#MY TESTING DAYS ARE OVER !!! YAY BACK TO DRAWING !!

[duckdodger]

hehe preview of my next drawing :3

[contentloadinggg]

Valentine’s Day Treat

Somebody arrest this man, because who gave him the right to be that hot?

Author’s Note: A little Valentine’s Day piece, if you’re celebrating have fun. If you’re single make sure to tell the people in your life how much you love them :). And of course, love yourself. And obviously, thank you to Lunarite who beta reads my fics so wonderfully, love you💚.

Summary: Playing with fire gets you excited. Most everything explained in the warnings. (Gender neutral! Reader, hopefully, I tried my best)(~2000 words)

Warnings: smut yay, Dom!Andrew, Sub!reader, wax play, Oral Sex (Andrew eating reader out.) Praise, poorly written dirty talk, Idk

This is a work of fiction and is not a reflection of who Hozier is.

Fic under the cut 🩷 18+ only, you have been warned.

Andrew clasped a lit candle in both hands. His gaze not on the flame but on you. The room was dimly lit by candles, although not quite the same as the one in his hands. Firelight dancing over the walls of the room, drawing long shadows over the walls.

“Are you sure?”

The man asks gently, lifting a gentle hand to brush the hair back from your face. 

“Yes.”

A nearly whispered agreement from your lips. In a quiet voice as to not break the energy in the room. Andrew nods in response. Carefully tipping the candle to drip the melted wax into his open palm. The light of the flame moves hypnotically over his face. The reds in his hair and the sharpness of his cheekbones become more prominent in the warm highlights. 

The liquid wax hits his pale skin, pooling in his palm. He rubs it into his hand, the wax softening into oil and sinking in.

“It’s nice, not even that hot. Just a bit warm.”

He hums, looking into the slowly melting candle. You hold out an arm, wanting to test it yourself. Andrew’s lips curl into a soft smile. A hand grasping your held out arm. He ever so carefully pours some of the warm wax over your offered limb. Despite telling you it wasn’t that hot, it’s still a surprise when it hits you without burning.

The wax drips down the length of your arm and over your wrist before Andrew catches it with his thumb and rubs it into your arm with little circles of his finger. Slowly moving up the limb in such a simple act. Yet your stomach itches with arousal. Each movement is calm, almost languid and attentive. Paying attention to every detail. It’s especially attractive when his only focus is on your body and how it reacts.

Andrew drags his fingers further up. Until they reach the sleeve of your shirt. He softly tugs on it. You take the hint, sliding your shirt up and off with Andrew’s help. He’s quick to bring you into a kiss once the layer of clothing is tossed aside. The touch of his mouth is tender, caressing your bottom lip between both of his. He slowly lays you back against the bed. Knees moving to either side of your hips so he can straddle you comfortably.

“Let’s start here, yeah?”

He murmurs against your mouth. Trailing slender fingers down the curve of your neck and to the end of your shoulder. It nearly tickles, a mere brush against you. He waits for your agreement before lifting the candle a few inches above your bare skin. He tips it a little. The warm wax spills over the rim and drips down. It hits your neck in a few careful drops. Against the more sensitive skin, it’s a pinpoint of heat. Like a stray spark from a fire. A sensation that makes you gasp. Then it melts off into something much more subtle. Merely like metal warmed beneath a cool sun. Andrew straightens the candle again. Quick to soothe the wax into your skin with a gentle hand. Leaving it smooth and glistening.

“Was that alrigh? Should I keep going?”

He’s careful not to push you too far, asking questions and studying your every reaction to be sure everything is okay. 

“Yeah, it feels… interesting, keep going.”

Andrew nods at your answer. Tipping the candle once more. The drips of wax land at a faster pace. A gentle drizzle over your collarbone and shoulder. Andrew lets the liquid slide down onto your chest, over your sternum. The simmering heat pinkens your skin and makes the nerves so acutely aware of every feeling. You can almost feel the blood pumping through your veins.

His hands spread the melted wax over your skin. His gentle fingers tease the now acutely sensitive nerves that prickled beneath the heat. They dip into the valleys of your collarbones, the hollow of your neck. Exploring every curve and valley until your upper chest is glistening in the dim candlelight. His gaze on you like you’re an artpiece, yet far, far more precious. It burns and fuels your arousal. With your nod of assurance, he continues. Spilling the candle further downwards. A light sprinkle over your sternum.

The next touch is a surprise, as Andrew takes some of the melted wax onto his thumb and circles it around your hardening nipple. Sending a shock through your system. Setting your nerves on fire. Anticipating the pleasure. But Andrew is cautious, the almost dangerous glint in his eyes tells you he finds this fun. Entertaining even. To watch your reactions to everything he’s doing. 

“Does it feel good, darling?”

He asks, his voice lowered. Deeper. He’s into this. So very into this. You have to swallow hard to force your tongue to work again. 

“Y-yeah. Intense.”

You manage to choke out. Struggling to speak while feeling the tingle of heat around your nipple. Tripping over your own tongue and forcing Andrew to hold back what you’d know would be a wicked grin in response. 

Instead, he nods in acknowledgment and lowers the candle so it’s just hovering above your chest. Licks of heat coming off the flame. And drips the wax just an inch away from your nipple. It’s even hotter as it travels right from the candle onto your skin. Almost stinging. The anticipation of pleasure and pain causes your entire body to twitch and tingle. Andrew can’t hold back a surprised, satisfied laugh.

“So sensitive.”

He comments. His thumb rubs over the glistening oil. Back and forth. Back and forth. Your lungs heave beneath his hand. His eyes have nearly become black with arousal, hungry as they’re so intently focused on your shuddering form. His thumb drags slowly over the distance to your nipple. 

A moan escapes you as Andrew circles the hardened bud beneath his finger and pulls lightly.

“You like that?”

You respond with a nod to Andrew’s question. Not even attempting to form words. That urges him to keep going. Continuing to tease and tug at the sensitive bud until you’re arching your back up into his hand and he’s got you whimpering quietly. Only then does he continue. 

“Beautiful, you’re doing better than I could’ve imagined.”

He murmurs sweet words to you. Sliding the candle further down your shuddering form. He spills the wax over the rim of the candle, pouring a thin line of warm oil from your heart, all the way down to your navel. It nearly tickles. It soothes your body as it trickles down your skin and covers you with a strangely comforting blanket of heat, raising your nerves until Andrew presses it into your skin with a large hand. Fingers long and slender. Making you seem smaller than you are. Then he slides his hand lower. Past your navel and onto the round of your stomach.

Andrew paints the form of your figure with his fingers, mapping out the expanse of your skin. Adventurously his hand travels down the slope of your navel. His middle finger stretches out dipping down low to tease the sensitive skin around your entrance. He sucks in a breath when you twitch and whine with the shock of pleasure going up your spine. 

“God… you’re gorgeous, baby. Let me taste you. I need it, please?”

He asks, nearly panting with breathlessness. His warm breath moving over the swell of your stomach. You choke out an agreement. A hand eagerly tugging on his hair to drag him downwards.

He brushes those skilled lips against the surface of your skin. Cascading kisses further down your body, his hands find purchase on your hips and hold you down firmly. His beard brushing your thigh as he guides them over his shoulders. 

There’s hardly any build up. Andrew breathes in your arousal like a starving man. A lion about to devour a freshly caught kill. His nose pressing into your folds. A sly tongue flickers out to tease you, hot and slick, leaving a feeling even more searing than the melted wax that coats your skin. Every small reaction of yours excites him further. Makes him more eager for your taste. He submits to that longing. Circling his tongue around your opening. Stretching you open for his plunder before he begins taking it.

 He buries his tongue into your arousal. Lapping at your walls in slow, savouring strokes. Your hole opening little by little. As his tongue continues, wet and unyielding. Andrew has no hesitation to begin devouring you. Like a starving man sinking his teeth into the sweetest fruit he’s ever tasted. It’s even reflected in his pleasured moans and muffled praises.

“Taste so fucking good.”

Your trapped hips jerk as the tip of his nose bumps into that sweet, sensitive spot. Andrew’s hands holding the to do the bed. His grip grows even firmer as you writhe beneath his mouth. Your movements don’t stop him. As he pushes himself as deep as he can go. His beard gently scratching at your legs, making you all the more sensitive than the wax already had. 

Pleasure runs through your body, shaping your back into an arch in an attempt to get closer to his mouth. Despite his hands not allowing it. You can feel your legs tremble around his head. Both hands tangled into his long curls of hair that pull it back from getting into his face. You call out his name with a curse. Pressure building up and pushing against your stomach. Andrew can feel you clench around his tongue. Attempting to draw him closer, even when his mouth is already practically melted against you. Lost in the taste of your pleasure. But another call of his name has his attention.

“Are you gonna cum for me, darling?” 

