#i prefer java though

[michaelmorbiussmassiveboobies]

Fuck I need a new Morbius skin for Minecraft Bedrock Edition goddamn it

[phobiaexists]

I love shrimp.

[valjeancrazylover2]

Enjolras (& Grantaire)

While not really a presence in what i'm usually writing about, I still wanted to design them. Enjolras certainly is more relevant than Grantaire when I'm writing about Marius, though. Sorry !

With a blond/..er, frosted tips? Version. Cause I know blondjolras is like canon and all but I'm not sure which I prefer.

Grantaire's design is still very much in the early stages, and whether it will ever leave them still remains to be seen . I didn't draw him in colour, but he is indeed ginger and taller than enjolras, thanks Kyle Adams! (With credit to Tom Hext)

So! Design details!

My Enjolras is Javanese. Representing this (to the best of my very british ability) is his sarong (the garment around his waist). While not Javanese in essence, Enjolras is not currently living in Java/Indonesia to be able to receive that direct cultural influence. Some batik (the name of the textile pattern) would have had european influence. This can be seen in the design I have created in the branches, which I tried to base on the tree brances seen on the symbol of the French Revolution.

Also on the batik is a fleur-de-lis, and alongside the french flag stipes on the trim, connects the indonesian to the french. Admittedly the addition of the fleur-de-lis doesnt really make much sense considering it wasn't particularly used much after the Revolution, so that might end up getting changed.

The necklace he wears is also javanese in origin - admittedly I should really have looked at a reference as they are NOT made from beads, so that would be an amendment for later, but he wears that also to represent his heritage. It also somewhat symbolises his more fortunate background.

His earring is simply for flair, however since they weren't particularly common, I guess it's him straying from the status quo.

Same goes for the bleached hair - purely to stand out. But I'm not sure if that's a permanent addition to his design yet.

In my first design I had him wearing trousers and shoes, but I've changed it to a pair of boots, as they are more militaristic in nature and practical.

As for grantaire... not much to say. He looks older than his days, a bit bloated, certainly his swollen alcoholic's nose too. Hair's grown long as he's stopped caring about getting it cut and styled at the barber, but hates how cropped hair makes his head feel cold. I'd say that's the situation with his beard too - can't be arsed getting it shaved.

Anyway.... next post will probably be about the old men, don't worry. Just needed to get this out of my system.

Any requests or questions about them or the other amis are totally welcomed - but i can't guarantee i'll have a decent answer past these 2 or courfeyrac. SORRY

[proud-leech-dad]

Comprehensive leech care guide: Updated as of 6/19/25

There's not a lot of public information on the domestic care of leeches outside of their medical uses and niche forums and facebook groups, so I wanted to create as comprehensive a guide as I can for proper leech care, referencing scientific papers whenever possible. This guide is open to corrections and input from other keepers and will be updated regularly as new information comes to light. If found in a reblog, always check to make sure you have the most updated version of this post. This guide pertains to the Hirudo verbana leech SPECIFICALLY but pulls from what information we know from Hirudo medicinalis due to their similar morphology and classification that only split in 2013. This guide will be operating under the assumption that bare minimums are not enough to thrive and has been written accordingly.

There are a lot of citations needed at the moment.

Tank specs

Size and Equipment Requirements

• For ideal leech care in display tanks, tanks should be at least 2 times the size of your leech tall, and have enough room to fit their body when stretched out at least 3 times length wise. This allows for swimming, the ability for leeches to escape each other, better water quality and the observation of various leech behaviors.

• 5-10 gallon fish tanks are great for a leech tank, with larger ones being good for groups. Bowls are suitable according to some keepers if your leech is solitary or small, but not recommended as studies have shown a tank without corners can stress fishes and aquatic life.

• Tanks should have dedicated land area in the form of exposed logs, cork bark, tank shelfs, etc. Preferably, these areas should have moss for leeches to deposit eggs. Tanks are able to be kept completely aquatic according to some keepers, but it is of my own personal opinion and is proven by researchers that this, and making your leeches breed late. can increase mortality in your leeches.

• Leeches thrive in low oxygen environments and typically produce very little waste, as such, tanks do not need a dedicated filter, especially if planted. If more oxygen is preferred, a bubbler on a low setting or high oxygen producing plants can be added. Large amounts of water movement should be avoided.

• Your tank must possess a tight lid of some kind as leeches will gladly squeeze through cracks to escape and explore. This lid can be a tight mesh, cheese cloth or some similarly breathable but secure fabric. This can be fastened with elastic to keep it secure over your tank or secured over a terrarium style snake lid.

Light Requirements

• Leeches should be kept out of direct sunlight and prefer dim or dark areas, though will still benefit from a regular light cycle.

Substrate

• Leeches require gravel/small rocks to dig through. Small lava rocks are highly recommended for their light weight and rough surface that encourages leech shed. In addition, lava rocks have shapes that provide large gaps for your leeches to hide in.

• Other substrates such as sand, soil, or clay balls may be added for planted tanks, and small clay balls work well to fill the bigger gaps between lava rocks if you don't want your leeches to burrow too far.

Plants and decor

• Plants are highly recommended for leeches, both as an area to breed, hide, and for general enrichment. Plants should be low light to match the light requirements of your leeches.

• An aquatic moss of some kind doesn't hurt for adding a little extra oxygen to the aquarium and acting as a hide. Prioritize mosses that have a lower temperature range, such as java moss, which is commonly cultivated, readily available, and is able to live in temperatures from 15-28⁰C.

• A land moss should be planted/attached to a surface above the water and maintained where your leeches can crawl onto it. This should be kept at varying levels of dampness for cocoon depositation. Please note that some mosses are illegally harvested, and you should do your best to get ones that have been cultivated instead. Sphagnum Moss is great for this purpose

• Anubias varieties of plants, good for their low light requirements and low maintenance needs, can add a visual interest to your tank.

• Leeches should have dedicated hides to provide a dark, safe place and reduce stress. Hides do not have to be large, and rough areas of the hides do not have the same concerns that exist with fish (ie. Fins getting caught), so are fine for your leeches. Thickly piled driftwood can provide great natural looking spaces for leeches to hide.

• Adding wood can be beneficial as it leeches helpful tanins into the water and can provide a land area for your leeches. If wood is collected from outside sources, it can be boiled for 1 hr to kill any outside bacteria or funguses. For wood gathered this way, it should be a hard, dry wood. Wood can be soaked in water for a few days before adding it to the tank to assist with sinking if desired.

• Cork bark makes a good floating platform, though it shouldn't be kept free floating to let the leeches get on easily. This cork bark can be used to hold mosses if properly supported.

• Plastic plants can be a welcome addition to provide places to hide or shed extra skin, but be cautious of sharp edges that may harm the soft bodies of your leeches. Plastic plants should be periodically taken out to clean to prevent algae build-up.

Water specs

• Leeches prefer colder waters and can survive in freezing temperatures. The survivable range of temperature to keep them at can range from 0-34⁰C (32-93⁰F) at the Absolute Extremes but ideally, your tank should be kept in the lower middle range of that 10-20°C (50-70°F) with only minimal or very gradual temperature changes. Leeches can survive being briefly frozen, but obviously, ideally will not be.

• Leeches should be in dechlorinated water, either through treating tap water, rain water, or spring water properly remineralized. Though pond water is suitable, the risk of adding parasites, unknown contaminates, or harmful bacteria means that it is not recommended.

• The total hardness of your water should be in the 50-100 ppm range to match freshwater sources. If your water has less, aquarium salts should be added to prevent the water from leeching minerals out of your leech.

• Distilled water should typically be avoided being used as-is as it's "dead" and all minerals have been removed. Distilled water can be made suitable by remineralization with appropriate leech salts.

Water changes

• Water changes should be performed roughly once a week, with the leech's low waste meaning that a planted, maintained tank may only need a water change monthly depending on water quality. You should be replacing about 20-30% of your water during water changes to remove dead skin and reduce the build-up of nitrates.

• Additional water changes should be done when leeches deficate after feeding, usually denoted by a brown or red tint to the water, and the water should be monitored for a few weeks after for ammonia spikes and changed as needed.

• During water changes, it can be helpful to take a moment to clean the glass of the tank, or to manually skim any excess protiens off the surface of the water if not in possession of a filter or skimmer. Snails can be added to your tank to reduce algae build up.

