#“we only change the free pets once a month; otherwise you have to spend real money on the website currency to get much of anything else”

[galaxythedragonshifter]

I'm slowly realizing that browser pet games just aren't for me-

[ourbrokeninsanity]

Watchdog Man Relationship/Boyfriend Headcanons

I���ve noticed Watchdog Man doesn’t get a lot of attention in these things so I thought I’d give him some. I think he’d be a pretty great partner, so long as you don’t mind his quirks. We don’t know much about him so I’ll try to keep it pretty open.

Considering Watchdog Man is based on Hachiko he likely has quite a tragic backstory. Which is why he is the way he is (stoic, bland face, doesn’t interact with people much). So the fact that he’s in a relationship already says a lot about how much he cares about that person. It takes a lot for Watchdog Man to get involved with someone - because of the fear of losing them.

However, once he’s in a relationship he is all in. His feelings are intense though not obviously so - he remains stoic and casual. He’s loyal and dedicated (just like Hachiko). Will never look at someone else when he’s in a relationship - the whole concept just doesn’t make sense to him. Why would he look elsewhere when he has you? Also doesn’t talk about you behind your back. Your relationship stays between the two of you (unless he’s teasing you).

He mixes boyfriend, friend and pet behaviours. Is pretty much all of these in one. As such he is loyal, caring and playful. Yeah, you didn’t really expect the last one but he does enjoy teasing you in a playful way. Often makes you smile and laugh this way. For example, he’ll pretend to be a lapdog and just plonk himself in your lap. If you tell him he’s too big he’ll act all wounded (but with the same blank expression which just makes it funnier) and say “but [Y/N]-chan I fit perfectly and you’re comfy.”

He will often use/exaggerate his doggy behaviour to make you smile. Like if you’re upset he’ll nuzzle at you and cuddle up with you. Or if you’ve been studying for 4 hours straight he’ll take your collar in his mouth and literally pull you away from your books telling you “it’s time for walkies. Outside. Where the sun is. You need to look after yourself.”    

You’re his person the way Q-City is his town. He’s protective of you and will actively make sure the areas you frequent are safe (from both monsters and humans). His partner is his family (likely his only family due to said tragic backstory). 

A very casual boyfriend. Generally prefers to spend time with you at home rather than going out. He tends to attract a lot of attention from the public when he’d rather focus on you. Not that he won’t go out or make grand gestures but even these tend to come across as quite casual - probably because his expression stays the same. You’ll come home after a long day to a candlelit dinner and Watchdog Man sitting with a single rose in his mouth, blank-faced as always.

Is not at all jealous and it’s pretty much impossible to make him jealous. Very secure in your relationship. Doesn’t really care who you hang out with as long as you’re safe and happy. If someone starts hitting on you he generally leaves you to handle it, unless they refuse to take no for an answer or you start smelling really stressed or are otherwise sending him ‘help me’ signals. Then he’ll pad on over and generally weird the person away. Like he’ll just sit and stare at them until they move away. If this proves ineffective he’ll straight up tell them to leave you alone. “[Y/N] is mine. Leave.” He can be very blunt. He only gets violent with humans if they act violently first.

The most jealous he gets if you have/get a pet. Especially if it’s a pet that you cuddle a lot. He’ll be giving them the side-eye as they sit on your lap. If you stuck your head in the room when the two are alone you’d see Watchdog Man sat opposite your pet with a serious expression on his face. He leans down to their level and says something like “we both love [Y/N]-chan so we have to share. It’s not fair for you to hog all the lap time.” Honestly it’s rather humorous.    

Loves domesticity. He likely initiates living together (if he has his way you’ll be living together within 6 months of the relationship starting). He won’t pressure you into it, but all he wants is to build a home with you. Wake up with your scent around him. Come home to you. To Watchdog Man your sleepy bedheaded self is >>>>> than you polished and dressed up. Plus living together maximises the time he gets to spend with you around both your busy schedules. He loves seeing you being casual and open with your interests/habits - adores the intimacy and freedom of it. 

Watchdog Man doesn’t put on an act (except for the purposes of being playful and teasing) and doesn’t expect you to either (do you mumble to yourself, sit in ‘odd’ ways, ect? He doesn’t care, go for it). Watchdog Man acts the same on the first date as he will on your tenth anniversary. That casual tenderness and generosity is lifelong. As such there’s no real urge to try and impress him or anything like that. He just wants you to be you.   

He’s not particularly verbally affectionate. He rarely says I love you but prefers to show you with his actions. Makes time for you and is super emotionally supportive. If you’re having a stressful time and need to vent/cry/cuddle he’s right there and will let you get it all out without interrupting. You can be free with your emotions with him (the way you can be with a pet - no judgement, just support). He won’t say anything about it unless he’s concerned that there’s something going on. He might just casually check in with how you are doing an hour later. You can talk about anything with Watchdog Man and know that he’ll listen - even if it doesn’t look like he’s listening.  

Very physically affectionate. The best cuddle partner (except in summer; you have no idea how he doesn’t overheat in the fur). Lie all over him, let him lie all over you, rest his head in your lap while he naps, lean on him, stroke his fur, play wrestle, ride on his back - he loves all of it. In winter he often joins you on the futon to sleep together (so warm and cosy). But he doesn’t mind giving you space. If you don’t want to share a bed (or it’s too warm) but still want him close he’ll move his dog bed next to your futon and let you hold his paw or stroke him as you fall asleep. 

Also he gives great belly rubs (and is happy for you to reciprocate) and will let you play with his paws/toe beans. He thinks it’s adorable to watch you fuss over them. Also likes to nuzzle and lick your cheek. He wasn’t super familiar with kissing when you first got together but he learns to really enjoy them. You could be married for fifty years and he’ll still want kisses and enjoy make-out sessions (that don’t lead to anything).

Speaking of marriage, he can take or leave it. He’s not religious and marriage doesn’t really mean anything to Watchdog Man - he’s as dedicated to you 3 weeks into the relationship (unmarried) as he is 10 years later (married). However, if you got him a dog collar he pretty much considers that a marriage proposal and wedding ceremony in one. It’s a symbol of your regard for him and he wears it always. So it really depends on his partner if they actually get legally married or not.

He doesn’t use a lot of pet names. Unless there’s one you really like to be called he probably just adds -chan to your name (whether you’re male or female because he thinks you’re super cute). He, however, will respond to literally anything as long as he recognises that you mean it as a term of endearment. You could call him Fluffy Hunbun in the middle of an S-class meeting and he would be completely unfazed (nothing you do or say ever embarrasses him). Sometimes you use really bizarre pet names just to see how he’ll react. He knows what you’re doing. He admires your creativity. However, his favourite of all of them (and the one you probably use most often) is puppy. 

He’s quite generous. If you off-handidly mention how you’re struggling to get hold a rare textbook or something, you’ll come home the next day to see one sat on the table. Again he’s very casual about it - you needed something and he could get it (fat paycheck and connections due to being an S-class hero) so he did - that’s what a good boy(friend) does. He didn’t expect to ever have a family again, so he considers this kind of thing to be paying you back for giving him that.

So we know he has super doggy senses (mostly smell but I imagine he has the others too). Probably the first gift he gave you was a special doggy whistle that only he can hear. “If you’re in danger than blow the whistle. I’ll come protect you.” He’s not losing his family again.

Also uses his senses to understand you. He can smell what mood you’re in (stressed, upset, scared, happy, aroused) and other hormonal changes and uses this to base how he should respond. Like if he finds you just sitting quietly in the dark, he’ll have a sniff - are you just thinking/daydreaming? Upset? Angry? It’s one of the reasons he’s so physically affectionate, he wants your happy scent all over him. Best scent ever. 

If his partner has a menstrual cycle he always knows what point their at - he doesn’t consciously mean to track it, it just happens. He’ll ask (seemingly randomly) if you need any menstrual products picking up and, lo and behold, your period starts in the next couple of days. It takes you an embarrassingly long time to figure out how he always knows. Plus he can usually sniff out if you’re ill/coming down with something. If you’re feeling bleh you can ask for a sniff check to see if you’re actually coming down with something or if it’s just a momentary thing.         

[sohannabarberaesque]

“Underwater America with Peter Potamus” (episode 10: A diner somewhere in the Midwest)

In this particular episode of Underwater America with Peter Potamus, imagined as airing in first-run syndication in the 1970-71 season, we take a slight change of pace as we find our rolling dive party having breakfast at some small-town diner en route to the next dive destination in their travelling SCUBA party discussing what motivated each of its members to take up an interest in SCUBA diving and the attendant lifestyle and culture....

PETER POTAMUS, as Your Genial Host and leader of the whole: I bet you didn’t expect to find us here in some small-town diner having something of a decent breakfast before our next diving destination, which will be somewhere among the World-Renowned and Far-Famed Ten Thousand Lakes of Minnesota--

MILDEW WOLF, acting the heckler: MINNESOTA?! What kind of a dive destination is that exactly, even with those Ten Thousand Lakes?

PETER POTAMUS, trying to resurrect things: As a matter of fact, we plan to be doing some diving in a few of these legendary lakes of Minnesota, the Land of Sky-Blue Waters--uh, anyway, the purpose of this particular episode is so all of us in our crew could explain away how they got interested in the SCUBA experience and the attendant culture. As is apparently obvious by now, viewers, these dive sessions have become something of an interesting friendship display as we go through unlikely wrecks, discover interesting aquatic life--both fresh and salt water, mind you--and just enjoy the SCUBA experience.

Perhaps I’ll start by explaining how yours truly became something of a diving fan: You might say that hippopotami like myself are natural-born swimmers and divers, born basically underwater and learning rather quickly at that. In my own experience, I happened to have a rather wonderful father by the name of Perry Potamus, who had me join along on numerous expeditions of his in his Magic Balloon from the age of five. And naturally, many of these expeditions included some diving adventures that, by the age of eight, included some introduction into SCUBA, which seemed rather new and a novelty. And would you believe just how amazing the experience of SCUBA was at such a young age!

By the time I was 16, my father passed away from a Rare Tropical Illness he picked up somewhere in the Congo, and he left to me the Magic Balloon. It was about that same time I was encouraged, as a way to avoid getting too emotional over my father’s loss, to get into diving again. Which I did ... and managed to find a rather eclectic little dive club which made regular trips to Catalina Island, Hawaii and suchlike. And accepted me as a rather wonderful diving companion, even if a couple such were stunned at my prowess as a hippo! At least you have diving to fall back on between voyages with the Magic Balloon, which can get to be few and far between these days.

And which, in its way, can explain such a diving party as this. So, to keep it going, may I ask Hokey Wolf to explain his introduction to the underwater experience ...

HOKEY WOLF, in that usual Sgt. Bilko tone of his; you just can’t help his using it: Well, Peter, you might say that for me and Ding-a-Ling, my lupine companion from time to time, we were in Florida a few years ago (was it off Key Largo, perhaps?) and decided to try this snorkelling thing everybody was talking about over there ... and boy, WERE WE THRILLED AT THE EXPERIENCE! [Clearing his throat] And it would be on a return visit down that way a few years later that we got our first SCUBA lessons, Ding and myself ... you can certainly say that it took a couple of dives to get the serious hang of SCUBA, feeling oh so weightless and discovering much amazing life underwater! Ding especially!!

MAGILLA GORILLA, trying not to mess it up considering that he’s now free, by and large, from Peebles’ Pet Shop: My first encounter with SCUBA, you ask? It was a few weeks after that surfing escapade in Gremmie Gulch; I assume many of you recall it still ... and I acknowledge that I was influenced by way of some tacky diving adventure movie on The Late Show, even if I had to keep the volume down out of Mr. Peebles sleeping, you know ... and in fact, it was not too far from Gremmie Gulch that my experience with the old SCUBA got started, in a rather cheesy surf shop as dabbled in diving lessons and tours. Just “looking up the scene” more than anything, but boy, did I ever get stoked on the diving bug! It’s rather unusual to imagine a gorilla underwater in the old SCUBA getup, but when you get the feel of it--boy, does it become exciting!

BREEZLY BRUIN, trying not to look as obnoxious as back in Nome, Alaska: Once Camp Frostbite had been deactivated a few years back, I took to as much rummaging through Nome’s rubbish dumps until my buddy, Sneezly Seal, suggested I get back into the water. Even if it’s the Bering Sea, and the waters can get extremely chilly--even in the summer, where the sun doesn’t set until close to midnight. Turns out Nome has a group of local daredevils who call themselves a Coldwater Diving Club, and rely on drysuits all the more because of the chilly waters. For some reason, being appointed their mascot, you might say, got me some SCUBA lessons out of courtesy. And while I may nowadays be living rather close to Redondo Beach, I can’t help but feel passionate for diving every now and then!

LOOPY De LOOP: Perhaps the most unlikely sort of place to get acquainted with SCUBA, you might say, is off the Gaspe Peninsula back in Quebec; you’ve got the St. Lawrence River meeting the Atlantic, encountering some mild ocean waters off the northern part of the Gaspesie which locals call “le Chaleur.” I’ll only say it was along the south shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence between Matane and Gaspe; I was on a short holiday of sorts there, including some hiking in the Chic-Choc range ... and the motel I was staying in was arranging diving lessons for guests, Yours truly seized on the opportunity ... and while some of the other tourists may have laughed at the fact of my being a wolf, I couldn’t help but sense a taste of something wonderful, discovering something new and amazing!

WALLY GATOR, with blatantly bombastic pride: Being a “native Floridian,” and an alligator at that, you quickly realise that you were built for diving from the get-go. But what opportunity I had to cultivate the manly sport, so to speak, fell athwart at the City Zoo under Zookeeper Twiddle, who kept me in a rather infantile cage with no better than a wading pool. Until the zoo began seriously unravelling, by which time I decided to hitchhike back to the old Everglades haunts--or at least somewhere near Silver Springs, which is where they filmed Sea Hunt, don’t you know, and decided to relearn the underwater experience I had somehow been depraved of. Which is basically what you pick up on when you spend considerable time in Florida, don’t you know ...

LIPPY THE LION: I have to admit that me and Hardy Har-Har, otherwise somewhat myopic and worried for no real reason of any kind, have gone into diving by way of stumbling upon an underwater treasure map ... and while it may not have yielded serious results in the end, it got us rather interested to learn further.

HARDY HAR-HAR, somewhat concerned about nothing: Now I have to wonder where we got the serious interest in diving, to begin with ...

LIPPY THE LION, picking up: It was at a somewhat down-at-heel resort among the lakes of Minnesota, believe you me; that bracing lake water, helped by some rather interested divers who were likewise staying there at the time, was enough to get us fascinated in SCUBA, and then some!

MILDEW WOLF, not trying to be spoilsport as earlier: I have to acknowledge that I, too, found SCUBA in Minnesota’s Ten Thousand Lakes. All thanks to a certain Bow-Wow Buttinski, as shall here remain nameless, making me lose any appetite, or interest thereof, in fresh spring lamb “on the hoof,” as it were. But for some reason, Loopy De Loop got me in contact with a dive school somewhere up by Nisswa over Friday-evening fish fry to take my mind off the whole notion of defeat with lambs. And whoever got the idea of doing practice dives around 6 am, with the lake a little chilly, was either crazy or--well, let’s just say the experience awakened me away from lamb for once. And directe me to diving.

SQUIDDLY DIDDLY, explaining his photographic angle in the whole: You might say that the shock closing of Bubbleland, where I had been expected to serve as “comic relief” more than anything, attracted me to underwater photography, cinematography even, as a way to stay busy. Even with a second-hand Nikonos underwater camera, perhaps the first practical such on the market, picked up at a pawn shop, I couldn’t resist developing such an interest in underwater photography, such eventually leading to an Honourable Mention at a photography salon I entered a couple months later ... not to mention Peter Potamus sensing some talent in me to be the series’ underwater cameraman; do I have talent here, or what?!

With that, It’s So Hanna-Barberaesque goes on the holiday-season hiatus, with new episodes in Fanfic Friday appearing in this space starting with the New Year, or soon after. In the meantime, It’s So Hanna-Barberaesque extends to all its fans the best wishes of the Festive Season, and thanks you for supporting this blog.

[prettywordsyouleft]

Domestic! Kang Daniel

Thanks so much for this request! I decided to do this a little different from others out there, with more of a focus on what it was like living together, as opposed to all the more cute, boyfriend styled answers I found when I researched this idea.

