#Best herbal hair care oil

[kalimeragolds]

This Natural Herbal Hair Oil for Dry and Damaged Hair contains herbs. Rich in extremely potent botanicals like hibiscus, amla, and bhringraj, it is capable of strengthening hair in each step from root to the tip, helps restore the natural sheen it used to have, and offers profound moisture. Its formula absorbs well without causing breakage, reduces frizz, and leaves hair softer, healthier.

[kalimeragold]

Best Hair Oil for Hair Fall Control with Shiny Hair.

Unveil the ultimate solution for hair fall with the Best Hair Oil for Hair Fall Control – Kalimera Gold. Specially crafted to decrease hair fall, Kalimera Gold nourishes your hair with a potent mixture of vitamins and minerals. Its specific formula strengthens hair roots, reduces breakage, and promotes a fuller, healthier mane. Experience the transformative strength of Kalimera Gold; you’re dependent on your best friend in the adventure of reaching resilient and beautiful hair. Say goodbye to hair fall and what’s up to a radiant, assured you.

[kalimera-gold]

Hair Fall Control Oil: Nourish and Strengthen Your Hair

Our hair fall control oil is specially formulated to help reduce hair loss and promote healthier, stronger hair. Packed with nourishing ingredients like vitamin E and essential oils, this oil penetrates deep into the scalp to nourish hair follicles, reduce breakage, and stimulate growth. Say goodbye to hair fall worries!.

[ak319]

i hope this one is different so you dont think it's repetitive... arthur become jealous whenever (teen?) reader show affection/politeness to the members of van der linde gang!! she is so kind and caring, it's like arthur gave all of his positive emotions to her.

i hope you're not too overwhelmed <3

(AN: It was fun to write this, lmao, and I'm good, thanks for asking! <3<3)

Warnings: Not incest, strictly platonic, fluff

Arthur stretched, savoring the cool evening breeze as he woke from his afternoon nap. Rubbing his eyes, he scanned the camp, noticing some of the boys lounging around, and then his gaze fell on you. You were nestled beside Hosea, who was explaining something, gesturing with a worn book in hand. The two of you looked deep in conversation, and Arthur’s jaw tightened just a touch.

Of course. You and Hosea with those endless stories.

Arthur strolled over, trying to keep his voice casual. “(Y/n)... my coffee?”

You looked up, blinking as if you’d just noticed him. “It’s in the pot.”

“So?”

“So… go get it?” You turned back to Hosea without a second thought, the two of you picking up right where you left off, as if Arthur wasn’t even there.

Arthur’s mouth opened in slight disbelief. So he’s gotta get it himself now? Is that how it is? He clearly saw you serving one to Hosea before he went to nap.

He stomped over to the coffee pot, pouring a little too forcefully, spilling half of it over the side. Huffing, he took a bitter sip, casting a sidelong glare at you and Hosea. You were still engrossed, nodding eagerly as Hosea continued his storytelling, clearly delighted by the attention.

You, Hosea, and those books. Why didn’t you tell him stories like that, like when you were little, always rambling on about what you’d read or about anything? He couldn’t help thinking, Maybe if he’d acted interested back then…Even now, both of you barely chatted ever since settling here.

Determined to stake his claim, he grabbed a chair, dragging it loudly across the ground until he was right in front of you both. He plopped down with his coffee, not budging.

You and Hosea paused, exchanging a look as Arthur sat there, arms crossed, expression defiant. He took a loud sip, smirking a bit. “What? Go on, I’m only listenin’. ”

Hosea chuckled, giving you a gentle nudge to continue, but Arthur’s smirk softened as he watched you. He wasn’t about to let anyone else claim his spot as the one you looked up to, even if he had to work for it sometimes.

⋆⋆⋆

“Charles, here, I bought it,” you said, holding out a small glass bottle.

Charles put down his dagger, inspecting the vial with a pleased nod. “Hm, thanks, (Y/n). This’ll be really helpful. I'll be sure to use it.”

Before Charles could say much else, Arthur’s gun clattered down onto the table, his gaze zeroed in on the bottle in his hand. “Woah, woah, what is that?”

You folded your arms, already anticipating his reaction. “It’s rosemary oil. It’s good for hair, you know? I use it too, and Charles was complaining about hair fall. You should use it too Arthur.”

Arthur’s eyebrow shot up, his lips pressing together as he rolled his eyes and resumed cleaning his gun. Hair oil? Really? He bit back a scoff, the faint irritation simmering in his expression. The things you’d done for Charles lately, you were really taking him being your 'other brother' thing too seriously, acting like he was the camp’s best friend and personal confidant. More like 'other better brother' at this point.

"My hair's fine." He pouted which was subtle enough for both of you to miss.

Maybe you thought Charles was better than him somehow. Was it because of his hair? Arthur’s eyes flicked over to Charles’s neatly braided locks and he bristled, pushing away that little jab of jealousy. Those braids were another evidence of your craft and experiments on him.

“By the way, Charles-" you started.

Arthur snapped up, feigning nonchalance as he muttered, “What’re you askin’ him now, huh? Got another herbal concoction to fuss over or a new hairstyle?”

“Actually,” you continued, ignoring his tone, “I was thinking Charles could teach me some tracking. Thought it’d be useful when you sometimes take me to hunt.”

Arthur’s jaw tightened slightly. He tried to play it cool, returning to his gun, but not before muttering, “Right… and just let me know when you’re done with all that ‘learnin’. Don’t need you forgettin’ your real chores now, got it?” You huffed slightly in reply, embarrassed and stomped away. He seemed to love bringing up your damn chores.

⋆⋆⋆

You peeked through the tent flap, hesitating slightly before stepping in. Arthur lay back on his cot, one knee propped up as he casually read through his journal. The sight of him looking so calm made your stomach twist just a bit, this wasn’t the look of someone who called you in for a friendly chat.

“Arthur… you called?” you asked cautiously, stepping inside.

He didn’t even look up, but you could sense the tension in his posture. “What is up with what I heard?”

You chuckled nervously, playing innocent. “Heard what?”

Finally, he glanced at you, setting his journal aside. "Feeding Kieran. An O’Driscoll, for God’s sake, and a captive one at that. You think that’s a good idea? Are you nuts?!”

You folded your arms, barely batting an eye. “What, we’re just gonna starve him to death in camp? That’s a great plan,” you said, throwing a glance toward Dutch’s tent with an exaggerated scowl.

Arthur caught the look, his gaze hardening. "Hey, don’t go blaming Dutch for making sense. You think Kieran’s just some stray dog? He’s a danger, and feeding him, treating him like… like one of us, it just ain’t wise.”

"But Mary- Beth did it too, why didn't-"

"I don't care what she did! I am talkin' to you right now! Also, she only gave him water while you served a damn feast to his ass. So, you...listen to me. Got it?" Not your fault that you cooked well and wanted everyone to have a taste. Poor guy was dying out there just from the smell of it.

“But why?” you retorted, the fire in your voice undeniable. “You’re all acting like he’s gonna break loose and take us all down with a spoon. He’s tied up. He's a person, Arthur, not a monster. And maybe, just maybe, if everyone here wasn’t so fast to turn people into enemies, half of this mess wouldn’t even exist! This isn't what mother taught us, Arthur.”

