#THE PERILS OF SHINY BREEDING

[dittolicous]

I have bred over 600 fucking Fidough AND I STILL HAVENT GOTTEN A SHINY ONE

I EVEN FOUND *FIVE* WILD SHINIES WHILE HATCHING THEM BUT SIX H U N D R E D EGGS LATER AND STILL NO FUCKING SHINY FIDOUGH

I'M ABOUT TO START SCRAMBLING THESE DAMN DOG EGGS

[girlfromthecrypt]

Note: This is merely a pitch introduction post. Work on this IF will only properly start once Such Happy Campers is complete. A demo is not imminent. The working title is Reggie on the Run, but will most likely be changed.*

Story: You, an individual only known as Reggie Reese, are a criminal in the late 1800s. You find yourself stuck in a jail in Yellowhill, Letitia, where you are to be tried for your transgressions. Fortunately for you, a member of a prolific and feared local gang is brought in the same day. When the outlaw’s associates swoop in to rescue them, you too are given another chance at freedom. Before you know it, you are inducted into the strange and unusual band, most of whom appear to possess supernatural abilities.

Only, you were never exactly normal either…

Play as Reggie Reese (based on your choice of gender, this can either be “Regina”, “Reginald”, or simply “Reggie”, if you’re not one for the binaries)

Choose from four possible backgrounds that also determine the cause for your arrest! Play as a violent drunk, a highwayman or thief. More backgrounds may be added later

You have telepathic powers! Yay! Now, how to use that to get money…

Pick and name a horse from a selection of various breeds and personalities, bond with and care for it!

Face horrors beyond comprehension, and possibly end up saving the world

redeem yourself or become worse

Inspirations: Blood Meridian, Butcher’s Crossing, Red Dead Redemption 2, Lonesome Dove, and of course the actual Old West.

The Cast:

“Doc” — The Leader: You don’t know his real name. You don’t know where he came from. There are whispers about him having escaped from an exploitative freak show, though he’s certainly not forthcoming with any information. The one thing you do know is that he saved your life.

Age: 42

Power: Healing

Personality: Polite and kind (at least at first glance). Well-read and highly intelligent, idealistic.

Romanceable: Yes, for MCs of all genders.

Horse: Silksong, a palomino Mustang.

Isaiah Wilder — The Berserker: A behemoth of a man who’s draw is as quick and deadly as his fists. You have never encountered anyone as bloodthirsty or as dogged as him. He ensures people fear the gang, and should intimidation prove insufficient, he’ll delight in mending that. 

Age: 37

Power: Superhuman strength and zombie-like constitution

Personality: Caring to the gang, absolutely heartless to everyone else. Brutal, cunning.

Romanceable: Yes, for female MCs (why you’d want to romance a literal monster is your deal)

Horse: Black Phillip, a black Missouri Foxtrotter.

Margaret Malloy — The Black Widow: Thrice married, thrice widowed. Her husbands have a tendency to throw themselves off of cliffs, it seems. What exactly she’s hiding behind her ready smile is for her to know and you to find out… at your own peril, that is. She often acts as a decoy for the gang.

Age: 33

Power: Persuasion

Personality: Harmoniously cheerful and sweet, with a love for all things shiny. 

Romanceable: Yes, for male and male-presenting MCs (you’ve been warned)

Horse: Freckle, a Leopard Appaloosa.

Hilda Heinrichs — The One Who Dances in the Creek: She’s a strange, strange woman. Perhaps the strangest you’ve ever met. A former prostitute, she fell in with Doc after he treated a gunshot wound she sustained after attempting to steal from a suitor. Oftentimes, she’s off in another world— literally.

Age: 30

Power: Spectral awareness

Personality: Hard to grasp. Her temper changes at the drop of a hat, like she’s a force of nature. But she’ll happily entertain the others by playing her banjo.

Romanceable: Yes, for MCs of all genders

Horse: Virginia, a white Shire.

Francisco “Fran” Perez — The Gambler: He doesn’t talk much, barely at all, really. Maybe he doesn’t like you… or maybe he simply prefers the quiet. He’s eerily good at gambling, and even better at cheating people out of their money. His abilities are invaluable to the gang; he sniffs out most of their jobs for them.

Age: 26, the youngest of the gang

Power: Precognition

Personality: Calm, quiet, wary of strangers. Funny guy, once you get to know him.

Romanceable: Yes, for MCs of all genders

Horse: Cielo, a brown and white Pinto with striking blue eyes.

The Strange Lady— ??: She hangs around a lot. You don’t know what to make of her.

Age: ??

Power: ??

Personality: Confusing.

Romanceable: No

*MC is gender-selectable, but has a locked-in name. The canon reason for this is that MC’s name, Reggie Reese, is an alias, and that MC keeps their true name a secret (at least from the public). The game is set in a largely fictionalized version of the Wild West. There are a great many parallels to actual historical events, but to avoid writing about still-existent locations and organizations (among other things), I have taken some liberties with worldbuilding. Also, it’s fun to pick fictional town and state names, for example Letitia and Yellowhill. 

TW: gore, discussions of trauma, ptsd, c-ptsd, mentions of SA and related trauma, mentions of period-typical prejudice and sexism, morally gray characters depending on how you play, downright homicidal characters, sex work. 

Dividers by @plum98

So. What y'all think?

[coeur-de-fruk]

May I introduce you all to some fantasy au :0

The hurricane might’ve altered my brain chemistry because yesterday I thought of forest nymph!france x naga!england, and immediately got to work on coming up with a basic concept of it!

I even included Mattie and Al, their supposed offsprings in which they are mixed breeds of nagas and nymphs who I dubbed “nymphagas”. I haven’t gotten this whole thing nailed down but I like to think they are reptilian creatures that spend their time in the trees and in the water.

Some info under the cut!

Francis is a forest nymph who took care of the nature in the enchanted forest. He’s homeless, but he doesn’t mind it as he sees the forest as his home no matter where he went. He takes care of the small animals that lurk around him, including other mythical beings such as fairies and pixies (although the pixies do give him a tough time for how malicious they can be sometimes.) Francis considers himself a pescatarian, meaning he consumes plants and fish only. While he sometimes does hunt for fish, he relies on the herbs, fruits and vegetables around him.

Arthur is a naga who resides in the heart of said forest and he lives in an underground den. He’s kind of a hoarder and his den is full of trinkets and treasures that he likely stole from the village. Though the most valuable of them all was a giant pearl he went on a perilous journey to find. He believed who ever accept his pearl will be his lover forever, which happened to be Francis; who had a lot of shiny things on his outfit. He was harmless for the post part, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t carnivorous. While Arthur consumes small animals such as birds and rodents, he doesn’t eat larger animals nor humans.

He and Francis met near the springs one day and eventually settled down once they got to know each other. Francis offered to cook for Arthur so he would help him get used to his change in diet. He even taught him how to properly eat as well as using some utensils he had brought with him. In return, Arthur taught Francis archery, which helped him improve his hunting skills. There was one thing they both had in common: their love for each other. Eventually, the underground den became Francis’ permanent home.

One day, the two of them had twins; Alfred and Matthew. They spend most of their time hunting in the forest as well as exploring places their parents haven’t been too. Alfred is known to be a trickster, while Matthew was more timid and tended to stay out of trouble.

[littleeyesofpallas]

RAIGER[ライガー] is actually how the Japanese would write LIGER, but also could be leaning into a kind of pun with RAI[雷]: "lightning/thunder" given some of its elemental lightning affinities (although they can't seem to decide if its main element lightning or ice from game to game.) and GA[牙]: "tusk/fang,"(although obvious in the context of the design it probably would refer to the horns) so the name reads like "Lightning Horn."

DAYTONA-REX[デトナレックス] from DAYTONA like the iconic American racecar track? Because of Tiger's general emphasis on speed? But you'd think that would be written DE-I-TO-NA[デイトナ] otherwise it seems to just read DETNA-REX, and I don't know that that means anything.

TOUTETSU[トウテツ] the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese Tāo Tiè[饕餮]: "greedy+voracious" one of the mythic Four Perils.

DAYTONA-CHRIS[デトナクリス] I don't understand.... The DE-TO-NA bit is consistent with the way it's used with tiger/dino but I have no idea how that applies here to "chris/kris/cris". So maybe I just got it totally wrong that first time??? but i don't know how else to parse this...

JAGD-HOUND[ヤクトハウンド] from the German JAGD: "Hunt," so "Hunt Hound." Weirdly it is pretty specifically "hound" and not the German "hund".

AQUA-STRIKE[アクアストライク] straight forward enough

MONO-EYE[モノアイ] again, just what it sounds like

HAM-RAIGER[ハムライガー] from HAM and LIGER

BARON[バロン] as in the rank of minor nobility

TERROR-DOG[テラードッグ]

KERBEROS[ケルベロス] from the greek [Κέρβερος] guard dog to the underworld

ECO-NO-KICKS[エコノキックス] I assume ECO-NO like "of Ecology" and not ECONO as in "economy"?? So "Kicks of Ecology" or I guess like "Kicks of the Ecosystem"? It's a weird one...

GINGIRAIGER[ギンギライガー] from GINGIRA[ギンギラ]: "glitzy/shiny/gaudy" and LIGER with the RA syllable shared. scans something like "Sparkleiger"

KAMUY[カムイ] from the Ainu word for spirits/gods loosely equitable to the Japanese word Kami[神]. The Ainu faith holds reverence for most wild animals but the wolf was a notably prominent one before they were wiped out.

SHIRO[シロ] from SHIRO[白]: "White"

KURO[クロ] from KURO[黒]:"black"

GARMR[ガルム]from the wolf GARMR from Norse myth. Possibly meant as a pun on Garum, a popular condiment in ancient Rome and Greece made of fish?

ANUBIS[アヌビス] Egyptian god over funerary rites with the head of a jackal

RYUON[リュオン] LYON?? Can't find a clear reference in this one, but there must be one, right? it's the only one in this set that would be random otherwise...

REMUS[レムス] brother of Romulus, mythic founder of Rome. The two twins were abandoned as children and raised by a she-wolf.

RUBY[ルビィ] because it's red...

FENRIR[フェンリル] from the legendary wolf of Norse myth

DOBER-I.T.[ドーベルIT] from DOBERMAN the dog breed and InformationTechnology.

NYAIGER[ニャイガー] NYAA + RAIGER

SPRINGS[スプリングス] like Spring time and sakura blossoms

FLARE-STAR[フレアスター] just what it says

VOLG[ヴォルグ] ???? no idea what this is supposed to mean. ( It's a character, Alexander Volg Zangief, in Hajime no Ippo??) But the data blurbs mention it appearing like a ship and defeating enemies in oneblow, and gives it the epithet Akaikaze[秋風]: "autumn wind" (a homonym with [赤風]:"red wind") so i looked it up and that was the name of a Japanese destroyer in WWII. It's most noted for war crimes commit aboard it while docked at Wewak in Papua New Guinea. but none of that really leads back to the VO-RU-GE thing?????

BANDERSNATCH[バンダースナッチ] from Lewis Carrol's Through the Looking-Glass, and The Hunting of the Snark.

OCTO-STEP[オクトステップ] a kind of obtuse synonym for "Eight Legs" like an octopus

EMERALD[エメラルド] ironically didn't really take must of the distinctive green tone of the gemstone

SYLVIE[シルヴィー] but maybe meant as SILVY as a diminutive of SILVER or SILVERY, since the name SYLVIE actually comes from the Latin for "Forrest" which doesn't really make sense with the Dullahan subtype here.

