#Types of Blue Topaz

[ws7496129]

Blue Topaz Gift Guide: For Every Occasion

The alluring crystal Blue Topaz Jewelry radiates a sense of calmness and peace. Its soothing blue color is connected with devotion, that makes it a perfect choice for celebrating the three year anniversary. As an image of affection blue topaz mirrors the profundity of a serious relationship, which makes it an optimal gift for celebrating three years together.

[lautakwah]

what i wouldnt give for feixiao to have black hair.....

[darklydeliciousdesires]

Storm - A Tommy Shelby/Reader Smut Short.

Had Tommy on my brain. Now you can, too ;)

Words - 800

Warnings - Smut below the cut, minors DNI!

Storms; they always made you feel a little uneasy, the foreboding rumble of thunder preceded by a flash of light cracking the inky purple of the night sky. You weren’t too sure why any longer either, no longer being the scared little girl living in the Small Heath back-to-back abode, with its flimsy windows that you felt the fork of the lightning could smash to smithereens.

Now, you were lady of the manor, living in the fortified luxury of Arrow House, but yet you still needed something to take your mind off the raging weather on the other side of the much stronger windows.  

That person is your lover, and yes, he does a very good job of making sure the only lightning in your world is the type that streaks up your spine in hot flashes of pleasure, just like he is right now. Holding your legs spread, his hands tour in loving stroke over your thighs, his tongue circling licks all over your opening, that radius increasing.  

When it laps wet heat over your clit, you mewl for him, hands rooting in his soft hair. Your body keens against each lick, his breath warm as his tongue licks a tempest over your little bud, full lips closing to suck gently. A grunt wells in his throat, and the sound of it settles over your bones, pleasure lighting you up like a firework the harder his lips pull at you.  

He has you soaking, your little hole flexing around nothing in its emptiness, needing him inside you. Equally, you’d be more than happy for his mouth to remain exactly where it is, every lick gilding your nerves, the honey of your cunt bathing his tongue as he eats you greedily. His fingers sink into the soft of your thighs, eyes like blue shards of topaz glinting through the low light of the room, smiling around the mouthful of you he so happily feasts upon.  

“I’m starting to think you actually quite like it when there’s a storm, you know,” he muses, pausing for a moment, gently blowing over your swollen clit before skimming it with a teasing lick. “You always know this is what you get when one comes along.” 

“I get this enough as it is anyway, Tom,” you quip, laughing softly, “but I still appreciate the distraction.”  

Another flick, Tommy rumbling a little moan as he watches your bud twitch for him. “Minx.” 

He pulls a gasp from you, the flat of his tongue dragging hard over you. “Yeah, that’s me.” All talk is abandoned, your body the rhythm set by the song of his mouth, pleasure bursting like little stars as he adds speed to every lick. He builds you steadily, each ministration set up only to topple, the constructor of your utter ruin giving you one last, long suck before moving to kneel before you.  

“Mmm, oh,” you sigh, hissing with desire as his cock fills you deep. “That’s exactly what I wanted.”  

“Never let it be said that I’m not a giver, eh, love?” 

No, you truly wouldn’t, hands stroking over his pale chest, nails dragging the chiselled muscles as he pulls back and then bottoms out once more, eyes falling to watch how you splay so prettily for him. Your cunt glazes him, hot and slick, your walls pulsing around every last thick, vein-ridged inch of his cock, the thunder outside booming as he leans to kiss you with soft heat.  

He ruts a little deeper, and it sends a wave of ecstasy washing through you, the deep punch of his cock drawing moans that spill from your mouth to his. The sumptuous, velvet hug of your cunt pulls at him, hugging him in slick divinity as he quickens, drawing your legs up against his chest, panting hard as he scatters kisses against your ankle.  

“Ahhh, god you feel so good in me,” you pant, nails trawling over his abs, spurring him on with the allure of your gaze. “Yes, that’s it. Fuck me harder.”  

He does, and it burns neon over your veins, your cries shrill as he daggers you with utter finesse. You feel both boneless and mindless as he fucks you hard into the bed, grasping his forearms as he lowers to you, sucking violet welts at your neck. 

Outside, the lightning splits the sky, just as his does within your body, ecstasy streaking hot beneath your skin as you fall apart around the white-hot surge. His crest tingles his cock as he spills into your fluttering core, panting against your neck, his hands stroking your face as he nuzzles and kisses you. 

The storm outside continues to rumble overhead, but you and Tommy sleep upon a cloud of bliss until morning, when the skies glow blue once more. 

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Notes: On Colour

Describing Colour in your Poetry and Stories

BLACK Shadow Black, Dusk, Midnight, Blackbird, Blackberry, Ebony, Black Honey, Darkness, Jet Black, Ink Black, Soot, Onyx, Licorice, Ivory Black, Pitch, Char, Gloom, Outer Space, Creosote Black, Melanite, Goth Black, Gunpowder

BLUE Blueberry, Sapphire Blue Metallic, Tiffany Blue (Pantone 1837), Cobalt Blue, Denim, Aquamarine, Turquoise, Sky Blue, Topaz, Ultramarine Blue, Azure, Cerulean, Oxford Blue, Periwinkle, Electric Blue, Baby Boy Blue, Pthalo Blue, Robin's Egg Blue, Persian Blue, Marino Blue, Prussian Blue

GREEN Leafy Green, Olive, Moss Green, Jade, Lime, Sour Apple Green, Emerald Green, Mint, Kiwi Green, Phthalo Green, Praying Mantis Green, Viridian, Greenback, Shamrock, Sap Green, Chartreuse, Sea Green, Pistachio, Teal, Bamboo, Sea Salt, Celadon Green, Celery, Asparagus Green, Fern Green, Neon Green, Jungle Green, Pear Green

ORANGE Pumpkin, Burnt Orange, Carrot, Sunset Orange, Tangerine, Persimmon, Salamander, Tennessee Orange (Pantone 151), Jack-o'-lantern Orange, Florida Orange, Summer Squash, Pale Daffodil, Smashed Pumpkin, Saffron, Autumn Orange, Macaroni and Cheese, Cadmium Orange

PINK Pink Flamingo, Neon Pink, Bubblegum Pink, Salmon, Peach, Fuscia, Cotton Candy Pink, Rose, Carnation, Thulian, Apricot, Atomic Pink, Barbie Pink, Hot Pink, Amaranth, Flushed, Glitter Pink

PURPLE Lavender, Purple Haze, Grape, Eggplant Purple, Plum, Violet, Orchid, Psychedelic Purple, Amethyst, Lilac, Boysenberry, Mulberry, Wisteria, Bruised Plum, Indigo, Mauve

RED Blood Red, Copper, Maroon, Strawberry, Watermelon Red, Crimson, Candy Apple Red, Tomato, Brick Red, Scarlet, Cardinal Red, Cherry, Ruby Red, Coral, Sunburn, Hot Lava, Cadmium Red, Auburn, Blush, Alizarin Crimson, Fire Engine Red, Raspberry, Vermillion, Lipstick, Burgundy, Magenta, English Vermilion, Mahogany

WHITE Dirty White, Albino, Chalk, Alabaster, Cotton, Titanium White, Vanilla, Bone White Egg Shell, Marshmallow, Ivory, Pearl White, Almond, Champagne, Blond, Cream, Milky White, Corn Silk, Bleach, Navajo White, Ghost White, Light, Cloud White

YELLOW Canary Yellow, Lemon, Banana, Egg Yolk Yellow, Mellow Yellow, Chanterelle, Mustard Yellow, Corn, Goldenrod, Amber, Pineapple, Metallic Gold, Cadmium Yellow, Wheat, Tuscan Sun, Butter, School Bus Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Citron, Dandelion

BROWN Mud Brown, Beaver, Caramel, Rust, Macaroon, Toasty Brown, Coffee, Sandy Tan, Cocoa, Honey, Chocolate, Burnt Sienna, Mocha, Seashell, Antique Brass, Bronze, Brown Sugar, Chestnut Brown, Taupe, Burnt Umber, Khaki, Dark Sienna, Light Chocolate, Sepia

GRAY Stone Gray, Ash, Metallic Silver, Platinum, Smoke, Concrete Gray, Mercury, Steel Gray, Mist, Titanium, Charcoal, Slate, Sterling Silver, Tungsten, Old Coin Gray, Iron Gray, Chrome, Magnesium, Overcast

MIXED Candy Cane (red and white), Zebra (black and white), Chameleon (many different colours), Ladybug (black and red), Wildfire (yellow, orange and red), Tiger (orange, black and white), Yellow Jacket (black and yellow), Christmas Lights (red, white and green), Rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet), Black Pepper (black and gray), Leopard (spotted gold and black), Creamsicle (orange and white), Candy Corn (orange and white), Iceberg (a bluish gray), Marbled

COLOURS: Symbolisms, Associations & Psychological Effects

Black. Especially in Gothic literature from the West, a black colour choice often represents death, evil, grief, and depression. Associated with fear, the unknown and often has a negative connotation. Black clothes can make you look thinner. A black background severely diminishes the readability of most type. Often the go to colour for funerals and grieving. It symbolizes stability and power, which gives a sense of authority. Thus, the black colour often represents professionalism and expertise.

Blue. Has positive and negative connotations in colour psychology. Some writers may use blue to represent serenity and tranquility, instilling a scene with a calming effect. Blue can also signify sadness, melancholy, or isolation. People who find someone very loyal and faithful are often called "true blue". Blue is often considered to be more masculine which is why it is often the colour of choice when choosing a suit. Lighter blues are associated with tranquility, softness and healing. Darker blues are associated with power, knowledge and seriousness. Blue is actually shown to suppress appetites a bit. The colour blue symbolizes wisdom and hope. It’s the colour of peace and confidence. Blue has been shown to reduce blood pressure and pulse rate. It fosters serenity and a sense of belonging.

Green. The colour green often symbolizes rebirth, growth, peace, jealousy, and greed. Green colours may also represent spring and renewal. It is a colour that is very easy on the eyes. Dark green is often associated with ambition. Green suggests stability, safety and hope. At the same time, it may denote a lack of experience in a particular field. Green symbolizes peace, growth, and nature. It is the colour of success, promoting healing and tranquility.

Orange. The colour orange often represents energy, excitement, joy, and creativity. Since orange is the colour of fire, it may also symbolize heat. Since orange is not as aggressive as red, it can actually stimulate brain activity. It is very useful to catch someone's attention, which is why it's used a lot to advertise food and toys.

Pink. The colour pink symbolizes love, kindness, femininity, innocence, and playfulness. Certain shades of pink can limit aggression. Pink may be associated with unconditional love and caring.

Purple. Often associated with royalty, the colour purple symbolizes bravery, spirituality, and luxury. Light purple usually brings up romantic or nostalgic feelings; while a darker shade can make you feel gloomy or sad.

Red. The colour red symbolizes some of the most powerful human emotions, like passionate love or lust. On the other side of the spectrum, this warm colour is also the colour of blood, often symbolizing anger, danger, and violence. It stimulates the appetite. Red is an emotionally intense colour associated with energy, danger, anger, passion and determination. The symbolic meaning associated with the colour red is passion, excitement, and love. It’s the colour of urgency, power, and desire. Red is said to boost hunger and is believed to inspire confidence and excitement. This colour has also been found to increase blood pressure and heart rate.

White. This primary colour traditionally symbolizes innocence, peace, and cleanliness. In Western cultures, the colour white also represents purity and virginity, while it symbolizes mourning in some East Asian cultures. Usually has positive connotations when used and thought of as safe. Associated a lot with healing, simplicity and sterility, which is why it's used in hospitals and healing centers as much as it is. The symbolic meaning of the colour white is truth and sometimes even indifference. It encourages feelings of safety and cleanliness. Clean, white clothes and linens show sterility since stains are easily visible. That’s why doctors and nurses frequently wear white lab coats and scrubs.

Yellow. Writers may use the colour yellow to symbolize creativity, happiness, optimism, and warmth—think of a yellow ray of sunlight poking out from a dark cloud. A common negative connotation of the color yellow is cowardice, popularized by the phrase “yellow-bellied.” Warming effect which stimulates body and mind. Gold is associated with the highest of luxury. When bright yellow is used with black it's one of the easiest colour combinations to see from long distances; when uses with lighter colours it's not so easy to see. Yellow ribbons are worn as a symbol of hope and used quite often to welcome home loved ones. Yellow is the colour of warmth, kindness, and happiness. It’s often associated with optimism and well-being and promotes energy.

Brown. This warm, earthy brown colour may symbolize dependability, comfort, and a sense of being grounded. Brown is also a neutral colour, and writers may use it to represent dullness and predictability. Brown is a colour that is related to very grounded traits such as simplicity, practicality, common sense and hard work. Can also be associated with those that are frugal and not too flashy.

Gray. Lighter grays are often thought of as more feminine while darker grays more masculine. Gray is considered by many to be a neutral colour; the perfect balance between light and dark / good and evil. Pop up the lighter grays and add a little shine to it, and thought immediately turns to silver, which correlates to wealth.

Sources & other related articles: 1 2 3 4 5

If these writing notes helped with your poem/story, please tag me. Or leave a link in the replies. I'd love to read them!

[yyh4ever]

Yu Yu Hakusho Motif Ring

by U-TREASURE

Each one of the guys special move/weapon has been incorporated into a cool design!

💍Official Site: u-treasure

💍Reservations: from March 14th to April 15, 2024 (international shipping available)

💍Shipping: around July 26, 2024

💍Price: 15,400 yen each

💍Types:

Yusuke Urameshi Spirit Gun Motif Ring👉🔵

The main character Yusuke Urameshi's special move is "Reigan", a bullet fired by concentrating spirit energy (reiki) at his fingertip. The moment of convergence of the spirit energy just before firing is represented by a natural blue topaz stone and a silver base. The design is slender and delicate so it can be easily stacked with your existing rings or casually incorporated into your everyday fashion.

◇Material: Silver 925 (no rhodium coating)

◇Arm width: approx. 1.8mm to 5.55mm

◇Arm thickness: approx. 1.8mm

◇Blue Topaz: Approximately 1.8mm in diameter x 1

Kazuma Kuwabara Spirit Sword Motif Ring✨

Kuwabara, the man who livens up the atmosphere, is the self-proclaimed eternal rival of Yusuke. "Reiken," a sword created from spirit energy, is expressed by yellow gold coating. The design is slender and delicate so it can be easily stacked with your existing rings or casually incorporated into your everyday fashion.

◇Material: 925 silver (yellow gold coating), some matte processing

◇Arm width: approx. 1.9mm to 7.4mm

◇Arm thickness: approx. 1.7mm to 1.85mm

Kurama Rose Whip Motif Ring🌹

Kurama is a demon fox (Youko) that lived for hundreds of years, and has a high ability to manipulate plants. The "Rose Whip", a whip made by changing the shape of a rose, is carefully expressed with a three-dimensional rose and thorns, and coated with pink gold. The design is slender and delicate so it can be easily stacked with your existing rings or casually incorporated into your everyday fashion.

◇Material: Silver 925 (pink gold coating)

◇Arm width: approx. 1.8mm to 5.4mm

◇Arm thickness: approx. 1.8mm to 4.55mm

Hiei Dragon of the Darkness Flame Motif Ring🐉🔥

Hiei has an evil eye (jagan), and was once a famous thief in the Demon World. The "Jaō Ensatsu Kokuryūha", which summons a black dragon, the incarnation of the Demon World's hellfire, and releases it by feeding it with youki, is expressed by applying a black coating. The design is slender and delicate so it can be easily stacked with your existing rings or casually incorporated into your everyday fashion.

