#Strategic keywords

[techiegigs]

10 Tools to Streamline Keyword Prioritization for SEO Success

Keyword prioritization is a crucial part of any SEO strategy. By focusing on the right keywords, you can drive targeted traffic, improve rankings, and boost conversions. However, with countless keywords available, narrowing down the list to the most valuable ones can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, there are powerful tools designed to simplify this process. Here are 10 tools that can help you streamline keyword prioritization for SEO success.

1. Google Keyword Planner

Google Keyword Planner is a staple for keyword research. It provides search volume, competition level, and cost-per-click (CPC) data for keywords. Use it to:

Identify keyword opportunities based on search volume.

Estimate the competitiveness of keywords.

Prioritize keywords with high relevance and low competition.

Best For: Beginners and businesses focusing on Google Ads alongside SEO.

2. SEMrush

SEMrush is an all-in-one SEO tool that excels in competitive analysis and keyword research. Its features include:

Keyword difficulty scores to assess competition.

Insights into competitor keyword strategies.

SERP analysis for identifying ranking opportunities.

Best For: Comprehensive keyword prioritization and competitor analysis.

3. Ahrefs

Ahrefs is a powerhouse for in-depth SEO analysis. Its keyword explorer tool offers:

Accurate search volume data.

Keyword difficulty metrics.

Click-through rate (CTR) estimates.

Ahrefs also provides related keyword suggestions to help you discover untapped opportunities.

Best For: Data-driven keyword prioritization.

4. Moz Keyword Explorer

Moz’s Keyword Explorer is user-friendly and offers unique features like:

Organic CTR scores to gauge keyword potential.

Priority scores that combine volume, competition, and relevance.

Keyword suggestions for expanding your list.

Best For: Beginners and small businesses looking for intuitive tools.

5. Ubersuggest

Ubersuggest by Neil Patel is a cost-effective tool for keyword research. It provides:

Keyword ideas based on seed terms.

SEO difficulty and paid difficulty scores.

Content ideas for targeted keywords.

Best For: Solopreneurs and startups with limited budgets.

6. Keyword Surfer

Keyword Surfer is a Chrome extension that displays keyword data directly in Google search results. It offers:

Search volume estimates.

Cost-per-click data.

Keyword suggestions related to your query.

Best For: Quick, on-the-go keyword insights.

7. AnswerThePublic

AnswerThePublic specializes in generating keyword ideas based on questions, prepositions, and comparisons. It helps you:

Uncover user intent.

Find long-tail keywords.

Create content tailored to audience queries.

Best For: Content marketers targeting informational keywords.

8. SpyFu

SpyFu focuses on competitor analysis and uncovering their high-performing keywords. It offers:

Insights into competitors’ organic and paid keywords.

Historical ranking data.

Keyword profitability estimates.

Best For: Competitor-focused keyword prioritization.

9. Serpstat

Serpstat is an affordable tool that combines keyword research with site auditing. Its features include:

Keyword difficulty analysis.

Search volume trends.

Keyword grouping for streamlined prioritization.

Best For: Budget-conscious businesses needing a versatile tool.

10. Long Tail Pro

Long Tail Pro is designed specifically for identifying and prioritizing long-tail keywords. It provides:

Keyword competitiveness scores.

Domain metrics to assess ranking potential.

Niche keyword suggestions.

Best For: Niche websites targeting specific audiences.

Choosing the Right Tools for Your Strategy

Selecting the right tools depends on your business goals, budget, and expertise. Here’s a quick summary:

Budget-Friendly Options: Ubersuggest, Keyword Surfer, and AnswerThePublic.

Comprehensive Solutions: SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Serpstat.

Beginner-Friendly Tools: Moz Keyword Explorer and Google Keyword Planner.

Competitor-Focused Tools: SpyFu and Ahrefs.

Niche Targeting: Long Tail Pro.

Conclusion

Effective keyword prioritization can transform your SEO strategy, driving better results with less effort. These 10 tools offer powerful features to help you identify, analyze, and prioritize keywords that align with your business goals. By integrating these tools into your workflow, you can create a streamlined, data-driven approach to SEO that delivers consistent success.

[branddiariesingurgaon]

Unlock the secrets to content marketing success with effective keyword research. Discover the power of strategic keywords and learn how to optimize your content for maximum visibility and engagement.

[juliet-lima]

Letting loose the Power of Management: Inspiring Change and Driving Success

""

Management is even more than simply a title; it is a frame of mind as well as a set of abilities that can change people, groups, as well as organizations. In today's busy and competitive globe, reliable leadership has come to be a critical aspect for accomplishing success. Whether it is in the corporate world, community organizations, or also personal partnerships, strong management can produce a positive influence as well as drive purposeful change.Leadership is not limited to a details role or placement; it can be exhibited by anyone that wants to tip up and also take fee. It involves assisting as well as influencing others towards an usual objective, while additionally supporting their possible and structure strong connections. Effective leaders possess a mix of top qualities, consisting of vision, empathy, resilience, and superb interaction abilities. They influence and also motivate others, produce a sense of objective as well as direction, and also encourage their staff member to do at their best. By setting a favorable instance and also leading with integrity, leaders can produce a society of trust, cooperation, as well as innovation.Paragraph 2: Moreover, management is not simply concerning personal success; it has to do with equipping others to reach their complete potential. A real leader invests time and also initiative into creating the abilities as well as skills of their staff member, supporting their growth and also helping them get over challenges. By offering assistance, mentorship, as well as possibilities for expert development, leaders foster an atmosphere where individuals can thrive and add their special strengths.In times of uncertainty and modification, efficient leadership becomes even much more crucial. Leaders that can adjust to brand-new obstacles, welcome innovation, and make difficult choices motivate self-confidence as well as provide stability. They have the ability to navigate via facility circumstances, expect future patterns, as well as guide their organization in the direction of success.In conclusion, leadership is an effective force that can transform individuals, companies, and also culture overall. It requires a combination of top qualities, abilities, as well as a state of mind focused

on encouraging others and also driving favorable change. By accepting the principles of leadership and also continually creating these skills, individuals can come to be stimulants for success and also make a long lasting impact in their particular fields.

Read more here Management Consulting Firms

[dreamlikevening]

Pick A Fragrance ୨୧₊˚ʚ ;

messages from your higher self <3

you can pick based on appearance of the perfume bottle, or the notes which i will put below ♡ these fragrances are all by Le Monde Gourmand

pile 1 ~ thé matcha (notes: fig, cedar, matcha tea, bitter orange, vetiver)

pile 2 ~ chai épicé (notes: violet, fig, musk, lily of the valley, blonde woods)

pile 3 ~ fraise fouettée (notes: strawberry, banana, california orange, butter, heliotrope, coconut water, sugar, vanilla)

pile 1 - thé matcha

hello hello hellooooo. i got a feeling from your higher self that you're a bouncy person. i heard "free-looking" but also free-feeling. carefree kind of person. i'm getting taurus & sagittarius energy (could be significant placements or the house that they fall under in your astrology chart is calling your attention right now! for example, if you're a taurus rising, your higher self would be calling attention to your first house of identity, appearance, self-expression & such). if this resonates, it's extra confirmation that this is for you. i will also pull some paper slips with keywords for extra extra info <3

keywords: searcher & finder (got the message that you're a searcher/you spend lots of time searching but in a fulfilling sense), weekend, sequence, between the lines, triangle symbol (fire, so i'm getting you have a prominent fire placement), missing puzzle piece, "follow ♥︎", illusion, "full?", in the zone

cards: 7 of swords, 2 of swords, the world, page of cups

something your higher self is drawing your attention to is being more strategic when it comes to attaining something. to be more straightforward and honest with yourself. let's say you've been feeling lazy about getting a job but when you see, then fully accept that you have a Need to fulfill, you start to plan out how to attain that goal. you start with your resume, you pretty and polish it up, you create a profile, you start looking for jobs you'd be willing to work at. that's just an example of course, but something about getting real with yourself and getting organized as a result. your higher self is encouraging you very much and also protecting the situation for you. i definitely think they're being loud and clear about it, so if you've been seeing a lot of sings or been called to many readings recently, or been thinking heavily about a change you can make, that's them reaching out! "devote and dedicate yourself to what's important to you". you could be passionate about many things and have many goals but there's something here about re-prioritizing and organizing yourself so you don't overwhelm yourself with goals. take it step by step, one day at a time. just organize your thoughts, take the time to get to the root of your current needs. your higher self is highly recommending you to be decisive right now. and it'll be easier to make decisions once you organize yourself.

