#dedicated resource model

[sovpologist]

did people genuinely think they were going to remodel and reskin the whole eliksni quarter for a small post season community event

[plutonianeris]

Asteroid Apollo (1862)

☀️ APOLLO IN THE 1ST HOUSE: Naturally commands attention, regal presence, captivating in every room, people are often in awe of your appearance and mannerisms, powerful aura that’s impossible to ignore, exudes confidence and authority, admired for your individuality and sense of self, people respect you without you needing to demand it, feels like a natural leader, people often follow your lead, impressive first impressions, magnetic in every personal encounter.

☀️APOLLO IN THE 2ND HOUSE: Radiates confidence in material and personal values, people admire your taste and stability, respected for your financial savvy or how you manage resources, strong sense of self-worth that draws others, people often feel inspired by your practical approach to life, exudes power in matters of wealth and possessions, admired for how you create a life of comfort and beauty, people look up to you as a model of financial empowerment, respected for valuing quality.

☀️APOLLO IN THE 3RD HOUSE: Captivating voice, words carry weight, people are inspired by your intellect and wit, respected for your ideas and how you communicate, often seen as a wise figure in discussions, magnetic in conversations, admired for quick thinking and cleverness, powerful storyteller, people often remember your words long after you speak, respected in social circles for your insights, admired for the way you can influence others through language alone.

☀️APOLLO IN THE 4TH HOUSE: Commands respect in personal or family life, radiates an inner strength that others admire, quietly powerful presence at home, often seen as the heart of the family, respected for your loyalty and protective nature, admired for creating a safe and nurturing environment, people may even idealize you as the “soul” of the family, power that feels both gentle and profound, others look up to you for a sense of security and emotional wisdom, worshiped in private settings.

☀️APOLLO IN THE 5TH HOUSE: Magnetic in creative or romantic settings, people admire your expressiveness and originality, often seen as larger-than-life, admired in social and fun environments, powerful attraction in love and creative pursuits, others are drawn to your charisma and artistic talents, people see you as an inspiration for living boldly and passionately, known for an aura of celebration and joy, often the center of attention, others look up to your courage in self-expression.

☀️APOLLO IN THE 6TH HOUSE: Respected for your dedication and hard work, powerful aura in daily life and routines, people admire your work ethic and reliability, a natural leader in any work setting, others look up to you for how you handle responsibilities, admired for your quiet strength and consistency, people may come to you for advice on health or daily routines, a stabilizing influence in the lives of others, power shines through small acts of service, respected for grounded, practical power.

☀️APOLLO IN THE 7TH HOUSE: Commands admiration in partnerships, people see you as an ideal partner, respected for your diplomacy and fairness, a natural presence in one-on-one settings, people feel “honored” to be close to you, magnetic in personal relationships, admired for how you handle conflict with grace, people are often drawn to your energy as a balancing force, radiates strength in commitments, others see you as an exemplary partner, powerful aura of equality and respect.

☀️APOLLO IN THE 8TH HOUSE: Powerful in matters of intimacy and transformation, people feel drawn to your depth and intensity, admired for your courage in facing darker topics, respected for your ability to handle crises, magnetic and almost hypnotic energy, others may even be intimidated by your power, seen as a wise figure in taboo or transformative areas, inspires others to confront their own shadows, radiates an aura of mystery, people are drawn to your strength in vulnerability.

☀️APOLLO IN THE 9TH HOUSE: Inspires admiration through wisdom and expansive ideas, powerful presence in intellectual or spiritual discussions, people look up to you as a mentor or guide, admired for your adventurous spirit, respected for your commitment to truth and higher knowledge, commands attention when sharing insights, magnetic in educational or cultural settings, seen as a seeker of wisdom, respected for following your own path, others may idealize you as a source of enlightenment.

☀️APOLLO IN THE 10TH HOUSE: Commands respect in professional settings, powerful and dignified public image, admired for your achievements and ambition, natural leader in career or social spheres, people are inspired by your determination and success, seen as an authority figure in your field, commands admiration simply by being yourself, respected as a symbol of success, others may even “worship” your career path, people follow your example in work and life goals.

☀️APOLLO IN THE 11TH HOUSE: Magnetic in group settings, admired for your progressive ideas and humanitarian values, powerful presence in community and social causes, people look up to you as a visionary, natural leader in social circles, respected for your inclusivity and forward-thinking, seen as a source of inspiration for friends and networks, others may idealize your vision, radiates an aura of unity and collective power, admired for your dedication to making the world better.

☀️APOLLO IN THE 12TH HOUSE: Respected for your spiritual strength and introspection, powerful yet subtle presence, people admire you for your depth and understanding of life’s mysteries, magnetic in quiet or solitary settings, people feel honored to know you on a deeper level, radiates a wisdom that feels almost otherworldly, others are drawn to your ability to navigate the unseen, admired for compassion and emotional insight, power that feels hidden but profound, others may idealize your “soulfulness.”

[alltoomaples]

Speed of Science🧬💻💌

I'm dating a STEM girlie and you're not (F1 Edition)

a/n: and im baaaaaacccckkkkk (like anyone even missed me lmao) with the long overdue request! life of a postgrad StEm girlie here and the struggle is really realll af. but besides that, I'm writing this down as a headcanon for the drivers requested on this poll i had posted long back here. I've always wondered how there's soo minimal povs/ocs where they are a scientific researcher, analyst, etc. sooo i dedicate this one to all the STEM F1 girlies out theree <33

alsoo quick shoutout to my girlieee @smoooothoperator for inspiring and motivating me to get back at writing!🥹🫶🏼 check out her lastest ongoing work 'What Was I Made For? ' its amazing and thats a FACT!! do check her works! its absolutely amazing❤️

check out my works: until i found you masterlist | other works

Scientific Art Illustrator - Charles Leclerc

As a Scientific Art Illustrator, you specialize in creating visually captivating and scientifically accurate illustrations that depict complex biological, astronomical, or technological subjects.

Charles first discovered you through your works at an exhibition where their stunning illustrations of Formula 1 cars caught his eye. Impressed by their attention to detail and artistic talent, they struck up a conversation about their mutual love for precision and creativity.

During a peaceful weekend afternoon, Charles suggests a spontaneous visit to a local art supply store. Excitedly exploring aisles stocked with vibrant paints, fine brushes, and specialized papers, the two of you engage in discussions about artistic techniques and innovative tools. Amidst laughter and shared enthusiasm for creativity, you bond over your mutual appreciation for the intricacies of art and science, making the afternoon a cherished memory of their shared passions.

After being away from home during race season, Charles always finds a framed series of sketches by you for the races you couldn't make it, capturing his most memorable racing moments. Each sketch is intricately detailed, depicting not only the speed and intensity of the races but also the emotions and determination etched on Charles' face. Touched by the thoughtful gesture, Charles hangs the sketches in his study, a constant reminder of your support and admiration for his passion.

...

Data Scientist - Lando Norris

A Data Scientist specializes in analyzing large volumes of data using statistical methods and machine learning techniques to extract insights and make data-driven decisions.

You and Lando first connected through a mutual fascination with racing data at a technology symposium focused on sports analytics. Your presentation on advanced predictive modelling in motorsports caught Lando's attention for its innovative approach to enhancing race strategies.

During a cosy evening at home, Lando playfully challenges you to a friendly data analysis competition using real-time telemetry from previous races. Their banter and shared excitement over dissecting racing data create a lighthearted and memorable bonding experience.

You two would watch old races and analyze historical racing data together, playfully debating optimal pit stop strategies and analyzing driver performance trends, their shared passion for racing and data fostering a deep connection and mutual admiration.

...

