#Chicory market

[foodagriculturenews]

Chicory Market by Product Type (Extracts, Roasted, Instant Powder, Flour), Form (Powder, Cubes, Liquid), Plant Part, Application (Food & Beverage, Dietary Supplement, Feed & Pet food, Cosmetics & Personal Care), and Region - (2020 - 2025)

[insightslicelive]

Chicory Market Sales Revenue Strategies Insights 2022-2032 | Cosucra Groupe Warcoing, Delecto Foods Pvt Ltd, BENEO GmbH, Sensus

Chicory Market Sales Revenue Strategies Insights 2022-2032 | Cosucra Groupe Warcoing, Delecto Foods Pvt Ltd, BENEO GmbH, Sensus

Global Chicory Market report 2023 to 2032 studies the Chicory with many aspects of the industry such as the market size, market status, market trends and forecast, the report also provides brief information of the competitors and the specific growth opportunities with key market drivers. Find the complete Chicory Market analysis segmented by companies, region, type and applications in the…

[databridgemarketresearch-9876]

Global Chicory Leaf Extract Market, By Nature (Organic, Conventional), Form (Powdered, Liquid Extract), Application (Food and Beverage, Pharmaceutical), Distribution Channel (Supermarket, Specialty Store, Grocery, Online Retails, Others), Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, Italy, U.K., France, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, New Zealand, Vietnam, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, U.A.E, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2028

[pearlsmith25]

Chicory Products Market: Nourishing the World with Natural Goodness

The global Chicory Products market has been steadily growing over the past decade, with chicory's versatile uses and health benefits gaining recognition among consumers. Chicory, a woody plant known for its bitter-tasting roots, is the source of various products that find their way into our kitchens and lifestyles. From coffee alternatives to prebiotic supplements, chicory's presence in the market has expanded far beyond what many might expect. In this comprehensive exploration of the Chicory Products market, we delve into its growth, key drivers, challenges, and the range of products it offers.

The Roots of Chicory's Success

Chicory has a long history of cultivation and consumption, with its origins tracing back to ancient Egypt. Traditionally, it was used in various culinary applications, particularly in salads. However, its role has evolved significantly. The widespread recognition of chicory's health benefits has been a significant driver in the market's growth. Chicory root is a rich source of inulin, a type of dietary fiber that serves as a prebiotic, promoting gut health. This aspect of chicory has led to the development of various functional foods and supplements, catering to the ever-growing demand for digestive health products.

Diverse Product Portfolio

One of the most remarkable features of the Chicory Products market is its diversity. Chicory is not limited to just one type of product; instead, it encompasses a broad spectrum. Let's take a closer look at some of the key chicory-based products:

Chicory Coffee: Perhaps the most well-known chicory product, chicory coffee is a popular coffee alternative. With its rich, roasted flavor and hints of bitterness, it is an excellent choice for those seeking a caffeine-free or lower-acid coffee experience. Its popularity has grown beyond niche markets and into mainstream coffee culture.

Inulin Supplements: Inulin, extracted from chicory root, is widely used as a prebiotic supplement. It supports digestive health by nourishing beneficial gut bacteria. As consumers become more health-conscious, the demand for inulin supplements has surged.

Chicory Syrup: Chicory syrup is a natural sweetener derived from chicory root. It's gaining popularity as a healthier alternative to traditional sugar syrups in various culinary applications.

Chicory Leaves: Chicory leaves, also known as endive, are a common ingredient in salads and appetizers. Their slightly bitter taste adds a unique flavor profile to dishes.

Chicory Flour: Chicory root can be ground into flour, which is used in baking and as a gluten-free alternative. It imparts a nutty flavor to baked goods.

Growth Drivers and Market Trends

The Chicory Products market has benefited from several key drivers and evolving market trends:

Health and Wellness Awareness: As consumers become more health-conscious, the demand for natural and functional ingredients like chicory in food and beverages has grown. Chicory's prebiotic properties have made it a sought-after component in the food industry.

