#Fruit Cutting Techniques

[luulapants]

25 ways to be a little more punk in 2025

Cut fast fashion - buy used, learn to mend and/or make your own clothes, buy fewer clothes less often so you can save up for ethically made quality

Cancel subscriptions - relearn how to pirate media, spend $10/month buying a digital album from a small artist instead of on Spotify, stream on free services since the paid ones make you watch ads anyway

Green your community - there's lots of ways to do this, like seedbombing or joining a community garden or organizing neighborhood trash pickups

Be kind - stop to give directions, check on stopped cars, smile at kids, let people cut you in line, offer to get stuff off the high shelf, hold the door, ask people if they're okay

Intervene - learn bystander intervention techniques and be prepared to use them, even if it feels awkward

Get closer to your food - grow it yourself, can and preserve it, buy from a farmstand, learn where it's from, go fishing, make it from scratch, learn a new ingredient

Use opensource software - try LibreOffice, try Reaper, learn Linux, use a free Photoshop clone. The next time an app tries to force you to pay, look to see if there's an opensource alternative

Make less trash - start a compost, be mindful of packaging, find another use for that plastic, make it a challenge for yourself!

Get involved in local politics - show up at meetings for city council, the zoning commission, the park district, school boards; fight the NIMBYs that always show up and force them to focus on the things impacting the most vulnerable folks in your community

DIY > fashion - shake off the obsession with pristine presentation that you've been taught! Cut your own hair, use homemade cosmetics, exchange mani/pedis with friends, make your own jewelry, duct tape those broken headphones!

Ditch Google - Chromium browsers (which is almost all of them) are now bloated spyware, and Google search sucks now, so why not finally make the jump to Firefox and another search like DuckDuckGo? Or put the Wikipedia app on your phone and look things up there?

Forage - learn about local edible plants and how to safely and sustainably harvest them or go find fruit trees and such accessible to the public.

Volunteer - every week tutoring at the library or once a month at the humane society or twice a year serving food at the soup kitchen, you can find something that matches your availability

Help your neighbors - which means you have to meet them first and find out how you can help (including your unhoused neighbors), like elderly or disabled folks that might need help with yardwork or who that escape artist dog belongs to or whether the police have been hassling people sleeping rough

Fix stuff - the next time something breaks (a small appliance, an electronic, a piece of furniture, etc.), see if you can figure out what's wrong with it, if there are tutorials on fixing it, or if you can order a replacement part from the manufacturer instead of trashing the whole thing

Mix up your transit - find out what's walkable, try biking instead of driving, try public transit and complain to the city if it sucks, take a train instead of a plane, start a carpool at work

Engage in the arts - go see a local play, check out an art gallery or a small museum, buy art from the farmer's market

Go to the library - to check out a book or a movie or a CD, to use the computers or the printer, to find out if they have other weird rentals like a seed library or luggage, to use meeting space, to file your taxes, to take a class, to ask question

Listen local - see what's happening at local music venues or other events where local musicians will be performing, stop for buskers, find a favorite artist, and support them

Buy local - it's less convenient than online shopping or going to a big box store that sells everything, but try buying what you can from small local shops in your area

Become unmarketable - there are a lot of ways you can disrupt your online marketing surveillance, including buying less, using decoy emails, deleting or removing permissions from apps that spy on you, checking your privacy settings, not clicking advertising links, and...

Use cash - go to the bank and take out cash instead of using your credit card or e-payment for everything! It's better on small businesses and it's untraceable

Give what you can - as capitalism churns on, normal shmucks have less and less, so think about what you can give (time, money, skills, space, stuff) and how it will make the most impact

Talk about wages - with your coworkers, with your friends, while unionizing! Stop thinking about wages as a measure of your worth and talk about whether or not the bosses are paying fairly for the labor they receive

Think about wealthflow - there are a thousand little mechanisms that corporations and billionaires use to capture wealth from the lower class: fees for transactions, interest, vendor platforms, subscriptions, and more. Start thinking about where your money goes, how and where it's getting captured and removed from our class, and where you have the ability to cut off the flow and pass cash directly to your fellow working class people

[ms-demeanor]

Hey, are you a broke motherfucker trying to save money on groceries and attempting to plan for having food in the house at the end of the month? Do you have a good system for storing frozen meat? If you don't, here's how I do it:

Large Bastard called me when I was at the plasma center (we're broke motherfuckers!) to tell me that Aldi had nearly expired pork chops (use or freeze by tomorrow) for 50% off, so I told him to get 4 packs.

I keep my freezer pretty full with homemade stock, frozen meat, frozen veggies, frozen fruit, and g-free bread, so I can't just stick the big packages of pork chops directly in the freezer, and besides if I do, the pork chops will freeze to each other and then I'll have to thaw the whole mass of them if i want to cook them, which will increase thawing time.

So what I do instead is make an accordion of waxed paper and fill it with pork chops.

This ends up saving a ton of space, and means I can choose to thaw 8 pieces or 1 piece or however much I need at a time.

3 packs stored this way are smaller than 1 pack from the store.

The final accordion of meat gets wrapped in a layer of waxed paper, then put into a freezer bag with the air pressed out, and now if I don't have cash for groceries I've still got something to eat.

This is also the way that I save meat that is close to its spoilage date that I won't be able to cook before it goes bad. If you stick a family pack of chicken breasts in the freezer, you have a family pack of chicken breasts to thaw. If you put them into little waxed paper envelopes, you've got single serving packets that you can easily toss into a soup or bake from frozen.

This is ALSO pretty much the technique I use to freeze banana slices when my bananas are going brown and I'm not in the mood to bake, only I freeze them on a cutting board before breaking them off and sticking them in a bag when they're frozen.

Freeze wet stuff in individual pieces, not big chunks, so you don't have to break up big chunks to use your frozen food.

I know this probably seems pretty obvious to a lot of people, but it wasn't obvious to me until a couple years ago because nobody ever showed me how to do it and I didn't grow up in a family that cooked a lot.

[theambitiouswoman]

How To Become A Brand New Person ✨✨

Self Reflect:

Journal daily.

Think about past decisions and how they impacted your life.

Meditate regularly.

Create a vision board to visualize your goals.

Review your strengths and weaknesses.

Identify your core values and beliefs.

Figure out your passions and interests.

Think about your childhood dreams and aspirations.

Evaluate your current state of happiness and fulfillment.

Set Clear Goals:

Define specific career goals, like "Get promoted within two years."

Set health goals, like "Lose 20 pounds in six months."

Create financial goals such as "Save $10,000 for a vacation."

Establish personal development goals, like "Read 24 books in a year."

Set relationship goals, such as "Improve communication with my partner."

Define education goals, like "Complete a master's degree in three years."

Set travel goals, like "Visit five new countries in the next two years."

Create hobbies and interests goals, such as "Learn to play a musical instrument."

Set community or volunteer goals, like "Volunteer 100 hours this year."

Establish mindfulness or self-care goals, such as "Practice meditation daily."

Self Care:

Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day.

Follow a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Prioritize getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.

Practice in relaxation techniques like deep breathing or yoga.

Take regular breaks at work to avoid burnout.

Schedule "me time" for activities you enjoy.

Limit exposure to stressors and toxic people.

Practice regular skincare and grooming routines.

Seek regular medical check-ups and screenings.

Stay hydrated by drinking enough water daily.

Personal Development:

Read a book every month from various genres.

Attend workshops or seminars on topics of interest.

Learn a new language or musical instrument.

Take online courses to acquire new skills.

Set aside time for daily reflection and self improvement.

Seek a mentor in your field for guidance.

Attend conferences and networking events.

Start a side project or hobby to expand your abilities.

Practice public speaking or communication skills.

Do creative activities like painting, writing, or photography.

Create a Support System:

Build a close knit group of friends who uplift and inspire you.

Join clubs or organizations aligned with your interests.

Connect with a mentor or life coach.

Attend family gatherings to maintain bonds.

Be open and honest in your communication with loved ones.

Seek advice from trusted colleagues or supervisors.

Attend support groups for specific challenges (e.g., addiction recovery).

Cultivate online connections through social media.

Find a therapist or counselor for emotional support.

Participate in community or volunteer activities to meet like minded people.

Change Habits:

Cut back on sugary or processed foods.

Reduce screen time and increase physical activity.

Practice gratitude by keeping a daily journal.

Manage stress through mindfulness meditation.

Limit procrastination by setting specific deadlines.

Reduce negative self-talk by practicing self-compassion.

Establish a regular exercise routine.

Create a budget and stick to it.

Develop a morning and evening routine for consistency.

Overcome Fear and Self Doubt:

Face a specific fear head-on (example: public speaking).

Challenge your negative thoughts with positive affirmations.

Seek therapy to address underlying fears or traumas.

Take small, calculated risks to build confidence.

Visualize success in challenging situations.

Surround yourself with supportive and encouraging people.

Journal about your fears and doubts to gain clarity.

Celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small.

Focus on your strengths and accomplishments.

Embrace failure as a valuable learning experience.

Embrace Change:

Relocate to a new city or country.

Switch careers or industries to pursue your passion.

Take on leadership roles in your workplace.

Volunteer for projects outside your comfort zone.

Embrace new technologies and digital tools.

Travel to unfamiliar destinations.

Start a new hobby or creative endeavor.

Change your daily routine to add variety.

Adjust your mindset to see change as an opportunity.

Seek out diverse perspectives and viewpoints.

Practice Gratitude:

Write down three things you're grateful for each day.

Express gratitude to loved ones regularly.

Create a gratitude jar and add notes of appreciation.

Reflect on the positive aspects of challenging situations.

Show gratitude by volunteering or helping others in need.

Send thank-you notes or messages to people who've helped you.

Keep a gratitude journal and review it regularly.

Share your gratitude openly during family meals or gatherings.

Focus on the present moment and appreciate the little things.

Practice gratitude even in times of adversity.

Be Patient:

Set realistic expectations for your progress.

Accept that personal growth takes time.

Focus on the journey rather than the destination.

Learn from setbacks and view them as opportunities to improve.

Celebrate small milestones along the way.

Practice self-compassion during challenging times.

Stay committed to your goals, even when progress is slow.

Keep a journal to track your personal growth.

Recognize that patience is a valuable skill in personal transformation.

Celebrate Small Wins:

Treat yourself to your favorite meal or dessert.

Reward yourself with a spa day or self-care activity.

Share your achievements with friends and loved ones.

Create a vision board to visualize your successes.

Acknowledge and congratulate yourself in a journal.

Give yourself permission to take a break and relax.

Display reminders of your accomplishments in your workspace.

Take a day off to celebrate a major milestone.

Host a small gathering to mark your achievements.

Set aside time to reflect on how far you've come.

Maintain Balance:

Set clear boundaries in your personal and work life.

Prioritize self care activities in your daily routine.

Schedule regular breaks and downtime.

Learn to say "no" when necessary to avoid overcommitment.

Evaluate your work life balance regularly.

Seek support from friends and family to avoid burnout.

Be kind to yourself and accept imperfections.

Practice mindfulness to stay present and grounded.

Revisit your priorities and adjust them as needed.

Embrace self love and self acceptance as part of your daily life.

