#terrarium in a drawer

[tisorridalamor]

Recently I’ve been reading Kui Ryoko’s fantasy short stories, and they’re all fantastic! Highly recommend that all Dungeon Meshi fans (and fantasy fans in general) check out her other works:

Terrarium in a Drawer

The Dragon’s School is on Top of the Mountain

The Works of Ryoko Kui: Seven Little Sons of the Dragon

[peerless-cucumber]

if you need more ryoko kui fantasy I highly recommend her one shot collections!!! In order: Terrarium in Drawer, The Dragon's School is on Top of the Mountain, Seven Little Sons of the Dragon

[lukore]

DIVORCED LAIOS AND MARCILLE

[piglii]

Chapter 4 of Ryoko Kui's, "Terrarium in Drawer," a collection of unrelated short stories.

[nature-nerd-sarah]

I'm reading Terrarium in Drawer, Ryoko Kui's old collection of oneshots, and I cannot say I was expecting this gag after a manga about teenage mecha pilots.

[dracolizardlars]

...I just pulled a t shirt out of my drawer and a brown object tumbled out onto the carpet. I picked it up. It was a snail.

A juvenile Giant African Land Snail, not an albino, just a standard one with a brown shell and a grey body.

...Her name is Dora. I raised her from a day old hatchling. I cried when I got back from a week long holiday, three weeks ago, and she was gone.

I think she's still alive.

Holy fucking shit.

[mrhyde-and-drseek]

do you guys have any manga/comic recs that are similar to "Terrarium in Drawer" i just finished it and it leaves you wanting for real

[atissi]

i don't really like when people say dungeon meshi is accidentally good autistic representation, because while i understand not wanting to make conclusions without explicit confirmation from the author, there's always the weird assumption that non-western authors somehow don't know about things like neurodivergency/queerness/etc. (on top of the assumptions that east asian authors are somehow more naive or oblivious to "western" social issues).

given that dungeon meshi started being published in 2014, it's not really a "work belonging to its times"—it's as contemporary as any other media we discuss on this site, which means it should be fair to assume it engages with contemporary topics (and at the very least, you shouldn't say that the representation is accidental with so much confidence)

but anyways, the chapter "perfect communication" in ryoko kui's "terrarium in a drawer" is some of the most straightforward autistic representation I've seen, and from now on I'm going to assume that laios's character writing is absolutely intentional in that regard:

[mimikyufriend]

we keep collecting tanks we gotta stop keeping all these tanks

[brainlessrot]

Penguin Pebbling

Involves collecting and giving small objects, like pebbles, as gifts to people you care about.

because i do penguin pebbling very often and i wanted to indulge myself a lil bit 🤭

also sorry for disapearing for like... 5 months!!! requests are now open again <3

Characters ;; All of the students (grim included)

Contents ;; could be seen as either platonic or romantic (except ortho's and grim's!), GN!reader, no beta read‼️around 1200 words total, 50~ words per character

Riddle ;; i think he would see it as weird and although he would keep it he doesn't think it to be sentimental, for him its just some random rock you randomly gave him, may give you some trinkets (no rocks :( ) as payback (prolly roses or rose themed stuff)

Trey ;; he wouldn't understand why you chose to give him a... rock? probably put it in some drawer in his room and forgot about it unless you explain why

Cater ;; doesn't understand but will keep the rock in his bedside table, may understand that its a sentimental gift from you and if its pretty enough he will post a pic of it!!!

Ace ;; throws it away. Nah but hes similar to trey, confused abt why would you give him?? a rock you found somewhere on the floor?? would prolly make fun of you if you told him why (but the way his face lowkey matches his hair is proof that hes gettin flustered)

Deuce ;; HE GETS YOU!!! will absolubtely cherish the lil rock AND give you some in return, you two may start a rock gifting competition to see which one of you gives the prettiest one to the other

Leona ;; "...what is this". will throw it away (this time fr) unless you specifically tell him its a sentimental gift, then he will throw it in a drawer and forgets abt it (man does NOT care abt a rock sorry :/) but if you are especially close to him and the rock is pretty he may send it back to his brother for it to be made into some jewelry... but DO NOT mention it if he wears it

Ruggie ;; if its pretty enough he will display it in his room, if not, he still puts it carefully in a box with other trinkets, may also find you one for yourself (my man gets it!!) and may even give you some dandelions he was saving for a quick snack if he finds you while out (doing Leona's work) walking

