#augustus the laptop

[kr-ryxen]

I've heard of people naming house plants. But what about anatomite objects? Like I name everything. EVERYTHING. *"What are you doing?"* *checking francois"* *"who the hell is francois???? Why are you checking out French people???"* *"francois is my phone dumbass"* like it feels stupid. But no. Attachment means have name.... *"what are you doing now?"* *playing around n touching augustus"* *"...who in the hell is Augustus... stop touching men you wierdo"* *"you're the weirdo. August is my laptop."* am I just really weird or do others do this-?

[it-begins-with-rain]

Meet my new baby.

Named her Nevan on our system.

Etymologically descended form of Neachneohain meaning "Daughter of the Divine"

Because she paired with my phone and started downloading my media apps and logging me in.

[tommybowefuneralattendee]

Thought: JDB’s furry ass begs chosen to turn him into a werewolf super duper badly (no idea how your werewolf lore is so idk if that would even work but it’s funny to me 💀💀) and chosen refuses to do so

jdb: pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease

chosen, remembering the one time john said his hair looked dumb: you would make a horrible werewolf

[shitty-tmagp-aus]

AU where instead of using Windows NT 4.0 the OIAR employees use toy laptops for kids. Norris, Chester, and Augustus now have incredibly bit-crushed voices that are uncharacteristically upbeat. Every statement has happy kids music playing in the background, though the subject of the statements stay exactly the same.

I fear I need this

[ittovera]

「 okaeri love 」 -> luxiem

ただいまー ( i’m home ) 「おかえり」 ( welcome home ) -> okaeri love。strawberry prince

characters: vox akuma, mysta rias, luca kaneshiro, ike eveland, shu yamino

summary: domestic!luxiem members welcoming you home

content: fluff, drabbles

a/n: thank you so much for the OVERWHELMING support on my first post !! i can’t believe it got 100+ notes in the first like 2 days like what ?! (°▽°)

vox akuma:

stretching as you walk back home from a long day, you step into the way too air conditioned elevator of your apartment complex.

days like these were tiring, filled with senseless meetings and generally useless conversations. what you were anticipating all day was just a simple bowl of instant ramen waiting for you in the comfort of your home.

stepping out of the elevator, you grabbed your keys from your pocket, shoving them into the keyhole and opening the door to your home.

stepping inside, a savoury aroma wafted your way. looking towards the kitchen, your boyfriend vox was making what seemed to be fried rice, wearing a “kiss the demon” apron.

when he heard the door open, vox looked up, grinning.

“welcome home, darling~”

warmly smiling as you settled yourself in, you crept up behind him and wrapped your arms around his waist, nuzzling into the crook of his neck.

“you must be exhausted. i’m cooking, don’t worry. now, my tired darling, shouldn’t you thank me?” he said smugly, raising a hand from the pan to run a hand over your hair.

you raised yourself up a bit, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

“that’s more like it.”

“you’re lucky i love you.” you grumbled.

“i’m beyond lucky.” he said soothingly, squeezing your hand.

mysta rias:

you could hear the sound of something breaking from outside of your apartment, immediately bursting through the door worriedly, to find that mysta had pushed over one of the plates on the counter.

“mysta!”

“welcome home!” he said, displaying his jazz hands, sighing as he stepped away from the shattered porcelain.

you swept up the pieces with the tip of your shoe as mysta cleaned up.

“how did this happen again?” you asked, cocking an eyebrow at him.

“weeeeell, i was going to make you some food, but i guess that was the lord signalling that that’s a bad idea.” he chuckled, hugging you as he pulled you into the couch with him.

laying against his chest you could feel his erratic heartbeat that mirrored yours as you looked into his eyes. it was the same stupid giddy feeling every time.

“i love you.”

“i love you more.”

luca kaneshiro:

walking into the hallway outside the door of your apartment, you could hear barking from the other side. you grinned to yourself as you pushed the key into the keyhole, turning as you peeked to see what was happening inside the house.

luca’s golden retriever augustus was dressed in a lion costume, wiggling as he tried to walk properly in the tight-fitting attire.

“surprise, honey!” luca shouted, making jazz hands as he popped out from the bathroom.

you laughed. “what is this?”

“thought i’d make augustus look cute, pretty poggers, right?” he grinned from ear to ear, running towards you and scooping you up in a warm embrace.

augustus pawed at your leg, and luca only hugged you tighter.

“do you want to hold y/n too? i’ll let you hug her later, she’s mine first.” luca laughed, ruffling his dog’s head.

blushing at his statement, you buried yourself deeper in his strong arms.

“you dummy.”

“hey, i’m not dumb! but at least i’m your dummy right?”

“forever.”

ike eveland:

working the late shift, you come home in the middle of the night, finding ike still awake, typing furiously on his laptop.

mister virtual novelist was buried in a heap of energy drinks, with a scowl on his face only till he realized you had gotten home.

turning around with a small smile, he mumbled, “welcome home babe~” stretching his arms out, gesturing for you to give him a hug.

you run over to his request, wrapping him up in a hug as he presses a kiss to your forehead.

“still not done with this piece?”

“no, i’m getting my ass handed to me by a bunch of words on a screen.” he sighed, leaning into you.

