#Illegal transportation of animals

[rebel-bulletin]

अवैधरित्या जनावरांची वाहतूक; 2 लाख 82 हजाराचा मुद्देमाल जप्त

गोंदिया : जिल्ह्यातील चिचगड पोलीस ठाणे अंतर्गत कोटजांभोरा ते नवेगावबांध मार्गावर अवैधरित्या कत्तलीकरिता जनावरांची वाहतूक होत असल्याची माहिती मिळताच पोलिसांनी नाकाबंदी करीत केलेल्या कारवाईत पिकअप वाहन, 8 नग जनावरे असा किंमती 2 लाख 82 हजार रुपयांचा मुद्देमाल जप्त करीत गुन्हा दाखल केला आहे. Illegal transportation of animals या अनुषंगाने पोलीस अधीक्षक निखिल पिंगळे, अपर पोलीस अधीक्षक अशोक बनकर, यांचे…

[anna-scribbles]

this was the spread btw. im having heart palpitations💙

I AM A NEW PERSON

[townpostin]

Police Seize 33 Cattle in Late-Night Raid in Seraikela-Kharsawan

Ichagarh and Chouka police conducted a joint operation, seizing 33 cattle and five vehicles used for illegal transport. In a late-night operation, police in Seraikela-Kharsawan district seized 33 cattle being transported illegally. SERAIKELA – Late Friday night, police in Seraikela-Kharsawan district intercepted five vehicles carrying 33 cattle illegally. Acting on a tip-off, SP Mukesh Kumar…

[marvelsmostwanted]

Today in 🍂✨October surprises✨🍂

• Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Secretary of Labor Julie Su quietly assisted in winning labor rights for dockworkers, ending a strike that could have had catastrophic economic consequences. (10-4-24)

• In Springfield, Ohio, where Haitian migrants have been blamed for the disappearance of local animals with Trump claiming “‘migrants are walking off’ with geese in the town” and “they’re eating the dogs” - a lie also promoted by JD Vance, Ohio’s own sitting Senator, with no evidence - it turns out that the missing geese were actually the victims of a 64-year-old white man who was hunting illegally. (10-3-24)

• A Trump-appointed federal judge blocked Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan again after another judge reinstated it earlier this week. (10-3-24)

• Republicans and crazy Facebook uncles everywhere have spent this week spreading disinformation about the FEMA response to Hurricane Helene, including AI photos of Trump standing in floodwater and wild claims that Biden is sending money to undocumented immigrants. In reality, the Biden-Harris administration has provided substantial emergency assistance and both Biden and Harris have visited the region. Meanwhile, it turns out that Trump was the one who redirected money from disaster relief to send to ICE during his presidency. Shocker. (10-4-24)

• Seriously, though, Trump is not who you want to call in an emergency. Before allowing disaster relief to reach victims of wildfires in California, then-president Trump forced aides to show him an electoral map to see if he had voters there. He evidently intended to withhold the aid if he found out it was going to mostly Democratic voters. This would be a career-ending scandal in any other political era but alas, we are living in this one. (10-3-24)

• Finally, far-right extremist and Oklahoma superintendent of schools Ryan Walters intends to put Bibles in public schools, which is already disturbing, but in a stunning display of corruption, the only ones that meet his specifications are the so-called “Trump Bibles” that include the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. They go for $60 apiece and Trump gets fees from each one. (10-4-24)

No, wait, I’m going to say that one again:

In Oklahoma, taxpayers’ money will be used to put Trump Bibles in public schools. Their money will go directly to Trump. Not a joke!!! Not an exaggeration!!!

…Surely the voters who are still undecided are lying, right?? Right?!

30 days until Election Day.

Go to vote.org for a sample ballot, early voting dates, and more. Seriously, we have to win.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

commonly confused words

accept: to receive except: with the exclusion of

advice: recommendation (noun) advise: to recommend (verb)

adverse: unfavorable averse: opposed to

affect: to influence (verb); emotional response (noun) effect: result (noun); to cause (verb)

aisle: space between rows isle: island

allude: to make indirect reference to elude: to avoid

allusion: indirect reference illusion: false idea, misleading appearance

already: by this time all ready: fully prepared

altar: sacred platform or place alter: to change

altogether: thoroughly all together: everyone/everything in one place

a lot: a quantity; many of something allot: to divide or portion out

angel: supernatural being, good person angle: shape made by joining two straight lines

are: plural form of "to be" our: plural form of "my"

accent: pronunciation common to a region ascent: the act of rising or climbing assent: consent, agreement

assistance: help assistants: helpers

bare: nude, unadorned bear: to carry; an animal

beside: close to; next to besides: except for; in addition

boar: a wild male pig bore: to drill a hole through

board: piece of wood bored: uninterested

born: brought into life borne: past participle of "to bear" (carry)

breath: air taken in (noun) breathe: to take in air (verb)

brake: device for stopping break: destroy; make into pieces

buy: to purchase by: next to; through the agency of

canvas: heavy cloth canvass: to take a survey; a survey

capital: major city capitol: government building

choose: to pick chose: past tense of "to choose"

clothes: garments close: to shut; near cloths: pieces of fabric

coarse: rough course: path; series of lectures

complement: something that completes compliment: praise, flattery

conscience: sense of morality conscious: awake, aware

corps: regulated group corpse: dead body

council: governing body counsel: advice; to give advice

dairy: place where milk products are processed diary: personal journal

descent: downward movement dissent: disagreement

dessert: final, sweet course in a meal desert: to abandon; dry, sandy area

device: a plan; a tool or utensil devise: to create

discreet: modest, prudent behavior discrete: a separate thing, distinct

do: a verb indicating performance or execution of a task dew: water droplets condensed from air due: as a result of

dominant: commanding, controlling dominate: to control

die: to lose life; one of a pair of dice dye: to change or add color

dyeing: changing or adding color dying: losing life

elicit: to draw out illicit: illegal, forbidden

eminent: prominent imminent: about to happen

envelop: to surround (verb) envelope: container for a letter (noun)

everyday: routine, commonplace, ordinary (adj.) every day: each day, succession (adj. + noun)

fair: just, honest; a carnival; light skinned fare: money for transportation; food

farther: at a greater (measurable) distance further: in greater (non-measurable) depth

formally: conventionally, with ceremony formerly: previously

forth: forward fourth: number four in a list

gorilla: animal in ape family guerrilla: soldier specializing in surprise attacks

hear: to sense sound by ear here: in this place

heard: past tense of "to hear" herd: group of animals

hoard: a hidden fund or supply, a cache horde: a large group or crowd, swarm

hole: opening whole: complete; an entire thing

human: relating to the species homo sapiens humane: compassionate

its: possessive form of "it" it's: contraction for "it is"

knew: past tense of "know" new: fresh, not yet old

know: to comprehend no: negative

later: after a time latter: second one of two things

lead: heavy metal substance; to guide led: past tense of "to lead"

lessen: to decrease lesson: something learned and/or taught

lightning: storm-related electricity lightening: making lighter

loose: unbound, not tightly fastened lose: to misplace

maybe: perhaps (adv.) may be: might be (verb)

meat: animal flesh meet: to encounter mete: to measure; to distribute

medal: a flat disk stamped with a design meddle: to interfere, intrude metal: a hard organic substance mettle: courage, spirit, energy

miner: a worker in a mine minor: underage person (noun); less important (adj.)

