#Cloudy Day Time Lapse

[dk-thrive]

Twilight to Sunrise Time Lapse on Christmas Day. 6:15 to 8:00 am. 105 minutes in 24 seconds. 27° F. December 25, 2024. Cove Island Park, Stamford, CT. (@dkct25)

[witchpassing]

a request written for a kind patron, under the prompt "catgirl seeks help in the practice of Stillness, as she wants to part time as a maneki-neko".

The shop bell jingles as Jun shoulders in, shaking snow from her cloak, huffing against the cold. “Welcome to the Golden Coil Medicine Shop, young miss! How may this one serve - oh, it’s you. Hi, Jun.” The doll running the counter slides out of its ramrod posture with an inelegant little yawn. 

Jun snorts, hooking her hat onto the stand. “Aw, Ginseng, you’re not going to take my coat? I’m nearly a fully-certified witch now, y’know. You should keep it up with the young miss stuff, get yourself into the habit.” 

Ginseng sticks out a teal-blue tongue in answer. “The usual, it assumes,” it says, turning to the dark wall of lacquered drawers behind the counter, each one’s contents labelled in print-perfect doll handwriting. 

“The usual.” While Ginseng goes through the monthly routine, stepladder and scales and brown paper bag with label and seal, Jun’s eye wanders about the shop. Ginseng is always changing something or other about the decor in here - pre-Becoming, it was probably an interior designer or something - but the new addition this time is… really something. A poured-gold statue of a beckoning cat, the full shape and scale of a felinid woman kneeling upon a cushioned pedestal. Its upraised paw swings almost hypnotically, as if to the beat of an unheard metronome. 

A folded paper bag is pushed across the counter by finely jointed fingertips. “Crushed extract-of-venus, five grams. Enriched black cohosh, ten grams. Thank you for your custom, young miss.” Ginseng curtseys just slightly too deep to be sincere, the sarcasm of gesture that dolls do best, and Jun snorts. 

“See, now you’re getting it.” She folds the package into the witch-pocket beneath her coat, but she just - can’t take her eyes off that cat statue. “Hey, uh - what’s with the maneki-neko? It’s a bit, I don’t know…” 

“Striking?” Ginseng says, hopefully. 

“... Gaudy?” 

“Hey!” says the statue, and Jun jumps about a foot in the air. “Rude!” Its tail switches about the base of its pedestal, aggrieved. In motion, the glinting gold of its skin reveals itself to be… a considerable amount of fur-safe paint?

“Oh, what the fffff –” a witch must never swear, “- Cleo?” 

“Yes! Cleo!” says Cleo. “Aw, fuck, Jun, you really think I look gaudy?” 

“Uh - no, no, you look - gold’s a good colour on you. What’s going on?” 

“Oh, you two know each other?” Ginseng leans its elbows on the counter. “How droll. Jun, she’s the new part-timer. It’s really nothing to get worked up about.”

“Uh... huh. Cleo, I know you’re not getting the kind of money out of Ginseng that makes sitting on a pedestal all day worth it. What are you actually in this for?” A roll of glass eyes, as if Jun, having helped out here once or twice a week back before her workload got too heavy to manage, isn’t entirely qualified to opine on how Ginseng pays its shop’s part-timers.

“Well, y’see. I’m lucky now,” Cleo says, as if that explains it completely. Jun waits for some sort of elaboration on the thought, but she just takes advantage of the lapse in kayfabe to start preening her fur. 

"The customers have been petting her," Ginseng supplies. 

"Yeah! That too!” Cleo chirps.” C'mon, c'mon, you know you wannaaa-" 

As she tilts forward on her knees, head seeking Jun’s touch, the silver-chased bell hung upon her neck ribbon stirs into a chime; a high, pure tone that is somehow, for the two seconds for which it hangs in the air, the most important thing in the shop. When the sound fades, Cleo has rocked back into her luck-beckoning pose, swishing tail and twitching ears statue-steady, her eyes cloudy with the kind of deep, thought-ending calm that freewilled creatures do not attain without magical intervention.  

"I thought that bell looked familiar," Jun says. 

"Then - then you know as well as this one does that it's perfectly harmless!" Ginseng says, detecting the baleful note of consequences in the junior witch’s voice.

"You have attached a category-four cursed object to our mutual friend - which I loaned you, from my mistress’ collection - so that she can part-time at your master’s shop as a good luck charm." 

“She was so eager to start! And, and she’s been a huge hit with the customers, and you can’t expect a cat to master Stillness on her own overnight-”

“I’m telling your Miss.” 

“Noooo, Juuun.” 

“I am. You’re not wheedling me out of this, you wretch.” 

“C’mooonnn, it’s fine, she likes it…”

“I should kick your ass myself! Another shift’s worth of this and she’ll Become right here in the middle of the shop, and then what are you going to do, huh, tell your Lady she just walked in and did that–"

[theroseredreaper]

Hi! I heard about you from Ry-Ry’s recommendations! I’ve read some of your stuff and it seems really amazing! I’d like to have a piece of your work!

Could I have a Malleus and reader just watching the starry night skies, but Malleus is watching the stars in the reader’s eyes? I love him sm 💕💕 if not, completely understand! Don’t worry!

I’ll be reading your future posts! You have my support! 💕💕💕💕💕

(Main blog is @minimallyminnie, not this one by the way, in case I ever tag you in anything)

Stargazing (Malleus x Reader)

(A/N): I’m sorry it took so long to get to your request! I’m glad you like my writing!!! 🥰 Thank you for your support and mutual love for Malleus! I love him just as much, and your request inspired me greatly! I hope you enjoy!!

Reader is implied to be the player character/the prefect. Reader is written as someone who hasn’t had the chance to see the stars before.

“I must confess, sometimes I miss being able to see the stars while here at Night Raven College. As nocturnal fae make up the majority of the castle staff, there is little need for the halls to be lit at night. I often had a clear view of the stars from my bedroom window, when it wasn’t storming or cloudy.”

Malleus’s eyes were fixed on the sky above as you sat side by side on Ramshackle’s porch, your eyes fixed on his face as he spoke, hands just shy of touching each other. The two of you were weakly illuminated by the dim porch light, awake far beyond curfew. Malleus’s visits were always worth the cost of your sleep, in your opinion, though.

Tonight, he seemed wistful as he looked up at the sky.

“Do you feel homesick, when you look up at the sky?”

He smiles, a gentle tug of lips that you wouldn’t have noticed if you weren’t so focused on him.

“At times.” His eyes shift from the night sky as his head turns to meet your gaze. “Do you?”

You shake your head, thoughts scattering for a moment as he intertwines his fingers with yours.

“No. Even in another world, the sky is the same no matter where I go. It’s comforting, in a way, to be honest. But…”

Now you were the one looking up at the sky, cloudless and dark, faintly illuminated by the school building in the distance.

“I’ve never really had the chance to see the stars, actually. I’ve always lived in places with too many lights to see them.”

His lips parted for a moment as he blinked, his eyes turning to follow yours to look at the school building as he turned over that confession in his mind.

“I suppose as a diurnal species, the constant need for light during the night means that you cannot see the stars as you please.”

You nod, pulling your fingers from his just a bit to idly play with his hand.

“It’s kinda a shame, honestly. I guess it can’t be helped, but…I’d love to be able to see them one day.” You slot your hands back together, eyes glancing up to meet his for a moment before glancing away again just as quickly. “Especially the view in Briar Valley.”

Malleus gives your hand a gentle squeeze, his eyes seeming to glow as he gives you another smile. “You need only say when.”

The two of you lapsed into a content silence, pressing shoulder to shoulder as you both returned to looking up at the blank night sky, your joined hands a warm anchor in this dream-like bubble.

“Hm…would you join me, to some place further than our usual walk?” You look up at him, question dying on your tongue when faced with Malleus leaning into your space much closer than was good for your heart, his eyes aglow with excitement. “I know of a place here, with a clear view of the stars. I can take us right now, if you’d like.”

You had to take a moment to swallow, struggling to remember how to turn your thoughts into coherent speech. In the end, you can only manage a nod, ready to to stand, when Malleus grins and withdraws his hand from yours to quickly wrap his arm around your waist, tugging you close into his side. His murmuring into your ear to close your eyes is the only warning you get before his magic flashes and you feel weightless, Malleus’s arms around you the only support you have. You slowly open your eyes tentatively when you feel his feet settle on the ground just as the smell of the ocean hits your nose, and you can’t help the gasp that escapes you as you take in the sight before you.

“It’s beautiful, Malleus!” you whisper, leaning against him in your attempt to take in everything. To talk any louder would feel as though it would shatter this private moment with him.

Before you lay a blanket of stars, brightly indistinct like fluffy clouds of blue and purple, white and pink. They were so brilliantly plentiful that they were as though a master painter had created his magnum opus, a painting that one would never tire of looking at. You had no idea the night sky could be so colorful, or that the ocean waves and sandy shore could glitter like this under the glow of the moon and stars.

“It is,” he agreed, but his response came distractedly late. His eyes were much too focused on observing the stars that were reflected in your eyes as you looked up at them with open awe, a quiet smile on his face. He would have never thought he’d find a view he loved even more than looking up at the stars back home, before he met you.

“You saw skies like this all the time back home, huh?”

He hummed in another distracted response to your question. Curious to see if he was as in awe of the stars as you were, you turned your face to look at him, only to find his eyes already meeting yours. The surprise left you breathless.

“It’s a sight I’ll never tire of,” he says, the words so quiet that they would’ve been stolen by the sound of the waves cresting upon the shore if he hadn’t been holding you so close.

His eyes continued to remain fixed on yours.

Your lips part, an attempt to form a response, thoughts scattered and trying to not be further distracted by the way his eyes followed the movement of your lips.

“Can…” you hide your face against his shoulder, hiding from his tender gaze. “...can we come and watch the stars again soon? Just the two of us?”

The corners of his eyes crinkle in delight, nudging you with his shoulder to look up at him. As soon as you peeked at him, face warm with embarrassment, he took the opportunity to quickly press a kiss to your forehead.

“I’d love nothing more.”

(A/N): Once again, sorry it took so long! I hope you enjoyed it! :)

[remusjohnslupin]

💔 WYLER VALENTINE'S DAY EVENT 2024: Red

In hindsight, Wednesday should have expected this, with the ritual involving blood sacrifice and all. But still, it was rather alarming and fascinating to watch the colour return to Tyler's rotted skin, and the way blood surrounded every available surface on his skin a spiral-like pattern. So much red. If Wednesday liked any colour at all, the colour of his regenerating blood would be her favourite shade.

