#DIY trail mix

[campersgotogear]

Elevate Your Campfire Cooking with the Ultimate Trail Mix!

Hey, campers! Tired of the same old trail mix? We’ve got a recipe that will blow your taste buds away. This isn’t your average mix of nuts and raisins. We’re discussing a flavor explosion that will energize you on your next adventure. Recipe: The Ultimate Trail Mix Ingredients: 1 cup almonds 1 cup cashews 1 cup sunflower seeds 1/2 cup dried cranberries 1/4 cup dried apricots 1/4 cup…

[pearlprincess02]

dating and dates (gemini version)

gemini: (gemini venus/mars/5th house/7th house)

dating someone with gemini venus, gemini mars, gemini in the 5th house, and gemini in the 7th house can be an exciting whirlwind of communication, curiosity, and mental stimulation. these placements thrive on intellectual connection and variety in relationships. they need a partner who can keep up with their quick wit and adaptable nature. for gemini venus, love blooms through conversation and shared ideas, so a partner who can engage them intellectually is essential. gemini mars brings an energetic and playful dynamic to relationships, making them passionate about exploring new experiences. with gemini in the 5th house, dating feels like a creative adventure—they’re drawn to fun, spontaneous interactions that spark their imagination. gemini in the 7th house values partnership that feels mentally stimulating and balanced, often seeking someone who challenges them to grow while maintaining a lighthearted dynamic. together, these placements suggest someone who is curious, social, and values relationships that are mentally engaging and ever-evolving.

date night ideas

visit a local bookstore with a cozy café to discuss favorite books, take a class together (e.g., pottery, cooking, or creative writing), attend a poetry slam or open mic night for unique creative vibes, spend an afternoon at an art exhibit with plenty of conversation (gemini venus), try a food truck tour or a street market for variety (gemini venus, gemini mars, gemini 5th house), go to a comedy show for laughs & a lighthearted vibe, attend a trivia or board game night for some friendly competition (gemini venus, gemini 5th house, gemini 7th house), have a picnic in a scenic area with plenty of chatting & exploring (gemini venus, gemini 7th house), go on a hiking trail that ends with a stunning view for a thrilling yet calming activity, try an escape room for a fast-paced, collaborative challenge, attend a dance class to channel their energetic & flirty side, go indoor rock climbing for a physical yet stimulating activity (gemini mars), spend the day at an amusement park for fun & laughter, have a diy craft night where creativity takes center stage, play trivia at a local pub to mix intellect & fun, organize a mini karaoke session at home or at a bar (gemini 5th house), attend a debate or panel discussion on a topic of interest, go people-watching at a park or café while chatting about life, spend an evening stargazing with a telescope & snacks, take a road trip to a nearby town for new scenery & conversations (gemini 7th house)

over 18+ spicy bonus 🔞

gemini: (gemini mars/cupido/eros/lust/amor)

those with gemini mars, gemini cupido, gemini eros, gemini lust, and gemini amor in their chart bring an energetic, curious, and playful approach to intimacy. their preferences often revolve around mental stimulation, communication, and variety. gemini mars is adventurous and thrives on novelty, often turning curiosity into an exciting dynamic in the bedroom. gemini cupido enhances the flirtatious, teasing energy, loving to build anticipation through witty exchanges or playful banter. gemini eros brings a deep craving for connection through engaging and mentally stimulating experiences, where the mind is as involved as the body. with gemini lust, there’s an insatiable appetite for exploration and trying new things, always seeking something to keep things fresh and exciting. finally, gemini amor adds a touch of tenderness and emotional connection to their passionate side, making them versatile lovers who can balance fun, experimentation, and intimacy. together, these placements create someone who is adventurous, adaptable, and eager to explore both physical and intellectual chemistry with their partner.

kinks you might have

role-play scenarios that allow for creativity & excitement, a focus on trying new settings or unconventional approaches to intimacy, exploring kinks that incorporate elements of competition or playfulness (gemini mars), incorporating movement & physical activity into intimacy (e.g., positions that require balance or energy) (gemini mars, gemini lust), exploring shared fantasies with trust & excitement (gemini mars, gemini amor), flirty teasing that involves playful restraint or anticipation, scenarios that revolve around verbal seduction & suggestive dialogue, light games or challenges that build up tension & excitement (gemini cupido), combining mental games with physical engagement (e.g., puzzles with rewards) (gemini cupido, gemini eros), playful or flirtatious scenarios with surprise twists (gemini cupido, gemini lust), sensual acts that involve combining physical & intellectual stimulation, exploring slow/detailed scenarios that focus on the journey, not the destination, reading or storytelling as part of intimate play to engage the imagination (gemini eros), gentle/emotionally charged experiences with a focus on connection (gemini eros, gemini amor), trying new toys or tools to add variety & excitement, exploring dynamic/spontaneous or adrenaline-boosting experiences, scenarios that involve surprise elements or spontaneity (gemini lust), romantic yet playful encounters that combine tenderness & fun, light/affectionate touch combined with verbal affirmations of love, sharing fantasies in a comfortable & safe setting (gemini amor),

all observations are done by me !!! @pearlprincess02

main masterlist

[things-for-your-little-mindset]

I love how in-depth your posts are!! if ur taking requests could you perhaps do a wolf regressor? :3

things for your wolf regressor ! ( 🐺 )

Snacks & Drinks

Beef jerky or Slim Jims Meat & Cheese Platter Berry Mix Dried Fruit Hand Pies Sunflower seeds or Roasted pumpkin seeds! Trail Mix Warm bread (add honey or butter if wanted!) Warm Apple cider Honey milk Hot chocolate (Mix in some cinnamon sugar or maybe even some star anise!) Herbal Tea

Outfit ideas

Oversized Sweaters & Hoodies

Fluffy Furry-Lined Jackets

Fingerless gloves OR Paw mittens!

Comfy Joggers or Sweatpants

Faux fur warmers-- leg or arm!

Slippers or Fuzzy Socks

Hooded cloaks & Capes

Dark Leggings or Ripped Jeans

Moon or Wolf-themed Jewelry

Black or Grey Beanies

Flannel Shirts

Nature-Themed Accessories

Boots

Wolf or Forest-Themed Onesies

Activities

"Hunting" for Snacks – Hide treats around your space and sniff them out like a wolf! Exploring Nature – Go for a walk, run, or hike and imagine you're a wolf roaming your territory. Digging in Sand or Dirt – If you have a sandbox or soft dirt, dig and play like a pup! Chasing & Fetch Games – If you have a friend or pet, play tag or fetch. Rolling in Blankets Like a Wolf Den – Make a cozy nest to curl up in. Running on All Fours – If it's comfortable, practice moving like a wolf Wolf Documentary or Cartoons – Watch something with wolves, like Balto. Listening to Nature Sounds – Forest ambiance, wolf howls, or rain sounds for relaxation Reading Forest & Wolf-Themed Stories – The Call of the Wild or fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood Wolf-Themed Sensory Bins – Play with kinetic sand, leaves, and small animal figures Making a DIY "Wolf Pack" Bracelet – Use beads to create something special Writing in a "Wolf Journal" – Track "adventures" like a wolf in the wild

Games

Wildcraft

The wolf: Animal RPG Sim

Wolf tales

Animal jam & AJPW

Roblox games like Forgotten Worlds, Wild wolves RP, or other wild animal roleplay games

Songs & Playlists

Forwards, beckon, rebound - Adrianne lenker Rises the Moon - Liana Flores The Wolf - SIAMES The wolf - crane wives Soldier, poet, king - The Oh Hellos Playlist by Fornest Playlist by Millard Playlist by Dexter.meowgan

Nicknames

pup

little one

little wolf

Wolfie

puppy

little fluff

Little howl

Wild one

zoomer

[bunnyreaper]

john price helping you renovate the house you just bought--he insists on helping you, whenever the two of you aren't deployed. 

