#Darshan Dog

[michellemouse]

HEY HEY HEY!!!

I just redesigned some Ocs that I don't usually use

AH! and Hiya, Dixie👋👋👋

Merry Mouse

Rocket Mouse's cousin

Taxi driver in House Of Mouse

Marcos Morges Rat

previously Canon x Oc with Mortimer lmfao

Gyro Gearloose and Megavolt fanchild <//3 /J

He went from femboy to being a crazy man obsessed with robotics

Darshan Dog

Repairer of pipes and mechanical functions at HOM

Hes on the side of the bad guys but he isn't an evil boy... he only hangs out with ppl he likes ("bro...do u really like Zeke or Pete?☠️")

Do u think it would be a good idea to make him a Horace Horsecollar fan/fanboy?🤔

Darcy Dog

Minnie Mouse's rival

Mickey's old classmate

Shes in love with mickey

Basically shes like Pauline from Mario Bro

She and Mortimer work together on their plans/ideas (but if we're talking abt romantic tensions... they eventually don't feel any attraction towards each other)

Popular influencer

[fabricated-misslieness]

ᴘᴀɪʀɪɴɢ: alhaitham x gn reader

ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ: alhaitham answers a seamingly meaningless question while cuddling with you

ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ: 562

ᴍᴀʏʙ'ꜱ ɴᴏᴛᴇ: that this is the second time the reader is akin to a cat in an alhaitham fic is pure coincidence I swear. No beef vs dogs

"What animal would you be?"

Kaveh had asked this on a stray night, a couple drinks in, buzzed and free but not sobbing-drunk as he always is. He had meant it as an innocent question, a fun fact, and said that he would love to be a lion, coincidentally his Darshan's insignia, because they looked cool—well, he listed a lot more reasons, but that's what it boiled down to.

Alhaitham that same night said it was meaningless to answer. It's not like one would be able to achieve such a thing–morphing into an animal–anyway. Thus, he did not answer, and neither had you at the time, since conversation had moved on quickly after Alhaitham had shut his former roommate down.

However, despite his claims of it being meaningless, it seems to have stuck to his mind. He finds himself pondering the question whenever his mind drifts off work, which is a rare occurrence in itself, since he is a very focused individual.

Would he be a dog? Absolutely not. A crow? No, he didn't much care for shiny things. On the broader spectrum, a solitary animal? No, he had you.

The question, after everything, proved to be quite challenging.

The answer finally comes to him on an empty weekend afternoon which he's got no choice but to fill with physical contact from his undoubted "love of my life"—he says it that way, but he's got plenty choice and he chooses without hesitation.

Alhaitham's holding you, and you are merely enjoying your time together, when he says, "I think I'd be a cat."

Quickly recalling the conversation, you perk up to follow up, "Yeah? How so?"

"They're solitary beings, to a point, both enjoying alone time and company." He nods to himself, "They have fine taste, unlike dogs, they groom themselves and display a sense of discipline regarding so. Plus, if I really was a cat, I would have nothing to do around the house except lounge around. I wouldn't have any work to do, which is always a plus."

"To be fair, Haitham," You snicker in return, "if you were any animal, you wouldn't have to work."

"I meant that as a cat, you don't even have the burden of "tricks" automatically placed on you." Of course he thought it through.

"Guess you're right." You snuggle closer to his chest, and he thinks that's that.

But then you're perking up again, pulling away from his tight embrace, turning it loose as you meet his eyes. "I think I would be a cat too."

"Oh, yeah?" He shifts too, interestedly.

"I'd get to show you my love that way." You grin up at him, and he can't help but to smile back, despite the lack of elaboration so far. "Cats kiss each other by licking, I think, and they cuddle all the time. Could you imagine laying under a stray ray of sun, together?"

Strangely enough, he can.

There's the warmth of the summer, or of heat in the winter, on his fur, hot but pleasant, and he's got yet another source of heat between his paws, so to speak. He can also imagine himself with a nice black coat, and you with an orange one. It's a nice thought, oddly domestic.

"Yeah." He hugs you closer, the thought freshly laid to rest behind his closed eyelids, and you can tell he's satisfied.

Finally, that's that.

[augustinewrites]

alhaitham used to think that one of the most fascinating aspects of human life was how one chooses a mate.

you’re making it weird. just say lover, the voice at the back of his mind scolds– a voice that sounds eerily similar to kaveh.

but it’s not weird, it’s biology. it’s a selective, compensatory process in which individuals combine scores on several key attributes. such attributes include - but are not limited to - supply and demand, individual circumstance, biology, psychology, religion. it’s an exchange theory of sorts, in which humans pick mates based on who best benefits them. he’d always thought that, should he find ‘a lover,’ it’d be someone like himself.

alhaitham will always be a scholar first and foremost, but every academic thought, fact, and hypothesis disappeared from his mind when he met you. all it took once one glance in your direction and you challenged his every preconceived notion.

you studied under the amurta darshan. he studied under haravatat. you smile and greet every passerby who spares you a glance. he really couldn’t be bothered to lift his nose out of his book. your career in emergency medicine is loud and fast-paced. his job as the scribe (and temporarily the acting grand sage) is largely quiet aside from the occasional research outing or squabble amongst the sages. you voluntarily take extra shifts at the bimarstan all the time, whereas he walks out the akademiya doors at five and never looks back. you like dogs, he prefers cats.

there’s no denying that the two of you are different, and that’s why the outcome rejects his hypothesis. you’re nothing like him and he chose you anyway.

he chose you (even ‘put a ring on it’ as kaveh says) despite the fact that you arrange your books in alphabetical order rather than the dewey decimal system he’s followed since childhood.

which is why he doesn’t understand why you’re suddenly acting like this. if he could swiftly classify your behaviour, it’d be much easier for him to make adjustments to whatever it is he’s doing, but he still hasn’t figured it out.

you’re on the night shift today, which means you’re still asleep as he gets ready for the day. he presses a kiss to your temple, pulling the covers back up around your chin before heading into the kitchen.

kaveh’s already awake too, nursing a mug of coffee as he mulls over the blueprints spread over the dinner table. alhaitham pours himself some coffee, settling into a chair and ignoring his roommate’s protests as he pushes blueprints aside to make room for his mug.

“i was looking at those,” the architect grumbles. “can’t you sit somewhere else?”

alhaitham opens his book, flipping to the page he’d left off on. “it’s my table.”

“that i picked!”

