#Huddles in the nest together as often as they can

[puppetmaster13u]

Well the brainrot is real.

So the war going outside, is the result of a failed marriage between Aquaman (Who in this world was never really taught kindness for his human half as Atlanteans killed his dad when retrieving him) and Wonder Woman, because during the wedding, Queen Hippolyta is killed. This is a plot of Aquaman's brother and his lover, but no one knows. And when WW eventually finds out and informs Aquaman said brother launches a failed attack that makes it look like WW led him into a trap. So Aquaman doesn't believe her and it's an utter mess lemme tell you.

But Anyway. Kal. Local test subject turned slightly feral (if polite) dad now. Has no clue what he's doing, but he's trying. Figures out what settles the smaller sorta-hims and how much they all need to eat and that holding them helps. Has pushed the scratchy blanket towards the edge of the blanket nest to bulk it up as he curls around the three babies. Very much in awe as one manages to determinedly grab onto his finger. Also very upset about them being here where they'll get sickly or trained like he was and is, but unable to express it.

Danny? Just doing his best to comfort his dad (this is his dad, even if the situation is fucked up) as best he can and is not letting go of this finger since he's too small to hold his hand. Also just realized, would Danny even know that the three of them are clones? @radiance1 @hdgnj ?

Got an Idea based off of our Reblogs of @radiance1 Danny Reincarnates as a Clone Prompt.

But. What if, it's in Flashpoint timeline. Now you might say, but wait, isn't that timeline destroyed? Actually there was a continuity where it didn't, and we got to see more of Batman Thomas Wayne. But that's not what I'm getting at Because more importantly? At least for this? Kal is stuck in a lab under Metropolis, treated as an experiment and specimen. Like literally known as Subject 1. He's been there since the ship crashed as a baby, never ended up with the Kents, has never seen the sun or anything. He's kept in a room with red sun lights and is visibly Not Healthy. So why not add in clones to this?

Now does Danny know why he reincarnated? No. He doesn't really remember. What he does know? Is that he's physically baby. And he thinks he might be sick?

He's not to sure what's happening at first, vision not the best while he adjusts to suddenly being aware and able to move. But he recognizes labs. He recognizes cold halls and is understandably upset.

He sees himself in the glass- a tiny toddler with black hair and inhumanely blue eyes wrapped in a blanket that feels scratchy against his skin. Then he's in a room- more akin to a box with a wall cot- too big for him- a desk, and toiletries. And then there's a face peering down at him, gaunt face of a teenager- maybe young adult- looking starved, the same inhumane blue eyes wide in near awe and perhaps a hint of panic as they let out a raspy chuff.

What the fuck kind of place is he at...?

[tetzoro]

˖˙ ꔫ — A STARRY SKY AND HOPEFUL EYE

꒰ synopsis ꒱ : nightly routines revolve around keeping watch with zoro, but today is extra special as you get to start his birthday off right with an intimate moment and a special gift.

꒰ contents ꒱ : zoro roronoa x reader ; alcohol mention. elements of hurt/comfort, tooth rotting fluff + filled with love. — WC : 1133

happy birthday zoro ♥︎

“I'm here, don’t be afraid. I won't let anything happen to you.” A familiar, gravelly tone pierces through the thick fog of fear that was slowly consuming you. Zoro’s voice was every bit of him as ever — strong, driven, confident, protective.

It serves as a reassuring melody that tugs on your delicate heartstrings, commanding the attention that you so readily give. A gentle reminder that you’re secure in his arms and safely tucked away from the winds of change and everything else that the Sunny is drifting past.

But it held a serene tenderness that would only surface when the two of you were alone and under the stars, sailing across the open sea where the only witness to your love was the pearly moon that dreamily hung overhead.

You hum softly as you begin to fully wake, feeling the words rumble from his chest and caress your back, soothing all of your fleeting worries away. Zoro had a gift when it came to chasing away demons, a renowned hunter that would protect you from anything that dare brought you harm.

“‘m sorry.” You pivot a little, readjusting yourself to nestle into him better. “I didn't mean to fall asleep.”

“What did I say about apologizing?” He roughly gruffs out, a direct juxtaposition to the careful way he was cradling you. “Another nightmare?”

“They come and they go.” The fear of the dream subsides as you take in the night that beautifully envelops you both. 

The stars begin to unveil themselves, gleams of hope scattered across the inky black sky. The sun had long since gone to rest but the night prevails as the two of you keep a watchful eye.

The vibrant colors that once bathed the sky in orange and pink hues were now stripped back without the comfort of the sun. 

Keeping watch was a task you and Zoro would often face together. The norm was that each person would take two hours to complete their shift but overtime, yours had blended together. From the birth of midnight into the early cusps of the morning, this little cozy corner of the world was yours.

Countless times you’ve found solace in each other’s quiet wakes. Words would come far and few in between in favor of soaking up the comforting presence that bloomed whenever you were together. 

Even still, the whispered exchanges were something that never failed to fill you with warmth in spite of the desolate chill of night.

“Get some rest. I'll make sure they don’t come back.” Zoro’s lips faintly brush against your temple in an attempt to ease your troubled mind. Everyone fell victim to the darkness that plagues dreams and he knew all too well the toll they could take.

“I wanna stay up with you.” The looming winter breeze glazes over your face, kissing along your skin in such a way that has you huddling to the source of warmth that surrounds you. “It's your birthday so I want to savor as much time with you as I can before the others wake up.” A pause. “Besides, I got you a little present.”

Zoro shifts a little so he has a clear view of your face, sharp gaze set on you. Mirth swims in his steely eye as he makes contact, lips twitching heavenward.

“A present, huh? Is that why you locked yourself in the crows nest yesterday?” It was true, you had shooed everyone away from the room under the guise of training. But Zoro knew better — you’d never deny him the chance to train with you but he didn’t push it, opting to train on the deck instead.

“Maybe….” You trail off, smiling sheepishly before sliding off of his lap to reach for the gift you had stowed away earlier. The shimmering moon provided enough light for you to see, casting a luminous glow that blankets you both in a loving embrace, glittering with an ethereal magic that only the depths of night could merit.

“You gonna show me or what?” He smirks, his face closer to yours as you settle back in front of him. You nuzzle his nose with the tip of your own, an act of affection he’s grown used to over the time you’ve been together.

Silently, you hand him the small box and your heart thumps viciously against your chest. He opens the tiny, yet neat packaging and is quiet for a moment as he examines what lays within. 

In the box was a carefully leather braided bracelet with a singular bead woven in.

“You like it?” You falter for a moment. Before he can answer, you begin to nervously ramble. “I tucked my vivre card in the bead. That way if we’re ever apart, we can always find each other again.”

There's another pause and the only thing you can hear is your heart screaming for relief as it pounds against the cage of your ribs. Like clockwork, it eases back down as Zoro's face glimmers with an expression you hardly see, one that’s reserved for you during your most intimate moments.

“Hell yeah I like it.” Zoro's cheeks blossom into a soft pink, calloused thumb gliding over the textured leather. His voice becomes nothing but a fresh breath of air. “This is special.”

“It’s…” The word ‘nothing’ escapes you because it couldn’t be further from the truth. It means everything to you. Plus, he’d only chastise you for downplaying such a thing. “Good, I'm glad you do.”

“Put it on me.” Zoro demands, pulling you up into his lap. You hold onto his hand and gently wrap the bracelet around, the pads of your fingers trailing along his skin and he has to hold back a shudder. With a few simple motions, you tighten it so it’s secure and snug but not too much. 

The sunless sky shines again as Zoro smiles at the gift, the light warming you from the inside out and chasing away the chill of night.

“Thank you.” Zoro wraps his arm around your waist, nuzzling his face against your cheek and leaving a kiss there in his wake.

“Of course.” Tension rolls off of your shoulders with the acceptance he so readily gives you. All day, anxiety flooded your veins and took the breath from your lungs as you tried your best to make the perfect gift for him. You even went as far as — “Oh! I almost forgot. I got you something in case you didn’t like it.”

Zoro makes a noise of protest but it almost immediately dies out as he sees you pull his favorite brand of sake out from where you hid it — comically wrapped up in a pink bow.

“Well I'd never say no to this.” He lets out a puff of amusement, taking the bottle from your hand and opening it with ease. “What do you say? Up to share a little drink with the birthday boy?”

“Duh.” A giggle spills from your lips as you watch him hide his smirk with the neck of the bottle, taking a healthy swig. Some of the sake drips down from the corner of his mouth in which you easily scoop it up with your finger, bringing it to your own lips to clean it off. 

He leans in to give you a sweet, sake infused kiss. The slight burn of the alcohol dies down as his eager tongue swipes along your bottom lip, soothing the flames away and drenching you in adoration.

In a few hours, the rest of the crew would wake and who knows what they had planned for Zoro. But right now, with the stars as your only witnesses, this moment was for just the two of you. 

And Zoro couldn’t imagine a better way to start his day than having his favorite person in his lap, a bottle of sake in his hand, and the warmth of love that buries itself into his heart when he looks at the gift you made him.

thank you so much for reading ( ྀི∩˃ ᵕ ˂∩) i hope you enjoyed ! ♥︎

[crowntism]

Dates with the bishops

I made this blog just so I could be gay in public lets GOOOO

Includes: Leshy, Heket, Kallamar, Shamura, and Narinder.

