#a group that commonly has round faces

[thatrandomblogsays]

I’m not very interested in watching the live action AtLA because I’m sick of studios making live action remakes of animated shows and movies, however whoever mocks/bullies/complains about any of the child actors for not looking as hot as their animated counterparts are going straight to the whole levels of hell.

[bestanimal]

Round 2 - Chordata - Chondrichthyes

(Sources - 1, 2, 3, 4)

Chondrichthyes is a class of jawed fish, commonly called “cartilaginous fish” due to their skeletons composed mainly of cartilage, making them distinct from all other vertebrates. They are comprised of the superorders Selachimorpha (“Sharks”), Batoidea (“Rays”), and Holocephalimorpha (“Chimaeras”).

Chondrichthyans breath through gills but lack opercula (gill coverings) and swim bladders. They have paired fins, paired nares (nostrils), and placoid (tooth-shaped) scales (except for electric rays, which have loose, soft skin). These placoid scales, also called dermal denticles, provide protection and streamlining, giving the animal’s skin a sandpaper-y feel. All chondrichthyans breathe through five to seven pairs of gills, depending on the species. As a general rule, pelagic species usually must keep swimming to keep oxygenated water moving through their gills, while demersal species can actively pump water in through their spiracles (a small hole or slit behind each eye) and out through their gills. Most larger, pelagic species no longer have spiracles. Chondrichthyans have many sensory organs to perceive the world around them. Their nostrils are attached to powerful olfactory organs. Around their face are a network of electroreceptors called Ampullae of Lorenzini, which allow them to sense electrical fields. Their lateral line has modified epithelial cells which sense motion, vibration, and pressure in the water around them. However, their sound-detecting apparatus has limited range and is typically more powerful at lower frequencies. Some species have electricity-producing organs which can be used for defense and predation. Chondrichthyans have a diverse array of shapes and sizes, ranging from the 10 cm (3.9 in) long, electric Finless Sleeper Ray (Temera hardwickii) to the over 10 m (33 ft) long Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus). All species are carnivores: some predatory, some ambush-hunters, and some filter-feeders. At least one species is omnivorous. Chondrichthyans have internal fertilization and most species give live birth, while some lay eggs. There is no parental care after birth, though some chondrichthyans do guard their eggs.

Chondrichthyans are considered to have evolved from Acanthodians, which appear from the Early Silurian. The first sharks began to evolve in the Devonian Period, though, while often claimed to be relatively unchanged, modern forms did not start appearing until the Early Jurassic.

Propaganda under the cut:

Mentioned briefly above, the Bonnethead Shark (Sphyrna tiburo), a small species of hammerhead, is the only shark known to be omnivorous. While it feeds on crustaceans, molluscs, and small fish, it also ingests large amounts of seagrass, which has been found to make up around 62% of gut content mass.

Also mentioned briefly above, Electric Rays (order Torpediniformes) are known for being capable of producing an electric discharge, ranging from 8 to 220 volts, depending on species, used to stun prey and for defense.

There are over 500 different species of sharks, and only a dozen could be considered dangerous to humans. That being said, of those 12, most do not seem to like the taste of human flesh, and bites are usually accidental or exploratory.

Many pelagic chondrichthyans occasionally breach, leaping out of the water. This can be done for hunting purposes, as a mating ritual, to shake off parasites, or even just for fun!

Today, all species of Sawfish (family Pristidae) are critically endangered. However, they were relatively common in the Cretaceous, where they were likely a common food source for Spinosaurus.

(Confusingly, Sawfish are a type of ray while Sawsharks (order Pristiophoriformes) are a type of shark. Sawsharks live in the deep sea and are rarely seen, while sawfish live in coastal and brackish waters.)

Kitefin Sharks (family Dalatiidae) have bioluminescent organs which glow blue in the dark

Chimaeras have a strange pair of teeth in their lower jaw which look like rodent incisors, giving them the common names “ratfish” or “rabbitfish.”

Great White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) are regularly hunted by orcas, and when one is confronted by an orca it will generally flee and not return to that area for up to a year.

Manta Rays (genus Mobula) are incredibly smart. They were the first “fish” in the world to pass the “mirror test” (ie show self-awareness by recognizing themselves in a mirror rather than seeing the reflected image as another manta ray). They also have highly-developed long-term memory, form friendships, and play with each other by blowing bubbles and breaching out of the water.

[forestdeath1]

Sirius’s attitude towards Peter

This is going to be a bit controversial because in the fandom, it's commonly believed that Sirius loved Peter. People backs this up with two points:

Sirius suggested Peter as the Secret Keeper.

Sirius said he'd die for Peter.

In my view, their relationship was a bit more complicated than just "he loved him." Emotions aren't just about love and hate, there's a lot of grey area in between. But personally, I don't see any evidence that Sirius truly loved or respected Peter.

From what we know in the books, teachers saw Peter like this:

Pettigrew... that fat little boy who was always tagging around after them at Hogwarts?’ said Madam Rosmerta. ‘Hero-worshipped Black and Potter,’ said Professor McGonagall.

For an observant and clever person like McGonagall, the group dynamics aren't a secret. It's exactly what people saw from the outside.

We know for sure that Peter visited the Potters, and Lily worried about him being sad, whereas there's no mention of Remus. In the Order of the Phoenix photo, Peter stands next to James, Lily and Sirius, while Remus is on the other end. So at least during the war, Peter was closer to the Potters than Remus.

Here's what JKR says about their relationship with Peter:

"Pettigrew, who they, in a slightly patronizing way, James and Sirius at least, who they allowed to hang round with them, it turned out that he was a better wizard than they knew. Turned out he was better at hiding secrets than they knew."

And it makes sense. Patronizing. They didn't intend to be friends with Peter at all, it was Remus who felt sorry for him and persuaded James and Sirius to include him.

Remus, always the underdog’s friend, was kind to short and rather slow Peter Pettigrew, a fellow Gryffindor, whom James and Sirius might not have thought worthy of their attention without Remus’s persuasion. Soon, these four became inseparable. (Pottermore)

And what we see in their relationship in reality:

Every time James made a particularly difficult catch, Wormtail gasped and applauded. 

‘Put that away, will you,’ said Sirius finally, as James made a fine catch and Wormtail let out a cheer, ‘before Wormtail wets himself with excitement.’ 

Wormtail turned slightly pink, but James grinned. 

Peter's behaviour:

Lupin and Wormtail remained sitting: Lupin was still staring down at his book, though his eyes were not moving and a faint frown line had appeared between his eyebrows; Wormtail was looking from Sirius and James to Snape with a look of avid anticipation on his face. 

How can someone like Sirius, who literally hates groveling ("I, a spy for Voldemort? When did I ever sneak around people who were stronger and more powerful than myself?"), respect and love someone who constantly grovels? Was Sirius blind not to see that? Everyone saw it. Remus simply pitied and was kind to Peter ("always the underdog’s friend"), and James loved Peter's adoration. James is the kind of person who really loves attention, and at the same time, he has a pretty black-and-white view of the world, and probably considered Peter a good guy, albeit one he could sometimes make fun of ('How thick are you, Wormtail?' said James impatiently. 'You run round with a werewolf once a month –')

But Sirius didn't need attention, he wasn't an attention-seeker. He could see pretty well who and what everyone was.

Many say that what Sirius says in PoA,he says it after many years of reflection in Azkaban and on emotions. I don’t think so:

‘Lily and James only made you Secret Keeper because I suggest- ed it,’ Black hissed, so venomously that Pettigrew took a step backwards. ‘I thought it was the perfect plan ... a bluff ... Voldemort would be sure to come after me, would never dream they’d use a weak, talentless thing like you ... it must have been the finest moment of your miserable life, telling Voldemort you could hand him the Potters.’ 

Sirius came up with a bluff. A plan where Voldemort was supposed to come after him, Sirius, not Peter. It wasn't just that Sirius trusted Peter. The point was that Voldemort would NOT come after Peter. Why was he so sure Voldemort wouldn't come after Peter?

Because first of all, I think Sirius really, as he said, believed that Voldemort would never pay attention to Peter. And secondly, Sirius was sure that Peter admired James too much and loved him too much to betray. The one who was always attached to them, the one who always looked up to James in admiration.

Sirius underestimated Peter's "bravery" and cunning.

‘I, a spy for Voldemort? When did I ever sneak around people who were stronger and more powerful than myself? But you, Peter – I’ll never understand why I didn’t see you were the spy from the start. You always liked big friends who’d look after you, didn’t you? It used to be us ... me and Remus ... and James ...’

He always saw that Peter was attached to them as "big friends," but Sirius, being arrogant, underestimated that besides them, Peter could have other "big friends." He was too convinced that Peter idolized James.

At the same time, it's pretty obvious why Sirius didn't trust Remus. He always respected Remus more, considered him smarter and more capable. He couldn't not trust James, James was everything to him, but Remus, who also often disappeared on missions, he could. This distrust shows not so much that they had bad relations, but rather that Sirius considered Remus a more capable and independent person, not just an appendage to James, like Peter.

So why were they considered inseparable and why did Sirius say he would die for Peter?

‘He – he was taking over everywhere!’ gasped Pettigrew. ‘Wh-what was there to be gained by refusing him?’ 

‘What was there to be gained by fighting the most evil wizard who has ever existed?’ said Black, with a terrible fury in his face. ‘Only innocent lives, Peter!’ 

‘You don’t understand!’ whined Pettigrew. ‘He would have killed me, Sirius!’ 

‘THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED!’ roared Black. ‘DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS, AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU!’ 

Sirius has a very strong sense of honor. For him, dying for those he considers «ours» is a matter of honor. This is a nuance in his character — he may not particularly like or respect someone, but if they're "ours" he'll defend them (even someone like Mundungus).

He considered Peter their friend, he was with them from the first year, James loved Peter, Remus loved Peter, Peter helped in their mischiefs, and Sirius treated Peter okay, as a friend, but without much respect or some unearthly love that fandom usually portrays. He could see what Peter was like, and surely there were tense situations between them, but Sirius wasn't a bad person, and Peter knew how to play the helpless and miserable guy. It's like a patronizing friendship, where you're friends not because you really respect and love the person, but because they're in your group, and you're used to them. It was a childhood friendship. There was no sacred friendship. Children often start friendships simply because they end up in the same bedroom.

And Sirius isn't afraid of death. His death – it's not the worst thing for him. He tells Peter the same thing. Better to die than betray friends. That's his honor—he doesn't understand betrayal. The concept of honor isn't linked to love. For some reason, many think that a person can only decide to die for those they love. But some might choose death because their honor demands it. And if Sirius considered someone a friend, and he did consider Peter a friend, then dying for him is a normal reaction.

JKR on this: "Sirius would have done it. With all his faults and flaws, he has this profound sense of honor, ultimately, and he would rather have died honorably, as he would see it, than live with the dishonor and shame."

And Sirius would die not just for Peter. He told the twins about their father, who was on a mission: "You don't understand - there are things worth dying for!"

So, I don't see any evidence that Sirius truly loved and respected Peter. Did he consider him a friend? Yes, he did. Not personally his own, but their friend. James's friend first and foremost and an integral part of the Marauders. Would he die for him? Yes, of course. It's a matter of honor. But he always saw him as lesser than themselves, not as worthy, not as strong, not as smart, too cowardly, and sly. And it's precisely because of his arrogant attitude that he thought Voldemort would never pay attention to Peter, making Peter the perfect Secret Keeper. Also, in his opinion, Peter would never betray James precisely because Peter supposedly idolized James too much and loved him too much. But "it turned out that he was a better wizard than they knew. Turned out he was better at hiding secrets than they knew."