“you got this! i believe in you, ike.” you said, smiling.

he laughs at your comment.

“you sure have an unfazed view when life is full of crap. but i like that.” he said, wrapping his arms around your waist and pulling you into his lap.

looking over your shoulder at his work, he types away.

“i’ll stay here with you until you’re done.” you said, getting comfortable, taking out your phone.

“we might be here all night then.” he said, chugging a bit of his energy drink.

you grinned back at him.

“wouldn’t be the first time.”

he buries his face in the crook of your neck, breathing into you as he places an open-mouthed kiss on the feverish skin.

“love you.” he mutters, continuing to type away as his cheeks burn up.

“aww, i love you too.”

shu yamino:

you walked into you and your boyfriend’s shared apartment to find him playing video games in the living room.

shu turned his head towards you at the sound of the noise, and smiled gently.

“welcome back—”

“SHUBERT WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU WE’RE GETTING SHOT FROM LITERALLY EVERYWHERE” shoto’s voice rang from the headphones he was wearing, and shu gave you an apologetic look as he refocused on the game and ran to go help his teammates.

you laughed, settling yourself in as he did his best to quickly finish the game.

“alright, gg, i gotta go.” shu hurriedly said.

“wow, thanks for reminding me i don’t have a significant other.” shoto sighed.

“you literally have mysta rias, what are you even talking about, shou?” you said, walking over to shu as he wrapped his firm arms around you.

“oh hell no. not that bitch, me and him would never.” shoto laughed, before his voice suddenly turned nervous, and he immediately hung up the call.

“he’s a funny one, your friend.” you said, nuzzling into your boyfriend’s touch.

“i’d rather be playing games with you though.” he said, causing your heart to flutter in your chest.

“you know i’m really bad at those games though right?”

“we’ll be bad together.” he joked, smiling at you.

“no no, you’ll be carrying.” you laughed, hugging him tighter as he pressed a gentle kiss on your forehead.

“love you.”

[rebeccasteventaylor]

For some reason, I’ve been very excited to hear this one even before I knew anything. Magnus Protocol 27 Driven spoilers below.

Oh, Lena is worried about the Minister. Doesn’t really want him around.

Oh, what’s Gwen special list for Alice?

Augustus! 1845…

Who is N. (Must avoid Death Note brain insisting it’s Near) I don’t think it can be Newton, it’s the wrong time period and I think it’s implied he spoke to him.

Oh my god. This man gave the Institute its name. It’s Jonah Magnus…it’s fucking Jonah Magnus!

So it’s Sam hearing this - another Institute story.

Pretty heavy emphasis on the word ‘eye’ there.

Disturbing cab driver. Quite a theme in Victorian ghostly tales, real and fictional.

Oh, I like this idea of making the ‘growlers’ actual real monsters.

So if Augustus is Jonah - and he just told his own casement - what are the chances Chester and Norris will tell casements from Jon and Martin?

Hmm. Feels like Archibald was quite Martin-like (at least at the beginning of Martin’s story)

Oh, this is horrifying….

Fear! It’s all about Fear! Jonah said so!

So this is the Magnus Institute first observation of a monster.

Oh, Alice. What’s wrong? Polish those knives, Alice.

Gwen got a weird email! Is it Jon? Glitch when Gwen says junk and deleted. Old files….

So - I think Alice and Gwen have been talking about the minister out of work…

Celia is printing again. Why does she print? Why not just have the files downloaded to her own laptop or tablet? Is she worried that an electronic transfer would bring something with it?

So Helen is the main person finding sites for the Magnus Institute? That’s a worryingly close connection.

Oxford! Magnus Institute owns Hilltop Road!!!!

Trevor Herbert is the Minister! The vampire killer!!!That was not one of the names I’d been expecting…

Alice is going to Hilltop Road with them? No - Alice - I don’t think that’s safe…

[cat-writes-sometimes]

En Pointe with the Devil, Book 2 Ch 4

The stack of papers was at least an inch thick, red stickers jutting from the edges like flags signaling where he should sign in case he got lost in the maze of legal jargon. Augustus took a sip of water, his throat still raw.

Stefan and the spiky-haired man had burst into the container the second Augustus’s scream left his mouth, only to freeze at Maksim’s raised hand. Maksim let him scream himself hoarse until Augustus's vocal cords were fried and his screams started sounding more like a dying cat than an actual human being. By the time he stopped, a strange smile had formed on Maksims face and Augustus’s ears were ringing.

From the warehouse they went straight to the airport. The ride was suffocatingly silent, broken only by the sound of Augustus’s coughs and the hesitant acceptance of a water bottle Maksim offered. Maksim didn’t inquire into his outburst, instead the smile from the container pulled at his lips for the entirety of the ride.

Now, at cruising altitude, Maksim handed him a stack of paperwork. Augustus’s contract.

“Read through it and let me know when your done.” Maksim said before joining the other two on the other side of the jet.

Augustus braced for the worst as he carefully looked over each page, his mind conjuring all the terrible possibilities the pages could contain. Clauses about his necessary involvement in trafficking, or absurd teeny tiny fine print like, “Party B will do their utmost to adhere by the terms therein, and give Party A a blow blow job every other Tuesday.” But as he scanned the document, it was… clean. The terms were straightforward, even fair. More than fair, actually. By the time he reached the compensation page, he had to stop and scribble a question mark next to the dollar amount.

