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midoribobatea · 3 days ago

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Akuneko's 3rd anniversary: Seal of Glory - Shiro's card

Part 1 & Part 2

(Not 100% accurate translation ,So sorry in advance for any mistranslation and any missgramer)

Two Worlds - part 1:

*Notice: before reading the Butler Story ;This story contains spoilers from the "Seal of Glory" event story.

We recommend that you read up to Episode 19 of the event story before reading it.

If you wish to avoid spoilers, please return using the button at the top left.

.........

After the audience with Lord Elboa was over...

We stayed in the ancient forest village for now... and decided to take it easy for a while.

One day, When I was walking through the village.

I suddenly noticed that Shiro was nowhere to be seen in the village.

<(I wonder where did he go...)>

If it's Shiro I probably didn't have much to worry about...

but even so I still decided to go ahead and look for him.

Step...step...step...

Chenoa: Oh? Why, Hello [Your Name]

<Hello>

Chenoa: It seems like you are looking around a lot... Are you looking for something?

Chenoa: Ah I see, So you are looking for Shiro

Chenoa: I saw him earlier... walking ahead into the woods. He probably did go towards the shrine

Chenoa: I'm sure he's still around there.

Chenoa: It's not too far from here... If you want, I can show you to the shrine of the forest.

<Then..only if you don't mind>

Chenoa: Sure. Now, follow me.

And so, with Ms. Chenoa's guidance, I headed towards the shrine in the forest.

[The Forest's Shrine]

-after a while-

Step...step...step...

Chenoa: Here, you can already see the shrine from here

Chenoa: Ah, and there is Shiro, I knew it so he were here after all.

I looked in the direction Ms. Chenoa was pointing and there was standing a small stone shrine.

And in front of the shrine... Shiro was on his knees with his eyes close.

Shiro: .............

Chenoa: it looks like we caught Shiro just in the middle of offering his prayers.

Chenoa: In the west area, we have a custom of offering prayers in front of a shrine in the forest.

Chenoa: Hehe. In any case, I'm glad you found Shiro.

Chenoa: Well then, I'll head back to the village.

Step...step...step...

After Ms. Chenoa leaves, the place was quiet.

Shiro was still praying in the silence.

Surrounded by nature and with his eyes closed, Shiro showed a very sacred atmosphere.

Shiro: .............

<(...It probably would be a good idea not to speak for now)>

Shiro: .........Hey.

<(...Huh?)>

Shiro: come nearer.

<(I think...He's talking to me?)>

Shiro: .............

It was then that Shiro opened his eyes for the first time and looked at me.

Shiro: To think you would ignore my call...you surely have some nerves.

Shiro: whomever else you see? Clearly you and I are the only ones present here.

Shiro: Are you trying to imply that I seem so unaware to my surrounding..that I do not even notice anything approaching me?

<T-that's not it...>

Shiro: Hmph...well, be it.

Shiro: Then….how long are you intending to keep standing there for?

Shiro: If you realize these words are meant to you.. then quickly, come closer.

<O-okay>

I did as Shiro told me and approached him.

I could see the shrine more clearly than before. I felt like I sensed some mysterious power.

<...It's really a magnificent shrine>

Shiro: Indeed...

Shiro: For us, the inhabitants of the western area... this shrine holds a great significance.

Shiro: In the western area... It is believed that the spirit of light lives in the forest and protects the ancient people with its divine protection.

Shiro: All the inhabitants of the Western area grew up hearing this legend over and over again...

The time when I visited the west area together with Boschi and Ammon came to mind...(midori: referring to episode 4 of the main story)

Back then Ms. Chenoa was reading a picture book about the spirit of light to Muu.

Shiro: This shrine is... the "Shrine of the Spirit of Light" that mentioned in the legend.

<I see>

Shiro: The inhabitants of the western area treasure the spirit of light.

Shiro: In order to honor the spirit of light... we offer our prayers to this shrine.

Judging from the way Shiro was praying, this is something that is truly important to the residents of the western area.

The residents of the West area... welcomed us and let us into their sacred ancient forest.

That's why I want to respect their culture. This feeling wells up in my heart.

Shiro: You, you mean?

Shiro: ...Actions speaks louder than words, and Respect is known when you show it

Shiro: and I suppose the Spirit of Light... will not reject you.

