#Toad and Frog ask too many questions

[markscherz]

This might be a weird question but I can't think of a better person to ask! My nibling recently came out as non-binary and wants to change their name, but they're struggling to find something they are happy with.

They were given a feminine name at birth and are currently using a masculine name, but aren't happy with either of them. Every human name that's suggested to them is either too masc, too femme, or has poor associations. However, they love frogs, so I wondered if that might be a solution.

I've tried to find frog names that might work as a human name, but so far I'm not having much luck. It's not allowed to start with R or J, and apparently it's not allowed to have an X in it because nibling thinks they're "not cool enough" to carry that off (I've tried explaining that they're wrong, but 16 year olds are very sensitive).

If this isn't too weird a question, can you think of any frog or toad names that might be manageable as human names? We live in the UK for reference

So many thanks for even reading this giant info dump 💕

Wow this is only the second time I have gotten to help find a name for a human. What an honour.

Okay firstly, sounds 100% like your nibling is cool enough to use an X (despite my current negative emotions associated with the letter due to the Elongated Muskrat), and there are some *amazing* names out there with X's in, so they should at least consider them. Scinax and Ixalus for instance are great. Ixalus has a fun history: originally it was coined as a replacement name for Orchestes, which wasn't available because there was already a beetle genus called Orchestes. But then it turned out that Ixalus was *also* not available, because the world's most beautiful antelope, the bongo, was already called Ixalus. Only, the bongo had already been called Tragelaphus. So now Ixalus isn't the name used for *any* animal. Ixalus is Greek, meaning 'bounding, springing, spry'. Also there are numerous other frog genera that use the ending -ixalus, such as Heterixalus, Micrixalus, etc.

But, taking the lack of X seriously, here are some other alternatives. I will avoid names that are derived from other people's names, and focus on names that have a neutral ring to my ear, and are also euphonious (nice to say or hear) and fewer than four syllables. I am also only considering genus names, because there are too many species names to choose from:

Acris — meaning sharp, sour, bitter, pungent, sharp, keen, acute, energetic, eager, etc. Technically this is the feminine version of the adjective; the neuter version is Acre, but I do not think anyone would read 'Acris' and immediately think either gender. It is supposed to be pronounced with a long a, as in 'hard', but a lot of people pronounce it with a hard a as in 'ace'. This name is most familiar to Americans, because Acris are cricket frogs, widespread in the US.

[Acris crepitans, src]

Mantis — of course, the genus Mantis was coined by Linnaeus in 1758, and so it is unambiguous that this is not a frog name. However, it is very often used as part of frog taxonomic names, such as Chiromantis, Boehmantis, Guibemantis, Gephyromantis, Phlyctimantis etc. Mantis is Greek (μάντης), and means oracle, prophet, soothsayer, seer, clairvoyant, or fortune teller. The name has the feminine gender in its language of origin, but that has no bearing on its use, which, barring the character in the Marvel movies, does not seem particularly gendered to me.

[Pristimantis cruentus, src]

Dasypops — simply a delightful name, but probably not neutral enough. I have not been able to figure out what the etymology is; it might be a play on Dasypus, the Greek word meaning 'rough-footed', which is a genus of armadillos. The frog is also spectacular, but there are no photos I can legally share on tumblr.

Kaloula — a euphonic name with an unclear meaning. Very round frogs. I love them.

[Kaloula pulchra, src]

Adelotus — means 'unseen'. These are 'tusked frogs'. Males have crazy extensions of lower jaw bones, and they fight with them.

[Adelotus brevis, src]

Taruga — a Sanskrit name meaning 'tree climber'. I fucking love this name, and the frogs are just *chef's kiss* POINTY, and have really committed to bold colours.

[Taruga eques, src]

EDIT: I have been informed that taruga means ‘blockhead’ or ‘numb skull’ in Spanish, so it might not be the best choice. Sorry!

If the nibling would like to check out a list of genera themselves, there is a tolerably complete list here.

I hope this helps!

[xjulixred45x]

Can i request the hexsquad with a reader like stolas from helluva boss?without all his creepy attitudes obviosly,a young noble that goes to hexside with an terrible parent and a very young fiance that is scared of,just some comfort to the reader with real friends(i cant imagine what would happen if stolas reader comes out as teenage parent💀but sure a loving one if u ask me)

Howdy! My límit is 4 characters, so i'm gonna pick up the ones i find more acurrante for this situation. Thanks for the Request ❤️(You didn't specify so i go for a Platonic one)

Hunter/Willow/ Amity x Stolas! Reader

Genre: headcanons

Reader: male

Warnings: Bad parents, Bad parenting, High espectetions, low self esteem, arranged marriege, i didn't use the case of the baby bc the guys have like 14 so no☠️, Reader has a Bad relationship with his "fiancee", Fluff.

Hunter Noceda

Hunter probably knew Stolas! reader when he joined the Hexquad or through Willow, because I don't see it as very likely that he had friends in the emperor's coven (I'll do a drabble about that one day).

to try new things (and be away from his fiancée) Stolas! reader decided to join the Flyer Derby team, which was a surprise in itself because he seemed like someone...very...weak, at least in Hunter's eyes.

but the demon quickly became almost the opposite, summoning monstrous specters with his haunted items and his book (grimoire?) and honestly left him in disrepair.

although Stolas!lector was definitely "weak" in other ways, mostly because he was so SOFT.

He had great destructive potential, yes, but when I got to talk to him, he was so damn nice that it was suspicious (to him).

At first Hunter pretended to be angry at the constant reader talk, but little by little he lets down his walls and joins in a little in their talks, especially if they have to do with magic.

Hunter has a LOT of questions about how Oracle magic works ESPECIALLY from Stolas' family! Reader, how do you see the future with such precision? How do you control so many monsters at the same time? they might even compare research notes :D

When Hunter comes into trust with the reader, it is quite easy for him to see through him and how things affect him. like the thing with his fiancée for example.

Now, Hunter, unlike the following cases, firmly believes that THE FIANCE is the problem of everything and is willing to go for blood (he's like, how dare you make my friend cry?)

Hunter PERSONALLY doesn't think it's appropriate for Stolas! Reader and his fiancée try to be friends, make things happen? Sure, but being friends after all the bad times they've been through? titan no...

As for the terrible father thing...he can relate...A LOT.

Similar to what he did with Gus, he would share his experience with the reader and try to make him feel better.

but MOST OF ALL he goes into big brother mode when the reader is around his father (Hunter would have an inhuman amount of BEEF on the man)

Hunter knows what it's like to be manipulated by the person who's SUPPOSED to take care of you and someone you ADMIRE on top of it, so if necessary he gives the reader a reality shock when they need it.

Does being like Stolas include being fluffy and like an Owl? If so, there is no WAY Hunter doesn't end up sleeping (whether on purpose or accidentally) on the reader's soft fur (he gets very embarrassed later)

I imagine Stolas! reader tends to be very VERY dense and Hunter would definitely make some harmless jokes about it (like when someone is BLATANTLY flirting with him and he's just like "do you know what the differences are between frogs and toads? :D")

Reader's gardening hobby definitely helps him serve as a matchmaker between Hunter and Willow, whether leaving them alone on purpose or leaving a nice atmosphere ;)

Despite this, Hunter definitely thinks that reader plants are a bit too nippy for his good 😅

Hunter doesn't understand much about Astronomy or how it relates to the Oracle, but he will happily listen to the reader talking about it and tries to listen and understand as best he can. instead the reader hears about his fixation on Lobos :D

When Hunter and Willow are together, Stolas! The reader becomes his third wheel, or rather, his "practice son" is quite funny.

In general you could say that Hunter is slightly more protective of Stolas! reader for his naivety and gullibility, but he does not believe that he is any less capable for that.

He is still a great friend to him :3

Willow Park

Willow knew a little about Stolas reader, precisely because of how relevant his family was and that apparently the boy would be in her same year.

low key, Willow was nervous about this news at first, she was afraid of running into Stolas! reader for fear that he would become a Bully on her similar to Amity and her group in the first season.

but one day she ended up drinking with Stolas! reader as he ran to class, both dropping several things.

To Willow's surprise, Reader was really friendly and apologized A LOT for bumping into her, helping her pick up the books while talking about how he was new and got lost easily and how his locker tried to eat his hand.

In addition, he was completely amazed when he saw the copies of Erbology books that Willow had for her plant class, and he began to ask her MANY questions.

What were the types of plants like? Do they have carnivorous plants? Can you see them? Can you feed them? Do they have species from all the islands? and the list goes on..

Willow was so stunned by all the questions and the fact that who she thought would be her worst nightmare turned out to be a super innocent kid that she almost forgot she had class.

After that, Stolas reader would spend his time looking for Willow to talk about plants, to his joy and Willow's dismay, who on the one hand couldn't say that he disliked reader, on the contrary, he was very sweet and friendly, but he feared this. It would end in him being swallowed.

But when he met his "fiancee" with certain frustration problems...

At first Willow tries to help Stolas reader hide, but eventually tries to get them on good terms at least.

If it works, great!

If it doesn't work and you still hate each other, well, you can try that plant that reader has been studying so much--

reader is very supportive of Willow with her grubgy Flyer career! He is going to encourage her with his carnivorous plants with signs to encourage her🤣

Willow helps with Stolas Reader Gardening Hobbies!, whether it's reminding him when to water the plants, helping him get rid of the weed that bites him, or even growing plants he wants when he's feeling especially down.

Stolas reader has even tried to use his Oracle magic to make Willow get better grades, sometimes it works and other times they spoil half their lives, at least they know they will be friends in 20 years!

Willow is very emotionally supportive of EVERYONE, this does not exclude Stolas! reader, not only with his complicated fiancée, but also with the fact that his father is a TERRIBLE role model and treats him TERRIBLE.

Willow has tried to suggest that the reader take two classes, both Oracle and Plants, but the reader is TOO afraid of her father to tell her that she doesn't want to study what he says, which leaves Willow quite sad.

One thing's for sure, there are sleepovers at the Park house! and definitely try to include the reader in plans with friends as much as possible.

just like Willow is a safe place for Reader, Reader is a safe place for Willow, they are each other's shoulders to cry on, in a way.

Reader is definitely the ultimate shipper Hunlow (although he threatened Hunter that if he did anything to Willow he would put a curse on her, tear her to pieces and feed it to his plants. Hunter understood).

Both can be terrifying when angry or using all their power, although they are usually rays of sunshine.

In short, two rays of sunshine that help each other to relate to the group (don't mess with them, they are much more dangerous than they look)💚

Amity Blight

ohhhhh boy, she understands ☠️

She probably know Stolas! reader thanks to his parents being friends and/or business colleagues, similar to Boscha's parents.

Odalia insisted that Amity try to be her friend so that she could improve her relationship with her family (a very important one among the covens, especially the Oracle's).

So Amity took note and prepared herself for a capricious and pedantic prince, similar to Boscha.

Imagine his surprise when Stolas! reader ended up being the complete opposite, someone very reserved, shy and wanting to make REAL friends.

If we talk about Amity from the first season, at first she had difficulty accepting Lector, precisely because of his reputation, but they found that they had several things in common.

books for example.

Amity ended up running into Reader several times in the library while working, mainly in the reptile and botany areas, which seemed strange since he was in Oracle classes.

They would end up having conversations about frogs and what they were like outside of the boiling islands, it turns out that the reader's family could use Oracle magic even in the human world, but he loves to see the "rare" specimens they had, like the opossums or giraffes.