An hour later, he reached the final page. Stacking the pages neatly with a soft tap, he glanced over to Maksim, who was in between Stefan and Spiky Hair. The faint glow of the laptop made the hollows of their faces even more prominent and serious. They were deep in conversation as they examined something on the screen, Stefan stood with his arms crossed and his lips in a thin line. Maksims eyebrows were twisted in a knot and he tapped the table rhythmically with his fingers. When Maksim caught his eye, he murmured something to the others before walking over. Augustus couldn’t help but notice Spiky Hair’s glare before his eyes returned to the screen.

“Any questions?” Maksim asked, settling into the seat across from him.

Augustus cleared his throat, his voice still sandpaper-rough. “So… the contract’s for five years. What happens after that?”

Maksim tilted his head thoughtfully. “Either you extend it, or you don’t.”

Augustus hesitated. “And if I don’t?”

Maksim’s lips quirked. “I don’t think that’ll happen. But if it does, we’ll figure something out.”

Augustus’s stomach tightened. Figure something out? Was that code for “sleep with the fishes”?

“I told you—I’m not going to kill you,” Maksim said, with an annoyed sigh. The way he read Augustus so easily was unsettling, he needed to work on his poker face.

Everything else in the contract was standard: commitments to rehearsals, fittings, and maintaining his health. No promises of roles—he’d have to audition for everything, which Augustus begrudgingly respected. Unlike Emma’s contract, this contract covered all housing, food, and other expenses, including unlimited dance shoes. The contract didn’t state what kind of shoes. When Augustus flipped back to the compensation page, he pointed to the bottom number. “I think you added an extra zero here.”

Maksim toko the page from Augustus’s hand gently and leaned back. He scrunched his brows as he read, his deliberate movements making him look like a CEO reviewing an annual report. Finally, he flipped the page over and handed it back. “Nope, that’s correct.”

Augustus blinked. “Is it in Romanian Lei?”

“It’s in US Dollars.”

Augustus stared at the number again. Each month’s salary was more than he earned in an entire season with Emma.

“Why is it so much?” He asked. It wasn’t like Augustus had a choice, it could have been $0 and he would still need to sign on the dotted line. The contract was more a formality than a necessity.

“Think of it as part compensation for your work and part for the inconvenience. Of course,” Maksim added, grinning, “it’ll go into a bank account I can monitor. Can’t have you running off after your first paycheck.”

Of course there’s a catch. Augustus had expected strings, and he suspected there were more to come. Still, he couldn’t argue with the black-and-white terms, even if they were involuntary. Maksim handed him an elegant silver pen, and Augustus signed next to every red sticker. With each signature, it felt like another lock snapping shut, binding him tighter until the door of the golden cage was welded shut.

When he slid the papers back, Maksim’s smile widened and his deeplies deepened. “Welcome to the team.”

They landed back in Romania shortly after. The man with Spiky hair gave one last glare at Augustus before spitting something in Romanian at Maksim and getting into a sleek sedan. He sped off kicking up dirt, Maksim shook his head and chuckled. Stefan also went separate ways, Augustus gave him a little wave before he slipped into an SUV. Stefan lifted his hand in reciprocation and drove off.

“You and Stefan are getting along well.” Maksim noted.

Was that a compliment or sarcasm? Augustus wasn’t sure how to respond so he chose not to.

Maksim got into the driver's seat of a large Mercedes SUV waiting on the edge of the tarmac, opening the door for Augustus to sit next to him on the passenger side. The sun was high in the sky, shining through a veil of large, puffy clouds. They drove for what felt like an eternity through the city, until the buildings became more spread apart and trees began to outnumber electric poles. It was a silent drive, not because Augustus didn’t have questions he wanted to ask, but because he had too many. It was making him stuck, the gears in his head refusing to turn. Before he knew it they were approaching a large stone gate, the glares of security camera lenses peeked from behind the trees.

It looked like an entrance to a prison or an army base. With a press of a button and some typing on the keypad the metal gate swung open with a groan. They drove down a long dirt path lined with trees so thick the only option was to continue forward, which they did for several minutes.

The contract hadn’t specified what “housing” included, but Augustus hadn’t expected a literal house—let alone a mansion. The two-story structure loomed against the trees, its white stucco stark and jarring, like a scar slashed across the lush green landscape. Its steep, dark roof sloped sharply, while metal sconces framed tall windows and ornate balconies.

Peeking out from behind the mansion was a smaller building, similar in design, but his attention was drawn to the front stairs. On either side stood towering wolf statues, their heads raised and mouths slightly open, as if caught mid-snarl.

Maksim brought the car to the base of the stairs and cut the engine, he stepped out onto the gravel driveway and signaled Augustus to follow.

The air had a slight chill to it but was otherwise still. It was fresh and smelled like green, birdsong filled the silence.