(hcs + drabble, f!reader, mild 18+)

he knows the whole thing would go faster if he just invited the lads, but he wants the alone time with you even if he won't admit it. if you offer to ask them along too, he just assures you  that you can handle it between the two of you.)

thrives when you ask for his input on decorating the place, and he loves when you ask him to tag along to stores with you. he makes sure the DIY store guys don't underestimate you, ensures all the bathroom fittings will actually fit, gives you the best opinions on the paints you pick. never corrects any of the store owners when they assume you're a couple.

puts on an extra show when destroying or ripping down things. when you ask him to help you take down one of the false walls, he goes out of his way to let out extra little grunts and groans of effort, and flexes because he knows you're watching (and he hopes you're enjoying the show.) 

takes off his shirt to wipe the sweat off of his neck and face, doesn't bother putting it back on, leaving his hairy chest bare and the room full of the scent of his musk. a part of you secretly wishes he'd forget and leave it behind one day.

he catches you staring and smirking when he tucks a pencil behind his ear and looks like dad, gives you a wink. (and you definitely don't think about what it would be like if he knocked you up, and you were doing this all over again to decorate your kids nursery.)

as things come together, your mind starts to drift to what it would be like to christen even room in the house with john--fucking on the kitchen island, in the garden, by the fireplace, in the bedrooms. 

tries to do everything he can so you don't have to spend over the odds on tradesmen, or deal with strange men in your house, but he decides to leave the electrics alone after he gives himself a mild shock and you almost cry with worry. 

the two of you spend many a late night together, sat on a blanket eating pizza and drinking, with only each other's conversation for company--making memories you both treasure. 

"Probably should've put my shirt back on, I'm absolutely covered." John laughs, taking a glance down at his paint-splattered, sweat-sheened chest. 

Your eyes follow his, feeling like this is an invitation to stare uninhibited for once. The two of you have been painting for a while already, the room is insufferably hot in the summer even with the windows open--hence why John is taunting you with his figure. 

"You look like you've been down the pit." You gesture at the black specks littering his skin, and the smears all over his hands, his jeans, everywhere. John is sheer finesse in everything he does, besides painting and decorating, apparently. "But I'm not complaining about the shirtlessness."

The tension between the two of you has been escalating, and you feel brave enough to flirt just a little. From the smirk on John's face, he clearly doesn't have an issue with it. 

"Is that right?" He raises a brow, pausing his painting to turn to you with a burning, heavy look. 

Under the intensity of his gaze, you try to play it off just a little, because holy shit, he looks like he's going to eat you alive right now. "Every woman's dream, drooling over a shirtless tradie." You shrug, showing a pretense of apathy.

John now sets down his roller, his hands slipping into the back pockets of his jeans as he seems to be proudly displaying himself--his broad shoulders, rounded pecs and sculpted stomach that is the perfect mix of muscle and fat. 

You have to try not to openly drool as your eyes move down his happy trail. "Is that why you asked me to help?" 

"Asked you!?" You gasp, completely taken aback. "John, you insisted!" 

"You shouldn't be doing all this on your own, love." His posture relaxes as his smile turns earnest. 

You can't help but shake your head, thinking about how you could've had Gaz, Soap, and Ghost helping here too. "We could've had an army, literally." 

"Getting by fine just the two of us, aren't we?" 

"I don't know." You take a step forward as you notice a glob of black paint on John's face. "Your beard is covered too, by the way." 

Your hand finds its way to John's face with ease, forgetting any hesitation you should have about getting tactile with the man you have a forbidden attraction to. Instinct causes you to try and swipe the paint away, but your hands are already covered too. 

"Fuck." The paint is smeared over more of him than before--a black handprint on his neck where you'd held him still while you fussed. 

"What?" His forehead wrinkles, and you can feel his eyes on you as you try to make it better, but fail. 

"Made it worse..." You admit.

John only chuckles, his own paint covered hands finding their way to your cheeks, smearing you with matching globs of tar black.

His heated gaze is closer, his eyes flickering to your lips for a brief moment before he leans in and presses his to yours. 

It's searing, but over in a flash, as John's grin turns wicked and you try to continue standing upright. You're not sure if he's more pleased at the kiss, or the fact that his beard has covered you in even more stains of paint.

"Sorry." He mutters, yet he doesn't seem sorry in the slightest. His hands don't leave your face, and he leans in for another peck as he mumbles against your lips. "Only fair, love."

[saintetheldredablogshorrormovies]

no you dont understand cursed is so so quintessentially lord huron in such a major way. cause lord huron as a whole but i think strange trails in particular is about how the hopeless complexity and messiness and strangeness of the human experience can be transformed into something disarmingly simple, understandable and unexplainably familiar through music. in my eyes thats why the band relies so much on vintage aesthetics (presenting these strange things in a way that somehow seems old and timelessly familiar) and the charming scrappy diy aesthetic of the music videos. why the production of the songs always strives to sound epic and grand but in a way that also feels a little fuzzy and a little rough around the edges

and the premise of strange trails makes this really central to the songs with the idea that these are all songs by different people performed at the same dive bar. because the things that happened in these songs at the time must have been really damn emotional and often quite fucked up. but now theyre just songs in a dive bar. thats what happens to even the craziest things with time (long lost and time's blur anyone?). the stories are gone but the dive bar is left...

and cursed is such a perfection of this vision in my eyes. that lord huron trademark comedy/whimsy mixed with tragedy. the familiar (beautifully familiar and timeless love song cliches threaded all throughout it) mixed with the magical (THERE ARE RUNES ON MY SKIN-). the hoping/dreaming mixed with impossibility, stasis and despair. the wanderlust mixed with confinement. the love mixed with bitter resentment. there is no answer to the paradoxes in this song. they just are.

its all that messy complexity of human emotions in a melody that is resolutely cheerful, easygoing and fun, but kind of resigned. like its too tired to be anything else. what is even left at the end of it all but good music and good times dancing to it with friends in a silly little dive bar. these things seem small and trivial but at the end those are the memories and feelings that outlast all the rest

lord huron at its core has always been about humanising the inconceivable, the frightening, the overawing and the sublime and. and i just love that so much. what a beautiful sentiment to put out as a band in a world that can so often feel overawing, incomprehensible and frightening. and theyre here to just remind us when we start overthinking that no matter what were facing, its all just a matter of simply putting one foot before the other and remembering to live until we die. ugh. i love them...

[maskedvulpess-moved]

mousekin tips!

my theriotype is house mice so these tips are primarily focused towards them. i tried to make these less general and more specific towards mice because it personally annoys me when every species tip list has "make/buy gear" on it, lol

— look up tutorials on how to squeak similarly to mice

— stay up/be active at night at your own discretion (a lot of mice are nocturnal)

— sew! this might just be a me thing, but the idea/action of sewing makes me feel like a mouse :P

— adding onto the above, DIY/customize your clothes! mice are scavengers, so getting that feel of scraps stitched together for clothes might bring euphoria.

— make nests with lots of blankets. mice shred up things to build their nests, so the feel of a ton of blankets might remind you of a mouse's nest.

— if you're an outdoor mouse, you could make a burrow on the ground or under a bed. alternatively if you're an indoor mouse, you could adapt a closet into a makeshift mousehole.

— find stim toys to chew on !

food tips !

— a lot of little kid's books have mouse protagonists, so maybe looking at a few of them might be comforting.

— i spy books ! they also give me mouse vibes.

— if you don't like anything on this list, basically anything crunchy and aromatic would work.

— chocolate (especially milk chocolate)

— sunflower seeds, cereal, and crackers

— crunchy bread

— freeze dried fruits (apples, bananas, and strawberries are my favorite)

— pretzels (snack pretzels or baked, either works!)

— eggs (i've found scrambled to be the most euphoric for me, but i encourage experimentation)

— small mammal meats

— corn

— fake edible insects

— berries, mushrooms, and edible flowers

— i've gathered that trail mix is the most efficient way to buy wild mouse‐like food and can even be reminiscent of pellet food if you're domesticated and not wild.

i hope this helps someone :3 !!

