#sea creatures mosaic

[sheltiechicago]

Sea Creatures Mosaic- National Archaeological Museum, Naples. Originally from the House of the Faun, Pompeii

[lionofchaeronea]

Mosaic of sea creatures (the so-called "Fish Catalog") from the House of the Geometric Mosaics (VIII.2.16) at Pompeii. Artist unknown; ca. 100 BCE. Now in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples. Photo credit: Massimo Finizio.

[hook-line-and-sinker]

Goofy Mosaic Wet Creatures Id like to share with the class

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

The Sea Creatures Mosaic, originally from the House of the Faun in Pompeii, is a stunning artwork displayed at the National Archaeological Museum in Naples

* * * *

“Creatives have reputations for floating in unreality. It’s true that what they espouse hints of magic and mystery, having little to do with what the larger world calls real. People like [this] are labeled ‘hermit,’ ‘madman,’ 'eccentric.’ Because they don’t live as others live, or accept the routine that makes the world go round, they are blamed, ridiculed, barely accepted as members of society. They are driven […] to greater extremes and further isolation, and rarely helped to do what they are born to do. Some do it anyway, and anyone who doubts the groundedness necessary for such a life should try it. To face each day supported, not by the dictates of a reliable outer framework, but by a chosen obedience to an inner necessity, one has to have one’s feet on the ground.” — Leif Anderson, from “Grounded,” Dancing with My Father (University Press of Mississippi, 2005)

+

POETRY / MAGGIE SMITH :: Stonefish ::

There are fish in the black trenches of the sea that look like rocks. Their poison shouldn’t trouble me. They are so deep, we’ll never touch. But I think of them. If it is paranoid to believe there is a trench in me the doctors haven’t dragged, a cave no one’s plumbed with light, then fine, I’m paranoid. But whatever plaques and tangles, whatever cells wait deadly with their terrible hunger must be disguised. You should know the most venomous fish lives in the shallows. It also looks like a rock.

[thatshowthingstarted]

Creatures of the Sea (70-79 CE), Pompeii,

Mosaic Dated Early Roman Imperial Period (27 BC-117 CE). 

Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples, Italy.

[bouncinghedgehoglikesart]

Mosaic with sea creatures, House of the Faun, Pompeii

[uncleclaudius]

Mosaic with sea creatures from the House of the Faun, Pompeii.

[fiyaa-xoxo]

Theres something different about receiving a handwritten letter......

✧˚ · .Spring has sprung as the NCR students walk through out the NRC campus. With spring here and the flowers blooming, and most important of all valentines day right around the corner. NRC launches lockers for students to anonymously give someone something for valentines day. Surprise, Surprise the prefects locker was the one with the most letters. Lets see what some of them wrote, will u find out who wrote what?....

From: A crimson flower...

My Crimson Rose,

In this whimsical realm where time dances to its own curious tune, I find myself enchanted by the notion of Happy Unbirthdays and the delightful chaos that ensues in the shadow of the Queen of Hearts. It is within this peculiar Wonderland that our paths have crossed, and my heart, typically bound by the rigidity of rules, has succumbed to the joyful mayhem of your presence.

Oh, how the tea parties unfold in blissful disorder, each cup raised in celebration of the nonsensical day that is every day but one! The Queen of Hearts, with her regal decree and whimsical demands, presides over these gatherings where laughter echoes like the most harmonious of melodies. In the mirthful company of jesters and creatures, our souls intertwine, and the rules of reality bow to the capricious whims of Wonderland.

As the Queen commands the cards to paint the roses red, I am reminded that the essence of love in this fantastical realm is as unpredictable as the ever-changing hues of Wonderland's flora. In the intricate dance of courtly affections, I find myself waltzing with you, my partner in this splendid, topsy-turvy masquerade.

From: An Inky Dealer...

And so, my heart, once bound by the rigid laws of reason, now surrenders to the whimsy of Wonderland and the joyful rebellion that accompanies it. With every unbirthday tea party we share, I am reminded that true happiness lies not in conformity but in the enchanting chaos of love.

To my Siren,

As the currents of fate weave through the whimsical waters of Twisted Wonderland, I find myself drawn to you like a siren's call echoing in the depths of the Monstro Lounge. In this ocean of magical mayhem, your presence is a beacon that lights up the darkest corners of my heart.