With a punch of a code on a keypad and two separate keys Maksim unlocked one of the double doors and ushered Augustus inside. Once inside, Makism came in behind him and flicked on the lights, taking off his coat while Augustus craned his neck to take in the chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

The chandelier in the foyer was a kaleidoscope of colorful glass flowers and dripping crystals. Above the Persian rug under Augustus’s feet, a sweeping marble double staircase framed the entry like two arms extending toward him. Paintings lined the walls like a gallery—some familiar, others entirely new to him—and small statues perched on pedestals, each one perfectly placed. It was a jigsaw puzzle of styles and eras, yet everything fit together effortlessly, one piece complementing the next.

It wasn’t a house. It was a museum.

Maksim closed the door behind them, slipping off his shoes without a glance at the grandeur around him. Augustus hesitated before following suit, his socks muffling his steps as Maksim led him up the staircase and into a long, white hallway. The walls seemed designed for the art they displayed, with recessed lighting casting each painting in perfect illumination, the size of every frame measured to fit the space like a glove.

Maksim stopped at one of the many identical doors, pushing it open with a practiced ease, and gestured for Augustus to enter.

Inside, the room was unmistakably a bedroom—though in keeping with the rest of the property, it looked more like an art gallery with a bed in the center. Augustus stared, his mouth agape, while Maksim’s demeanor remained as neutral as if they’d walked into a budget motel.

“You’ll be staying here for now,” Maksim said, gesturing toward a door on the far wall. “Bathroom is attached. Get settled in, look around if you like, but don’t touch anything. And if a door’s locked, it means don’t go in. I’ll be downstairs.”

“You’re staying?” Augustus asked, eyebrows shooting up.

Maksim laughed. “Of course—it’s my house.”

“This is your house?!” he blurted.

Amusement flickered across Maksim’s face. “You’ll find your clothes have been put away in the closet. Feel free to change and come downstairs if you’re hungry.” With a small smile, Maksim turned and disappeared down the hallway before Augustus could form another question.

Augustus stood frozen for a moment, then spent the next hour exploring the room. The walk-in closet was filled with clothes, some familiar from Italy, but he didn’t remember any luggage being on the plane. He opened drawers to find what seemed like a department store’s worth of underwear in every imaginable style. When his fingers brushed against a thong, his face burned red, and he quickly buried it at the bottom of the drawer.

A marble bathroom adjoined the room, complete with lavender-scented soap and shampoo that filled the air with a calming fragrance. The irony.

Augustus locked the bedroom door before stepping into the shower—not that a lock would stop Maksim if he really wanted to get in. The hot water did it’s best to loosen his aching muscles as he tried to organize his swirling thoughts. Questions piled up in his mind, and he mentally rehearsed a “plan of attack” for when he faced Maksim again.

After drying off, he pulled a hoodie and grey sweatpants from the closet and after fishing in the underwear drawer he finally found a pair of boxer briefs. Quietly, he opened the door and peeked into the hallway. The house was a paradox—overflowing with stuff yet eerily devoid of life. He hadn't heard or seen anyone else since they came inside.

With an internal peptalk a NFL coach would be proud of, he went on the hunt for Maksim.

He followed the faint strains of classical music down the hall to the stairs, and then into the largest kitchen he’d ever seen. The sheer size of it made him stop in his tracks, but the music and faint clinking of dishes pulled him forward.

Augustus had planned everything. In the shower, he’d pictured Maksim sitting with a drink or a cigarette in hand. Augustus would walk right up to him, stand tall, and say, “I have questions.” Maksim would respect that, wouldn’t he? He seemed like the type who valued directness. Augustus could almost see the twitch of Maksim’s eyebrow as he spoke.

But the plan evaporated the moment he saw Maksim in an apron.

Standing in front of the stove, Maksim hummed softly, stirring something in a large pan with a wooden spoon. A cutting board nearby was littered with herb stems, open cans of tomatoes, and a carton of cream. Augustus stopped short, his brain struggling to reconcile the apron-clad man with the guy who killed an entire room of people mercilessly.

Maksim glanced over his shoulder as soon as Augustus crossed the threshold. “I’m surprised you came down of your own accord,” he said over the music, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “Thought I’d hear you sneaking down the stairs in the middle of the night like Sleeping Beauty when hunger finally got the better of you.”

[bison-appreciation-club]

here i am, on my old laptop, reading historical rpf. i started as a joke and now i'm worried that i will start unironically shipping augustus/agrippa

[diary-of-a-teenage-girl24]

Sunday October 13th 2024 09:01

Dear diary.

Apologies for the lack of updates, I was waiting for something profound to hit me and… I got nothing.

I finished reading the fault in our stars which is pretty cool, cried a lot. Of course I’d read it before. But each time I read it I keep thinking “surely this will end differently” (newsflash. It doesn’t) Yet I continue to read it. I guess Albert Einstein would say I was crazy. I don’t even know how that makes me feel anymore.

I wish I had a boyfriend like Augustus Waters. I wish someone cared enough for me to take me to Amsterdam and kiss me in the Anne Frank Huis, take me to dinner at an expensive restaurant where they serve drinks made from the stars. But alas, it is not to be, I am instead a lonely teen, with one friend, who I regularly see, the rest once or twice a year at most. How depressing is that.

I want to be seen. I want to be seen and not be bullied, I want to go on dates, sleepovers and live a life! Instead I am here, typing on my laptop, practically screaming into the abyss. God I am pathetic aren’t I? And of course me and my religion have been having issues, I want to be a Christian I really do but why is it so hard. Why can’t I be queer and be a Christian why do so many have such an issue with that.