Being the least mean to him, Reader spent his time stuck next to Amity, and she eventually warmed up to him and she would keep him company, even open up to him.

He definitely knows about her arranged marriage, and he didn't like how it scared him, he can bet that on a couple of occasions Amity threw her away with her abobinable.

(although I think it is not impossible for him to accept her as a friend of himself and the reader if he shows he really wants to change or at least try not to take out his frustration on the reader)

defends him when someone tries to take away from his abilities as a member of the Oracle, he's like "do you think you know more than HIM??" and it definitely gets into hands sometimes😅

Amity HATES the reader's father, she considers him to be even worse than ODALIA. What kind of father commits his 14-year-old son?? (she hopes he finds out that they have been engaged since they were 11😬) and can't stand the way he talks about his son . If I could, I would send you the Alador abobinables.

✨bonding through shitty parents ✨

She highly encourages reading hobbies, especially plants and reading, you can even read to the kids together!

she defends Stolas a lot! reader from her family when she has to see them, especially from her father, if she and the reader's fiancée get along at this point, they will most likely make an alliance to protect Reader.

Amity even tells him about Azura's books that she reads! and compare notes and drawings they make of the characters

Listen to any babbling or rant that the reader has to give, whether it be frogs, plants or prophecies he saw on his own in the stars, astronomy, etc. Even if she doesn't understand shit, she just nods and won't let anyone take away that beautiful moment from the reader.

Imagine Amity introducing Luz to the reader! she would be SO happy to see that they would both get along because they are "nerdy" in different ways, but that they complement each other well.

I think Amity is definitely rooting for Stolas! reader to confess directly if he has a crush, after all, he is cute, comes from a good family and has a big heart, who wouldn't want to be with him? It even helps you make a note!

She wants the reader to find REAL love and not be forced to have a partner for something like status.

She supports the reader all the way when she decides to reveal herself to her family, she knows how scary it is, so she even offers him not only a shoulder to cry on, but also to stay with her for a while.

She tells him how brave he was and how happy she is for him.

Overall, rich, misunderstood best friends who stick together 💜

Shares, reblogs and comments are very welcome!

Thanks for the Request ❤️

[newtsfrogstoads]

your username compels me to ask: favorite species each of frog, newt, and toad? any non-frog/newt/toad amphibians you particularly like?

my favorite frog is the golden mantella but honestly all the tiny brightly colored poisonous ones are delightful

These are such hard questions for me. There's so many species that deserve their own essays. I think I'll break this ask into several posts and answer each question over time because I could ramble about amphibians forever.

Let's start with frogs. My favorite frog would have to be Diane's bare-hearted glass frog AKA the Kermit frog:

I really really adore glass frogs. They're small, cute, and are fucking rad scientifically speaking. There's very few translucent land creatures because, unlike in the deep blue where light reflects very differently than in the air, it's hard to hide yourself and your innards (especially those bright red blood cells). But these little frogs with their semi-see-through tummies and limbs disappear to predators by making themselves look transparent:

These frogs are nocturnal too, so you would think they'd be more visible when they're asleep during the day when the light is brighter. Nope. They become more translucent by MOVING NEARLY 90% OF THEIR RED BLOOD CELLS INTO THEIR LIVER:

Glass frogs are so good at hiding that even their blood can hide. This if insane because it doesn't even cause blood clots. Scientists are trying to figure out how these frogs do it to see if they could solve clotting issues in humans with this same mechanism.

Of course, Diane's bare-hearted glass frog became my favorite of the glass frogs due to its resemblance to my childhood icon:

This unique frog species was discovered in Talamanca Mountains of Costa Rica around April 2015 by researchers Brian Kubicki, Stanley Salazar, and Robert Puschendorf from the Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center. It was named after Kubicki's mom :)

It's discovery also caused such a huge stir on the internet that even Disney published a QA with Kermit talking about it. I think they scrubbed the video, but I did find some quotes from articles that I think are gold:

"The reason this new frog looks so much like me is that her mother and my mother are sisters. It’s a family resemblance.”

“Yes, we’re cousins. In fact, I’m related to every single frog in the world, and I’m close to most toads, too."

"Googly eyes run in our family."

"Shorten your name if you want to make it in show business. Maybe something catchy like Diane Glass or Kermina Kardashian."

"Being green is easy compared to being transparent. I thought that I blended in with so many other ordinary things. And that people tended to pass me over 'cause I wasn't standing out like flashy sparkles in the water or stars in the sky. But when you're transparent, folks really look right through you. It's almost like you're invisible… which might come in handy around Miss Piggy... I take it back. I want to be transparent."

[artigas]

okay so, it's been like two days but i am still thinking about the other night, when my partner and i got into a very heated showdown. and here's the thing, we don't argue. we live a very frog and toad existence. but i've been lucky enough to read and help as a beta for @saathi1013's just unreal, absolutely stunning upcoming MM fic and so my partner and i got to talking, as couples naturally do, about wether or not priests should be allowed to fuck.

"and here's the thing", i told them. "i think catholic priests would be a lot less demented if they were allowed to fuck. not totally! not totally! they're still bastards. but i think it would help."

"are you insane?", my partner asked. "you cannot tell me that you're getting messages from a fictional man in the sky if you're busting a nut before mass"

"you're making it sound like sex and spirituality can't go together! what is this, the crucible? god wants us to fuck! what did he tell adam? he said "it is not good for man to be alone" and then he created eve and then he said "go forth and suck and fuck!' that's literally in the bible!!"

and then my dastardly, kicked-out-of-CDC-for-asking-too-many-questions partner did the most catholic (derogatory) thing possible. they said: "yeah, well, you think a man who wears jeans to church and plays electric guitar for jesus can be a pastor!"

and okay. okay. i had to hand it to them. that is very true, the path out of protestant hell (evangelicalism) is paved in fatal doses of cringe. but, you know what, i don't really care either way. it doesn't matter. it was just a silly, fun little conversation.

so, anyways, i'm going to nail 95 complaints to our front door for my beloved to see when they come home.

[c00kietin]

FOR YOUR ASK GAME!! 1, 2, 12, 16(list them if you need to), 17, 20, 18 *Disappears gaster style*

ASDFGHSDFG TYYY!!!

1 - Fandoms I am currently obsessed with: Utdr and Utmv (kinda obvious by my blog lol) Cookie Run, Spy x Family and kinda Monkie KId!!

2 - How many fandoms I'm in: Uuuh- *counts with fingers* I thiiink...around 15?

12 - Have I ever cosplayed: Well, kiiiinda- for one year in primary (I think it's called elementary in America?) school, I dressed up as Monster from FNF, which looks like this:

I'm pretty sure I still have the mask 😀

16 - Any characters that I think that I simp for/find hot:

OH LORD THE EMBARASSING QUESTION Mind you I'm not too popular of a blog so it isn't as bad :'D

Just to list a few (that I think are pretty/good-looking):

Mitsuri Kanroji

Senjuro Rengoku

Queen (Deltarune)

Reagan Ridley

Tbh most of the characters from Monster Prom looking really pretty lmao

Jessie and James (Pokémon)

Mr. Compress (mha)

Aaand I'm too nervous to say more ;v;

17 - What do you think about shipping: I'm cool with it, I tend to ship more canon stuff (with some exceptions) but as long as it's not problematic or weird/gross I'm cool with it :D

18 - I ship a few people, but my faves have to be Lumity, Huntlow, Raeda (these 3 from TOH), MetaKaard (the fanart has swayed me lol), Noelle x Susie, and Stripes on Stripes from Centaurworld. I ship a few more stuff, but those are the main ones :D

20 - Hot takes: Okay, this is to do with Amphibia- nothing against the main 3 (Anne, Sasha and Marcy) but I think the other characters of the show deserve some love and attention. I mean, when I search up fanart of Amphibia on Pinterest, the majority of it is the main three. MORE FROGS, TOADS N NEWTS!! >:DD

[residents-of-the-darkforest]

How do all the Med Cats get along? Aside from uh, well I doubt Runningbird is too excited to talk to any of them.

This ask has been sitting in my inbox for over

a

YEAR

I remember that it was sent while I was doing those "ask a character and have them respond in drawing form" because that's what I was gonna do with this ask, and that's why it was taking so damn long to answer

but I'm in my second year of university now, so chances are I'm not gonna have the chance to draw the answer as I've been hoping to do since *checks notes* MAY OF 2022.

So let's just answer it now, shall we?

(I SUSPECT that the person who sent this is someone still following the blog 00 so hopefully they can see their question go answered at last!)

The Medicine cat Community in The Place of No Stars

Many would at first think that no one helped anyone but themself in the Dark Forest, and they're partly right.

Why do medicine cats get together?

Well, that could be for many reasons. They genuinely enjoy the company, they're with someone they can relate to, they enjoyed healing in life and still do, they want to be special, or maybe they just like to help with herbs so that they can stave off their own boredom.

Individually, it's the same as in life--everyone with proper med cat training knows everything that a medicine cat should know.

In groups, particularly in the med cat community, tasks are more divided by skill.

Fleathistle, for example, is a wonderful healer, but even more than that he's great at growing plants. He's responsible for at least 80% of the herbs that grew and can be useful in the Dark Forest. He, with the help of his mate and close friends, created the 'Dark Garden,' where a field-full of different herbs and medicines grow, many of which unheard of in life, as Fleathistle experimented with them, creating some herbs from scratch.

Now, Fleathistle is still a medicine cat. If you need healing, you can go to him as much as you can go to anyone. But if you need particular herbs, it's better to go to him above anyone else. (This is in a similar sense of 'all toads are frogs, but not all frogs are toads' if that makes sense?)

++

Myrtlewing is another case of 'the best one to go to in a certain situation.'

True, Myrtlewing would also be the scariest one to go to, as in life he experimented with his patients, putting their lives and health at grave risk for his own curiosity and entertainment, but it's due to these experiments and others he performed on cats that makes him so useful.

Myrtlewing would tear cats open and apart and test out how to keep them alive for as long as he wished in spite of their horrible injuries. Because of this, if a cat were to receive a horrible injury, he's the best healer to go to because of his knowledge of how to keep the cat alive.

In simpler terms, he's the "surgeon" of the group, the only one able to heal a cat's torn up insides--though he's nowhere near as talented as human surgeons.

He's the one to go to if someone is in grave trouble and / or if someone has a particularly horrible injury.

++

Shiverrose's talents as a healer lies most notably in how she cures sickness.

Like all medicine cats, she's great at healing wounds, but illness is where her skills really show.

She has great memory and fantastic critical thinking skills, which allows her to come to a diagnostic conclusion much quicker than other medicine cats.

She only needs to hear a list of your symptoms to figure out in a matter of seconds what is wrong with you and what may be best to heal you with (she may also go to Fleathistle for the second part, as he knows more about the Dark herbs than anyone else).

She would probably be just as good with wounds if such injuries were troubling to figure out too. It's tricky to figure out why someone may have a dry throat and bellyache, it's rather easy to see why their leg was broken.

----

There are also those who were medicine cats in life but no longer wish to heal, and therefore do not count as part of this Medicine Cat Club.

Sageleaf, for example, would very much like for everyone to leave her alone forever, thank you.

=========

@ambitiousauthor @frightnightindustries @starfalcon555 @wills-woodland-warriors @umbranoxs @elementaldeityoffood @liberhoe

[xknivesandpensx]

First Impressions

Summary: Just a little something I wrote of what could have been Hermione and Draco’s first meeting on the train. It’s not very long but I hope anyone interested in reading it enjoys this one-shot. It’s my first prequel out of three to the actual story I’ll be writing, which I will get to eventually.