Shiro: If you want to pray, then do as you wish.

<Okay, thank you!>

I knelt down next to Shiro... and closed my eyes like he had done earlier.

<(...May the spirits will continue to protect)>

Shiro, Ms. Chenoa, Mr. Aro, I hope that the people who lives in the Western Forest can live peacefully.

I didn't know the proper way to pray, so I simply prayed from the bottom of my heart.

Two Worlds - part 2:

- After A Few Minutes -

After offering my prayers... I slowly opened my eyes.

Then, out of nowhere, a butterfly appeared and landed on my hands, which were clasped in prayer. (Midori: oh a surprise bonus, come come I need magic butterflys)

<Ah...>

Shiro: Stay quiet... And don't make any move.

<Sorry, I was surpised>

Shiro: Surprising indeed...I myself was a little taken aback too.

Shiro: This kind of butterfly that sits in your hand barely shows itself to the public eyes.

Shiro: I have lived in the western area for the longest time, yet I have only witnessed this kind of butterfly only a few numerous of times.

Shiro: Truly, it is...

Shiro: ...Perhaps it is a sign of will from the Spirit.

Shiro: Your prayers may have reached the Spirit of Light and had been granted.

Shiro: perhaps it is a sign of acknowledge that you are worthy of stepping on the land of the western area.

Shiro: However... that may also be a mere convenient interpretation...

<...Does Shiro acknowledge me?>

Shiro: You mean myself? Why would you ask such a thing?

Shiro: Hmph... It is a foolish question..

Shiro: I wouldn't let someone who I do nott acknowledge offer prayers in the shrine in the western area.

Shiro: and I observed you praying.

Shiro: There is your answer. satisfied?

<Y-yeah, thank you>

Shiro answered in a matter-of-fact tone,like it was nothing.

But Shiro acknowledges me...and that simple fact made me happy.

Shiro: ..........The western area is truly peaceful.

Shiro: quiet and calm... it is truly a beautiful place surrounded by nature.

Shiro: Clearly. It is my homeland.

Shiro: After all, this is the best place for me.

I was reminded of what Shiro said the other day about his wishes for the future, After the angels are going to be defeated...

Shiro had said that he would return to his hometown...

Shiro: Whichever you mean by 'someday'. I can always go visit my hometown, As I wish.

<That's not what I meant>

Shiro: Then what it is.. explain.

<It's about what you told about the future where angels are gone>

Shiro: Indeed. I do recall there was a discussion about this matter.

Shiro: My will remains unchanged.

Shiro: Once the angels are defeated... I shall return home and protect my brethrens.

<Right...>

Shiro has friends he wants to protect, and those friends need him too.

I had the great chance to get to know him, but if he returns to his hometown, we may never see each other again.

<(That makes me a bit sad...)

Shiro: .............

Shiro: ......Hey.

<...What is it?>

Shiro: That's rather what I should ask.

Shiro: Why are you making that face?

<W-what face are you talking about?>

Shiro: Are you trying to fool me?

Shiro: I shall ask again, why are you looking like that?

Shiro: Answer me. that's an order.

Shiro's sharp gaze made that impossible to continue hide, so I gave up and decided to speak.

<…I just felt a little lonely>

Shiro: Why is that? I do not recall I've said anything that might have cause you feeling like that.

Shiro: .……what?

Shiro: We haven't known each other for long... yet you still will feel lonely after parting ways with me?

<Yeah…>

Shiro: ......You truly are a strange one.

Shiro: .........good grief.

Shiro: ...Whomever did said that?

<What?>

Shiro: Whoever said sould I return back home and that would be the end?

Shiro: I recall no one mentioning something like that.

Shiro: If you wish to remain by my side...then come with me.

Shiro: ...I will not deny you.

<But...is it really okay?>

Shiro: indeed.

Shiro: …Clearly, not just anyone is welcome. However I'm bringing you rather because you are an exception.

Shiro: You are the one who saved my life.

Shiro: Besides... I observed your prayer earlier and I have a feeling you shall not have any problems fitting here.

Shiro: As an attempt of someone trying to respect the faith of the western area... it was not bad.

<Shiro...>

Shiro is not the type to joke around.

And the serious look in his eyes... told me that his words weren't a lie.

Shiro: Hmph...