Anyway no profound quotes today. I’ll come back later if anything comes up.

goodbye.

[matri4rch]

The Patriarch of House Augustus

"While I personally find your exhausted, wrathful, murderous gaze incredibly arousing... I do not think the High Queen will appreciate you looking like that on her coronation. So, if you could please pretend you actually want to be be here for at least two hours I would be eternally grateful." - The Lioness of Cyrodiil (LDB)

Tullius: *proceeds to sulk for the entire party, making zero efforts at diplomacy or politeness while "discreetly" following the dragonborn like a lost puppy.* *he also gets drunk asf but we don't speak about that*

I want to thank Lawrence Rupp as Arminius for helping me finally draw this silver fox correctly and to my laptop for not messing up the colors when transferring the image.

This is from yet ANOTHER tullius x ldb concept because I cant commit to a single oc. <3

This brand new totally not Saga-but-royal-and-gothic-priestess oc has some very fun backstory heavily intertwined with Tullius'. A past that involves a lot of drama, family feuds and nobility gossip.

Anyways that's it for today, enjoy!

[deepdonutkid]

The Hunger Games characters have some unique names based on many cultures we've lived in today.

What's your favourite character names from THG world? What's their names meaning?

Bonus questions :

If you're a fanfic writer writing about characters who lives in Panem, what's their name gonna be?

If you're a reader, what's a name you read in a THG fanfic that stuck with you?

Thank you, @curiousnonny

I actually tried to answer this immidiently, which my laptop shutting down and then tumblr didn't save my answer. UGH... soooo, again...

My favorite name is Seneca Crane, I love the meaning, any other Seneca girlies out there?

Then again, I love the contrast of Prim's and Katniss' names.

M: Ahhh, look, our beautiful baby daughter! M: Prim, because she is as lovely as a Primrose! M: And there is her older sister, swamp potato!

Clearly, the father picked the first name and the mother picked the second. But to me, the parent proposing the name for the child, which makes the final cut, will always share a special bond with said child... and it's beautiful.

I actually have a whole post planned, where I will explain, that Peeta is very slavic-coded to me. And Peeta is for me just a derivative from Pjotr, well, they do have the same root in Petrus. But the Peeta also having the bread meaning is just chef's kiss.

A name that always stuck with me is Augustus, and since it's originated in Roman Empire, it fits the theme as well. I imagine Augustus to look pretty much like Peeta, sounds like an alter ego name someone would give to him, if he was raised in the Capitol XD

Iulia another beautiful italian name. Also for another Capitolite!

And I have one THG oc actually, and it's a girl Johanna Mason had to mentor, despite being not that much older than her, which makes it into a really sweet sister story. Her name is Charna 'Chimney' Pasternak. It's a yiddish/russian name and with Charna being derivertive from the russian word for black, tschornje, and Pasternak means pasnip in yiddish. It's a root, so it's similiar to Katniss. Chimney is her nickname, because she is a chimney sweep. I can totally imagine, that in the districts kids would do this dangerous job again. And since they are heating with coal and or wood, it's really important to have a clean chimney. She is also the reason Johanna is so mad in the quell, because she is the last person, Johanna cared for, before losing her too. I actually don't know, if I ever write that story, but I love to ramble about it!

@curiousnonny Thanks again for this question! I really wish I could have send the first draft of my answer, because that one was waayyyy better with way more details :(

[mathewmartin1]

Understanding Lithium | The Essential Element for Modern Technology

In the realm of modern technology, few elements hold as much significance as lithium. This soft, silvery-white alkali metal, with the atomic number 3, plays a crucial role in a wide array of applications, from powering our gadgets to revolutionizing the way we store energy. As we delve deeper into the world of lithium, we uncover its fascinating properties, historical significance, and its pivotal role in shaping the future of technology.

The Unique Properties of Lithium

Lithium is the lightest metal and the least dense solid element. Its unique properties make it indispensable in various industries:

Lightweight and Strong: Lithium is incredibly light, which makes it an ideal component for lightweight batteries used in smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles.

High Electrochemical Potential: The high electrochemical potential of lithium makes it perfect for use in rechargeable batteries, providing higher energy densities and longer lifespans compared to other battery technologies.

Thermal Stability: Lithium compounds possess excellent thermal stability, making them valuable in heat-resistant glass and ceramics.

Historical Background of Lithium

The discovery of lithium dates back to 1817 when the Swedish chemist Johan August Arfvedson identified it in the mineral petalite. The name lithium is derived from the Greek word 'lithos', meaning stone, as it was found in mineral form. It wasn't until 1855 that lithium was isolated by British chemist Augustus Matthiessen and German chemist Robert Bunsen.

The Role of Lithium in Batteries

The most well-known application of lithium is in batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries. These batteries have become the standard for portable electronic devices and electric vehicles due to their high energy density, long cycle life, and lightweight nature.

Lithium-Ion Batteries: These are rechargeable batteries in which lithium ions move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode during discharge and back when charging. They are widely used in consumer electronics, medical devices, and electric vehicles.

Lithium-Polymer Batteries: A variation of lithium-ion batteries, these use a polymer electrolyte instead of a liquid one, offering flexible shapes and sizes, making them suitable for ultra-thin electronics.

