#catnip safety

[thecattitudecentral]

The Ultimate Guide to Catnip Treats: Why Your Feline Friend Will Love Them

If you’re a cat parent, you know the joy of watching your feline friend pounce, play, and purr with delight. One surefire way to spark that excitement is with catnip treats. These irresistible goodies combine the allure of catnip with the satisfaction of a tasty snack, making them a favorite among cats and their owners. But what exactly are catnip treats, and why do they drive cats wild? In this…

[godsholyhat]

Hans to Henry: Why the hell can't I save you for once?

Also Hans:

[zmediaoutlet]

can i ask you what you think of dean leaving the body of sam in the cave in season 13? i always hated that narrative choice of castiel stopping him to get him back and dean going along with it 😭

Jensen hates it too, lol. But I love it, because it says something interesting about the character.

(nb: if you hate it because Cas is involved and somehow that means that destiel is real then I can't help you. He's a character in the show, you gotta just accept it. But with that said--)

There's a super melodrama version of the show -- and the show is a melodrama already, so this would be cranking the melodrama to 11 -- where Dean does indeed stay with Sam's dead body and the tears trickle down his face and then he... what. Makes a deal? Shoots himself? Sobs all night and then just wastes away there like a big ol dork? Certainly there are shades of that in Dean, but it's kind of the... most boring part. Because what also exists in Dean, and makes him an actually-interesting character to watch, is a deep sense of responsibility, that overcomes even the things we'd think should be most important.

If he were the big drama queen of the above paragraph he wouldn't even 'let' Sam go on hunts. Sam would be in a crystal tower somewhere (braiding his Rapunzel hair, I guess) because Oh No, What If Something Happened To Sammy. But Dean accepts that something might always happen to his brother every time they step foot on a hunt, and it happened to be vampires this time but every other time it could've been a ghost or a demon or, fuck, getting hit by a car. Stumbling unluckily backward into rebar. Anything. What I love is that Dean does almost forget himself but it truly only takes half a reminder for him to remember -- wait, this is a job. This is what has to be done. They swore to help people who weren't strong enough to help themselves, and that doesn't change when one of them is dead. He will do the job and save this idiot girl who slowed them down in this cave anyway and Sam won't be any more or less dead by the time he does it.

Anyway, he already did it once. Red Meat (beloved by wincesties everywhere) had the exact same scenario. Sam was dead and Dean had to escort civilians to safety and he was obviously, obviously going to come back, and fix it if he can and maybe die if he can't. You can see in the camp when they get there that he's dead inside, and he's all set to go trudging back to the bloody dark but then Sam shows up with Lucifer, anyway. (And thank god, bc it provides some of the coolest scenes in s13 as a result.)

[toorumlk]

the importance of art and safety.

(in this period of descent into fascism)

If you're a liberal/left-leaning person like me, you have been voraciously keeping up with local, provincial/state and federal politics, and with the world news, using all avenues available to you to try and make sense of the tumultuous time were living through. And thus, with each passing day, you've probably been inundated with the F-word more and more from the news/political commentators you follow, from the images attached in the articles you read, and the academics and journalists you trust. Fascism. With the recent ruling from the UK Supreme Court saying that the legal definition of a woman is solely going to be rooted in biology and seeing the jubilant celebration surrounding it, I can’t help but feel like we just took one more monumental step in the global death march towards fascism.

I’m scared and very worried.

Of course, this isn’t really about my own personal feelings of fear because overall, I will be quite alright. I’m a bisexual, leftist woman and arts and culture person living in Canada, in a dependably liberal-to-progressive riding and city. Yes, my country has a federal election coming up and there is a chance we might (strong emphasis on ‘might’) elect a right-wing reactionary buffoon of our own in the form of Pierre Poilievre, but center and left-of-center Canadians were given a hail Mary in the new liberal party leader Mark Carney, who’s performing better in the early polls everyday. So, we might not have to worry that much at all. Yes, the cost of living is still abysmal (as my friends and I keep saying: girl, the tariffs), and going through life’s very human struggles is still excruciating but ultimately, bearable. Spring, the best season, is well on its way and the days are getting longer and you see that your neighbour’s tulip bulbs are peaking out from the soil and you’re able to go home and give your cat a big kiss on the cheek as they reward you with an annoyed and disgruntled meow.

And so you feel emotionally regulated enough to then go on your daily news binge and find that another university student in the US got black-bagged for expressing pro-Palestine views, you see images of the destruction of Gaza and the concentration prison/camps in El Salvador, and then that the boomer British lady who authored the books that have been bringing so much joy and fulfillment to your art practice donated 70 000 euros to a feminist organization that was the plaintiff fighting to disenfranchise an already marginalized minority group. And you’re left feeling quite… dirty and doom-ridden and powerless while standing in the middle of the cushy imperial core.

Your cat who was annoyed you picked them up earlier has forgiven you now, though, and is headbutting you for some catnip.

But this isn’t about me, not in the slightest. I/we know how these things go. I’m not a history buff by any means (though I really want to be) but I have a basic enough understanding of world history to know we’re already in the throes of fascism: with the targeting and scapegoating of vulnerable minorities like the trans community or the complete hatred and want for disposal of migrants – I feel a deep and suffocating grief for my fellow comrades.

This pain, I believe, is all our duties as human beings with the gift and responsibility of empathy, to feel.

I’m also hyperaware that with the downward fall into fascism comes the defunding and eventual erasure and censorship of art. Now I’m not saying my art is worthy or important enough to be censored. But I am saying we need art; we need as much of it as there can be for our emotional needs which is imperative for our survival. I don’t mean to say this in a hyperproduction/hyper consuming way, of course, we just need human artists, humane art (whatever that means to you) now more than ever.

I’m a political person, and my leftist and feminist principles and values I think show up quite plainly in my work but again, I don’t think I’m making anything radical here – my art I think is just one small piece in a greater human need to make and experience art. Therefore, I’d be remiss to say it wasn’t important. I know my work is important in that I know it means something to people. This community here for instance, or on twitter/x, Instagram or tiktok, which I feel like the luckiest person alive to have somehow conjured, that means something to me, and I’d be glaringly obtuse if I didn’t acknowledge it. So, I sincerely want you to know my art exists not only as the physical manifestation of this vocation of mine, but also as a source of safety and comfort for your senses, if you need it to be.