[jasper-pagan-witch]

Hey, any ideas on how to create a nice relationship with a house spirit of a house that has always given you bad vibes your whole life?

I was definitely going to cleanse, and maybe just talk allowed and introduce myself, but im not sure how im gonna make it feel like home.

I don't interact with house spirits, but let me just...

*vigorously shakes a bag of trail mix* I call upon my friends who know more about this than I do! @windvexer and @friend-crow, please reblog this with information if you wish!

Another buddy, Muinmos, had this to say when I asked who wanted to answer your inquiry:

Just to toss some of my thoughts in here; imo this is a case where it's important to distinguish whether the spirit themselves gave you "bad vibes" OR if you don't like the house for whatever reason, trauma related or otherwise. Distinguishing if the bad feeling is coming from yourself internally for whatever reason, or actually from the spirit themselves.

If it's really the spirit, then it's important to try explore what kind of bad vibes they are and why they might be there. (Is the spirit angry? Irritated? Sad? Gloomy? Etc) Because then that can be something to work on with the spirit if they're willing, smooth things out all that jazz.

I personally wouldn't cleanse outright or at all (I'm generally not keen on cleansing). To me in this particular case it kind of sends the message of like, "I want to get to know you but first of all you're faulty and dirty as you are, now let me give you a good wash before I touch you with a 10 ft stick", which I don't think is a very good basis for approaching someone. An introduction would be a much better first step ahaha.

I'd try to brainstorm & divine on what the spirit might like. It could also be connected to the very stare of the home. Like is it cluttered? Do small acts of the devotion by trying to declutter little by little to make the spirit feel more comfortable. Is the place bare? "Soulless"? How can you make it feel more homely in small ways? Scented candles, decorations, diy-ing things to make them work and look better, spending more time on upkeep or domestic activities, all of those are options. But while there's a general list of what you can do, ultimately the preference will lie in the spirit themselves and the specific circumstances of their home.

I'll definitely reblog any reblogs of this post, just to provide as much information from as many folks as possible. This is very much a case where we're not in that house with you and we don't know your practice, nor if anyone else lives with you who might have thoughts, so we're kind of just throwing some ideas at you which you can then take and adapt into something you can work with!

~Jasper

[ottermeat]

What ChatGPT knows today

Rich Walkling (born 1972) is an American musician, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist based in Berkeley, California. He has recorded under various names, including Rich Walkling, Richard Powell Walkling, Skunkwooder, The Daily Evening, The Beggars Trail, and The Kingdom of Leisure. Known for his eclectic style and experimental approach to music, Walkling has been active in the independent music scene, contributing to numerous projects that blend folk, rock, electronic, and avant-garde elements. His work under Skunkwooder and The Daily Evening is characterized by a fusion of lo-fi aesthetics and intricate soundscapes, while The Kingdom of Leisure explores more improvisational and genre-defying compositions.

Over the years, Walkling has gained a reputation for his DIY ethos, often self-producing and distributing his music through independent channels. His recordings span a range of instrumentation, including guitar, synthesizers, percussion, and field recordings, contributing to a distinctive, layered sound.

Influences and Style

Walkling's music is deeply influenced by a wide range of genres, including folk, psychedelic rock, ambient, and experimental electronic music. His compositions often feature unconventional song structures, poetic lyrics, and a mix of acoustic and electronic instrumentation.

Personal Life

Based in Berkeley, California, Walkling remains active in the local music scene, performing at intimate venues and collaborating with other artists. His work continues to evolve, often blurring the lines between traditional songwriting and sonic experimentation.

[amourkive]

DYED HANDS | KSJ

a/n: In honor of dyeing my hair, and the process being absolutely terrible, I bring a Jin fic of his famous diy purple hair...cause it was just tew iconic, and I want to go back to that time respectfully. per usual, stay gold⁷ -miri

masterlist

/ᐠ• ㅅ •ᐟ\

SeokJin wouldn't lie and say he wasn't upset when the company told him strictly that he couldn't dye his hair. He thought that this was just completely unfair, and subjugating.

Until, his sweet, yet mischievous lover had stopped by his hotel room one night, with two drugstore bags in hand. Curious, SeokJin watched as you placed them on the desk, smiling brightly.

"I know you just told me your managers said you couldn't dye your hair and all....but it so happens that I may have accidentally bought hair dye anyway." You stated, rummaging through the bag, pulling out four boxes of purple dye.

SeokJin couldn't help but stare in disbelief. Even though he was strictly forbidden to do anything to his hair, (not even the hair stylist wanted to fall in the wrath of the company) here his wonderful companion stood, boxes in hand waiting patiently.

"What color?" He asked and you smiled, "purple! for Army, duh!" you chirped, walking to the hotel bathroom, not needing to turn around to know SeokJin was following behind. "Right but, why so many boxes?" He asked a moment later, watching as you started to mix the dye in the bottles it came with.

"I thought it was obvious, I'm dyeing my hair too! you really think I wouldn't match with you? We do it every time. Am I the best, or am I the best?!" You asked, rhetorically, shaking two of the bottles, glancing at SeokJin through the mirror.

"yeah, you're the best...but I might actually get in trouble if I dye my hair" he muttered, his plump lips jutting out slightly, and you had almost wanted to kiss the pout off his face, instead you snorted in amusement.

"Says you, you cut your own bangs two months ago! and they were crooked! this is not as bad as that. And what can they really do about it, fire you?" He stared at you, as you wore a smug look.

Mumbling to himself, he slid the set of gloves that came with the dye, on. "Hand me the dye." He stuck his covered hand out, gripping the bottle as you handed it to him.

"See, now that's what I like to see! your hair, your choice!" you cheered him on, watching intently as he squeezed the bottle on top of his head, smearing it in with his gloved hand.

After what seemed like a while, you both sat in the bathtub, waiting patiently till it was time to rinse your hair out. "...what's the time at, Jinnie?" you asked, looking at him, your back sore from leaning against the hard tub.

"ERM...what timer?" He asked, turning to face you, eyebrow raised. You smiled tightly, "you know? the timer I TOLD YOU TO PUT ON! you want our hair to fall out!?"

Quickly the both of you scrambled out the tub, SeokJin turning the water on, ducking his head into the water that gushed out from the faucet. "I can't afford to lose my hair! not yet - it's not time!"

You gasped, hitting his arm, "oh so you wouldn't mind me being bald then?!" You can see his shoulders move in a shrugging motion, and you scoffed, "wow thanks..." you sat on the edge, waiting for your turn, humming a soft tune.

"a-Ah Help Me! BABY HELP ME IT GOT IN MY EYE!" SeokJin yelled out in pain, and you jumped up scrambling to help him with a towel in hand.

"So...." you trailed off, as both of you stared in the mirror, purple hair blotchy. "for how long we kept it in, I thought it would at least keep its color." you decided on saying because really, the blotchiness was just unnecessary.

"Long-Lasting my ass! this is coming off in a week." SeokJin muttered, throwing a towel over his hair, trying to dry it off as best he could. You followed suit, shrugging mindlessly.

"at least your hands are a cute purple !" You noted, looking down at yours as well- and yep, also dyed purple. You heard him groan from beside you, "Just great! You know how long this will take to fade? just great!"

You snickered, earning a look from him, but honestly, it was funny to you. "cheer up, baby...it's really not bad, it's cute!" hoping it would cheer him up, even if it was just slightly.

"this is not cute! I think the dye job is punishment enough. SeokJin....just," the manager waved his hand in front of him, "go. it wouldn't hurt for you or the boys to listen once in a while. As for you,"

he then pointed towards you, and you feigned Innocence, "I can't say anything to you- stop provoking Seokjin's ideas! I get you guys want to do couple matching things, but please, let's not mess with his looks."

you nodded, knowing this would happen again anyways, it always did, and he knew it too. "yes sir, I'll make sure to get matching shirts next time. wouldn't that be cute, Jinnie? matching shirts?"