Oceanographer/Marine Biologist - Oscar Piastri

An Oceanographer or Marine Biologist studies marine life, ecosystems, and ocean processes to understand and protect marine environments and resources.

You and Oscar crossed paths during a research expedition to study coral reefs in a remote location. Your expertise in marine biology and passion for conservation impressed Oscar, sparking their connection.

Amidst the hectic F1 season, Oscar surprises you with a weekend getaway to a coastal retreat, where they explore tide pools and participate in a beach cleanup together, reaffirming their commitment to environmental stewardship.

You gave Oscar a custom-made charm bracelet featuring miniature charms of marine animals they've discussed during their beach walks and conservation talks. Each charm represents a meaningful moment in their relationship, from their first discussion about oceanography to their shared admiration for marine life. Oscar wears the bracelet during race weekends as a reminder of you and all the love and support you give, both on and off the track.

...

Mechanical Engineer - Daniel Riccardo

You are a passionate Mechanical Engineer, specializing in advanced automotive design and performance optimization.

Daniel first encountered you at a technical conference organized by one of the team sponsors where you presented groundbreaking research on aerodynamic innovations that caught his attention.

Often, while you meticulously draft engineering schematics at their home office, he makes sure that you have your "engineering emergency kit" beside your workstation, which is a tray of snacks and their favourite coffee – ensuring they're fueled for their late-night brainstorming sessions. For when he's away for races, he stacks them up with small cute notes.

Before Daniel heads to a crucial race, you surprise him with a meticulously crafted miniature replica of his race car, complete with detailed decals and a personalized message of encouragement engraved on the base. Touched by the thoughtful gesture, Daniel proudly displays it in his motorhome, a reminder of the reader's unwavering support both on and off the track.

...

Statistician - George Russell

A Statistician specializes in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting numerical data to help organizations and individuals make informed decisions.

You and Russell first crossed paths during a university seminar on advanced statistical modeling in sports. Your insightful analysis of Formula 1 race data caught George's attention, sparking a lively discussion that led to mutual admiration for each other's analytical skills and shared passion for racing statistics.

During a particularly demanding race weekend, the reader surprises George with a meticulously prepared statistical analysis report highlighting his strengths and areas for improvement based on recent race data. This thoughtful gesture boosts George's confidence and motivation, showing the reader's support in his pursuit of excellence.

During a weekend getaway, you guys stumble upon a local go-kart track. George, always up for a challenge, suggests they have a friendly race. Knowing George's competitive spirit, you secretly calculate his optimal strategy and surprise him by winning with a perfectly executed last-minute overtaking maneuver. George is impressed by the your strategic thinking and playfulness, and they share a lighthearted and joyous moment celebrating their shared love for racing and friendly competition.

...

Astrophysicist - Logan Sargeant

An Astrophysicist studies the physical properties, behavior, and evolution of celestial objects such as stars, planets, galaxies, and the universe as a whole, using principles of physics and astronomy.

Logan and you first crossed paths during an expedition to study a rare astronomical event—a comet passing close to Earth. Both passionate about astrophysics, you found yourselves sharing a telescope at a remote observatory, marveling at the comet's beauty and discussing its celestial significance late into the night. Their shared awe and intellectual connection sparked a mutual admiration that grew into a deep bond over their shared passion for exploring the wonders of the cosmos.

During a quiet evening at home, Logan excitedly shows you a new telescope he acquired for stargazing during race weekends, expressing his eagerness to learn more about the cosmos together and sharing their enthusiasm for both racing and astrophysics in equal measure.

Before a critical race weekend, the reader surprises Logan with a personalized star chart that maps out the night sky above the upcoming race venue during the race weekend. Each star on the chart is marked with a heartfelt message of encouragement, reminding Logan of their unwavering support and belief in his abilities on and off the track. Touched by the thoughtful gesture, Logan treasures the star chart as a symbol of the reader's love and encouragement throughout his racing career.

...

Climate Scientist - Lance Stroll

A Climate Scientist studies climate patterns, environmental changes, and their impacts on Earth's ecosystems, using data analysis and modeling to understand and address global climate challenges.

Lance crossed paths with you at an eco-friendly racing event where Lance was advocating for sustainable practices in motorsport. Being a respected climate scientist, you caught Lance's attention with your insightful presentation on the environmental impact of racing and innovative solutions for reducing carbon footprints in the sport. Their shared passion for sustainability sparked an immediate connection and admiration for each other's dedication to making a positive impact on the environment.

One weekend, Lance surprises you with a homemade dinner featuring sustainably sourced ingredients, proudly showcasing his culinary skills while discussing ways to reduce your carbon footprint. His earnest commitment to sustainability and your shared vision for a healthier planet melts your heart, making this a cherished moment you both treasure.

You, being deeply involved in climate science, often spends late nights analyzing data or writing research papers. One evening, Lance bring him a cozy blanket and a mug of your favorite hot beverage, quietly sitting beside him as he works. You look up from your laptop, touched by his thoughtfulness, and pulls him into a warm embrace, grateful for his unwavering support and understanding of your demanding but vital work.

...

taglist: @lndonrris @thatgirlmj @lwstuff @dannyramirezwife-f1dump @moonypixel tysm for your suggestions! apologies on taking this long to write😅🫶🏼

a/n: hope y'all enjoyed reading this! this was my first time writing a headcanon and for f1 drivers beside charles and lando so hope i did justice to all.

i'm being wanting to read some good domestic bliss, sweet, adorable and lovey dovey blurbs, fics of lando (i talked abt it here) soo maybe i'll work on some drafts at some point cause i'm currently in the middle of project work of my masters degree soo don't know when i'll be posting soo until next time, see yaaa and going back to read mode 👋💓✨️

check out my works: until i found you masterlist | other works

[puzzlefaggot]

I'VE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM... except i downloaded the daily puzzles riiiight before servers went down so im currently trying to solve as many puzzles as i can to see the trophies. maybe when im done ill post them just so there's SOME image of them online because i literally cant find any anywhere

Does anyone know if theres a video compilation or like images of all the daily puzzle trophies from azran legacy out there.......

[yuesya]

A Fyrefly Type-V is more colloquially known as a Personal Escort model. Their primary purpose, in addition to contributing to the war effort against the invading Swarm, is to carry out the role of a royal guard. To protect Her Majesty, Titania, Queen of the Iron Cavalry.

“More than anyone else, Titania’s safety is paramount,” their creators tell them. “For the glory of Glamoth! Dedicate yourselves to your Queen, even at the cost of your lives.”

Yes. They will. A chorus of assent rises from their collective throats in unanimous, simultaneous answer.

… AR-1368 knows that she is fortunate. Overwhelmingly, the vast majority of the Iron Cavalry do not have the opportunity of seeing Her Majesty in person. After all, the Swarm Propagates endlessly among the stars, and there is always a pressing need for new Knights to rise and promptly take their places upon the battlefield –sometimes even straight from their incubation pods, when critical circumstances call for it. What little contact the Knights have with Her Majesty is through the quiet ideas and impressions that are sent to them, the telepathic directives that Her Majesty guides the Iron Cavalry with.

That, and the dreams.

… But for Personal Escort models, who are specifically designed to protect their Queen, they also receive the honor of being permitted to accompany Her Majesty. To remain in her presence, in a more physical sense of things.

The first time that AR-1368 sees Her Majesty is exactly a week after she steps outside of the dark, sterile incubation chambers.

It’s…

Indescribable, the feeling of wonder and awe that one feels when standing in the presence of the Queen. To gaze upon Her Majesty and know what devotion is. But at the same time, there’s also something that’s… that’s not quite…

…

… AR-1368 doesn’t know how to articulate it, this strange feeling that stirs inside her when she sees Her Majesty still and unmoving, suspended within a glowing blue liquid in the glass chamber. There is some nameless emotion that constricts her throat for a brief moment, but she cannot put a name to it. AR-1364 can’t quite decipher it, either, and he’s the most verbose and expressive unit of their batch.

