#emerging from dormancy

[pluralprompts]

Prompt #1,199

Headmate A comes back from dormancy and realizes the rest of the system has fallen into a very toxic friendship. The problem is that they don't realize its toxicity, due to it being a slow development; Headmate A only recognizes it because they weren't present for the build up. How do they get their system out of this situation?

[bugborgs]

holiday special and vol3 trailer releasing within a week of each other has unfortunately reactivated the brainworms like sleeper agents so here’s a compilation of old art i never posted

1 is the most recent drawn entirely bc as an artist i have the power to draw whatever the fuck i want and i decided to use that power to draw nebula holding a rat (pose helpfully modeled by my own rat). 

2-4 are more old vaguely animal crossing inspired doodles but i’m really bad at mimicking other art styles so. 2 is from 2020 and 3-4 are from 2021.

5 is a posca marker doodle and 6 was me testing paints on some black paper. 7 is just mantis stealing neb’s jacket lol

[little-flame-prince]

years of therapy to work on breaking down internal barriers, improving system communication, and diminishing dissociative amnesia down the fucking drain i guess. and the worst part is i don't know what triggered this. but i'm losing time again so much and i think we've split at least twice more recently and communication is harder and Symptoms are just. bad right now. but whyyyyyyyyyyyyy

someone wrote this and i really wish parts would stop being so fucking cryptic.

what the fuck does it mean??

literally i cant figure out why this is happening and i think that's whats bugging most.

[multiplicity-positivity]

Here’s some positivity for headmates who have been dormant!

For many headmates, re-emerging from dormancy can be a disorienting, confusing, or scary experience. Many headmates may discover that their system and circumstances have changed drastically while they were dormant. To every headmate who has resurfaced from dormancy, we want to uplift you and show you some support! So here’s to all the headmates who have been dormant in the past!

🌙 Shoutout to headmates who had been dormant for over a decade!

🪐 Shoutout to headmates who are struggling to readjust to life after dormancy!

⭐️ Shoutout to headmates who have missed out on major life events or things they had been looking forward to due to dormancy!

🚀 Shoutout to headmates who are having difficulties socializing and connecting with the rest of their system after their dormancy!

✨ Shoutout to headmates who can’t remember anything that happened to their system while they were dormant!

🔭 Shoutout to headmates who have emerged from dormancy only to find that their system or the world around them has changed drastically while they were gone!

💫 Shoutout to headmates who have resurfaced after being forced into dormancy by another headmate or an outside factor!

🛰 Shoutout to created headmates that went dormant for some time due to a member of their system forgetting about them or being unable to work with them!

🌟 Shoutout to headmates who feel lost and confused about their purpose in life and their system after their dormancy!

🛸 Shoutout to headmates who emerged from dormancy with no memories whatsoever, even if the rest of their system can remember them from before they went dormant!

Dormancy is a morally neutral occurrence and a natural, common phenomenon in many systems! It can absolutely be scary and challenging re-emerging from a dormancy, but if you or someone in your system is going through this, we want to remind you that you’re not alone and everything’s going to be okay! It’s not too late to enjoy the small things in life and try to figure out how you want to spend the time you have.

To every headmate who has resurfaced from dormancy, know that we see you, we understand your struggles, and we are wishing you a bright future filled with comfort and delight. Know that you are so loved, and you are allowed to exist as you are now - even if you don’t know much about yourself or feel lost about your future! Please do you best to take it easy, be gentle with yourself, and have a wonderful day!

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Horsing Around with Horse Flies

Though horse flies are regarded worldwide as pests, members of the family Tabanidae are an important part of their natural environments. Adults feed on nectar, and some are specialized pollinators that have evolved to only collect from a few select flowers. Just like mosquitoes, only female horse flies feed on blood. Reproduction requires moisture; typically clean, stagnant or slow-moving water. Because of this, some species of horse fly are excellent indicators of an ecosystem’s health. Their role as disease carriers is also a valuable part of any functioning ecosystem; diseases can keep animal populations in check, and sick animals are often easier targets for predators. Horse flies themselves are also a juicy treat for amphibians, reptiles, and birds, as well as insects like wasps and spiders.

There are about 4,455 species of Tabanidae flies, the majority of which reside in the genus Tabanus. Most species share the same general body shape: a large head, a fat body supported by six legs, and one pair of wings. However, there are many variations on this pattern in terms of size, color, and specialized appendages. The smallest horse flies are only 5 mm (0.19 in) long, while the largest is over 30 mm (1.18 in). Like other flies, horse flies have a set of compound eyes made up of thousands of ommatidia: specialised units which allow them to combine input from multiple angles. The resulting image has a poor resolution, but it’s useful for detecting rapid movement-- an important tool when trying to avoid predators. The eyes of male horse flies are holoptic, meaning they meet in the middle to give the appearence of one continuous eye.

Horse flies go through a complete metamorphosis, also known as holometabolism, over the course of their lives. Eggs are laid of clusters of anywhere from 100 to 1000, typically on plants near a source of fresh water. After about six days, the larvae hatch and drop down into the water or burrow into the moist ground, and use a respiratory siphon to pull air from the surface. In temperate regions the grubs enter a stage of dormancy, while tropical horse flies develop year-round. While in this stage individuals consume a number of other insect larvae, worms, and aquatic insects. Once fully developed the horse fly larva pupates for one to three weeks, after which it emerges as a fully-grown adult. Mating can occur as soon as the wings have fully expanded, although female horse flies need to feed on large quantities of blood before depositing the egg mass, in order to provide her young with the nutrients they need to develop.

Conservation status: No horse fly species has been evaluated by the IUCN, and due to their large numbers  populations are considered stable. However, some species only live in certain habitats, particularly wetlands, which are threatened by pollution or destruction.

If you like what I do, consider leaving a tip or buying me a ko-fi!

Photos

Large marsh horse fly (Tabanus autumnalis) by AJ Cann

Greenhead horse fly (Tabanus nigrovittatus) by Claudia Husseneder

American horse fly (Tabanus americanus) by Sturgis McKeever

[turtlesandfrogs]

Seed Starting for Beginners- another class I taught Pre-pandemic, edited down for posting here. 

