#colorful false foxgloves
Explore tagged Tumblr posts
whatnext10 · 1 year ago
Text
Purple False Foxglove is a Beautiful Fall Wildflower
Purple False Foxglove is a Beautiful Fall Wildflower introduces readers to this gorgeous fall wildflower. It goes on to explain where the author/artist found this plant and explains an interesting quirk that it has.
Purple False Foxglove My most recent trip into the Gothe State Forest was a really amazing one. I found a new swampy area that isn’t even all that far from the house if I go the short way (I took the long way to get there last time). While I was out there I ran into a beautiful red shouldered hawk, discovered a large patch of tamarisk flowers that were filled with pollinators, and found several…
Tumblr media
View On WordPress
0 notes
ostewell · 4 months ago
Text
Tumblr media
finished the eps of malevolent that are out now and thought abt how like . "designs of john where he looks like the king in yellow go very hard, but like . what if he only resembles him . " which lead to the idea of john in a cloak covered w/ yellow flowers, the idea being like. you can grow out of your past, but it still has its impacts on you. and then i drew flowers for 9 hours
more ramblings under the cut <3
flower symbolism is like, semi-intentional; i mostly just tried to stray from flowers that have strongly romantic connotations (<- queerplatonic at most jarthur truther), but didnt Really pay attention/research too heavily? anyw here's the reasoning for most of the flower choices + their symbolism (according to this google sheet smone sent me in the midst of making this <3 (note: i will be picking and choosing and ignoring symbolisms as i see fit (looking at you yellow tulips))
(ignored symbolisms are italicized LOL)
pale pink rose at the cloak clasp thing: based on the time kayne referred to arthur as "[their (john and kayne's)] english rose" (grace, joy)
yellow roses: yellow roses pretty <3 (decrease of love, infidelity, jealousy, friendship)
marigolds: kayne nickname LOL (cruelty, grief, pain, other similar negative meanings LOL; note: marigold i referenced is the type you use for day of the dead, so im also saying mourning :3)
lemon blossom: kayne nickname as well - "lemonhead" <3 (discretion, fidelity in love)
yellow tulips: space filler and pretty KGJSHKD (hopeless love)
black-eyed susans: space filler and flower meaning <3 (justice)
buttercups: space filler (THE space filler) and flower meanings (riches, childishness, ingratitude)
dandelions: kayne nickname-ish? (flirtation, oracle, happiness)
daffodil: ... needed another flower similar in size to tulips LOL (chivalry)
foxglove: friend suggested it and i thought "man that would be a banger border thing..... and its poisonous? you could make a symbol out of that!" /SILLY (wishes, selflessness(?), insincerity)
jasmine: wanted smth small to fill more space :3 (grace, elegance)
sunflower: (tall specifically) similar color scheme /SILLY, its like. THE flower i think of when i think of yellow flowers LOL (pride, haughtiness, false riches, "smile on me still" - dwarf sunflowers symbolize adoration too which :3 hehe /SILLY)
cosmos: pretty 👍 (joy in love and life)
wish i found more that represent friendship LOL but <3
55 notes · View notes
bethanythebogwitch · 3 months ago
Text
Native Wildflowers collection
Native wildflowers from my previous job. All pics by me. Not an exhaustive list. Split into multiple posts due to the image limit.
Starting off with everyone's (read: monarch butterflies') favorite: milkweed. Common milkweed is on the left. I think what we called common milkweed was actually 2 closely-related species. On the right is swam milkweed, which likes wetter soil. Butterfly weed in the bottom is a milkweed, but its sap is clear instead of white so some people don't realize that. It's also much shorter than most milkweeds.
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
We have 2 main gentian species. These flowers don't open all the way and only larger insects like bees can force their way in. These bees then seek out gentians as an exclusive food source, making it more likely for them to pollinate the gentians. Cream gentian (left) is white and can get very tall on good years. Bottle gentian (right) is a small, low-lying plant that hides under other plants. This picture was taken early in the season so they're pretty pale. They turn bright blue when they're in bloom.
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Yellow (left) and purple (right) coneflower
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Mountain mint (right) and downy wood mint (left)
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Wild raspberry (left) and dewberry (right). My personal nemeses when I was moving through the prairie. Thorns are not my friend
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Foxglove beardtongue, which comes in a common white color (right) and a rarer purple variant (left). Below is false foxglove, which is a hemiparasite (plant that gains nutrition through parasitism and photosynthesis) that leaches off of oak roots
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
Bee balm, this one has a lot of ornamental cultivars
Tumblr media
Rattlesnake master, a badass name for a weird and spiky plant
Tumblr media
Ironweed. We have a few species and I don't know how to tell them apart
Tumblr media
Wild quinine. In the 3 growth seasons I worked here, this one became much more common.
Tumblr media
Prairie coreopsis (left) and tall coreopsis (right). Guess what the difference between these two is
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Rosinweed (left) and cup plant (right). Two closely related species.
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Maryland senna (left) and partridge pea (right). Similar (but not closely related) species that grow pods full of seeds. As they dry, the pods peel open and send the seeds flying out.
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Prairie dock. These grow very tall and have huge leaves that are cool because the roots bring up water from deep underground
Tumblr media
Ashy sunflower, a hemiparasite that kills goldenrod and tall grasses. As those two are very aggressive plants that can take over whole fields. ashy sunflower seeds are a great way to fight back against them and help increase biodiversity.
Tumblr media
Cardinal flower. This one is endangered so its great that it's doing well and even spreading where I worked.
Tumblr media
Common thistle. This one is unfortunately losing ground to invasive Canada thistle (not actually from Canada) and isn't very popular, but bugs love it.
Tumblr media
Black-eyed Susan (left) and sweet black-eyed Susan (right). The latter is larger and doesn't tolerate shade as well.
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Continued in part 2
22 notes · View notes
korbeedon · 1 year ago
Text
flower symbolism makes me very very happy. i have no idea why but it makes something in my brain work.
Started in Europe
Conflicting accounts for who was first to write
1. Catherine H. in 1839 “The Language of Flowers” found in her book on the language of flowers, Flora’s Lexicon
Based on the LOF in Victorian England, France, and America
2. Mme. Louise Cortambert (pseudonym “Charlotte de Latour”) in her book “Le 8Langage des fleurs” which translates to The Language of flowers. 
LOF is based on folklore, literature, mythology, religion, and the plant's physical characteristics. 
Symbolic association from Chinese, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Greek, and Roman cultures/mythology/religion
Literature from Shakespear
Turkish language of flowers and objects (Selam)
Taking Turkish words for different flowers and finding which other words they can rhyme with and making a sentence out of it. (Armonde (Pear) rhymes with omonde (hope) so a rhyme for these two words can be Armonde - Wer banna bir omonde (Pear - Let me not despair)
The Turkish language came to Europe through two people, Seigneur Aubry de la Mattraye and Lady Mary Wortley Montagu. Husband and wife. They were Turkish embassies that went before the court of Charles XII of Sweden and shared the language of objects and in this case flowers. 
Physical characteristics (root, stem, leaf, bloom?, and seed
Chrysanthemum/mums: A symbol of death and mourning, but also support and encouragement
Found in east Asia in grasslands, mountain slopes, riversides, fields, and seashores
In Europe, it means death because it was a commonly used flower to decorate graves in the 1700s. Asian Countries have a more positive meaning, used for family seals and pottery. (represents the turning of the seasons) November birth flower
Forget-me-nots: It can be used to symbolize remembrance – both during a parting or after death (bright blue flowers)
Europe, Asia, and Australia in wood/boggy areas
German folktale, where a dying knight threw flowers at his lady and said forget-me-not, the lady wore the flowers forever. 
Hyacinth: Sorrow, I am sorry. Please forgive me.
The Mediterranean and tropical Africa and woodlands
From greek mythology, where apollo and zephyrs killed Hyacinth and his remains were turned into purple hyacinth in the sorrow of his death. (slightly toxic)
Yellow Roses: Said to symbolize friendship
Mostly in Asia but in other places to
Yellow is a very positive and happy color, In Korean and Japanese culture, it was used as a symbol of jealousy. 
Daffodils: Symbols of rebirth and hope
Europe, Asia, Mediterranean meadows/woodland edges
The first flowers bloom in the spring, so it represents the new life after the winter months. March birth flower cause it usually blooms in march
Foxglove: Symbols of insecurity + many other things
Europe, the Mediterranean, and in woodlands
From Folk’s gloves (the fae folk), cautious tale to scare children from picking them. (Poisonous) also grown for the Virgin Mary (our lady’s gloves/gloves of the virgin)
Lily of the valley: Means the return of happiness
Eurasia, eastern North America, and in mountain forests
Used in religious ceremonies, it Represents Eve’s tears after she left the garden, the national flower of Finland, the May birth flower, is associated with Ostara, known for her humility (germanic mythology)
Baptisia (False/Wild Indigo): Symbolizes protection
Central and eastern north America near wood, meadows, stream
Associated with Venus (the Roman version of Aphrodite), (toxic but can be used as a noninflammatory, indigenous people use it for blue dye)
White orchids: symbolizes apology
Asia and in tropical forests
over 35,000 different varieties, based on the word orchis (which means testicles in greek because a writer said orchids looked like them) sign of wealth in the victorian era and in japan
Yarrow: symbolizes a wish for better health
Grasslands and forests, Eurasia
comes from the greek word here which means holy herb, neanderthals though they were a holy flower, druids used them in ceremonies, medieval Europe used them to exercise ghosts, dreaming means you'll receive good news, good for clotting blood
iris, arborvitae, and bluebell- are supposed to convey trust, friendship, and gratitude.
Carnations- innocence, remembrance
Hyacinths- deep sorrow, forgiveness, regret
White lilac- youthful innocence, new beginnings
Peonies- Family
Red roses- love, respect
Yellow rose- friendship
Blue tulip- peace and tranquility
Blue gladiolus- loyalty
Iris- hope
White tulip- I’m sorry
Lily- sympathy, innocence
Purple hyacinth- deep sorrow
6 notes · View notes
leaderintitleonly · 2 years ago
Text
@calmlythrilling gets a short starter because this also started as a bit and how did it end up like this? collect them all!
Tumblr media
He didn't seem to be the type to work with something so toxic. Then again, foxglove didn't seem so threatening. They were delicate little flowers that were so velvety with soft pops of color. That was until he dried them. Doc was wearing gloves while working with his knife and trying to keep his distance. One false move and he'd have to make a dash for the wash tub. "Thought yer, uh... auto...auto uh..." He paused and frowned. Getting distracted would be a bad idea. He could get dust in his eyes or get welts on his arms. Being immortal didn't mean invulnerable. He set aside the knife and looked up at the professor. "...Well if yer mindin' the dust, good day to look fer, uh... good stuff." He nodded back down at his work. "Not, uh, this. Been tryin' to dry it fer days."
3 notes · View notes
myfeelingshavefeelings · 10 months ago
Text
Kitsune
A piece I wrote for my creative writing class that was inspired by @normal-horoscopes (now @cryptotheism)'s post about a fox trapped in their ribcage, which i figured i'd share here :)
[CONTENT WARNING: body horror, blood/bleeding, self-harm]
There is a fox trapped inside your chest, and it is biting at the brittle bones of your ribcage, it is clawing at the tender flesh of your aching lungs, it is feasting on your failing heart.
Here’s the thing about foxes: they will gnaw their own leg off in order to escape a trap.
Here’s the thing about you: you do not know how to set this fox free.
You carry on, unable to soothe the savage beast lurking behind your breast, unable to catch your breath, and you endure it, for what other choice do you have? There are no atheists in foxholes, but no god can save you here.
Here’s the thing about foxes: they are notorious for being tricksters.
Here’s the thing about your fox: it is trickier than most.
It learns to lie in wait, lulling you into a false sense of security, before striking just as you lower your guard. It is a powerful predator, and you are its current choice of prey. You may try to gain its friendship by offering it food—grapes or cheese, perhaps—but it has no qualms about biting the hand that feeds it.
Here’s the thing about foxes: they have a diverse diet and will even eat carrion.
Here’s the thing about you: sometimes you think you may already be dead.
There is only so much damage the fox can do within the confines of your ribs and spine before the wear and tear starts to take its toll. Your heart is struggling, like your father’s before you. You are prescribed poison in the form of foxglove – the irony is not lost on you.
Your breath becomes distinctly musty, taking on a persistent air of leaf-rot and animal-musk. Your lungs fill with blood until it feels like you are choking on it, drowning in it, until it is all you can taste and smell and think about. It climbs your throat like a crimson tide, threatening to overwhelm you.
So you spit the blood out into the sink and greet your reflection with a rust-colored grin and
you bear it,
you bear it,
you bear it…
…until it starts to look less like you’re grinning and more like you’re gritting your teeth. You wash the blood in the sink down the drain with water from the tap. You wash the blood in your mouth down your throat with another pull from the whiskey bottle. You call it a night.
Here’s the thing about foxes: they are normally nocturnal.
Here’s the thing about you: you are abnormally nocturnal.
Insomnia has been as constant a companion as the fox, keeping you company from sundown to sunup. Your friends notice the ever-darkening circles under your ever-reddening eyes, and jokingly liken you to the roadkill on the highway. They don’t know how close to the truth they really are.
You stare blankly into your coffee as your fox screams at the sky, calling out to Vulpecula. You resist the urge to start screaming yourself, calling out to anyone who can stand to listen.
Here’s the thing about foxes: they are mostly solitary creatures.
Here’s the thing about you: you are scared of being alone.
You think about telling someone, anyone, about the fox that you are holding hostage, are being held hostage by, but the words do not come, and you spend the rest of the day picking russet-colored hairs out of your teeth with your too-sharp nails. You find yourself scratching at your chest, leaving angry red marks all across it. Eventually, you start to draw blood. It spills out, staining your skin, making your hands slippery as you scratch, and scratch, and scratch.  Finally, you reveal bone, the ivory a stark contrast to all the scarlet. You crack open your ribcage only to find a stuttering heart and heaving lungs, no fox in sight.
Here’s the thing about foxes: they will gnaw their own leg off in order to escape a trap.
Here’s the thing about you: you have been the fox all along.
0 notes
fourthage · 3 years ago
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media
01 May 2022 (3 of 3)
And the new plants in the front. In the side strip went a few more ajuga (mahogany variety with black-green leaves and purple flowers) to help fight the weeds coming in from the never-mowed yard of my still absent neighbors.
Got two tickseed plants. One went in the side yard and replaced the lavender plant that didn't come back, the other went in front of the lavender on the other side of the walkway.
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
Sun plants! Got one more lantana (yellow-white color) and a deep purple heliotrope (smells so good). They're both planted near the lantana planted a couple weeks ago.
Near the front of the main bed, also put in a blue false indigo (baptisia australis)
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
Shade plants!
Got two new ferns. The Brilliance Autumn Fern has a pretty copper color on new growth and supposedly in the fall too. The second one is a Herrenhausen (soft shield fern). I love the way its new growth comes up in those curls.
Still doing the seeds in the back, but I went ahead and got a pink foxglove (digitalis) plant for the front. It went behind the hyacinths and nandina.
And finally, with the goal of it spreading and helping to fill in the empty areas, I got a couple of creeping Jacob's Ladder. One went in the back corner at the same latitude as the Virginia bluebells, the other is along the front side edge, near the largest astilbe.