[joedirtymadre]

Your First Fight

Headcanon 🫶 (Pls send more requests)

LUFFY + ZORO + SANJI + LAW + ACE + SABO

LUFFY

“I don’t get why you’re so mad at me,” he said as he watched you pace around the room. “Are you serious? I asked you to stay behind on the ship, because you know this island is known to be a common Navy stop! All I needed was to grab some herbs and plants for the garden and who do I see rocketing into the middle of the plaza?” You asked, knowing damn well who it was. “Me…” he replied softly. “Exactly! I asked you to stay behind and watch the ship with the others! Why can’t you do the simplest of tasks?” You yelled. “So what if I left? I got bored, and why are you trying to tell me what to do?! If you want me to remind you, I’m your captain! You listen to me!” He yelled back.

“Well it obviously doesn’t look like it, since you were hurling at max speed into a Navy base island without a care in the world! Grow up! I asked you to stay behind because we had others who needed to stock up on supplies, which means you had to stay behind and make sure we’re not discovered or the ship isn’t hijacked!” You yelled. “We would have been fine! We always escape, so why are you so mad at me?” He asked. “Just because it hasn’t happened doesn’t mean it won’t. Plus I asked you to do something and you just ignored it,” You replied. “Well if you want to boss people around so much, go find your own ship. Maybe you’ll be a better captain,” he said coldly as he walked out of the bedroom.

ZORO

“Hey stop!” You called out to your boyfriend. You were both currently lost… or he was lost, you knew where to go, but Zoro wasn’t listening. “Zoro, I told you a billion times that the ship is the other way,” you said. “I know where it is! You don’t need to babysit me, I’m not a little kid,” he sighed. “I’m not trying to,” you said. “Well it feels like it… like I can’t take a break,” he grumbled. “Ok… but why are you so upset? I’m just giving you dire-“ he cut you off. “Because you’re always doing this!” He shouted as he stopped and looked at you.

“Huh?” You asked. “You’re always… suffocating me. I can never have a moment to myself, ever since we started dating. It’s like you’re a leech and I can never get rid of you for 5 seconds,” he groaned. “Oh…” your voice cracked. “I didn’t m-mean…” you trailed off. “Wait… (Y/N), I didn’t mean all that. I’m just-“ you cut him off. “No… it’s fine, I understand… You just want some space…I’ll head back to the ship, I’ll see you there,” you said as you turned on your heels and ran towards the ship. “(Y/N)!” You heard as you continued to run off.

SANJI

You slowly approached your boyfriend, excited to help him with whatever he needs. “Hey!” You smiled. “Hi beautiful, how are you?” He smiled back. “I’m great, so what are we making today?” You asked. “Nami-swan asked if I could make her some fruit tarts so I’ll be preparing that for her,” he smiled. “Mind if I help? If you finish quickly we can go-“ he cut you off. “Sorry (Y/N), but I’d hate for this to be messed up. It’s better if I do it alone,” he explained.

“Oh… but I normally help you in the kitchen, why can’t I help you with this one?” You asked, confused. “To make sure it’s perfect for my Nami-swan! Plus, you still haven’t mastered certain techniques, and I’d hate for this treat to not be perfect for my beloved Nami,” he swooned. “Seriously?” You huffed. “I didn’t mean to offend you my love, I was just answering your question,” he replied as he began preparing the dessert. “Ok fine, I’ll get out of your way. Maybe your beloved Nami will come help you out in the future,” you said coldly and began walking out of the kitchen. “(Y/N)! Hey! Wait!” He called out, but you continued to your bedroom.

LAW

“(Y/N) you’ve been at that for the past 6 hours, it’s time to take a break,” Law said as he watched you continue to try to fix the electrical issue that’s been causing problems with the motor. “But I can’t just stop now… what if the motor stops when we’re trying to escape from someone?” You asked, feeling frustrated by the uncooperative wires. “Come on, maybe you need some fresh air. We’ve been ducked at this island for a whole day and you haven’t even looked outside to see it,” he sighed. “Well I’m sorry that I’m trying to fix your ship!” You huffed. “That’s fine, but you need a break,” he said.

“Well I don’t want a break, what I want to do is fix this stupid thing!” You groaned. “And I really don’t need someone breathing down my neck when I’m trying to do something!” You added. “I’m just trying to look out for you, but if you’re gonna act like this then I’m leaving,” he said softly and headed towards the exit. “Good, maybe I’ll finally be able to fix this,” you glared as he walked out.

ACE

“Come on babe, are you really still mad at me?” Ace asked as he followed you to your bedroom. “What makes you think that?” You asked as you tried to shut the door in his face, but he quickly stopped it and stepped in. “That’s why,” he frowned. “Just making sure to close the door behind me,” you said as you gave a tight smile. “Come on, what’s the big deal? I’m sorry I left without telling you,” he said as he tried to hold you. “You just don’t understand,” you huffed as you brushed off his embrace. “Then tell me,” he said as he sat on your bed.

“What if you died?” You said bluntly. “Well… that’s being optimistic…” Ace said awkwardly. “I’m serious, what if you died? You really left without me knowing, and sure you made it back safe, but what if next time you’re not so lucky? And I end up finding out my boyfriend died in the middle of the sea, and I couldn’t even say goodbye to him…” you said softly. “Ok, ok… well I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have left. Even though you know I’ll always be safe. So, forgive me now?” He smiled. “No, because you’re not taking me seriously!” You groaned. “Why are you still mad at me? I said, " I'm sorry, don’t worry so much!” He yelled back. “I worry because I love you, but if you’re so dense, then just get out! I don’t know why I even put up with you. When it obviously shows how little you care about my feelings!” You shouted as you pushed Ace out of your room. “Wait, (Y/N) I’m sorry! Let’s keep-“ but you cut his words off with the door.

SABO

“Sabo~” you cooed. “Yes (Y/N)?” He replied. “I’m bored, can you please put the book down for a second and let’s go walk around the island or grab something to eat?” You asked hopefully. “Not today, plus you know we’re not supposed to be venturing out when he has to be on duty,” he explained. “I know, but we both get and hour break from standing guard and you’ve been spending each break reading. Can’t we do something, the two of us? Together?” You added. “Why? We’re spending time together right now,” he rolled his eyes.

Your eyes fell to the floor, “Alright,” you said softly as you headed back to the base. “What’s wrong?” Sabo called out. “Nothing, just gonna head inside,” you replied. You heard footsteps behind you, “What’s wrong? Tell me,” he said as he grabbed your arm. “Sabo we’ve been here for 2 weeks and you don’t want to do any normal couple stuff with me? Not even for an hour?” You asked. “(Y/N) you know-“ you cut him off. “Yeah I know, I also know how hard it is to have a relationship in our positions, but that didn't stop you from asking me out… Plus… I’ve seen you go out with Koala on a few occasions, you didn’t seem to have an issue with the rules then,” you glared. He quickly released your arm. “Hold on, you’re misunderstanding that (Y/N). You know Koala and I-“ you cut him off once again. “I know, but it doesn't mean you’re off having fun with another girl. While your real girlfriend is stuck here watching you read a book,” you said softly before turning on your heels and heading back towards the base.

[kakao-lovey]

୨ৎ Hormonal acne survival guide

(Images from Pinterest)

My mom had it, my dad had it, and pretty much everyone in my family struggles with it to this day. Blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, papules, large pores, scars, the kitchen sink. These are my most honest, tried-and-tested techniques, split up into low-effort (AKA low budget) and high-effort (AKA expensive) tips that help my skin remain healthy against all odds.

꩜ Low effort techniques

~ Water. If you're not hydrated enough, your skin WILL reflect that, no matter how many k-beauty products you own. Let's face it. Water also helps with your overall health -> your mood -> your body image, so either way it's a win. ~ Eating foods that suit your skin: Vitamin C from citrus fruits or paprika, vitamin E from sunflower seeds and almonds, Lycopenes from tomatoes, polyphenols from black tea, Omega-3 from flaxseed and fish... Let me know if I should make a dedicated post! ~ Avoiding dairy: Unless they're 100% organic, most dairy products are filled with oestrogen that they gave the cows to produce more milk. Skipping these products makes *such* a difference. ~ Rice water: Wash some white rice and put it in a bowl of water for 20-40 minutes. Drain out the rice and put the remaining cloudy liquid into a spray bottle. Rice water has been used for centuries to brighten skin, tighten pores and fight acne, especially in Asian cultures where rice was abundant. Use it as a toner after washing your face. ~ Green tea toner: Boil some pure green tea, let it cool and pour into a spray bottle. Green tea is anti-inflammatory and soothing, and is great for clearing up skin. ~ Protecting your face from bacteria: Use a separate towel for your face and body, and avoid touching your face and picking at pimples at all costs! If you want to be really diligent, change your pillowcases every second night (I only do it weekly, but different people have different skin). If you have ADHD and need to fidget or pick at something, get a fidget toy like an infinity cube or a wacky track to keep your hands busy and away from your face. ~ FOR BODY ACNE: Avoid using soaps with any sort of fragrance. Get yourself a hypoallergenic soap, even better if sulfate-free, as fragrances and sulfates dry and irritate sensitive and acne-prone skin.

꩜ High effort techniques

- Isotretinoin: a medicinal treatment commonly branded as Accutane or Oratane, which cuts back your skin's sebum production, which is the root cause of most acne types. It's a prescription product, but it is not very difficult to get one. - Salicylic acid serum: LIFE SAVER. Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid, which means it penetrates into clogged pores and clears them. Together with an AHA such as lactic or glycolic acid (NOT at the same time, though) you'll have clear skin in less than 2 weeks. ~ Retinol/Retinoids such as Adapalene gel (Differin): NOT to be used while on Isotretinoin, but if you aren't, this is a go-to for acne and even hyperpigmentation. Vitamin A (Retinol) works by increasing cell turnover and collagen production. ꩜ That's all for today! Thank you for reading all of that, and if you try some of these out, keep me posted with your results!

[annievrse]

LABYRINTH

FEATURING: TRAFALGAR LAW x FEM!READER

SUMMARY: When your captain, Luffy, tells you to run from Bartholomew Kuma on the Sabaody Archipelago instead of fighting, you end up on a submarine...

CONTENT: Fic structure: Sabaody Archipelago → Zou spoilers, canon timeline but majority canon-divergent events, acts are organised by scenes, she/her pronouns, no use of y/n. Content Warnings: Panic attacks, anxiety, descriptions of injuries, blood, passing out, trauma (Luffy & Law), drinking (one instance), torture and violence, guns + getting shot, Doflamingo (+ his past).

Crossposted on AO3: Here

ACT I... IT ONLY HURTS THIS MUCH RIGHT NOW [15k] ACT II... IT ONLY FEELS THIS RAW RIGHT NOW [18k] ACT III... BREAK THROUGH, BREAK DOWN [20k] ACT IV... HOW'D YOU TURN IT RIGHT AROUND? [20k]

See below the cut for the Reader's Devil Fruit! (This can be considered a spoiler for the fic if you want to be surprised).

The Sew-Sew Fruit: A round fruit wrapped in white thread.