Number of leeches

• Leeches can be kept solitarily or in groups. As previously mentioned, a larger tank size is obviously recommended to show a full range of behaviors and allow for a more visually interesting experience.

• Though able to be kept solitary, leeches are best kept in groups of 3 or more, according to some keepers. Personal research to follow.

Leech behaviors and care:

Leech anatomy and lifespan

• Leeches are soft bodied worms, meaning their skin can be punctured by hard tools and caution should be used with damaging their bodies.

• Leeches possess 2 suckers, one posterior (Rear), and one anterior (mouth). These suckers are used to ambulate or latch onto surfaces.

• Leeches are hermaphroditic and possess both male and female sex organs that are only plainly visible during their mating season. Leeches can self fertilize.

• Leeches breathe through their skin like other worms, and this skin sheds off them periodically throughout the day by rubbing up against rough surfaces.

• Leeches possess small 'teeth' and separate jaws that leave a three pointed star mark behind when feeding.

• Leeches keep blood in their blood crop, where symbiotic bacteria keeps the blood fresh as they slowly digest.

• Hirudo Leeches have a lifespan of up to 8 years

Basics of leech behavior

• Leeches will remain at rest with their heads above the water, and will do so either folded in half or stretched out with both their suckers attached to the glass.

• Leeches love to hang out under the water when tank conditions are suitable, and will attach their posterior sucker to a surface, occasionally undulating to move water over their skin.

• Leeches will swim from one end of the tank to the other through anguilliform swimming similar to an eel but vertically.

• Sudden, dark shadows or changes in light can invoke a prey response in leeches and will cause them to hide until they feel safe.

•Leeches will often "sniff" the air or water around them.

• Leeches become overly active when hungry, showing an increased responsiveness to movement and shadow, and will swim to heat sources such as hands

• When feeding or reproducing, all of these normal behaviors halt in favor of the new ones, and leeches stop responding to stimulus at all, to the point that they could be cut in half and not stop their actions. (Though obviously, avoid actually cutting your leeches)

Reproduction

• Hirudo Leeches reach sexual maturity after about 1-2 years on average

• In the case of Hirudo leeches, mating season naturally takes place in summer, spanning June through August where your leeches female genitalia known as the clitellum will appear as a ring around the body, simalar to an earthworm.

• Breeding can be artifically induced by gradually warming up your tank, but is not reccomended so as not to stress your leech

• Mating takes place in the water, and while many keepers use a lack of land space as an effective form of egg deposition prevention, it should be noted that research shows that this is harmful and potentially deadly to your leech.

• Leeches will not show signs of pregnancy. Any lumps are sickness and you should refer to the proper section.

• Cocoons are commonly laid in damp land areas, either moss or soil in the wild, and take from 2 to 4 weeks to hatch as ~6 fully formed nymphs. (Conflicting information found. Citation TBA)

• Cocoons are soft when laid and proceed to harden over the next hour. Avoid puncturing or moving these cocoons while still soft.

• Termination of cocoons can be performed by freezing them and cutting them in half. Please note that freezing alone will not necessarily kill the eggs

• As previously mentioned, leeches can self fertilize, meaning you may have a cocoon even with one leech. Keepers should be prepared to terminate a cocoon in these cases.

• Unlike other leeches that die after mating, Hirudo leeches can reproduce for the duration of their lifespan.

Feeding

• Hirudo Verbana leeches feed once every 3-4 months with some suggesting more like 4-6. (Citation TBA) Feeding more often than this is likely to harm your leech by causing it to grow too quickly or cause it to vomit blood back up.

• The medically recommended way to feed your leeches is to get a sausage casing and fill it with animal blood (usually beef) warmed to body temp for your leeches to latch onto. This animal blood should be free of antibiotics and bloodthinners and can be collected from your local butcher.

• Please note that pig and raccoon blood should NOT be used, as they will kill your leech.

• Many leech owners will choose instead to feed off themselves for an easier, cheaper option. This comes with its own medical risks and care should be taken to avoid infection of the bite. You should ask your doctor before feeding your leeches off yourself. Once again, your blood should be free of antibiotics as they will kill your leeches.

⚠️ Note that sterile medical leeches kept in non-sterile environments like this will cease to be sterile

Now that I've legally covered my ass, assuming you are feeding off yourself, the following is important information to have.

◇ Materials: Antibacterial soap, isopropyl alcohol, sterile surgical pads (available cheaply at pharmacys), medical tape or masking tape if not available, liquid bandage (optional) and a pill bottle (optional)

◇ Skin should be cleaned before feeding to avoid risk of infection.

◇ Leeches should be fed on thinner skin, but avoid feeding directly over veins. Common bite locations for keepers are feet or the arm due to the thinner skin there.

◇ From personal experience, try to keep your leeches far enough away from each other that they can't touch the other's bite wound when they eventually fall off.

◇ To have your leech bite in a specific area, avoid veins, or encourage biting, your leech can be placed in an empty pill bottle and held to your desired bite location.

◇ Leeches will inject an anesthetic similar into the bloodstream, which may cause feelings of mild euphoria or lightheadedness, in addition to the injection of a powerful blood thinner. You should not self feed if you are on any combination of blood thinners. The bite will range from painless to feeling like a small prickling similar to a shot or gentle tattoo.

◇ Feeding takes up to an hour, and after feeding, your leeches will simply drop off of you. The blood thinners will mean that you will bleed constantly for up to ~10 hours afterwards.

◇ After your leech has fed, hold pressure to the location, move to the sink, and thoroughly clean your wound(s) with your antibacterial soap and alcohol before bandaging properly and applying pressure with a surgical pad and medical tape

◇ Liquid bandage on the wound will quickly stop the bleeding but has been reported by some to increase risk of infection. Risk of infection COULD possibly be lowered by letting yourself bleed to flush out bacteria from the wound for an hour or so, but this is a hypothesis and has not been proven.

◇ You should be prepared to bleed a LOT. Pads should be changed every 2 hours or when bled through to the point of being soaked.

• Baby leeches are often too small to penetrate skin and, in the wild, would bite through the thin skin of frogs. In captivity, baby leeches will feed off their parents or can be helped during self feeding by pricking with a sterile diabetic needle to help break the skin.

• NEVER try and pull a leech off your skin without first breaking suction. Doing so will cause the leech to possibly vomit up blood and bacteria into the wound, greatly increasing the risk of infection, or harm the leech itself.

•If your leech bites when you don't want it to and you Absolutely need to remove it, slide a nail under the anterior sucker to break suction. Note, though, that it's easy for this to harm hirudo leeches by damaging their skin and jaws. It should be avoided when possible.

⚠️Signs of Infection⚠️

If self-feeding, you must be EXTREMELY aware of what the signs of infection look like. These may include:

• Spreading Redness

• Swelling

• Excessive pain or itching sensation

• Wound feeling hot to the touch

• Discharge from wound such as puss

If you suspect at all that you may have an infection, IMMEDIATELY go to your closest urgent care to recieve medical care. If they ask you how you got it, specify that they are leech bites.

Handling of leeches

• Leeches should not be handled after feeding for at least 2 weeks as it can cause digestive issues.

• In order to not over stress your leech, keep handling to a minimum.

• Gloves recommended during handling to prevent accidental bites

On the care of sick leeches

• Leeches when sick will have a lumpy appearance to their body, often caused by an internal twisting of their blood crops. Inexperienced leech keepers will oftem mistake this for "pregnancy". This can sometimes be healed typically by adding extra tannins to the water via betta leaves or Adler pine cones. Your leech should NOT feed until all lumps are gone.

• It's possible if not given enough to rub against that your leech's shed may get stuck, giving them a pinched appearance. This can usually be solved by gently rubbing the leech between your fingers in the effective area until shed loosens.

• "Air taken in during a feed can be potentially life threatening. (C. Peters, pers. comm.) The leech should be held between finger and thumb, and both digits run along the length of the body, expressing as much air and blood meal from the animal as possible" (Spencer and Jones, 2007) Please note that this is outdated information and needs verification.