Shiro: As long as you understand then... stop with the nonsense of me leaving your side.

Shiro: Aside from your act of saving, and the respect to the culture of the Western area...

Shiro: I grew fond of you.

<What...?>

Shiro: ...I shall not tolerate it for you being apart from me without my permission. am I clear?

Shiro: Whether the angels disappear...

Shiro: Do not go return to that other world... Stay besides me forever.

Shiro: ...What is it? What's seems to be the problem?

Shiro: Do you not wish to stay by me?

<It's not that I don't want to stay with you...>

Shiro: If so, I do not see problem.

Shiro: ...That response suggests you do still have something in mind.

Shiro: Hm... What exactly are you worried about?

<S-sure>

Shiro: Do you wish to come with me to the western area?

Shiro: Then do not hesitate.

Shiro: Whether it is the people of this world... or the people of your world...

Shiro: No matter who gets in our way...I shall silence them all.

Shiro: Then rest assured and come with me.

<…Silence the people in my world…>

Shiro: Are you implying it is difficult?

Shiro: I will somehow find a way to get to your world.

<But, it's impossible..>

Shiro: Why do you assume it is impossible? Are you not travelling between two worlds.

Shiro: If you can do it, there's no reason why I should not too.

Shiro: If the reason you are hesitating lies in the other world... I shall cut off those ties.

<Shiro...>

Shiro: ...Unless. there's someone in that world you can't bear to apart with.

Shiro: for It is not that someone is getting in your way... If you yourself are troubled and can't stay in this world...

Shiro: I suppose......it can't be helped.

Shiro: I would like to tell you to choose me, however I cannot force you.

He wants to be with me so much that he even goes so far as to plan out a way to enter my world.

I was happy about Shiro's feelings, but... I found it a little strange that he was so attached to me.

Shiro: That...

Shiro: .............

Shiro: ...Let us go.

<Huh?>

Step...step...step

Shiro suddenly started walking, and I hurriedly followed after him.

<W..wait..!>

Shiro: .............

Shiro walked a little slower so that I can catch up. It doesn't seem like he's angry.

Shiro: .............

Shiro: .........What it is?

Shiro: ......Be quiet. There is no particular reason to answer, and that's the end of conversation.

Shiro: Now keep walking in silence.

Shiro: .............

I saw Shiro's expressionless profile and couldn't help but smile.

<...hehe>

wondering what kind of time I will be able to spend with Shiro from now on.

And before all the angels are defeated... Will Shiro really be able to find a way to come to my world...?

While thinking about many things... I started to look forward to the future.

- End -

#shiro #aknk shiro #please tell me if you also laughed from the way Shiro talked #he's has an old way of speaking and I tried hard to depict it *crying*#I'm 80% sure he says “thou”#but I let that go #or else it might sounds like;#thee shall must tell me if I made an error of some sort for this translation #akuneko #midori tried to translate #again...

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asgardian--angels · 4 months ago

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Planet's Fucked: What Can You Do To Help? (Long Post)

Since nobody is talking about the existential threat to the climate and the environment a second Trump term/Republican government control will cause, which to me supersedes literally every other issue, I wanted to just say my two cents, and some things you can do to help. I am a conservation biologist, whose field was hit substantially by the first Trump presidency. I study wild bees, birds, and plants.

In case anyone forgot what he did last time, he gagged scientists' ability to talk about climate change, he tried zeroing budgets for agencies like the NOAA, he attempted to gut protections in the Endangered Species Act (mainly by redefining 'take' in a way that would allow corporations to destroy habitat of imperiled species with no ramifications), he tried to do the same for the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (the law that offers official protection for native non-game birds), he sought to expand oil and coal extraction from federal protected lands, he shrunk the size of multiple national preserves, HE PULLED US OUT OF THE PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT, and more.