Lithium in Renewable Energy Storage

As the world shifts towards renewable energy sources, the need for efficient energy storage solutions has never been greater. Lithium batteries are at the forefront of this transition, providing the necessary storage capacity to harness solar and wind energy effectively. Large-scale lithium battery storage systems help stabilize the grid by storing excess energy produced during peak times and releasing it when demand is high.

Lithium in Medicine

Beyond its technological applications, lithium also has significant medical uses. Lithium compounds, particularly lithium carbonate and lithium citrate, are used in the treatment of bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions. These compounds help stabilize mood and reduce the severity and frequency of manic episodes.

Bipolar Disorder Treatment: Lithium has been used since the 1970s to treat bipolar disorder, helping to manage symptoms and improve patients' quality of life.

Neuroprotective Effects: Research suggests that lithium may have neuroprotective properties, potentially offering benefits in treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

The Environmental Impact of Lithium Mining

While lithium is a critical component for modern technology, its extraction and processing come with environmental challenges. Lithium is primarily extracted from brine pools and hard rock mining. Both methods have environmental impacts that need to be carefully managed.

Brine Extraction: This involves pumping lithium-rich brine from underground aquifers and evaporating the water to leave behind lithium salts. This method can lead to water depletion and habitat disruption.

Hard Rock Mining: Extracting lithium from spodumene or other minerals requires significant energy and can result in habitat destruction and soil and water contamination if not managed properly.

Efforts are being made to develop more sustainable mining practices and improve recycling technologies to reduce the environmental footprint of lithium production.

The Future of Lithium: Innovations and Advancements

The demand for lithium is expected to grow exponentially as technology continues to advance. Several exciting developments are on the horizon that could enhance the performance and sustainability of lithium-based technologies.

Solid-State Batteries: These batteries use a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid one, potentially offering higher energy densities, faster charging times, and improved safety compared to current lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: These batteries promise even higher energy densities than lithium-ion batteries and are seen as a potential successor for large-scale energy storage applications.

Recycling and Recovery: Advancements in lithium recycling technologies aim to recover more lithium from used batteries, reducing the need for new mining and helping to meet the growing demand sustainably.

Conclusion

In conclusion, lithium is a versatile and essential element that plays a crucial role in modern technology and medicine. From powering our daily gadgets to stabilizing mood disorders, the applications of lithium are vast and varied. As we continue to innovate and develop more sustainable practices, the future of lithium looks bright, promising to further revolutionize the way we live and interact with technology.

[atduskeachday]

Different folds of the same piece of cloth

On my laptop are JPGs of paintings of women reading books. One is lying in the sand surrounded by grass, another is sitting at a table. I dragged them there from the Internet, not quite knowing why I was doing it. But now I realize something in me relaxes when I look at them. The women are all in repose, sitting or lying down. Lost in what they are reading, deep in concentration. They look healthy. When we are that relaxed, we are healthy. In one of my favorites, The Traveling Companions (1862), by Augustus Leopold Egg, two girls who look like sisters and are dressed exactly alike sit on opposite sides of their train compartment, opposite sides of the composition. There is an almost perfect symmetry between them, their hats resting in their laps in exactly the same manner, their silk dresses that, when they meet in the middle of the compartment, look as if they are different folds of the same piece of cloth. One girl sleeps while the other reads. Each is resting in her own way. All of us need this kind of rest.

When we read novels or short stories we're supposed to want tension and conflict, at least that's what we're often told, but I don't care about conflict in fiction any more than the other elements that might appear there. It's often narrative voice to which I'm drawn, for the way it sounds, for its interiority, and the way the reader can follow it through a narrative, for the way it can excite or unsettle or soothe. To read for relaxation should be boring, for what are we paying attention to when we encounter it? How is it driving the story forward? Something is always supposed to be driving another thing forward in some way.

Amina Cain from A Horse at Night

[peggysousfan]

I had no idea it was your Birthday today, but now that I know I wanted to gift you a Little Steps, Bellarke movie night manip with little Gus! @bellamyblake I hope you have an awesome day! You deserve it and more!!

[cat-writes-sometimes]

En Pointe With The Devil Book 2, Ch 2

Augustus became obsessed with trying to make the perfect pizza when he was eleven years old, right after he and his mom saw Eat, Pray, Love with Julia Roberts. Perhaps because he was in the throes of a growth spurt and ravenous most of the time, he couldn’t get images of flat crust, ruby red sauce, melty cheese and fresh basil out of his mind.

For his birthday his mom cobbled together all the ingredients for an authentic margarita pizza: mozzarella, Italian flour, EVOO, and tomato sauce made from real Italian tomatoes. The pizza they made that day was very good, but Augustus felt it didn’t compare to the pizza he saw Julia Roberts devour on their box television set. He remembered wanting to jump through the screen (just like the girl from The Ring) for that particular pizza.

The cruel irony was that he was now sitting at that exact pizzeria in Naples, Italy, and he could barely taste anything. Maksim and Stefan were sitting right across from him, digging in and chatting in rapid-fire Romanian.