HAZEL[ヘイゼル] The color or the nut? probably both considering Momo's net shells

MISTRAL[ミストラル] probably in reference to the "Mistral wind" that blows thru france and teh mediterranean

VOLTY[ボルティー] or BOLTY? Both evoke electricity, but the VOLTY spelled this same way is a model of Suzuki motorcycle.

WAKAKUSAMARU[ワカクサ���ル] WAKAKUSA[若草]: "Fresh grass" and MARU[丸] a common namifying suffix for boys and ships.

SCARLET[スカーレット]

RAI-BOT[ライボット] the RAI[雷]: "lightning/thunder" in RAIGER and ROBOT.

SLEIPNIR[スレイプニル] named after Odin's 8 legged horse in Norse mythology?? Legendary for it's speed, sure... but it's a horse. Also why not the octopee subtype? They did already name it basically the equivalent of "eight legs" anyway

HELL-HOUND[ヘルハウンド]

YUKI-KAZE[ユキカゼ] from YUKIKAZE[雪風]: "Snow Wind"

KIRIN[キリン] from the KIRIN[麒麟] aka QILIN mythic golden horse or deer like dragon from Chinese and subsequently Japanese myth

And two special variant sprites from GBA2...

IFRIT[イフリート] ifrit[عفريت] from pre-muslim arabic lore. A spirit, often evil, of smoke and fire in the jahannam. I believe that classically they're actually more associated with smoke than anything, where the presence of fire as a source of smoke is incidental, but popculture appearances like Final Fantasy have erroneously aligned their image with fire elementals.

CU-SITH[カーシー] the fairydog of scottish lore

BARGHEST[バーゲスト] a ghoulish monster canine from North English folklore, generally considered to be the same as the Black Dog of more general English lore

NIGHT-FANG[ナイトファング]

POD-DOG[ポットドッグ]

JAEGER-BEET[ジャガービート] from the German JAEGER: "hunter" (same root as the jagd:"hunt" on the old tiger/worm mixbreed.) and BEETLE

HELM-HOUND[ヘルムハウンド]

FRASER[フレイザー] i have no idea who or what this is supposed to be referencing, but it's pretty specific to how Japanese approximates the names FRASER, FRAZER, and FRAIZER. Not that any of those really make much sense...

BASKERVILLE[バスカビル] from the Sherlock Holmes story The Hound of The Baskervilles.

CLOCK-DOG[クロックドッグ]

DANDELION[ダンデライオン] namewise straight forward, because it's yellow like the flower, although the flower is named "Lion tooth" after the shapes of its leaves. But the design is a neat cameo of the MMO's Tiger redesign.

POCHI[ポチ] a kind of cliche dog name in Japanese, apparently it doesn't have a clear etymology

just throwing in two variants of the MMO's Raiger redesign,

X-RAIGER[エクスライガー]

KAZE-NO-RAIGER[カゼノライガー] "LIGER of (the) Wind" a throwback to the anime using the original RAIGER design

YASHAGAMI[ヤシャガミ] from the Japanese Yasha[夜叉] itself borrowed from Yaksha[यक्ष] carried along from hinduism to buddhism and from india to china and then Japan. And the GAMI from either Kami[神]: "god/spirit/divine" or possibly Ookami[狼]: "wolf." It's subtype is KIJIN, one of the new breeds added to the LINE Monster Farm app

Also I totally neglected it last time because I thought it was a cross promotional character from some other franchise, but actually there's...

MECHA Otou-san[メカお父さん] "Mecha Dad"?

[v-ividus]

13. The Abyss of Distraction: A Philosophical Reflection on Cultural Survival in the Age of Spectacle

“A culture's ability to understand the world and itself is critical to its survival. But today, we are led into the arena of public debate by seers whose main gift is their ability to compel people to continue to watch them.” — George Saunders

In a world where the threads of our collective existence are intricately woven into the fabric of cultural narratives, George Saunders delivers a sobering insight that reverberates with an unsettling clarity: “a culture's ability to understand the world and itself is critical to its survival.” This observation is not merely a statement; it is a clarion call, urging us to pierce the illusory facade of civilization and confront the frail state of our society with ruthless clarity.

Survival in this age demands more than mere resilience in the face of tangible threats. It hinges upon the intellectual and philosophical structures that underpin our moral compasses and articulate our identities. Within this intricate maze is where our self-awareness—or lack thereof—shapes the course of cultural evolution, dictating the very essence of our fate. Such a reality necessitates an unwavering introspection, as we find ourselves precariously perched on the edge of cultural coherence. Here, knowledge and self-awareness operate as the dual blades of our sword, determining our trajectory in uncertain times.

Yet, as we navigate the labyrinth of contemporary existence, we must face a disturbing revelation. The seers of our day—the purveyors of ideologies and values—often masquerade as skilled entertainers rather than true visionaries. Within the arena of socio-political discourse, where profound inquiries into the human condition should hold sway, we are ensnared in a carefully orchestrated spectacle designed to dazzle rather than enlighten. It is within this theater of distraction that we risk losing sight of the critical truths necessary for our survival, masking the fundamental realities we must confront to reclaim our agency and navigate the treacherous currents of our time.

This shift represents not merely a decline in rigorous intellectual scrutiny, but signals a treacherous withdrawal from sincere comprehension. We witness a society captivated by the allure of distraction, where superficial engagement supplants profound dialogue. Such an environment fosters a culture in which the pursuit of genuine understanding is overshadowed by the shiny façade of performance, leaving us perilously adrift in a sea of misinformation and vacuous rhetoric. The implications of this decline are profound; it threatens to undermine the very foundations of critical thought and sincere civic engagement, establishing a dangerous paradigm that prioritizes allure over authenticity and truth.

The Spectacle of Distraction: A Political Dystopia

In the festering kitchen of our political landscape, marred by hyper-partisanship and ideological extremism, we face an appalling reality. What was once a nourishing feast of democratic engagement has decayed into a putrid buffet where the essence of truth is discarded, not for enlightenment, but as a rancid offering to the gods of ratings and fleeting attention. Public debate is no longer a banquet of ideas; instead, it resembles a grotesque food fight, dominated by flashy figures who thrive on spectacle while serving up bland, triple-processed opinion.

The psychological aftermath of this nauseating transformation is staggering. The public, now mere passive consumers, is bombarded with a heaping platter of half-baked opinions, a grotesque reflection of a broader societal malaise—one that is fundamentally disconnected from the rich flavors of critical thought and moral reasoning. This repugnant detachment festers, breeding a populace susceptible to manipulation and trapped in a cycle of superficiality that neglects the nourishing depths vital for genuine understanding.

Amid this morally rancid environment, the complicity of institutions becomes repulsively clear. Political bodies, media conglomerates, and social platforms—whether through misguided intent or willful ignorance—team up to sustain this culture of distraction. The relentless onslaught of sensationalist headlines serves as stale breadcrumbs, diminishing the space needed for thoughtful engagement, leaving us with barely a crumb to grapple with the complex, vital issues now plaguing our global society.

In light of this repulsive reality, we must confront a psychological and moral imperative: an urgent withdrawal from these corrupting systems. Disengaging from the tasteless superficiality that permeates our discourse is not merely an option; it is a necessary strategy for reclaiming our intellectual and moral autonomy. By consciously distancing ourselves from the allure of immediate gratification, we not only reject the spoilage of our collective appetite but also set the stage for a true feast—one where critical inquiry, honest discourse, and profound understanding are on the menu. It’s time to cleanse our palates, confront the distasteful truths, and embark on a journey toward authentic nourishment for our minds and souls.

This withdrawal is not a mere retreat; it's a bold rejection of the festering banquet of distractions that surround us. Only by pushing away this repugnant spread, can we nourish our minds with the rich and meaningful discourse required to truly satisfy our hunger for depth and understanding of the global political world. Let us cleanse our plates and turn away from this grotesque smorgasbord, rekindling our appetite for the profound, humanistic inquiry that defines our very humanity.

The Poisoned Well: True Faith in the Age of Disillusionment

As we stand at the chaotic intersection of culture and spirituality, we are engulfed by a haunting landscape that stirs not just moral indignation but a deep, gnawing despair. Once revered sanctuaries of wisdom and hope, spiritual institutions have become ensnared in the corrosive grip of populism, a malignant force that feasts on division, fear, and uncertainty. In a time where faith is fast eroding and skepticism spreads like an uncontrollable wildfire, these beleaguered entities, in their frantic bid for survival, increasingly resort to sensationalism—trading genuine spiritual nourishment for the hollow allure of ephemeral attention.

This disheartening plunge into moral chaos is not merely a symptom of societal disarray; it possesses profound implications that reverberate through the very fabric of our collective psyche and economic reality. In a landscape where clicks and views function as the new currency, religious institutions scramble for relevance, clinging desperately to populist language that resonates with the weary and disillusioned. This dependence on shock and superficiality grotesquely distorts sacred teachings, aligning them with the merciless machinery of a profit-driven society. The quest for authentic spiritual meaning is drowned out by a cacophony of mercenary agendas, as we are left to navigate the treacherous waters of dogma and doctrine, yearning for a return to fundamental truths that lie beyond the confines of the manipulative social, political, and religious structures designed to keep us compliant. In this quest to rediscover our connection to the very essence of existence, we must confront the profound psychological and sociological dynamics at play, rejecting these controlling narratives in favor of a deeper, more genuine understanding of our world.

As these institutions deftly twist their narratives to ensnare sincere believers and secure their financial lifeblood, they risk losing sight of the sacred purpose that once anchored their very existence. This egregious betrayal of foundational principles transmutes spirituality into a lifeless commodity—a mere figment designed solely to capture our fleeting attention, stripping it of its profound essence. For those who ache with a deep yearning for genuine spiritual connection and meaning, this manipulation exacerbates their confusion, amplifying the isolation that already gnaws at their souls.

The implications of such moral decay are nothing less than catastrophic. This erosion of spiritual integrity catapults us into an moral and economic abyss, mirroring our collective disillusionment and despair. As we grapple with the essential questions of identity and belonging, the convergence of faith and commerce constructs a transactional reality, heightening our feelings of alienation. In this heart-wrenching landscape, we stand on the precipice of a critical confrontation—one that demands unyielding courage to reclaim the intrinsic value of spirituality and transcend the toxic allure of superficial faith.

It is imperative that we rise against this tide of moral degradation—not solely for our own preservation but for the sake of future generations who will navigate this treacherous terrain. We must dig up the real truths deeply buried beneath the rubble of sensationalism, reigniting a discourse that genuinely honors our shared humanity. This call to arms transcends mere action; it serves as a desperate call for clarity amidst the tumult of spiritual confusion.

We must strive to restore the sanctity that authentic spiritual guidance once extolled, resolutely standing against the forces of despair and disorientation that threaten to engulf us. Together, we wield the indomitable power to reshape the religious narratives at work within of our collective experience—forging a new path that transforms anguish into real hope and uncertainty into profound spiritual vision.

Global Institutions: The Complexity of Institutional Response

In the disillusioned aftermath of the First World War, a facade of unity and progress materialized—ambitious institutions that promised salvation, yet swiftly devolved into breeding grounds for corruption and dysfunction. The League of Nations, once vaunted as the harbinger of collective security, ultimately crumbled under the weight of its own contradictions. Today, the United Nations, birthed from the ashes of similar lofty aspirations, finds itself ensnared in a treacherous web, where leaders cloak their self-serving ambitions in empty rhetoric, forsaking the common good of humanity.

