though Wikipedia Commons (link here).

The Garden of Death 1896 by Hugo Simberg

Description: A mostly yellow painting shows three skeletons, clad in black robes, tending to a garden. The skeleton closest to the viewer is watering the plants; the skeleton in the middle of the painting hugs a flower to its chest; the last skeleton is turned away from the viewer.

Propaganda: I love this painting. It's one of my favourite art pieces ever, and I adore it for much the same reason I love the Deaths from Discworld and Sandman. The Garden of Death personifies death not as something scary, but as gentle, peaceful, nurturing.

Propaganda 2: what can the harvest hope for, if not for the care of the reaper man? - Reaper Man, Discworld, by Terry Prattchet.

Propaganda 3: It look so incredible tender and warm, with the golden light that is most of the art (beside the white bones and black robes), I specially love the skeleton holding (hugging!) the blue flower. There is also a fresco version in the Tampere Cathedral, which is a less bright golden color and more muted with more contrast with the green grass in the background.

The Garden of Death 1896 by Hugo Simberg. Watercolor and gouache. The art is 16 cm × 17 cm (6.3 in × 6.7 in). The art is at the Finnish National Gallery (link to the art here). This version was accessed through Wikipedia Commons (link here).

[flawseer]

Jade Mountain Academy students

#6 - Skywing chapter

I like Skywings a lot actually. I think they were underutilized in the story. And then there is Flame. Poor, lovable Flame. One day I would like to write a more in-depth think piece on him, his character, and his role in the story. But not today, so here are some Skywings:

Carnelian

Tribe - Skywing

Winglet - Jade

Color - Tomato red

Relatives - none on site

Clawmate(s) - Moonwatcher (Nightwing), Kinkajou (Rainwing)

Favorite subject - Exercise

Least fav. subject - Science

Physical characteristics - tan horns, bendy; banded markings running down upper neck; light to medium scarring across face, neck, and limbs; medium to large stature, well-defined musculature

Other characteristics - selectively uncooperative, refuses to do assignments that annoy her (monitor for now); abrasive, three reported threats of violence against students (monitored, suggest expanding physical extracurricular options to burn off excess energy); appears to respond well to praise

Flame

Tribe - Skywing

Winglet - Gold

Color - Crimson red

Relatives - none on site

Clawmate(s) - Bigtail (Nightwing), Pike (Seawing)

Favorite subject - did not disclose

Least fav. subject - "All of them"

Physical characteristics - double-bent horns; black dorsal plates and accents; large, jagged scar running across left side of the face, intersecting the eye; blind in left eye; medium size with thin, wiry frame

Other characteristics - very uncooperative, refuses to do assignments and has poor attendance record (monitored, suggest counseling, consider withdrawing from student body if behavior does not improve); emotionally volatile, does not like eye contact, will react with hostility if stared at or if facial scar is mentioned (suggest counseling); shows signs of post traumatic stress and severe self image issues (suggest counseling); has turned down counseling offer (give space for now, ask again later)

Thrush

Tribe - Skywing

Winglet - Silver

Color - Apricot yellow

Relatives - Peregrine (cousin)

Clawmate(s) - Changbai (Icewing), Boto (Rainwing)

Favorite subject - History

Least fav. subject - Anatomy

Physical characteristics - straight horns; row of dark scales running down ventral side of neck; beak-like mouth; smallish stature, small-boned

Other characteristics - decent work ethic; very energetic, difficulty to sit still; eager to prove personal competence; frequently interrupts people while they're speaking (suggest guidance and monitoring)

Peregrine

Tribe - Skywing

Winglet - Copper

Color - Brick red

Relatives - Thrush (cousin)

Clawmate(s) - Pronghorn (Sandwing)

Favorite subject - Anatomy

Least fav. subject - Art

Physical characteristics - dark-colored stripe patterns running down the side of the neck; long limbs; medium to large stature with slender features; deaf in left ear

Other characteristics - practically-inclined; morbid sense of humor; tends to play with food before eating; owns a collection of small, sharpened animal bones (has been instructed not to bring them to class); expressed interest in a class/seminar about medicinal herbs

Garnet

Tribe - Skywing

Winglet - Quartz

Color - Amaranth red

Relatives - none on site

Clawmate(s) - Siamang (Rainwing), Arid (Sandwing)

Favorite subject - History

Least fav. subject - Cultural Exchange

Physical characteristics - sharply bent horns curving inward; ridge of thorn-like spines running from nose down to tip of tail; light scarring across ventral side; large frame with well-defined musclulature

Other characteristics - morose; does not like loud noises or crowds; prefers to eat alone; longest fire-breathing distance; notable age-gap to rest of winglet (no issues so far, but continue to monitor social integration)

Peril

Tribe - Skywing

Winglet - not assigned

Color - Tiger orange

Relatives - none on site

Clawmate(s) - none

Favorite subject - class attendance suspended

Least fav. subject - class attendance suspended

Physical characteristics - afflicted with firescales, body emits dangerous levels of heat at all times; scales show faint fiery glow like embers; bright yellow vein-like pattern spread through wing membranes; bright blue eyes; tall stature, very thin

Other characteristics - CAUTION! Do not come in physical contact with her, severe burn hazard; instruct student body to keep minimum distance; be mindful of surfaces she was in prolonged contact with, as they could carry residual heat; keep away from flammable areas; we don't know what to do with her yet, for now just give her a place to sleep and eat