Large, communal tables lined the interior of the famous eatery, and strangers sat next to each other for a taste of what made Julia Roberts almost orgasmic. The place was packed. Augustus could have easily slipped a note to the person on his right, but judging by the fact they spoke Mandarin and pointed to a picture of what they wanted to order, it was probably a lost cause. Even if they spoke English it would probably be a lost cause anyways.

Instead, Augustus could only stare at the framed photo of Julia Roberts enjoying a life changing pizza that hung on the wall. The pizza may have been life changing for her, but Augustus needed a little more than a pizza to change his life at the moment.

Augustus had a flash of hope when Maksim told him they were going to the airport. He hoped his friends had alerted authorities. He imagined being escorted to safety once the security officers saw his name on their screens. But his hopes were quickly dashed when they entered through the back gate of the airport and drove right up to a private jet. Nobody checked his passport or ID, and no one seemed particularly interested in who he was.

Once the plane was in flight, Maksim handed Augustus a bag that contained a pair of light jeans, a hoodie with a large logo Augustus didn’t recognize, a pair of sneakers and some socks. All still had tags and everything fit perfectly. When he came out from the bathroom Maksim threw him a thumbs up before returning his attention to his laptop.

Now, just an hour after landing in Naples, they were eating pizza. Maksim noticed Augustus wasn’t wolfing down food at his typical pace.

“Eat.” Maksim ordered. At that moment Augustus heard a gun cock and froze. His head snapped up just in time to see the tourist next to him take a picture of his pizza with a Nikon. Augustus’s heart was hammering inside his chest, but Maxim and Stefan hadn’t even flinched. “Before it gets cold.” Maksim added before he casually finished his last slice. Stefan’s round tray had been empty for almost ten minutes.

Augustus hesitantly took a bit of his margarita pizza. Even on the precipice of death he couldn’t deny that it was delicious. The waiter motioned for them to hurry as the line outside began to spill over into the street, but a pointed glare Stefan ensured he didn’t return until Augustus finished.

Their next stop was an imposing building that sat behind a tall iron gate, its bars streaked with rust. Behind the gate lay a quiet cobblestoned courtyard surrounded by concrete walls that were anointed with faded graffiti. Maksim walked ahead of Augustus with an unhurried confidence, while Stefan lingered behind, his steps deliberate and slow.

Augustus was led to an ordinary apartment with three rooms and a small kitchen and dining area. It was normal. Too normal. Whose it was, Augustus didn’t know—and he didn’t want to ask. Stefan made his way through the rooms, meticulously flicking on one light after another and looking into the bathrooms, closets, and under the beds. Maksim and Augustus waited in the living room until he came back and gave a small nod.

“It’s late, daragoi.” Maksim said. On the plane, he’d started calling Tus that—daragoi.

Daragoi, are you thirsty? Here’s some clothes, Daragoi. Daragoi, take your vitamins.

“You can sleep in,” Maksim continued. “I have some things to attend to and I’ll be back tomorrow. Stefan will stay with you. If you want to go anywhere, let him know.”

Augustus glanced at Stefan. His face was unreadable, like usual. “Your room is the one on the left.” Maksim gestured toward a door. Augustus nodded and went to the room, closing the door with a soft click. He noticed the lock was missing from the door. Then he realized the room was noticeably absent of windows. A neatly folded pair of pajamas waited for him on folded white sheets. Beside the bed was a small mountain of shopping bags, overflowing with toiletries and clothes.

“Goodnight!” Maksim called.

He slipped into bed fully clothed and buried himself underneath the comforter. He could still hear Stefan and Maksim speaking in Romanian, their tones shifting between sharp and subdued. Whatever had them preoccupied on the plane seemed to follow them to the apartment. The memory of the blood soaked room flickered in his mind like a bad reel of film. When it came to Maksim’s profession, he figured it was better to stay in the dark. All he needed to do was dance.

The next morning Augustus tiptoed to the living room to find it empty. He went into the kitchen, and found a plate with toast and cut fruit on the counter. The knife block on the counter was empty making the cut fruit a mystery.

“Awake?”

“Jesus Christ!” Augustus yelped.

Stefan stood in the doorway of the kitchen, taking up the entire space with his huge frame. He sipped something in a tiny ceramic cup.

“Coffee?” he asked Augustus, holding up the dollhouse cup with two fingers. He was professionally dressed in a white shirt and trousers.

“Sure?” Augustus replied. Stefan moved past him to a machine on the counter and began pouring coffee beans into the hopper. After a painfully long two minutes he handed Augustus his own dollhouse cup.

“Thanks,” Augustus mumbled. He breathed in the steam spiraling from the inky black liquid. One whiff was enough to tell him this wasn’t coffee. It was rocket fuel disguised as coffee. Without hesitation he threw it back like a shot. It seared his throat on the way down.

Stefan paused mid-sip and raised his eyebrow.

Augustus held the empty cup awkwardly, unsure of what to do next. It wasn’t until Stefan finished after a few more sips and placed it next to the sink that Augustus put his cup down next to it.

“Shower.” Stefan said bluntly. Augustus didn’t know whether to take that as an order or a suggestion. Stefan donned a pair of bright yellow rubber gloves, picked up a soapy sponge, and pointed wordlessly toward a bathroom down the hall.

