#Fortified Salt

[marketdevelopment]

Fortified Salt Market: Forthcoming Trends and Share Analysis by 2030

Global Fortified Salt Market was valued at USD 5.29 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 9.30 billion by the year 2028, at a CAGR of 8.4%.

Salt is an ideal porter for micronutrient fortification and micronutrients such as iodine and iron can be found through salt, which ingurgitated by an individual provides various nutritional benefits, this micronutrient added salt is called as fortified salt. Fortification of salt is appreciated as one of the most cost-effective methods to tackle deficiency of iron and iodine as it is universally consumed by all income groups and age segments. Double fortified salt (DFS) is a form of table salt produced with mixed iron and iodine. When consumed in regular food, it may help to reduce iron deficiency and iodine deficiency disorders which helps to growth of fortified salt market.

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Updated Version 2024 is available our Sample Report May Includes the:

Scope For 2024

Brief Introduction to the research report.

Table of Contents (Scope covered as a part of the study)

Top players in the market

Research framework (structure of the report)

Research methodology adopted by Worldwide Market Reports

Leading players involved in the Fortified Salt Market include:

Cargill Incorporated, Tata Chemicals, China National Salt Industry, United Salt Corporation, Kutch Brine Chem Industries, Sambhar, AkzoNobel, Schweizer Salinen, Ankur Salt, Windsor Salt, Annapurna Salt, Bajaj Salt 

Moreover, the report includes significant chapters such as Patent Analysis, Regulatory Framework, Technology Roadmap, BCG Matrix, Heat Map Analysis, Price Trend Analysis, and Investment Analysis which help to understand the market direction and movement in the current and upcoming years. 

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Segmentation of Fortified Salt Market:

By Type

Iodine

Iron

Double Fortified Salt

By Application

Food Processing

Household

Animal Feed

Hospitality & Services

Others

By Distribution Channel

Hypermarket/Supermarket

Grocery Stores

Online

Others

By Regions: -

North America (US, Canada, Mexico)

Eastern Europe (Bulgaria, The Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Rest of Eastern Europe)

Western Europe (Germany, UK, France, Netherlands, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Western Europe)

Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, The Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Rest of APAC)

Middle East & Africa (Turkey, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Israel, South Africa)

South America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of SA)

Highlights from the report:

Market Study: It includes key market segments, key manufacturers covered, product range offered in the years considered, Global Fortified Salt Market, and research objectives. It also covers segmentation study provided in the report based on product type and application.

Market Executive Summary: This section highlights key studies, market growth rates, competitive landscape, market drivers, trends, and issues in addition to macro indicators.

Market Production by Region: The report provides data related to imports and exports, revenue, production and key players of all the studied regional markets are covered in this section.

Fortified Salt Market Profiles of Top Key Competitors: Analysis of each profiled Roll Hardness Tester market player is detailed in this section. This segment also provides SWOT analysis of individual players, products, production, value, capacity, and other important factors.

If you require any specific information that is not covered currently within the scope of the report, we will provide the same as a part of the customization.

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[utoshi-san]

Покупки с Тему и Тиджей макс!

Масло и бальзамы для губ понравились, очень нежные и мягкие, отлично увлажняют и упаковки мне понравились 💗

Набор мини кремов для рук спорный. Питают они не плохо, но запахи странные, резкие, не очень приятные. Типа крем для рук с календулой это что вообще?

Далее у меня тут пудра и соль для ванны, всё очень понравилось (соль была с сушенной апельсиновой цедрой).

Масло для роста волос с натуральным составом и запахом мяты, оно работает, хотя когда втираешь его в кожу головы то оно неприятно холодит.

Охлаждающий ролик для глаз офигенская штука, уже второй раз беру. Очень хорошо расслабляет глаза и снимает следы усталости.

Сыворотка для лица средняя, скраб тоже не понравился. Маски все израсходовала, почти все не плохие.

[canichangemyblogname]

My mother: “Are you trying to go vegan?”

My broke ass: “Meat is expensive.”

[ano-po]

Reminding my babaylan girlies here to change your salt bowl or salt cup in your room.

It already absorbed all your bad energies from thoughts and social media and is now saturated. If you're feeling like shit this october, maybe do that.

[iridescent-x-pixie]

I fucking love cuppa soupssss

[idkyetxoxo]

Cregan Stark - Northern Frost Southern Sun

Summary - In the unforgiving North, a Southern princess struggles with her political marriage to Cregan, feeling like an outsider. As she voices her insecurities, their bond deepens, transforming their alliance into a passionate connection that bridges the divide between their worlds.

Pairing - Cregan Stark x Martell reader

Warnings - Sexual content (smut!)

Word count - 2124

Masterlist for Cregan • House of the Dragon General Masterlist.

Born into nobility, my life had always felt scripted—a path inked not by my own desires but by the hands of the men around me. 

My father, my uncle, my brother, even the echoes of my grandfather shaped the walls around me. 

As a daughter of House Martell, the rulers of sun-drenched Dorne, my existence was predetermined, my fate a strategy in the game of thrones woven by my father, Prince Qoren Martell himself. 

A Martell daughter, after all, was a prize to be bartered, and he had chosen a formidable match.

He pledged me to Cregan Stark, Lord of House Stark, in the distant, unforgiving North. 

A union as calculated as it was unfeeling, our marriage was intended to bind the desert heat of Dorne with the ice and shadows of Winterfell. 

It was a pact, a quiet promise to fortify our realms and maintain a precarious balance in the ever-shifting powers of Westeros. My father assured me it was for our people, for peace. 

But I knew what the alliance would cost me: the endless winds that sliced through bone, the chill that would burrow into my soul, the lonely shadows that clung to Winterfell's walls like phantoms.

The North was all I had dreaded—an imposing land where silence lingered thickly in the air, and winter settled in more than just the stones. 

Every breath was laced with frost, every glance held a guarded judgment, as if they wondered if this southern-born woman could ever survive in a world so different, so grim. 

And always, there were whispers—"the Dornish wife"—spoken softly yet deliberately, trailing me like spectres through the dim corridors.

Yet amid the cold and the solitude, Cregan Stark surprised me. 

He was not the man I had envisioned: distant and unyielding, a creature as cold as the land he ruled. 

Instead, Cregan had a quiet strength, a kindness that seemed out of place in such a harsh land. He understood, perhaps better than I, the challenges I faced here. 

With subtle gestures and quiet assurances, he tried to ease my discomfort, his attentions more thoughtful than I'd dared hope. He never pressed, but he was there—a grounding presence, a warmth that, little by little, began to soften the edges of my isolation.

A moon had passed since our union. I was neither entirely happy nor entirely sorrowful; I was simply... here. 

Somewhere between contentment and restlessness, caught in a place that wasn't mine yet somehow, piece by piece, was becoming so. 

Winterfell was no closer to being home, but Cregan's attentions made the frigid halls more bearable, his patience an anchor as I drifted, my heart searching for familiarity in a sea of foreignness.

One evening, as twilight painted the snow in hues of indigo and grey, I stood on the balcony, gazing out across Winterfell. 

The frosty landscape stretched endlessly, an ocean of cold where dawn seemed forever on the edge of arriving but never quite here. 

As I watched the endless expanse of snow, I remembered the hot, golden sands of Sunspear. 

In Dorne, the sun-kissed our skin, the scent of ripe figs and sea salt filled the air. Here, every corner held a chill, every shadow seemed to whisper secrets.

In that stillness, I heard a voice—a voice I had come to know well, warm yet edged with the subtle command of a lord.

"What's on your mind?" Cregan's words reached me, low and tender.

Startled, I turned to see him leaning on the railing beside me, his gaze thoughtful. His presence was a welcome warmth, and yet I found myself instinctively closing in, the winter wind cutting through my gown.

"Nothing," I replied, a feeble defence as my voice carried softly into the chill.

He studied me quietly, his eyes catching the slight shiver that ran through me as the wind nipped at my shoulders. 

"Doesn't look like 'nothing,'" he said, his voice low. "You're cold. Come inside." 

Without waiting for my reply, he draped his cloak over my shoulders, guiding me toward the warmth of our chambers, stopping by the hearth as the flames crackled to life.

"I don't belong," I murmured, staring into the fire. My fingers traced the thick Northern fabric of my gown—a cloth I'd hoped would make me feel less like an outsider. 

The weight of the words hung between us as if spoken aloud for the first time, stirring the silence in the dim room.

"What do you mean, my love?" Cregan's voice broke the quiet, a softness I hadn't expected. 

He turned to face me, his eyes searching mine with a rare vulnerability as if my answer mattered more than the words themselves.

I took a long, steadying breath, watching the flames dance and trying to gather the right words. 

"They still see me as different," I whispered. "A stranger, from a land they neither know nor trust. I try to blend in, to be... what I think they want. But sometimes, I wonder if they'll ever truly see me as one of their own." 

My voice trembled as the truth spilt out, deeper than I'd intended. "They whisper, Cregan when they think I can't hear. They don't trust me. And some days, I'm not sure they ever will."

Cregan listened in silence, his gaze steady and unwavering. 

Without a word, he reached for my hand, his calloused fingers rough yet gentle as they enveloped mine, grounding me in the midst of my insecurities.

"Give them time," he said softly, his voice like a balm. "The North can be as harsh as winter itself, slow to warm, but it's not unyielding." 

His hand lifted my chin, guiding my gaze up to meet his. In his eyes, I saw not just kindness, but an unwavering strength, as if he could will my doubts away by the force of his conviction alone.

"You belong here, with me," he said, his voice a quiet promise. "No whispers or frost will ever change that."

I felt his words settle over me like a cloak, their warmth reaching parts of my heart I hadn't realized were cold. But still, uncertainty lingered, stubborn and unrelenting. 

Perhaps sensing my hesitation, Cregan shifted closer, his presence wrapping around me like an unbreakable fortress.

He cupped my cheek with a tenderness that both surprised and soothed me. 

"You are the heat I've always been missing," he murmured, his voice low and thick with meaning. 

Slowly, his hand drifted down, sliding under the folds of my gown with a touch that sent a shiver through me—a sensation born not of the cold, but of something deeper.

"What are you doing?" I asked, a laugh escaping as I fought back my nervousness.

"Showing you." His voice was gentle, a playful glint in his eyes. "Showing you that you belong."

With a tender confidence, his hands moved, sending ripples through me that melted the tension from my body. 

His touch was warm and steady, his fingers tracing up my sides, and for the first time since coming to the North, I felt my fears begin to ease as if his presence alone could erase them. 