the way your higher self is seeing you right now is with pride. you are already so accomplished and maybe don't fully realize Just How Accomplished you are. not to the extent. so they want you to give yourself credit. compare your current self to a past version of yourself that wasn't as wise and didn't have as many tools, and you'll start to recognize just how many things you have done. you've overcome so much and your higher self is like "that's my girl" kind of vibe. you don't have to be a girl of course but it's that kind of feeling of a parent watching a child grow and gently guiding them towards success but really that child is doing so well on their own. but you can rely on them fully (your higher self). they want you to know they're always there for you and that you're so strong! also if you're into travel, they want you to know that you'll be able to do so much of it in your life, and that they'll protect you. "the biggest blessing you're receiving is that you're gonna start to get your shit together and take over the world" lol.

with lots of love, what they're working on and "crafting" up for you right now is: a new learning venture, a new passion/interest/love, an opportunity. take all of those as they resonate.

channeled songs: whenever, wherever by shakira, illusion by aespa, drip by izna, illusion by ateez, bus by travis

pile 2 - chai épicé

omg HIIII i got a burst of energy for this pile omg. i couldn't even spell LOL. okay. getting a cozy energy from this group like you could be a lover of comfort and all things mellow and relaxing. don't think you enjoy heavy and unpleasant media, which is some interesting wording so maybe you have a nice and adequate vocabulary or you're the kind of person that remains graceful in hard situations even if you're feeling quite intensely about something. i'm getting peaceful, pacifist, but strong vibes from you. your higher self really praises this because i think you've gone through quite an array of difficult experiences but you remain charming, kind, and loving. i just heard "i shed a tear", like i'm picturing your higher self and i think another guide of yours? perhaps an angel, or a "motherly" kind of spirit. definitely a feminine spirit. if saints resonate with you, i do feel that as well. you're definitely being commended for the person that you are. these are all intuitively channeled so far.

keywords: cheer up! signs, bad (i thought of bad, bad, bad by LANY), tell me, journey, set me free, zone, beauty, butterfly

cards: ace of pentacles, 6 of swords, king of cups, 4 of wands

first of all, your higher self is once again commending you for being the way you are. you are very balanced and well-rounded, seeing as we got an earth card, an air card, a water card, and a fire card. you have all the elements within you! and truthfully, we all do, but there's a tendency to lean into some elements more than others. you have the balance. you seem to really alchemize in your life and take in things that are important and necessary to you, leave out the rest, and create beauty. you spread it. i was also hearing that you're the kind of person that people talk about to their friends like. you make good impressions on others quite often. and you are respected. right now, your higher self is calling your attention to keeping your eyes peeled for some sort of promotion/upgrade. if you've been working on a project, they really want you to put it out there and do it your own way. there's a prosperous result on the horizon for you. so pay attention to any creative ideas, inspiration, and epiphanies that come your way! document them! clouds and hanging flowers could be positive signs that an idea of yours will come into bloom or have a very wonderful outcome <3 if you're interested in chakra work, i would suggest doing crown chakra activities/exercises during this time (feel free to look some up!) but yes, your higher self is saying to definitely move towards any creative endeavors right now. there are soooo many possibilities. a book that has really TRULY been super insightful to me as a writer and creative is "the creative act: a way of being" by rick rubin. if you're called to that, please please look into it! ♡

some blessings that your higher self is working on for you at this time are: a good support system, connection, compassion, important (& beautiful) gatherings, wish fulfillment (significant steps that you're taking in the 3D and 5D towards dreams of yours are shaping up into the physical and getting closer to you), celebrations (i also heard congratulations) 🎊🎂

i'm super duper excited for u and i think you're doing wonderfully. if you believe in fairytale endings, i do think that kind of energy is absolutely meant for you. things are happening pile 2!!!! keep movin' <3

channeled songs: bad, bad, bad by lany, any songs that have the keywords i mentioned at the beginning of your reading, such as "butterfly", congratulations by day6.

thank u for being here 🎀

pile 3 - fraise fouettée

welcome in, welcome in ♡ getting such a sweet vibe from this pile. magical. pink. if this isn't how you see yourself, maybe your higher self embodies that kind of pink, light, fluffy energy. i'm getting you could be really into pinterest, collaging, scrapbooking, ribbons, cake, dainty clothing, white clothing, be into fashion. getting a bit of jennifer aniston kind of energy.. your aura is definitely giving PINK. i also feel like you could smell very good (this is interesting bc the other two piles did not mention anything about the person smelling good despite this being a "pick a fragrance" lol) so i think you're very put together physically, and care a lot about how you present yourself. i think you take other people's feelings into consideration. you have a gentle leader kind of archetype. take that however it resonates. those were the intuitive messages i got, now for keywords!

keywords: bunny, wonder girls, "say ahh", like (with a heart on the i <3), black hair, hundreds, unlock, party, charm, cake, girl's generation (make u feel the heat), sensibility

cards: the fool, the star, 5 of swords, justice

let's get started! i'm getting that you're a smooth talker. you love talking or your passion has something to do with using your voice and really getting a point across to people. and i think you're naturally gifted at that whether you sense it or not. your higher self is reassuring you about this right now, and also bringing your attention to situations where you have to either be upfront with people, explain something to them (maybe some of you are tutors or teachers of some sort), or present ideas to people. so if things like that come up, it was divinely guided for sure. you are meant to really take in this situation and learn from it. i think a lot of doors are opening up for you at the moment, perhaps you're in a "blank canvas" part of your life right now. so many things you could do, so many ways you can go. and it's all up to you. i'm hearing "design your own life". if you're skilled in the arts, you are also skilled in manifestation. that was specifically for you. your higher self is really recognizing your potential right now, if in the past you had a hard time listening to your intuition, they're thanking you now for having faith. "it's not easy, but it's so beautiful and true to you and your journey". for some reason marie antoinette just popped into my mind. you could really influence people because of your natural abilities. and i do think you have lots of potential to gain a lot of recognition for them. big scale. the house that scorpio falls under in your astrology chart could be significant right now, so if you're curious, look into it! at first i was getting such a pretty vibe from this group, and you still are, but as i got more into it, I felt a very sharp and direct feeling from you. you could surprise a lot of people with your thoughts, way of commanding a room, and overall your approach to communication and life. very cool person if i do say so myself.

blessings that your higher-self is sending your way are coming out in quite a straightforward manner: karmic justice. people getting what they deserve. the truth being revealed. unveiling.