12 notes · View notes
cosmo112 · 2 years ago
Text
@nightmarefox15
Apocalypse AU
Fandom: Yet to be Decided
Song Fic vvv the song
Pick me up and hose me down
His breath is labored as the sound of Yelling followed behind. I'm sorry boys about the dirty night clowns
The sounds of laughing and Glass shattering was ahead, a gang of sorts crowded around a shaking figure. The Earth does bright, the things that we make
He peaked through seeing a figure and the sounds of distress caught his ears. Like a model planes and gooey cakes
He pushed through seeing a person with a Monitor TV instead of their head, a Tear was on the screen.
I can't clear the leaves from here
“Freaky Cyborg!! At least be cool if your gonna be a TV!” The group laughed as one raised a bat. They're too far under the brush this year
he reacted too fast grabbing the bat and throwing it away. a scowl on his face I can't clear the leaves from here
They ran off soon after hearing the Police from the sounds of screaming. They're too far under the brush this year
It looked up at him the screen changing to a question Mark.
Let them be buried, buried alive
He grabbed them and turned into a alley way. The screen changing from a Question mark to a Explmation point. In their suits, in their ties
“I’m Mori, Mori Masaki.” He smiled as the Screen changed to a smile. “I’m #466, the failed Copy of #100.” It hummed
Trees to shade the moves that they made
“how about just Violet?” Mori laughed half Heartedly at the TV Headed Person. In their suits, in their ties
It nodded with their screen turning a Violet color. “Ok! Mister Mori, c’mon I’ll take you to my camp!” Let them be buried, buried alive
Years later in the same camp, they survived. One of the rare pair too actually. In their suits, in their ties
The sounds of screaming from outside the camp sounded as Violet sat down, holding their legs as Mori put stickers on the scratched plastics. You're safe here, now you're in the clear
“You don’t have too Mister Mori. I can patch my own plastics. It just needs some welding.” It sighed with a worried face on their screen. Now we'll eat soup and apple pies
His Purple hair sometimes covering his face and his Brown eyes. Along with some bruises.
I can't clear the leaves from here
Violet sighed sitting still making their antenna still even though the constant hive mind of the wild robots made them twitch with the waves and signals. They're too far under the brush this year
Noticing the human shiver with the cold wind, Violet slowly slid off their cardigan and put it on Mori. I can't clear the leaves from here
“I don’t need this.” Mori laughed as the other stood up. “Your cold. So you need it.” They're too far under the brush this year
Violet smiled grabbing the nearby False flowers of violets. Putting them in the pockets.
I will never be 
Violet sat down the screen slowly turning into sounds of nature, like a window to the old world. Dirt-free
Mori just accepted his fate leaning on it’s shoulder and yawned as rain hummed in his ears.
Up the stairs come find me
The sounds of birds chirping and cats purring through the speakers vibrated making sound waves for his comfort as Violet Solar charged. Come sneak up behind me
The antenna slowly drooping down, only twitching with sounds outside of the speakers. I'll be sleeping soundly
Violet’s screen started turning into Z’s to signify charging, but the sounds continued as Mori fell asleep. Like a baby
They both where temporarily asleep, confident in the camp’s walls. Made with spare parts of rouge bots and wires.
I can't clear 
Flowers grew on both sides. Violets, Lillies of the Vally, FoxGlove, Buttercups. And trees. Something Violet wished to see, and Thanks to Mori, got to grow. The leaves from here
Their safe, your safe. And they will always be, because, Their walls will keep them safe. They're too far under the brush this year
5 notes · View notes
flowerflamestars · 5 years ago
Text
Bound and Blessed
PART ONE  PART TWO PART THREE  PART FOUR  PART FIVE  PART SIX  PART SEVEN  PART EIGHT  PART NINE PART TEN
Under the false fire of will-o-wisp light, the stormy heart of the Archeron estate had never been colder.
  Not the great house built for show and status, or the warded secret spaces the sister’s had carved out. The true beating heart was this: a sloping stone half circle designed by Nesta, mimicking luna phases. Where Elain had planted roses with her own hands, mixed them with everything from fickle jasmine to hardy hollyhock and lethal foxglove.   Where Lucien had bled, until the three of them had a new world.   Inauspicious tonight under feet of snow, features lost under the white, white blanket, the phantom heartbeat of power thrummed beneath Lucien’s feet. Danger, warning, like the living land understood the risk they were taking.   The moonless sky overhead that they’d been waiting for was long shrouded by the storm, gentle snowflakes drifting down.   When the silence broke, it was from the steady beat of mighty wings.   Like winnowing was too easy, like they hadn’t all been living in the same house a short walk away, Rhysand, accompanied by his Shadowsinger and General, slammed down into the snow.   “Dramatic,” Nesta hissed.   Lucien didn’t hold in the sharp edge of his smile. They’d been waiting in the snow for the High Lord to show up for more than half an hour already. Standing in a snowdrift, refusing to shiver, Rhys hadn’t put Nesta in her place if that was his intention.   He’d enraged a woman on the brink of committing murder.   Already leaking a steady trickle of flame into the the air that Nesta would insist she didn’t need if he asked, Lucien stepped closer, bloomed the heat higher, careful not to melt the snow. He was gratified by the infinitesimal further straightening of her spine, radiating strength and comfort.   As though they were ever going to quail, just because the High Lord of the Night Court was a prick.   Rhysand folded black wings and came to a stop, not in front of Nesta, but him, like he was planning to negotiate with Lucien. A stupid prick.   But sharp-honed weapons that they were, both the Illyrian’s were looking at Nesta. Lucien knew damn well what they were seeing, familial pride widening his smile. Silvered fur and velvet drained of color in the dark, throwing back the battlefield haunting green and gold firelight of will-o-wisps who’d congregated around and above her as thought magnetized.   Deep hood up, all that showed was the sharp curve of bones. A deaths head. A woman veiled in menace.   Nesta looked more like a damned faery than any of them.   Elain had told him once human children were taught were the beauty of High Fae was a weapon, beguilement that led to ruin. It was true, if a double edged sword: magic responded to beauty, called upon willpower and grace with favor.   With his usual flare for the dramatic, Rhysand summoned the indestructible contract onto the low stone wall between them. “This was not necessary.”   Nesta didn’t move or speak. Lucien bared his teeth in reply when Rhysand was stupid enough to look at him for an answer.   Met with silence, Rhysand tucked his hands into his pockets. “Do you really think not telling your sister about this is right?”   Nesta pushed back her hood. Crowned in faery gold, each ornament was sharp enough to kill, laced with carefully slow floral poison. An early solstice gift, from Elain and Lucien together. His heart crowed to see her wear it: family, fierce and true.   “Does Feyre have any governmental authority in the Night Court?”   A twist of anger, barely contained: a point to Nesta. Emissary was not a command position. Lucien was sure it paid in the North, the richest court in Prythian. But until Rhysand addressed those crowns he dressed her in and gave away a piece of his absolute power, Feyre had none.   Rhysand wasn’t done. “You could have just asked, for any of this. Do think so little of faeries that we wouldn’t take in children, provide safe port for your ships?” So very stupid. Somewhere along the way, Feyre had taken the clear fact that Nesta and Elain despised Rhysand- a liar, a Lord who’d spent centuries building reputation as nightmare, the second kidnapper of their little sister- and decided they hated faeries.   What mental gymnastics were required to deal with Lucien’s presence in comparison, he couldn’t imagine.   “I am asking,” Nesta ground out, voice colder than the falling snow. And then, tone wholly different and wounding, “Promise kept and bound, beneath the sky.”   An Illyrian proverb. Lucien had seen the stack of books at the corner of her desk: old words for alliance, for binding and bloodshed.   Cassian was staring.   Lucien had to actually blink away the ties of seething gold that spooled between them, bright and violent to only his eyes. It had been years since he’d been able to see them, anything like them- more than a scent or a feeling. Proof of that growing, hungry star beneath his ribs? Or was Nesta- beloved and fearless and theirs- already in the depths?   Point two to Nesta: Rhysand was slipping out of his feigned casual stance, sliding into the dangerous stillness of the High Fae.   “We make promises in ink, in the North,” He tried on last time, purple eyes gleaming inhuman in the dark. “Would you accept that?”   The loyal-hearted Generals’ head snapped toward Rhys like he’d been offered personal affront.    Honest, unguarded-  and wounded. With a low, long sigh, the Shadowsinger rocked a step forward before the whole night could descend into chaos.   “Section three, clause two,” Azriel recited, ignoring his High Lord, “One action performed personally by the Shadowsinger of the Night Court, to be sworn secret until such time it is necessary to the war effort. Do you want me to kill someone?”   For the first time in the long cold night, Nesta didn’t look angry. “No bloodshed of any kind will be required.”   Easy, Azriel inclined his head. “I accept.”   “Az.” In a shudder of dark power, ignoring his High Lord completely, Azriel pressed a fingertip to the paper. Blood smeared, no cut that Lucien had been able to see made feeding the contract.   Nesta inclined her head in return.   Elain had been sure the Illyrians would side with them. Honor, she’d reminded Lucien, while Nesta bled and grumbled, Lucien periodically healing away the loss. Look at the way they respond when we fight with Feyre and Rhysand, they don’t want to be here. Lucien wished she were here to see it. Hours spent on what to include, the contract was every inch her work as much as theirs.   Long lapsed into tired insouciance, Elain had tossed her legs over his lap to talk, unbound curls a cloud against the back of the low chaise she’d talked him into carrying to the library. Hands full of  her heavy silk skirts, as much a pleasing anchor as a reminder to himself not to reach for more, Lucien couldn’t have moved if the world were burning down.   “She’ll be offended by the entire thing,” Elain had mused, leaning back.   “Was she this stupid about Tamlin?” Nesta replied, sprawled on the floor before a low tea table- also carried in by Lucien- bleeding into a copper bowl. Lucien healed her again without being asked.   “No,” He said automatically, before Elain’s disbelieving dark eyes found him. “Yes. Different, but”-   “But Rhysand is her mate,” Nesta interrupted, without looking up. A condemnation, in her voice.   Elain snagged one of his full hands, hooking two fingertips beneath the red ribbon around his wrist. Lucien tried to swallow down his seized heart at the word, focused instead on the feeling of Elain’s pearl bracelet sliding over his skin.   “Feyre is going to be furious,” Elain amended, knuckles against Lucien’s unsteady pulse. “I’ll keep her distracted.”   So rather than out in the snow, the third face of their efforts where she belonged, Elain was entertaining the sister she was still furious with. If he looked away from Rhysand’s scowl, Lucien probably could have found her, light blazing from one high glass walled room of the main house.   Found her heartbeat through the dark.   But first Lucien had to perform the savage magic of his forest home. Because the Archeron sisters had decided promises didn’t matter much to the most powerful High Lord in Prythian.    Instead, they’d built a trap, laid a curse, bound from their bloodline to his.   Their audacity alone was a pride.   Rhysand had picked up the contract and begun reading aloud. “Safe passage and stipend to all orphan wards to the Archeron estate. Legal freehold status to any and all Archeron vassals who choose to seek a home in the Night Court at the advent of war. Legal recognition of House Archeron and all her employees from the Royal Guild of Trade, the Great Bank of the North, and the Court of the High Lord as free entities. Do you think we wouldn’t accept refugees?”   “I think,” Fae and furious, Nesta snapped, “That it will take an incredible amount of magic to winnow several hundred people to safety. Feyre wants Elain and I safe in the North? Then every man, woman, and child who belongs to this land will be offered the same, or we won’t go.”   Horribly, Rhysand was starting to eye her with something closer to intrigued disbelief than rage.   “The last page,” He breathed, “Zero independent intervention into any ongoing military operations under the authority of House Archeron. If there an army hiding in your shipments of cloth and grain, Banfhlaith?”   Like he didn’t notice he was doing it, Cassian took the last two steps toward Nesta’s rigid form. Honor, Elain had said. Fealty, Lucien agreed. He could scent it, burning bright.   “Do you accept or not, High Lord?”   Lucien had the thought that when they got close enough to actually perform the binding Nesta was going to stab Rhysand in the throat, if only for that smirk as she recited his title.   “Why should I?” Rhysand asked silkly, bleeding false charm. “I would give you half this without lifting a finger, no foul magic from Vanserra forcing me.”   Azriel sighed again.   Out of one wide fur lined sleeve, pale hands gilded in the light, Nesta pulled free a filigreed square of paper and held it out. The High dragged it to himself with a gust of frozen night air, the backlash sending ice into Nesta’s face.   Someday soon, one of the sisters was going to stab him, and Lucien was going to be right there breaking bone, High Lord of no.   Rhysand took it, read, and laughed. A favor, Elain had whispered in delight that night Lucien had learned of Velaris. Buried with our father’s treasure. Merchants call them markers- when our great-great-great grandfathers grandfather was bound to the secret city, he was gifted one magic token, a single favor from the hand of the High Lord Rhain. Twelve generations had kept it, and now Nesta would entrap Rhain’s son with his word.   Wild and bloody magic cared for boldness.   Lucien had honestly wondered if Rhysand would try to kill them for even the suggestion, after Amarantha.   Instead, he grimaced in an unwilling amusement. “Very well, Nesta Archeron, first of your name, oldest of your line.” One more huffed, hollow laugh, before Rhysand held out his hand for her take. “But if you do this, we’re allies in the war. No more secrets. And you’re going to tell me where the hell you got a note written by my dead father.”   Nesta pulled a bare blade from the small of her back, and smiled.   “It’s an heirloom,” She said, reaching out to grip his tattooed wrist without a flicker of fear. “The first generation of merchants were favored.”   Rhys grunted as she sliced his palm, far deeper than the spell required. The cut on her own hand was shallow, but bled and bled, thin mortal blood spilling over the curved blade. Not Spring Court make or one of Nesta’s commissions, the keen slice of moonlight in her hand was Illyrian steel, forged of fallen stars. Singing steel, they called it, like it spoke to the Illyrians as the wind and skies themselves did.   Lucien could imagine where she’d gotten it.   They joined bleeding hands over the contract, and Nesta reached for Lucien.   Out of the corner of his eye Lucien caught the half-contained motion as Cassian twitched at the sight of Nesta taking his hand. Tension bled into the air, already thick with blood and promise.   “The oldest of two generations,” Rhysand breathed. “A bloodline curse, Vanserra? Barbaric.”   Trickle down- a broken word would not just kill the the subject of binding, but cascade through their family line wreaking ruin before death took hold.   Not simply murder: an ill-wish, humans called it. A cataclysm.   An Autumn specialty- other court’s High Fae might pretend they weren’t so savage, but the truth was, most of them had lost the art.   Power liked reciprocity, but a curse couldn’t be truly even. Elain and Nesta hadn’t just grabbed for what they wanted: they’d set in a motion a situation that made them powerful in their right, their people safe and needs met, the High Lord backed into a corner at their behest.   It made the binding tighter.   “No moon,” Azriel murmured, shadows wreathed about his shoulders.   The North knew curses too.   Rhysand inclined his head and intoned, “Written of blood.” Stealing the first words would have given him more wiggle room, the prick, if Lucien hadn’t been spinning curses since the cradle.   Fresh blood filled the air as Nesta squeezed his hand in retaliation, dripping down her wrist. “Bound of bone.”   How Rhysand could believe he could take from this bargain, like he could actually intimidate her, Lucien couldn’t imagine. Nesta’s iron grip was enough that blood was ruining her dress sleeve, sticking to her fur cloak.   