#bc some of them aren't the same size as the others. so they'll just have to go at the end where they won't block anything or stick out

[bisexualblckcanary]

The final expansion begins.

[venomroses]

Zones Fashion

Obviously we all know how killjoys dress, but not everyone in the desert is a killjoy. So here's my headcanons about how non-killjoys in the desert dress. Below the cut because this is gonna get long:

Note: Edited this so rb this version please!

These forms of dress are specific to smaller, more isolated groups where people are usually at least 1st gen zoneborn, and doesn't apply to neutral towns, killjoys, those who follow more traditional city styles, etc. Also I know I said I was going to do drawings for this and I might add those later but for now just text bc the drawings aren't coming out how I like.

Younger kids (2-7):

Both girls and boys have long hair because protects them from the sun without trying to get them to keep hats or hoods on since kids can be difficult about the required amount of clothes, let alone additional stuff. It can also be hard to find children's sized clothes, so many guardians don't bother with "unnecessary" items. Hair is usually kept long enough to tie out of their face because kids also make lots of messes, but sometimes hair will be a bit shorter (usually for boys).

Younger siblings will rarely have anything that isn't a hand-me-down, so if you have an older sibling of the opposite gender then you're probably going to be dressing like the opposite gender for most of your childhood. This is rarely an issue since gender doesn't usually have the same relevance as it does in the real world.

Long skirts are common regardless of gender because they keep the legs covered to protect from sunburn. Also, you can grow significantly before an ankle-length skirt becomes too short, unlike pants where you just have to get new ones when you outgrow them. When skirts get short enough to start exposing a lot of skin, extra fabric can be sewn on, or leggings can be worn underneath. Wraparound skirts are preferred because you don't have to adjust the waist at all when the kid grows, so you don't have to worry about buying/making new clothes all the time. However, other types of skirts work just as well.

A lot of younger kids get homemade shoes. They don't need to be great quality, they just need to keep the kid from burning their feet. Once a kid is old enough to begin helping with the family business (if there is one), go on trips with their guardians, etc. they get real shoes since it becomes more important once they're working or away from home for longer periods.

Then older kids (8-12):

At this age kids are old enough to want to have more freedom of expression so styles vary a bit more.

Since they're mostly still wearing kids sized clothes which are harder to find in the Zones and outgrowing things quickly, hair is still usually kept long to protect them from the sun in place of a hat or a hood that would either be too big or outgrown too quickly to justify buying it. However, sometimes they'll get their hair cut short, especially boys. Regardless of length, there's more variations in hairstyles, since it's a form of expression that doesn't cost any money.

Skirts often come above the knees in the front for more mobility/range of motion. Kids this age are old enough to help with work or chores, so it's easier if they don't have to worry about the restrictions long skirts can bring. At this age skirts are less about practicality. Long skirts are seen as a more childish style as the main point of them is to let kids grow without needing to buy tons of new clothes all the time, and skirts of any length can be impractical. Some guardians don't see the point of the skirt if the kid is just going to be wearing pants underneath anyway and the kid transitions into just wearing pants. For those who do keep wearing it, it makes their ages and allegiances clear. Since "adulthood" is pretty much "whenever you look like an adult" or "whenever you can do the same work as an adult" it makes it clear that this is a child, and that they're not a killjoy (since some killjoys can be this young).

Again, kids this age usually aren't working actual jobs yet, so sandals are more common than closed-toe shoes that might be required for a more dangerous job. Sandals are preferred over closed-toe shoes since they take less supplies to make so they're cheaper. These sandals might be homemade or might be made more professionally.

Younger teenagers (13-15):

This is the age where you'll see a lot of actual variation in style. First short haircuts are common at this age. Some kids might have a job, so hair length is usually depending on the job they have instead of gender. A job where they're often inside or where long hair would get in the way? Short haircut. A job where they're often outside? Long hair. Of course, some people will still pick a style they like over practicality, but looks over practicality is a very killjoy-esque mentality that most of the desert does not follow.