i think that your higher self has watched over every single situation where you've been treated unfairly by others. it's funny to them, because they know exactly why those people were acting that way, and they're just happy you won't end up that way. they want you to rest assured, you have nothing to worry about. you can leave all of that in the past, and know that they, and the rest of your guides are all here for you. standing next to you. protecting you. and giving you the wisdom to see through those kinds of situations. you become smarter and much more compassionate each step of the way. your higher self is really working on giving you a more gentle time of your life, full of light, forgiveness, and innocence. beautiful and positive relationships and experiences are coming your way.

channeled songs: smooth operator by sade, pity party by melanie martinez, tell me by wonder girls, dying by echobelly, closer to fine by indigo girls, see you by depeche mode

i got the idea for a "pick a fragrance" out of the blue but i have watched a video by Kino Tarot on youtube where she did this so inspiration was derived from her :D

thank you for being here ♫⋆。♪ ₊˚♬ ﾟ. 🌷

[ramyeonzwithspam]

What's Yours is Mine - Nishimura Riki

Late night skateboarding with your boyfriend

bf!riki x f!reader

fluff, slighly suggestive, established relationship

authors notes: not great at writing kissing yet, and i couldnt wait to post this, so 6:30 post it is

!!not proofread!!

The midnight wind whipped against your skin as you picked up speed, riding smoothly down the sloped street that your boyfriend had just taken. Despite the slight cold, sweat beaded on your neck from the near hour you had spent skateboarding around with Riki. It was something the two of you loved to do together, he was the one who taught you to skate and now you could almost keep up with him. Keyword being almost.

You had already fallen at least 3 times tonight, and had the scratches and pavement burns to show for it. Riki watched carefully from the bottom of the street, waiting for you to catch up to him before he took off again. As he watched you ride towards him, he spotted the large hole in the road before you did. He was unable to warn you in time, so your front wheel fell right into the hole and you tumbled forward off of your board.. right into Riki’s arms.

“Shit.. thank you Riki” you breathed, a little shaken by the close call.

“Of course babe” he replied smoothly, brushing it off like it was no big deal. You smiled as he leaned down to grab your board, knowing you well enough to understand that you’d be too scared to ride it again for a few minutes.

“Let's walk,” He shouted as he jogged toward his own board, “we are close to the park!” Riki picked up his own board and swung them both under his arm, waiting for you to catch up. When you met with him, he slung his open arm around your shoulders, pulling you in tight as you walked.

Now that the adrenaline rush was gone, the spring winds settled into your bones. Any sweat left on your body had turned cold and you regretted leaving your jacket in Riki’s car. You tried your best to hide the occasional shiver, but to no avail. Ever attentive, Riki noticed your body shaking and came to a halt.

Without a word, he removed his sweatshirt. He noticed you staring at the hem of his shirt as it rode up, and chuckled at how captivated you seemed to be by him. The laugh brought you back to reality, and you saw your boyfriend standing in front of you, holding out his sweatshirt to take. With a smile, you grabbed the material and slipped it over your head, relishing in the familiar smell.

“I need that back after tonight though. You have almost every sweatshirt I own sitting in your closet right now” he chuckled, trying his best to sound authoritative.

“What's yours is mine” you teased, taking off running toward the park, his sweatshirt held captive now.

“Y/N- YOU LITTLE-” he yelled after you, quickly taking off behind you as well.

As soon as you passed the park tables, you heard Riki drop both of your boards on the pavement, losing the weight burden. A breathless laugh left you as you continued to run into the open field just past the playground. You knew Riki was faster than you, but somehow you still hoped he wouldn't catch up to you.

Those hopes were dashed when you felt a strong pair of arms wrap around your waist and take you to the ground, strategically falling so that he would take the impact and you could land on top of him. You laughed again, now laying on top of your boyfriend, and adjusted yourself. You put both hands on his chest and held yourself slightly above his face, smiling widely.

His playful smile softened as he stared up at you, reaching one hand into your hair to push it back behind your ear. That same hand trailed down to your face, caressing your cheek with his thumb. Without a word, you leaned in and pressed a small kiss to Riki’s lips, pulling back before he could reciprocate.

The young boy smiled brightly, admiring your beautiful face for a brief second, before recovering quickly. He wrapped his other hand around your waist, pulling you flush against his body in the grass, while his first hand entangled itself in your hair. Riki kissed you again, this time longer and slower. You didn't attempt to pull away, but instead deepened the kiss, clenching one hand into the fabric of his shirt.

Lightly, Riki tugged on the base of your hair, causing a slight gasp from your mouth. He took the opportunity to dart his tongue across your lips and into your mouth. Satisfied with the feeling, you groaned against your boyfriend, kissing him harder. Just as the kiss became more heated, Riki pulled you away from him.

For a moment, you both stared at each other, lips red and swollen from the short make out. You could feel Riki’s heated breath against your face, a stark contrast to the late night air.

As Riki opened his mouth to speak, you pushed yourself off of him and stood up as quickly as you could. Your boyfriend propped himself up on his elbows, confused as you turned towards the park tables again. Only when you took off in the direction of the skateboards did he realize what you were doing,

“First one to the car keeps the sweatshirt!!” you yelled back at your helpless boyfriend, still laying in the grass.

[techiegigs]

From Research to Ranking: How to Build a Strategic Keyword Plan

Creating a strategic keyword plan is the cornerstone of successful SEO. It’s not just about identifying popular terms; it’s about understanding your audience, aligning with search intent, and optimizing for long-term results. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you go from research to ranking.

1. Define Your Goals

Before diving into keyword research, clarify your objectives:

Are you aiming to increase website traffic?

Do you want to improve conversions?

Is brand visibility your primary focus?

Your goals will shape the keywords you target and the content you create.

2. Understand Your Audience

Knowing your audience’s needs and behaviors is crucial for keyword success. Consider:

Demographics: Age, location, and interests.

Pain Points: What problems are they trying to solve?

Search Behavior: How do they phrase their queries?

Use tools like Google Analytics and customer surveys to gather insights.

3. Conduct Comprehensive Keyword Research

Use reliable tools to build your keyword list:

Google Keyword Planner: Find high-volume and relevant terms.

SEMrush or Ahrefs: Analyze competitors and discover keyword gaps.

AnswerThePublic: Explore question-based keywords.

Look for a mix of:

Short-tail keywords: Broad terms for brand awareness.

Long-tail keywords: Specific phrases with clear intent.

LSI keywords: Related terms to enrich your content.

4. Analyze Search Intent

Matching keywords to user intent is critical for success. Identify whether the intent is:

Informational: Seeking knowledge (e.g., “How to grow plants indoors”).

Navigational: Searching for a specific site (e.g., “Amazon login”).

Transactional: Ready to take action (e.g., “Buy indoor plants”).

Create content that aligns with the intent to improve rankings and engagement.

5. Prioritize and Organize Keywords

Not all keywords are created equal. Prioritize based on:

Search Volume: High volume indicates popularity.

Competition: Low competition offers easier wins.

Relevance: Keywords must align with your content and audience.

Group keywords into clusters based on topics to streamline content creation.

6. Create a Content Strategy

Build content around your keyword clusters using a hub-and-spoke model:

Pillar Content: Comprehensive guides targeting broad keywords.

Cluster Content: Supporting pieces targeting related long-tail keywords.

Ensure all cluster articles link back to the pillar page for SEO synergy.