Power, stifling and raw, filled the garden.   Together, they continued. “We bind our will, beneath the crone.”   Rhysand’s wings snapped out as the curse took hold, the air shimmering to mirage with Lucien’s fire in the air. Blood flowed backward, fresh and red as out of the vein. A tide receding, from the contract up their joined hands to sink beneath skin.   Blood for blood, life for life, a promise bound.   Nesta didn’t flinch. *** Cassian’s joints didn’t unlock until Lucien winnowed Nesta away. Blood on her hands, only standing by sheer force of will, she was glorious. The air itself had sung, with a blade in her hand.   “You ever feel like the Mother herself is fucking with you?” Rhys asked, flexing his healed hand. Knotwork and ink on his palms and wrists that matched Feyre, but now until the promise was kept, bloody red words in Nesta’s precise hand raced beneath the skin of his knuckles.   Because Rhys had apologized, because Cassian needed to ignore that his whole body was helplessly alight, he fell into the ease of laughing back. “Dawn mother or night mother?”   Illyrian gods, not the Mother, the threefold goddess High Fae believed in like she walked the world with them.   Rhys huffed back, but when he looked up from his hand to meet Cassian’s eyes, his face was tired. “Cas, I could smell your blood.”  *** Elain, in the aftermath of fighting with Feyre hadn’t spent the next two days placidly cutting orchids as their guests seemed to assume.   Screened from Night Court eyes and gnashing her teeth- the punishment for treason was death, and Feyre knew it. Death to their entire family, death to every vassal; and Feyre had linked them to the authority of a High Lord of Prythian. The death warrant was signed- the first thing Elain did was sink her hands into soft black soil and pulled free a golden acorn.   Impervious, dirt shed from its gleaming surface onto her palm all at once, leaving gold phantom warm and sun bright.   So small- so terribly important in the course of her life.   It fit in a skirt pocket, presumably only detectable to faeries as a slice of magic, a taste of Lucien’s scent on her. Explainable- so ordinary as to not even be worth mentioning. Ordinary, her thoughts raced on. Lucien was a part of her life. Her’s and Nesta, family. Theirs. Hers- how dare Feyre- two High Lords, two kidnappers, but marrying Lucien was a problem? There were layers and twists to her fury- Feyre thought Elain was incapable of making her own decisions, Rhysand thought they were somehow under his authority because of his not quite relationship with their baby sister- but not a ripple showed as Elain floated through the next three days.   She showed up to breakfast and drank tea with quiet, polite Azriel. Bantered ever so lightly with Cassian, when Nesta wasn’t in the room rendering him deaf and blind to all else.   Learned the foreign body language that seemed to take up half of how they related to one another: Azriel’s disappearing shadows and right wing that practically reached right out to tap Cassian. Those wickedly curved, surely sharp spiked wing-joints over Cassian’s shoulders that jumped with nerves, practically disappeared with tension.   Elain didn’t have Nesta’s enormous childhood fascination with stories of honor and flight to back up what she learned, but for soldiers- they were so clearly soldiers, she didn’t need their titles or scarred hands to tell her the story their constant armament and posture did- neither seemed inclined toward keeping a blank face around her.  Anger, rage, all the while a slow trickle behind her eyes.   People looked at Elain- her much fairer curling hair, her heart shaped face and dimples- and forgot entirely she was as Archeron as Nesta. Her older sister would burn a threat to the ground. Elain was something more subtle, if only in the worlds eyes.   Carefully distilled foxglove in Rhysand’s tea proved as fruitless as Lucien had said it would, but it did make Elain feel better.   Not so much better though, that when choosing the task of keeping Feyre occupied, Elain didn’t have to smile her widest fake charitable ball smile and then give into the vindictive urge to march Feyre across the house to her quarters.   An hour, she estimated, long enough for Nesta and Lucien to throw their net around Rhysand.   Elain could smile for an hour.   It had taken two nights to write the contract. Lucien’s idea, Nesta’s words, Elain’s trap in the form of an heirloom their bastard father had hidden while they starved through winters. Every fail-safe and nuance they could think of covered: citizenship, freehold farmland, safety for their many men at sea.   Flaith Archeron would simply become a lordship in another territory, and thanks to Nesta’s financial machinations, the money and business would stay in the sisters legal grip, even if Lord Archeron reappeared.   On the third night, dragging a tiredness that made her long for Lucien’s warmth beside her, Elain retired early.   She truly was tired- of fake smiling, of the way Rhysand looked at Lucien like he was just waiting for him to bare his throat, of Feyre’s stories about bakeries and piers and art galleries in Velaris- but the moment her door was shut behind her, fiery ward spells scenting the air like love, a steady pulse of adrenaline started in her veins.   Three twists of an acorn stem.   Red silk ribbons in her hair to call enchantment down.   If it all it did was call Lucien, she wouldn’t be upset. But watching Nesta bleed for them- waiting for an apology from Feyre that wouldn’t come- Elain had to try something.   Three breathless recitations of the Lady of Autumn’s name, before the silent, still night bled into Elain’s roaring ears.   Nothing. Just gold that smelled like fire, warm as the summer sun in her palm. Elain waited.   Long enough that she was readying herself to leave again- exhausted but sleeping shores still so very distant- to track down whatever Nesta was doing in her usual insomnia nightly hours or find Lucien, when the scent in the air changed.   Fire, and fire still- but spiced, blooming, a bonfire on a holiday night.   Elain closed her eyes and breathed. Sorcha, Sorcha, Sorcha, queen unbroken. Family, she’d called Elain, left a stolen crown of unimaginable power perched in her hair that rejected it’s own bloodline.   When Elain opened her eyes, a satchel sat on the vanity before her.   Heavy russet velvet, embroidered in red and green. Too delicate for any purpose a human would carry a bag so large for, too fine to be made by anything but faery hands. The fastening buckle was a an oak leaf of solid, shinning gold.   With hands that trembled, Elain pulled free the clasp, and laughed.   The note, on paper so creamy and thick the part of Elain that was Archeron practically wanted to weigh it for grade, was scrawled in a perfect hand. Darling mortal daughter, Sorcha had written, for ease here among the fields of wheat, I thought we might write. Anything in the satchel will be delivered straight to my hand. Elain pressed her hand to her mouth, biting knuckles in an attempt to choke down the slightly hysteric giggle. Wheat- the banner of the Day Court, where Sorcha had ordered they come for any aid.   The Lady of Autumn had gotten out.   It is good to hear you are in the sunshine, Elain replied, I look forward to such weather myself, but it is Northern climes in my immediate future, unfortunately. Storms have come early this year, but our trees are still baring fruit. I wonder if you might advise how to bolster the branches of our oak trees under the onslaught? Reply was immediate, ink shining damply. At the least, mountains provide an excellent refuge from the wind. It is my belief snow will fall thickly in future months, be of mind the harvest must be gathered and sent out before then. I look forward to your eventual arrival- please do wear your hair as it was last we met, was so terribly fetching, and will be perfect for the warmer climes. How and what Sorcha might know of the Archeron’s fell harvest, Elain couldn’t imagine, but she’d heed the warning. Months- they had less than that left safely in their home, barely more to send out that last, fatal round of ships.   She was still thinking about it the next night, as she smiled winsome over dinner and asked Feyre for company.   Which brought her to very properly holding up her skirts to keep up with Feyre’s longer legs as they walked up the grand eastern staircase, a steady stream of questions Feyre clearly wasn’t interested in knowing the answer to standing in for any kind of apology.   As though Elain had actually handpicked every curtain in this house, as though Feyre had ever cared about tapestries.   She wondered what Feyre would say if she told her the truth: they’d picked colors they liked, and ordered in bulk from fabric mills at the discretion of proprietresses to choose the height of fashion. These public spaces were about luxury- the kind that made them blend back in with the gentry- and said nothing about Elain or Nesta’s personal taste.   The rooms Elain led her to at the easternmost rise of the house were something else entirely.   Solid ash wood doors swung open, slivered wood safe out of Feyre’s grip, to usher them into a world of softness.   Bright hand-woven rugs on the floor, practical but still fine pale wooden furniture that called back to the silvery sky colored walls. The plush room before them was a dozen shades of blue and cream, blending seamlessly without being dull; calculated to soothe.   Feyre ran a hand over the back of a royal blue couch, the velvet whooshing softly against her palm. Nothing like the delicate furniture downstairs: squashy, so plush it practically sagged. “This is beautiful.”   Elain swallowed the poison on her tongue. “It’s yours.”   Soundless, Elain sidestepped around where Feyre had frozen, weaving between more soft, practical furniture and past a roaring white marble fireplace Lucien had lit for her earlier. The doors to the left were glass, and when Elain threw them open, Feyre’s breath caught.   Fast as the High Fae she was now, her baby sister sped to the doorway and paused.   Everything Nesta and Elain had carefully chosen gleamed under golden faelight: paint and paper, fabric and thread, easel and drafting table, the glass walls that enclosed the studio crystalline with frost.   “Its…mine?” Feyre asked.   Elain let out a long breath through her nose and made herself look at her sister’s wide blue eyes. “The last time you were here the house wasn’t finished. The other doors lead to a bedroom; it’s blue and white, and of course we can personalize it to your taste if you prefer something else. The doors will have to be replaced."   Feyre’s face twisted, nose scrunching.   She’d said terrible things, endangered them all, but for a second, Feyre looked like exactly who she was: Elain’s still teenaged sister, overwhelmed by emotion she didn’t easily put into words.   “No,” Feyre said, reaching out to touch with two fingers the smooth surface of an entire shelf of paints, “Don’t change anything, it’s perfect. It’s beautiful, Elain.”   Elain nodded with a small smile and absolutely did not think or say, pity we’ll have to leave it forever or face execution. Waiting on the threshold while Feyre explored, exclaiming over color variety and touching each kind of paper Nesta had scoured imports for carefully. Brushes caressed, easel poked at, Feyre eventually stopped on the opposite side of the room from Elain, against that wall of night-dark glass.   “The gardens are bellow, right?”   Elain walked in, placing herself before the shelves. Calmly. Her luck held as Feyre walked away from the window, away from the slice of possible view of their sister out in the snow wielding magic.     “Yes, just like when you were a child. This was a library, then, your bedroom is in exactly the same spot.”   Feyre tilted her head thoughtfully. The motion was wrong to the eye: human gestures, high fae features. None of the keenness that bled from the gesture on other faerie faces, none of the knives edge that Nesta’s face made.   “I wondered,” Feyre admitted. “But I don’t really remember it, and Rhys wanted us all doubled up, for safety.”   Elain had the presences of mind to smile and nod as she led Feyre back out of the rooms and downstairs. Yes, she could imagine exactly the sort of safety Rhysand was providing, sleeping in the same tiny guest room as her sister.   She knew Feyre hadn’t slept there, her first night home. Had missed when Feyre switched rooms. After the first fight? Safety. That ridiculous prick.  “You know,” Elain said, “The wards here are blood bound. You’re as safe anywhere on Archeron land as I am. It’s your home too.”   Feyre made an odd little noncommittal noise in return. “I’ve never seen blood magic before.”   The phrase sounded even more off in her mouth; the difference between Nesta saying Vanserra- with love, with friendship, no matter how sharp she was- and Rhysand saying Vanserra, like Lucien’s name was a curse.   And why would Feyre have ever seen it? The long and deadly traditions of the Autumn Court, Lucien’s mother’s power unstoppable in his veins.  Magic that could rise to mortal hands and lived in the hollows of Prythians land. Why would she- no humans had ever been allowed to live in the Night Court.   Elain raised her chin. Took a deep breath made invisible by the tight strays of her fashionable gown, and gathered the thick fabric in her hands.   “This way,” Her voice, she was proud, came out affable as ever, “There’s hot chocolate in the drawing room, and I made cookies last night. You’d adore our cook, she’s been teaching me how to bake. Do you like snickerdoodles?”   Feyre liked anything with cinnamon and sugar, had since she was a toddler.   A painfully obvious relief on her face, Feyre nodded with a smile.   Elain led her on.   ***   So very many people feared Azriel.   The scars and cold menace, that sheer fact that Shadowsingers were a breed apart, something more magic than being to speak to the darkness and hear it whisper back. But Azriel was also kind. No amount of blood on his hands would ever change that, and nothing would ever change that Cassian was lucky to have him as a brother, no matter who their actual father’s were.   Cassian was lucky now, that Az was on his side.   “Rhys,” Az cut into the growing tension, worse- so much worse to have this fight right here and now, Cassian could still smell Nesta’s blood on Rhy’s hands, Cassian couldn’t breathe- because Cassian would never, ever apologize for what he’d done.   He waited until purple eyes swung away from Cassian. Their dearest friend, their older brother, but also and always, their High Lord.   “Rhys,” Azriel insisted again, terrible, something those shadows whispered to him making his voice cold, “Why is Nesta a problem, but not Elain?”   Cassian was going to rattle out of his skin.   With a twist of his mouth that said he knew damn well he wasn’t completely right, Rhys didn��t answer the question. “You didn’t have to agree like that. She could make you do anything, kill anyone.”   Cassian swallowed. He’d known- he knew- what Nesta had asked. That this would hit Rhysand in all the worst possible by ways after the last fifty years. But also- what choice did she have? There were no humans in the Night Court.   No safe place for them, no laws to protect them. Nothing but the Archeron sisters and Lucien’s power standing between several hundred humans being killed, if not in the war than by the Queens, by royal law that any of the surrounding estates could bring down on their heads at any time.   Nesta did what she had to, to get her people out.   Without harming the Night Court, or the war effort.   Stone-faced, Azriel crossed his arms. The shadows coiled down his jaw, whispered and keened and wept things Cassian couldn’t imagine. More, Cassian realized suddenly, than he knew. Azriel was not just backing up Cassian, not simply trying to stop more conflict.   “Nesta Archeron does not lie.”   Brow crinkling in surprise, Rhys looked between Cassian who knew damned well every unbearably honest, real thing his face was saying, and Azriel, leaking an icy anger into the air that even Cassian couldn’t fully explain.   Rhys said finally, slow, “She let Feyre go into those woods alone every day- she’s the oldest, she should have”-   “Their father should have,” Cassian growled before he’d made the choice to speak. “Are you fucking kidding me? They don’t even- their father technically owns them under human law. Feyre was probably safer in those woods than around mortal men.”   It hit too close to home. Everything here, built from Tamlins money and turned into a prosperous future by insane risk and wild cleverness. Every piece forged- from paying back their father’s debts to the property they owned outright with his granted permission.   So much worse than rising to anger in response, Rhys shook his head. “Cassian.”   “What was I supposed to do, Rhys? Let Feyre’s sister bleed?” Feyre’s sister, like that was what mattered. Cassian loved Feyre- a sister, a friend- but Nesta was every godsgiven sunrise he’d ever seen and they’d destroyed her future. “We put Feyre’s entire family and hundreds of people in danger.”   Cassian had spent the three days it took the moon to fade in the Archeron library. Learning history, utterly foreign laws. Five hundred years ago the Queens were grateful and desperate for the help of the High Lords. Centuries later, enmeshed the in the politics of the continent, they despised the wild magic of Prythian: more powerful and infinitely more dangerous than their homelands.   