#Awesome pest Control

[say-hwaet]

High Sierra: A Red Dead Redemption Story

Previous Chapter Chapter Twelve: Into the Inferno Summary: Arthur and Charles enter the lion's den, ready to face the killer and what he's been planning.

Eliza Bloom steps wearily into her small, cozy house after a long day at work. The weight of exhaustion clings to her like a shroud, making each step feel heavier than the last. She was able to maintain her smile and a quick step when she picked up Isaac, and kept her eyes open as she drove through several intersections, but now that she’s home, it’s all falling away like leaves in autumn. With Isaac gently in her arms, she tries to hold onto her last bit of strength as she uses the heel of her sneaker to close the door behind her. 

Tossing her purse to the floor, she readjusts Isaac in her arms and steps into the living room. 

The room is warm after being drenched in the day’s sun and the temptation to take a nap becomes more overwhelming, but she’s still not done. She can’t feel fully relaxed until she has dinner in the oven and Isaac has had his final treatment for the day. 

Gently, Eliza settles Isaac down on the couch. He’s had a long, fun day with his grandparents and he slept most of the way back. Once his head hits the decorative pillow, he opens his eyes and grimaces. He knows what’s coming. 

"Let me go get your vitamin shots,” Eliza says softly as she rises. 

"Oh, Mom,” the eight-year-old groans. “Do we have to?"

She knows he hates it, and he’s been such a good sport about it until lately. She knows that his father’s absence has something to do with it. Since they’ve been hardly speaking and Arthur has been busier with his job, the game warden hasn’t been around or even stopped by to pick his son up. But Eliza is tired. She struggles to find a reason for him to keep going this time. "Isaac, it is helping you feel so much better. Do you want to quit now?"

Isaac rises as he rubs his eyes, the frown still planted on his face. "Well, no, but I hate the shots."

Eliza sits down next to her son and wipes some dirt from his face. Maybe he had too much fun at Hosea and Bessie's. She chuckles briefly.

What can she do to help motivate him? Something easily done but also exciting. Then it comes to her. She remembers the strange tin box that Arthur had given their son. It had been a peculiar find in the woods, and now it sits on the coffee table, its contents a mystery waiting to be unraveled. How she let it sit there for days is beyond her. Maybe she’s really been that busy. 

She looks back at her son and cards her fingers through his fuzzy hair. "I'll tell you what. We do the shots real quick, and then I will help you open that tin box your daddy gave you."

She notices a glimmer of anticipation in his eyes. His excitement is bittersweet, reminding her of the simple joys that are hard to find anymore. A small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. Gosh, does he look like his daddy. "Okay, Mommy."

Eliza returns his smile and pushes her fatigued body off the couch. Going into the linen closet, she retrieves the black bag that they both know all too well. It feels heavier than normal but she turns around and heads back into the living room. Isaac watches her as she sets the bag on the coffee table and eases back onto the couch beside him. As she opens the bag, gets out the kit, and puts on the medical gloves, his body tenses.

“Try to relax, hon,” she says softly. “Would a song help?”

He doesn’t speak, but he nods his head slowly. 

Eliza begins to sing one of his favorites.

I was hangin' 'round town, just spendin' my time Out of a job, not earnin' a dime A feller steps up and he said, "I suppose You're a bronc fighter from looks of your clothes" "you figures me right, I'm a good one" I claim "do you happen to have any bad ones to tame?" Said "he's got one, a bad one to buck At throwin' good riders, he's had lots of luck"

She continues with the song, hitting the notes perfectly in her alto key. Isaac gasps when she injects the needle into the vitamin vile, eyeing the liquid as it fills the syringe. After pushing the air out of it, Eliza pauses her singing. “Okay, you ready?”

Isaac nods. Such a brave kid.  

Eliza continues the song, humming this time, as she pulls back on Isaac’s shorts to expose his thigh just past the knee. Then, pinching up his leg muscle, she quickly inserts the needle. Isaac grimaces but makes no sound. She pushes down on the plunger as quickly as she can manage, then pulls it out. “All done.”

“Bandaid?” Isaac whimpers. 

Of course. After disposing of the needle in the biohazard case, Eliza leans over and picks up a box of assorted band-aids. “Do you want coyotes or the deer ones?”

Isaac thinks it over. “The deer ones.”

Eliza smiles and pulls out a deer-patterned band-aid. “Deer it is, then.” She peels off the backing and then puts the band-aid over the little, red bead that’s bubbled on his skin. She runs a hand over it in a comforting gesture. “There.”

"Mom," Isaac begins, his voice rising in hope, "can we open the box now? Please?"

Eliza's heart aches at her son's plea. With a sigh, she leans from the couch and picks up the tin box, placing it in her lap. “A deal’s a deal.”

Isaac readjusts himself to sit up next to her and leans into her warm body for comfort, still wanting his mama after the ordeal. It is something he will never quite get used to, despite the past couple of years of being pricked and prodded. 

Eliza eyes the lock. “It’s a rotary lock.”

At her words, Isaac’s eyes brighten. “Those ones are easy to get open.”

This surprises Eliza and with a smirk, she looks down at her son, a brow raised. “Since when could you open locks?”

Isaac shrugs. “Daddy taught me. Said I could get out of a scrap that way.”

Eliza isn’t sure how to take that. She knows he was a troubled youth in the system before Bessie and Hosea adopted him, so it’s possible he’s learned a few tricks. He has talked with her about his past, when they’ve laid awake late together at night. They’d talk the hours away until one of them would fall asleep. 

Those were some good times. Good memories. Memories she finds her mind reaching towards, but never fully grasping. 

Isaac reaches out towards the box. “Can I try to open it?”

Eliza blinks, coming out of her reverie, and clears her throat. “Have at it, hon.”

He holds out his hands open-palmed and she places the box in them. With trembling fingers, full of excitement, Isaac brings the box close to his ear. As he listens carefully, he manipulates the rotary lock, the soft clicks filling the air with a sense of anticipation. Finally, the lock gives way, and he lets out a soft gasp. “I did it, Mom!”

"Well! That was quick! Let's see what's inside," Eliza says encouragingly.

Her son nods and carefully lifts the lid, their eyes watching eagerly to see its contents. A small plume of dust comes up and Eliza swats it away. She hopes that wasn’t toxic, but says nothing for fear that it will worry Isaac. 

They eye the first thing that sits in the box. Inside, a folded map, with frayed edges, catches Eliza’s attention. There doesn’t seem to be anything else inside. 

Isaac looks at it, almost disappointed. "This isn't a geocache," he grumbles. “Don’t they have more stuff?”

Yes, they do, but they must be positive. "Well, this map might have something interesting on it,” Eliza offers. “A treasure map?"

Isaac frowns. "Treasure maps are old, Mom. This looks newer than that."

"Not all," she smiles.

Eliza takes the map out of the box and carefully begins to unfold it. It may not be an ancient map, but she still doesn’t want to be careless.

“Careful, Mommy…”

Eliza snorts. “I am, keep your shirt on.”

She can’t blame Isaac for his excitement. Not much doesn’t get him going anymore and it’s becoming contagious. Her heart lurches as it finally comes open and her eyes scan the surface. 

And she recognizes it immediately. It’s a map of High Sierra. 

And it’s distinctly marked. Her breath catches in her throat as she eyes the marked locations. They aren’t just cities or points of interest, they are the same locations where the two bodies had been found. 

And above each marking read the words in red, bold letters:

MEETING

Eliza’s eyes narrow. "What...? What is this box?" Eliza tries to hide the panic in her voice. 

"What's wrong, Mom?"

She shakes her head. Something in the pit of her stomach is telling her this isn’t good. She’s just stepped into something dangerous. What lies in her hands is incriminating evidence. But she can’t let Isaac know. She can’t add more stress and worry into his life. She slowly rises to her feet, folding up the map before Isaac can get a good look at it. "Just...just give me a moment, baby."

Suddenly, her phone vibrates in her pocket. She quickly pulls it out, hoping it is Arthur.

It isn't. It's Edith.

Her heart sinks but still, she answers it. "Hello? Edith?"

"Eliza!" There is fear in the widow’s voice.

"Edith? What's wrong?"

"I remember! I-I-I remember!" Edith hyperventilates.