The Sew-Sew Fruit is a uniquely versatile Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that grants its user the ability to control and manipulate needles and thread. From creating intricate garments to dealing devastating blows, the user’s mastery of their powers can drastically affect the battlefield—or even the very fabric of a person’s being.

Powers & Abilities 1. Needles: The user can materialize and control a variety of needles of different sizes, from tiny, sharp pins to enormous, thick needles that can pierce through armour. These needles can be used offensively, defensively, or subtly, such as sewing together injuries or fabricating traps. The user has full control over these needles, manipulating them at will to attack or defend in a variety of creative and dangerous ways.

Offensive Uses: The needles can be fired at high speed, becoming deadly projectiles capable of piercing even the toughest materials. By controlling the thread that attaches them, the user can manipulate the needles mid-flight, ensuring they find their mark.

Defensive Uses: The user can also create shields or swords, using needles to form a web-like structure of thread that blocks incoming attacks. Needles can also disarm opponents by targeting their weapons or controlling their limbs, making it harder for enemies to retaliate.

Tactical Uses: Needles can be used to stabilise ropes for abseiling, stitch up broken structures, fix broken buildings or stabilise bridges in an emergency.

2. Sew: This technique involves manipulating large quantities of thread to bind, subdue, or harm targets. The user can weave and manipulate threads in almost any environment—whether in the air, water, or solid ground—and use them to entangle or control opponents. With enough control, the user can manipulate threads to create clothing or equipment out of nothing, even adjusting their own garments to suit various needs. This ability is as creative as it is practical and can be used for a wide range of applications.

Offensive Uses: The user can conjure thick, sharp threads to slice through enemies, creating ribbons of deadly silk that can cut through flesh and bone. Alternatively, they can form spools of thread that tighten around enemies, squeezing them into submission or piercing their skin.

Defensive Uses: Threads can be used to bind attackers or shield allies. Users can also create large thread nets to slow opponents or trap them. In desperate times, the user could stitch up a torn sail or make an emergency parachute from their clothes.

Healing Uses: The thread can also stitch wounds or close injuries.

3. Seam (The Mindscape): The user has the power to pull the soul of a living being out of their body and sew it into a mental "seam"—a space where the soul can wander freely, but their physical body is left in a dreamlike, almost immobile state. While in this mindscape, the target's consciousness is free to roam, but their body remains comatose, trapped in a state where they are unaware of the passage of time.

Effect on Target: When a soul is sewn into the seam, the target's body becomes a puppet, barely alive and completely unaware of what’s happening around them. They can wander freely inside the mindscape, but they cannot control their physical body, which may be left defenceless in the outside world. Time seems to pass differently inside the seam, and a target can lose days, months, or even years while only moments pass outside.

Mindscape Reality: The mindscape can reflect the target's deepest fears, desires, or memories, often manipulating their perception of reality. This can create a disorienting environment where the target cannot tell what’s real and what is an illusion, effectively trapping them in a twisted version of their own mind.

Adverse Effects on the User: While powerful, the use of the Seam technique is taxing on the user. If the user does not manage their energy properly, there can be severe consequences. Prolonged usage can lead to excessive blood loss, typically through the hands—where the thread seems to extract life force—and chronic lightheadedness, causing the user to faint or collapse after extended use.

Permanent Effects: If the user keeps a soul inside the seam for too long without letting them return to their body, there is a risk of permanent damage to the victim’s mind, making them a mindless shell of their former self. Similarly, if the user remains in the seam for too long, they risk losing their own soul to the space, becoming trapped in a dreamlike state themselves.

4. Seam Ripper: A powerful counter-technique designed to protect the user’s consciousness from being influenced, infiltrated, or manipulated by external forces. Using the same fundamental principle as the Seam ability, which allows the user to trap souls and manipulate the mindscape, Seam Ripper acts as a mental defence mechanism, "cutting" away any attempts to tamper with or enter the user's mind.

Psychic Battles: In situations where the user is up against an enemy that manipulates minds, such as someone with telepathy or mind control, Seam Ripper is invaluable. It can break the opponent’s hold over the user’s body and mind, allowing the user to regain control and counterattack.

Countering Other Devil Fruits: Against Devil Fruits like the Magu Magu no Mi (Magma-Magma Fruit) or Suna Suna no Mi (Sand-Sand Fruit), Seam Ripper could be used as a defensive tool to sever any threads of control the enemy tries to establish over the user's mental state, preventing them from becoming disoriented or easily manipulated.

Protection for Allies: If the user is in a team fight, Seam Ripper can also be used to protect allies from mind control or illusions. By keeping their mind free of external influences, the user can focus on helping others without losing control over their own actions.

5. Interfacing: A complex defensive technique where the user manipulates large quantities of thread to weave a nearly invisible network of fine, bulletproof walls. These threads create a labyrinthine structure—an intricate maze—around the user or their allies, effectively confining enemies within a maze of unyielding walls. Each wall, while deceptively thin, can withstand bullets, blades, and even larger attacks, making them ideal for defence, trapping enemies, or controlling the flow of battle.

The technique's true strength lies in its versatility and ability to adapt to the environment. It can be deployed instantly, forming walls of thread that act as both a physical and mental barrier, disorienting opponents as they navigate the maze.

Trapping Enemies: Interfacing is an ideal technique for trapping large groups of enemies or powerful foes who rely on brute force or ranged attacks. It confines their movements and limits their ability to retaliate, while also providing the user with the ability to pick off enemies one at a time.

Control of the Battlefield: The labyrinth not only serves as a trap but as a tool for controlling the flow of battle. The user can close off certain paths, funnelling enemies into chokepoints or force them into confined spaces where they are at a disadvantage. It can also be used to protect allies, making it difficult for enemies to get to them.

Psychological Warfare: The maze is a tool for disorientation. Enemies trapped within it are often at a disadvantage as they struggle to navigate through the confusing structure. Over time, the maze can break the spirit of enemies, making them more susceptible to mistakes or surrender.

6: Binding: An advanced and highly dangerous technique that allows the user to pull memories from a person's mind and transform them into solid, real-world objects or events. When someone’s memory is extracted using the Seam or similar techniques, Binding solidifies the memory by "weaving" it into reality, making it materialize as though it had always existed.

This ability manipulates the very nature of a person's memories, turning the intangible (thoughts, recollections, or imagined scenarios) into something that can be interacted with physically. The user must be cautious, as these manifestations are not limited to harmless recreations—they can be objects, environments, or even people who appear precisely as they were in the person’s mind. Once bound, these memories can have an unpredictable impact on both the person who owns the memory and the world around them.

Trapping Enemies with Memories: The user can trap an enemy in a situation by binding a specific memory to reality. For instance, a traumatic memory can manifest as a real-world trap, forcing the enemy to relive their worst fear in physical form, distracting them long enough for an attack or escape.

Manipulating the Battlefield: Binding can be used to manipulate the environment around the user. A memory of a past battlefield, a familiar place, or even a natural disaster can be made real, distorting the surroundings to give the user an advantage or to confuse the enemy.

7: Stitch: This is the most dangerous and enigmatic ability of the Sew-Sew Fruit. It is an advanced and final step in manipulating memories. When used in tandem with Binding, Stitch takes the already manifested memory and secures it permanently in the physical world, making it an unalterable fixture of reality. Unlike Binding, which creates temporary, often unstable manifestations, Stitch locks the memory into existence, preventing it from fading, shifting, or dissipating.

Once a memory is "stitched" into reality, it becomes as permanent as any natural part of the world—whether it’s an object, an event, a place, or even a person. This technique allows the user to cement entire histories or scenarios into the present, permanently altering the world around them.

Creating Permanent Allies or Minions: If the user wishes, they can create a permanent army of memory-constructed figures or allies. Once these individuals are stitched into existence, they are real, living beings, albeit based on the memory from which they were drawn. This can be a powerful tool in battles that require long-term assistance.

Alterations to the Battlefield: Stitch can also be used to permanently alter the environment in the user's favour. A battlefield memory could be "stitched" into existence, creating an environment that traps or confuses enemies or provides a constant source of cover for the user’s team.

Weapon Creation: By extracting memories of powerful weapons or tools, the user can create permanent, reliable sources of combat strength. Once stitched into reality, these weapons would become unbreakable and always available.

Historical Manipulation: In larger-scale battles or political maneuvering, Stitch can alter the course of history by creating a permanent record of a particular event. For instance, the memory of a legendary battle or a famous leader could be made tangible, affecting the outcome of future events.

In essence, Stitch is the final, irreversible step in altering reality with the Sew-Sew Fruit. It allows the user to permanently cement a memory into the real world, creating a lasting change that cannot be undone. This powerful technique has the potential to reshape the world, but it comes with the risk of unintended consequences, personal trauma, and a heavy toll on the user’s energy and mind. It is a tool of immense power and responsibility, capable of creating eternal legacies or causing irreparable damage.

[reasonsforhope]

"Abby Allen has no problem with her neighbours peering over her luxuriant hedges to see what she is up to on her farm.

For years she has been carrying out ad hoc experiments with wildlife and farming techniques; in her lush Devon fields native cattle graze alongside 400-year-old hedgerows, with birds and butterflies enjoying the species-rich pasture.

Under the environmental land management scheme (ELMS), introduced by the government in 2021, those experiments were finally being funded. “We have a neighbour who has always been more of an intensive farmer,” she says, but he is now considering leaving fields unploughed to help the soil. “It genuinely is having such a huge impact in changing people’s mindsets who traditionally would never have thought about farming in this way.”

The new nature payments scheme followed the UK’s exit from the EU, when the government decided to scrap the common agricultural payments scheme, which gave a flat subsidy dependent on the number of acres a farmer managed. In its place came ELMS, which pays farmers for things such as planting hedges, sowing wildflowers for birds to feed on and leaving corners of their land wild for nature.

But these schemes are now at threat of defunding, as the Labour government has refused to commit to the £2.4bn a year spending pot put in place by the previous Conservative government. With spending tight and the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, cutting back on infrastructure and hinting at tax rises, a cut to the ELMS scheme may be on her list.

However, government data released last week found the schemes were working to tentatively bring nature back to England’s farmland. Butterflies, bees and bats are among the wildlife being boosted by ELMS, with birds among the chief beneficiaries, particularly ones that largely feed on invertebrates. An average of 25% more breeding birds were found in areas utilising the eco-friendly schemes.

...there are also farmers who welcome the schemes. Allen says the ELMS has helped her farm provide data and funds to expand and improve the good things they were doing for nature. “Some of the money available around things like soil testing and monitoring – instead of us going ‘we think these are the right things to do and providing these benefits,’ we can now measure it. The exciting thing now is there is money available to measure and monitor and kind of prove that you’re doing the right things. And so then you can find appropriate funding to do more of that.”

Allen, who is in the Nature Friendly Farming Network, manages a network of farms in England, most of which are using the ELMS. This includes chicken farms where the poultry spend their life outside rather than in sheds and other regenerative livestock businesses...

Mark Spencer was an environment minister until 2024 when he lost his seat, but now spends more time in the fields admiring the fruits of his and his family’s labour. He says that a few years of nature-friendly agriculture has restored lapwings and owls.

