#best male grooming kit

[rippleclan]

RippleClan: Moon 84

Elmsprout and Lavendertwist welcome two kits into the world.

[Image ID: Elmsprout and Lavendertwist face two newborn kits; a ginger and white kit, and a pale silver kit with a few white markings. Under Elmsprout, it says - CONDITION: PREGNANT, + CONDITION: RECOVERING FROM BIRTH. Under the ginger kit, it says NEW PLAYER: GINGERKIT, 0, MALE, CHARMING. Under the silver kit, it says NEW PLAYER: FROSTKIT, 0, FEMALE, QUIET.]

(Elmsprout: 51, female, caretaker, charismatic, trusted advisor)

(Lavendertwist: 50, male, historian, playful, great singer, good storyteller)

(Gingerkit: 0, male, kit, charming)

(Frostkit: 0, female, kit, quiet)

Currentsmoke expresses his concern about Yarrowclaw's recent behavior.

[Image ID: Mosspounce, Wolfgaze, Sandhollow, Weevilsight, and Anchovystrike run in a patrol, with Mosspounce calling "Yarrowclaw, get off the horse-path." Under Weevilsight, it says - INFECTION.]

---

Anchovystrike couldn't really share tongues with his brother, not like he wished he could. After all, Currentsmoke couldn't groom him back. It didn't help that the thick wound across Currentsmoke's face was still infected, covered in oozing concoctions. Weevilsight said the infections came and went, but to Anchovystrike, it all seemed like one big, continous disease. Yet that didn't matter. Injured or not, Currentsmoke was going to enjoy the anniversary celebration with the rest of RippleClan, basking in the sunhigh glow.

Most of the Clan was busy around Elmsprout and Lavendertwist. They had just given their litter of two, Frostkit and Gingerkit, their names, and everyone wanted to show the two tiny kittens what the warm sand and cool sea felt like. Meanwhile, the artisans and caretakers used some of RippleClan's precious salt to season enough prey for everyone. Anchovystrike and Weevilsight shared a woodpecker while Weevilsight helped Currentsmoke drink some salty, herb-soaked broth. The three cats basked in the summer sunshine, content with their meals.

"You know, Currentsmoke," Weevilsight sighed, nestling into the sand, "if you end up with a big scar from this, you won't be alone. Most of my tail has healed, but fighting that infection left a lot of the skin raw." Weevilsight showed off her tail, which no longer sported any bandages, as it had over the last few moons. Yet the skin was still pink and raw, irritated from exposure to other cats' diseases. The scarring ran across her ginger and black fur like new tortoiseshell markings. Had Weevilsight been a warrior, it would have been a mark of beauty.

"I duhn't care ah-out scars," Currentsmoke grumbled. "I just 'anna li'eh."

"You're not dying on us," Anchovystrike huffed, shoving Currentsmoke's shoulder. "You've got four clerics looking after you, and you've got me, Billowhaze, and Yarrowclaw keeping you busy. You're the best of us, Current. You're not going anywhere anytime soon." Currentsmoke purred and gently bunted heads with his brother, making sure not to touch his wounds. The supernatural glimmer in Weevilsight's pelt glowed brighter at the sight, and Anchovystrike purred just a bit harder. Yet as Anchovystrike dug into his share of the woodpecker, Currentsmoke tensed. Anchovystrike could feel Currentsmoke's tired muscles harden as he rested against him.

"More pain, Currentsmoke?" Weevilsight asked. She sniffed at Currentsmoke's jaw.

"Nuh," Currentsmoke mumbled. He scanned the happy crowd trapsing through the sand and salt water. Anchovystrike followed his gaze, unsure what he was looking for. "Souh'ing's wruhng 'ith Yarr'acla'ah."

"Yarrowclaw?" Anchovystrike clarified.

"She has been a little strange the last few moons," Weevilsight admitted. "Did you hear about her hunting patrol last moon?"

"She's been overworking herself, I know," Anchovystrike huffed. "But she realizes it eventually. She just gets into these moods lately."

"It's muhre than that," Currentsmoke insisted. The injured tom groaned and slowly pushed himself to his paws. His legs shook, his body's battle with his injuries draining too much strength from him to stay up for long. "She's nuh't here. Souh'ing's wruhng." Weevilsight pushed against Currentsmoke, making sure he didn't collapse. Currentsmoke tried to shake Weevilsight off, but hissed as the bandages restraining his jaw rubbed the wrong way.

Anchovystrike gave the anniversary celebration another look over. Was Yarrowclaw with Billowhaze? No, Billowhaze was joking with Wolfgaze and Ravenweaver over their own share of salty meat. Maybe she was spending time with her former mentor. No, that wasn't right either, Rapidleaf was talking through something with Estherfern, probably bonding over recent messages from StarClan or something of the sort. Yarrowclaw was close with Estherfern's litter, she was probably splashing through the water with them! And yet, no. Brightreed, Wolverineheart, Boughfur, and Thundergale were each busy with their own fun. Currentsmoke was right. Yarrowclaw wasn't at the anniversary celebration.

"Why do you think something is wrong?" Weevilsight asked, easing Currentsmoke back down.

"I heard her," Currentsmoke groaned. "She f'isited 'e. She didn't 'ake sense. She said she was going to cah'lete a rituh'al to cuh're 'e."

"To cure you?" Weevilsight muttered. "But we've said all the prayers we can think of. Estherfern even helped Honeybuzz commune with the Celestial of Broken Bones herself for extra advice and blessings. What could Yarrowclaw do?"

"She's in dang'ah!" Currentsmoke snapped. He tried to stand again, but his rising nerves worked in tamdem with his weakness and send him back into the sand.

"Rabbitjoy mentioned something about a ritual last moon," Anchovystrike realized. "That was why Yarrowclaw caught all that prey." Anchovystrike stood, shaking sand out of his fur. "You're right, Currentsmoke. I don't like this. I… I think I misunderstood what Yarrowclaw's been going through. We need to find her."

"I'm with you, Anchovy," Weevilsight promised, stretching. "I'm going to fetch Honeybuzz so he can look after Currentsmoke. Think you can put together a patrol?"

"Easily," Anchovystrike purred, nodding. He rubbed against Currentsmoke and said, "Don't worry, Current. We'll make sure Yarrowclaw is alright." Weevilsight and Anchovystrike crossed by each other, each focused on their goals. Anchovystrike wormed around his Clanmates, focused on Billowhaze, Wolfgaze, and Ravenweaver.

"Wolfgaze," Anchovystrike called as his friends and brother tried to fight off their giggles. "Can you join me for a bit? I need your help with something."

"What do you have to do that can't wait until after our celebration?" Ravenweaver asked, coughing to clear her laughter.

"Just…" Anchovystrike gulped, glancing at Billowhaze. "Call it a favor for a friend."

"You know I'd be happy to help," Wolfgaze said, getting to her paws. "Enjoy the rest of the meal for me, Billowhaze!"

"With pleasure," Billowhaze hummed, taking a huge bite out of the salted squirrel. Wolfgaze tucked her head and followed Anchovystrike.

"So you know," Anchovystrike chuckled, "we're going to talk about your interest in my brother later." Wolfgaze groaned softly, batting at her own red ears. "Right now though, I'm more interested in my sister. Can you go grab your dad and join me? I think Mosspounce could help a lot."

"Is something wrong with Yarrowclaw?" Wolfgaze asked, romantic embarassment fading.

"Just get your dad," Anchovystrike asked. Wolfgaze nodded and surged into the partying cats, calling for Mosspounce. Anchovystrike, meanwhile, headed for Sandhollow. The cream-tinted tom splashed through the water with Slushtrail and Tallowheart, the three of them squealing like kits. If Currentsmoke hadn't sounded so serious, Anchovystrike would have joined them in their fun.

"Sandhollow," Anchovystrike called. Sandhollow paused n his frolicking, just as Tallowheart's tail sent a wave of salt water into his face. Slushtrail and Tallowheart laughed as Sandhollow rubbed his eyes, trying to get the salt out.

"You two are so ridiculous," Sandhollow chuckled, stumbling out of the water. He shook out his pelt, spraying Anchovystrike. His fur stuck out like thorns. "Hi, Anchovystrike."

"Sandhollow, you've grown close to my sister since you graduated, haven't you?" Anchovystrike asked. "I've seen you spend time with her." Sandhollow's face darkened.

"Something's happened to her, hasn't it?" Sandhollow said.

"I don't know," Anchovystrike admitted as Slushtrail and Tallowheart waded onto the beach, the fun of the moment dead. "I want to make sure nothing does. We need to find her. Can you come with me?"

"Of course," Sandhollow huffed, giving himself a few quick licks to smooth his pelt.

"I should come too," Slushtrail said, sliding up to her fellow mediator.

"I think our little patrol is getting crowded, Slushtrail," Anchovystrike chuckled awkwardly.

"I can handle it, Slush," Sandhollow promised, side-eyeing Slushtrail.

"Is Yarrowclaw in danger or something?" Tallowheart asked.

"Or something, Tallowheart!" Anchovystrike snapped, making the young historian jump. "We just need to go, alright?" Tallowheart stepped back, nodding quickly and avoiding eye contact. Anchovystrike sighed, taking a deep breath. He would have time to apologize later. "Over here, Sandhollow." Sandhollow was at Anchovystrike's side with just a flick of the latter's tail. Slushtrail and Tallowheart watched on as the two toms jogged over to Weevilsight, Wolfgaze, and Mosspounce.

"What exactly is the problem here?" Mosspounce huffed as Anchovystrike and Sandhollow joined the patrol.

"We don't know all the details," Weevilsight sighed, her focused, glowing gaze resting on each Clanmate. "I think we've all noticed Yarrowclaw has had… a lot of busy days, lately. We're worried it's more than that. Currentsmoke thinks she's in danger, and I'm inclined to believe him."

"I'm not trying to undermine your worry, really," Mosspounce said, awkwardness twitching through his whiskers, "but as the oldest cat here, and I really hate that that's true, I should point out the obvious. Yarrowclaw's an adult. She's allowed to leave the party. Are you sure we need to track her down?"

"Currentsmoke knows cats," Anchovystrike huffed. "He's one of the most caring cats I know. He knows when something's wrong. He saw Yarrowclaw wasn't here and panicked. If he thinks we need to find her, we should find her."

"Wanted to make sure you were serious," Mosspounce assured him. "Now the other question… do we have any idea where she might be?"

"Let's check camp first," Wolfgaze suggested, jogging across the sand. "It might be that simple!" The patrol ran after Wolfgaze, sand sticking to their half-wet paws. They left behind the music and laughter of their Clan and ran toward their shipwreck home.

Carnationspeckle lounged at the entrance of camp, absent-minded in her guard duty, dozing off in the warm, almost blistering sun. She snapped to attention as the patrol hurried up to her, however.

"Are you all alright?" Carnationspeckle asked. "You look so serious. Did something happen?"

"We're alright, Carnationspeckle," Sandhollow promised, panting, "but is Yarrowclaw in camp? Did you see her?"

"She's not in camp," Carnationspeckle said, shaking her head, "but I did see her! She headed south a short time ago. Is she alright?"

"Keep your ears perked for us, would you Carnationspeckle?" Anchovystrike asked, paws carrying him to the shoreline. Weevilsight and Wolfgaze scrambled behind him.

"Anchovystrike, wait!" Carnationspeckle yowled, but Anchovystrike's focus was elsewhere.

Anchovystrike breathed deep as the lips of a heavy wave stretched to meet his paws. The salt stung his nose and blinded him to even the smell of Weevilsight beside him. Anchovystrike's chest tightened. Call it instinct, call it brotherly intuition, call it the power of the All-Seeing for all he cared, Anchovystrike's whole body screamed at him to find Yarrowclaw, right now.