AR-1368 doesn’t understand.

… But the confusion is swiftly replaced by wonder, and a faint nervousness-excitement when Her Majesty turns her attention to them. She greets them easily, her presence a cold, gentle brush upon their minds. Not intruding, never intruding, but a steady sea of calm, crested with an ever-faint flicker of curiosity.

Hello.

There is a strong juxtaposition between the lovely, melodic voice AR-1368 hears in her mind, and the harsh, robotic voice that echoes out in their surroundings at the same time. One that’s almost a little… jarring.

“Hello to you as well, Titania. As of today, AR-1364, AR-1367, and AR-1368 will be added to your personal retinue,” the Chief Scientist said. “Improvements have been made to the newest iteration of the Type-Vs.”

What of the old guard?

“Unfortunately, they’re a complete loss,” the Chief Scientist responds. “Most were destroyed completely during the evacuation process from the previous facility. The survivors… suffered too much damage. Our scientists tried their best, but it was determined that it would be more efficient to salvage usable remains instead of–”

The lights in the room flicker, suddenly unstable. For a moment, everything is cold.

The Chief Scientist frowns. “Titania?”

… It may be efficient in terms of resources, but experience is more important than raw materials, and far more difficult to replace.

In the surrounding room, the Queen’s voice is cold and robotic. But within her mind, AR-1368 can feel the glacial tone seep through her, the Queen’s cold displeasure chilling to the bone. She is not the only one; beside her, she catches a glimpse of AR-1364 flinching slightly.

It’s good that the Chief Scientist does not catch this break in formation, because AR-1364 would be sent for retraining otherwise. But the hoarfrost cold recedes immediately, and a phantom warmth washes over them, tinged with a faint note of something… apologetic.

Is that… Her Majesty?

“Titania,” the Chief Scientist says, voice infinitely patient in a way that indicates this is a topic that has been discussed multiple times before, “We can always make more of them. Focus on directing the war effort, and we will devote our efforts towards providing you with all the Knights you need in order to carve a future for Glamoth beyond the abhorrent Swarm.”

[pixelplayground]

PXL'S Anatomy of Screenshots

So you want to take better screenshots? There are multiple factors to consider, and if you don't enjoy tweaking reshade settings for every image, my ultimate method may not be for you. That being said, there are tips and resources in this guide that are applicable to everyone and you can select to explore those that are useful to your specific situation.

Disclaimer: I am not claiming to be an expert, nor am I offering to provide troubleshooting on an individual basis. This is a general guide and if you are unfamiliar with any of the concepts, please use the mighty power of the internet to find tutorials. I promise everything that I have learned over the years has been published and documented a thousand times better than I ever could.

There are five factors to address:

Your computer's inherent capabilities

The game's limitations

The mods you're using

Reshade

Post Processing

Graphics Card Settings & Drivers:

Become familiar with your graphic options. If you don't have a dedicated graphics card (i.e. a desktop or gaming laptop, these features may be unavailable and you should skip.)

I have an AMD Radeon Pro card which is designed for workstation level systems. It's overkill for sims, but useful for 3D rendering and modelling work. I have changed the following settings for DirectX 9 applications:

anti-aliasing - enhance application settings

anisotropic filtering - enabled

anisotropic filtering level - 16x

texture filtering quality - high

surface format optimization - high

Consider overclocking your graphics card to unlock it's full potential. DO NOT pursue this venture unless you are ok with the risk of burning out your card prematurely. I use at present, overclocked Bootcamp Drivers from BootcampDrivers.com obviously, if you're not playing on an intel based mac through Bootcamp, this is irrelevant to you.

None of these settings are useful until you address the default games limitations, which leads nicely into the next factor.

Addressing The Sims 4's Graphic Limitations:

Everyone should be familiar at this point with lighting mods, 4k, textures, disabling ssao, etc. but, I'm still going to spell it out. None of this is new information and has been covered many a time by various players ad nauseum.

remove ugly blue toned lighting in the world by choosing a lighting mod from @softerhaze here

overhaul your graphics.cfg file (i use a custom blend with features specific to me), however @simp4sims has done a ridiculous amount of work in providing a simple to install file that can be found here - read through their tutorials!! they have provided an excellent oversight of exactly what this does and why it matters

improve the indoor lighting for your sims - previously i used @luumia's no blu, no glo - recently i switched to @northernsiberiawinds better in game lighting mod here, though i have tweaked some of the settings to suit my own personal preferences

i don't use the HQ mod, i don't find that it makes enough difference for the amount of effort it requires to convert CAS CC

It should go without saying, but tweaking your graphics config file is absolutely useless if you can't play TS4 at it's maximum in game graphic settings!

The Mods You're Using:

Now that you've put in all this work into getting the game ready to make use of quality mods where do you start? Well, the CC you install matters. Whatever your preference, whether it be maxis-match, alpha or somewhere in between, priority should be given to using items textured in 2k or 4k resolutions, and specific attention should be paid to using wall and flooring textures with bump maps, and or high quality resolutions (this is important later for reshade if you intend to learn about ray tracing).

I will separately post a guide to creators with crispy textures because that is it's own novel.

Reshade:

Phew. Still with me?

There are many many many reshade presets out there, most are alike, but none employ ray tracing, and that is because a) it needs to be manually adjusted for every screenshot, b) they are paid shaders, and c) this requires advanced knowledge of reshade and a decent enough graphics set up that won't overheat - games running native ray tracing recommend a minimum VRAM of 8GB (please note RAM and VRAM are not the same) - i therefore do not recommend pursuing this option if your system does not meet those minimum requirements.

Start here to understand what ray tracing for reshade is. In my opinion, the shaders are well worth the price of $5 for the amount of work that has gone into creating them by the talented Pascal Gilcher. That link is a comprehensive starting point into expanding your knowledge of reshade and it's capabilities.

I have always created my own reshade presets from scratch, and while the core colorization settings I utilize remain largely the same, using ray tracing and re-light means every screenshot needs to be manually adjusted (lights repositioned, bounce and AO factors adjusted, etc) before being captured. @pictureamoebae just published a very timely post discussing the re-light shader and you can read it here.

Post Processing

Reshade does 99.99% of the work that traditionally would be accomplished in a photo editing software like photoshop. Occasionally, I need to adjust exposure manually, add depth of field manually, or color correct. Beyond that I use it to scale images to fit the resolution and file size limits of various platforms. Conceptually this reduces the amount of uncontrolled loss encountered when platforms like tumblr auto compress files that are too large. In reality, tumblr still makes images crappy compared to how they appear in my file folder.

optimize your images for various social media platforms using this guide

fix exposure or colorization issues using a software like photoshop

I hope that this gives you a starting point into expanding your methodologies. My process is continuously evolving and I find this aspect of the game most entertaining. For others who don't enjoy this process, it's probably not worth it!

Thanks for reading ❤ PXL

[direquail]

My specific read on John is not that he's a nice guy, either. It's that, like any good character (specifically a tragic character, which, TM has said that he is modeled on a mythical tragic hero, so) he has a flaw that dooms him. And what that means is, when he has the choice to change what he's doing, that flaw either prevents him from taking the option he's aware of, or prevents him from being aware that there is another option altogether.

And so as a writer, what I look for are moments where either:

something good about a character becomes an excess that harms themselves or others

we receive information that shows a persistent blind spot a character has

we look for times when a character gives their view of the world/a situation and it Does Not Match Up with reality, or is hinted that it doesn't

we look for evidence of something simmering under the surface that clashes with their outward, agreeable presentation

What fills that role for John?

