#spring lifespan

[duchesskatriel]

4. Never meant to know

I'm finally done with this song- HOLY

[pizzleyanked]

success!! these pictures were taken in my linux install with reshade working. no idea what went wrong, but a full lutris reinstallation seems to have fixed it

[july-19th-club]

harrykim and tomparis hopelessly awkward in the cafeteria what social blunders will the commit!!

[avarkriss]

tomorrow is the first day of spring, the hold of winter will soon break

may there be abundant life, light and love 🤍

[lightblueminecraftorchid]

they call me the griever because halfway through a thing I enjoy I’m already sad that it’s closer to being over

[anipgarden]

Some of you may have heard about Monarch butterflies being added to the Threatened species list in the US and be planning to immediately rush out in spring and buy all the milkweed you can manage to do your part and help the species.

And that's fantastic!! Starting a pollinator garden and/or encouraging people and businesses around you to do the same is an excellent way to help not just Monarchs but many other threatened and at-risk pollinator species!

However.

Please please PLEASE do not obtain Tropical Milkweed for this purpose!

Tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica)--also commonly known as bloodflower, Mexican butterflyweed, and scarlet milkweed--will likely be the first species of milkweed you find for sale at most nurseries. It'll be fairly cheap, too, and it grows and propagates so easily you'll just want to grab it! But do not do that!

Tropical milkweed can cause a host of issues that can ultimately harm the butterflies you're trying to help, such as--

Harboring a protozoan parasite called OE (which has been linked to lower migration success, reductions in body mass, lifespan, mating success, and flight ability) for long periods of time

Remaining alive for longer periods, encouraging breeding during migration time/overwintering time as well as keeping monarchs in an area until a hard freeze wherein which they die

Actually becoming toxic to monarch caterpillars when exposed to warmer temperatures associated with climate change

However--do not be discouraged!! There are over 100 species of milkweed native to the United States, and plenty of resources on which are native to your state specifically! From there, you can find the nurseries dedicated to selling native milkweeds, or buy/trade for/collect seeds to grow them yourself!!

The world of native milkweeds is vast and enchanting, and I'm sure you'll soon find a favorite species native to your area that suits your growing space! There's tons of amazing options--whether you choose the beautiful pink vanilla-smelling swamp milkweed, the sophisticated redring milkweed, the elusive purple milkweed, the alluring green antelopehorn milkweed, or the charming heartleaf milkweed, or even something I didn't list!

And there's tons of resources and lots of people willing to help you on your native milkweed journey! Like me! Feel free to shoot me an ask if you have any questions!

Just. PLEASE. Leave the tropical milkweed alone. Stay away.

TLDR: Start a pollinator garden to help the monarchs! Just don't plant tropical milkweed. There's hundreds of other milkweeds to grow instead!

[unitedgaragedoorrepairofmesa]

Smooth and Silent: Advantages of Belt-Driven Garage Door Spring Replacement

When it comes to garage door systems, the choice of the right spring mechanism can significantly impact the functionality, noise level, and overall performance. Among the various options available, belt-driven garage door spring replacement stands out for its smooth operation and noise reduction benefits.

Belt-driven garage door spring systems utilize a reinforced rubber belt to operate the door instead of traditional metal chains. This design offers several advantages that homeowners appreciate, making it a popular choice for those seeking a quieter and more efficient garage door solution.

Here are some of the key benefits of opting for a belt-driven garage door spring replacement:

Noise Reduction: One of the primary advantages of belt-driven systems is their remarkably quiet operation. Unlike chain-driven systems that can produce loud rattling noises during operation, belt-driven mechanisms run smoothly and silently. This is particularly beneficial for homes with bedrooms or living spaces located near the garage.

Smooth Operation: Belt-driven garage door springs provide a seamless opening and closing experience. The rubber belt glides along the tracks with minimal friction, resulting in a smooth and consistent movement. This not only enhances the overall user experience but also reduces wear and tear on the garage door components.

Minimal Maintenance: Belt-driven systems are known for their durability and reliability, requiring minimal maintenance compared to other spring mechanisms. The absence of metal-to-metal contact reduces the risk of rust and corrosion, extending the lifespan of the garage door system and minimizing the need for repairs. https://unitedgaragedoorrepairofmesa.com/

Enhanced Safety: Belt-driven garage door springs offer enhanced safety features, including auto-reverse functionality and obstacle detection sensors. These features help prevent accidents and injuries by automatically stopping or reversing the door's movement if an obstruction is detected.

