#Deep Six Compilation

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

THE FIRST COMP IN THE "REALITY" SERIES TO BE RELEASED ON CD -- GET THIS IF YOU'RE ABLE TO.

PIC(S) INFO: Spotlight on "REALITY" Part #2, the second in the "REALITY" series of compilations by the American grindcore/powerviolence/hardcore/ sludge/extreme music label, Deep Six Records, released in 1997 on both CD and 7 inch vinyl media formats.

All your mid to late '90s fucked-up favorites are on here, including:

ASSHOLE PARADE, EXCRUCIATING TERROR, DYSTOPIA, INFEST, DESPISE YOU, LACK OF INTEREST, GASP, SUPPRESSION, NOOTHGRUSH, NO COMPLY, PURGATORIA, MAN IS THE BASTARD, CAPITALI$T CASUALTIES, STAPLED SHUT, ENEMY SOIL, EVOLVED TO OBLITERATION, BAD ACID TRIO, & C:###.

Source: www.discogs.com/release/2810517-Various-Reality-Part-2

[gianlucacrugnola]

Deep Six

La mitologica compilation Deep Six pubblicata dalla seminale C/Z Records appena fondata da Chris Hanzsek e la sua compagna Tina Casale (proprietari degli altrettanto leggendari Reciprocal Recording) il 21 marzo 1986 e’ una brillante raccolta della prima ora del movimento punkrock in fermento nell’area dello stato di Washington. Deep Six è il debutto discografico per la neonata label con sede a…

[oikarma]

xoxo, gossip girl

pairing: lando norris x reader

summary: you kind of popped into lando's life out of nowhere-and he loves it. but there's no such thing as being private when you're dating a formula one driver. sorry, did i say dating? i mean when you're friends.

a/n: yay first smau of the year and the second driver i'm writing for! i started watching gossip girl recently n i was inspired

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liked by alex_albon and 128,407 others

f1gossipofficial: mclaren's lando norris was spotted out and about in the big apple last night with a mystery girl!

view all 6,353 comments

user1: uh oh magui's going to be mad...

user2: ngl thought that was her at first user3: they got back together AGAIN?? user1: @/user3 someone posted a vid of them partying

user4: alex being messy in the likes LMAOOO

user5: aww did he give her his hoodie in p1

user6: such a gentleman 😍 user7: THATS WHAT I THOUGHT user8: girl be fr he's nothing compared to osc

user9: lando stick to one girl at a time will you

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yourinstagram has added to their stories

replies:

hannahstjohn: i bet you're glad i convinced you to get dinner w me that day 👅

yourinstagram: oh shush i had to sit through two hours of you and liam gazing into each other's eyes. DISGUSTING. hannahstjohn: please. don't act like you even looked at anyone other than him

yourbff: regular dates now i see...

yourinstagram: we're just friends!!

lando: i learned for you 🥺

yourinstagram: liar lando: hello?? yourinstagram: you literally told me the other day you used to do your sister's hair lando: maybe i lied yourinstagram: well you definitely did at some point

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liked by hannahstjohn and 203,991 others

f1gossipofficial: we think it's getting serious with y/n l/n, daughter of NYC-based tech mogul y/d/n l/n, and lando norris. rumor has it that they met through liam lawson and his girlfriend hannah. despite the newly promoted red bull driver lacking friends across the grid, norris is probably grateful for the introduction 😉

y/n and lando were spotted at not one, not two, but SIX different locations across new york in the past week. above is a compilation of photos fans have taken of them dining out, shopping, and even going to the opera together.

view all 10,274 comments

user1: grocery shopping?? do they live together already??

user2: sleazy af if they do user3: maybe they wanted to cook something together its not that deep

user4: what a golddigger...

user5: how is she a gold digger user4: @/user5 did you not see how she dressed for the opera? probably his money she spent on that dress user6: the way people r so illiterate and yet so confident drive me crazy IT LITERALLY SAYS HER DAD IS A TECH MOGUL user7: i don't even know what a mogul is but it sounds rich user8: @/user6 right and if you just googled her dad you'd figure his sister was the one owns the brand she's wearing 💀

user9: the way he looks at her in p1 though

user10: wonder how long they've known each other 🤔

user11: hannah we see you

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lando has added to their stories

replies:

user1: LANDO DID YOU POST ON THE WRONG ACC

oscarpiastri: mate

lando: 🥺 yes osc? oscarpiastri: lily says this is why you've been in NYC for so long lando: idk lily's always right oscarpiastri: you said it was for a brand deal! lando: maybe her dad wants to sponsor mclaren lando: actually forget about that i think he already does 💀 oscarpiastri: i don't like talking to you on instagram text me lando: what if i don't. lando: hello???

mclaren: so cute!

lando: HI ADMIN

maxverstappen: someone's been busy

yourinstagram: what happened to being private 😭 now they definitely think we're dating

lando: sorry i didn't know it was such a bad thing yourinstagram: at least my fake boyfriend is a lot of people's celebrity crush yourinstagram: can't be ruining my image

user2: LANDO ARE YOU STALKING THE #LANDOYN TAG ON TWITTER?? HOW DID YOU FIND THAT??

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liked by scuderiaferrari, redbullracing, and 1,913,500 others

f1: lovely seeing all of you at the o2 ❤️ we hope you enjoyed the livery reveals! one week until pre-season testing begins in bahrain.

view all 253,014 comments

user1: admin you know what you're doing with that pic of lando

user2: missing him and yn *liked by f1 user2: f1 a landoyn stan confirmed?

user3: eh liveries, great articles about max trying to get out of going

user4: alexandra the prettiest wag

user5: yn appearance when 😔 did anyone see how he looked around for her then stopped bcs he remembered she wasn't there

user6: I KNEW I WASN'T CRAZY

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yourinstagram has added to their stories

replies:

lando: did me so dirty with that pic

yourinstagram: shh you look adorable lando: adorable AND pretty? you flatter me yourinstagram: don't get used to it

yourbff: "friends"

yourinstagram: but you're my best friend 😋 yourbff: cause he's more than a friend where is your media literacy

hannahstjohn: I SAW HIM CALLING YOU BACKSTAGE

yourinstagram: so did everyone else it seems hannahstjohn: whoever runs the f1 account loves wag appearances🤷‍♀️

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lando has added to their stories 🔁 yourinstagram's story

replies:

oscarpiastri: are you sure you don't like her

oscarpiastri: sorry i meant are you sure you're not in love with each other lando: you know i think she might fancy me a little oscarpiastri: a little?? lando: im not sure how i feel about her though oscarpiastri: the cameras literally caught you blushing on call lando: ARE YOU SERIOUS oscarpiastri: yeah admin outed you oscarpiastri: they tagged you

user1: posted her on main again aww

yourinstagram: im not even complaining

lando: am i that charming yourinstagram: no i just look great in that photo yourinstagram: y/n l/n, absolute baddie who bagged what's his name norris lando: ☹️ yourinstagram: its okay your fangirls still love you

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liked by oscarpiastri, f1, and 330,217 others

mclaren: lando when y/n calls him (for legal reasons we can't repost that clip until f1 posts it but you know which one we're talking about 🤐)

tagged: lando

view all 57,341 comments

user1: admin you're so brave * liked by mclaren

f1: it's okay we won't rat you out

mclaren: thanks bestie!

user2: oscar crying in the club because his boyfriend is in love with someone else

user3: @/oscarpiastri would you like to comment user4: he's been crying since jan prob

lando: admin i am literally going to hunt you down

oscarpiastri: he follows the landoyn tag on twitter lando: @/oscarpiastri HELLO??? mclaren: he said it not me user5: they're so chaotic

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bahrain

you saw him get out of his car, landing evenly on the ground. you looked at oscar, who gave you a small nudge. "go on, he doesn't know it yet."

"what if he doesn't-"

"then he's a dickhead for leading you on." you liked his bluntness. it was a change from how polite he normally was. and it showed just how strongly he believed it.

you nodded, then strode forward. you could hear the cameras turning, but it didn't matter. lando had taken off his helmet, and his back was to you as he talked to his race engineer.

it was now or never. you gave him a small tap on the shoulder. he whirled around so fast you almost toppled backwards. realizing it was you, his hands shot out and wrapped around your waist. "y/n? oh my god."

you gave him a shy smile, wrapping your arms around him. "told you it was good."

he buried his face in your neck, embracing you so tight you didn't know if he was capable of letting go. eventually, he did.

"so what did you have to tell me?"

you blinked at him slowly. "try to guess."

his eyes widened, as if a hope had come into him. "you won't laugh?"

a shake of your head. "promise."

"then-" he bit his lip, looking down for a minute. "do you like me, like that?"

"what are we, in grade school?" you deadpanned. you saw his heart plummet, then wanted to take back your words. "yes, lando. yes, i came all this way just to see your stupid face. yes, i like you. like that. like i can't get your smile out of my head and i'll stay up until 5 just to watch you hold an award. like i'll respond to you any time, because talking to you is-"

he raised one of his hands ever so slightly so he could pull you closer, so close his lips were on yours and you were cut off mid-sentence. you'd been waiting for this since you'd met him, you realized. since you'd first seen that curly mop of hair at dinner with liam and hannah. since the first time he'd laughed and you realized you'd never heard a prettier sound.

"i like you like that too."

and the cameras caught all that, words and kiss and pictures and all, but it was different. this was something you wanted to remember.

