#golden mussel

[hellsitegenetics]

Someone showed me this blog because I'm a scientist who sequences stuff for a living but joke's on them because I'm quite neutral about genetic sequences in my off hours; what I do really like are moths.

String identified: t g ca ' a ctt c t a g t ' t ca ' t ta at gtc c ; at a a t.

Closest match: Limnoperna fortunei genome assembly, chromosome: 7 Common name: Golden mussel

[hazel-drawthorne]

Huevember #12

I don't know what tomorrow will bring but this was a toughie. Golden age of hollywood mussel. I don't think this really counts but i gave it my all

[bettysliu]

GOLDEN BAY MUSSELS

[superherobriefings]

Mussel-Man

Creator(s): Unknown

Alias(es): Unknown

1st Issue w/Uniform: Cannonball Comics #1

Year/Month of Publication: 1945/02

pdsh.fandom.com/wiki/Mussel-Man

[fictionandfixation]

Older Bachelor headcanons!

Older Bachelor stardew headcanons because I’ve been playing lots recently! All sfw, some mentions of smoking/alcohol 💕 also please bear in mind I am no SDV expert, so sorry if these go against canon occasionally!

Harvey ☕️🔬📚

• Secret smoking habit that he would rather die than tell anyone about. Not often, but during flu season when he’s stressed, you can find him cooped up in his room with an imported cigar or a Marlboro Gold, an espresso and an Agatha Christie.

• Plays classic soul, funk, golden oldies and jazz in the foyer of the clinic on an old-timey record player, and chooses every day from his large record collection. Frequently irritates Maru with the extent of his Doris Day enjoyment.

• Kind of wide-set - very broad shoulders, and quite tall.

• Packets of salted peanuts and cookies on the clinic foyer desk which he restocks every week.

• Goes to fetch you personally from the mines or Skull Cavern sometimes when you get knocked out. And he also keeps a vintage forest green car behind the clinic to pick you up in. He hopes one day you’ll wake up on the way back and compliment his tasteful vehicle choice or notice he’s bringing you home. You don’t.

• Best friends with Evelyn. Worst enemies with George.

• Tennis player. Plays with whoever will say yes in the mountains and always manages to punt the ball into the lake somehow. Also used to be in a rock climbing club at university, and has sort of sinewy forearms as a result.

• Outrageous flirt after a few glasses of Pinot Noir, mostly because I think he’s on the spectrum but also because I think it would help him stop being quite so nervous.

• Brown suspenders. Every. Single. Day.

• Gives Jas and Vincent candy after their checkup.

• “Sweetheart/honey” as a nickname for you.

Elliott 📜🖋️🐚

• Striped. Matching. Pajamas.

• Finds, forages and cooks mussels when he needs to impress someone. And on that note, very much a French cuisine enjoyer.

• If blue cheese has no fans Elliott is dead.

• Rizz master. Silver tongue. Read so much romance when he was a teenager that it has actively become a part of his personality to be a book boyfriend.

• Very willowy and slender. Metabolism of the gods. Puts away food like it’s nobody’s business.

• Can read several languages, but just can’t master an accent so never uses them in a spoken context. Definitely a student of Latin.

• English accent headcanon! Probably spent the first couple of decades of his life in somewhere high-income like Warwickshire, or (more likely) Cornwall or Exeter, on or near the coast. I am also envisioning him as having been to an old collegiate university like Durham, or maybe a college at Oxford (Merton I reckon).

• Writes and then burns poems about everyone he’s ever been in love with. Starts keeping them when he meets you.

• Chats fashion history with Emily and Haley.

• Religious about his collection of cravat-style ties because he’s seen the Colin Firth Pride and Prejudice a few too many times.

• Frequent book club gatherings with Caroline, Marnie, Robin and Jodi (mostly because mothers love him, the main selling point here being that he has definitely read at least one Jodi Picoult book. He does not remember anything about it, he’s just glad to be invited).

“Dearest/my love” as a pet name.

Shane 🍺🍕🐓

• Snores. Very quiet about it though.

• I know a lot of people HC Harvey as oldest but I reckon it’s Shane. He also acts the most like a bitter old man whereas I feel Harvey is just ‘mature’.

• Could be convinced to grow a beard. Maybe.

• Goes for a jog three times a week. Hates it. Refuses to stop and really isn’t even sure why he does it himself any more.

• Secret Lana Del Rey enjoyer. Mainly a fan of Midwest emo, classic rock, nu metal and sometimes country but the kind of country where they sing about killing people and getting away with it.

• Raised by heavily Christian parents in the Deep South. Yes this is a Southern accent headcanon. Yeehaw.

• Lets Jas put eyeshadow on him sometimes. Shaves properly only when she wants to put makeup on him.

• Craft beer’s number one opp. Wants an ice cold tap Budweiser only, and if there isn’t enough head on it he will be asking for a refund. Not that Gus would ever do that to him.

• Has muscle with padding. Very strong, very wide in stature, but not lean at all. Biceps wider than your neck that you could (and would) use as pillows.

• Makes the most insane hangover breakfast known to man. Bacon. Pancakes. Sausage. Home fries. Butter. Syrup. You’re putting on a bit of healthy relationship weight for sure with Shane as your partner.

• “Darlin’/baby” user. “Sweet cheeks” as a joke. Kind of a joke.

Hope you guys enjoyed these!! I am down irretrievable for Older Bachelor content because I love ✨older men✨

Please let me know if you’d like some more for these characters or the other bachelors and bachelorettes!

[buffetlicious]

Seafood Thermidor baked till golden-brown on top with creamy sauce and gooey cheese. I could only make out the prawns and mussels embedded in the sticky cheese. Next up, Black Angus Beef Gulai which is a spicy beef curry commonly found in the Malay Archipelago. Initially I had thought that it was beef rendang.

A huge salmon swimming in shallow tomato gravy caught everyone’s attention while basking under the heat lamp and sitting atop the induction warmer. Whole Norwegian Salmon with Tomato Basil Coulis soon had diners digging into the side for the flaky flesh with tangy tomato puree.