Hermione transferred from one compartment to the next, her small body unaffected by the continuous movement of the train. No matter how many of her new fellow students she asked, none in question saw a little toad jumping down the corridor. She thought maybe Trevor found his way into a hiding spot or perhaps he remained on the move.

She came across an open door (having just witnessed two boys exit) to find a single child sitting in place. He had white blond hair, sleeked back providing a full view of his pale face, so very different from her bushy brown waves which fell past her shoulders and bangs cut to meet her brows.

Being an eleven-year-old girl, she didn’t think too much about boys or crushes for that matter. How could she when at this very moment they were on their way to Hogwarts? Yet at first glance she felt a slight flutter in her chest and an unusual desire to simply keep her gaze on the profile of his face.

Then he abruptly turned as if finally noticing her there and she caught sight of his eyes. The pair piercing blue in color, holding a light gray pigment to them.

“What are you starring at?” His tone came out a bit harsh, yet it didn’t completely shatter her overall insight to her own feelings.

Instead, her cheeks flushed a shade of pink.

“I was wondering if you’ve seen a toad? Someone I’m sitting with lost him,” Hermione replied, remembering her original goal, which would, admittedly, be easier to maintain if she didn’t feel so warm all the sudden.

“No. Who’d be stupid enough to lose their frog?” Draco shook his head. He began to wonder where Crabbe and Goyle wandered off to. However, he did take note of her rather bossy manner of voice.

“Toad,” she corrected, inclining of her head. “What are those?” Her sight fixated on a small box he held in his hands, his fingers resting below the name.

Hermione felt a swell of excitement. “Oh wait, I’ve heard about them. They’re supposed to taste just like real fruit. Sounds a bit odd, but then again, I thought the same about Chocolate Frogs.”

“Bit strange you never had any before,” Draco said. He almost asked if her mom and dad were both Muggles, it would explain her curiosity. Yet, the words never made it out. She spoke too quickly.

“My parents don’t let me eat very much candy.” Hermione considered commenting on how they held the same occupation as dentists, only to think better of it. Not due to embarrassment, of course. She simply yearned to talk about magic. And maybe know more about him. “Why not eat the real thing rather than something similar?”

“The trolley's not going to sell actual apples,” he scoffed. For whatever reason, he resisted the urge to roll his eyes and extended his arm instead. “You can try a couple, if you want?”

Hermione silently took the invitation and sat next to him, not even hesitating on the account of the other side being so full of wrappers and various sweets.

Blue and green stripped material surrounded them, dipping with her added weight, making her more aware of how close they were to one another. He didn’t appear taken aback by her promptness to be near him, probably thinking nothing of it.

The smell hit her first, the aroma both sweet and slightly pungent. Upon that instant, Hermione’s eyes met Draco’s again. She found it possible to get lost in them, to think, perhaps for a moment, he thought the same given how his countenance changed a fraction.

But how foolish. Allowing a fleeting moment to define a permanent sense of equal attraction.

They were only children.

Did his tactful curtness mean nothing against the slight glimpse of his softer demeanor?

Hermione reached into the box and pulled out a few round shaped candies. Two yellow, a red and green. She placed them in her mouth, pleasantly surprised by their crisp flavor.

“It’s as if I’m biting into an actual apple,” she admitted in awe. Hermione wished she bought her own rather than those beans, which were interesting to say the least.

“Of course, it would.” It was a predictably sharp response. “My father gave me enough money to buy whatever I wanted.” He paused for a second as if mulling something over in his mind. “You can have the rest if you like them all that much.”

“Well, they are really good.” She accepted them a bit reluctantly prior to standing and drawing away from him. The back of her heel hit the frame of the door once on her feet. If she ever believed herself to be subtle or graceful, neither remained now.

Hermione cleared her throat. “I should probably keep looking.” Gaining a few steps of space, she managed a proper breath, feeling quite more herself. “Oh, and we’re nearly there so you might want to fix your tie. It’s a tad crooked. I most certainly wouldn’t think well of myself if I walked into school without taking notice. First impressions matter a great deal, you know?”

“As if I need to worry.” He was a Malfoy, after all. Still, he took a moment to adjust the strip of fabric, tugging it in place.

The following smile he gave was slight, a thin upturn of his lips, however present.

Hermione took note of it, her emotions in quite a whirlwind. But honestly, she wouldn’t wish to quell them if possible.

She disappeared from view, happy for the half box of candy and meeting of the blond-haired boy. Remembering as she walked away…

She forgot to ask his name.

[hey-its-cweepy]

Yo Haven’t done one of These in a long time so

What would you Characters think of Hiroyuki and Joren

TWO CHARACTERS-

Oh man- extra long post today huh-

I'll separate them by colors!

Hiroyuki Jira

•Cweepy might be a bit nervous at first, but otherwise not that bad! Might be a teeny tiny bit grossed out by the mucus since its not her own from her squid form

•Cho-Hee doesn't mind the mucus at all and wouldnt really think much of it, but questions the spider grudge

•Dallas is a NO because he thinks he's gross😔✌️

•You will catch Salvatore and Vincenzo doing the confused head tilt thing seeing their shoes-

•Out of coincidence, you're the same height as Momo! Meaning that, even tho she's still a bit nervous, she'll likely stick around! Also I just imagine-

Hiroyuki: Im so sorry about that, I can clean it o-

Momo, using the petals of her flower tongue to scrape it off:

•Dell is very curious about him! Especially about how he became an Ogama and what its like-

•Faust is choosing death by accidently zapping him if he comes too close (more likely to happen if he's wet

•HEXTIAN IS A BIG NO NO, he's not bad! He just cant touch water ever

•Benibara is a no because she's literally the worst

•Kenzo is a no because he's the type that asks too many questions, man doesnt even know what a toad is

•VENUS IS A FROG BUT I CAN TOTALLY SEE THEM BEING FRIENDS

•Marinus is a GIANT no because he doesnt stop at just eating people💀 (he does try very hard to not reach that point tho! Also he'd probably think Mari tastes salty)

•Kumo: "Ew no"

•Aotome's more confused if anything, definitely performing various scans and perplexed if he uses slang- you just see the loading icons in her eyes if they goe "Baee<3"

•Banji probably thinks some of the bug items are a bit strange but not as bad as eating literal inedible items (cue Hextian eating glue-)

•Kamïk thinks its interesting that he doesnt remember his past life

•Clover's the type that goes "Eeeewwww!!!" At the mucus but isnt too mad about it

•Avery thinks its disgusting-

•Jolie is the type to collect the mucus on her clothes and make it someone else's problem

•Everyday Roan think's he's freaking dreaming and a human talking demon toad doesnt help (probably mistakenly calls him a frog sometimes)

•Pepper is a NO

•Wolfo's perplexed by the mucus issue if anything-

•Creek will be VERY mad if it gets on any dolls but otherwise pretty chill and even slightly teases him a bit

•Poppet does exaggerated gagging if you put the bug food items near him, he's just messing around though!

•Seine says your bug crimes are unforgivable

•I imagine if he did use his UM on Toma, he'd turn into a little toad plush

•Vysio's a bit nervous, but that's okay! She'll get used to them, especially if they meet Yuto first!

•He is going to learn real soon that sometimes Yuto needs to shut up💀

•Astoria probably doesnt even know what a toad is either let alone the difference between a toad and a frog

•Elbarnes is just gonna consistently clean him anytime they meet- mucus on his clothes? Cleaning this instant!... Sure, he does this with his mouth/spit, but at least it's more like cleaning product than human spit-

•Chepi probably facing the consequences of "Dont give him spicy food"😔✌️

•Amos is a NO, he's not one of those people that like toads/frogs/slimy animals in general and also probably thinks he's gross

•Enid is not as mean, but considers the mucus a bit strange

•Lorien questions how his skin makes the mucus in the first place, but otherwise is more baffled at some of the bug dishes-

•Jessica is a NO, probably pokes at the fact that his clothes are customized when it comes to his legs

•Oceana cannot tell the difference between a toad or a frog either, but it doesnt matter because she thinks they're both adorable! Although she'd be a bit concerned about the bug eating habits

•Indira would be interested to try the bug dishes herself, but a bit nervous to-

•Torimiya thinks hating things spitefully is kinda stupid, just enjoy yourself✨

•Asahise probably introduces them to Oceana! But just leave the sweaters and plushies away from the mucus or there's gonna be a problem

•Tokki's a bit lost on certain things, but otherwise doesnt really mind them

•Kuru would say he's gross but doesnt actually mean it

•If he doesnt remember, Yaku will find a way to find out- Will he be okay wih what he finds? Undecided-

•Jaiden would mistake the bug catching thing as something cute until someone explains "Literally do not tell him where Theodore is"

•Mindel is a little caught off guard by the slang terms but I can see Mindel just vibing with him while drinking his boiling hot coffee

•Frey questions if the mucus is toxic or not the first time, but would be very hesitant to try the bug dishes so they'll stick to gifting cream donuts

•Sylvester and Kendall are also a bit lost on the spider grudge but whatever, that's your deal✨

•Mao and Midge are going to punch them if they catch them eating bugs

•Cherokee thinks he's a bit strange in general as if he himself isnt a big dork lmao

•If he can turn into a small toad, I can see Shiloh gently holding him in his hands and being more open to talking but talking to a giant toad is also ok!

•Charlene is fairly certain she's probably seen em somewhere but doesn't know from where, if she has context though, she's probably the type to purposefully tell the wrong directions

•Deedee: "Fine! I don't like you either! You slimy, bumpy, hideous thing! Hmph!" Girlie didnt even start anything yet and they dont like her💀

•Janus and "Dolly" are a NO

•Birsha questions if she squeezes him, will mucus come pouring out?

•Lucinda probably thinks he's a tiny bit gross and apologizes

•Panko would cry if you ate specific bugs in front of her (and is DEFINITELY not ratting out Theodore, with or without context)

•Pattie is very confused by the slang terms and eating bugs habit, but otherwise doesnt mind him

•Canela is staying away because she doesnt wanna poison anybody

-----------------------------------------

Joren Tsuchigumo

•Oh boy with this context to the story, every single positive interaction you built with Cweepy is falling apart in seconds-

•Cho-Hee expresses his condolences for the loss of his family

•Dallas is TERRIFIED of bugs and spiders are no exception

•Salvatore and Vincenzo are probably going to jump Hiroyuki after this so maybe its best to not tell them-

•Congratulations! Momo is once again terrified of everyone-

•Dell also expresses condolences for the loss but it also makes them question a few things, overall, still very curious and interested about them!

•Faust might accidently zap him at some point if he doesnt tease him first💀

•Hextian is a BIG no-no! Maybe dont casually sit down and talk to the guy that is literally poisonous to almost everyone

•I think its clear Benibara, Janus, "Dolly", Canela and Pepper are a NO (The first 3 are pricks, Canela's just trying to keep students safe and Pepper's paranoid)

•Kenzo shrieks seeing he's a spider before chilling out

•Venus,,, is,,, a frog,,,,,, does that cound as part of his grudge? If so, Venus would be confused by it before being given context and completely understands

•MARINUS IS A NO-

•Kumo, Lucinda and Tokki are only a no bcs spiders make them a bit nervous

•Aotome is still interested in his anatomy but also very confused of their strange arguing (both of them)

•Banji isnt sharing no damn sweets with him but might poke fun at the extra weight

•Kamïk questions why he doesnt just kill Hiroyuki, I mean c'mon, there'd be no more arguing if he's dead, right?