He asks in a rough voice. Lifting his head to look up at you properly. His chin shines with saliva that he doesn’t care for. He never minded getting a bit messy. Andrew doesn’t leave your poor, devoured hole alone as he asks his questions. Teasing the puckered entrance with a finger that he slowly pushes in when you whimper. His actions are made easily by the salvia slickening you. At your affirmative answer he curls his finger. Rubbing your sweet spot just perfectly with skilled hands.

“That’s it. I want you to cum over my tongue, yeah? Bet that tastes even better.”

You can tell he means it by his tone, the way his voice barely trembles and he shows it. His head ducked back down between your thighs. His tongue joined side by side with his finger. Prodding at every pleasurable spot he can hit. Over and over and over again. Until the pressure in your stomach becomes unbearable. When you warn him of this, he moans into your skin. Sending vibrations through you.

“C’mon, let it go. You’ve done so well. Just a little farther.”

Andrew encourages, both for his and your sake. The pleasure becomes overwhelming. The long strokes over your fluttering entrance shove you over the edge. Back arching off the mattress and toes curling into the sheets. You wail his name like a prayer. Like his gift of pleasure is heaven sent. Spilling over his mouth and chin as ecstasy washes over you. Andrew laps it up like it’s a sweet nectar. Moaning at the taste over his tongue. He cleans up the mess between your thighs like that. Ridding you of what would’ve become a sticky nunasince. Eventually, you’re squirming weakly with oversenstivity and Andrew finally lifts his head out of your legs. Still seeming dazed. 

“Could you go another round like that?”

Honestly, Idk how to feel about this one. Doesn't feel like my best writing, but I tried. Anyways, I'm hoping to post a fic for the 5th Anniversary of Wasteland, Baby! If I have any ideas for it. So if you have any ideas you'd might like to see feel free to send them to me.

-Thad 💚

[heliosthegriffin]

Class of One Chapter 17

Ao3 Link

---

“And, that is why attempting to use a weapon of, theoretically, mass destruction against my fellow combatants in a social fighting event is bad, and therefore wrong.” Jaune spoke to Goodwitch sounding dead inside.

He had just got done writing a paper on the wrongs of using excessive force against combatants that weren’t using lethal force against himself.  All he did was try to fire Good Samaritan at them! He wasn’t even sure what happens when he does fire it, every time he tries to remember, his head gets all screamy. But, Miss Goodwitch very much did not approve of his actions, and had confiscated his bazooka, and then made him write a paper until she was happy.

Hopefully, this was it.

His teacher, and captor of not only his hoodie, but also his bazooka, nods. “Good, you’re making progress, on your next fight, just go in with your standard weapons, they will serve you well enough.”

“Thank you, may I go now?” Jaune asks with building hope.

“No, “ Which Goodwitch promptly crushed without mercy. “Instead,  we are going to the training room to improve you as much as possible before the next round.”

Jaune winced internally, but smiled weakly. “Yay.”

Then was enveloped in a purple aura as he was floated out of the room by his teacher.

-----

Jaune screamed as he hopped from floating disc to floated disc, sliding to and fro on the near-friction-less planes, he ducked as bullets flew all around him, only his sense of danger keeping him from being hit.

Solider from the Atlas military were drawing beads on him and firing expertly at him. Where had Goodwitch even got them?!

He kept moving, eyes going wide as a literal ring of fire appeared in between him and the next platform, leaping through it, possibly singing his eyebrows in the process. 

Landing, almost skidding off the sides, Jaune gulped uneasily, as he saw boulders moving at highway speeds in front of him in the air in between the planes of force, like a trap lifted out of a video game. A game made by people that hated you!

Jaune thought he heard a sound, turning around a fraction too late, as a missile of force hit him on a chest, knocking him off the plane, and harshly onto the ground.

A barrage of bullets then struck him, as the soldier fired mercilessly on him.

Followed by a boulder that had been floating falling ontop of him.

“Ow.” Jaune moaned.

“Cease fire!” Goodwitch turned to the soldiers with an aura of military authority. “Take a break, return in five!”

“Ma’am, yes Ma’am!”

Turning to Jaune she levitated the rock off of him. “Go get some water, and get back here for more training.”

Jaune groaned in acceptance.

----

Jaune almost threw up leaving the training halls, back at Beacon, he had heard his upperclassmen, and women, whisper enviously about how he got to train one on one with Goodwitch, the most physically attractive teacher in the school. They didn’t know what they were talking about.

Yeah, he was doing stamina training.

Yeah, he was getting disciplined.

Yeah, he was having his limits tested, every. SIngle. Day.

But, it wasn’t the depraved training they fantasied of! Jaune was most certainly not getting what they were wanting! 

Or, at least he thought so, but maybe some of them were into that? Jaune wasn’t into being bossed around by older women, he had gotten enough of that back at home, so that was definitely his anti-interest if anything.

Poor dad, he was the only man left at home now. If he focused, he could distantly hear screaming. That's just his imagination, though.

Hopefully.

Anyway, Jaune was not in any way getting ‘special training’, or ‘giving special training,’. The boy doubted Goodwitch could get his heart racing in any way besides utter fear.

She had him running an obstacle course, while she levitated boulders over his head, and set the room on fire! She was a real-deal witch!

Then set him on fire! While practice drones came after him!

It was like everyday he came back able to move, she took it as a personal insult and challenge!

He hardly even wanted to think about what she’d have for him tomorrow, today was bad enough!

“Uggh.” Jaune let out a long sigh. That was tomorrow at least, and the next day after that was the two v two matches, or in his case, the two v one matches, which he was now looking forward to, win or lose, as it meant she wouldn’t put him under a boulder again, for that day at least.

At least for now, he had the rest of the afternoon to himself.

Looking out the window across Haven’s expansive lawns and gardens he spied the stalls of the festivals. Jaune nodded. It looks like a good place to start.

What’s the worst that could go wrong?

Jaune turned pale. “Oh, why’d I have to go and think that? Everything, everything could go wrong.” He sighs. “Might as well get it over with.”

-----

The festival was packed wall to stall by people of every color and creed, and he didn’t mean skin color or whatever, literally every color of the spectrum was on somebody here. Pink hair, blue skin, neon brown clothes, it was enough to cause him to almost throw up.

But, that may be from seeing so many souls packed together, their energies pressing next to each other, little sparks of soul friction firing into the air whenever someone with an active aura brushes against another. Which, unsurprisingly, was quite a few, considering this was a festival themed around the protectors of humanity. 

Still it was neat to watch, it may have led to him walking into a wall or tree every so often, though. Jaune was fine, the obstructing object, not so much.

No one got hurt at least.

He played some clearly rigged games. Managed to throw a dull dart through the back of the tent and into the horizon, and broke the hoop of a ball game, shot a pop gun and broke the bottle and shelf it was on. The game-masters just pushed a giant beowulf plush, a cheap katana, and a disguise kit into his arms, and told him to never return.

Sitting on a bench, eating some terrible, but delicious food, that was also completely overpriced. Jaune realized that he had more or less had the complete festival experience in roughly an hour.

It sucked.

What had he seen in these before?

A group of chortling boys and giggling girls ran in front of him.

Jaune had a pang of longing for his family. Then a pang of loss at having no one to spend this time with.

Staring out across the festival, now more than ever, he felt the truth of his situation emerge over him.

Fraud or not, he was alone. Jaune had seen so much, that he was no longer sure where his luck ended now and his skill began, luck couldn’t have gotten him this far, could it?

He was a fifteen year old boy by himself in a foreign kingdom eating by himself, fighting to show off his skills to the rest of the world, pretending that he was two-years older than he was and had proper training, yet was somehow beating people who did have such training. Had exactly two kinda of friends who were old enough to be either his mom or elder sister respectively, a mentor, and almost supportive family. 

What is his life? 

Where is it going? 

Was this anyway to live?

Why did he see Peter Port when he got swallowed by that Grimm? He should probably follow up that line of reasoning later.

He watched a group of hunters walk by in Haven Uniform, and felt a deep longing for something similar, followed by a dark, ugly emotion he quickly identified as envy.

Watching them walk by, it dawned on Jaune, that being a Hunter was not a one person job. No matter how skilled or strong, no person was meant to stand by themselves. 

Even Headmasters had staff to assist them. 

Even Kings had Knights. 

Gods had Spirits.

Wait, where did that last thought come from?

He shook his head. No matter, Jaune thought, he didn’t like being alone. But, who was he going to relate to? How would anyone listen to him and not think him insane? 

Jaune then touched his wallet. 

“I’m already a fraud, am I really above bribery?” Maybe he’d find someone to rant to for a few hours, and throw money at them until they stayed.

He snorted. No, he wasn’t that desperate.

Jaune thought for a moment, thinking who he could talk to, who was actually available. He could call his dad?

He knew his secret, and was kind of supportive?

“No, not right now.” Calling Dad would only make him homesick, and then his sisters would join in, and mom, and that would mess with him too much.

Then he thought to the only person who he really interacted with daily, Ms. Goodwitch.

Jaune started to shutter, but fought it back.

Sure, she regularly beat his ass in training, but she was the most regular human contact he had. Maybe, just maybe, they could be friends? … Not like she had many options either, she was a workaholic.