The doubts, the whispers—they all faded as his hands explored, each caress a quiet reassurance.

His gaze held mine, unwavering, and in that moment, there was an intimacy that transcended touch, a promise woven in the quiet between us. 

He leaned in, his lips finding mine, capturing them with a gentleness that made me feel like I was being seen for the first time. His kiss was both soft and fervent, his lips warm as they moved against mine, igniting a fire that outmatched any northern hearth.

As his hands roamed over my body, rough and calloused from years of wielding steel, they were uncharacteristically gentle, tracing the lines of my skin as if memorizing each curve. 

His fingers held a kind of reverence, as if I were something precious, not just the wife bound to him by a political alliance but a person who was cherished.

In that moment, he lifted me, guiding me slowly towards the bed, never once breaking the kiss. 

I felt myself sink into the softness of the furs as he laid me down, the flickering fire casting its amber glow across the room, cocooning us in its warmth. 

There was a tenderness in his touch as he caressed me, his movements slow and purposeful, each gesture a quiet declaration.

The world outside the chamber ceased to exist; there was no cold, no looming suspicion, no whispers echoing down the corridors. 

Only Cregan and the fire between us, burning bright and fierce.

His lips trailed down my neck, each kiss a spark that sent warmth radiating through me. He paused, his gaze seeking mine as his hand found the ties of my gown, his touch both reverent and questioning. 

I met his eyes, giving him the permission he silently sought, and with careful, deliberate movements, he began to untie it, each pull of the fabric a slow unveiling.

As the gown slipped away, leaving me bare before him, I felt no vulnerability, only an overwhelming sense of being cherished. 

Cregan's eyes held nothing but admiration, and in that look, he banished every doubt, every whisper that had haunted me since I'd arrived in the North.

"You're beautiful," he murmured, his voice raw and thick with emotion. "So beautiful."

His words soaked into me, warming those fragile places hidden within, and I felt myself drawn to him, my fingers threading into his hair, pulling him close. 

His warmth was a balm, a grounding presence I needed as his lips found mine, slow and deliberate, speaking promises only we could hear.

With a practised, fluid ease, he shed the last of his clothes, his gaze never breaking from mine. 

His bare skin met mine in a press that was both electric and soothing, each inch of contact igniting a surge of feeling, of completeness that made me gasp. 

His hands traced down my sides, exploring the curves and lines of my body, as if they held secrets he'd yearned to know. 

Every touch, every brush of his fingers sent shivers across my skin.

He lowered himself, aligning our bodies with a reverence that made my heart ache. 

When he settled between my thighs, his touch shifted, moving from a delicate exploration to a quiet, steady possession. 

His grip on me tightened, anchoring me beneath him, and his eyes held a ferocity that was matched by the tenderness in his touch. He was wholly mine, and I, his.

"You're mine," he whispered his voice a low growl that sent a thrill through me. "Mine."

"Yes," I breathed, my fingers pressing into his shoulders as I clung to him, letting myself believe it. "Yours."

He moved with a deliberate rhythm, each thrust a declaration, an unspoken vow that silenced the doubts within me. 

Every part of me, every fragment I thought too broken to matter, felt seen, treasured. 

The warmth grew between us, winding up in intensity as he continued, his movements steady, yet laced with a simmering need that built with each passing moment.

His hands roamed over me, possessive yet reverent, fingers tracing gentle lines along my skin. His lips left trails of warmth, soft whispers mingling with our breaths. 

The connection between us thrummed with a strength that felt sacred, binding us beyond words, deeper than the physical.

Our rhythm intensified, his hands gripping my waist, his lips capturing my moans as we chased the rising wave together. 

The air was thick with the sounds of our bodies, the soft crackle of the fire, the murmurs of our whispered names.

In that moment, there was no North or South, no whispers of "the Dornish wife." There was only Cregan and me, bound together by a love that had taken root in the most unlikely of places.

When the climax came, it hit with a force that left us breathless, a bliss that surged through us like fire and water, fierce yet softening. 

He held me through it, our breaths mingling as we trembled in the aftermath, our hearts beating as one.

Cregan collapsed beside me, his arms wrapping around me as he pulled me close. We lay there in the afterglow, our bodies entwined, the fire casting a soft glow over us.

"You belong here," he murmured, his voice a soothing balm to my soul. "With me."

"I do," I replied, my heart swelling with a newfound certainty. "I belong with you."

As I drifted off to sleep in his arms, I knew that no matter the challenges we might face, we would face them together. 

The North might be cold and unforgiving, but with Cregan by my side, I felt a warmth that could withstand any storm. 

And in his embrace, I found not just a home, but a love that would endure.

A/n - I am such a sucker for any Dornish reader works 😝

Cregan tag list - @veesuguru

[solbaby7]

someone requested [ Manhattan + salt rim + neat ] and I accidentally deleted it but i remembered!!

warnings: leashes (yup like for dogs 🤭) minors dni, thank you thank you thank you thank you for this request 🥵

—

Azriel knew it was going to be an issue—you spending so much time with Nesta Archeron.

He’d found it cute at first. His sweet girl making friends with someone as prickly as death incarnate, until he’d started noticing the changes. How kind words shift into a biting wit; adopting a darker kind of humor that leaves his brows raised and tongue clicking against the roof of his mouth. “Come bunny, it’s time to get out of bed.”

Perhaps it’s in that learned behavior where you find the gall to part your lips and mutter, “No, I’m not going.”

It’s surprising—your defiance. Enough for him to pause in the middle of his morning routine, thigh holsters half buckled with an array of sharpened daggers and switchblades laid out before him. “Say that again?”

“To training,” You elaborate, mindlessly toying with the fraying edges of your nail varnish. Soft sheets swallow you whole, thick pillows and duvets emitting Azriel’s comforting scent all around you. “I’m not going today.”

For only a second he falters before his movements start up again, deft fingers easily buckling strips of leather and filling the slots with weapons. “Are you not feeling well?”

“I’m feeling like I don’t want to sweat under the burning sun all fucking day.” Your eyes are too busy rolling at the thought to notice the tick of Azriel’s jaw, the strained way he tightens his belt. “Nes and I are going shopping after brunch instead.”

“Oh?” There’s a pause, a tense silence that forces you to lean up on your elbows, neck craning to peer over at the Illyrian. Though, Azriel’s not getting ready anymore and he’s lounging too comfortably for someone who’d been adamant on following the guidelines of his rigorous schedule. The clock tick, tick, ticks away and for some reason he’s not reaching for his top or the crossbody holsters he slides on after. His hair is still dripping wet from his shower, not even bothering to work his styling pomade through. “Says who?”

He just sits there—watching, waiting. Staring at you like one of the prisoners he chains up in his dungeons; prodding at the barriers of their restraint until the spymaster tore it to shreds. You hate how well it works, chipping away at the fortified walls you’d built in your new friendships. How easily Azriel’s able to walk up to those borders and send them crumbling down with nothing more than a look.

It should be embarrassing, the affect he has on you. The way one arched brow has your spine instinctively straightening, throat rolling with a swallow as you struggle to muster up the same confidence that burned through you just moments ago. “I wasn’t aware I needed permission.”

Azriel hums low in his chest, shoulders relaxing and head nodding once, twice, three times before that stoic expression melts into understanding. “I see, that’s probably my fault. Got a touch lenient—allowed room for a little too much…hope.”

“Hope?”

Alarm bells begin ringing the further he settles in the chair, thick thighs spreading wide and veiny forearms eat up the space along the armrest. “Hope,” he agrees. “Give a good pet a little too much freedom—too much hope and all the necessary structure begins to waver.” You’re caught like a fly in a trap, limbs sticking to the carefully spun webs Az’s woven until your struggle only leaves the metaphorical ropes twisting and knotting tighter. “Don’t worry, I’m a good trainer. Won’t let you slack for a second—even if you do bat those pretty lashes up at me.”

Your mouth goes dry when his wrist flicks, two fingers beckoning you closer in silent command. A part of you hesitates; resists the rigorous discipline and rules put in place to keep you safe. Protected. But Nesta said that you were perfectly capable of protecting yourself without some overgrown bat looming over your shoulder. Right?

You obey anyway, praying that Azriel doesn’t hold the contemplation against you.

The Mother doesn’t seem to hear your plea, too occupied with more deserving persons to spare a second glance at the predicament you’d weaseled your way into. Each step closer feels like knowing wrong and choosing the sin anyway, solidifying your fate and dealing your destiny with the devil for all time. “Sit.”

A huffy breath of irritation before you ease down to your knees, leaning your weight back against your calves. “I’m not some fucking dog.”

“No, you aren’t,” His hand smells of body wash when a thumb runs over the curve of your cheek, blunt nail tracing against the shape of your mouth. It’s almost sweet, toeing the line of possibly romantic when you hear it—the squeaky strain of fresh leather. The cool bite of the latch registers too late, a metallic click locking it in place. “But lately you’ve been acting like one. My rabid mutt.”

Manicured nails grip at the newest accessory but it doesn’t budge no matter how much you tug at it. Your cheeks flame, a mix of fury and pure embarrassment from the rush of arousal that soils your panties when each breath grows just a bit labored. “You fucking collared me?”

“Watch your mouth or I’ll buy a muzzle to match.” He catches on to the way your thighs clench together, lips snapping shut as your brain fights to decide whether you want to scream back a “fuck you” or “fuck me”.

You land somewhere in the middle, words stern but tone leaking with curiosity. “You wouldn’t dare.”

A hellish grin splits across the handsome lines of his face, like a wolf straining in the seams of sheep’s clothing. “Try me.” He’s lost the concept to time when such fun prey has found itself stuck in his crosshairs. Such a sweet lamb should know better than to wander away from its shepherd—heaven forbid something should happen to you. “Test me, I dare you. I’ll walk you through town like some purebred if you keep acting like you weren’t taught to act with decorum.”

He means it too. You know he does. Even after all these years, you still had yet to hear words Azriel’s didn’t back up with action. Instantly, your eyes lower, head bowing in order to conceal the pinpricked pupils that dialate with desire. It burns in your belly, a cacophony of fantasies lashing against your eyelids at warp speed.

You in your shiny collar, name engraved on the customized nameplate with Azriel’s information on the back right under “If Found, Return To”

It’s purely involuntary, the desperate whimper that cuts through the bedchambers and Azriel pats at your head like some pampered pup in need of comfort. Offering love and fond coos when you easily correct the behaviors he doesn’t enjoy.

Obedient. Disciplined. Loyal. His.

“There’s a good girl. Keep that up and I’ll give you a treat.”