Improved Aesthetics: In addition to their functional benefits, belt-driven garage door spring replacements can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your garage. The sleek and streamlined design of the belt mechanism adds a modern touch to the overall appearance of the door.

Opting for a belt-driven garage door spring replacement offers numerous advantages, including noise reduction, smooth operation, minimal maintenance, enhanced safety, and improved aesthetics. While the initial cost of installation may be slightly higher than other spring systems, the long-term benefits far outweigh the investment.

[reasonsforhope]

Green energy is in its heyday. 

Renewable energy sources now account for 22% of the nation’s electricity, and solar has skyrocketed eight times over in the last decade. This spring in California, wind, water, and solar power energy sources exceeded expectations, accounting for an average of 61.5 percent of the state's electricity demand across 52 days. 

But green energy has a lithium problem. Lithium batteries control more than 90% of the global grid battery storage market. 

That’s not just cell phones, laptops, electric toothbrushes, and tools. Scooters, e-bikes, hybrids, and electric vehicles all rely on rechargeable lithium batteries to get going. 

Fortunately, this past week, Natron Energy launched its first-ever commercial-scale production of sodium-ion batteries in the U.S. 

“Sodium-ion batteries offer a unique alternative to lithium-ion, with higher power, faster recharge, longer lifecycle and a completely safe and stable chemistry,” said Colin Wessells — Natron Founder and Co-CEO — at the kick-off event in Michigan. 

The new sodium-ion batteries charge and discharge at rates 10 times faster than lithium-ion, with an estimated lifespan of 50,000 cycles.

Wessells said that using sodium as a primary mineral alternative eliminates industry-wide issues of worker negligence, geopolitical disruption, and the “questionable environmental impacts” inextricably linked to lithium mining. 

“The electrification of our economy is dependent on the development and production of new, innovative energy storage solutions,” Wessells said. 

Why are sodium batteries a better alternative to lithium?

The birth and death cycle of lithium is shadowed in environmental destruction. The process of extracting lithium pollutes the water, air, and soil, and when it’s eventually discarded, the flammable batteries are prone to bursting into flames and burning out in landfills. 

There’s also a human cost. Lithium-ion materials like cobalt and nickel are not only harder to source and procure, but their supply chains are also overwhelmingly attributed to hazardous working conditions and child labor law violations. 

Sodium, on the other hand, is estimated to be 1,000 times more abundant in the earth’s crust than lithium. 

“Unlike lithium, sodium can be produced from an abundant material: salt,” engineer Casey Crownhart wrote ​​in the MIT Technology Review. “Because the raw ingredients are cheap and widely available, there’s potential for sodium-ion batteries to be significantly less expensive than their lithium-ion counterparts if more companies start making more of them.”

What will these batteries be used for?

Right now, Natron has its focus set on AI models and data storage centers, which consume hefty amounts of energy. In 2023, the MIT Technology Review reported that one AI model can emit more than 626,00 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent. 

“We expect our battery solutions will be used to power the explosive growth in data centers used for Artificial Intelligence,” said Wendell Brooks, co-CEO of Natron. 

“With the start of commercial-scale production here in Michigan, we are well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for efficient, safe, and reliable battery energy storage.”

The fast-charging energy alternative also has limitless potential on a consumer level, and Natron is eying telecommunications and EV fast-charging once it begins servicing AI data storage centers in June. 

On a larger scale, sodium-ion batteries could radically change the manufacturing and production sectors — from housing energy to lower electricity costs in warehouses, to charging backup stations and powering electric vehicles, trucks, forklifts, and so on. 

“I founded Natron because we saw climate change as the defining problem of our time,” Wessells said. “We believe batteries have a role to play.”

-via GoodGoodGood, May 3, 2024

--

Note: I wanted to make sure this was legit (scientifically and in general), and I'm happy to report that it really is! x, x, x, x

[katsutora]

happy birthday to you bestie but also why

THEY FORGET YOUR BIRTHDAY

↳GN Reader

A/N: It’s my birthday yipee! To celebrate I’m gifting y’all some angst😈 *rubs hands together*

[birdyisthewordyy]

Hello!!! I've been reading your MW posts lately and I honestly love the way you write. I was wondering if I could make a request on how the crew would react if they received a random tickle attack.

(preferably by the reader)

a/n: hello nonny!! This is sooo sweet thank you so much :D always glad to make people happy with my work!!

Tulpar crew reacting to receiving a random tickle attack

Curly

Let’s be honest

He would be the one tickling you probably

But on the rare occasion you catch him off guard he will bust out laughing

Has the deepest manliest laugh too

Like you’re lowkey giving him goo goo eyes because of how beautiful he sounds

“You little ratbag!!”

