#buoyancy-water weights

[shifasalim]

Have you ever asked yourself how big ships and submarines can float on water? It is all about how much buoyancy it should have, how much of the water should be displaced, and how many weights are to be put in. The principle of buoyancy-water weights is fundamental to understanding how naval vessels stay afloat. Let us explore the interesting part of naval engineering to discover how these ships work against gravity.

[lalyakhalid00]

Inflatable buoyancy products (Seaflex) and load-testing water weights for sale and rental. IMCA and LEEA compliant. Find water weight bags for load test, subsea buoyancy products, & more.

[historicalbeauties]

Amy Appelhans Gubser could see the Farallon Islands from her house on clear days, and would always joke with her husband that she could swim there.

5 years ago, the nurse and grandmother who lives in Pacifica started to work on this crazy idea. Gubser sought out open-water swimming mentors for guidance and even got resources through the Marathon Swimming Federation, yet things never lined up until this year.

On May 11, in 17 hours, 3 minutes, she finally made her vision come true and completed the 29.6-mile swim from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Farallon Islands.

Gubser has been around the ocean since she was 10 years old. She became an ocean lifeguard in high school and college, and also swam at the University of Michigan, yet after graduation didn’t get back into the water for 24 years.

When Gubser finally did return, she was doing more open-water swimming, for instance, swims across Lake Tahoe and Monterey Bay. The woman would always see the Farallon Islands from her house and would dream about one day swimming there.

The outbound route to the Farallon Islands is known for going against the currents, and only 5 people had previously completed the trek in the inbound direction, from the Farallons to the Golden Gate. According to the Marathon Swimmers Foundation, Gubser is the only one to complete that specific route without a wetsuit. Before her, two men successfully completed the swim in 2014, and there were also 3 recorded failures between 2012 and 2015.

The location is also known for white sharks. “The elephant in the room is white sharks, and they were in the back of my mind at all times during the swim. We didn’t take the shark thing lightly – I had a savvy crew that kept watch for them from a boat and kayak. They were ready to jump into the water to help me if I needed, but we had no shark sightings the whole time,” said Gubser. Fortunately, during the journey, she encountered several seals yet no sharks.

Another obstacle was the water temperature. She had trained to swim in cold water, but the water got as cold as 46 degrees Fahrenheit that day and it was something the woman didn’t expect and wasn’t ready for. A wetsuit probably would have helped here, but no matter the warmth and added buoyancy, she wasn’t wearing it.

“Wetsuits are a great piece of equipment, especially for people that are starting out in open water. But I follow the Marathon Swim Federation rules and the open water swim world rules that, for the last 150 years, have been the same. Which is a swimsuit, a cap, some form of goggles, earplugs and a nose clip,” explained Gubser. “When you wear a wetsuit your skin rubs against the material, and the last thing that I really wanted was for my skin to bleed near a shark island.”

The 55-year-old grandmother of two with a third on the way was very happy about her accomplishment when, no matter all the challenges, including intense fog in the Pacific Ocean all along the way, she finally reached the Farallon Islands at around 8:30 p.m. that night.

“For 17 hours, I had no idea where I was, what was going on. I had a thought bubble around me that only allowed us to see 100 meters in any direction. I went into a meditative state. There were some 30-minute time intervals that passed very quickly. Others seemed like they were 300 hours,” she explained.

“My whole family is so relieved, because I have been talking about this thing for five years, and my husband will be the first to tell you he’s just grateful it’s done,” shared Gubser. “I hope this story inspires somebody to not be challenged by a number [like] their age or their weight. I mean, all of my body got me across that. That’s pretty impressive.”

[misshoneyimhome]

"Waves of Truth" I Quinn Hughes

Quinn Hughes finds himself on a tropical island during the off-season with you, his girlfriend, where he discovers that you have been hiding serious financial struggles.

Warnings & tropes: no warnings, small couples fight, boyfriend!quinn

Author's Note: What’s up, buttercups! In this sixth one-shot of the BirthdayFestivalChallenge, Quinn is all set for a tropical escape with you—but be prepared for an emotional, heartfelt journey as he helps you through some tough financial struggles! 🌴💔

Word count: 1.4K

➼｡ﾟ

The sun hung low over the horizon, casting a warm, molten gold hue across the tranquil waters of the tropical island. It was one of those perfect, postcard-worthy evenings where everything around you felt too beautiful to be real. The soft, rhythmic whispers of the waves lapping at the shore seemed to urge you and Quinn Hughes into a deeper connection, as if the sea itself was gently nudging you both towards the truth that lingered in the air between you. Yet, despite the serene beauty surrounding you, there was a tension, a quiet storm brewing just beneath the surface.

Quinn lounged on a sunbed beside you, his lean, athletic frame relaxed under the sun's tender caress. His tousled hair caught the light, and he appeared the picture of ease, but his gaze never left you. There was something off, and he could feel it in the pit of his stomach. The undercurrent of worry in his heart wouldn’t let him relax fully. His eyes, usually soft and full of warmth, searched your face for answers. He could sense it—something was wrong, something unspoken.

You sat nearby, methodically applying sunscreen, but there was a slight tremble in your hands. The bottle felt heavier with each squeeze, as though the simple task required an unbearable effort. Quinn, ever perceptive, noticed the faint lines of worry etched into your face—the way your usually carefree laughter no longer reached your eyes, as if the joy had been syphoned out of you. The weight of it all made his chest tighten. It wasn’t like you to be so distant, so withdrawn. You, the one who always filled the space between you both with infectious energy and light-hearted jokes, now seemed weighed down by an invisible burden.