Augustus hoped the bathroom would have a window, but was disappointed (and not too surprised) when it didn’t. When he appeared later in his new clothes, Stefan was sitting in the living room, flipping through the TV channels. Augustus retreated into the hallway. He had noticed two other two bedroom doors that were shut. There had to be windows in one of those rooms.

And if there were? Would he try to run?

He reached out hesitantly, fingers brushing against the doorknob of the first door. A floorboard creaked behind him.Augustus froze.

Stefan stood at the entrance to the hallway, watching him with his trademark unreadable expression. Augustus’s blood turned to ice as he lowered his hand, every nerve in his body screaming you fucked up!

Stefan silently moved toward him, reached around and twisted the doorknob. The door opened with a soft creak. Without a word, he moved to the next door and did the same. Both rooms had windows. Stefan stood cross-armed in the hall and his message was crystal clear: fuck around and find out.

“We go out.” Stefan said abruptly, and turned down the hallway. Augustus paused a moment before padding behind him like a ghost.

Stefan offered no explanation about where they were headed. The streets outside were alive with movement—Vespas buzzed past with horns blaring, and cars edged impatiently through the narrow roads. Pedestrians hurried along the cobblestone sidewalks, each lost in their own little world. They wove through narrow alleyways lined with shops, bustling restaurants and cafes. Augustus trailed behind, craning his neck to take in the scenery.

The buildings rose high and close, their worn facades stitched together by lines of strung-up laundry, clothing flapping in the breeze like trapped butterflies. Small balconies jutted from the walls, cluttered with clay pots spilling over with greenery. Cats lounged along the railings, judging people with their sharp eyes. Augustus slowed as they passed a bakery. Pastries he’d never seen before filled the glass cases. Stefan stopped, noticing Augustus’s intrigue, and went inside. A woman in an apron smiled and said something to them in Italian. Stefan was silent.

“English?” Augustus said after a few awkward seconds, glancing at Stefan to make sure he was allowed to speak. Stefan didn’t move.

“Ah! American. I thought you Italian with how handsome you are. What I get you?”

He looked at Stefan but he offered nothing but imposing posture. The silence was too thick. “Two of those please?” Augustus pointed to a pastry that looked like a small bundt cake. Stefan pulled out his wallet.

“Two Baba’s. One for the handsome man,” she presented the cake to Augustus, “and one for dad.” Stefan didn’t look pleased.

They ate the pastries on a bench outside without saying a word and then walked back to the apartment. Augustus noticed familiar landmarks—a few of the stores and cafés they’d passed earlier—but his mind was a universe away.

Without warning, Stefan came to an abrupt stop at the bottom of a staircase attached to a building that was plain to the point of being forgettable, with cracked gray concrete and faded brick. Augustus stumbled and ran right into him. It was as if he walked into a brick wall. Stefan didn’t react. Stefan’s attention fixed on the door of the building, and he tilted his head toward the door, a silent instruction. When Augustus didn’t move, Stefan motioned to him again.

With a nervous glance back, Augustus walked up the stairs to the imposing wooden door. The iron handles were large and intricately designed, their once-ornate details softened by years of wear. Like most buildings he’d seen in his brief time in Naples, they bore the marks of time.

Augustus wrapped his fingers around the cool iron and pulled. The door groaned open, releasing a gust of stale air. He stepped inside cautiously, the dim light casting long shadows across the worn floor. When he finally looked around him, his breath caught in his throat.

It was the most beautiful cathedral Tus had ever seen. Stefan came in behind him, placing some Euros in a small donation box before walking with Augustus around the church. Centuries of art and architecture layered on each other to create a jigsaw puzzle of history and beauty. Tombs dated from centuries past, paintings that looked like they belonged in a museum, gold goblets and scepters under thick glass glistening with precious stones. Under the towering arches and gazes of painted angels, for just a moment, Augustus was able to forget.

After spending over an hour exploring the church, Stefan led Tus to a small pizza restaurant that specializes in handheld pizzas. Tus ate in silence, the meal a quiet intermission before they returned to the apartment. Maksim still hadn’t returned.

Back inside, he finished the pizza and half-watched a game show on Italian TV, the rapid chatter of the host little more than white noise. Stefan and Augustus sat on opposite ends of the couch until Augustus’s eyes began to get heavy. Stefan stared at his phone as Augustus got up and went to his room, but before he left the living room he hesitated.

“Thank you.” Augustus said. Stefan who looked up from his phone and gave a quick nod.

After brushing his teeth, he returned to his room while Stefan continued scrolling. Exhaustion tugged at him—it had been lingering ever since the incident, a weight he couldn’t quite shake. Sleep came quickly.

It didn’t last long.

At the crash of his bedroom door slamming open he bolted upright, heart hammering, just as the overhead lights flickered on. Maksim stood in the doorway, finger on the lightswitch with a gleeful smile.

“Daragoi!” Maksim announced, his tone so cheerful it sent a chill down Tus’s spine. His black button up was disheveled and covered in dust. His hair was a mess and his pants had scratches and pulled threads everywhere. He looked like he had gone through hell and back but his face was that of a kid at an amusement park. Small red dots stood out on his neck like a neon sign. “I have something to show you!”

Want to read more? Check out my page or search En Pointe with the Devil on A03 by Catrin.