#behavior is a language

[wmiqaqueen]

[poetbutterkristenmitchell]

I Hate I Have To Tell You This

[wolfchans]

[followthebluebell]

hello! I was scrolling through your blog (delightful) and found the post about Beef and his whiskers position, and I'm ashamed to say that in all my near-thirty years of being around cats and thinking I understand them pretty well I never thought to pay attention to the 'circle shape'. could you please expound a bit on what to look for when it comes to whiskers position and how to interpret it? Beef is an absolute sweetheart but looking at a brachy cat as an example makes it a bit hard for me to generalize. thank you!

Thank you! And also thank you for your patience--- I wanted to give some really good examples and have been scouring my blog for the best circle whisker cats I could find.

Picture heavy post under this.

so this is the cat grimace scale. It's a sort of way to visually see if a cat is in pain/distress, and it gives a simplified view of the things I'm going to discuss. It's important to recognize that whisker shape/position is just ONE piece of communication and doesn't tell the whole story. A lot of this is also based on CONTEXT as well.

When you're looking at a cat face, here are the things you really want to pay attention to:

Ear position—Ears facing forward, ears slightly pulled apart, or ears flattened and rotated outward.

Orbital tightening—Eyes opened, eyes partially opened, or eyes squinted.

Muzzle tension—Muzzle relaxed (round), muzzle mildly tense, or muzzle tense (elliptical).

Whisker position—Whiskers loose and curved, whiskers slightly curved or straight, or whiskers straight and moving forward.

Head position—Head above the shoulder line, head aligned with the shoulder line, or head below the shoulder line or tilted.

Calypso's huge whiskers give a REALLY good visual on the 'circle shape' to look for. You can see her whiskers are pushed forward and are loose and curved. She's feeling playful and engaged! She really wants to know what I'm up to and what's in my hand (spoiler alert, it was treats)

Compare that to this later picture, taken after she heard a dog bark nearby:

Her muzzle is tighter. Her whiskers are pulled back a bit, and are straight. Her ears are set differently as well, one pulled back a bit. She's concerned, but not terribly worried about this strange sound.

You can also compare it to this handsome lad:

Again, his whiskers are fairly straight. They aren't pulled back as far, but he's still very tense. He was extremely tense and upset that I took his water dish away from him (because it needed to be cleaned and changed).

Milo is another great example of excited whiskers. They're pushed forward and curved, forming a sort of circle. Like Calypso, he's interested in what I'm doing and feeling playful. He was very interested in the toy I was throwing for him.

Gumdrop is a good example of a more relaxed whisker position. She's curious, but not feeling playful. Her whiskers are held very loosely rather than being pushed forward. Her tail nub is up, indicating friendliness and confidence.

[wiisagi-maiingan]

I got some sleep (not nearly enough but I digress) and I just want to say, to continue the posting from last night, that a lot of Westerners genuinely see the Latin alphabet as the default and don't even realize it, thinking of the alphabet as being the "true" writing system while everything else (Japanese, Hebrew, Arabic, etc) is an outlier. It's to the point where they see any writing system that they can't IMMEDIATELY recognize and they assume that it has to be fictional, alien, nonsense because some part of them genuinely does not even consider that their idea of what language looks and sounds like is very much limited.

You can even see this in how a lot of native English speakers treat diacritics used in other languages that use the Latin alphabet or are transliterated; the idea that Ä or Ø are pronounced differently from A or O doesn't even cross a lot of people's minds. Those aren't real letters, they're just silly symbols for use in emoticons or for an aesthetic.

[joblessquinoa]

The beauty of See Your Love is that the writers did not give a shit about portraying the mafia accurately and gave 200% of their shits to portraying a deaf main character accurately

[the-muppet-joker]

I have made my way back to the monastery. They have told me that I am a bad influence on Brother Alexander and have generally been the Worst Monk Ever. They said one more strike and I will be kicked out for good... g*sh dang it, I just want to be pure in the eyes of the Lord!

[xmimikyuusx]

whenever I hear the shit like "trans men can't say tranny that belongs to trans women" "trans men using transandrophobia are just stealing language from trans women/trying to copy them for attention" "trans men can't use the egg cracking analogy because that belongs to trans women" "trans men are trying to appropriate trans women culture" (whatever the fuck that's supposed to mean) it reminds me of being 12 and changing schools, and being a child in the 2010's, I was obsessed with using the word coolio. However, the kids were very quick to inform me that there was Already another kid who was saying coolio and that word belonged to them/was their catch phrase, so I couldn't say it. Even though to me, I'd been using that long since I showed up there. I'd been saying dumb shit like that forever.