Seed Basics:

Anatomy: seeds basically consist of seed leaves (aka cotyledons), an embryo, and a seed wall. The cotyledons are food storage, and usually the first leaves that emerge and photosynthesize*. Seeds are dormant, but they are still alive and they are still exchanging gas (breathing) and using up energy stores. Ideally, most vegetable seeds are stored somewhere cold and dry. The colder and drier a seed is kept, the slower it’s metabolism, and the more vigorously it will sprout once conditions are correct (though, as this is biology, there are plenty exceptions- pawpaws come to mind). I keep my seed packets in a closed glass jar with a silica packet in my freezer. If you want to nerd out, here’s a link to a pretty famous seed vault, where seeds are kept below 0 degrees fahrenheit: https://www.croptrust.org/our-work/svalbard-global-seed-vault/ 

Sprouting/germinating/breaking dormancy: For most vegetables, all that is needed for seeds to sprout is warmth and moisture. Some will germinate better in the dark, some will germinate better with light (the package will tell you what is needed). For fruits, herbs, and flowers, sometimes they will need additional steps, such as cold stratification, or breaking the seed wall. 

Basics of Seed Starting:

Step one is to decide what you want to grow- vegetables, herbs, flowers?

Important questions:

What do I actually (want to) eat? (Ie, don’t just grow radishes because they’re easy- will you actually eat/enjoy it?). What would I eat more of if it weren’t so expensive? Make a list. 

What grows well here? What Hardiness/heat/climate zone are you in? Do you have microclimates to account for? What are they? Connect with your local extension office (in the US) to find out what grows well where you are and keys to success

Step two: Figure out when to start your seeds:

First, check the seed packet/website description and find your last frost date. Some plants, like broccoli, have a wide general time range to plant them in, but some varieties are meant for spring, or summer, or to overwinter. It’s best to get the specific variety’s information if possible.

If not that, then using a seed starting calculator like Johnny’s is next best. 

Or, go to a regional planting chart like Tilth’s. Or find your local extension office, they probably have a planting calendar.

Keep track of which ones are sown indoors, sown directly, and when the switch happens. For example, you can sow cucumbers a week or two before your last frost indoors, or a week after the last frost directly into the ground. Also note when plants started indoors should be transplanted outdoors

Consider the “winter sowing” technique- Basically, sowing seeds in mini greenhouses (aka, cloches), usually made from used plastic containers, and letting the seeds come up when they will. Makes very sturdy plants, might not get as early as a start.

Step Three: How?

Containers: Please use standard plastic tray, newspaper pots, peat plugs, used food containers, etc. that have a decent amount of space and adequate drainage.

Why not egg cartons/eggshells? Because they a) do not have enough space for seeds to do much more than sprout and b) the egg cartons tend to dry soil out very quickly.

Medium: Seed starting mix, potting soil, whatever, do NOT use garden soil without killing the weed seeds first. If you use a seed starting mix, keep in mind that it won’t have enough fertility to support the seedlings for very long. It is meant to be used to germinate seeds, and then have those seedlings transplanted into a richer mix to grow on. Also, I recommend NOT using coffee grounds as part of your seedling mix, because they have been shown to inhibit germination.

Which do well with transplant, which do not: (paper pots are great for those that don’t like transplanting)

Take well to transplanting: brassicas (think broccoli family), nightshades (tomato family), leafy greens

Fussy and need help to transplant well: Squash, cucumbers, melons, etc

Just don’t: carrots, beets, other root crops.

If they don’t transplant well, focus on direct sowing. The above IS NOT an exhaustive list.

Light: Give them as much as possible, a south facing window, or indoor grow lights. If you’re using a light, look for one that says full spectrum, daylight, or says it is over 5000 kelvin.

The warmer you keep the seedlings, the brighter the light they need. Warmth determines their metabolism, and light is their fuel/food, so you can keep them from etoliating/stretching out by keeping them at cooler temperatures. Slower growth at the same light intensity yields sturdier seedlings. Keeping seedlings at cooler temperatures can help you get stocky, sturdy, vigorous plants. This is a really big key, so pay attention. A lot of people struggle with weak seedlings that have stretched out in their search for light, and that can be avoided if you match temperature to light levels.

Actually doing it:

Fill your container(s). Tamp down soil- movement of water depends on capillary action, which depends on the soil particles being close enough together. Consult package on depth, or use 3x diameter of seed. Plant. Water. Wait. 

Watering: keep evenly moist, do not let them dry out. Not so much that it’s soggy though- so after you water they shouldn’t be sitting in a puddle of water an hour later. I prefer to bottom water. To do that, put your container in a tray of water, and let it soak up. If you’ve tamped it down properly, you’ll see the surface moisten. 

So they’ve sprouted, now what? 

If you’re using a peat or commercial seed starting mix, it likely doesn’t have enough fertility to support growth beyond the first few true seed leaves. That means that as soon as you see true leaves coming out, you have two choices: either use a water-soluble fertilizer, or gently transfer the seedlings to a more fertile soil mix. 

The big day: planting outside! 

Harden off first! The wee ones have been indoors, in very gentle conditions, and need to adapt to the outdoors environment before you transplant them out there. If you don’t, the cold can harm them, and they can also get sunburnt, or even damaged by wind. Acclimate them by putting them outdoors for an hour the first day, a few hours the next, gradually increasing the amount of time they spend outdoors until a week or so has passed. DO NOT transplant out frost tender plants (nightshades, squashes, pumpkins, cucumbers, etc) until the danger of frost has passed (unless you have a tunnel or greenhouse).

Transplanting, general: Water plants well the day before. Pick a moderate time of day if it’s been hot. Prepare the hole- bigger than the pot was, and deeper if tomato or brassica. If it’s one that needs extra fertility, thoroughly mix in some compost (I use one to two shovelfuls of rich compost). Loosen the plant in the pot by gently squeezing or tapping, make sure the roots aren’t circling (if they are, gently tease them apart), and put in hole. Back fill hole and press down. Water thoroughly.

For sensitive plants: all the above, but “mud in” the plant, that is, water enough that water sits on the surface for at least 15 seconds. Cover- if it’s hot, a cardboard box or light sheet to shade, if it’s cool a bucket to hold in extra warmth. 

Success through the summer: 

Provide fertility: some plants, like potatoes and kale likely won’t need much additional fertility beyond what’s already in your soil. Some crops, like corn, squash, and broccoli need a lot more fertility to make a decent crop. Either way, if you notice your plants aren’t growing very well, it’s likely a matter of fertility- or watering. 

I prefer to provide this fertility through composts & cover crops. You can also just use a balanced fertilizer,  but look into mycorrhizae before you decide how to go about it. Whether it’s organic or not, it’s generally a good idea to follow the package directions for best results. It’s just as easy to over fertilize and burn your plants as it is to under fertilize and get stunted growth.

Learning More:

Visit community gardens, visit the Master Gardener demonstration gardens, your local extension office for local information, here’s the link to Washington States: http://gardening.wsu.edu/

Facebook groups can be very helpful, gardening forums as well. 