"Calm down, Edith. Remember what?"

"I remember his name! The man that Thomas spoke to on the phone!"

Eliza's eyes widen and her heart begins to pound in her chest. "Who is it? Tell me...!"

"His name is Micah! Micah Bell! I remember because his name came up on the list of High Sierra's most wanted tonight. They haven't found him yet, and it makes sense now! Thomas was going to go to the police, but he killed him! He killed my husband!"

The realization hits Eliza like a punch in the gut. Whoever was responsible for the killings, the owner of the tin box, and the man Thomas threatened is the same person. He had planned it all as if this is a sick game. Fear claws at her chest. But the fear isn’t for her. 

She has to focus now. She has lives to protect. 

"Edith,” she begins, her voice firm. “You need to call the police. I need to call someone."

Eliza can hear the trembling in Edith’s voice as she speaks. "Eliza, I am scared."

"Don't be. We need to be calm about this. Call the police, and don't leave your house, do you understand?"

"Yes."

Eliza nods, letting her exhale a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding. "Okay, I need to go."

"Bye, Eliza."

Eliza quickly hangs up and her fingers shake as she dials Arthur's number.

Isaac, who has been anxiously observing the exchange, gets up from the couch and goes to her, his voice fearful. "Mommy...?"

"It'll be alright, baby. I just need to give your daddy a call, okay? Go to your room and relax for a minute. We can have some popcorn and a movie in a little bit, how does that sound?"

Isaac only nods and walks to his room.

Her phone starts to ring.

And ring. 

And ring. 

She feels a sting in her eyes, her heart threatening to beat right out of her chest. "Pick up, pick up, pick up..."

But there is no answer.

Panic surges within her, threatening to consume her. Who else can she call? Where can he be reached? 

Then she remembers. He had been working with the fire department. Eliza calls the local number, praying that someone will be able to help.

There is a soft click at the pick-up, and a woman's voice answers the phone. “High Sierra Fire, Lieutenant Adler speaking."

That name. Arthur had mentioned he worked with a firefighter named Sadie Adler. This has to be her!

"Lieutenant Adler? Y-you know my...You know Arthur Morgan?"

There is a short pause on the other line. "...Who is this?"

"This is Eliza Bloom," she stammers, her voice filled with urgency. "I can't get a hold of him. Something has happened, and this was the only place that I could think to call. He said he was helping with controlled burns..."

"Yeah, but we aren't doing those right now. What's wrong with Arthur?"

Eliza tries to keep her voice down, lest her boy hear her trembling voice. "I...I don't know...but he...I think he's been investigating two killings…” She hesitates to share anything. Arthur had asked her not to speak of it to anyone, and she was already risking her neck in talking to Edith and digging into these cases on her own. 

But things are different now. Arthur’s life could be on the line. She swallows as she explains, “Those hunting accidents? They weren't accidents."

From the other end, Eliza suddenly hears a siren blaring. Sadie's voice is muffled as she talks to someone, a sense of urgency lining her words. Then, after a pause, her voice becomes clear again. "Ms. Bloom, I'm sorry, but I have to go. We just got a call about a new forest fire, and I can't ignore it. I'll do what I can to help, but for now, keep your phone on your person. You might need to call the police."

This wasn’t what she was hoping for. If Lieutenant Adler doesn’t know where he is, then she’ll have to call the Department of Fish and Wildlife, but that could get him in serious trouble. 

She doesn’t want to keep Sadie waiting so she lets out a puff of air. "Alright."

"Goodbye."

The line goes dead, leaving Eliza staring at the phone in disbelief. Panic wraps its icy tendrils around her heart as she realizes that help is far from reach. Eliza can’t go to the police yet. Something in her gut is telling her to wait, despite the Lieutenant’s advice. 

Hosea. She needs to call Hosea. She hurriedly searches his name in her contacts, presses “call”, and hears the beating of her heart drum louder than the dial tone.

ring

ring

ring

ring

“Hello, you’ve reached Hosea—”

“—And Bessie…!”

“Haha…! We’re not available at the moment, so if you’ll leave your name and number, we will get back to you as soon as we can.”

“You take care now!”

“Happy trails…!”

Click!

No. This can’t be happening. 

In the silence that engulfs her, Eliza can’t shake off the suffocating dread that hangs in the air. Darkness looms on the horizon, threatening everything she holds dear. Uncertainty grips her, and she can only pray that she will see Arthur again.

She continues the rest of the way into the kitchen and into the dining room, sitting down in a chair, waiting for the unknown. 

She doesn’t want to just sit and do nothing, but the despair hangs heavier than her feet can carry. Deep down in her chest, she can’t help but wonder if the truth they have been seeking was worth the price they might pay.

***

The night is thick with darkness, the moon hiding behind a veil of clouds as Arthur Morgan and Charles Smith venture further into the dense forest. Their footsteps are muffled by the moist earth, their senses heightened as they navigate through the towering trees.

All the while, as his boots make every step, Arthur’s instincts are screaming to go back. This is too much. You’re just a game warden. What can you do?

But he feels something. Something deep in his gut that fights that warning. He was born for this. He is a man against the world, against a place that wants nothing more than to bring him down. People doubted him, and thought little of him, but they will see how wrong they were.  

He won’t admit it, but he wants to be a hero. Someone his son can look up to. He wants to be the very opposite of what Lyle Morgan was and is. 

Charles and Arthur hold their guns, fingers poised on the triggers, prepared for any confrontation. The scent of pine needles fills the air, mingling with the undeniable acrid aroma of smoke. 

Smoke. A fire. 

Arthur and Charles share a knowing look. They’re close.

They keep moving and soon the forest is aglow with an eerie light, casting long shadows that move around them.

Suddenly, a gust of wind carries the sound of crackling flames and the sight of flickering orange light brightens. “This way, Charles…!” Arthur calls loud enough for his partner to hear and, crouching slightly, Arthur takes the lead. 

Their hearts pound in unison as they hasten towards the source. Through the thick foliage, they break free, only to come face to face with a raging inferno. 

They can feel the heat singeing their faces, the smoke stinging their eyes. The flames seem to dance, mocking their presence. The forest that Arthur has known so well, the sanctuary he had once found solace in, is now transformed into a treacherous maze.

And before their very eyes fire grows voraciously, consuming everything in its path.

“We have to go around it!” Arthur calls out to Charles behind him. “No doubt Bell is on the other side!”

“I’m with you, Arthur…!”

The fire isn’t going to slow down, so they have to move fast. “Alright, Charles, stay close…!”

Feeling his muscles charged, Arthur breaks into a steady run. The heat of the flames will become unbearable if he can’t find an opening or a way around it. He keeps his eyes moving, searching through the scorching forest for any sign of escape. 

And there, as though an answer to prayer, a dirt path opens itself for them. The flames lick at its sides but it isn’t blocked. Arthur waves on. “Though here!” And he pushes forward. 

He hears Charles close behind. If anything, they need to stick together. If they are separated, he knows their chances of survival will be slim. 

And then, his worst fears materialize before him. A large tree, blackened by the flames, groans and cracks like gunshots. He looks up to see it falling down fast. With only a second to react, Charles and Arthur jump in opposite directions to get out of the way. The tree makes contact with the earth, shaking the ground and jostling Arthur as he tries to rise to his feet. He’s covered in dirt and ash and coughs as smoke fills his lungs. 

He turns around, only to see the large tree blocking the path, and with his partner not in sight. Panic tightens Arthur's chest as he loses sight of Charles in the inferno. "Charles!" he calls.

He can hear a faint call back, but he can't understand him. “That you, Charles?!”

The voice echoes again. “…Fine…! Go…Arth—-…!” 

Thank God. Charles is alive, but the danger still roars around them. Fear still gnaws at Arthur, his training telling him to never abandon his partner. “Charles!”

“Go…! Get that bastard…!”

He needs to press on. He has to find Michael Barnes—Micah Bell—whoever he is, once and for all.

“I’ll come back for you, Charles!” Arthur calls as he turns around. The path is narrower now, the flames consuming the brush and grass that border the dirty path. The smoke is increasing, and he feels like a Mormon for not bringing his respirator. Covering his mouth with his sleeve, he dodges the flames that creep up the grass and leaves of the trees, and he breaks into a hard run. He has to find a way out of this torrent of heat and flames. 