•Clover SHRIEKS because spider

•Avery questions why not change schools

•Jolie questions how the hell Hiroyuki even got away with it💀

•Roan hates it here-

•Wolfo ABSOLUTELY will not stand for family murder, he may have shitty parents but he could never stand someone doing something to his siblings and to hear what he did to Joren? Man is seeing red.

•Creek will at least try to stop Wolfo with Poppet's support like "A-At least wait until after school hours!"

•Poppet would be mad too, but focuses on trying to not let his brother wreck the whole school looking for him💀

•Seine and Joren could probably be spider buddies!

•Why do I have the feeling he just sees Toma get hurt but Hiro feels it instead and gets an idea-

•Vysio is a bit nervous, especially by the serious attitude

•Yuto probably explains that Vysio's just nervous due to her giant size and probably risking hurting someone, but assures him its not his fault!

•Astoria is a no because crown (DONT PUT IT ON)

•Elbarnes needs him to pass the clean check anytime they meet- even if its just for a minute-

•Chepi is concerned the giant toad situation might happen again but isnt limited to a spider clan, she expresses her condolences for the loss though

•Amos would probably also think he's nasty at first

•Enid instinctively picks up a shoe before dropping it, apologizing and explaining she just got used to doing it-

•Lorien is OUT because he's afraid but would rather spend a day with Joren than Amos (absolutely terrified of cats)

•Jessica is OUT because she body shames

•Oceana and Asahise would cry if he explained hy he hates Hiroyuki

•Does Indira even count in the frog grudge? She isnt one but her tongue is similar-

•When Torimiya grasps the situation, she's very upset and concerned, also expresses her condolences

•Kuru thinks him being a spider is neat and "Much better than that slimy old toad... But dont think just cause I like you a little bit means I care!"

•Ah yes, Yaku found out the truth this way huh... He's both interested and upset in the story-

•Jaiden is very upset and expresses condolences for his losses, might even try to offer some comfort maybe even sweets

•Mindel asks if he specifically means Hiroyuki Jira because he almost couldnt believe it! Also expresses concern and condolences and limits contact with him

•Frey is absolutely horrified at the news and is very concerned and upset, well at least its new news to them since they had no context but shh

•Sylvester and Kendall at least finally understand the grudges now... But Syk suggests death to fix it and Kendall suggests just avoiding each other

•Mao and Midge are still throwing hands, but this time Mao's also throwing them at Hiroyuki and Midge just really likes bugs (NOT in a way to eat them)

•Cherokee's finally stringing the story together and asks how you get turned into an Ogama in the first place-

•Shiloh probably vented to him if he can shift into a spider and AGAIN thought fir it for the rest of his life

•Charlene is devastated and very sympathetic about the confession, she knows what its like to lose someone but to lose almost an entire family in a day just makes her heartbroken...

•Deedee: "... Out of all the people that fight me, you're the only one who's not that bad"

•Birsha questioning his butt/abdomen

•You'd think Panko is crying bcs he's a spider but you're WRONG, she feels like she's doing something terrible by spending time with Hiroyuki but tbh doesnt wanna upset either of em, very apologetic and upset

•Pattie tries to stay out of their discussions/arguments and whatever they're doing

[angrenwen]

One question often asked when talking about dwarves is… “what did they eat under their mountain?”

Well we know dwarves – especially in times of great riches – traded large quantities of food with men.  To quote Thorin Oakenshield: “we never bothered to grow or find food ourselves” (-p28 – The Hobbit).  To sustain a large population of dwarves however ocasional trade of food from the surface wouldn’t have been enough to prevent mass starvation underground.   Which brings us to the question, what is there too eat in dark places of the world ?

Firstly we need to get a bit of an idea of how many dwarves we are feeding.  At the end of the Third age dwarven numbers were on the decline, but judging by the dwarven armies, the fact that 1/3 is female and dwarves aren’t exactly rabbits when it comes to reproducing, numbers couldn’t have been much higher then 15.000 at any given time. Let’s take the Lonely Mountain in 2760 of the Third Age, some ten years before Smaug attacked… The Halls of the Lonely Mountain would have been bursting with dwarven life, likely up to 8.000 dwarves around this time.   So this amount of dwarves isn’t fed by the occasional food trade with the men, nor by the stray bat… it would take a food industry to keep them alive and thriving.

If we consider healthy dwarven males and women would eat about 1100 grams a day,  And we take into account a population of 8.000, we need just over 3 million kilo’s (6,6 million Lbs) of food per year.  If dwarves would rely on trade to feed their own then they would need about 13.000 wagons (230kg a piece) fully loaded with food each year, or about 35 a day.  So, I believe it is safe to say there is no way Dale and the surrounding region could have sustained the dwarves of the Lonely Mountain.

This creates a major challenge you might think… where do the dwarves find over 3 million kilo’s of food under a mountain ? Is it even possible ?

Yes, it is… let me tell you how.

First thing you need to know is that bats are the corner stone of the dwarven food-pyramid.  Bats are not just hunted on by chance, in order to sustain a dwarven population of several thousands, dwarven cities would have had several dozens of bat farms.  Bats aren’t just usefull for their meat, in fact they would have been mainly used for their sh… uhm.. their droppings (guano).  Yes you read it correctly, their droppings… which would have provided nutrition for a whole foodchain.  The guano is food to countless creatures, including flies, beetles, bugs, millipedes, springtails, cockroaches, worms, mites and moths. These animals are in turn fed upon by the cave crickets, centipedes, scorpions, whip scorpions and spiders. And these provide food for small mammals (rats, cavemice), cavecrabs, frogs, toads, salamanders, snakes and turtles.  The dwarves would have farmed many of these animals, sometimes growing them by the millions or billions, either as a direct food source or as food for the dozens of fish, frog and turtle farms found under the dwarven mountains.    Bats even provide milk, indeed… bat milk… not going into the details on how they were milked, but trust me, it is possible.

Now in most temperate caves – climates found in most of dwarven caves of Middle Earth – dwarves run into the problem that it is too cold to support the amount of fauna needed to support their population.  In order to sustain large amounts of life in caves, the micro climate inside the mountain needs to be warmer, verging on tropical.  This allows the bats to breed faster, providing more droppings, which in turn allows the insect population to boom – ensuring a steady food supply for the fish and bat farms under the mountain.

Even in the colder subarctic climates of the Grey Mountains dwarves managed to create different inner climates in their Halls that allowed to sustain the food sources of their population.  This is done mainly through creating lava chambers deep in the heart of the mountain and creating steam channels that lead to the various halls in the mountain.     Their adapted mountain microclimate would have also provided for quite a few natural salt caves, which isn’t only handy for seasoning or keeping food.  In case you believe living underground would be tremendously unhealthy… in our modern times people pay hundreds of dollars to spend a few hours in fake salt caves.

Also, their mirror systems allowed them to channel natural sunlight from openings in the mountain sides to every corner of the underground mountain, even allowing them to grow some vegetables (potatoes and carrots), northern grains and berries deep inside the mountain.

With all of the above in mind, the Lonely Mountain dwarves in our example would have been eating the following over the course of a year (some examples of dishes added there too – by the way these dishes actually exist – so for the squeemish… you’ve been warned)

* 1.190.000 kilo’s of batmeat (crispy fried batwings, batsoup)

* 1.120.000 kilo’s of fish and crab (boiled cavecrabs, cavefish cassarole)

* 146.000 liters of fishoil

* 890.000 kilo’s of bugs (crickets on a stick, cheesy beetle dip, millipede-paté)

* 657.000 kilo’s of snakemeat (snake hotpot)

* 340.000 kilo’s of spiders (fried spiders)

* 124.000 kilo’s of turtlemeat (turtle stew)

* 216.000 liters of batmilk – you would need to milk about 5800 bats for that each day – but still possible though

* 450.000 kilo’s of vegetables (rootpuree, cavepotato soup)

* 235.000 kilo’s of scorpionmeat (scorpion kebab)

* 389.000 loaves of bread

as you can see, no shortage of food in the mountain  

[virtuissimo]

Fox Curio's Floating Bookshop: Ch. 12

Previously on:

Roost is a-buzz with gossip about the events from the Tent of Living Stories. Rabbit bookseller Espuma is forced to endure a bad sales pitch (lol). Nikki came in and revealed her intentions to leave Roost for good and move somewhere in the middle course. Mr. Down explained Roost's lack of academic excellence. Espuma spent all their hard-earned money at Roost's shops. Basically, a lot of small things.

DAY TWO OF BUSK: Hearing from old friends

Weather: J, K (Hail all day)

The day came up dreary, odd for so late in Bloom. The days are getting longer and warmer, so a little cloud cover once in a while isn't too bad. The white sky and hail do mean, however, that the customer base was rather thin.

I took advantage of the quiet to make myself tea, have a seat and think. I reflected on what happened that night by the River with my cloaked figure and the child. In the flurry of activity, I heard many rumors of the tale, mainly from people who hadn't even been present. Most thought he was to blame, and more than one person attributed the child's rescue solely to Rex.

Clearly the cloaked animal saved the kid. But it still left me with questions. How did he discover the child? Why were the children being called to the water? Why did the cloaked animal need the book on the Deluge?

My first customer of the day was very happy and seemed almost excited about the change in the weather.

"Do you think Brimming is coming?" he asked earnestly. "I don't like it on the River after all... This is my first year here and I'm ready for it to be over!"

"Well, it sure isn't for everyone. I'm just getting my footing myself," I smiled. "I gotta say, though... There's still a whole month left before Brimming comes. It's only just about to be Burn." He laughed at that, and asked for his book of poetry. I recommended a great collection I first heard about in Rueberry.

A small badger woman (small for a badger anyway) came in later, looking for a book on art and design. She told me she was a weaver and in particular made rugs with beautiful designs. She gained inspiration by looking at art from other creators and artisans. She was very charming and I asked if I could buy a rug from her someday.

I began to oil the till and the clockwork, both to keep busy and because I hadn't done it in a while. A young couple came in, giggling and in love. One was a frog and the other a toad, both women. They whispered to each other and ducked into an aisle to conspire. I could tell instantly, though, it may not have been obvious, that they were in love. I became wistful, remembering my past romances. People from back home, and the handful on the River.

It was easy for me to jump into intimate relationships, but much less so for me to truly build a connection, to let myself be carried away by emotion. I became lonesome and resolved to write to some of the people of other villages.

The turtle salesman came back in.

"Oh, why, hello! How are you today, little lady?"

"I'm still not a lady."

"Oh, that's right! Well, I'm Vinny the Man, and I've got a deal for you!"

I sighed.

"Right here, if you'll look at this invention from the top engineers in Thistle Down university, an automatic tomato-slicer!"

"Autom-"

"Yes! As you can see, any salad you make will be instantly elevated by completely uniform tomato slices, and what's more, it takes no time at all! If you will just lend me a tomato, I can demonstrate for you."

"I don't have any tomatoes."

As with the time before, my gentle refusal seemed to take all the wind out of his sails. He tried to keep going for a minute before resigning and leaving once more.

Other than these few, It was mostly empty. A few people stuck their heads in, a few made purchases, but it was by no means a full day.

