#Causes of colon injury

[cosmicintro]

Astro observations: Health aspects from the 6th house 💫

6th house in Aries: Be mindful of strong reactions, impulses and emotions as these could trigger high blood pressure, stress or unwanted headaches. Possible problems associated with the adrenal glands if health is not good. The person could be nearsighted/farsighted. Teeth issues and sensitive gums are common with this placement. 

6th house in Taurus: Be careful with ‘burnout’ and try to keep a healthy work-life balance. The individual is prone to respiratory conditions, jaw and neck pain/problems, weight gain (associated with thyroid issues). Thyroid disease. Problems with your voice or throat. Take it easy and follow a rhythm that honors your needs. 

6th house in Gemini: Allergies, infections, asthma, cough, breathing issues. Arms, hands and fingers might be sensitive. Anxiety and nervousness caused by too many unorganized/unwanted thoughts. Be careful with hand, arm and/or shoulder injuries. 

6th house in Cancer: Sensitive breasts/chest area. Inflammation associated with water/fluid retention. Pay close attention to your salt and fat consumption. Intolerance to different ingredients. It is vital for individuals with this placement to express their emotions as this can feel like a detox process for a 6th house cancer.

6th house in Leo: Hear what your heart is telling you. Don’t let stress or anger take you 'over the edge'. Similar to Aries in this house, it is common for the native to suffer from high blood pressure if a balanced lifestyle is not followed; a healthy diet will help this native tremendously. Be careful with hernias and your spine. Back pain/injuries. Spend more time outside. 

6th house in Virgo: Food sensitivities. Problems with digestion. Pay attention to sugar, fats, starches and the way your body reacts to them. Pancreatitis. Bloating associated with food intolerances. Meditation is recommended to calm an active mind and a healthy relationship with food will help with digestive issues. 

6th house in Libra: Lumbar pain. Problems with the lower back. Sensitivity to salt. Kidney stones. Insulin resistance. Diabetes. Partnerships have a big influence in your life; stress or strong (negative) emotions resulting from these relationships can have a big impact in your health. 

6th house in Scorpio: Constipation. Bladder/Urinary tract infections. Issues with libido/sex hormones. Cystitis (inflammation of the bladder; can cause pain or/and a burning sensation when peeing). Problems with the colon and elimination systems. Let go of any guilt/shame around your sexuality and keep a healthy relationship with your needs. 

6th house in Sagittarius: Issues associated with the pituitary gland. Hip mobility problems, pain or injuries. Obesity. For optimal liver health, alcohol and stress levels need to be monitored and, if possible, reduced to a minimum. Yoga can help ease stiffness around the hips and thighs. 

6th house in Capricorn: Knee pain. Injuries/procedures can cause significant scarring. Hair loss or scalp issues. Arthritis and joint pain. If your body is telling you to slow down, honor it and rest. Movement in every way is beneficial for the native. Be careful with your bones. 

6th house in Aquarius: Varicose veins. Frequent cramps. Arteries and veins might need to be monitored closely, as the native is prone to circulation problems. Calf pain. Stress, nervousness, anxiety, insomnia. Be careful with addictions. Stay hydrated. 

6th house in Pisces: Problems with the lymphatic system. Feet pain, inflammation, discomfort, injuries. Plantar fasciitis. Be careful with falls. Sleep problems, nightmares. Sadness that can lead into deep depression. Time alone is necessary. Make sure you’re getting the hours of sleep that your body requires to work harmoniously. 

Stay tuned for more! :)

[for-the-folk]

So, You Wanna Know About?: The Evil Eye

The concept of the “evil eye” exists in virtually every culture worldwide, as do amulets such as the nazar and hamsa. It's a fundamental part of most folk groups' magic and culture, which is why we use it as a symbol for our server. But what do we know about this concept and the symbols and practices surrounding it? Let’s take a second and explore.

What Exactly Is The Evil Eye?

In simplest terms, the evil eye is “a curse transmitted through a malicious glare, usually one inspired by envy.” [1] It's believed that this glare can cause misfortune, illness, injury, death, and general misery. [3] Pregnant women, infants, young children, and animals are thought to be especially susceptible. [4]

The Evil Eye’s First Appearance

Historians are unsure of the exact date the evil eye and amulets used to ward them off were invented, however, we can find examples going as far back as ancient Mesopotamia. Texts have been found in Ugarit (located in modern-day Syria) attesting to the concept until roughly 1180 BC. [2]  According to Dr Nese Yildiran, “The earliest version of eye amulets goes back to 3,300 BC … The amulets had been excavated in Tell Brak, one of the oldest cities of Mesopotamia – modern-day Syria. They were in the form of some abstract alabaster idols made with incised eyes.” [1]

The Evil Eye Travels

Various things across history such as trade, travel, colonization, and immigration have caused the evil eye to travel the world. It spread through the SWANA region at first, but soon traveled to all continents worldwide: “[The evil eye has] occurred in ancient Greece and Rome, in Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, and Hindu traditions ... [and in] Indigenous, peasant, and other folk societies.” [4] Historians have found it difficult to trace exact lines of transmission of the idea, but it notably seemed to spread rapidly among the common folk or working class. [5] It wasn't long before its presence became known across all continents, though it has always varied across time and space. For example “In Roman times, not only were individuals considered to possess the power of the evil eye but whole tribes…were believed to be transmitters of the evil eye.” [6] This is very different from how the evil eye exists in the current regions of the previous Roman Empire, as these tribes no longer exist.

It Came With The Amulets!

One of the earliest amulets associated with the evil eye is the nazar. Its name comes from the Arabic “‏نَظَر‎” (naðˤar) meaning “sight,” with many other languages adopting this term or creating their own. [7] The blue eye-shaped bead most commonly associated with this particular amulet is “made of a mixture of molten glass, iron, copper, water, and salt, ingredients that are thought to shield people from evil.” [8] Its blue color may be because “blue eyes are relatively rare [in the SWANA region], so the ancients believed that people with light eyes, particularly blue eyes, could curse you with just one look. This belief is so ancient, even the Assyrians had turquoise and blue-eye amulets.” [9] A similar amulet adopted from the nazar is the hamsa, similarly originating in the SWANA region. [10] The two have become perhaps the most widespread and well-known amulets, though they are certainly not the only ones.

Evil Eye Across Cultures & Religions

NOTE: this is not an exhaustive list, but a jumping off point. 

Judaism: The evil eye can be found across various Jewish literature, from the Tanakh to the Talmud, and even books like Pikeri Avot. [11] It’s known best as the “ayin hara” which is Hebrew for the evil eye, though it may have different names across diaspora (for example, in Jewish-Spanish languages like Ladino it might be known as “Mal de Ojo”) [12] There are various customs to protect one from the evil eye across the Jewish diaspora, such as neckbands worn by boys for their brit milah, in the regions of Alsace, Southern Germany, and Switzerland just to name one. [13] One of our Jewish server members, Yosef, says “I'm Jewish and have been all my life ... my family is eastern European and we have gone to orthodox shul and (no) evil eye and other related symbols are prevalent in my family's practice along with the practice of my synagogues ... as such I constantly carry around the symbol”

Islam: The evil eye as a concept in Islam, known as the “al-ʽayn” is common. It's believed to destroy one's good fortune or cause illness. [14] Various phrases including “Mashallah” (God has willed it) are used to ward off the evil eye – “The imperativeness of warding this all too evident evil eye off is common among local communities. Not only did the absence of a “mashallah” tempt fate but it is also believed certain individuals have the power to conjure up the dark forces of the evil eye.” [15]

Italy: The evil eye in Italian is known as the “mal’occhio.” [16] In some regions, the cornicello ("little horn") is an amulet used to ward off the evil eye. It comes from Naples and it’s usually made of red coral and pepper shaped. [17] According to Antonio Pagliarulo, “some families, depending on the region of Italy from which they come, will pin the amulet to a baby's clothing either immediately before or immediately after his or her baptism.” [18]

Ireland: In Ireland, the evil eye is known as “Droch-shúil.” [19] There are a few various Irish folktales about the presence of the evil eye that warn of its dangers. One example is the tale of King Balor. The tale goes that “Balor was a king of the Formorians, the ancient inhabitants of Ireland (before the coming of the Tuatha Dé Danann). He is often described as a giant with a huge eye in the middle of his forehead. This eye brought death and destruction [onto] anyone he cast his gaze upon. He had gained this power from peering into a cauldron that contained a powerful spell that was being created by some druids. The vapors from the cauldron got into his eye when he looked inside which gave him the power of his deathly gaze. The most memorable instance of Balor using his eye is the story of his death at the battle of Maigh Tuireadh. In this famous battle between the Formorians and the Tuatha Dé Danann, Balor fell in battle at the hands of his own grandson, the pan-Celtic god Lugh, when he thrust his spear (or sling depending on the telling) through the eye of the giant. His eye was blown out the back of his head, turning his deadly gaze on his own men, destroying the forces of the Formorians. A piece of Dindseanchas (meaning lore of places) tells us that the place where his head fell and burned a hole in the ground, later filled with water and became known as “Lough na Suil” or “The Lake of the Eye”. Interestingly, this lake disappears every few years when it drains into a sinkhole. Local mythology says that this happens to ensure that the atrocities of the battle may never be forgotten.”  [20]

Germany: In German, the evil eye is known as the “Bölser Blick”, something that is cured by a variety of methods such as red string, prayer, salt, iron, and incense. [21]

Poland: In Poland the evil eye is called "złe oko" or "złe spojrzenie." [23] In some regions, they use amulets known as "czarownica" which are charms often made from herbs, metals, or stones, or specific gestures believed to ward off the evil eye. In many Polish homes, you might find them hanging on the walls. A ‘czarownica’ might also be a necklace with a pendant crafted from amber, which is believed to ward off negative energy. [22] There are also folk tales about the evil eye, such as “an archaic Polish folk tale that tells of a man whose gaze was such a potent carrier of the curse that he resorted to cutting out his own eyes rather than continuing to spread misfortune to his loved ones” [1]

Russia: In Russian the evil eye is called "дурной глаз" or just "сглаз." [23] Some Russians ward off the evil eye by bathing in running water, which carries the negativity away. Fire is also used, with young people jumping over a campfire to remove bad energy. Carrying salt or pinning the fabric of your clothing are also other simple ways to ward off the evil eye. [24]

Mexico: In Mexican culture, the evil eye (el ojo) is thought to be especially prevalent during November around the time of Dia de los Muertos, with children being particularly susceptible. There are various ways a child may get the evil eye such as from a stare of a drunk or angry person, or a person who is "caloroso," or overheated from working out in a hot environment such as under the sun or cooking over a hot stove. [25] Some may use an ojo de venado, or “eye of the deer” as a protective charm, which is only effective if “worn as an amulet around the neck at all times.” [26] As a quote from one of our staff members, Ezekiel: “I was raised in a very Hispanic area so we all wore evil eye bracelets most of the time woven from the flea market… In Mexico or some parts of Latin America, it is called El mal de ojo and it is believed that different colored evil eyes do different things.”