Yep.

When this first pops up, it's pretty easily dismissed as yet another layer on the falsehood he's propped up. Admittedly, he's been doing it for ten thousand years, so it's probably got a few layers to it.

However:

This one, to me, gives us a hint about what John is blind to: That his friends see his vindictiveness and his failings and that they could still love him. This is where it crosses into tragedy, for me; where his own inability to forgive blinds him to the capacity that other people have for generosity--and so, to a world where "justice" means more than "vengeance for the dead".

And this illuminates the whole chain of events that leads him to that climactic scene in Harrow the Ninth, telling Mercy that she never would have forgiven him anyways:

John is, at heart, deeply angry--like most characters in the series, and like a lot of people who grew up in poverty, especially if they managed to escape it. He also has some deep sense of justice, and deep sense of judgment.

So we have this cycle of related emotions and ideas: Justice, judgment, outrage. And a human measure of selfishness, amorality, double standards, etc.

In one situation, this allows him to throw himself completely into the cryo project, something that (if it hadn't been sabotaged politically) could have made a difference to humanity. He brings in people who work to make it even better, who demonstrably want to make the outcome as just and humane as possible. It's also implied that this is part of why he received those powers; "I chose you to change."

(And, I'll be honest, one of the other things that I see that chafes me is the implication that there was nothing about John to recommend him to the Earth. I'm actually of the opinion that there was; she chose him, and I don't think she just rolled a d100 or drew a card off a tarot deck and called him up. John is also still a human, flawed person.)

Then, the situation changes. It's no longer an issue of dedicating expertise to solve a problem; this is a political issue, and specifically of rich people using their resources to shift outcomes towards the one they think will benefit them the most, that will secure their survival, explicitly at the expense of everyone else.

And their strategy is, profoundly: short-sighted and unnecessary (pooling resources would help create a better outcome for everyone, including the rich, by reducing global trauma and preserving more of the systems that already structure their world); bigoted and uninformed (many rich people think that the world has to be a certain way, generally that the world is violent, competitive, dog-eat-dog, etc., and someone has to be "on top", and there will always have to be a loser, or lots of losers); and utterly cruel, unjust, and pointless.

And John--John, who grew up poor, who grew up aware of the despair around him and the injustice of his position and more than likely made use of that anger to achieve what he had up to this point--John is so angry.

Because they're all the same. They're all the same. It's the same song, over and over again, no matter how stupid and pointless and unnecessary. He is certain, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that it doesn't have to be this way. He passes judgment.

But John is losing to them, because he doesn't have the resources they do. He can hate them and fight them all he wants, and it doesn't matter, because he's nowhere near in the same league as they are politically.

And then, after the cryo project is cancelled, he gains his powers.

The thing about anger and judgment is that the deeper it runs, often, the more invested the person who holds that anger in themselves is in not seeing what they hate in themselves. E.g: John has conceptualized the people he's resisting as fundamentally unjust, cruel, amoral, and bigoted. There's a very good chance--to different degrees, depending on the person--that becoming aware of similar traits in himself might wake up those feelings he has towards those other people--aimed at himself (that is, cognitive dissonance). He can't see the things he's passed judgment on in himself and function. He's not like them; he's trying to fix things, to bring about justice.

Of course, there's justice as in "living in a just society", and justice as in "justice for the dead". But that's a later realization, because right now, everyone is still alive.

So John hides those parts of himself; from himself, from other people. So thoroughly he can exclude it from his consciousness and pretend it doesn't exist. He thinks no one sees the real depth of his own rage, his own cutthroat pursuit of a solution. And then, when he can't pretend it doesn't exist, he can still pretend to be the man he thinks they need him to be. He can "fool" them. He can say--he's trying. He screwed up. He doesn't know what he's doing.

And then, Casseiopeia says, No, actually, we know you, and we know you're horribly vindictive. And we're on your side--we're on the same side--our fight is your fight--and we love you. But your drive for revenge is seriously limiting your ability to imagine and create a living, just world, and that's what we're fighting for. Remember? That's what we set out to create.

And John's brain can't quite handle this; he can't imagine that they could actually see him and still be on his side. Because he couldn't see that and still be on his side. He can't forgive; he can't imagine forgiveness.

He can't see the things he's passed judgment on in himself and function.

And, by this stage, in some ways, it's already too late to change course. But this is one of several "come to Jesus" (no pun intended) moments where John could become aware of alternatives, or could change his behavior--and doesn't.

And I think this is where we get that self-awareness from, the thing that makes him creepy and tragic but also infuriating: He is aware, but apparently that's not enough to stop him from being his worst self--so is he just pretending to be moral? Capable of making different choices but choosing not to? And the weird statements he makes later:

This is, imo, not a power-hungry dictator who genuinely doesn't care about the cost of his throne, or a gleefully predatory abuser. This is a dude who's committed to a course of action and doesn't feel great about it. This is a guy who has violated his own sense of justice and has to live with it.

This is a guy who set out to save the world, killed it, and now the only thing that's left to him is to avenge it.

And like, from a mythology standpoint, that is exactly what the Erinyes are, like the Furies and Alecto. They are not the justice of Apollo or Athena. They are screaming for blood. They are hunting their quarry to the ends of the universe. They are chthonic.

Again: This isn't what Cassieopeia or Christabel said to him. This is what John has said to himself. This came from him. This is a reflection of what he believes.

And it encapsulates, exactly, why he erased their memories. Why he took away their agency.

The difference between him and many, many people is he had the power of a god and no one to check him when he was struggling with his own worst impulses. And then, he created a world where no one could, not just because then he could do what he wanted and pretend to be kind and loving and moral, but so that he would never have to lose the love of the people he needed.

Because, unfortunately, he still needed them.

It just took ten thousand years for the lie to unravel.

[bpdloop]

party in the minecraft server hcs ^^

the sever itself

owned* by bonnie (actually maintained by odile but she gave bonnie the owner tag because they wanted it so bad)

everyone has it under a different name on their own devices but officially the server is called the digital familytale

modded semi vanilla* (for the most part. theres a morbillion science mods added for odiles sake specifically, a few furniture mods for mira and a clothing mod for isa though)

mainly on peaceful but will sometimes be bumped up to easy for resources or fun

mira

tends to a village nearby the family's house that she has expanded tenfold from its original starting point

cares deeply for all of the villagers and has used a name tag on each and every one of them. they all have their own personalities and stories

brews potions on demand, so long as you bring her the ingredients

likes to play on easy mode when on the server by her lonesome in order to collect resources

will not step foot into the nether. not even for the pretty light wood (even if she really really wants the pretty light wood)

tool order: wand -> rapier -> crafted crook. the wand is essentially a long ranged weapon that can both attack and heal, but is mostly used for the latter. the rapier was specifically modded in for her. the crook is a multipurpose tool, combining shovel, axe and pick into one tool

isa

built a big barn

loves his big barn

is constantly talking about, working on, and admiring his big barn

is the guy to come to if you need any sort of animal produce or need to borrow a horse. owns at least three of any type of animal at all times

will get on with mira to help defeat mobs to make things go by faster

in charge of armor, tools and upgrades. spends a lot less time on any of that and a lot more time on making fun clothes, though

built a little storefront to pretend to sell his clothes from in mira's village. does often actually change the villager's outfits for funsies

tool order: gauntlets -> axe -> pick -> shovel. when wearing the gauntlets they will cover both hands of his model and do damage comparable to an iron sword twice (once with each hand) before a short cooldown

odile

couldnt really get into it before adding mods. now has the most playtime. even if you totaled everyone elses playtimes, odile would just barely eek out over it (if you took out siffrins, who's the closest to rivaling her, it wouldnt even be a competition)

