#The Woven Land Network

[starillusion13]

Hi!!! can I request a poly pirate ateez x reader fic? they chose another girl over her and betray her but they regret and chase her back but the reader doesn’t forgive so easily

Pirate’s Heart

Pairing: Ateez! ot8 x fem! reader

• Genre: Angst, Pirate, Mature

• Warnings: crying, misunderstanding, betrayal, choosing someone else, trusting a stranger, false accusations, lies [plz tell me if I have missed something] also oc doesn't forgive easily coz they chose someone else. Come on bfr, I’m searching for you girl.

• W.C: 5k (it’s not how I thought it to be)

Note: please I want to thanks to people for reading and reblogging. Reviews are always appreciated. I tried to put more emotions into it but still I know it’s not how I wanted. I don’t know what to add more into this.

Network: @cultofdionysusnet @k-vanity

Eight men laughing all around the room and a girl sulking in the corner, sitting on a wooden stool beside the youngest man among them. he pats her back and trying to hold back his laughter.

“Mina…it’s okay.”

“No! you all betrayed me yesterday and I was alone roaming around the market.”

Jongho looks over at the captain who is grinning widely across from the old wooden table when he spoke up, “we were just busy with some things of ours.”

“Things?” she whines, “you all were trying to find her. Why? She can find her way back to the ship.”

You hiss to her words and mentally scoff from outside the room. But the surprising fact is that. They followed you? You don’t think that something about you even matter to them. Maybe, they don’t care if you had been attacked by their enemy. They were only following you to keep an eye, if you are not betraying behind their back.

“and you could have flirted more.” You mutter under your breath.

You hear captain’s voice and your feet scoot closer towards the dark wooden door. Tears pooling in your eyes. When was the last time he laughed with you? Or any of them spent a little time with you?

“That’s not true. You are familiar to this place but she has never been to here.” The captain stated and Seonghwa nods slowly which made her scowl.

I shouldn’t have ever stepped to this place. Your life has become upside-down after stepping a foot on this land and then suddenly Mina stumbling in your way. You still hate this from last year when she snatched your lovers.

“still…” she whines and you cringe at her tone. Yunho got up and cups her cheek, “next time, we will go to the market with you. Promise.” He brings a grape to her lips and she happily eat it. They all cooed and laughed at her cuteness.

Their laughs pierced your heart which made the tears flow down your cheeks and so you ran away from the door---behind which lies a lot of secrets.

It sounds like you're feeling hurt or disappointed because someone you liked chose someone else over you. This is really tough to deal with. It's important to remember that everyone has their own preferences and reasons for making choices, and it doesn't necessarily reflect on your worth as a person but it's not caused by some certain person.

It's about your lovers. The eight pirates who once vowed to give you a family, the love you deserve and pledged their loyalty towards you.

But now, it’s all gone.

They have turned their back to you, never glancing at the most treasured gem of theirs---their heart.

Their Y/n.

Their only Aurora.

>>>> <<<<

In the azure expanse of the Sea, where the sun dancing upon the waves like golden fire and the salty breeze whispering secrets of the deep, there you stood upon the deck of the ship. The locks swaying with the light wind and your eyes closed, facing towards the sun.

Once where existed—a tale of love. Now, it’s all about betrayal and redemption, woven amidst the tumultuous seas and treacherous shores.

In the heart of the sea, you have always dreamed of adventure beyond the horizon, of a life filled with excitement and romance. Even if you stood in front of the danger, you had a smile adorning your face with the strong belief that you have the most powerful and fearful pirates of the sea with you and nothing can ever put you nine down.

 But all the hopes are gone now.

Little did you know in your childhood that your destiny would intertwine with that of eight notorious pirates whose names echoed through the taverns and harbors of the sea --- The Ateez.

Led by their enigmatic captain, Kim Hongjoong was feared and revered in equal measure, their ship, the Blue Bird, striking fear into the hearts of merchants and sailors alike.

But beneath their fearsome exterior lay hearts yearning for something more—a love that transcended the boundaries of the sea. Your love.

It was on a moonlit night, with the stars twinkling like diamonds in the sky, when your path first crossed with that of the Ateez. As you walked along the deserted shores of Halazia, your thoughts lost in the gentle rhythm of the waves, you stumbled upon a sight that would change your life forever.

There, stranded upon the sands, lay a man---a pirate surrounded by seven other figures, his clothes torn and his face etched with pain. Without hesitation, you rushed to his side, heart racing with a mixture of fear and curiosity.

To your surprise, the man stirred, his eyes flickering open to reveal a gaze as deep and mysterious as the ocean itself. It was none other than Captain Hongjoong, his aura of danger and intrigue drawing you like a moth to a flame.

“People fear me a lot but I don’t want you to fear me. I’m not scared to lose anything but you.”

In that moment, amidst the crashing waves and the swirling mist, a connection sparked between you both—a connection that defied reason and logic, binding your fates together in ways you could never have imagined. His sea brothers, whom he gathered and grew up together with from the beginning pledged their loyalty to you.

As days turned into weeks and weeks into months, you found yourself drawn deeper into the world of the pirate Ateez, your bond with Captain and the crew growing stronger with each passing day. Seonghwa, the Quatermaster was always the one to accompany you whenever the captain was not around and the bonding grew into more intimate. His soft and comforting smile with the warmth of his skin against yours was enough for you to feel at home.

“love, we will always run to each other if we feel threatened. Your love is the strongest weapon to me.” He said and smiled down at you in his arms.

The cook who was also the head Rigger, Wooyoung was the playful menace of the crew and even though, you felt scared by others, he would be the one to grab your hand and run away to the vast fields or cuddling with each other on top, the crowsnest. Sometimes, the surgeon of the ship, Yeosang would also tag along with you both.

“I never had more fun spending time here but with you, I don’t want this to end any day.” You smiled towards the Rigger and nodded.

The surgeon planted his feet on the wood and left the rope’s grip, “I should agree too. Nothing can cure me more than your love, Y/n.”

You feared the first mate and the pilot, Yunho. His intimidating stare and the fire glinting in his eyes with a flick of curiosity to know if you were a stowaway on the ship made him distant with you but once when you risked your life for his. He became determined since that day that he would be the one in charge for your safety.

“I can risk everything to save you, pearl. You are the precious gem to me.” he cups your cheek before placing a kiss on your lips.

Mingi, the gunner was always the one to approach you with a welcoming aura but the weapons with him scared you at first. Eventually, when you spent nights with him, sharing deepest secrets, he knew your heart has been kept safe with him.

“you made me feel emotions which I didn’t know I could ever feel. Thank you, y/n.”

Jongho, the sailing master. You have watched him from afar while spending time with others but never once tried to approach him because of his cold appearance. You doubted his personality whenever you had caught a glimpse of his gummy smile. Once, when he was directing the other mates on the ship, you found out that Yeosang was also the navigator of the cabin crew. Yunho would always be with these two to ensure the perfect course of the journey.

“Jongho…you must be tired.” Your concerned voice made him smile towards you.

“never. I can’t ever be tired when I’m with you. You are my greatest strength.”

In the end, San, the striker and helmsman was the one who gave you the warmth in the ocean of coldness. His piercing eyes following each and every movement of yours around the ship was enough to feel you under watch. He was always hiding behind the darkness but one day when you risked your life for them, he stood under the spotlight to kill every individual who pointed their swords at you, even a single finger.

“even if I look back for once, I would look back at you before killing everyone who dared to point a finger.” He hugged you tighter.

He was the last one to fall in love with you but first one to accuse you. The days can’t be always be smooth and peaceful, just like the waves in the sea bed. Once, its silent then in the next moment it would be a roaring storm thrashing around.

Similarly, lurking in the shadows of your burgeoning romance was a darkness that threatened to tear you apart—a darkness in the form of another woman.

Driven by jealousy and vengeance, Mina vowed to destroy everything the Ateez held dear, starting with their heart--- you. And so, with her wiles and charms, she ensnared the affections of the eight pirates who had once pledged their love and loyalty to you.

One by one, they fell under her spell, their emotions wavering in the face of Mina's deceit. And though you fought with all her strength to reclaim their love, your efforts were in vain, for the pirates had chosen someone else—a betrayal that cut deeper than any sword.

>>>> <<<<

But, one fateful day, as you stood upon the deck of the pirate ship bound for distant lands, a familiar sight caught your eye—a merchant’s ship, its sails billowing in the wind, its bow cutting through the waves like a knife through butter.

“y/n…what are you doing?”

His voice made you flinch but still your attention on the merchant ship in distance didn’t waver. You gripped the railing tightly to fight back the weakness in front of him. his heavy boots hit against the wooden plank and the creaking sounds made shiver run down your skin.

When was the last time he called your name?

“I don’t know where she is. Go ask others.” Your reply was cold and he nodded to himself before stepping closer. As the two ships drew closer, your eyes followed the waves when you suddenly turned around and glared, “stop right there.”

He stopped in his track.

You felt a surge of emotions coursing through your veins—fear, anger, longing. But above all else, there was hope—a glimmer of hope that perhaps, just perhaps, the tides of fate had finally turned in your favour.

No one has ever dared to command anything to the captain except Seonghwa. Maybe you as well. As if by some twist of fate, today Captain has appeared before you, his gaze meeting yours with an intensity that sent shivers down your spine. You stood on your spot strong, with the fire in your eyes towards him.

"Y/n" he said, his voice a low rumble that echoed in the depths of your soul. "I am asking about you not her."

For a moment, you were speechless, your heart pounding in your chest as you struggled to comprehend the magnitude of what was happening. Could it be true? Could he still harbor feelings for you after all this time?

“because you can’t find her anywhere and thinking it’s something has to do with me.” your emotionless tone was pinching his skin. He licked his lips, staring at you with a hope to listen your sweet words. Your eyes wandered around and you felt odd. No one was in the sight and the ship was undoubtedly quiet. But when your eyes landed on the round stairs from the master cabin, you saw other seven figures descending down towards the plank where you stood with the captain.