Plant-Based and Sustainable Lifestyles: The increasing adoption of plant-based diets and sustainable living has further boosted the chicory market. Chicory products align well with these lifestyle choices due to their low environmental impact.

Diverse Applications: Chicory's adaptability in various applications has opened doors for product innovation. Food manufacturers are continually exploring new ways to incorporate chicory into their offerings, leading to a surge in product diversity.

Coffee Alternatives: The trend toward reducing caffeine intake and seeking healthier coffee alternatives has fueled the growth of chicory coffee. Many coffee drinkers now enjoy the unique taste and health benefits of chicory-based coffee.

Challenges and Opportunities

While the Chicory Products market is experiencing robust growth, it is not without its challenges. The market's bitter taste can be attributed to certain obstacles:

Taste Preferences: Chicory's inherent bitterness can be a turn-off for some consumers. While it's a key feature in some applications, such as coffee, it can be a drawback in others.

Crop Vulnerability: Chicory cultivation is sensitive to weather conditions, and its roots can be vulnerable to pests and diseases. Ensuring a consistent supply can be challenging.

However, these challenges also present opportunities for innovation. Ongoing research and development efforts are focused on reducing bitterness in chicory-based products and improving crop resilience. These innovations are vital for the market to continue its upward trajectory.

Conclusion

The Chicory Products market is a thriving industry with a fascinating history and a promising future. As consumers increasingly seek healthier, sustainable, and diverse food options, chicory-based products have gained a strong foothold. From chicory coffee to inulin supplements, the chicory market offers a wide range of products that cater to various tastes and dietary needs. With the continued focus on health and sustainability, the chicory market is poised for sustained growth and innovation, making it an exciting space to watch in the years to come.

[jungle-angel]

The Need For Weeds (Bob Floyd x Reader)

Summary: Bob learns a very valuable lesson from Meemaw about some things that are necessary for a garden

Warnings: Parenthood, mentions of pregnancy and breastfeeding etc.

Tagging: @floydsmuse @sebsxphia @bradshawsbaby @rhettabbotts @callmemana @attapullman

"Alright sweetheart," Meemaw told bob as they kept digging in the boxes. "Now remember, the flowers are all well and right, but there are some things that ya'll are gonna want in here."

"Oh?' Bob asked her.

"Yep," Meemaw answered brushing the dirt off her hands. "For one thing we're gonna need some lamb's ear, dandelion, clover. Definitely gonna want goldenrod, goosegrass and nettle."

"Aren't those all weeds though, Meemaw?" he asked her.

"Oh yes, but they'll keep out all the shit you don't want in here," she explained. "They're also good for spicin up stews, soups and other stuff in the kitchen. I've gotta lend ya'll Pawpaw's book of edible plants that he made when he was in Korea, you'll get a real kick outta that."

Bob laughed a little as he continued helping his grandmother in the garden while Auggie continuously ran back and forth with his little shovel, asking if he could dig yet. When Meemaw had told him no, he ran off to the sandbox to dig a hole of his own.

"Ya'll by any chance get some fish from the farmer's market yesterday?" she asked him.

"Yeah but it was for dinner for when you and Papa came over," Bob explained.

"Damn," Meemaw hissed under her breath. "That would've made the garden go nuts."

"Wait," Bob said. "We do have something in the greenhouse though."

He ran off to go and grab the watering can and the plastic container of liquid fertilizer, dumping just a little bit of the foul, fishy smelling substance in the bottom of the watering can.

"Oh good God this shit is FOUL," he chuckled, feigning a gagging noise.

"But it'll work," Meemaw told him.

All over the freshly planted flowers and vegetables it went, including the beds where Bob and his grandmother had planted the lamb's ear, dandelion, chicory and other weeds she had rattled off to him.

As he planted, he could hear you softly singing to Patrick, his soft little coos intertwined with your voice, coming from the open living room window. The birds that had nested in the crape myrtles had begun to sing, their tiny little chicks chirping as though they were singing with you. Bob swore he was looking and listening to heaven itself, surprising you as he poked his head in through the window to kiss you.