◇Material: Silver 925 (black coating)

◇Arm width: approx. 1.8mm to 4.75mm

◇Arm thickness: approx. 1.8mm to 2.0mm

[honestsycrets]

before anyone else II: the reverent | admiral!miguel o'hara x princess!reader

❛ pairing | admiral!miguel o'hara x princess!reader

❛ type | double-shot, explicit

❛ summary | politics and murder? easy. but if he thought he could stomach forcing the princess he loves into marriage... he was wrong. or reader forces admiral miguel o'hara into marriage.

❛ tags | forced marriage, royal!au, admiral!miguel, princess!reader, mention of murder, betrayal, treason, angst, f!reader, persuasion inspired, Spanish is not translated, female led breeding session, hand jobs, spicy bath time, ignoring miguel.

❛ sy's notes | the update no one asked for. the first chapter felt very incomplete without this one, so i just wanted to complete this series with a little bit of angst and smut.

“And what is that? Up there, Lyla.” 

Lyla is closer to you than he remembers. In his make-believe voyage to Stone’s home, he would need a new ship. Today Lyla invited you to sail imperial seas, cutting through the waters with a new ship, the Reverent. He hadn’t shown you much of anything in his rush to leave the capital eight years ago. He makes that right with Gwen at your side, donned in the clothing of the guard. You opted for a soft blue gown, a navy blue rebozo thrown over your shoulders. The fat bow that drew in your stomach tumbled down against the dress’s long train.

“That’s the Crow’s Nest.”

His men and women were ogling. It wasn’t exactly normal to have a soft woman on board—much less their princess. You held the top of your hat, glancing up at the beam. Sun bounced in your eye, and you laughed delightfully, clapping your hands together. “A crow’s nest? Why do they call it such a thing?” 

“The Vikings would release crows from the crow’s nest if they could not see,” Gwen answered, he did not know she cared so much about ships. You looked at her in delight as she explained. “Chart the path they took toward land.” 

“¡Qué chévere! Lady Gwen, you are quite knowledgeable.” 

“All sailor legend,” Miguel responded, the string of jealousy coursing through his bones, before he jerked his head toward those gathered along the main deck. He never did like crowds. “Back to shore! Off to your work, then!” 

“Thank you for showing me proper sailing,” they dispersed to the sound of your many thanks, a slight bow in your waist. If it were your father, he would never do such a thing. Gwen stepped to the side, holding her hands behind her back. “You have a wonderful crew.”

"You heard the admiral, off you go!" Lyla rushed off to the stern to take the ship's wheel.

“And Lyla?” she stopped, turning her big brown eyes at him. She probably knew what was coming as you slipped by Miguel, sliding your hand around his inner elbow. “No rum.” 

It was one time, she threw a curse. 

“Have I missed something?” you asked, setting your head against his thin poet’s shirt. He smelled of the salty sea and the thin film of his own sweat. The warmth of the sun must have drained you already, donned in tumbling full-body fabrics.

“I’ve something for you.” 

“Have you?” you asked, turning around to face him. Miguel reached around his neck, loosening the cord. His gift was not a necklace. If it were, he’d be far outmatched with jewels like sapphires, diamonds, and topaz nestled between your breasts. He pulled a ring from the cord, slipping onto his knees. You recognized the ring that he presented to you immediately. A modest ring of pearl set with tiny bits of a jewel that wasn’t quite diamond on either side.

“Oh, Miggy. You kept it?” you slipped your hand down to his waiting fingers. Miguel slid his ring onto your finger.

“It isn’t much. A guards pay, yes?” He began, realizing he was stumbling over his words. “But I… couldn’t help but think you would prefer it to something new.” 

You pulled your hand free, kneeling to catch his lips in a small, patient kiss. He was grateful for anything he could get-- repressed as he was. Gwen bit back a smile, a soft murmur of princess, to urge you not to draw out such attention in front of a band of sea-numb sailors. You slid back onto two feet, your hands coming together one over the other. 

“I love it. I always have, Miguel.” 

“Yes, well--” he cleared his throat. He pushed past Gwen toward the steer of the boat, barking some orders in intelligible sailor slang. “I should check on Lyla. Lest she beaches us on some obvious outcropping.” 

Gwen and you both knew it was to loosen himself of the embarrassment of a kiss well deserved. You glanced down at the engagement ring glittering on your finger, a smile working over your cheeks.

“Perhaps I should not have asked Lyla for her help,” you leaned over to whisper in Gwen’s ear. “My Miggy will never let her live it down.” 

“Yes,” Gwen agreed. “Perhaps not.” 

Hours ago, Miguel was on the salty sea. Tonight, Miguel held a bloody seax, wiping away kingly blood from its blade with a handkerchief that he’d promptly dispose of. For all his talk, the king took death well. Admirable, even! Barely a coward’s cry, a simple do it mijo, as Miguel drove his blade across his neck. Perhaps he expected his death, perhaps he missed his sons. Miguel couldn't help but think he knew what would happen by asking Miguel to deliver you to Stone like a hunk of precious cargo.

“I would say that went quite well. No fuss from the council members. No fuss from the king,” Lyla relaxed at the king’s desk, her breeches smattered in blood. Miguel lifted his eyebrows at her, a bit of sweat dripping down his neck. “How about your fiancé? Think she’ll make a fuss? You did slit--”

“¡Callate! Go with the men and take the body to the undertaker.” 

“You’re no fun,” Lyla threw her boots off the desk, guards flanking her side, heading toward the king’s chambers. Miguel replaced his seax in the sheathe, cupping his face in one of his large hands. The door creaked wide open. Jess, whose frame was also streaked in blood, strode in. Miguel threw her a handkerchief.

“Council members are done and dusted.”

He mulled over what was undoubtedly coming: talk of the next steps. Miguel braced himself for her prodding.

“It has been a long time, years maybe since the people favored the king. I dare say not ever."

"What of the imperialists?"

"My guards are posted to suppress those still loyal to the king." 

“I can't imagine they were happy under his rule.” Miguel moved toward the king’s rum cabinet, grabbing a bottle of glass. He sniffs the pretentious liquid, striding around the front and pouring Jess a cup first, then himself. “He did nothing for them but levy heavy taxes. She is the one who handled public relations. They’ll welcome a new king.” 

“Well, it is better to have a warrior king over a puppet king. Even the corrupt will be happy not to fall to Stone.”

He hummed in agreement. 

“About your rule."

Oh, here she goes.

"You’ll marry her before the end of the rose festival. It is the perfect time for romance.” Jess drank her rum, clinking their ringed fingers together in a toast. “Everyone knows of her standing engagement to Stone. We can frame the wedding as an act of love and her father as an obstacle to it. The women will love it.”

“If she’ll have me.”

“Miguel. We agreed. She has no choice.”

The sound of it grated something low in his belly. His fiancé with no choice but to marry the man who murdered her father. Murder was in no way his preferred choice... It was unavoidable. He had no other choice.

“I know.” 

Miguel threw back the rum. He cast a glance to the window, the sun rising over the horizon. She watches him push off the side of the desk, his claws scratching lines of blood behind his neck. He spoke to himself as much as he spoke to Jess with his next words.

“My woman is gentle. I do not know how to tell her-- that I’ve waited a decade to marry her only to force her to."  

Jess had no answers. The king is dead, sang some distant lament, a panic echoing through the halls. He wondered which you would agree to attend first: the funeral or the wedding.

Your mother was assassinated when you were just a girl. Your brothers met their deaths while at war with Stone. That was the nature of war and being a royal. For much of your life, you were accustomed to the pain of loss. Creating connections with your subjects was what you always aspired to develop. You could talk to people in the crown city you knew would be there year after year. Like the willowy brunet who sold you rose oil even after Miguel left. That was why the rose festival was so important to you. 

It was tainted that early morning with the shrill scream of the king is dead-- bouncing off the halls, sending your heart strumming in your chest as you lurched up in your silky sheets, throwing your feet over the bed onto the cold marble floor.

“My father is dead?” you asked one of the two sentinel guards who stood wordless at your door. Gwen was parked in one of your great lounge chairs, rushing to stand upon the sound of your sleep-laden voice. You picked the bottom of your sleeping gown, rushing down from your place on the bed to the double doors. Gwen stopped you short of them. 

“By order of the Chief of the Imperial Guard, I’m afraid you can’t go out, princess,” she spoke smoothly. She cleared her throat. “It is not safe.”  “Safe?” you repeated. “The last man I could call family is dead and you long to speak to me about safety?” 

She steeled her face. Guilt trickled in, inking in her stormy eyes. She strode in front of the double doors, her hand over the pommel of her sword. You couldn’t believe your luck-- not only to be alive, drawing breath, but to at the same time be sequestered in your quarters like a small bird in a gilded cage. 

“Yes, princess. It is for your own good.”

The doors swung open. In place of your father, with his jovial hops, your fiancé. Miguel took measured steps, swinging the door shut behind him. The doors boomed as they came to a close. Like the other sentinel, Gwen took her place in protecting the only feasible exit. Your chambers were high in a tower, looking before the beautiful coast and its silvery waves. You often looked out the window and thought of him.

“I take it you have heard.” 

Something in his countenance set off an air of distrust. His chin was level as if it was cut out of marble, and effortlessly the words spilled from his lips. There had never been a day in your life that you did not trust Miguel O’Hara. That though he was curt, sharp, and decisive, he always bore your best interest in mind. That was something you reconsidered now.

He stood almost too pieced together. Miguel stood in a clean militant uniform, the finest set of regimental you ever did see him in. Any other time you may have drooled over the sight. Over the way he combed his hair back, tickling his broad throat. Or how tightly the shirt fit when he moved forth, then swayed back on his heel. His thumb hooked on the clasp of an iron belt.

“What have I heard, Miguel?” 

“Of the military coup.” 

His words carried no recognizable trace of remorse. They only communicated the facts of your situation.

“You…” you faded off. It couldn’t have been. ”It was you?” 

“I had no other choice.”

Though he said the words, he knew you would find them inadequate. Wholly untrue, even. Your mind buzzed in disbelief, pacing backward to your bed. You glanced at the clothes your maid set out for the day, settled over bundles of fluffy pillows. As the sun raised over the glittering ocean, one that you visited often in his memory, you felt stilted. “I asked you not to--” 

“Talk ill of the dead, yes, I know. I will not.” 

“You missed my point entirely. I asked that you would not blame them for the past. To not dwell on it. You've done just that!” 

It was perhaps an impossible ask to ask a man like Miguel, cocky as he were, to bury the past when your father made such requests of him. You could handle your father’s death by any other means. By an assassination by Jess or the many others who sought his head. With your heart something akin to numb, you dropped onto your bed, scratching at the ribbons laced in your hair from the night before. You pulled them free. Miguel made his way close, bending onto one knee between your own, sliding his gloved hand up your exposed skin. 

“Perdóname,” he spoke candidly. You gazed at him with watery, bright eyes. If anything on this earth could fill him with remorse, it would have been that. He pressed a kiss to your knee. “It had to be done.” 

“You say that but I wonder if you truly understand what those words mean,” you bit out. He appeared contrite, lowering his head lower, if at all possible. “What would you have me do next, hm? I have no more brothers to rule the crown. I care nothing for politics, only the health of my society, and what of Stone? Do you not think he will feel disrespected?” 

“I did it for you.” Miguel simpered. 

“For me? None of this is for me,” you repeated after him, knocking his hands from your knee. You replaced the skirt over the spot he kissed, finding the feeling of his slightly chapped lips blooming blisters of hot anger through your body. “No, you did it for yourself, Miguel. You are so selfish. My father gave you an ounce of power and you repaid him by taking his life.” 

“I am selfish? He gave me nothing but years of pain.” Miguel’s facade cracked, his face going insipid. “I took these positions to please him. For you.” 

“And how is it that these choices are now my fault?” you interrupted Miguel, looking up at his hard features. “Now where do I figure into this-- bloodlust of yours? What do you want of me?” 

“I want you to marry me. You will marry me. You have no other choice.” 

You weren’t going to let him skate by this time. You wouldn’t allow him to be this wonderful, handsome, caring man you fell in love with at first sight as a girl. The certainty with which he said those words was enough. You pushed past him, Miguel snatching your slight wrist in his thick grasp, holding you there. He couldn’t let it be. Not so easily. 

“Get out,” you whirled your wrist around in his grip to break it. He easily could have overcome you, the admiral that he was. You heard the rumors of his swashbuckling run-ins with pirates and saw him in action as a guard. You knew the depths of his strength. He let you slip away. “That is an order from your princess, Miguel. Perhaps you’ve forgotten, but it is the rose festival. I have duties to maintain peace that don’t require things such as murder and treason to the crown.”

He snapped his head down, inspecting something wildly interesting on the stony floor. His hands flexed and curled into tight fists, as though he could do or say anything more that would talk you from throwing you out of your quarters. His anger piqued before he absolved it of outward expression, instead speaking with a hard voice.

“We will speak of this again.” 

“Out.” 

He never wanted this. But it was necessary.

Miggy, Miggy, me duele. 

The pain will pass, mi amor. 

The only type of hurt Miguel wanted to give you preceded pleasure. One that could be fixed with patience and doting attention. That was what the rose festival provided nearly eight years ago. Today-- that reality couldn’t be any different from his reality. 

Jess’s military presence was intense. Normally, you could cut bundles of bouncy rosy flowers and interact freely with others attending, creating rose products that could be bought, traded, or sold. Your chamber ladies held wicker baskets jam-packed with long flowers to be given to expecting or aged mothers, a small gift for their motherly worries. A parasol blocked the warm Mediterranean skin from your exposed skin. 

“She looks beautiful today, eh?” 

Lyla nudged him with a sticky creampuff between her fingers. Its rosy pink filling was smeared over her slight lip. Miguel’s arms turned one over the other, not a complaint on his lips. She was right as she usually was. You never wore red-- but the occasions that you did never failed to render him breathless. Unfortunately for him, the long dress hugged your curves beautifully, a fat bow behind your back, the diadem settled neatly along your head. You looked beautiful-- like that night, sliding into a hot bath of nothing but warm petals and rose oil purchased from some overly excited peasant. What he wouldn't give to hold your parasol, or the baskets, to simply be close.

“Suppose you didn’t think this bit through,” she leaned in, whispering words in his ear. “The whole let’s assassinate what’s left of her family.” 

“Shut up,” Miguel pushed off the wall. “If you’re so knowledgeable, help me.” 

“I could do that. Princess!” Lyla waved, rushing over. He followed her like a second shadow, nipping on her heels. Your gaze snapped to hers. A slightly forced smile worked at your lips as you brought your red-gloved fingers to the basket your chamber lady had. He tried to make eye contact-- but found you looked anywhere but his eyes, avoiding him in the cruelest way you could. 

“Lady Lyla, I have something for you.” 

“For me?” she laughed, a teasing thing. “I never receive gifts.” 

“I give you casks of rum.” Miguel protested. You looked at Lyla for a moment, eyes flickering gently, before continuing your search. 

How did you punish him? You look anywhere but at him. You ignore his existence. He longs.

“Yes,” you plucked out a ruby red crown of roses. “Well, girls, perhaps Lyla would like to feel like a woman for once. Trapped on the admiral’s battered and broken ship does not serve for much of a love life. Other than brief encounters at distant ports. Which I am sure you do not care much for.” 

“Eh,” Lyla shrugged off the suggestion, slipping onto a knee so that you could set the crown of flowers on her head. She stands back up, nodding her head appreciatively. “I’ve had relations with some beautiful women.” 

“Oh, please tell,” you took her thin arm and pulled her from his side, pinching your skirt between your fingers and walking on. As if he were fucking invincible-- “I am sure the admiral has taken on many lovers during the years. Have you?” 