“On the farm, I haven’t seen lapwings in any number for what feels like a whole generation. You know, as a kid, when I was in my early teens, you’d see lapwings. We used to call them peewits. We’d see them all the time, and they sort of disappeared.

“But then, me and my neighbours changed the way we did cropping, left space in the fields for them to nest, and suddenly they returned. You need to have a piece of land where you’re not having mechanical machinery go over it on a regular basis, because otherwise you destroy the nest. We’ve also got baby owls in our owl box now for the first time in 15 years. They look mega, to be honest, these little owls, little balls of fluff. It is rewarding.”"

-via The Guardian, August 23, 2024

[shankss-magnificent-ass]

Imagine helping Crocodile discover a new way to use his devil fruit, part 2

I've decided that I'm going to do a fic for this, instead of an imagine. I don't know about this one, but I'm posting it anyway.

Also, this an afab reader fic, sorry.

It was late when you left Buggy's party to head home. So late, in fact, that the city had turned off most of the streetlamps. With only every third lamp lit on the main streets, one of Crocodile's brilliant budget cuts left you blindly scurrying between lamps to stay where you could see, cursing as you went. When you finally reached your street you encountered an expanse of broken streetlights leaving you with little choice, but to fumble blindly down the road, with only starlight to guide you. You paused, to give your eyes a moment to adjust and to put on your shoes, before heading off into the darkness.

Only a few steps in, you heard what sounded like sand moving. Without thinking, you called out, "hello?" Your jaw snapped shut when you realized you had just given away your position.

A deep chuckle broke the tense air, it was familiar, "It's quite late for little deers to be out, all by themselves." Suddenly, a bright ember lit up in your periphery, giving you a glance at the man in the dark. A dark cigar with a predatory grin at the other end of the ember, there was no mistaking it.

Crocodile murmured, "I've been looking for you all night."

"Why me?" You asked, taking a step back, even though you knew there was no escaping from him if he really wanted you

"I want to know what else that fucked up little head of yours can come up with." He purred. You flinch as his hand engulfed your neck. The feeling of his sand skittering along your skin made you instinctively go up on your tippy-toes to get away. Sensing your discomfort, his thumb gently caresses your cheek to soothe you. "Easy there, I'm not going to hurt you, yet." Crocodile takes a slow drag off his cigar, the ember glittering in his eyes. He was clearly enjoying the power trip he was getting off on your fear.

You swallowed the lump in your throat and started to ramble off anything you could use sand for. "Water filtration."

"Water is a no-go."

"You could use the technique I previously suggested to make glass. It would be useful for barriers against biochemical attacks, or for stopping up hinges. "

Crocodile hummed, "That would be useful, I'll have to try that later... But ultimately not the thing I'm looking for. "

"What sort of things are you implying?"

"Telling you would deprive me of the pleasure of watching you squirm, so keep trying." He said, tightening his hand around your neck, just enough to make your head spin.

You gasped, "Sand has silica in it, which is bad to breathe in. Uh... I can be used for skin!"

His grip loosened, as he echoed, "for skin?"

"It's used as an exfoliant." You stammered, trying to remain balanced.

"I recall having skinned my knee falling on the beach before I ate my devil fruit." He grumbled.

"You're supposed to add it to lotion or oil. "

"I can use lotion and oil," he chuckled, "I finally have the inspiration I needed. Thank you, little deer, why don't we go try it out." Crocodile released your neck, slid his arm around your shoulders, and guided you down the street.

"What are you doing." You asked, "Where are you taking me?"

The large man pulled you into his side, bemused by your size difference, as he asked, "did I misinterpret the way you look at me when you think I can see you?"

Your eyes flicked up to his, suddenly feeling very embarrassed because you've always taken every opportunity to ogle him in that slutty lil waistcoat of his.

He gave you a feline grin and mused, "I have not misinterpreted anything, have it. I know a hungry look when I see one. So where I'm taking you is to feast at my residence."

Sir Crocodile wasted no time bringing you to his estate, you crossed the threshold, and his grip on you slid from your shoulder to your waist. His hand groped the fat of your hip through the thin material of your shirt, as he led you to his room.

As soon as his bedroom door shut behind him, he removed his coat and gently pushed you face down on the large, plush sheets of his bed. He ordered you not to move a muscle, and you waited patiently, happily taking in the heavy scent of his sheets. You remained there for two minutes, listening to him remove his coat and shoes, he moved to another room for a minute, before coming back and setting several bottles and a large box on the nightstand.

"Up, sit up." He asserted, sliding onto the bed behind you. When you sat up on your knees, one of his large hands pulled you back into his lap. With another hoist and a gasp from you, he had you perched upon the rather prominent bulge in his pants. He had evidently removed his belt and vest well, he sat there in only a crisp button-up shirt and starched slacks.

"Now, why don't we get started with the foreplay?" He chuckled, swapping out his hook for some sort of mobility attachment that allowed him to unbutton his shirt. You leaned against his chest, and looked up at him. The black haired man grinned at the submissive look on your face, and used his now free hand to remove his hook. You watched as his nub and his hand turned into lumps of sand.

"I think the lotion would work quite nicely, don't you?" Crocodile rumbled, depositing several pumps of lotion onto the sand and rubbing them together until it was mixed evenly. The anticipation had caused an ache to grow between your legs. An ache that only grew larger when he shoved his hands under your shirt. You gasped when his fingers pushed up your breasts. The sand was cool at first, but it warmed up the rotation picked up speed.

You reached back and locked hands around the back of his neck, fingers tangling in the strands of hair there, as you arched into his touch. Crocodile let you bask in his touch for only a brief moment, before nudging your head in his direction and capturing your lips in a passionate kiss. His scent, taste, and touch filled your senses. He smelled like whiskey, smoke, honey, and a natural musk, which left you dizzy. A high-pitched sigh left you, reveling in the moment, completely missing that the noise that had left you a moment ago had made the man under you feel absolutely feral. He let you distract yourself by grinding down on him, and nipping at his lips and tongue, while he gathered more sand. He opened the lotion bottle and mixed its contents with his sand before forming several new arms.

Three large hands pried apart your legs, as two hands of swirling sand massaged the meat of your thighs and calves. Two hands gripped your hips, rocking your clothes slit over his bulge, as two more hands groped at your chest. You cried out, only for Crocodile to use a column of sand to pull you back into a kiss. While his hand, of flesh and bone, made its way between your legs.

List of Up-and-coming works || Master list || Twitter| Kofi || Patreon

[asnowperson]

A short Takemiya Keiko interview from 1998

My "All Things Takemiya" detective friend, Platypus, provided me with a two-page Takemiya Keiko interview scanned by @97tears from the now discontinued Hato yo! (鳩よ! - Oh, Pigeons!) magazine. It was a literary magazine published between 1983 and 2002—a publication you probably wouldn't look at if you were searching up on Takemiya, ig.

You can see the Japanese original taken from the 1998 April issue of the magazine, and my (poor) translation of it under the cut.

Takemiya Keiko Interview from issue #4 of Hato yo (1998) 

An interview with a master mangaka herself! 

I’ve always wanted to meet them! 1 – Takemiya Keiko 

“I wanted to draw real love” 

Takemiya Keiko. Born in Tokushima in 1950. Debuted with “Ringo no Tsumi” in 1968. Won the 25th Shogakukan Manga Award with “Kaze to Ki no Uta” and “Terra e.” Representative works include “Pharaoh no Haka” among others. “Tenma no Ketsuzoku” is currently being serialized in Asuka Magazine.  

I read “Kaze to Ki no Uta” during elementary school. It has left a very deep impression on me. I remember that when Ms. Takemiya is mentioned. It was like I was looking at something I was not supposed to look, and I still remember the thrill I felt.  Takemiya: Oh, is that so? (laughs) 

Thank you so much for being with me today.   Takemiya: And thank you for having me. 

Shall we start with what prompted you to become a shoujo manga artist?  Takemiya: Fundamentally, I was not suited for shoujo manga. I debuted in COM, and my dream was to draw manga that was neither shounen nor shoujo. But alas, the magazine in which I could draw my ideal manga was no more. My style didn’t have much “power” in it, so I inevitably had to choose a shoujo manga magazine. I think my art style was really uncommon at the time. But it was what it was, and I thought to myself, maybe capitalizing on that was the path I should take.  

Your works have an extraordinary depth as far shoujo manga goes... They have a unique art style...  Takemiya: It hasn’t always been like that. My shoujo manga technique was the fruit of what I have studied. It was not a result of my personal taste, nor my innate skills. Girls like that feathery, light touch. They like fine lines. But I didn’t have any of those. So, I figured drawing things girls would like a lot was my only choice. For instance, when I thought how they must like Europe at the end of the 19th century, I went on a trip as a result. I saw the real thing at its source, and did research on it.  

Then was Kaze to Ki no Uta born because you thought girls would like it?  Takemiya: That might have played into my choice of the time period the story’s set in. However, romance stories between a boy and a girl was the norm in shoujo manga at the time. You could only draw “And they lived happily ever after...” stories. And that happiness was only on the emotional level. It was normal to exclude all physical contact. But that is simply “affection.” I wanted to draw “real love.” I admit it was a little too sensational, but I thought doing it through same-sex love was the best way to go about it. That’s how I drew Kaze to Ki no Uta.  

The sex scenes between men were quite a shock for me as a little child. That’s how I learned homosexuality existed.   Takemiya: At the time, there was an official notice published by the Ministry of Education that stipulated that “You shall not draw a boy and a girl getting intimate!” However, if it was two boys, things were somehow fine... I thought I’d found a loophole! (laughs) 

These days, there are more extreme books labeled as “yaoi.” What do you think about them?  Takemiya: At the end of the day, doujinshi are doujinshi. They focus on personal enjoyment of a group. I consider myself a “craftsman,” and if I look at it from a craftsman's standpoint, I am not wholly satisfied with how they leave many things unexplained, or how they have no conclusion. At their level, I’d liked if those artists too felt more dissatisfied... If they aimed to be more conclusive. They have the talent to draw, so I’d love them to polish those skills. I’m sometimes told that it all started with “Kazeki,” and that I must take responsibility. And every time, I think to myself, “Oh... Re-really? Dit it?” (laughs) I wish someone drew something so awesome that it would blow Kazeki out of the water... 

I’d love that too! You called yourself a “craftsman,” but what exactly makes you think so?  Takemiya: I really love the word “craftsman.” I’m not interested in trying to reach an ideal of art that would not resonate with the public. I believe manga is something aimed at the general public. Otherwise, I would not consider it to have artistic value.  

Spoken like a real pro... Which brings me to Terra e... I think that’s the most widely-accepted manga of yours by the general public, and it was published in a shounen magazine. Why is it the outlier to be published in a shounen magazine?  Takemiya: I received an offer for it, but the truth is, I had always wanted to draw for a shounen magazine. That’s why accepted. But I needed to draw in the shoujo manga audience too, so I wanted the story to offer the best for both demographics. So I tried to have the concept to be that of shoujo manga, and the style to be that of shounen manga as much as possible.    