the minecraft wikierrrrrrrrr. keeps that shit on tap even though she has memorized many of the recipes

always striving to make a project bigger than the last

redstone queen

regularly visits the nether to trade with piglins. one of the mods has them rebuild their structures if they notice the gold has gone missing. she pilfers it again every visit without fail

tool order: sword -> pick -> shovel. doesnt harvest wood so deems it unnecessary to carry an axe

bonnie

has an obscenely large, unautomated farm. they will spend entire days afking near the farm just so it grows. more often than not when theyre afk during one of these sessions, theyre off making real snacks for everyone

didnt understand and therefore didnt care about redstone until odile taught them. the day after, everyone logged on to the Laggiest Server Ever. when they went to investigate, bonnie showed off their extremely over complicated redstone contraption that did nothing more than activate a charge. nobody had the heart to tell them it was the cause of the lag spikes, so they suffered through it for like a week after until bonnie came to the realization themself and tore it down

completely and utterly dedicated to making a redstone rollercoaster of some sort. at some point. definitely. its 100% on the to do list, bet

teleports to everyone randomly to deliver meals. some good indicators youre about to get a visit from the Snacks God is 1) you mentioned the fact you have no food on you, 2) theyre talking about one of their recent harvests, and 3) "hey are u somewhere scary rn"

unable to die due to isa making them an accessory called the eternal necklace of undying. so long as you have it on in the charm slot, youre completely unkillable. bonnie was Extremely happy about this, as it meant they could finally leave creative and would stop accidentally breaking things left and right. it took many weeks of work to craft, and as thanks, bonnie made him his favorite meal in real life three days in a row

tool order: hoe -> shovel -> axe. does not carry weapons

loop

keeps offering to make a mob spawner for ease of access to mob resources and exp. nobody want them to because spawners are big and ugly but loop is adamant about the fact they can make it pretty (they end up making one very far away from the house once. they were not able to make it pretty.)

loves the bow and arrow but hates the crossbow. does not carry any weaponry outside of that

has an area they call Loop's Paradise! the only thing located there is a lone interactable beach chair near the beginning of a large ocean, a single redstone lamp that powers on when the sun sets and a jukebox. when asked what makes this a paradise they simply say its peaceful (they are blasting Cure for ADHD - 30 min of Breakcore from the jukebox)

tool order: bow -> pick -> axe. chooses to break dirt and the like with their hand or some other thing on their person

siffrin

has given everyone a flower that he thinks resembles them and a pot to put it in

survives mainly on fish, but makes sure to focus on the meals bonnie gives him first and foremost

doesnt like playing off of peaceful if he has the choice

has tamed an obscene amount of wolves. leaves the majority of them in isa's care and exactly one in loop's. they all have names. loop's dog is named starbit

tool order: dagger -> pick -> shovel -> axe. the dagger was specifically modded in for them

↓

[theblackfemininesociety]

Ladies, 2024 is personal.

Dear Besties and future Besties,

We're starting FRESH this year, I want to encourage each and every one of you to dedicate 2024 to becoming your best self, from the inside out. This is your ✨IT Girl era✨, a time to prioritize self-care, personal growth, and breaking old habits.

Start by investing in your mental and emotional well-being. Consider therapy or counseling to unpack any past traumas, explore your innermost thoughts and feelings, and gain a deeper understanding of yourself. Remember, healing is a journey, and seeking professional help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Let's focus on our physical well-being. Make time for regular workouts and prioritize your health. Whether it's hitting the gym, practicing yoga, or simply going for a walk, physical activity not only benefits your body but also clears your mind and boosts your confidence.

Breaking old habits is never easy, but this year, let's challenge ourselves to do just that. Identify any negative patterns or addictions that hold you back and take the necessary steps to overcome them. Seek support from loved ones, join our group, or even consider professional help. Remember, you have the power to change your life. ✨💞

In the midst of this transformation, it's crucial to practice being more private and working smarter. In a world that often values constant sharing and busyness, find solace in quiet moments and focus on the tasks that truly matter. Prioritize your goals, streamline your efforts, and eliminate distractions. By doing so, you'll find that you can accomplish more in less time, leaving room for personal growth and self-care. You are not for everyone, be selective with your energy this year babe. 🩷

Financial stability is vital, so let's make it a priority this year. Save your money, create a budget, and invest in your future. By being mindful of your spending habits and making smart financial decisions, you'll be empowering yourself to live a life of financial freedom and security.

Remember, peace is the REAL luxury. Prioritize your mental and emotional well-being above all else. Surround yourself with positivity, cut out toxic relationships, and embrace moments of solitude. By cultivating inner peace, you'll radiate strength and tranquility, attracting positivity and abundance into your life.

Lastly, love on yourself. You are more precious than rubies and daughters of the most high God. Embrace your worth and never settle for less than you deserve. Set boundaries, demand respect, and prioritize your own happiness. By loving and valuing yourself, you'll attract those who do the same.

In the upcoming year, let's remain humble, determined, and refuse to accept anything less than what we truly deserve. 🥂

We will continue to work with you on becoming the best versions of yourself! Please take advantage of all of our guides/ resources (click here) & there’s plenty more ahead, stay tuned!

Xoxo,

The Black Feminine Society 💋

model 🏷️ _kendrabailey

[darkmaga-returns]

By Monica Showalter

In today's "unexpected" news, the chief executive officer of youth clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch was arrested for sex trafficking.

Surprise, surprise.

According to ABC News:

Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries and two others were arrested Tuesday as part of a criminal sex trafficking investigation by the FBI and federal prosecutors in Brooklyn. Jeffries, his partner Matt Smith and a third man, Jim Jacobson, are accused of operating an international sex trafficking and prostitution business that recruited young men for parties in the U.S. and abroad, according to an indictment. The former retail executive and Smith relied on their vast financial resources, Jeffries' power as the CEO of Abercrombie, and numerous people, including Jacobson and a network of employees, contractors and security professionals, to run a business "that was dedicated to fulfilling their sexual desires and ensuring that their international sex trafficking and prostitution business was kept secret," the indictment alleges. Federal prosecutors said the trio paid dozens of men to travel around the world to engage in sex acts. The indictment mentions 15 alleged victims, identified as John Does #1-15. Jeffries allegedly recruited, hired and paid a slate of household staff to "facilitate and supervise the Sex Events." Jacobson traveled throughout the United States and internationally to recruit and interview men for the so-called sex events. During "tryouts" of potential candidates, Jacobson required that the candidates first engage in sex acts with him, according to prosecutors.

Anyone who's taken a gander at his company's marketing materials or the shops themselves wouldn't be surprised.

I walked into one those stores once in Los Angeles, to buy a niece a gift she wanted, and I was struck by how images were all over of hypersexualized and often naked young men -- on posters, on shopping bags, everywhere, raising questions as to what they were selling if their models weren't wearing anything.

I grimmaced in horror at what marketing to young people was becoming, given that this was a popular teen brand for clothing. And I rued how far that label had fallen. In the 1980s, it had been a prime preppy brand in the days of the Preppy Handbook, where one could buy high quality classic clothing and accessories, mostly for men, but a little bit for women, too. Somewhere in the 1990s, after a bankruptcy, it became child-sex promotion outfit even as it claimed to be a teen outfitter. I found it pervy, creepy. It's sad that no one could say anything, or else be branded a hopeless prude. But if something had been said, maybe the crimes would not have gone on for 20 or 30 years.

Now we learn that any or all of the teenagers featured on that packaging and in those posters could have been a victim of sex trafficking, wanting to be supermodels or movie stars, getting abused in the process, their bodies exploited, looking great on packaging, though, same as young Justin Bieber was, reportedly by the rap star known as Diddy.