moral: distinguishing right from wrong; lesson of a fable or story morale: attitude or outlook usually of a group

passed: past tense of "to pass" past: at a previous time

patience: putting up with annoyances patients: people under medical care

peace: absence of war piece: part of a whole; musical arrangement

peak: point, pinnacle, maximum peek: to peer through or look furtively pique: fit of resentment, feeling of wounded vanity

pedal: the foot lever of a bicycle or car petal: a flower segment peddle: to sell

personal: intimate; owned by a person personnel: employees

plain: simple, unadorned plane: to shave wood; aircraft (noun)

precede: to come before proceed: to continue

presence: attendance; being at hand presents: gifts

principal: foremost (adj.); administrator of a school (noun) principle: moral conviction, basic truth

quiet: silent, calm quite: very

rain: water drops falling; to fall like rain reign: to rule rein: strap to control an animal (noun); to guide or control (verb)

raise: to lift up raze: to tear down

rational: having reason or understanding rationale: principles of opinion, beliefs

respectfully: with respect respectively: in that order

reverend: title given to clergy; deserving respect reverent: worshipful

right: correct; opposite of left rite: ritual or ceremony write: to put words on paper

road: path rode: past tense of "to ride"

scene: place of an action; segment of a play seen: viewed; past participle of "to see"

sense: perception, understanding since: measurement of past time; because

sight: scene, view, picture site: place, location cite: to document or quote (verb)

stationary: standing still stationery: writing paper

straight: unbending strait: narrow or confining; a waterway

taught: past tense of "to teach" taut: tight

than: used to introduce second element; compared to then: at that time; next

their: possessive form of "they" there: in that place they’re: contraction for "they are"

through: finished; into and out of threw: past tense of "to throw" thorough: complete

to: toward too: also; very (used to show emphasis) two: number following one

track: course, road tract: pamphlet; plot of ground

waist: midsection of the body waste: discarded material; to squander

waive: forgo, renounce wave: flutter, move back and forth

weak: not strong week: seven days

weather: climatic condition whether: if wether: a neutered male sheep

where: in which place were: past tense of "to be"

which: one of a group witch: female sorcerer

whose: possessive for "of who" who’s: contraction for "who is"

your: possessive for "of you" you’re: contraction for "you are" yore: time long past

commonly confused words part 2

[appleblueberry-pie]

I NEED MORE YANDERE e42 MILES!!!!

This is a list of things he's done without your knowledge.

"Sneaked" two thousand dollars into your savings account. Best part about this is you actually never did find out that he did this. You just thought you were finally becoming financially responsible.

Fixed your TV remote 2 times.

Bought you more boxes of ramen.

Learned to make your favorite dessert.

Drove your ex's car off of a cliff

Drove your ex's girlfriend's car off of a cliff

Got on your teacher's good side for you.

Started doing calisthenics

Became pescatarian

Stopped drinking energy drinks and instead became a tea-drinker

Donated to 5 animal shelters and volunteered to help feed the homeless(one of the short programs he joined at school)

Broke 3 ribs and repaired

Got stabbed and repaired

Illegally traded with dominating gangs in Brooklyn

Illegally helped transport medicine inside of hospitals due to dominating gangs in Brooklyn

Tried on shoes he wanted to get for you to see if they'd be comfortable, understanding that people would think he's flaming for doing so.

Tried on earrings he wanted to get for you, thinking if it looked good on him, it would definitely look good on you, understanding that people would think he's flaming for doing so.

Same thing with perfume.

Got scared of you when you interrogated him for smelling like the new perfume he just bought you.

Whispers compliments to you when you sleep on his shoulder while y'all take the train.

Screamed like a lil girl when he picked up a potted plant from a flower shop, hoping to get you a succulent, and a slug dropped from the crevice of the pottery, plopped onto his hand, heavy, cold, and slimy.

Listens to all Ariana Grande albums

Annually kidnaps all boys who he knew premeditated asking you to prom, knowing your his, and drops them off by a random lake in the dead of night. Tied up, taped mouth, lightly drugged, and confused.

Attempted to give up being tender-headed so his mama could do his hair in that cool ass pattern he knew you wouldn't be able to stop admiring. It didn't work, but the result definitely made you happy.

Bombed 2 drug major illegal drug factories. Probably one of the main reasons why the crime underworld hates him.

Sketched over 40 different ways the wedding ring he plans to give you will look.

Finished 2 big notebooks that are just full of rants and drawings of you. He's halfway through his 3rd one.

Has a pinterest board just like yours that is full of clothing and room aesthetics that you like. Plans to make most of them a reality for you.

Kicks his feet at ur messages.

[marlynnofmany]

One More Earth Animal

Since the only reason our spaceship had a cat was because I’d rescued a family of them from people who had no business keeping any animal, and since a couple of crewmates had helped in that rescue, and everyone was agreed that it was a deed well done, I was very interested when I heard that our newest courier job was transporting another rescued cat.

I was loading supplies on the far end of the ship when I got a message from the captain about this last-minute addition. I was the animal expert — from the same planet as our new cargo, no less — and she requested my presence. The extra info that the cat had been dumped on a colony world by illegal traders who hadn’t been able to sell it just made me hurry through the hallways faster.

As I entered the cargo bay, my thoughts were on whether I should have detoured to grab a medical scanner, and wondering if Telly would want to be friends with the furball in the cage. Where was that cage? Ah, over by the door next to the captain and the customer. Other crewmates were loading boxes while they talked.

“I’m glad you’re going in the right direction,” the customer said while she signed the payment tablet with several red tentacles, while waving two more for emphasis. “This isn’t the first time somebody’s dumped live cargo, and at least this time I know a guy from the right planet who’s eager for a new pet. Sounds like he misses Earth, and would be happy to have anything that reminds him of home. Oh hey, speaking of which!” She waved a tentacle at me as I walked up. “Another Earthling. Good luck all around.”

Captain Sunlight nodded and took the payment tablet back, every inch the dignified lizard alien. “Yes, Robin here has been a big help with animal cargos, cats in particular.”

“My pleasure,” I said with a wave. “Can I get a look?” The cage was the kind with bars on the front and only ventilation holes on the sides; good for animals that needed to feel safely hidden, but not great for trained veterinarians wanting to inspect them without opening the door.

“By all means,” the customer said, scooting the cage forward. “It’s been very calm. It shouldn’t give you any trouble.”

I crouched down from my tall human height and peered into the shadows, hoping the cat was healthy, not calm because of illness. Had they scanned it already? They must have.

A skunk peered back at me.

“Oh jeez!” I fell back and scrambled away, startling everyone in the room. “That’s not a cat! Keep your distance!”

Captain Sunlight immediately stepped away, alarm on her scaly face. “What is it? What’s the danger?” The customer was babbling in surprise, but I ignored her.

“That’s a skunk,” I said, fully aware that the name probably meant nothing here. “They’re a breathing hazard when provoked. They spray a toxic liquid that will ruin the air on our whole ship until it’s properly cleaned. You’re lucky it didn’t do it already.” I aimed that last at the customer.

She flailed her tentacles in distress. “It’s been very calm! Not afraid of anyone! Are you sure it’s not a cat?”

“Yes,” I said firmly. Then something else occurred to me. “Have you scanned it for disease?”

The tentacle movements turned guilty. “My assistant said he did…”

I leapt to my feet and raced down the hall. “Be right back! Don’t touch it!”

They replied, but I was already out of earshot, dodging past crewmates without stopping to explain. Rabies was largely eradicated on Earth, but this wasn’t Earth. And a potentially rabid skunk was infinitely worse than a tame one.

Eggskin was in the medbay; I didn’t pause to see what they were doing. I just grabbed the hand scanner from its spot on the wall and raced back the way I’d come. “Need this, thanks!”

Questions followed me, but I ran faster. Almost plowed into Blip going around a corner, but I ducked under her muscular elbow with an apology and kept going. Blop was right behind her, stepping to the side. The pair also had questions that I ignored.

Back in the cargo bay, Captain Sunlight was questioning the customer on the far side of the room, with Zhee and Paint also standing back. The cage was right where I’d left it.

I activated the scanner, getting as close as I dared. “Please don’t have rabies. Please please please.”

After a moment, the scanner pinged: Free Of Disease. Relief hit me like a wave. “It’s not contagious,” I announced.

The scanner was still processing, and it came up with extra information that made me laugh in deeper relief.

“Its stink gland was removed!” I collapsed onto the floor in front of the cage. “Doubly safe. Everything’s okay.”

Captain Sunlight said, “That is good news.”

The customer pressed several tentacles over where her heart probably was. “I didn’t need that kind of scare today! Clearly I should have words with the assistant who identified the species.”

“They got the planet right, at least,” I said, shutting off the scanner. “But yeah, if there’s a chance there are more skunks wandering around out there, you do NOT want to assume they’ll act like cats.”

Captain Sunlight was thinking ahead. “Will this be a problem for the recipient? Since it’s not the animal he’s expecting?”

The customer spread her tentacles. “He did say that he’d welcome any creature from home that could handle living indoors!”

I waggled my fingers experimentally, and the skunk waddled forward to sniff them. “I think it’ll be okay.”