[affordablepunk]

How to DIY energy drinks for cheap

First, required reading: link to article

Energy drinks have a few vital components:

>sweetener

>flavor

>water

>caffeine

>bubbles (i never do that and don't know how)

Here are some of my favorite things to use:

>granulated sugar (sweetener)

>stevia leaf or granulated artificial sweetener (sweetener)

>kool aid (flavor, sweetener)

>loose-leaf herbs (flavor) (try hibiscus petal, chicory, even lemongrass and mint can be nice)

>lemon juice (flavor, preservative)

>kool aid (easiest flavor/sweetener combo)

Supplies you might need:

>kettle or pot for heating water

>tea strainer ball to keep your leaves out of the final product

>a nice ragu jar or old Gatorade bottle for pre-made stuff

>funnel for pourin

>ladle for scooping liquid into the funnel

Kaffn-8 or any other such liquid caffeine product will do you for caffeine. That brand is super easy and convenient. Kaffn-8 is my favorite for the quality and ease in dosing, as well as the value (15 bucks has lasted me 2 months of daily use).

I like to make a sugar-flavor concentrate, then assemble each glass as I need it. Sugar tastes better when melted with heat than when dissolved without heat, even once chilled. This also allows me to tweak caffeine content. Here is how to make it:

Fill tea ball with herbs (use about a handful or 1/2 cup for every quart of water, you're making it strong)

Heat water and pop the tea ball in

Simmer or keep hot for 10 min

Remove tea ball and turn off heat

While hot, add as much sugar as you had herbs, and mix until melted.

Mix in as much lemon juice (or other assorted acid or preservative) as you can stand. The more preservative, the longer it'll keep

Allow to cool enough to handle

Jar it up, put it in the fridge for later use. You can and should re-use all manner of bottle, just be wary of melting anything plastic or burning your hands w hot water.

A note: the smaller your batches, the less you waste. But high concentrations of acid and sugar keep it good for up to a month in the fridge.

To use: mix water in a cup with your syrup, tweaking concentrations until it tastes good. Add caffeine, measuring your dose carefully.

Then, do bubble magic to add carbonation if you can do that. Maybe you found a soda stream somewhere. If you don't have bubbles, you'll just have to enjoy your energy drinks flat.

And, you're all done!

Now, where to get everything:

(Grow your own herbs if you are mega brave. Mints are nearly indestructible little plants.)

Lemon juice, dollar store. Quality is the same, you've just got to shake it up.

if its a foreign grocer, they likely have herbs cheap. If its a Mexican grocery, they 100% have the best herbs. (Aguasfrescas drink mixes are cheap and THE BOMB, and hibiscus flower always comes in mega bulk) .

Herbalist and spiritual shops have herbs too, and are likely to have tea balls. Branch out! Catnip has been my favorite oddball herb.

Farmers markets also have some (like three if you're lucky) herbs, and you may have to dry them yourself. Since it's punk to reach out to your community, ask around at the farmers market to see if you can get any herb or dried flavorant that's on your mind- small businesses love consumer feedback! You just might have to wait for the plant to grow, heh, but if you're friendly then you'll make friends. Some examples: ask the jam bottler for dried fruit peels, the farmer for mugwort

I get my artificial sweeteners on closeout, my stevia from herbal shops, and my sugar at Walmart (bite me, its cheap and I'm poor).

Kaffn-8 can only be found online, as far as I'm aware. I promise I'm not sponsored, just a grateful caffeine addict.

Do Google your herbs for drug interactions if you take meds. Healthline has good info on herbs. Dried grapefruit rind can mess with my psych meds, for example.

Again, be careful about caffeine. Always dose your caffeine. Having high levels of caffeine on tap is a bit of a big responsibility: I know I nearly bit the dirt from the all-you-can-eat espresso bar at my college. Immaturity could kill you, caffeine is a drug. Count doses, never go above 500 a day, try not to go more than 200 in the same hour.