Before you could formulate a response, Hongjoong took your hand in his, his touch sending a jolt of electricity coursing through your veins. "I know I have wronged you, y/n" he said, his eyes brimming with sincerity.

Why is he suddenly saying all these?

You snatched your hand from his grip and glared, the same look you sent towards the others when they approached near, “Why are you all here?” you again looked around, you leaned forward towards the railing to peek below, “where are the men and other workers? What’s going on?”

Seonghwa stood closer than others, “we sent them to collect all our necessary items for the journey.”

“Journey?”

“tomorrow before the dawn, we are leaving for Utopia.”

“and where is she?”

This time Wooyoung spoke up, “that’s something about which we are here to talk with you.”

“I don’t know anything about her.”

Even if you wanted to look strong yet you felt so weak under their heavy gazes. All their stares after so many months feeling so unfamiliar and strange. The last time when you had all their gazes on you was when you pointed Mina’s reason to be with you and they accused you of jealousy. They referred you as a child wanting to have their attention, being selfish with others. They said that you don’t have a little feeling towards a girl who seems like a sister.

More like an evil sister, who was there to ruin your family.

“of course you don’t know, y/n.” Wooyoung said softly but you scoffed, “then?”

“We did wrong for not believing you.” Seonghwa’s voice was soft, just a pitch higher than the whisper.

“why? She didn’t agree to sleep with you all?” you smirked, throwing a dirty look towards them.

“Y/n!” Hongjoong’s stern voice made you flinch. His clenched jaw and tight fist, the anger building inside him at your words. But you continued to fuel the fire of anger.

“do you want me to convince her for this? Just to let you know,  I can’t.”

“what are you saying? Why are you thinking of us like this?” Yunho asked you but deep down, he asked it to himself as well. He knew the reasons very well. He knew you were hurt for their deeds but he thought you will understand their ends.

“really? You are asking me this. So what else do you want me to think? That tomorrow morning, when we will be in the bed of the sea and with the best opportunity, you will throw me into the waters.” 

“What are you saying?” Yeosang’s low voice made you glance at him and his orbs searched for a little softness in you. The scene unfolding in front of him was so unusual. Basically, pirates should be the ones with emotionless and rough appearance but here they were asking helplessly from a mere girl.

Mere? No.

From their love. Their heart.

“where is she?” you asked again.

“in the brig.” You raised your brow at Hongjoong’s words. Why is she there? What did she do? Or are they here to take you to lock you up there? goosebumps appeared on your skin but it was hidden under the sleeves of the shirt. Your mind racing with the thought that now how has she accused you guilty this time that they all are here to escort you to the brig.

“I-I haven’t done a-anything.” Your voice broke and you turned around to face the sea.

Whenever you felt suffocated, your feet move on its own to stand at the edge of the quarter deck and inhale the scent of freedom. The village life was so harsh to you and after these pirates took you in with them for the long journey, you felt as if you have started a new life. A new dream with a new life beyond the horizon but last year, they turned their back at you. Leaving you behind all alone.

Seonghwa hugged your shaking body from behind, “hsshh love why are you scared?”

He made himself turned around with you in his hold, making you face them. You looked down to hide the falling tears of fear.

“what happened?” Hongjoong held your chin up to stare in your eyes. Your scared pupils reflecting the hurt and loneliness.

“I will serve you well, masters. But please don’t take me to the brig. I have no where else to go but please don’t end my life.” You wiggled under the oldest one’s hold but he held you tighter. He knew very well that if he lets you go, you would probably run away and won’t talk to them.

“Masters?” San was confused with your tone like others and the way you were addressing them. “why are you calling us this? And we are not taking you anywhere. We are here to…apologize.”

Your raging yet scared eyes stared at him, “apologize? For what? You have already given up on me. you all left me alone for…. For that girl. Calling me selfish because I wanted my lovers away from an outsider. Blaming me for every little mishap caused to her. Trusting the false accusations against me.”

You again tried to break free when he gripped your arms tighter, “stay still. You are not going anywhere unless we are done speaking with each other.”

“I don’t want to talk with you all.” But deep down you want to talk to them. Shout at them. You want to look at them longer, feel the warmth in their embrace. You want to feel their love for you again. If there’s still any feelings left for you.

“y/n…we didn’t give up on you for her.” Jongho spoke up and looked over his brothers. He realized how they have messed up the relationship for these past months because the new girl really lured them into trusting the lies but in the end, Yeosang really found out her real intentions behind all this.

“Yeosang found out that she befriended us to destroy us.” Mingi said and nodded along with Yeosang. The surgeon sat on the wooden drum and leaned forward, “she lied to us that she stays alone here. She has been sent from our enemy.”

“but still you all trusted her once. You all believed when she said I’m related to the captain Chan. You all even kept watch on me to see if I’m betraying you all.” You hissed and stepped forward when you felt the grip loosened around you. You glared back at him and walked towards the stool beside the boxes and sat on it. Wooyoung was standing closer to you.

Tears fell from his eyes when he saw your figure tired and lonely. They really kept themselves so busy to even take a little look at you in all these months.

“we are really sorry for that, y/n.” Hongjoong apologized and glanced at others.

“speak for yourself.” You rubbed your eyes and wiped the tears from the cheek, “I don’t think each of you is feeling the same.”

“No, it’s true. We are really sorry.” Seonghwa supported the captain’s words. Wooyoung slide down against the boxes and leaned back, “we shouldn’t have doubted you.”

Yunho folded his hands in front. Standing in front of you, looking the perfect pilot of the ship but somewhere a sense of betray reflecting from him. He shook his head, “I don’t know how we trusted her everything and didn’t believe you. I’m really sorry.”

“I know you are hurt, y/n. but please forgive us.” Yeosang stood beside Wooyoung and both of them eagerly waiting for your response.

“You all made me feel like a stowaway in my---your ship. I felt like an enemy lurking around you. You all were spending so much time with her. Your gazes were filled with love and admiration while looking at her but whenever your eyes fell on me, there was visible fire of hatred. It hurt me. I felt like to run away far from you. But I didn’t know where to.”

“This is also your ship. You are the aurora in the night sky for our journey.” San stated and smiled but it quickly disappeared when he saw your teary eyes looking back at him.

Mingi placed his elbow on top of a drum and leaned to his side, “you aren’t a stowaway. You are a part of the family. You are more than that. You are our heart, y/n.”

“didn’t you feel your heart ache while believing a liar and laughing with her despite my presence just near you?” you shot an angry look towards him.

Jongho stepped forward and stood beside the captain, “we are really guilty. Please give us a chance to prove that our love has not wavered.”

You bitterly chuckled, “Love?……pirate’s only love is their desire to sail free all around the sea with their conquered treasure.”

“And, you are our treasure, and our only desire is to be with you.” Wooyoung said it loudly, earning everyone’s attention on him. he flinched when he saw your intense gaze on him. He wanted to hold your hand run to the crows-nest and hug you tightly, promising everything to protect you and to never betray you.

“Where do you go every afternoon for these last few months?” Yunho’s question perked everyone’s ear, even yours. He noticed? Their curious gazes on you made you shift in your place.

“You don’t have to know about it.”

“y/n…please do let us know if you are in any danger.” Jongho asked you politely. You shook your head and looked to your side, avoiding their eyes. You didn’t notice when San came in front and kneeling. “Please, tell me.”

You casted a glance at him then to others before looking at your hands, “I was planning to run away with a help of a friend.”

“Run away with a friend?”

“His name is Ten. You all were busy ignoring me all these months…almost a year. He is a sailor and we met at a fortune teller shop. He offered me a helping hand to have a life on my own.”

San was shocked, “you trusted him?”

You nodded, “like you all trusted her. I have heard from others and they all were praising him. He is a good person. He listened to my stories every day, he showed me around the place, laughed with me, taught me new things……he spent time with me.” you paused and nodded to yourself before continuing, “maybe I’m selfish…I’m selfish because I want you all to myself. I felt jealous seeing you with her. Or maybe I should have open myself to others, should let myself to make more friends so that even if you think of leaving me one day. I should not feel hopeless but can continue my life ahead. Not beyond the horizon but beyond those mountains and low valleys.”

“Y/n…don’t leave us like this.” Wooyoung scooted towards you and the captain and quartermaster stepped closer, followed by others. They were surrounding you and you were sitting like a helpless one under their shadows.

“and why? How can I trust that you all will not accuse me of betraying again?”

Hongjoong glance at Seonghwa before stating, “if you leave us then we will be scattered, y/n.”

“and what about me? you all already made my feelings shattered when you all chose her over me because she proved me as a liar with some fake evidence. You all broke your own rules.”

Don’t trust a lie and never betray your family. --- their only rule.

Yeosang shook his head, “no, y/n. it won’t happen again.” Mingi nodded when agreeing with him. the scenario can’t be ever believed that the notorious group of pirates are helplessly asking forgiveness to you.

Before Yunho could speak whatever he was going to, you spoke up making him shut, “I really loved you all. When I promised not to betray you, I meant it. Even if you kill me someday, I will still have a belief that you are the only family I ever got in my life.”

“Y/n…”San whispered your name not to show his weak voice. 

“Are you not leaving us, right?” Mingi asked you when you stood up.

“I don’t know but I’m going to meet him now.” You placed your fingers over the belt to feel the knife well hidden underneath it. Hongjoong held your elbow stopping you from walking further, “you are not going anywhere.”

“And you are no one to tell me anything.” You jerked off his hand.