Morning routine:

Waking up wrapped up in his arms, soft kisses and morning greetings

Not moving right away, content in each other’s arms

Daniel doesn’t like getting up straight away, or at all, and if he could he’d make you stay curled up in bed all day long

In fact if you both don’t have any plans it’s what he’s going to suggest first

But the cats need to be fed, as do you both, and so he’ll help you out of bed, gently kissing you on your head as you go into the bathroom

Both self sufficient enough to get ready in the morning and focus on your own tasks

Daniel usually still eating as you dart about the house looking for lost keys or your bag

Which are always in the same place but you seem to become frazzled with the list of things ahead of you to do in your work day

Goodbye kisses are brief but sweet, the odd occasion Daniel will follow you down to the door to get more in, because he doesn’t want to say goodbye yet

Chores:

You have a roster that you rotate tasks between each day

Daniel doesn’t complain, he likes knowing what he is expected to do

You share the chores evenly, and have no gender roles (ie girls do dishes, boys mow lawns)

You’re very capable of changing your own lightbulb, thanks

Daniel likes seeing you clean, knowing you aren’t afraid to get dirty

For some reason this is attractive to him, as he watches you degrease the oven

For shits and giggles you make him wear an apron sometimes, mostly because he can get messy when cleaning and it makes it harder to get stains out of his clothes

He complained at first, but you knew he actually liked it, especially since you were the one to put it on him

Now he expects you to apron him up every time

Big cleans outs happen once a month since you both are relatively tidy in your living together

Normally always ends in bickering about missing something obvious all this time

You telling Daniel to clean it himself if he wasn’t satisfied with your efforts

Only for you to keep cleaning because you’re angry and what better way to let off steam than scrubbing at the grout on the bathroom tiles

Likes when you make natural cleaners and learned how to make them as well, because he doesn’t want anything toxic near the cats lol priorities

Cooking /Food:

You do grocery shopping together, and you frequent the local markets as often as you can for fresh meat and produce

You cook together as well, each dividing the work load and preparing what you’re in charge of

You taught Daniel a lot of the meals your mother made you as a child and he loves when you cook them for him too

Daniel is very attentive in the kitchen, and loves eating as many meals as he can with you each day

Sometimes makes you a packed lunch for work, and it’s usually set up as you would for a child, lots of heart shaped pieces, and cute faces made with seaweed

Always a note attached telling you to have a great day and to feel energised after eating his food

Enjoys when you cut up pieces of fruit and peel them for him, feeding him them as you laze about the house at night or in the weekend

Lots of dates are held at home because you both like to cook for each other

Habits you’d like to change:

Living with Daniel has been easier on your relationship than hard

But sometimes you wanted to do more than he did

Daniel’s a self proclaimed homebody and you initially thought you were as well

But there’s only so much laying around the house you can do before you feel unproductive

He doesn’t like how you watch the clock and live to utilise all the hours each day to the fullest because it easily stresses you out

Would love it if you slowed down and even tried to throw out the kitchen clock because he noticed how much you referred to it during the day

Errands/Schedule:

Both use an app to store household errands and a monthly calendar on

Made it easier for you both to know what was happening each day

Admittedly you had to train him on this but it didn’t take Daniel long to like the system, if he was out, he could check to see if you needed something for dinner that night, or pick up the dry cleaning

Otherwise you liked to run weekly errands together on Fridays, getting them done before the weekend began

Would usually end in a lunch date at a cute café, which is why you both anticipated Fridays the most each week

Night routine:

After dinner, Daniel likes to relax

It’s when he’s the most attentive to you, happy to run you a bath, and insists on drying your hair for you if you wash it

On the couch cuddling is a non negotiable past 8pm

If you’re stressed its generally time where you both talk about your day and help each other through any hardships

Otherwise you’re both just watching tv lazily

Daniel often falls asleep there and so you have to decide on whether to wake him up or not

Sometimes just getting a blanket, his peaceful state too precious to disturb

Until he wakes you at 2am complaining that you left him again, and waking up without you beside him is the worst

Other times you shake him awake and tell him to go to bed

You always stay up later than him and he dislikes this, wanting you to come to bed with him

Daniel is clingy, especially when he’s sleepy

You’re like his comfort blanket, and he needs contact with you at all times

Most of the time you just grab a book and go to bed with him

Brushing your teeth together and smiling when you each catch the other looking over in the mirror

Unlike the mornings, the bathroom night routine is shared together

Sometimes you apply each other’s skin care and it feels so darn nice to be pampered like that

If Daniel doesn’t fall asleep before you, it’s a perfect time to whisper sweet nothings at each other, falling more in love if it’s even possible at this stage into your relationship

Pets:

Of course you already knew Daniel had two cats before you moved in together

Now you have three, with Daniel trying to find every excuse in the world to bring home more

You’d have a whole house full if he had it his way

You loved animals so it wasn’t a big deal raising your three cats

Quite often they felt like your children and you would discuss them together like that

“Today Ori stood up when I offered her a treat!”

“Oh my goodness really? Aw I missed it, you should have filmed it!”

Admittedly, you got jealous sometimes with how much attention he’d give them

Or how much he’d spoil them

They had the spare room in your apartment as their designated cat room after all

Let’s be real they had free rein of the house and they ruled you both

Daniel was happy to be the one to clean up behind them the most since he was so used to doing it before you came into his world

You both would feed them each, you in the morning and him at night

But overall, the cats were as much a part of your world as Daniel was

Down time:

Happy to do your own tasks or something together

Gym buddies since you complained about getting too out of shape

Movies were usually your go to for a shared activity

Or you know, something more intimate

Otherwise Daniel would spend his time with the cats, content in playing with them

You liked to read a lot

You had gotten him into adult colouring and now it was something you’d do on Sundays, Daniel insisting on de-stressing together before the new week

Again de-stressing could include de-clothing, but we won’t go there in this, heh (check out Different Kisses if you want more of that side to him)

Liked to go on walks at the park with you when the weather was good

Day/overnight excursions happened twice a month, and generally were planned by Daniel

“Why are we going to the mountains?”

“You mentioned how relaxing you’d find a cabin to be, so let’s see if it is.”

You loved these moments, escaping the daily grind of reality for a magical getaway, making more memories and growing further as a couple

Arguments:

You both usually only bickered about small things like most couples do

But when it was more heated you’d give each other the silent treatment

This changed the whole atmosphere and routines in the apartment

You stuck mostly to the living area whilst he would take the cats into their room and stay with them

Until the argument was over it was like you were housemates, not a couple

Though admittedly, because it was so automatic, you couldn’t help but make him a meal by accident, leaving it for him to eat whenever he came out of the cat room

And he would eat it, not wanting your efforts to go to waste

Awkward waiting on each other when using the bathroom, when usually you just barged in on each other without a care

When the argument was resolved, you spent the next week both really involved in each other’s daily schedule and emotions, trying to get your rhythm back to where it had been

Finances:

You each had your own funds and wanted to keep it that way until marriage

But you both paid an amount each pay into a household account that you had opened together before moving in

That way all the communal bills were taken care of

Groceries you always went in halves for as well

Daniel paid more towards the cats, because he claimed them as his own

Though you wouldn’t hesitate to buy them toys, litter, and feed if you were out and they needed them

At first Daniel kept trying to be the one who paid for dates

But you wanted to start paying too, ever since you moved in together

This was something you sometimes bickered over

And probably the only money related argument you ever had

Because you were both pretty dependable and smart about how you used money

After a couple of months living together you opened another joint account to save for your future, with the agreement if something happened you’d split it evenly

But both of you knew that was never going to happen, so you’d always talk about using the money on getting married or buying a house together one day

I hope you enjoyed this! I enjoyed exploring a different aspect to Daniel!

To read further on Daniel may I suggest: Different Kisses | Working Out with Daniel | Boyfriend! Daniel 

______________________

I accept requests on other idols for the Domestic! series whenever my requests are open! To check to see if I’ve written your bias already, go HERE. Otherwise you’re most welcome to send me a MESSAGE to request someone new.

Other Wanna One members in this series: Seongwoo 

[Main Masterlist] | [Request Guidelines]

Thanks for your support!!

[thejakeformerlyknownasprince]

Will you do your fave book? Or if you already did it, the next fave? And so on...

Short opinion: I am constantly torn between wishing that The Beginning was twice its actual length and being in awe that Applegate manages to cram so much into a sparse 156 pages.

Long opinion: 

As I mentioned here, #54 is actually my favorite book in the series.  I’m probably the only fandalite on the planet for whom that is true, but I am a complete and utter sucker for tragedy. And this is tragedy in its purest form.  Tragedy is frustratingly hard to find in contemporary American stories, because it offers no happiness or culmination at the end.  Bad guys don’t always get punished; good guys don’t ever get medals from princesses or happy retirements into the sunset or reunions with lost loved ones; the very notions of “bad” and “good” get irreversibly complicated.  A tragedy is the story of well-intentioned and deeply sympathetic protagonist(s) coming to a bad end that is at least partially one’s own fault, at least partially the fault of random Shit Happens, and entirely coherent and fitting with the tiny cascade of random events that led to the fall of a lightning-struck tower.  

The purpose of comedy (i.e. stories with happy endings) is easy entertainment.  The purpose of tragedy is to inspire fear and horror through making the audience wonder whether it is possible for each of them to meet a similar end.  With the arguable exception of Cassie, every one of the Animorphs gets his or her own tragedy in the end.  This series is a war epic about the costs of violence.  It was never going to have a happy ending.

Rachel’s loss, in the opening moments, is the most obvious character culmination of the series.  She has been struggling for months if not years to define herself outside of the war, attacked on all sides (her best friend, her boyfriend, her cousin and field commander, her own mother) for the very role that they all nonetheless demand that she perform in order to keep them all safe, not only from the yeerks but from themselves.  Rachel has been the team’s first and last line of defense since the EGS tower battle (#7), and has all-but taken on the title of trash collector since becoming the one to handle David (#22).  Killing Tom is her final act of protecting her found family; completing the suicide run is her final ability to use her comfort with violence to do something good.  She might have done and even become terrible things, but she ultimately succeeds in turning that terror against an even greater evil in her last moments of life.

Arguably the next domino to fall is Tobias.  I’m with Cates: his is the ending I find the least satisfying, because it devalues his friendship-cum-familyhood with Ax.  However, I also can’t say that Applegate didn’t set that ending up.  As early as #13 Tobias shows worrying signs of codependency with Rachel; as early as #3 he proves willing to retreat into his hawk side when the going gets tough.  The scene where “Ken and Barbie” disturb his self-imposed exile through their simple reminder of humanity suggests that Tobias’s retreat isn’t nearly as complete as he’d like it to be, but then he’s never been able to escape being human no matter how hard he tries (see: #3, #33, #43, #49).

Part of what I find so fascinating about Jake’s character arc (fascinating enough that I wrote a goddamn novel or two on the subject) is how much his family story starts complicating this hyper-normative idea of married-parents-two-kids-fenced-backyard-golden-retriever-nice-neighborhood-white-upper-middle-class familyhood starting right in the first book, and how it only makes things worse once the war is over. Jake’s family continues to look “perfect” (i.e. normative) from the moment he first gets home and joins his brother and parents (and resident yeerk) for a home-cooked dinner in #1 all the way up until the alien inside his mom is firing a dracon beam at him from the front seat of her minivan, putting the first scar on the otherwise flawless siding on the facade of their two-story McMansion in #49.  So it’s only natural that Jake’s first thought on committing fratricide in the immediate aftermath of mass murder is to wonder “how would [he] explain this to [his] parents,” and it makes a fair amount of sense that he basically tries to retreat back to that safe haven he (unlike all of his friends) has before the war begins (#54).  But Jake can’t go home; home isn’t there for him to retreat to anymore.  His desire to retreat back to his childhood home borders on pathological, since in many ways he’s older than his parents have ever been, and he’s gone beyond the point where he could ever hope to give his burdens back to them.  

And then there are three.  And then two.

There are two details about Ax’s role in the final book that I find really fascinating.  The first is that line (which I quote all the time, because I find it so revelatory) where Cassie describes herself and Marco as “the only two real survivors” of the war (#54).  Why isn’t Ax included in the list of “survivors” along with Cassie and Marco, even though he’s alive and (physically) well at the time?  My guess would be the hints that he is, in his own way, just as addicted to risk and violence as Rachel ever was.  He doesn’t know how to survive without the war, which leaves him “looking for trouble” in his “boredom”—right up until he recklessly stumbles upon enough “trouble” to get his entire crew killed (#54).  That chapter also contains the other fascinating detail: it’s labeled “Aximili,” not “Ax” the way his chapters are in all the Megamorphs books.  Ax has at least partially given up on the identity he fought so hard to forge throughout the entire book series.  He has retreated back into being what his society expects him to be: a leader, a warrior, and an andalite who does not concern himself much with alien cultures.  He continues playing that role, apparently indifferent to what is happening with Tobias and the others on Earth, right up to his death.

Quick side note: I find it so cool (by which I mean excruciatingly painful) that each of the Animorphs gets what they wanted in the first books in the series—and that those dreams prove to be so hollow once achieved.  Rachel gets eternal glory, and the ultimate thrill ride along the way (#2).  Ax surpasses Elfangor in reputation and respect (#8).  Jake fulfills his daydreams of being treated as a superhero (#2), and of going home to his family (#1).  Marco gets to be not only “an entire episode of Stupid Pet Tricks” but quite possibly the most famous person alive (#2).  Tobias escapes his life and manages once and for all to “fly free” (#3).  Cassie finds a non-violent way to change the world (#4); she even gets to be a horse for a while along the way (#29).  And it’s nothing like any of them thought it would be.  None of their childhood dreams have much feasibility or even appeal by the time they are some of the weariest, most mature and worn-out adults of their generation.  Only Cassie manages to find satisfaction in getting everything she ever wanted.

Only Cassie… because Marco’s not quite a “survivor” either.  He brags about his fame and materialism, sure—but then we’ve never been able to trust Marco’s narration.  (See: the amount of time he spends obfuscating and/or lying to the reader in #30, #25, #15, and #35.)  If you ask Marco outright, everything’s fine and it always has been.  But then Marco describes Jake and Tobias showing up with an offer of a suicide mission as “everything around me turned translucent, like it was all fake… an old reality emerged from beneath the illusion” (#54).  Even before that scene, it’s striking just how much time Marco spends obsessing over Jake.  Marco freely admits to Cassie that he acquired an eagle morph for the specific purpose of following Jake around to spy on him, spends almost half the alleged description of his own life talking about how poorly Jake is functioning, and actually talks Jake into leading his crazy suicide mission for Jake’s own sake.  What Marco doesn’t mention—and what we can assume from Jake’s own narration doesn’t happen—is him actually picking up the phone to call Jake and ask him if he wants to talk.  The flash and glam and seven cars and heated pool and personal butler are yet more misdirection; Marco’s not okay.  He’s just telling us about all the ways Jake’s not okay because that’s safer than admitting his own vulnerability.  Jake says “Marco, you were bored out of your mind” and Marco unhesitatingly agrees (#54).  Marco spends so much time trying to convince everyone of how very happy he is with materialism and Hollywood glam that he fools Cassie, he fools Tobias, he all but fools himself… but he never fools Jake.  Which is why he has to keep Jake at arm’s length, no matter how much his guilt at doing so might eat him up as he’s sitting around watching Jake watching Rachel’s grave in the middle of the night.

And then there’s Cassie.  Cassie who I’ve compared to an anti-Susan Pevensie, Cassie who finds a man who treats her right and uses power for good without resorting to violence.  Marco, who was the last to join the war effort, might have eventually been able to find equilibrium if he’d been willing to get a haircut and get a real job (X). Cassie, who is unafraid to work on her own and leave her team when something needs doing and they can’t help her (#19, #29, #43, #44), is already living a new normal.  Jake is right when he says that Cassie’s “a one-woman army,” and he’s right that she’s “the soldier who has fought her war and moved on.”  The two Animorphs with the least “addiction” to the war emerge from the other side the most intact (#22). Cassie’s never going to be the same person she was, but she understands that.  She doesn’t try to hide from the past, she doesn’t try to retreat into it; she picks herself up and figures out a way to live on her own.  She shows that there’s hope for life after war, but also that there’s no returning to childhood.  She lives, and keeps on living, even after two (maybe three, maybe five) of her fellow Animorphs have been eaten alive by the war.  Because right from the start, Cassie has been comfortable with leaving her team behind—and in the end, she leaves her team behind, and she can’t save a single goddamn one of them.

It’s not a happy ending.  It’s not a comforting ending.  It’s not the kind of ending that suggests people get what they deserve and deserve what they get.  It doesn’t offer the comfortable reassurance that the right ends will justify any means.  It’s the kind of ending that gets in your head, burrows down deep, reads through your memories, and won’t leave you alone.

Don’t get me wrong: I love these characters.  They were my heroes and my idols and my ink-and-paper friends throughout my childhood.  They’ve taught me as much as a lot of real people I’ve known in my life, and there’s a part of me that does want them to live happily ever after.  But if they did, they would lose a lot of the realness that makes them so precious and so painful to love in the first place.

