#time >> 2101

[sahilkasera]

Best Part-Time Work From Home in India

Best Part-Time Work From Home in India

What alternative career paths have you considered or are interested in? Part Time Jobs Work From Home With Mobile In recent years, the concept of part-time work from home has gained significant popularity in India. This approach allows individuals to maintain a healthy work-life balance while earning a steady income. Leveraging the power of technology, numerous opportunities now exist for those…

[biggrimace]

Back Pain | Fred Weasley

Part 1 / 2

Part: 1, 2

Summary: You are heavily pregnant with your and Fred's first child and are experiencing some back pain that grows as the day goes on. Fred worries that you may be in labour, and it isn't until your water breaks that you take those concerns seriously.

Warnings: pregnant reader, talk about pain

Word Count: ~2101

—

You had been uncomfortable all day, which isn’t anything new considering you’d been uncomfortable the last six or so months, but this felt different. It started around four in the morning; you were awoken by the feeling of your lower back cramping, so you began tossing and turning, hoping to find a comfortable position, but to no avail. Fred was awakened by your movements and the gentle groans that followed. He was quick to check on you and nodded understandingly once you told him about your back. He asked you to turn to your other side and massaged the painful spot for you without a moment of hesitation. It took only a few seconds before you felt relief, in fact, it was so comforting that it actually soothed you back to sleep.

Now, it was one in the afternoon, and the cramping was back with a vengeance. You didn’t think much of it after noticing your belly dropped while standing in front of the bathroom mirror. You accepted that it was just an annoying consequence of the new position the baby was in, but you’d been cramping since eleven, and it was beginning to drive you insane. You tried ice packs, hot water bottles, pain relief potions, a warm bath, stretching, and anything else you could think of. You even asked Fred for more massages, which failed to provide the same comfort they did last night. Fred was beginning to worry about you, and in the very back of his mind, a thought buzzed about you possibly being in labour. You brushed him off multiple times throughout the morning, saying they were only Braxton hicks contractions or false labour. Your lack of concern for it soothed him slightly since you knew your body better than him, so instead of rushing you to the hospital like he wanted, he let the day go on. However, he was still worried, so after your bath, Fred decided the best thing for both of you was for you to come with him to the shop. After greeting George upon your arrival Fred guided you into his office and laid you on the futon he had in there in case of late nights or the odd overnight stays. He brought you your pregnancy pillow, a hot water bottle, an ice pack, snacks, water, and more potions. All to keep you comfortable and close as he runs the store just downstairs. He made sure to check on you every 30 minutes and if he couldn’t or was busy with a customer he would send up George. You, on the other hand, were trying to sleep off the pain.

—

At around three, your back felt like it was on fire, and you couldn't ignore it like you had been. Fred and George had been engrossed by the unexpected rush of patrons flooding in downstairs, their frequent checkups slowly dwindling down to none as the shop grew more busy. You were so frustrated and overwhelmed by the pain that you actually began to cry, wishing for it to stop so you could just relax. You tried so hard to keep your suffering quiet, not wanting to interrupt your husband's busy day, but you couldn't help it, and when your back cramped up again you were ready to roll out of bed and get him. Luckily, just as you went to roll Fred walked in with a tray holding a cup of tea and some of your favourite sweet treats. He froze when he saw you trying to sit up, your expression twisted with pain and your face covered in tears. He wasted no time in placing the tray on his desk and pulling his chair beside the small bed, taking a seat and hushing you comfortingly.

Love, I’m really starting to get worried...

He admitted as he sat in front of you. One hand moving stay hairs from your face and the other rubbing your belly. You let yourself fall back into your pillow and snuggled into it, sniffling.

It hurts so much, Freddie… I just want it to stop…

You whined. You were never good with pain and it was starting to really mess with you emotionally. Fred looked at you sympathetically, worry hidden in his furrowed brows.

Maybe we should go to the hospital yn.

He suggested again, looking down to your belly. You just shook your head.

I already told you, they’ll just send us home. I’m not in labour. My water didn’t break, and I don’t think I’m having real contractions; I’m just really uncomfortable.

You explained and tried pushing yourself to sit up again. After seeing you struggle, Fred swooped in to help. He gently grabbed your upper arm with one hand and wrapped his other arm around you to help support your weight. Once you were sitting, he relaxed back into his chair.

Well then what can I do?

He asked helplessly, leaning forward, his arms on his legs. The concern in his voice and the love in his eyes made yours start to water again, damn hormones. Then, there was another flare-up that forced a sudden gasp out of you and caused more tears to flow down your cheeks, this time due to the pain. Fred jumped a bit at this and reached toward you. You just cried as you leaned forward into him. You wrapped your arms around his neck, stretching out your back, and he wrapped his around your torso, massaging your back gently. After a moment the pain subsided back into a dull ache and you found yourself relishing in the small relief this position was providing.

Are you ok love?

Fred asked once your cries died down into gentle sniffles. You nodded, tightening your hold on him.

Ya. I’m ok. This feels really good.

You admitted. Fred smiled to himself and kissed your temple, happy to be providing some form of comfort to you. It only lasted a few seconds, though, before that once comfortable position became exactly the opposite. You pulled back, both of you releasing each other, and Fred watched as you stretched, cracking your back.

I think I just need to move. I’ve been lying down all day.

You said defeated. Fred paused for a moment to think, then nodded. He stood from his chair and reached down towards you. You grabbed each other’s forearms and worked together to get you on your feet. He didn’t let go immediately and looked into your eyes.

I’ll take you out to the shop but only for a few minutes. I don’t want you getting overwhelmed or shoved around by the crowd that’s out there. We’ll say hi to George and come right back, okay?

He demanded lovingly. You just nodded and leaned up to peck his lips. You released each other, and you waddled out of the room, holding your back as you did. Fred followed close behind, the panic stored in the back of his mind beginning to overtake him. He sighed, running his hand through his hair, as you opened the door and made your way out into the wonderful chaos of the shop. George was quick to notice your appearance, watching as you took a moment to look around and interact with a few patrons, Fred keeping a closed distance.

I see she’s up now..

George said as he came up behind his brother both twins watching you closely as you talked with an older woman, most likely buying a gift for her child. Fred sighed defeated.

Yeah… she is…

George didn’t hesitate to ask about you, and Fred answered to the best of his ability, filling him in on his rising anxiety and what you had been going through. George could practically feel the mental spiral Fred was going through and decide to take on the grunt of the days work so that his twin could be there for his family. Fred obviously refused at first but after getting shut down by George he agreed, thanking him for being so understanding.

—

It was six now. The pain had gotten much worse and more prominent. It came quicker and lasted longer, and you began to get worried that you might be in labour like Fred had suggested but decided to keep those concerns to yourself. Fred was going over some inventory paperwork for the week, and you once again found your spot beside him on the futon. You suddenly had the urge to pee and groaned, knowing you would have to stand once more. Fred turned at your groan, and you waved him off. Over the last few hours you’ve developed this new method of conversation, you’d groan or cry, he’d get worried and check on you, and you’d tell him you’re fine either verbally or with a gesture. You finally managed to pull yourself off the bed and began walking to the bathroom in the office when a sharp pain ripped through your lower abdomen, causing you to violently gasp and double over. You had nothing to support yourself and crumpled to the floor on your hands and knees, one of your arms cradling your belly. Fred jumped in his chair at the sound of you hitting the floor and whipped around to you. At the sight of you on the ground clutching your belly, he threw his paperwork aside and jumped out of his chair, running over to you.

Merlin yn! What happened? Did you fall?!

He yelled, crouching down and placing one of his hands on your back, the other on top of yours, which was holding your belly. You couldn’t answer, you were in to much pain. Fred was fully panicking now, analyzing your whole body, checking if you were ok, and looking for a way to help you. That’s when he noticed the wetness soaking through your pants and froze.

Freddie- I think you were right- I think it's actually happening.

You whine through the pain that is beginning to subside. As you caught your breath, you looked over at your husband. His eyes were wide, and his mouth hung open.

Freddie, sweetie, we should go.

You said, sitting back on your feet and breathing heavily. He still didn’t respond.

Fred!

You yelled, growing frustrated with his shocked state. He suddenly snapped back into reality and nodded frantically. In a moment, he was up and sprinting out of the office. He screamed to George that the baby was coming and to start closing up before apparating to your apartment to grab the hospital bag. You crawled over to the futon and propped yourself into a position where you could use it to support your weight as you stood up. Just as you stood straight, another contraction ripped through your body, sending you back into a position of leaning over onto the bed. You couldn’t stop the guttural moan that came from you as you rocked slightly, going through this new kind of pain. You missed it when you just had a sore back.

Where are you, Fred!?

You called out, desperate for your husband. You wanted to get to the hospital now. Fred apparated into the office with the large duffel bag in hand and approached your shaking form. George ran in a moment later, the shop successfully closed and all patrons kicked out. Fred shoved the bag into George’s chest and then bent down, guiding you to wrap one of your arms around his shoulders while he wrapped his arm around your waist. You grabbed onto his shirt with white knuckles, and he quickly made his way out of the office and down the steps of shops yelling at George to get the flying car. Fred, being the overly protective and prepared father-to-be he was, had asked Arthur if he could borrow it a week ago, knowing your due date was approaching and you would need a quick escape to the hospital.

It’s alright love you're doing wonderfully. George will be here soon with the car and then we’re going straight to St. Mungo's.

Fred reassured you although it sounded more self-directed. Just as you made it to the bottom of the stairs you heard a honk from outside the shop. George was sitting in the driver's seat waiting anxiously. Fred practically had to drag you outside, due to the contraction that was beginning to tear through you and gently guided you into the back seat before taking the spot next to you. As soon as he was sure you were secure, George sped off into the sky and took you to the hospital to deliver your baby.