Leshy

Bishop form:

Dates with Bishop Leshy come in two flavors. Bad day dates and Good day dates.

Bad day dates often include terrorizing and causing absolute havoc across his domain, as there are two things that can make any day better for him. Spending time with you and terrorizing the people who live in Darkwood.

Sometimes he'll ask you how you want a village terrorized or how you'd like a certain follower killed. He understands if its not really your thing, but thought he'd ask anyways.

By the end of a bad day date he's exhausted and ready to curl up with you and "sleep". Bishops, being gods, don't need to sleep but regardless he loves curling up in a nest of moss and leaves and gently petting your head while you sleep. It rejuvenates him in a way nothing else can.

Good day dates on the other hand are much more chill. He takes you around Darkwood to see the beauty of the forest. He shows you every hidden nook and cranny of his territory and even shows you the hidden garden he has.

Its deep within the heart of the woods, so none ever tread in there, not even his own siblings. Its truly his home away from home. Its a field covered in a variety of flowers, some not even found normally in Darkwood, and its one of the most beautiful sights you've ever seen.

Most of your time spent there is Leshy curled around you while you try to weave a flower crown big enough for him. You can never get it long enough but its the thought that counts.

Follower form:

Dates are far less chaotic now, as he's fully lost his ability to see and it scares him a little. Most dates are led by you now as a result.

He still loves causing chaos, so some dates are spent pranking others until you (or the Lamb) put a stop to it.

Other dates are spent with you taking him slightly further from camp to go look for interesting rocks. While Leshy can't see the rocks, the texture and shapes are still appealing. You also try to find interesting flowers that smell nice.

Leshy often keeps the interesting things you find in his shelter, hoarding them for when he has his off days.

Speaking of off days, dates on those days consist entirely of staying in. Huddling up in his shelter so he can run his hands across you, mapping out your face and body shape in his mind so he never forgets you. If you were already dating while he was a bishop, he knows what you look like through the crowns eye, and his biggest fear is forgetting that knowledge. So it never hurts to remind himself.

Heket

Bishop form:

Dates with Heket often involve food. One of her favorites is to go to every village in her domain and demand they feed the two of you. If they refuse to feed you, she'll cast the worst famine they've seen before leaving them to slowly starve to death. If they feed you and you don't like the food, she'll slaughter the main cook. However, if they make a food you genuinely enjoy, their crops will be blessed. Villages that are closer together often collaborate to try and make the best dishes possible to ensure not only survival, but her blessings as well.

Dates that don't involve food are rarer but consist of her taking you out to safely see Anura's beauty. All bishops are proud of their domains, and her pride is the bountiful crops. Although Anura is known for its pumpkins, it also has an abundance of apples. Orchards are everywhere and she loves taking you to her favorites to show them off.

Apple picking dates are her way of getting you out of her temple and doing... something. She is very protective of you and doesn't let you out of her sight regardless, but at least now you don't have several cult members and servants doing literally everything for you! She also adores picking you up and holding you so you can reach apples higher up on the tree.

Follower form:

Dates with food are now rarer, as she doesn't have the abilities of the crown to dull the pain her throat is in. Most dates are spent on the outskirts of the camp just basking in silence.

When a date does involve food, it mainly involves the preparation. Harvesting, gathering, hunting, even just cooking the food. Her relationship with food is odd now, as with the yellow crown she was in a constant state of hunger and being uncomfortably full is an awful feeling, so she doesn't typically eat with you. She loves watching you eat what she makes though and loves knowing that even though she had caused famines in the past you'd never go hungry with her.

On her off days she doesn't even want to be around food, and with the cooks almost always working to feed the many mouths of the cult its best to take her further away. You take her back out to Anura, sticking close to trails already traveled, just to get her away and relaxed.

Kallamar

Bishop form:

Bishop Kallamar has many partners, so dates are actually very sparse. He wants all of his consorts to feel loved and cherished so he has a very strict schedule.

He often changes up dates depending on if he believes one of his consorts has been neglected. If he feels he hasn't been giving you enough attention he takes you around to different storefronts, encouraging you to get whatever you'd like. Sugar daddy behavior in that he'd buy you countless of the most expensive items for whatever hobby you choose. You're a painter? The finest paints and the best canvas for you. Seamstress? Only the richest and most vibrant of fabrics for you.

On normal dates he'd take you to a theater. He's big on theater and had quite a few built in his domain. Most of the plays are about him and his accomplishments but he does allow a few others. Most of them are sappy love stories as the guy is a bit of a romantic.

Group dates are also a must! Most group dates are held within the temple and involve dinner or his consorts favorite plays. He will literally start kidnapping people if you wish to see a play.

If you desire something lower key than a play that's fine too! Anchordeep is a beautiful place filled with wonder and he'd be more than happy to guide you through his favorite places.

Follower form:

Kallamar is kind of agoraphobic. He's no longer as powerful as he used to be and is actually very susceptible to disease and illness. Most dates you two will have are spent entirely inside.

He no longer has his other consorts (most of them either abandoned him or believed him to be dead) so dates are far more frequent. He genuinely hates being alone, so you pretty much live with him now.

Creative dates are a must have, whether the two of you are drawing or crafting or painting, he likes to keep his hands and tentacles busy with things of beauty.

If you're comfortable with it you often become the model for him. He's so happy when you agree and hes even happier when he manages to capture your beauty.

The walls are filled with images of you two together.

If you manage to get him out of his shelter then one of his favorite things to do is spend time in the river. He misses Anchordeep and the water, so taking him swimming is a must.

On his bad days its best to just spend time in bed. Nothing he creates turns out right and the outside world is terrifying. Just curl up with him and whisper sweet nothings to him, that's all he asks of you.

Shamura

Bishop form:

Shamura is, unfortunately, very forgetful nowadays. It's best to write down when your dates are and put them in noticeable spots for them to see.

Dates with them are often spent in their personal library, the two of you cuddled up in a silk hammock reading quietly. Whenever you request something they send a cultist or a servant to get whatever you wish just so you don't have to leave the comfort.

Other times dates are spent watching fight pits. Shamura allows you to decide if the loser lives or dies. Their fates are entirely within your hands.

Dates around Silk Cradle are rarer for Shamura, as they are forgetful and don't want to accidentally abandon you to the dangers outside. When they do take you out, its often with an accompaniment. Their most trusted followers who, should Shamura have an episode and leave abruptly, can guide you back to the temple safely.

Follower form:

Just like with bishop Shamura, you need to remind them of dates. Unlike with bishop Shamura, however, they don't have as many responsibilities. Meaning that the notes they have to sort through are fewer and they have a better chance at noticing and remembering.

Dates are kept close to the camp, the risk of Shamura having an episode and wandering off are too great, so it's best to stick around a place where they have reminders of their new life. You manage to get a library built in camp for them though, so most dates are spent the same way as with the bishop form.

On bad days, you don't really have dates. Bad days involve massive amounts of panic, they barely remember who you are or where they are, so the day is spent calming them down and going through some exercises to help them.

They always feel immense guilt over these days, so the dates afterwards are spent showering them in affection and attention.

Narinder

(No bishop form because my man was locked away for like. 1000+ years who knows what changed in the world since he was locked away. Instead imagine constantly dying just so the devil can go "heyyyyy lets go on a date in hell" but hell is an empty foggy void and his two kids are staring at you autisticly.)

Follower form:

Dates with Narinder often involve exploring. He was locked away for so long and finally gets a second chance and he's going to take advantage of it.

He refuses to hold your hand until you're further away from people, and then he latches on and refuses to let go. He's already dealt with so much loss in life, he's not willing to lose his partner even if its just a walk through the Lambs territory.

Loves exploring destroyed villages with you, though he denies it as soon as your back is turned he's burying the skeletal remains of villagers to give them a proper farewell from the world. He may not be the god of death any longer, but the will remains.

Pays his respects to every grave he sees, at least until you turn around and look at him and he's suddenly 4 feet from the grave terrorizing a small bug.

He HATES pda, but alone in the woods with you he'll start to get affectionate. Secretly loves holding your hand and pressing kisses to your face. Nuzzling is a must for this cat as well.

The rare few times you've had a date closer to camp it's spent sun bathing. Just laying on the grass being warmed by the firey star.

The date is over as soon as somebody else notices you two and he's sprinting away.

[icypenguin]

★~ Genshin mondstadt men cuddle headcanons!