Arthur’s expression shifted from anger to something deeper, like a storm passing over. “Don't bring her into this! This is a different life from what we came from, why do you keep insisting upon those memories?” His voice softened but kept its edge. “And that big heart of yours? It’ll get you hurt if you’re not careful. I don’t want to be pulling you outta trouble because you’re tryin’ to see the good in a damn O’Driscoll. Now, are we clear?”

You stared back at him, the defiance slipping just a little as you noticed the strain in his eyes. Beneath his anger was worry, and for a moment, you softened too.

“Fine, fine, I made a mistake, apparently, and I’ll stay clear of him,” you mumbled. Being human here seems to be a crime.

⋆⋆⋆

You walked into the camp’s small, makeshift office, the familiar smell of paper and ink in the air. Strauss was hunched over a pile of bills and coins, his glasses perched precariously on his nose as he jotted down figures. His furrowed brow and concentration didn’t go unnoticed.

"Hey, Strauss," you called out softly, stepping into the room.

He looked up, adjusting his glasses as a small smile appeared on his face. “Ah, (Y/n), good to see you. Just trying to get these numbers in order, but it’s a bit too much for one pair of hands.”

You moved closer, casually offering your assistance. “Mind if I help?”

He raised an eyebrow. “You’d be willing to help count all this?”

“Sure,” you replied, already rolling up your sleeves. “Looks like you’ve got a lot on your hands.”

Strauss chuckled softly, clearly appreciative. “I suppose that’s why I always need help with these things. It’s too much to do alone, even for someone as meticulous as me.”

You settled next to him, carefully picking up a stack of bills and sorting them by denomination. The coins came next, their jingling noise filling the air as you organized them into neat little piles. Strauss watched, impressed by how quickly and efficiently you worked, and before long, everything was sorted and ready to be counted.

“By my word, (Y/n), you’ve done this faster than I could’ve hoped,” he said, adjusting his glasses again, his tone warm with praise. “It’s quite clear you have an eye for details.”

You smiled, grateful for the compliment. “I’ve had some practice.”

Strauss leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. Then, with a slight flourish, he pulled a few bills from the pile and handed them to you. “As a token of my appreciation, take this,” he said, his voice warm. “A few dollars for your help. I think you’ve earned it.”

"No, no , please, no need for this. Thank you, though."

"C'mon, kid, like I said you earned it or just think of it as a gift."

You kept politely declining him but he forced the cash in your hand and the flap of the tent suddenly opened, and Arthur stepped inside, his boots thudding loudly against the floor as his eyes immediately narrowed at the scene.

Ugh.

"You givin' her a loan or something, Strauss?" He threw you a sharp look. You were well aware that he didn't appreciate you asking others for things.

"It’s not like that!" you snapped, already feeling your frustration building. “I helped him, that’s all. I didn’t ask for anything, Arthur. I wasn’t even about to take it!”

Arthur’s expression didn’t soften. In one swift motion, he turned back to the desk, and without a second thought, he placed the money you had been holding, still in your hand, back onto the table. He dropped it with a bit more force than necessary, the sound of it clinking harshly against the wood "Well, like I said, no need," he muttered, his voice polite but edged with an authority that suggested he just wanted to end the conversation. “Let’s go.”

You stumbled slightly as he nudged you toward the door. "You takin' handouts from him? Don't I give you enough pocket money already?" Arthur’s voice was tight with disapproval as he guided you out of the small room, his fingers almost too firm on your arm.

You shook your head, refusing to let the tension get the best of you. "Oh my God, he was just being nice, you damn well know I am not like that!" you muttered, glancing back at Strauss, who had returned to his work, probably already regretting offering you anything at all. "I didn’t ask for anything."

Arthur huffed, his mood sour. “And never do. I don’t trust that man with money.” He gave you a quick, pointed look as he nudged you forward, his steps quick and purposeful. “Go do somethin' else. Get out of here, kid. I don’t want to see you dealin’ with him.”

You bit back the sharp retort that formed on your lips. Instead, you let out a sigh, recognizing the stubbornness in your brother’s tone. “Fine. I’m going. Jeez,” you muttered, feeling a little put out as you walked away, already knowing this conversation wasn’t going to be the last of it.

⋆⋆⋆

Arthur nearly choked as he took another bite of the stew, his throat burning with the intense heat. He quickly grabbed his canteen, taking a few desperate gulps, trying to quench the fiery sensation that was assaulting him. What the hell was this? He wiped his mouth, glaring at the bowl like it personally offended him. What the fuck…

His hand slammed the canteen back down onto the table, and he stomped over to Pearson’s cooking station, frustration bubbling up inside him. “Why the hell is this so spicy?!”

Pearson looked up with a nonchalant grin, clearly unbothered by Arthur’s indignation. “It is? I think it’s scrumptious. Plus, (Y/N) cooked it, some Mexican recipe. Javier was feeling a little down today, so I thought I’d let her make it for him...cheer him up a bit.”

Javier, huh? Arthur’s blood began to simmer with something far more heated than the stew he just choked down. His jaw tightened as he turned on his heel and stormed towards you, who was happily swinging under the tree, carefree and unaware of the storm brewing in your brother’s chest.

"If he’s sad, does that mean you get to give me an ulcer?!" Arthur’s voice cracked like thunder, cutting through the air. “What, did you pour the whole damn bottle of chilies in this thing?”

You rolled your eyes without missing a beat and kept swinging like a kid, not even bothering to look at him as you kicked your legs lazily, enjoying the gentle breeze. “You’re being dramatic. Everyone licked their fingers clean. Even Molly liked it."

Arthur’s face contorted with disbelief as he approached you, the irritation in his veins flaring up like wildfire. Everyone? Of course. Everyone loved what you made. How could they not? You were sweet, and everything you did, even if it caused chaos, seemed to be met with nothing but approval. It’s a strange cycle, really, if you think about it. You’ve got this sweetness about you that makes it impossible for anyone to complain, even when you’re walking all over boundaries, like cooking up some wild, fiery dish for Javier. No one says a word, not even when you turn the camp upside down, because they’re all too afraid of making you upset, or worse, 'messing with Arthur's sister'.

And that’s when it gets tricky for him. All this unspoken leniency has slowly given you free rein, a field to roam in, and it’s hurting him in ways he can’t even explain. It's like you've unknowingly got the upper hand, and every little thing you do chips away at his patience, even when you’re just being you.

His lips curled into a hard, annoyed frown, and he leaned in close, voice low and harsh. “You listen here, brat," he growled, irritation lacing every word. "I’ve had a long day, and I damn well deserve a proper meal when I come back.”

Before you could even respond, Javier appeared from behind, sensing the rising tension between you two. He flashed a grin and confidently strolled over, his voice smooth and cheerful as he clapped his hands together. “Ah, but hermano Arthur,” Javier teased in his thick accent, completely unfazed by the tension. “Maybe it is not the food that is the problem, hmm? Maybe it’s your taste buds that need some...adjusting.”

Arthur’s brow furrowed, his temper threatening to snap. He was about to retaliate when Javier continued, his voice warm and inviting.

“No no,” Javier continued, ignoring Arthur’s scowl entirely. “(Y/N)'s cooking is the best here. Nobody can do it quite like she can.”

You chuckled softly, shaking your head, but part of you could feel the tension between them rise, even if it wasn’t entirely apparent to you, "Oh , it's nothing really."

As Arthur glared at you, his frustration mounting with every word that left your mouth, Javier, ever the peacekeeper and always with a grin on his face, flashed his usual cheeky smile, and before either of you could say anything, he burst into song, his deep voice carrying through the air with effortless charm. The dulcet tone of the guitar was sweet to you, yet bitter to Arthur.