Seafood in Mushroom Essence was like a herbal seafood pot filled to the brim with an assortment of shellfish and crustaceans. I should have noticed there were king crab legs in there as one lady was cherry-picking out all the crab legs into her bowl. As for me, I only managed to find one miserable piece to comfort myself. Subsequent top up doesn’t come with any more king crab legs in it. :(

There was Seafood Porridge and Herbal Chicken Soup to help yourself with but I did no such thing. For the porridge, there were nine condiments like pickled vegetables, beans, crispy anchovies etc. to pick from including two sauces.

[sanjoongie]

𝙵𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚏 & 𝙽𝚘𝚘𝚍𝚣

🐍Pairing: Snake Familiar! Seonghwa x Witch! Reader (f) x Cat Familiar! San

🐈‍⬛️Genre: Fluff, angst, adventure

💧Au: witch au, supernatural au, fantasy au, familiars au, shapeshifter au, magical au

🐍Trope: savior love

🐈‍⬛️Rating: PG-13, MDNI

💧Warnings: mentions of familiars bonded against their will, escaping from an oppressed warlock, magical abuse

🐍Word Count: 2,147

🐈‍⬛️Summary: when a seemingly random cat and snake show up at your front door, you're pulled into a whirlwind story that poses you as the hero for the two

💧A/N: to my dearest Haru @stardragongalaxy. I hope your birthday can be a good one. You are my strength when I am feeling down. That's apparent with this tiny plot bunny that's been alive between us for almost a year now. Floof and Noodz have always been there to comfort me and that's because of you. I'm finally breathing some life into that story so that we can both share in the comfort of them. Happy Birthday!

You stepped out of your humble cottage by the sea and breathed in deeply of the salty air. You stretched for a moment, enjoying the tranquil morning before heading towards your tide pool. Inside was coral, kelp and mini sea creatures. You frowned when you saw your seahorse in the top right quadrant. Why did your tidepool project that you were going on an adventure when the most you planned to do was shuck some mollusks?

Then you saw the most peculiar thing while peering over the stone wall of your land. A very black cat was making its way over the black sand dunes surrounding your home. You thought perhaps he was lost but his path appeared very determined. Must be someone’s familiar out and about. You confirmed such when you spotted a pink collar around its neck. 

Satisfied that there was nothing wrong with the world, you went to your shed to acquire your sturdy boots and some strips of cloth to tie back your sleeves and skirts, and grabbed a basket you had weaved of dry grass. 

You made your way to the cliffs that always had a good amount of mussels clinging to the rock, swinging your basket and humming a pirate’s ditty under your breath. Thinking of how you also needed to resupply your storage cupboard of the pretty black mussel shells, you aimed to pick big ones, hoping that the insides provided for a good supper later as well. 

Oddly enough, the black cat you had spotted early chose a spot high above you on the rocks, watching you with dark eyes. You tipped your floppy hat in greeting and went back to your work. You found an awful lot of mussels, huge ones, a better haul than you had ever acquired and started to get suspicious. 

You stared at the black cat, unblinking and licking its paw, a little too casually. Every witch knew black cats were bad luck. You froze in alarm when the pink collar around the cat’s neck began to move but that’s when you realized that it wasn’t a collar. In fact, it was a tiny pink snake that had wound itself safely and securely around the cat’s neck. It slithered until its small head was on top of the black cat’s, tongue slithering out, scenting the air around it.

Curious but well aware the pair were none of your business, you made your way back to your cottage. You worked on the outside water pump, luring fresh water to wash most of the salt water from the mussels you had gathered. You shrieked and fell on your ass when the same black cat from the rock’s was suddenly on top of your pump.

The black cat raised its hair and hissed back at you. “Well, that’s not a very nice hello,” You muttered under your breath. 

The snake and cat exchanged a look. Suddenly, with a poof of golden starred smoke, the black cat changed into a human. “You’re the one that screamed because of me,” the man pouted when he spoke.

The snake was still in snake form, around the black-cat-now-man’s neck still. He was dressed in a flowing white shirt and tight black pants but he didn’t like he was in the best of shape, the clothes quite shabby and bags under his eyes. His dark hair was long and he shook it out of his face. He sported a chain that connected from his ear to his lip, piercings in both parts there. He was quite handsome. You shook your head. That was besides the point. 

You brushed yourself off of sand as you stood up. “And you, sir, are on my land, without permission.”

The man stood a bit straighter at the formality. “Mistress Witch, with your permission, my companion and I are seeking refuge. Would you allow us a day and a night on your land and in your cottage? Allow us to break bread and drink merrily at your table?”

You sighed. It was a harmless but formal request. The fact that he had responded in kind to your language meant that he was definitely a familiar and knew of the laws that governed all the witches and warlocks. 

“A day and a night is granted,” You agreed. You sent a dirty look at your tide pool and you could have sworn your mini dolphin sassily flipped in the water in response. 

The black cat introduced himself as San and the snake was Seonghwa. San immediately hauled the collection of mussels inside, aiding in shucking them while you chattered about a few recipes you contemplated cooking them into. 

The silence lulled and your eyes were drawn to the sparkly eyes of the snake around San’s neck. “Will your companion be joining us?” You wondered.

San ran a fond finger over Seonghwa’s scales. “He’s…shy. He’ll probably stay in his snake form for our visit.”

Seonghwa raised his head off of San’s collarbone and flickered his tongue at you. Then he slithered down San’s shirt, into his sleeve, and stuck his head out from the cuff of San’s sleeve. His tongue flickered again and then he looked back at San.

“Seonghwa says you taste like good magic,” San supplied. 

You laughed abruptly. “Do I?”

San frowned, unsure if you were mocking him or not. “You could say we’re not used to that.”

You tilted your head. “Wait. You’re truly seeking safety? You weren’t just offering a formality?”

San scratched the back of his head, avoiding your gaze. “It’s just for a bit. We won’t inconvenience you longer than we agreed on.”

If San wasn’t going to supply the reason for needing safety, you weren’t going to pry. You’d had your fair share of people passing through. So you cooked up the mussels in a wonderful white wine and ate in companionable silence with San. You were about to wash up the dishes but San insisted on doing that too. He was quite polite for a guest. 

Then as day turned into evening, and there was only the snap and pop of the fire while you sat in front of it, you found yourself lulled into a sense of warmth by the fire and fell asleep. You woke up to shouting from San and it was not a nice way to wake up.