Captain Sunlight asked, “This is an acceptable companion animal, once the gland is removed?”

I laughed. “No, they make terrible pets. But people have kept worse. I’ll have a talk with the guy on delivery, and I think it’ll be fine. This little fluffer has probably been raised by hand. And skunks really are adorable, once you get past that whole spraying issue.”

“Good to know,” said Captain Sunlight. She finished the transaction with the customer, who was more than happy to leave the skunk in our possession. Zhee and Paint expressed their own relief and finished moving boxes around. The captain volunteered to put the scanner back while I brought the animal cargo to our quietest storage hold.

I carried the cage very carefully, the polar opposite of my wild dash through the corridors earlier.

It took a while for Eggskin to find me, since apparently Blop had gotten a papercut or something that needed tending to, but after a few minutes the medic entered the storage bay with all the caution of someone approaching a dangerous creature.

Eggskin probably wasn’t expecting to find me holding it and cooing sweet nonsense while it chittered happily in my lap. But it really was friendly, and like I said, skunks are adorable.

~~~

These are the ongoing backstory adventures of the main character from this book.

Shared early on Patreon! There’s even a free tier to get them on the same day as the rest of the world.

The sequel novel is in progress (and will include characters from these stories. I hadn’t thought all of them up when I wrote the first book, but they’re too much fun to leave out of the second).

[seongwars]

away with the wind | xii

Pairing: dragonrider!Seonghwa x ex-dragonrider!Reader AU: dragon rider au | strangers -> lovers Summary: A spinal injury forces you to retire from dragon racing, and with it, the end of your engagement to Song Mingi. Park Seonghwa, a rising star in the world of dragon racing and heir to the prestigious House Park, seeks a new dragon after an unfortunate accident on the skyway. As the saying goes, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” Word Count: 6.1K Warnings: violence, kidnapping, mentions of trafficking, cirrus running a fade on everyone 👀

Fic Masterlist

Seonghwa’s fingers trembled as he frantically checked his phone, swiping through a barrage of notifications with growing urgency. Each swipe only intensified his anxiety as he refreshed the screen, desperately hoping for a response from you. The seconds felt like hours.

Finally, a new notification from your number flashed on the screen, its recent timestamp offering a glimmer of hope. With a swift tap, he opened the message, his heart racing as he scanned the attachments. The photos revealed containers in a warehouse each with evidence of illegally captive dragons being transported. His pulse quickened as he took in the details.

As the gravity of the findings sank in, Seonghwa’s focus momentarily shifted from the information at hand. He scanned the room noting the guests' relaxed demeanor as they listened to the guide's animated explanations. The guide, a man with a wide smile and a practiced enthusiasm, moved from exhibit to exhibit, encouraging visitors to admire and even handle the displays. 

Taking advantage of the distraction, Seonghwa subtly signaled to Hongjoong and his father. His gesture was almost imperceptible—a slight, urgent tilt of his head—conveying the gravity of the situation without drawing undue attention.

“Y/N and Yunho sent over some footage,” he said, his voice steady but charged with a sense of urgency. 

Lord Kim’s face tightened as he absorbed the information. His brows furrowed deeply, a sign of his deepening concern. “Containers?” he asked in a hushed tone, his eyes already betraying a grim understanding of the implications.

He leaned in closer, his face darkening as he absorbed the details. The camera panned methodically over the wreckage, capturing the size and shape of each cage with meticulous precision. Scorch marks varied—some indicated intense, localized heat, while others suggested prolonged exposure to flames. Broken restraints lay scattered haphazardly, some still hanging from the remnants of the cages, others strewn across the floor, rusted and mangled. The scene painted a vivid, distressing picture of the aftermath, hinting at the horrors that had unfolded within those walls.

“This is grave indeed,” Lord Kim murmured, his voice low and strained as he crossed his arms over his chest. His gaze remained fixed on the screen, absorbing the full extent of the destruction. The room around them seemed to fade as the reality of the situation became all too clear.

Hongjoong, ever vigilant, glanced over his shoulder to ensure that the guests remained engrossed in the guide’s enthusiastic explanations. The guide continued to weave his tale with animated gestures, oblivious to the urgency unfolding nearby.

“I suspect the illustrious Lady Lee had a hand in this,” he deduced, his tone carrying a hint of grim certainty. “If they’re trafficking dragons, we need to understand what they’re using these creatures for.”

Seonghwa nodded, his expression grim as he absorbed Hongjoong’s words. “No need,” he said quietly. “They’re most likely related to their hybrid dragons.”

The weight of the revelation hung heavily in the air. The footage, the suspicion of Lady Lee’s involvement, and the hint of dark experiments painted a troubling picture. Their next steps would need to be calculated and swift if they were to unravel the full scope of the operation and put a stop to it.

You and Yunho quickly retraced your steps out of the warehouse and into the nearest corridor, seamlessly slipping into your roles as oblivious tourists who had simply taken a wrong turn. Yunho whipped out his phone, launching a holographic map with a flourish that was more theatrical than necessary. He pretended to study it with exaggerated concentration, every movement designed to convince anyone who might be watching that you were just another pair of lost sightseers. You mirrored his act, glancing around with a look of bewildered confusion, as though you were desperately trying to make sense of your unfamiliar surroundings.

As you strolled past several guards stationed along the corridor, their gazes barely flickered in your direction. Your casual, nonchalant demeanor was convincing, but the tension coiled in your chest was nearly suffocating. Each step you took seemed to amplify the pounding of your heart, while the growing clamor of the busy lobby ahead offered a semblance of safety and a potential escape route.

The grand entrance of the lobby soon came into view, its opulence a stark contrast to the grim reality of the warehouse. You exhaled a small, controlled sigh of relief as you stepped into the expansive, bustling space. 

In a carefully rehearsed move, you exclaim loudly with just the right amount of faux anxiety, “Oh no, I think we’ve been separated from the group!” Your exclamation was deliberately loud enough to draw attention but still fit comfortably within the ambiance of the bustling lobby.

Yunho immediately picked up on the cue, adopting a tone that mixed concern with a casual air. 

“Let’s try asking someone for directions. Maybe they can help us find our group.” His words were directed at you, but his tone was deliberately pitched to be overheard by nearby staff, laying the groundwork for your ruse.

Nodding in agreement, you headed toward the front desk, adopting just the right amount of distress, signaling your need for the receptionist’s assistance. The act of maintaining your cover was crucial if you wanted to make it out of the lab alive. 

“Excuse me,” you began, your voice edged with concern as you approached the front desk. “We seem to have lost our group. Could you help us find our way back to them?”

The receptionist looked up from her computer, her expression shifting from mild annoyance to professional concern as she took in your urgent tone. Her eyes flicked briefly to Yunho, who was standing slightly behind you, maintaining a stance of worried agreement.

“Of course,” the receptionist said, her voice warm and accommodating. “Let me see if I can assist you. Could you please provide me with the name of your group or the tour you’re supposed to be with?”

You and Yunho exchanged a quick, almost imperceptible glance. Yunho stepped forward, his expression confident as he leaned an arm casually against the desk. With a charming smile that seemed to light up the room, he said, “We were with members of the Assembly.”

The receptionist’s eyes widened slightly, clearly impressed by Yunho’s presence. “Ah, the Assembly,” she repeated, her tone now tinged with a hint of respect. “Let me check the records for you.”

As she turned to her computer, Yunho glanced back at you, a playful glint in his eye. “Don’t worry,” he whispered, “I’ve got this.”

You shook your head, laughing at his confidence. Yunho had always had a way with people, effortlessly putting them at ease and winning them over with his charm. It made you wonder why he dedicated so much time to work instead of enjoying a social life.

“Ah, Y/N!” 

Your heart skipped a beat. “Dr. Kang?” you blinked, genuine surprise coloring your voice as you locked eyes with him. His sudden appearance is far from welcome—it’s a complication that could unravel everything. But you quickly regain your composure, forcing a polite smile.