The glittering allure of Ursula's domain mirrors the shimmering depths of the feelings that swirl within me. Much like the ebb and flow of the tides, our connection resonates with a rhythm that transcends the ordinary cadence of everyday life.

In the enchanting embrace of the Monstro Lounge, where secrets are exchanged like treasures and laughter dances upon the waves of conversation, I am captivated by the spell you cast upon my existence. Ursula's wisdom echoes in the whispers of our shared moments, and I am reminded that love, much like the sea, holds depths yet to be explored.

So, let this letter be a testament to the enchantment you bring into my life, a tale woven with threads of magic and mystery. In the embrace of Ursula's sanctuary and the symphony of the Monstro Lounge, my heart finds its rhythm in harmony with yours.

From: The oasis in the hot sands...

Dear, sunshine

With the boundless energy of a desert breeze, my affection for you grows, and the tapestry of our shared moments becomes a mosaic of joy and laughter. Your smile, a treasure more precious than any gem in the sands, illuminates my world with unparalleled warmth.

In the vibrant oasis of love, I find solace in the melody of our shared laughter and the dance of our dreams under the twinkling stars. With each passing day, my heart beats in rhythm with the magic you bring into my life.

So, let this be a simple testament to the love that blossoms like a desert rose within my chest—a love as boundless as the endless sands of Twisted Wonderland.

From: A loyal knight

My dearest Everglow,

Amidst the tapestry of my own existence, I pledge my loyalty to you with the same unwavering devotion that I offer to the illustrious Malleus Draconia. To serve him is an honor, and in his guidance, my loyalty becomes an intricate dance—a choreography of duty and affection.

In this realm where loyalty is both a shield and a key, my heart beats with the rhythm of a promise made not just in service but in love. Your understanding gaze, a refuge in the labyrinth of obligations, is a testament to the deep connection that transcends the boundaries of duty.

So, let this be a tender acknowledgment of the magic that binds me to both my fae heritage and the loyalty I extend to you and Malleus—a love letter written with the ink of allegiance and sealed with the embrace of my heart.

Writers note: Hello everyone! Were u able to find out who's who? Let me know if u want more writings like this!

Requests are open!! ^^

───────⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──────⋆⋅☆⋅⋆────────⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

[blueiskewl]

Roman Mosaics Unearthed During Rescue Excavations in Turkey

Teams from the Diyarbakır Restoration and Conservation Regional Laboratory Directorate also contributed to this remarkable undertaking.

The excavation revealed mosaic floor tiles belonging to a Villa Rustica, a rural settlement enclosed by walls, comprising a central structure along with smaller auxiliary buildings distributed around it.

The mosaic floor, measuring approximately 100 square meters, exhibited intricate designs depicting fish scales, triangles, hexagons, octagons, arch formations, trees, waterfowl, octopuses, fish, mussels, seals and aquatic plant imagery.

Director Abdulgani Tarkan highlighted the significance of the findings, emphasizing that this Roman settlement in the forested area between Kızıltepe and Artuklu districts is not just a rural villa; it encompasses diverse architectural remnants, including living quarters and a necropolis dating back to the fifth to seventh centuries.

"These mosaics, adorned with animal figures and rare sea creatures like octopuses and various fish species, are distinctive in this region. Our priority is to preserve these historical relics to prevent further deterioration," Tarkan emphasized.

Plans are underway to carefully remove and exhibit these unparalleled mosaic artifacts at the museum, showcasing this newfound chapter of Mardin's rich historical narrative.

[bala5]

Mosaic with sea creatures from the House of the Faun, Pompeii.

[lesbianwriter]

Here's a weird idea for ya.

A villain who is seeking immortality manages to become some kind of immortal creature...only to end up betrayed by her treacherous right hand who is quite happy to make her former master her familiar...

(I really like a lot of your supernatural and fantasy writing btw. I just thought I'd put this in in case you felt like doing something with it. Have a nice day!)

I love writing fantasy thank you <3

The tiled floor was the only thing Villain wanted to feel. The cold mosaic was of her—created to worship her divinity, her immortality, her power—but now it was stained with her own blood and was the only thing that soothed the pain throbbing deep in her bones.

Her cheek was pressed against the floor, but her suffering was long from over; Henchman would ensure that.