How to aquire leeches

⚠️Do not buy from leech.com!!!⚠️

We recommend you buy from reputable bio pharmas or leech breeders

Conservation

• Hirudo medicalis leech populations have declined in their natural habitat spanning across Europe and parts of Asia due to over harvesting of leeches for medical purposes in the 19th century, drainage of wetlands, and the reduction of horse use.

• Hirudo Medicalis leeches are currently considered near threatened in the wild and are protected from wild harvesting

• Most leeches for purchase will be Hirudo Verbana, a seperate species of medical leech from areas of the Mediterranean and turkey.

• Any leeches should be bought from a reputable breeder

• NEVER release your leeches into a non-native environment

Helpful Groups

(Please note that not all advice will align with the one given in this guide. I try to use the most recent scientific articles but this is still largely unstudied as a hobby)

r/Leeches on Reddit

Leech Gang on facebook

References

Spencer, W. & Jones, G. (2007): The captive breeding and educational display of the Medicinal Leech Hirudo medicinalis (Linnaeus 1758) at Bristol Zoo Gardens NOTE. OUTDADED AND NEEDS CORRECTION

TBA. So many TBA. Adding pics in the meantime until I cite the articles in mla

Search Engine Terms. Ignore if using guide

leech care leech care guide hirudo leeches hirudo leech care leech tank requirements leech tank needs leech tank setup hirudo verbana leeches Hirudo verbana care Hirudo verbana care guide pet leech care guide medical leech care guide

[silly-gizmo]

About myself! 🐾

Previously: @solsticepony

Includes Info / BYI at the bottom Hi I'm Neli you can refer to me with she/fae pronouns! :D I am currently still trying to figure out a lot of things like my gender identity, sexual orientation, romantic orientation, preferred names, hobbies, etc. I'm potentially asexual I think? Stuff in this about me might get updated/changed sometimes so keep that in mind! Here is my art! | Here is my discord server | Here is my strawpage

Blocked immediately Pedos/zoos Icky NFTs/AI generated media

Here is some stuff about myself!

I have interests in plushies, video games, computers, retro video games and systems, lost media, retro hardware and collecting.

I have plushies, some retro games and systems (mostly Nintendo ones), a Nintendo Switch along with switch games both physical and digital I don't usually have switch online.

I usually play Minecraft both Bedrock and Java and sometimes ROBLOX but I don't support the corporation and I have a negative stance on it. I have played Regretevator, Be a wobbledog and Flavor Frenzy on there before.

You can find me on Discord, Scratch, Roblox and Steam you can ask for them but only if I have seen or interacted with you before! I have Minecraft and Ponytown so you can ask if you want to play with me if you want

I use Linux I currently use Debian 12 with KDE, I do have a laptop with Windows 11 to run Windows applications. They aren't the greatest hardware so they struggle sometimes running the games listed above.

I have played OneShot: World Machine Edition, a little bit of Rain World, Celeste, Slime Rancher: Plortable Edition, Wandersong, Terraria, Undertale, Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition and Half Life I have not completed any of these games and might not have gotten far in them yet! I have finished chapter 1 of Deltarune before though!

I have watched all the episodes of TADC (The Amazing Digital Circus on YouTube) and Murder Drones as of June 2024.

Info / BYI

Reblogs/Posts

Anything that's considered explicit | No | Hate speech | No

Art requests

Suggestive/lewd/sexual/anything that's considered explicit | No | Art involving hate towards any group | No

No

Likes/RBs on posts from MDNI/18+ only accounts | No

Yes

Spam likes/RBs | Yes | Anon/Non-anon asks | Yes | Mentioning me in posts | Yes | Interacting with me | Yes | DMs | Yes

[queeriouslyollie]

ACTUAL INTRO POST !!

hi !! i decided to make a proper introduction post :] i have no idea how ppl do these usually so. here have my awful version of one

general :]

my name is oliver, you can call me that or ollie or parsley. idrc.

i use he/him pronouns !!

i'm trans and queer (demi / pan) (testosterone: 10/22/2020; top surgery: 1/31/2025)

i have ADHD w/ some other problems lmao o[--(

i've also got four lovely kitties !!! they are my goobies

i consider this account multifandom, though specifically what it centers more will fluctuate based on my current interests and hyperfixation(s)

if anyone wants specifics (& just more rambly info) look below the break!! & if anyone's curious about things not mentioned here feel free to reach out (but don't be weird lol)

ps if you have seen me in streamer's chats. no you didn't. forget you ever saw this and how normal i totally am :]

pps have my troy lougferd i still want him at the top of my page

more about me!

things i like n whatnot (i wanna be more active in the fandoms):

just roll with it (i've seen literally everything except for the campaign before riptide) (like at least 70 times)

hermitcraft

pointcrow (& his circle)

slimecicle (& his circle) (duh)

invader zim !!!

probably a lot more i'm just not thinking of. but i'm also not very active in online fandoms and i want to be more !!!

games i like:

mineycraft (usually java, sometimes bedrock)

stardew valley

SPLATOON !!! (2 & 3) (i need to play 1)

SUBNAUTICA !!!!!!!

legend of zelda games (faves include TP, OoT, MM, & WW)

mario games (I LOVE SUPER MARIO BROS 3) (i've played a good chunk of them & the spinoffs)

yoshi's island (this one's seperate bc it holds such a special place in my heart)

kirby games (i gotta play more tho)

pokemon (i also gotta play the classics lmfao)

sonic (i also also gotta play a lot here but i think i've played a decent chunk)

raft

tf2

undertale

deltarune

powerwash sim (yes i still play that lmfao)

viscera cleanup detail

hollow knight

spore

music artists/genres/etc im into (not in any particular order): (tho i would say the very top ones are deffo much preferred)

wallows

glass animals

jack stauber

lemon demon

tally hall

lots of video game OSTs (minecraft, stardew valley, undertale, deltarune, LoZ, kirby, mario, etc etc)

charlie slimecicle's fucking bangers (begging for more pls)

smashing pumpkins

weezer

some orchestral music (from my time in orchestra) (allegretto my beloved [i was a second violin. ikyk])

some MARINA / marina and the diamonds

some musicals (heathers, be more chill)

trying to get more into gorillaz? (my sbib likes them and they're in our shared playlist, i think they're pretty good!)

some nirvana

a few red vox songs (also accredited to my sbib)

miscellaneous songs from the peak of the animation meme era

some? pearl jam

specifically the song "prisencolinensinainciusol" by adriano celentano (if you haven't heard it listen RN!!)

foo fighters (kinda? it hasn't been the same since the shit about grohl came out. but it was very integral to my childhood so. ugh.)

some songs from like. my childhood

misc. stuff:

i like collecting SNES games!! despite it being before my time, i grew up on the SNES. i got my hands on a well-functioning SNES and some games i grew up playing (currently: yoshi's island, DK country 1 & 2, the mario all-stars collection, & mario paint [+ the mouse n stuff]) !! (it's so hard bc im poor and they're expensive. so for now i focus on the ones i played as a kid)

me and my sibling also like vintage/older consoles in general!!

im currently studying to get my bachelor's in psychology (w/ minors in gender studies and behavioral neuroscience if anyone's interested). after this i want to go to graduate school with the ultimate goal of becoming a counselor/therapist !!

if you could not tell, i also do art n stuff !!

i played violin for 7 years thru middle & high school, loved it but my advisor told me not to take it in college (still pissed) but now i own my own violin and have been working on picking it back up. that's why i have a whole section on here for music, just cuz i've always been somewhat musically inclined and it's a very important thing for me. i played second section violin all throughout, but did get a couple solos (albeit rare), and played in the chamber and upper division orchestras.

roller skating !!! it's been years since i went bc skates are espensive and i don't really have anyone to go with but i rlly miss it

hiking, fishing, swimming and whatnot but that's whatever

one final thing is i really want to get into participating in theatre. i wanted to since high school but never did. i have no idea how. so idk if i ever will lol (tho i did help with props for our school's spongebob musical. that was fun)

anyways im happy i did this, the organization probably sucks but !!! ummm cry about it!!!!!!

[wordywarriorwrites]

Trouble

A03 | Pairing: Dave York x OFC | Rating: M

Warnings: Mentions of violence. Language. Smut. Angst.

Summary: Dave's in hiding and always on the move. He knows better than to allow himself to be drawn in, but this time, he just can't help it.