[theambitiouswoman]

Foods You Can Eat Instead of Taking Vitamins and Supplements 🍎🥥🥦🥑🍌

Vitamin A: Carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale.

B Vitamins: Whole grains, meat, eggs, nuts, legumes.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): Whole grains, legumes, nuts, pork, fortified cereals.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Dairy products, lean meats, almonds, leafy greens. Vitamin B3 (Niacin): Poultry, fish, nuts, legumes, whole grains.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): Meat, poultry, eggs, avocado, whole grains.

B6: Chicken, turkey, fish, bananas, chickpeas.

Folate (Vitamin B9): Leafy greens, legumes, citrus fruits, fortified grains.

Vitamin B12: Animal products (meat, fish, dairy), fortified plant-based foods.

Vitamin C: Citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers.

Vitamin D: Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel), fortified dairy products, sunlight.

Vitamin E: Sunflower seeds, almonds, vegetable oils, nuts, spinach, broccoli.

Vitamin F (Essential Fatty Acids): Fatty fish, flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts.

Vitamin H (Biotin): Eggs, nuts, sweet potatoes, salmon, avocado.

Vitamin K: Leafy greens (kale, spinach), broccoli, Brussels sprouts.

Vitamin K2: Fermented foods (natto, cheese), animal products, leafy greens.

Vitamin L1 (Anthranilic Acid): Cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower), legumes.

Vitamin P (Bioflavonoids): Citrus fruits, berries, onions, green tea.

Vitamin Q (Ubiquinone): Fatty fish, organ meats, spinach, cauliflower.

Vitamin T (L-carnitine): Red meat, poultry, fish, dairy products.

Vitamin U (S-Methylmethionine): Cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts.

Betaine: Beets, spinach, whole grains, seafood.

Boron: Fruits (apples, pears), legumes, nuts, avocado.

Calcium: Dairy products, leafy greens (kale, collard greens), almonds.

Carnosine: Beef, poultry, fish.

Carnitine: Red meat, dairy products, fish.

Catechins: Green tea, black tea, dark chocolate.

Choline: Eggs, liver, beef, broccoli, soybeans.

Creatine: Red meat, fish, poultry.

Chromium: Broccoli, whole grains, nuts, brewer's yeast.

Chondroitin: Cartilage-rich foods (bone broth, connective tissue of meat).

Copper: Shellfish, nuts, seeds, organ meats, lentils.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): Fatty fish, organ meats, nuts, soybean oil.

Ellagic Acid: Berries (strawberries, raspberries), pomegranates.

Glucosinolates: Cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower).

Glucosamine: Shellfish (shrimp, crab), bone broth, animal connective tissues.

Glutamine: Dairy products, meat, poultry, cabbage.

Inositol: Citrus fruits, beans, nuts, whole grains.

Iodine: Seafood, iodized salt, dairy products.

Iron: Red meat, poultry, beans, lentils, spinach.

L-Theanine: Mushrooms, black tea, white tea, guayusa.

Lignans: Flaxseeds, whole grains, cruciferous vegetables.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin: Leafy greens (spinach, kale), corn, eggs.

Lycopene: Tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit.

Magnesium: Spinach, nuts, seeds, whole grains, beans.

Manganese: Nuts, seeds, whole grains, leafy greens, tea.

Melatonin: Cherries, grapes, tomatoes.

Omega-3 fatty acids: Flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, fatty fish.

PABA (Para-Aminobenzoic Acid): Whole grains, eggs, organ meats.

Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5): Meat, poultry, fish, whole grains, avocado

Pectin: Apples, citrus fruits, berries, pears.

Phosphorus: Dairy products, meat, poultry, fish, nuts.

Prebiotics: Garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, bananas (unripe), oats, apples, barley, flaxseeds, seaweed.

Probiotics: Yogurt, kefir, fermented foods (sauerkraut, kimchi).

Potassium: Bananas, oranges, potatoes, spinach, yogurt.

Polyphenols: Berries, dark chocolate, red wine, tea.

Quercetin: Apples, onions, berries, citrus fruits.

Resveratrol: Red grapes, red wine, berries, peanuts.

Rutin: Buckwheat, citrus fruits, figs, apples.

Selenium: Brazil nuts, seafood, poultry, eggs.

Silica: Whole grains, oats, brown rice, leafy greens.

Sulforaphane: Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts), cabbage.

Taurine: Meat, seafood, dairy products.

Theanine: Green tea, black tea, certain mushrooms.

Tyrosine: Meat, fish, dairy products, nuts, seeds.

Vanadium: Mushrooms, shellfish, dill, parsley, black pepper.

Zeatin: Whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds.

Zinc: Oysters, beef, poultry, beans, nuts, whole grains.

[rose-tea-and-strawberries]

Prince Malleus Draconia vs Human Pettiness

So we’ve all heard about the trope of angry humans doing petty stuff to avoid their supernatural s/o’s. Like dating a werewolf and wearing silver, or dating a vampire and eating Italian (or entering a house that they haven’t been invited to) or dating a demon sitting in a salt circle or even dating a fairy and wearing iron.

So let’s say you’ve had an argument with your unfairly handsome fae boyfriend and later, being the stubborn-as-a-mule human you are, realise that even though you’ve somewhat calmed down, you’re still very cross with him so you decide to get back in your own way. You may have come into Twisted Wonderland with no magic but you did possess the stories and folklore of your non-magical world. You grew up with the tales of the men and women of yore that whispered horror stories of curses, kidnappings and enchantments, fairy rings and changeling children - and it’s time to put your childhood fascination of the once-fictional-but-now-part-of-your-reality to shine.

Of course, you started with the iron jewellery; any type of bijouterie in your possession that you could possibly wear, you did. Rings, necklaces, bangles, anklets, earrings, chains, studs on your clothing, the prong of your belt, even the clips in your hair - all made out of pure iron (most of them a gift from Leona for reasons you weren’t too sure you wanted to know). You even managed to replace the buttons of your school blazer for shiny new metallic ones.

Next, you fortified your stronghold to ensure that any pesky fairies wouldn’t be able to enter. You hung up an iron horseshoe onto the door of Ramshackle and sprinkled salt all around its perimeter. You found some of your old clothes that were no longer in use and turned them inside out before placing them both inside Ramshackle and outside. Next you hung up bells and deep-toned wind chimes on as many places on Ramshackle’s exterior you could find. Then, after marvelling at your handiwork, you went to your bedroom and relaxed.

*Insert a pouting Malleus sulking ten feet away from you, physically unable to come closer, mentally debating whether or not he should be impressed by your commitment*

[dropsnectar]

Pollen and Potions: Bee-men x afab!reader

PART SEVEN

NSFW

You woke up alone. 

The cot was warm under where you had laid but the spots beside you remained cool. You reached your mind out through your bonds, experimenting. You could tell that Rena was somewhere nearby, emotions calm and smug. Lyith seemed to be outside of the hive, worry fretting itself in iridescent specks in your minds eye. That was another thing you noticed. Your minds eye was a little more present, like you were looking in two worlds at once.

You pull yourself up and start looking for Rena, tipetoing down the tunnel hall. You don't stop until you make it to the huge open room, filled with about twenty or thirty bee-men of varying appearances, colors and sizes. You could taste magic in the room, now what you recognized to be the mana of the hive, pulsing through the air. 

Everything smelled fresh and sweet, and something about the place, despite having no windows, felt refreshing and calming to you. You glance around looking for Rena, nodding and waving to Bee-men you have met before. They are all exuberant today, buzzing about you happily and greeting you with the customary hand squeeze or forehead bump. There is such a lightness about them, unlike you've seen in them before. 

You come to the corner of the room where there is another tunnel, brightly light by cool glowing orbs. The familiar orbs had been all about the area, expanded light and cool air. You welcomed the feeling, as you couldn't imagine how hot and humid the hive would be without them. You felt a sudden pulse of magic from the tunnel, and an increase in the scent of sweet honey. 

You come to a room where maybe six or seven Bee-men are working. Their are pots as large as people spanning the walls, several of which the Bee-men are working with. They all seem to be holding onto a string of magic rope tying them together as they sing out in a noise that is equal part bug and human. Surprisingly, it is a comforting, pleasant noise.

 You watch, as the thread seems to pulse wide, like a snake who is swallowing and digesting a mouse, slowly moving from one Bee-men, to one pot to another. You watch as one Bee-man, unconnected to this rope of magic, brings a jar of pollen with him, keeping pace and messaging the bulge.

 On his neck is a large block of obsidian, tied with twine. He is chanting, a dark green, almost black magic working from his hands. You recognize the cute little nose and brown hair. Haven.

“If you watch closely, you will notice that young Haven is using a type of magic we call Kvasir.” A hand is on your elbow and you turn to see Elder Bisou. 

“The magic is neither personal, nor Shared Magic. He… i do not know the word in your terms. He calls on the Kvas of old, our first ancestors, and they lend him the ability to bake the pollen's life into something we can layer into our magic. Much like salt is to humans. It is a hard skill that takes many hours. He must not falter his breath or devotion, lest he have to start all over again.”

You blinked, surprised your favorite gossip had such a vital role. Though in some ways it made sense. Haven had such a way with words, he could spin an enthralling story over the most minute of details. He really was a good orator. And apparently a Bee like Priest? You wondered what Bee-men afterlife looked like. 

Elder Bisou however, had more to say.

“After the nectar is fed through our magic and blessed by the Kvas, it is to be fermented for three days out in the sun, and then portioned and dried until it is the proper consistency. Of course, we dry the honey with our wings, and that too is considered a blessing from the wind.”

Elder Bisou was all but chanting, a preacher on his pulpit, relaying the word of his Gods.

“The nectar is of earth and water, the Kvasir, a blessing of spirit, the Sun and the wind to ferment, a transformation that fortifies our bodies, our mana, our souls. We are one with all in the gathering, in the making, in the consuming. We have not forgotten our roots, young witch.”

His eyes were like steel as he met your gaze. “Though I hear you are much more now. It is a miracle. I thank you for saving the lives of two of our children. And your efforts to save our hive in the ways you can.” He paused here, as if their was more he wanted to say, something that made his chest stick out, the graying fur their puffing.

“Lyith and Rena shall have much to explain to you I am sure. Even if they are terrible drones, leaving you alone in your most vulnerable time. More rest will do you well.”

He turned around, about to leave you, but you put a hand to his shoulder, excitement filling your chest as you remembered.