As much as I want to be, I’m not an activist, I’m just an artist. And my art is the one (I hope) iron-clad thing I can give to the world and the beautiful, worthy of lives of dignity, people within it. Joy and comfort aren’t a solid political program on its own and I know art consumption alone is not going to lead us to liberation, self-determination and lives of dignity. But, my god, do we still need joy, comfort and safety in the form of art to get through each day.

To my nonbinary and trans friends and siblings, I am so, so fucking sorry powers greater than us are using you as pawns for political theatre, and that so many restless people are using you as political punching bags. The world we’re living through is incredibly unfair and unjust at the moment. Your pain is our pain, none of us are free until all of us are free. So, I want you to know that my little pictures and I are here, fighting alongside you.

I know Harry Potter, the IP and the storyworld with its characters, isn’t what’s causing our dissent into fascism. And I know, realistically, I’m not the devil’s spawn for still liking it, for making cute artwork of the titular main character’s best friends for its fandom. I can’t explain in words why I feel such an affinity to this story, this very entry-level story about fighting fascism, with its anti-social megalomaniac villain and its painfully liberal/reformist politics. My pull towards it is deep, abstract, and almost spiritual, and if I could succinctly put these feelings and magnetism into words, I probably wouldn’t be making this much art like my life depended on it. And the awful truth of it is, I’ve never been more artistically fulfilled. I’m so happy while making this work and my cup becomes fuller after each drawing, I selfishly don’t want to stop. Does that make me awful?

A lot of my peers, fellow fanartists, have been considering leaving the fandom altogether and it’s left me feeling a kind of panic because, quite frankly, I don’t want to. Not until the creative reserve (which is rooted in my love and other abstract feelings for the story) within me has run dry, which it hasn’t. And after I realized this, I felt a little ashamed that I wasn’t feeling what others are also feeling, but I think the knee-jerk reaction to leave and disavow this community because of the cartoonishly mean-spirited author (who ironically made this story about love, friendship and fighting fascism) also feels hasty and reactionary. I understand the impulse, I really do. I recognize I have a vested interest in saying this, but I sincerely think we need art now more than ever, if any of my peers are reading this: your art. Thoughtful art, art that is an exercise in empathy. I’m also saying this because I feel a deep sense of responsibility to my friends (majority of whom are also queer and trans) I’ve made through our shared love of this story, to fellow fans and the people I’ve been privileged enough to have touched with my art.

This discomfort of still harboring love for this flawed but ultimately lovable and beloved story during this time of political unrest and chaos, and continuing to express my love for it by creating artwork for it… is something I will just have to live with until it’s run its course. I don’t think this is a righteous grief by any means – I think the mundanity of it is what’s making it especially annoying.

Quivering in the face of good art is I think one of the best feelings in the world, and though I sincerely believe the HP story to be good and adequate in its political and class commentary, this squirming isn’t exactly that. I’m immensely (and selfishly) resentful to JKR for being the mean-spirited bully/troll that she is, not only do I wish she weren’t a right-wing reactionary, I wish her tomfoolery didn’t make me squirm uncomfortably (the word I’m looking for here is ‘cringe’) while still genuinely enjoying this work. Nonetheless, I’m confident in my ability to engage with this story intelligently and I hope to continue to share my thoughts and love for this narrative through posts and meta/cultural analyses and many, many drawings of Ron and Hermione kissing. I am also steadfast in my political convictions, which are so much older than the just-over-a-year-old love I have for these books. My political convictions which have always been and will always continue to be pro-trans, feminist, anticapitalist and grounded in my love and empathy for people.

I don’t have all the answers to how and why we are so drawn to certain stories and characters and tribes (because fandom in a fundamental way acts like a tribe), and why we so profoundly need to keep making and keep experiencing art. Or how to even best live with the contradictions that exist within and outside of us. I’m just a young artist, still in the infancy of my career in many ways, but something in my bones is telling me this is important work, and I should keep doing it – with all its squirming discomfort, and its wonderful, beautiful fulfillment.

Again, we are living through incredibly difficult times, but we must make it through, and we will. I will keep making work that I hope is thoughtful and politically principled, and I hope you’re able to find some joy and comfort in them as I do while making them.

- nus :)

[hugsandchaos]

Wait, instead of blood blossoms, what if Manny accidentally gave Danny flowers that effects may act as ghost catnip and turn Danny high as a kite?

Manny brings him some white iridescent flowers from the ghost zone and Danny notices that they have a very pleasant scent, so he keeps them. Manny returns one hour later to Danny’s house because he forgot something and found Danny in ghost form levitating off the ground, muttering about colorful squids plotting to steal his Nutella.

One quick trip to Frostbite and it turns out Manny gave him the ghost equivalent of catnip and Danny was exposed to it for a bit too long. Not long enough that they’d be worried, it’ll wear off in a few hours.

And yes, there simply must be a scene where Danny absolutely refuses to leave Manny’s side and absolutely melting at the affection Manny is giving him. And purring! Ghost purring is the best! Many believe it’s because ghost core vibrations that communicate things like feelings of safety, love, and comfort are one of the few ghost noises humans can hear, and the vibrations sound just like purring.

Danny: You’re mine.

Manny: Without a shadow of a doubt.

Danny: And you’re not going with the colorful squids.

Manny: No, love.

Danny: …Can I have affection, please?

Manny, already coming over for cuddles and to smother Danny with kisses and compliments: Say less.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

ANNA BONESTEEL AND EVAN GREER at Them:

Pride Month is over. As the “LOVE IS LOVE” banners come down and companies lose the rainbow gradients from their logos, we’re faced with a painful truth: LGBTQ+ people, especially the most marginalized among us, are in the crosshairs of a queerphobic backlash that is targeting our health, our histories, and especially our youth. And things are getting worse, not better. According to NPR, half of all US states now ban gender-affirming care for people under 18.��Eight states now censor LGBTQ+ issues from school curricula via “Don’t Say Gay” laws, and two more states are considering similar legislation this year. The number-one book targeted for censorship is a graphic novel memoir about gender identity.