—

For more fics: biggrimace

[astropookie]

asteroids related to love 💝

ao haru ride

ik this is too cheesy for my style but hope it may help :) these asteroids are just a few compared to the existing.

self love

hygeia (10): how to maintain a healthy relationship between body and soul.

medea (212): represents our healing ability. archetype of Pluto/scorpio. where we make mistakes again and again, vengeful, practically process of healing.

fated connections

devine (3561): if it has aspects with other’s person planets/asteroids could indicate a trascendental connection.

libby (5672): represents fated connections.

aura (1488): represents an intuitive connection.

karma (3811): indicates you’re destined to meet with these person due to past-life unfinished business.

destinn (6583): strong connection, destiny like.

pholus (5145): if it’s in synastry/composite chart, indicates unexpected events that would change the trajectory of your life -that has to do with this connection-.

sposetti (22354): means “married couple” in Italian. marriage potential, past life marriages or special connections.

betrayal

oenone (215): indicates people where you have been cheated on/ left by lovers or simply felt betrayal.

love synonyms

paeonia (1061): represents a flower that symbolizes love, honor and wealth.

olathe(18984): lovely, beautiful.

loving (432971): loving emotions.

ask (4894): represents the way you love someone, “love” in turkish.

liebe (7696): “love” in german. romantic expectations and needs.

pure/unconditional love

ceres (1): unconditional love, depth we’re willing to go for the ones we love.

alma (390): represents the desire of expanding our heart while time passes, optimism for love and romance.

agapenor (5023): simple appreciation. unconditional love that can last through ages, not only romantic. altruistic love.

valentine (447): sacrificial type of love, deep bonds between two people. indicates the urge to give our all without asking anything in return.

child (4580): represents our inner child. pure, unfiltered, innocent love.

isis (42): desire to nurture/protect the ones we love and care about. also may represent leadership qualities. loyalty, devotion, between others.

romantic love

amor (1221): means love in spanish. represents what we need to show/break patterns to commit with the person we want to love.

cupido (763): represents how you fall in love. I’ll think on this asteroid more like a “crush” type of “love”, innocent at first.

juno (3): can represent our romantic boundaries, what we will do for romantic -not necessarily- relationships and I have a post of juno series if you’d like an interpretation of your juno sign.

union (1585): inner need of deep and meaningful connections -any type-. indicates qualities of the relationship in composite charts.

adonis (2101): ideal type, plus if you like masculine.

groom (5129): indicates how do we approach role of marriage -long term commitment- in their life. who you may end up having this relationship, depending on your preferences.

briede (19029): like asteroid groom, associated with commitment, etc. like the name, dependa in preferences.

others

companion (8490): shows wanting to be all the time with that person. what are you looking for in a long term connection (romantic or not).

anteros (1943): manner which you reciprocate love, requited love.

luda (1158): where do people adore/love you.

link (3505): indicates the type of connection -close- between partners.

lovelock (51663): obsessive love, like the name.

galatea (74): imo idealization of our type of a person.

akashi (5881): requires introspection/exploration. hidden knowledge and potential. has to do with how our past relationships affects our present and future.

(*ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)ꕤ૮꒰ྀི⸝⸝> . <⸝⸝꒱ྀིა ∗ ࣪ ˖༺ ♡ ༻˖ ࣪ ∗ */ᐠ - ˕ -マ✩ (˶˃ᆺ˂˶)∗ ࣪ ( ๑ ˃̵ᴗ˂̵ )و ✩

♡ Based on personal experience and I’ve analyzed in my surroundings.

♡ English is not my first language.

♡ I’m not a profesional astrologer.

Thank youu. baibaiii🫣🫶🏼💋

Do not copy. Please give me credits.

[roseyisopodsart]

RE as LPS part 3! RE4R, RE5, and RE6 as LPS!

Explanations below 😋

I reached the tag limit 💀💀💀 so here’s two tags I had to get rid of! Final part coming out tomorrow and I was gonna add Mike, but didn’t to keep the number even! Just know he’s a bird!

Ashley - I really wanted to play with her “baby eagle” codename and maker her a bird (duck #150 ), but I personally don’t think it truly fits, but I do think a lip eater bunny fits! Especially cause of her hair! Bunny is #95!

Merchant - Donkey #1944! Hear me out, donkeys are great at carrying lots of stuff…Merchant carries lots of stuff…therefore, donkey, case closed, thank you for coming to my TED talk.

Luis - Goat #1952! He was lowkey hard to find an LPS for, but I saw this lil goat with the heart nose and I couldn’t resist.

Hunnigan - Lamb #2101! Except her bow would be a pen tee hee! And with glasses ofc!

Krauser - I’m not super happy with the LPS I chose for Krauser, but I do know he screams loyal dog that’s been wronged one too many times and has started biting. For now, I assigned him German Shepard #1800.

Salazar - He’s an ant. Tee hee.

Saddler - Saddler was so damn hard to decide what LPS he would be. I do NOT think my choice is a good choice tbh, but I was so done with this guy, I just settled 💀 he’s an anteater cause he manipulated Salazar and is basically the reason everything happened.

Méndez - HE’S A SPIDER!!!!! Probably wouldn’t have the bow, but maybe he’s feeling fashionable you never know!!!

Sheva - Sheva my beloved 💖 I initially thought of a lioness, but turns out all the lioness models are just jaguar models 💀

Josh - The moment my eyes landed on Corgi #1767…I just knew…That’s just Josh!!! Okay, maybe he wouldn’t be a corgi, so I did some more digging and a bear model may also fit him perhaps???

Reynard - Perhaps a cat??? Or a fish to play on his last name???

Spencer - Hear me out. A lion. But an old Lion who’s way past his prime and is dethroned by another Lion (referencing my LPs stars post)

Irving - Irving lowkey looks like the greyhound model…plz tell me you see it too

Excella - Chinchilla or poodle?? Both are well groomed and love keeping clean (as clean as they can be) and stubborn.

Helena - She’d either be Spaniel #156 or Dachshund #172!

Piers - This new dog!!! He’s either a husky or wolf (I’ve also seen wolf dog), but he gives Piers energy fr fr. (Sorry it’s blurry, with this guy being new, the pics aren’t high quality yet)

Finn - He’s a capybara!! Finn I love you forever fr fr💖💖💖 I have this one and I adore it so much (also sorry the pic isn’t clean, this guy is new and I don’t think anyone has uploaded a transparent background pic yet!)

Jake - Fox #807! It has his red hair!! Also the fox and hound dynamic between him and Piers was too good to miss.

Simmons - Cat #055! Nothing much to say here other than ew…Simmons… (I love the kitty tho, droopy eyed kitties are the best)

Carla - I know she’s supposed to be a perfect copy of Ada, but I think it’d be super interesting if their colors were inverted or maybe white fur would start to peek out over time!

[cupidlovesastro]

𝔞𝔰𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔬𝔦𝔡 𝔬𝔟𝔰𝔢𝔯𝔳𝔞𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫𝔰 #3

⚘ kiss(8267) in virgo can mean you are a shy kisser and your kisses are soft

⚘ medea(212) in 5th house can mean you have a love-hate relationship with romance

⚘ lovelock(51663) in 12th house can mean your relationship is going to last a long time

⚘ syrinx(3360) in leo or aspecting your sun can mean that if or when you have been rejected, it could’ve been a blow to your ego

⚘ bless(92891) aspecting jupiter, especially positively, can mean that you have a large amount of blessings in your life or coming your way

⚘ medusa(149) aspecting mercury can mean others are jealous of the way you speak or write. you could have an attractive voice and/or pretty handwriting

⚘ eris(136199) in aquarius or 11th house can mean you stand up for groups of people and some might find it rebellious

⚘ vesta(4) in 4th house can mean that your family is the most important thing to you and it’s the thing that keeps you pushing forward in life

⚘ adonis(2101) in leo can mean that what makes you attractive is your confidence and positivity

⚘ bam(2031) in 7th house can mean that when you find your future spouse, it could be completely unexpected

⚘ charis(627) in gemini can mean that you find a sense of comforting and cheerfulness from children or doing activities remind you of your youthful years

[yaut-jaknowit]

okay, okay, I got an idea for a while that you mightttttt enjoy

Basically, Nsfw idea lesgo 🔥, imagine an Elder just fucking you in a empty council room after a frustrating meeting (amab reader if you’re comfortable with it because i’m lowkey incapable of reading smut with any other gender💀)

Stress Reliever

Pairing: Wolf (Male Yautja) x AMAB!Reader

Warnings: rough sex (usual for these guys), knotting (again), mlm sex, anal sex, abandoned cock, no foreplay, no prep (straight to the point), aftercare, hints of voyeurism, blood and biting, sort of cnc (concent giving but not said, agreed upon before story starts), use of ‘good boy’, light aftercare.

Word Count: 2101 (I wish this was longer)

Summary: Wolf is frustrated after a meeting gone wrong. He has to release that pent up anger some how. Oh, how generous of you to be in the room with him.

Author Note: I'm more than happy to write AMAB stuff for you! If there's anything incorrect in here, please let me know. I don't have the body parts soooo I tried! I know you like Celtic but he's not an elder so I hope Wolf is fine for you. I do love that old, grumpy elder. If only I could get my hands on him

Masterlist

Ao3

From his chair at the meeting table, you could feel the tension in his body. Strung tighter than a bow ready to snap. Halfway through the council meeting, Wolf had placed a heavy hand on your thigh, claws lightly biting into your flesh. The pressure grew over time till blood had been drawn at the conclusion of the meeting.

