#Amazon rainforest rock

[sakuraswordly]

"That's right......There's no way everyone can be happy...."

"Sakura...thinks that you're special. That's why I trust your love. Sometimes, there is a definite crime that can't be made up. There's no one who can't love someone. Like my brother...and Sei-chan..."

Knowledge 26

Ongoing research and excavations continue to uncover new sites and further our understanding of the prehistoric cultures of the Amazon. Studies often involve collaborations between archaeologists, anthropologists, and indigenous communities. Amazon rainforest rock art is a testament to the rich cultural heritage and historical depth of the region, highlighting the creativity and ingenuity of its ancient inhabitants.

Deep in Colombia's Amazon rainforest, an 8-mile-long stretch of ancient rock art, discovered in 2019, reveals astonishing depictions of now-extinct Ice Age megafauna. In the heart of this lush jungle, the painted cliffs of La Lindosa showcase vivid paintings dating back approximately 12,500 years. These artworks feature human figures, daily life, and a variety of animals, including mastodons and giant sloths. Dubbed the "Sistine Chapel of the Ancients," this discovery offers a rare glimpse into the Ice Age era, showcasing the biodiversity and culture of ancient Amazonian peoples. The sheer scale and detail of the artwork provide invaluable insights into prehistoric life and the environment of the time. This extraordinary site stands as a testament to the rich, yet largely unexplored, history of the Amazon basin.

Introduce characters:

Hokuto is Subaru's elder twin sister, and his loyal emotional support. She is a happy, energetic young woman, and incredibly skilled with her sewing machine. She is nowhere near as skilled as Subaru at magic, but makes up for it with perseverance (and a healthy dose of martial arts). She wishes only the best for her younger brother, but fears that his tender heart will only bring him pain. She eagerly encourages Seishirou and Subaru's relationship, hoping to make Subaru care about his own needs and feelings. She always knew that Seishirou was dangerous, but she could also see that the man was gaining a special spot in Subaru's heart, so she let him get closer to her brother in order to get him to think more on his own needs and desires. In the end, Seishirou is self-sacrificing to the utmost to achieve Subaru's happiness in Tsofph season 1.

[afeelgoodblog]

The Best News of Last Week

1. Arizona governor Ok's over the counter birth control

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) has expanded access to over-the-counter birth control that will “soon be available to Arizonans,” according to a press release.

Arizonans 18 and older will soon be able to go to their local pharmacy and purchase oral contraceptives without a doctor’s prescription.

2. ‘Great news’: EU hails discovery of massive phosphate rock deposit in Norway

A massive underground deposit of high-grade phosphate rock in Norway, pitched as the world’s largest, is big enough to satisfy world demand for fertilisers, solar panels and electric car batteries over the next 50 years, according to the company exploiting the resource. About 90% of the world’s mined phosphate rock is used in agriculture for the production of phosphorous for the fertiliser industry, for which there is currently no substitute.

3. U.S. Is Destroying the Last of Its Once-Vast Chemical Weapons Arsenal

Decades behind its initial schedule, the dangerous job of eliminating the world’s only remaining declared stockpile of lethal chemical munitions will be completed as soon as Friday.

4. Chinese scientists create edible food packaging to replace plastic

By incorporating certain soy proteins into the structure, Chinese University of Hong Kong scientists successfully created edible food packaging.

5. World's 1st 'tooth regrowth' medicine moves toward clinical trials in Japan

A Japanese research team is making progress on the development of a groundbreaking medication that may allow people to grow new teeth, with clinical trials set to begin in July 2024. The tooth regrowth medicine is intended for people who lack a full set of adult teeth due to congenital factors.

6. No Longer Endangered: The Bald Eagle is an Icon of the ESA

When the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was enacted in 1973, bald eagle population numbers across the country showed that the species was close to disappearing. Before the ESA, in the 1950s and ‘60s, eagles were shot routinely despite the protection. The ESA listing helped bring public attention to the issue.

Through the early 1970s and into the early ‘80s, numbers increased gradually. Then, as you got into the ‘90s, there was still gradual growth. From the late ‘90s into the 2000s, the population really exploded. There was a doubling rate of every several years or so for a while.

7. Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon drops 34% in first half 2023

Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon fell 34% in the first half of 2023, preliminary government data showed on Thursday, hitting its lowest level in four years as President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva institutes tougher environmental policies.

Data produced by Brazil's national space research agency Inpe indicated that 2,649 square km (1,023 square miles) of rainforest were cleared in the region in the half year, the lowest for the period since 2019.

----

That's it for this week :)

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[foone]

You know, It doesn't matter if you belive in God or Science or Both, trans people are natural and awesome.

God? Well, we humans are made in God's image. We're all a little figurine of the Creator, and we Create. We create ourselves, our environments, our situations... God made the world and Man gave names to all the animals. We catalog and explore and determine and change. We make the wine and the bread, God made the grapes and the wheat. Of course we make our genders just as much as we make houses and clothes and stories and names. There's a bit of the divine in all of us and it's the part of us that Creates and Loves.

And Science? Oh boy! We are tool-users of the highest order. Changing things is just what we do. We built the pyramids and the dog and the horse and the computer. We've built cities out of swamps and lakes and put flags on the moon. Changing things so they work better for us is just our very nature. We heal our broken bones and build glasses and hearing aids and wheelchairs, because fuck our limitations. We invented corn and the Amazon rainforest. Transformation is in our nature just as much as being bipedal and featherless. We see a world and a body and a mind that doesn't work for us, and we change it. We build roads and skyscrapers and prosthetics and drugs, and the resulting humanity is better. We spent thousands of years building our world and our knowledge of how to change it and we're very good at it by now.

My point is, it doesn't matter if you think we're a unique creation by an omnipotent creator or a hairless ape that evolved to be particularly good at being social tool-users who can cook and throw things, our nature is Creation and Transformation. Of course some humans would be transgender and non-binary and generally genderqueer: those things are just reflections of what it means to be human.

God gave Adam the first tongs so he could smith, and the ape knapped a stone into a point so a spear could be deadlier than just a rock. Transformation is the core of humanity. Of ourselves, our environments, our tools, our stories. There's never been a humanity that was unchanging and rigid: we're not made of stone. We're made of clay and wood and reeds. Endlessly shapeable and cuttable and weavable. We decide what shapes and purposes we are meant for.

[agarthanguide]

How the heck do you get Ashton to actually look like a rock? Signed, a fanartist who has tried every brush under the sun but still cannot nail it the way you brilliantly have.

ahhh thank you so much for the kind words!

Answer (sort of)- Ash's palette was hugely up in the air for a really long time. I kept pitching random bits of color at Taliesin, but his write up did not have any specific coloring in it from the get-go. And because I knew they were made of rock, I trended towards something to the left or right of grey (his working/code name had the word grey in it, as well, which def influenced me).

This went on for a while, until one day Tal did his Tal thing and just sent me plans for the finished Ashton. He painted over one of my sketches with the colors he wanted, included refs of some textures. The textures for the skin included nephrite and serpentine (nephrite is one form of jade, serpentine is a whole other thing.)

The serpentine reference had these really bold lines running through it, and I was worried I wouldn't be able to replicate them, so i just... dropped the texture into the sketch. I think I was just checking to see if it was gonna make them unreadable, but it actually looked pretty great. I painted over it a bit to work out where the lines should fall and how to get them to bend around the figure. And then when I was doing the final render, I made a brush that made the fucky line effect. There's one key element to the brush that I will show you-

The shape of the brush is just a random splatter shape, but the angle, size, and roundness change in response to pen pressure, so that as you draw, you can increase the size with added pressure, and some lovely, 3-D helix shapes will start appearing as you go.