The righthand stood above the sunken body of her boss, her eyes glinting wildly with delight. Her eyes were hungry, lustful, as they ran over her masterpiece—the ruination of the very deity she had been a “loyal” and devoted follower to.

“Oh, Villain, I’ve had such a great time betraying you.” Henchman ran her fingers delicately along the chain around Villain’s wrists. Her head tilted, and she gazed at the pathetic shaking form on the ground. “Look at you now,” she grabbed Villain’s hair and yanked her head up. “Fallen. Shaking and trembling like a pathetic human. Does it bring back memories for you?”

Villain’s breath caught in her throat.

She searched the woman’s eyes for anything she could recognize of her trusted righthand, but her eyes, as deep as an ocean, beautiful as the sea, were suddenly cold, and Villain was drowning as she kept sinking deeper in hopes of finding that treasure that she’d searched for before. But, she was beginning to realize, as she sunk deeper below the surface, that there was nothing but darkness. There was no treasure, and if there was, it had shipwrecked and sunken. Her own eyes brimmed with tears, but she swore she wouldn’t cry, and grit her teeth.

“You’re nothing without me.” She seethed. “I was what gave you even a single scrap of power. Without me, you’ll have nothing.”

“Villain, darling,” Henchman laughed, her wretched gaze becoming hungrier, like staring a bloodthirsty wolf in the eyes. “There’s not going to be a ‘without you.’ No, no…instead, I’ll be using your power—you’re mine now, Villain, and I know how to use you to extract the power from you. I’m no longer your subservient slave. Now, that’s what you are, if that. You’re only a tool for me to use your powers.”

She tangled her fingers into Villain’s long hair, smiling like a hungry animal, the corners sharply pointed upwards, her lips not saying anything, but still promising a never-ending pain for the deity…and also promising that she would enjoy that pain.

Hissing through her clenched jaw, Villain responded with a voice lacquered and dripping in bitter venom. “You won’t win—I have loyal followers, unlike you, that will stop you.”

“I’ll kill anyone who dares try.” Henchman’s tone became colder, her amusement fading as she stared down at Villain. “You’re mine, Villain. There’s no escaping, not for as long you live, and we both know that’s going to be a long, long time.”

Suffocating silence fell over the temple.

Villain felt the strain of her suffering. She felt it in the tightness of her throat, the sting in her eyes, the biting of the chain, the sagging of her shoulders when each of Henchman’s traitorous words hit her right in the heart.

“I was good to you,”

“Liar,” Henchman shook her head, and gripped Villain hard and rattled her head around. “But don’t fret, darling, I’ll be fair to you—behave, and it won’t have to hurt any more than necessary. If you don’t…”

“I hate you, you traitor.” Villain glared up at her, her voice hoarse.

She had wanted to feel Henchman’s hands in her hair, it was a dream she kept to herself only for the dark hours, but never like this—she had imagined it much sweeter and tenderer than this bone-crunching betrayal.

Laughing, Henchman bent down closer, their lips nearly touching, the tips of their noses brushing each other’s. “With these chains, you and your power are bound to me. You’ll be my servant forever, Villain, and I will savor every single moment that you are at my mercy.”

She leaned in, brushing the links of the chain with her hands, and she smirked at the look of horror on Villain’s face.

Villain’s eyes burned with tears, but she refused to cry. She had been through innumerable and indescribable sufferings to become an immortal deity that humans worshiped. But this—this was personal, this was intimate and treacherous and too close to her heart to not ache.

Cuts and bruises stained her body, a watercolor of torture and pain, of her dramatic fall from glory, but what hurt more than her wounds was the invisible ones—the twist of the knife that was Henchman’s smile as she betrayed her, the sting of having her devoted follower be the one plotting against her. This would’ve hurt with anybody, but it hurt worse with Henchman.

And she was treated like this…for eternity.

[schreiberling2021]

The four underwater promts for a short story. @animalecfest

September 18 - Ring

For three weeks Magnus was on the water on his small research boat. Incessantly he circled the small island on which he had set up his research camp. Although camp was a very optimistic description for his tent with water tank and work bench. A large supply ship had dropped Magnus off near the island and would pick him up again in three weeks. Hopefully enough time to find evidence for his theory of a submerged island group with human civilization at this point in the Pacific. Yes, it sounded a lot like the search for Atlantis, but Magnus wasn't looking for an advanced civilization, just evidence of settlement. He had found circumstantial evidence in various historical writings. Even Darwin had briefly mentioned this small island. Only at that time it had been a group of five islands and the other four must have perished in the last two hundred years.