“and i paid for.”

he knows that kaveh can’t argue with that. he smirks, crossing his leg over his knee as kaveh mutters curses, gathering up his blueprints and stomping over to the living room.

when he’s got a good book open, ignoring kaveh’s grumblings is an easy task. his eyes shift toward the clock, and when he sees it’s almost time to head to the akademiya, it’s his turn to grumble.

but then you saunter out of the bedroom, stretching languidly before shuffling over to sit in his lap, pressing various, sleepy kisses to his face. “good morning.”

“ugh,” kaveh scoffs from the couch. “so unbecoming.”

“move out then,” alhaitham suggests, gripping your chin and pulling you in for a proper kiss.

“i can bring you lunch today,” you suggest, hugging him tightly. “or we can go to puspa café and finally have our fortunes read in the coffee grounds!”

“no need,” he tells you. “i’ll just have amani bring me something.”

your face immediately falls, and he doesn’t need to be a scholar to know he’s made some sort of mistake. especially when you slide off his lap, picking up his unfinished cup of coffee and placing it in the sink.

oh it’s so awkward, he hears kaveh say from the living room.

“i wasn’t…” he swallows his protests when you turn around, hands on your hips.

“well, you can just have amani bring you a new one when you get to work.” you turn on your heel, heading off to the bedroom and slamming the shut behind you.

“you handled that terribly,” kaveh informs him. “clearly you’ve never had a woman scream at you with her eyes.”

alhaitham closes his book letting out a breath. “noted.”

after a beat silence, his roommate is the one who sighs, claiming the seat across from him. “alright, i’m going to help you now. because i know that your life has been one grand exercise in romantic self-destruction.”

“romantic self—”

“let me finish. between the job that you have and the one that you somehow got, how often are you home?”

“same hours as always,” he answers easily. just because he had two jobs now did not mean he had to work longer than his standard nine to five.

kaveh shakes his head. “yes, but you always come home too exhausted to do anything, and then she goes to work for the night.”

“that is typically what employed adults who pay rent do.”

he can’t help but chuckle when kaveh rolls his eyes. “okay, smartass. but do yourself a favour and don’t talk about the assistant that obviously has a crush on you. it’s always ‘amani’s this,’ and ‘amani that.’ next time your fiancee offers to bring you lunch, just say yes and absolutely don’t mention that your assistant can bring it to you instead. she’s jealous. you simply have to assure her that she has no reason to be.”

you’re not like that, alhaitham thinks. because he knows you. knows that you’d never be prone to something as cliché as jealousy. and of almani? whose face he couldn’t pick out of a crowd if he tried?

also, kaveh absolutely could not be right. he refused it.

_____

alhaitham’s already at the bimarstan when you arrive, holding two to-go cups of coffee from puspa café. you roll your eyes as your coworkers and patients are whisper amongst themselves, in awe of the akademiya scribe/acting grand sage in their midst.

“you still have approximately ten minutes before your shift,” he tells you. “have coffee with me.”

“i need to get ready,” you huff, speed-walking toward the staff room. “why don’t you drink it with almani instead?”

it’s a low blow, and it’s punctuated by the flash of hurt that flickers across his face. he follows you, though, ignoring the ‘staff only’ sign and shutting the door tightly behind you both.

he opts to stay silent as you put your things away, letting you take the drinks from his hand, “you don’t have to drink it. caffeine intake can affect a person’s fine motor skills. such circumstances are unideal if you’re stitching together a wound or—”

“don’t tell me what to do,” you take the lid off one of the drinks, still glaring at him as you take a sip. “i’m not your assistant.”

if looks could kill, he’d be dead. usually, this is the kind of look you reserve for kaveh when he’s banging around building knick-knacks in the middle of the night.

“i don’t like amani.” alhaitham takes the cup from your hands, placing it on the bench. “i love you, and i don’t say it enough.”

you deflate a little, shaking your head. “no— i— i know. i guess it’s just been a little crazy with everything that’s been going on. you’re the acting grand sage now and you’re busier than ever. i should be more supportive instead of being crazy jealous of—”

“so you were jealous?” damn kaveh.

“well, if i started spending all my time with someone other than you, wouldn’t you be?”

“no,” he answers confidently, reaching out and pulling you in by the waist. “i’m kind of a big deal around here. you certainly can’t do better than me.

“doctor,” one of your medical students interrupts, poking her head into the room. “the general mahamatra is in need of medical attention. he’s asked for you, specifically.”

wait, cyno? asking for you?

this information doesn’t seem to puzzle you the way it does him, and you press a quick kiss to alhaitham’s lips, smiling. “i’ll be right there.”

and if alhaitham hovers a little too closely, shooting daggers over the top of his book while you clean up and stitch the wound on cyno’s unfortunately well-sculpted abdomen, laughing at his every awful joke— you simply smirk, choosing not to say anything.

[genshinrail]

You Said You’d Want a Pet

Kaveh x GN!reader

Fluff | Word count: 941

Summary: Kaveh returns home with some new family members.

---

   It was a nice and quiet day, sunny and warm, perfect for staying inside and doing nothing at all. You were sitting on the couch with a book in your hand, in the house you and your boyfriend shared. The home was a small, but cozy place, perfect for a couple who doesn’t plan on having children any time soon. Kaveh had been away for the whole day in the desert. Something about his next project, he said. Perhaps he needed inspiration. 

Suddenly you hear a knock on the door. It was probably Kaveh. You got up from the couch and put your book away, eagerly walking to the front door. When you opened it, those beautiful familiar red eyes and warm smile greeted you.

“Kaveh,” you said excitedly. “You’re back!”

He chuckled but stayed put. You tilted your head with a questioning look in your eyes.

“Hi babe…” he spoke a little awkwardly.

Your eyes narrowed. He usually didn’t act this way. What was he hiding? 

Kaveh awkwardly scratched the back of his head while chuckling nervously. Something was definitely off.

“Kaveh?” you crossed your arms. “What did you do?”

“Nothing! Well…” He couldn’t even look at you, his eyes shifting down. “I have a question.”

You raised your brow and nodded your head. Kaveh took a deep breath and gave you the most pretty smile. Oh no, it was his cute puppy face. The face he showed when he wanted something.

“Babe, you said you’d want a pet. Like a dog, right?”

You nodded your head slowly. You sighed internally. Had he adopted puppies?

“Well… how about-” Kaveh stepped away a little, and then, three small desert foxes appeared. “- desert foxes?”

All you could do was stare at the three animals that were cutely standing next to Kaveh’s feet. How would you even react? How should you react? You loved your boyfriend, but this was unexpected.

“Kaveh.” you finally looked up at your boyfriend who was smiling awkwardly. “How… and where, did you find them?”

“It’s a long story”, Kaveh said.

“I’d like to hear it”, you replied.

He sighed, then nodded. “Okay, but can they come in? They’re probably hungry.”