This June, Democratic lawmakers marched in Pride parades and spoke on stages, vowing to protect our community and fight back against legislative attacks on queer youth. But some of these same lawmakers are actively pushing federal legislation that would cut LGBTQ+ youth off from resources, information, and communities that can save their lives. Currently, 38 Democratic senators support the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), a bill that is vocally opposed by many queer and trans youth, along with a coalition of human rights and LGBTQ+ groups. As a queer- and trans-led advocacy group focused on the ways technology impacts human rights, our organization, Fight for the Future, has seen bills like KOSA before: misguided internet bills that try to solve real problems, but ultimately throw marginalized people under the bus by expanding censorship and surveillance rather than addressing corporate abuses. KOSA’s most obvious predecessor is SESTA/FOSTA, a Trump-era bill that its supporters claimed would clamp down on online sex trafficking. Instead, the bill did almost nothing to accomplish its goal, and has actively harmed LGBTQ+ people and sex workers whose harm-reduction resources were decimated by the subsequent crackdown on online speech.

Like SESTA/FOSTA, some of KOSA’s supporters have positive intent. Many lawmakers and organizations support KOSA because they are concerned about real harms caused by Big Tech, like addictive design features and manipulative algorithms. But, also like SESTA/FOSTA, KOSA doesn’t touch the core issues with Big Tech’s extractive, exploitative business model. Instead, KOSA relies on a “duty of care” model that will pressure social platforms to suppress any speech the government is willing to argue makes kids “depressed” or “anxious.”

Under KOSA, platforms could be sued for recommending a potentially depression- or anxiety-inducing video to anyone under 18. We know from past experience that in order to protect their bottom line, social media companies will overcompensate and actively suppress posts and groups about gender identity, sexuality, abortion — anything they’re worried the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) could be willing to argue “harms” kids. How do you think a potential Trump administration’s FTC would use that kind of authority?

Other features of the bill stretch its censorship potential further. Despite language claiming that the bill does not require platforms to conduct “age verification,” to meaningfully comply with the law, platforms will have to know who is under 18. This means they’ll institute invasive age verification systems or age-gating, which can completely cut off access for LGBTQ+ youth who have unsupportive parents, and/or make it unsafe for queer people to access online resources anonymously. KOSA creates powerful new ways for the government to interfere with online speech. For this reason, the bill is like catnip to extreme right-wing groups like the Heritage Foundation, the coordinators of Project 2025, who have explicitly said they want to use it to target LGBTQ+ content. KOSA’s lead Republican sponsor, Marsha Blackburn, has also said in an interview she wants to use KOSA to protect minors “from the transgender.”

The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) purports to protect children, but in reality, it’s a censorship bill that would impact LGBTQ+ youth. #StopKOSA #KOSA

[ladykailitha]

Not All That Glitters Is Gold Part 2

Hello! Welcome to part two of my omegaverse. Just a heads up. This chapter is a bit dark. Trigger warning for sex trafficking. Not Steve. This was a way for me to show how well tuned Steve is too his clients.

Part 1

***

Steve packed his bag and stood up to see Robin waiting for him.

“You ready to go?” she asked, holding out her hand for his bag.

He handed it to her. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

They walked out to the waiting car. Once inside Robin asked, “Here’s your phone. The word for you being in danger is kitten. The word for spontaneous heat is catnip. And the word for bonding talk and contract buying is tower.”

Steve took the small flip phone. He had his own smart phone, but those weren’t allowed anywhere near clients. The last thing a Starcourt omega needed were crazed alphas stalking them. He handed her his. She slipped it into her purse.

“Just go a message from Dillon’s PA,” she said, looking at her phone, “he has just gone into pre-rut. Fever, irritability, and mood swings.”

Steve sighed. He liked to get there before that happened. “Did he start early?”

Robin sent off a message and moments later she growled at the response. “Apparently not. Apparently, he didn’t want you there for pre-rut and lied.”

He growled too. “Put him on the black list and tell his PA if he so much as twitches wrong during this, I’m leaving.”

She nodded. “I’ll also let management know. There’s a reason for omegas to be there during the pre-rut and that’s the safety of the omega. If he can’t follow a simple rule like that, what other rules is he going to break?”

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “You think I should pull out?”

Robin thought about it a moment. “It’s up to you. One lie isn’t a deal breaker per se. Lots of alphas do stupid shit the first time because they think they’re impressing you.”

Steve nodded. “There is something about this lie that makes me itch, though.”

“So pull out,” she said. “If you’re getting the skin crawlies, don’t go into something you can’t get out of.”

He thought about it all the rest of the trip, until they pulled up in front of the building.

“I think I’m going to go in anyway,” he murmured. “It could be as you said before about it just being fragile alpha ego or it could be a clusterfuck. But the only way to find out for sure is if I meet the client.”

Robin patted him on the shoulder. “You’ve got good instincts, Steve. I’ll back you up in whatever way you need.”

“Right,” Steve said, tapping his lip. “Stay with the car until I text you.”

She nodded again. “Roger that!”

Steve smiled at her and gave her hand a squeeze of reassurance. “Alphas are stupid. I’m glad I never have to deal with them outside of work.”

Robin laughed. “I know, right? But we’re here now. Go show that loggerhead who’s boss.”

Steve grabbed his bag and kissed her cheek. When he got out onto the pavement he looked up at the high rise penthouse. Dillon’s wasn’t the top suite, but he wasn’t near the bottom either.

The doorman stopped him at the door with a critical eye on what he was wearing. All of Steve’s clothes were designer, but comfortable and something he didn’t care about being ripped off him. The Victoria’s Secret PINK sweatshirt he’d cut into a croptop was paired with baggy sweatpants that fuck on the ass and power on one leg and bottom on the other.

Steve just cocked his head to the side. “Dillon Forrest is waiting for me, doll.”

The doorman was about bluster something about not letting in the trash when Dillon’s PA came bursting through the door.

“Oh thank god you’re here!” she said. “His pre-rut is progressing faster than usual!”

Steve rolled his eyes. “That’s why the omega needs to be there before any of that shit goes down.”

She sighed. “I know, I tried to tell him, but he said it was fine. He had a meeting this morning that he didn’t want to put off.”

Steve sighed. Ego. Especially alpha ego was the worst.

He looked back over at the doorman who was opening and closing his mouth like a guppy fish.

When Steve raised an eyebrow suddenly he was spewing apologies and stuttering excuses.

“Take me in,” Steve told the PA, completely ignoring the doorman.

She nodded and led him to penthouse. It was bright and sunny. And that was a problem. His client was on the sofa practically shaking from the pre-rut symptoms.

He found the remote to the shades and closed them, casting the room into dim light. Immediately the twitchy actor breathed out a sigh of relief.

The PA’s eyes narrowed at the drastic change in behavior.

“You act like this is your first rut,” Steve snapped, pulling out a bottle of water from his bag.