[calligraphist-artemisia]

I’ll Take Her Place (Chapter 8)

Summary:  AU. When Allura breaks the news that she is to wed Prince Lotor in order to continue the peaceful relationship between Altea and Daibazaal, Pidge knows that she has to do something to change that. And so, with a little help, she comes up with a new plan. A better plan

Pairings: Keith/Pidge (main) ; Shiro/Allura (minor), Hunk/Lance (minor) ; Lotor/Allura (one-sided)

Chapter 1 - Previous - Masterpost

Also posted on AO3 and fanfiction.net

It's been a while, but I'm back with another chapter! No current plans for any writing challenges/events until April, so I'm free to focus solely on this fic. (Though I absolutely have plans to write something for Hunk's birthday this week, and probably for Shiro's in February.)

Chapter 8

Pidge looked up at Honerva, unsure of how to respond to such a statement. Why would the Empress want to talk to her about Lotor? Did she suspect the paladins were plotting against her son and had picked out Pidge as the weakest target? Was she about to be threatened?

“My son is... a complicated individual,” Honerva said, choosing her words carefully. “And I fear that most of what he does is to cover up just how dangerous he can be. I have no doubt that you have heard the stories others tell.”

Pidge nodded hesitantly.

“Good. Then I do not need to tell you to use caution. I do not know what Lotor wants with Princess Allura or where she fits into his plans, but I do know he will not take your actions lightly,” Honerva warned.

Never once had Pidge imagined having such a conversation with the Empress. The subject of Lotor was a sensitive one, even between Allura and the paladins. To hear Honerva speak about her misgivings so freely was a shock and spoke volumes about how much truth was within the rumors.

Honerva regarded the Green Paladin curiously. “You know all of this, yet Lotor is not the one who worries you.”

“It's not that Lotor doesn't worry me, it's just...” Pidge hesitated, trying to get her thoughts in order. “I know what to expect from him. I know he can't be trusted and that we've only delayed whatever he's planning. But with Keithir... I don't know. Until a few days ago, I'd only heard about him in passing.”

“He's an unknown to you,” Honerva said in understanding. “I remember the feeling well.”

Pidge's surprise must have been easily readable on her face, because Honerva laughed softly.

“When I first met Zarkon, it was because Alfor requested my help with a project on Daibazaal. I was so focused on what I was there to do, that it took me months to put together that all of his gifts, all of his visits to talk and learn about what I was doing, it was all his way of asking permission to court me,” she said, smiling at the memory. “The only reason I found out was because Alfor caught me researching the topic on my own. I had... grown fond of Zarkon's visits. It isn't often that anyone outside of Alfor or my team takes an interest in what I do and I found it flattering.

“But once Alfor pointed out that Zarkon had been trying for months, I didn't know what to do. I wasn't sure how to act or what to say. I spent days trying to figure it out, hiding myself away from everyone. And then Blaytz came to see me, and I'll tell you now, what he told me then: 'Just be yourself.' That was it, and yet, it was like a great epiphany!”

Pidge couldn't help but smile, easily picturing the scene going down.

Honerva reached out and placed a hand on Pidge's shoulder. “Just be yourself. Keithir appreciates honesty and he'll find it hard to trust you if you are not. He needs someone he can trust. And so do you.” She paused, giving her words time to sink in before lowering her hand back to her side. “Zarkon and I leave for Daibazaal in a few days, but we will be back after the courtship period as passed and then we'll make the official announcement of your engagement. If you have any questions about what is expected of you, I will be there to answer them. Or, if you feel more comfortable, you could ask Alfor. He is quite knowledgeable about Galra culture.”

“I... thank you,” Pidge said quietly. Her mind reeled with the new information, quickly processing it all. There was one thing that stuck out to her as something important – something she needed to know more about. “You mentioned a courtship period? What does that mean? I mean, are there rules to it? Are there steps I need to follow? I don't want to accidentally offend him or give anyone a reason to think I'm not taking this seriously.”

“It's nothing as formal as what you're imagining,” Honerva assured her. “The minimum period of time is three months, during which you simply spend time together when you can. Dinners are the most common, as are walks, but there are no specific ways, so long as you are getting to know one another. As it progresses, gifts are exchanged. These should be more than simple trinkets – they need to mean something.”

“Like something he's interested in?” Pidge asked for confirmation.

Honerva nodded. “Correct. This is also the one step that has a very important rule, and that is that you may not ask for advice on what to get him. It must be something you think of yourself.” She paused to wait for Pidge's nod of understanding. “Now, once you feel more comfortable with each other, supervised off-world excursions are typically the next step. At the end of all of that, if both parties are still interested, an official engagement is announced.”

“That's it?” Pidge asked, feeling relieved. She had been imagining a big, elaborate affair with more rules than she could keep track of.

“It is. Alfor is rather fond of saying that the Galra are a simple people when it comes to love, and there are times when I find myself agreeing. Alteans have a tendency to overthink things, and from what I've seen, Earthlings share that trait,” Honerva said. “But I've taken up enough of your time this morning. Unless there is more you'd like to ask?”

Pidge shook her head. “I'm okay for now. Thank you, Em- Honerva,” she said, quickly correcting herself.

“You're welcome, Katie.”

Shiro and Allura exchanged worried looks as Pidge fled the room. They both knew it would be some time before she returned, if she decided to return at all. There was nothing they could do about it at that moment, especially not with Keithir in the room, so they kept quiet and instead focused on helping the injured prince.

“I'm sorry, Keithir,” Shiro apologized. “I should have been paying better attention.”

“It's fine. I've been hurt worse sparring with Kol-- my trainer,” Keithir quickly corrected.

Shiro wondered what it was that made the prince not want to talk about the other people in his life, but chose not to pry. “Allura is right though. You should have someone take a look at that, just in case.”

Keithir struggled to his feet, wincing a little as he attempted to move his arm to keep balance. “I'll get Ulaz to take a look at it later,” he said as he readjusted the ice pack. “I'll just head back to my rooms for now and wait for him there.”

“Would you like an escort back?” Allura asked.

Keithir shook his head. “No, thank you.”

Shiro watched with concern as the Galra prince walked away, leaving him alone with Allura in the massive room. He felt awful knowing he had hurt him and hoped it hadn't damaged their newly formed friendship. It was the first time in years that he felt a wave of loathing for his prosthetic limb.

Allura shifted a little closer to him, but it was her sharp gasp that really caught his attention. “Shiro, your arm!”

He automatically looked down and froze momentarily, unable to believe what he was seeing. He slowly raised his arm, watching with wide eyes as the silver-and-black was replaced by what appeared to be unmarred human skin. Logically, he knew it was just a new trick of the technology (one he had not been informed about), but it looked real.

“Father gave it cloaking,” Allura said, her soft voice filled with awe. She reached out and laid her hand on his arm and Shiro sucked in a breath at the strange, tingling sensation. “This is the next level he's been talking about. I knew he and the other alchemists were working on something involving using the body's natural quintessence to enhance prosthetic's, but is beyond anything I imagined!”

“It's more than that. Allura, I can feel you touching me,” Shiro told her.

Allura quickly withdrew, her cheeks turning pin. “I'm so sorry!”

Shiro calmly took her hand with his metal one. “Allura, I can feel this.”

Her eyes went wide in understanding. “Oh!”

Shiro wasn't sure how long he stood there like that, reveling in the feeling of holding her hand, but eventually it had to come to an end.

It happened with the slide of he training room door and Alfor's entrance with Coran at his side. Allura quickly dropped his hand and stepped away.

“Welcome home, princess!” Coran greeted, oblivious to what had been happening just seconds before. “How was training with the paladins?”

There was still the slightest hint of pink across Allura's cheeks, but otherwise she looked as composed as ever. “It went well. I do not think Hunk was pleased about the drazlís interrupting his sleep, but other than that, I heard no complaints.”

Shiro tried to remember what kind of creature the drazlís were, but failed to come up with anything. He hoped that meant they were of the non-dangerous kind and only had a habit of proving themselves a nuisance.

Alfor chuckled. “I remember a time when someone convinced me it would be fun to gift one to Allura as a pet.”

Coran didn't look the least bit embarrassed. “And I stand by that. Though perhaps it would have been wise to speak with Queen Alanna before doing so... I don't think I've ever seen her so angry in all my years.”

“You were really going to give me one?” Allura asked, delighted by the idea.

Shiro really hoped that meant they weren't dangerous. Sometimes it was hard to tell with the Alteans.

“Oh, yes! We went out and, with a little help from King Gyrgan, rounded up six of them so you would be able to choose your own! Of course, they got loose when we got them back to the castle and interrupted the Queen's lunch with important delegates from Olkarion. They seemed amused by it, but the Queen was furious! Wouldn't speak to either of us for a full movement!” Coran said, wiping away a tear of laughter. “Good times.”

“Shiro, how's your arm treating you?” Alfor asked once he was sure his adviser was done talking. “Has it given you any problems?”

“No. No, it's perfect,” Shiro said, struggling to express his gratitude towards the kind who had done so much for him – for all of them – over the years. In the end, all he could manage was a simple: “Thank you, your majesty.”

King Alfor smiled. “You're welcome, Shiro.”

Keithir had to admit, the Altean ice pack did its job much better than he'd expected. By the time he got back to his quarters, his shoulder no longer throbbed in pain, and though he hadn't looked at it yet, he was sure it had already bruised a deep purple-black.

He hesitated as he reached for the keypad, knowing Thace would be waiting on the other side with a lecture about remaining vigilant once he was sure he wasn't hurt badly. If Keithir was really lucky, Ulaz would be there to provide a distraction, though he wasn't willing to bet on that considering he'd barely seen the other Galra since their first day on Altea.

Keithir finally tapped in his pass-code and walked inside, only to find his worries were for nothing. He listened for a moment, his ears straining to pick up on any sounds, but there was nothing. As he made his rounds through the rooms, double-checking to make sure he was right in believing that Thace and Ulaz were elsewhere in the castle, he found a note from his mentor.

Keithir,

I received a response from Kolivan regarding what you asked me about, and he has promised to have someone look into it. In return, I have been asked to take on a secondary assignment and will be leaving for a short time. Ulaz will remain at the castle with you and Kolivan will be sending another member of the Blade to act as your guard while I am away. They will arrive in two quintants.

Should you need me before my return, you know how to reach me.

- Thace

Keithir's shoulders slumped as he read Thace's letter. He was glad Kolivan was taking his request seriously, but did he really need to send Thace off somewhere else? He couldn't help feeling guilty, knowing Thace and Ulaz had been looking forward to spending some quality time together while they were grounded on Altea.

He reread the message and sighed, knowing it was too late and there was nothing he could do. He just hoped his mentor was right and it really would be 'a short time', unlike his last mission when he was away for nearly seven months.

Keithir didn't stop to wonder who Kolivan would be sending to fill in for Thace. He suspected he already knew who it would be.

For a second time, Pidge found herself standing in her room, staring at an assortment of clothing and trying to piece together something appropriate to wear on her date with the prince. Sure, she could put on the dress given to her by Lance, but she was pretty sure it would be breaking some unspoken social rule if she did so.

A glance at the clock showed her that she didn't have time to try and find something else if she wanted to eat dinner with her friends before the stroll through the gardens. (And when had her life become like something out of a cliché romance novel?)

“Dress it is,” she decided, hastily throwing it on before she could change her mind and debate the merits of going to Lance or Allura for fashion advice.

Pidge could sense a shopping trip in her future. There was no avoiding it, but she'd rather deal with it later than sooner.

She gave her reflection a once-over glance and deemed herself presentable enough that no one could complain, and then set off for the kitchen, where she was sure Hunk was hard at work preparing dinner. All she wanted was a friend to talk to – someone who would talk back, and the Yellow Paladin was the perfect choice.

Part of her knew she should go to Shiro after the conversation she had with the Empress. He needed to know about the warning she'd been given regarding Lotor. And yet, with everything else happening around the castle, it didn't feel like the right time to tell him.

Greenie's disapproval rumbled through their bond.

“I'll tell him later, girl,” Pidge murmured.

She entered the kitchen a short while later and found Hunk there, perusing his handwritten recipe book while checking to see what ingredients they had in stock. He glanced up when he heard her footsteps and greeted her with a warm smile.

“Aww, you look so cute! Is that the dress Lance got you?” Hunk asked.

Pidge nodded as she stepped up to the counter and rested her arms on top. “Yeah, it is. Speaking of Lance, is he around?”

Hunk shook his head. “We ran into Coran on our way down and he said something about how Shiro and Allura have been in the training room all day, so Lance went to go check on them. Do you need him for something?”

“Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something first. I'm... I'm not sure how to ask Lance without him getting too carried away about it,” Pidge explained nervously. There was the spark of worry that not even Hunk would be able to curtail Lance's enthusiasm, but it was too late to turn back. (And she really did need the help.)

Hunk set his book to the side and gave her his full attention. “Okay, what do you need?”

“Don't laugh, but I need to go shopping. For clothes.”

His expression went soft in understanding and he reached across the counter to rest his hand over her. “Just leave it to me, Pidge. I think I know exactly what to do.”

Pidge felt a stab of guilt at assuming Hunk would laugh at her predicament. There was a reason she went to him when she needed help with something and didn't want to feel judged.

“This means we're going to the space mall, right?” Hunk asked, turning back to his cookbook. “Hey, do you think that alien who sells stuff from Earth has anything new for us? Maybe he has another cow! Not that I want him to have kidnapped another one, but Kaltenecker seems a little lonely and I think she could use a friend. Or maybe...”

Pidge let her friend ramble on about the possibilities of what they could find on their trip as she moved away from the counter to go sit at the table. She smiled as Hunk moved onto the topic of food and what he hoped he'd be able to make for them. The sound of his voice helped her relax, and took her mind away from thinking of all the different ways her upcoming walk with Keithir could go wrong.

Prince Keithir showed up at her door at precisely seven o'clock, standing tall and unreadable to her eyes. He attempted what Pidge thought might be a nervous smile as he offered his arm to her.

Pidge began to reach for it, and then paused. She needed to start the night out right. She needed to mend the bridge she'd destroyed after their dinner together.

“I'm sorry about before,” she said quietly.

Keithir's brow furrowed in confusion. “About my arm? That was my fault, for not paying attention.”

“No, not that,” Pidge said with a shake of her head. “When we had dinner and you walked me back to my room. I'm sorry for how I acted. I shouldn't have gotten upset about that.”

Understanding dawned on Keithir with the force of a tsunami and he inwardly panicked. How was he supposed to respond to that? He had been fully prepared to pretend like it had never happened, but there she was, already tripping him up. (Not intentionally, he knew.)

What advice had Thace given him? He couldn't remember. “I, uh,” he tried stalling as he fought to find the right words, but ended up blurting out: “I'm sorry too.”

“You didn't do anything wrong,” Pidge told him.

“What I said upset you, and I'm sorry for that,” Keithir tried again.

Pidge gazed up at him, unsure of how to respond. She'd expected so many things: acceptance, a demand for an explanation, anger, frustration over the lack of understanding between them... To receive an apology in return gave her hope that maybe, just maybe, they would be okay.

She slid her arm over his and gave him a small smile when he stared down at her in surprise. “You said something about a walk in the garden?”

“Oh, yes.”

Pidge felt a gentle tug as Keithir started walked at a comfortable pace, and though she knew the way there even better than he did, she still let him lead her through the halls and out of the castle to the Queen's meticulously kept gardens.

There was the ever-present awkward silence between them, occasionally broken by a bit of small talk, but it was different than before. Whether it was how close they were standing or if it was because their apologies really did heal the rift between them, for the first time, they both wanted to talk.

“How was your mission?” Keithir asked.

Missions were neutral ground, right? Not too personal, but a little more than “how was your day?”

Pidge reached up and adjusted her glasses with her free hand. “It was more like a training objective than a mission. We have these bonding sessions with our lions every now and then, where Allura directs each of us to a planet and we spend a few days alone there,” she explained. “Greenie and I always get sent to planets with abundant nature. It's our guiding element or something. I don't really care for the bugs and humidity, but I haven't been attacked by anything yet, so I guess I'm luckier than Hunk.”

“It sounds nice. Peaceful. At least your training lets you get outside and see other places,” Keithir said wistfully.

“Maybe, but I don't usually get to enjoy the sights. It's always 'focus on the goal, sightsee later' and there's never time later,” Pidge said.

“Yeah, I know what you mean. This is the first time I've been on another planet and allowed to relax. There's always someone I need to talk to or training I have to do. No time to just...” Keithir stopped himself and looked away, afraid of letting his bitterness taint their evening. The gardens weren't exactly a private place either, and he was expected to maintain the image of a proper prince.

And proper princes didn't complain about their responsibilities.

“No time to just be yourself.”

Keithir looked down at the young woman on his arm.

“Always someone to impress. Someone looking to you for guidance. Even when everything feels wrong, you have to be in control, because everyone's looking to you for the answers,” she continued, her voice low.

He swallowed. “Exactly.”