With a moment of thinking, you finally nodded and stepped away so Kaveh and the foxes could come in. The little animals jumped around looking at their new surrounding curiously. Kaveh walked in, immediately worrying about what they were doing.

“Hey, watch out for that-. Hey! Don’t go there that’s my-. Watch it! You might get hurt!”

You watched as your boyfriend was stressing over his new little friends excitedly looking around and jumping on places. You couldn’t help but chuckle at how cute the scene was. While he was running around the foxes like a brand new mother, you walked over to the kitchen to see if there was something desert foxes could eat. Some leftover meat.

You had put the meat into three deep plates and placed them on the floor. “Come eat!”

You heard the small paw taps hit the floor as the foxes hurried to you. They looked happy seeing their food and dug in right away. After them came exhausted looking Kaveh.

“They’re so fast…” he said while breathing heavily. “We have to baby-proof the house.”

“Baby-proof?” You raised your eyebrow amusingly, smirking. “I would’ve wanted a warning for becoming a parent.”

Kaveh’s face got pale and another nervous chuckle left his lips.

“How about that long story?” you asked. “Why are we suddenly desert fox parents?”

“Right…” he nodded firmly. “Come, let’s go sit on the couch.”

Together you two walked into the living room, leaving the foxes to eat in peace. You sat down on the couch, Kaveh sitting next to you. He fidgeted with his fingers for a moment, until you tapped onto his shoulder and he sighed.

“So you know I was in that game with the other Darshans?” he asked, to which you nodded. “Well, while I was in the desert there were desert foxes who followed me. I don’t know why! But I couldn’t let them be so I helped them.”

You tilted your head. “But that was a while ago?”

“Yes, yes. Well… I went to the desert again for a project. And I met those three guys again…” Kaveh sighed deeply. “I tried to shoo them away, but they just didn’t leave! So I then walked away, but they followed…”

You grabbed Kaveh’s hand. He looked at you with wide eyes, like he was shocked.

“And you couldn’t just let them be?” you asked, showing him an understanding smile.

Kaveh nodded slowly, his cheeks turning a light shade of red. You let out a warm chuckle, shaking your head. He was too cute.

“You’re… you’re not mad?” he asked.

You shook your head, your warm smile remaining. “No, I’m not.”

“But… I brought wild animals into our home without your permission!” Kaveh said as if to argue with you.

“But I know you”, you explained. “I know you can’t let the smaller and weaker creatures to be, especially if they followed you here.”

Kaveh tilted his head. “So… we’ll keep them as our pets?”

A wide smile framed your face as you nodded. “As long as they won’t ruin the house!”

Suddenly, the three little foxes hopped all in front of the two of you, waggling their tails.

“I guess we’ll need to give them names”, Kaveh said, motioning one of them to hop on his lap. The other two hopped on your lap. You gently petted them. A sudden idea came into your mind and you smirked.

“How about ‘Alhaitham’?”

“Hell no!”

[thegreenmeridian]

My family’s stories about who we are and where we came from are a mess but a vague awareness of us being Jewish(ish) has always been there. I don’t know if I count as halachically Jewish - my family history on both sides is vague and muddled and there’s Jewishness smattered throughout, but from what I can tell the matrilineal line only goes back so far. London-Irish great grandma married a Jewish man. I think. Records on people from my socioeconomic background are vague and muddled too.

But I’ve always felt a connection to Judaism, always wanted to convert (or be affirmed, if it turns out conversion isn’t necessary). I’ve never done it. Either I’ve not lived near a Jewish community or I’ve not had the right frame of mind or whatever else. I’ve enquired. I think I was 17 when I first emailed a rabbi. But I’ve never done it.

And now, well, I live pretty much as far from a Jewish community as it’s possible to be. In a hippy town in rural Iceland where… well, there’s a lot of Palestinian flags around and enough dog whistles alongside them that I think being openly Jewish or believing the provable fact of Jewish indignity to the Levant or even just being anything less than rabidly anti Israel would be a major issue. My landlord’s daughter was talking about how my supermarket shouldn’t sell Lays crisps because they’re “linked with Israel”.

Iceland has a rabbi, a Chabad guy. Nice bloke, I’ve spoken to him a few times, on my last foray into maybe converting (but obviously, Chabad rabbis are maybe not the best choice for a transgender bloke covered in tattoos). And I spent my Christmas, ironically, with an Israeli Jew and his Icelandic husband. So there are Jews here, albeit barely enough for a Minyan. But still, not a community and definitely not a community here.

But… I’ve found Darshan Yeshiva. They’re an online community, an online conversion program, working with rabbis and cantors from a variety of denominations, and specifically targeted at people who don’t have proper access to a Jewish community. And when I’m done with my AS exams and I have a bit more spare cash, I’m doing it. I know online conversion is controversial, I do. But this is the route for me. And with the services and seminars held by the Chabad rabbi in Reykjavik, I won’t be entirely cut off from an offline community.

I’ve picked the worst possible time to commit to converting, I know. But I think part of why I’ve chosen now to finally do it, is that it’s such a bad time for it.

[loose-leaf-teacanons]

ok but can we talk about the house

specifically that it was a house given to the both of them, jointly. Two male bachelors from completely different darshans famous for bickering all day long and disagreeing on everything, given one (1) house by an institution that actively encourages inter-darshan rivalry and backstabbing.

Just. What was the reasoning there. Because until MHY handwaves this as an Akademiya budgeting issue, I’m gonna assume there was some overly invested secretary in a resource allocation office somewhere who was convinced, bet-my-vacation-time certain that the stoic, practically-minded recluse and his manic pixie dream senior were the Sumeru equivalent of highschool sweethearts who were surely just waiting to graduate to get married. Just you wait, they’ve clearly already picked out the rings! Better get them a picket fence house, soon they’ll have 2.5 kids and a dog.

(“Sure, Janice, sure.”)

[kabirputra01]

Face to face with God-realized saints

Shri Nanak Ji used to go to the river Beas to take bath everyday. There he had the darshan of Purna Parmatma Kabir Sahib Ji in the form of a living Mahatma. God took him to Sachkhand (Satlok) and after making him aware of his real state, left him back. In Guru Granth Sahib's Raag "Siri" Mahala 1 page no. 24, shabad no. 29, Shri Nanak Ji has said:

One dog with two pigs, barking continuously.

Knife and knife in the hand and corpse in the mouth, the Creator remained in the form of a killer.

#Face to face with God-realized saints

#SupremeGodKabir #sant #guru #guruji #satsang #moksha #god #spiritual

#SantRampalJiMahharaj

[pocket-luv101]

Wildflowers

Fandom: Genshin Impact Ship: CynoNari

Summary: Cyno volunteers to provide security for Pardis Dhyai’s exotic plant cultivation.