Ava Bird came later in the evening, and I was surprised to see her since she'd told me riverstriders tended to travel most of the year round.

"I'm assigned with Roost-duty during the end of Bloom!" she answered. "Since this town has no post office, I deliver letters and packages and then wait a few days for them to send outgoing mail. It gives me a break, too."

"Well, what brings you here to the shop?"

"You've got a letter from Rueberry!"

It was from Goz, the teen echidna at the music night on my last day in Rueberry!

"Dear Mx. Espuma,

I wanted to write to you because we only got to meet a few times when you came to town. I didn't really get to tell you everything I felt, so I put it here. My family is pretty big and they are busy with everyone else. I'm the oldest and my best friend frowned in the River last Brimming, so I've had a lot going on in my head lately. The music night made me remember that other people are alive and looking for peace in their hearts. Please write me back, because you are my hero for bringing this to my life. I'm going to put on music nights of my own, although it won't be as good without you.

-Goz"

I was touched to hear from them and to learn about their struggles. I decided to write back and I put some cheesy parsnips to cook to have with Ava between writing my letter. While they baked, I wrote to Goz, thanking them for their letter and encouraging them in their music journey. I recommended they ask Jamie for help, since he helped me so much with the first one.

This was also my first time making a proper meal on the River. I had all the ingredients, and the flavor seemed to be good, but cosmetically my cheesy parsnips definitely left a lot to be desired.

Ava was pleased to wait, since she typically was in quite a hurry.

We were eating and chatting when the topic came back around to Ava's family back in Thistle Down. Her daughter, Pluma, was 6 years old, and Ava always struggled with motherhood.

"My wife is Cindy Diver," she told me, "and we met when I was starting my career in Port Imes. She's from Thistle Down originally, but I'm a portie. Anyways, she loved our nomadic lifestyle for the longest time, until she wanted kids. Well, I was head over heels for her, I mean, just twitterpated. So I agreed to settle down in Thistle Down. Could not be farther from Port Imes, but I'm a riverstrider, so what's distance to me?

"I was off work and she was fishing for a while, but sedentary life was killing me, so I started work again when Pluma was three." Ava sighed. "You know, I wanted a family with Cindy. I was a wife more than I am a mother. But Cindy is a mother more than a wife. So I feel like I'm letting her down, and Pluma at the same time."

I decided to tell her about my parents. They split up when I was young. Both of them were more husband-wife than they were father-mother. So when they split up, it was like the family had simply dissolved. They tried to go back to their lives before each other, except now suddenly I existed. And so I went to live with my grandmother.

Ava teared up a little and said Pluma means so much to her, and she's putting all her spare energy into being a good mother for her.

It was an invigorating chat! I asked her to stick around, and I wrote another letter to Ebenezer, to maintain contact with someone.

I wrote:

"Hello, Ebenezer! I'm writing from Roost, just one town over. Things are busy here, though the cliques and secretiveness is definitely in full force." I described what happened with the child in the River. "How are things for you, dear friend? Tell me about your life, your friends, your work. I hope we meet again soon." I thanked Ava for her patience, and she thanked me for the meal, and she flew off into the rain with two letters in tow.

Inventory: 449 Till: 278 Customers: 44

[parksaversnews]

The Hidden Secrets of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion Pet Cemetery

The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park is one of the most iconic and beloved dark rides ever created. Since opening in 1969, it has entertained and spooked millions of guests with its ghostly inhabitants and imaginative scenes. But hidden away outside this popular attraction is a lesser-known feature - the Haunted Mansion pet cemetery. History of the Pet Cemetery The pet cemetery first appeared in the early 1980s on the west side of the Haunted Mansion building. It was only visible to guests using the wheelchair-accessible side entrance and remained a hidden gem seen by few. According to legend, the cemetery was conceived by Disney Imagineer Kim Irvine, daughter of Madame Leota actress Leota Toombs. In 1993, an additional pet cemetery was installed along the main ride queue where more guests could enjoy it. Over time, the original cemetery became even more secluded as the newer one gained popularity. Today, the status of this secret graveyard accessible only to Disney cast members remains a mystery - some say it's been removed, while others claim it can still be found with a helpful cast member's guidance.

Memorials to Ghostly Pets The Haunted Mansion pet cemetery features whimsical headstones remembering deceased animal companions of the mansion's residents. Each statue and inscription adds humor and personality to furry residents, like: Stripey the Skunk: "You may be departed, but your presence will always linger on" Bully the Frog: "You didn't drink, you didn't smoke, I just can't figure what made you croak" Big Jake the Dog: "Chased a toad down a well, was his one mistake" Miss Kitty the Cat: "After losing eight lives you still had no fear"There's also a memorial for all pets without marked graves, and statues of a squirrel, rabbit, fish, rat, spider, and snake on the queue's brick facade. Design Details & Hidden Magic Subtle details throughout the pet cemetery reinforce its imaginative storytelling. Lily pads surround the tombstone of a frog named Old Flybait "who croaked," while a skunk's marker is edged with flowers known for their own skunky scent. And in true Disney fashion, there's hidden magic here too. Cast members report the planter in the cemetery's center mysteriously topples over at night - could playful spirits be to blame? The memorial to Miss Kitty the cat even suggests one of her nine lives remains...perhaps her ghost still lurks about! Continuing a Legacy While the ultimate fate of the original hidden pet cemetery by the Haunted Mansion is unknown, its legacy continues to delight Disney guests. The tributes to beloved animal companions in the ride's queue keep their stories alive and remain a highlight for many park visitors. It's a testament to the imaginative storytelling and attention to detail that make Disney Parks so special. Just like the mansion itself, the pet cemetery stands the test of time by blending humor, heart, and a little haunting fun. So next time you're waiting in line to hitch a ride with the Haunted Mansion's happy haunts, keep an eye out for these tributes to long-gone pets. You never know what magical surprises or ghostly activity you might encounter!

Frequently Asked Questions What is the history behind the pet cemetery? The original pet cemetery first appeared in the early 1980s on the west side of the Haunted Mansion, conceived by Imagineer Kim Irvine. In 1993, a second pet cemetery was added along the ride's main queue. The status of the original hidden cemetery today remains a mystery. What kinds of pets are featured in the cemetery? Whimsical headstones remember deceased pets like Stripey the skunk, Bully the frog, Big Jake the dog, Miss Kitty the cat, and more. Statues on the queue's facade also depict a fish, rat, spider, snake and other animals. Are there any secrets or hidden details in the cemetery? Yes! Cast members report the planter frequently topples over mysteriously at night, which could be the work of ghostly pets. Miss Kitty's epitaph also suggests she has one life remaining, and may still lurk around the Haunted Mansion! Why does the pet cemetery matter? It continues the storytelling and rich detail of the Haunted Mansion through humor and heart. The pet cemetery adds magic and personality that delights guests and keeps this classic Disney ride engaging over 50 years since its debut. Could the original pet cemetery still exist somewhere? Potentially! Some claim it remains hidden from guests and accessible only by Disney cast members. Its ultimate fate is unknown, but the cemetery's legacy lives on through the tributes added outside the ride.

The hidden secrets of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion extend beyond the ride itself to features like the whimsical pet cemetery. Though its original west side location remains elusive, the newer memorials delight riders with humor and heart. The cemetery tributes let imaginations run wild with stories of bully frogs, departed skunks, and ghosts of pets past. Its little details and legends feel quintessentially Disney - fun, playful, and forever fascinating. For over 30 years, this graveyard has kept delightful pet tales alive for Mansion fans. Even as rides evolve, it stands the test of time as a highlight for those in the know. The pets may be departed, but their magical spirit endures. Read the full article

[forgive-me-your-highness]

The only fanfic I wanna read is your answers : )

Fandom you write the most in:

- Linked Universe!

Favorite Fandom to read?:

- Any Legend of Zelda fics

Fandom you’ve bookmarked the most of:

- Legend of Zelda, How to Train Your Dragon coming in close second

What genres do you most enjoy writing in?:

- Smut, but I slather it with fluff. I suppose that isn’t a genre lmao

Fandom you haven’t written for yet but want to:

- How to Train Your Dragon

Is there a fandom you know nothing about but still read the fanfics?:

- My Hero Academia (Denki/Shinsou)

What is your comfort fanfic?:

- Three Wrongs Make A Right

Who is your comfort author?:

- @st0rmyskies :)

Who wrote your all time favorite fanfic and what is it?:

- 1stPrelude is the author! The fic is named When Three Wrongs Make a right, and there is a sequel as well!!

Who is a fanfic author you admire?:

- 1stPrelude & @st0rmyskies

What is your most popular fic?:

- Love Languages on Ao3! It’s technically my second most popular but I’m not revealing my most popular here :P

What fanfic do you wish you got more response on?:

- Choose Your Poison

Share a Fic Idea you want to read but can’t write:

- A crime centered fic, I have the knowledge but know real plot to put the knowledge to.

Do you prefer writing Multi-chapter or oneshot fanfictions?:

- Multichaptered but most about 5 (Save for HSH, I’d read so much of that series)

Are you being haunted by an unfinished fanfic?:

- Y e s

Or you being haunted by a fanfic idea?:

- Y e s

What is an unfinished fanfic you’ve read you’d love to see updated?:

- When Three Wrongs Make A Right Sequel & To Isolate

What rating do most of your fics fall under?:

- E & T in that order

Have you written any fanfictions featuring OCs?:

- No

Favorite OTP to read about?:

- For fics that aren’t rare pairs, Sky/Warriors/Twilight

Favorite BroTP to read about?:

- Legend/Warriors (definitely ship them though)

Rarest rarpair you ship and wish there was fanfics for?:

- EASY, Wind/Wild/Four & Sky/Twilight/Time

Favorite Found Family to read about?:

- Any general LU fics (Just kidding, HOME SWEET HOME!!)

Weirdest trope you love?:

- Genuinely don’t know

Weirdest crossover you’ve seen someone actually make work:

- I don’t know man LU is just a huge crossover

What do you hate to read but love to write?:

- Intense Angst, I will cry reading it, adore writing it

What do you hate to write but love to write?

- I’ve got writers block right now so I’m gonna say anything bordering on nsfw

Person you love to collaborate with:

- Not officially yet but @humongouspotatoad

Bata Reader or no Beta Reader?:

- No beta we die like Twilight

Recommend a ficfic! Either yours or somebody else’s:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/2626043

https://archiveofourown.org/works/4490868

The two fics that have inspired me most to become better at writing, I still re-read them once a year.

[nexstage]

A little gift for @themissakat and their marvelous Fungus AU. Enjoy it!

TW: blood, injury, graphic violence

A clang between blades echoed in the cavernous walls, sparks of metal against metal were reflected on the little puddles of water, and agitated steps halted as the back of a tired, blonde girl touched one of the walls.

"You know I didn't think you'd be happy to see me after what happened at the tower... But I didn't think you'd try to kill me..." Sasha smiled but her heart was filled with uneasiness, her muscles were sore and sweat bathed her face. Anne, on the contrary, kept holding her sword steadily with an impassiveness so unnatural for her, not a sign of exhaustion.

'Go to the dungeons in the night' Sasha had said to herself. 'What's the worse that could happen?' She had said to herself. A lot of bad things could happen, quite a lot and none of them made sense. She'd found Anne but what she received was the blade of a sword going straight at her throat that she had to stop and her best friend fighting her without a reason.

At first, she thought it was because of their duel at Toad Tower and Anne might still be holding a grudge against her but something felt off. There was no yelling, no glares, insults, or accusations but a ruthless series of sword slashes.