[itsnotso]

Art nouveau inspired Crowley The Snake of Eden

Click the image for better quality

Symbolism breakdown and closeups under the cut (buckle up 'cause there's a lot of symbolism. You have been warned)

This whole piece took me over 18 hours to finish (closer to 19 if my calculations are correct, and this is without including the planing/thumbnails) so I hope you'll enjoy 😊

Symbolism:

Snake - Crowleys serpent form/the snake of Eden

Stars and moon- Crowley is (or at least was) the Starmaker, so I wanted to include some astronomy related imagery

The constellation on the dark side of the moon is Serpens Caput - Snakes Head (I know this is not how the moon works, and it's not possible to see the stars through it, but this is my artistic interpretation, because I wanted to include stars. I also know this is not exacly how this constellation looks, but it's close enough)

The frame around the moon doubles as the clock face, because of Crowleys time manipulation powers and his association with time in general

The yellow/golden rays emiting from the clock make it look like the sun during eclipse

Crowleys hair has a gradient making it look like fire (a reference to his fall to hell)

Flower symbolism (from left to right):

Monstera plant - I used it because it's one of the plants Crowley has, but also the name Monstera sounds very similar to the word monster (plus it looks nice)

Ambrosia - love is reciprocated

Purple hyacinth - grief, regret and sorrow

Pansy - thoughtfulness, affection, friendship, "think of me"; can also symbolise sorrow and regret (and in the context of Good Omens, there's also THE Southern Pansy)

Tulips in general - deep, perfect love, consuming love

Yellow tulips - cheerfulness, hope, desperate/hopeless love (also we all know Aziraphale thinks that yellow is pretty 💛)

Bellflower - unwavering love, a constant heart

Daisy in general - loyal love

Blue daisy - long term layalty and trust

Forget-me-not - true/faithful love, affectionate remembrance, don't forget me

Amaranth in general - immortality

Globe amaranth - immortal love

Snake plant - I used it because Crowley is a snake, and it looks cool

Lilly of the valley - returning happiness

I know it was a lot so thanks everyone who took the time to read all of my rambling. I really like adding stuff like this to my illustrations, so that they have more of a meaning and thought behind them 😅

Usually I also put the WIP photos alongside the finished piece, but this post is already long enough. I might add some of it later in the reblog

Again, thanks for reading and I wish you all a great day/night 💙

Sources:

Wikipedia article about plant symbolism

Article about flowers symbolizing regret

About tulip symbolism

[cadere-art]

A sample of common crops of Uanlikri, with a focus on crops grown on the Ojame archipelago.

More information under the cut.

Grains

Several types of grains and grain-like crops are cultivated in Uanlikri. Of these, the four major types are millet, sand rice, swamp rice, and amaranth (not depicted).

Millet and sand rice are heat-loving and drought tolerant, with sand rice requiring especially good soil drainage but being more cold hardy. They are the main staples north of the Kantishian Mountains. Millet is favoured in the wetter Basin region, and sand rice in the dryer, more mountainous western regions, and both are grown equally in the continent's hot and arid northern desert.

Swamp rice is another important staple of the Basin region: though cultivation is complexified by its extremely heavy water requirements (swamp rice only grows in marshes or riverbanks), the complex river deltas leading to the Basin's inner seas are ideal for its cultivation and have been heavily modified to create artificial wetlands where swamp rice can be grown. Some strains of swamp rice have good cold hardiness allowing them to be grown south of the Kantishian Mountains. Swamp rice has also been selected for salt resistance: it is an especially important crop in the cold brackish marshes of the Cianji river and in the hot saltwater marshes of the Ojame Archipelago.

Amaranth is primarily cultivated in southern regions of Uanlikri. In the southern Basin region, they are a supplemental crop, but up in the mountains and in the cold lands south of the Kantishian, amaranth is the main staple. Mountain amaranth is especially frost resistant and able to survive nightly summer frosts in the Kantishian's high plateaus.

Red oats, known in the Ojame archipelago as uciwici, is a locally important crop grown in eastern coastal regions. Red oats is sensitive to extreme temperatures and does poorly in continental climates, but its extremely high salt resistance and ability to grow in poor soils make it a crucial crop by allowing cultivation to extend to otherwise marginal areas such as sandbars, coastal dunes, and other poor, rocky and sandy soils. It is appreciated for its purple grains with a naturally slightly salty taste, and for its decorative red foliage which retains some of its colour when dried, making it useful for basketry.

Ferns

Other grain-like crops grown in Uanlikri are seed ferns. Seed ferns are distantly related to true ferns and cycads. Two species are cultivated in Uanlikri: a climbing seed fern grown South of the Kantishian and which produces large numbers of small orange seeds attached to the underside of its fronds, and a caytoniale tree fern which produces modified fronds with large, round yellow seeds instead of leaves and is grown in the Upper Basin and Great Lakes region.

Climbing seed ferns are extremely prolific with a seasonal harvest on par with grain fields and well-keeping seeds with high nutritional value. The seeds are bitter with a taste somewhat reminiscent of burnt almonds and citrus peel, and are usually parboiled before cooking to remove some of the bitterness.