Next to you SeokJin, shrugged, nodding. "I mean- yeah. maybe purple shirts would be better than our hair."

"I'll have you know you look handsome in your blotchy hair! it brings out your blotchy skin tone." you stated, to which he nodded, holding his chest, "thank you sweetheart that means a lot to me. The blotchy hair really brings out your uneven layers."

you gasp covering it with a laugh, "hah! you're so cute! I just love you!!" His windshield wiper laugh filled the room, as he brought you closer to him, placing a kiss on your nose, "i love you too...even though half the time i get scolded because of you."

"partners in crime. it's a mutual thing, really."

[mysticstarlightduck]

OC Bag Tag Game!

Hi guys!!! Sorry I've been AWOL for a while lmaoo. Been organizing some stuff in my life + dealing with my health & college but I'm working on making a comeback here lol

So I thought I might start off by making one of these for some of the cast of Crash Stardom! for starters lol

Let's go! <3

Rules: Name five things your OC would have in a backpack or any bag

Crash Stardom!

Tristan Mallory

His cellphone with a pink glittery casing

Ticket stubs from events and shows he's been to

Coffee candy + tutti-frutti bubblegum

Portable makeup kit

A custom self-defense taser and pepper spray

Trinkets given to him by his little brother

A cute gecko keychain he won at a fair

Nail polish and extra guitar strings

Noah Mallory

Polaroid pictures of cool places and random stuff

His cellphone, with a grey camo pattern

An assortment of stickers and cutouts

Extra hoodie or jacket

Many, many band-aids (both regular and colorful)

Stress ball

A thermos with coffee inside

An arcade gift card

Randall Sloanne

His water-filled breather for when land air gets too dry

A packet of dried fish sticks

Knife collection and ammo for his guns

Tech-gloves with different settings

Phone charger

Pen-drive with files on the Secret Society

Journal where he keeps his Revenge Findings TM

A change of clothes and extra kevlar vest

Arden Ellis

Bloodstained pocket knife and vigilantism stuff/serial-killing kit TM

Memorabilia from targets they have taken down

Drawings Fabian made when he was a kid and Arden cherished

Small laptop for occasional hacking

Climbing gear and lockpicks

Strawberry lip gloss

First aid kit they barely use

Futuristic walkman/ipod with their favorite playlists

Fabian Styrling

Diary/journal with his personal notes and info for the rebellion

Lucky bracelet which his bestie Kit Lovotta gave him

A crumpled polaroid picture of him and Arden when they were younger, which Fabian still keeps despite them being estranged

Antidepressants (labeled as his "happy pills (:" with a scribble)

Small packet of cereal to eat on-the-go

Disguises for emergencies and some bandages

Brass knuckles and emergency stun gun

Ilya Morikov

Pastel blue hair dye and glitter gel

Extra charcoal black letter jacket

Notepad where he practices his autographs with cutesy handwriting (and stars on the I's)

Cutouts of his interviews on newspapers

Gold and silver earrings with tiny diamonds shaped like stars

Inhaler for emergencies + epipen

Fingerless gloves

Sketchbook where he occasionally draws (never lets anyone know)

Black (and dark blue) eyeliner

Beck Staudder

45mm handgun with customized grip

Extra scarves to hide the scars on his neck/throat

Heavy duty sunscreen and a small parasol

Painkillers

Blood-packs for emergency snacking

Regular face masks (usually dark grey) and contacts

His engagement ring

Embroidery kit

Derya Muirenn

Wallet with at least five different credit cards and extra change

DIY bracelets she makes on her free time with colorful plastic bands, charms and trinkets

Silk handkerchief with her family logo on the edge

Her cellphone with a reinforced casing and a cute cat meme phone grip/holder on the back

Tons of info for the rebellion and blueprints for new projects

Pictures of her many cats

Old candy wrappers

Aspen Staudder

Fidget toys

Tablet that voices what she wants to speak

Sign language guide book

Chocolate bars and tons of snacks for anxiety moments

Sunglasses with red-ish lenses

Bright, colorful markers

Material for pranks and jokes

Fuzzy cardigan

A book on mythology

Chion Strihdda

TRAIL MIX, TRAIL MIX, TRAIL MIX

Some of their feathers that accidentally end up everywhere

Fun, random trinkets they steal borrow from cool places

Nail file for keeping claws nice and sharp

Game switch and tons of comic books given to them by Noah

Oversized hoodie to hide wings, definitely doesn't belong to 'em

"Shiny things" (jewelry) they took from Tristan's room

A random spider they adopted

Tagging my Taglist gently:

@the-letterbox-archives

@kitty-is-writing

@sleepy-night-child,

@tabswrites

@kaylinalexanderbooks,

@smol-feralgremlin,

@oh-no-another-idea,

@littleladymab,

@little-peril-stories

@thelovelymachinery

@eccaiia,

@sarahlizziewrites,

@illarian-rambling

@agirlandherquill,

@anoelleart,

@ray-writes-n-shit

@writernopal,

@anyablackwood,

@forthesanityofstorytellers,

@finickyfelix

@i-can-even-burn-salad,

@cakeinthevoid,

@thepeculiarbird,

@clairelsonao3,

@memento-morri-writes,

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@wyked-ao3 and OPEN TAG

[mcbunnyboy]

dreamtime playland

here are new housing developments in the strange version of my dream town of methuen and salem. there is one house i find myself in, with my brother, but it’s not my house? its night time. this house is pretty bare. not particularly homely. it’s a tall mcmansion type thing, though mansion isn’t right. a simple facade, vinyl tiling painted a dull blue. no character. there is a jazz/soul/blue band practicing in the living room. a story and plot of sort is making its way into the details but i’m not sure i quite remember. only that there was a ghostly, phantasmic essence to it, then we found ourselves outside, looking for either drugs or ghosts.

me and mark found a show on netflix. it was a new season and we had watched a few episodes of before. the episodes i had watched before were about a group of sort of aimless teenagers that that started working at a K-mart that was relatively new. one of the people was this handsome edgy trash dreamy guy who ill call Deames. the first few episode were only five minutes long and were originally youtube shorts.

weirdly, the show is also part of my life. earlier that day at the K-mart, me and mark weng. mostly to use the bathroom. we were on rt. 28, which is a big route in salem nh with chain restaurants and retails. now they decided to create a new skyline of giant sky scrapers of cartoon characters that lined the road. these were hundreds of feet tall and made and were colorful and new. a few characters used were Flinstones character, especially Fred and that purple dinosaur. Rugrats. Ten and Stimpy. Care Bears. giant statues lining the street, that followed an old train rail that is no longer in use that later became a rail trail.

the show now finds us in the auto garage part of the K-mart, where we find the edgy heart throb who was in the earlier episodes had gotten less attractive, greasier. imagine syd barrett in his early pink floyd days versus his reclusive years. he was weird a green tank top and had tattoos and was now bald, no longer sporting the black oily locks that defined his style in the earlier episodes. but he still seemed in similar young aimless, edgy spirits, only a little sadder.

we find now that a group of people have begun developing a diy community that would have wrestling matches in the large auto repair shop at night and later host shows. in this episode there was a round table show, where bands set up on different spots and one plays a song, then we move to the next band, and they each play one song: they opened with a 90s hit like gin blossoms or something, then a punk band.

the place seemed like a mixture of a home and the garage of the K-mart, probably morphing as my dream went on. but soon we found ourselves in a parking lot at night, lit by the moon, and we walked into the middle of a small grove of pine trees where we smoked weed.

after the episode finished i looked at mark and said “damn that show was fucking sick.” we decided to watch another episode:

was there more? probably. it connected in a magnificent way. the show continued and had characters that were well rounded. its style was probably a cross of teen comedy and teen drama, mixed with surrealistic and edgy experimental like harmony korine, larry clark with a hint of lynch (rip). and then a splash of something yet unseen, but maybe youtube style lost and obscure footage.