Is it different to draw for a shounen manga magazine, and a shoujo manga magazine?  Takemiya: You don’t have to hold back in shounen magazines. It fine to draw more hardcore stuff. But in shoujo magazines, that’s out of the question. There’s a trend that dictate that you should explain things in long-winded ways and spoil the reader, because girls like it when you reveal things to them through subterfuge, so don’t hit them directly with hard stuff. 

But after that, you’ve never drawn for shounen magazines which allowed you to draw as you wished.  Takemiya: Shounen magazines are mostly weekly. I cannot keep up with that. My art has fine details, so it takes me a lot of time to draw.  

Then will you be solely drawing for shoujo magazines in the future?  Takemiya: I can’t really say that I will. I’m currently working for a shoujo magazine with “Tenma no Ketsuzoku”, and with volume releases. I recently released an illustration book titled “Hermès no Michi.” I needed to base myself on documents and explain them in drawings. And they couldn’t be any kind of drawing, they needed to be interesting. Trying to come up with ways to do that was a very fun experience. So for starters, I’d like to undertake a work like that again. That kind of work I’m working on right now is a story about the fugitives of the Heike Clan in Tokushima.* 

*T/N: She is referring to “Heian Joururi Monogatari.”  

To finish our interview off, I’d like ask a question about the Year 24 Group (shoujo manga artists born around the 24th year of the Shouwa Era like Takemiya Keiko, Hagio Moto, and Ooshima Yumiko, who have influenced the shoujo manga world in the following years) which is still very prominent: Are you still conscious of it?  Takemiya: Year 24 is a thing of the past in the modern manga scene. I think it’s irrelevant now. Manga is evolving, becoming something else after being painted over continuously. I had fun when I was part of that group, but I don’t feel like dragging it out. I don’t want to cling to nice memories of the past as I work, and want to focus on how I currently think and feel. I want to do what I think is most fun at the moment.  

[slash-me-please]

Hello! A question: How would the Slashers react to seeing that their partner prepared a dessert with a somewhat sadistic theme? (Context: I saw a video where there is a person who makes a cake with details of a face, and when you cut it juice comes out of the red fruit, he also makes cookies with eyes [Clearly they are not real])

Sorry if my spelling is wrong, but it's because I don't know many English

Slashers Reaction to their S/O Decorative Baking.

A/N: I got inspiration from 3 different tiktoks here. A bit sillier and fluffier than I wanted it to be. Michael's is a bit steamy

Thomas Hewitt

Luda Mae's kitchen is about ten degrees hotter than it usually was. You had dusted off her old gas stove and set it alight, going to town on the limited ingredients the off-the-grid household had collected throughout all the victims. Usually you put together small desserts, cookies, cake, but today you had really thought of an idea. You molded together the dough you had in your hands- pulling at the substance until it slightly resembled the nose bridge of a victim.

The pie was cherry today, tomorrow it could be something else but today it would be cherry. You giggle to yourself, the facial features of an uncanny valley freak of nature decorating your pie crust.

A light tapping breaks you out of your daze, you blink away the concentration to look at your husband. He gives you a concerned look. "I want you to feel like... I'm taking an interest in your hobbies." He turns away for a moment, but he looks back quicker than you would've thought. You wonder what he' s thinking but not for long before he's waiting at the table for you to finish.

Thomas has always wanted a family, a wife, someone to take care of. He forgets the improbabilities when he comes in from a long day of work and he smells your creations.

He thinks you're funny. He watches from behind sometimes; you're focused and locked in on some facepies. You shape each and every nose with love, and he turns his head away from Luda Mae when she briefly questions if maybe- he traumatized her a little bit.

Jason Voorhees

"Jason!" You called him from the other room, ecstatic with your new creation. You shift back and forth on both feet until he finally drags himself into the kitchen area for you to show him your treat. He blinks down at the Pyrex pan you are holding towards him, the red drip of- blood? rolling down- what would seem to be intestines? You still don't have his attention; this is a day job for him. "They're cinnamon rolls!" You beam at him, and that's what gets his attention. He nods with approval, and you begin to make him a plate.

As the two of you settle onto a water-logged, oak dining room set, he lift's his mask and eats at your snack slowly. You watch intently, proud of yourself for the decorating skills- and - for taking care of your boyfriend so well. He finishes up, looking back up at you and never mentioning that he hasn't tasted anything in a few decades.

His mom used to bake for him, she didn't use such... expressive techniques... but you're still appreciated.

Will eat everything you bake, he has no aversion to your decorating, but they don't affect him either way. He's got larger fish to be afraid of, like underage drinking.

Michael Myers

You sit at the dining room table, eyes trained on the wall clock in front of you. 3:17am. Your eyelids droop and you debate throwing in the towel and taking it upstairs for a moment before you finally hear the soft click of your screen door shutting. Michael makes his way into the kitchen, head tilting at the display on your kitchen table. Doll head covered apples? He reaches forward and grabs one off the table. The white chocolate crumbles underneath his fingertips, he looks at it for a moment. You know better than to say anything to him if you actually want him to try it.

He hikes the bottom half of his mask over his mouth, bringing the apple forward to take a bite. You watch, half lidded as he chews and swallows. His mouth upturns slightly and you feel your chest burn with pride. You had spent all day trying to get these right and he liked them. You reached onto the plate and grabbed one for your own, taking a bite and leaning your head back with a pleased moan. "I really outdid myself this time, didn't I?" He takes another bite, licking his lips of the white chocolate specks.

The two of you finish, looking hungrier than before. "What do you want me to make for you next time?" His eyes narrow, pulling the mask back down onto his face. "Maybe a tart?" Your eyes drag down. "Something glazed?"

Biggest sweet tooth ever! This skill of yours has saved you from the blunt edge of a knife quite a few times. There's nothing that keeps him coming home more than the edible arrangement of his favorite body parts you have made up for him.

He relishes in the attention, carefully examining each treat you create for him with precision. You watch him take down whatever you throw at him with such adoration, he tells himself that he only comes back for the food, but he can't help but anticipate the look on your face when you see him enjoy your gifts.

[redtsundere-writes]

Chapter 5: Hunting Season

King!SukunaRyomen x Servant!FemReader

Summary: You used to be just another servant among the army of humans operating under the command of the terrible king, Sukuna Ryomen. An ordinary human who only knows how to wash, clean and cook. Until one day, he notices something in you that you hadn't seen before.

More Info.

Word Count: 3901 words.

Beginning. | ← Previous | Next →

Winter was dangerously approaching, and your body could feel it. In the darkest part of the castle, all the servants slept in giant bunks that stretched from the stone floor to the cobwebby ceiling in the freezing dungeon. The worries of survival and the stress of slavery were on pause so you could dream of a life outside the dark castle. You covered yourself as best you could with the thin cotton blanket that all the servants had.

You tossed and turned to find the most comfortable position to sleep on the straw-filled mattress. Over the months, you had perfected your technique to not freeze to death in your sleep during winter. You would wrap your arms around your legs and tuck your head between your knees to keep yourself warm. It was times like these when you missed the people who used to be your family.  

You were about to complete your first year serving your majesty. You still couldn't believe that you had outlived, but were glad. The fact that you didn't have any scratches from the king meant you were doing a good job. You hoped it would be that way for the rest of your stay there, meaning the rest of your life. There was also the possibility that you would become as important to him as Uraume, but that was asking for too much. 

Loud metallic sounds woke you from your uncomfortable sleep. You slowly opened your eyes to get used to the sharp light coming from the open door. Uraume was standing at the entrance to the dungeon, banging on one of the kitchen pots with a metal spoon. All the servants slowly woke up amid grunts of reluctance at the commotion. You pulled your hair back in confusion with the white ribbon that matched your uniform. This was the first time they had been woken up like this. 

“Today is hunting day. After breakfast, head to the parade ground,” Uraume announced in their characteristic monotone voice before retreating. 

When they closed the door behind them, all the servants wailed in unison. You didn't understand what was going on, but this would be a day unlike any other. You quickly put on your white apron to join the others in their collective grief towards the dining room. Unlike the king's dining room, this one was larger and sadder. Instead of elegant ebony wood furniture and gold utensils, there were long wooden benches damaged from all the years of use and unmatching china. 

Upon entering the dining room, they were met with a completely different picture than usual. A table full of delicious dishes on marble tableware shined in the center of the cold room. Exotic fruit cut into different shapes, different cuts of meat paraded on beautiful gold trays and unknown foods were displayed around the elegant table. Gastronomic works of art parade along the dinning room. It was a buffet at the height of a royal feast. Although it was a magnificent surprise, the other servants did not look happy. They reluctantly served themselves, took advantage of the jugs of wine, and some sobbed as they ate tasty pastries. 

“What's wrong with everyone?” You asked the servant in front of you in the serving line. 

“It's hunting day,” the servant replied dryly. 

If there was one thing that set you apart from Sukuna servants, it was that they were all over 60 years old. They were old curmudgeons, judgmental ladies or people who were just waiting for Sukuna to kill them after making some superficial mistake. So most of them envied your youth, but they also felt sorry for you because you had ended up in the same hell as them at such a young age. Luckily, there were a few exceptions. 

“I know that. It's the first day of April, the best month to hunt quail, wild boar and deer,” you answered excitedly. 

“I forget that this is your first year here,” the woman said before turning around between limps to look you in the eye. “We won't be hunters, we'll be the prey,” she corrected you in a whisper, about to burst into tears. 

She lifted her skirt to show you that she had a horrible cut above her leg. The reason for her limp. One after another, the veteran servants around you showed you their survival wounds. Across the chest, some were armless and others were one-eyed. You hugged the porcelain plate of shock. That's when you realized why the fancy meals. You were being served what would potentially be your last meal. With that disheartening feeling, you helped yourself to a few crêpes with jelly and strawberries. With your eyes, you looked around for the one servant you considered your friend, Mrs. Inoue.  

“Today looks like it's going to be an interesting day, doesn't it?” You greeted her as you sat down next to her. 

“How can you be so positive in such an environment?” she asked you with a faint smile. 

Mrs. Inoue was a 50-year-old woman you had met on your first day at the castle. Her ashen hair, raisin skin and trembling fingers made her look older than she really was, the result of a life of tireless hard work. Although she had a face of few friends and kept to herself, she was always good to you. 

“I'd rather be happy on my last day of life,” you replied before biting into a juicy strawberry. 

➽──────────────❥

With her arms entwined, you helped Mrs. Inoue out of the castle at her slow but sure pace. The cloudy sky, cool wind and green grass welcomed you to the expansive parade ground. You lined up with the other servants to wait for instructions. At the perimeter of the castle, several curses in shining armor watched like vultures. If any of the servants tried to escape, they would be snacked on by the first one to sink its teeth into them. They watched them from above, sneering with possessive eyes. You tried to ignore them, but it was difficult when you could hear their whispers. 

Two curses opened the gigantic main doors of the castle to usher in the great king Sukuna and Uraume. They reached for the trumpets under their armpits to sound an imperial march to introduce the highest authority of the nation as an inauguration to the great event that was to take place. They stepped onto the platform to the rhythm of the music to get a better look at all the inferior beings who were about to give their lives to entertain the tyrant they served. 