The mighty hunter ordered everyone out in an instant. His thundering voice echoing back at him like a storm ready to unleash its strength. A storm you were trapped in. The ridged grasp on your poor thigh had yet to waver, even as the last Yautja evacuate the council room.

It was only a breath before Wolf had strike like a predator on its prey. In one instant, Wolf pinned you, chest down, bent over the council table. His unbearable heat blanketed your feeble body. Chitters and snarls vibrated your back and raced up your neck, creating goosebumps in their wake. The elder had you promptly at his will.

A hand found its way to your hip, claws biting through the shirt to graze your skin. You shuttered at the feeling and released a shaky breath. Those unsteady noises were drowned out by the heady, dominating growl that had blood rushing to your undeniable growing shaft. “Wo-Wolf,” you breathed his name as if it was a sin to speak a decibel louder.

Warm, thin tresses created a partial curtain. Wolf’s hand on your hip tightened. “Paya,” he murmured barely above an inhale. Then, he tore the clothing covering your waist and legs clean off. The sudden rush of air hitting the exposed skin had you yelping, thighs clenching together. As if the male wouldn’t just pry them open if he wanted to.

In an uncoordinated, rushed move, Wolf slithered a hand to the back of your knee and jerked it up. Your leg was forced onto the table. The toes on your other foot scrapped, barely touching the ground now. He had you folded into the position he wanted.

You squirmed under his hefty, muscular weight for only a moment. The Yautja snarled and snatched the back of your neck. “Stay,” he bit a domineering command that shook you to your core. Your cock jumped and bumped into the table. A hiss coming from clenched teeth at how sensitive the tip had already become.

All you could mange was a whimper and weak nod, body resting pliantly on the stone table. Wolf stayed for a few moments before pulling his weight off of you. In this position, you weren’t able to fully see his figure from the corner of your vision.

His hips were pulled away from you. Sounds of metal and leather being mess with hit your ears. Before you had the chance to act upon thoughts of disobeying him, the Yautja returned in full force.

Thick, sticky, and hot. His shaft rested at the end of your tail bone and slowly slide across your soft skin. The weight was all too familiar. But, it always felt better inside, knotted, and milked dry.

One of his hands grabbed the entire of one globe and spread it. Your tight, although, plenty stretched hole, throbbed. Without hesitance, Wolf jerked his hips back and lined up the tip. The sharp head resting between the ring of muscles.

With a single thrust, the entire length was shoved inside of you. Despite the pain of the stretch, sounds of pleasures spilled from your lips like gold. A cry echoing back at you, ringing through the chambers like a choir. In the mixture of your own sounds came with the snarl and grunts of the lethal predator taking you. His hips slapping to yours in fervor, releasing all the pent anger of the last two hours.

“W-Wolf!” you sputtered his name, hands clawing at the stone underneath you. Your nails dragged across it and couldn’t find an ounce of purchase to ground you for a moment.

“Pauk-de take it! Take it, little mate!” he spat out harshly in the wild fury of his pounding thrusts. “Those tarei’hasan are clueless.” Wolf laid more of his weight on top of you which effectively crushed you. “They had no clue to how Kainde Amedha hunt.” Sharp, lethal fangs scrapped across the skin on your neck. “Know it all’s!”

A particular thrust had you seeing stars while your body began to shake. “And I get to you use you.” Wolf clamped down on the crook of your neck, drawing blood. “All mine to release my rage on.” When your muscles fluttered around him at that last sentence, his hips stuttered with a groan. “Yeah, you pauk-de don’t mind it. Pauk-de loving it.” You practically heard the smirk in his guttural voice.

Yet, the Yautja lost himself to his frustration and need for release now. The oh-so levelheaded male was drowned in his emotions he hadn’t felt the way you were tightening on his. The way his deflated knot was already catching on your muscles.

Time slowed for the seconds leading up to an exploding climax. Everything kept building up despite this all being about Wolf releasing his frustration. At the top of this razor sharp edge, you were shoved over without a care in the world. Your cock twitch as it burst out the first rope of cum onto the underside of the table onto the ground.

Wolf snarled deafeningly straight into your ear when he felt your walls capture him in a vice grip. It forced his hips to stutter to an exasperated speed. In the heat of the moment, a hand curled around you throat. He pressed you against his chest and snarled a deep growl.

The moment he could slip out, he did only to shove the entire length of him straight back into you. A sputtering, nonsensical blabber spilled from your drooling lips. The oversensitivity far greater than you were expecting. And, you didn’t want it to stop. He let loose like a cannon destroying a fleet. This wasn’t about you. Not in any way shape or form.

A Yautja in need of release of pent up, boiling rage.

At every new slam into you had your spent cock hitting the table. The shocks of oversensitivity had your mind reeling to grab at yourself. But your muscles were locked tight, making it hard to even breathe.

“I’m the Payasaken Kainde Amedha specialist! Knowing…” his words trailed off into Yautja. A deep, nasty Yautja that had you shivering at the sounds.

He straightened up. Both of his scaly hands groped at the flesh of your cheeks and spread them as far as possible. His fire-filled eyes zeroed down on the way your abused hole was forced to stretch wide at each thrust. The way his deflated knot was shoved in then pulled back in a manner that conveyed his rage. He craved the sight of this small, vulnerable ooman struggled to take his cock. You were already a mess of wasted, spent cum and sweat blanketed your skin.

He was far from done with you.

A shift of his hips had the sharp tip of his cock driving down into your prostate then the knot to press against it. The double whammy had your vision swimming as you squirmed wildly underneath him. The overstimulation growing nearly painful.

Wolf released a threatening snarl and draped his weight over you again. Once more, without choice, you were trapped underneath. “There’s no escaping this, mate. You’re going to take what I give you.” The hand around your throat had tightened to a point that slowed the blood flow to your brain. You being to the effects of lack blood to your brain quickly.

Even in a fervorish state, Wolf knew when to release the pressure on your throat just to do it all over again three more times. Until he could smell the tall tale sign of your climax rising again. A Cheshire grin on his alien face as his thrusts begin to lose their coordination. The predator focusing on short but powerful drivers of his hips.

The hand not around your throat slithered between the two of you to press down on the small of your back. Enough to tilt your hips further down. One thrust and it was done.

Electricity shot through the taunt body of the Yautja as he slammed his hips flush to you. He bellowed a mighty roar that could be heard through the halls. The ball of flesh that sat at the base of his heft shaft swelled with a rush of blood. Ropes of hot, burning cum was milked at each squeeze of your stretched walls.

The entire frame of muscle that towered over you rested upon you like a heavy blanket. Deep, guttural breaths came from the spent creature that had just plowed you. You whimpered at the feeling of your asshole on the verge of splitting from the size of his girthy knot locked inside of you. Not a single drop of cum to be spilt past the ball of flesh nestled within you.

Purrs poured from Wolf’s throat. Sweaty, well-worn palms stroked down you side in a calming manner. Scratchy shushes falling from his mouth. “Good… good little mate. Such a good boy. Taking my knot. It’s okay, it’s okay.”

Until this point, you hadn’t realize your entire body was shivering from the oversensitivity he forced upon you. You couldn’t tell if your cock or hole ached worse. You whined.

“Paya, look at you,” he murmured and stayed above you. “The feeling of you tight around my knot drives me crazy.” Wolf let an arm to curl around your torso and timidly picked up. With the size difference, Wolf kept you suspended, toes unable to touch the ground. “Makes me want to pull out and take you all over again.”

In the haze of your mind, you felt him sit back down on his chair and put you in his lap. The two of you are trapped for the unforeseeable future. Your legs were spread to be on the outside of his legs, letting the empty room see the way he has filled you. Your spent shaft lying limp, resting where your thigh meets your torso.

The purr that still resonated from him vibrated along your skin. They sent a wave of goosebumps. Your head was lolled back to rest on his chest, eyes closed. Warm, rough hands soothed the skin on your inner thighs. “You’re still so tight, mate,” he purred straight into your ear. “No matter how many times I stretch you.”

For the moment, you could only airily huff and rolled your eyes. Claws ghost down your inner thighs to stop where your cock rested. When a hand swaddled the softened shaft, you stuttered a gasp and whined in discomfort.

His hand engulfed you and added a light pressure that had you squirming in his lap. “Look at you.” There was a Chesire grin planted on his face. Little, minute spurts of post-cum escaped and pathetically down the head only to be used as lube. Wolf softly twisted his wrist. You choked on air, body tensing up. A threatening snarl tearing from the elder’s throat as he locked his muscles. “At my hands wills.”

“Soon, I have another meeting.” Wolf’s words echoed in your brain. Your body locked up, eyes snapping open to thankfully found the room still empty. Yet, you couldn’t deny the way your cock jumped at the notion. “A magnificent sight of my knot locked deep inside of you. Something to walk into. Smell, taste,” he murmured lowly and gently stroked your deflated cock.

Sparks of hot, blazing electricity fired off of ever nerve in your body. Due to the knot still inside your stretched ass, there was no place to scuttle off to. Only you could just sit there and endure the hand stroking away at a teasing but maddening pace. Every sound made was consumed by the elder’s ears in an instant. All just for him.

Before he could push you too far into a dumb state, Wolf released his hold on you. Slowly, he reached over to grab an item then pressed it to your lips. “Drink,” he commanded. Unable to fully think, you just simply listened to his order. Your lips parting to consume the liquid provided for you.

Once he was satisfied with your intake, Wolf pulled the glass away and discarded it on the table. A purr started back up like an old farm truck to vibrate your bones. You laid there, content from his hands softly petting you.