Rroma: The concept of the evil eye also exists amongst the Rromani people. For Rroma in Slovakia, the belief in jakhendar is prevalent, often being diagnosed and cured with jagalo paňi, or ‘coal water’ [27] Rroma in places like Brno are also thought to be particularly susceptible to the evil eye, leading to communities to find members to help protect themselves. According to scholar Eva Figurová, “This role, instead, is appointed to the village shepherd, blacksmith, or other person perceived by the community as gifted with the ability to heal, cure, and ward off the effects of negative forces, whether intentionally or not. Nowadays, among the Roma in Brno, the chanting of the zoči is a common ritual that does not require the presence of a specialist.” [28]

India: In many parts of India, people use a nazar battu to ward off the evil eye, or the buri nazar. [29] Other methods of warding off the evil eye include hanging a drishti bommai [30], mothers spitting on their children [31], or marking them with a black mark on the cheek. [32]

Ethiopia: In Ethiopian culture, the evil eye is known as the "buda." [33] It is thought to be wielded by certain people (i.e. metalworkers) and warded off by amulets created by a debtera, or unordained priest. [34]

Conclusion

This blog post only begins to touch the surface when it comes to the evil eye. The history across time and space is so expensive one can truly dedicate their entire lives to studying and still not know everything there is to know. We sincerely hope that we have provided some perspective and gave some jumping off points for further exploration.

Sources & Further Reading:

Hargitai, Quinn (2018). “The strange power of the ‘evil eye’”. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20180216-the-strange-power-of-the-evil-eye. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024. 

Pardee, Dennis (2002). "VIII. INCANTATIONS: RS 22.225: The Attack of the Evil Eye and a Counterattack". Writings from the Ancient World: Ritual and Cult at Ugarit (vol. 10). Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature. pp. 161–166. 

Ross, C (2010). "Hypothesis:The Electrophysiological Basis of the Evil Eye Belief". Anthropology of Consciousness. 21: 47–57. 

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "evil eye". Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Oct. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/topic/evil-eye. Accessed 3 November 2024.

Gershman, Boris (2014). The Economic Origins of the Evil Eye Belief. American University (Washington, D.C.). Online resource. https://doi.org/10.57912/23845272.v1

Elworthy, Frederick Thomas (1895). The Evil Eye: An Account of this Ancient and Widespread Superstition. J. Murray.

WICC Authors, (2023). Nazar (amulet). https://wicc2023.org/nazar-amulet/. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.

Williams, Victoria (2016). Celebrating Life Customs Around the World: From Baby Showers to Funerlan, p.344.

Lynn, Heather (2019). Evil Archaeology, p.167

Bernasek, Lisa. (2008) “Artistry of the Everyday: Beauty and Craftsmanship in Berber Art” Volume 2 of Peabody Museum collections. Harvard University Press. pg 12. ISBN 978-0-87365-405-0

Ulmer, Rivka (1994). KTAV Publishing House, Inc. (ed.). The evil eye in the Bible and in rabbinic literature. KTAV Publishing House. p. 176. ISBN 978-0-88125-463-1.

Jewitches Blog. “The Evil Eye.” Jewitches, 18 Apr. 2023, jewitches.com/blogs/blog/the-evil-eye. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.

Birth Culture. Jewish Testimonies from Rural Switzerland and Environs (in German and English). Basel: Naomi Lubrich. 2022. pp. 35–37. 

Evil Eye - Oxford Islamic Studies Online.” Archive.org, 2018, web.archive.org/web/20180825110529/www.oxfordislamicstudies.com/article/opr/t125/e597. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.

“Mashallah: What It Means, When to Say It and Why You Should.” The National, 22 May 2013, www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/mashallah-what-it-means-when-to-say-it-and-why-you-should-1.264001. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.

“Mal’occhio | a brief understanding (and offering).” Radici Siciliane, 17 Nov. 2020, www.radicisiciliane.com/blog/malocchio-a-brief-understanding-and-offering. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.

Melissi, Paolo. The Cornicello: A Traditional Lucky Charm from Naples. 18 June 2021, italian-traditions.com/cornicello-traditional-lucky-charm-from-naples/.  Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.

Pagliarulo, Antonio. The Evil Eye. Red Wheel/Weiser, 2023. ISBN 978-1-63341-294-1

“Irish Superstitions: The Evil Eye, Fairy Forts, and Lucky Charms.” IrishHistory.com, 14 May 2023, www.irishhistory.com/myths-legends/folk-tales-superstitions/irish-superstitions-the-evil-eye-fairy-forts-and-lucky-charms/. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.

“The Evil Eye.” Ireland’s Folklore and Traditions, 12 July 2017, irishfolklore.wordpress.com/2017/07/12/the-evil-eye/. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.

Katharina, Anneke. “Boser Blick: Evil Eye in German Folk Magic.” Instagram.com, 2024, www.instagram.com/p/CrO8IIeLMgu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&img_index=1. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.

Tobey, Julie. “The Meaning of the Evil Eye in Polish Culture.” Polish Culture NYC -, 7 June 2024, www.polishculture-nyc.org/the-meaning-of-the-evil-eye-in-polish-culture/. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.

Haroush, Alissa. “42 Names for the Evil Eye and Where Did the Evil Eye Amulet Originate.” Alef Bet by Paula, Mar. 2021, www.alefbet.com/blogs/blog/42-names-for-the-evil-eye-and-where-did-the-evil-eye-amulet-originate. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.

Sorokina, Anna. “How Russians Protect Themselves from Evil Spirits.” Russia Beyond, 3 Nov. 2024, www.rbth.com/lifestyle/331213-protect-from-evil-russia. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.

Mexico, Na’atik. “El Mal de Ojo, the Evil Eye.” Na’atik Language & Culture Institute, 26 May 2023, naatikmexico.org/blog/el-mal-de-ojo-the-evil-eye. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.

“The Evil Eye.” The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 1965, www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1965/10/the-evil-eye/659833/. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.

Hajská, Markéta. “The evil eye – Jakhendar” Factsheets on Romani Culture. https://rm.coe.int/factsheets-on-romani-culture-2-3-the-evil-eye-jakhendar/1680aac373 

FIGUROVÁ, Eva. Contemporary signs of magic in the everyday life of Roma minority in the selected areas of Brno, focusing on magical acts like “pokerování” and evil eye. In Individual and Society [Človek a spoločnosť], 2022, Vol. 25, Iss. 3. https://doi.org/10.31577/cas.2022.03.609 

Stanley A. Wolpert, Encyclopedia of India, Volume 1, Charles Scribner & Sons, 2005, ISBN 9780684313498

Kannan, Shalini. “Surprises and Superstitions in Rural Tamil Nadu.” Milaap.org, Milaap, 15 Apr. 2016, milaap.org/stories/surprises-and-superstitions-in-rural-tamil-nadu. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.

John Abbott, Indian ritual and belief: the keys of power, Usha, 1984

George Vensus A. (2008). Paths to The Divine: Ancient and Indian (Volume 12 of Indian philosophical studies). Council for Research in Values and Philosophy, USA. ISBN 1565182480. pp. 399.

Turner, John W. "Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity: Faith and practices". A Country Study: Ethiopia Archived 2012-09-10 at the Wayback Machine. Thomas P. Ofcansky and LaVerle Berry, eds. Washington: Library of Congress Federal Research Division, 1991.

Finneran, Niall. "Ethiopian Evil Eye Belief and the Magical Symbolism of Iron Working. Archived 2012-07-12 at the Wayback Machine" Folklore, Vol. 114, 2003.

[opencommunion]

"When the remediation of the colonization of American Indians is framed through discourses of racialization that can be redressed by further inclusion into the nation-state, there is a significant failure to grapple with the fact that such discourses further reinscribe the original colonial injury. ... Under this paradigm, American Indian national assertions of sovereignty, self-determination, and land rights disappear into U.S. terrioriality as indigenous identity becomes a racial identity and citizens of colonized indigenous nations become internal ethnic minorities within the colonizing nation-state. ... Calls to social justice for U.S. racialized, sexualized, immigrant, and diasporic queer communities that include indigenous peoples, if they are not attuned to the ongoing conditions of settler colonialism of indigenous peoples, risk deeming colonialism in North America resolved, if not redressed, two cents for 100 billion dollars. ... One reason why a 'postracial' and just democratic society is a lost cause in the United States is that it is always already conceived through the prior disavowed and misremembered colonization of indigenous lands that cannot be ended by further inclusion or more participation."

Jodi A. Byrd, Transit of Empire: Indigenous Critiques of Colonialism, 2011

[poorlittleyaoyao]

Incomplete list of things sect leaders get up to in condor heroes, the most famous wuxia ever:

Rip out their disciples tendons in a fit of temper and dump them on the street to fend for themselves

Fuck off to eat delicious food and completely neglect sect affairs and refuse to take any personal disciples until literally like, two months before abdicating and causing a succession crisis thats exploited by an evil 17 year old

Try to steal another sect's manual and get clobbered so hard he spends twenty years in seclusion recovering from his injuries

Fuck off to Mongolia for two years to train a random teenager without a single word of warning or explanation to anybody

Lead them into selling out their country to the imperial forces colonizing them

None of these guys are even portrayed as Evil. Most of them are heroes! Including the tendon ripper!