Useful websites in General:

https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/seed-planting-schedule-calculator.html seed sowing date calculator- put in your last frost, get general dates for everything. Honestly, poke around their growers library in general, they've got some cool stuff. 

https://davesgarden.com/guides/freeze-frost-dates/#b for last frost dates (and a lot more).

https://garden.org/apps/frost-dates/Olympia%2C+Washington/ another last frost date site

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150515111628.htm Gardening in a polluted paradise: Is it safe?

Seed Companies I use:

Based in Western Washington:

Uprising Organics (All Open Pollinated)

Based in Western Oregon:

Adaptive Seed (All Open Pollinated)

Territorial Seed

Nicole’s Garden Nursery

Based in B.C.:

West Coast Seed

Based elsewhere:

Fedco Seeds (Co-op)

Johnny’s Selected Seeds (Employee Owned)

There are, of course, many more, but those tend to be my go-to.

 

*Some seed’s cotyledons stay in the soil, and the embryo is the part that emerges. Examples include snow peas, beans, and corn. Others have their seed leaves emerge as their first leaves, e.g., broccoli and sunflowers.

[phoenixmetaphor]

Last Line Challenge!!!

rules: in a new post, show the last line you wrote (or drew) and tag as many people as there are words (or as many as you feel like).

i was tagged by the talented @alvivaarts !!! thanks so much for thinking of me <3

since i emerged from my long dormancy, i don’t know a large amount of people i know to be active buttttt i will try tagging @sinnabum45 [been loving your recent narumitsu], @californiatowhee [ditto bestie], @silvercap [art or writing?], and @thebrandywine [i mean i’d tag you in this post anyway, so….]. feel free to ignore if this ain’t your thing~~~

anyways here’s a page of preliminary sketches for a comic based on @thebrandywine ‘s [pull me under], a nivannedy mermaid au fic that has given me brainworms (told you i’d be tagging you in regardless, mav)

i don’t usually share at this stage because it’s all very rough and i only need it to make sense to me, which is why there are like… stick figures and also why I just freely write and draw over other writings and drawings. and i’m not sure this will go all the way to a finished state, if all these panels will make it, and if they will be in this order (i’ve already changed some things up…). like right now i am sort of unhappy with the sameness of all the head shots but … we’ll see, we’ll see.

also if all the pen scratches and scribbles didn’t give it away, this is done traditionally, mostly to force myself to just restart something that’s not working rather than attempting to noodle with it endlessly, which is a pitfall I can fall into with digital sketching. i really should not have used this particular ink tho, it has shimmer and it was clogging my pen something fierce x.x

[rewind-on-purpose]

Operation Lawn Replacement

All the little reddish seeds that are starting to sprout are mini white clover seeds. I threw fistfulls of these seeds all over my front yard a day ago, and they're already starting to sprout after the rain we've had.

As my update on my last post says, I recently bought a house. My first one ever. *excited squealing* One of the first things I'm doing is replacing the lawn with mini clover. This will probably irritate my neighbors, but since there is no HOA (I wouldn't have bought it if it did), I don't care. There are several reasons why I am doing this:

• mini clover only grows about 6 inches tall max, so it does not require mowing

• clover, being a legume, is a nitrogen fixer, which helps enrich the soil, and doesn't require massive amounts of fertilizer to stay green

• clover is broad leafed, so is better at shading out other undesirable plants/weeds, which means it doesn't require massive amounts of herbicides to create a uniform lawn (I am not advocating for monocultures here, but if that's what you want, then clover does it better than grass)

• clover emerges from dormancy sooner in the spring, stays green in the fall/winter longer, and requires less watering than grass, so it looks nicer when everyone else's lawns are dead and brown due to changing seasons or drought

• clover produces beautiful little white flowers that bees and butterflies love, which supports and attracts these pollinators to other areas of the garden

• clover leaves and flowers are edible

I'm sure there are other reasons I'm forgetting, but I think this is enough reason to lose the grass with its shallow roots and intensive care in favor of something simpler and prettier.

[lisa-russell]

OKAY, this has been in dah works for ages I only have an half asked vague idea and plotline in my head..not good at future planning lol.

Anyways this is a mind finished prologue to my Splatoon Alternate Universe story.

I have like 2 and half completed chapter still stuck in dah rough draft mode but I wanted yer feedback and stuff on it what do yah all think?

Also dah story has a temporary name.

SPLATOON: ECHOES OF THE DROWNED WORLD

Prologue: In which a world ends and new one begins.

In the dimly lit room, the shadowy outline of a massive machine loomed, its main terminal emitting a faint, blue glow. Dull, flickering lights pulsed across the flat, rectangular surface, centered around a clear, blue orb that throbbed with a pale, blue light. 

Suddenly, the room shook as the sound of ancient machinery rumbled to life, breaking centuries of dormancy. The orb's glow intensified, and a single holographic screen flickered to life, its bright blue display slowly filling with numbers and codes. 

《/...Initializing Preprogrammed A.I Personality Matrix.\.. ..[W-warning!]...D-ďAtA...Co-cOrRup--T-3d// ...Attempting to Reload O.R.C- @...Fzzt!》

The screen glitched and fizzled, an alarm blaring as the terminal's lights and orb shifted to a dark, bloody red. The sudden change in illumination revealed a white, skeletal hand reaching towards the terminal, the rest of the limb disappearing into the shadows.

Above the now deep, angry red holographic screen, walls of white code and text flickered chaotically, before abruptly cutting out, casting the room in darkness. Seconds later, the main terminal sparked to life, white text blinking onto the screen.

《■...REBOOTING...▪》

《|!|...A.I Matrix/Corrupted/Data/Lost..|!?|》

《...Scanning Database/Rewriting Core Parameters/Selecting Optimal Files...//▪▪▪NEW A.I  PERSONALITY MATRIX/CREATED/ACCESSING...<|ECHO|>》

The screen flickered in black and white, an image of a green dolphin appearing briefly before stabilizing to reveal a new icon - a yellow and red Sea Angel with a white spiral behind it. 

《DATA ON CURRENT TIME/SINCE  EARTHQUAKE\UNKNOWN..》

《PROLONGED USE OF THE POWER STASIS PROTOCOL HAS DAMAGED FILES CONTAINED IN THE MAIN SERVER...PREVIOUS EMERGENCY ORDERS FOR [Automatic Repairs] TO THE CENTRAL GEOTHERMAL GENERATOR \\COMPLETED\\... 93% SUCCESSFUL REBOOT. |MOST LIKELY CAUSE OF DAMAGED MEMORY FILES|》

Blueprint-like maps opened and closed rapidly on the floating, transparent screen as text continued to flow.