Jaune chuckled then immediately felt bad. 

She did a lot to help him, and he was laughing at her. He should do something nice for her.

Like not getting involved in dangerous shenanigans that would give her tons of paperwork and make Beacon look bad.

Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen. Jaune knew what his life scheduled trouble for him, just not the exact date. Getting up and walking, he started thinking, passing through the gaps in the stalls. Avoiding people and breakable objects. Eventually entering an alleyway, and passing by what looked like a shady dealing. 

Two vaguely familiar looking people, one was a short ginger and the other, a taller ninja-looking guy, both in trench-coats faced as they faced a trio of girls that ran the entire spectrum of pretty. 

A tall and athletic redhead, a short tan red-head with a beanie, and an average height, dark-skin girl with a beanie.

He nodded his head approvingly at them, they all had pretty auras too. Not that they noticed him.

“You’re the supplier, correct?” The dark-skinned girl asked.

“Yes.’ The ninja answered.

“Then, you have what we requested?”

“And more.” The ginger said suddenly, pulling out a baggie. The trio of girls looked with awe at whatever was in it.

He felt he had zero reason to interfere, even if his skin crawled at the scene with a distinct feeling of being violated.

So, he left.

“Taking all my Lien!” Was the last thing Jaune heard, as he began to sprint away.

Only for him to be pulled into a doorway.

Jaune made to strike with overwhelming force, only to stop at the last moment, seeing a familiar face.

“Lisa?”

“Correct.” The lavender haired reporter affirmed.

----

Mercury was not having a good time.

Become a butler they said, it would be alright they said.

Nobody said a word about the psycho midget! Or the rude customers! Or having to be polite!

Running down the corridor, he slid and hid in a dark hallway.

Breathing softly, Mercury looked at himself, dressed in this monkey suit. It was so formal he wanted to vomit. The son of an assassin turned into the butler of mysterious prodigy, wasn’t that the plot to some Mistrial drama crap?

He hoped to the Dark Brother that wherever his life was going it did not involve yaoi. 

Or if it was, that he could be the top, he refused to be a bottom as he was done being bent over by life.

Regardless, Mercury took a breather, and reminded himself that if nothing else, he looked damn fine in this suit.

HIs scroll vibrated.

It was Ezekiel, the manager of the Vista, The Miracle Boy aka Jaune Arc’s personal hotel/fortress/orphanage, and also his boss and trainer in the way of butler hood.

He wanted to know where he went.

Mercury simply typed Midget.

Ezekiel responded with a stay safe, and directions to a first aid kit.

Mercury frowns. “Maybe those Mistriali types at that club are still looking for muscle?” He mused. Those twins were certainly his type…

“Koff-Koff!” A sharp bark of noise caught the butler in training's attention.

Following the noise, he saw a sickly little girl with ash-gray hair hiding not too far from him.

Mercury frowned awkwardly, and waved at the child, as he took slow steps back. 

The child waved back just as awkwardly.

‘This is weird.’ The assassin turned butler thought.

“So, you good? Need a hot towel or something?” Mercury prodded. She technically lived here, so he probably was obliged to help her.

The little girl said nothing, looking at the ground miserably.

Mercury bit the inside of his cheek. ‘Aggh, why do kids have to be annoying to deal with?!’  He really wanted to leave.

Then came another round of coughing.

“Alright, what crap is bothering you, kid?” Mercury said bluntly.

It certainly caught her attention as she looked at him in surprise.

“Yeah, you! Tell me what’s up? Why aren’t you with the other kids? Playing and shiiii, I mean shoving each other, right?” 

“I’m sick.” The girl said softly. “I’m always sick. Doctors say there's something wrong with my body, it can’t fight off diseases that well.” Mercury was surprised how well spoken she was. 

“So, the other kids don’t let you play because you’re sick?”

The girl shook her head. “I can’t play, and I don’t like watching them. It makes me sad. If I try to play I start coughing hard and pass out.”

‘Wow, that is depressing.’ Mercury thought his life was shit, or had been shit up till recently, but at least he had his health.

Down the hallway, an elevator opened, and Mercury froze, as he heard familiar boots of a certain psycho midget exit.

Reaching down and picking up the girl. “Hey,  I got something you can do, something only you can do.” He said to her as he began running.

She looked confused. “What?”

“Hang out with me, and make sure that psycho doesn’t get the drop on me.”

-----

Sitting in a booth of some hole in the wall bar in Haven had not been on his to-do list today, but Jaune had to admit it, Lisa was as close to a friend he had at the moment. What else would he call her after he had saved her life, when she had helped make him a multi-millionaire, then dragged him into a conspiracy to risk both of their lives, and then disappear without a word for months?

Well, probably not a friend. 

Or was she?

“Are you about to drag me into another adventure?” Jaune asked, pointing at her with his chopsticks.

She chuckled. “No, not today.” She took a sip of her beer. “I just saw a friend, and decided to press him into keeping me company.”

“Oh.” Jaune nodded. “Well, I would have come politely, if you bothered to ask.”

“I can’t exactly call you when I’m on every hit list in Vale.”

“Not every hit list.” Jaune said carelessly.

“Ok, I know that. It’s just a manner of speech. But, the point is, I’m in hiding, I can’t exactly contact a world-famous celebrity, can I?”

“I’m world-famous?” Jaune asked skeptically. “I thought I was just kingdom-famous?”Lisa looked at him blankly, then shook her head. “You’re lucky, you’re pretty.” Then she took another drink. “Yes, you are world-famous, you’re competing in Vytal, and were already famous beforehand.” Jaune’s eyes widened in realization. “Oh.”

“Yeah, anyway, you should probably use this opportunity to advertise your businesses, it’s a once in a life-time opportunity for you.” She thought for a moment. “Actually, scratch that, probably only an annual opportunity for you, you lucky jerk.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Jaune nodded, then ate some udon. “If you’re in hiding, why are we here? Shouldn’t you be in a bunker or something?”

Lisa smiles. “Not anymore, I have backing now.”

“Backing?”

“As in, I have someone’s protection.”

“Oh, like being part of a secret organization?”

“Sort of, but more boring. I dig up information, look through old reports and books, make phone calls, and they make sure I don’t get my head turned inside out.”

“That’s nice of them.”

“Yes, that is very nice of them.”

A beat passed.

“Who is it?”

“One of the families that run Haven. The Aegis Clan.” Jaune nodded. “And, that’s supposed to mean something?” Lisa sighed. “Some hunter you are, it’s not that important.”

“What are they looking for?” Jaune asked. “I can’t imagine they just protect a journalist like you out of the goodness of they’re hearts.”

“You’re right.” Lisa looked conflicted.

“You’re not allowed to tell me, are you?”

“By contract they had me sign, there is nothing stopping me, but in the spirit of the contract would be damaged.”

“That’s unfortunate.” Jaune moaned. He was starting to get curious. But, holding your word was a big thing in his family, and he wouldn’t have anyone break their word just to satisfy his curiosity.

“But, if you were to help me look for it when you can, I guess that doesn’t violate the spirit of the contract.” Jaune bit his lip. “Alright, I’ll do it. I’m sure it’s fine.”

Lisa nods gravely. “Good. Now, does the phrase, ‘New Genesis’ mean anything to you?”

He shook his head. “No, I can’t say I do.” “That’s fine, I can’t say I expected you would..” She took a sip of her beer. “It’s a eugenic program started sometime after the Great War in effort to make Aura-Users capable of surpassing The Last King of Vale, by some of the greatest scientific minds of the time backed by powerful people from all over the Kingdoms.”

“Um, what’s eugenics mean?”

“Selective breeding to achieve a desired result, like how people will breed dogs together in effort to get a breed they want, except in this case, it’s humans and Faunus.” Jaune looked disgusted. “What? I mean, people should do that out of love right? Not for just … power.”

“Not all of them were given a choice, Jaune.” The glass in his hand shattered. “What?”

Lisa ducked under the table. “Cool your head,” Glass rained around them. “Nothing you can do now.” Lisa sighed. “This is all public knowledge if you know where to look. The project was dismantled almost two decades ago.”

Jaune relaxed. “Oh.” He looked sheepish. “Sorry.” Lisa nodded. “You’re paying for the glass, not me. Anyway, dismantled is the wrong word.The island where the experiments were being carried out was blown into the next dimension, along with all the data that came with it. It was only found out later after receipts that didn���t add up started being found out, and people who were involved in the project that weren’t on the island after it was blown to bits, started making confessions in order to avoid jail time, or worse.”

“Did they?” Jaune asked, sincerely hoping that they were rotting behind bars, or worse.

“They did, they knew too much valuable knowledge and they were snatched up by various kingdoms, and now they’re either head of other projects, or dead.”

Jaune looked like he drank vinegar. “That’s not satisfying.”

Lisa looked at him tiredly. “Life rarely is.”Jaune sighed in contempt. “So, why are you telling me this? I don’t see how I can be of help. It seems open and shut to me.”