Dillon and his PA exchanged a glance and Steve’s eyes went wide.

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” Steve growled. “How long were you on suppressants?”

Dillon blushed, looking away then back up at the PA. “Since I presented when I was sixteen.”

“And you’re twenty-two now?”

Dillon nodded. Again he avoided looking at Steve and kept looking at the PA like she was in charge, not him.

Steve looked around and put his hands on his hips as he pursed his lips.

“This is a completely different situation then the one that was presented to the company,” Steve bit out. “I have to call my handler.”

He pulled out the phone and called Robin. He explained everything to her as he eyed Dillon and his PA. There was something off about the whole situation. The PA kept her eyes on Dillon, her fingers drumming on her arm, both arms crossed in front of her chest.

Steve listened to Robin, tilting his head further and further as he watched the two them.

“Kitten,” he said. “I think I left something in the car, I’ll be down to grab it okay?”

The PA frowned and stepped forward. “What did you forget?”

“It won’t take long,” Steve murmured, not bothering to answer her. There was a knock on the door and he went to answer it.

“Oh good you’re here,” he said with relief and then quickly closed the door behind them.

“Run!” he whispered to Robin.

She grabbed his hand and opened both elevators and got in one and told Steve to get in the other and go to the first floor and then down the stairs.

Steve nodded. Once in the elevator he called her.

“What’s going on?” Robin asked, panic rising her voice.

“I think Dillon was raised in sex trafficking ring,” he explained, “and you need to send someone to get him out of there now.”

Each omega had their own driver. Big, burly fellows for fending off large crowds of fans or very persistent alphas. And like extreme cases like this where they needed two pairs of hands, the handler and driver would work together to keep their omega safe.

Steve driver was a man named Xander Poulson and had been with Steve since the beginning. Robin had hand picked him and they relied on him for everything when Steve was on the job.

Robin opened her mouth to ask for particulars but closed it, messaging the driver to get Dillon out that suite instead. “All right, Xander will meet us at the car in five minutes.”

After that everything just happened so fast. Dillon sat listlessly between Robin and Steve as Xander sped away.

“How did you know he was in danger?” Robin asked as she rapid fire texted Starcourt management.

Steve ran his fingers through Dillon’s hair softly and the alpha sighed. “He was about to experience his first rut with an escort after having been on suppressants for six years.”

Robin looked down at the now almost delirious actor. “Shit. The only reason for an alpha to be on suppressants was if they were a danger to omegas.”

“Or if they being forced to have sex with other alphas,” Steve muttered darkly.

Dillon whimpered.

“Your flat is being set up for a first rut,” Robin said. “Management is okay with him being there because he’s too out of it to know where he is.”

Steve nodded. He wasn’t sure he could trust anything in the dossier considering most of what they now knew was a lie. “Shit Robin, I can’t even scent him! He smells duller than a beta.”

Robin frowned. “I’ll have a doctor sent over as well.”

They arrived back at Steve’s building and were quickly ushered in. The doctor saw to him first and administered medicine and tranquilizer to put him to sleep for a couple of hours to try and equalize the rut.

*

Dr Sam Owens, Robin, and manager, Jim Hopper were standing with Steve in his living room.

“Do you think you would have been harmed?” Hopper asked gruffly.

Steve shook his head. “I think they forced the rut because of what happened with his scent. I think they were hoping to jump start it so that he could be pimped out to omegas. But they couldn’t have it be any omega, they had to have someone who could gently see him through it.”

Dr Owens shook his head. “It wouldn’t have worked. He was too far gone. If you hadn’t acted as quickly as you did, there’s a good chance he would have destroyed his secondary gender when he came out the rut.”

Steve just shook his head.

“I just want to know how long they’ve been controlling him,” Robin hissed.

Hopper shook his head. “Dillon was a child actor, there is no telling how long they’ve had their claws in him.”

“Do we know anything about the ring he was being trafficked in?” Dr Owens asked Hopper.

“I’ve spoken to the FBI and INTERPOL, they have a pretty good idea which one it is,” Hopper growled. “The Upside Down, run by Henry Creel. And if Dillon willing to give them information they can probably take it down for good.”

“That’s a relief,” Robin said.

Hopper turned to Steve. “How did you know he was being trafficked?”

Steve blushed and rocked back on his heels. “No hot shot alpha actor was going to defer to their PA not unless it was a relation. Plus there was the fact she never introduced herself. Add to that all the lying about what it was and how little they both knew about ruts, it just really couldn’t be anything else.”

“You did good, Steve,” Hopper said. “You saved that man’s life and may have just taken down one of the biggest sex rings on the North American continent.”

“I was just doing what I do best,” Steve said, “take care of alphas in need. That’s what rut servicing is at it’s core, after all.”

“Well, I’m going to want to keep this hush hush,” Hopper said. “At least as far as the company is concerned. I don’t want to paint a target on your back.”

“I’ve already begun the scrubbing process regarding their files and contract with us,” Robin said. “The process should be done in two hours.”

“Good.”

“How long until he wakes up?” Steve asked Dr Owens.

Dr Owens looked at his watch. “In about an hour.”

Steve nodded. “That should give me plenty of time to get ready.”

He excused himself and went into the bedroom.

“That was not how wanted to spend my morning,” Hopper growled.

“I feel you, boss,” Robin agreed. “I wanted to pull out of the job when we were in the car, but Steve sensed something else was going on right away.”

Hopper nodded. “He isn’t our highest paid omega by a long shot, but he is the best.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Dr Owens said.

“Well, gentlemen,” Robin said, stowing away her laptop. “You really don’t want to be here when the fucking starts.”

Dr Owens and Hopper made faces and allowed themselves to be ushered out of Steve’s apartment.

Robin went through and made sure that the fridge was stocked to her specifications and then locked the door behind her.