A/N: For @yxtkiwiyxt's Never Have I Ever Challenge. Also, "Trouble" by Ray LaMontagne played repeatedly in my head while writing this.

A tiny café in Podunk town, with only two tables and no security camera. Their version of a morning rush (ten patrons – six women, four men) had come and gone an hour ago. Dave people-watched, mentally mapped out exit strategies, and sized up items he could use as weapons.

But he hadn’t prepared himself for her.

Black shoes, black pants, and a purple sweater. Dark hair and dark eyes. A lemon poppyseed muffin and a steaming cup three times the size he had in his hand. His mind calculated her. Assessed her. Turned her over until he concluded she was simply a late arrival and posed no threat.

“May I?” she asked, index finger pointed toward the empty chair across from him.

Dave knew what he looked like – unshaven, with threadbare clothes, unkempt hair, and an overgrown beard. He no longer bothered with the eyepatch because he was badly scared and had grown weary of trying to hide it for the comfort of others. He was clean but wanted to appear haphazard and unapproachable, and most people – especially women – averted their gaze or looked right through him, which was how he preferred it.

The other table, situated beneath a large, overly blurred poster of a coffee bean, had been taken up by a middle-aged woman with a cellphone that she was manically glued to. He'd gotten a brief glimpse of the screen and knew the lady’s poison was online slots. Addicts were everywhere, even in small towns, and her wild eyes indicated that she had zero intention of leaving the only place other than the library that offered free Wi-Fi.

“That’s Veronica,” she whispered gently. “She’s… Well, she’s struggling.”

Between the choice of sitting with him or the twitchy gambler, this woman seemed to find him the lesser of two evils. Dave wasn’t flattered or insulted by it. He could’ve left – just vacated his seat, taken his overpriced java and too-dry hunk of banana bread, and walked right out the door. He could’ve gotten back into his shitty car and kept on down the road, but he didn’t.

Instead, he looked up at her, and when he met her eyes, he realized the mistake in his assessment. She wouldn’t slit his throat – that much he was confident about – but she was trouble of a different kind, and something about her made a synapse fire in his brain. Dave hadn’t meant to nod because even the most innocuous things, like sharing a table with a stranger, could cause problems.

But then, she smiled, and that was that.

A nondescript Toyota, with a false VIN and fake plates – that was Dave’s home and mode of transportation. A flat tire should’ve been relatively easy to deal with, but he couldn’t get the damn thing off with the tools he had on hand. Being trapped had thrown him into an even higher plane of hypervigilance, and though several people had slowed down and offered to help him, he’d either ignored or refused them.

Then, she arrived.

Her vehicle – a dark green truck with an open bed and flashing hazard lights – slowed to a stop right next to his. There hadn’t been a polite offer for Dave to refuse or disregard because she hadn’t bothered with one. She simply climbed down from her truck, snagged her toolbox from the back, and joined him on the side of the road.

“Well,” she sighed as she rolled up the sleeves of her maroon-colored hoodie and crouched beside him. “Looks like you’ve damaged your nuts.”

In the past, he would have laughed and maybe even engaged in some light banter. But this wasn’t the past, and he wasn’t amused.

The silence that followed was broken only by an occasional car passing by. Her bolt extractor and hammer, his brute strength and stubbornness – a winning combination that saw the flat removed and the equally pitiful spare put into place.

She stood tall and wiped her hands on her dark blue jeans, “You’re going bald.”

Dave grunted and packed up the toolbox. The flat went into the trunk, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw her gesture with a pointed toe encased in a leather loafer toward his back passenger tire. It should’ve been replaced thousands of miles ago, but he kept that to himself. He kept all his thoughts to himself and slammed the trunk shut.

If she thought him rude, she didn’t show it; she just recommended a shop a couple of blocks over that would give him a fair price on a set if he was interested.

He quirked a brow.

She retrieved her toolbox, waved, and took off without a backward glance.

Dave no longer had the pretty face he once had, nor did he have access to CIA-level tech, but he still could learn things about people when he put his mind to it.

He found out her name. Discovered she was the town’s resident bookkeeper, and she worked from home. Was informed that she preferred appointments, but also took walk-ins, and her standard order at the café was a triple-shot espresso.

And chestnut brown, Dave decided, was the color of her hair.

A small, one-story brick house on the end of Corduroy Lane, with an antique-looking business sign in the front yard that listed her services and credentials. A solitary concrete step that led up to a stoop too small to be classified as a porch. A bright red door. A brass claddagh knocker.

The last notes of the bell had just faded when she answered, dressed in black slacks and a pale green button down, face fixed into a professional expression. A practiced exterior that faded quickly, followed by a pleasant greeting and a smile – neither of which he returned. Instead, he held the coffee he’d purchased for her aloft and gestured for her to take it.  

She accepted it with a small nod, and as she sipped, Dave thought what an easy target she’d make.

A single woman who worked alone and most likely lived alone. The kind of woman who invited strangers into her home, trusting they wouldn’t hurt her as she poured over their financials and unwittingly learned all their dirty, little secrets. The type of woman who sat at tables with men she didn’t know, who stopped and helped them change flat tires and accepted coffee from them. A woman ignorant to the danger that could reach out and grab her at any time… 

“Do you like pizza?” she wondered.

Dave blinked. Nodded.

“Fiona’s - the bar around the corner - makes a good pie.”

That smile of hers appeared again. A car door slammed shut.

“Sorry to cut this short, but my next appointment is here,” she announced, eyes momentarily pulled to the delicate timepiece on her right wrist before returning to him. “Thanks for the coffee.”

Dave may have shrugged. He might not have. All he knew as he headed back down the sidewalk toward his car with its’ four brand-new tires that had depleted nearly all his savings was that she needed a better deadbolt for her front door.

By the time Dave arrived at the bar, she was already two slices into an extra-large meat lovers, and the pint of beer she’d ordered was half-empty.  

A high back stool with legs that wobbled like a newborn foal. Tomato sauce and oregano and maraschino cherries. A stereo that blasted Guns and Roses fought for dominance with a flat screen that had been turned on to the ballgame. A neon Coors Light sign. A sticky floor that made his boots squeak with every step.

“Beer?” she offered.

He nodded, and a few moments later, the bartender slid him a pint of whatever was on draft with an acceptably foamy head. While he settled in, she grabbed a handful of napkins from the pile by her elbow and dropped several slices onto a paper plate.

“Place is a shithole,” she declared as she placed the napkins and plate in front of him.  “But the beer is cold, and the pizza is good.”

Five pieces later, Dave agreed, and her unassuming presence, combined with nobody else joining them at the bar, helped keep his shoulders from crawling up into his earlobes. It was a lot for him – the noise, the smells, the people, the terrible lighting, but seated next to her…

“Diner up the street has fish fry on Fridays,” she voiced. She dipped her crust in a little plastic cup of ranch and shrugged as she brought it to her mouth. “Maybe I’ll see you there.”

Dave sat back. Ran a napkin over his mouth. Her profile was soft. Her ears were pierced, but unadorned, and she had a freckle about an inch from her lateral canthus. The high-waisted bellbottoms and buttercup yellow sweater made her look warm. Approachable.

As she chewed, he tried to find something – anything, really – to explain why the hell a good-looking woman like her would bother to give a man like him the time of day. He’d been trained to sniff out subterfuge and knew exactly what pity looked and sounded like, but he could sense none of that.

He finished his beer. The bartender refilled it.

“Fridays?” Dave muttered.

“Fridays,” she replied.   

He nodded. She saluted him with her own refilled glass.

Dave met up with her at the diner on Friday.

Stupid, really, to allow himself to become entangled with her. A risk, too, because of her standing in the town and his unfortunate-looking face. People liked her. Knew her by name. The waitress who brought the menus and silverware covered in water spots eyeballed him hard, and Dave should’ve cared about that, but he hadn’t given a damn.

Because he was uncharacteristically horny. And suddenly starved for attention. Her attention. 

Pathetic.  

“I’ve never broken a bone,” she stated absentmindedly.   

The booth across from them was crammed with high school kids in nearly identical letterman jackets. One boy, maybe sixteen, was seated on the outside, leg outstretched to accommodate a rather large, neon-pink cast. The large “C” on his chest indicated he was the boss of the bunch, and the way the others sucked up to him confirmed it.