“We were just exploring and accidentally got separated from our tour group,” you explained, adopting a tone that was light and almost apologetic. You gestured vaguely around you, trying to appear nonchalant. “It’s so easy to lose track of where you are in such a big place.”

“I’m glad I'm not the only one,” Yeosang breathed a sigh of relief. “I thought I was the only one who had taken a wrong turn.”

You nodded sympathetically, maintaining your facade of innocence. “We’re just trying to find our way back to the group.”

“Do you mind if I tag along? Perhaps we can find them together?”

You take a moment to craft your response, aiming to keep the conversation engaging while steering it away from anything incriminating. “Of course, if you don’t mind being surrounded by Assembly members and endless discussions about bureaucracy.”

“Excuse me, your group should be at the reception area,” the receptionist interrupted. Thank gods, you thought to yourself. “The location should be down that corridor and to the left.”

As you strolled down the corridor, your senses remained on high alert. Yeosang continued his small talk with Yunho, pointing out the differences in Cromer’s work against the Institute, but the tension between you was palpable. His questions were too pointed, his interest too keen. Each step, each glance exchanged, felt like a delicate dance on the edge of a precipice.

After a tense journey through the corridors, you and Yunho finally spot Seonghwa and Hongjoong milling about in one of the larger exhibition rooms that doubled as the reception space. The sight of them is a small relief, a sign that you’re successfully blending back into the crowd. 

“It seems we found your group,” Dr. Kang chuckled, his eyes still sharp and observant.

“Thank you, Dr. Kang,” you say, maintaining the pretense of gratitude. Yunho echoes your thanks, his tone equally courteous. You begin to step away, eager to merge with the group and escape the unnerving presence of Yeosang.

But just as you’re about to join the others, Yeosang’s voice cuts through the air, stopping you in your tracks. 

“Y/N, could you stay back for a moment?” Yeosang’s tone is light, almost casual, but there's an undertone that made your heart skip a beat.

Yunho hesitated, glancing at you with concern. Yeosang quickly added, “Just a quick chat about some of your findings. Nothing too serious.” His smile was friendly, but his eyes betrayed a deeper intent, making you wary.

You share a quick, silent exchange with Yunho, a look that says, I’ll be fine. He nods reluctantly and continues toward the group, though his pace is slower, his posture tense, clearly remaining on edge.

Turning back to Yeosang, you forced a smile, trying to match his casual demeanor. “Of course, what do you need to discuss?”

He motioned for you to follow him to a quieter corner of the exhibition room, away from the prying eyes and ears of the other visitors. As you walked, the weight of the situation weighed down on you. 

“Did you find anything interesting?” he asked, his voice low and casual, though his sideways glance hinted at a more probing interest. “I’d love to know what you’ve uncovered.”

You met his gaze with careful neutrality, the flicker of tension still fresh in your mind. “I didn’t get very far,” you lied, choosing your words with deliberate precision. “I tried comparing the markers from the Kuku to my Dreamwood as an example, but it’s been challenging to draw any definitive conclusions.”

“Challenging?” Yeosang’s interest seemed to intensify, his eyes narrowing slightly as he processed your response. 

“The markers are quite distinct from what we have in our records. There are some similarities, but the differences are significant enough that it complicates the comparison. I’m still working on isolating the variables and trying to make sense of the discrepancies.”

Yeosang’s expression shifted to one of thoughtful consideration, his eyes studying you with a sharp focus. “Interesting. It sounds like you’re onto something, even if it’s not immediately clear. Why don’t you stop by the lab next week? We can look at it together and see if we can make any progress.”

The offer seemed genuine on the surface, but you couldn’t shake the feeling that his interest was more than just academic. 

“Sure, I’d appreciate the help,” you replied, forcing a note of enthusiasm into your voice. 

Yeosang’s smile widened, and he gave a nod of satisfaction. “Great. I’ll look forward to it.” With that, he gestured for you to rejoin the group, the conversation having ended as quickly as it began.

Yunho stood at the edge of Seonghwa’s office, his eyes fixed on the expansive holographic display that now filled the room. The footage, captured from multiple angles, hovered in mid-air, creating a three-dimensional map of every corner and crevice.

Every detail of the warehouse was exposed, from the scuffed concrete floors to the claw marks on the containers, as if the very fabric of the space had been unraveled before him.

“Find anything?” Seonghwa’s voice broke through the silence.

Yunho let out a long sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly as he shook his head. 

“No,” he said, his tone resigned. “This was all the evidence we were able to capture before the guards showed up. The footage is thorough, but it doesn’t reveal much beyond what we already knew.”

He paused, his eyes tracing the holographic image of the shackles displayed prominently on the screen. 

“The only thing that’s clear is that these restraints are small enough to fit juveniles, not adults.”

Seonghwa nodded thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing as he considered the implications. “It’s easier to capture juveniles than adults for illegal experimentation, that’s for sure,” he remarked. The words hung in the air, a chilling reminder of the dark nature of their investigation.

There was a brief silence, filled only by the faint hum of the holographic display. Seonghwa’s gaze flicked to his desk, where his phone lay ominously silent. 

“Have you heard from Y/N?” he asked, his tone tinged with concern. “I can’t get through to her.”

Yunho’s expression tightened, his worry evident. “No word from her yet. I know she was going to stop by the lab today but haven’t heard from her since.”

“Dr. Kang, Y/N is here,” Sumin’s voice rang out clearly, breaking the soft hum of activity in the Biology lab. The secretary’s announcement echoed slightly in the pristine, white-walled corridor, his tone both professional and cordial.

The door to the lab slid open smoothly, and you stepped into the room, expecting to be greeted by the usual flurry of activity. Instead, you were met with an unusual silence. The bright, artificial lighting cast a sharp, sterile glow over the expansive space, revealing an array of scientific instruments and glassware meticulously arranged across gleaming countertops.

“Dr. Kang?” you called out, your voice carrying through the empty lab but receiving no immediate response. The sound of your voice seemed to dissipate into the vast space, adding to the surreal feeling of the room.

You glanced around, noting the various research stations, each one perfectly maintained but empty of human presence. The silence was punctuated only by the occasional hum of machinery or the soft whirr of ventilation.

As you ventured deeper into the labyrinth of workstations, you stumbled upon an array of dragon limbs, meticulously dissected and strung up on giant hooks. Each limb, massive and lifesize, dwarfed the average man, their sheer scale a testament to the dragons' formidable presence. 

The dissected pieces, preserved with clinical precision, revealed layers of sinew, muscle, and scale, stretching far beyond the dimensions of any human limb. Though lifeless, the specimens carried an eerie dignity, their vibrant, iridescent scales catching the cold, fluorescent light that loomed over everything in the room.

“Y/N, I see you’re here,” a voice broke through the sterile silence, pulling you from your thoughts.

You turned, your gaze still lingering on the lifeless limbs. "What is this?" you asked, your voice barely more than a whisper, the words catching in your throat as the chilling scene unfolded before you. The magnitude of it all made the air feel thick and heavy, like the remnants of something forbidden were pressing down on you, demanding answers that you weren't sure you wanted to hear.

“The future,” he replied smoothly, “Dragons are more than just relics of the past. Their strength, their resilience, it’s all right here, waiting to be harnessed by my hands.”

His words cut through the suffocating silence like a blade, and a shiver ran down your spine. The implications of his statement settled in—a future built on the bones of creatures that once ruled the skies, reduced to specimens and parts for human gain. 

“This is wrong,” you stammered, your voice trembling with a mixture of anger and disbelief. 

“Doing this under the Institute’s nose is illegal—you know that.” Your heart pounded as the enormity of the situation settled in. “You can’t just—”

Yeosang’s expression shifted, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features before he masked it with a calm, almost dismissive indifference. 

“Has anyone ever told you that your deduction skills are—” he paused, a thin smile curling at the edges of his lips, “admirable, but rather inconvenient? You’ve become quite the detective with all the snooping you and your ragtag gang of friends have been up to. I imagine having access to Park Seonghwa’s connections and Kim Hongjoong’s resources has been oh-so-convenient for you.”