Caytoniale seed ferns are less prolific but are perennials. The seed envelope is also quite bitter, but the seed flesh has a pleasant neutral flavour and a crunchy, sticky texture not unlike that of meringue. Seeds keep well on the tree, but go bad quickly once harvested unless they are properly processed: seeds meant to be kept are parboiled, smoked, and ground into flour, while seeds meant for short-term consumption are either hulled and ground into flour, or hulled and grilled, often to be eaten as snacks alongside grilled insects.

True ferns are commonly consumed as greens, especially young fern shoots (fiddle-heads) and equisetum (horsetail) ferns. Antioles are less sensitive to the toxins in ferns, and parboiling of fiddleheads is often done but not strictly necessary unless consumed in great quantities.

Legumes

Legumes grown for food are historically rather rare in Uanlikri prior to the conquest of the Western Peninsula by the Senq Ha Empire. There are only two important legume crops in Uanlikri which are native to the continent: the grosbean, and the wax pea.

Grosbean is a vine which produces short, rectangular pods containing two to three large beans. The beans are exceptionally large, very colourful, and have a somewhat chalky texture. They used to be a staple in the Basin region, but have been mostly displaced by more palatable varieties introduced by Senq Ha colonists, though they are still grown for jewellery.

The wax pea is short, somewhat vine-like plant producing smooth pods containing a single unpalatable, extremely waxy pea. Though they are edible under duress, wax peas have never been grown as a food crop. They are instead highly valued for the wax which can be obtained by boiling the peas in a slightly acidic solution.

Other legumes (not depicted) have grown in popularity in the two centuries since and are now commonly eaten in most regions.

Roots and fruits

There is a great regional variation in the crops grown for their greens, roots, and fruits. This section should be treated as a sample of a sample, focused more closely on crops grown in the Ojame Archipelago.

Fruits

There are several species of ginkgo in Uanlikri, all of which produce elegant foliage and edible nuts. The nuts stink and their skin can cause rashes, so they are to be manipulated with caution, but their creamy flesh is much appreciated for its strong cheese-like flavour, which confers a pungent taste to salty and sweet dishes alike.

Bird cherries are small, cherry-like fruits that grow on trees and bushes. Most bird cherries are tart and astringent and are used for a touch of tartness or in jams and other preserves. Some cultivars produce very sweet cherries. The seeds of most birdcherries are mildly toxic to antioles.

The arils of a few yew species are eaten by antioles, especially as a gooey prepared delicacy or in jams. All other parts of the yew plant are extremely toxic to antioles, and the arils must be consumed with extreme caution. Because of this, it is illegal to plant yews on the Ojame Archipelago and especially in Ranai, but due to the extreme longevity of these trees, there are several ancient yews in the city of Ranai which are important landmarks and sources of yew arils.

Various citrus are grown and used throughout the Northern parts of the continent: most are acidic and bitter, though there are also sweet varieties. In the citruses of Uanlikri, green is associated with sweetness, yellow with bitterness, and orange with acidity.

Sumac is an important culinary crop in the Ojame Archipelago: sumac fruits are processed for the production of malic acid, a popular flavoring and crucial ingredient in the traditional Ojame ceviches.

Mothberries are named after their pale blue flowers in the shape of a butterfly. It is a drought resistant plant originating from the northern regions of the continent and cultivated for multiple uses: its tuber and leaves are aromatic and medicinal and its fruit is very sweet.

Roots

Root vegetables of all kinds make up an important portion of non-staple crops throughout Uanlikri.

Fur yams are floury and sweet, with edible and prolific leaves with a distinctly "green" taste.

Gourd roots, named after their shape, are crunchy, aromatic and sweet, with leaves used as culinary herbs.

Reeds are an all-around essential plants, with young shoots eaten as greens, roots eaten as a staple by coastal and marshland peoples, and its dried leaves and stems essential materials in basketry.

Orange onions are one of the many varieties of alliums cultivated in Uanlikri. They are the most popular alliums in Ranai. They are potently sulfuric and milden considerably with cooking.

Sweet and pearl radishes (are not radishes) are different cultivars of the Uanlikri radish (not a radish) with crunchy, fresh-tasting and slightly bitter leaves and small starchy tubers which produce very fine starches.

Spindleaf yams are plants with strangely shaped, aromatic and medicinal leaves somewhat reminiscient of sage and a juicy, crunchy tuber with a slight, mustard-like bite.

These are just a sample of grains, ferns, legumes, greens, roots and fruits eaten in Ranai and elsewhere on the continent of Uanlikri. Many of these plants have a large number of regional cultivars, and each region has a variety of local plants they grow or gather which are not broadly eaten elsewhere.

[enteringdullsville]

“You're lucky nobody besides Peyton got seriously hurt.”

It’s Color Theory Episode 50.

Close Encounters for the Third Time

Trivia

This marks the first appearances of Crimson (in person), Veronica, Alexandre, Anthea, Andy, Bernie, Peach, Patty, Trudy, Rex, Mallow, April, and Simone.

This is the first episode since “Fuchsia Tense” to feature Nate and Jade and the first since “You’re Not the Boss of Me” to feature Mr. Boss. This is the first episode the latter doesn’t speak, along with Kofi.

This is the first episode Siren appears since “Violet and Scarlett”.

As of this episode, every member of the main cast has appeared at least once with dialogue.

Chloe goes the entire episode without her glasses.

As of this episode, Sylvester’s advanced techniques gain attack subtitles.

This is the first episode Rosie and Gordon appear together since the former’s debut.