Going on the record to say that the sect leader who fucks off to eat delicious food is SO so valid. If everyone else in the sect gets exploited by an evil 17-year-old? Skill issue. Not their problem.

“Skill issue” also applies to the one who failed at manuscript thievery. Are they injured-injured, or are they just deeply embarrassed? Smh.

[a-shade-of-blue]

Vetted Gaza Fundraisers that reached out to me (3-6 November)

6 November

Anas, Baraa (@helpanas): When Anas went to inspect their home after he and his family were displaced, the Israeli forces fired at him from planes, burying him under the rubble and causing severe injuries to his legs. While he received reconstructive surgeries, he could not receive treatment to his damaged nerves and tissues to to a lack of medical resources. He requires extensive treatment and possibly an ankle transplant abroad.  (https://gofund.me/433864df) (vetted by 90-ghost) ($325 USD raised of $20K target)

Shorouq Eldrimly (@shoroa91): Shorouq have 3 children: Qusai (7), Eileen, (5), and Hisham (2). Qusai has a heart condition since birth but they cannot provide him the medication and treatment he needs. Hisham is suffering from malnutrition. They wish to evacaute from Gaza. (https://www.gofundme.com/f/shorouqs-story-a-mothers-cry-from-the-heart-of-war) (#240 on @/gazavetters vetted list) (€530 raised of €30K target)

5 November

Hala Mushtaha (@halamushtaha): Hala has 4 children: Abdul, Jaber, Mohammed, and Lian. They are fundraising to evacuate from Gaza.  (https://gofund.me/ae46eed6) (#1 on @/gaza-evacuation-funds vetted list here)

Hala (@hala-15): Hala’s baby son Abdul Aziz was born during this genocidal war. Abdul Aziz was diagnosed with hirschsprung's disease, which meant that his colon cannot move and he cannot pass waste, resulting in severe swelling in his belly. Hala is raising funds to pay for Abdul Aziz’s surgeries and medication. (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=XUL966VBH88NC) (shared by 90-ghost, but gfm has closed her campaign without reason so she is using paypal instead now)

Aya Alanqar (@ahmadalanqar99, @ayaayman95): Aya used to be a content creator. She wishes to evacuate her family (consisting of herself, her brother (25), her parents and her elderly grandma (85)) out of Gaza. (https://gofund.me/47c55aba) (#217 on @/gazavetters vetted list) (€726 raised of €35K target)

3 November

Mounir Raed Alanqar (@amani-raed): Mounir is 19 years old. He has 4 siblings: Rasha (22 and married), Rana (21 and married), Mohamed (16), and Sham (4). He is raising funds to buy basic necessitiese and to evacuate from Gaza. (https://gofund.me/f3b1439b) (#8 on @/gazavetters vetted list)

Reem Al ajrami (@reem-alajrami): Reem is a widow with 3 children: Diana, Issam and Abdullah. They are displaced and have run out of money to buy basic necessities. (https://gofund.me/78efc923) (vetted by bilal-salah0) (€182 raised of €5K goal)

Ghada Nabil Al-Anqar (@ghadanabil2): Ghada and her family have been displaced. Her 23-year-old brother is now responsible for providing basic necessities for the family. She is also living her two married brothers Mohamed and Ahed and their children. Each of the brothers have 3 children. (https://gofund.me/b43baaaf) (#6 on @/gazavetters vetted list)

Click here for my Google Doc with my complete masterlist of all the Palestinian gfm asks I've received, updated daily (along with other verified ways to send aid to Gaza).

How are gfm campaigns vetted?  See here, here, here and here.

See post here for other verified ways to send aid to Gaza.

Don't forget your Daily Clicks on Arab.org, it's free!!! and Every click made is registered in their system and generates donation from sponsors/advertisers.

See links below for my Masterlists of Vetted Fundraisers from the Palestinians who sent me asks for if you want to help more people! As well as resources for palestinian students if you are a palestinian student

Masterlists of Vetted Fundraisers

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 13 - 25 July.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 26 -29 July.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 30 July - 1 August.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 2 - 5 August.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 6 - 10 August.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 11 - 14 August.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 15 - 18 August

Click here for my Masterlist for fundrasiers from 19 - 21 August

Click here for my Masterlist for fundrasiers from 22 - 24 August

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 25 - 28 August

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 29 August - 1 September

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 2 - 5 September.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 6-10 September.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 11-14 September.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 15-18 September.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 19-22 September.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 23-26 September.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 27-30 September.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 1-4 October.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 5-9 October.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 10-14 October.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 15-21 October.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 22-26 October.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 27 October - 2 November.

Resources for Palestinian Students!

Initiatives and resources to support Palestinian students, academics and universities:

This is a list of initiatives and resources for Gazan students seeking to complete their studies, including initiatives, resources, training and scholarships. See list here.

Scholarships for Displaced Palestinian students:

Putting this here for the palestininans who follow me: If you are a displaced Palestinian student looking to fund your education, this document lists the scholarships available around the world for displaced Palestinian students.

[1dcommunityficrecs]

Space Fic Rec

As we sit upon a rock spinning at 1000km/hr, and hurtling through the cold, empty universe at 100,000km/hr, illuminated only by a giant ball of gas and nuclear fusion 150,000,000km away from us that keeps us gravitationally locked in its orbit... I bring you six space fics! Cause space is cool as heck! Even if it's a little terrifying!

Take a look through, and if any catch your fancy then drop a kudos or a comment or a reblog -- your friendly neighbourhood fic writer appreciates it!

The Stars Look Very Different Today by kingsofeverything (43032, Explicit, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) – fic post

For Harry Styles, child genius turned glorified spaceship mechanic, rescuing lost or broken down ships is a fairly common occurrence. There’s nothing common about his latest mission, the ship, or that ship’s captain. The last thing he expects to find in a distant galaxy is the one thing he’s been missing on Earth.

Reccer says: I think the future world-building is incredible!

ghost of you by beckywritesthings (109111, Explicit, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) – fic post Warnings: Graphic depictions of violence

a Star Wars AU where Harry is Obi-Wan, Louis is Satine, and somehow there’s a love story between the cracks where there shouldn’t be

Reccer says: An incredibly written, epic royal space fic! Even if you've never seen Star Wars, you'll fall in love with these characters. And if you have seen Star Wars, you'll be amazed by how this writer plotted this story!

foothold by turnyourankle (18358, Mature, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) – fic post

Louis has crossed the galaxy with a ship full of crystals; they’re the only thing he has to offer in exchange for safe harbor. He thought getting to his destination would be the hardest part, hoping that once he got his family to safety everything would fall back into place; Louis struggles to adapt while his sisters thrive.

Reccer says: Such atmospheric, visual writing that was used to create such an interesting world! The characters are so complex and have inner demons that eventually reveal themselves.

Don't bring the Starbucks by LadyLondonderry (4814, Teen, Niall Horan/Rory McIlroy) – fic post Warnings: Minor character death (but as the author says, it's no one you like)

The one where Niall is a perfectly normal university student, until he finds himself an ocean away in the middle of Ohio with a strange man telling him to stop wandering off. Then he’s in space. It’s a whole thing.

Reccer says: Emmu's fics are always their own special brand of charming and this fic is no exception. It's so delightful and odd and it makes me so happy.

in other words by sarcangel (3758, General, Niall Horan/Louis Tomlinson) Warnings: mentions of past injuries leading to prosthetics

Niall works on a space cruise line, dancing with passengers, but the person he most wants to dance with is the captain.

Reccer says: A really fascinating worldbuilding (is it still called worldbuilding if it's in space? XD) I feel like we know so much about the background of these characters and this universe, even in only a few thousand words.

Breaking Through the Atmosphere by dinosaursmate (40416, Explicit, Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson) – fic post

Louis is recruiting folks to colonize a new planet; Harry is the sweet, homesick painter/veterinarian he recruits.

Reccer says: Brilliant descriptions of what their life is like on another planet! And such a gentle, slow burn into realizing that you’ve fallen in love.

[tarotfairy0919]

✧—⊹ ˖🥟⊹ ˖—✧Health meanings in tarot - Major Arcana edition✧—⊹ ˖🥟⊹ ˖—✧

©tarotfairy0919 - all rights reserved. do not copy, translate, alter or repost my work.

Please REBLOG if you find this information useful! ༄˖°🪐.��࿔*

Health can be a complex and multifaceted issue, involving physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. Tarot, on the other hand, is a tool that can be used for guidance, insight, and self-reflection.

When it comes to health readings in tarot, it is important to approach the cards with a sense of openness and curiosity. The cards can provide perspective on your current health situation, potential obstacles or challenges, and possible paths forward.

It is essential to remember that tarot readings are not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. If you have concerns about your health, it is always best to consult with a qualified healthcare provider.

🩺Fool~ Unexpected health events such as accidents and pregnancies. Diseases that are out of our control.

🩺Magician ~ An over-active mind, watch for illnesses with thinking, communication, learning difficulties, memory problems.

🩺High Priestess ~ Health issues involving hormonal imbalances. This card rules women, the uterus, ovaries, and breasts.

🩺The Empress ~ If poorly aspected it denotes laziness, sexual transmitted diseases, and stress from making poor lifestyle choices.

🩺The Emperor ~ Sports injuries, war injuries, injuries inflicted in anger, sharp objects harming us, isolation, injuries involving animals. Problems with head and face, blood and muscles.

🩺The Hierophant ~ Nutritional deficiencies, lack of emotional support, inadequate medical advice. On a positive note, a strong immune system that resists illnesses.

🩺The Lovers ~ Health issues of the skin, eyesight and hearing. Issues with any part of the body that comes in pair, such as eyes, ears, arms, legs, lungs, kidneys.

🩺The Chariot ~ Health issues related to genetics, mouth, womb and breasts. Ailments specific to women and pertaining to motherhood.

🩺Strength ~ Issues with overwork, exhaustion, unhealthy lifestyle and habits, and intimacy issues. Problems with the heart, circulation, spine, vitality, and ribs.

🩺The Hermit ~ Problems with the intestines, lower stomach, gallbladder, and spleen.