And just as the flames nearly lick his boots, he spots a clearing, a spot where Sadie must have done a controlled burn. The ground is old ash, stumps and large rocks clearly rolled out of harm’s way. He can be safe here for a moment to gather his bearings. He jumps over a burning log and runs for it. He makes it, his heart pounding amidst the chaos.

And then, he feels it. A sharp blow to the back of his head, which causes him to drop his weapon. Groaning, he staggers to his feet and turns to face his attacker. 

Micah Bell. But it isn’t any surprise to the game warden. 

The adversary stands before him, a sinister smirk etched across his face. The glow of the fire surrounding them reflects in his eyes, giving him an otherworldly, evil appearance.

"Couldn't stay away, could you, Morgan?" Micah sneers, his voice dripping with malice. "You can't always play the hero and get to walk away."

Despite seeing stars and coughing from all the smoke, anger surges within Arthur like the wildfire surrounding him. He squares his shoulders and pushes through the pain in the back of his skull, his gaze boring into Micah's soul. "You're a monster, Micah. A coward hidin’ behind aliases and lies. You don’t get to kill people and escape the truth."

Micah chuckles, the sound echoing eerily in the midst of the crackling flames. "Truth? There is no truth, just survival. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to survive."

His words ignite a firestorm of rage within Arthur. Every fiber of his being demanding retribution, demanding answers. “So you admit that you killed Mr. Dowes and Leigh Gray."

Micah's smirk falters for a fraction of a second. "Oh, I thought you already knew that, Morgan. But since we’re both here, I will tell you that those fools were just in my way." Micah walks closer to Arthur, but the game warden steels himself, readying himself for any attack. The sting in his eyes persists but he tries to keep his gaze on the approaching murderer. "I needed this land for more important business, and those fools were...expendable!"

And as expected, Micah takes a swing at Arthur. The game warden attempts to dodge it, but is taken by a bout of coughing and Micah manages to hit him in the gut with a clenched fist. 

Arthur wretches and is forced backward. He takes a few extra steps to gain some distance between himself and Micah so he can try to catch his breath. And one single word is brought to the forefront of his thoughts.

Expendable. 

That’s all people are to Micah Bell. Just things in his way. How evil. How cruel. Even with all the thoughts he’s had of his own father, of those who did him wrong, Arthur has never thought of them as “expendable.” This snake called Micah Bell needs to have his head stomped into the ground. 

Arthur exhales sharply, his strength and resolve returning. “And Captain Monroe?” he dares to ask. “He’s in on it, too.”

Micah lets out a loud cackle. “That walking law book? He’s too busy hiding behind his position to actually see its potential. But that’ll be changing soon once I’ve made him look like the fool that he is. And if you’re the only hope for this godforsaken city…” He opens his arms in a proud gesture. “It’s all been working in my favor.” 

How dare he. Even though the captain is naive, the department would crumble with someone more foolish or corrupt. 

Expendable. 

Godforsaken. 

Not High Sierra. Not his home and all who he cares about. Dutch. Hosea. Bessie. John. Abigail. Jack. Eliza. Isaac. 

With a primal yell, Arthur lunges at Micah, and just as he nears him, Micah reaches out to grab him.

But with his strong build and tall stature, Arthur overpowers Micah and pushes him to the ground. He pins him with one hand to his neck and lands two punches in the rat’s smug face. The vermin’s bloodied nose sends adrenaline into Arthur’s system and his desire to finish this only becomes stronger. He had decided to let this fool have his day in court, but it seems more appealing to let him die here. 

He’s felt this rush before, when he used to get into fights at the orphanage and in foster homes. He was threatened with aging out of the system someday, and other boys thought he’d be an easy target. 

But if he learned anything from his old man, it was to fight. And fight he did. And he loved it. He loved seeing his bullies squirm and beg for mercy. 

Then it became anyone who upset him. It took years of love and guidance to learn to do more than speak with his fists. But that instinctual drive has never left him. 

Just as Arthur raises his fist to swing down again, Micah reaches into the earth, grabs a fistful of ash, and throws it in Arthur's face. 

“Ahh…!” Arthur roars and as his grip lessens, Micah kicks him in the groin. Arthur coughs as he rolls away, wiping the ash from his eyes.

Get up, Arthur! Get up! 

He pushes through his pain and rises to his feet, stepping further from where he had grappled Micah to the ground. As he regains his sight, he sees the snake coming at him but meets him head-on.

The two men clash with a loud thud, and the fierce battle of good versus evil begins. , their punches landing with a sickening thud. Each blow encapsulated the years of distrust and enmity between them. As he dodges a swing from Micah, he reaches for his neck and throws him backward. Micah loses his balance but soon gathers his footing and prowls back towards Arthur. 

Like two animals, they take their stances and circle each other. Sweat streams down Arthur's face, and his muscles ache, but his will to fight is an unyielding determination. He lunges without warning, and punches Micah in the face. There is an audible crunch and Micah reels backward, falling hard to the ground.

In the midst of the brutal struggle, the dense smoke has risen, twirling and twining around them. Its toxic tendrils encase them both, suffocating the air from their lungs. 

And just as Arthur begins to think this will soon be over, darkness descends upon him with a relentless grip, threatening to claim him. He feels weak and starts to cough again. He looks up from his bent-over position to see Micah slowly rising to his feet, still willing to fight. Arthur feels his heart sink. He is about to fail.

Hatred burns in Micah's gaze, a twisted smirk curling his lips despite the blood cascading out of his now broken nose. "You're too late, Morgan," he cackles between heaving breaths. "The fire will cleanse this place, erase all traces of our sins." Micah lets out a hiss-like laugh and after finding a thick branch, stalks toward Arthur as he remains bent over and coughs heavily. He can’t seem to catch his breath, his throat burns. How is Micah still fine? What evil possesses him?

I can't die here, he thinks as he casts his head down for a minute. Not today.

He feels Micah drawing closer. 

He hears his son’s voice suddenly in his mind.

We’re partners, Daddy! You and me! ‘Cause I’m gonna be a hero just like you!

Then a softness appears in his memory, a warmth that he instantly recognizes. 

I love you, Arthur. That’s the only truth I know.

With a surge of strength and fury that was almost lost, he lunges at Micah and pins him to the ground once more. He administers several blows to Micah's head and quickly wraps his fingers around Micah's throat. Micah tries to kick at him, but his efforts are futile. He squeezes tightly until Micah passes out.

Not detecting any movement, Arthur gets up slowly, gasping. Even as victory is now in his grasp, the encroaching smoke steals his consciousness.

***

“Keep at it, boys!” Sadie Adler calls out to her team of hotshots. She turns to see Charles frantically looking around as he’s carried away on a gurney. She has seen panic before. In men and women who have lost a loved one during a fire. In her men when the flames have grown too large. Even in the toughest of people, when they’ve misplaced someone of dear importance to them, the look is always the same. 

After hearing the call from a rancher that he could see smoke in forestry lands beyond his property, Sadie Adler led a team of hotshots to the location, to discover one of the largest forest fires they’ve encountered this year. Not letting its intimidating glow deter her, she led her men through the flames as they fought to put the fire out. Through the chaos, their determination unwavering, they navigated the labyrinth of flames, their protective gear a shield against the inferno. That is when they spotted Charles, face smeared with ash and coughing incessantly. 

They immediately set out to get him oxygen, which he initially refused. But Sadie isn’t easily dissuaded from any task. Using her authoritative position, she ordered Charles to take the oxygen and tell her what happened.

When he told her, she then realized that Eliza was right. Arthur was in grave danger.

She holds out a hand to stop the two men that are carrying him out. “Hold on, boys.” Though she rarely ever offers consolation, she reaches toward him and places her hand on his shoulder. “We’ll find him, Charles,” she says calmly. and watches him nod once. “You said you and Arthur got separated just ahead?”

Charles speaks as clearly as he can between soft coughs. “find a large, fallen pine tree.” Charles points westward. “It was that way. He kept heading west into the flames.”

She nods and then waves the two men on. After a moment, she turns to the remaining three men with her. “Let’s go. Keep close. We’re looking for a large pine tree.”

One of the hotshots looks disgruntled. “Isn’t this a pine forest?”