Yunho blocked your way when you turned towards the gangway. You shot him a glare but he returned the similar gaze directed to your soul, “don’t be stubborn. We are leaving tomorrow and don’t go anywhere today. We have to deal with Mina---”

“don’t say her name in-front of me!” you grabbed his coat and clenched your jaw. His hand moved up to cup your cheek but you swatted it away. “don’t touch me.” you pushed him aside. They watched how you stumbled a little while walking down the gangway and jumped to the shore from the last step. Seonghwa signalled something towards San and the latter nodded before following behind you.         

And in that moment, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the stars began to twinkle overhead, they knew that you had a choice to make—a choice between holding onto the pain of the betrayal or embracing the promise of a future filled with love and redemption.

You stopped in your track before entering the market, heart soaring with the knowledge that true love conquers all—even the darkest depths of the sea. And your true love really pulled them towards you again.

For in the end, it is not the storms or the tempests that define their journey, but rather the unwavering belief that no matter how far they may drift apart, they will always find their way back to each other, guided by the light of love that burns eternal in the darkness. And so, as the waves carry them toward new horizons and unknown shores, embark on a voyage of discovery—one filled with adventure, passion, and the promise of a love that will endure for all eternity.

Taglist: @mymoodwriting @justhere4kpop @anyamaris @yeoobin @icchyi @jwnghyuns @piratequeen-queenofgames @dinonuguaegi @oreharuuu @hwanring @sanwifesstuff @kiwiisnthereoops @kiwiraccoon @hyuukah @kazscara @aceofspadesbiofalltrades @nvdhrzn [open!]

[ariiadnes]

ㅤ╭ ⿻ ･ beneath the universe ( part i. )

AT THE END AS AT THE START , & THROUGH ALL THE IN-BETWEENS , I LOVE YOU

-ˋ ♡ ◞ xiao ･ alhaitham ･ shenhe ･ kazuha ･ zhongli. genshin impact. quote cr : amal el-mohtar & max gladstone. repost. each character's parts are limited to 150 words! tagging @pixelcafe-network

❀ ﾟ. ༄ xiao

a yaksha knows what it is like to be needed, redemption sought upon self-sacrifice and approaching insanity. yes, xiao knows the feeling of being needed, but not the feeling of being wanted. mortal trivialities are not meant for intrigue, so he dismisses the thought.

it is when you first speak his name that he wonders -- it is merciless : the shift in gentle tones, the way your hands tremble, anxious at the selfish request. because you truly do not need anything, but there is something in the heart that desires him so.

he makes his presence known, notes how you brighten at the mere sight of him. it is then that he feels his pulse quicken, feels a semblance of home.

yes, xiao knows what it's like to be needed, he thinks, the burden of karmic debt soothed by another's love, and he knows what it is like to be wanted.

❀ ﾟ. ༄ alhaitham

alhaitham does not know of the tenderness that resides in a seemingly dormant heart, endeavors found in all things factual. so it is a strange phenomenon, as said by a certain architect, that he has sworn himself to another, expressed loyalty in ways unseen by most. he does not recognize ardor, not quite -- it is a foreign stranger in his life, but one he is willing to welcome.

"read to me?"

your head rests against his chest, arm draped over his waist. book in hand, he gives you a questioning look-- one you return with an exhausted smile.

"it'll bore you, unless that's how you intend to fall asleep."

"that's okay." you fight back a yawn, giving into fatigue. "i just like listening to your voice."

"you subject yourself to strange things."

"you like it."

he chuckles, but pulls the warm covers over your close figures.

"do i? i wonder."

❀ ﾟ. ༄ shenhe

cursed are those abandoned, innocence tarnished by deceit and insanity. a lone soul bound by red ropes and fate alike, shenhe bores a cold rage ; how it drowns in waves, struggles to stay afloat. but it is not only anger that remains at sea, but joy and sorrow. she was once devoid of such things, though they have bloomed so wonderfully in the knowing of you.

in the knowing of you, shenhe feels a longing that brings uncertainty and comfort. but she is naive to the bonds of mortals, and so she carries it forth without knowing it is love.

she will learn of it, eventually, and it will be beautiful. for now, she takes your hand, presses a kiss against your knuckles, and rests it against a beating heart. how wildly it rings in her ears, and surely she knows that this is the beginning of a future cherished.

❀ ﾟ. ༄ kazuha

kazuha's soul belongs in many places : the sky, the shore, and the sea. how it thrives in the presence of all, but it is with you that it yearns the most. how silly, he thinks, this lovesickness he's given into entirely.

the rain pours upon his arrival, but it is not an unwanted greeting. he watches, nostalgic, a soft melancholy woven into his smile as the kind winds guide brilliant red maple leaves. you stand at his side, your hand in his, feel how he squeezes it in hope and quiet grief.

nature knows his heart all too well, just as you do. you laugh when a leaf lands in his hair, turns his smile into one of amusement as you remove it delicately.

"thank you."

you do not let go of the maple leaf, knowing he will keep it for his travels as remembrance of this moment you share.

❀ ﾟ. ༄ zhongli

it is difficult, morax finds, to survive. even time cannot heal the deepest of wounds, and the burdens of leading humanity have hurt him so. he no longer has nightmares of battles won and lost, but he wonders-- did he ever truly win? to witness bloodshed, to cause bloodshed, knowing he lost his allies--

it is difficult, zhongli thinks, to survive.

the days pass quickly; even in a life freed from loosened chains of godhood, he wonders if he will ever adapt. from amber to embers, he closes his eyes, the music a welcome distraction as he focuses on the feeling of your body against his. you sway together, movements slow as you surrender to the depths of time.

yes, it is difficult to survive. but perhaps in this brave new world, he muses, resting his forehead against yours, he will remember once more what it means to live again.

[padfootdaredmetoo]

Hey, could you maybe write something with Tommy where the girl he likes is a bit of a party girl? How would be react to her wild behaviour? 🥂

Hey Anon,

I LOVE this idea! Thank you for sending it in! Hope you enjoy it!

Warnings: heavy drinking, fluff, murder, all the good stuff

He sat there watching her dance recounting all the times he’d been black-out drunk. None of them resulted in him dancing like a whore in public. Or laughing so loud it carried over the music. 

He didn't understand how the same woman that had single-handedly got him out of a bind with not only another crime family but also the police, was the same woman here dancing on a table. 

Just hours previous to the celebration she had shot a man and now she was here dancing like she always did. 

The club was dark but the pink dress she wore would glow even with the lights out. Her hair was messed up and somehow looked even better that way. 

When she got like this he wondered somewhere in the back of his mind if she was worth pursuing. Parties were her thing. He’d met her as an event coordinator and while she complained about how boring his events were they had got along very well. 

Too well. 

She was always bombarded with men offering her drinks, expensive trips, and houses in tropical lands, and yet she always came back to him. She wanted to be by his side even in the cold British rain. 

She danced until the song stopped then let out a loud squeal when Esme poured more champagne into her mouth. 

“WE WONNNNN” She called out with her bejeweled fist in the air. Everyone erupted into loud cheers around her. 

Getting into clubs to celebrate wasn't an issue for a Shelby, but she had an even easier time. She once got dared to leap off a loft railing onto a chandelier. Not only was it official lore woven into the fabric of London, the owner just shook his head and laughed when she did it. 

She was a friend, valuable business partner, excellent lover, but could she be a wife? His stomach twisted at the thought of being with someone else, that was a feeling he hadn’t felt since Greta. A frown fell on his face. 

Would that be something she wanted? He looked for her again dancing and singing her heart out. Would she feel trapped? 

The night wrapped up and she crawled across the backseat of the cab. She slumped against him and smiled up at him brightly. 

“I saved you today.” She slurred happily.

“Yes, you did.” He answered with the slightest bit of a smile on his lips. 

“You owe me.” She said bringing a well-manicured finger up to push his nose.

“Is that so” He grabbed her jaw gently keeping her face tilted up towards him. Her eyes flared and he didn't know what he would do without her. Even if she wasn't incredible at her job, and networking, even if she was just a party girl, he wouldn't want to be with anyone else. “How can I make it up to you?” 

“Stay with me?” There was a deep sadness in her eyes that took Tommy by surprise. 

“That’s the plan.” He whispered.

“Stay with me forever?” She clarified and he smiled. 

“Forever.” He kissed the top of her head and handed her the box that had been on fire since he started carrying it weeks ago. He felt like he shouldn't give it to her when she was drunk. It should be some grand gesture, a proper event with people around. That’s what she would want, but he felt like it was the moment. 

Her eyes went wide. 

“SHUT UP” She took the box and gave him one last look before opening it. 

“Would you -” 

“YES -” She let out another squeal waving her hands animatedly. After lots of hugging and screaming she rolled down the window to shout at the people on the street.

“I”M GETTING MARRIED!!!!!!” She pointed to her finger and laughed as random people waved and cheered for her. 

Tommy just leaned back into his seat and enjoyed the pure joy that radiated off of his soon-to-be wife. After shouting at a few more people when stopped at red lights she rolled the window up and climbed onto his lap. 

She pressed her lips onto his and they enjoyed the rest of the ride back to their London apartment.

[xenoblade-chronicles-brackets]

The entry list is complete

I said that I might have a hard time finding 40 entries with which to pad myself. Well, as it turns out, once I started, I had a hard time stopping, and had to restrain myself to not overshoot the 256.

So on top of the 216 user submitted tracks, I also have 40 of my own submissions. The bracket will be seeded on YouTube views, but I will however default to seeding my 40 submissions lower than your 216 user submissions.

Actual bracket (hopefully) soon to come.