[satorulovebot]

cursed seas chapter five | you're on your own, kid

↳ satoru gojou x reader

genre — heavy angst, pirate au, 18+ 

word count — 10k

tags/warnings — 18+, mentions of cannibalism, neglect, mentions of anxiety and depression, ooc gojo, explicit smut (don't get too happy), mentions of death

notes — gojo is an ass. that is literally it. if you thought he was nice in the last chapter and had some character development, no I dangled a carrot in front of you sawwy. maybe one of these days i’ll stick with a theme. also he doesn't behave like this to be an ass but it's more of a trauma response and other things. also, the reader has a hard time standing up for herself in stressful situations. She has no problem insulting gojo when shes not in a stressful situation just to clear the air and give her more characterization. also my smut skills are rusty as FUCK it’s been so long don’t make fun of me. anyways this has been long enough rb's and comments always appreciated and my inbox is always open :3

prev. never saw you coming | next. the lakes

The sky above the ship was a muted gray, covered with thick clouds that hung low over the horizon. The air was heavy with the scent of salt and seaweed, and the dampness clung to everything it touched. The island you were heading to was located amongst other islands. The islands were commonly referred to as the Sanguine Islands, some of the biggest islands in the Caribbean.

Captain Gojou stood at the helm as his hands rested on the ship's wheel. If you didn’t know any better, you would think he was just as carefree as always. But you did know better. He was back to his usual self—cocky, arrogant, and always in control. He behaved kike the night before had never happened. What upset you the most was that you thought the two of you were getting somewhere. But it was all replaced by the same facade he wore when you first met him.

“Alright, gather ‘round,” Gojou called out. “We’ve got a map, and it’s time to head to our first destination.”

You were sitting on a wooden barrel when Gojou asked the crew to join him. You were speaking to Megumi and Yuuji about the map and if they had any ideas of what they would do with the treasure. Eventually, you walked over to him and stood a few feet behind the group, your fingers nervously clutching the map. Honestly, you didn’t want to give him the map, not after everything that happened, but you didn’t have a choice.

Still, you hesitated.

“Hey!” Gojou’s voice snapped you out of your thoughts. “The map, sweetheart. Don’t make me ask twice.”

You swallowed hard before stepping forward to hand him the map. Your fingers brushed against his as he took it from you, and you could feel the tension radiating from him.

“Good girl,” he muttered just loud enough for you to hear. The words were like a slap in the face. You stepped back, away from the group, as Gojou spread the map across a table on the deck. 

The way he acted as if nothing had happened, as if he hadn’t torn into you just hours ago, made your heart ache.

“We’re heading to an island,” Gojou began. “roughly three days' sail from here. It’s marked as uninhabited on most maps, but according to this,” he tapped the weathered parchment, “it’s got something we need. All you need to know is that we’re going there.”

“There is a catch, though. The island’s got a bit of a reputation. Cannibalistic locals, or so the rumors say. I’m not one for ghost stories, but if you’re the type to scare easily, consider this your warning to stay on the ship.” Gojou went to pick up the map before shouting out, “Oh, and Y/N, you’re coming too.”

The journey to the Sanguine Islands was uneventful, save for the occasional stormy waves that rocked the ship. You kept to yourself as usual, except for talking to the kids and Nanami. 

Something about those kids, though, was that they always seemed to be in a hurry. The other day, I saw Yuuji bringing a bucket below deck. I have never seen him get seasick or anything, and he lives on a ship. But it’s none of my business. 

It’s better to keep a low profile anyway, you thought to yourself. Besides, teenagers are sneaky.

Gojou seemed also to be keeping to himself. His usual cocky grin was back on his handsome face. It was unfortunate he was a good-looking man.

Finally, the islands appeared on the horizon, or at least what you could see of them. They were small, jagged pieces of land shrouded in mist. “This place gives me the creeps,” Yuuji muttered as he prepared to drop the anchor.

“It’s just an Island Itadori. You’ll be fine since you’re staying on the ship,” Nanami voiced.

“We’ll split into two groups. Half of you stay with the ship, which includes the kids, and the other half comes with me. Shokou, you also stay. We’ll check out the island, grab whatever treasure we can find, and return by nightfall.” Gojou announced.

As Gojou had previously stated, you were heading to the island, though you wished you weren't. You had a bad feeling when your feet touched the sand, and that feeling would only worsen. The group consisted of you, Toji, Getou, Nanami, and Captain Gojou. 

The deeper you ventured into the jungle, the more uneasy you felt. The trees seemed to close in around you, and the air was more humid than usual. Every now and then, you could hear the distant rustle of leaves from what you assumed were animals moving around in the underbrush. But whenever you turned to look, there was nothing.

“I don’t like this,” Getou muttered behind you.

“Quiet Suguru,” Gojou snapped. “We’re almost there.”

But “there” was nowhere to be found. The deeper the five of you went, the more lost you felt.

“Maybe we should head back?” You suggested quietly.

Gojou ignored you. Of course. But you could see the frustration in his expression as he tried to make sense of the map. 

“It’s like we’re going in fucking circles,” he muttered.

Suddenly, shouts erupted from the back of the group.

Before you could react, colorful figures burst from the treeline, their bodies covered in intricate tribal markings.

Chaos erupted as the four men fought back, but they were outnumbered. You ducked behind a tree as you tried to make sense of the situation.

“Retreat!” Toji shouted, his voice barely audible over the sound of clashing steel. “We need to get back to the ship!”

When you went to turn around, there was no clear path back.

And then, just as quickly as it had begun, the attackers vanished into the jungle.

“Nice job, Satoru were trapped,” Getou drawled.

“We’re not trapped,” Gojou snapped before turning to you. “Give me the map.”

In the thick of the fight, Gojou had dropped the map, and you managed to pick it up before anyone from the opposing side could. Your hands trembled as you pulled the map from your bag. Gojou snatched it from you before unfolding the faded parchment.

But when he went to read the map, it had changed. 

Where there had once been clear markings were now a mess of lines and symbols that made no sense. The landmarks did not match what you had seen on the island.

“This doesn’t make any sense,” Gojou muttered, his eyes narrowing as he studied the map. “It’s like the damn thing is cursed.”

“We will find a way back to the ship. And when we do, we’re leaving this godforsaken island. Treasure or not.”

The five of you spent hours trying to make your way through the jungle back to the beach, where you had made landfall. But every time you seemed like you were getting closer, the paths continued to change, leaving you all more lost than before.

“We’re going in circles,” Toji growled.

“We need to stop,” you said quietly, your voice trembling. “We’re exhausted and not getting anywhere like this.”

For a moment, you thought he might snap at you, as he had multiple times before. Instead, he sighed, his shoulders slumping, as he folded the map and tucked it into his coat pocket. 

“Fine,” he muttered, “We’ll rest here for the night.”

You wasted no time helping the crew set up a makeshift camp. You found some palm leaves that could be used as a mat so you wouldn’t be sleeping on the cold, hard jungle ground because god knows what is in this place.

You sat near the edge of the camp with your back against a tree as you stared into the flickering firelight. Your mind drifted back to Gojou and how he consistently spoke to you throughout your journey. Even on the night of the Merchant’s ball, he had never looked at you this way, although he did seem conflicted, and you could see it in his eyes.

It didn’t make any sense.

Yes, Gojou was infuriating, arrogant, and impossible to read. But something about him made your heart race and your thoughts spiral out of control. It didn’t help that he was extremely attractive, either. But you refused to let yourself fall for him, not after how he had treated you and what he had done.

You decided that it was time for you to at least try and get some rest before dealing with more of his bullshit. By the time the first light of dawn broke through the canopy, most of the crew was up and about. Gojou decided that you had all stayed in the same place for too long and needed to get moving. However, whenever you seemed to be going in the right direction, the dense foliage would twist and shift, obscuring your path.

Toji led the group since he had a machete that could slice through the undergrowth. Gojou stood behind you in case the attackers returned and decided to ambush your group from behind.

“What the hell is wrong with this place?” Toji growled.

“I did tell you it had a reputation. Locals say it’s cursed. People who come here usually never leave.” Gojou said.

Usually?!

“You believe that superstitious nonsense?” Nanami chimed in.

“It’s not nonsense, you ass. We’ve been walking in circles for hours. This place is messed up.”

“Enough. Keep moving,” Gojou ordered. “We’ll find a way out. There’s always a way out.” 

The thick canopy above blocked out most of the sunlight, causing permanent twilight during the day. It was easy to lose track of time. The hours seemed to blur together, and exhaustion began to show. 

“Maybe we should turn back? We’re not getting anywhere like this.”

Gojou shot you a look full of irritation. “Why would we turn back? We aren’t turning back until we find what we came for.”

But wasn’t he just saying it was okay if we didn’t find any treasure?

You decided to stay silent, not wanting to piss Gojou off any further. 

“This damn map,” he muttered under his breath.

You approached him, looking over his shoulder to scan the map. “It doesn’t make any sense. It’s like the island keeps changing, and the map doesn’t match.”

Toji, watching the exchange, sheathed his machete and stepped closer. “Look, Gojou, she’s right. We’re not getting anywhere. This place is like a maze, and we need to come up with a new plan.”

For a moment, Gojou looked like he was going to argue. But then he let out a sharp breath before folding the map and tucking it back into his coat. “Fine,” he muttered. “We’ll take a break, regroup, and figure out what the hell is going on.”

You all let out a collective sigh of relief as you set up a temporary camp. It wasn’t much, but it gave you all a chance to catch your breath and tend to any scrapes or wounds. You sat on a fallen log, wiping the sweat from your brow. Your eyes drifted to Gojou, who stood a few feet away, staring into the jungle with a frown. He hadn’t said much since he decided to stop, and you could tell that your current situation was finally catching up with him.

You approached him cautiously, your voice soft as you spoke. “You okay?”

“I’m fine. This place is just… pissing me off.”

“It’s like the island doesn’t want us to leave.”

Gojou didn’t respond immediately, but he continued to reassure you that you would be able to make it out.

As the sun began to set, the jungle seemed to be alive. The sounds of the day gave way to something darker. You all huddled closer to the fire you had built. The flames illuminated your faces. No one spoke, not even Captain Gojou. 

You decided to once again try to get Gojou to get you to keep moving. “We need to keep moving. We can’t stay here.”

“I know,” he muttered. “But we’re not moving in the dark. This place is bad enough during the day.”

You couldn't argue with that. This place felt like a death trap, and the thought of venturing back out into the jungle made you more than uncomfortable. But staying here wasn’t much better.

You glanced at Gojou, wondering what he was thinking. His face was hard to read, but you could see the way his hand rested on the hilt of his sword, ready for whatever the night would bring.

But nothing ever came.

This is the third day you have been stuck on the island. The path the group had been following had disappeared. Every turn leads to a dead end or tangled vines. The thick canopy overhead barely lets any sunlight in. It casts strange shadows that play tricks on the mind.

“Dammit,” Gojou muttered as he hacked away a particularly stubborn branch with his sword.

You kept your distance from him, knowing how irritated he was now, considering that you had been on this island for longer than he wanted. Your conversations had long since died down since each of you was focused on your survival. Getou had been having a reaction to mosquito bites recently, which had significantly slowed the group down. You were sweaty and dirty and desperately wanted a bath. The muscles in your legs screamed in protest, but you pushed forward, determined not to hold the group back.