Sadie scowls. “You’re lucky I need your sorry hide, otherwise I’d leave you here to mull over your smart remarks. Now, focus up and keep your eyes peeled.”

The team follows Sadie’s lead, their pace quickening against the roar of the engulfing flames. The ground beneath them crackles with every step they take, a symphony of fire that threatens to consume them.

She remains vigilant, Charles wouldn’t have described the tree if it wasn’t significant. Something must stand out about it, something to grab the eyes. This fire isn’t like anything she’s seen before.

“Lieutenant!” a hotshot, large and boarish, calls out to her. “Here!”

She hurries to her left, and there lies the remnants of a fallen tree, its body blackened and cavernous from the flame’s consumption.

This has to be it. “Good work, Williamson, we’re close!” Sadie shouts and begins to run further westward. “This way!”

The deafening sound of splintering trees filled the air as they crashed to the ground around them. Despite the terror and uncertainty gripping the hearts of her men, Sadie remained resolute in her mission to reach her target.

“Maybe we should head back…!” the youngest hotshot cries out.

She looks back and flashes a look hotter than the flames surrounding them. “Not on your life, we aren’t! Come on…!”

Arthur can’t be far now. Every instinct Sadie has is screaming that he is within their reach, just beyond the thick smoke and rising embers that dance around them like malevolent spirits.

The air is acrid, burning their throats with each breath they take, but Sadie pushes forward relentlessly. Each step feels both eternal and fleeting as they penetrate deeper into the heart of the inferno. The world around them is a blur of orange and black, punctuated by the sharp cracks of fire consuming wood.

As thick smoke billows all around, obscuring their view, Sadie's sharp eyes finally catch sight of Arthur's motionless figure on the ground, in the center of what’s left of a safe patch of ash.

And beside him is a man she’s never seen before. Regardless of who he is and how he got here, she needs to get them both to the hospital. She only hopes that she isn’t too late.

“We need to hurry!” With unwavering resolve, she rushes to Arthur’s side, the flames licking at her heels. The heat is unbearable and oppressive, but she refuses to surrender.

Arthur's consciousness flickers like the flames around him; reality seems to blur in and out. As Sadie approaches, he can barely make out her figure through his smoke-stung eyes. She kneels beside him, her voice a soothing but urgent whisper amidst the chaos.

"Arthur! Can you hear me?" she calls, but he is too weak to answer, even if he is able to understand her.

With adrenaline-fueled determination, Sadie and her team work to pull Arthur and the maimed stranger to safety. The heat from the flames threatens to consume them, but they push forward with unwavering strength. Each step feels like a battle won against the fiery inferno that rages around them, and they refuse to give up until their mission is complete.

It is hard work carrying two, full-grown men through a maze of debris and flames, but Sadie encourages her men with barks and tough love.

Despite the danger and chaos, Sadie can’t help but feel a sense of triumph as they emerge victorious from the flames, their resilience and bravery shining through in the face of disaster.

She only considers it safe when her team meets up with the two men that carried Charles out and pulls out her handheld radio. “This is LT-K247. We need a chopper at the edge of Redemption Cavern. We got three needing immediate transportation to the hospital.” After hearing confirmation, she tucks her radio away and turns to her men. “Good work, boys, but we ain’t done yet.”

As they wait for the helicopter, Arthur struggles between consciousness and delirium, his eyes occasionally fluttering open to catch glimpses of Sadie's concerned face hovering above him. Her expression is stern, yet there's a softness in her eyes that belies her tough exterior.

"Stay with me, Arthur," she murmurs in the way she does best. “We’re almost there.”

It is nearly fifteen minutes before the helicopter arrives.

The rotors disrupt the smoky air, stirring up ash and debris as it touches down. Sadie, still hovering like a protective guardian over Arthur, helps to secure him onto the stretcher. Her hands are steady despite the turmoil, her focus unyielding. The medics work quickly, efficiency honed by urgency, but Arthur, Charles, and Micah are loaded into the aircraft.

Sadie turns to her men. “The rest of you make sure that this fire goes out. I’ll be sending more to join you. Williamson, you’re in charge now, don’t go in there without backup.”

They nod and feeling confident in her order, she jumps in the helicopter, sitting directly beside Arthur's stretcher. As the helicopter lifts off, the ground below them becomes a chaotic blend of smoke and lights, but Sadie's attention is fixed firmly on Arthur.

Arthur’s eyes flick open again, pain and confusion warping his features. He tries to speak, his voice a raspy whisper barely audible.

“Don’t speak, Arthur,” Sadie says as she holds him steady once the helicopter lifts and escapes the flames.

With a swift and anxious glance behind her, she catches sight of the raging inferno. The flames dance wildly, fueled by something more than just natural kindling. It had to have been ignited with gasoline, or some other highly flammable substance. She knows she needs to act fast to get it under control, but her priority is making sure these injured men make it to the hospital alive. The heat from the fire prickles at her skin and the acrid smell of smoke, even from this height, fills her nostrils. She will get to the bottom of this, and touch base with the fire chief. But for now, her task is simple.

"Is Arthur alright?" Charles asks weakly, coughing aggressively.

Sadie looks him over and sees Arthur take a breath. As long as there’s breath, there is hope and she feels her voice become filled with resolve. "You're safe now, Arthur. You're safe. I'll get you back to her, I promise."

Tag Requests: @cassietrn @photo1030

Thank you for reading!

[auxwired]

first time eating out together

[bpod-bpod]

Fertile Relationship

The mechanisms underlying the benefit the insect- and worm-infecting bacterial species Wolbachia confers on its host's fertility revealed. Insight for honing approaches that target Wolbachia in pest biological control

Read the published research paper here

Image from work by Shelbi L. Russell and colleagues

Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA

Image originally published with a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Published in PLOS Biology, October 2023

You can also follow BPoD on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

[ms-scarletwings]

Entomology has to be one of the most humbling of special interests cause I swear you are never going to hit a point where you confidently feel like you actually know shit about it with how often you keep learning. I have worked at least a couple years in pest control, have a side wasp-taxidermy hobby, and been into finding weird factoids since I was little,

And I was last week years old when I freaking found out that, APPARENTLY, earwigs parentally care for and nurture their young???

It starts with finding a whole pile of eggs waiting for me inside a termite bait station.

I’m like “that’s pretty cool, I wonder what laid these” and conveniently I see a hefty female earwig chilling nearby. She’s not running away either though I’ve definitely rustled her mood.

But who knows, maybe she’s here for an easy meal since they are omnivorous, and that’s easy to assume until I find the exact same situation in another station about 5 minutes later.

Neat little egg pile, a testy female sitting on top and being really reluctant to move too far away from them even through I’ve found her. Now I’m curious enough about whether these are earwig eggs so I start doing some research when I get home, and??? Wow! Not only was I right that they stick around and defend the clutch, clean fungus off of it, and regulate its temperature before the nymphs hatch, but the female earwig ALSO continues to protect and feed her offspring until they reach their second molt. This behavior is always cool and out of ordinary when it pops up in reptiles or amphibians, but in solitary bugs?! Whole new level of awesome, and been casually happening right under my feet for most of my life. Can’t believe none of y’all were gonna tell me and I had to just keep opening termite control devices to figure that one out.

Earwig moms, you rock.

[ranger-rai]

Recently, I noticed a family of Sewaddle made their home up in my treehouse that I'm not using. I'm fine with it, and im glad it's getting some use. But I noticed a lot of the wood is starting to rot around the treehouse. I'm just worried it might collapse on them. I don't want to call pest control and force them out. So are there any tips to help them leave the treehouse temporarily, at least until I replace the rotting wood?

Aw, you got a little family moving in. That's awesome.

So they actually are enjoying that rotting wood, but they might not realize that it's putting them in danger.

What I'd recommend is to offer them some sliced up fruits, and while they are enjoying it, try and patch up some of the unstable areas from the outside, at least.

If you can temporarily reinforce the structure while they spend a few days away, it should be a solid enough structure.

They don't need much, but a little insulation wouldn't hurt, so get them some dry leaves.

Also, a little berry juice and water will keep them nice and happy.

