#learning the shelling types and their differences

[baudouinette]

The Latin text layers 😭😭😭💀

The historical cum (idk how it’s called in English???) Sndjsj “el cum histórico”💀 i suppose those who’ve studied latin in school know what im talking abt 🙏🏼

It’s the inscription on the sword btw 😭 “benedic et sanctifica hanc gladium cum tua serenissima pace et voluntate”

Latin aside, I was thinking of doing a post with Old French words and phrases, categorized like for greetings, farewells, common sayings, titles and ways of addressing people, differences according to century, etc. aside from what the links in my pinned post provide. Would anyone find it useful?

——

•Ignore the sword as it is not finished at all yet it has many layers underneath it that need to be erased later on. On top of that, the angle in the zoomed portion is a bit wrong, and Lluna’s arms should be further apart—or the sword higher up—to hold it in a way that makes sense, considering the weight and balance, but idk whether I can fix that.

But this is what it is like according to my first draft & concept (this is the diary I used to annotate research, and conceptualize aspects of not only HCW but in general~). It is basically the movie one (same colors for example) but with more accurate proportions applied (but I make other creative variations too). There is some indecision in the part types for this concept, mostly bc of the variations, but nowadays I have narrowed it down more for Pais Sereine at least. Will show his type XI heirloom sword someday too.

Scabbard drawing is missing. For HCW the leather both on it and the grip is a dark brown, like the movie, with interspersed rims.

For other concepts, I might give it a very distinct ‘natural-looking’ dark greyish blue tint (dunno how to describe it) just for fun, although I can’t quite tell whether that would be entirely acceptable. Maybe it would look good in the dragon fantasy AU!

Many possible names for others: Gratia, Cineris, Taeda, Iusant, Rayonner, Fulgens, Ensis, Arcens, Addala, al-Adel, al-Quzat, Igniscor, Plantamor, Cireur, Nurqamar, Mafoi, Voisdefoi. Which sounds coolest? (And don’t get me started w Armenian names: Hayrapetakan or Patriark, Luys…) There’s Greek to take into consideration, too… 🤯

Btw if any of these caught your eye and you wanted to use it, let me know! I’d be v happy to share! (These ideas are not just for me, I just literally can’t stop brainstorming so part of the reason I share so much is with this purpose. 🩵)

Lluna and Baldwin’s concepts 💞 Baldwin with the eastern look I like to give him (my hyperfixation w ‘tablions’ 😅). Was too lazy to finish the horsie’s legs on Lluna’s art haha.

Al Mualim, Juliana, and one of my favorite characters, Teodora Tsion-Naxos (have not properly introduced her yet, so it is a mild spoiler)

As these were concepts and meant to be drawn quickly, I used Tom Tierney’s art as reference for some of them (for Teodora I didn’t, since she is very much an original character with an extremely rare role and background—her sister Tania too). I never showed these other than in my private insta—I used to be sooooo self-conscious about unfinished, sketch art. But sharing art like that lately here with you has helped me break out from that shell, somewhat. I hope you don’t find it annoying 💕

I wish my writing looked prettier 😭 (any other left-handed ppl here struggle w this???)

Juan Vicente says hi :) he loves learning with me and watching me as I write lol (he had to had his eye removed recently my bbyboy 😢)

I might take a more serious break from some social media soon, I’ve been thinking about it, and you can probably tell/assume I can feel burnout easily, with all this hyperactivity 💔

[shuffle-the-dm]

Gunlance shelling type reference for Monster Hunter Rise:

Normal Shelling

Highest shell capacity/quantity (6 shells)

Lowest damage per shell

Only shell type capable of doing "Aerial Full Burst"

Long Shelling

Medium shelling capacity (4 shells)

Medium damage per shell

Highest Wyrmstake and Wyvern Fire damage of the shelling types

Furthest reaching explosions of shelling and Wyvern Fire of shelling types

Wide Shelling

Lowest shelling capacity (2 shells)

Highest damage per shell

Can charge one additional level with Charged Shelling

Wrymstakes do one large blast of damage, and also deal KO damage (like blunt weapons)

Helpful Skills

Artillery- Boosts damage of shells and Wyvern Fire, and reduces cooldown of Wyvern Fire

Load Shells- At skill level 2, gives 1 additional shell to shell capacity

Evade Extender/Window- ...Gunlance is pretty sluggish with few movement options. Big quality of life.

Guard/Guard Up- Alternatively just block. Gunlance has a huge shield, why not use it?

Tips (from personal experience)

Shells do fixed damage and eat through sharpness quickly, but shells/Wyvern Fire do foxed damage! This allows Gunlance to have good damage at any position relative to the monster, and their shield can help them "live" in spots that other weapons might struggle to stay in.

Wyvern's Fire has a guard point while charging up the blast! With ranks in Guard Up skill, this can make it a safe finisher against monsters, or as a way to power through their roars.

Gunlance does have guardpoints on a few things! Such as...

Later unlocked after completing the mission "Grasp the Gunlance", the switch skill Guard Reload has the hunter...guard at the start of their reload. It's slower than the Quick Reload, and reloads less shells. But it also reloads the Wyrmstake! Notably, if playing with Wide shelling, Guard Reload does still reload all shells.

[icewindandboringhorror]

"We can get through this by working together, reach out to your friends, community is all we have, a social network will be your security in the world, now is the time to lean on others!"

I do agree, and it's scientifically sound (pretty sure there is data about how people with better social networks live longer and etc) but also....augh..... what about the severe social issues, difficulty to leave the house, physical issues which lead to like zero socialization energy a majority of the time, etc. etc. Social support can be a replacement for structural support, but.. I guess I just wish it didn't have to be. Community is extremely difficult to build, even moreso if you're someone who has issues with social cues or group conversations or even just being around others in the first place. And blah, nuance, of course I'm just complaining or maybe being too negative or maybe misunderstanding, but, I hardly have the energy to brush my hair once every 2 months.. how am I supposed to maintain a wide social network and be active in a Community and Join Groups lol... sometimes it kind of feels like "er.. well if thats my only option then...... ruh roh". It's overwhelming

[scribbles-here]

ɪ ᴘᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏɴᴅᴇʀ ɪɴ ᴡᴏɴᴅᴇʀʟᴀɴᴅ

summary: ever since you've woken up in Twisted Wonderland, you've been in awe. i mean how could you not? magic was everywhere!

your friends just shrug it off, thinking that there was nothing special about this world, but you, oh you can't help but giggle like a child whenever something explodes, whether on purpose or accidently, in potions class. of course, someone has noticed the joy at the smallest things in your eyes, and he can't help but admire that.

characters: Riddle, Leona, Azul, Kalim, Vil, Idia, and Malleus,

type: fluffy / gn reader / romantic / bullet points + lowercase intended / reader is yuu

a/n: had this in my head for a while but whenever im given the chance to write i forget everything, some characters might be ooc and like most of the stuff i just searched up lol

unedited

✁-----

[ⅰ] riddle rosehearts

riddle likes your enthusiasm about wanting to learn things. so when you came up to him with a bunch of questions regarding his world, you bet he pulled out a stack of books and plopped them on a nearby table.

"i hope your free for the next hour, [name], because we aren't leaving until your curiosity is satisfied."

he thinks you're going to whine and make an excuse to leave, but he's left silent when you nod and plop down on the chair, back straight and ready to learn at whatever knowledge was going to be thrown your way.

it ended being longer than an hour. you couldn't help yourself asking questions about certain things like wars, how magic came to be, how it was possible to for dorms to have their own dimensional pocket for its location, and blah blah blah.

and riddle couldn't help himself to answering your questions, which led to more questions and again blah blah blah.

finally, you guys get a break for snacks and refreshments, riddle decides to ask you about your world. is there truly no magic in your world? ...magicians? they give the allusion of magic without being able to use it? interesting.

and break ends without both you realize it, but this time, riddle's the student and you're the teacher.

[ⅱ] leona kingscholar

usually, leona doesn't care if you're around him whenever he's sleeping, he likes napping on you. as long as it's quiet and there's no ruggie bugging him about any assignments, he's a happy lion.

but he can't help flicking his tail in irritation at your constant staring at his tail and furry ears when he's trying to sleep. he knows you probably want to touch them.

yeah, leona knows he's good looking, but could've you done your sight-seeing when he's more awake and ready to tease you?

"hey, herbivore, is there something on my face?" leona opens an eye and stares at yours with his green one. he notices you eying his ears and with a loud sigh, he repositions himself to rest his chin on your belly. "only for 3 minutes"

giggling, you immediately reach over and stroked at his fuzzy ears. then comes the questions. "do you use different shampoo for your tail?" "how do you wear headphones?" "your tail is very pretty!"

while you chatted away and messed with his ears and hair, leona fell deeper and deeper into slumber. he'll answer your questions when he wakes up.

[ⅲ] azul ashengrotto

why did he agree to this? why couldn't he just tell jade and floyd to take and show you the beauty of the deep sea? but knowing them, they might pull something and that something was this!

stuck in a sunken ship, with you, in his octopus form! but he can't help but flush at your gentle petting towards one of his many arms, the appendage wrapping itself around your fingers. he curses at the twins under his breath.

azul tries to focus your attention on other things he has found in the ruined ship, "look at this jewel, isn't it shiny?" "no? well, uh, then what about these shells? don't they look prettier to look at?" but the more he brough items using his limbs, the more amazed you are.