We are confronted with a disquieting truth—one steeped in moral labyrinths. While climate change conferences and diplomatic dialogues masquerade as proactive endeavors, they frequently culminate in nothing but hollow gestures. A more sinister pattern unfolds behind these artifice: powerful elites exploit crises as opportunities, weaving narratives that empower their interests while reforming the pressing realities of ecological collapse, social injustice, and global turmoil into mere footnotes.

This truth is brutally clear: blind allegiance to these flawed institutions invites a dangerous complacency—an erosion of our foundational principles that emboldens the very decay we seek to eradicate. The seductive allure of these structures often conceals a darker truth, where the ambitions of the privileged few overshadow and overshadow the urgent needs of the many.

Now is the pivotal moment to cultivate a mindset steeped in keen discernment and strategic acumen. We must confront the reality that real progress transcends mere optimism; it necessitates a scrupulous investigation of our institutions and an unyielding quest for justice. The instinct to avert our gaze must be dismantled; we must unearth the frailties of these systems and challenge the status quo with unwavering resolve and fervor.

Let us rally behind politically neutral and apolitical movements that remain true to their visage, dedicated to wresting power away from corrupt entities. We must identify and elevate leaders whose ambitions resonate with the principles of the common good, casting aside those who are preoccupied with their own aggrandizement. Advocate for frameworks that elevate the collective over the individual, cultivating a society where fairness and empathy eclipse the selfish desires of the elite.

In this noble quest, we must envision a future marked by astute governance—one where our institutions embody our highest ideals rather than devolving into instruments of corruption and subjugation. By embracing this resolute strategy, we can seize the narrative and steer our collective destiny toward a reality where dignity, integrity, and communal welfare serve as the bedrock of our actions and policies. Together, we can dismantle the chains of control and emerge triumphant in forging a new paradigm that uplifts the many over the ambitions of the few.

Reclaiming the Narrative: The Path Forward

To the weary and disoriented reader, it's vital to recognize this profound truth: within you lies immense potential, an intrinsic power waiting to be awakened. The struggle for cultural survival extends beyond the surface; it necessitates a radical commitment to reclaiming our narrative and actively resisting the insidious forces that seek to impose a passive existence. It's time to dismantle the illusions of complacency and step into the role of a deliberate architect of your own destiny.

We need to hone our discernment into a razor-sharp tool, one that slices through the overwhelming noise of contemporary discourse. Mere surface-level engagement will no longer suffice; we must dive deeply into inquiry, tackling the challenging questions that both unsettle and illuminate our existence. This intellectual journey demands that we reject trivial distractions, choosing instead to forge profound connections that challenge and invigorate our understanding, sparking a collective passion for truth.

Revitalizing our critical faculties should be acknowledged as an urgent communal undertaking. We must create spaces that encourage meaningful debate and genuine exploration of our values, arenas where diverse perspectives collide, serving as a crucible for intellectual growth. It is within these nurturing environments that we can unravel the intricate tapestries of our identities and societal frameworks, highlighting the psychological layers that shape our collective consciousness.

Together, let us embark on this transformative journey, reclaiming our narrative with conviction and purpose. The future we desire is within our grasp, but it requires our active participation, resilience, and unwavering commitment to truth, empathy, and understanding. Let’s foster a community where ideas flourish, pushing back against apathy and igniting a movement that resonates profoundly across all facets of our existence.

As we traverse the illusions and spectacles that threaten to sap our perceptual acuity, we find ourselves on a shared odyssey toward what can only be described as genuine enlightenment. This journey is far from academic; it is an emotionally charged struggle that demands not just passive introspection but active engagement and confrontation. By probing into the murky depths of our own motivations, fears, and cognitive biases, we can begin to fortify the crumbling foundations of our culture, constructing a society that is not simply resilient to external pressures but one that embodies transformative change in the face of the mind-bending complexities of the 21st century.

I invite you to accept this challenge: awaken that latent strength within you and rise as an unflinching defender of what you know to be right. It’s time to reclaim your narrative—not with timid hesitance but with urgency and ferocity. In this psychological battleground, we must undoubtedly fight for individual empowerment, but let’s not kid ourselves: we are also wrestling for the very soul of our society. Together, we can architect a future that not only reflects our deepest values but also embodies our revolutionary spirit.

This is a call to arms—not just for yourself, but for the fabric of our collective identity. We have the capacity to cultivate a consciousness that defiantly resists subjugation. In doing so, we empower our shared aspirations to germinate and flourish, even amid the chaos of modern life. Let this invigorating challenge draw you in; it is time to confront the myriad forces that seek to dull our senses and stifle our voices. Stand up, reclaim your narrative, and transform this struggle into an unstoppable force for change. The future mankind needs demands nothing less.

Conclusion: The Future of Our Cultural Survival

As we stand on the precipice of a pivotal moment, besieged by an incessant dissonance of social, political and religious distraction, the future of our cultural survival hinges on the capacity to reclaim our focus and resolve. Saunders’ incisive commentary serves not merely as a critique of the superficial entertainments that overwhelm our senses; it is a sincere call to vigilance, a challenge to confront the formidable forces that entrap us in a labyrinth of delusion and disconnection.

This daunting task transcends intellectual engagement; it compels us to wrest control from the suffocating grasp of societal, political, and religious systems intent on controlling our thoughts. Our cultural preservation demands not just the protection of our individual minds but also the sanctity of our families and communities. By immersing ourselves in the pursuit of knowledge, enriched by meaningful discourse, we can navigate a future where our culture not only survives but thrives—anchored in a profound understanding of its complexities.

Resisting the intoxicating pull of distraction is synonymous with reclaiming our agency, dismantling the visible barriers that ensnare us, and recognizing the insidious psychological chains that distort our judgment. This noble journey promises enlightenment, serving as a safeguard for our loved ones against the inundating barrage of vacuous information that seeks to eclipse clarity.

As we prepare to embark on this critical journey, let us embrace the discomfort of honest reflection. In doing so, we will illuminate the intricate tapestry of our shared humanity, uncovering fundamental truths that lie beyond the reach of conventional frameworks. By confronting these underlying forces with steadfast determination, we equip ourselves to reclaim our narrative and secure the future of our cultural essence in an increasingly chaotic world. Let this become our rallying cry: to break free from the chains of control and cultivate the profound possibilities that await our cultural revival.

Let us not view this mission as a burden; rather, let it be seen as an immeasurable opportunity to craft a legacy imbued with wisdom and strength. By embracing this call to action, we are not merely protecting our own—we are sculpting an enlightened community capable of withstanding the tribulations of an increasingly chaotic world. In this endeavor, we redefine our relationships—not just with knowledge, but with one another—imbuing our lives with purpose, connectivity, and an invincible spirit of hope!

[sapiavividus]

“A culture's ability to understand the world and itself is critical to its survival. But today, we are led into the arena of public debate by seers whose main gift is their ability to compel people to continue to watch them.” — George Saunders

The Dystopia of Distraction: A Philosophical Perspective on Cultural Survival in the Age of Spectacle

In a time when the complexities of our collective existence are meticulously interlaced with cultural dynamics, George Saunders articulates a profound truth that reverberates ominously: “a culture's ability to understand the world and itself is critical to its survival.” This astute insight pierces the veneer of human civilization, compelling us to scrutinize the fragile condition of our global society.

Our very survival is contingent not solely on the capacity to navigate tangible adversities, but on the intellectual and philosophical scaffolding that constructs our moral frameworks and shapes our identities. It is within this intricate lattice that our understanding—or misunderstanding—of self and society manifests, dictating the trajectory of our cultural evolution and, ultimately, our fate. Such a state demands a rigorous introspection, as we balance on the precipice of cultural coherence, where the interplay of knowledge and self-awareness becomes the fulcrum upon which our future hinges.

Amid the mind-bending intricacies of contemporary existence, we face a disconcerting truth. The soothsayers of our era—those who propagate ideologies and values—tend to be adept entertainers rather than authentic visionaries. In the arena of socio-political discourse, where substantive societal inquiries ought to dominate, we find ourselves ensnared in a spectacle crafted to enthrall rather than to illuminate.

This shift represents not merely a decline in rigorous intellectual scrutiny, but signals a treacherous withdrawal from sincere comprehension. We witness a society captivated by the allure of distraction, where superficial engagement supplants profound dialogue. Such an environment fosters a culture in which the pursuit of genuine understanding is overshadowed by the shiny façade of performance, leaving us perilously adrift in a sea of misinformation and vacuous rhetoric. The implications of this decline are profound; it threatens to undermine the very foundations of critical thought and sincere civic engagement, establishing a dangerous paradigm that prioritizes allure over authenticity and truth.

The Spectacle of Distraction: A Political Dystopia

In the shadows of our political landscape, a landscape marred by hyper-partisanship and ideological extremism, we find ourselves confronted with a grim introspection. This realm has transmuted into a theater where the essence of truth is sacrificed, not for enlightenment but at the altar of ratings and fleeting attention. Once a crucible for democratic engagement, public debate has now devolved into a gladiatorial arena, dominated by charismatic figures who thrive on spectacle while disregarding substance.

The psychological ramifications of this transformation are profound. The public, relegated to the role of passive consumers, absorbs a deluge of bite-sized opinions, a reflection of a broader societal malaise characterized by a fundamental disconnection from the intricacies of critical thought and moral reasoning. This dissociation breeds a populace susceptible to manipulation, entrapped in a cycle of superficiality that neglects the deeper inquiries essential for genuine understanding.

In this morally precarious environment, the complicity of institutions becomes glaringly apparent. Political bodies, media conglomerates, and social platforms, whether intentionally or unwittingly, collaborate to sustain this culture of distraction. The relentless barrage of sensationalist headlines diminishes the space needed for thoughtful engagement, leaving little room for grappling with the profound complexities that now beset our global society.

In light of this troubling reality, we must consider a psychological and moral imperative: a complete withdrawal from these corrosive systems. Disengaging from the superficiality that permeates our discourse is not merely an option but a necessary strategy for reclaiming our intellectual and moral autonomy. By consciously detaching ourselves from the allure of immediate gratification, we pave the way to reclaiming depth, confronting uncomfortable truths, and embarking on a quest for authentic understanding.

This withdrawal is not an act of retreat but an assertion of agency; it is a declaration that we shall no longer allow ourselves to be ensnared by the seductions of distraction. Only through this resolute disengagement can we hope to resurrect a culture that values depth over diversion and fosters a renewed commitment to the profound inquiries that define our humanity.

The Religious Undercurrents: Faith in the Age of Disillusionment

At the tumultuous crossroads of culture and religion, we find ourselves in a nightmarish landscape that evokes not just moral outrage but a profound sense of despair. Once noble vessels of wisdom and hope, spiritual institutions are increasingly ensnared by the venomous grasp of populism, a force that thrives on division, fear, and uncertainty. As faith dwindles and skepticism spreads like wildfire, these struggling entities, desperate to stay afloat, turn to sensationalism, sacrificing authenticity for the allure of fleeting relevance.

This tragic descent into moral chaos is not just a symptom of societal upheaval; it has far-reaching consequences that intertwine with the very fabric of our economic reality. In a world where clicks and views equate to currency, religious institutions scramble to attract attention, latching onto populist rhetoric that resonates with a weary and disenchanted audience. This reliance on shock value not only distorts sacred teachings but aligns them with the ruthless mechanics of a marketing-driven society, where the quest for spiritual meaning is drowned out by the noise of profit-seeking agendas.

As these institutions contort their narratives to draw in followers and secure financial support, they risk losing sight of the profound purpose that once underpinned their existence. This betrayal of sacred values transforms spirituality into a commodity, stripping away its essence and replacing it with a hollow spectacle designed to capture our fleeting attention. For those yearning for connection and meaning, this manipulation deepens their confusion and intensifies their sense of isolation.