7. Optimize On-Page Elements

Incorporate keywords naturally into:

Title tags and meta descriptions.

Headings (H1, H2, H3).

Body text and image alt attributes.

Avoid keyword stuffing to maintain readability and user experience.

8. Track Performance and Refine

Regularly monitor your keyword strategy’s success:

Use Google Search Console to track keyword rankings.

Analyze traffic, engagement, and conversion metrics.

Update and refresh content based on performance data.

Final Thoughts

Building a strategic keyword plan is an ongoing process that evolves with search trends and audience behavior. By following these steps, you can create a robust SEO foundation that drives traffic, engagement, and results.

What’s your approach to strategic keyword planning? Share your insights in the comments below!

[sincerelyyycece]

you frustrate me incredibly, sweetheart.

Who knew that having Remus Lupin as your academic rival could be so enjoyable?

note: classic academic rivals to lovers trope, remus lupin calling you sweetheart ACK

tags: @burningwitchprincess

sincerelyyycece © ─ all rights reserved. please do not repost/translate/copy any of my work.

Y/N Y/L/N stood out as an exceptional individual, effortlessly excelling in all endeavours. Her professors held her in high regard, and her peers looked up to her with a mix of admiration and envy, yearning to emulate her brilliance or bask in her presence. Within her academic department, she held a prominent position, often the subject of conversation and admiration, embodying the epitome of "brains and beauty."

Confident in her abilities, Y/N never fretted about being outshone academically, firmly believing in her own supremacy. While she garnered some rivals, she dismissed them as unworthy of her attention, except for one: Remus Lupin. Despite her initial disbelief, Remus once surpassed her in one of her favoured subjects, leaving Y/N both bewildered and intrigued. From that moment on, Remus became her foremost academic rival.

Y/N found amusement in besting Remus at class activities, relishing in her victories, yet seething with jealousy whenever Remus claimed an award she coveted. Their rivalry provided a captivating spectacle and a source of entertainment that heightened the stakes of academic achievement.

Their ongoing rivalry stretched across countless months, captivating everyone as they eagerly watched the intense competition between them. She harboured a strong disdain for him, and she suspected Remus felt similarly. Yet, as the saying goes, the boundary between love and hate can be remarkably thin.

It all began in the Care of Magical Creature class. She couldn't pinpoint the exact moment or reason, but whenever she laid eyes on Remus, a strange sensation gripped her.

As he presented his project to the audience, something about his demeanour made him unexpectedly appealing. When did he become so captivating? She hadn't even realized she was admiring him until their eyes met. Caught off guard, she quickly averted her gaze, trying to regain her composure. What just happened? She sighed in frustration, closing her eyes momentarily.

From then on, conflicting emotions about him plagued her thoughts incessantly. He occupied her mind entirely, and she yearned to free herself from his influence. The situation grew increasingly perplexing for her. She went to great lengths to avoid him, strategically ensuring they never crossed paths in class. Despite this, she remained actively engaged in her studies, except when Remus was involved.

She believed she'd successfully dodged him. Keyword: almost. En route to her next class, she found herself abruptly pulled into an empty classroom. Just as she was gearing up to give the stranger a piece of her mind, he beat her to it. "Why are you avoiding me?" came an all-too-familiar voice, causing her to tense. "Well?" he prodded.

"I'm not avoiding you, Lupin," she replied, turning to confront him. "I'm simply preoccupied with my studies," she shrugged. Remus emitted a small snort and remarked, "Please. You can come up with a better excuse than that, sweetheart." The endearment melted her, but she pretended to grimace at it, retorting, "I've asked you not to call me that."

"Not until you enlighten me on the genuine cause of your avoidance," he interjected, clearly teasing. "I've told you, I'm swamped with my academics!" she protested. He responded with a buzzer-like noise akin to those in TV game shows. "Incorrect. Try again," he prompted. "This is so ridiculous," she groaned. Once more, he replicated the sound, drawing out the exchange. "Ugh, I can't stand you!" she finally exploded. That's not true.

"That's not true," Remus interjected, almost as if he were privy to her thoughts. "What?" she murmured softly. "You don't hate me," he remarked with such ease, as though it were a commonplace observation. Her eyebrows furrowed. "What leads you to believe that?" she inquired, hoping to conceal her nerves. "I just have a feeling," he replied nonchalantly, shrugging.

"And what basis does this feeling have?" she pressed, her patience waning as his responses remained terse. "Just a hunch," he reiterated. "You're not making any sense," she protested. "If we're finished with this conversation, I need to head to class. I'm already running late."

As she moved toward the door, he halted her with a sudden confession, addressing her by her first name, a departure from his usual address. She turned back, silently urging him to continue. "I don't hate you," he admitted. Her expression twisted in confusion. "But you do," she retorted.

Remus shook his head, his smile unwavering. "No, really," she persisted. "You hate me!" Once again, Remus refuted her claim. She sighed inwardly in frustration. "Then why have you been competing with me relentlessly? Why strive so hard for the top spot if you don't harbour any animosity towards me?" she demanded.

"I confess," Remus began, "the only reason I've been your constant rival is because it was the only way to capture your attention." He paused as he noticed her silence, then added, "Your intellect has always fascinated me. I've admired you from afar, too intimidated to approach you directly. So, I engaged in every debate, competition, and challenge to ensure your focus was on me, if only for those moments when our minds clashed."

With a deep breath, he continued, "But now, I want more than just rivalry. I want to be the one you choose, the one you love."

My demeanour softened at his confession. I had mistaken his competitiveness for mutual hatred, yet he had been tirelessly vying for my attention all along. His confession made me realize his feelings for me. As Remus anxiously waited for my response, I finally spoke up, saying, "I've spent countless hours competing against you, but I've come to a realization." Remus visibly relaxed upon hearing my voice. "I no longer desire competition. Instead, I want to work with you, beside you, because... because I've fallen in love with you too."

He flashed a grin and remarked, "You frustrate me incredibly, sweetheart." I responded with a smile, quipping, "It's my forte."

With that, he tenderly encircled his arms around my waist, murmuring, "Can I kiss you?" I couldn't help but chuckle as I noticed the hint of a pout on his lips. He pleaded, "Pretty please?" I closed my eyes, leaning in to meet his lips. The kiss unfolded languidly as if we were relishing each other's presence. As he eventually drew back, he sported a foolish grin. He jestingly remarked, "Perhaps this is my finest reward yet." I couldn't help but snort at his cheesy humour.

Their lips met again in a moment that seemed to suspend time, sealing their newfound affection with a tender promise. With the weight of competition lifted, they embarked on a journey together, intertwining their paths in both love and academia. As they walked out of the empty classroom hand in hand, Y/N knew that their story was just beginning, brimming with possibilities and shared dreams. And in that moment, surrounded by the quiet hum of their shared laughter, she realized that sometimes rivalry could blossom into the most unexpected love story of all.

[ad-caelestia]

planetary retrograde keywords

mercury - communication breakdown, technological and electrical failure, failed travel plans, lost items, careful and strategic planning, resurfaced personal relationships, deviated plans

venus - lack of affection, separation, romantic tension, conflict, lack of creativity and artistic ability, infertility, resurfaced relationships, self image issues

mars - stasis, impulsivity, lack of passion, lack of motivation, personal defense, confrontation

jupiter - introspection, personal development, reflection

saturn - relief, reflection, personal improvement 

uranus - awakening, realism

neptune - realization, existential purpose 

pluto - subconscious reflection, forceful changes, elimination, letting go

© 2024 ad-caelestia

[pointycorgiears]

Garp now has it in his head that Mihawk needs to stop fooling around and tie the knot with Buggy. He's getting old, dammit! He can't wait for those two to mess around forever!