Outfits vary a lot, again based on what's practical for work, but it's common for their clothes to be a bit oversized, since they're usually still on the smaller end even if they are wearing adult sizes by now.

Some kids still wear skirts to indicate their age if their guardians feel that they're not ready to be seen as an adult, but many wear pants only.

Most kids have close-toed shoes now, but again they might be a bit too big. Rags can be stuffed in the toes until they fit properly.

Older teenagers (16-19):

Can pretty much look like anything! Just like for younger teenagers, haircuts and forms of dress are more specific to what you're doing, since most people have some sort of job at this age. Skirts are not worn anymore.

Jobs often work like trades, where you learn to do something and make that your career, instead of switching between them a lot. A lot of jobs are making necessities like clothes, candles, and food, or services like doctors/nurses, messengers, etc. Sometimes certain professions go together, like gunsmiths (who can make or fix guns) will work with artists for killjoys or anyone who'd rather have someone else paint their raygun for them. Markets are a great place to sell their wares so a lot of vendors there are going to be people like this.

If you're interested in other types of people in the Zones/time periods and how they dress send me an ask or something bc worldbuilding my beloved <3

[lilycals115]

//rant

god im such a fucking cow. i hate being the size i am in american society. im not fat enough to be able to call myself fat without getting shit for it, but im not skinny enough to not be criticized about how much i eat. don't get me wrong, im glad im not bigger bc i would not be as mentally stable as i am rn but its so hard not being able to talk irl with anyone about hating my body and hating how food and my weight dictate everything in my life. im friends with stick thin woke "body positive" activists who all eat an almond a day and all have these dietary restrictions or preferences that TOTALLY aren't just excuses for their own disordered eating. but i cant even say "its not fair" because it doesnt even matter. thats the way life works, yet i still keep making the choice to gorge myself everyday and never make any progress. ive been losing and gaining the same 3 pounds since fucking september. and i do it to myself, there's no one i can blame. i feel so fucking pointless in being angry at how my skinny friends are allowed to eat like freaks with no repercussions because the reason thats fine is because theyre skinny and im fat. skinny people can just get away with more shit than farm animals like me. i'm surprised ive held a boyfriend for this long. im surprised he doesn't go limp at the sight of his blimp of a girlfriend. and if he's not turned off by the size of me, he should definitely reconsider dating me because of how much of an asshole i've turned into since befriending ana.

thats another thing: im so goddamn mean now. i used to be so sweet. fat people are jolly i guess. i used to not bat an eye at ppl who were overweight but now my first thoughts are just spiteful and bitter. i get really upset when i find myself thinking like this because i Know that my mindset for myself should never be applied to other people who i know nothing about. but im constantly involving other people into my eating disorder silently in my head. i compare how skinny or fat my friends are with myself and with each other. they'll think im just staring off into space when im just body checking all of them and i get these moments when i just feel like scum for involving people who never asked to be my thinspo or fatspo.

i have no point to this. im just so frustrated with myself and i need to eat so much less. i ate so much soup at my work today, my dad made me try some of his chili, i had a starbucks cake pop, and i had leftover pasta. i didnt feel my stomach growl at all today. i was never hungry, i just shoved shit in my face.

[karatam]

Read recently (August-September 2022)

The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang. A war orphan from a tiny village tests well enough in the national exams to be invited to the most important training facility in the empire, and discovers that the gods aren't really dead. An interesting first book in a trilogy, set in an alternate early 20th century China. Lots of tigger warnings for the violence/depravity of war (message me if you'd like to know more details). I have the sequel on hold at the library, though I'm not 100% sure I'll be reading it to be honest. I started off quite liking the characters, but by the end I was a bit 'meh'.

The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri. Oh I loved this. Set in a fantasy world based on India, a disgraced princess is jailed by her emperor brother at a cursed former temple, left to wither away. A servant girl (with magic) who survived the massacre at that same temple years ago is drafted into the princess' service. Together they'll bring down a empire. Finished it in two days, immediately bought the sequel. Love me some morally grey lesbians. Gay and great.