User submitted tracks

46:ri-9

A Faint Hope

A Formidable Enemy

A Friend on My Mind

A Life Become Distant

A Life Overflowing

A Life Sent On

A Life Sent On (Flutes)

A Life Woven Together

A Moment of Eternity

A nopon’s life

A Step Away

A Tragic Decision

aBOreSSs

After Despair and Hope(Final Boss Theme)

Agniratha (Day)

Agniratha (Night) (XC1)

Agnus Battle

Agnus Castle Day

agnus colony (night)

Alcamoth, Imperial Capital (Night)

An Obstacle in Our Path (XC1)

At Our Life's End

Battle In The Skies Above

Battle on the Seas

Battle!! - Torna

Battle!! (xenoblade 2)

Battlefield ~ The Scramble of Life

Beyond the Sky

Beyond the Sky (acoustic arrangement) XC1 FC

Bionis Shoulder

Bionis’ Awakening

Black Tar

Blade~Those Who Know Fear

Brilliant Wings

Bringer of Chaos! Ultimate (XC2)

By My Side

Carrying the Weight of Life

cent-omnia region (day)

Central Factory - Xenoblade Chronicles DE

Chain Attack!

City Day

Colony 6 - Future

Colony 9 (Day)

Colony 9 (Night)

Contrition

Converging Emotions

Counterattack

Crisis

Death Match With Torna

Desolation

Don't Worry

Drifting Soul

Drifting Soul(Instrumental)

Driver VS

Elysium In The Dream

Elysium, In the Blue Sky

Engage the Enemy

Eryth Sea (Day)

Eryth Sea (Night)

Erythia Sea Day

Ever Come to an End

Everyday Life (XC1)

Face

Feelings Risen to the Sky

Feelings Upon This Melody

Field Kaijou

Fogbeasts (Future Connected)

Forest of the Nopon (Day)

Forest of the Nopon (Night)

Four-limbed Titan - Gormott

Friendship

Frontier Village (Day)

frontier village (Night)

Future Awaits

Gaur Plain (Day)

Gaur Plain (Night)

Gramps (Fonsett Village) Night/Day XC2

Great Cotte Falls (Day)

Great Cotte Falls (Night)

Homecoming

Hometown (Day)

Hometown (night)

hope for the future

How the Future Endures

Impending Crisis

In the forest (XZ ver,)

In the Refugee Camp

Incoming! (XC2)

Iris Network

Irregular Bound

Jump Towards the Morning Sun

Kaleidoscopic Core

Keves Battle

Kingdom of Uraya

Land of Morytha

Lasaria Woodland-Day

Life's Fading Flame ~ Holding These Thoughts

Loneliness

Lost Days of Warmth

Majesty

Malevolent Hollow

Manon

Mechanical Rhythm

Mechonis Field

melancholia

Melia ~ Ancient Memories

Memories

Millick Meadows (Day)

MNN + @0 (both halfs)

Mobius Battle M

Moebius Battle

Mor Ardain - Roaming the Wastes

New Battle!!!

Nia ~ Towards the Heavens

NLA Shigai

no3=NO.EX01

no4=D91M

no6=LP

no9=MONOX

Noah and N (Phase 1)

Noah and N (Phase 2)

Oblivia

off seer crys

off seer mio

off seer miyabi

off seer noah

Off-Seer - Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Once We Part Ways

One Last You

Origin Ascending

Origin Battle

Our Eternal Land

Our Paths May Never Cross

Over Despair and Animus

Over the Sinful Entreaty

Parting

Past From Far Distance

Praetor Amalthus- The Acting God

Prologue A

Prologue B

Rage, Darkness of the Heart

raTEoREkiSImeAra

Redeem The Future

Regret

Reminiscence

ribbi flats (day)

Riki the Legendary Heropon

Riki’s Kindness

Roar from Beyond

Satorl Marsh (Night)

Shadow of the Lowlands

Shining Aspiration ~ Inherited Melody

Ship In A Stormy Sea

Shulk and Fiora

So nah, so fern

Soldier's Paean

Something's Beginning to Move

Sorrow

Still, Move Forward

Suffocating Reverberation

Syra Hovering Reefs Day

Tactical Action

Tantal (Day)

Tantal (Night)

Tephra Cave

The Awakening (XC2)

The Battle is Upon Us

The Beginning of Our Memory

The Bereaved and Those Left Behind

the bereaved and those left behind (ver. 2)

The Decision

The End Lies Ahead

The Fallen Land

The False Queens

The God Slaying Sword

The Great Sea Stirs

The key we've lost

The Monado Awakens

The Power of Jin

The Tomorrow With You

the way (xenoblade x)

Theme X

Thoughts Enshrined

Time to Fight (Bionis' Shoulder)

Time to Fight!

Torigoth/Night

Uncontrollable

Unfinsihed Business

Urgency

Valak Mountain (Day)

valak mountain (Night)

Walking With You

Wanted Nia

Where it All Began - Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Where We Belong

Where We Used To Be

White All Around Us

Wir Fleigen

Words That Never Reached You

Xenoblade Chronicles Main Theme

yesterdale (night)

You Will Know Our Names

You Will Know Our Names (Finale)

You Will Recall Our Names

Young Warriors

Your Voice

Z10 Briefing

z15f20i12e09l14d (first half, aka Celica's theme)

z15f20i12e09l14d (Second half, aka Divine Roost)

z15f20i12e09l14d (Vocal Stem)

z29ba2t0t1l301e17 (z29 battle)

Z30 Free Battle

z37b20a13t01t08le

Z39 B Comical

Zanza the Divine

My own additions

Argentum (Day)

Argentum (Night)

Auresco, Royal Capital

Bionis' Interior (Pulse)

Bionis' Shoulder (Night)

Black Mountains

Cent-Omnia Region (Night)

Cliffs of Morytha

Colony 6 - Ether Mine

Crossing Swords

Enemies Closing In

Eye of Shining Justice

Fonsa Myma (Night)

Galahad Fortress

Gormott (Night)

Gormotti Forest

Gran Dell (Night)

Hidden Machina Village

Hope

Immediate Threat

Kingdom of Torna (Night)

Kingdom of Uraya (Night)

Leftheria Archipelago (Day)

Leftheria Archipelago (Night)

Omens of Life

Prison Island

Song of Giga Rosa

Spirit Crucible Elpys

Sword Valley (Night)

Tension

The Abandoned City

The Fallen Land (Night)

The Towering Yggdrasil

Towering Shadow

Ultimate Enemy

Urayan Tunnels

Visions of the Future

Yesterdale (Day)

Yggdrasil

You Will Know Our Names Finale (Climax)

[dailyanarchistposts]

I

“Today we are still preoccupied with creating gardens.Why? To not suffer from hunger. Because having rice, beans, fava beans, maize, peanut — then one can survive.” — Renato, of the Canela community[1]

“The development of what we know as agriculture was not an overnight phenomenon, but rather a several thousand year-long project. In some places in the world, the earliest stages of cultivation were never surpassed, and remain sustainable today. In many more places, the pressures of the global economy have corrupted these practices just in this last century. But in most of the world today, we are witnessing the full-blown colonization of native foodways, and a nearly complete dependence on western industrial practices. To trace this “biodevestation” directly back to cultivation itself, is to ignore the history of conquest and land displacement that pushed the food systems of subsistence cultures to the brink, where they now teeter on the edge of extinction.” — Witch Hazel, Against agriculture & in defense of cultivation

Situated in dense forests and savanna of the Brazilian state of Maranhão lives the indigenous Canela people. In the past they lived from hunting, gathering and gardening but starting from 200 years ago as they were pushed from their traditional territory as settler farmers occupied the land bit by bit. The lush forests are being replaced by industrial eucalyptus and soy plantations, and cattle ranches. They now inhabit an area 5 to 10 percent of their original territory. Traditionally the Canela travelled from place to place as the seasons changed but now adopt a more sedentary lifestyle living in bigger permanent villages. Although the Canela still depend on hunting and foraging they don’t have access to a big enough land base to cover all their needs so they increasingly depend on gardening to meet their needs.

For the Canela gardening is not just to meet their subsistence needs but also a means of resistance against being assimilated into the structures, networks, dependency and the institutional inequality of the Brazilian state, religious institutions, and multinational corporations who are constantly trying to infringe and occupy the Canela’s home.

Other threats to the Canelas way of life are from the environmental effects from the industrialized agriculture of soy and eucalyptus production that causes water depletion which exacerbates drought and soil erosion. The overuse of fertilizers and agrochemicals annihilates plant biodiversity and pollutes the local rivers and waterways with high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus which in turn causes algal blooms which can produce toxins that are harmful to animals and cause dead zones from the reduction of oxygen in the water starving fish and plants. So any flora or fauna living near a eucalyptus or soy plantation is at risk.

The Canela’s subsistence gardening approach is totally different from monocrop agriculture. They work with nature using a conscious ecological and more biodiverse method.Typically in agriculture only a small variety of cash crops are grown in large fields covering acres upon acres of land where in the Amazon large sections of jungle are destroyed. For the Canela gardners instead of being dependent on a small variety of cash crops they cultivate over 300 varieties of plants to meet their subsistence needs. Instead of using destructive hellish machines like bulldozers, ploughs, and combine harvesters they use a slash and burn method to clear small patches just enough for them to use and their tools consist of a digging stick and woven baskets. They only use the same garden for two years and then not use the same area for at least eight years to allow the forest to regrow and return fertility to the soil.

The Canela’s vast knowledge of plants helps them determine which ones make good companions that will help each other grow, which ones are natural repellents to predatory insects that will attack the plants, and which plants to grow which will attract beneficial insects such as pollinizers. And likewise their vast knowledge of soil helps them to consciously plant to suit the 10 different soil groups in their area which will help prevent soil erosion, nutrients depletion, and combat against other harmful effects that are typical of agriculture. Their focus is for caring for the well-being of local biodiversity and the nonhuman inhabitants.

The Canel don’t see themselves as farmers but parents looking after their plant kin viewing their saved seeds and cuttings as their babies and their growing crops as their infants, genuinely loving them in the same way as if they were their human children caring for the plants as the plants care for them. They view the environment as consisting of human and nonhuman “selves”, and gardening as caretaking for themselves and their plant and human families.

