#rat prevention tips

[dandelionsresilience]

Dandelion News - November 1-7

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1. Climate Initiatives Fare Well Across the Country Despite National Political Climate

“[California voters approved] a $10 billion bond measure to boost climate resilience across [the] state[…. Hawai’i] voters cast their ballots in favor of establishing the [climate] resiliency fund, with money for the project coming from existing property tax revenue.“

2. ‘You have to disguise your human form’: how sea eagles are being returned to Severn estuary after 150 years

“[… To avoid imprinting,] the handlers will wear long robes and feed the young eagles chopped rabbit and other meat with bird hand-puppets. […] Williams hopes that restoring eagles to the top of the food chain in the estuary will create a more balanced, thriving ecosystem.”

3. 10 states voted on pro-abortion referendums. 7 of them passed

“New York voters overwhelmingly approved the Equal Rights Amendment, adding [… among other characteristics] gender expression, pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes to anti-discrimination laws. […] In deep-red Missouri and Montana, voters also enshrined abortions protections in their state constitutions.”

4. Giant rats could soon fight illegal wildlife trade by sniffing out elephant tusk and rhino horn

“”Our study shows that we can train African giant pouched rats to detect illegally trafficked wildlife, even when it has been concealed among other substances[.…] They can easily access tight spaces like cargo in packed shipping containers or be lifted up high to screen the ventilation systems of sealed containers,” Szott explained.”

5. Sarah McBride wins Delaware U.S. House seat, becoming the first out trans member of Congress

“McBride spearheaded Delaware��s legislation to ban the “gay and trans panic” defense as a state senator [… and] helped to pass paid family and medical leave, gun safety measures, and protections for reproductive rights.”

6. Critically endangered Sumatran elephant calf born in Indonesia

“Indonesian officials hailed the births and said they showed conservation efforts were essential to prevent the protected species from extinction. […] Sumatran elephants are on the brink of extinction with only about 2,400-2,800 left in the world, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature.”

7. Sin City is Going Green

“[Hotels there] have conserved 16 billion gallons of water since 2007, thanks to […] replacing grass with desert-friendly landscaping, installing water-efficient taps across all properties, and reusing water at aquariums and in the Bellagio Fountain.”

8. Gray squirrel control: Study shows promise for effective contraceptive delivery system

“[… T]he feeders have a very high level of species-specificity. […] The bait and monitoring system developed and tested in the study demonstrated that […] “spring was the only season tested where female squirrels were more likely to visit bait feeders than males. Spring coincides with a peak in squirrel breeding and is therefore a good time to deliver a contraceptive."”

9. Returning Grazing Land to Native Forests Would Yield Big Climate Benefits

“[… S]trategically regrowing forests on land where cattle currently graze […] while intensifying production elsewhere could drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions, with little hit to global protein production, a new study shows.”

10. Interior Department Strengthens Conservation of American Bison Through New Agreement with Canada and Mexico

“Approximately 31,000 bison are currently being stewarded by the United States, Canada and Mexico with the goal of conserving the species and their role in the function of native grassland systems, as well as their place in Indigenous culture.”

October 22-28 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

[decadentpaperduck]

Long Been Buried - Astarion x Fem!Reader - Baldurs Gate

Summary: As the unofficially appointed leader of your team, the pressure builds one night in camp. Set around about Act 1/2 ish, Astarion supports Tav through a tough night. Words: 1.2k Warnings: Fluff, sad/angst ish, comfort

I have not published something I have written in a hot minute - debated putting that as a warning, but just wanted to offer some comfort in case anyone felt as overwhelmed as I tend to.

I decided just to pull off the plaster (band aid) on this one so forgive if not too polished, but after not posting my writing for years, I had to get it over with!

Thanks for reading!

_____________________

You let the flap of the tent fall shut behind you as you crawl into your bedroll and fall onto your back. The chill of the night air is apparent, even within the confines of your canvas cocoon. Your arms wrap around yourself in an attempt to warm your body and soothe your soul; palms brushing frayed cotton in a back and forth motion.

The fate of the world, the fate of your friends seems to be your hands. You aren’t quite sure how and when they put you in charge, but it was right about now that you wish they hadn’t.

Gale’s Deity ex-girlfriend demands the ultimate sacrifice in exchange for meaningless forgiveness, Karlach will meet a face worse than death if she doesn’t return to Avernus and Shadowheart seeks the acceptance of a soulless Goddess of pain and suffering.

But worse than all that you could allow to happen, remains that which you couldn’t prevent. That cannot be undone.

Astarion is a master of Stoicism, but you can see the way Cazador has dug his claws into him. The fear of enclosed spaces. The dislike for rats. The way he believes no one could ever want him around for anything more than his body.

You think about the first time you let him feed on you and how it took him several days after that to stop asking you if there was anything he could do for you in return, including sleeping with you.

You had politely declined his advances with shame that shone through your skin. In truth, he had become someone you cared about all too quickly, but you would never allow him to believe he owed you for something you did out of love, or something very close to it. 

You don’t seem to register when the tears first tumble from your eyes until they roll down the sides of your face, brushing the tips of your ears before hitting the pillow. Closing your eyes releases another round, descending downward, skimming your temples.

“Darling?” The familiar voice, smaller than you have ever heard it, whispers through the gap in the tent door. “May I come in?” You surmise it's likely he already knows you're upset but you attempt to lessen the impact of coming face to face with that reality by brushing away the evidence. “If you don’t answer me I am afraid I may have to commit an act of breaking and entering to ensure your safety.” Your laugh is a reflex you have grown used to in his company. A welcome one.

“Yes, you may.” One last drag of your hands across your face and Astarion appears at the entryway to your tent. You lean up onto your elbows and push yourself up into a seated position.

“Thank you.” Ever the gentleman, he replaces the fabric covering the doorway before making himself comfortable, mirroring your position, legs straight in front, leaning backwards on arms outstretched. “Is everything alright?” 

The simple answer is no, and perhaps that is written on your face. Astarion looks concerned, an expression he rarely wore. Something about his approach made you answer in truth. No quips. No forced positivity. Just your reality. But not before taking a deep breath.

“No.” You watch his face as carefully as he watches yours. You notice how his brow dips in the middle, as though the worries in his mind have settled neatly upon his forehead. “And I’m tired of pretending they are,” You swallow as teardrops gather along your bottom lash line. “Not that I think anyone is fooled.” You laugh, shaking your head as you avert your eyes from the intensity of his gaze. "I feel like a fraud, who am I to be standing here before you all like I have a clue?!"

“Darling, it’s not about anyone being fooled.” You can hear the restraint in his voice. “For better or worse, you  take it upon yourself to absorb everyone’s problems with the aim of finding an answer for them. That makes you a better person than most of us. But it doesn’t mean that every answer is good or will have a happy ending. It’s the hope that makes it worthwhile.” Rain begins to fall on the tent roof, the patter punctuating the peaceful pause.

“Take it from a man who traditionally does as much good as you do evil.” He leans forward and lowers his head in an attempt to catch your eye and when he has no luck, resituates himself beside you and plants his hand atop yours. You look back at your hands with a fondness. The softness of Astarion’s actions counter everything he ever wanted you to believe. “You inspire a hope in me that has long been buried in an empty casket in Baldur’s Gate.” 

You screw your eyes shut as you try to contain the tears, swallowing hard as your breathing threatens to release a body wracking sob. “Oh Darling.” He breathes, before leaping to action and wrapping his arms around you, pressing you close to his chest. The sob escapes into his cotton shirt with the criss cross front. “It will be okay.” He says into your hair. “It will be o-kay.” He rocks you slightly. He hushes you as you cry, a soothing symphony with the accompanying rain. Your body moulds into his or perhaps his moulds into yours.

“Will you stay with me?” You ask quietly. “You don't have to. I just-” You choke on your words, but before you can try to continue, his hand cradles the back of your neck.

“You don't have to explain yourself.” He turns his head and presses his lips against the top of your head.  “You don't have to go through this alone. You do so much for everyone else,” He leans back, peeling you from him, and holds your head perfectly between his two palms, your eyes interlocking. “Let me do this for you.” 