[theonescreencap]

i'm in the middle of dressrosa rn, i recently learned that doflamingo is a former celestial dragon and just now that the reason he still has sway in the holy land is because they're scared of him, they already tried to kill him to shut him up and he just didn't die, he has blackmail on the most powerful people in the world.....

this guy survives (and thrives) entirely just by being a huge annoying scary piece of shit who has dirt on everything and connections with everyone that keep him suspended, over like a metaphorical pit of lava, in a tangled web of cruelty and abuse and lies and fear and control. i have 400 episodes to go and i don't even feel like i'm jumping the gun by saying he's the most evil character in the whole series. i don't even like to call characters "evil" if the source material has proven it's capable of nuance about these things, which i think one piece is. but mr. flamingo is like EVIL evil. it's awesome

i think for as much as this series loves to portray good and just monarchies, and dances around fully condemning oppressors, etc. it still does a good job creating compelling and realistically corrupt systems of power. doffy isn't evil as shit for no reason, it's because he was conditioned from birth to believe he's superior to everyone, and he interpreted hatred from common folk as humanity being inherently cruel, so he does whatever he wants and resents everyone who thinks they can take his power away with the fury of a thousand suns, and is a pest for everyone all because of what he used to be, and the power that still affords him, because the whole system is fucked!!!! his evil is rooted so deeply in the already established worldbuilding

i'm also really liking fujitora he's so interesting and i can't wait to see what he does. introducing him in this arc specifically was a great move. it feels like he really finally understands the endless cruelty that people like doflamingo are allowed to inflict on civilians with the world gov and the marines being as they are

[chirpingfromthebox]

Making Mischief

With all the depressing and worrying news from the league these days, I figured it was time to distract myself by dusting off and finishing this old draft o' mine.

I don't know enough about hockey to make posts making insightful comments on the intricacies and nuances of the sport. So I'll stay in my lane: hyperfixating on weirdly specific topics.

With that being said, here is my attempt to convince the higher ups (in this case this being all you cool kids on Tumblr) of my idea for the best name for PWHL New York.

First of all, I am not a New Yorker. Gotta get that out of the way upfront. So, New Yorkers, feel free to judge me all you want.

[jk, New Yorkers don't need permission. they were already doing it anyway.]

Second of all, there is no chance outside of the biggest "donation" you've ever dreamed of for them to be named the Pizza Rats.

It's just not gonna happen.

It's too much fun and too internety.

Sports teams tend to want names that are edgy or strong or cool. But more than anything they tend to want something that's as inoffensive as possible so as to be blandly palatable to everyone.

But I'm willing to compromise!

Part 1:

The Name

Okay, so we can't have Pizza Rats. I'm also going to imagine they'll never go for The Rats either. So I present to you an option that works for everyone:

The New York Mischief

Is it tough/cool/etc?

I would argue it's that perfect middle ground of tough, cool, and fun. This team is out here causing some trouble, but, you know, like misdemeanor-level trouble. The rebellious fun kind of trouble. And who doesn't love a rebel?

[Wait, does Canada have a Misdemeanor vs. Felony system for crimes? In case it doesn't, Misdemeanors are lesser crimes: shoplifting, graffiti, indecent exposure, simple assaults, trespassing, etc. As opposed to felonies, which are major crimes: treason, murder, arson, kidnapping, etc.]

Does it sound good?

I think so! It sounds like a special brand of trouble you can only find from the Empire State. You'd see someone do something wild and go, "Oh snap, that's some New York mischief right there."

But most importantly: Does it involve Rats?

Thank you for asking! And YES it does!

"Mischief" is the collective noun for a group of rats!

And this is how we sneak the rats into New York.

Part 2:

Rats are Amazing and If You Don't Agree You Are Wrong

I get it, people hate naming teams after animals they consider to be "common" or "pests". They want apex predators! They want something deadly and muscley with some pointy bits!

But please bear with me as I make a case for why rats are awesome.

Let's start by debunking the general reasons why people would be averse to associating their team with the humble rat.

Rats are the weak prey to stronger creatures. People love to name teams after apex predators and megafauna. But you know what's almost universally on the endangered species list? Apex predators. They sound cool, they're tough, they could kick my ass, but if you face the facts they are generally not survivors. But rats? People have been actively trying to kill them for centuries! And we have failed! At best you can hope to win a battle with them, because you aren't going to win the war.

Rats are disease carrying vermin. I can't really say this isn't technically true of some wild rats. But if we're scared of Sharks because they might eat us, we're afraid of rats because they are inevitable. You can stay away from sharks, but you can't stay away from rats. They're coming for you. You can see them lurking in the shadows. You can hear them in your walls. If you give them any chance they're going to gnaw their way into your house, shit in your oatmeal, and just generally fuck up your stuff. Just look at the definition of vermin: "small common harmful or objectionable animals...that are difficult to control" And remember, dear readers, the rats aren't bringing trouble upon rats, they are bringing it to everyone else. Only the non-rats have to fear the Mischief.

Rats don't have the values we want in a team. Ridiculous! Anyone who thinks such a thing doesn't know anything about rats. As anyone who has had pet rats before can tell you, rats are actually highly intelligent and very social. They love to play. They are excellent problem solvers. They are scrappy survivors capable of flourishing in almost any environment. And they laugh when you tickle them.

And what says "New York" better than scrappy survivors who won't go down without a fight, work together when things get tough, and are always disrespecting other people's homes?

And while I've never had the opportunity to try it, I suspect that New Yorkers might also laugh when tickled.

Part 3:

Imagery

Okay, so "Mischief." In terms of imagery, how can you sell that?

And I'll tell you!

You do it by NOT having a little cartoon Rat for a logo. I can't help but imagine whatever marketing firm they hire trying to do some San Jose Sharks style thing with a rat biting through the hockey stick. Or a Penguins-style thing with a rat in skates or something.

I know I might be alone in this, but little cartoon animals for logos is really hard to do right. It is just way too much of a representational image for something inherently ethereal: a sports team and the community around it.

Sure, there have been teams that have made it work. But it requires a truly skilled graphic designer and you can't bet on the suits upstairs finding one of those. Like, if you're going to have an animal logo you gotta get a little representational with it.

(speaking of which the MN Wild has a dope logo and I wanna throw hands with all the people who talk shit about it. From a graphic design standpoint that logo has more thought put into it than any other logo in the NHL.)

I also have beef with logos that are just letters. Listen, I love the art of typography, but if your logo is a letter that you added a modicum of flair too? You were out of ideas.

You told your graphic design team, "We don't want to seem boring, but we also want the bare minimum. Give us the most broadly palatable thing you can make."

I am not a great artist and definitely don't know anything about designing logos. But to put my money where my mouth is I sketched a couple of basic ideas just to prove that it's possible and that there's potential here.

I was trying to riff the idea of the Rat King because I think it fits in with the idea of rats as being more than animals, but part of legends and mythos all their own.

Throwing one onto the actual jersey for fun:

I dunno! This if this is just me messing around. Imagine what you could come up with if you paid someone with actual talent!

The End

Anyways, that's my pitch. Thank you for listening to my idea. Please feel free to come up with your own. It's not like they're listening, so we might as well have fun here in the shadows.

And you know who else likes to have fun in the shadows?

That's right!

THE RATS!

[sadistic-softie]

Bugs.

I feel like bugs, spiders especially, are a theme in my life somehow...

Like my gravitation towards them throughout my entire life is kinda poetic in a way. I've been drawn to them since before I could even form memories. I've been told that a huge part of my early childhood years were spent digging for, finding, collecting, and playing with bugs and the only after-school activity I ever did was a bug club I went to in early middle school. I only grew to love and appreciate them more with time.

And I feel like a bug often in a sense. Helpless. Small. Easy to crush. Always being walked all over. Ignored or seen as a pest. A gross nuisance and even scary to some people. But as they say about spiders, I'm all but guaranteed to be more afraid of you than you are of me.

Bugs are hard to love, but when someone loves them, they are loved deeply. Sometimes the people who love bugs also hurt them. Display them as a spectacle for how unusual they are. People often crush bugs without even realizing it. They seek bugs to hurt them. Some people specialize in bugs. They study them. In the process, the bug suffers pain. Some people keep spiders captive for years because they make it easier to get rid of smaller pests. If a bug serves no use, it is crushed or thrown out. Bugs are so small and easy to prey upon that they feel safer hiding alone in small spaces. And spiders love to be independent, yet, if you just let them be unbothered in a corner out of your way, they won't bother you. They'll stay out of the way and won't mind helping you with pests at all.