Lisa looked into her drink. “Well, that’s the thing, it’s not.” She looked at Jaune intensely. “In the reports and interviews I found, many of them, they all referenced something, something that many researchers never responded to, as though they were scared of it.” Lisa chuckled. “One, allegedly, had a heart-attack when it was mentioned to him.” 

Jaune smiled. “That’s good to hear.” He picked at his Udon, happy that one of those evil bastards got what's coming to them. Family, love, and trust were big things to an Arc, to break any of those things was a terrible thing, but to warp, and defile all three, it was unforgivable to him. If he ever met one of those people still living, he’d fix that. “What was the thing?”

“Alpha Specimen - The Original One’

Jaune looked at her blankly. “And?”

“That’s it. That’s all we know about it.”

“That’s what gave a man a heart-attack?”

“Allegedly, a lot of these reports are second, or third hand, they might not even be true, and just rumors made to blur the truth.”

“Then… How do you know, that ‘New Genesis’ wasn’t just one big lie to cover up something even bigger?”

“Wow, you’ve really become an optimist since we last met.”

“Shut up, you had to have considered that yourself, right?”

“I have, and … It definitely happened,”

“How do you know?”

“We have one of the survivors.”

Outside, on the other side of the wall, a short girl with silver hair and red-eyes listened intently to the conversation inside. Then disappeared as the world seemed to ripple like silvery-white water.

[darthmaclunkey]

the three of you who read my posts may remember me gleefully posting about my first ever blood donation a few months ago and how stupendously well it went. well I donated a second time this week and it did……..not go stupendously well

so after sitting in the waiting room and chugging water, a nurse takes me into one of the wee rooms to check my haemoglobin. she takes three samples from my finger, frowns, and is like “it’s low, but it’s only just under the limit. we can take another sample directly from the vein which may be more accurate, but if you’d like to stop and try another day, that’s totally fine.”

I’m like no let’s do this! test my vein! so she gives me a plaster for my finger and sends me into another room.

another nurse draws blood from the vein in my other arm and tests it, and it’s looking good, well within the limits. we’re cooking with gas! I now have two plasters! I get taken through to the donation room and given a chair.

everything’s going smoothly. I make a joke about how I’m just here to collect plasters and tell the next nurse I’m going to try and break my earlier record of being the fastest woman donor at the centre. she tells me I have good veins and I’m like yay :) being excited about having good veins is a very normal thing to be :)

(jokes aside, it was all so smooth and chill - like 99% of my experiences with the nhs, the staff were all so professional, communicative, and so lovely)

anyway, I donate the bag of blood (still fast, but not beating my previous record). the needle comes out, and the nurse gets me to hold down gauze and apply pressure while she sorts the donation out. she comes back with a plaster, except when I stop pressing down on the needle entry site, blood comes gushing back out again.

she’s very calm about it, says no problem, and grabs a fresh bit of gauze and applies some pressure herself. I’m sat patiently waiting for my post-donation carton of apple juice. my little treat :)

except then the same thing happens again. I am still bleeding. we get fresh gauze and more pressure applied. another nurse wanders over and is like “wow, you just don’t want to stop donating, do you?”

I laugh and I’m like “I guess not!” but then I start to feel very funny.

“by the way,” I say, “I think I’m about to faint”

the first nurse very calmly says “ok” and flips the chair back so I’m lying upside down. I pretty much instantly feel better and tell her this.

she goes “I’m glad you told me you were feeling dizzy. your lips were going blue, btw.” #slay

by this point I’ve soaked through the plaster she applied, so she changes it and we reckon I’ve stopped bleeding. she sits me back up and lets me have the apple juice (yippee!!!) and then asks me to just sit and chill until I’m confident I’m ok. there’s no phone signal in the donor centre and the wifi is broken, and I finished reading my book on my lunch break, so I spend a very calm 10 mins looking at my shoes and sipping apple juice before I tell her I feel fine and I’m going to head out.

she still looks a bit worried, so she’s like “ok, but please take as many snacks as you need and sit in reception for a little longer just in case, my colleague there can keep an eye on you”

I go and help myself to chocolate and some stickers then park myself in reception to cram the chocolate down my throat and chug more water. at this point I just feel tired, so I decide to patch my original plan of walking home (45 mins, by the way, I was insane for thinking that’d be viable) and head for the bus.

ten minutes down the road and almost at the bus stop, I realise I am feeling…….not so good. my hearing is going all static and my vision is tunnelling a bit at the edges. I’ve fainted before, so this is not my first rodeo. the bus stop is just over the other side of the huge 4 way junction I’ve stopped at, but I decide I need to sit down expeditiously, so I walk over to a nearby planter and park myself on the edge. btw, it had been raining all afternoon, so I immediately got a soaking wet arse.

this does not make me feel much better. I decide to put my head between my knees to try and get the blood flowing back to my head. and then the next thing I know, I’m slumped on my side on the pavement.

it’s not my first rodeo for fainting and not even my first rodeo for passing out in the street (although the only other time it happened I was just blackout drunk) so I feel weirdly calm. I’m soaking wet and on the pavement, but I feel….kinda okay about it. I don’t seem to have hit my head or hurt myself. I sit myself upright and take a few deep breaths. a rare good thing about me is that while I’m usually a very anxious person, I do tend to power through and keep the heid in the moment.

what’s not okay is that nobody came over to see if I was ok. I definitely tried making eye contact with people as they walked past, but everyone just ignored me. so to everyone in [redacted] area of [redacted] on tuesday night at 7pm, you’re all cunts. your da sells avon and your maw eats chuggie off the ground.

anyway, since I’m feeling weirdly calm, I start thinking about what to do. I could go to the nearby cinema - I know it well and they’ve got a quiet bar and nice staff who’d probably help me out - but it’s across the busy junction. the donor centre is a 10 min walk away. I pull out my phone and ring my partner, who picks up on the third dial. turns out he’s in a zoom meeting, so funnily enough this is the second time he’s had to abort a zoom meeting because of me having a medical emergency (the first time I’d cut my hand badly, which meant that everyone on his zoom call just heard him yell “OH MY GOD DARTHBINGUS IS BLEEDING” (not my real name) (obviously) then abruptly hang up)

on the phone, i go “hi, I think I just fainted”

he’s like. “what? where are you? shall I call an ambulance?” and I can hear the genuine panic in his voice.

I’m like nah I’m good. I don’t need an ambulance. but I don’t really know what to do. at this point I feel too weak to get up, but I don’t feel like I’m going to pass out again. he asks if I want him to come get me and I’m like 🥺 yes pls. except neither of us drive, so it’s a 30 minute bus journey.

he runs for a bus. thankfully I’ve managed to pass out next to a major busy bus route that runs right by our flat. I send him texts every 2 mins like “still alive” “still conscious” “I am breathing” “interesting pigeon just walked past” and he replies with things like “on bus” “got a seat on the bus” “bus is 10 mins away” “glad you didn’t die in the last 30 seconds”

by the time he shows up (my calmness broke and I nearly cried at the sight of him running across the road with a tote bag full of random food from our kitchen) I’m feeling pretty much better (albeit very feeble, cold and wet), so he feeds me some strawberries and then I call a taxi to get us home. and because I’d been sitting on the wet pavement for half an hour, I leave a giant wet patch on the seat in the taxi like I’d pissed myself. I hope the driver didn’t notice.

and then I’m fine for the rest of the evening, get my dinner cooked for me, change into dry clothes, and play bg3 (6 TPKs on the ansur fight, but then again I had the [bloodless] condition which nerfed my stats IRL)

anyway here’s the swag I got (kitkat and tunnocks teacake not pictured), PLUS I got loads of sympathy from my colleagues at work the next day once I told the story. 10/10 will definitely try donating again.

[dragoon811]

I have had a shitty week. Can someone manifest me some good vibes?

Sunday started nice. Monday was a holiday (Family Day) so I got some extra weekend. I was looking forward to it - then Elder Child crawled into my bed just past midnight with a fever.

Monday she stopped eating after lunch (two bites of banana), but was drinking water.

Stayed home Tuesday to help her combat the fever. Wednesday morning she had no fever so my daycare lady was able to take her and I went to work. She kept me updated etc all day.

My gut didn’t like how much she was sleeping so after work I decided to take Elder Child to the children’s hospital. Convinced my husband to pack me a bag, thinking they’d throw Tylenol at us and we’d sit in the waiting room for 8 hours to be told it’s an ear infection/sinus infection…. But I got home to her and her fever returned. (And my period started. JOY.)

Loaded her into the stroller, threw myself in, and off we went! Waited in line at triage.

Triage called us, we weighed her, we talked. And I said I was concerned because she hadn’t eaten, the fever was back, my sister was diabetic and I was starting to worry because when she was sleeping I couldn’t rouse her easily, and her breath smelled and basically asked them to check her blood sugar.

So they did. (This was NOT an enjoyable experience for Elder Child.) it was at 2 - new to how Canadians measure shit, I’m really glad the little screen added in red: “CRITICAL LOW”.