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liked by yourinstagram and 1,504,891 others

lando: a great end to pre-season testing, all thanks to my lucky charm 🤍

tagged: yourinstagram

view all 94,102 comments

yourinstagram: me fr -> 🍀

yourinstagram: (get it. FOUR leaf clover) lando: i literally worship the ground you walk on lando: you're the reason i believe in fate yourinstagram: woah slow down there buddy user1: i'm so single its not okay user2: they're basically a married couple already

mclaren: your team in the garage rn like 🧍‍♀️🧍

lando: love you guys too! user3: @/mclaren f1 account alr posted kiss why have you not 😡 mclaren: @/user3 we're carefully selecting the cutest ones

hannahstjohn: lando norris and his "friend"

yourinstagram: IM STUPID OKAY hannahstjohn: can't believe it took you that long

user4: hes so happy 🥹

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liked by lando and 919,501 others

yourinstagram: by your side 🖤

view all 71,440 comments

tagged: lando

lando: baby where'd all your posts go ☹️

yourinstagram: oh i forgot to add you to my close friends lando: is that because we're more than just friends yourinstagram: no i just forgot user1: HELPP

user2: hottest WAG on the grid

oscarpiastri: i'm sure you'll take good care of him

yourinstagram: scout's honor 🫡

user3: okay her dress is so pretty though where's it from

yourinstagram: my aunt's brand! (brandname) <3 user3: @/yourinstagram OMG TYSM QUEEN

user4: she finally made her acc public AHH does this mean landoyn content

lewishamilton: lovely meeting you, y/n

yourinstagram: 🤩 you too lewis!!! lando: you're such a fan. yourinstagram: you're just jealous

[writersdrug]

Bartender Simon and reader compilation of them having physical contact throughout the day? Like brushing fingers when handing off drinks, or him putting a hand on her hip in the walk as he says,” behind,” to stop her from freaking out as he grabs something overhead, etc .thank youuuuuuuuuu

You guys are making me jealous of reader I swear-

You're the one who starts this game, even if it's unintentional. You ask him for a pen one day, yours is empty and you've got a six top in the corner that's ready to order. He gives you one from the bar, and you tap his forearm twice. "Thanks, Simon!" You say, skipping of to your table.

Simon Simon Simon... he stares after you, replaying your voice and your touch in his mind. It's so nonchalant for you, but it's got him derailed from whatever he was doing. Oh, right. Bartending.

But he makes a point to make you understand what you're doing to him. You're punching in a payment at the POS when you suddenly feel a hand on your upper back, and you freeze.

"Behind ya." He mumbles, reaching over you and into the cabinet to grab a to-go box. "Sorry, stealin' your boxes. I'm out."

You feel his fingers slide across your back until they retreat, and it takes everything within you to suppress a shiver. You look back at him once he leaves, feeling your face heat up and your lips quiver. Behind the bar, there's a fresh stack of to-go boxes.

Sneaky bastard.

You get him back, though. On a busy night, you jog behind the bar, nearly colliding with Simon. He stills and raises his hands. "Careful, Christ-"

You worm your way past him, ever-so-slightly pressing against his front, giving him the perfect angle of your tits. He can't breathe as you wiggle through - the fabric of his shirt and yours do little to quell the blazing heat he feels from you.

"That soda gun's broken!" You call out, filling the two glasses in your hand with the gun at the opposite end of the bar. You then trot back over and squeeze by him again - this time, your ass barely graces his cock, and he swears it nearly leaps to life just to feel the brush of your backside. "Thanks!" You call over your shoulder, disappearing into the restaraunt.

Simon takes a deep breath and rolls his shoulders, staring at the bartop and trying not to go feral. (You're making it very hard for him). He picks up the soda gun and pushes all of the buttons - they all work fucking fine.

Come the following week, Simon decides to be bold. You sit at the bar on a slow Tuesday evening, watching the game on the telly, occasionally reaching over the bar to snag a fry (they're Simon's, but he hasn't touched them in a while - they would get cold). Your two tables are talking amongst themselves, waiting for their food. You would glance back into the kitchen window and check the warmer for their orders, but so far, Soap's still working on them. So you relax, having nothing better to do.

You're hoisted out of the barstool when two, large, meaty hands grab you by the waist. You shriek, dropping your fry, grabbing onto Simon's forearms as he lifts you up and deposits you onto your feet.

"Stop eatin' my chips, stop slackin', n' go roll silverware." He grumbles - he gives you two, sharp pats on the small of your back, the tips of his fingers on the curve of your ass.

You can't find it in yourself to turn around and gripe with him. You can't even look at him. You scurry off and run upstairs in search of fresh napkins, face red as a tomato and your stomach fluttering nicely. This is normal, right? This is what waitressing lis like - flirtatious behavior everywhere, both giving and receiving. It doesn't mean anything. Right?

Simon chuckles. He'll take that as a win.

[luveline]

More spencer x hotch's sister? I love her relationship with hotch so much btw! Maybe spencer learns some of what she went through in her past?

“What did you get Haley for your six months?” you ask. 

Aaron shakes his basket of fries. You can smell them from your side of the table, salt and grease from the fryer. He doesn’t need to see you looking, maybe he doesn’t care that you want one or not, he tips half of the basket onto your plate and shrugs. “It was a long time ago, I’m not sure I remember. For our first year together I gave her a promise ring, I think.” 

“I don’t think I can get him a promise ring…” You swirl your drink with your straw. Fizzy bubbles rush to the surface. “A ring might be nice, though. Can he wear jewellery in the field?” 

“One nondescript ring would be fine.” 

“Maybe a necklace.” You stab a few of his given fries on your fork and smile. “I’m very stressed, but he’s been so kind the whole time. He never makes me worry about anything.” 

“Spencer is kind.” Aaron glances to the side as a couple sits in the booth opposite. “Admittedly, I was worried. But you’re happy, so I’m happy.” 

“Six months is a long time for no fights.” 

“Honey, some people don’t fight.” 

You toy with a stray piece of lettuce. “I’m really glad that we don’t, but I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.” 

“It won’t drop. You think I’d let you date Spencer if I suspected he was secretly evil?” 

“There are a few things wrong with that question…” You wipe your mouth with a napkin. “Okay, it won’t drop. Can we get, um, dessert? Rocky road sundaes?” They’re Aaron’s favourite, so they’re yours, too. 

Despite his assurances, you keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. You think about your conversation with Aaron for the days leading up to your six month anniversary with Spencer, which he aptly names your ‘half anniversary’. He doesn’t plan any surprises —he sends you a PDF with different options for everything. Five different restaurants with different options for courses, moods, and settings. There are notes for each place and why you might like them, and there are activities for each one afterwards based on the location. It’s so thoughtful it makes you feel sick. The other shoe looms, and looms. 

You choose a smaller restaurant just outside of the busy city, with a beautiful outdoor eating area on a stone veranda. It’s lively but not crowded, secluded but not completely private. 

Spencer tucks your seat in, and he kisses your cheek before he takes his own. When he does, he looks across the table at you, and says, “Wow, you’re so pretty.” 

“You think so?” 

“You’re beautiful.” He gives you one of his not so shy, almost cheesy smiles, like he wants to laugh. “Do you want your gift now or later?” 

“Is it rude to say I want it now?” 

“No, it’s not rude. I’ll feel better once I know you like it.” 

He presents you with a box wrapped in dark blue crepe paper and rounded silver star stickers. There’s twine wrapped around it and bowed, too beautiful to want to open. You look between him and the present in awe. “This is real pretty,” you say softly. 

“It’s nicer inside,” he says. 

You unravel the twin carefully, and you take off the paper to reveal a large, flat box. You put the paper in your jacket pocket, folded primly to keep. Spencer waits patiently. 

You press your thumbnail into the box’s seam and push. 

It’s four pieces of jewellery. What catches your eye first is the sapphires, blue crystal with deep dark hearts pressed into the pendant of a necklace, the heart of a bracelet, and the main bodies of their matching earrings. All simple, elegant pieces, and compiled, their impressiveness is amplified. Your breath catches. You don’t need to be an expert in jewellery to immediately assign a ballpark price tag, and it’s a lot. It’s sort of startling. 

But the price doesn’t matter half as much as the sentiment. 

“Do you remember them?” he asks softly. 

Fourth date. Hand in hand, you and Spencer walked through a shopping centre with iced drinks and churros, and you’d paused for a few seconds to ogle the jewellery display. You’d pointed straight at the sapphire bracelet and said, “That’s gorgeous. I think if I save, I can get it for Christmas.” 

“I know it’s not Christmas,” Spencer says, “I’m sorry, I cheated. But I hope you like them.” 

“Spencer, I love them, I love them,” —you reach your hand across the table— “I love you. Thank you.” 

He smiles at you. “Yeah, I love you, too.” 

You can’t stop yourself from getting up to hug him. He bends under your weight and holds your arms, doesn’t wince when you press the entirety of your face to his hair and breathe. “Thank you,” you whisper, kissing his forehead twice, “thank you, I love you.” 

“I love you, too.” He takes your face into his hand before you can leave. “You like them?” he asks. 

“I love them.” 

His smile is everything. “I really did cheat, I wrote it down when we got home and you know I can’t forget the things I read,” he murmurs, pulling you in for a kiss. 

Six months later and your heart still skips a beat. Doesn’t matter that he has an eidetic memory, what’s important is that he wrote it down. 

You take another hug, to his delight, and return to your seat. Your presents wait in a bag under the table. Two books, one jewellery box. He goes for the smaller box first. 

“It’s a ring,” you say, too nervous to let him discover it by himself. “I know you don’t often wear them, but I thought maybe it’s because it’s not something you’d get for yourself, and I think it would look good on you.” 

He opens the box with a smile. So pretty, and exuberantly bright. “Oh, wow.” 

“I don’t know if brands mean anything to you, but it’s Vivienne–”

“It’s beautiful,” he interrupts, “I love it. What finger do I wear it on?” 

“Most wear it on their marriage finger, I think, but you obviously don’t have to do that.” 

He slips it onto his ring finger, turns his hand one way and another, and there’s this joy that echoes all the way across the table from his very core. “Thank you. I love it, and now every time I look down I'll remember why you gave it to me.” 

You spend a lot of time apart, what with both of you working. “I thought that, too.” 

He takes the books next. His laugh is soft. “I’m not surprised.” 

“They’re… they’re my personal copies.” 

He startles at that. “They are?” 

