#honeybee canyon

[my-life-on-parade]

My first husband (of 42 years) Spider passed away eight years ago this month and over those eight years, I and friends have spread some of his ashes in many beautiful places here in Arizona and California, even in Hawaii. Yesterday Mark and Dhara and I hiked Honeybee Canyon which was one of Spider’s favorite places in all of Arizona, a mile and a half hike through a sandy canyon wash surrounded on both sides by magnificent rock formations and filled with giant saguaros, chollas in full bloom, green trees, colorful wildflowers, wildlife and butterflies, and at the end of the hike, there is a huge boulder carved with ancient petroglyphs. Again, this was one of Spider’s favorite places, and so this is where I spread the very last of his ashes (mixed with some of our little dog Frappy’s ashes who left us recently). I didn’t think it would get to me, but as I scattered the ashes near the huge petroglyph boulder, I could see Spider sitting atop of it, and I broke down and wept and then Mark and Dhara hugged me and I felt myself letting go one last time. Goodbye my beautiful and loving Spider and my sweet little Frappy. You will both always be in my heart. ❤️

Last pic is of Spider.

[terra-fatalis]

FFVII Remake Easter Eggs and compilation continuity - Part 8: OG FINAL FANTASY VII

 ELEMENTS USED IN A DIFFERENT CONTEXT OR FOR A DIFFERENT PURPOSE

SAVE POINTS

The save points of the original FFVII consisted in an angled C (”check point”) floating on a crystal base. In the REmake there are no more save points but the same symbols appear on the healing benches.  

PHS

In the OG the player could use the PHS tool in the world map or at the save points to switch the party members. In the Remake there are PHS terminals in Shinra HQ that the group use to communicate and switch between two parties in Chapter 17. 

  TIFA’S PIANO

During her childhood Tifa had a piano in her bedroom. Among the many posters of the REmake there are some with the image of a keyboard, one of them indeed hung in Tifa’s bedroom.  

THE HOUSE SPECIAL

We know from the original game that Avalanche was originally founded in Cosmo Canyon. This is also the name of one of the drinks served at Seventh Heaven, Avalanche’s hideout. 

OG: Cosmo Canyon... This is where AVALANCHE was born...

Remake: Our house special: the Cosmo Canyon. 

BEST GUIDE

When Sephiroth, Zack and Cloud arrived at Nibelheim  years before, Tifa escorted them to the reactor, saying she was the best guide of the town. In the Remake too she proposes to be Cloud’s guide in the Sector 7 slums (reference more clear in the Jp version).

OG: I’m the number one guide in this town.

Remake: I know these streets better than anyone. (Jp version: I’m the best guide of the slums).

PARACHUTING

In the OG Cloud and the others parachuted themselves on Midgar from the Highwind, in order to prevent Hojo to use the Sister Ray to help Sephiroth. In the Remake Cloud, Jessie, Biggs and Wedge parachute back in Sector 7 after the mission in Chapter 4.

MUSEUM

At Gold Saucer, Dio had a personal museum with a big picture of himself. Moreover, he had also a massive gold statue at the top of the amusement park. In the Remake, the 60th floor of the Shinra building hosts a museum where there’s also a big golden statue of the President. 

VIRTUAL REALITY

Bugenhagen has a 3D holographic symulator in the Cosmo Canyon observatory, necessary for his planetology studies (Shinra machinary he received from Professor Gast). “Cosmos theatre” is a 3D virtual reality symulator where visitors can learn about the Ancients and the Promised Land. 

DA-CHAO

During Intermission Yuffie uses to eat “Da-chao beans”. Da-Chao an important water deity of Wutai and its massive statue is sculpted in the mountain overlooking village. 

WALL MARKET

In the original FFVII, the Honeybee Inn was a brothel, while in the Remake it’s a night club. Anyway, the hand massages at Madam M’s parlor are kind of allusive, especially the Luxory Course.

ARENA

The Battle Square (or Battle Arena or Colosseum) was an area of the Gold Saucer, where Cloud could entertain Dio with a match in exchange of the Keystone. In the Remake, also Corneo has a Colosseum at Wall Market.

DATES

In the OG, depending on the player’s choices, Cloud could spend a date at the Gold Saucer with Aerith, Tifa, Yuffie or Barret. A similar system exists also in the Remake and it affects a cutscene at the beginning of Chapter 14. 

SHOWMAN

During the date at the Gold Saucer, Cloud and the girl (NB: not Barret) had to take part to a stage show where they played the parts of the knight and the princess. In the Remake, in order to obtain the dress-up to infiltrate Corneo’s Mansion, he has to take part to a dance show at the Honey Bee Inn. 

THE PRINCESS 

Princess Rosa was one of the protagonists of the Gold Saucer show, played by Aerith, Tifa or Yuffie during the date. In the Remake Cloud can read a letter in the room of Jessie’s father, where Jessie announced to her parents that she obtained the part of the princess in a show at Gold Saucer. 

Jessie Raspberry as...the Princess?

FIREWORKS

There were fireworks creating a romantic atmosphere during the ride on the gondola at Gold Saucer. In the Remake, if Aerith is wearing the red dress, her appearance is accompanied by fireworks and red carpet. 

KISS

The LTD has split the fandom for ages, but the only two girls who have ever been shown kissing Cloud are Yuffie (during her GS date) and Jessie (if the player manages to end the bike minigame in Chapter 4 with HP above 80%).

DREAM

In the OG Aerith appeared in Cloud’s dream just before getting to the City of the Ancients, the place where Sephiroth killed her. In the Remake this dream is hinted in two scenes:

1) The way Aerith appeared at Cloud at the beginning of Chapter 9 recalls the way she appeared in his dream (which triggers in Cloud a vision of her death). 

2) She appears in his dreams again during her resolution scene, using gestures and words that hint at her death. 

VOICES OF THE PLANET 

Aftyer Meteor was summoned in the OG, Cloud and the others could hear the scream of the Planet from the Highwind. In the Remake, when the group faced Sephiroth at the end of the highway, the Whispers start screaming in pain and Aerith said those were the voices of the Planet.  

OG: RedXIII: Did you...hear something? - Tifa: The Planet’s scream...or Meteor? Is it this Planet? - Cloud: Hey, how do we know that this is really the Planet’s scream? - Tifa: Did you forget? Bugenhagen told us.

Remake: What you heard just now were the voices of the planet. Those born into this world. Who lived and who died. Who returned. They're howling in pain. (...) They... Their words...they don't reach him. All these moments and memories, precious and fleeting...they're like rain rolling off his back... And when they're gone, he won't cry...or shout...or anything.

CLOUD VS SEPHIROTH

In the original FFVII, after the defeat of Safer∙Sephiroth, Cloud and Sephiroth had a final mental duel. At the end of the Remake Sephiroth mentally drags Cloud to the “Edge of Creation” with a symilar dynamic.  

[worldrandom]

Utah state facts

native american tribe ute-12,000 years old

beehive state-nickname

largest raptor to be unearth 23 ft

kfc sold 1st in utah not kentucky

bingham canyon mine biggest man made pit

skullcandy park city

state capital salk lake city and largest city

state size 84,899sq miles

population 3,380,800

state hood 1-4-186

number of counties 29

highest point kings peak 13,534ft

lowest point beaver dam 2,180ft

length 350 miles

width 270 miles

state motto industry

nobel prize winner 1

famous people 4

state animal rocky mountain elk

state bird califorina gull

state emblem beehive

state fish bonneville cutthroat trout

state fossil allosaurus

state fruit cherry

state flower seaolily

state gem topaz

state insect honeybee

state mineral copper

state rock coal

state vegetable sugarbeet

[amazingblueplanet]

Land Of Inflatables by Danilo Faria

[stephanocardona]

Bias to the Right by DaniloFaria

[wubs-and-selflove]

an absolutely beaustiful second day of fall🍁

[stylesfics-xx]

stylesfics-xx 2020 Fic Recs

These are the fics&oneshots I have really enjoyed this year, in no particular order! Thank you to all the writers who share their work with us.