[hot-astrology]

EYE CANDY

It's something about going to the candy shop! you always see what you like, want, and have a taste for! mmmmmm! your crave and taste buds be out of this world! words cant define the experience you go through. From the drooling of your mouth, to your nipples slowly piercing your blouse! the goose bumps that trickle down your arms. Your eyes drawing in all the sweet goodness from one glance! making your glucose levels sky rocket! you lick your lips! envision her melting on the tip of your tongue while your tongue flicks up and down on her caramelized body until you reach her soft creamy core! taste buds are a thing of the past! you now entered the CANDYSHOP ZONE! where all your sights, stares, glances, envisions, come to TRUE!

I Want you to open your minds, expand your curiosity, think of that person or people that give you that high! that rush! that suga tooth! you can taste them from their sight! and their energy. We are going welcome you into our candy shop where anything goes, all the candy is free! well some of it. This store is open 24/7 and 365 days a year to satisfy your lustful, tasteful desires. Your eyes become so dilated and consumed by the beauty, handsomeness and attractiveness its seeing! your dopamine and serotonin levels are at all time high! you can feel the warmth and melting chocolate sliding down your open mouth! as it coats your esophagus! As you watch her walk away in her sexxy sundress! you take a bite into that warm, glazed honey bun! with a imagination and great fantasies of them clapping all over your snickers!

Its so fascinating how seeing a persons body could give you a high or a rush and have you lusting after them! What is it? is it my walk? my swagg? My defined chest and abs? or her pretty complexion with those juicy thighs? The way she sits? Whatever it is, its appealing and alluring! here are some asteroids that shows you why you are so charismatic, enchanting and pleasant to the eyes! and why you see others as a dessert or piece or sweet delicious candy!

Candy 3015

Shows how you attract others into your life! What people see attractive about you. You could be eye candy on display!

Bella 695

This is represented by pure beauty! not only exterior but internal as well! When you feel beautiful you attract beauty! very lovely energy!

Aphrodite 1388

blessed with glamour, attractiveness, magnetism and charm! shows your pure allure to pull suiters in.

Glo 3267

where you shine or light up the most! you can be seen from anything you do or who you are! or what you look like that moth under the street light!

Lilith 1181

Your dark, tempting, rebellious nature or energy turns heads and starts flare! you walk in a room to leave it consumed with your unique edge unapologetically!

Erato 62

This energy displays in your poetic nature that still derives from how you speak it, write it, show it! you could be a sexual body artist or turn art into sex!

Adonis 2101

What you idolize in yourself or others! shows what type of allure you have on others. It shows your sexiness, handsomeness and potential to be looked as a great mastepiece!

Medusa 149

Makes you powerful beautiful in all aspects, beauty, knowledge, wisdom, mental strength, tackful, resourceful, clever, sex appeal and winning others over! and extra beautiful!

Ptah 5011

This is where words cant define your appearance! pure essence and enchanting energy! your romantic nature as well as your grace and elegance!

A few more.....

Kallisto 204

Listitsa 672

Gaussia 1001

Circe 34

Sado 118230

its so many, and alot have multiple meanings.

[redgoldsparks]

April Reading and Reviews + Calls to Action by Maia Kobabe

I post my reviews throughout the month on Storygraph and Goodreads, and do roundups here and on patreon. Reviews below the cut..

Once again, before I get to the reviews I have some calls to action around defending books to share with you. Anyone who has been paying attention to book news knows that Florida and Texas have been hit the hardest with book bans, anti-book and anti-library legislation. Florida is dealing with a set of TERRIBLE bills, House Bill 1539: Materials Harmful to Minors and the accompanying Senate Bill 1692: Materials Harmful to Minors. These are book banning bills. They would enable Florida to ban EVEN MORE books than they already do. Luckily there is an incredible local group, Florida Freedom to Read, run by two volunteer moms, who are doing everything they can to combat this. You can watch a short video from the founders here. You can watch a much longer press release about House Bill 1539 featuring authors Judy Blume, Jason Reynolds, Alan Gratz, Maggie Takuda-Hall and more here. HB 1539 has already passed the House, and has now moved on to the Senate. If you live in Florida, I urge you to call your Senators and tell them you oppose HB 1539 and SB 1692. Here's a talking point: Since 2021, only 100 parents have brought complaints about content in books their children have found in school libraries. 95% of Florida parents already allow their children full access to the library, and this bill would disenfranchise those parents. Also, this bill was found to be at high risk of litigation by the state senate's staff analysis, because it violates first amendment rights. If you have the means, please donate to Florida Freedom to Read. You can also follow them on insta and bluesky.

Texas has its own similarly terrible bills moving through legislation right now. Texas House Bill 3225 and its companion Senate Bill 2101 want to forbid municipal public libraries from allowing anyone under 18 to access “sexually explicit” materials. It also says a public library may not “curate, display, or make available for checkout any sexually explicit material in any minor’s section of the library.”

Libraries would have to restrict anyone under 18 to children’s/teen/YA sections—they could not be allowed into the library’s sections for the general (adult) public, where they might encounter “sexually explicit” books. And it would restrict the books that can be made available in those children’s/teen/YA sections. No sex-ed books, no descriptions of “sexual contact” in YA novels meant for older teens. Most libraries do not have walls/doors dividing their children's and adults sections, so if this bill passes, many children will simply not be allowed in their local libraries at all if/until they can make costly structural changes to comply.

These bills could be voted on in the next week so if you live in Texas please contact your representative saying that you oppose these bills. Here is a blog post from Texas Freedom To Read co-founder Frank Strong on what these bills would do. If you have the means, you can also donate to the Texas Freedom to Read project as well. You can follow them on insta and bluesky.

I'll mention one more library fundraiser I found this week. Story Sunbirds, a collective of writers, illustrators, and publishing professionals, has partnered with the International Board on Book for Young People (IBBY) in a campaign called "Libraries are Havens" to raise money for two libraries in Gaza. Two IBBY libraries were established in Gaza in 2008, one in Rafah, one in Beit Hanoun. The Israeli war raging in Gaza since October 2023 has had devastating consequences for the libraries. In Beit Hanoun the building was turned to rubble, and while the Rafah library still stands on its feet, it was bombed and severely damaged. Abla Hamad, one of the two full-time librarians employed by IBBY Palestine, and her family, have been displaced on more than seven occasions. You can read more and donate these libraries here. You can share Story Sunbirds' post about the campaign on instagram here.

Okay, thank you for sticking with me! Here are my reviews from April.

Adversary by Blue Delliquanti 

Mid-covid lockdown, a transman meets a teacher he'd previously learned from in a women's self defense class. The teacher is newly divorced and out as gay. The transman invites him into an arrangement of violent sexual role playing. Both men act out fantasies and traumas, but they do not both survive the pressures of 2021. This is a heavy, dark, brutal comic novella. I am constantly in awe of now much story and meaning and gender and complexity Blue Delliquanti is able to pack into a one shot. Go into this one with some care. 

Shepherdess Warriors by Jonathan Garnier and Amelie Flechais 

Ten years ago, nearly all of the men and boys from Molly's village left to fight in a great war. The women left behind organized their own new leadership and defense, a troop of trained rangers who ride rams out into the wilds to protect their valley. Molly and several of her friends have been training for years, and now get to go on their first few missions. Errands that seem simple quickly reveal strange and dangerous complexities- witches who control animals, bandits, and a huge wolf made of something other than flesh stalk the moors and mountains. This is a fun adventure story, but I wish it had been printed at a larger size. In France, where this was first published, it was printed at a beautiful 9.5 x 12.5; here in the US it's printed at 5.8x9 and so all of the text and art looked a bit small and cramped to my eye. Alas!

The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer

This slim volume meditates on gift economies verses extractive capitalism, through the lens of the serviceberry, an abundant sweet berry bush or tree native to the north and eastern third of what we are currently calling the United States. I have never encountered this plant in the wild but I would like to! As always, Kimmerer writes with a gentle compassionate wisdom about how we could live more kindly and lightly and communally on this earth. She invites the reader to think about where gift economies exist in their own lives, and my mind immediately went to fandom and the gift economy of ao3 and podfic; to friends doing clothing swaps, to carpooling, and little free libraries. I want to keep this awareness awake and think about where I can nurture gift economies in my own life. 

A Song for You and I by K. O’Neill 

What a beautifully illustrated, perfectly paced, quiet, and affirming story this is! In a rural valley, a hall of Pegasus-riders live and train to watch over the shepherds, farmers, weavers, and fisher folk who live below. One ambitious young rider chaffs at the "easy" assignment they are given and the way their are viewed by their peers. A reckless decision leads to an injury to their winged horse; grounded for now, the pair accompany a young violinist on a multi-day journey to deliver goods to a nearby city. Both young people struggle with their own doubts and insecurities, and yet are able to see each other with such clear, generous, and loving eyes. Both of them come into a confidence in who they are and what they want to do in their world. This comic book made me want to draw more comic books. O'Neill makes it look effortless! 

The Hallowed Hunt by Lois McMaster Bujold read by Marguerite Gavin (re-listen)

This is by publishing order the third book in the World of the Five Gods series but it could probably be read as a stand alone; it has no overlapping characters with the previous two and is set in a new country with its own mystical monarchy problems. As the old kind lays dying, Lord Ingrey is sent to retrieve the body of one of his sons, killed by a young woman in a struggle tinged with supernatural and sexual violence. Ingrey's task seems straightforward: investigate the scene, transport the woman and the corpse to the capital. But immediately things begin to get complicated. As a child, Ingrey was infused with the spirit of a wolf, a type of ancient magic now forbidden in his country. It seems as if the dead prince was trying to perform the same ritual- but where did he get the power? And where did the spirit of the leopard killed at the scene actually go? And what will become of the woman, Lady Ijada? Ingrey concludes that she is a victim who killed the prince in self-defense, but will the justices at the capital see it that way? This is a satisfying and emotional fantasy, with enough moving parts to keep the reader guessing until the end. I'm constantly trying to decide which is the best book to suggest to friends to get them hooked on Bujold, but it's so hard to figure out where people should start. Maybe here? 