“Actually, I wanted to talk to you about your gardens! You see, I have this theory about the magic in the soil! I think its because of the beast men leaving. Well more specifically their… um. Waste. You guys have a treaty with the wolfmen a few miles out from here, right? I was thinking that maybe we could. Idk ask for their… fertilizer and see how that effects the ecosystem?”

Elder Bisou gave you tired eyes. “While I appreciate your passion, this is already a thought we have entertained. The issue is that we have no way of funding this “transaction”. Waste is not an easy thing to transport, or a topic welcome in embassy meetings. We only receive groceries through you humans from charity. I do not see any… kindness around the wolfmen shoveling their ‘shit’ into our backyards. I am sorry to disappoint you.”

He said it kindly but it felt like a slap in the face. You hadn't meant to open your mind to his emotions but you could feel them now, a sort of… disdain? The sort of smugness an adult holds in their throat while explaining to a child why they can't have a puppy. 

It occurred to you that this old Bee-man was a politician. And your well meaning intentions might have seemed like a slap in the face to his intelligence. Maybe. Something else seemed to be afoot here, as there was more complexity to this. You didn't need to taste his emotions in the air to know that.

You were feeling kind of dizzy.  Elder Bisou had left but you had leaned against the far wall. You could feel the bee-mens emotions without them throwing them at you, but it drained you. When your gaze focused again you noticed that the Bee-men in the room were trying their hardest to continue to sing and magic their honey, but their eyes still rested on you. Even Haven, who was supposed to be in communion with the holy of his ancestors, had eyes on you as he rubbed and chanted. 

Shame filled your heart. You had butted into a necessary and sacred process without any care. You wobbled up and out of the tunnel, hoping you had not done any harm.

Rena was on you in seconds. 

“What are you doing in there! You should have stayed in the infirmary, I was looking all over for you.” Worry, with a blood like tang filled the connection of your bond. You couldn't quite understand the emotions there, but there was pain in it. Like she had been hurt.

“Are you okay?”

“No! My Queen decides to go gallivanting around the hive before I can even tell her she is very vulnerable right now. Look at you, already stressing your mana.” She uses her hands to dust your shoulders and clothes of dirt from the floor of the hall, the only place in the hive with it, as the floors everywhere else were covered in what could only be linoleum like beeswax. 

“Where's Lyith?” You venture, feeling his own worry and a rush, as if he was flying fast, in your mind. 

“Hes getting you human food! All we have is honey here, and from what I can't tell, its not conducive to a healthy human diet.” She pulls your whole body into her arms and buzzes you off back to what you now knew as the infirmary. 

She had a small cup that steamed in one of her many hands. She set you down on the cot, leaning you so your back was braced by the wall, then covered you in several of the room's blankets before tucking the cup into your hand. You suddenly realized you were ravenous. 

You carefully sipped on the liquid. It was sweet. Hot water and honey, and possibly a little fruit juice glided itself upon your tongue. You smiled over at Rena, your heart full as she fussed over you, picking at your hair and braiding what she could. 

“So whats this about me being vulnerable?”

Rena continued braiding, her eyes not leaving your hair.

“I don’t want to say too much until Lyith gets here. But I’m sure you’ve noticed some changes by now. Your body is very weak because your mana is growing.”

“Is that why I can hear everyone's emotions so clearly?” You grimaced. You still had a bit of a headache. At least it only happens when you talk to someone. 

“That's part of it. You're so tense, come here.” She pulled you into her lap and started messaging the tight spots in your neck, another hand gently rocking on the skin between your shoulders. You shivered, as a wave of tingles worked down your spine.

“We were hoping you’d let us keep you here for a few days so we can watch you. Until everything gets figured out.” Her voice was even but you could tell their was anxiety in the pit of her stomach. She was pushing it down though. You continued to let her wrestle your muscles into soft, relaxed flesh. She sighed in satisfaction.

“Y/n!!!” A happy voice interrupted your quiet peace. It was Haven, the small brown drone vibrating with excitement as he flew towards you. Rena acted immediately, pulling you further into her lap and crushing you to her with the wall of her arms.

“Its the middle of the day, you should be working.” Her tone was gruff.

“We are on break!” He replied, before giving her and indignant eyebrow quirk. He then pushed his full attention to you and sat on the cot. 

“Congratulations on your recent mating! It was about time, with how much those two hung off you!” His words were hollow, as you were hit hard by Haven’s intense curiosity and hope. It almost choked you as you scrambled to adjust your mind's eye. 

“We are busy Haven. And you are stressing her out. She’s still adjusting.”

“So it IS true, you can feel us!” Haven must have been concentrating his mind at you, because you were met with a tsunami of emotions. His pleasure was palpable, a variety of reds. His fondness was warm and smelled of vanilla, as well as something else you couldn’t quite understand, mixed with the hope. A hunger?

“Get out. Now.” Rena stood up, carrying you up with her before pushing Haven off the bed.

“Whats going on here?” Lyith’s tone was hard, it echoed through the infirmary.

“I just wanted to know if she had made a decision yet! Besides, we are friends, right?” He looked at you hopefully. You sighed.

“Haven, I’m not really sure what's going on, but maybe you could come back later? I think I’m out of the loop here.” You realized then that all the talking and emotions had started to make you shake. 

Haven noticed too and looked somber. His voice then turned delicately light, and he organized his face. 

“Maybe we can talk tomorrow. See you guys!” He gave you one last look and then walked out the door. Lyiths eyes followed him. He didn’t seem upset, like Rena did, but you could feel that Lyith seemed torn. Noticing your touch on his mind his eyes met yours, and a loving smile blazed across his golden features.

“You need to eat.” He brought you a plate. It was a tuna sandwich and an apple. Your stomach roared to life, and you grabbed the plate out of Lyith’s hands, tearing through the fish and bread. You ate the whole sandwich in 10 seconds and tore into the apple. Rena relaxed her grip around you and nuzzled her nose into your hair, muscles relaxing. 

Lyith took Haven's place on the cot and opened his arms. Rena wouldn’t let you move. The two of them in the room, you started to feel at peace. But there was a conversation that needed to happen, and it had to happen soon.

“So, I’m your.. Queen now huh? What does that mean exactly?”  Lyith exchanged glances with Rena. 

“Well, it’s a lot like being married. Rena and I have sworn to love and protect you for the rest of our lives. And you accepted us into your mind, heart and body, fortifying us.” He crawled forward so he could take hold of your hand, caressing the curves of your fingers.

“Exiled Bee-men often survive dying by Queen Bonding with someone who has compatible pheromones. Thats how we are able to share our emotions. But you’re experiencing more then that right?”

You nodded slowly. “I could kind of tell where you guys were at.”

“And you were able to hear Heaven's emotions without him sharing them with you. You were able to pick up his pheromones and read them, despite not having a bond.”

“A Queenbond to another species is something that takes several weeks of mating to take. Not to mention, when you were healing Lyith, your magic should have only temporarily stabilized his magic. Instead you healed all the damage that he had accumulated from enacting magic without a Queen. Even if he had bonded to a normal Queen, he would not have been able to fully use his mana again.”

“You’re mana is turning into something like a true Queen. We don’t understand it.”

Your heart started pounding hard in your chest. You took stock. Did you feel any different? No. You were tired, but you were still you. Your mind went back to all the Bee-men who’s been eyeing you in the hall. The Joy, the hope, Haven’s hunger.

“The rest of the hive… they..,”

“No. Little One, there are two hives now. Ours and theirs. They are letting us stay here now in hopes of you becoming their Queen. That you would heal them all, and stop their inevitable walk towards death.”

The stakes are so high. 

You felt sick. You had only meant to save Lyith, but the whole hive?

You had wanted to help them, sure, but they wanted you to give your whole life away to them? You wanted to save them, but this might just be too much. 

“I’d have to give up my human life. And I’d have to become some baby making factory.”

“A Queen IS the mother of the hive, but she is so much more. She is also the heart. Like you are our hearts now.” Lyith leaned forward and the three of you were in a full embrace.

“We aren’t asking you to do anything you don’t want to. You don’t have to become their Queen if you don’t want to. But either way, we need to stay here for a few days. If you move your body too much, it might affect your mana and make you sick. Its possible that the stress of it could even kill you.”

Lyith pulled away and kneeled onto the floor so he could rest his head on your lap. His eyes didn’t leave you. Rena continued. “We are not able to hate you anymore, little one. We will not judge you if it's too much to ask. After all, another Queen could find her way to the hive.”

Twenty years.

 Your eyes started to water. You wanted to weep for them, for these Bee-men. For Lyith and Rena and Haven and everyone you had met here. You suddenly felt so young and small. You sat there and cried for what felt like an hour. It was all too much.

When you stopped you were bone tired. You tugged on your bonds between Rena and Lyith, and their minds consumed yours. Their pain for you, their worry, but also their love filled your mind. It was a balm to you. It was so intimate, this feeling of being one with them, but you had to admit you loved it. You loved them. 

You felt a wet warmth rubbing on your thigh. You looked down to see Lyith, his eyes big and round as he kitten licked your pants. You got goosebumps. You watched him for a second, the warmth flooding your cheeks.

“Lyith…”

“I think you’ve had a really stressful day, my Queen.” Lyith’s tone was innocence itself, but he continued to lick long stripes, causing a wet patch. You swallowed.

Seeing you not pull away, he shimmied his head up to the zipper of your pants and pulled it down with his teeth.  He then licked between the zipper, once, twice, three times. His hands snaked up to the top of your pants. Rena, seeing where this was going, pulled you out of her arms. 

She motioned Lyith off you and laid you down near the edge of the cot. She tossed Lyith a pillow. He rolled you over gently and positioned the pillow under you. Your entire face started to heat at the thought of how easy this was for them. Heavy arousal from both sides filled your mind, making you feel sensitive all over. Rena took hold of one of your thighs and pulled it closer to her side on the left. She started to reach over and message the skin of your chest as she pulled your chin to kiss her. 

Her breath was hot and her lips soft. The fluff of her chest felt good against your belly, as she had pushed up your shirt. Her tongue played hopscotch with yours, moving over and under, as if to tease you more. You whined at her as you felt Lyith kissing a slow trail on your inner thighs. His hand pulled your puffy lips apart, and he blew cool air onto it. The tension in your stomach wound deeper, waiting. 

He started licking wide flat lines from your entrance up your vulva. He took breaks, kissing and licking at your labia, before working his way slowly back to your clit, sucking. The texture made you groan, as he took his time. You don’t know how he did it, maybe he had practice, maybe he--fuck. 