Complete Fics

you feel like home by @luminescencefics

nuclear family by @writingsfromhome

Doctor Harry by @loudsuitlover 

Only Human by @hsogolden

One Thing Led To Another by @halfwaygones

Office Neighbours by @atlafan

Fine Line, ‘Cause Nothing Feels Like Home, Look At You With Your Mouth Watering by @harryforvogue

Strange Tides by @theasstour

Stay With Me by @hstylespal

Someday, Someday (sequel Twenty Good Reasons), Sail The Wildest Stretch by @beautifulletdownfics

Collide, January in Japan by @oh-honey-styles

Matchmaking For Experts, Alone Together, Hate & Other Words by @booksncoffee

Rumour Has It by @stylishmuser 

Unplanned, Two Years Too Late by @idkthisisjustforfanfic

Habits of My Heart by @paynethecreator

Pure Feeling (sequel Higher Feeling, ongoing third book Endless Feeling) by @embloomfields

Styles&Co. by @imagine-that-one-thing

Three Rules by @goldenbluesuit

Loving You’s The Antidote (ongoing sequel All I’ve Ever Known) by @sweetcreatureinthedark

Girl Crush by @padfootagain

Temptation, The Only Exception by @bopbopstyles

Who’s Your Daddy? by @inyourhaven

Lighthouse, As You Held Onto Me by @for-fucks-sake-h

Flatmate Series and My Girl Series by @heyyyharry

Hell of a Life by @alexandragramz

Valerie by @watchmegetobsessed

Always by @kind-heart

Tarnish by @hes-writer

Could Be Lethal by @idk-who-she-is

Ongoing Fics

Can’t Stand To See You Lonely by @wroteasongabouther

In My Feelings by @harrystylescherry

The Young and Famous by @verorax

Reconcile by @talesofstyles

Quarantine Harry by @all-things-fic

Less Than Lovers, Baby Love by @paynethecreator

High Noon by @younghearts-stories

Personal Best by @curlsgetgirls

Call Me Cat by @idkthisisjustforfanfic

model!Y/N and ceo!Harry by @and-im-okay-with-it 

All I Ask Of You by @cherrygoldenharry

hold my hand by @harrytheehottie

Pinky Promises by @bouquetofkissesxo

Muse by @inyourhaven

Blurred Lines by @permanentcrossfics

Another World by @sunflowerstache

Sweet As Honey by @c-h-e-r-r-y-y

Alien Crossing by @rosegoldsweetpea

Trick of the Light by @andwhenshesays 

Cloudbusting by @starsstruck

Something About A Feeling by @oh-styles

you’re someone i just want around by @adashofniallandasprinkleoflunacy and @sunflowervolvimp3

Ma Petite Chérie by @svnflowervol666

Oneshots

Can you do mine? by @sadorangejuice

try try again by @snlhostharry

baby it’s cold outside by @havethetimeofyourstyles

only we know, when I look at you by @stylesharrys

quarantining with h, beautiful people by @canyon-moan

kissies, the importance of I love you’s by @sweetsbfreex

the same page by @writingsfromhome

1:32AM by @parkersroses

Holiday Wishes, Mistletoe Kisses, the gala (honeybee) by @berrynarrybanana

Love You, That’s All by @hsluna

Only Wish (This Year) by @cocochannel00

green eyes by @harrystylescherry

santa’s elf by @lovealwaysvictoria

grammy nominations by @muffindaddystyles

Purple Clouds and Tangerine Skies by @mysweetestcreature

Till Death by @heyyyharry

Something New by @atlafan

Our Little Family by @angeliccry

Banana Pancakes by @ill-be-your-honey-bri

“I could just hold you and listen to your voice all night long.” by @pinencurls

Friendly Competition by @hewearsgucci

you won’t want me anymore, make up shows and foot casts by @all-my-love-for-harry

untitled by @harryforvogue

on your side by @harryimaginedstories

reason to hate you by @wellbeafinelime

Liability (Reprise) by @kissypoets

Keep It by @honeyedrasp

flowered hands by @stylesmessiah

changes by @sunflowervolvimp3

sold by @harrywritingsbyme

Zane Lowe Interview by @svnflowervol666

Score by @andwhenshesays

a gingerbread family by @adoremp3

All I Want For Christmas Is You by @goldenbluesuit

Fake, Repeated Proposal by @stardusthes

Falling by @mellowstyles94

Behind The Bar by @bopbopstyles

backpedal by @botanicials

apologies by @autumn-sunflowers 

Adore You, Frosty The Snowman by @gucciwins

A Better Place by @harry-writings

Open, Desert by @bfharry 

The View From Both Sides of The Mirror by @milfzaynmalik

Keys of Truth by @watchmegetobsessed

Mistletoe and Holly by @heart-attack-harry

Bangles by @kissme-hs

Vampire!harry Christmas by @moonchildstyles

if I could go back by @luvelyhs

La Paloma by @for-fucks-sake-h

Girl by @sweetcreatureinthedark

Fics I Keep Going Back To/Think About

Sugar on the Asphalt/Tennessee Teacakes by @justanchorandhope

Awkward Beat/Pregnant Pause by @finding--cat

Forever Hold Your Peace by @cheesewithchips

Boys Don’t Cry by @oxygenstyles

Intrinsic Grey and 1999 by @sammarkumismyhomegirl

Nom de Plume and Dandelion and Burdock by @stylesprimes

Butterfly Boy and The Faux Affair by @looselucy

Salute by @bioluminescentwriting

Not A Bad Thing by @booksncoffee

Journeyman by @littlebird006

Slow Burn by @allywrites

Pure Feeling/Higher Feeling/Endless Feeling by @embloomfields

Come and Fade Me and Bring It Back by @paynethecreator

Bloom by @absolutestyles

In Your Atmosphere by @fromherlips

Love is a Laserquest by @lifeinblueprint

The Golden Hour/Young Blood by @standingfacingwest

The Nice Guy and Valley of the Dolls by @onismanxiety

Twinkle Toes by @konstantine11-11

With the New Crowd by @likeamisfit

Stardust&Silk and Passive Aggressive by @ineffably-styles

Fresh Eyes by @americanowrites

Above Average, First Base by @roselirry

Matched by @mrsmiresa

Snowbound by @permanentcrossfics

Stuck in the Storm by @giantbandgeeks

Fic Rec Pages

@harry-stylesarchives

@bfharryficrec

@harrysficrecs

@harryficlibrary

@ficsr

@harrystylesficrecs

@harrystylesficsienjoy

@harrystyles-conceptsn 

@harryfanfics

@hsfics

@reveriehs

@harryswinterberries

[julemmaes]

Playlist(s) Lorcan made for Elide in Honey + a little scene (cause I'm dumb and I couldn't write today, sorry)

fic masterlist

this takes place just right after part one

Lorcan walked into her room moments after she'd slipped into her pajamas and Elide thought about how many times she'd risked being caught naked by her roommate unintentionally and how many times, instead, she'd wanted to walk into his room in one of those lacy little underthings she wore for everyone but him just to see how he'd react.

Her best friend looked like a whipped dog as he walked over to the bed and reserved a coy smile for her, "I did something for you."

Elide sighed, closing the laptop on her legs and looking into his eyes. She was still angry that he'd lied to her for months, but the fact that he'd brought her his cigarettes and his trusted lighter had cooled the blinding rage that had hit her the day before.

"Is it a playlist?" she asked under her breath.

He nodded, "I sent it to you five minutes ago but you didn't see it," then pointed at the bed with his chin, "May I?"

Elide didn't answer, but moved in between all the papers and books to make room for him and he settled down next to her on the pillows.

"I called this one 'I'm sorry' - because it's true," he murmured, spreading his legs until his thigh touched hers. Elide felt a jolt go through her body, as she did every time he grazed her, but Lorcan didn't seem the least bit touched by the fact that their bodies were in contact in at least three places as he continued to scroll through his spotify account.

He handed her the phone and the second their fingers touched, Elide had to call on every sane part of her brain not to grab the pillow behind her back and scream into it.

She frowned, scrolling through the songs, "You chose them just for the title didn't you?"