Her mother warned her that it would be messy, dangerous, not to mention she might not get the answers she sought. But even a whole decade after Tyler's death and Wednesday receiving his cryptic letters, during which time she went to college, became a published author, even got engaged for a time (a momentary lapse of judgement), she could not get their last meeting and those damned letters out of her head. Memories buzzed around her like a particularly persistent fly, and there were only two things she did with annoying things: ignore them, or grab them to crush them in her palm.

And, Wednesday thought as Tyler's eyes finally lost their cloudiness and he took a long, rasping breath, If his answers failed to satisfy, she had a sharp knife and a ready grave right here.

[3lle-l-black]

The Lapse (Part 2)

George Weasley x Reader

Part 1

Warnings: English isn't my first language, use of you/your, use of she/her sometimes, swear words, beginning writer/not reviewed 🧡

George slowly opens his eyes.

Head spinning a little, he looks around and mentally thanks when he realizes that he's in his own bed, even without know how he got there. George only remembers that you brought him home, the rest is all messed up. He turns around and sinks his face into the pillow, ‘Maybe if I don't move, my head will stop hating me’.

Luckily, George always dealt well with hangovers, he knew he would be fine soon. After a few minutes of complete silence, the bedroom door creaks and Fred slowly enters the room, looking for his brother with a glass of water in one hand.

"Are you awake yet?" — Fred's face lights up with a mischievous smile, and he gives the foot of the bed a little kick. George lets out a muffled grunt before turning over and sitting up. Fred's smile softens as he sits next to his brother on the bed, "Seriously, are you okay? When I arrived yesterday, you were already asleep."

"Yeah, just a little dizzy, but" — George reaches over and takes the glass from his brother's hand. "I think I had a dream" — He drinks the water in a hurry.

"A dream?"

"I dreamed that I told her that I like her," George speaks each word hesitantly, looking at the bottom of the empty glass. "Was it just a dream, right?" — He says placing the glass on the dresser next to the bed, his voice tinged with hope. Hope this isn't a memory messed up by alcohol. Hope that he hasn't ruined everything with you.

Don't get it wrong. He wants to tell you, he even has a plan to ask you out and tell you, a very elaborate plan, by the way. He just doesn't know when he'll do it. Fred gets lost in his own thoughts, eyes fixed on a corner of the room, trying to remember something that could help his brother.

"Well, when she said it was better for you to go home, you said you would only go with her" — Fred starts rambling about the last night. "You even preferred walking back instead of using magic, just so you could 'spend more time with her,' and I might have seen you hugging her as you left the bar. So I'm pretty sure it wasn't a dream."

George rub his face with his hands, letting out an indignant growl. Did he really tell you? What if you didn't want to talk to him anymore or felt uncomfortable around him from now on? As if Fred could hear his twin's thoughts, he pats George's back, trying to comfort him.

"It's not a bad thing, we both know you've wanted to say this for a while, and I know she likes you too," he pauses, even though you never said it out loud, he knows you do. "We are already adults, the excuse that you will wait to see if it isn't just teenage love doesn't work anymore."

"I know"

"Not even the excuse of making the store work first, or the excuse of waiting for the right moment, or"

"Okay, I understood" — George slaps his brother's chest with the back of his hand, not too hard, enough for Fred to stop talking.

"Aggressive" — Fred held his chest in false offense, "Get ready soon so we can open"

The rest of the day was lazy. The weather was cloudy, the cold outside contrasting with the warm atmosphere inside the WWW, making the place more cozy, the sky was threatening rain and the store was quieter than last week. Fred stopped in front of one of the huge windows, watching outside, while George went upstairs to clean up the mess left over from the weekend. Throughout the day, George remembered one thing or another that he had said to you, so he was trying to keep his mind busy to avoid serving a customer with a red face.

Somewhere between tidying up the last shelf and throwing away an empty box, George remembered you complaining about the difficulty of opening their front door. "Bloody hell" — He curses himself under his breath as he rubs his face, trying to shake off the shame of having hung onto you like a spoiled child. Or a clingy boyfriend.

George rests his forearms on the railing and lets his head fall between his shoulders, eyes fixed on the floor and his mind doing what it does best: coming up with a plan and thinking about you. As if the universe is in a good mood, the doorbell rings and a familiar voice, greeting Fred, can be heard.

Your voice, sending shivers down George's back.

He lifts his head, looking for you, his body reacting faster than he cares to admit. You enter WWW, immediately enveloped by the cozy warmth. You don't bother taking off your coat; there's a light rain outside and the stores are starting to close, so you wouldn't stay long.

"I just stopped by to say hi," you greet Fred and look around, missing the other redhead.

When your eyes meet and George realizes you've caught him looking at you, a shy smile plays on his lips. You smile back waving at him, trying to decide between to face the situation head-on or pretend nothing happened.

"I came to see if you were okay. Are you ok?" — There's a playful tone in your voice, you really care, but seeing George awkward like that is funny and a little cute. He clears his throat and composes himself before answering you.

"Yes, and you? It's late. Are you going home?" — You live in an apartment above your own store, similar to the twins' place. It isn't that far from the WWW but it was already dark, and even though he knew you knew how to protect yourself, George was always worried about you walking alone.

"Yeah, I planned to walk back, but the day was busy, it got dark in the blink of an eye, so..."

"Do you want company?" — A wave of confidence hits George, "They say I'm great company, if you want..."

Fred, behind you, shoots a quick OK sign and an exaggerated wink towards George. It takes you a few seconds to respond, the idea of talking about yesterday appearing in your mind, a mix of emotions hitting you.

"Okay, I'd love to," you say.

George goes downstairs, picks up his jacket that was leaning on a counter, and puts it on, while you head towards the exit. Before you can open the door, George arrives first and opens it for you. Taking care of you has always come naturally to him.

You made small talk most of the way. You talked about the weather, the new store in the alley, everything except what had been on your mind all day. That is, until a couple passed by you – a drunk girl and a boy helping her. They laugh as she hugs his arm, almost making them fall.

They walk away and a silence settles, broken only by the light rain and the sounds of shoes on the wet ground.

"About last night, I'm sorry for making you take care of me," George says as you walk side by side, using the storefronts as an umbrella from the fine rain. He swallows hard. It had always been easy to talk to you; he didn’t know why it was so difficult now.

"It's okay, I don't mind. You leaned on me like a koala, but I like taking care of you," you reply throwing him a small smile. You know George would always help you, why wouldn't you do the same for him? What you don't know is what this simple sentence did to George.

He feels amazing, like every time he is with you. His heart races, and a warmth spreads through his chest.

"And what I said..." George speaks slowly, analyzing your reaction. You click your tongue as if you don't care but start fiddling with your fingers nervously. It wasn't hard to fall in love with George; even Fred jokes about you acting like lovers since your 4th year at Hogwarts. But since he didn't make the first move, you conclude that you've fallen in love alone.

"There's no need to worry, Georgie. I don't believe the words of drunk people", you say, crossing the street and looking down, suddenly finding the floor very interesting. But George stops. Something clicks in his head with your sentence; he doesn't want you to think it was a lie. George would never lie about it.

Damn, he had to be exhausted and drunk to be able to tell you, but he meant it. George is really good at doing stupid things; luckily, he's also good at solving them. Maybe he can fix the mess he made yesterday.

"I'm not drunk now" he says loudly, making you stop. George tenses as you turn to him with a confused look on your face, the drizzle catching you now, "If I say it again now, would you believe it?"

"Are you serious? Like, do you really mean it?" — Your voice comes out louder than you expected, you weren't mad, just surprise. The possibility that you are hallucinating crosses your mind, but the sincerity in George's eyes tells you otherwise. George didn't want to hide this from you anymore, even if it made you hate him. If you want to hit him for ruining your friendship, Merlin knows he would let you.

You take a deep breath. "I would believe"

He lets out a breath he didn't even know he was holding. George looks at you with wide eyes, like a deer caught in headlights, trying to process the situation.

"I wanna be" — Before he can finish, the drizzle turns into heavy rain, drowning out the noise around you and soaking your clothes. Without hesitation, George grabs your hand and runs towards your place, the rain and his gentle touch catching you off guard. Luckily, your store isn't far away and has a large facade where you can escape the rain.

As soon as we both huddle under the shelter, bursting into laughter, he lets go of my hand to fix some strands of hair that stuck to his face, and I have to hold myself back so I don't grab him again. "Don't worry, you're already pretty enough" — I say as George uses the window as a mirror. I run my fingers through my wet hair and wipe the cold water off my face as much as I can.

George let out a chuckle, "And people say I'm the flirt" — He says shaking his head, as if in disbelief. How can someone be so idiotic and handsome at the same time?

"Cause you're" — He turns to me with his eyes wide and his jaw dropped, if I didn't know George, I would be worried. Quickly, his expression changes to a proud one, he shrugs with a smug smile, enjoying the compliment. We stand in front of each other, the cold breeze passes through both of us and although the wet clothes are starting to bother me, I don't want to leave here. Not without knowing first.

Maybe I shouldn't have waited for him to take the initiative, maybe I should do it, I'll do it.

"So," — I keep my hands in my pockets, trying to ignore the cold, trying to look more confident. "You were saying..."

"I was saying that... we can be more, you know?" — He plays with his eyebrows making me laugh. George has a calm smile that contrasts with the hesitant step he takes closer to me. I wanna tell him that he can stop with the nonsense.

Go direct to the point.

But what's the fun in that?

"Hmm? What do you wanna be?" — I lean in, letting my hands draw circles on his chest as I try to calm my heart. His body feels warm against the slightly cold weather around us; 'I feel my body getting warm too'. George catches on to my teasing, the expression changing, a lustful gleam passing through his eyes.

His gaze shifts from my eyes to my lips and I have to take a deep breath, George gently places his hands on each side of my waist and pulls me closer. Our chests touch and I'm sure George can feel my heart racing, the tension between us palpable in the air, crackling like electricity.

"You know what I want, sweet"

"Yeah, but I want to hear it. I need to hear you say it"

"Fuck..." — George's breath catches against my skin. He leans in, your mouth hovers over my ear. Knowing the effect this would have on me, he whispers

"I wanna be yours"

The heart skipping a beat, George's warm breath sending shivers down your spine, and for a moment you lose your breath. You turn your faces at the same time. Eye contact returns, but the confident pose and provocative look that you had a few seconds ago is gone.