As of this episode, Sylvester is consistently drawn with eyebrows or extra eyes or whatever.

Due to having debuted after “Super Dee Duper Powers”, this is the first time any of Monty’s powers (ice breath) appear. It’s also the debut of Eloise’s eye beams.

Multiple characters of all seven color families appear, with six reds in particular appearing.

Monty, Eloise, and Gordon shatter Sylvester’s battle suit; for the rest of the season he wears a dark grey jumpsuit, which was also his outfit in the first season of Rough Sketch.

Gordon and Sylvester’s confrontation mirrors how he was the first person Sylvester met in the old continuity.

Anthea offhandedly reveals some Drewmans can photosynthesize.

This episode reveals Sylvester, and any other Claytonian who is tasked with retrieving a criminal, is effectively exiled from the moon until they succeed at retrieving their task.

For spacing purposes, Chuck and Ralph (the bodyguards) don’t appear despite Elroy being with two very valuable people and going into an area where who’s essentially a terrorist is at by this point.

As of this episode, Sylvester ceases to be an antagonist.

Despite being the protagonist of the arc, Chloe only speaks in the last two panels (besides a strangled “help me” on the second page.

This is the first episode to have eight pages.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Notes: On Colour

Describing Colour in your Poetry and Stories

BLACK Shadow Black, Dusk, Midnight, Blackbird, Blackberry, Ebony, Black Honey, Darkness, Jet Black, Ink Black, Soot, Onyx, Licorice, Ivory Black, Pitch, Char, Gloom, Outer Space, Creosote Black, Melanite, Goth Black, Gunpowder

BLUE Blueberry, Sapphire Blue Metallic, Tiffany Blue (Pantone 1837), Cobalt Blue, Denim, Aquamarine, Turquoise, Sky Blue, Topaz, Ultramarine Blue, Azure, Cerulean, Oxford Blue, Periwinkle, Electric Blue, Baby Boy Blue, Pthalo Blue, Robin's Egg Blue, Persian Blue, Marino Blue, Prussian Blue

GREEN Leafy Green, Olive, Moss Green, Jade, Lime, Sour Apple Green, Emerald Green, Mint, Kiwi Green, Phthalo Green, Praying Mantis Green, Viridian, Greenback, Shamrock, Sap Green, Chartreuse, Sea Green, Pistachio, Teal, Bamboo, Sea Salt, Celadon Green, Celery, Asparagus Green, Fern Green, Neon Green, Jungle Green, Pear Green

ORANGE Pumpkin, Burnt Orange, Carrot, Sunset Orange, Tangerine, Persimmon, Salamander, Tennessee Orange (Pantone 151), Jack-o'-lantern Orange, Florida Orange, Summer Squash, Pale Daffodil, Smashed Pumpkin, Saffron, Autumn Orange, Macaroni and Cheese, Cadmium Orange

PINK Pink Flamingo, Neon Pink, Bubblegum Pink, Salmon, Peach, Fuscia, Cotton Candy Pink, Rose, Carnation, Thulian, Apricot, Atomic Pink, Barbie Pink, Hot Pink, Amaranth, Flushed, Glitter Pink

PURPLE Lavender, Purple Haze, Grape, Eggplant Purple, Plum, Violet, Orchid, Psychedelic Purple, Amethyst, Lilac, Boysenberry, Mulberry, Wisteria, Bruised Plum, Indigo, Mauve

RED Blood Red, Copper, Maroon, Strawberry, Watermelon Red, Crimson, Candy Apple Red, Tomato, Brick Red, Scarlet, Cardinal Red, Cherry, Ruby Red, Coral, Sunburn, Hot Lava, Cadmium Red, Auburn, Blush, Alizarin Crimson, Fire Engine Red, Raspberry, Vermillion, Lipstick, Burgundy, Magenta, English Vermilion, Mahogany

WHITE Dirty White, Albino, Chalk, Alabaster, Cotton, Titanium White, Vanilla, Bone White Egg Shell, Marshmallow, Ivory, Pearl White, Almond, Champagne, Blond, Cream, Milky White, Corn Silk, Bleach, Navajo White, Ghost White, Light, Cloud White

YELLOW Canary Yellow, Lemon, Banana, Egg Yolk Yellow, Mellow Yellow, Chanterelle, Mustard Yellow, Corn, Goldenrod, Amber, Pineapple, Metallic Gold, Cadmium Yellow, Wheat, Tuscan Sun, Butter, School Bus Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Citron, Dandelion

BROWN Mud Brown, Beaver, Caramel, Rust, Macaroon, Toasty Brown, Coffee, Sandy Tan, Cocoa, Honey, Chocolate, Burnt Sienna, Mocha, Seashell, Antique Brass, Bronze, Brown Sugar, Chestnut Brown, Taupe, Burnt Umber, Khaki, Dark Sienna, Light Chocolate, Sepia

GRAY Stone Gray, Ash, Metallic Silver, Platinum, Smoke, Concrete Gray, Mercury, Steel Gray, Mist, Titanium, Charcoal, Slate, Sterling Silver, Tungsten, Old Coin Gray, Iron Gray, Chrome, Magnesium, Overcast

MIXED Candy Cane (red and white), Zebra (black and white), Chameleon (many different colours), Ladybug (black and red), Wildfire (yellow, orange and red), Tiger (orange, black and white), Yellow Jacket (black and yellow), Christmas Lights (red, white and green), Rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet), Black Pepper (black and gray), Leopard (spotted gold and black), Creamsicle (orange and white), Candy Corn (orange and white), Iceberg (a bluish gray), Marbled

COLOURS: Symbolisms, Associations & Psychological Effects

Black. Especially in Gothic literature from the West, a black colour choice often represents death, evil, grief, and depression. Associated with fear, the unknown and often has a negative connotation. Black clothes can make you look thinner. A black background severely diminishes the readability of most type. Often the go to colour for funerals and grieving. It symbolizes stability and power, which gives a sense of authority. Thus, the black colour often represents professionalism and expertise.