Chases you around

The other crew members are like ???

Why are they giggling and chasing each other like little kids

Definitely gets you back

And shows no mercy either

You were weak…

But he will not be

You’re crying by the end of it

Don’t mess with the Curly monster

Jimmy

Oh god

If you can even touch him it’s a good day

Let alone tickle this man

If you by some miracle manage to spring a tickle attack on him he’ll be disgusted let’s be real

“The fuck are you doing? Quit it!!”

He’s actually extremely ticklish though

Has an evil villain laugh

Straight up like “muahahaha”

Hearing him laugh extended your lifespan by 20 years though

Truly healing experience

He will punch you to get you off of him

“Fuck off. Don’t do that again.”

Finds himself smiling after though

He’s not sure why

He hated that

Or did he…..

Daisuke

You and Daisuke already prank each other all the time

You are constantly getting into mischief with each other

So of course you hit him with a tickle attack

Has the goofiest laugh

“HeheheHAUGH HAUGH HAUGH”

Begs for mercy dramatically

You barely even did anything

Extremely ticklish

He will also get you back

Has one of those long sticks with the finger on it

Pokes you with it

Also loves to tickle you just randomly in general

He thinks your laugh is adorable

If you’re not ticklish he’ll still try

He is a man on a mission

Swansea

Swansea?

Ticklish?

Maybe when he was like 20

This old man is too tired to giggle at your antics

“Kid I lost all feeling in my neck when I was 40”

“Then how are you standing?”

“…shut up.”

He will eventually crack and let out a chuckle

Not because it tickles

Because your earnest efforts are cute

Pats your head

“Go run along and do something else, yeah?”

Doesn’t get you back but thinks about it

He likes your laugh a lot

Anya

Please god do not spring it on her

She will scream in terror

If done right she will giggle

And she also has a very funny giggle

Penny from that one scene in TAWOG

Reminds her of when she was a little kid

Used to love being tickled

Would ask her parents to tickle her all the time

She doesn’t want to get you back because “that’d be mean”

She understands other people don’t like it most of the time

Bonus she loves your jokes

Bad jokes in general just make her laugh

“If you can make her laugh and giggle, you can make that booty shake and jiggle”

“HEEEEEELP”

She says help out loud

Me too girl me too

[fangirl-erdariel]

It's actually fairly possible that Théoden's mother was still alive during the main events of LOTR. She has no year of death given in the appendices (also technically no year of birth, but that can at least be counted from the age difference between her and Thengel), or anywhere else that I would know of. Nor is there any direct reference to her being dead, or text worded in a way that would be impossible if she were still alive during LOTR that I know of. The firmest piece of evidence there is for her being dead is only her absence from the story.

Now, yes, it seems likely to me that Tolkien intended for Morwen of Lossarnach to be dead by the time of LOTR. But Tolkien can roll in his grave all he wants if it's important to him, I am going to discuss the possibility of her being alive nonetheless because I find it interesting.

The appendices mention that Morwen was 17 years younger than Thengel, which would mean she was born in 2922. If my math holds up, that would make her 97 in 3019 when most of the major battles of War of the Ring are fought, if she lives that long. Possibly 96 if she was born late in the year, since those battles happen in spring of that year.

She is Gondorian nobility, mentioned to be descended from the Princes of Dol Amroth, though I do not think the details of her relation to them are specified beyond that. And if we look at the two Gondorian noble families where we have any kind of data for their lifespans, that being the Stewards and the Princes of Dol Amroth - the last four Stewards of Gondor before Denethor each lived 98-100 years. The last four Princes before Imrahil live to be 93, 111, 105, and 114, respectfully, and Imrahil lives to 100 years old. As for the next generation or two after that, Faramir lived to 120 years old. Prince Imrahil's son Elphir was 101 when he died, and his son Alphros was 99. Éomer, grandchild of Morwen Steelsheen, lived to 93 years old, despite his other three grandparents being presumably Rohirrim, whose lifespan (at a quick glance through the list of the Kings of Rohan) usually seems to range between 70 and a few years past 80.

So if Morwen falls roughly into the same range with the Gondorian nobility whose lifespans are known, then, yeah, sure, maybe she's dead by the time the main events of LOTR happen. But it's just as possible that she'd still be alive and even have a couple more years left in her.

And I just find myself fascinated by that possibility.