George could admire you for hours from this position, but now was not the time for that, without hesitation, he closed the gap between you and captured your lips in a passionate kiss, making a sigh escape you. Your hand instinctively reached out, fingers curling around a fold of his coat.

George holds your hand tightly, as if you could disappear, holding on to the one he always wanted and wouldn't let go so soon now that he finally has.

And it feels so right.

Like you always should have been here.

Your tongues explore each other and George's hand travels over your body, hugging your waist. The feeling of his lips on yours is soft, his touch is soft, in contrast to the hunger for the kiss. The intensity of the kiss slowly fades, and with one last peck, you reluctantly part, but George doesn't move away from you.

He rests his forehead on yours, the breaths mingling with the cold wind, you stayed like that for a while, enjoying the moment, in no rush to separate. George lets out a low muffled laugh as you wrapped your arms around his waist inside the suit, you're still feeling the heat of the moment, but now the breeze is starting to get to you. George's face lights up with the same pretty smile you've always loved.

He admires you with red cheeks and ear tips. 'I must not look different', you think, looking at him with a downcast gaze. George hugs you and you snuggle into his chest. "Are you cold?" — He asks, adjusting the sides of his jacket around you as much as he can.

"Yes" — You pause, gathering the courage to ask, "It's really cold out here, do you want to come in?"

"Come in? Like... just until the rain stops or spending the night?” — George jokes, unable to stop looking at you, with a twinkle in his eyes. 'You shift your weight from one foot to the other muttering a low drawl 'yeah'.

"I don't know, I just want to spend more time with you, If you don't wanna"

Before you can finish, George interrupts you, "If I ever say no to you, I want you to take your wand and curse me. I'm talking about an Avadra" — You laugh loudly pushing him lightly.

···•···

Bônus: "Just so you know, if you hadn't slept, you would have heard me say I wanted to be more than friends sooner, idiot." — You say with a wide smile on your face looking for the key in your coat pocket.

"I was exhausted. You're lucky I turned off after we were already inside the house." — George says, hugging you from behind and purposely making it difficult for you to open the door.

···•···

This should have been post sooner but oh well, I posted, that's what matters It's my first time writing a kiss and I don't think it's amazing but it was fun to do so... i hope you like 🧡

[kaittalkstoomuch]

SO SORRY FOR THE DELAY! It’s okay though, cause it’s live now! Here is chapter 2. Chapter 3 will be out April 5th!

Chapter Two

Tw: The Winter Soldier, being sedated. Flashbacks.

I go into my room to grab a few essentials for the trip. Pepper spray, a pair of clothes just in case, a jacket, of course a bag to bring my stuff in and the red journal. The one Bucky supposedly gave me while in HYDRA. Why can’t I remember him? A question that’s been going on in my head since he started flooding my mind as of recent.

I go to my little nook where my books and research are. My mother managed to dig it out of the remains of our home in California. When I moved to the Compound, I didn’t want to decorate my room the exact same way. It would remind me of when I was abducted. California would remind me of it. I couldn’t go back.

I couldn’t do that to myself or my family, to relive that painful part of my life. I just want to move forward from it. So, with that being said, why couldn’t I move on from Bucky? I should be terrified of him. I understand with trauma, my memory would be foggy. I have lapses, of course, but it shouldn’t be this bad. Ironically, my dreams are what comfort me. I grip on the dog tag as I get my stuff and get out of my room.

“Hey, you ready?” Steve asks. “Yeah. I got my journal and some of the letters too. I figured they could help.” We walk to the quinjet. “Brilliant. As long as this helps you. That’s all that matters.” I nod and then look at my phone. My father texted me asking me how my appointment went.

“Good. We’ve made some progress.” “I’m so happy to hear that, sweetheart. I’ll be coming up in the next couple of days to see you.” “Awesome! I can’t wait to see you. I love you.” “I love you too.”

I lightly smile at the phone before the feeling of unease envelops me, as I lay my eyes on the quinjet. Suddenly, the world zooms out and then blurs. I’m in my own head. Get me out. Get me out.

“Okay, Agent Stark, you may feel a pinch.” Melina injects a sedative into my arm. “Do you feel anything? Any dizziness?” She asks as she gingerly places a hand on my shoulder. “I’m a little woozy, but I guess it’s the nerves over my first mission.” Melina rubs my arm. “You will do great. Dreykov is very pleased with your progress. Very obedient.”

My handler, the Winter Soldier, barges in seemingly ready to collect me as I go into unconsciousness. “Is she ready?” He asks in a demanding tone. “Yes Soldier, she’s ready.” He forcefully grabs my arm, but I yank it away. “I don’t need your help.” I growl as I stand up and tell Melina I’d see her later.

“What the hell is your problem?” He snarls as we walk into the hallway leading to the jet. “You know exactly what my fucking problem is.” He grabs my forearm with his metal hand, making me yelp. “Let go of me.” “Don’t be a fucking brat then, дорогая.”

I start to see the dots in my vision. My body starts to feel lightweight and heavy at the same time. “Oh here we go.” I hear the Winter Soldier speak before we board the jet. He lays me on the floor and checks my pulse. “I’m so sorry.” I hear him whisper before I blackout as I feel being lifted into the air.

“Clare…” I hear a voice echoing. “Clare.” When I come to focus, it’s Steve holding my forearm making sure I’m okay. “Are you okay?”

I look at my surroundings. I am safe. “Yeah…. Just a… flashback.” “Do you want to talk about it?” “Maybe once we’re up in the air.” I say before we walk onto the quinjet and settle in. I have to keep telling myself I’m safe and no longer in the Red Room. That I’m not being sedated to keep the location a secret. I am alive. I am okay.

I examine everything as I sit in the front. I grip onto the arms of the chair, looking straight ahead. A little cloudy, but it's broad daylight. When we’d go on missions in the Red Room, it felt as if it was night time. However, that could have been the sedative.

Steve sits down in the chair beside me, I flinch a bit. “Oh, sorry. Did I scare you?” He asks while putting a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Yeah… a bit… I’m sorry.” Steve has a puzzled look. “Why are you sorry?”

I think back to those times. “When I was in the Red Room, they would knock us out every time we’d leave and come back. Waking up not knowing where you are is scary. But, waking back up in that place was pure hell. It was a hell you couldn’t escape. I’m sure Natasha told you about her time in there, so you can imagine what it was like…. But then getting thrown into HYDRA was an even worse hell.”

I don’t even notice that I’m shaking. It takes Steve to snap me out of it to see it. “Hey, you’re okay. You’re safe now, okay? And besides, you can kick ass now.” I give him a shit eating grin. “Language.”

“Who told you about that?” Just when I’m about to answer, it’s answered for me by my big sister. “Me.” I’m not surprised that Natasha's coming. In fact, I’m ecstatic. As much as I love Wanda, I’ve known Natasha since I was fifteen, since she was undercover as Natalie Rushman. My dad didn’t like me hanging out with her and basically idolizing her, but my mother thought it was good.

“Nat, what are you doing here?” I ask not trying to hide my excitement. “Steve thought you needed moral support. And who is better than me?” Yep, exactly.

“So, you were in love with the Winter Soldier, huh?” She sits on the chair next to mine. I spin mine to face her. “Supposedly, yes. We have a theory that HYDRA put me in a hypnotic state to somehow configure my memories of Bucky and how we were possibly in love.”

Natasha looks at me considerably. “So, we’re taking a field trip to D.C. to get her memory going?” “Her therapist recommended it. It could help her PTSD and make sense of it.” Steve says as he gets the controls ready. “We at least have to tell Tony.”

“No.” I stop Nat. “Not just yet, okay? I know one of your conditions, or really mine, is to keep him in the loop of my whereabouts. But, I already told him my appointment went well. He said he’s coming over in a couple of days.” “Could I at least tell him we’re going to D.C. on a little trip?” “Sure. I just want to be completely sure of everything before I tell him.”

“Okay Clarebear. I got you.” She does, truly. Has since I was fifteen and I hated that Justin Hammer fucker. My father worked incredibly hard on those suits. There was no way Hammer was gonna get his grubby hands on them. “Are we ready for take off?” Steve asks. Natasha and I buckle our seatbelts. “Yes, captain.” I say as we lift off.

[bloos-bloo]

This is kinda based off BBH’s stream today btw- more specifically, the scene where he has a memory lapse with the pillagers:

The night sky gently brushed through the windows. It’s soft light nudging it’s way throughout the room. The demon laid on a sleeping bag in the middle of this spiral tower. It’s been a day- spending time with his roommates, learning that he’s stuck on an island, learning that there’s bears and rabbits that act like a government. It was great.

Yet the uneasy feeling he had when he locked eyes with a lone pillager. It’s crossbow pointed directly at the demon. Bad tossed and turned on the sleeping cot- his hands slowly gripping onto his pillow.

A memory of endless white snow piling up underneath a vast black sky. His breathe clouding up his vision as he watched his blood spill over the floor, nearly matching the red carpet below. In front of him- a top hat backed into a corner. His little hands holding up a sword that was 2x as big as her.

“NO!” Bad shouted as his body collapsed. Waking up in a red bed surrounded by white pillows. He ran towards the mansion.

“Dapper! Crawl to the entrance!” The demon shouted, a pillager swiftly plunging arrows into his back.

“FUDGE!” He cried- his body limp on the floor. “Dapper- Crawl! You have to CRAWL!”

The demon continued shouting.

Watching in agony as his son held up her sword. The pillager knocking him down- the clang of the metal ringing throughout the room.

“NO!! DAPPER PLEASE!” Bad screamed, once again waking up with a jolt on the red bed. White pillows, cloudy breath.

“CRAWL TO THE ENTRANCE!”

The demon ran.

The image of the pillager’s smile as it drove a sword through his back.

The image of the little egg forced into a corner.

The image of her eyes welling up with tears.

The Vindicator stepping towards her.

Blood stains.

Dapper was slain by a Vindicator

“NO!” He wept, his knees weak from the message. “NO NO NO- DAPPER!!”

The demon cried, wiping his eyes as his fists slammed into the snow below. He felt a little tug as he beat at the ground. Each tug growing more frantic than the last.

“NO! NO NO!” He screamed, thinking the pillagers and vindicator found him outside. His fists going wild on the ground. He felt his hands be pinned- his eyes streaming at this point.

“DAPPER!”

He felt his palm being forced open, rapid tapping followed soon after.

“I’m here!”

Bad gasped as his eyes shot wide open. The sleeping bag underneath him nearly ripped to shreds- the remains of it left over his claws.