“W-What are you talking about?” you demanded, taking a step back. 

His words struck a nerve, and you stiffened. How did he know about your deep dive into Ajax’s lineage? The realization that your investigation was no longer hidden sent a chill through you.

“Requesting a sequencing report, now that’s quite specific,” Yeosang remarked, his tone laced with a mix of condescension and grudging admiration. “Only someone looking to compare two different types of genetic material would go that route. It’s a bold move, bordering on reckless.”

He took a step closer, his eyes narrowing as if assessing you with newfound respect, or perhaps wariness. “Then you discovered the warehouse,” Yeosang continued, his tone admiring yet laced with an unsettling edge. 

“How did you–” you whispered, your voice faltering as you struggled to comprehend the gravity of his words. “You weren’t at the lab by chance.”

Yeosang tilted his head slightly, a mocking glint flickering in his eyes. “Oh, not at all, Y/N,” he replied, his voice smooth and casual. “It’s quite impressive, really, how far you’ve managed to get.”

He paused for a moment, as if weighing his next words carefully. “I must admit, Park Seonghwa isn’t as daft as I initially presumed,” Yeosang continued, his tone shifting to one of begrudging acknowledgment. “I didn’t expect him to connect the dots so quickly. But that’s the thing about talent—it occasionally shows up in the most unexpected places.”

“But even with all of his cleverness and the Kim’s vast network, you’re still playing a dangerous game, meddling in things far beyond your understanding. You’ve poked your nose into places it doesn’t belong.”

“You can’t just play god because you think you know better than everyone else,” you shot back, your voice trembling with defiance and fear.

Yeosang’s lips curled into a cold, predatory smile. “Oh, but I don’t think I’m better than everyone else,” he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm. 

“I know I am.”

His eyes bored into yours with an intensity that made your blood run cold. “You see, the difference between us is that I understand the stakes and I’m willing to see them through. You, on the other hand, are just a pawn in a game you can’t even begin to comprehend.”

A chill ran through you as his words sank in. Something about his tone felt off, the confidence in his stance unnerving. 

“You should’ve stayed out of it,” a voice said, smooth and tainted with disappointment. The sound sent a jolt of shock through your system, your heart stuttering as you turned to face the source.

“Wooyoung?” you breathed, your eyes widening as he stepped into view. There he stood, casually leaning against a workstation, his presence out of place in the dimly lit lab. Your mind reeled, the pieces of a sinister puzzle snapping into place with a clarity that felt like a punch to the gut. 

“You’ve been feeding him information this whole time?”

Wooyoung shrugged, his expression calm and unapologetic. “I didn’t think anything of it until you started getting involved.” Wooyoung moved closer, his eyes dark and unreadable. 

“You wanted to be a hero, didn’t you?” he continued, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “To uncover the truth and save the day? You flew too close to the sun Y/N. And now you’re about to get burned.”

“Jung Wooyoung, how… how could… c-could y-you…” you slurred, your voice barely a whisper as a sharp pain bloomed at the base of your neck. The words struggled to leave your lips, each syllable a battle against the sedative coursing through your veins. Your legs gave way beneath you, and you crumpled to the ground, the world around you spinning into a blur.

Wooyoung’s expression remained impassive, his arms crossed over his chest as he watched you fall. There was no hint of emotion in his eyes, just a cold detachment that sent a shiver down your spine. The edges of your vision darkened, and you fought to keep your eyes open, to stay conscious just a little longer.

Above you, Yeosang’s face hovered, his expression cold and clinical. He withdrew the needle with a practiced ease, his gaze never wavering from yours. There was no sympathy in his eyes, only a chilling resolve.

“When you wake up, you’ll be able to fly again,” Yeosang murmured, his voice a soft, almost soothing contrast to the harsh reality of the situation. His words echoed in your mind as the darkness finally claimed you, pulling you into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Cirrus’ nose twitched, sensing something amiss. The bond linking your minds flickered with distress and confusion, and the dragon’s primal instincts surged to the surface. She felt your fear, your pain, and the sudden, terrifying drop in your consciousness.

She thrashed against the cavern walls, her eyes blazing with fierce, protective fury. A deafening bellow erupted from her, demanding to know where you were and why you were in danger. The sound echoed through the caverns, a call of desperation and anger.

“Cirrus!” your grandmother shouted, her voice nearly drowned out by the dragon’s roars. She raised her hands, trying to project a sense of calm, but Cirrus’s eyes, glowing with an intense, wild light, were locked on the horizon. She wasn’t listening. She couldn’t. The only thing that mattered was finding you.

With a final, bone-chilling roar, Cirrus made her decision. The ground shook from the force of her takeoff, and in an instant, she was soaring into the sky, leaving the chaos of the caverns behind.

Your grandmother watched in helpless dismay as Cirrus disappeared into the clouds, her heart pounding with fear and uncertainty.

BREAKING NEWS – DRAGON FLYING TOWARDS CROMER LABS, ALL CIVILIANS IN THE AREA EVACUATED

“Seonghwa,” Yunho panicked, thrusting his phone at Seonghwa, the live footage of Cirrus charging at full speed toward Cromer Labs filling the screen. “You should see this.”

Seonghwa’s heart dropped as he watched a familiar lavender dragon streak across the sky, her massive wings slicing through the air with terrifying precision. Cirrus was in a frenzy, and there was no mistaking her target. Cromer Labs loomed in the distance, its cold, clinical exterior standing stark against the dragon’s wild, primal energy.

As the facility came into view, Cirrus let out a ferocious roar that echoed through the skies like a battle cry. The sound reverberated with a force that shook the very earth, and Seonghwa knew this wasn’t just a dragon on the loose—this was a guardian seeking her bonded.

“Shit.” 

Seonghwa didn’t hesitate. Without another word, he sprinted through the estate, his mind racing. He had to reach Cirrus before she tore the lab apart—or worse, before the lab’s defenses and keepers decided she was too great a threat to let live.

He called out for Starshine, his voice cutting through the night air with urgency. The response was immediate as Seonghwa vaulted onto her back, gripping the reins tightly.

“Let’s go,” he urged, and with a powerful leap, Starshine launched into the sky. 

The wind roared in Seonghwa’s ears as they soared toward the lab, the landscape below blurring into a patchwork of dark fields and city lights. He could see the trail of destruction Cirrus had left in her wake, the telltale signs of her fury etched into the ground.

The lab’s alarms blared, a cacophony of sound that only fueled Cirrus’s rage. She landed with a ground-shaking impact, her claws carving deep gouges into the asphalt as she tore through the barriers in her path. Debris flew in every direction, and the humans in the surrounding area scrambled in panic, but Cirrus paid them no mind. Her only focus was finding you, protecting you, and destroying anything that stood in her way.

Seonghwa urged Starshine to fly faster, his heart pounding in his chest. He could see Cirrus now, a force of nature, her chest heaving with each breath as she prepared to breach the lab’s final defenses. Smoke curled from her nostrils, twisting into the air like a dark omen.

“Hold on, Cirrus,” Seonghwa muttered under his breath as they closed in. He knew they had only moments before things escalated beyond control. Starshine’s wings beat furiously as they approached, and Seonghwa’s mind raced with a single thought: he had to reach her, to calm her, before it was too late.

Yunho, close behind on Voltage, was already scanning the area, trying to piece together what could have caused such a violent reaction from the usually controlled dragon. 

Cirrus’s massive form shifted, her glowing eyes locking onto Seonghwa and Yunho. There was no recognition, no bond to anchor her; all that remained was the raw, primal instinct to protect and destroy. With a snarl that sent chills down their spines, Cirrus suddenly lunged at them, her powerful wings sending a gust of wind that nearly knocked Seonghwa off balance.

“Yunho, move!” Seonghwa shouted, pulling Starshine into a sharp ascent as Cirrus barreled toward them. The impact of her claws against the air sent a shockwave through the sky, and Seonghwa could feel the vibration in his bones. 

Yunho was already moving, as Starshine dove down to intercept Cirrus before she could close the distance on Voltage. The two dragons collided in mid-air, their roars deafening as they grappled with each other. Claws slashed through the air, and the sky lit up with bursts of energy as Starshine tried to hold Cirrus back.

“Cirrus, stop!” Seonghwa called out, but his voice was drowned out by the fury of the fight. Starshine twisted to avoid Cirrus’s snapping jaws, trying to push her back without hurting her. Resetting course, she flapped her wings, diving toward Cirrus with precision. The goal wasn’t to harm but to restrain, to bring her back to herself.