They were tyrants with magical gifts leftover from the War, and the eldest Archeron sisters had been committing treason to stay alive, safe a thousand miles away.   The punishment for crimes against the crown wasn’t just dolled out to those who committed it, when they had royal blood in their veins.   “Rhysand,” Azriel murmured, glacial. “I know what you’re thinking. Don’t.”   “Feyre just wants them safe, they’re not fighters.” Rhys said, tiredly, too many shadows in his voice to a be a full truth. “She’s going to hate all of us for this,” He waved those blood-red knuckles, words racing, “But I’m not going to ignore that she needs her whole family safe from Hybern’s hunters if we’re going to get through this.”   Her whole family. Azriel beat Cassian to words, voice horror enough he was certain Az knew something he didn’t. “If you let that man near his daughters, I’ll kill him myself.”   Less surprised than he should have been- Rhys knew he was wrong- Rhysand swung his face toward Cassian, like this was a vote, like so many things had been these long years, for all that they were all young in immortal life.   The wave of pain from Nesta that had driven him out of his mind: not normal sorrow, no uneasy resentment toward a mediocre parent. Azriel wouldn’t tell them secrets unless they were pertinent, would keep his dark honor.   Cassian didn’t need it to know Nesta would probably try to eliminate her father herself with half the opportunity; he’d just be one of the several willing hands to aid. Singing steel had sung for her- would she ever let him take her into the skies?  “Why can’t we just leave him in that prison?” He knew damn well they couldn’t. Hybern wanted Feyre alive, it would be laughably easy to use a mortal relative out in the world to draw her from their defenses.   Rhys rubbed a hand over his face.   Around them the wind blew. Snow and ice of a growing blizzard, but more to their ears. A second wave of the storm coming, cold that sang secrets, air that carried the tint of bloody magic, and just for Cassian: that flameless fire that would burn his world.   Rhys heard just enough to fly, for the mountains to call him home again and again. He’d never followed Feyres voice through the air, could never fly blind with solely the currents and his heart to lead him.   Illyrian but not- more, depending on who was speaking- High Fae, but apart. Cassian’s brother in every way that mattered, who he didn’t want to be set against.   They were the Court of Dreams.   But here: fearless Nesta, cunning Elain, and even banished Lucien. Their sort of people- they wanted the same things, a new world, a better world, their people’s survival. Dreamers.   He couldn’t understand how Rhys couldn’t see it, but he also knew it wasn’t a logical response. As though he was focusing all his tempering on giving Feyre room to grow into herself, and there was none left to rein in that Rhys couldn’t actually go on hating her sisters for the lack of an apology Feyre didn’t even want.   Besides the impossible things Cassian himself wanted, let himself think in the night hours when he kept running into her, his very face an embarrassment. Nesta: a generals keen eyes and an Illyrian heart, a bright fragile flame through the dark.   He couldn’t- wouldn’t- choose.   Hadn’t they all been taught the same lessons under starlight, in the gentle voice of the High Lady who was the only mother Cassian had ever known?  Let no one take your wings, let no one take your love.   They will tell you Illyrians are born to die.   You are born for war. Because no victory can be won without a true heart, no forest can flourish without fire. No Illyrian wouldn’t fight to the death for what was theirs, for what they loved and held in promise.   Let no one take it away.   Let the song of the wind guide you. Cassian wanted to know what Az did, but he couldn’t help but be aware that if he did, the Acheron’s father wouldn’t be long in the world.   Azriel’s face said, prison is too kind. Despite having his head up his ass, Rhys was taking note of the look too. “You can’t?”   Az shook his head. He’d done terrible things so that they wouldn’t have to, kept council with the secrets of the world. It was his honor: unless it couldn’t be avoided, unless it was necessary, Azriel wouldn’t tell personal tales.   Rhysand sighed.   “We’ll leave him to rot, but I want eyes on the City of Gods.” Az dipped his head in agreement, but didn’t leave Cassian’s side. “Cas,” Rhys started and stopped, sighing out a billow of white as snow fell in earnest between them. “I’m not saying you’re compromised- just be careful.”   Compromised- it was an effort, to choke down the hurt and temper.   Harder, with the smell of Nesta’s blood on his brother’s skin. The knowledge that he’d left her waiting in the snow-tiny and mortal in the storm- cold as killing mountain frost. Compromised, like Cassian had ever taken a single disloyal breath.   He swallowed. “I’m always careful.” ***   Elain’s estimate was off by only a few minutes.   The clatter of Feyre’s cup crashing against the saucer told her that error of time had spooled in the wrong direction before Elain could look up.   Snow sliding off his wet hair and turning to mist, bleeding red fading to intermix with gold, the sheer feral triumph on Lucien’s bright face froze her in place for moment. Beauty that said deadly, a fanged grin that said conquest, told her: we won.   Wild, her heart galloped in her chest as Elain rose.   Lucien had already made quick, graceful work of laying Nesta down on a chaise; one arm around her shoulder, the other caught in the death grip of Nesta’s bloody hands.   Half risen, Feyre was staring at those rusty smears, at least half a wine dark shade more purpled than mortal blood that Elain herself knew to be viscous and staining. “Nesta, what happened?”   Her older sister ignored the question, swatting away Lucien’s hands as he tried to unbuckle the twin sickle shaped knives belted over her gown. No wound visible beneath all the blood that had run so freely as to ruin her sleeves, but a fresh silvered scar across her palm that flashed magic-made in the candlelight.   She cracked open one bloodshot eye. “Fey, settle something for me. Rhysand’s wings: a ludicrous intimidation tactic or a stupid show of trust?”   Lucien laughed, Feyre’s head swinging toward him with a look of betrayal.   “He’s half-Illyrian,” Feyre replied, like it was nothing.   One arm flung over her parchment pale face, Nesta laughed through cracked lips. “Illyrian? Oh, the crowns. Has he tried to touch your hair little Fey? Breathed in your voice? Cry’thyra, under a boundless sky?”   “Is she drunk?”   Elain shook out her skirt, spreading it a little more than strictly necessary until the flounces half hid the chaise behind her. “Of course not, she’s perfectly fine."   In beat, in time, stepping so close the warmth radiating from his body left goosebumps rising on her skin, Lucien stood up beside her, blocking Nesta off from Feyre entirely. “We had to conduct a small ritual.” Small ritual- Elain couldn’t contain a smile. They’d bound a High Lord of Prythian to their people, cursed the Lord of Nightmares himself in vital, inescapable bonds.   With a thud that even faery grace imbued in her long limbs couldn’t contain, Feyre slid her knee off the couch, rising fully.   Looked between Lucien and Elain- and Elain for just a second, let herself imagine what her younger sister was seeing: his sun-brown face in the depths of winter, riven with scars and gold. A beauty that was savagely fae and as familiar to Elain as her own breath. Elain herself, shoulder brushing his arm, velvet and fashionable enforced silk spooling out from her waist, more comfortable here beside him than she’d been charming Feyre.   Nesta, intoxicated on a force that felt like swallowing stars, was still crooning advice, in and out of the common tongue. “Does he give you braids too? Ask after his gifts, littlest sister. Cry’thyra, vost sha’llan fa thye. Turn your face into the wind.” Pink was gathering, high of Feyre’s cheeks. “She’s magic drunk?” Her voice had gone small.   “Mhmm,” Lucien agreed, reaching behind Elain faerie fast and finally managing to wrestle away Nesta’s daggers, quicker than she could see. “We’ll get some food in her, should pass quickly.”   “I know Azriel is,” Feyre waved a hand toward her face that Elain didn’t want to interpret- scary? Did Feyre really think that any of them had it left in them to be afraid of faeries?- Azriel was quiet and polite, horrifically powerful, but from what Elain could note, both kind and honorable along with it. Even Lucien, who he’d tried to drag into the dark, respected him. “But he’s a very skilled healer? I could send him up?”   He also, unlike Elain or Lucien, would doubtless speak the language Nesta was still murmuring.   It wasn’t something her older sister would want, anymore than she’d want Feyre to see her like this.   Somewhere behind those alien but familiar blue eyes, Feyre seemed to be coming to the same conclusion. “Let me know, if she’s alright?”   Elain reached across the table to squeeze her hand for just a second. “Of course.”   Beneath her touch, the Night Court promises Feyre carried in ink pulsed, quick and angry. An effort, not to fling away her hand at that hostile, intrusive second heartbeat.   It wasn’t until the door was shut behind her that Elain spun to Lucien. “We did it? It worked?”   Full lips and fanged smile, so breathtaking in triumph that Elain had flung her arms around his neck before Lucien could get out more than a few words.    “You were right about the Illyrians and the marker,” He said, sunlit laugh spilling from his mouth. One warm hand wrapped around her wrist, the other looped around her waist as Lucien bent down into her embrace, keeping Elain’s feet from actually leaving the ground.   “Elain,” he laughed.   She could only grin back. Careful- so slow and careful to watch his golden gaze- Elain slid her linked hands beneath the snow-damp collar of his mortal lords greatcoat, pressed her palms to the back of his neck.   Like magic- he was magic, power she’d never stop having questions about, wonder she’d long since stopped trying to hide- Lucien’s head dipped, her thumb sliding down the muscled column of his neck.   He swallowed. Elain could hear the click of his dry throat.   Behind them, less mocking and a hundred times more fatigued, Nesta muttered. “I am right here.”   Elain sighed, and let her hands drift back down, her whole weight against the solid warmth of Lucien’s chest. Turning her head to prop her cheek against him was natural- but surprise enough to Lucien that Elain felt and heard his intake of breath, a second, different triumph lighting her up inside.   Because Nesta was Nesta, despite every pointy thing her raised brows were doing, she grinned back at Elain’s smile.   Her lip split for her trouble.   Lucien’s grimace was loud. “Bastard made us wait in the snow for him. You want a drink, Archeron?”   “So long as it’s not that hot chocolate we’ve been feeding Feyre. The good stuff only, Vanserra."   The good stuff was pulled out of Elain’s embroidery basket, whiskey from the Winter Court and Archeron estate cider that Lucien reached for only after squeezing Elain’s side with silent acknowledgment that left her skin burning.   A full round for all of them- and water, at Lucien’s insistence- later, Nesta got tired of her sticky sleeves. Elain had half unlaced her gown before Lucien hissed in discomfort- Nesta laughing, Vanserra, I know you’re not interested. I’m not stripping- as together the sisters pulled the great velvet mess from Nesta, revealing a full silk undergown and her pale shoulders   So it was at their most comfortable- Lucien and Elain sharing both a couch that barely fit Lucien by himself and a glass of whiskey that Lucien grinned at whenever Elain stole it from his grasp; and Nesta, free from the trappings of rank, still lit up with magic, on her second cider and immensely pleased with herself- that Azriel found them.   Polite enough to knock, and then stay by the door when he entered, soldiers stance at the ready.   “Apologies,” Azriel said, gravel voice hanging barely on the right side of discomfort as he took in the close family circle. “Feyre insisted someone was hurt?”   Lucien, in an act of grace that managed to barely jostle Elain, sprang to his feet.  And vaulted over the couch, for good measure, to land catlike before him.“The blood scared her.”   Dark curls falling in his face, Azriel inclined his head in agreement. “I thought it might be that. But-“   “But Rhysand sent you up here anyway?”   An infinitesimal smile flickered over that coldly handsome face. “We’re familiar with the effect of magic-channeled humans.”   Nesta, now upright and sprawled over several pillows sighed and set down her glass. “I do perfectly well, but you can assuage fears.” Not Feyre’s fears, Elain couldn’t help but notice. Nesta held out a hand, recited something whose soft sibilant words were completely lost on Elain.   Azriel’s dark brows rose by the slightest meter.   Striding across the room, Azriel knelt and took her wrist with extreme delicacy. Before murmuring something equally soft back with a warmth that made Lucien grin. He leaned over the top of the delicate sitting room couch they’d both been squished on to whisper in Elain’s ear.   “I don’t think Feyre is scared.”   She twisted toward his face in reply, lips brushing Lucien’s cheek. Quiet. No matter how quiet they were, Azriel would still hear them. “Notice the knives?”   “Singing steel,” Lucien breathed. “How long has she been learning to speak it?.”   “You’ll find,” She couldn’t resist whispering back, knew that without Feyre or Rhys or a true outsider in the room, Nesta wouldn’t care, “That the Illyrian section of the library has gone missing into private collection.”   Fully ignoring them both, Azriel bowed his head briefly over their joined hands, shadows of the room shifting.   Elain’s observation was screened by the fall of bloody red hair, the sharp shape of Lucien’s jaw. An effort to be close and not think- a hunger not foreign, but never acted upon- Elain wanted to bite that jutted shape and let her teeth learn bone, wanted to swallow down the taste and scent of fire that stayed on her skin even hours after Lucien had last touched her in some casual polite way: a hand on her arm, the lingering temptation that never left.   But not so much a distraction she wasn’t watching her sister.   A weary but given trust- Nesta, who if she could avoid it touched no one but Elain and Lucien; who struggled and hated the rounds of social calling that the gentry required, held the hand of the Shadowsinger, hewn of stone and darkness, and let him use his dark gifts.   If Azriel was surprised by her loosened tongue or knowledge of his language it didn’t show, but Elain would swear the ghost of a smile was lingering under that carefully blank expression.   So quiet Elain barely heard it at all, but enough that Lucien’s grin sprang to life, stubble rasping over her cheek, Nesta breathed. “We’ll speak tomorrow.”   Azriel’s reply must have been all expression, because Nesta nodded.   Against Elain’s skin- this night of magic and conquest heady beyond what seemed possible- Lucien mouthed contract, like he’d heard her thoughts. Perfection.   With a sigh, Azriel rose to his feet. “You’ll be fine by morning, even from the cold.” Rhysand left them waiting in the snow- the Illyrian’s hailed from fearsome mountains, didn’t they? Cold that could kill. Feyre, if she had actually sent him, was not the real reason their guest had shown up.   She’d thought the court was family- if one in fraught disagreement- and didn’t Azriel’s tired of this bullshit eyes confirm it.   Elain leaned away from the harbor of Lucien’s embrace. “Can I offer you a drink, Azriel?”   Small, but amused in a way that was tangible reminder he heard and understood a thousand times more than was said, Azriel smiled back at her. “Only if you don’t mind my taking it to go. I should get back, tell the others Nesta is going to be fine.”   No lie.   She’d barely reached before Lucien was pouring, movement blurred to reach. Nesta might have shed blood stained velvet, but Elain had laughingly managed to pull away Lucien’s coat, leaving a furnace and taut muscle visible through silvered silk beside her.   Azriel accepted the whiskey with a small toast, before stepping backward into darkness and away.   A now blood-free, bright gaze found Elain’s, sharp with happiness. Elain felt the giddiness of victory burst in her chest all over again- a curse, they’d trapped a High Lord of Prythian to protect their people- and found it reflected back in Nestas eyes.   Their sister could think they were helpless, their father could burn in hell, but Elain and Nesta had saved their house.   Flaith Archeron had stood for more than a thousand years. Together, they’d incontrovertibly changed the tide against there being another thousand. They’d live- they’d survive. Nesta rose, sliding past them with the cloud of her bloody gown discarded over one arm.   One battle down, the next coming soon; Elain wondered with a smile if there was a general waiting to wish her sister sleep after this victory.   But first, this victory of her own.   Alone, Elain reached for Lucien, and Lucien reached back.