[mc-bigenderenderdragon]

I know my blog doesn’t have as much reach in the mineblr community as it used to but if anyone wants to collab on some modding and texture projects PLEASE hmu.

I have two projects i’d like to work on, but they are big tasks and my health issues are making it hard to find the energy to work on them.

1. A resource pack based on LoafCraft (a really old texture pack) but renewed for 1.20 and beyond. As many collaborators as possible would be amazing, resource packs are BIG and a dedicated group to delegate folders to would make it a much easier task!

2. A mod that adds a lot of bugs so players can make their own bug sanctuary and collect them like pokemon :) i’d need people good at blockbench modeling and animating for this one. I’m not too bad at texturing and modelling myself as well but I can’t figure out the animating part and implementing it into mcreator. EDIT: This is in progress!!

Maybe I could also renew my cakes and pies mod too. That’ll be relatively easy bc i have all the textures made and stuff, i’d just need to re-implement it all which is slightly tedious. (Mcreator please add an easy cakes tool, you would make my life)

[puckpocketed]

Hello. You might have seen this floating around on twt:

link 1 // link 2, archive link

If by any chance you or someone you know are thinking about joining in on the challenge… no one can stop you but I implore you as someone who makes art, as someone with friends in an often-exploited creative industry, as someone who lives in late stage capitalism alongside you and has seen this play out before: proceed with caution.

Read the fine print on that form. There is NO guarantee of an internship, much less a job at the end of it. I haven't gone further than this form, but if anyone reading this does, and if there's no written agreement that your work won't be used without credit to you + payment for services rendered - RUN.

This is a common corporate tactic to get free labor out of people. I'm not saying this is necessarily what’s happening; for all we know this was done as a completely innocent move to drum up some fan engagement and as a genuine search for talent for their analytics team. WHO KNOWS. But I can't ignore that I’ve seen this situation play out again and again, at every scale.

Job interviews, when they ask you how YOU think they should improve their systems, how YOU would solve their problems? When they require that you do some problem-solving for them, and it goes beyond a simple task? That’s a free consultation you’re giving them, that's free work you or someone else should be getting paid for.

When big streamers/influencers ask their fans to join in on a fan art contest to choose their new pfp/banner? That’s hundreds, possibly thousands of pieces of free art they never would’ve gotten otherwise. They could've gone to the trouble of paying someone in-house to do it, hiring someone for that position, commissioning a professional for a piece. It's free work from their dedicated fans.

In this case, Utah HC is asking fans to not only choose/provide their own dataset, but to do a complex analysis on it AND do the work of visual and verbal communication to senior management, who likely do not have a deeper grasp of the concepts and will need it simplified. The stipulation that you will present your work could be ANYTHING!! The "five page deliverable" is already bananas to me, having dipped my toe into what analytics is and how complex the fun ones are. Condensing it all is WORK. The presentation portion may include speaking time and answering questions; the groundwork for doing this effectively may include producing data visualisations, making spreadsheets, time consuming write-ups. Maths and science communication is hard. It is WORK. They are asking for free labor.

Many have already called it out, but it's still gaining traction via retweets from big accounts uncritically sharing it. I found out through the official Puckpedia account. Jack Han called it out pretty eloquently on twitter and on his substack:

Many people aspire to work as an analyst in the NHL. Earlier today the Utah Hockey Club gave those people a glimmer of hope. Utah’s Summer Analytics Challenge is unusual in that it doesn’t provide a dataset or detailed instructions. The open-ended contests contrasts with other public (ex: Big Data Cup) or private (ex: NHL team interview) events. In those scenarios, participants are given proprietary data to clean, model and analyze, which influence direction and methodology. Meanwhile, Utah is seemingly happy with anything as long as the writeup is under five pages long. Utah’s contest also stands out in its near-total absence of legal fine print. There are no mention of intellectual property implications, which is perhaps fitting when the team is asking participants to bring their own data and analysis. [...] Open casting calls such as Utah’s analytics challenge start out as a lose-lose-lose proposition: > The employer loses because it will have to invest massive human resources to trawl/filter/evaluate/reverse-engineer the hundreds of write-ups it is sure to receive, with no guarantee that any of them will be of use > Applicants lose because the vast, vast majority of them will have nothing to show for their efforts, while a tiny minority risks having its IP stolen > Good ideas lose because they’ll be born into an environment where their parents (the applicant & the employer) have no defined relationship and won’t be in a position to grow together

link, archive link

I do try to keep things light on this blog, but this is super personal for me <3 thank u for listening

[slaymitchabernathy]

Pretty

“Pretty,” he says as he pulls the bow out from her hair.

He likes the way her soft blonde hair falls back into her face. The ribbon is soft too. He’s only touched the ribbon so far.

Coriolanus sets the bowl of berries down on the mahogany table and Soarynn looks up at him, offering him an awkward smile, “It’s just an old ribbon,” she tells him. Her cheeks are pink.

She’s embarrassed.

He finds that strangely adorable. That’s a good way to describe Soarynn. Strange and adorable. Not in a bad way though. She’s just so quiet. He thought she might never speak.

They had literature class together. A rather boring class in his opinion but it was his last year at the Academy so his spirits didn’t allow a boring class to get them down. And it was right before lunch. Even better. He needed that motivation, something to look forward to.

Then she sat in front of him.

He had a new motivator it seemed.

Coriolanus preferred to sit in the back of his classes. It let him goof off a little more, let his guard down while he joked with Festus Creed and Felix Ravenstill.

Then her vanilla scent wafted over him like an intoxicating cloud.

He’d never been more focused in his life. Never been more dedicated to a class before. Never answered so many questions. Asked so many questions. Hell, he even tried to answer other student's questions.

Anything for her to notice him. To turn around and look him in the eye. But she never did.

After the first day of class she always arrived before he did, sat down before he did. She never looked up at him as he passed by her desk to get to his own seat. Her nose was always buried in some book.

Coriolanus refused to let her slip away. Granted he had the whole school year to get her attention but he was impatient. He wanted her attention now.

But how did you get someone’s attention when they couldn’t even look in your general direction?

He left his books behind.

He left his books behind because the professor has asked for a volunteer to stay behind and help clean up the classroom for a month since they’d be busy with meetings.

It was the first time he’d ever seen her raise her hand voluntarily, draw any attention to herself.

Not that anyone paid her any mind. Being the second to last row allowed you to be damn near invisible and the professor simply nodded in her direction before continuing with class.

But Coriolanus knew this was a golden opportunity and he took it. He waited a good ten minutes before excusing himself from the lunch room.

“Forgot my books!” He’d said to his friends. Because he was just so forgetful. Silly him.

He’d been prepared to play on the Snow charm he was so well known for, to swoon her over and ask her to come over.

He hadn’t expected her to be singing. For her to be good at singing. Lots of people sang. His mother sang but that didn’t mean she was any good at it.

Soarynn was very good at it.

What she wasn’t good at was making conversation.

“I’m just here for my books,” he’d explained, shooting her a smile while making his way to his desk.

Soarynn had stood at the front of the classroom, petrified while watching him.

“Okay,” she had whispered.

Coriolanus finally let himself get a good look at her standing up. She was shorter than him but that was a given. Everyone was shorter than him. She was tan, and she was very, very pretty.

She had blue-gray eyes and platinum blonde hair. She could be a model. If only she could overcome her obvious lack of social skills. How did someone live in the Capitol and not know how to make small talk?

But Coriolanus quickly learned how she went this long without carrying on conversations. He used his father’s high-ranking government job to do a quick bit of research on his pretty classmate and found a good chunk of information.