But Cirrus was relentless, her rage blinding her to everything but the perceived threat. She twisted out of Starshine’s grasp, her tail lashing out and clipping her wing. Starshine let out a sharp cry, struggling to maintain balance as they fought to stay in the air.

“Seonghwa! Yunho!”

A flash of radiant light cut through the gloom, slicing across the horizon like a blade of pure sunlight. 

“Lady Sunmi!” Seonghwa exclaimed, a relief washing over him. Your sister had arrived with her dragon, Eos. 

For a moment, the ferocity in Cirrus’ eyes wavered, her primal instincts recognizing the strength and authority that Eos carried. Without any further hesitation, she snapped out of her reverie and let out a furious roar, the sound reverberating across the sky.

Without warning, Cirrus lunged at Eos, her claws outstretched, teeth bared in a savage snarl. Eos barely had time to react, pulling up sharply to avoid the full force of the charge. She flapped her wings with powerful strokes, trying to gain altitude, but Cirrus was relentless.

Eos twisted in the air, countering with a sharp turn of her own, her claws slashing through the sky as she retaliated. The clash of their massive forms shook the ground below. Angling her wings just in time, Eos narrowly avoided the strike, and retaliated with a swift, calculated blow to Cirrus's flank.

The hit landed, and Cirrus snarled in pain, momentarily losing her momentum. Cirrus whirled around, using her powerful hind legs to launch herself at Eos once more. The two dragons became a blur of motion—claws slashing, tails whipping, wings beating furiously as they fought for dominance.

Cirrus lunged, her jaws snapping mere inches from Eos’s neck. Eos countered with a powerful wing swipe, sending Cirrus spiraling out of control. Letting out a roar of frustration, Cirrus’s breath came in ragged gasps as she struggled to regain her bearings. But Eos was ready.

With a final, commanding bellow, Eos surged forward, wrapping Cirrus in a tight, unyielding grip. It was a move that combined raw strength with the gentle pressure of authority, signaling the battle’s end.

The younger dragon thrashed wildly in the air, fighting against the hold. But Eos held firm, her wings encircling Cirrus in a protective embrace. Slowly, Cirrus’s struggles weakened, her energy spent. The wild light in her eyes dimmed as exhaustion took over, and she finally relented, collapsing against Eos in a shuddering heap.

From a distance, Seonghwa and Yunho watched with bated breath, their hearts pounding in their chests. The tension in the air was almost suffocating as Cirrus fought against your sister and her own instincts.

"Y/N’s in there," Yunho said quietly, voice tinged with horror as he pieced together the damage. The thought of you being trapped inside that cold, clinical building while Cirrus tore through it like a force of nature was almost too much to bear.

"We have to get her out of there," Seonghwa said, his voice laced with urgency. He couldn’t let you stay in that place a moment longer, not while Cirrus was in a blind rage, and not while the lab’s security systems were likely more focused on containing the dragon than ensuring the safety of those inside.

When you come to, a sharp, throbbing pain radiates from the back of your head, and you squint against the dim light of the room. The disorientation is overwhelming, but as your vision clears, the reality of your situation slams into you with the force of a freight train. You’re strapped to the seat of a console, the cold metal biting into your wrists and ankles as you instinctively try to free yourself. Panic surged through you, your breath quickening as you tugged desperately at the restraints.

Your heart raced as your bleary eyes settled on the ominous sight before you—a life-sized incubation tube dominating the center of the room, its sleek, metallic frame reflecting the sparse, sterile light that filters through the darkness. 

The dragon was still, its eyes closed in what appeared to be a deep, dreamless sleep. The liquid around it was a pale, ethereal color, giving the impression that the dragon was floating in a kind of otherworldly cocoon. The sight was both mesmerizing and disquieting, a stark contrast to the vibrant energy of the dragon you were familiar with.

You try to steady your breathing, to push back the rising tide of fear, but the sight before you only deepens the sense of dread that clung to your thoughts. What is this place? Why are you here? And, most terrifying of all, what have they done to this dragon?

“You’re awake,” Yeosang sings, his tone dripping with a cruel sort of amusement.

Your blood runs cold as you turn your head to find him standing just a few feet away, his expression a twisted mask of satisfaction. The light casts sharp shadows across his face, highlighting the dangerous glint in his eyes. He’s been watching you, waiting for this moment, and the realization makes your stomach churn.

"What is this?" you manage to choke out, your voice trembling despite your efforts to stay calm. 

“This,” Yeosang continued, his voice softening with a rare hint of reverence, “is the result of years of research and experimentation. It represents the pinnacle of my efforts to unlock the limits of dragon physiology and enhance their abilities. Everything I’ve worked for has led to this moment.”

You glanced back at the dragon, the sight of its serene slumber now tinged with a new layer of complexity. The creature was no longer just a subject in a high-tech incubator but a living embodiment of Yeosang’s ambitions and research.

He stepped closer, his gaze flicking briefly to the dragon in the tube before settling back on you. "And you are going to be a part of it."

Yeosang watched you struggle with a detached interest. His gaze drifted towards the sleek console that contained you where a complex array of wires and screens are meticulously arranged. 

"What are you doing? Let me go," you demand, your voice stronger this time, though still edged with fear. You tug against the restraints once more, ignoring the pain as the metal digs into your skin. You have to find a way out, a way to stop whatever nightmare Yeosang is orchestrating.

Yeosang ignored your pleas. "The neural link is nearly complete. When activated, it will fuse your consciousness with the dragon's. The transmitter embedded in your neck interfaces directly with the dragon’s neural pathways, creating a seamless telepathic connection."

“Let me go!” you screamed, your voice breaking with fear and desperation.

“Let you go?” he repeated, his tone devoid of sympathy. “Not when we’re on the brink of witnessing how the regenerative function operates. It’s one of the most crucial aspects of this experiment,” Yeosang continued, his voice almost reverent. 

“Don’t you want to fly again, Y/N?” He glanced at you with a hint of curiosity, as if testing the waters of your desperation. “Don’t you want to heal that broken back of yours?”

The notion of flying again, once a cherished dream, was now twisted into a horrifying spectacle of manipulation. The thought of being bound to the dragon, subjected to its primal force and the invasive technology that linked you both, was overwhelming.

“You know,” he said with faint amusement, “you’re the first candidate to fight back. Most of the others were quite compliant.”

“The kids,” you managed to choke out, your voice barely a whisper. “What have you done to them?”

“Yes, the children were part of the initial trials,” he sighed, ignoring you again. “Their young minds were more adaptable to the neural interface. But there were… complications.”

“Complications?” you echo, your stomach churning.

“Some of the connections were too strong,” Yeosang admits, his tone almost clinical. “The riders lost their sense of self, becoming too intertwined with the dragons. It was a setback, but one that provided valuable data. Physically, they’re fine, though they do face some… emotional challenges.”

The room seemed to close in around you as you processed the enormity of his words. The children had become casualties of Yeosang’s ambition, their identities obliterated in the name of progress. 

“Where are they?” you gritted. 

“They’re being monitored,” he explained, his voice devoid of any hint of empathy. “Their bodies are intact, but their minds—well, they’re still part of the ongoing research. We’re studying the effects of the integration and how to refine the process.”

As the machinery around you began to hum with increased intensity, the final preparations for the experiment were being set into motion. The neural link cables glowed brighter, casting eerie shadows that danced across the walls.

Panic surged through you as you strained against the metal restraints. “No, no, please, no,” you cried, your voice cracking with desperation.

The sudden blare of alarms pierced through the hum of machinery, their shrill wail growing louder and more urgent. Yeosang’s face darkened as the alarms were interspersed with the rhythmic pounding of what sounded like heavy impacts from outside. The building itself seemed to shudder, its walls vibrating as if responding to an unseen force.

“Hey, bastard,” a voice growled from the shadows, carrying an unmistakable authority and defiance. “You better get out of there before the authorities shut down your little operation. Her dragon’s about to tear the place down.”