《...REROOTING POWER TO A.I CORE/DRONE FACILITY/MARINE B&R LABS --|Warning! Warning!| EXTENSIVE DAMAGES DETECTED  THROUGHOUT THE DOME..\\Generating Maintenance Repair List//...DRAINING SUBMERGED LEVELS//BLOCKING OFF IRREPARABLE FLOODED AREAS| SCANNING FOR BIOSIGNATURES▪▪| 》

ECHO's icon faded in and out as the text continued.

《...Scan Completed... 》

《|0 Humans | 30,498 Marine Species | 1400 Unknown Species Detected.》 

ECHO's icon brightened, the holographic screen focusing on an image of a large lake with a series of islands and structures, including a white, steel pyramid-shaped building on the largest island.

《...MARINE BIO&RESEARCH LABRATORIES.-LEVEL 3... SENDING IN DRONES/ACCESSING/OBERSERVATION PROGRAMS...》

As ECHO, the newly born AI, approached the Harmonic Genetics Island Facility, it remained unaware of the momentous decision it was about to make - a decision that would change the course of Earth's future.

00000000

12,000 years ago, the world drowned. Swallowed by a nigh unstoppable Flood, only spoken of in ancient holy texts, almost all life on Earth was washed away by the deadly, radiated waters.

But the Flood did not happen instantaneously. The End of the Old World was at first a slow buildup, as the Earth's most populous sapient race - Humanity - spread and slowly sickened the planet with their actions.

For thousands of years, Humans lived and died on Earth in their golden age, inhabiting sprawling Mega Cities built from the valuable metal Duratianium. Their population was said to have reached into the trillions. Technological advances were at an all-time high - new genetic and cybernetic breakthroughs, sustainable pocket dimensions, and teleportation technology were just the tip of the iceberg. Sadly, as all good things tend to do, it all came to an end.

Before the sea levels began to rise, before the wars and the ruining of the world, one Human known simply as The Professor gave dire, alarming reports to world leaders about the first signs of rising waters and Humanity's devastating impact on the planet. Tragically, those warnings went mostly unheeded. 

Only a few leaders heeded the Professor's advice and made preparations, consulting their own scientists and engineers. They began building massive underground or underwater Domes - self-sustaining bunker complexes designed to give Humans a chance at surviving the coming Flood. However, the leaders who ignored the Professor soon found their countries losing land and resources as the silent waters encroached.

This conflict and desperation led to the outbreak of a horrifying World War 5, which accelerated the End of Humanity. Unethical experiments and secret projects were carried out, overseen by the Kamabo Corporation, a powerful Mega Corporation responsible for much of Earth's technology. 

In the end, it was a single nuclear missile, its guidance AI malfunctioning, that struck Antarctica and melted the ice cap - the final straw that caused the oceans to swell and swallow the land. Trillions of lives and species were extinguished as Humanity's time came to a tragic, watery end.

For 10,000 years, the Earth remained flooded. But slowly, the water levels lowered and the radiation fell to manageable levels. And from the watery depths and ruined remains of the Old World, a new form of life rose up - the Mollusk Era had begun.

0000000

The new race collectively known as the Alternarians was full of different species of evolved marine life. This diverse population had escaped certain doom thanks to the Alterna Cradle, a place of legend said to have been the birthplace of the modern-day Alternarians' ancestors and the place that refilled the oceans with regular marine life from the Old World. The location of this mysterious Cradle has been lost to time, with the only proof of its existence being the Calamari Inkantation - a song that has been faithfully passed down through generations, its ancient music resonating deeply with the DNA and souls of the Inklings and Octolings, the most populous of the Alternarians.

These Inklings and Octolings, funnily enough, seemed to take on many human-like aspects, followed by the humanoid Jellies and then varying species of crustaceans and fish. The very first generation of Alternarians inherited a world covered in the ruins of humanity. The state of the Earth after the Flood was essentially a giant graveyard, with crumbling megacities and whatever technology had managed to survive, along with the grim fossilized remains of humanity and Earth's other lifeforms. Large swathes of land had become dry desert, and some species of marine life had somehow survived the long, radiated years of the Flood, evolving into twisted, feral monsters that even the amphibious wild Salmonid Tribes avoided.

During the Flood, a massive earthquake had shifted the land, and large volcanoes had formed, completely changing the landscape of the Old World. What remained of Earth's plant life had also been forced to evolve, though the return of some species was made possible by the recovery of Seed Arcs. Somehow, certain species of birds and insects had also managed to survive, possibly preserved in a Dome, much like the Seed Arcs.

Over the next 2,000 years, the Alternarians slowly settled down, reverse-engineering what human technology they could find. Their culture was greatly influenced by these human artifacts, such as the inkbased and highly competitive sport of Turf War, which had become a central feature in Inkling and Octoling culture, sometimes even a way of life. Music had also become an important part of their culture, with some songs having a strangely empowering effect on Inklings and Octolings.

000000000

The surrounding human ruins and terrain of these Alternarian-built cities and towns is dangerous. The deeper one travels away from the safety and protective presence of any settlement, the greater the risk of being permanently splatted. The land deeper in is filled with roaming ferals - twisted, monstrous creatures evolved from the marine life that survived the Flood - as well as suicidal and voracious Salmonid tribes. As a result, most Alternarians are now armed with ink weapons and electro weapons for self-defense.

In the past year, strange and alarming rumors have been passed down from traveling scrap hunters and other folk, speaking of oddly-colored creatures of flesh and metal. These recently discovered monsters have been dubbed "Inkreapers" and "Inkhimiras," and they are said to originate from the ominous Inkrot Wastes near the border between Inkadia and Octopia. 

The once-familiar landscape of the Old World has been irrevocably transformed, both by the cataclysmic Flood and the subsequent evolution and adaptation of its remaining denizens. The Alternarian cities and towns stand as bastions of relative safety and civilization, but beyond their walls lies a dangerous, unpredictable world - one in which the Alternarians must navigate with caution and the ever-present threat of the unknown...

.........

That's it.. soooooo, how was it? Please do leave a comment below or such.

[pluralprompts]

Prompt #1,323

"You're so needy," Headmate A teased Headmate B, who pouted back at them.

"Shut up. You'd want to kiss me if I were the one who just came out of dormancy."

[syngoniums]

Amorphophallus (and similar tuberous aroids) incoming!

In past years, I've thrown the corms I've had in a couple of large pots and called it a day. While this is the most convenient way to do it, it causes some cultural problems. Not all species emerge from dormancy at the same time or rate*, and the same is true going into dormancy. This means some corms are at risk of rotting if you water the actively growing plants.

Complicating this further is the fact that amorphophallus can be broadly divided into two groups. Some species, specifically the more cold hardy ones like konjac, paeoniifolius and bulbifer, follow a pretty regular schedule; they begin to emerge from dormancy around March or April, and can be potted up by May or June. They go dormant as days shorten and cool in the autumn, and their corms can be dug up for storage in a cool, dry place until temperatures warm.