HELLOOOOO TYSM FOR READING THE FONTAINE ONEEEE IM SORRY THIS TOOK QUITE A LONG TIME BUT WELL THERE ARE PRETTY MUCH CHARACTERS SO HEHED YEAH… BUT ANYWAYYY I HOPE YOU’RE HAVING A WONDERFUL DAY SO PLEASE ENJOYYYYYY!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

★~ Kaeya: sometimes.. cuddling sessions can be a lot more. we all know he’s a flirty one, right? but anyway your cuddle sessions can’t always be predicted. as the calvary captain is always busy, you don’t know when he’s free. but every time he takes his day off, he would spend it with you! if you guys are lazy then well… the bed turns into your nest. he will tell stories of his every adventure and about his day too while you lay your head on his chest (your personal pillow) and your other hand holding his. he would caress your hand in a circling motion just like he is on your waist. he would whisper sweet things into your ear, perhaps he would nibble it as a suprise that would make you jump. on tiring days, you would make tea for the both of you infront of the fireplace. his head on your lap as you massage his head and shoulders. he would shower you with kisses after and you both will fall asleep.

★~ Diluc: xijhdoihwlks he’s literally a human-sized heater!!! i don’t think he’s much of a cuddly bear type but imagine sitting on his lap late at night when he just got him while drinking dandelion wine, your head on his shoulder and his hand caressing your waist!!!!!!!🤫🤫 ORRR cuddling him from behind while giving him a late night snack! then you would massage his head and shoulders. it will lure him to go to bed and cuddle more. on rainy nights, he would tuck you to bed and in the covers, he would keep you close with him. your head will be under his chin and your legs will get tagled. ofcourse, he wouldn’t forget the night routine of kissies before bed! he would kiss every inch of you body and sometimes it would tickle. in the end, he would kiss hand hands and each of your fingers while making promises of loving you.

★~ Albedo: well.. he is often to be in the mountains but that’s no excuse. if you ever visit him, he would invite you for a hot cocoa (or idk a hot drink) and you both will snuggle outside his lab, huddled in blankets, watching the snow fall from the sky to the ground. he would have his hand around you and your head on your shoulder. he would try to keep you as warm as possible, and that’s by giving cheesypickuplinesthatwouldmakeyoulikeatomato (as long as it works). sometimes, klee joins in and teases both of you. if he’s not in the mountains, you’ll cuddle with him while sightseeing. stargazing is one of his favourite too, you both will lay on the grass while connecting the stars above your head. he always manages to catch a heart pattern everytime you both do it together. he always holds your hand no matter what and he always kiss them as a bid for goodnight.

★~ Venti: cuddling by the windrise treeee! you will sit on the branch while eating an apple with venti as he talks about his day and other things. then you’ll go down and sit under the tree. venti would tell you to lay your head and you would, on his lap. he would play the lyre for you as you slumber off to sleep, then he would play with your hair before falling asleep as well. on late nights, the nights where none of you could sleep, you’ll cuddle on the hand of the anemo archon statue. he would bring apple for a late night snack and you’ll bring fuzzy blankets. there, you both will snuggle upon eachother while telling about your days or even stargazing. he would have his arms around your waist as you lay your head on his shoulder and his lay ontop of yours (basically snuggling or smt like that ehehe). he would crave for your warmth and you both will have a kiss count while dozing off to sleep. he would ofcourse play lullabies for you to sleep.

★~ Bennett (platonic): cuddle night with bennet is always warming. he’ll set up a bonfire where you both would snuggle by it with a thin blanket over your shoulders. he often lay his head on your shoulder or lap. and you would be there caressing his head. i feel like these nights would be a tough one for him. he would likely to tell you about his unlucky luck and how he’s sorry for everything he’s done (poor guy, pls hug him tightly :(. ) i honestly think he crave for warmth and the loving feeling by someone. to be in someone’s arms comfortably. he would trace doodles on your skin and you would do the same. on rainy days, you both will make a tent to shelter at and snuggle with eachother, trying to find the warm feeling. you both will intertwine hand to stay warm. you both will do the best to keep eachother warm. he would hold on to you tight, he’d never want to leave anyone’s hold. he loves affection, that’s all he needed.

★~ Razor (platonic): WOLFIEEEE HE WOULD BE RLLY FUZZYYYY ESPECIALLY HIS HAIRRRIJHDOJSNJKDNOJD you would want to cuddle with it all day long! it’s literally like a plushie! he would let you cuddle his hair or even combing it! in the night, you sometimes would have a sleepover with him (with the wolves in the wild wooohooo :D)! you guys (you both and the wolves) will snuggle up like baby wolves. all you could feel are their fur and razor’s fluffy hair! sometimes, you will cradle razor like a baby wolf :3 a fuzzy one. he would snuggle upon you just like he is snuggling with the other wolves! his favourite thing to do is to lay his head on ur tummy and play with your hair. sometimes you both will watch the sunset together by the cliff. he would tell you about his adventure with his wolf family while you both intertwined hands and your head on his shoulder (that’s covered with his hair).

★~ Mika (platonic): he might be a bit busy but he would always spare a time for you. you both love to watch the sunset and well as stargazing together on the cliff after a tiring day. although he would still be pretty shy and not that open, you assure him with affection. he would play with your hair while you trace some doodles on his arms. you would often poke his cheeks as you thought “it’s as squishy as a chewy dango”, and he would be all shy by it. but as a payback, he likes to boop your nose while making a random sound effect. he loves to hold you hand, it’s like his anxiety and worry got washed away and is replaced by happiness. you also like to lay your head on his shoulder as his face would be like a tomato and you always tease him for it. you both love telling how your day went and what you’re looking forward to for the future.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

THANKYOU FOR READINGGG IM SORRY IF THIS UM SUCKS.. BUT I HOPE U ALL ENJOYED THISS!!! ADVICES ARE ACCEPTED THANKYOUUU

[animatorweirdo]

Unexpected companionship

Melkor had been yearning for something else for a while, tired of his duties and responsibilities. So, one day, when he noticed a group of young dragons leaving Angband, he decided to follow but what he found was not what he expected.

(I was roleplaying around in chatgpt with this concept and it turned out rather wholesome in the end that I wanted to write it. hope you enjoy it too.)

Warnings: Mentions of abandonment, blindness, and living alone in dangerous woods. Melkor surprisingly does not do anything evil this time.

------------------------------------

Melkor was brooding in his darkened halls. Overseeing his conquest of Middle Earth and defeating his enemies gave him a certain amount of relief and pleasure, but nowadays, he was yearning for something else. The Silmarils weighed heavily upon his crown, and dealing with everyday affairs involving his subjects, captains, and lieutenants had grown into an arduous task. He yearned for something new, a temporary respite from his responsibilities. 

It was not often he would desire something else than reaching his goal to conquer and become the true ruler of Arda and claiming all rightfully his, such as the silmarils that laid upon his head and now he had such a feeling, which sometimes frustrated him as he could never tell if he was tired or simply bored. He was also never sure what he should do to fulfill that desire. 

Unexpectedly, that day arrived sooner than he had anticipated, as he began to observe an unusual pattern unfolding among his dragons.

A group of hatchlings have been leaving the nesting grounds each day in a strange group. It was strange because his dragons are solitary creatures, so seeing them depart and return together was odd. Usually, he does not care what his abominations do, but since this had been happening for some time he got curious, so one day – he decided to follow them. 

He took up his disguise as a dark cloud and followed the hatchlings when it was time for them to leave for their next trip. They led him away from Angband to a dense forest. There was a human village which left him curious as there were no mountains where the hatchlings could hide their treasures, and the human village had been left untouched, so what in Illuvatar’s name could they be doing here? 

Melkor continued on foot and followed the hatchling’s sounds of shrieks and what seemed to be… purring. 

He found himself watching a lonely cottage, and to his surprise, he found the hatchlings surrounding a lone mortal woman, huddled up close to her and purring affectionately while the woman only smiled and petted them like children. 

It was such a strange sight. His dragons, typically born wild and scarcely malleable, weren't inclined toward affection or submission by nature. Yet, before him, they stood unusually gentle and tranquil, treating this woman as though she were their own mother. How on earth was this maiden capable of such a thing? And not only that, she didn’t seem to be bothered in the slightest by the sight of them. 

He contemplated if he should confront the woman, but he could not contain his curiosity and decided to appear as a mere stranger to avoid alarming the woman. He then stepped out of the shadows. 

The hatchlings noticed his presence immediately and watched him cautiously. You stared at them, feeling confused until you heard footsteps. Turning your gaze towards the direction from which the sounds emanated, you saw him.

“Good evening, my fair lady,” Melkor began, his voice carrying a pleasant tone. “Forgive me for disturbing you, but I couldn't help but notice you are surrounded by these splendid creatures. I am intrigued, for they are renowned for their aggressiveness. I wonder how you have achieved such a remarkable thing?” he said. 

“Oh— hello, good sir,” you greeted with a smile. 

“Uhmm…well… I do not know about them being aggressive. They can sometimes be a bit sassy to me, but other times they’re nothing but sweethearts to me,” you smiled softly as one of the dragons pushed its head against your palm, purring in delight. “Fascinating…” Melkor uttered as he watched you. “And you’re not afraid of these creatures?” he questioned, and you softly laughed. “Of course not. They have done nothing to harm me. On the contrary, they have kept me company and sometimes helped me find food,” you explained. “Even though I’m not quite certain what they are… All I know is they’re big lizards with wings. Do you possibly know what they are, good sir?” you looked up to him. 

“They’re known as… dragons, my fair lady. Fierce creatures of fire and destruction. They have a quiet reputation outside these woods,” Melkor answered. 