On one hand, there's the tragedy of her outliving at least two of her children, and at least one of her grandchildren. But on the other hand, when you consider all the women, all the wives and mothers, who fall ill and die, or waste away from grief or the horror and weight of the shadow in the last three or so decades before War of the Ring (Finduilas of Dol Amroth, Théodwyn, Gilraen, though at least Gilraen didn't die as young as the other two; and while her death has nothing to do with grief or influence of the shadow, Elfhild the wife of Théoden dies in childbirth during that timespan), I also see a certain triumph in the idea of Morwen enduring it and living to see a time after Sauron, if only briefly.

But if she is still alive, where is she? I see three possible options. The first is that she is still in Edoras. The second is that she lives somewhere else in Rohan, either in some other house belonging to the royal family, or with one of her unnamed daughters and her family. The third is that at some point after Thengel's death, she returned to Gondor and her family there.

The still in Edoras option seems unlikely from a logical standpoint, since there's no mention of her as there really should have been if she were there. There's something narratively pretty delicious, at least to me, though, in the idea that she might have been there to witness firsthand her son's decline and yet been for whatever reason unable to intervene

Living somewhere in Rohan, probably with another of her children (she had two daughters after Théoden before Théodwyn, and one who's even at oldest still under five years older than Théoden, so any of them could pretty plausibly still be alive), would make some sense, if she had wanted to retire from court life but still remained within relatively easy distance of her children and grandchildren. It would also kind of still allow for her being very aware of what's going on in Meduseld, while offering a more easy excuse for why she's unable to intervene and also not mentioned at any points in the books.

And returning to Gondor at some point after Thengel had died and Théoden had settled into the position of the king and all her children were adults likewise makes sense. She and Thengel lived in Gondor for ten years before moving to Rohan when Thengel inherited the throne, so it seems likely she'd have retained strong ties to her family in Gondor, rather than all those being cut off by her marriage, and considering all we know of Lossarnach, as someone on the SWG discord pointed out when i mentioned these thoughts the other day, Lossarnach seems like a nice enough place to retire to. It would put her pretty solidly away from all the drama going on in Rohan, though, but maybe if you're into fluff, Éowyn and Faramir could make a visit to her in Lossarnach sometime after the war

Anyway. I just wanted to say. Maybe Morwen of Lossarnach isn't dead yet, when LOTR happens. Maybe she gets to see what she probably never thought would happen in her lifetime, or ever at all, Sauron being defeated, Gondor having a king again. She'd have to face horrible loss, yeah. But she'd also see a new sunrise, triumph and joy like no one dared to hope for. So. Maybe. Maybe she's still alive, long enough to see that

[what-the-floofin]

So how do baby taurs work for the equitaurs and cervitaurs in your stuff?

Oh that's a good one actually - lots to talk about! Too much for one post, but gotta start somewhere. Enjoy some messy micro scribbles peppered throughout. They were originally very very tiny so, pardon blurriness.

I've got my Taurs running overall pretty similar to equine cycles and gestations - meaning they are what you call 'long-day triggered' by the spring and summer seasons.

(Though they do cycle throughout the year, just at slower rates and less consistently over cooler seasons)

This goes for the cervitaurs too - rather than using the shorter gestation of their deer alikes - as they and their foals are a bit bigger and more complex to deal with. Which also goes to suggest that twins/multiples are not a frequent occurrence for cervitaurs in comparison to actual deer, and inherently poses as much danger as it does for equines instead. Possible, but high risk and incredibly demanding.

So, you're looking at an 11 month gestation on average, and typically starting in a mid-spring to late-summer window. Which places most taurs at being born early-spring to mid-summer. It's most uncommon to be winter born, but not weird tbh.

Foals are super awkward, there's no getting around that, and in the first year they have a ridiculous growth rate when compared to other sentient creatures of similar lifespans.

These things are weeds - the difference from one day old to three months old is phenomenal alone. They are, however, cooked a little further along than what you'd be comparing to for a newborn human. They're able to support themselves enough to avoid outright injury (think like a 3-4 month old baby), but gaining actual control of all those limbs takes a bit more time. The equine half however would be a touch undercooked for a horse. Just physically, in size. No worries about comparative internal developments, that's all good and ready to go.

So they're typically gonna spend shy of their first month feeding and sleeping, practicing rolling up, sitting and limb coordination to build strength for self-standing. If mama has places to be, that baby is getting carried.

I also absolutely subscribe to the idea of arms being naturally held close to torso prior to having balance and coordination. It would support them a lot! Then it becomes a self-soothing gesture seen in the anxious, and an instinctive positional response when badly startled. Tuck in!