Other species, like titanum, don't necessarily follow this seasonal pattern. They may go dormant in response to factors like a change in environmental conditions (e.g., being brought indoors for winter) or being left dry too long. They may not go dormant at all some years, in optimal conditions. Their dormancies are usually significantly shorter too, and they will not tolerate much cold. This means they need more attention throughout the year, and should be left potted when dormant, because they do best with a little water here and there. Some non-amorphophallus like Anchomanes and Gonatopus also require this treatment. There's a more extensive article on this here, but long story short, you need to know which is which.

I have not been mixing the two groups, but having obtained a number of new species recently, I decided it was finally time to get rid of the community pot approach to reduce potential losses overall. Most of the big corms actually lost some mass in last year's extreme heat and drought, so this will hopefully allow me to better control conditions and speed up their recovery. The downside? So many fucking pots. So many smaller pots, too. Time to find some new outdoor shelving.

*This is a callout post for Sauromatum giganteum particularly, forever the kid who sleeps through their 8AM classes

[pluralcultureis]

Plural culture is splitting into a fictive, said fictive becoming near dormant, developing an absolutely raging crush on the character the fictive is based on, and the suddenly said fictive emerges from dormancy and now you have to deal with the cruel situation you are in.

.

[multiplicity-positivity]

System Roles Poll Series: Lineup

Here’s the final list of system roles! If you have a system member with a role you don’t see here and want it to be included, please reach out to us with the role title and definition, as we are no longer accepting responses through the form.

When answering polls, you can answer for members with more than one role! So if you have a protector-host, you’d vote yes in both the protector and the host polls, even if they’re the same member in your system.

~*~

Acclimator: A system member who helps other members acclimate to life post-dormancy. May also act as a liaison between dormant and active members.

Addiction Protector: A system member who helps protect the system from addiction urges and/or to keep another system member from acting on the urges.

Archivist/Chronicler: A system member who knows about events within the system or information about the system and keeps track of those things, usually through very organized methods.

Autopilot: A system member who fronts when no one else can or wants to. They perform basic tasks for the body and system, generally without feeling emotions.

Body: A system member who identifies the most with the body, does not have to be and often is not the host. May have feelings about being the 'original' even if they split very recently.

Caretaker: A system member who makes sure the body is taken care of and cares for the emotional needs of other system members/a specific member.

Cathartic/Emotional Processor: A system member who expresses emotions for the purpose of getting them out. This can be done through being more susceptible to emotional bleed-over or by taking emotions from someone else and feeling them through the lense of their own experiences, rather than processing them.

Chores-Doer: A system member who completed chores and other daily tasks for the system.

Emergency/Backup Host: A system member who takes up hosting only when the full-time host cannot.

Gatekeeper: A system member who controls access to the headspace, fronting spaces, and certain members.

Grounder: A system member who helps to lower dissociation by performing grounding techniques or general self-soothing practices.

Host: A system member who is the main fronter and handles day-to-day living.

Interior Decorator/Worldbuilder: A system member who develops, decorates, and maintains the headspace/inner world for other members.

Janusian: A system member who functions as both a protector and/or a persecutor depending on the situation.

Joy-Bringer: A system member who energizes, delights, or otherwise cheers up the system.

Manager: A system member whose main focus is completing tasks or managing the system overall, and is often an embodiment of executive function.

Mediator/Diplomat/Negotiator: A system member who helps solve conflicts, whether they be inside or outside the system.

Medic: A system member who takes care of physical injuries, whether they affect the body or members in the headspace.

Messenger: A system member who passes messages and relays information to other members of the system who may not be easily accessible.

Observer/Peanut Gallery: A system member who doesn't like to fully front, and usually keeps to the middle/back of the headspace and gives input.

Paichmate: A system member who plays games in order to help the system relax, unwind, and have fun.

Persecutor: A system member who acts harmfully towards other system members, the body, or to others.

Performer: A system member who takes over all performing arts classes, rehearsals, practice, and performances.

Protector: A system member who protects the system, whether by fronting in stressful situations, ensuring the system is safe with met needs, or something else.

Sexual Fronter: A system member who fronts during sexual situations.

Socializer: A system member, whose role is socializing. They may be better at socializing, more comfortable doing so, or just generally enjoy socializing more than the rest of the system.

Slider: A system member who age slides or who, when fronting, causes other members to temporarily age slide.

Soother: A system member who calms or soothes other members who are dealing with negative emotions.

Syllogist/Rationalizer: A system member who is logical and often thinks statistically.

Symptom Holder: A system member who holds and/or manages symptoms of the body's neurodivergence, mental or physical illness, disability, etc. They may hold certain/specific symptoms, multiple symptoms, or all symptoms.

Tank: A system member who fronts to take mental health damage for the system. They are often better equipped to take said damage and can endure it longer than other system members.

Trauma Holder: A system member whose primary function is to hold trauma memories that may be too overwhelming for other members to handle.

Warden: A system member who acts as a barrier between hostile members and the rest of the system, or otherwise bars members from performing certain actions like cofronting or interacting with others.

Worker: A system member who fronts for work, school, or other mandatory jobs.

[doublism]

for the past almost-decade richard ayoade has emerged from his underground dwelling only once a year and if upon popping his head out into the studio where they film the big fat quiz (he lives under it for convenience) he saw his own shadow he would go back into hiding, declaring the continued winter of his filmmaking career's dormancy. but this last time he popped his head out and saw that he cast no shadow. and now it is finally spring.

[daftoldwarrior-a]

A soft hum resonated through the dense atmosphere as the TARDIS landed gracefully on the desolate planet of Aite. The air was heavy with moisture, causing a damp mist to cling to every surface. None of the infamous creaking or whirring was to be heard upon the landing, thanks to the gentle inputs of her skilled pilots – Theta and River. The duo had opted for a stealthy approach, silently guiding the TARDIS down to the surface, preserving the ship's breaking system and avoiding any unnecessary attention. Something that took Theta many decades to comprehend.

Theta emerged first, cautiously stepping out onto the hard ground, taking a deep breath of the unusual air. The atmosphere was rich in nitrogen and oxygen, similar to that of Earth, but the air felt heavier, almost suffocating with humidity. Despite being non-toxic, the dense atmosphere gave the impression of being trapped in a humid greenhouse.

He turned back to the TARDIS console room, a small grin forming on his face. "See, not toxic, just damp. The only casualties here will be your curls, sweetheart," he playfully teased, knowing well that River might not appreciate his humour at the moment. With a dry chuckle, he decided to step outside completely, leaving the TARDIS door slightly ajar to allow for a swift retreat if needed. Theta donned an outfit similar to the Doctor’s, a black hooded jacket  but instead of flashing a flash of red lining it was zipped up. 