“Hey,” Quinn’s voice broke through the quiet, gentle yet probing. “What do you say we take a dip?” He tried to keep his tone casual, his eyes soft but filled with concern. He hoped that maybe the water, with all its warmth and buoyancy, could somehow wash away whatever was troubling you. Maybe, just maybe, it could help you open up.

You hesitated, your hand freezing for a brief moment mid-motion, and your lips formed a faint, faltering smile. It was barely there, and Quinn caught it—how your expression flickered with reluctance before you forced yourself to nod. “Yeah, that sounds good,” you said, but your voice was flat, lacking its usual spark. Even though you agreed, the tension between you lingered, palpable and heavy.

Together, you waded into the ocean, the warm water swirling gently around your legs as you walked further in. The sun glittered on the surface, casting a dreamy, golden glow that should have been comforting. But instead of feeling light and carefree, the water seemed to magnify the tension. Every gentle wave that lapped at your skin felt like a reminder of the distance that had grown between you. Quinn swam ahead, his strokes smooth and effortless. When he turned back, he saw you lagging behind, your movements sluggish, hesitant. You weren’t really there with him—not in the way he was used to.

The excitement that usually came with a swim together faded, replaced by an awkward silence. Each splash of water seemed to echo the words you both weren’t saying. By the time you emerged from the ocean, your eyes had lost that playful glimmer he loved so much. Instead, they were clouded with introspection, shadows darkening their depths. Even the sun, which had dipped lower in the sky, casting a soft, golden light, seemed to mirror the growing tension between you.

Quinn, always sensitive to your moods, led you towards the shade of a palm tree. The fronds swayed gently in the breeze, casting dappled shadows that danced on the sand. The air smelled of salt and seaweed, the soft sounds of the waves a soothing backdrop, but nothing could calm the storm brewing in his chest. His hand found yours, fingers intertwining with yours as he gave your hand a gentle squeeze, a silent plea for you to open up.

“You’ve been so distant lately,” Quinn’s voice was quiet, but it trembled with a mix of frustration and concern. “Something’s clearly bothering you, and I need you to tell me what’s going on. We’re supposed to be partners, remember?” His words were careful, but the emotion behind them was unmistakable.

You turned away, your gaze drifting towards the horizon where the sea met the sky. For a moment, you wished the waves could carry away your growing anxiety, could sweep all your worries out to sea. But the weight of everything you hadn’t said was too much. You could feel the dam inside you starting to crack, the pressure of holding it all in becoming unbearable. Tears threatened to spill over, and though you fought to keep your voice steady, the cracks were beginning to show. “Quinn, I—”

“No,” Quinn interrupted, his tone firmer now. His eyes narrowed slightly, his urgency growing. “Don’t brush it off. You’re shutting me out, and it’s killing me. What are you hiding from me?”

Your heart pounded in your chest, the truth clawing its way to the surface, and before you could stop yourself, the words tumbled out, fuelled by frustration and fear. “I didn’t want you to see me like this, alright? I’ve been struggling... financially. Things have been bad, really bad, and I didn’t want to drag you into my mess. You wouldn’t understand. It’s not your problem.”

Quinn’s expression hardened, his brows furrowing in disbelief. “What do you mean, I wouldn’t understand? You think because I make money playing hockey, I don’t get it? That I don’t care?”

“That’s not what I said!” you snapped, your voice rising as your emotions spiralled. “But let’s be honest, Quinn. You don’t have to worry about things like this. You don’t know what it’s like to be drowning in bills while pretending everything’s fine. I don’t want you swooping in and fixing everything just because you can.”

A flicker of hurt crossed his face before frustration took over. “Why are you making this harder than it needs to be? I’m trying to help you because I love you, because we’re a team. But instead, you’re shutting me out like I’m a stranger.”

You clenched your fists, torn between the relief of finally letting the truth spill out and the anger boiling within you. “I didn’t ask for your help! I don’t need you to swoop in and fix my life. I can handle this on my own.”

Quinn stepped closer, his voice thick with emotion. “But why should you have to handle it alone? Why does it make you so mad that I want to support you? This isn’t about money—it’s about us. I don’t care if you’re struggling. That doesn’t change how I feel about you.”

You shook your head, the weight of your pride and fear pressing down on your chest, making it hard to breathe. “You don’t get it, Quinn. I don’t want you to see me like this—weak, needy. I don’t want to be the girl who needs rescuing.”

“Is that what you think this is?” His voice cracked, and he stepped back, running his hands through his hair in frustration. “You think I see you as some damsel in distress? You’re the strongest person I know. But being strong isn’t about shutting people out. It’s about letting someone in, even when it’s hard.”

Tears finally spilled over, hot and stinging as they ran down your cheeks. “I just didn’t want you to look at me differently…”

“I could never look at you differently,” Quinn said softly, stepping forward to pull you into his arms. “I love you, for better or worse. That means I’m here, whether things are easy or tough. And right now, it sounds like it’s pretty damn tough.”

You collapsed against him, the weight of your struggles and fears crumbling in the safety of his embrace. “I’m so sorry,” you whispered against his chest, your voice barely audible.

“I know,” Quinn murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of your head. His arms tightened around you, holding you close. “But I’m here, and we’ll figure this out. Together.”

As the sun finally dipped beneath the horizon, casting long shadows across the beach, the storm inside you began to settle. The weight of the world didn’t feel as heavy anymore. You still didn’t have all the answers, but for the first time in a long while, you didn’t feel like you had to face it alone.

[fishyfishyfishtimes]

Daily fish fact #849

Elasmobranch fish!