“This is nothing, I’ll be-” His lips press to your forehead and your eyes flutter shut on impact. The silence in the tenderness of the moment wraps around your heart and squeezes. How can you argue?

Before you think you might cry again, he sits back and looks at you. 

“How about we get some rest?” His hands squeeze your shoulders gently. You nod, exhausted from another day of walking, thinking and acting on behalf of others. Your body is limp and easily persuaded back into a reclined position. “Theeere we go.” Astarion’s words are softer and warmer than toasted marshmallows, and make you feel lighter and sleepier as he nestles down next to you. “It’s okay.” He says as you stare into one another’s eyes. “You rest.” He sweeps his fingers in a gentle caress across your forehead and behind your ear. “I won’t be far behind you.”

You resist slumber at the expense of a few more moments lost in his eyes, but soon sleep captures you. It’s gentle and forgiving, like the arms of the pale elf. 

He stays with you all night, and it doesn’t take him long to trance himself into a restful stasis, safe in the knowledge that here, in this moment, you have him and he has you.

[merakiui]

somehow thinking of skully always results in the most deranged of thoughts, which is why tenth prompt immediately brought him to mind. he just seems like the kind of guy to engage easily and with little remorse in the most taboo things. feeding you a part of himself to ensure you are trapped in his timeline? well, that's simply what you do when you love somebody very much. no, he isn't getting off to this.

which is to say that, if it's not too much bother, i'd love to request some disgusting dead dove skully for prompt 10 (though 4 is also sorta similar?)

>:) disgusting dead dove Skully...... my favorite flavor!!!!! I changed the prompt sentence just slightly,,, ;;;

(cw: yandere, unhealthy behaviors/relationship, female reader, captivity, dead dove, reader is treated like a rag doll in skully's pursuit of having a jack x sally esque romance, delusion, obsession, gore, non-con dissection, drugging, mutilation, skully's freak levels are criminal and absolutely deranged)

(monstrously yandere prompts)

"Good morning, my darling!"

Beaming from ear to ear, your cheerful kidnapper wheels a metal cart into the brick cell he's calling a bedroom. Your roommates are rats and spiders and whatever other monsters dwell in the darkness down here. This is where he lives, too, apparently. This strange boy who hides away in a mad scientist's stone cellar... It's patently absurd, a horrific tale fit for the shelves, and yet it's your reality.

He claims he's saved you from the cruel and callous Dr. Ashengrotto and his terrible, terrible needles. You'd be nothing but a lab rat kept awake on a cocktail of fatal flora, and your death would be by the doctor's design. It's all miserable business anyhow, or so Skully says with a casual wave of his hand. You're in better hands down here. Because this is Skully's domain, and he has you all to himself.

Dr. Ashengrotto will never step foot down here because it is here where all of his abandoned creations lurk, and many of them cannot wait to sink their serrated maws into the throat of the man who left them to rot.

That's why Skully, this odd boy who feasts on rats and allows spiders to spin their webs between the valley of his fingers, is more than happy to have you here with him. He swiped you right from Dr. Ashengrotto's operating table, and he's quite proud of it. Deadly nightshade is a glorious poison, or so he'll boast. He's so pleased he learned the distinctions to better knock out the doctor. It's not his intention to kill Dr. Ashengrotto—although he very well could.

Rather, he just wants his specimen. That's why he's done well to keep you safe down here.

But is it truly any better?

"Did you know," he continues, disregarding your silence and the way you squish yourself into the corner to get away from him, "the brain prevents you from biting off the tip of your tongue? A very curious example of animalistic instincts. We are wired for self-inflicted violence, and yet our brain refuses to allow the body to entertain that."

You eye him warily. Something glints on the tray. A blade... A big blade, actually. Dread pools in the pits of your stomach. Bile is already scraping at your throat. You want to run, but he snipped the tendons in your legs and so now you're no better than a baby bird. You could crawl, but he'd easily catch up.

"If I'm to call myself yours, much like Lord Jack did with his dear Sally, it's only fair we look the part, no?" Spidery digits fall away from the cart, and he bends down to peer at you. Those peculiar spiral eyes blink one at a time. You wonder if he's ever gone outside. He's less human and more...creature. Does he even know how to be human? "So where shall we begin? If you try hard enough and perish every self-preservation instinct, your teeth could snip off the tip of your tongue. I can do the same with mine and we can swap them!" But he's quick to fluster, and his hands fly up to hide his glowing cheeks. "A-Ah... But perhaps that's too forward of me. Forgive me. It was wildly uncouth to suggest such blatant intimacy so early into our courtship."

You've never known kidnapping to be courtship. You're beginning to think Dr. Ashengrotto and his terrible, terrible needles would be better than this madness.

"We can do this instead." He lifts a cleaver from the cart and runs his finger along the blade. A bead of blood pools at his fingertip. "This shall do nicely." Turning to you with a smile, he rests his arm on the stone tablet positioned just beside the tray of surgical equipment. "It's only proper if I go first. A gentleman must always escort and reassure his lady. Oh, but I must hurry. Dr. Ashengrotto will wake soon, and I will know quite the tongue lashing if his tools are missing." He squeezes his eyes shut and winces at the memory, as if Dr. Ashengrotto is somehow more terrifying than the blade he's poised above his wrist.

Skully lifts his arm and then—

"Oh!"

He sets the blade down. You breathe a relieved sigh that soon sticks in your throat. "I almost forgot." He lifts a murky beaker from the table. "Please drink this. It will take all the shivers away. I promise. Don't be scared." He leans in close and brings the glass to your mouth, but that only serves to make you struggle with more force. Skully sighs, pouting in disappointment, and grabs hold of your chin to force the foul-tasting potion down your throat. You cough and grab at your neck. There's nothing you can do. You drank it.

"W-What was..."

"Fret not, my dear. This will melt away your nerves. You won't even know the concept of fear soon."

With that, he picks the cleaver up.

You watch, eyes wide and mouth gaping, as he raises his arm high. You see the dotted lines he's drawn on his wrist. And before you can scream he's brought the cleaver down to cleanly sever his hand from his arm.

It must be painful. It has to be!

So then how is he humming? Why isn't he crying and screaming, holding his now handless arm in agony? How can he casually fashion a tourniquet for his weeping wound, the blood so thick and sticky it spills onto the cart and drips on the floor in little puddles?!

"Soon, our bodies shall be wed. Isn't this exciting? We'll be husband and wife!" He swipes his finger through the blood pooling on the surface of the cart, doodling a crooked heart.

You feel sick, but nothing will come up. Your stomach churns. Something is scratching at your eyes. You feel heavy, as if the weight of the world is pressing down on your shoulders. There's so. much. blood.

You shut your eyes for a moment, but when you wake it's to the foul stench of gore and the prick of pain as the needle works through your flesh.

Skully sews his hand onto the stump where yours once was and, in return, yours replaces the empty space on his arm.

He cradles your cheek with his—your—bloodied hand. It's cold. "You're so beautiful," he whispers, his thumb rubbing just beneath your eyes, cherishing your cheekbones. "I've never known such agonizing happiness. Aah, it's like Cupid is stirring my heart into soup, stabbing it over and over with his arrows. You're lovely, an absolute scream."

You can hardly move, but your eyes manage to slide down the length of your limp arm to find the hand that's now surgically attached. His hand. The hand that has never belonged to you.

You give a choked sob. Skully smiles and leans in to lick your tears away.

- - -

He wants to open you up and rifle around in your insides. "If only I could give you my heart," he laments. "I don't deserve this organ. Not when I have such beastly thoughts!"

You think, if it were possible, he'd wrap your intestines around his neck like they're a feather boa, a grotesque treasure. But he doesn't want to kill you, even though sometimes he tells you you'd be such a pretty corpse, so he never allows his knife to touch your stomach.

That's why he's decided to give you the next best thing.

The needle is so close to your eye. You can't move. He's given you something, so all you can do is lie rigidly still like the dead. Again, Skully hums a haunting melody.

"Please..." you beg. "Please don't do this."