"I smell her!" Wolfgaze cried, tail shooting up. She sniffed the sand, whiskers pooling Yarrowclaw's scent together and into a narrative in Wolfgaze's mind. The patrol gathered around her. The heat molded into Anchovystrike's anxiety, making his fur burn. "Carnationspeckle is right, she went south!"

"That's my kit," Mosspounce cheered, sniffing. "I got the scent too. We'll find her together. This way, you three!" Wolfgaze and Mosspounce ran along the sand and grass, hopping from scent bubble to scent bubble. Anchovystike, Weevilsight, and Sandhollow matched their pace.

Yarrowclaw's trail drifted from the cool shoreline into the speckled hills. There was no banter in this patrol, no breaks. Every cat stayed focused on the task ahead. They pushed through the mental haze of sunhigh and kept moving. They would find her. She hadn't gotten far. They just had to keep going. She'd be fine. She'd be fine.

"Anchovystrike." Sandhollow ran alongside Anchovystrike, who suddenly found his chest too tight and the air barely breaching his lungs. "Breathe. Don't pass out on us." Breathe. Yes, breathe. Anchovystrike forced the air into him like a drowning cat.

They heard Yarrowclaw before they saw her.

"I can hear them! I can hear the horses, Robin, thundering down and down and down the path, down the path to save him! Thundering hooves strike the ground, it's lightning, lightning in the sky, or is that my heart? Is my heart in their hooves? Smashed under their hooves? Robinkit, they're coming! They're coming! Strike me! Hit me! His pain to my pain, my pain to his, StarClan's will be done, but not with this, no no, not with Current! You can't take him, Robinkit! Not yet! And you're never taking me! Never!"

Yarrowclaw paced in the center of the horse-path. Her tail thrashed wildly, as though she was in the middle of a battle. She kicked up dust like a kit playing in the sand. She screeched down the path, good eye shifting in and out of focus. Anchovystrike could not hear any horses.

"Yarrowclaw, get off the horse-path," Mosspounce barked, charging toward the border. Anchovystrike, Weevilsight, Wolfgaze, and

"I'll be fine!" Yarrowclaw shrieked. Anchovystrike never heard such laughter in his sister's voice before. "It's for Current! It's for Current! It's my destiny, it's my purpose! They're almost here! Here, here, I hear them, they're deafening, they're here to hear me, they're here for me!" Yarrowclaw's laughter suffocated Anchovystrike. Yarrowclaw coughed, choking on her escasty. Her laughter dissolved into a death wail, the same frenzied expression stuck on her face. "Stop it! Stop the noise! Trample me already! Break it! Break my jaw! Don't take him! Don't take him!" Yarrowclaw stumbled, jaw smacking into the dry path.

"Freeze her!" Weevilsight wailed with a heartbreak Anchovystrike hadn't heard since that fateful day in the nursery. "Wolfgaze!"

At the same time, Yarrowclaw cried, pushing herself up, "I can't keep waiting! I have to take it from him!" Yarrowclaw wrenched her head back.

Suddenly, the world stood still. Yarrowclaw's guttural cries stopped with the blink of an eye. The wind stirred her dusty fur. Her sightless eye stared at Anchovystrike as the patrol finally reached the horse-path. Wolfgaze, too, was frozen, but her eyes, focused and terrified, stayed stuck on Yarrowclaw.

"Don't break my line of sight," Wolfgaze gulped as Anchovystrike and Sandhollow approached Yarrowclaw's supernaturally frozen form. "We've never moved someone when they're frozen, I don't know if we can."

"Just stop her," Weevilsight begged, hiding her face in her father's shoulder. "I hate this vision. Don't let it happen." Anchovystrike knew better than to pry into Weevilsight's darkest visions. He carefully walked behind Yarrowclaw and tucked himself under her head. With his head right up to Yarrowclaw's pelt, Anchovystrike could truly see Wolfgaze's power in action. There was a faint shimmering line surrounding Yarrowclaw's body. Anchovystrike could only see it if he focused, but the lines rippled like water and pressed against Yarrowclaw.

"We'll unfreeze her and get her off the horse-path," Sandhollow said, jaws close to Yarrowclaw's scruff. "Mosspounce, be ready to help us. I don't think she's going to go quietly." Wolfgaze swallowed hard.

As soon as Wolfgaze blinked, Yarrowclaw came to life. She swung her head down hard, but rather than hitting the hoof-hardened horse-path, her muzzle smacked into Anchovystrike's shoulder.

"No!" Yarrowclaw cried as Sandhollow grabbed her scruff. "No no no! He'll die! I'm the only one, I'm the only one that can save him, I'm the only one! I won't be hurt! I can't be hurt! No!" Sandhollow and Anchovystrike dragged Yarrowclaw off the horse-path. Yarrowclaw swung her claws at Anchovystrike's muzzle. She caught her brother's lip, sending a stream of blood trickling into Anchovystrike's mouth. Anchovystrike hissed and shoved Yarrowclaw onto the grass lining the horse-path. Mosspounce left his terrified daughter's side and stood on Yarrowclaw's shoulders. Anchovystrike stood on her flank.

"Yarrowclaw, can you hear me?" Sandhollow asked softly, crouching at the trapped molly's level. "Shh, you're safe, I promise."

"No, I have to go," Yarrowclaw cried, face as torn as the day she saw Robinkit and Harvest's bodies cooling in the nursery. "There's too much to do, I can't stay here, I have to go."

"There's nothing you need to do except breathe," Sandhollow assured her. "Weevilsight is going to find some herbs to calm your mind. It seems like there's a lot going on in there, am I right?"

"Currentsmoke's going to die unless I transfer his wounds to me," Yarrowclaw wailed. Her pinned claws dug up tufts of grass.

"Yarrowclaw, that kind of ritual doesn't exist," Mosspounce snapped. Yarrowclaw's chest heaved, ragged breaths morphing into sobs. "You have to snap out of it."

"Mosspounce, with all due respect," Sandhollow hissed quietly, suddenly at the caretaker's ear, "stop talking. Let the tom with mediator training use his training, alright?"

"How do we calm her down?" Mosspounce asked. Yarrowclaw kicked at Anchovystrike, but Anchovystrike laid on her hind legs. All Yarrowclaw could do was flex her claws helplessly.

"There's a patch of tall lettuce that loves to sprout near here," Weevilsight stammered. "That should help. I, I'll be right back!" Weevilsight scurried over the hills and through the trees, unable to stop her pelt from bristling.

Wolfgaze silently took over for Anchovystrike as Sandhollow whispered to Yarrowclaw, rubbing on the edges of her delusions. Anchovystrike laid beside Yarrowclaw rather than on top of her. Yet as he rested his head, something glimmered in the top of his vision.

Anchovystrike hadn't seen this strange sight since that moment in Downstar's den, coping with the sudden loss of his mother and brother. Soft streams of light flowed around Yarrowclaw and her captors like the glistening pawsteps of StarClan. Even against the shine of the midday sun, the light couldn't blind Anchovystrike. It pulled the weight out of his chest. Yarrowclaw sobbed deep, her whole body tensing. Then, she relaxed, deflating into her own unknowable misery.

"If that's you, Robinkit," Anchovystrike whispered, just quiet enough for him to hear, "thank you. And I'm sorry."

The ethereal light slithered around Yarrowclaw and dove sharply. It weaved into the back of the brown molly's head like a snake sliding into its hole. As it entered Yarrowclaw's body, the warrior sheathed her claws. Blades of grass stuck up between her toes. Sandhollow groomed Yarrowclaw's cheeks as Yarrowclaw sobbed and muttered a string of nonsense.

Anchovystrike wouldn't claim to understand what was wrong, or what needed to be done. But what he could do was groom his sister's fur and murmur gentle assurances.

(Anchovystrike: 19, male, warrior, playful, deep StarClan bond)

(Weevilsight: 19, female, cleric, daring, deep StarClan bond)

(Currentsmoke: 19, male, caretaker, loving, good climber, skilled toolsmith)

(Ravenweaver: 19, female, artisan, nervous, den builder, very clever)

(Wolfgaze: 19, female, codekeeper, thoughful, connection to StarClan, great speaker)

(Billowhaze: 19, male, historian, loyal, good kit-sitter)

(Sandhollow: 15, male, mediator, ambitious, lore keeper)

(Slushtrail: 20, female, mediator, wise, clever, talented weaver)

(Tallowheart: 20, male, historian, nervous, good swimmer)

(Mosspounce: 45, male, caretaker, adventurous, talented fire-starter)

(Carnationspeckle: 86, female, caretaker, compassionate, fish-like swimmer)

(Yarrowclaw: 19, female, warrior, cold, talented fire-starter)

[Image ID: Anchovystrike says to Sandhollow and Spikecrash "I’ve dealt with a lot for a cat my age. This is nothing in comparison. Yarrowclaw’s still the cocky, rough-as-salt molly I know. She’s still the cat I have fun with. She’s just got a few extra traits now." Yarrowclaw sits in the back. Under her, it reads + PERMANENT CONDITION: DAY-NIGHT CYCLING.]

---

"So Yarrowclaw's crazy now?" Cobaltchaser gulped, settling deeper into her nest.

"Cobaltchaser!" Lightningrunner whined, sneering. "You can't call your Clanmates crazy!"

"That's what she sounds like," Cobaltchaser pointed out. "I'm not insulting her. Some cats are crazy. They can't control it."

"Maybe we don't call anyone crazy," Anchovystrike sighed, cheek on the edge of his nest.

By the time Anchovystrike and his patrol came back to camp with Yarrowclaw, nearly half the Clan had left the celebration at the beach, wondering just what they were up to. Weevilsight's tall lettuce helped soothe Yarrowclaw, so she didn't enter camp yowling and crying, but everyone could tell she was in a fragile state. Paleseed and Spikecrash kept the Clan back until Sandhollow and Weevilsight settled Yarrowclaw in the medicine den. Anchovystrike had Mosspounce and Lemmy to thank afterward; the whole Clan was about to pry Anchovystrike for an explanation, but the moment Mosspounce spoke with his mate, Lemmy pushed everyone away, reminding them the value of a cat's privacy. That didn't mean cats like Cobaltchaser and Lightningrunner didn't try to ask later, as the entire camp relaxed after the party and settled down within the warm summer night.

"He's her brother, mouse-brain," Lightningrunner huffed. "He doesn't have to tell us the whole story. Yarrowclaw's going through a hard enough time without us getting in her business."

"At least one of you gets it," Anchovystrike said, getting up. "I think storytime is over, anyway." Anchovystrike crept through the maze of nests that made up the warrior's den. Most cats were already in their nests, getting ready to sleep. Anchovystrike tried not to look at Yarrowclaw's empty nest. He failed.

Outside the den, only a few cats remained out. Downstar and Oilstripe spoke with Spikecrash by the Shiprock while Billowhaze sat with Currentsmoke and Estherfern outside the medicine den. Wolfgaze and Mosspounce shared tongues outside the warrior's den and perked up when Anchovystrike stepped out.

"How are you feeling?" Wolfgaze asked softly.

"Like my sister just tried to kill herself," Anchovystrike chuckled wetly. Mosspounce set his head against Anchovystrike's shoulder, pouring his sympathy into him. "The nap helped, at least. I'll have to thank Lemmy for giving me some room to breathe."

"If it helps," Wolfgaze sighed, licking Anchovystrike's ear, "I don't think she realized she could have died."

"Is Billowhaze mad I didn't bring him with us?" Anchovystrike asked.

"It's bad enough you had to see that," Mosspounce huffed. "If that was Trumpetspore on the horse-path, I wouldn't have been able to do anything. Billowhaze should be grateful he wasn't there."

"He understood after I talked to him," Wolfgaze said. "Just be with your brothers, Anchovystrike. I can move my nest closer to you tonight, if you want."