"wow, your arms are useful, not to mention very beautiful." azul pauses, soaking up your words, heart fluttering. "this shade flatters you so much, i bet you look good in any color"

azul and you didn't realize how close you had gotten to each other, chests touching and eyes locked like nothing else mattered. "azul, you're very beautiful."

his heart clenches at your words, swallowing a bit and murmuring a small 'thank you.' azul's limbs tightening their grip around you. "thank you, [name]..."

[ⅳ] kalim al asim

he's a yapper like you, poor jamil is seconds away from slamming his head into a wall from your ramblings.

you're amazed at some crystal lamps he has? guess what's sitting on your desk in your dorm. what do you mean there's no such thing as enchanted jewelry in your world? don't worry [name] he'll cover you head to toe in enchanted jewelry.

but then kalim has an idea. what if he took you on a magic carpet ride? you liked it last time surely, you would want to do it again. you beam at the idea and before jamil could get a say in, kalim scoops your hand in his and drags you to the treasury where he keeps his magic carpet.

squealing in delight, the air smacked your face to which you buried yourself in kalim's clothing as you clung to him. kalim laughs with you as he guides his carpet up into the clouds. '[name] check out this view!'

you gasp at the sight; the moon was full and bright in the dark sky, stars twinkled in the dark dome, the air was crisp and cold. kalim feels his face warm up at the sight.

he'll take you anywhere you want as long as you stay by his side

[ⅴ] vil schoenheit

you remind him of rook in a way, always admiring the simplest things and always impressed by the tiniest things. he's seen the way you look at him with stars in your eyes whenever he makes sparkles fly in alchemy and potions class.

vil knows your curious and he absolutely thrives at your constant attention on whatever he's doing. be it doing his make-up, skin care routine, or doing schoolwork. as long as it's you, he doesn't mind your attention behind cameras.

currently, he's doing your daily skin care date night while you yapped away about potions and his skin care.

"you make your own skin care products right? that's amazing, i couldn't trust making my own and expect my face to come out as clear as yours." you laugh

vil huffs as his pinky scoops up some lip balm, then holds your chin gently with his pointer finger and thumb and applies the product to your lips. which he totally didn't need to do all of that when there was a small stick.

"that's why i'm here, [name], i could show you some tricks i've learned through trial and error."

[ⅵ] idia shroud

after over blotting and apologizing to everyone, idia expects his life to remain the same, occasionally having interactions with his peers, you have shown up to his dorm, thanks to ortho, and expressed your curiosity in his hair.

idia stutters out an incoherent explanation, tips of his hair burning a pink from the concentrated look in your eyes, and once he finishes, idia goes to close his door but jumps at your hand gripping onto the door. you weren't satisfied.

eventually you invite yourself inside and after countless questions about him, you mention technology from your world and that catches his attention.

he listens to your explanation, occasionally snickering at the outdated technology your world had. when you ask about the technology from this world, idia comes out a bit more from his shell and goes on a 3-hour rant about technology from Twisted Wonderland, with you occasionally asking questions.

idia hopes you don't notice the tips of his hair turning pink, but of course, you ask him, admiring the color.

[ⅶ] malleus draconia

he admires that about you. for someone who'll live for a short time, you always cherish what little time you have. malleus has lived for a long time; he's seen things come and go, and over the years, he seems to have lost the passion to seek and explore what life offered.

but being with you with your daily late-night walks, with your rambling of how you found potions being able to heal injuries and sicknesses absolutely mindboggling.

malleus listens attentively to your speech on mythical creatures back in your world, how dragons were your personal favorite, and how in your world, in fae mythology, it's rare for a fae to choose to become mortal. that certainly catches malleus' attention. (i literally just googled this so idk if this is accurate)

he's certainly never heard of this statement, but it does intrigue him. now your speech leads to questioning him or questioning about his title as one of the top five powerful mages. how do you get that title? are you born with it or do you have to prove yourself to professionals? can anyone receive this title?

malleus just smiles and answers your onslaught of questions, heart fluttering at your attentive gaze

Tip jar (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)

[nasa]

25 Years of Exploring the Universe with NASA's Chandra Xray Observatory

Illustration of the Chandra telescope in orbit around Earth. Credit: NASA/CXC & J. Vaughan

On July 23, 1999, the space shuttle Columbia launched into orbit carrying NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory. August 26 marked 25 years since Chandra released its first images.

These were the first of more than 25,000 observations Chandra has taken. This year, as NASA celebrates the 25th anniversary of this telescope and the incredible data it has provided, we’re taking a peek at some of its most memorable moments.

About the Spacecraft

The Chandra telescope system uses four specialized mirrors to observe X-ray emissions across the universe. X-rays that strike a “regular” mirror head on will be absorbed, so Chandra’s mirrors are shaped like barrels and precisely constructed. The rest of the spacecraft system provides the support structure and environment necessary for the telescope and the science instruments to work as an observatory. To provide motion to the observatory, Chandra has two different sets of thrusters. To control the temperatures of critical components, Chandra's thermal control system consists of a cooling radiator, insulators, heaters, and thermostats. Chandra's electrical power comes from its solar arrays.

Learn more about the spacecraft's components that were developed and tested at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Fun fact: If the state of Colorado were as smooth as the surface of the Chandra X-ray Observatory mirrors, Pike's Peak would be less than an inch tall.

Engineers in the X-ray Calibration Facility at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, integrating the Chandra X-ray Observatory’s High-Resolution Camera with the mirror assembly, in this photo taken March 16, 1997. Credit: NASA

Launch

When space shuttle Columbia launched on July 23, 1999, Chandra was the heaviest and largest payload ever launched by the shuttle. Under the command of Col. Eileen Collins, Columbia lifted off the launch pad at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Chandra was deployed on the mission’s first day.

Reflected in the waters, space shuttle Columbia rockets into the night sky from Launch Pad 39-B on mission STS-93 from Kennedy Space Center. Credit: NASA

First Light Images

Just 34 days after launch, extraordinary first images from our Chandra X-ray Observatory were released. The image of supernova remnant Cassiopeia A traces the aftermath of a gigantic stellar explosion in such captivating detail that scientists can see evidence of what is likely the neutron star.

“We see the collision of the debris from the exploded star with the matter around it, we see shock waves rushing into interstellar space at millions of miles per hour,” said Harvey Tananbaum, founding Director of the Chandra X-ray Center at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.

Cassiopeia A is the remnant of a star that exploded about 300 years ago. The X-ray image shows an expanding shell of hot gas produced by the explosion colored in bright orange and yellows. Credit: NASA/CXC/SAO

A New Look at the Universe

NASA released 25 never-before-seen views to celebrate the telescopes 25th anniversary. This collection contains different types of objects in space and includes a new look at Cassiopeia A. Here the supernova remnant is seen with a quarter-century worth of Chandra observations (blue) plus recent views from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (grey and gold).

This image features deep data of the Cassiopeia A supernova, an expanding ball of matter and energy ejected from an exploding star in blues, greys and golds. The Cassiopeia A supernova remnant has been observed for over 2 million seconds since the start of Chandra’s mission in 1999 and has also recently been viewed by the James Webb Space Telescope. Credit: NASA/CXC/SAO

Can You Hear Me Now?

In 2020, experts at the Chandra X-ray Center/Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) and SYSTEM Sounds began the first ongoing, sustained effort at NASA to “sonify” (turn into sound) astronomical data. Data from NASA observatories such as Chandra, the Hubble Space Telescope, and the James Webb Space Telescope, has been translated into frequencies that can be heard by the human ear.

SAO Research shows that sonifications help many types of learners – especially those who are low-vision or blind -- engage with and enjoy astronomical data more.

Click to watch the “Listen to the Universe” documentary on NASA+ that explores our sonification work: Listen to the Universe | NASA+

An image of the striking croissant-shaped planetary nebula called the Cat’s Eye, with data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory and Hubble Space Telescope.  NASA’s Data sonification from Chandra, Hubble and/or Webb telecopes allows us to hear data of cosmic objects. Credit: NASA/CXO/SAO

Celebrate With Us!

Dedicated teams of engineers, designers, test technicians, and analysts at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, are celebrating with partners at the Chandra X-ray Center and elsewhere outside and across the agency for the 25th anniversary of the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Their hard work keeps the spacecraft flying, enabling Chandra’s ongoing studies of black holes, supernovae, dark matter, and more.

Chandra will continue its mission to deepen our understanding of the origin and evolution of the cosmos, helping all of us explore the Universe.

The Chandra Xray Observatory, the longest cargo ever carried to space aboard the space shuttle, is shown in Columbia’s payload bay. This photo of the payload bay with its doors open was taken just before Chandra was tilted upward for release and deployed on July 23, 1999. Credit: NASA

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com

[teddybeartoji]

sukuna teaching you how to cook…       

pressed flush against you, his hand rests on top of yours as you grip the knife. it’s almost as if he’s the puppeteer and you his toy with the way he guides you – he moves, you move, you’re one and the same. his other hand is on you as well, fingers almost intertwined as he helps you hold the piece of meat steady on the cutting board. you can’t help but think how intimate it all feels, how close he is. 

his voice is deeper than usual and it’s making it very hard for you to concentrate, especially when his lips keep brushing over the shell of your ear. you’re trying, you really are, to pay attention to what he’s saying because it’s not often you get to see this side of him – cooking is something he adores, and he’s taking this way more seriously than you could’ve ever imagined. but it’s not like you’re complaining… oh, no – you’re loving every second of this. 

you’re sure he can feel that your breathing has picked up, and you’re sure he knows that you’re stumbling further and further away from being his perfect little pupil and falling head first into an entirely different role instead. your hold on the knife falters while his on your hand tightens. the meat before you bleeds and the clear juices coat the wooden board alongside with your fingers. 

and his. 