“He’s not even had one.” Lyla laughed, “Unless you count his hand.” 

She thought she was so funny. Your chambermaids certainly thought she was, chittering in laughter among one another. He quickly understood that you not only did not want to speak to him but by peeling his-- begrudgingly said-- best friend away from him, you sought to make a point. To make him feel as lonely as your grief made you. In this busy, love-filled festival, he certainly felt it. 

Miguel doesn’t buy things often. But there was something in the way the tiny stick of a man spoke. The glitter in his plain brown eyes invited Miguel to buy the stupid oil treatment that he spilled into his bath now. I think I remember you, you were the princess’s guard, the man said. You bought the princess this treatment years ago!

He couldn’t have remembered it. Miguel abandoned the towel by a gilded chair, sliding his sore muscles into the hot water. He shouldn’t have left to help his men at the docks. His muscles were tight with the tension of moving crates of products onto ships all afternoon and into the late hours of the night. The subsequent days of the rose festival proceeded much the same. It was nearly over. Jess would come soon to press him about his marriage. One that he was not certain would proceed-- not if things kept in this vein. Yet, he couldn't bear to walk to your chambers again, to force you into it.

“I’ve thought about it.” 

Miguel would have jerked out of the bath if not for your hands sinking into the warm waters of the bath. Your gloves were thrown somewhere else, not here, dipping around his broad torso and below the waters. You wrenched your hand around his cock, gently pulling his dick to hardness underneath the waters. It did not take much-- it had been so long. He couldn’t quite process your words with the way you stroked him, milking him as if he were detached from his cock. 

“Miggy."

"Yes...?" he didn't know what else to say.

"You murdered my father because you want to be king,” you said, the words held a vein of resentment. You enjoyed it, stroking the soft skin of his dick, tracing the veins that rushed to his head. You especially loved how he stiffened and grew in your silky hands. Miguel gripped the sides of the bath, his knuckles growing white as he held the rim. 

“I don’t want to be king. I want you, I’d-- carajo-- murder him a hundred times over,” he supplied the truth, the words falling from his lips with great effort. Your other hand sunk lower, grasping his balls in your palm and melding them. You squeezed him in some mock punishment. But it wasn’t-- not nearly. It felt good. He cried out, a small pant of air filling the room. 

“Hush, Miguel.” 

“No-- te necesito. I need you, I’m so fucking-- I’m hard,” your languid circular strokes of his shaft were agonizing and caused him to ache. His nails dug into the side of the bath, mesmerized by how gently you treated him, settling a kiss at the side of his neck. Your pace quickened, jerking him more insistently. The many days at sea that he stroked himself just like this-- with the dream of your hands being the one to do it, to do just this, all culminated in Miguel’s harsh panting, trying to obey-- to be good for you, just as you had years ago. 

“I know you do. You want me to marry you?” you murmured against his neck, tracing his pulse. He dropped his head back, closing his eyes, offering you only a small nod. Your hands drew back, leaving him bobbing in the water, so hard it hurt. So hard-- “Stop it.” 

Miguel complied. You drew back your deep red cowl, drawing the strands loose as you moved in front of him. He bore at you in an incredible amount of awe, his hand pulling at his cock like it were second nature. He pounded into his own hand, so high on the lovely sight before him that it surged in his chest, the beautiful way your nails pulled at the frilled bottom of your nightgown, lifting and pulling it off your body. His mind was a haze, skin warm by the hot oil in the bath. What remained was a desire to be touched by you. 

“¿Qué? I didn’t hear you,” your fingers teetered along your clit, stroking along your wet lips. Miguel soaked his own lips with the hunger that rose from the need to touch and be touched by you. 

“Sí,” Miguel murmured, the words short and slight. You slipped into the water, gripping the rim of the bath and presented your ass to him. Miguel’s eyes caught your puffy lips, flecks of rose matted to your skin. He didn’t dare move-- lest you tell him to get out. 

“Come mount me,” you urged, the words soft, gentle, inviting him to climb over your body. He didn’t know why-- but happiness bloomed in his chest, “Since you murdered what family I had left, you’ll give me more.” 

“Give you… you want me to…” Miguel’s mind fizzled out, all cognizant thought of what you meant left field. In its place was the certainty of what you wanted. You wanted him-- his children. He clambered over you, nudging your lips with his cockhead. 

“Sí, mi amor, I want you to impregnate me.” Your hand reached back, nails clawing into his muscular hip. Miguel flinched, the blunt head of his cock pressed against your entrance. Water sloshed over the rim of the bath onto marble floors. What you asked for was to be used, to be filled. He couldn't equate the depths of your need when just a few days ago you banished him from your chambers.

“Is that so? Then I won’t pull out.” 

“I expect you not to,” you bit back. 

“Fuck,” Miguel murmured, taking his time in sliding forward. He wanted to savor the feeling, the way his cock slid apart walls that hadn’t been used in years. Your body stretched to make room for him, the feeling of burning pleasure dancing down your spine. Miguel gasped, realizing he should have fingered you first-- because your body was tight, so warm and good, full of his cock deep in your belly. You moaned his name, sounding so beautiful in ways that Miguel had only dreamed of in the past few years. 

He snapped his hips in forceful but short thrusts, his fingers gliding up your sides to your breasts, his thumb and index finger rolled and pinched your nipples. “Dios mío,” he found himself panting. “I’ve missed this.” 

“So Lyla says,” you threw back. “Ah, there, faster--” 

“As you wish.” 

You were talking far too much for his liking. His hands snapped down to your core, fingers delving against the clitoral hood, that sweet little spot he knew would cause a weakness in this facade of yours. You gasped, lowering your head down over the rim of the bath, accepting his thrusts with helpless cries of his name, growing in their intelligibility, until felt it more than he heard it. Your pussy spasmed around him, milking him for his seed. Not yet, he wanted to remember the way you cried for him-- for his children. He snapped his hips hard, short thrusts snatching any relief of orgasm far away. 

“Por fa Miggy,” you whispered, something soft and hot. His eyes went wide, failing to focus on anything but your voice. “Don’t be a tease. Give me your seed.” 

He responded with nothing short of a sharp growl, turning his hands onto your hips. He threw his hips forward in a harsh, punishing pace, as if he were taking out every second you punished him out on you now. Water soaked the floor, replaced with the ringing slap of his hips thrown against yours, his heavy balls full of cum that-- seconds later, he released. Miguel choked loud grunts, scratching at your back for relief. You felt his warm seed fill your walls, his chest bowing over yours as he spurt his cum seated against your cervix. His claws drew lines of blood free of your unmarred hips, marks of his claim. 

“Stay-- stay there,” Miguel murmured against your back, pressing small kisses along your back to your shoulder. “If you want a baby, my seed needs to take.” 

Soon enough, Miguel grew soft and fell free from your body, globs of his cum spilling down your thighs. He stepped out of the bath, drying himself off and throwing the towel on the slippery floor. He extended his hand out for you to take. You did, sliding over the crumpled clothes Miguel threw on the floor so that you would not slip. 

“You marry me tomorrow,” you supplied. Miguel’s bushy eyebrows pushed up, suddenly realizing why Jess had not yet come to bother him about his failure to secure a fitting date for marriage. You must have arranged it. 

“What do you mean tomorrow?” 

“Then our honeymoon. I want to have a child in my arms before the year is up, Miggy. You can handle politics, war, Stone. I care not for any of it.” You settled your hand on Miguel’s chest, drawing it down over his firm pecs to the muscles of his stomach. He glanced toward your core, cum soaking your walls. “You have no choice.” 

“You mean to say you are forcing me into marriage?” Miguel bit out, a heavy breath slipping out of his lips when you grabbed him again. Already? You walked him back out of the bathroom and into his bedroom, pushing him onto the silken sheets. He fell with a grunt, catching your body and dragging you on top. Cum from your leaking cunt soaked his thigh. You brought your thumb to his lips, quirking it against one of his fangs. Miguel turned his face to the side, glaring into the dark night.

“As if it were so hard. Now, the correct response is yes, my princess.” 

He chuckled, small and pleased.

“Yes, my queen.” 

Queen did sound so good when it came from his lips. 

[the-mortuary-witch]

TYPES OF CRYSTALS

ABUNDANCE: agate, calcite, citrine, diamond, dolomite, garnet, jade, moonstone, peridot, rose quartz, smoky quartz, tourmaline, and zircon.

AVOIDING DANGER: agate, malachite, obsidian, sard, tigers-eye, and topaz. 

ACTIVATE ENERGY: amethyst, calcite, emerald, fluorite, labradorite, opal, pearl, peridot, quartz, tourmaline, zircon, and kyanite. 

ANXIETY: angelite, celestine, cuprite, hematite, jasper, serpentine, and tiger’s eye.

ASTRAL TRAVEL: opal, sapphire, staurolite, quartz, hematite, barite, carnelian, and fluorite. 

AWARENESS: amethyst, ametrine, cats-eye, moldavite, obsidian, opal, quartz, smoky quartz, sodalite, and topaz. 

ANIMALS (TO WORK WITH): agate, cat’s-eye, diopside, hawks-eye, jasper, labradorite, serpentine, and tigers-eye. 

BALANCING: agate, ametrine, apophyllite, aragonite, desert rose, tourmaline, opal, pearl, quartz, garnet, and obsidian. 

BANISHING: aquamarine, beryl, bloodstone, malachite, quartz, and salt. 

BINDING: diamond, jasper, jet, lodestone, obsidian, onyx, salt, and sard. 

BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT: bloodstone, emerald, malachite, and tigers-eye. 

CALM AND SOOTHE: amber, amethyst, ametrine, aventurine, beryl, blue lace agate, garnet, hematite, moonstone, opal, rhodonite rose quartz, selenite, sodalite, and topaz. 

CHALLENGES / DIFFICULTIES: azurite, carnelian, diamond, lodestone, malachite, pearl, rhodonite, sard, onyx, and smoky quartz. 

CHANGES / TRANSLATIONS: amber, andalusite, amethyst, aventurine, blue lace agate, citrine, garnet, jasper, kyanite, white quartz

CLARITY: amber, aventurine, aquamarine, beryl, diamond, hawks-eye, hematite, obsidian, onyx, sodalite, topaz, tourmaline, and turquoise.

COMMUNICATION: amazonite, amethyst, angelite, aquamarine, azurite, calcite, carnelian, fluorite, garnet, malachite, quartz, and topaz.

COMPASSION: aventurine, celestine, cuprite, dolomite, howlite, jasper, and rose quartz.

CONFIDENCE: agate, aragonite, bloodstone, blue lace agate, calcite, carnelian, diamond, garnet, labradorite, lodestone, onyx, tigers-eye, and tourmaline. 

COURAGE: agate, aventurine, beryl, calcite, carnelian, diamond, garnet, jade, jasper, labradorite, lapis lazuli, ruby, sard, onyx, and tourmaline. 

CREATIVITY: agate, amber, amethyst, aquamarine, aventurine, calcite, garnet, howlite, smoky quartz, staurolite, tigers-eye, tourmaline, and white quartz. 

DEATH / ANCESTORS / AFTERLIFE: amber, amazonite, carnelian, hematite, jade, jet, lapis lazuli, malachite, obsidian, and petrified wood. 

DIVINATION: amethyst, bloodstone, fluorite, hematite, jasper, jet, moonstone, obsidian, pyrite, quartz, and tigers-eye. 

DREAMWORK: amethyst, rose quartz, desert rose, diamond, onyx, sapphire, and selenite. 

FEAR (TO SUBDUE): blue lace agate, calcite, dolomite, onyx, ruby, sapphire, and sodalite. 

FERTILITY: carnelian, diamond, garnet, jade, jasper, moonstone, pearl, rhodonite, sapphire, and topaz. 

FIDELITY: diamond, garnet, lapis lazuli, rhodochrosite, sapphire, and topaz. 

FOCUS / CONCENTRATION: amazonite, amethyst, ametrine, andalusite, beryl, fluorite, garnet, jasper, kyanite, lepidolite, and obsidian. 

FORGIVENESS: angelite, chrysoberyl, diopside, lodestone, and obsidian. 

FRIENDSHIP: aventurine, blue lace agate, garnet, lapis lazuli, lodestone, moonstone, and rose quartz. 

GRIEF / SORROW (TO DEAL WITH): amber, apatite, aquamarine, carnelian, dolomite, hiddenite, jet, lapis lazuli, malachite, rose quartz, and smoky quartz.

GROUND AND CENTRE ENERGY: agate, amazonite, amethyst, blue lace agate, calcite, garnet, hematite, lodestone, obsidian, petrified wood, quartz, and tourmaline. 

GROWTH: agate, ametrine, amethyst, azurite, beryl, calcite, cats-eye, celestine, charoite, citrine, jade, jasper, onyx, opal, peridot, ruby, serpentine, and tourmaline. 

GUIDANCE: amethyst, ametrine, aquamarine, aragonite, beryl, calcite, jade, kyanite, lodestone, malachite, moonstone, pearl, sodalite, onyx, and tourmaline. 

HEALING: agate, amber, amethyst, ametrine, aquamarine apatite, blue lace agate, beryl, bloodstone, calcite, celestine, danburite, diamond, fluorite, garnet, hawks-eye, hematite, jasper, jet, lapis lazuli, moonstone, peridot, rose quartz, ruby, sapphire, sugilite, sunstone, tourmaline, white quartz, and zircon. 

HEARTBREAK (TO RECOVER FROM): aventurine, beryl, calcite, lapis lazuli, rhodonite, and rose quartz.

HEXES (TO AVOID/BREAK): emerald, jasper, jet, onyx, quartz, ruby, and salt.

HOME / FAMILY: agate, amazonite, apatite, blue lace agate, celestine, citrine, garnet, lodestone, malachite, quartz, salt, smoky quartz, staurolite, topaz, turquoise, and zircon.

INSIGHT: agate, amber, cat’s-eye, jasper, moldavite, opal, sodalite, spinel, topaz, and tourmaline.

INSPIRATION: amethyst, aquamarine, calcite, carnelian, quartz, jade, labradorite, quartz, ruby, selenite, serpentine, tigers-eye, topaz, tourmaline, white quartz, and zircon.

INTUITION: qgate, amazonite, amethyst, aragonite, azurite, calcite, tigers-eye, labradorite, fluorite, moonstone, pyrite, ruby, sapphire, sard, sodalite, and turquoise.

JUSTICE / LEGAL MATTERS: amethyst, aventurine, bloodstone, diamond, hematite, jade, jet, lapis lazuli, sapphire, selenite, and tourmaline.

KNOWLEDGE / LEARNING: apatite, apophyllite, beryl, cat’s-eye, charoite, epidote, garnet, sodalite, tigers-eye, and tourmaline.

LOSS (TO DEAL WITH): ametrine, aquamarine, garnet, hiddenite, malachite, moldavite, rose quartz, smoky quartz, and topaz.

LOVE / ROMANCE: agate, alexandrite, amethyst, beryl, apatite, aquamarine, calcite, chrysocolla, calcite, desert rose, diamond, emerald, epidote, garnet, jade, jasper, kunzite, lapis lazuli, moonstone, opal, pearl, rose quartz, ruby, sapphire, sard, onyx, selenite, tourmaline, and zircon.

LUCK: agate, alexandrite, amazonite, aventurine, bloodstone, cats-eye, citrine, diamond, jade, jasper, jet, lodestone, malachite, obsidian, opal, pearl, sard, onyx, smoky quartz, staurolite, sunstone, and tigers-eye.

MANIFESTATION: amber, amethyst, andalusite, blue lace agate, calcite, citrine, garnet, hematite, lepidolite, onyx, pyrite, tourmaline, and sard.