He blinks down at you with one eye. The other is sitting preserved in a glass jar, from when he plucked it out himself and cut away the pesky optic nerves, all while rambling about how fantastic this is. You wonder if he's immune to pain. Is he even alive? There's a bandage wrapped around his head, concealing his empty eye socket. Soon, you won't be able to move your mouth to voice any pleas. Silent tears crawl down your cheeks instead.

When you look at him, scrawny boy with his strange, toothy grin and his bedraggled hair, you wonder if he's one of Dr. Ashengrotto's long-forgotten experiments.

"I'll be gentle," he promises.

You spend those next few hours in indescribable torment.

You pass out just before you lose the sight in your left eye.

When you wake, Skully is holding you in his arms, brushing a hand through your hair to soothe you. He hums a sweet lullaby, his sharp, curled nails sticking at every knot in your hair. He yanks through them, undeterred.

"Are you awake?" He peers down at you. "Oh, what a relief! It's been days since you shut your eyes. I was beginning to worry I'd hurt you..."

His frown quickly quirks up into a bright smile. "But not to worry! You're still alive. I'm so pleased!"

He feels around in the dimly lit space for something. When you open your eyes, you see yourself. The vision in your left eye is blurred. Skully props you up so you can get a better look at yourself in the fractured glass.

You're looking back with an orange eye.

And yours is nestled snugly in his socket. A perfect fit.

"Isn't it wonderful?" he says, ignoring your wheezing, hyperventilating cries and the blood that trickles from your ruined socket. "My most important parts are inside you—my hand and my eye and patches of my flesh—and yours are here within me. I shall be a temple that cherishes your pieces. With this, you'll be mine forevermore."

He gathers you in his lanky arms and squeezes you in a hug that robs you of your air.

"And when you perish, I shall take your heart and sew it in next to mine. Then we'll never be apart."

[covid-safer-hotties]

My boyfriend traveled to Europe for a work trip. What's the protocol for when he gets back to make sure he didn't pick up COVID? I just assume the CDC website these days says not to worry about it and viruses are made of sunshine and rainbows.

The CDC's recommendations are made of worse than sunshine and rainbows: they're made of okaying a CEO to refuse his workers sick leave for covid in 2021. That shit they say about "not having a fever" is literally based in an old wive's tale about illness in general, as they science says nearly 60% of all covid spread comes from asymptomatic or presympomatic people. Tbh, the HHS, CDC, and NIH didn't need to have RFK and Battacharya put in charge to destroy them, they've been doing it to themselves for years by bowing to corporate desires instead of standing behind evidence-based airborne mitigations to protect the public health... but that's a different rant.

1. He needs to be wearing a quality mask the whole plane trip. The newest LP.1 strain is on the rise in Europe and is more transmissible. (This is one of those things that would have been good to plan for a month ago so you could get sip valves and the like for hydration)

2. Mask mask mask when he gets back. I assume you don't have a molecular home test. Rapid tests are incredibly fallible until people become more symptomatic, so taking a negative RAT as a sign of safety is potentially a route to exposure. Metrix sells a molecular home test with much better results that looks for *any* covid, not just high viral load. Order one now (they also make combo covid/flu tests, but IDK if they've hit the consumer market yet).

3. If you can, cordon off an area to be his quarantine for at least a few days. (Tips on how to do that) If you're using RATs, aim for two a day about 12 hours apart for the first 3-5 days. If you're seeing nothing, and assuming he's been in Europe for a while, you may consider relaxing your home quarantine, especially if you have air filtration and good ventilation in place.

4. If he does test positive, both you and he should continue to mask often, but his masking is most important. Source control is key in preventing spread of covid. Have him open the windows he can and assure there's a negative pressure out so his aresols don't creep into the home (guides in the isolation protocols linked above). Make sure he has his creature comforts (game system, books, movies, etc.) and plenty of tasty snacks and nutritious food. You can use video conferencing tools to have time together, talk during meals, etc. A lot of what you do if and when he gets sick is up to the limitations of your home (idk what size, style, or environmental factors are coming into play: it's easier to quarantine in a 2 story mcmansion than a 2 room apartment.) But he can come out once he's passed a series of rapid tests (3-5 is the rule of thumb to assure no false negatives, which are common) or a home molecular test.

[erdbeermayo]

Service ace my ass!

...or the reason Kageyama Tobio won't ever practice yoga with Oikawa Tooru in the same room again!

(domestic post-time skip oikage fluff, rated G)

Tobio sighs. It's been two days since all of the gyms in their area have closed down for holidays—for an entire week, no less!

Right about now, the two of them would be doing their weight training, competing in how many reps either one of them can do with this or that weight and exchanging little tips on which techniques are the most effective for developing muscle groups that are relevant for playing volleyball. It's usually quite fun. Especially since there are only so many weeks in a year where they get to live together.

He taps his foot, feeling a little antsy, and then notices Tooru staring at him with a knowing smirk, which turns into a smile once their eyes meet.

"Can't wait to pump that iron, Tobio-chan?"

Tobio sighs again. "Yeah..."

"Such a gym rat!" Tooru chuckles and pokes him softly in his side, making him jolt and bat his finger away.

"Can't believe you keep forgetting to finally buy some weights for this apartment."

"Well, it's because the gyms around here usually never close for this long. It happens only once a year. And I'm barely ever home anyways." Tobio pouts as he enumerates his excuses.

"Blah blah! Should I stick a post-it note to your favorite pair of Asics so you remember next time?" Tooru suggests with an annoying grin.

Tobio snorts and retorts, "Let's stick it to your forehead instead", causing his brown-haired boyfriend to gasp in mock offense.

"How cruel, Tobio-chan!"

He appears to be thinking for a moment. "Wait! Does that mean that you like me more than your favorite pair of Asics?"

"Shut up!" The affectionate little smile tugging at the corners of Tobio's mouth prevents him from sounding hostile as he softly bumps their shoulders together.

Tooru giggles and wraps an arm around Tobio, pulling him into a hug. "Aw! Love you, too, babe."

"You know that I love you," Tobio mumbles grumpily into soft brown locks tickling his face.

"What was that?" Tooru demands, and Tobio is certain that he did, in fact, understand every word. Which is why he decides that it's only fair to respond by biting down on his boyfriend's neck.

"Ouch! You little vamp!" Tooru frees himself of Tobio's deadly fangs by taking his face in his hands and smashing his lips against Tobio's in a firm kiss.

"Hey, maybe we could still try to work out at home," he suggests once they pull apart. "Could be fun to try some yoga. I kinda feel like stretching."

Tobio tilts his head slightly, considering the idea. It's certainly better than nothing. "Sure, we could try that."

"Cool! Let me find some video we could follow." After a quick peck on the tip of Tobio's nose, Tooru saunters toward the living room, with Tobio following close behind.

They quickly find a nice, popular channel with a large variety of yoga videos and—feeling quite confident about their general fitness—pick an advanced session to follow along with. Tooru laments the lack of yoga mats at Tobio's Italian apartment and vows to add them to his shopping post-it note right after 'dumbbells'. For now, the living room carpet will have to do.

The session begins with really easy poses, and Tobio wonders how this is even considered real exercise. But soon enough, his muscles start to stretch and burn in a way that feels very right, which reassures him that this is, indeed, quite beneficial. He even finds himself enjoying the calm and quiet atmosphere as the two of them hold still and breathe as instructed in the video.

The trouble starts when they move into their first balance-focused pose.

Tobio feels quite good about himself as he manages to stay very steady, balancing on one foot for well over a minute while holding the pose the instructor called 'The Extended Sideward Pose'. That is until Tooru's foot suddenly rams into his hip, sending him stumbling across the carpet.

"Hey! What the—" He turns to frown at his giggling villain of a boyfriend. "Asshole."

"You suck!" Tooru sticks his tongue out at him.

"No, you," Tobio responds simply, because this is how much thought he is willing to put into figuring out a come back for something so immature. He resumes the pose and as they continue the session, keeps a cautious eye on Tooru once in a while.

Unfortunately, Tooru is a master of perfect timing when it comes to his devilry. And it's only when Tobio lets his guard down while being focused on staying perfectly still in 'Warrior Three' that the second attack comes. This time, it's Tooru's fingers lightly brushing Tobio's foot in a way that is really ticklish.