The nurse made a phone call and stressed, surprised, that Elder Child was alert.

Upon the second attempt at a reading because it was low, Elder Child was more prepared. She kicked, she fought, she puked all over herself, and bolted for the emerge doors.

Ok. Skip a second test. (Note: I did not pack spare clothes.)

We were taken right back to a room in the emergency wing. Unsettling.

Then a flurry of people - a lady trying to help Elder Child adjust and calm down. Nurses. Doctors asking questions. (Another note - I have not slept well in 2 weeks, am hearing impaired, and now overwhelmed and scared. Not a good combo.)

Gave Elder Child a nasal spray to calm her (this resulted in another bolting for freedom, also thwarted), another blood check….and once the spray started to work, we tried to prep her for an IV/blood draw.

This was ALSO strongly disliked. More holding her down. I did a lot of crying.

We went through the symptoms - tummy hurting, drinking some water but hadn’t peed in like 6-7 hours, fever, sleeping constantly, not eating. Ended up doing ultrasound, X-ray. Ten bottles of blood (and she FREAKED). Finally got her to pee. Yes, she peed on me.

Refused food. Refused popsicles. Refused juice. Started IV - first sugar bolus. Then hydration. We named the IV robot Frank. Elder Child, loopy from the spray, patted it and told it it was doing a good job. Also, during our walk to ultrasound, said she was Frank’s pet puppy and he was taking her for a walk, see her leash? 😅

Spent the night. (Another note: my daycare kept her sister until bedtime. And we arranged to take her as soon as she woke up because we cannot trust my husband with her care.) Lots more holding her down and blood checks.

Also please note: Elder Dragoon wails and screams when distressed. She was very distressed. I felt really sorry for the staff because I couldn’t calm her.

In the morning she managed to eat a bit! Yay! Tried to disconnect the iv - sugar went down. Hooked her back up. Spent the day trying to get her to drink 100ml of apple juice.

Ended up discharged at almost 4pm - diagnosis: fever, causing hypoglycemia. Apparently kids don’t have as much stores as adults and the fever was burning through what she DID have.

So I spent today waking her every 4 hours and getting her to eat or drink. It took her an hour to drink half a juice box. But by dinner today she was improved and actually had food. And accepted popsicles.

Still have to get her eating or drinking again in about 20min. Then set the timer back.

I just want a full REM cycle of sleep. I am SO fucking tired.

[rosegoldenatlas]

had a not entirely terrible day?

showered for the first time in weeks, was entirely confident in my perception of reality didnt have too much work, and was able to rant about ocs to a friend

i did fail a test but literly everybody in that class failed because it was horribly made so thats not my fault. also i got a 100% on a test that my teacher failed in another class so yay lets go this is what winning looks like

did have some issues and also my mother was being... herself (/neg). also she hugged and kissed me and now i might need another shower

oh also i was able to redesign 2 of my ocs today. (usualy i can only do one drawing at most per day so thats really big for me)

anyways this is all to say that im going to sleep and i hope you get some rest too!

stay awesome atlas

I with I could show you how happy I am for you but I am terrible at showing it over text. Just k ow that while reading that I had a huge grin on my face. I'm really glad that you were able to have such a good day and do all of that stuff! A nice bath, some comfy clothes, and your favorite series on the TV is in order. Treat yourself to a prize for doing all of that stuff.

I sorry about your mom though but alas, no day can be perfect. *give you hugs and kisses over where your mom did* maybe that will cover up all the icky until you van shower again.

Oh cool!! I wanna see the new oc designs!

On my end, I have auditions for solos in my chorus class that my friend I peer pressuring me to do. (I told them to peer pressure me into it weeks ago because past me knew that now me is a pussy and would back out). I hate singing in front of people I don't know, a small group of friends when we're supposed to be singing? Yeah I love that shit. In a group on stage? Yeah whatever I'm not alone. At a performance with a solo? I've done it exactly three times, twice for piano years and years ago and once for chorus when I auditioned with a friend because they were too nervous to audition alone.

Wish me luck haha

Hope you slept well and will have another good day.

[imstillhere-butallislost]

Hi! At the time of writing I got out of surgery 6 hours ago at grs Montreal. Double incision with nipple grafts. Here is my big post detailing eeeeverything about my actual surgery experience and the day leading up to it.

First of all, I just want to say for everyone considering grs Montreal that the clinic no longer does drainless top surgery. I was told in my consultation that they ONLY do drains now because they don't want to take any chances with healing.

It's worth stating that my support person was with me the whole time really, just not when I was dressing or when I was taken from the recovery room to actually go get surgery. You will not be alone!

I had to fly in to Montreal for surgery, and will be flying back home on Sunday.

It was pretty nerve wracking trying to set up and understand everything through email because I was in a different province, but it all worked out. The clinic payed for all of the car rides, and my province reimburses the plane tickets and covers the hotel stay. The clinic also covers 50 dollars of Uber eats credits per day.

The night before I had to take a shower and use hair removal cream and antibacterial soap. Let me tell u that Hair removal cream was ROUGH. It didn't take everything off and it also have me a lot of irritation under my arms. But I got it done and got a drive to the clinic the next morning after I showered again.

At the clinic, you are immediately given paperwork. You do this, and then you wait. I waited maybe about 2 hours or so before being called and told it's time for me to go out of the waiting room. I met with a nurse, went over more paperwork and had some vitals taken, then she took me to get dressed in a hospital gown and take a pregnancy test.

This starts a long hour and a half being unable to produce any liquid to be able to take a pregnancy test. I couldn't do it, so I just got to go upstairs for surgery with another person. It was pretty strange to have people all around you switching from French to English to speak to different people. I got out in a big room with room for maybe 6 beds, for people waiting to go in to surgery and people recovering from surgery. The other patient I came up with had a little stuffed octopus, was pretty cool. Once again I was asked to take the pregnancy test, but I wasn't allowed to drink since midnight the previous night so I just couldn't. They could NOT do the surgery without a pregnancy test due to anesthesia. I had to be hooked up to an IV before surgery in order to get fluid in me so I could take the test, but it was done and it was negative (yay!).

After the test, I was immediately taken away from the recovery room and moved into a very very small room directly outside the surgery room. This is where I had the surgery guidelines done on my chest immediately. Everything happened very quickly after the pregnancy test,because they had been waiting on me to be able to do it. The drawing of the guidelines was a little strange for me bc the surgeon (Dr laungani) had to remove most of my robe, but it was all fine.

I was taken into the surgery room and told to get up on the table, they had me lay down like I was Jesus on the cross, and then the mask was going over my face and the anesthesiologist told me to think happy thoughts and then I was out. No counting or anything, I was just out.

And then I woke up in a different room, vision blurry because i had anesthesia and also didn't have my glasses. I was asked how I was feeling and well, I was feeling completely fine. Maybe a little slight pain but nothing major. I remember thinking for a slight second that o was dreaming, but then I remembered everything that had happened earlier in my the day.

From that point I stayed awake the entire time and was wheeled to the recovery room. In the recovery room they knew again asked how I was and did vitals, and I said my pain was about a three out of 10 and was given Tylenol. All of the nurses were extremely nice, one apologized for all the pressure to make sure I took the pregnancy test earlier which was nice. I was allowed to lay down for like an hour, drank some water and ate because I was sooooo hungry, the clinic gave me one piece of cheese. I had big ice packs on me, and there was a huge stain on my body from stomach to neck and shoulders, which I was told was an anti septic. I was able to wipe that off, have a demo on how to empty drains and what my meds all do, and then I was able to leave after I used the bathroom and got dressed. I was able to do all of this on my own relatively easy, and then I was able to go back to where I was staying and that's where I've been!

Ive already emptied my drains on my own and am able to get up and walk around, i have pretty minimal pain right now and am only using Tylenol instead of the strong pain meds they prescribed. But yeah that's it, comment or DM me if you have any questions or anything!

[quinloki]

Goodness I know I already gushed about how awesome you are like 2 days ago BUT I feel like I need to thank you again for helping to bring back the joy of writing in my life.

I had set myself the good old goal of 50k words to write this year and since mid-year is like around the corner I decided to look at my stats (which I never do as they stress me the fuck out haha) and ahem… I already have over 100k words written this year!!!! QUIN!!!! Thank you for inspiring me to get back on the writing journey!!!!

(Btw now that I’m seeing your really freaking awesome daily sketches, you’re making me want to draw for fun again! Holy shit stop being so cool!!! I only have so many hours in a day!)

\o/ Yay!

Congratulations on reaching your goal and DOUBLING IT ALREADY!!

That's amazing!!

I don't know if it matters, but I'm super proud of you! Even if you were behind schedule, that's still amazing =D \o/ But to have doubled it, with half a year and change left!

🏆🏆🏆

xD Ah, as for the sketches, idk what to say ^^; There's a reason I'm trying to stick to 20-30 minutes tops for 'em. (tomorrow will be the real test, I've had the last three days off work, good luck me) good luck to us both - may the things we do bring us joy ^_^

[wildskissed]

in light of it being mother's day, are eve and gale parents?? if so, what kind of parents are they?? what are their kids like??