MARRIAGE: aquamarine, beryl, lodestone, onyx, rose quartz, sard, and onyx.

MONEY: agate, aventurine, bloodstone, calcite, jasper, lodestone, malachite, opal, pearl, pyrite, staurolite, tigers-eye, tourmaline, and topaz.

MOTIVATION: amber, calcite, celestine, fluorite, labradorite, serpentine, and zircon.

NEGATIVITY (TO DISPEL/AVERT/PROTECTION FROM): amazonite, ametrine, azurite, carnelian, charoite, dolomite, epidote, garnet, hawks-eye, hematite, hiddenite, jade, jasper, kunzite, lepidolite, malachite, obsidian, onyx, peridot, quartz, rose quartz, ruby, salt, selenite, smoky quartz, tourmaline, and turquoise.

NIGHTMARES (TO WARD OFF/SUBDUE): chrysoprase, garnet, jet, lepidolite, onyx, sapphire, and topaz.

OBSTACLES (TO OVERCOME): agate, azurite, barite, bloodstone, diamond, epidote, fluorite, malachite, moonstone, obsidian, opal. petrified wood, quartz, smoky quartz, and tourmaline.

OPTIMISM: agate, beryl, cat’s-eye, chrysoberyl, citrine, dolomite, jasper, and sunstone.

PAST LIFE WORK: andalusite, cuprite, desert rose, howlite, petrified wood, and white quartz.

PEACE / TRANQUILITY: amethyst, aquamarine, blue lace agate, celestine, desert rose, jade, jasper, kunzite, lapis lazuli, larimar, malachite, obsidian, pearl, peridot, sard, selenite, sodalite, sugilite, topaz, and tourmaline.

PROSPERITY / ABUNDANCE: agate, alexandrite, aventurine, cats-eye, calcite, diamond, dioptase, emerald, jade, jasper, malachite, opal, peridot, ruby, spinel, tigers-eye, and tourmaline. 

PROTECTION / DEFENCE: agate, amber, amethyst, andalusite, angelite, aquamarine, aventurine, black tourmaline, calcite, carnelian, cats-eye, citrine, diamond, emerald, epidote, jade, garnet, jasper, jet, onyx, obsidian, quartz ruby, sapphire, sard, serpentine, smoky quartz, sunstone, tigers-eye, tourmaline, turquoise, and zircon. 

PSYCHIC ABILITIES (TO ENHANCE): alexandrite, amethyst apatite, aquamarine, aragonite, beryl, calcite, charoite, citrine, desert rose, diamond, emerald, hawks-eye, jasper, jet, labradorite, lapis lazuli, malachite, moldavite, moonstone, obsidian, opal, peridot, pyrite, quartz, ruby, sapphire, smoky quartz, sodalite, and tourmaline.

PURIFICATION / CLEANSING: amber, amethyst, ametrine, aquamarine, aragonite, calcite, charoite, lepidolite, moldavite, pearl, peridot, quartz, smoky quartz, topaz, and zircon.

RECONCILIATION: apatite, beryl, diamond, lodestone, and quartz.

RELATIONSHIPS: amazonite, amber, aquamarine, barite, beryl, chrysocolla, garnet lodestone, lapis lazuli, obsidian, onyx, peridot, rose quartz, ruby, sapphire, sodalite, and tourmaline.

REMOVE / RELEASE: agate, aventurine, carnelian, dolomite, fluorite, moonstone, obsidian, peridot, quartz, and topaz.

RENEWAL / REBIRTH / NEW BEGINNINGS: ametrine, aquamarine, bloodstone, calcite, carnelian, citrine, garnet, hawks-eye, hematite, peridot, petrified wood, quartz, selenite, serpentine, topaz, tourmaline, turquoise, and white quartz.

SEX / SEXUALITY: agate, Ruby, cuprite, garnet, jasper, rose quartz, ruby, sapphire, serpentine, smoky quartz, spinel, tigers-eye, topaz, and zircon.

SPIRIT GUIDES: amethyst, ametrine, azurite, barite, bloodstone, emerald, howlite, jade, labradorite, moonstone, quartz, salt, sapphire, sugilite, and tourmaline.

SPIRITUALITY: alexandrite, amethyst, ametrine, apatite, barite, beryl, bloodstone, blue lace agate, calcite, celestine, charoite, citrine, desert rose, diamond, dolomite, fluorite, garnet, lapis lazuli, lodestone, malachite, moldavite, pearl, quartz, rose quartz, staurolite, tourmaline, and turquoise.

STABILITY: amazonite, amber, amethyst, ametrine, azurite, calcite, celestine, cuprite, dolomite, garnet, jasper, kyanite, lodestone, quartz, rhodochrosite, and sphene.

STRENGTH: agate, amazonite, amethyst, ametrine, aventurine, bloodstone, charoite, diamond, garnet, hematite, kyanite, lodestone, moonstone, opal, petrified wood, quartz, rose quartz, ruby, sard, onyx, tigers-eye, and tourmaline.

STRESS: agate, angelite, aragonite, beryl, blue lace agate, celestine, diamond, dolomite, howlite, kyanite, labradorite, larimar, lepidolite, petrified wood, rose quartz, selenite, and sodalite.

SUCCESS: agate, alexandrite, amazonite, amber, amethyst, andalusite, aventurine, bloodstone, carnelian, citrine, epidote, fluorite, garnet, jasper, labradorite, malachite, sodalite, spinel, staurolite, sunstone, tigers-eye, turquoise, and zircon.

TRANSFORMATION: amethyst, angelite, azurite, blue lace agate, cats-eye, cerussite, chrysocolla, labradorite, moldavite, obsidian, salt, staurolite, sugilite, and white quartz.

TRAVEL: aquamarine, beryl, emerald, jade, garnet, lapis lazuli, lodestone, malachite, staurolite, and turquoise.

TRUST: amazonite, apophyllite, blue lace agate, charoite, and diamond.

TRUTH: aragonite, danburite, emerald, pyrite, spinel, tigers-eye, and turquoise.

UNITY: amazonite, charoite, diamond, smoky quartz, and zircon.

WELL-BEING: agate, aventurine, beryl, calcite, dioptase, garnet, jade, jasper, kyanite, sugilite, sunstone, and zircon.

WISDOM: amber, agate, amethyst, aquamarine, beryl, blue lace agate, carnelian, chrysocolla, desert rose, garnet, diamond, dioptase, jasper, labradorite, lapis lazuli, moonstone, opal, petrified wood, quartz, rose quartz, ruby, sapphire, sard, onyx, smoky quartz, spinel, sugilite, tigers-eye, topaz, and turquoise.

[michellecee0]

Hi! I absolutely love Lily's kindergala dress! It's so beautiful! I also may or may not have stalked your account and saw that you have some Aus with Kindergarten, if you can, think you can make a kindergala version of one of your Aus?

As you already have known, I adore Lily. Since, obviously she's my absolute favorite. I decided to make My little Gem Lily join the KinderGala.

Here's my Gem!

Lily is a Blue Topaz gem!

And yes, that's her KinderGala gown. In this Au, she clearly doesn't know any knowledge of how to dress for some certain type of events, so she just got a cute jumpsuit with a somewhat kind of skirt with it, and simply wore it.

Here's a bonus of Blue Diamond panicking about her little gem suddenly disappearing.

And yes, feel free to interact with my gem Lily.

:3

[votederpycausemufins]

Used Worm Man week as an excuse to finally finish these wips of a gem Zedaph and Worm Man redesign that have been sitting in my folder half finished (okay more than half finished) for months. (since mid to late august)

I made these two to be the same gem (ie, Zed is Worm Man, inverts gem to disguise, lie about gem type), but you can also just ignore Zed's weapon and treat them as two separate entities that happen to look similar since -gestures to pyropes hessonites and Garnet-

Version with notes featured below the cut

After designing my own Evil X and Xisuma gem designs, I decided I wanted to look at my zed/wm design again. I wasn't as happy with kinda just making another gem that didn't exist, so went looking for an existing gem that might fit better. And then I remembered the Morganite sketch.

Originally there was going to be a story about the ruby and pearl that make Rhodonite, and the morganite that owned them, but the story was cut. That being said, we did get sketches of her (i think there were like 2). Sketches aren't final of course, but it was the best I had. And I absolutely ran with the fact that she was designed in a kimono.

I started with Worm Man's design, running with the idea that 'wait, a kimono is japanese, the japanese version of a hero is a magical girl!!!' (yes i know that's not actually the case super sentai, kamen rider, etc) So bam! put him in a skirt! The weapon was also designed to be magical girl esque, which is why i say to give Zedaph another weapon if you want them to be different.

Also, if you want any lore, my one bit of potential lore is that since Zed is a morganite, which we know is an elite gem, it could be that he owned a certain trio consisting of a bismuth, carnelian and topaz. But he definitely treated them more as friends than underlings bc being elite is booooring. He wants to do stuff!

Oh and also if you go along with my interpretation of the diamond authority in gemcyt, because of him doing redstone and his whole s8 science thing, gem him really wished he were part of Blue's court.

[megamanrecut]

And here's the consolidated list (mostly?) All from Diamond in the Rough, character notes below cut (not in same order as pics)

Considered a few different systems for assigning gems (gemstone family, value, etc.) but ultimately just went with color/relative familiarity of gem. There’s so many cool gems out there~ (I was trying to not be too repetitive with types/use more common ones though Quartz has a million interesting varieties!)

Mega Man, Blue Sapphire Sphere I wavered a lot on his ‘trinket’, Sapphire seemed obvious (especially with Proto being a ruby, both are corundum gemstones) but also considered blue diamond, alexandrite (blue/purple color shift), and aquamarine. For the jewelry, was also considering an atomic model (for chemistry?), a screwdriver, and slightly regretting not considering circlet

Roll, Amethyst Earring: primarily always wanted amethyst, but also considered heliodor, padparadscha sapphire (but it wasn’t quite the right color? and perhaps too obscure), tanzanite, morganite, zoisite, kunsite, iolite, (purple gems etc.) For shape, was considering spikes/fangs though that’s also Treble and Punk’s lol

Bass, Emerald Snake Arm Cuff: loosely based on a real arm cuff I saw in a book. Also considered black diamond, green diamond (he’s the titular ‘diamond in the rough’), and black opal

Proto Man, Ruby Aviator Badge: I went with ruby in the end, which seemed most obvious choice, but also considered red diamond and bixbite (red beryl)

Elec Man, Black Opal Ring: Also considered chatoyant Sapphire, Alexandrite (??? color shift?), chrysoberyl, angelite/anhydrite, and even hawkeye quartz (loosely inspired by a real hawkeye ‘lightning’ ring, before that I was thinking cufflinks, but seemed weird for him to become either a pair of gems, or even a single cufflink lol)

Jewel Man, Colorless Beryl (Goshenite) Monocle - also considered rock crystal, diamond, and Padparadscha sapphire. Apparently both beryl and rock crystal were historically used for eyeglasses. Monocle is a reference to gentleman thief archtypes, also they are just fancy. (Also I realized while drawing this that having a plique a jour monocle chain is probably super impractical, oh well lol)

Top Man, Imperial Topaz  Pendant in a Jeweled Egg - also considered alexandrite and spinel (for the pun, heh) and spessertite

Kalinka/Mega Girl, Rose Quartz Blossom Barrette: Pink :) though I considered other lesser known (but more valuable) pink gems

Quint, Alexandrite Wristwatch: Quint is a time traveler (of sorts), also considered model armillary sphere/astrolabe, a screwdriver, and jade or malachite or nanocrystal

Wily, Agate Cameo Belt Buckle: Loosely inspired by his skull belt in some of his game art, also considered amythist

Dr. Light, Alabaster bead on a bookmark tassel:  Dr. Light likes books! Was also considering rock crystal and goshenite

Ring Man, Zircon Hoop Bracelet: Reference to both his namesake and his carney background. Was also considering class ring (before assigning the ring to Elec Man) and a circlet. ‘Zircon’ just sounds circusy, must be the Z

Magnet Man, Garnet Horseshoe Amulet: garnets are apparently magnetic, also considered fridge magnet

Cut Man, Citrine Paperknife: for obvious reasons. I also considered topaz for the gem

Guts Man, Tourmaline Paperweight: funny/fitting pairing with the paper knife, the shape is in reference to the boulder he holds in game art (for a brief week, was a rock crystal until I realized those are clear lol smokey quartz would have made more sense)

Punk, Spinel Motorcycle Chain: ‘Spinel’ may be a derivative from Latin ’spina’ which means thorn

Rush, Labradorite Bone Collar Tag: Went for the pun!

Treble, Howlite Fang: and ditto for Treble

Others that weren’t in chapter (this list has no significance what-so-ever, I brainstormed a list of gems but also ‘trinkets’ and my brain just started associating lol)

Beat, Aquamarine Aigrette: Beat actually avoided transformation, but that’s what he would have been

Gyro Man: Mood Ring

Dr. Cossack: Selenite something or other

Dark Man: D20

Time Man: a pocket watch

Enker: Chess piece

Metal Man: A knife

Shadow Man: Also a knife, maybe jade

Yamato Man: Natsuke

Burner Man: Match Box

Fake Man: phenakite, derived from greek word for deceiver

Magic Man: Card Case

Needle Man: Rutilated quartz (it has needle-like inclusions)

Pharaoh Man: Scarab collar pin/cloak clasp

Star Man: Star Saphire?

And that's it from the notes, haha.

[probablyasocialecologist]

Looking ahead 20 years, many farmers will have to take land out of agriculture to comply with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), 2014 legislation that has required counties to implement groundwater management plans throughout California. As a result of SGMA, AFT estimates 4 percent, or 212,000 acres, of cropland in the San Joaquin Valley alone could be permanently retired and 27 percent intermittently fallow. Conservation groups hope to see some of that land become part of corridors for native plants, waterways, and wildlife, but farmers are also looking to agrivoltaics opportunities.

Agrivoltaics may also help conserve water. “The shade that is created by the solar panels, in areas that receive more sun than plants need for their photosynthesis, reduces the heat stress on those crops, makes them healthier, and makes them require less water,” Abou Najm said. “Agrivoltaics is more than just a dual production of food and energy on the same plot of land—it maximizes the synergy between the two.”

Agrivoltaics stand to assist Central Valley farms in myriad ways, said Dahlquist-Willard. Larger farms that adopt agrivoltaics could potentially benefit smaller ones by alleviating pressure ­on regional groundwater. At the same time, farmers with less land are more likely to consider agrivoltaics than converting entirely to solar. “For a small farm—say 10, 20, 30 acres—if you convert your whole farm to solar, you’re quitting farming. Nobody does that when farming is their only source of income,” she said.

Abou Najm published a theoretical study looking at how to grow crops—including lettuce, basil, and strawberries—under solar panels in a way that maximized productivity. He found that the blue part of the light spectrum is best filtered out to produce solar energy, while the red spectrum can be optimized to grow food; this requires a specific type of panel that’s less common but available. His follow-up research involves expanding the types of crops and conducting field trials.

U.C. Davis is filling a necessary gap in California research, though many other studies have been conducted nationally and internationally documenting crop yields under panels. Scientists have found agrivoltaics can improve the efficiency of the panels, and increase water-use efficiency, soil moisture content, and crop yields. In one cherry tomato study, production doubled under the panels and water-use efficiency was 65 percent greater.

Researchers from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo are also documenting the benefits of grazing under solar panels in California, supporting research worldwide. They are studying the benefits of sheep grazing on two solar installations, Gold Tree Farm and Topaz Solar Farm. There, they’ve found that the solar arrays can offer synergistic benefits for the sheep and the grasslands. Compared with pastures outside the solar panels, the shaded grasses have higher water content, greater nitrogen content, and lower non-digestible fiber.