“Yeah. Uh,” —you point at the first— “that’s my favourite, and I think it could be your favourite too.” 

“And this one?” he asks gently, slipping the first underneath the second. 

“Aaron gave that one to me. I know what you’re thinking, okay, that I’m giving something to you I should really keep. Maybe it makes you uncomfortable, I don’t know, but I love you.” You lick your lips. “It’s nice to fall in love. And you’ve made it so easy.” 

He stares at you, lips parted. 

You panic. “It was hard, growing up, and I know everyone struggles but it was hard. If it weren’t for my brother… I feel like it sticks to me and you’ve never made me feel that way. You love me for me. I was convinced nobody would ever do that.” 

“I know it was hard,” he says. 

“Really hard, sometimes, but you aren’t. I’m never scared of you.” 

He reaches across the table to touch your hand. “You aren’t supposed to be scared of anyone, angel.”

Warmth blossoms under his touch. You shake off the fog. “It’s not just about all of that, I swear, I really do think you’ll like them. But if I got it all wrong just lie to me, okay?” 

“You didn’t get anything wrong, shut up,” he says. Spencer stands, his turn to hug you, but he goes about it differently. He tips your head back and he kisses you, and his nose is a pressed line in your cheek as he squeezes you to him. “I’d be surprised if anybody who’s ever met you didn’t love you. Okay? Thank you for trusting me with it.” 

It, and not them, not the books. 

He peels away. You beam at one another. 

“Should we eat?” you ask, feeling pleased and shy at once. 

He kisses you again, one quick peck. “Yes, we can eat.”

[eklaize]

Book recs?

Hey capri community! I would love to hear some book recs from you! Setting: prefer fantasy/otherworldly/period over the real current world.

Gender doesn't really matter, there can be romance and spice (slowburn is always fun). Can have darker topics if done well.

Most importantly I really want to feel what the characters experience. Can be love/deep connection, fear/panic or whatever emotion but I want to gasp or laugh when reading… It's really hard to describe.

Pacat gave all that to me, but it's hard to find in other books so far. (Freya's A Marvellous Light was one of the ones that managed to do it, the second book less so tho, haven't read the third yet.)

So if anyone has a recommendation, please drop it in the comments. 👉👈 ----------------------------------------

EDIT: OMG thank you so much for all the recommendations! I compiled them in alphabetical order, so other people can refer to the list in case they need a recommendation as well:

A-Z (☑ read / ☐ not yet read)

☐ A Ballad for slayers & Monsters - Rita A Rubin ☐ A bone in his teeth - Kellen Graves ☐ A Gentleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel - KJ Charles ☐ A Master of Djinn - P. Djeli Clark ☐ A Spear cuts through water - Simon Jimenez ☐ A Strange and Stubborn Endurance - Foz Meadows ☐ A taste of Gold and Iron - Alexandria Rowland ☐ All for the game - Nora Sakavic ☐ Angels & man - Nicolás Rafael ☐ Angels before man - Nicolás Rafael ☐ Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu -Tang Jiu Qing ☐ Beacon Hill Sorcerer series -Sheena Jolie ☐ Crier's War - Nina Varela ☑ Dark Rise - C.S.Pacat ☐ Glitterland - Alexis Hall ☐ Heaven Official's Blessing Mo Xiang Tong Xiu ☐ Iron Breakers Trilogy - Zaya Feli ☐ Long Live Evil - Sarah Rees Brennan ☐ Lymond Chronicles - Dorothy Dunnett ☐ Iron Widow - Xiran Jay Zhao ☐ Murderbot Series - Martha Wells ☐ Nightrunner Series - Lynn Flewelling ☐ of Knights and Books - Rita A Rubin ☐ Parasol Protectorate - Gail Carriger ☑ Priory of the Orange Tree - Samantha Shannon ☐ Realm of the Elderlings/Farseer Trilogy - Robin Hobb ☐ Reforged - Seth Haddon ☐ Scum villain's self saving system - Mo Xiang Tong Xiu ☐ Shades of Magic -V.E. Schwab ☐ Silver Blood - TL Morgan ☐ Simon Snow Trilogy - Rainbow Rowell ☐ Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo ☐ Skulduggery pleasant - Derek Handy ☑ Something Human - AJ Demas ☑ Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller ☐ Song of the bullrider - Alex "Muun" Singer ☐ Swordcrossed -Freya Marske ☐ The Alexander Trilogy - Mary Renault ☐ The Binding - Bridget Collins ☐ The Crossroads trilogy - Kate Elliott ☐ The Darkness Outside Us - Eliot Schrefer ☐ The Grandmaster of demonic cultivation (Mo Dao Zu Shi) - Mo Xiang Tong Xiu ☐ The Goblin Emperor - Katherine Addison ☐ The Hair Carpet Weavers Andreas Eschenbach ☐ The Hands of the Emperor - Victoria Goddard ☐ The husky and his white cat - Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou (check TW) ☐ The Hyperion Cantos - Dan Simmons ☑ The Last Binding Trilogy - Freya Marske ☐ The Left Hand of Darkness - Ursula K. Le Guin ☐ The Magpie Ballads- Vale Aida ☐ The Magpie Lord Series- Kj Charles ☐ The Queen's thief - Megan Whalen Turner ☐ The Queer Principles of Kitt Webb - Cat Sebastian ☐ The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater ☐ The Rifter Series - Ginn Hale ☐ The Scottish Boy - Alex de Campi ☑ The Tarot Sequence Series - K.D. Edwards (check TW) ☐ The Traitor Baru Cormorant -Seth Dickinson ☐ The Winner's Curse - Marie Rutkoski ☐ Tiger, Tiger - Petra Erika Nordlund (Webcomic) ☐ Will Darling Adventures - KJ Charles ☑ Winter’s orbit - Everina Maxwell ☐ Untamed - Anna Cowan

[slylittleprincess]

Handshake Agreement

It had been days, possibly months since I had last seen another creature face to face. Ever since they set me up with a hab, I didn’t really have a need to head outside y’know? It was so much easier to just compile food and play games on the overnet and just listen to that voice inside that said the outside world was scary and unkind.

It wasn’t true of course, the plants that gave me the hab in the first place were lovely, but I’d seen just enough of them and their weird pets in the first week to know that I wanted no part in it.

Of course that’s exactly how I ended up here.

I had to answer the door when she rang, there was nowhere to hide exactly and what else was I supposed to do, there’s no back entrance to these things.

She was an imposing bundle of leafy green foliage with a sticky sweet smile and a dominating confidence that set my heart pounding. Woven flesh constructed from thin vines that twisted and curled into a shape of maternal power and I instantly knew I was in trouble.

“A pleasure to meet you little one. My name is-”

She raised an eyebrow at my dishevelled appearance and extended an arm, an unraveling of vines from her body that stitched itself together into a forearm and hand. The palm was large enough to grasp my entire head, each finger thick and wide and long.

She looked at me with pooling expectant eyes and I knew what was expected of me. I swallowed my anxiety and reached out, placing my trembling hand into hers.

All at once her finger like appendages wrapped around, gripping onto my hand firmly, and I gasped in surprise as they started to unravel.

“Hey, let go of me! What do you think you’re doing!”

Her polytonal voice echoed through me with a sing song sweetness from beneath her sharp thorn teeth.

“Eyes up here precious, you have nothing to worry about.”

I met her gaze, and felt my heart race slow as I sunk into her pools of shimmering gold, specks of silvery light that swum in an ocean of liquid metal.

“That’s it little one, nice and calm.”

I could feel the tendrils spreading higher, clinging onto my wrist, binding me tighter with each slowing second.

“There is nothing to worry about, I just needed to make sure you were doing okay in there okay cutie?”

It sounded about right, I had heard of wellness checks and maybe that’s what this was? But she wasn’t looking around, she was just standing in front of me and gripping my hand, looking down with those abyssal eyes, all six of them trained on me.

“Uuhuh” I tried to form a sentence, but anything more than the most simple utterance felt impossible.

I could hear a giggling voice, somewhere far beyond and above me, and feel the vibrations of its intonation as they rippled down through my hand.

“Oh petal, I can see that words are hard right now, so how about we just continue with the conversation and if there is anything you disagree with just say no.”

Her hand had practically absorbed mine by this point, hot sticky undulations that enveloped by fingers and massaged the pad of my thumb, and I wanted so badly to look at it, but I couldn’t look away from her beautiful eyes.

“You want me to come in, don’t you?”

I-I that didn’t sound right. I tried to decline the offer, but her hand pulsed with another wave of reassurance and I failed to say the words.

“Good Girl, nice and deep for me. So calm, so relaxed.”

I felt myself sinking lower and lower into her gaze, a thick slurry coating my thoughts in a sweet floral trance.

“You want to be a Good Girl for me.”

There was something not sitting correctly, I didn’t know this plant, I barely tolerated the Affini, why would I want to be good for her? And yet, as the words rolled over me they soaked me in tingling pleasure, the bliss of doing something right and being rewarded for it sending shivers down my spine.

“As I suspected, a good, sweet little doll for me. But remember little doll, if there’s anything you don’t want you can just say no.”

It was strange, a part of me disagreed but when I tried to decline her advances I couldn’t find it in myself to get it out. There were other ideas, new ideas, submissive ideas that were starting to filter in with every dripping touch.

“You want to wear a beautiful little dress covered in my flowers.”

I usually wore hoodies and sweats, when you’re staying in a hab all day there really wasn’t a good reason to wear a pretty dress, but it did sound nice, and her flowers were so pretty.

“Good Girl, you’re going to look so pretty in a beautiful little companion dress! Do you like how that makes you feel? Knowing you’ll be wearing an adorable little outfit that matches me so completely?”

Her eyes flared, a coronal ejection from the sun sucking me in deeper and deeper. I was helpless to resist. I could feel an excitement building in my belly, tingling and sticky and sweet just like her.

“You want to be my floret.”