And I find comfort in bugs. I find them fascinating, beautiful, and adorable. And I like that I have power and control over them that I have nowhere else in my life. The way to interact with bugs feels more left open to interpretation than anything else in life. The majority of bugs are not loving nor violent. They have no intention other than instinct. They are just another part of the food chain. A natural piece of living art. I like that. They usually don't bother me and I let them hang around my places, but if they ever do irritate me, they're easy to throw outside or crush. I find comfort in bugs. I like having them play a part in my life. I welcome it.

Also bug themed furniture and decorations are awesome as fuck-

[comicgeek2003]

Eviler Than Thou

In the villains business, there's only can be one.

Two villains are rivals, each wreaking havoc in their own special way. Each one has the potential to be the one and only Big Bad. The poor heroes are caught in the middle between two completely different threats, and have to be flexible enough to stop both. They may team up against the heroes for a while (each planning to double-cross the other), but usually they go for each other's throats, and the cross-fire threatens to destroy the world.

Whichever villain wins will rub it in with a cackling speech about how the other villain is deficient.

Examples:

Wander Over Yonder: Lord Dominator to Lord Hater and the other villains. When she appears in the season 2 premiere, it really shows that she is worse than Hater. More later, Lord Awesome tries to flirt with her, but she make him clear she is not interested and lock up him in a cell. In the episode "My Fair Hatey", she even sings "I Am The Bad Guy" to Wander and Hater to shows up how truly evil she can be.

Megamind: The titular character who acts more out of showmanship than any real malice, is horrified when he finds out that Titan/Hal turned out to be a villain who enjoys wreaking real havoc out of pure spite.

The Dark Knight Rises: John Daggett hires Bane to help him in his schemes to take control of Wayne Enterprises, and realizes all too late that Bane was the one who was using him all along. Bane is also implied to have actually been too evil and extreme for Ra's al Ghul and the League of Shadows themselves.

Doctor Who: In the episodes "Army of Ghosts" and "Doomsday", an entire army of Cybermen stomps onto Earth from a parallel universe, seemingly taking control of the planet. Then the Cult of Skaro show up, and make it clear they view the Cybermen as no more than a pest problem.

[borderlineangeldisorder]

July 24

Today was a ♡ day nothing so bad Work was the same Short staffed to the bones for over an hour causing me to do 4 people's jobs as one singular entity on top of crying in the office over my bones on fire

Then one worker turned into a petty (their own words) bit not caring because they didn't get the position they thought they deserved Of course they apologized after but still 🦇

The cold air helped ground me on the walk to the train at least I got to unwind decompress before getting home to ripping apart my apartment for pest control tomorrow ( ˘ ³˘)♥ which is awesome and terrifying because my landlords stopped by to see my place and I absolutely hate hate hate having company especially them

I want to smoke away the burning breakdown of my skeleton but have to wait for them to leave and of course they have a bonfire in the yard going to burn down the trees they had to choose down due to the renovation going on next door which resulted in those trees to lose support resulting in them leaning into the yard

Ugh I just remembered I forgot my DVDs at work my coworker has been feeding me to sasciate my growing collection of physical entertainment ˚‧º·(˚ ˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥ )‧º·˚

Oh well I'm sure I'll forget again my next shift oops

I didn't get to see him today sad sad sad but he's excellent at always staying in touch with me which honestly slay of him for not being a barrel of red flags Hush paranoia

Now I'm sitting on my kitchen floor because I ate an edible which lasted about 20 minutes because it was stale hence the desire for once again physical embodiment of said entertaining my synopsis nerves

I'm out of toilet paper but I go for gold with my paper towels ( ´~｀)

I'm happy to be journaling It makes me want to burn the old ones but even if my mind forgets again physical embodiment of the abuse and torture I endured so I don't believe it was all a dream Never reading them

I want to start restricting again but I don't want to lose control and end up sick

Chronic illness makes it nearly impossible anyways I will shut down and get the shakes if I don't eat properly Guess that means I have to actually work out Shudder

[lannisterdaddyissues]

Ahhh sleepover!! 😆 need to know all your pennymav headcanons and also how was your day?

OMG SLEEPOVER WITH THE BESTIE WHAT WILL WE DO 😝💕🎶

^us rn <3

as for my day, it was really good!!!! i visited my parents today, we went out to dinner at this really nice backwoods restaurant! they had really delicious seafood and it was run on a farm, so they had a whole garden out back with a bunch of farm animals to go look at, plus i got to meet two of the restaurant cats and they were soooo sweet 🥺 one of them jumped up on the railing whenever i walked by because it wanted me to pet it and i just ughrsdghsrgfh kitties 💗

anyway PENNYMAV HEADCANONS !!!! GOD I LOVE THEM SM I WAS SO EXCITED TO SEE THIS IN MY INBOX BC I CANNOT THINK ABOUT THEM ENOUGH <33333 THEY ARE SO IMPORTANT TO ME

so without further ado, the goods:

penny was the first person mav serenaded in a bar when they were younger

penny liked to think she had high standards but mav had her as soon as he opened his mouth

he still sings to her in private but don’t make the mistake of asking him to sing in public. that right belongs to penny and penny alone

penny was actually the one who convinced mav to steal the f-18

she was literally insane back then

mav tells this story to everybody but they never believe him because penny is literally god’s perfect angel

penny thinks this is hilarious and gaslights him about it because she thinks it’s cute when he gets mad

mav is so easy though. all it takes to earn his forgiveness is a kiss on the cheek. #simp

brunch dates are their thing

they do go out for fancy dinners every once in a while, but casual settings are actually preferred because they don’t want to force their relationship, keeping things chill and low-key is fine with them

also, penny is OBSESSED with breakfast food

her go-to order is a stack of buttermilk pancakes with powdered sugar and fruit on it because she loves sweets and fruit

mav just orders something healthy and boring like avocado toast lol. he’s a health nut with terrible taste in food (seriously he would eat a brick if you served it to him on a plate, he tastes no

difference)

penny highlights her hair now because it used to be more naturally auburn when she was younger and she misses the color

her hair was actually the first thing mav noticed about her when they first met, he thought it was so prettyyyy

penny cannot stand roaches and spiders so mav has to play brian pest control in her house once every few months

for real if penny sees a roach it’s game over. she will scream and wail like a banshee until mav finally ambles over to get rid of them for her, she’s so pathetic about them

on the other hand penny LOVES lizards because being a reptile enjoyer is her weird girl trait. there are lots to be found at the hard deck too which is great

more often than not if amelia isn’t sitting at the bar doing homework she’s out back chasing lizards. if mav isn’t inside either then he’s out there with her

aside from de-roaching her house, mav is also penny’s personal handyman

need your lights strung up? he’s your man

need your appliances fixed? he’s your man

need repairs done on your car? he’s your man

need kisses on your forehead? he’s your man

mav gets sleepy when he’s drunk and his favorite place to nap is on penny’s chest

“she’s soft and she smells nice” - mav 2k19 (he’s no thoughts head empty for her when he gets like this)

penny loves it when he naps on her. it’s like having a heated AND weighted blanket rolled into one

however sometimes said blanket will awkwardly grope her on accident (or was it…) in the middle of the night and that’s always fun

the 86 squad jokingly buy mav wife guy t-shirts as gag gifts but he loves them and wears them unironically all the time

examples include:

“PROPERTY OF MY HOT WIFE”

“MY WIFE SAYS I ONLY HAVE TWO FAULTS 🌠 I DON’T LISTEN AND SOMETHING ELSE.” (purchased by hollywood)

“MY WIFE HAS AN AWESOME HUSBAND”

“THIS GUY HAS A 👉 CRUSH 👈 ON HIS WIFE”

mav being an old guy gets really sore sometimes and penny gives the most incredible massages

if she hadn’t opened the hard deck she could’ve been a masseuse fr

she has such soft hands!!! and her nails feel so good when they scratch his back just ufhrsgfhrsghgr

mav is in heaven rn

AAAAA AND THAT’S ALL I HAVE FOR NOW BUT THAT’S ONLY BECAUSE IT’S PAST MIDNIGHT I’M SURE I COULD THINK OF MORE IF I TRIED HARDER

also… ahaha… nsfw headcanons beneath the cut if you want… 😳👉👈

young penny and mav were both shameless harlots and had a pretty sexually open relationship

naturally this means they got into lots of threesomes because hell yeah

they’re pretty private about their sex life now though because they like to keep that part of each other all to themselves… hehehe