@breath-of-sindragosa
@flxwer-petals
@ladyvanserra
@illyrianinterrasen
@missanniewhimsy
@tntwme
@ourbooksuniverse
@pitterpatterpot
@thestarwhowishes
@abillionlittlepieces
@my-fan-side
@the-eightofswords
@wonderland–memories
@ourbooksuniverse
@cohen-theeleven
@donnarosemary
@keshavomit   @superspiritfestival  @court-of-fandoms-and-art
98 notes · View notes
whatnext10 · 1 year ago
Text
The Woods are Alive with Colorful Purple Wildflowers Right Now
The Woods are Alive with Colorful Purple Wildflowers Right Now features the lovely flowers of the dense blazing star. It’s a commonly used ornamental that is native to the eastern United States, including Florida. It’s one of several purple fall flowers.
Perfectly Pastel We are definitely nearing the end of the wildflower season as we move through November; even here in central Florida. There are still a few beauties out there hanging on, though. Earlier this week I posted about beautiful purple false foxglove, so in the spirit of purple, I thought I’d post some dense blazing stars (Liatris spicata) to finish off the week. These are a fairly…
Tumblr media
View On WordPress
0 notes
goldleafacrossyourlips · 5 years ago
Text
Uneasy Lies the Head - Dark Lord/OC - Chapter 5
Chapters - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13
Chapter 5 - Snapdragon and Arrows
The days following Aunt Zelda’s wedding and Ambrose’s imprisonment were somber. Samara’s original plan was to depart from the Spellman house shortly after the wedding and head back to Vail. She had a business there after all. However, with all the recent developments she had decided to stay with her family and offer the support they needed. So as the dawn rose, Samara got herself ready, patted Phlox on the head where he still lounged in the bed and left her room. 
Aunt Hilda was downstairs in the kitchen, mixing something in a bowl. Stress cooking. Samara approached her melancholy Aunt with a soft smile.
“Auntie, I wanted to talk to you for a minute.” 
“Of course, my love. What is it?” Aunt Hilda dusted her hands off on the apron she was wearing.
“I know originally, I was going to be leaving today to head back to Vail. But I figured, what with everything going on, I could perhaps stay for a bit longer? Just until everything is figured out with Ambrose and Auntie Z is back from her honeymoon. I just want to help.” Samara wrung her hands together and stared out the kitchen window, towards the many flowers that swayed in the wind. The brightly colored Snapdragons caught her eye.
“Samara, when would we ever deny you staying?! Of course, my girl! We’d be thrilled to have you around some more. Perhaps we can even convince you to stay forever with a little more time. Keep your cousins out of trouble.” Aunt Hilda squeezed her hand teasingly. Samara let out a low chuckle.
“We’ll see, Auntie. Well, if I am going to be staying for longer than I planned, I do need to hop back to the shop and get some things ready for it. I’ll be back before evening. Anything you want me to bring back?” 
“Oh! How about some rationality brew to pour down your bloody cousins’ throats?” Samara laughed at her Aunt’s joke. She leaned forward and kissed the woman on her cheek.
“I’m afraid even the Dark Lord himself couldn’t brew a potion strong enough to keep their heads on straight. I’ll see you soon Auntie. Give Sabrina my love.” Samara stepped back and braced herself for the teleportation. With a whispered chant she was floating through space and time. 
She landed in the small sitting room of the house she had in Vail. Luckily there was a side table near where she appeared and she used that to steady herself. She shook her head to clear herself of the disorientation. Snapping her fingers, the lights flickered on and she moved to the workshop at the back of the house. It was a nicely sized room where she did all her brewing, grinding and bottling for her work and hobby. Dried and fresh ingredients lined the walls and ceiling either in containers or hanging. The pungent scent of herbs and flowers lingered in the air.
Samara felt the tension she held in her shoulders release as she took in the scent of her workroom. She checked the moisture level of the foxglove and mint as she passed by them. She had a lingering thought that they’d be dry as a bone by the time she returned. Shaking the thought away she turned to the brews she had on one of the counters.
She went to work bottling the requested brews and writing letters to her clients that she’d be indisposed for the unseeable future. She’d get in touch with all of them when she returned to work. She gathered everything up and set them in their designated boxes. She focused for a moment and then began tapping each individual box which instantly disappeared and transported to the client that needed it. 
The time passed quickly as she continued to work. She safely stored some of her more testy and hard-to-aquire ingredients and gathered some gifts for her family. As she got her little cottage prepared for a more longer term vacancy. She went around the house and gathered what she’d need for her longer stay at the Spellmans. By the end she had two suitcases ready in the sitting room. 
She went outside to her sprawling garden and began to carefully walk through the many rows of herbs, flowers and foliage. She stopped by the large patch of red Chrysanthemums that had been what convinced her to buy the cottage. Not only were the flowers beautiful, they were incredibly useful in many brews she made. And without fail, whenever she used those flowers her potions were always successful and potent. Samara was sad to part with them, even if it was only for an indeterminate amount of time. She stroked one of the petals before she headed back inside.
She went over to her bags and glanced at the clock. It was just reaching late afternoon. Hopefully she’d get to the Spellman house just in time to be able to help plot something for Ambrose. She grabbed her two bags after making sure all the lights were off and took a deep breath. She chanted under breath and began teleporting. 
She landed in her room at the Spellman house, falling forward onto the bed after dropping her luggage. Samara groaned as the feelings of teleporting drained from her body. She sat up and took stock of her room. Thankfully her suitcases had remained sealed and not spilled everything everywhere. She’d done that before. She quickly set to work unpacking her bags and settling in. 
The sun was still high in the sky when she finished. She had heard noise downstairs indicating someone was there. More than likely Sabrina since she would’ve just finished with school; her having to return to the mortal school since she’d been expelled from the Academy. Samara brushed her hands off on her jeans and headed downstairs. She was interested in hearing what plans Sabrina and her Aunt had come up with to help Ambrose. She had a few ideas herself.
Samara felt herself begin to frown in confusion as she heard a male voice talking downstairs and her cousin’s voice replying. She hurried down the stairs to see who their guest was. She entered the kitchen to see her cousin filling a glass with water and a taller, handsome man standing by their dining table.
“Cousin. Who’s our guest?” Samara felt giddy delight brush through her at seeing both jump at her question. Sabrina turned around and smiled brightly at Samara but before she could answer her question the man spoke.
“Hi. I’m a missionary for my church. But the young miss here explained that your family already has a faith. I just asked for a glass of water before I left.” The man stared at Samara as he spoke. Chills raced down Samara’s spine for some reason. She stepped closer to Sabrina and watched the man. Her Shadows threatened to twist and turn where they were but Samara kept them still, not wanting to show them to the mortal.
“I see. Do you get many converts, going door to door?” Samara asked, still remaining by Sabrina’s side. Something was off about all this. Samara tried to brush it off, thinking it stress and worry from the past couple days.
“Uh, you’d be surprised. The Word of the Almighty can hold a lot of appeal to people. As long as they’re open to it. I’m Jerry by the way.” He accepted the glass of water from Sabrina and began peering around the room.
“Sabrina. And this is my cousin, Samara.” Samara shot a quick look towards her cousin for giving their names to a stranger.
“Thank you. It’s thirsty business doing the Lord’s work.” Samara subtly rolled her eyes at the man. She leaned back against the counter with Sabrina, her taller cousin shooting a quick smile towards her.
“What religion do you practice? If you don’t mind me asking.” 
“It’s more spiritual, really. Personal to our family.” Samara answered before her cousin could. Her arms crossing over her chest. The chills up and down her spine were getting more intense. More feeling like flames and ice racing along her skin. 
“Does it comfort you?” His question was off-putting. Samara thought back to the night she signed her name in the Book and the reassurances she had been flooded with.
“Yes.” 
“To be honest, sometimes it scares me.” Samara turned her stare to her cousin at her answer. Barely concealing her shock and irritation at divulging personal information to this stranger. A stranger that promoted the words of the False God at that!
“What about it?” Jerry was subtly prying and Sabrina was falling for it. Samara wanted to grab her cousin and shake her. Where was her sense?
“That at its core it’s...What’s at the core of your religion?” Samara let out a quiet breath at her cousin not fully answering.
“Forgiveness and salvation. Who couldn’t use more of those things in their lives?” He gave a soft chuckle with his answer. Samara kept her eyes on him as he began rounding the table towards them.
“But aren’t some people beyond saving?” Sabrina’s question held honest confusion. Samara closed her eyes in exasperation. Honestly, her cousin just didn’t know when to stop.
“Not in my book. No matter what choices they’ve made.” The man continued to look at her cousin. Something in Samara wanted him to leave and stay away. Something in her wanted to flee. She wanted to grab her cousin and run. It was such a ridiculous thought. This mere mortal was causing her senses to go haywire. Maybe she inhaled more of the fumes from that Confusion Concoction than she originally thought.
“But if you dedicate your entire life to something most people think is wrong...or evil...you can’t just wash that away.” Sabrina walked closer to the dining table as she spoke. Samara tensed and dug her fingernails into her arms she still had crossed.
“A hundred percent you can. You just have to ask for forgiveness.” Jerry set his drink down and leaned towards Sabrina.
“If only it were that easy.” Sabrina’s face was scrunched in disbelief.
“Sabrina, that is exactly what I am saying. It is.” Samara scoffed at his words about retort when she heard Phlox making one Heaven of a commotion outside, screeching and chattering. She felt herself tense even more, torn between sticking to her cousin’s side or checking on her familiar. Her answer was made when the phone began to ring and Sabrina hurried to pick it up. Samara rushed out the back door to check on Phlox.
Her worry instantly died when she found him sitting in the garden flicking his tail. He looked fine and nothing around him seemed disturbed. 
“What? Phlox?” Her questions stopped when she heard something going on in the house. She began running back in with Phlox at her feet growling and chattering. She entered the house to see her cousin and the missionary man missing. Cautiously walking through the ground floor, her worry began mounting as she still couldn’t find Sabrina. Just as she rounded the corner of the staircase, she could see the front door hanging by its hinges. She could see Jerry hulking in the doorway, looking out towards the driveway. Just around his side she could see Sabrina cycling down the driveway Salem close behind. Samara began to slip back around the corner and run when Jerry turned to face her. 
“Wait! You can be forgiven! I can show you salvation!” He began screaming and quickly approaching her. As she turned to run she saw the familiar glint of a blade in his hand. Samara felt true panic and fear begin to settle in her chest. She weaved through the house with Phlox sticking close. She could hear Jerry’s thundering footsteps close behind her. She just needed enough space between the two to be able to teleport away, but she also needed to be able to have Phlox touching her so he could teleport with her too.
She was almost to the stairs leading down to the mortuary when she tripped over one of the many rugs in the house. She landed harshly onto her knees and was quick to flip over onto her back to keep Jerry in her line of sight. Seeing her on the ground, he slowed. He began stalking towards her, knife stretched out at his side.
“The choice to be who you are now was made for you when you were still a child! There is still time for you to change and be saved! Repent! Ask for forgiveness and you shall receive.” His ramblings were causing irritation to flutter in with her fear. Out of the corner of her eyes she could see the Shadows begin to writhe and twist. She felt her core relax a bit at the sight. She began to slowly extend her arm towards Phlox.
“Sorry bud, I like my cult, not looking to join another one! Phlox!” She yelled to her familiar at the same time the Shadows descended upon the man, keeping him back as she gathered her familiar in her arms.
“Lanucae magicae.” She spoke clearly and buried her face in Phlox’s fur. She landed with a thump in the middle of Cerberus’ Bookstore. She was sure her Aunt would be there. She lifted her head out of Phlox’ fur and took in her surroundings or rather what was left. The bookstore was in tatters, shelves busted and books strewn everywhere. 
“Samara!” She heard her Auntie yell her name. She raised a trembling hand and was helped up. Sabrina was by her side and they quickly wrapped the other in a hug.
“What happened here?” Samara’s voice was buried in her cousin’s shoulder.
“Witch-hunter. It seems there’s a couple running around here. What happened to the one at home?” Aunt Hilda’s hand stroked through her free-flying hair. Samara pulled back and looked at her.
“He’s still alive. I got a couple seconds to run away and I did.” Samara stared at her Aunt as she spoke, hoping she’d get the meaning behind her words. Luckily she did. Aunt Hilda’s face lit with realization and relief. She patted Samara’s cheek in response.
“So, there are two witch-hunters running around Greendale. Lovely.” Samara sighed, Phlox leaning against her leg.
“Three.” Nick’s breathless word came as he burst open the door. “Well, there were three. They call themselves the Innocents.” Sabrina immediately went to him and wrapped him in a hug. “The one who stormed Dorian’s is now trapped in one of his paintings. Sorry Sabrina. I was a dick before but believe me, I’m sobering up fast.” Nick grasped Sabrina’s arms as he apologized.
“What do they want? Do we know?” Samara broke their reunion with her question. Her arms were crossed over her chest as she looked around at the damage.
“To kill all the witches in Greendale. According to the hunters we subdued, their plan was to start with the outliers. You, your aunt, the crew at Dorian’s. And then converge at the Academy.” Nick answered. They all looked at eachother with worry.
“Ambrose.”
“They’ll all be sitting ducks. We have to warn them.” Sabrina stressed.
“We’re expelled. There’s no way we’re getting into that school. Not without a Hand of Glory.” Nick had a good point. Samara and Hilda shared a glance.
“Oh! You can take your pick in the botanical room at home. I mean, I have half a dozen at least. Okay?” Hilda reassured the two. Samara stepped forward, her arms unfolding.
“Let’s go kill some Witch-Hunters.” She shared a wicked smile with Nick and Sabrina.
44 notes · View notes
feisty-fae · 4 years ago
Note
If you still do the flower ask thingys.. 👉👈 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙜𝙤 :)
HoooH boY hEre we gO-
Alisons: Sexuality?
I sexually identify as a can of beans
Amaranth: Pronouns/Gender?
Cis female she/her
Amaryllis: Birthday?
27 September
Anemone: Favorite flower?
All flowers pretty,, but stargazer lily, rose, dahlia and cherry blossoms
Angelonia: Favorite t.v. show?
I don't watch tv but I'll list some other stuff i like to watch:mha, beastars and aggretsuko
Arum-Lily: What’s the farthest you’d go for a stranger?
Idk depends on scenario??
Aster: What’s one of your favorite quotes?
"Kanye West he likes, fingers in his ass."
Aubrieta: Favorite drink?
Any Milkshakes or smoothies (mostly banana and strawberry for milkshake and p much anything for smoothie)
Baby’s Breath: Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?
I've never had kith
Balsam Fir: Have you ever been in love?
Well you see yes but actually no
Baneberries: Favorite song?
I listen to a lot but to keep it short:baby in the kitchen, in my mouth and friends slowed (chase atlantic)
Basket of Gold: Describe your family.
We p chill fam
Beebalm: Do you have a best friend? Who is it?
Irl bestie,, shes not on tumblr lol
Begonia: Favorite color?
PinKKK
But i like most colours
Bellflower: Favorite animal?
Cats,,,,
FoxES,
ANYTHING CUDDLY AND CUTE
Bergenia: Are you a morning or night person?
Night
Black-Eyed Susan: If you could be any animal for a day, what would it be?
I'd be like a doggo bc it would be the most fun i think-
Bloodroots: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a vet but then when my granny asked me "but whos gonna clean up the animal poop?" I was like "eWW pO0pP!" and then decided that mayb i shouldn't be a vet
Bluemink: What are your thoughts on children?