So like. Infantile shit. To try and say that certain words belong to your specific identity and anyone who might even remotely relate to you is doing it to steal your thunder. I promise if someone from a different identity uses a term that you use for yourself it literally doesn't affect anything other than your ego.

a note*: the above doesn't apply to indigenous/POC who have had their language essentially colonized, very much a different situation

[syrospit]

idiots sleeping on the job

[livelovecaliforniadreams]

[therandomfandomme]

We shit on the French a lot for their vowel usage (which is valid, bc wtf are y'all doing), but the Dutch also have some crazy combos like we got the classics [au, ou, ie] naturally, but then these make the same sounds [ei, ij], and then we got the double bitches [aa, ee, uu, oo] and then these random guys [oe, eu, ui], which are all different from the single vowels, but then you also have words that combo max more [eeu, ieu] and depending you can also have [aai, ooi, oei]. And you can just make it a multiple and add [en] to it.

I don't know, you don't have that in English and it's sad, bc oh and ooh don't hit the same as oeh or oef, like oof is not the same, idc what people say.

Anyway that is why we Dutch have monstrosities such as: zaaiuien (seed onions) or milieueisen (environmental requirements) or hooiaantasting (mold on hay) or koeieuier (cow udder). Like there is updated spelling with an extra n in there for the last to make it easier, but but the others are still like that. The og multiple vowels word was kraaieeieren [crow eggs], but that also got an updated spelling to kraaieneieren :(

[ghostsslutss]

you leave now and call me telling me your sorry.

kinks/tags : cigarettes burns , toxicity , cigarettes , hard dom , slapping , bruising , hickeys, bites

pairing: f!sub x joost!harddom

authors note: here u go.

“you want gentle? Wrong fucking address”

He hissed, his jaw clenching together biting on his cigarette and bending it slightly. Joost fingers curled inside you penetrating your sweet pussy toughly. The Dutch took one last drag, down at you. Your face begging for forgiveness and for him to stop. But he wouldn’t. Joost blew the grey smoke into your face, your pathetic moans cut off by coughing the smoke out. His fingers penetrated you deeply, hitting your sweet spots.

“spread more of your legs, slut.”

You compiled, anything to get away from this stupid stupid punishment. You decided to be bratty towards him earlier. Shouting at him, and being rude in general. He dragged you towards the bed, Not caring how many bruises or hickeys or even bites you would get from him. Now you were crying and pleading. You felt like you were seeing stars, begging for him to stop. Until.-

You whined loudly, your legs shaking trying to move away from him. But it wasn’t working. The cigarette touched your skin. Burning your inside thighs, oh my god. It was too much. He fingered you until you were speechless and then he burned you with cigs. Amazing. Joost inhaled deeply, watching you fidget and squirm beneath him.

“j-j..joost-..ah.”

You moaned loudly, your back arching and his fingers pushed up to your highest point. You gasp, letting all of your sweet juices out. Getting all over his own branded boxers.

“pathetic. pathetic slut.”

He threw the cig into the ashtray. You watched his hand throw away the cig, his hands swiping your cheek leaving a harsh mark.

“you’re a dirty fuckin’ girl, aren’t you?”

He pulled your legs over your head and then your arms with one arm. He pulled down his boxers, letting his hard veiny cock free. Joost grabbed both of your arms together. You felt the curl of pleasure in your gut get together with each of his heavy thrusts. Joost slapped you one last time as he quickened his pace. The bed moved against your movements as you both climaxed at the same time.

[monicaeidolith]

it's been 8 years and she's still down bad for her neighbor (who wouldn't)

and so there she is: Step 3 Athena! 🌙✨

Step 1 & Step 2 here

(Infos about Athena in every steps except 4 below if you're interested)

(watch out it's long.)

Step 1 -

At 10, Athena is a very curious girl, somewhat nosey and a bit clumsy (main reason why she often has bandages). She likes puzzles, creepy stuff and drawing (but nothing that serious about that hobby yet). While she isn't very shy, she's still uneasy around people she doesn't know and moving to a new town isn't helping. She has trouble accepting changes, and this whole situation is a way too big change.

Athena is very close to her mom during step 1. Unfortunately for her, she doesn't really look like her that much and she's kind of bothered by that, especially because the person she obviously looks like, her "dad", isn't there. Not having a dad isn't really a huge problem for her, but Athena fears a little bit people's opinion on that subject: "Is it weird that I don't have a dad...?".

She's feeling sad and scared about moving out, as she has to get used to a completely different world (in her eyes). "At least I have my mom", she thinks. But if moving in Golden Grove was scary at first, meeting Qiu and Tamarack was a huge help for Athena to feel included.

She thinks Qiu, aka "Autumn", is funny but also a huge show-off, haha. She LOVES to tease Qiu. But Athena's also genuinely worried about Qiu sometimes, because that kid is a huge people-pleaser.

When it comes to Tamarack, man... Athena totally puts this girl on a pedestal. She thinks Tamarack is amazing and pretty. And should Tamarack say anything positive about Athena, you can be certain the latter will go crazy internally. At 10, Athena doesn't realize she actually has a huge crush on Tamarack yet, though.