“Seonghwa! Stop eating that right now!” San protested.

You blinked your eyes clearly and found that Seonghwa was three quarters of the way through chomping down on your imbued narwhal horn that acted as your staff. You stood up quickly, magic sparkling from your fingertips. 

San stood in front of Seonghwa immediately to stop you. “Wait, I know how this looks!”

“Like I offered you safety stupidly and now you’re stealing my staff!” You growled.

At this point, there was simply the tip left to consume and you took a step forward. “Either he stops or I’m about to suck you both into such a strong, magical maelstrom you won’t know up from down.”

“He can’t stop once he’s started, I’m sorry,” San apologized, “We’ll help you replace your staff.”

You watched with a heavy heart as the pink snake finished consuming your staff and shrunk back to his teeny tiny size. Then he slithered up San’s leg and found his place back around San’s neck. You narrowed your eyes at the offending creature. 

“That staff has been passed down from generation to generation. I use it to push away big storms or to help wrecked ships! There’s no way--”

“There’s a warlock after us who is looking to suck away all our power for himself!” San shouted suddenly.

It took you a moment to process this information and still it didn’t quite hit home. “What?”

San sighed heavily and took a seat in one of your wonderfully constructed, ‘filled with sea-foam’ chairs. He wiggled until he was comfortable and then began. He spun a tale of how Seonghwa and he were powerful familiars. They had not bonded with any witch or warlock. Then one day they met a warlock with a charming grin. He introduced himself as Hongjoong. The warlock was indeed powerful, but with a familiar already. The hawk Hongjoong held on his arm was Yunho but he didn’t look good; his feathers weren’t healthy and Seonghwa sensed something wrong with the hawk. San and Seonghwa both declined to agree to a bond with Hongjoong but as it turned out, Hongjoong didn’t need them to agree. He was capable of twisting familiars to be his without an agreement. The two had been fleeing from Hongjoong since they fought with the warlock. 

“Is that why Seonghwa ate my staff?” You demanded tiredly.

San nodded. “I’m sorry. It was like an instinct for him. I had fallen asleep too after the yummy meal you made us.” He sent you an apologetic smile. 

You stood up, unable to sit down any longer with the energy inside of you. “I’ll have to cast a spell. Perhaps a magical fog to suppress your auras. That will keep you hidden for a bit, at least. But you’ll have to stay here.”

San frowned at you in confusion. “Why would you help us? Especially when Seonghwa just ate your staff?”

“I… I will not stand for anyone to be bullied,” You said adamantly, “This Hongjoong must be stopped.”

San raised his hand to run a reassuring finger down Seonghwa’s head but found that there was no snake around his neck. You both looked around in alarm but as it turned out, Seonghwa had slithered to your chair and was hovering on the arm of it. You inched your hand forward, pulling back when Seonghwa’s head reared back, but when you offered your hand palm up, Seonghwa slithered until he was coiled up in the palm of your hand. 

You brought him up to your face, still not pleased with your staff being eaten. “You, sir, are going to have to do a lot of apologizing.”

Seonghwa, whether in response or simply to taste if your magic was still good, flickered his tongue out at your nose, almost kissing it. “Seonghwa!” San scolded him.

You glanced towards San. “Did he… say anything?”

“He says the narwhal horn tasted yummy and he was wondering if you had more for him to eat,” San admitted.

You couldn't help but laugh despite the situation. You shook your finger at Seonghwa. “No more magical item consuming, please. If you want me to help you with Hongjoong, I’m going to need all the help I can get!”

You went outside, about to pass Seonghwa back to San but instead, the snake wound himself around your wrist instead. You lifted your eyebrows up at San but he shrugged, not sure what Seonghwa was intending. 

You raised your arms and called upon your powers to summon a fog that could cloak everything it touched. The fog appeared along your ankles and swirled around the sand until finally you couldn't see the sea or anything outside of the limits of your land. When you were done, you looked down to see Seonghwa was shining, iridescent and neon pink. You looked over to San, whose eyes were now shining a bright purple. You checked your inner well of magic and it was like you hadn't cast a very large spell at all.

“Did you help me?” You took a shot in the dark.

“It’s the least we could do,” San smiled, showing some dimpled cheeks. 

That night you slept in your hammock, hanging up a spare for San in the sunroom of your cottage. But when you woke up the next morning, from a tickle on your arm, you found that San had turned back into a cat and had curled up on your chest. You stretched for a yawn, holding San very carefully and depositing him into the hammock where he remained slumbering as a cat.

You moved into the kitchen and found a very tall, pink-haired man standing there. He turned around and shot a pink beam of magic at you, which you very quickly ducked out of the way. 

“Oh--no! I’m so sorry! That was instinct! I didn’t mean to harm you!” The large man’s eyes began to shake in worry. 

“At least I didn’t--” Your mouth shut when you saw the hole that was now in your fireplace. “Oh, Seonghwa.”

The black cat bound into the kitchen, meowing loudly and entwining around your ankles in comfort. Seonghwa smiled painfully, “We’ll help you with that too.”

You rubbed your temples in worry and tried to smile back. It was going to be a bit before the two of them trusted you but perhaps a few fumbles on the way would build a rapport between the three of you. Only time would tell and you hoped you had plenty of that before Hongjoong descended on you all.

[pwlanier]

The largest Scottish river pearl found in living history, the Abernethy Pearl is a remarkably perfect example, found in 1967 by Scotland’s last pearl fisherman, William (Bill) Abernethy.

There has always been an allure which has drawn mankind to natural pearls, be they saltwater or freshwater, and since antiquity, civilisations have valued them for their physical, and often mystical properties. The Ancient Greeks believed they would ensure marital bliss when worn by a bride on her wedding day, while the Romans believed they could provide a long and healthy life.

Our frenzy for these natural treasures reached a true crescendo in the early 20th century, when they became the ultimate signifier of wealth and status. Such was the case in the US when, in 1917, keen to acquire the natural pearl necklace his wife had seen at Cartier, the New York financier Morton Plant exchanged the jewel for his 5th Avenue townhouse. The prestigious central Manhattan location remains Cartier’s flagship American Maison to this day.