From there it's easy- Make an extreme dark and an extreme light in your little texture space, then paint over in variations of green to push things deeper into Ash's "skin" while maintaining a slight transparency.

Here's some other little tips- - Before you add intense, lined texture, start with a textured base. This can be anything. Once I used a picture of the amazon rainforest with heavy color correction. Sometimes I use sponge brushes. Have fun with it. - Try to make the larger textures support the underlying figure. My go-to is large, lazy spirals that shimmy up and down their limbs. - Don't fight the lighting too much. To increase readability, try to use elements of higher or rougher texture to frame the features, while keeping the immediate area of their eyes, for example, less busy.

Good luck, and thanks for the ask!

[bvbyacid-666]

𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘 ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕓𝕝𝕖𝕞𝕤

Reminiscing on the Day you met the one and only druig

Warnings: None

Originally Written: 04/08/2024

Word Count: 645

“ You know it’s rude to stare right?”

You and druig were currently sitting under the tall trees of the amazon rainforest, admiring the billions of stars that resided above you. Well at least you were, it seemed as if druig decided to admire something else. 

“ Does my staring make you nervous, darling?”

Turning to face his narrowed eyes, you looked him up and down. Unable to think of a quick witty response that would match the multitude of his own. 

Laughing and turning away from him is the only thing that broke the intense silence between the two of you. No matter how many centuries had passed, druig was still able to make you laugh like the first time you met. 

5000 B.C: Mesopotamia

After protecting the locals from the deviants and essentially saving their lives, the eternals had split up, exploring the lands in which the locals occupied. 

You sat at the edge of the ground, where the waves crashing against met with the main rocks that littered the shore. The serene sound of the water crashing against the rocks created a sort of peace inside you, letting you calm down from the adrenaline high of fighting those deviants.

You heard his footsteps before you saw him. He still adorned his black suit that didn’t disappoint in showing off his muscles. He sat down next to you, not close enough in which your bodies were touching but close enough in which you could practically feel the heat emitting from your body. 

“What’s a beautiful lady like you sitting down here all by her lonesome?”

“ Am I not allowed to have some time to myself?”

“No, I just thought a beauty like you would prefer to be within the thick of the welcoming activities.”

“ Well lucky for me, I'm not that kind of girl.”

Turning to finally face him you could finally see the face of the man that had mysteriously wandered over to you. 

His face looked like it had been carved by Zeus himself, with not a single imperfection present and his eyes looking like the same waves you had watched for the past hour, clashing against each other in a sequence that could only be described as serene. 

It seemed as if you had gotten yourself lost in those very eyes, with him suddenly turning towards you with a questioning look on his face.

“Sorry did you say something?”

‘It’s alright beautiful. I was just introducing myself, my name’s druig”

He even had a perfect name.

“My names Y/N”

“Well it’s lovely to meet you darling”

Simultaneously as he said that he took your hand and pressed a light kiss to the centre of the back of your palm, making it feel like a touch from the gods themselves.

Flushed with embarrassment, you turned away from him. Deciding staring back out at the waves would give you less of an opportunity to embarrass yourself.

After several minutes the guilt of seemingly turning around and ignoring him seeped in. Deciding to try to climb out of whatever hole you’ve already dug yourself into, you agree that trying to strike up a conversation is probably your best bet at not perceiving yourself as some self indulgent asshole to this guy.

“It’s beautiful isn’t it?”

“It sure is.”

Turning around to face the man, you came face to face with his eyes looking straight into yours.

“You idiot, you weren’t even looking at it”

“I know, i was looking at something much more beautiful”

Laughing to shield the bashfulness that his bold statement has caused you, you can’t believe that such a man could say something on your first encounter.

“Is that seriously your way of flirting? Because if it is, it really sucks”

“Maybe, but does it work?”

“Maybe”

You didn’t realise then but that was the start of everything for you.

[salvadorbonaparte]

Broaden Your Horizons 2024

A Non-Fiction Rec List by Salvadorbonaparte

Books

Adventures in Yiddishland: Postvernacular Language and Culture - Jeffrey Shandler

A Good Man in Evil Times: The Heroic Story of Aristides de Sousa Mendes -- The Man Who Saved the Lives of Countless Refugess in World War II - Jose-Alain Fralon, Peter Graham (trans.)

Brief Answers to the Big Questions - Stephen Hawking

Erebus: The Story of a Ship - Michael Palin

Every Word Is A Bird We Teach To Sing: Encounters with the Mysteries and Meanings of Language - Daniel Tammet

Federico Garcia Lorca: A Life - Ian Gibson

Getting to Yes: Negotiating an agreement without giving in - Roger Fisher, William Ury

I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban - Malala Yousafzai

Ice Ghosts: The Epic Hunt for the Lost Franklin Expedition - Paul Watson

Identity and Violence: The Illusion of Destiny - Amartya Sen

If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face?: My Adventures in the Art and Science of Relating and Communicating - Alan Alda

Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism

Iwígara: American Indian Ethnobotanical Traditions and Science

Lingo: A Language Spotter's Guide to Europe - Gaston Dorren, Alison Edwards (trans.)

Monsters in the Closet: Homosexuality and the Horror Film - Harry M. Benshoff

One River: Explorations and Discoveries in the Amazon Rainforest - Wade Davis

Watching the English: The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour - Kate Fox

What's Your Pronoun? Beyond He and She - Dennis Baron

Documentaries

Bowling for Columbine

Break It All: The History of Rock in Latin America

ReMastered: Tricky Dick and the Man in Black

She's Beautiful When She's Angry

Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street

Podcasts

Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda

Freaks and Psychos: The Disability in Horror Podcast

Lingthusiasm

Ologies with Alie Ward

Root of Evil: The True Story of the Hodel Family and the Black Dahlia

The Sewers of Paris

[emma23]

Convergence of hearts :

Santiago Garcia x reader

If you want to support me, check this out 💕

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The sun was setting over the dense Amazon rainforest, casting long shadows through the lush canopy. Santiago Garcia, a seasoned former special forces operative, was sitting in a makeshift camp with his team: Francisco Morales, William Miller, and Ben Miller. They were a tight-knit group, bound by years of shared experiences and a deep sense of loyalty.

You, a renowned environmental scientist specializing in tropical ecosystems, had been recruited to help the team navigate the treacherous terrain of the jungle. You were there to ensure minimal impact on the environment and to provide crucial knowledge about the local flora and fauna. The assignment was a covert operation aimed at dismantling a powerful drug cartel that had been operating deep in the rainforest, using the cover of dense vegetation to hide their activities.

Santiago had been less than thrilled about bringing a civilian into such a dangerous mission, especially someone with no combat experience. You, on the other hand, had reluctantly agreed to the assignment, recognizing the opportunity to protect the delicate ecosystem you had spent years studying. The arrangement was tense from the start, with Santiago skeptical of your ability to handle the rough conditions and you wary of the team's military approach.

"Alright, listen up," Santiago called out as the team gathered around the campfire. "We'll move out at first light. We stick together, stay focused, and keep the noise down. This isn't a walk in the park."

You nodded, taking in the serious expressions on their faces. Despite your initial reservations, you couldn't help but be impressed by their professionalism. Still, you couldn't shake the feeling that Santiago doubted your competence, a sentiment that only added to the already palpable tension.

The next day, the team set out at dawn, with you following closely behind. The jungle was a cacophony of sounds—chirping insects, distant bird calls, and the rustling of leaves underfoot. The heat and humidity were oppressive, but you were used to such conditions, having spent years conducting fieldwork in similar environments.