The landscape that greeted him was eerie and unsettling. The surface of Aite was covered in a thick layer of moss-like growth that had died and curled brown, making every step a soft crunch beneath his boots. It seemed as though the area of the planet had suffered a catastrophic event that had wiped out most of its plant and animal life, leaving behind a barren and stagnant landscape frozen in time.

The foliage around them appeared shrivelled and lifeless, devoid of any greenery or signs of recent growth. Strangely, there were no signs of decay, almost as if everything had been preserved in a state of perpetual dormancy. Even the dead plants crunched beneath his boots, retaining what was left of its fragile form rather than decomposing into the soil.

The lack of life was overwhelming, and Theta couldn't fathom when or what had caused this devastation. It was a silent graveyard of nature, devoid of any sounds or movements that one would expect on a living planet. 

River's graceful presence filled the atmosphere as she disembarked from the TARDIS, her brow furrowed in contemplation. Theta had assumed by now the surprisingly desolate environment might cause River to forget his earlier comment; the brief glare from River proved his assumptions wrong. However, the unexpected desolation of the planet surprised her as well. The last time she had been here, the planet Aite was teeming with life – a simple, technologically unadvanced tribe residing in the lush forests and open plains. 

Yet, the devastation before them hinted at a technological interference far beyond natural capabilities. The contrast was jarring – a place that should have been teeming with life now held only the echo of a once-vibrant ecosystem.

The reason for their presence on Aite was just as mysterious. Theta had intercepted an encrypted message meant for someone else, a Time Lord on the Council. The message was addressed to his friend Lex, but Theta's TARDIS had intercepted it, pulling them here instead. All it contained were coordinates leading to this unmarked planet and a single enigmatic word: "Awaken." As far as Theta knew, the native people of Aite hadn't even grasped the concept of a telephone, let alone send interstellar encrypted messages.

"Bit dead here, huh?" Theta probed, hoping for some insight from River, whose vast knowledge of archaeological methods often outweighed his own.

"I have a strange feeling that whoever sent us that message was involved in this disaster, and I doubt they were a native," River replied thoughtfully, her keen eyes scanning the surroundings for any clues that might explain the planet's desolate state.

Theta nodded in agreement, and both of them activated their tracking devices, intending to explore further into this eerie landscape. Hers being a sophisticated datapad while his remained his trusty sonic screwdriver. However, to their surprise, interference disrupted their readings, leaving only two life signs – their own. It was peculiar, considering even microbial life should register on the sensors.

"Seems like something or someone is interfering with our readings.” Theta murmured. River nodded in response, tapping her device with more vigour.

“If that's the case, then whatever caused this is likely still present," River added, pocketing her datapad after it proved ineffective in deciphering the situation.

As they ventured on, the fog only thickened around them, the air growing heavier with each step. The fog obscured their view, making it difficult to discern what lay ahead. They eventually came across a peculiar dip in the soil. The depression seemed to descend further and further down, as if leading them towards an unknown secret hidden beneath the surface. The couple exchanged glances, a silent understanding passing between them that they might be on the cusp of a significant discovery, yet also possibly wandering into immediate danger. 

The dip in the terrain finally revealed itself to be the entrance to an ancient cavern, carved with precision and purpose. Its smooth walls and intricate markings told a story of intelligent design, a creation by hands that wielded knowledge and skill beyond the natural world. The lack of fluid features on the walls and the precision of the carvings made it evident to the couple that this was no natural phenomenon; it was the work of an ancient civilization.

River's eyes gleamed with excitement and curiosity, knowing that they were about to step into the unknown, unravelling the secrets of a long-forgotten civilization. She glanced at Theta, her expression a mix of anticipation and caution. They both understood the risks, but their shared sense of adventure and insatiable thirst for knowledge spurred them forward.

With a solemn nod, they each produced their weapons, their pistols glinting softly in the dim light of the cavern. The safety switches were disengaged, ready to respond to any potential threats that might await them within the depths of the underground chamber.

The moment they stepped inside, the world outside faded away, and the only sounds that filled the cavern were the soft hum of their pistols warming up and the echoing crunch of gravel beneath their feet. The air inside was still and musty, carrying an aura of ancient story waiting to be uncovered.

Their flashlights revealed cryptic symbols and pictograms adorning the walls, narrating a tale of a civilization long gone, whose knowledge and wisdom were now confined to the cold stone. Strange artefacts and relics were scattered and in most cases broken throughout the cavern, remnants of a time lost to history.

As they continued further into the labyrinthine depths, the cavern's dimensions expanded, revealing a vast underground chamber filled with structures that defied explanation. Giant pillars soared towards the ceiling, adorned with ornate carvings and symbols, hinting at the sophistication and artistry of the civilization that once dwelled here.

Amidst the awe-inspiring sight, Theta and River could feel a powerful energy resonating within the chamber, an energy that seemed to pulse with life despite the apparent lifelessness of the planet above. It was as if the very essence of time and space had converged in this ancient underground world, infusing the surroundings with a sense of history and significance.

Their steps echoed in the vast chamber, mingling with the whispers of the past as they delved deeper into the underground sanctuary. With each new revelation, they realised that the secrets of Aite were far more complex than they could have ever imagined. 

At the end of the chamber lay a magnificent staircase, adorned with heavy bronze doors decorated with ornate carvings representing various civilizations from across the universe. River paused, her mind working to decipher the enigmatic symbols and sigils etched into the metal.

"Theta, these carvings are not from Aite. Look, this is a sigil from Mondas before they began their work with cybernetics. And this one, it's a battle banner from Skaro, but the craftsmanship is different from the Daleks'. These markings even include symbols from Earth, ancient San runes," River observed, her eyes wide with astonishment. "How could they possibly have knowledge of all these civilizations?"

Theta's hand brushed across the ancient script of his people, his fingers tracing the circular patterns of old Gallifreyan. He, too, marvelled at the intricacy of the carvings and the vast array of languages represented on the doors. Each symbol seemed to translate into the names of the respective civilizations whose languages adorned the bronze.

Yet, it was the markings in the centre of the doors that captivated his attention. Despite his pride in his linguistic skills, Theta couldn't comprehend the meaning of the enigmatic centrepiece.

"River, the words in the middle, can you read them?" Theta asked, hoping that River might help unlock the puzzle.

A heavy silence enveloped the chamber as Theta and River stood before the mysterious bronze doors, their minds buzzing with questions and uncertainty. River shook her head, her voice tinged with both frustration and fascination.

"No, and my datapad refuses to work here. But, I think… this might be the name of the very architects who built this place," she confessed, her eyes narrowed in concentration.