The implications are dire. This moral degradation does more than erode spiritual integrity; it plunges us further into an economic quagmire that reflects our collective disillusionment. As we grapple with questions of identity and belonging, the intersection of faith and commerce creates a transactional reality that exacerbates feelings of alienation and desperation. In this heart-wrenching context, it becomes imperative to confront these overwhelming forces with unfettered courage, reclaiming the intrinsic value of spirituality and transcending the corrosive pull of populism.

We must rise against this tide of moral decay, not only for ourselves but for the sake of future generations. It is time to unearth the genuine truths that lie buried beneath the wreckage of sensationalism and reclaim a discourse that honors our shared humanity. This is a call to arms, a clarion call for those seeking clarity amid the chaos: we must strive to restore the sanctity and direction that spiritual guidance once provided, standing steadfast in the face of despair and confusion. Together, we can reshape the very narrative of our collective experience, transforming anguish into hope, and uncertainty into real purpose.

Global Institutions: The Complexity of Institutional Response

In the aftermath of the First World War, we witnessed the emergence of institutions that promised unity and progress, yet these ambitious ventures have often devolved into nests of corruption and dysfunction. The League of Nations, once envisioned as a herald of collective security, ultimately collapsed under the weight of its own failings. Today, the United Nations, born from similar aspirations, finds itself ensnared in the very same traps, with leaders resorting to empty rhetoric while prioritizing their own ambitions over the collective well-being of humanity.

What we are confronting is a harsh reality steeped in moral complexity. Climate change conferences and diplomatic dialogues may appear to be proactive steps, yet they frequently yield little beyond superficial gestures. Behind the scenes, a disconcerting pattern unfolds: powerful individuals exploit crises to sculpt advantageous narratives, all while the pressing realities of ecological collapse, social injustice, and global turmoil remain unaddressed.

The truth is stark: blind faith in these imperfect institutions leads us into complacency, exacerbating the decay of our shared principles. The allure of these structures often masks a more sinister reality, where the ambitions of the privileged few overshadow the needs of the many.

Now is the time to adopt a mindset of keen discernment and strategic prudence. We must acknowledge that genuine progress requires more than just optimism; it demands a meticulous examination of our institutions and a relentless pursuit of justice. The tendency to look away must be eradicated; we must expose the vulnerabilities of these systems and challenge the status quo with unwavering resolve.

Let us support completely neutral and apolitical movements that are true to their appearance in the endeavor to wrest power from corrupt entities. Identify and elevate leaders whose aspirations align with the common good, rejecting those who merely seek to further their own interests. Advocate for frameworks that prioritize the collective over the individual, establishing a society where fairness and empathy outshine the desires of the elite.

In this pursuit, we must strive for a future characterized by astute governance, ensuring our institutions reflect our highest ideals rather than devolving into tools of corruption and oppression. By embracing this strategic ethos, we can reclaim the narrative and guide our collective destiny toward a reality where dignity, integrity, and communal welfare stand as the bedrock of our actions and policies.

Reclaiming the Narrative: The Path Forward

To the disoriented and fatigued reader, recognize this crucial truth: nestled deep within your psyche lies an immense potential, an intrinsic power yearning to be awakened. The struggle for cultural survival transcends the superficial; it demands a radical commitment to reclaiming our narrative and actively resisting the sinister forces that strive to impose a passive existence upon us. It is time to shatter the illusions of complacency and embrace your role as a deliberate architect of your own destiny.

We must refine our discernment into a razor-sharp instrument, one that penetrates the overwhelming din of contemporary discourse. Surface-level engagement is no longer sufficient; we must plunge into the depths of inquiry, confronting the provocative questions that both unsettle and define our existence. This intellectual expedition requires us to reject trivial distractions, opting instead for the profound connections that challenge and invigorate our understanding, igniting a collective fervor for truth.

The revitalization of our critical faculties must be regarded as an urgent communal endeavor. We must cultivate spaces that encourage profound debate and authentic exploration of our values, arenas where divergent perspectives clash, fostering a crucible for intellectual growth. It is within these spaces that we can dissect the intricate tapestries of our identities and societal structures, underlining the psychological layers that shape our collective consciousness.

As we navigate the illusions and spectacles that threaten to dull our perceptual acuity, we embark on a shared odyssey toward genuine enlightenment. This journey is not merely academic; it is an intensely emotional struggle, demanding both introspection and active engagement. By delving into our own motivations, fears, and cognitive biases, we can fortify our cultural foundations, crafting a society not only resilient to external pressures but also capable of transformative change in the face of the reality-bending complexities of the 21st century.

Accept this challenge: awaken the latent strength within you and rise as a defender of culture, reclaiming your narrative with urgency and ferocity. In the psychological battleground for clarity and intention, we must not only fight for individual empowerment but also for the collective soul of our society, architecting a future that mirrors our deepest values and revolutionary spirit. Together, we cultivate a consciousness that resists subjugation, allowing our shared aspirations to flourish amid the chaos of modern life.

Conclusion: The Future of Our Cultural Survival

In the contemporary arena, beset by the dissonance of distractions, we find ourselves poised at a critical juncture, a moment that demands not just our attention but our resolve. Saunders' astute observation transcends a mere critique of the shallow entertainments that pummel our senses; it emerges as a profound call to vigilance—a summons to grapple with the potent forces that ensnare us in an enduring labyrinth of delusion and disconnect.

This considerable challenge is not merely an intellectual pursuit; it is an imperative to wrest back control, to safeguard the integrity of not only our minds but also the sanctity of our families and those we hold dear. It is through ardent engagement with the world of knowledge, tempered with the sophistication of meaningful discourse, that we forge a pathway toward a future in which our culture not only endures but flourishes, steeped in a profound comprehension of itself and the multifaceted reality it inhabits.

To resist the pervasive allure of distraction is to reclaim our agency, to dismantle not just the visible barriers but also the insidious psychological chains that obscure our judgments. This pursuit is a noble endeavor, one that offers the promise of enlightenment—a promise that can protect and empower our loved ones, fortifying them against the mindless tide of information that seeks to overwhelm.

As we traverse this complex landscape, we must embrace the discomfort that the pursuit of truth often demands. Rather than retreating, we should meet this challenge with an unwavering spirit, cultivating a culture within our families that thrives on critical inquiry and shared wisdom. It is through this relentless quest for understanding that we illuminate the shadows of ignorance, rendering our collective consciousness expansive and resilient.

Let us not view this mission as a burden; rather, let it be seen as an immeasurable opportunity to craft a legacy imbued with wisdom and strength. By embracing this call to action, we are not merely protecting our own—we are sculpting an enlightened community capable of withstanding the tribulations of an increasingly chaotic world. In this endeavor, we redefine our relationships—not just with knowledge, but with one another—imbuing our lives with purpose, connectivity, and an invincible spirit of hope.

Thank you for reading!

[mamamittens]

Well, I got halfway through a comm, so there's that. Then I realized it was Whoops All Set Up and I hadn't considered how to write the interactions to lead up to that smut so I took a step back to think it over.

I was asked for fluffy romcom and I'll be damned if I don't deliver it!

But that's a later problem, here's me rambling about ideas for an alternative shine riolu design for Platinum, Fin's service pokemon.

So, I decided against keeping canon colors and mostly the same design cause damnit, I still don't like the yellow.

I'm sure game freak had lovely reasons for the yellow but I hate it.

Away it goes!

And anyway, while I was at it, I figured I'd further tweak the design to highlight how Platinum was specifically picked for Finley. Perhaps as a favor from someone who was really moved by her tragic backstory.

Silver, her original Abra, looked pretty normal aside from a spiky ring on his tail. But that's more because it was pretty early in the days of Designer Breeding more geared towards unique iterations of pokemon. Particularly driven by the growing market for coordinators trying to get a leg up. And as a standard ish support pokemon he didn't need to look outstanding, just more identifiable if something happened.

So I decided towards a slightly artistic inspiration.

A mostly silver/gray coat explains the name easily enough. And I do like the original color pallette so I kept the blue/black. They also look unexpectedly tall and that's partly because I suck at the proportions but idk, maybe Platinum is just unusually tall as well lol

The flourishes make Plat look more rugged and (according to my roommate) dirty lol. But it's meant to be like paint brushes and paint splatter. Had no interest in a rainbow baby or anything too crazy.

The goofy leg/pant bulge looks more like a deliberate attempt to imply shorts, which I appreciate more than trying to figure out wtf canon is doing with that drumstick butt (or frankly dick shaped torso, it's so damn close to being a dick, I can't unseen it and I'm sorry you won't be able to either).

This is without any support pokemon gear. A vest is the obvious choice but when he evolves it'll have to be adjusted cause of the chest spike Lucario has. Maybe I'll just stick to a bandana? Or a belt?

...ah, I forgot to try the button... Well, whatever. I like it as is regardless. It's a little fancy but not too busy? If anything I might get rid of the 'holes' in the dark sections so it's just paint splatter inspired.

Be easier to draw at least lol

Idk if I mentioned earlier but Fin's official job is illustration/painting. Mostly for books and other projects she can consult for and do at home rather than travel. Very much a home body until the start of the fic when she decides she's well enough to handle it. Likes watercolor specifically for painting personal projects such as her old team's books or for friends (when she finally has them). But does oils, acrylics, murals, and mixed mediums as well.

Perhaps Platinum was a 'thank you' gift for a personal mural from a breeder who put Platinum through official support pokemon courses.

Despite being a support pokemon, Platinum is just as happy in a battle as any other riolu. His first duty is just to Fin though. So he would be more likely than most to forfeit a match if his trainer showed too much distress or lash out unexpectedly in times of peril.

This both pairs well with the rest of her destined team and against one specifically who would rather be doing that themselves. But for now I'll leave it at that lol.

Platinum will be her only special/shiny Pokemon. Unlike Edna, she doesn't have any connections or unexpected 'gifts' netting her rare pokemon.

[sundove88]

Rio (Sundove88’s Version) Casting

Captured by smugglers when he was just a hatchling, a dragon and ground type named Flygon never learned to fly but has a happy domesticated life in Minnesota with Sana Hudson, who thinks he is the last of his breed. But when word comes that a lone female of his kind is in Rio de Janeiro, Sana and Flygon go to meet her. Animal smugglers kidnap Flygon and his mate Altaria, but the Pokemon soon escape and begin a perilous adventure back to freedom -- and Sana.

Hoennian Pokemon Flygon, Altaria and their three children are comfortably settled in the city -- perhaps too comfortably. Altaria fears that the children are becoming more like humans than Pokemon. After learning that she and Blu may not be the last of their kind after all, Jewel decides that their little family should visit the Amazon jungle. It's there that Flygon meets his formidable father-in-law and goes beak-to-beak with archnemesis Hydreigon.