By three months you can expect them to be racing on their little stilt legs - albeit still with the occasional wobble and spill. And wowee did that happen fast when you think about it.

While the zoomies are a lot, they're balanced out by the fact that so much oncoming growth means foals crash nap very frequently. These buggers sleep a lot. It's go hard and sleep hard on endless rotation. Play, snack, nap, rinse and repeat.

This accelerated growth races away throughout their first year, and then drops right back into something a bit more reasonable - at least when you're considering it from the human perspective!

Yet in comparison to how they first started out, it's practically snail paced.

I'm meaning, you look at the size of a 3 month old horse foal, and that's the closest comparison to a 2 year old taur foal in body. Every 'horse foal month' thereafter starts guiding the next 'taur foal year' visual until you hit that yearling horse look for a taur when they're 10-11 years old. Then by that point, they've reached most of their full leg length, and the next 10 years is focused on finishing the bulking out of their frame.

(click to enlarge I hope) - Featuring my lass Thalo here haha

By rule of thumb I just have both equid and humanoid aspects grow in relative balance to each other, lanky stages and all. From the human perspective, the humanoid half grows crazy fast at first and then becomes comparatively similar. From the horse perspective, the equine half is crazy slow and always is. It would also give credit to having a higher physical durability than their animal counterparts. More time was spent growing!

It's worth noting that a lot of perceived 'weirdness' only comes from trying to compare them purely 1 to 1 with either horse, deer or human kids. Taurs are their own thing though! And nature's most consistent attitude is to Find What Works and Do it. No matter how wack, if it works it's used.

So, a rapid starting growth tapered into a much slower rate once they're stabilised and running was just the path that worked best for this Taur survival. Keep it simple!

There's always more to cover, but this is chunky enough for now. Whew!

[jnw1813]

Everything is a weakness, huh? That's a damn shame.

Conquest shares a bed with his partner for the first time.

The bed was big by human standards. Still, Conquest dwarfed it.

 

Giving it a weary look, he hesitates to lay down, but you had invited him to sleep with you, so he had to. Yet he can't help but feel… a bit self-conscious about it. A unique feeling for him, that's for certain. But he just worried he'd lay down and break your bed.

That would be… awkward. Yes. Awkward.

He hears you finishing up in the bathroom, and grumbles to himself about weaknesses and getting it over with, and slowly lays down on the firm yet comfortable mattress, the fluffy sheets smelling fresh, of some flowery detergent that was beyond foreign to him.

On Viltrum, they would've just smelled sterile.

He shifts a bit, overly aware of his size and, for the first time ever, is apprehensive about it. What was he even doing here? He was Conquest, a Viltrumite warrior, over five thousand years old–

“I'm done, hun!” Your voice slices through his thoughts as the bathroom door clicks and you exit, padding into your room in your ‘pyjamas’, comfortable sleepwear specifically for that. Sleep. Another foreign thing for him.

–and suddenly, as you step into view, Conquest remembers why he's here. Why he's laying in a bed laid thick with soft blankets and pillows and goddamn plushies, in a home belonging to a human, a being so far below him it's laughable–

“Comfy?” You ask, walking over to the other side– your side, his mind supplies. If this becomes a regular thing, this will be his side and that will be yours– and getting in carefully; you look him over appreciatively, taking in all his scars and thick muscles with only affection and desire.

You've got that shy smile on your face. The same one you always have when you're unsure if you're overstepping or making sense to him; wondering if you just asked a redundant, stupid question.

The time spent with you has been short, insignificant compared to the rest of his lifespan, yet he's already figured most of your tells out.

Clearing his throat, he shifts his weight a bit (and tries not to worry about the creaking springs too much), nodding as he looks at you.

“Yeah, darlin’, I'm good. Comfy.” The word is unfamiliar on his tongue. Comfort isn't always a priority to Viltrumites, perhaps only after a great battle is it considered deserved; any other time and it's considered an excess and a sign of weakness. “You?” He asks, trying to relax, wondering why this is so difficult for him. He's the second strongest Viltrumite alive, so why is he laying down with his, heh, partner so hard?

You give the much older man a nod, smiling more warmly now; you don't waste any time in snuggling up to him, resting your head on his bare shoulder. He was only wearing underwear, which was rather… eye-catching, considering his… ‘size’.

The view was appreciated.

“You're tense.” You comment, tracing a finger tip, feather light, along an old scar. You wonder what could've possibly caused it considering his regeneration abilities.