Jack ;; super confused but lowkey touched, will put it with his (many) cactai, if you do it multiple times, he will start giving you some he found on a run that he thought you would like

Azul ;; if he likes you hes giggling and kicking his feet, will put it in his desk at the VIP room, no matter if its just a broken brick or a cute crystal you found, the tweels make fun of him for this

Jade ;; probably has gifted you some by himself that he found on his lil mountain treks, may put whatever you give him in one of his terrariums as decor

Floyd ;; loves it a normal (crazy) amount, cherishes the rock SO much, probably gives it a small hat and face and brings it around the school, will loose it and demand you find another one for him... he might throw it at you to get your attention

Kalim ;; definition of !!!!YIPPIEEE!!! puts it on his bedside table and stares at it while giggling before going to sleep, beware, you will find boxes of gemstones (not the cheap ones!!!) in front of your room at any moment now

Jamil ;; may try to hide it but he finds it cute, covers his face before accepting the rock, leaves it on his desk for when he goes back to his room to give him a small boost in mood, doesn't reciprocate the rock giving but isn't against receiving more from you

Vil ;; what. what the hell is this. unless its throughly clean and has some interesting colors/design/it's pretty he will throw it away woops, doesn't understand the appeal but if youre sad he threw it away hell ask you for "the prettiest rock for him, the prettiest person you've seen"

Rook ;; now youre inexplicably finding rocks EVERYWHERE, your pillow is lumpy? rock! you wanted cereals for breakfast? filled with rocks! went to put on your socks? why is there a rock?! he may even throw them at you from afar!! (believe him he didn't actually think it through he just wanted to surprise you)

Epel ;; kinda gets you!! may not reciprocate the rock giving at first (he prefers personally carving you some apples as a gift) but will if you explain to him the sentimentality behind it!! will save any rock you give him and maybe even send one back to his meemaw if he deems it cool enough

Idia ;; Doesn't really?? get it at first?? but when he was (forced to be) outside he saw a cool rock on the sidewalk and went "oh hey they would like this one!... Oh damn." a light bulb went off of his head at that moment, he wont really give you any rock bc he simply doesn't go outside, but will put the rocks you give him between his idol merch and figurines

Ortho ;; the epitome of just there for the vibes, doesn't understand jackshit of why youre doing it but if youre happy he's happy!! will test the rocks to see what compound or kind they are and tell you funfacts about them

Malleus ;; OH LORDDDDD hes kneeling down and holding his chest the moment you open up your hand and present him with the rock, A GIFT??? FOR HIM?? FROM YOUUU???? hes a very shinnies boy so be prepared to find anything gold anywhere in your dorm/room, he actually gets you from the start and is so happy, like straight up giddy, cackling in his room as he makes a small altar for the rock (half joking)

Lillia ;; also very giggly and understands the act of gifting rocks as a show of friendship (or more) will also leave small trinkets on your way (some of them are hundreds of years old... be careful)

Silver ;; hes used to small animals also giving him offerings and trinkets, so he understands the sentimentality behind the little rock, will also give you some shinny stone he found while resting in the forest, look it has the shape of a chipmunk!!

Sebek ;; he doesn't understand, he doesn't care. nah but seriously he really doesn't get why even if you explain it to him, no "it reminded me of you", "i though you would like it", "its pretty tho!!"s will make him understand, but please do ignore how close he set it to his Malleus' altar

Grim ;; acts like he doesn't want it and might even throw it away in your face, but the moment you turn around hes running back and searching desperately for it, he wont ask for any but if you give him more he aint complaining, hes like the

+"do you like it?

-"no"

+"then ill take it"

-"BACK OFF, NO WAY!"

[elsewhereuniversity]

(pinned up with small slivers of wood instead of thumbtacks. address and contact number is water damaged.)

Space open for roommate of any gender!

Single private bedroom (furnished with 4 drawer dresser, 70" built-in bookcase, single drawer nightstand with lamp, and XL twin bed. there is space to fit a queen bed or equivalent).

Shared living space, pantry, kitchen, and patio with 3 other roommates (one shared room and one other private room). Property last updated 14 year contract with brownies in 2022.

Lycanthropy vaccine strongly recommended as property backs up to woods and the apartment is on the ground level. (Lycanthropes undergoing treatment are welcome to apply).

Please no vampires!