Anne would never do that. She would never attack or be mad without a good explanation. Regardless, now that Sasha could pay attention to her appearance, she noticed many glaring details that didn't fit with Anne. The yet black armor with a red-orange eye that seemed to see right through her, and most importantly the neon purple color overtaking the Thai girl's eyes and many of the veins in the back of her throat.

She must be dreaming. She was dreaming, wasn't she? Because, since when Anne's eyes had changed color and decided to wear that armor? Did someone set her a trap and transform her into a weird version of the Winter Soldier?

In hindsight, she should've left those questions for later and not blink because one moment Anne was some meters away from her, and the next one, her sword was swung from down to up to cut her head in half.

Fortunately for her, Sasha could move her heron sword in time to prevent a gruesome death. What she couldn't prevent though was the right half of her vision going crimson.

Pain reverberated on her skull, on her right cheek, on all over her body. Her right hand touched the injury bathing the palm in blood, the slash was over her cheek scar, her eye, and ended almost at the center of her forehead, and it was an iron-stenching waterfall. If she didn't stop it in time, she would collapse and it would be over for her.

Anne's onslaught continued as the point of her sword went for Sasha's chest. She evaded it as best as she could; however, the movement made her dizzy as more blood tainted the rocky floor of the dungeons.

Having no choice, she took off her hand from her injured eye to hold better her sword. Anne launched at her again, an up-to-down swing against the throat, a right-to-left diagonal move to gut her, a left-to-right diagonal to open her chest, horizontal, vertical, diagonal, nonstop.

And each strike was stronger than the former one.

Sasha's stamina was depleting. It wouldn't take long for Anne to disarm her and deliver the fatal blow. She had 2 options: defeat Anne, get her out of whatever trance had her under its control, or run away and ask for help. But who? She didn't know this would happen. Grime was in the shadows as much as her about this issue. Marcy... Hell, where the fuck was Marcy? Was she turned into a Winter Soldier too?

What about Anne's dumb frog family? They were always with her, where could they be right now? But could she trust them? Would they believe in her story?

The point of Anne's sword barely touched her neck as Sasha jumped backward.

Oh, screw it! Let's go find those stupid frogs!

She tackled her friend and pinned her to the floor. Now the next step: knocking Anne out, but how? That armor looked more resilient and modern than hers.

The Thai girl didn't give her time to formulate a plan as she headbutted Sasha on the nose. The blonde groaned in pain; she could already feel the bump on it, some of the bones cracked and the blood flowing like water from an open spout.

Her dizziness, worsened by the headbutt, got in the way of seeing the sword advancing at her chest again but her instincts moved her fast enough to evade it; however, her left shoulder wasn't so lucky for the blade slashed through her clothes. It wasn't a deep wound but the blood loss from the other two injuries was taking a toll on her.

Desperate, she threw caution away and tackled Anne to clash her back against the wall hard enough to leave her unconscious which ended up being a terrible idea as the other teenager grabbed her ponytail with her right hand and lifted the sword with the other to behead her.

It was a vice grip, no way could she get out of this; nonetheless, the terror coursing through her veins was intense enough for Sasha to duck the swing at the last second.

Every strand of hair strapped by the scrunchie was cut, leaving Sasha with a messy haircut.

Not wasting any second, she elbowed Anne and the girl fell to the floor, then she kicked her sword and ran away.

"I'm coming back for you and Marcy, Anne! I swear!" She yelled as dread, adrenaline, and regret swiveled in her mind.

------------

Surprise felt like an understatement when Heart came back with her bloodied armor and sword and a crudely cut ponytail.

They never expected Strength looking for the other stars not even fighting Heart inside the dungeons, after all, there were wanted posters of her so going to the place that wanted her head sounded ludicrous.

Whatever. The Core couldn't care less about that. What they were concerned more about was the fact that Heart was unable to kill the other star and came back just with a dirty ponytail as a trophy.

Perhaps it'd have been better to use Strength to get rid of Heart because the other one was useless.

Suddenly, their hands started shaking, from slight tremors to uncontrollable spasms, and two new waterfalls flowed from their eyes.

Lovely. Just what they needed.

"Wit, would it kill you to stop this childish behavior of yours for 5 MINUTES?!"

[potter-imagines]

Getting Drunk With Fred Weasley

Prompt: getting drunk w/ your boyfriend Fred would include + mini blurbs

Warning: drinking, swearing, and some suggestive wording

Word Count: 2.2k

Notes: n/a

Parties are not an uncommon event in the Gryffindor common room

Alcohol and drink mixtures of all sorts are being poured left and right every weekend

Most weekend you have a drink or two while catching up with your friends after a busy week of school

Other weekends you choose the path of getting plastered alongside your boyfriend off smuggled liquor and bottle of beer

On these night in particular, 

Fred does not let you out of his sight

At all

Unless of course Lee challenges him to a beer pong match then he’ll carefully usher you over the couch where he can keep an eye on you while he’s playing

Has to pause the match like 20 times to chase after you and lead you over to his side “Y/n! You know you can’t out drink Seamus- he’s Irish! C’mon, come watch me kick George and Lee’s ass. They’re so bad it takes two of them to even manage a winning shot yet somehow they still suck!”

Loves it when you cheer him on

Is constantly glancing over to reassure himself you haven’t run off again

Your distraction is heightened in this state

So he feels the need to be your second set of eyes

Which had come in handy many a times

Like when Ron dared you to touch the burning fire while he was wasted on dragon barrel brandy

“Don’t be a pussy, Y/n. Swipe your hand real fast and you won’t even feel a thing-” “Y/n, pull your hand away from that fire, love. Ron, what the fuck? Are you trying to set my girlfriend up in flames? Angel, Ron is an idiot, you know that, don’t do anything he says again.” “Hey!”

And the time when you all were playing strip poker and Fred quite literally threw himself on top of your body to cover your chest when George teased you to take your bra off and your hands reached back for the clasps

(( he bitched at George for five minutes straight for that suggestion ))

Fred knew you were not one to back down from a challenge, especially when drunk and not considering the consequences or regret that would follow

So he always made sure you never embarrassed yourself too much or did anything you’d be wanting to take back come morning

During any Gryffindor party, Fred is the life of it

When he’s not preoccupied fawning over you, he’s hopping around with George seeking out trouble

The man throws back liquor like its water

Claims he knows his limits, but he really doesn’t

He is a touchy drunk

Hands brushing through your hair as you chat on the couch

Arms wrapped around your shoulder as you laugh along with your friends

Fingers laced in yours whenever you’re near

He craves your touch even more so when the liquor taints his veins

Let’s be real, Fred is not exactly the type of boyfriend to try to get you to stop drinking

He still makes sure you’re safe and not over drinking but,

Most of the times,

He’s the one pouring the shots for you

And mixing the drinks

But he always knows when to stop, and when you’ve had enough to drink

He tries to mentally keep note of how many drinks you've had but loses track once he reaches about five on his own end

Sometimes he’ll silently swap out your glass of whiskey for a glass of pumpkin juice

It’s obvious to Fred that he made the right choice when he watched as you sipped gleefully on the juice, not making a single comment on the dramatic change in taste

In these moments he begins to prepare himself for a night of babysitting you

And he’s so sweet in helping you on the nights when you go an inch- or ten- overboard

Carries you up to your bed and helps you change out of your clothes and into new ones for bed

He gets you wipes to take of your makeup, if you’re wearing any, and he’ll sit you between his legs on your bed while he brushes through your hair

After you’re properly ready for bed, Fred makes sure to set a glass of water on your nightstand incase you get thirsty and a bag of crackers if you get hungry

Stays the night without question when you ask

Other times he stays regardless of if you do or don’t

Your roommates don’t mind seeing as he takes care of you meaning they don’t have to

He’ll lay on his back and usher you over to place you head on his chest

His fingertips will soothingly trail up and down you back, lulling you into a deep sleep with the rhythmic motion

Tries his best to make sure you fall asleep first

Drunk Fred really has no control over his sleep habits and has a tendency to pass out from sudden exhaustion at any moment

One second him and George are fucking around with partygoers, supply them with different products of theirs, and causing pure chaos

The next second Fred was snoozing away while he laid on the couch with his head in your lap

Then he was back up an going again

Like a toddler on a sugar high

He’s such a giggly drunk

Kisses to the tip of your nose

Always smiling over at you and complimenting you  

“Have I told you how breathtaking you look tonight?” “Only ten times, but I’m okay with elven.” “Let’s make it twelve, you looks absolutely stunning- so pretty, and all mine.”

The boy can’t help it, you make him feel weightless with happiness sober and the feeling only intensifies when he’s been drinking

There are nights when Fred can’t seem to taste the scorching burn of the liquor anymore after about six shots and it these nights where George and yourself are left dragging him up the stairs

George will beg you to stay the night because he can’t handle Fred’s drunken rambling about how much he misses you

And you agree because, how could you say no to Fred’s adorable puppy dog eyes and grabby hands longing for you to cuddle with him

If you two are both drunk, you’ll stay up talking- or rather whispering- under his comforter

He’ll stumble over his words and jumps from topic to topic in the blink of an eye

Uncontrollable giggles as he whispers- or rather stutters- out the most confusing jokes you’ve ever heard

Like

“Angel, angel…” “Yes, Freddie?” “What happens when a toad’s car breaks down?” “I dunno…” “It gets froged!” “I’m sorry, come again? Isn’t it meant to be the frog’s car that breaks down and it gets ‘toad’...not ‘froged’?”

But he’s out like a light before you can get an explanation

He breathes like darth vader when he’s in his drunken slumber

Yet its somehow comforting in an odd way

Like it reminds you that he’s there holding you

And also that he’s still alive, which is surprising at times with the amount of drinks he consumes in one night

If you think Fred acts reckless sober, he thinks he’s invincible when he’s drunk which is even worse

He’ll agree to almost anything

If Ron were to tell him he bet Fred wouldn’t jump from the Astrology Tower all the way down to the courtyard? Fred would do it just in spite of him

The only time this attitude of his had gotten him into trouble was when Fred, George and Lee came up with the grand idea to go down the boy’s dormitory staircase on mattresses

Fred, being the brilliant man he is, decided to go first

You had been gossiping away in the common room to Hermione about a new Muggle actor the two of you had seen in a film when you heard the loud crashing, followed by the voice you loved so much groaning in agony

By the time you reached the opening to the stairwell, George and Lee were aiding Fred down the stone steps, carefully avoiding his ankle which had been twisted in an inhuman position

Madam Pomfrey surprisingly kept hum about Fred’s intoxication and instead scolded him for hours on end about his reckless, mindless choice to try to slide down, winding, steep, stone steps

Once news reached the professors the nest morning, McGoagall dismissed 40 points from Gryffindor for the incident

Using your mattress to surf down the twirling stairwell has since been prohibited

On a separate occasion Fred had accident lit the edge of the curtain on fire

You can always tell when he’s reached that level by the volume in his tone

It tends to get deeper the more intoxicated he becomes

And his words slowly slur together into a string of blabber

Mostly compliments, sweet words, and sometimes suggestive ones as well

Fred gets a bit more… forward when he’s got that liquid courage soaring through him

His hands will start to roam slowly from around your waist to your lower back, then resting on your bum

He gets turned on watching you play beer pong for some reason

Especially when you win

Maybe it’s the view he’s graced with when you bend to bounce the pin pong ball

Or the feistiness that arises when the match gets hot

It’s more than enticing for him

Fred can feel his frame get stiffer everytime you bend across the table to retrieve the cup and chug the beer from it

When the round has ceased and you’re declared champion yet again, Fred steps forward to pull you in for a hug

As he gives you a kiss on the cheek, he whispers, 

“Good girl! Now if you beat George again I’ll give you a special surprise later tonight, angel.”