Masquerade in Lodi by Lois McMaster Bujold read by Grover Gardener

For the first time since he faced down a Saint to beg permission for Desdemona to remain in the mortal realm, Penric has to work closely with a Saint once again. On the eve of Bastard's Day in the canal city of Lodi a man with a manic, ascendant demon is on the loose. Penric must find him, before the chaos of demon magic spirals completely out of control. This is a short one even for this novella series but I enjoyed it a lot as a carnival romp. 

Penric’s Mission by Lois McMaster Bujold read by Grover Gardener

It's so funny to me how in this novella series Bujold apparently decided "I am only writing the parts of the story which interest me" even if that leads to a book both beginning and ending almost mid-scene. I'm not complaining! I really loved this installment in the Penric and Desdemona saga. But Penric has now completed two full university degrees, yet Bujold completely skipped over all of his schooling, to instead tell the bite-sized mysteries and shenanigans he gets up to between jobs and schools. In this one Penric attempts his first undercover spy mission. It goes terribly. Within less than a day of landing in a new country he has been discovered and thrown in prison. It becomes clear that his jailers plan to execute him without a trial. This feels like the first time Penric has really seriously faced potential death since the first book. I enjoyed how this one unwound; very curious how much of a time jump I'll get between this book and the next one. 

Mira’s Last Dance by Lois McMaster Bujold read by Grover Gardener

Bujold really said "sex work is work" in this one, and continues to explore how the various identities of Penric's demon can come to the fore and assert their own personalities. This one picks up days after Penric's Mission ends so sure to read them in chronological order, not publication order! 

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson read by Kate Rudd (re-listen)

This is a twisty and satisfying teen murder mystery, which weaves together two timelines at an exclusive private boarding school, Ellingham Academy, in Vermont. In 1936, the wife and daughter of the school's rich founder were kidnapped and never returned. The kidnapper also took one student and left a threatening cut and pasted riddle note which has frustrated scholars of the case for years. In the present day, true-crime aficionado Stevie Bell is accepted into the school and is delighted to walk on the grounds she has read so much about. She is determined to solve the Ellingham kidnapping case once and for all, but when a series of mysterious and threatening incidents begin to happen around her, Stevie realizes that she might be in the middle of her own new Ellingham case. The story ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but luckily there are four more books already out in this series and I have the next one on hold already!  Re-listened in 2025, and really enjoyed revisiting the beginning of Stevie Bell's mystery solving career! It was very satisfying to catch all of the foreshadowing I missed on the first pass. 

Taiwan Travelogue by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ translated by Lin King

This historical fiction novel is set in onion-like layers of frame narratives which greatly increased my enjoyment of the text. Originally written in Mandarin, this novel presents itself as a translation of a 1938 Japanese manuscript written by Aoyama Chizuko, a 26 year old writer touring Taiwan. She yearns to experience the flavors and sights of true Taiwan, at the time a colony of the Japanese Empire. She is assigned an interpreter, a younger woman born and raised on the island whose Japanese name is Chizuru. Aoyama is immediately entranced by her native guide, who is charming, well-read, multi-lingual and poised beyond her years. Aoyama has a famously enormous appetite, which she describes as a monster living in her stomach, and she is amazed when she discovers that Chizuru can match her bite for bite. Aoyama begins to make offers to Chizuru that far outstrip the professional relationship they are meant to have, but she is never able to see the gulf of class, wealth, and colonial power which separate them. Her blindness to her own privilege is the central tragedy of this tale. Supporting this story are two layers of translator's footnotes, an introduction by a fictional researcher, and multiple afterwards by others who supposedly discovered the text and translated it for new audiences. Much of this paratext is omitted in the audiobook; this is a book you MUST read in print. I recommend it, especially if you are interested in translation, luscious food descriptions, and unrequited lesbian yearning. 

Say Her Name by Zetta Elliott illustrated by Loveis Wise

A short, illustrated collection of poetry on themes of uplifting Black voices, acknowledging Black rage and heartbreak, but also Black creativity and brilliance. Woven through with references to Audre Lorde, Phillis Wheatley, Maya Angelou, Nina Simone, Fannie Lou Hamer, Ida B Wells, Beyoncé, Gwendolyn Brooks, James Baldwin, Nikki Giovanni and the Combahee River Collective. I don't usually sit down and read a poetry collection in just two sittings but this one I did! 

[little-paper-man]

I’m rereading the wild robot series with the intent of looking out for the smaller details and a particular one caught my eye in the first book that got me thinking about the exact time period the wild robot is set in

While it isn’t mentioned in the book what kind of turtle he is, based on the turtle we do see in the movie I believe he is a common snapping turtle (tho maybe a hybrid of some sort like brightbill is). Why is this important? To find the age range of his grandfather of course and what time frame the water levels suddenly rose!

C. Snappers (in northern ranges) mature at earliest around 15 years old. So if Crag’s father was one of his grandfather’s first kids, then -at youngest- the grandfather was 30 years old when Crag hatched. So the absolute latest the sea level could’ve occurred was about 123 years ago before the events of twr. But if the grandfather was in the upper ranges in age when Crag hatched (90-ish) then the absolute earliest the event occurred was 183 years ago.

But when specifically did this 123-183 range occur?

Well let’s turn to the third book, in which we’re given the age of the ancient shark!

.

Over 500

So 501-599 is our range here.

And going off her words, she would’ve seen things like galleons and sail powered merchant ships.

Doing a little research, America really started to get into whaling after the revolutionary war around 1783 which is close to when the first steam boat was built in 1813.

Using 1783 as our basis and adding the shark’s age range our time period that twr takes place in would be 2284-2382.

Minus the previous range with when the flood waters happened then the mountain turned into an island around 2101-2259!

Thank you for coming to my ted talk, I have thoughts that plague me!

[a-d-nox]

aphrodite (1388) persona chart observations (part 3)

welcome to my mini valentine's series on the goddess of love and beauty - this month 4 observations will be released regarding the aphrodite persona chart! all observations are in reference solely to aphrodite persona charts. these observations are completely hypothetical. they are based on my (the those closest to me's) experiences with each aspect/ placement! please don't take everything i say as predestined, astrology is possible outcomes not guaranteed ones. this is just a starting place for when examining singular objects in an entire galaxy (these are not the only asteroids in affect for you). take what resonates and leave what doesn't!

paid reading options: astrology menu & cartomancy menu

enjoy my work? help me continue creating by tipping on ko-fi or paypal. your support keeps the magic alive!

♀ libra (7°, 19°) vertex, 7h vertex, and/or mars-vertex people are very likely to find a romantic soulmate connection this lifetime

♀ nn positively aspecting adonis (2101) can indicate romantic recovery, understanding your emotions, and romantic traumas at some point of time in life (and often healing from them!)

♀ scorpio (8°, 20º) adonis (2101), 8h adonis (2101), and/or mars/pluto aspects to adonis (2101) can indicate intense intimacy with a person who you find prefect but the connection often ends tragically

♀ leo (5°, 17°, 29°) anchises (1173) and sun-anchises (1173) people have a lot of eyes on them - sometimes in a commercial, theatrical way and other times like stalkers and nosey-paparazzi types. it's the makings of having a large following

♀ scorpio (8°, 20°) aphrodite (1388), 1h aphrodite (1388), and/or aphrodite (1388) aspecting mars/pluto people are incredibly sexually magnetic - i feel like these people are everyone's (the mass majority of people's) type

♀ leo (5°, 17°, 29°) artemis (105) and sun-artemis (105) people are much more likely to experience grand gesture and have seemingly awkward encounters with romantic interests

♀ people with 5h artemis (105) or people with the 5h ruler aspecting artemis (105) may rely too heavily on a masculine to make the first move romantically despite knowing that they really like the person - thus diminishing your chances of having a plentiful dating life

♀ if any of the asteroids artemis (105), pallas (2), athene (881), or hestia (46) aspect one another, it could indicate feminines ganging up on you, if the aspect(s) is negative, or feminines over looking your actions, if the aspect(s) is positive they might eventually feel empowered/inspired by you

♀ cancer (4°, 16°, 28º) eos (221) people may be jealous of others due to their lack of femininity or feel as though they don't get as much attention because they show their femininity in a different way

♀ leo (5°, 17°, 29°) eos (221) people may get jealous of others who they believe get more attention compared to them

♀ air eros (433) people love a good forbidden romance trope

♀ water eros (433) and/or moon-eros (433) people are the most likely candidates to love blindly - ignoring all red flags and the advice of loved ones

♀ psyche negatively aspecting moon, venus, and/or aphrodite (1388) could indicate that a lot of feminines are jealous of you and look down on you

♀ zeus (5731 / h42) retrograde people don't get told what to do in romances, but they do tend to be more meek and eager to please their partner

♀ 1h venus, taurus (2°, 14°, 26º) asc, and/or libra (7°, 19º) asc people tend to be viewed as the people everyone desires and drools over

♀ 1h ruler in the 12h people often have a lot of insecurities about how they look

♀ 2h saturn people tend to have very little romantic experience (same can be said if the house is governed by capricorn or aquarius) - they tend to be very shy about their feelings and show very little affection (it takes awhile for them to feel safe and secure enough to let down their walls)

♀ 2h ruler in the 10h people tend to make a lot of the first moves in relationships and they often profess their feelings more frequently in comparison to their partner

♀ fire or air 2h is more likely to initiate connections in comparison to water or earth 2h

♀ 3h saturn may have their rose-colored glasses on - they expect mr. darcy level love letters or pretty woman gestures where he faces his fear of heights to get to her

♀ 3h ruler in the 1h like a lot of words of affirmation to confirm their beauty and to know that they have your interest

♀ 3h hephaistos (2212) people likely have had public fights and heated arguments either with another feminine or a past lover (or perhaps it happens often in both circumstances)

♀ 4h ruler in the 1h people tend to not look a whole lot like their family

♀ 4h nn people may be learning a lot about keeping their love life private this lifetime

have ideas for new content? please use my “suggest a post topic” button! 

return to nox’s guide to metaphysics

return to the masterlist of greek myths & legends

© a-d-nox 2024 all rights reserved

[ikajo00]

Non-alien human alien #7 The Great Melt

Excerpt from Global History vol. 3

To understand how we as humans reached the level of living we are currently enjoying, there is one significant event that simply cannot be ignored. That is the Great Melt, a global catastrophe that pushed humanity to the brink of destruction. Moreover, this event was caused by humans in the first place.