Dave had already clocked the rowdy group and the crutches against the wall when he walked in, but still, he followed her gaze until it returned to him. She popped a fry into her mouth and chewed politely while she seemed to consider him.

“Have you?” she eventually wondered as she reached for her drink.

The ice rattled as the straw passed her lips, and the thought of her mouth and all its unknown capabilities burned through him like a shot. Dave imagined how sweet her cola-coated tongue would taste. How nice it would feel wrapped around his cock. He wondered if she’d swallow.

Embarrassed and ashamed, he cleared his throat and looked away. The waitress chose that moment to return and glare at him some more, which he inwardly admitted he deserved. Outwardly, he ignored her. Refills, extra napkins, and more tartar sauce – the topics covered gave him time to compose himself, and when they were alone again, she prodded once more.

“Several,” Dave finally answered.

“Bad accident?”

“Pushed off a cliff.”

She paused mid-squeeze on a lemon wedge, but her eyes never wavered. Even when the waitress came back with their requested items, she didn’t look away. Even when the bell above the door chimed and announced the arrival of more customers, her stare remained focused.

Two toddlers in the booth behind him had been jumping up and down and singing the same refrain of Wheels on the Bus for a solid fifteen minutes. The couple seated behind her had been arguing over everything from the cable bill to the acceptable amount of pepper one should put on mashed potatoes. Someone dropped a plate, and the sound of shattered ceramic momentarily sucked all the noise and levity from the room.

Still, she hadn’t flinched.

Dave had told so many lies about his scars that it had become impossible to remember them all. Even the doctors and nurses who’d saved his life never learned the full details of what happened. She was the only person he’d ever told the truth to, and the unintended admission had somehow made the burden he carried feel less heavy – like simply telling her, even without the gory details, had halved the weight somehow.

Chaos resumed quickly, but the tension remained and stifled the little conversation they’d been having. Eventually, she transferred her purse to her lap and outed two twenties. Crisp, clean, and not at all like the bills he had wadded up in his pocket, she placed them next to her plate and polished off her soda.

The strap of her bag was thin, with a shiny silver buckle, and it slipped over the round of her shoulder without any fuss. When she scooted out of the booth, Dave followed suit, and the narrow, cramped space of the aisle put him in the closest proximity he’d been to a human being since his brush with death.

“I like you,” she asserted.

He stared down at her, “That’s unfortunate.”

Brow furrowed, she turned and headed toward the door. Dave followed her and silently admired her form as she stepped out of the restaurant and into the parking lot. He knew her truck was parked close to the building, which he thought was very sensible, and he escorted her to it.

She outed her keys, “Ever slept with someone on the first date?”

“No,” he answered.

“Me neither,” she admitted. "But I want to. With you."

Once the locks were disengaged, Dave reached for the handle and opened the door for her.

“This wasn’t a date,” he said.

She sighed, “You sure about that?"

It had been two weeks since fish fry Friday.

Well, thirteen days and sixteen hours, to be precise.

Dave’s primary focus had become getting out of town, which he needed money for – a few hundred, at least, if he wanted to put some real distance between himself and this woman who’d started to preoccupy his thoughts entirely too much.

Luckily for him, the town had enough small business owners who supported veterans. Once he’d told them his injuries were war-related, and that it had been hard for him to find steady work, they’d been all too eager to let him do odd jobs in exchange for cash. He was a liar, yes, but not a thief, and it would take a few more days – maybe a week – but only if he stayed focused.

It was Thursday. The clock on the dash signaled it was nearly midnight. He’d just gotten to his preferred parking space – a spot behind the animal shelter that offered direct escape routes, good coverage, and lighting that allowed him to see anything that might come at him.

There was another, smaller lot behind the grocery store, but he only parked there on nights when he couldn’t sleep. Tonight, he was tired. So, he parked at the shelter. And perhaps if he hadn’t been so tired, so focused on getting the hell out of town, on getting the hell away from her, he would’ve noticed her truck when he pulled in.

She emerged from the back door, bag of trash in hand. Head on a swivel, she scanned the lot as she marched toward the dumpster. She opened the lid. Tossed the bag inside. Dave stupidly held his breath, as if that would somehow prevent her from seeing him, but she knew his car.

As soon as she spotted him, she stopped.

Dave had a half tank of gas. The key was still in the ignition. But his treacherous hand went for the door handle instead. The hinges squeaked loudly, and as he slowly climbed out, she crept forward, until she’d moved out of the light and into the shadows with him.

“I volunteer here,” she said.

“I park here,” he replied.

She nodded. Shoved her hands into her pockets. Told him she’d made lasagna, if he was interested in that sort of thing, and headed back inside.

Twenty minutes later, when her truck eased onto the street, he followed.

Dave recalled washing his hands at the kitchen sink. He ate three servings of lasagna. Drank several glasses of water. Whatever happened after he helped clean up was lost on him because, like a fade-to-black moment in a movie, his mind blanked.

When he came back online, it was to the scent of dark roast and sunlight. Other details trickled in slowly, like the too-small couch and the ache in his lower back. The soft blanket draped over him and the pillow tucked beneath his head. Belt and boots off. Shirt and pants on. Big toe stuck out of the hole in the seam of his sock.

He sat up. Wiped the sleep from his eyes. When he looked around, he spotted her in the kitchen, robe donned and steaming mug in hand.

“You snore,” she voiced.

He grunted. Stretched. Got to his feet.

“Bathroom?” he yawned out.

She gestured toward a slightly ajar door with her mug. After Dave finished and stepped back into the living room, he looked around her home and took in all the minuscule details he’d only briefly glossed over the night before. Like the shearling rug beneath his feet, the candles on the coffee table, and the small television in the corner. Books. Magazines. A coat-and-shoe-rack combo with seasonal attire and several pairs of well-worn shoes. A fish tank without any fish. Gauzy curtains, creaky hardwood floors, and an antique mechanical calculator.

A pair of double doors with frosted windows – that’s what separated her personal and professional lives. A neat-as-a-pin space, with carefully situated office furniture, fake plants, and tall floor lamps. The desk was also tidy – just a laptop, a box of tissues, and a pen holder. There was a small filing cabinet within arm’s reach, a framed degree on the wall, and a sideboard with a Keurig.

A contradiction of spaces – one he took in the source and reason of when his eyes finally stopped ping-ponging and returned to her. Adorned in a clownfish orange robe and holding an obscenely large cup with the phrase Save the Whales on it. A bruise on her shin and toenails painted a deep berry color. Her hair glowed in the sunlight, and when she turned and opened the cabinet nearest her, the hinge squeaked.

“Name’s Dave,” he confessed to her back. 

She stilled for a moment. Then, both mugs were carefully placed on the counter. She didn’t say anything – just turned her head slightly, revealing the slope of her nose, the apple of her cheek, and the barest, upturned corner of her mouth.

A few footsteps – that’s all that existed between him and her, and he shortened the distance until his hands could reach the frayed fabric of her robe. The rounds of her shoulders fit perfectly in his palms, and her hips filled his grip when he squeezed them. The robe had been worn in, made softer by repeated washing and wearing, but it was nothing compared to her skin. A tiny sliver of it was revealed to his eyes and touch because there was a tear the size of his thumb just above the belt around her waist, and it was enough to make him ache.

“What do you want, Dave?”  

"You," he admitted, eyes trained on the flutter of her lashes.

She let out a ragged breath, “Okay.”

Throat tight, he swallowed hard and reached for the tie beneath her belly button. Dave tugged at it until the belt gave way, and the halves of her robe split open like a curtain, revealing to him what he could have only imagined just seconds before. A bare line of flesh, from collar bone to pubic bone. The curve of her breasts. The soft swell of her belly. Another tug and the robe became a forgotten heap of cotton on the floor at their feet.

He paused. Allowed his thumb to find a home in the space between the vertebrae in her tailbone. The coccyx – a small, curved bone at the base of the spine – was extremely difficult to break, but he’d done it before. He'd made it look like a slip-and-fall accident. He could do it again if he wanted to, but he didn’t want to.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” he whispered as he guided his hands up her sides. He cupped her breasts and squeezed gently. “I won’t hurt you.”

"I know," she replied, tone strong and certain, bowing into his touch. "I know you won't, Dave."