The Oleander Sword by Tasha Suri. This one hurt so good. Picks up a few months after the end of The Jasmine Throne, with our morally-grey lesbians still in power and still in love and still unable to be together due to politics and also magic. Malini is on her path to depose her brother and become empress, Priya is struggling to understand what her magic can really do and what it will cost. The old gods are coming back and they want their pound of flesh. Eagerly anticipating the final installment.

Red Sister by Mark Lawrence. I tore through this book in literally 24 hours because I just couldn't stop reading it. I then immediately went out and bought the next two in the trilogy bc my library didn't carry them. Holy shit this was awesome. A peasant girl is taken from the gallows to study as a novice in a convent that trains warriors, assassins, and witches (she's fairly young in this first novel, so not a lot of romance, but it's very obvious that a bunch of these nuns are gay as hell, including the main character). I'll just leave the first sentence of the book here: "It is important, when killing a nun, to ensure that you bring an army of sufficient size."

Grey Sister by Mark Lawrence. I started reading this literally 5 minutes after finishing the first one. Just found family feelings all over the place. A girl who thinks she's a monster and all the people who love her. Also lots of political intrigue and violence and dashing rescues and scheming and also gay nuns. Fantastic.

Bound by Mark Lawrence. This is a little short story set between books 2 and 3 and mainly consists of poor Nona's head exploding bc the two people she has crushes on go on an undercover mission together. Unexpectedly sweet for this series.

Holy Sister by Mark Lawrence. Reader, I cried. Takes the political intrigue of the first two books and dials it up a few notches. I love all these women so much, and the family they've forged together. Split between two timelines, one set directly after the end of the previous book with Nona and company scrambling to escape, the other set a few years later where war is looming and the moon is falling. Loved it.

A Master of Djinn by P. Djèli Clark. This book was so much fun to read. The world-building, the characters, the mytery, the romance, all so great. Set in an alternate Egypt 1912, a world where 40 years ago the barrier between worlds was broken and now djinn and other beings walk in our world. There's a gruesome murder and Agent Fatma is assigned to the case, where she'll have to deal with a new (unwanted) partner, an old romance, and a lot of secrecy. (Be sure to read the short story "A Dead Djinn in Cairo" first if you can. It's included in some copies of the book and gives some context, since it came first). Definitely hoping the author writes a sequel.

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon. I picked this up because I loved Priory, but I didn't love this. I didn't really like any characters, the magic system was overly confusing and seemed inconsistent, and the romance felt.... icky to me. There are glimpses of what would make Shannon a better writer later, but this was slow and weirdly textbook-y at times when describing things. Won't be continuing the series.

The Dawnhounds by Sascha Stronach. This was super interesting. Set in a sort of post apocalyptic future where most of the old gods have died, a disgraced cop is murdered but doesn't die and instead wakes up with some unusual new powers. Queer and weird and touching and hopeful and inventive, I'm hoping for a sequel. (and if you're worried about the mc being a cop, the book does meditate on how policing is so often just about perpetuating injustice on those without power)

[readerxlit]

Some not safe fw headcanons for the lord under a cut bc I can't tag them as that, thanks apple.

Like 1 mention on distinction for m and f lord but otherwise things that apply to both:

Let's just jump right into the obvious starting place: a switch

Defaults to taking control because of what they do in normal day to day life, but if their partner starts to take that role they pretty quickly switch to letting them

No matter which role they're taking though they've got the instinct to focus on pleasing their partner so you're gonna have to really try to break that habit if you want to focus on them

Pretty easily flustered, but has an easier time not acting like if if you're more flustered, but if you aren’t? They are so easy to tease

Favorite places to give attention to on their partners: neck, thighs, chest. In that order.

Places that get the biggest reactions from them (that aren't the obvious): ears, wrists, hips

Biting is a thing. Not hard enough to hurt but enough to get reactions from their partner. Will have a mental breakdown if their partner does the same

^mostly because they are going to make a lot of noise and the really wish they werent

Real good at muffling themselves but being noisy is in their nature

They give less of a reaction to it but they will squirm a lot if given attention to the part of their torso where their ribs are.