***

Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17

Tag List: @spectrum-spectre @estrellami-1 @zerokrox-blog @artiststarme @swimmingbirdrunningrock @gregre369 @pyrohonk ​@a-little-unsteddie @chaosgremlinmunson @chaoticlovingdreamer @lexirosewrites @goodolefashionedloverboi @messrs-weasley @maya-custodios-dionach @val-from-lawrence @i-must-potato @danili666 @carlyv @rozzieroos @wonderland-girl143-blog @justforthedead89 @emly03 @bookworm0690 @itsall-taken @bookbinderbitch @redfreckledwolf @littlewildflowerkitten @vecnuthy @scheodingers-muppet @mira-jadeamethyst @cinnamon-mushroomabomination @genderless-spoon @yikes-a-bee @anne-bennett-cosplayer @awkwardgravity1 @irregular-child @nburkhardt @apomaro-mellow @yellowdevilkitten @lingeringmirth @rememberthatiloveyou @demolvr @ellietheasexylibrarian @slowandsteddie @mangoinacan13

[parallelss-of-the-universe]

Sweets ⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅

The coat

(Credits to @azriel.kk on tiktok! She convinced me to finally feed you guys another chapter after a month!!! Luv ya! Please draw nanami tied up and naked for me <33)

Pairing: Soft Yandere Nanami x fem! Bakery owner! Reader

Summary: Nanami just wanted to see what all the popularity about that one bakery in town was. He didn’t know he’d fall so hard for the girl who looks just as sweet as the cakes she bakes.

Tags: Yandere Nanami, Kind of coquette reader, no-filter reader, Kidnapping, Stalking, Obsessive/Toxic Nanami, Manipulation, Stockholm Syndrome, murder.

Wc: 2.3k

For the past few weeks Nanami walked you to your shop. Then he picked you up at night to walk you home. You looked forward to seeing Nanami every day. His majestic face, his eyes, and most importantly the small things he does. He’s such a gentleman. From giving you his coat, to gently moving the hair out of your face. He was every girl’s dream. The wary feeling you got from somebody watching you disappeared when Nanami was there. But when he wasn’t you could sometimes still feel eyes watching you. It gave you chills and made you freeze up. Nanami always comforted you, telling you it might just be nothing.

Sometimes on weekends if he was free, he would help you bake. Helping around the shop, like opening doors for people or serving tables. You put him outside to get more customers. Seeing how girls go inside after seeing him. You know that he knows what you’re doing. But you just give him a grin. But you’re thankful for him, not just for helping out but keeping you safe. Those men who would stare at you or send you terrifying smirks with intent all go away because of him. Just seeing his glare, they would look away cowardly.

You would text him in the middle of the day too. Either just asking how work is going or telling him something interesting about your day.  He would reply so quickly, unlike the men you were with before. But something that always bothered you is his job. He would say he’s a salaryman, but it never seemed like him. Or maybe you’re just assuming! I mean its Nanami. He’s all that you could ever want.

Your day went on like normal. Baking cakes, serving customers, and helping your employees overall. You also went outside, greeting the tabby cat. It always comes over at this exact time in the afternoon. You and Nanami even baked catnip treats for it. A thought occurred in your head as you mumbled feeding the cat, "Am I making you a druggie with this much catnip?" You sighed, rubbing its head softly. You and Nanami will have to come up with a name for it soon.

You snapped a picture of your hand petting the cat. You sent it to Nanami with a video of you feeding the cat.  “Wish I could take you home.�� You mumbled. After giving the cat its drugs- Snacks you walked back inside helping serve your customers. A few minutes later your phone buzzed, someone texted you. Thinking its Nanami, you opened the text message. Your frowned seeing it was from an unknown number. The text read; “You look so pretty…”  and a picture of you petting the cat.

You shivered immediately blocking the number. You were definitely telling Nanami about this later. As the day passed, you were able to block what just happened and busied yourself. As you closed the bakery Nanami stood outside waiting for you with a smile. You walked up to him hugging him.

He spoke up, “Y/n, how was your day?” he asked as he carried your bag for you. You talked about the normal, from helping customers to baking more cakes. He listened intently nodding along. That was until you started talking about the text message.  “What’s even creepier Nanami, is he sent a picture of me!” you complained your hands doing weird gestures. You looked at him as his face didn’t hold any expression. You waved your hands around his face getting his attention. “Nanami? Hello?” he looked at you for a few seconds before speaking. “You should stay with me. For your own safety.” He said flatly.

Your eyes widen. “Wait! I-I would love too but I can’t just move out like that Nanami!” he looked at you, brows furrowed. “You’d rather just stay in danger huh.” He says with somewhat an annoyed tone.  You shook your head with a sigh, as you saw your house in the distance. “I would love to Nanami, but are we even dating yet? Plus, we haven’t known each other that long!” As you arrived in front of your house, you looked at Nanami giving him a hug. “Let’s talk about it in the morning.” He says hugging you back, burying his face in your hair. As you broke the hug, Nanami gave you a cat stuff toy. “It reminded me of you.” he says smiling softly. You kissed him on the cheek giving him another hug. “Thank you! Thank you! I’ll put it in bed with me!” you say grinning as you went inside, waving him goodbye.

As Nanami walked back home, he sat on his desk. His hands rubbing his temples tiredly. He grew frustrated with the thought that creepy text of his would work. Maybe he just needed to be more persistent and send you more texts? He sighed opening his laptop. A smile grew on his face as he opened the camera in the stuff toy. In his perspective you were putting in down on the desk. He drank his whiskey watching as you undressed.

You were driving him crazy. He wanted you all to himself. The world didn’t deserve you! the world filled with curses and horrible people. He would keep you safe. No matter what it takes. Even if its by the methods you don’t like. You’re his girl. He continued watching you through the camera, as you didn’t sleep but continued to stay awake on your phone. He wished he was there to stop you.

He wondered about your comment earlier, “Are we even dating?”  it was such a silly thing to ask. “I’ll ask her tomorrow…” He said as he continued sipping his whiskey while watching you.

As morning came, Nanami picked you up like always. But this time, he was holding flowers. The ones that you love. “Nanami, these are beautiful. What’s the occasion?” you ask looking at it happily. “You asked me yesterday if we were even dating. And I want to ask you, would you like to be mine?” You smiled grinning. “I would love too.” You say walking over to him and kissing him.

Nanami swears at that moment his heart stopped. The world slowed down for him. He hated how short that kiss was. “I should put these flowers inside.” You say holding his hand. “Come in with me?” you ask smiling happily. A tint of red on your cheeks.

Nanami nodded a small smile on his face. A smile for the kiss, and a smile at the opportunity. His other hand went into his pocket as he held a small black camera. He stuck it at your doorframe, as it blended in like a speck of dirt. Quickly and swiftly he smiled. You let go of his hand as you went to get a vase. He stood on the doorway watching you. “Can I use the bathroom?” he asked. You nodded pointing and saying the directions.