Now take that money you've saved and give it to a charity to blow a very mean raspberry at nestle. Or, yknow, feed yourself. Its a tough world.

[desertdollranch]

It's October of 1853, and Cécile and her family are getting ready for a citywide celebration. Yellow fever tore through New Orleans through the summer, and thousands of people died. The survivors are coming together to remember the lives lost, and to celebrate the end of the epidemic. Everyone in the Rey family is contributing in some way.

Cécile wants to recite a poem that she's trying to write, but she's having trouble finding her voice and her talents. So she talks to Mathilde, who cooks for the Rey family. While they work together making fruit cakes, Mathilde explains that your natural gifts and talents often reveal themselves in unexpected ways.

This purple dress makes a brief appearance in Cécile's Gift, the last book in Cécile's series. It's fully revealed in her paper dolls, where it's called "Cécile's shawl collar dress". I've been wanting to make it for my Cécile for such a long time, but it was only recently that I found the perfect fabric! It's not an exact match, but it's pretty close, and it is so beautiful. It's a reproduction of an actual print produced in the late 19th century.

I did try to dye a small swatch of the fabric with some blue fabric dye; it didn't come out looking like what I'd hoped for, so I left it as is and proceeded. I used Kindred Thread's French Quarter Dress pattern, with modifications. I used two rectangles for the shawl collar, and gathered them at both ends.

I'm still working on the brown apron shown in the book illustration, so in the meantime Cécile gets to help in the kitchen without it, and try not to stain her new dress. Here she is with a plate of homemade beignets! These classic New Orleans treats, similar to donuts, that are served at the famous Café du Monde, located in the French Quarter. If you want to make them at home, you can do what I did and buy a box mix at Cost Plus World Market. Cut them into dainty little squares, throw them in hot oil, and they become pillowy little pastries. Then you sprinkle them, or completely coat them, with powdered sugar.

They're traditionally served with coffee flavored with chicory, which you can also buy!

[charlesoberonn]

Test test test

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is an annual plant of the family Asteraceae. It is most often grown as a leaf vegetable, but sometimes for its stem and seeds. Lettuce is most often used for salads, although it is also seen in other kinds of food, such as soups, sandwiches and wraps; it can also be grilled.[3] One variety, celtuce (asparagus lettuce), is grown for its stems, which are eaten either raw or cooked. In addition to its main use as a leafy green, it has also gathered religious and medicinal significance over centuries of human consumption. Europe and North America originally dominated the market for lettuce, but by the late 20th century the consumption of lettuce had spread throughout the world. As of 2021, world production of lettuce and chicory was 27 million tonnes, 53 percent of which came from China.[4]

Who the fuck puts lettuce in soup?

[formeryelpers]

Café Du Monde, 800 Decatur St, New Orleans (French Quarter), LA 70116

When I think of New Orleans, Cafe Du Monde is the first food place that comes to mind. The iconic French Market location opened in 1862. They’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It feels like if you’re ever feeling low, a plate of hot beignets with a cup of coffee might do a lot of improve your outlook on life.

Choose an open table and someone will come up to you to take your order. You pay when the server brings your order. The menu is simple, beignets, café au lait, black coffee, iced café au lait, frozen cafe au lait, soda, juice, milk, and water. The au lait is mixed with half and half and hot milk and the coffee is French roast mixed with chicory. They always serve the beignets and café au lait with a glass of water (you don’t have to ask for water).

Beignets (3 French doughnuts covered in powdered sugar, $3.85): Very nice, served warm, soft pillows with crispy edges and lots of powdered sugar on top

Café au lait (small, $2.94): hot, milky and really good with doughnuts

The café does close on Christmas and when there’s a hurricane passing through. There’s a takeout window for takeout orders. You can also buy the coffee in cans, mugs, and beignet mix there.