🩺Wheel of Fortune ~ This card governs the liver and its functions. Toxic build-up in the liver can cause skin eruptions, low vitality, poor eyesight, and allergies.

🩺Justice ~ Ruled by Libra it governs organs in our core: lower back, kidneys, adrenals, ovaries and inner ear.

🩺The Hanged Man ~ This card rules drugs of all kinds and suggests issues with drug addicts, drug poisoning, over-medication or lack of medication. It also suggests sleep disorders, asphyxiation, hypnosis, memory problems, insanity, nervous breakdowns, delusions.

🩺Death ~ It rules groin and elimination organs, it suggests problems with the genitals, anus, colon, gonads, prostate, bladder, urethra, pubic bone, and hernias.

🩺Temperance ~ This card rules anything hot, fast and intense, it suggests a sudden onset of fevers, burns and intemperate behaviour gone too far. Temperance rules exotic places indicating infections from a foreign land or person.

🩺The Devil ~ Issues with teeth, bones, joints and knees. Devil also suggests old age, colds, rheumatism, arthritis, aging skin, broken bones and chronic conditions.

🩺The Tower ~ This card suggests a sudden onset of symptoms, complications, infections, accidents and confrontations. Be aware of your blood pressure.

🩺The Star ~ Issues with ankles, legs, blood circulation, spasmodic complaints, nervous system.

🩺The Moon ~ Issues with mental health, alcohol, drugs, malnutrition, disorder of the lymph system, sleep issues, hidden diseases.

🩺The Sun ~ Sun burn, sun stroke, eyesight problems, skin cancers, vitamin D deficiency, heart disease, depression.

🩺Judgement ~ Issues with man-made polluting, toxins, nuclear power, and waste.

🩺The World ~ Melancholy about aging and issues with aging. Stress from government agencies. Burdens and stress from carrying the world's problems on your shoulders.

ʕ•ᴥ•ʔﾉ♡ ʕ•ᴥ•ʔﾉ♡oopsie you already reached the end ʕ•ᴥ•ʔﾉ♡ʕ•ᴥ•ʔﾉ♡

[monratarot]

Health indicators in tarot - Major Arcana meaning

Please like and reblog if you find this information useful! 🌸🎀💕

//don’t claim it as your own and/or repost it on other platforms//

ꕥFool~ Unexpected health events such as accidents and pregnancies. Diseases that are out of our control.

ꕥMagician ~ An over-active mind, watch for illnesses with thinking, communication, learning difficulties, memory problems.

ꕥHigh Priestess ~ Health issues involving hormonal imbalances. This card rules women, the uterus, ovaries, and breasts.

ꕥThe Empress ~ If poorly aspected it denotes laziness, sexual transmitted diseases, and stress from making poor lifestyle choices.

ꕥThe Emperor ~ Sports injuries, war injuries, injuries inflicted in anger, sharp objects harming us, isolation, injuries involving animals. Problems with head and face, blood and muscles.

ꕥThe Hierophant ~ Nutritional deficiencies, lack of emotional support, inadequate medical advice. On a positive note, a strong immune system that resists illnesses.

ꕥThe Lovers ~ Health issues of the skin, eyesight and hearing. Issues with any part of the body that comes in pair, such as eyes, ears, arms, legs, lungs, kidneys.

ꕥThe Chariot ~ Health issues related to genetics, mouth, womb and breasts. Ailments specific to women and pertaining to motherhood.

ꕥStrength ~ Issues with overwork, exhaustion, unhealthy lifestyle and habits and intimacy issues. Problems with heart, circulation, spine, vitality and ribs.

ꕥThe Hermit ~ Problems with the intestines, lower stomach, gallbladder, and spleen.

ꕥWheel of Fortune ~ This card governs the liver and its functions. Toxic build-up in the liver that can cause skin eruptions, low vitality, poor eyesight and allergies.

ꕥJustice ~ Ruled by Libra it governs organs in our core: lower back, kidneys, adrenals, ovaries and inner ear.

ꕥThe Hanged Man ~ This card rules drugs of all kinds and suggests issues with drug addicts, drug poisoning, over-medication or lack of medication. It also suggests sleep disorders, asphyxiation, hypnosis, memory problems, insanity, nervous breakdowns, delusions.

ꕥDeath ~ It rules groin and elimination organs, it suggests problems with the genitals, anus, colon, gonads, prostate, bladder, urethra, pubic bone, and hernias.

ꕥTemperance ~ This card rules anything hot, fast and intense, it suggests a sudden onset of fevers, burns and intemperate behaviour gone too far. Temperance rules exotic places indicating infections from a foreign land or person.

ꕥThe Devil ~ Issues with teeth, bones, joints and knees. Devil also suggests old age, colds, rheumatism, arthritis, aging skin, broken bones and chronic conditions.

ꕥThe Tower ~ This card suggests a sudden onset of symptoms, complications, infections, accidents and confrontations. Be aware of your blood pressure.

ꕥThe Star ~ Issues with ankles, legs, blood circulation, spasmodic complaints, nervous system.

ꕥThe Moon ~ Issues with mental health, alcohol, drugs, malnutrition, disorder of the lymph system, sleep issues, hidden diseases.

ꕥThe Sun ~ Sun burn, sun stroke, eyesight problems, skin cancers, vitamin D deficiency, heart disease, depression.

ꕥJudgement ~ Issues with man-made polluting, toxins, nuclear power, and waste.

ꕥThe World ~ Melancholy about aging and issues with aging. Stress from government agencies. Burdens and stress from carrying the worlds problems on your shoulder.

[cpericardium]

Taylor's locker didn't give her toxic shock and claiming it did is ignorant and misogynistic

When I was growing up, my mother didn't let me or my sister use tampons, citing the risk of toxic shock syndrome. We didn't have them in the house. Literally I thought I'd die the moment that thing entered my glovebox. I also went to an all-girls convent school for much of my life and never met anyone who used or advertised the use of anything other than pads.

My sister has since moved on to using cups, but even now I don't think I can ever use a product that you insert. Lingering Catholic guilt, you understand. But I looked into toxic shock syndrome anyway to counteract the terrible sex ed I was getting from both my school and my mother (father's a doctor, so for all his conservativeness he's more inclined to give me unvarnished medical information). Because it's my body, and being AFAB I'm practically required by law to be afraid all the time. May as well find out which fears should be prioritised.

Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) can develop when staph bacteria, and in some cases strep bacteria, enter the bloodstream via open wounds like cuts and abrasions. These bacteria are normally harmless and live all over your skin, but under certain conditions they can multiply rapidly and release toxins. Adolescents are more susceptible, mostly because they haven't developed the antibodies to fight the infection.

“The first is vaginal colonization with a strain of S. aureus, which can make the toxin; the second is production by the S. aureus of the toxin; the third is penetration across the vaginal epithelium of enough toxin to cause disease; and the fourth is a lack of adequate titers of the neutralizing antibody to the toxin,” says Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton, executive director of The North American Menopause Society.

The incidence of TSS is estimated to be around 0.8 to 3.4 per 100,000 in the United States. Cases have declined massively since peaking in the 1980s. The point is: TSS is an incredibly rare complication of a complication that requires specific conditions to develop under.

So why is it on the worm subreddits and discord servers and forums, there are always people insisting that the locker incident was an act of bioterrorism, that her bullies need to be shipped off to Guantanamo for what they did? Why are there so many wormfics where Taylor physically rots in the locker as a result of TSS compounded by aggressive necrotising fasciitis, and this necessitates Amy staying with her for days to tend to her failing organs? Why are people doing nonsensical Tampon Math to justify her being on the verge of death when she's found? See thread for more inane arguing.

Yes, the locker was biohazardous and it was inarguably a cruel prank, a disgusting experience all around. But absent other circumstances (like the bullies deliberately planting a virus or Taylor uhhh getting impaled on a coat hook? both of which I've seen in more than one fic), Taylor in all likelihood didn't get TSS from it. Sure, authors can do what they want, but out of all the possible deadly infections, why oh why do they always specifically choose TSS?

Is it because of the tampons?

The reason it happens with tampons is that the bacteria can become trapped in the vagina and enter the uterus via the cervix. Most cases result from the use of highly absorbent tampons, as dry tampons can abrade the skin when removed and thus provide more entry points for bacteria. The National Organization for Rare Disorders estimates that TSS related to tampon use occurs in about 1 in 100,000 menstruating women. It usually happens if the tampon is inside them and they left it in there for days. The risk of toxic shock via tampon rises significantly after eight hours.

The tampons were not inside Taylor. She was also only trapped in the locker for about an hour and a half. Afterwards, she spent a week in the psych ward, and as far as we know had no significant physical injuries. But, detractors say, all her struggling might have broken skin, and the bacteria on the tampons could have fermented over winter break!!! Have you ever fished out a used tampon that's been in a bin for a while (i.e. weeks)? Just saying, Taylor is more likely to get an infection from all the used hypodermic needles that are undoubtedly a large component of Winslow bathroom trash.

To quote Kyakan whom I had to pester for the canon info about Taylor's stay,

"There are a lot of things that can go bad with the human body when exposed to X Y or Z conditions, but we survived long enough to evolve. It's not like touching blood will instantly disintegrate us. Human bodies are resilient even without modern medicine."

Here’s my theory. People don’t understand what TSS is, its risk factors or its rarity. They have a vague idea that it’s the icky female period disease even though only about half of all TSS cases are menstruation-related, so obviously Taylor contracted it from touching icky female period blood.

I won't say it couldn't happen to Taylor, ever, in (fan)fictional stories written by men. Just that it's not as likely as you think.

A final note—if you, the author, are fixating on gruesome medical details and describing the contents of the locker in terms of microbiology, you are completely and tragically missing the core of Taylor Hebert's trigger event. .......but that's just a theory! a worm theory

[myeagleexpert]

The Silence of the Seven

Synopsis:

The peaceful atmosphere is shattered when Yuu finds one of her friends in a coma of unknown causes. Determined to uncover the truth, Yuu and her friends begin investigating the case and discover a curious pattern that links the victims. But as the investigation progresses, they find themselves in a tangle with powerful enemies, and this time the danger is out of Twisted Wonderland. Yuu and her friends will have to fight against unknown forces to find answers and unravel the mystery before it's too late.