Blue. Has positive and negative connotations in colour psychology. Some writers may use blue to represent serenity and tranquility, instilling a scene with a calming effect. Blue can also signify sadness, melancholy, or isolation. People who find someone very loyal and faithful are often called "true blue". Blue is often considered to be more masculine which is why it is often the colour of choice when choosing a suit. Lighter blues are associated with tranquility, softness and healing. Darker blues are associated with power, knowledge and seriousness. Blue is actually shown to suppress appetites a bit. The colour blue symbolizes wisdom and hope. It’s the colour of peace and confidence. Blue has been shown to reduce blood pressure and pulse rate. It fosters serenity and a sense of belonging.

Green. The colour green often symbolizes rebirth, growth, peace, jealousy, and greed. Green colours may also represent spring and renewal. It is a colour that is very easy on the eyes. Dark green is often associated with ambition. Green suggests stability, safety and hope. At the same time, it may denote a lack of experience in a particular field. Green symbolizes peace, growth, and nature. It is the colour of success, promoting healing and tranquility.

Orange. The colour orange often represents energy, excitement, joy, and creativity. Since orange is the colour of fire, it may also symbolize heat. Since orange is not as aggressive as red, it can actually stimulate brain activity. It is very useful to catch someone's attention, which is why it's used a lot to advertise food and toys.

Pink. The colour pink symbolizes love, kindness, femininity, innocence, and playfulness. Certain shades of pink can limit aggression. Pink may be associated with unconditional love and caring.

Purple. Often associated with royalty, the colour purple symbolizes bravery, spirituality, and luxury. Light purple usually brings up romantic or nostalgic feelings; while a darker shade can make you feel gloomy or sad.

Red. The colour red symbolizes some of the most powerful human emotions, like passionate love or lust. On the other side of the spectrum, this warm colour is also the colour of blood, often symbolizing anger, danger, and violence. It stimulates the appetite. Red is an emotionally intense colour associated with energy, danger, anger, passion and determination. The symbolic meaning associated with the colour red is passion, excitement, and love. It’s the colour of urgency, power, and desire. Red is said to boost hunger and is believed to inspire confidence and excitement. This colour has also been found to increase blood pressure and heart rate.

White. This primary colour traditionally symbolizes innocence, peace, and cleanliness. In Western cultures, the colour white also represents purity and virginity, while it symbolizes mourning in some East Asian cultures. Usually has positive connotations when used and thought of as safe. Associated a lot with healing, simplicity and sterility, which is why it's used in hospitals and healing centers as much as it is. The symbolic meaning of the colour white is truth and sometimes even indifference. It encourages feelings of safety and cleanliness. Clean, white clothes and linens show sterility since stains are easily visible. That’s why doctors and nurses frequently wear white lab coats and scrubs.

Yellow. Writers may use the colour yellow to symbolize creativity, happiness, optimism, and warmth—think of a yellow ray of sunlight poking out from a dark cloud. A common negative connotation of the color yellow is cowardice, popularized by the phrase “yellow-bellied.” Warming effect which stimulates body and mind. Gold is associated with the highest of luxury. When bright yellow is used with black it's one of the easiest colour combinations to see from long distances; when uses with lighter colours it's not so easy to see. Yellow ribbons are worn as a symbol of hope and used quite often to welcome home loved ones. Yellow is the colour of warmth, kindness, and happiness. It’s often associated with optimism and well-being and promotes energy.

Brown. This warm, earthy brown colour may symbolize dependability, comfort, and a sense of being grounded. Brown is also a neutral colour, and writers may use it to represent dullness and predictability. Brown is a colour that is related to very grounded traits such as simplicity, practicality, common sense and hard work. Can also be associated with those that are frugal and not too flashy.

Gray. Lighter grays are often thought of as more feminine while darker grays more masculine. Gray is considered by many to be a neutral colour; the perfect balance between light and dark / good and evil. Pop up the lighter grays and add a little shine to it, and thought immediately turns to silver, which correlates to wealth.

Sources & related articles: 1 2 3 4 5 ⚜ More: Notes ⚜ On Colours

If these writing notes helped with your poem/story, please tag me. Or leave a link in the replies. I'd love to read them! Writing Resources PDFs

[ivystoryweaver]

Still With You

A With You standalone sequel - can be read on its own

"Salvaging discarded things knocked the edge off wanting to drink."

"...but where Marc's hands restored and your hands healed and Steven's hands inspired and instructed, Jake had brutal hands."

based on this nonnie and this @purple-amaranthe request

Pairing: Marc, Steven, Jake x gn!reader || Word Count: 3.2k

Content: they're all trying hard ok, domestic life, self worth probs, mentions of alcoholism/drinking, angst-ish, domestic fluff, moon dads-to-be, romance, sensual content, but nothing explicit

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

MARC

10:58 A.M.