“There will be more visitors at Pardis Dhyai than usual today. You should go into standby mode deeper in the greenhouse.” Tighnari told Karkata. The mechanical crab rumbled and its metal plates slumped inward in disappointment. Despite being a machine, Karkata was as expressive as a living being. He lightly patted Karkata’s head. “Must I remind you that the Akademiya will confiscate you if they learn of your existence. I’ll give you a reward once I’m done with work.”

Tighnari found Karkata while investigating a contaminated zone in the forest. While he only took a few classes with the Spantamad, the concept of mechanical life fascinated him. Something that appeared cold and restrained could hold more warmth than the scholars he knew. That could also describe people he loved. People called Cyno cold and others would fear Collei due to the vengeful god within her. With that comparison, he decided to save Karkata and make it a research assistance.

He needed to keep Karkata in Pardis Dhyai to keep it hidden from the Matra. Ironically, it was the General Mahamatra himself who helped him hide Karkata. Cyno graduated from the Spantamad Darshan and he was able to give him advice on how to care for the mechanical crab. Most people only saw Cyno as the General Mahamatra but Tighnari knew him as so much more. He was a proud Matra, a caring father to Collei and a childish TCG player. Tighnari loved each aspect of him.

“The Amurta students will be here in an hour so you don’t need to hide yet. You can help me set up the plant cultivation. Come inside too, Cyno.” Tighnari looked over his shoulder to the entrance and grinned when he saw Cyno. He could sense whenever Cyno was nearby from his unique footsteps. Karkata ran around Tighnari and to Cyno’s side. As if it were a dog, it rose onto its hind legs and waited for him to pet it. “Karkata has taken a liking to you, Cyno.”

When he first brought Karkata to Pardis Dhyai, it was rather protective of him. He understood that Karkata didn’t want to lose another master like it did with Abattouy. It slowly came to trust Cyno. Cyno placed a yellow flower into the slit of Karkata’s shell and the crab scurried back to Tighnari. Tighnari giggled and lifted the flower to his nose. “Did you teach Karkata this trick?”

“Karkata is a quick learner.” Cyno’s smirked. The slight tilt of his lips and the rare sight made his heart race. He usually wore a stoic expression and Tighnari loved the moments Cyno could be himself. He walked across the greenhouse to his side and he picked up a potted plant. “Is this one of the exotic plants for the seminar? I’ll carry it outside for you.”

“As long as I don’t take too much of your time. I’m guessing that you’re on patrol but stopped by. Collei cooked more than enough food for the researchers and students so you should take a pita pocket. She won’t mind. Actually, she has been testing new recipes for our next dinner with you. She’s excited. Do you know the next time you’ll be free and we can eat together?”

Tighnari asked the question for both Collei and himself. They both had busy jobs so it would be selfish of him to expect him to spend every night together. Yet, there was still a part of Tighnari who yearned for that. No matter how difficult the distance could be, he wouldn’t choose anyone but Cyno. They would create a future for Sumeru where they could be together each day without worrying about their jobs.

“I’m here to provide security for Pardis Dhyai’s plant cultivation exhibit and I’ll be free after that. I can have dinner with you two after the plant cultivation.” Cyno told him.

“Security?” Tighnari flicked his finger against a leaf from the plant Cyno carried. “I’m an expert on plants and I don’t see much of a threat here— let alone one that requires the attention of the General Mahamatra. Is there something I should know? Do you suspect that someone will try to attack Pardis Dehyai or steal the rare plants? Even if you can’t tell me the details, let me warn Collei at least.”

For a moment, Cyno was silent. Tighnari stepped closer to him and looked into his red eyes to read his expression. A rare blush crept onto Cyno’s cheeks and he turned away from him. “The Matra doesn't have any pressing investigations that require my attention. Then, I saw the request from Pardis Dhyai to have a Matra present for their exotic plant cultivation. I volunteered.”

“Oh?” Tighnari’s initial surprise was quickly followed by a warm wave of happiness. He didn’t know he could still feel so giddy with Cyno despite already dating for years. While Cyno didn’t directly say that he took the job to be with him and Collei, Tighnari could guess his intention. He took the rope of Cyno’s helmet and gently pulled him closer. Then, he ran his fingers over his strong shoulders. “Well, it’s very reassuring to know that you’re here to protect me from the scary plants.”

“No matter how friendly a Fungi appears, it is important to keep a safe distance from them. They’re fungus who absorbed elemental energy and evolved.” Tighnari said as he walked through the line of rare plants on display. The exhibit was decorated with cartoon flowers, Aranara and Fungi that Collei created. He gestured to her art and added: “However, you shouldn’t impulsively kill it either. Fungi can carry pollen and seeds of rare plants much like bees. If you encounter a Fungi, please inform a Forest Ranger.”

Pardis Dhyai initially planned to have the exotic plant exhibit to cultivate the plants with the help of volunteers. The event soon became a lecture led by Tighnari. New Amurta students started to ask Tighnari questions about biology and he readily taught them. Cyno watched him with a proud smile. He was reminded of how different Tighnari was from other scholars.

Beside him, Collei rushed to write down Tighnari’s words. He looked over his shoulder and caught a glimpse at her notebook. Her writing was a little messy but she had progressed a lot in a short time. Cyno knew that it was from a combination of Collei’s determination and Tighnari’s patient teaching. She must’ve felt him staring because she turned to him.

Collei quickly turned away and she fumbled to close her notebook. She hid the small book behind her back and muttered something beneath her breath. Her embarrassed reaction made him feel guilty. He wanted to reassure her that she didn’t need to feel self conscious about her handwriting and that it had improved. He couldn’t find the words though. Cyno feared that he would say the wrong thing and make her feel worse. He wished that he could be better with words like Tighnari.

In the end, Cyno patted her head like a father would. “I know a few plant facts too. The Jadeplume Terrorshrome lay deviled eggs. You should write this down and tell it to Tighnari at dinner tonight. It’ll impress him. I spent a week thinking of that joke for Tighnari but you can use it.”

“That was a pun?”

“You see, deviled eggs is a breakfast meal but the key word is ‘devil’. The Jadeplume Terrorshrome is a Fungi that looks like a chicken and it will attack anyone who approaches. Chicken lay eggs. Following that logic—”

“Cyno, please save your jokes for after the exotic plant cultivation is complete. You might find those jokes funny but it’ll distract Collei from learning.” Tighnari interrupted their conversation. Most would be too intimidated to speak so curt with a Matra but Cyno didn’t mind. He smiled despite Tighnari’s tone and Tighnari felt himself soften. “I finished answering the class’s questions. Can you help me check on one of the plants?”