Awwww, thank you, Nonnie, I love this. Also I can't help but wonder if you're someone I talk to on Discord who knows about my Eve & Gale Sims, but I digress...

So, I know the galemancers are divided on this issue, but no matter. Nowhere in game does it actually give us concretely whether or not Gale wants kids, but that's on purpose. We're left to draw our own conclusions because it's that kind of game, and so this man who says he isn't sure he's father material, and wants to come back to this after the tadpoles, could easily change his mind or stick to this.

Personally, I have always headcanoned that the Netherese orb messed his entire body up. Gale thinks on top of all of this that he is infertile, so he doesn't want a lover to get their hopes up (actually I have an unpublished one-shot in the works about this too). Because of this, when I made Eve & Gale as Sims, I messed with their fertility to make it low because Eve is an elf and her fertility is low by default. I also have them on high autonomy, so they choose to do a LOT of stuff on their own--I like my Sims chaotic--and Eve being a 'family oriented' Sim, kept getting sad moodlets every single time she took a pregnancy test and it was negative. Then Gale, in true Gale fashion, actually, would get his own sad moodlets because his wife was sad, and started on his own, offering to try for a baby after they'd discuss her sad mood. Yay for high autonomy chaos.

Now, it did make me think about Eve and Gale post!Baldur's Gate, and how I still very much believe that there's a nagging in the back of his head that he can't have kids due to his own folly in the first place, and I absolutely see Morena and Tara bugging them about kids. I think that would put him in probably a negative head space because it's an expected thing and he can't even 'do that properly'. Eve also would love to have kids, but she's okay without them too, so I kind of see them foregoing birth control because neither of them actually thinks that it's going to happen, but they don't want to close the door on it completely. Eve's over 200, Gale's been through so much, and so they have comfortably settled in Waterdeep, and have decided to leave it in Fate's hands. Gale's a professor, Eve owns a flower shop in the city, they have her pegasi to take of at the edge of the city in their own little home away from home cabin in the forest, and they love their lives.

In comes a miracle pregnancy as you will to catch them off guard though.

Why? Because I do see them being parents, and I do feel like they'd be great parents, and I do think they would be happy about it, but also stressed. They put themselves into this mindset, and were just so convinced it wasn't a thing, and then suddenly Eve's pregnant, and they have a whole year (look, elven pregnancies are long but no one wants to agree on the exact length) to get used to the idea, and by the time Serenity comes into the picture they're just elated. She's all fiery red hair like her mother, and deep brown eyes like her father, and absolutely will be a sorcerer that prolly summons things just like her parents--a little bit of payback for what they put their own parents through as kids.

They are both doting parents, and I see Gale sometimes bringing Serenity to work in a carrier on his front, and I see Eve doing the same at the shop. The two teach her magic, and they love her to pieces, and given that elves don't have many kids because their fertility gets lower with every kid, and because I think Gale has low fertility too, I do think she's probably their only kid, but maybe they could have a son like 6 or 7 years later. I just think Serenity would be their pride and joy, and that they'd feel pleasantly surprised and rewarded that they get to experience yet another adventure together. Eve is probably the stricter parent, but I think they'd have a little know-it-all with manners and proper etiquette. Gale is absolutely a girl!dad so just let me have this, okay??

Also, the pregnancy in Sims caught me off guard too but look at this cutie!:

Serenity Dekarios in all her glory

[blupengu]

All righty I’ve finished science brofist’s route and that means more rambling! (Seriously though everyone sees his name as that right?? How the hell else am I supposed to pronounce Scien Brofiise??? It sure as hell ain’t how they say it in Japanese! 😂) spoilers under the cut as usual

Hmm… overall while I liked it, I think I’ve been so thoroughly emotionally and mentally broken by Mathis and Lucas that Scien’s route seemed pretty… tame in comparison LOLOL 💀 or maybe I’m still on residual WTFs from Lucas and should’ve waited another day to let it settle oops

The pain meter from these first three to me is Lucas > Mathis > Scien

The ending was definitely still a big oof and a little yikes though 😬. But with how dubious the “science” is in this game, part of me was wondering why Scien couldn’t just make a clone from Ceres’s body and then stick the memories he had into her after? Like people save memory backups of themselves prior to dying so why couldn’t he have saved her memories on whatever constitutes a USB stick in this world lmao

The science in this game in general honestly I just… can’t think about too deeply or it all falls apart LOL, being in like the medieval ages where you still gotta hand wash clothes but then suddenly having shit like electric cars, headset phones, touch-holograms, and perfect cloning with memories but not emotions is such whiplash 😂

The final CG was super pretty though, oof the expression on his face, my poor babygirl 😩 but… why are all the kiss CGs… not super great LOL, is the artist bad at drawing kisses? Because so far they’ve all looked a little uhhhh in each route? 😬😂

I very much appreciate the fact though that Scien’s best CGs are hands down the ones where he’s posing like a lil slut lmaooo, the jigsaw puzzle one?? Bitch he’s practically twirling his hair!! 😂

And his interactions with Ceres were very cute, especially the whole sandwich thing! But when she was like yay I’m so happy I’ve been promoted from maid to a sandwich dispenser! I was like girl… are you okay…?? Well clearly not but still 😂 like dang, never been happier getting told by a man to make me a sandwich lmaooo

Anyways! Back to the route in general - the whole thing of him being an oh no evil science man was so… meh to me? Maybe because I work in the sciences so I have a different view but like, I was perfectly fine with him experimenting on criminals? That’s pretty much what clinical trials are in the real world?? Of course you need to test shit on a few people before giving stuff out to the the general populace??? Why are people upset at this????

It was nice learning a bit more about Salome (though tbh I thought her backstory and relationship to scien would be… more significant LOL). And kinda weird that they left her mumbling when they were in hiding as “…” instead of maybe just quickly forcing the text to go through, because my limited amount of Japanese from anime let me understand the gist of what she was saying and oh. Gives a bit of a different vibe knowing what she said vs it having to be explained

Also, my face when they just decapitated Adolphe but then Ceres TOOK HIS HEAD WITH HER? HONEY NO, GIRL PUT IT BACK HE’S DRIPPING

FUCK THE ROYAL FAMILY, ALL MY HOMIES HATE THE ROYAL FAMILY 🔫🔫 The reservoirs or repertoires or whatever the hell they’re called can eat my ass and die 😂

The way I hollered when Lucas went in and shanked their asses, MY MAN!! … every other time he showed up though was a big aw shit Lucas we’re not in your route anymore go away please!! You’re causing the despair end nooo!!! 😂 very conflicting emotions when I see him now lmao

Same with when I see Jean… like you’re still so pretty and I love you but uhhh, hey Mathis maybe come over this way instead ����

Side note, kinda sad we didn’t get to see Ankou in the second half of the route…

And finally - I love you Dahut, I was so worried you’d be evil but oh, thank god we have someone that’s just like a good friendly person (I think), you are so pure I love you please show up in every route to ease my fears (Hugo doesn’t count because I’ve still got my eye on him LOL)

Aight I think that’s it! In summary, Scien is this meme:

Literally just look at him

I wish I looked this sexy doing a jigsaw puzzle 😂

[lexstellaris]

Daily Draw - 9/6/23 - Clive Barrett's Ancient Egyptian Tarot

Two of Swords

aww yeah ya boi finally dragged himself away from Minecraft long enough to do a covid test and finally I'm negative! I'll do a few more over the weekend and into next week just to be sure, but yay! I can finally get a haircut! 8D

Mum's still testing positive tho, I figure she just had a higher viral load than me and it's taking her longer to clear it. Still, she's keeping herself busy and reading discworld novels so. I figure that's the peace this card is hinting about. Not, like, throwing it in mum's face but supporting her as she recovers as well.

Dad was negative in like, less than a week, but he had the antivirals so. I knew he'd be fine.

I am still conjested as fuck tho, and I'm tired of it. I"m sure I'll be like this for a few more weeks bc my sinuses are shit lol. At least that's the least of my problems and while annoying, it's better than it could be.

Anyway. Attempting to break my 4:30am bedtime habits of the past couple of days (glares at certain streamers deciding to stream as I'm trying to go to bed and at my lack of self control -_-) esp if I'll be back to work next week so. We should def reign that in a lil lol. :D

Also my cat is sitting next to me on my bed bc it's been raining and she hates the rain, poor bb. <3

[historixally-accurate]

HEY HEY HEY ITS ME AGAIN!

to the other gmt+8 anon, HI! youre not alone in these trying times. we (the SEA gang) shall experience the pain of streamers exclusively streaming at 3am. together. salamat datang! welcome! 欢迎您！(whichever language you speak!)

burning MOE/(cambridge for me) test papers is a great idea until you realise you actually need the knowledge later, sadge. cambridge why. let me frolic :(

pinning talkingmime to your wall is actually so funny, maybe i should tape lewis fulham the oxford graduate to my wall too. its still so insane that he took PCMFm hes so smart and i feel inferior PeepoSad /lh

as for the colective SG genshin hyperfix, you are so real for this take. we never recovered from the great 原神craze of 2021(?) and it shows. about putting streams in the BG, im still trying different stuff out, but i havent tried BAC streams yet. maybe ill try nemeralds pov :3

glad to see youre doin well now! enjoy your hols! not gonna lie i love having people in the same timezone as me too so feel free to ask questions back, lol. im considering revealing myself just so we can properly talk but im shy for now. ^_^ have a great day!