"That would help," Anchovystrike sighed, touching noses with Wolfgaze. "I can't thank you enough for your help."

"Yarrowclaw's our friend too," Mosspounce purred, setting his tail on Anchovystrike's back. "We would have helped regardless. Good luck tonight." With that, Mosspounce and Wolfgaze entered the warrior's den, leaving Anchovystrike to face his family head-on.

Currentsmoke spotted Anchovystrike first. He raised his head from his curled position and batted Billowhaze's leg.

"I don't like that I had to hear about Yarrowclaw from someone else, Anchovystrike," Billowhaze huffed. Anchovystrike approached with his head low.

"He sa'ed her," Currentsmoke sighed as Estherfern put her nose in his ear. "Sat's enough."

"All this stress brought Currentsmoke's fever back," Estherfern muttered, shaking her head.

"Oh, so now you're interested in medicine?" Anchovystrike hummed, daring to raise his head.

"I've put my pride aside," Estherfern scoffed. "That's not what you should be focusing on tonight." Billowhaze sighed and cleared space for Anchovystrike to sit between him and Currentsmoke.

"Sandhollow told us that since Yarrowclaw isn't fully of sound mind," Billowhaze sighed, "he's going to keep us informed on Yarrowclaw and what she needs going forward." Anchovystrike nodded softly. He glanced into the medicine den. He could just hear Sandhollow inside, speaking softly with Yarrowclaw. When Sandhollow's blue eyes turned toward him, Anchovystrike quickly looked away. Moments later, Sandhollow stepped outside.

"Spikecrash?" he called softly. Spikecrash turned from her conversation with Downstar and Oilstripe. She bade the leader and deputy farewell and joined her former apprentice beside the three brothers.

"Estherfern," Spikecrash cooed, "we can watch over Currentsmoke if you'd like to nest for the night."

"Here's to a quiet night," Estherfern hummed, nodding to the mediators. She nodded to each of the three toms beside her before she slipped around Sandhollow and into the medicine den. Sandhollow and Spikecrash sat with their backs to the medicine den, as though shielding Anchovystrike and his brothers from what laid within.

"First things first," Sandhollow explained, "Yarrowclaw's safe and resting. She probably won't sleep tonight with her mania, but she'll at least stay in the medicine den. Even if she doesn't plan on staying, Spikecrash has asked for a caretaker to watch her through the night." Spikecrash nodded along with her apprentice's assessment.

"Mania, what is that?" Anchovystrike asked.

"You could consider it the opposite of depression," Spikecrash sighed. "Rather than feeling low, your emotions are elevated. Everything is more vibrant, more stimulating, your joy and rage and panic are stronger than ever before. We believe these periods of activity Yarrowclaw's had over the last few moons have been manic episodes. When a cat goes through these periods of mania, their emotions crash afterward into depression. We call it day-night cycling. Mania is like the day, bright and burning, while the depression afterward is like the night, gloomy and dark."

"Yarrowclaw is depressed too?" Billowhaze moaned.

"It's not the same for everyone," Sandhollow assured him, shifting a paw closer. "From what we've been able to gather about Yarrowclaw's behavior, she may focus more on the 'day' side of this cycling than the 'night' side."

"What should we know?" Anchovystrike asked. "To keep her safe, I mean."

"For now?" Sandhollow sighed. "Just show her support. We can talk through the specifics another time. This is a lot to process. It's been a long day. You should all rest."

"Honestly, Sandhollow?" Anchovystrike chuckled, focusing on the glow of the medicine den. "I’ve dealt with a lot for a cat my age. This is nothing in comparison. Yarrowclaw’s still the cocky, rough-as-salt molly I know. She’s still the cat I have fun with. She’s just got a few extra traits now. Right?"

"Exactly," Spikecrash purred.

"We still want to see her though," Billowhaze said. "You said she's awake."

"She isn't utterly delusional anymore," Sandhollow groaned, ears tilting back, "but she isn't recovered."

"Currentsmoke's sleeping in the medicine den, he'll get to see her," Billowhaze pointed out, his paw almost smacking Currentsmoke. "Just let us in for a little bit."

"It's best not to fight them on this, Sandhollow," Spikecrash cautioned, rubbing her tail along Sandhollow's back. "You three can see her, but be quiet and don't take long. The clerics are trying to sleep, and Wolverineheart has an ear infection they're monitoring." Billowhaze helped Currentsmoke to his paws. Anchovystrike touched noses with the mediators, but his mind was already in the medicine den. He led his brothers into the shadows of the ancient wood.

Potterypool sat guard beside Yarrowclaw as Wolverineheart and the clerics settled down to nest. Although Yarrowclaw's eyes drooped, she stayed alert, scratching at the moss in her nest. Someone groomed the dust and snarls out of her pelt and lined her nest with lavender. Billowhaze escorted Currentsmoke into his nest beside Yarrowclaw. Currentsmoke's paw hooked the edge of Yarrowclaw's nest as he stared at his sister. Anchovystrike loafed in front of Yarrowclaw, with Billowhaze sitting beside him.

"Potterypool won't let me leave," Yarrowclaw muttered, glaring at her guard.

"Do you want me to disobey Sandhollow?" Potterypool sighed, giving her charge nary a side-eye. "I'm not going on trial for letting something happen to you."

"You really scared me, Yarrowclaw," Anchovystrike whispered, paws itching underneath him.

"I was going to cure Currentsmoke… I think," Yarrowclaw sighed. She rubbed her face, groaning, "I don't really remember all of it. There were horses… or maybe that was my heart. I feel like I'm the middle of a battlefield."

"You were trying to break your jaw," Anchovystrike muttered. Some of the day's panic crawled back up his throat. "You were talking to Robinkit."

"I didn't actually see him," Yarrowclaw mumbled, putting her head on the nest's edge. "I was so sure he was there, though. Ugh, I just want to hunt! I feel like I'm on fire. I don't like talking this much, I'm not saying anything. But I can't move, so I have to, I have to keep talking so I don't burn away, everything's going too fast. I feel like I'm dying. I don't think I can die."

"You can die, Yarrowclaw," Billowhaze huffed. "You don't have powers, you're not a cleric, you can't perform any rituals. You're just you."

"I want it to stop," Yarrowclaw gulped. "I want to rest, but I'm on fire. I want to bite my pelt off, get it out, but Potterypool stops me."

"And she should, you know," Anchovystrike said. He scooted closer to Yarrowclaw.

"I do," Yarrowclaw whined. "I do know, somewhere. I'm dying. I want it to stop. I want to fix something, anything. Sandhollow wants me to sleep, and I want to sleep so badly, but I can't. Everyone's dying, and I can't stop it." Yarrowclaw's unsheathed claws hooked around her muzzle. Billowhaze moved them off. Currentsmoke stretched until his paw rested on top of Yarrowclaw's.

"I'll 'e here for yuh," Currentsmoke said, trying to purr. "I'll fight with yuh."

"We all will," Anchovystrike promised. He set his nose on Yarrowclaw's head and prayed to Robinkit, to Harvest, to any StarClan soul who wandered around him, that his sister realized that.

(Cobaltchaser: 14, female, codekeeper, righteous, good cook, prey cleaner)

(Lightningrunner: 14, female, historian, nervous, explorer, helpful insight)

(Anchovystrike: 19, male, warrior, playful, deep StarClan bond)

(Wolfgaze: 19, female, codekeeper, thoughful, connection to StarClan, great speaker)

(Mosspounce: 45, male, caretaker, adventurous, talented fire-starter)

(Billowhaze: 19, male, historian, loyal, good kit-sitter)

(Currentsmoke: 19, male, caretaker, loving, good climber, skilled toolsmith)

(Estherfern: 118, female, cleric, bloodthirsty, great mediator, prophecy seeker)

(Sandhollow: 15, male, mediator, ambitious, lore keeper)

(Spikecrash: 59, female, mediator, wise, good speaker, lore keeper)

(Potterypool: 19, female, caretaker, sneaky, great singer)

(Yarrowclaw: 19, female, warrior, cold, talented fire-starter)

Considering her great teaching skills, Moontide decides to join Thundergale and Shrewpaw as a teacher, further validating Thundergale's ambitious experiment.

[Image ID: Shrewpaw and Thundergale proudly watch Moontide.]

(Moontide: 19, female, teacher, playful, excellent teacher)

(Thundergale: 16, female, teacher, adventurous, good hunter, great speaker)

(Shrewpaw: 8, male, teacher apprentice, competitive, never sits still)

[saltsongwc]

thistleclaw is very involved with both of their original stories … how is he related to them in this rewrite?

@mrcow101 (sorry for not answering separetly but together fits better)

No art here, don't know what to put sorry

Okay so, tw for mentions of grooming, I gotta mention Spottedleaf's Heart because a lot of the divergences from the au would directly take place in the timeline of the book, TLDR if you don't want to read my "This is why Spottedleaf's Heart fails as an expansion of her charcter in a satisfying way, this is the trope and why it's in use both in the book and in the au, this is what happens, this is what I would change, this is why 'Thistleclaw is a horrible person even without Spottedleaf's Heart', and this is the end" yap: Spottedpaw is not groomed by Thistleclaw in the mate sense, he does groom her into his idiology of "Thunderclan above the rest" much like he did Tigerpaw, there is no Dark Forest training, and Tigerfoot kills him because Thistleclaw tried to kill him as revenge.

Yap session below

If Thistleclaw did the same thing he did to Spottedleaf in canon to Spottedstem in this au, then I would've have her kill Thistleclaw, my script teacher would say "that's not positive and shouldn't be good" but justice is not given to the characters in warriors they gotta take it for themselves.

The thing is how warrior's treated Spottedleaf's story is that it pushed her into the trope of Taking the Veil, there are historical reasons related to this trope (often used as a way for women to escape from the oppressive world by one, maybe as oppressive but in sisterhood than alone), Warrior's does not escape from tropes, especially not this one (the whole medicine cats not having mate or kits is an enforcement of this).

Tangent: Tropes are not necesseraly negative, depends on how they're written

The way I see it, Tigerfoot in this case also falls into this trope, the subvertion is that he, male, decides to take refuge into what the universe of Warriors classifies as a very feminine leaning job, the healer and the priest, both in fantasy to be read as very 'un-masculine', in his build and in his appearance he looks warrior like, and yet he chose otherwise for the same reasons Spotted did in Spottedleaf's Heart, it's ironic.

However the Spottedleaf in arc 1 and in Bluestar's Prophecy did not choose to become a healer just to escape from the world, rather to embrace another side to it, medicine cats in warrior's work best when they are treated not as a separation and an exclusion from the clan but as a crucial part of it that must work in tandemn. At the same time, I love putting medicine cats as "messangers of the eldritch being that is probably Starclan", so the separation makes sense. And I'm basing this au on the latter so yeah-

WITH WHY SPOTTEDLEAF'S HEART IS NOT GOOD OUT OF THE WAY-

Thistleclaw in this is au was Tigerpaw's mentor much like in canon, and planned to become leader to bring Thunderclan into war with the other clans, he wanted Thunderclan to control the forest, all under his rule, he was charismatic to many, and tried to push this ideology of violence to his clan mates, which during the time when they lived in (of constant battles and famine for short periods of time), was very appealing.

He was very liked among apprentices because he was the "Cool mentor" that let us eat what we caught whenever he was in charge of training, Tigerpaw was very proud of being his apprentice up until one of these "chest out, Thunderclan rocks" outings caused him to miss Leopardfoot's passing, he wasn't the same after that, and instead of being the stable supportive figure one should think a child should have he pushed Tigerpaw further into anger, taking his anger out on others, Tiny (ask about what pushed Tigerpaw into being a medcat here).