Flygon as Blu (Pokemon)

Trapinch and Vibravia as Hatchling!Blu and Teen!Blu (Pokemon)

Altaria as Jewel (Pokemon)

Sana Hudson as Linda (Balan Wonderworld)

Hydreigon as Nigel (Pokemon)

Storm Eagle as Dr. Tulio Monteiro (Mega Man X)

Various Bird Characters as The Rainforest Birds

Toucannon as Rafael (Pokemon)

Arachnus as Pedro (Yo-Kai Watch)

Toadal Dude as Nico (Yo-Kai Watch)

Aang as Fernando (Avatar The Last Airbender)

Antonio as Himself/Fernando’s Best Friend (Encanto)

Duck Hunt Dog as Luiz (Duck Hunt)

Duck Hunt Duck as Himself/Luiz’s Partner In Crime (Duck Hunt)

Risotto Nero as Marcel (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)

Kars as Tipa (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)

Kira Yoshikage as Armando (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)

Giovanni as The Mysterious Trader (Pokemon)

Golden Cheese Cookie as Dr. Barbossa (Cookie Run)

Trumbeak as Eva (Pokemon)

Poison Mushroom Cookie as Mauro (Cookie Run)

Chess Choco Cookies as Alice and Chloe (Cookie Run)

Pomegranate Cookie as Gabi (Cookie Run)

Salamence as Roberto (Pokemon)

Goodra as Mimi (Pokemon)

Garchomp as Eduardo (Pokemon)

Swablu as Carla (Pokemon)

Shiny Swablu as Bia (Pokemon)

Shiny Trapinch as Tiago (Pokemon)

Cioccolata as Big Boss (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)

Clair as Dr. Monae (Flipline Studios)

Shulk as The News Anchor (Xenoblade Chronicles)

Churro Cookie as Felipe (Cookie Run)

Millennial Tree Cookie as Himself/The Spirit of The Forest (Cookie Run)

Here’s your Hinting to the Next Crossover Casting (It’s a remake and it’s Barbie):

🩰💃👑

[higuchimon]

1st lines of 10 most recent fics

Rules: share the first lines of ten of your most recent fanfics & tag ten people. If you have written less than ten, don't be shy and share anyway.

I got tagged by @pierrotguru, so here we go! Starting with the least recent and going up to the most!

Asuka’s head throbbed as she tried to figure out what to do. Altered Choice, Yu-Gi-Oh GX, Tenjoin Asuka

For all intents and purposes, Yamato hadn’t been in the hospital for about a week. Open His Eyes, Digimon Adventure 02, Yamato x Taichi

Gloves weren’t just a fashion statement. Under The Gloves, Digimon Adventure 02, Yamato x Taichi

His wings are gorgeous. Spilled Words, Digimon Adventure 02, Yamato x Taichi (wings!AU)

Yamato could feel every breath that Taichi took. Perils of Boredom Digimon Adventure 02, Yamato x Taichi (breeds!AU)

"Rin! Rin!" Shiny!: YGO Arc-V/Pokemon AU, Yuugo & Rin

“Please, shut the hell up,” Yuuto groaned, trying to cover his face with a pillow. Annoying or Adorable, YGO Arc-V, Yuuya x Yuuto (AU, Yuus as siblings, so incest)

Today would have been her birthday.No Celebrataion Here, YGO Arc-V, Akaba Leo

Ruri settled the tray of food on the floor in front of the cat, who remained curled up in a little ball, every line displaying how sad they were. Away!, YGO Arc-V, Ruri, Yuuto, Haya (cat) (Angels, Demons, & Deciding Factors AU)

Anyone else wants to do this, consider yourselves tagged!

[siremasterlawrence]

The Mist Part 1

Part 1

A small village on the skirts of major city in a picturesque island on the coast of a tiny gem called Hells Island.

The city is bustling as per usual with little to no indication of what the future is to spring on them.

The morning is slowly but steady as people are rising up and heading into a long work day.

Traffic is at a all time high a new reporter is yelling in a shiny helicopter above the city, and then as if magic it goes.

The radio dial begins to spin flipping in and off through stations and a low pitch howl can be heard.

In one fowl swoop all the electrical devices now cease to work the world is left in dark state of peril.

One man so angry reveling with road rage had enough rolling down his window to peek

He freaks out sliding out till his feet are on his car seat, and his upper body held on to the roof.

“What the fuck?” The man says in utter loss and disbelief at what he says it is quite the unimaginable site.

The sea of people flee their cars, a bus and all personal watching the gray cloud swoop into the city.

The darkness is a frightening sight to behold with the impairment of vision, screams and people piling on to each other.

The city vanishes off the face of the earth in a matter of minutes no one can recollect anything about it.

Part 2

Thomas Ford is enjoying the peace of mind at home no void of his family for a week or two.

He sprawling over his couch with beer to his side, deck in only his under pants he sighs in bliss.

The mist floats over him shutting off his and the towns entire electrical grid.

He stands up hearing a voice call out to him leaving his mind in a shamble of puddle.

He drops his drink mindless marching out of his home into the night of mist forever it’s now.

His shadow can be seen on the wall walking out of town into parts unknown to everyone but me.

His feet are naked dirty, bloody, bruised as he enters the forest of no return.

His eyes grow dull after making a few more steps on to the people bridge.

“Welcome! Welcome all to the night of the midnight madness” a young man shouts.

He smirks with wide grin lifting his magic staff in the air he slams onto the forest ground.

A flow of power crosses through as how are now in his domain blocking any others who

dare to intervene.

“Where was I? Oh yes! Tonight you will join me in becoming my little global family.” He shouts.

Part 3

The mayor Stephen Jack Collins had had it in his mind to be at my beck and call since the start.

The mist descending led him to do the the oddest thing, exit his office and walk aimlessly.

He kept walking till he found the same weird young man sitting in the midst of earth,

“Who are you? If May ask” the mayor Steve as he now prefers to be called ask.

“I am your future, enter the forest.” The man points with his finger to the glowing light,

A warm sensation overcomes him like he is begin dragged into the space he goes forth

“Beautiful, simply beautiful” the mayor adds his vocabulary limits him.

“Oh! You thought I am here to help you.” The young man stares back.

“Who are you?” He regains a modicum of good breeding to have his common sense retain control.

“You were a lousy Mayor”

“Even worse a pathetic excuse of a man “

“The lowest of the low”

Before he could even entertain the idea of a spicy retort the lights blind him and he sees a whole bow life.

The end

[gaasaku-fanfests]

Dog Day Afternoon

Title: Dog Day Afternoon Author: anoceaninthesun Rating: K+ Words: 3,020 Summary: Reluctant dog-walker Gaara doesn’t think much of it when he sees a slightly familiar girl while on his way to the park. But when she ends up in peril not long after, he finds himself unable to avoid coming to her aid, ending up with an unexpected reward for his efforts. Various Tags/Warnings: Gaara POV, Kankuro’s dog, BAMF Sakura, meet cute, minor threat of violence, some swearing

A/N: I do apologize for the late submission and the fact that most of the GaaSaku interaction is concentrated toward the end but I do hope readers like it

Trope: Hurt/Comfort or Fluff

For the record, it wasn’t even his dog. Gaara had never wanted a dog. His tidy apartment flat might be what some called utilitarian—‘depressing is more like it’ his siblings teased—but he had his plants. His house shrubs and his beloved cacti. Naruto popped by semi-regularly. His siblings certainly never ran out of excuses to turn up and meddle. What more did he really need?

Certainly not a dog. No… a big, slobbery, clingy mutt was Kankuro’s idea to hopefully land a date. Something about a recent dry spell. Plus, his brother kept telling him, they were man’s best friend. Grunting, the redhead wound the leash tighter around his knuckles, jerking back as the excitable rescue tried to tow him down the street after the newest smell to catch his interest. Kage wasn’t well trained yet, his brother procrastinating for some unfathomable reason on putting him through obedience class, and as a result wherever the dog’s interest drew him was where he went.

Slamming his free hand into the pocket of his jeans, Gaara barely managed to navigate Kage around two chatting young women walking by them on the sidewalk. One of them had a scone and the treat instantly had the dog’s tongue hanging out of his mouth, bushy tail wagging.

They didn’t stop, but one turned and made eye contact with him, giggling and then saying something to her friend. There was the attention from the opposite sex Kankuro was searching for that he personally couldn’t care less about. His studies kept him plenty occupied. And despite what his family and possibly his few close friends thought, he was not lonely, and he was not looking to get matched up anytime soon.

Even Naruto had said something about a close childhood friend he wanted Gaara to meet, though one pointed glare was enough to stop that attempt in its early stages. While he loved the blonde dearly, as closely as another brother, he wasn’t known for being the sharpest at times. If notoriously oblivious Naruto could get a clue, why couldn’t Temari and Kankuro?

Gaara huffed to himself, figuring there was no point asking himself the same question he hadn’t been able to answer for some time. And if Kankuro loved the company of dogs and the attention they brought him so much, why couldn’t he walk his mutt himself? Why’d he foist last minute pet sitting off on his kid brother, knowing full well he had an upcoming term final to study for?

Well…maybe Kankuro wasn’t that clued into what he was doing in school. He wasn’t known for volunteering much about his field of study. It wasn’t that there was anything secretive about majoring in political science, it was just… Did a twenty-year old man really need to tell his family in depth how his day at school went?

The end of the lead suddenly went slack, and Gaara’s teal eyes peered down to see they had reached a crosswalk at a busy intersection on a main street and Kage was sitting obediently as cars rolled by. Huh. At least the damn dog had a sense of self-preservation.

Others joined them in waiting for the flashing light to indicate that it was safe to walk, a teenager talking on the phone, a few men in gray suits holding briefcases appearing to have just left a meeting, a mother juggling a cup of coffee and a fussy toddler, and some school children who looked entirely too interested in trying to pet Kage.

Gaara kept his eyes forward, ignoring the children especially. They couldn’t ask to pet him if he didn’t acknowledge them. The dog would bask in the attention, undoubtedly, but he’d really prefer to just be on his way. Finish the walk and return home to check on his plants, maybe try a recipe he’d stumbled across online. Yes. He was aware his routine wasn’t peak excitement for a twenty-something. No. He was not open to suggestions on changing it.

The light continued to stay flash with the warning not to cross, taunting him, as the children inched closer and closer in lieu of successfully making eye contact with him. Still, Gaara’s eyes were firmly forward. Subtly people-watching the crowd of strangers on the other side of the street.

That was why she was hard to miss. Dressed plainly in comfortable sweats and a green sweater that hung off one shoulder, a young woman walked with her head down, scrolling through something on her phone. That in itself was nothing remarkable.

Plenty of young people his age walked with earbuds in, eyes on a phone or tablet, lost in their own world. She somehow stood out in the crowd, though. It was probably the pink hair, shiny and shoulder-length in a soft pastel hue with a red headband in it. Eye-catching hair drew attention, so he could hardly be blamed for glancing twice.

But as he watched her maneuver back into the crowd waiting to cross as she turned the street corner, her focus on her phone yet still managing to avoid bumping anyone, Gaara had the vaguest notion he had seen her somewhere before.

The signal finally changed, the vehicles forced to stop as pedestrians crossed, and the girl disappeared, banishing any mild interest he had conjured. Gaara was back to keeping Kage in line, deciding it hardly mattered if and where he’d seen her before. He probably wouldn’t be seeing her again.

The redhead crossed the street with his brother’s dog, realizing too late their walk had somehow ended up taking them a different way than they normally came, closer to a park about a block away. When had he ever been so absent-minded? It was unlike him. Stopping in front of a posh little café, the kind where a finger sandwich probably costed more than a whole meal, Gaara tried to get his bearings back. He wasn’t lost exactly, but he hadn’t planned on the detour.

Not that his canine companion seemed to mind, his sooty black nose whipping back and forth as he followed the erratic flying of a dragonfly. If anything he still had energy to spare. That made the young man cringe, thinking of how eager Kage had been to sniff and try to get into his precious plants the evening before. There was no way he would allow the dog back into the apartment until he was sufficiently tired. So maybe some time at the park was in order. If he recalled, there was a place designated for dogs to roam anyway.

Kage trotted forward with confidence like he already knew their destination, his russet fur nearly red in the sunlight. They walked the perimeter of the fence that separated the shady path of the sidewalk from the lush grass of the park.