It took a minute before his vision caught up with his brain. His tears still streaming down his face as he looked up. In front of him, holding his palm in her tiny hands- messy hair and tear filled eyes, was Dapper. Next to her, a concerned filled expression- red and blue blushed cheeks and neatly braided locks, was Pomme.

“I’m here. I’m here. It’s- It’s ok.. It was all a bad dream.” Dapper continued to tap on Bad’s palm. Bad taking the time to recollect his breath and wipe the tears away.

“I- I’m sorry. Was I too loud-? I didn’t- mean to wake you two…” He trailed.

Pomme shook her head, Dapper continued tapping. “No, it’s ok. We heard you calling me- and- we knew you were in distress.”

Bad clutched the tattered sleeping mat, “I- Thank you.. I never- had someone.. care so much about me.”

Pomme smiled. Holding up a little sign for her father to read. “Would you like for us to stay with you?”

The demon winced- he didn’t want to be a bother. Especially with how well these two have been treating him.

“I- I wouldn’t want to bother you guys- I’ll be fi-“

“Nope. We’re staying.” Dapper interrupted. Next thing he knew, both kids were lying on each side of the creature. Their faces carefully nudged on each side.

Bad felt a small ping in his chest- for some reason, this felt familiar. Everything about this felt right- but he couldn’t place why. He carefully laid back, his eyes gazing over the star decorations. The sun’s early morning light carefully kissing it hello.

The demon couldn’t help but wrap an arm around each child.

He smiled, his eyes fluttering shut. “Thank you- kids.”

[clumsiestgiantess]

Day 23; share a story with an nonhuman character!

Here’s another piece for the DNAliens universe! This one’s a rather short story of how Aethra got her first human pet!

Aethra knew Eracin specifically told her not to bother the village of humans to the north.  “Let them be,” she’d said, “You will only scare them off if you get much closer.”  Eracin was on a long trip to the western lands at the moment, however.  There was no one around to turn Aethra away from her temptations.  After five days of intently watching the village of humans, she’d finally found the perfect pet.

He was a young male, long fluffy fur covered his head like a vale, and he was oh so cute.  Aethra had her eye on him for a while now — from the moment the new humans had arrived.  Today was the perfect day to adopt him.  It was both cloudy and foggy, which created the perfect cover for her to sneak close enough to bring him home.  The silly little humans probably wouldn’t even realize he was missing.  Even if they did, they reproduced quickly enough that they wouldn’t miss him for very long.  Slinking quietly through the heavy fog like a predator on the hunt, Aethra positioned herself on a path that led directly into the village.  Once her little human came this way, he would undoubtedly fall directly into her clutches.

At the same moment Aethra situated herself on one of the hunting trails, the human she wanted so badly, Jin, was packing up for a three-day hunting expedition with two of his friends.  They’d almost postponed the expedition till tomorrow, but the rainy season was getting closer with each day.  The moment the first storm hit, the river would be too flooded for them to cross.  It was now or never. 

His younger brothers cried out one last time for Jin to take them with him.  His mother kissed him gently on the head and made him promise to return home safely.  He might have returned perfectly unharmed if he and his friends had taken a different trail.  He also might’ve died a horrible death at the claws of some unknown beast.  There’s really no way to know what might’ve become of Jin if he’d taken another trail, but he had just so happened, on that particular foggy morning, to take the same trail Aethra was guarding.

Jin had been joking with the others about what they would find in the vast new territory, when his mind suddenly drew a blank.  Who was he?  Where was he?  Why was he here?  Oh, right.  He was walking into the woods, heading south to a large cavern. 

This lapse in memory was caused by Aethra’s unique ability to make others think her own will is theirs.  She was delighted when her little human came wandering through the fog right to her side.  Continuing onward to her home in the caves of the large southern mountain range, Aethra and her unsuspecting human traveled kilometers without a single break.  The 5 meter tall being could complete the journey fairly easily, but the human struggled to keep up, even with Aethra’s ability tugging him onwards further than his usual stamina would carry him.  Right before nightfall, the pair finally arrived at the cave that would now house them both.

After a long drink of water from a natural pool nearby, Aethra returned to her faithfully waiting pet.  Once she deemed everything ready, she released the human from her influence.  “What..  Where am I?” Jin gasped, aching and out of breath though he wasn’t sure why. The moment he was let go, Jin had instantly recalled everything he’d forgotten, but this place was still foreign to him.  He looked around every which way, trying to find out what happened, when his gaze landed on Aethra.  The human cried out in alarm, scrambling backwards as the creature sidled closer.  

“Stay back!” Jin cried, brandishing his hunting knife.  The strange being drifted backwards slightly, suspended in the air by her many lean tails, eyes wide in confused fear.  Briefly, Jin forgot who he was again.  The next time he regained his own thoughts, his hunting knife was gone, as were the rest of his possessions that he'd brought with him for the trip.  Not only that, he found himself suddenly much closer to the being than he’d been before.  Jin realized in shock that whatever kept happening to his mind must be this creature's doing.

"There there little thing, it's alright," Aethra said clamingly, "You do not have to attack me, I do not want to hurt you."  Jin spoke a completely different language, however.  The only thing her comforting words did was make him more anxious.  "Come with me.  I will show you your new home."  The human had no idea what this creature wanted from him, but it didn't seem vicious.  Suddenly, Jin was nudged forwards by one of Aethra's many appendages.  

"Where are you taking me?" he asked cautiously, but the strange being only made an amused noise before continuing to guide him in the direction of a cave nearby.  He might've been more scared if the cave was dark and cryptic, filled with bones and smelling of death, but the cavern she took him to was furnished with strings of welcoming glowing lanterns.  There were countless carpets covering the cold stone floor, and various strange shining contraptions lining the walls.  Jin had never seen anything like it.  The cave was decorated in the same fashion as a palace.

Aethra happily guided the human through their home, showing him all the little things she'd prepared for him.  He seemed most fascinated with her padrings, which were secured in their charging stand at the moment.  "I just knew you were the one the moment I saw you!" she gasped, watching her pet explore his new home, "You are so cute!  Yes you are!" 

Excited by the human's interest in her things, she pulled out two items she'd made specially for him.  Well, for any pet really, but they were his now.  She placed down a little bed for him in the corner next to her own, and scooped him up, placing a homemade collar around his neck.  Now, he was officially hers.  The human squirmed in her grasp, so she placed him back down with a small sigh.  "Aww, you do not like being picked up?  I will train you to like it eventually, but right now I think you have had enough excitement for today, right little guy?"

As Aethra sweet-talked her nonsense, Jin was beginning to panic.  When he first saw the being's strange glittering possessions, he thought she might be a lesser goddess, or princess of some otherworldly realm like in the stories his mother told to his younger brothers.  He thought he'd finally found a real adventure.

Then, the being pulled out a pillow-like bed that seemed vaguely similar to the ones given to the village dogs to sleep on, though they were not nearly as exquisite.  Jin put the uneasy thought to rest, but it quickly resurfaced once the being pulled out a little band that was very clearly a collar.  Before he could run, she'd wrapped him in her tangling appendages, and forced it onto his neck.  This creature hadn't brought him here to bestow him with a magical gift or secret wisdom like the stories.  She'd abducted him here so she could make him into some kind of pet!

The second she put him down, Jin raced full-speed out of the cave.  Upset cries echoed from behind him, but he didn't dare turn around.  Still unsure where exactly he was, Jin picked a direction and ran.  He was one of the fastest in his village, so it wasn't too surprising that he'd soon left that monster in the dust.  However, night was falling fast, and Jin didn't have his flint anymore.  It had been taken by the creature along with the rest of his things.

Aethra herself was now in a state of panic as well.  She hadn't seen which direction her pet had bolted off to.  She assumed his swift exit had something to do with her picking him up, and he was simply being overdramatic .  Thankfully, as the evening faded to the dark of night, Aethra gained a crucial advantage.  According to both her and Eracin’s studies, humans couldn't see very well in the dark, and they were diurnal, meaning her human would probably stop to hide somewhere for the night.  She also has vision much better-suited to the dark.  It wouldn't be long before she found her pet again.

Despite what Aethra thought she knew, Jin didn't stop once night fell, even as the sun disappeared over the horizon.  He didn't plan to ever stop running until he got back to the village — wherever it was.  Unfortunately, a few miles into his journey he'd tripped over a root sticking out of the ground that he hadn't seen in the growing dark.  His leg twisted painfully as he fell — knocked unconscious.

When he woke, he found himself swaying to a strange rhythm of footsteps.  At first he thought in relief that someone had found him and he was being carried back home.  His hopes were shattered once he opened his eyes.  The monster was carrying him to her home.  Quickly, Jin shut his eyes, pretending he hadn't yet woken up.  Whenever the creature set him down, he would spring into action and escape back into the forest.  Eventually, Aethra did set her human down for a moment to rest.  Her arms were starting to get tired of carrying him.  "Why have you not woken yet?" she asked the unconscious human, turning to find empty space.

"What!?  Where have you gone?  I know I put you right here!"  Suddenly, a cry echoed from the trees nearby.  Soon, Aethra caught up to her runaway pet.  He wasn't moving very fast now.  Examining him more closely as he fell to the ground, she could see that one of his legs had been twisted painfully out of shape.

"Oh you poor thing!" Aethra cried, watching as the human struggled to get back up.  "Come now child, you will wear yourself out.  Let me take you home."  Her small human protested and writhed the entire way back, but once she laid him down on his bed, he went limp, groaning in agony.  Aethra quickly grabbed some natural medicine from one of her shelves.  She wanted so badly to give him some of her own medicine — the kind that could heal broken bones within a few minutes — but he was still a wild creature.  Who knew how his body would handle the foreign substance?

She did the best she could with the healing remedies made from things of her pet's own planet.  In time he would get better.  He drifted back into unconsciousness again, so there was really nothing much to do besides wait.  While her human was sleeping, Aethra made sure to block the bottom of the entrance to her cavern with a few small boulders — tall enough to keep her pet inside, but not so tall that she couldn’t slip over them.  This way, her human couldn't run away and hurt himself anymore.  If luck was on her side, she could have him healed up before Eracin returned.

[cookies-over-yonder]

Walk in the Park

CO-WRITTEN BY @silverlistenstothings

Nicky chooses the wrong dialogue option while chatting with Taylor.

Part 22 of The Mortifying Ordeal of Being Roommates

ao3

Maybe kicking a ball around was a no-go for Taylor, but the park still seemed like a good idea, no sports required. It’s a nice day, slightly cloudy and not too hot, so it’s as good a time as ever to take Taylor out for a little picnic, Nicky figures. He even planned ahead this time, though he’s starting to think he should have planned more. But creating a bullet list of conversation topics to bring up with your son is definitely lame, right?”