When his apprentice began giving him the cold shoulder, and it became unlikely Tiger would return to his duties, he turn his focus in other places, Spottedpaw was just beginning her training, and despite trying to beg Sunstar to give him another apprentice, as Tiger had not technically resigned by that point the leader was reluctant. It didn't stop Thistleclaw from butting into lessons as he was still, technically, a mentor. Spottedpaw was thinking of becoming a medicine cat apprentice (by her intial desires as a kit) before Tigerpaw took it from her.

Thistleclaw enters the picture, both very pissed at losing his shot of being leader, and now apprenticeless, that he decides that if he can't force his way of thinking into the clan, he should take a shot at the next generation, Spottedpaw.

So Thistleclaw is the dark mentor, the one that pushes out your worst qualities and makes you believe that they are your best, the one that has always been objectlively wrong in his way of thinking and is not a victim of poor wife syndrome, he is evil because he in canon wanted everyone but Thunderclan dead, and anyone who doesn't agree with it dead. He does not view other clans the same as Thunderclan, rather lesser.

This is bad. There is no other interpretation and there is no other excuse, he is bad both by his intetions and who he trained others to be.

One day, while escorting Tigerfoot, he planned to murder the medicine cat and make it look like an accident, he monologued about his plan, about the revenge, about in the cusp of victory how he would force the clans to his will.

So he did the clan a favour.

[regrowyourhair1]

 Hair Loss Treatment Gold Coast: 

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Grooming on the Day 

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of the Wedding

Now that your wedding day has arrived, here’

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Hydrate: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin glowing and hydrated.

Eat Light: Have a healthy, light meal before your ceremony to keep energy levels up without feeling too full.

Last-Minute Touch-Ups: Ensure you have a small beauty kit ready, including items like

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4. Mindfulness: Beauty is More Than Skin Deep

While it’s easy to focus on exHair Transplants Gold Coastternal beauty preparations, don’t forget about the importance of your mental and emotional well-being. Weddings can be emotio

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Practice Mindfulness: Start your day with a moment of gratitude or a calming practice such as yoga or journaling to clear your mind.

Stay Present: In the excitement of the day, remember to pause and take in each moment. It’s easy to get swept up in the whirlwind, but soaking in the joy and love of the day will help you truly feel radiant.

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5. Don’t Forget About the Groom 

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Lastly, while all the attention is often on the bride, don’t forget to encourage your partner to take part in their own grooming and self-care routines leading up to the big day. A groom who feels his best will complement your beauty, making for a more memorable and confident celebration together. 

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Your wedding day is the culmination of months or even years of planning, and taking the time to prioritize beauty and self-care will not only enhance your appearance but also help you feel calm, confident, and ready to celebrate this life-changing moment. By following these tips, you’ll not only 

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#follicles are harvested directly from the donor area and transplanted.

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[scyleracreation]

Drathkannaz, The Bearded folk, people of the Spear

"The Black Crag Mountains are tall and stern. Their power is felt by all who dwell around them. Those who dwell within them are to be feared even more than the mountain itself. For they have braced horrors beyond knowing and it has pushed them to be what they are. But now, their lands dried and monsters devouring their villages, have migrated into our fields our lands, and now i fear for us all."

The Drathkannaz are the native peoples of the Black Crag Mountains in northern Scyros. They were at one time content to live in their mountain home but a recent combination of drought and famine caused the tribes to move further south deeper into the territory of creatures like that of trolls and ogres. The tribes adapted as best they could and turned themselves into some of the greatest and fiercest warriors in all the land. The Drathkannaz are considered wildmen by many other peoples, especially the Kuron tribes who have largely gone extinct as an individual culture post migration of the Drathkannaz and have been integrated into their culture or slain. The Drathkannaz tribes are led by two leaders a War master and a Kin master who is responsible for the everyday life of the tribes, while the War master assumes control in times of war for the tribes. They are also guided by Alder and a High Alder who are priests for the gods. The Drathkannaz are a military culture through and through, all members of the tribes are fighters even if they do not reach the battlefields. Those among the tribe who decide to make the commitment to war are known as Stag Fathers and woman who make this commitment are known as Hawk Mothers. Men who decide to ascue the ways of war and instead become domestic caretakers are known as Kit Fathers or Rabbit Fathers. Both Rabbit fathers and Hawk Mothers wear the traditional clothing of the opposite sex but remain identified with their specific gender, though some commonly choose to identify as the other but remain a Hawk mother or Kit Father. Among the Kit fathers it is also common to dye their hair blue, like many other non-combatant women, and remain clean shaven to reinforce their non-combative role it is also noted that men who choose this life are not shamed by the tribe. Hawk Mothers, like their male counterparts, are expected to maintain beards which for them are artificial and intricately woven and designed. The Beard is the most important part of a warrior, to be shaved by your enemy or have your beard forcefully removed is one of the greatest shames. Grooming and cleanliness is also one of the great virtues of the Drathkannaz with combs and mirrors commonly found in their graves. The Drathkannaz are a vicious culture to their enemies as their warriors are known Head Hunters and they are often rewarded for the number of enemy heads they bring back to the villages in war. These heads are then preserved and adorn the Tree of Swords, sacred Oak trees aligned with weapons and coated in sacrificial blood. These heads are then said to give prophetic visions and words of wisdom to the High Alder by the king of the gods, Kuwaz. One such vision is the coming of the end times, which require the Hall of Blood, the homeland of Kuwaz, to be filled with righteous and honorable warriors each with the heads of their enemies lined along the walls. These warriors will one day fight the forces of the undead and evil demons of the fire realms for the fate of all humankind. This is why each warrior rushes the battlefield hoping to take as many soldiers down with them as they can. Those among the caregivers often worship Fonar the God of the harvest or Hugi the Goddess of the skies and motherhood. The Drathkannaz fear death at sea above all other fears, it is believed that the dreaded Skulki, goddess of the sea, will snatch the warrior in her fishing nets and use their bones in the dreaded army of the dead upon the end times forced to slay those they once loved. Those who die of sickness are taken pity on by the Goddess of Death, Dauth, they are kept behind the gates of Hajloduz (the Gate way of the underrealm), warriors who do not die in battle but instead of old age are taken in by the Goddess as well to become her sons and fight against the legions of undeath and guard the gates of Hajloduz.

[starfriday]

Gifting ideas for International Men’s Day

As we gear up to celebrate International Men’s Day on 19th November, 2024, let’s celebrate the men who have always cheered us up, been our support system and pushed us to give our best. While they may not be very expressive, let’s express our thanks to them with these thoughtful gifts and celebrate their essence in our life:

Oolong Blanche Tea Beer

Oolong Blanche celebrates the cross-cultural brewing. Here East meets West in a seamless blend of Taiwanese tea traditions and Belgian beer expertise. This tea beer starts with a classic wheat beer base, crafted with coriander for a hint of spice. At the end of the brewing process, Xiangzhuang Red Oolong tea leaves are delicately added to preserve their natural aromas and flavors. The result is a beer that’s subtly floral, mildly spiced, and refreshingly smooth. And this would be an ideal gift for your man if he loves tea as well beer.

GianChand Gift Box

From the house of DeVANS, this gift box is for whisky lovers. The thoughtfully crafted gift

box is steeped in the cultural heritage of Jammu. It showcases the traditional Basohli Art

from this region and is available in two variants. The beautiful boxes show Mubarak Mandi

and Reasi, iconic places from Jammu that are loved by all those who belong to this city or

have ever visited Jammu. The box consists of GC Whisky, the one that was termed as the

finest single malt from India by whisky critic Jim Murray. Matured in specially made copper

pots with long swan neck, the combination of soft barley with spices and exotic fruit notes

lends a unique spin to the whisky. It has a surprise inside, that will match with the taste the

whisky offers.

Gabit Smart Ring

It is the ultimate gift you can give your man or brother this International Men’s Day and show him that you care for his health. This health and fitness tracker Smart Ring form the house of Gabit, that promotes good habits will become their ultimate health partner for life. It tracks sleep, fitness, stress, key health vitals like rest heart rate, heart rate variability, SpO2, VO2 max, calories in vs calories out and assesses 15 workout modes. The complete health tracker smart ring will become a constant companion. To weed out sizing issues of the ring, a Gabit Smart Ring Sizing Kit available on Amazon is the best bet as you can try out the 8 sample rings on your index finger. This way the smart ring will fit perfectly.

Beardo Chrome Beast Grooming Kit Black

Give the Beardo Chrome Beast Grooming Kit-Black to the guy in your life as a grooming present. This package includes a male body and beard trimmer with six attachments for shaving your body and beard, as well as 40 variable length settings. Additionally, this Beardo grooming kit's titanium-coated blades guarantee a smooth and nick-free experience, and its strong lithium-ion battery lasts for 90 minutes on a single charge. The trimmer has 40 length options, six body and beard grooming accessories, and a handy docking station for storage. You can groom in both rainy and dry situations thanks to the water-resistant trimmer. Gift it to your man and watch his grooming game elevate!

Versace Eros Deodorant

Versace Eros is for the powerful, passionate, and confident man. Its turquoise tint is a bold and masculine reminder of the predominant colour of Eros. A clear reference to the Mediterranean Sea and its way of life, as well as Greek-Roman art and culture re-examined in a modern context. The lovely medusa at the bottle's centre represents Eros' power. The Greek fret produces strong visual emotion, especially on the back. It was made in Italy. You'll never be disappointed with this present.

[emmaameliamiaava]

Discover the ultimate 5 piece men’s grooming combo kit. Explore male grooming kit from hair to body care, in this grooming set Shop the best grooming kit for men online today

[pikaclan]

Moon 618

Season: Leaf-fall

Overarching Events

Not enough medicine cats!

Ceremonies

Runnelpaw touches noses with their mentor, Sableprance, looking bored and unimpressed. but on the inside, they're bouncing around with euphoria as if they were still a kit!

Twilightkit loudly complains as Ploverbone pulls them over to quickly groom their pelt. They manage to wriggle away and scurry off to the front of the crowd for their ceremony, where they are renamed to Twilightpaw and apprenticed to Clawlightning

Streakpaw silently swears to StarClan to do their best for the Clan as they touch noses with Basilcloud

Almost immediately after Flippaw touches noses with Badgerash, they start asking about when they're going to go out and explore the territory

Births

Flickerkite had a litter of 2 kits with an unknown partner. They are discovered to be half-FlightClan and Spikestar exiles Flickerkite and her kits

Specklekit (female) and Mottledkit (male) are born

Misc

Bansheeflood calls out to some eager kits, and after they have situated themselves in front of Bansheeflood, they start telling the kits a thrilling story of long times past

Badgerash was seen arguing and border-line fighting with a cat from LionClan. The border was crossed

Floodtrot was seen talking to a loner before both cats went their separate ways

Health

Fleckflit's heat exhaustion abated Canaryspeckle's heat exhaustion abated Hillseed's heat exhaustion abated Snowbuzz got whitecough Bloombreeze got greencough Heartkit is flea-free

[astrailblazing]

Riley Woods

BASICS

Name; Riley Woods Species; Human (American) Age; 36 Gender; Male, he/they Sexuality; Aromantic pansexual Callsign/Alias; "Aster" Rank; Nobody's entirely sure. Even him. Ship; The Yamato

-

APPEARANCE

Physical Basics; Ivory skin, dark brown eyes that almost seem red in some lights, and sandy blonde hair he keeps in a loose braid draped over his shoulder. He takes a great deal of pride in his appearance, and ensures that he's well-groomed at all times. He's very solidly built, broad-shouldered and strong, with the frame of a lumberjack. His teeth are very sharp, that can't be normal... right? Tattoos/Scars; Knife and pistol scars litter his frame, but none stand out in particular. However, he has many tattoos, most of them actually part of a larger whole; he has a tree 'sprouting' from his back, with branches extending along his arms and over his shoulders. Each leaf has a name written on it in a script so tiny that you'd have to get close to read it, and he never lets anyone that close. Rumor has it that each leaf represents someone he's killed, but that's not true. Probably. Posture; He lounges. On everything. Nearby furniture, people, walls... nothing is safe from his lounging. This man will not stand up straight if directly ordered to. If he's standing upright and looking alert, start running, because some shit is about to go down.