[forevrus-in-love]

What Are Some Valentine's Day Date Night Ideas?

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate your love than with a night to remember? Let's dive into some easy-to-follow late-night Valentine's Day date ideas that promise to spark your celebration.

1. Romantic Dinner at Home

Setting the Atmosphere

Soft lights, candles flickering, and your favorite love songs playing in the background. Creating a cozy atmosphere is the first step to a perfect late-night Valentine's Day. Illuminate your space with a gentle glow, and don't forget to add a touch of magic with those flickering candles.

Cooking Together

Turn your kitchen into a shared adventure. Pick a recipe that speaks to both of you and let the culinary journey begin. It's not just about the food; it's about the laughter, the teamwork, and the joy of creating something delicious together.

Indoor or Outdoor Picnic

Who says picnics are only for daylight hours? Lay out a comfy blanket indoors or venture outside for a moonlit dinner. Pack your partner's favorite snacks, and under the stars, enjoy a romantic evening that feels simple and extraordinary.

2. Outdoor Adventure

Stargazing

Escape the city hustle and bustle for a quiet spot where the stars take center stage. Lay back, hold hands, and let the night sky be the backdrop to your intimate conversations. See if you can spot constellations and, who knows, maybe catch a glimpse of a shooting star.

Sunset Hike or Walk

For a mix of romance and adventure, explore a scenic trail or park as the sun dips below the horizon. Pack a small picnic to savor during your journey, turning your late afternoon into an enchanting experience.

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Take your love to new heights with a hot air balloon ride. Feel the thrill of floating in the sky, surrounded by breathtaking views. Share a toast mid-air, making this Valentine's Day an unforgettable high point in your relationship.

Also read more Valentine’s day date ideas 

3. Creative Activities

Paint and Sip Night

Discover your inner artist with a paint-and-sip night at home. Create a painting station, follow a tutorial, or let your creativity run wild. Sip on your favorite beverages, and revel in the joy of crafting a masterpiece together.

DIY Craft Night

Unleash your creativity with a DIY night. Choose a project that interests you, whether personalized gifts or unique home decor. Crafting together isn't just about the result; it's about the journey and the shared memories you create along the way.

Couples' Massage Night

Transform your living space into a serene spa for a night of relaxation. Take turns giving each other massages, using scented oils and soothing music to enhance the experience. It's a simple yet intimate activity that fosters a deeper connection.

4. Movie Marathon

Personalized Film Selection

Craft a movie lineup that holds sentimental value for both of you. Whether revisiting old favorites or discovering new ones, a personalized film selection adds a personal touch to your late-night movie marathon.

Snack Buffet

Elevate your movie night with a variety of snacks and treats. From classic popcorn to homemade goodies, create a snack buffet to indulge in while immersing yourselves in the movie marathon. Set up a cozy movie-watching space with blankets and pillows for added comfort.

Share Thoughts and Memories

Between movies, take a moment to discuss favorite scenes or reminisce about shared memories related to the films. These reflections deepen your connection, making the movie marathon more than just a passive activity.

Conclusion

As Valentine's Day approaches, consider these late night date ideas to create an extraordinary celebration of love. Whether you choose a romantic dinner, an outdoor adventure, creative activities, or a movie marathon, the key is to focus on quality time and shared experiences. Make this Valentine's Day unforgettable by embracing the simplicity and beauty of creating lasting memories with your significant other. 

[alvfr]

The Ex from Hell - Part 1

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3]

This is what I wrote based on this prompt here and I liked it so much it spawned more parts, so I'm trying to collect them. I'd love to hear your thoughts if you take the time to read and feel free to reblog if you want <3

WIP: The Ex from Hell Excerpt rating: T Word count: 2.4k

The important thing to remember, was that I was not trying to summon a demon. The fact that I was not trying to summon a demon while performing a ritual to summon a demon definitely complicated things, but my life was nothing if not complicated. It should not have worked. I had skipped half the so-called essential equipment and preparations listed in the Book, slapped the sigil down in broad messy strokes using a broken makeup brush, and mumbled most of the incantations under my breath so low I barely heard it myself. It should not have worked.

And yet, the sigil — painted in bright millenial pink leftover from a DIY project — started to glow on the concrete floor. So far along, the ritual pulled out the rest of the incantations from my mouth, I could not have stopped now even if I tried, while a tension built everywhere in the room, including my body. It pushed and pulled in my chest, my throat, my sinuses, my skull, my eyes — growing and growing until I feared my whole head would pop right off my shoulders. It did not. With the anti-climax of a cut trip wire, the dam burst and the sigil flashed so bright I almost lost my vision and was left to stare blindly at the vaguely humanoid shape appearing in a vortex of smoke and shadows. The smell of burning filled the damp basement, mixing with the sickening odor of mold and rotten wood.

The thing, still concealed in the dark, spoke in a guttural tone; its language sounding as old and dead as the civilization it once stemmed from. Probably asking the standard question about which foolish mortal had dared summon them, yadda yadda yadda. Stars continued to dance before my eyes and I blinked several times in order to adjust to the dim light after all the poor LED-candles had gone out from the demon’s arrival.

“English, please,” I said and coughed from the thick smog that coiled into my throat. “And can you do something about that smoke before it sets off the carbon monoxide detector?”

To its credit, the smoke cleared in an instant while a way-too-familiar voice said in perfect modern-day English: “You have got to be kidding me.”

And as my eyes adjusted, I wished they had not. For standing in the circle atop the haphardouzly painted sigil, naked and perfectly sculpted like a mahogany statue, stood none other than my ex-husband. 

“Santiago?” I spat, out of breath and unable to put the appropriate amount of venom into his name. “What are youdoing here?”

Because it was him. Everything about him exactly as I remembered, apart from his eyes that glowed a dull red, like the reflection of a distant hellfire. Not even the finest shapeshifter or body double could manage such a perfect replica and especially not the expression of pure and utter contempt highlighted by the curl of his lip and the pull of his brows. 

“What am I doing here?” His voice, unheard for seven years now, cut its way through my ear canals like every vowel wielded a razor. Determined to carve out the path again after all this time. “I was summoned! An exclusive VIP-can’t-refuse-can’t deny invitation dragging me back to this horror show of a dimension. The real question is, what are youdoing here? And where,” he swept his muscular arm along the room with his suspicious glare trailing, “is the foolish mortal who dared summon me and will regret it to their dying day?”

“What did you just call me?” 

“I called you nothing!”

“Foolish mortal?” I repeated in a mocking deep voice, arms already crossed over my chest and hip cocked to the side. “Why do you talk like some kind of,” the realization slapped into my brain like a ruler over my fingers, taking the question mark out of my mouth as I whispered, “demon.”

Instead of the hard denial a part of me still hoped for, Santiago’s vivid attention returned to me and my skin grew prickly and cold. He tilted his head, like a grown hellhound burdened with behavior imprinted as a puppy, a habit always displayed when he was confused. “You summoned me?”

“No!” The word shot out before I could stop it and I gritted my teeth before amending it to: “Well, yes, but not on purpose.”

“You what then? Tripped over the paint bucket, swore in ancient Akkadian and accidentally performed a summoning ritual?” Santiago took a step forward, stopped and gave his surroundings another disdainful glance. His lip curled further into what could only be classified as a snarl. “Now what in the eight blazing hells is this?”

“Nothing.” I bit my teeth together, but was helpless at the sound of his impatient snort. “It’s just a circle.”

“A circle? This isn’t a circle, it’s a damned fun fair laser show.”

“It’s a circle, gods be damned! It just happens to be made up of LED-strips.” My defence raised immediately at the sight of his disbelieving face, the distant memories all too close in the blink of an eye. “You make do with what you have, all right?”

“Of course. A circle, made from whatever trash you happened to have lying around. What are you, some kind of,” his voice turned cold and changed its pitch before his last word, “witch.” He drew his hand over his mouth, each of his fingers ending in sharp black nails I had failed to notice before. “Oh, no.”