As you trekked deeper into the jungle, Santiago took the lead, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. He had a commanding presence, a mix of caution and confidence that made it clear he was in his element. You, however, couldn't help but feel like an outsider, struggling to keep up with their pace.

At one point, the group stopped to take a break, and Santiago approached you, his expression unreadable. "How are you holding up, doc?" he asked, using the nickname they had given you.

"I'm fine," you replied, wiping the sweat from your brow. "Just trying to keep up."

He nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Just remember, this isn't just about the environment. It's a dangerous mission. Stay close, follow orders, and we'll get through this."

You bristled at his tone, but held back a retort. "I know what I'm doing, Santiago," you said, trying to keep your voice calm. "I'm here to help."

He stared at you for a moment, then nodded curtly and walked away. It was clear that trust was still an issue, and you wondered how long it would take to prove yourself to him.

As the team continued their trek, they encountered numerous obstacles—dense underbrush, hidden ravines, and sudden downpours that turned the ground into a muddy quagmire. Despite these challenges, you managed to keep pace, using your knowledge of the terrain to help navigate the rougher patches.

One afternoon, the group reached a narrow gorge that needed to be crossed. Santiago went first, securing a rope across the gap. As the others followed, you hesitated, eyeing the slippery rocks and the fast-moving water below.

"Come on, doc, we don't have all day," Santiago called from the other side, impatience lacing his voice.

Taking a deep breath, you grabbed the rope and started across. Halfway through, your foot slipped on a wet rock, and you lost your balance. Santiago, who had been watching closely, lunged forward and caught you just in time, pulling you to safety.

For a moment, you were pressed against him, your heart racing from the near-fall. Santiago's arms were strong around you, his breath warm against your ear. "Careful," he muttered, his voice softer than usual. "We can't afford to lose anyone."

You pulled back, embarrassed but grateful. "Thanks," you said quietly, meeting his eyes. There was a flicker of something in his gaze—concern, perhaps—but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared.

The incident seemed to shift something between you and Santiago. While the tension was still there, a subtle change had taken place. He seemed more attentive, checking in on you more frequently, and you found yourself relying on his guidance as you navigated the challenging terrain.

As the days passed, the jungle seemed to close in around you, a dense, living wall of green. The group had fallen into a rhythm, each member playing their part to ensure the mission's success. You spent your time documenting the flora and fauna, occasionally offering suggestions on the safest paths to take, while Santiago and the others focused on the tactical aspects of the mission.

One evening, after a long day of hiking, you sat around the campfire, sharing stories. The atmosphere was surprisingly relaxed, the flickering flames casting warm light on the faces of your companions. Francisco "Fish" Morales, always the jokester, was recounting a particularly humorous training exercise mishap, and even Santiago cracked a rare smile.

As the laughter died down, Santiago turned to you, curiosity in his eyes. "So, how did you end up as an environmental scientist?" he asked, his tone genuinely interested.

You shrugged, smiling. "I guess I've always loved nature," you replied. "As a kid, I was always outdoors, exploring the woods behind my house. It just made sense to turn that passion into a career."

Santiago nodded, his gaze thoughtful. "It's a different world out here," he said. "Not many people would willingly choose this kind of life."

You chuckled softly. "And not many people would choose yours," you countered. "But I suppose we both do it for the same reason: to protect what we care about."

He looked at you, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "You're right," he agreed. "Different paths, same goal."

The conversation flowed more easily after that, a sense of camaraderie settling over the group. You found yourself relaxing in Santiago's presence, the initial tension between you fading into the background. There was a shared respect growing, an acknowledgment of each other's strengths and dedication.

Despite the growing bond, there were still moments of friction. One afternoon, as you navigated a particularly dense part of the jungle, you stumbled upon a rare orchid, its delicate petals a vibrant splash of color amidst the green. You stopped to take a closer look, pulling out your notebook to jot down observations.

Santiago, who had been leading the group, turned back to see you lagging behind. "What are you doing?" he called, a note of frustration in his voice. "We can't afford to waste time."

You straightened, irritation flaring. "This is important," you shot back. "These plants are endangered. We have a responsibility to document them."

He walked over, his expression stern. "Our responsibility is to complete the mission," he said sharply. "We can't get distracted by every plant and animal we see."

You bristled, meeting his gaze defiantly. "And our mission isn't just about taking down the cartel," you retorted. "It's also about preserving this environment. If we don't document these species, who will?"

The tension between you was palpable, the air thick with unspoken emotions. Finally, Santiago sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine," he muttered. "But we can't stay here too long. We're on a tight schedule."

You nodded, grateful for the compromise. As you returned to your observations, you couldn't help but feel a flicker of respect for Santiago. Despite his brusque demeanor, he was willing to listen, to acknowledge the importance of your work.

The mission continued, each day bringing new challenges and discoveries. You and Santiago found yourselves working more closely together, your initial animosity giving way to a deeper understanding. He began to share more about his experiences, his past missions, and the toll it had taken on him. In return, you spoke about your research, your passion for conservation, and the challenges of being a scientist in a world that often undervalued such work.

One night, as you sat by the fire, Santiago turned to you, a serious look on his face. "I've been thinking about what you said," he began, his voice thoughtful. "About the importance of preserving this place. You're right. We need to do more than just take down the cartel. We need to protect what's here."

You looked at him, surprised by his words. "I didn't expect you to agree with me," you admitted.

He shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "I can be stubborn," he said. "But I can also admit when I'm wrong. You've opened my eyes to a different perspective, and I respect that."

A warmth spread through you at his words, a sense of connection that went beyond the mission. For the first time, you saw Santiago not just as a soldier, but as someone who cared deeply about doing the right thing, even if it meant challenging his own beliefs.

The jungle's dense canopy loomed overhead, casting deep shadows that obscured the path ahead. As the team ventured deeper, the air grew thick with tension, the stakes of their mission becoming increasingly clear. Santiago's leadership was as steady as ever, but there was an undercurrent of unease among the group, a sense that danger lurked just beyond their sight.

One evening, after setting up camp near a small clearing, the team gathered to discuss their next move. The cartel's base was close, and the mission's climax was imminent. Santiago laid out the plan with his usual precision, but there was an added edge to his voice, a recognition of the risks they faced.

"We'll approach from the north," he said, pointing to a rough map spread out on the ground. "It's the least guarded side, and we'll have the element of surprise."

As the team members nodded in agreement, you felt a knot of anxiety tighten in your chest. Despite the growing bond between you and Santiago, the reality of the mission was sobering. These were not your usual field conditions, and the prospect of violence was unsettling.

After the briefing, as the others dispersed to prepare, Santiago approached you. "You okay?" he asked, his voice low.

You forced a smile, though your unease was evident. "Just... processing," you replied. "This is all a bit overwhelming."

He nodded, his gaze softening. "I understand," he said. "But you've been handling yourself well. Just stick close to the group and follow my lead. We'll get through this."

His words were reassuring, and you felt a surge of gratitude. Despite the complexities of your relationship, Santiago had become a stabilizing presence, his confidence a steadying force.

The night before the operation, the team settled into a tense, quiet routine. As the others double-checked their gear and discussed strategies, you found yourself sitting apart, lost in thought. Santiago noticed your solitude and came to sit beside you, his presence a comforting weight.

"What's on your mind?" he asked, his tone gentle.

You hesitated, then sighed. "It's just... I didn't expect to be part of something like this," you admitted. "I'm used to dealing with plants and animals, not... this."