He moaned into you, letting you know of his own pleasure as he humped the edge of the mattress. You ached for him, as Rena nibbled and sucked on your neck. You are writhing under them now. From Lyith, from Rena, from the utter devotion the were laying in waves upon your mind. It made your core boil, their emotions coating your consciousness with the blanket of their devotion. Despite the fact that they were the ones playing your body like some kind of instrument, you were the one with the power here. The one making them so crazy all they wanted to do was make you come one more time, scream out one more time. 

“You're our universe, my Queen. Won’t you come for us, just a little bit?” Rena whispered in your ear. Despite her words, Lyiths mouth was the center of your universe right now, building you to a peak so high, you weren’t sure where it would go. Then he sang into you, a high pitched needy note, and the tension broke. Your body was pleasure and stars filled your eyes.

You were panting when you looked over at Lyith, who was staring at you with the same adoration one would give a puppy who successfully carried out a trick. His mouth was glistening.

Seeing you watch him, he dragged his long black tongue around his mouth and swallowed. 

“Are you feeling more relaxed now?” He asked with some amusement. You pouted at him, then pulled yourself up. 

You patted the seat to your right, giving him a heated stare. He obeyed with poise. You could see his dick, long and as golden as his face, with a darkening brown near his tip. It held ridges on several points and was glistening, covered in his precum.

You looked back to Lyith, giving him an innocent expression as you dragged your finger around the bumps of his dick. The skin was smooth and slippery, but it gave a little under your touch. You pulled yourself out of Rena’s arms and off the cot. You plopped down on the spot between his legs, lining your face up with his dick. 

Lyith was completely taken off gaurd, eyes wide, then rolling back into his head as you took the tip into your mouth. Huh. Even his precum had a sweetness to it that you quite liked. You tried to swallow down more of it without chocking, causing him to gasp and shudder over you. When you looked up, his eyes were soft and glazed, mouth open. He didn;t hold back his moans as you continued to lick and suck his dick. You traced the ridges of it with your tongue and pumped him with your free hand. He was quite large.

He keened and gasped, letting out whiny thank yous and sputters. When you glanced over at Rena, you saw her with her own hands on her cock, her eyes never leaving your mouth as you worked Lyith down to babbles. Eventually it was too much for him and he came, beautifully blond lashes fluttering as he shot his load down your throat. You coughed and let go of him immediately, not used to how much fluid was coming out of him. You almost swore you swallowed down something small and squishy? Like a boba ball, but you were probably imagining it. There was just so much cum. 

“Was that.. Good?” You asked sheepishly. All he could do was nod at you as he laid back in the cot. It had seemed like at some point Rena had gotten off too. The room was full of panting and you took your place in the middle of your lovers, sated and happy.

“So… do you guys have showers in this place?”

Guys I would love some criticism for my smut. I've written so much lately that they all just kind of blend together. I will probably come back and edit this entire part at some point, but for now, here it is in all its unedited glory! And yes, at some point Lyith will have his turn inside reader, but for now, he will have to make do with being one of readers favorite sweets~ I hope you liked it! And yes, their will be more parts and more smut.

PART EIGHT

[xseffort45]

Electrolytes and why they're important especially when water f4st!ng:

Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, bicarbonate, and phosphate. They are involved in various physiological processes.

During a water f4st, the body can lose electrolytes through various means, such as urine, sweat, and even through breathing.

Without sufficient intake of electrolytes, the body may experience imbalances that can lead to various health issues including:

muscle cramps, dizziness, weakness, irregular heartbeats, and in severe cases, even life-threatening conditions such as de4th.

Here's a breakdown of each electrolyte and its role in the body:

Sodium (Na+):

Role: Sodium is the primary extracellular cation (positively charged ion) and plays a vital role in maintaining fluid balance and blood pressure. It is essential for nerve impulse transmission and muscle function.

Source: Commonly found in table salt (sodium chloride) and many processed foods.

Potassium (K+):

Role: Potassium is the primary intracellular cation. It helps regulate fluid balance, nerve impulses, muscle contractions (including the heart), and maintains proper cellular function.

Source: Found in various fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, oranges, potatoes, and spinach.

Calcium (Ca2+):

Role: Calcium is essential for maintaining strong bones and teeth. It also plays a key role in muscle contractions, nerve transmission, blood clotting, and cell signaling.

Source: Dairy products, leafy greens, nuts, and fortified non-dairy milk.

Magnesium (Mg2+):

Role: Magnesium is involved in hundreds of enzymatic reactions in the body, including energy production, protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, and maintaining healthy bones.

Source: Found in nuts, seeds, whole grains, leafy greens, and legumes.

Chloride (Cl-):

Role: Chloride is the major extracellular anion (negatively charged ion) and works closely with sodium to help maintain fluid balance and osmotic pressure in cells.

Source: Commonly found in table salt (sodium chloride) and many processed foods.

Bicarbonate (HCO3-):

Role: Bicarbonate is involved in regulating the body's acid-base balance (pH level) and is a crucial component of the bicarbonate buffering system.

Source: The body produces bicarbonate as part of normal metabolic processes.

Phosphate (HPO42-):

Role: Phosphate is essential for bone and teeth mineralization, energy production (adenosine triphosphate, ATP), and serves as a component of DNA and RNA.

Source: Found in various foods, including meat, dairy products, nuts, and whole grains.

To prevent these complications and support the body during a water f4st, it is crucial to supplement with electrolytes.

Many people who practice prolonged water f4st!ng or intermittent f4st!ng find it helpful to take electrolyte supplements or consume electrolyte-rich drinks to ensure they maintain proper mineral balance throughout the f4!sting period. However, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any regimen or supplement routine, as individual needs may vary.

[charmwasjess]

I legitimately didn't remember how fucking batshit funny some of the Dooku sections in Claudia Gray's Master and Apprentice were. Qui-Gon's remembering his first mission with Dooku in flashback: okay, seems straightforward enough. They land in an ongoing crisis in a battle zone, Dooku goes to talk to the generals. Then, next scene, we smashcut directly to:

"Don't be afraid." Dooku's voice rang out over even the howling winds of Shurrapak. Qui-Gon clung to the carbon-fibre-rope riggings of the Shurrapakan ship, salt spray stinging his face and hands as they rounded the cape to approach the battle from an angle the enemy wouldn't expect. "They're shielded against skycraft and energy weapons. Not against seafaring vessels!" He made this sound majestic, courageous, brilliant -- nothing like the last-minute, last-ditch attempt it really was. Qui-Gon took a deep breath and stared up at the stars. Big mistake. The stars weren't moving and his stomach was, and the queasiness that swept through him made him feel weak.

Dooku has been on this planet for less than 24 hours. There are already other Jedi there ahead of him with established generals working on the battle plans, which according to the scene just before this, are complete enough that its conceivable Dooku and Qui-Gon will miss the action. So naturally, the plan he then comes up with is "ABANDON ALL OTHER PLANS, WE ATTACK THE FORTIFIED BATTLEFIELD WITH OLD TIMEY ROPE-RIGGED SAILING SHIPS!"

And at his side?? A seasick twelve year old who has never left the Temple or seen battle!!! Who can't swim! And backing them up?? Rael fucking Averross, who Dooku was just nagging for being too eager to get into the fighting. Sure, Dooku. That's Rael's problem.

This is the most disaster lineage shit I've ever read. This could absolutely be an Anakin and Obi-Wan Clone Wars arc.

Bonus Rael and Qui-Gon Content, from earlier in the chapter:

"C'mon, then, let's go talk to the generals." Rael made it sound like the most natural thing for a twelve-year-old to do.

Rael, you crazy motherfucker, never change.

[pierrotdoesnteat]

NUTRITION JOURNALS: VITAMINS (PT 1/2)

HOW MANY VITAMINS ARE THERE?

- there are thirteen (13) essential vitamins; vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pathogenic acid (B5), biotin (B7), and folate (B9). these are the ones i'll focus on in this past, and it will be a longer post.

WHAT IS VITAMIN A?

- vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that supports your immune system, vision, reproductive health, and fetal growth. there are two forms of vitamin A; preformed vitamin A which are found in things like dairy, liver, and fish, and provitamin A carotenoids which can be found in fruits, vegetables, and oils. - The recommended daily amount of vitamin A is 900 micrograms (mcg) for adult men and 700 mcg for adult women.

WHAT IS VITAMIN B6?

- vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is important for normal brain development and for keeping the nervous system and immune system healthy. Food sources of vitamin B6 include poultry, fish, potatoes, chickpeas, bananas and fortified cereals. - vitamin B6 has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and helps your body to make DNA, hemoglobin, and neurotransmitters. - in addition to low iron, low vitamin B6 has been linked to anemia, which i dont imagine i need to tell yall is incredibly common in disordered people. - because B6 is connected to neurotransmitters, it can help regulate mood and even aid sleep. One study showed that higher vitamin B6 intake is associated with lower depression and anxiety risk in females, but not males. - vitamin B6 also helps your body maintain normal levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that helps to build proteins. - vitamin B6 supplementation specifically has been shown to improve body composition – your ratio of lean muscle to fat. it has also been linked with higher muscle mass and lower body fat levels. in particular, vitamin B6 supplementation has been linked to lower-body weight loss, with a reduced amount of fat across the hips and waist.

WHAT IS VITAMIN B12?

- vitamin B-12 (cobalamin) plays an essential role in red blood cell formation, cell metabolism, nerve function and the production of DNA, the molecules inside cells that carry genetic information. - sources of vitamin B-12 include poultry, meat, fish and dairy products. Vitamin B-12 is also added to some foods, such as fortified breakfast cereals, and is available as an oral supplement. - some studies suggest that vitamin B12 could affect body fat and metabolism. one review concluded that vitamin B12 plays a key role in fat metabolism, noting that a deficiency could be linked to increased fat accumulation and obesity. take this with a grain of salt, though, because there is limited research on the topic. - vitamin B12 plays a role in serotonin production, so a deficiency may be connected with clinical depression. this may feel irrelevant, but your physical and mental health are really complexly connected. taking care of one can help improve the other.

WHAT IS VITAMIN C?

- vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a nutrient your body needs to form blood vessels, cartilage, muscle and collagen in bones. vitamin C is also vital to your body's healing process. additionally, it is an antioxidant that helps protect your cells against the effects of free radicals- molecules produced when your body breaks down food or is exposed to tobacco smoke and radiation from the sun, x-rays or other sources. - vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, berries, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli and spinach. - vitamin C helps your body to absorb iron in foods like beans and spinach, who's bio-availability is lower. - although vitamin C doesn't necessarily cause weight loss, it seems to be related to body weight. getting sufficient amounts of vitamin C increases body fat oxidation during moderate-intensity exercise. - another critical function of vitamin C is synthesizing carnitine, which transports long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria that produce energy.