He nodded walking in your hallways, adding the cameras around wherever he could. Your hallways, your, bathroom, your guest bedroom. But he wasn’t doing anything wrong, he was just keeping you safe. As he walked back to your kitchen, the flowers were already in a vase. It decorated your counter really well. You grinned at Nanami happily. “You know, we have to go or else I’ll be late in opening the bakery.” You say holding his hand. He nodded, “Lets go.” He said helping you lock up your house.

The routine with Nanami continued for the next few weeks. But he made Friday night the date night you guys have. The only thing that was driving you crazy was the constant text messages you were getting from an unknown number. It scared you so much to the point that you were always near someone in your staff or serving tables. But still, someone would take pictures of you from outside your bakery window or whenever you were alone. But this time, the stalker sent a picture of you with your employee. It scared you for their safety. So much so that you called Nanami crying.

He picked up immediately, being there by your side in less than 5 minutes. Which was weird since he always took at least 15 minutes to get to you. Maybe he was near, or maybe he ran. You hugged him tightly crying into his arms. “Why is this happening to me Nanami!” you say sniffling. He wiped away your tears, hugging you again. “Stay with me. It’s not safe for you y/n. I’ll keep you safe, it’ll be just us. I’ll always protect you.”

You wiped away your tears, shaking your head. “I don’t know… I’ll think about it.” You say sighing. Nanami watched you intently. He was getting through you, but not fast enough. His lips purse into a thin line as he handed you a water bottle. “Thank you. Thank you for everything Nanami, staying by my side and not leaving me.” You say hugging him tightly. He put his coat on your shoulders and kissed your forehead.

He checked his watch before sighing. “I need to go back to work, I might not pick you up tonight. I need to do something overtime at work. Don’t sleep around 3am again. ” He said walking you back inside your bakery first before he left. How did he know you slept around 3am? Red flags and alarm bells rang in your mind. You should really talk to him about it. It’s bad to ignore red flags like that.

“Life sucks ass.” You mumbled sighing. The time passed and before you knew it, it was already night. You wore Nanami’s coat the whole day, not wanting to let it go. Checking the time, it was already around 7:30 PM. As you locked up, you had a thought.

“Why not go to Nanami’s house and hand him his coat as well as see where he lives? Since he wants you to move in so badly.”  

You grinned at the thought. Two birds with one stone. Getting to see Nanami and seeing where he lives. You picked up your phone calling him. It rang for a few seconds before someone picked up, but it wasn’t Nanami. The person sounded somewhat cheery.

“Hello? Who’s this? Is it Nanamins girlfriend?!”  he said excitedly. “Uhm, who’s this?” you asked warily.

“Well, it’s just the one and only Gojo Satoru! Nanamin’s co-worker!”  he said as he… giggled? What kind of grown man giggles like that. “Oh. Well can I please talk to Nanami?”  you say voice clearly blank and bored of him.

He let out a choked-up sound before responding, “he already went home, he left his phone by accident. Say! How about we meet up-“  you cut him off. “Can I have his home address?” you ask wanting the conversation to end.

He let out an offended gasp, before giving up and saying Nanami’s address. But not before mumbling, ‘maybe its because she can’t see my face…”  you sighed in relief as you had his address, and the conversation with Gojo finally ended. With some strawberry shortcake in hand, you proceeded to walk to Nanami’s place.

It was fairly far from your bakery. At least a 20-minute walk. Nevertheless, more cardio for you. As you arrived, you nervously rang the doorbell. Nobody answered. You looked at the door seeing it was partially cracked open. Why didn’t you see that before? You shook your head hell no before turning back. You weren’t about to be killed like some what girl in a horror movie.

As you turned around you flinched seeing Nanami. “Oh my God! You almost gave me a heart attack.” You say hand on your chest. “Why are you here? Especially at this hour.” He asked softly. “I wanted to bring you your coat, and to see you.” you say smiling. “Can’t last a day without me huh?” He asked chuckling. You shook your head laughing. “Your door was open, but it was dark and you didn’t answer the doorbell. So, I was about to leave.” You say pointing at the door.

“Yeah, I left my phone at my office. I had to come back and get it, seems like I forgot to lock my door.” He answered. “Let’s talk inside?” He asked holding your hand as you let him pull you along. “How did you get my address?” he asked pulling out a chair for you in his kitchen. “Oh! I called you and this guy named Gojo picked up!” you say unwrapping the cake. “I bought you strawberry shortcake by the way.”

Nanami stared at you for a few seconds, before speaking. “What else did Gojo say to you?” he asked his voice monotone. Your brows furrowed. “Something about him being your co-worker, and other than that I spaced out. He seems cocky and hyper.”

You swallowed feeling nervous for some reason. Nanami nods before sighing looking out the window. It was raining heavily. “How about some tea?” He asked. “ooo that paired with strawberry shortcake sounds heavenly.” You say grinning.

“May I use your bathroom first though?” you ask. Nanami nodded pointing down a hallway and telling you to take a right. You nodded following as he instructed. As you arrived at that hallway there was two doors. You opened the first one you saw thinking nothing of it.

Your eyes widen as your breath hitched. It was an office. An office with a huge board behind the desk, full of pictures of you. The laptop on the desk was open. With shaky strides you went behind the desk and looked at the laptop screen. It was your house. Your bedroom, your hallway, your bathroom. Your eyes narrowed seeing the perspective of one of the cameras. It was the exact same place you put the stuff toy Nanami gave you.

Your hands were shaking at this point. This was how he knew details of your life you never told him. You looked at the board behind you. Your mind raced as you tried to control your breathing. Panicking won’t do you any good. Your eyes narrowed at the pictures stuck on the board. It was the same ones your stalker sent you.

Everything clicked at that moment. Everything was Nanami’s doing.

[blackbutterflyrift]

OTP Headcanons

Rook x Lucanis

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:··:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

I’m back with more headcanons <3 Again I tried to keep these in order but I tend to jot them down as they come to mind. Hope you guys enjoy them ^-^

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:· ·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

- Damari is hardly a better flirt than Lucanis. What was she supposed to practice on? The undead? Her fellow Mourn Watchers that are like family to her? Needless to say she’s very inexperienced in this.

- She absolutely cannot keep a secret from Lucanis. That’s how he knows about Assan helping the halla or about her and Davrin trying gingerwort truffle tea. She definitely told him all about it.

- Of course it also depends on the type of secret. Everyone’s trying to plan a surprise birthday party for him and need her to keep him distracted while they set everything up? She will try her hardest not to give anything away.