“Oh, (Y/N), who brings the light,

To the fire, and to the night,

His voice was smooth, almost theatrical as he continued, completely ignoring the scowl Arthur was throwing his way.

“The stew you make, so full of spice,

Turns every frown to something nice,

And though it burns, we can’t resist,

The magic in your tender twist...”

Arthur muttered under his breath. "You better stop singing before I lose my damn mind," he grumbled, but his voice was laced with an unmistakable irritation that he couldn’t quite hide, even if he tried.

Javier finished his song with a flourish, giving you a playful wink as he stepped back, clearly proud of his impromptu performance. “And that, mi amiga, is a little song of thanks,” he said, his grin wide, while he sauntered away while Arthur bore daggers at his back.

Arthur turned back to you, arms folded tightly over his chest as he narrowed his eyes. “Was that all a silly prank of yours or something?” he asked, his tone stiff with a mix of irritation and jealousy.

You, however, couldn’t hold back the laughter. The ridiculousness of it all was just too much. You burst into a guffaw, your shoulders shaking with amusement, and the sound was enough to disarm Arthur, just a little.

You looked up at him, barely able to contain your grin. “Depends…” you teased, still giggling, making it worse for Arthur.

Arthur’s scowl deepened, but only for a moment. When he saw that sparkle in your eyes and how you couldn’t stop smiling, he felt a soft tug at his heart. "Kid, you’re a menace for real," he muttered, the words half-hearted, even though he was secretly relieved to see you happy in this new life.

[fairysteve]

Steve spends the first week after graduation trying to find a job and himself. He goes in and out of stores, leaving applications and looking through their shelves.

His parents are home; his dad is just waiting for an opportunity to kick him out or force him into an office job depending on if he's in a good mood or not when Steve inevitably gives up.

Of course, Steve has no plans on proving his dad right by giving up. His parents didn't even have the decency to attend his graduation; they only came home to confirm his college plans, hoping for something to brag about. Steve can't count how many times he's been called a disappointment in the last week.

He comes home with a job at Scoops Ahoy and a tarot deck. His parents leave the same way they came; without telling him.

The second week after graduation is interesting. Steve spends the days working for minimal wage with a coworker that makes fun of him and the evenings trying to learn tarot.

After the first time that he successfully does a reading for himself, he starts remembering the herbal remedies his mum would use when he was young and often got sick. The more he uses the tarot deck, the more he thinks about her herb garden and books, the more aware he is of his failing hearing and vision on the left side.

The latter has more to do with his job than the tarot deck, but it does make him wonder if there's anything he can do with plants. He can't go to the hospital without risking breaking the terms of two NDAs.

So Steve finds the books his mum used and starts reading them, writing down notes for what plants would be good to start growing, for what remedies actually seem helpful. What makes for helpful teas or incense or oils, what makes for good charms to carry around.

He remembers best through repetition so he makes rituals of the most useful things; it also helps getting him to use it. Much like how his self-care routines are rituals in a way.

Steve knows people are starting to whisper about him, knows that it's strange that he's carrying around plants and a tarot deck, that he takes moments out of his day to remember to breathe and recite self affirmations like they were spells. His hair is growing longer and wilder, he tilts his head to see and hear better, he's no longer trying to repress hundreds of small things just to fit in. He's letting himself be strange, letting himself use movement to process his emotions and repeat sounds because it feels good. He stops trying to force words out when there feels like a disconnect between his brain and mouth.

It's a month after graduation when he's taking the trash out at the end of his shift and hears something behind the dumpster. There's a small kitten that seems to be screaming with how loud the meows are.

Steve has never been allowed a pet, but he loves petting Tews when he's over at Dustin's, and it would help him feel less lonely. So he takes the kitten home.

Once he has given the poor thing a bath, the kitten turns out to be completely white, and very skinny. Steve has no idea how old it is, doesn't know what he should feed it, and it's too late to take it to a vet.

He's thinking about possible names as he's going through the fridge for the milk; the only cat names he knows are Mews and Tews. He's trying to think if it has to end with -ews when his eyes land on the slices of honeydew that his mum had left behind.

Steve feels quite proud of himself for naming the cat Honeydew; it follows the one rule for cat names that he knows of, and he can call it Honey for short, which is very cute.

Dustin laughs at him when Steve first tells him about the cat, and takes to calling Honeydew for Dewey, as in the Dewey Decimal System. Steve doesn't bother correcting it; he's pretty sure Honey is deaf. It explains the loud meowing and how the cat never seem to react to noise.

He still wants to be able to communicate with his new cat, and maybe it would be good for him too, so Steve borrows any books on ASL he can find. And he makes sure that Honeydew knows that the sign for Honey is its name.

When Steve does take Honeydew to a vet, he gets it confirmed that the kitten is male, around five weeks old, and completely deaf.

Honey's eyes turn green with time (kittens all have blue eyes the first six weeks).

Steve carries Honey around on his shoulders a lot.

thanks @metalmunch for the name!

[peach-and-bugs]

Lottienat comforting reader who’s on her period headcannons?

I'm doing this the same as last time with Tai and Van, where I headcanon them separately, but you can still read it as a poly relationship if you'd like!

Also, thank you for 600 followers! I just happened to notice that today 💕

Lottie and Natalie Comforting you when you've got killer period cramps

tw: Vomiting and mildly nsfw (no description, but sex is stated)

Lottie

✰ Lottie is extremely attentive when you're on your period. She'd be the type to bring you herbal teas that are meant to help with cramping and pain as well as foods that are going to be gentle on your stomach if you have trouble with food when you're menstruating

✰ She's found that using essential oils on the abdomen helps her and she'll offer to do that for you, which turns into a very gentle and affectionate abdominal massage

✰ she often snuggles up with you when you feel like taking a nap, holding a hot pad to you're stomach so that it doesn't get jostled or moved while you're asleep. its also an excuse to hold your stomach, which she absolutely loves

✰ she'll help you in the bathroom with whatever you need, whether it's for someone to hold back your hair and rub you back or you need help getting a warm bath set up with nice smelling oils that help your skin and bubbles. She'll sit with you and wash your hair, using her hand to cover your face from soapy water

✰ She will 100% go down on you if that's something you want and it'll relieve any pain. She takes her time getting the bed prepped with towels and she'll light your favorite candle and just tenderly take care of you for as long as you need

Natalie

✰ Natalie isn't the best at comfort. she's rather awkward in emotional situations already, so an added layer of needing to be there for another person can be challenging, especially when emotions and hormones are both running high, but she does her best!

✰ She's definitely the type to go out and get you whatever you want though at the drop of a hat. Do you want chocolate ice cream? no problem! She'll go out to the store and grab some right away. You decide you also want dinner from two different places while she's out? She's got you. all you need to do is call

✰ Once she's back she'll spend the rest of the night lounging with you on the couch, eating junk food and watching something she can make fun of like a scary movie or a documentary. Anything that will take your mind off of how you're feeling

[sidewalkchemistry]

simple skincare tips!

🌼eat the foods that love you back. your skin is a direct mirror of your internal situation. if your digestive system is being bombarded often by foods that create a lot of wastes and residues, that does more harm than good. and so, the struggle to eliminate them will be reflected in your skin. your diet constitutes the vast majority of your skin health. change your meals to be whole food plant based (still delicious, satisfying, and exciting) & watch your skin glow and your skincare routine simplify.