As prisoner/janitor, he spends most of his time working in the main Cross Guild headquarters, but every so often, he has work in the shipyard, or the docks, or the tent town. And sometimes, Garp grumbles when he's working: "Grrr..those two kids better hurry up and get married before I kick the bucket here…grrr!" It's his way of stress relief to get through the day.

Well, some of the Buggy Pirates have overheard a few things from Garp's end. It's no secret to them that the Chairman looks at the swordsman a certain way. Even though that's as far as it goes while the two are in public, people have suspicions. And here is Garp, letting slip a very important keyword: married.

Naturally, the only possible, realistic, actual conclusion the Buggy Pirates can come to is that Buggy is going to propose to Mihawk. Soon. And they lose their collective minds.

They can't talk about it out loud, they'll spoil the surprise! They don't know when it's going to happen, but they can prepare! The streets of the tent town are suddenly immaculate every hour of every day. Potted flowers and plants are placed to turn up the romance factor of certain areas exponentially. Low lights and roses and fresh linen cloths on a table for two at the town bistro? Absolutely! Every slightly musically talented pirate practicing and ready to bust out a sweet serenade at a moment’s notice? Mark that box checked! Confetti cannons and congratulations banners strategically placed at every potential proposal location? What are they, amateurs!?

Only the BEST proposal preparation for the BEST Chairman! Buggy has chosen his life mate and the Buggy Pirates are going to be there to catch the verklempt Mihawk when he faints from shock at such an ultimate proclamation of love! (After he says "YES!" of course)

It doesn't really matter to them that Buggy and Mihawk are more concerned with finding a way to beat Crocodile at UNO than even fantasizing about getting married...

[rotworld]

23: Wetwork

art by @exorbitantsqueakingnoises

you begrudgingly work for a task force that neutralizes breach lifeforms, dangerous interdimensional predators with a habit of fixating on specific prey. the most dangerous thing you have to deal with isn't your targets but your own partner.

->original work. explicit; contains non-con, graphic descriptions of violence, surreal gore, workplace harassment/degrading language, gun violence, tentacles, terato, hard vore/cannibalism.

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.

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The support team didn’t read the briefing. 

Skimmed it, maybe, glanced down for the keywords confirming they’re playing second fiddle to somebody else today and tossed the rest in annoyance. You can tell because the perimeter they’re supposed to be holding has devolved into a gossip circle. They’re at their posts, sure, strategically placed around the cavernous interior of an empty factory complex with a clear view of the gaping abyss taking up most of the concrete floor, pacing the proper patrol routes, but they’re too relaxed. The comms channel is clogged up with useless bullshit and questions they should know the answers to. They’re giving you a hard time because you’re an easy target, the only part of the insertion team left behind to set up a stabilizing field. Obvious egghead in a room of mercenaries. Blood in the water.

They wouldn’t do that if they’d read the briefing. They’d stay as far away as physically possible and try to pretend you weren’t there.

“You must be a pretty big deal,” the guy next to you says. Somebody called him Talbot earlier. You don’t learn names because you don’t want to be here and you hope you never see these people again, but it’s best to keep track of potential problems. Talbot looks the same as everyone else, an imposing silhouette of black tactical gear, featureless and near faceless with just his eyes visible through a balaclava. The patch on his shoulder is a green rectangle with a golden keyhole. Epsilon-Green—colloquially, “Locksmiths.” Being relegated to lookout duty must be frying what little patience he had to begin with. 

You ignore him. The stabilizing field generator is a finicky piece of equipment that needs constant attention if you don’t want the breach opening any wider. Talbot seems to take this personally.

“Don’t think I’ve even heard of you guys before today. Theta-Ultraviolet?” He slaps the patch on your shoulder just a little too hard for the gesture to be friendly. It bears the silhouette of a ship stitched with silver thread on a dark purple background.

“We’re specialists,” you say. 

“So are we,” Talbot says. Utterly disinterested in a dick-measuring contest, you go back to turning knobs on the generator. “Don’t think I’ve seen you around back at base, either. Must be new.”

“Looks nervous,” somebody else says. It’s one of the guys up on the catwalk, arms crossed over the railing. Leering at you. “Probably should be. Your whole team violated protocol and jumped right in before we even got here. They’re in deep shit if they get out alive.” 

Your team did not, in fact, violate protocol, not that they’d know without reading the briefing. “Do you need something?” you ask.

“Just making conversation. Not much else to do.”

The generator lets out a chime and a green light comes on when you’ve got everything configured right. There’s a burst of static on the comms as physics realign and the bottomless darkness in the floor rejoins reality, no longer stranded on the other side of a schism in some impossible un-place. It makes the floor shake and the factory groan all around you. It also brings the insertion team back into comms range. You hear the click of reconnection and then the sounds of a nightmare.

There’s something viscerally upsetting about breach lifeform vocalizations. Before they’ve fully coalesced and mastered the imitation of other species, the noises they produce are something you hear with your whole body rather than just your ears. It’s the stomach-churning chills of nails on a chalkboard without the shrillness, fight-or-flight given a voice. It doesn’t quite sound like shrieking or wailing or laughing, but it feels like all of those things; loud, distressing and mocking. It dances just at the edge of what your ears are capable of detecting but it completely fills your head. 

The operatives of Epsilon-Green visibly recoil. You hear some quiet curses and prayers over the comms. More comprehensible but no less worrisome are the sounds of carnage—the crunch of blunt force pulverization, flesh ripping and tearing. Bone creaks, cracks, snaps loud and ugly. Gunshots are rare—solitary, precise, a muffled bang before the squelch of organic unmaking becomes unbearably loud again. It sounds like mastication; like the abyss is a hungry maw churning everything inside into meaty paste.

“Holy shit,” Talbot says. He leans forward just a bit to peer into the pit. “Your guys alright?” 

You wouldn’t check unless you were required to. “Come in, Theseus,” you say.

Static. More disgusting, sticky noise. A gunshot. Then a deep, gravelly voice. “Still alive. Aw, were you worried?” 

You frown tightly. “Sitrep?” 

“Twelve total, mostly concentrated in the lowest chamber. They’re partially coalesced. A bit hard to kill.” Something scream-cry-snickers, abruptly cut off with a sound like a hammer tenderizing meat. “I’m expecting a reward when I climb out of here.” The words are ambiguous but his tone is oozing innuendo. 

“You’re on shared comms,” you remind him, but the damage is already done. Epsilon-Green’s operatives are eyeing you with a combination of interest and amusement. 

“So that’s how Theta-UV does it, huh?” Talbot asks. “Guess I’d be more efficient, too, if I had something nice waiting for me. How many on your team, Theseus? You feel like sharing?” 

No answer. You listen to something die painfully, a squeal that becomes a squelch. Epsilon-Green adopts something resembling professionalism, alert and attentive. Chatter continues but focused now, the possibility of combat putting all of those strict warnings from their training at the front of their minds. Maintain at least one meter of distance from the edge of the abyss. If something crawls up, hold fire until it’s finished aligning; waste of bullets otherwise. Keep faces concealed—scarf, balaclava, dark glasses, visors, more is better than less but something is always better than nothing. 

“You need a mask?” Talbot asks. He’s your best friend now that he thinks there’s a chance he could get laid. 