There are other Café Du Monde locations around NOLA, including at the airport, but this one on Decatur is the iconic one. There’s powdered sugar all over the floors. I don’t know if locals ever go there since the area is very touristy. There’s live “music” seemingly non-stop and street performers. Jackson Square is a few steps away. It's easy to get to Cafe Du Monde if you take the Canal Street Streetcar.

Cash only.

5 out of 5 stars

By Lolia S.

[dollsonmain]

Some random pictures from recently

Trying to ID this doll. She is probably a Rapunzel considering her hair. Her hands and body look like back when Jakks Pacific was doing the Disney Store dolls, but she’s not marked Disney or Jakks. Jakks stopped doing the Disney Store dolls before Rapunzel was released anyway.

Since the boys are watching a movie I was able to work on dolls a little bit.

It’s annoying how many dolls from all these Goodwill lots are blond haired and blue eyed. When I was a kid I was sick of all the blond haired blue eyed dolls because they flooded the market.

Still not fan, which is why Nono stands out so much in my BJD collection.

I thought the chicory died. It bloomed one bloom this morning that has already shriveled. Might be mostly dead.

I’m so good at pictures.

Honestly I can’t see whether a pic is blurry on the phone screen or not, so a lot of my pictures are blurry. My eyes are going, and my hands.

Old.

This pot of strawberries took a lot longer to bloom than the other, and it’s making larger, more weirdly shaped berries, too. Not that I’ve never had a big, flat strawberry like that from the store.

I think the current green berries are struggling to ripen because there’s not been any sun and it’s been cold.

Old pic of beet root, but I did more weeding in that pot today and added in the little potatoes I’d planted in the kitchen. They’re growing too fast to stay indoors. Yesterday it went from being 1inch sprouts to 3inch sprouts, so outside in a deep pot they go.

[grandmaster-anne]

19 July 2022 SafeLane Global, Queen's Award for Enterprise Winner, had the immense pleasure of welcoming HRH The Princess Royal. HRH was greeted by SafeLane's Acting Chief Executive Officer: Rob Hunter, Chairman of the Board: Alastair Morrison OBE MC, The Mayor of Ross-on-Wye: Councillor Ed O'Driscoll, Director of Special Projects: Chris Clark MBE MC, Director of International Operations: TeKimiti (Gilly) Gilbert, Director of UK Land: Andrew Richards, Director of International Marine: Ryan Prophet, Interim Chief Financial Officer: Bernard O'Sullivan, Personal Assistant to the CEO: Julia Lythaby, and Head of Marketing and Communications: Rhiannon Davies, FCIM. HRH then enjoyed a presentation in SafeLane's boardroom, followed by a demining demonstration, a sea mine showcase, and a UXO presentation. HRH subsequently met SafeLane's wonderful team of employees, some of whom are decorated veterans. Rob Hunter then presented HRH with a gift hamper of local produce, an inert POMZ anti-personnel fragmentation mine, and a landmine warning sign from SafeLane's operations in South Sudan. We are extremely grateful and honored that the Princess Royal visited our Ross-on-Wye HQ despite the challenges posed by the extreme weather. We would also like to extend our thanks to all those that donated local produce to HRH's gift hamper, and particularly to the team at Chicory Crops that allowed the Queen's helicopter to land safely in the fields behind SafeLane's office. — SafeLane Global

[thethistlegirlwrites]

Accidentally falling asleep together and one washing the other’s hair for John and Robin, reading a book together for John and Emma (you know what book lol), and patching up a wound and/or caring for the other when they’re sick (possibly blood or bite withdrawals) for Sierra and Shane (why is this happening? How did this end up as anyone’s best option? Up to you!)

Thank you! 💚

Thanks for the asks! These got pretty long so I'm gonna stick them under a cut. Hope you enjoy the results!