Will try MOST things if their partner is into it, even if it doesn’t immediately sound appealing.

If they're genuinely uncomfortable with it in concept they won't, but if it's something they haven't thought about or don't get the appeal of? They'll try, maybe it'll awaken something in them who knows

Although if their partner is into something like being degraded? Their gonna have practice that one because they will be fucking awful at it by default.

Not that they're very good at any kind of sex ual talk but they can manage to fumble their way through general teasing or praise much easier than trying to walk the line of degradation

They'll do their best, though

Back to the easily flustered thing? Big reactions to basically any sexual comments and you can give them either praise or degrading comments (or both) and get pretty similar reactions

Hands, good. That's all I've got to say on that

Stamina? Less good. They've got very little. Though they will absolutely try to push past exhaustion they will not succeed so you shouldn't expect much

Asks if things are okay every 30 seconds the first few times with a partner (presuming they're being dominant) until their more used to them

Still ask pretty often though, even if they know their partner would tell them without being asked if they weren't. They just want to be sure. Which, good

Excessively sensitive in the obvious places

F!Lord: chest is probably bigger than you think it is but not- like- huge or anything. Weirdly not that sensitive either, despite like every other part of their body being very sensitive.

M!lord: I don't know like average size, as sensitive as you would expect that to be.

Squishy tummy and legs. 10/10 for softness

They wear clothes that cover everything but their face 99% of the time so you can get away with leaving plenty of marks and they'll be perfectly fine with it. Probably enjoy the idea of being marked up enough to actively encourage it

Less eager to leave marks on their partner primarily out of worry they'll actually hurt them.

Even if the idea of people knowing their partner would let them is kind of appealing

Their ability to switch from normal conversations right into intimate ones is impressively fast

Despite the fact they'll be absolutely exhausted they will do their absolute best to make sure their partner is taken care of after the fact, if they were the one being dominant.

The neediest person in the world after the fact if they werent

Either way cuddling it a requirement after

I think I had more thoughts but can't remember so.. here you go. Brainrotonly getting worse I think it's terminal at this point rip

[kitvinslakte]

Get a young cat, but past nursing age - you're probably looking a few months old. They more you handle them at that age, the more comfortable they'll be with seeking physical affection. They might yowl and screm at you- you WILL get papercut sized clawmarks. This is normal. You'll learn to love the physical side effects of kneading and playing cats. Hold them anyway. If you want two cats, get them young and around the same time so they see eachothers as siblings rather than rivals.

When handling them, cats are a lot more flexable than dogs, and way more eager to leap out of your hands regardless of where you are. This means

Don't put them down gently once they're big enough to fight you on it. They can handle a fall from arm height and will prefer it.

They might not like the way you hold them. My mom complains that my cat doesn't let her pet her- this is because my mom holds her upside down like a baby. This is normal, but my cat likes it parrot-style. After playing around with how its comfortable for you to carry them, encourage that in them.

(i treated miranda to shoulder rides bc my shoulders are stronger than my arms, and it let's me do things with my hands while carrying her. Also I am self conscious about limiting her ability to escape if i accidentally overstimulate her- this way she has full control of if and when to get down and run away.)

DO NOT CARRY A TIMID CAT ON THE STAIRS OR NEAR FIRE ETC they will jump. They think they can land but not on stairs, and i mean they might be fine but they really might not. They could jump at any moment, so be careful where you take them.

Child locks gates with narrow bars work for a bit, until it just teaches them to jump higher.

They will hide. Under your bed? I your covers? In the clothes drier? Behind the fridge? YES. I once went to get milk from the fridge and found my cat asleep on it. Be careful what you leave open.

Speaking of open. Don't keep things they love inside things you dont want them getting into. Miranda can open drawers and plastic bags and apparently zippered pockedbooks. Jack, my brothers cat, can open doors. Hes broken a few, actually. He gets separation anxiety and will bodyslam them till they open, one way or the other, if my bro is on the other other side. They are clever. They can reach high places, and understand the concept of leverage. They can learn latches and levers and wheels. Take care what you encourage them to learn.