Given the limited space in Tobio's living room, he initially choses to believe that it's an accident. But not when it happens the second and then the third time, which makes him sway forward dangerously and forces him to place his second foot on the floor in order to prevent himself from falling.

"Stop it!"

Tooru giggles. "I'm just making sure your training is extra advanced, Tobio-chan!"

"Yeah, right," Tobio grumbles. "Maybe you should make sure you're training at all by not wasting your time trying to annoy me!"

"Alright, alright. Sorry! I stop," the brown-haired menace promises.

Honestly, Tobio should have known better. Because, of course, Tooru wouldn't actually stop there.

And as many sacred things, Tobio's patience runs out on count three. So as soon as Tooru's hand lands on his arm as they take 'The Tree' pose, he lets his instincts take over and grabs it, pulling Tooru towards himself and tripping him up, making sure that the brown-haired jerk doesn't even get to yelp before ending up sprawled out on the carpet with Tobio's hands pinning down his wrists on either side of his silly head.

The surprized expression on Tooru's face quickly transitions into a cheeky smile.

"You look so angry," he so perceptively observes and whips his head up to press a noisy smooch against Tobio's lips.

With a frustrated growl, Tobio's mouth latches onto Tooru's throat while his fingers launch a ruthless assault on every ticklish spot on Tooru's body he knows of.

"No, Tobio-chan! Please!" he hears his insufferable boyfriend's desperate pleas blending into loud giggles as he thrashes around in agony. "Please, stop! Mercy! I give up! You win! You win!"

But Tobio won't be swayed that easily after the torment he himself had to endure. He digs his fingers deeper between Tooru's ribs, intent on getting his sweet revenge. His victim's laughter begins sounding so incontrollable that it makes Tobio laugh with him.

"Please! I can't anymore! Enough! Enough!" Tooru cries out breathlessly and, in one swift motion, overpowers Tobio, forcing him onto his back and taking his turn to pin down his wrists to the carpet.

His flushed face hovers above Tobio as the last chimes of laughter die down on their tongues, replaced by quiet panting. Tooru's hazel eyes study his face, and he releases one of Tobio's wrists to brush a thumb gently against his cheek.

"You have no idea how beautiful you look when you smile like this."

Tobio's breath catches at the unexpected compliment and at the way Tooru looks at him in this moment.

He reaches up to cup his face in his hands as Tooru leans down and proceeds to give him a sequence of short kisses, speaking in between them. "I— love— you— so— so— so— so— much!"

He seems to be unable to stop as the kisses don't end with his sentence. Tobio can't complain, though, responding to each of them with all of the tenderness flooding his ribcage.

After they both have definitely lost count, Tooru ends the series with one last lingering kiss and gets up on his hands and knees, looking down at Tobio. "Alright. Wanna finish the workout?"

Tobio nods, and they both get up from the carpet to rewind the video and resume their session.

The last exercise they're instructed to do is 'The Downward Dog'. Tobio breathes out slowly as he moves into the demonstrated pose, feeling the nice stretch all across the back of his legs.

Suddenly, searing pain ripples violently through his body as Tooru's hand lands sharply on his butt in a spank so hard that it almost sends him tumbling.

Tobio scrambles to his knees, blinking in momentary confusion. Meanwhile, Tooru uses it as an opportunity to jump away, making sure to gain a safe distance between them, his hand over his mouth as if he himself is shocked by his own actions. A quiet snort bursting out of him betrays his true feelings, however. Tobio glares at him, his face burning.

Tooru moves his hand away from his mouth, revealing his smug grin, and points a finger gun at Tobio, announcing in his best salesman tone, "And this is how you do a service ace!"

After a beat of charged silence, Tobio gets up to his feet and dashes after him with a loud growl. "Get over here! I'll show you service ace!"

Tooru lets out a high-pitched shriek and zooms in the direction of the bathroom, falsely hoping that he can save himself there. Little does he know that Tobio has a spare key.

As he stomps toward the locked door of the bathroom, he vows to himself to make sure his lovely boyfriend has a proper shower after such a vigorous workout.

Oh, and maybe that post-it about the dumbbells isn't such a bad idea after all.

[mylittleredgirl]

HI THIS IS MAYBE TIME SENSITIVE, ITS ABOUT THE RATS. sorry if you already know this but you mentioned tanks, so i just wanted to let you know tanks are not safe for rats! they have really delicate respiratory systems and need the ventilation of a cage. just hoping to catch you before you spend money. again sorry if you already knew. thank you for taking them in!!

thank you anon, i’m sharing with the class as this is good info! if i couldn't find a cage locally and had to order, i was going to borrow a spare long tank from the Reptile Friend, because as temp housing for unfamiliar rats, preventing escape would have been my top priority. but i wouldn't want to keep them in it long-term!

too much time in rat communities will make anyone high-strung tbh. i'm telling you, for every single item designed and sold for pet rats, there is an amateur Rat Expert out there who has made it their personal mission in life to tell you why using that item will Murder Your Rats.

after a long night of searching, i got the “merry manor rat home” from petco, which is small for three rats, but the best option in the county:

for those wondering, the designated Rat Expert for this product will tell you it will Murder Your Rats because their feet can get injured and then infected from wire shelves. i got a thick blanket at goodwill to make machine-washable shelf liners so we'll see how that goes.

pro tip: i first left petco empty handed because this cage was kinda small and too expensive. i sat in the parking lot trying to see if i could order something larger to the store... and the second time i put in a search, it offered me a 50% off flash sale for this cage with in-store pickup. so i bought it on my phone and then walked right back in. i'm much happier buying something mid for $75 than $150.

the petco kid working was adorable. he has 13 rats because they are "the best small pet" (they are!). i didn't see any rats in the store, and he said "we don't carry them at this branch anymore :(" and i wonder in context if they stopped carrying them because he kept taking them all home.

this petco branch DOES carry hairless guinea pigs, which are the funniest looking creatures:

(this is from an image search—i didn't take a pic of the ones in the store because they seemed to have enough problems.)

petco rodent kid told me they need to eat twice as much food as regular guinea pigs because of how much energy they expend keeping warm. i really wonder who looked at a guinea pig and said "these guys don't seem to have enough anxiety. let's breed some without fur."

[sylaurin]

WIP of something that took hold of my brain yesterday. this takes place about a month or two after the twins are born (about 6 months after Iskra fled to Eorzea). There's more, but it's just rough dialogue at this point while I hash it out.

(Disclaimer I'm not much of a writer, so bare with me)

The moon hangs high over the city-state of Ala Mhigo on this brisk mid-autumn night. Atop the royal palace in the rooftop gardens the former ruler had made for his former wife stands the Tribunus angusticlavius of the XIVth Imperial Legion, Livia sas Junius, brooding. She had hoped the cool, fresh air would help distract from the phantom pain in the right eye she no longer has.

Unfortunately the quiet solitude of the garden did nothing to distract her from getting lost in her memory of the night that cost her that eye. So lost in thought was she that she almost didn’t hear the slight scuff of boot against stone that was her only warning before it came crashing into the back of her knees causing her to crumple to the ground. As soon as her knees hit the ground, a hand grabbed the back of her head creating a fist in her hair preventing her from moving her head without the assailants permission. Then she saw it, a glint of moonlight on steel that was a tip of a blade, one that Livia instantly recognized the owner of, pointed directly at her remaining good eye. “Where is he?” “So, the rat returns to the nest.” The fist in her hair tightens and yanks her head back. “Where. Is. He!?” “Why should I tell you anything, traitor?” “Because if you don’t, I’ll finish what I started with your right eye and then I’ll go find Gaius and get what I need out of him.” “You wouldn’t dare…” “Try me.”

[amandav09]

Valéria x Princess Reader

Sorry for the wait time, but I went back to work so it got me a little stuck, but it was mostly the lack of motivation that made me slow

MasterList of COD x Princess Reader

Summary : The dangers of the forest

Warming : violance

Word count : 3K

The forest was peaceful under that spring afternoon. The horses were moving the car at a calm pace.

The birds sang outside and it was necessary to fight so that the princess does not fall asleep.