ATTITUDE

Personality; Dramatic, prickly asshole. He is here to get shit done and fuck with people and ruin people's day, and he is a little exhausted with how damned altruistic and kind everyone else on the Yamato is. He is not here to be nice he is here to cause problems. Likes; Being a menace, freaking people out, and plotting complicated schemes (even if he never ends up using them). He also really enjoys being taken on very fancy, 'traditional' kinds of dates, even if romance isn't really his thing. Dislikes; Talking about his emotions. Also, feeling emotions. Occasionally also existing, though that one's much rarer and only when he's hit with a particularly troublesome bout of guilt or melancholy. Strengths; He's stronger and faster than he looks, and his senses are very sharp. He has great night vision, and a sort of natural charisma- at least, when he chooses to use it. He also has a knack for telling when someone's lying. Weaknesses; He doesn't handle bright lights very well, and he's more susceptible to heat than most. Additionally, he's allergic to lilies. Motivations; His motivations, in order, are; cause chaos, have fun, stay alive, save Earth. Many people questioned his inclusion in the Yamato's crew, but when he knuckles down and focuses, he's very good at what he does. The best way to tempt him is to promise a fun time.

KIT

Dress; He wears Yamato's standard uniform, but rather than the usual base white and colored trim, his has a white base and grey trim. Others that see it, unfamiliar with Yamato's rank system, assume that it means he's unimportant compared to the ones wearing brighter colors- just another rank-and-file. This makes it easy for him to hide his true identity as one of Yamato's very few Counter-Intelligence officers. Weapons/Tools; Aside from the regulation-issue energy pistol he carries at his belt, he also has several concealed knives and two more smaller pistols hidden on his person. Besides that, he has lockpicks, a laser cutter, and a miniature first-aid kit. Skills; His unique nature means he's very good at tracking prey, whether that's animals or people. He's also excellent at gathering information, either by charming it out of people, stealing it through sleight of hand, or just straight up breaking in and taking it.

BACKSTORY

Nobody's quite sure where Riley came from. He's fairly prized by Earth's intelligence forces for his knack at completing very risky missions in unconventional but successful ways, but nobody's sure when or how he got to the position he's at, and he's not telling.

According to some urban legends, he'd been there since before humanity even made it to space. This is ridiculous, of course. No human lives that long.

(If one were to look, they'd find a trail of bodies, stretching all the way across the world, each one with 'snakebite' wounds on their necks... but nobody's thought to look.)

When he volunteered for the Yamato, nobody really batted an eye. These days, he's spending most of his time analyzing enemy movements and spotting patterns, helping Yamato avoid her enemies on her journey.

IMAGES

Sorry for the shitty photo quality...

[merakkisalon]

The Benefits of Professional Waxing at Merakki: Why It's Worth It

Introduction 

Are you tired of dealing with the hassle of at-home waxing kits or the discomfort of shaving? Look no further than Merakki The Wellness Co. for a luxurious and effective waxing experience. As the best salon in Faridabad for haircolour and waxing services, Merakki offers unparalleled expertise and top-notch products to ensure your skin stays smooth and radiant. Let’s explore the myriad benefits of opting for professional waxing at Merakki:

1. Expertise and Precision:

At Merakki, our skilled estheticians are trained to provide precise and efficient waxing services. Whether you’re looking to shape your eyebrows, remove unwanted facial hair, or achieve silky smooth legs, our professionals have the expertise to deliver flawless results every time. Say goodbye to uneven patches and hello to perfectly groomed skin.

2. High-Quality Products:

We understand the importance of using high-quality products that are gentle on the skin yet effective in removing hair. At Merakki, we exclusively use premium waxing products that are suitable for all skin types, ensuring a comfortable and irritation-free experience. Our hypoallergenic formulas leave your skin feeling soft, smooth, and nourished post-waxing.

3. Long-Lasting Results:

Unlike shaving, which only cuts hair at the surface level, professional waxing at Merakki The Wellness Co. removes hair from the root, resulting in longer-lasting smoothness. Enjoy weeks of hair-free skin without the hassle of frequent touch-ups. Plus, regular waxing can lead to finer and sparser hair growth over time, making each subsequent session even more effective.

4. Reduced Risk of Ingrown Hairs:

One of the major drawbacks of shaving is the risk of developing ingrown hairs, which can be painful and unsightly. Professional waxing helps mitigate this risk by gently exfoliating the skin and removing hair from the root, preventing hair from growing back beneath the surface. Say goodbye to ingrown hairs and hello to silky-smooth skin.

5. Time-Saving Convenience:

Why spend valuable time and effort on daily shaving when you can enjoy long-lasting results with professional waxing? At Merakki, we understand the importance of convenience in today’s fast-paced world. Our efficient waxing services in Faridabad allow you to achieve smooth, hair-free skin in a fraction of the time it takes to shave, giving you more time to focus on what matters most to you.

6. Customized Solutions:

We believe in providing personalized solutions tailored to your unique needs and preferences. Whether you’re a waxing novice or a seasoned pro, our estheticians will work with you to create a customized waxing plan that addresses your specific concerns and goals. From selecting the appropriate waxing technique to recommending post-waxing skincare products, we’re here to ensure your experience at Merakki is nothing short of exceptional.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, professional waxing services in Faridabad offer a host of benefits that make it a worthwhile investment in your skincare routine. From expert precision and high-quality products to long-lasting results and personalized service, Merakki is your go-to destination for all your waxing needs in Faridabad. Experience the difference for yourself and say hello to smooth, radiant skin that lasts. Schedule your appointment today and indulge in the ultimate waxing experience at Merakki: The Wellness Co.

Also, Read:

The Ultimate Guide to Bridal Makeup Trends in Faridabad

Experience the Merakki Difference: Unveiling the Secrets of Male Grooming Excellence in Faridabad

Originally published at https://merakkisalon.blogspot.com

[rippleclan]

RippleClan: Moon 74

Rattlepelt starts weaving lavender through her fox pelt to mark her changed self since her possession. Splashtuft cuts his leg on ocean debris and develops a scar.

[Image ID: Rattlepelt now has a sprig of lavender by her ear. Under her, it reads + ACCESSORY: LAVENDER, - CONDITION: BITE WOUND. Splashtuft now has a small scar on his left hind leg.]

(Rattlepelt: 57, female, artisan, thoughtful, leather artist)

(Splashtuft: 22, male, historian, adventurous, fast runner, student of art)

(Moon 74, Part 2)

Estherfern’s kits become apprentices.

[Image ID: Estherfern’s five kits now have apprentice sprites. Under Thunderpaw, it says LEVEL UP! THUNDERKIT → THUNDERPAW, BULLYING → ADVENTUROUS. Under Boughpaw, it says LEVEL UP! BOUGHKIT → BOUGHPAW, QUIET → RIGHTEOUS. Under Brightpaw, it says LEVEL UP! BRIGHTKIT → BRIGHTPAW, SKY → LONESOME, + PERMANENT CONDITION: SOCIAL ANXIETY. Under Foampaw, it says LEVEL UP! FOAMKIT → FOAMPAW, UNRULY → TROUBLESOME. Under Wolverinepaw, it says LEVEL UP! WOLVERINEKIT → WOLVERINEPAW, SKITTISH → COMPASSIONATE.]

---

“Let me be the first to say that you five have a hard apprenticeship ahead of you,” Downstar declared over the camp as Estherfern sat behind her kits. All five sat as groomed as Estherfern could get them, trying to remember their mother’s lessons on decorum. Brightkit shook harder than anyone else, ears threatening to tilt down. Wolverinekit and Foamkit’s tails poked at the other, unable to keep their excitement hidden. Thunderkit sat just a bit closer to the Shiprock while Boughkit remained the only one still and politely attentive, as Estherfern taught her to be. The rest of RippleClan listened with similar captured attention to their leader.

“On top of some of the personal struggles you face,” Downstar continued, “I’m afraid you won’t have the same freedoms most of your Clanmates had at your age. We can’t risk you being caught unawares by the spirit that claimed our beloved deputy.” Estherfern would make sure of that. She had already performed a ritual over the apprentice’s den with Honeybuzz and Weevilpaw, guarding the incoming apprentices from harm.

“Despite that,” Downstar said, “RippleClan will ensure you are ready for the challenges ahead. The five of you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. Thunderkit, from this day forward until you receive your full name, you shall be known as Thunderpaw. You have expressed interest in the path of a caretaker, and I have chosen Drumtooth as your mentor.” The newly named Thunderpaw jumped up, scanning the crowd behind her mother for her new mentor. Drumtooth slipped around Estherfern and the other kits. Thunderpaw was almost Drumtooth’s size, making it easy for her to touch his nose. Her whole pelt shivered with excitement. 

“In order to give you the best pawhold on your future,” Downstar added as Drumtooth and Thunderpaw returned their gaze to her, “Troutpool and Paleseed have arranged for you to receive some lessons in Clan-sign from Mummichogleap, a deaf warrior of SlugClan. I’ve already informed Drumtooth of this arrangement and with his help, you shall become an excellent caretaker.”

“I’ll try, Downstar,” Drumtooth promised with a deep nod.

“Me too,” Thunderpaw chirped.

Clan-sign? Estherfern had never heard of any lesson plans. She was Thunderpaw’s mother, why hadn’t she been informed? She found Troutpool to the side of the crowd, seated with Tallowpaw and Slushpaw. Troutpool’s focus was on Thunderpaw as she and Drumtooth moved aside for the next kit of the litter to earn their name. Why would Troutpool agree to these lessons? How much time would this Clan-sign take away from Thunderpaw’s important lessons? Why did she have to learn such a trick when she should use that time to hone her survival skills? If they had to talk to someone outside the Clan for these lessons, obviously no one in RippleClan knew Clan-sign. What would be the point of learning something no one else understood?

Estherfern got so caught up in herself, she nearly missed when Boughkit stepped forward and Downstar delivered her new name.

“From this moment on,” Downstar declared, “until you receive your full name, you shall be known as Boughpaw. You have chosen a historian’s path, and I have chosen Oilstripe as your mentor.”

“You did?” Oilstripe muttered so quietly Estherfern barely heard her. She crept out of the crowd, focus shifting between Boughpaw and Downstar.

“Weedfoot taught you well, Oilstripe,” Downstar sighed with a slow nod. “I want you to continue following in her pawsteps by training a new apprentice.” Oilstripe held her breath at the mention of the former deputy. She sighed, bowing softly with a quiet purr. She softly touched noses with Boughpaw and escorted her to the side.

“Brightkit,” Downstar called. Brightkit didn’t move at first, eyes locked on Downstar, paws stuck in the sand. Foamkit head-butted him from behind, making him skitter forward. He fought to his paws, staring up in awe at his leader. “From this day forward until you receive your full name, you shall be known as Brightpaw. In order to craft you into the best warrior you can be, Trumpetspore shall be your mentor. Her wisdom and skill shall guide you down the path you’re destined to follow.” Estherfern hid her disappointment when Trumpetspore came up. The black molly was too awkward for Estherfern’s tastes. Brightpaw needed a mentor with strength and confidence to supply him with what he lacked. Estherfern bit her tongue as Trumpetspore and Brightpaw touched noses.

“Foamkit,” Downstar said, but the ticked molly was up and ready before her name was even called. “From this moment on, until you receive your full name, you shall be known as Foampaw. You have decided to be a caretaker like your sister, so I have chosen Mosspounce as your mentor. Don’t get into too much trouble, now.” A chuckle rose through the Clan as Mosspounce bounded to his new apprentice. The pair smacked into one another’s faces in their eagerness to touch noses. Now if only Foampaw was a warrior and Brightpaw was a caretaker. Their mentors would have been good influences then. 