Theta furrowed his brow, lost in thought as he absentmindedly rubbed his chin, feeling the stubble that had already begun to grow on his face. Yet, he had only changed a couple of hours beforehand. It was strange, as if the rate of time itself had shifted.

"Well, whatever caused this is likely behind these doors," River stated firmly, her resolve undeterred. "Now to open them... That might be a challenge."

Theta surveyed the massive bronze doors, realising they lacked handles or any obvious mechanism for opening. Despite his physical strength, he knew that brute force wouldn't work in this case. However, a spark of inspiration lit up his mind.

Stepping back, he motioned for River to do the same, and together, they took a deep breath. River swiftly caught onto Theta’s train of thought. Then, in a hushed voice, Theta spoke a single word, "Awaken."

For a moment, nothing happened, and River raised an amused eyebrow, ready to tease him for trying a mysterious password. But then, a low rumble echoed through the chamber, causing the bronze doors to tremble and materialise away before their very eyes.

A breathtaking sight awaited them on the other side. As the massive bronze doors fully parted, a lush and vibrant garden revealed itself before Theta and River. Bathed in the soft, ethereal glow of a sun-like light hovering near the ceiling, the garden seemed to emanate with life and tranquillity. Flowers of every hue adorned the landscape, their delicate petals gently swaying in an invisible breeze. The air was filled with the intoxicating scents of blooming blossoms, creating an atmosphere of pure serenity.

With their eyes wide in awe, Theta and River stepped into the ancient garden, their senses overwhelmed by the beauty that surrounded them. The once-hidden sanctuary was now a haven of natural magnificence, as if time itself had conspired to preserve this breathtaking sight for the lucky few who would chance upon it.

In the centre of the garden stood a stone table, its surface adorned with intricate carvings and symbols. At its heart rested a small, wooden carving—a seemingly unremarkable ornament that piqued their curiosity. It appeared religious in nature, depicting what seemed to be a celestial figure with outstretched arms, as if embracing the universe itself. The figure was surrounded by other symbols that hinted at profound connections to cosmic forces and the passage of time.

Theta's initial reaction was one of slight disappointment. "That's it?" he responded, glancing at River with a hint of scepticism. Although the garden was a marvel of natural beauty, the small wooden carving didn't appear to be the monumental discovery he had anticipated. "It looks like a child's toy."

River, however, had a contemplative gleam in her eyes, undeterred by the initial impression. She studied the carving more intently, her fingers lightly tracing the intricate engravings. "This might be more significant than it seems," she mused, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"Right, you study that, I'm going to look around outside to make sure we didn't miss anything," Theta retorted, feeling a tinge of frustration with the unremarkable centrepiece. He took one last glance around the garden, finding the rest of the room far more interesting than some wooden piece.

River couldn't help but roll her eyes at her partner's impatience. She understood his eagerness to explore further, but she wanted to make sure they handled the artefact with caution and care.

While River continued to study the wooden carving, Theta ventured back into the darker stone cavern, his mind set on exploring for more clues about the mysterious civilization that had built this sanctuary. As he wandered down the steps and around the chamber, he hoped to uncover more secrets that would shed light on the purpose of this place.

Suddenly, an unusual noise caught his attention, emanating from the entrance of the cave. Curious, he shifted his focus to the noise, and his heart sank as he heard voices—distorted by the masks the individuals were wearing. Hiding behind a nearby wall, Theta listened intently, but the language they spoke was familiar, but the static caused by their masks prevented him from understanding their conversation.

However, he sensed something ominous about the strangers approaching. They sounded tense and well armoured, and their voices changed in tone as they edged closer to his hiding spot. Realising that eavesdropping wouldn't be enough, Theta reached into his pocket and pulled out a small mirror, using it to carefully glance around the corner.

His heart raced as he caught a quick glimpse of the group, and his blood ran cold when he recognized them. These were commandos of Rassilon, ruthless and deadly, known for eliminating anyone who stood in their way. Fear gripped Theta as he knew that even with his gun, he was heavily outnumbered and outmatched.

In a desperate bid to warn River, Theta attempted to bolt back to the garden. Plasma fire whizzed by him, too close for comfort but he expertly used the twists and turns of the cavern as cover. But as he reached the open chamber, panic surged through him as he realised there was nowhere to hide.

"River! H—" he called out, his voice choked with urgency, intending to alert her to the danger just as a burning pain tore through his chest. In that harrowing moment, time seemed to slow down, and the world around him blurred into a chaotic frenzy of sights and sounds. He felt the searing heat of the plasma blast, and his hand instinctively reached for his chest, where his hearts beat erratically.

He stumbled and fell to the ground of the ancient chamber, his vision blurred and his strength rapidly fading. The deadly plasma blast had struck his hearts, leaving him gasping for breath and clinging to consciousness. Blood seeped from the wound, pooling beneath him, and he knew that time was running out.

River's head snapped in the direction of Theta's cry, her eyes widening in horror as she saw him stumble, clutching his chest. Her heart raced as she quickly pieced together the dangerous situation they were in. Panic and adrenaline surged through her veins as she grasped the wooden carving and rushed to cover. This clearly was something of importance to them and there was no way she was letting these murderers get their hands on it.

She exchanged fire with the assailants, her shots precise and skilled, but their numbers were overwhelming. She needed to get to Theta, but the crossfire made it nearly impossible. Fear and desperation welled up inside her, but she knew she couldn't give in to panic.

"Theta, hold on!" she called out, her voice filled with desperation. She knew she had to reach him, to try and save him, but the enemy was relentless, closing in from all sides.

It was fight or flight and River refused to leave Theta to bleed out in front of her. She mustered the strength from all her training and fought back twice as ferociously as the enemy. Each shot was well-calculated, and River never missed.

Theta laid face pressed against the stone-cold floor, the only warmth from the pool of blood slowly reaching his face as he watched her fight, praying to every deity he knew that she could get out safely. Each blink made his eyes more weary, more difficult to keep open. His vision faded from a haze to some clarity as he fought hard to focus.

One long blink later, he could feel gentle hands lifting his head, fingers caressing his cheek. River knelt beside him, a small army of commandos laid dead around them. Theta knew he would join them soon enough. He couldn't even regenerate.

River had to hurry; backup was coming in swiftly. She took off her jacket in a desperate attempt to stop the bleeding, but it was too late. Theta's strength waned, and he struggled to speak.

"River," Theta whispered, his voice weak but filled with love. He tried to reach up to touch her cheek but failed. "You have to go. They're coming. I can't..."

River's heart shattered at his words, but she refused to give in to despair. She had to find a way to save him, to get him out of there. "I'm not leaving you, Theta," she said, her voice determined. "I can't leave you."