You shake your head. “I’m good.”

“No, you’re not. If one of those things sees your face, it imprints.” 

“I know,” you say.

“It gets obsessed,” he insists. “It follows you around until it's fully coalesced. Looks mostly human, sounds mostly human, but the face gives it away.”

“Yeah, I know.” 

“You’ll be the first thing it eats.” Understanding dawns on his face after a moment. He looks you up and down with something close to morbid fascination. “Shit. Are you—?” 

“Yep,” you say, turning your back to him and hoping he’ll get the hint. Cat’s out of the bag now, though, and you hear them wondering aloud in the hopes of baiting a reaction. Wasn’t that a thing not long ago, where Breach Response and Neutralization teams were going around looking for imprint victims? Using them as bait, basically, right? Not a bad strategy, they muse. Why go digging around for weak spots in reality when you can make them come to you? 

“Your team got some skeletons in the closet, Theta-UV?” Talbot asks. “Guess you have to be good if you don’t wanna keep tracking down new bait.” Again, no answer. The death rattles of creatures caught between forms of matter and states of being make your head hurt. He returns his attention to you. “No wonder you look so wet behind the ears, you’re a fucking civvie. How long have they had you?” 

“Don’t see how that’s relevant,” you say. “How many left, Theseus?”

“Hmm. Eight?” You wish he wouldn’t purr in your ear like that. “You sound testy. Promise I’ll pick up the pace if you let me fuck your mouth before we leave.” 

“Just hurry the fuck up,” you hiss, hot in the face and humiliated. Someone whistles over the comms. The sounds coming from the abyss are bloodcurdling. Something shreds and splats. 

“Theta-UV, all good down there?” someone says. “Sounds rough. Should we expect trouble?” 

Of course, Theseus doesn’t respond. You see Talbot scowling in your periphery. “You only talk to your cocksleeve, Theseus?” he snaps. “Or are you using a private channel down there? UV thinks it’s too good for the rest of us?”

“Sorry, who is this?” Theseus asks. He sounds faintly amused. 

“This is Epsilon-Green, your fucking support team. Do you have it under control or not?” 

“Epsilon-Green, that’s…Locksmiths, right? You’re supposed to be pretty good.” There’s a long, considering pause. You can just picture him, standing there with his head cocked, something reckless and dangerous and potentially fatal forming in his mind. 

“Theseus,” you say, your tone warning. 

Too late. You hear a shrill, warbling howl, and the ground quakes beneath your feet. “Oh no,” Theseus says, the smile audible in his voice. “Looks like a couple of them slipped past me, heading your way fast. Real sorry about that. Try to keep it contained and I’ll be there in a second.” 

You abandon the generator and run for cover. Talbot yells at you, demanding to know what the fuck is going on, but he gets his answer soon enough. It’s a skittering sound at first. Swift, spidery movements echoing down a long tunnel. Epsilon-Green has only moments to react before three breach lifeforms come surging out of the chasm in the floor. 

The things are hard to look at. Like the noises they make, your brain can’t parse the information you’re getting. Light bends around them strangely. Their shapes don’t make sense. They move in jerky snapshots, sudden and seemingly nonsensical lurches. They hunt like a pack of wolves, herding and harrying their prey into the proper position to be ambushed from every side. To their credit, Epsilon-Green doesn’t start to panic until someone gets yanked by the ankle into a whirlwind of constantly shifting forms. 

They eat him alive. Pinning him down with sometimes-claws and gnashing almost-teeth, it looks like he’s drawn and quartered in infinite directions, flesh and muscle and sinew unraveling, peeling apart, drawn into the breach creatures who become even more real, tangible and dangerous. One of them grows sharp with protruding human bone. Another has his face and his voice, screaming the way he screamed as he died. The thunderous rattle of gunfire becomes constant, bullets shredding through fresh, growing membranes of human flesh and tufts of hair. 

“Sitrep?” Theseus asks coyly. Epsilon-Green is nothing but chaos. Mindless, primal screams of terror fill the comms. One of the breach lifeforms takes a shot through what was slowly becoming a human head and shifts its body, concentrating its vital organs elsewhere. Another one clamors up the catwalk and soon there’s blood raining down from above. 

“You’re going to get in trouble for this,” you say. Your voice is terse and quiet, your throat constricted in terror, but he hears you anyway. He always does. 

“I’m doing this for you,” he coos. “The coordinator told me we’ll get upgraded to a bigger room if we both prove we’re effective—”

“You’re doing this because you want to.” 

Theseus chuckles. “I’m doing my job. Time for you to do yours.” 

There’s a sharp click; disconnection. Theseus turned off his comms. You watch the fight unfold in front of you with a sinking feeling, waiting for what comes next. Epsilon-Green should be thinking about it, too. They should be watching the chasm more closely. They’ve had plenty of warnings. The breach lifeforms have been reckless, lashing out too eagerly and failing to protect their backs. If anyone but you was paying attention, they’d realize it was because they were fearful. They didn’t rush up here out of hunger but out of the simple instinctual drive to flee a larger, more dangerous predator.

You wonder how many other briefings they haven’t read. That bait experiment wasn’t about neutralization. They wanted to see if they could catch a breach lifeform alive, train it somehow—use imprinting as a means of control. The governing body that oversees the work of all breach response operations would say they succeeded. You would beg to differ.

Theseus emerges from the chasm with a bestial screech. You can tell him apart from the other breach lifeforms easily. He’s much larger. He moves like a wave or a fog bank, an unstoppable force of nature that spills across the factory floor. Epsilon-Green tries to kill him but he’s fully coalesced, his control of his own form so precise that he can decide when and where he is real and physical. He engulfs his prey like an eclipse and everything inside him turns to liquid gore. The other creatures shriek and whimper. One of them tries to run but Theseus is faster, spearing it through the side and dragging it back into his all-encompassing maw. 

It’s over in moments. The last breach lifeform twists itself into knots trying to crawl away but it’s impaled through its nearly flesh form, consumed like all the others. Someone in Epsilon-Green has managed to establish order again and a repeated command to hold fire is finally heeded. 

They watch in mute horror and fascination as the thing in front of them constricts and shrinks and shapes itself into something closer to human. A man in tactical gear. He looks just like they do but is unmistakably taller and larger, black clothes straining around his bulk and bulging muscle. His face is completely covered by a helmet with a mask and reflective visor—an absolute necessity to prevent the thing underneath from appearing in their nightmares. The patch on his shoulder is Theta-Ultraviolet’s symbol.

“Mission complete,” Theseus says. He surveys the crowd with an exaggerated back and forth glance as if he doesn’t know your exact location. “Hm. But where’s my handler? I hope they didn’t just leave me here. Not when I’m still so hungry.” 

The nearest operatives scramble to get away from you. Reluctantly, you walk down the path opening in the crowd until you’re right in front of him. You spot Talbot, his eyes wide and his balaclava drenched in sweat. 

It doesn’t matter that Theseus keeps his face covered. He’s not human. His emotions aren’t an arrangement of features but something he radiates, an ambient feeling in the air. He doesn’t just stand up straighter when he sees you. The factory suddenly feels claustrophobic, the air hot and oppressive. “There you are,” he purrs. “Now come here.” You don’t want to, but you’ll be reprimanded for denying him post-mission requests. You might lose some of your privileges at base, just enough to make life unpleasant and difficult. 

“Can’t you wait until we get back?” you ask, glancing pointedly at Epsilon-Green who are still standing there gawking.