����be conscious of what's going on your skin. the skin layers can be over-cleansed, imbalanced, and aggravated when the skin microbiome and pH are disrupted. if you wipe out the beneficial bacterial populations with harshly formulated products, you may find that you break out (i.e. harmful bacterial populations begin to thrive). use gentle, simple skin formulas such as castile soaps, natural oils & butters (i recommend jojoba oil for mostly everyone), natural soap bars, and clays. most commercial skin care products disturb the skin cells (introduce too much foreign material to the body, unsuitable pH ranges, imbalance the microbiome, etc). they sell because it's convention to buy them, the brands are well-known, and their sales pitches are enticing. but really, no cream or serum will ever be the magic potion your skin was asking for. it will only be a band-aid, at best. truly healthy skin comes from diet, and the products are just for any other necessary maintenance. if you get a pimple, you should look first to why the pimple emerged, not what treatment will remove it.

🌼keep your lymph flowing. simple ways to do this are through good lifestyle habits. things like doing exercise & sports you find fun, breathwork, dry brushing, eating lots of fruit, avoiding wearing bras & other tight clothing items, lymphatic massage/gua sha can all be helpful.

🌼focus on hydration via fresh fruits and veggies. the water within plant foods is more useable to your cells, and your skin will cease being overly oily or dry overtime (especially if you reduce/eliminate your salt & oil intake). it will also help to encourage lymphatic flow, so you can see problems like blemishes, cellulite, old scars diminish after great consistency.

🌼allow your skin to breathe. this is especially good if you spend time in stuffy (poorly ventilated) indoor environments, like offices, hospitals, planes, etc. one great way is via herbal facial steaming (i recommend it 3x a week or so). make a hot infusion of an aromatic tea, cover it and allow it to cool a few minutes, and, with closed eyes, allow the pores to open and receive the herbal medicine (this is a great time to meditate, manifest, and just feel pampered). getting more fresh air, working up a sweat, and going to a sauna are also ways to allow your skin to breathe.

🌼avoid steroid prescriptions creams at all costs. they are very deleterious to health in the long term, and they can be very painful to come off of. it's not a real fix. it's not worth hurting your kidneys & adrenals for. evaluate your diet instead. do you eat dairy? choose plant-based dairy options instead (they're simple to make yourself too). do you eat a lot of fats? try oil-free cooking methods instead (opt for sautéing with a bit of water, baking, steaming, air frying, etc). avoiding eating out as much.

🌼be aware of what you're putting in your hair as well. your shampoos, conditioner, leave-ins, gels, moisturizers, oils, serums, etc all tend to touch your face too, when your hair touches your face. if they wouldn't be good enough to put on your face, don't put them in your hair. a lot of the best skin cleansers are also suitable as shampoos. a lot of oils and butters can be used for both. plant-based gels like aloe vera or flax seed are simple to DIY, and are dual-use once again. basically, this will simplify your life.

🌼understand the water that runs through your pipes. if your shower and tap water are like most people's around the world, they aren't optimal for our skin. for example, they contain added chemicals to sanitize the water but that can prevent the proper microbiomes from developing on your skin. a weak skin microbiome is prone to skin issues. so, try to use distilled water on your face (if you're not able to get a water filter, a gallon jug at a store is affordable. they're about $1.30 USD in my area).

[briar-ffxiv]

— B A S I C S

Name: Briar (the) Redfeather Nicknames: 'Rose', 'Little Fox', 'Wildling' Age: Early 20s in ARR, probably nearing 30 by Dawntrail (depending on timeline) Nameday: 21st Sun of the 3rd Umbral Moon (not that he knows exactly. He just knows the month) Race: Half-Elezen/Half-Hyur (Padjal bloodline through Hyur) Gender: Non-binary, masculine leaning (born male, prefers he/they) Orientation: Demiromantic Greysexyal Profession: Healer, Shepherd, Warrior of Light(depending on the 'verse)

— P H Y S I C A L A S P E C T S

Hair: strawberry blonde, almost rose gold with lighter gold highlights due to the sun. He has 3A curls, although when kept short the curls are less noticeable. Eyes: warm moss-green flecked with gold Skin: naturally quite pale, faint golden tan from the sun and tons of freckles everywhere. Tattoos/scars: no tattoos. Leaf birthmark on his right shoulderblade. Plenty of scars, including the slice from a spear on his left cheek, burn scars on his left shoulder and back, and rather heavily scarred palms and undersides of his fingers due to a nasty injury to his hands

— F A M I L Y

Parents: His mother was named Saule (Willow) and her family was from Dravania, but sought shelter in the Black Shroud when Saule was very small. His father was known as Ciro, officially U-Ciro-Tek before he was disgraced and exiled from being a Padjal. Siblings: Briar was an only child, as was his mother. Grandparents: Briar knows nothing about Ciro's parents, other than they died some years before he was born. Saule's father died before he was born. His grandmother died when he was under two so he has no memories of her. In-laws and Other: As far as Briar knows, his only living blood relative is E-Rani-Tek, Ciro's older brother and a Padjali pariah. Pets: Briar has a terrible habit of adopting many a creature, although if they are wild-born his goal is always to return them to the wild. Currently, he has a small herd of sheep, a flock of chickens, three Chocobo (one grown, two chicks), a dog named Jack, and a unicorn friend named Whinny. (And a lot of little forest friends that take care of themselves but visit often.)

— S K I L L S

Abilities: Despite normally not eating meat, Briar is a skilled archer, hunter, and tracker. He is an avid gardener. He has a knack for animal handling. He has a decent, if untrained, singing voice. He knows a lot about herbal medicine and non-magical healing. He rides quite well. Hobbies: Briar loves a good book, particularly romance. He loves beekeeping. He is quite skilled in many kinds of fibre arts, including weaving, spinning, and sewing. He likes to draw as well.

— T R A I T S

Most Positive Trait: Briar is a very kind person. He always gives the benefit of the doubt. He does his best to settle things without violence if he can. He forgives often and tries to be empathetic to everyone he meets. Most Negative Trait: Briar can definitely be naive. He forgives when he shouldn't. He has a very hard time understanding why anyone would be cruel. Sometimes he simply doesn't get it and it puts him at a disadvantage with people more than willing to take advantage of that.

— L I K E S

Colours: Blues, greens, golds. Smells: Fresh-cut wood. The smell of rain on grass. Hay. The smell of clean, well-oiled leather. Honey. Textures: Silky fabric. Soft wool. Supple leather. Smooth wood. Drinks: Various teas, often floral varieties. Soft spot for juices. Loves the rare treat of hot chocolate.

— O T H E R D E T A I L S

Smokes: He doesn't. Drinks: He is not against a glass of something fairly light in safe company but left to his own devices, Briar doesn't really have the urge to drink. Drugs: He doesn't. Mount Insurance: He would have no idea what that is, but he does have a unicorn he rides in the Black Shroud, but normally prefers his own feet. (Once he's officially in the steppes, I might get him an actual house.) Been Arrested: Detained by Wood Wailers more than once, but not officially arrested.

(( Art is by @shadesofblades / @coffeehands! ))

Tagged by: @thefrostflower @tripl3cast @sundered-souls - thank you all! <3

Tagging: @shieke @valdiis @shadesofblades @midnightmagicks @bloodredhands @prettygayway @avaritia-ffxiv @calico-heart @thefrostflower @starrysnowdrop @ahollowgrave @naejlas-axe @cadrenebula @skyysinger & anyone else that wants to do it!