In Scotland, the pearl has had an illustrious history, and if natural saltwater pearls are a rarity, the natural Scottish river pearl is something else indeed. It is believed that only one in every five thousand mussels found in Scottish rivers contains a pearl, and generally they are smaller than their saltwater cousins. Today the mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera) in which Scottish pearls grow are dangerously close to extinction and are rightly a protected species.

Historians have postulated that the desire for Scottish pearls was one of Julius Caesar’s incentives for his invasion of Britain in 55BC; he was known as an avid pearl collector. Indeed, the popularity of these rare specimens continued into the Victorian era, fuelled by Queen Victoria’s passion for all things Scottish. The largest Scottish river pearl ever found, the famous Kellie Pearl, is set on the Crown of Scotland which dates to the 1540s. It remains housed and on view to visitors at Edinburgh Castle today.

William (Bill) Abernethy

William (Bill) Abernethy, famously known as Scotland’s last pearl fisherman, seems to have understood the danger of the demand for these rare specimens intuitively. In 1967 he found the now famous Abernethy Pearl, second only in fame to the aforementioned Kellie Pearl, and though he never disclosed where exactly he found it (likely to discourage fortune hunters trying their own luck), it was purportedly wrapped in a dock leaf to keep it from scratching, before he took it to jewellers Cairncross of Perth, where it remained until recently.

As the largest Scottish river pearl found in living history, weighing 43.6 grains, the Abernethy Pearl is a remarkably perfect example. Bill had been trained how to fish for pearls by his father, and had a rare understanding of the mussels and the rivers in which they could be found. During the 1970s, wildlife cameraman Doug Allen worked with Bill as a pearl diver, and in Bill’s 2021 obituary he noted how he was able to discern from the size and shape of the mussel as to the likelihood of it containing a pearl; enabling him to pick carefully and leave undisturbed many of the other mussels, better maintaining their numbers and health.

It is believed the Abernethy Pearl (affectionately known as ‘Little Willie) could have been quietly growing in its mussel for over 80 years before it had been found by Bill. It is interesting to think that 80 years prior to Bill plucking it from the water, was the Golden Jubilee year of 1887, evoking images of Queen Victoria tramping the heather with her pony Fyvie and servant John Brown while the pearl was quietly growing.

Lyon and Turnbull

[ghostsslutss]

🌊 } at peace. for once. 18+

"Isn't this incredible, love? Just like racing, it's all about balance. Cheers to our endless adventures." - fernando alonso

1/2

f! user x fernando alonso impiled smut

The sillage of the briny air revitalises my senses. It was a golden day, the sun was shining peacefully and Fernando was finally free stewards and Mike Krack. However, Fernando had to do a photoshoot for some random brand at a seaside resort on Spain's Costa Tropical. Then, we can finally relax, without any worries.

For once. There were five people managing Fernando while I sat on the second floor of the yacht. I was reading a book, while I heard multiple shutter clicks. Photographer telling Alonso how to pose in the beacon of light. Fernando was wearing a white Ralph Lauren shirt, white shorts and a black belt with plain shoes to match it.

“Okay Fernando, we have finished everything. We’ll get back to you soon. Okay?”

One of the members of the photoshoot team told him as they slowly walked off the yacht. Taking a final glance at him and waving goodbye.

"¡Perfecto! Gracias a todos por su trabajo. Can't wait to see the photos. Vamos a terminar y prepararnos para el próximo desafío."

He flashed his pearly whites and waved goodbye to the rest. Quickly he rushed to you, tackling you from behind. Hugging you softly. You felt his stubble rubbing against your silky hair.

“Hello, Princesa.”

He chimed.

“Hiya Fernando.”

You replied.

“Why don’t I make you something, come down to the first floor, Querida.”

He offered, holding his hand to you, taking it he gently lead you downstairs to the lower floor. Watching your every move so you don’t slip. He silently told you to sit down, signalling you by nodding his head. He was like your guarddog, protecting you from everyone and everything. That would do anything, even die for you. His love couldn’t be written by songs, poetry or anything else. Except for cooking.

He kissed you on your forehead, slowly drifting away to the kitchen while you stared at the beautiful ocean. The sun highlighted all of your beautiful curves. In a cosy kitchen, he stands over a wide pan, sizzling with olive oil. They toss in onions, garlic, and colourful bell peppers, filling the air with a savoury fragrance. Saffron threads follow, turning the oil a sunny gold.

With practised hands, Alonso adds chicken and a medley of seafood—shrimp, mussels, and squid—each piece searing to perfection. A sprinkle of rice spreads out, soaking up the flavours. Fragrant broth joins in, bubbling gently as it melds with the ingredients.

A few stirs and adjustments later, fresh peas and tomatoes add bursts of color. The kitchen fills with the enticing aroma of the simmering paella. Finally, Fernando plates up the vibrant dish, a masterpiece of flavours and love, ready to share with their wife.

“Here you go, my love.”

I’d smile at him, pleased with my meal. Every bite felt like a new heaven, and tasted so good. I felt like Remmy from ratatouille.

Hours pass by, we would take in the sea and moonlight. Talking about the Media and other silly things. But there was a tension, a barrier that needed to be broken. Something to be snapped. Fernando ran through my hair, sitting next to me. I knew he needed something, his fingers trailed against my thin clothing to my thighs. Slowly rubbing it in circles.

“Cariño..Please.. Can I.?”

He’d squeeze your thigh for extra attention. He needed you, so fucking badly. The submissiveness finally gleamed in his eyes. He wanted you.

“Go on, I know you want it.”

[bonefall]

Herb Guide: Basic Hygiene

A quick aside for @kingmystrie​ who has a stinky Clanmate

[Image ID: sketch of a cat licking its outstretched leg]

For the most part, a healthy warrior can be expected to keep themselves perfectly clean. Cats have special tongues with ridges on them perfectly evolved to keep their coats shiny and healthy.

When a Clan cat is long-furred, sick or elderly, or displaying signs of mental distress, the Clan will give them special attention to keep them clean. This is not just a job for the medicine cat; allo-grooming is a social behavior, close to the heart of a collectivist cat culture.

Herbs only come into play when hygiene becomes a health problem. The two most common issues are Mats and Fleas.