The sound of a whistle reaches her ears before the metal tip sinks into the wall in front of her, a cry of surprise escapes her, and she notices blood flowing between the wood of the arrow and the stagecoach.

The driver was dead, let one of the horses pitch up at the appearance of two men in front. The car stopped quickly, she could hear the cries of the guards face the enemy, the sound of metal against metal resounded and she took the initiative to flee. She opened the door that was the opposite of the fight.

"Are you going somewhere princess?" A man blocked his way, a vicious smile in his face. He quickly grabbed her arm and forced her to come with him

The spectacle that faced him when they walked around the carriage made him clench his teeth. His knights had died on the ground, men, dirty and bloodthirsty, were already stripping the bodies.

The man who was holding her pushed her further between the trees. She protested, asked where he was taking her, or what he was going to do with her

But she gets no answer. He kept pulling her behind a big rock.

A group monitored the surroundings while a woman was leaning against the rock

«Hola Princessa» Smiles at the woman

The man dropped his arm and walked away.

(Y/N) crossed her arms on her chest «Valeria» She whistles between her teeth

«It is a very dark forest for a girl of your rank» Valerian’s mocking smile made the nose of the princess wrinkle with disgust.

"I didn’t expect to find you here, I thought you’d hide in the catacombs or in a rat hole."

«So many harsh words» The chief gets up and takes a few steps to find himself right in front of the princess. She reaches out and grabs her chin, forces her to keep her eyes on her

«Your look to change since the last time» Taquina Valéria, but her smile fades to the angry look of the young woman

«The last time we saw each other, you had not yet betrayed the kingdom» His way was full of venom and pain «Are you happy with the sacrifices you made? You were one of the best guards in the kingdom, and you came down low.”

“I did what I had to do, no matter the price. Now no law nor kings can touch me.” Valeria’s gaze was cold. “ If I had continued as a knight, I would have just learned to bend my knee and make nice little fights to please the people of the course.” Her smirk comes back.

"Nothing could have prevented you from remaining a knight?"

The chief remained silent for a few seconds, her eyes dipping into his «If... One thing. But I had to make this sacrifice, and it allows me to be stronger, I am the most dangerous person. The nobles are afraid of me and the people turn to my side. One day, I will be at the head of this kingdom” A slight hint of sweetness passes in his eyes “But you can choose, you too, you can leave all that behind you, you just have to join me.”

She takes the face of the princess in her hands «I beg you mi amor» Murmured she

“You’re asking me to betray my family.”

Valeria frowns and retreats, dropping her face at the same time

“Betray your family? What did these people do for you? They spent their time dictating your good behavior! You were only a bargaining chip for them! With me, you can be much more, I will offer you the kingdom you deserve. By my side, you will no longer have to play the kind obedient girl” Valeria pulled out her sword and held the handle towards the princess «All these nights teaching you to handle weapons. You could have knocked my men down when they attacked your car, but you didn’t.”

The young woman gently takes the handle of the sword. The chief knew that at any time she could stick her own gun in his chest, but she trusted him.

“I am better than any man the kingdom will force you to marry. I will make you my queen.”

(Y/N) grabs the woman by her top and pulls her towards her

"Betray me again and I will kill you with my hands."

"Is that a promise?" Valeria smiles mockingly «I never make the same mistake twice» She adds before closing the gap between them to be able to kiss her. She would burn an entire kingdom if her princess ordered her to

[moreespressoformydepresso]

Oh hey it’s another interview fix-it AU! That I may or may not be writing while working on the Treaper multiverse!!! It won’t be a super long story, more crack than anything else, but I’m nothing if not absolutely stupid about starting new WIPs

Nobody knows who threw the first stone it was Bobbin it was 100% Bobbin, but it tips over an invisible domino that invigorates the other tributes just the smallest bit. When the peacekeepers round up the tributes onto the stage to punish whoever did this, hoping one of the other tributes will rat out the guilty party, but then the one holding Lamina throws her to the ground because of some perceived slight. Pup is ready to jump to her defense, but he’s too slow to stop the peacekeeper from raising his gun and getting ready to shoot her. What isn’t too slow is the interview set’s coffee table that flies through the air and hits the man over the head, knocking him out instantly. For a moment, the entire room stares in shock at where the table had come from. Specifically at Treech, who looks almost just as shocked as everyone else that he’d actually just done that. The peacekeeper next to the unconscious one yells in rage and raises his own gun, only to be knocked out by Lamina who grabbed the fallen man’s gun and used it like a club. 

Chaos is unleashed. All tributes realize they can catch these guys by surprise and start taking out the ones near them, those with good aim even managing to basically snipe the ones at a further distance who are too scared of hitting Capitol citizens to shoot. While they’re worrying about whether to shoot or not, Circ and Teslee sneak away to hack the security system and put the venue on lockdown to prevent reinforcements from getting in and taking back control of the situation. Brandy, Tanner, Reaper, Marcus, Coral, Sabyn, Velvereen, Facet, Lamina, and Panlo take up most of the attention as the “heavy hitters” of this impromptu revolt, doing most of the melee style takeouts. Meanwhile, Treech, Mizzen, Bobbin, and Sheaf sneak up to the remaining peacekeepers further away from the fight and take them out assassin-appears-from-shadows style. The last remaining peacekeepers in the fight finally have enough room to get a good shot now that all their comrades are down and/or dead, but they’re distracted by a fire alarm Wovey set off. This gives the tributes a chance to once again use the element of surprise to attack and finally take victory. Just then the peacekeeper reinforcements are about to break through the main entrance, but just as the first cracks are created by the battering ram, Otto and Ginnee drive straight through a side door with a mini-van they stole from the peacekeepers while all the chaos went down, Teslee and Circ already in the back. The tributes all pile into the van, some cheerfully waving goodbye to their mentors, before driving off through the halls of the building and out the door, straight through the weak excuse of a blockade outside and into the sunset. 

[ghuleh-recs]

It's @leezlelatch's birthday!! To celebrate, I put together a list of some of her greatest hits (in my humble opinion). I need to point out that it is taking every ounce of self-control I have not to just recommend everything she has ever written. If you want to read about sexy papas with FEELINGS, look no further. She writes some of the best Copia (emotional) hurt/comfort I have ever read. Her writing never fails to have me kicking my feet and blushing (and sometimes crying lol). Happy Birthday Leez!! Thank you for sharing your gorgeous words with us!

recs under the cut.

Brightness at the Heart of My Love - Copia x Reader

Nervous about your first time together, Cardinal Copia invites you to dinner.

Copia is quiet for several seconds, prompting you to look back up at him from your plate. He’s smiling very softly, cheeks tinted pink. There’s a sweetness to his gaze that halts your every thought, dazzled by him. There is something about Copia that is so…lovely. His features are harsh at times, stern and shadowed. Like a wraith, he passes through the hallways of the Ministry at twilight, swathed in the black of his cassock. When he dons the crimson cassock, he looks more like red death stalking abroad than the temperate Cardinal you’ve come to cherish. Little does the congregation know that he enjoys the serenity of the gardens before dark. That he often sneaks off to the kitchens for a sweet or to “borrow” some blueberries for his rats. That he’s never seen the movie Titanic because he knows he’ll bawl his eyes out. When he smiles, you understand what love is. Copia is the most beautiful man you have ever seen.

The World We Knew - Terzo x Reader

You spend your evenings writing at the old diner in town, looking for your next great story idea. And then Terzo Emeritus walks through the door.

As he lifts the mug to his lips, his eyes catch yours. His left eye isn’t milky, the iris is entirely white, pupil like a pinprick. God, you just wanna fling your laptop across the room. You are so goddamn nosy, and look what happened. Embarrassed, and thoroughly blushing, you look away for a moment before compelled, you return his odd gaze. He smiles at you and tips his mug in greeting before taking that first sip which prompts a satisfied sigh to escape that perfect mouth and you want to die. 

Nave of Hearts - Secondo x Reader

Do you believe in love at first sight? Secondo didn't, until he saw you.