Fish of the subclass Elasmobranchii, like sharks and rays, have a large liver full of low density oils — they use this liver to maintain their buoyancy in the water column! The liver can be so large as to be up to 25% of the fish’s body weight.

[bethanythebogwitch]

I haven't covered any pinniped pals for Wet Beast Wednesday yet, so for my first one I'm going big. Really big. Elephant seal big. Elephant seals are not only the largest of all pinnipeds, they are the largest of all carnivorans and the largest marine mammals that aren't cetaceans. There are two species: northern (Mirounga angustirostris) and southern (Mirounga leonina), with the southern species being the larger of the two.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH! (image: an elephant seal bellowing)

Elephant seals are true seals (as opposed to sea lions and walruses), meaning they lack external ears and their hind legs have fused into a sort of pseudo-flipper that allows for highly efficient swimming but is of little use when maneuvering on land. While it is common among pinnipeds for males to be larger than females, elephant seals exaggerated that with one of the most extreme size differences between sexes. Females of both species range from around 350 to 900 kg (880 to 1,980 lbs) and 2.5 to 3.6 m (8.2 to 11.8 ft) in length. Male northern seals average between 1,500 to 2,300 kg (3,300 to 5,100 lbs) and 4-5 m (13-16 ft) while southern males break the scale at 1,500 to 3,700 kg (3,300 to 8,200 lbs) and 4.2 to 5.8 m (14 - 19 ft). The southern species has the largest mass difference between sexes of any mammal, with the males averaging 5-6 times the weight of the females.

(image: male and female elephant seals chillaxing on a beach)

In addition to the size difference, the other major form of sexual dimorphism is that the male has his nose elongated into a proboscis. This snout serves two major functions: it amplifies the roars of the male allowing him to be remarkably loud and it traps and reabsorbs moisture when he exhales. This is important as the seals do not eat or drink when on land and recapturing moisture lets him stay hydrated.

(image: a male[top], female [bottom left] and juvenile [bottom right] northern elephant seal)

Seals are adapted to spend the vast majority of their lives in the water and elephant seals are no different. They spend around 80% of their lives in the water and have many adaptations to aid in their lifestyle. Like most marine mammals, they have a thick layer of fatty blubber that preserves heat in cold water, reduces drag, and provides buoyancy. Like other seals, they can slow their heartbeats and redirect blood flow to the core of their body to avoid losing heat. Another seal adaptation is that veins returning blood to the heart grow near arteries carrying blood from the heart. This allows the cold returning blood to leech some heat from the arteries to avoid cooling down the body's core. They have a lot of blood to store oxygen, allowing for long dives. Elephant seals dive deep (averaging 300-600 m but occasionally much deeper) when searching for food. Females typically go on deeper but shorter dives than males. They can hold their breath for over 100 minutes, longer than nay non-cetacean mammal.. Their eyes are highly adapted to low-light conditions and their whiskers can sense motion in the water, both things that aid in finding food. Elephant seals are very opportunistic predators and will eat a large variety of fish and cephalopods.

(image: a female elephant seal swimming)

The 20% of time not spent at sea is mostly taken up by two yearly periods: the molting and breeding seasons. In both cases, the seal will haul out onto the beach and will not eat or drink until it has finished. Molting season lasts about a month and usually occurs in summer. Elephant seals undergo what are called catastrophic molts, where they not only shed and regrow their fur but their outer layer of skin. During the regrowth of their skin, extra blood has to be directed toward it. In the water, this would cause too much heat loss, so it must be done on land. The skin sheds in large patches and not all at once, resulting in molting seals having a ragged appearance.

(image: a seal mid-molt)

The longer and more famous time on land is breeding season. In early spring, males will arrive on beaches and fight each other for dominance. In time, a few alpha males will claim most of the beach. These fights last even after the females arrive. Fights are very dramatic, involving posing and bellowing. If one male does not submit, they will fight by biting and slapping each other with their heads. Fights are rarely fatal, but are frequently bloody. Males have thicker skin on their chests to protect them during fights. Alpha males claim the right to mate with the females. Other males are forced to the outskirts of the beach, where they try to mate while the alpha is distracted. Some males will become betas, who help the alpha patrol his territory and drive off competing males. These betas will often try to mate while the alpha is distracted. Only the largest and strongest males can claim alpha status, and usually late in life when they have grown to their largest. After the females arrive, mothers will give birth to their pups. After birth, the female uses unique vocalizations so her pup can always recognize her. They nurse pups for up to 28 days while the males continue to fight. Elephant seal milk is extremely high in fat content, with up to 50% of the milk being fat, compared to 3.5% for cows. Some mothers may adopt the pups of others, especially if their own pup died before weaning. Weaning is very abrupt, after which the females will mate and the adults will return to the sea. The pups are left on land for up to 10 weeks, where they must learn how to swim and hunt while subsisting off the energy stores they built up while nursing. Juvenile mortality is high, with up to 50% of pups dying before reaching maturity. Adults can lose a third of their weight during breeding season.

(video: a clip from the BBC documentary Seven World One Planet about males fighting fro dominance. warning: there is blood)

(image: a mother seal and pup)

A few pups are known as super weaners because they can grow exceptionally large during nursing. This is usually due to the pup being adopted by an additional female and therefore getting an extra dose of milk or it will steal milk from another pup. In a few cases, the mothers will just wait longer before weaning for unknown reasons. Average pups weigh between 110 and 160 kg (250 - 350 lbs) at weaning while super weaners can weigh up to 270 kg (600 lbs). They can put on so much blubber their ability to move becomes impaired. Super weaners are rarely observed again after leaving the rookery. It has been speculated that their excess blubber makes them exceptionally buoyant, reducing their ability to dive and making it harder to feed, leading to increased mortality.