“Dragons…?” you said curiously. “Oh, I think I have heard about them, nothing nice thought,” you answered. “But honestly, they don’t remind me of anything I heard in the passing rumors. They actually kinda remind me of oversized cats with scales and wings,” you giggled, making him crack a rare smile. He then remembered what you said earlier. “They keep you… company?” he questioned. 

“Yes. It can get kinda lonely in these woods. I don’t often get visitors, but one day I encountered one of these little fellows— they have been visiting me ever since.” you smiled fondly. “May I ask how that happened?” Melkor asked. 

“Well… one day, I was gathering some berries and found this one trapped in a cruel hunter’s snare,” you said, gently scratching beneath the dragon perched on your shoulder. “I couldn't bring myself to leave him there; he would have become easy prey for predators or hunters,” you explained. "He did snap at me for a long time and bit me, but when his wing got better, he turned into the most affectionate cuddle bug in the world. Then, he brought his friends along, and they have been keeping me company ever since,” you said.

“Honestly, they have been treating me better than most people. Not even my own family come to visit me this often,” you said, gaining the dark Valar’s attention. 

“And why is that, If I may ask?” Melkor tilted his head in curiosity.

“Well – if my eyes and raggedy appearance were not obvious enough. It's because I’m blind, good sir,” you confessed, making Melkor look at you with surprise. You looked so normal that he didn’t take you for a blind person, but now that he looked at you – he could see some strange mist behind your eyes, and your clothes did look very poor. It explained a lot to him, like why you didn’t seem afraid of his creations or him in fact. 

“My apologies. I wasn’t aware you were incapable of seeing,” Melkor apologized. “It’s fine. I got told many times that I don’t look blind, so I’m used to people assuming,” you softly smiled with a dismissing hand. 

“I was born blind, and my family did not want to take extra responsibility for me. Unfortunately for people like me, it's rather common to be left to live alone in woods like this, and that is what my family did to me,” you explained with a saddened look. “They tried to explain that I would be much safer if I lived here, but I guessed their true intentions when they stopped visiting me so often and got used to the sounds of wolves howling each night,” you took a deep sigh.

“Sometimes I think they wish that I tragically end up getting eaten by the wolves, taken by how surprised they always sound when they visit,” you said.

“That sounds…rather cruel. To put into a situation like that, especially for something you couldn't control since birth,” Melkor thoughtfully said. “Indeed… but I learned my way around here, so it's fine,” you replied. 

“You know, being blind is rather interesting in a way. You focus so much more on your sense of hearing and smell that it feels like it's a totally new world,” you explained. “And since you cannot see, nothing truly looks pretty or ugly to you,” you giggled. 

“And also…” you looked down upon the hatchlings with a fond smile. “I stopped being lonely when these little friends started visiting me, so I’m happy,” you said while petting one of them. 

Melkor sensed an odd feeling of warmth within his chest after listening to you talk and watching you look at his creations with such a fond expression. It was an unfamiliar feeling, and oddly he liked it. 

“Oh, sorry for rambling. You most likely do not want to hear my sob story,” you glanced apologetically. 

“It's fine, my fair lady. I asked, and you answered,” Melkor said sweetly. “On the contrary, I find your resolve to find positivity in things despite your rough predicament admirable and your ability to navigate the world without eyesight remarkable. And you possess a gentle heart even for creatures hated by others which is a rare thing in this world,” he explained smoothly. “Oh— you flatter me too much, good sir,” you said with a flush which made him smirk. 

“If my fair lady permits it — may I join you for a chat? I would love to hear more about your time with these creatures,” Melkor asked.

“Oh— certainly!” you exclaimed, clapping your hands together. “I would love for you to join. I’m afraid I do not have any refreshments to offer, though,” you said.

"Your company is more than enough," he said politely.

“Ah… if you say so,” you smiled at him. “Perhaps you could share stories and news of the outside world. They rarely come around here,” you suggested.

“Of course, a fair exchange,” Melkor answered as he sat beside you, and you both talked and shared stories. You were completely unaware of whom you were conversing with, but Melkor did not mind as he found his remedy for his yearning for something else.

[spacefinch]

Pokemon headcanons!

Combining my passion for Pokemon with my fascination for field guides!

The Pokedex entries do have some fun tidbits about the Pokemon, but are a bit lacking in biological and behavioral information. I have decided to remedy that, starting with some hc's about bird Pokemon.

Starly/Staravia/Staraptor

In the wild, Staraptors mate for life and reuse the same nesting site over several years. Every year, they add onto the nest. Abandoned Staraptor nests are sometimes taken over by Noctowl.

The young Starly stay with their Staraptor parents for up to two months. Once they leave the nest, they join a creche of juvenile Starly. Over time, the birds in a creche will form very strong bonds with one another.

Starly and Staravia both have a gregarious lifestyle. There are reports of their flocks numbering in the hundred thousands, or even millions. What's more, they can fly in almost perfect sync-- forming a mesmerizing murmuration. It is thought that this behavior evolved to confuse predators.

When Staravia are ready to evolve, they leave the flock and become solitary birds. However, they still retain some social instincts-- one of which is allopreening (preening or grooming another bird). Mated Staraptor will preen each other to strengthen their pair bond, and even non-mated Staraptor have been observed allopreening.

Staraptors will even groom other species of Pokemon, although this is more likely to happen with a trained Staraptor than a wild one. Sometimes they will even try to preen their Trainer's hair!

Since Starly and its evolutions are social species, it's reccomended that a trainer have at least one other Pokemon already in their possession before catching a Starly.

Their crests are more for show than for function. No matter what evolutionary stage, members of this line spend a lot of energy keeping their crests in tip-top shape.

Fletchling/Fletchinder/Talonflame

Female Talonflame can be up to 30 percent larger than the males (sometimes called tiercels.)

In the winter, flocks of Fletchlings huddle together for warmth. Sometimes there can be 20 or even 30 birds in one small hollow!

While the Starly family's crests are used mainly for display, Fletchinder and Talonflame use their crests for communication. A relaxed bird keeps its crest lowered, but if excited or agitated, it will raise its crest.

It is thought that Fletchinder and Talonflame evolved their fire-typing in order to give them an advantage hunting grass- and bug-type Pokemon, their main prey. Another theory is that they became fire-type to better deal with cold climates.

Fletchling and Fletchinder hunt prey in either one of two methods. The first method-- flycatching-- involves sitting on a fixed perch and flying out to snatch smaller Pokemon. The second method involves pursuing the prey on foot, often in a run-stop-run pattern.

Talonflame mostly prey upon smaller bird Pokemon, even ones that have a type advantage over them. When they spot prey, they "stoop" or make a near-vertical dive, then strike said prey with their talons. This stuns or even kills the prey upon impact.

Despite behaving much like Staraptor, Talonflame is actually more closely related to psittacine Pokemon such as Chatot and Squawkabilly. The fact that Staraptor and Talonflame are so similar is a result of convergent evolution.

[fairy-verse]

What kind of relationship do Error and Nightmare have?

Withering and death, that’s what they’re often associated with, and as they often brood and hide away within the nests, it is not difficult to see that this burden partakes in weighing down their shoulders.

There is a mutual understanding between them. After all, they’re very similar in many ways, and despite Dream and Ink being so comforting and warm, they could never fully understand how Nightmare and Error are affected by the very seasons they represent.

Autumn and Winter are cold and often gloomy, and it’s within Nightmare and Error’s instinct to huddle into a warm nest to keep safe, even though their own season doesn’t affect them. It is also because of this reason that – unlike Dream and Ink who lives in small nests where only a handful of fairies can stay at a time – Nightmare and Error essentially surround themselves with their subjects. Their homes are large enough to house every fairy in their domain, though also in doing this they’ve also given themselves an opportunity to get assistance when it’s time to come out again. After all, their fairies must often coax them out so that they may enjoy the outside world as well, and while Nightmare is more agreeable on that front, Error will eventually sway to the gentle words of his own winter fairies.

Both Nightmare and Error’s bodies carry a certain cold touch to them, though as they cuddle closely together, another kind of warmth sparks between them, bringing them satisfying comfort. They are different, but at the same time, so incredibly similar.

[eukaryotesrool]

Meerkats

Suricata suricatta (mind the t) also known as a suricate.

(Meerkats may huddle together for warmth. Their burrows also provide much needed thermoregulation)

They're Feliforms, and the kat genuinely does mean cat, the word meerkat was used to reference a variety of small burrowing animals from Africa for quite some time. A possible origin for the word meerkat comes from Afrikaans, the word mierkatte or meerkatte can be used to refer to meerkats or the yellow mongoose, it means 'ant cat'.

(So wittle)

They hail from the family Herpestidae, making them a type of mongoose, they are one of the smallest mongoose, dwarf mongoose (genus Helogale) and maybe some species of Galerra are smaller than meerkats.

I imagine most of you heard the black spots around their eyes reduce glare, allowing them to spot their aerial predators, also, they have a strong venom immunity, useful as they sometimes make meals of scorpions and small snakes.