We are at a crucial tipping point in being able to slow the pace of climate change, where we decide what emissions scenario we will operate at, with existential consequences for both the environment and people. We are also in the middle of the Sixth Mass Extinction, with the rate of species extinctions far surpassing background rates due completely to human actions. What we do now will determine the fate of the environment for hundreds or thousands of years - from our ability to grow key food crops (goodbye corn belt! I hated you anyway but), to the pressure on coastal communities that will face the brunt of sea level rise and intensifying extreme weather events, to desertification, ocean acidification, wildfires, melting permafrost (yay, outbreaks of deadly frozen viruses!), and a breaking down of ecosystems and ecosystem services due to continued habitat loss and species declines, especially insect declines. The fact that the environment is clearly a low priority issue despite the very real existential threat to so many people, is beyond my ability to understand. I do partly blame the public education system for offering no mandatory environmental science curriculum or any at all in most places. What it means is that it will take the support of everyone who does care to make any amount of difference in this steeply uphill battle.

There are not enough environmental scientists to solve these issues, not if public support is not on our side and the majority of the general public is either uninformed or actively hostile towards climate science (or any conservation science).

So what can you, my fellow Americans, do to help mitigate and minimize the inevitable damage that lay ahead?

I'm not going to tell you to recycle more or take shorter showers. I'll be honest, that stuff is a drop in the bucket. What does matter on the individual level is restoring and protecting habitat, reducing threats to at-risk species, reducing pesticide use, improving agricultural practices, and pushing for policy changes. Restoring CONNECTIVITY to our landscape - corridors of contiguous habitat - will make all the difference for wildlife to be able to survive a changing climate and continued human population expansion.

**Caveat that I work in the northeast with pollinators and birds so I cannot provide specific organizations for some topics, including climate change focused NGOs. Scientists on tumblr who specialize in other fields, please add your own recommended resources. **

We need two things: FUNDING and MANPOWER.

You may surprised to find that an insane amount of conservation work is carried out by volunteers. We don't ever have the funds to pay most of the people who want to help. If you really really care, consider going into a conservation-related field as a career. It's rewarding, passionate work.

At the national level, please support:

The Nature Conservancy

Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation

Cornell Lab of Ornithology (including eBird)

National Audubon Society

Federal Duck Stamps (you don't need to be a hunter to buy one!)

These first four work to acquire and restore critical habitat, change environmental policy, and educate the public. There is almost certainly a Nature Conservancy-owned property within driving distance of you. Xerces plays a very large role in pollinator conservation, including sustainable agriculture, native bee monitoring programs, and the Bee City/Bee Campus USA programs. The Lab of O is one of the world's leaders in bird research and conservation. Audubon focuses on bird conservation. You can get annual memberships to these organizations and receive cool swag and/or a subscription to their publications which are well worth it. You can also volunteer your time; we need thousands of volunteers to do everything from conducting wildlife surveys, invasive species removal, providing outreach programming, managing habitat/clearing trails, planting trees, you name it. Federal Duck Stamps are the major revenue for wetland conservation; hunters need to buy them to hunt waterfowl but anyone can get them to collect!

THERE ARE DEFINITELY MORE, but these are a start.

Additionally, any federal or local organizations that seek to provide support and relief to those affected by hurricanes, sea level rise, any form of coastal climate change...

At the regional level:

These are a list of topics that affect major regions of the United States. Since I do not work in most of these areas I don't feel confident recommending specific organizations, but please seek resources relating to these as they are likely major conservation issues near you.

PRAIRIE CONSERVATION & PRAIRIE POTHOLE WETLANDS

DRYING OF THE COLORADO RIVER (good overview video linked)

PROTECTION OF ESTUARIES AND SALTMARSH, ESPECIALLY IN THE DELAWARE BAY AND LONG ISLAND (and mangroves further south, everglades etc; this includes restoring LIVING SHORELINES instead of concrete storm walls; also check out the likely-soon extinction of saltmarsh sparrows)

UNDAMMING MAJOR RIVERS (not just the Colorado; restoring salmon runs, restoring historic floodplains)

NATIVE POLLINATOR DECLINES (NOT honeybees. for fuck's sake. honeybees are non-native domesticated animals. don't you DARE get honeybee hives to 'save the bees')

WILDLIFE ALONG THE SOUTHERN BORDER (support the Mission Butterfly Center!)