"So, um, how's school?"

Is that what people are supposed to ask their kids? Nicky wonders, sitting at a park bench with Taylor, who's finishing up his takeout sushi from a restaurant nearby.

 

"'S fine,” Taylor says around a mouthful of rice. 

 

"That's good, uh…"

 

How are you doing?

 

Are you holding up okay after everything?

 

"What do you think of the blue sky?"

 

"Uhh, it's weird,” Taylor responds, glancing balefully up at it. 

 

"I grew up with it looking like this, you know."

 

"Mm,” Taylor hums. He’s losing him. 

 

"Do you… miss it being red?"

 

"I guess, yeah… I dunno. It's weird, because technically this sky is the—" he does air quotes, " normal sky, but I don't… like it… I mean—sorry—I dunno—"

 

Taylor scratches at the back of his neck and directs his gaze to the empty takeout container on his lap.

 

"That's okay, kiddo,” Nicky reassures. “I get it, you know?"

 

"Mm."

 

Taylor is biting at his lip now, staring back up at the sky.

 

"I mean, everything was like, uh, super weird for me when the sky turned red, so, like, yeah."

 

There's a look of unease on Taylor's face—furrowed eyebrows and a slight frown—and he's got this faraway gaze that wasn't there before.

 

Nicky concludes that attempting this conversation was a bad idea, if his silence is any indication.

 

Fuck. He’s blowing this so bad already. 

 

Then Taylor's head tilts, as a bird flies by, and he's following it with his gaze. It’s small and brown, kind of orange around the head and the base of its tail. He’s sure that Sparrow told him what it was in another lifetime, but Nicky has no idea now. 

 

"I think that's a, uh… california towhee,” Taylor offers, a bit weakly, trying to regain his usual confidence. It doesn’t really work, but Nicky is more than willing to take the distraction. 

 

"Do you like birds?"

 

"Hermie does,” Taylor corrects, relaxing a little.

 

“Oh yeah?” Nicky wouldn’t have guessed that. They always seemed to be the other kind of nerd. 

 

“Yeah. They were telling me about sparrows the other day,” Taylor confirms, smiling slightly. “They’re really smart, they know a lot about birds.” 

 

Nicky hums, and they lapses back into silence, paying slightly closer attention to the sounds of the birds around them this time. 

 

A gust of wind blows through, and Taylor shivers. Nicky knows better than anyone how cold-sensitive being part-demon makes you. 

 

"Say, you wanna head back to my place and watch some anime?"

 

Taylor locks eyes with Nicky, and they're so full of light. The vacancy from earlier seems to have left them completely… or the light is bright enough to hide it.

 

“Hell yeah,” Taylor says with a grin. 

 

And so they leave, and Nicky resolves to save his earlier line of conversation for another time. He should check up on his son, and he will, just not right now.

 

Definitely.

[jahayla-parker]

Bewitched Love : Peter Parker x Reader

Part 30

Bewitched Love Series Navigation

SPOILER FROM LAST PART & NEW MOODBOARD BELOW THE CUT!

Desc. & Warnings: 1.8k wc, see navigation for description and warnings

Recap:

“I love you,” Peter told y/n, finally able to say it back to her now that they were together again. His cheeks flushed crimson but his smile was so bright and wide it made his dimples and smile lines shine through the cloudy New York City day.

Y/n giggled and promptly pulled Peter to her. She closed her eyes as her lips met his, both of them smiling into the kiss. Y/n hooked her fingers in Peter’s hair, earning an innocent moan as he scooted impossibly closer.

Y/n squinted as she waited for Peter to react. She’d told him a few minutes ago that she wasn’t sure which spell she had done allowed her to remember him. It might’ve been the one from her Book of Shadows that was designed to counterbalance Strange’s forgetting spell. Or it might’ve been her mentally conjured salvation spell/longing. Either way, it has worked and that’s what mattered.

However, that’s not what had y/n awaiting his response. Instead, it was that she had confessed that she lapsed in her confidence a bit during the first spell. Well, that and the fact that she also told Peter how she hadn’t focused very hard on ensuring Ned and MJ remembered him. Y/n admitted that she while she had at least attempted to add their friends into the counterspell, she’d selfishly primarily focused most of her efforts on her own memory of Peter.

Peter noticed y/n’s nervous energy and set his hand on her shoulder. About a half hour ago, they’d realized that Ned and MJ didn’t remember Peter after all. Y/n had given him privacy as he stopped in the cafe MJ worked at in hopes of seeing their friends. While they’d been there, Peter quickly picked up that they didn’t remember him. He’d left promptly the cafe after that, y/n guiding him to the park bench they were at now.

Peter would be lying if he said he wasn’t a bit upset his friends truly had forgotten him. But, he could tell y/n felt horrible and responsible for such an event.

“Hey, hey,” Peter hummed, eyes soft as y/n cautiously looked up at him. “It’s okay,” he promised, holding a finger up when she tried to argue. “It is. This time I knew what I was getting into when I asked Strange to do the spell,” Peter reminded her, “and I stand by it”.

“But,” y/n sighed, running a hand through her hair. “I.. I was supposed to help them not forget, and I-… I was selfish, I know you wanted-” she mumbled.

Peter shook his head. “Stop,” he whispered. “Deliciae, your spell, your role in all of this was to try and make the outcome better,” Peter argued. “Which you did! Y/n, I don’t know what I would’ve done if you didn’t remember me, remember us. You took care of the most important part of that, I love our friends… But you, I told you, I can’t lose you.”

Y/n wiped a tear that fell as she heard Peter’s reassurance. “Are you sure? You’re okay with me being the only one who remembers you?” She questioned.

Peter nodded, “I am”. “I’m so fucking relieved that you remember us, me, our experiences, I-I,” he exclaimed breathily. “It hurts to know Ned and MJ won’t. But, I would’ve been absolutely devastated if you’d forgotten me… I don’t know how-“ Peter laughed lightly and shook his head. “Actually, I do,” he interrupted himself.

Peter learned forward and grabbed y/n’s face in his hands. “If you had forgotten me, I’d have been miserable. But, I wouldn’t have stopped trying to get you to remember me until I tried everything I could think of. And even then,” he promised, a smile forming on his blushing face. “Even then, I would only shift my efforts towards getting you to fall for me all over again. I trust what you said about how you fell for me and not for what I can do or for being Spider-Man. So, I’d find a way back into your life and start over, from scratch if that’s what it took.”

Y/n sucked in her lips as she lovingly shook her head in disbelief. She watched as Peter tenderly stroked her cheeks to dry her tears. “I- I seriously am…” she laughed and took a moment to compose herself. “I’m in love with you Peter Benjamin Parker,” y/n said. “So unbelievably in love,” she murmured as she leaned in for a kiss.

As they parted, Peter grinned widely. “And I, maga meae cordis, am so immensely in love with you, y/n y/m/n y/l/n.”

“Are you sure about this?” Y/n asked as she and Peter walked, her elbow hooked through his.

Peter took a deep breath and nodded continuing their walk to the cafe. “I need to see them at least one more time,” he said.

Y/n hummed softly, trying to tuck her chin down far enough to lift her scarf over her nose without removing her hand from Peter or her pocket. “I meant, we could tell them. It might take time, but I’d help.”

Peter stopped walking and turned to y/n without breaking apart their interlocked elbows. He smiled lovingly at his sweet girlfriend. “I appreciate that love, I do,” he admitted. He placed a soft kiss on y/n’s frozen nose before lifting her scarf up until it covered her nose. “But, it’s safer this way. They won’t be in danger. They can still know about your abilities if you want-” he offered.

Y/n stepped back into Peter’s side after he placed the scarf over her lower face. “No, I don’t want to explain that again. Plus, like you said, it’s safer this way,” she agreed. While she felt bad for keeping her secret from her friends who technically knew at one point, she knew Peter was right.

Y/n had not anticipated their friends forgetting about her powers after Strange’s spell. But, it made sense. The spell erased any memory of Peter and Spider-Man. Meaning, the memory of trip in which Ned learned about y/n’s abilities from when she told Ned in front of Peter no longer existed for Ned.

Similarly, y/n had told MJ of her powers in order to help explain the incidents that occurred during said school trip. She’d done so after the trip but at the same time Peter was answering her questions about him being Spider-Man. Which, for obvious reasons, meant that memory too was erased now.

Y/n and Peter had learned of this a week ago, after they’d realized Ned and MJ didn’t remember Peter. The couple had read through y/n’s Book of Shadows and talked with her parents about how Strange’s spell would work.

Y/n’s parents hadn’t initially remembered Peter. However, Peter had been okay with this as he felt it sped him to properly meet them unlike he had given the chaos following their Europe trip. Y/n did catch them up as much as she could, giving them the generic rundown of events. When they started to question her sanity, y/n used a spell to help them remember; only after she forced them to teach her how to do so without complications.

Y/n and Peter shared a look before he opened the cafe door for them. She walked in, lowering her scarf to smile at their friends. Y/n walked to to the counter to greet MJ. “Uhh, hey,” she mumbled shyly, trying to figure out how to go about this. “This,” y/n waved to Peter behind her, “is… Uhh my boyfriend, Peter”.

MJ nodded slowly, shooting Ned a confused glance as he watched from a nearby table. “Umm, cool. Peter, what can I get you?” She asked, pulling a pen out of her apron’s pocket.

Y/n rose her eyebrow faintly in surprise. She suspected more of a reaction out of her friend. Especially when y/n had walked in here announcing she had a boyfriend, seemingly (to MJ and Ned) out of nowhere.

Peter cleared his throat, a similar look of shock on his face. “I-Uhh… just a coffee please, Uhh small, please,” he rambled.

MJ nodded, scribbling on her notepad. “And you miss?” She asked, looking up at y/n.

Complete and utter confusion took over y/n and made her freeze. Miss? Was MJ trying some weird new joke? Or maybe her boss was getting on her about her professionalism again?

Y/n pulled herself together and forced a light laugh, hoping that was the response MJ had wanted. “The same, please,” she answered. She glanced at Peter in confusion.

Peter quickly moved to y/n’s side, grabbing her hand in his as he too looked at MJ in bewilderment.

“Of course,” MJ nodded with a half smile. “Two small coffees, coming up.” She looked up from her register at y/n, “did you want it under his name too, or?”