WHAT IS VITAMIN D?

- there are different forms of vitamin D, including ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). vitamin D is found in fish, eggs, and fortified milk. It's also made in the skin when exposed to sunlight. during periods of sunlight, vitamin D is stored in fat and then released when sunlight is not available. - your body can only absorb calcium, the primary component of bone, when vitamin D is present. Vitamin D also regulates many other cellular functions in your body. Its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuro-protective properties support immune health, muscle function and brain cell activity. - vitamin D might play an important role in regulating mood and decreasing the risk of depression, and some studies suggest there may be a link between vitamin D and obesity, though more research is needed to verify this.

WHAT IS VITAMIN E?

- vitamin E is a nutrient that's important to vision, reproduction, and the health of your blood, brain and skin. vitamin E deficiency can cause nerve pain (neuropathy). - foods rich in vitamin E include canola oil, olive oil, margarine, almonds and peanuts. You can also get vitamin E from meats, dairy, leafy greens and fortified cereals. - getting enough vitamin E may help prevent oxidative stress and cellular damage. oxidative stress occurs when there’s an imbalance between your body’s antioxidant defenses and the production and accumulation of compounds called reactive oxygen species (ROS). this can lead to cellular damage and increased disease risk.

WHAT IS VITAMIN K?

- vitamin K is actually a group of compounds, with the most important ones being vitamin K1 and vitamin K2. vitamin K1 is obtained from leafy greens and some other vegetables. vitamin K2 is a group of compounds largely obtained from meats, cheeses, and eggs and synthesized by bacteria. - vitamin K's key role is to help heal injuries through blood clotting and strengthen bones by making four proteins among the 13 that are needed for blood clotting (coagulation) and osteocalcin.

[novaursa]

Legacy (across the dream)

- Summary: Tywin was the man who saved you from Robert's wrath. He was also the man who doomed you.

- Pairing: targ!reader/Tywin Lannister

- Note: Be aware of unspecified time jumps.

- Rating: Explicit 18+ (short adult scene)

- Previous part: tomorrow

- Next part: the silence

- Tag(s): @sachaa-ff @oxymakestheworldgoround @luniaxi @alkadri-layal @butterflygxril @urdxrling

The war room of Casterly Rock was heavy with the scent of wax and parchment, the weight of war pressing down upon those who stood within it. The torches burned low, casting specters across the grand table where maps of Westeros were spread, marked with ink and sigils.

Tywin Lannister stood at the head of the table, his expression as steady as a drawn blade. The air in the chamber was thick with unease, the lords and officers gathered around waiting in silence as the scout before them took a steadying breath.

"My lord," the scout began, bowing his head. "We found them three leagues east of here, scattered across the rocks and frozen ground. Dead ravens. At least a dozen."

Tywin’s gaze darkened. "And the messages?"

"Untouched," the scout replied, handing over a bundle of scrolls wrapped in black ribbon. "Still sealed. As if they fell from the sky all at once."

A murmur spread through the gathered men, a fear flickering in their eyes.

Tywin untied the ribbon and unrolled one of the messages, his sharp eyes scanning the contents. His fingers tightened around the parchment as he read.

"The last message sent from the capital," he said, voice level but heavy with meaning. "Dated weeks ago."

Another scroll was unfurled, this one bearing the sigil of House Stark.

"Winterfell," he muttered, recognizing the seal. The message was faded but legible. A warning.

Tywin turned to Kevan, who stood beside him, his expression grim. "If these ravens were never delivered, then our communications have been severed for longer than we anticipated."

Kevan nodded. "A troubling sign, brother. The ravens should not have fallen mid-flight unless something unnatural caused it."

The silence in the room deepened. It was Beric Dondarrion who finally spoke, his voice edged with the wisdom of too many deaths and resurrections.

"Magic," he said simply. "Something is at work here, something old. This is no natural occurrence."

Tywin’s jaw tightened, his mind already racing through possibilities.

"You mean to tell me," he said coldly, "that the enemy is interfering with our very means of communication?"

Beric met his gaze with an unwavering expression. "Would it surprise you?"

Tywin did not answer.

You, who had been standing at his side, finally stepped forward. Your gaze lingered on the black-feathered bundle in the scout’s hands before shifting back to Tywin.

"This has only just begun," you said softly. "They are cutting us off, isolating us."

Tywin exhaled sharply, the muscle in his jaw flexing. He looked at you, the unreadable expression in his green eyes betraying nothing of the storm raging in his mind.

"Then we must be prepared," he said at last, handing the scrolls to a waiting scribe. "Every settlement, every outpost under our protection must be warned—send word through trusted riders, not ravens. If our messages cannot fly, then they will ride."

Kevan nodded in agreement. "A sound plan. But if the dead are already moving, we must be ready for an attack."

Tywin turned to his assembled officers, his voice steel. "Fortify the defenses. Increase patrols along every border, especially along the eastern front. If they seek to weaken us, we will show them that Casterly Rock is not so easily shaken."

The men nodded, murmuring their assent, but you could see the unease that lingered in their eyes.

"Burn the bodies of the ravens," Beric added. "And salt the ground where they fell."

A ripple of discomfort passed through the room.

Tywin arched a brow but gave a curt nod. "See it done."

The scout bowed deeply before stepping back, the doors swinging open as he exited.

The chamber remained still for a long moment, the weight of the news pressing down upon those present.

You felt Tywin’s gaze settle on you once more, his voice quieter when he spoke.

"If they are trying to silence us," he murmured, "then we must ensure we are not caught unaware."

You met his eyes, nodding solemnly. "We must be ready for what comes."

Tywin exhaled again, his mind already working through the next steps, but you could see it—the slight crease in his brow, the glint of calculation in his gaze. He knew, as well as you did, that this was only the beginning.

And the silence left in the wake of dead wings was a warning neither of you would ignore.

The icy wind howled through the battlements of Casterly Rock, sending a bitter chill through the stone fortress. The realm had been trapped in endless night for years, and yet the lions of the West still stood, defiant against the coming darkness.

Tywin Lannister walked the ramparts, his fur-lined cloak billowing behind him as he observed the defenses with keen, calculating eyes. The walls had been reinforced, the battlements lined with seasoned archers. Below, soldiers drilled relentlessly, their swords ringing through the cold air as they practiced for battles yet to come.

His mind was a storm of calculations, weighing provisions, manpower, and strategy. The dead were on the move—Beric’s reports had confirmed it. And now the very skies seemed against them. The realm was growing silent, cut off by unseen forces.

A sound of boots on stone made him turn slightly, though his hands remained clasped behind his back. Thoros of Myr approached, his red priest’s robes looking almost black in the dim torchlight. His eyes, usually filled with a flickering mirth, were grave.

"My lord," Thoros greeted, dipping his head slightly.

Tywin’s gaze returned to the men below. "What is it?"

Thoros hesitated for a moment before stepping closer. "I have heard whispers among your men," he said, his voice steady. "About what lies beneath us."

Tywin’s expression did not change. "You will have to be more specific, Myrman."

Thoros let out a quiet breath, his fingers brushing the pommel of his sword. "The mines," he said at last. "The place where the dragons have nested. They say there is Dragonglass down there."

Tywin’s eyes flickered briefly toward the Red Priest before looking back to the training soldiers below. "There is," he admitted, voice calm and measured. "Rich veins of it, deeper than even the gold we once extracted from these hills."

Thoros nodded slowly, as if confirming a long-held suspicion. "Then I must ask, my lord… why has it not been put to use?"

Tywin turned fully now, his green eyes cold. "We are not smiths of Valyria, nor do I have the luxury of wasting resources on superstition."

Thoros’s lips curled slightly in amusement, despite the grimness of their conversation. "And yet," he mused, "you have two dragons sleeping beneath your feet. You married a woman of dragon’s blood. Your own son, half a lion and half a dragon, was burned by fire and yet still lives."

Tywin’s jaw tightened. "Get to the point."

Thoros’s expression sobered. "The Night is here, Lord Tywin. This is no longer war as you have known it. Swords of steel and shields of gold will not hold against the dead. You need weapons of Dragonglass. You need men who know how to forge them. And you need them now."

Tywin remained silent for a long moment. The torchlight cast deep shadows on his face, making the angles of his features look carved from ice and stone.

"Have you ever worked Dragonglass before, priest?"

Thoros shifted, shaking his head. "No. But I have seen it wielded against the dead. I have seen it work. And there are blacksmiths among your men who could learn, if given the right materials."

Tywin tapped his fingers against the edge of the stone wall, thinking.

"You propose that I divert resources to mining Dragonglass instead of food and steel?"

"I propose that you do both," Thoros countered. "If the dead come for us, and our blades do nothing… then it will not matter how many soldiers you have. They will be butchered in the dark."

Silence hung between them. The weight of the decision was clear.

Finally, Tywin turned away from the wall, his mind made up.

"You will take a dozen men," he ordered. "Go into the mines, gather what you can. Find a blacksmith with enough sense to shape it into something useful."

Thoros dipped his head. "A wise choice, my lord."

Tywin narrowed his eyes. "It is a necessary one. We do not indulge in superstition here, but we will use every resource at our disposal to ensure the survival of this house and this kingdom."

Thoros smirked. "A man who does not believe in the Lord of Light… yet wages war like one blessed by fire."

Tywin’s lip curled in distaste. "I do not need the favor of your god to win wars, Myrman. I need strategy and steel."

"And Dragonglass," Thoros reminded him.

Tywin said nothing, merely turning on his heel and walking away, leaving Thoros standing alone beneath the flickering torchlight.

The priest sighed, looking up at the darkened sky.

"May your fire burn bright, Lord Tywin," he murmured to the night. "You’re going to need it."

The winds still howled against the stone walls of Casterly Rock one moon later, carrying whispers of death and ice from the North. The sky remained black, swallowed by the endless night, and the air carried a stillness that felt unnatural. Yet inside the fortress, preparations did not cease.

Damon Lannister stood beneath the great archway of the castle courtyard, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. The boy no longer wore bandages, though the fresh scars across his left side were still red and raw, the skin stretched taut. A deep burn ran along his jaw, tugging his lips into an almost permanent sneer, and part of his left cheek bore the mark of dragonfire. His silver-gold hair had darkened near the scorched flesh, giving him an uneven appearance—half lion, half something else.