Mats

Time to clear up a common misconception; a mat is not a knot. A mat is what happens when a knot tangles with a bunch of other knots, wrapping up dead skin, dirt, layers of shed fur, and other gross debris into a solid mass. If a mat has formed, there’s been a breakdown in proper care!

When they do form, they are likely to form where the cat has trouble reaching, like the lower back.

Not only are mats filthy, but they can also pose a health hazard by weakening and pulling painfully on the skin below, allowing infection to take root. Mats must be removed as quickly as possible, before they become too large. Taking care of mats can take several painful, time-consuming days.

Oil made from flax seeds can be use to lubricate and loosen them, if the mat is not too large to be a lost cause. Carefully brush with claws, teeth, or a bone comb, if your Clan is capable of simple carving.

The best treatment is to carefully shave the area. A sharpened mussel shell, or a flint or stone blade will do. Take care to not cut the skin below, which could be thin and sensitive from bearing a mat.

Fleas

Aside from ticks which are treated with the infamous canonical mouse bile, fleas are another concern to Clan cats. While they’re only annoying to adult cats, they can sicken elders and kill kittens if they become a camp-wide infestation.

Prevention

Fleas can’t be completely eliminated, but Clans go to great lengths to keep them at bay. Cedar chips are used as den flooring, especially in the nursery, producing a fresh pine smell that insects can’t stand.

Mint can be planted around the camp and rubbed into fur to repel fleas and prevent them from leaping onto a patrolling warrior; but this is kept away from the nursery as mint is extremely poisonous and babies have a bad habit of putting things in their mouths.

Treatment

“barkface what do if flea outbreak bad TIME SENSITIVE“ -Kestrelpaw, desperately texting StarClan

For a VERY bad flea infestation, an herbal bath is an easy but detested solution. A large clay bowl (or, in SkyClan, a stolen birdbath) is filled with water for soaking, vinegar for killing, and a blend of mint and lavender for repellent. From there, the unfortunate warrior is plunged in, usually yowling and crying, and forced to soak for an hour.

Repeat for every. Single. Infested warrior. Even if they are WAILING LIKE BABIES.

They must be prevented from licking clean after this bath. Licking the bathwater off will poison the Warrior from the mint. Since it’s only a repellent, the mint could be optional, but WILL be included if the camp is actively infested... in spite of the soaked warrior’s grumblings.

The number one flea-killer, bar none, the GOLDEN KING of bug eradication, is none other than SALT. In addition to being a seasoning, having as much salt as possible in the medicine cat den is invaluable for controlling flea breakouts. Salt will be added to the herbal bath when it’s available.

In the Forest Territories, there was no salt. In the Lake Territories, collecting salt takes a long journey to the beach, and a patrol capable of carrying it home. As far as the Clans are concerned, salt works miracles so these trips are scheduled visits.

[lionsongfr]

Crystalline Gala Cuisine

Been a bit since I made a festival cuisine, and since my old ones have been circulating, I guiltily figured I should make one for the Gala before it ends. ��Gaolers and Tundras are both herbivores (though Gaolers also eat meat), but I headcanon that like most herbivores they will opportunistically eat fish, insects, and meat when given the chance. The dishes have a bit more mixing than the previous cuisine; in the Icefield you eat what you can and as much as you can to survive. Potato Onions are my replacement for potatos, because FR needs potatoes (and citrus and tomatoes and wheat and rice and spices).

Seeker Stew- originally a stew of necessity for traveling Seekers, it was made of dried Sea Grass, small Cragside Mussels, canned Common Minnows, Sour Elk milk, and spoiled Turnips. The dish was transformed back home, using fresh Spinach, meaty Olympia Oysters, Jumbo Shrimp, new Potato Onions, and…sour Snowfall Elk milk. Funk is flavor!

Shalefin in a Fur Coat- this uniquely named dish is a layered salad, like the layers of a Tundra fur coat. It is made of finely sliced pickled Shalefin fillets, grated Potato Onion, Gradish, and Honeycrisp Apple, and chopped hard-boiled Flecked Bushrunner eggs. The key binding ingredient is a flavorful mayonnaise made of Elk tallow, Dappled Clucker yolks, and dill.

Bear in a Cave Dumplings-a favorite of the Fae scholars of the Frozen Sanctum. It is a boiled or fried Potato Onion dumpling filled with fried Wooly Bear, Wild Onion, and Dryad's Saddle. It can be served with melted Elk milk butter and Winter’s Delight jam or a white sauce spiced with dried Dusky Mealworm and imported Golden Pepper.

Tundra Grub- a dish named after the main protein of the dish: a sausage filled with Tundra Grub meat, Longneck-grown oats, and Elk blood. The sausage is fried along with strips of Tundra Cactus before being added to an earthy brown sauce of Mycena Mushroom and Earthworms. It is typically served with an unleavened flatbread made of rye or Longneck oats, or a mash of Potato Onion.

Woodland Turkey Dinner- this was once a seasonal dish, but now is common year-round. While the star of the dinner is the roasted Woodland Turkey, the side dishes are just as essential. The most common is: Deep Sea Lobster and Jumbo Shrimp stuffing, roasted Winter Brussel Sprouts with a Superberry vinegarette, Tundra Grub and Potato Onion mash with Mycena Mushroom gravy, and Stonecorn rolls with Elk cheese and White Lace Honeybee honey. And last but not least, a Cinnamon and Honeycrisp Apple pie. A heavy dinner said to put even Sentinels to sleep!

Trunk Cheese- not actually cheese, but a cold meat dish made of fresh Bullephant Trunk (or Mammophant, though it is not as tasty).  The meat of the trunk is removed and cooked in a mix of spices and Wild Onion, and then poured and set with gelatin in the skin of the trunk. Slices are cut from the trunk and served upon rye bread with strong Wild Mustard and pickled Gradish.   

Edamame Soup and Pancakes- a popular yet odd combination of savory and sweet. This dish features a Chilled Edamame soup (heated of course, the chilled variety of plants grow better in the hot houses of Icefield) with large chunks of smokey Elk bacon, a sprinkle of thyme, and a dollop of Wild Mustard. The pancakes are made of nutty and mildly sweet Amaranth flour and served with Winter’s Delight jam. The soup is traditionally dished with a silver spoon, after a mighty Tundra king was poisoned by his favorite soup.