He nodded, understanding clear in his eyes. "It's a lot to take in," he agreed. "But you've adapted. You're stronger than you think."

The sincerity in his voice touched you, and you looked at him, a small smile playing on your lips. "You've changed too," you said softly. "You're not just the soldier I met at the beginning. There's more to you than that."

Santiago chuckled, a hint of self-deprecation in his expression. "Maybe you've been a good influence," he suggested. "Or maybe I just needed a reminder of what we're fighting for."

The moment hung between you, charged with unspoken emotions. You felt a deep connection with him, a sense of mutual respect and understanding that had grown over the course of the mission. As the firelight flickered in his eyes, you realized how much you had come to care for him.

The following day, the team moved out at dawn, each step bringing them closer to the cartel's stronghold. The jungle was eerily quiet, the usual sounds of wildlife subdued as if the forest itself held its breath.

Santiago led the way, his focus unwavering. You stayed close, your heart pounding with a mix of fear and adrenaline. As you approached the base, the team spread out, taking their positions as planned. You found yourself next to Santiago, your eyes meeting in a brief but intense moment of shared resolve.

The operation unfolded with a precision born of countless hours of training and preparation. The team moved swiftly, neutralizing guards and securing the area with minimal conflict. Despite the tension, there was a sense of relief as the mission progressed without major complications.

However, as they reached the heart of the base, a sudden gunshot rang out, shattering the quiet. Chaos erupted, the team diving for cover as bullets whizzed past. In the midst of the confusion, you were thrown to the ground, your breath knocked out of you.

Santiago was at your side in an instant, his expression a mix of concern and anger. "Stay down!" he shouted over the noise, his hand gripping your shoulder tightly. "We'll handle this."

Despite your fear, you managed to nod, trusting him completely. As Santiago and the others returned fire, you crawled to a safer position, your heart racing. The minutes dragged on, each second stretching into an eternity.

Finally, the gunfire ceased, the silence almost deafening in its aftermath. Santiago appeared beside you, his eyes searching your face for any sign of injury. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice tight with worry.

"I'm fine," you managed, though your voice was shaky. "What about you?"

He nodded, his relief palpable. "Just a few scrapes," he said. "Let's get out of here."

The team regrouped outside the base, a mix of relief and exhaustion etched on their faces. The operation had been a success, but the reality of what they had faced was sobering. As they made their way back through the jungle, the atmosphere was subdued, each member lost in their thoughts.

That evening, as you sat around the campfire, Santiago joined you, his expression unreadable. "You did well today," he said quietly. "It wasn't an easy situation, but you handled it."

You looked at him, a mix of emotions swirling within you. "I couldn't have done it without you," you admitted. "Thank you for keeping me safe."

He shrugged, though there was a softness in his eyes. "It's what I do," he replied. "But you're tougher than you think. You've proven that."

The sincerity in his voice touched you deeply, and you felt a surge of gratitude and affection for him. The events of the day had brought you closer, breaking down the last of the barriers between you.

As the fire crackled and the night deepened, you and Santiago talked quietly, sharing more about your lives and experiences. He spoke about his military career, the challenges and sacrifices it had entailed, while you opened up about your passion for conservation and the difficulties of your work.

The conversation flowed easily, a sense of intimacy settling over you. Despite the hardships of the mission, you felt a growing connection with Santiago, a bond forged in the crucible of shared danger and mutual respect.

The following days were spent debriefing and packing up the camp. The mission had been a success, but there was a sense of melancholy as the team prepared to leave the jungle. For you, the experience had been transformative, challenging your perceptions and deepening your understanding of both the world and yourself.

As you stood on the edge of the clearing, looking out over the lush greenery, Santiago joined you, his presence a comforting solidity. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" he said, his voice tinged with awe.

You nodded, a soft smile on your lips. "Yes, it is," you agreed. "I hope we can protect it."

He looked at you, his gaze intense. "We will," he promised. "We'll make sure of it."

As you met his eyes, you felt a rush of emotion, a deep sense of connection and affection for this man who had become such an integral part of your life. The jungle had brought you together, forging a bond that transcended the initial friction and misunderstandings.

"Santiago," you began, your voice soft, "I'm glad I came on this mission. Despite everything, it's been... meaningful."

He nodded, his expression serious. "For me too," he admitted. "You've made me see things differently. And for that, I'm grateful."

As you stood there, side by side, the future seemed full of possibilities. The mission was over, but your journey together was just beginning. With a shared glance, you knew that whatever came next, you would face it together.

Returning to the urban sprawl from the verdant depths of the jungle was jarring. The city's noise and chaos contrasted sharply with the serene and life-changing experience you'd shared with Santiago and the team. Reintegrating into everyday life was challenging, not just because of the mission's intensity but because of the bond that had formed between you and Santiago.

The team kept in touch, the camaraderie forged in the field extending into your everyday lives. You often found yourself reminiscing about the mission during these calls, the danger, and the moments of quiet reflection. However, the memories that lingered most were those involving Santiago—the quiet talks, the shared smiles, and the moments of vulnerability.

Santiago reached out to you regularly, sometimes with a simple text or a quick call. Each time, you felt a flutter of excitement and a comforting warmth. The connection was undeniable, yet unspoken. It was as if both of you were waiting for the right moment to acknowledge what had been growing between you.

One evening, Santiago invited you out for dinner. It was meant to be a casual catch-up, but you couldn't shake the feeling that it was something more. As you got ready, you felt a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. This wasn't just dinner; it felt like a turning point.

Meeting him at a quiet restaurant, you were struck by how relaxed he seemed. Santiago was usually so intense, but tonight, he was different—more open, more at ease. As you sat down, you couldn't help but smile, the atmosphere between you charged with unspoken possibilities.

The conversation flowed easily, covering everything from work to shared interests. Santiago was charming, his usual guardedness replaced with a warmth that made you feel special, seen. As the night wore on, the topic inevitably shifted to the mission and the time you spent together in the jungle.

"You know," Santiago said, his voice thoughtful, "I never expected that mission to change me. But it did. It made me realize what I want in life... and who I want in it."

Your heart skipped a beat, his words resonating deeply with your own feelings. "It changed me too," you admitted, meeting his gaze. "I learned a lot about myself... and about you."

He smiled, a soft, almost shy expression that made your heart melt. "I'm glad to hear that," he said. "Because there's something I need to tell you."

You held your breath, the moment heavy with anticipation. Santiago reached across the table, his hand gently covering yours. "I care about you," he confessed, his voice low and sincere. "More than I thought possible."

The words hung in the air, their meaning clear and profound. You felt a rush of emotions, a mix of relief, joy, and a little fear. But most of all, you felt an overwhelming sense of rightness, as if everything had been leading to this moment.

"I care about you too," you whispered, squeezing his hand. "I think I've known it for a while, but I was scared to admit it."

Santiago's smile widened, his eyes shining with happiness. "So, where do we go from here?" he asked, his tone hopeful.

You looked at him, your heart full. "Forward," you said simply. "Together."

As the weeks passed, your relationship with Santiago deepened. The initial uncertainty gave way to a steady, comfortable intimacy. You found joy in the simple things: cooking together, sharing quiet moments, and exploring each other's worlds. Santiago introduced you to his close-knit circle of friends, including the team members from the mission, who welcomed you warmly.

The bond between you and Santiago was strong, grounded in the shared experiences and challenges you'd faced together. He continued to use Spanish pet names for you, each one making you feel cherished and adored. His care and affection were evident in every gesture, and you knew without a doubt that this was a love that would last.

One day, as you sat together, Santiago brought up a topic that had been on both of your minds. "I've been thinking about the future," he said, his tone serious. "About what comes next for us."