[halucinnate]

how to stay in control without losing everything 𖹭

Okay, real talk. We all know the struggle—trying to lose weight and keep everything perfect without your body betraying you in the process. No one talks about the side effects that can creep up, like hair loss or, um, bad smells. Here are some tips to help stay immune to those while keeping on track:

✨ Hair loss prevention ✨

Biotin & Zinc: These are your best friends. Supplements or foods like almonds and spinach can help keep your hair strong while you’re losing weight.

Protein is key: Even if you’re cutting calories, make sure to get lean protein (egg whites, fish, or even protein shakes). Hair needs protein to grow, and trust me, losing weight doesn’t have to mean losing your hair.

hair masks: Use coconut oil or olive oil once a week (or your favorite hair mask!). It keeps your hair moisturized and less likely to break.

✨ Bad fart smells (we’ve all been there) ✨

Herbal teas: Peppermint or fennel tea can reduce bloating and help digestion, keeping you from feeling gassy.

Probiotics: These will help balance your gut, making things a lot less awkward if you know what I mean.

Avoid high-sulfur foods: If you’re noticing things getting smelly, maybe cut back on broccoli, cabbage, and dairy. They can trigger gas, especially when you’re eating less.

✨ Stay energized without caving ✨

Sleep > everything: Make sure you’re getting enough rest. It helps with energy, metabolism, and keeping cravings under control.

We’re all chasing that perfect control, but you don’t have to sacrifice everything along the way. Stay strong and take care of yourself. 💀

[brokoala-soup]

I think my aesthetic might be something along the lines of cottagecore and light academia with a tinge of Studio Ghibli and bits and pieces of chaotic academia. So this includes:

classical music blaring out of cheap speakers, homemade food served in reused takeout containers, half dying houseplants in everything but traditional flower pots, the fragrance of jasmine and mint, mirrors reflecting sunlight on to disorganised bookshelves with the most random collection of books, soups in glassware, gel pen doodles all over my notes, herbal teas in whiskey glasses, locally sourced incense sticks, handmade woolen blankets over commercially sold quilts, baking granola bars on a lazy sunday afternoon, adding chocolate to literally everything, mid day naps when the weather is cloudy yet humid, ribbon ties instead of stapler pins, making my own spice powders, scented oil lamps, being obsessed with cloves, sleeping on a bed full of pillows only to find over half of them on the floor next morning, missing alarms because closing my eyes for two more seconds won't make me fall asleep again, picking flowers and herbs from the garden, sleepy afternoons, careful skincare but with the most day to day products, eucalyptus oil, use and throw inhalers to deal with my anxiety because the smell of menthol calms me down, short nails and neutral manicure, smelling like flowers one day and like the sea the other, getting excited whenever I spot the moon, absolutely in awe and in love with the clouds because they're amazing and so creative, puppies, calligraphy using ball pens, homemade mocha latte using soya milk, my grandma's childhood earrings that I wear all the time, newspapers, organic vegetables sold by retired social workers, tote bags, reusable metal water bottles, hot showers and cold rinses, using my grandmother's favorite brand of soap because I love smelling like her, herbal hair oil, smelling like sandalwood, cooking pasta with the family, reading secondhand books, collecting fused light bulbs, pencil underlines, postcards, 1 am poetry, pop instrumentals and pensive journaling, benzene rings on page margins, berry flavoured cough syrup, baking bread, long walks, loud conversations, thrifting, e-books, chocolate wrappers hidden between dictionary pages, colourful periodic table prints, plushies, honey, fleece blankets, sleeping cats, signet ring, dried rose I'd bought for myself and carried around like a trophy travelling back home with it in the public bus, twinning perfumes coincidentally with my best friend, vintage looking brand new ink pen and expired ink, sticky notes with motivational quotes covering my wall, never buying perfumes and only using the ones I'm gifted, random words that remind me of niche incidents or memories written along the corners of my study material, pearl jewelry set that my dad gifted my mom but it's me who wears it now, combat boots bought at ¼th it's price at a discount clearance sale, all my jackets being bought from different countries by my dad and thus each serving as a token of memory, lipstick shades that match only extremely specific vibes and look off and odd at other times, cherry lip balm stick that I've used only twice, daily calendar sheets reused as a notepad, birthday candles from my 16th birthday sitting on my work table, the lingering smell of multiple beverages in my room because I seldom wash the cups I drank them from and now they're cluttered all over the room, hand me down luxury watches older than me, chipped nailpolish, reminders written down on tissue papers, bus tickets all over my bag, sugar-free chewing gum, deodorant that never washes off my clothes, wearing clothes purchased 5 years ago and getting compliments simply because it's not trendy but is unique, mini origami cranes, rose sprays, lychee scented sanitizer, baking bread at home on weekends, homemade hair masks, turning up late because i was busy enjoying life walking through the eucalyptus grove on the way to class, running to the station yet missing the train, all my everyday ornaments having a deeper meaning to me.

[faerunsbest]

What is Sybyll's favorite color? Least favorite color? Why?

What kinds of food does he like? What does he not like/refuse to eat?

Does he have any regular habits/things that he does just for himself?

sybylls favorite color is red and purple, he has the nerdiest reason too. he loves how much these colors meant to people historically, wars were fought over them. they are passionate colors to him, he loves seeing the desaturated shades of them on old scrolls and faded clothes in old ruins.

sybyll likes seafood.

in his experience on the road, being by the ocean was the best. because the served best fish, its light and healthy and delicious. he loves fish that grilled with the skin on over an open fire and he loves who steamed fish so he can eat the cheeks. he loves butter fried scallops and shrimp.

the food he was never able to stomach, is bugs. he makes an attempt to try everything at least once but after eating a grasshopper he was immediately ill.

what he does for himself is probably those luxury herbal baths, at least once every week. Sybyll loves to take proper care of his long hair with conditioner will often soak it in ricewater. however on a daily/nightly timeframe it would be skincare. he special body butters to care for his many tattoos and keep them vibrant, he has oils and things for his face and his nails. bit of a diva now that i think of it lol

[kalimeragolds]

Best herbal hair care oil for dry & frizzy hair

Best herbal hair care oil for dry, frizzy hair types should seek coconut and argan oil blends. Both of these will hydrate very intensely and may eliminate any frizz issues altogether. Almond and jojoba oils are very nourishing, loaded with fatty acids that help soften hair and balance moisture levels. Bhringraj and amla oil is particularly good at strengthening hair and brightening shine; it's also a favorite in Ayurveda. For a lighter non-greasy feel, try an essential oil-infused blend with lavender or rosemary for additional scalp benefits. This product will soften, shine, and become more easily manageable after repeated use.

[kalimeragold]

Natural Herbal Hair Care Oil for Fall Control

Discover the pinnacle of hair care with Kalimera Gold, a leading name in Natural Herbal Hair Care Oil for Fall Control in India. Imbued with potent botanicals, this elixir nourishes the scalp and fortifies strands, reducing hair fall. Kalimera Gold's commitment to natural goodness makes it a trusted choice for those seeking a holistic solution. Elevate your hair care routine with the transformative power of Kalimera Gold, ensuring healthier, resilient locks with each application.