"Obviously." he said and when Elide looked at him she saw he was holding back a smile.

She couldn't help but smile back, "Did you even listen to them?" she asked already knowing the answer.

He shook his head, scratching his neck, "Only one or two."

She giggled, "You're an idiot."

Lorcan actually smiled at her at that point, and then spread his arms, wrapping one around her shoulders, "I made you another one, like the usual ones, but I don't feel like giving you two playlists in one day. You don't deserve them."

She turned a confused and angry expression on him, "I don't deserve them? And let's hear it, why not?"

"Because you've been ignoring me all day," he said, lowering himself to her and nudging his nose to her hair, "And you made me miss you."

Elide scrunched her nose, "I'd like to remind you that we're fighting-"

"Are we?"

"We are," she shoved him, "And normally fights go on until the one in the wrong apologises."

Lorcan looked at her, pulling her tighter against him, "I'm sorry?"

Elide nodded, snuggling against his chest and playing the apology playlist, making him explain why he had picked up smoking so soon after quitting. They talked for over three hours and when she woke up the next morning, Lorcan was gone and her bed had been cleaned of books and notes.

Now, the playlist(s) - Lorcan normally doesn’t name the playlists, but he puts the date in which he put them together

14.01

1. Honey – Johnny Balik

2. imagine if – gnash

3. Honeybee – The Head and The Heart

4. HEY GIRL – JERZY

5. Maine – Noah Kahan

6. Running After You – Matthew Mole

7. Fresh Roses – Juke Ross

8. You Are Loved – Matthew Mole

9. No Right To Love You – Rhys Lewis

10. You & Me – James TW

11. I Can’t Make You Love – Dave Thomas Junior

12. Walk With Me – Taba Chake

13. Home To You – Sigrid

14. Alone With You – Canyon City

i’m sorry

1. I’m Sorry – Peach Tree Rascals

2. I’m Sorry – Joyner Lucas

3. I’m Sorry – John Denver

4. I’m Sorry – Brenda Lee

5. Sorry – Mali-Koa

6. Sorry – Halsey

7. I’m Sorry – Zauntee

8. I’m Sorry – Arilena Ara

9. I’m Sorry – Mokita & Stand Atlantic

10. Sorry – Future

11. I’m Sorry – curlybamm

12. I’m Sorry – TobyMac

13. Sorry – Beyoncé

14. Sorry – Tanya

15. Sorry – Joel Corry

16. Sorry – Otis Stacks

17.01

1. Vacation – Johnny Stimson

2. Changes – Jeff Bernat

3. How Does It Feel? – Samm Henshaw

4. Your Soul – Forrest.

5. Emerald – Rini

6. Take Yours. I’ll Take Mine – Matthew Mole

7. I’m With You – Vance Joy

8. Have I Told You – Matthew Mole

9. Morning Breeze – Juke Ross

10. Please – Noah Kahan

tog tag list (if you wanna be removed or added just send me an ask or dm me)

@maastrash​ @ireallyshouldsleeprn​ @sleeping-and-books​ @ladywitchling​ @thegoddessofyou​ @ghostlyrose2​ @claralady​ @anne-reads​ @sayosdreams​ @perseusannabeth​ @letstakethedawn​ @simping4bookboisngrls​ @post-it-notes33​ @booksstorm​ @nalgenewhore​ @queen-of-demons-and-hell​ @miserablemusings​ @lanyjoy-13​ @vasudharaghavan​ @cupcakey00​ @bri-loves-sunflowers​ @queen-of-glass​ @thewayshedreamed​ @the-regal-warrior​ @fangirlprincess09

[milfjensenackles]

nothing safe is worth the drive

2.8k words | read it on ao3

found family road trip :) I decided team free will 2.0 needed a vacation 

“Let’s go on a vacation.”

Dean walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table across from Sam. Sam looked up from his newspaper, incredulous at the suggestion. “A vacation? Since when do you, of all people, want to take a break from hunting?”

Dean smirked. “We’ve been working hard for years, Sammy. I think we all deserve a break. You, me, Cas, and Jack. We could… go on a road trip! There’s plenty of stuff you and I haven’t seen yet. We could drive to California and see the ocean, maybe stop by those tourist traps like the ‘Biggest Ball of Twine’ or whatever.”

Sam shook his head and laughed at his older brother. Dean’s eyes were lit up with excitement, though, and who was he to ruin that? “Sure, Dean. Sounds good.”

Dean clapped his hands together before running down the hall to share the news with Cas and Jack. Sam smiled to himself. This would be interesting.

Cas and Dean had started dating only a few months ago, so things were still relatively new and exciting between them. Dean still struggled with not only giving Cas the love he deserved, but accepting that Cas loved him, of all people. It was difficult, coming to terms with the fact that loving Cas meant that he liked dudes in general. Dean still wasn’t comfortable labelling himself, and Cas was okay with that.

Dean’s thoughts wandered back to the day he and Cas finally got their shit together. Dean, after a grueling five days in The Empty, finally brought his angel home. After a tearful homecoming, Sam and Jack retired to their bedrooms, leaving Dean alone with Castiel for the first time since they said goodbye. Dean suggested a movie they’d already seen plenty of times, and Cas agreed easily as usual. As they settled into the couch together, Dean couldn’t help but focus his gaze on Cas’ lips. Cas couldn’t help but notice. Dean remembers Cas looking nervous, before slowly asking: “What’s going on here, Dean?” As soon as the question was out of his mouth, Dean’s hands were on his face and his lips were pressed against Castiel’s.

Dean finished the walk to his bedroom. Their bedroom. Cas moved in only last week. Another new thing Dean wasn’t used to yet, but he loved it all the same. Cas didn’t have many belongings, so the transition ended up being easier than Dean anticipated. Dean purchased another nightstand for Cas, which Cas covered with a small lamp and some framed photos of his family. One of Cas and Dean, with Cas holding the camera and Dean pressing a kiss to his cheek. Another of the four of them, sitting around the table and eating pizza. The final one shows a smiling Jack, arms around both of his dads.

Hearing Dean move into the room, Cas looked up from his book to smile softly. Dean grinned back, leaning over their bed to ruffle his boyfriend’s hair. Cas gave Dean his best disgruntled face before softening again, holding his arms out for Dean to join him. Dean kicked off his shoes, immediately kicking his leg over to straddle Cas. Cas stretched up to meet Dean, wrapping his arms around Dean’s neck and pressing their lips together. Even after all this time, Dean felt his heart drop into his stomach every time Cas kissed him. They stayed there for a moment, wrapped up in one another, trading lazy kisses back and forth. Cas swiped his tongue across Dean’s bottom lip and his hands started wandering lower on Dean’s waist. Dean regretfully pulled back, placing his hands on either side of Cas’ face. “Before you completely distract me”, he kissed the tip of Cas’ nose quickly, “I came in here to ask you something.”

Cas pecked at the bolt of Dean’s jaw one more time before quirking an eyebrow at him. “Okay. What did you want to ask me?”

“So… I was talking to Sam. What do you think about all of us going on a trip?”

“A vacation?” Cas smiled. “I’d like that very much, Dean.”

Satisfied with that answer, Dean returned to their previous activities. Cas definitely didn’t mind.

***

“You guys finish packing yet?”

“Yes, Dean. Almost done.” Even though Dean couldn’t see his face from the hallway, he knew Cas was rolling his eyes. He couldn’t bring himself to care, focusing instead on his own luggage.

Dean had mapped out their entire trip. As fate would have it, they happened to be passing by the twine ball Dean had mentioned on their way to the Grand Canyon, seeing as it was only thirty minutes from the bunker. Cas suggested a stop at a honeybee farm that gave tours in Utah, and Dean couldn’t say no to that. Once Jack became privy to the information that Dean was taking requests, he made an extensively researched list of the places he’d like to visit. When Dean saw it, he gave Cas a look, but Cas merely shrugged and smiled softly at Jack. In that moment, Dean knew he was absolutely whipped by the man in front of him. He’d do anything to make Cas and their son happy.