“Now Wolverinekit,” Downstar sighed, focusing on the youngest and fluffiest of the litter. “You have yet to tell me what path your paws wish to follow. As such, I will place you as a warrior apprentice, and you may change this path if you feel called to do so at any time. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Downstar,” Wolverinekit said. Estherfern tensed. Why was her confident, curious daughter unsure what to train as? It was her vision, Estherfern was sure of it. She felt insecure in her skills, she had to. How could she not? There had to be a way to cure her vision, no matter what anyone else said. Estherfern would find that cure.

“Then from this moment on, until you receive your warrior name,” Downstar declared, “you shall be known as Wolverinepaw. Leathermask shall be your mentor.” The Clan began to cheer before Leathermask even got close to Wolverinepaw.

“Thunderpaw! Boughpaw! Brightpaw! Foampaw! Wolverinepaw!” What a long chant! It seemed undignified for a priestess to raise her voice like everyone else. Still, her children deserved the honor. Estherfern yowled along with her Clanmates as her five kits beamed in the praise. 

“Can we all train together?” Thunderpaw asked, gently pawing Drumtooth’s shoulder. “Can we go see Battle Beach?” Wolverinepaw and Foampaw’s eyes glinted at the idea. 

“Maybe we should get you all settled in the apprentice’s den first,” Oilstripe suggested. “It’s almost sunhigh. We might as well make sure you all have a place to sleep, considering how little room there is in there.”

“I’m making my nest next to Vervainpaw!” Foampaw yowled. She charged across camp, ignoring Estherfern entirely.

“I already said I’m sleeping next to her!” Wolverinepaw huffed, running after her sister. The other cats trailed after the excited mollies, accepting the congratulations of their Clanmates as they passed. However, only four apprentices headed for the apprentice’s den. Brightpaw whispered something in Trumpetspore’s ear. Trumpetspore listened intently and nodded. Brightpaw scurried off toward the warrior’s den. Now what was so important that Brightpaw would run away as soon as his ceremony was over?

Estherfern trailed through the dissipating crowds after her only son. Brightpaw paused at the edge of the den, looking in and out. Estherfern paused outside the artisan’s supply den, pretending to nibble an itch on her paw. Spikecrash padded to the warrior’s den with a big yawn. From the corner of her eye, Estherfern saw Brightpaw paw at Spikecrash before she could enter. She turned her ear to the conversation.

“That was horrible,” Brightpaw gulped. “I thought you said the ceremony wouldn’t be bad!”

“It wasn’t, I promise,” Spikecrash insisted, tail to Brightpaw’s shoulder. “Do you remember what I told you?”

“My heart makes me more scared than I need to be around others,” Brightpaw muttered, head sinking, “but I need to trust my heart too, don’t I?”

“Social anxiety can be a deceitful disorder of the mind, Brightpaw,” Spikecrash said. “When it comes to these moments, your heart wants to run away, but just remember, you don’t have to. Whatever you may think, it’s not what everyone else thinks. Try to remember that the next time you have to talk to a lot of cats.” 

Social anxiety? Now what was that? Estherfern had never heard of a disorder of the mind before. She knew mediators dealt with those sorts of issues, but she had dismissed them as simple emotional problems. Was Brightpaw sick? How long had he been talking to Spikecrash? Why had he not told Estherfern what was wrong? Another kit of hers, sick, set apart from the Clan, placed at disadvantage…

Estherfern would not stand for this.

(Downstar: 133, female, leader, wise, trusted advisor, very clever)

(Estherfern: 108, female, cleric, bloodthirsty, great mediator, prophecy seeker)

(Brightpaw: 6, male, warrior apprentice, lonesome, lover of art)

(Wolverinepaw: 6, female, warrior apprentice, compassionate, always asking questions)

(Foampaw: 6, female, caretaker apprentice, troublesome, always wandering)

(Thunderpaw: 6, female, caretaker apprentice, adventurous, moss-ball hunter)

(Boughpaw: 6, female, historian apprentice, righteous, constantly climbing)

(Drumtooth: 22, trans male, caretaker, loyal, great hunter, clever)

(Oilstripe: 78, female, deputy, charismatic, ghost speaker)

(Trumpetspore: 35, female, warrior, nervous, excellent potter, good storyteller)

(Mosspounce: 35, male, caretaker, adventurous, talented fire-starter)

(Leathermask: 22, male, warrior, nervous, good fighter, eloquent speaker)

(Spikecrash: 49, female, mediator, wise, good speaker, lore keeper)

Stormkit is worried about Lightningkit, who whimpers in her sleep.

[Image ID: Stormkit approaches Lightningkit, asking "Lightningkit?"]

---

The nursery was so different from the one Stormkit saw in her earliest memories. That nursery had been so packed with kits and queens, there was barely any room to move come nightfall! But now, with Estherfern’s litter in the now stuffed apprentice’s den, only two nests remained. Stormkit was getting too big to sleep with her father and littermates in the same nest, but she stayed close to the warmth of Waspdawn’s chest regardless, at peace with the weight of his chin on her back.

She wasn’t sure what woke her up at first. Her droopy eyes took a while to adjust to the dark and empty den. Sandkit and Yellowkit were thrown on top of each other, lost in their dreams. Waspdawn breathed slowly, his escaping breath tickling Stormkit’s fur. Their nest was a dark golden blur in the deep shadow. Puddlewhisper slept in the back of the den with Lightningkit and Cobaltkit. She, her siblings, and James took turns sleeping with Lightningkit and Cobaltkit in the nursery ever since Weedfoot left camp and returned as still and limp as Littlekit had once been. Whatever woke Stormkit, the noise came from the back of the den.

Stormkit pulled herself out from under Waspdawn’s chin. His head plunked into the nest. Stormkit froze, waiting for Waspdawn to wake up, but he remained asleep, breath now fiddling with the loose moss at the nest’s edge. Stormkit crawled out of the nest and peered deeper into the nursery. A tiny whimper caught her ear. 

“Lightningkit?” Stormkit whispered. Deep blue eyes burst to life at Puddlewhisper’s side. Really, did neither adult hear her denmate’s cries? 

“Huh?” Lightningkit gulped with a crack in her voice. “Stormkit?”

“Were you crying?” Stormkit asked. She snuck closer to the long-furred kit. Cobaltkit and Puddlewhisper were still deeply asleep, but Lightningkit, tucked by Puddlewhisper’s leg, blinked sleep from her eyes.

“Was I?” Lightningkit mumbled. “Sorry.” She rubbed her face in her nest.

“Are you alright?” Stormkit asked. She sat at the edge of the nest, studying her kin’s dark face.

“Maybe,” Lightningkit said. “I… think I was dreaming about my mom.” Her voice quivered and her whiskers shivered. “I thought Puddlewhisper was her for a moment. I really wish she was here.” Stormkit licked Lightningkit’s shoulder. She gently nuzzled the red molly.

“I wish I could bring her back for you,” Stormkit mumbled. 

“It’s too quiet in here,” Lightningkit gulped, no longer able to keep her sorrow from her words. She pressed into Stormkit with another whimper.

“Puddlewhisper and my dad won’t be too mad if we walk around camp,” Stormkit suggested, pulling her face out of the mess of Lightningkit’s long fur. “Let’s walk around.” She gently nipped Lightningkit’s paw, pulling her out of the nest. Lightningkit swallowed hard. She crawled away from Cobaltkit and Puddlewhisper. Stormkit leaned against Lightningkit, nudging her onwards. The two crept out of the dark nursery and into the camp clearing, dimly lit by a small fire.

It wouldn’t fill the nursery again, or the gaps in either molly’s lives, but it would help a bit. It was the best two kits could do for one another.

(Stormkit: 5, female, kit, know-it-all, loves to eat)

(Waspdawn: 40, male, codekeeper, strict, learner of lore, clue finder)

(Lightningkit: 4, female, kit, self-conscious, always wandering)

Anchovypaw gets lost on patrol.

[Image ID: Anchovypaw is lost.]

---

Anchovypaw was not lost. He just wasn’t sure which part of the forest he was in. When you’re focused on the hunt, the trees all start to look the same! It wasn’t Anchovypaw’s fault. He was trying to feed his Clan! Still, the smell of autumn consumed his path from Halibutdusk and the rest of the hunting patrol. All he could smell were sharp orange leaves and the two dead mice in his jaws.

Anchovypaw set the mice at his paws and called, “Halibutdusk? Splashtuft? Billowpaw?” All he received in return was a flutter of leaves dancing overhead. One landed on top of his head. He chuckled and batted the leaf off. Alright then! If he couldn’t call out to his patrol, he would just go home. The camp was by the ocean; if Anchovypaw kept walking east, he would eventually hit the beach and would find his way back to camp in no time at all. Besides, being alone meant…

Anchovypaw pounced on a fat oak leaf. The crunch sent glee pounding through his pelt. He purred and wiggled his flank, no longer caring about the proper hunter’s crouch. He pounced on a pile of leaves blown into the crook of a thick trunk. He purred harder with each crack and crinkle. He rolled in the leaves, closing his eyes and enjoying the dappled light creating strange shadows on his eyelids.

Anchovypaw rested his head on the leaves and stared out at the mix of green, orange, and red that was the forest of RippleClan. Autumn was by far the best season to wash over the territories. Maybe he could convince Weevilpaw and Wolfpaw to sneak out and jump in the leaves. Except… no. It wasn’t safe to be out alone. No one else had been able to see the ichor covering Downstar as Rapidleaf carried her into camp, mixing with her blood. Not everyone understood what it meant for such danger to stain the walls of camp. Too many remembered the Shardling’s wild yellow eyes tearing into the nursery.

Anchovypaw hurried to his feet, the leaves scattering around him. Halibutdusk was likely getting nervous. No matter how much Anchovypaw wanted to enjoy the beautiful, cool day, he had to get home, for everyone’s sake. Yet as he reached for his mice, something black caught his eye. It had been hidden underneath the leaves at first, but now it absorbed the dappled light in the shape of a blurred paw print. The paw print was made of ichor.

Anchovypaw cleared away the leaves. He slapped and smacked them to the side, using his tail to clear as many as he could. He found three more ichor-stained paw prints under the leaves. They pointed toward the unseen ocean, but were thicker going the other way. The first paw print Anchovypaw found was the farthest along the stranger’s path, with only the slightest stain of ichor telling Anchovypaw what had happened. There was no way to know just where they were going, if they were heading for camp or somewhere else… but Anchovypaw could figure out where the paw prints came from. He had to. For his friends. For his siblings. For Robinkit and his mother.

Picking his mice back up, Anchovypaw traced the paw prints through the leaves and litter. He slowly followed the trail backwards, brushing aside leaves as he went. The trail looped around pines and firs, as though enjoying a humble stroll. But nothing that left paw prints like these could be considered humble.

The ichor pooled at the edge of a dark den dug under the weak roots of a thin tree. Anchovypaw took a deep breath, but could not smell anyone inside the den. All he smelled were herbs. Creeping around the thick paw prints, Anchovypaw peered inside the den.

A mushroom circle filled the interior of the den. Anchovypaw might have thought it natural at first glance, but each mushroom had been plucked, dried, and carefully placed within the den. A strange green poultice filled the holes in between the mushrooms. Anchovypaw couldn’t tell what herbs were used, but it reminded him of chats with Weevilpaw in the medicine den. The black ichor dripped out of the heart of the circle and into the dip near the den’s entrance. Someone made this strange circle, but who? Whoever left the ichor behind, Anchovypaw was the only one who could get rid of it. He would show the clerics, Weevilpaw, and Wolfpaw the den, but first, he had to handle the threat. This time, he’d be the one to defeat it. It was his gift to bring the things to life. It was his responsibility.