Notes: I won't give many warnings before each chapter, because, you know, the suspense. Yuu is a girl and is around 18 years old. I'm just saying that we will have many platonic and romantic moments in the series, and that you always read until the end of the chapter <3

Chapter I: I'll Get You

Yuu walked through the long corridors of the ancient library, passing them as if he knew every old corner and every forgotten book. Because actually, she does. As soon as she arrived in this strange world, she tried in every way to return to her original dimension, digging through all the books on multi-dimensional travel, mining any and all information about how to return home. But that's not why she's here today and with Riddle much less.

“If you want to survive in this world, you have to learn about it”

It was the purpose Riddle insisted on taking some classes with the foreign student. The leader of Heartslabyul had crimson red hair and the temper of a kindergarten principal, his nostrils always smoked and his mouth recited the 810 questionable laws of the Queen of Hearts. If not for the beautiful blue-gray eyes, Yuu would have joined the chaos of anarchy, but being peaceful she opted for one provocation or another.

"Riddle, I've been wondering, are these laws really necessary?" usually this led to some fun discussions with the grinning Cheshire cat

Today they were at a secluded table in the ancient library, discussing the origin of some figures and mythology.

“According to historians, the Queen of Hearts had a proportionate head, but due to an accident just before the coronation, she suffered an injury that led to swelling of her head.”

“And your ego…” Yuu muttered, he had several things to say about the tyrannical majesty but bit his tongue… today at least

"What did you say?"

“What about the creatures from the Kingdom of Roses?”

“It is said that the creatures are extinct species from the kingdom during the colonization…- he stopped and looked for the page in the book with illustrations- When the settlers tried to explore some unknown lands it was reported that they found flowers so tall that they stopped them from going on, so they decided to cut them down and heard voices from the forest expelling them.” Was that supposed to be scary? An idea flashed through the mind of the magicless student, her eyes glistening with memories and she did the best horror storytelling voice she could muster.

“The legends here are very interesting, but in my world we have a different view of nature”

“Ah, please tell me Yuu.” Riddle leaned forward as Yuu approached, naturally curious and thirsty for knowledge.

“In the era of exploration, a rich farmer wanted to increase his lands and for that, he destroyed the protected lands of the indigenous people. Once he took his foreman to open the forest in a sacred land and on this day, the furious nature sent a creature with a head of fire and feet turned backwards to end man's miserable life.”

Widening his eyes and holding his breath, Riddle silently nodded his head for Yuu to continue "With an animalistic scream the creature drove a fiery stake through the heart of the man who fell 'dead' to the ground-

“Why the quotes? Is he not dead?” Rido questioned the physical quotation marks his friend made, but felt an immediate chill when he saw how much his face darkened.

“However… he was so hideously terrible that both heaven and hell rejected him and earth refused to bury such a devilish soul. The now Dry Corps was cursed eternally into a condition of filthy spirit doomed to roam the cities until the end of time but… it is said that if the Dry Corps finds a host as bad as it is, it will possess it and use the living body to do even worse evils until a stronger entity of nature appears.”

The so stern leader of Heartabull kept his eyes fixed on a specific corner, he felt anesthetized with so much information that he had just heard so much that he didn't even notice that Yuu had gotten up from his chair with the mischievous intentions of scaring him from behind.

“Riddlee~” with a light pat, the red-haired one let out a high-pitched squeal that, yes, the entire library heard.

“Oh by the Seven! Yuu!”

"Riddle-chan, you shouldn't make noise in the library, you know?" teased him

“I wouldn't have yelled if you hadn't—

“Yanoo….cans of tuna…” a darling feline, Grim, was sleeping peacefully with no problems on top of the books when he escaped words in his sleep Such an action, brought to the two leaders childish and innocent giggles, which were muffled by the soft fur of Grimm. A sweet moment few would ever see…

And like all good things come to an end….

"Aaaah Kingyo-chann I know you're there" a very familiar voice of the two echoed through the halls

“Aa-ah Floyd! He can't see me, otherwise I'll be late for the Riding Club" his little antennae flick up in warning and in agitated whispers he turns to Yuu

"I distract him, Grim takes him to the corridor 03 passage" whispered back Yuu and traded a can of tuna for his companion

The girl knew the secret passages of the NRC like the back of her hands, and Riddle trusted them so because Ramshackle's memorable duo were like brothers to him, which was very difficult considering the walls and barriers that had been built since his overblot .

“See you later, thank you.” "Thank you"

A code of signs was exchanged between the two before Riddle entered the dark secret passage on the other side of the library, the language was created little by little, a mix of the sign language of his dear world and Twisted Wonderland that deepened as he went. that the bonds with the other person were deepening.

“Who was Koebi-chann talking to?” The twin's voice snapped her out of her thoughts, he was at the table they'd been studying at just now, his posture relaxed with the familiar wide, sharp-toothed smile.

"Floyd, let's play."- determined she started her plan in mind.

“Aaah, I'm not in the mood to play tag with Koebi-chan, I want to play with Kingyo-chan"- Already uninterested Floyd got up with a serious expression

“What if we make a deal?” When Yuu stepped in front of the tallest one, he didn't expect those words from her "If you catch me in 3 minutes, I'll tell you where Riddle is, but if not, I won't tell you anything." Oh that got his attention, already setting the timer on her watch

“Koebi-chan is so creative! Let's play! I count ok: 1…2…3 and that's it! Run fast or I'll catch you~” the twin hummed, lazy voice but a predator's gaze

The two ran wild leaving the library, Yuu was dodging the tables while Floyd, the mermaid, preferred to jump on top of them to annoy the students. Outside, the girl got a good boost down the hall, taking advantage of Floyd trying to get through the door.

2 minutes…

Each on the opposite side of the hall, Floyd showing his sharp teeth and Yuu a playful smile, the laughter of both spread in the hall: loud, uncoordinated and without any concern. As she turned a corner that led to the patio, she lost Floyd and only then did the adrenaline let her remember a little thing: Where there's fire, there's smoke. And the horror twins, as Grim calls them, are a real fire. Floyd is here…where is Jade?

1 minute-she checked her watch

"Ahh I'm so close to getting rid of this crazy guy!"-She thought with her chest rising and falling and breathing heavily. Her eyes searched every possible place to climb or hide, Floyd is faster but if she can stay away from him until time stands still…

"The tree!"

30 seconds

The girl ran with all her might towards the patio tree, her loud footsteps alerted Floyd who was trying to see where she was. The little bug was out of breath and was trying to circle the patio trying to kill time to get to the damn tree just didn't count that—

“Oya oya, what do we have here?”- She didn't see where the voice was coming from, she just felt someone put her foot on her for her to fall, Floyd who is not silly at all, took the opportunity and grabbed the student rolling them both on the floor.

“I got you Koebi-chan!~~~” for a moment they forgot why they were running, laughing until their stomachs hurt, biting each other- hey, that's a sign of trust, right?- “Come on little shrimp…I got you ahead of time. You have to do your part of the bargain!”

“You cheated Floyd! I made the deal with you and not Jade-

“I was just passing by and coincidentally tripped over it just as our dear Yuu was running. Oh, I'm so sorry. What a tragedy.” With her hand on her chest, Jade helped her to get up from the ground, but her smile had nothing innocent about it.

“Don't even come with that Jade-” not here you felaa-” Floyd, it was supposed to be you alone but since I'm in a good mood today let's do this: I'll tell you where Riddle is NOT and you can hug me more…”

“What a good treat Koebii~” Floyd didn't need any more words to convince him, throwing his tall frame on top of Yuu and her brother, taking them to the ground.

But she was used to the twins' unpredictable tendencies. After all, 1 year had passed since his arrival. When she arrived in this strange world, everything was very “strange” for her, so much so that reality only dropped three days later, and when it did, all she could think about was hiding in a dark corner of the abandoned house.

The sun was setting when they got up, after laughing and talking about various topics Yuu would probably regret someday. After so much brutality, Floyd extended a gentle hand for his friend to stand up, his eyes widening as he realized—

“Neee~Koebi-chan, you're getting heavy and meaty too!” happily he comments

“Hunhun, and it looks stronger fufu. It ran a lot further this time and endured my brother's hugs longer” Jade congratulates her, looking at her legs and biceps that were no longer fragile matchsticks

“But if you grow too big, I won't be able to call you little shrimp anymore…ah! Ah! I know! If you grow any bigger I’ll call you the little lobster, okay?”

“Well, get ready, honey, I’m going to be a lobster!” determined Yuu hugs her friends and then says goodbye. She didn't know it, but there were eyes watching her...

A year later adaptation arrived, his body that had lost a lot of weight due to the excessive work of a certain crow and the constant stress that brought it, was weak and thin, but now with the balanced diet that Vil himself had prepared and physical exercises with Vargas she was able to get back to the body she was: strong, toned and curvy, she could keep up with the athletics group with Deuce and go for morning jogs with Jack - when Grim pushed her out of bed she inevitably woke up and by coincidence Jack was passing by Ramcharchle. Killing two with one stone.-

It was at the start of quiet sophomore year that her hair, once a shade of brown with golden, curly strands, was dyed night-black. Her hair was opaque before and didn't reach her chin, as the foreigner used her impulsive cuts as a defense mechanism, saying it was "not to draw attention". A year later, her hair was bust-length, shiny and perfectly brushed and styled.

At first glance, her ties were deepened here, but there was a symbolism behind it that left your mouth bitter. Her natural hair was her memory of home, something that says "I'm not from here, I have a place to go back". Crowley was the one who came up with the idea "Well, if you're going to stay longer, why don't you look like your beloved director who welcomed you as a father figure, my little bird?" Crowley and Crewel became very attached to the girl, always taking care of the puppy with affection but with hugs that didn't allow her to go very far. .

In her second year, she improved her beast taming capabilities. Occasionally, she is seen piloting a great blue dragon through the skies, or combing the fur of a dangerous chimera, or stopping Grim from stuffing his mouth with fish at Scarabia's dinner. The latter, he finds to be the most useful skill.