While scholars are in disagreement of what were the main defining factor of what happened, all are in agreement that it was decisions made in the 21st century that ultimately lead to the Great Melt. At this point, a large majority was already aware that Earth was experiencing a significant increase in global temperature. Caused by the burning of fossil fuels (fossil fuels was liquid and gas made from prehistoric biological matter that had decomposed under certain conditions) which released greenhouse gases and caused pollution. Despite this the leaders of the world, both political and economical, mostly decided to ignore the very real threat and prioritised profit instead.

Some of the biggest culprits were the United States of America (modern day NAIUN, plus some additional nations), People’s Republic of China (modern day Asiana), and the private sector consisting of individuals driven by profit above all else. Economical inequality also caused countries with lower living index to rely more heavily on fossil fuels than countries with higher living index. Contributing further to the pollution. On an individual level, the global culture of the time encouraged overconsumption of resources.

Things took a turn in year 2101 when the temperature reached the point of no return. With the available technology of the time, there was simply no way for humanity to reverse the global impact anymore. All over the world, scientists scrambled to collect and preserve DNA samples from as many animals as possible. Especially those that had already been on the verge of extinction. Earlier collected samples of extinct species were safe guarded further. Additionally, the seed vault in Svalbard was further expanded and outfitted with a multitude of backup systems.

It would take a few more decades before the reality of the situation truly became apparent.

The summer of 2133 clocked record high global temperatures, causing a rapid melting on inland ice masses. Within just two months, water levels rose 60 meters. While thankfully the melting had been tracked, allowing vulnerable populations to evacuate inland, large swatches of land sank under water. All around the world, governments scrambled to secure locations and apparatuses that could create further global catastrophes. Namely, nuclear power plants, nuclear weapon storages, and storage of toxic and radioactive waste. In records preserved from the time, it is described as a global blackout. Everything humanity had grown used to, relied on, was suddenly gone.

This event had been named the Great Melt, to signify just how of an effect this had on the development of our world.

After the Big Melt, diseases started to run rampant, combined with starvation, and apocalyptic weather caused by the huge changes in global temperature. Reducing the global population down to pre-industrial levels. While some locations managed better than others, like landlocked locations and those of high altitude, all island nations had been submerged.

Ironically, it was nothing that humanity did that eventually reversed the effects of global warming. Five hundred years after the Big Melt, humans had been mostly isolated from the global scene. Knowledge of past eras surviving thanks to both oral tradition and sturdier technology. Some places, like the Scandinavian peninsula, had managed to preserve more technology than locations along the American coast. (Important to note, the reason the Scandinavian Peninsula faired fairly well despite being surrounded by water is because the landmass had been pressed down during an ancient ice age. This landmass then spent millennia slowly rising, offsetting some of the more severe effects of the Great Melt.)

What finally changed things were a series of volcanic eruptions, and the subsequent ash cover, that cooled the planet down again. After that, it was rapid. By the year 3289, the global temperature had returned to pre-industrial levels. As the ice caps formed once more, sea levels sunk, exposing land long lost, and humanity could finally start to rebuild.

It was slow at first, with big differences depending on where people lived. In some areas the living index had risen dramatically during the past millennia, while in other parts it had plummeted. Interestingly enough, a lot of culture remained intact across the globe. With some variations. One area that had flourished during this time were the African inland, alongside the Eurasian continent. It was in Africa that the true effort was made to return humanity to its long-lost glory. Soon, technology known from stories was available once more, and the disconnected world was connected once more.

However, the biggest impact on our current world came with the reinvention of the Internet. By chance or divine intervention, the network that was created was identical to the one created in the 20th century and was further developed in the 21st century. This led to the discovery of what had been named the Archive Servers.

The Archive Servers are true relics of a bygone era. Websites still existing well over a millennium into the future. Somehow, ancient servers had survived the passing of time and global catastrophes. Within them, they carried knowledge, culture, and understanding. It was thanks to the Archive Servers humanity avoided repeating the mistakes of the past. With the knowledge that fossil fuels had caused the Great Melt, scientists turned their attention to alternatives. Leading to the use of solar-, hydro-, and fusion power. Moreover, materials were chosen from sustainable sources with high reusability and low pollution.

The Archive Servers also contained the locations of other ancient servers that could be reactivated or otherwise salvaged. Furthering our knowledge and understanding of the past. At our fingertips, we had the wealth of human history dating back to the dawn of life itself. With the help of the Archive Servers we also found the seed vault on Svalbard, the DNA from long extinct animals, and nearly evolutionary medical knowledge.

Within the next two hundred years, humanity had returned to the level of living during the 21st century, and then surpassed it. The global population had in fact started to reach critical levels once more. It was at this point the universe we had once reached for, reached back down, and we learned that we were not alone in the universe. In fact, we were part of a vibrant galaxy, flanked by two equally vibrant galaxies, full of sentient life.

With the technology gifted to us by the aliens, we managed to reverse engineer and add our own flair to space travel. Leading to the terra forming of Mars, which allowed for colonisation. From 3577 to 3587 humanity went from standing at the verge of another ecological collapse to spreading across the known galaxies. Allying with the Galactic Federation, and creating colonies on rejected planets. Lowering the strain on our home world, while also setting the stage for a new era for humanity.

While we are culturally more or less identical to 21st century Earth. We are nonetheless far beyond our ancestors in terms of global cooperation, equality, and general living index. Nonetheless, if history has taught us anything it is that humanity’s greatest threat is not a global catastrophe, it is not pandemics, it is not even war. The greatest threat to humanity is complacency, and the belief that humans are above nature. By learning from the past, we can create a better tomorrow.

-

-

Anna put down the screen and leaned her head against the window. She had turned 35 recently. A decent age, for sure. She could still remember when alien life was nothing but speculative fiction, first introduced around the second millennia. History fascinated her just as much as space did. It told a story of people. About people.

Earth was by no means a utopia. In fact, many issues still remained to this day. Stuff like ableism, affecting her personally, and nations that was still refusing to cooperate with the rest of the world. Even so, she found it remarkable that humanity had fallen to its knees, and then managed to claw itself up again. And if that wasn’t the definition of being human, she didn’t know what was.

[creations-by-chaosfay]

Kennel Quilts

Hurricane Helene has left people without homes, and many pets are now in shelters. Kennel quilts are very much needed, and are a low budget option for those with limited supplies and time.

Here's the FB page for Kennel Quilts. If you're on FB, I suggest following them. If you don't use FB, got to the link below to sign up for their mailing list. Emails are sent out only when a kennel quilts are needed.

If you can't make a quilt, but would still like to help, you have the option to donate to Petfinder here.

25 kennel quilts can fit into a medium size USPS flat rate box. These are not large quilts. Here are guidelines and free patterns you can download and use for making these. The finished size is about 12x18 inches, the same size as most placemats. This is the form to print and include with the quilts you finish and donate.

These are shelters listed in the various emails I receive from Kennel Quilts:

Humane Society of Sarasota County 2331 15th Street Sarasota, FL 34237

Cat Depot, Inc. 2542 17th Street Sarasota FL 34234

SPCA Florida 5850 Brannen Road S. Lakeland, FL 33813 Attn: Shelley Thayer

Suwannee Valley Humane Society 1156 S E Bisbee Loop Madison, FL 32340

Appalachian Highlands Humane Society 2101 W. Walnut Street Johnson City, TN 37604

Friends of Greeneville-Greene County TN Humane Society 400 N. Rufe Taylor Road Greeneville, TN 37745-2030

Asheville Humane Society 14 Forever Friend Lane Asheville, NC 28806 Attn: Jessica Moore

Humane Society of Valdosta Lowndes County 1740 W. Gordon Street Valdosta, GA 31601

Forsyth Humane Society 4881 Country Club Road Winston-Salem, NC 27104

Watuaga Humane Society has two shipping option:

For USPS: Watuaga Humane Society PO Box 1835 Boone, NC 28607 For UPS or Fedex: Watuaga Humane Society 312 Paws Way Boone, NC 28607

Alaqua Animal Refuge 155 Dugas Way Freeport, FL 32439-3357

Peyton Davis Humane Society of Pinellas 3040 State Route - 590 Clearwater, FL 33759

Gulf Coast Humane Society 2010 Arcadia Street Fort Myers, FL 33916 Attn: Lori Burke

Hope for Brevard 1465 Cypress Avenue Melbourne, FL 32935

[trofysisters]