“It looks like Tighnari rescued you from my jokes.” Cyno chuckled with Collei.

“I thought that was one of your funnier puns.” He didn’t know whether she said it to be kind or if it was the truth. Nevertheless, he felt proud that he could make her smile again.

They walked to a large fern with limp leaves. From a glance, Cyno could see that the plant was sick. Tighnari should easily be able to treat a plant so Cyno reasoned that the issue could be a leyline disorder. His eyes fell onto two people that were already studying the plant. The shorter of the two stood and Cyno immediately knelt in front of the two.

“Dendro Archon, it is an honour to see you again. If I knew that you would be observing the plant cultivation as well, I would have my Matra escort you.” After he and the others rescued Nahida, they had worked together to reform the Akademiya. She treated everyone as a friend but Cyno was mindful to speak to her as an Archon.

“A handful of humans cannot compare to an Archon’s strength.” The man behind her rolled his eyes.

Cyno recognized him from the Interdarshan Championship but he didn’t know him well. He was certain that few in the Akademiya knew about him. The stranger’s sudden appearance in Sumeru made Cyno suspicious and he tried to investigate his past. He learned very little aside from that he joined the Darshan and worked closely with Nahida.

“Please, there is no merit in this debate, Hat Guy. Cyno was a part of the group that rescued me and I will always be grateful.” She reminded Scaramouche. He clicked his tongue but he didn’t say anything further.

Tighnari brought their conversation back to the fern. “Have you found what could be causing the leaves to be discoloured and brittle, Kusanali?”

He stepped towards them but Cyno stopped him by wrapping his arm around his waist. He pulled him back to his side and held him protectively. Tighnari looked at him in confusion. “Is something wrong, Cyno? I need to diagnose the plant.”

“Sorry.” Cyno couldn’t explain his own action to him because he took his hand out of instinct. Reluctantly, he let go of him. He couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling in his stomach and he remained close by Tighnari’s side through the rest of plant cultivation.

“Cyno, are you planning to hold me like this all night? I love you but I need my arms to sort through these seeds.” The plant exhibit ended but Cyno and Tighnari stayed in Pardis Dhyai. Tighnari intended to catalogue the seeds and write a report for the plant cultivation. Cyno stayed simply to be with him. He stood behind Tighnari with his arms draped over his shoulders. In the position, Tighnari could feel the warmth of his chest pressed against his back.

“You smell like Pardisarah flowers. Are you using a new shampoo? It’s nice.” When he whispered the words, his breath brushed over his ear and tickled his fur. They were so close that Tighnari was certain that he could see him blush. He created the scent with Cyno in mind. He didn’t know that Cyno would be at Pardis Dhyai’s exhibit so Tighnari was pleasantly happy that he tested the shampoo that morning.

“I made it yesterday. Pardisarahs have a subtle scent so I searched for a way to enhance it.” Tighnari went on to explain the different methods he tested. The pride in his work shone in his voice and that excitement drew Cyno in. He loved listening to him talk about plants. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the sound of his voice.

Tighnari’s next words pulled him out of the moment. “That reminds me. When I was treating the fern, you were acting strange. You were tense and on guard. Is it due to Hat Guy? You usually keep your distance from scholars but you aren’t directly hostile with them. Do you suspect that he could be a threat to Sumeru? He’s rude but I didn’t sense any ill-intention from him.”

“I think it’s this place.” Throughout the plant cultivation and the night, Cyno thought over the unnamed fear he had. He lowered his forehead onto Tighnari’s shoulder and held him a little tighter. He took a deep breath and asked: “Does the scar from that thunder strike still hurt?”

The faded scar on his shoulder reverberated with electricity at the mention of lightning. Tighnari couldn’t lie to Cyno and confessed: “Sometimes, I can feel. It’s not painful anymore and I’ve recovered quicker than others with similar injuries.”

While Cyno was in the city to rescue Nahida, Tighnari needed to stay behind to protect Haypasia. Cyno rejected that he wasn’t there to protect him when he was struck by lightning. The logical side of Cyno told him that there was nothing he could’ve done and the random strike of lightning was merely bad timing. Nevertheless, a voice in the back of his mind told him that he needed to protect Tighnari from someone.

“I’m surprised that you can be so calm here in Pardis Dhyai after you were hurt here.”

Tighnari lifted his hand and tenderly stroke Cyno’s hair. “I have far more precious memories here in Pardis Dhyai. Our first date was a picnic in the garden. Collei’s first field trip was here. I wrote my first thesis in this greenhouse. Karkata made this his home. One lightning strike can’t overshadow those things.”

[deadtravelfast]

August 11th

Dear John, We’re on our way back from Whitby tomorrow – or later today, I suppose. It has wound up a much more eventful stay that we expected, and extended a few days with Lucy’s accident. But summer holiday is ending soon, and work calls. I am trying to stamp down the thought that you were supposed to be on this trip with us – Lucy has of course been delightful company, as was Arthur when he came, but none of them are you. John, it’s been so long without word from you. I keep sending these because the thought that you might read them is all that keeps me from breaking down some days. And now with Lucy sick…I don’t know what’s going on with her at all, John, and it’s frightening me.

Last night was our last day at Whitby and all the gloomy thoughts of whether or not you are alive, whether or not I will ever see you again kept me from sleep. After almost two hours of tossing and turning, I turned sleepwalker myself, put on my coat, and went for a stroll. Just around the neighbourhood, mind you; Lucy’s late-night accident is still too fresh in my memory for me to want to go far. And she’s had a few nights where she’s woken up gasping, or sleepwalked to the door or the window, trying to get out. If I stayed close to the house, she couldn’t go far without me seeing her.

We’re fairly far from the night life, so the evening was quiet, the air cool even here in the height of summertime. You can see stars out on the horizon over the sea, where the city lights don’t blind them out. It helped me catch my breath, the stars. The same stars are looking down on you, wherever you are. We’re all under one sky, and I said my prayers for your safety and felt my head clear.

There was this sudden moment of peace, as if my prayer was answered, that you were safe and on your way back to me. I had a moment of darshan there, the sky was my murti. I need to visit temple when we’re back in London.

The sense of peace was quickly followed by a wave of exhaustion, the blessedness of sleep finally catching up with me. I made my way back across the few blocks I’d walked to the house, yawning.