They packed the Impala to the brim, including camping supplies for when they reached their destination. Dean hadn’t been this excited in… well. He had never been this excited before. He never had a chance to do the normal stuff, like a real family vacation. He and Sam had never really even had a family to go on a vacation with.

Dean rolled his shoulders back to shake the thought from his head as he reached up to close the trunk of the Impala. Cas and Jack strolled up to the car a moment later, arms full of suitcases and backpacks.

“Did you pack the whole bunker?” Dean asked with a chuckle.

Cas looked confused. “No, Dean. We only packed items that we thought might be useful on the trip. How would we fit the entire bunker into these bags?”

Dean threw his head back and barked out a laugh before unceremoniously pressing a kiss to Cas’ lips. He reveled in the feeling of Cas’ mouth against his, not caring if anyone could see them. “Where’s Sam?”

“He told me to tell you that he was almost ready and would be out in a minute!” Jack was already in the backseat, very proud of himself for passing along Sam’s message.

Eventually, Sam finally appeared, ignoring the mumbles from Dean about his tardiness. Dean started driving.

***

The World’s Largest Ball of Twine was… less than impressive, in Dean’s opinion. Cas and Jack found it fascinating though, so it ended up being worth the trip. Cas managed to purchase a t-shirt, without Dean noticing, that said in big block letters: Check Out My Balls. In the center of the shirt sat two circles of twine. Sam burst out laughing when he saw Cas walk up to the Impala wearing it, but Dean thought it was adorable. Jack was holding his souvenir, a small twine ball keychain. He insisted that he was going to use it to break the previously held record for largest twine ball once they arrived home to the bunker.

Once they got back on the road, Jack immediately requested to stop for McDonald’s. Dean groaned but knew Sam would have to stop to use the bathroom soon anyway. Dean pulled into the parking lot, and as expected, Sam rushed out of the car immediately. Cas handed Jack some cash to get food for everyone, and then it was just Cas and Dean waiting. Dean looked over at Cas. He couldn’t believe how lucky he was sometimes. Cas had the most beautiful blue eyes Dean had ever seen, and they were even more impressive with the evening sun reflecting on them. Cas realized Dean was staring and reached out to run his thumb along Dean’s hand. “I hope you’re having fun.”

Cas’ voice always made him weak, especially when he was worried about Dean. “I always have fun when I’m with you.”

Cas smiled, content to sit in the front seat of the Impala, palm pressed to the back of Dean’s hand, for the rest of the evening. They were soon interrupted by their son though, hands full of burgers and fries with a huge grin on his face. Sam followed soon after with a salad and a water bottle. Dean rolled his eyes at him before shoving a handful of fries into his mouth.

***

By the time they were close to Jack’s first location request, Cas was starting to get a little grumpy from the lack of sleep. It was day three of their trip now. Some days, Dean would stop at a motel for them to stay in, but yesterday he chose to drive through the night. Cas stayed up with him, fighting against Dean’s argument that at least one of them should get some shut eye. “Dean, if I don’t stay awake, you’ll fall asleep behind the wheel. You can’t get by on four hours anymore.”

Dean snorted. “You callin’ me an old man?”

Cas smirked and Dean pushed at his shoulder softly, grinning to himself.

Sam groaned from the backseat. “You guys are such an old married couple.”

Quirking an eyebrow at Sam in the rearview mirror, Dean pulled to a stop at a red light before reaching over to give Cas an obnoxious kiss, releasing his lips with a loud pop. “Jealous much, Sammy?”

Sam mimed a gagging motion at the display, while Jack looked on with glee. “I didn’t know you and Dad were married!”

Dean choked at that, coughing for a good minute before stuttering out, “I- we’re not- Jack- “

“Dean and I are in an intimate relationship, but we are not married. Although, I would like to marry him someday.” Cas cut Dean off, speaking with certainty.

Dean gaped at that. They hadn’t even said they love each other yet, and Cas was thinking about marriage? “You want to marry me?”

“Of course, Dean. Why wouldn’t I?” Cas was smiling at Dean now. Dean couldn’t help but smile back, lacing their fingers together.

“Alright, enough of this gross couple stuff. We get it, you’re in love and it’s disgustingly sweet. Let’s stop for dinner.” Sam said, a hand running through his hair, obviously frustrated with himself for being the one to start this conversation.

***

Today marked their fifth day on the road, and they were finally going to the honeybee sanctuary Cas was desperate to visit. Dean was actually pretty excited too. Anything was better than Sam’s pick, which had been a weird museum back in Colorado. Dean couldn’t remember what the museum was actually for, he couldn’t focus on all of the old relics and ancient artifacts when Cas was right there. Cas was Dean’s favorite ancient relic, which he decided to share with Cas, only to be greeted with the bitchface Cas saves only for Dean.

Dean pulled into the parking lot of the farm, which was made up of an assortment of small buildings along with green fields that extended for miles. Jack tumbled out of the backseat, dragging Cas by the elbow to the front door. Sam and Dean followed closely behind, watching as Cas and Jack pointed out various new sightings to one another. By the time Sam and Dean met up with them, Cas had already signed them up for a tour of the farm and a session explaining how honey is harvested and sold.

Their tour guide started speaking as he walked backwards, explaining the purpose of the farm, “This honeybee sanctuary is a place that supports the health and positive transformation of the honeybees that come to stay with us. Honeybees are an endangered species, so we do everything we can to protect them and maintain their species. Up ahead, you’ll see one of our beekeepers working with a hive to prepare for honey harvesting.”

They continued forward, Cas with the biggest smile on his face Dean had ever seen. If this is what it took to make Cas look like that, he’d drive them to Utah every weekend. Dean had to admit, honeybees were pretty cool. He could appreciate their loyalty to the hive, always working to support one another unconditionally.

By the end of the tour, Cas was waxing poetic to Sam about the efficiency of hexagonal honeycombs and Sam was attempting to keep up with the conversation. With Cas distracted, Dean snuck off to the gift shop to make a purchase. He came back with a pair of socks with cartoon bumblebees on them, which Castiel was so delighted to receive that he kissed Dean in front of Sam, Jack, and their tour guide. Dean didn’t mind.

***

It took them much longer than anticipated to reach California, but Dean didn’t mind. It just meant he had more time to hold Cas’ hand across the front bench of the Impala. Soon enough, they finally reached the ocean. Dean drove onto the beach, the tires leaving indentations in the sand behind them. The sun was setting quickly, so they needed to move quickly to set up camp. Having realized this, Dean moved quickly to remove their items from the back of the car. Before he could, though, Cas grabbed his hand and pulled Dean toward him, their chests resting together. “Come with me.”

Dean nodded, and Cas pulled him toward the water. Cas pulled his shoes and socks off, and Dean followed suit, pressing their toes into the sand. Dean reached for Cas’ hand again, and Cas complied, interlocking their fingers. They stood there for what felt like an eternity, watching as the water ebbed and flowed and crashed. Cas broke the silence after some time, murmuring, “Are you happy, Dean?”

Dean paused for a moment to look over at Cas, who was still staring out at the sea. Releasing Cas’ hand, Dean gripped his elbow to turn the angel’s body to face his own. Dean’s other hand reached up to softly brush some of Cas’ hair off of his forehead. Eventually settling on Cas’ jaw, Dean pulled Cas’ gaze from the water to finally look at him. “I know I’m not great at showing you how much I care, but I do. Care, I mean. I have never been this happy before. You. Me. Sam and Jack. That’s all I need. I’ll spend every day trying to prove it to you if that’s what it takes. I love you, Cas.”

Cas pulled back like he had been shocked. Oh, shit. They’ve never said that before.

“You love me?” Cas was looking at Dean like he hung the damn moon. Dean opened and shut his jaw a few times, trying and failing to make words come out of his mouth

Both of Cas’ thumbs softly caressed Cas’ face and Cas brought their lips together. The kiss wasn’t what Dean would describe as aggressive, like it usually was with them; it was slower and sweeter. Like they loved each other. Cas pulled back an inch, his lips still ghosting on Dean’s. “I love you, too.”