His skin flinches under your touch, an instinctive reaction. He's frozen for a moment, not breathing. All his focus goes to that single digit dancing along his skin, light as a feather. He swallows thickly, eyes falling shut as he clears his throat, hoping he doesn't seem nearly as starved as he feels.

“I'm not.” He says, but it's a lie. It is so obviously a lie he doesn't know why he even bothers. His muscles are bunched up tighter than a metal coil, skin tensed, awaiting something familiar in the face of such foreign softness.

You don't call him out on his lie, at least not verbally. You give him a look, leaning in to kiss right above his heart. He makes a choked sound.

Dammit.

“I love you,” you whisper, words tickling his skin with your hot breath.

Like fuckin’ abracadabra has been said, he relaxes, body going boneless like goddamn magic. A sigh escapes him, the tension leaving an unpleasant yet familiar ache in his flesh as he finally sinks into the pillows under his head and the mattress under his old bones.

He feels you smile, satisfied, against his chest.

What weakness… he thinks, blinking down at you. Just three little words and I am coming undone. What has happened to me?

He can't stare into your eyes too long, otherwise he gets lost in them, and then he's truly vulnerable.

You. You happened to him. And… weakness or not, he wouldn't have it any other way.

Wrapping his good arm around you, he gives your hip a squeeze as he squishes you against his side, face mushed against his pectoral. With his metal one, he turns the lights off, plunging the room into nearly pure darkness, only the faint glow of the moon shining in letting him see your beautiful features.

“I love you too, darlin’.”

[fishenjoyer1]

Fish of the Day

Today's fish of the day is the Alabama Cavefish!

The Alabama Cavefish, scientific name Speoplatyrhinus poulsoni, is known for being one of the rarest troglobitic fish species in North America. Discovered in 1967, by the time the alabama cavefish was scientifically described in 1974, there were only about 100 fish left. On any visit to the cave, only about 10 fish have ever been seen, but they are consistently different fish, so the estimated number is a little under 100, making them critically endangered. This also makes them a possibility for the rarest cavefish in North America!

Despite the large waterways connecting caves in Key Cave National park to several other cave systems, the Alabama cavefish has restricted itself to only one cave for reasons we don't understand. A search of over 120 caves in the surrounding area revealed no populations or signs of populations. With a range consisting only of Key cave in Lauderdale county, Alabama; these fish are constantly faced by the threat of extinction, and most of their worries are based on the limited home range, and waters entering the cave. Any water with chemicals, especially fertilizers and other agricultural runoff are a large concern. That along with competition from more aggressive cavefish, and predation from nearby crawfish. Due to their living situation and delicate population, much is unknown about these fish. But, let us go over what we do know!

The diet of the Alabama cavefish consists mostly of invertebrates found in the caves: copepods, isopods, smaller cavefish, spiders, beetles, and anything else it can find that will fit in its mouth. They grow up to a size of 2-3 inches in length. They have no eyes or pigment, and hunt solely based off of sensory protrusions that dot the head and sides, a trait evolved to handle the almost complete darkness. These fish have no breeding season, and instead breed based off of the environmental signal: when the caves flood in the winter and spring. Insufficient flooding can lead to years where no breeding or spawning occurs, and when it does females carry few eggs, and even fewer eggs hatch. Their lifespans, based off of the lifespan of Northern cavefish, are an estimated 5-10 years.

[scribblestatic]

Hmm... I wanna write more creachers...

Spider Yuan it is.

Spider Yuan on AO3

Prev Masterpost Next

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Shen Yuan didn't attend Fan Zhenzhen's funeral.

Oh, like, he did, but not in person. He watched, yes, since he could now stand a bit further away in the trees and not be noticed unless someone looked closer.

Besides, he could tell it would distract the others. Humans would still be wary of him, naturally. He can't fault prey for being wary of a predator, can he? No, Fan Zhenzhen raised them too well for that.

So, he waited and watched as they carried her to the mausoleum on the side of his mountain, picked for its perfect fengshui.

And okay, maybe he watched them enter the mausoleum from one of the nearby trees. And maybe a villager noticed him watching and it took him holding up a silencing finger to ensure the man didn't panic.

It worked out just fine.

...Okay, yes, there was a rumor spreading of a strange, tall man who dwelled among the corpses and peered silently from the trees, but after telling them it was him, they were quick to apologize.

But yes, it all worked out fine.

And, as another five years passed, more spiders cultivated their human forms, leaving the mountain during the day to learn more about human life and adapt to their bodies.

After all, Shen Yuan was going to leave.

Not forever, no! But he'd been serious about going on a journey to explore more of the world. He just didn't want the village to be left without anyone to provide silk, plants, or protection. As much as his servants were reliable, they did require direction.