(image: a chonky baby super weaner)

Both species of elephant seal were hunted to near-extinction in the 19th century as their blubber could be used to make exceptionally high-quality oil. After the hunting period ended, their numbers increased to the point both species are classified as least concern by the IUCN, though their populations have never risen to pre-hunting numbers and many areas that were historically occupied are now vacant. Genetic bottlenecks in both species has led to an increase in diseases and birth defects. El Nino is known to have a negative effect on northern seals by drastically increasing pup mortality, so this year was probably a bad one. One major limiting factor in their population growth is a lack of beaches to haul out on and many beaches they use are now protected by local laws or as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

(Gif: a female versus a car. Round 1, fight!)

[bleue-flora]

pandoras vault has damaging floors yet c!drunz chooses to live there, theyre insane

[context]

Are you just finding this out now?… pretty sure the floor is one of the least crazy things about them chilling in the prison lol. Though I should mention a couple things, 1) I imagine Dream not having shoes or thick clothes (or armor) in the cell to protect himself from the hard sharp edges of the obsidian, especially the poor soles of his feet, which is part of what makes it so terrible. And 2) Dream has a bed after incarceration and stuff so he does have reprieve from the hard surfaces, in the same way my floor is wooden looking tile on top of concrete. If I’m walking around and such a lot, my feet begin to hurt but I also have relief in form of carpets, sitting down in plush furniture or putting on slippers or shoes. The problem with the cell is he doesn’t have many places to go to escape the hard surface so his body is constantly feeling the force of his own weight repelling back into him. The best he can do is go on the chest (which I just realized is blocked by the glowstore rip) or lectern, where the wood will likely bend under his weight a bit reducing that force, and the water hole which reduces the force of his weight due to buoyancy. Additionally, the fact that many people on the server have likely less than comfortable houses (floors), like Fundy’s who original secret base was a cave, is notable. Though to be fair I guess stone is still better than jagged glass lol...

[descenacre]

A Lily Pikmin grows to accommodate all of its passengers. In the buoyancy of the water, their limbs can stretch out much farther than their diminished forms on land

This means that no matter how many pikmin are aboard, the Lily can swim just as fast! While on land, they can only carry with the strength of 1, but in the water, they have a staggering carry strength of 30! (Pikmin will automatically avoid running onto a lily pikmin if it might capsize from the weight.) When a Lily Pikmin is over encumbered--for example, if an enemy eats a nearby Lily and its passengers flee to it--the Lily Pikmin's swimming speed will be greatly reduced, and it will start slowly making its way towards the shore, out of your control. Throw some more Lilies into the sea to share the burden and help it out!

[stonerbellybabe]

Do you have any comments on that swimming post? 😂 any expirences?

Oh, too many experiences to count. I love diving and I’ll go out freediving with my skinny dive buddies who will be in wetsuits and still get cold and need to get out of the water before I do. I very comfortably stay in the water for 3+ hours at a time which I could absolutely not do when I was skinny. When I’m away from the ocean I can stand to get in cold creeks and lakes earlier in the spring than most people.

Another funny thing is that I’m a lot more buoyant now than I was when I first got my scuba certification, and I need way more lead on my weight belt to get my buoyancy right.

[whitegoldtower]

I’m feeling proud of myself and my progress, so here: tits n’ guns.

A year ago, I hated my body. Glad the T has helped me love it again. With a bit of work, I’ve turned the jelly on my chest into bedrock. 🖤

For other trans-mascs who want to get shredded, here’s my workout routine for arms and chest days:

DO YOUR STRETCHES

15 minutes high intensity elliptical / treadmill

6 to 8 sets tricep machine extensions, 10-15 reps, each set adding weight (I start at 23kg and work my way up to 45kg)

6 to 8 sets bicep curls, 10-15 reps, each set (or two) adding weight (I start at 9kg and work up to 32kg)

3 sets lateral raises, 10-15 reps, first at 9kg, then 14, then 18kg.

5 sets converging chest press / military press, 10-15 reps, starting at 18kg, working up to 45kg.

6-8 sets pull ups / chin ups, 10-15 reps, from assisted 14kg, working down until I’m pulling my own body weight (roughly 60kg) (This one is the most important exercise for turning jelly tits into muscle tits and building shoulder mass)

10 minute high intensity elliptical again, then 5 minute cooldown.

Once you’re done with that, slap some deep heat on your arms / upper chest, get a protein shake and some creatine down your neck, then have a big dinner and treat yourself. ❤️❤️❤️ (I usually try to aim for 3000 cal per day)

I do this at least twice a week. Also another thing I cannot stress enough because of how good it is, if this routine is too hard for you, get into swimming. If your joints hurt like mine used to, GET INTO SWIMMING. Swimming will help you get fitter and stronger without putting strain on your joints bc water buoyancy n shit.

Crazy that a year ago I was severely underweight and using a walking aid. Things can and do get better, guys. Look after yourselves and eat well.

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

Research abounds at the International Space Station

At the International Space station, researchers are making strides in everything from Earth science to chemical properties. Here's what they're up to and why it matters.

Recently, researchers have found that eddies, or swirling wind patterns, increased moisture evaporation in an alfalfa field. A better understanding of the complex exchange of water and heat between the ground and atmosphere could improve remote sensing products and their use in agricultural water management.