They also have a 19% conspecific (happening within a species) death rate, meaning they commit murder, a lot, we war monkeys and our war primate brethren were estimated to have a 2% conspecific death rate, which is high by the way, meerkats just so happen to have the highEST recorded conspecific death rate, kneel to the lords of murder.

(The murder lord council)

It is mostly infanticide, see, they have strict hierarchy which puts great value on giving birth. The dominant male and dominant female of a mob (group of meerkats) have children, a lot, depending on the how prosperous the year is, and the lowly subordinent meerkats ('plebkats' if you will) help to take care of them, and fulfil other roles of the mob, they have a very highly developed social system with up to 30 meerkats in a mob, and a large number of calls for different types of predators, passive contact calls, and more!

If a year is particularly prosperous the plebkats will be allowed to have some children, less than the supreme overlords of course (very generous)

(The one on the right looks silly)

Meerkats feed on a variety of prey, by and far butterflys, moths, and beetles make up the bulk of their diet, they get most the water they need from their prey, but in the dry seasons they'll eat fruit to get their necessary hydration.

They nest with other types of small burrowing animals, such as the yellow mongoose, most of these animals take up a different dietary niche, and therefore it they don't eat eachother's chow, they may or may not dig their own burrow.

(They can see your sins)

Considered least concern by the IUCN meerkats are often kept around by farmers because of how many Lepidopterans (order of butterflies/moths, they are often harmful to crops) they consume, though, they can carry rabies, various parasites, and more, so admire the adorable lords of murder from a distance.

[thebluestbluewords]

Polyshipweek 2023 Day 2: Huddling For Warmth

Rotten ot4, only this prompt got wildly out of control and I didn’t get to the ot4 part yet. So right now it’s just Jay/Mal and the larger poly relationship is implied. No word count for today because we are going directly from notes app to tumblr. Yay writing! +

“F-uu-ck y-you,” Mal grits out, trying to keep the shivers out of her voice. “I’m f-f-fine. I don’t need you to baby me like I’m some kind of pathetic princess. I can keep myself warm.” 

“Sure you can, killer,” Jay agrees, still pulling his own crusty pile of blankets closer. “But it’s cold as balls outside, and we don’t have heat anymore after somebody decided to try and light the building on fire, so if you don’t mind too much, I’d like to wake up alive, and not frozen to a popsicle.” 

Mal’s shivering so hard she can’t muster a comeback to that, which is really all the invitation that Jay seems to need to just insert himself into her space. 

The body heat doesn’t register for a moment, because Mal’s body is wrapped in so many layers that nothing but the cold can get through. 

Then the idea of warmth hits, and Jay is working his way through her layers, twisting them up and out of the way so he can shove inside with his own, wrapping them both in the layers of old worn-out fabric that make it over to the isle. They don’t get many proper blankets, because they don’t get much of anything, but they get enough shitty fabric to piece together a decent quilt, and Mal’s status as her mother’s daughter means that she’s got a single heavy fleece blanket as her foundation layer, which Jay peels back with a contented sigh.  “You’re letting the cold in,” Mal complains, but it’s halfhearted because he’s also letting his own little pocket of warmth in, and it’s so far from the cold that she’s been feeling that it’s worth the momentary exposure. “Get in quicker.” 

“Yeah, yeah,” Jay says, pulling his own blankets along with himself into their little nest. “I’m going as fast as I can, little dragon. Do you want our heads covered too?” 

The blankets smell like sweaty teenager and mildew, but the warmth of their breath will help fill the space. 

“Yes.” Mal decides. They can take them off later, when they need the line of sight again. 

“Sure,” Jay agrees, easily, pulling the top corner of his blanket over both of their heads. There’s a hole in the corner. There’s not much light in the attic of their abandoned warehouse, so it’s not like there’s some dramatic single piece of light filtering through to frame Jay’s face and make him look like some handsome storybook prince. Not like Mal would want that anyway. Isle kids make do, and they don’t wish that somebody would come along with money and power and resources to sweep them away. “Better than being cold, right?” 

“You’re crushing my legs,” Mal complains

It’s marginally warmer together, at least. Jay’s right about that. “I’m not sure if your body heat is worth being crushed half to death.” 

"It totally is," Jay sighs, and tips his head down so that his forehead is resting against Mal's, their faces smashed half together in the small warm space of their blankets. "Not freezing to death is the most worth it." 

Mal wiggles until her leg pops free of Jay's weight. It's not like he's exactly heavy (it's not like any of her crew gets enough food to really be considered heavy) but he's bigger than her, and she's been trying to push any extra scraps she gets at him. It's more useful to have one of them most-of-the-way healthy than all of them starving together. 

It's easy to tip her head to the side, to brush their lips together. Jay's breath is hot, but his mouth is still cold from the frigid air in the warehouse they've been calling home for the last few months. They don't kiss often, because caring about people is how you get attached, and attachment can be a point of weakness that none of them can afford, but sometimes a little kissing can be okay. They can afford that. They can work together to get more than they could apart, and they can share body heat, because it's better to survive together than to die alone, even if it is what their parents would consider a weakness. 

Speaking of their parents, Mal should really stop by her mother's castle sometime. The old stones there get cold, and maybe if she's lucky, the old bat will have frozen to death, and Mal'll be able to grab some more of her things before the spell kicks in and defrosts her again. 

"D'you think--" Jay starts, and then stops when Mal bites him. 

"What." Mal whispers, mouth right up against his, teeth sharp and not quite bloody. 

Jay makes a strangled noise that might be a groan. "D'you think that the others are surviving the night?" he whispers. "It gets cold. In the castle. And--" 

"We don't have the layers to go out and get your boyfriend," Mal says softly. "We can't. If we go outside in this we'll freeze, or even if we do make it up to their street, we don't have a way of getting in. I can't climb the vines up to Evie's window in this kind of cold. My hands will get too stiff to grip the vines, and that's if they're not too cold and brittle to hold me up. We can't get into the castle through the main door without being caught, and the same goes for the manor. If we leave here, we're more likely to freeze than we are to actually help them. We can't leave without making things worse." 

"I know," Jay whispers, like maybe if he keeps his voice low, it won't be true. "But Evie's tower doesn't have a fireplace, M." 

Evie's tower gets cold in the winter, hot in the summer, and barely tolerable in between. She's got even less body fat than the two of them, and the thought of Evie shivering through the night alone isn't an image that Mal wants to linger on. "She has blankets. And-- and her mother isn't stupid. They might've moved into the main hall for tonight." 

"Maybe," Jay agrees. "But maybe not." 

"We can't do anything about it. Not without risking our own lives, and I'm not about to freeze myself on the off chance that we can get in and help the others." 

Jay nods, the motion small and tight in the cramped space under their shared blankets. It's notably warmer with the two of them together, and Mal's face almost has all of the feeling back in it again. "Freezing to death sucks." 

Mal's never done it before. "Yeah," she agrees anyway. There's really no comfortable way to die on the Isle. The spell around the island always brings you back before too long, but the hangover you get from dying is worse than what you'll get from a night drinking the pirate's bathtub homebrew. "If we could save them, we would. But it's stupid to go out and freeze ourselves too and leave all of us vulnerable." 

Jay breathes, and Mal can feel the warmth of his breath on her face, against her lips, and she shivers from the heat of it. It's not fair that they get to share this, and leave Evie and Carlos out on their own to deal with the cold, but there's precious few options available to them, and it's not worth trying to be heroes and save them when it means sacrificing themselves. They're villains, raised and trapped with other villains, and there's no point in trying to be better than what they've been raised to be. 

“We're going to pick them up in the morning," Jay says, and there's something solid in his voice that makes Mal want to argue. She's never met a rule she didn't want to break, after all. "I'm going. With or without you." 

Mal breathes, and then tries not to breathe too deeply anymore, because they've started to actually warm up now and their blankets could really, really use a wash. "Agreed. Tomorrow morning, as soon as the sun comes out and starts defrosting things, we go and get them." 

[kuciradio]

Neon Lights and Spectacular Sights Abound at Desert Daze 2022

By K. Chastain / Photography by K. Chastain

As I walk up to the sandy shore of Lake Perris, it feels too good to be true. The sun is just beginning to set, casting ripples of shimmering light onto the surface of the lake. This place is truly an oasis in the place you would least expect to find it – southeast of Los Angeles, out of reach of the sprawling city – and I always look forward to coming here each year. I’m joined by thousands of eager attendees who are spending the weekend camping here overnight, often traveling hours or even flying out to make sure they don’t miss the festival experience. And, as the sun sinks below the skyline and the sand starts to cool under my feet, I understand why.

The beach has been full of eager swimmers for most of the day, but many of them are now laying on towels scattered between the art installations that tower overhead. These massive sculptures are starting to shine even brighter under the darkening sky, and I can clearly make out the coiled shapes of neon lights bent into interesting shapes and refracting through glass panels. Old television sets flicker to life with oversaturated displays, and as a group of friends hurries past the display on the way to the main stage, their image is briefly displayed on each TV screen. These art installations are not just meant to be present among the attendees, but they were intentionally placed here by local artists such as Slim Reaper Light Show with the purpose of being interacted with. Some of them offer unique backdrops for photos, while others seem to beckon guests to sit on them or even walk through them as if they were portals to another dimension. And as I spot the main stage through a nested series of rainbow silhouettes, I realize that in a way, they are.