[kalimera-gold]

Pure & Nourishing Natural Hair Care Oil for Healthy hairs

Our natural hair care oil is made from pure botanical ingredients to nourish and strengthen your hair from root to tip. Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, this oil promotes hair growth, prevents breakage, and adds shine without harsh chemicals. Pamper your locks with nature's goodness for vibrant, healthy hair.

[casca-remedies]

Profitable Products to Include in Your Ayurvedic PCD Franchise

An Ayurvedic PCD franchise is an obvious profit-generating franchise in the pharmaceutical industry. The popularity of herbal and Ayurvedic products has been skyrocketing in India. From urban cities to rural areas, everyone is using herbal and Ayurvedic products for their well-being. The usage ratio of herbal and natural products is constantly rising among people in India. Due to our ancestry, ayurvedic medicines have been incorporated into our roots. We believe in the natural healing system and we are fond of practising the herbal and Ayurvedic medicine system for root cure of various diseases. This popularity and sales have made Ayurvedic products the best choice among franchisees. 

Those who are open to choosing an Ayurvedic franchise business must select the right products and medicines in order to convert efforts into profitability. Let's see which herbal and Ayurvedic products have decent market demand and thorough supply in our country. 

Best product line for Ayurvedic PCD franchise 

If you take a close look at the pharma market and apply extensive research, you will find that skincare and haircare products have the biggest market share in the herbal and Ayurvedic market. Specifically, women in our country are obsessed with herbal and natural ingredients in their skin and hair products. Products like skin creams, moisturisers, lotions, shampoos, and hair oil are the most popular items in the herbal category in India. 

This is why choosing skin and hair care products for your franchise business is a guaranteed ticket to success in the pharma industry. An Ayurvedic franchise company that can provide you with a wide range of these products will be a boon to your franchise business. For sure, in our opinion too, the hair care and skin care ranges are best suited for an ayurvedic franchise business. 

Best Ayurvedic products manufacturing company in India 

Which Ayurvedic product manufacturing company can provide the best products for a franchise business? Well, this is the most frequently asked and crucial question that every budding franchisee asks. And the answer is Casca Remedies. This company makes herbal and Ayurvedic products from original herbs and ingredients. They are highly ethical in their business applications. We are indeed the most trustworthy pharma company in the franchise world in terms of product quality and cost efficiency. 

Owning our Ayurvedic PCD franchise is an honor that every franchisee wants to bear. We have the widest range in our exclusive collection of herbal and Ayurvedic products. Just choose your desired product in the skincare or hair care category and cement your place in the evergreen pharmaceutical industry of India. 

[shebeafancyflapjack]

When Snow White met Sleeping Beauty

(Set in @idiotwithanipad 's Gore AU, tried to keep it ambiguous so as when it's placed but some time before my fic The Wolf and the Witchling)

Despite being a five star hotel with an overflowing stream of guests, there were several rooms in Button House that were largely out of use. They had either been sealed off, such as the one in the East Wing where a young woman had unfortunately died recently, or fate just rarely seemed to have anyone placed there. Higham Suite was one such room. People were rarely checked into there overnight, except for the woman who had inherited the house from her ancestor briefly before selling it on to the golf resort.

Mrs. Cooper had claimed to have always felt something special in that room in particular, a connection to her distant family who she'd never known until after the death of Lady Heather Button. In her words, it felt like the "beating heart" of Button House.

Unbeknownst to any of the staff, or even Alison Cooper herself, the room was always occupied.

On the bed, forever dressed in a heavily layered Georgian party frock, lay a woman of twenty-two years. Rarely was she aware of the few people who would come in and out of the room, even the beautiful woman with brown hair who reminded her so much of her sister. Most of the time, she slept.

Kitty's eyes flickered open, her hand itching terribly once again. Ellie would no doubt visit her bedside soon and mayhaps she could ask her sister if she wouldn't mind creating one of her herbal remedies into an oil for her hand.

She felt ever so poorly. All the time. Her skin was moist with sweat, every inch of her feeling terribly hot. Her governess refuses to open the window for her, claiming the 'bad air' from outside will only make her sickness worse.

Oh, how she misses her family. The last thing she recalls hearing Papa say after he pressed his hand to her forehead was his promise to return with a doctor. The messenger must be delayed or the doctor very busy because they're taking an awfully long time to arrive.

Sometimes she'll have a small burst of energy and find the strength to climb out of bed. Her room is one of the largest so there's plenty of space to play, and yet all her teddy bears and dolls and dresses and books seem to be missing. Every time she wakes, there seems to be new decorations or paintwork or strange objects she doesn't recognise.

And, even more strangely, sometimes she'll awake to a person in her bed. That person, a pretty woman, looks so much like Eleanor. Kitty doesn't like it when she brings her husband with her as it means Kitty needs to rest upon the floor. Sometimes there will be a child with them, who is cute but Kitty would much prefer the woman to come alone. She could sit and watch her read or brush her hair or listen to her sing in the bathroom all day. The woman is her best friend, even though she has never once seen or spoken to Kitty. That's okay.

The woman, the Not Eleanor, is all she has, at least until her father and sister return. Oh, how overjoyed they shall be when they see she's still healthy, just a little tired and fighting off a cold. She wants to return to the party, hoping there will be some more pineapple left to consume.

Until then, she is alone.

Well, that's not actually fair. She has Carruthers, her governess, though she claims her name to be something different now. Lady Button, yes, that's it. How similar to her governess she is, as much as Eleanor and Not Eleanor.

Lady Button may dress differently but she's very much the same. Strict, cold, harsh, but carried with a subtle care for her charge. Kitty trusts that the Lady, who says that she is her ward for the time being, knows what it best for her while she recovers.

Having only said a curt goodnight to her an hour ago, Kitty struggles to sleep. Probably because she's been asleep for most of the day and feels one of her bursts of energies.

She sits up and makes her way to the dresser, sitting herself down and practicing her smile in the mirror. Just as she's adjusting her feather, a figure stumbles through the wall beside her.

"Okay, this has to be the one! Hello? Fizzy Girl, you here?"

Kitty blinked at the strange urchin who had just entered her room. A giggle escaped her and she covered her mouth with her hands.

By God, the child was practically naked!

"Is that...me? Is that how I sound to others?" The girl with black and pink hair frowned.

When she turned in Kitty's direction, she stopped her laughter immediately when she noticed the girl's pale eyes. Oh, dear.

"...Is someone there? Amy, is that you?" The blind girl reached her hand out, fingers fluttering close to Kitty's forehead.

"Who is Amy? And who are you?" Kitty asked, her voice a little weaker than usual. She rarely had a chance to speak with others and Lady Button wasn't one for conversation.

The girl's eyes widened and now it was her turn to giggle. Her smile stretched unnaturally wide, even for Kitty's opinion, and she always tried to smile.

"New person?! Oh my gods! I'm guessing I got turned around in the corridors. Sorry, my first time sneaking in here, it's all new and my ecolation doesn't seem to work as well here as in my forest." She seemed to realise she was babbling and cleared her throat; "Hehehe, sorry! Just wasn't expecting this, I was searching for my other friend - or potential friend, hopefully - and she doesn't talk, bless her! Anyway, let's start over. I'm Silver! Are you from the living world or beyond?"

"I..." had no idea how to answer that, or make sense of the strange girl's ramblings.

Silver, as she called herself, reached forward and gently patted Kitty's shoulder before pulling her hand back.