"I love you, River," Theta said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Always have... always will."

Tears streamed down River's face as she leaned in to kiss him gently. "I'm not giving up on you, Theta. We'll find a way out of this together," she replied, her voice trembling with emotion.

But even as she spoke those words, she knew the truth. They were trapped, outnumbered, and time was running out. She couldn't bear to lose him, but she also couldn't bear to see him suffer.

Theta tried to smile, glad that even if this was how he died, he managed to warn his wife and save her. His last view would be of her face, in her arms. Exhaustion overwhelmed him, his eyes unable to fight against the weight of death, and his vision finally faded away, his gaze falling to darkness.

With a heavy heart, River reached into her pocket and pulled out her vortex manipulator. She looked into Theta's eyes, his gaze that was filled with love and strength only a moment ago, now empty.

With tears streaming down her face, River activated the vortex manipulator and vanished from the ancient chamber, leaving Theta behind. She materialised in a distant location, far from the danger, but her heart remained with him.

There she could grieve. 

----------------------

Although Theta’s vision had died, his mind greedily held onto what oxygen remained, fighting hard to stay alive. The hearing was supposed to be the last sense to go and then Theta found that to be true. Blind, unable to move or breathe, he could hear his wife finally flee. She was safe and he could die in peace. 

Yet the sound of footsteps, not those of booted commando but those that were barefooted. This was the last sound he could hear. 

----------------------

Many months had passed when Theta awoke, his senses gradually returning to him. He found himself in a hammock made of broad leaves, woven together with remarkable craftsmanship. The room surrounding him was a perfect blend of advanced medical technology and nature's tranquillity. The soft glow of bioluminescent plants illuminated the space, giving it an otherworldly ambiance.

As Theta tried to sit up, he noticed the silhouette of a young man standing nearby. The man's skin had a gentle green tint, and he wore simple beige clothing that seemed to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings. Mildly startled by Theta's awakening, the man turned to face him before spinning around and calling for assistance.

As Theta's eyes grew heavy, the young man approached him with a now calm demeanour, seemingly aware of the Time Lord's struggle to stay conscious. With a gentle touch, the young man rested his hand against Theta's forehead, emitting a soothing warmth that spread through his body. It was an unusual sensation, as if the young man's touch reached deep into his mind.

The young man spoke in a voice that sounded both familiar and alien, his words carrying a peculiar accent, as if he were speaking in several languages at once. Yet, despite the complexity of his speech, the message was clear and repeated several times, "Find the artefact."

Theta wanted to inquire about the artefact, about who this enigmatic man was, and how he knew about it, but his mind was clouded by fatigue and the effects of his injuries. Before he could voice any questions, a wave of drowsiness washed over him, and he sank back into the comforting embrace of the hammock.

His thoughts drifted into a dreamlike state as he slipped into a deep, restful slumber. The young man's words echoed in his mind, and a sense of purpose resonated within him. Even in sleep, his mind seemed to be searching for the artefact, the toy as he called it earlier. He couldn’t understand the importance yet, but knew even with the flashing visions through his mind, he had to find and restore this artefact. 

When Theta regained consciousness again, he found himself resting in a bountiful field, surrounded by vibrant flowers swaying in the gentle breeze. His TARDIS stood several metres away, a comforting sight in the midst of the unfamiliar landscape. Soft cotton-like bandages were wrapped across his chest, indicating that someone had tended to his injuries with care. New clothing, fashioned similarly to his usual attire, adorned his body.

Theta couldn't believe he was still alive. He patted his face and pinched his arm, reassuring himself that he was awake and truly experiencing this miraculous moment. As he took in the beauty of his surroundings, he couldn't help but wonder who had saved him and brought him to this place of tranquillity.

The memory of the young man with the green-tinted skin flashed through his mind, but the building where he had seen him was nowhere to be seen. It was as if it had vanished into thin air. Regardless, Theta felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude towards those who had taken him in and nursed him back to health.

As he made his way back to the TARDIS, he couldn't shake the feeling that this place held secrets beyond his understanding. The blend of advanced technology and natural wonders left him with a sense of awe and curiosity. All he knew now was to find River and see how she is and if she still held onto the artefact. 

[rmegars]

so, about a week ago, I participated on a sort of OC takeover on twitter. essentially, rp as your OC as if they're literally using twitter.

A tabloid device—a laptop—manifests in nothingness itself. Time passes, until a large, bloodstained paw draws near. It seems that oblivion has a sole resident, whose form disintegrates into mist, revealing a tall, disheveled figure looming over the laptop. She retrieves the object, wandering off to whatever an "elsewhere" is to the embodiment of "nowhere." All the while, an ominous presence observes her.

The figure, Yuánshǔ, is a fox spirit turned obsolete. Using the laptop's web-camera, she takes a photo and introduces herself to the website known as "Twitter." Unfortunately, her bloodied, disheveled appearance is her primary form in this abyss. Oddly, she cannot muster the energy to shapeshift or use illusions in order to appear tidy. At this point, the fox spirit knows that she is being watched.

Unfortunately, social media doesn't hold her interest for long. One would think that after being alone for so long, she would leap at the chance to finally connect with someone, regardless of whether they were from her native world or not. Not her, it seems. Perhaps she was too tired. She decides revert to her original form and returns to dormancy, hoping to never awaken ever again. But, like always, her wish was never heard. At some point, she suddenly snaps awake, finally catching a glimpse of the ominous presence stalking her. Whether she got to confront them is unknown. It's hard to tell if she's even mad.

The entity observing Yuánshǔ never showed herself. No name was explicitly said by her, and she only revealed bits and pieces about herself and her motives. All that is known is that she is a mage living on as a spirit, and that she dreams of a world of no limits. The only physical evidence of this spectre is her own staff of gnarly wood, its branches resembling talons grasping the breathtaking, yet foreboding eclipse.

Before the phantom mage took her leave, she decided to reveal a glimpse into the sleeping Yuánshǔ's mind. It's noted that the fox spirit rarely dreamt; when she did, it often resembled her memories. Although the original memory took place in her room, the dream took place in a haze instead. The only things that she could recognize were her own body, the couch, and someone sleeping soundly on her lap. Someone very, very dear to her. Eventually, she found herself slowly draping one of her many tails over them. The way the young one's eyes curved up and crinkled its corners filled Yuánshǔ with a warmth she cannot describe.

content warning / note: the last image depicts a dead kid. not terribly graphic—you might not even find it particularly uncomfortable to look at—but I'm doing this just in case.

The dream faded into the abyss, re-emerging after some time. The room she sat in seemed almost as dark as oblivion, and she could barely acknowledge the form of the sofa, the room, or even her own body. She could only focus on the cold, battered corpse of her child.