Which makes your knees weak like jell-o as your frame pushes into his for support

It doesn’t help that you can feel just how excited he is through the denim of his jeans

Fred dips his head to plant a trail of wet, teasing kisses along the skin of your warm neck until George was groaning and pleading for you to start the match

You practically shook for the entirety of the game, still managing to sink almost every shot into a cup forcing George to drink for the majority of it

He ended up tapping out once you nailed the seventh cup in a row and kept your winning streak alive due to his need to find a trash can immediately

You stopped there to join Fred by his side as he smiled to you, clearly pleased that you won

“Looks like someone is getting rewarded tonight.”

His arm draped around your shoulder as you leaned into his side, your cheeks flaring from the mass of bodies but mostly from Fred’s suggestive promise

He only forced you to suffer through the party for another ten minutes or so before pouring one last shot for the both of you, then nearly pushing you up the winding stairs to his dorm

Lets just say he certainly fulfilled on his promise- more than once that night

Loves it when you sit in his lap when you’re on the couch together

Whispers dirty secrets into your ear

Drunk Fred leaves hickies under the clothes

He’s not the type to care who’s around, he’ll try to slide his hand up your skirt in front of nearly anyone when he’s inebriated

“Fred- you’re brother is sitting right there, stop it!” “Shhhh, angel. He’s not even watching, right George?” “Right, Fred.” “See?”

To which you glare dangerous at him as you place his hand back in his lap, but Fred continues to smirk in amusement

It’s like you’re a preschool teacher constantly having to tell a child to keep their hands to themselves, Fred just refuses to listen

Fred doesn’t necessarily get jealous of other guys

He trusts you and he’s confident enough in your relationship not to feel threatened by other guys

However he is possessive af over you when he’s been drinking

In a sweet way tho

Literally wants all your time and attention when he’s drunk

If you don’t feel like dancing, he’ll ask you to come watch him dance

When you say you need to use the bathroom, he’ll ask a million times if you want him to come with

If George places a bet against Fred in a game of cards, Fred will drag you over to sit next to him as Seamus shuffles the deck and prepares the table

He’ll show you his cards and tell you to pick one

Even though he knows you’re completely unaware of the rules to the game, he loves the smile of excitement that appears on your face when he lets you

And in the rare times that you do say no, he works his magic with those big doe eyes and pouty lip until you say yes

It brings him comfort when you’re by his side

Your nights end the same each day, wrapped in his arms listening to the relaxing thump of his heart as the two of you doze off, both silently dreading the awaiting hangover than would surely greet you first thing in the morning, but you wouldn’t want it any other way

[prince-toffee]

Sasha and Marcy

Sasha Marcy Resistance AU

Pt. 2

“Commander!” Sasha turned to see who was calling her, her eyes followed the voice to Maddie, who alongside Wally were bringing with them two prisoners, so to speak. Even though if Yunan really wanted to, she could’ve killed them all in the span of a single blink. “We found these two King-sympathisers near one of our campsites.” Maddie explained.

“For the last time; we’re not King-sympathisers!” Yunan annoyingly exclaimed.

“Silence, prisonah!” Wally shouted as he slapped a ball of mud into Yunan’s face to stop her from talking.

“I hate these people.” Yunan murmured to herself, which earned her more mud in the face.

“It’s true! We’re deserters!” Olivia remarked. She then caught Maddie’s hand full of mud with her foot while her hands were still bound in rope. “Don’t even try it.” She gave the young witch a look only a disapproving mother could. Maddie backed off.

“Ease up, frogs. They’re telling the truth. They’re my personal spies in Andrias’ organisation.” Sasha confirmed their stories. She came around and cut their bonds.

Yunan wiped the mud off of her face, “Finally.”

“We have spies?” Wally asked confused, “Did you know we had spies? In the King’s court no less. Nobody tells me anything these days.” Maddie just shrugged.

“Ex-spies, now, I’m afraid.” Olivia stated. “The King found us out.”

“I was wondering what happened after we lost communications with you guys. The lack of message bats got us worried.” Sasha remarked. “What happened?”

“Somehow King Andrias found out we had been feeding information to the Resistance, he said he had ‘eyes everywhere’. We decided to fight back. Yunan pulled some strings with her friends at The Newtopian Knight Guard. We staged a coup against The King… We lost.” Olivia’s head bowed down in shame.

Yunan clenched her fist, “That mad despot had us imprisoned and await public execution! Aargh! If I ever see him again, I’m going to turn him into sliced bread!” Yunan was a flame that never died down, always dialled up to 11. Especially when betrayed by her superiors.

“How did you two escape?” Sasha questioned.

“Prison riot.” Olivia answered.

Yunan chuckled as she slammed her fist into her palm, “Those stupid frobots left a cell door open. One thing led to another. A couple of boomshrooms. A couple of sweet moves; Bam! Wham! Heh, those tin cans never stood a chance against a real warrior.” Yunan flexed her muscles too absorbed in the moment.

“Here, here.” Grime agreed as he nodded.

“Well, I’m glad you guys are okay. We could use you here on the battlefield.” The blonde cheerleader sighed, as she massaged her temples, “Though those bot placements were useful. Now we’re totally blind. No idea how many bots are stationed where.” Sasha turned back to Grime, “Any word from Beatrix? Bufo? Aldo? Maybe at least Bog?”

“Uh, Bog’s dead. He got explodified in Andrias’ ‘demonstration’. But the other Toad Lords are in hiding, they’re very apprehensive to strike against Newtopia again so soon. Our last venture was, uhhhh, catastrophic to say the least.” Grime shrugged.

“Ugh.” Mean girl noises.

Yunan and Olivia exchanged a look. Yunan whispered, “Tell her.” Olivia sighed.

“Sasha… there is more.”

“What’s up?” Sasha asked with a quirked brow. She noticed that there was an expression of dread and sorrow on her face. Then the tears came. “What is it? What happened? You’re scaring me here, guys.” Sasha gave an awkward laugh.

“Sasha, Marcy is alive.”

The world stood still. All sound became muffled. All colour drained. Sasha both heard the words that left Olivia’s mouth, yet somehow she was incapable of processing and comprehending what she heard. It couldn’t be, could it? Sasha saw Marcy’s death with her own eyes. She replayed that moment in her head over and over again, churning over the facts, she couldn’t sleep. She saw it vividly when she closed her eyes. Anne and The Plantars rushing to the portal. Marcy tinkering with the box. Then, a flash of yellow flame, and then she muttered something under her breath Sasha was too far to hear. And then she fell. Sasha replayed the events of that day, the takeover, the fight with Anne; maybe if she did something differently Marcy would’ve been okay.

She couldn’t believe what she heard, “What?”

“We escaped through the basement passageways, I know them like the back of my hand, I used to sneak down and play there when I was little. But there was a room I had never seen before in my life. A room full of eyes. With a tank of strange fluid, suspended inside it was our little girl.” Olivia remarked. Sasha was speechless. “I know it was her. Andrias is keeping her as an experiment. We must rescue her before it’s too late!”

“Rescue?!” Grime questioned, “You want us to actually storm the castle, while flying, and armed! We don’t have the numbers. We’ll never last!” Grime protested.

“I DON’T CARE. She is my responsibility, and we are going back for her! Sasha please.” Olivia begged.

“It’s suicide!” Grime countered.

“Please Sasha. You know she’d do the same for you.” Olivia proclaimed.

“She’s alive.” Sasha whispered under her breath to herself as tears began to well up in her eyes. She moved her hands to cover up her face. She began to laugh, “She’s alive! She’s okay!”

“Sasha?” Grime asked concerned.

“We set off immediately.” Sasha announced as she wiped the tears away and marched off to the wartable. “Come on, let’s move it. We need to pack up and depart this campsite and move to our next position.” She began to roll up the maps and various other documents. Maddie and Wally went off to fold the tent up and move on. “Oh, and get these two some warm food, they must be tired.”

“Many thanks, my girl.” Olivia bowed as she took Yunan by the hand and dragged her further into the camp, where they served each a bowl of warm soup to lift their spirits.

Grime approached Sasha, he cleared his throat, “Commander, a word.”

“Yeah, Grimes?”

“Yes, I just wanted to ask: Are you barking mad!? Even with the united toad armies I could barely hold Newtopia for a day! And now without them, what chance do we stand?!”

“You underestimated these frogs before.” Sasha countered.

“This isn’t about the village folk’s prowess, Sasha. This is about dooming them! If we march on Andrias now, we are doomed!”

“I’m not taking ‘no’ for an answer! We’re rescuing Marcy… She needs me…

“But-”

“End of discussion!”

“Don’t use that tone with me young lady!”

“…Sorry…”

“…Sasha, I know you miss your friend. I’m sorry. But you’re not thinking straight. As Commander you must consider the troops!”

“This coming from the ‘Every dream has its price, and not everyone's willing to pay it’ guy? I thought you weren’t ‘afraid of death’.”

He signed, “I know you feel like you abandoned her. But you didn’t. If we hadn’t left, we would have died too.”

“Heh, how are you this good at reading me?” Sasha asked darkly.

Grime huffed, “Because I’ve had a lot of experience with what you’re going through. You’ve probably noticed I don’t have any friends, other than you, heh… People leave. You just endure.”

“No offense, but I don’t want to end up like you.” Sasha didn’t quite realise how hurtful it sounded until the words left her mouth. She and Grime both remained silent, both ashamed of their words. “…This isn’t the first time I failed her. All this, everything I do, I do for Anne and Marcy. I want to prove myself, I want to be a good person.” She turned back to Grime, “Can you help with that?” She asked expecting nothing.

He sighed, and smiled, “Of course, kiddo.” He placed a gentle hand onto Sasha’s shoulder, and patted her, “But now we just need to find an army that’ll fight with us against certain hovering death.” He scratched his chin while pondering on it.

“If you need an army look no further than these Newtopia neighbouring lands, the newt army Andrias just threw out scattered around these lands.” Sasha and Grime turned to Yunan who was leaning against a post listening on their conversation, while sipping on her soup. “Got a lot of friends in there who are just looking for an excuse to cave the King’s face in. You might be just what they’re looking for right now.” Sip. Gulp. “This is terrible by the way.” She stated with a monotone voice talking about the soup.

“…How long have to been standing there?” Sasha asked. Yunan just turned around and returned to be by Olivia’s side without words.

“Sounds like a plan?” Sasha smiled.

“Sounds like a plan.” Grime answered.

---

“Listen up, Wartwood! We’re going to march over to that moron King and we’re gonna kick his butt!” Wartwood cheered. “We’re going to save Marcy!” Cheering. “We’ll find Anne!” Cheering. “And we’re going to save this world!! Never surrender!”