Y/n squeezed Peter’s hand nervously. “Uhh,” y/n laughed breathily, “no, mine is fine”. Maybe this was some joke about how she had introduced Peter as her boyfriend?

MJ squinted a bit at the couple and nodded slowly. She maintained a professional smile despite her annoyance at the couples’ odd reactions and vague responses. “Okay, which is?” MJ asked.

Y/n felt a sharp pain in her chest. Her eyes snapped to Peter for help. She tried not to cry as Peter faced with with his own uncertainty. Y/n took a deep breath. “Y/n…” she whispered, her voice shaking.

MJ forced a smile before she walked off to make the coffees.

Y/n spun to Ned and sucked in a breath. “Umm, do you, uhhh,” she muttered, not knowing where to start. She needed to know if this was something weird MJ was playing at or if they’d really forgotten her too. And y/n knew Ned was one of the worst liars, he’d fold easily if this was a joke.

“That sticker,” y/n said, pointing to the sticker with a cheesy science pun on it that she’d customized for Ned. “Where.. uh, where’d you get that?” She asked. Y/n tried not to tear up when Ned shrugged and told her he couldn’t remember. It wasn’t like Ned to not remember that kind of thing, unless she didn’t exist in his memories anymore.

“I remember getting it for my birthday a few weeks ago,” Ned admitted, a guilty look on his face as he added, “but… I Uhh… For some reason… Don’t recall who gave it to me”.

Y/n swallowed thickly. She felt Peter’s hand holding hers tightly and she squeezed back. Y/n forced a polite smile and nodded at Ned. “I see.”

“Coffees for,” MJ called, setting two small cups down beside the couple. “Peter,” she called, looking at the name on the first one. “And, Y/n,” she said, doing the same with the second cup.

Y/n quickly thanked MJ and paid for both drinks. She slid her hand from Peter’s and excused herself, rushing out to the street. Y/n wanted to give Peter some time with their friends if he wanted it, but she needed to get out of there.

Peter took in one last look at Ned and MJ before running out after y/n. He tossed his coffee in the trash next to the street and then ran up to y/n’s side. “Are you okay?” Peter asked, immediately pulling her into a hug as he heard her shallow breathing.

“I don’t understand…” y/n murmured dazily. She leaned into Peter as he rubbed her back. “I… I want to go home,” y/n whispered.

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[nursingwriter]

¶ … narcolepsy and its treatment. Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that may have its origins as a neurological disorder. Narcoleptics can fall asleep uncontrollably during the day, and suffer from sleeplessness at night. Often, this disease is undiagnosed and untreated. It usually becomes apparent between the ages of 15 and 25, but it can occur at any time in a person's life. Narcolepsy is a serious illness that requires treatment, but there is no cure. It can be managed with drugs and lifestyle changes. Normally, a person enters REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep about 90 minutes after falling asleep. This is the deepest form of sleep, and it is when dreams usually occur. During this time, sleepers may experience a loss in muscle tone, sleep paralysis, and especially vivid dreams. In a narcoleptic patient, REM occurs almost immediately after falling asleep, and it can reoccur throughout the day, as well. The symptoms associated with REM sleep can also reoccur throughout the day. For example, a doctor writes, "A variety of symptoms have been said to distinguish narcolepsy from other sleep disorders, including cataplexy, character of daytime sleepiness, sleep paralysis, hypnagogic hallucinations, and automatic behavior" (Aldrich, 1998). The problem with these symptoms is that many other sleep disorders can have some of the same symptoms, so it is often difficult to diagnose narcolepsy. Other symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), and this can interfere with normal daytime activities. The Web site WebMD notes, "People with EDS report mental cloudiness, a lack of energy and concentration, memory lapses, a depressed mood, and/or extreme exhaustion" ("Narcolepsy," 2009). Cataplexy is a loss of muscle tone and control, and it can create many other symptoms, such as slurred speech. Patients often experience hallucinations, too. They can occur at night or during the daytime, and they can be quite frightening. Patients often experience sleep paralysis, as well. When a patient falls asleep or wakes up, they may not be able to move or speak for a few seconds to several minutes. After that, they are fine ("Narcolepsy," 2009). Another symptom is automatic behavior. For example, the sufferer finishes folding laundry or some other automatic activity, but later has no recollection of the event. In effect, they were asleep while they performed the task. The Mayo Clinic Web site notes, "People with narcolepsy often find it difficult to stay awake for long periods of time, regardless of the circumstances. Narcolepsy can cause serious disruptions in your daily routine" (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2009). Because of this, many people with severe narcolepsy find it difficult to hold down jobs or maintain a daily routine. Researchers really do not know what causes narcolepsy, although they have identified the genes involved in it, along with abnormalities in the brain that may help cause the disease. One Web site notes, "These abnormalities apparently contribute to symptom development. According to experts, it is likely narcolepsy involves multiple factors that interact to cause neurological dysfunction and REM sleep disturbances" ("Narcolepsy," 2009). Researchers do know there is some kind of chemical imbalance in the brain that contributes to the disease. The Mayo Clinic notes, "Hypocretin is an important chemical in your brain that helps regulate staying awake and keeps REM sleep stable and occurring at the appropriate time during sleep" (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2009). They know there is an imbalance in the brain in narcoleptic patients, but they do not know what causes that imbalance to occur. As research into the disease continues, researchers should make headway into learning what causes narcolepsy and how to more efficiently treat the disease. It is also difficult to diagnose the disease. WebMD continues, "However, none of the major symptoms is exclusive to narcolepsy. Several specialized tests, which can be performed in a sleep disorders clinic, usually are required before a diagnosis can be established" ("Narcolepsy," 2009). It is common for the disease to be misdiagnosed because of the similarity of symptoms, or for the disease to go undiagnosed and untreated. In addition, many older patients report that the daytime symptoms increase as they age, particularly over 60. Scientists have found there are certain risk factors for the disease. For example, if someone in your family has narcolepsy, you stand a higher risk for developing it. It is more common in men than in women, and it occurs throughout racial and ethnic groups. It is interesting to note that Japan has the highest rate of narcolepsy in the world, at about one in 600. The U.S. rate is about one in 2,000, while the rate in Israel is about one in 500,000. Scientists do not know why the rates for different countries vary so much (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2009). There is no cure for the disease, although there are treatments for at least some of the symptoms. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders (NIND) notes, "Two classes of antidepressant drugs have proved effective in controlling cataplexy in many patients: tricyclics (including imipramine, desipramine, clomipramine, and protriptyline) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (including fluoxetine and sertraline). Drug therapy should be supplemented by behavioral strategies" ("Narcolepsy Information," 2009). Another author notes, "Psychostimulants are used to prevent sleep attacks during everyday activities, and in the latter they are used to improve attention and energy levels" (Schmetzer, 2004). While medications can help with some of the symptoms, they cannot help with all of them. Many patients find taking short naps during the day helps them maintain their attention. Patients can also modify other areas of their lifestyle to help reduce the symptoms. WebMD continues, "Lifestyle adjustments such as avoiding caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and heavy meals, regulating sleep schedules, scheduling daytime naps (10-15 minutes in length), and establishing a normal exercise and meal schedule may also help to reduce symptoms" ("Narcolepsy," 2009). None of these is a cure; however, there is no cure for narcolepsy once it begins to occur. It is possible for narcoleptic patients to lead normal, productive lives, usually with the drug treatments discussed above in this paper. However, the disease does have some serious complications. The May Clinic notes, "Sleep attacks may result in physical harm to people with narcolepsy. You're at increased risk of a car accident if you have an attack while driving. Your risk of cuts and burns is higher if you fall asleep while preparing food" (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2009). They also note that it can get in the way of intimate relationships, because patients suffer from a lower sex drive, and can even fall asleep during sex, and that the condition is misunderstood, and people who do not understand it may think the patient is lazy or rude. In addition, extreme emotions, such as joy or anger, can often bring on attacks, so in trying to control their disease, narcoleptics can often be seen as unemotional or uncaring (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2009). In conclusion, narcolepsy is a serious disease, and scientists are just beginning to understand its causes. People who suffer from narcolepsy show a variety of symptoms, but they are similar to other sleep disorders, and it can go undiagnosed. The symptoms can be serious, and if left untreated, they can pose a danger to the patient. Narcolepsy is misunderstood, and patients may find they are ostracized or criticized by people who do not understand the disease. The good news is that many symptoms of narcolepsy can be treated with drugs, allowing patients to live relatively normal lives. Research into the disease continues, and hopefully, scientists will find out exactly what causes it and how to cure it someday. References Aldrich, M.S. (1998). Diagnostic aspects of narcolepsy. Neurology; 50:S2-S7. (From Google Scholar). Editors. (2009). Narcolepsy. Retrieved 11 Dec. 2009 from the WebMD Web site: http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/narcolepsy. Editors. (2009). Narcolepsy information page. Retrieved 11 Dec. 2009 from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders Web site: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/narcolepsy/narcolepsy.htm. Mayo Clinic Staff. (2009). Narcolepsy. Retrieved 11 Dec. 2009 from the Mayo Clinic Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/narcolepsy/DS00345. Schmetzer, A.D. (2004). The psychostimulants. Annals of the American Psychotherapy Association, 7(1), 31+. Read the full article

[strattonxpressions]

Sid Iyer

1. Name, Year, Major, and Hometown

Sid Iyer, 2nd year biological sciences major from San Jose, California

2. What is your earliest childhood memory? 

My earliest childhood memory is having a fight with my sister about something(I don’t remember what)

3. What’s stopping you?

Nothing is stopping me

4. What is something about yourself that you’re proud of?

I’m proud of staying consistent in the gym this year even though I am really busy

5. If you could have any one question answered truthfully, what would it be?

Is God real

6. Who is your celebrity/fictional crush? 

Used to be Ariana Grande, but now I don’t really have one

7. How would you spend your ideal birthday? 

My ideal birthday would be spent chilling at home with some friends and watching movies and playing videogames till the morning

8. What food that starts with the first letter of your name would you only eat for the rest of your life?

Spaghetti because there aren’t many foods that start with the letter s

9. What’s one niche interest you have that you must share with the world?

A niche interest is that I love this one band called Weston Estate because they make the best music ever

10. What is a memory with your closest friend and how does it exemplify your friendship together and how you value friendship as a whole (250 words minimum)

One of my most cherished memories with my best friend is the time we went to the top of the parking structure near the ARC to watch the sunrise. It was a simple plan—just the two of us, bundled up against the early morning chill and excited to share a peaceful moment together. Once we reached the top, the view was breathtaking. We had decided to take a time-lapse of the sun rising and it was one of the best ideas we’ve ever had since it turned out really good. Since it was a very rainy and cloudy day the night before, we didn’t expect to actually see the sunrise. But when it peaked out for just a couple of seconds, the view looked insanely beautiful and it made the rest of our days.