The islands were arranged as a ring, so Magnus had to come across their tracks at some point if he continued to search in widening circles into his starting island. It was the 22nd day of his journey just before sunset when he saw it for the first time. The sun made the water glisten like a dream and Magnus had sat down to admire the play of colours before heading back to his camp. There among the waves in crystal clear water were stones, large symmetrical stones. This was not a natural structure. Fascinated, Magnus stared at the waves, then his explorer brain kicked back in. He marked the spot with a buoy and noted the coordinates. Then he hurried to get back to his tent before complete darkness fell over him.

OoO

With barely enough light to make out his feet on the ground, Magnus jumped out of his sleeping bag and made his way to the spot he had marked last night. The sea was calm, the wind still, perfect conditions for diving. To his amazement, Magnus didn't have to go down very deep. After only a few meters, he came across the rocks he had seen yesterday. He took the coordinates of his first find and decided to look around first. The water was completely clear, not even a fish could be seen. The stone stood vertically up from the seabed like a column. And he was not alone. Every few meters, more stone pillars rose toward the sky; Magnus counted a total of fourteen pillars arranged in a circle. A ring of stones that immediately reminded the young man of Stonehenge. Curious, he swam at each of the stones, circling them and recording their data. They stood nearly four feet in the air, the water letting through just enough sun to cast an enchanted pattern on the stone slabs at the bottom. The ground was also laid out with worked slabs in an intricate mandala - mosaic that Magnus could not assign to any surrounding culture.

In all his fascination he did not notice how he was being watched. From a dark cave at the edge of the stone circle lurked a creature whose existence the explorer would have immediately denied. The red tentacles were almost brown, perfectly adapted to the environment. The torso of the octopus slowly transitioned into a human one. Both shoulders and muscular nurse suggested a strong swimmer and fighter. The dark hair tangled around his head and the brown eyes seemed almost black while watching the intruder in his realm.

[darkheliotrope]

The First World - Echoes of the Vanished

The planet convulsed - a dying titan in its final throes. The very ground trembled, as if mourning its own demise. I stumbled across the desolate beach, my boots sinking into the ashen sand. The sea, once tempestuous, now raged with a primal fury - an ocean of wrath. Its waves clawed at the shore, pulling ancient bones back into the abyss.

The Bones and Fossils:

More bones lay scattered - a macabre mosaic. Rib cages, femurs, and mandibles protruded like broken promises. These were not remnants of creatures; they were echoes of civilizations - their architects and dreamers reduced to calcified whispers. The fossils bore witness to cosmic indifference, their hollow eyes staring into oblivion.

The Storm-Torn Sky:

Above, the sky had unravelled - a tattered veil. The stars had fled, leaving only voids - black holes that devoured light. The Milky Way - once a celestial river - had become a chasm, its banks eroded by entropy.

The Atmosphere’s Demise:

The air tasted of sulphur and despair. The atmosphere had unravelled, molecules torn apart by cosmic forces. Steam rose from fissures in the ground, carrying with it the memories of lost cities. Debris - shards of crystalline structures - swirled like ghosts. The suns, feeble embers, cast elongated shadows - the last dance of entropy.

The Skeleton’s Scream:

And there, on the beach, sat the skeleton - a relic of defiance. Its bones were charred, fused by the heat of cataclysm. Its skull, tilted toward the heavens, bore the etchings of cosmic runes. Hollow sockets stared at the fractured sky, and its jaw hung open - a silent scream. What had it witnessed? What horrors had etched themselves into its calcium lattice?

I approached the skeleton, drawn by morbid curiosity. Its ribs seemed to vibrate - an echo of terror. Had it been a scholar, a lover, a heretic? Its bony fingers clawed at the sand, as if trying to escape its own fate. But the sky above was indifferent.

The Cosmic Tragedy:

“Why?” I whispered, though the wind carried my words away. “Why did you stay?”

The skeleton’s jaw moved - an illusion, surely. But I heard its voice - a rasp, a lament.

“Curiosity,” it seemed to say. “The hunger for answers.”