MUST bring own jackets, coats, etc. There is NO sharing of outerwear.

Terrarium pets such as spider, snakes, lizards, mice etc. are allowed. Cats and dogs tend to go missing (see above point about the woods).

The roommates tend to keep to themselves. We do eat a LOT of fish.

oh, also

NO THEATRE MAJORS. (covid wrecked my nose so we no longer have a good failsafe for if your imposter shows up acting weird and claiming its "for the bit". Found that one out the hard way)

.

[azurevi]

Again here! :D Taking advantage of the alphabet request I can get: D, J and N with Silver, Sebek and Jade?

If it is many letters per character you can discard this order. No pressure and take your time 🌼💐🌌✨

D omestic - what is it like living with them?

Jade

Living with Jade means you’ll probably see terrariums of different shapes and styles placed around the house. If you’re knowledgeable enough, he’ll let you take care of them when he’s busy. Even if you aren’t, he likes to tell you bits of information from time to time.

Basically you’ll wake up one day and realize that you are well-versed in keeping terrariums.

It’s easy to tell that he’s an organized person. He likes to categorize dishes and bathroom items, and you’ll never find a dirty cloth lying around the house.

He has a schedule that he follows strictly, so you’ll find him in bed at pretty much the same time every night. If you have your own, that��s fine, he respects that, but if he catches you overworking yourself and sleeping at ungodly hours, he’ll personally drag you to the bedroom (with words of persuasion… most of the time)

Even when you’re alone, he seldom lets his pleasing smiles and gentlemanly demeanor drop, but you can tell if he’s tired from the day’s work by how he greets you. On days when he’s especially worn, he mumbles an ‘I’m home’ weakly before wrapping his arms around you. He always finds refuge in your arms.

He takes it upon himself to cook dinner most of the time, so you’re in for a treat.

Sebek

First and foremost you have to be good at debating, or else you’ll be stuck with Malleus posters, Malleus figurines, and anything related to the crown prince of Briar Valley scattered across your house.

At the very least, he demands that he keeps the portrait of Malleus above his side of the bed. Just… indulge him with this one.

He’s generally organized, but when he’s busy or caught up in something, he may unconsciously leave things all around the house— books on the sofa, jackets draped on the back of chairs at the dining table. He’ll tidy them up once he’s got things sorted out.

He treats living together very seriously, so expect division of labour. Housework is usually divided equally between you two, and he presents you with a financial report at the end of every month.

To be honest, if he agrees to move in with you, then you’ve probably gone very far in this relationship. So uh, if you see a ring box at the back of the drawer, just pretend you don’t know about it, okay?

Silver

Every time you get home, you can find him asleep at different spots. Sometimes it makes you laugh seeing him dozing off against the kitchen wall, hands still holding a dish and a soap.

Some items still have to be operated by magic— he can’t help it, he grew up surrounded by it after all. But if you can’t use magic well, he’ll make sure that there’s a non-magic version or something like that.

Living with Silver means that you’ll never lose anything in the cracks of the sofa or under the bed. Whenever you need something that you can’t find, an animal friend is ready to deliver it to you.

They also help set up romantic evenings from time to time, and they make the house lively. There’s always a bird or two perched on the balcony.

He’s subconsciously protective of you. When he buys furniture, he tries to avoid ones with sharp edges, or at least buys corner guards for them. Definitely the type to put his hand between your head and the edge when you bend down.

Oh, and Lilia drops by sometimes.

J okes - how do you cheer them up, and vice versa?

Jade

Jade doesn’t always voice his deepest feelings, especially the negative ones, but you can tell by his subtle changes. For one, he’ll a bit quieter than usual, his responses shorter.

It doesn’t really matter what you do, he’s already thankful that you notice the shift in his emotions. Though he likes it the most when you go on a walk with him. It helps him sort his mind out, and it’s good to have a listener. If you have more time, hiking is always an effective way to cheer him up.

At the same time, Jade is observant and can pick up the signs easily when you’re down in the dumps. To cheer you up, he approaches you directly and tries to solve your problem from the root. But if you only need emotional support, he’ll make sure to stay by your side the whole time. Alternatively, he may make you a fancy drink and some snacks.

Sebek

If Sebek is upset, you will probably hear it from miles away.