On the beachside stage, the graceful silhouette of UK-based singer Nilüfer Yanya emerges against a shimmering backdrop of rainbow lights. The stage lights draw everyone away from the water and towards the most intimate of the three stages at the festival as Yanya produces an electric guitar and begins to play. The opening riff of one of her most famous songs, “Keep on Callin’,” rings out across the beach as the crowd huddles closer together to share this special and intimate moment with Yanya. The British singer’s deep, soothing vocals wash over the crowd as she plays her way through much of her new album PAINLESS, which features a unique blend of folk and grunge rock. As the sky darkens, Yanya reaches the final song in her set, “Crash,” which she delivers with enthusiasm and energy to keep the audience excited for the next act.

Without missing a beat, Desert Daze’s second stage, also called ‘The Block,’ lights up in the distance. I realize Men I Trust, a spacey electronic trio from Canada, will be performing in just a few minutes and quickly make my way towards the center of the festival grounds. Emma Proulx, the lead singer and distinctive voice of the band, is adjusting her microphone, and I’m thankful they hadn’t started without me. As the crowd shuffles towards the main stage, a man prepares to stand on a surfboard while several others in the audience start to lift him up.

He’s somehow managing to balance himself, being passed around by the audience as if he were cutting through a real wave as the band starts to play the grooving bassline of “Sugar.” I couldn’t help but laugh behind my camera at the situation, as I had never expected a band with such a mellow sound to inspire crowd-surfing. Eventually, after the crowd calms down a bit, Men I Trust continues on to play some of their most beloved songs, including the dreamy “Show Me How” and my personal favorite, “I Hope to Be Around,” in which supporting member Dragos contributes incredible solos on keyboard. The audience huddles and sways under brilliant purple and white lights as their set finally comes to an end with the upbeat yet pensive “Say Can You Hear.”

As much as I am tempted to linger, I know that yet another band will be coming to play on the third stage at the festival. The solo project of Australian artist Kevin Parker, more widely known as Tame Impala, will be playing a special set that includes the entirety of his album Lonerism, originally released back in 2012 but still beloved as a cult classic. After glancing over the impressive variety of local vendors, I stop by my favorite vegan food truck just in the nick of time to see Tame Impala preparing to take the stage. Desert Daze’s largest stage, nicknamed ‘The Moon,’ has an impressive display prepared to accompany the arrival of such a renowned musical guest. 

The backdrop lights up with psychedelic visuals to accompany the entrancing combination of Parker’s synthesizers and the echoing, resonant instrumentals from his touring band members. Saturated, colorful images of rolling hills and ocean waves affirm the feeling that the audience has been transported to a rare oasis somewhere far away. As Parker reaches the most widely beloved track on Lonerism, “Feels Like I Only Go Backwards,” the crowd begins to sway and sing the lyrics back to him. Tame Impala continue onward, playing through the songs in their original album order, until they reach the grooving, upbeat track “Elephant.”

Both Parker and the crowd seem to revel in the sudden burst of energy resulting from the uptempo bassline in the otherwise laid-back set. Mixing in a few of his newer tracks after finishing his playthrough of Lonerism, Parker also plays selections from Currents and The Slow Rush to complete his performance. The indie classic “The Less I Know the Better” has everyone dancing instantly, while the more relaxed “Borderline” helps the audience start to wind down as the festival comes to a close. 

But it’s not over just yet. The stars are shining overhead, and they’re ready to turn in after such an impressive performance and begin to shuffle back to their campsites. They’re also excited, because it’s all going to happen again tomorrow.

[ourspiritanimalxs]

20 Penguin Quotes, Sayings & Proverbs

Penguins, with their distinctive tuxedo-like appearance and endearing waddles, have captivated human imagination for centuries. These flightless birds, native primarily to the Southern Hemisphere, especially Antarctica, have inspired a plethora of quotes, sayings, and proverbs that reflect their unique qualities and symbolism. Whether admired for their determination in the harshest environments or celebrated for their monogamous relationships, penguins have earned a spot in both popular culture and the hearts of people around the world.

In this article, we explore 20 penguin quotes, sayings, and proverbs that celebrate their charm, resilience, and symbolism, often conveying lessons about life, love, and perseverance.

1. "Penguins are the most adorable creatures on the planet."

This quote captures the essence of why penguins hold a special place in so many people’s hearts. With their upright postures, playful personalities, and innocent expressions, penguins have earned a reputation as some of the cutest animals on Earth. Their quirky charm is one of the main reasons they appear in animated films, books, and social media memes.

2. "Penguins are the only birds who can swim, but don’t fly."

This statement highlights one of the most fascinating aspects of penguins: their evolution. While most birds are adapted for flight, penguins have traded their wings for powerful flippers that allow them to glide through the water with remarkable speed. This saying is a reminder that nature often finds unique ways for animals to thrive.

3. "You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf." — Jon Kabat-Zinn

While not specifically about penguins, this quote is often paired with penguin imagery to emphasize resilience in the face of challenges. Penguins, especially those in harsh environments like Antarctica, demonstrate perseverance and adaptability. Much like surfers on waves, penguins face adversity head-on, adapting to the extreme conditions of their environment with grace.

4. "The penguin knows how to make the most of a harsh world."

This saying reflects the penguin’s ability to thrive in one of the harshest climates on Earth. In the freezing temperatures of the Antarctic, penguins have learned to adapt, finding warmth in large groups, hunting for food in icy waters, and enduring the elements. The penguin represents resilience in the face of adversity.

5. "A penguin is simply a bird with a dream to fly."

This quote highlights the symbolic aspect of penguins, especially in relation to their flightless nature. Penguins may not fly in the air, but they "fly" through the water with speed and grace. The quote can also be interpreted as a metaphor for people who may not have the traditional means to achieve their dreams, but find innovative ways to pursue their goals.

6. "A penguin is the epitome of teamwork and community."

Penguins are known for their communal living and highly cooperative behavior. From sharing warmth in large huddles during extreme cold to working together to protect their nests, penguins demonstrate the value of community and cooperation. This saying reminds us that success often comes through working together.

7. "In a world full of peacocks, be a penguin."

This saying encourages individuality and authenticity. While peacocks are admired for their flashy and ostentatious beauty, penguins are valued for their modest yet endearing qualities. The message is simple: Embrace who you are, even if it means being different from the crowd.

8. "Penguins mate for life. If only people could do the same."

One of the most notable aspects of penguin behavior is their lifelong monogamous partnerships. Once they find a mate, penguins typically stay together, raising multiple generations of chicks. This quote highlights the loyalty and commitment of penguins, offering a poignant commentary on human relationships.

9. "The penguin's heart is as warm as its feet are cold."

This saying reflects the contrast between a penguin's external environment and its internal resilience. While penguins endure freezing temperatures, their determination and loyalty to each other make them seem emotionally warm. It’s a reminder that, even in the coldest times, there is warmth and care to be found in relationships.

10. "If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn’t sit for a month." — Theodore Roosevelt

This quote, although not directly about penguins, is frequently paired with penguin images in humorous contexts. Penguins, waddling along in their distinctive manner, seem to embody the spirit of perseverance, even in the face of challenges. The message here is that facing challenges head-on, without blaming others, is the way forward—much like the penguin navigating the harsh Antarctic environment.

11. "The penguin represents the beauty of simplicity."

Penguins are not known for flamboyance. Their black-and-white plumage, while striking, is relatively simple compared to the vibrant colors of other birds. This saying emphasizes how there is beauty in simplicity and how the penguin’s understated elegance offers a quiet kind of charm.

12. "No one can ever make a penguin feel self-conscious."

Penguins are often associated with confidence despite their unusual appearance. With their upright, almost comical posture, penguins do not seem to care about how they look to others, focusing instead on surviving and thriving. This saying serves as a reminder to embrace our uniqueness and not be overly concerned with societal judgment.

13. "The world would be a better place if we all waddled like penguins."

This humorous saying evokes the iconic waddle of penguins, often described as endearing and adorable. The waddling, awkward movement is actually a symbol of perseverance—despite the awkwardness, penguins keep moving forward. This quote reminds us that even when life feels difficult or uncertain, it’s important to keep going, one step at a time.

14. "Penguins don’t waste energy trying to be something they’re not."

This quote highlights the penguin’s authenticity. Penguins have adapted perfectly to their environment and do not try to change who they are. They are content with their place in the world, and this can serve as a powerful metaphor for embracing one’s true self and strengths.

15. "In the coldest of climates, penguins still find warmth in each other."

The penguin’s survival strategy in Antarctica relies heavily on their social structure. Penguins huddle together for warmth, showing the importance of community and support in tough times. This saying is a reminder that, even in the most difficult situations, we can find solace in our relationships with others.

16. "Waddle you do when the world’s too cold? You stand together, just like the penguins."