- sgmcsr anon

HI SG ANON!!!! wow I love looking through my inbox. keep this shit sending. wowie.

I'm so happy the gmt+8-ers are holding hands. and frolicking in fields. thsi is so cool......

about MOE and Singapore education. THAT SHIT CAN SUCK MY A-- aha. anyway. for me it's past year and different school papers... shit sucks balls bro I struggle so. hard.

about pinning talkingmime to my wall. I haven't done that yet actually.. I just pinned a picture of him to my PLD home screen and smile upon seeing it every day.. maybe I do have to print a picture of him and like. blutack it to my wall 😭😭😭😭

about SG's collective genshin craze, I think as genshin continues to update, and with it being one of the largest most influential games as of now, it'll neeever fade away :') kaedehara kazuha fans stand up.... people who understand his character and hate the mischaracterisation of it PLEASE BE FRIENDS WITH ME....

about vods, OHHHH so many vods... fein, silverr, emerald and mime all have their respective BAC vods I think, but the only ones available (the ones me and my friend can find) are feins and silverrs... so joyous tho. I love BAC....

in terms of questions... I have little to no questions, but apart from mime, I am curious to ask who else in HBG you like.. there are many silly guys.... the public knows who I like because I draw whoever i deem as silly and have dedicated at least an hour brainrotting over them :')

also, your thoughts on speedrunning? have u ever tried it before....

this back and forth asking is like. mail sending. it's like I'll wake up at 9am and check tumblr and expect a letter in my inbox and go "Oh yay will I get the sg anon response? this is awesome and cool"... I love responding to inboxes..

if anyone else sees this, anons from wherever you are, I swear I don't bite, please keep sending these messages because I need my daily dose of social interaction, and I have also deleted twitter ☝️☝️☝️ so no more doomscrolling

sg anon, have a good night (if you're seeing this at the time I'm posting)!! I'll see you if I see you o7

[thedaveandkimmershow]

Our Easter experiences traveled great distances over the years. They took place in a lot of different locations, with a lot of different people, with sometimes just ourselves.

Of course of course of course, the birth of Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection is the focus of high church holidays. That's always been. I think over time, though, what captures my thoughts the most on these days is what Jesus was doing here in the first place. What did He care about? Who did He care about?

And why.

Through the years, I'm less inclined toward a Yay Us! mentality and more inclined toward wondering if we're doing what we say we're here to do.

What we're here to do.

Or, if you prefer, think of it as what we're doing while we're here.

Matthew 9:36

36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Which brings me back to what did Jesus care about? Who did Jesus care about?

And why.

If I'm feeling especially lazy, I boil it down to

Matthew 22:34–40

34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Of course the 10 million dollar question becomes...

What is Love?

1 Corinthians 13

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends.

And then I think about my own experiences, the paths of other members of our human tribe with whom my life intersects even if for only a moment. I think about a lot of narratives I've seen play out. I've seen the hard way a million variations on a theme. I also observed a ton of predictable outcomes. Not as in oh that person made bad choices but as in examining the circumstances of their lives, the big picture across years, the puzzle pieces of growing up that should contribute to a stable, healthy, engaging life...

But don't.

A lot of times they just don't.

And it's not that tough to figure out why.

As well, we see a lot of trauma and chaos. More and more depression and failing to thrive. A lot more disconnection, drawing apart, and isolation. All of which is ongoing outside whilst a celebration's going on inside on these high holy days.

Our purpose, as I understand it, though, is not navel-gazing. Is not circling the wagons.

So what are we doing?

The dissonance grates, is the thing.

So.

I'm more inclined to contemplate what was most important to Jesus?

Who was most important to Jesus?

And why.

[brigittas-writing-nook]

What to expect from allergy testing: Before, during, and after

"What to expect from allergy testing: Before, during, and after" Disclaimer: None of the information provided in these posts should be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your doctor before trying recommendations or if you have concern Some posts may contain affiliate or third-party links. When you and your immunologist determine allergy testing is necessary, here are some things you can expect. In all of them, they will record your detailed medical history, including family history, and may perform a physical examination to look for clues regarding your reactions. Trigger warning: We’re going to be talking about needles very soon, so please proceed with that in mind. If you need to stop reading, that’s okay. Tune in for my next post instead. As I mentioned in the last post, I didn’t get allergy tested until later in life. And, while I’m not afraid of needles, oof, there’s a lot of needles involved in allergy testing (well, in most of the tests).

How to prepare for a food allergy test

Regardless of the test type, your doctor may have you stop taking over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription antihistamines, and they will let you know how long you have to forego them before testing. However, do continue taking any antibiotics, asthma inhalers, or nose sprays. Scratch, Intradermal, and Patch tests - You can bathe beforehand, but avoid using lotions or body sprays, because those can affect the tests. - Do not shower, swim, or participate in any activity that induces sweating for several days after a patch test. Blood test - Your immunologist may have you fast beforehand (usually similar to other fasting blood tests). Oral challenge test - Avoid any known allergens for at least 1-2 weeks before testing. - Do not eat or drink before the test, unless you need to for another health reason; if so, eat as little as possible. - Make sure you are not sick (if so, cancel and reschedule, especially if your asthma is acting up). - Bring your (or your child’s) epinephrine pen with you in case of a reaction after you leave the office.

What happens during testing

Scratch test Your doctor usually performs this one on the back, so you usually lie face-down on a table. A tech draws a grid on your back and uses individual needles to place a small amount of allergen to the squares; there is a different allergen in each square. Once all of the allergens are under the skin, this test takes about 15 minutes to create raised, red, itchy bumps called “wheals.” After the wait, they measure the wheals to see if the bumps are large enough to qualify as an allergic reaction. Afterwards, the technician administers a steroid to the back to stop itching, and the doctor can give you an antihistamine if the itching continues. Intradermal test A tech has you sit in a chair, and the doctor or tech administers the allergen dose (again, it’s small) under the skin This one involves injecting a small dose of allergen under the skin in the arm and waiting 15 minutes to see if any reactions occur. Patch test Here we have no needles (yay!). Instead, your doctor applies the allergen to your skin and covers it with a bandage, which you wear for 48 hours. Remember, you have to avoid bathing or activities that cause heavy sweating (that’s right, time to skip leg or arm day at the gym). Back at the doctor’s office, they remove the bandages and record any reactions that occur and determine whether they are allergic reactions. Blood (IgE) test Yeah, we’re back to needles (total sarcasm there). This is simply a blood draw (like you would get for standard bloodwork). Your doctor follows up with you once the test results are in. Oral challenge Your doctor has you bring in the food for your challenge and prescribes three to seven graded doses of the food you’re testing. Once you eat it, you wait about 15 minutes between doses, and your doctor monitors your reactions. If no reaction occurs after a dose, they administer a higher dose and continue monitoring. Expect to stay an hour after the last dose so see if you have a delayed reaction.

“False Positives”

No test is foolproof, and that includes allergy testing. Skin and blood tests can show what is known as a “false positive,” where the test shows a reaction that isn’t a reaction. Your body can produce antibodies to an allergen but never cause a reaction despite showing up on a test. This can cause the wheals to show up, but those wheals may be smaller and considered “borderline” allergens. Frustrating? Yes. I remember talking to my immunologist about this, and he explained that, sometimes, the overall across-the-board skin prick test can overload the system, causing reactions that aren’t necessarily reactions. For the false positive results, he had me avoid those foods for about 2-3 weeks and then reintroduce them one at a time and see if I reacted to any of them. If I reacted, I was allergic; if I did not react, I was in the clear. Talk with your immunologist about how they want to further test any possible false positives.

What next?

Once you have your results, your immunologist works with you to create a treatment plan. It might involve changing OTC or adding prescription antihistamines. They also advise you on how to identify and avoid any food allergens either themselves or through a trained nutritionist. Following this plan will help keep you as healthy as possible and, more importantly, safe. That’s all for today. Tune in next week to learn about the elimination diet and how doctors use it to conduct allergy testing. I might also throw in a recipe or two you can use while on the diet. If you have an allergy testing story to tell, go ahead and share it in the comments if you’re comfortable doing so. Everyone reacts differently, and I to hear your story. Be safe. Eat safe. And savor life! Want to receive posts in your email? Subscribe below. Read the full article

[thelast-and-theonly]

Fanfic Update (and Ramblings)

So the day has come where I have finally completed my first draft.