Dean reached up to his own face to place his hands over Cas’ and rested their foreheads together. They both started giggling uncontrollably. “You love me,” Dean said, looking into those beautiful blue eyes.

“I do. So much more than I could ever put into words.”

A loud noise pulled Dean out of his Cas-induced reverie, and he looked up the beach to see Jack struggling to finish putting together a tent.

“We should get back and help,” Cas said, hiding a smile. Dean rolled his eyes but pulled Cas by his hands toward Sam and Jack’s makeshift campsite.

“While you two were having a moment, Jack and I finished getting the tents set up, so you both are responsible for cooking dinner.”

Dean groaned, but was secretly happy to take care of dinner, as long as he got to do it with Cas. While Cas started unpacking their food, Dean reached for the cooler. He grabbed four beers and started handing them out.

Cas immediately saw the fourth beer and said, “You can’t give Jack a beer, Dean. He’s three years old.”

“Hey! I’m three and a half,” Jack said, indignant.

“See? He’s three and a half. It’s fine.”

Cas shook his head, but Dean could tell he was trying not to laugh. “No, Dean.”

Dean held up his hands in surrender but leaned over Jack anyway to sneak the bottle into his hand. If Cas noticed, he chose not to say anything.

Dean looked around for a second, trying to take it all in. Sam and Jack were in the middle of a heated discussion debating the best part of their trip, Sam gesticulating wildly in defense of his museum. Cas was preparing a fire to cook their burgers, the dimming sunlight golden on his concentrated face. Dean could hear the waves crashing on the shore behind them, a sound he never thought he would get to hear and actually appreciate. As he moved to start helping Cas, Dean realized that maybe now they can be happy. They can be at peace. And he couldn’t wait to find out what came next for himself and his little family.

[iaintyourbro]

My FF7 Remake Part 2 Hopes, Dreams, and Curiosities Wishlist

This is for fun. I just played the OG again and took note of things I’m excited to see for Part 2 - or at least can hope for in part 2. These are in no particular order

Barret in a Sailor Suit, Cloud in a Shinra Soldier uniform - because foreshadowing fun, Red XIII in a Shinra Soldier uniform trying to walk

What they’re gonna do with the CPR and Dolphin stuff in Junon - I’m really curious

Corel and Barret’s backstory with Dyne and Marlene

VINCENT VALENTINE

Me being angry at Yuffie for stealing my shit

Gold Saucer

Chocobo Racing

The Gold Saucer Date being a shopping date for the girls instead of a romantic date for Cloud and <player choice>. The other option is avoiding the date portion all together and making it more mission based - they get a warning that they have a spy among them or something like that. Whatever option doesn’t add fuel to the LTD.

I think making the friendship between Aerith and the other members of the team really strong will make her death really heart wrenching - so what better way than to have a great time shopping with her, bonding, laughing, and boom - depression.

Nibelheim is gonna look so cool. I really am looking forward to how they have Cloud and Tifa react.

COSMO CANYON

The Palmer fight in Rocket Town - He must get hit by a truck or the GAME WILL BE RUINED (jk.. partially)

Palmer thinks Cloud looks familiar and won’t stop mentioning it - he was there during the Honeybee Inn dance

The Temple of the Ancients and the Forgotten City are going to look insane I think

Zack comes to get Aerith with his cool wings - assuming he’s actually fully dead - after her death - so she isn’t so afraid of the sky anymore.

If Zack is only alive in a second timeline, we get the Laguna treatment and get to play as Zack

The part where Cloud goes nuts and beats up Aerith - the visual of him as a child trying to stop himself from giving the Black Materia from Sephiroth should somehow still be integrated and have Tifa get a glimpse for foreshadowing. Party members stop him before he actually gets to hit her, but fail to stop him from giving Sephiroth the Black Materia

Cid yelling about TEA

Cid running in HD (I think how he runs in OG is hilarious, so I hope they translate that like they did with Tifa)

I’m hoping they end Part 2 at the Northern Crater right as Cloud breaks - what a cliff hanger.

The Sephiroth “illusion” in the Nortern Crater where Tifa starts to question herself, ultimately making Cloud crack - I think people are going to need a lot of tissues.

Snow gear for Icicle Inn - Barret needs a furry white coat so somebody else can call him a Marshmallow. 

Snowboarding will require more logistics to explain how they all get down the mountain. Red and Barret rent a snow mobile and fight the entire time.

One of the mini games at the Gold Saucer is the Honeybee Inn dancing with a few songs to use for difficulty differences

The Battle Square is similar to the Corneo Colliseum so you can have a full party

Here’s my shipper one: more unnecessary touching for Cloud and Tifa - more build up even though it’s slowly killing me.... that Under the Highwind scene better be lit, but that’s for Part 3!

[cateringisalie]

Aerith Week 2021 Day 3

Written for the prompt ‘Red & Pink Dress‘

Somewhere along the line, the pink sundress became her work dress. Her uniform of sorts – though not as if wandering the streets of Midgar and selling flowers required one. One of many similar dresses bought for similar reasons from the discount clothing stall in Sector Five; a job lot of trivially damaged, years late fashion the upper plate had long since consigned to the past. Strictly speaking, owning more than one dress of the exact same cut and type was strange, but bargains and practicality won out over other concerns in the slums.

 She had many others of course; other fashion cast-offs and flattering if unmemorable other dresses. Pants and sweaters and blouses and shirts. She wore hard-wearing clothes to the church while maintaining the garden unless she was intending to head out to sell again. But there was a strange power to the dress, or perhaps more how the dress fit into her ensemble for her job. Or maybe it was the contradictions her clothing embodied that helped her work?

 The boots were out of place with a sundress and to most people any dress. The bolero jacket helped cover her shoulders but did not fit with the dress. A long dress, but buttoning it all the way down would be constricting, and showing some of her leg never hurt in enticing customers. Nor did the low cut on her chest.

 Should be conservative but was revealing; should be elegant but pieced together out of practicality and a certain degree of laziness. They worked in conjunction with carefully styled hair and make-up; she drew far less attention on lazier days; figure obscured by sweaters and pants.

 And when meeting Cloud – later Tifa and the rest of Avalanche – wound up turning her life upside down, it became clearer how fond she was of her look.

 She was wearing the dress the first time she met Cloud – naturally; she was working. She was wearing it again when he plummeted off the Upper plate to nearly crash into her. Work again. Some impulse ensured she was still wearing it when heard him leave the house in the middle of the night. Or perhaps not. Perhaps it was the ease she could pull it over her head and slip on her jacket. Or maybe she thought after seeing Cloud to Sector Seven she could do some selling there. Never usually made it that far in the slums; new markets to plumb.

 The sales she made were almost incidental, a passing of the time and a fending off of interest while Cloud did whatever oddly essential activity he felt was a must inside the Honeybee Inn. At least the strange succession of events within Wallmarket allowed Aeris to gain the gorgeous red dress with the ruffles. And a shame she did not take it with her; a struggle enough to keep hold of her workclothes in the ensuing whirlwind of events of sneaking into Don Corneo’s mansion, fights in the sewer and the train graveyard. And almost home with Marlene in tow before Tseng caught up with. The dress made it home. When she finally made it back, it would be waiting for her.

Shame Cloud made a show of ditching his in the sewer.

 The trek to Kalm made clear to the group how unprepared they were for pursuing Sephiroth. Cloud was adamant in his estimation of Sephiroth as such a threat to the Planet. And the outside of Midgar always had allured her. But they left Midgar with nothing but their clothing. Perhaps they could have delayed and gotten provisions; they made it as far as Kalm on foot and without supplies, but this was behaviour the extreme sports fans would frown at.

 No replacement for the pink dress when Aeris and Tifa wandered Kalm looking for clothes. Nothing remotely like it. She folded it into her bag, with her other new clothes and drew it out when the occasion seemed appropriate. Not practical for riding Chocobos or navigating mines. She wore a Shinra uniform in Junon and as little as possible at Costa del Sol. The dress was righter seeming for a theme park – though not great when trapped in the desert after. A nice touch of elegance for the visit to Cosmo Canyon and perfectly at home for the expensive meal the palace in Wutai offered the group.