Warden’s Delight- a dessert, a snack, a spread upon rye bread, and a delight to every hatchie. It is a mix of Elk tallow, Spotted Seal or Wooly Walrus oil, fresh snow, and Winter’s Delight. As the mixture is whipped into fluffy peaks, it is traditional to sing “Warden’s Delight to fight off the night, no Shade or beast shall fill my sight. Drive away the hunger, drive away the cold, fill my belly and make me bold.”

Frozen Bouquet- flowers are rarity in the Southern Icefield, but this bouquet is made from flash-frozen flowers and fruits. After thawing they are quickly coated in a thin layer of crystalized maple syrup and then arranged into a bouquet. Often the bouquets have hidden meanings like Pretty Pink Mums for courting. Winterbelle for strength, and Wolfsbane for warning. But what every Tundra fears the most is a bouquet of Black Tulips.

 Crisp Morning Cider- Vodka is life to Ice Flight, the warmth in one’s chest in a land where winter never ends. And while most drink it “neat”, when rations are low then cocktails are the answer!  This drink is a common morning warmer and is a mix of White Lace Honeybee honey with hot water, Vodka, Honeycrisp Apple cider, and Cinnamon.

Boreal Brew-a tea made from the leaves of whatever green tree is available. Birch, Fir, Spruce, and Pine can all be brewed into an astringent tea with a citrus-y aftertaste. Unfortunately, Birch, Fir, and Spruce are typically harvested during Spring-Summer- but Pine is harvested during December. To help remove the bitter taste, Pine can be fermented with sugar for a week to a month (fermentation time depending on temperature) and then filtered and served as cold tea.

[laurasimonsdaughter]

What if Disney adapted The White Snake?

Ohh an obscure one!

(I'm genuinely curious if you want to know about Disney adapting this, or if you mostly want my opinion on the fairy tale, because if it's the latter I need everyone to know that you can barge into my asks any time requesting my take on anything folklore without any sort of framing device!)

That aside, I think a story like this with a straightforward "solve impossible tasks to gain a reward" plot would probably do best as a Mickey Mouse adaptation. These vibes:

The travel and completion of the tasks can be funny and full of slapstick and at the end there's a cute wedding with Princess Minnie.

This is a fairly simple story, the characters don't have a lot to them, but it does have some of my favourite fairy tale tropes:

I stole someone's dinner and now I have a magic power

Being able to talk to animials is the Best Boon

What are the odds I came across two different kings that want me to find a golden ring (if I had a nickle for every time, etc.)

A ring cast into the sea will always end up in a creature (but it's a mussel this time, not a fish!)

The Tree of Life at the End of the World

Great stuff

[twistedapple]

A Promised Dinner

@dmagedgoods this is for your Raphael Romance project!

A quill in hand, Raphael was mulling over a list. He prided himself as an excellent host and while it was far from being his first time elaborating a meal plan, he still wanted this one to be perfect. After all, he wasn’t inviting just anybody, oh no. A client, certainly, but his best one to count, and honours had to be given. After all, it was thanks to this most cherished client that he could finally have claimed the Crown of Karsus as his. Centuries to wait for an oversight from Mephistopheles, then decades of careful planning to put every piece in place, one step at a time, from Ketheric Thorm’s downfall to allowing that brat Gortash to escape the House of Hope – a humiliating moment to be sure, but the young man’s ambition had not been missed by the devil, and having given him a taste for absolute power to fully exploit behind the scene had proven particularly fruitful. Of course, his little mouse’s existence had also been a blessing, and not just for the Crown, oh no. An Air Genasi sorceress with djinni ancestry such as hers could bring him so much more, he had spent a decade preparing her for her purpose – placing her at the right place, at the right time to get him the Crown of Karsus was a highly convenient bonus, as well as the perfect occasion to dig his claws a bit more into her.

He did promise her a dinner as she signed the contract in Sharess Caress – not the first meal they shared, not the last either, but one to celebrate the very first direct contract between them after 10 years of patient work on his part to make her willingly surrender to him.

Raphael felt particularly generous and started considering her preferred dishes to include them in the menu. She hailed from Calimport and favoured dishes with fish and seafood, rich with flavour and spices. A thought crossed his mind and he chuckled while writing down some suggestions – stuffed squid would certainly be an appropriate choice. Mussel dolma with spicy rice would also be a good fit, as well as a fish casserole with chilli flakes... As for the meat, of course he’d set something rare – undoubtedly the best way to enjoy red meat, but he did have a soft spot for manti, pastries filled with marinated lamb. Lentil croquettes and slow-cooked vegetables could make for a fine accompaniment.

The wind rose and brought noises from the deep valley below the House of Hope. At any other time, Raphael would have paid attention to it, as it pertained to his legions facing what remained of Zariel’s own forces, but for once he let his commanders do as ordered without direct intervention. Why not let the Archduchess of Avernus enjoy her last moments before her second fall? He did wish to see her anguish as it grew, but he’d witness its apogee soon enough. Thinking about it made him all the more eager, and he went back to his new menu with a light heart.

* * *

When Raphael took her to the Nine Hells, Nuria didn’t bat an eye. Although an event rare enough to be counted on a single hand, it was not her first time visiting Avernus and she quickly recognised the foyer with its luxurious marbles and golden trims. As per the decade-long habit of leaving notes to her whenever he had a specific request, Nuria had made sure to be dressed appropriately by picking an ensemble she’d usually wear while at the Palace of Calimport. The golden jewellery ornating her Calishite headdress clicked softly as she moved, its deep amethysts catching the light with each step.

As the devil led her to the Feast Hall, she was quick to catch on the preparations – spices she knew all too well could be caught over the more infernal scent of the place, and as soon as her eyes fell on the table full with fragrant dishes, she failed to contain herself and clapped as she gave Raphael a teasing smile.

-You even went as far as picking some of my favourite dishes. Is that a bribe?

-Are you questioning my generosity? I am hurt!

-Know that your generosity is always welcome and appreciated.

As they kept exchanging quips, both of them took a seat and slowly started digging in. While Nuria had already been wined and dined by Raphael before, doing so in his own home was a first for her. Knowing his preference towards luxury, she was neither surprised nor disappointed by what was offered to her. In fact, it was even dangerously close to spoiling her faithfulness towards certain food stalls in Calimport, as well as her preferences in wine when she got a taste of what he had in his cellar. The Genasi wasn’t sure whether she should be impressed or annoyed at that realisation – maybe a bit of both.