Uraume called the roll of all the servants, making sure they were all present. Sukuna did not take his eyes off you, his gaze constantly analyzing you as always. You tightened your dress to calm your nerves. Sometimes you wish you knew what he was thinking when his cursed eyes fell on you amidst the sea of heads. 

“The rules are the same as every year, but I will repeat them for the new servants,” Uraume began their speech. 

If Sukuna has something in common with the other kings, it is that he loves hunting day. The royals usually carry out this activity with animals that are eaten at the end of the day in a great feast. A refined event to test the discipline of the upper class, but for Sukuna it is an opportunity to satisfy his sadistic needs. His version of the hunting day consists of throwing all his servants into a dangerous forest on the outskirts of the kingdom. They will all try to hide or run away like white rabbits so he can catch them. To mark those he has found, he cuts them down with his cursed technique. Some die in the process, but most survive, only having to deal with the injury for life. 

“The last one to be caught will not be cut and will get a week off from chores as a reward. This is with the intention that you take this activity seriously,” Uraume finished their speech. 

“Wow, that doesn't sound bad,” you commented, surprised that the tyrant would give such a generous prize. “What will you do if you win?” you asked Mrs. Inoue.

“Yeah, right, like if I could win,” the lady laughed at herself. 

“Oh, come on. Don't give up just like that,” you encouraged her as you hugged her arm affectionately. 

➽──────────────❥

In line, all the servants were escorted by Uraume and the other curse knights into the forest, while the king followed in a luxurious carriage behind them all. The leaves crunched under their feet, the rich smell of earth dampened by the morning breeze reached your nose, and the gigantic trees welcomed them to the battlefield. You would let those behind you know if there was a branch they needed to dodge or loose dirt they could slip on. You noticed how one of the servants began to sob louder and louder with each step he took. The old man was looking around paranoid in search of an escape route and scratching the back of his neck anxiously. You wouldn't be surprised to see the poor man pee himself. The servant behind him was trying to calm him down, but nothing seemed to work. That was not a good sign. 

“I can't do it anymore!” The man screamed in horror before breaking formation and fleeing in panic in an attempt to get lost in the shady trees. 

He could only take three steps before a curse caught him in its jaws, eating him alive in front of everyone without remorse. The poor man was writhing and screaming for help, but no one dared to help him, fearing of suffering the same fate. He was already more dead than alive in that situation. Everyone sobbed at the bloody scene. 

The curse ripped off his head and threw it towards you to scare you even more. The head fell in front of your feet, its eyes wide open and staring at you. There was not a trace of life behind them. It was just a pair of eyes that used to belong to someone. Sukuna arrived on the scene, surprising everyone. His claws inserted into the man's black hair to lift it off the ground, while his equal continued to eat like a messy child. His gaze traveled between the faces of his terrified servants until it reached your face, drab with shock. 

It was just like that time he killed those rude servants in front of you. You didn't scream, cry or vomit like you used to in the beginning of your servant days. You just processed the situation in your mind to make sure you were fully awake, too shocked to see the insides of that man who once gave you advice or helped you do an assignment. That man no longer existed, he was now food for the curse and the rest would serve as compost.

“What are you waiting for? You have 5 minutes to get out of my sight,” Sukuna said before taking a bite of the head as if it were a juicy red apple, filling his lips with blood and dead skin, starting the event. 

Everyone ran terrified into the forest while screaming for their lives, including Mrs. Inoue. You blinked a couple of times, taking in the situation. This was really happening, and you had to act fast. You bowed to your majesty before escaping his dangerous sight, running to the opposite side of where the servants had headed. Sukuna smiled as he watched you run through the trees, your dress, and hair swinging back and forth in the wind. You were fast, in good shape.

“I still don't understand why you think so highly of her,” Uraume said, approaching him while he was losing sight of you.

“You'll see,” he answered before wiping the blood off his lips. 

Sukuna threw the head to the side and followed the direction where most of the servants had run. Uraume just followed him. They could question him all they wanted, but he always had the last word. 

➽──────────────❥

You ran between trees, bushes, and plants that could possibly kill you. Your feet were starting to get tired, you could barely breathe from exhaustion, and your hands were pulling up your long skirt so you wouldn't trip. The wind whipped your face as you followed the steady rhythm of your panicked steps. You didn't know where you were running to, nor did you have a plan in mind. You just went in the opposite direction of your colleagues because it was logical that a hunter would prefer to go after some prey rather than just one. 

The fear of him hurting you was slowly becoming a possibility. You had done so many things together that you doubted he was capable of doing such a thing. He always tried to touch you gently as if you were the most fragile rose in his garden. You had slept together, he had fed you the best food he could offer, defended you, given you a shower and had played together. You wanted to be by his side, but here you were, running away from him. 

Unfortunately, you didn't see a thick tree root sticking out of the fertile soil. Your foot got stuck in the hole, causing you to stumble. You fell onto your stomach, knocking the air out of your chest. You tried to recover quickly, but fell back to the ground from the lack of oxygen in your system. Your head began to spin, so you gave up. You stretched your limbs out like a starfish on land. Your gaze began to cloud over with tears emerging from your eyes. The plowed leaves that heralded the end of autumn danced over you in an attempt to lift your spirits. 

Sukuna will hurt you soon. You wiped your tears with the back of your hand. You were so foolish for thinking Sukuna considered you someone special. You had no powers, you weren't the most beautiful girl in the kingdom, much less had royal blood. You were just another servant he would mark or, worse, kill. Your heart was beating a thousand beats a second, pumping the adrenaline coursing through your veins. An agonizing scream from one of the servants cut through the sky, causing a couple of little birds to fly away in fright. 

You got up little by little to avoid falling again, dusted yourself off and took a deep breath. It was confirmed. This was not a nightmare. If you wanted to survive, you had to keep running. You set off again towards the opposite side from where the scream had come from. You would do your best to be the last to be found, but nothing assured you that this would be the case. If a cut was the price for having been caressed by him, then you would pay it. 

You kept running until you reached a cave in the foothills of a gigantic mountain. You debated whether to enter, it was so dark inside that you couldn't risk going in without knowing what was inside first. In an attempt to see beyond the darkness, you took a step inside. As soon as your foot touched the stone surface, a roar emerged from the incognito. Slowly, a three-headed bear came into view. A gasp of surprise escaped your throat. Its six red eyes were staring at you hungrily, and the white foam coming from its snouts was not a promising sight. You were now facing a beast lesser than Sukuna, but one that would eat you alive no matter what. You backed up little by little, but he kept advancing at your pace. 

“Shit…” You whispered before running for your life. 

Your feet moved as fast as they could, even faster due to the crazy adrenaline rush through your body. One false step and you were dead. The bear had its eyes fixed on you and was not about to give up until it consumed your flesh. In the distance, you saw a tree that you knew you could easily climb. You ran to the tree and jumped onto its branches as if they were a makeshift ladder. You would be safe there. Grizzly bears don't know how to climb… or so you thought. Your hand-eye coordination was being put to the test as you searched for the next branch to continue climbing quickly. Your labored breathing barely let you think, but you had to focus. 

The path between the branches ended when there were only thin branches that couldn't possibly support your weight. You held on tightly to turn and look at the bear. Your eyes widened as you realized you weren't dealing with just any bear. Besides having three heads, it was climbing the tree perfectly. You were against a curse, the end of you. You backed up as far as you could, but if you chose wrong, you could fall out of the tree. You looked down to see if you could survive the fall. A small branch broke under your feet, it fell for 2 seconds. If your math didn't fail you, it was a fall of at least 30 meters. If you survived, you would break a bone and be easy prey for the rabid bear. You watched as the dangerous beast continued to climb the tree little by little, you had no options left… 

Well, you had one left. 

➽──────────────❥

The poor servant broke out in a cold sweat, his limbs trembled, and his throat closed as he watched Sukuna slowly approach him. Without hesitation, he cut the air. A deep wound appeared on the man's abdomen. He writhed on the ground and shrieked his mother's name from the excruciating pain. Some servants, who had already been marked, dragged him back to the castle to heal him like the others. 

“This is number 53. Only one is missing,” Uraume informed their majesty. 

“She's still out there, isn't she?” Sukuna asked, subtly proud. 

“That's right. She's the winner in her first year, how lucky,” they replied, playing it down. 

“It's not luck,” Sukuna corrected them. “She ran away the opposite way from her herd. She knows perfectly well what she was doing.” He turned around to look for you. 

“Is that why you are interested in her? Because she is smart?” Uraume questioned him as he followed. 

“It's one of her qualities, but she has something else. Something that no other woman has.” His main servant arched their eyebrow at that answer. Their majesty used to be someone direct and focused, why was he hiding the reason for his choice?

“So, what is it?”

“My king!” Your voice echoed through the trees like a whisper that lost power with distance. Sukuna arched his eyebrow when he heard you. He could recognize your voice anywhere in the world. Had you given up so quickly? “Help me, please, my king!” 

Uraume was about to say something to him, but he disappeared with the speed of a snap. They were left speechless at how quickly he had reacted to your call for help. Did he care that much about you? They ran at full speed to catch up with him. They couldn't help but smile to themselves. At last… Their king had a clear weakness. 

➽──────────────❥

Sukuna ran through the trees until he reached your location. Quickly, he realized the situation you were in. You had given up because you were about to be eaten by a cursed bear more terrifying than he was. You were at the top of the tree, with no clear escape. He could see your face scared and about to burst into tears because you were facing your end face to face. You had given up and decided to call him in the face of the situation. You, a human who knew you could be hurt by him, decided to call him anyway. He knew you were special, but you surprised him more and more every day. Uraume didn't take long to arrive, a few seconds late and with their heart in their throat from the effort, but they arrived.

“My king, this way!” You cried as soon as you saw that he had come to your call for help, while you waved your arm from side to side so he could see your whereabouts. 

“Jump,” Sukuna ordered you with a mischievous smile, crossing his arms. 

Uraume was surprised to hear that. He had run halfway through the forest at such a speed to ask you to jump instead of saving you? They thought he cared enough about you, but it seems they had thought wrong. No servant would be crazy enough to jump that high for a tyrant like Sukuna.

You looked at the bear and then at your king. Both could kill you easily, but you had to do your lord's bidding before anything else. If he asked you to do so, it was for a reason, wasn't it? Without hesitating twice, you jumped from the tree while letting out a war cry. 

You closed your eyes, waiting for the painful impact that would cause you to break a bone or two. The first second step, the second would come soon. Just as you thought you were about to hit the ground, you were suspended in midair. You slowly opened your eyes to see the ground in front of your nose. 

“Huh?”

Sukuna had caught you just in time by the knot of your apron, as if you were a human yo-yo. He tossed you as if you weighed nothing so that you fell right into his strong arms. The king cradled you as if you were his tender baby. Your brain could not comprehend what was happening. His four eyes looked at you tenderly as he smiled proudly that you had obeyed him. You no longer knew if your heart was pounding from adrenaline or from joy that he had saved you. 

“Good girl,” he said, ruffling your hair with one of his four hands. 

Uraume understood at that moment what Sukuna meant when he said “you had potential”. You were not the most beautiful, nor the most intelligent, nor, much less, powerful. But you were extremely obedient and loyal, to such an extent that you could risk your own body for him. You didn't question or challenge him, you just did what he asked without hesitation for a second. 