The station's ECOSTRESS instrument takes high-resolution thermal infrared measurements of Earth's surface that provide data on changes in water availability, vegetation water stress, and agricultural water use. Researchers use observations from the USGS Landsat 8 and 9 satellites and ECOSTRESS to validate climate models and update data on Earth's surface energy (the amount of energy absorbed from the sun and radiated back into the atmosphere).

Properties of flow boiling

Researchers have identified various properties for flow boiling using n-perfleurohexane, a fluid used to cool electronics. A better understanding of this process can improve models for designing thermal cooling systems used in the electronics, energy, aerospace, and other industries.

Flow boiling, a method of thermal management, uses the heat generated by a device to boil a liquid, generating vapor bubbles that lift the heat from the surface. The Flow Boiling and Condensation Experiment (FBCE) tested a flow boiling method in microgravity, where the process is less efficient; in the absence of buoyancy, bubbles grow larger and remain near the surface.

A new radiation-resistant polymer

Researchers successfully manufactured a polymer of rare metals and other elements that showed high radiation resistance and has a suitable size and weight for use in space. This result provides knowledge that can support development of improved shielding for future spacecraft and extraterrestrial habitats.

The Roscosmos investigation Shielding Composite tested the absorbed radiation dose of two polymers during 225 days on the space station using monthly monitoring by the Pille-ISS investigation. The data showed that the material has high and stable radiation shielding characteristics. Protecting crew members and equipment from radiation is an important requirement for future long-duration space missions.

TOP IMAGE: The ECOSTRESS instrument on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA

CENTRE IMAGE: ECOSTRESS data shows evaporative stress in agricultural fields in California’s San Joaquin Valley. Credit: NASA

LOWER IMAGE: NASA astronauts Mark Vande Hei and Kayla Barron set up for the Flow Boiling and Condensation Experiment. Credit: NASA

[shifasalim]

buoyancy-water-weights

Description: Buoyancy and water weights play a crucial role in underwater lifting and load testing. Water weights use the principle of buoyancy to provide a safe and efficient method for testing heavy loads without the need for traditional weights. These water-filled bags are ideal for load testing in marine, offshore, and industrial applications, offering flexibility and precision. Whether you're conducting underwater construction or equipment testing, buoyancy-water-weights provide an effective solution for ensuring safety and accuracy in your operations.

[sparkliingdust]

This (early) rant is brought to you by being single but in love with movies for Valentine's Day.

It's about Titanic. And that damn board. And whole debate surrounding that damn board.

They tried getting on it together, it tipped over.

Once Rose was on it, it was slowly submerged in water. If he fit on it too, the weight of them both would’ve made it sink further - a few inches of water would’ve made the board useless and quickly turned their bodies into icicles because they wouldn't have been as dry as Rose was on the board by herself.

Rose was also slowly freezing to death anyways. When he's first leaning on it, water is tipping onto it. Sorry to say but when he's slowly passing away, he's leaving as little weight as possible until it's just his hands resting with hers. By then the water and the waves of everyone panicking around them stops, Rose is left dry on the board. She just lasted longer because she was on the board with as little water as possible to cover her. But in an another 30 minutes, she wouldn't have heard the lifeboats come back for them. Like I love Jack but he just died first because he didn't have a life jacket or got his own piece of door.

In the freaking promo image, James and Leo are occupying more weight on one side of the board bringing it down. James and Leo both only have their hands and elbows leaning on it. You're telling me two people are supposed to have kept the board dry?? When Jack realizes leaning onto it brings on more water he accepts she's the only one who can fit on it safely? When her outfit is heavier than his because of the corset, the dress, a wool jacket, the heart of the ocean necklace in her pocket? Come ON PEOPLE. It's not about the size of the board, and how they could've fit together. It's about the buoyancy of the water with the weight of both of them combined.

Also, everyone ignores what a boss Rose is to leave everything behind and then start her life over in an entirely new country by herself and from scratch. She gave up her mother, her fiancé, a whole life of comforts she took for granted to possibly die with someone she loved. When she loses him too, she ends up surviving instead of giving up in tribute to his death. If he didn't die, the story would've had a happier ending but it would've been 10x cheesier. She held onto that necklace when she could’ve easily cashed it in. That’s how little and how much the heart of the ocean ends up meaning to her - holding onto it for 84 years, never knowing she’d be able to take it back to where she lost everything, and with a simple plop into the ocean let it all go and found peace after a life full of exciting and beautiful memories. BDE.

[big-girls-forever]

Hi, and welcome back! Make me (f/30s) bigger & balloonier: lighter than air please!

“Okay, helium right to the tits!” *zap*

Your breasts suddenly feel funny - the same sort of cold feeling you’d get when water trickles down your throat, only inside your chest. The sensation quickly spreads to the surface of your skin, and you look down and are surprised to see that in spite of the cold sensation, you’re sweating. No, that’s not right - you’re not sweating, you’re getting shiny. Plasticky. The flesh-colored plastic soon covers all of the chest you can see, and the sensation only intensifies and sends tingles down your spine as the new skin begins to stretch. It’s noisy, too - the exact same *ffffffwomb* sound you’d hear from an inflating helium balloon. And while it starts slow, it gets faster over time, your breasts starting to overflow and strain your bra and feeling exactly the same weight as before. And then even lighter than that - they’ve got so much buoyancy that they float evenly with your chest. You try to take the bra off, but it’s way too late for that, the fastener at the back snapping and falling to the floor. Finally, mercifully, it slows down, but not before turning your tee-shirt into an impromptu crop top, your now fat nipples half visible beneath the fabric. You must have passed an H-cup, easily - not that you’ll need a bra. They’re so light now that they float up near to your neck. You try to push them back down, and shiver again. That stretched skin is sensitive too, making a soft plastic squeaking noise as you run your hands across your big, overinflated balloon tits.