“focus, doll… “ 

his rasp catches you off-guard, his low voice pulling you from your thoughts. he hears you swallow the lump in your throat and you feel him smile against your ear. 

“i’m very focused, ryo…” 

“on the wrong things– yes.” you don’t have to see him to know that he’s wearing that annoyingly handsome smirk of his, ever so proud to have this kind of effect on his beloved.

you suck your teeth before poking your tongue against your inner cheek; your body grows hot at all the attention he’s giving you. sukuna presses forward an inch and your hips meet the edge of the kitchen counter – now completely sandwiched between him and the piece of furniture, your head clouds with thoughts so far from cooking that your knees nearly buckle from below you. 

“c’mon now.” he raises your hand with the knife still in your palm and holds it above the piece of red meat. the blade glints under the dimmed down light, the silver winking at you before sinking down into the raw cutlet. back and forth, the movement of your hands is slow but steady – the knives in your house are never dull, so every pull and every push you make feel as if you’re gliding through butter. 

but it’s not just the sharpened blade— 

it’s the sheer power he holds. 

sukuna’s hands are skilled, his fingers rough but surprisingly gentle at the very same time. he knows exactly how much force to use, how to cut through a piece of flesh with so much ease that the act makes you wonder about his past lives. a butcher, a killer? or perhaps a god instead? 

to slash and to score. to gut and then devour. 

caged in his arms, you feel like his next bite. his sharp teeth brush against your ear once more and you can’t help but tense up as a wave of excitement shoots through your body and a nervous chuckle tumbles from your lips. 

he hums. 

his fingers unwrap themselves from around your hand before reaching for the cut you just made. he picks it up and then shows it to you with pride. 

“not too thick, not too thin.” your mouth waters, you barely register his words. “remember that.” 

“mhmm.”

there isn’t an inch between your bodies and you can hardly breathe. 

“what did i say?”

with him, you’ve learned about this other kind of excitement; he asks you a question and there’s this pressure, a burning sensation in the pit of your stomach – it teeters between a giddy, butterflies of love type of thing and pure feverish thrill. 

walking in a circle, eyes on each other – a dance between the prey and the predator. the most he’d do is laugh, tease you a little. maybe even sink his teeth into your neck and inhale the whine you’d let out. that’s what he wants. a little sound. you’re in the palm of his hand and you both know it. 

but if you’re good…

“not too thick and not too thin.”

it’s a kiss from a beast that you’ll get in return. a word of praise from a god, a tender look from a killer. a safe haven behind a butcher’s ribcage.  

stained fingers find your cheek and you’re putty in his hands; it takes no effort at all to turn you to finally face him and it takes no time at all for him to press his lips against yours. but he doesn’t nip and he doesn’t bite, not this time. 

a soft spot in a lover’s heart.

[theveryworstthing]

time to learn a little bit about the Yells. i've been writing a few lore posts for a while and instead of continuing to let they grow and fretting over them, i think i'm just going to throw a few out there and try to finish up the rest this week.

The Yells

Despite their imposing size, strange behaviors, and mysterious keepers, the Signallusc (or The Yells as most rabbits call them) are considered just another part of the island landscape. These towering faux trees serve as the island version of radio towers, and make all radio communication above and below ground possible.

Though the 2 largest of the naturally formed Yells are still upright and active (and heavily protected so that their natural life cycle can be properly studied), these days rabbits prefer to cultivate the towers so that they don’t grow in problematic areas or do…other things.

Wild or free growth Yells make their homes in dead rotting wood as natural decomposers, and many live out their lives as simple slime molds (or as simple as any slime mold can be). Certain conditions must be met to trigger the drastic color change and vertical growth that make them viable for communication use, and so wild Yells are usually found growing in small clusters in or around the resources they need to sustain their new forms. Dead trees or stumps with roots still in the ground are prime hosts for these slime molds and they’re actually seen as beneficial since they stabilize potentially dangerous dead trees and kill diseases or especially destructive insects that might harm surrounding living trees. Once inside these dead trees the slime mold eats them from the inside out, taking the branches first, and then devouring the mass from the top down.

Compared to other slime molds they can handle direct sunlight quite well, but wild yells still tend to favor hosts in shady areas and from the way these trees are devoured they seem to try and keep some sort of shell around them for as long as possible. This wooden shell not only serves as food, but also gives the growing Yell a moist, dark, home until its outer membrane is thick and strong enough to handle being constantly exposed. When wild Yells “die”, it’s usually because they’ve run out of host tree long ago, and have stiffened into a rigid structure that eventually cracks (usually due to being struck by lightning) and crumbles, releasing clouds of spores. The remains of a Yell dissolve in the first rain after they fall and tend to leave the area around the strange lotus pod-ish pit in the ground where “roots” used to be spotless, but smelling very metallic with a hint of foulness. Almost like not so fresh blood.

Through the observations recorded by island botanists and the specific botanical sect known as the Antenna, rabbits (and hares, as they were the first to investigate and made great strides in understanding the process before they left the island en masse) have learned exactly what triggers Yell vertical growth and have used this knowledge to cultivate Yells quite successfully. A combination of owl feathers, metal ore (mainly bog iron), charcoal sticks and or ash (best if created by lightning strike, wood preferred but animal remains like burned out hawks are perfectly acceptable), and a little starter wood are fed to the slime mold, and after it’s broken everything down it begins its transformation. It is then introduced to a host plant sprout, a type of fast growing, woody, creeping vine in the Grasp family bred specifically for this purpose (wild cultivars work fine but they’re half as hardy and the bond has a greater chance of triggering very upsetting mutations. These are different from the upsetting mutations, which are fine and harmless). From then on the slime mold seems to guide the host plant’s growth, forming a shell from the vines that is constantly growing and shedding. This serves as both a home and an ample food source.

The botany world is torn on whether this forms a mutualistic symbiotic relationship or whether it’s straight up parasitism. And yes, plant nerd blood has been spilled over this argument. Not a ton of blood, it’s not like this is the great lichen wars, but still.

The Antenna

All yell care-taking is done by the Antenna sect. This is a mysterious group of witchy botanists and engineers who, like the previously referred to upsetting mutations, are harmless despite their entire vibe. Well. Harmless enough for botanists anyway.

Not a lot is known about them by the general public but they keep things working smoothly and show up quickly when something isn’t.

Members of this sect haven’t had a set “look” or uniform for about a generation and a half due to the ending of a lot of the the founding member’s bloodlines, but each Yell site has it’s own culture that attracts certain kinds of people. Despite their differences, there are a few things that make Antennae easier to pick out of a crowd if you know what to look for. The skin of their inner ears develop thin branching markings or wave-like ripples depending on how they interact with Yells. Some have obvious hare ancestry and sport roughly branching horns that grow quite long and shed every year (these shed horns are fed to the Yells). Newer members wear a lot of lightweight ear jewelry to help pick up important signals and behavioral quirks from the Yells, but the longer they stay in the Antenna the less tolerant they are of this. Things get…loud. Behind their eyes. Inside their teeth. Seasoned members usually can’t stand wearing any metal jewelry at all. The head botanist of one of the most remote Yells wears ear plugs almost 24/7 because of left behind shrapnel from an accident in his youth.

He is deaf.

He says he’s not really blocking anything out, just sorting it properly.

No one really knows what he means. It’s fine.

[ghostlynightpanda]

Hi! Can you do Hoshina x reader who is shy and quiet but comes out of their shell once they get comfortable and familiar with him?

Just Curious (At First)

English is not my first language, so if you find mistakes, feel free to contact me!

Synopsis: When a shy yet skilled fighter transfers to the Third Division, Vice-Captain Hoshina Soshiro barely spares her a second glance—until he learns she's close friends with his long-time rival, Gen Narumi. What starts as curiosity quickly spirals into something deeper, as Hoshina finds himself drawn to her quiet strength, unexpected humor, and the warmth she reveals only when she feels comfortable.

Warnings/content: Hoshina Soshiro x fem!reader, fluff

The air around Tachikawa Base felt different. Not worse—just unfamiliar.

You adjusted the strap of your duffel bag and walked through the gate, shoulders squared and gaze steady, even if your stomach knotted in that way it always did before something new. The Third Division wasn't foreign territory, not exactly. You'd trained here once, during your earliest weeks as a Defense Force recruit. But now, it wasn't a temporary visit. It was home.

A permanent reassignment. Your choice.

The First Division had no shortage of elite fighters, and truthfully, you were ready for a change. A slower pace. Fewer eyes. Fewer expectations. The Third Division needed experienced soldiers to help train up the growing number of recruits, and when the call went out, you volunteered before the request could finish loading in your inbox.

You liked Koto Ward well enough, but... something quieter felt right now.

Maybe, if you were honest with yourself, you just needed somewhere you could breathe.