Answers that had led to oblivion. Answers that had unraveled the fabric of existence. The planet had become a cosmic tragedy - a requiem for forgotten souls. The last person - the one consumed by unspeakable horror - had left no trace. Only this skeleton remained - a sentinel of despair.

As the lava stream surged, devouring the beach, I sank to my knees. The sea roared, the sky wept, and the skeleton’s scream echoed through time. I closed my eyes, feeling the heat lick my skin. The planet pulsed - a dying heartbeat.

And then, as if in response, the ground split open - a maw of molten hunger. I fell, my fingers grazing the skeleton’s ribcage. Its scream merged with mine - a chorus of anguish.

The planet trembled, I couldn't surrender to the abyss - I had to leave. Electra why did you send me to witness the final threads of a dying world?

May its echoes linger in the void…

[captainswaglord500]

Common Sea Monkey/Mermaid

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Primates

Suborder: Haplorhini

Infraorder: Simiiformes

Clade: Hydropithecoidea

Family: Hydropithecidae

Genus: Hydropithecus

Speices: H. ichthyophilus (“fish-loving water ape")

Ancestral species: possibly Eosimias sinensis

Temporal range: Pliocene to recent (3.0 mya - present)

Information:

Though seal-like in appearance, H. ichthyophilus, better known by the natives as *sunsaapali* and to the English-speaking world as the mermaid or common sea monkey, is, as its name suggests, not a pinniped, but rather, an aquatic primate. A member of a broader clade known as the hypdropithecoids or sea monkeys, the ancestors of this clade were likely basal simians (though its exact placement in the primate family tree cannot be determined by morphology alone since it shows a mosaic of features found in both the New World and Old World clades of monkeys, as well as features which point to a stem-simian origin) which made the transition from land to sea sometime in the late Miocene (though the common sea monkey itself is a relatively young species, with the oldest fossil material dated to around 3 million years ago in the late Pliocene). Around 10 feet in length and around 800 lbs in weight, this creature is among the larger members of its clade. Sexual dimorphism is minimal, with males being only slightly larger than females and sporting larger canines. It is also the most widely-distributed member of its clade, being found in open ocean habitats all across Archaeonesia with a total wild population of around 90,000 mature individuals, whereas most of its relatives are confined to the deep coastal waters east of the Isle of Perils.  Primarily a pelagic predator, this creature’s diet is incredibly varied, going after small marine reptiles (including venomous sea snakes), a wide assortment of open ocean fish, cephalopods (including ammonites), flying sea birds, pterosaurs, and even flightless birds like penguins and some varieties of auks. This species is known to dive to the twilight zone, as far as 2,000 feet deep, in the search for food, where it hunts large deep-sea arthropods. Most of the water it needs to survive is obtained through its food. Coloration in this species is highly varied. The most common color variant is the “skipjack” one, named after its similarity to the color patterns of the skipjack tuna with its blue and white countershading. However, other color morphs exist, including a melanistic, leucistic, dark brown, light/sandy brown, “humpback” (gray and white like the whale it’s named after), mottled grey and white, and a piebald one.

A highly social and intelligent aquatic primate, the common sea monkey has a highly complex matriarchal social structure, living in family groups of up to 30 individuals. Pack-hunting is a common phenomenon and typically occurs when hunting larger prey, the younger and more limber juveniles corralling prey towards the larger and more powerful adults. Orphaned young are often cared for by other female members of the group, and young are frequently passed around from adult to adult when the respective parents of the young sea monkeys are off foraging. Though a formidable predator in its own right, it is still subject to predation from other ocean-going predators, namely whales, sharks, and large marine reptiles. To counter this, the common sea monkey uses a variety of “songs” to indicate both the identity of the predator as well as how close it is to the group. A highly vocal animal, this species communicates with a wide variety of sounds other than just “singing”. Clicking is a common vocalization, seemingly a form of echolocation as is seen in dolphins. Barking and gurgling are both used to convey aggression. This creature’s eyesight is superb, allowing it to see in pitch black seas. Like dolphins, it sleeps with one eye open and can hold its breath for hours at a time. A swift swimmer, it relies on its speed and maneuverability to escape predators, though it will attack if seemingly cornered, biting its attacker viciously. Another common way to evade predators is to spontaneously void its bowels, clouding the way with a noxious cloud of feces which both disorients its attacker and overwhelms its sense of smell. Breaching is a frequent behavior and appears to be done to swiftly grab seabirds or pterosaurs out of the air. Curious animals, they will readily approach divers and may also jump onto boats to escape predators. Some may even offer divers fish or crustaceans seemingly as a peace offering, a common gesture between sea monkey family groups. 