“Yeah, oh no. For once, I agree with you. “I barely looked up from where my finger trailed the handwritten lines of the Book. “Now shut up for a second.”

“What are you doing?”

“Trying to see if I accidentally used the Summon-A-Lying-Two-Timing-Scumbag spell instead of the Summon-A-Demon one! Not that they’re mutually exclusive, as demonstrated by your very presence.” I slapped the book shut, erupting a cloud of dust that made me cough. “I can’t believe you never told me you were a frickin’ demon, Santi!”

His voice sounded like a roaring waterfall just before the surface. “Just like you never told me you were a filthy, disgusting witch!” 

Witch. Witch witch witch witch witch.

“Because I’m not!” Again, the pressure in my chest made me chomp down on my own lip. “Or I wasn’t. Look, I used to be one, then I quit, and now I’m sort of back, but I don’t really want to be, okay?”

“Glad to see your remarkable eloquence has remained unchanged.” Santiago’s hooded eyes looked heavier than before, as if consumed with instant boredom in my presence. The familiarity wreaked havoc with my insides. “And you never cared to mention this during our three years of holy matrimony?”

“There was nothing holy about our marriage,” I snapped back, my knuckles turning white from clutching the Book in my hands. “Apart from the sex. Speaking of, could you use your demonic shenanigans and conjure some clothes?”

His voice smoothed as river water reaching the sea as his lean body tightened further. “Am I distracting you?”

“Yes,” I bit out, knowing myself defenceless from trying to subjugate the truth. For all the hardships our marriage had suffered, his physical appearance had not been part of it. “I honestly thought I’d never have to say this again, but cover up your damned dick, Santi.”

So familiar with the workings of his face, I recognized both when his mouth moved to stretch into a dangerous smile and when it stopped in puzzlement. The way the nostrils of his slightly hooked nose flared, the way his thick eyebrows twitched up — either struggling with the effort of conjuring the loose pants materializing on his lower body or with the effort of fighting it.

“What,” he growled, “in the eight hells is this?”

“I told you. It’s a circle.”

“You trapped me! Spellbound me! Oh, you dirty little sneaky witch, you really are all the same, aren’t you?”

“I sure as hell didn’t have plans to make any kind of pact, if that’s what you mean. And definitely not with you.” I forfeited his attention in favor of the Book, flipping through crinkled pages in fast succession. “Now can you shut up?”

“What are you looking for now, witch, in that little book of yours?” 

“A vanquishing spell. We need to get you out of here.”

A puff of smoke came out his nostrils. “Hmph. You went through all this trouble just to cast me aside again? Without telling me why I’m even here? For what purpose you summoned me?” Even while straining my eyes on the Book, Santiago’s glare sent shivers down my spine. “Which of the tedious reasons can it be? Humans are all the same, after all. My first guess would be money, but you are looking plumper and softer than ever before so that can’t be it. Sex?” A tantalizing tilt to both his jaw and tone. “Have you caught an itch you can’t scratch yourself these days? The trap blocks your scent, it’s hard to tell. It can’t be power, not when you managed to ensnare me with this circus rendition of a circle. So what does that leave?”

I did not look up — I had found the correct spell, at least I hoped so — but had to answer. “Protection.”

“Protection?” he repeated, all of a sudden so human-like it made my heart ache. “Protection from what?”

Before I could reply, a heavy knocking sounded from the basement door and a skeleton claw of fear grasped my heart harder than ever this night. “Have you quite finished, girl? Is the demon fully subdued?”

“Not yet, Grandaunt Hester,” I said and winced at the high infliction of my voice. I gave Santi a wide-eyed look, pleading with him to keep quiet until she went away. “Give me a little more time, please, Grandaunt Hester.”

A different voice came from the door now, reedier and harder. “We don’t have much time, child. Hurry.”

“I will.” 

Santiago made motion to speak, but I flapped my hand at him to make him wait until sure the old hags had gone back up the stairs. The way his jaw set and his eyes widened as he glared at me told me everything I needed to know and I bowed my head to escape that look, trying to decipher the Book’s writing instead. Despite my attempts, I caught the way he again surveyed the basement and the stack of boxes along the wall, each marked with a different name.

“We’re in your family home,” he whispered; not a question, saving me the trouble of coming up with an answer. “You hate your family. Would rather poke your eyeballs out than spend another minute in their presence. Or at least that’s what you told me.” Not a question either, did not beget an answer. “Was it a lie? What is going on?”

Damn. 

“No, it wasn’t a lie,” I said and avoided any and all of his attempts to look me in the eyes. It was never a lie. Could never be a lie. “It’s complicated, okay? Things have changed. I have changed. For what it’s worth, I wasn’t trying to summon you — or any other demon for that matter, but I had to at least make half of an attempt so I could tell Grandaunt Hester that I did and now we need to get you back before they come down here and sees you.”

“Oh, I see. You’re that kind of witch, are you?” Santi’s dull red eyes glinted in the shadows. “No wonder you were always such a bitch. Could not help yourself. I just have one question, disgraced queen of my heart.” I steeled myself for the inevitable, but Santi’s eyes seemed to have caught on something and he asked: “What is that half-dead succulent doing on my sigil?”

“Book said there had to be a living sacrifice.”

“Traditionally that would mean a little baby goat or a lamb. Maybe a rooster.”

“Okay, this is the twenty-first century, it’s not like you can just go out to the mall and get yourself a live goat or a frickin’ rooster in the middle of the day. Besides, you know I have allergies.”

“I do know that.” His head tilted as he watched me. “And so you used a succulent. I see no gifts or offerings, this sigil is half a brushstroke away from being inelligeble, not to mention in a most gaudish color, these candles run on batteries where half of them have already failed, and you stand there fully clothed when I know for a fact that every last penned summoning ritual begets complete and utter nudity. And yet,” he held up a clawed finger to still my protest about how damned cold it was down here, “it worked. Why?”

“You make do with what you have,” I repeated myself from earlier, as honest an answer as I could make it. “Now shut up, I need to concentrate.” I held the book aloft and started stumbling through the unfamiliar language, feeling the strings of my mind pulling the strings of the universe.

“Are you seriously going to vanquish me?” He sounded dreadfully bored. “Me? Dead rose of my garden, you know me. Let me out of the circle and we can talk.” The incantations flowed out my mouth, preventing me from answering his increasingly desperate questions. The shadows swirled, the sigil flared. “Stop it now, my broken-winged dove. What do you need protection from? Why do you need a demon? Do you need help? I can give you that, just stop talking and open this circle. Put down the book.” The further my words went, the stronger my voice grew and the basement filled with the opposite of the pressure from earlier. A vacuum, no less uncomfortable for that. “Put down that book and talk to me, hells be damned!” 

Incantation done, I put down the book just as he asked and watched the shadow vortex crawl up Santiago’s legs. “This was awful. Let’s never do it again.”

“You have changed,” Santiago snarled, sounding choked on the smoke expelled from the sigil. “Grown fat and strong, have you? Sober, even?”

“Painfully so. Now go to hell, Santiago.”

All the strings of the universe grew taut and rigid before everything shattered with the same anti-climatic pop from before. Only the sigil, painted in my favorite color, and the forlorn LED-strips remained in the basement. I closed the book and braced myself for facing my Grandaunt Hester, planning to give her nothing but the truth. 

Not the whole truth, but nothing but the truth. 

[alvfr]

The important thing to remember is that I was not trying to summon a demon. The fact that I was not trying to summon a demon while performing a ritual to summon a demon definitely complicated things, but my life was nothing if not complicated. It should not have worked. I had skipped half the so-called essential equipment and preparations listed in the Book, slapped the sigil down in broad, messy strokes using a broken makeup brush, and mumbled most of the incantations under my breath so low I barely heard it myself. It should not have worked.