Say he makes a few careless mistakes in a test. The moment he gets the result back, he’s already whining loudly about how he could’ve done better and how he’s unfit to be Malleus’ guard. He blames himself quite easily, so it’s up to you to remind him that he doesn’t need to be perfect.

Sometimes though, he just won’t listen to reason. In that case, the best course of action is to let him rant all he want, and let out the pent up frustration.

Once he’s calmer, a sneaky kiss is guaranteed to put him in a good mood, even though he rarely admits it.

When you’re upset, he makes it his mission to put a smile back on your face. Say you got into an argument with your friend, he’ll encourage you (loudly) to make up with them. He may come off a bit strong when he’s yelling his support, but it helps fuel you with the courage you need to overcome whatever challenge you’re facing.

If there’s no particular reason you’re sad, he takes the traditional route and buys you a large bouquet to lift your spirits.

Silver

Silver is patient; he rarely gets mad or upset. When he does, it’s usually forgotten after a nap or two.

But there are still times when things go wrong and plague his mind. It brings a smile to his face when you make him something homely. Something as simple as hot soup would suffice.

He also likes to lie down on the grass with you. Doesn’t matter if you’re talking or not, it’s soothing to have you around him.

If you come to him with your problems, Silver tries his best to help. He knows that he himself may not be useful since he gets drowsy too easily, but he makes an effort to stay awake long enough so that he can ask others for advice or suggestions.

A nap is often the best antidote to melancholy. If you have too much going on in your mind, he’s always willing to slip away to dreamland with you.

N ickname - what terms of endearments do they have for you?

Jade

Darling or beloved. The first time he called you darling it was a slip of tongue, but since you appeared to like it, he has been using it since then. It’s simple but loving, at the same time encompassing how much he cherishes you.

Sebek

He called you ‘human’ for a long, long time (if you’re one…?) before you brought up the topic of pet names. This made him re-evaluate his nickname for you. After all, you’re someone he treasures! Surely he should call you something more special…

At the same time, just thinking about saying those tooth-rotting names like babe or honey makes him shiver. No, he needs someting unique…

It probably takes him some time to settle with one (once he called you ‘The one whom I love’ in public and wouldn’t stop cringing at himself). In the end he just goes with something like ‘my dear’.

It’s still a work in progress, though he would like to call you his one day.

Silver

Love or beloved. It just feels right on his tongue. Off topic but he likes it when you call him your prince.

He usually says it when he’s just woken up. Upon seeing your face hovering above his, he breaks into a content smile and says ‘Hey, love’.

Makes your heart melt every time.

[peerless-cucumber]

Terrarium in Drawer Ch. 30 - Drawer

[lukore]

I looooove you miss kui

[futurebird]

It's spring time in New York City!

It's spring time in New York City! Yesterday it felt as if the whole city had come alive. Tulips and daffodils bloom, the moss on the old stone wall caught droplets of morning due. On my way to the bus stop in the South Bronx I encountered a DeKay's brown snake on the sidewalk near the park, the cute little snake was sunning itself after a long winter underground.

Gently, I picked her up (I had a look at the tail and I think it is a female) and moved her to a nice warm rock away from foot traffic. This is the first snake I've ever seen in NYC and it's my favorite species!

I’ve wanted to have a Dekay’s brown snake a a pet forever— I think a terrarium with Storeria dekayi and carpenter ants would be amazing— but if she now lives in the park I can go see her there.  Even better. She eat snails, slugs and worms and lord knows we have those over by that wall. I suspect there is one of NYC’s many secret buried streams and brooks under the wall in the park. It’s so moist all of the time.   Some of the local teens on their way to school and stopped to admire the snake. They were a little scared at first "oh no she's got a snake!" but I was able to tell them a little about the snake and how they are harmless and a sign that our little local park is doing well ecologically. 

Later this same day I was walking down Park Ave. down on the upper east when out of the corner of my eye I spied an ant queen. I can always tell ant queens by the way they walk... or rather waddle. Looks like Prenolepis imparis, or the American winter ant. She was hustling along the side walk as if on her way to the Chanel store. Now she’s in one of my luxury ant condos— (but don’t tell her I’ve moved her out to the Bronx.)     

I fed her a drop of sugar water which she accepted, now she is in my ant drawer snug in her test tube. I will post updates about this queen, and if she makes it. Over on Mastodon I asked for help naming her and we decided to call her "Ethel." I've never kept this species before, so I'm reading about their needs.