[mystery-salad]

Good Timezones. Completely random question about Redwood. Do Redwood's children physically differ from pale tree sylvari and if yes in what way?

Good timezones Oz!

Redwood's children are different yes, all 3 of my trees have unique children! So for funsies I'll put all 3 here~ 3 for 1 bonus day in the ask box for a beloved mutual 💖

Just as Redwood (no pronouns just redwood or mother/father) is more animalistic in shape, Redwood's children are too. Redwood did not have any humans or major races to relate to, having grown deep within a forest in the far north before Jormag was vanquished and the land could be reclaimed by the norn. Instead the children take after the wildlife of the land, much more varied than the sylvari are. Some are quadrupedal, some have wings, all of them mix traits of various animals like chimeras. Not all are capable of human speech, but others have learned the languages of the forests and their inhabitants. Large fangs/beaks and claws, leaves that have morphed to function as fur or feathers, are all very much the norm. As the norn return they build a partnership of sorts, communicating verbally or through understanding and kinship with the animals around them. They also do not Dream, this tree was fortunate enough to land so far from Mordremoth's call that only a few children who wandered too far were pulled to the jungle. They can all access the root network of trees though, almost like a singular tree colony, to pass messages to Redwood or each other if the target is also near the same root network.

(My tag for Redwood, '#Redwood mother', also has info on redwood's avatar)

The other two I know I've talked less about significantly, but I've talked about the child of one a few times! Ty Lluan, my harpyvari, comes from a tree that drifted on the winds all the way to Dzalana, a land teeming with harpies. The Winding Tree's (he/him) branches as they grew were woven into a wondrous nest that grew to a thriving hub for both his own children and harpies seeking shelter during journeys as well. And naturally his children have all taken on traits of the harpies. Large wings with feather-like leaves covering their bodies, lightweight bark strengthening their limbs without grounding them, long claws to latch onto sheer surfaces or grip the ground for quick takeoffs and landings. They're naturally exploration, spreading far outside of Dzalana to meet others. While they're cautious, they're less so than most harpies and they build kinship quite easily with others. Humans look a little silly they find, being so fatherless and bearing no other advantageous physical traits. They find it amusing that the Pale Tree based her children on such people! They also were largely beyond Mordremoth's reach, but the harpyvaris do have their own dream-like network known as the sisterhood to connect them, along with bonding them to some harpy communities that live within the boughs of their father.

The third tree I have is the Deep Tree (any pronouns but defaults to it/its). This one did not go far at all, but as Mordremoth released the seeds it fell through the cracks deep into the Tangled Depths. Below even where explorers would follow in later years, where only chak wander and harvest the ley energy of the earth. This tree, with no sunlight and no promise of rain touching its leaves, thrived on the chak who wandered too close to the leyline vein it rested upon. It grew carnivorous, relying on flesh to thrive and therefore its children would need better advantages in turn than photosynthesis. The children of this tree are made so carefully and lovingly, each one hand-crafted by the tree from excess materials gathered from the chak and digested up through the tree. They have much more solid, fleshy innards that give all of them a rich, deep jewel-tone to their coloration, covered by a very tough armor-like bark that is slightly translucent to increase the visibility of their glow for their siblings. They lack complex eyes, living in near-darkness and can see basic colors and shapes and heat, but can not make out anything too complicated or details. They can control how visible their blood is by pumping it up to the surface under their bark to communicate with each other, chittering as well to be heard and communicate. Their mouths are complex enough that they can form other complex languages if taught, but there will always be a clicking, sharp accent to them. They're sweet children, the tree functions as a hive-mind channeling all of its children's conversations and experiences through itself to increase the knowledge of all. If one child unfortunately finds a dangerous place none should follow, they will all know soon after and mourn their fallen sibling. As Mordremoth awoke and the tree felt the shackles wrapping around its children, it fully shut down. Called all of its children home before it was too late and closed its boughs around them, pulling their minds back to the network safe and trapped until the threat passed once more.

The Deep Tree's children are so naturally curious and born diplomats, though many would find them different abs therefore scary at a glance on the surface. It takes a long time for them to make connections and become known to the greater world around them, but some of the more adventurous do make it far enough to meet their cousins eventually. The surface is so bright they're functionally blind up there.

[lenniharrisonsims]

Victor Captured!

The Emperor's failed attack on Brindleton Bay leads to capture and defeat by Komorebi!

Earlier this week, Emperor Victor launched a plan for a naval attack on Brindleton Bay that hinged on traveling his ships past the sovereign waters of Mt. Komorebi in the North Sea. His plan hinged on the fact that Komorebi had declared neutral in the war, and therefore would not attack his ships as they passed by, and on the fact that Brindleton is currently being governed by a regency state, and that makes them weak in his eyes, despite the fact that they are a member of the Allied Forces and thus have military backing from their fellow Allied Nations.

Unfortunately for Victor, however, was the Tsarina's use of her insider information. It's recently come to light that Tsarina Ekaterina, and her fellow Allies, has a vast spy network woven into Windenburg High Command that she built from scratch when the war started. That's how they were able to take back land from Victor and capture so many high ranking generals and PoWs, and how they were able to capture Victor-

A spy in Victor's war council informed the Tsarina of his plans to invade Brindleton by way of the North Sea. Knowing that sending Brindleton or Allied troops to Brindleton would not only take too long, but would also alert Victor that they knew of his plan, the Empress reached out to her trade partners- Komorebi. Though Emperor Hiroto had declared neutral in the conflict, he could no longer sit idly by while his trade partners suffered economically under the war, when there was a quick and easy path to the end of the war right on their doorstep.

(Emperor Hiroto and his son, Crown Prince Ren, supervise Victor being loaded onto a plan headed for Glimmerbrooke)

"The power of friendship is an important power to have," Emperor Hiroto said in his statement after the successful capture of Victor and his forces, "especially in times of crisis. Tsarina Ekaterina is expertly skilled at making friends, as well as remaining steadfastly loyal to those friends. Emperor Victor is not. I am glad Komorebi was able to help bring an end to this war."

Though this is the most exciting news for those of us who are war-weary, the capture of Victor does not mean the end of conflict. Though Allied Forces are on their way to Windenburg to occupy the palace to prevent recapture, Newcrest still sits fortified. The Usurper Stefano has doubled his forces on all of his borders, turning the country into a fortress. Until Newcrest is freed from the usurpers, this war is not over. Let's all hope that the end is near.

(@wa-royal-tea this one's for you )

[frostybearpaws]

The land outside of Vanth’s heated dome is a wasteland made of glittering spires of ice and layers of snow packed down from centuries of build up.

Without the proper equipment, or a good heating charm, going outside the walls was an action that usually resulted in one’s death. At least for a soft bellied Vanthion like those living in the inner city. “The Garden” they liked to call it in their nasally, posh accents through their perfect white teeth and well kept fangs. 

Its name comes from the variety of off-wold, exotic, (and illegal) flora they liked to showcase in their yards and decorate their homes with:

Endangered purple sunroses that only grow in clusters of the Arabonian forests being cleared for bova farm land and struggle to survive anywhere else. 

Sprawling gully vines, allowed to climb up houses and produce flowers that smelled like artificial Vesper strawberries and bore fruits the shape of silver raindrops. 

Tears of Gully, they were called and while Shaya’Jax had never tasted one for herself, she had heard they held the flavor of honied petrichor. The Vespens would harvest them every season and had a hundred uses for them. Preserves, deserts, sauces. The Elite of Vanth just let them rot on the stems and fertilize the ground. A waste. 

Ringed willows with long twisting silver trunks and curlycue branches adorned with spirals of coiling teal leaves. When the cold, white light filtered in through the protective shields and titanium woven glass, the bark and leaves gave off a metallic luster which danced in the artificial wind.

Weeping darkwoods, obsidian black trees which leak a sour red sap often smuggled from the planes of Pannexus. 

Shrill shrubs whose form is a woven network of hardened stems which tease and curl around one another. Sometimes they are tamed into shapes, other times they are allowed to sprawl into any form they wish, most of the time they are uncreatively used as hedges. They are crafted in such a way that when the vent gusts blow through them, they let out a low mournful cry, hence their name. 

They also produce a star-shaped fruit, a little five pointed berry the color of neon blue. Shaya’Jax once snuck a few from a bush. They weren’t ripe though, the sourness turned her mouth inside out, suppose that’s what she gets for stealing (it would have gone to waste anyway). Another time she had been luckier, the trick was to take them when they had darkened to such a deep shade of blue they looked as dark as space, freckled by highlights of stars. Only then was she able to enjoy the sweet, heaven that was their flavor.

Mama always admonished her when Shaya’Jax came home with handfuls of fruit, but that never stopped her. “Just make sure to keep those goodies out of sight.” Mama had warned. Shaya’Jax always heeded her warnings.

The only issue was that their juice stained with the potency of ink and turned the inside of her mouth black. Mama always made Shaya’Jax brush her teeth until the foam transformed from gray to white. 

Each yard to a botanical masterpiece to be enjoyed by their selfish eyes alone, greedily drinking in the exotic colors and shapes.

No. Vanth’s elite wouldn’t last a day out in the wilds. Not with the roving packs of miniature yeti wolves and not so miniature drill spiders. 

The former’s hunting method was overwhelming their prey until it was cornered, or too exhausted to move, then they struck. Sometimes they don't even kill, they just will tear strips of flesh off of the bone and leave you with gaping wounds to patch up, or die of blood loss from. 

The latter are more than a bit nastier and ten times more deadly. In layman's terms, they’re a pain in the dick. 

Giant eight legged beasts that scuttled over the surface of packed snow always searching for a meal. 

Supposedly their venom had a numbing effect, but others have said it makes you feel like you’re burning up alive. It doesn’t really matter. Once it sinks it fangs into you, you’re done for, then it’ll pack your dead, cooling body under the ice for later.