And yet, the sigil — painted in bright millennial pink leftover from a DIY project — started to glow on the concrete floor. So far along, the ritual pulled out the rest of the incantations from my mouth; I could not have stopped now, even if I tried, while tension built everywhere in the room, including my body. It pushed and pulled in my chest, my throat, my sinuses, my skull, my eyes — growing and growing until I feared my whole head would pop right off my shoulders. It did not. With the anti-climax of a cut trip wire, the dam burst, and the sigil flashed so bright I almost lost my vision and was left to stare blindly at the vaguely humanoid shape appearing in a vortex of smoke and shadows. The smell of burning filled the damp basement, mixing with the sickening odor of mold and rotten wood.

The thing, still concealed in the dark, spoke in a guttural tone, its language sounding as old and dead as the civilization it once stemmed from. Probably asking the standard question about which foolish mortal had dared summon them, yadda yadda yadda. Stars continued to dance before my eyes, and I blinked several times to adjust to the dim light after all the poor LED candles had gone out from the demon’s arrival.

“English, please,” I said and coughed from the thick smog that coiled into my throat. “And can you do something about that smoke before it sets off the carbon monoxide detector?”

To its credit, the smoke cleared in an instant while a way-too-familiar voice said in perfect modern-day English: “You have got to be kidding me.”

And as my eyes adjusted, I wished they had not. For standing in the circle atop the hazardously painted sigil, naked and perfectly sculpted like a mahogany statue, stood none other than my ex-husband.

“Santiago?” I spat, out of breath and unable to put the appropriate amount of venom into his name. “What are you doing here?”

Because it was him. Everything about him precisely as I remembered, apart from his eyes that glowed a dull red, like the reflection of a distant hellfire. Not even the finest shapeshifter or body double could manage such a perfect replica, especially not the expression of pure and utter contempt highlighted by the curl of his lip and the pull of his brows.

“What am I doing here?” His voice, unheard for seven years now, cut its way through my ear canals like every vowel wielded a razor. Determined to carve out the path again after all this time. “I was summoned! An exclusive VIP-can’t-refuse-can’t deny invitation dragging me back to this horror show of a dimension. The real question is, what are you doing here? And where,” he swept his muscular arm along the room with his suspicious glare trailing behind, “is the foolish mortal who dared summon me and will regret it to their dying day?”

“What did you just call me?”

“I called you nothing!”

“Foolish mortal?” I repeated in a mocking deep voice, arms already crossed over my chest and hip cocked to the side. “Why do you talk like some kind of,” the realization slapped into my brain like a ruler over my fingers, taking the question mark out of my mouth as I whispered, “demon.”

Instead of the brutal denial a part of me still hoped for, Santiago’s vivid attention returned to me, and my skin grew prickly and cold. He tilted his head, like a grown hellhound burdened with behavior imprinted as a puppy, a habit always displayed when he was confused. “You summoned me?”

“No!” The word shot out before I could stop it, and I gritted my teeth before amending it. “Well, yes, but not on purpose.”

“You what then? Tripped over the paint bucket, swore in ancient Akkadian, and accidentally performed a summoning ritual?” Santiago took a step forward, stopped, and gave his surroundings another disdainful glance. His lip curled further into what could only be classified as a snarl. “Now, what in the eight blazing hells is this?”

“Nothing.” I bit my teeth together but was helpless at the sound of his impatient snort. “It’s just a circle.”

“A circle? This isn’t a circle, it’s a damned fun fair laser show.”

“It’s a circle, gods be damned! It just happens to be made up of LED strips.” My defense raised immediately at the sight of his disbelieving face, the distant memories all too close in the blink of an eye. “You make do with what you have, all right?”

“Of course. A circle made from whatever trash you happened to have lying around. What are you, some kind of,” his voice turned cold and changed its pitch before his last word, “witch.” He drew his hand over his mouth, each of his fingers ending in sharp black nails I had failed to notice before. “Oh, no.”

“Yeah, oh no. For once, I agree with you. “I barely looked up from where my finger trailed the handwritten lines of the Book. “Now shut up for a second.”

“What are you doing?”

“Trying to see if I accidentally used the Summon-A-Lying-Two-Timing-Scumbag spell instead of the Summon-A-Demon one! Not that they’re mutually exclusive, as demonstrated by your very presence.” I slapped the book shut, erupting a cloud of dust that made me cough. “I can’t believe you never told me you were a frickin’ demon, Santi!”

His voice sounded like a roaring waterfall just before the surface. “Just like you never told me you were a filthy, disgusting witch!”

Witch. Witch witch witch witch witch.

“Because I’m not!” Again, the pressure in my chest made me chomp down on my own lip. “Or I wasn’t. Look, I used to be one, then I quit, and now I’m sort of back, but I don’t really want to be, okay?”

“Glad to see your remarkable eloquence has remained unchanged.” Santiago’s hooded eyes looked heavier than before as if consumed with instant boredom in my presence. The familiarity wreaked havoc on my insides. “And you never cared to mention this during our three years of holy matrimony?”

“There was nothing holy about our marriage,” I snapped back, my knuckles turning white from clutching the Book in my hands. “Apart from the sex. Speaking of, could you use your demonic shenanigans and conjure some clothes?”

His voice smoothed as river water reached the sea, and his lean body tightened further. “Am I distracting you?”

“Yes,” I bit out, knowing myself defenseless from trying to subjugate the truth. For all the hardships our marriage had suffered, his physical appearance had not been part of it. “I honestly thought I’d never have to say this again, but cover up your damned dick, Santi.”

So familiar with the workings of his face, I recognized both when his mouth moved to stretch into a dangerous smile and when it stopped in puzzlement. The way the nostrils of his slightly hooked nose flared, the way his thick eyebrows twitched up — either struggling with the effort of conjuring the loose pants materializing on his lower body or with the effort of fighting it.

“What,” he growled, “in the eight hells is this?”

“I told you. It’s a circle.”

“You trapped me! Spellbound me! Oh, you dirty little sneaky witch, you really are all the same, aren’t you?”

“I sure as hell didn’t have plans to make any kind of pact, if that’s what you mean. And definitely not with you.” I forfeited his attention in favor of the Book, flipping through crinkled pages in fast succession. “Now, can you shut up?”

“What are you looking for now, witch, in that little book of yours?”

“A vanquishing spell. We need to get you out of here.”

A puff of smoke came out his nostrils. “Hmph. You went through all this trouble just to cast me aside again? Without telling me why I’m even here? For what purpose did you summon me?” Even while straining my eyes on the Book, Santiago’s glare sent shivers down my spine. “Which of the tedious reasons can it be? Humans are all the same, after all. My first guess would be money, but you are looking plumper and softer than ever before, so that can’t be it. Sex?” A tantalizing tilt to both his jaw and tone. “Have you caught an itch you can’t scratch yourself these days? The trap blocks your scent; it’s hard to tell. It can’t be power, not when you managed to ensnare me with this circus rendition of a circle. So what does that leave?”

I did not look up — I had found the correct spell, at least I hoped so — but had to answer. “Protection.”

“Protection?” he repeated, all of a sudden so human-like it made my heart ache. “Protection from what?”

Before I could reply, a heavy knocking sounded from the basement door, and a skeleton claw of fear grasped my heart harder than ever that night. “Have you quite finished, girl? Is the demon fully subdued?”

“Not yet, Grandaunt Hester,” I said and winced at the high infliction of my voice. I gave Santi a wide-eyed look, pleading with him to keep quiet until she went away. “Give me a little more time, please, Grandaunt Hester.”

A different voice came from the door now, reedier and harder. “We don’t have much time, child. Hurry.”

“I will.”

Santiago made a motion to speak, but I flapped my hand at him to make him wait until I was sure the old hags had gone back up the stairs. The way his jaw set and his eyes widened as he glared at me told me everything I needed to know, and I bowed my head to escape that look, trying to decipher the Book’s writing instead. Despite my attempts, I caught the way he again surveyed the basement and the stack of boxes along the wall, each marked with a different name.