Zhuzi wanted to come with him, but Shen Yuan insisted otherwise. It was something he would like to do alone. He hadn't been alone for...decades at this point, wow.

Besides, spiders are generally quite solitary beings. Even his servants took vacations for themselves to be at peace and cultivate. He cultivated with company, but perhaps now was a good time for some self-reflection. Maybe to figure out what he wanted to do for the next few decades or centuries, depending on how long he'd be alive.

He didn't feel like his lifespan was getting any shorter, so staying in one place for this long...well, he wasn't actually bothered by it. At one point, he barely left his web of screens and strong walls and convenience for several days at a time, which was...hm. However or whenever that was. Anyway, sticking to one place really wasn't a bother.

...Seeing the mausoleum every day hurt, so maybe he was running away a little bit.

He's an old spider, leave him be!

So, after those five years passed and he'd thoroughly prepared Zhuzi as much as he could, he packed a little qiankun pouch full of a few things, like duplicates of his favorite stories, lots of scrolls, quills, and ink, and various plants in case he needed to cure someone (or himself) of some sort of ailment (or sex plant...which was a collection of ailments all on its own).

He'd already told Fan Ruoxing, letting him know that the mountain would not be bereft of spiders, but that he would be gone for a while.

The now older man smiled sadly.

"Mm...this servant understands. Thank you for telling us... And thank you for fulfilling my mother's wish."

By twilight, Shen Yuan breathed in the cool air of early spring.

He gazed up at the stars and the bright moon, marveling quietly at the sight of them. Zhuzi stood by his side, gazing up with him.

"Dage should enjoy his trip. Please don't worry about anything here. This one shall take care of them."

"Mm. He knows you will."

He moved, placing a hand on the top of her head. She blinked owlishly for a moment before her eyes closed, satisfied.

"Thanking Zhuzi for her hard work. This one shall be back in a few years."

"Yes. Safe travels."

...And then, he looked forward, toward a forested trail he'd never traveled before, and took his first step.

--

At first, Shen Yuan traveled aimlessly. He didn't have a particular destination in mind or anything, so he drifted around as he saw fit.

Getting off the mountain was fairly easy in the end. His web spread out far and wide. The many beasts and creatures that could have tried to be a threat had long started fleeing from his presence. Perhaps it was because of some sort of adaptation, having watched generations of their predecessors die at the hands of either his servants or himself.

Even after he finally drifted away from the small strings of webs at the barriers of his marked domain, fearsome creatures didn't dare to approach...

And that was a bit disappointing.

He usually just ate them, but now that he had some time to travel, he would like to study a beast or two. The way other creatures function had become more interesting to him. If they didn't at least get close, he could he watch them?

So, he had to practice more to conceal his qi—something he didn't really bother doing before. After all, it was his territory. Who did he need to hide from?

But sure, fine. If it meant he'd have an easier time actually finding the creatures he wanted to study, then he'd Git Gud.

Two weeks into his practice, and the birds still wouldn't chirp when he was within a few zhang of them. Come on. There was no need to be so dramatic that a few meters was all it took for the space he was going toward to go silent.

Maybe it was because of this silent alarm that humans traveling through the forest became extra cautious.

They never quite could sense when he was right beside them, though.

"...Excuse me."

The group of three startled, turning toward him with their ragtag weapons drawn. A partially rusted axe, a small sword, and a dagger... However, they didn't have armor on, and it looked like most of their belongings might've been held in the stuffed sack each had tied around their necks and draped behind their shoulders.

The men looked at his waist. Then up. Then up.

By the time they finally got to his face, the man with the dagger dropped his weapon.

Okay. Just like he practiced... Let's do this.

Shen Yuan didn't bother smiling. They couldn't see his face through the veil anyway. But he did start slowly to bend down, trying to meet them at their height.

The young, dirtied man with the axe managed to stand his ground, hands shaking and knuckles turning white. Ah, he must be the leader of the group, right?

"Would you happen to know where the nearest village is?"

The young man swallowed thickly.

"...No."

Shen Yuan sighed.

"Oh dear..."

"...?"

"This one would much rather you tell the truth rather than lie. It's very discourteous."

Of course the man was lying. His jackrabbiting heart skipped a beat when he'd asked, and it'd sped up even further before he answered.

Shen Yuan was a spider, not an idiot. Humans were terrible at lying to him.

To ease the mood a little, he clapped, his claws clicking against each other.

"Let's try again. Would you happen to know where the nearest village is?"