"Transfer paperwork confirmed. Welcome to the Third Division," said the clerk at the base gate, stamping the forms with a brisk nod. You gave a polite smile in return, fingers curling slightly over the folder. A few soldiers passed behind you, laughing loudly. You instinctively stepped aside.

This wasn't your first division, but it wasn't foreign ground either. You could do this.

The next few days passed in a blur of briefings and reintroductions. A few squad leaders remembered you from old joint drills. Most didn't. That suited you fine.

You kept your voice even and your demeanor calm, showing the new recruits how to disarm a mid-sized Yoju without fracturing the armor plating or panicking. You demonstrated restraint, control. You kept your comments short, your posture closed.

You weren't antisocial, exactly—just... quiet. Thoughtful. You saved your voice for when it mattered.

You didn't notice Hoshina Soshiro watching you until day four.

It was during a morning session on blade combat, when one of the rookies flinched too early and nearly sent his katana flying into another trainee. You stepped in, steadying both boys, showing them how to reset without freezing.

And out of the corner of your eye—him.

Hoshina stood on the edge of the training field, arms folded, a toothpick in his mouth and a faint look of amusement—or was it curiosity?—in his eyes.

He didn't say anything. Not then.

Later that evening, as you finished a quiet dinner in the mess hall, you passed him in the corridor.

"You're the First Division transfer, right?" he asked, voice casual but sharp. Focused.

You nodded, pausing. "That's right."

"Huh." His eyes flicked over you once, unreadable. "Didn't expect someone like you to be tight with Narumi."

Your brows lifted slightly in surprise. Not many people brought that up so quickly. "You know Gen?"

"Unfortunately." A pause, then a faint smirk. "You two friends?"

You shrugged lightly, brushing a strand of hair behind your ear. "Yeah. We go way back."

"Didn't peg you for his type." He scratched the back of his neck. "He's loud. You're... not."

"I'm used to it."

That made him laugh—just once, a soft, amused breath. "Guess you must be."

He stepped aside to let you pass, nodding in polite dismissal, but there was something lingering in his eyes. Something sharp behind the smile.

Curiosity.

You kept walking, pulse steady. It wasn't the first time someone questioned your friendship with Narumi. It probably wouldn't be the last.

But for some reason, Hoshina's interest felt... different.

You didn't know it yet, but that conversation was the first thread.

The beginning of everything that would follow.

Hoshina didn't mean to think about you again.

But two days after that passing conversation, he found himself glancing your way during a strategy meeting, watching how you quietly listened while the others bickered over simulation outcomes. You sat near the edge of the room, not isolated, just... observant. Your hand flicked lightly against your notebook as you jotted something down—quick, neat, deliberate.

You nodded once when Captain Mina gave you a task. No complaints. No spotlight. Efficient. Reliable.

And you were friends with Narumi Gen. Loudmouth, storm-in-human-form Narumi. That fact bounced around in Hoshina's head like a loose marble, refusing to settle.

After the meeting, he approached you again.

"Hey. You free?"

You turned your head, blinking. "Depends. Why?"

"Just curious." He walked alongside you, matching your pace without waiting for an invitation. "So how'd you two even meet, anyway? You and Narumi."

You didn't answer immediately. That was something else about you—silences never felt awkward, not even when they stretched. Eventually, you tilted your head.

"Training camp. Before division assignments. He insulted the book I was reading. I insulted his haircut. Instant friendship."

Hoshina huffed a laugh. "Sounds about right."

"He's loud, yeah. But he's not what people think."

"Oh? And what's he really like?"

You arched an eyebrow. "You sure you're not just trying to gather dirt for your ongoing rivalry?"

He smirked. "What rivalry?"

"You two can't even be in the same room without passive-aggressively insulting each other's sword technique."

"That's just how we bond," he said, then paused. "But if you happen to spill any embarrassing stories, I wouldn't say no."

You rolled your eyes, but your lips twitched faintly at the corners—an almost-smile. And Hoshina noticed. Of course he noticed.

Over the following weeks, your paths crossed more often.

Sometimes by chance—training drills, equipment checks, late-night walks between quarters—but increasingly by Hoshina's design. He didn't make it obvious. That wasn't his style. But it became a little habit: checking the training schedule to see which squad you'd be assisting, adjusting his route to pass by your sparring sessions, lingering in the break room just long enough to catch you on your way out.

Every conversation seemed to start the same: Narumi this, Narumi that. But the topics never stayed there.

It wasn't that Hoshina particularly cared about Narumi's embarrassing teenage habits or what kind of convenience store snacks he hoarded during missions. In truth, he already knew more than he wanted to about his so-called rival.

But the truth was—he didn't know how else to talk to you.

You were quiet in a way that made him second-guess himself. Not in a cold or dismissive way, but... careful. Measured. Like someone who didn't waste words, who didn't offer pieces of themselves unless they had a reason to.

And Hoshina—who was good with a blade, good with tactics, good with knowing when a kaiju would strike—found himself fumbling every time he wanted to start a conversation with you.

So he latched onto the one thing he could use as a bridge: Narumi.

It was easy. Familiar ground. Pretend he was digging for dirt on an old rival. It gave him an excuse to approach, to linger, to ask questions without seeming too invested.

But somewhere along the way, those questions shifted.

He'd start with a sarcastic jab about Narumi's stupid sunglasses collection or how he probably texts with too many emojis—but then you'd respond with a little smirk, a raised brow, and somehow the conversation would drift.

To your favorite childhood show.

To how you once spent an entire weekend trying to teach a rescued crow how to mimic a ringtone. To the fact that you secretly preferred stormy days to sunny ones—not because of the weather, but because people stayed indoors and it felt quieter.

And Hoshina found himself… wanting more.

Not more Narumi stories.

More of you.

You weren't shy the way some people were. You weren't afraid. You just took your time.

You waited to feel safe.

And with him, little by little, you were starting to.

One evening, as the sun set over the base and cast long shadows across the practice yard, he saw you sitting on the edge of the low concrete wall, a bento box in your lap, a stray cat curled at your feet.

He should've kept walking. Let you have your peace. But instead, he said, "Didn't take you for a cat whisperer."

You looked up. "He's not mine."

"He looks like he thinks he is."

You chuckled softly. "Most animals are better company than people."

"Even me?"

You paused. Then shrugged. "You're okay."

He let out a breath of amusement and sat down beside you, not too close. Comfortable.

And for a long moment, neither of you spoke. The cat purred. The wind shifted. Something settled between you then—quiet, easy, real.

And Hoshina realized with a small, almost imperceptible frown…

He hadn't asked about Narumi once.

It started with the laugh.

Not just any laugh—a real one. Unfiltered. Sudden. Loud in a way that startled both of you. You'd been walking side by side after a patrol check, Hoshina telling you about a story from when he was still a recruit. The story wasn't even that funny.

But the way you snorted halfway through his sentence—so unexpected, so out of rhythm with your usual soft tone—made Hoshina stop in his tracks. You clapped a hand over your mouth instantly, cheeks flushing.

"Sorry," you muttered. "That was... louder than I meant."

He blinked. Then grinned, slow and easy. "Didn't know you had it in you."

You looked away, flustered, but not retreating. And something shifted in his chest.

It happened again a few days later—only this time, it wasn't laughter that caught his attention. It was the way you crouched beside a beat-up vending machine outside the base, cooing softly to a stray gecko tucked beneath the metal casing like it was some kind of rare treasure.

"They're good luck, you know," you said without looking up.

Hoshina stared. "That thing's missing a tail."

"It'll grow back."

You gently reached out and nudged the gecko toward a safer spot behind the building. When you stood, brushing your hands off on your uniform, you didn't even seem to notice the way Hoshina was watching you.

Or maybe you did. You just didn't mind anymore.

He started seeing it everywhere after that.

The way your shoulders relaxed when it was just the two of you. The way your voice dropped into something low and amused when you were teasing him—barely audible sarcasm, so dry it took him a second to register it as a joke.

You didn't talk a lot, but when you did? You had opinions. Strong ones. About game mechanics. About poorly written female characters in TV shows. About how mint chocolate was not "real dessert" and anyone who thought so was just wrong.

You got passionate. You rambled when you were comfortable. He noticed how your words sped up when you got excited, and how your hands moved more than usual. He noticed how, when you were really thinking—really focusing—you stuck the tip of your tongue out, just a little, between your lips.

He noticed all of it.

He noticed you.

And he fully stopped pretending it was about Narumi.

There was a moment—late one evening, after a long day of training and a longer one of paperwork—when Hoshina looked up from his half-finished report and realized he'd spent the last five minutes just... thinking about you.

Not anything dramatic. Not anything romantic, even.

Just... you.

The sound of your voice when you greeted him that morning. The way your hair fell over your brow when you sparred without tying it back. How you'd frowned in concentration during a strategy meeting, then mumbled something sarcastic under your breath that only he caught.

His pen stilled in his hand.

"Shit," he muttered, staring down at the paper.

Because it wasn't curiosity anymore. It wasn't about rivalries or recon or understanding some odd, unlikely friendship.

He liked you.

He really liked you.

The slow, inevitable kind of like—the kind that built itself up without asking permission. That sneaked in through all the small details and settled into your bones before you even realized it was there.

And now that he'd noticed?

There was no un-noticing you.

Once Hoshina realized how he felt, everything changed—and at the same time, nothing did.