A sudden noise caught everyone’s attention. Before anyone could react, something shot out of the underbrush. Panic erupted as more figures emerged from the jungle. They had necklaces made of bones around their necks and clothing made out of what you hoped was animal hide. 

You heard Gojou shout something out before grabbing your arm and running in the opposite direction, away from the chaos. You noticed there was blood smeared on his sleeve and his sword drawn. You came to a stop, and he ordered you to stay close to him, not even sparing you a second glance before he turned his back and started walking. 

You swallowed the lump in your throat, too exhausted and too shaken to argue with him. Following him was your only option, and judging by his demeanor, you could see that he wasn’t exactly thrilled to be stuck with you.

As the two of you walked, neither of you spoke. The only sounds that could be heard were the crunch of leaves and the occasional snap of a twig.

“Do you know where we’re going?”

He didn’t stop walking, nor did he slow down. “No.”

“So we’re just wandering then?”

“You got a better idea?”

You didn’t bother responding. It wasn’t worth it. The ache in your legs had become unbearable, and it took more effort than you would have liked. But the last thing you were going to do was complain to him and have him think you’re weak. He already seemed to look down on you, and you didn’t think you could take any more of it.

“Why are you always like this?”

He stopped so suddenly that you almost ran into him.

“Like what?”

“Like you hate me. I’ve done nothing but try to help you and your crew. And all you do is push me away like I’m some… some nuisance.”

For a moment, he said nothing, his icy blue eyes studying you with an intensity that made your heart race. With a scoff, he turned away again. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Then explain it to me. Tell me why you treat me like I’m nothing. Tell me why you act like—”

“Because it’s easier. It’s easier if I don’t care. If I don’t let myself...”

“Let’s go,” he muttered, turning away from you again. “We don’t have time for this.”

But you weren’t ready to let it go. “You don’t have to be like this.”

He didn’t respond and instead began walking again as you followed in silence. The jungle grew darker as the sun began to set, and the path became even harder to navigate. You stumbled over roots and rocks, your exhaustion making it difficult to keep up with Gojou.

After walking a little while, the two of you came across a small stream. Gojou knelt down by the water's edge, splashing some onto his face before drinking deeply. You followed his lead, kneeling beside his and cupping your hands to bring the cool water to your lips.

Then, without looking at you, Gojou spoke. “You should have stayed on the ship.” 

His words caught you off guard, and you looked at him in surprise. “What?” 

“You shouldn’t have come. You don’t belong here.” 

The words hit you like a punch to the gut. “What? You told me to come! I thought I was helping.”

“It was a mistake. You’re just making things harder.”

Instead of arguing or defending yourself, you simply nodded and swallowed the lump in your throat.

“We should keep moving.”

And just like that, the conversation was over.

Your heart was heavy as you followed him through the dense jungle. The canopy above filtered the light into beams that cast shadows across the jungle floor, but you felt none of their promised warmth. Gojou strode ahead of you; you hadn’t spoken in hours and didn’t dare break the silence. Your feet ached with each step, the rough terrain taking its toll on your body, but the pain was nothing compared to the ache in your chest.

He suddenly stopped, its abruptness making you stumble. “We’re losing daylight,” he said flatly before turning his back to you once more. “Keep up.”

You swallowed hard before nodding. Words sat heavy on our tongue—words you wanted to shout, to throw at him in anger and frustration—but you bit them back. What good would they do? He had made it perfectly clear where you stood with him.

As you continued to walk, you noticed you were beginning to struggle even more than before. In an instant, your foot caught on a root, and before you could even let out a gasp, you were falling. The world spun, and pain shot through your ankle as you hit the earth. You bit back a cry, the sharp sting making its way up your leg. 

Gojou stopped again. This time, he glanced over his shoulder. His expression was unreadable, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes.

“Get up.” Get up? What the fuck? He didn’t move to help you and didn’t even offer you a hand. It was as if he expected you to pick yourself up, just like you always did.

You clenched your teeth. The pain was unbearable. Slowly, you managed to push yourself up, wincing as you put weight on your injured leg. It was clear that you couldn’t walk properly, but Gojou had already turned his back on you. Again.

For a moment, you just stood there. Your chest heaved in an effort to hold back you emotions. How many times would you have to prove your worth to him? How many times would he let you fall only to leave you behind without so much as a glance?

With a deep breath, you forced yourself to move. You limped after him with every step, sending a fresh wave of pain through your ankle, but you kept going. You had to. Not because he asked you to—but because you refused to be left behind.

It wasn’t until you heard the sound of running water that you realized the jungle was thinning out. Gojou was stopped a few feet in front of you with his gaze fixed on something in the distance. When you caught up, you saw what had gotten his attention—a river that cut through the dense forest.

“We need to find a way across. The island won't wait for us to figure it out.”

You nodded, though the pain in your ankle made the mere thought of crossing a river seem impossible, but you knew it was better not to voice your concerns. He wouldn't care. He never did. Not really.

The riverbank was rocky and uneven, and you found yourself trailing behind Gojou as he scouted ahead. You tried to mask the limp in your step, but he noticed. Of course, he did.

“You’re slowing us down. If you can't keep up, I’ll have to leave you behind.”

Of course. You expected no less from a heartless man like him.

“I can manage,” you replied quietly.

The two of you finally made it across the river, not without some trouble due to your injury. When you looked up, you could see the evening sky as it bled into soft shades of violet and indigo. The island’s edge was near, and you could hear the faint sounds of waves and the smell of salty seawater.

“We need to get off this island before night falls.” He started toward the beach without waiting for you, making it hard to keep up with his long strides. You followed him, limping slightly as you looked for any way to escape the island. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw a small, weathered boat hidden behind a stack of driftwood. It looked old, and it probably couldn’t even float without sinking. But it was better than nothing.

“We can use that,” you called after Gojou. “But the oars…”

Gojou glanced at the boat before glancing back at you. “We don’t have a choice. We’ll figure it out.”

Without another word, he made his way over to the boat and began inspecting the vessel, running his hands over the worn wood to assess its condition. You stood back, watching him work. You limped over to the boat and knelt beside one of the broken oars, running your fingers along the jagged edge. “We could try to fix this,” you offered, unsure if he would even listen.

Gojou glanced up at you, and you thought he might snap at you. But surprisingly, he nodded.

“Do what you can,” he said before turning back to the boat.

With whatever scraps of driftwood and vines you could find, you began the makeshift repairs on the oars. The pain in your ankle throbbed with each movement, but you gritted your teeth and pushed through it. The sun was sinking lower in the sky, and when you finally managed to piece together something that resembled an oar, the sky was now a deep purple. It wasn’t pretty, but it would have to do.

“I think this will work,” you said, holding it up for Gojou to see.

He turned to inspect your handiwork, his eyes glancing over the makeshift oar. A small grunt of approval escaped his lips, and without saying another word, he began pushing the boat toward the water. You moved to help him despite the sharp pain in your leg. Together, the two of you heaved the boat into the shallows as the cold water lapped at your ankles. Gojou climbed in first before holding his hand out to you. It was the first time he had offered his help on your journey.

You hesitated for a moment before taking his hand and climbing into the boat. The oar you had repaired was far from perfect, but somehow, Gojou managed to guide the small vessel through the gentle waves. The island slowly began to fade from view, being swallowed by the darkness. You sat opposite him with your legs tucked beneath you. 

The small boat rocked gently as you neared the ship that could be seen on the horizon. Its lanterns on board had guided the both of you back, and for that, you were eternally grateful. Relief had washed over you, but it was quickly overshadowed by the pain in your ankle, which you had somehow almost forgotten about. 

Gojou continued to silently row the small boat toward the ship, his gaze fixed ahead. As you neared the ship, you could make out figures on the deck. It seemed like Nanami, Getou, and Toji had made it back safely, just as Gojou had predicted a few days ago. 

Yuuji and Ino quickly made work of pulling the small rowboat onto the side of the ship so you and Gojou could board once more. But the moment you tried to move, the pain flared up again, causing you to wince. You bit back a groan because you were unwilling to show weakness, especially in front of Gojou.

The boat bumped softly against the side of the ship, and without a word, he stood and glanced down at you, his eyes narrowed as he took in your obvious discomfort. You knew what was coming before he even moved, but that didn’t stop the jolt of surprise when he bent down and scooped you up in one swift motion, cradling you against his chest.

“W-what are you—”

“Can’t have you limping around the deck like a wounded animal. Besides, you can’t fix your ankle if you can’t even stand.”

Jesus Christ, this man is hot and cold. Can he please make up his mind?

Your protests fell flat as you realized how futile they were. He carried you through the deck of the ship, heading straight for his quarters. The door to his cabin creaked open, and Gojou carried you inside. He gently lowered you onto his bed.

“Stay here. I’ll get Shokou.”

Before you could respond, he turned on his heel and left the room, the door clicking shut behind him. You let out a slow breath, the tension in your body easing slightly now that you were alone. Your ankle still hurt, but at least you were off of it.

It wasn’t long before the door swung open again, and Shokou stepped inside. She carried a small medical kit with her. There was a hint of amusement in her expression as she glanced at you on the bed.

“Well, well, look who’s in need of some help,” she said, raising an eyebrow. “I figured Gojou was being dramatic when he said you broke your ankle. Guess I owe him an apology.”

You forced a weak smile, wincing as you shifted slightly on the bed. “It’s not as bad as it looks… maybe.”

“Yeah, sure. Let me take a look.”

She knelt beside the bed and gently began to examine your ankle. It was swollen and bruised from all the walking you did on it. Her touch was light, but it didn’t stop the pain as she assessed the damage. You sucked in a sharp breath, biting down on your lip to stop yourself from making any noise.

“Hate to break it to you,” Shokou said after a moment, “but it’s definitely broken. You’re lucky it wasn’t worse, though. A little rest, and you’ll be good as new.”

She kept up a light conversation as she worked on bandaging your ankle. She carefully wrapped it before turning her attention to a small vial she pulled from her kit. “This should help with the pain,” she said, offering you a dose. “Drink up.”

You accepted the vial with a quiet nod. The liquid was bitter, but the relief that followed was almost immediate. The pain dulled to a more manageable state. 

Is this shit magic?

As Shokou finished up, Gojou reappeared in the doorway, casually leaning against the frame. His cerulean eyes flicked over to your bandaged ankle before settling on Shokou. “How bad?”

“Not bad enough to keep her out of trouble for long,” Shokou replied with a smirk, standing up and dusting off her hands. “She’ll be fine, but she needs to stay off it for a few days.”

“You heard her. No more running around.”

“I wasn’t planning on it,” you muttered.

Shokou began to pack up her kit, and before turning to leave, she gave you a quick pat on the shoulder. “I’ll check on you later,” she said, flashing you one last smile before disappearing out the door.

With it just being you and Gojou, the two of you fell into an uncomfortable silence. Gojou lingered for a moment before he pushed off the doorframe and approached the bed. 

“You did good back there,” he grumbled.

“Thanks… I guess.”

Without another word, Gojou turned back to the door. “Get some rest,” he called over his shoulder before stepping out, leaving you alone in the dimly lit room.

Not long after Gojou left, you sat in silence. Your ankle lightly throbbed, though Shokou’s treatment had eased some of the pain. The ache that lingered in your chest was another matter entirely. You hated everything about this ship, the adults on this ship, and most of all, Captain Gojou. All of them seemed to be pushing you towards a breaking point.

The door creaked open again, and you glanced up, expecting Shokou to check up on you. Unfortunately, it was Gojou. He glanced over at you briefly before stepping inside and closing the door behind him.