This species mates year-round, although it occurs most frequently during November and December. The large tusks of the male are a secondary sex characteristic and are typically merely for show rather than function. The larger the tusks, the more attractive he is to females. Unusually for mammals, this species exhibits polyandry, with females having multiple mates. Gestation takes around 6 months, and the babies are born without claws or teeth to avoid injuring the mother during birth, being born feet first as well to prevent the risk of drowning during birth. Full size is reached by 2.5-3 years old and sexual maturity by 4. Young males are kicked out of the group by this period, which leads them to seek out other family groups to join, while the females typically stay with their original family group. In the wild, they can live as long as 26-30 years and in captivity, they can easily live to 34-40 years.

Though it primarily dwells in open oceans, these creatures are known to occasionally enter coastal waters and come ashore, particularly during tropical storms, which has led to a belief in many regions that these animals bring storms. Despite this association, these animals are seen rather positively by the natives. In other regions, these creatures are believed to be the reincarnated souls of sailors who died at sea. On the eastern coast, their tendency to swim alongside the outrigger canoes of the Banguani people, a culturally Polynesian minority in the region, up and down the coastline in search of food has led to a more humorous name amongst some as “Banguani sea dogs”, the idea based on the belief that the Banguani had a special association with these animals. Indeed, there is some truth to this. The Banguani people consider the common sea monkey to be the spirits of their ancestors and sometimes pay tribute to the animals by offering them some of their catches. In some areas, this species was also a historic food source, being heavily hunted in antiquity, with cave paintings all throughout the region directly depicting this. In the modern day, few people eat these animals, namely due to the fact that since they’re now known to be distantly related to humans, there is a fear of pathogens spreading from common sea monkeys to our own species, but many still hunt them for their teeth and tusks or to take their young, which are highly sought-after by aquariums and wildlife institutions abroad for their unique biology. Nicknamed the “mermaid” for its passing resemblance to the mythical creature, fringe theories suggest that a population of these creatures which escaped Archaeonesia when the border mountains crumbled back into the sea might be responsible for myths of mermaids and selkies. Interestingly, along the southern seas of the Isle of Perils, this creature is very rare, possibly due to the presence of seals and sea lions, which suggests that there may be an element of competitive exclusion between the two groups. It is sympatric with most other species in its clade, though there appears to be little interspecies competition between them, suggesting some level of niche partitioning. Remains of common sea monkeys have occasionally been found in the stomachs of giant deep-sea cephalopods, suggesting that some deep-sea creatures may prey on them. When dying, these animals are known to isolate themselves, seemingly swimming to shallow waters or nearby shorelines to die, a behavior suggested to have an evolutionary basis: by isolating themselves, the smell of their dead body will not attract predators to the larger group and therefore risk additional casualties.

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

1st May >> Mass Readings (USA)

Wednesday, Fifth Week of Eastertide 

Or

Saint Joseph the Worker.

Wednesday, Fifth Week of Eastertide 

(Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II))

First Reading Acts of the Apostles 15:1-6 They decided to go up to Jerusalem to the Apostles and presbyters about this question.

Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved.” Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the Apostles and presbyters about this question. They were sent on their journey by the Church, and passed through Phoenicia and Samaria telling of the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brethren. When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the Church, as well as by the Apostles and the presbyters, and they reported what God had done with them. But some from the party of the Pharisees who had become believers stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and direct them to observe the Mosaic law.” The Apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5

R/ Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. or R/ Alleluia.

I rejoiced because they said to me, “We will go up to the house of the LORD.” And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem.

R/ Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. or R/ Alleluia.

Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity. To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD.

R/ Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. or R/ Alleluia.

According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David.

R/ Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. or R/ Alleluia.

Gospel Acclamation John 15:4a, 5b

Alleluia, alleluia. Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord; whoever remains in me will bear much fruit. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel John 15:1-8 Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.

Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

———————————

Saint Joseph the Worker 

(Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II)P

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Wednesday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

Either:

First Reading Genesis 1:26-2:3 Fill the earth and subdue it.