Анфиса

Финансовое положение семьи было уже не таким плохим, но Давид в свободное от работы время продолжил писать криминальный роман, который затем продал издательству за 2101 симолеон. (The family's financial situation was no longer so bad, but David, in his free time from work, continued to write a crime novel, which he then sold to a publishing house for 2,101 simoleons)

У Эдуарда сегодня был выходной, но, вместо того, чтобы миловаться с любимой женой, он отправился в частную клинику зарабатывать деньги. (Eduard had a day off today, but instead of being nice to his beloved wife, he went to a private clinic to earn money)

В прошлом он был блестящим хирургом, поэтому и сейчас с легкостью провел операцию пациентке. (In the past, he was a brilliant surgeon, so now he easily performed the operation on the patient)

Но не успела девушка одеться, как в операционную ворвалась товарищ Крамплботтом и начала ее отчитывать за неподобающий внешний вид. (But before the girl had time to get dressed, Comrade Crumplebottom burst into the operating room and began to scold her for her inappropriate appearance)

Позже выяснилось, что товарищ тоже пришла на операцию, но, в отличие от распутной девушки, она прикрыла самое сокровенное сумочкой. Пришлось Эдуарду работать на ощупь. (Later it turned out that Comrade also came for the operation, but, unlike the slutty girl, she covered her most secret things with her handbag. Edward had to work by touch)

Операция была проведена превосходно, но товарищ даже спасибо ему не сказала, ушла с недовольным выражением на лице. (The operation was carried out perfectly, but Comrade didn’t even say thank you to him and left with a dissatisfied expression on her face)

Хотя мужчины внесли хороший вклад в бюджет семьи, но Анфиса на работе не только отыгралась за предыдущие подставы с кораблем-преследователем, но и получила 25 000 симолеонов за захват корабля. (Although the men made a good contribution to the family’s budget, Anfisa at work not only made up for the previous set-ups with the pursuing ship, but also received 25,000 Simoleons for capturing the ship)

А дома ее ждало свидание с обожаемым мужем, который повел ее в ресторан. (And at home she had a date with her adored husband, who took her to a restaurant)

О чем могут разговаривать супруги, прожившие долгие годы вместе? Конечно же о своих детях и их успехах. (What can spouses who have lived together for many years talk about? Of course, about their children and their successes)

Тося с завистью смотрела, как Эдуард и Анфиса открыто на людях проявляли свою любовь. Вот же бесстыдники! (Tosya watched with envy as Edward and Anfisa openly showed their love in public. These are shameless people!)

Едва свидание супругов завершилось, как Эдуард захотел пригласить жену на новое свидание. (As soon as the couple's date was over, Edward wanted to invite his wife on a new date)

Пришли домой они под утро и обнаружили, что их дочь уже вернулась из университета. Анфиса немедленно заключила Аду в объятия и позвала мужа. (They came home in the morning and found that their daughter had already returned from university. Anfisa immediately hugged Ada and called her husband)

Когда Анфиса отошла, Эдуард увидел у дочери внушительный живот и осторожно поинтересовался, то ли это, о чем он думает. Мыслей у него было много: где отец ребенка, где будет жить Ада с малышом, как она собирается работать? Однако озвучивать свои мысли Эдуард не стал. (When Anfisa walked away, Edward saw his daughter’s impressive belly and cautiously asked if this was what he was thinking about. He had a lot of thoughts: where was the child’s father, where would Ada and the baby live, how was she going to work? However, Edward did not voice his thoughts)

Сама Ада пока не собиралась строить карьеру, предпочитая сидеть дома и смотреть детские передачи. (Ada herself had no plans to build a career yet, preferring to sit at home and watch children's programs)

Супруги же выходной день провели в городе в игровом центре, где можно как поиграть в настольные игры, (The couple spent the day off in the city at a gaming center, where they can play board games,)

так и устроить незабываемое свидание, которое способна прервать лишь лютая непогода. (and arrange an unforgettable date that can only be interrupted by severe bad weather)

В это время вновь проходили выборы в Конгресс. Давид больше не желал участвовать в этих грязных политических играх, поэтому помог в продвижении другого кандидата от своей партии, и за успешную предвыборную кампанию получил 30 000 симолеонов. Из-за победы своей партии, Давид и сам стал членом Конгресса. (At this time, elections to Congress were taking place again. David no longer wanted to participate in these dirty political games, so he helped promote another candidate from his party, and received 30,000 simoleons for a successful election campaign. Due to the victory of his party, David himself became a member of the Congress)

Но мечту написать бестселлер он не оставил. Много денег не бывает! (But he did not give up his dream of writing a bestseller. There is no such thing as too much money!)

Также Давид пытался воззвать к разуму младшей сестры, ведь она с отличием окончила университет, перед ней открыты все дороги, а она даже не пытается обеспечить себя и своего ребенка. Хоть материальное положение семьи стало хорошим, это не повод, чтобы садиться родителям на шею. (David also tried to appeal to the reason of his younger sister, because she graduated from the university with honors, all roads are open to her, and she does not even try to provide for herself and her child. Although the family’s financial situation has become good, this is not a reason to sit on the parents’ necks)

Сами же родители были просто счастливы и желали счастья своим детям и будущим внукам. (The parents themselves were simply happy and wished happiness to their children and future grandchildren)

[slowburningechoes]

not sure if this has been shared yet but i was looking at the internet archive and found that rsl used to host this radio program of a bunch of people (i think mainly actors, i have not listened much to it) reading short stories. this is the one i found https://archive.org/details/KAZU_90_3_FM_20181209_050000?start=2101&scope=standard (i dont think the link will work since im anon so just look for KAZU 90.3 FM [NPR for the Monterey Bay Area] : December 08, 2018 09:00PM-10:00PM PST on the archive) he's introducing people for most part, but he does read a story at the 35 minute mark. i know there are other recordings but i havent listened to them, you can find them by searching his name on the archive and selecting "search radio transcripts"

Oooo thank you, anon!🥰

His Selected Shorts hosting and readings are so wonderful. I had seen quite a few on there as well, but it’s a ton of radio audio to go through (which I haven’t had time for)!

I’ll definitely have to check this timestamp out and see if I can sort through anything that I can add to YouTube.

[sheeeetux11]

Master List • Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ 2024

April 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨• 2033

Jupiter x Uranus Conjunction 🍀✨ April 21

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨• 2348

Scorpio Full Moon 4° 🌕✨ April 23

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2028

Mars x Neptune Conjunction in Pisces 28° ✨ April 29

May 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2023

Pluto Rx in Aquarius & Capricorn ☘️✨ May 2 to Oct 12, 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2018

New Moon in Taurus 18° 🍒✨ May 8

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2123

Sun Conjunct Uranus 23° Taurus 🧩✨ May 13

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2616

Mars Conjunct North Node in Aries 13° + Venus Conjunct Uranus in Taurus 23° + Sun Conjunct Jupiter Taurus 28° 🪽✨ May 18

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2102

Sagittarius Full Moon 2° ☘️✨ May 23

June 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2116

New Moon in Gemini 16° 🌼✨ June 6

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2104

Neptune, Lilith & Sun, Mercury T-Square 🐭✨ June 12-29

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2101

Capricorn Full Moon 1° 🍓✨ June 22

July 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2429

Neptune Retrograde in Pisces 29° 🕊️✨ July 2 - Dec 7, 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2014

New Moon in Cancer 14° 🪺✨ July 5, 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2126

Mars Conjunct Uranus in Taurus 26° along with Algol ❤️‍🩹✨ July 15, 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2229

Full Moon in Capricorn 29° 🌕♑️ July 21, 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2223

Chiron Retrograde in Aries 23° ❤️‍🩹✨ July 26 - Dec 29, 2024

August 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2212

New Moon in Leo 12° ♌️🌑 Aug 4, 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2208

Mercury Retrograde in Virgo & Leo ☂️✨ Aug 5, 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2203

Venus Conjunct Mercury in Virgo 3° 🌺✨ Aug 8, 2024

+ Regulus Conjunct Venus & Mercury in Sidereal

September 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2110

Uranus Stations Retrograde in Taurus 🐉✨ Sept 1, 2024 - Jan 25, 2025

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2629

Pluto Retrogrades back into Capricorn 29° One-Last-Time 🐦‍🔥✨ Sept 2, 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2011

New Moon in Virgo 11° 🎀✨ Sept 3, 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2050

Sun Opposition Neptune, Saturn Opposition Mercury, & Venus Opposition Chiron. ☘️✨

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2122

Full Moon in Pisces 25° ♓️🌕 Sept 18, 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2017

Partial Lunar Eclipse + Saturn + Neptune in Pisces 🪬✨ Sept 18, 2024

October 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2010

Annular Solar Eclipse in Libra 10° 🌾✨ Oct 2, 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2031

Jupiter Retrograde in Gemini 🔖✨ Oct 9 - Feb 4, 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2240

Full Moon in Aries 24° ♈️🌕 Oct 17, 2024

November 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2209

New Moon in Scorpio 9º ♏️🌑 Nov 1, 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2240

Full Moon in Taurus 24° ♉️🌕 Nov 15, 2024

December 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2079

New Moon in Sagittarius 9° ♐️🌑 Dec 1, 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 3000

Full Moon in Gemini 23° ♊️🌕 Dec 15, 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2024

New Moon in Capricorn 9° ♑️🌑 Dec 30, 2024

Astrology (Short x Sweet) 🍯✨ • 2031

Tense Aspects 🧿✨ Dec 31, 2024

Grand Master List 🌩✨ (Oh, also, make sure to click back on the Master List link below the posts to see the updated list/posts, since the reblogs don’t always show the updates.)