Stakeouts are some hunters' least favorite parts of the job, but John doesn't mind them. Not as long as he has a stash of cayenne pepper beef jerky and a good partner to wait out the night with. Being put up in an air conditioned motel room is preferable to sitting in the car, and less conspicuous. Especially when they're keeping tabs on a Red Cross blood donation center across the street that's been hit by vamp thieves three times in the past four months. The enhanced alarm system the agency installed last week (which in itself is part of what they're monitoring, vampire-detecting alarms are the latest hot commodity on the market and every company wants agencies testing theirs so they can put that on their promotions) is programmed to alert his and Robin's phones if it catches anything suspicious. But in John's opinion, there's still nothing like the good old human eye. He hears halting footsteps, and smells chicory and coffee, and then a warm mug is tapped against his shoulder. Robin joins him at the window, pulling up a chair and handing John his mug before curling in over his own. His broken foot is healing, but John wishes the accident hadn't happened in the first place. Being on stakeouts is much less enjoyable when the reason for them is having a partner on medical reassignment. Because God forbid Robin take actual time off like a normal human being to heal. John chuckles at that thought, earning him a confused look from Robin. "Is the coffee bad again?" "No. Just...thinking." "Should I be worried?" "Hey!" John says, cheerfully. "I'll have you know, my thinking has gotten me out of at least as much trouble as it's gotten me into." Robin chuckles, then takes a sip from his mug, hunching over it. John leans over to turn down the chattering AC unit under the window. It feels fine to him, better than the sweltering humidity outside, but Robin has never done well with cold. Not since Arion. John scoots his own chair a little closer to Robin's, and Robin leans in to rest against his shoulder, soaking up the body heat. John puts his free arm around him and continues sipping his coffee. At some point, Robin's breaths even and slow, and John sets down his own empty mug on the windowsill so he can gently take Robin's now-cold one before it falls and wakes the kid up. When the relief team appears at four am, John waves them over to the other side of the room, then closes his eyes. The only thing waiting for him back at the agency is a pile of unfinished paperwork and Maira's death glare. he's perfectly happy to wait here till sunrise.

...

"What is this stuff?" John asks, holding up a gummed together chunk of Robin's hair. "Pine sap." Robin shrugs. "There was a kitten stuck up there." "I'm surprised it's not stuck in your hair now. Half the rest of the tree is." John shakes his head. "How do I get this out?" "Try with the oil," Robin says, nodding slightly toward the kitchen cabinet the Rowan is opening. "If that doesn't get it, you could use alcohol." "So much for that bottle of whiskey I was planning on taking home, I guess." "Not that kind of alcohol!" Robin laughs. "I have rubbing alcohol in the house." John takes the olive oil bottle a branch of the Rowan is holding out to him. "Okay, well, we'll try this first." John works some of the oil into the most matted strands of Robin's hair. It works better than he expected.  The kitten responsible for the whole mess wanders into the kitchen, rubbing itself around John's legs and complaining at being ignored. "I'm working here," John says, shaking his head, but stops long enough to sort of awkwardly scoop the little pest up with his forearm to avoid covering it in oil, and set it in Robin's lap. The kitten settles into his legs, purring and kneading energetically. John winces, but Robin seems immune to the claws digging into his thigh. John shakes his head and continues working on the sap, until Robin stops petting the cat and looks up. "Um...he's got some sap in his fur too..." "Oh no. I draw the line at cats who try to bite my hand off when I touch them. He's all yours."

...