Raphael delected himself not only with the meal, but with the woman’s reactions as well – finely controlled, as was expected from a spymaster, yet still visible for someone as practiced as him. This decade had been a slow process, but he was far from done with her – his plans still stood as far as she was concerned, and maintaining her growth would be crucial in that aspect if he wanted her to grant him everything. A generous evening was nothing compared to what she would end up giving him.

[balladofthewhitehorse]

Weekly Rituals

After Scotland is swept out to sea, England is taken by some kindly villagers to the sea every week; It is equal parts to grieve, as much as it is to ensure that he does not fear the sea.

‘’It’ll be okay, lad.’’ Sighed the sea, as it lapped patiently against the boat, in his brother’s voice.

The sky was drawn across the horizon like a woollen shawl, and the wind ran icy-fingers through his  hair. The wood creaked beneath the white of his knuckles - England’s eyes drawn and as miserable as oysters; watery, grey and dire. The miserable soul huddled at the end of the boat simply looking wretchedly towards the waning land - as they were both slowly swallowed up by the sea and sky (two halves of a jaw closing around them). Gulls wheeled overhead, lazy and lofty as they skimmed the bobbing waves with raucous cries, England propping his chin in the palm of his hand as they continued to sail through this world of blue, grey and white. A net strewn out from the side of the boat, lazily gathering reams of silvery fish that moved in sinuous, almost-hypnotising motion; The rivers had been dwindling lately, and England’s taste of fish was beginning to become increasingly confined to midday daydreams of carp and trout. ‘’Ælfric…’’ He whined plaintively, swaying from side-to-side as the boat rocked in the sea’s drifting motion, salt clinging to his cheeks. ‘’...I want to…I need to go back. Please.’’ They had been hunting for oysters and mussels and whelks, for samphire. And now…

The fisherman looked on solemnly, as the cliffs slipped further and further away. ‘’It’ll be okay. Just…’’ He sucked in a draw of air between his crooked teeth, as his passenger whined from the bow, a weariness set deep into the furrows of his face. ‘’...Just keep looking at the sea, Edmund.’’ It had only been a few weeks since the boy’s brother had been lost, swallowed in the night by pitch-dark waters. They weren’t farmers, not since the fields had been burned. ‘’Isn’t it beautiful, lad? Keep looking, it’s important.’’ A pale-white sun pierced the clouds, lifting the early morning drizzle from the surface of the waters, revealing a mosaic of greens and blues. ‘’Keep-’’ 

England squeezed his eyes shut, trembling. ‘’Take me back, Ælfric’’ Puffs of sea-spray tousled his hair, and the boat slowly took on a more brotherly motion (perched on Scotland’s shoulders, as they walked by the river - swaying lightly from side to side, the sunlight golden on their cheeks). ‘’Please.’’ England clenched his fists, nails digging into the soft palms of his hands, as the sea continued to roll the boat gently from side to side (his brother - walking again, telling him about the lines upon lines of neatly arranged soldiers he had faced down; Silver swords and brassy confidence) Most likely a story, some fib Scotland had told him to make him seem cooler - but, England missed those right now, with a stone-heavy ache in his ribs. ‘’I need to go back-!’’ 

An unexpected sob caught England in the chest, like knuckles meeting his heart.

‘’You can’t hide away from the sea forever-’’ Ælfric began with a grave frown, the keel of the boat cutting through the waves like a knife through butter, a silvery trail unspooling from behind them both. ‘’-Come on, Edmund.’’ The fisherman tutted, watching the young boy’s face shift from weariness to a bitter frustration as the sea sighed around them. ‘’It’s always going to be a part of your life, you’ve got to be able to face it.’’ Salt clung to peppery hair as the fisherman adjusted the rudder, turning the boat in a slow, lazy arc towards the pale, northern sun as it drifted by. ‘’Edm-’’ 

 England’s eyes flashed like a burning field, embers sparking in the green of his iris. ‘’I’m not hiding.’’ He hissed sharply, teeth bared in a snarl. His sister had told him, clutching the back of his shirt as she squeezed him tight, that they weren’t like other people. England had asked her what she had meant, but the woman had simply gone very quiet (a dragon, retreating to its lonely cave with a hiss of red scales). He hoped that it was something good - something that would keep the breath in his brother’s lungs a little longer. ‘’I need to find him!’’ He spat, nose wrinkled with fury. 

The fisherman regarded him with sad, grey eyes. ‘’He’s not there anymore, lad. He’s dead.’’ The sea burbled in agreement, dark swirls of malevolent green and white sending the boat drifting across the choppy waves. ‘’He’s dead.’’ The man repeated once more, frustrated strain making his words creak like age-old wood. ‘’Stop shouting at me. You’ll rock the boat.’’ Ælfric drew in a weary, impatient breath as Edmund’s expression contorted into anguish, then into anger. ‘’Calm down.’’ A strain crept into his voice, impatient (a sudden swell of wind that pulled the air from beneath a bird’s wings; England froze, transfixed and trembling with ire). ‘’Sit down. Calm down.’’ Look at the sea. 

[thehollowwriter]

The Official Bio of Morrigan Clearcove

Basic Info:

Name: Morrigan Clearcove

Homeland: The Coral Sea

Species: Cookie cutter shark mer

Birthday: 12th October

Age: 50 something(technically, he would be in his 60s...)

Height/length: 158cm

Dominant hand: Right

Unique magic: [REDACTED]

Family:

Husband: Silas Clearcove

Unnamed grandfather (in-law)

Unnamed mother

Unnamed father

Unnamed siblings

Unnamed cousins

Son: Finn Cl- what are you talking about? He and Silas haven't given names yet! There's six on the way, and he's so excited to meet them! He's got a list of names miles long...