You nodded, your heart pounding. "Me too," you replied. "I want to be with you, Santiago. Whatever that means, wherever that takes us."

He smiled, his eyes soft with emotion. "I'm glad you feel that way," he said. "Because I want the same thing. I want to build a life with you, to see where this journey takes us."

The future was uncertain, but with Santiago by your side, you felt ready to face whatever came your way. The love you shared was strong, a guiding light that would see you through any challenges.

Years later, you would look back on the jungle mission as the catalyst that changed everything. It was a defining moment in your life, the beginning of a love story that had only grown stronger with time. Santiago became not just a partner but a soulmate, a constant source of support, love, and joy.

The team remained close, their bond unbroken by time or distance. They were a family, bound together by shared experiences and a deep mutual respect. And while the memories of the mission were sometimes painful, they were also a reminder of the strength and resilience that defined you all.

Your life with Santiago was full of love, adventure, and a shared commitment to making the world a better place. Together, you faced every challenge, every triumph, knowing that you were stronger together than apart. And as you stood at the edge of a new chapter, you knew that whatever the future held, you would face it side by side, heart to heart.

[foxtamer113]

Some Darkstache HC's 'cause I'm in a mood.

○ Wilford is taller and physically stronger than Dark.

○ Wilford uses this to his advantage to constantly carry Dark around, or pin him against walls.

● Dark is always flustered whenever Wilford does that whenever he isn't prepared. Especially if there's other egos looking, he'll demand Wilford to let him go, all embarrassed and trying to hide it.

○ Wilford has dozens of pet names for Dark: Darky, Darkling, Sweetheart, Love, Dove, Dearest Darky, Licorice, Sugarplum, Pancake, etc.

● (Pancake because Dark didn't like to be called Shortstack)

● Dark calls Wilford as Wil, most of the time, but sometimes calls him Love, Dearheart, and Honey.

○ Wilford was the one who gifted Dark his gun in ADWM.

● Dark was upset when Y/N took his gun and never gave it back.

○ Wilford likes to buy gifts for Dark, ranging from Practical (pens, books, a gun) to Silly (a giant Teddy bear, a pretty rock he found, a big pile of hundreds of different chocolates, flooding his office with flowers), to downright Psychotic (Dark's current annoyance either in chains or bleeding/dying in front of him)

● Dark loves and cherishes every gift. (Even if the giant Teddy bear is forever hidden in Dark's pocket dimension.)

○ Wilford rarely listens to anyone else, but for Dark he'll even ask for his opinions and try to implement them.

● Dark rarely cares about anyone, but for Wilford, he'll ask about his day, and how's he feeling, and what he could do to help.

○ Wilford is the one who often asks Dark out on dates, just so Dark isn't always cooped up in his office. Most of the time, it's just walks in the park or eating at fun restaurants Wilford has heard and wanted to try.

● Whenever Dark's the one who asks Wilford out on a date, it's a fully planned event. All booked in advance. A 3 day outing at a Beach Resort. A guided tour of the Amazon Rainforest. A week at Disney world.

○ Wilford loves hugging and kissing Dark, especially if it forces Dark to stand on his tiptoes to reciprocate. Wilford thinks it's adorable.

● Dark will never admit to it, but he loves cuddling with Wilford the most. He's just so warm and soft, and smells so sweet and familiar. Plus, it keeps Wilford out of trouble and makes both of them relax from their high-strung lives.

○ Wilford's the one who initiates most of their sexual activities. Usually whenever the mood strikes him, regardless of time and place. He is shameless.

● Dark usually consents to it, unless he's extremely busy or there are too many eyes on them. He's not an exhibitionist, Wil.

○ (Wilford suggests to glamour themselves invisible to have sex in public until Dark pointed out that they'll drop the glamour once they're distracted)

○They have resistance over each other's aura effects. Dark theorised that it's due to them having the same source of power (The Manor). While Wilford thinks it's just because they cuddle so much and got used to it.

● Dark smiles and agrees at Wilford's cuddle theory, and wants to be cuddled some more. Infinitely glad that his aura never scared, hurt, or freezed Wilford like it would with others.

[hopeisgrey]

My Demon - 7/10

The announcement of My Demon literally created chaos among the k-drama fans. The Song Kang-Kim Youjung pairing was making everyone insane. The hype was unreal. But did My Demon live up to it? Well, the answer to that would be… yes or no (kissy if u read that in Na Bora’s voice). My Demon did have a very interesting plot line, good enough characters and it was successful in getting the audiences hooked with the first few episodes. The cinematography was the most talked about among the viewers and rightfully so. The wide shots of Jung Guwon’s (Song Kang) office, the underwater scene, the slow-mo shot of the waves forming a portal around Guwon and Dohee (Kim Youjung), the Dohee-about-to-fall-off-the-balcony scene and so on. Another thing that filled twitter was the fashion. And not only the female lead’s this time, but also the male leads. Guwon has secured his place among the very few male leads with impeccable fashion sense. When most male leads are shown in sophisticated suits, Guwon was rocking cropped jackets and scarfs. But then again, I don’t think most male leads are Song Kang.

Nevertheless, My Demon stands as an example that if you start with a bang, your ending should be a banger. This is where the drama failed. In the second half, it started to feel like the story line was being stretched. The cinematography and direction which was so good in the start had taken a back seat and love making montages were put in for the action that wasn’t happening. And by action, I mean just anything that would contribute to the plot. The plot was moving, but at a very slow pace. Sure, Guwon and Dohee make the best couple, the greenest flag couple, the entire amazon rainforest couple, but where is the drama? I wasn’t necessarily waiting for anything bad to happen, but for a time being literally nothing was happening. And I was mad about that. Until towards to the end, everything happened. The new trend of k-drama rom-coms only having 12 episodes, My Demon should’ve followed that. Because the more they stretched, the more Song Kang’s bad acting showed and also the writer’s inability to stitch it all together. I honestly loved Song Kang in Sweet Home, not that he had any more than 2 expressions 3 dialogues in it, but still. Jung Guwon is far more expressive, and Song Kang couldn’t do justice. He shines when the camera requires for him to be the slayest demon to walk this planet, but when it is time for the playful babygirl Guwon to get on stage, his acting feels like… acting. It’s not terrible, it’s just not the best. Also the entire past life plot is becoming more than obvious. The moment I saw Guwon dreaming of his past, I KNEW Guwon and Dohee probably died in the past life and one of them thinks it’s their fault and they will try to distance themselves from each other. You know which other drama did it? See You in My 19th Life and Destined with You and maybe more but I don’t remember. Like can we please move on? This is equivalent to the 2016 era dramas having the oh we’ve actually met in childhood and not forgotten each other since trope. But then again, they have given us the most iconic dramas, can’t the same about these though.

However, I loved the way they showed Jin Gayoung’s character coming full circle. She is probably the only one who started a certain way, learned her lessons, had character development and got her happy ending. So yeah, My Demon definitely isn’t the best drama for me. I am not going to put in on my re-watch list. But I will recommend it. It’s fun, and sweet, and great for fashion inspo!

Another thing I want to add is that My Demon is compared to Doom at Your Service a lot for having a similar concept, so I’ll just say that DAYS is a much better drama, for all aspects – storyline, acting, romance, comedy, THE FUCKING AWESOME THREESOME OF THE SECOND LEAD THRUPPLE, even the song (If Love Sight by TXT doesn’t play in my head when I look at my future partner, I’ll know they’re not the one). Except My Demon is going to take the trophy for best costume.