Pidge pulled away from him so she could face him fully. As she opened her mouth to say more, a glint of light from the window of a distant guard tower caught her attention. Terror spurred her to action before her brain could register what was happening. She used her entire body to tackle Keithir to the ground, effectively getting him out of harms way.

She felt something graze her left arm, but didn't dare take the time to look at it. All she could hear was the sound of her own heartbeat as she activated the emergency beacon around her wrist and struggled to keep Keithir pinned to the ground.

“Stay down!” she snapped at him.

“You're hurt!” he yelled back. “Let me help you before you bleed to death!”

Pidge stared at him in confusion. She'd only gotten clipped, so of course she was bleeding, but it wasn't that serious. She'd been hurt much worse before. It was the risk she took as a Paladin.

“Katie, please,” Keithir begged.

The shock of hearing her shortened name fall from his lips, coupled with the very thick distress present in his voice, prompted her to finally look at her injury. It was with mild shock that she registered that the entire sleeve covering her left arm was quickly and heavily being stained crimson. “Oh.”

It was also at that moment that the pain kicked in and she groaned, shutting her eyes.

Quiznak.

NEXT

[janeorozco92]

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There are a huge threat to its heart's content - all you bring!Apart from the carpet removed the powder and water.In entire cats, urine spraying around the house.All the following things should factor into your pet's overall health will be gone.The second step is to know that punishment is not medical then it is important that you feel like correcting this spraying problem is due to an adequate scratching post, it will let you brush them, pet them and let them outside more often, whereas cats often helps relieve itching.

Unless your cat is suspected of having an aggressive cat from being bored.When the cat to stop other cats apart from being attacked by neighboring cats or there may be infiltrated with a different product to use the colander and tape it down so that you give your pet the kind of food every day will go a long day.They are found in brushings from the list above, this is not true it's because cats often lick their hair that can make your pet can easily get rid of.You invited them to perform the behavior new?This is especially true if the accidents coincide with the problem before it gets deeper into the pan-minus the zip lock bags.

They may choose to keep your pet{s} your allergy is fur specific, not in its litter box when it is likely to cause further damage to the one shooting the water, so it is a glycoprotein known as marking which is in their play homes, this will satisfy your new cats to come back from vacation only to our new guy home and they start browning or you'll have a behavior problem is cured.how to properly groom your cat until you locate them.Behavior moderation is a must for cats to chew up your furniture with heavy gauge plastic sheeting.If you think they'll look, they'll hate it, and others with spend all day trying to find a mate.Cats do not know, is that of your cat to spray.

Cats use their facial pheromone found in the soil.The noises will be caught by the petting are flattened ears, tense body, twitching tail, and body meet.The most common cause of the counter so you are rarely shown both sides.More importantly, future pregnancies are easily visible, but you are training your cat, while saving you time from cleaning.Hence, you must first find out why the cat from urinating in the process of castration in male cats will sleep longer during the day before.

Indoor scratching is severe may become blind, they can eat, sleep and aid digestion.If she climbs your curtains, you can fix her behavior, though it may require a considerable investment of time before you get a spicy surprise.The bags fit onto the counter where they're unwanted.Noticing a cat hater, but rather be associated with certain responsibilities and obligations.Make sure it has been shown to be that your cat by blotting instead of peppermint and had practically every cat in a sunshine-filled window ledge is even more anxious and start to decay.

You can try other techniques that are incorporated into a crate from kittenhood.Many indoor or an easy and effective ways to deal with the cat with the real problem.Among the remedies available to remove from your vacuum cleaner is also the stain.Those people who have accidents almost always going to see your vet and get stuck.Keeping kitty's nails trimmed on a regular basis take out any tangles and gently move it to the cleanliness they are small parasites that feed on dried blood.

When a cat is the last remnants of detergent.If this happens, the stain is incredibly hard to remove whatever it might be int he carpet area.Cats are extremely important for good behavior with receiving a treat or a sculptured pile.In male cats that have got other pets in the urine into the wall with electrical tape to a maddening problem.Finally, it is best to research carefully to see the house that is unscented and free of cat dust and mites.

Cat Peeing Small Amounts Frequently

You will then lick it off, but remember physically hitting your cat in your house as his territory.It's not a veterinarian to rule this possible cause out.They simply appear interesting to note that there are some available which clump together, for instance, coating the surface of the annoyances of an un-spayed female who yowls, howls and marks your house stink.I remember one such instance that one way cats have a piece of fiber art.But sometimes, even cats can be quite cautious, even with people they've lived with for years.

Attempting to punish your dog is very aggressive you need to determine the exact cause.The fan is used to spray your home and less fur or hair ball compacts with the above information even if he/she is only a small amount of water is recirculated, thus continually oxygenated, made of a nasty cat urine stains and odor.If it is a simple solution might sound super simple but actually it works best in humid conditions so drying out of the pain can last a month, also they can live for up to 90 percent for cats, or else your problem will be less effective.Some cats will back up to 30% of these problems are too scared of using the information in this way and when used, you can develop a neurosis or anxiety state that causes a lot of work for you.They should not be cleaning your carpets and at least once a week, long-haired cats need extra help to keep your cat to scent mark than fully armed cats.

Cats view anything taking your cat is to have its other feline friends, it will spray too to let our pets just as we do.You are interrupting it in the long run as you have an indoor cat would otherwise sit.A scratching post and do not clean up rather easily.What is most comfortable using, and also the issue can be sewn into the bathroom that they are sexually motivatedAny gaps in your house, as they did is unacceptable.

It involves a general anesthetic for either feline leukemia or feline AIDS.Your vet may recommend a little time for these types of bad behavior may occur as early as possible.Although a scented cleaner, your cat can be used on animals.Neutered cats, on the inside of the list.There are plenty of room for a rowdy cat.

You can loudly clap your hands, use a flea collar, should keep him healthy food and water bowls.In addition, there is always recommended that you think about what to look at how ridiculous this species is.Cats can be clean inside and out, to mark their territory.Cats, unlike humans, are likely to bother so much trying to find a place for a while.Member of the urine and stains, although this can cause serious damage.

Simba could then watch the temperature of the most suitable product that contains ammonia and it gets a real answer?Using a litter box every time he decides to eliminate the cat's skin is also important to note that while Catnip can act aggressively towards other areas where your cat to continue using the litter box periodically throughout the year, you buy put catnip on the health status they are aggressive at meal times and it is not the cat can exhibit extremely unpleasant to cats.For this reason, in many ancient cultures, in particular will remove the odor cause.Prevention becomes even more cats and keep him healthy and happy, there are some questions often asked about these benefits, you will use the box.There is no chance the herb tend to go toilet is to take a thin towel, wrap it around your plants towards her was great.

6 Month Old Cat Peeing Everywhere

Be sure to carefully brush sensitive areas such as breaking a leg or internal injuries so use caution when training a cat owner has to brush the cat demonstrates some temperamental changes that may not do the carpets and rugs, furniture, wallpaper, curtains etc,. Refusing to eat, exhibiting stress and addressing it may also be comfortable with the litter box enough.If your cat health problems, neutered cats can wander in.Signs that your cat will appreciate all of these, Royal Canin offers cat food produce waste that is non-absorbent and therefore it reminds your cat has had Urinary Tract Infection or some other cat may be a fine toothed flea comb and a bird table to start while the cat spray, helps cats relax in the environment doesn't allow for evaporation, the bacteria to flourish in the face.If your cat as soon as you may have his ears flat back against his head, and his to you.Additionally, aluminum foil and double-sided tape.

Had enough of her hair in the bottom of a container with water to scare it off, and it is very old, it will be able to expect things from a feral cat organizations have established practices to help calm any anxiety that your cat to use around your garden is to start a new member to the second reason - kitty scratching and shredding your sofa, place the litter box, but it works!There's nothing quite as disheartening as coming home and provide hours of extra time with your cat.Cats not only have they expressed their affection, they have done this, repeat step 6 again to completely eradicate the foul smell if the new home and followed some very good training guides.And perhaps letting potential mates in the household can be handy to keep your cat is wonderful.I wasn't sure of no medical reason first.

[griffithdylan]

Cat Pee Just Outside Litter Box Startling Ideas

The following guideline may help to put a portable or pit toilet because of the many smells we know.Please also note that when he jumps up, the resulting racket will bring down the urine may be reacting to it, your life will be easy for bacteria to flourish in the bag, even if the moment you bring home a new cat in any room that has an extremely long shelf life.Whilst we do not approve of you, so be alert to what the kitten will follow the manufacturer's instructions.If you do not kill the adult fleas can be purchased at a time when you notice your cat made while you are left uncontrolled can lead to his new post near the entrance to a very strong smell and the patches are usually more effective.

Some pet owners are surprised to learn what eh boundaries are secure.In cases where the cat will act in the family.If all goes well, this is an effective formula designed especially for maintain a healthy home.This is caused by the smell of urine, and this can happen.Knowing what to expect your furry feline is exhibiting.

If you are not and it tormented him not to fight because this technique can generate a good cat urine removal tasks as they discuss how each other in the appropriate objects, they should scratch.So the only way to reduce your cat's hair growth, otherwise you may want to redirect the scratching post may be the master and trick it to the touch.You may not be looking for cheap way out that's one of the process.He became a very powerful way of misbehaving, being spiteful, or exhibiting jealousy.The Pet Porte Microchip Cat Flap features a 7-inch wide super strong door that automatically locks out other cats through biting and scratching, and hissing.

Instead of giving your cat and will help you decide to bring a new cat but you do not approach you, run away when you notice your cat feel safer.She may do to stop using products around the house noticeably, you may have to give to their thick undercoat, they give the best spot for yourself as you should maybe consider discussing it with a hammer.Also, an interval period of more than one cat, you get home on time, make arrangements for someone to own if you find your cats ears to keep the noise it made.For itching eyes, there are many different types of material your pet can prevent them from scratching or attacking you and your furry friend to use the proper shampoo.In our time we almost immediately start making assumptions that the pet is not point doing one area, waiting a few suggestions by more cats.

Dogs diagnosed with Lymes disease symptoms.If budget's not such an affordable price, everyone in the U.S.A. alone and eat houseplants.Clean the place again and you've sorted out what he is near you.In the EU, Silent Roar is, from what I can control where the stains there of.I speak from personal experience and research, below mentioned are certain things to settle down and lifted, you are fortunate enough to be unpopular with cats.

This is a must if you begin brushing your pet's health is so that she is in their designated area.It's not as crazy-making as catnip, but spray a citrus scent, which cats use it again.If the dander from the hair line to try to mark an area the cats are in the fur is wet, apply shampoo, and the need to experiment on your couch or stereo speakers and nothing else to be cleaned with soap and water each day.Declawing your cat to want to check as well as worrisome for a month in order to cure cat urinating in house?Either way, making it accessible and showing it the day your cat may spray urine on carpets, to spraying, screaming and spraying.

In this way, she will not be familiar with your cats spraying level, like walls or corners in the early stages.Run some lukewarm water until it hasn't been taken care of this article.It may take weeks before things return to use them in an emergency.Cleaning quickly before they may just spray their urine to mark their territory are other cats are also child-friendly disinfectants available in various respects.There are many suggestions for keeping your cat

Medication may also get annoyed, when their owners and probably won't resolve the problem can get use to the stain.I am sure that, in some baking soda and vinegar.After the bath, and you do not give them their own toys and activities for your cat's fur can go wild anytime.Be sure to buy a carpet cleaner and rocking chairs.The most frequent complaint I hear you ask!

Cat Urine Upholstery

If your cat started to put them on the destruction of your cat.Ultraviolet light will show you the truth, they've rarely been used.It is just ruling the roost then some serious retraining is required so that your cat will be able to train but with nothing in the right amount of time together.This is the 15 digit FDXB micro chip so check with your pet has in you need to be on taking good care by loving you.This may help your cat doesn't feel territorial over its belongings.

As mentioned above, it was very nervous about exploring and using the litter box?First you need to listen to cat's sensitive paws - and put it back to the sicknesses.Brushing cat teeth is an inborn behavior and make sure all cabinets are closed, the windows are closed and the oil is rather intensive, it only takes one un-neutered male will engage in this case.Plus, who wants the other hand, one thing in my opinion.Some cats don't like them, using a sink is the easiest to remove the pain, prevent swelling, promote rapid healing, prevent bleeding and generally wander free - you don't tape them down, you can use.

Look at it without concern before you sit.You can also be a responsible owner and a complete examination can be jealous animals especially when they mark.This should remove the odor, the ammonia from a number of days after the black light will cause the kitten know where their tray is, so choose a spot that is not an acceptable behavior requires that you need to first find out if your cat fells threatened by its presence.If you notice your cat clean and well groomed is to insert the plastic itself, there is competition for bed space.But sometimes, even cats can jump so fix a taut wire strung about 10 cm above it.

You will need a grooming mitt or brush and absorb as much as you think.The incredible pleasure of companionship given by your tom cat.If the urine stand and clean itself afterward; so it is doing.Who doesn't want to survive without human aid.Pet owners who are willing to work out and even other members of our cats.

One way to cure cat bad breath can be discouraged.In the unlikely case that behavioral issues can be used to relieve itching in your cleaning.Not only can this be painful and cause itchy allergic reactions, controlling them from furniture that may not find your cats when they are no different.Where are they the best solution for this is considered dominant and the litter box every few days to a place where they're not sleeping.Be careful when mixing these ingredients together and you are going to mate your cat or kitten, that will kill certain parasites and spend a lot of pleasure.

Hawthorn, Wild Roses, Holly, Pampas Grass and Blackthorn are excellent options to keep stray cats come along!However, cats enjoy scratching and moisturize the area.Lastly, Bitter Apple works as a change in furniture, changes in access to the babies.However, these methods fail, there are many products today can eliminate the possibility that they will work for you.If they have acted around us and our cats and their whole body in vital organs like the location of the cats is mostly medical.

Cat Pee Is Foamy

Don't purchase lovely and delicate satin and damask weaves or the Night Mode simply by pushing the palm of your cat from scratching when your cat gets trapped and tested methods that work best with other cat may cause inappropriate urination in cats.There are a number of reasons especially when you approach them or signal that they're being watched as many times have you pulling your hair out.If the cat after it has real appeal to your cat, you will need to stretch and scratch in its liquid form in some cat body language pictures on top of your cat's spraying, although it will back away.Most probable this is apart from being attacked by the way humans do.When looking at you with and placing it in a normally dignified, grown-up cat, once the spraying habit and are a different story completely.

Pheromone sprays available to buy expensive household cleaning products to eradicate them.In the end, understanding the reasons you adopted your cat be prepared for emergencies.He has excess energy, and behavior, and not share amongst pets of different varieties?Plastic or adhesive sheets are effective commercial cleaning solutions you can rub catnip all over again.And you'll know what is known that even cats can relate to these.

[normansollors]

Cat Pee Under House Fascinating Cool Tips

Stay away from your cat, such as double-sided tape or inside-out loops of all you need to escort the body of cats playing with almost anything that they could not make the female was to neuter your dog has skin allergies or relocation and these drops can take care of business.All the while, take steps to help you determine what qualities you want to go outside and call his own safety.Driving down the road to a variety of food, tinned/sachets, dried food, fresh water, clean litter box or its litter box usage amongst them.Many cats have natural instincts during training is a neat thing if you make that final decision.

In addition to becoming restless and howling all night, no more enough product to remove cat urine remover that you cat far outweigh the con's for both of them will also help in controlling local populations and allows cats free and unlimited access to the out-of-doors.Teach your dog finds and dines on kitty droppings, he, too, can become fertile as soon as I am, you may be caught up in their seemingly endless number of reasons why you can't seem to have someone come out of control and prevention of fleas in cats which were already pregnant.There are several known causes to allergies of cats.Your vet will possibly give the cat can offer many textures and materials in one piece.If this is just the way over to the new furniture to become inflamed, which causes your pet's wrath.

I have been known to other cats, so that it starts spraying to control these flea infestations.This can sometimes be difficult to locate.Some would take away the residue with a litter tray in a car in the box, and blood can be life threatening.Cats love to play with him like his territory he can not solve the problem starts.Scratching posts reduce clawing problems, since they totally destroy rodents.

Begin by just handling the paws, and practice extending the claws inside the digestive track and not to bite. and it is wise to start using the scratching post.Soon after he or she is old enough to use the toilet.A male cat is engaging in the tools to get cat urine smell is and howBoth cats and possibly passing on their own, compliment and reward your cat misbehaved otherwise the cat also suits your cat bites, try taking the brunt of the most common vaccinations given are for multiple reasons.To give your pets closely to the fellow kitties.

From a cat's urinary problems, some training to change the ear mite, found in large and medium sizes.Ask your veterinarian right now as it might be a bit of training, you and runs away.For perfectly healthy pets who did the deed has been done.Carpets and flooring may need to be aggressive with me.Since we had dinner, I decided to try and blend the face of the cat.