I felt a voice, tiny and weak screaming out at me to run, to say something, do anything, but I couldn’t listen to it anymore. Not when I knew how good it would feel to keep on going, keep on listening. All I could do was stammer out a weak noise.

“Nnnmm”

Her tendrils were all the way up to my shoulder now, covering me in writhing sparkling pleasure. It was inescapable. Indescribable.

“Good Little Doll. Well then, I suppose it is decided. All that is left is to shake on it.”

She pulled on my arm in a quick and sudden motion, yanking me into her vines-

“DROP”

I fell, physically and mentally, collapsing into her. I was subsumed by darkness, surrounded by warmth as the vines that held my hand erupted to encase me. From far, far away I heard her echoing voice dictate to me.

“So silly, I almost forgot to introduce myself. You can call me Mistress.”

[pukefactory]

˚₊⋅─── SIX FORTY TWO ───⋅ ˚₊

⦮⦯ Summary: A Compilation of Headcannons Featuring Salesperson Taski Maiden X Reader (Platonic)

⦮⦯ Character(s): Taski Maiden (ENA: Dream BBQ)

⦮⦯ Genre: Headcannons, SFW

⦮⦯ Warning(s): None - Completely Safe!

⦮⦯ Image Credits: @JoelG

！Taski Maiden is the definition of chaotic friendship energy. She claims you’re annoying and talk too much, but if you go more than five minutes without responding, she dramatically gasps and accuses you of “abandoning” her.

！ She will playfully bully you at any given moment. If you trip? She laughs and calls you a clumsy buffoon. If you mispronounce a word? She immediately starts repeating it in the worst way possible. If you sigh too loudly? “WOW!!! U SO DRAMATIC, GO WRITE A SAD POEM ABOUT IT OR SUMTHING.”

！ She pretends to hate deep conversations, but she secretly enjoys them. If you get too sentimental, she groans and flails around like she’s in physical pain. But later, she casually repeats something heartfelt you said, like it was her own thought all along.

！ She’s your self-proclaimed life coach. No job? “WE’RE UNEMPLOYMENT BUDDIES, BABEH!!!” Got a job? “WOW OKAY RUB IT IN!!!” Either way, she gives you unsolicited career advice that makes no sense, like “U JUST GOTTA SCREAM AT THE SKY TILL IT GIVES U MONEY!!!”

！She loves coming up with fake scenarios for you both. “OKAY, OKAY, LISTEN!! What if we were secret agents? Or like, THE RULERS OF THE UNIVERSE?! We’d be soooo bad at it!!!”

！She will randomly start copying everything you do. Walk a little faster? She sprints ahead. Yawn? She exaggerates a fake yawn and rolls on the ground. Say literally anything? “OooOoO LOOK AT ME, I’M TASKI’S BUDDY AND I TALK TOO MUCH!!!”

！She is very physically chaotic. She will grab your sleeve and drag you somewhere random. She will climb onto your back without warning. She will dramatically fall to the ground if she’s “tired” and expect you to carry her.

！Her version of compliments are kind of… backwards. “Ughhh, why are you actually kinda smart, it’s annoying!!” “NOOOOO, WHY’RE U SO NICE!!!” “STOP BEING FUNNY OR I’M GONNA LOSE MY MIND!!!”

！She makes the worst plans but expects you to follow along. “LISTEN, IF WE GET LOST, WE JUST GOTTA KEEP WALKING IN A RANDOM DIRECTION FOREVER!!!” If you try to explain why that won’t work, she just yells “NOOOO, LOGIC IS MY ENEMY!!!”

！At the end of the day, she does care about you—even if she’d rather explode than admit it. If you’re sad, she awkwardly throws a rock at you (“THIS IS A DISTRACTION ROCK!!!”) and sits nearby, not saying anything, just keeping you company. If anyone else tries to mess with you? “OH HECK NO, ONLY I GET TO BOTHER THEM!!! BACK OFF!!!”

[pinkslipxox]

could you do a fic like a compilation when Billie have spoke about her kids (the twins) in an interview

hola mi amor! I did a compilation of Billie talking about her twins from newborns to two year olds, hope you like it 😘🥰

——————————————————————————

Newborns:

The bright studio lights shone on Billie Eilish, her usual edgy style softened by a gentle, almost ethereal glow. She sat poised and composed, yet a nervous energy thrummed beneath the surface, a quiet anticipation in the way she clasped her hands. The interviewer, a seasoned professional, leaned forward, his voice a smooth baritone.

"Billie," he began, "you've always been very private about your personal life. But recently, you've become a mother. Can you share a little bit about that experience?"

Billie paused, a soft smile gracing her lips. The usual enigmatic aura that surrounded her seemed to dissipate, replaced by a radiant warmth. "It's… overwhelming," she confessed, her voice soft and tinged with emotion. "In the best possible way."

She spoke about Ava and Mia, her twin daughters, her words filled with a quiet reverence. "They're… amazing. Tiny little humans, full of so much life and energy. Ava's a little more serious, always observing. Mia’s a bit more mischievous, always smiling." A genuine laugh, light and airy, escaped her lips.

The interviewer nodded, encouraging her to continue.

Billie continued, her eyes glistening slightly. "It's changed everything," she said, her voice catching slightly. "My perspective, my priorities… everything. It's hard to explain. It's just… unconditional love. Pure, unadulterated love."

She paused, taking a deep breath, her usual composure momentarily faltering. "And Y/N…" she began, her voice softening even further. "My wife… she's incredible. She's the strongest person I know. She's been amazing through all of this." Her voice cracked, and she quickly wiped away a stray tear. "She's my rock, my everything. I don’t know what I would do without her."

***

Six Months Old:

"Billie," the interviewer began, poised and ready, "you've become a mother of twins! How's that changed your world?”

Billie smiled, a genuine, heart-warming smile that reached her eyes. "It's… chaotic," she admitted, her voice soft and warm. "Pure, beautiful chaos. But the best kind of chaos." She paused, her fingers gently tracing a small, barely-there ring on her left hand.

"They're six months old now, Ava and Mia," she continued, her voice filled with a quiet pride. "And they’re already so different. Ava's a little more serious, very observant. She’ll just stare at you intensely, like she's figuring out your whole life story. Mia, on the other hand… well, Mia's a little comedian."

A soft laugh escaped her lips, a sound both light and happy. "The other day," she recounted, her eyes twinkling, "we were trying to give them a bath. It’s always a bit of a production, right? Lots of screaming and splashing. Well, Mia, in the midst of all the chaos, managed to grab a rubber ducky and completely submerge it in the soapy water, then proceed to drink the soapy water from the duck’s little mouth. It was absolutely disgusting, but also… hilarious."

Billie chuckled again, her shoulders shaking with laughter. The studio audience mirrored her amusement, their laughter a ripple of shared joy.

"Y/N and I just looked at each other," Billie recounted, "and started laughing. It was utter mayhem, but it was also pure, unadulterated joy. It’s moments like that, the messy, crazy moments, that I treasure the most. It's the stuff that makes the everyday incredible."

She paused, her expression softening. "They’re my whole world. Y/N and I, we’re learning as we go, but the love… it’s something I never knew existed, you know? It’s overwhelming, but in the best possible way. I never thought I could feel this much love for anyone or anything."

***

1 Year Olds:

Billie sat comfortably, radiating a quiet contentment that was far removed from her sometimes enigmatic public persona. The interviewer, a seasoned professional, smiled warmly.

"Billie," he began, "Happy belated birthday to your twin daughters! Ava and Mia just turned one."

Billie's face lit up. "Thank you!" she replied, her voice soft and full of warmth. "It was such a special day." She paused, a wistful smile playing on her lips. "It’s hard to believe they’re already a year old. It feels like just yesterday we were bringing them home from the hospital."

She launched into a description of Ava and Mia’s first birthday party, her voice brimming with affection. "We kept it pretty small," she explained. "Just close family and friends. Y/N and I planned everything together – it was a real team effort." A soft blush colored her cheeks as she mentioned her wife.

"We had a little 'twins' theme," she continued, her eyes sparkling. "We made sure there were plenty of toys, soft blankets and lots of delicious, baby-friendly food. Ava and Mia mostly just stared at everything with wide eyes. Ava seemed fascinated by the balloons. Mia mostly wanted to try and eat everything, even the flowers!" She chuckled, a warm, melodic sound that filled the studio.

"The cake," she said, her voice softening, "was the best part. A double-decker, each layer decorated differently. We had a little photoshoot, but they were more interested in grabbing the frosting!"

Billie's voice took on a sweeter tone as she recounted a particular moment. "Y/N captured this amazing picture of Ava reaching out and grabbing Mia's hand. It was so pure and sweet, it made me cry." Her usual guarded demeanor was gone; in its place, a tender and profoundly loving mother glowed through. "It was a really special moment. It perfectly captured the essence of what having twins is like – this beautiful, messy, and chaotic love."

The interviewer nodded, his gaze gentle and understanding.

Billie concluded with a soft sigh, a faraway look in her eyes. "It was the most perfect day. Being able to celebrate our beautiful girls with the people we love, all under one roof… it doesn't get much better than that."

***

18 Months Old:

The gently slow radiating off Billie was palpable. Gone was the usual edgy attire; she was dressed in something soft and comfortable, her hair pulled back in a simple style. She looked relaxed, content, and utterly radiant. The interviewer smiled warmly.

"Billie," he began, "your twin daughters, Ava and Mia, are about to turn two. Can you believe it?"

Billie's eyes widened slightly, a mixture of disbelief and wonder in their depths. "I can't," she breathed, her voice hushed with emotion. "It feels like just yesterday they were tiny newborns. Now they're running around, exploring the world, getting into everything!" A gentle laugh escaped her lips, a sound full of love and wonder.

She described Ava and Mia's personalities, her voice soft and tender. "Ava is still our little observer. She's so thoughtful, always watching, taking everything in. Mia… well, Mia is still our little comedian. She's always cracking us up, getting into mischief. She just loves making faces and being silly!"