Sukuna cut the bear into thousands of pieces with a slash while looking you in the eye. Your eyes wanted to see how the bear had finished, but his black claws directed your jaw back to him so you wouldn't lose sight of him, taking care not to scratch your face. You had already seen too much.

“Thank you for saving me, my king,” you stuttered, still in shock. 

“It's the least I can do for this year's winner,” he said before walking back to the castle. 

Two of his arms tightened around your body, while another one went around your back, his hand holding your ass. Your cheeks flushed as you realized he was touching you shamelessly. 

“Do you know what you'll be doing on your week off?” he asked. You couldn't help but smile at that.

Next →

Open fanfic commissions!

Masterlist.

[devoutekuna]

Cooking with him.

Includes- Toji, Sukuna, Nanami, Gojo, Geto

Sukuna-

He can cook but chooses not to, why would he cook if he has a personal chef to himself. Stood in the kitchen as he searched for some fruit, daughter tracing the markings he had on his legs. "Daddy lets cook for mama" the thought of spending time with her father was the only reason she wanted to cook. "No" a straight no, she knew that he'd need some convincing though.

"But, I've seen mummy and Uraume cook, I can do it!" Grabbing onto his leg as he tried to walk off, acting as if she was too heavy to kick off. "No you can't! Your incapable of cooking" Looking down at the pink haired girl staring so profusely up at him, doing her puppy eyes which would win anyone over.

Cutting up a few onions from the dish, sat ontop of the counter as she placed the onion in her lap, knife inches away from her thigh. "Don't do that, it's stupid" putting the onion and knife on the table so that he could place her on the stool. "Don't be stupid" stood right beside her as she cut it up, it was going so painfully slow,he was starting to get tired especially since she had two more to go. Having the dismantle technique, of course he's gonna use it to his advantage, throwing the onion up in the air as it sliced, leaving diced cubes along the counter top. "Awe, you got it all over the counter daddy" trying to brush the vegetable into a pile. "Shut up, you were going to slow."

Nanami-

An expert as he cooks most nights, especially when your too tired to prepare meals for the week, it was a simple task to him. "Lemme help you papa!" Hands making it onto the counter as he kneaded the dough, eyes sticking up from behind the counter. Glancing down and the blonde realising she was on a stool, no wonder she got so tall, already got her hair tied back into a ponytail and apron on. "I'm almost done darling" he felt a bit bad but he was so busy so he wanted to finish this quickly.

"Please!" Her crys, only convincing him that she should help him, all he had to do was cook the rice after washing it and cook the chicken. "I mean, you can do the rice?" He didn't trust her much with food since he knew that she was just a toddler and would make a mess.

"Uh oh" seeing the rice poured down the drain, all of it in the sink rather than the bowl. Atleast half of it going through the drain pipe already. "What happened here?" It was bound to happen, he tried not to act annoyed but he definitely was.

Gojo-

He doesn't know anything about cooking since he rarely cooked for himself, if he did it would just be a precooked meal.

"Right, how small am I cutting this?" Glancing at you for some guidance here, a look of distraught and confusion on his face as she saw what he would be cutting up next. He was tasked with all the vegetables since you thought it would be easier for him rather than the meat which you tasked your son with. "Dice it Satoru" looking over his shoulder as you inspected how small it should be.

"Hurry up! Mum says the vegetables go in before the chicken!" He clearly took his father's personality when it came to patience. "I'm trying my best here!" Though he says that he's good at everything, he was horrible when it came to food. Grabbing another knife from the drawer as you helped him out, you were hungry and wanted food already.

Geto-

He was smart about it, giving her an easy task like stirring the pot, somehow she messed that up, hearing the clutter of a pot hitting the floor, body in the fetal position as she looked at the mess. "Uh oh" the sound of his daughter's voice made him respond quickly, hands on his hips as he scanned the mess on the ground, food spilled all over the floor, boiling water all over his new tiles too. "Sorry papa" feeling a bit bad for the mess. "It's fine" it clearly wasn't as that was one of the main dishes. "As long as you aren't hurt then we're good" nodding her head in response.

Toji-

"Your lucky I can't find my wallet" stuck cutting up some potatoes into long rectangular shapes. His daughter clearly was enjoying this, pouring a bottle full of oil into the pan. "No! That's too much baby" taking the bottle from her hands as she giggled, watching as the oil started to splatter up into his face, throwing a lid onto the pan.

"Turn it down!" Shouting at him, she had seen you do this multiple times, so she acted like the boss when it came to cooking. "It's on the lowest heat!" Going back to the cutting of the potatoes. "Hurry up daddy!" Slapping his leg as she jumped up and down, it was her first time being allowed in the kitchen whilst someone was cooking, let alone helping them.

It was a few minutes after he poured the potatoes into the pan, he didn't know anything about making chips so it was a new experience for him. "You took too long! Mummy woke up" she wanted to surprise you with her cooking skills, making you a plate of chips before you woke up.

[selfaware-promise-au]

I'm curious, since I read the diluc and kaeya version of you saying they're your favorite, and I thought, hey how would that work in the other two, cause Miyabi is my absolute favorite, she's so awesome and so powerful, then in hsr my most recent favorite has been Castorice also funny thing I used Firefly a total of 1,112 times, dw Firefly will always be my number 1 fr

When you called them your favorite. Hoshimi Miyabi

You observe Miyabi's training. Today she was practicing cutting fruits with her sword. And it wasn't your fault! Well... You didn't expect that Miyabi would take your story about "Fruit Ninja" that seriously. Thankfully, she was practicing in a very clean room, so, after her training is over, you still can eat fruits.

Her technique was hypnotizing. You never saw such skills in the Real World. To be fair, Miyabi's technique would never exist in Real World.

Miyabi finally stopped. She turned towards you.

"Impressive skills." complimented you.

Miyabi nodded, her ears twitched.

"I hope that soon they will be good enough to slay Tyrant."

You frowned.

"Let's hope there will be no need for mortals to engage in a battle."

Miyabi stepped forward.

"They were playing with our world. With our lives. Until they fall, I won't stop perfecting my skills."

Your mouth moved before you can ask.

"That's why you are my favorite, Miyabi. I feel safe around you. I am sure that you will help to protect everyone."

Miyabi didn't blush, but she pressed her ears against her head and hid her gaze from yours.

"I... Thanks for holding me in such high regard."

You shrugged.

"You are welcome. Well, let's clean up and go get some ice cream."

Since that day, something around Miyabi changed.

She became more lucky. Every time she brought some food, she would get a price.

Tailless' attacks became stranger.

Her moves became faster.

She wasn't sure if it was your words or her own mastery. It didn't change her plan. Became stronger to protect people against Tyrant. To protect you.

When you called them your favorite. Castorice

You didn't expect that you and Castorice would become good friends. Or, maybe, you should expect that. Both of you have connections to death (and death deities), and, thanks for your connections, have your own looks at death.

You two started to make plush toys. It became a ritual for you two. Often you would sit in a room, knitting, sewing, felting.

And you would talk.

Sometimes, she would talk about her duties. One time, your words were unique.

"You are my favorite. Believe me when I say that, Castorice. It's good to meet someone that dutiful and kind."

Castorice didn't answer, but her cheeks became red.

The days that followed were strange.

Netherwing's attacks became stronger, and it stopped losing health during attacks.

Sometimes, she heard quiet music. Your mentor once described it as a music of souls, something that only high divines (or someone blessed by them) can hear.

But the most interesting thing that happened were plush toys that you made for her. They started to move. They made sounds. They kept her company.

It wasn't much, but Castorice was grateful. She promised that she would help you when the time for battle with Tyrant came.

[aworldofpattern]

Zendaya at the Met Gala 2024, wearing custom Maison Margiela Artisanal by John Galliano, and hat by Stephen Jones.

The fruit, flowers, insects and birds on the gown fit the dress code of the night, 'The Garden of Time', inspired by J.G. Ballard's 1962 short story (explained here by the BBC).

The gown also references John Galliano’s Spring 1999 couture collection for Dior, in particular the gown below, decorated with grapes.

Maison Margiela said:

'A sage lamé bias-cut ‘siren dress’ overlaid with iridescent electric blue organza with ‘retrograding’ in undulating bands of hand-painted metallic crin, swathed in an aluminium material and iridescent organza drape and bow, with a corsage hand-embroidered in a bacchanal of hand-painted impasto in the grammar of the electric blues and emerald greens of scarab amulets, with formations of birds, flowers, vines, grapes and nuts, worn over a boudoir-coloured duchess satin corset. A silver metal-wire ‘reverse swatching’ hat and a black hand-painted voile crafted in the memory of plume and enveloped in matching coloured stockings by Stephen Jones for Maison Margiela, and Eau de Nil velour and faux lizard Tabi interlaced ankle-strap pumps by Christian Louboutin for Maison Margiela.

Created for Zendaya by John Galliano for Maison Margiela, the haute couture silhouette was inspired by the 1930s mythological works of the photographer Madame Yevonde and imbued with the memory of the orgiastic sceneries of the bacchanals of Ancient Greece. In a dance between painterly cutting and draping techniques – unique to each layer of the construction – and the superposition of fabric textures such as tin foil with transparent iridescent organza overlay, the composition conjures the staccato brushstrokes of Giovanni Boldini. The bias-cut ‘siren dress’ is a key expression in the creative practice of John Galliano, which first appeared at Maison Margiela in the Spring-Summer 2020 Artisanal Collection. Infused with a certain ‘snobisme’, the look is given the epithet of ‘86 and Lexington’, a nod to the subway station near The Met.

The dress was crafted with ‘retrograding’, a technique through which variations of thread-work, appliqué or encrustation degrade from the bottom to the top of a garment like the linear base drawing of a painting that hasn’t yet been finished. The ‘reverse swatching’ technique employed in the hat exchanges the fabrics traditionally used for certain parts of dressmaking with materials of a contrasting value.' X

[elminx]

Elminx's Long-Form Lemonade for Sweet Cleansing

If you've been hanging out for more than a hot minute, you have probably caught on to a secret about my kitchen witching: it's not the NUMBER of ingredients you enchant; it's how you enchant them. For the purposes of witching, I prefer simple recipes (ingredient-wise) that have a bit of oomph to them. Do you need to stir a pot for 45 minutes straight? (see also my french onion soup recipe) What about starting a vinegar infusion that needs to be shaken every day?

This, as the saying goes, is where the magic is made. At least, for me.

So, imagine my surprise when my friends introduced me to a long-form way of making lemonade. Rather than simply juicing the lemons and adding some sugar and water - you combine the sugar and lemon peels and let them sit for some time to release the lemon's essential oils.

Not only does it make a superior lemonade (can confirm!), but it immediately had my magic wheels turning.

The goal is to make lemonade that will sweetly cleanse you of what ails you. This spell can easily be adapted to add specifiers—see the end of this post for more details.

As always, I will not tell you how to do YOUR magic. This is a technique, not a magic tutorial.