Not far from there, Riddle had finished his Riding training, saying goodbye elegantly to his colleagues and walking to the Heartstabull...unfortunately he didn't get there.

Trim..trim…

'Huh? Call from Carter?' - In the middle of her sacred coffee with Grim, Yuu receives a call from her senior, Carter Diamond. What would the magicam star want at a time like this?

-Hello? It's Yuu, all right senpai? -A-ahh Yuu, I need you to come to the dorm now! -Is it really necessary? I put my coffee on now… -What Yuu?? I'm not l-l- istening! Something… interfering… -The toast is warm too…want to have a coffee with me? -I'm serious Yuu! It's- an emergency! Come quickly!

And hung up…

Her precious coffee was already in the cup filled to the top, waiting to be taken and enjoyed by the tired student, but the agitated and trembling voice of the so cheerful Carter made her take only three sips worriedly, leaving quickly with Grim meowing that the toast would get cold. Until a hoarse, frightening scream interrupted her mind and the thousand scenarios of what could be happening.

“How strang-!!!”- Yuu gasps, clutching Grim protectively in her arms, despite being flustered the girl takes a moment to record the image of the sound maker, who was on an old pole near the house.

It was a white bird, a type of owl with a heart-shaped face and eyes like completely black spheres, then a hook-shaped beak. The creature turns 160 degrees and stares at Yuu and Grim, the girl feels a shiver run down her spine and a bad feeling settles in her stomach but….

Yuu decides that with so many fantastical creatures and so many overblots, a white owl is the least of her problems right now and continuing on her way more quickly she thinks back to what could have happened in the dorm, which she considered her second home.

Of all her imagined scenarios none came close to the vision in front of her.

Riddle was lying on the floor. His body pale and icy. His eyes were completely white, without corneas, without irises and without pupils. His red hair was an aged shade of red, as if all of his life had been sucked out of him. Veins, now transparent, pulsing reluctantly to life and bringing a barely existent low breath, no signs of waking up.

“Carter! What's going on? What happened to Riddle?”- one of the clones of the red haired one grabbed Yuu who ran when he saw the scene and tried to calm her down, while Trey covered his fallen friend's body with a jacket.

“Riddle took a long time to come back, 15min late. This has never happened before.”- Trey replied from afar.

“We arrived here and when we saw his state, we called you and the Director”- completed Carter, who was trying to take Yuu to check the body, he himself didn't have the courage- “We cast an invisible barrier spell, and we waited for the director to arrive to take him quickly to the infirmary.” he concluded.

“What do you think it could be?”

“I don't know, I've never seen anything like it. It must have been something really strong to catch him off guard and leave him with…”- swallowing the fear and sadness trapped in his throat, the green-haired one tries to continue, being the responsible senpai ever-”… with that expression. terrified in the face.”

There were no signs of violence on the body, no spell fighting, no signs of poisoning. Grim didn't smell any different, saying it was the same as the one in the library.

“Let's sort this out, guys.”- giving one last look at his friend, Yuu puts his jacket over him again and stands up to look and investigate.

They checked every inch of that area, but the wind blew a small white feather from the enclosure.

You are here Next>>

[kaapstadmk]

D&D/Pathfinder headcanon:

So, we all agree that Cure X Wounds is remarkably underpowered, right?

What if that's because, in-world, medical knowledge is shit, because all you ever have to do for simple injuries is go to the local village cleric and have CLW cast.

There's no incentive for further exploration of medical science, unless you're an oddball, who illegally dissects bodies to learn anatomy, or who studies plague- or curse-causing monsters to develop germ theory. I mean, remember how Pasteur and Semmelweis were ridiculed for their discoveries, even though they were right?

Anyhow, I low-key want to do a deep dive and discover which spells, feats, class skills, and racial abilities could be applied to a medical purpose.

After all, Sleep could be used for anesthesia, CLW could be used for suturing, chilling touch for tumor lysis, or power word: kill for bacterial eradication (think sepsis or colonization)

Unfortunately, there's still no magical cure for HIV, as viruses aren't alive...

What says the community?

[melishade]

Number 9?

This ask game

Optimus, Gabi, and Porco imprisoned in the Dark Timeline

Optimus lost track of how long he had been Shockwave's prisoner. How long ago was it since he had been captured? How long he has been bound to the berth by his arms and legs.

He could still feel energon leaking from his wounds. He could still feel himself losing his sanity. Not once has he been allowed his own quarters to mull in. All he could do was try his best to memorize Shockwave's schedule. Despite begging and pleading from both him and Gabi, Porco was taken for constant experimentation. And when he returned, he looked worse for wear, taking hours to regenerate from his injuries. Very rarely was Gabi taken for experimentation, but Shockwave would constantly scan her for her vitals, scaring the girl and causing her to tremble. Optimus could tell she was no doubt fearing the worst.

But despite his predicament, Optimus was still trying to find a way out of here. Memorizing Shockwave's schedule, taking peaks at Shockwave's notes while he was in the room, taking note of Shockwave's placement of Gabi and Porco's containers, taking additional note of the health of the humans. He knew he would have to escape with the humans before their conditions became critical. Even after advocating for more rations, Shockwave neglected their health, defaulting to the logic that he could transfer Porco's power, or turn Gabi into a titan.

Shockwave's methods were sadistic and monstrous. Why weren't they able to find him on Cybertron? Why didn't they find a way to apprehend him before Unicron? Why did Unicron have to mess up everything?! Why did-?!

"Optimus." Optimus heard a weak croak call his name. He turned his helm to see Gabi staring at him through the glass container that she was in. The poor girl was huddled into a ball to try and keep herself warm while also making herself small.

"Are you okay?" Gabi asked him.

"I am...," Optimus trailed off. He wouldn't call this situation 'okay', but he had to provide some reassurance, "Functional. Are you alright?"

"What a shitty question to ask." Porco seethed from his prison.

"I'm...not okay," Gabi confessed with a whimper.

"I am sorry," Optimus apologized to her, "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Could you...," she began, "Tell me another story? Like the Primes?"

"Why the hell would you want to listen to that?" Porco grumbled.

Optimus felt sympathy for her. She wanted another distraction. She desperately wanted another distraction. "I do have a tale about the Quintessions, if you wish to hear."

Gabi raised her head at that. "Quintessions?"

"A strange entity," Optimus continued, "It was an organism with five floating faces connected to one another with elongated claws that could fly."

"Gross," Porco commented, but it was doing the trick. Porco was thinking about something else while Gabi was more intrigued by the story than her own pain.

"Tell me more," Gabi requested.

Optimus continued to fulfill her request and told her about the Quintessions colonization of Cybertron and the ultimate revolution against them.

(Free game: 44-46,10,14, 18, 19, 22,23,26, 32,34-37,39. 20 has been asked.)

[inevitably-johnlocked]

i’m so sorry this is hyper specific…. any fics where john calls sherlock ‘WILLIAM!!’ when he’s in trouble or something?? i think it would be hilarious

Hey Nonny!

AHHHHHH eeeee I don't know if I have anything specifically for that, but over the years I have been asked for William Fics, so I'm just gonna use your ask to finally collect what I have <3 If anyone has anything more specific to Nonny's request, please let us know, 'cause Nonny's right, it'd be funny LOL.

That said, here is what I have for "William" fics, which I just did a search for his name and probably don't have any of them correct :( I pulled what I had on my MFL list as well to make this list a bit longer for you. Apologies ahead of time if they're not "William" focussed.

Please let me know if y'all have more!

SHERLOCK’S CALLED “WILLIAM”

See also: Sherlock Called William (Alexx's List)

Vale Mea by JohntheBlonde (G, 622 w., 1 Ch. || Implied/Referenced Death, Ambiguous/Open Ending, Pining Sherlock, Epistolary) – 'I, William Sherlock Scott Holmes...hereby...declare this my last Will and Testament.' 

what’s in a name by flight815kitsune (NR, 1,285 w., 1 Ch. || Soulmates AU) – There were some things you just knew. The name, if you were lucky enough to get one, was one of those things.

Dear John by wendymarlowe (E, 23,031 w., 64 Ch. || Post-TRF, Online Dating, Pining, Epistolary, Cybersex, Long Distance Romance) – With Sherlock dead, John eventually (under duress) makes a profile on an online dating site. And falls into a long-distance relationship with an enigmatic partner who reminds him of Sherlock in all the right ways. (Hint: it turns out to be Sherlock.) Part 1 of Dear John

we have never seen a greater day than this by Lediona (T, 36,420 w., 7 Ch. || A Royal Night Out AU || WWII / VE Day, Prince Sherlock, Soldier John, Alternating POV, First Kiss, Bittersweet Ending, Homophobia, Dancing) – Peace. At long last. It’s VE Day and Prince William desires to join the celebrations. It is a night of excitement, danger and the first flutters of romance.

A Hundred Crimson Sols by elldotsee (E, 55,536 w., 16 Ch. || Astronauts AU || Mars Exploration / Space Travel, Slow Burn, Shy Sherlock, Scientist Sherlock / Biomed Engineer John, Alternating POV, Mutual Pining, UST, Angst with Happy Ending, Domestic Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Injuries, Suicidal Ideation, Zero-G Sex) – Will Holmes is a chemical researcher recognized widely for his contributions to the new Mars exploration program. Thanks to his ground-breaking developments, the IMMC (International Mars Mission Corporation) is one step closer to Martian colonization. Will and his team of scientists are headed out on the first of three manned missions before the first group of settlers arrive. Three days before launch, one of the crew has to be replaced. Will panics because...new people. The replacement is of course one John Watson, biomedical engineer and space hottie who was pretty sure he had retired from actual space exploration and was now content to work in the nice, quiet research lab. Can the crew survive this TOTALLY ROUTINE trip? Will they be able to endure each other for the looooooong trip in close quarters? Gonna be a wild ride... prepare for blast off. Part 1 of SpaceBois go to Space

MARKED FOR LATER

A Prequel of Sorts by foxy61 (G, 6,561 w. || Kidlock / Teenlock, Time Manipulation, Big Brother Mycroft) – William Sherlock Scott Holmes was born in a little cottage in the middle of a blizzard January 6th 1977. He was delivered by an ex-army doctor, one Dr. John Hamish Watson who apparently didn’t exist or at least not yet. Part 2 of A Blizzard Started it All

I Don't Need You to Like Me by Ranowa (T, 7,146 w., 1 Ch || Different First Meeting, Autistic Sherlock, Ableism, Papa Lestrade, Big Brother Mycroft, Child Abuse, Kidlock) – Greg's introduction to child abuse cases is a small, surly child with a broken arm named John Watson... and the even smaller, nonverbal boy that won't leave his side. The smaller, nonverbal boy named William Holmes.