Gaara discreetly looked around until he saw people leading their own eager dogs into a side fence in the opposite direction of where the dog-less humans went. When he got through the gate and unhooked Kage with a stern expression, he barely got a parting lick before the fluffy mixed-breed was frolicking off. Gaara sat on a bench, arms folded, and watched. No leash to tether him, and the dog was having the time of his life, leaping through the grass, hiking his leg on any tree that caught his attention, and barking merrily. A golden retriever wearing a bright bandana bumped noses with his brother’s dog, and it wasn’t long before the two were rocketing off, tussling and sprinting the length of the yard. Suddenly, he was very glad that Kankuro was nowhere around. He didn’t need to be told that even a dog had better social skills than he did. Of course, dogs were more indiscriminate with their friendships.

One eye on Kage and his new friend and one eye on the people passing on the outside of the dog yard, Gaara let his mind drift about. The afternoon in the park was relaxed, sunlight dappling through the branches of large old oaks, a trickling fountain able to be heard even over the sounds of dogs at play, and people having light conversation as they lapped the fence.

Beyond the park, the city waited, unresting with its window displays and business luncheons and endless foot and bicycle and car traffic. Here, here was nice. In hindsight it wasn’t such a terrible thing to take a detour every now and then.

Idly, he thought of the girl he had seen, her face making a sudden reappearance in his mind unbidden. Instead of banishing her, curiosity had him remembering the furrowed knot of her brows, the color of her hair and finally the sense that he had seen her prior to today.

‘Naruto knows many more people than I do. Is she a friend of his, perhaps?’ Glancing at his watch, he mentally jotted himself a note to ask the next time Naruto came over for a movie. As his eyes flitted up from the watch’s face his heart skipped dully, the girl he’d just been envisioning right there in front of him.

Gaara blinked. But no, she didn’t disappear. She was closer than ever in fact, passing feet away, only separated by the neat little picket fence. She still had her earbuds in, and her lips were moving as she mouthed quietly, nodding along alternatingly.

Her jade eyes took in the towering tree branches above with a faint smile. While they didn’t make eye contact, Gaara noticed when her head turned that her eyes were jade, the smattering of freckles he could see on her bare shoulder. She was…she was…

‘Cute,’ His thoughts supplied unceremoniously. That he thought so should probably concern him, because even in passing he wasn’t one to notice the attractiveness of those around him. His brother and sister had plenty of crushes for all three of them.

But the girl was cute, nothing more or less to him. It didn’t have to mean anything, and watching her make pass after pass around the fence, mumbling to herself the entire time, became rhythmic and soothing. His shoulders didn’t hunch so tightly, his eyes at half-mast. Sleeping, even drifting into a total state of relaxation in public was impossible for him, but he felt at ease.

Time went on, people filtered in and out, Kage’s playmate eventually getting called back to her owners. Tongue hanging out and wearing a face of satisfaction that creased his dark eyes, the dog padded over, barking up at him and spinning tight circles. “Ready at last, eh?” He clipped the lead and stood.

They walked toward the exit, sun casting the sky in hues of blue, orange and gold. Kage stopped, and Gaara foolishly thought for a minute even the rambunctious pup was taken in by the peace of he moment. Then his floppy ears perked and the fur along his back stood on end. He sniffed the air and tugged at the leash in earnest, each step assertive.

Normally he would reprimand, refuse to let the dog lead the way so easily. Something had Kage on edge, though, the normally friendly hound transformed into a dog on a mission. If there was one thing he did know about dogs, it was that their instincts would always be sharper than a human’s. Though at the moment, he was starting to feel like something was amiss too.

Bounding around the corner and through an area of trees slightly more off the main trail, Kage came up short at a small slope. The pink-haired woman was at the bottom, hemmed in between three men whose body language suggested they weren’t simply asking for directions. The dog growled low when one of them flicked out a butterfly knife. “Sorry. You’re cute, but you still gotta give us your wallet.” he was saying.

She didn’t respond, instead putting up her fists and squaring her shoulders after slipping her phone into a pocket. Gaara narrowed his eyes. She was insane if she thought she could just swing her fists and get out unscathed. For once, he didn’t try to fight Kage straining at the lead, taking deliberate steps toward them, not sure what he was planning to do except give her backup.

His foot crunched over a twig, and it drew their attention, four heads flying in his direction. But she recovered the quickest, slamming her shoe down on the instep of the man who had her at knifepoint and then kneeing him hard in the stomach. He dropped his weapon and she threw a solid right hook that hit him in the eye. If Gaara had eyebrows, he was sure they would be in his hairline.

“Who else?” she huffed, wiping her knuckles on the back of her pants like she’d touched something foul.

“You little bi—” Gaara let the leash go, and Kage barreled in, a blur of fur and a snarl of sharp teeth. And then he was attacking another assailant. The one who’d had the knife tried to get up, but the pink-haired woman didn’t let him, kicking him in the chest to keep him down. Something rattled that probably shouldn’t have as he flopped back with a groan.

By that time Gaara found himself in the fray, immediately seizing the opportunity to deal with the last lowlife, dodging his swings and getting in punishing blows to his face and torso. He’d always been strong for his size, strong enough to be feared when he was younger and in a darker place, but now that worked to his advantage, all the vicious skills he’d honed coming back in a flash.

Mugging anyone was probably the last thing on anyone’s mind as the trio tried to run, the woman calmly pulling out her phone again and dialing the police to make a report. He vaguely heard her giving them a detailed description and telling them she was safe and would wait for them.

Gaara closed his eyes and let the adrenaline ease back down. Kage, having gotten his chance to play hero, saddled over to the stranger and nudged her free hands for his reward pets. Typical. She smiled, happy to oblige.

“That was dangerous,” he said.

She looked up, a bit sheepish now. “I have a bad habit of zoning out when I listen to my lecture recordings. It’s just…the first time that’s happened.”

His eyes flickered down to her phone, then back up to her face. “Lectures?”

A blink, then a slow nod. “I’m a pre-med student. Um, my name’s Sakura.”

Gaara was…perplexed. This was not how he envisioned introductions going. Not that he envisioned one at all! “Gaara.” On an afterthought, he said, “The dog’s Kage.”

Some of the tension evaporated, Sakura smiling wider as she rubbed at the back of her neck and looked down at the dog now calmly at her feet. “Thank you. Both of you really helped me a l-lot…” Her hands were shaking. She was shaking. So she was rattled after all.

“It isn’t safe, even if the authorities are on their way. We’ll stay.”

Sakura’s eyes widened, and she looked ready to protest. He glared, cutting her off. “Alright…” she sighed, appearing defeated. “It’s getting dark anyway, and I’d be lying if I said it’d make me feel better if I didn’t have to wait alone.”

Satisfied, the redhead gave a quiet grunt, crossing his arms. “You’re familiar.”

“Now that you mention it…you are to—oh! Do you go to school around here?” She came closer, nodding to herself as she spoke. “You! My friend accidentally smacked you with a door a week ago and knocked you down.”

The painful memory came rushing back, and he could feel heat rising to his cheeks. If the higher being he didn’t put much faith in had any mercy, it would be too dark for her to notice. That wasn’t one of his finer moments, but now he definitely remembered the way Sakura had scolded the dark-haired man who’d hit him with the door before rushing over to check on him. Not wanting to prolong the inevitable, he’d gotten to his feet as quickly as possible, shrugging her off and leaving without as much as a word of gratitude. Thinking back, that was harsh. She wasn’t the one who’d hit him.

“Yes,” he cleared his throat. “I apologize for the impression I gave back then, but I appreciate your attempt to help.”

Sakura didn’t laugh. “Sure,” She wrapped arms around herself in spite of the sweater. “I think at this point I owe you though.” A street light nearby chose that time to flicker on, and Gaara watched a blush creep up her face. He suddenly didn’t feel so bad about his own earlier. “You know, if we’re going to be seeing more of each other anyway…maybe we could meet up at the café on campus sometime? B-Buying you some lunch is the least I can do. Oh, I could buy your meals for a week.”

It was hard not to overthink it. Most of his life he hadn’t been the one people invited to hang out, and sometimes he still wondered over how he’d managed to attract a brighter personality like Naruto’s. But in the moment, his brother’s voice, of all people’s was yelling frantically in his head for him to just accept.

“That sounds nice, thank you.” But a week of campus café food was unnecessary. And expensive for a college student. “I’m use to cooking my own meals. If you insist on talking over food, I wouldn’t mind making something for the both of us.”

Was that too much? Did it sound too forward? Like he had ulterior motives? Like he was taking advantage?

Sirens wailed as a police car drew closer, and Kage perked up. Gaara hardly noticed, too focused on how Sakura’s face beamed back at him.

Kankuro would never get over this. He’d insist he was responsible, since it all happened because Gaara had been walking his dog. And well, it could be that for once in his life, his brother would be right.

[g3rmb0y]

Day 9/? Kobolds

This is day 9 of a worldbuilding exercise I’m doing, where every day I write up a piece on some race/aspect for general D&D worldbuilding. This one actually comes from a request for me to cover Kobolds, so here we go. (Feel free to request any other ones. I want to talk about magic and the gods next, but I’ve been tinkering with the planes, zombies/undeath, wizards and academies, etc.)

In the days where dragons ruled the skies, there were all manner of dragons. The great dragons possessed great intellect and were capable of speech, culture, and their own political games- these are the dragons that are spoken of when they refer to the age of dragons, or the dragon wars- these dragons tended to be massive in size, the smaller adults being the size of a small house, and the larger ones being over 100 meters long. However, there were many other subsets of the draconic family, ranging from dragons the size of small houses that were feral in nature, to smaller dog sized dragons that lingered about in badlands, hunting in packs, and terrorizing livestock. Too small to develop fuel bladders, they relied on their sharp teeth and claws to tear apart their prey, and their sheer numbers to be able to catch much larger animals. Over time, dragons began to notice the relative intellect amongst these creatures, and the way they would often follow them, hoping for some morsels. Thus, following a similar path to the domestication of dogs, Kobolds became a dragon’s best friend. Over generations, with slight magical alterations, the bestial mind of these microdragons was expanded, and they were gifted with limited intelligence, including the ability to speak, albeit poorly. They began walking on two legs, and creating tools, serving as the peons for their dragon lords. Thus Kobolds were created- centuries of breeding added preferred traits- a docile nature, a spiked crest, deep green eyes, etc. While most Kobolds were regarded as servant class, certain branches of Kobolds were refined into quite beautiful reproductions of their draconic masters, often serving as high level servants, jesters, or messengers.

After the dragons were decimated by the elven technology gifted to the other races, nearly all Kobolds were left without home or purpose, and returned to the hills. With no culture to speak of, they attempted to reproduce the culture they had seen at the hands of their dragon overlords, to generally laughable quality. In turn, without any knowledge of agriculture or civilized life, they quickly reverted to a primitive hunter-gatherer stage of life, although exposure to other races quickly propelled them to learn the basics of agriculture. They still remember the dragon’s fondness for wealth and extravagance, and will often set out to claim great treasure, or secure a great hall, which is often a decrepit tower, crypt, or fort.

In their attempts to secure wealth and fame, Kobolds are often less than successful, and end up as slaves, or flat out dead, although they make for difficult slaves as their pride tends to turn into homicidal tendencies. When faced with anyone they perceive as a potential threat, violence is the first and best solution, although many seasoned adventurers know that it’s quite easy to talk your way out of a fight with Kobolds, as their short attention span can be distracted by something shiny, or a promise of food. Once the threat of violence has been dispelled, Kobolds are often friendly, although it’s always wise to watch your valuables, as their small hands make them deft pickpockets.