The Basics: When Life Gives You Lemons

Lemons have a long history of use as a cleansing agent. Cunningham's infamous green book lists them as a feminine plant, under the purview of water and the moon and used for the powers of "longevity, purification, love, friendship." (for what that's worth) From an herbal energetic perspective - lemons are considered to be cooling - they are used in the summer to cool hot termperatures and applied to the sick to help bring down fevers. Citric acid is also a bladder stimulant, which we will be making use of for the purposes of our potion-making.

What we associate with lemon as the "cleaning agent" is believed to come from limonene, a terpene found in the peels of most citrus fruits that is both antiviral and antibacterial. Lemonene is used in many cleaners that you can buy on the market but can also be extracted directly from the fruit, as we will do in this recipe.

The Technique

This standard high-end bartender technique makes wonderful, complex sour mixes that can absolutely make the perfect cocktail. Rather than extracting the limonene from the citrus using alcohol or vinegar, we use sugar.

This technique is called oleo-saccharum, which means "oil-sugar" - you are using sugar to draw the essential oils out of the lemon peels, making a natural (no heat) syrup. Note here: this syrup can be used on its own for all sorts of syrupy needs - you could stop the preparation here if you don't love lemonade.

This can be done on the fly (an hour or so), but I highly suggest letting this sit for 12-24 hours for the full effect.

The Recipe

You will need:

5-6 lemons, the best-looking ones you can find

1 1/4 cups sugar

Filter Water (to taste)

Peeler, citrus juicer, optional

Additional magical flavoring, optional

Become better acquainted with your lemons. For the purposes of this recipe, I do this by holding them, talking to them about what I want from them (general or specific cleansing), and rolling them across a hard surface. This last part helps to separate the peel from the pith, which will help you cut away the peel in the next step. Because we intentionally try to release the limonene compounds in this recipe, you may wish to begin by carving your lemon at this step (BEFORE you peel). You could carve your intentions, your name, the names of the people you are looking to cleanse, or any cleansing runes or sigils that you use in your craft.

Carefully peel your lemon. You want to get as little pith (white parts) as possible, as they don't taste good. Take your time here. Really breathe in the scents of the lemon during this. This is the first part of the cleansing process - you are incidentally cleaning yourself and your kitchen as you do this part of the spell. Lean into this. It smells amazing. Revel in it. Think about how it reminds you of everything being shiny and clean as a child. Lemons ARE cleansing - really feel into this here. We won't use the rest of the lemon until tomorrow; you can juice it here or store it overnight in an air-tight container)

Add your lemon peels and the sugar to a mixing bowl and thoroughly massage the sugar into the lemon peels. This should take some time - think fives of minutes at least. You want to do this until you can feel the change in consistency in the sugar - try to incorporate all of the sugar with all of the lemons. Remember, sugar is inherently sweetening, and lemons are inherently cleansing - you combine these two elements here to make a sweet, cleansing spell. Let the smell of it clean out your nose and your sinuses. This is the meat of your spellcasting - you are working your spell into your ingredients. Talk to it. Use your energy. Pray over it. You will know when this step is complete.

Cover your bowl and let it sit at room temperature overnight or for up to 24 hours. The longer this extracts, the more intense the flavor in the finished product. In a pinch, give it an hour, but I suggest waiting at least 8-10 for the best effect.

The next morning, add 2 cups boiling water to your lemon paste and stir until it has thoroughly combined - this is a great place to reinforce your magic from the day beforehand. (This version had the addition of some freshly picked sour cherries which gives its red color)

6. When this has cooled, add the lemon juice and additional water to taste. I personally put this in a half-gallon ball jar and filled it with water, and then my partner and I further diluted it from there.

7. Drink and enjoy. For an extra cleansing effect, consider that part of the act of citrus is that of a urinary stimulant - it will make you pee. Think about how peeing removes things from your life. Remove what needs cleansing. Your spell is complete.

This spell is as simple as that but it can be dressed up in some many different outfits with very little effort. Do you know a flavor (remember, all edibles here) with the right magic associations to add to this spell?

Add some blackberries at the infusion stage for good old-fashioned hedge witch protection. If you really need something out, you could experiment with infusing some jalapeno after you've made the lemonade (tread with a lot of care here...). I've worked with lavender and hibiscus here for calming, cool energies. I recently added a cup of sour cherries to Step 3 for a love-cleansing effect.

There are two ways you can add flavors to this spell: you can mix your flavor in during the sugaring phase, or you can do a secondary infusion after your lemonade has been made. Use your best judgment here - fruits can go in with the citrus peels for sure, but herbs and other more "tea like" ingredients might be better steeped afterward.

I haven't tried it yet, but I'm eager to use some of my savory kitchen herbs the next time I near to clear out my money flows.

Or alternatively, use it as the first step in a witchy cocktail (my go-to, as you know). This lemonade makes an exquisite base for a margarita—for a bougie twist, use white Patron and some Chambord; you will not be disappointed.

This is almost a blank slate - sweet cleansing could be used for anything you put your mind to.

Do you like my work? You can support me over on Kofi by tipping me, ordering an astrology commission, buying some art, or signing up to be a monthly supporter of my work.

[miumiubaek]

chimera ~ gojo satoru x reader

part 5: resurrect

chimera: a strange, horrible, or impossible idea or figment of the imagination

Summary: loving him was like a lucid dream and not being acknowledged or loved did not deter you from giving your all but what if you are tired now, what if all the love has burnt out, what if one day you wake up from this morning dream or worse what if you realise don't love him anymore.

Pairing: Gojo Satoru x Reader Tags: gojo x reader, unrequited love, ANGST, sfw, really down bad reader, PINING, reader might be a bit infuriating with her pining.

Masterlist

You have imagined what heartbreak would feel like, you thought it would be like withering flowers, the fruits you leave unnoticed which slowly rots right on your table, getting darker, more unpleasant as days go by but you are too late to notice and even though you regret it you cannot save what's already rotten. you might try to salvage it, cut off the parts that are rotten to save the good parts but is that a smart decision? you thought it would be the light ache in your chest that would lester you for a few weeks, makes things uncomfortable before slowly fading away leaving you to to your routines.

so you think you can recover from the heartbreak you felt.

but what you forgot was you shaped your life around your love for him, now your life has a satoru shaped hole and you cannot fix it because he was your entire life, you did not know what it feels like to have the weight of the world on your shoulder but you loved someone who did.

You wanted to make it easy for him because you knew he had to grow up early, you had to too and you think being young is a gift that everybody should be allowed to cherish. That is exactly why you showed up to help with school projects, parent teachers meeting and you also had a bag full of bows and glitter clips for the little girl who is now cursed. You had no obligation to do any of the things you took responsibility for, you showed up so there was one less thing that satoru had to worry about. You learned to take things slowly off his plate so he won't notice.

The need to step up, the need to be there for the kids and for him even though he did not acknowledge it. You have been keeping up with his schedules, making sure his schedule does not disturb any important days that he would regret missing later, secretly taking up missions that you are sure you can manage because you did not worry about dying but you did not want to be another burden he had to keep up with.

You would have given your life for him on a silver platter if satoru gojo asked you to because you think he deserves it. You still think he does though the man has an ego and he is arrogant he is also a man who is kind, a man who is burdened with too much weight but he hides it all with a smile. You imagined how hard it must be, to be the strongest, to lose someone you valued so much in your life. When you heard from shoko that satoru had to kill suguru you imagined how much more does the man has to give up in his life.

a man who has to hide himself in a little box deep inside him so he can play the role of the strongest, he has so much space to be the strongest but there is no space for satoru, the little boy who had to give up on his childhood to perfect his technique, his youth for the politics and cruelty of the world to become what he is today.

You wanted to go deep inside him, take out that little box place it in your palms, fill it up with love and let satoru open the lid himself, so he can escape, even if its just only around you, in the confines of the little world you will create in the palm of your hands, where he will be safe, where he will be free, where he can and will be just satoru, not gojo, not the holder of six eyes, not the strongest, just your satoru.

You taste your tears, the hint of saltiness, you feel it overwhelm you now that you realise you cannot do any of these now. You cannot reach the little box, you cannot, you lost that chance to hold the one you love so close that infinity never exists, never between you two.

but now you think the only thing that will exist between you two is infinity, not the love, not a space to be safe just the infinite possibilities you will never get to experience.

you would love satoru the same if he lost everything he had, if he is not the strongest it would just mean freedom in your eyes but you pray nobody takes it from him because you know what its like to shape your life around something and when that something does not exist anymore, when all the possibilities in your head will only remain that, its hard to breathe. It gets so hard to breathe.

You feel yourself being lifted up so high in the sky that you feel euphoric but it turns terrifying when you are dropped from that high, the proximity with the water scares you so much. you hit the water with the thunderous roar and you fight. everytime you fight and reach the surface to take in a big gulp of air it is back, the euphoric feeling of being lifted so high, when you think maybe this time you would stay up there you are fooled when the water greets you again but you still fight, this happens again and again like somebody keeps turning around the sand clock to make sure you are buried under the sand. You lost count of times, maybe its time you learn how to give up, on satoru and on reaching the surface of this water. So this time when you are dropped you don't try, you don't fight, you embrace the nothingness and you let yourself be engulfed by the ocean, after a point you taste the saltiness of the water and it tastes so familiar, just like the tears you cried. and before everything goes black you don't forget to remind your younger self when you are deep into waters not everybody has someone like mom who had dad to save her from under the waters. Even when the water pulls you to the other world, there might be no one waiting to save you. So in the serenity of the water lulling you to sleep you let everything go dark. you are sure you are in too deep for the light to reach.

It feels like you have been just there, floating for days.

you hate the fact that light reaches you, you hate the fact that when the light touches you, you feel the need to fight again, you hate the fact that the light makes your fingers twitch. like its an instinct your obstinate hands move towards the light, your body suddenly is filled with the hope you did not want and then came the hand. the hand that held onto yours with so much desperation, so tight that it awoke you from your much needed slumber, you taste the salt waters again but this time it does not just remind you of your tears it reminds you of being alive, then you're breathless, you need the air. The hands pulls you to the surface with practiced ease and you take a big gasp of air. You gasp again choke on air and gasp again, you open your eyes that stings with the saltiness, you are not sure whether its from the ocean or your tears and now the light is too bright.

You hear a gasp, softer than yours before you feel the weight. You feel one of your hands can move and you wipe your eyes furiously to see who's crying so loudly. "You just fucking died in my arms you sick bitch", you can hear shoko crying. It takes a moment for everything to register. It takes you a whole minute to see the other figure who is slumped next to the foot of your bed. shoko lets you out of her embrace before tripping over to the figure. she kneels and takes a hold of the worn out white shirt "and how the fuck did you bring her back to life you bastard you did it so easily like you've practiced this before, i did not know you can do that", you both wince from her tone. he can do nothing but tighten his hold on your hand like you are his lifeline and the only thing that matters right now is you're breathing and when you look up you see the salty tears in satoru's eyes too and ypu see and feel that hand that is still afraid to let you go to make sure you won't plummet back into the sea he just brought you out of.

A/N: wrote this is one sitting in a span of an hour at 4 am and had the urge to immediately post it.

Please share your thoughts on this i would love to hear from you guys and reply to be added to the taglist.

Taglist: @satorugooner , @saoirses-things