Florescent lights flickered out an annoying buzz in the otherwise silent waiting room.

Thumbing through an outdated parenting magazine, you intermittently pointed out cute toys or outfits to your husband, who would grant you a curt nod each time.

Realizing you likely weren't helping the situation, you set the magazine aside and covered his hand with your own, if only to stop his fidgeting. "Almost time."

Marc squeezed your hand, grateful for your grounding touch. "You're sure we're not late?"

"We're right on time. It's still not even 11:00."

"Okay," he huffed out, his knee bouncing of its own accord. The cheap vinyl of his chair squeaked as he shifted, attempting to externally calm and internal storm.

You smiled at him sympathetically, remembering how far he'd come to even get to this point.

Just yesterday, he paced the floor half the evening, pushing his hands tormentedly through his curls over and over.

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

"They'll never approve me," he lamented. "I'm not...they'll think I'm not ready."

"Baby, we've taken all the classes. We've passed the home inspection." You nodded around at your new bedroom, eyes landing on the salvaged and restored night table he presented to you a while back.

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

Marc had taken on several projects since then, turning one bedroom of your new place into a workshop and the other into a nursery.

"Do you think she'll like girl colors?" He asked, flipping through paint swatches at the local hardware store.

"Uhh, what are 'girl colors'?" You smirked.

He swatted your nose with his finger. "I'm trying to pick out what color to paint that vintage toy chest I restored for Akeyla."

Your heart melted at the sound of your future daughter's name, not to mention the fact that Marc had put together nearly every piece in her nursery himself.

When he wasn't on a mission for Khonshu, he liked to keep his hands busy. Sometimes that meant his hands were all over you for "stress relief." Otherwise, he would drive around town in the old truck he bought, looking for unwanted and discarded furniture to fix up, repurpose for the house, or sell.

He still labeled himself unemployed, but he sold a few refurbished pieces a month, which more than paid for the hobby, his truck insurance and even left some spending money.

Salvaging discarded things knocked the edge off wanting to drink.

"Maybe like...turquoise?" He prodded, tracing his fingers over a row of various blues and greens. When you neglected to answer what you assumed was a rhetorical question, he assumed it was a no.

"Or purple? Sweetheart?" The full intensity of the Marc Spector stare fell on you as he waited for the verdict.

"Sorry." You smiled at him, nodding toward the turquoise swatches. "Trust your instincts. You're always right." Leaning closer, you kissed him adoringly on the cheek.

"That's not what you said about the yellow bench," he chuckled, selecting a swatch labeled "Ebbtide".

"That's pretty, I like it."

Marc needed to hear your words. After a couple years of marriage, you knew this now more than ever. Whether telling him what you needed in bed, or giving your seal of approval for his newest restoration project, he valued your opinion more than anything and it meant so much to him to hear you voice it.

Akeyla's nursery had been ready for weeks. The vintage toy chest was the final touch. Marc found a rocking chair, a book case that Steven requested, and chest of drawers to restore. You drew the line at a creaky old toddler bed. Steven went with you to pick that out, brand new.

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

It was finally here. Today was the day you would meet your little girl.

You weren't ready to take her home yet - that was longer process - but you would meet her and start visits. Very soon, she would enter your home through the foster system, and after a while, she would be yours forever, by adoption.

"What if they change their minds?" Marc urgently whispered, there in the waiting room, gripping your hand so tightly it hurt. "They'll want to put her somewhere without someone - "

"Marc," you reminded him, "they know all about us. It's okay."

"I know, but - what if they find out about Khon- "

"Hi, are you the Spectors?" a kindly voice interrupted Marc's fussing.

A smartly dressed young woman holding a tablet adjusted her glasses and smiled.

"Yes," you quickly answered, standing up and pulling Marc with you. "That's us. Nice to meet you."

"Likewise." She shook each of your hands. "Ready to meet her?"

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

"What if I..." Marc whispered against your temple, holding you against him in bed the night before. "I want to be there to meet her, but if I'm not, it isn't because I..." He shifted restlessly, trying to explain.

"You know what I always say," you gently reminded him, raking one hand through the curls resting above his ear.

"It's our body," he repeated your words back to you. "Whoever's there is there. It's not a problem."

"Exactly," you remind him. "I know you want to meet Akeyla as much as Steven, Jake and I do. I know that."

"I do," he breathlessly repeated, and you realized it might be a long night, when he added, "I just don't want to scare her. What if she doesn't understand, you know, how we are?"

"Baby, come here," You pulled his head down to your chest, wrapping him up tightly, pressing soothing kisses along his hairline. He wasn't voicing any fears he hadn't already talked through a dozen times with you, his sponsor and his therapist, not to mention his alters.

"Sorry," he murmured against the smooth column of your neck. Shifting pleading eyes up to yours, he relaxed, as your soft smile soothed him. "I'm so nervous."

"I am too," you sympathized. "Believe me, Marc. I mean, we're meeting our daughter. I'm just as nervous as you are."

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

Marc tangled his fingers with yours as you shuffled down the hallway toward the room that would change your lives forever.

The woman in front of you, who had identified herself as Elsie, paused before opening the door. "Ready?"

You glanced at your husband.