- If someone is planning to prank him though, they definitely better keep her out of it cause she will talk the moment he asks.

- Lucanis had mixed feelings about Marrow at first. On the one hand she’s an undead cat. How do you pet that? Can you feed it? It’s just strange overall. And she talks? A cat shouldn’t talk but then she’s undead so why not right? On the other hand she’s been Rook’s lifelong companion. Rook adores her and will fight anything that might bring her harm.

- Lucanis and Marrow truly bonded when Rook was trapped in the prison of regret. (I have plans for this so this is all I’m gonna say about it for now :D)

- Spite wasn’t too fond of Marrow hanging out with Lucanis so much, but Lucanis warned him of what Rook might do if she comes back to find something happened to Marrow. He begrudgingly put up with her presence after that.

- Lucanis gets Marrow little cat accessories as gifts sometimes. Toys, catnip, maybe a new brush or a bow. The bow will definitely have symbols of the Mourn Watch or Crows.

- He usually lets Rook change her bow but he’s very gentle when he does it himself.

- Rook loves singing to Lucanis. Her favorite pastime is humming a gentle tune as he rests his head on her lap and she passes her fingers through his hair.

- She also loves experimenting with new tunes to see how Spite reacts to them. He gets his own dedicated section in her research.

- Because Lucanis worries for Rook’s safety, even though she’s perfectly capable of defending herself, she set up her own series of necromancer traps in the Dellamorte Estates.

- Vorgoth and Myrna definitely helped with setting up the traps.

- The traps are set to go off depending on a person’s malicious intent.

- Illario has accidentally set off the minor traps a few times much to both Rook and Lucanis’ amusement.

- Damari did not fully trust Illario for a long time and even went as far as to warn him that if he ever gave her a reason to think he’ll harm Lucanis again he’ll have her to deal with. (Think Katara threatening Zuko)

- Lucanis loves preparing meals for Rook. Sure they have their own staff who can do it but he still prefers to do it himself more often than not.

- Marrow likes to hang out with him while he’s in the kitchen much to Spite’s annoyance.

- Rook in turn is always ready to help Lucanis in any way she can. Whether that’s lending her necromancer expertise in spirits and demons, autopsies, cleaning up a corpse quickly if need be, potions to fake temporary illnesses, or even helping with managing the estates.

- It took her a while to get used to living in a large fancy place like the estates but being with Lucanis helped make the place feel like home.

- Lucanis isn’t too fond of the Grand Necropolis but he does admit that the place seems to have a calming effect on Spite. Plus it was where Damari grew up so he’s always happy to join her on her visits to the gardens.

- Damari learned to speak Antivan and is a natural at it. Now both her and Lucanis are calling each other “mi amor”

- Rook is definitely the goofy one of the pair but we all know Lucanis is plenty goofy himself.

- Taash was right. Rook would definitely love to go flying some time if possible. She eventually lets Lucanis know about this.

- Spite and Marrow are protective of Rook and Lucanis’ kids. One of the very few things they’d team up for.

- Lucanis and Rook don’t push their kids to join either the Mourn Watch or the Crows. They’re free to choose what they want for themselves.

- They’ll still teach them the basics though like acrobatics and how to use and maintain certain weapons and tools.

- They teach their kids combat for self defense but you know there’s no one in Thedas safer than those kids. Maker have mercy on the soul who tries to target them.

[greenwitchcrafts]

Chamomile

Matricaria chamomilla (shown) | Chameamelum nobile

Known as: Chamaimelon, earth apple, German chamomile, ground apple, heermannchen chamaimelon, maythen, manzanilla, Roman chamomile, scented mayweed, whig plant & wild chamomile

Related plants: There are two species of chamomile, both are in the Asteraceae family (Roman chamomile & German chamomile) with plants that consists of over 32,000 known species of flowering plants in over 1,900 genera within the order Asterales. They are commonly referred to as the aster, daisy, composite or sunflower family. I am from this point forward referring to Matricaria chamomilla in this post specifically.

Parts used: whole flower & leaves

Habitat & cultivation: This flowering plant is native to South-West Asia, Eastern & Southern Europe but can be found on almost  continents nowadays. The wild-growing chamomile species normally grow on sandy to loamy soils that are mostly acidic and should be open.

Plant type: Annual

Region: 5-9

Harvest: Can be harvested as soon as blooms have established which is about 10 weeks.

Growing tips: The roots of chamomile are shallow and just barely grip onto the top soil which makes it more sensitive to water conditions during the initial stages of growth when the plant is establishing itself. However once it's established, it is drought tolerant & need about an inch of water a week. Wait until after the last spring frost to add chamomile to your garden. It grows well in raised beds, containers, and in-ground gardens. Space chamomile plants 8 inches apart in full sun for best flowering. In hot climates, an area with partial afternoon shade is ideal.

Medicinal information: Chamomile has been used as a traditional medicine for thousands of years. A mouth rinse with chamomile might relieve mouth sores caused by cancer treatments. Some research suggests that chamomile could help with other conditions, like diarrhea in children, hemorrhoids, anxiety, and insomnia. When used on the skin, chamomile might help with skin irritation and wound healing. Some research has documented that it may be as effective as hydrocortisone cream for eczema.

Cautions: Most experts say chamomile is safe. It can cause drowsiness and, in large doses, vomiting. It also has the potential to trigger allergic reactions in people who are allergic to related plants in the daisy family, although such reactions are very rare. Given the lack of evidence about its long-term safety, chamomile is not recommended for people who are pregnant or chestfeeding.

Magickal properties

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Sun

Element: Fire

Deities: Cernunnos, Karnaya, Mercury, Oshun, St.Anne & Sun gods

Magical uses:

• Burn as an incense to aid in sleep and meditation

• Plant around your house to ward against psychic or magickal attacks

• Wash your hands with chamomile before gambling to ensure good luck

• Use in an infusion to wash your thresholds to stop unwanted energies from passing through

• Place the flowers in your wallet to attract money

• Keep in a satchet to protect against physical or magickal danger

• Add to a dream pillow with lavender to ensure peaceful sleep

• Anoint a green candle with crushed chamomile for a simple money spell

• Steep in hot water, then sprinkle around yourself as a metaphysical barrier

• Add to spells to increase the chances of success

• Use in ritual baths with catnip and rose to attract a lover

• To alleviate overwhelming emotions, you can hold dry chamomile in your hands as you recite affirmations or prayers to ease the heart

[caelyne]

what if we just put every single one of your cat and slug cat characters in one room and filled it with catnip? the ultimate catnip party

we will need to confiscate their cat keys as a safety measure. do not nip and drive!!