[penebui]

Party At the End Retrospective

Now, I had a lot of thoughts appearing when I was translating, and now I can coherently discuss them. Let’s talk about it and give it a rundown. The essay does not chronologically follow the events in Party At the End (mostly).

Glossary:

Translating

Introduction

Time Frame

Who the Fuck is Ladra (and Blue Zoisite)

Cinnabar

Sensei & Antarcticite

The Temple & Museum

They’re Putting a Gem on Display? (and The Gems That Don’t Appear)

Ghost & Cairn (and Lapis)

Padparadscha

Sphene, Topaz, and Peridot

What? There’s Fog on The Moon?

The Foodmakers (and 84)

The Fantastical Anatomy of Obsidian (and The Planet They Mention)

Gem Reveal: The Beryls, Red Diamond & Fluorite

The Young Ones

Diamond, Bortz, and the Admirabilis

The Rose Garden (and Rutile)

Bonus Round: The Party

Essay is below. Long, long post ahead, be warned (It’s a really long post guys).

Let’s talk about my glorious journey translating this. To get to actual content of Party at the End go down to Introduction.

Translating

I don’t speak or read japanese at all. As you can tell, I DID get help for getting the raw text, but translating was mostly done by myself. This was done through the usage of deepl (main), google translate (secondary/checker), and every japanese dictionary/kanji site on planet earth. Now, deepl is not 100% accurate but its good. I ran them through both translators to get wording and learn the key ideas, and then typed up the translation to be as accurate as possible. And then there’s the way Haruko Ichikawa writes. Not necessarily writes, but spells. She uses kanjis, and the furigana are well... unique. If you look up the kanjis and see what characters they’re made out of, they don’t match the furiganas she has provided at all. They’re sometimes one character, or do in fact spell out the sound but switch the script she’s using (which frankly made my job harder). The furigana does not match what the kanji uses is what I’m saying.

Her way with words even confused my friend, who is a native japanese speaker. Some kanji she uses are “rare” or “uncommon”. I like to attribute this to her eloquence. AND ITS THE BANE OF MY EXISTENCE.

My first struggles of kanji were with Jade’s interview.

My dear bestie, Lotus, suggested that it could’ve been the kanji for nymph, which is 精. Not exactly right.

The first thing to find out this mysterious kanji is look up the furigana right? WRONG.

The kanji I was having a problem with was 棲, this kanji means “water dwelling”. It is pronounced, “sei”. The kanji is made with セイ. The furigana Ichikawa provided was せい. These both spell “sei”. Do you see where I am getting at.

You see, I got the raw text from the scans through OCRs. The first three OCRs I used were not fully accurate and precise. This was a problem for me as the first few interviews had kanjis with furiganas. However as time went on, I DID find a 100% accurate OCR by the name of online.easyscreenocr.com that helped me a bunch. It knew all the kanji she was using so my insanity from Jade’s interview ended pretty quickly.

But then the “one word” direct translations confused me and I had to analyze from every angle what the sentences could possibly mean. For instance, in Bortz’ interview, they use a word which just meant “names”. Plural for name. In a sentence that had no name dropping and had nothing to do with names. With the luck of my brain continuing to crack down on it, I discovered that it actually was supposed to be “namely”. Which is used for “that is to say” or specificity.

And there is the “shellfish” part in the second part of Bortz’ interview. Oooohh, they could’ve said snails, nudibranchs, or straight up admirabilis!! They LOOK like snails. It would be reasonable to call them snails. But they used the word for shellfish. This was not a translation mistake. The word used was 貝. This means shellfish. Why the fuck did they cal them shellfish? I don’t KNOW!! They have shells, they are snails. “Shellfish” is what you would call shit like clams and oysters and crabs and prawns and *looks at papers*.... Shellfish.

There is also vagueness. This is intentional. Think about it. Ladra is familiar with the gems, he knows them and they know him. So of course they’ll be vague when speaking to each other, because they already know about these things. They aren’t going to spell it out for us, we have to deduct it. Which is why I’m writing this.

Another thing to add, Chrysoberyl calls Bluezo “Bluezi”, everyone else calls them Bluezo.

Every time I translated, my language skills with english slowly corroded as I forgot basic grammar and sentence structuring. But what do I know? I don’t speak and understand japanese.

Introduction

 The first page of text in “Party at the End”, is alike to the encyclopedia in Volume 11, appropriately named “Life and Culture of Y-3579203181277“.

What these two have in common, is that they’re from entities that are not the lunarians, gems, or admirabilis, or any life form we are aware of. Whether this is a creative narrative done by Haruko Ichikawa to give us a way to immerse ourselves into their world as the audience, or if this is relevant to the plot in some way has yet to be discovered.

The encyclopedia did in fact, prove to be tied to canon in other ways than lore-wise because of Sensei’s older brother, who distorted and encrypted the information of ice floes and the only words that were not distorted spelt out “Hello” (at least, from what I’ve heard). Sensei’s older brother’s one eye was seen in the background of this text too.

Although the encyclopedia was entirely from an unknown and different viewpoint, “Party at the End” is by proxy.

The premise of “Party at the End” is that it is a photo book, found and picked up by these (or another) unknown entities. They state that they have translated it with the goal of accuracy rather than understanding (this might have been the source of my perils if Ichikawa decided to actually take this extra mile).

They also state that the photos could have been corroded and are without color due to time, or perhaps, were just like that from the start. It is likely that these beings found this photo book on the moon as is.

After this, there is a little poem. This poem, is most likely done by Blue Zoisite, who is a poet. I will explain this later.

Time Frame

The time frame of when the photos and interview, and the party happened are... confusing. This is actually not a party at the actual end. I believe this is set in the exact year Phos started to gain Sensei’s memories and become a pseudo-human. It’s most likely a few months after the initial thing, as New & Old Morganite are helping construct a city for the gems that have yet to be turned into lunarians to reside. And it is NOT the same party as the one shown in Chapter 96.

The gems have a party for the end, every day at night, for 10,000 years. The party in Chapter 96 is most likely the first one, as Antarc is seen with Cairngorm, and groups of other gems are out doing tourist-y things. At the party, Cinnabar and Jade are also wearing different outfits than the ones depicted in Party at the End.

Who the Fuck is Ladra (and Blue Zoisite)

Ladra, is a lunarian. Ladra, is the one who is taking these photos and also doing the interviews himself. His face is never shown. He is familiar with all of the gems, and Sensei. Some gems are shocked at how he knows some things about them.

He has a message before actually starting the interviews. This is the first name drop. His message is about the past. This is related to how the photo book is for memories, for the past, for someone to hopefully pick up and look at. And as time goes on, the gems start to name drop him.

Ladra is also in cahoots with Blue Zoisite. Blue Zoisite, is the only other gem to be in an active relationship with a lunarian (this excludes Antarc, who is in a relationship with Sensei and he was not originally a lunarian and they’re technically in a relationship I’m sorry to say). This is most likely because they’re both artists in some way.

Ladra is a photographer. This is obvious. He is stated as a very talented one.

Bluezo is a poet. This was hinted at back in Love Freedom Hell, the mini art book from Volume 10. On the faux volume 10 cover that depicted the trio Chrysoberyl, Topaz, and Blue Zoisite.

This small fake summary tells how Topaz is the mediator in the little threesome and tried to get Chryso & Bluezo to get along through an exchange diary, which revealed Bluezo’s inner talent for writing and poetry in general.

Bluezo, from what we hear from in Chrysoberyl’s and Topaz’s interviews, is a very high maintenance partner. They were rebellious before, and although the rules that they faced in society that caused them to act out were removed, it’s most likely just part of their temperament.

Bluezo is also seen “eating” (or kissing??) a rose given to them by Ladra, who bought it from Shinsha.

Cinnabar

A segway into Cinnabar, they are a florist. They’re still somewhat shy. Oh yeah, and they’re also an entomologist. This is revealed when they try to avoid Ladra’s question about the party initially before he claps back at them.

Of course, Cinnabar would be an entomologist and a florist because of the Botanical Gardens. It’s also shown in one of their photos. Where they’re holding a caterpillar. This, has great implications. And can mean two things.

One, they have somehow made technological advancements to the point that even entities such as insects can be turned into the same spiritual essence as lunarians, or, that they are moving the entirety of life on earth onto the moon. The latter is most likely what is happening. Besides, even after they’re all prayed away, nature continues. The Core Three of the human descendants got prayed away, along with what only lived after the horrors of the world: Admirabilis, Lunarians, Gems, the inanimated objects that had souls, and the dog Cairn has (which a translation calls Snowball I think).

Although, it does look like nature had evolved sometime during Phos’s hibernation, as these insects have three sets of wings, and look akin to that of lepidopteras, even though their wing material is unusual for a lepidoptera. However, some butterflies do have this type of wing, like the Greta Oto, or the Blushing Phantom.

Sensei and Antarcticite

Antarc, has adapted well. Apparently sometime on the Moon they (the lunarians) added a new ocean, most likely for recreational purposes since that’s how Antarc uses it. An interesting thing is Antarc is just walking around, naked. We do not question this or look further into it, it’s just an interesting detail.

Sensei and Antarc are most definetely in some sort of relationship. Antarc was teased about liking Sensei by Phos, Antarc and Sensei are a foil to Cairn and Aechmea, and everything else. Ladra’s and Sensei’s conversation about Antarc also seems to point to this, as Ladra (who is in a relationship) tells Sensei to go meet with Antarc with some persistence.

There is still, something deeply wrong with Sensei.

In Chapter 98, this is the earliest form of Sensei speaking, in the timeline. He seems to talk normally here. Aside from being formal with his mother.

(Bonus Shiro in the panel btw)

Throughout the manga, we can see him speak in a... peculiar way. We might assume this is because he wants the gems to remain oblivious, so his speech remains vague, but it’s not just that.

This is peculiar speech pattern is more noticable in Chapter 95, when he explains what happened to Phos to Antarc (in the worst way possible).

He does not mean to indict Phos like that, or paint Phos as a villian who really hated Sensei’s guts (Phos did, but it was a love/hate relationship with him). This, is literally just how Sensei speaks.

We can see this in both of Sensei’s interviews.

So, Sensei just talks like that. Ladra also wanted to ask further about this with Zircon (mentioning his memories, which probably refer to his memories of before the gems and lunarians), but he ran out of time.

The Temple & Museum

The Temple is an identical replica of the school/temple on earth. This is where Sensei is mentioned to continuously pray (out of habit). The gems who work here are Euc and Jade.

Jade mentions that they had moved the plants from the earth temple into the new moon temple. And that a jellyfish was born. Evidence that the caterpillars seen are most likely living creatures and not ‘lunarian’.

In association with this, there is a Museum. There is also an archives place where original specimen reside. The three who work here are Ghost Quartz, Neptunite, and Zircon. They work in translating the gem’s written records into lunarian language.

Zircon is called Curator Zircon. They look like a victorian boy and I love that for them.

Ghost mentions that Neptunite is helping them with translating. Neptunite is nonverbal for the most part. They don’t usually talk much. The only thing they say here in the interview is “Aa.”

They’re Putting A Gem on Display? (and The Gems That Don’t Appear)

As you read Zircon’s interview, you might’ve paused and went-

“What? They’re putting a gem on display?”

The “or...” implies something more sinister. I’ll chalk this up to it being a gem body from someone who could not be properly revived.

Euc mentioned that not everyone could be ‘revived’. This is due to a threshold requirement of memories. Whether it be living long enough to have memories or not is debatable. I think this is the case though. You might think Euc was referring to solely Lapis Lazuli by this conversation, as they couldn’t be revived because their head (the core part of their memories) is on Phos. This, is only half true. You see, throughout Party at the End, there are four others who are never seen nor mentioned.

These four are Heliodor, Sphalerite, Apophyllite, Pink Fluorite.

To jog your memory, Heliodor is the first known gem to be taken to the moon, right before the manga starts. Oh, but what’s this? They aren’t actually “dead”, they are a lunarian now. As seen in Chapter 95, it’s most likely them. However its weird that they are never seen in Party at The End. Especially with the sudden surprise we get later on.

They MIGHT’VE appeared in Party At The End actually. This could be them right here, since it looks like it can’t be either Morganites, as their bangs are different in Party At The End.

From the photo party that contained Ruby, Fluorite, Red Diamond, Benito, and another gem.

So, what about Apophyllite, Sphalerite, and Pink Fluorite? Well.

Pink Fluorite is seen used as a weapon (synthetic pink fluorite) against Antarc before they’re taken to the moon. They, along with Sphalerite were mentioned by Dia when the conversation of “gems with a hardness of 4 and below not being brought back” came up back in Chapter 67. Although it says Fluorite, we can guarantee its Pink Fluorite and not the Second Gem Fluorite, as there are countless of generations between the last generation of gems and Fluorite the Second. Sensei would also reveal the existence of Fluorite, after Dia left for the moon.

And also, we know what Sphalerite looked like. Sphalerites can come in orange. In Love Freedom Hell, on a page filled with miscellaneous gems, is an unknown orange gem. This is most likely Sphalerite.

So, Apophyllite? Well. They’re only mentioned once. When Phos is first taken to the moon. Apophyllite was similar in color to Phos. That is all we know.

All these gems, are under the hardness of 5. Only 5 and up can be revived.

Coincidence maybe, because the ice on the moon gathered the memories of all gems as a collective conscious. The actual gem contents that were in the morgues in the temple were also collected and brought to the moon. Meaning for them to not appear or be mentioned, and therefor most likely “dead”, they would have to have vital parts or most of the parts to bring them back because of their memories. Which is why Lapis can’t be revived.

This means gems who potentially were lost at sea could not be revived as a lunarian. Erosion could’ve played a part in slowly destroying gem bodies. Obsidian is obsidian. For all we know the opposite of them could’ve happened and one fell into lava. We just don’t know. Oh wait I just remembered about the time Aechmea mentioned that he tore apart some gems and mixed them with synthetics. That’s also probably another one.

Oh, but then I forgot. There’s Red Diamond.

Red Diamond was the first one, and the quickest, to be physically restored. Back when they first tried to bring back the gems in a physical manner based on shards. Happened in Chapter 72.

Red Diamond, most likely wouldn’t mind their body being showcased. Its the first, and strongest one. Red Dia is old, they act like they are an ancient piece of work still acting as if they’re living their golden years and is frankly, very open minded.

Lapis Lazuli is also a contender, as their entire body is on the moon. Their hardness is around 5 - 5.5. They could’ve been physically brought back during the first attempt. But the only thing missing would obviously be their head, and that... Is not a fun thing to look at in a museum.

There is a chance Lapis could have been planned as being used as the display. Lapis can’t come back, it could serve as a piece of legacy for Ghost. Everyone else is neutral on Lapis.

But Red Diamond is a full body, less negative connotations come with them and they were the first one who was born, and fell victim to this centuries long war.

Red Diamond’s old body could have been the one on display. Mostly. But I am not ruling out Lapis Lazuli either. It’s more practical to showcase Red Dia thinking about it.

Ghost & Cairn (and Lapis)

Everybody’s been wanting to know about how Ghost and Cairn resolved the things between them. We only get to see after the fact, but not how or during. Ghost does elaborate on this however.

They’re forgiven by Cairn, mostly for the time when they were together. Although they ARE seen as twins, they can be seen as a system too. Ghost DID control them, but that’s mostly when they were together, sharing the same body. Ghost was the one mainly in control. Ghost, did NOT control them once they were taken to the moon. This, is the fault of their microorganic inclusions. And also Cairn burdening themselves with the wish of their original host, restricting themselves. Because they feel obligated to. That is another issue for another day. Let’s talk about the inclusions.