"One of us! Awesome! Sometimes the livings can see and hear me, briefly. Not sure how it works, most of the time when I try they ignore me but when I really, really need them to - when the moon and the stars are just right- I can chat with them! Crazy, right? I must get it from my mummy. Her and our friend can even touch livings when they wish...but that usually doesn't work out well for them. Hehehe!"

Kitty was dumbfounded. The girl reminded her of Peter Pan, a character which she and Eleanor had never heard but Lady Button sometimes told her to help send her to sleep. A mischievous imp from a fantasy land intruding into a young lady's room.

"What are you?" The question sounded so rude once it left her lips; "Gosh, my apologies!"

"Hehehehe, honestly I get a lot of that. I think if I was ever a normal girl, I'm anything but now. That's what happens when your mother is a great enchantress." She grins; "Like I said, my name's Silver Ravenstar Guppy. I live in the forest outside the house with my mum and our furry guardian. What's your name?"

"Katherine Higham. Though my friends and family call me Kitty."

"Ooh, like a kitty-cat?!"

"Yes! I loved cats so much, Mama told me the first house I lived in had a a couple when I was in Jamaica. But sadly we couldn't have one when we came here as my father is allergic."

"Aww that sucks. We had a couple of cats when I was growing up. And a dog, who I loved as well. I never got it when people say you're either a dog or cat person, because-"

"Why not both?!"

Both women said the words in perfect unison. Silver gasped, those grey eyes suddenly sparkling with life.

"Did we just become best friends?!" She asked.

"I think so! Quick, come over to the bed!" Kitty jumped up and took Silver by the hand, leading her to sit with her on the duvet.

"Wow, your hands are wet. Sorry, I didn't disturb you when you just got out the bath, did I?"

Kitty shook her head; "Oh no, sorry about that. I'm a little under the weather so am sadly sweating constantly, it's quite unseemly."

"Damn, what is with this house? My other friend is sick as well! Her daddy doesn't even want her leaving the room." Silver tutted, looking in Kitty's direction though not quite meeting her eyes.

Her words were fuelled by concern even though her face still held that immovable smile.

"It is the same with my governess. I'm not to leave my room until my father returns with the doctor."

"Oh..." Silver reached for Kitty's wrist and squeezed it; "Can I tell you a secret? Seeing as we're now friends?"

"Of course!"

The girl seemed to look around despite it being pointless before leaning in to confess; "I'm not supposed to leave my home either. Well, I can wander outside the forest, so long as Mummy or my guardian is with me. But I'm forbidden to enter this house. But I really wanted to find my friend's room. So I just decided to come anyway!"

"You broke your mother's rule?! That's so naughty!"

"Hell yeah it is!"

Blaspheming, too! Kitty was mortified, and yet all she could do was giggle with the other girl. It reminded her of when her and Eleanor would sometimes sneak down to the kitchen to look for leftover cakes after bedtime. Her heart would pound with fear of being caught, but it was so exhilarating, especially with Ellie there at her side promising all would be well.

And it was, until Carruthers would find crumbs sprinkled all over Kitty's bed and knew what she had been up to. Never Eleanor's bed however, but there was no way Kitty would snitch on her sister.

"Won't your mother punish you if she finds out you disobeyed her?" Kitty asked.

"Oh, she'll be furious. At worse she'll give me one of her doom and gloom speeches about how witches were tortured and how that will happen to me if I'm not careful, maybe send some scary visions into my head. But she's a soft touch, really. I'll just turn on the waterworks, say 'sorry Mummy' a few times and she'll melt like butter. She'd never actually hurt me, y'know, hehehe."

"Neither would Carruthers. Mama and Papa were always against corporal punishment. At worse, Ellie and I would get a light slap to our wrists but nothing more. Her scalding tone and shouting is bad enough!"

It felt like a weight off her chest to have someone to vent about the older woman to.

Silver tilted her head; "So weird. I didn't think people had governesses anymore?"

"How do you mean?"

"Well...what year is it for you?"

What an odd question!

Kitty sniggered; "Why it's seventeen eighty, silly!"

A grim realisation seemed to dawn on the younger girl's face. She blinked, her brow crinkling, her smile seeming to twitch.

"Right...."

"Did I say something wrong?"

Silver shook her head; "No, no of course not, babes. Uhm. My head gets a bit dizzy and confused sometimes, is all. Do you really just stay in this room all the time? Don't you get bored?"

"Sometimes. But I have my own little games I make up and when Car...Sorry, when Lady Button visits me she'll check on my health, then sometimes she'll tell me stories or try to teach me things about how to be a proper lady, all that. But most of the time, I'm asleep. And when I'm dreaming I'm never bored."

Silver gasped; "....You too, huh? How often do you sleep for?"

"Well, I can't be certain, and as you say it all gets a bit confusing. I struggle to stay awake for more than an hour each day, around lunchtime. Funny...that's the time on the day of the party when I first began to feel ill...."

"Oh. Wow." The other girl squeezed her hand; "You sleep as much as me. I didn't think that was possible."

The girl proceeded to tell Kitty about the curse of her existence. How she only awoke for the three nights a month around the full moon and the rest of the time slept in the forest amongst the blue cornflowers.

"Proper pair of Disney princesses, aren't we." Silver chuckled as she finished.

"What is Disney?"

"Never mind. Just....something I think you'd really have enjoyed." The girl's eyes crinkled with sadness; "I wish I could bring you to meet Mummy. You'd love all the magical worlds and palaces and balls and dresses she could make us!"

"That sounds wonderful! You're so lucky that your mother is an enchantress! I had no idea there even was one. Lady Buttton has warned me of an evil witch but-."

"That's a lie. Trust me." The girl suddenly turned defensive; "My mummy only seems scary sometimes to protect me but she's the most beautiful and kindest woman ever. Or at least..." She looked down at her dirtied skirt; "I thought she was perfect until..."

Kitty felt a touch of sympathy for the girl. It was hard to reconcile her story about her mother giving her such wonderful gifts when she appeared so filthy and barely clothed to her eyes.

But she knew how it felt to want to only see the best in your family even when they do things that seem hurtful.

"I do think I've seen you before..." Kitty frowned.

"Really?"

"Yes. Often times I hear singing on the field when I peek out I've seen a girl spinning on the lawn near the trees. I thought I was delirious!"

Silver giggled; "No, no, that was me. Sorry if I disturbed you."

"Oh, don't be daft. I quite enjoyed watching you and wishing I could come join you."

"Maybe next time you can."

"Maybe...I especially enjoyed that song you sang last month. How did it go, uhm?" Kitty's face creased as she concentrated, before mimicking in tune; "Hasaa...Man-yana....Always be miiiine!"

"Viva forever! I'll be waiting! Ever lasting, like the sun!" Silver continued, "Spice Girls! I used to love them when I was a kid. Not quite my genre anymore but, you know, nostalgia and all that."

"They sound amazing! Can you teach me more of their songs?"

"Sure. Those I can remember." Silver giggled with excitement before wincing; "Shit...Aww, man I feel awful."

"What's wrong? Are you sick too?"

"Yes. No. Hahaha. Bit of both. I meant I feel awful because I'm supposed to be looking for my other friend. Don't get me wrong, I'm so glad we found each other too!"

"Me as well!" Kitty gushed, feeling a twinge of jealousy at the thought of the strange girl leaving her to play with someone else.

Couldn't she keep her for herself? Just have a long sleepover until Papa returns and then Silver can return to her mama?