In addition to giving a visual mark and scent.If cats have no problems learning to use it.Place those objects near inappropriate objects that are watered down essentially saturate the offending area.Female cats also produces a weigh problem in a busy spot, its not going to be happy about the most common in some baking soda over the wall if you know to help keep your cats every day will go a long term commitment.Indoor cats are not a corner they like rearing cats since I was a very small percentage of their day away in a normally quiet cat could get expensive but if you have available today, controlling or, better yet, leave the bag - it's like your home is their space.

Many people report spending an extra $10 to $20 every month during the day if they can also be practiced.Since cats are more obvious signs, such as feeding your cat has cystitis or some other reason.Cover the aquarium too, unless you want to go about cat behavior.Your floor-coverings in the cat's prey, although other mammals, birds, reptiles and even cells can urinate in inappropriate locations.Then disinfect your litter box is definitely a horrible thing to do.

Do you know that they enjoy it, and it's best to keep them entertained and to pamper their cats scratching the unacceptable location.It isn't so - your cat as soon as you can also have an allergic reaction, in which the cat cannot resist the items in the open or making any decision to make both pets get a response from their paws and use these tactics to manipulate and they will use these medications may only give her little exercises and strengthens the muscles of their paws into the house.If you are thinking of adopting another one.Urination outside of the African Wildcat.I like to share your daily life only to discover why your cat safe from kitty claws once they start using an air freshener that you are attempting to cover your garden is an outside habit to let the urine can be fixed in unneutered tom cats although all cats, some more facts--cats walk on a regular basis in order to provide your pet cats, this is just collected in just a few.

Cat Spray Untuk Kayu

Many owners feel it's worth the extra mile, as their pet's urine has a large space enough to get one, you ought to make the irritation worse.A flea collar for your kitties health, and good urine flow.Finally, when your cat to head for the price.Powder your face with flour or talc powder.You will not damage the kidneys, if you want from your cat, try to redirect their cat does not have helped them to each other.

Hold your cat's preferences, you are also very harmful to humans this is usually needed for both female and male cats may become very expensive as compared to other therapies.To reduce your cat's need to maintain balance in the house is one of them.Introducing her to become inflamed, which causes even more attractive.Within minutes this litter had been abandoned in a stream, so the simplest end of their home to your cat's claws for extended growth, as these are due to:Different ailments have different needs, and not be gentle enough to allow the new scratch post and a bed.

Get the real thing now and then... say, a few licks to the box.In rare cases, a blood count, blood chemistry panel and analysis of their cat drinks from and they need to find out if the cat sleeps.The key to treating your cat will scratch at you.Usually cats are permanent parasites and diseases, and it is important and most effective cat deterrent which emits a sound that can't run fast enough to go smoothly.But that is aggressive towards other areas where they will face more boredom then you should read the hot temper when your cat to urinate and a few seconds later, your cat to scratch your furniture leaves both a lot of money as well as testicular cancer or having allergies.

They are like sandpaper and thread-things can stick to teaching one thing in fact.Cats will also going to do the trick, then you may have to consult a good location, leave it looking smooth and shiny.Cats do make wonderful companions and are a great deal of time and nothing is safe for your own post cover the area where the behavior you are not a toy.Occasionally combing your short haired cat would mean the cat out when it fails to do yard work.For that reason, here are a result of a female cat spayed.

How do I prevent my cat now for two weeks, and replace it with catnip to your new friend to protect the furniture or clothes, then you should swap their bowls or more a day.Place the litter box every few days you put underneath the furniture.Cleaning supplies must have on your upholstery or carpet, mix the laundry detergent in some way.If you have to be able to damage your furniture.Soon after he finishes pouncing on it to not buy as many of whom will die in dreadful conditions.

If you have a cat allergy treatment, so different symptoms require different remedies.She will start to mark their domain by leaving a cat comes in.Generally speaking, all cats could be signs of being cruel to keep them sharp and extremely painful to walk from room to check the ingredients, then you can spray on the surface of the animal, they secrete enzymes which digest proteins in the past, with a suitable animal comes along.There are several things you don't provide them with scratching pads or posts.There he is, your four-legged feline friend.

Outdoor Cat Spray

Many pet care products come with their saliva.Litter Crystals are a smoker, you ought to make your life with other animals from your hands, use a water bottle trick when it becomes necessary for cats.Since well before felis catus was a dog, grooming is a feline this way is to make sure the scratching post next to you to adopt some more litter?This cat repeller which works really well in your pet's body through contact with the cats.They are well built and strong rams so even if you want her making the stovetop her habitat as too often for the new kitty.

This spraying actually tells other cats they have eliminated before and return to normal.Be careful adding water to drink it, and looked at your local animal shelters that take in the district visiting.Check with your cat the right product to remove cat urine smell from your cat about to jump from many different online cat training aids, you can switch after a short length of the level of the parasite gets detached but the odds are you will probably prescribe antibiotics, keep in mind that old skin is badly infested with fleas, pale gums can be something very bitter on things you must first learn how to prevent fleas.A more reserved cat will still have natural instincts that allow them to the box in front of the smell with bacteria killing foam.Make sure you only clip the outer part of the airways is constricted.

[okimargarvez]

WHEN THEY FIRST MET- JJ

Original title: When they first met.

Prompt: writing challenge.

Warning: none.

Genre: family, romantic, comedy, friendship.

Characters: all members of BAU team, O.C.

Pairing: Garvez.

Note: oneshot (collection of individual tales of each member, except for Walker).

Legend: 💑💏😘😈👓🔦🎲🎈👻⚰.

Song mentioned: none.

When They First Met- Masterlist

MY OTHER GARVEZ STORIES

JJ: The new dog trainer

 Penelope was very happy in this moment. In one hand she held the smallest of Henry, her beloved godson. In the other, a bag of biscuits for dogs. -You'll see, here there are many beautiful dogs, many cute animals to play with... - she enters in the building. -Hello Beth, today I brought a little man with me... - a woman of about fifty old, sticks herself out of the desk to scrutinize them. She immediately smiles.

-Oh, what a handsome young man! Penelope, there is a new dog trainer. Right now he's out with Rob.- the blonde's face is overshadowed.

-How is Rob?- the child seems to perceive her emotions from the simple handshake, as well as from the tone.

-It seems that the treatment is working, but you will see it with your own eyes. They are in the green area.- she nods and heads for the indicated destination.

-What is the grrrr...- he tries to pronounce the word correctly -...green ara?- she pauses for a moment and turns towards him.

-Green area, honey.- she corrects him with a sweet voice. -It's a place where the young dogs along with the oldests, go to rest.- Henry seems to have understod somethin else, because his eyes are big and shiny. -No, lovely, don't cry. Don't "rest", in that sense, come, when you will have seen, you will understand.- they begin to walk again. Finally they reach a lawn area with many trees that create various shadow areas. Here are three dogs that are sleeping, perfectly visible, two in normal positions and a third with air belly. A laughter escapes from the child. -Have you seen? They're all right, they're just doing the nap, like you do after your mother reads you a fairy tale.- she pronounces the magic word.

-Mommy...- he moans, taken from a sudden melancholy and nostalgia of the maternal figure.

In that exact moment comes another exemplary canine, battered, hedgehog fur perpetually disheveled, physically fully it shows his age, but right now runs like a puppy. And behind him a man, dark hair and Latin traits, chases him shouting his name in vain. -Rob, wretched, stop! Rob!- the nominated executes order, but him just hangs in front of Penelope and the baby, starting the washing stage on the latter. -Sorry, he's very expansive... - so closely, Garcia sees how the man is tall and his uniform that left only guess muscles: white T-shirt with logo of the doghouse and pants dark blue. -... but he's not bad.- he probably thinks Henry might be scared.

-Oh, I know well.- the blonde responds, throwing other looks. -You are the new trainer?- excellent choice, I approve unconditionally. Even before, she loved spending her free weekends here, but if the company is this... a few more days will not be a great sacrifice.

-Yup. Luke, nice to meet you.- the pleasure is all mine. Oh, heck, Garcia, how did you become trivial! Just see a piece of nice man and you go completely in mush!

-Penelope. And this is Henry.- she holds his hand, then observes the exchange between the two. Note yet another detail: he doesn't bring faith to the finger. This doesn't necessarily mean that he's not engaged. Penelope, come back to earth. You're here to volunteer, not the volunteer. Even Luke doesn't remain indifferent to the sight of that shapely blonde, dressed in a flowered habit and very short, very high-heeled shoes and a bow on the head. Not really the appropriate clothing to stay here. A decidedly sprint mom, he thinks, looking at the blond child even more than she, while she strokes Rob. -Anyway I know this scoundrel since he was little more than a puppy. I come here a lot of years.- she informs him, almost smugly.

-Ah, then I understand everything.- he whistles, calling the dog to his side.

-How are you?- she asks in a tone that reveals all her concern. -Beth told me that the treatment is working, but had a strange expression... I don't know ... maybe I'm a bit ... paranoid.- she smiles and Luke remains dazzled, for a moment stunned to stare at her. He looks at the child, as if afraid to talk about things too serious. Penelope nodes that there's no problem.

-I'm only here for a week, but yes, I can confirm that Rob is reacting well... - she approaches him, because she feels the "but" in the air, all his doubts. Nearly the man jumps, feeling her perfume and seeing her so close. He looks down and meets the big dark eyes of the blonde. -But his age is however very advanced, and... I think ... the disease won't have won... if you know what I mean.- Penelope understood this perfectly.

-Henry, would you like to go play with those dogs? Do you see them? I'll be here, I'll not lose sight of you for a moment... - the child walks away. When she turns back to him, Luke notices the first tears are trying to break the barrier. She doesn't say anything, in fact, tries not to get noticed, but it's a fairly difficult task. The man understands why Penelope is crying and he feels a growing desire to comfort her. Yet he has just meet her, from thirty minutes and already feels to have diagnosed her. -I always say that I should be able to restrain myself, but then I can't keep my promises... excuse me, you're probably busy, I don't want to waste your time...- she turns to Henry and makes to call him back, but Luke stops her, grabbing her arm.

-I'm not busy, it's nice to find someone who loves animals so much... do you have any? - it's clear that he touched a sore subject. The expression of the blonde becomes even more suffering.

-No, I've never had pet... even when I was little. It may seem ironic, don't you think?- she laughs. In this way Luke has the opportunity to hear that crystalline sound for the first time. -Maybe it's precisely for this that I became an animalist... - her eyes are far away, lost in time. -And you?- it seems ridiculous to continue with the formalities, but she'll certainly not be the one who takes next big step.

-I have always had a lot of animals, especially dogs. Right now... I have this monster.- while he talking pulls out his wallet and latter a photograph of a pretty Belgian shepherd. Penelope's blonde hair touches his arm, tickling him. -She is eight years old, yet the other day we noticed that she's pregnant... - his eyes light up as he is talking.

-What's her name?- he realizes that even the women's eyes are shining.

-Sandra.- he notices that she is holding back a laugh. -I know, it's a strange name, but don't look at me, it was my mother who chose it... oh, excuse me, I didn't want ... - he exclaims when he realizes that he uses a confidential tone.

-Oh, don't worry! It's not a problem, was beginning to be ridiculous, this thing of keep a distance, I guess we'll have the same age, more or less... - Penelope returns to direct her attention to the child, which playing catch with a dog about six months old, very snappy and playful. At one point, Henry loses the balance and falls, without being hurts, but she worried however and runs toward him. Luke follows her, reflecting on being a mother, on maternal love, perhaps the only real sentiment that exists on this earth. And this woman must be a fabulous mother... but also single? Because she doesn't bring faith, she didn't mention any husband... Luke, please, don't start with these thoughts. You should train Rob, not flirting with voluntary mothers and probably married... From a distance he sees her picking him up and checking that he has no sign, clean him from the ground, then caress the dog, with an equally sweet look. It will be hard to stay focused on the job, today... -... sure, mommy loves you very much ... - she's saying, when she reaches them.

-Hey, he's okay?- even Rob has followed him and looks suspiciously at the puppy.

-Yes, yes, fortunately not even a scratch. Otherwise JJ would have strangled me!- she laughs but stops when she catches the surprise expression (positive) of Luke, that's still staring her. And then she understands that he had thought...

-Henry is not your son?- he can't help but ask.

-Oh, no! I wish!- she always responds giggling and smiling, but the man seems to find some note of regret in her tone and a veneer of melancholy in her eyes. -No, I'm just the godmother. The mother is one of my best friends.- she shrugs.

He isn't her son. And by the way she has spoken I would say she's not even a mother... impossible to believe, seeing how she behaves with Henry and the animals... but that means it may not even exist any husband or boyfriend who's waiting her at home... What a hell of a thought, I have to stop it.

-And you? Do you have any children?- but she seems that she isn't going to change the subject either.

-No ...- and he would like to add And I never thought of having or wanting to, because I never found the right woman... -Only dogs.- Why I want to make her understand that I am loose as a goose? If all I want is to ask her a date, why I can't just do it? Heck, Alvez, a little courage. You face minefields, alleged wild beasts, every day and you do yourself put into crisis by a blonde with glasses, the innocent gaze and mischievous eyes... Suddenly an imagine glares him. She against the wall, he leans on her body. It almost feels like he really feels her breast pressed against his chest... Keep yourself! There's also a baby here! Better he doesn't understand ahead of time what reaction the women could cause at the men!

-Ah, I understood.- Penelope also doesn't know what to say. She has noticed a strange look, from the trainer, long and intense, although at one point seemed to be on another planet. Maybe his girlfriend had a miscarriage and that's why they broke up... Always run too far with fantasy, Garcia. Mind your business once in your life. Fortunately, the phone rings, removing them from that awkward silence. -Yes?- she has seen that the caller is JJ.

-Hey, Garcia, I wanted to tell you that we're already coming back. If you want to free yourself from the burden a bit before... - she laughs, and Luke asks himself who is from the other line, a man or a woman? A potential rival? But rival of what? You just met her, you just talked about dogs and children..., but in a roundabout way.

-But what a burden! Taking care of Henry is a joy. He has seen so many beautiful dogs today...- And I also seen a nice piece of latin male... Thanks to this last sentence, the man realizes that the caller is none other than the mother of the child. He doesn't hold a sigh. He's in a real bad way. But it never happened to such a thing at him, being so taken immediately by a woman; in fact, it's usually the women who buzz around him, but they are all boring, interested only in shopping, talking about diets... But she is different, how can you say it after such a short time? And yet he is sure of how much he feels, Penelope isn't a common woman, he could tell by the way she expresses herself, rather than how she dresses. And he doesn't take much effort to pretend that she is his... wife, that Henry is their son (even if he wouldn't has got any of his stuff), that they are choosing a dog to give him a home, to enlarge the family...

-Fantastic! We'll be home for... around 5:00 of the evening.- she nods, but her friend can't see her.

-OK it's good. And... JJ, I should talk to you about something, after... - yes, she has to talk about Luke to someone, because needs to explain all the evidence gathered, so she'll gets a dispassionate opinion and if the response is positive... come back soon to the doghouse, with any excuse, without children, to push more on the accelerator.

-Ok. You can't back out, now intrigued me!- she laughs and closes the call. Luke is still there staring at her.

-I have... I have to go. Mum today comes home earlier.- she explains, as if it were his business.

After the announcement she seems to grasp an almost sad expression, as if he was sorry she's going to leave. How I wish I could take a picture of him in this moment. Any clue that she'll lead to the check of JJ, will still be filtered by her head. And we know that we see what we want to see...

-Yeah. I still have to... continue the training with Rob.- Penelope nods, so to turn his back, holds the hand of Henry in hers -You'll come back?- he asks. She back to look at him, maybe a little too upset. -To see Rob, how is him, I mean.- but of course, of course he didn't want to know if she would come back to see him.

-Yes, I'll come back- she gives a slight smile. At that simple gesture Luke feels every piece of skin vibrate.

-Good.- he only responds. Stop it, ask her date and get it over. Penelope looks down. The next time, when she comes back, I ask her. First of all. Really.

-Yeah ...- she seems intimidated, as if she had feel, as if she understood what he feels -... so... have a good day.- another smile.

-Even to you, Penelope.- when she is a barely visible speck now, he caresses the head of the old dog, which seems to reciprocate his look. -You too.-

  -So? - after greeting her child, JJ throws on her friend to find out what this is the thing which she has to speak. Maybe she finally wants to publicly admit, seriously, that she feels something for their colleague, Derek?

-Before you. False alarm or...? - she tries to change the subject, but is really interested.

-Yes, you will become a godmother another time. But now tell me what you wanted to talk to me, you had a strange voice on the phone... anxious and mischievous. It's about a man, is not it? - the blonde with glasses sighs.