God said: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.”

God created man in his image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

God blessed them, saying: “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth.” God also said: “See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food.” And so it happened. God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good. Evening came, and morning followed–the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth and all their array were completed. Since on the seventh day God was finished with the work he had been doing, God rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work he had done in creation.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Or:

First Reading Colossians 3:14-15, 17, 23-24 Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for men.

Brothers and sisters: Over all these things put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one Body. And be thankful. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive from the Lord the due payment of the inheritance; be slaves of the Lord Christ.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 90:2, 3-4, 12-13, 14 and 16

R/ Lord, give success to the work of our hands. or R/ Alleluia.

Before the mountains were begotten and the earth and the world were brought forth, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

R/ Lord, give success to the work of our hands. or R/ Alleluia.

You turn men back to dust,

saying, “Return, O children of men.” For a thousand years in your sight are as yesterday, now that it is past, or as a watch of the night.

R/ Lord, give success to the work of our hands. or R/ Alleluia.

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart. Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants!

R/ Lord, give success to the work of our hands. or R/ Alleluia.

Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days. Let your work be seen by your servants and your glory by their children.

R/ Lord, give success to the work of our hands. or R/ Alleluia.

Gospel Acclamation Psalm 68:20

Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed be the Lord day by day, God, our salvation, who bears our burdens. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 13:54-58 Is he not the carpenter’s son?

Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[izupie]

>> Selkie--- (1)An oceanic creature of North Sea folklore, said to seldomly transform from seal to human by shedding their magical seal skin. Selkies never part from their seal skin.** **Except this Selkie. This Selkie gave up her coat to save someone. Which would be fine if he then hadn't taken the seal skin with him, not knowing the true nature of what had saved him, and accidentally left Ochako trapped in human form. Now she has to get her magical coat back without revealing her true identity... but Izuku is making it very hard to leave, and being human has its perks.

Collab fic between @izupie and @encyclopika

---Read on AO3---

Word count: 7,661 Chapters: 1/? Rated: G

Tags: AU , Selkie!Ochako , Fisherman!Izuku , Secret Idenity , Fish Out Of Water , Mutual Pining. For Izuocha Week 2023: Prompt: Storm

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Cold winds clustered over the ocean to the cusp of the horizon. They pushed and pulled the surface into a mosaic of white-tipped waves over the deep blue-gray depths. As the cold breeze rode the waves up to the shoreline, they made it clear that winter was still clinging to the sea. 

Izuku could taste it - the heavy, dense water saturated with salt. The taste stung his throat harshly. Swallowing did little for his poor throat, the burning climbing up into his sinuses. He could feel winter’s selfish winds, always there to spoil spring when the sun wasn’t looking. He shivered, and tucked himself under something soft and warm and heavy on top of him.

The minute his brain registered that couldn’t be right, he coughed harshly. He found he could taste the ocean mostly because it was in his mouth. 

Literally.

Not only that, but he’d been lying on the sand, face down with his head turned to one side, his cheek now sore from the pebbles mixed in the sand. Putting his hands under himself, he lifted himself up. On his hands and knees, he spit onto the beach, feeling harsh little grains mix with the last bit of moisture he had left in his mouth. He coughed again, the sand and dust having reached his throat at some point while he was unconscious. By the gods, what he wouldn’t do for a whole pitcher of water!

As the coughing subsided, he leaned back on his knees until he was sitting on his legs. Ahead of him were the dunes and rock that separated the beach from the grassy hills upland. Thankfully he knew where he was, but the question that eluded him was how he got there.

The warm cover gave way in this position, and fell from his shoulders onto the sand in a lump. Right. He hadn’t dressed too warmly for his fishing trip - the sun had been bright upon his leave yesterday, beckoning spring. He didn’t have anything that heavy with him - not enough to hit the ground with such a heavy thump like that. Izuku twisted around and grabbed it from behind, catching a handful of soft fur.  

He held it in front of him to get a better look. Deep, cool grays melted into creams and white as a backdrop to a smattering of perfectly circular black dots across the pelt. The fur itself was dense, soft, and just a tinge oily. Really, there was no better pelt to be wrapped up in on a cold night, and Izuku recognized it immediately.

“A…seal skin…” he muttered to himself. “But what…?”

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Read the rest on AO3