If they aren't so clever but dont like closed doors they will tear at the floor until the carpet is bald and the wood is splintered.

Even if they are clever, theyre also mad stupid. Something moves? Eat it. Something now important than me? Eat it. My friends cat likes trying to eat sraight pins.

They will trip you. You'll get ample practice of your falling reflexes, and remember- falling on something painful for you is always better than falling on them, no matter how much their fault it is.

Some cats dont like catnip, sometimes they grow into it, dont rely on it to calm them all the time even if it works. Basically pot- harmless, mostly, but not a good habit. I only use it when moving and stressed cat is stressed.

Lil kittens are ENERGETIC AF so be prepared

Also cats like to go for a mad dash around the house after a shit. You'll get used to it.

Don't let literal children or pregnant women in the litterbox. Cats can sometimes have a certain parasite, absolutely harmless to them and basically harmless to anyone with a strong immune system, but can make kids a bit sick sometimes. It's unlikely to transmit in the first place, but caution is advised.

You'll learn your cat's body language in time. Its very different from a dog, but i don't think those diagrams of cat body language are all that helpful. You'll figure it out, and if you're ever concerned about something just ask.

Every cat has a different purr, a different meow. Some don't do either, or only one. This is normal.

Sticks with string and feathers are great interactive toys, it let's you sit down while they spend their energy playing with you.

Get a jingle ball toy too. Yes they're noisy, but cats love them and you'll learn to sleep through it.

They also have no problem waking you up if they want something. Sometimes they'll do so by cuddling up with you and purring, sometimes by walking on you, and sometimes by climbing under the covers to poke your butt with a single claw at regular intervals like the weirdest alarm clocks in the world. Good luck.

Someone mentioned an exposed belly means trust, not belly rubs. This is true. Sometimes they wont say no to a good belly rub either though.

Try not to sit on them.

They understand apologies- not the words, but the intent. If you hurt them, like stepping on their tail or something, OBVIOUSLY YOU'LL FEEL BAD and go pet them a bunch and apologize and stuff. They won't get the words but they'll understand -affection as a response to causing accidental harm- and will probably forgive you pretty quick.

They're less forgiving for long abscences, and will give you the cold shoulder if they missed you too much. They'll get over it, but they are communicating hurt feelings when they do that.

Butt scratches big yes.

Playing with their toe beans confuses them, and sometimes bothers them, but usually not a lot.

The noise of the vacuum is scary- not the suction. Deaf cats love vacuums.

Eating grass helps settle their stomach. If there is no grass around, poisonous plants will do fine. (NO THEY WONT) either give them grass or dont have plants, or both!

I highly recommend not letting them be outdoors. Even with a leash. Established borders are safety for cats, they need to know where their "home" is. Leashes might force them into another cats territory, or not let them mark where they want. No leash means they are fairly likely to be attacked, hurt, or worse by anything from foxes to deer to smartcars. This doesn't just mean passion and suffering, it means higher vet bills, medical emergencies, surgeries, stricter pest control regiments ( which are also expensive) and they might still get parasytes of a type you didn't protect against. Cat's dont need to go outside to live a full and happy life, they just need love and basic caretaking.

Indoor cats are less likely to try to escape, but you still need to collar them. Orange collar is a sign for individuals that your cat is a "kitty convict" and not allowed outdoors. Not everyone knows this, but if someone who does sees your cat's orange collar they'll make a effort to catch the cat and call the number on the tag, to get your cat home.

That's everything i can think of right now. Not everything here is important, but i hope nearly everything is useful. Good luck!

Cat owners please engage

I'm very seriously considering getting a cat when I move out next year, and want to know what things are absolutely crucial to know as a first-time cat owner. I've owned dogs all my life so I'm not a first-time pet owner, but I haven't had a cat yet.

PS: I know adoption is the best route, but it's likely I'll have to buy a cat as I'm allergic to most cat breeds and it's important I stay within some very specific more hypoallergenic breeds.