Maybe it was intrusive of him to do so, but he certainly wasn’t going to get anything out of her anytime soon. He used his resources.

Soarynn Nightingale was the sole daughter of Glen Nightingale. A widowed man. A rich man. A quiet man. Little was to be found about the man’s private life. He never remarried after the death of his wife. Her death happened to fall on the same day as Soarynn’s birthday. How tragic, Coriolanus thought.

Glen invested in District Two before the war and it paid off well after the war. They lived in a beautiful townhouse a block away from the Corso.

They had no hired help, no family friends, and no living relatives.

Introverts to the extreme Coriolanus had decided.

Maybe Glen was alright with that but Coriolanus wasn’t. Soarynn seemed sweet, she deserved to have a social life. Preferably by his side but a social life nonetheless.

So he began his grand plan.

He started asking little questions here and there. Only to her though. Not personal, no, they were strictly education-based.

He knew he had his friends right beside him and that they could easily be of assistance but he didn’t let that stop him from gently tapping her shoulder.

“Could you help me with this question?” He’d asked her, enjoying the way she turned around, wide-eyed.

He knew she’d finished with the assignment twenty minutes ago so she had lots of time to help him out. Soarynn nodded before turning to grab her sheet of paper and handing it to him.

He had frowned.

If he wanted to cheat and get the answers the easy way then he could’ve gone and asked someone like Io Jasper. But he didn’t. He asked Soarynn.

“I don’t want to copy your paper,” he’d said, holding his hands up in surrender, “just your assistance.”

That’s how they’ve ended up here. In his house. In his library.

It was strictly a study date.

Well, a study session. Coriolanus had tacked on the word ‘date’ about twenty minutes ago when she’d arrived to his house. His apartment. His penthouse.

He thought they might get into some small talk, maybe gossip a bit about their classmates or professors. But Soarynn got right to work.

Coriolanus had asked her to be his partner for the project their professor had given them. You know, since she’d been so helpful to him as of late.

Soarynn had blushed and nodded, fumbling to pull a sheet of paper out from her satchel. She wrote something down before slipping it onto his desk.

Soarynn Nightingale. XXX-XXX-XXXX

Her phone number.

“You can call if you have any questions,” she’d mumbled before packing up her things, “my father’s usually at work so don’t worry about him answering.”

Coriolanus wasn’t too worried about a phone call conversation with Glen Nightingale. They’d be having dinner together soon, he was sure of it. Soarynn would introduce him as her boyfriend and Glen would be so impressed that his quiet, timid little daughter managed to snag a Snow.

Their single phone call had been lacking in his opinion. He’d waited an hour after he got home to call her up and schedule a time for them to meet.

“Hello?”

“Soarynn? It’s Coriolanus. I was calling to see if you wanted to come over to work on our project.”

The line had gone silent, so quiet he was worried their call might have disconnected.

“Oh. Um, I don’t know about coming over. I don’t have a car.”

Coriolanus didn’t miss a beat.

“I can have my driver pick you up. Or you could ride home with me after school.”

More quiet.

“Okay. I’ll give you my address to give to your driver.”

“Perfect. How’s your day been so far?”

“I think my father just got home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

It hadn’t been much but Coriolanus knew they could work on the length of their conversations now that she was in his library. Right in front of him.

She was so pretty.

She had a lot of freckles. They made her eyes pop even more. And the way she nibbled on her pencil eraser drove him mad. He wanted to taste her lips, her soft, pink lips.

“It’s still a nice ribbon,” he insists, taking his seat next to her again.

Her eyes had gone so wide when he chose to sit next to her rather than across from her. Maybe it was a bit too forward but he didn’t care. All he wanted was to be near her, to have nothing separating the two of them. Separating him and the scent of vanilla.

Soarynn eyes the bowl of berries he’d brought. It was a wide variety in the bowl. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries. “Help yourself,” he says, nodding towards the bowl.

He’s brought it as some sort of peace offering. To show he meant no harm. And after twenty suffocating minutes of silence, he has gone to the kitchen to clear his mind, change up his game plan to win her over.

His father had only spared the two of them a glance when they walked past his study. He was all too familiar with his son bringing home different girls after school. But Soarynn was different.

He’d just have to wait and see.

Soarynn reaches into the bowl, picks out a single strawberry, and wraps her lips around it. She closes her eyes while doing it and Coriolanus can’t help but wonder what those lips look like wrapped around other things.

She’s a virgin. She has to be a virgin.

“So what are your hobbies?” He asks, hoping to learn more about the pretty girl next to him. Well, learn from her, not from some file about her family lineage. That had only got him so far.

Soarynn swallows and her eyes pop open, curious and hesitant at the same time. Not that he can blame her. It’s a bit strange for a popular boy like him to take an interest in a quiet girl like her. She’ll get used to it though.

“Um, I don’t really have any hobbies,” she whispers, brushing her blonde hair behind her ears.

She does that a lot he noticed. She does it whenever she gets nervous. Usually, it’s when the professor calls roll and she has to raise her hand. It’s the only time she ever speaks in that class.

Her soft, “Here.” It’s become the highlight of his day.

He chuckles softly, taking a few blueberries and popping them into his own mouth, “Well I heard you singing a while ago. Do you like to sing, or take lessons?”

Soarynn shrugs, “My father offered for me to take lessons but I was too nervous. I just sing to myself. And my cat sometimes.”

Coriolanus perks up at the mention of her cat.

Pets aren’t mentioned on the Capitol’s registry for all of its citizens. Now he knows that three creatures reside in the Nightingale’s townhouse.

“You have a cat?”

“Mhm. Her name is Petunia. She’s very sweet.”

Just like you, he thinks. “Maybe I could meet her one day,” he says, stretching out on his chair. Soarynn hums, “Maybe.”

That wasn’t a no. She didn’t deliberately and directly say no which means she practically said yes.

They work on their project for a little longer before all of his patience is about to dry up. Most girls would have jumped him by now, begged him to take them to his room, and fuck them into the mattress.

But not Soarynn.

She seems content in his library, her eyes scanning the pages of the books she brought, jotting down notes every now and then. Every once in a while she glances up at him. She can feel him looking at her.

She’s so pretty.

Coriolanus clears his throat, fruit, and school work long forgotten, “Why don’t we take a break?”

He’s not asking. Hopefully, she understands that.

Soarynn looks down at her wristwatch, “I guess we could take a little break,” she mumbles, closing her books.

Coriolanus stands up, offering his hand and smiling when she cautiously takes it. Her hand is so dainty, so soft and small. It fits perfectly in his.

He leads her out of the library, down the hall, and towards his bedroom. Soarynn is quiet as a mouse as he parades her through his penthouse. No one besides his father is home and he was on a business call when they passed by his study just now.

His mother is out for lunch with her friends. And the help doesn’t come until tomorrow. It’s perfect really.

“This is my room,” he states proudly, pushing the doors open to his bedroom. He drops Soarynn’s hand as he walks in, admiring his sanctuary.

He looks over his shoulder to see Soarynn taking slow steps into the room, her hands behind her back while she looks around. She’s curious. Good. He's curious about her too.

His room holds little to no personal details. It's almost militaristic the way he keeps his space. But it's clean, and as a boy, that counts for something. His mother is always trying to get him to add little touches, but Coriolanus insisted that the few framed photos that sat on his desk were more than enough.

That's where Soarynn goes first, to his desk. It's another large piece of mahogany furniture where most of his schoolwork gets done. There are several drawers and a desk lamp. Along with the lamp is an official portrait of the Snow family. There's also a photo of him, Festus, Clemensia, Felix, Pup, and Arachne from when they were little. Before the war.