Master List 1 ☁️✨ (Ascendant + Midheaven MC + North Node Aspects)

Ko-fi link to Support/Tip me 🪷✨💚

Readings I currently Offer 🪷✨ (Open Again)

Linktr.ee

Link to my Website/Blog, where I upload most of the astrology posts: xqueeno 🍊✨

Asks are open for now (only for a while 🤗). I hope those of you who have asked me questions won’t feel bad if you get your response a lil later. I may take a few days (with other things going on uk). So I schedule my posts and answers. With that said, see you soon with another post. Bye Bye. 💕✨

[wandafiction]

Twenty Percent - Just Us Chapter 11

Warnings: Talks of injury, and being in Coma, Lil fluff.

Word Count: 2101

Series List | Chapter 10 | Chapter 12

================================

"No way!" Wanda leans back in her chair, putting her hand over her mouth to try and hide her laughing. 

"I was scared shitless! I mean imagine your sister walking in on you doing the nasty on the couch of your shared apartment. She chased me around the room for a good 10 minutes until we realised the girl was very confused." I shake my head as I think back to that night.

"What did the girl do?" Wanda gives me her full attention now she has gotten over her laughing fit.

"She asked what was going on and if she had just become a homewrecker." 

"Oh my goodness!" Wanda shakes her head at my antics. "Well I hope you explained that she was your sister." 

"Mhm. I did. Then she asked where we had gotten to and my sister left in a hurry." 

"I would too if my brother had a girl around." She takes a bite of the muffin she ordered.

"Yeah, I can't tell you how many times I have walked in on my sister and her wife. So you have a brother? Any other siblings." I like this, getting to know someone, thing. 

"Yeah, I do." Her expression changes slightly, shit I think I hit a nerve. 

"What's he like?" Wanda's eyes look into mine, before looking back down at her hands where she is fiddling with her rings. 

"There are so many things. Where do I start?" 

"How about his name?" I don't want to push her, but I feel like she wants to talk about him and never really gets the chance. 

"His name is Pietro, Pietro Maximoff. He is my twin brother, older by just a few minutes but will never let me forget it." She smiles to herself as she continues. "Even though he is the eldest of the two of us, he is most definitely the child and I feel like a parent to him sometimes. We had so many adventures as children back in Sokovia, and we made memories here too." 

Her smile drops. Oh shit.

"I miss him." I grab her hand from across the table giving it a comforting squeeze, she looks up at me and gives me a sad smile a few tears line her eyes. "Uh, sorry I, uhm didn't mean to put a damper on the mood."

"Do not apologise for having emotions. Tell me more." Her head shoots up to look at me in confusion and question.

"Wait really?! You want to hear about my brother?" 

"Only with what you're comfortable telling me." 

"Okay, just. I haven't spoken about him like this in ages, what do you want to know?" Her eyes fill with hope and the thought she gets to talk about him.

"Why not?" Her eyebrows knit together in confusion. "Why don't you speak about him more often, I mean."

"Well Vis, the twins' dad and my ex husband, wasn't Pietros biggest fan in college or out of college. So it always seemed difficult to bring him up after what happened, and he never asked. So I never told. My friends, work colleagues and those who know enough but never ask questions. It's like they are walking on eggshells and think that if they even mention his name I will have a mental breakdown or something." She uses her sleeve to clear a few of the tears that have escaped, a shaky breathing leaving her lips. 

"So tell me more. What's the most embarrassing thing that's happened to you in front of your brother that you know he will never let you live down?" I change the course of the conversation trying to give it a lighter tone, I don't need to know what happened. It's not my business. If she wants to tell me, then it will be her decision and her decision only. 

"Oh okay. So it was the twins 10th birthday we had a few family and friends around for a BBQ. Vis had let me know he may be late as he was stuck in a work meeting, so I had to set everything up...he didn't show up in the end. For his own boys' birthdays. Anyway, I was trying to take their minds off it by getting everyone outside the children in the pool and the adults to relax with a drink. It was all going well until I heard Billy call me over to the pool, me being me, I immediately went to the edge of the pool; and bent down to ask him what was wrong. Before he could reply I felt a pair of arms wrap around me, lift me up, and chuck me in the pool. I screamed of course, I mean who wouldn't. It only got worse from there though, because when I came to the surface to find the culprit, my brother, was laughing like there was no tomorrow. However, when he opened his eyes to look at my scowl he covered his eyes with his hand telling me to cover up. Confused, I look down, only to realise I'm wearing a now soaked white top, with no bra underneath because I hadn't had time to sort myself out." 

I laugh along with her stories as she continues, nodding my head and adding input every now and again but ultimately just letting her talk about him. It's adorable how much she loves her brother, whenever she remembers something else or even just talking about him her whole face lights up with an infectious smile. Oh god, and that laugh. At one point we both have tears streaming down our faces from laughing so hard. This is nice. I like this. Then her smile falters slightly as she looks at me through her eyelashes. 

"Can I tell you what happened?" I lean forward, my elbows resting on the table as I take both her hands in mine giving them a squeeze.

"Only if you're comfortable, and only when you're ready to do so." She goes to say something, but clothes her mouth and mumbles something under her breath. "Sorry Wanda I couldn't quite hear you. What were you saying?" 

"Just, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time." She takes a breath, so I decide to scoot my chair next to hers so I can wrap my arm around her. 

"Where is he now?" I think I know the answer, but she hasn't actually said it so I cannot make that assumption.

"He is in a coma. Has been for the last 2 years. I'm just grateful that I had him around during the divorce, I don't think I would have gotten through it without him."  Okay so he isn't dead like I thought. That's good.

"I'm so sorry Wanda. I know sorry doesn't mean a thing in situations like this, trust me I know. But he isn't truly gone yet so you have to live every moment because from what I've heard he is very much a live life to the fullest sort of person." She buries her head into my chest as she cries quietly, I can feel a wet patch soaking through my sweatshirt but that's not important.

"Is there still hope for him?" I feel her stiffen a bit before relaxing into my hold more.

"The doctors had said there was a 40% chance of him waking up, now it's more like 20%. He was shot multiple times and they said his body is healed so now it's just about him wanting to wake up." She grips into the front of my sweatshirt, it bunching up in her closed fists.

"Well 20% is better than 5%, so he still has a chance. These things take time unfortunately. Even though they say 'it's up to him whether he wakes up or not' what they mean is. Is his brain giving him the fighting chance he needs, and 20%. Well 20% is a hell of a good chance." She looks up at me with a small smile on her face.

"You think so." 

"I do. But you still have to remember it can take time, and things do go wrong. I don't want to give you this false sense of security where you believe he will 100% wake up because no one can be sure." She leans up to peck my lips a couple times, before looking up into my eyes.

"Thank you." 

"You have nothing to be thankful for. I am just telling you what I think after hearing the story."

"No I do. You didn't withhold any of the truth. People keep saying 20%, that's really good he will wake up. Where you've said 20% it's good, but it's not 100%. So thank you, most people just avoid the topic." She clears her throat as she loosens from my embrace, I quietly whimper at the loss of contact. "What a way for a first date to go." 

"Well we have already slept with each other. I mean according to my sister we skipped steps 1-3 and are now doing it all backwards." She hums in thought.

"What's steps 1-3?" 

"Well step 1 is the first meeting. So for us it was a club, for others maybe a coffee shop or work. Maybe even online." I lean my arm in the back of her chair, Wanda rests her head on my arm as she brings her left hand up to my arm drawing random shapes. All the time her attention is on me, a small smile plastered on her face as she watches me speak.

"Step 2 would be the talking. Getting to know one another. So texting back and forth, maybe a phone call here and there. Even a video call once or twice. Just talking." Wanda takes her bottom lip between her teeth.

"And step 3?" She asks as she relaxes more against my arm, her piercing green eyes looking right into mine.

"Well step 3 would be the date."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." 

"What would this date consist of? If you were the one to set it up?" She crosses her legs over, her left hand still drawing shapes in my arm as her right one rests on her thighs.

"Well I would take you out to one of the best restaurants I know. Not one of those that sells tiny bits of food that wouldn't even feed a mouse, and at those prices. Pftt, that's extortion. I would take you to a place that sells the most glorious food, that could keep you full for days on end with a nice bottle of wine to go with it. Then as the night goes on, I would take you for a walk just to help keep the calm atmosphere. Of course being the gentlewoman I am, I would take you home waiting till you got into your house. Not before I steal a kiss from you of course. Then I would say I hope we can do this again." I look back at Wanda, as during the storytelling I looked up to the ceiling. 

She has this look about her, I can't quite place it. Her bottom lip is between her teeth, her hand that was drawing on my arm now rests gently against my elbow. Her other hand, at some point, has come to rest against my knee, her thumb stroking it gently with miniscule movements. She seems to be in a trance as her eyes look deep into mine, before searching the rest of my face.

"What's that look for?" I question, breaking her out of her trance.

"Nothing. I mean. I've never had a date like that before." Wait what?

"What about your ex husband?" She shakes her head.

"No we met in school, we never really did the whole date thing as we would just hang out at each other's houses whenever we could. After school, at 18, we found out I was pregnant. We did the whole college thing as well with two twin boys. Now that was difficult. But even after we left college, got jobs, and started earning money we never really had date nights. I think we classed going out with friends for meals as our dates." She shakes her head at the thought of her ex husband, going to say something but choosing not to. I don't question her.

"Well then princess. Maybe one day you will get the date you deserve."

"And will that date be with you." She looks up at me through her eyelashes.

"Depends." 

"On what?" 

"How well this one ends." 

================================