#Storm on the Black Sea

[stigmatam4rtyr]

Storm on the Black Sea (1837, oil on canvas) | Andreas Achenbach

[opera-ghosts]

OTD in Music History: Important Russian “nationalist” composer Modest Mussorgsky (1839 – 1881) is born into a wealthy and land-owning Russian family. Mussorgsky began receiving piano lessons from his mother (a trained pianist) at the age of six. He progressed rapidly, and, at the age of ten, he and his brother were taken to Saint Petersburg to continue their studies (which included music) at an elite school. Mussorgsky's parents had also planned the move to Saint Petersburg so that both their sons would renew a longstanding family tradition of military service. Accordingly, Mussorgsky was duly enrolled in the Cadet School of the Guards at the age of 13. Unfortunately, the school was a brutal environment – and it probably instilled in young Mussorgsky the drinking habits which would ultimately lead him down to the path to terminal alcoholism. (According to another former student, the Head of the Academy at that time "was proud when a cadet returned from leave drunk with champagne.”) Mussorgsky’s considerable skills as a pianist made him popular with his fellow-cadets, however, and he spent many evenings playing popular dances interspersed with his own improvisations. In October 1856, the 17-year-old Mussorgsky met the 22-year-old physician Alexander Borodin (1833 - 1887) while both men were serving at a military hospital. Even more portentous was Mussorgsky’s introduction just a few months later to Alexander Dargomyzhsky (1813 - 1869) – who at the time was the most important Russian composer after Mikhail Glinka (1804 - 1857). Dargomyzhsky was so impressed with Mussorgsky's pianism that he invited Mussorgsky to attend his soirées, and it was there that Mussorgsky met Cesar Cui (1835 – 1918) and Mily Balakirev (1837 – 1910) – and, through Balakirev, Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844 - 1908). Thus the core constituency of the historically important Russian “nationalist” school of composers known as “The Mighty Five” was formed… PICTURED: A c. 1920s real photo postcard showing the middle-aged Mussorgsky, with a very solid mullet.

[sabekr]

[expressions-of-nature]

Sevastopol, Crimea by Ekaterina Dmitrenko

[felassan]

delavairess submitted: "Here's the promotional Xbox weapons that I could see - still can't see a bow or a two handed weapon."

delavairess asked: [ask follows the above] "Hi! Sorry again to pester you - I submitted the images for the weapons from the Xbox promo and misspoke. The only weapon I couldn't find was a bow. There's a saber, a sword, shield, two handed maul, a dagger (for mage), and a staff."

[msg refs this post and this post]

hello! ◕‿◕ omg, thankyou sm for finding these, taking the screenshots and showing them! I was so curious to see what these items looked like and it's very cool to see them. 👁️ they have interesting designs, especially when paired with the descriptions. (and I really like your Rooks btw!!) and no not at all 😊 I greatly appreciate you sharing these 🫶

[adventuresofalgy]

The day was black, and so was the weather forecast. The agitated weather birds were flying all around Scotland issuing stark warnings, crying out as they passed overhead that Storm Éowyn was on the way to wreak havoc in the more densely populated regions of the country on Friday.

Algy was never quite sure how accurate their forecast was likely to be, but as they had issued a rare "danger to fluffy birds" alert for the area not all that far south of Algy's home, he decided to take no chances.

For the moment, however, nothing very unusual was happening: it was just dark, windy and wet, but that was entirely unremarkable in the wild west Highlands in January. So before he retreated to a place of safety to sit out the storm, Algy decided to recite a long poem for the benefit of anyone who might be listening, as he might not have another chance for a day or two…

Hopping up into an elder bush, Algy began to repeat an old poem about a storm at sea. As he lived on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Algy was always especially concerned for the folk out at sea when the wind and the waves became really angry, and although the poem was written hundreds of years ago, and the construction of ships had changed considerably since that time, he knew that seafarers were still at very considerable risk in storm force conditions…

The south and west winds joined, and, as they blew, Waves like a rolling trench before them threw. Sooner than you read this line, did the gale, Like shot, not feared till felt, our sails assail; And what at first was called a gust, the same Hath now a storm's, anon a tempest's name. Jonas, I pity thee, and curse those men, Who when the storm raged most, did wake thee then; Sleep is pain's easiest salve, and doth fulfil All offices of death, except to kill. But when I waked, I saw, that I saw not. I, and the sun, which should teach me had forgot East, west, day, night, and I could only say, If the world had lasted, now it had been day. Thousands our noises were, yet we 'mongst all Could none by his right name, but thunder call: Lightning was all our light, and it rained more Than if the sun had drunk the sea before. Some coffined in their cabins lie, equally Grieved that they are not dead, and yet must die. And as sin-burdened souls from graves will creep, At the last day, some forth their cabins peep: And tremblingly ask what news, and do hear so, Like jealous husbands, what they would not know.