Sitting at the very end of a pew, several rows back, you catch his cold stare, nod your head, and smile. Secondo’s fingers dig into the arm of his chair to prevent them from clasping at his chest as his heart begins a frenetic beat against his ribs. His eyes widen, his jaw clenches, and he stares at you so intently, Secondo is sure that you’ll be frightened away by the madness of his expression. Would the Brother sitting next to you catch the menacing glare of the former Papa and warn you away? Away from the angry, bitter old man who stalks the halls in his retirement.  You tilt your head slightly and widen your eyes in a similar manner, a playful smirk on your lips, and Secondo must have made a noise because Terzo glances over at him with a raised brow. The chapel is so bright suddenly, color exploding across the dark paraments and pews. The sun winks off the silver chalice on the altar, watering Secondo’s eyes. The air is clear, and he breathes deeply, overcome by the sudden and desperate need to know everything about you.

Alyssum - Primo x Reader

Life with Primo is a beautiful story told through flowers.

“Alyssum,” Primo’s warmly accented voice sends a butterfly fluttering about your stomach, and you turn to watch as he takes off his soil-stained gloves, laying them casually to the side. “Worth beyond beauty. And you, my petal, are worth far more than any flower I have ever grown.” His lips twitch with a smile. “Sì, you are beautiful as well. Perhaps tomorrow will be purple heather.”

Just a Nibble - Secondo x Reader

Nights with Papa Emeritus II are always interesting.

“Just there, amore,” Secondo sighs, relaxing into the heating pad with a soft groan. You ensure the warmth is placed right along his lower back comfortably so he can rest against the pillows in the shared afterglow of your lovemaking. “Grazie, grazie. Now come to your Papa.” “Come to your Papa, come for your Papa,” you muse with a teasing grin. “So demanding these days, Secondo.” You slide under the covers next to him and squeak with surprise as he hooks an arm around your waist and drags you across the sheets to nestle against his side.

Lust in Your Eyes - Copia x Reader

The Cardinal waits for you in your room…but sometimes, he's impatient.

Abandoning the shelf of records, he sits down on your bed, running his hand across the comforter. With a sigh, Copia falls back, closing his eyes as your scent envelopes him. He turns on his side and follows the pattern of the bedspread with a single finger, a crooked smile on his lips as he thinks about the very naughty things the two of you have gotten up to in this very bed.  He turns his nose into the soft material, taking a deep breath, his mouth falling open slightly. He turns onto his stomach, drawing his legs up as he skims the tip of his nose across the length of the bed, crawling forward until he reaches your pillow. 

𖤐 you know the drill--bookmark, read, and leave kudos/comments!

(I think it would be such a nice birthday gift for you to leave a comment on any of these, don't you?)

[dandelionsresilience]

Dandelion News - December 8-14

Like these weekly compilations? Tip me at $kaybarr1735 or check out my Dandelion Doodles for 50% off this month!

1. Rooftop Solar Keeps Getting More Accessible Across Incomes

“The long-term trend is that the median income for a household with rooftop solar is getting closer almost every year to that of the median income for owner-occupied households.”

2. Endangered seabirds return to Pacific island after century-long absence

“"No native species were harmed during the removal of invasive rats from Kamaka Island,” Esposito said. […] The team also collected and planted native sedges and grasses while removing invasive trees to enhance nesting conditions.”

3. First-of-its-kind crew welfare measure adopted at Pacific fisheries summit

“The new measure establishes minimum standards on board, including access to clean food and water, medical care, and sleeping quarters. It stipulates that workers have “unfettered access” to their identity documents […] and “unmonitored access to communication devices to seek assistance.””

4. Greyhound racing is increasingly rare worldwide. New Zealand now plans to outlaw the practice

“New Zealand’s government rushed through a law to prevent dogs from being killed while the industry winds down, unless a veterinarian deems it unavoidable. This will prevent owners from euthanizing dogs for economic reasons, Peters said.”

5. Possible Win-Win for Wildlife Management and Food Security

“Wild-harvested meat donation programs can help improve food insecurity while also helping manage overabundance of wildlife species like white-tailed deer[…. In one program,] hunters donated 600,000 meals. But that’s only 5.7% of the amount of venison that food donation facilities could use, according to the Food Bank Council of Michigan. The researchers say this suggests there’s room for scaling up these programs.”

6. Poll of American Farmers Shows Strong, Widespread Support for Increased Farm Bill Conservation Funding

“The polling, which surveyed over 500 farmers and ranchers across the country, found broad support for continuing and increasing funding for climate-smart agriculture conservation programs.”

7. Long-distance friendships enhance trust in conservation efforts

“Relative to a person with no long-distance friends, having even just one friend in another village led to a 15% increase in conservation activities such as beach cleanups, reporting illegal fishing practices and educating others about sustainable resource management.”

8. Two major Sunshine State airports make switch to 100 pct renewables

“Power for operations ranging from lighting and air conditioning to escalators and charging stations will be provided from renewable energy projects [...] at the beginning of 2025, ensuring clean energy operations for the more than 8 million passenger journeys averaged each year.”

9. Expansion of federally subsidized public housing may offer a path out of LA's homelessness crisis

“[… A] half-cent sales tax [was] recently approved by L.A. County voters expected to generate $1 billion per year to address homelessness. […] “Metros with higher concentrations of federally financed public housing tend to have lower rates of unsheltered homelessness," Schachner said.”

10. $20 Million Available to Advance Habitat Restoration Priorities of Tribes and Underserved Communities

“Through this funding, NOAA will help support community-driven habitat restoration and build the capacity of tribes and underserved communities to more fully participate in restoration activities.”

December 1-7 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

[odemonkillo]

April and the Ninja Turtles

Chapter 6 It was two in the morning. The night was deep, and no one was in sight. The human woman, accompanied by two mutants, had made a detour to the old hideout so they could retrieve a few belongings. Holding the cast-iron manhole cover above her head, she gently pushed it aside to avoid making noise and opened the sewer entrance, allowing the two mutants to join her in the deserted alleyway. Extending her hand to a certain rat named Splinter, she helped him out of the dark, damp tunnel, making sure he didn’t reopen any of his numerous wounds in the process. Then she offered her hand to the turtle named Donatello but hesitated when she saw his wary expression, which discouraged her.

"Come on, it’s just up those stairs," April O’Neil whispered, pointing to the staircase that led to her apartment. As they climbed the steps, she quickly closed the manhole and glanced around to make sure no one had seen them.

She slowly opened the door, letting them enter her small two-room apartment, and locked it behind them. She rushed to close the curtains on the only two windows to prevent anyone from seeing inside and finally turned on the lights, temporarily blinding her guests.

"Th-There! Welcome to my home," the human stammered, placing her hands on her hips with an embarrassed smile. The place was a total mess, and she only realized it now—especially when she noticed the dirty socks lying around and the clean laundry hanging because she hadn’t had time to put it away.

"Make yourselves at home. The bathroom is over there, and that’s the kitchen," she said quickly, hurrying to grab the socks and toss them into the laundry basket. Her eyes then turned to Donatello, and she froze for a moment as she saw him curiously examining a bra he had lifted with the tip of his staff.

"And if you're hungry, I can make you something!" she added with an awkward laugh, quickly snatching the bra and shoving it into a drawer, her cheeks flushing bright red.

Normally, she never had guests, so everything was in disarray—much like her head at that moment. Splinter looked around without revealing what he thought, contemplatively observing the various decorations on the furniture, including a very thirsty bonsai. Meanwhile, Donatello limped into the living room to look at the coffee table, which was also covered in random trash, including an empty pizza box that caught his attention as he tried to read what was written on it.

"Pi...piza?" he asked, tilting his head curiously, his pronunciation still a bit off.

"Or, if you'd like, I can order a pizza?" the human offered, pulling out her phone and waiting for their response. Donatello looked at her, surprised by the correct pronunciation of the word.

"We would love to try it," Splinter replied with an amused smile as he sat on the couch, glancing at his son standing nearby. Wouldn’t he sit? But Donatello was too tense and alert to get comfortable just yet; he preferred standing, leaning on his staff.

"Great! Let’s go for a pizza!" the human exclaimed cheerfully, though awkwardly. After a few beeps, someone picked up despite the late hour, and April ordered a pepperoni pizza before hanging up, silently thanking the 24/7 fast food service.