Like Lapis, Ghost’s inclusions worked to cement what their original owners wanted to do. Lapis wanted to send a message to Phos, their inclusions did. But because Lapis is a completely different set of problems on their own, they were able to “transfer” their consciousness into Phos’s own dreamscape because the entirety of their memories went straight to their head for inclusions.

Ghost’s inclusions, work like that to a fault. Ghost wanted Cairn to protect Phos. Ghost did not mean “protect Phos at the cost of your own anatomy and sacrifice yourself for them”. Inclusions however, do not understand nor act beyond what is stated. There is no fine print. Inclusions hear “Protect Phos” and they make Cairn do it. Ghost had good intentions, their inclusions just didn’t enact that message and sentiment as such.

Ghost looks at Cairn with envy, as they’ve moved on. Cairn did “move on” in the more “I’m going to pretend that didn’t happen/exist because it’s not my problem” kind of way. Ghost yearns for Lapis Lazuli. They miss them. It could be unhealthy, it most certainly was back when they were just a gem and blamed themselves (and Cairn unintentionally) for their taking.

What’s interesting though, is that they’re not actively trying to revive Lapis anymore. Euc said they WERE trying to find a way to bring back gems that couldn’t be revived. So what gives?

Lapis, although with good intentions, was probably a threat to those around them. Euc stated that sometimes their intelligence was a bad thing and was used against others. Ghost was dependent on them and based their self worth on their usefulness to Lapis Lazuli. That thing with Cairn. The only positives we’ve seen with Lapis was when they spoke to Phos. Even then that could be written off as mischievous.

There’s also the head thing with Phos going on too.

Let’s also not forget the interesting detail of Lapis always being front-faced, staring at the “camera”/audience when shown.

Padparadscha

Speaking of weird little details when it comes to facing the “camera”, there is also Padparadscha and the way they’re shown in (almost) every photo they’re in (The Padparadscha bikini photos are exempt).

Padparadscha is the first gem to be interviewed, they have the same “job” as Rutile. Listening to people’s problems. They still seem to have some form of illness, as they’re in some form of a hospital as a patient. But they chalk it up to them being “lazy”, which is indeed part of their personality. Their holes did not translate into their lunarian body, as Ladra wanted to photograph them but there were none to photograph.

Padparadscha, throughout the most of the entirety of the booklet, does not directly show their face. It’s obscured. This is the opposite of Lapis Lazuli.

In these photo, Ladra is always looking up at them, and the sun is shining down on Padparadscha. Padparadscha keeps a distance from everyone, they’re on a ledge, etc.

Lets not forget the symbolism they have when it comes to buddhism. Associated with the lotus, both in name and meaning. This is PROBABLY showcased through how they’re viewed here on out.

Also, they were shown like this in Chapter 96 too.

Sphene, Topaz, and Peridot

These three, are made for each other. They all work together making figurines and other sculptures. It is mentioned that they use “inorganic material made from [them]”, so they’re probably using synthetic gem materials for their craftwork. They could also still be using wood, and perhaps even steel.

These three, just love creation. Peridot used to make paper. Sphene and Topaz used to be carpenters.

And yes, you are probably wondering why Peridot does not mention Blue Zoisite. Although their kidnapping DID affect Peridot, that was because it was their partner. Blue Zoisite was rebellious. They could have been close, albeit Topaz was definitely closer to Bluezo than them. Which is why Topaz asks Ladra about them, and not Peridot.

Peridot loves Sphene, Sphene loves Topaz, and Topaz loves Peridot. I like to think of this as a polyamorous relationship. They’re very cute together.

What? There’s Fog on The Moon?

The Morganites are working together! Both Old & New Morganite scour the open parts of the moon to work and build on expanding civilization to accompany the new entourage of gems. Old Morga is ecstatic to be working with a younger Morganite.

These two were hard to translate. Mostly because of the technobabble. I also just noticed one repeated line in Old Morga’s interview, so please forgive me for that.

The place that the Morganites are mapping is covered in fog.

This fog... Supposedly works on the vulnerable minds of people. Specifically lunarians who MIGHT remember their human lives, or the ones who remember when all five moons were occupied.

Lunarians remembering human life is, a double edged sword. On one hand, they explain how they’re the souls of the people who couldn’t move on. Cairn talks with one lunarian who remembers his days being a sailor. I, for the love of me, can’t find this, but I fucking remember this. Aechmea was able to accurately recall what Professor Ayumu looked like, and the shogi or go (I don’t know which one) pieces, and used shiro against him. He’s also mentioned as an old friend of Sensei.

 And then there’s the fact that the lunarians speak of humans as their ancestors, rather than being them. They talk about “marriage” as a foreign concept, to the gems and to themselves.

When trying to reconstruct a human, they tried to make human cells. They also tried to make a psuedo-human (Phos).

They also cannot synthesize the material Sensei is made out of, hexagonal diamond, also called lonsdaleite. Despite it being mostly synthetic and them specializing in synthesizing gems, they are apparently too out of their depth with it.

The fog, can be best described, as what Cairn experiences on the moon before transing their gender. It preys on a “sleeping” mind. A vulnerable mind. 

Another thing mentioned is the “Star of Salvation”. I have no clue what this meant when translating! It is in fact, what it says in the text though.

Throughout the text they mention stars. A lot. Whether it be “lava coming from stars” (a thing Obsidian says which: I dont really think so? Let’s not get into specifics), the Star of Salvation could refer to three things.

One, the Sun. No need to explain that one. Two, Phos. They’re the only savior for them all now. Three, Sensei. This is 99.9% Sensei because Morganite refers to the “Star of Salvation” as “him” and mentions “His son (Phos)”.

The Foodmakers

The candymakers(?) we know of are Alexandrite, Benitoite, and Thirty. They all work in the same candy(?) shop/resturaunt.

Alexandrite, is still in contact with Chrysoberyl. This is known since Chrysoberyl invites Ladra, Alexandrite, and Benitoite to... Alexandrite’s resturaunt.

Benitoite is seen as VERY DESIRABLE on the moon, despite being a cringefail husband. They originally went to the moon because they felt they weren’t too special. A lot of lunarians have the hots for them however.

Then there are Chrysoberyl and Old Goshenite. Old Goshe is a barista. They make coffee. Chrysoberyl is technically a flavourist. They’re trying to recreate flavours of the sun, which, I did not know about.

Gems absorb the sun, kind of like photosynthesis but without everything else, as they’re gems. It does however, seem like the taste of the sun changes. Whether it be do to the strongness of light, weather, location wise, etc.

Now, Benitoite is just a server/assistant for Alexandrite. Thirty, is kind of like an apprentice. They can handle the store entirely on their own sometimes, but still needs a bit of guidance when it comes to making food. They DO want to master their craft.

Thirty and Eighty both still talk to each other, they’re just at a healthy distance. Back then they both constantly worried about each other getting hurt or harmed in some way, which was the main reason why both of them wanted to go to the moon when Phos tried to convince them.

The Fantastical and Wonderful Anatomy of Obsidian (and The Planet They Mention)

While talking with Obsidian, it seems like they work in the same field as 84. Since they’re also in the same photo.

Obsidian, talks a lot about stars. But before we talk about that let’s talk about another thing: Obsidian’s anatomy.

Now, a long time ago, back when the first boom of Houseki no Kuni happened, (and thus fans from this era are called veterans: I’m one of them), a veteran fan made an essay and theory about how gems moved. This essay explained that the inside of the gems was probably liquid, or a melted form of the gem in question so that their joints and limbs could move. And when they break, the exposed part of the melted gem inside would instantly harden.

This theory, is half true. Mostly because it only applies to Obsidian.

The general consensus was that there was an abundance of obsidian, which led to all of the weapons being made out of obsidian. This is horrifyingly untrue.

All weapons, all things obsidian that the gems used, were directly pulled from Obsidian themself.

The inside of their body is liquid glass, they compared it to the likes of the mercury inside of Shinsha.

Of course, a lot of people would be wondering, “Why was this added in here? This is a sudden revelation about Obsidian” but surprise!!

This has been mentioned before.

Chapter 85, when they introduce the Cinnie Box. They say its lined with obsidian. And Obsidian, does this.

Obsidian, could melt themselves. This is another unexplored territory, like the one time Watermelon used electricity because they’re an electric conductor and then never used again because they don’t normally get “angry”.

Obsidian seems like they have an infinite source of liquid glass inside of them, much like how the mercury never stops coming out of Shinsha. Obsidian also can control the temperature of their own body at certain points so that they can melt and mold it into whatever they make.

This is why its easy for them to make weapons.

A horrifying, interesting fact that Obsidian uses their own body to create an abundance of weapons. Do you know how many swords have been lost to time? Do you know how big the blade of Ghost and Cairn’s scythe was? And when those get destroyed, Obsidian doesn’t even bat an eye to it!!! THAT WAS A PART OF YOU!!

Obsidian is the scariest motherfucker alive.

And now onto the stars.

The star, Obsidian talks about, is not an ordinary star. However unlike the “Star of Salvation” it is an actual type of planet.

Let’s talk about lava planets. Obsidian said that their huge... line thingy can detect star systems. Star systems include planets. This is the opposite of the ball thingy seen when Phos visited the moon for the first time, and I assumed they were used to synthesize gems, and they were.

Chapter 56

In comparison to the star system simulator.

Now, minerals and planets go hand in hand. There is plenty of diamond on many other planets, like peridot (or at least related forms of peridot).

Obsidian mentions that lava comes from a “star” which we know is a lava planet. Obsidian is... not right when it comes to the thing they’re talking about.

Obsidian wanted to know what exactly they came from, not location wise but material wise. Of course everyone knows Obsidian comes from cooled lava.

Which comes from volcanoes. Volcanoes, only exist under the sea in houseki no kuni. The island is the only thing on the surface.

In every shot they show the earth, the earth is just... water.

I can’t for the life of me find out the name of the type of island the gems lived on, but I do know another veteran fan talked about it during the early stages of the fandom.

The island, is most definitely an oceanic island. If there is a volcano underneath, it probably has a weird outlet on the wall that usually produces gems which led to Obsidian being born.

This way of creation for obsidian, is what should have been mentioned. That volcanoes on earth form obsidian. But Obsidian talks a lot about the “star” (planet) in their interview.

A lava planet can happen in a couple of ways.

1) A planet that collided with something, or something impacted it. 2) It’s too fucking close to a star 3) It’s a relatively new planet that is still developing This... Well you know which one I’m going to point out.

This planet, is a newly formed planet. Obsidian even confirms this too.

Now, whether or not this will be relevant, perhaps. This planet is still in its early years, and its not even CLOSE to being fully formed.

We, do not know how much time has passed between Phos praying away the entirety of all species, and Phos meeting their new best friend. We do know that probably millions of years has passed, as when Pebble/Rock yells out Phos is completely covered by nature.

It is long enough for an entire cave system (that is what I am assuming it is) to form huge crystal structures.

And it is long enough, to watch a dying star together. Phos mentions a white dwarf.

This planet, could be fully formed by now.

It could be whatever the fuck the outer entities that keep making these booklets are, however they could be from a completely different planet or star system in general.

The entities that made the encyclopedia, were present during the story. They probably traveled to this particular star system at some point and visited the moon, picking up and translating Party at the End.

Or, they could be another separate entity from the first ones that made the encyclopedia. Who the fuck knows! I don’t! I’m speculating! And we can only have this answered in future chapters, if Ichikawa chooses to address this (especially with another additional booklet which will most likely go in depth about the current ecosystem and changes that happened when Phos was dormant).

Gem Reveal: The Beryls, Red Diamond & Flourite

So, we were expecting to see some new faces. And we were right!!

We got to finally see what Aquamarine looks like, who was mentioned in Red Beryl’s dramatis personae, and Fluorite.

And a completely new gem!! Emerald!!

The gems picked in question when it comes to characters is a LOT.

Some of these gems, are well known in the gemstone industry. The gemstone industry is, obviously, about gemstones. The gemstone industry is also a huge part of the jewelry industry. The gemstone industry IS related to the mineral industry, but they’re not the same thing. Gemstones are about the way the light disperses, the colors, the inclusions, etc.

There are plenty of gems in the houseki no kuni cast that are a part of this industry. These gems are: Blue Zoisite (however it is more known as Tanzanite), Morganite, Goshenite, Diamonds, Sphene (also known as Titanite), Amethyst, Alexandrite, Lapis Lazuli, Topaz, the Corundums, the Beryls, Jade, Zircon, and Peridot.

Even if you’ve never heard of morganite and goshenite before, go to the newest shop with a gemstone section. Now look into the display. You will see plenty of goshenites, morganites, topaz, and tanzanite. I have seen a lot. They are also priced around $100-300. Mostly. I have seen a lot of london topaz. And a lot of tanzanite too, however those can go for a shit ton more, and sometimes are even more expensive than diamonds, because of their rarity and a lot of legal stuff surrounding it.

Then there are the gems well known in the mineral industry. If you like houseki no kuni, chances are: you collect minerals. Everyone probably has a piece of agate, rose quartz, amethyst, nacre/mother of pearl, and magnetite that you hit together and eventually break. If you’re more insane than that, you probably own shit like tungsten, calcite, copper, fool’s gold, and others.

Mineral enthusiasts and collectors, do not necessarily care if it is a crystal or not. That shit came from the ground you want it.

“Gems” from the cast that are well known in this mineral industry are: Rutile, Watermelon Tourmaline, Euclase, Benitoite, Neptunite, Fluorite, Cinnabar, Phantom Quartz (known as Ghost Quartz in hnk), Smokey Quartz (Cairngorm is this), Sphalerite, Apophyllite, Hemimorphite, Phosphophyllite, and Obsidian.

Granted, because of houseki no kuni, phosphophyllite has absolutely raised in price and on behalf of my fellow brethren I’d like to apologize to the mineral collectors who don’t know why phosphophyllite has risen in price by 500%: I am so, so sorry.

You might realize there are some who aren’t mentioned in either of these industries. Two to be exact. This is because they are special cases.

Antarcticite and Bortz.

Antarcticite is in the mineral industry, however it is so obscure and lesser known. And can only come from two places.

Antarctica and California. What’s up with the geology in California that produces rare minerals? Who the fuck knows.

Bortz, is a rare case. Bortz is a diamond, and yes you can get it in the mineral industry, but its mostly used for tools. Bortz, is an industrial grade diamond.

There is actually, a lot of industrial grade diamonds. There is a shit ton of different types of bortz, I researched them for my essay back in highschool and could namedrop them all, but I digress.

Haruko Ichikawa also likes to flex, and mary sue some gems, by making them the rarest type of gem. And also very obscure ones.

Imperial Topaz, Pink Topaz, Green Diamond, Red Diamond, Red Beryl, Padparadscha, you get the point. She wants you to know this island produces top notch, all rare gems. Obscure ones like Cairngorm and Antarcticite.

So, with all this in mind, its no surprise that she threw in Emerald. Emerald, is a popular beryl in the gemstone industry, like Aquamarine. I think it would be a sin for her to have forgotten about Emerald.

Emerald is best friends with Aquamarine and Red Beryl. These three were probably alive at the same time, because they know each other.

And there is Fluorite!! Fluorite is not green! Fluorite is explicitly stated to be purple.

(This is from the newest version of Red Diamond’s interview, the original raw text is still there, but the newly translated sentence has been added, if you dont have the second line then please redownload Red Diamond’s interview in the dropbox link!)