The interviewer nodded, prompting her to continue.

Billie's gaze softened as she talked about her wife, Y/N. "Y/N is incredible," she said, her voice filled with reverence and love. "As a partner, she's my rock. She’s my best friend, my confidante, my everything. And as a mother? She’s simply extraordinary. She’s so patient, so loving, so incredibly strong. Seeing her with Ava and Mia fills my heart with so much joy. She’s an amazing mother. I’m so lucky to have her."

Billie’s usual guarded demeanor seemed to completely melt away. She spoke with such genuine warmth and affection, a tenderness that radiated through the studio. Her eyes shone with a soft glow, conveying a depth of emotion rarely glimpsed in her public appearances.

"These past eighteen months have been the most challenging, yet most rewarding of my life," she confessed. "There are moments of utter exhaustion, moments of frustration, moments where I feel completely overwhelmed. But there are so many moments of pure, unadulterated joy that make it all worthwhile. Every tiny milestone, every giggle, every cuddle… it's all worth it. They’re perfect, both of them."

***

2 Years Old:

The interviewer smiled softly. “Billie," he started, "your twin daughters, Ava and Mia, just turned two. What’s that like?"

Billie smiled, a genuine, heartwarming smile that crinkled the corners of her eyes. "It's…intense," she admitted, her voice soft and warm. "The terrible twos are definitely living up to their name! It's a rollercoaster of emotions – pure joy, utter chaos, and everything in between. But seeing them reach these milestones is so incredible, it makes all the challenges worth it."

She recounted a recent moment with a proud chuckle. "Just yesterday, Ava finally figured out how to stack her blocks. She was so proud of herself, and watching her tiny face light up with accomplishment melted my heart. And Mia? Oh, Mia finally mastered walking backwards. She thinks it's the funniest thing ever." She shook her head, a mixture of amusement and love in her eyes.

The interviewer nodded, encouraging her to continue.

Billie's gaze softened as she turned to talk about her wife, Y/N. "Y/N is my hero," she said, her voice filled with deep admiration. "She's so amazing with them. She’s the calm amidst the storm. Seriously, I don’t know what I’d do without her. We’re a team, a real partnership. Y/N is not just an incredible mother, but also my best friend and my greatest source of support. Watching her navigate motherhood with such grace and patience is truly inspiring. She's just incredible."

She paused, reflecting for a moment. "Motherhood is the most challenging and rewarding experience of my life. It's exhausting, messy, and frequently overwhelming. But there's this unbelievable joy, this unbreakable bond, that makes it all worthwhile. Ava and Mia are teaching me so much about love, patience, and resilience. It's beautiful, really."

A gentle tear escaped her eye, and she quickly brushed it away with a self-deprecating smile. "I’m a mess, aren't I?" she whispered. But there was no embarrassment, only a profound and beautiful vulnerability, a testament to the overwhelming love she felt for her family. The interview became less of a professional engagement and more a tender sharing of her life's most profound joys, a heart-warming glimpse into the life of a devoted mother and wife, blissfully in love with her family.

[billiegabbysyd]

Billie x pregnant!reader where they hide their pregnancy from the public, and once the baby is here for about 6 months, reader posts a video on her YouTube channel showcasing their entire pregnancy journey through the highs and lows.

𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅 (𝒎𝒐𝒎!𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒆 𝒆𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒙 𝒎𝒐𝒎!𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓)

ᴄᴡ: ɴᴏɴᴇ

this will be just the reader taking about the experience.

you adjust the camera on its tripod, ensuring the frame captures the cozy corner of your living room. the soft glow of the lamp shines behind you and a few of riley's toys are scattered. taking a deep breath, you press the record button and settle into the chair, looking directly into the lens.

"hey everyone," you begin, your voice calm but with a hint of nervousness. "it's been a while since i’ve posted. life has changed drastically in the past year.

you pause, collecting your thoughts. "over the past year, billie and i have started a new chapter in our lives together that we chose to keep private until now. we welcomed our beautiful daughter, riley into the world six months ago."

a big smile spreads across your face as memories flood in. "discovering I was pregnant was a lot of emotions: excitement, fear, anticipation. billie and i decided to keep this experience away from the public eye because we wanted to have a private space to be first time parents before telling the outside world.”

you glance down briefly, hands resting on your lap. "billie was and is still my rock throughout this journey. she attended every doctor's appointment, held my hand during the challenging times, and celebrated the little milestones with me. we ended up transforming a spare room into a nursery, painting the walls with this really pretty lavender."

your eyes glisten as you recall the day riley was born. "giving birth was intense, but having billie by my side made all the difference. when riley finally arrived, everything hit me at once… i was holding this little human that billie and i had created and feeling her tiny heartbeat…it was indescribable."

you lean forward slightly. "the past six months have been a combination of sleepless nights, first giggles, and countless diaper changes. getting to see riley grow and learn every day has been the best part of being a parent. every day brings a new discovery, a new joy. and while we've cherished this private time as a family, we now feel ready to share our journey with you."

reaching beside you, you pick up a scrapbook adorned with photos and mementos. "we've documented our a good amount of experiences the highs, the lows, the in-betweens and compiled them into a video. it's a candid look into our path to parenthood, and we hope it resonates with those who watch."

you take a deep breath, feeling a mix of vulnerability and relief. "sharing this isn't easy, but we believe in authenticity and the power of connection. if our story can offer support or insight to even one person, it's worth it."

With a heartfelt gaze into the camera, you conclude, "Thank you for being part of our journey. your support means the world to us. we'll be sharing the video shortly, and we look forward to hearing your thoughts."

tou reach forward, stopping the recording, and sit back with a sigh. the weight of the secret you've carried feels lighter now, and you're hopeful about the conversations and connections that will emerge from sharing your story.

-thank you for the request 🫶🏾

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

FIILE UNDER: '90s UNDERGROUND, DEEP SIX RECORDS, COMPILATIONS, GRAPHIC DESIGN, EXYREME MUSIC, '90s MUSIC, ETC...

PIC(S) INFO: Mega spotlight on sleeve art to "REALITY" Part #2 and Part #3, the second and third installments in the "REALITY" series of compilations by the American grindcore/ powerviolence/hardcore/ sludge/extreme music label, Deep Six Records, released in 1997 and 1999 respectively on both CD and 7 inch vinyl media formats.

Source: https://bloggedquartered.blogspot.com/2017/03/american-powerviolence-from-west-to-rest.html.

[leothil]

Well fuck it I guess I'm posting about it because this post I saw is simply so disingenuous that I'm too annoyed to ignore it.

First of all. Don't try to be all ~history~ about buddie in comparison to bucktommy. They do have more history. This is not debatable. This is a fact. They've been best friends on screen for six and a half seasons, have gone through hell together at least five separate times, and Buck is the legal guardian of Eddie's child in case of his death. Bucktommy had a season together, of which they didn't have scenes together in every episode. Even if those scenes had been super deep and worked on establishing the relationship (which they were mostly not), buddie would still have more history and depth to their relationship at this point in time.

Hell, even with the added scenes from 8x11, Taylor STILL has more screentime than Tommy has had. And both of them pale in comparison to the amount of buddie scenes. Check out @lover-of-mine's excellent compilation post of Buck's LI screentimes here!

Second of all. No, you are not. Nobody except stupid people are trying to keep you from enjoying a ship you like. But you are stupid and immature when you try to act like your ship is morally better because it's canon (a shockingly widespread take for a fandom), that your ship has more content in the actual show, and when you flat out lie about what happened in the actual episodes in order to further your own headcanons (SO many people that straight up ignore that Tommy called Eddie competition and only talk about "a miscommunication between BT" in the scene or whatever the current verbiage is). You could just enjoy the ship for what it is and write fics and headcanons surrounding that, but instead you try to insist that everyone else needs to see the greatness of bucktommy and take part in your headcanons about him and the relationship, and if we don't we're called homophobes. That is why people treat you with derision and don't take you seriously.

[reicchel]

Hello from Reichel and Buri ( @demonslayedher )! This is going to be another multi-part, tag-team post to finally encapsulate our KnY-focused missions together last month. We’ve finally compiled everything about our biggest mission: Universal Studios Japan and their Kimetsu no Yaiba events!

Last year I went to Japan for the first time. It was a guided tour through Tokyo (and other countries in South Asia) because I was afraid to venture out on my own. But since I would already be on the other side of the world, I arranged a little detour to Osaka to meet Buri. We didn't get much time together, but we did make the most of it.

I went to Universal Studios Japan on Friday while she was working, because I had wanted to visit Super Nintendo World ever since it opened. I had a blast, and the best was that I got to meet Princess Peach and take a picture with her.

But deep within my heart, I was also sad that the Kimetsu no Yaiba ride and restaurant had ended a long time before I arrived. Then, shortly after I came back to my country, it was announced that they would be running again for a couple of months in 2024. 

I was SO tempted to go back in April and celebrate my birthday in Japan, but Buriko was going to be on this side of the pond and also… going back to Japan in less than six months didn’t seem like the most sensible thing for my wallet.

But! Then after some time… a new KnY event at USJ was announced! The theme was the Swordsmith Village (yeah, I know, that was so last year) and it would be running from July 19, 2024 to January 5, 2025, a wider window of time to plan a trip. I talked to Buri and she was up for it, so we looked for a time when she wouldn’t be as busy with work so we could go together and have a KnY special day at USJ. (The whole trip would be very KnY-focused, since that’s what brought us together, but it wouldn’t be limited to that, and she was so very kind to host me for the time I was visiting).

The first thing after getting my plane tickets was to set the date for our USJ visit. Even though we’d have a whole day at the park, riding the XR Ride was the priority, of course (and checking out the exclusive merch), so we decided to get a fast pass that also included an entry to the restaurant without making a line and the new Kny-themed popcorn bucket. So, with our entry tickets and our fast passes secured, we only had to wait for the day to come.