This playful saying draws attention to the communal nature of penguins. In the harshest of conditions, penguins stick together to endure the cold. Similarly, in challenging times, standing together as a community can help overcome adversity. The quote is a reminder of the power of unity.

17. "Penguins are proof that the simplest things in life are often the best."

Penguins live in environments that require them to focus on the essentials—survival, reproduction, and community. Their lives may seem simple, but there is a profound beauty in their adaptability and determination. This saying encourages us to appreciate the small, meaningful moments in life.

18. "Penguins don’t care about the opinions of others. They’re too busy swimming!"

This humorous quote draws attention to the carefree nature of penguins. While humans often worry about what others think, penguins are focused on what they do best—swimming and surviving. The message is clear: Don’t waste time worrying about others’ opinions. Focus on your own goals and passions.

19. "In a sea of monotony, be a penguin—stand out with grace."

Penguins, although mostly dressed in black and white, are remarkable in their own unique way. Their simple yet elegant appearance and graceful swimming capabilities make them stand out in their environment. This saying encourages people to be themselves and stand out with their own unique qualities, just as penguins stand out in their environment.

20. "Sometimes the hardest battles are the ones fought within. Penguins teach us to keep going."

This powerful quote reflects the internal struggles many people face. Just as penguins battle the elements in their cold, icy environments, we too face personal challenges. Penguins’ resilience is a metaphor for overcoming inner struggles and persevering through tough times.

Conclusion

Penguins are more than just adorable creatures; they embody strength, resilience, and community. From their commitment to lifelong partnerships to their perseverance in the harshest conditions, penguins offer us valuable lessons in determination, simplicity, and the importance of working together. The 20 quotes, sayings, and proverbs in this article capture the essence of penguins and the timeless wisdom they can offer. Whether they’re reminding us to embrace our uniqueness or teaching us to stand together in tough times, penguins continue to inspire us in both profound and playful ways.

[dsandrvk]

Monday, February 19 - Winter Island and Petermann Island

Today we finally experienced the Antarctic weather we had expected all week. It started cloudy and gloomy, then turned snowy and windy. But it was still a wonderful day.

We began at the furthest south point of our trip - the Argentinian Islands, which are a group of relatively flat islands separated by narrow passages often clogged with ice. We were able to take a Zodiac tour all around Winter Island because by this time of year the route is mostly clear. We began by the Vernadsky station which is the only one in Antarctica run by Ukraine. It was originally a British station and was the place where the infamous ozone hole was first discovered and subsequently monitored.

Around the time of the breakup of the Soviet Union, the Brits wanted to close this base, but current rules here do not allow someone to simply abandon a base - it has to be dismantled and removed, which can be prohibitively expensive. The Argentinians, who have the largest number of bases in this area, keep them open by using them for a few weeks every other year or so, and doing some regular maintenance like painting. So the Brits sold "Faraday" to Ukraine for one pound, it was renamed Vernadsky, and everyone won. The main change since is that Ukraine added a sauna.

We were also surprised to see a sailboat moored nearby. It seems that private boats can come to Antarctica if they are equipped for it and have the necessary paperwork. This boat was a long way from its home harbor of Antiqua.

There was an amazing amount of color in this area with red and green algae staining the snow, lichens in orange and black streaking the rocks, and mosses and a few grasses enjoying the brief Antarctic summer. Add to this the deep blue of the older ice on the bergs, and it's obvious this is more than a black and white world. And instead of mountains in this area, there were colorful cliffs of layers of snow. Breathtaking.

We saw a few penguins on one island, but there were lots of nesting Kelp Gulls here, along with terns and several fur seals. But the stars were the ice bergs and bergy bits - every one different and corrugated in different ways

During lunch we moved slightly north to our last landing, Petermann Island. Here there was a small natural narrow harbor for the Zodiacs and we disembarked onto rocks rather than a rocky or sandy shore. This harbor was used in 1909 by one of the first explorations to overwinter in this area (on purpose), and the team put a chain across the entrance to the harbor to try to keep the bergs out. It must have worked, since their ship wasn't destroyed. Today there is just a small historic emergency hut. Our paths were slushy and rutted, sometimes with a foot of slushy water on top of granular snow, but our Bogg boots were dry and best of all, warm. They are also relatively easy to clean and sanitize, a necessity in these times of Avian flu and other diseases

The island is home to breeding colonies of both Gentoo and Adelie penguins - a rarity. The Adelies were pretty much gone, except for a handful of juveniles hanging out with Antarctic Shags, and one adult bird. The Gentoos had bred later, and there were still lots of chicks of all sizes, as well as some moulting adults. Some were "swimming" across the snow, which on steep slopes looks more practical than waddling.

By now the wind had really picked up and snow was pelting everything - even the chicks with their heavy down coats were huddling together. Of course they don't have their waterproof and windproof feathers yet, so what good is insulation without a good shell over it! Towards the end of our stay on the island, while we were waiting for Zodiacs to unload so they had room to take us back, a Skua came down towards a group of chicks who immediately formed a tight "creche" - safety in numbers. There was a lot of squawking and beak pointing, and eventually the Skua gave up, probably to try again later.

The expedition team was motivated to get people on and off the island as efficiently as possible, especially since some folks passed on this last opportunity, mostly because of the weather. As soon as everyone was back on board and the Zodiacs loaded, we headed first west and then north towards the Drake Passage.

Despite the weather, we had a little end of the season celebration on the large back deck to enumerate all the polar plunges, landings, submarine rides, etc. from this season on the Venture. It was quite a list. The last picture is of our Cruise Director, Captain, and Expedition Leader, all of whom were outstanding. We have been so fortunate to have been able to get in two activities every day, and also a bonus landing the first afternoon because of our quick trip down here to avoid high seas. We have seen and experienced so much, and it is truly overwhelmingly beautiful and otherworldly here.

We have a couple of days to decompress, sleep in and try to sort out our memories. About 100 of us on the ship are continuing on, so for all of us, the adventure will continue.

[miaoamore]

#05 - A girl's feelings. Joy to the world.

Happiness has come, Let the girl receive her prayer;

Every time she utters a wish, a marble falls into a wide mouthed jar. At first, the ball bounces, and the dribble echoes against the bottom of the glass container. She says another, and the marble becomes two. Then three, then six, then a dozen, and dozens more. Soon enough, the newest edition no longer bounces, but rather finds itself nested among a sea of other wishes. At what point does this theoretical jar begin to overflow? At the end of a decade? Or perhaps at the end of one year? The girl may reply "At the end of the month? Maybe the end of the week. It might even be at the end of the day." For she alone flippantly calls upon new wishes to fill her jar.

I wish I was prettier.

I wish I was smarter.

I wish I was normal.

And many, many more. But one thing she wished for the most

"I wish I had more friends".

She'd utter it everytime she sat with her two friends at lunch. Her only friends. Sometimes two, sometimes one, but never three or more. She'd utter it everytime she saw a group huddled together, laughter roaring after one of them whispered a joke. If only she knew what they said. She'd utter it every time she found herself scrolling through pages, catching glimpses of other people's lives on the world wide web. If only she were there to witness it in real life.

At first, she was content with Solitude. It was great company in the early mornings and late eventide. It was there when no one else was, albeit uninvited and often overstayed it's welcome. The girl always said, "I don't like people" or "Why would I go outside when I can stay in the comfort of my room", assuming that a weekend in with merely a phone and hours to kill was the ideal getaway from the hustle and bustle of the week. Every week. Every hour. Every minute. No second spared. No one to share it with.

Sure, she speaks to everyone. To most people, of course. But in regards to their ranking in her eyes, only one or two ever make it under that label. Friend. She would always say that she couldn't handle big groups. She couldn't handle more than three people at a time. But she also couldn't handle being alone. She thought she did. Sometimes one gets so desperate that, with whoever becomes her closest confidant, they become the holder of all her being. Her secrets, her life story, the very threads of her soul were intertwined with theirs, knotted and sewed together. But there ate times when the strife between these two people would often end bursting from the seams. The thread unravels, and the girl finds herself tangled in her own regret.

It was funny, really. She was never the patient type. If things took longer than it should, the girl leaves. Problem solved, somewhat. But this wish, had someone told her years ago that it would come true, even for a brief while, she would not believe it. Would it strengthen her patience? Or would it exercise her pessimism?

At the loss of one, two, maybe three close pals, in return was a bountiful trade. She never need know what the humming of Solitude was like anymore. There's not a moment where silence lingered in the air for longer than a minute. They rejoice, sharing laughter and true pandemonium. What does a dull day look like? They wouldn't know. Her presence was finally wanted, even better - expected. In every picture, there's no need for hesitance, she was pulled into every one of them. When huddled together in a circle, they make room for her. They wave back, and smile, and compliment her. She's not made to feel alienated. It was then when she realised and understood something. The girl paused and retracted her statements: "It's not that I don't like people, I just don't like being with the wrong ones, and I most certainly don't like being alone"; "It's not daunting to go outside, in fact I yearn for outings and teenage shenanigans, and I most certainly don't like wasting my years, rotting away in the depths of my dreary cave." Or something like that.