“Are we going anywhere near Elysport?” you blurted.

He raised an eyebrow, clearly caught off guard by the question. "Why?"

"Because I need to know. I need to know when I can leave this fucking ship."

His eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

"I hate it here. I hate this ship, the way everyone looks at me, and I especially hate the way you’ve been treating me like I’m nothing more than a problem."

"I’m treating you like a problem?"

"Yes!" you snapped, pushing yourself up. "You’ve been an asshole from the start. You act like I’m just some burden you’re forced to carry, and I’m sick of it."

The way I treat you is because I’m keeping you alive. This isn’t some fucking pleasure cruise. You’re out of your depth, and I don’t have the luxury to babysit you."

"I don’t need you to babysit me, Gojou!" you shot back. "I need you to stop treating me like I’m invisible. You drag me along on this ship, ignore me, and then throw me a few scraps of attention when it suits you. I’m tired of it!"

"You think I’ve been ignoring you? I’m trying to protect you, even if you don’t see it. The less attention you get from the wrong people, the better. And if I have to push you away to do that, I will."

"I don’t need your protection, Gojou. I’m not some fragile doll who’s going to break at the first sign of danger."

"You have no idea what you’re talking about. This world we’re in—it’s cutthroat. People die. You’ve already seen that. And if you think leaving this ship is going to solve your problems, you’re dead wrong.”

"I don’t care!" you spat. "I want off this ship. I’ll take my chances out there. I’d rather deal with the dangers of the world on my own than be stuck here, treated like I don’t matter."

"You really think you’ll be safer anywhere else? That if you leave, everything will magically be fine?"

"I don’t care if it’s safer. I just want out. I can’t stand being here with you anymore, with the way you’ve been acting."

“I act this way because I have to. This world isn’t for someone like you.”

“The world is this way because of people like you! Maybe my father was right about pirates, considering people like you were the ones who killed her,” you spat. "Stop acting like you know me. You don’t know what I can handle, and I don’t need you making that choice for me. If we get near Elysport, I’m leaving."

He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "We’ll talk about this later,” he said before turning to the door.

“Damn him.”

You didn’t care what Gojou thought or what he claimed. You were done with being treated like you were a piece of cargo who he could just push around whenever he felt like it. Besides, you could check up on how your father was doing if you went back to Elysport. Before leaving, you never spoke to your father much, except for the occasional holiday or whenever he was in the right mind to chat. You thought about how panicked he must be, knowing his only daughter was missing. Did he pray to God to bring you home the same he did all those years ago? You wondered if he was spiraling like he did after your mother’s death or if he was holding it together. You wondered if he was hoping his little girl's body would wash up on shore just as his wife’s did fourteen years ago. The two of you may have been distant in the last few years, but he was your father, and you loved him. You were a daddy’s girl through and through.

You wanted to go home.

“Sweetheart, you got lucky. We’re going to a place close enough to Elysport for you to take a carriage.” 

You looked up from the book you were reading to see Gojou standing in the doorway. You were sitting on Gojou’s bed reading one of his books with your ankle propped up on a pillow. You were surprised to hear that they were going in that general direction, considering their constant need to be in danger. Plus, you were surprised to hear that he was even letting you leave with his atrocious behavior.

“Oh, really? I’m surprised you’re even letting me off this ship,” you breathed. 

“I had a discussion with the rest of the crew, and they decided it would be best for you to leave if you truly want to. Yuuji was pretty opposed to the idea. The kid likes talking to you.”

“Well, that makes everyone else infinitely more likable than you. Oh, and also, you can keep the map; I don’t want it. It’s caused me enough trouble as it is, seeing I’m here with you.”

“Can you not be bratty for five minutes?”

“Can you not be an asshole for five minutes?”

“You should behave more like how you did on the island, submissive and silent. I liked you better then.” he spat. “Be more grateful we’re going anywhere near Elysport since we need a restock on supplies. For some reason, more supplies have been going missing even though you don’t even eat much or use much of it.”

It had been a few days since your accident, and your ankle was healing quite nicely. You could finally walk on it just in time to make it to Hinsoll Port, a port neighboring Elysport. For some reason, Gojou let you stay in his room, which you will admit was pretty nice of him. When you slept, he would sleep on his chair, and to be honest, it made you feel bad because of how uncomfortable it looked.

The day you got to the port, you stood at the edge of the dock as the wind tousled your hair. And for the first time in days, you finally felt free. You had been dropped off by Gojou while his ship was being restocked, and Yuuji was quite sad to see you go, so maybe he wasn’t lying about that. You had packed the little amount of stuff you had brought along with you and began walking down the dock. Regretfully, you decided to turn around, and low and behold, Gojou was leaning on the ship, watching you leave. He didn’t come to say goodbye as the rest of the crew had, and you just chalked it up to him being a self-righteous asshole.

Gojou had made it clear. We’re not going directly to Elysport, but close enough for you to take a carriage. You felt a pang of regret as you walked down the dock, as you were leaving behind a life you had known for only a month. Had it really been that long? You thought back to when Gojou had said sorry for once the night he had called you a whore and had carried you to a hotel so the two of you wouldn’t have to walk back. But that was before you had started this whole treasure hunt, and the last “hunt was disastrous. Even so, didn’t they need part of that for said treasure, and they don’t have it? Oh well, it’s not your problem anymore.

You made your way to the carriage station, and soon enough, you were tucked inside as the wooden wheels creaked beneath you. Your fingers played with the fabric of your skirts while the sound of hooves against dirt calmed your nerves.

When the late afternoon hit, you could see the streets of Elysport as the carriage came to a halt in front of your father’s house. The moment your foot hit the ground, you were hit with a wave of nostalgia. The city port smelled exactly the same as it had the day you left. It was kind of like an old friend pulling you into a warm embrace.

You hesitated for a moment while standing at the wooden door of your childhood home. It was a modest home ticked away on a quiet street. You used to take care of your father’s garden every once in a while, but it had since grown a bit wild in your absence. Your heart pounded in your chest as you raised your hand to knock on the door, unsure of how he would react to seeing you after being gone for a month.

The door creaked open, and there he was. Your father stood in the doorway, his face haint and his eyes sunken in. But the moment he saw you, his expression shifted into shock, disbelief, and finally, joy.

His arms were around you before you could say a word. “Thank God,” he whispered as he buried his face in your hair. “Thank God for bringing my little girl home.” You melted into him, feeling the steady beat of his heart against your cheek.

“I thought I’d lost you,” he murmured, pulling back just enough to look at you. His hands cupped your face, his thumbs brushing away the stray tears that had slipped down your cheeks. “I prayed every night for you, hoping you'd come back to me.”

“I’m here now. I’m home.”

Your father just held you, and it was as if he was afraid that if he were to let go, you would disappear again. Eventually, he stepped back, his eyes glazed over, but a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

“Could you do me a favor, darling? The market’s still open. Would you pick me up some herbs? I was thinking of making a stew tonight since you came home.”

You nodded quickly, eager to please and eager to slip back into a normal routine. “Of course. I’ll be right back.”

The marketplace was just as lively as you remembered. The sounds of laughter and conversation filled the air, along with baked goods and roast meats. As you made your way through the crowd, picking up the herbs your father had requested, you caught sight of an unfamiliar figure at the edge of the market. He stood out like a sore thumb—leaning casually against a stall. His pink hair stood out against the drab green and browns of the market, but it was the tattoos curling along his face that truly set him apart.

"Well, well. What do we have here?"

You were startled by the sudden appearance of the man with pink hair. You swallowed, unsure of how to respond. “We’ve heard about you. A traveler, are you not? Someone who’s seen more than they probably should.”

You blinked, confusion flooding your mind. “I—no, I’m just—”

“You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t looking for something. We all are.”

“I’m just here for my father,” you said, your voice coming out smaller than you intended.

"Of course you are. But that doesn’t mean you have to leave empty-handed.”

 “What do you mean?”

“Let’s just say,” Sukuna said, his grin widening, “we have an offer you can’t refuse. One that doesn’t involve treasure. All you need to do is listen.”

“What is this offer?”

“You know,” he began. “I thought I’d made it simple. Put up the wanted signs, sit back, and wait for you to be brought to me, along with the map.”

So that’s what he wants.

“I don’t have the map.”

Then, with a disappointed sigh, he stepped closer. “What a shame,” he murmured.“I was hoping you’d make things easier for me.”

“I told you, I don’t have it.”

“She’s telling the truth, you know. No point in lying about something like this.” This voice was a different one. It came from a small woman with white hair and an irregular line of dark plum pink running across the back of their head. 

 “Pity. Because if you did have it, we might’ve come to some sort of... understanding.”

“Funny thing, though. I hear that Captain Gojou, your kind-hearted protector, might’ve had something to do with your mother’s... untimely end.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Oh, just rumors. But if you’re curious—really curious—you could always find out for yourself. All it would take is a little favor. Get us that map from Gojou, and we’ll tell you everything you want to know.”

“I... I don’t know.”

Captain Gojou was crazy, but he wasn’t that crazy.

“Well, take your time. But don’t take too long. You wouldn’t want the truth slipping through your fingers, now would you?”

“I’ll think about it,” you muttered, trying to buy yourself some time.

“Good girl,” Sukuna purred, his grin widening. “We’ll be waiting.”

You returned home clutching the herbs your father requested. The sky had darkened as the last rays of daylight turned into twilight. Your father sat in his chair by the window, the evening light casting shadows across his face.

“Got what you asked for,”  you said quietly, setting the herbs down on the table.

He gave you a small nod, but his gaze lingered on you longer than usual. He could sense something was wrong since he had always been able to read you like an open book.

“What’s on your mind, love?” he asked gently, leaning forward with concern etched into his features.

You hesitated, unsure of how to begin. “Dad,” you finally said, your voice barely above a whisper. “What if I told you... I could find out who killed Mom?”

The words hung in the air between the two of you, and for a moment, there was only silence. “What are you talking about?”

“I... I ran into someone at the market today. They said they knew... who might be behind it. But they need a favor.”

Your father’s brows furrowed. “Who are these people? What favor?”

“They want something from Captain Gojou. They want me to... get it for them. In exchange, they’ll tell me what happened to Mom.”

“And you believe them?”

“I don’t know,” you admitted. “But if there’s even a chance... don’t you want to know the truth?”

His jaw tightened, and you thought he might refuse. But then, he sighed heavily, the years of pain and grief evident in the lines of his face. “I’ve spent fourteen years wondering who took her from us,” he muttered, his voice hoarse. “If there’s a chance, even a small one, to finally get justice… then you do it. Find out who killed her.”

“You... you’re okay with me going back?”

“I’ve been waiting for this moment. Whoever killed your mother... I’ll see to it they pay.”

The sky was pitch black by the time you slipped into bed. You thought back to the conversation with your father. Although you had made your decision, it wasn’t any less scary. Your heart pounded in your chest as you lay in your childhood bedroom, staring up at the ceiling.

That’s when you heard the faint sound of footsteps outside your window. You sat up and looked towards the window, but you saw nothing, so you decided to ignore it, thinking it was a drunk passerby trying to get home. All of a sudden, you heard a knock at the window, and you saw a figure standing there. Before you could react, your small window was yanked open.

Of fucking course he’s here.

Gojou stood in the window frame, his white hair almost glowing in the dim moonlight.

“What are you doing here?” you whispered.

He hopped inside before closing the window behind him.  “I told you it was dangerous to be here. And yet, here you are.”

“I’m with my father, Gojou. I’m perfectly fine.”