"Oh shoot, maybe you’re vegetarians?" she asked, face creased with concern, assuming Donatello, as a turtle, might be.

"Don’t worry, we’re omnivores," Donatello assured her in a calm voice, looking at April reassuringly to ease her obvious stress.

"Phew! That’s a relief," she replied with a grateful sigh. The purple-masked ninja smiled at the many expressions on this strange woman’s face. It was the first time he’d ever spoken so much with a human, and even more so, the first time he’d been in a human’s home. Sure, he’d seen plenty of human movies, but being there in person was an entirely different experience. He was fascinated. While he continued inspecting the space, April bent down to pick up more trash so her apartment would look a little cleaner for her guests.

"Don’t trouble yourself on our account. It's already very kind of you to let us stay here," Splinter said. He didn’t want April to wear herself out any more for them—especially since it was her home, and she could do what she liked with it.

"It’s no trouble. I just want you to feel at home," she replied with a reassuring smile, having finished tidying up.

"Donatello, please, make yourself comfortable," she added, pointing to the open spot on the couch next to the rat with an inviting smile.

Hesitant at first, Donatello didn’t move right away, but eventually gave in and sat down, his injuries still aching. Satisfied, April grabbed a chair and sat facing them, the coffee table between them.

"So, what’s your plan?" she asked in a more serious tone, surprising both of them. Splinter looked to his son, silently prompting him to speak since he was the mastermind behind the plan.

"Well…" Donatello began, his voice trembling slightly before he cleared his throat to regain composure, feeling a bit intimidated by all these new things.

"I managed to retrieve the tower's blueprints, and with that, I was able to identify their security system. I can hack it, though it won’t be easy. The most discreet entry point is behind the building. There's a manhole nearby that leads to the staff entrance. For now, I haven’t been able to analyze the guards’ patrol patterns at that entrance… But once inside, I should be able to access the control panel and upload a virus to destabilize the entire system. That would give me access to the surveillance cameras and help me locate where my brothers are being held. I also developed software that can unlock any security door. After that, I’ll have to improvise. The only problem is that all my electronic devices were destroyed in the explosion."

Donatello gripped his staff tighter, afraid the human would find his plan ridiculous.

April remained silent for a moment, her finger resting on her chin as she stared thoughtfully at an invisible point on the coffee table. Was she going to laugh at him? He mentally prepared himself, closely watching her concentrated expression—until she finally spoke.

"That’s no problem. I have a computer you can borrow. As for the guards, they’re definitely a challenge. They patrol in pairs and wait to be relieved before leaving their post, so there’s no leeway. The control panel is under surveillance, so you’ll be spotted immediately if you try to access it unnoticed. But hacking the system is a great idea—we can’t let them know you’re still alive, or we’ll lose the element of surprise. There are a few things to improve, but your plan is brilliant, Donatello." April smiled at him, arms crossed, nodding in approval.

Surprised by the encouragement, Donatello looked into her eyes, suspicion furrowing his brow.

"How… how do you know how the security system works?" he asked hesitantly, beginning to wonder who she really was.

"Oh, well, um… actually…" April was clearly uncomfortable with the subject, but she was saved by the doorbell ringing—the pizza had arrived.

"Food!" she exclaimed, getting up quickly and heading to the door to greet the delivery guy.

She barely cracked the door open to keep him from seeing inside, handed him the money, and he awkwardly passed the pizza to her vertically—not questioning her strange behavior, likely used to such things. She thanked him and quickly locked the door again before bringing the marvelous-smelling food into the room.

"Alright, enough thinking for today—let’s eat!" she said eagerly, placing napkins on the table and handing out slices of pizza to her special guests.

"Bon appétit!" she exclaimed as she took a bite, a string of cheese stretching from her mouth to the hot slice.

Almost hypnotized, Splinter and Donatello followed her lead and were immediately surprised by the delicious taste. The homemade crust, covered in basil tomato sauce and melting cheese, paired perfectly with the crispy pepperoni…

"Mmm…" Donatello closed his eyes in bliss, letting the delightful sensation wash over him.

April couldn’t help but laugh at the mutant’s expression, finding him even more fascinating. Splinter, on the other hand, ate quickly with both paws like a true rat, making the scene even funnier.

"You’ve never had pizza before?" she asked, surprised, as she wiped her mouth and poured them drinks.

"Not really…" Donatello replied, disappointed that he’d never discovered such a delicious dish earlier.

"Then we have to celebrate!" April declared, raising another slice into the air. The two mimicked her without really knowing why. She had a gift for dragging others along with her boundless energy. Still, deep down, Splinter and Donatello remained cautious—this human was still hiding a few things.

"I really can’t wait to let the others try pizza," Donatello said, helping himself to another slice, unable to hide the satisfied smile on his face as he bit into it, clearly not planning to stop anytime soon.

"I’m sure they’ll enjoy it just as much as you!" April beamed, glancing at the two mutants sitting on her old sofa bed.

Yes, she had to admit that she never could have imagined something like this happening in her life. All she had in mind when she graduated from university was joining the prestigious company T.C.R.I. and following in her father’s footsteps by conducting experiments that would benefit humanity. But now, her entire life had been turned upside down, and she found herself helping mutants who were now living in her home.

She couldn’t wait to find out what the future had in store for her with them by her side.

...

To be continued...

[pestscontrolplays]

5 Conveniences of Oviedo Exterminator

Parasite control is actually an essential service for sustaining a healthy and balanced, secure, and also comfortable atmosphere in Oviedo, just like it is in every other neighborhood. Whether you're a property owner, local business owner, or building supervisor, Oviedo pest control services may provide numerous conveniences. Below are actually five vital advantages of buying professional pest control in Oviedo:

1. Protecting Wellness and also Health

Bugs such as rodents, pests, mosquitoes, and also cockroaches are certainly not only problems; they can posture serious wellness risks. Rats are actually recognized to hold health conditions like salmonella as well as hantavirus, which may disperse by means of their droppings, pee, as well as bites. Mosquitoes are well-known for transferring viruses like Zika as well as West Nile, while cockroaches may cause breathing problem strikes as well as hypersensitive responses. Qualified Oviedo exterminator services help to get rid of and also avoid the spreading of these hazardous pests, reducing the danger of disease as well as allergic reactions at home or even business.

2. Preventing Residential Or Commercial Property Damage

Insects like termites, ants, and also rodents can lead to substantial damages to your residential property. Termites, for instance, may damage the structural stability of your home or company by preying on hardwood and drywall. Rats might eat with electrical wiring, insulation, and also pipelines, which may cause costly repair work. Ants can easily damage garden plants, and also particular insects, including bedroom pests as well as fleas, might infest your furniture, making them awkward and also likely unhygienic. A bug control company will definitely target these pests early on, avoiding them from resulting in lasting damages and also sparing you from pricey repair service expenses.

3. Strengthened Assurance

Insects can easily result in substantial anxiety and stress and anxiety, specifically when they penetrate your residing or even operating room. The consistent stress over insects can influence your comfort, efficiency, and also general health. Insect control experts in Oviedo are actually taught to determine the resource of the invasion as well as carry out the absolute most efficient treatment planning. Knowing that your property is being checked and treated by experts may supply comfort. Furthermore, professional companies usually feature continuous surveillance, making certain that your home or service continues to be pest-free in the lengthy condition.

4. Personalized Solutions and Knowledge

Every residential or commercial property is actually different, consequently are the pest complications that may occur. Pest control specialists in Oviedo have the know-how and understanding to tailor their solutions to your certain requirements. They know the local area weather, common parasites in the location, and just how they behave. Whether you are actually taking care of an infestation of ants in your yard or even termites in your foundation, Oviedo exterminator specialists may assess the situation and also make a tailored treatment strategy. These experts likewise remain up-to-date on the current pest control innovations and also products, ensuring that they use one of the most effective as well as ecologically friendly services.

5. Cost-Effectiveness

While it may seem like a great tip to handle parasite control problems your own self, do-it-yourself techniques can easily often be useless as well as even a lot more expensive in the end. Without the correct resources and knowledge, it's effortless to miss out on indicators of invasion or use treatments incorrectly. Professional insect control services, meanwhile, supply an additional cost-efficient solution through taking care of the issue swiftly as well as efficiently. Also, they can aid protect against future invasions, which may save you coming from the added expenses of fixings and repeated procedures.