The voice, emerging from the very darkness of the lab, stood in stark contrast to the mechanical whirring and the blaring alarms. Your heart raced with a mix of hope and disbelief as you turned your head and saw a familiar figure stepping into the dim light.

Mingi…?

<< xi | xiii >>

a/n: chapter xii is finally here! it might be a while before the next chapter as i'll be out for a procedure in a week. but uhhh yeah, mingi 👀

taglist: @chngbnwf, @sunnysidesins @litolmochi @syubseokie @park-simphwa @szakias @babymbbatinygirl @oddracha @maliamaiden @signingsongbird @passionandsuga @mitchii

[im-totally-not-an-alien-2]

Damain encounters an intruder with a magical map in Wayne manor attempting to make off with a piece of strange tech they had recently acquired from one of thier common rogues.

Upon initiating combat Damian pierced both the very pretty white haired boy and the map with his sword, causing them to both be transported to a world with meta animals. Both of them were confused and the glowing meta admitted he had no idea where they were.

The map was damaged and would need time to repair itself along with a suitable energy source. More problems arose when the boy "transformed", apparently Damians skills were as sharp as his blade because Daniel's "core" was damaged by his strike and he too needed to heal in order to get them back home.

That being said they were now stranded in an unknown world with no way to contact thier loved ones. Father will be very displeased. On another note, Damian is enraged by the casual dogfighting that seems to be common in this world.

Cue Damian beating the snot out of pokemon trainers and police officers as Robin. Danny is kinda along for the ride and illegally catches pokemon without a trainers license. Damian soon does the same.

Thier pokemon do everything in thier power to try to get them to date.

[thesummerstorms]

Absolutely though, Annabeth doesn't know Jason is alive in the Annabeth Wayne version of The Lightning Thief.

So when she and Percy and Grover break into the Underworld and see Elysium in the distance, she asks Grover, somewhere between hesitance and stubborn unwillingness to hear anything different —

"That's where Thalia and my brother are, right?"

And Percy watches as Grover starts to qualify his answer, only to catch himself and very gently reassure her that of course that's where Jason and Thalia are.

She grips her knife more tightly, looks at Elysium longingly for a moment, then turns her away with a grim determination that doesn't belong on a child's face but that Percy immediately recognizes.

He didn't even know she had a brother, but suddenly he thinks of his mother's face and the understanding, wordless, sinks bone deep.

They press on towards Hades.

It takes Percy years, until after the sirens, to let on that this moment has shifted his world on its axis just as much as the god-gifted Oreos split between them in the stifling air of an illegal animal transport.

[fattocatto-wizard]

Finally! After over a month of waiting, I’ve finally found the time to finish my tower and reveal it to you all!!

Here’s what it looks like: (sorry if my art is bad)

(Note: image is not to scale)

(Note: I am visible at the base of my tower in this image)

My tower is a cat tree! The tower is many stories tall and the parts of the tower are scaled up to accommodate medium humanoid beings at the same scale as a normal cat to a cat tree.

Getting up it without being able to parkour or being a master of teleportation is a big challenge. Most of the lower levels are easily accessible, however.

A fair warning; my tower has non-Euclidean geometry as certain rooms are bigger on the inside and may lead to rooms that were not previously there, rooms and platforms may move around when you aren’t looking, and you may be randomly transported to a different part of the tower without noticing.

Don’t expect to be getting anywhere important with that teleporting, however. You will not be brought anywhere that isn’t very different than your current position on the tower, and the upper levels are completely inaccessible via this method. Actually, when you’re climbing the upper levels, you may be teleported lower on the tower.

In the fields below it, I grow various herbs, potion ingredients, drugs, and other plants! Like catnip and weed! I do most of my alchemy on the first floor and the dungeon underneath.

The entire thing is covered in comfortable fluffy cat-tree cloth and I’ve enchanted the area to always be clear skies, and warm and sunny during the day and perfectly cool in the evening.

The sunsets here are absolutely stunning.

The front entrance is obviously locked and only I have the key, so please just knock on the metal knocker to the right of the door; it’s enchanted to allow me to hear it if I’m there. If I’m not there, it will alert you that I’m away and I do ask you to politely leave if I am not home. Unless I have invited you, then I will allow it to open for you beforehand.

The tower has been warded with a tall field of force that fits around the tower’s dimensions, so don’t expect to be flying in.

I’m always welcome for visitors, so feel free to visit whenever I’m around.

Only I can properly navigate the tower, unless I give someone access, which I may or may not do, depending on the circumstances.

The tower gets quite windy, but it’s never enough to affect you because of the enchanted weather. The wind is always a warm breeze.

My tower is situated to the northeast side of wizard island island, along the cliff side coast, just southeast of the gray wizard council local.

From my tower, I can see most of wizard island, however a small portion of the island is blocked by the volcano. (Ex. I can’t see the Pirate Cove, Necrobotanist’s Tower, Ari’s Cafe, and Breakfast Wizard’s Diner and Cafe)

Thanks for waiting patiently! Hope to see y’all around!

@mersinia @the-gnomish-bastards-hat @combustion-witch @average-void-wizard @odd-animated-armor @slymewitch @a-mushroom-dev @a-mushroom-wizard @mossy--wizard @mossthewizard @wizard-at-large @wizardothesea @wizard-island-island-smp @magical-bear-dubin @magical-fox @alchemical-overreaction @transtyranid @transgender-wizard @verylegalwizard @blooper-malte @aroace-wizard @good-wizard @good-wizard2 @gavamont @pollution-wizard @the-mighty-dalob @the-moth-wizard-of-mayhem @the-illegal-wizard-council @ashen-the-tiefling @the-necrobotanist @terrencetheshark14 @the-frog-wizard-leep @the-wozard-council @siley-the-wizard @profeshinul-wizurd @sluttyambiguouswizard @yourlocalbreadenthusiast

Sorry if I forgot someone!

Oh, and have a happy Thanksgiving! 🍁🌽🥧

[wizard-island-trading-co]

Current Member List

These are the members of Wizard Island Trading Co. as well as our supporters. Each member listed here has access to a personal dock, warehouse, and Dock Wizard located in the Pirate's Cove on Wizard Island Island. If you wish to join, or for your details to be changed, please let me know.

PRIVATEERS

Myself (Captain of the Stocky Jasmine)

@officialgrigori (Evil First Mate of the Stocky Jasmine)

@mathemagical-corsair (On-call Mathemagician)

@spilledmilkii-but-a-diff-blog (Insurance Policy)

@sorceress-foxgirl-lilac (Sorceress)

@irving-the-pirate-wizard (Captain of an Unknown Vessel)

@the-spotticus (Captain of the Erlking's Daughter)

@captain-celeste-cinderbeard (Sexy Captain of the Sea Serpent)

@treethatspellstree (First Mate of the Damned Spectre)

@necromanceradept (Skeleton Ship Captain)

SMUGGLERS

@the-mud-mage (Smuggler and Earth Supplier)

@the-jnadfzard (Dream Smuggler)

SUPPORTERS

@wizard-hamnet (Groundskeeper)

@yourlocalbreadenthusiast (on-call necromancer and manager of Wizard Island Island)

@the-caffeinated-necromancer (on-call necromancer)

@the-wizard-of-revolution (Diplomat and Crisis Manager)

@blacktipreefsharkwizard (Resident Shark of the Cove)

@verylegalwizard (on-call Lawyer)

@not-a-goose-in-a-trenchcoat (Sudden Acquisitions Expert and Grocer)

@wizardgosleep (Dock Wizard)

@wizardcrow (Crow Wizard)

@uneven-daemon (Finder of Curious Things)

@detectivewizzard (Wizard Investigations)

@ratslawyer (Alchemist)

@lowly-wizard-apprentice (Student of Piracy)

@ripleyalamode (Biomancer and Curse Consumer)

@profeshinul-wizurd (Trap Master and Accident Magnet)

@goblinchief (Chief Goblin)

marty (Reminder that we are at least not him)

@the-shrimp-that-fried-rice (Pretty Self-Explanatory)

@8s-wizard-railroading-blog (Land Transport Company)

@odd-animated-armor (Forge Master)

Rave Skeletons (on-call crew) (like regular skeletons but wear various glow sticks and/or novelty glasses) (provided by @the-necrobotanist)

Dock Wizards (ship repair and modification) (imagine a neon green jawa)

SUPPLIERS

@the-necrobotanist (priority supplier)

@wizardvalshadar (supplier)

@alvareus-the-sorcerer-of-seals (illegal scroll supplier)

@shotgunspellcaster (ammunitions supplier)

@combustion-witch (liquorice and book supplier, and construct forge master)

@lixorloveslicorice (Liquorice Chef)

@freelancing-mycologist (mushroom supplier)

@magical-bear-dubin (Forest Supplier)

@redavatar101 (Alcohol Supplier/Consumer)

@thesluttyvampirewizard (Vampiric Import Provider)

@panem-crustus (Carbohydramancer)

@insertblogaesthetichere (mushroom supplier 2: this time it's personal)

@alchemical-overreaction (Alchemist)

@thelycanwitch (Lycan and Lycan accessories)

[differentlylimbed]

should probably make an intro post, i'll make a better version in the future lol