He closed his eyes, pressed his nose to the crown of her head, and nudged at her ankle with his foot. He hadn’t said a word, but still, she’d listened beautifully and shifted her stance. That action alone was enough to get him buzzed, to fill his cock, and make his mouth water. When he opened his eyes, the sight of her ass stuck out and her hands braced on the counter made him groan.  

Dave unbuttoned and unzipped. Shoved his jeans and underwear past his hips. He knew he no longer deserved this, but he wanted it. He wanted her. Was starved for her. His body practically vibrated with a need so strong that it felt as if he could be broken all over again by it. His mind was so wild with anticipation, with such an overabundance of eagerness, that he nearly froze. 

“This morning,” she exhaled shakily, voice now tinged with shyness. “I touched – but I couldn’t. I tried. I’ve been trying…”

The immobility that had threatened to overtake him fluttered away and was replaced by something akin to empathy. Teeth dug into his lower lip, Dave carefully reached between her thighs and found the evidence of what she’d barely managed to admit to. Hot. Wet. Swollen with arousal. He slowly spread his fingers around until they were coated in her slick, and she whimpered when he slid two deep inside her warmth.

She pushed back against him eagerly, and Dave may have been rusty and nervous as hell, but he hadn’t forgotten. The addition of another finger and slow, firm strokes to her clit with the pad of his thumb – that's what made her flutter and roll her hips. He pushed her hard toward her orgasm, not because he wanted to rush, or because he wanted his turn, but because he could sense just how badly she needed it. She needed it desperately – almost as desperately as he did. 

“How long?” Dave demanded gruffly. “How long have you been like this?”

She held the countertop in a white-knuckled grip, “Since the restaurant.”

It happened fast for her, just as he'd hoped. Her thighs twitched, and then, her knees wobbled. Pressed up against her as he was, Dave felt the way it trembled through her, the way her chest vibrated as she vocalized sounds of relief. He saw her through it, let his touch absorb the delicious aftershocks, and when he slowly slid his fingers out from between her legs, she whined in protest. 

“Still want it?” he asked against the shell of her ear.  

“I want it, Dave,” she exhaled with a nod. “I want you.”

Fingertips dug into the meat of her hips, Dave guided himself into her, right down to the base. He clocked her gasp. The way she strained on tiptoe. How her plush ass flexed against his groin. She adjusted, surrendered, and squeezed down hard around him like she’d be content to hold him within her, just like he was, for however long he desired.

Jaw clenched, eyes fixed on where they were joined, Dave eased back and pushed forward again. He watched, transfixed, as he disappeared inside of her. She was drenched, and his cock glistened with every retreat and thrust.

Paces matched, rhythm found, gratification coaxed until it burned painfully hot and bright. Hips sharply angled. Fast and deep. She whisper-chanted his name as he strummed her clit, and the scent of her shampoo, the soft backs of her thighs, her hands splayed wide across the countertop – so erotic, so beautiful…

“Feels good,” she murmured, words soft and blissed out. She pushed back down on him and stuttered out a breathless curse. “You feel so fucking good, Dave.”

Head drooped, the line from the nape of her neck to the slope of her shoulder was fully exposed. Compelled, without consideration or reason, suddenly greedy and inexplicably possessive, Dave sank his teeth into her flesh. An untamed sound escaped her throat, one that instantly became imprinted on his brain, and when she gushed around his cock, his head spun.   

He stroked her already oversensitive bundle of nerves until she jolted and whimpered and knocked what would’ve been his mug of coffee into the sink. Dave could feel the way her body warred, how eager she was to both drown in and escape from the onslaught. Her head lolled back against his shoulder, and with her face upturned and her eyes on him, he felt truly seen. 

And completely safe.    

“You want it inside,” Dave stated, words tumbling out before he could stop them. “Don’t you?”

She croaked out an unashamed, “Yes, I want it inside,” and that spurred him into doing perhaps two unwise, but wholly necessary things. Dave came inside her – rocked his hips and ground himself deep as his release rushed through him. Then, he kissed her – used his tongue to pry her mouth wide open and plunder. And she reciprocated, all muffled mewls as she held him within her, thighs pressed tight, and walls furiously clamped.

He grazed his teeth over the shell of her ear. Ghosted his mouth along the hinge of her jaw. Felt a pang of displeasure when he eventually slipped from her – an emotion that was almost immediately replaced by something dark and ferocious as he watched his come trickle down her inner thighs.

She turned slowly toward him and smiled, “Wanna go get tacos?”

Dave’s stomach growled and served as an answer. When she smiled, he decided she was more than worth the trouble.

And he wasn’t going anywhere.

[eleanorandphantom]

Get to know me?

I kinda realized I never really introduced myself, so uh, hi!

My name is Echo :D I am pansexual and genderfluid, as for pronouns, I have no preferences, just don't call me an 'attack helicopter' and we'll be chillin'

I am 16, currently in Junior year, actually really enjoying it right now!

In most of my DR's my name is Eleanor, which is why its my user! I just feel connected to both names

Some non-shifting facts about me:

I have olive-green eyes

I have been singing/playing guitar/acting for around 10 years and I danced for 8 years (still dance for theater and funsies)

I play acoustic, electric, and a little bass

I am in a band as a lead singer and guitarist, we are called "Vessels of Rebirth"!!!

I am an alto-soprano! which is very fun as I can sing very diverse styles of music (my favorites being folk, rock, and gospel)

I am a Christian and follower of God, to whom I love dearly

Although I am a Christian, I do a lot of tarot reading, and I also see and speak with the deceased as well as have prophetic dreams on occasion. I currently have 3 spirits residing in my house, they are quite nice! (Also if you guys have any suggestions on incense please let me know! I need to add to my stash)

I do a ton of art, whether it be sewing, drawing, painting, photography, or making things out of materials, you will always find me with a new project (I'm currently working on a plushie bee for my friend in my Java class!!)

Speaking of java I am loving coding, that shit is cool

At the moment, I am leading in two shows (one is a murder mystery comedy, like clue, where the audience decides who the murderer is! The second is Spamalot, and I am the female lead, Lady of the Lake!!) I am also in the ensemble of Hadestown and doing crew for Little Mermaid! So a ton of theater stuffs going on (would you believe me if I told you I have 6 different theater-based DR's?? teehee)

I do a ton of reading, I love books; it's one of my dreams to have a Hobbit-inspired book room in my future house, complete with a circle door

I have a massive collection of plushies and stuffed animals, all of which I have named and remember perfectly (I love them sm)

My favorite colors are: forest/emerald green, sunset orange, TEAL!!!, deep purples, navy blue, maroon, pastel yellow, and blue/ashy grey

I am very Portuguese, and I love Portuguese food, my favorite being Bifanas

I have two pets, a 7 year old golden retriever named Ridge and an 11 month old ragdoll cat named Dexter (short for Dexteria, yes I am a DnD nerd)

Speaking of DnD, I am currently DM'ing three campaigns, and I'm in around 10-15 other campaigns, I love DnD a lot, it's one of my favorite hobbies

Onto shifting related stuff!

I have been shifting(minishifting partially, still shifting though!!!) since I was around 8 I guess? I didn't realize that was what I was doing at the time, and around 2021 I found out about shifting through a classmate (who brought it up at the most random time possible, an ELA class lol)

The first actual DR I ever made was a My Hero Academia reality, and by birds all mighty that script was ROUGH

But I still hold it close to my heart, even though it was so cringy

I took a break from shifting for like 7 months to a year at most, I believed in it, I just felt more content in my CR, but now I am at a point where I want to explore and be fully happy and learn and grow as myself!

Here is a list of my main DR's!

MPHFPC

Waiting Room

Phantom of the Opera

DnD homebrew (x3)

Better CR

Ever After High DR (x2)

Theater related (x6)

Apartment DR (x2)

Big Bang Theory

ASOUE

College DR (Harvard obviously)

Mad Scientist DR (before you ask, it's a book I'm writing, and No I am not the mad scientist)

Hogwarts (Not my favorite, but definitely for the vibes, witch-craft and ooo riding brooms is super fun! I kinda stay away from the main characters to the best of my ability, besides George tho, that man has my heart)

Those are my most recent ones, they all have their little quirks and loveliness that make them unique to me, if you have any questions about them I would be happy to answer!