BUT if cyclone ever decides to take penny up on her offer he knows where to find them ;)

penny is such a lingerie girl she could be a victoria’s secret model

she likes to surprise mav with new sexy lil pieces she finds online, it keeps things spicy in the bedroom

his face is always a national treasure every time she brings out something new

if you think seeing them on her is good though? imagine how good she looks when he takes them off for her

the only thing better is how good it feels when he takes them off for her

mav is a master of the art of cunnilingus

he’s sucked so much dick between relationships you can’t tell me he doesn’t know how to use his tongue

he gets hard instantly when penny sits on his face (and he’s real for it honestly have you SEEN young jencon!!! she has the sexiest thighs i’ve ever seen in my life i want them to choke me)

if mav is a master of cunnilingus then naturally penny is the mistress of the strap

she definitely pulls mav’s hair when she fucks him

the moans he makes are OBSCENE

they have crossed off every item on their sex bucket list

fuck on a boat

fuck on a beach

fuck on the dock

fuck in a bathroom

fuck in a car

fuck in a plane

fuck in her dad’s bed

fuck in her dad’s office

fuck by a window

i cannot believe i just typed all of this jesus please forgive me

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Friday, August 11

FAITH: (challengingly) So, you gonna rat me out? Is that it? BUFFY: (imploringly) Faith, we have to tell. I can't pretend to investigate this. I can't pretend that I don't know. FAITH: (snidely) Oh, I see. But you can pretend that Angel's still dead when you need to protect him. BUFFY: I AM trying to protect you. Look, if... if we don't do the right thing, it's only gonna make things worse for you.

~~Consequences~~

The Sunnydale Herald is looking for at least one new editor. Contributing to the Herald is a great way to get your Buffy on! Find out more here.

[Chaptered Fiction]

There Is No Other Troy For Me To Burn - Part Four by Altoz (Wesley, Fred, PG for language)

A Family Room at the Heartbreak Hotel - Ch. 1-2 by julikobold (Buffy/Spike, Dru, Dawn, T)

Pest Control - Ch. 1 by mmooch (Buffy, Mobius, Loki xover, T)

Hell On Earth - Ch. 1 by Scar_Eve (Drusilla/Spike, Darla/Faith, Angelus, T)

The Time Between - Ch. 6 by JayeMaru (Buffy/Spike, T) COMPLETE!

Vanilla and Spice - Ch. 77 by MaggieLaFey (Buffy/Spike, E) COMPLETE!

A Slayer's Fortune - Ch. 5 by VoronaFiernan (Buffy/Spike, M) COMPLETE!

There Should Be Groveling - Ch. 20 by Slaymesoftly (Buffy/Spike, M) COMPLETE!

Passable Italian - Ch. 3 by momentofbored (UltramarineOrchid) (Buffy/Angel, G) COMPLETE!

Forward to Time Past - Ch. 67 by Superfluous_Wit (Unbridled_Brunette), Unbridled_Brunette (Buffy/Spike, E) COMPLETE!

California Sun - Ch. 2 by To Be Hers (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

Binding Effects - Ch. 2 by simmony (Buffy/Spike, R)

The Plunge - Ch. 13 by Harlow Turner (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

The Truth Shall Set You Free - Ch. 14 by Geliot99 (Buffy/Spike, R)

Make or Break - Ch. 3 by Axell (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

The Neighbor's Point of View - Ch. 33 by the_big_bad (Buffy/Spike, PG)

A Family Room at the Heartbreak Hotel - Ch. 7 by Julikobold (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

From Hell with Love - Ch. 21 by temporarytitle (Buffy/Spike, R)

Ties to the World - Ch. 23 by The Danish Bird (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

August Fic-A-Day 2020 - Ch. 1-3 by LadyWinterlight (Buffy, Faith, Avengers xover, PG-13 [rating varies by chapter])

William The Bloody Puppet - Ch. 1 by disco-tea (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

Swipe Right to Connect - Ch. 2 by ashcrashed (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

College Is Awesome! - Ch. 10 by Grief Counseling (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Part of the Family - Ch. 11 by Harlow Turner (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

Dream - Ch. 33-35 by Dusty (Buffy/Spike, R)

From Hell with Love - Ch. 10-11 by temporarytitle (Buffy/Spike, R)

A Family Room at the Heartbreak Hotel - Ch. 7 by Julikobold (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

[Fandom Discussions]

[ask answered] what are some friendships / dynamics you wish we got to see more of... by jenny-calendar

Why everyone hates this season [S4 discussion] updated by Bear

Why do so many people dislike Tara? updated by Bear

Unpopular/controversial opinions updated by multiple posters

Incorrect Quotes #2 [new thread] by nightshade

Question - Christmas scene, real or imagined? updated by TamsinValencia and others

"Billy": Primordial misogyny by Nothing13 and others

When do The Powers That Be get involved? by Stoney

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[fizziigoth]

Pls,,, I live in an area with a lot of yellowjackets and they're actually really chill, as long as you aren't very clearly going out of your way to hurt them. They also learn your face over time so after a while they'll stop buzzing around your face, but even then they're just investigating! They're also really important pest control and help keep certain bug populations from destroying everything.

I adore them with all of my heart and I will not stand for this slander

Yknow what, I actually agree with you - to a degree!!! Listen, they absolutely *are* dickheads and I stand by that purely bc yellowjackets, unlike "true" wasps, are known for stinging without being provoked (and *their* stings, as opposed to other wasps etc, are more likely to cause serious side effects). That being said, they are incredibly impressive creatures who contribute a huge amount to not only pollination but also to attracting other wildlife such as Jays (circle of life n all that) while controlling other insects that cause mass destruction - like aphids!

On that point though, decimating local beehives - especially that of small scissor bees and mason bees - is one of their specialities (and as an avid lover of bees, that breaks my heart ☹️)

If money wasn't an issue, if the house I lived in was my own and not a rental, and if I didn't live with my flatmate who's hella allergic to them and my dog who tries to eat them bc she's dumb, I'd absolutely set up a space for them near me that they can have free reign over. But, they're responsible for a huge decrease in the local bee population (whether that be wasps directly invading their hives/wiping them out or people killing bees *thinking* they're wasps), and also - they're eating through my walls and it's causing a LOT of issues 🙃

I like wasps from a distance!! Their nests are awesome and the way they function as a creature is cool as fuck both structurally and materially [those bitches recycle!! Good for them] But also, THEY'RE IN MY WALLS AND THEY DON'T PAY RENT AND I'M THE DESIGNATED INSECT RELOCATOR IN MY HOUSEHOLD WHICH MEANS I'M THE ONE THAT KEEPS HAVING TO RESCUE MY BF/FLATMATE/DOG, AND I CAN'T SLEEP WITH THE NOISE THEY'RE MAKING AND THEY'RE CAUSING DAMP IN OUR HOUSE AND ONE STUNG ME ON THE TOE THIS MORNING WHILE I WAS HAVIGN A PISS ANDI WAS NOWHERE NEAR THE BASTARD SO THEY'RE COOL BUT THEY'RE DICKHEADS 😭😭😭😭😭

[also to anyone that's reading them - pretty much all insects and animals have dickhead tendencies, that doesn't mean kill 'em for it!!! Figure out ways to safely (both to you and your environment) relocate them!]

[beezusweezus]

Cool beetle facts pls I need

I have never been so excited to reply to something!!!!

Thank you for asking me to infodump about these awesome little creatures! :D

tw bugs and pictures of bugs and long post

First off, like what the hell is a beetle anyway? Aren't they just shiny bugs?

Well yeah... but what separates beetles is their hardened outer wings or elytra. The are distinctly divided down the middle, so all beetles have wings that do not overlap.