Kobolds form small tribes, ruled by an elder, who is often not so much elected as declared their leader, because nobody else wants to deal with the hassle of ruling, save for younger kobolds, whose raw ambition usually gets them a beating for any attempts to overthrow the leader. Since their discovery of agriculture, they tend to form small villages, although they often prefer to also supplement their diet with meat and loot from banditry. Kobolds tend to be notorious for stealing livestock, although the grand irony is that quite often, the remaining herd will wander back to their fields, as after slaughtering several cattle or pigs, the kobolds will eat until they fall asleep, which is quite often bad news if the farmer comes looking for revenge.

Kobold life tends to be fairly short, and often ends badly, but they compensate for that by having many young. An average Kobold delivers 4-5 eggs, and has a gestation of three months. Kobolds rarely form organized families, although monogamous relationships are more common than not, often as a result of shared adventure. Kobold children grow fairly quickly, and are generally raised by the entire tribe, having the knowledge of who their parents are, but understanding that they are to learn all the ways of the tribe from all members. This helps build a cohesive tribal unit, and also lessens the blow when a parent is killed.

Kobolds have great appreciation for art, although their tastes are wildly varied. Braver art merchants will often bring trashy pieces of art to sell to Kobolds, who will hang it next to various spoils of adventure, or in some cases, even exchanging a fine, if faded tapestry for a boorish painting, simply because the painting has brighter colors. They have a similar love for music, although the musical attempts by Kobolds can only be described as a cacophony, and Kobold cuisine can best be described as a gastrointestional nightmare, and their attempts at brewing are even worse.

Kobolds who leave their tribes often do so to make a name for themselves as an adventurer or great lord, and will quickly fall in with anyone who promises them that. Often times this results in them being taken advantage of, although a Kobold wronged takes no qualm in climbing onto the chest of the person who wronged them and stabbing them in the eye, so it’s generally seen as bad luck to betray a kobold. For those who help a Kobold, even a small favor, find they have a new friend. It’s not uncommon to hear stories of travelers who paused to give food or instructions to a Kobold, and now it’s been following them since. While they will initially be a bit wary of their new friends, Kobolds who have decided they approve of a person will often decide that this person is now part of their tribe, and would die for them. (Of course, this implies that the Kobold is the tribe leader, and this person they have taken to is their subject.) Thus, it is not uncommon to see a Kobold traveling with a group of pilgrims, a merchant caravan, or an adventuring group, and often pull their weight wonderfully, taking on the duties of bodyguard, laborer, or mascot, depending on what’s needed.

Kobold religion is minimalist, often fixating on the dragons that they had served generations ago, passed down by stories and songs. Interestingly enough, Kobolds have a sense for dragons being near- Something about a dragon being in close proximity sets them off, and they will attempt to seek it out, as if in a trance- they become fixated, and will continue pursuing the dragon, even if it puts them in mortal peril. As such, during the dragon wars, dragon hunters would keep teams of Kobolds as sniffers, although they would often need to be muzzled and bound, as once they realized that they meant to harm the dragon, they would often turn violent. Kobolds who find a dragon or dragonborn will usually join them quite willingly, hoping to join a superior tribe, and while this often works out well for dragonborn, who take them in as servants, dragons often see Kobolds as a sign of the period of their decadence and stupidity, and will burn them to ash on sight.

In adventuring parties, Kobolds are generally always welcome, as they live to please their friends, and are fierce fighters, although some find their lack of any attention span, questionable hygiene, and propensity towards stabbing as the first and best option to be a bit of a draw back. Still, enough Kobolds have adventured with very successful heroes to establish a long list of Kobold heroes, whose tales of haphazard bravery and stupendous luck have resulted in many a ballad, sung both by Kobolds (poorly) and non Kobolds alike, inspiring new generations of Kobolds to take to the road in hope for adventure.

[allyklapak]

We must take the right path

With each day, the stability of the Earth under current environmental pressures becomes increasingly perilous. As we approach the breaking points that scientists have cautioned world leaders about for years, it is increasingly clear that the near future will follow one of three paths. We may collapse, adapt, or reinvent. [^1] There is a great deal of uncertainty about the future, especially when considering the current coronavirus crisis and the immense impact that it has had on daily life and every facet of society in such a short amount of time. The looming climate crisis poses a similar threat to the normalcy we are hoping to get back to. If major changes are not consciously made to solve these adverse environmental issues, we remain vulnerable to a possible collapse or remain stuck in an unsustainable system.

The model that most of the world currently functions under is known as the consumer capitalist mode. [^1] It is driven by systematic positive feedback loops that invest money into innovation which capitalist societies depend on. [^1] Innovation is typically connected to a positive connotation. However, by funding a system that deals with energy waste and unsustainable practice by just investing more money into potentially worse band-aid technologies we are just “running to stay ahead” rather than addressing the original inherent issues. [^1] These checks are meant to facilitate adaptation to environmental obstacles and protect the capitalist system. Human resilience and ability to modernize can clearly be seen throughout history. [^1] Over the past five centuries, humanity has undergone change in an exponential fashion. [^1] The progression of man from the invention of fire to the invention of the internet has demonstrated the capacity to make increasingly larger leaps as time marches forward. [^1] Though, such rapid development should be assessed to uncover the environmental repercussions and role in a growing socioeconomic disparity across the world. By reinforcing the capitalist system, an emphasis is placed on turning human life into human capital. [^1] Advancements may allow for improved living conditions and yielded higher life expectancy, the lives of these people have become focused on conforming to a system where time is money and productivity has monetary value. [^1] Humans have been degraded to capital and buy into a system that considers them and this planet to be disposable. In order to persist in this mode, society must find a way to stabilize the unsustainable practice and persistent exponential trends. [^1] According to Lewis and Maslin, “the simultaneous rapid increases in the number of people, level of energy provision, and quantity of information being generated… suggest that our current mode of living is least possible.” [^1] Trying to maintain the system we have will not work. Thus far it has been the very reason there exists so many threats. It is imperative that the public is not blindsided by the dishonest corporations desperately clinging the consumer capitalist mode out of self-interest and greed. We are fed lies that this is the key to a successful and shiny future but there have always been cracks beneath the surface that technology won’t be able to fix forever.

A more probable, but bleak, fate that our world may succumb to is collapse. [^2] The model that we currently cannot continue on forever. The ramifications of our practices will catch up to us and if society finally has this epiphany too late then collapse will be inevitable. Expert estimate a degree and a half to two-degree Celsius increase in atmospheric temperature will prove to be catastrophic.[^2] Many nations of the world are aware of the immanency of this issue and have already started employing changes to decrease their contributions to this global warming. Although it is difficult to project the exact time frame for this climate tipping point and the likelihood of humans adequately responding, many nations have set a goal to try to stay below 1.5 degrees C by reducing emissions to near zero by 2050. [^2] Due to the dense geopolitical tensions surrounding fossil fuels it is difficult to seriously change course away from collapse as nationalized resources and interests may not bend for the greater good. [^2] Agriculture is an industry that has already faced the detriments of a failing climate. Historically farmers have utilized genetic engineering and breeding and technology to adapt to increasing temperatures and growing resistance to pesticides, but it will reach a point where this can go on no longer and the collapse of the food industry will lead to the perishing of many. [^2] We already face inequity in food distribution around the world as millions die of malnutrition each year. These issues of competition for food and clean water and work leads to unrest that brews the perfect storm for mass destruction. Even the pentagon considers this issue to be an “urgent and growing threat” due to the potential violence that may transpire. [^2] Humans are egotistical and uniformed creatures of habit. The lack of willingness to seriously heed the warnings of scientists and satisfaction of living in blissful ignorance will likely lead to the vain pursual of the first option. This course of action can only end in collapse.

The only way for humanity to prevail is the drastic yet necessary measure of adopting a new system. The authors refer define the Anthropocene to be an “epoch where the human component of Earth system is large enough to affect how it functions.” [^2] Humanity’s effects have proven to be detrimental and jeopardize the many interconnected ecosystems and social structures of the world. However, humans have always had the capability to change this doomed fate but are too reluctant and misled to upend the order established by manipulative capitalists. A new system would require a complete switch to alternative and renewable solar and wind energy. [^3] It is difficult to convince the public of the cost effectiveness of this transition due to integral discount rating which makes a larger return further in the future seem less appealing than instantly gratifying short-term profit. [^3] New system would also limit the dependency humanity has on unsustainable practice and increase agency in careers and finances. [^3] A key practice to accomplish this more liberated existence is ensuring a Universal Basic Income. [^3] Ideally, by ensuring this monetary equity across society, the structure of education, work and consumption can me reimagined. [^3] If people all have the necessary means to pursue and education, it is easier for those with a real passion and skill to take these positions and therefore refine the craft that may have been inhibited by the socioeconomic disparity in education. [^3] People can consider their futures without being restricted by worrying about making ends meet. Essentially, this would put an end to the rat race and would allow humans to escape their ties to unsustainable practice or jobs that are not environmentally ethical yet are reluctantly filled by those who need the paycheck to survive. [^3] Additionally, practicing a half earth model would protect invaluable ecosystems by designating an equal amount of space for natural species to flourish. [^3] Reducing humanity’s real estate dominance on earth would force us to reform unsustainable agriculture and actually deal with our problems directly. Abiding by a half earth practice would prevent the degradation of vital ecosystems that science can not recreate. [^3] The best option for the course of humanity is to reinvent our system rather than unsuccessfully trying to hold together the one that is not working.

The web of systems that run our world are delicate and driven by capitalistic interest and concession of the public. If we continue on the path we are on, the temperatures of the earth will rise far about the two-degree cap and in the very near future the fate of collapse will be sealed. The world is experiencing a crisis right now. With lives at a standstill and a sense of normal being completely obliterated, it may be just the opportunity to make these drastic changes necessary for the survival of humanity. The limits are being tested and it has once again been proven that humans can adapt well when given no other option. It is no longer an option, for posterity’s sake we must defy the consumer capitalist model and welcome this new change.

Word Count: 1380

Discussion Question: Although it seems that establishing a new system is the best solution, could undergoing such drastic change have its own set of ramifications?

Lewis, Simon L., and Mark A. Maslin. Human Planet: How We Created the Anthropocene. Yale University Press, 2018. Chapter 11, pgs. 369-377

Lewis and Maslin. Ch. 11 pgs. 378-399.

Lewis and Maslin. Ch.11 pgs. 400-415.

[feyre-archerons-scrapbook]

The Declaration of a Crochan Queen

Following on from my Dorian Havilliard ficlet from a couple of days ago - The Confession of a Reluctant King - here is Manon Blackbeak’s confessional, looking back on her life from her point of view. This is a companion piece, so it works quite nicely read after his.

Once again, feedback is greatly appreciated.

Find me on AO3

When you’ve lived as long as I have, the world starts to look very grey. Except when I go hunting, then it’s bathed in red.

Every man, woman, and child becomes nothing more than a shadow, a spectre for whom I feel nothing but pity. They live short, feeble lives; tending fields or baking bread day in, day out for a few coins, only to grow old and wither away. Countless cemeteries have welcomed human after human to their final resting place in the 116 years I have been alive. Whether I have a heart or not, it’s difficult to care when you think of it like that.

And I suppose that’s the real question; do I have a heart? I was raised by a cold, unfeeling grandmother - leader of the Blackbeak witch clan - who took me from my dead mother’s arms and raised me to believe that we Ironteeth have neither need nor use for a beating heart. We are beyond death and we are above the living. What’s the use in having a heart when you feel nothing for anyone? Muscle and bone and blood, that is all they are…all they ever were.