 And ultimately, the only remotely appropriate garment she had for Enchantment Night on her second visit to the Gold Saucer.

[poweredbydietcoke]

Favorite books of 2020

This is normally a January or February thing...last year it was November, so May seems fitting in 2021. You can find the last few years here and here...

2020 book totals: 23 audio books 14 Kindle books 10 tree books

47 books total

I shifted a lot more of my reading this year to audiobooks, which I think is a combination of the baby (a lot of time that I could use my ears, but not my hands), more ranch work (got a nice set of ISOTunes bluetooth ear protection for running saws etc), and more solo travel time during the pandemic. I also read a lot more tree books, mostly as a result of some out-of-print titles and some baby-related gifts. And overall my reading dropped a bit, unsurprisingly.

[Reminder: these are all affiliate links, and it all goes to charity at the end of the year]

How to Have Your Second Child First: 100 Things That Would Have Been Good to Know--The First Time Around by Kerry Colburn and Rob Sorenson

When I told Bryan that we were expecting our first child, he insisted I read this book. It was fantastic, as far as parenting goes (targeted audience, obviously). But the basic message is chill out, it's going to be fine. Think about how many people do this multiple times. And all of the things you worry about for the first kid, like making it perfectly quiet for them to sleep aren't going to be possible for the second kid, so why don't you just treat the first kid the same way--it makes everybody more flexible. We've tried to put a lot of this to work with Cooper and at least so far is making our lives easier. No promises how he turns out yet. :)

Age of Ambition, Chasing Fortune in China by Evan Osnos

I’m pretty sure Scott Cannon recommended this to me a while back, I think after some of his time in China, and I really enjoyed it. I've been trying to read and understand a lot more about China these days for obvious reasons. I've started reading Sinocism by Bill Bishop. It's a lot, you have to skim it every day, or just disregard it some days, but it's got a lot of really interesting insight (at least to me) on how China is operating these days. At least I'm trying to build some sort of understanding because it feels as if it's going to be important at some point in our lives. The highlights of this book, for me, were probably starting to understand some of what are apparent contradictions in the dynamism of the entrepreneurial economy there combined with pretty aggressive state control. Sort of the way that the party is different from the state but isn't in many ways; it’s often the same thing “functionally,” at least as I understand it. The other interesting takeaway was the total aversion to a loss of control and the single overarching directive that seems to grip the party, which is no social unrest. I also read China’s Vision of Victory this year, but Age of Ambition was a better read. I’m currently working on Blockchain Chicken Farm, and while the title is better, Age of Ambition still comes out on top.

Expecting Better by Emily Oster

Love this book, and the second book by the same author, called Crib Sheet. This was given to us when we told some close friends that we were expecting and they said “Oh, this woman we worked with at University of Chicago (she's now at Cornell, I believe), wrote these books and they're very scientific, data-driven books on pregnancy,” which obviously appeal to both Lizzie and I. This one was great because it goes into the research and the studies on things like can you drink alcohol during pregnancy or not? What do you think about sort of deli meats vs sushi vs whatever in terms of how it's going to affect the baby? How much should you worry about different prenatal tests, which are the really important ones, which are the ones that have a lot of false positives, and so on. I highly, highly recommend this and in fact, have sent it to a number of friends who are now expecting kids. It really simplifies things in terms of what you need to worry about and not.

Honeybee Democracy by Thomas D. Seeley

I don't remember who recommended this, but I absolutely loved this book. It's a really fascinating (if pretty in-depth) overview of the science on honeybees. Obviously, part of this is appealing to me because Lizzie keeps honey bees here at the ranch. And we love their honey and love learning about them and seeing them in operation. But the thing that just blew me away about this book, in addition to just the detail on the explanations of how these things actually work, was how they did the study design. They would find a big offshore island that had no bees on it and actually go out and do these experiments in a “pristine” environment. Eg how did the bees decide where to set up their new hive? How did they lead or follow a swarm or anything else? And it was just brilliant...as an example, they figured out that bees like to establish hives of a certain volume, not too big, not too small. And so how do honeybees measure volume? It turns out that there are two measurements they frequently do: one is they walk around the circumference of the potential hive site, and two is they fly across it and kind of measure their flight time. And so somebody actually went to prove this and built a hive they had a “treadmill” on one wall, that they could speed up or slow down to change the perceived volume, and that did in fact change which hives were chosen by the bees. Really, really amazing book!

Educated by Tara Westover

Lizzie read this first and really loved it, and has been on my list for a little while. I finally read it and thought it was fascinating. This single story of a woman who's raised in, I think, Idaho in a very Mormon community. Fundamentalist and very conspiratorial/out there on the fringe family. And she ends up going to BYU and then studying in London and doing a bunch of stuff that kind of breaks the mold. But she talks about it as kind of an escape, and rationalizing/understanding how her parents shaped her and both the positives and negatives. One of the biggest things that was interesting to me was, and I've heard it in many ways, but this passage stuck with me: at some point, she made a little bit of money, maybe $1,000 in a single chunk rather than getting paid for a day of work. And she made the point that all of a sudden she'd never felt like that before, because she didn't have to worry minute to minute about where the money was and was going and whatever. Just an interesting reminder of the costs of all these things that many of us are lucky enough not to think about at that level. Year by year, sure, but day by day or minute by minute is a different thing.

Fire on the Mountain: The True Story of the South Canyon Fire by John N. Maclean

I think this one was recommended by Zuni, one of our neighbors. It was another post fire disaster investigation, this time for a fire in Colorado that ended up turning and claiming the lives of a bunch of Hot Shots and Smokejumpers. It was a really well researched book, very descriptive, pretty fast moving, not excruciatingly detailed, but a little bit overly detailed unless you understand this stuff, which I don't claim to. But worth reading if you live in a wildfire zone, as many of us do these days!

The Haywire Heart by Chris Case

Mark Gainey recommended this to me. It’s about how endurance athletes can develop heart conditions, from training so hard and bringing their hearts to such an unusual level in different ways, and the various arrhythmias that come from it. Also how blood pressure can be off because your heart gets so strong at pumping during anaerobic exercise, develops really strong muscles, and then your heart rate goes way too low when you’re resting/sleeping and then loses rhythm. Really interesting. I listened to it in an audio book, which wasn't quite the right format for it because you have to be really paying attention to some of the science. But it was fascinating and made me a little more thoughtful about paying attention to heart rate monitors as I get older.  

Twelve hours' sleep by 12 weeks old by Suzy Giordano

A couple of people recommended this to me, Rick Morrison and Ashley Carroll were the ones that I remembered. For us it was the canonical sleep training book. It was really interesting and really good, but I don't think it works for everybody (seemingly different things work for different people, especially per Emily Oster’s research). But this is how we ended up getting Cooper to sleep well (he was largely sleeping through the night by 8 weeks, but I think that was mostly him and not us). Most of it is simply structured feeding and making sure that you can extend the time between feedings so that they can sleep longer periods of time without being really hungry. There are a bunch of really easy summaries on the web of, and the book itself was pretty tedious. I listened to it on Audible on my bike, and the number of examples like “every four hours, eg, 8a, 12p, 4p, 8p” ... I can do the math, thanks. But the method was two pages and really good. Obviously, again, doesn't matter if you don't have an infant.

My heart is Africa by Scott Griffin

Dennis Pilarinos recommended this book about a Canadian Doctor who goes and flies through Africa in his Cessna 185 (and even more adventurously, he actually flies it *to* Africa from Canada and back). Really cool fun book, some crazy stories like the usual kind of bush plane drama. Only available in paperback. I did order it somewhere random, but it was totally worth reading. Super fast and fun blending aid to Africa with flying and totally worth it. Very, very quick read but great for pilots.

The Billion Dollar Spy by David Hoffman

Alex Yakubovich recommended this to me and as always, his book recommendations are fantastic. This one was about Oleg Tolkachev and his work with the CIA while the Cold War was still going on. And all this crazy interesting information he passed and why he did it. And it was fun. It was like a spy novel that was real and exciting, but not over the top James Bond style.