Conclusion

Parasite control in Oviedo offers many benefits, from securing health to protecting against costly building damage. By relying upon specialists for pest administration, you are actually guaranteeing a risk-free, relaxed, and also pest-free setting for your home or organization. The confidence that possesses understanding that professionals are handling the issue, together with their adapted services and also lasting deterrence techniques, creates bug control an expenditure worth looking at for anyone in the region.

All American Pest Control

Oviedo, FL 32765

(321) 296-8999

Pest Control Oviedo

[maximumfluxqueen]

Hotel Pest Control Essentials for Guest Satisfaction

Introduction

In the hospitality industry, maintaining high standards of cleanliness and comfort is paramount. Guests expect their accommodations to be not just visually appealing but also pest control free from Buffalo Exterminators in Buffalo pests. The presence of insects or rodents can turn a pleasant stay into a nightmare and significantly damage a hotel's reputation. This article delves into the Hotel Pest Control Essentials for Guest Satisfaction, exploring effective pest control services, prevention affordable annual pest control plans strategies, and the importance of integrating pest management into daily operations.

Understanding Hotel Pest Control Essentials for Guest Satisfaction Why Is Pest Control Crucial in Hotels?

Pests can severely impact guest satisfaction. Imagine checking into a hotel only to find cockroaches scuttling across the floor or bed bugs lurking in the sheets. Such experiences lead to negative reviews, loss of repeat business, and potential legal issues. Therefore, implementing effective pest control measures is essential for ensuring guest satisfaction.

Types of Pests Commonly Found in Hotels

Hotels can attract various pests due to their nature as transient spaces. Some common pests include:

Bed Bugs: These tiny insects are notorious for infesting bedding and causing discomfort through bites. Cockroaches: Often found in kitchens and bathrooms, these pests are unsightly and unsanitary. Rodents: Mice and rats can invade hotels seeking food and shelter, leading to contamination. Ants: These pesky insects can invade food storage areas, compromising hygiene. Flies: Common in dining areas, flies spread bacteria from food waste.

By understanding the types of pests that may invade hotels, management can take proactive steps toward effective pest prevention services.

Effective Pest Control Services for Hotels Professional Pest Control vs. DIY Solutions

When it comes to pest control in hotels, hiring professional exterminator services is often more effective than attempting DIY solutions. Professionals have access to potent pesticides and advanced techniques that can cockroach exterminator eliminate infestations quickly and safely.

Benefits of Hiring Professional Pest Control Services: Expertise: Trained technicians understand pest behavior and treatment methods. Safety: Professionals use licensed products that are safe for guests. Long-term Solutions: They offer integrated pest management tailored to the hotel’s needs. Choosing the Right Exterminator Services

Selecting a reputable pest control company is crucial for successful insect control service implementation. Here are some tips:

Look for licensed pest control providers with experience in hotel settings. Check online reviews and testimonials to gauge customer satisfaction. Ask about their approach to eco-friendly pest control options. Key Components of an Effective Pest Management Plan Initial Pest Inspection Services

Conducting a thorough pest inspection is the first roach inspection and treatment step in any effective pest management plan. Thi

[wickedsrest-rp]

The Old Factory

NEIGHBORHOOD: Worm Row

Surely when there’s a big, retired factory that’s been sitting in town for a century or longer, people know its history? Well, not necessarily. No one in Wicked’s Rest even knows what the factory produced back in its heyday, so it’s simply called “The Old Factory” now. While the township would like to demolish it to make space for other things, attempts to try are physically prevented – as if the demolition equipment is being repelled by some unseen force. This is forgotten every decade or so, so there have been multiple attempts. While the factory hasn’t produced whatever it was made for in many years, it does produce something today: crime. Ne’er-do-wellers around town often use this space for their dirty dealings, and some supernaturals might use it as a gathering spot that’s unlikely to be interrupted.

MORE INFO:

No one knows if the occasional screeching is from the old equipment breaking down or from violence happening within the factory. Or ghosts of those who had violence committed against them there.

Some tour guide leaders bring their tourist parties to the factory and spin up a very interesting and very fake history around it. No one can refute it since nobody knows anything. The tourists tend to leave better tips when the guides get creative. Fortunately, this is usually during the day where overlap with “problem individuals” is less likely to happen. But there was one time the tour interrupted a vampire party in the factory; that didn’t end well.

It turns out the factory used to be owned by a fae, and the township provided the factory with a 99 year lease for the land it’s on. Or so they thought. The fae added an extra 9 in there, which was then signed by the town’s leadership for a 999 year lease. Somewhere deep in the town’s archives lies the contract.

Like any old factory, this Old Factory has some pest issues. It hosts a population of rats – enough that they often form rat kings, which can be problematic. The building also has a chickcharney infestation issue with them nesting up in the rafters. They sometimes divebomb people who enter and chomp at them with their teeth.

Deserving of a bigger label than "pest" is the guivre that made a nice cave in a half-collapsed maintenance room. It seems a little unhappy about the small size of its hoard, but you're sure to add to it if you wander into the guivre's home.

EXPLORE WORM ROW

[rocy-slo]

I dunno how to preface this, but here's an honest attempt at whump from me. I don't know shit about this.

Chapter 1, i guess?

tw: body horror, scarring, self-deprecation

His eyelids split apart as his body involuntarily turned itself towards the greater room. Curling up in a corner to prevent the light from reflecting off the mirrors was his only grace, one that was being taken away by his own self repeatedly each time he would fall into deep sleep. Can’t. He completely turned over, tucking his knees and staring at himself in the floor mirror. A bald, ugly mess stared back at him. I need to get better. I need to clean myself- I cannot look like this. He loathed how he looked. He was ugly and no matter what he did, he couldn’t clean himself as well as he would like. Only here for a few days and already looking like a disheveled rat. He tightly wrapped his fingers around his left arm and began pulling it up and down. There was no other way for him to get the sweat his horrible body secretes. No other way to rid himself of the old skin besides literally wringing it out of his body. The sensation of doing so felt like dragging a piece of sandpaper up and down his arm with how hard he was gripping it. His skin turned red the longer he went on, tiny clumps of amorphous tissue of dead skin mixed with bodily secretions fell to the floor. I’m not doing this hard enough. He changed his strategy, using the hardened callouses on the tips of his fingers to scratch the filth off. He wouldn’t dare have it get under his nails- there was barely any left anyway, almost at its roots due to the amount of times he asked Michael to clean them, only to find out the dirt had already fused with the bottom layer of keratin and him having to trim it. It stung, and the only reason he stopped was because his eye caught a tiny drop of blood gathering atop his arm. Good- just one this time. He moved onto his arm and other limbs, repeating the procedure until they were all pinkish-red. There were small piles of gray matter all around him. Only his back remained. He stood up, taking a deep breath- moving slightly fast always made his skin feel like the air itself was scratching it further, like a hundred needles threatening to break through and draw more blood. Just my back left. I’ll be clean after that. He backed into the wall and began sliding himself against it. His arms couldn’t reach that far, and even then it would do a subpar job. He closed his eyes, as he didn’t want to see his struggling, pathetic form barely managing to clean itself. At first, it felt oddly pleasant- working the skin on his back, almost like a massage. As he went on, the amount of times the skin would bunch up and bump him away from the mirror lessened, turning the completely smooth surface into a horribly abrasive one, as he did the motions slow enough to not sweat and keep it dry. By the time he was done, there were thin dark-red lines stretching across the entirety of the wall. I still can’t get it right. Damn it. He crumbled to the ground, looking at the mirror. The sight of himself blurred by the red streaks taunted him. Told him that he would never get better. They were always going to be there, no matter how much better he thought he would get. He couldn’t go in such a state. He couldn’t emerge to the world to immediately be a burden to it. He couldn’t. “G-God damn it.” His head fell into his hands as tears began flowing, stinging the scars upon his cheeks as they slid down. I have to. For Michael. He still believes in me.