You didn't notice anything different. He still met you in the hallway with a casual nod. Still made snarky comments about Narumi just to see you roll your eyes. Still walked with you after drills like it was an accident, not the result of a very deliberate timing of his steps.

But now he was aware of it.

The way he found excuses to pass your squad's training field. The way he let others handle the paperwork if it meant he could be on-site when you were supervising the new recruits. The way your presence steadied his nerves, even on days when kaiju reports flooded in faster than his team could respond.

He wasn't subtle—not to himself, anyway.

And that was a problem.

Because you weren't like the others. You didn't fall for charm. You didn't chase attention. You were shy around people you didn't trust, and even now, after weeks of working together, Hoshina knew you hadn't let many people in.

But with him, you'd started to open up.

Just a little.

And he didn't want to do anything to scare you back into that shell.

So he kept it simple. Careful.

"I brought coffee," he said one morning, holding out the cup like it was nothing. Just a habit. Not a softening of the heart that made him remember how you liked yours—black, with just a splash of oat milk.

You blinked at him, surprised. "Thanks."

"No big deal." He shrugged. "You looked half-dead yesterday."

You took a sip, smiling faintly. "That's just my face."

He chuckled. "Harsh, but fair."

You fell into a rhythm, as usual. Comfortable silences. A few offhand jokes. You told him about the game you'd just finished—something with a tragic ending and a character death you hadn't recovered from yet.

"Why do you always pick the depressing ones?" he asked, watching you speak more with your hands than your words.

"Because they mean something," you said, almost automatically. Then you hesitated. "I like when stories feel... real. Messy. People who are trying their best, even if they're scared."

He didn't reply right away.

But something about the way you said it stayed with him long after the conversation ended.

That night, as he sat on the rooftop with a can of soda and the city lights flickering in the distance, Hoshina thought about your words.

People who were scared. People who tried anyway. People who didn't show all their pieces right away, but offered them slowly, like something fragile.

You were opening up to him. Little by little.

He could see it in so many different ways. And maybe you didn't even realize it. Maybe you weren't there yet.

But he was.

Fully. Completely.

No more pretending it was about Narumi. No more excuses.

He was falling. Hard.

And now, for the first time, he began to wonder—really wonder—if maybe you were falling, too.

The shift was subtle at first.

A longer pause after your conversations. A second coffee, handed over without a word but with your favorite pastry tucked under the lid. Hoshina never said he got it just for you — but he never brought anyone else breakfast, either.

You noticed. He could tell you did.

He wasn't sure if it was your slight double-takes, the flickers of amusement in your eyes, or the way you started lingering, too — just a few extra seconds, waiting for him to fill the silence like you wanted him to.

So, he started pushing his luck.

"Training's done early tomorrow," he mentioned one evening, walking beside you as the sun dipped low behind the base. "You doing anything after?"

You shrugged. "Nothing important."

"You like ramen?"

You blinked. "I'm human. Of course I do."

"Then come with me," he said. "There's a spot in Tachikawa. Not too fancy, but solid pork broth. Good spice level. The guy behind the counter pretends not to know Narumi."

That made you smirk. "Sounds like a wise man."

He grinned. "I think you'll like it."

You didn't say no.

That first outing wasn't technically a date. Just two colleagues grabbing a bite. That's how he phrased it, and you didn't challenge it. But the tension was there — electric, unspoken.

You opened up more that night.

Told him about your first kaiju kill. How it still showed up in your dreams sometimes, but not like a nightmare — just a moment you couldn't forget.

He listened, quiet and steady, not offering platitudes or praise. Just presence.

And when you both left the ramen shop under a warm yellow glow, your arms brushed. Neither of you pulled away.

After that, the "accidental" run-ins happened more often. Too often to be coincidence.

He'd find you outside the barracks, feeding that same stray cat — now fat and confident and clearly adopted, even if unofficially.

You'd spot him waiting by the vending machines during your break, already cracking open your favorite canned tea before you could even swipe your ID.

One night, you texted him first.

You: That new kaiju docuseries drops tonight. The one with the real flight footage? You: Don't tell anyone but I cried at the trailer. You: …Wanna watch it?

He answered faster than he should have.

Hoshina: Only if you provide popcorn. Hoshina: I'll bring tissues.

That night, you both watched the screen more than each other. But when a shadowed explosion rocked the footage and your hand accidentally brushed his, you didn't move away.

And neither did he.

It was after a long day of drills — summer heat clinging to every breath, both of you sweaty and sun-drenched from sparring under a brutal sky — that he finally did it.

You were both sitting on the low wall near the edge of the practice yard. You were barefoot, boots tossed beside you, shirt clinging to your back from the effort.

He looked at you. You looked at the horizon.

And something in the stillness felt right. 

"I've been thinking," he said.

You glanced at him, one brow raised. "Dangerous."

He smiled, then looked down at his hands. "Yeah, well... it happens. Rarely."

You chuckled softly, but he didn't laugh this time.

Instead, he turned to face you fully. "I like you."

You blinked.

His voice stayed quiet. Unforced. Honest. "Not just as a squadmate. Or someone who helps me keep Narumi humble. I mean... really like you."

You didn't look away. Didn't fidget. Just watched him, like you were waiting for the punchline. When it didn't come, you tilted your head.

"And this isn't about him?"

"Not even a little," he said.

Silence stretched between you. The air buzzed with something electric, something new, even though everything else around you was exactly the same.

Finally, you spoke.

"I thought maybe you did. But you're hard to read sometimes."

"Right back at you," he said with a soft smile. "So I'll say it clearly this time: I want to take you out. A real date. No mission talk, no Narumi slander. Just us."

You stared at him for a long moment.

Then, slowly — like it cost you nothing and everything at once — you nodded.

"Okay."

And the way you said it — like it was a quiet promise — made Hoshina's chest feel like it might crack open.

Not from battle. Not from pain.

From hope.

Masterlist

[helis97]

besides the flower poping up, what does starscream think of his new body, im guessing it wouldn't be easy going from skinny and short to big and bulk. also do spark eaters get any kind of ability (maybe super powers)

Here’s the thing about Starscream new body: it’s not that different from his previous one… I just never made a proper comparison… 

So, let’s analyse what actually changed, which is “muscle density” and armour layering. Starscream has now much more “muscle” mass, and therefore is much closer to Bumblebee’s frame type. His shell is also thicker, making him a heavier built. His height didn’t change at all!! So he’s still taller than most of team Prime! (but shorter than Megatron or Optimus). In general, Starscream likes his new body, happy to finally have the chance to hold his own in a physical fight! He still needs to learn how to do it in a practical way, tho.

As I mentioned here and there, spark-eater/botanica have enhanced healing abilities. As long as the head and the spark chamber are intact (and there is enough energon available) they can heal from any wounds and, at times, even REGROW lost limbs. Windblade grew back two legs and an arm! 

All botanicas, however, have fast metabolism. Which means Windblade needs more energon than a regular cybertronian. Energon coagulation is alo another problem all spark-eater have, that needs to be countered by ingesting anti-coagulants. Luckily there are some natural moulds that, when ingested, release anti-coagulants in the body of a cybertronian.

[lemon-lime-behavior]

Do you have any tips for drawing noses? Sorry this is out of nowhere but I'm wanting to improve on my art, specifically the faces, and it's always the nose I find myself struggling most with.

I really struggle w making it fit the face if that makes sense? Every time I try to add it it just throws the whole face off, especially the eyes, not to mention how to make different nose types and the angles </33

I love your art style so bad, it's so smooth and satisfying to look at and the way you draw noses like it's nbd (and anatomy in general like damn) baffles me so I was just wondering if you maybe had any tricks or not, Ty either way for sharing your art in the first place <33

@extravagav Well I can try! First off thank you very much, I often feel like I still have a very long way to go in regards to proportions and anatomy so I really appreciate your kind words <3

Hokay, so, noses. I do love noses. To start off when it comes to drawing noses I'm afraid I'm going to have to give you the most annoying advice in the world which is just to practice a lot. Find a lot of pictures of noses in a bunch of different shapes from a bunch of different angles and just draw them until your brain melts out of your ears. Pay particular attention though to the nose as a 3D object!

It's of course trickier to do than I'm making it out to be but the more you practice at imagining the nose as a 3d physical form the easier it becomes to make a nose model in your mind that you can rotate like a microwave.

This is my personal very very basic understanding of the nose's construction:

it's like three circles and a taco shell.

Okay so now that you've got a basic understanding of the nose's construction, how to put it in the middle of the god-dang face??

So the funky thing about noses is that they tend to change shape the least out of all our facial features when we're making expressions. Our eyes change shape, our mouths move, our eyebrows, our cheeks, our jaws, they all go all over the place. the nose, however, tends to be pretty stationary and doesn't deform much (save in one important way I'll get to later). So because of all this, and here's my biggest piece of advice when it comes to making the nose fit in the face, I like to draw the nose first! I do a very loose head construction, draw the nose, and then sort of "hang" the rest of the features off of it:

Two very different expressions, same nose!

Now when it comes to noses interacting specifically with the eyes the greatest thing to remember is that the part of the nose that sits between the eyes sticks out farther than you might think, and will likely be obscuring one of them, the extent of which depending a lot on the angle and how pronounced the nose bridge is.

for someone with a pretty flat nose bridge you'll be able to see most of the eye except in a more extreme angle, while someone with a protruding ridge might obscure the eye entirely. but the nose will likely be interacting with at least one eye if we're not facing the character head on. Really making your brain think in 3d is gonna most helpful here.