Ethel is cute & round, settling in to her "Luxery ant condo" (It's a test tube.) She enjoyed a little sugar water, now she's in the darkness of the ant drawer. She looks very well-fed, so I think there is a good chance she will lay lots of eggs.

In four or five days I'll check on her again. Sometimes new queens just die. So, many don't like to name a queen until she has her first workers. But I'm cheering for this little urban ant.

[noxsoulmate]

💞 Of Lizards, Love & Laundry 💞

🦎 Carlos Reyes and the Journey of Becoming a Lizard Papa 🦎

Ship: Tarlos | Fandom: 911 Lone Star Author: noxsoulmate | Artist: paxdracona Read on ao3 | View art on ao3

Chapters: 1-3/9 | Word Count: 4309 | Rating: Mature | Warnings/Tags: canon compliant, Lou II is the Houdini of Lizards, how Lou II makes his Papa love him, a story told in 7+2 parts, Carlos is so done, but TK knows how to condition his man, sex and spicy food, bribery, fluff, domestic fluff, fluff and smut, fluff and humor, Carlos loves TK, so he puts up with the reptile in their loft, until he starts to love the little monster as well

Inspired by @paxdracona's amazing art

Created for the @911reversebang

Summary:

“TK, your lizard got out. Again.”

Lou II might just be the Houdini of lizards, an escape artist par excellence – but he’s also TK’s emotional support lizard, so how could Carlos not start to like the little monster? It certainly has nothing to do with TK’s ways of bribery or attempts at conditioning him, and more with the fact that Lou II is just… growing on him. Even if that means loads and loads of extra laundry.

OR: Carlos Reyes and the Journey of Becoming a Lizard Papa, told in 7+2 parts

🦎 Read on ao3 🦎

💞 and please leave lots of love on the wonderful art on ao3 💞

I cannot thank @paxdracona enough for this wonderful collaboration 🥰 It started out as a simple "okay, I think I have enough ideas to make this a short 5+1 fic" and then became so much more, thanks to cute Bearded Dragon videos, funny Insta posts, lots of talking and laughing and plotting, and just the generally amazing art Pax created for every little snippet I sent her way. Pax, this was a delight and I would collaborate with you again each and every single time 🦎 (also, we should both adopt a beardie now...)

Sneak peek and more art under the cut:

one

Carlos will forever deny the high-pitched scream that leaves him the moment he opens the drawer to pull out a fresh pair of socks. What he won’t deny though, is the fact that his soul definitely left his body in that moment. 

He can already hear footsteps running towards the bedroom, his fiancé’s worried, “Babe?!?” echoing around the loft – and still, he can’t stop himself from putting his emotions into one frustrated yell of, “TK!!”

“I’m here, I’m here,” TK calls back, skidding to a halt in the doorway, using the door frame to stop his sprint. “What happened? What? Are you hurt?!”

Carlos tries not to explode at him, he truly does, so he simply glares at him with all the rage he feels and points to the drawer, pressing out through clenched teeth, “Your monster got free.”

TK, in all honesty, seems to light up as he steps over to the dresser and reaches into the drawer. “Oh, hey baby, hi. There you are. Hi.”

Something about that comment strikes Carlos as odd and he sucks in a deep breath, frustration rising, when he realizes what it is. “You knew he was out?”

At least TK has the decency to look sheepish while cradling the little monster to his chest. “He might’ve gotten away while I cleaned his terrarium earlier today.”

Carlos lets that information sink in for a moment, remembering how overly excited TK greeted him about half an hour ago when Carlos got home from his shift. How he seemed slightly breathless and waved it away as just being done with some workout but still had declined to share the shower with Carlos, claiming some tidying up he wanted to do.

That lying little… 

“And you didn’t tell me?” Carlos accuses to which TK almost reflexively replies, “I didn’t want you to freak out.”

“TK!”

And, yeah, that argument sounds eerily familiar.

Carlos pinches the bridge of his nose, trying not to think about the fact that he walked around the loft – mainly the bathroom and bedroom – naked while this little monster was running around. Or, worse yet, getting all his germs over Carlos’ clothes.

He points a finger at TK, giving him his strongest Officer Reyes glare. “It’s your turn to do the laundry and every single one of my socks will be in that machine, do you hear me?”

“Of course,” TK promises right away. “I’ll just… wash everything in that dresser, okay?”

💞🦎 Continue on ao3 🦎💞

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