We only saw what Fluorite looked like before being shaped

Fluorite did, in fact, have long hair, so it is in fact, on par with how they look now.

(Emerald, Red Diamond, Aquamarine, Fluorite)

The Young Ones

Watermelon, Hemimorph, and New Goshenite are trendsetters. Well, mostly Watermelon and Hemimorph while New Goshe is ‘hip’. They speak in bro speak.

It’s interesting that New Goshe is never referred to as ‘Young Goshe’ but instead as “Master” (once I might add) but that’s probably just a friendly nickname everyone calls them. Can’t look too much into that.

Watermelon and Hemimorph, always were young souls. Despite Phos being younger than them actually. It’s jarring once you think about it. Everyone treated Phos as an elder because of the things they went through, mostly that they had “matured” because of trauma, and forget that Phos was the youngest of them, and then after New Goshe & Morga were born, the third youngest.

These two are an interesting case, because despite changing so much, they haven’t changed at all. This is the case with most gems. They change so much, still haven’t changed at all. Nothing changes despite changing so much.

These two never “grew up”. They just adapted.

Diamond, Bortz, and The Admirabilis

 Diamond and Bortz. They are brothers. Their relationship isn’t perfect, but its on par with one thing: being siblings. Siblings constantly annoy the fuck out of each other. Except Diamond is the older one, while Bortz is younger. Usually its the younger sibling annoying the older sibling.

Diamond, is still getting used to being a lunarian. Literally everything is fine, minus one thing: they don’t have their bright shining colors anymore.

So, they have a machine that’ll reflect the colors that Dia originally had beforehand!

Back then, Dia despised and hated Bortz for being the best at their craft: combat, and sword skills. Dia wanted to compete and be the best one, and was jealous of Bortz and took their criticism as a personal insult.

Now however, Dia has grown. Them destroying (confronting in a way) Bortz and them all being lunarians probably let Dia calm down a bit, they were right that they had to confront the issue dead on at first.

After becoming lunarians, Dia is trying to get Bortz to form an idol pair with them. Dia, wants Bortz to be a part of their job. That, is a form of growth in of itself. They don’t think of it as competition, and them wanting Bortz to work with them is a form of brotherly love. Of course Bortz doesn’t work like that and so they keep rejecting it, but seeing Dia grow in a way where instead of thinking about competition they want their brother to join in on the job they love, even if Dia has an ‘ego’ about being the best in the universe, it’s still great!

Bortz, is a jellyfish researcher. So obviously they don’t want a part of that. Along with being a jellyfish researcher, they were in charge of taking care of the admirabilis.

They reunited the admirabilis, and a new king was born sometime after. And credit to fellow admirabilis lover @/kordeliiius (I’m not @’ing you because i dont want to destroy ur notifs) who mentions that the new King of The Admirabilis at that point, was male because of the use of 彼.

Now, when I say “reuniting the admirabilis” I don’t believe they’re talking about the moon and the earth admirabilis. As Bortz is seen with a moon admirabilis (it has no shell since they evolved without shells from living in the city water on Phos’s decision). You can tell by the many legs and the little antennae ears most nudibranches have.

Who they actually reunited is all of the earth admirabilis. According to the rough translation of Life and Culture of Y-3579203181277 (imgur link of the entire thing) (@/bakemeats also has a cleaner, but partial translation of the booklet but it stops at the Chairs/Desks: 1, 2, 3, 4), there were 8 factions on earth. They were all in the southern hemisphere, which means that if the ‘original’ faction was “near” -and I say that in quotations because it took a few hours of Phos walking to even get to the trap Ventricosus and the Lunarians had set up- then the island is located... Somewhere in the southern hemisphere. Or right on the line.

Anyways, it seems that Bortz (and others most likely) manage to reunite all 8 factions and got them to communicate with each other.

I’m going to go on another tangent real fast. As you might’ve guessed, Gem Writing Systems and the Lunarian’s Writing Systems are completely different. That’s why Ghost and Neptunite were translating.

However, their languages are probably somewhat different too. Or the psychology behind it is unique in them understanding each other’s language.

When Phos started to suspect the lunarians, they heard a lunarian utter a few syllables, which would’ve sounded like “anxiety” in japanese (it’s intended language) as far as I know. Phos and Lapis could understand this. So did Ghost.

And, when the gems went to the moon, they understood the lunarians just fine.

Phos, could understand the ice floes, who’s now known to just be the voice of Sensei’s older brother, and the admirabilis. Two different ‘species’ that the other gems could not.

But the lunarians could understand the (earth) admirabilis.

However, the lunarians can’t seem to understand Sensei’s Older Brother’s voice?? Remember they thought it was both him and the humans but moreso the humans who tried to mimic the lunarian ships to get them [him] out of the water. If they understood him then they would’ve realized that he was hostile.

So the lunarians could not understand him.

Now it goes in a circle, the gems understand the lunarians, the lunarians understand the admirabilis, the gems can’t understand the admirabilis but Phos can, and Phos can also understand the woes of Sensei’s Older Brother.

Looking through the manga, it does not seem like there is a language barrier between the lunarians and the moon admirabilis either.

Phos, could only understand the admirabilis after being absorbed and melted by Ventricosus, so they probably inherited the knowledge of the language. Phos could understand Sensei’s Older Brother by ... some fuckery I’ll tell you that. We don’t actually know how Phos was able to understand him.

Now that the gems are lunarians, they can probably understand the admirabilis just fine. Whatever was acting as a barrier between them is now gone. If they reunited all 8 factions that meant they had to go to earth at some point, and talked to them about The End and everything else. 

As we know, the admirabilis did agree. We see them in Chapter 98. However the only visible ones are Variegatus, Ventricosus, and Aculeatus.

Now, an interesting thing: the Admirabilis are sexually dimorphic, we know that. What we also know is that the Kings are physically different than the rest of the admirabilis.

We can tell because the admirabilis shown in Chapter 76, do not have a crown on top of their heads.

This also applies to Aculeatus since he’s not king.

Variegatus, Ventricosus, and Convallarius share this “crown” shape trait.

And here, is the admirabilis in Chapter 98.

If you’ve figured it out, congrats! Those are all the other Kings that ruled the Admirabilis behind the three. That’s a lot.

The Rose Garden (and Rutile)

We know that in Chapter 96, Yellow, Green Dia, Pinkto, Ruby, and Sapphire manage the Rose Garden. The roses are used for multiple things.

Ruby and Sapphire were partners with each other before(?) pairing up with Yellow Dia at some point. Because they’re corundums, they also know Padparadscha and Rutile. They even messed with Rutile when they first started trying to fix Padparadscha, this is expanded on in a little comic in Love Freedom Hell.

Even if they hang out with Yellow, Green, and Pinkto more, they still visit Rutile.

These two can be appropriately called “party animals”, because they seem to have picked up the habit of drinking. And visit Rutile while drunk.

Rutile’s rebellious nature before becoming a doctor (and a therapist) comes out when they interact with these two. It seems that Rutile originally excused their behavior (and colors) because they were “born that way” as gems.

We also see Sapphire and Ruby in the Rose Garden.

During the time Phos was broken up into pieces and hid on earth, Yellow went through therapy for their trauma of partners being taken to the moon. Yellow, could not handle this (or as 84 says, can’t handle 220 years of introspection). At this time Yellow was already heavily depressed seeing the changes on the earth during the Moon Raid.

Because of this huge depression of trauma, they had a form of psychotic breakdown and lived in a delusion where they are actually a lunarian for some time. This meant that while they believed they were a lunarian, they forgot about their partners.

And then, they actually became a lunarian. Except now with their once shattered partners.

I’ve stated this in a post before, but because they are now a lunarian (what their delusion was about), and because of their partners now being with them, there was a cognitive dissonance. They are constantly reminded of their gem life, but now they’re a lunarian. This advanced their mental deterioration and resulted in: dementia.

They can still form new memories, to a fault. They know Ladra. In Chapter 96 they remembered to get roses for Thirty.

But, they also gradually forget, and so they form a circle of forgetting and remembering. We can see it in, once again, Chapter 96.

Time did not ‘cure’ their dementia, since dementia cannot be cured.

We can see them forget the interview with Ladra, and repeat.

Yellow, can still recall their gem life, even though its extremely painful to do so. This is why the delusion of being a lunarian happened in the first place. They seem at least aware to a degree that they have dementia.

The dementia seems to have affected their speech too, as its mostly filled with repetition. Unless this is just pertaining to one sentience and they don’t actually repeat their speech even if they’re currently in a state of clarity.

Although it’s really sad, I do think this character direction is interesting, and that Ichikawa intended it to happen in the first place.

You can’t fix everyone. Bringing back everything and what they wanted won’t fix or bring them back to their old self. Yellow was always the oldest. They were 3,597 years old in Chapter 12, and they only got older and older. Even in Chapter 12 they couldn’t remember why they were fighting.

Chrysoberyl also mentioned how at some point, they were an ‘old man’. But we do not know how old they were when they were taken. They lived in the same time frame as Peridot and Sphene, two gems who were younger than Yellow, but they seem to be around those two’s ages and a little bit older, rather than being older than Yellow.

Because of everyone being revived as lunarians, there were no ‘stakes’ like there used to be in the manga. The lunarians even got what they wished for, to turn into nothingness, in the end. A story has to have some form of collateral, especially one like this, or it’s message would be rendered useless, especially one of the core ideas, which is change. Change has to happen whether it be good or bad, it doesn’t matter. Changing for the better, also has to have some form of collatoral. A loss.

That’s why Cairn gets with Aechmea, who used them to make sure Phos was lonely, before he eventually fell in love with them himself (Disclaimer: Cairn transing their gender is not a bad change, it was forshadowed and Ghost’s inclusions and gem society/rules seemed to prevent them from embracing themselves, like Bortz in a way. I’m talking about their relationship with Aechmea), it’s not a high stake situation, collateral in some form itself.

Yellow, was more an extreme form of this. They got everything they wanted, but developed dementia. However their previous partners help them, act as their caretakers, and overall supports them. They’re just happy they’re with Yellow. I think this is really sweet.

Bonus Round: The Party

The party, starts after Cairn’s interview. Now, the party is really interesting.

Because you can recognize some gems, and then you can’t.

When the gems turned into lunarians, they gained more human features like their noses changing and their hair loosing stiffness and becoming more... hair-like. This means they can change their hairstyles more regularly, and since there is no color we can’t tell who is who sometimes.

We can recognize Euc, Watermelon, New Goshe, Hemimorph, and a few others obviously.

The party isn’t just comprised of gems, no. They also have lunarians attending too. This is mentioned in Cairn’s interview.

You can even see it here. The bunny ears indicate that it’s a native lunarian.

I also didn’t notice until recently, but there are two other lunarians in this photo. On the right. Two male lunarians. Gay lunarians? In MY party?

This is not Aechmea and Sensei. Although Aechmea is also seen wearing a jabot (the ruffle thingy on the collar), he has a different set of accessories on that jabot, and his suit has a lapel (the folds of the suit). Aechmea has a butterfly jabot pin with beads below it, Sensei also has this motif (and what seems to be a tucked in jabot). Yes this has to do with symbolism. Transformation, rebirth, I’m sure they have another meaning in buddhism but I can’t 100% tell you what they mean.

What is interesting is also Sensei’s many brooches. He has many brooches relating to flowers, a weighing scale (or scales of justice), and a brooch that has an eye on it.

The brooch that has an eye, can refer to Sensei’s eyes, or Ayumu’s eye, or Phos’s eye. Sensei’s Older Brother also has a singular eye.

Oh? But I see something familiar.

Hmm, where have I seen this flower before?

Chapter 100

I may be pulling this out of my ass, who knows. These could be pansies. Which symbolizes thoughtfulness, and remembrance.

There’s actually a lot of flower symbolism in Party At the End. Not the first time. There was a change in Chapter 93, which Yaku Translations on Twitter mentioned. Instead of Psuedo-Human Phos seeing Young Phos run to Sensei’s room, they see a dandelion seed, which represents innocence. There was a dandelion seed in the original manga-issued version compared to the volume-version however.

When Phos becomes enlightened, the dandelion is in full bloom.

Said dandelion can also be seen in the cover art.

Throughout The Party at the End, there’s a list of flowers mentioned.

Gypsophila (mentioned by Jade), Pink Mushrooms (Hemimorph, probably referring to Pleurotus djamor AKA The Pink Oyster Mushroom), Lotus Seeds (A lot of gems mention it), Lily (Cairn), Lavender (Padpa), and Roses (The Rose Garden, Padpa). Let’s also not forget the saturn-purple rose Bluezo just straight up eats (kisses????). Some of these are mentioned in forms of food, like Gypsophila tea (Jade) and Lavender cake (Padpa).

Gypsophila stands for Innocence & Purity, mushrooms are Transformation (mushroom symbolism in general, not “pink mushroom”, also pulling this one out of my ass), Lotus themselves mean enlightment in buddhism so the fact that they mention lotus seeds symbolize that the gems/lunarians are not yet there. Lilies can mean a lot of things, like affections for loved ones, purity and innocence (pink ones can also mean feminity, which would apply to Cairn here). Lavender is devotion & peace/serenity/calm.

Roses have different meaning based on their color. Red roses we know are for romantic/true love, yellow can mean two separate things which is friendship and jealousy/betrayal (here we’re going with the friendship part because of Yellow Diamond), red and yellow flowers together means joy and happiness, and in Bluezo’s & Ladra’s case, violet/lavender roses stands for love at first sight.

There’s also this

This is a photo of Shinsha, Antarc, and Cairn. They have plenty of different types of flowers on here.

And here

And the final page.

There’s a lot of symbolism with flowers.

There’s also a lot of cherries! Could just be the fact that they’re at a party, or it could be symbolism too! Who knows!

There’s also one thing we all know... The elephant in the room. The image that shocked us to the core when the previews/leaks first appeared.

THE KISS

Honestly, I don’t know how to approach this one guys.

It certainly has to be Diamond?? Red Diamond is chilling with (Purple) Fluorite and a couple others. And it makes the most sense that it’s Diamond, because Diamond always had a fascination with love and romance, even asking to watch Cairn and Aechmea cuddle and gushing over their relationship.

The other gem, has long hair, frills, and a thing behind their ear. This is angering me because I DON’T KNOW WHO IT’D BE.

It doesn’t make sense with most gems.

Let’s approach this from a different angle. What if it’s Obsidian?

It could be 84, as they have the same length hair as Thirty, who’s hair is pretty long.

But NO!! It’s almost definetely Diamond because they’re obsessed with love as a concept.

And not everyone who was interviewed appears in the party photos.

It could be Pink Fluorite or Apopyllite. If we’re stretching it out. There are long haired gems, but they don’t seem to have a close relationship with Diamond. It makes it so FRUSTRATING.

Anyways.

There is also this photo.

The known gems here are Red Diamond, Benito, Ruby, and Fluorite. The gem on the top right corner isn’t Watermelon, and inspecting both Morganites’ bangs means its not them, so I’m taking a leap of faith and claiming its Heliodor. Because Heliodor was turned into a lunarian.

So, whos the gem next to Benito? You could claim its Alexandrite, but they still have their ahoge, long hair, and the long side hairs. Its a differen’t gem. And their bangs seem to be a type of bangs that not a lot of gems have. And even if the gems had it their hairstyles would’ve been different.

Like I said, we already know what Sphalerite looks like. They have medium-length hair so it’s not them.

 So, here’s my speculation: you know how theres mostly gems of the same type but different colors? There’s a short haired, and a long haired version. Pinkto has long hair, Topaz has short hair. New & Old Morga have short and long hair. Loosely also applies to New & Old Goshe, where Old Goshe’s bangs are more exaggerated than New Goshe.