Ok that’s it now let me play Hyunsu’s “What should we do?” until Sweet Home S3 comes out hehe!

[w3mb13r]

here is my list of stuff that happened in 2023 so far (some good, most bad)

- zombie drug that rots people’s skin and brains

- trump released a song

- tennessee criminalized crossdressing

- tennessee decriminalized crossdressing

- willow project

- marjorie taylor greene wants a national divorce and says democrats are “genociding” republicans

- fraggle rock made nfts

- wienermobile’s catalytic converter got stolen

- PETA offered to replace catalytic converter only if oscar mayer only sells vegan hotdogs from now on

- teen moms making their babies vape

- woman falsely claiming to be madeleine mccann

- felix cipher claiming to be hitler (HE IS GAY AND HAS A JEWISH MOM), getting kicked out of art school (a second time??), made his ex touch his “bullet wound” 😭😭

- walgreens refusing to sell abortion pills in over 20 states

- arresting women who miscarry

- january 6th offenders let out of prison

- chinese spy balloons flying over north america

- all the kanye stuff idfk

- some guy survived 31 days in the amazon rainforest just by eating worms

- trump arrested

- hasbro had pinkertons raid a youtuber’s home because THEY accidentally sent him a copy of magic the gathering cards too early

- trans healthcare being banned across multiple states

- muppets mayhem :)

- disney sues desantis for “don’t say gay” law — disney may move out of florida

- elon musk has an alt twitter account in which he role plays as his 2 year old son and comments stuff like “do you like japanese girls?” and “i wish i was old enough to go to nightclubs.”

- colleen video

- coke in the white house

- businesses can legally discriminate against gay people

- trump doxxed obama 💀💀

- trump moaning during speech?? 😭😭

- oceangate

- elon musk vs. mark zuckerberg (cage match/twitter fight/literal dick measuring contest??)

- grimace shake

- barbie movie

- across the spiderverse

it is july 10th. what the actual fuck ⁉️⁉️

[trashcanwithsprinkles]

hii! i am in love with your works. i've read itysg(ainly) several times and cyanide twice T.T you deserve all the love, you've become one of my top 3 comfort authors <3

i have a quick question. do you have a compilation of your abyss lore somewhere? like how you can't cry in the abyss because the salt attracts the enemies (i sincerely hope that is from you and i'm not confusing it with someone else's T.T) uhh, cause i intend to base my research on it :) no issue tho if not

oh! no i don't think i have it anywhere, but it's no trouble to me to just- dump it all here, so-

i'll leave it under the cut, but tysm!! good luck writing and obviously feel free to tweak and change stuff to better fit whatever you're going for!

ok so- this is going to be about canon-genshin's abyss. the only difference between that one and cyanide's abyss is a lack of rhinedottir creatures, so.

landscape

i've always been torn between if the abyss is like- just a small area, like within a huge cave; or if it's its own entire realm altogether. like a whole other world, with its own continents and all that. it feels so limiting to make it only a cave, but it also feels a bit too strange to make it just- mirror teyvat. idk anyway,

under the assumption that it's not as big as teyvat but larger than just a cave, we could look at it like one large landmass surrounded by ocean

the moon spire is off one of the coasts, around the rainforest area

the easiest way to think about it is probably like minecraft's nether. like the overworld is all open sky and lots of biomes while the nether is all claustrophobic and with only a handful of biomes

i think it'd be cool if it's rainforest and badlands/savanna/desert. but not like sumeru- to me sumeru's rainforest is very much like the jungle in madagascar and the desert is like the sandbanks in africa. i think the abyss could be more like the amazon's rainforest, tighter, a lot less giant fantastical trees and more- 'where the fuck am i, i can hardly see thru the vegetation' sort of place. and the desert more like the usa's stereotypical cacti and tumbleweed all dry land and rocky cliffs.

since irminsul's roots have to be down there and i think the abyss is whacky enough to meld with whatever dimension irminsul resides in, then i think we could literally have massive petrified roots in the middle of the continent. like just- sprouting out of the ground and making this gigantic thing that you could theoretically see from everywhere if it wasn't so fucking dark. in cyanide here would be where the primordial one would've been sealed to in the original abyss, right in the center.

the rainforest area would be full of winding, impossibly deep rivers- like all of them deep like the mariana trench. wet mist hollows and just- general amazon rainforest inconveniences. if you've ever been there you know what i mean. i think it'd be even more fucked up if it doesn't rain, though.

the desert part would be a death sentence, hence why skirk sticks to the rainforest most times, esp while with childe

the area with irminsul's roots would be like a giant haunted forest/cave system, full of the only sources of natural light down there (some glowing moss and insects)

climate

damp and wet-feeling but it's not water, it's abyssal miasma. like it all feels like a sauna. the temperatures would go from uncomfortably kinda-hot in the day to fucking freezing at nigth.

the rainforest feels even wetter but again, not water. everytime you breathe it feels like you have to force your lungs to take in the air. again, if you've ever been to a jungle or rainforest, you know what i mean.

the desert parts would be unbearably hot, but the heat would come from the ground itself, so you'd feel feverish the entire time - it'd be cool if the sands were obnoxiously red from high iron oxides to make it even worse. the more bearable places would be up on the rock cliffs and outcrops, but since they're the more livable places, that means most of the creatures are also up there. speaking of,

creatures

the rifthounds are in the higher areas of the rainforest, almost a tundra, bordering the roots, where the wolflord has its lair and territory. not edible bc they contain aluminum and other not-safe-for-humans metals, and also there's hardly any meat in them lmao.

the giant clay worm(s) lives underground in the lowland rainforest and nobody has really seen it, so it's a non-issue. it's massive, and the reason why the marshlands on a different side of the rainforest exist. i think it'd be interesting if nobody knew whether it's one giant one or multiple giants. also this would be the cause of quakes in the abyss, it's just whenever the thing moves there would be a tremble in the ground

steelclaw harpies are out in the rocky outcrops of the dessert, hence why you'd be forced to walk the superheated base ground instead of going up. if you've ever seen a harpy eagle, just think that but like- the size of a person, and a bit more dinosaur-esque.

the glass rain whale. kinda like the giant clay worm in that hardly anyone sees it, only when it rains glass over the sea (not the land) you can see it come out of the ocean and fly around. the meagre light of the moon makes it seem almost transluscent, like a ghost whale. it couldn't be the all-devouring narwhal bc it wouldn't make sense lore-wise, but it could be similar-looking.

pillar rats are- well, giant rats that live in the canyons and desert. they call them pillar rats because they climb up sheer cliffaces like it's nothing. also they can scratch through pretty much anything, and have very thick hides, so if you need warm clothes that's what you want to hunt

stonetusk hogs are the easiest animal to catch in the rainforest marshlands, but the meat isn't all that tasty. they're blind, like most other creatures. not that big. like- fucked up versions of genshin's boars.

praying goliaths are giant mantis-like mutant bugs that live in the rainforest. they're big big, like twice the size of a person big, and they're best avoided. you can tell where one passed through by the path of cut down vegetation they leave behind as they move, using their front legs as sharp scythes.

canyon rhinos live in both the canyons and the fog hollows. they're practically bulletproof, fuck-off ugly, and very dangerous. blind from overuse of moping ferns (that grow in the hollows) to hide the salt in their eyes. good food if you can catch them

wraith butterflies are around the water deposits and clay banks of the rainforest and always in the hunt for salt. they have sharp legs to perch on hosts and poisonous powder between their wings. yes they're the ones that make crying a bad idea.