And then it was broken, because I saw the upper window of the house was wide open and Lucy was leaning out over the street. At first, I thought she might be looking for me, but her gaze was upwards. There was this pitch-black bird, a raven maybe, that had just flown past, and her eyes were fixed on it. She leaned out even more and I had a sudden terror that she’d fall. I raced inside, and thank God but she still had one toe on the ground. I grabbed her by the waist just as she was about to pitch over and pulled her back inside. I was shouting her name as I rolled her over. Her eyes were empty and vacant – she was sleepwalking again – but she started and woke up. ‘Mi—Mina? What’s wrong?’

I started to tell her, but then I noticed – the wound on her neck had opened up again and there was blood smearing her nightgown. My hand flew to my mouth and I almost dropped her. Lucy pushed herself up, winced, and touched her wound. When she saw the blood on her fingertips she started to tremble and she grabbed onto me tight. We held each other for a few minutes until she had control over herself, then she pulled back away from me and sat with her back against the wall.

John, I’ve never seen her like this. She had her knees up to her chin, clasping them to her like it was all that was keeping her together. She shook her head slowly and then she told me. I’ll try to stay as close to what she said as I can.

‘That night – the night of the a—accident. I had a dream. When I was sleepwalking. There was this place I had to go to, this specific spot up on the cliff and if I didn’t get there then – I don’t know what would happen. But I had to go. It was…there were dogs. Howling. Lots of the them. Down in the city. I went up the steps and then I could only hear them from a distance. There was a lot of wind. Then a…’ she paused for a long time here. ‘It was something long. Dark. Red eyes. I don’t really remember what it looked like. There was a smell. It was sweet and bitter all at once. And I felt like I was sinking into the deep dark sea and everything turned green then grey then black and it was like I wasn’t in my body anymore, I was somewhere else, floating away—’

I interrupted her at this point. ‘An out of body experience?’

‘Yes, I know what the damn term is!’ she snapped, then immediately looked apologetic. ‘I went all the way up above the lighthouse. I could see the whole town. I thought for a moment that I’d just float off up into space and never come down, but then I felt some jolt yank me down and I was back in my body and you were shaking me and everything hurt.’

She started laughing hysterically and John, oh John, I hated it. ‘You must think I’m going completely mad.’

I assured her I wasn’t, and I made her a cup of tea and we sat together quietly until she dosed off. My God-sent sleepiness was all gone and I’m writing this as I start to see the sun peaking up over the horizon. No sleep for Mina tonight I suppose. I can sleep on the train.

I think I need to have a talk with Jack. I worry that Lucy’s got, I don’t know, PTSD? Something is affecting her more than just the blood loss. I don’t think she was assaulted or anything because surely the doctors would have noticed, but ---

Long, dark, with red eyes. I saw it too, John.

Please come home.

[https-heizou]

case file: nasira. [info sheet]

name: nasira

age: 24

pronouns: she/they

species: human

vision/weapon: hydro claymore

job: alchemist for the knights of favonius

love interest: albedo

home country: sumeru

known relatives: kaveh (brother)

known nicknames: kaveh refers to her as ra (or rara - she despises this one.) alhaitham specifically calls her sira. everyone else calls her nasi but albedo cleverly calls her nara (a combination of na-si-ra without the si) this way it is unique to him.

claimed emoji: 🧪

lore. nasira is described as a quirky, playful girl. she is a past student of the spantamad darshan in sumeru - after she graduated, she moved to mondstadt where she became an alchemist for the knights of favonius. she stays stationed in dragonspine with albedo frequently and runs errands for him, returning to the city in his stead.

despite appearing quite clumsy and fragile, nasira wields a claymore. she regularly experiments on ways to apply her vision's element to her claymore. most are surprised that she even has a vision in the first place.

nasira used to have much longer hair but she completely cut it off when she moved to mondstadt for a fresh start. she keeps her hair at the same bob length and wears two space buns.

nasira took their father's death the worst as a so-called daddy's girl and it only worsened when her mother decided to ditch her and kaveh, moving to fontaine. nasira would often argue with her mother, with kaveh attempting to be the mediator however he would also join the arguments eventually in nasira's defence.

after she moved to mondstadt, nasira struggled without her brother. even now she writes back to him a lot from the camp on dragonspine, albedo often finds her crying awake at night while she writes her letters thinking she's sneaky - she isn't. underneath her attire she wears a gold ring on a chain given to her by kaveh before she left sumeru.

notable songs from her playlist. i walk the line - halsey. dandelions - ruth b. run, run, run - mexican dogs.

[petnews2day]

Groom melts hearts by making entrance at wedding with pet dog, check out viral video! : The Tribune India

New Post has been published on https://petn.ws/g7by

Groom melts hearts by making entrance at wedding with pet dog, check out viral video! : The Tribune India

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See full article at https://petn.ws/g7by #DogNews

[cautiousconfidence]

Now he's just hiding behind a book, staring at her over the top of it. If she tried to pluck it from his hands, he might punch her. He had no reservations about that.

"She walks around a lot now, actually," he said. "And the Sanctuary of Surasthana is open to visitors. You just might want to watch out for her guard dog. He's not afraid to bite." That strange wanderer from Inazuma she'd entered into the inter-Darshan competition was still somewhat of a mystery to him. He knew there was more to it, but as it had nothing to do with him, he hadn't asked about it.

Finally, he gently put his book aside and met her eye.

"Her name is Nahida. And if you plan on doing anything besides talk to her, you have several people who'd be more than happy to kick your ass. We put too much work in that plan for her to meet danger this early into her freedom."

"So ya came t' th' Akademiya in order t' not really study th' courses and not really do things people actually come here t' do," she mutters, watching him build his little border wall with great amusement. Folding her arms atop it, she leans her chin on them, head tilted toward him. "You're a weird fuckin' dude, mister 'Acting' Grand Sage."

Blinking, she pockets the next little seed of information with a thoughtful hum, nodding to herself. She sure picked A Time to drop by home, didn't she? "Now that? That's interestin'. She out an' about now? I kinda wanna meet 'er if she is." Not that she thought it'd be easy, but hey. Maybe that was another thing she'd be suprised by. And getting to ask th' God of Wisdom a thing or two might make for a nice tea time. "Really though? Ain't that a pity. Guess I'll jus' have t' bother him at home. I can be real persistent."