They could be Pink Fluorite.

The have the overal same ‘vibe’ as (Purple) Fluorite. But this time with extremely short hair.

Nice guess, right? Well it’s unconfirmed and we’ll probably never know. And that makes me ANGRY!!!!

The gem, with the lunarian heart ring, is most likely Bluezo. If it were Sensei or Aechmea the face wouldn’t be obscured. Ladra’s face is obscured in all photos.

Bluezo, is also probably the faceless and naked gem body at the end. It would make sense. Even if theres no ring on the left hand (that we see). And it’s after the group photo of most of the gems at the party.

And the pomegranate.

This is more... Confusing. The obvious ones are purity and fertility, especially looking at the placement. It also symbolizes immortality, but thats mostly in other cultures.

I can’t find a clear answer with buddhism on this one. On one hand, so many places say that pomegranates are part of the “three blessed fruits” in buddhism along with the citrus and peach, but I can’t a lot that goes into depth on them.

General consensus is that the peach means longevity, citrus means happiness, and pomegranate is fertility. Interesting choice, as the lunarians (this now includes gems) cannot have children. The population only grows because they’re bringing back souls of who used to be.

But the only other mention I see of a pomegranate in buddhism is Hariti/Kishimojin which would DEFINITELY not apply here I think.

So, I have no clue!!

Although this party is estimated to have happened recently after Phos became a pseudo-human and after the first party, and before the 10,000 years, the last page still looks like its the End. As if they’re all desintigrating. As mentioned before, Lunarian structures sometimes (not all structures) will remelt at the end of the day and build back up. This is probably what’s happening. It’s still a nice ending to the booklet.

[vexic929]

Arrowverse OC (Earth-63) Sterling (she/her)

Full name: Jessica Mercury Juliana Sterling-Wells

Alias: Jess/Sterling

Gender: Transgender woman (she/her)

Orientation: Pansexual

Age: 19

Nationality: ???

Religion: Agnostic

Western Zodiac: Scorpio

Eastern Zodiac: Monkey

Element: Wood

Birth Stone: Topaz

Blood-type: B+

Personality Type: ENFP

Disabilities: ADHD, needs glasses

Eye color: Originally blue, turned silver and metallic with the onset of her powers

Natural Hair Color: Originally brown, turned silver and metallic with the onset of her powers

Natural Hair Type: 2A

Skin Color: Pale, neutral undertones

Height: 5 feet, 8 inches (173 cm)

Weight: 140 lbs (64 kg)

Appearance: Jess is tall with an athletic build, her metallic features give her an otherworldly look.

Personality: Intelligent, compassionate, rebellious, and resilient

Moral Alignment: Chaotic Good

Backstory: The daughter of Drs. Rodriga Sterling and Harriett Wells, Jess felt the pressure to excel academically and personally from a young age and is studying for her degrees in both biochemistry and engineering. After the death of her mother, Rodriga, Jess has estranged herself from her other mother, convinced it was her negligence that caused the accident.

Faceclaim: Violett Beane

[killiancormac]

@latenna tagged me in this oc association meme :] <3 im gonna do it with killian bo billian my favorite little* guy (*44 year old man)

you dont have to do this if you dont wanna BUTTTTT im tagging you guys because.. i would like 2 see it :) @claudiawolf @fialine @roseeway

animals.

fox.

color.

muted reds and dull oranges. beiges and browns.

month.

march.

songs.

dreams — fleetwood mac

it's a trip! — joywave

my life — billy joel

number.

seven.

plants.

killian is such a big plant guy I'm not even sure where to begin. his apartment is covered in them. he prefers leafier plants to flowers; mostera, golden pothos, aloe, fern, etc. as a gift, nick gets him a string of hearts — it's one of his favorites. I can also see him getting a bonsai, at one point, and becoming a little bit obsessed with it.

smells.

oak, soil, cut grass. the fragrant smells of freshly cooked, homemade food.

gemstone.

topaz.

time of day.

late afternoon.

season.

late spring, late summer.

places.

he has too many favorite places, and he's been to too many places, for me to pick — but his childhood in dublin in a town similar to my own will always stand out to me.

food.

killian is such a big food guy too I have NO idea what food I would associate with him. he's a good chef who makes a lot of varied dishes. I know he makes a mean lasagna though <3

drinks.

beer. coffee (cappuccino is his go-to order). tea.

element.

fire.

seasonings.

a bit of everything. his spice rack is insane — he's got virtually everything you could think of.

sky.

bright and blue, with some fluffy white clouds.

weather.

sunny. warm. comfortable, cool breeze.

magical power.

pyrokinesis.

weapons.

he had a pair of dual pistols that were his main weapons for the majority of his adventures, but they were lost on an adventure. He's never quite gotten over it.

candy.

hmmm.. haribo starmix :]

method of long distance travel.

car. he hates flying — obviously, if he has no choice, he will, but he wont enjoy it. nervous flier. get him out of sully's rickety ass plane 😭

art style.

expressionism.

fear.

heights, or falling, more specifically.

mythological creature.

kelpie. OR selkie. I like both :]

piece of stationary.

type of mf to love a good mechanical pencil idk why this is so specific i can just see it

three emojis.

🍻🃏☀ I have to add text so they're not really big <3

celestial body.

mars.

[honey-minded-hivemind]

Pearlification AU Ideas: Gem Types and Gem Colors, plus Headcanons!

The Adults and Older Teens:

Xavier: Green Nacre, a Caretaker and Maker of Pearls; partially in charge of the Reef, alongside Gray Nacre

Beast: Azurite, a Maker of Pearls and Doctor/Healer for them; makes their gems, and helps complete their change into pearls

Storm: Turquoise, a Guardian and Gardner of the Reef and its Pearls; she helps control the water and rain, amd helps provide the right climate for pearls' gems to grow

Wolverine: Morion Jasper, a Guard and Protector of the Reef and its Pearls; helped bring them there, and offers comfort when needed

Magneto: Gray Nacre, a Caretaker and Maker of Pearls; partially in charge of the Reef, alongside Green Nacre

Mystique: Color Change Blue Garnet, an Instructor and Enforcer of the Reef; she upholds the rules and keeps its gems from acting out

Sabretooth: Tiger's Eye Quartz, a Guard and Protector of the Reef and its Pearls; helped bring them there, and offers comfort when needed

Scott: Cherry Quartz, a Guard and Companion to the Pearls of the Reef; acts as a guide and older sibling to the Pearls; is strict, but not as strict as the older gems, and is sweet

Jean: Mookaite Jasper, a Guard and Companion to the Pearls of the Reef; acts as a guide and older sibling to the Pearls; is kind, and patient with the newly made Pearls

Rogue: Bloodstone, a Guard and Companion of the Pearls; she keeps the older gems in the loop, and guides the Pearls around the Reef; is secretly nicer than she let's on, and is a sibling-like figure to Indigo Pearl

Gambit: Smoky Quartz, a Guard and Spy of the Reef; watches for odd behavior of its gems, including the Pearls, and reports it to the Nacres or the older Quartzes; is friendly and laid-back, but is good at making plans

Lance: Flint, a Guard and Guide of the Reef; secretly likes the Pearls, and is friends with a few

Fred: Green Topaz, a Guard and Protector of the Reef; is gentle with the gems of the Reef, and has a soft spot for animals and organics

Pyro: Sunstone, a Spy and Surveillance Guard at the Reef; can summon fire, and makes small metal sculptures when he can

Colossus: Iron, a Builder and Engineer of the Reef; is soft, and cares deeply for all of the gems of the Reef

Then you have the Younger Teens:

Kurt: Indigo Pearl, a human-turned Pearl who was friends with Reader and Light Pink Pearl before they were converted; loves jokes and making others laugh; is a deep indigo blue, with a round pearl on his chest

Kitty: Light Pink Pearl, a human-turned Pearl who was friends with Indigo Pearl and Reader before they were converted; is bubbly and very clever; is a pale pink, with an ovular pearl on her navel

Evan: Cream Pearl, a pearl who is friends with Turquoise, and likes the X-Gem half of the Reef gems; loves doing pranks and playing around the Reef; is friends with Pale Blue Pearl and Scarlet Pearl; is a pale yellow, and has an ovular pearl on his back

Todd: Olive Pearl, a pearl who is friends with Pale Blue Pearl and Blue Topaz and Flint; likes to explore the water, and likes amphibious organics; is a good swimmer; is olive green, and has a round pearl on his right hand

Pietro: Pale Blue Pearl, is friends with Cream Pearl, Olive Pearl, Scarlet Pearl, and Flint and Blue Topaz; likes the B-Gems of the Reef; is a bit arrogant and speedy, but has a softer side; is twins with Scarlet Pearl; is an icy blue, has a round pearl on his right cheek

Wanda: Scarlet Pearl, twin of Pale Blue Pearl, and is friends with the B-Gems and Cream Pearl; is a vivid red color, with dark red hair; is cold and aloof at times, but slowly opens up to others; has a round pearl on her left cheek

Reader: ??? Pearl, a friend of Indigo Pearl and Light Pink Pearl before they were Pearls, and remembers being human; they're a bit scared and feel lonely, and want to escape the Reef; miss their friends, but won't speak about the truth to them; has a ??? pearl located on their ???

(The Reef has many saltwater pools for relaxation and community bonding. There are several rooms as well with aquariums, touch pools, and museums about gem history, the Reef, and Pearls, as well as some about marine animals of the galaxy, and one specifically for Earth marine life. There is a main bedroom/relaxing room for Pearls, with carved shell beds afield with soft cushions amd pillows and blankets, with lights that turn off when needed, and doors that open when the guards command it. The gems who maintain the Reef are nicer than they appear, but Reader is still scared of them because of what they did, yet Reader tries to act like nothing is wrong, in case anyone discovers they remember being human. There is a check-up/rejuvenating room, where the Pearls are inspected, and if needed, rejuvenated, so they won't remember being human or anything besides waking up at the Reef. There is art along different walls, murals of different gems and plenty of Pearls, all in different colors and gem shapes. And there are plenty of recreational rooms, for making art or fixing things or reading holo pads or gardening or whatever you could think of...)

[sunsolii]

Napoleon's Marshals and their Birthstones FINAL part

This is the third and final part of the birthstone saga where I'll cover the remaining four birthstones and their marshals (plus two other non-marshals but I wanted to include anyway). I can't believe I spent half of my winter break researching shiny rocks XD

Part 1 and Part 2 are avaliable here

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*Mineraloid: A mineral-like object that does NOT contain a crystalline structure.

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Sapphire (September)

Marshals- N/A (Honorable mentions: Eugène de Beauharnais & Jean-Andoche Junot)

Type: Mineral

Group: Oxide (Al₂O₃)

Color: Blue, yellow, green, purple

Cleavage: Poor

Fracture: Conchoidal to splintery

Mohs Scale: 9

Luster: Vitreous

Streak: Colorless

Fun Facts: Sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum and usually comes in the color blue, but it can also come in colors such as yellow, green, and even purple. Its blue hue is due to traces of iron and titanium in its crystal structure. Sapphires, along with the other cardinal gemstones, have a rich history and cultural significance. In ancient Persia and Greece, it was believed that sapphires possessed divine powers and were used in crowns and jewelry of kings and queens. In today’s age, sapphires are used in different objects such as luxury watches, LED lights, and infrared sensor windows used in military aircraft because of their durability (having a hardness of 9, making it the second hardest mineral other than a diamond) and a high melting point of about 3704°F or 2040 °C.

Opal (October)

Marshals- Augereau, Lefebvre, and Grouchy

Type: Mineraloid*

Group: (Hydrated) Silica (SiO₂·nH₂O)

Color: Colorless, white, yellow, blue, green, black, brow, pink

Cleavage: None

Fracture: Conchoidal to uneven

Mohs Scale: 5.5-6

Luster: Waxy

Streak: White

Fun Fact: Opals are formed when water carries pieces of silica inside an open rock or sediment, often found near volcanoes or groundwater. As time passes, the water inside the rock will evaporate, leaving the silica to solidify inside the host rock, which, under specific temperatures and pressure, will begin to form the opal. There are four types of opals: precious, common, matrix, and synthetic opals. Precious opals exhibit what is known as “opalescence,” which happens due to the arrangement of silica inside the opal, creating an array of colorful hues when put under light. Common opals do not possess opalescence; they are either opaque or translucent with one main color present. Matrix opals are opals embedded in their host rock during their formation, and synthetic opals are lab-grown opals that imitate the colorful look of natural opals.

Topaz (November)

Marshals- Berthier and Macdonald

Type: Mineral

Group: Silicate (Al₂SiO₄(F,OH)₂)

Color: Colorless, blue, brown, yellow if impurities are present

Cleavage: Basal (perfect)

Fracture: Subconchoidal to uneven

Mohs Scale: 8

Luster: Vitreous or adamantine

Streak: White

Fun Fact: Topaz gets its name from the Greek word topazion, which refers to the Zabargad Island near the Red Sea, where peridot is also found. Topaz comes in different colors, but the most popular color is blue, the most common color found in jewelry stores [1]. Natural blue topaz is very rare, so to get the color blue, a colorless or pale yellow topaz is heated or irradiated using gamma radiation. Subatomic particles are shot through the topaz at high speeds, which knocks some of the electrons out of orbit, causing the light that travels through the crystal to change and the amount of light absorbed. Due to the color wavelength changing, the human eye perceived the topaz as blue [2]. 

Turquoise (December)

Marshals- Perrin and Sérurier

Type: Mineral

Group: Phospate (CuAl₆(PO₄)₄(OH)₈·4H₂O)

Color: Turquoise, blue, blue-green

Cleavage: Perfect but rarely seen

Fracture: Conchoidal

Mohs Scale: 5-6

Luster: Waxy or dull

Streak: Blue or white

Fun Fact: Turquoise is another mineral that contains water in its structure; this comes in the form of a hydrated phosphate of either copper or aluminum. Turquoise was one of the first gemstones to be mined, with some jewelry dating back to around 5000 BCE. Even though it has been used in jewelry for thousands of years, its value has decreased due to the treatments and synthetic turquoise appearing more often in the market. Even though they are minerals, well-formed crystals are rarely found on their own, with most turquoise growing closely packed around another mineral, causing it to have a higher durability [3]. Due to its lower hardness level, caring for any turquoise jewelry is important, and it is recommended not to use it while doing any sort of manual labor as the gemstone can be easily damaged. Jewelry designers place a durable bezel around the gem to prevent scratches and protect it. However, the bezel can only protect the gemstone to a limited degree since it is still exposed to open air. It is also recommended not to get the gemstone wet as it can absorb liquids due to its low porosity, which can alter its color [4].

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Sources:

Sapphire: MAT, M. (2023, April 24). Sapphire: Properties, formation, occurrence " Geology science. Geology Science. https://geologyscience.com/gemstone/sapphire/?amp

Opal: MAT, M. (2023, September 29). Opal : Properties, formation, uses and deposits " geology science. Geology Science. https://geologyscience.com/gemstone/opal/?amp

Topaz: [1] King, H. M. (n.d.). Blue topaz. Geology. https://geology.com/gemstones/blue-topaz/#treatment

[2] MAT, M. (2023, August 26). Topaz : Gemstone: Properties, formation, occurrence, uses. Geology Science. https://geologyscience.com/minerals/topaz/?amp

Turquoise: [3] MAT, M. (2023, April 23). Turquoise: Mineral properties, uses and occurrence. Geology Science. https://geologyscience.com/gemstone/turquoise/?amp

[4] King, H. M. (n.d.-b). Turquoise. geology. https://geology.com/minerals/turquoise.shtml