“You think you’re safe because you’re in your childhood home?” His voice was laced with irritation. “Do you have any idea who’s been hanging around this town?”

Your stomach dropped. He knew about the strange man down by the marketplace. Though you never managed to catch his name.

“I... I can handle myself.”

“You don’t know what you’re dealing with.”

“Yeah, that’s what you’ve been telling me since day one,” you muttered.”

“What was that?”

“Nothing. And maybe I don’t. But I do know one thing—you’ve been lying to me.”

“What in God's name are you talking about?”

“I know you had something to do with my mother’s death,” you blurted out, the words spilling from your lips before you could stop them. 

“Your… mother?”

“Yes, that’s what I said.”

“Listen, sweetheart, I haven’t had anything to do with your mother’s death, so don’t get too excited. Besides, I’m only thirty-two. Who told you this information? Was it the man with pink hair you met in the market?”

“It’s none of your business. And since when have you cared who I meet? Last I checked, you could have given two shits about me?”

You were now weary of the information the strange man had given you. And doing the math, he would have only been eighteen years old at the time of your mother’s death. But still, the thought lingered in your mind.

“I should’ve known you’d get involved in something this stupid,” he muttered.

“Take me back.” 

Gojou’s eyes narrowed in confusion. “What?”

“Take me back to your crew. Let me come with you. I need to see this through.”

“You want to come back after everything? You just left like yesterday.”

“Yes. I can’t stay here. Not when there are so many questions. Maybe the treasure can help me find out the truth about my mother.”

Lies.

“Are you sure you’re not going to force me to take you back the moment something shitty happens?”

“No, you ass, my father asked me to find out what happened to her.”

“Fine. But don’t think for a second I’m letting you out of my sight.”

“Why would that be.”

“Because you have been talking to strange men, Y/N. I’m not stupid,” he sighed. “Be ready by dawn,” he muttered as he walked back over to the window. “We leave as soon as the tide is in.”

Satoru felt guilty. He felt guilty about his lack of self-control, guilty that he managed to drive the one person who seemed to care away. Guilty about the fact he might hurt you.

Satoru didn’t know why he behaved this way. It’s not that he wanted to behave this way towards you, but that's how it was. He didn't know why he felt inclined to treat you the way he did, and he kept telling himself that this was normal behavior. He didn’t want to admit it, but he really liked the kiss the two of you shared in the hotel room, and he wished to have more of them. But there was something that seemed to stop the two of you from seeing eye to eye, and it was that map.

But there was one more thing Satoru felt guilty about. And that was his dream about you. 

Satoru didn’t remember exactly how it started, but all he knew was that you were the last person supposed to be there. 

You looked the same as you did a few nights ago, but instead of being in your heavy skirts, you were in a sheer nightgown. You were lying down on his bed facing away from him, and from where he was standing, he could see the outline of your supple breasts and the gentle curve of your waist.

“Sweetheart?” he murmured as he walked closer to where you were lying. As he got closer, he could hear the soft sounds of your cries, and he noticed your shoulders were shaking. He sat down on his bed and put his hand on your shoulder to give you some kind of comfort. Something he couldn’t do to the real you.

“Why do you always hurt me? I’ve done nothing but help you,” you sniffed.

Satisfaction.

Satoru felt a deep satisfaction because you were crying over him.

He shouldn’t have felt that way, but seeing your tears made him feel like he was in control. Just how he liked it. You turned around to face him, and he could see your teary-eyed expression in the candlelight. It made him happy that you suffered all because you liked him.

“You look so pretty when you cry,” he murmured as he stroked your tear-stained cheek.

The dream version of you stared up at him, seemingly analyzing every detail of him with your glossy eyes. You watched as Gojou took off his boots and made his way up his bed to rest his back against the headboard. He gripped your waist and lifted you from where you were sitting to sit on his lap.

“What are you doing in my chambers sitting half-naked and crying, sweetheart?”

“My best wasn’t as comfortable as yours,” you shrugged, ignoring the crying and half-naked part.

“Your bed wasn’t as comfortable as mine? Well, we can’t have that, can we, baby?”

You shook your head, docile like a rabbit. 

As soon as you sat in his lap, you immediately connected your lips with a soft gesture as he tasted the salt from your tears.

Gojou kissed you passionately as his large hand caressed your face, moving down from your cheeks to your collarbones and back, and finally, his hands rested on your backside. You sighed, leaning into the kiss, desperate to feel the warmth of his body, feeling the familiar heat pool in his belly.

“What do you want me to do, Sweetheart,” Gojou asked, breaking the kiss.

You were silent for a moment before responding, “I want you to fuck me.”

He groaned at your response and flipped the two of you over so that he was on top. You could feel his weight as he ground his hips against the flimsy piece of underwear you wore. You could feel his hardening cock rubbing against your clothed pussy and your inner thigh. He wanted to rip that sheer nightgown off your body and bury his head between your thighs, wondering how you would taste.

“I wanna feel your cock inside me. Please?” you moaned out.

You looked so pretty, so beautiful beneath him. Gojou sat up and made work untying his linen shirt and ridding himself of his breeches, which were practically useless by this point. You helped him untie his top, seemingly eager to be closer to him. When he managed to undo the last string, he pulled down his shorts, revealing his cock that slapped against his stomach.

Fuck he’s so hard, and he’s only dreaming.

There was only one problem: you still had your clothes on, or what could be considered clothes, considering it left nothing to the imagination. Gojou began dragging his fingers along the arousal-soaked underwear you wore. You shuddered when he slipped his hand inside your underwear, gliding his fingers through your soaked folds, almost dipping inside your hole but going back to your clit.

A small moan escaped you, and Gojou decided he wanted to see more, even if it was just a dream. He removed his hand from your underwear, hooked it onto the bands, and muttered, "Lift your hips" to you before removing your underwear. You closed your legs, embarrassed of the mess between your thighs and how wet you were for a man who made you cry and treated you like you were nothing. He pried your legs apart and was greeted by a small patch of hair, and he could see your hole clenching, desperate to be filled.

“Why are you so shy, hm?” He breathed. “It’s nothing I haven’t seen before.”

Gojou focused his attention back on your neck, feathering soft kisses around the skin before moving to your breasts, lowering the straps of your thin chemise. You were arching your back as he descended further in further until he was face to face with your sopping cunt. He was quick to begin lapping at the entrance with his tongue until you were quietly moaning his name. “S-Satoru!”

It was like music to his ears and Satoru thought he could stay in this dream forever. 

“You taste so sweet, sweetheart. I could stay here forever,” he murmured, circling your sensitive bud before looking back at your slit, slightly spreading them apart to look at the mess you made. Satoru took one last look before grabbing his erect manhood and lining it up with your core, sliding his tip against your core to gather some of your arousal before sliding himself in. But before he could do anything his dream started becoming blurry and soon enough, he realized he was going to wake up.

All of a sudden, the world around him began to grow fuzzy, like a painting that was smeared by careless hands. Satoru blinked, trying to clear his vision, but it was ultimately useless. The edges of everything became clearer, and the next thing he knew, he was lying in a cold sweat on his bed in his captain’s chambers.

Satoru clenched his jaw, shaking his head to try and rid the images of his indecent dream. It was just a dream. Though his mind kept drifting back to the way your lips had lingered on his, and the heat of your body that was pressed against his in ways that felt all too real. It that dream he could touch you without restraint, kiss you without hesitation, and indulge in the desire he fought so hard to ignore.

“Shit,” he muttered under his breath. The frustration was mounting, but there was something else. A wet patch on his breeches. He glanced down and a wave of embarrassment swept over him, realizing how deep his dream had sunk his claws into him.

He ran a hand through his hair, trying to push down the storm of emotions, but it was no use. Even here in the safety of his chambers, he couldn’t escape you.

Satoru stared out the small window of his quarters, the moonlight coming through the window, spilling in like silver threads. Why you? Why now? Of all the things haunting his subconscious, why was it you that left him so unhinged?

He needed control—over himself and his thoughts, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t seem to let you go.

© satorulovebot 2024 please do not repost, plagiarize, or translate my work.

cursed seas taglist: @jaegersity @moonlightlexie @avyshi @sukunadckrider @v4mpieres @arabelluhhh4200

note: if you asked to be added to the taglist and i cannot tag you please turn on your tags :)

taglist status: open

[tianshiisdead]

a skull measuring guide. not absolute, not exhaustive. just some tips i thought may help some people <+> <+>

disclaimers and other info

- everyone looks diff and every ‘ethnicity’ is on a spectrum etc etc take everything here as ‘commonly seen’ and not ‘absolute’

- i said easian because this applies to most easians but i was thinking ‘chinese’ so that does show

- rather then something to use as a guide to drawing, this is more like something to help decipher what you’re looking at when you use reference photos of easians and help point out features to focus on, which can be hard for someone who isn’t used to easian faces even while using references

- this isn’t scientific lol the source is me an east asian who paints a lot of east asians and has seen white people before (hence drawing comparisons)

- im using ‘white’ as a comparison because that is the set of features people tend to default to over here and I’m making this guide for those people who default to white features. Ik there are many other groups out there and white people aren’t all the same, but some features more commonly found in most white people but rarely found in easians keep making their way into the easians that western fandom draws so (gestures)

- everything mentioned is RELATIVE. again, this should be used in conjunction with actual reference photos.

- I mention softness/roundness a few times because like… honestly easian faces do tend to have greater fat distribution, but that doesn’t mean easians can’t look sharp and like . make sure not to infantilize easian faces or always default to doll faces, faces can have smoother fat distribution while still being very long/sharp/masculine which you’ll notice when you Use Reference Photos (speaking loudly)

- I KNOW STYLIZATION EXISTS!! tbh some people have a style where it’s going to be harder to express easian features (ie super simplified eyes, no nose bridges on anyone, etc) and that is okay. Just please avoid the highlighter yellow skin. Stuff like eyelids and general proportions (ie the space between the eyebrow and eye being slightly larger due to the forward set eyes) can also be included in stylization 👍 but yeah if you have a style that isn’t super easy to tell race outside of skin colour thats cool I’m not coming after you specifically

[nanowrimo]

How to Avoid Token Representation

What's the difference between token representation and authentic representation? NaNo Participant Nayantara discusses token representation and how to avoid doing it in your own writing! The smart Asian character. The sassy Black character. The Gay Best Friend.

Too many stories written today that supposedly have “diverse” casts fall prey to “token representation”: a symbolic effort towards inclusion that gives the appearance of equality, without actually exploring diverse narratives.

Recently in the publishing industry, readers have been calling for more representation within their novels, whether it is the LGBTQ+ community, racially and ethnically diverse readers, people with disabilities, or other marginalised groups of people, and many authors have responded with this easy-way-out tokenism — leaving readers unsatisfied and indignant.

So, what exactly is the difference between token diversity and real representation?

Essentially, tokenism includes a character that checks boxes titled “diversity” in face and name, but does not acknowledge their lived experience.

For example, Cho Chang in the Harry Potter series and Lane Kim in Gilmore Girlsare reduced to harmful stereotypes of their characters (both their names and characteristics) without acknowledging the diverse experiences that East Asian people have. Their Asianness becomes their entire character, yet at the same time, that same Asianness is entirely misunderstood.

In contrast, the recent Oscar-winning film Everything Everywhere All At Once stars East Asian characters whose lives are affected by their race and background. However, they are fully fleshed out characters regardless of it.

As actor, Anna Leong Brophy, said in an interview, she enjoys it when her “Asianness complements a role, but is not the full role.” Real representation acknowledges how someone’s lived experience as a person of colour, queer person, woman, or member of another marginalised community affects their life — but they have genuine feelings, thoughts, and characteristics far beyond simply their race or identity.