It’s said that the ones determined enough, sticktuitive enough, crazy enough, or stupid enough ride those things and ferment the venom into a booze that heats the cheeks and loins alike.

Imagine that: a pack of insane snow-dwellers hitching rides on the backs of tamed (or broken) drill spiders. Shaya’Jax almost admires them. 

It wasn’t impossible to survive in the perpetual winter that is S’vel’s climate, clearly, but it’s certainly not an easy one.

[dragonologist-phd]

Owlcatober Day 15 - Healing

Life goes on for Rosemary, a little at a time.

also on ao3

Music drifts faintly through the windows of the Shelynite temple. Music always plays, anywhere Shelyn is worshipped.

Rosemary loved that about her old temple, back in Daggermark. For all that the place could feel stifling and monotonous, she loved a lot of things about it. Even now, she can’t help but smile as she listens to the melodies from her bench just outside the courtyard walls of the temple in Promethium.

She should go inside. She comes by here often, and the thought occurs to her every time. She could go inside; she could walk right in, past the ivy-covered walls and the stained glass windows and the woven tapestries. Past the clerics tending the candles and lifting their voices in song. Right up to the altar.

Rosemary can picture all of it, right up to that point. She doesn’t know what happens after. Does Shelyn’s grace touch her like it used to? Does golden light glow from her fingertips?

Or is she met with the same silence she came to know so well in the First World?

One of these days, she’ll have to find out.

Not today.

There is an irony to the situation, of which Rosemary is well aware. She’s always been able to heal. Always, from the moment she stepped foot in that temple in Daggermark.It came so naturally to her, she doesn’t even remember the first time she performed the spell. It was probably something small and meaningless: a careless cook who cut their finger, or a gardener who twisted their ankle in a gopher hole.

Those were the kinds of things she started out with, but the clerics quickly recognized her talent. They let her rise through the ranks of the healers, taught her more advanced spells. They said Shelyn held special favor for her.

Whatever it was that she had, it wasn’t enough to cut through the planes. Rosemary wonders, sometimes, whether it was she or Shelyn who should have been stronger, should have tried harder to maintain that connection.

Was Shelyn weak? Was Rosemary faithless? Was it both of them, failing each other?

The song playing inside the temple ends, and Rosemary takes her leave before another starts up. Maybe she’ll find out tomorrow.

She’s still getting used to being back in a place with so many people, and she sets off down a winding, backwards path through the emptier parts of the city. She passes a few other temples on the way, and she has to admit: her sister has done a good job here. The kingdom is beautiful and prosperous, and its capital is full of gleaming buildings and towers that make Varnhold seem humble by comparison.

Personally, Rosemary still prefers Varnhold. Maybe she’s just biased.

Even so, she’s grateful for the network of teleportation circles Myrcelle has installed throughout her lands. It took months for Rosemary to work up the courage to use one; she couldn’t fight back the awful, irrational fear that it would send her hurtling out to another plane with no way to return. Now, she uses one nearly every day, skipping through space from her mountains in Varnhold to the gleaming spires of Promethium’s capital.

It's all about the baby steps. A little at a time.

Rosemary glances up at the sun overhead. Another thing that she’s become re-adjusted to: a sky stable enough to use as an indication of time. She’s out of practice, but she reckons there’s enough daylight left to meet her sister for lunch before returning home.

Her thoughts are stopped short as a group of children dash across the streets in front of her, screeching in joy as their classes let out for the day. They dash past her with the wild abandon that only comes from being cooped up all morning, full of laughter and chatter.

One of the younger girls is a bit too eager to revel in her freedom, and she stumbles over the hem of her dress. Her palms hit the ground first, biting into the hard cobblestone, and she lets out a wail.

Rosemary is at her side in an instant. She checks over her quickly- the dress protected her knees from the impact, but the scrapes on her hands are bright and bloody. Not too deep, but the sight of the injury sets the child crying even louder.

“Oh, sweetheart,” Rosemary murmurs. “You’re all right. here.”

It’s not an action, but an instinct. Rosemary covers the bleeding palms with her own thorn-scarred fingers, and something weak and almost forgotten flickers to life.

The skin stitches together slowly, much more slowly than Rosemary remembers. The healing light is hesitant, not quite warm…but familiar. Like saying hello to an old friend she hasn’t spoken to in years.

The moment passes as quickly as it comes, and when it’s gone Rosemary is more exhausted than she’s been in months. But the child is blinking away her tears, and after a lisped thank you that Rosemary only half-hears she’s off again to join her friends, already forgetting about her brief brush with pain.

All in all, it was something small. Almost meaningless. But Rosemary is left blinking away her own tears as she looks down at her own hands in disbelief. The skin on her palms is still rough and callused, her fingers still scarred and stiff. But still hers, all of it- the bad and the good.

Baby steps, she thinks, curling a hand up to her heart. A little at a time.

[thatndginger]

Happy WBW! For Spooky Season, what's something creepy about your world? (Creepy up for interpretation. 🙃)

Ok, so I have something I personally find rather creepy about the Shapeshifter world - specifically in it’s setting of Moressau.

Moressau originally started as a French fur trapper outpost back in the late 1700’s, but even back in the beginning the trappers had their hands in the smuggling trade. As the outpost grew into a town and eventually a city, the smuggling operations only got bigger. To help keep their illicit dealing hidden, the smugglers dug tunnels under the city (which at the time was on more mountainous terrain) through which they could move and store goods. Because parts of Moressau are on sea level - notably, the docks - parts of the tunnels would flood during high tide. To avoid being raided, smugglers would usually wait for high tide to block off the easily-accessible dockside entrances to the tunnels before they moved their goods, as well as making the tunnels as confusing as possible to navigate with random twists and dead ends. They also employed magic charms and spells aimed at purposefully confusing and disorienting any who ventured into the tunnels unprepared. More than one unlucky person died in those tunnels, driven mad by the twisting tunnels and the magic woven into them.

After the fire of 1870 destroyed most of Moressau, city planners decided to take the opportunity to even out the city - tearing down some of the steeper hills and filling in low-lying areas to flatten the terrain and raise most of the city above the water table. This would destroy large parts of the smuggler tunnel network once completed. However, this endeavor took the better part of a year, and shop owners weren’t willing to lose a year of profits. Many of the tunnels had hidden entrances in shops warehouses across town, and with the shop owners eager to rebuild, these entrances would remain safe. Under a new building code that only allowed for brick and stone buildings, many shops were rebuilt with the understanding that their ground-level floors and sidewalks could eventually be underground. After the city’s grading project was completed, these newly-buried floors and walkways still saw use for a few years, but eventually fell into disuse. Some buildings filled in these new basement levels, some simply sealed them off, while a few maintained them as storage areas. Most entrances to the smuggler tunnels were sealed up, forgotten, or destroyed as the city built and rebuilt itself in the following years. 

 Nowadays, these underground storefronts and streets are part of a burgeoning tourist market. Tour groups are allowed to explore certain areas of the old downtown district, listening to ghosts stories and witnessing the moldering ruins of old architecture buried up to 30 feet underground. There are more dangerous areas that are off-limits to tourists, however. Places where the buried buildings are no longer structurally sound, or the land above is owned by certain companies. These off-limits places are also where a particularly unlucky explorer might stumble upon one of the entrances to the smuggler tunnels. The magic in the tunnels is still strong, even centuries later, and any who wander them are destined to die slow, painful deaths as they desperately try to find their way out.

[scarletooyoroi]

Small points of note! Once again, a lil headcanon batch (which is moreso inference from character story tidbits.)

Well tuck this under a read more due to just the size of the images. >:

This serves pretty much as the reason he's gained his Fixer moniker. Thoma enjoys letting his expertise float around being a center point source, a means to let his allies network with others he knows. Due to his extended business dealings both in Ritou, the ore trade alongside knowing some high ends, there's no shortage of what he can scrabble together. This goes both for resources and information.

It also opens the door of people around all of Teyvat knowing him to some capacity. This serves as one of the key reasons alongside just not letting outlanders feel alone that he conducts business in Ritou. He holds a firm code of conduct never to take cold advantage of his resources. So he's never fully alone regardless of where he decides to travel, someone out there will manage to see him as a familiar face.

At most, they're used in the exercise of exchange. Conduct deals with Thoma and he'll always ensure that you're splitting even.

This is virtually one of his guiding principles of going through life. He believes it's a gift to be cherished, protected and woven together in a way where you can enjoy many of the bounties in being apart of Teyvat.

These are measures he can understand for both the innocent and the cruel. To the cruel however, it's also by understanding and respecting solely their will to 'make the most', that he doesn't hesitate to meet their measures and utterly destroy boons and bounties made cruelly upon the backs of others.

I think this one in particular goes the most unknown! Surprisingly, despite how popular people love to play on his homesick involving Mondstadt. Through blood, Thoma has two lands nurtured by elements, archons and human effort that he calls home. Mondstadt's jovial atmosphere in the recent days have developed his sunny nature, as Inazuma served as the cruel but effective teacher in nurturing ambition and the means to protect such a lifestyle.

To hold a noble heart offers the means to properly appreciate life, that of yourself and that of others.

To weave together strength by this practice is to offer the means to prolong abrupt and cold endings due to danger. To use this strength in the name of protecting, both life and the wills of those who go for an honest day's work and effort.

Mondstadt and Inazuma cultivated and polished positive traits that he will never stop showing gratitude for. The said gratitude is exercised in the way he treats others and the situations that comes his way.

What I want to bring the most attention towards here is how Thoma treats the essence of achievement. Glory chasing from the beginning has never been the part of his MO. From this particular pot of life, he'll only take what is necessary for procedures to continue via smooth sailing.

Let himself be known well enough to be a name of influence for his business, it doesn't need to shoot for the stars.