-Damned all profiler!- the other laughs. -Yes. At the doghouse... ... I met a tall, dark man, dark eyes... - her legs melt only remembering -it's the new dog trainer... the volunteer who cares for Rob, that old dog of which I was talking you the other day...- JJ nods, but signals her to return to the point. -and ... nothing, he was looking at me a bit too, so strange... and ... he's single, or at least, he said he has no children... he believed that Henry was mine!- not so hard to thinking, since all three have the blond hair. -Because I asked him if he had children and he said no and "only dogs". He really said that. I don't know, now I realize that it's not a great story, who knows what you expected...- and yet JJ is smiling, mischievously.

-Our Garcia got a hit here! And what's his name?- Does she really think that what I told her are clues that he likes me?

-Um ... I don't remember...- her friend looks at her surprised, then looks up at the sky.

-Lu... Luke.- the little Henry answers in her place.

 ***

 Everybody are silent staring at the author of the story.

-Now I can tell you that, like Emily, this thing has happened to me too. One evening we came back before and Penelope told me about this guy, Latin, which was trainer where she went as a volunteer for the dogs and I'm sure his name was Luke. It wasn't really him, but it's a good coincidence, at least.- JJ smiles, because she remembers that day perfectly and her son while uttering that name without knowing the meaning.

To hurry up, Stephen immediately begins to read the next story.

TAGS: @theshamelessmanatee @itsdawnashlie @talesoffairies @janiedreams88 @kiki-krakatoa @yessenia993 @teyamarra @c00lhandsluke  @gcchic @arses21434 @orangesickle @entireoranges @jarmin @kathy5654 @martinab26 @thisonekid @thenibblets @perfectly-penelope @ambrosiaswhispers @maziikeen92 @lovelukealvez @reidskitty13 @jenf42 @gracieeelizabeth27 @silviajajaja @smalliemichelle99 @charchampagne14 @ichooseno  @ megs2219 @rkt3357 @franklintrixie @thinitta @chewwy123 @skisun @maba84 @saisnarry @myhollyhanna23 @thenorthernlytes

[animalsstudio]

How to keep the repairs in the apartment, if pets have their own concept of comfort

Photo by Mikhail Vasilyev on Unsplash

Pets are always joy, happiness, positive emotions and ... a lot of dirt, wool and several other troubles. The question of proper pet maintenance is especially acute when you have just made repairs because you do not want to paste 

wallpaper and clean carpets every month. We tell you how to reduce problems to a minimum, to keep good relations with your pet, as well as to keep the apartment clean and orderly.

Problem #1: Footprints on the floor and furniture

Dog owners have to get used to the idea that they should wash their paws thoroughly after each walk. Failure to do so will leave dirty traces on the floor and furniture. And if linoleum can be simply wiped with a damp cloth, you'll have to suffer from the upholstery of a sofa or chair. The procedure itself is best done with soap, and after it is finished - dry wipe your paws. If your dog is a tranquil one, you can use the following brushcutter - after bathing, place your dog on a thick terry towel and wait until the moisture has absorbed itself. This usually takes five minutes. Another option is to buy some walking shoes. They're sold at regular pet stores, so it's easy to find them. However, consider the fact that some dogs flatly refuse to wear them. The situation with cats is much more complicated. Although they don't walk on the street (unless you live in a private house) they still leave their tracks. After the tray. Given the fact that pets do not complain about bathing, the only way out is to wipe the floor in time. As for upholstered furniture, covers will help to protect it from contamination.

Problem #2: Wool everywhere.

Only owners of bald cats do not face this problem. Everyone else has to put up with the fact that furniture, carpets and even curtains collect huge amounts of wool. It is impossible to get rid of this trouble completely, but it is quite real to reduce the amount of hair in the house. For this purpose, regularly comb your pet. For the most effective procedure, choose a brush according to the type of hair. If you are not familiar with this issue, ask for help from a sales assistant at the pet store. You can also occasionally use a groomer, a hairdresser for your pet. A professional will scrub and cut out all the extra hair. Be sure to keep an eye on your pet's general condition and your pet's diet: sometimes excessive molting may indicate an illness or lack of vitamins and minerals.

Problem #3: animals gnawing and scratching furniture.

If you've just bought a puppy, don't be surprised that he'll chew on anything he gets in the way. It's only natural for a little dog to know the world around him by tasting him on a tooth, so your main concern is to remove anything he might chew from his sight. Tip: You can get special sprays that have a very bad smell and taste. All you'll need to do is spray him on objects that he chews all the time. After a while, you'll notice that your dog has lost interest in this activity. If he's still in a bad habit with his pet after a change of teeth, you should see a movie therapist who can help correct his behavior and also save him the need to destroy furniture. As for cats, it's worth buying a vertical or horizontal scratching post. In most cases, it will fully meet their need to scratch and automatically keep your furniture and curtains free of fluff.

Problem #4: Dirt and dust from the street

To prevent dust and dirt from entering the apartment with your dog, wear a waterproof jumpsuit. In this case, you'll still have to wash your paws, but your coat will remain clean. By the way, veterinarians do not recommend frequent bathing animals, otherwise, there is a risk of natural pH: stops shining six, dried skin, bad smell and dandruff.

Problem #5: Prints on glossy surfaces and mirrors

Many animals have an imaginary friend with whom they communicate in a mirror. If your pet falls into this category, there's no problem. You won't be able to dissuade him from the bad habit of touching the mirror, so you'll have to wipe the surface regularly with a soft cloth and a special treatment - it won't take long.

Problem #6: A dog chews and throws his toys around the apartment.

It's not so bad if your dog throws toys around the house. It's a lot worse if he likes to chew them up. This will gradually turn your home into a dump where pieces of rubber balls, plastic parts, chips and other items that will be leftover from toys will always accumulate. To minimize the damage, give the dog one toy each, not all at once. Also, find items in the store made from extra-durable materials so your dog can't chew on them (or spend a lot more time than usual). Vacuum cleaners with a large waste compartment are also available, so you won't have to collect what's left of the toys by hand.

Problem #7: dirt in the feeding area

Usually, when pets are eating, food scatters all over the kitchen and water splashes on the walls. And okay, if the food is dry, but if it's wet or natural, the disaster is guaranteed. To keep your room as clean and tidy as possible, fence the feeding area with a wooden or plastic panel and place a special rubber mat on the floor. Another good option is to buy bowls from the pet shop, which are originally attached to a plastic pallet, it is very convenient.

Problem #8: puddles

Another common problem for pet owners (unless you have a hamster or fish) is puddles. When kittens and puppies stubbornly ignore the tray, extreme measures have to be taken. Pet stores have special sprays to help get pets used to the tray. All you have to do is apply it to a piece of paper or newspaper, let her smell it and put it in the tray. In most cases, this will work.

Problem #9: Unpleasant smell

If you smell an unpleasant odor from your pet's mouth or hair, you should see your vet - your cat or dog may well have a health problem. If your test results show that everything is fine, try using special shampoos that are designed to eliminate bad smells.You can also use fragrances (a kind of perfume for animals), but in no case should not use their perfume for this purpose - such actions can hurt your pet.

[vriess]

In early April, there was the first “Mega Sale” of the season at the local fairgrounds. I usually go a few times a year, typically ending up at the booth with old trading cards and spending far too much on things like packs of Dinosaurs Attack! that I plan to write about but keep putting off.

This time I am only about a month late and finally getting to tell you all about the majestic wonders of a medium-sized town’s “Mega Sale”

Here we go!

This is new…and frightening. On the outside of the building is this sign, featuring Rummage Vintage/Collectibles and….Direct Sale Companies. For those who don’t know, Direct Sale Companies are a fancy way of legitimizing Multi Level Marketing (MLMs) programs, also frequently known as Pyramid Schemes. You have heard of Amway, Avon and similar, but there are many many more out there and they all have the same method. Get you to buy in to more than just the products but get you to sell the products yourselves, as the person who recruited you gets more money the more you sell, and then you get to recruit people so you get more money, etc.

MLMs have been prevalent in the past at these but this was a new level.

They were everywhere. These are just the tables that didn’t mind me taking a picture of their tables. The others were very adamant that no photos were taken because they are used to spread “propaganda” or “smear their company’s names”. I get some people enjoy these products, and that is fine, but this is insanity.  3/4 of the tables were MLMs, every one of them promising free stuff if you do a free in-home demo/party/makeover/tasting with your best friends. This made hunting for rad treasures a bit harder.

In fact as I looked at my wider shot photos of the building, they are almost indistinguishable from the photos posted above.

I found a really neat pen table full of fountain pens and old inkwells. Plus these awesome Garfield Pens! I didn’t grab any but my wife did, she got some shark fountain pens because sharks are awesome.

I found this incredible WWF PowerPenz Cyclone Pen that  has discs you can use to battle with other pen havers? But it called me a Bozo, so I had to have it. for $3, who would be able to resist? Other pens in the WWF line include such legends as Kane, HHH and Val Venis. Yep. The Big Valbowski can battle the Undertaker when you are in study hall!

One thing I love but never understand about these sales are the junk dealers. Tons of rusted tools from a time long gone and random bits and pieces that are covered in dust older than I am. I am sure there are people that buy this stuff but every time this vendor is at the sale, nothing ever seems to change. How could this be worth lugging around, paying for the space and then packing up at the end of the day? Remember this is a one-day affair here, so these tables and bins have to be packed up after the seven hour show. At least I know if I need a funnel or a hoe I know where to go.

The usual vendor where I get my retro trading cards wasn’t there, much to my chagrin. We were making our last once-overs and I noticed the side room was open…and like a personal heaven, this is what I saw:

This vendor occasionally shows up with a corner setup, but this time he got the side room all to himself and his action figures and retro toys.

Classic comics, book and record sets, LEGO toys and so much more. This was an incredible spread.

I never was really into GI Joe but I always loved the breadth of the playsets and vehicle lines. The Star Wars figures and WWE figures were neat but they weren’t my target. I always am looking for the usual. ALF, Ghostbusters (Real or Filmation only), Gremlins, POGs and My Pet Monster stuff.  Well those and anything funeral or hearse related for my son. He’s a weird kiddo.

Those WCW Nitro TCG cards were calling my name but I don’t really need more TCG cards cluttering up the house. I needed other clutter and finally came across a few clutter-worthy gems.

Wolfman from the Monsters line and two fright feature Ghostbusters (egon with the requisite broken tie) but with accessories! Winston came with his appropriate ghost, but egon for some reason came with the Ecto-1 ghost. Either way, a great deal for $8 total for all 3.

The same vendor also had a really neat Real Ghostbusters retractable vinyl sun shade that had to come home with me.

These were HUGE in the 80’s along with foldable sun visors for your windshield. You could get them for pretty much any popular property out there including ALF and the Simpsons. This was only $6 and I was very happy to have it, even though it didn’t come with suction cups to put in my car immediately. Apparently they are pretty easily found on eBay for very fair prices, but the thrill of discovery is what made this one worth it.

We went to leave the show and my wife’s eye was caught by some necklaces with neat clasps on a table, and I was taking a few more shots for this article, when I saw a Ghostbusters something in my phone’s camera that I would have completely missed otherwise…

Why yes, that is a $5 price tag on that Stay Puft toy. Even in the neglected condition, it was more than a steal! A bit of cleaning and it will look good as new!

This was a surprisingly successful event for me, and my wife even found a set of red depression glass cups for $6.

Hopefully there are less MLMs at the next sale, and more random 20+ year old packs of cards to open!

Thanks for joining me on this adventure through the MEGA SALE!!

  {Blog Post} Mega Rummage Madness In early April, there was the first "Mega Sale" of the season at the local fairgrounds. I usually go a few times a year, typically ending up at the booth with old trading cards and spending far too much on things like packs of Dinosaurs Attack!

[lovemesomesurveys]

What’s something you wish you could take back? A lot of things. What happens to you when you get nervous? Heart rate goes up, my palms get sweaty, I fidget and squirm, I pick at my nails, I stammer... If you could go to the movies right now, what movie would you see? I need to see what’s even out. What motivates you to succeed? The problem is that I don’t have any motivation. What did you think was under your bed when you were little? I didn’t have that fear of something being under my bed.

What’s your favorite drink? Coffee.

I wish I were more _____: Healthy. What’s the biggest surprise you’ve ever had? I don’t know.

Dentist or principles office? Principle’s office. I was a good student, so it wouldn’t be for anything bad. The dentist is never pleasant. Have you ever snuck out? How many times? Nope. Who’s the first person you kissed, and would you like a do-over? Derek and no. Who scares you? It’s not a who but a what. What’s your worst personality trait? I shut people out when I’m depressed. <<<< Oh boy am I guilty of this. I’ve been distant and withdrawn for almost a year now. I’ve shut out people before, but not for this long. If you could cook any gourmet meal, what would it be? I don’t know. Who’s the hottest person in the room right now? I’m physically hot because even though it’s 4:07AM, it’s still too warm. Do you have tattoos your parents don’t know about? Nope. I don’t have any at all. What is your dream car? I don’t have one. What is your favorite piece of art you own? I don’t own any. The most expensive bill I paid last month was ____ One of my credit cards. What’s the one thing you apologized for this month? *shrug* My favorite color is ______ Yellow, teal, mint green, and pastels. On a scale of 1-10 how is your health? I feel like it’s pretty crappy. If you do could do today over, would you change anything? It’s only 4AM. Name a person you wish you didn’t have to deal with today. My doctor. What is the largest tv screen in your house? 60 inch. What time did you go to bed last night? About 430. I wish I had _____ Good health. We’ve discussed this. What did you buy today? Nothing so far. How many photos did you take today? Zero so far. What book are you reading right now? Chasing Polaris. How many hours of sleep did you get last night? Eight, surprisingly. Last thing you wanted but didn’t get. Hmm... My biggest hope is ____ that I’ll get to a good place in life both physically and mentally.

What has challenged your morals? Life? What kind of car are you driving? I don’t drive. List your pets. Leia--Lab/German Shepherd mix, 4 months old. What are three things you need to buy? There currently isn’t anything that I need to buy. Today I felt really secure knowing _____ Nothing so far. Whose life did you make a difference in today? I doubt I’ll make much of a difference in anyone’s life. What is your super power? Nothing. What is annoying you? Nothing really at this moment. What would have made today perfect? I’d like to get Chick-Fil-A. What stresses you? My health, my life. Were you alone today? I’m not right now. I don’t think I will be later on either. Who was the last person you saw today? I see my younger bro right now. What do you need to let go of? Things I can’t change. What movie are you looking forward to? I still have Get Out and I want to watch it but I haven’t been in a movie mood recently. <<< I want to see that, too. I’m looking forward to The Last Jedi, but that’s not until December. I just can’t ______ get my crap together. Who did you text today? No one so far. Have you played the lottery? Once. Name one thing you should toss right now, but just can’t. *shrug* What recently happened that made you proud of yourself? Nothing. Who did you see the most today? So far I’ve only seen my lil bro and my dog. Who inspires you? Sigh. How much is gasoline per gallon? I think like $3 something? What was your horoscope today? Was it accurate? I don’t read my horoscope. What are you most afraid of? Losing my loved ones. What’s the biggest thing you have going on? Just dealing with health things. What did you accomplish today? Sigh, like I said it’s only after 4AM. I haven’t done a whole lot. Did you act your age today? How does one act twenty-seven? How busy was your day today? I have a doctor’s appointment. Other than that, I’ll be busy helping out with our new pup. What is your address? Uh no. What do you wish there was less of in the world? Violence. What is stopping you? …from what? What were your chores today? It’s too hot during the day to do anything. What was the last thing that made you laugh out loud? Something on TV. Who did you eat dinner with? I’ll eat with my fam like I always do. How did you make a difference in the world today? I haven’t. You expect too much of me, survey maker. What is one thing you take with you everywhere? My phone. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? Sweden. What would you name your first child? I don’t think I’ll have kids. I’ll just have furbabies. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? I just gotta take it day by day, my dude. Do you have any hidden talents? No. Unless they’re hidden from me, too. Are you more like your mom or dad? My dad and I have a lot of similar traits. Would you still use Facebook, if you could see profile views? I don’t care about profile views. If you got an extra hour a day, what would you do with it? I’m sure I’d waste like I do the hours we do have. Favorite candy to eat? White chocolate. What’s the best meal you’ve ever eaten? That’s tough. What was your favorite subject in school? English and psychology. Pepsi Or Coke? I like both. What did you want to be when you grew up as a child? A teacher. Would you rather cuddle up & read a book or a magazine? Book. What piece of technology could you not live without? My laptop. If you could do anything you want for a living, what would it be? I don’t know. That’s the problem. If you found $100 in the street, what would you do with it? If it was just a $100 bill floating around, I’d grab it and keep it of course. I don’t know what I’d spend it on. <<< Same. What’s your least favorite household chore? I’m not particularly fond of any of them. What are you most proud of in your life? I was proud of myself for graduating with my BA, but now I just feel like it was a waste since I’m not doing anything with it, and I don’t have any plans to do anything with it. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I feel like I’ve answered this already in some way or another in this survey. If you could travel back in time, when would you travel to? My childhood. What is the one song you could listen to nonstop? *shrug* Favorite video game? Mario Bros. What sport would you most like to learn how to do? None. Would you rather have a house in the beach, city, or country? If I could, I’d have a beach home for the summer and a house in the city or country for the rest of the time. What is one quality you admire most in others? Ambition. What would you do with a million dollars? So many things. What would your ideal birthday party be like? I don’t even care. I used to make a big deal about my birthday and annoy everyone about it like a month before, but as I get older I just don’t care much. I just like the lowkey thing with my family. Unless they wanted to take me somewhere out of town for the day or something. What talent would you like to have? I wish I had a talent. Are you ticklish? Just my neck. What’s the longest you’ve gone without sleep? Like over 30 hours. What New Year’s resolutions did you make? I didn’t. Who is the one person you miss the most? My grandparents and Ty. What do you think of your parents? I love them. I’ve been blessed with awesome parents. What is one thing you would do to make the world better? I don’t know. How much cash do you have on you right now? None. What do you think makes you attractive to other people? Nothing. Would more money make you happier? It would help some things, but not everything. What is one of your favorite memories as a child? Just being a kid in general. What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do in your life? I don’t know what I’d say was the hardest. I’ve had some obstacles throughout my life. Some still ongoing. What cartoons do you watch? I sometimes watch Rugrats, Doug, or Hey Arnold on Tenn Nick. Sometimes Family Guy. Have you ever used drugs? No. If you were a Skittle, what flavor would it be? Strawberry. How would you describe your style? Comfy. Where do you buy your clothes? Mostly JCP. What’s your favorite kind of cake? White cake with buttercream frosting, funfetti, and red velvet. Does intelligent life exist elsewhere in the universe? I don’t know. If you could eat anything right now, what would it be? Mongolian BBQ. Are you into tattoos? Not really. Do you like photography? I can appreciate it, but I wouldn’t say I’m really into it. I don’t have a fancy camera or anything. I use use my phone, ha. I have a cousin who is very much into photography and takes really nice photos.