To Belong Series by DrFish (T, 19,400+ w. across 4 works || Series WiP || Victorian / Mythical AU || OctoJohn, Scientist Sherlock, Attempted Kidnapping, BAMF John, Protective / Possessive John, Developing Relationship, Being Lost, Size Difference, Capital Punishment, Happy Ending) – William Sherlock Scott Holmes failed to graduate the University of Cambridge class of 1877. Adrift in London, he accepts a post as assistant naturalist on a scientific expedition to the Western Pacific Ocean aboard Her Majesty's Sailing Ship Frontier. Events do not proceed quite as planned and Sherlock finds himself cruelly cast away by his shipmates. Perhaps he will find salvation in the company of a most unlikely sea creature.

The Corvus That Calls at Night by S_IRIS (E, 19,834+ w., 4/? Ch. || Medieval Fantasy AU || Military John, Swordsman Sherlock, True Love, Historical, Politics, Falling in Love, Sexual Tension, Fictional Religion, Angst, Pining, Infidelity) – A final chance at forging peace between the kingdom of Brevaria in the south and the newly-seceded Brevarian Republic in the north hinges on a strategic but unpopular betrothal between the youngest brother of the Duke of Langley, the heir apparent, and Harriet Lily, the daughter of the Brevarian High Consul. Expectations are that a marriage alliance between Harriet and Prince William might soothe tensions on both sides of the border regarding the alliance and end the protracted civil war. However, Sherlock is only going up to the Brevarian moors in expectation of meeting Harriet’s older brother, the most talented military commander in over six generations. But behind John Watson’s legendary prowess in battle is a dark secret.

An Aftertaste Of Memory by Raithwithwings57 (M, 39,009+ w., 20/? Ch. || Post TRF, Rosie is in this Fic, Hurt/Comfort, Angst with Happy Ending, Amnesia (Sherlock), Torture, Scars, PTSD, Divorced John, Divorced Lestrade, Misunderstandings) – Sherlock Holmes was believed by most to have died by jumping to his death. A few people, Mycroft Holmes included believed he died in somewhere in Serbia, tortured to death, though his body was never found. Sherlock Holmes himself doesn't believe either of the above, obviously. After being extensively tortured in Serbia, he suffered a traumatic brain injury that left him with amnesia, and deafness. But the doctors say that the deafness is psychological in nature. It doesn't matter much to him. All he knows is that his name is William, and that he was once (and it seems he always will be) in love with a man by the name of John Watson. John has suffered much in the last eight years. Losing his best friend to suicide, marrying and then later being divorced by his wife, battling for joint custody of his child, and generally trying to forge ahead and figure out what the seemingly bleak future holds in store for him. But what he could never expect is Sherlock's sudden return. Nor the man's conviction that once upon a time they were madly in love.

Proper Manners by Jade5687 (E, 40,449 w., 2 Ch. || Medieval Royalty AU || Class Differences, Religion, Post-War, Master/Servant, Identity Issues, Period-Typical Attitudes, First Time, Light Bondage) – Sherlock Holmes is a charming—if somewhat eccentric—nobleman who often spends time with John, an apothecary’s son. When John is offered employment at King William’s castle, however, he fears he will have to say goodbye to Sherlock. But in the end, they might actually become closer than before. Part 1 of the King William's Castle series

Sehnenfäden by holmesian_love and Strange_johnlock (M, 67,879 w., 22 Ch. || Violinist Sherlock AU || Idiots in Love, Alternate First Meeting, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff and Humour, Friendship, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, First Time, Nature, Music, Seclusion, Angst with Happy Ending, Non-Explicit Sex) – William Sherlock Holmes is a world-renowned violinist, uncompromising with his principles and his punishing schedule, pushed to breaking point by his manager. John Watson is a lost, retired army-doctor, returned to London with nowhere to live. Both men end up in situations which lead them to a secluded German village in the mountains, escaping from the unforgiving world around them. A chance encounter brings them together, sharing a friendship and understanding neither of them have found before. Will they be able to find a way to express their true feelings for one another, to find the path to be together, despite Sherlock’s chaotic lifestyle?

The Killing Principle by Vulpesmellifera (E, 104,593 w., 46 Ch. || American AU || Gay John, Serial Killer Mary, Bum Appreciation, Sherlock is William, Dating Difficulties, BAMF Sherlock, Slow Burn, Thriller, Confessions, Whump, Angst with Happy Ending, Minor Character Death) – John Watson served twice in AmeriCorps, married his high school sweetheart, and then entered med school. A sudden arrest and accusation of multiple murders ends his promising career, irrevocably altering his life's trajectory. Acquitted of his wife’s crimes, John spends the next ten years as the maligned ex-husband of convicted serial killer Mercy Mary. A job offer draws him out of hiding and back to Connecticut - the very state where the crimes were committed. He needs the money, and the job is a dream. Then he meets the brilliant William Vernet, and it seems like he has a second chance at life and love. But the past has a way of catching up.

Beyond Recall by elwinglyre & MrBotanyB (E, 110,201 w. || Apocalypse/Dystopia AU, Alternate First Meeting, Case Fic, Amnesia/Memory Loss, Hurt/Comfort, Slow Burn, First Time, Alternating POV) – Dropped into Cardiff on a mission he doesn’t remember, everyday he wakes to a past he doesn’t recall in a world torn apart by pandemic. William (Sherlock Holmes) finds purpose when John Watson finds him. For Watson, this man is a mysterious thief with the uncanny ability to see into people. But there’s something more to this man, and Doctor Watson helps William find the answers to his “magical” deductions. Is he a mad man? A serial killer? Or just damn clever? And what’s his connection to the epidemic that wiped out most of the world?

[cloudyswritings]

Wyrmfalls

So my mental picture of the wastes is basically identical to that abyssal plane in our oceans. It’s nutrient poor, filled with weird little fuckers and extromphiles, and is frequented by larger species who sometimes die there. By that logic the carcass of a wyrm should be the equivalent of a whale fall and sustain/create an ecosystem for decades to come(usually longer). I’d argue that there’s roughly two types of wyrmfall, intentional ones and accidental/fatal ones.

Intentional:

Intentional wyrmfalls are when a wyrm makes the choice to transform into a different and usually smaller being. These events are what mister mushrooms poems are about. “Wyrms pull bugs into their thrall / till ages pass and kingdoms fall. I’ve discussed it previously but these events are typically caused by either old age or extreme injury on the part of the wyrm and serve as a way to essentially reset the biological clock until the wyrm can shed its smaller form once more and devour the kingdom it created to jumpstart its growth. These types of wyrmfalls are generally short(er) lived for obvious reason. Hallownest was often regarded as one of these, although the Pale King had no intentions of consuming his subjects and was relatively young by wyrm standards when he arrived.

Accidental:

Accidental wyrmfalls are when a wyrm, through some means or another is killed and meets its final death. This is always the case if the wyrm is not yet a higher being(exceedingly rare) or has so little energy left it can’t even metamorphose. Additionally an extremely abrupt traumatic death that prevents a wyrm from biologically preparing to transform can also cause this. These occur most commonly as a result of clashes between two Wyrms of notable age and size, although the larger Wyrm generally consumes to corpse of the loser there is still oftentimes a significant portion left.

These wyrmfalls generally act as a beacon attracting all kinds of scavengers ranging from other Wyrms and gods, to opportunistic caravans looking to make it big

The intelligence of the wyrm may be dead but its body is still actively hostile to those prying it apart.

The outer plating/scales/exoskeleton of a wyrm is among the most prized materials globally and as such is generally first to by stripped from a wyrmfall.

The burrowing teeth of Wyrms make for excellent lances and long nails provided you’re large enough to wield them.

Wyrm meat itself is both rubbery and tough, although eating enough is said to transform those who do so.

sometimes those who consume wyrmflesh report feeling phantom sensations like burrowing through stone. Even rarer is those who claim to remember events from the Wyrms life through its perspective. These claims are unverified.

Some bugs have found ways to collect the godly light and afterglow off from Wyrmfalls, this can be used to elevate one into a higher being, heal wounds, or even transmute materials. It’s one of the most expensive traded goods globally.

Wyrmfalls also tend to absolutely change the landscape around them, look at kingdoms edge.

Ash tends to accumulate in the surrounding areas but the winds of the wastes generally carries it away before it can build up like around the pale kings corpse.

The later stages of a wyrmfall tend to be colonization, with the useful materials of the wyrm mostly plundered bugs begin to build towns and even cities within the titanic corpses.

You see the wyrmfall may be mostly inert at this point but they have an inherent protection against the damaging effects of the wastes on the minds of bugs. If you find a town in the wastes that seems unaffected by the winds chances are it was initially built on the site of a wyrmfall.

Finally even millennia after death small amounts of soul can still be pulled from the decaying husk of the wyrm.

Parts of this were inspired by Mossbags most recent video, please go check it out!! It was very cool and fun, I promise.

[dumbass-tumbler-cryptid]

Can you write a short story of Spider and Quaritch play wrestling?

sure! I really liked this idea from @naavispider of human Quaritch winning the war and raising Spider so I wanted to base this in that au. In my head the war ended in a soft victory for the R.D.A. Quaritch and Jake's fight ended in a stalemate with both sustaining heavy injuries. Jake's been underground ever since quietly rallying the other clans and preparing for war. The R.D.A on the other hand have been making moves for all out colonization. Of course they're building Bridgehead but also when Spider was around 4 they started incentivizing their workers to have kids to start building the next generation (and make more workers and soldiers for the R.D.A) Anyone who had kids was promised permanent residence on Pandora plus the choice to bring one family member to live on Pandora for each child they have. So there's a huge baby boom as people rush to try and save all their loved one from their dying planet.