Finally! The nose being expressive! So the main way the nose plays in to expression is by wrinkling. the muscles that pull up your top lip and the muscles that pull down the middle of your forehead are almost all connected to the nose, so the nose tends to develop a lot of wrinkles whenever brows are furrowed or teeth are bared.

Adding those wrinkles can add a lot of impact in the expression! And not just angry ones neither:

Sooooooooooooooo yeah! noses! They're weird and they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and they can do a lot to add character to a face and they can also make you want to tear your hair out in big clumps! I'm still learning myself when it comes to noses (and most other things) and I'm faaaar from a master at it, but I hope I've been able to provide at least a little bit of help. If you do use my advice going forward please let me know! Good luck!!!!! (And here's all my nose "headcanons" for the strawhats. The ones who actually have human noses, anyway):

[losers-clvb]

hunters' reunion sam winchester x female!reader

content: smut (fingering, dirty talk, public sex, nonconsensual voyeurism), dom!sam, established relationship

word count: 737

note: this is actually a part of an answer for an ask, but it got a bit out of hand, so i decided why not turn it into a little blurb! enjoy!

Sam and Dean aren't usually the type to go to these types of things, but the moment you heard Jody mention a “hunters’ reunion”, you're begging them to go. You missed the community of your old life, though you would never admit it out loud.

Upon arrival, it was clear that every hunter within driving distance had chosen to attend. You dragged Sam through the crowds, laughing and chatting it up. The other hunters are impressed that the Winchesters have made an appearance, some even more impressed that a girl like yourself could get the infamous Sam Winchester to do just about anything with a bat of your lashes.

Night comes and the few still lingering guests, including some you know personally, are gathered around a bonfire. The array of mismatched chairs are small in quantity, so you make no complaints when Sam drags you onto his lap. You snuggle into him, grateful for the warmth he provides in the chilly night air.

Jody and Dean are going on about some haunting they had to deal with a few weeks back. It's slow going, telling the story, because the two kept interrupting each other.

"No, no, Dean, it was not four ghosts! It was six!" Jody butts in when Dean is setting the scene. He raises an eyebrow at her.

"Learn how to count, old lady. It was four." Dean counters, dragging out the last word for dramatic effect.

"Who are you calling old? I heard your back crack earlier when you stood up!" That sends Dean back into a different argument, and so it continues.

You laugh along and try to listen, but then you feel a poking up against your ass.

"You feel that?" Sam's lips ghost against the shell of your ear. It was inconspicuous enough to not draw attention. "That's what you do to me, baby."

You can't even do so much as move your head to reply. It'd be too obvious that you two were talking, leading to Jody's and Dean's arguing to turn to you. Instead, you just leaned further into his chest.

"Wish we were alone," Sam continues, "I'd fuck you up against that tree so hard the squirrels would have my name memorized."

It shouldn't have been as hot as it was. The whimper that leaves your throat is embarrassing. Thankfully, Jody had burst from her chair at the same moment, ranting on about how she "saved Dean's wimp ass.” Dean doesn't agree and follows her to standing.

"Are you wet right now?" Sam dares a kiss on your ear. He frowns at your nonresponse. "Answer me or I'll check myself." He growls.

You try to bite back your moan, unsuccessfully. A few neighboring hunters look your way and you make a show of stretching your arms, attempting to replicate the moan.

Apparently they're more gullible than they should be for trained killers because they smile and turn back to "The Jody and Dean Show" with their new host Charlie, who had pushed in between the two in an attempt to calm them from their childlike shouting over who's killed the most vamps.

You forget you had a question to answer until Sam's hand snakes under your dress. He cups your cloth-covered sex and hums out approvingly at the damp feel.

"Soaked." He whispers to you. you swallow and pray he's finished with this game of his, ignoring the excitement that bubbles into you at the new situation.

"You be a good quiet girl and I'll let you come." Sam dips his hand into your underwear. He swipes two fingers through your folds before slipping them into you. you clench your jaw to keep from whining.

Your eyelids flutter shut a few times while he pumps his fingers into you. All you can think is thank God for the blanket draped over you two, and thank God for the Winchester men's long fingers.

"That's it, baby, come on my hand." Sam keeps his eyes straight ahead, giving the illusion that he was simply watching the new argument between Charlie and Dean about which actress was hottest.

You squeeze your eyes shut and let out a shaky breath with your release. The group around you is none the wiser to your activities as Sam carefully readjusts your underwear to a comfortable position. He kisses your forehead with a smile and takes a sip of his beer while you reorient yourself.

sam winchester taglist : @hobiespick @xoswiftieprincess

everything taglist : @littlesoulshine @sacr1ficialang3l @blossomingorchids @plasticflowersinahistorycemetery @mostlymarvelgirl @missus-ackles @tinas111 @ambiguous-avery

[honeytonedhottie]

micro glow up part one⋆.ೃ࿔*:･🧁

in this post we'll be talking about habits and little ways in which u can improve ur health and appearance without doing anything too drastic. a micro-glow up to stay polished…💬🎀

DRY SHAMPOO ;

dry shampoo helps with smell and reducing oil and all in all just a rly super useful tool that i hope we're all taking advantage of! so to use it simply divide ur hair into sections and shake the canister before application.

make sure that u hold it at least 10-12 inches away from ur roots. and then just brush it out and voila. just get the dry shampoo that matches ur hair color. so for me i have black hair so i'd purchase a dry shampoo that is designed specifically for dark hair.

WRAP UR HAIR AT NIGHT ;

create a protective barrier around ur hair at night to prevent frizz. with things like silk wraps and bonnets etc. treat ur hair LIKE A BABY. be super gentle to it so it can be soft and moisturized. if ur hair is more coarse or thick use the dominican tubi wrap.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT SHAMPOO ;

so theres a difference between ur everyday shampoo and a CLARIFYING shampoo. a clarifying shampoo is simply more of a deep clean so if ur using a clarifying shampoo EVERY single day you'll find that ur hair is lowkey straw-like and thats not the move.

clarifying shampoo is a super deep cleanse for ur scalp and u shouldn't be using it every single day…💬🎀

furthermore using a scalp scrub once a week or two weeks to stimulate ur scalp is rly rly wonderful. to just kind of do a deep clean of ur scalp and stimulate blood flow which can also help hair growth.

IF YOU HAVE ACNE ;

i used to have bad acne so i think im qualified to talk EXTENSIVELY on this subject but i won't make this section of the post too lengthy but i think these tips are valuable if ur struggling with acne…💬🎀

♡ invest in a pimple popping tool kit

u can literally get these off of amazon and u can learn to use them via youtube but as long as u store them properly and use them properly u can get rid of whiteheads and black heads safely and most effectively.

when doing an extraction wash ur hands and the area that ur about to extract from to make sure u have a super clean base. also make sure to soften the skin with a warm washcloth before starting. i've found that it minimizes pain.

hot tip : warm water opens pores and cold water tightens pores which is why when doing an extraction its important to use warm water and when ur done wash with cold water…💬🎀

♡ use blotting papers if u have oily skin

♡ invest in adorable and effective pimple patches

THE IMPORTANCE OF FACE MASKS ;

make sure to understand ur skin type/skin concerns before committing to a specific face masks. for example if u have more oily skin use a clay mask once or twice a week, if u have dryer skin go for a hydrating face mask. i rly rly LOVE sheet masks.

ALL ABOUT BROWS ;

wash ur brows with a gentle cleanser and make sure to keep them groomed cuz it makes ur eyes look bigger and gives u a more rejuvenated look. plus it makes u look very clean. dont forget to wash ur brows because washing them stimulates growth + prevents ingrown and painful pimples within or around ur brows.

ALL ABOUT EARS ;

DONT OVERLOOK UR EARS. make sure to clean in and around ur ears. like when ur showering just take ur finger with a little bit of gentle cleanser and just clean the shell of ur ear, the lobe, behind ur ears etc. do this on a daily basis. it literally takes 2 seconds.

and to clean ur ears DONT use a cotton swab. ik it feels rly good sometimes but what it does is just push the wax back into ur brain or whatever so instead take a cotton ball and soak it in some warm water, hydrogen peroxide and mineral oil and just tilt ur head to the side <- so that the opening of ur ear is facing up and hold for about a minute and then tilt ur head back and let the fluid drain out.

[kakiastro]

4°, 16° & 28°: The Cancer Degrees

All cancers look like bunnies too me. Cute and adorable ☺️

Hey y’all!

Today, we’re discussing Cancer degrees! Degrees in astrology are very important. I refer to them as “Cake toppings” because I think they add an extra flavor to your chart and placements.

If any of your placements have Cancer degrees , then that particular placement has cancer influence.

Each degree has a different level to them from lowest to highest tiers.