[aishabellasbigblogofeverything]

@ahmednaserfamily’s campaign, please donate and reblog to spread the word. Every dollar counts!

Story:

I am Ahmad Zindah from Gaza. I used to live a stable life with my family in a luxurious home that provided us with safety and comfort. But the war changed everything. Our house was completely destroyed, and we became homeless.

We had a Jeep that we used for transportation, but it was burned in the attack.

We also owned a factory, our only source of income, which I ran with my father and brothers, but it was not spared from destruction and was completely bulldozed.

Now, we are displaced, without a roof to protect us, without means of transportation, and without an income to help us face these harsh conditions. Additionally, some family members were injured due to the bombing, and we struggle daily with severe food shortages and the looming threat of starvation. Everything we once had vanished in an instant, and now we face an uncertain future surrounded by despair and loss.

We created this campaign to raise funds with the goal of building a new life outside of Gaza. My family, consisting of 20 people, faces a significant challenge as the cost of travel is extremely high. We hope to secure the necessary amount to start a new chapter in our lives away from these harsh circumstances.

@punkeropercyjackson @lesbianslasherfilm @maxarat @pinkpinkmermayyy @reesethedndencantolover @minaglobe @ribbonspice @loudobnoxioussoul @cryptid-catnip @sanyu-thewitch05 @fancylala4

[cutepethut]

Did you know that black olives can trigger a catnip-like reaction in some cats? 🫒😺 This is due to isoprenoids, compounds that mimic nepetalactone—the active ingredient in catnip. While olives might make your feline playful or excited, use them with caution!

Here’s why: 1️⃣ Choking Hazard: Make sure olives don’t have pits. 2️⃣ Salt Concerns: Both black and green olives can be high in salt, which isn’t great for your kitty. 3️⃣ Moderation is Key: Limit your cat’s exposure to avoid excessive consumption.

Olives can be fun for your cat, but always prioritize their safety and health. 🐾💚 Follow for more facts and tips; enjoy it!

[witchofthesouls]

I think I found the embodiment of Cat!Megatron high off his aft on expired catnip but don't know who's the victim for this spectacle. Definitely not the victorious ceiling fan.

I do hear the horrified scream of 'MAXIPAD!' from the pincushion to this alien warlord turned cat.

https://www.tumblr.com/gougerre/747489749123645440?source=share

There are two victims here.

Megatron's dignity because he crashed into the wall and Optimus/Cinnamon/Cinnabuns was laughing so hard that Prime fell off the couch and still wheezing for air.

And Kevin's safety because he has a talent of taking perfectly timed photos and videos, and Megatron will never forgive him.

[maudeboggins]

I crocheted this little guy for my cats. He’s a big hit (because he’s stuffed with catnip). The pattern specified safety eyes but I don’t have any abs thought they wouldn’t be great for a cat toy. I need to come up with a name for him. Oh and what’s great is I stuffed him with all my yarn scraps:

I still have a lot of yarn scraps left but nice to put some of them to use

[anonymousboxcar]

TTTE/RWS Headcanons: Tabitha

Tabitha is a cat who appears in a TTTE annual story called “Gordon’s Stowaway.” I just really like playing around with the idea of a railway cat who adores Gordon (and whom Gordon adores in return, lol)!

—————————— -Within Tabitha’s first week in Tidmouth Sheds, a workbench became swamped with cat toys brought in by cleaners and engine crews. Yarn, felt mice, battery-powered doodads — you name it!

-This is partly because of Tabitha’s inherent cuteness. It’s also because NWR employees discovered bringing a new toy was the fastest way to curry favor with Gordon.

-Gordon insists on inspecting every new toy, ensuring it’s “suitable” for her. Nine times out of ten, he accepts this latest tribute with the loftiness of a medieval lord.

(-The one time out of ten is anything with catnip. Gordon still hasn’t recovered from what he calls The Incident.)

-But Tabitha’s favorite toy is a simple feather. The engines take turns having someone lay it across their funnels. Then, they let off steam. The feather goes flying and she jumps after it.

-Tabitha doesn’t share Gordon’s musical tastes. The first time they put on his tape of The Magic Flute, she hid under his buffers for an hour. Still feeling guilty, Gordon now refrains from playing his opera tapes whenever she’s there.

-The others sometimes exploit this, coaxing her into the sheds so they don’t have to listen to the “Night Aria” for the hundredth time.

-She seems indifferent to the other engines’ preferences, as long as it’s at a reasonable volume. With James’ jazz CDs, however, she curls up on her cushion and goes straight to sleep. James and Gordon still bicker over whether she’s comfortable or bored by his music.

-If one of them is in a bad headspace, she’ll sit with them on their running board and purr. Nobody knows how she knows, but it’s clear she has a sixth sense for it. And she always makes them feel better.

-Tabitha has her own YouTube channel! Run by a cleaner at the sheds, it mostly consists of short clips: chasing birds, slow-blinking at the person behind the camera, playing with string, etc.

-For a short while, none of her viewers knew she was the NWR’s cat. That changed with a video of her running to Gordon as he came back to the sheds, meowing at him.

-(Not only did the video go viral, but the moment Gordon’s face lit up upon seeing her became the most viewed part of the video.)

-Tabitha’s Internet fame has since been used to spearhead various causes: fundraising for other heritage railways, railway safety campaigns, and so on.

-Thomas also has a tongue-in-cheek, one-sided rivalry with Tabitha over who should be the mascot of the NWR. It’s mostly something he plays up to amuse visiting children or to spur on fundraising. (The others make sure he doesn’t get too into it, though.)

-When there’s no mice to chase out of the sheds, Tabitha joins Gordon on his morning trains. A porter brings along her cushion, from which she watches the scenery go by. The coaches adore her and scold any passengers who disturb her.

-The first time Gordon had to go to the works after Tabitha settled in, he figured she would be fine at Tidmouth in his absence. The others would care for her.

-And they did. So much so, in fact, that they caved to her mournful meowing and pacing in Gordon’s empty berth. Gordon couldn’t be upset after Henry explained this to him, Tabitha jumping into his cab.

-Tabitha’s clinginess is her one bad habit. Since she can’t always be at the works with Gordon, everyone does their best to keep her occupied and happy. Even the Fat Controller will slip her a treat.