Preferences:

Hobbies: Singing, hunting with Silas, learning new spells

Likes: Music, Silas, food, fighting, his students

Dislikes: People that annoy him, his parents low-key (don't tell them he said that), strict rules, "idiots"

Favourite food: Tuna seaweed wraps

Least favourite food: Mussels

Appearance:

Morrigan is notably attractive to most who come across him. He has long, curly, hip length dark green hair, dark green skin, and turquoise eyes. He has long black claws, and his teeth are not as scary as Silas', they just look like the tweels': sharp, except they're smaller, and he has more of them. He has an abundance of freckles and a youthful, clean-shaven face. The only reason he has no scars is because his injuries from fights were always well treated.

In his human form, his hair, eyes, and teeth are the same, but his skin is very tanned. He hasn't been in human form since his NRC days, though

Personality:

Morrigan is short-tempered and abrasive, an act first think later type guy. He's fully capable of being pleasant, which he is to most people, but that falls away real fast when he gets irritated. He can be quite aggressive and wild but has good control over himself as an adult and lets those pent up feelings out through hunting and fighting with Silas.

He can be a bastard when he wants to be and likes to mess around with people, sending them a smug grin when they glare at him.

He has a constant desire to prove himself and be the best that is very difficult for him to break out of.

That aside, he is genuinely quite kind when he wants to be, as well as passionate and protective. He's a jokester, and thinks puns are the funniest thing in the world (Sea Witch save his NRC roommate), along with morbid humour.

Some Fun Facts/Extra Info

•Morrigan comes from a middle class family (that is under constant threat of getting the same treatment Silas' family did, but that's a story for another time) in the city of Atlanta

•Morrigan went to NRC and was in Savanaclaw (rumours say he was dorm leader but was stripped of his position after trying to bite someone's throat out in a very public fight)

•Morrigan is very passionate about teaching and cares deeply for his students

•He taught Cosme before he (Cosme) went to NRC

•He's an adrenaline junkie

•He's an incredibly powerful mage with a knack for mastering spells quickly (he just looks for spells to master-)

•He is an unfortunate victim of both gifted kid and golden child syndrome

Tagging: @distant-velleity @krenenbaker @boopshoops @the-banana-0verlord @cynthinesia

@theleechyskrunkly @elenauaurs @whspermy-name @officialdaydreamer00 @ramshacklerumble

@quartztwst @br3adtoasty @skrimpyskimpy @the-trinket-witch @ghostiidasponk

@natsukishinomiyaswife the demons won, he's got a bio now

[fairy-writes]

Merfolk!Viktor x Reader 02

part one of merman!viktor HERE

all parts of this series are tagged under cryptid!viktor

cryptid!viktor also includes my pieces with vampire!viktor

“c’mon, jayce! he’s real, i promise!” you plead, and your friend and fellow scientist and unwilling cryptozoologist, jayce talis, looks more and more skeptical as you drag him toward the beach. the beach where you had last seen viktor.

which, in fairness, hadn’t been for almost a week. but that didn’t stop you from visiting at all hours in an attempt to see your life’s dream in front of you yet again. 

it was safe to say that you were a bit obsessed. 

because who wouldn’t be? (except maybe jayce) it was a real-life merman. it wasn’t a siren (you had had this conversation with jayce many times). but it was still something magnificent.

the beach is empty as it had been for the last week. you scan the waters, trying to see the head of the elusive merman. 

so far, nothing.

it’s like this for over an hour. you sit on the beach with jayce as he occasionally complains. until…

you see him.

until… 

you heard a splash, whipped your head around toward the rocky outcroppings a little way into the water, and gasped. 

there he was. 

it was viktor, peeking his head around the jagged rocks. you might not have realized he was even there had it not been for the unusual splashing and his golden eyes. 

he’s just as beautiful as the first time you saw him.

he ducks under the water, and you can see a shape move slightly until he’s heaving himself up onto the rocks and watching you with curious eyes.

at least he’s not angry.

you hear jayce gasp behind you and turn to grin at your friend. his eyes are transfixed on the brown-scaled creature. 

“told you he was real!” you crow and turn to approach the merman still watching you. his arm fins are folded close to his forearms, and his long tail is wrapped around the rock. his webbed ears twitched as you got closer, but he made no move to do anything until you kicked off your shoes and your bare feet splashed in the water. 

almost immediately, viktor is baring his teeth and recoiling, a deep resounding hiss rumbling in his chest. it sounded almost like a goose or snake. 

yet another one of your theories on how merfolk communicated was thrown out the window. 

that was happening a lot lately. 

but this was long and drawn out, not short like you expected. it was low and threatening. a clear warning not to get closer. jayce calls your name worriedly,

“i think that’s a warning,” he says, and your roll your eyes but stop nonetheless. 

“no shit, sherlock. i can see that.” 

you take a slow step closer, then another. all the while, your hands are outstretched, palms up to show you don’t have anything dangerous in your hands. your satchel thumps against your hip, and you suddenly remember the clams, mussels, and fish you have stored in tupperware. viktor is still tensed to flee, his tail fin flicking as he watches you with careful eyes. 

the smell of fish almost makes you gag, and the slimy texture makes you shudder. but you persevere and get even closer, holding the fish in one hand, the other holding the tupperware container. viktor seemingly perks up at the sight of food, but his eyes narrow after a thought occurs to him. what thought that was, you’ll never know, but as he reaches forward with webbed fingers, you can’t help but freeze. 

his fingers are covered in fine, almost translucent scales, rough to the touch and cold from the temperature of the water. his nails are long and uneven, likely never cut but filed down by something. maybe rocks from scavenging? were merfolk scavengers or predators? the placement of their eyes suggested they were predators, so perhaps they were both? maybe they were more like humans than you thought. 

viktor takes the fish and brings it to his nose, sniffing it before dropping it into the water with disgusted noise. you frown. he didn’t want it? was he not hungry? 

that was when you thought of something. 

merfolk were probably hunting their fish and eating it fresh. this was a day old from the market at the port of the city. so if you had to wager a guess, it probably didn’t smell very good to him. 

were his senses enhanced like your theories suggested? did he have a lateral line like fish for sensing vibrations in the water? if you squinted, you could see the faintest line starting from his stomach to the end of his tail. or so you assumed. 

the rest of the aquatic cuisine was tossed in the water by viktor as well, with him looking nauseous at the smell and you feeling somewhat exasperated. there went a bunch of money down the drain. but part of you was just happy to see viktor again. 

oh, what you would give to study him. 

turns out you would get your wish sooner than you thought.