INVASIVE PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES (this is everywhere but the specifics will differ regionally, dear lord please help Hawaii)

LOSS OF WETLANDS NATIONWIDE (some states have lost over 90% of their wetlands, I'm looking at you California, Ohio, Illinois)

INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURE, esp in the CORN BELT and CALIFORNIA - this is an issue much bigger than each of us, but we can work incrementally to promote sustainable practices and create habitat in farmland-dominated areas. Support small, local farms, especially those that use soil regenerative practices, no-till agriculture, no pesticides/Integrated Pest Management/no neonicotinoids/at least non-persistent pesticides. We need more farmers enrolling in NRCS programs to put farmland in temporary or permanent wetland easements, or to rent the land for a 30-year solar farm cycle. We've lost over 99% of our prairies to corn and soybeans. Let's not make it 100%.

INDIGENOUS LAND-BACK EFFORTS/INDIGENOUS LAND MANAGEMENT/TEK (adding this because there have been increasing efforts not just for reparations but to also allow indigenous communities to steward and manage lands either fully independently or alongside western science, and it would have great benefits for both people and the land; I know others on here could speak much more on this. Please platform indigenous voices)

HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS (get your neighbors to stop dumping fertilizers on their lawn next to lakes, reduce agricultural runoff)

OCEAN PLASTIC (it's not straws, it's mostly commercial fishing line/trawling equipment and microplastics)

A lot of these are interconnected. And of course not a complete list.

At the state and local level:

You probably have the most power to make change at the local level!

Support or volunteer at your local nature centers, local/state land conservancy non-profits (find out who owns&manages the preserves you like to hike at!), state fish & game dept/non-game program, local Audubon chapters (they do a LOT). Participate in a Christmas Bird Count!

Join local garden clubs, which install and maintain town plantings - encourage them to use NATIVE plants. Join a community garden!

Get your college campus or city/town certified in the Bee Campus USA/Bee City USA programs from the Xerces Society

Check out your state's official plant nursery, forest society, natural heritage program, anything that you could become a member of, get plants from, or volunteer at.

Volunteer to be part of your town's conservation commission, which makes decisions about land management and funding

Attend classes or volunteer with your land grant university's cooperative extension (including master gardener programs)

Literally any volunteer effort aimed at improving the local environment, whether that's picking up litter, pulling invasive plants, installing a local garden, planting trees in a city park, ANYTHING. make a positive change in your own sphere. learn the local issues affecting your nearby ecosystems. I guarantee some lake or river nearby is polluted

MAKE HABITAT IN YOUR COMMUNITY. Biggest thing you can do. Use plants native to your area in your yard or garden. Ditch your lawn. Don't use pesticides (including mosquito spraying, tick spraying, Roundup, etc). Don't use fertilizers that will run off into drinking water. Leave the leaves in your yard. Get your school/college to plant native gardens. Plant native trees (most trees planted in yards are not native). Remove invasive plants in your yard.

On this last point, HERE ARE EASY ONLINE RESOURCES TO FIND NATIVE PLANTS and LEARN ABOUT NATIVE GARDENING:

Xerces Society Pollinator Conservation Resource Center

Pollinator Pathway

Audubon Native Plant Finder

Homegrown National Park (and Doug Tallamy's other books)

National Wildlife Federation Native Plant Finder (clunky but somewhat helpful)

Heather Holm (for prairie/midwest/northeast)

MonarchGard w/ Benjamin Vogt (for prairie/midwest)

Native Plant Trust (northeast & mid-atlantic)

Grow Native Massachusetts (northeast)

Habitat Gardening in Central New York (northeast)

There are many more - I'm not familiar with resources for western states. Print books are your biggest friend. Happy to provide a list of those.

Lastly, you can help scientists monitor species using citizen science. Contribute to iNaturalist, eBird, Bumblebee Watch, or any number of more geographically or taxonomically targeted programs (for instance, our state has a butterfly census carried out by citizen volunteers).

In short? Get curious, get educated, get involved. Notice your local nature, find out how it's threatened, and find out who's working to protect it that you can help with. The health of the planet, including our resilience to climate change, is determined by small local efforts to maintain and restore habitat. That is how we survive this. When government funding won't come, when we're beat back at every turn trying to get policy changed, it comes down to each individual person creating a safe refuge for nature.

Thanks for reading this far. Please feel free to add your own credible resources and organizations.

#us election #climate change #united states election #resources #native plants #this took 3 hours to write so maybe don't let it flop? i know i write long posts. i know i follow scientists on here #that study birds and corals and other creatures #i realize i did not link sources/resources for everything. i encourage those more qualified to add things on. i need to go to work

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