His gaze was fixed on the courtyard, where Lord Tywin Lannister stood overseeing his men. The old lion was draped in his crimson-and-gold cloak, his breastplate gleaming in the torchlight. He moved between his commanders with the effortless precision of a man who had spent a lifetime preparing for war.

Beside Damon, Ser Barristan Selmy stood, his expression unreadable as he too watched the Lord of Casterly Rock. The old knight had his arms crossed, his weathered face cast in thought.

"They say my father never loses," Damon murmured, his voice quiet but steady.

Barristan glanced at him. "Your father is one of the finest commanders the realm has ever seen."

Damon’s scarred lips pressed together. "Then why does he look worried?"

Barristan hesitated before answering. "Because war is not won by reputation alone, my lord. It is won by men. By steel and fire. And even the greatest of men can bleed."

Damon frowned, watching as Tywin turned to one of his bannermen, his expression hard and severe. His father rarely showed emotion—everything he did was deliberate, calculated. And yet there was something in the way he moved today that unsettled Damon.

"Do you think we'll win?" Damon asked.

Barristan exhaled through his nose. "I think your father will do whatever it takes to ensure his house survives."

That wasn’t an answer. Damon turned to the knight, his young face serious. "And what do you think?"

Barristan studied him for a long moment. "I think war changes men. Even the ones we believe unshakable."

Damon’s small hands clenched tighter. He did not like the sound of that.

His eyes returned to Tywin. His father was speaking with Kevan, the two brothers standing close in quiet discussion. Nearby, a group of Lannister knights fastened armor, their expressions grim. The war horns had not sounded, but everyone felt it.

"Can I fight?" Damon suddenly asked.

Barristan sighed. "You are too young for battle, my lord."

Damon scowled, fingers twitching. "I could ride Arraxes—"

"No." Barristan’s voice was firm, and for the first time, Damon turned to see the full weight of the old knight’s gaze upon him. "You nearly died trying to claim him."

Damon’s face burned, but not from the scars.

"I failed," he whispered.

"You are alive," Barristan corrected. "And that means you have another chance."

Damon swallowed. His throat felt tight. "Another chance for what?"

Barristan knelt before him, placing a steady hand on the boy’s unscarred shoulder.

"To grow. To learn. To be better than those who came before you."

Damon didn’t answer. He only looked past Barristan, watching his father command the army with unwavering certainty.

For the first time, he wondered if that certainty could break.

The castle halls of Casterly Rock were eerily quiet, the stone cold beneath your fingers as you traced the intricate carvings along the wall. The flames of the torches flickered in the stagnant air.

Varys stood at the window, his robes pooling around him like liquid silk, his ever-watchful gaze set upon the dark horizon beyond the sea. It had been a week since Tyrion had departed with the Unsullied. A week of silence.

"Do you think he'll make it back to Dragonstone in time?" you asked, breaking the hush between you. "Or will he return at all?"

Varys turned his head slightly, offering you a knowing smile, though it did little to comfort you.

"If there is one thing I have learned, my lady," he mused, "it is that your husband is not the only Lannister who does not simply roll over and die."

You exhaled through your nose, your arms crossing over your chest. "Tyrion is clever, but Daenerys… she is not patient."

"That is an understatement," Varys said dryly. "And yet, she waits. Because she has no other choice."

Your fingers tightened around the fabric of your sleeves.

"I feel helpless, Varys." The words tumbled from your lips before you could stop them. You turned toward him fully, frustration clear in your voice. "Tywin keeps me caged within these walls, refusing to let me act. He will not let me fly north. Not even to Winterfell."

Varys did not speak, only listening as you continued.

"Jon could be hurt—again," you murmured, voice softer now. "And I cannot even see him. I raised him, Varys. He was mine in all the ways that mattered. And yet, I am to sit here, warm and safe, while he fights for his life in the cold."

You pressed your lips together, swallowing the lump forming in your throat.

Varys sighed, tilting his head as he regarded you.

"You are a queen in all but name," he said gently. "And queens are often prisoners of their own power."

You let out a hollow laugh. "That is something Tywin would say."

Varys hummed. "Yes, well, your husband is not entirely wrong. He keeps you here because he fears losing you. The same way he fears losing Damon and Maelor. He is not a man who gives himself freely, and yet you…" He gestured to you with a tilt of his head. "You are an exception."

You looked away, your heart twisting.

"He knows as well as I do that there is only so much time before the winter swallows us whole," you whispered. "And still, he waits."

Varys stepped closer, his voice low.

"He waits because he is not ready to surrender his belief that he can control what is coming," he said. "And because, despite everything, he still does not fully believe."

You turned back to him, meeting his unreadable gaze.

"But you do, don't you?" you asked.

Varys did not answer immediately.

"I have seen enough to know," he finally said, "that we have already waited too long."

A chill ran down your spine, despite the warmth of the castle.

Beyond the windows, the night stretched on, endless and unyielding.

Tywin stood near the hearth, his hands clasped behind his back as he gazed into the crackling fire. The flames danced over his stern features, accentuating the hard lines of his face, his golden hair kissed with streaks of silver. You watched him from where you stood, near the edge of the large bed, your fingers ghosting over the embroidered patterns of the Lannister sigil on the bedding.

He finally spoke, his voice calm but weighted.

"All of the Westerlands will gather here," he stated. "We will make our stand at Casterly Rock." He turned toward you, his gaze steady. "I suspect the rest of the realm is preparing to do the same, holding to their strongholds and fortresses, waiting for what comes."

You exhaled slowly, nodding. "There is no safety anywhere else," you murmured. "Not in the open. Not anymore."

He took a measured step toward you, his expression unreadable. "The strength of the Rock will hold," he said, though there was an edge to his voice—one that you recognized as restrained concern.

You searched his face, your heart heavy. "And if it does not?"

He did not answer immediately. Instead, he reached out, cupping your jaw in his hand, his thumb tracing the curve of your cheek. "Then we make sure they pay the highest price for it."

A small, humorless chuckle escaped your lips. "That sounds like you."

He smirked, just barely. "It is me."

You leaned into his touch, closing your eyes for a moment, feeling the warmth of his palm against your skin. When you opened them again, he was watching you, his green eyes searching.

"Stay close to me," he murmured.

You reached up, placing your hand over his. "Always."

He studied you for a long moment before his fingers slid into your hair, and then his lips were on yours��firm, assured, but not demanding. You melted into him, the tension of the world outside momentarily forgotten as his hand moved to the small of your back, pulling you closer.

The kiss deepened, slow yet unyielding, as his other hand skimmed down your spine, fingers tracing the silken fabric of your gown. Your hands found the front of his tunic, slipping beneath the thick fabric to touch the warmth of his skin.

A low sound escaped him as he lifted you slightly, walking you back toward the bed. His lips never left yours, even as his fingers worked at the ties of your dress, loosening the laces with practiced ease. The heavy material slipped from your shoulders, pooling at your feet, leaving you bared to the cool air of the chamber.

Tywin’s eyes darkened as he took in the sight of you, his hands firm against your waist as he guided you onto the bed. He followed after you, shedding his tunic with slow deliberation, the firelight casting shadows over the defined lines of his body.

"You are mine," he murmured, voice low and certain, as he leaned over you, his lips tracing a slow path down the column of your throat.

You arched into him, your fingers tangling in his hair. "And you are mine."

His answer was a deep, lingering kiss as he settled between your thighs, and the night stretched on, wrapped in warmth and fire—while the endless dark loomed beyond the walls.

Damon lay on his back, staring at the ceiling of their shared chamber. The warmth of the castle, kept by the dragons beneath, was ever-present, but the cold outside seeped into the very bones of the Rock.

Beside him, Maelor was curled up under thick furs, his small frame barely making a dent in the massive bed. But he was not asleep. Damon could feel his little brother's eyes on him, even through the dark.

A moment passed before Maelor’s quiet voice broke the silence. "Damon?"

Damon blinked, his gaze still fixed on the ceiling. "Hmm?"

There was a pause, hesitant, before Maelor whispered, "Do you think we’ll see the sun again?"

The words made something tighten in Damon's chest. He turned his head slightly, looking at his younger brother. Maelor’s wide eyes reflected the candlelight, his face a mixture of curiosity and quiet fear.

Damon exhaled slowly, shifting onto his side. "I don’t know," he admitted. "Maybe."

Maelor frowned. "But the maester said it’s been more then three years since it went away." His small fingers clutched the edge of his blanket. "And if the sun doesn’t come back… will the world stay like this forever?"

Damon hesitated. He wanted to tell Maelor that everything would be fine, that one day they would wake up, and the sun would be there, bright and golden in the sky. That things would go back to how they were in the stories their mother told them.

But he had learned enough to know that promises made in blind hope meant nothing.

Instead, he sighed and reached over, ruffling Maelor’s pale hair. "I don’t know, Maelor. But if the sun doesn’t come back, we’ll make do. We always do."

Maelor wrinkled his nose. "That’s what Father always says."

Damon smirked slightly. "Because it’s true."

Maelor was quiet for a moment, then mumbled, "I miss the sun."

Damon shifted closer, draping an arm protectively over his little brother. "Me too," he admitted.

The candle flickered, casting another wave of shadows against the walls. Outside, the wind howled through the cliffs of the Rock, a sound like distant wailing.

Maelor yawned and nuzzled closer into the warmth of his brother’s embrace. "Do you think Mother will make the sun come back?"

Damon stared at the ceiling again, his voice softer this time. "If anyone can, it’s her."

Maelor sighed, his breath warm against Damon’s shoulder. Slowly, his small body relaxed, his breathing evening out as sleep began to claim him.

Damon remained awake, however, listening to the wind and watching the dying light of the candle.

Damon allowed himself to wonder—what if the sun never returns?

Damon lay still in his bed, furs drawn high against the chill that seeped even into the warmest chambers of Casterly Rock. Maelor, curled up beside him, had long since drifted into peaceful slumber, his soft breathing barely audible beneath the constant howling of the wind outside.

But for Damon, sleep was not so kind.

It started with whispers.

At first, they were distant, like voices carried by the wind. He couldn't make out the words, only the hushed urgency behind them. Then, they grew closer, forming echoes in the dark—a conversation happening just beyond his reach.

Then he recognized them.

His mother’s voice.

“We should have had more time.”

A shadow of pain, an ache woven into her words.

Then his father’s voice, rough and unfamiliar with weakness, as though every word was a struggle.

“We did.” A pause. A breath that sounded almost like a swallowed cry. “We deserved more.”