Flatland by Edward Abbott Abbott

This was actually recommended by Sonia Wong at Sequoia in an interview I read with her. It's really quick and interesting, basically a story about living in two dimensions and trying to understand three- and one-dimensional worlds. How do you think about dimensionality, represented by the rules of these different, theoretical societies, if you will, that live in one or two dimensions. It's hard to describe well, but it was a really fun, interesting book, a very quick read. Even fully understanding the math of N space it was still really entertaining. I don't know if it'd be a good or bad thing for a kid to read, probably pretty good for a mathematically inclined kid. Really interesting.

The Storm Before the Calm by George Friedman

I read a lot of his work through Geopolitical Futures. I find it really interesting, just as an intellectual pursuit of understanding how the world works and how countries interact on a geopolitical level. And I've always thought his analysis is pretty insightful. He's a Polish immigrant to the United States, and a huge “patriot” in the unfortunately anachronistic sense. He writes about the four cycles he sees in US politics (institutional and socioeconomic, most importantly). And his primary argument is that in the 2020s, they're all going to end at the same time. And usually, when one of them ends, there's a little bit of pain and dislocation in the US. Historically, the US grew stronger out of it. It can grow, or it can obviously implode and cause a revolution. He thinks it'll grow stronger, and he thinks it'll largely lead to a decentralization of political power because the United States and its organizations and institutions have gotten way too complex to run centrally. Interesting parallel here to China in terms of the complexity of that organization and country, that's 4x, 5x the size population wise.

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from the Center for Biological Diversity:

Conservation groups filed a formal legal petition today urging the U.S. Forest Service to stop allowing the placement of hundreds of commercial honeybee hives on national forest lands without proper environmental review.

Honeybees, which are not native to the United States, are important agricultural crop pollinators but have been shown to transmit diseases to native bees. They can also outcompete native bees for pollen and nectar, their only source of food.

Yet, over the past decade, the Forest Service has approved permits for at least 900 hives, which could house up to 56 million honeybees on Forest Service lands on the Colorado Plateau alone. A request is pending for an additional 4,900 hives on just one national forest in Utah.

Today’s administrative petition urges the Forest Service to end the practice of labeling the apiaries as minor special uses, which the agency can invoke to bypass the mandatory environmental review needed to properly consider the impacts of apiary permits.

“Stress on native bees is inevitable when an apiary with dozens of hives, each hive housing 10,000 to 60,000 honeybees, is parked on a national forest,” said Mary O’Brien, Utah forest programs director and botanist with the Grand Canyon Trust. “Scientists have documented adverse outcomes for native bees over and over, but it’s ‘out of sight, out of mind’ to the Forest Service. This is how we lose species.”

A single honeybee apiary of 40 hives consumes enough pollen in one month to feed more than 1.3 million native bees. Many beekeepers aim to have 80 or more hives in an apiary.

Just last month scientists revealed that the western bumblebee has experienced a 93% decline in the past 20 years. Many of the approximately 3,600 species of native bees in the United States are in decline.

[silver-wield]

U said smthng that got me thinking. Ch8 was supposed to be a Z/CC hint right? But they didn't want to tip their hand too soon, so it's v hidden. S7 likes avalanche and is against shinra. S5 is the opposite. Would it be too much of a strech to assume that the opinion in s5 stems from the fact that maybe, some of them once knew a v cheerful, young soldier? Someone who got the people's approval if you do things right in CC. That one guy sings Z praises, tells A that "he (Z) has my approval!" 🌟

🌟 cuz u kno. Z wants to spend time with A, and if he came to the church everytime smthg happened (Nomura said so in an interview), i dont think it's unbelieveable. If im not too far off the mark, the opposing opinions in s5 vs s7 sorta make more sense now. Besides. Everytime A says smthng to C it's like she's expecting a completely diff reaction. I bet Z would probably be all "sure ill help!" to the requests in s5, but Z was well paid as SOLDIER and he did want to be a Hero.

The NPCs in that sector are nasty. There’s a group hanging out near the leaf house talking about how they were paid to shit talk Avalanche on tv and they’d do it again. There’s a ton more references like that. 

The only reference that could be about Zack is one from the cafe owner behind the counter who says he thought Cloud would be taller. Because Zack’s 6′1 and Cloud’s 5′7. Other than that, there’s nothing about Zack. There’s a meta hint referencing him, though.

Gonna paraphrase: How about you trade this puppy in? Hell no, it’s old faithful or nothing.

So, that’s basically saying Cloud won’t replace Zack. And the kids crouched by the dog near to the leaf house are a Zerith reference where she said she was afraid of Zack because he was violent. The dog just lies there, though. 

There’s a bunch of other foreshadowing in the sector. There’s the honeybee inn dance, Mideel, the train graveyard, Cosmo Canyon and Costa del Sol.

So, yeah, the NPCs in sector 5 suck mostly.

[witchyfashion]

Honeybee Gardens 'Canyon Sunset' Refillable Eye Shadow Palette

https://amzn.to/2BZb3qh

[lady-of-skyhold]

I Don’t Know What To Do With My Hands. - A CloTi Fan Fic

My first fic in a long time. What better way to get back into the swing of things than with Cloud x Tifa. My OTP. c: 

- 10.5k words. Rated M. Completed.

 NSFW Chapters on AO3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A strip club.

Could Zack be more of a cliché?!

The neon sign baring the name “Seventh Heaven” burned so brightly that Cloud swore he could read it through his eyelids, a headache already beginning to stir.

“Oh, don’t look like that, Cloud. It’s not that bad! It’s way more respectable than that Corneo’s gig.”

Cloud refrained from pointing out that Corneo’s place wasn’t exactly hard to beat – in entertainment value or health and safety standards. Regardless, he took notice of Zack’s enthusiasm about the club and with a sigh, pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Let’s get this over with then.”

The grin on Zack’s face was infectious even to the blonde ex-SOLDIER, a gleam in his eyes the only outward sign of amusement, but to Zack it was all the encouragement he needed. Zack laughed, clapped his hands together and strode right behind him, hands placed on Cloud’s shoulders as he ushered him off of the city street and through the door, giddy with excitement.

“Atta boy! You won’t regret this, I promise. Once we get a few Cosmo Canyons in ya, you’ll be a new man! Come on, the others are already inside.” Cloud shook his head, unsure how his introverted self ever became friends with the living definition of “extrovert” that was Zack Fair and also dreading to think what a “Cosmo Canyon” even entailed. But it was Zack’s bachelor party on the eve of his wedding to Aerith, and if this is where he chose to celebrate it then Cloud would at least try not to hate it. He’d really try.

They walked into the establishment together, Cloud with his eyes fixed on his feet and Zack strutting as if he owned the place. The quiet blonde braced for jarring club music, but it never came. Instead smooth, sultry jazz emanated from a live band playing on a stage nestled in the far corner of the room. Red curtains, faint cigar smoke and soft low lighting surrounded him.

It certainly was no Honeybee Inn.

Small round tables littered the area before the stage, candles flickering at each one. Some patrons filled these tables simply enjoying the music and a drink, their fingers drumming on the table matching the tempo of the band. Others sat in booths set to the side of the room, a bottle of champagne in a chilled bucket on the table and a beautiful woman at their side or - those Cloud quickly glanced away from - on their lap, wrapped in nothing but fine lingerie and a sheer robe. 

Similarly dressed woman floated past the two ex-SOLDIER’s as they headed for the bar, their robes open to expose the lingerie beneath and flowing behind them gracefully as they slipped past, hips swaying wide to the accompaniment of the double bass that Cloud could feel in his chest, even stood as far as he was from the band on their stage. Multiple women greeted Zack by name as they passed which said to Cloud his friend had frequented Seventh Heaven more than he let on. Zack simply shrugged good naturedly.

“Aerith’s friend runs this place, we drop off flowers every once and a while.”