You can feel that he would be smiling, if he decided to give himself a mouth. “No. I have to prove a point.”

He unravels in the blink of an eye, his form engulfing you. Your mind goes blank with terror being trapped in this cramped space of shadows and redness, everything soft, squishy and damp. Theseus could kill you if he wanted. He could squeeze until you were nothing but sticky red dust.  He could suffocate you. He could start eating at any moment, pulling you apart like the man from Epsilon-Green, claiming everything you are for himself. You’re still not sure that he won’t someday. They say he’s tame but they’re not here, watching him sabotage missions on a whim. They don’t have to sit in the tight, pulsating chamber of his body reshaped for ensnarement. 

“You’re shaking,” he purrs, delighted. “It doesn’t matter how many times we do this. You’re always so afraid.”

Theseus knows you better than anyone. He imprinted on you. He hunted you for years before the agency stepped in. He knows what you’re afraid of and what you like. He knows exactly how to torment you. You feel him shift and change around you, peeling off parts of himself to form tendrils. Long snaking ones circle around your limbs to hold you still while smaller frilled growths tease you. They dissolve your clothes and start to suckle on your skin. You can’t help the whimper that slips out, a noise of interwoven fear and pleasure. A thick tentacle pushes past your lips.

“Your mouth is so perfect. Just the right size. So warm and wet. You were made for me. Only me. And I’ve made myself for you.” Theseus quivers all around you, babbling like he always does. The things he says are a frightening reminder of exactly what he is and what he’s capable of. He changes the tentacle as he pushes it deeper, making the tip bulbous and the length veined like a cock, desperate to prove that he can be human if he tries. The smaller tendrils become hands—hands that are strange and lopsided with too many fingers or too few, all touching at once, all caressing and fondling. He gropes your chest and flicks your nipples. He traces your spine and strokes your cheek. 

It’s only a matter of time before he gets hungry for more. Disembodied hands hold your hips still as another tentacle nudges inside your entrance. Theseus alters it with almost frustrating frequency, never allowing you to get used to the shape or texture. He keeps it small at first and then expands it in gradual, rhythmic pulses, stretching you between slow, prodding thrusts. He’s teasing you. He doesn’t need to search for the places that will make this truly humiliating. He waits until you’re trembling and whimpering, so frightened you strain and twist in his grasp. Just when you’re on the cusp of sobbing around the girth fucking your throat, the tentacle curves slightly and sinks deep, pounding right into the spot that makes your eyes roll back in your head. 

It feels so good it starts to hurt. This is your other greatest fear: that Theseus will keep you here. He won’t kill you, won’t pluck off your limbs or shred you to gristle, but he’ll never let you leave. He’ll keep teasing you, stroking you, and fucking you forever. Your mind goes blank and you become the perfect thing his instincts crave—his center, his anchor, his first love, his reason for being, his. He can fill you and taste you and hold you close, and nothing can take you away from him. 

Mercifully, it does end. Does someone contact him through Epsilon-Green? Does he simply grow bored, or change his mind? You don’t know why. Theseus savors you as he begrudgingly slows his movements. He whispers about your sweetness and softness, how no one will ever know you like he does. Your throat is raw and your jaw is sore when he pulls the tentacle out of your mouth, your saliva sliding slowly down the length. The other one stays longer. He’s not satisfied until he’s made you cum. It excites him to see how hard you fight against the pleasure and his precise, merciless thrusts until he forces you over the edge. The tentacle withdraws only when your thighs are shaking and you’re limp in his grasp. 

Theseus shifts again, rippling open. His form cradles you and drapes over your body, concealing everything below the shoulders. He shapes the upper half of his human disguise, hunched over you with an arm wrapped tightly and possessively around you. You don’t know how much Epsilon-Green saw or heard but some of them are, thankfully gone. The ones who linger flinch when Theseus’ helmet turns towards them.

“Do you need something?” he says wryly. “I guess I could still eat.” That’s all it takes to clear the factory. Theseus turns his attention back to you and you feel that familiar warm vibration of happiness and desire. 

Being this close to a breach lifeform is inherently dangerous, but there’s no one who knows Theseus better. For now—until the next mission, the next frenzy, the next reward that might be your last—there’s nowhere safer you could be.

[vandal-flower]

Like Father, Like Daughter

Requested.

Pt. 1 Thor, Hercules and Shiva.

Lu Bu as a father General Headcanons.

Warnings: Just Fluff!

To be honest, Lu bu wasn't expecting to have a daughter. Not that it is a bad thing, just unexpected.

Many of his soldiers, allies and everyone he knew, thought he would have a son. But the thought of Lu Bu having a daughter does sound interesting...

He becomes very protective and cautious of her at a young age. Keyword on the very.

He makes sure none of the military equipment ever reaches her sight, as she would see it as a toy to play with.

He also ensures none of his soldiers ever have the chance to propose to his daughter, not even the thought of proposing to her will be permitted. (Told you so.)

As he makes sure everything is alright, he personally teaches her about how to be strategic in certain situations.

With these little lessons, he bonds with her and always smiles when she trys to mimic his voice. 😭

Chen Gong also helps just in case the two of you aren't around.

He leaves the "she needs manners" training up to you. (What did you expect?)

When she grows up, she's as beautiful as ever, but can be cunning when she needs to be.

She eventually gets bombarded with marriage proposals left, right and center. (Lu Bu does not approve.)

While he does not approve, he'll do anything for his daughter's happiness. It's one of the things that matter most to him.

In the end, he always spends time with his daughter when he has the chance!

"I'm proud of how far our daughter has come, (Name)."

"I know. And she's also proud of you too, my dear."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Want some more father headcanons?

My inbox is open. Check out my Rules.

[mythaura-blog]

Development Update - June 2024

Hello everyone! Our June development wraps up the first half of 2024, and we're cruising along with work on some pretty substantial gameplay features. We're excited to discuss one of them today: Elite Enemies, who will pose a greater challenge to your Beasts--and those who defeat them will find themselves with greater rewards because of it, too.

We also discuss some other strategic gameplay elements, reveal the Summer 2024 quarterly Ko-fi rewards, show off some beautiful new sponsored content, and more!

Elite Enemies

During your adventure in wild areas, you may encounter Elite Enemies. These foes resemble their regular counterparts but boast more health, are 20% larger, and possess special modifying keywords like "Shielded," "Quick," or "Armored." For example, a Quick Armored Breezetail would have increased speed and have armor when encountered. The keywords are assigned randomly, and as the difficulty of the wild area scales, the number of keywords an Elite Enemy can have increases. Notably, when an Elite Enemy is tamed into a companion, it retains its increased size. Elite enemies also have an increased chance of spawning as its Radiant coloration.

Temporary Health

Certain moves in battle can grant temporary health. This temporary health is consumed first before any damage impacts the battler's actual health, offering an additional layer of protection during combat.

Shield & Armor

Some moves can grant a Shield in battle, which absorbs Projection type damage and must be depleted before health is affected. However, Combat damage bypasses the Shield and impacts health directly. Conversely, Armor absorbs Combat damage, while Projection damage bypasses the Armor and impacts health directly. This distinction between Shield and Armor introduces strategic depth, allowing players to tailor their defenses based on the type of incoming damage.

Summer Quarter (2024) Concepts

It’s the first day of Summer Quarter 2024, which means we’ve got new Quarterly Rewards for Sponsors to vote on on our Ko-fi page!