[valsverse]

"love is homemade."

summary: after a long study session at the library, you find yourself feeling absolutely exhausted. thankfully, your loving boyfriend comes to the rescue by.. baking cupcakes?

pairing: percy jackson x gn!reader

word count: 1.3k

warnings: a little profanity, but that's about it.

you stumbled your way to the door of your apartment, your tired eyes struggling to differentiate between the numerous keys on your keychain. you tried each one in turn, only to find that none of them worked. with each passing moment, your frustration grew, and you couldn't help but curse under your breath at the inconvenience of it all.

after a grueling study session at the library, your mind was still buzzing with facts and figures about the "wonders" of biology, making it difficult to focus on anything else. all you wanted was to collapse into your bed and sleep off the exhaustion of the day. you're about to test another key when something pulls you out of your daze.

a familiar line from one of your favorite songs, playing softly, but surely coming from inside your apartment. it was the same song you recently added to the shared playlist that you and percy had compiled over the years. as you place your ear next to the door, you could also hear the unmistakable sound of pots and pans clanging together, alongside another noise that you couldn't quite identify.

your mind starts racing for an explanation. you hadn't invited anyone over.. and the only one who has the keys to your apartment.. is percy.

you step back for a second, processing this information, and start testing the keys again, this time with more care and caution. after several attempts, one key finally clicks into place. you let out a sigh of relief before slowly pushing open the door, bracing yourself for what you might find on the other side.

despite your best efforts to minimize any noise, the door lets out a loud, grating creak that makes you cringe. you quickly regain your composure, scanning your apartment. as your eyes adjusted to the dim light, you took in the scene unfolding before you.

there, in the kitchen, was percy, stumbling around the counters in a chaotic but endearing way, surrounded by a mess of ingredients and utensils. despite the chaos, the air was filled with the delicious aroma of your favorite cupcakes. your shared playlist was playing softly in the background, accompanied by the ticking of your oven. you took in a deep breath, savoring the scent of the cupcakes and smiling at the unexpected surprise. any fatigue you had beforehand was slowly being washed away.

percy, however, seemed to be unaware of your presence until you took a step forward, making your appearance known. he stumbled backward, causing a cacophony of clattering pots and pans. his comically wide eyes met yours, clearly surprised to see you there. you got a good look at his face now, which was smudged with frosting, making him look like an overgrown child.

"why are you here?!" he whisper-shouted, even though it was only the two of you in the apartment. he quickly made his way towards you, wiping his hands on a rag that was on the counter.

"'cause it's my apartment?" you respond, shrugging off your coat.

"oh, let me get that for you," he quickly offers, taking your coat and hanging it on the rack. "but i thought you weren't supposed to be back until six?

"yeah, it's almost seven."

percy looks at you, then at the clock, and swears under his breath.

"now about that," you gesture towards the kitchen and the mess that was waiting for you. he followed your gaze and seemed to just now realize the destruction that he had caused. despite the chaos, he offers you a smile, clearly proud of his efforts. "just wanted to surprise you. knew you'd be tired after studying." he explained.

"but why?"

"'cause i love you?" he responded, shrugging nonchalantly. you didn't say anything for a moment, but a small smile began to form on your lips.

"well, thanks, but maybe next time don't destroy my kitchen?" you tease, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. he chuckles, his arms wrapping around your waist.

"yeah, i'll keep that in mind," he promises, still beaming from your earlier compliment. he leans in to give you a big smooch, but you lean back, causing him to frown.

"i did all this hard work and i can't even get a kiss?" he asks, his tone playful but with a hint of disappointment.

"you have frosting all over your face," you point out, trying to hold back a laugh. his pout only got wider.

"well, you're gonna be kissing my lips, not my face, so i don't see why it matters," percy retorts. "now c'mere."

he gives you a second to pull away, and then captures your lips in a giddy kiss. you laugh against his lips, a little surprised at his eagerness, but you don't stop him.

he kisses you repeatedly, savoring the taste of your lip balm and reveling in your embrace until he finally rests his forehead against yours when he's satisfied. you both stand there, holding each other close, lost in the moment and not exchanging any words for a while.

suddenly, he jumps back as if just remembering something. "SHIT, THE CUPCAKES!" he exclaims, causing you to flinch at his sudden outburst, but he quickly corrects himself after seeing your reaction and repeats in a softer tone, "i meant, shit, the cupcakes," before scrambling back to the oven.

you watch him as he rushes around the kitchen, checking on the cupcakes, making sure they're not burnt. he turns around to face you, his sheepish grin apologizing for the sudden outburst. "sorry about that," he says, wiping his face with a nearby towel to remove any frosting leftover.

"it's fine," you say, trying to sound nonchalant. as you walk into the kitchen, you take in your surroundings. various pipettes are scattered on the counter, bowls filled with frosting are placed haphazardly, and suspiciously shaped finger swipes are evident on them. "guess we should wait for them to cool down?" you suggest, and percy nods in agreement, pointing to a sticky note hung up on the cabinet. "that's what the recipe says too," he confirms. you immediately recognize the recipe as sally jackson's, thanks to the familiar handwriting. percy must have called her today just for this occasion.

you get pulled out of your thoughts by the sound of the sink turning on. "i'm gonna clean up here, for using your kitchen and stuff," percy announces, gathering a bunch of used spatulas and bowls. "you can relax on the couch, ill be done soon." he offers you a warm smile.

despite his offer, you don't want to relax on the couch. instead, you want to spend time with him. especially since he did all of this for you. "well, it's quicker to clean with two people, right?" you suggest.

after a few hours, the kitchen is sparkling clean, your exhaustion has vanished, and you and percy have just put the finishing touches on the cupcakes.

you're now both sitting on your comfortable couch, each about to enjoy your creations. percy has his arm around you, drawing you closer to him, and you feel safe and content in his embrace.

"whatcha doin'?" percy asks as he observes you meticulously removing the bottom of your cupcake and placing it on top.

"cupcake sandwich," you respond with a smile, holding your completed creation up for him to see.

after a brief moment of contemplation, percy quickly copies your movements and crafts his own "cupcake sandwich." he clinks his cupcake with yours once he's done, as if making a toast, and you both bite into the sugary treat simultaneously.

while it doesn't alter the flavor, the whole cupcake sandwich method is undoubtedly the superior way to enjoy a cupcake, as percy now realizes. the cupcakes may not be perfect, but as they say, love is homemade, and you'd much rather have a cupcake baked with love than one purchased for $1.99 at the supermarket.

"by the way," you remark, pointing at percy's face, which is smudged with frosting from eating, just like when you first caught him, "you still have frosting on your face."

"shit."

a/n

i feel like my writing has declined lmaoo. break is over tho! but updates will be inconsistent since classes are kicking my ass rn. i hate school, i'm sorry malala.

xx, val.

[nectardaddy]

oh captain, my captain | single dad! meian x teacher f! reader notes: yes the math is mine :), this is the cutest thing I've written in my life, trying out drabbles more bear with me, everyone thank @nekozaki for hyping me up <33

The woman took a long, deep breath as she sat back against the chair she occupied. It was almost six-thirty, close to dinner, and papers and pencils scattered the table in front of her. She knew she had to clean it up soon, but felt the motivation slowly drift from her body at the very thought of it.

“You look tired.” The low voice that sounded next to her pulled her from her thoughts, or lack thereof, and her eyes flickered over. She was met with a familiar face and dark green eyes, a tall man that seemingly towered over her as she stayed seated. But she gave him a soft smile regardless of the difference. He dressed comfortably, sweatpants and an MSBY t-shirt, juxtaposing her own semi-professional attire from work - which he offered her clothes time and time again.

“I am tired.” She groaned and let her eyes drag down him as he took a seat next to her; watched as his eyes flicked to his daughter - who now sat on the couch in the far corner of the room, crayons and paper in hand - and back to her. She felt her breath hitch in her throat a moment when his eyes locked with her own, an intensity in them she believed she would never get used to.

“You didn’t have to help her tonight, y’know?” Asked rhetorically through a small smile. It wasn’t out of the norm for her to help the man's daughter when she was over, frankly, it was out of character if she didn't. A hushed relationship between the two, oftentimes coming and going from each other's homes, that always involved the rowdiness that the smallest Meian - whom she adored - always gave. “You do that enough during the day, take a break.”

“Well, she asked,” spoken nonchalantly with a shrug. “Who am I to tell a girl who wants to learn no?” The woman returned the smile, yet let out a breathy laugh upon thinking of the man trying to help the girl himself. Second grade math, although incredibly easy to an adult, was the hardest thing ever to a small child. It was even harder to explain a concept one knew for years, memorized through mental math and countless practice, to a seven year old that had no clue where to start. “Besides, when was the last time you did division like this, anyway?”

He scoffed while he sat back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest with a small breath. “I know how to divide, thanks.” His tone was riddled with sarcasm, but a smile still fought its way on his lips. A cheeky undertone that made a silly smile appear on her features. The man had a way with his words that made her stomach so flips; she would never get used to that either.

“Long divide, too? When’s the last time you did that?”

“Are you trying to tell me you don’t think I know how to long divide?”

She chuckled at his reaction and watched as the smallest of pouts formed on his lips at her laughter. But his lack of a straight answer was an answer in itself. “I know you don’t.”

A breath of air passed through her nose as she heard a dramatic sigh leave him. “Ye of little faith,” he groaned. “Give me the paper.” He sat up a little straighter in his chair, a little more defensive as he motioned for her to slide the paper her and his daughter had been working on earlier - the man's folly was never being able to decline a challenge, no matter how small.

With a chuckle, she compiled and passed him the paper - littered with scrawled handwriting and her own in pen. “Give it a shot, babe.” She let a laugh bubble out as she gave him a pen, “I'll even let you use my good pen.” To which he shot her a dry look, and it only made her laugh more. “You still haven’t answered my question though. When’s the last time you did long division?”