They're either really kind and sweet
Or literal demons from hell
Legit no inbetween
Blazing Stars: What are you afraid of? Is there a reason why?
I'm afraid of lot of things-
Borage: Give a random fact about your childhood.
I was one dumbass bitcg-
Bugleherb: How would you spend your last day on Earth?
Idk eat pizza and cry or smth ajakamkw
Buttercup: Relationship Status?
Single
Camelia: If you could visit anywhere, where would you want to go?
NEW YORKKK, CONCRETE JUNGLE WHERE DREAMS ARE MADE OFFF THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN'T DO NOW YOU'RE IN NEW YOOORKKK
Candytufts: When do you feel most loved?
When someone hugs me or just generally spends time with me
Canna: Do you have any tattoos?
Nop
Canterbury Bells: Do you have any piercings?
I used to have piercings when i was a bab but eHh haven't worn them since and i dont think my ear holes are big enough now-
California Poppy: Height?
4'10 grrr I'm the omega midget and I'll devour ur ankles
Cardinal Flower: Do you believe in ghosts?
Nop
Carnation: What are you currently wearing?
Pant, pink top and black hoodie
Catnip: Have you ever slept with a nightlight?
I think i have??
Chives: Who was the last person you hugged?
My mom and my dad
Chrysanthemum: Who’s the last person you kissed?
I never kith
Cock’s Comb: Favorite font?
I dont have one so imma say sans bc it always looks out of place and makes me laugh-
Columbine: Are you tired?
No
I feel like screaming and jumping around my room like a crackhead
Common Boneset: What are you looking forward to?
Nothing in particular ig
Coneflower: Dream job?
Smth kinda fun and art or design related hopefully,,,,
Crane’s-Bill: Introvert or extrovert?
Introvert but i also get lonley easily
Crocus: Have you ever been in love?
Nop,,,,
Crown Imperial: What’s the farthest you would go for someone you care about?
I would get run over by 5 monster trucks, jump off a plane, get mauled by 10 bears, get trampled on by a stampede, get brutally tortured for 12 hours straight, yeet myself into the Grand Canyon and then break all my bones with my bare hands if they weren't broken already
Ok basically i care a lot
Cyclamen: Did you have a favorite stuffed animal as a child? What was it?
I had this st bernard plush called Sparky and this lion named Sammy,,
Daffodil: What’s your zodiac sign?
Libra
Dahlia: Have you done anything worth remembering?
My memory is legit so bad it's probably concerning uHHH
Daisy: What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment?
Mayb art??
Daylily: What would you do if your parents didn’t like your partner(s)?
Ehhh i might reason with them and then if they still disagreed I'd just keep the relationship a secret
Dendrobium: Who is the last person that you said “I love you” to?
My parents
False Goat’s Beard: What is something you are good at?
Ehhh arT
Foxgloves: What’s something you’re bad at?
EhhHh everything that isn't art-
Freesia: What are three good things that have happened in the past month?
Oh boy here comes my shitty memory-
Hmmm
Idk but I'm mostly happy that I've been more social and stuff and i feel like im kinda coming out of my shell a bit
Not sure what to say for other 2 bc nothing in particular has really happend?
Garden Cosmos: How was your day today?
Ehhh oK??
Gardenia: Are you happy with where you’re at in your life?
Mayhapsn't
Gladiolus: What is something you hope to do in the next year or two?
I hope to pass all my exams and get an okish job mayb
Glory-of-the-Snow: What are ten things that make you happy/you’re grateful to have in your life?
1.fRIENBS ILY MY HABIBIS
2. Fammm
3. eHhh yummy food,,
4. Drawing and uhhh art
5. EPIC MUTUALS
6. Ok idk what else aside from like serious stuff like house and etc.-
Heliotropium: What helps you calm down when you feel stressed?
Drawing, crying, venting to a friend/parent
Hellebore: How do you show affection?
Hugssss,kith,cuddle, *draws u stuff*
Hoary Stock: What are you proudest of?
MmmmmMy aRRt?
Hollyhock: Describe your ideal day.
Wake up
Don't go to school
Vibe with friends
Sleeb
Hyacinth: What do you like to do in your free time?
MmMmMM aRT-
Hydrangea: How long have you known your best friend? How did you meet them?
Ehh 8yrs? We met in hell school
Irises: Who can you talk to about (almost) everything?
Friendos
Mom
Laceleaf: How many friends do you have?
6..?? Aa idk theres some people that idk if they'd consider me a friend or not,,
Lantanas: What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
Idk any compliment is best compliment for me,,
Larkspur: What do you think of yourself?
Ew yucky gröss
Lavender: What’s your favorite thing about yourself?
m y a r t
Also my hair bc its soft and wavy,,
Leather Flower: What’s your least favorite thing about yourself?
Everything else-
Lilac: What’s something you liked to do as a child?
Climb trees and do dumb shit
Lily: Who was your best friend when you were a kid?
Same irl bestie i mentioned before
Lily of the Incas: What is something you still feel guilty for?
MmmmmmMMM,,,
Lily of the Nile: What is something you feel guilty for that you shouldn’t feel guilty about?
MMMmMMmMMMMmmmMMm,,,,,,
Lupine: What does your name mean? Why is that your name?
Well I chose Fae bc i thought it sounded pretty
Marigold: Where did you grow up? Tell us about it.
Idk what to rlly say lmao
Morning Glory: What was your bedroom like growing up?
Kinda the same but i had toys everywhere-
Also when i was like 5 i had this legit fucking cursed thomas the tank engine shaped bed that i actually found a pic of but it's FUCKING HORRIFYING SO I PROBS WONT SHOW HERE-
Mugworts: What was it like for you as a teenager? Did you enjoy your teenage years?
EW BEING A TEENAGER SUCKS ASS HOW DO I UNDO????
Norwegian Angelica: Tell us about your mom.
Hi mom ily ur epic
Onions: Tell about your dad.
Hi dad ily ur epic
Orchid: Tell about your grandparents.
Omg i miss my grannies sm bc i couldn't see em this year bc nasty pandemic
Pansy: What was your most memorable birthday? What made it be so memorable?
Haha shit memory gor brrRR-
I don't really remember too many specific parties but when i was like 7-10 i had these epic parties in those birthday places with the giant play areas
I kinda wish i wasn't too old to go to them sobs
Peony: What was your first job?
I haven't had a job yet
Petunia: If you’re in a relationship, how did you meet your partner(s)? If you’re not in a relationship, how did you meet your crush/how do you hope to meet your future partner(s), if you want any?
Hmmmm idk? I haven't really thought abt that but i don't really mind i just wanna find someone to vibe with,,
Pincushion: How do you deal with pain?
I cri
Pink: Where is home?
Home is home home
Plantain Lilies: If you could go back in time, what is one thing you would stop/change?
Now where do i start...
Prairie Gentian: Who is someone you look up to? Describe them.
I look up to people that are kind, caring, brave, funny, cool or stronger than me ig?
Primrose: Describe your ideal life.
Basically my current life minus school, stress,pandemic and responsibilities lmao
Rhodendron: What is something you used to believe in as a child?
I used to believe in ghosts after i thought i encountered one
Ricinus: Who’s the most important in your life?
Hermmmst
Rose: What’s your favorite sound?
Peoples laughsss also music
Rosemallows: What’s your favorite memory?
Bro i dont have one,, my aphantasia makes it hard for me to remember stuff-
Sage: What’s your least favorite memory?
A
Snapdragon: At this moment, what do you want?
I wantttt better chargersss thattt donttt telll meee thatt myyy tablett will finishh chargingg innn 1 dayy andd 7 hoursss
St. John’s Wort: Is it easy or difficult for you to express how you feel about things?
Kinda difficult but im opening up more
Sunflower: What is something you don’t want to imagine life without?
fRIENDS,,,,,wAh
Sweet Pea: How much sleep did you get last night?
8 hrs
Tickseed: What’s your main reason to get up every morning?
Idk ig i kinda have to go to school and do stuff
Touch-Me-Not: How do you feel about your current job?
Non existant
Transvaal Daisy: What’s your favorite item of clothing?
My black and white stripy top, and all my hoodiess
Tropical White Morning Glory: Describe your aesthetic.
I don't think i have just one aesthetic bc im drawn to so many different aesthetics at the same time-
Like vintage, neon, dark, spoopy, pastel, cute, etc etc
Tulip: What would be the best present to get you?
OMG I LEGIT JUST SCREAM AT ANYTHING ANYONE GIVES ME-
IF SOMEONE GOES OUT OF THEIR WAY TO MAKE ME SMTH I CRY,,
Vervain: What’s stressing you out most right now?
🤏
Wisteria: How many books have you read in the past few months? What were they called?
I haven't been reading anythinggg
But i should really finish reading Percy Jackson bc it do be picking up dust-
Wolf’s Bane: Where do you want to be in life this time next year?
Everywhere
Yarrow: Do you know what vore is?
Mmm yummy 👅
Zinnia: Give a random fact about yourself.
I am currently living and breathing yes
5 notes · View notes
gods-and-pawns · 4 years ago
Note
All flower asks for Cimmerian.
Cimmerian:
O-oh jeez, that’s...a lot of questions, huh? Well, better let’s get to it then.
Alisons: Sexuality?
I’m polysexual.
Amaranth: Pronouns/Gender?
Trans man. He/him pronouns, please.
Amaryllis: Birthday?
December 1st. I’m a winter baby.
Anemone: Favorite flower?
Uhm, sunflowers, probably.
Angelonia: Favorite t.v. show?
If I have to be honest, I don’t really...watch TV all that often. But uh, anything they air on Animal Planet, to be honest. Do you remember that old TV show about the life of meerkats? Fucking loved that shit.
Arum-Lily: What’s the farthest you’d go for a stranger?
That...really depends. I wouldn’t go too far, after all, I don’t know this person, but basic respect and kindness are always a given. I’m not a hero either, I wouldn’t risk my life for them. So, I’d say most of the time, just small favours.
Aster: What’s one of your favorite quotes?
Literally fucking anything that leaves Vincent’s mouth once he gets a little tipsy, this man lacks filter when drunk and it’s fucking great. I know you probably expected some quote with deep meaning, since I have a major in English, but I am very sorry to disappoint.
Aubrieta: Favorite drink?
Pain drink is going to be Whiskey, but anything a little bit fancier then it’s Pina Colada. I like sweet things.
Baby’s Breath: Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?
Yes, absolutely, zero hesitation.
Balsam Fir: Have you ever been in love?
Hm...unfortunately...
Baneberries: Favorite song?
........Two Trucks by Lemon demon. Don’t judge me, it’s a fucking great song.
Basket of Gold: Describe your family.
Hm, well, they were great, really. Very caring and loving...Yeah, this question is making me feel sad.
Beebalm: Do you have a best friend? Who is it?
Uhhh...I’m gonna say it’s either North, Tiff, Han or Bright. I’d say Foster too, but...I don’t know, we kind of had a falling out because of our work. It’s hard to meet up.
Begonia: Favorite color?
...I’ll give you one guess.
Bellflower: Favorite animal?
Toads, love these fat boys.
Bergenia: Are you a morning or night person?
Definitely morning. Not that I like waking up early, but I definitely function better in the mornings.
Black-Eyed Susan: If you could be any animal for a day, what would it be?
A hognose snake, they have very cute noses.
Bloodroots: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A teacher, of all things. Mostly because I thought teachers got free summer too. Then I went to high school, saw what little shits my peers were, and immediately changed my decision.
Bluemink: What are your thoughts on children?
I love kids! I always wanted to be a father. Unfortunately, with being nearly 40 now and swarmed with work...I don’t think that’ll ever happen.
Blazing Stars: What are you afraid of? Is there a reason why?
Cars, because of trauma that I’d rather not get into. And, uh...I have apeirophobia. It’s...stupid, I know, many people would probably like to live on for forever. But for me, it’s just...it’s horrible. I don’t even know why. I guess it has something to do with existential dread.
Borage: Give a random fact about your childhood.
I had a lot of adoptive siblings and cousins, we were always close, and would always get into trouble together. I was raised on a farm with woods nearby, you can imagine I had a lot of opportunities and places where I could get hurt at, and I did. I was a stupid and reckless kid.
Bugleherb: How would you spend your last day on Earth?  
Oh man, that’s a loaded question...Honestly? I’d like to reach out to my family, spend my last day with them.
Buttercup: Relationship Status?
Taken~ By two wonderful, cute men.
Camelia: If you could visit anywhere, where would you want to go?
Oh, there’s a lot of places I’d like to explore, probably too many to list. As long as it’s as far away from civilisation as possible, I’m good.
Candytufts: When do you feel most loved?
I like to be held, I love hugs, they make me feel safe and loved. Preferably under a warm blanket with my partner or partners, late in the evening, the rain falling outside and the room is nearly completely dark as we cuddle...
Canna: Do you have any tattoos?  
I used to want to, as a teen, but unfortunately no...I did see some people tattoo over their burn scars, and I’ve been thinking about it, but considering how large my scars are it’d cost a lot, be very time consuming and most likely painful. So I don’t know, but I’m considering it.
Canterbury Bells: Do you have any piercings?  
Used to have a few as a teenager, now I only have one in my right ear.
California Poppy: Height?  
I’m 5′9′’.
Cardinal Flower: Do you believe in ghosts?
In ghosts? No, not really.
Carnation: What are you currently wearing?  
I’ll let you guess.
Catnip: Have you ever slept with a nightlight?
Sure did, I still sometimes do when my nightmares get the best of me.
Chives: Who was the last person you hugged?  
Jackie.
Chrysanthemum: Who’s the last person you kissed?
Northy, obviously~
Cock’s Comb: Favorite font?
My heart tells me Comic Sans, but my brain’s telling me to shut the fuck up and pick a normal font.
Columbine: Are you tired?
Always, 24/7.
Common Boneset: What are you looking forward to?
Autumn, we’re close to Summer and god damn it didn’t even start but I’m already over it.
Coneflower: Dream job?
I’m pretty content with my current one, but uh...maybe something less stressful? Probably a book author.
Crane’s-Bill: Introvert or extrovert?
Introvert, definitely.
Crown Imperial: What’s the farthest you would go for someone you care about?
 Honestly? I’d probably give my life to them. It mostly depends on the person though, and how much I care about them.
Cyclamen: Did you have a favorite stuffed animal as a child? What was it?
I had a ragdoll elephant named Mr Trunk. Still do, actually, he’s one of the few things I took with me when I started working here. He’s now sitting on my bookcase at my apartment.
Daffodil: What’s your zodiac sign?
Sagittarius.
Dahlia: Have you done anything worth remembering?
I don’t think so, no.
Daisy: What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment?
Well...I guess overcoming my trauma counts as an accomplishment?
Daylily: What would you do if your parents didn’t like your partner(s)?  
Well, first of all, my biological parents are dead and my adoptive ones think I’m dead. But, if that weren’t the case, I don’t think Ma and Pa are the kind fo people who’d try to get between me and my partners. I feel like if they were legitimately concerned for me or had deep worries about my partner, they’d talk to me about it. So, nothing too dramatic.
Dendrobium: Who is the last person that you said “I love you” to?
...I’d rather not talk about them.
False Goat’s Beard: What is something you are good at?
Does writing shitty slashfics count?
Foxgloves: What’s something you’re bad at?
Do you want a list or something?
Freesia: What are three good things that have happened in the past month?
Well...I started dating Jackie.
Garden Cosmos: How was your day today?