The terms “Black dude dies first” and “Bury your gays” are also commonly associated with token representation. Quite self-explanatory, they are tropes in which the cast’s “diverse” characters are killed early, to save the writer from having to explore or acknowledge their experiences.

Not only is this lazy writing that erases diverse narratives, it also creates the subconscious belief that marginalised groups of people have no place in these stories or in commercialised publishing in general. Everyone deserves representation, whether or not the cis-het (cisgender-heterosexual) white reader can relate to the character’s specific cultural experience.

What counts as good representation, then?

Good representation involves any story that includes a diverse cast and follows each of their story lines fully, allowing them to be well-rounded characters that contain depth and get adequate development.

My personal favourite example of this is Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows duology, where her cast of six main characters includes Black and Brown people, bisexual and gay people, people from different countries and religions, and people recovering from trauma — all of whom have their own, carefully constructed character arcs that acknowledge their identity, but also give them substance and characteristics far beyond that.

However, this is not to say every story has to be as international — The Poppy War trilogy by R.F. Kuang has a solely East Asian coded cast due to its setting. But even within this, her characters are from different ethnic, religious, and social backgrounds, and each have their own, carefully-constructed character arc extending far beyond their identity on paper.

As you begin writing for Camp NaNoWriMo, ask yourself the following three questions:

Is my cast truly representing the diverse types of people who exist in this world (either real or imagined)?

Are each of these characters individuals beyond simply their ethnicity, sexuality, gender, disability, etc?

Do each of these characters have a fully fleshed out character arc?

You don’t have to be an author from a marginalised or minority background to write characters with diverse experiences. Just make sure to approach each character with empathy and respect, and devote adequate time to research (or to world building, if you’re a fantasy author!)

Good luck, and I know that you are going to absolutely smash your writing goals next month!

Nayantara is an 18 year old student, green tea connoisseur, bookworm, Spotify-playlist-maker, dancer, and writer hoping to study economics and political science at university next year — and hopefully find some time to work on her many unfinished novels in the meantime! Follow her on Instagram @ moonlitsunflowerbooks.

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels

[vcstasy]

BYE BYE, BONSOIR—THE LAST IS GONE FOR GOOD. Better, in their case, was not always more. Song Kyumin. Jan 12, 2024.

Big news broke this morning—in the form of a post beginning with the dreaded words ‘Hello, this is JAGUAR.’ Don’t worry, all (or.. I hate to be the bearer of bad news?), CHERRYADE is still going strong. In fact, it was the face of someone we haven’t seen around in a while that we were told we weren’t going to be seeing at all anymore, unless of course he decides to jumpstart his career elsewhere. Former BONSOIR leader Kil Jiyeol has cut ties with his company of sixteen years, and along with this bombshell we were also told that his ex-members Mae Ilwoo (or Mai, as he was most commonly known as) and Oh Hyeonmin had done the same, only for those two it was three years ago in June 2021—not too long before the official announcement of CHERRYADE, the group where Qiao Yijun and Ahn Jaehee were set to be redebuting in.

So.. What gives? It’s not as if anyone knows why he left, however many threads labelled ‘THE TRUTH’ have started being posted acting as if they do. Why even announce it at all? Sure, he was popular, but it’s not as if he’s been putting out any music since his past group’s album—which, for the record, was five years ago. Well, even for his not-doing-anything performance-wise, a few little birdies have told me he was running a little more of the show than anyone would’ve thought. A little insight on creative direction here, scrubbed-off-the-record writing credits there.. Minor things, at first glance, but things all the same. Things that, when all stacked up on top of one another, create a rather large piece of the puzzle that might end up being a tad difficult to fill again now it’s been ripped away so suddenly. No one’s been saying he’s essential to anyone’s success, but if there’s been a certain line that’s stuck with you, a certain concept that stood out, a rhythm that you couldn’t get out of your head.. We’ll just have to wait and see if later rollouts (and subsequent releases) contain those same twangs. 

The second question on everyone’s minds is, of course, the one of what he’ll do next. Start afresh solo? Live the normal life I’m sure more than a few people in the industry now long for? Fall into semi-obscurity, living on only in the occasional Instagram Reel song cover? Well, while the last one is unlikely (his Instagram hasn’t been touched since August 2022, his last post a five-slide-long affair of what looks to be a night out he and Ilwoo shared), the others are all being heavily debated with flimsy evidence to back up their claims. The most outlandish so far are the rumours that he’s going to start up his own label. Where they heard that one, I’ll never know, but if that turns out to be true I’ll have to stand and give Jiyeol a (begrudging, reluctant) round of applause. I mean, it’s not as if I have any experience in the area, but you can just tell from the very idea that building your own record label from the ground up isn’t going to be a walk in the park. Harder than even a jog.

Whatever he ends up doing, it’s a mixed bag as to whether he’ll be receiving the support of his labelmates (old and new—but can you really call them new if they���ve been there for what’s going on three years, now? Maybe even longer?) as he begins this new chapter in his life. He’s been spotted out and about numerous times over the years with various other JAGUAR affiliates—Ilwoo being the most repeat offender, with Jalen a close second and an unnamed but assumed staff member following him—but a few others have made their dislike of him fairly obvious. Can you guess who it is? I bet you’ll get it in one.

No, really. Guess.

Of course, it’s none other than our friend Yijun. Did you get it? His mind is a mystery, the people he can actually tolerate even more so. On the countless occasions in the past that BONSOIR has been brought up in interviews, whenever the leader’s name is mentioned his look of distaste can be spotted from a mile away. I pride myself in being the author of the grandiose reveal that Everybody Hates Jaehee, and in that story I also included the titbit I got from someone or other that the news of the (failed) actor’s arrival caused some.. Friction between the leader and the once-maknae. Friction that, in the end, caused a—what I assume to be irreparable, going off of Yijun’s reaction anytime Jiyeol’s name is brought up in his vicinity—fairly large rift between them. So, in short, I highly doubt he’ll be doing any story-reposting or Bubble-messaging in solidarity with his former groupmate. And neither will the aforementioned Jaehee, who suffered a good eleven months as being treated as more of a ghost in the corner than an actual person by his supposed leader—again, as was detailed in the earlier article (the exposé, I’ve seen some people call it. I’m quite honoured, honestly).

The only people left to turn the question of support towards is you. Whether you even care about what he’s going to do (if anything at all) or not comes first, of course, but if you find you can look past the things he’s done (or even.. Support them? It’s a judgement-free zone here) then here will be a place where you can keep yourself updated on it all if you so wish. Frantic and likely practically incoherent posts from the many fans Jiyeol still has after he makes his first move as an independent entity finally separate from JAGUAR may come as the easier—or even the preferred—source, but here I’ll be chipping in with my two cents on the future situation in a (hopefully) more understandable piece.

Anyway, whatever the outcome of all of this is, it’s a bye-for-now from me. See you in the next one.

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Rock on with Rock Pigeons

Rock pigeons, also known as rock doves or common pigeons (Columba livia) are one of the most common species of bird in the world, with over 400 million pigeons spread over feral and wild populations. They can be found on every continent, and feral doves are particularly abundant in urban areas. Before their global distribution, the species was native only to southern Europe, northern Africa, and southern Asia. However, due to their use as messengers, food, and pets, the species has been introduced to nearly every area humans inhabit.

Most urban populations are feral pigeons (C. livia domestica),  descendants of  domesticated individuals that either escaped or were freed when their use to humans fell out of fashion. These individuals tend to have more color and pattern variation in their plumage, but are otherwise identical to their wild relatives. In fact, as they are functionally a sub species of rock pigeon, feral and wild populations interbreed where they overlap, though wild pigeons more commonly nest along cliff faces closer to agriculture or open fields. In urban areas, pigeon nests are found nearly anywhere with a flat surface large enough for a nest; particularly window ledges, archways, and overpasses.

Generally speaking, the rock dove has dark plumage-- usually grey or black-- with white or iridescent markings along the neck and wings. The distinctive ‘moustache’ on their beaks is actually a piece of cartilage known as an operculum, which can help to reduce moisture loss. Healthy adults have a wingspan of 62 to 72 cm (24 to 28 in), and can weigh up to 380 g (13.4 oz). Females are nearly identical to males, especially among populations with mixed colors, but can be identified by their duller colors and smaller iridescent patches.

 C. livia breeds year round, so long as food is available, but peak nesting times are in the spring and summer. Courtship rituals begin with a male puffing out his feathers and strutting about on the ground. He then approaches the female while cooing, bowing, and spinning. If the female shows interest, he then feeds her regurgitated food before mounting. The female lays two eggs in a prepared nest  and both mates take turns incubating for 17-19 days. Hatchlings, also called squabs, are fed on a rich substance known as crop milk which is produced from the parents’ throat. Individuals take up to 4 months to become fully mature, though young typically leave the nest at only 30 days old.

Rock doves are largely monogamous and mate for life, though separations are not uncommon. Pairs regularly preen each other, and once mated build a semi-permanent nest together. They are also highly social and typically live in flocks of 50 to 500 individuals, with members often moving between nearby groups. Social organization is kept by pecking order-- disputes over territory, food, or mating rights are solved by two individuals pecking each other until the loser retreats. Flocks are also divided by foraging ability; one group, the producers, are responsible for locating food while scroungers feed on what the producers find.

One of the reasons for the common pigeon’s broad distribution is their diet; C. livia are omnivores. In the wild their main staple are seeds and fruits, but wild and feral populations can subsist on a wide variety of plant matter, as well as insects and human food waste. Interestingly, rock pigeons are one of the few birds that can drink continuously from a water source, as opposed to taking only small sips. Groups forage during the day when those on the outer edge of the flock can keep an eye out for predators like birds of prey. Other animals like opossums or raccoons are also known to steal eggs and squabs from  undefended nests.

Conservation status: The feral C. livia domestica has a large and growing population, and is considered Least Concern by the IUCN. However, many urban populations are considered healthy due to poor diet and abundance of diseases and parasites. The wild populations of rock pigeon are functionally considered Least Concern, but their populations are decreasing due to habitat loss and genetic intermingling, and they truly wild rock doves are extinct in many places in Europe.

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Photos

David Lin

Donald Trounson

Jim Rathert

[scotianostra]

Duncan Curdy MacSporran Haston was born on April 19th 1940.

Commonly known as Dougal, Haston was one of the finest climber Scotland has ever produced.

Haston was born in the parish of Currie on the West Side of Edinburgh in 1940 .Even with the war on Haston seemed destined to follow in the footsteps of countless others into a life of work in the mills and shops and on into obscurity. However, history and Everest would hold an entirely different destiny for Dougal.

Haston developed a taste for climbing while trekking about the Pentlands in Scotland. Rock climbing skills were acquired by clambering up railway and riverside walls around Currie. Already showing a mischievous streak, which would become darker later in life, Haston and friends would climb to the top of Currie Church and leave things, including women’s underwear, atop the flagpole!

He soon began rock and ice climbing and struck up a friendship with another climber, Robin Smith, who like so many others would die climbing. Smith died in 1962, 4 years before Haston gained fame for the first direct (bottom to top) ascent of the North Face of the Eiger in the Swiss alps. Though a broken rope would claim the life of American climbing great John Harlin during the climb, Haston would finish the ascent with a group of German climbers and name the route John Harlin Direct.