The air around Damon thickened. He felt his heart pound against his ribs, a rising panic he couldn’t explain. The voices blurred, and suddenly the warmth of his furs was gone. The stone walls of his chamber faded, dissolving into a cold vastness that stretched beyond sight.

Snow fell, thick and heavy, swallowing sound and light alike. He stood in a frozen wasteland, his boots sinking into ice that cracked beneath his weight. The sky was black, the stars veiled by swirling frost.

Then he felt it.

The weight of a presence.

Damon turned, and his breath hitched.

The Other stood before him.

It was taller than any man he had ever seen, clad in armor made of something more ancient than steel, its surface shimmering with the cold glow of the frozen night. Its skin was a corpse’s pale blue, its features sharp and inhuman. And its eyes…

Blazing. Piercing. Blue as death itself.

They watched him.

Not with anger. Not with hunger.

With something worse.

With recognition.

Damon could not move. Could not breathe. His entire body had turned to ice.

The Other raised a hand. Long, pale fingers extended toward him, a slow, deliberate motion. Its mouth did not move, but Damon heard it speak.

A voice that was not a voice.

A whisper that scraped like a dagger of ice against bone.

“You know us.”

Damon’s breath came in shudders, his mind screaming at him to run, to move, to do something.

The Other took a step forward.

Damon felt the cold sink into his skin, past his flesh, into his bones.

The whispers rose in a deafening crescendo.

His father’s voice—"We deserved more."

His mother’s voice—"We should have had more time."

The Other's voice—"We will have time."

Damon screamed.

The world shattered.

He bolted upright in bed, his chest heaving, his throat raw.

The chamber was no longer silent. The wind roared outside, and somewhere deep beneath the castle, Viserion shrieked.

Maelor stirred beside him, startled awake.

"Damon?" his little brother mumbled, voice thick with sleep. "What's wrong?"

Damon gasped for breath, his body drenched in sweat despite the cold. He turned toward Maelor, his hands trembling.

For a moment, he thought he still saw them—those eyes. Watching. Waiting.

"Damon?" Maelor repeated, sitting up now, concern in his young face.

Damon clenched his fists, forcing himself to breathe.

“It’s nothing,” he lied.

But the cold had followed him from the dream.

And he knew—it was not nothing.

[adobealmanac]

Consecration and protection of the home

During the fall and winter, often at campfires or near the fireplace, stories of the paranormal and the unexplained are shared. These stories often center around the places that are closest to us, such as a family home, a favorite campsite, or a commonly traveled dirt road. Many people are hesitant to speak of these events, however, they often feel safe or encouraged to share them over a late-night cup of hot cocoa and s'mores.

Scary stories often get me jittery, and one thing that provides me comfort is protecting the home from stirred-up spirits and negative energies. Creating the home into a refuge is vital to the spiritual health of the home overall. While there are many ways and traditions regarding protecting the home, I will share two methods that I find the most useful.

Method 1 - Salt and Pepper Protection Ritual

Begin by cleansing your home with the method of your choosing. My go-to for this method is mopping the floors with a cleaner like pine-sol as it cleanses the entirety of the floors, which is important for this method.

Then, open all of the exterior doors. Using a broom sweep outwards over all of the thresholds. As you do this, command any unwanted energies to leave by repeating "I command ALL energies that do not serve me, that do not have good intentions, and that take away from the spirit of this home to LEAVE. You are NO LONGER welcome HERE. As I sweep, you EXIT."

Once that is done, it is time to prepare your herbs and ingredients. I use table salt mixed with rosemary, ceremonial tobacco, sun-charged beer, whiskey, or gin, and whole peppercorns. If you do not have authentic ceremonial tobacco, use the alcohol in its place. I was gifted my tobacco by a dear friend and mentor of mine who comes from that practice and cultural background. If you want to use tobacco as I do, I suggest you seek out a mentor yourself to learn about the practice. Once you have these items prepared and at hand, you may move on to the next step.

Begin by going to the exterior of your home. Using your charged alcohol, begin to offer it to the earth. If you have tobacco, offer that to the earth as you were taught to. I always give thanks to the wonderful space I occupy and am a steward of, and acknowledge that this land is older than I am and that it is my elder. I complete my offering by kneeling and touching my forehead to the earth, being sure to give profound thanks.

Now, locate the four primary external corners of your home. If your space has more than four sides or is oddly shaped, form a square around the space that wholly encompasses it. This may be represented as the fence around your property, or the outside corners of your apartment building. Beginning at the northernmost corner, pour a small mound of the salt mixture into a small dish in front of the corner, and say "As this salt is placed here today, it marks the beginning of its service to this home. It will fortify, protect, and create sanctuary here. It will blow away with the wind once its protective powers are used up." Then, soak the mound of salt in the alcohol. Repeat the above steps for the remaining three corners, going to the east, then the south, and conclude to the west.

Now, enter your home. Locate every external corner of your home and place four whole peppercorns at the base of each one. Try to tuck them in as best as you can so they are unintrusive and remain mostly undisturbed. Wet each pile with your charged alcohol and ask the pepper for its protection.

Once the above steps are complete, store the remaining alcohol and periodically pour it onto the peppercorns and salt to recharge them. If you see that the dishes of salt are low, refill them with the salt mixture.

Method 2 - Miraculous Soil Protection Ritual

This protection typically requires the 'holy' dirt from Chimayo. If this is inaccessible for you, you may be able to request some to be sent to you by the church. If you prefer not to I will teach you to make your own substitute.

To make a suitable substitute first you must locate some seemingly dry or infertile land such as cracked dirt from a drought. Now, look for signs of life in the dirt. Look for a small plant that is somehow defying the odds, or miraculously continuing to thrive in such harsh environments. Once you find a spot of soil with life, collect a cup full and leave the rest for the earth. Thank it by offering it water. Water the plant and tend to it; help it succeed at life. Then pray over a handful of table salt the following prayer:

Being of the earth. In the name of the ineffable God, and by the power of the tetragrammaton, be you consecrated in the service of the most high. Imbew this salt with the powers to protect this house and everything and everyone in it from all evil. Ometeo.

Once complete, wet the salt with distilled water and mix it into the cup of dirt. Allow it to thoroughly dry before use.

Once you acquire or make holy dirt, head to the front of your home with a small dish filled with the dirt. Begin to sprinkle it along the threshold of your door and ask for protection. State that no negativity may pass the sacred soil.

Then, sprinkle the dirt around the perimeter of the front facade of your house. Do not use too much. You should not be able to physically see the dirt. Then place the dirt on top of any plants near your front door. If there are none, consider planting a chile pepper bush for protection. Rosemary is another good option, along with juniper.

Now, repeat the above steps for any walls containing an external door. If there are none place the dirt at each corner. If there is another wall, do not place it at the corners, as it is not needed.

Once completed, pour a glass of water out from the inside of each external door while standing within it. As you do this say "As I pour this water it washes away all remaining evil. It may no longer reside here."

Protecting the home is a vital step to protecting those who reside within it. These methods are my two personal go-to methods for every home I inhabit, and I hope that you find use in these methods. Be sure to execute physical safety too, as that is equally if not more important than spiritual safety. Be sure to continue to regularly cleanse your home too, as you do not want negativity to fester within the home itself.

[dark-corner-cunning]

🌕 Full Wolf Moon in Cancer: Calling Our Inner Wildness🌕

Full Wolf Moon Blessings, Seekers of The Wild! Don't forget your water and crystals tonight!

Tonight, under the silver glow of the year’s first full moon, the Wolf Moon calls us to embrace the primal, untamed spirit within. The howls of wolves echoing through winter’s stillness remind us of the power of instinct, the strength of community, and the courage to walk our unique paths. This moon urges us to howl our intentions into the vast night, release what no longer serves, and claim the wild power of our souls. Aligned with the nurturing energy of Cancer, ruled by the Moon itself, this lunation deepens our connection to intuition, home, and emotional healing.

The Wolf Moon's fierce energy blends beautifully with Cancer’s watery essence, creating a portal for introspection and release. Cancer, the zodiac's mother and protector, invites us to nurture our inner child, honor our emotions, and fortify the sanctuary of our hearts. This is a time to shed old emotional wounds, strengthen your energetic boundaries, and create sacred balance between vulnerability and resilience. The Wolf Moon in Cancer reminds us that true strength lies in harmonizing independence with the sacred bonds of family—be they blood, chosen, or spiritual. Gather under its glow, release your fears, and step boldly into the year ahead with the wisdom of the wolf and the tenderness of Cancer’s embrace. 🌊🐾

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🐺Ritual & Spell Ideas For This Wolf Moon In Cancer🐺:

Emotional Cleansing Bath: Add salt, rosemary, chamomile, and lavender to your bath (or any herbs you feel called to use). As you soak, imagine the water washing away old attachments and emotional burdens.

Heart Chakra Work: Hold a rose quartz or green aventurine crystal over your heart (or any stone or crystal of your choosing). Focus on releasing stagnant energy and welcoming healing, love, and self-compassion into this space.

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Moonlit Howling Ritual:

What You’ll Need: An outdoor space or open window, a journal, and a candle. Step into the moonlight and light your candle as a symbol of illumination. Close your eyes, feel the cold air, and imagine yourself as a wolf under the full moon. Speak or howl aloud what you wish to release or any intentions you may want to manifest. Follow with your intentions for the coming cycle. Let your voice echo your power and freedom.

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Wolf Spirit Meditation

What You’ll Need: A quiet space and a wolf totem or image (optional). Sit comfortably and close your eyes. Visualize yourself as a wolf walking through a snowy forest, your breath visible in the air. Feel your connection to the Earth and your pack (this can be family, friends, and/or spirit guides or ancestors). Ask your inner wolf for guidance, then journal the insights you receive. Use these messages to guide your path forward.

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Shadow Stalker Spell: Wolf Charm or Pouch Spell

Purpose: To strengthen your intuition and see through illusions.

Prepare a small charm or pouch with a black obsidian stone, mugwort, and a wolf's image or talisman.

Under the moon, hold the charm in your hands and say: "Shadow Stalker, wolf of the night, Grant me the power of second sight. With instincts sharp and heart that's clear, Guide my steps, erase my fear."

Carry the charm with you to heighten intuition and awareness.

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Wolf Ward Spell

Purpose: To create a protective shield around your home or sacred space.

Draw a wolf paw sigil on a piece of parchment or wood.

Anoint it with protection oil.

Chant: "Wolf of the wild, protector, so true, Guard this space in all I do. With your strength, no harm may tread, Shield us now, by silver thread."

Place the sigil above your doorway or near a window.