Step 2 -

At 14, Athena became a sort of troublemaker, she barely cares about rules. She's not mean but she grew to be more blunt and direct than she was as a 10-year-old, this and her current appearance make her seem unapproachable. However she kept her soft side, a side that she ironically doesn't even keep that much hidden but that you still have to deserve. If at 10 she would often have bandages because of her clumsiness, at 14, it's mostly because she's reckless. Some things that remained are her love for puzzles, creepy stuff and drawing, in fact, she started to get interested in visual arts.

In fact, the tough side of her personality grew when her first group friends with Qiu and Tamarack slowly fell apart. She couldn't do anything to prevent that from happening, so she felt like she had to toughen up. But to be honest, she's becoming tired of being the sole link between them, she's barely trying to now. Maybe Qiu and Tamarack won't become friends again. She has to accept it... but maybe Athena still has troubles accepting changes, no matter how old she is, after all.

Despite all that, Athena still treats both of them nicely. She still teases Qiu whenever she can (watch out Athena, the teasing could backfire on you). Her worries about them are still present too, but for different reasons than in step 1. Even 4 years later, Athena still retrieve Qiu's lost papers because they would NOT do it themselves. No matter what, Autumn remains her dear friend and the feeling is mutual.

Tamarack, aka "Tam", is her best friend! ... and the girl she has a crush on, Athena realized it now. Athena doesn't know if Tam feels the same way or not, though. Athena still thinks Tamarack is the most amazing and most talented person out there, she wishes Tam could see it too. She's highly worried about Tamarack potentially leaving Golden Grove at any moment but she tries to hide it from Tamarack. "Tam probably has enough of people walking on eggshells with her", she thinks. Athena dislikes Tamarack's parents for not only never being there for their daughter but also for making her situation so uncertain, only for their own interests (in her eyes).

Another feeling started to grow: jealousy. Athena will feel jealous of anyone who seems a bit too close to Tamarack. Does she think she's no match for Tamarack? Yes. Does that stop her from being jealous? No. She knows she has no right to be, Tamarack is a wonderful girl, it's impossible not to like her, but she can't help it.

Athena grew to be even more bothered by her lack of resemblance with her mother. Some times before turning 14, she started to dye her hair cranberry, just like her mom's hair color (let's say Opal didn't really like to see that her daughter started dyeing her hair at her young age, reaction Athena didn't appreciate, all she wanted was to look like her mom, what's the problem?). Ironically, while Athena wishes so hard to look like her mom, her relationship with her became somewhat strained. As if resembling a completely unknown guy wasn't enough. Living his best life nowhere to be found, uh? Resentment is the word here. Never towards her mom, even if their relationship is not that good at this point, but towards this guy who gave her his physical traits she never wanted and started to despise.

At least she became used to live in Golden Grove.

Step 3 -

At 18, Athena is not the rough troublemaker that she was at 14 anymore. Now she's more like a silly prankster, seemingly always up to something more stupid than before, although she remains reckless and blunt (but less on purpose and more out of habit). Of course, her interest in visual arts remained intact. Her liking for creepy stuff turned into a huge love for horror and its aesthetic.

Her relationship with her mom is getting better than it was 4 years ago. Athena grew out of the resentment she had for her "dad" during step 2 and learned to accept she may not look that much like her mom, but that it doesn't cancel the fact she's Opal's daughter no matter how she looks. Plus "some bits of [Opal] did end up in [her]" after all, right?

Athena's relationship with Autumn is what you could describe as "siblings by hearts", Athena does consider them as the sibling she never had.

Athena and Tamarack are still officially "besties for life", but little do they know that they both ended up falling in love with each other, plain and simple.

Her jealousy and resentment did tone down, but when she thinks back to her 14-year-old self, she feels bad, so bad. For being jealous of Tamarack's friends, for being resentful of a random donor and basically making many things about herself. "Man, I was such a prick. And for what?".

If when she was 14, Athena felt like she was no match for Tamarack because she put Tam on a pedestal, at 18, she now thinks she's simply not good enough as a person for Tamarack. She kind of "accepted" that if Tamarack only wants to be friends, then it's fine, she cannot force Tam to love her back. It's silly to think someone like her could be extra-special in Tam's heart anyway (girl if you knew.), it's nice enough to be her best friend.

Between step 2 and 3, Athena managed to put a label on herself: she's lesbian.

[purposechef]

carm tried, okay?

[canisalbus]

Do dogs in your au ever bark or yip? Or do they mostly just talk like normal? :0

They mostly talk like normal, but sometimes some additional dog vocalizations slip in. I think unabashed barking or howling would be a little too obvious, but they might snarl a bit when angry, or maybe speak in a snarly tone, and unintentionally whine and whimper when they're sad, scared or in pain and so on. The canine sounds are more instinctual than spoken language and pups that are only learning to talk use them more than grown adults. In some circles they're considered somewhat uncivilized and people might think you're rude or not in control of your emotions if you're acting uninhibitedly doggish.

[sualne]

some reintroduction & lore!

part 2, ...