"But...I did meet Amy first. And I think she's still struggling with being here and her daddy being overprotective and other things..." the pink haired girl sighed; "Maybe when I find her, I can bring her here and we can all play together?"

"I...Yes. Yes, of course." Kitty let go of the jealousy. She'd been alone for far too long, better two new friends than none at all.

At least these two could see and talk to her, unlike Not Eleanor.

"Thanks for understanding. I promise that when I'm back, if you're awake, I'll sing you every song Spice Girls song I know-."

Silver's head turned at the sound of two heeled shoes against the floorboards.

"S-someone just came in?"

Kitty looked to see Lady Button walking through the door, her neck bent, glaring furiously at Silver on the bed.

"HOW DARE YOU ENTER MY WARD'S ROOM WITHOUT PERMISSION?!" The grey lady shrieked; "ARE YOU TRYING TO WORSEN THE CHILD'S SICKNESS WITH YOUR HEATHENRY?!"

"Woah, woah!" Silver got off the bed and raised her hands up; "I'm sorry, okay! I stumbled in by accident, I meant no harm!"

"It's true, Lady Button! We met by happenstance! We were only talking!" Kitty tried to defend.

"Katherine, do be silent and don't exhurt yourself. Let me handle this young harlot."

Silver scoffed; "Uhh, excuse me, who are you? The posh mum from Titanic? Who are you to call me a harlot?! My mother is the witch of the woods and she's not gonna be happy about you slagging me off!"

Kitty shrank back against the pillows of her bed as she watched the grey lady square up against the blind witchling.

"I know perfectly well who your mother is, child. But she has no power here. I am the last true Lady of this house - it belongs to me!"

The half-naked girl crossed her arms and looked incredulous.

"Well, my friend's daddy is also the Lord of the manor-."

"Yes, when it was Bone Hall. Now it is Button House and as Lady Button, it is under my rule. Now return to your forest, you scandalous little imp. My ward needs to rest." The grey lady demanded.

Silver shook her head.

"It's not fair. You keep her trapped in here. You're as bad as the headless one, and my mummy. You should let her make friends, let her be free-."

"I am doing what is best and keeping her safe! All my children and grandchildren have left, she is the closest to kin that I have and I won't let her be corrupted by the likes of you. Now leave."

Silver glanced in Kitty's direction. The young Georgian just looked tired and defeated, her eyes telling her new friend that it would just be best to do as her surrogate mother said so.

The witchling took a step towards her bed and reached out her hand. Kitty raised hers too.

"I said LEAVE!"

The booming sound of Fanny Button's voice hit Silver like a cannonball, hurling her into the air and towards the window.

She landed on the driveway in a heap, the sting of her palms and knees colliding with the gravel stones only temporary, but enough to make her wince.

The tiniest cry of pain. It was all that was needed.

"Darling girl!"

The tornado of black smoke and embers appeared in an instant. Strong but bony arms lifted her up off the ground like a small child and, before she could blink, she was whisked away from the house and back to her forest.

The arms set her down on her feet as the tornado dispersed. Mummy hugged her tight.

"I was worried sick! You weren't in your bed and I thought you'd gone for a walk with dear ally, but then I heard you-."

"Why did you lie?" Silver asked.

Mummy stilled. Then she pulled back from the hug, hands on Silver's shoulders as she gazed down at her daughter. In Silver's warped vision, two faces flickered before her, one a chilling skull with flecks of charred skin clinging to the bone, the other the soft and round face of her loving and beautiful mother.

"Little'en, what lie d'you speak of?"

"Is there more than one?"

Her mother was silenced at that. Silver sighed, she wasn't looking for a fight, not tonight.

"The girl, Mummy. The other sleeping girl in the big house. Kitty."

"You went inside the house?! Without my permission?!"

The smoke was rising again, Silver could smell it. This time she didn't buckle.

"Amy's daddy said I could visit her, remember!"

"Yes, when she's well and when I agreed-"

"So I decided to go a little early and on my own. Big deal. You gonna punish me or you gonna be honest with me, Mother?!"

It was the first time she'd ever called her something other than Mummy. It seemed to pierce the witch's invisible armour.

She sighed; "What does thou wish to know the truth about?"

"Kitty. Kitty Higham."

"Oh. Hers." For once, her mother really did sound rather sheepish for a great and powerful witch.

"You told me there was no one in that house for me. At first I thought she must be new like Amy but no. She's been there hundreds of years!"

Mummy sighed.

Waving her hands, she cast a glamour over Silver's gaze, transforming the mundane woods around them into a fairytale grove, complete with an ivory bench beneath a willow tree.

Mummy beckoned Silver to sit with her. She complied.

"T'is complicated, my love. Sweet Kitty...her affliction be worse than your own." She explained, gently; "She is much weaker and the Mistress of the house keepeth her under close supervision. When Annie be here, she used to frequent the child and tend to her, long before 'er Ladyship did die."

"And you never....?"

Mummy looked down at her lap.

"Annie oft' encouraged me so but I be afraid of scaring the poor child when she already suffers from fevers."

"Why would she be scared of you, Mummy?"

The witch gave her a sad smile, touching her cheek; "My magic don't work in that house, someone did set wards to protect it from me many years past. And not all see with as innocent eyes as your own, daughter. I not be as pleasant to look upon without my mask...."

Her daughter didn't reply to that. She was too angry. Betrayed.

"You should have told me the truth, Mummy. I could have snuck in there many times without the Lady knowing." She tutted; "I could have had a friend...and so could she. Poor thing."

"I know. I'm sorry, my lovely." Mummy went to stroke her hair but Silver ducked.

"....I just don't get it. You said that if you thought Amy was being mistreated, you'd rescue her. Why can't we take Kitty away so she can be with us?"

"Because she cannots leave her room, darling girl."

"What, because some jumped up fancypants bitch says so?!"

"No. Listen to me, daughter." Her mother squeezed her hand; "Kitty cannot leave her room."

Silver blinked as the words sunk in.

"Oh..."

"Yes. You understand now?" She asked and Silver sadly nodded; "You has your curse and she hath hers. Believe me, Annie tried all manner of ways but whenever she venture too far from her bed, she be pulled back onto it."

"That's awful..." Silver wished her fucking mouth could display how unhappy it made her feel for Kitty; "....I guess I am a bit lucky. I have you, and our friend, and our enchanted kingdom."

Even if it were only for three nights and two days a month.

Mummy's fingers stroked her hair and this time she didn't move away.

"I am sorry, darling girl. I thought I was sparing you more harm from getting close to her only to be made to leave. Trust me, were I free to enter that abode, I'd have more thans a few words to say to Missus Fanny Buttons!"

Silver grinned and shuffled closer to her mother, leaning against her side and resting on her shoulder.

Perhaps it was twenty years of induced hallucinations and warped memories, or maybe not, but she never liked to stay mad at Mummy.

"I will sneak in to visit her again. Don't care how many times she pushes me out." Silver muttered.

Mummy scoffed and kissed her brow; "Yous sound just like Annie."

Despite never having met the woman, it made Silver proud to hear that.

"And I don't care what anyone says, Mummy. You are the most beautiful woman there is. Even without the mask."

"...But when do you see-?"

"Enough." Was all Silver said, wrapping her arms around the witch.

Were her tear ducts not burned shut, Mary would be shedding tears as she held her darling girl close, once again ignoring the discomfort against her crisp skin. Just when she thought it wasn't possible to love her little'en more.