He gave a small nod and spotted another woman approaching, growing nervous Cloud darted his eyes around to settle them somewhere not involving bare skin before choosing to stare at a spot on the floor where plush carpet met the dark stained wood of a dance floor. Zack felt Cloud’s shoulders tense and gave them a small squeeze while directing him towards the bar. He grounded himself in the security of his friend’s grip on his shoulder, the man literally having his back, and let his shoulders drop from up near his ears.

“Relax, man. It’s gonna be a good night. Have I ever led you astray before?” Cloud was tempted to throw a dirty look over his shoulder at him, remembering that time Zack convinced him it was a great idea to cast Fira on a camp fire during basic training. His eyebrows had never grown the same since that day.

It was a hell of a campfire though.

As the pair drew closer to the bar, they spotted the rest of their party. Barret, an unmissable giant of a man, occupied a large portion of the bar himself. He was stood gesticulating wildly as he told whoever was working behind the bar a story of his glory days as a freedom fighter, no doubt. An older man sat hunched over in his bar stool beside Barret, his elbows propped up on the bar as he sipped a whiskey, definitely Cid. And a tall, thin man sat at the very edge of the bar where it curved to meet with the wall. His back rested against said wall as he surveyed the room, from body language alone Cloud knew it to be Vincent; never one to drop his guard, Cloud revelled in the fact someone else would be watching his back.

Vincent noticed the two ex-SOLDIER’s approaching and tapped on the bar to catch the rest of the party’s attention, whom all turned and raised a glass to herald in the man of the hour, it really was a rag tag group of friends to celebrate with but Zack couldn’t have been happier to see them.

“You finally made it! Was beginning to think you’d done a runner. And I was just contemplating which kneecap I was gonna break first, for Aerith’s sake.”

Zack barked a loud laugh, and slapped Barret on the back.

“You’d have to have caught me first!” They bantered, Zack pretending to jab the much larger man in the ribs as Barret took him in a headlock and messed the raven spikes atop Zack’s head with his prosthesis.

Cloud took special notice of how easily Zack bounced off of other people, allowing a small pang of envy at his friend’s confidence before pushing it aside to enjoy his night.

Their friends parted to make room around the bar, Cloud pulling himself up onto a barstool and settling slightly self-consciously, nodding in greeting to the others before picking imaginary dust off his jeans as Zack made conversation with the bartender.

"Teef, my girl! Have no fear, your VIP is here" Zack took a small, half-bow from his seat and beamed his classic charming grin at the barkeep.

"I can see that. Good to see you, pup! What can I get for you tonight?”

A wholly feminine voice spoke up and dragged Cloud’s attention from his lap to behind the bar. The first thing he noticed was silk. Smooth, black silk.

Smooth, black, dangerous, silk.

The woman behind the bar stood wrapped in a short kimono-styled robe that caught the light as she shuffled her weight from each foot, taking in Zack’s round of drinks he bought for his party. The second thing he noticed was her hair; Cloud really wasn’t sure where her hair ended and her robe began. So similar was the sleek shine of the long, dark tresses to that of her silken robe. Despite the ribbon tied tight around her waist – Cloud paying extra attention to the way it created a dramatic curve of her silhouette- the sleek material was pulled taut and extra shiny across the fullness of her chest, trying desperately to conceal her enormous…

Wine coloured eyes filled his focus as he snapped his eyes away from dangerous territory, thankfully her eyes still focused on Zack. A blush blazed hot across Cloud’s nose. He desperately tried to look anywhere but the tempting valley of flesh that disappeared beneath the neckline of her robe and safely dropped his eyes to his lap, wishing to be back in his comfort zone, far away from jazz and alcohol and silk.

Alas, a quick elbow to his side brought him back to the uncomfortable present and Cloud met Zack’s gaze, a dark eyebrow raised as he looked at Cloud in question.

“What drink do you want, dude?” Cloud opened and closed his mouth several times, unsure of what to order, or what to say. Zack had many dealings with Cloud’s shy, quiet way of communication but never had he seen him entirely struck dumb before.

“Urm, he’ll just have what I’m having.”

“Coming right up.” She answered Zack.

Cloud once more dropped his head, content to listen to his friends chatter around him. He was too preoccupied staring a hole into the bar floor to notice his closest friend tilt his head to one side like a curious dog, and narrow his eyes as he examined him. 

Too deep into his thoughts, Cloud was oblivious to his audience as his eyes drifted up from the floor ever so slowly to settle on Tifa’s back while she got to work preparing drinks on the other side of the bar.

Although the silk gave no hint of what lingerie lay beneath - such as the sheer robes the dancers wore - from this angle, anyone sat at the bar could see the outline of suspenders clipped onto stockings just out of sight beneath the hem of Tifa’s robe. A dark line ran down the centre of her stockings, the entire length of her leg, and Zack watched as his younger friend’s eyes followed, marvelling at the length and strength of each leg, topped off with black stiletto heels with red bottoms.

In all the years of their friendship, Zack had never witnessed Cloud take interest in a girl before. Suddenly, his friend’s new found muteness made sense and an idea began to form in his cunning mind.

Without turning his head from Cloud’s direction, Zack spoke.

“Hey, Teef? Have you still never danced yet?”

“No, I'm just a bartender Zack.” Her modest answer floated across the bar as Tifa continued making drinks with her back to the party.

“Would you consider a private?”

“Remember you're marrying a friend of mine tomorrow, Pup.” She laughed.

“Oh, it’s not for me. It’s for him.” Cloud’s head whipped round to catch Zack’s knowing smirk before Tifa turned to face them.

“Zack, what are you up to?” Tifa placed her palms down on the bar and cocked one hip. Eyebrow raised in question.

“Well, y’know, I was just thinking. Doesn’t Johnny like to stop by around this time?” Tifa showed only a small amount of panic as her eyes flickered to an old clock hanging on the wall behind Zack’s head, he was right. Within the next 10 minutes Johnny would surely arrive to begin his nightly routine of flirting – borderline harassing- Tifa until the end of her shift.

“Your point being?”

“Well, my buddy Cloud here gets a little overwhelmed with crowds, and I feel bad for dragging him way outta his comfort zone for my big night. Why not take care of 2 birds with one stone. You both get to hide in a private room until the coast is clear and my friend here has settled into the night. I know you'll take good care of him.”

Tifa turned to look at Cloud who refused to make eye contact and had one hand nervously rubbing the back of his neck.

“I don't know, Zack.”

“I’ll pay double what you’d make out here on bar. No Johnny, no pressure to dance - just serve some drinks to this poor Chocobo head and make my bachelor party a little easier for him, huh?”

Cloud was expecting a polite decline, maybe a “Thanks, but no thanks” after he felt those red eyes of hers take note of his nervous fidgeting, and yet -

“Alright, I’ll do it.” Cold sharp nervousness spread from Cloud’s stomach and sent a shiver up his spine, his eyes zipping between his friend and the barmaid incredulously.

That was unexpected.

“Excellent! You’re an angel, Teef!” Zack slapped a hand on Cloud’s shoulder and gave him a wink, Cloud gaped.

“I know.” She said cheerily and finished preparing the drinks Zack ordered, setting them down in front of each of them. A Bloody Mary sat in front of Vincent, another whisky for Cid, a surprisingly fruity smelling and colourful cocktail sat in front of Barret and two shots were placed before Zack and Cloud.

Stepping out from behind the bar, Tifa turned towards Cloud and gestured for him to follow. She offered him a warm and friendly smile that lit up her entire face, a smile which made Cloud’s Adam’s apple bob on a visible -and almost audible- gulp.

Zack picked up his shot and placed Cloud’s in his hand.

“Hey, do me a favour, enjoy yourself.”

Looking nervously at his shot, Cloud clinked it against his friend’s glass; downing the shot in one go, both grimacing at the burn of alcohol and the following shiver that racked through their bodies.

Cloud took one last deep inhale, pushed himself off of his barstool and followed that dangerous silk further and further away from his comfort zone without daring to look back.

“He’s a goner.” Spoke Vincent, quietly.

“Oh yeah.” Remarked Zack, as he giggled at his smitten friend following the barmaid like a lovesick puppy dog.