Anchovypaw set his mice aside and peered at the puddle of ichor. He could already taste it. It hadn’t been too long since the Shardling stampeded through the nursery, but in that moment, Anchovypaw felt both five moons and five hundred moons old, the tragedy both a day and a thousand days in the past. Anchovypaw dipped his muzzle into the ichor pool and grabbed hold. 

The ichor pulled from the pool like flesh ripped from prey. This time around, Anchovypaw could keep his feet firmly planted as the supernatural goop dragged itself out of the circle, collecting in Anchovypaw’s jaws. He braced himself as the Dark Forest energy manifested in his grasp. It was the size of an apprentice, only slightly smaller than himself. But the size didn’t matter. Anchovypaw would deal with it.

As the manifestation opened its red eyes, forming feline ears and a sharp, swishing tail, Anchovypaw threw it to the grass. The beast was only prey to him; dangerous prey that had to be snuffed out like a dying fire. Anchovypaw dug his teeth into the spirit’s throat. It screeched and gurgled like bubbling mud. Anchovypaw stood on its flank and pushed down, biting harder and harder. The creature clawed at Anchovypaw’s pelt, taking out chunks of brown and white fur. Anchovypaw dug his claws in in return. The ichor pooled between his pads. 

Anchovypaw didn’t let go until the creature dissolved into nothing but dripping goop, leaking like salt water from the apprentice’s bared jaws. All that remained was a small pile of ichor, sloshing like wet clay. Anchovypaw sat beside it, panting and gagging on the taste. StarClan, he hated that part. Whatever energy remained over the strange den, it was gone. 

But how did it get there in the first place?

(Anchovypaw: 9, male, warrior apprentice, playful, curious about StarClan)

Estherfern senses a presence on patrol.

[Image ID: Estherfern sees the ghost of Harvest. Under Estherfern, it says + GUIDANCE FROM STARCLAN: BEWARE (PROPHECY).]

---

Estherfern rarely got moments alone when she lived with the cat-minded human. That den had been so packed and chaotic, she considered anything that didn’t hurt to be a blessing. But when she did get time to herself, when she could quiet her mind, the realms of the spiritual opened to her. That’s what made her so good at connecting with the afterlife of the Clans, how she won the admiration of the other clerics despite her disdain for medicine, how she found security. She was good at it.

So why were her prayers unanswered now?

“This should fix it,” Estherfern grumbled as she rubbed the earthy poultice in the gaps of the mushroom circle. The poultice had dried up the last time Estherfern visited her private den; that was likely why she was met with silence on her last visit. Either that, or her offering had been unsuited for her guest. A little trial and error was to be expected; there was only so much she could ask Terracottafoot about these summoning rituals without raising the odd cleric’s suspicion. The rest of it was pieced together from Troutpool and Honeybuzz’s lessons on channeling StarClan spirits (a ritual Estherfern hoped to see in practice sooner rather than later).

Estherfern rubbed the last of the fresh poultice into the dirt and licked her paw clean. She stepped out of the den and grabbed her new offering; a tuft of Lightningkit’s fur, plucked from her nest while the kit played with her sister. Sure, Estherfern’s earlier attempts had been partial successes, but she had yet to have a full conversation. She had only managed to recreate a pool of that strange ichor that peeled off Rattlepelt’s skin moons ago, but that splashed and rolled deep into the forest before she could do anymore. Perhaps Estherfern shouldn’t have focused on stories of a long-dead cleric, but heeded one of Oilstripe’s stories; a tale of a father who would do anything for his kits. Perhaps this approach, with this offering and Estherfern’s earnesty, would prove successful.

“I call upon the spirit of Hawthornstealer,” Estherfern said as she placed the offering inside the circle, “banished from StarClan for his disastrous pursuit of his offspring’s legacy. Despite your sins, your assistance is required. Return to the Clans, if only for a moment. Speak to us.” Estherfern sat at the edge of the circle and closed her eyes. The summer sun beat onto her spiky pelt and lulled her mind. She kept her ears pricked, waiting for the sound of bubbling mud.

“Estherfern!” The brown cleric jumped, her head smacking into the ceiling of her makeshift den. She turned, slightly dazed. The sun crowned a brown and white figure outside the den. Glowing white eyes glared through Estherfern. Starlight sparkled and shifted across the figure’s pelt. Estherfern had not known her for long, but she couldn’t forget Harvest and the fury which she fought for her kits. A fury that was now turned to Estherfern.

“Beware, Estherfern!” Harvest yowled. Unfelt wind buffeted her pelt. Estherfern’s spine curled. “The spread of spores produces nothing but decay! They grow not in light, but darkness! A path without sight, without sound, heart pushing out of your chest, is a blessing compared to the fate that awaits the rot!”

And with that, she disappeared. The wind stirred Estherfern’s heart in the dead queen’s absence.

(Estherfern: 108, female, cleric, bloodthirsty, great mediator, prophecy seeker)

(Harvest: 58, female, queen, nervous, good fighter)

[soonparisblog]

The Ultimate Guide to Budget-Friendly Birthday Gifts for Male Friends

When it comes to finding the perfect birthday gifts for your male friends, you must consider two things: the gift should be thoughtful and align with your budget. But, don't worry, great gifts don't always need to burn a hole in your pocket. In this ultimate guide, we'll provide a range of ideas that are not just pocket-friendly but also delightful and considerate!

Determining Your Budget

Before diving into our list of affordable presents, it's essential first to set a reasonable budget for each gift. Remember that the price doesn't determine the value of your gift - it's all about the thought that goes into it!

Budget-Friendly Birthday Gift Ideas for Male Friends

DIY Gifts

Take a hands-on approach by creating the gift yourself! A homemade gift represents time, effort, and thoughtfulness. From home-brewed coffee to a photo-locket or a tailor-made Spotify playlist, the options are endless.

Books

For your bibliophile friends, a book that aligns with their interest can be a great budget-friendly option. You can often find bestsellers or classics for less than $20.

Personal Care Products

Think of beard grooming kits, eco-friendly soaps, or vintage razors. While it's a practical gift that your friend will use, it can also feel luxurious.

Designer Coffee Mug

Mugs are a classic choice when it comes to affordable gifts. But you can make it special by choosing a designer mug with a whimsical design, an inspirational quote, or a funny inside joke.

Subscription Services

Subscriptions like a streaming service (Netflix, Spotify), book or magazine subscription, or even an app subscription like Headspace or Duolingo can offer a wonderful surprise that lasts beyond their special day.

Discounted Tech Gadgets

Refurbished or older versions of tech gadgets like headphones, smart speakers, or even fitness trackers often come with a lower price tag. All you need to do is do your research and pick the best option.

Handwritten Letters

In this digital age, a handwritten note can be an incredibly warm and personal gesture that shows how much you value your friendship. Coupled with a small token like their favorite candy or a picture frame, it makes for an affordable yet meaningful gift.

Conclusion

Choosing a birthday gift for a male friend within a tight budget doesn't necessarily mean compromising on quality or thoughtfulness. The aim should be about selecting a gift that implies your understanding and consideration of their personality, likes, and interests.

Remember, choosing the perfect birthday gifts for your male friends isn't about the price, but the value that the gift brings. Whether it's a DIY gift that comes straight from the heart or a thoughtfully chosen book, these budget-friendly ideas can definitely help you shower your friends with love and appreciation without straining your pocket.

[lizseyi]

How Can Men Ensure They Stay Groomed In Serious Style - Zawzor

If you want to feel your very best, a key part of this will be ensuring you also look as good as you can. So, male grooming is hardly just about “vanity”; it is about supporting your all-around health and well-being. 

Or, of course, you might be a loved one of a particular man. That, in turn, brings us neatly onto the subject of the many fine birthday and anniversary gifts for him that we have in our online store here at Zawzor. 

Yes, in this article, we’re zooming in on the male grooming essentials. Why not take a look below at some of the items for your (or a certain special someone’s) styling kit, that we are presently making available at excellent prices? 

A quality shaving set

A traditional shaving set should be a key part of any men’s grooming kit – and this is an area where quality really can make all the difference. Invest in a classic kit that will stand the test of time, and make sure you feel like an old-school movie star every time you shave!

A reliable shoe care kit

A good pair of shoes will be central to your overall look (or that of a man in your life you care about), and it is important that you take the time and energy needed to keep your footwear in tip-top condition. A reliable shoe care kit can extend the lifespan of your favourite pair of shoes, and make sure you consistently look sharp and ready for any occasion.

A handy grooming kit

The devil is in the details when it comes to looking great, and having a handy, compact grooming kit should be a key priority. Make sure your chosen kit has a good pair of nail clippers, scissors, and a file to buff and shape your nails. It might seem like a small detail, but making sure your hands and nails are neat can make a huge difference to your all-round appearance.

A beard set

A good beard can really transform your overall look, but it is important that you have a suitable beard set so that you can brush, trim and oil your designer stubble into something that helps you look and feel your very best. By opting for luxurious wood and quality bristles, you can be sure of giving yourself that “spa” level of beard care (or, of course, giving that special someone the same). 

Male grooming doesn’t have to be overly complicated or arduous, and when you select a little something (or several) from our comprehensive range of birthday or anniversary gifts for him, it doesn’t need to represent an overly big hit to your wallet, either. With free delivery also available to our UK customers, you can expect the utmost convenience from our online shopping channel. 

[cureka231]

A Guide to Male Body Grooming and Unwanted Hair Removal for Men

Embracing Male Body Grooming

In recent years, male body grooming has become a popular trend, with more men recognizing the importance of personal grooming and hygiene. Whether it's for aesthetics, comfort, or confidence, the desire to achieve a well-groomed appearance is on the rise among men. This article is a comprehensive guide to male body grooming and the various methods for unwanted hair removal.

 The Importance of Grooming for Men

Personal grooming is not limited to women; it's an essential aspect of self-care for men as well. Grooming encompasses various aspects, including skincare, hairstyling, and, of course, hair removal. Maintaining a well-groomed appearance can boost self-confidence and leave a positive impression on others.

 Understanding Unwanted Hair

Unwanted hair can be a common concern for many men. It can appear in various areas of the body, including the face, chest, back, arms, legs, and even the groin area. While some men may embrace their natural hair growth, others prefer a smoother and hair-free look.

Male Body Grooming Methods

There are several methods available for male body grooming and unwanted hair removal. Each method has its advantages and considerations, allowing men to choose the one that suits their preferences and needs.

Shaving

Shaving is a common and convenient method for hair removal. It can be done using razors or electric shavers. Shaving provides a smooth and immediate result but requires regular maintenance as hair grows back quickly.

 Waxing

Waxing involves applying warm wax to the desired area and then removing it along with the hair. Waxing provides longer-lasting results compared to shaving but can be more painful and may cause skin irritation.

Hair Removal Creams

Hair removal creams, also known as depilatory creams, work by dissolving the hair at the root. They offer a painless and quick solution for hair removal but require regular application.

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a semi-permanent method that uses laser technology to target and inhibit hair follicles. It provides long-lasting results but may require multiple sessions for complete hair reduction.

 Electrolysis

Electrolysis is a permanent hair removal method that involves using an electric current to destroy hair follicles. It is effective but can be time-consuming, as each hair follicle must be treated individually.

 Trimming and Grooming

Not all male body grooming involves complete hair removal. Trimming and grooming using electric trimmers or clippers can help maintain a neat and well-groomed appearance without completely removing the hair.

 Choosing the Right Method

The choice of hair removal method depends on individual preferences, pain tolerance, budget, and the desired level of hair reduction. Some men may prefer a combination of methods for different body areas.

 Male Body Grooming Products

There are various grooming products designed specifically for men, including shaving creams, aftershaves, and grooming kits. These products cater to the unique needs of men's skin and hair.