His run-up to a climb of Everest included the first climb of the South Face of Annapurna in 1970, and the first summit of Changabang in India in 1974. Along with fellow Briton Doug Scott, Haston summited Everest via a previously unclimbed route up the South West Face. Though forced to spend the night following their summit huddled in a hand-dug snow cave at the South Summit the two emerged unharmed by their experience. Later that same year Haston would participate in the first climb of the South West face of Mount McKinley in Alaska.

Haston was no angel, his exploits away from the climbing routes were as legendary as his feats of mountaineering. He led a life renowned for drinking, fighting, stealing and risky climbs which would culminate in a drunk-driving accident in which a person was killed, a conviction and prison time.

His career and life was cut short by an avalanche while skiing in the Alps in 1977. There is a plaque honouring him on a railway bridge in Currie where he was born and learned to climb.

There’s a great article in the Herald from 2001 focusing on his girlfriend Ariane Giobellina which must have been very hard for her………the article has a paywall on it since I last read it, but if you are clever there are ways round it, I myself use Tor Browser to get round them.

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12245382.dougal-haston-had-a-legendary-love-of-wine-women-and-the-mountains-it-was-the-last-that-killed-him/

I also recommend the article below, which describes Haston as “the Mick Jagger of the Mountains”

https://www.adventure-journal.com/2020/12/historical-badass-climber-dougal-haston/

[trans-koupen-chan]

listen. listen. I need everyone who sees this post to know that the Swedish study that partially looked at crime rates among cis vs. trans people is being WILDLY misinterpreted and used with absolutely zero critical thinking to paint transgender woman as a violent “other.”

the study’s own author has come out and said “The individual […] who is making claims about trans criminality, specifically rape likelihood, is misrepresenting the study findings.”

having looked at both the study and the author’s comments myself, the only similarity between cis men and trans women is the conviction rate by population size, and this similarity is only seen when looking at trans women who had sex reassignment surgery before 1989, when fewer opportunities and resources were available to trans people in Sweden. The study also did not control for socio-economic status which is commonly understood as a MAJOR contributing factor in criminality.

Here’s another quote from the study’s author;

“The difference we observed between the 1989 to 2003 cohort and the control [1973 to 1988] group is that the trans cohort group accessed more mental health care, which is appropriate given the level of ongoing discrimination the group faces. What the data tells us is things are getting measurably better and the issues we found affecting the 1973 to 1988 cohort group likely reflects a time when trans health and physiological care was less effective and social stigma was far worse.”

I will not deny that trans people, both trans women and trans men, sometimes commit or are convicted of crimes. That would be unfactual of me. But I feel as though it’s basic common sense that being convicted of a crime does not automatically make someone a bad or violent or dangerous person — for example, shoplifting food that you otherwise couldn’t afford, or the case of trans woman Tara Wolf, where the judge themself admitted that Wolf was provoked but convicted her of assault anyways. It’s also worth noting that the woman who Wolf had an altercation with approached Wolf and others attempting to film them without consent and admitted to grabbing and kicking Wolf’s partner, highlighting again that there are many cases where a conviction is not a cut-and-dry good/evil situation.

If you believe that the results of this study — or that any one isolated incident — prove that trans women are inherently more violent and criminal than cis woman, I am here to tell you that is incorrect. Even if this paper that looks as though it proves this, which it does not in the eyes of its own author, that would still be insufficient evidence to draw such a broad and sweeping conclusion about an entire demographic group.

Painting any demographic as inherently dangerous and violent is an “othering” tactic that has been used against stigmatized groups and minorities (including radical feminists!) for centuries now. It is not progressive, even if you cite papers and statistics to “prove” it. If you’ve made it this far in the post maybe you should reconsider your stance on this.

(obligatory inclusion: if you believe trans woman are men and trans men are women that is bioessentialist and also not progressive. just to round off the post and make sure we’re clear. limiting people’s choices and basing the way they are treated by society on a few body parts they are born with is inherently antifeminist. no I will not argue about this point.)

[sexymancouldabeen]

Round 3 Match 3: Dusknoir VS. Kotaro

(sorry about how slow this round has been, istg i've had the worst luck running this competition. a shit tumblr redesign, a vacation with barely any internet, and now covid. all of this piling on to my executive dysfunction.)

Dusknoir, specifically the one from Pokemon Mystery Dungeon. Starts the game out being a famous explorer, even being fairly close to the protagonist and saving them, and teaming up a few times to attempt to stop a criminal who he claims is attempting to paralyze the world by stopping the flow of time, causing what would later be revealed to be the “dark future”. However, he eventually betrays the protagonist and its revealed that it was Dusknoir who wanted to cause the dark future the whole time, under direct orders from the god of time. However, it's revealed he mostly goes along with his orders due to a genuinely realistic fear. If the dark future is erased, so will Dusknoir. However, he eventually agrees to help stop the dark future anyway despite it resulting in his erasure. Commonly shipped with Grovyle, due to the two starting out as enemies, but eventually gaining a sort of kinship.

Kotaro, the mysterious manager of a group of zombie idols he raised from the dead in order to bring fame and recognition to the small prefecture of SAGA, pulling it from the brink of obscurity. He can be extremely loud and over the top, constantly yelling at his idols and making some of the most ridiculous poses and faces possible. He can also be extremely serious and wise, giving the perfect advice to motivate someone from the pits of despair, as well as always having the stars align for almost everything to go perfectly despite the odds, as he just looks on from the background. Yet somehow he can also be weirdly pathetic at times. Highlights include when he entered the meeting room in the most ridiculous scuba gear to announce their next way to gain recognition, only for one of the idols to take care of the announcement and he just sits down dejected, or the time he entered a talent show flopping on the ground, attempting to mimic the mating dance of a mudfish. He’s also charmed multiple owners of various establishments simply by holding their chin and looking into their eyes, two thirds of these owners being male.

[digitaldetoxworld]

Barnsley vs Manchesters Highlights An FA Cup Upset to Remember

  Manchester vs Barnsley highlights as of my remaining update in September 2021,  Football Club, commonly referred to as Barnsley, have had limited interactions due to the exclusive divisions they commonly compete in. Manchester United, one of the maximum a success clubs in English soccer records, regularly competes inside the Premier League, while Barnsley, a team from South Yorkshire, has traditionally moved between the decrease tiers of English soccer, such as the Championship and League One.

While the fixture of Manchester United vs Barnsley Goals  isn't always as commonplace as some of Manchester United’s famous rivalries with teams like Liverpool or Manchester City, the history of their conferences offers moments of intrigue and traditional underdog testimonies.

Historical Background of Manchester United

Manchester United is one of the most successful and well-known football clubs within the international. Founded in 1878 as Newton Heath, the membership rebranded as Manchester United in 1902 and has because emerge as synonymous with achievement. With a record 20 English league titles, 12 FA Cups, and three UEFA Champions League trophies, United has been a dominant force in English and European football. Under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United loved unheard of achievement within the Nineties and early 2000s, establishing itself as a worldwide footballing powerhouse.

The membership's iconic stadium, Old Trafford, called the "Theatre of Dreams," is one of the largest and maximum famous football grounds in the international. Known for its passionate fanbase and wealthy way of life of playing attacking football, Manchester United has developed a recognition for generating pinnacle-tier talent and turning in exciting fits.

Barnsley FC – The Underdog Story

Barnsley FC, based in 1887, has a more modest records compared to Manchester United. Nicknamed "The Tykes,"  has spent the bulk of its existence inside the decrease ranges of English soccer, but the membership is nicely-reputable for its gritty, tough-running fashion of play. It is  finest hour came in 1912 after they won the FA Cup, beating West Bromwich Albion in a replay. While they've never won a primary league title, Barnsley has maintained a faithful fan base and is still aggressive inside the Championship.

It has a history of producing and nurturing proficient young gamers, as well as punching above their weight in cup competitions. Despite their underdog popularity, the membership’s proud tradition of struggling with towards more potent opposition has given them a reputation for being hard fighters, specially in knockout codecs.

Notable Matches Between Manchester United and Barnsley

Although Manchester United and Barnsley do no longer frequently face each other, their encounters have often been memorable, specifically in cup competitions in which  has once in a while challenged the might of Manchester United.

FA Cup Clash in 1998

One of the maximum famous encounters between Manchester United and Barnsley befell within the 1997-98 FA Cup. Who had been newly promoted to the Premier League, hosted United at Oakwell in a 5th-round tie. Although Barnsley struggled within the league that season, they produced a lively performance in the cup competition, forcing a replay after a 1-1 draw at Oakwell.

In the replay at Old Trafford,  produced one in every of the largest shocks in FA Cup history. Despite being overwhelming underdogs,  secured a dramatic 3-2 victory, doing away with Manchester United from the competition. This end result stays considered one of the  greatest achievements, and it cemented the club’s recognition as a group able to causing upsets in knockout competitions.

 Premier League Meetings (1997-98 Season)

It is lone season within the Premier League, 1997-98, saw them face Manchester United inside the league as nicely. As expected, United have been the dominant pressure in each encounters, winning 7-zero at Old Trafford in one of the most one-sided games among the two teams. Andy Cole scored a hat-trick, and United confirmed their magnificence and firepower, overwhelming  with their tempo, creativity, and ruthlessness.

The return fixture at Oakwell turned into extra aggressive, but Manchester United nonetheless emerged as 2-zero victors, with desires from Andy Cole and Ryan Giggs. It is  the long run suffered relegation from the Premier League that season, however the experience of gambling towards top-tier groups like Manchester United turned into beneficial for the club and its gamers.

 League Cup Encounter in 2009

Another sizeable assembly between Manchester United and Barnsley got here inside the 2009 League Cup (now called the Carabao Cup). United, underneath Sir Alex Ferguson, confronted Barnsley inside the fourth round of the opposition at Oakwell. Manchester United fielded a fantastically younger team mixed with experienced players like Gary Neville and Michael Owen.

Despite Barnsley’s lively attempt, Manchester United ran out 2-0 winners, with dreams from Danny Welbeck and Michael Owen. The Tykes put up a very good fight, but the first-class and intensity of United’s squad proved an excessive amount of for them on the night time.

Analysis: A Clash of Football Cultures

Whenever Manchester United and Barnsley face off, it represents extra than only a football healthy. It’s a clash of football cultures — the wealthy and illustrious history of Manchester United versus the working-class, underdog mentality of Barnsley.

Manchester United’s Approach

Manchester United is thought for its attacking philosophy, constructed on fast, flowing football and a constant choice to dominate ownership. From the times of the Busby Babes to Sir Alex Ferguson’s era of dominance, United has continually prioritized exciting, ahead-wondering soccer.

United’s games against smaller groups like Bamsley frequently contain the Red Devils controlling the game with their advanced talent and technical capacity. The likes of Ryan Giggs, Eric cantona , Cristiano Ronaldo, and Bruno Fernandes have graced the pitch for United, showcasing their character brilliance while contributing to the group’s ordinary achievement.

Barnsley’s Resilience and Spirit

In contrast, of  represents the spirit of English lower-league football. They are a group constructed on hard paintings, discipline, and resilience. It is  fulfillment in cup competitions, particularly against bigger clubs like Manchester United, regularly comes from their capacity to frustrate the opposition with disciplined protecting and a counter-attacking technique.

Teams like  thrive on the energy of their enthusiasts and their potential to punch above their weight, that's why cup competitions keep special importance for clubs from the decrease leagues. A fit against Manchester United affords  the hazard to show off their competencies on a bigger level, despite the fact that they enter the game as underdogs.