Tiring, so the usual.
Gardenia: Are you happy with where you’re at in your life?
...It could be worse, honestly.
Gladiolus: What is something you hope to do in the next year or two?
...Uh...if my relationship with Karlos and Jack lasts...well...uhm...God, don’t tell them I said that, alright? But...getting married seems...nice...
Glory-of-the-Snow: What are ten things that make you happy/you’re grateful to have in your life?
My friends. They’re great, I don’t know where I’d be without them. Especially Tiff, they do so much for me...don’t tell them I said that, they don’t need any more of an ego boost.
Heliotropium: What helps you calm down when you feel stressed?  
A good book, audiobook or ASMR and a scented candle in an otherwise quiet room usually does the trick.
Hellebore: How do you show affection?
Usually through words, I didn’t get that damn doctorate for nothing.
Hoary Stock: What are you proudest of?
My work, I guess? My writing? Wait, no, I just remembered my longest work of fiction is a crackfic about mythological characters- I take that back.
Hollyhock: Describe your ideal day.
Just having an entire day to myself, no need to do any work, no stress, no deadlines. 
Hyacinth: What do you like to do in your free time?  
I take care of my pets and plants, read books, write.
Hydrangea: How long have you known your best friend? How did you meet them?
Oh man, it’s been a few years now. Uhm, my longest friend in the Foundation is Foster, we met in high school, but like I said we’ve had a bit of a falling out. Then it’s Tiff, I met them when I first joined the Ethics Committee. I met Karlos and Bright a few years later, and I’ve known Han for the least amount of time, but it’s still been years.
Irises: Who can you talk to about (almost) everything?
Uhm...Hm...Probably Tiff or Karlos. Han too, he’s a good listener.
Laceleaf: How many friends do you have?
A few. On top of the previously mentioned ones I’m also quite close to Clef, Kondraki and Light.
Lantanas: What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
Literally, any kind of compliment either of the O5-1′s or O5-11 gave me. Do you have any god damn idea how fucking hard it is to impress the Ones? And Ten...well, he’s just really nice and I appreciate him.
Larkspur: What do you think of yourself?
Anyway, next question!
Lavender: What’s your favorite thing about yourself?
I have great fucking puns and if anybody says otherwise, they’re fucking wrong.
Leather Flower: What’s your least favorite thing about yourself?  
Do you want a list?
Lilac: What’s something you liked to do as a child?
Exploring, I guess it never really changed, I like spending time in nature, I just never have the time to.
Lily: Who was your best friend when you were a kid?
........Probably one of my siblings.
Lily of the Incas: What is something you still feel guilty for?
A lot, but let’s not talk about that.
Lily of the Nile: What is something you feel guilty for that you shouldn’t feel guilty about?  
Jesus Christ, what’s with these questions?
Lupine: What does your name mean? Why is that your name?
I had to look it up, and apparently, Jeremiah means “Yahweh will exalt”. I had no idea my name actually had a religious meaning. When I was born I was named after my grandma, and when I was changing my name I decided to kind of keep with the theme and named myself after my grandpa. He doesn’t know, actually, I never came out to them, but I like to think he’d be happy that I named myself after him
Marigold: Where did you grow up? Tell us about it.
Like I said before, in a small rural town on a small farm. Not much to talk about, really, I was a typical kid that grew up on the farm. Always got in trouble and always hurt myself doing stupid shit.
Morning Glory: What was your bedroom like growing up?
I was quite a tomboy and I loved cows, so just imagine a room with walls painted to resemble a pasture with cows on it and cow-themed furniture. Handmade too, by my grandpa and Pa, of course.
Mugworts: What was it like for you as a teenager? Did you enjoy your teenage years?  
I uh...I’d rather not talk about it.
Norwegian Angelica: Tell us about your mom.
Ma was a great woman, she always cared for me and my siblings, she treated me like her own kid straight away. Didn’t even batted an eye. Never made me feel weird or wrong for liking “boy things” like other adults outside of our family. She was quite fiercely protective of me too, quite a mama bear, I must say. A strong woman, could probably suplex a bear.
Onions: Tell about your dad.  
Pa was...well, Pa was just wonderful. He didn’t even hesitate for a second to take me in when his sis and my biological mother died. He was the first person I saw when I woke up at the hospital. He always made sure I was happy and taken care of. He taught me how to hunt and fight and play soccer and football. He was always very loudly supportive of me. I cannot express enough just how much I’m grateful to him and Ma.
Orchid: Tell about your grandparents.
They were very kind, your traditional old couple. I loved granny, but I was always closer to my grandpa. He taught me how to fish, I could always confide in him. He’s a great guy. Granny was wonderful too, I remember I always helped her out in her garden, she’d always scare me with potato bastards- I mean potato beetles, sorry, old habit- I fucking hate these motherfuckers. I love all animals, except for these ones. Potato bastards can suck a dick.
Pansy: What was your most memorable birthday? What made it be so memorable?
[Heavy sigh] My 4th birthday, my older brothers decided it’d be a fun idea to pick every potato beetle they could find from granny’s garden and throw them at me as a “birthday present”...........You know, I think I just realised why I hate these beetles so much.
Peony: What was your first job?
My first official job was in the Foundation, they hired me right when I finished college to help contain one anomaly, then I just stuck around and worked in Human Resources. I don’t think working small chores in our neighbours’ farms for some pocket change counted as a job.
Petunia: If you’re in a relationship, how did you meet your partner(s)? If you’re not in a relationship, how did you meet your crush/how do you hope to meet your future partner(s), if you want any?
I met North when he started working as a junior researcher in the same Site as me. Bright, I knew for longer for uh...obvious reasons, but I first met him in person during a disciplinary meeting. I also worked as an Ethics Committee Liaison in Site-19. You can imagine our relationship wasn’t the best at first.
Pincushion: How do you deal with pain?
Die.
Pink: Where is home?
Well, that sure is a deep fucking question. At this point...I don’t know, honestly.
Plantain Lilies: If you could go back in time, what is one thing you would stop/change?
...It’s...let’s not talk about that.
Prairie Gentian: Who is someone you look up to? Describe them.
No way in hell I’m telling you, he could read this blog.
Primrose: Describe your ideal life.
Living in a cottage in the forest or mountains as a fairly famous writer, with a spouse and a few kids.
Rhodendron: What is something you used to believe in as a child?
Soulmates. Then I grew a brain.
Ricinus: Who’s the most important in your life?
...So anyways.
Rose: What’s your favorite sound?
Uh, so you know how I listen to ASMR? Probably tapping.
Rosemallows: What’s your favorite memory?
Any kind of holiday with my family, we’d always get together and celebrate.
Sage: What’s your least favorite memory?
Let’s not talk about that!
Snapdragon: At this moment, what do you want?  
...Hm...Well, I am kind of hungry, I guess after this I should go eat something.
St. John’s Wort: Is it easy or difficult for you to express how you feel about things?
I think I’m kind of...intermediate on that scale. Generally, it’s easy for me unless it’s something very personal.
Sunflower: What is something you don’t want to imagine life without?
...yeah, another question I’m skipping.
Sweet Pea: How much sleep did you get last night?
Not a lot, I’m quite tired today.
Tickseed: What’s your main reason to get up every morning?
Work, I guess? Mostly just routine.
Touch-Me-Not: How do you feel about your current job?
Fucking stressful and exhausting, but it could be worse. That’s talking about my chairman position. But my work on Project X? I like it, one of the more pleasant jobs I had at the Foundation.
Transvaal Daisy: What’s your favorite item of clothing?
...Yeah, just take a guess.
Tropical White Morning Glory: Describe your aesthetic.  
Cozy, dark and gold.
Tulip: What would be the best present to get you?
...That’s a bit personal, actually.
Vervain: What’s stressing you out most right now?
The sheer amount of these questions, Jesus fucking Christ.
Wisteria: How many books have you read in the past few months? What were they called?
Unfortunately, I don’t have time for books lately, I did listen to a few audiobooks though. Also, I’m planning to revisit the Warrior Cats books because nostalgia and I need to know what the fuck is happening with these cats lately.
Wolf’s Bane: Where do you want to be in life this time next year?
Hopefully not dead.
Zinnia: Give a random fact about yourself.
Uhhh...hm...I’m petty, but you probably knew that already.
3 notes · View notes
cedar-glade · 5 years ago
Photo
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
Agalinis tenuifolia
slender false foxglove, hiding out by one of many interdunal lakes. 
from Indiana Dunes last fall. 
Took me a while to figure out what this species was. You can’t really tell the foliage in this photo since it’s lacking a lot of it and the species is known to have sparce foliage to begin with and it doesn’t help that it’s flower color was off since it was on it’s way out. Now I know the pain of iding these late year, at least It wasn’t Agalinis divaricata, gotta have respect for Alabama botanists doing late season cataloging. 
16 notes · View notes
im-not-a-joke · 4 years ago
Note
Mmh... All the field
the whole- the whole field....
thank you for asking, this is going to be one long post
Alisons: Sexuality?
asexual, unlabeled/queer romantic
Amaranth: Pronouns/Gender?
they/them or he/him, nonbinary
Amaryllis: Birthday?
february 4th
Anemone: Favorite flower?
bleeding heart
Angelonia: Favorite t.v. show?
steven universe
Arum-Lily: What’s the farthest you’d go for a stranger?
probably offer a place to sleep overnight
Aster: What’s one of your favorite quotes?
“Do you think God stays in heaven because he, too, lives in fear of what he’s created?”
Aubrieta: Favorite drink?
strawberry lemonade
Baby’s Breath: Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?
my gf? yes, absolutely.
Balsam Fir: Have you ever been in love?
i’d like to think so, yes
Baneberries: Favorite song?
currently “better than me” by the brobecks
Basket of Gold: Describe your family.
a mess, i have three siblings, and two of them are currently living at home, we also have two large dogs
Beebalm: Do you have a best friend? Who is it?
yes! my best friend anna, and her brother bryan!
Begonia: Favorite color?
purple
Bellflower: Favorite animal?
mantis shrimp
Bergenia: Are you a morning or night person?
night person
Black-Eyed Susan: If you could be any animal for a day, what would it be?
dog, i want the constant love and affection
Bloodroots: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
first a botanist, then a geologist
Bluemink: What are your thoughts on children?
i want to adopt some someday! sometimes they suck, but i want to be there for someone who doesn’t have a family to lean on.
Blazing Stars: What are you afraid of? Is there a reason why?
abandonment, because i’m annoying
Borage: Give a random fact about your childhood.
i shared a room with my little brother until i was like 12.
Bugleherb: How would you spend your last day on Earth?  
visiting all the people i love most, all of my friends, my gf, i’d call my sister
Buttercup: Relationship Status?
taken!
Camelia: If you could visit anywhere, where would you want to go?
france
Candytufts: When do you feel most loved?
when people take the time out of their day to talk to me
Canna: Do you have any tattoos?  
nope, i do want some someday, though
Canterbury Bells: Do you have any piercings?  
yes! i got my ears pierced twice because it ripped my earlobe the first time
California Poppy: Height?  
~5′8″
Cardinal Flower: Do you believe in ghosts?
yes, and if i die before any of my friends, i’m coming back to haunt them
Carnation: What are you currently wearing?  
a floral tank top, my favorite sleeveless cardigan, and jean shorts
Catnip: Have you ever slept with a nightlight?
yes, my little brother was afraid of the dark and insisted on having a nightlight on
Chives: Who was the last person you hugged?  
my mom
Chrysanthemum: Who’s the last person you kissed?
my gf
Cock’s Comb: Favorite font?
architect’s daughter
Columbine: Are you tired?
yes, very
Common Boneset: What are you looking forward to?
tomorrow i get to leave the house all day to drive across the state and it’s going to be a lot of fun
Coneflower: Dream job?
language teacher! either english to people who don’t speak it or german/french to english speakers
Crane’s-Bill: Introvert or extrovert?
introvert. i’m on tumblr all day
Crocus: Have you ever been in love?
yeah, i think so
Crown Imperial: What’s the farthest you would go for someone you care about?
i’d actually die for multiple people in my life
Cyclamen: Did you have a favorite stuffed animal as a child? What was it?
yes! a stuffed white dog with a plaid scarf and matching antlers! my friend got it for me because it reminded her of my big white dog.
Daffodil: What’s your zodiac sign?
aquarius
Dahlia: Have you done anything worth remembering?
once i came 3rd in my age group for a 5k i ran
Daisy: What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment?
i successfully kept a frail axolotl alive for an entire summer
Daylily: What would you do if your parents didn’t like your partner(s)?  
i dont care what my parents think about stuff like that, they cant tell my who i am or am not allowed to date
Dendrobium: Who is the last person that you said “I love you” to?
@byler-obsessed literally like, maybe 15 minutes ago as of writing this
False Goat’s Beard: What is something you are good at?
i’d like to think i’m decent at singing
Foxgloves: What’s something you’re bad at?
staying awake during the day
Freesia: What are three good things that have happened in the past month?
i saw my gf for the first time in months! i came out to the girls team for xc! i spent a lot of time with one of my closest irl friends!
Garden Cosmos: How was your day today?
decent, i had coach practice, which was nice
Gardenia: Are you happy with where you’re at in your life?
yeah, i’d say i’m pretty happy where i am
Gladiolus: What is something you hope to do in the next year or two?
learn guitar
Glory-of-the-Snow: What are ten things that make you happy/you’re grateful to have in your life?
my best friends anna and bryan, my older brother, the girls on the team, my ukulele, my therapist, my dogs, the creek in my back yard, my grandma’s amish apple dumpling recipe, random internet memes, books
Heliotropium: What helps you calm down when you feel stressed?  
listening to my spotify playlist
Hellebore: How do you show affection?
reassurance and/or talking about things that i enjoy, i’m really insecure so if i’m talking about something i like, that’s me trusting you. 
Hoary Stock: What are you proudest of?
the mental health progress i’ve made
Hollyhock: Describe your ideal day.
i lay in bed until like 11, then, i spend the rest of the day out with my friends, we get sushi for dinner and stay up until like 3am
Hyacinth: What do you like to do in your free time?  
be on tumblr
Hydrangea: How long have you known your best friend? How did you meet them?
i met them both in 6th grade, anna nad i were in the same science class and i met bryan at lunch, he didn’t talk to me for at least the first half of the year.
Irises: Who can you talk to about (almost) everything?
bryan, he always knows just what to say, and knows that he doesn’t have to fix my problems to be a good friend.
Laceleaf: How many friends do you have?
like, 13?
Lantanas: What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
my friend once told me that they couldn’t tell if i was a boy or girl upon first meeting me and it made my day.
Larkspur: What do you think of yourself?
i’m a mess, an anxious, depressed, gay mess
Lavender: What’s your favorite thing about yourself?
my hair, it’s really fluffy and soft, and just about light enough to dye bright colors
Leather Flower: What’s your least favorite thing about yourself?  
my chest, it’s always been a huge part of my dysphoria and i want it gone please
Lilac: What’s something you liked to do as a child?
i would play dress up with my dog, he had to suffer through wearing all my old dresses, but he got treats so it was ok
Lily: Who was your best friend when you were a kid?
my friend ry, we met in second grade, we’re still on and off friends, currently off
Lily of the Incas: What is something you still feel guilty for?
in 5th grade i used the word “suck” in class and got yelled at
Lily of the Nile: What is something you feel guilty for that you shouldn’t feel guilty about?  
see above answer
Lupine: What does your name mean? Why is that your name?
carson: christian. it’s my name because i like how it sounds, and anna really liked it too, she picked it for me.