4°

-this degree is level one of cancer. You are here to learn about family. Family may be a huge theme. You may not come from a stable family so you are here to learn what that is to you. Even if you did come from a good home, you’ll still come in contact with different kinds of family dynamics that you may find interesting. In past lives, family life may not have been a priority for you so you’re here to learn about it. You may struggle with trying to figure out what your role is in your family(the one you’re born into and you create)Emotions is the 2nd thing you come to learn and experience. You need to learn how to “feel” if you have air placements, you probably just shivered at that word😅 you could’ve been born into a family that lacks emotional intelligence or emotionally detached. You may have been taught to” keep your feelings to your self type of thing.” You’ll be put into situations that will make more aware and you’ll learn to express them as you age and experience life. You may encounter lots of water placements like Scorpio (who feels intensely), they can teach you a lot. You struggle with coming out your shell, you’ll be put in situations that force you too show yourself.

16°

-this degree is level 2 of cancer. people with this degree experience emotional intelligence at a young age. You could’ve been taught at a young age that it’s okay to show your emotions but learned to balance them. You may be close to one or 2 of your family members. People with this degree has an idea at an early age of what type of family they want to have, what they will or wont pass down to their children. You have a sense on what family should be like. You may encounter people with dysfunctional families that makes you appreciate yours a little bit more. Not saying your family is perfect because who’s is but you’ll see that they may had some things right. You may be a tad more outgoing than the 4° natives. You may have been pushed out your confront zone at an early age.

28°

-this is the highest level of Cancer. You are the Matriarch of your family. It doesn’t matter if you identify as she, he or them, you carry strong Mother energy. You came into this world knowing your role in the family and what you’re here to learn. You are the leader of your family, your earliest role models was probably your grandparent(s). You were close to them for a reason, they are here to pass on what they’ve learn, accomplished and failed at. You are picking up that mantle and breaking the curses and traumas, and starting the healing of your bloodline. This degree is known as “the household name” so you can bring lots of prestige to your family name , maybe the first to do so. I’ve seen this in a lot people married into a prestigious or well respected family. Even if your the last living one in your family, it’s your name that will stand the test of time.

Do you have any Cancer degrees? I’m open for readings!

[elysiae]

do you think operator & drifter treat their warframes wildly differently?

somewhat insufficient TLDR: i think the operator and drifter are emotionally attached but in vastly, strikingly different ways, and it manifested very, very differently too.

in operator's case, it isn't that they dont *care*, but they know how durable a warframe is. they know they can take one hell of a hit, and they'll be okay because that warframe takes the brunt of it (albeit with some phantom pain if the damage is bad enough). theyre less comfortable outside the confines of those large, bulky war machines because they know they're ultimately safe. those warframes can take hits. they cannot. the operator knows they were people, but they never met those people before the tragedy. besides... a lot of them really are just empty shells. they're hardly the people they once were, especially since they recreated those warframes from blueprints. don't get me wrong, they do remember the anguish of the originals - they were there, they lived it, and they still have empathy for them... but the operator knows the limits of every warframe like the back of their hand - they can maneuver however they want, they can take hits, they can run into armies and not be too afraid because they (as in the operator and the warframe this time) be fine. even if the warframe is damaged, they can fix the damage, so no harm done.

but drifter on the other hand? at first i think they never really realised the power they had. in their mind they were still them, just running, rolling on the occasion, it took them ages to maneuver those things *properly*, and probably only ever really learned with the operator's guidance. they would not let a warframe take a hit, not because they felt empathy for it (at least not a lot, last i checked you kind of need at least *some* to have effective transference?) but because they were so used to walking around vulnerable. yknow, not inside a killing machine. but what would've really solidified the difference was after they went to 1999. sure, hearing that these things used to be people is one thing, but at the end of the day, to drifter, they're still just machines. drifter never got to experience what the tenno did, they never had to deal with reaching into their freshly scarred minds to ease their anger, sorrow, fear, rein them in like the terrified animals they were turning into and hush their cries with understanding - they only knew the dead inside remnants... but it's an entirely other thing when you go to the past and see the people who were hurt. you meet them and you get to know them, become their best friends - maybe even date one of them - and it hit drifter like a fuckin' freight train. they have this entirely different view on warframes from that cold perspective they had at first. they weren't just war machines. those are people. every time they go into the head of those machines, they're looking through the eyes of *people.* people who had families and desires and hobbies, things they looked forward to, entire futures ahead of them that were snuffed out. people who were scared, people who didn't know what was happening. people who knew what was happening, who lived in fear knowing they weren't able to stop it... people who lived in fear of losing themselves. and i think it hit drifter a lot harder than they'd ever admit.

but thats not to say one of them is more attached than the other - both of them care deeply about their warframes. it's just that, they have different ways of looking at them. after all their experiences were so vastly different, it'd be impossible to look at them the same way.

(too lazy to type it out all over, but i have an example in the tags i think kinda helps pull it together more)

[solxamber]

Romance Roulette — Rollo Flamme x reader

You, Rollo's self-proclaimed bestfriend, have been trying to set him up with someone for the past few weeks. If all your plans fail, maybe you should do it yourself?

Rollo Week Day 2!

You’re absolutely convinced that one of these days, Mount Rollo is going to erupt—metaphorically speaking. The man is a storm in human form, and if anyone needs to loosen up, it’s him. As his self-declared bestie, you’ve decided it’s your personal mission to fix this. And what better way to prevent a volcanic explosion than by finding him the perfect date?

Date 1: The Perfectionist

For the first attempt, you decide to set him up with someone equally serious—a meticulous scholar who practically breathes textbooks, just like Rollo. You arrange a nice little lunch at a quiet, book-filled café. The ambiance is perfect: walls stacked with old books, the soft clink of teacups, and an academic atmosphere. You figure they’ll be intellectual soulmates.

Everything goes well—until they start debating. What begins as a pleasant discussion about historical architecture quickly escalates into a competition of who knows more obscure facts.

Rollo’s frown deepens as his date continuously tries to one-up him. By the time their coffee arrives, they’ve gone through no fewer than five intense debates about the most esoteric details of 14th-century bricklaying techniques.

You check on them an hour later, only to see Rollo sitting there, arms crossed, looking like he’s ready to punch a library in the face. His date is still babbling on about the aesthetic superiority of Gothic buttresses.

When you catch him outside after the disastrous date, Rollo sighs heavily and mutters, “I’ve had more stimulating conversations with my textbooks.”

“Well, they can’t all be winners!” you laugh awkwardly.

Date 2: The Overenthusiast

Clearly, the last one was too intense. You decide to go for a different approach—a cheerful, bubbly person who’s passionate about spontaneous adventures. Maybe someone who will drag Rollo out of his stoic shell with some boundless enthusiasm and positivity.

The date starts off on a hike, and Rollo already looks skeptical as they begin rattling off suggestions for future extreme sports they should try together. “Skydiving’s on my bucket list,” they say, oblivious to Rollo’s growing dread. “Oh! And I’ve always wanted to try base jumping.”

“I don’t have wings,” Rollo deadpans.

Things only go downhill from there. His date suggests bungee jumping off a nearby cliff, just to spice things up. Rollo’s jaw tightens like he’s physically restraining himself from yelling, and by the end of the hike, he looks like he’s been through some kind of personal hell.

As they part ways, Rollo gives you a flat look. “I don’t understand how you come up with these people.”

You just shrug, trying to hold back your laughter. “Maybe you just need to learn how to let loose!”

His scowl deepens, and you’re already mentally planning Date #3.

Date 3: The Tortured Artist

Next up, you think Rollo needs someone with a creative soul—an artist with a vision, someone who’ll talk about the beauty of life and inspire him with their philosophical musings. You manage to track down someone who’s always talking about their next big project and their deep thoughts on the human condition.

Things start off okay, but midway through dinner, they begin rambling about the chaotic beauty of life. “You see, Rollo, destruction is just a form of rebirth. Every time something breaks, it’s just… making way for something new.”

Rollo stares at them like they’ve grown a second head. “I believe in structure and order,” he says stiffly.

The artist looks unfazed, waving their hand dramatically. “But chaos is art!”

By the time the night is over, Rollo looks like he’s aged ten years. When he returns to you, he mutters, “They suggested we burn down the restaurant. For ‘art.’”

You burst into laughter. “Okay, maybe not the creative type either.”

Rollo glares. “Stop trying to torture me.”

Date 4: The Free Spirit

Alright, maybe what Rollo needs is someone who’s completely carefree—a person with no boundaries or restrictions, someone who doesn’t sweat the small stuff. You set him up with a free-spirited individual who lives life with a “no rules” philosophy. They suggest meeting at a park for a casual walk, and at first, it seems like things are going fine.

Then they start suggesting that they should start a protest about “the man keeping us down” and skipping stones at a restricted pond area because, “rules are just social constructs, man.”

Rollo’s eye twitches as they start skipping stones like it’s no big deal. “You realize you’re breaking the law, correct?”

“It’s just a pond,” they wave him off. “Live a little!”

The date doesn’t last much longer. As soon as they part ways, Rollo gives you the most exhausted look you’ve ever seen. “Why do you do this to me?”

You grin, feeling only slightly guilty. “You said you needed to loosen up.”

“I’m going to throw you into that pond next time,” he mutters, but you can see the faintest smirk on his lips.

Date 5: The Socialite

This time, you think you’ve cracked the code. Someone social and charming, who knows how to navigate high society. You arrange a dinner with an outgoing socialite who can hold their own in any conversation.

Except, they spend the entire date talking about all the high-profile parties they attend, the famous people they’ve met, and their networking skills. Rollo is clearly unimpressed, barely saying a word as they drop name after name, and by the end of the night, he looks like he’s had all the life drained out of him.