This memory exemplifies the essence of my friendships. I value the simple, meaningful gestures that don’t require elaborate plans or grand gestures but instead focus on being present with each other. Sitting there with my best friend, sipping on warm drinks we’d brought along, and sharing our thoughts about life, goals, and memories, reminded me how much I appreciate these moments of connection. It wasn’t about doing something extravagant; it was about taking the time to be together and creating a shared experience that deepened our bond.

This moment also reflects my belief that the strongest friendships are built on mutual understanding and the ability to find joy in the little things. Watching the sunrise that morning reminded me how meaningful friendship is.

[alwaysonelectrical]

Cost of Solar Panels

Solar Panels are used to capture sunlight and convert it into clean electricity. Solar energy is abundant on the planet and can help us reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

However, not all solar panels are created equal. Understanding what to look for in a good solar panel can save you a lot of money over time.

Cost

The cost of solar panels varies based on the type and size of system, plus the addition of extra hardware like batteries for energy storage. Also, each installation company has a different pricing structure for labor and other costs.

Using solar power reduces utility bills and helps to protect the environment. It can even be used to power remote areas and appliances where channeling electricity through a grid is impractical or impossible, such as satellites.

Solar Panels can be easily maintained at home with regular cleanings and inspections. A good rainstorm or melting snow usually does the trick, but if you have a large buildup of pollen or moss on your panels, you might consider hiring a professional to take care of it. However, be careful not to use hard water, which can leave a white residue that diminishes photovoltaic performance. Using lukewarm water is recommended, and you should avoid using abrasive sponges. You can also sign up for a maintenance plan, which typically includes an annual cleaning and inspection at a cost of $140 to $180.

Efficiency

Solar panels convert sunlight into direct current (DC), which is then passed through an inverter to create alternating current (AC). AC is the standard energy form used in homes and businesses. Solar systems with high efficiency are capable of producing more electricity with less sunlight.

Solar panel efficiency is measured under strict test conditions, known as standard test condition (STC). This test procedure combines a fixed cell temperature with a variable load resistance. A one meter square panel with 15% efficiency will produce 150 watts under these conditions.

Despite their durability, solar panels degrade over time. This degradation is caused by thermal cycling. When it’s warm, everything expands, and when it’s cold, it contracts. This stress can cause microcracks in the silicon that disrupt electrical connections. Regular maintenance can help prevent these cracks, including using distilled water rather than hard water and avoiding harsh cleaners like abrasive sponges or solvents.

Energy output

Solar panels are a great choice for homes because they produce electricity even on cloudy days. However, they will not perform as well on hot days. Heat also affects their efficiency by lowering the conductivity of their semiconductors. To maximize energy output, a panel should be placed facing the sun in the northern or southern hemisphere.

Solar energy is most effective in the summer, so you should choose a location with peak sunlight hours. For example, a 400-watt panel in the US with 4.5 peak sunlight hours per day will generate enough electricity to power your household appliances and other uses.

It is important to clean your solar panels regularly, especially after storms. Regularly rinse them with a garden hose or a soft brush. Avoid using abrasive brushes or detergent, which can scratch the surface of your solar panels. You can also use a telescopic pole or extendable handle for cleaning hard-to-reach areas. If you don’t want to do the work yourself, you can hire a professional solar cleaning service.

Maintenance

Solar panels can be a costly investment. While these devices are long-lasting and durable, they do require a bit of maintenance from time to time. This maintenance involves checking the cables, output meter, and inverter on a regular basis. It also includes a visual inspection to check for any damage. In addition, you should track the energy output of the solar panels regularly to detect any lapse in performance.

Solar panel cleaning is an important part of maintaining efficiency and longevity. It helps to remove dust, dirt, bird droppings, and leaves that can block sunlight. This can be done using a soft brush or sponge and a hose with a gentle nozzle. However, you should never use a high-pressure spray because this could damage the solar panels.

It is recommended to clean your solar panels two to four times a year. However, it is important to check the solar panel manufacturers manual for specific recommendations. This will ensure that they are properly cared for and able to continue to perform at their peak potential.

[wildcxrds]

true intentions

(Note: the italicized text is not spoken in English, but in their native tongue, A’irth.)

The late afternoon was gray and muggy, with the skies cloudy and a small drizzle falling over the land. This area was far from any of the remaining kingdoms and cities, closest actually to a long abandoned village in the heart of a desolate field. In a corner of the large, barren field, under leafless, gnarled trees, there was a small tent was pitched up - larger on the inside than it seemed on the outside. Outside, it was incredibly unassuming and honestly seemed abandoned. Inside, it had the essentials - on thin wooden floors, there were two beds tucked in a small room across from the entrance, a couple tables at the forefront, a small kitchenette propped against the canvas walls to the left, and a few large wicker bins filled with supplies on the right.

Sat at one of the tables was Kori, focused as he was carefully disinfecting a particularly nasty wound on Kairo’s shoulder. It wasn’t bleeding, thankfully, but the wound spread from her shoulder nearly to her collarbone and had begun to turn a nasty, bruised purple. Kori gauged from the wound that she had left it for a day or so to see if it would get better on its own before summoning him. One of many injuries she retained living in the desolate lands, encountering various others who challenged her strength.. and her temper.

They had a brief lapse in conversation, having been making some catch up small talk since the last time they’d seen each other was a few months ago.

“So what’s the prognosis?” Kairo asked.

“It’ll take some time - with the way your body rapid heals, likely two weeks at the most.” Kori replied, spraying a thin layer of the antibiotic, earning a displeased hiss from Kai. “Sorry,” He added, genuinely apologetic.

“It’s fine. I can wait the two weeks.” Kairo sighed slowly, and Kori watched the skin around the festering wound cautiously for any reaction. It would take the wound itself time to close, but she was adapting quickly with the antibiotic and recovering from the infection rapidly, as he watched edges of the purple tinge already begin to fade. He redirected his attention back to Kairo, recalling the last time they’d seen each other, she had a small group of other thieves with her.

“So what happened to the company you kept?” He asked, suspecting he knew what the answer was.

“Killed them.” Kairo replied, shrugging her good shoulder. Not a response he was surprised by, honestly.

“What is it they’d done?” Satisfied that he’d applied enough of the antibiotic, he moved on to carefully applying medicated gauze to the wound and wrapping it up.

“Tried to steal from me. They slipped something in my drink to make me sleep and attempted to rob my gold. Their little greedy hands didn’t account for my tolerance and how quickly I can get up and fight, even inebriated.” She said matter-of-factly, picking at a spot on her sleeveless tunic, haphazardly cropped to account for the heat and humidity (and her personal comfort). “Happened last month.” She vaguely gestured to the wound on her shoulder, and the now mostly healed claw marks down her arm.

“You never seem to do well traveling with others.” Kori commented lightly. “The only time you have was when you were part of that brothel.”

“It would go better if they didn’t tunnel vision consistently on stealing from me. They should know better than to test my patience. It doesn’t matter anymore, I’m no longer interested in groups. I have other things in mind once I’ve recovered.”

“Oh?” Kori’s brows rose. In the time he’s known Kai, her goals have been primarily short-term. The longest goal she’d ever had was… well, keeping out of the Hunters’ radar.

“It’s something I’ve asked of you.” She said flatly, looking at him with her mouth tightening and her gaze hardening slightly.

Kori’s breath caught nervously. They were revisiting a subject they’d circled around many times in the past. He frowned deeply. “Kairo, I—”

“I know,” She interrupted, “you don’t approve and whatnot, but I’m sorry to tell you that I don’t really care. I want to find the human realm.”

Kori frowned. He knew better now than to try and convince her otherwise - she had made her mind up and if Kairo was anything, she was incredibly stubborn. “And do what? You risk exposing yourself to the Hunters - it seems counterintuitive to what you’ve been doing so far.” He tightened his jaw, as a wave of realization swept over him. “That’s why you’ve been in so many different groups.”

“So smart.” Kairo sighed, leaning away from him in her seat. “Sometimes the best sanctuary is right under their nose. Nobody but you knows this portal exists, and they don’t know who you are or if you’ve found the portal. You’ve had no tracking, so how would they find me there?” She half-turned back to face him. “I’m not looking to run for much longer, Kori. I’m going to find who’s running this operation, and I’ll kill them myself.”

“Revenge.” Kori frowned.

“Justice.” Kai corrected through gritted teeth, a dangerous flare in her eye.

“That’s a suicide mission, Kairo—“

“No more of that.” Kai interrupted again. “It’s going to happen whether you’re by my side or not. I appreciate and respect our friendship, but if this will be something I do alone, then so be it.” Her tone grew sharp and Kori sighed. She held her gaze at him, peeling away at the already fragile layers of counter arguments to find and force him to relent.

“…Very well. I will give you a general direction, but that is all. Do you have a plan of disguise?”

“I’ll figure it out as I go along.” Kairo nodded, satisfied that she’d worn him down. “I want to sleep soon, so that you can get your rest. You look like shit.”

A small interruption of a tense discussion, Kori suspected. Kairo was hard headed, brash, and usually not very emotional, if at all (outside of her temper), but he suspected she likely felt… at least a touch guilty for putting him on edge. “We’ll be finished soon.”

He completed cleaning up the worst of her worse wounds and bandaging them properly, and within the hour, she had gone to sleep.

Only a few hours passed before it was Kori’s turn. He knew Kairo was capable of resting up in a handful of hours, but despite his protests and insistence that she could sleep a little longer, he was forced to bed while she took watch at the entrance of the tent. And despite the World Eater clawing at the edges of his mind as he attempted to meditate to relax, he felt himself drift off eventually.

-

There was warmth in the darkness. Something pressed gently to his chest. Hi, it said, but not in A’irth. He mentally switched to match its language, realizing it was speaking in Feli’airth.

Who are you?

It didn’t respond, instead the warmth spreading and a light bloomed before him, revealing the sight of a small form curled under a blanket, and a figure made of solid green overlooking the form with a sort of protective aura. The room looked vaguely like a human living room. This figure in green whispered, This is going to be the start of a new story. The voice was deeply familiar, reaching for the threads of Protector woven tightly around his soul. His heart clenched anxiously. Was this the Guardian speaking to him?