Marigold: Where did you grow up? Tell us about it.
white, suburban ohio. all the kids had cliques by the second day of kindergarten, and if you were knew, you generally had a pretty good chance of being picked up by the popular kids.
Morning Glory: What was your bedroom like growing up?
i had bunkbeds with my little brother, i slept on the bottom.
Mugworts: What was it like for you as a teenager? Did you enjoy your teenage years?  
so far, not really. i’m just mentally ill and closeted, it’s not great
Norwegian Angelica: Tell us about your mom.
she likes to dye her hair crazy colors, and she used to be a beekeeper, even though she’s allergic to bee stings.
Onions: Tell about your dad.  
he rides his bike almost every day, and supports my mom in whatever she does
Orchid: Tell about your grandparents.
on my mom’s side, the kindest boomers i’ve ever met, my grandpa used to take us on “adventures” to the park and just watch us play
on my dad’s side: my grandpa loves seeing us but doesn’t get out much, my grandma laughs hysterically at every family gathering, and has all the best amish recipes
Pansy: What was your most memorable birthday? What made it be so memorable?
when i turned 13, i went ice skating for the first time and fell and sprained my wrist
Peony: What was your first job?
mowing lawns
Petunia: If you’re in a relationship, how did you meet your partner(s)? If you’re not in a relationship, how did you meet your crush/how do you hope to meet your future partner(s), if you want any?
we had mutual friends and slowly ended up being close, we were in school plays and track together.
Pincushion: How do you deal with pain?
i bite down on my finger to simultaneously distract myself, focus on something else, and hold myself back
Pink: Where is home?
my best friends’ living room at 1 am, with the golden girls playing in the background
Plantain Lilies: If you could go back in time, what is one thing you would stop/change?
i’d go back and stop current president from becoming president
Prairie Gentian: Who is someone you look up to? Describe them.
my sister, she has always been driven and passionate and talented, and she makes everything seem effortless and still gives it her all.
Primrose: Describe your ideal life.
me and my spouse and my kids amd my dogs all live in a decently spacious house in europe, my job is stable and i love my work, my students think i’m cool and come to me if they need help, i am doing well.
Rhodendron: What is something you used to believe in as a child?
i used to believe that the smoke from fireworks was where clouds came from
Ricinus: Who’s the most important in your life?
my best friends
Rose: What’s your favorite sound?
the sound of rain on my roof at night
Rosemallows: What’s your favorite memory?
when my sister, dad, and i all climbed to the top of a mountain in california
Sage: What’s your least favorite memory?
throwing up in the car on the way home for visiting my sister in new york
Snapdragon: At this moment, what do you want?  
a hug from anna
St. John’s Wort: Is it easy or difficult for you to express how you feel about things?
it’s hard because i don’t trust people
Sunflower: What is something you don’t want to imagine life without?
the internet
Sweet Pea: How much sleep did you get last night?
like 5.5 hours
Tickseed: What’s your main reason to get up every morning?
to run, it makes me feel better and i love cross country
Touch-Me-Not: How do you feel about your current job?
lmao i dont have one
Transvaal Daisy: What’s your favorite item of clothing?
my binder!
Tropical White Morning Glory: Describe your aesthetic.  
the record player song but a boy
Tulip: What would be the best present to get you?
a list of reasons why you deal with me/things you like about me
Vervain: What’s stressing you out most right now?
the fact that this is taking a lot longer than anticipated and i don’t want people to think i’m ignoring their asks
Wisteria: How many books have you read in the past few months? What were they called?
actual books? only 2, Catcher in the Rye and the Night Circus
Wolf’s Bane: Where do you want to be in life this time next year?
out with my friends
Yarrow: Do you know what vore is?
yes, and i regret it
Zinnia: Give a random fact about yourself.
i’m double jointed in my left pinky
2 notes · View notes
queer-starling · 5 years ago
Note
Flower ask: also all of them. you get to suffer with me >:3€
oh darlin’ we’re in it now huh
Alisons: Sexuality?
homogay
Amaranth: Pronouns/Gender?
she/they | all gender will be shot on sight
Amaryllis: Birthday?
sept 23rd
Anemone: Favorite flower?
monkshood
Angelonia: Favorite t.v. show?
stranger things or ghost adventures
Arum-Lily: What’s the farthest you’d go for a stranger?
like? distance? a couple miles probably
Aster: What’s one of your favorite quotes?
“We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little lifeIs rounded with a sleep.” William Shakespeare, The Tempest
Aubrieta: Favorite drink?
wild cherry capri sun
Baby’s Breath: Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?
ima change that to ‘kiss the last person u thought abt kissing’ bc YES
Balsam Fir: Have you ever been in love?
*jenna marbles voice* hell yeah!!
Baneberries: Favorite song?
waiting for the end - linkin park 
Basket of Gold: Describe your family.
chaos
Beebalm: Do you have a best friend? Who is it?
i have too many to list !!! brandi, kasey, you, liz, ivy, nick , just to name a few!!
Begonia: Favorite color?
blue uwu
Bellflower: Favorite animal?
foxes !! and opossums
Bergenia: Are you a morning or night person?
night time babey
Black-Eyed Susan: If you could be any animal for a day, what would it be?
either a fox or an opossum or a raven, i think
Bloodroots: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
i wanted to be a vet !!!
Bluemink: What are your thoughts on children?
theyre ok as long as theyre not screaming and/or mine
Blazing Stars: What are you afraid of? Is there a reason why?
i don’t liike vomit bc. nastey (trauma i think) and i don’t like old ppl well. i dunno why? they’re just so old and fragile and helpless and sometimes they’re really mean and idk i think it’s like something to do w death or something LMAO idk. also i just hate the idea of becoming old and having to rely on other people ?? hhh
Borage: Give a random fact about your childhood.
i was bullied a lot
Bugleherb: How would you spend your last day on Earth?  
realistically? probably playing dead by daylight with my girlfriend ADFSGRHYUTR
Buttercup: Relationship Status?
happily taken 
Camelia: If you could visit anywhere, where would you want to go?
ireland, scotland, alaska, greece
Candytufts: When do you feel most loved?
whenever my friends or family tells me they love me but esp when u text me goodmorning or when we say our goodnights sorry im gay haha
Canna: Do you have any tattoos?  
i have. uuuuhh 6
Canterbury Bells: Do you have any piercings?  
no!!! i want some tho :(
California Poppy: Height?  
i think im like. 5′5 or something? give or take an inch ?
Cardinal Flower: Do you believe in ghosts?
oh absolutely. my house is haunted as we speak
Carnation: What are you currently wearing?  
bmth hoodie and pajama pants w foxes all over them. i just woke up lol
Catnip: Have you ever slept with a nightlight?
yeah i always keep one on in the bathroom
Chives: Who was the last person you hugged?  
my sister bc she came home from college yesterday
Chrysanthemum: Who’s the last person you kissed?
ask me in like. a little over a month from now ;)
Cock’s Comb: Favorite font?
FONT??? the animal crossing font
Columbine: Are you tired?
oh absolutely
Common Boneset: What are you looking forward to?
thanksgiving, christmas, seeing my gf, magfest
Coneflower: Dream job?
idk if it’s a job but i just wanna own like. a ranch that takes in all sorts of animals and takes care of them
Crane’s-Bill: Introvert or extrovert?
introvert 
Crocus: Have you ever been in love?
ooooh yeah
Crown Imperial: What’s the farthest you would go for someone you care about?
i mean. depends on what they want/need. distance wise? i’d travel the known universe for u  
Cyclamen: Did you have a favorite stuffed animal as a child? What was it?
he was a plaid teddy bear his name was Stanley!!!! i miss him :( but now i have Little Moon God as my favourite stuffed animal 
Daffodil: What’s your zodiac sign?
Libro
Dahlia: Have you done anything worth remembering?
Working in Yellowstone is something I’ll never forget
Daisy: What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment?
well. hmm. i was gonna say flying to yellowstone but maybe driving to north carolina by myself bc driving long distances alone to places i haven’t been before gives me hella anxiety (i’m better now)
Daylily: What would you do if your parents didn’t like your partner(s)? 
i don’t pay rent in this house to listen to their opinions lmao. 
Dendrobium: Who is the last person that you said “I love you” to?
you, i think, when we said goodnight last night!!! EDIT: you this morning!!
False Goat’s Beard: What is something you are good at?
being bad at dead by daylight
Foxgloves: What’s something you’re bad at?
dead by daylight
Freesia: What are three good things that have happened in the past month?
(little over a month now but uhhh) GOT A UH ......GIRL.....FRIEND ...... GOT TO VISIT GIRLFRIEND ........ and got the windshield finally replaced in my car 
Garden Cosmos: How was your day today?
i dont know! so far ive laid in bed now im at my computer answering this. not too bad. my shift is only 4 hours today. 
Gardenia: Are you happy with where you’re at in your life?
for the most part, i’m pretty content, yeah
Gladiolus: What is something you hope to do in the next year or two?
MOVE OUT 
Glory-of-the-Snow: What are ten things that make you happy/you’re grateful to have in your life?
my friends, my mom, my sisters, my girlfriend, my bastard dog
Heliotropium: What helps you calm down when you feel stressed?
metal   
Hellebore: How do you show affection?
what does this mean. physically, i’m very affectionate, i just. don’t show it alot bc anxiety/i overthink. that and i constantly tell ppl i love them and what they mean to me 
Hoary Stock: What are you proudest of?
whoever is reading this
Hollyhock: Describe your ideal day.
wake up next 2 a cute girl. take way too long to get up. go climb mountain w cute girl. vibe on mountain w cute girl. go to waffle house 2gether. gome home and vibe. play video games or watch a movies/tv w cute girl.  
Hyacinth: What do you like to do in your free time?  
i like to make art or play bideo jame
Hydrangea: How long have you known your best friend? How did you meet them?
oh gosh i dunno. the ones i’ve known the longest are kasey and brandi, and i’ve known them both around/over a decade i think. we met in middle/highschool!
Irises: Who can you talk to about (almost) everything?
you, ivy, liz
Laceleaf: How many friends do you have?
so many 
Lantanas: What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
idk man but i remember when you said u had a crush on me and then i posted a selfie and u were like ‘OH NO SHE’S CUTE” and like ??? idk i think that was definitely the first compliment to ever shock me LMAO 
Larkspur: What do you think of yourself?
6.9/10
Lavender: What’s your favorite thing about yourself?
my tattoos
Leather Flower: What’s your least favorite thing about yourself? 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGGViLwHEUk
Lilac: What’s something you liked to do as a child?
i liked to play zombies ate my neighbors on the sega genesis !!!!
Lily: Who was your best friend when you were a kid?
eliza !!!! we lost touch a few years after i moved away :(
Lily of the Incas: What is something you still feel guilty for?
ima be real everything makes me feel guilty
Lily of the Nile: What is something you feel guilty for that you shouldn’t feel guilty about?  
aaaaaa the whole abi/moon incident 
Lupine: What does your name mean? Why is that your name?
my name is fox. it means i like foxes
Marigold: Where did you grow up? Tell us about it.
northern virginia babey !!!! that place fucking sucks!!! but everyone who lives up there thinks they’re hot shit. 
Morning Glory: What was your bedroom like growing up?
i had a bunkbed and i think the walls were pink 
Mugworts: What was it like for you as a teenager? Did you enjoy your teenage years?  
😬 i’m just gonna say i’m much happier now and i’m coping with life and shit a lot better  
Norwegian Angelica: Tell us about your mom.
she’s sweet and funny and i love her so much!! she always does the Most for everyone, sometimes to the point where she isn’t concerned abt herself and i see where i get it from. but yeah my mom is great, my dad doesn’t deserve her 
Onions: Tell about your dad.  
source of a lot of trauma and why i have so many issues regarding men. i don’t wanna talk about him anymore LOL he doesn’t deserve the attention
Orchid: Tell about your grandparents.
my dad’s mom is becoming senile and i think she’s racist and queerphobic. my mom’s parents disowned her a few years ago so we don’t talk to them anymore 
Pansy: What was your most memorable birthday? What made it be so memorable?
i dunno. i don’t try to remember my birthdays. whenever i can go to busch gardens for my birthday i usually have a lot of fun there. 
Peony: What was your first job?
if you don’t wanna count working w my mom as a florist, target was my first job back in 2016. i found my name tag the other day , actually
Petunia: If you’re in a relationship, how did you meet your partner(s)? If you’re not in a relationship, how did you meet your crush/how do you hope to meet your future partner(s), if you want any?
WELL, i know you followed me on here first. and then twitter?? but we didn’t really start talking until stranger things 3 came out (thank u stranger things) PHYSICALLY, we didn’t meet until fursonacon (haha. i remember when u texted me that u got to the hotel and i came down to help n i saw u unloading yr car and it was then that my brain was like OH NOOOOOOOO and my heart was like OH YEEEEAAAAAAAH) 
Pincushion: How do you deal with pain?
physical, mental, or emotional? i play a video game or listen to loud music
Pink: Where is home?[
somewhere in appalachia i can feel it in my stupid soul 
Plantain Lilies: If you could go back in time, what is one thing you would stop/change? 
idk man i’m pretty content w where i’m at now so 
Prairie Gentian: Who is someone you look up to? Describe them.
chester bennington 
Primrose: Describe your ideal life.
i have a waife and we have many great pets and we live in a log cabin in the mountains or in a nice victorian in a small town or something IDK but we’re happy and that’s all that matters 
Rhodendron: What is something you used to believe in as a child?
God
Ricinus: Who’s the most important in your life?
my mom, me best friends, my girlfriend
Rose: What’s your favorite sound?
my girlfriend’s laugh because it’s THE cutest shit and then when she giggles??? oh my heart 
Rosemallows: What’s your favorite memory?
oct 23rd, 2005, we brought Fat Boy Zack home !!!!
Sage: What’s your least favorite memory?
July 22nd, 2016. i was 2200 miles away
Snapdragon: At this moment, what do you want?  
to be holding my girlfriend >:(
St. John’s Wort: Is it easy or difficult for you to express how you feel about things?
hhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Sunflower: What is something you don’t want to imagine life without?
those i hold dear
Sweet Pea: How much sleep did you get last night?
enough, i guess? 
Tickseed: What’s your main reason to get up every morning?
my girlfriend
Touch-Me-Not: How do you feel about your current job?
it’s fucking BORING and TOO EASY and they don’t pay me ENOUGH but i can get away with so much shit there so ima still go, ima still go 
Transvaal Daisy: What’s your favorite item of clothing?
all of the flannels currently in my possession
Tropical White Morning Glory: Describe your aesthetic.  
mountains, woods, forests, cabins, autumn, cryptic, occult, victorian, edwardian
Tulip: What would be the best present to get you?
if someone gets me a gift i’m legally required to execute them
Vervain: What’s stressing you out most right now?
this 40hr workweek i got coming up 
Wisteria: How many books have you read in the past few months? What were they called?
i have not read in So Long
Wolf’s Bane: Where do you want to be in life this time next year?
Moved out away from here lol, we’ll see
Yarrow: Do you know what vore is?
:/
Zinnia: Give a random fact about yourself.
i’m a furry
that was SO LONG im sorry i also put you through that but THANK YOU ENJOY READING ILU
8 notes · View notes