 Skincare and Aftercare

Proper skincare and aftercare are essential aspects of male body grooming. This includes moisturizing the skin, protecting it from UV damage, and preventing ingrown hairs.

Building a Grooming Routine

Creating a grooming routine is key to maintaining a well-groomed appearance. Men can establish a routine that suits their lifestyle and preferences, ensuring they look and feel their best every day.

 Embracing Confidence

Male body grooming is not just about aesthetics; it's about embracing confidence and feeling comfortable in your own skin. Whether you choose to remove unwanted hair or simply trim and groom, it's a personal choice that can enhance your self-esteem and overall well-being.

Conclusion

Male body grooming and unwanted hair removal are personal choices that allow men to express their unique style and preferences. With a wide range of grooming methods and products available, men can create a grooming routine that suits their needs and helps them look and feel their best.

[thaonailart]

2023'S TOP 10 MEN'S MANICURE SET

Today's males prioritize personal cleanliness just like today's women do. This is true not just because doing so will generally make them feel much better, more confident, and more appropriate. A healthy personal hygiene routine should be followed at all times to ensure that their health is at its peak. And maintaining good hygiene includes paying attention to the nails. You'll need the best men's manicure set to complete the task.

If your regular employment requires that your nails get dirty most of the time, you are aware of the importance of providing your nails the right attention. However, washing your hands and nails with soap and water is insufficient. You will need to include other things in your personal hygiene routine besides just cleaning them off. It will also be necessary to regularly trim and clean your nails in order to ensure that they are not just neat and beautiful.

SELECTION OF THE BEST MEN'S MANICURE SET

You don't need to carry the entire manicure kit around with you—you may always have a nail cutter instead. Why then should you continue to look for the best manicure set for men? There is an easy solution. Having a manicure set makes it simple to store all of your necessary nail tools in one place. When you need them, you'll be able to locate them.

These manicure kits are currently on the market. These kits or sets' functionality and content haven't significantly altered. However, both the design and the materials used to make nail tools have changed. Today, stainless steel is used to make the majority of the equipment in manicure sets.

What items can be found in a quality manicure set?

The equipment you'll need for any number of grooming jobs you might have. Typical finger and toenail care tools are included in basic manicure sets and kits. Other manicure kits come with basics for shaving and hair maintenance.

Typically, a men's manicure kit will contain the following instruments:

(Also known as nail cutters or nail trimmers) Fingernail clippers nail trimmers. The larger nail clipper is composed of stainless steel and is capable of slicing through even the thickest toenails. a compact set of scissors. Nails, facial hair, and hair on the nose and ears can all be cut with this.

Tseoa 12-piece professional nail grooming kit

Toenail clippers, nail clippers, diagonal nail clippers, multi-purpose scissors, cuticle trimmers, ear picks, single-edged double-sided push sticks, eyebrow tweezers, peeling knives, nail files, blackhead needle and loop removers, as well as a V-shaped push stick are all included in this high-quality nail kit.

It has a sleek case with an intriguing design that will safeguard your tools. The case is small enough to fit in your pouch because it is 3 inches by 6 inches. Even if you have to travel, you may bring it along or just use it at home.

Beauty Stainless steel manicure and pedicure kit from Bon

The Beauty Bon manicure and pedicure kit is designed to be portable and lightweight. It comes in a casing made of synthetic leather that can be opened quickly by pressing a button.

The kit comes with a pair of beauty scissors, a single-edged push stick, a v-shaped push stick, two nail clippers, a toenail cutter, a cuticle trimmer, a tweezer, a nail file, and an ear pick, all of which are manufactured entirely of stainless steel.

Professional Pedicure Kit with 18-in-1 Stainless Steel by ESARORA

This ESARORA manicure kit includes 18 items of nail and toenail care equipment that can be used for hand, facial, and foot grooming.

This ESARORA manicure kit includes 18 items of nail and toenail care equipment that can be used for hand, facial, and foot grooming.

The surgical grade stainless steel used in this kit is 100% professional, allowing for safe sterilization, preventing corrosion, and reducing the danger of infection.

Additionally, it has a small synthetic leather casing that is portable and simple to open with a button press.

The fact that this premium nail care package is backed by a 100% money-back guarantee puts the icing on the cake.

20-Piece Stainless Steel Men's Grooming Kit by Keiby Citom

These multi-functional, beautifully crafted nail grooming tools are from a well-known manicure tool manufacturer.

Along with these additional instruments, this set includes a cleaning brush, a curved needle, an acne bowl needle, and a spiral ear spoon.

This manicure set is packaged in a stylish case with a high-quality PU leather texture. Additionally, it is portable and lightweight, allowing you to take it wherever you choose.

This kit includes a lifetime warranty service included with every purchase.

Stainless steel professional nail grooming kit, 15 pieces, from ONME

Here is a 15-piece multipurpose grooming kit that may be used for a variety of tasks, including exfoliation, anti-acne, eyebrow shaping, and pedicuring. The following instruments are included in this set: an eyebrow cutter, a medium and an oblique nail clipper, manicure pliers, a knife, an oblique knife, an acne needle, a scraper, a nail file, a double-headed pick, and an eyebrow clip.

The attractive and fashionable waterproof PU leather case that this grooming kit is packaged in can help shield the sharp instruments. It can be kept or stored anyplace because it is lightweight and portable.

Professional Grooming Kit with Black Leather Travel Case, 16 in 1.

This 16-piece manicure kit from Mifine is last but certainly not least on our list. For the treatment of the hands, feet, and face, the set includes 16 pieces of nail and toenail instruments.

This nail grooming kit's instruments are all constructed of surgical-grade stainless steel, which allows for safe sterilization, prevents corrosion, and also lowers the danger of infection.

It is packaged in a faux leather casing that opens up without difficulty with a light touch of a button. You can carry it wherever you want to because it is lightweight.

This nail care package offers an 18-month product warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee with every purchase.

Be aware that the price range of these nail grooming kits varies depending on a number of elements, such as the quantity of things included in the pack, the size of the kit, the materials used, and the manufacturer's brand.

CONCLUSION

It could take some time to get the greatest men's manicure set, but it will all be worthwhile in the end. Your nails put forth a lot of effort for you every day. It is only right that you provide them with the highest quality care possible. For a more enjoyable personal hygiene regimen, always carry the best men's manicure set with you.

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Exploring How Men's Grooming Products Improve the Experience of Personal Care

Men's grooming products, especially fragrances for men, provide a unique blend of elegance, luxury, and usefulness while searching for the ideal present for a special occasion. Perfumes for men online are wonderful Father's Day gifts that will be valued and loved, whether you're buying them for a fashion-forward father or a sophisticated friend. Consider giving someone men's grooming items on any occasion as a definite way to make them feel special.

How do men's grooming items help to make an ideal present?

Men's grooming items, notably fragrances for men that can be purchased online, provide an unbeatable balance of elegance, luxury, and usefulness when looking for the ideal present. You may give the receiver a thoughtful and enduring gift by picking a scent that meets their preferences.

Style and Personal Expression: Men's grooming products, such as fragrances, enable people to showcase their own sense of fashion and individuality. You demonstrate thoughtfulness and consideration by selecting a scent that resonates with the recipient. Men's perfumes come in a variety of aromas, from woodsy and musky to fresh and citrusy, to suit their preferences and moods.

Luxury and Sophistication: Various grooming products for men, such as high-quality perfumes, make excellent gifts since they elevate the recipient's daily routine with a touch of elegance and refinement. Perfumes for men online are expertly designed and contain complex components. You demonstrate elegance and sophistication by giving such a gift.

Adaptable and Appropriate for All Ages

Men's grooming products are available for a variety of ages and tastes. There are selections to fit any taste, whether you are seeking a scent for a young adult or an older male. There are many fragrances of perfumes, from athletic and fresh to elegant and woodsy, so you may discover the ideal fit for each recipient.

Practicality and Usability:

Grooming products for men are helpful and practical, making them great presents. Grooming goods are utilized often, improving the recipient's daily routine. These products, which range from shaving kits to perfumes, have a practical use and leave a good image.

Conclusion

Choosing men's grooming products as special Father's Day gifts offers a thoughtful and practical gesture. They may engage in self-care while also having their personal care requirements met by these goods. These gifts help them look and feel their best, from opulent shaving kits to high-end skincare packages.

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Gifts For Every Occasion

There are many occasions throughout the year where it is necessary to give gifts. However, choosing the perfect gift can be difficult. In this blog post, we will explore nine different gift ideas that are suitable for all occasions.

The key to finding the best gift is paying attention to your loved ones. Listen to what they say and watch what they do.

Birthdays

Whether you’re looking for a thoughtful gift to give to friends, family or co-workers, birthday Gifts for occasion are always appreciated. For the foodie in your life, consider a delicious fruit arrangement or chocolate covered treats that will make them feel like royalty on their special day.

A subscription box is another thoughtful birthday gift idea. With a variety of subscription boxes like FabFitFun, your recipient can try new products and discover their favorites.

Anniversaries

An anniversary is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate your commitment. Gifts are not just for marriages and romantic relationships; they can be used to show how much you care for any employee celebrating an anniversary at your organization.

The traditional and modern anniversary gift lists, which dictate a theme by year, are a great guide to help you pick the perfect present. For example, the 35th anniversary is celebrated with gold, which symbolizes wealth and wisdom.

A more modern gift might be a copper item like this copper mug set and cocktail infusion jar.

Weddings

Traditionally, weddings involved an exchange of gifts between the bride’s and groom’s families. Often, the gift list would include items like kitchen tools and dining sets for the newlyweds to start their married lives together.

For an extra-special wedding present, consider something personalized for the couple. This handmade decanter features a mountain that rises from the inside, making it perfect for a pair who loves outdoor adventures.

Another great option is this customizable doormat that shows off their new last name in style. It’s sure to become a favorite home accessory for years to come.

Housewarmings

A new home requires a few essentials to get it up and running. For those celebrating a friend’s move, a thoughtful gift will make them feel welcome in their new space.

A monogrammed item—like a picture frame, hand towels or a mug—is a cute and functional choice. Other personalized gifts that go the extra mile include a stateshaped wooden cheese board or a cocktail kit that includes a bottle of spirits, fresh limes and ice to create two cocktails on demand.

Strategist editors suggest steering clear of including a link to your painstakingly curated registry on housewarming invitations, says Los Angeles-based etiquette consultant Elaine Swann. It’s a little forward and puts the onus on guests to buy a present, she adds.

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is a special time to show appreciation for mom and mother figures. It is celebrated around the world with different traditions and customs. In the United States, it is a national holiday observed on the second Sunday in May.

It was initiated by Anna Jarvis in 1908 to honor her own mother. While she later regretted the commercialization of the celebration, millions of people now honor their mothers and celebrate the occasion with gifts, cards, and flowers.

Treating your mom to a relaxing spa treatment is another way of showing her how much you care. You can also make a thoughtful gift basket for her.

Father’s Day

Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June and is a holiday for male parent figures. It complements celebrations of other family members, such as Mother’s Day, Siblings Day and Grandparents Day.

Children often handcraft Gifts for occasion Liverpool and write messages in cards for their fathers. As with Mother’s Day, families often have dinner together and it is one of the busiest days for restaurants.

Give your dad an experience he will remember forever. Take him on a weekend road trip or slip him tickets to his favorite event.

Sympathy

Sympathy is a feeling of understanding and caring for someone else’s misfortune. It can also be a feeling of pity for someone. Sympathy is not the same as empathy, however.

Empathy involves vicariously experiencing another person’s emotions and thoughts. It requires creativity to do so and it can be difficult for some people.

For example, if your co-worker confides in you that they are struggling to keep up with their work, you can show them sympathy by saying “I’m sorry to hear that.” You can also demonstrate compassion by offering to help them run errands or drive them to their appointments.