“We’re in your family home,” he whispered, not a question, saving me the trouble of coming up with an answer. “You hate your family. Would rather poke your eyeballs out than spend another minute in their presence. Or at least that’s what you told me.” Not a question either, did not beget an answer. “Was it a lie? What is going on?”

Damn.

“No, it wasn’t a lie,” I said and avoided any and all of his attempts to look me in the eyes. It was never a lie. Could never be a lie. “It’s complicated, okay? Things have changed. I have changed. For what it’s worth, I wasn’t trying to summon you — or any other demon, for that matter, but I had to at least make half of an attempt so I could tell Grandaunt Hester that I did, and now we need to get you back before they come down here and sees you.”

“Oh, I see. You’re that kind of witch, are you?” Santi’s dull red eyes glinted in the shadows. “No wonder you were always such a bitch. Could not help yourself. I just have one question, disgraced queen of my heart.” I steeled myself for the inevitable, but Santi’s eyes seemed to have caught on something, and he asked: “What is that half-dead succulent doing on my sigil?”

“Book said there had to be a living sacrifice.”

“Traditionally, that would mean a little baby goat or a lamb. Maybe a rooster.”

“Okay, this is the twenty-first century; it’s not like you can just go out to the mall and get yourself a live goat or a frickin’ rooster in the middle of the day. Besides, you know I have allergies.”

“I do know that.” His head tilted as he watched me. “And so you used a succulent. I see no gifts or offerings; this sigil is half a brushstroke away from being ineligible, not to mention in a most gaudish color. These candles run on batteries where half of them have already failed, and you stand there fully clothed when I know for a fact that every last penned summoning ritual begets complete and utter nudity. And yet,” he held up a clawed finger to still my protest about how damned cold it was down here, “it worked. Why?”

“You make do with what you have,” I repeated myself from earlier, as honest an answer as I could make it. “Now shut up. I need to concentrate.” I held the book aloft and started stumbling through the unfamiliar language, feeling the strings of my mind pulling the strings of the universe.

“Are you seriously going to vanquish me?” He sounded dreadfully bored. “Me? Dead rose of my garden, you know me. Let me out of the circle, and we can talk.” The incantations flowed out of my mouth, preventing me from answering his increasingly desperate questions. The shadows swirled, and the sigil flared. “Stop it now, my broken-winged dove. What do you need protection from? Why do you need a demon? Do you need help? I can give you that. Just stop talking and open this circle. Put down the book.” The further my words went, the stronger my voice grew, and the basement filled with the opposite of the pressure from earlier. A vacuum, no less uncomfortable for that. “Put down that book and talk to me, hells be damned!”

Incantation done, I put down the book just as he asked and watched the shadow vortex crawl up Santiago’s legs. “This was awful. Let’s never do it again.”

“You have changed,” Santiago snarled, sounding choked on the smoke expelled from the sigil. “Grown fat and strong, have you? Sober, even?”

“Painfully so. Now go to hell, Santiago.”

All the strings of the universe grew taut and rigid before everything shattered with the same anti-climatic pop from before. Only the sigil, painted in my favorite color, and the forlorn LED strips remained in the basement. I closed the book and braced myself to face my Grandaunt, Hester, planning to give her nothing but the truth.

Not the whole truth, but nothing but the truth.

It’s a bit awkward that you managed to actually summon a demon; almost as awkward as that demon being your ex spouse.

[entertainerandinformed]

DIY Anthropologie Monogrammed Mug

You Will Need :

Mug

Acrylic Paint

Clear Gloss Glaze

Paintbrush

Oven

Directions :

Paint on a letter of your choice

Use Clear Gloss Glaze paint it over the paint to seal it and finish it keep it off the rim of the mug

Put it in the oven 350 degrees for half an hour

Add a small gift like candy or Trail Mix or anything you desire

[ezpestservice]

Why Ants Invade Your Home in San Fernando Valley & How to Stop Them

Ant infestations are a common problem in San Fernando Valley due to the region’s warm climate, which provides ideal conditions for ants to thrive. Whether you're dealing with a few scout ants or a full-blown invasion, understanding why ants invade your home and how to prevent them is key to maintaining a pest-free environment. In this blog, we’ll explore the reasons behind ant infestations and provide expert solutions from EZ Pest Service, your trusted partner for ant control in San Fernando Valley.

Why Do Ants Invade Homes in San Fernando Valley?

Ants enter homes in search of three essential elements: food, water, and shelter. San Fernando Valley’s hot weather often drives them indoors, especially during dry seasons when water sources outside become scarce. Here are the main reasons why ants might be invading your home:

1. Food Sources Attract Ants

Ants are highly attracted to food, especially sweet, greasy, or protein-rich substances. If food crumbs, spills, or unsealed pantry items are present, ants will quickly find their way inside.

How to Prevent It:

Store food in airtight containers.

Wipe down kitchen counters and sweep floors regularly.

Take out the trash frequently and use bins with tight-fitting lids.

2. Water Availability

Like all living creatures, ants need water to survive. Leaky pipes, pet water bowls, or condensation near sinks and bathtubs can serve as a water source for ants, encouraging them to nest nearby.

How to Prevent It:

Fix leaks in faucets and pipes.

Keep sinks and bathtubs dry when not in use.

Empty pet water bowls when not needed.

3. Nesting Sites Provide Shelter

Some ants, such as carpenter ants, seek out moist wood for nesting. Others might build colonies inside walls, under floors, or in warm, secluded areas of your home.

How to Prevent It:

Seal cracks and crevices around doors, windows, and foundations.

Keep woodpiles away from your home.

Reduce excess moisture by using a dehumidifier.

Common Types of Ants Found in San Fernando Valley

San Fernando Valley is home to several species of ants, each requiring different methods of control:

Argentine Ants: These small, dark ants form massive colonies and are difficult to eliminate without professional pest control.

Carpenter Ants: Known for damaging wooden structures, carpenter ants tunnel through wood to create their nests.

Odorous House Ants: These ants emit a foul smell when crushed and are commonly found in kitchens.

Fire Ants: Aggressive and known for their painful stings, fire ants can pose a danger to pets and humans.

How to Get Rid of Ants in Your Home

If you’ve noticed ants in your home, it's crucial to take immediate action. Here are some effective ant control methods:

1. Natural Remedies

Vinegar Solution: A mix of equal parts vinegar and water can disrupt ant trails and deter them from entering your home.

Diatomaceous Earth: Sprinkling food-grade diatomaceous earth around entry points can kill ants by dehydrating them.

Lemon Juice & Peppermint Oil: These natural repellents mask scent trails and discourage ants from entering.

2. Over-the-Counter Ant Baits & Sprays

Ant baits containing borax attract ants, which then carry the poison back to their colony, gradually eliminating the infestation. However, sprays may only kill visible ants and not the entire colony.

3. Professional Ant Control Services

For persistent or large-scale infestations, DIY methods may not be effective. That’s where EZ Pest Service comes in! Our expert pest control team specializes in ant control in San Fernando Valley, providing tailored treatments to eliminate ants and prevent future infestations.

How EZ Pest Service Can Help

At EZ Pest Service, we use advanced ant control techniques, including:

Thorough Inspections: Identifying entry points and nesting sites.

Eco-Friendly Treatments: Safe and effective solutions for families and pets.

Preventative Maintenance Plans: Ongoing pest control to keep your home ant-free year-round.

Prevent Future Ant Infestations

To ensure long-term protection against ants, follow these preventive measures:

Regularly inspect and seal entry points.

Maintain cleanliness in the kitchen and dining areas.

Schedule routine pest control inspections with EZ Pest Service.

Conclusion

Ants may be small, but their infestations can be a big problem if not addressed promptly. By eliminating food and water sources, sealing entry points, and using effective pest control methods, you can keep your home ant-free. However, if ants continue to invade your home, EZ Pest Service offers expert ant control in San Fernando Valley to protect your property. Contact us today for a consultation and let us help you reclaim your home from these pesky invaders!