[Algy is reciting part of the long poem The Storm by the late 16th/early 17th English poet John Donne, in a modern English version.]

[sir20]

Next harbour please, by sir20

[puppetmaster13u]

Prompt 299

Hear me out- Ghosts have wings. They have wings, which are affected by their cores, and can make them disappear from sight if they want or need to. You got that? Good. 

Ecto-contaminated people? Don’t have wings. Liminals and Halfas, who have developed cores? Do have wings, and they can’t hide said wings, because unlike ghosts? Their bodies are physical living flesh. 

Now Gotham? Ecto-contaminated, there’s no doubt about it. The amount of portals that have been opened there and death pits and death cults… yeah it’d be surprising if it wasn’t. But again, no one really notices, because at most? Most just get a bit of eyeshine. 

The Bats however? Oh man are they freaking out when they wake up with aches in their back and feathers starting to poke through their skin. Curse? Nope! Welcome to Liminality, enjoy the second puberty of wings, emotion-sharing, fangs, claws, and whatever else you might develop- also enjoy the whole eating fear thing. (Wait, the what-)

[chasingrainbowsforever]

Best Astronomy Photos ~ BBC News

Photo taken by Mikkel Beiter, who stood and observed the sea’s waves rolling onto sand, turning it into a reflective surface.  When clouds emerged from behind the nearby mountains, he was able to capture a winning image of the teal aurora borealis curving across the night sky in Stokksnes, Iceland.

[jadafitch]

Inspired by the recent storms, here's a great cormorant facing the wind.

[a-smol-storm-gt-nomfs-blog]

Miscommunication (Sea Speaker)

Grian had, emphasis on had, been working on the mer ramp as he’d been calling it. That changed when two of the cleaner mers had splashed him turning into a distraction. Currently, they are playing some version of Pictionary. The avian looked at the picture intensely. Shrimpy said something the other, making the wrasse shout back. Grian still couldn’t tell what was said, but he guessed it was teasing as the shrimp giggled. “It’s not Island.” he thought aloud. Another voice sounded behind him making the avian jump. When he had turned he saw the eel mer, Banana, or so Grian called him. He’d never personally been near it before but he knew that they spent a lot of time around the two Grian was currently with. The golden eel looked at Grian, saying something he guessed was an apology, due to the neck scratching. The wrasse explained what was going on though, pointing at the picture. The eel hummed then wiped a hand over the picture earning what the avian knew was a “HEY!” from Stripe This caused Grian to sit down near the wrasse and stroke his back. The mer swam closer to grian, likely enjoying it. He spoke to the others pointing at him, Grian hoped it was something nice. Though now he could also make out the eel drawing something in the sand. The avian leaned over trying to guess what it was, it looked nest-like almost. “Nest?” He asked. The eel did a close sign with his fingers. Grian mumbled things out loud to himself. What was similar to a nest, a bed? “Bed?” Another close signal, Banana started drawing again, this time it looked like a human home- oh. “House?” The eel looked at the two cleaners. One said something but the other one nodded to Grian. “What about it?” The eel turned back to the two who sighed. “Do you mean like location?” He tried considering the ‘island’ they had attempted before. All 3 heads nodded. “Oof, uh, I mean I don’t know where from here, but, I lived near a river, as well my diet is fish. An Estuary I think they’re called.” He paused to think. “So I got used to having a bit of salt water in my diet, and the occasional odd fish, but some fish could still eat us, it was scary.” The 3 mers were looking at him, still interested. “Oh, uh, well, if you want—” he sat down. I can tell you some stories.” There was a happy splash from Stripe. “Alright uhh, well, first one, someone you know- er I think? But the dolphin, Pearl! I knew her from there, I was learning sea speech from her, but then she and her pod left?” Grian paused for a moment. “Anyways, back to the happier stuff. I first met her when we were being introduced to them. Some of the others shoved me in the water, playfully. But I don’t think she knew that as she barked, er, its what someone called it, at them until they left.” The avian smiled thinking about it. “When it came time to learn, she shoved another dolphin out of the way, she wanted me so bad.” Grian chuckled through the thought. “I hope the other one's eye was okay.” He mumbled out loud. “Uh- but we were both a lot younger back then, Pearl was I want to say maybe only triple my size then? But she was playful and had an odd, but effective way of teaching me. Honestly, I’d love to have her teach me still, but false being able to speak to me uh, well in my language-.” He did a soft cringing expression. “No- offense?” The Mers spoke. Grian couldn’t guess what, but none looked angry, so he continued. “But it worked well for me. She definitely still caught on quicker than I did. I suppose at the time, I didn’t realize how important that would be.” The eel said something but then the wrasse splashed him. Banana spoke again, smiling and showing off his sharp teeth. Grian wasn’t sure if it was a threat or not. The wrasse splashed him again, once the water fell back into the ocean the Eel shot at Stripe. The claws missed but he pushed off the sand, his back was to Grian, but the avian could make out the eel’s jaws sliding over the small mer.