“They talked more about themselves than any lesson I’ve ever attended,” he mutters to you afterward.

“Wasn’t that fun?” you tease, trying not to laugh.

Rollo just glares at you, muttering something about “irreparable damage.”

After the fifth disaster, you both sit in the café (again), your chin resting in your hands as you ponder your failure. “Maybe I’m just not cut out to be a matchmaker…”

“I’ve been telling you that since the first date,” Rollo replies dryly, sipping his tea.

You stare at the cup, lost in thought, then blink. "What if I just find someone more like...me?" Your eyes light up. "Of course! How did I not think of that before—"

"I think I’ve figured that out myself," Rollo cuts in. His tone is so dry, you almost miss the little sarcastic jab in it. He raises an eyebrow. “Why not just date me yourself, then? You’re the only one I can stand at this point.”

You pause mid-sip, blinking. “...What?”

He shakes his head, clearly joking, lips curling into a faint smirk. “You’re already committed to this ridiculous mission. Why not be my date, if you're so determined?”

Rollo’s tone is light, and you can tell he’s not being serious, but something clicks in your mind. You blink at him like he’s just handed you the Holy Grail. Slowly, you lower your teacup. “Wait...that’s...brilliant.”

It’s Rollo’s turn to blink. “What?”

You snap your fingers. “I’ll do it! I’ll date you!”

The smirk falls from his face as he processes your words. “What? No—wait—I wasn’t—” His usual composure slips for a moment, a flicker of shock in his eyes. “You’re serious?”

“Obviously,” you grin, completely oblivious to his shock. “I mean, I’ve been spending all this time trying to find someone else, but why would I need to? We get along great, I know your quirks, you know mine—this is perfect!”

Rollo is still processing, his mouth slightly open, like you’ve just told him the world is flat. “I wasn’t actually expecting you to—”

“So,” you interrupt, leaning in with a smug smile, “where are you taking me on our first date?”

Rollo groans, rubbing his temple. “You’re impossible.”

The date with Rollo is… interesting. You two plan a simple walk through the city, but it doesn’t take long for things to go off track. Rollo tries to impress you by leading you through what he calls a "shortcut"—a long, winding, and completely unfamiliar street that gets you both hopelessly lost.

"Is this your plan?" you tease, nudging him as he checks the map on his phone. "Get lost together so I’ll have to rely on your company?"

Rollo gives you a flat look. "No, this is my plan going terribly wrong."

But despite the mishap, the date is surprisingly fun. You tease him relentlessly about his poor sense of direction, and he grumbles about how you’ve ruined his peace, but there’s an underlying warmth to his words. It’s clear that, despite the banter, he’s enjoying himself.

After wandering around for what feels like hours, you finally find your way back to a quaint little café. You suggest stopping for a drink, and Rollo, surprisingly, agrees.

The conversation flows naturally, filled with lighthearted teasing and small smiles. Rollo, despite his usual stern demeanor, seems at ease with you, even allowing himself a small chuckle when you accidentally spill sugar all over the table.

As the evening winds down and he walks you home, there’s a comfortable silence between you two. At your ...your doorstep, you hesitate for a moment, unsure of how to end the night. Rollo stands there, watching you expectantly, clearly not used to situations like this.

“So,” you say softly, “thanks for, uh, getting us lost today.”

Rollo raises an eyebrow. “I didn’t mean to.”

“I know,” you grin, stepping closer. “It was fun anyway.”

You lean in, brushing your lips softly against his in a quick kiss. When you pull back, Rollo is staring at you, frozen in place like he’s processing what just happened.

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” you ask, suddenly feeling a little shy despite the chaos of the night.

Rollo blinks, his usual serious expression faltering as a slight blush creeps into his cheeks. “...Yes,” he says, almost as if he’s surprised by his own response.

You smile at him, the warmth from the kiss still lingering, and before you can walk away, Rollo suddenly grabs your wrist, pulling you back gently. He leans in, pressing a lingering, softer kiss to your lips, as if trying to make sure this time is real.

When he pulls away, he mutters, “I suppose I should thank you.”

“For what?”

“For being insufferable enough to try this.”

You laugh softly, a lightness settling in your chest. “I aim to please.”

As you head inside, you can’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, Mount Rollo isn’t going to erupt after all. In fact, it seems you’ve found a way to calm the storm for good.

Masterlist

[lovesim09]

the proper way to use ancient powers

I remember White Star saying that Cale didn't know how to use his powers properly, he was partly right of course. Cale didn' t absorb them properly, he didn't get rid of the will of the previous owners, and as a result his power is weaker. However, I think White Star is also not using his power properly. First of all, we have never seen him use his Dominating aura. After all, Cale only has a "shell", which means White Star should still have one. Imagine fighting someone who uses a power similar to dragon fear. Cale people would have a much harder time fighting than normal, no matter how you look at it, apart from the dragons, Cale and Choi Han, the others would have a similar reaction like when they first met Eruhaben. White Star knows how to use the remaining abilities that the dragon slayers had. Probably because he's the warrior type.

Another thing is that each power that Cale has has some additional functions. Why does White Star have such basic powers?

Cale powers:

Super Rock - rock control, body strengthening, before he started talking he was like a danger detector. Power filtering?I'm not sure what to call it, but when Cale first used the crown, he said something about him being busy filtering the power they had from the crown.

The Indestructible Shield - Summons holy looking shield, tree control, dead mana absorption using trees. The ability to absorb other powers.

The Sound of the Wind - Creates whirlwinds, allows the user to move quickly and fly. Detecting Divine Artifacts. (I'm not sure if I'm right, but the thief most likely destroyed her plate to divide her power. )The second part of the power allows user to hear wind elementals (this is cheating, you have an informants that almost no one sees).

Fire of Destruction - Summons thunderbolts, can create something like a sea of fire. Purifies dead mana and black despair. In part 2, with the help of the artifact, can purify Jiangshi.

Sky Eating Water - Summons pillars and spears of water. In part 2, she learned how to make rain and chains similar to those that imprisoned her. She also created a tsunami.

Vitality of the Heart - healing ability, but only injuries inflicted after gaining this power. Keeping the owner alive if his body is unbalanced. Longer life, as we know the previous owner didn't die until he was 150 years old. Cale said that this power can regenerate limbs, I don't know if he was exaggerating or if he knows this from the book and information about how Taylor could have ended up (I'm afraid the author will eventually remember about it). Regeneration that makes you cough up blood 😂. The body and blood has more vitality, as confirmed by World Tree and Duke Fredo.

Dominating Aura - An aura similar to that of a ruler. The aura can make others want to submitting. Immunity to dragon fear. Allows to control a crown that likes to drink blood. In part 2, the aura has become so strong that it can compete with God. Also have an imitation of the power of a saint of the God of Chaos.

Blood Drenched Rock - Instills fear of death, Cale Created an isolated space using this power. According to Super Rock their powers are similar, which means also has offensive abilities. The user appears to be covered in blood, when uses this ability. (yes I gave it a different color because this power did not belong to the heroes )

And on the other side we have the powers that belong to the ancient white star.

White Star powers:

Wall of Water - Supposedly the strongest defensive ability, at least according to CJG. Creates a wall of water. (Is that really all?! I understand then why he tried to get Water of Judgement.)

Wind - In most situations White Star used it as a wall of wind or to push enemies away. We don't even have a name!

Fire of Natural Disaster - A dangerous ability that, when combined with Sword of Disasters, creates a truly dangerous combination. Can control something similar to lava.

Earth - Allows you to change your appearance. We don't know the name and other abilities.

Annual Rings of Life - has only half power. Allows to see a person's time but not all. It allows you to recognize people with warped times. It can determine when something died or how old objects are. Can be used by a person with Thames blood.

Sky attribute - control the rain, the wind and even the sunlight using clouds. Summons Thunderbolts, which were stronger than those created by Fire of Destruction. Even dragons had trouble stopping them. Allows you to move in a place full of dead mana. Need to absorb dead mana or black despair regularly. Dead Man's power stops it from destroying the owner of that power from inside. The power comes from the Demonic race.

Dominating Aura - similar to the power of Cale Henituse. It may be weaker though. Never used.

Wyvern Control - Can control wyverns. Stronger than the ability Choi Han has from Syrem.

Sword of Disasters - It has a power similar to natural disasters. Stronger ability than what Syrem had. It can easily destroy the dragons' shield. Even the Indestructible Shield couldn't stop the attack for long.

Abandoning your Life - The power to allow the Sword of Disasters to become stronger. Allows you to sacrifice some of your lifespan in exchange for power. Using this ability also allows you to grant your dragon slayer powers to someone else.

As for powers stronger than those of the heroes of ancient times, they are surprisingly weak and non unique. To me this looks like a power that was not properly developed by the original owner or abilities wrong used by the current owner. I wonder why we haven't seen the wood power of the ancient white star. He wanted to imitate him and didn't even try to look for his wood ancient power. It'll be funny if Cale ever tries to use them and accidentally unlocks their potential. Because he decided to listen to the voice of AWS. I still think it's stupid to get rid of the previous owner's will. These were their powers, they know better what these powers can do. Not to mention that these are people who lived in ancient times. They know the history better than anyone else. It's like Cale gave someone the Record and didn't explain anything. Okay Poor example, he could do that.