A well known beetle is the ladybug! Or ladybird, or coccinellid. Beetles go through a complete metamorphosis, where their larval stages are often very different from their adult forms. This means that they hatch into larvae and then pupate once where they change all at once. (from top left, clockwise, adults mating, larvae, adult laying eggs, pupa)

These eyltra are what gives beetles their distinct shapes and colors. Although they cannot fly with their elytra, they must warm up their wings before they can fly and thus raise their elytra outward.

Diving beetles can use their elytra to store air underwater!

Then there's the funny little click beetle... they throw themselves away from danger and make a loud click sound. They also do this casually when they've just fallen on their backs.

BUH-YUH-YOING(spring sound effect)

Most of the bright colors like blue, green, and shimmering reds and yellows are examples of one of my favorite topics... Structural Color!

They are not ACTUALLY shimmering beautiful colors, as they lack pigmentation, the structure of the scales that form their elytra are shaped in a way that causes us to see those beautiful iridescent shades. The material of their wings reflects certain wavelengths of light back to us, which is why they can seem to shift colors.

Notice how the colors of this beetle seem to change in the camera angle? SHINY PRETTY OOOHAHHHH

all weevils are beetles and usually massive crop pests. But they have this really fun shape to them! Beetles eat decaying plant and animal matter, waste, fungi, and other insects. They're like nature's little roombas!

Many species that are predacious are considered to be pest controllers of more damaging species like how ladybugs eat aphids!

Some wood boring beetles have such long lifespans that they can pop out of already made furniture!

Beetles adopt bright colors to warn off predators, and many can spray or emit acidic or toxic chemicals to help them. But unless you're a BIRD don't be alarmed! Even if they make sounds, beetles are not dangerous. They don't bite (rare exceptions), they don't spread disease, and they aren't parasitic to people. They may damage crops, but so does any species left unchecked.

Beetles come in an incredible array of shapes and colors and some are effective mimics of wasps and bees! They also act as pollinators for many flowering plants. Many adopt a mimic of a more fearsome insect to ward off predators.

I may be very partial to the bumblebee scarab beetle <3

The order of beetles is Coleoptera, meaning shield wing. The name beetle, means little biter, although most species are harmless to humans.

Beetles are the most successful order of animals all over earth. The number of beetle species counts for nearly 40% of all insect species, and 25% of all animal species. THAT'S A LOT. Consider, there are a lot of fish...

See this crazy scary guy! Those horns are used for mating battles between males, this is a hercules beetle. In the picture I've blown up his face and you can see that he really isn't that scary after all!

The hercules beetle is on record as the longest beetle found! at 18.1 cm

I hope you liked these beetle facts! I have plenty more where that came from and I'm also always interested in learning. I am learning about beetles because I wanted to get over my fear of bugs, and I hope I can show that insects are incredible creatures that bring beauty to the world!

<3 BEE

[bookishjules]

i read spiders and contracting and thought we were imagining a world where they could build us super sick webby structures on commission. not necessaily for pest control but bc awesome physics and architecture. spider contractors you know.

spiders have got to figure out contracting I need to be able to call my local spiders union and be like "hey can you send a guy out for a few days the fruit flies are back" and then pay it in spider currency. I'll learn the conversion rates. I'll be generous with my rounding. please.

[darkette]

Efficient Silverfish Pest Control: A Comprehensive Guide to Ingenious Control

Silverfish, typically deemed slight family annoyances, can leave a considerable proof with the damage they trigger. Though these small, wingless bugs are harmless to humans and family pets, their fondness for devouring paper, cloths, and adhesive components can easily lead to ugly damages to manuals, wallpaper, and apparel. Attending to the challenge of controlling silverfish populations, researchers and market pros in Norway have established an ingenious approach that mixes innovative science with sensible treatment. This new approach offers a trustworthy, long-term solution to a problem that has astonished residents and building supervisors for many years.

The Nature of the Silverfish Problem

While silverfish are actually certainly not harmful to wellness, their visibility may be problematic. These pests are actually nocturnal, prospering in wet, black environments such as basements, shower rooms, and storing locations. They devour carbohydrates found in products like glue, wallpaper mix, and organic threads, causing steady but recognizable damages in time. This habits creates all of them especially disheartening for those attempting to sustain the honesty of their living spaces or even safeguard valuable possessions.

Understanding their the field of biology and habits is actually important to building effective control approaches. Unlike some parasites that can be removed with straightforward catches or sprays, silverfish frequently call for much more targeted interventions because of their evasive behaviors and capacity to conceal in hard-to-reach areas.

Assessing Standard Control Methods

Numerous techniques have actually been made use of in the past to manage silverfish attacks, each along with its own limitations:

• Adhesive Traps: These snares are actually a beneficial analysis tool, aiding home owner evaluate the degree of an infestation. Having said that, they are actually unproductive for handling huge populations, as they merely capture personal pests that come across the trap.

• Residual Sprays: While pesticides provide a short-lived solution, silverfish often tend to stay away from treated places, restricting the effect of sprays. Additionally, these products can pose wellness risks if applied poorly.

• Dangerous Lures: This method exemplifies an even more concentrated method, leveraging the feeding practices of silverfish to deliver helpful, population-wide control.

An Ideal Switch with Poisonous Baits

At the core of this cutting-edge method is using poisonous bait exclusively made for silverfish. Employing procedures originally developed for roach management, this bait has actually been adjusted to make use of the special habits of silverfish. When consumed, the bait induces a cascading effect, quickly reducing the population.

Indoxacarb: A Game-Changing Active ingredient

Among several active substances evaluated - fipronil, imidacloprid, clothianidin, and indoxacarb - indoxacarb stands apart for its own awesome effectiveness. Its own secondary and tertiary poisoning results are actually key to its results. Silverfish that consume the lure die, but their also carry the poisonous substance, impacting various other silverfish that feed upon them. This chain of circumstances substantially intensifies the lure's impact, making certain extensive protection even in covert regions.

The Contagion Effect: Extending the Reach

A standout feature of indoxacarb-based baits is their potential to utilize the organic scavenging actions of silverfish. Lifeless bugs come to be carriers of the toxic representative, spreading it further with the populace. This horizontal transfer ensures that even individuals in remote or even hard-to-access locations are had an effect on, making it an extremely efficient solution.

Ideal Lure Positioning: An Accuracy Approach

The results of the method rests on specific lure placement. Small drops (10 - twenty milligrams) are actually administered at a quality of one drop per area meter making use of focused applicators. Best locations feature fractures, crevices, and walls - regions where silverfish are likely to travel or hide. Care is taken to place the bait in locations elusive to kids and animals, particularly in homes or social areas like daycares.

Measurable and Lasting Results

Field tests have shown the outstanding effectiveness of indoxacarb-based baits:

• Within 6 - 8 full weeks: A noticeable 80% decline in apparent silverfish populations.

• At 12 weeks: Populations decrease by over 90%.

• After 5 - 6 months: Most cases state a 95 - 98% reduction, with near-complete removal in some circumstances.

The lure continues to be active for up to 4 years under ideal health conditions, supplying long-lasting protection against reinfestation. This durability not simply saves time and resources yet additionally lessens the necessity for repeated applications.

Making Sure Safety and Practicality

Security has been a keystone in the advancement of the solution. The lure is actually meticulously put on minimize exposure to non-target living things. In houses with children or pet dogs, treatments are actually usually performed in stages, separating treated areas to preserve risk-free and comfy living environments. This strategy equilibriums effectiveness along with functionality, ensuring that the approach appropriates for an assortment of environments.

Collaborative Research: A Multi-Industry Initiative

The success of the procedure is actually the outcome of years of collaboration between Norwegian public health authorities, pest control professionals, and the insurance industry. Strenuous area tests in assorted atmospheres - from single-family homes to office homes - have actually confirmed its own efficiency and convenience. This alliance highlights the value of integrating scientific analysis along with real-world applications to attend to chronic problems.

A groundbreaking approach to Silverfish Control

While total obliteration of silverfish may be an enthusiastic target, this approach provides a practical and maintainable method to handle infestations efficiently. Through targeting the population at its center and leveraging advanced bait innovation, residents and businesses can easily achieve long-term alleviation. This innovative strategy not just deals with the urgent trouble yet likewise sets the stage for lasting pest management methods.

Through this ingenious solution, the days of sustaining silverfish attacks are actually lastly numbered, delivering satisfaction and security for homes and homes.