[windtraces]

i'm thinking about my genshin ocs again and wanna talk about them but idk who to talk about or what to say so... basic rundown and if anyone wants to ask? i added at least one new one (who is repurposed from an old oc)

acier sterling- fontaine, geo vision, sword user. his attacks deal with metal instead of rocke. almost fanatical devotion to fontaine's military/guard/police/whatever because his mother died in childbirth and his father, who was also military, deserted when he was a kid, so he was raised by the state. has a horse named argent who he nursed back to health and loves

ikshan- sumeru, anemo vision, catalyst user. was born Plagued By Visions. he can see the future, can't turn that off, and has some limited past visions too. afflicted by the Thousand Winds of Time. will laugh hard at any joke. vision came from his bf, who was an akademiya researcher whose death he foresaw but at the time he was trying to suppress his visions. took the vision shell and it became his vision, just as he foresaw. currently part of the rtawahist darshan because even though he does Not use stars to see the future, it's the best they have and he can predict when an experiment is gonna hurt someone

sigismund blumenthal - mondstadt, hydro vision, catalyst user. man who was sickly as a child and went blind due to that. studied stuff anyway with tutors. at one point on a trip home from sumeru was separated from his escort by a hilichurl attack, found a seelie, and it led him back to his caravan. seelie has stuck by him ever since and is his "seeing eye seelie". he studies seelie, magic theory, and magic history. likes teaching magic

faolan angurvadal - khaenri'ahn, visionless, sword user. currently lives in liyue and helps run a commune with his totally-not-boyfriend. left his family because of Pressures. descendant of a black serpent knight, his older brother was supposed to take oaths similar to theirs but died so then it fell to him to take those oaths and he just couldn't. ran away. has a cool sword. makes shields, has a dog named stinky.

manette "mannie" desrosiers - fontaine, cryo vision, sword user. an actual pirate. high femme lesbian. fled fontaine because her noble family arranged a marriage she didn't want, became a pirate captain. weaponizes femininity to keep out of trouble. mostly wears black. very peppy and cheerful, cares a lot about fairness despite being a literal pirate.

kuroha - inazuma, electro vision, sword user. kitsune who was captured by the fatui and used as an assassin. escaped relatively recently and returned to inazuma, smuggled in before sakoku decree ended. very traumatized by the experience.

zelig ecklund - mondstadt, anemo vision, sword user. diluc's cousin, his mom was crepus' sister. in the adventurer's guild. studied swordsmanship behind his dad's back and ultimately saved his life with it, which is where he got his vision. left on a trip to natlan about a year before in game events and just got back, does Not know what the Fuck is going on in mondstadt, so normal and so confused.

[kingmabry]

THE GREATEST OF THEM ALL

COW LAKSHMI

Tomorrow, 10th July 2022 is Cow Lakshmi day according to the Tamil calendar. A tribute to who we consider as the greatest devotee of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. She attained Mukti on 18th June 1948.

An account of her last day and her interment at Sri Ramanasramam, Tiruvannamalai.

………………………………

On 18th June 1948, Bhagavan went to the cowshed at 9-45 a.m. as usual to see Lakshmi. He sat on the hay by her side, lifted her head with both his hands, and passing one of his hands lightly over her face and throat, and then placing his left hand on the head, began pressing her throat right down to the heart with his righthand fingers. After pressing like that for about a quarter of an hour he said, addressing Lakshmi, “என்னம்மா சொல்றே, நான் இங்கே இருக்கணுமா? இருந்தா எல்லாரும் இங்கே வந்துடுவா, எங்கம்மாவுக்கு ஆனா மாதிரி. நான் போக்கட்டுமா? What do you say, Amma? Do you want me to stay here? I could stay, but what to do? All people could be around you as in the case of my mother. So, shall I go?”

One must notice here that Bhagavan addressed Lakshmi as ‘Amma’. He would always refer to her as அவள் ‘She’ and not as அது ‘It’, as we ordinary mortals are wont to do in the case of animals. Whenever Lakshmi came to the darshan hall, he would address her, “வாம்மா லக்ஷ்மி, என்ன வேணும் உனக்கு Come Lakshmi, what is it you want?” Or உனக்கு குழந்தை பிறந்திருக்குன்னு என்கிட்டே சொல்ல வந்திருக்கியா? இதோ வரேன் உன் குழந்தையை பார்க்கறதுக்கு You have come to tell me that you have a new child, haven’t you? Wait, I’ll come and see her”.

Going back to the scene on Lakshmi’s last day. To Bhagavan’s query as to whether he could return to the darshan hall, Lakshmi remained calm, as though she were in samadhi. There were tears streaming down her eyes. Bhagavan sat there unwilling to move.

Turning towards Lakshmi and gently stroking her head and neck, Bhagavan said, “What do you say? May I go?” Won’t you tell me?” Lakshmi looked at him proudly. What reply Bhagavan got from Lakshmi, no one knows but Bhagavan rose and went away to the Old Hall.

With the divine touch of Bhagavan, the outer breath of Lakshmi began subsiding and the movement of the body began to decrease. When the veterinary doctor came at 10-30 and gave an injection Lakshmi remained unaffected as if the body was not hers. There was no death agony. Around 11-30 a.m. Lakshmi was absorbed in Bhagavan. Ten minutes later Bhagavan came to the cowshed and asked, “Is it all over?” Then he took Lakshmi’s head on his lap and said, “Oh Lakshmi, Lakshmi,” and then, to those who were around him, controlling his tears, he said, “Because of her, our family, the ashram has grown to this extent.”

The next day, all arrangements were made on the Northern side of the ashram to inter Lakshmi, next to the samadhis of the crow, Valli, the deer and Jackie, the dog. Bhagavan sat on a chair and as Lakshmi’s body was wheeled to the site, began narrating her great and fascinating story to the devotees gathered there. Tears flowed down his cheeks as he talked about her devotion, her total surrender. As Lakshmi’s mortal remains were lowered into the pit and flowers, garlands, sacred ash, vermillion etc., were scattered on her, it was clear to all assembled that this was a saga that would not be repeated. Lakshmi had attained moksha, she was not going to return to this planet, nor could there be a repeat of this phenomenon. Because her devotion and surrender to Bhagavan were total.

A day later Bhagavan wrote an epitaph in Tamil on his beloved Lakshmi. At the request of certain devotees he also translated the epitaph into Malayalam and Telugu. Here’s the translation:

“On Friday, the 5th of Ani, in the bright fortnight, in Sukla Paksham on Dvadasi in Visaka nakshatra in Sarvadhari year, that is on 18.6.48, the cow Lakshmi attained Mukti (Liberation).”

That great devotee Devaraja Mudaliar, on his next visit to the ashram, after Lakshmi’s Samadhi was completed, read out the stanza in the Old Hall and asked Bhagavan whether the use of the word Vimukti, liberation, was just conventional, or whether it really meant Nirvana. Bhagavan replied that it meant Nirvana or in other words, Moksha.