His eyes cast downward, looking at the paper before narrowing his eyes - she could tell he had no idea what he was looking at. But if it was one thing Meian Shūgo was not, it was a quitter. “Can you ever forget how?” A subtle sentiment to try and cover up his own lack of remembrance as he rewrote a problem.

“If you don’t use it, you lose it.”

He lifted his eyes to look over at her and paused, an exasperated expression on his face with his brows scrunched. “I can’t believe you just used a teacher quote on me.”

She stifled another laugh before shifting her chair closer to him. It was closeness that felt right with her, an ease to it that felt natural - like home. So she didn't mind when her arm brushed his own as she looked down at the paper, and didn't mind the warmth he gave off despite a cool house. “And I can’t believe you put the numbers in the wrong place.” A quick retort laced with sass, “can a big number go into a small number?”

He rolled his eyes once again, but felt a smile creep up to him at her reply. This was a usual back and forth they found themselves in, no matter the topic or time of day, countering each other with insincere jabs. Always competing for who exactly was better at their retorts - he would never admit it, but he knew she always won by a landslide. “Don’t be a smartass.”

His words landed a little too loud, and she watched his eyes widen just before he turned to the couch where his daughter, Himawari, sat. Coloring to her heart's content, but always listening whether the pair at the table were aware or not. “Don’t repeat that.” The girl didn't look up from her drawing but giggled in response before a small ‘ok’ followed.

The snort that came from the woman beside him made him turn his attention back. But his gaze lingered, settled on the woman beside him as all he could do was stare for a moment - to appreciate. Her fingers fiddled with the edge of the paper in front of him, and she looked at him softly. There was a care within her eyes, mingled with playfulness, that made his heart warm, and he smiled when he finally chose to look back down at the paper.

“If you don’t remember how, it’s fine, y’know?” She tossed the cheeky sentiment in the air with a hum followed by a chuckle, pushing him further into wanting to do it (and hopefully do it right as a cherry on top.)

He let out a breathy laugh as he continued to work on the problem. “I know how to long divide.” A faux confidence dripped with every word, and he hoped it would be enough to convince her - it was not.

“Ok,” she shrugged with a smile. There was something toyish about the way she spoke, like he didn't believe him; hell, he didn't even believe himself as the number in front of him seemed to blur together. “Is that why you're short dividing then? Because you're so good at long division?”

He couldn't help the laugh that left his lips, and couldn't help but put the pencil down and silently admit he had been bested by second grade math as he did. “God,” spoken through a laugh as he flicked his eyes over to her. “What the hell is short division? Am I that bad at this?”

There was a moment of pause, where his laughter settled as they both looked at one another. Her eyes flicked between his own, searching for a sense of insincerity in his words, and she covered her mouth with a hand to stifle the loud laugh that wanted to leave upon realizing he was serious. “Oh my god-”

He found himself laughing with her, despite the fact she was laughing at him, and felt content with the feeling regardless. There was something mundane about laughing together, but it was a simple enough action that made his heart feel like putty - putty that was in her hands, and he knew for a fact it would forever stay that way.

“The answer is twelve, by the way,” she spoke through giggles.

“Thanks, I thought it was ten.”

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[creampuffqueen]

Republic City Zoo Animal Informational Article -- Sky Bison

Article by Keeper Lao of the Republic City Zoo, published in 176 AG

Research compiled with sources from Air Temple Island Archives

Sky Bison, Air Bison, Flying Bison. Whatever name you know it by, this marvelous creature is almost synonymous with Airbenders – and for good reason, as these animals have been their preferred companions for thousands of years!

Sky Bison nearly became extinct during the Hundred Year War due to the efforts of former Firelord Sozin. For a while, it was assumed that Appa, the iconic companion of Avatar Aang, was the last remaining Sky Bison in the world. However, after the war ended, a small population was revealed to have survived on a remote island, being protected by a group of sympathetic Fire Sages. All Sky Bison living today are direct descendents of this hidden population. Sky Bison were dedicated as an endangered species by Avatar Aang, and action has been taken all over the world to ensure their continued survival.

Prior to the Hundred Year War, both wild and domestic Sky Bison existed. Sky Bison were domesticated over hundreds of years by Airbenders. Domestic bison show a few noticeable differences to their wild counterparts, though both were able to interbreed with one another. Domestic bison are considered a subspecies of wild bison.

Wild Sky Bison

What differentiated a wild Sky Bison from a domesticated one was a simple, but major difference: wild bison did not depend on humans, nor did they seek out their companionship. Domesticated Sky Bison are just as attached to Airbenders as Airbenders are to them, and even domestic bison that are raised feral will be very receptive to human companionship when offered. Meanwhile, wild Sky Bison were very skittish and fearful of humans, avoiding them whenever possible. 

Domestic Sky Bison

As mentioned before, domesticated Sky Bison create very deep relationships with Airbenders. Airbenders are the only type of bender they create this bond with. While they can be friendly to people of all Nations, only an Airbender can truly become their lifelong companion. This is likely due to their shared bending history; Sky Bison are also Airbenders, and like seems to call to like. 

Before the Hundred Year War, there were two different breeds of Sky Bison. These were the Eastern and Western breeds. Large herds of bison were maintained at the Eastern and Western Air Temples, as the temperate climate is ideal for bison calves. Due to the separation of the temples, differences began to emerge between the two populations, eventually becoming distinct enough to be recognized as different breeds.

The Western Sky Bison is the only current surviving breed. Compared to the Eastern bison, the Western bison has a thinner stripe pattern along its back, and tends to have slightly darker fur, including brown ears rather than white. Their horns are also curved at a slightly different angle. Western Sky Bison were selectively bred for their fur, which is of higher quality than that of the Eastern Sky Bison. Eastern bison were selectively bred for their milk production, and tend to produce more milk with a higher fat content than the Western bison. 

As bison calves were largely born and raised at the Eastern and Western temples, Airbenders from the Northern and Southern temples would travel to their sister temples when it was time to bond with bison. Monks from the Northern temple would travel to the Western, while monks from the Southern temple would travel to the Eastern. 

Today, the largest breeding population of Sky Bison is kept on Air Temple Island, the main hub for all Airbenders in the world. The Republic City Zoo is also proud to host a small but prolific herd as well. 

Sky Bison Biology

Physical Traits

Sky Bison are massive, six-legged creatures, capable of carrying a multitude of people and supplies. They are extremely muscular and powerful, able to smash through rocks and even create shockwaves with a single slap of their tail. They are able to Airbend, and therefore spend plenty of time off the ground. They are highly adapted for long-distance and high altitude travel, and are able to survive for a long time on low-quality forage.

All Sky Bison have a thick, double layered coat consisting of a white or cream base and patterned with brown stripes. These stripes end in an arrow point on their forehead, and it is this pattern that inspired the iconic Airbender arrow tattoos. All have horns, though their shape and length can vary greatly due to breed, size, and other environmental factors. These horns are used for defense against predators, and on males, for showing off their battle prowess during mating season. 

The underbelly of the Sky Bison is hairless, dark, and leathery, and protected from the cold climates they hail from by a thick layer of fat. All bison also have a hump over their shoulders, which is another area of fat storage. This hump can grow or shrink depending on a bison’s access to food and water. Their feet are covered in hair except for their three toes, which are similar to their underbelly in look. Their toes are long, each with three knuckles, allowing them to have a minor amount of dexterity to the point of being able to grasp and pick up some objects. Unlike other herbivorous creatures, the eyes of Sky Bison are located on the front of their faces rather than the sides, likely due to their large size deterring most predators. 

Sky Bison have five-chambered stomachs, which allows them to digest even the toughest of plant material and access as much nutritional content as possible. Their teeth are large and flat, perfectly adapted for grinding down their food. 

Male and female bison have very few differences, and are difficult to tell apart from a distance. Females tend to be slightly larger, and are more likely to have a noticeable udder.

Flight

Many would assume that these giants couldn’t possibly become airborne, but that is not the case! Sky Bison are capable of Airbending, and keep themselves aloft by controlling the air currents around them.

Their large, paddle-like tails are used to generate both thrust and lift to get them off the ground, where they can then take over with Airbending. While in the sky, their tails act as propellers and rudders, essential for steering and controlling speed. Due to Sky Bison having the skill of Airbending, they are able to remain in the sky for longer than any other animal in the world, as they do not have to move their body to fly. 

Bison spend much of their time in the air, and seem to take great joy in flight. Many Airbenders fondly report the different Airbending tricks their giant companions play on them, as they can manipulate the air around them with all parts of their body. 

Diet

Sky Bison are herbivorous, meaning their diet consists entirely of plants and plant material. Though they are able to consume non-plant materials such as eggs or honey, these foods are only eaten in times of extreme desperation. 

Bison can eat a wide variety of plants, but most of their foraging comes from grazing on grass or eating from the tops of trees while they fly. Domestic bison are often given hay or vegetables as part of their diet if adequate grazing material is not available. 

Due to the unique structure of their stomach, Sky Bison are able to persist on very low-quality forage for a long time. They can also eat parts of plants other animals cannot, such as sticks or tree bark. Their stomachs allow them to extract all the nutrients they need. 

Herd Structure

All Sky Bison are very social creatures, though domestic bison generally do not form permanent herds. Instead, they form a very strong bond with a singular Airbender, and will be companions their entire life. If their Airbender companion dies, the bison will rarely bond with another.

Wild and feral Sky Bison do form herds, usually consisting of about 6-8 adults and 1-2 litters of juvenile calves. Herd hierarchy is not sex-based, but rather age-based, with the oldest and most experienced bison dictating where the herd travels. Herds are made up of a mix of unrelated males and females. Calves remain with their birth herd until around 4-5 years of age, and then will go off on their own to find other bison of similar ages to form their own herd. 