stalkwalkers are the kings of the fog hollows and the reason why you don't go there if you're smart. i have mentioned plenty that they're physically inspired by made in abyss' turbinid-dragon (ryuuzazai?). basically a giant six-legged giraffe/seahorse looking thing. the stalkwalkers would have retractable harpoon-like stalks (stillettos) that they use to walk through the forest and to hunt. massive and blind, see through echolocation.

misc

the concentration of abyssal miasma would be a lot more forgiving around irminsul's roots. basically everything is just better around irminsul's roots, but because it's so nice there, most creatures also go there, so no. the wolflord has set up camp nearby also.

it's dark. like there's no light besides the lackustre light of the moon and the glowing moss in irminsul's roots, so all creatures see through either abyssal miasmic sight or a form of echolocation.

you can't plant foreign crops, the soil won't accept it

most root vegetables aren't safe to eat. rooties are though

there's bugs that fuck with your sleep cycles to weaken you

the sand is black

there's almost no fish in the ocean, so it's not worth it to stay on the shores

it's also not worth it to stay generally uncovered from the moon's light bc it has a weird-ass radiation, like the sun.

i think that's all i had? there's probably some bits and pieces of other things about how the abyss filters the miasma and how all creatures evolved to use it since it's the only available energy down there, but i think that's been repeated enough in the fics hahah

anyway yeah! hope that's what you meant. if not oh well, it was probably about time i compiled it all,,

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Brazil’s Braskem Horror Story

The largest urban environmental disaster currently taking place in Brazil has nothing to do with the Amazon rainforest and nothing to do with the Pantanal wetlands. The disaster, which turned five years old in March this year, involves Braskem, Latin America’s largest petrochemical company, whose abusive mining practices may cause a massive ground collapse in northeastern Brazil — creating a gigantic crater in the heart of Maceió, the capital of Alagoas state. 

The risks of parts of Maceió literally sinking are enormous, affecting an area equivalent to 20 percent of the city’s territory. The crisis has also forced the displacement of 60,000 people, many of whom live in poverty.

The disaster caused by Braskem did not begin today. The first tremors related to abusive rock salt mining activities were recorded in March 2018, leaving the streets of parts of Maceió full of cracks.

Continue reading.

[fatehbaz]

The Amazon Rainforest is often considered the ultimate wilderness. Here, nature rules ruthlessly in all its grandeur. [...] For many people across the globe, this would be their idea of the Amazon. However, recent archaeological research turns that image on its head. Human presence in the world’s largest tropical rainforest is not only much older than previously thought, but also much more significant and varied than long presumed. Until the turn of the 21t century, the ruling paradigm was that the soil in the Amazon was too poor to support agriculture. And, without enough food, it’s not suited for humankind. Today, there’s little doubt [...] that the Amazon was, in fact, a hotspot for plant cultivation. Eduardo Neves is well-versed in this paradigm shift in Amazonian archaeology and its consequences on our view of the past, present and future of the rainforest. A professor [...] at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, he’s worked for more than 30 years in the central and southwest Amazon. He recently published his latest book, Sob os tempos do equinócio: Oito mil anos de história na Amazônia central (“Under the times of the equinox: 8,000 years of history in central Amazon,” not yet translated into English.) [...]

---

By that time [the late nineteenth century], naturalists and anthropologists had been working in the Amazon for about a century and had encountered very few people. They assumed what they saw was a reflection of the situation in the Amazon before the European conquest, not the result of colonialism. [...] Another reason is that they compared the Amazon to other places in South America, such as the Inca civilization in the Andes [...]. There they saw monumental remains, while in the Amazon lowlands they saw nothing of the sort. The easiest way to explain this was to look at the environment: the rainforest, with its poor soil, did not allow for agriculture [...].

Because the structures he found were so massive, he introduced the term “garden cities.” [...] [T]here was a great diversity in the history of the people living there. [...] In general, there still is a very generic view of people living in the Amazon. One tends to forget the Amazon is larger than continental Europe. People in Sicily are not like people in Scandinavia. Likewise, there is a lot of cultural diversity in the Amazon. And there always has been.

The oldest human presence we found dates back 8,500 years. But in other places in the Amazon the first signs of human occupation are even older. [...] In Brazil, we have the rock paintings of Monte Alegre, which date back almost 12,000 years. People have been living in the Amazon as early as anywhere else in the Americas. Yet, until the 1990s the dominant view was that people could not live in the tropical rainforest, as it does not allow for agriculture. [...]

---

We now know that the Amazon was one of the main cradles of plant cultivation in the world. There is no longer any doubt about that. Numerous very important plants were first cultivated in the Amazon, including manioc, cacao, papaya, peanuts and tobacco. It is a long list. And we now have the archaeological evidence to prove it. The Amazon was a center for agrobiological diversity.

But that is not all.

What is the idea behind domestication? You take a wild plant and then select and manipulate its features in such a way that a new species comes into existence, which is dependent on human intervention for reproduction. In other words, genetic modification is essential for domestication [...].

However, in the Amazon we also see many species that were never domesticated, such as the açaí tree, the Brazilian nut tree and the rubber tree.

Not domesticated, yet very important, as they have been [cultivated] as part of the rainforest for thousands of years.

The conceptual shift [...] is that the Indigenous people who [...] live in the Amazon did practice agriculture, yet they did so in a different way. [...] Which leads us to perhaps the most important paradigm shift of all: the Amazon Rainforest is not so much, or not only a natural heritage, but a biocultural heritage. [...]

---

The idea that the Amazon must be conquered, colonized, transformed and domesticized - it simply does not work. Look at what is happening today. We cut the forest, bring soy, corn, cows and grasslands. Over the last 50 years we’ve destroyed some 20% of the rainforest [...].

Two things: First, the idea of a protected rainforest without people does not make sense. The past teaches us there were once many people spread out over a large territory. And there still are many traditional inhabitants, not only Indigenous people, but also ribeirinhos [riverside dwellers] and quilombolas [Afro-Brazilian communities]. And these are the people that help protect the rainforest.

Second, intensive agriculture is a concept that urgently needs reconsidering. The idea is to produce as much as possible of a certain crop in one area for as long as possible. But take the Brazilian nut tree that grows and flourishes as part of the forest for 300 or 400 years.

---

Text above are the words of Eduardo Neves. As interviewed and transcribed by Peter Speetjens. “’Many features of the Amazon are man-made’: Q&A with archaeologist Eduardo Neves.” Mongabay. 3 May 2023. [The italicized first paragraph in this post was published by Speetjens/Mongabay as a sort of introduction, published alongside the responses of Neves. Bold emphasis and paragraph breaks/contractions added by me.]

[monarch-afterdark]

Titan History: Amhuluk

Welcome once again to Monarch: After Dark, the digital gateway between you and the organisation dedicated to understanding and navigating this troubled new world we live in.

Before we begin with today's communication, we here on the After Dark team would like to take a second to thank all those who have chosen to engage with this blog so far. This blog was started to ensure better relations between Monarch and the public by being fully transparent and unbiased in the information released, and we appreciate everyone who chooses to engage, regardless of how brief.

Now, returning to business, we would like to present all we know on one of the oddest Titans currently in our bestiary; the florafauna colossus, Amhuluk.

(Pictured above: A sketch of Amhuluk, courtesy of Monarch cryptobiologist Drew E. Johnson, circa. 2021)

Monarch Database File: Amhuluk

Monarch Designation: Titanus Amhuluk

Height: 379 feet

Weight: Unknown

Nature: Bio-Pathogenic

Behavioural Classification: Destroyer

-----

Currently the largest known instance of "florafauna" (animals that take on biological traits similar to plants), Amhuluk is an oddity that truly has to be seen to be believed. Its true form is a disembodied head and spine, the rest of its body a collected assembly of natural resources and plant material contorted and morphed to suit the Titan's needs, through the use of bio-telepathic neurotransmitters in its head. This ability grants Amhuluk incredible camouflage, and even the ability to fly (depending on the structure it chooses to form as its body).