When another devotee asked Bhagavan as to why he came away without being with Lakshmi in her last moments as he had done for his mother Azhagamma, Bhagavan replied, “அம்மாவுக்கு நிறைய கர்மா பாக்கி இருந்துது ஓய். அதனால நான் கடைசி வரைக்கும் கூட இருக்க வேண்டி இருந்துது. லக்ஷ்மிக்கு கர்மா எதுவும் பாக்கி இல்லை. அதனால அவ கூட கடைசி வரைக்கும் இருக்க வேண்டிய அவசியம் இருக்கலை. Mother had a lot of karma left to be dissolved. Therefore, I had to stay with her till her end. But Lakshmi did not have any karma left. Therefore, I didn’t have to stay with her till the end”.

Need anything more be said?

[arjuna-vallabha]

DARSHAN - the dance of Devi Yogaadya 

The night is still and chilly . The shroud of darkness has engulfed as far as the eyes can see and mind can think . The low lying mists are spilling out of the bamboo groves and marshes and quietly spreading its shadowy haze around the village , as if trying to hide some unkown secret ! The loudspeaker sounds that came floating down from some far away village has now fallen silent . That occasional murmur of voices that could be heard from behind the closed doors ….. that clamour of utensils in the kitchen …. the crackle of fire from the oven ….. or the wails of the new born have now fallen silent . It seems that even the crickets have forgotten to chirp their night lullabies ! The lone mother now sits , anxiously trying to put her baby to sleep . The grandmother busy in her bed chanting her rosaries . They know that people of Khseer Gram are not supposed to step out of their homes tonight ! Only the blood curdling screams of the barn owl rejoicing its hunt occasionally pierces the eerie silence that has seized this little village and leaves its anxious residents startled . But there is yet another sound that could be heard at a distance . It is the grave beats of dhaak drums , playing from the temple in the village center . The rumblings of this powerful drum can now be heard echoing across the tiny village like the muffled roars of dark monsoon clouds on its way to vanquish the demon of summers ! The waters of the lake at the other end of the village are unusually still today . Who can say what unknown secrets and forgotten legends those black mysterious waters have held within its belly for centuries ?! The snakes that live in the groves of lotus stalks are no where to be seen today ! At midnight , a slight movement was noticed in the dark waters . Gradually , the simmer of water changed into a tumultuous whirlpool ! At that moment , the jackals set off their howls from the nearby thickets . As if they want to greet the advent of someone ! But in the pitch darkness nothing could be seen . Eventually a dark humanlike form could be seen emerging from the raging waters ! The form was alive and moving ! Its head adorned with great coils of 'jata' which now lie untied and spreads along her back reaching out to kiss the earth . The anklets on her feet testify her to be a lady . She began walking along the dusty village path all by herself . The stray dogs saw her , but did not object . Rather they followed in her footsteps as if they knew her from a long time ! Her anklets began to sound gently . But not everyone could hear it . Those few who could , shuddered in fear and devotion and closed their eyes in prayer . At the center of Ksheer Gram . atop an area rising like the back of a 'kurma' , sits the great temple to the goddess . It is from here that the sounds of the Dhaak could be heard . Now a frail form of a dhaaki could be seen playing on his drums , but with his eyes tied ! The temple is long closed for the night and the doors bolted . The lady came and stood there . Then there came a strange gust of wind , putting all the trees around in motion ! The leaves rustled , the branches groaned and everything was infused with life ! The jackals began to howl in rhythm with the beats of the dhaak . The old Dhaaki could sense all of this happening . He understood that the great time has finally come … She has arrived ! With bated breath and throat choked with devotion he raised the pitch of his playing . It seemed that the desolate place was not so desolate anymore . It felt as if many people have gathered there right at that moment ! They all are women . Some of them smeared in ashes …. Some with jata on head , some naked … some wearing animal skins , some tranquil and benign , some other horrid and angry . First came a few , then they came in hundreds and at the end millions and millions of such divine beings arrived to celebrate ! The old dhaki knew that Daakinis , Yoginis , Vidyadharis and the celestial beings have arrived ! He bowed to them mentally . The lady began her dance ! Her mighty jata began to whirl around cutting through the air with lashing sounds ! From time to time she broke into peals of roaring laughter ! A millions daakinis began to dance around her in circles ! A million other yoginis began to shout her glories ! It was as if Devi herself was the center of the lotus and all others the petals ! Thousands of jackals howled in unison ! The trees groaned and creaked as if the time of maha pralaya has arrived ! The old dhaki could see nothing , but through his experience , he could sense everything . At dawn when the first light of daybreak dawned on the eastern horizon , The dhaki realized that the nature was silent and still once more . The mad dance of life that had been happening all around him is now gone ! Nature is back once more with its circket chirps and dissipating darkness . The dhaki removed his eye covering and saw the the eastern sky lighting up . It is Braahma Muhurta . He came to the banks of the holy lake and staring into its dark waters , he prostated himself in reverence at the bank . Devi has gone back to her resting place underneath the waters with her entourage of dakinis yoginis and vidyadharis ! Her leela has been played out in this tiny village every year since times immemorial ! The old man felt a sense of sadness to think how he has been playing the dhaak for so many years and yet never got lucky to be blessed with the actual darshan of Devi ! With a deep sigh , he left the banks of the lake and made his way back to his home . But he failed to notice on the banks of the lake , upon earth soaked with fresh dew , a pair of fresh footprints lay ! As beautiful as a lotus , as perfect as this universe …. The footprints which is the refuge of all the gods ! O drummer , you are a seer ! For the act of 'seeing' does not happen with mortal eyes ! I bow to you ! -------- Halley Goswami ( P.S. - Kheergram at Burdwan district of Bengal , is one amongst the 51 Sati peethas of the subcontinent . The sati peethas are those places where the body parts of dead Sati fell on earth after Daksha yajna . Devi is worshipped in her form as mahishasuramardini and called Yogaadyaa . The ancient stone deity is kept immersed in water all year round and raised to surface for special puja only for a few select days . For one month from Pousha sankranti till Magha sankranti , devi Yogaadya is thought to rise from the waters of kheer deeghi lake at midnight and walk to her temple in middle of the village to dance ! When the village is sleeping in chilly cold , she dances with all the Vidyadharis , daakinis , yoginis and thousands of her other attendants . The only human who is allowed in the scene is the 'dhaaki' , who plays his drums blindfolded and alone ! The deep rumble of drums resounding through the village sends the message to the everybody of kheergram that the time has come . Even if somebody is outside of their homes at this hour , they quickly come inside . The mysterious dance of the dark goddess is not supposed to be seen by any living beings ! )

Painting and text by Halley Goswami, more at https://www.facebook.com/Halleysart/