“There, that’s a better size. Hope you like em - there are no takebacks.”

[ontherocks21]

It didn’t matter the reason – be it for school retreat, a safe house to escape assassins, or just to indulge a family vacation – Varykino was always a sight for sore eyes and a respite for tired souls.  Since their arrival in the late afternoon, they had only been on Naboo and the family property for a smattering of hours, but already Padmé felt the weighted stresses of her Coruscant life and the galaxy’s war sliding off her slim shoulders.

This time of year when life flourished under the vernal sun the waters surrounding Varykino were warm, so it wasn’t surprising when her bare skin acclimated quickly, her feet dangling off the dock into the lake.  Lazily, she kicked them back and forth, relishing the somnolent drag of the water between her toes juxtaposed with its carefree buoyancy around her limbs.

“Gah!” 

The strangled groan at her side suggested that her companion did not share her fondness for this particular evening excursion. Though she failed to her amused smile, Padmé did manage to stifle her giggle as Anakin sank his long legs over the dock’s edge into the water - albeit very, very slowly.  He sensed the lightness in her mood, catching her eye, his wince momentarily melting away to mirror her cheeky grin.

“You actually enjoy this?” he asked, wrinkling his nose.

“Give it a minute,” she answered, the laugh she had been suppressing finally escaping her efforts to contain it. “You’ll get used to it.”

Then again, she thought, would there ever be a temperature of water warm enough for the man hailing from perhaps one of the driest and hottest biomes in the galaxy?  Judging by the scrunched look on Anakin’s face as he mimicked the languid movement of her lower legs with his own, Padmé doubted it. 

Playfully, she kicked sideways at him. The errant motion disturbed the swirling vortices they were creating on the moonlit surface enough to splash up on Anakin.  As lake water peppered his exposed calves just how she intended, he yelped, then made a show of leaning away from any further pre-meditated liquid attacks.

Padmé smiled back sweetly at him, her tongue peeking out between her teeth, no remorse in the slightest evident for her watery torment.  Anakin narrowed his eyes at her assumed innocent expression, eventually relaxing his defensive posture when the moment lapsed from rousing flirtation to comfortable silence.

Faint calls of a pelikki mother to her boisterous young danced along to the gentle tune of the evening breeze.  Soft sloshes of water against the anchored posts of the dock provided a rhythmic harmony to the melodic chorus of awakening crickets.  Adding to an already enchanted evening, the night music of Naboo’s Lake Country serenaded them as they sat, until a louder and much closer maternal call of warning interrupted the natural concerto.

Anakin flinched, twisting towards the lake house when a child’s shriek punctured the peaceful night air.  “I wonder who that was,” he grimaced

Padmé listened to the unintelligible but firm matronly command that put an immediate stop to any more high-pitched youthful protests.  Her nieces had been so ecstatic when they had finally arrived to Varykino that Sola had had her hands full corralling their exuberant energy ever since.  Ryoo and Pooja had almost physically knocked Anakin off his feet with how hard they had crashed into him with excited hugs upon their arrival.

“They can be a bit overwhelming when they get wound up,” Padmé said gently.  The fondness in her voice softened the edges of her statement considerably.

“Ryoo and Pooja?” Anakin asked, shaking his head, his full lips parting in a genuine smile.  “No, they’re great.”  His eyes gleamed suddenly in the cover of the night.  “Your sister though…”  He let out a low whistle and heaved an overly dramatic breath.

Pulling a wry face, Padmé bumped her shoulder into him at his good-natured teasing.  His acknowledging laugh rumbled softly out of him, her heart dancing at the sound of it.  His laughter was one of the most beautiful sounds Padmé had ever heard.  It delighted her to no end whenever she was responsible for eliciting such joyous emotion from him.

“What about me?”

Both dock dwellers turned to see the topical trio walking toward them down the weathered pier.  Well, Sola walked.  Ryoo and Pooja bounced along the wooden boards, their energy reserves clearly not in danger of being tapped despite the deepening evening hour.

“She started it,” Anakin said, shamelessly pointing a finger of blame Padmé’s direction.

His grin only grew wider at her raised eyebrow of warning.

“We aren’t here to interrupt you two for long,” Sola explained, snagging a wayward Pooja who had been leaning a bit too far over the edge for her mother’s comfort.  “I just brought these rebels out to say their good-nights.”

“But Mama,” Pooja whined.  “I want to go for a midnight swim, too!”

“They aren’t swimming – Ryoo, get back here!” Sola barked.  Padmé watched her older niece sulk her way through her return, beckoning encouragingly with her arms when Ryoo caught her aunt’s eye as Sola turned back to deter her youngest.  “Uncle Ani and Aunt Mé-Mé just came out here to get a little peace and quiet.  They’ve had a long day.”

“Good night, starlight,” Padmé said, kissing the still frowning Ryoo on the cheek.  She reached for Pooja next, the little girl giggling loudly, her dismay at missing out on any presumed water activities already forgotten.  Folding the little girl into her embrace, Padmé glanced up at her sister.  “We’ll be in soon,” she promised.

Sola waved a dismissive hand at her, though she directed her next words at Anakin.

“Don’t let Padmé get too lost in her thoughts out here,” Sola warned warmly.  “She’ll walk these skies all night, if you let her.”

“Good niiiiight, Sola,” Padmé called out pointedly, before the eldest Naberrie present could bestow any more unsolicited “sisterly wisdom”.