All these kids grow up together in a daycare and eventually a school ran by some of the nurses so they're all really close. Since the nurses provide 24 hour child care a good chunk of people who had kids just to save their loved ones but never wanted to be parents just leave their kids there and barely ever have to see them.

Spider is the odd one out in all of this since he's significantly older than them. Paz still died in the war, so Quaritch was left as a single dad. He got really good at balancing work and fatherhood. He pretty much had his son with him all the time keeping him distracted with toys and such while he went about his work. he got so used to this by the time of the baby boom that he just kept doing what he was doing until Spider started kindergarten.

Also Spider is still called Spider in this au because his mom used to call him her little spider monkey to the point where is became the name he responded to. After she died Quaritch tried to get him to go by his "real" name but it just never happened. He'd only respond to Spider and so it became his nickname. it fit him better anyway.

Spider used to be his father's little soldier dutifully going about every combat lesson his dad would coach him through. Also he was still taught to speak Na'vi because everyone agreed it'd be a good skill for all the kids to know. The language was Spider's gateway into exploring more about the Na'vi. Now that he's 16 he's starting to see the cruelty of what the R.D.A is doing. He acts out a lot and causes as much trouble as possible.

Quaritch use to try punishing him for it but it never did any good. he's come to the mindset of President Theodor Roosevelt with his daughter "  “I can do one of two things. I can be President of the United States or I can control Alice." Quaritch is choosing to run Bridgehead and just leaves Spider to do what he wants more or less.

Anyway that was a long explanation for a one shot. So here you go enjoy!

*****************************************************************

  Quaritch walked into his apartment exhausted after a long day. Nothing but meeting after meeting, the C.E.O’s of the R.D.A always on his ass about something. Years ago it was that unobtanium wasn’t being mined in large enough quantities. Now it was that Bridgehead wasn’t being built fast enough. As if he controlled the speed of the builder drones. Take it up with your programmers, he had wanted to yell. But he held his tongue and took it. 

     “Spider, you here son,” he called out. No response. The teen must have been off somewhere causing trouble. Quaritch shrugged it off and went to cook dinner. Somebody would darken his doorstep soon enough with his wild child in tow. The father didn’t understand it. One day his son was the perfect, obedient little soldier. The next he was more untamable than the natives. He chalked it up to simple teenage rebellion and prayed to any god that would take him that it would go away soon. 

      “What’s for dinner?”

       “Holy shit,” Quaritch startled, fumbling his spatula into the chicken he was cooking, “where did y’a come from!”

      “Ah, my room,” Spider said, pulling his headphones down to hang around his neck.

      “Why didn’t y’a answer when I called y’a then?”

       The teen shrugged, “didn’t hear y’a.”

        Quaritch groaned in frustration, “where y’a at least doin’ your homework in there. Or anything productive at all?”

         “Does watchin’ porn count,” Spider couldn’t even say it with a straight face. Quaritch rolled his eyes. With all the restrictions the father had put on his son’s devices the boy wouldn’t be able to access anything like that even if he was a skilled hacker.

         “So your homeworks not done.”

         Spider waved him off, “I’ll do it after dinner. Promise.”

         “I’mma hold y’a to that.”

          It was Spider’s turn to roll his eyes, “Jesus dad I know.” Spider hung out in the kitchen, watching his father cook, waiting impatiently to be fed. “So how was your day,” he asked just to fill the silence. 

         “Boring. Nothin’ but meetings. I’m wishin’ the natives will try attackin’  just so I can have somethin’ to do.” Spider seemed slightly uncomfortable at that. His kid was too kind for his own good. No matter the lessons the father had tried to instill in his son, Spider always retained sympathy for the Na’vi savages. “Anyway it was borin’. How was your day?” Spider shrugged in response.“I’d like a…”

         “Verbal answer, yeah I know.” Quaritch would have scolded him for the back talk if his boy didn’t look so dejected.

         “What’s eatin’ y’a,” he asked as he plaited their dinner. His son just shrugged again. “Fine. Don’t talk then.” Quaritch was not satisfied to leave it at that. As his son moved to sit at their kitchen table Quaritch snuck up behind him snatching him up around his waist.

         “Dad!” Spider yelped in surprise.

         “Come on now tell me what’s wrong. I can’t help y’a if y’a don’t talk about it.”

          “There’s nothin’ to talk about,” Spider huffed as he struggled to free himself from his father’s hold.

          “I don’t buy that,” Quaritch marched them both into the living. “Are y’a mad at me for somethin’?”

         “What would I have to be mad about?” Spider grunted as he thrashed in his dad’s hold. 

          “I don’t know. You're a teenager. Y’a always seem mad about somethin’.” Spider found his opening, expertly twisting out of Quaritch’s arm. The father grinned, quickly tackling his son onto the soft carpeted floor. “Is there a girl?”

         Spider scoffed as he fought to win this unexpected wrestling match, “there’d have to be girls my age for there to be a girl.”

        “Is that what this is about?” Quaritch pinned Spider by his shoulders.

         The boy stilled. “Kinda. It’s…lonely being the oldest kid on base. Every day I see all the groups of younger kids, talkin’, and jokin’ around. And it looks like fun. Seein’ them though….just kinda makes me sad that I don’t have anyone my own age to be friends with.”

          Quaritch sighed. This wasn’t a new conversation by a long shot. Spider interacted with the other kids often enough but he was more of a big brother figure then a friend to them. His son could talk and joke with adults like he was one of them but the fact still remained that Spider was just a kid. Plus every adult in his life were like his aunts and uncles. They’d helped to raise him. Neither party could ever look past that. Until more cadets Spider’s age rotated to Pandora, his boy would alway be the odd one out. “I’m sorry son. I wish there was somethin’ I could do for y’a.”

         Spider shrugged, “is what it is.”

         “How can I cheer y’a up?” The teen shrugged. Quaritch groaned then began to playfully jab at his son’s sides. Spider laughed trying and failing to wiggle away.

         “Dad, stop,” Spider shrieked through his laughter. His father ignored his plees continuing his relentless assault on his sides. “Alright, alright, I give up!” Quaritch stopped giving his son a moment to catch his breath. He moved off of Spider and helped his boy to sit up. Spider took a deep breath then said, “can we just like- watch a movie together tonight or somethin’? You’ve been so busy lately, since Bridgehead started construction that….we really haven’t spent time together.”

         Quaritch felt his heart melt. He patted Spider’s shoulder, a soft smile on his face. “Nothin’ would make me happier son.” 

[covid-safer-hotties]

Study Reveals How COVID-19 Infection Can Cause or Worsen Diabetes - Published Sept 13, 2024

Researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine have used a cutting-edge model system to uncover the mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, induces new cases of diabetes, and worsens complications in people who already have it. The team found that viral exposure activates immune cells that in turn destroy beta (β) cells, the pancreatic cells that produce insulin. The study was published Sept. 2 in Cell Stem Cell.

“There has long been a hypothesis in the field that certain viral infections may trigger type 1 diabetes," said co-corresponding author Dr. Shuibing Chen, director of the Center for Genomic Health, the Kilts Family Professor of Surgery and a member of the Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration at Weill Cornell Medicine. “But we were able to show how this happens in the context of COVID-19 infection.”

“When someone has severe COVID-19, of course the first priority is to treat the life-threatening symptoms,” said co-corresponding author Dr. Robert Schwartz, an associate professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and a gastroenterologist and hepatologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. “But moving forward, there may be a way to develop clinical therapeutics that help avoid later injury to organs like the pancreas.”

Dr. Liuliu Yang and Dr. Yuling Han, who were postdoctoral fellows in the Department of Surgery, and Dr. Tuo Zhang, an instructor in microbiology and immunology at Weill Cornell Medicine, were co-first authors of the paper.

From the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors caring for sick patients observed that the virus affected a number of organ systems, including not only the lungs, but also the heart, liver, colon and pancreas. For the current work, the researchers started with samples of pancreatic tissue from autopsies of people who had died of COVID-19. They observed that the pancreatic islets, the parts of the pancreas that generate the insulin to regulate blood sugar, were damaged.

They then used an analysis technique called GeoMx to study the samples in more detail. This revealed the presence of immune cells called proinflammatory macrophages in the tissues. The job of these macrophages is to kill off pathogens, but they sometimes cause collateral damage to healthy tissues.

To learn more about this activity, the team used a model system developed in the Chen Lab that had never been used before; pancreatic islet organoids (mini organs) that included both a vascular system and immune cells. “If we want to use organoids to study how a disease progresses, it’s important to be able to include components of the immune system in these models,” said Dr. Chen. In this case, after infecting the organoids with SARS-CoV-2, they found the macrophages appeared to be killing off the β cells through a type of cell death called pyroptosis.

The team also used the organoids to study how the pancreas responds to infection with another infectious virus — coxsackievirus B4, which has been implicated in the onset of type 1 diabetes. They found a similar macrophage response. “Moving forward, this organoid system is going to be useful for looking at other viruses as well,” Dr. Schwartz said.

Further research on the signaling molecules that activate the macrophages also suggested potential interventions for protecting β cells from damage in patients with severe infections. Although it is too early to begin testing any treatments, this is something that may be possible in the future. This work could also help shed light on the underlying causes of long COVID, a condition that is believed to affect more than 15 million people in the United States.

Many Weill Cornell Medicine physicians and scientists maintain relationships and collaborate with external organizations to foster scientific innovation and provide expert guidance. The institution makes these disclosures public to ensure transparency. For this information, see profiles for Dr. Shuibing Chen and Dr. Robert Schwartz.

The research reported in this story was supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, through grant numbers R01DK137517, R01DK124463, R01DK130454, R01DK121072. The study also used data acquired from the Human Pancreas Analysis Program (HPAP-RRID:SCR_016202) Database), a Human Islet Research Network consortium (UC4-DK-112217, U01-DK-123594, UC4-DK-112232, and U01-DK-123716); and the Integrated Islet Isolation and Distribution Program (IIDP), NIH grant UC4DK098085.

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Study Link: www.cell.com/cell-stem-cell/fulltext/S1934-5909(24)00293-5