...One of the men behind him was starting to smell of ammonia. Perhaps he really had grown a bit more accustomed to the reactions of the villagers from Xiaoshan. They feared him, but not to this extent.

The axe boy finally began to utter a reply.

"I...erh...this lowly one knows where...a village is. But...wh...what do you...what does this esteemed person want to do with that information?"

Beneath the weimao, Shen Yuan's eyelids fluttered, his expression scrunching.

"To visit, like any visitor would?"

He wheezed in reply. "My...family..."

"Hmm? Yes, what of them?"

At this, the man dropped his axe. He then fell to the ground, immediately prostrating.

"Please...! Please! If I must die now, I will accept this. But please! Don't hurt my family!"

The others also dropped to the ground, giving him similar pleas of mercy for the ones they loved while offering their bodies up to him.

"...When did this one say he would hurt anyone?"

He listened to the villagers sob and beg at him for a little longer before he finally lost his patience.

"Sit up before this one smacks you."

They all immediately sat up. Shen Yuan huffed, the veil of his weimao fluttering.

"Is this a habit of your village, to assume the worst of people? This traveler is just looking to explore new things and gather stories. Aiyah, get up, get up! All this bowing—your clothes are already filthy enough, don't kneel in the dirt."

He really didn't want to watch them squirm.

Squirming things made him salivate.

Once they collected themselves, the axe wielder spoke.

"This...this lowly one apologizes for his rudeness. Begging your forgiveness."

"Mm, it's alright. Worry not about it. Though, this one is curious. What brings you three deep through the forest like this?"

They glanced at each other, unsure. But eventually, he spoke.

"We...are traveling to Jindao City (金道城市 - Jīndào Chéngshì - Golden Road City). There is an illness spreading in our village."

Jindao City...yes, he was familiar with the name of it, though he hadn't been there himself. Xiaoshan Village had also been under the authority of Jindao, though they never came to help when the famine ravaged the village somewhere around 50 years ago.

As he recalls, upon Fan Zhenzhen taking up the mantle of Village Elder, she reduced their dues after, having heard of their survival, the city tried to send tax collectors. They survived without Jindao's assistance, so they would only pay enough in produce to keep relative peace with the city that abandoned them.

If the spiders ever left, they'd have to defend themselves and their land, after all. So, it was best to not go about burning bridges all willy-nilly.

"Hmm. This one recalls a famine occurring somewhere around here before."

At this, all the humans brightened.

"Yes, the old master is wise. A famine ran through the area many years ago. Our village still hasn't fully recovered. Now, an illness is hurting our most reliable people. Men, women, and children have all fallen ill. Some have died. We lowly servants hope that, with our quick action, perhaps we can prevent further deaths."

Old master? Ah, because he remembered the famine, probably.

Well, he was old. No need to correct or ridicule him. Still, what a shift from deeming him a monstrous demon to calling him an old master! Don't you have any steadfast beliefs, ah? The switch-up could be disorienting!

"Mm. Did Jindao City offer assistance during the famine?"

"From what this lowly one remembers, no. He doesn't remember them helping. But he was a little boy back then. It's possible he doesn't remember much of what happened."

"But the fact the loyal worker questions if they helped likely means his elders and ancestors did not speak of it. If they didn't speak of it, this one believes it likely they did not help. There is more than one village Jindao City did not assist back then. If this is the case, does the loyal worker have anything now that may change the minds of Jindao's officials?"

"Something...?"

"This one does not think positively of Jindao officials because of their actions, or lack thereof, during the famine. Therefore, he assumes that, to move them to action, others must present them with a good-enough reason to do so. In his experience, this one believes having desirable goods, finances, or resources would lead them to be more likely to offer aid. Do the loyal workers have such items on them or in their village?"

Their following silence told him all he needed to know.

The one with the dagger whispered to the axe wielder, "This must be why Lao Heng (老恒 - Lǎo Héng - Old Heng) told us not to bother..."

Hmm.

It really wasn't any of his business. He'd just started his trip, and he was already encountering trouble. He could very well just thank them for their honesty and continue wandering around.

But, he kinda wanted to eat. He could practice inedia, but why do that if he didn't have to? A beast's cultivation rarely counted on restriction. No, it usually promoted levels of indulgence and selfishness, and he saw no problem with that.

He doubted they had food he'd enjoy, but if he couldn't eat that way, he could always eat another way. Something anyone with the ability to think could offer him.

"Hmm... This one is not a doctor, but he has tools and knowledge that may be of assistance. The only thing the loyal workers must offer him to begin is a story."