I mainly post about my MPHFPC DR and more recently my Waiting Room, since they are the two realities I go to

I hope you guys enjoyed and got to know me a bit better, my asks/comments are always open so feel free to stop in and say ahoy!

Bye-bye for now :D

[kozykricket]

SO

god... we're getting changes / additions to pre-existing stuff. i dont know if you know how big this is to me. we've gotten... CRUMBS of it, before, but... its always felt like it has been neglected, generally. or like, the new stuff always overshadows old stuff, even if they do update some niche old things but NOW? they're giving PIGS variants. i dont even CARE about PIGS they're boring animals but THATS COOL ITS LIKE YEAH! AND THEN. THE OLD TREE TYPES ALSO HAVE FALLING LEAVES!!! ITS NOT JUST BLATANTLY SHOWING WHAT THE MOST RECENTLY ADDED TREES ARE ANYMORE. i found it really odd pale oak had falling leaves but dark oak and oak didnt lol. i dont think like, acacia or spruce needs them that bad, but i also wont say no :P and then! wildflowers! pretty new flowers! id love one or two more "flowerbed" type flowers... its simple, but really really nice

im not someone who is obsessed with giant content updates anyways, i think what minecraft needs is just, more little things sprinkled about, and thats what the drop system is great for! i think the pale garden was... it felt like it was trying to be a major update in terms of having a big theme and having one place where everything new was, yet it was a drop, just because it didnt have THAT much content i guess... but anyways, im just glad to see that the drop system isnt exclusively going to be throwing more Brand New Thingys onto the game. we ARE getting UPDATES to THINGS that need it like

when was the last time, that, aside from in the middle of snapshots, or for bedrock-java-parity... we got a recipe change? the last one i can think of is like, fences? in 1.8? an ACTUAL REBALANCE OF SOMETHING THAT WAS REALLY WRONGLY PLACED IN TERMS OF HOW YOU GET IT. THE LODESTONE unironically, i can play without coordinates if i have lodestone compasses. PLUS you can put them in BUNDLES (even though mojang fumbled tf outta the bundle UI uhh yeah they're not always winners)

i think my one critique would be the leaf litter... theres a lot of better ways to do it. you could make it uh, actually have different variants for different tree types... or you could make it spawn only under trees, and near coarse dirt or podzol patches (small forest update pls...) and, their texture could... even if it stays a single generic leaf litter block, still be better. and, them being able to be piled like snow layers... i would Almost prefer over the petal-type placement.. wont lie.

GLORY TO THE DROP SYSTEM !!

[andthekitchensinkao3]

Ok so you said Astarion likes bitter tea. What would he think of coffee? What does he think of Lucanis obsession with coffee? Also will he eventually know about the whole Spite and Lucanis situation? What would be his reaction to finding out?

COFFEE! One of my favourite things in the whole world. I blame my Swedish heritage. We drink ridiculous amounts of the stuff in my family. So. Fun set of questions :D

Coming up next in the story is Astarion meeting the rest of the team and getting to identify the key players, as it were - and while I don’t see Lucanis revealing everything about himself, we’ll see if Spite takes issue with that. I haven’t decided yet. ;) But. coffee!

Astarion prefers his coffee in the Amnian style - dark, bitter, and with a hint of spice. I imagine him and Lucanis can have long discussions on the merits - or lack thereof - of tampering with coffee. Milk and sugar? Cream? Lucanis could perhaps justify latte macchiato as a regional/cultural thing, but Astarion would have Opinions. If you’re going to have a tall glass of warm milk with a dollop of strong coffee, might as well skip the coffee altogether. “It’s not even called coffee, it translates to STAINED MILK!!?!!??!?!?!” But I digress. I love all forms of coffee drinks, and only draw the line at sugar in my cuppa black java.

Re: Lucanis and coffee, though. He’s obviously a recovering addict substituting one vice for another, less detrimental one. Oh, he’s sleepwalking? Oh, he uses the coffee as a means of staying awake? Darling, that clearly isn’t working.

Eventually, though, he’s bound to find out about Spite. He may initially write him off as Lucanis’ imaginary friend, but once Spite comes out to play, things will shift quite a bit, I think. Now, fair warning, I love Spite the way fandom has shaped him. I don’t love how he’s handled in the game. Because, at least to me, it felt like the core of Lucanis’ entire character arc is about personal autonomy. He’s been used and abused his whole life, controlled by Caterina and molded into something he doesn’t really want to be. He’s a sweetheart who cooks in his spare time, who makes elaborate meals, with heart and care. He’s dreamed of romance for a long time, but now he believes he isn't desirable, or fears that he can't love, or meet the expectations placed on him in a relationship. And now he’s coming out of years of isolation and torture at the hands of a blood mage and he’s tied to a demon. An actual, bloody demon. Everything we know about the world of Thedas thus far is he should be dead. And if he isn’t already dead, he should be killed. He’s an Abomination.

…and somehow, at every turn, instead of making his Arc about reclaiming himself and being free of the demon, he’s encouraged towards a symbiotic relationship. I’m not saying this is necessarily wrong - it’s a narrative choice.

And if anyone can relate to being stuck with something in your head against your will, while it gives you new powers, and it isn’t entirely, 100% BAD - it’s Astarion. And as we all know by now, personal freedom and autonomy are Really Big Deals to him.

[izicodes]

Old Java Notes

Sunday 27th August 2023

I found some of my old Java notes I made during my apprenticeship early last year! I don’t use Java now at all but it’s cool to look back at what I used to study on! Then, because my work place used C#, the class turned to a C# class instead!

for some reason I couldn’t understand Java but I could understand C# even though their syntax are similar and other things? Anyhoo, I still prefer C# over Java now 🥰✨🙌🏾

[divenlydecayed]

Ouhh I didn't know you guys were referred to as it but I do know that it is sacred , especially within the indigenous community !! We have a kiwi at my local zoo , though .. their treatment of it was inadequate at first !! Thankfully people quickly hopped on that :D .

I love Oceania animals :] .

Also :(( !!! That sucks . I think I've seen other animal mods that are awesome on Java though !! I'll be sure to be on the lookout . I also play Java , I honestly prefer it :] .

- 🦷

The bird itself is taonga (treasure, high value) like most of our native species. New Zealand people being called kiwi has mixed opinions. Just depends on the person. I personally do not care about being called kiwi.

I'm very glad the kiwi is being treated right. The only reason I slightly dislike zoos is that many do not give proper care and enrichment. My zoo does a pretty good job. We have multiple kiwis and other nocturnal animals.

I definitely prefer Java, but I also have both.

[invisibleraven]

Keeping Spirits Bright

Day 17: Magic + Flarrie <=AO3

“What do you want for Christmas?” Flynn asked one day. “You are like, impossible to shop for, so I need like, an itemized list upfront.” 

“You don’t have to give me anything.” 

“Nuh uh, don’t pull that crap,” Flynn argued. “I have to get you something, otherwise I look, and more importantly, feel like an awful girlfriend. So, list, idea, anything. And don’t say a gift certificate for anything, I want to give you something you can unwrap.” 

Carrie paused at that, because she was honestly about to suggest a spa certificate-it was always a safe bet with her. Plus she could bring Flynn with her and they could make a day of it. “Hmmm, well you could get me the new Valentino purse, but they’re too pricey for me to even think about purchasing. Sorry for having expensive taste.” 

“You wouldn’t be you if you didn’t,” Flynn replied. “But I don’t think I have the budget for a designer brand. Though it has given me an idea.” 

“What would you like?” Carrie asked. 

“I mean if unlimited access to the McQueen collection was possible, I’d say that,” Flynn sighed. “But otherwise? I think I’d be happy with Chappell Roan on vinyl.” 

“Nothing else?” Carrie asked-she did love to spoil Flynn, and she had the funds to do so. It was just that Flynn didn’t want her to spend her (well her dad’s) money spoiling her, not wanting to be seen as a sugar baby or a golddigger. Carrie really admired that about her, but it still made it difficult to buy her things. 

“Not unless you can give me a white christmas,” Flynn joked. “I haven’t seen snow since the year we got stuck at my nanna’s for Christmas in Colorado.” 

“How old were you?” Carrie asked. 