Amhuluk's incredible capabilities don't stop there. The Titan possesses the ability to emit toxins capable of destroying entire rivers and oceanic channels, mustering its telepathic abilities as psychic beams fired from its tendrils into the brains of its enemies, and possesses immense strength, able to "throw" parts of its body at opponents by means of telekinesis.

Perhaps fortunately for humanity, Amhuluk is not invincible. Due to the plant-based composition of its body constructs, Amhuluk is susceptible to flame-based attacks. Its regenerative powers rely heavily on Amhuluk being around further plant material that it can use, and if its head is damaged sufficiently, it could destroy the body it has created. Monarch's Rick Stanton also discovered Amhuluk's vulnerability to sonic frequencies, personally recommending the use of Van Halen's "You Really Got Me" when engaging Amhuluk.

(Pictured above: Artistic depiction of Amhuluk engaging Titanus Behemoth, prior to Godzilla's intervention, circa. 2020)

Little is known about Amhuluk's history prior to his awakening during the Monster Zero crisis, other than that he was known through ancient myth as a bringer of pestilence, disease and death. He was contained within Monarch Outpost 66, at the Manpupuner Rock Formations in Russia. Like most Titans, Amhuluk failed to reach Boston in time to witness Monster Zero's demise and Godzilla's claim to Alpha status.

Roughly around the end of 2020, Amhuluk travelled to the Amazon Rainforest, where he battled against fellow Titan Behemoth, the latest in an apparent history of grudge matches between the two. Amhuluk succeeded in breaking one of Behemoth's tusks, emerging victorious over the Titan and preparing to drown him in the river. Godzilla arrived shortly after, forcing Amhuluk away from Behemoth. The Titan recognised Godzilla's authority and backed off without further conflict.

Shortly afterward, Amhuluk returned to dormancy, seemingly under Godzilla's instruction. There have been no further incidents involving Amhuluk, though in the years since he awakened, merchandise such as statues were created of him, and other Titans such as Godzilla.

-----

And there we have it! We apologise for this communication being shorter than our other "Titan History" installments, though with our intel on Amhuluk being somewhat limited for now, we can only provide what we have. Should Amhuluk appear to stir trouble once again, Monarch will be there, and we will tell you all we can about it.

Until next time,

Monarch: After Dark

[earthpkmnheadcanons]

Hello! So, I was wondering if you have any thoughts on the Drowzee line, but since they were (very probably) inspired by the Asian tapir, I wanted to ask you about the ones living on South America! I personally wanted to read more about the Brazilian one (hehe they have a lil moecano), but I adore all the others too! Maybe they're regional variants?

There's a variety of regional variants of Drowzee! While the Malayan Drowzee is the most widely-known, there are actually more regional variants in Latin America than in Asia. They're generally smaller than the Malayan counterparts, with the smallest varieties living across the Amazon basin. Their small size, however, masks their potent psychic powers. Living near the water, some have adopted the use of water-type moves, though it still appears that South American Drowzee retain their mono-psychic typing. Another variety, found in the Andes, has adopted a rock-typing from living outside of the rainforest.

[intothetlkverse]

Decided to challenge myself by drawing every single TLK character out there, up until this point in time, and post it here. You can see the finished project on my main account, though I figured to post it on my tumblr just show I could proudly show off my work and a few of my head canons.

Here is all the snakes across TLK:

Starting off in the Lion Guard we have the most diverse character and well-known Ushari(provocation), the copper red Egyptian cobra. I do feel bad for the character in that it seemed he was set up to fail and be a villain from the very start, seeing him constantly get trampled and harmed by the group of young, reckless Lion Guard members. I honestly did hold out a sliver of hope that he would have a heel-face redemption, having him be a double-agent for the Pridelanders and end up delivering information to them while pretending to be the poor abused snake that is fed up with how he's been treating. If I ever rewrote the Lion Guard, I'd have that, to just give some positive representation of snakes in children's media, though in the end, no matter how hurt he's been in the past, he did make the decision all on his own to go down the destructive path to his doom.

Next up is the Strange Cobra who I have given the name Sephiri(secret-Southern Sotho). He's a melanistic, Black-necked spitting cobra and almost nothing is known about him. Sure Scar did mention him in his tale to Ushari, though Ushari is dead now. Additionally, while Askari did mention his tale of the lion and cobra to his guard and Mufasa and they did find the lion's body to corroborate his tale, they never did find the cobra's body. Perhaps he landed on the lion as they fell, breaking his fall, and lived to spread his deadly venom through generations, perhaps the guard wasn't thorough enough in looking for him. Regardless, his motives, name, identity, and legacy will forever lay in secrecy.

Last of the cobras we have the aptly named Cobra from the T&P Show's episode "Once Upon a Timon". A forest cobra named Kamba(rope), while Timon's colony may have escaped the hyenas, their new home is not without danger completely. Even as they assemble a task force, the Komboli Rangers, to help defend themselves and their pups, a new threat lurks unseen, only revealing itself when they least expect it.

Moving on we go from venomous cobras to constrictor pythons. Swallow-Whole/Kumeza(swallow), an African rock python from Hakuna Matata's "Snake Attack". A fully-grown python, it's not completely known how a warthog, meerkat, and adolescent lion cub were able to defeat a massive constrictor such as himself, though one thing is for sure, since that night he came across them he has sworn off all three species.

Next up is Joka(serpent), a lavender variant African python with from 6NA's "A Snake in the Grass". Using his bizarre scale color mutation to disarm and confuse potential prey, he also has a smooth tongue and sinister way of manipulating prey into becoming isolated from p0otnetiasl saviors, relishing seeing them suffer before devouring them. He too is defeated by the three, however an more adult Simba, and is flung down into a ravine where he meets his end.

Finishing up with antagonistic snakes, and coming originally from the Amazon rainforest in the T&P Show episode "Brazil Nuts", we have Eddie/Ejo(snake-Yoruba) and Ralph/Raf(seen-Arabic). Changed to fit in the African geography, Eddie is now an African Bush Viper and Ralph a grey gaboon viper. Despite being malicious and highly venomous creatures, the two share only one brain cell, and usually that goes on frequent holiday back to Brazil. Despite being two different species, the two are close as brothers from different mothers, and have agreed to help each other survive in this dangerous world where mongooses and snake-eating raptors exist.

Now going on to more protagonist/positive representations of snakes, first off from the Operation Pridelands game we have Kasai/Kasia(oar), a spotted bush snake. Considering they're an arboreal species, I decided to get him up into the trees. Kasia was part of the creatures on the list Zazu gave Kigali in order to find and bring back to the Pridelands to replenish the population. Snakes were part of the predator list, and while Kasia was weakened from the journey too to the Oasis, Kigali, Timon, and Pumbaa were able to find enough food to give him enough strength to make the journey back with them.

And lastly, from "Simba and a Snake for a Friend", we have Snakey/Akee(established-Arabic) the African tiger snake. A childhood friend of Nala's, they grew closer during Scar's reign. When Nala made her escape to find help, Akee was one of several animals, including Bahati, Daabi, and Zazu, which helped mask her trail, or in Akee's case, was present when the hyenas went looking for her tracks and scared him away with his, admittedly small, rear fangs and mild venom, preventing her from being followed.