i'm lucas, 19, from the UK, he/him. this is a blog for me to talk about disability and related topics, i'll probably reblog some general stuff too though.

i don't mind sharing my diagnoses etc if asked but don't see any point making an exhaustive list for no reason.

relevant disability stuff:

i have a limb difference (rotational deformity). my body has been visibly disabled since birth, i'm a full-time crutch user since i can't weight bear on my twisty leg. don't call me deformed.

i had a traumatic brain injury recently which resulted in a significant loss of vision; i also have expressive aphasia. i'm still finding my place in the blind/VI community and figuring out which terminology to use - i meet the criteria for legal blindness/partial sight but sometimes use VI too. i use a screenreader and rarely reblog undescribed images.

i have severe ADHD, navigating newly medicated life. also diagnosed PDA profile autistic, dyspraxic, and sensory processing disorder. disability stuff aside, music is probably the most important thing in my life, i spend most of my free time playing guitar and going to concerts, punk/grunge subculture wise but other fav genres are classic rock, emo, metalcore and goth rock. physical media enthusiast, i don't have a smartphone and i love talking about it. i like public transport, nature, smoking weed, supermarkets, mango fanta, psychedelics, illegal activity, cigarettes, talking to strangers and animals. i hate cops and tiktok. i love meeting new people and answering questions (disability related or otherwise), dms and asks are always open. tracking # lucas talks , i don't usually tag content warnings but let me know if you want anything particular tagged. i don't have a dni, just be normal. nice to meet you all and thanks for reading :)

[dougdimmadodo]

Chambered Nautilus (Nautilus pompilius)

Family: Nautilus Family (Nautilidae)

IUCN Conservation Status: Unassessed

The fossil record shows that hard external shells were common among early cephalopods, but today the six living species of nautilus are the last cephalopods to retain the external shells of their ancestors, limiting their agility and flexibility but providing them with a highly effective defence against predators (primarily octopuses and large fish) and granting them a high degree of control over their buoyancy: within the shell of a nautilus there are several chambers with a tube-like structure across which gas and water can be transferred, known as a siphuncle, running between them - by filling a chamber with gas the nautilus can increase its buoyancy, by filling a chamber with water it can decrease its buoyancy, and by balancing the number of gas-filled chambers and water-filled chambers it can maintain neutral buoyancy. The Chambered Nautilus is the largest living nautilus (with exceptionally large individuals having a shell diameter of up to 25cm/10 inches, although smaller sizes are more typical), and can be found in the Indian and western Pacific oceans where it typically inhabits shallow coastal waters and coral reefs. It swims by forcing water out of a flexible tube-like structure near its head called a siphon (which can be aimed to alter its direction of movement), and feeds largely on carrion and detritus which it locates using a pair of chemical-sensitive structures that protrude from above its eyes, known as rhinophores. Although they lack true tentacles, Chambered Nautiluses possess as many as 90 small limbs beneath their eyes (called cirri), which lack the strength and adhesive suction cups of the limbs of squids and octopuses but are capable of grasping carrion (as well as the occasional live animal, such as small crabs) and transporting it to the small, parrot-like beak hidden beneath them. When food is abundant Chambered Nautiluses often gorge themselves, storing excess food in a muscular pouch-like organ called a crop where it can be slowly released into the stomach when it is needed. Chambered Nautiluses reproduce by laying eggs (which are typically hidden in cracks in rocks or between lobes of coral, and hatch after about a year into small but fully-developed young instead of the larvae seen in most cephalopods), and while most cephalopods reach maturity, mate and die within just a few years nautiluses are relatively long-lived, reaching maturity at around 5 years old and potentially living for 15-20 years. The interior of a Chambered Nautilus’ shell is lined with a beautiful silvery substance known as nacre or mother-of-pearl which helps to protect the internal organs if the outer shell is damaged, and the demand for nacre (as well as full nautilus shells) for use in decorations and jewellery has led to a high rate of both legal and illegal hunting of this species, resulting in the Chambered Nautilus being classified as a CITES Appendix II species in 2016 (essentially meaning that they are not currently threatened with extinction, but are now legally protected so as to prevent them from being put at risk of extinction in the future.)

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Image Source: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/123467-Nautilus-pompilius

[milfzatannaz]

My biggest critique of Hob Gadling in the Sandman is the way his slave ownership is handled. I’m speaking mostly for the show here, but you could apply the same ideas onto the comic pretty easily.

My point of view is informed by being a half black woman raised in the Deep South. So I’m writing this in the perspective of my personal history, which I felt was necessary to establish.

The most glaringly obvious problem to me is that the narrative seeks to downplay the act of owning slaves. Frankly, the exchange where this is brought up is quite surface level. “I own slaves now” hob says, to which Morpheus responds “owning people isn’t cool” (obviously this is the gist of it and not a direct quote). Then Hob in the next scene is no longer a slave owner and all is well. Hob is cool again, virtuous even. Morpheus and their friendship was always the focal point of the scene, and this exchange has more to do with developing their friendship than condemning slavery.

I cannot realistically expect a fantasy tv show to reject or denounce slavery. That is not its purpose. But on the flip side, I think it’s very important to critique any show that treats slavery in a flippant way. That’s the crux of the problem- owning slaves was a problem for nearly a minute. And then it went away magically. In this way holding stolen Africans in bondage is a stale topic, one that can be shrugged off and downplayed.

The reality is that slavery is an atrocity committed at a scale that white people struggle to contend with. It’s known to be Bad, a Mistake, but until you immerse yourself with sources that can offer you a glimpse of what life was like for an average enslaved person, it is not easy to really understand. Hob Gadling in essence did not simply illegally transport some poor people and drop them off somewhere. He participated in a system that routinely dehumanized black individuals, sexually assaulted and degraded black women, subjected black people to unimaginable levels of torture and violence and likened them to animals

(This is not a problem unique to sandman- similar critiques can be made of hamilton or our flag means death- but it’s still worth mentioning.)

The end result to me is that the minimization of slavery in turn minimizes the stain against Hob as a person. If we can reduce the horrors of participating in the slave trade, we can go back to developing this character as someone appealing and relatable. However, you can not be appealing and relatable if you are a part of this oppression. Anyone that agrees, endorses or perpetuates this horror against black people has no morals to stand on.

I don’t think this was malicious on the writers’ or gaiman’s parts, but I wonder if any black writers were hired to work on the show. After all, a majority of the cast is black. It’s easy to downplay a slave owner’s wrongdoing. Doing so is embedded into the very fabric of American society. But I think fans need to also be exposed to this angle. We shouldn’t be shy of exposing and critiquing racism in entertainment, and black fans should feel comfortable doing so.

[tigwex]

Urgent'ish commissions once more!

Hi, I'm Hawk and I'm a struggling trans autist who's going to have to wait a while for my student loan money to come in because I'm starting uni soon. Until then, I'm on the ice with no income, and I need money to survive on as well as to pay for things like public transport and required course supplies.

So my commisions are open!

I DO: humans, furries, animals, monsters, fanart, and most things in between. I also do NŚFW, suggestive and nudity, medium gore and I’m up to discuss anything not listed here.

I DON’T DO: anything bigoted, mean-spirited or illegal, and there may be a couple of things I’m personally uncomfortable with, so if we stumbled upon those, I’d let you know

PRICES Headshot - $15 Halfbody - $27 Fullbody - $37

EXTRAS Fancy rendering - +$15 Fancy shading - +$15 Detailed background - +$20 (note: simple or blurred photo bg is free!) All together - $35 ($5 off!)

OTHERS I do have other options as well, such as reference sheets, custom character designs, pixel art, chibis etc which I do not have set prices for because I do not have reliable recent examples of them, but I’m certainly open to them and giving a custom quote ^_^ All payments are through Payp*l or Ko-Fi and this has unlimited slots!

Examples are below, on my art tag, and you can inquire for nśft examples in DMs!