“Eleven?” Flynn guessed. “It was the last year we went out there, since nanna went into a home after that. But I loved getting to see snow, enjoy all the stuff I heard about on old records.” 

“I mean if you want we could go somewhere with snow for the holidays,” Carrie suggested. 

“Our families would never let us hear the end of it if we did,” Flynn sighed. “Plus the band has that New Years Eve gig that I have to be back for.” 

Carrie slumped-of course Flynn would put everything before herself. Never one to disappoint others, never thinking of herself. It was infuriating and adorable, and ruined the idea of whisking her off to the Alps for the holidays. She would have to think of something else. 

Thankfully, Carrie had a flood of resources at her fingertips, and with a phone call, she had a plan-Flynn would never know what hit her. 

Christmas morning, they woke up together. Their home was bedecked in reds, greens, and golds, looking like iit came out of a magazine. But it still felt homey-a far cry from the sterile home Carrie grew up in, or the chintzy vibe Flynn’s parents preferred. 

They opened presents by their fake fireplace; sipping coffee and enjoying pastries-the one area Flynn allowed indulgence and spoiling-she did love her java and baked goods. She thanked Carrie for the record, though she did roll her eyes at it being signed, along with tickets to the next show. “I said no spoiling!” 

“You said no such thing,” Carrie refuted. “Plus I love her too, so it’s a present for the both of us really.” 

“So you don’t want your gift?” Flynn sing-songed, swinging a large bag on her fingertips. 

“I didn’t say that.” 

With that, Carrie snatched the bag, tearing away the paper, and gasped as she pulled the fabric from inside it. “Did you make this?” 

“Of course,” Flynn beamed. It had taken weeks-thank goodness she already had Carrie’s measurements from using her as a model through school. But it had still been a labour of love to create the gorgeous sparkly pink dress that Carrie was holding up to her. 

The colours faded from a hot pink to the softest petal pink, bedecked with sparkles, and swirling silver thread. A high leg slit on one side, with only one arm, and some cheeky cut outs on the other. It screamed Carrie, and she was sure it would look amazing on her. 

“Flynnie, it’s magical, I love it,” Carrie said, her eyes watery. “I love you.” 

“Love you too Care Bear.” 

They shared a few kisses then-with Carrie hanging her dress up to admire, and to avoid wrinkles. She would love to wear it today but it was a bit too dressy for their family visits. But she bet it would look amazing when they attended the Phantoms show on New Years, especially with Flynn on her arm. 

“So, I do have one more present for you.” Carrie said as they got ready to go out on their rounds. 

“Carrie…” 

“You made me a dress,” Carrie said. “So you can shush about spoiling me, little miss fashion designer. It’s not McQueen, but I hope you like it anyway.” 

With that, she opened the door and beamed as Flynn gasped. Because their front yard looked like a winter wonderland. Everything was covered in the realest looking fake snow Carrie could find. Plus decorations on the few trees they had, sparkling and lovely. 

“Care…” Flynn looked at her. “How?” 

“I called in a few favours,” Carrie said with a shrug. 

“With who? Santa?” Flynn giggled, reaching out to touch the snow. “It’s cold!” 

“Yeah, I think they sprayed it with cooling stuff,” Carrie said. “I know it’s not a real white Christmas like you asked for..”

“No, it’s better,” Flynn assured her. “This is…truly magical Carrie. I don’t think you know how much this means to me.” 

“I think I do,” Carrie said. “Now will you please let me spoil you more often?” 

“We can talk about it,” Flynn conceded. “But you can always keep surprising me.” 

And that was good enough for Carrie as she pulled Flynn in for a kiss, just as the snow machine kicked in, surrounding them with flakes of snow, making the moment all the more magical-just like the girl in her arms. 

[fellowshipofthenoodles]

So I don't really know what to do, one of my cresties has decided to not use his hides or the plants he usually uses (he squishes himself behind them while he's sticking to the wall) and he's instead opted to just stick to a small empty piece of glass wall and at first I didn't worry because he would stick his tail to the glass but today his tail was hanging like he had FTS, I've been trying to cluter his tank more ever since he started sleeping there but he doesn't seem to care, he'll just squeeze himself back into the same spot, I've been wanted to get one of those 3d printed hides but I don't really know what size I should get, I'll attach two pictures

I just don't know why he specifically likes that spot (also sorry they're blurry, I have really shakey hands) he also frequently uses the plants in the back to hide but he's stopped for some reason. (Also his tail is no longer down because I used a branch above him to pin his tail to the wall, not like it's pined pined but it's just laying against the glass now) also I know the bottom is a bit open, I just re-organized it and I've been second guessing it but if you have any ideas please let me know, thank you.

Sorry for the second ask but I actually got a creative urge and I put in an extra vine, along withe the light vine, and then I put in another big plant, I just tried to clutter it as much as I could in hopes he sleeps somewhere else, and i know its not the best, I have the worst time trying to find stuff, im probably going to put some real sticks in there at some point, I just have a hard time figuring out the type of tree

-

Sorry for a 4th ask but I had gotten a picture of his pelvic region and I was wondering if it was normal, I had panicked because it was so rare for his tail to fall like that, especially at a 90° angle when it usually fell at a 48° angle. Again sorry for so many asks

Hello! So sorry for how long this has taken @crestiegeckos - lots of irl stuff going on for us as well as asks being weird sometimes.

So it’s possible that it’s FTS if he doesn’t often go on horizontal surfaces or doesn’t have enough horizontal surfaces to be on where he feels safe/comfortable - this is why things like branches and bridges are so important for cresties (and other arboreal geckos). For branches you just need something like cork bark or you can use I think Java wood, bog wood or mopani - any wood that isn’t toxic and can withstand high humidity.

However some geckos don’t enjoy horizontal surfaces even with access to them. Some just end up with FTS because they prefer to be on the glass like that - we’ve seen it occasionally in groups on Facebook.

Saying all this though, sometimes gecko tails can and do go at a weird angle with without FTS. We can regularly see various geckos we own with their tails at weird angles, it doesn’t mean FTS it just means they can move their tails and they aren’t always straight out or curled around them.

But I do also have to say that it could be any number of things and we aren’t qualified to say whether or not it is FTS, something else or nothing. If you see it repeatedly or are worried then I recommend a vet visit. Also try not to disturb your gecko too often with enclosure changes, that can cause a lot of stress to keep adding or moving things around and will make it very hard to settle - try to leave it at least a few weeks between each change so he can adjust to what you’ve done already and try not to make changes while they’re in the enclosure.

I hope this helps.

[daily-tf2-medic]

Jester, favorite bird species? Mine are java sparrows.

I’m gonna be honest, I’m not really a bird person. I prefer fish and marine life !! I do like puffins though.

-🃏

[egg-emperor]

Unrelated to Eggman but a more general Unleashed opinion: the SD version is better than the HD version due to having better level design and not blocking off progress behind random collectibles

I understand the appeal because I really like the Wii/PS2 version too, it was my first. The level design is fun. I also like to play it when I want to be more casual and quick with it and don't wanna go looking for medals. My favorite things is that I really like the different Eggmanland stages day and night just as much as the other version, I adore Eggmanland so I really appreciate even more of it. I also like how the Egg Devil Ray and Egg Lancer actually have Eggman piloting them unlike the 360/PS3 version, my man is getting around and is even more hands on there- I just love seeing more of him lol

But I definitely feel the 360/PS3 version is superior and definitive for being the complete version. The hub worlds are amazingly beautiful and immersive, the character interactions are more in depth and the missions from them are super fun to me. Love the level design in it just as much as the other version and I don't mind the medals as long as I don't miss too many while playing and have to backtrack for too long because I like how it offers replayability and challenge. Also it has Empire City with a hub world and day and night stages I adooore and have a blast with (so much it's Casino AU Eggman's birthplace lol) so it's sad it's not in the Wii/PS2 version

So I gotta say I prefer the 360/PS3 version but I love the Wii/PS2 one too. But I don't feel that people have truly experienced all the best the game has to offer until they've played the former. I think both are worth a play though, the latter certainly has its qualities.

There's a reason I have every version (minus the Java if you wanna count it lol) 💜

(you can tell the PS2 version was my first as it's the most busted up but by now the 360 version is my most played for being my ultimate fav version)