To Be Continued

[blackberry-gingham]

The Masterplan | Mortimer Toynbee x Fem!Reader

<... Prev | Chpt 2 | Next...>

Passed out on your floor and critically injured, you make the choice to help the amphibious stranger. The question soon becomes however... Was it worth it?

tag list: @samatedeansbroccoli @smokeywhalee @mickeyperkins @the-goon-tm @thlix @ohmygillygoshoppler @it-is-i-zim @tolovaj @toynbeees @toadsbitch @lostgirllulu @the-home-kvetch (Toad tag list open to additions or reductions, whichever you prefer lol or follow here on ao3!)

tags: slow burn, some dad bod stuff bc it's me we're talking about and you guys expect it, aged up toad (adult/middle aged (so, dilfy)), mentions/threats of violence

---

A pile of rags to your left. Peroxide, a lighter, and a spool of fishing wire to your right. With one hand holding the flesh together, the other works methodically sewing the gashes shut.

You've cleaned his skin thoroughly and the bleeding is starting to ebb. Thankfully he seems to be completely under right now. At least he's still enough for you to work. You couldn't get him off the floor, so for now you take advantage of the open space down there to study him closely.

His skin has an interesting, velvet like texture. Soft and smooth, with not a trace of hair to be found. Cool to the touch, it does not retain heat as quickly as your own but when he starts to warm up... It's a while yet before it goes back to room temperature. He's not very wet, but certainly not dry either... Much like a frog.

Or toad, you suppose, as he has chosen to identify himself.

It's long and tedious work ensuring all the sutures are properly set. There are so many cuts... You no longer doubt an alligator got to him, but that clears up nothing at all about how he survived.

Nearly there, you finish the last few deep gashes there along his stomach. After so much time being up against him, his body temperature has risen to match the heat put out by your own. He's soft and warm against your hand...

You stop a moment, just to take another look. Light as can be, you run your fingers along the large pink patch covering his belly. You smile, entirely amused, before getting back to it. A shame almost, you could sit and feel that wonderfully soft skin all day long.

Needle in. Hook. Needle out.

Needle in. Hook. Needle out.

Suddenly, he jerks a moment. You freeze. He goes still.

...Cautiously, you keep going.

Needle i-

"Oi, the hell are you doing!", Toad snaps awake at the prick of the needle. He doesn't waste a moment, hurriedly dragging himself away from you. Panicked, he paws at his side trying to see what the hell you injected him wi-

You don't move, but that doesn't stop you from addressing him. Harshly, you warm him, "Careful, you'll rupture those!"

By now Toad has discovered what he was looking for. A long, thin surgeon's needle protrudes from his side. All along his waist and... Yes, and on his back too... Meticulously placed stitches have been sewn.

He sneers at you. He doesn't need them. In fact, he doesn't need any help at all. Not from you. Not from anyone. He'll heal from this on his own.

Although... The sutures will help.

Your hands are up to show you mean no harm. On either side of you, he notices the remnants of all your efforts.

"...Can I at least finish?", you venture, pulling him out of his thoughts.

Toad sharpens his glare. Were you not just holding him at gunpoint a while ago? Even then... You're a fucking human. You're asking him to trust you? He bloody well thinks not.

"You can take it out is what you can fucking do", cautiously, he scoots back across the floor to you, positioning himself just so to give you the best access to take out the embedded needle.

While you can wholeheartedly say that you wouldn't recommend this... With an attitude like that, he gets whatever he gets as far as you're concerned, "Fine"

You pull it through far enough to secure the stitch and tie it off. All the while, Toad watches you closely with scrutinizing eyes.

"There", you snip the line and wipe off your hands, "All set"

He gives you a callus grunt in response and rolls his shoulders. For a moment, he rocks in preparation to get up to stand, but before he can move he's doubled over with a stomach cramp. It growls aggressively, reminding him, and informing you, that he is indeed still starving.

You don't particularly feel like extending grace towards a man who can't even say thank you, but... It would hardly be southern hospitality to let someone leave your home hungry.

"Been a while since you've eaten?"

Well... Not really, he supposes. Had some flies yesterday, after all. Although, that's hardly real food. That and... Something about admitting to eating flies in front of you doesn't sit right with him. He knows what he is. Accepts it.

And yet...

"Yeah. Couple days"

"Do you... Want some food? I haven't eaten yet"

Toad narrows his eyes, suspiciously. God does he want some food. Anything to get rid of even just a little of this damn pain he's been in... But the question of why you'd bother offering won't leave him be. You're doing an awful lot to try and help him...

You, a human. For him, a mutant.

"Well if you don't, that's fine too", you knit your eyebrows in frustration. No helping some people, you suppose.

"Well hold on now, I didn't say that", Toad snaps back, "I just... I didn't expect you to offer, that's all"

You nod, willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, "Tell you what, I'll make you some food if you go clean up. And I mean really clean. Shower's upstairs"

Mortimer makes a repugnant face at that. He's used to being told that he's looking unhygienic, but no one's ever actually tried to make him shower. Granted, they don't usually need to, but... Well, no one likes being told they smell, he supposes.

You gather up your things from the suturing. He doesn't seem very taken to the idea, but this place is in bad enough shape as it is... You'd rather not have him tracking mud and sludge everywhere on top of it.

"I'll lay out some clean clothes for you", you offer.

Mort takes stock of his current garment situation. Down to no shirt and a pair of slacks thoroughly destroyed by the swamp. Assuming you have something that actually fits...

"Fine by me, love", with a second to get up, he trudges upstairs as he's told. In all honesty, he's more than happy to get good and clean again. The mud and swamp doesn't bother him, but sometimes it's nice to remember that he's still a human too.

True to your word, a clean pile of clothes sits folded on the counter for him. Not a perfect fit... A little tight in the shoulders and thigh, but good enough to wear. He tucks in the button down, straightens the collar, combs his fingers through his hair, and... There.

Looking right handsome, if he does say so himself.

He comes down to see you've already started eating. A plate of food lays waiting for him, still warm. The fact that you're eating the food banishes any suspicions he might have about it. Looks safe. Smells great. He takes a seat.

Eggs, a scone, and hash.

That's worlds better than the shit they'd have back at the brotherhood.

"Do the clothes fit alr-?"

Toad's tongue shoots out to grab a mouthful of food, which he seems to consume all in one motion.

You jump and startle quite badly, cutting off your own sentence. Toad says nothing. Not even an apology. Instead he looks at you tiredly, just waiting for that disgusted remark to come.

For now you stay silent. Fine by him. He watches you for one more moment, just long enough to grab another tongue of food. You stare at him wide eyed. Not exactly disgusted though. Almost...

Impressed.

Suddenly, he feels a bit shy. He can eat with a fork and such just as well as anyone else... He's just excited to have some real food again, is all.

He clears his throat, "Sorry, I uh... Just got excited", he reaches for the utensils.

"No no, that's alright!", you look more fascinated then anything else, "That's incredible! Your tongue is... Prehensile? Can you control it, I mean?"

Toad stares at you blankly. No ones... ever bothered to ask him before, to be quite honest. He blinks a few times and then, "Well... I can..."

He snakes it out and picks up his fork carefully. All the while, he watches you watch him, the most fascinated look in the world written on your face. He sticks the prongs into a chunk of eggs and, with measured control, brings it up to his mouth to swallow.

"Huh... Amazing. So... you're a mutant then?"

Toad grunts and goes back to eating, fork in hand, "Damn. What gave it away", he sneers.

You lower your gaze back to your own food, afraid you've offended him with your asinine question, "Sorry, sorry. It's just, I've never seen someone so-"

"Mutated?", he glares at you angrily. And yet... If you look past the face... There's something in his eyes. Frustrated yes, but... Sad, too.

"Well... No, I wasn't going to say that-"

He snorts and looks away, "Sure..."

You clear your throat, hoping to ease the tension, "Anyway, I was going to ask... Do the clothes fit alright? I mean, it's all I have, but-"

"They're fine"

You make an open mouthed ah and nod along. If he doesn't want to talk, that's fi-

"Someone else live here, then?", he asks.

You chuckle, "No, nothing like that. They were my father's. He... Passed, recently"

Toad hums in acknowledgement but is silent otherwise. Then, "...Sorry to hear that"

You shrug and give a tiny smile, like it's no big deal, "Oh it's alright. We... weren't very close"

"I understand that, yeah"

"Ah... Are they, around here at least? Your parents?"

"No clue, never met them. Probably not though, I'd wager", he chuckles darkly.

That takes you aback. Damn...

Toad glances up at you, then rolls his eyes, "Psh, don't look at me like that. It's nothing, I'm just as good off without them"

"Uh huh... Are you here with the X-Men then? I hear the-"

He shoots you a frighteningly stern glare from under his brow, "No. I'm not"

You sit frozen under his gaze. It's the first time you've ever felt afraid in his presence. After a few seconds, he releases you, turning back to look at his food. He stabs it aggressively, eating in more of a hurry.

"I'm... Sorry, I just-"

Toad drops his fork with a clatter. He takes a deep breath and searches the ceiling for strength, "Dear God... Do you ever shut up?", he stares at you pointedly.

That does it. Now it's your turn to do some glaring, "Fuck off! If I'm so insufferable, then get the fuck out", you gesture towards the door for good measure.

"Don't have to ask me twice", he gets up in a huff, "Scone is bland as shit, by the way"

"That's a biscuit, asshole", you correct him.

"Like I give a damn!", He shoves the chair back in place against the table and marches straight out the way he came, slamming the door as well for good measure.

He walks and walks and walks... Deeper into the swamp as he goes.

Fuck off! What business is it of yours? No one's ever asked him so many bloody questions in all his life... And the way you were looking at him.

He's not your friend and he damn well isn't your fucking science project.

Toad takes a seat on a fallen tree, overlooking part of the bayou. He takes a great sigh and rolls his shoulders. Fuck, this shirt is tight. He unbuttons the collar a little and tries to stretch again. Better, at least.

This time he sighs in relief, quietly and calm. Even after all this... The frustration. The agitation. The spite and anger and hatred...

He can't stop thinking about that first moment between the two of you. The bit where he woke up with a gun to his head. If anyone had made him guess the outcome of a scenario like that, he would've said you'd have just blow his head off every damn time. No questions asked.

That's what Magneto would say. Certainly what he would've told him would happen.

And yet, you didn't.

Here he is, perfectly unharmed. In fact, he's better off now then when he first went in. Free food, clean clothes... Even a little surgery to help heal his injuries along.

He tugs the collar of his shirt aside, looking down at where you've sewn him up. The remaining open wounds are still quite nasty, but the ones you fixed up are looking good, all things considered. It was... Quite nice of you to do, actually.

But why? Why would you do something like that?

You should've killed him. Or... Or thrown him out, or something.

This goes against everything else he's ever come to expect. Everything he's learned. Everything he's heard. Everything he's been taught...

Humans are the enemy. They hate him. Him and all other mutants, for that matter. They want people like him dead.

...Right?

But then... No one else has ever been so kind to him before. Not even within the brotherhood.

The sutures, the clothes, the food... He thinks back to the way you were looking at him. Back to that first time he shot out his tongue. Sure you were scared for a moment, but he can't blame you for being surprised.

No, he thinks about what came after that... The part where you asked all those questions. The part where your eyes lit up and you were talking a little faster, excited.

The part where you looked at him like he was the most magnificent, fascinating creature you've ever seen.

No ones ever looked at him like that before...

Maybe... Maybe he shouldn't have been so harsh to you. He's not sure he trusts you. Not even sure he likes you, but... He'd do most anything to get that look out of you again. Just once, maybe. Just... Just so he can remember it.

Toad looks up at the sky. It's mid day already. He sighs and looks over his shoulder.

It's a long walk back... And no guarantee you'll open your door to him even.

But... He wants to at least try.