Look down, they said. He saw a dormant thread of gold leading down to the form. Impossible. Was this-?

Hi.., the voice said again, tentatively. Now the form was standing before him, holding both his hands and pressing them to his chest. He gripped the front of his tunic.

I know you, he said to them. They giggled.

Guide me home, they requested shyly. This was a vision; he hadn’t had one since his first reunion with Kairo. Please.

He nodded firmly, and he felt the warmth begin to fade. I’ll see you soon! They giggled again, this time in relief, the warmth pulling away from his grasp, like a candle burning out, the embers dissipating to nothingness.

S̷̡̪̦̝͔̄́͂̚͝͝o̸̡̨̥̘̖̚m̸̝̥̫͓͊͛̀ę̸̛͓̬̆̒́̾t̸̢̺͐͐̕ḧ̶͍̯̩́͠i̴̛͙͊̍̈ͅn̵͖͐ǵ̸̱͖̠̪͋͊̚ ̸̨̼̱̰͇̝̈͂ņ̶̨̛̻̼͉͚͒̽̍̋͊e̷̛̝̼̟̦̩̼̊̔̔̕w̴̨͈̝̯̆̊̄̒̃?̸̣͓̠͓̿̽̑̅

Kori jolted awake, inhaling sharply. Painful buzzing vibrated under his skin from where the seals were. Even barely awake, he grit his teeth against the zaps, feeling the magic work through to keep his darker half at bay.

He stared at the canvas ceiling above, the edges of his sleep creeping away from him, consolidating in his mind that this trip of Kairo’s into the human realm, as dangerous as it was, could potentially prove to be the start of the right path. If potentially he could slowly convince Kairo out of seeking the Hunters…

This vision told him all he needed to know - they were going to meet a new Protector. This was good. A very very very good sign. Kori would take any optimism he could get.

[sauyuenchan]

DMA Final project 1 - Making it Real

Blog 4 Making

This is the 3D model I have done in PC

I then printed a FDM format of 3D QR code for testing, but it doesn't work.

This is the 3D print I got from SLS printing (stairs are missing since they are too delicate to print)

I printed a SLA format of the QR code and thankfully it is working.

Then I cut the original one and glued the SLA one on the top, and painted the top surface with white, to make it more distinctive to scan.

Then I modified my stairs and got them in SLA printing (SLS is not available). After that I removed the stretches by myself. Another picture showing some failed attempts in the process, wrong scaling size of SLA stairs from printer, FDM unscannable QR code.

Then I glued them into the model.

This pretty much demonstrates the topic - "Making it Real". From a virtual model to a physical one then connecting back to a virtual world by its QR code. I also gave the model a meaning - an immersive experience that users will feel like they are a god controlling the whole QR pyramid atmosphere. This model can be a toy providing interactive experiences. The website from the QR code can be updated time by time, which also shows the dynamic aspect of digital media.

This is the website from the QR code.

Video showing how it works.

References

QR Code Generator. Accessed January 16, 2024. https://www.the-qrcode-generator.com/.

blackboxguild. Freepik. “Premium Stock Video - Heavy Dramatic Clouds Time Lapse.” Accessed January 16, 2024. https://www.freepik.com/premium-video/heavy-dramatic-clouds-time-lapse_526331.

blackboxguild. Freepik. “Premium Stock Video - 4k Rainy Black Background, Video Overlay.” Accessed January 16, 2024. https://www.freepik.com/premium-video/4k-rainy-black-background-video-overlay_717489.

Freepik. “Free Stock Video - Time Lapse Storm Clouds Travel over the Sierra Mountains in Lone Pine, California 1.” Accessed January 16, 2024. https://www.freepik.com/free-video/time-lapse-storm-clouds-travel-sierra-mountains-lone-pine-california-1_179250.

[saga-project]

They'd been looking at baby pictures most of the night. Saga couldn't deny that far from being embarrassing (well, okay, some of them might have been, but he was putting steps in place to ensure that those didn't get leaked onto the interwebs by his annoying twin brother somehow), and far from being a reminder of how he was just a shell of the person Donatello had been, they'd been....nice. A reminder of what he could get back, possibly, if he could just remember how to be the brother that they all wanted him to be. The brother that could have a snowball fight with Raph and Mikey, the brother that could lie curled up in a tiny ball next to Leo and trust that he would be safe like that, the brother that could show off a new and interesting book that he'd managed to secure without fear of it being taken away and destroyed right in front of him.

The brother that didn't have nightmares about the Syndicate every single night. Who wasn't triggered by the tiniest, most insignificant of environmental factors.

There'd been a thunderstorm in the city, that night. That would have been bad enough, but all of a sudden the power had flickered, and the lights had gone out, and apparently the external power source that they'd designed to power the lair in case of such emergencies didn't feel like kicking on and doing its job. Suddenly it was dark in the lair, and cold, and silent, and Saga felt a whine rising in their throat at how much it reminded them of the long days and nights spent shoved into that isolation cell--

Papa? Papa, whatever I did this time, I'm sorry, it won't happen again, please let me out, it's cold in here, Papa please--

--and he could feel the fuzziness starting to sneak into his brain, the cotton ball-like feeling that probably meant a feral mode spell was imminent, and he huddled in on himself, shaking. No. No no no, not now, his brothers couldn't see him like this. He had to....he didn't want to be alone during that state, but he had to find someone who wouldn't judge him for it, and he didn't think he could make it to the pocketverse portal in time--

Wait a minute. Wait. April. April was staying over with them, tonight. That was it.

He snuck over to where she was lying rather haphazardly across the couch, shaking her awake perhaps a bit more urgently than he meant to. "'Pril. 'Pril."

April came bolt awake in the next instant, blinking fuzzily as she swiped a hand across her eyes. "Hmmm? Wha's....Donnie? What's up?"

"'S d'rk an' col' and I think 'm--" Shit. He was already slurring his words. "Don' wak' m' br'thers up."

She frowned at him, silently. "What's up with your-"

"'M not.....'m gonna.....don' f'l s' g'd an' I thin' 'm gonna go. Fer'l mode." April had already been around for one such instance of this, after all. They couldn't remember the exact details, of course--Saga's brain became frustratingly cloudy when he was in that state--but apparently feral them had fully accepted April as a "bale member" and tried their best to protect her from outside threats, something which they were secretly grateful for. They never would have forgiven themselves if they'd managed to hurt April, of all people.

But that alone gave them the confidence to tell their human friend about the possibility of lapsing into such a state, knowing that she would be there to catch them if they fell. And from the look on her face, she immediately knew how serious the situation was. "Oh. Okay. What d'you need."

"Jus'....pool." He needed water. Needed water to cover him and protect him from dark dark cold cold bad bad.

"Okay. Alright. You good walking, or do you kinda need carried?"

"Mmmm."

"Alright, hang tight." She moved to drape him across her shoulders, then, supporting him as best as she could. "Thank god the pool isn't far, man. You're heavy."

April started shuffling in the direction of the pool, and Saga chirped under his breath in thanks, his mind growing foggier and foggier until it was finally like a rubber band snapping. Between one breath and the next he was on the cusp of it and then gone completely, the third eyelid sliding up over his eyes as his brain fell fully into feral mode.

Someone was holding them. They would hiss and bite and get them away from bale members, they would protect bale members from cold dark--

Wait. This was bale member. And she was taking them to safe place. With slight detour--ah. Yes. Safe place.

They reached the pool, April gently setting him down within the water, and he clung to her like a stubborn koala at first, hissing under his breath. When he finally dared to venture away from her, paddling in small circles, a crack of lightning sounding from overhead made him squeak and tuck himself into his shell, huddling there. Loud noise loud noise no no no he was back in bad fight place they make him fight they--

"You scared of the thunder?"

He chirped and clicked under his breath, the translator that April had discretely picked up almost struggling to pick it up. Hissss click click cl-hissssss. [Sounds like crowd roaring, bale member.]

"Huh?"

Click hiss click-click hissssssss. [Used to make me fight. In Nexus.]

"....in the literal death arena?"

.....whiiiiiiiiine. Hiss. Click click. Hissssssss click. [Not want to kill, but they made do it anyway. Said it would make me stronger.]

"You....you were a kid. You are a kid. You don't have to be strong." Her tone was filled with some emotion that they couldn't quantify then, making them shy backwards and twiddle their claws nervously.

Click churr whiiiiiine. [Stay? Is dark and cold. I no like.]

"....Sure, Don."

From there, he was bold enough to swim around a bit, still being careful to not stray too far away from April. Bale member would keep him safe. Bale member would keep bad people from grabbing him, from throwing him in dark cell. As long as he stayed close, stayed where she could see him. Something bad would happen if he ventured far from bale member. Would be light and sound and sharp sharp bad bad pain pain--

He tried to shake the thoughts off, swimming to her side and chirping as she read through her comics. Prrrt! Cheep chirp! [Bale member likes stories I like! They brave. Story compelling.]

"Yeah, Jupiter Jim's a good one, isn't he?"

Saga started musically chirping to himself, then, wagging his hands by his sides as a happy stim, and April smiled at him brightly, her tone joking. "What're you doin' now, you dork?"

Cheep! [Theme song!]

"Nice. You could be a musician. You ever seen the stars? Like, the actual ones?"

He cocked his head, considering. And then shook it back and forth, silently.

"You can't really see them in the city. Don't worry, I can take you to a planetarium sometime or something! It's like your star projector thingie, but even better."

Saga let out a happy chirp at the idea, tail wagging behind him a moment before he sagged again. Prrrt purr purr chirp purr chirp. [Used to imagine, bale member.]

She looked at him sidelong, then. "What?"

Huff chirr chirp. Hiss whine. Chirp. Prrt. [That they keep me safe. Science people in comics and movies. Safe from dark cold place.]

April's expression was so, so sad, then. "You did?"

They shrank away from her again, tucking their head into their shell ever so slightly and huffing softly. [Yes. No family in dark place. No one keep me safe. So pretended.] '

"....well. You don't have to pretend anymore. We're all here to keep you safe. For good. Me too. Good old O'Neil promise, never gonna be broken."

He paused. Blinked, rather owlishly. And then nuzzled into her hand with a happy chirp, tail patting behind him. Prrrrrrt.

"Yeah, that's what I thought, tough guy. Feeling any better?"

This time, when a clap of thunder sounded overhead, Saga didn't even flinch. Peep. [Yes.]

"Alright. 'Cause I swear, we're gonna have a talk when you come out of this state. Somethin's been botherin' you, and I'm gonna find out what."

Oh. Well.

That didn't sound good.