I said I would get it done because the story haunted me and because I had learned that I am a writer in my heart and that I love these characters enough to embarrass myself with potentially boring/odd plots and so forth.

And now I can finally say that I have done it. My first draft, from what was originally supposed to be a one-shot has expanded to a 60-page monstrosity. I designed the outline into 15 parts specifically to help me tackle my pacing problem (I tend to rush the endings).

And for every section I wrote, for every part I didn't rush, it grew . . . into something that I wasn't expecting.

I procrastinated the hardships of writing for more than a decade now; I joined the fandom and Fanfiction when I was at the tender age of 12. And like any kids that age, my stories (that are still up and published) I feel lack real substance and the writing patterns aren't to my liking, not to mention they didn't garner much attention. I admit this hurt my pride and as a result, I shied away but now -

Writing this first draft, which is the equivalent of barfing on paper, even with all its flaws of which there are many, I feel more confident and joyful than I did then with any of my more polished works.

I understand now the purpose of writing ugly. I understand the point of writing the dreaded first draft. It's a damn coming unclogged for better ideas to flow. It tests different methods until you find or Frankenstein your own method. I can only imagine how the editing process will go, and I'm equal parts excited to start and fearful.

In my outline and in my mind I had an idea of how the story was going to go, but writing it I trusted my instants to lead me and some courses naturally went astray to someplace better. Others are half-baked, but the ideas are rising nonetheless.

I really expected this story to be no longer than 20 pages, and I still expect that as I edit in my 2nd and 3rd drafts for the pages to shrink. I know now that it will be divided up into a 3 chapter arc. Maybe it will be a stand-alone or maybe the opening chapters for my Drabble Sweettooth Series ( oh yes I have a list of stories for these dorks to come).

God, I have barely said anything about the actual fic.

Well, the fic is now currently in what I call its resting period. I have read over other fics I attempted to write in the past and looking back I see the flaws and potential of them all and I doubt I would have, had I not stepped away. So, right now it's gonna rest for a few weeks before I tackle the 2nd draft, where I will attempt to connect the dots and make the story more clever than it actually is.

But, never fear, I will spend this time improving my understanding of quality writing and, most feverishly, practicing my art. It's been far too long since I really sat down and learned how to draw again, and I miss it. I really, really do, about as much as I miss the decade I wasted not writing.

Because there is much fanart I would like to draw of them too, and many other OTPs of mine (tianaxnaveeen from Princess and the Frog to name one, they are criminally underrated) and I will not have anything but the best for my lovelies.

I plan to draw some character designs to support this fic of mine, and as I improve move on to concept art and even comics. They need more art of them as well! Besides, it about time I learned how to draw men and animals.

I'm excited YAY. Months of writing and my heart is light in knowing that I'm doing what writers do - bleeding at the type writer.

Thank you all for following, liking, reblogging, and for everything. I believe these rambling posts/updates help me stay focused too.

[artastic-friend]

Yay!!! I can reblog this now :D

OMG HELP??? That is 100% Kofruth’s Cloesona XD

But damn!!!!! The amount of detail in these?!?! And the thought that went into the artstyles?!?? I love this so much!

I like to imagine that Atzurae has a very unconventional artstyle and seeing the “species artstyle” for zebraelves/men makes me feel even moreso that Atzurae would be either a “really bad” artist for zebra standards, or just a really weird/niche one XD

I think Atzurae would really love making.. basically murals? Like, they just love slashing paints and dyes and powders on a big wall or canvas of some kind, that canvas originally being any mostly flat surface, but now being mostly Kofruth XD

They do her makeup and its their favorite thing to do, but then they also really like to randomly paint doodles and stuff on his side or something and then Kofruth wakes up to like- Half her body painted and has to head to a lake to wash it off or something like: “I am not gonna be a billboard for your crazy art bro, as sweet as it is I can’t be a walking rainbow”

Atzurae probably also loves using any dye they find, even if it is not a color they can see, however this means that a lot of their art has just random ass colors that don’t match up XD

But hey that’s part of the style 😁

anyway, Atzurae would gladly make everyone a cloesona just for funsies 😁 but the art would probably not be so lovely as ntls’ lol

On a different note, have a random Atzurae I drew, I wanted originally to make it in Atzurae’s possible style but quickly got carried away so that is no longer the case bc this turned out a lot better looking than I had originally intended 💀💀

There are still some remnants though, like the teeth being all the same value but in different hues lol- but I also think that Atzurae would probably draw themself very differently, like, they would maybe not even draw themself, but something representing them in a way? Omg… like.. like a cloesona🤯🤯 (we’ve looped back around omg XD) but their cloesona would be like a stick figure or something hold on XD I gotta draw that now-

Creature ^

—-

Update from the next day:

Here is my lil attempt at “what would it look like if Atzurae wanted to draw Kofruth?”

The left drawing is that exploration (right drawing was me testing the brushes and my first attempt of sorts before I realized it was too structured for my liking)

I put little circles everywhere around the drawing because I bet that Atzurae is the kind of person that would put little hearts all over the drawings of their favorite people

Anyway, I love this post and I love this meme template 💀💀💀 And the animated cave paintings information is so cool! I was not aware of that I don’t think ^^ that’s super cool to think animation has been with humans for almost as long as we’ve even existed XD

Thank you so much for sharing!

cloesona

Featuring @artastic-friend's Kofruth and Atzurae! HOOH I've been thinking about doing this meme for awhile I'm glad it turned out so nice

breakdown:

So, I had the idea that from time to time in the comic, or when the perspective shifted, it would shift onto the artstyle of the respective species, here's how things differed.

Kofruth opens the scene in cave painting medium, cave painting that is notably lacking in Blue! Blue dye is a fairly cheap, common dye and Debu love blue, but it's sometimes excluded from cave paintings designated for fire rooms, which is... where most of their paintings are. Debu caves are completely dark except for the room dedicated to having fire, their fire room, which also happens to be the one they display their art in - because it's the one room you'd be able to see it! However, due to the lack of any other light but their fire, and the color of the cave wall, it's extremely orange in the fire room, which dulls out the blue color from their art. So, sometimes, they do away with it entirely.

Also, why is Atzurae just a bunch of lines?

Debu, due to their size, have the quirk of drawing most things from the top view, since that's how they see everything - especially the 2-foot-tall zebraelves! To them, they just look like big spiders. So they draw them as fat little spiders.

Also, Atzurae's cloesona! It's... not a zebraelf cloesona?!?! It's been given Debu anthropomorphic traits - tusks, and big nostrils! It's almost like it's kofruth's cloesona instead...🤨

I turned off the multiply blending mode to better show this - So, despite zebrapeople, especially zebraelves, championing dye production in the early history of Bolur, they only really make reds and blues. That's cuz it's all they can see! They could make a yellow due to paint something, but why do that when it looks pink, and they have red and white right there in their disposal?

There's also the art style - I originally went a completely different direction with this. My inspo was initially ancienct Chinese art since I saw the parallel of how popular the medium of ink and paper had gotten between both societies, and I had juuuust gotten to finishing before (and you can kind of tell where I was, at the scars around Kofruth's eye) realizing where I should've taken zebraelf art.

Zebraelf's aesthetic attraction is for geometry, and curvilinear designs! It's the same for zebramen too, somewhat, though not as strong as it is for zebraelves. Zebraelves LOVE making things with one stroke and they try to do it as much as possible since it resembles the uniformity and cleanliness of their stripes, though the exaggerated fur was fun (since they express emotions with their fur) so I tried to keep that, too.

There's also the anatomical inaccuracy of giving Debu teeth gaps. Debu notably Do Not have them in their front teeth, and find the seperation of said tusks creepy.

But that anatomical inaccuracy is far less egregious than the one in the next frame:

A closed mouth!!!

Debu's front teeth do retain some vestigial appearance of looking seperate through the gums and the striations, but their lips physically cannot close like this. Zebrapeople can close their mouths, though with a little effort since they have a natural grin, but Debu mouths are too tight, period.

Also, I think a zebraelf might give Kofruth a monobrow! Monobrows are seen as beautiful (due to the singular, aesthetically pleasingly unbroken line), so while not as common in Debu, they might still give Kofruth one.

Not much to say here other than this is easily my favorite frame!! The sclera are shown here since they're often shown in distress, and the white is drool, which are Bolur tears

Most "vertebrates" don't have sad tears, they have sad drool, and i've decided the new reason for that is because their saliva has chemicals with a mild painkilling + soothing effect, so when they're upset their body kicks the saliva-making into overdrive both to calm it down with those chemicals, and to slow their own breathing by having to stop and swallow their own saliva

That and there's the very cool detail (in my opinion) that Kofruth is implied to be semi-animated - Marc Azéma and Florent Rivère made the claim that a lot of cave art was made to be animated under the flickering light of a fire, and that's why a lot of cave art seems to be a lot of animals abstractly juxtaposed on top of one another. (he also made a video showing this off)

Also, here's the GORGEOUS bull from the Cave of Altamira i based the cave paintings off of. STUNNING <3333