The avian tensed at that. Banana turned back, facing Grian proudly, arms sticking out his lips. The avian’s wings puffed up, he could feel the blood draining from his face, worsened by the body of stripe moving around poking at the cheeks with what he guessed was its tail. It didn’t matter though as the eel slurped its arms in. Grian could see the cleaner shrimp mer was attempting to walk away, but the eel did too. Its tail shot out blocking it from the sea. It swallowed, sucking the squirming Wrasse down before turning to talk to Shrimpy.

Grian turned away this time before the eel’s mouth slid over the shrimp, he heard a swallow and looked back, tail still sticking out the mouth, it likely didn’t attempt to swallow it yet. The avian’s head turned as he could hear the faint angry yells of the wrasse. Another swallow came silencing Him and the eel sucked the shrimp down as well, there was a much more visible lump in its throat from it. Most likely it was forced into a ball or decided to curl up. Some more swallows came, the large mer’s head in the water while doing it, sucking water down, likely to help swallow the cleaners in him. Weren’t you supposed to avoid eating them though? The eel then turned to Grian, a tongue ran over its lips. Grian fell backward from his shaky legs and shook his head side to side saying no, having lost his voice. In his mind he screamed for his dumb body to move, why wasn’t he moving? The eel pressed forward, sliding under the water to wet itself before, digging a hand into the sand and, pulling itself towards Grian.

The avian finally moved his legs and accidentally kicked sand at the eel, frantically trying to push himself away from its mouth.

The eel spat out the sand, and Grian made out a growl before it pulled itself over him. It lowered its chest on the avian trapping him before licking his face playfully.

Grian pushed at the eel's chest with his feet, and his face with his hands. The mer chuckled though and licked across Grian’s face more.

The avian moved his face to the side, and soon after warm breath moved over his cheeks. Grian’s eyes moved to look, and he soon let out a loud screech just before Banana’s mouth slid over his head.

He kicked at the eel’s chest with his feet. The tongue moved around its mouth, licking Grian’s face and neck. Grian himself had shut his eyes to keep them from getting licked, using his head he thrashed it around trying to get the mer to spit him out. It wasn’t working, instead banana had started licking at grian’s neck making the avian peep in distress. Hearing it Banana paused most of his body movements, though after a swallow, one to drain the spit from its mouth, the eel moved more of itself over Grian. Grian now whipped his wings up splashing sand over the two of them. The mer grumbled and gently grabbed the avian's wings, and then the kingfisher's arms. He forced them down, but not hard, not hurting grian at all. The avian chirped loudly in distress, The eel kept on though, sending more and more of the bird hybrid in. It stopped as Grian’s face neared the back of its mouth. The avian could make out the throat moving with the small amount of breathing the mer could muster out of the water. He flung up more sand around them, though he could feel the ground slipping away from under him. He let out more panicked noises as his feet felt air. Banana wasn’t swallowing him what-. Grian felt himself gently dragged out, Banana using his tongue to make sure He couldn’t be cut by his teeth. Once out the avian saw a hand, then he turned to who it was. It was the arm to another mer, a black-tipped reef- SHARK! The avian peeped his wings flapping wildly. It surprised the shark, but it still put Grian down lightly. It then turned its attention to the noodle of a fish, Banana, scolding him it seems. It mentioned something though that surprised the Eel as it turned with an apologetic look to Grian. It warbled something back at the shark who put it down. After some pushing and gagging from the eels half the two cleaners were pushed up and out into the shallows with a small splash. Both were fine, none angry or scared even. Not that Grian could tell at least. Stripe did shout something, but when he saw Grian’s expression it shifted, before turning back to Banana and Bapping his face gently.   The shark slowly turned to face Grian. Unlike the ones he had met before it seemed gentle, a soft frown on its face, teeth not showing. It asked something to him, or started to as it stopped realizing Grian couldn’t understand it. It then used its hands, a finger pointing at Grian before asking “O-K?” The avian nodded slowly before looking nervously at the Eel. The eel had Stripe in its hands, Stripe was reaching his hands into Banana’s mouth but the larger seemed uneasy.  Grian nervously looked back at the shark who did the motion he learned meant safe. He looked between the two of them, before a slow nod, but Grian decided he’d take a break, it was getting hot out anyway.

[maximura]

Greece in detail: water on rock | Original photography by Silvan Schuppisser from Unsplash

[people-who-steal-ships]

John Silver's very rational thoughts about Flint

[branchflowerphoto]

It was a stormy day at Rivermouth, Margaret River, Western Australia.

[leomitchellart]

Inktober 2024 no.12 - “Remote” 🗼

A lonely lighthouse. 

[falsemilkbun]

It turns out I forgot there IS canon examples of how casting lightning would work, and I'm freed from figuring it out if I like

but watch out