Considering Sola’s words, Anakin tilted his head curiously at her, but she merely winked at him with a sly grin, before gathering her brood and bidding them a final good night.

“Their energy always amazes me,” Padmé said, watching her sister shepherd her nieces back toward the glowing lake house.  She turned to study Anakin watching their retreat.  The question burst out of her before she even knew she was even going to ask it.  “Do you think our children will be like that?”

“Nah,” Anakin replied blithely, not even balking at the directness of her abruptly forward question.  “Ours will be way worse.” 

“Worse?!” Padmé gasped, somewhat incredulous.

“With you as their mother…?”  Anakin trailed off deliberately, a smirk gracing his handsome face.  “You can’t even sit still for five minutes before joining yet another committee in the Senate or proposing a new bill or…”

“Okay, okay,” Padmé laughed, smiling sideways at him. “Point taken.”

Anakin let go of the grip he had on the edge of the dock to pump his hand once in silent victory. 

“Though I’ll have you know,” Padmé teased, not yet willing to let him bask too much in his early triumph.  “I’ve now been sitting here for a solid fifteen minutes.”  She made a show of glancing all around their immediate surroundings.  “And I don’t see any datapads, do you?”

Cupping his hands about his mouth, Anakin called loudly out across the lake, “Someone alert the HoloNet!” then, raising his arms as if to highlight a headline written in the stars.  “Esteemed Naboo Senator Slacks On The Job... Ow-hey!”

Feigning injury, Anakin clutched his side where Padmé was primly removing her roughly driven elbow from.

“Oh, and you’re one to talk.”

“I sit still for long periods of time every day!”

“The inside of a cockpit doesn’t count, Ani,” she retorted dryly, rolling her eyes for effect.

“Alright, you win this round,” he agreed.

Padmé watched Anakin absently toss some grit into the dark lake.  The disturbed surface tremored with bright silver ripples around their submerged feet, reflecting Ohma-D’un’s, Onoam’s and Veruna’s light.  Even though Naboo boasted three moons, their varying sizes and vast distances still only allowed them to cast a soft glow over their ruling planet’s night.  

“What did Sola mean?” 

Pulling her gaze away from the serene waters, Padmé glanced back at him quizzically. 

“’Walking the skies?’” Anakin explained.

“Oh that,” Padmé said, somewhat dismissively. “It’s just a bad joke.”

Patiently, Anakin waited for her to elaborate.  She sighed and lifted her chin towards the myriad of pinpoint lights twinkling down at them.

“During school retreat, or sometimes during my reign, I would come out here, by myself, and star-gaze for hours.  I could just let my thoughts wander.”  She glanced back to him, flushing a little under his attentive gaze.  “Sola says I ‘let my mind walk the skies’ when I go into deep-thinking mode down here.”

“It’s a great way to escape,” Anakin offered.  “I star-gazed all the time on Tatooine.  Never can see any on Coruscant though.” He tore his eyes away from hers, searching the night canvas above their heads.  A wistful look crossed his face, and Padmé held her breath, hoping he would divulge whatever thoughts or memories he saw scribed in the heavens. 

“What are you thinking?” 

She desperately wanted to know.

His pensive expression shifted into something more devilish, sending Padmé’s heart fluttering wildly with anticipation.

“I think…” Anakin trailed off.  Instinctively, Padmé leaned towards him, her encouraging smile faltering when she took in the mischievous twinkle in his cerulean stare and the way the corner of his mouth was trying a little too hard to not turn up in a roguish grin.  Unfortunately, she recognized the look on Anakin’s face a second too late, though her body was already spinning away from him in a vain attempt at escape.

“…little Pooja had a great idea.”

“No, no, no, don’t you dare!” Padmé yelled, as strong arms suddenly wrapped themselves around her waist.  Shrieking with indignation at his laugh, she flailed hard, but he anticipated her movements, using them against her, until she realized her only option was to stop fighting the inevitable plunge and just lean into it.  So quickly, it took Anakin a bit by surprise, she twisted in his arms, pulling her feet from the water and locking her arms around his neck and her knees about his waist in a desperate attempt to anchor herself.  Their faces only inches apart, they froze.  Padmé’s heart hammered away, its rapid pace set by more than the rush of adrenaline and the promise of a spontaneous after-hours swim.  Anakin regarded her carefully, trying to decide just how much trouble he would be in if he made good on his threat.

She squeezed her arms and legs a little tighter.  Ever so slightly, brown eyes narrowed at blues with the most intimate of challenges.  Without warning, Padmé pulled his face closer, capturing his mouth with hers.  Anakin groaned softly as her lips danced in the familiar wicked manner that she knew drove him insane with want.  She released him just as suddenly as she had started the kiss, meeting his electrified stare gamely from beneath her lashes. Anakin’s eyes dipped in lazy appraisal, pulling a shiver from her that had nothing to do with the gentle night breeze at her back.

“Ah, that’s not gonna work this time, milady.”

Padmé watched Anakin continue to calculate his odds for one more moment before his handsome face broke out into a wolfish grin.  Her elbows raised once briefly as he shrugged, seemingly indifferent to whatever solution his calculus had solved, and then suddenly he scooted closer, readjusting his grip solidly about her hips.

“No, Ani!” she half-screamed, half-laughed.  Strangling on a protesting shriek, Padmé buried her face in his neck and drew one last breath before she felt him topple both of them off the wooden platform and into the watery oblivion.

Padmé should had known her efforts were hopeless. 

Once Anakin Skywalker made up his mind, there was very little anyone could do to change it. 