A vessel for feasting and for fun.

And what fun I have had. Human men who were always so bold, so…aggressive in their attitude towards me when they saw just an ordinary young woman, would become obedient and oh so eager to please when they had iron teeth pressed against their throats, iron nails brushing against their thighs. Some might be shocked at how many men were willing to do anything for the thrill of being with a witch.  

So, without the Wastes to call home, the Thirteen and I found ourselves wandering the lands of Erilea in search of Crochan blood, and entertainment. That was life, that was normalcy for me. My fellow witches were company, but I could’ve managed alone. I was used to that.

Perhaps not in a literal sense, as I hadn’t spent all that much time by myself since I was a witchling, but I certainly felt like I didn’t need anyone’s help or companionship. And besides, if I was ever bored, all I’d have to do was bat my lashes at any man frequenting the nearest tavern and we’d both have a night of fun. Maybe it wouldn’t end so well for them, but let’s not nit-pick.

In the end, though, it all comes back to that question of heart. From the moment I was born I was told that we witches do not feel; whether that be happiness, sadness, guilt, remorse…love. Nothing. We are creatures designed for the sole purpose of killing. And it never dawned on me that this might not be true, even as I derived pleasure from the deaths of my enemies, from the feel of a man between my legs. I simply continued on my well-worn path, thinking nothing of it.

But my grandmother lied. She lied about everything. She said we didn’t feel love, but Asterin was proof that we could feel it, that we could feel hope and happiness and despair and grief. She fell in love with a man, and fell pregnant. And our grandmother cut the stillborn baby out of her and burned it. Then, she carved the word ‘unclean’ across my cousin’s belly. Cold, cruel, vicious bitch!

Unclean? The only one who was unclean was Mother Blackbeak; unclean in her husk of a heart, filthy with the blood and tears of witches who were told nothing but lies, lies, lies for centuries. Witches who believed every word that fell from that bitch’s lips, and if they didn’t believe, they were punished.

And mother, were they punished.

That was always one of my tasks, as heir to the Blackbeak clan; doling out punishments for the smallest of things. A broken nose or a few lashings were common sentences. A scratch of my iron nails across the throat, to remind them how perilously close they were to death at any time. And I followed, unquestioning, for years. So many years. And whenever Asterin would challenge me, call me out, I would punish her. Whenever she dared to speak out against our grandmother – the one who mutilated her, destroyed her – I would punish her again.

On and on and on. You see, I’ve lived a life of circles. Of never-ending torment and hardness of heart, and I never even noticed. Not until I found Perrington standing on the edge of one of those circles, not until they started using witches for their breeding, not until I handed them the witches. Not until Elide Lochan went down to that basement and saw the horrors they were creating.

My grandmother was complicit, of course, willing to let our fellow witches – our sisters – be used as incubators of evil and then tossed aside. She had so much selfishness and so much hatred within her that she didn’t care who or what she destroyed along the way.

But there comes a time in a life like mine when something strong, resistant and unwilling to move finally gives way. Like a dam holding back a ferocious river, eventually it’s going to collapse under the sheer weight of pressure building up behind it.  

That moment came when Asterin was sentenced to death, when I exercised my right to perform the execution. Bring my body back to the cabin. I’ll never forget those words she said to me, as I stood over her with Wind-cleaver grasped in my hand. She was ready to die, and in a strange way I envied her. She could go to her grave knowing that she had experienced love, a life outside of our order and our code, away from Mother Blackbeak and her cruelty. She had known love, in mind, body, and spirit, and she wouldn’t regret a damn thing.

Then a memory flashed across my vision. A memory of a man staring at me in a forest clearing, possessed by the darkest magic, but fighting, pushing, screaming against it. Dorian Havilliard, crown prince of Adarlan, son of the conqueror of these lands.

You looked at me with such intensity in those sapphire eyes, the dark strands of your hair obscuring your face. I’ll never forget it. No one had ever looked at me like that before, like they saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. ‘Hello, witchling’, you said, and the ice around my heart melted just a little. See, after all those years of believing what that bitch had told me, I realised that perhaps I did have a heart, because I immediately felt it tether itself to yours. When you spoke to me, when you told me how you’d never been with a witch before, I felt my body quake. But we witches do not feel, we do not care.

So I let you go. Even as I felt repulsed by that ring of shiny black around your neck squeezing the life out of you. Even as I wanted to run to you and prise it off with my iron nails, I turned and walked away. The events that followed left me in debt to Aelin Galathynius, but my body and soul knew what I needed to do, to help her, to help you. Even as I pretended not to know how completely your magic had coated my skin, had sunk beneath it, I was falling for you, Dorian.

When Erawan gave us the order to take Rifthold, to capture you - the new King of Adarlan - I couldn’t let it happen. I didn’t care what became of everyone else, every other citizen of that damned place, but I needed you to be safe. And so, when I saw that Yellowlegs witch about to kill you, I made a choice. The choice that put Asterin on the executioner’s block. A choice I would gladly make again.

And Asterin…I loved her so much, and it took me a century to realise this. I loved her as my cousin, my sister, my friend. And I couldn’t let her die. So as Mother Blackbeak screamed at me to end her, to do the thing she had been desperate to do since branding her, I brought Wind-cleaver up over my head, I told Asterin to run, and I brought the blade down on my grandmother.

At that moment I didn’t particularly care if I lived or died. I had had enough. You were alive, and Asterin was alive. I had done all I needed to do. We fought, and that’s when she told me I was a Crochan…a queen. My father had loved me, had come looking for me. My grandmother had slaughtered him. Despair. Anger. Hatred. I felt everything. I was bombarded with emotions, relentless, all-consuming emotions. I wanted her dead. But her ages, her experience…I couldn’t withstand it, and I thought I would end my days there, wrapped in my cloak drenched in Crochan blood.

But somehow I survived, and I escaped…barely.

Eventually, with most of my blood spilled across the continent, with my wyvern as my saviour and my guide, I found myself drifting to the bottom of the ocean. I don’t know if I imagined the sound of your voice calling my name, ordering those around you not to kill me, but it echoed in my head as I hit the water, my last breath surely not too far away…

And then you saved my life.

Oh, Dorian.

I am unsure of how this is supposed to work.

I had never felt true desire for a person before, a desperate need to touch and be touched. When you came to my cabin, my hands bound in chains to protect your friends from the iron-toothed witch in their midst, my heart didn’t know what to do. Frozen over for so long, denied its own existence, suddenly it was pounding, alive. A heart thawed by the sapphire-eyed king with ice dripping from his fingers.

You teased me, and you knew just what you were doing to me. I acted as if you were a plaything I was allowing to be in charge for a change, but I meant every word I said. Every damned word. I wanted to surrender to you, completely and utterly. I wanted to give you every last drop of me; mind, body, and spirit.

And it was glorious. I had never felt so treasured, so worshipped. I immediately understood why Asterin had fought against the bleakness for so long. I craved your touch, I needed to hear your whispered words against my neck. I was hooked.

I have spent nearly a century making human men beg for everything…for me, for my bare flesh… or for their lives. But I would never make you beg for anything.

Never will I make you feel trapped, or scared, or like you want to run away. I would never make you beg for me, because I am yours in every imaginable way, Dorian Havilliard.

Until you came into my life all I saw in this world was grey and red; existence and blood. When I laid eyes on you, I suddenly saw sapphire and gold; beauty and mystery...longing. So, my beloved princeling, as we stand side-by-side on that cliff, looking out over the world terrified and longing for peace, I will take your hand, and I will kiss your lips, because my heart yearns for you…because I love you.

[philipchanbroadwayreview]

A Deeper Knowledge Of Dogs Comes From Reading This

Solid Advice For Taking Good Care Of Your Dog

Your pet dog might scratch his bowl if he’s hungry. Once your dog needs to empty his bladder, he could scratch with the door. In case you have your dog wanting attention, it could possibly supply you with a certain look. You can’t always so easily tell precisely what is needed, so keep reading for tips about how to find out the ropes.

If you’re on any kind of medication, even if it’s over-the-counter, you need to ensure that is stays out of your dog. Swallowing even one pill can end very badly, having a sick or dying dog. When your dog occurs to get at your meds, call the vet ASAP.

Take your puppy towards the vet regularly. This may seem like an added expense that you just don’t need, just make sure take your puppy to the veterinarian, he can screen your puppy for diseases and make sure he is in the best of health. This of course prevents problems down the line.

Don’t let your dog to depart your premises without being on the leash although you may think your puppy is well behaved. Anything can happen, causing your puppy to run away or get in a fight with many other dogs as well as people. Ultimately, you’re the main dogs one who’s accountable for your dog’s safety, along with its actions.

Before selecting what sort of dog to obtain for your personal family, consider space. Even if you may love the bigger dogs that one could really wrap your arms around, you possibly will not have adequate space for any large breed. Take your house and yard size into mind before bringing home a fresh pooch.

Few are efficient at training dogs, so quit trying if you find everything is not going as well as planned. Rather than beating yourself up about this, speak to a trainer in your neighborhood. Since they convey more experience with dogs, it may be much simpler to enable them to train yours.

Your pet deserves to get quality dog food. Cheap pet food usually includes fillers (like corn or soybeans) that are not suitable for dogs. It may also contain bad quality ingredients which may hurt your dog’s health with time. Find a summary of recommended dog foods in the vet or perhaps advocate for animals. Your puppy will receive good advantages of the right kind of food.

The daily brushing of your dog’s coat is effective, in techniques that just stopping constant shedding. Daily brushing will help them get a beautiful, shiny coat. If you brush the coat, oils in the skin are distributed throughout, and this is helps to make the coat soft and silky.

Help make your own dog biscuits to deliver your beloved canine together with the healthiest treats. Most commercial merchandise is over-full of chemicals that aren’t beneficial to dogs, despite adding flavor and aroma. Use quality ingredients and tell your dog what you’re doing with the cooking! Get him all excited and allow him to taste-test as soon as they’re cool.

You should figure out how to introduce your dog to many other dogs. Keep him on his leash during introductions therefore you have better control. Begin with a walk by and keep his attention upon you. Then, in the next walk by, let the dogs to sniff the other person somewhat. This can permit them to get acquainted with one another without the perils of attacks.

Does your dog chew a lot? This can be an indication that your particular dog is bored or anxious. You must provide your puppy with a few toys that could be chewed as well as perhaps leave a shirt along with your smell near your dog to protect yourself from separation anxiety, particularly when your pet dog is quite young.

Before choosing which kind of dog to have for your family, consider space. Even if you may  texas family puts up home ‘for sale’ sign with vulgar language after neighbor dispute love the greater dogs you could really wrap your arms around, you may not have adequate space for any large breed. Take your house and yard size under consideration before bringing home a brand new pooch.

Make an appointment with an excellent vet right after getting a new dog. Do that once your dog arrives in your doorstep. The vet is going to check over your pet dog to ascertain if all things are okay, along with set it up as much as get vaccinations it could need. You must also have your pet neutered or spayed to cut down on pet overpopulation.

Try and provide your dog with lots of opportunities to socialize. Take him on walks on the park or beach where he will be around people as well as other dogs. Encourage his interactions with other people and praise him forever manners. He’ll be much more at ease in virtually any setting and customarily happier too.

Because man has a record of friendship with dogs, many think they can tell what their dog needs by simply the design on the face. You ought to be with a better understanding with the dog after you read through this. This is certainly something which your furry friend will appreciate.

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