For him, the personal satisfaction of his work is to just see peace simply be prolonged. Things are secure, things are safe, he truly needs no better than that for him to happily go about his day. His style and approach towards life is to hold gratitude for what you have, and let that be shown both by emotion and by the efforts you put forth.

How far he intends to take these strides depends on the danger to both his homes and those important to him. Only when the stakes reveal their fangs, does he accordingly ups his ante in order to combat such details in kind. This is why you'll often see him playing little mind to the amount of renown to his name.

That said? He's very protective of the honor of those he care for on the other hand. Its a touch hypocritical seeing how he treats his own line of achievement, but he never wants another to try sullying the good imagery or the particular imagery that you put up for yourself.

[studentabode]

Portsmouth: A Beacon of Opportunity for International Students

It is an opportunity that helps cultivate the individual through education to assimilate with other individuals, groups and organizations in Portsmouth. This fascinating historic and science-oriented port offers the best values, combining academic education with practical experience. The University of Portsmouth is special because in preparing students for future challenges, the university offers them the skills and knowledge they require. Modern and cheap student apartments provide comfortable and friendly spaces that students are happy to stay in, whether as a refuge from academic concerns or as a place for communication with peers. This results in improved academic performance, as well as in the aspect of every student establishing friendships and networks to practice with members of the international LEARNING COMMUNITY. As far as extra-curricular activities are concerned, one can portray a fully-packed life in Portsmouth using internship, part-time job, cultural pursuits and achievements with an emphasis on personal growth within and outside the classroom that sharpens one’s character for handling real-life situations. Below, are five strategic reasons that make Portsmouth a great place to further your education.

1. Quality Education and Support

The pursuit of knowledge must be relentless, and at the University of Portsmouth, they wield education as a weapon of transformation. With a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework, they have proven their dominion over the realm of teaching, carving paths of excellence for their students. Their commitment to nurturing potential rivals the strongest clans, offering personal tutoring and academic skills assistance as the foundation of their support.

But knowledge alone is not enough—power lies in its application. The university forges warriors for the modern world, embedding employability into its teachings. Programs enriched with work placements sharpen the mind and elevate career prospects, ensuring their students step forth ready to conquer the challenges of any battlefield.

2. Vibrant Student Community

A vibrant community is essential for any great stronghold, and Portsmouth exemplifies this reality. Within its boundaries, students constitute a significant 12% of the city's population, infusing energy into every corner. The University, like a great clan, nurtures unity and camaraderie through over 140 societies and clubs, forging bonds that transcend mere academia.

This is not a place of isolation but one of inclusion, where even those from distant lands—the international students—find their footing with ease. The city's culture welcomes them, integrating them into its lively fabric. It is in this place that the essence of community flourishes, and connections are built that could eventually influence the future.

3. Stunning Coastal Location

Portsmouth, the lone island city of the UK, stands as a fortress embraced by the endless tides. Its shores, adorned with beautiful beaches, offer more than just a sanctuary—they are arenas for adventure, with activities like paddleboarding and kayaking calling to those who dare to embrace the elements.

This coastal stronghold is not merely a place of learning but a realm where the mind and spirit are equally enriched. The sea itself becomes a companion to study and reflection, its vastness a reminder of the boundless potential within. With its rich maritime heritage woven into every stone and wave, Portsmouth exudes an allure that makes it more than a city—it is a domain where one can truly live and learn in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

4. Excellent Career Prospects

The mark of true strength lies not in potential but in the legacy one leaves behind. Graduates of the University of Portsmouth bear this truth, rising above their peers with salaries that reflect their cultivated power. This is no coincidence—it is the result of a relentless focus on employability, forged through practical learning and strategic alliances with industries.

Even after their time at the university has passed, its influence does not wane. Like a mentor guiding from the shadows, the Careers and Employability Service remains steadfast, offering resources to ensure their path to greatness is never hindered. This institution does not merely teach—it empowers its students to thrive, leaving an enduring impact on the world beyond its gates.

5. Accessibility and Connectivity

A true stronghold is not confined by its borders but thrives through its connections. Portsmouth, a city of strategic design, ensures its students are never bound. With a network of public transport coursing through its veins, traversing the city becomes effortless.

Its direct rail links to London and ferry routes to Europe open gateways to exploration, granting students the freedom to extend their reach beyond the island’s shores. Such accessibility is a powerful advantage, enriching the student experience by making the world itself an extension of their domain—ready to be explored during breaks or conquered on weekends.

Opportunity Awaits with Student Tenant

In the grand tapestry of opportunity, Portsmouth weaves itself as a domain of unparalleled promise. It offers a formidable blend of quality education, a thriving and vibrant community, stunning coastal landscapes, and the tools to forge exceptional career prospects. With its seamless connectivity to the wider world, Portsmouth stands as a sanctuary and a battlefield—an ideal haven for international students seeking not just to learn, but to thrive and carve their path toward greatness. To complement this journey, Student Tenant stands ready as your trusted student housing service provider. With a range of comfortable and affordable student accommodations tailored to your needs, Student Tenant ensures you find a home that lets you focus on what truly matters—embracing the opportunities and adventures Portsmouth has to offer.

[theblackbookofarkera]

Tauxien Empire

Like a gleaming jewel set in tarnished metal, the Tauxien Empire stands as the measuring rod against which all post-Judgement civilizations gauge their achievements. Rising from the ashes of the catastrophe that consumed the Old World, this vast empire has persisted while countless others have blazed briefly before falling into obscurity. When Tauxi scholars boast that their empire encompasses the largest territory in known Arkera, they may speak true – though such claims often mask deeper fractures within.

The sheer scale of the empire staggers the mind: its borders stretch across five continents – Khamphaar, Sartesh, Ler, Tamb, and Aurborea – and its population, by conservative estimates, accounts for one-sixth of all souls dwelling in Arkera. Such vastness breeds both strength and weakness; the empire's size is both crown and anchor, glory and burden. The art of governing such a behemoth requires statecraft that borders on supernatural, inspiring generations of would-be conquerors who inevitably discover that size alone does not ensure survival.

The empire's genesis can be traced to the Quicksilver King, who, five centuries after the Judgement, carved out a territory around what would become the city of Taanxi. Tales of his exploits have been woven into the fabric of imperial culture, spawning countless artistic works that tell of his victories over demon emperors, cloud giants, and star dragons. These stories, carefully curated by the imperial bureaucracy, serve as more than mere entertainment – they are deliberate teachings that emphasize central authority, measured strength, humble pride, familial duty, and reverence for the past.

The official histories, numbering barely a dozen among thousands of accounts, paint the empire's founding in mythic strokes. Yet beneath the veneer of these sanctioned tales lies a darker truth: the empire was built not just on wisdom and virtue, but on blood and iron, on countless unnamed sacrifices that history has deemed best forgotten.

Through its many dynastic cycles, the empire has gifted the world with remarkable innovations: civil service systems that survive to this day, vast networks of roads that bind distant provinces together, architectural marvels that mock the laws of nature, and a state education system that has produced some of Arkera's finest minds. Yet these achievements follow the empire's pulsing rhythm of expansion and contraction – territories gained and lost, golden ages followed by periods of decay.

The empire's borders have expanded and contracted like a living thing breathing, at times encompassing nearly all of Kumaresh, at others shrinking to barely a few hundred miles around the Imperial City of Shaan Ki'hi. Entire kingdoms have broken free, flourished for centuries, only to be reabsorbed into the imperial fold, their brief independence becoming another footnote in the empire's endless chronicles.

Today, the empire stands at a crucial crossroads. A succession of weak emperors, wasteful expenditure, costly conflicts, and deep-rooted corruption have brought this ancient giant to its knees. Yet from this nadir has risen Song Haow, the Dragon's Son, whose ascension to the throne has breathed new life into the declining Haow Dynasty. Unlike his predecessors, Song Haow has merged political and spiritual authority in unprecedented ways, earning recognition from Yazai priests as the chosen of the Thirteen Emperors.

Yet even as Song Haow works to restore the empire's greatness, nearly a third of Tauxien lands have fallen to the Empire of the Yellow Banner's horsemen or the implacable slave legions of Urakkad. Foreign influences seep into the empire like poison, while the emperor harnesses the people's fears to consolidate his power.

The Tauxien Empire remains a vast tapestry of faiths and cultures, bound together by an ineffable mystical order that pervades its lands and peoples. While many religions flourish within its borders, the state religion of Yazai provides the spiritual framework that has helped the empire endure where others have crumbled.

"The Tauxien Empire is like a great tree whose roots reach deep into the past, but whose branches strain beneath the weight of their own ambition." - Anonymous Yazai Priest

As the world shrinks and changes, the empire's ancient conviction of superiority may prove its undoing. The coming centuries hold portents that will shake not only the mortal realm but the heavens above and the shadow realms that encircle us all. Whether the Tauxien Empire can adapt to these changes or will be consumed by them remains to be seen, but its influence on the fate of Arkera is far from over.

In my centuries of observation, I have witnessed many empires proclaim their eternal nature, yet the Tauxien Empire possesses something different – a resilience that transcends mere political power. Perhaps it is this quality, more than any other, that will determine its survival in the dangerous age that looms before us.

[iwoll]

A Flamin' Hot Review of Flamin' Hot (2023)

Flamin' Hot tells the true story of Richard Montañez, a man whose journey from a California vineyard in 1966 to the corporate halls of Frito-Lay feels nothing short of legendary. This movie blends humor, heart, and history, creating a beautiful tale of perseverance, love, and cultural pride.

Right off the bat, the film draws you into Richard's life—a young, scrappy hustler selling burritos for 25 cents a pop and navigating the harsh realities of racism in 1960s California. His love for Judy, his partner through thick and thin, adds an emotional core to the story. Their relationship is not just romantic fluff; it is the backbone of Richard’s resilience. Judy helps him with his résumé (landing him a janitorial job where he faces workplace microaggressions), stands by him during his lowest moments, and proves that love is rooted in both partnership and mutual strength.