*****

Early on in her tenure as Galactic Senator, Padmé had learned that there was a hidden benefit to falling asleep in the living room.  The panoramic windows allowed the first tendrils of dawn’s light to seep into the apartment to greet any beings slumbering on the couches long before those same rays burned with enough power to pervade the adjacent sleeping quarters.  It was a remarkably gentle way to ease into morning after working tedious hours late into the prior evening.

As Coruscant’s sun sings her its soothing wake-up call, Padmé tucks her chin closer to her chest, burying her face further beneath the blanket.  In the dark coziness provided by her covering’s cave, it isn’t hard for her subconscious to hold onto the feeling of Anakin’s arms still wrapped about her.  It’s all too easy to imagine the firm cushions at her back are his solid frame as she turns into them, retreating away from daybreak’s sobering reality for just a little longer.

Despite the ferocity with which she clings to it, the dream recedes without her permission.

Reluctantly, Padmé surfaces from sleep and its incredible fantasy.

Blinking awake slowly, she squints at the golden glow of the day’s infantile hours, the soft light harsh compared to her dream’s enchanted night.  The air around her doesn’t stir with the tender caress of the Lake Country’s spring winds.  The stillness of the apartment atmosphere is calm and quiet, eerily so after her mind had conjured the pleasant murmurings and stirrings of familiar shore sounds.

Sitting up, Padmé swipes her palms across her face several times, gradually taking in the room – its blue walls, the blanket’s weight pooling into her lap, the lack of a devilish smile that flips her heart every which way – and convinces herself that Varykino had been a dream.

Her heart beats several times rejecting her conclusion.

It had all felt so real.

But it wasn’t.

Sometimes, when you believe something to be real, it becomes real.

TBC

[sonics-atelier]

Echoes of the Sea: A New Memory

For @gwynweekofficial Day 7 : Free day - Peace

Summary : Gwyn is lost in thought and roaming the beaches of Adriata when Tarquin sees her and he offers her comfort and they have fun

a/n: For all My Targwyn Friends, I've been waiting to post this for a long time now and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to do so, hope you like it <3 . Pain never goes away you just find people who make you happy and offer you comfort 🤍

The sun was beginning its descent over the horizon, casting a golden glow upon the pristine beaches of Adriata. The waves whispered softly as they caressed the shore, their rhythmic lullaby a soothing backdrop to Gwyn's solitary wanderings. Her flaming red hair, tousled by the sea breeze, framed her contemplative face, while her teal eyes, deep and wistful, scanned the sands for the delicate treasures the sea offered.

Gwyn meandered along the shoreline, her fingers trailing through the cool, wet sand. She paused occasionally to pick up a particularly alluring seashell, each one a keepsake of her solitary reflections. The simplicity of this act, collecting seashells, grounded her, allowing her to drift back to memories long cherished but tinged with a melancholy that had yet to fade.

Lost in her thoughts, she scarcely noticed the approach of another figure until he was nearly upon her. Tarquin, the High Lord of Summer, stood a few paces away, his gaze thoughtful and serene. His presence was a commanding one, yet it was softened by the tranquility of the moment and the gentle curiosity in his eyes.

“How are you enjoying our shores, Gwyn?” he asked, his voice as smooth and inviting as the waters that lapped at her feet.

Gwyn looked up, her expression a blend of surprise and lingering sorrow. She hesitated, the words caught somewhere between her heart and her lips. Tarquin, noting her hesitation, took a step closer, his demeanor open and earnest. “Would you like to talk?” he inquired softly.

She nodded, and together they walked along the beach, the sound of the waves their only accompaniment. After a few moments of silence, Gwyn began to speak, her voice tinged with a poignant nostalgia.

“I miss my sister,” she confessed, her eyes fixed on the distant horizon. “We used to play in the sea together, our laughter mingling with the ocean's song. We made bracelets out of twine and seashells, and other treasures that washed ashore. Those days were filled with so much joy, but now…” She trailed off, the weight of her unspoken words heavy in the air.

Tarquin listened without interruption, his presence a silent anchor in her sea of emotions. He understood the depth of her pain, the way it clung to her like a shadow. After a long pause, he spoke, his words carefully chosen.

“The sea,” he began, his gaze following hers to the vast expanse of water, “is full of memories. It holds the echoes of happy sailors and the ghosts of drowning ships. It carries the weight of mourning and the buoyancy of joy. In its depths, it holds a mix of all these emotions, ephemeral and beautiful. It’s this blend of sorrow and happiness that gives life its depth, that makes it worth living.”

He turned to her, his eyes meeting hers with a gentle understanding. “The pain you feel is a part of that mix. It’s what makes your memories with your sister so precious.”

For a moment, they stood in silence, the wisdom of Tarquin’s words settling over them like a comforting blanket. Then, with a soft smile, he extended his hand to her. “Come, let’s make a new memory. The first one to find the biggest seashell gets to gloat.”

Gwyn’s lips curved into a genuine smile, her teal eyes lighting up with a spark of the old joy and her competitive nature, accepted his hand, and with a shared laugh, they took off down the beach, the weight of her sorrow lifting just a little with each step.

As they raced along the shore, their laughter mingling with the sound of the sea, Gwyn felt a small but significant sense of peace. In the company of a kindred spirit, she found solace in the simple act of searching for seashells, just as she had done with her sister. And in that fleeting, ephemeral moment, she discovered a new memory to cherish, one that blended her sorrow with a touch of newfound joy.

- @sonics-atelier 2024 ( do not repost or reuse in any way shape or form, I will decapitate you )