The simple joy of having these people around me was nothing short of absolute bliss. For once in my life, I felt like I was in the right place, at the right time. Have I been deprived of this for so long that, even something as simple as sharing water bottles or the little pokes makes every day a little brighter? I boast about it everyday with child-like wonder, often saying "I love having friends" because truly I do. I have fallen in love with the simplicity of happiness, with the experience of girlhood, and the loveliness of being with beautiful people.

Joy to the world, Happiness has come, Thank you for finally hearing my prayer.

[tg-headcanons]

I feel like ghouls cuddle-pile one of two ways: The first way is huddling together like puppies. It's cute and oddly photogenic, sometimes someone has an arm over one person and their head resting on someone else. Everyone is warm and comfortable. The second way is like cats, where one will be minding their own business on a couch or bed before another comes and practically squashes them by acting like they're not there just to lay on the same surface. It looks ridiculous and uncomfortable yet neither tries to most or stop it from happening

YESYESYES

Ghouls are often glad to build groups and have connections with people they can trust. Ghouls are also often traumatized, distrustful, and repulsed by allowing other ghouls into their territory but unfortunately for them, they need this. Everyone has their own feelings about The Pile but when it comes down to it, it’s gotta happen, and it can happen differently

For many, the planned agreement of “let’s all cuddle up to make our brains not kill us” is the best. Plenty have families, friends, and allies who they like and will ask who’s up for a pile. Inevitably they end up all together, usually on couches and beds, places that are comfortable. When ghouls do it, it’s practically a nest, and most want to set up the perfect safe spot. Groups with a steady home or meeting place usually had The Spot ready with pillows and blankets and are comfortable with it

For others, they don’t have many or any people close to them, but they still need this so they have to make it work. Some come up with agreements, they find other ghouls without groups and they have arrangements to meet up and cuddle together just long enough to set back the Going Feral With Isolation Based Survival Instincts clock. While some have a specific spot, it’s mostly just wherever is convenient. Unfortunately for those who want nothing to do with other ghouls, it’s a hell of a bonding process and countless friends, partners, and allies are made after begrudgingly piling up

For some, they don’t have arrangements and find opportunities where they can. Organizations like Aogiri where the ghouls in it aren’t close or just randoms out and about in the world often do this. If a ghoul is caught sleeping or relaxing, there is a high chance that someone will wrap a kagune around them. Plenty hate it enough to lash out at them or move, but most are just pissed but let it happen because it’s not like they’re going to have many opportunities. It’s not an uncommon problem for ghouls to go to sleep under a bridge or something, then wake up with 4 other ghouls who don’t know each other draped across them in a tangle of kagune and limbs. It’s not even weird it’s just an annoyance that’s necessary sometimes like inconvenient rains

Even in groups that are close and don’t need to grasp at any chance, they do this constantly. Half of the time when Touka or Ken wake up Hinami has already trapped them in her wings, anteiku staff has had to chase out people who were in a limp pile in their restroom several times, and the Devil apes practically live in a pile. One of the biggest adjustments for Ken and Seidou after they became ghouls was people just laying on them out of nowhere and, even worse, wanting to do it themselves. Ghouls are dangerous and carnivorous but they’re also weird, weird pack animals

[tribbetherium]

The Early Temperocene: 145 million years post-establishment

Colonial Mentality: The Social Molrocks

Molrocks, the larger group of ectothermic molemice that also include the daggoths and the rattiles, have seen a boom in diversity as the warmer climate became more favorable to the functionally-cold-blooded clade. While the rattiles fill saurian niches on the surface, and the daggoths occupy numerous rungs of the cave ecosystem in the sub-Arcuterran cavern system, the more basal molrocks, similar to Earthly mole-rats, have taken up an unusual lifestyle centered around specialized colony groups: the social molrocks.

Descended from a Middle Therocene species, the colonial swarmster, the social molrocks practice a highly unconventional society nearly unheard of in vertebrates but common in arthropods-- eusociality. A special caste of the largest females breed, while smaller females of all sizes act as workers, their castes based around size and age, while big-toothed males act as guards and defenders, fending off the many enemies of the social molrocks often at the cost of their own lives.

Social molrocks have changed little from the Therocene, having hit on a winning formula with cooperation and strength in numbers, a behavior encouraged by their ectothermy leading to them huddling for warmth, enabling their survival. Basal species such as the sand molearch (Colonicricetus gymnus) are a typical example of the clade, living in dry, semi-arid regions where their main food sources, underground tubers, termites and burrowing insect larvae, were few and far between. There was much evolutionary incentive for them to band together, and band together they did, as they now build immense, interconnected burrows spanning almost a kilometer square underground, housing hundreds, if not even thousands of individuals. These colonies are polygynous, with a single parent "queen" whose influence is spread throughout the colony by pheromones and hormones in her droppings ingested by the workers as they keep the burrow clean, thus suppressing their maturity into queens themselves. However, at the fringes of the colony, new queens may arise from the largest female workers and set up nesting burrows: spaced well apart, they never encounter other queens and never fight, and yet workers serve them all equally, cleaning their burrows and bringing them chewed food--unless a food shortage threatens the colony, to which the queens leave the safety of their dens and roam the whole burrow seeking out the scent of other breeding females and attacking them, often leading to ferocious fights to the death where only the strongest queen, often but not always the original one, surviving to continue breeding. Extra soldier males often disperse at this period in search for new colonies to find new mates, a dangerous undertaking that few males survive, yet is essential to the colony to avoid the problems of inbreeding.

The queens themselves are dedicated breeding machines: indeed, by having two-horned uteri that can carry two litters independently, the queens have functionally halved their gestation to a mere 15 days, birthing every two weeks a litter of 6-10 pups for the rest of their ten-year lifespan. Workers, in contrast, live far shorter lives of as much as a year or two on average, and the greatest mortality rate comes from the male soldiers: while in the ancestral species the males filled the worker role and the females formed the soldier role, later species reversed the trend: as only one or two males are needed to keep the colony going, the surplus males became more expendable and thus took up the riskier job of defending the colony: growing into large-headed soldier castes with hypertrophied incisors and strong jaw muscles and growing to lengths of up to five inches in length. In some cases, their jaw muscles and dental alignment have thus left them unable to gnaw on food and must be fed chewed food by the workers as they have difficulty feeding themselves--a small price to pay for the security of the colony.

The molearchs represent the most common state of the social molrock clade as a whole, but they are far from the only species. While originating from the deserts of Ecatoria, they have since spread to multiple continents and now are a family numbering over thirty species in six genera: others which are more specialized than the generic molearchs that thrived in the dry arid savannah.

The big-nosed holdor (Ostiumnasum polymorphus) lives in a much more productive environment in the forest floor, and thus have a wider range of food in much greater abundance: roots, fungi, seeds and invertebrates abound, and thus their colonies can grow to truly impressive sizes: underground networks spanning over an entire stretch of forest and housing up to 10,000 individuals, with at least a dozen breeding queens each. Small groups often break away from the main system and tunnel away in search of food, and when edible items are found a series of nigh-inaudible high-frequency chirps signal to nestmates to search the area and provide aid in transporting their forage in their cheek pouches all the way back to the nest.

The most notable feature of this species are their noses: covered in a tough leathery pad to protect their snouts when tunneling, this pad is hardened and especially hypertrophied in the soldier males, forming almost a broad, flat helmet encompassing their head. This serves well in helping shove soil aside, but also has a more drastic function: should an alarm call be raised due to a percieved threat, the soldiers will rush to the burrow exits and barricade the openings with their own heads, acting as doors: these deters their primary predators, small ferrats and burrowurms that chase their prey down burrows, by denying them entry in the first place, though they are vulnerable to predatory shieldears, which attack from underneath.

The social molrocks are not safe from in-species conflict, either, as while they cooperate with their nestmates, they react with hostility to an intruder with another colony's scent, the sole exception being disperser males that emit a scent during this phase that discourages attack by potential defenders. And they have much reason to be defensive, as other rival colonies are known to target their vulnerable pups, both as easy prey and as a means of curbing the competition.

This would take a more insidious turn in the rust-red holmstock (Puerabactor erythris), however, as their raids to target the pups of other colonies, other species even, has led to a peculiar arrangement. Their coloration adapted to blend in in Beta-twilight as they leave their dens and travel on the surface, they swarm the surface in tight bands to seek out other colonies and plunder their resources. Foreign pups brought into their dens to be eaten later ended up triggering maternal instincts from queens and started nursing them: and with their scent familiarized to the newborns they grew to serve the colony that had stolen them. In time, this behavior favored colonies that could quickly boost their numbers by stealing the young of other neighbors, and thus both males and females have become soldier-like morphs with big teeth: at the cost of them now being entirely dependent on their brainwashed abductees to serve them: now no longer able to work or feed themselves, all they can do is raid other colonies for their young and fight while the enslaved workers dig tunnels, forage for food and feed and groom the queen. Holmstock colonies are notably monogynous, and have a smaller tunnel system as a failsafe, as if a colony grows too large, a "slave" worker may end up being isolated from the queen's pheromones, develop into a fertile queen herself-- and eventually end up overthrowing their captors and becoming a colony of their own.

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