The movie does not shy away from the darker parts of Richard’s journey—his arrests, his time hustling drugs, and the systemic racism that kept doors shut at every turn. These moments are raw and honest, but they are balanced by his unyielding optimism and belief in himself, even when the world called him "just a janitor." In fact, Richard had this beautiful monologue at the end of the film that went something along the lines of “There is no such thing as ‘just a janitor’… we all write our own stories, our own destinies… you would be crazy to think I would let someone else write mine.” A brilliant reminder that strength comes in defying labels.

The humor shines through, especially in Richard's interactions with his coworkers. From his awkward janitor job interview to his friendship with Clarence, these moments show how Richard earned respect and built a network that eventually helped him pitch his idea to Roger Enrico. Watching him break the corporate hierarchy by bypassing managers and going straight to the top was incredibly satisfying. His actions never feel driven by greed; instead, they stem from a deep desire to uplift those who supported him when he had nothing. Richard disrupts a corporate landscape that had largely ignored the buying power and cultural significance of this demographic. This integrity makes his success all the more inspiring.

But what really got me was the cultural significance woven into the narrative. From Richard drawing inspiration from elote to his fight to prove Latinos were an untapped market, the film celebrates his heritage unapologetically. His grassroots guerilla marketing effort, which mobilized his community to bring the product to life, felt like a love letter to determination and collective strength.

By the end, seeing Richard promoted to Director of Multicultural Marketing was so heartwarming I got misty-eyed. His journey proves that no role is "just" anything and that everyone can rewrite their story. The redemption arc with his father added a cherry on top, showing how far Richard had come not only in his career but as a father, husband, and son.

Rating: 8/10. Would I recommend it? Absolutely—just don’t forget the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos!

[siquijorbestof]

Siquijor, Philippines: The Hidden Gem of the Visayas

Nestled in the heart of the Visayan region, Siquijor Philippines is a small island known for its stunning beaches, rich culture, and mystical charm. Often overlooked by tourists in favor of its more famous neighbors, Siquijor is the perfect destination for those seeking a peaceful escape filled with natural beauty and local folklore. Whether you’re a beach lover, adventure seeker, or cultural enthusiast, Siquijor offers something truly unique for every traveler.

The Magic of Siquijor: A Land Steeped in Mysticism

Siquijor isn’t just a place of natural beauty; it is a land deeply woven into Filipino mysticism and folklore. The island has long been associated with witches, healers, and magical traditions. Locals speak of potions, charms, and rituals that are said to cure ailments and protect against evil spirits.

While these legends may intrigue some, it’s important to note that the island’s charm lies in its authenticity. The island’s spiritual essence can be felt in the peacefulness of its rural life and in the warmth of its people. Many visitors are drawn not only to Siquijor’s beauty but to the sense of mystery that surrounds it.

Beaches and Waterfalls: The Natural Wonders of Siquijor

If you’re a beach lover, Siquijor Philippines is the ideal destination. The island is blessed with pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and incredible dive spots. Salagdoong Beach is one of the most famous, with its turquoise waters and cliff-jumping opportunities. It’s a perfect spot for those seeking a thrilling yet relaxing beach day.

For those who prefer a more tranquil beach experience, the shores of San Juan and Paliton Beach offer serene sunsets and unspoiled beauty. Beyond the beaches, Siquijor is also home to stunning waterfalls like Cambugahay Falls. This multi-tiered waterfall is a hidden gem, where visitors can swim in natural pools and zipline over the lush jungle landscape.

Cultural Wonders: A Journey Through Siquijor’s History

Beyond its natural beauty, Siquijor Philippines is rich in history and culture. The island’s colonial past is still evident in its architecture, including the iconic St. Francis of Assisi Church. Located in the heart of Siquijor town, this church dates back to the 18th century and is a perfect example of the Spanish influence on the island.

Another significant cultural experience is the Balete Tree, one of the oldest trees in the Philippines, which locals believe is home to spirits. The nearby Fish Spa, where visitors can dip their feet into a pool full of small fish that nibble at dead skin, adds to the mystique of the location. These experiences offer a glimpse into Siquijor’s long-standing traditions and rich cultural heritage.

Exploring Siquijor: Activities and Adventure for Every Traveler

Adventure seekers will find no shortage of activities on the island. Aside from swimming and relaxing at the beaches, Siquijor offers plenty of hiking opportunities. The Mt. Bandilaan National Park is the highest point on the island and provides breathtaking panoramic views of Siquijor and neighboring islands.

For those interested in water sports, Siquijor is an excellent location for snorkeling and scuba diving. The island's underwater ecosystems are teeming with colorful coral reefs, vibrant fish, and even sea turtles. Paliton Beach, for example, is a popular diving spot known for its rich marine life and clear waters.

How to Get to Siquijor: A Traveler’s Guide

Getting to Siquijor Philippines is relatively simple, despite its somewhat remote location. Visitors can fly into Dumaguete, the nearest major city, and take a ferry to Siquijor. The ferry ride is an experience in itself, offering scenic views of the sea and nearby islands.

Once on the island, getting around is easy thanks to a network of motorbikes, tricycles, and rental cars. It’s best to rent a motorbike if you want to explore the island at your own pace. The locals are friendly and will often offer helpful tips on the best places to visit.

Final Thoughts: Siquijor, A Paradise Waiting to Be Discovered

Siquijor Philippines is a place where nature, culture, and mysticism come together in perfect harmony. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or a deeper connection with local traditions, Siquijor offers an experience like no other. It’s a place that’s both enchanting and peaceful, making it the perfect destination for anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

[dailyanarchistposts]

Anarchist utopias are alive and well, not only in Chiapas or Rojava but also in the heart of capitalist Europe. In Germany, police repression and gentrification have dealt a decisive blow to traditional anarchist strongholds like Berlin, with numerous free spaces closed down since the pandemic started.

But a new form of protest is blossoming. Eco-anarchists are building momentum all over Germany. The black and green flag is stronger than ever and enjoys surprisingly widespread sympathy among the public.

The Dannenröder Forest, nicknamed “Danni,” fifty miles from Frankfurt, is suffering. A highway is being built, cutting through the forest like an open wound. It is a battlefield, a witness to environmental destruction and to resistance. Hundreds of activists occupied the route of the planned A49 highway from October 2019 to December 2020.

They were inspired by protests in the Hambacher Forst, known as “Hambi,” Germany’s most mediatized land occupation with a clear and organic growth from one protest to the other. Out of protesters’ imagination sprang a hundred tree houses, numerous massive wooden tripods and a dense constellation of zip lines, creating a unique ecosystem of resistance.

Organized in neighborhoods, life there was utopic. All decisions were made in a decentralized, unanimous manner, leaving space for activists to live without constraints or hierarchies. Anarcho-feminist, antiracist, and anti-capitalist slogans celebrating life in the forest echoed around the campfires.

But repression was on the way. Last December, nearly 3,000 police with water cannons, led by special commandos, invaded the forest. After destroying all barricades and tree houses, they cleared the way for the deforestation.

Cutting through the dense forest, the future road is heavily protected by barbed wire and massive police patrols. Yet the eco-anarchist resistance has not demobilized. Hundreds of activists reunited in April 2021 for a climate camp to reinvent the protest. They now legally occupy village structures and intend to build a resilient movement based on decentralized direct action.

Forest occupations (Waldbesetzungen) have seven lives. Somehow, being expelled by the police strengthens them. Activists disperse around the country, share their experiences and know-how and create new areas of protest.

An organic network of resistance is being woven across Germany, and sometimes the threads of individual action intersect and create nodes. Climate camps are exactly that—nodes that connect all the struggles.

The first of them began in Augsburg, a conservative Bavarian city. Dozens of climate activists from the Fridays for Future (FFF) group decided that weekly demonstrations were not enough. Last summer, they occupied the city’s central square. They built a wooden utopia in the middle of the shopping district, an eco-anarchist equivalent to Occupy Wall Street.

Like in Danni, they live without authority, cook with dumpstered food and are supported by a network of caring inhabitants. From FFF to eco-anarchy, they were radicalized by the tales of activists traveling from the Danni and Hambi. They, in turn, fostered eco-anarchist resistance in southern Germany.

The intentional family of Waldbesetzungen and climate camps is steadily growing. Central squares are being occupied in six other German cities, as are a dozen forests and meadows.

The Altdorfer Waldbesetzung, called Alti, is the newest. Since January 2021, the woods, close to the tourist city of Ravensburg, echo with the sound of hammers, music, and campfire tales. Protesting the expansion of mining gravel destined for export to Austria, ten to thirty activists live together, building dozens of tree houses in various neighborhoods, following the model of the other forest occupations.

The young anarchist utopia is strongly supported by the local inhabitants, who cook two meals a day for the activists, donate construction material, and flock to visit the occupation on weekends. Since deforestation season starts in October, the Alti has some more months to prepare for the pending police assault. In the meantime, banner actions, demonstrations and pranks against conservative politicians are carried out daily.

The eco-anarchist utopia is alive and well. It is growing steadily as an alternative to the Green Party, which is becoming Germany’s new mainstream, and may even lead the government after the next election.

Feminist, antiracist and anti-capitalist struggles are coming together in the woods, because all forms of oppression are interlinked. Black is the new green.

In times of greenwashing, green capitalism, and eco-fascism, the eco-anarchist Waldbesetzungen and climate camps offer a combative and beautiful spark of hope.

Philippe Pernot is a German-based photojournalist whose work focuses on anarchy, ecological resistance, and the interconnectedness between feminist, anti-capitalist and anti-racist struggles. After studying in France, he worked in Lebanon for one year, reporting about the Palestinian situation and those abandoned by the Lebanese state.

He co-published a report on a LNG-pipeline project in Quebec and a zine about a mall being built in his native village in southern France.