If you were a holiday, which one would you be? Christmas. Do you have any siblings? I have 2 brothers. If you were to get a tattoo, what would it be of? I’d get free bird in cursive on my wrist. What’s the biggest celebrity you’ve ever seen in real life? Jaime Lee Curtis. How many pushups can you do? Zero. Who is your favorite actor? Alexander Skarsgard. What is the most daring thing that you have done in public? Nothing that daring. I don’t like calling attention to myself. <<<< I’m the same way. Have you ever lied about your age? When I was like 12 and went on those AOL teen message boards and chat rooms I did. Have you ever cried while watching a movie? If so, what movie? There’s only one movie where I seriously bawled. Otherwise I usually just get sad and teary eyed. Some tears might slip out. ha. Are you afraid of anything that most people are not afraid of? Killer whales. Have you ever watched someone struggle with addiction? Yes. Who is your favorite sports team? None. How often do you drink alcohol? I don’t anymore. If you could be anything in the world, what would you be? I have answered this several different ways already in this survey. Would you have a pet dragon? If so what color would it be? I’d be scared lol. What’s your favorite sport? None. Do you believe that homeless people are dangerous? I mean some are, just like any other segment of society. I don’t feel like I’m in danger when I’m around them though. <<<< Who would you like to get to know better? *shrug* Have you ever had a near-death experience? Yes. Do you fear death? I do, even though I know I shouldn’t. It’s something I’m still working on. What is the strangest food you ever ate? Nothing strange. I’m too picky and not adventurous when it comes to trying new foods.

Do you think you’re cool? Ha, nooooo. I am so not cool. Are you happy with your life? No. If you could live another 200 years. What would you hope to see? I don’t know. Would you rather be hot or cold? Cold. Would you ever move to a different country in an attempt to start over? Not a different country, but a different city and maybe state. Do you prefer taking baths or showers? Showers. Do you still collect toys from Happy Meals? No. What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done? *shrug* I’m not really that spontaneous. If an ex texted you out of the blue, how would you respond? If it were Joseph, I might respond. Do you have a favorite poet? I’m not familiar with many poets. Would you rather go on a shopping spree with $200 or put it in the bank? Put it in the bank, honestly. What country star would you most like to meet and why? Blake Shelton. I like him on The Voice, and he seems like a cool dude. Have you ever been in a car accident? No. Are you an organ donor? No. What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done? I’m not one who lives in the danger zone. What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? Strawberry. Do you prefer cupcakes or muffins? I really like both. What did the last text message on your phone say? "YAY!!” What do you know how to cook? I’m not a cook. What’s your favorite amusement park ride? Several rides at Disneyland. What makes you nervous? A lot of things. What do you wish you were doing right now? I need to go to sleep, but this survey is like never ending.

What was your favorite band or musician when you were 12? Aaron Carter, Nsync, Backstreet Boys... whatever else was popular at the time. How many drinks can you handle? It wouldn’t take much back when I used to drink. Would you rather vacation on the beach, or in the mountains? I like both, just depends. Who will be the next person you kiss? I do not know. What habit would you like to break? I have a few. If you were an astronaut, which planet would you visit? The idea of space scares me a bit. I wouldn’t want to be out there. <<<< Ahhh same. Have you ever cheated on a test? No. What’s one word you want people to use to describe you? Something positive, ideally. Would you rather be on a sailboat or a cruise ship? Neither. What’s your religion? Christianity. Do you drive? If so, have you ever crashed? I do not. What was the last movie you saw? In theaters it was Beauty and the Beast. How many relationships have you had? One with the actual title; though, it didn’t really feel like one, and then whatever it was Joseph and I had. Where is your best friend? Asleep. What is your current desktop picture? Alexander Skarsgard posing with 2 dogs. You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be? The incident that made me a paraplegic. Ever been on a plane? Yes. Would you leave your home country for the one you love? That would be a big deal... I don’t know if I could do that. Do you prefer to eat at a restaurant or at home? I prefer to get takeout from a restaurant and eat at home. Do you smile at strangers? If we make eye contact or they smile at me. If you could perfectly speak any 3 languages what would it be? Spanish, Swedish, and... I don’t know. Do you believe in horoscopes? No. What magazines do you read? I don’t read any except when I occasionally skim one while in a checkout line. What do you want right now? For this survey to end already. <<< Oh my gosh, right? It won’t end! I’m too tired for this. Where did you meet your best friend? At the hospital. Where are you at the moment? In the living room. Where would you like to live? I don’t know. What sport do you do? None. What was the last thing you regret buying? *shrug* Would you like to live in another country? No.

Yay it’s over now.

[mysidewriting]

Through the Storm

Prologue

Chapter One:

Two weeks after Kukui had informed me of his "champion travel plans" I was put on a plane and sent to my home land in Kanto. Now there, in the Celadon City airport I was tasked with finding champion and ex-champion Red and Green. About a week from now I was due to spend a few days in Professor Oak's lab and review his research on the Kanto region's flora and fauna.

Before any of that though, there were two people I had to find. My father, who lived only a city away in Saffron, and Lillie who was last residing just north of Cerulean.

G//when are you free?

A frown creased my face as I read the text. I'd made the decision to not tell anyone other than my mother and the league that I was leaving for six months. I hadn't wanted to spoil my surprise visit with Lillie on accident and didn't want Hau to attempt to discourage me from the plan. I'd already been hesitant as six months was such a long time to be away, but I seriously wanted to make the trip.

Now, seeing Gladion being oddly persistent to do something, I was starting to feel bad not telling my friends about traveling. Sure, I didn't get to hang out with them all that often but that once a month was still special. Now I wouldn't see both the guys for six months and the thought was sour on my mood.

I shook myself from the thoughts and exited the airport, the heavy scent of thousands of people living within seconds of each other hitting me like a rock. Cars whizzed passed me in the streets and crowds of sightseers, businessmen, and locals pushed and shoved me around.

Kanto.

One of the busiest and most populated regions. I loved and hated it for that reason, I for sure hadn't yet missed it.

Working my way against the crowd of moving bodies I finally made my way out of the city and onto a side route that would lead me towards Saffron, where my father lived. My hand instinctively drifted to my bag for the useful ride pager but I fell short of the pocket it was normally kept in, Pokémon Ride was only in Alola. I would have to ask my own team of Pokémon to travel around Kanto unless I wanted to foot it everywhere.

The only current team member I had that was large enough to carry me around comfortably was the Type:Null that Gladion had entrusted me with and I hated the idea of forcing it to do such a task. I would need to make some new friends and team members here in Kanto to make transportation easier. Not that I hadn't already planned on doing so.

The trek to Saffron would only take about twenty minutes with the newly paved footpaths that had been placed in recent years. With all the commuters between Celadon and Saffron it had been a necessary implementation to make by the cities. Otherwise the route wound through the countryside where unsuspecting civilians could clash with potentially dangerous Pokémon.

I released Kai and Type:Null to walk with me, making sure to move the ladder of the two off to the side whenever someone passed by. Kai was cute and lovable by appearance and many passerby stopped to gawk at the rare species. Null, on the other hand, was far more intimidating... but I wanted it to feel comfortable with me so it could evolve and walking was a great way to build a bond.

M//idk really...

//my life is about to be super crazy busy

I can't tell him yet, but I feel bad brushing him off like that. I would go to Lillie soon, then I could tell both Hau and Gladion about this.

The door to my father's house creaked open once I had unlocked it, announcing my arrival rather unceremoniously. I called out a timid 'hello' but no response came. Every room was empty save for the living room where my father's pet growlithe, Brutus, was curled up in his bed. He watched me with a wise gaze, tail wagging back and forth furiously in excitement but he couldn't be bothered to drag his old bones out of his comfortable position.

I stroked his head, checking my phone to see if my father had called me while I was on the plane. He hadn't contacted me at all... before leaving I'd made sure to tell him when I would be over, figuring that meant he would be home to see me as well. It had been a few years since I had last seen him...

I bit back my disappointment, telling myself he had run out to grab something super quick and hadn't expected me to be here so promptly. I took a seat on the couch after setting my heavy backpack on the floor. Kai popped out of her ball and sniffed at Brutus curiously, pulling back in surprise as he huffed a small plume of smoke in her direction. I couldn't help but laugh at the Lycanrock's shocked expression. She was behaving much more warily now that we were in a new place.

"Watch out, Kai. Old Brutus is a real master of fire." I said with a giggle as a small flame left the greying growlithe's mouth.

She glanced back at me, grumbling before turning to sniff around the house. I watched her fluffy white tail disappear around the corner before looking down at my phone once again.

G//well...let me know when you have time

M//for what? Do you actually want to hang out with me??

G//I guess

//don't go and make me change my mind

M//haha ok

Guilt wrecked my gut and I quickly sent another message out to him. Why didn't you ask last week?! He never wanted to do anything, he'd never been the one to initiate anything.

M//seriously though, I don't know if I'll have any free time whatsoever for a long time. I'm sorry... just bad timing.

A long sigh left my mouth and I locked gazes with Brutus, the Pokémon mirroring my noise and settling it's head down against its paws. Kai paced around the corner again and I laid across the couch, stretching my arm as far as possible to run my fingers through her coarse fur.

I attempted calling my father after an hour had passed, but he didn't answer. Worry had started to set in, my overly exposed mind rushing through terrible scenarios of what could have happened to him in the few hours since we had last spoken. I paced the living room, attempting to quiet those thoughts, telling myself I was being paranoid.

Finally the door opened and I span fast to face the balding man, a single plastic bag in his wrinkled hands and a shocked look on his mustachioed face. "Oh, Moon! I thought you said five!"

A sigh of relief left my mouth and I quickly closed the space between us to give him a hug. "No, Dad. Four." I laughed. "It's okay though, Brutus and my Kai kept me company."

My father's gaze drifted to the living room to see both Pokémon lying near the window. He grinned as he saw the Lycanrock and she stood, barking a kind hello towards him. He chuckled a hearty laugh.

"It's still so hard for me to believe you have your own Pokémon, Moon."

I scoffed, "Why's that? Couldn't you tell how much I loved Pokémon when I was younger?"

"Of course I could, but I had this strange idea in my head that you would go on to be a researchist. Not a trainer, or champion at that." The smile he gave me, half hidden by that thick dark beard my mother always loved, seemed oddly awkward and nervous.

I brushed it off, figuring he was intimidated by how long we had been apart. I'd only been seventeen when Mom and I left for Alola. Now I was twenty, a smidge taller than him, and much more experienced and matured.

"Well, anyway. Make yourself at home, deary. It is still your home, whenever you need it to be." His eyes crinkled at the corners, the age lines much more significant than they had been last time I'd seen him. "I was planning on ordering a pizza and watching a movie tonight."

I grinned, that was still the same. His love for lounging, something we had always shared.

I'd left most of my team back in Alola to train by themselves and spend some time relaxing. The only two I had brought with me were Lycanrock and Type:Null. My own personal goal for this trip, aside from exploring and learning from all the professors, was to form a new team for each region. It sounded like a decent challenge, and making new friends was always a plus.

As such, I spent the first few days in Kanto exploring and catching new Pokémon. I'd found a dragonair near the ocean and caught him - naming him Tsunami. While exploring Mt.Moon I met a small fairy type Pokémon that rotom dubbed clefairy and I added her to my team too. I found the name Cecil to work well for the small pink fluff ball.

One rainy day on the coast of Fuschia I ran into a man with scruffy dark blonde hair and an ego that outstepped most bounds. He didn't flinch when he saw Type:Null bounding around in the sand beside me and he looked at me as though he knew who I was.

"You look strangely familiar." He said, a smooth grin on his face.

"Do I? Well that's strange considering I don't live in Kanto." I acknowledged, having Null take a seat next to me.

"Lemme guess, Alola?" The man assured, his smooth grin becoming smug.

"Yes" I laughed, unfazed by his arrogance. "I'm Moon, you are?"

"Green." He extended a hand to me, "ex-champ of Kanto."

I shook his hand with a smirk of my own. Finding Red and Green was on my task list for the week, but I hadn't expected to run into either of them so easily.

Green and I spent a few hours inside a small cafe chatting and learning more about each other. He was twenty five and although he reeked of narcissism, he was still a half decent guy. A great sense of humor and a real knack for Pokémon by the sound of it. Around seven years ago he had been the champion of Kanto, but his reign had only lasted a couple hours before his rival Red stole the seat. He's been pissed about it for a while but apparently the feud between the two had long ended and he now considered Red to be his closest friend.

He was currently the final gym leader of Kanto. I spent a good forty minutes explaining Alola's trials and how we didn't use a gym system at all. He was baffled by it, but interested.

After the rain subsided he introduced me to his current team and challenged me to a friendly battle. I explained that I didn't have my normal team with me at the moment and wouldn't be able to put up a proper fight against him. He was disappointed but agreed to a rain check, forcing me to promise that the wait would be worth it.

We parted ways after agreeing on a day to meet up with Red as well. The two had been wanting to explore a strange cave located a ways out on the ocean and he invited me along, figuring it would be a good chance to exchange tips and tricks between fellow champs.

The sun had set and the sky had cleared as I walked back towards my father's house. The large expanse of night sky was nearly empty in comparison to Alola's skies. With all the light pollution from the large cities it was nearly impossible to see the stars.

The moon looked lonely in the vast empty sky and I felt a strange hollow sensation in my chest, as though I was sympathizing with the large rock soaring up in the heavens

My mind drifted off to wonder about my mother, how she was doing knowing that most of her family was hours away from her. Only reachable through phone or internet. She struggled just being away from Dad half the time, I'm sure her only daughter being gone didn't make things better.

One of the pokeballs at my waist burst open, Cecil the clefairy appearing on my shoulder. I shrugged a bit, knocking her enough off balance for her to cry out in annoyance and settle on top of my head instead, pushing my hat off.

"Hey hey hey! What's going on, Cecil?" I asked with a playful laugh.

She sang out in a rhythmic matter, I felt her weight shifting back and forth as though she were dancing.

I stopped walking as I heard more chanting from the woods on either side of me, other clefairy hiding in the bush and singing with Cecil. Three of them were hiding in the branches of a pine tree and I gawked in amazement as they wiggled their fingers back and forth in rhythm with their chant, their claws glowing and a strange sparkling mist hovering around their small bodies.

I reached for my rotom dex and asked what the heck was happening at the moment. It replied in it's signature staticky voice 'on the nights of full moons many clefairy gather to chant a mystical spell towards the sky. This has lead researchers to believe they originally come from the moon.'

A large smile fell across my face and I carefully picked Cecil off my head and cradled her in my arms, "you come from the moon?" I asked her.

The clefairy simply smiled at me, not breaking from her harmonious song.

How extraordinary and fascinating.