The Future of Manchester United vs Barnsley

As  maintains to combat for promotion in the Championship and Manchester United competes at the very best stage within the Premier League and Europe, their paths might not pass often. However, cup competitions like the FA Cup or Carabao Cup will usually offer opportunities for those two golf equipment to fulfill.

For  playing in opposition to a membership like Manchester United is not just about the result, however also about the enjoy. Facing top-tier expertise allows  gamers to check themselves against some of the first-class in the international, whilst additionally providing a full-size monetary increase to the club from ticket sales and television revenue.

For Manchester vs Barnsley Live United, these furniture provide the chance to rotate their squad, giving more youthful or fringe players an possibility to benefit precious game time. United’s academy has always been relevant to the club’s success, and fits against teams like  allow the club to show off its future stars.

[finemealcreates]

4th POV

Hello! I've semi-recently discovered 4th POV, written a fic in it, and said I would explain what exactly 4th POV is. This is me finally living up to that promise. Strap in, it's both more and less complicated than you might think.

4th POV is when you describe something that is very similar to 1st and 3rd POV. You're discussing multiple characters (using pronouns that you most likely would use with 3rd POV) while using the viewpoint of those characters (as is most common with 1st POV). Basically, you get the intimacy that you typically get from the 1st POV while also getting to group characters together (representing multiple voices at the same time) like in 3rd POV.[2]

There are multiple benefits to writing 4th POV, such as setting a specific mood, portraying a groups thoughts, or broadening character's voices.[2]

Just like other POV's, 4th point of view isn't just one thing. There are multiple types of 4th POV. At the current moment in time, there are "collective" and "indefinite" types. Most commonly, you'll find yourself reading the collective type of 4th POV than the indefinite, but we'll discuss both in this post.[1]

The collective...

4th POV is when you're telling the story from multiple POV's but as if it's one entity. That's when you'll typically see the use of "us, we, ours" etc. And while this is similar to 1st POV, the difference is that in 4th POV you never use "I" or "me" or anything indicating a singular entity.[1]

This is a great option when you're wishing to tell a horror novel (think hive mind), critiquing social norms/larger institutions, or even if you just want to demonstrate how close a group of people are. "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner utilizes 4th POV to tell the story from an entire town's POV. "The Virgin Suicides" by Jeffrey Eugenides is also written in 4th POV to show a group of teenage boys.[3]

Another way to think about collective POV is that there are multiple narrators, but they are telling the story as one.[4] This could be from the perspective of a research team all taking notes, a couple telling a story together.[5] The important thing to remember is: there is no singular pronoun usage. That would make it 1st POV (plural) in most cases.[1]

Some examples...

For the collective would be:

1st POV: "We ran out into the rain without even stopping to put on shoes. I tripped on a tree root in my excitement, and the others got ahead of me. But soon enough, we were splashing around in the park."[1]

4th POV: "We ran out into the rain without even stopping to put on shoes. One of us tripped on a tree root, straggling behind. But soon enough, we were all together again, splashing around in the park."[1]

Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi: "The first time our mother came for us, we screamed. We were three and she was a snake, coiled up on the tile in the bathroom, waiting."[2]

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides: "They were short, round-buttocked in denim, with roundish cheeks that recalled that same dorsal softness. Whenever we got a glimpse, their faces looked indecently revealed, as though we were used to seeing women in veils."[3]

A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner: "We believed she had to do that. We remembered all the young men her father had driven away, and we knew that with nothing left, she would have to cling to that which had robbed her, as people will."[5]

The indefinite...

While this might be more used in grammar or scholarly writing, it is not as common in storytelling. It's more often used to avoid using passive voices or for generalizations. Words such as "one, someone, anybody" etc.[1]

Basically, the indefinite 4th POV only uses ... indefinite pronouns. That's why it's not very commonly utilized for storytelling as it's not as engaging and can cause a bit of separation between the reader and the story. It can be a bit awkward to use for story's the entire time, but it has some specific uses if you wish to utilize them.[5]

Some examples...

“If they're not careful, someone could break a leg on that thing!”[1]

“One should never leave one's elbows on the table while eating.”[1]

Or, if you wish to avoid the passive voice, you can write: “Someone can ride that bike now,” instead of, “That bike can be ridden now.”[1]

"One is in disbelief when waking up to find no car in the driveway. Someone stole it during the night, which now means a day one loses making reports to the police and insurance company."[5]

Conclusion...

There are multiple ways to write 4th POV, and multiple reasons you would utilize it. I would recommend trying it in small doses to get a feel for it, and decide if this POV is right for the story you're trying to tell. It might even just be a fun writing exercise to get you trying something new!

Either way, I hope this explains it well and why it's such a specific (and not very common) POV you can use in your writing. If you wish to explore more articles or people discussing and explaining 4th POV, I have also listed my sources below.

Happy reading and writing!

Sources: [1][2][3][4][5]

[materialsscienceandengineering]

Periodic Table Championship: Round 2, Day 2, Berylilum vs. Xenon

Match 5 of day 2 of round 2 of the championship has element 4, beryllium, facing off against element 54, xenon. Last round, beryllium easily beat flerovium with 89.3% of the votes, while xenon had a closer match, beating samarium with 67.1% of the votes. A reminder of our challengers:

Beryllium is a hard, brittle, alkaline earth element that crystalizes in the hexagonal system at room temperature. Transparent to X rays, beryllium is used in windows for X ray equipment; it is also commonly alloyed with copper. It was named for the mineral beryl, but was for a time known as glucine, for the sweet taste of several of its compounds.

Xenon is a dense, colorless gas belonging to the group of noble gases on the periodic table and existing in the Earth’s atmosphere only in trace amounts. While extremely nonreactive, alongside the other noble gases, xenon was the first of this group to be synthesized in a compound, xenon hexafluoroplatinate. It is known for its applications in lighting, lasers, and as a general anesthetic. Its name comes from the Greek for foreigner, stranger, or guest.

[quydanduong]

Hairstyles

"Roof" Bangs Trend

The "roof" bangs (mái diềm) named for their similarity to roof tiles, are half circle hair loops closely grouped together at the hairline. There are often 4-6 loops symmetrically placed on two sides of the face, framing the person's face. This is a 'trend' popular among Nam Bình Northern women.

This trend can be traced back to Heaven's Tenth Princess, who was the first person seen wearing this hairstyle. Her hairstyle is symmetrical and has many circular elements such as buns, hair loop and other round accessories. This is popularized among heaven people for generations to come. Fairies later wear their roof bangs with jewelries and flowers, though they’ve begun to retire making their hair symmetrical.

As Nam Bình begins its era of worshiping deities, royalties also pick up on the “roof” bangs trend, you can see it commonly worn among the queens, concubines or other wealthy family's girls. This trend eventually spread to other Northern commoners.

Hairstyles of Kingdom people

In the north, hair and teeth are considered where beauty, temperament and status are displayed, and so feminine hairstyles use plenty accessories (flowers and jewelries) to characterize. For masculine styles, people prioritize neatness, so all of the hair are bunned and hidden under a haircloth. The cloth is wrapped many rounds around the head, usually at least 7 layers. For feminine styles, the haircloth is used more diverse ways: either similar to the the masculine styles, or used to twist and cover their hair prior to looping it before the head. Their hairline (often styled as roof bangs, middle part and else) are shown.

In the Central area, hairstyles are much less gendered. People don't use hair cloth, and their hair is done in intricate styles involving multiple buns, loops, locks of hair, creating patterns at the back of their head like blooming flowers. Some people with very good hair quality also let their hair down.

In the south, the buns are situated lower on the back of the head. Masculine hairstyles are a simple bun. People donning feminine hairstyles would twist their hair and wrap it around the crown of their head, then they will cover their head simply with a square haircloth. Southern people prefer to wear hats, so their hair are simply styled in order to contrast their elaborately decorated hats (and outfits).

[dpsblogs]

CBSE School Excellence Recognition Test Form in Soyla

Innovative Teaching Methods in CBSE Schools

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools across India have increasingly embraced innovative teaching methods to cater to the evolving needs of students. Traditional methods of rote learning are being replaced with approaches that focus on fostering critical thinking, creativity, and holistic development. These methods have proven to enhance student success, both academically and in terms of personal growth.

One such approach is project-based learning (PBL), where students work on real-world problems in collaborative groups. This method encourages them to explore subjects deeply, apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios, and develop problem-solving skills. Teachers act as facilitators, guiding students through the research and inquiry process, which builds both knowledge and life skills.

Another growing trend is the use of flipped classrooms. In this model, students review learning materials, such as videos and reading assignments, at home, and class time is dedicated to discussion, collaborative work, and hands-on activities. This method allows for more interactive learning and helps students retain information better by applying it immediately in class.

Furthermore, blended learning is gaining traction, which combines the best aspects of traditional face-to-face education with online learning tools. This mix provides a personalized learning experience, ensuring that students can work at their own pace while still benefiting from the social and collaborative aspects of in-person education.

Technological Integration in CBSE Classrooms

Technology has revolutionized the way teaching and learning occur in CBSE schools, transforming classrooms into dynamic learning environments. Digital tools such as smartboards, interactive whiteboards, and tablets are now commonly used to make lessons more engaging and interactive. These tools allow teachers to present lessons through multimedia, making complex concepts easier to understand and more engaging for students.

Smartboards, for instance, allow teachers to write, draw, and display content in ways that are more visual and engaging than traditional chalkboards. They can also display digital diagrams, videos, and animations that help illustrate abstract concepts, especially in subjects like science and mathematics.

The integration of online learning platforms has also expanded access to resources outside the classroom. Websites, apps, and e-learning platforms offer students the opportunity to access study materials, take quizzes, and engage in peer-to-peer learning. These platforms can supplement classroom teaching and enable self-paced learning, which is particularly beneficial for students who may need extra support or wish to advance at their own speed.

Moreover, virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies are beginning to be explored in some CBSE schools, providing immersive experiences that allow students to explore historical sites, conduct virtual science experiments, or take virtual field trips. These innovations not only increase engagement but also deepen understanding by offering experiential learning opportunities that traditional methods cannot match.

CBSE School Curriculum and Student Development

The CBSE curriculum is designed to be holistic, focusing on both academic excellence and the overall development of students. It incorporates a balance of theory-based learning and practical application, which prepares students not just for exams but for life challenges.

In addition to core subjects like mathematics, science, and language, the curriculum also places a strong emphasis on extracurricular activities. These activities, such as sports, arts, music, and dance, play a crucial role in developing skills like teamwork, leadership, time management, and creativity. These skills are essential for the well-rounded development of students, making them more adaptable and prepared for the future.

The CBSE system also includes continuous and comprehensive evaluation (CCE), which assesses students on both their academic performance and their social-emotional skills. This system focuses on reducing the stress associated with exams and provides a more accurate picture of a student’s abilities and growth over time.

Moreover, the curriculum fosters the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills by emphasizing conceptual learning over memorization. Subjects like Environmental Education and Life Skills Education help students build awareness about global challenges and personal well-being, further contributing to their growth as responsible citizens.

Dundlod Public School Soyla

Dundlod Public School in Soyla is a prime example of how innovative teaching methods, technological integration, and a well-rounded curriculum can contribute to student success. The school consistently strives to incorporate modern educational practices while maintaining a focus on traditional values of discipline, respect, and responsibility. Its commitment to fostering an environment where students can excel academically while also exploring their creative and physical talents makes it a great model for other CBSE institutions.

By continuously adopting the latest advancements in educational methodologies and technology, schools like Dundlod Public School Soyla are leading the way in shaping the future of education in India.