Sometimes he was so adorably terrified you were certain he forgot it was actually his idea to adopt.

Granting you a nod, he swallowed thickly. "Ready."

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

STEVEN

9:22 P.M.

"So tense, mon cœur," your husband breathed against your neck, trailing tempting kisses over your damp skin. Strong forearms flexed against your abdomen, pulling your back closer to the slick heat of his bare chest.

Thick thighs surrounded you as you rested in your garden tub together, soaking in a bubble bath. Your head dropped to his shoulder as he whispered sensual French words on your ear. Long fingers traced down the shape of your abdomen, naughtily slipping between your legs.

"Steven, this is supposed to be a relaxing bath. Oh shit - " You moaned as touched you right where you craved. His other hand gripped your jaw, turning your face to his for a wet, hungry kiss. You went boneless in his embrace, completely at his mercy.

You should have known sweet Steven would seduce you during your "relaxing bath."

Later that evening, he sat beside you on the sofa, each of you working on a puzzle book from the "couch basket", enjoying a quiet evening in your new home.

“Got those pictures you wanted, love,” he commented. “The garden ones. Found another book too.”

You smiled adoringly at him, so excited to see them framed and hanging in Akeyla’s room. You had asked him to track down pictures of gardens from all over the world. Since Marc was in charge of furniture, Steven helped you pick out some unique decor.

He acquired a couple of first edition classic Children’s books as well. But you reminded him they would have to be stored way up high, away from the grabby hands of a toddler.

So he curated a brilliant little collection of toddler friendly board books for the lower shelves, as well as children’s books for her to grow into.

Steven had finished his bachelor's degree and was now working on a Masters of Anthropology. Already fluent in French, he was also studying Egyptian Arabic in an unofficial capacity, and toying with the idea of studying archaeology or linguistics as well. He just loved to learn and could never get enough.

After all was said and done, he'd probably end up teaching, which was a perfect idea because, in front of the right crowd, he was absolutely enthralling when he was passionate about something.

He still worked at the university library and thanked you almost daily for making most of the money for this little family, while he studied, and he, Jake and Marc worked part-time jobs.

You reminded Steven that their three part time jobs kind of added up to one job - plus as a student, you would give him a pass.

"Besides, you're going to be a sexy professor in another year or two, so I really see no downside," you'd tease him.

“Can’t wait to read to her every night,” Steven mused, pulling your mind back to the present.

Setting your puzzle book down, you snuggled up close to his side, wrapping your arms around his. “She’s always going to remember us reading to her. You’re going to be such a good dad, Steven.”

His throat bobbed. “You really think so?”

“I do. I know it.”

Gripping your hand almost as tightly as Marc had earlier in the afternoon, his head rested against yours. "Can't wait to meet her. Tell me again how she looked."

You warmly chuckled, nuzzling into his sleeve. "You've seen her picture a hundred times."

"I know, but...tell me again. What does her voice sound like?"

So you told Steven all about meeting your daughter for the first time, that afternoon, with Marc.

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

JAKE

4:07 A.M.

The jangling of keys in the deadbolt dragged you from a foggy half slumber you'd managed in Steven's chair by the front door.

Jake had finally made it home after another night driving people around, and serving as Khonshu's fist of vengeance.

When he spotted you there, looking so adorably uncomfortable, he pulled his cap off his head and tossed it onto the entry way table with his keys.

Kneeling down in front of you, he smiled warmly. "What are you doing up, mi vida?"

"Mmm," you mumbled, relief surging through you at the sight of him. Leaning forward in the chair, you wrapped your arms around his neck and squeezed him tight. "Missed you."

"Missed you too." He held you for an indulgent moment before gently placing you back into the chair and standing to remove his jacket and gloves. Before you could whine out a protest, he helped you up just long enough to sit in the chair and pull you back down onto his lap.

Tucking you against his body, he reached for his jacket and draped it over you like a blanket. Jake knew you well enough. If he told you to go to bed, you would bristle and defy him, but if he held you like this, you would fall asleep in sixty seconds flat. Win win.

Your body settled against his and your breathing slowed, but you blinked up at him pleadingly. “Where have you been?”

Frowning in confusion, he rubbed his hands up and down your back soothingly, underneath the jacket. “You know where, cariño.”

Looping your fingers around his tie, you coaxed his temping lips to yours for a lingering kiss. Jake shifted underneath you, sighing against your mouth as you held him there for an indulgent moment.

“I haven’t seen you all week. I miss you.”

“I see you almost every night,” he volleyed back.

“You know what I mean.” Realizing you were tired and there was an edge in your tone, you touched your forehead to his. “I know you guys don’t exactly have a schedule. I just wanted to tell you about Akeyla.”

His eyes flickered away as his jaw clenched. You and Marc met your daughter yesterday. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

For a while, Jake had to be asked or reminded to participate in regular, daily things. Sometimes, you would go a week, only seeing him in your room at night, so you would ask him to eat dinner with you or take you out somewhere.

You started late night dates with Jake, just to build memories with him, in his world. It was never really your scene before, but you'd been to bars, out dancing, to late movies and your favorite - midnight bowling.

In fact, you all adjusted your schedules to fit the boys' night owl tendencies. You moved to second shift and Steven didn't take any more morning classes. You all slept in as late as possible, ate brunch or lunch and then got started on your day.

So it was not unheard of for you to wait up for Jake, but sleeping in Steven's chair until 4 A.M. was a bit unusual.