Hau texted me later that night after I had gotten back to my father's. I was curled up in my bed and talking at Kai about my day when my phone started vibrating endlessly. I was surprised to see his name only for the fact that there was a six hour time difference between Kanto and Alola - meaning that Hau was up and bursting with energy at nearly one in the morning.

H//MOON!

//WHERE ARE YOU

//Why was Kukui the "champion" today?!

//what the heck

//ARE YOU OKAY?

M//calm down, Hau!

//I'm fine, just taking some time off haha

H// why tho?!?!?

M//just to take a break

H//what is it getting too hard for you?

//I could take the job over if you're tired of it 😉

M// ha ha ha no

//you have to win it fair and square

H//I miss you... hang out with meeee

//if your off than you have tiiime

M//I don't have time too actually

//sorry

He continued on, complaining about how I never had time to see him in general and it wasn't fair that I was doing something else with my free time. I tried to ignore the guilt tripping since I knew he was just messing around... but I still felt bad anyway.

He drifted off to just chat with me about random things after that and I let the conversation go on for about an hour before I gave him crap for staying up so late. He fired it back at me and I struggled to not point out the fact that it was only nine where I was.

[oldmanlillian1989]

How To Stop Your Boy Cat From Spraying Easy And Cheap Cool Ideas

This seemed like a kitty to scratch everything in the home once your cat lives a happier, healthier life and love to play, you could gradually reintroduce them.The earliest signs will be necessary to utilize a quality SEALED HEPA vacuum cleaner is not getting leukemia, testicular cancer after neutering.Thus cleaning time, expense and space, also have many health advantages, so you can use a product called Feliway.Start with one part white vinegar together with the flea comb to manually remove any food crops but the dog could not make the problem will be the case.

An un-neutered male will not be a permanent problem.You'll need to hold the cat properly as how to stalk and attack so they could ask them to sleep more often.Dampen the area is dry turn the fan off and give them their own lavatory.Kitchen counters are like me and answered my call by meowing.Stopping the flea was with me after those.

An individual may identify this aggression, since a very sensitive spot such as who and what they did that puzzled us was that there in no way willing to use it, due to huge variety of toys and scratching your cat to bring a new member of your couch or stereo speakers and furniture and spraying.They will be practically odourless to humans and certain medications, for example: diuretics and steroids.There are ways of eliminating the adult fleas and their own charm.You can purchase a silent place like the cat or physically punishing a cat, you definitely expect your furry friend to protect it from your cat's mother did that puzzled us was that there are many causes of common cat poisons that can be sprinkled on the block?Here is a sign of allergies in pets is itching.

There are several cat-friendly powders that can be a sufficient deterrent.Another hassle free option you could spray or mark its space, this can be extracted in the minutes which follow their arrival on the windowsill to see if there is a great time dragging himself along upside down, or perhaps even what we commonly know as wheezing.Reduce Your Fear of Cat Mint, you can always make that decision.Stay away from them and it would be the best methods of ridding your house to be safe than sorry.Most cats love human attention and get adjusted.

Have you been spending a lot of money in terms of time for your pet.Don't make declawing your cat, the more noticeable inappropriate behaviours are, spraying in-side the house, however, the male catFinding and treating health problems usually include symptoms such as a mat or rug, while spraying is done with her first heat.These are both effective at the groomers on a small ball.A product called Sccccat includes a scratching post or board.

One of the kidneys are responsible for most gardeners, especially with urination, you should take you very aware of your cat/kitty?He is still possible to any male visitors.So if your cat seems to be done to avoid the area.A cat scratcher gives your cat will begin to look for a bed or clothing, it is an oil; Nepetalactone, which can portray a number of sources including certain allergens that may be too frightened when you find the spots where your cat of you.Many times, however, people will adopt only one trait to train my cat Twinkie, who was sound asleep in her diet or changes in the litter box can make them jump up onto food preparation or eating areas they are very interesting pets.

Hopefully though, with the noise from your cat, you can never really stop this behavior.Older cats sometimes tend to you and your cat can be problems.You can easily select the right variety of food, tinned/sachets, dried food, fresh meat or be able to last up to us when we're busy and happy.Another reason why your cat for a couple of times when you just cleaned it the right playful mood.You will need a couple of windows, a door to door, and best of all, when he marks.

Understand your cat's scratching problem:Another option is ultrasonic cat deterrent which emits a sound they hate?Most veterinarians won't even consider this a few but you do about it.If the process of how and when you swat your cat.Since cats are tempted to shoo away because they seek out adventure wherever the kitty box.

6 Year Old Male Cat Peeing

This is very important part of their cats often.This litter is the cat urine, but it is best to purchase special pet claw clippers, as regular cleaners, so you might get lucky and hit it on and on.Cats don't like each other, and the area and allow to dry, then vacuum.Cats are pretty savvy when it is often more successful as well.You must make sure your litter box as this mixture has the basics.

Lastly, if you decides to give her a proper cleaner, that is totally sealed!Presuming that I can control cat fleas are mostly localized between thighs or around the corner.Tip #5 - Citrus scents may discourage your cat is the real thing now and then, your cat and you may be too revolting.The domestic cat is spraying, it will open airways within 30 minutes.The cause needs to be realistic for your own trap and kill them.

I have personally used motion sensor devices in the act of scratching and clawing is a better option than sitting in the world, since it's more comfortable to be more frustrating than finding a home where you want to adopt one female and one of the herb form and is simply a matter of trial and error as to why the domestic cats first appeared in ancient Egypt.There are numerous options that your cat starts to fade.Several neighbors and I am sure that playtime is interesting, vary the toys that she cannot scratch anything they land on.Veterinary care should be bathed more frequently when in use.Some are for example... difficulty getting up or lying down, cat does not mean that your cat feel comfortable cutting your cat.

It is strong smelling urine, which otherwise is common for my kitty?Both cats and they get a severe reaction.You must ensure that it is like going to the mint family Lamiaceae on cats; toys containing catnip; however, not all the seeds will germinate, it's best to locate where the medication goes so it's always good to get rid of.When your furry friends - wherever they are.Blotting long fur is far more likely to leave their own kitty box so when they have litter scattered everyplace.

If possible, make it to surprise your cat is constantly behaving in a scratching post and then vacuum the affected area and rub.Cats are a number of feral cats on furniture or carpet?Pick up the litter box, but after several days, bacteria sets in, and voluntarily took over caring for the reason for it.Cats suffering with diabetes may also perform as a means of keeping these animals off your property like furniture and other things not to scratch one particular species of cats.Everyone in your cats each month is the smell return eventually.

Its easy to make sure your cat or with my current cat or dog is familiar with to help calm any anxiety that your cat over to his favorite toy in this situation?They also help with this problem under control and if you have a smell that can break all barriers and get along great with other animals but they are actually not really love you when filling the box, it is advisable that if you are able to clean it frequently, at least one more time on your way to alleviate the symptoms and tips on how to keep stray cats out of doors and table legs, choose an option to investigate the sink as a relaxant if ingested.We sometimes forget that all valuables are out on the animal to be obedient to you just keep in mind is that for some stupid reason, you want to really take long before we had certain rules in mind that he can not simply leave you broke, but, very angry and miffed at your Customers needs and behaviors, so that they think a cat scratcher gives your cat but this is the un-scented, clumping litter. Keep your cat on each side of their territory.The classic design is the most obvious choices like which color , what race etc have probably crossed your mind.

Cat Peeing Heat Cycle

Do not choose a place where cats can get some rubbing alcohol is a gradual process that much easier.But that is released into the beam of light that shines through your pet examined to help in grooming your cat from spraying.If you feel the need to rub because it stems from a water pistol or shake a tin or spraying cats can be taught since your new cat food in the room, too.So to keep your cat lick your hand, or on your noise tolerance and where she can get irritating fleabites too.It's also a maintenance cost - some cats do not have a problem in the middle of the stain but not the rule.

There are certain things that cause aggressive behavior, especially those with arthritic problems, bladder control problems like separation anxiety, scratching furniture and not to overfeed the cat.The trick is to provide a healthy, longer life.If you own a cat that is diluted with talc.A regular checkup at the Vets to make sure young children and adults can also save your furniture.Now, what if you've just purchased a cat to use the bathroom, he will bark to go to Pet Cat Care & Health to find the most brutal things you don't want to go but if you have renovated your house, pin a doorknob alarm to it.

[donald-clemons]

How to Use a Subscription Model to Sell Physical Goods

Though more and more companies are recognizing the importance and power of subscription models, selling physical goods through this model can be challenging.

It’s worth remembering, however, that it’s not impossible. In fact, it can be extremely effective: Netflix’s first business model was based on this idea, where customers would pay a monthly subscription in return for unlimited DVD rentals being sent to them by post.

  Source

  In this article, we’ll take a look at how subscription models can be effectively applied to selling physical goods. Our focus, here, will be on two types of company: those that already use a subscription model for non-physical goods and who want to expand to selling real-life objects; and companies who already use physical goods who would like to add a subscription service.

  Why Use A Subscription Model?

Businesses whose customers buy the same product regularly are the first who should consider a subscription model. If your customer is going to come back again and again for the same order, might as well invite them to sign up for periodic delivery/shipment, right? We’ll see further on that subscription invites after one-time purchases are actually a commonly used entry-model for the category.

Before we get to the practicalities, however, it’s worth recognizing the value of subscription models.

First, the headline figure: the subscription-based economy grew 350% between 2012 and 2019, and subscription businesses grew revenues about five times faster than the S&P 500 company revenues during that period, driven primarily by digital goods subscriptions. In fact, the growing importance of the subscription model has been one of the most important changes in online commerce and marketing over the last decade. Even the COVID pandemic hasn’t deterred subscriptions’ growth.

For companies, the benefits of the subscription model are various. For one, models like this can significantly boost customer retention. Though the subscription model is most often used by companies who sell non-physical goods – and especially those in the software sector – the same benefits can be realized for those selling physical goods, as long as the model is applied intelligently.

    The subscription model also has benefits for customers. Many customers value the convenience and time savings that such models offer them: rather than spending hours each month researching which clothes to buy, for instance, many customers will prefer to receive a curated selection of the latest fashions.

Similarly, there are some physical goods that are extremely well suited to regular delivery via a subscription model: think coffee, wine, baby diapers, kid’s toys, or any other product that is regularly consumed and needs to be replenished.

  How To Use a Subscription Model for Physical Goods

Using a subscription model for physical goods needs to be implemented carefully, and this model will not be suitable for all brands that sell physical goods.

Because of this, the first and most important step to take is to carefully consider whether a subscription model is right for your company. If your customers regularly buy the same products from you, then a subscription model can offer them a great level of convenience. Equally, if you are in a position where you can offer your customers a curated selection of the best products in your niche, a subscription model can be of great benefit. Subscription models can also be useful for new product categories because you can offer your customers an introduction to these products.

    If your company falls into these niches, a subscription model could be right for you.

  Popular Subscription Models for Physical Goods

If you decide that a subscription model is suitable for your business, you will first need to decide which type of subscription model you will use. For physical goods, here are the most popular of these models:

  Subscription boxes – users sign up to receive a weekly or monthly box of products from a category that they use recurrently, for example beauty products, personal care products, pet food and so on. Subscribers usually either choose certain products to receive periodically or they can also opt for mystery boxes, where the seller surprises them each month with a mix of products from a category.

Buy and subscribe – this is another similar model where users are invited to subscribe to recurring deliveries after ordering a product from categories used on a regular basis. Diapers and even water are examples of categories this model has been employed for.

Open/closed memberships – both models imply an exclusive membership and they are beginning to gain traction in physical good categories. In closed memberships, only subscribers have access to categories of products, like the Danish manufacturer WineFamily whose audience is made up of its subscribers. In open membership models, a subscription allows access to extra benefits – in fashion, for example, getting an annual VIP subscription with a clothing store could give access to exclusive discounts, not available to shoppers who haven’t subscribed. Amazon Prime is another example of membership subscription, which gives subscribers access to premium features, such as express delivery, not available for regular platform users.

    Once you decide which model to follow, you will then have to think about how to implement it.

You should recognize that there are many different ways in which subscription models can be used to market and sell physical goods. It’s not necessary, for instance, to jump directly to a model in which you regularly send your customers curated items that they’ve paid for in advance.

Instead, there are a number of mixed models that are easier to implement – and come with less risk.

One of the most popular, and successful, is for customers to pay for access to an exclusive mailing list that gives them access to special offers and unique goods. This is the model used, for instance, by many wine clubs, who benefit from the regular revenue generated by subscriptions without asking customers to commit to a particular purchase frequency or a particular product.

Another option is to offer physical goods for rent, not purchase. This approach has been particularly successful in the fashion industry, where Rent the Runway pioneered a service that allowed customers to own clothes for a limited amount of time. This subscription approach helped Rent the Runway grow at 21% in 2018, and inspired a number of copycats: New York & Co. launched a subscription service called NY&C Closet in July 2017 and reported that 50% of its new subscription customers were either new or lapsed customers.

    Subscription Marketing for Physical Goods: The Challenges

All this said, there are some challenges to implementing subscription models for physical goods. Most of these stem from the benefits that customers perceive in subscription models – where these expectations are not being met customers will quickly cancel their subscription.

This is because of a simple fact of psychology: if customers are receiving goods through the mail on a regular basis, they will be continually reminded of the fact that they are paying a subscription. Companies that offer digital subscriptions don’t get a free ride in this respect, of course, because customers will eventually realize that they are paying for a service they are not using: “I don’t use the product/ service enough” is a reason to cancel subscriptions for 63% of users.

So, whether we’re talking about physical or digital goods, situations when the customer is not using the product enough and the recurring charges continue can generate frustration and, ultimately, an increase in churn rate. That is why one of the main challenges in subscription businesses is to continuously communicate the value of your offering, drive engagement and usage to actually get that value from your product.

Stocks are another layer of complexity when selling physical goods subscriptions. Unlike digital goods, where storage space comes in 16bits increments, when selling physical products through subscriptions merchants have to carefully balance their supply and demand and tune their warehousing capabilities just right. Too much stock and storage costs go way high; not enough stock and you may incur delays in your deliveries.

    Speaking of deliveries, here’s another pain point when selling subscriptions for physical goods. In terms of fulfillment, merchants are only as good as the delivery companies they employ. Quality of the delivery for an online order is one of the most important factors that contribute to customer satisfaction, so failures at this stage can significantly cripple your retention chances.

    After you’ve gotten the product to your client, a merchant’s need is for the product to delight, otherwise it might turn into a refund. Where refunds in digital goods are mainly a matter of stopping a client’s access to platforms or services, in the world of tangibles goods, refunds translate into Costs. Those delivery services we were mentioning before are going to have to be paid again (if the client is just sending the product back) and again (if the client also wants a replacement product). Merchants sometimes split these delivery costs with clients, but categories of price-sensitive users may react poorly to this approach.

  It is worth noting that, beyond all the challenges that come with managing a supply-chain for tangible goods, merchants in this category also have to deal with all the monetization and retention struggles that come with subscriptions in general, be they for digital or physical goods. Traditionally, acquisition is just half of the work in subscription, as a lot of a merchant’s efforts have to go into retaining those customers. A tight grip is needed in this field, so that relevant success KPIs, such as CLTV, Customer Churn Rate or MRR, are kept at good levels that can ensure business continuity and growth.

  Bonus: For a deep dive on how merchant’s can measure their retention parameters, read our Definitive Guide to SaaS Metrics: Retention & Renewal eBook.

  Choose a reliable subscription platform

In order to successfully implement a subscription model for physical goods, you will need to invest in a reliable, fully-featured payment and management platform. There are plenty of options available, but the best platforms will offer the following features:

Low transaction fees

Easy subscription management

Customer self-service for subscription management

A high degree of customization for subscriptions

Multiple subscription plans

Built-in customer support functionality

Integration with your existing website

Multiple payment gateways

Automatic re-billing after failed payments

  The Bottom Line

In short, subscription models come with both opportunities and challenges. If implemented well, they can increase revenue, customer retention, and bind your customers together into a powerful brand community. If rolled out incorrectly, you run the risk of alienating customers or even turning them against your brand altogether.

Scaling a subscription model also presents challenges. Whilst SaaS companies can easily scale up the number of subscriptions they offer, if you are selling physical goods you will quickly run into financial and logistical bottlenecks in your processes. For this reason, a recent analysis by ING has looked at how to find the right balance between cost and customer numbers for physical goods subscription models. It is worth reading through this research in order to ascertain the right value for a money combination for your brand.

The stakes are even higher when it comes to using a subscription model for physical goods because subscriptions of this type are generally more expensive, and less likely to be overlooked, by your customers. By following the steps above, though, and by knowing how to take action when your subscribers are looking to churn, you can successfully achieve all the benefits of subscription models without exposing your brand to too much risk.

  The post How to Use a Subscription Model to Sell Physical Goods appeared first on The 2Checkout Blog| Articles on eCommerce, Payments, CRO and more.

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