"Your great-great-whatever uncle was ridiculous," Emma says, absentmindedly petting Mr. Prickles where he's sitting on the arm of the couch. "Did he not think about the fact that there were people on the other side of that window?" "I mean, that side of my family does tend toward impulse decisions," John says, closing his battered, first edition, signed copy of Dracula and replacing it on the side table.  "Like letting a vampire stay in your apartment while her club-which-doubles-as-apartment is getting repaired from fire damage? Which, I might add, is indirectly your fault." "It wasn't even Robin this time!" "My insurance company is already upset about the last time." Emma allows Mr. Prickles to crawl up her arm and snuggle under her chin. "At least this time most of the damage was water after the sprinklers kicked in." John flips the book open again. "Funny story, I was reading this as a kid and left it outside on the porch rail overnight, and I thought Dad was going to tan my hide for letting the dew get it. Probably would have if it was our good copy. This was just an early training manual, more or less. Already had blood on it." "So what you're saying is, water damage is inevitable with you." "Pretty much," John grins. "So, where did I leave us?" "Your great-great-great uncle at the height of human stupidity firing his gun through a window to the inside, because he saw a bat." "If you still think that is the height of human stupidity, I guess I haven't been doing my job right." "Okay. The height of human stupidity is setting a vampire's club on fire on three separate occasions. And then inviting her to live in your apartment." "Yeah, you're probably right." John flips the page over. "Okay, here it is, the second stupidest moment in human history..."

...

"This su..." "Don't say it." Shay grumbles, curled in on himself in the corner of the cabin.  "Right." Sierra tugs the oversized sweatshirt sleeves down over her hands and clenches her fists in them so she's not tempted to scratch at the pinprick marks on her wrists.  She doesn't regret it. They had a cover to maintain. Getting the information they needed to take down the people behind an underground vamp-fighting ring was worth it.  That doesn't mean they're not both paying the price.  And maybe it's only fair that if Shay has to fight through blood withdrawals out here, she has to handle the bite version. She's chilled from the blood loss, but the vampire saliva in her blood is burning like a fever. She wants more, she needs that fiery high. She's heard that vamp venom makes most people feel blissed out and docile, but however it mixed with the adrenaline from the escape made her feel kind of like the world was slowing down and moving at a different pace. It felt good.  Now, it feels anything but. Shay makes a muffled sound from the other side of the room, and Sierra turns to see him with his face buried in a pillow. "You okay?" "Wh-oo-nk?" She doesn't need to hear the words to catch his meaning from his incredulous expression. "Sorry, stupid question." That seems to be the core of whatever it is they are. Stupid questions, questionable decisions, and messy aftermath.  She takes a step toward the window and then stumbles, catching herself on the back of a chair. The dizziness is kicking in in earnest. "Need the bed?" Shay asks. Apparently whatever urge to bite possessed him is gone, because he doesn't sound like there's a pillow in his mouth. "No, you will in a minute." This might be Sierra's first time dealing with a bite, but it's far from Shay's first experience of withdrawals. They'd discussed what he'd be likely to start feeling on the way out. And if he's right about timing, he's about to get hit with the worst of it. Which is going to be a serious problem. She needs synth-blood for him. Which they don't have.  Once she kicks her own withdrawals enough to drive safely, she can get somewhere with a signal and call for extraction. Pete's got to be worried sick, and he's probably already combing the Oregon wilderness for them. But until she feels like she's not going to swerve their stolen jeep into the nearest tree, they're stuck. "Then share." Shay pats the edge of the bed. "I've been sitting on it for an hour and it hasn't fallen apart. Can't say the same for that chair." Sierra looks down. She doesn't see anything wrong with the wicker-seated furniture, but Shay's hearing is dialed in well above hers. Any minor creak in the structure, and he'll know. "I don't think that's a good idea." He wants blood, she wants a bite. That close, they'll drive each other crazy.  "Nothing about us is ever a good idea." Sometimes she hates how perceptive and honest he is. She had to get partnered with an infuriatingly emotionally intelligent vampire who can also be as dumb as a rock.  "Fine. I guess if you bite me you can drive us to someplace with a signal." "That's the spirit." Shay smiles, a weak imitation of his usual one, which tells her how much pain he's already in, but he's trying. "Not that that's what I'm going to do." She wouldn't hate it. In fact, she'd appreciate it. But it would only be putting off the inevitable.  She sits down on the edge of the bed, hands clenched white-knuckled around the edge of the mattress, her pinky finger brushing up against his.  Sooner rather than later, he's going to get worse. But for now, she can offer this much. At least they can be miserable together.

Asks list here!

[databridgemarketresearch-9876]