Which concepts would you like to see made into official site items? Sponsors of Bronze level or higher have a vote in deciding. Please check out the Companion post and the Glamour post on Ko-fi to cast your vote for the winning concepts!

Votes must be posted by July 27, 2024 at 11:59pm PST in order to be considered.

All Spring 2024 Rewards are now listed in our Ko-fi Shop for individual purchase for all Sponsor levels at $5 USD flat rate per unit. As a reminder, please remember that no more than 3 units of any given item can be purchased. If you purchase more than 3 units of any given item, your entire purchase will be refunded and you will need to place your order again, this time with no more than 3 units of any given item.

Spring 2024 Glamour: Chinoiserie

Spring 2024 Companion: Gossamer Campanula

Spring 2024 Solid Gold Glamour: Unicorn (Young)

Ko-fi Sponsored Items

More Inkminks!

Sponsored by: Potats

Wild Inkmink

Albino Inkmink

Prismatic Inkmink

Celestial Inkmink

Baneful Somnowl

Sponsored by: Kettle

Mythauran Astrology: July

The month of July is referred to as Frostcrown's Flame in Dragon culture, representing the first month where the sunlight begins to wane--calling upon the legend that when the first Dragons almost froze to death in the Spine of Ere, a massive Frostcrown Phoenix led them to a volcanic cave, thereby saving their lives. This month is associated with the constellation of the Magistrate and the pyrite stone.

Those born under the sign of the Magistrate are known for their unwavering commitment (to themselves, their jobs, their cause, their loved ones) and a tireless work ethic. Like a dedicated ruler presiding over their kingdom, individuals influenced by the Magistrate take on responsibilities with a sense of duty and precision.

At their best, Magistrates are diligent, organized, and dutiful. At their worst, they can be defensive, uncooperative, and prone to indignation.

Custom Color Contest Reminder

In honor of the new color change that we made to a Beast's tongue/mouth, we're opening another Custom Color Contest. We want to offer the opportunity for you to make a permanent impact on Mythaura's color wheel!

This contest is free to enter, and only has the following parameters:

Only one entry allowed

Fill out Google Form by Friday, August 23, 2024 at 11:59pm PST

The dev team will reach out to the winner on September 1 to begin the color design process. Winner will have until September 23, 2024 to complete their color design. Please feel free to use our PSD file, if you'd like!

Winner will also receive 3x copies of the Empemeral Ink that matches their color's base hue (Red, Orange, Yellow, Blue, Green, or Violet).

We're so excited to see what you come up with!

Feel free to re-enter colors you submitted for the previous Custom Color Contest!

Mythaura V0.29.1

Refactoring and restructuring was done allowing for the removal of redundant code.

Adds critical endpoint to allow users to spend stat points when creating their first beast.

Creates a service to handle skill's effects on abilities while in battle and adds the ability to handle 10 varieties of skill.

Adds support for Element Mastery in skill trees.

Adds support for both abilities and skills to add Temporary Health, Shield, and Armor.

Fixed a live-and-broken issue with the shadow assets on adult Dragons, Unicorns, Griffins, and Perytons, making it so they can be used as party leaders without breaking Wild Areas.

Thank You!

Thanks for sticking through to the end of the post, we always look forward to sharing our month's work with all of you--thank you for taking the time to read. We'll see you around the Discord!

[santoschristos]

"Capricorn is like the mountain goat, sure-footed and ready to conquer any peak."

The symbol for Capricorn is the Goat. The mountain goat is an avid climber, and has the light step required for clinging to the edge of a craggy hillside. This helps to provide an image of the Capricorn type.

Combination: Negative / Earth / Cardinal

This combination suggests an inwardly creative spirit, who nevertheless depends on the involvement of others to realise the vision of material independence and success.

Keywords for Capricorn: Patient, Organised, Serious, Conservative, Controlled, Guarded, Ambitious, Ruthless, Strategic

Ambition and determination

In the spiritual realm, Capricorn symbolizes ambition and determination. It is a zodiac sign that is often associated with individuals who are driven, focused, and committed to reaching their goals, no matter the obstacles.

Image art: Spirit of Capricorn by Mahaboka

[tom781]

SEO for YouTube: How to Optimize Your Videos for Search

Meet Paul. Paul is a budding YouTuber with a passion for tech reviews and tutorials. He’s been creating content for a while, but his channel isn’t growing as quickly as he’d hoped. Paul’s videos are high-quality, informative, and engaging, yet they’re not reaching a wide audience. The key problem? His videos are not optimized for YouTube’s search algorithm. This is where SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, comes into play.

Understanding YouTube SEO

SEO for YouTube involves optimizing your videos so they rank higher in search results. Higher ranking videos get more views, which can lead to more subscribers and overall channel growth. Here’s how Paul can optimize his videos for YouTube search:

Keyword Research

Paul’s first step is to find the right keywords. Keywords are the terms and phrases that users type into the search bar when looking for videos. Paul uses tools like Google Trends, TubeBuddy, and VidIQ to identify popular keywords related to his content. For instance, if Paul’s video is about the latest iPhone review, he might discover that “iPhone 14 review,” “iPhone 14 unboxing,” and “iPhone 14 vs Samsung Galaxy S22” are popular search terms.

Optimizing Video Titles

Once Paul has his keywords, he needs to incorporate them into his video titles. A good title is clear, concise, and includes the main keyword. For example, instead of titling his video “My Thoughts on the New iPhone,” Paul titles it “iPhone 14 Review: In-Depth Look at Apple’s Latest Smartphone.” This title is more likely to match what users are searching for.

Creating Engaging Thumbnails

Thumbnails are the first thing viewers see. An eye-catching thumbnail can significantly increase click-through rates. Paul creates custom thumbnails that are visually appealing and relevant to the video content. He includes the video title or key phrases in the thumbnail to attract viewers’ attention.

Writing Detailed Descriptions

The video description is another crucial SEO element. Paul writes detailed descriptions for his videos, incorporating his main keyword and related terms naturally. He includes a brief summary of the video, timestamps for different sections, and links to his social media, website, and other relevant videos. This not only helps with SEO but also provides a better viewer experience.

Using Tags Effectively

Tags help YouTube understand the content of a video. Paul uses a mix of broad and specific tags, including his main keyword and variations of it. For his iPhone review video, he might use tags like “iPhone 14,” “iPhone review,” “Apple smartphone review,” and “tech reviews 2023.”

Engaging with Viewers

Engagement metrics like likes, comments, and watch time also influence search rankings. Paul makes an effort to engage with his audience by asking questions in his videos, responding to comments, and encouraging viewers to like and share his videos. The more engagement his videos get, the higher they are likely to rank.

Promoting Videos on Social Media

Paul doesn’t rely solely on YouTube’s search algorithm to drive traffic. He promotes his videos on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. By sharing his videos with a broader audience, he increases the chances of getting more views and engagement.

Analyzing and Adjusting

Finally, Paul regularly reviews his analytics to understand what’s working and what’s not. He looks at metrics like watch time, click-through rates, and viewer retention. Based on this data, Paul adjusts his SEO strategy and content approach to continually improve his channel’s performance.

Conclusion

Through consistent effort and strategic optimization, Paul starts to see his videos rank higher in YouTube search results. His channel grows steadily, attracting more viewers and subscribers. By following these SEO practices, Paul not only improves his search rankings but also enhances the overall quality and reach of his content.

For any YouTuber looking to grow their channel, understanding and implementing YouTube SEO is crucial. Just like Paul, you too can optimize your videos and achieve greater success on the platform.