"I was busy tonight," he cryptically remarked, which tended to indicate he was probably doing Khonshu's bidding. "I wasn't trying to stay away."

"I'm not mad," you sleepily assured him, laying your head down on his shoulder. "I can't wait for you to meet her. And with her coming home soon, everything could change.”

"Change how?"

"Well for starters, I doubt a toddler will let us sleep in as late as we do. She'll probably climb all over our heads at like 5:30."

Jake was uncharacteristically quiet and you were half asleep.

"I'm not mad," you drowsily repeated, curling into him, murmuring "missed you" as you drifted off.

He rocked you gently, his heart burning with how he'd possibly disappointed you. Now that you were finally asleep, he didn't dare wake you, so he laid his head on the back of the chair, hoping to join you in slumber.

Jake had seen the horrors of this world, and of worlds adjacent. Terrifying, supernatural threats had met the crunch of his fist, and his vengeance.

But the thought of caring for a little girl shook him to his core, and in a different way than it did Marc.

Marc was always worried about his alcoholism, his past, the fact that they were a system, but he wanted Akeyla so badly. The whole thing was his idea in the first place. Steven was ready to show this kid the world, both metaphorically and literally.

Jake loved you, and he would love his child. Beyond that, he had no idea what to do, or how to contribute. The urge to not take time away from Marc or Steven was so strong it almost felt like instinct.

You, Steven and Marc had lovingly and rather expertly crafted her a dream-worthy nursery, but where Marc's hands restored and your hands healed and Steven's hands inspired and instructed, Jake had brutal hands.

Unwilling to disturb you, he pondered how he could prove to you he was still in this with you.

Reaching into his the pocket of his jacket, which still covered the top half of your body, he pulled out his phone. Opening up a picture of Akeyla, he smiled, studying her cute, chubby cheeks, dark, round eyes and her tightly wound curls.

Tracing the shape of her face with his thumb, he wondered what he could possibly give his sweet angel, besides protection.

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

Sleep came for a short while, but as the sun rose, so did you. Jake was asleep but his phone was playing a long playlist of videos. Hoping to not disturb him, you carefully removed the phone from his hand.

The video showed a young girl getting her hair styled. In fact the whole playlist was of dads styling their daughter's textured hair, including what products to try, and cute and useful clips, combs and the right brushes to help.

Chewing on you lip for a moment, you tapped on the search bar and saw that he had typed in, 'how to care for textured hair'.

Just the notion of Jake pulling off his gloves and styling your little girl's hair made your heart explode with love.

"Are these for Akeyla?" You whispered mainly to yourself, shifting your weight from one of his thighs to the other.

Jake groaned as circulation returned to that leg, making it tingle as he awakened from a very short nap.

"Sorry," you softly laughed. "I should let you get up, shouldn't I?"

The corner of Jake's mouth curled, but he nodded.

You helped him climb out of the chair and the two of you washed up. Jake slid into Steven's pajama pants and the two of you went to bed.

Already drifting back to sleep, Jake presented his small offering to you. Something to let you know he was all in.

"I think I could learn how to fix Akeyla's hair," he drowsily murmured, eyes already closed. "Watched a bunch of videos about it."

He couldn't build things and he wasn't book smart and he wasn't you. He wasn't even supposed to have a family. But you loved him so hard that he couldn't resist you and now he was about to gain everything he never knew he wanted.

Maybe the brutality of his hands could be used to do this tender thing for his daughter.

"I love you so much," you whispered, brushing a stray curl out of his eyes.

"Te amo," he whispered.

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

ONE WEEK LATER…

“What’s your favorite color, Akeyla?” Marc asked on your next visit to with your soon-to-be-daughter. He sat beside her, adorably hunched with her at a child-sized table, coloring and drawing.

“Do you like red?” He asked, holding up a few choices of crayon.

“Fav-wit color wed!” She agreed, reaching for a yellow.

“Ohhh, you like yellow.” He winked at you, thinking of the yellow bench at home. “I like it too.”

“Yeh-yow,” Akeyla repeated, scribbling determinedly. Swinging her legs back and forth she repeated, “Yeh-yow, yeh-yow.”

“That’s right. We have a big yellow bench at home that I painted. We can sit on it together, just you and me. Is that okay?”

Akeyla seemed to ignore him, reaching over his arm to scribble yellow on his coloring sheet. Once she had saturated the paper to her satisfaction, she laughed out, amused with herself. “Yeh-yow bench. Okay, Dad-eee.”

Her nose scrunched as she showed him a silly toddler grin. Your heart completely melted as you watched them together.

“This is a good drawing,” Marc complimented, pointing to his paper she drew on. “Can I have it?”

Reaching out with chubby fingers, Akeyla scrunched the paper in her tiny grip, presenting it to Marc. “Here go. You hab it.”

“I can keep it?” He nodded hopefully. “Can I have a hug?”

She threw her arms around his neck. Lifting her up from the table, Marc offered one arm out to you and invited you into to this little family embrace.

Akeyla touched her forehead to yours, already a signature move for the two of you. Then she scrunched her nose and showed off that silly grin again.

"Want me to take your picture?" You offered. Grabbing your phone, you snapped a few selfies of you and Marc with Akeyla.

As soon as you were finished, she reached for your phone. "I watch Bluey."

And so it began.

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

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