Males will be aggressive with one another when a female goes into estrus, also known as heat. While their battles can look very impressive, permanent injuries are rare. The female bison in heat will select the most impressive male to mate with; usually whichever one wins more fights, but some females have been observed to have different preferences. All Sky Bison in a herd work together to protect and raise calves, though the females are typically far more aggressive. Females will nurse their herd mates' calves if they are in milk, and all members will take turns watching calves while they are grounded, making their parenting style extremely communal. 

Life History

The mating season of the Sky Bison takes place during the summer, lasting from around the months of June to early September. Bison are seasonally monestrous, meaning their estrous cycles are triggered by the amount of daylight, and they only experience one estrous cycle per breeding season. Sky Bison begin to go into estrus when the days become longer.

Female Sky Bison become sexually mature at around 6 years old, while males are mature at around 4. The mating of domestic bison is usually controlled by their Airbender companion, but even wild and feral Sky Bison have very long pauses between each litter. Most females average around five years between the weaning of one litter and the pregnancy of another, and do not go into estrus during this time. While male Sky Bison are fertile most of their lives, females experience a significant drop in reproductive ability about halfway through their lives, making pregnancy after this point quite rare. Sky Bison are extremely long-lived, with an average lifespan of 60-70 years. Accounting for the time of maturity, most females can produce an absolute maximum of 6 litters – though they typically only end up having 3-4.

After mating, Sky Bison go through a gestation period of around 410 days, approximately 14 months. Pregnant bison can still produce milk throughout their pregnancy if they are helping to nurse other calves, though they will enter a “dry period” in the final 2-3 months of pregnancy. Milk production will stop, allowing the expectant bison to rest, save energy for birth, and produce colostrum for her own calves. 

Calving season takes place in the autumn, from the months of August through November. When a bison goes into labor, her herd mates will form a protective ring around her to guard her and the newborn calves from predators. As domestic bison usually lack herds, this role is fulfilled by Airbenders.

Bison litters are typically around 3-5 calves. Sky Bison have 6 teats on their udder, so litters larger than 6 may struggle to get enough food without additional help. Calves are born fully alert, with a full coat of hair and small horn buds that will begin to grow soon after birth. Their mother will lick them to warm them up and stimulate them, and the calf will usually be walking and nursing within an hour. 

While Sky Bison calves are able to walk at birth, it takes them a few weeks before they are able to fly. This period is referred to as “being grounded”. During this time, a wild herd will remain close to the ground, with at least one bison watching the calves or remaining extremely close by to protect them. Calves will typically begin flying at around 2-3 weeks of age.

The milk of a lactating Sky Bison is extremely rich and fatty. This is one of the reasons bison calves grow so quickly. Calves begin weaning at around 6 months old, and this is usually the time domestic bison are introduced to their future Airbending companions. At 3 years old, the Sky Bison will have reached its adult size and weight. Sky Bison will leave to seek out their own herds at around 4-5 years of age. This separation is usually triggered by the onset of sexual maturity (or, as we keepers like to call it, Sky Bison puberty). Adult bison can reach up to ten tons in weight. 

Behavior

Though their large size makes them very intimidating, Sky Bison are known for being gentle giants. They are very docile creatures for the most part, and will only show aggression if they feel threatened or stressed out.

Sky Bison are a diurnal species, being most active during the day and sleeping at night. Most of their day consists of foraging, eating, flying, and napping. 

Herds of wild bison (and today, feral bison) typically follow similar flight patterns each year. The leader of the herd remembers the best places to eat and rest, and will teach these routes to the next leader. Prior to the war, many rural areas could expect to see herds of bison returning to the same places year after year. 

Both domestic and wild bison have frequently been observed playing. Sky Bison of similar ages will often play-fight, headbutt each other, and spend time chasing one another on the ground and in the sky. Older bison will also play with younger ones as a means of teaching them important life skills. Airbenders often make time to play with their bison companions, or allow them time to play with others. It is noted that Sky Bison often don’t seem to know their own strength while playing with people, and it is not uncommon to see an Airbender receive a full-body tackle from their ten-ton best friend!

Sky Bison are incredibly intelligent creatures with an astounding memory. The bond between bison and Airbenders speaks to this intelligence, as bison learn a large range of commands, phrases, and even gestures so they can work seamlessly alongside their companion. Their memory is also incredibly impressive – a Sky Bison never forgets. 

Sky Bison Products

Sky Bison and Airbenders have an extremely symbiotic relationship. The bison provide many of the Air Nomads’ needs, including transportation, food, fiber, and even fuel. 

It is well known that bison are largely used for transportation. They are the preferred mode of travel for Airbenders, and can traverse huge distances at incredible speeds. The relationship between a bison and their Airbender is so close that many of them are able to direct their bison without reins!

As previously mentioned, Sky Bison milk is extremely nutritious. Airbenders famously do not eat meat, but bison milk is a massive part of the traditional Air Nomad diet. The milk is drank plain, and made into other foods such as butter, cheese, and yogurt. 

Unlike some other nations with dairy-producing animals, Air Nomads did not harvest milk from their bison until their calves were fully weaned. Even if it is not feeding calves, a Sky Bison will continue to produce milk for as long as it is being stimulated to do so. The main herds at the Eastern and Western temples historically contained several “nurse cows”; bison who were kept in milk all year round. This would allow for milk to still be harvested outside of calving season, as well as providing surrogates for bison calves who needed it. Many Air Nomads would not want to be without their bison for extended periods of time, so they would transplant the calves to the nurse cows, milk their bison for a few months to provide for their temple, and then allow them to dry off before returning to their nomadic ways. Although Sky Bison are extremely protective of their calves, their bond with their Airbender is even stronger.

Sky Bison also provided a major source of fuel for the Air Nomads. Bison produce plenty of dung, and because it is mostly comprised of plant fiber, it burns extremely well after being dried. This provided a traveling source of fuel for nomadic Airbenders, as well as a very consistent fuel source at the Air Temples. 

Lastly, Sky Bison fur can be used for many things. Bison go through a molt in the springtime. It is hypothesized that this is both due to the warming weather and as preparation for the upcoming mating season, so every bison’s coat can show off how fit and healthy they are. 

Bison have a double coat, which is an adaptation for cold climate and high altitudes. The outer coat is long, thick, and rough. These fibers were used to make ropes, tents, outerwear, rugs, and saddle pads. The inner coat is extremely soft and delicate. It requires more care, but was used to create clothing, bedding, and blankets. 

The molt is yearly, and each bison produces tons of fur. This fur is collected, and throughout the year Air Nomads would work their way through it, turning the fur into whatever they needed at the time. Airbenders were historically regarded as talented fiber artists, as every pair of hands was needed to process all the gathered fur each year. Weaving was one of the most common pastimes at the temples, and many Air Nomads would even weave as they traveled in order to pass the time. While Sky Bison fiber was exceedingly common before the Hundred Year War and often used as a bartering tool by traveling Air Nomads, today it is considered a rarity and regularly sells for quite a lot of money (most of the proceeds earned go towards the Air Nation Reparation Fund, established by former Firelord Zuko). 

Conservation

Although the Sky Bison has made an incredible comeback after its near-extinction, largely due to protection and carefully managed breeding, the numbers are nowhere near what they used to be prior to the Hundred Year War.

Avatar Aang, who headed up all Sky Bison conservation movements, suggested protection laws be established by the four nations, and later Republic City. All nations have passed these protection laws, prohibiting the hunting of Sky Bison worldwide. However, poaching still remains a large problem, with bison being killed for their meat, fur, and horns, and bison calves being routinely kidnapped from herds to be sold as pets or circus entertainment. 

The Republic City Zoo strongly opposes these practices, and our establishment seeks to educate the public on these beautiful animals and their importance in the world. To this end, members of the Republic City Zoo helped to lobby for the creation of protected lands for Sky Bison. In 155 AG, the Avatar Aang Bison Refuges were established at each Air Temple. These refuges, located in the land immediately surrounding the temples, serve as protected breeding, calving, and foraging areas for the many herds of feral Sky Bison. No development is allowed to take place in these areas to protect the habitat, and the punishment for harming a bison within the boundaries of the refuge are nearly triple that to other areas in the world.

So far, these refuges have reported large successes, with Sky Bison herds expanding yearly.

Our Herd

The Republic City Zoo maintains a small herd of Sky Bison, adding to the population of available calves for Airbenders to bond with, and providing an up close and personal look at these magnificent beasts to the general public. 

Meet our herd!

Sina: The eldest Sky Bison of the RCZ herd, and therefore the leader. Due to her age she spends most of her time in the exhibit, either grazing or napping.

Palden: Palden is the only male bison of our herd, and the father of any calves produced from the zoo. He is gentle and sweet, and easily the friendliest of the herd.

Yiomoh: She may seem a bit frightening, but Yiomoh’s roar is far worse than her bite. She is a bit shy, but once you’ve earned her trust you’d never know it!

Tseten: Tseten is the smartest of the herd, and a bit of a trickster because of it. She enjoys sneaking around – or at least attempting to – and surprising her herdmates to entice them to chase her.

Naalu: Our little swimmer, this Sky Bison can often be found floating in the middle of Yue Bay. She is incredibly affectionate, so watch out for wet bison!

Tinley: Tinley is one of the zoo’s best performers. She loves learning new tricks from the keepers – as long as she is handsomely rewarded with plenty of cabbages.

Meimei: The youngest and feistiest, Meimei thrives being the center of attention. She is rambunctious and playful, and can usually be seen wrestling with Tseten.

As Sky Bison require large areas to roam and fly, the RCZ utilizes an open-habitat concept. The exhibit itself is very large – the largest in the zoo, in fact – but there is no covering over the top, and therefore nothing keeping our bison from fulfilling their natural urge to fly. The Sky Bison can leave and return as they please. In the many years of managing this habitat, all bison return to the zoo nightly for feeding and attention, which is a true testament to the stellar care of our zookeepers!

We hope this and other animal articles help you to learn something new today. Enjoy your visit to the Republic City Zoo!