"Do you know any of them?" He asks, taking strides towards her. Obviously, she must know who his friends are, they've all grown up together here in the Capitol. Soarynn might be strange, but she's not odd like Sejanus Plinth, a dirty District boy.

Soarynn nods, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of his desk, "They talk a lot." Coriolanus doesn't stop the laugh from leaving his lips when he stops at the other end of his desk, his fingers absentmindedly drumming against the wooden surface.

"Well, I'm sure anyone talks a lot compared to you. You're so quiet, like a little mouse."

Soarynn scrunches up her face in disagreement, probably the first true emotion she's shown him, "I'm not a mouse."

But he's got her trapped like one.

He tilts his head, looking her up and down, admiring her outfit. She's wearing a red sweater with a black shirt that falls right around midthigh. Her socks are white and frilly, and her shiny black shoes have a small heel to them. Soarynn might be strange but the girl can dress.

Coriolanus thought he might wait till the second or third date but he really can't help himself. Not when she's dressed like this, acting like this, looking like this.

He could eat her right up.

He takes two steps towards her, long steps thanks to his long legs, effectively closing the distance between them. The way she stiffens up confirms his suspicions that she might be a virgin. Probably hasn't even had her first kiss yet. Lucky him.

"If you aren't a mouse then you're a little vixen," he purrs, his hand reaching up to pinch her chin between his thumb and index finger, forcing her to look up at him. Soarynn's eyes are wide in fear and nerves. That's okay though, he'll teach her not to be so nervous around him.

He prefers the fear to linger.

"I don't...I don't know what you want with me," she whispers, her voice trembling. His poor little mouse, so scared by the big, bad cat.

She's significantly shorter than him, short enough to where he has to lean down to whisper in her ear, "I just want to take care of you, pretty girl."

Soarynn looks like she doesn't believe a word he says, but she doesn't have to right now. She just needs to listen.

"Go sit on the bed," he orders, releasing her chin. It's cute how she does what he says without asking any questions. Coriolanus hates girls like that, always questioning his authority. He much prefers to shove their faces into the mattresses after demeaning him like that. But he won't do that with Soarynn. He wants to see his pretty girl's pretty face.

He locks the doors, just in case.

He takes his time walking over to his bed. She's sitting on the edge, hands in her lap, fidgeting. he'll teach her how to stop that too. "Have you ever kissed someone before?" He asks, stopping right in front of her. It's better if she thinks she has a choice like this is her idea. That way if something goes to shit, she only has herself to blame.

Soarynn shakes her head, "No."

Coriolanus nods, doing his best not to look too smug. It's not every day you come across her type in the Capitol. Pure. Innocent. Ripe for the taking. Thank goodness he found her before some sleaze did and tried to get into her pants. "Would you like me to kiss you? Be your first kiss?"

Soarynn's breath hitches in her throat before she swallows, she looks down at her hands before looking back up at him. She nods.

Coriolanus doesn't need much more convincing. He quickly sits down on the bed next to her, wrapping one hand around her small frame while cupping her face with the other. The smell of vanilla overpowers him as he leans in, capturing her lips with his.

It's cute how still she is, how timid and shy she is even while kissing him. Coriolanus doesn't let that stop him though. He moves his lips against hers, smiling when he begins to follow his lead. She's so smart, his pretty girl, so good at following.

It's when he deepens the kiss that her hands finally leave her lap, coming to rest on his chest for support. He uses that as an opportunity to lean further into her, holding her up as he snakes his entire arm around her waist. He bites her bottom lip and she gasps, allowing him to slip his tongue into her mouth and explore it. There's so much of her that he has yet to explore.

They stay like that for a moment or two, learning each other. Coriolanus finds it hard not to rip into her like a gift, finding out exactly what makes her tick, what she tastes like, what she sounds like.

His hand leaves her face and slides down to her thigh, squeezing it before slipping his hand down further. Soarynn whimpers into the kiss when his fingers grab the hem of her skirt.

Has she really done none of this before?

Coriolanus doesn't dwindle with questions as his hand fully slips under her skirt, feeling the fabric of her lace panties. He almost lets out a sigh of relief. At least she's not a total prude. Those girls are never fun. And he's willing to bet she's wearing a bra to match.

He presses her further up against his body while his hand explores under her skirt, slipping his fingers under the waistband of her panties, teasing her. The gasps she lets out, the sounds she makes nearly drive him mad.

He's going to get her to make all sorts of sounds for him. Sweet sounds from his pretty girl.

Coriolanus pulls away, taking a good look at her flustered face as she looks up at him, slightly out of breath and still so nervous. He can tell by the way she's shaking in his hold, how her thighs keep trying to press together. "Have you ever been touched before?" He asks, his voice low and laced with lust.

Soarynn shakes her head, letting out a shaky breath, "I... I've touched myself before," she whispers, color flooding her cheeks, "but it didn't feel good." He grins, his poor little angel hasn't felt a bit of pleasure her entire life. Luckily he found her when he did. She's going to have a hard time remembering what it feels like to not have his cock stuffed up in her perfect cunt.

His fingers graze her clit and she shudders, letting out a whine as she twitches in his hold. He watches her face carefully for any reaction as he slowly drags his fingers up and down her covered cunt, smirking at how flustered she’s getting. She tries to hide, to bury her face in his chest where he can’t see her but he’s having none of that.

A pretty girl like her needs to be seen.

“Let me see your face pretty girl,” he purrs, increasing the friction of his fingers against her clit. Soarynn gasps as she pulls her head back, her hips beginning to involuntarily rut against his hand, "I don’t…Coriolanus I don’t…” He’s quick to silence any apprehensions with another heated kiss, swallowing up her doubts. He can feel how wet she’s getting, and all for him. Coriolanus is beginning to wonder if she tastes as good as she looks.

“Won’t you let me taste you?” He asks against her lips, pulling his fingers away. Soarynn makes a sound of frustration when she loses that small amount of physical contact. It’s cute he thinks, how riled up she gets from him touching her over the thin fabric of her lace panties. Wait until she sees what else he’s going to do with her.

“I still don’t know what you want with me,” she whispers, pulling away.

Now it’s Coriolanus who’s making sounds of frustration from loss of physical contact. Why does she have to keep questioning his intentions as if they aren’t of the purest standard? Because they’re not, but that doesn’t matter, not in the grand scheme of things.

“I want to take care of you Soarynn. Be your friend. Aren’t you tired of not having any friends?”

He’s being a bit mean right now, mentioning how she has no friends. But Coriolanus needs to break her down so he can build her back up. It’s better this way. She’ll see.

Soarynn bites her lip, thinking. Deciding, debating, she’s taking a longer time than he’d like but he doesn’t rush her. Again, it’s better if she thinks this is her idea.

“I don’t think you want to be just friends with me Coriolanus.”

A guilty smile makes its way onto his face. He thought his pretty girl was too kind to say something like that, but it turns out she’s feisty when she wants to be. “I don’t,” he admits, “I really like you Soarynn. So won’t you let me make you feel good?”

She doesn’t debate much longer which is good for him because he’s about two seconds away from pinning her to the bed and taking what’s rightfully his.

“Okay,” she says, “but, be gentle, please. I’ve never done any of this stuff before.”

Coriolanus is delighted to hear those words fall from her pretty lips. So delighted that he gives her another kiss before having her lie completely down on his bed, her feet dangling off the edge.

“Let’s take all this off hmm?” He asks, making quick work of her skirt. Her sweater is next to go which confirms that she is wearing a matching lacy bra. He knows she didn’t do it on purpose, to tease him. But everything Soarynn does feels like it’s teasing him.

Testing him.

This is an exam he’d gladly fail he decided as he peels her panties off her cunt and down her legs, throwing them into some dark corner of the room.

He won’t fuck her. Not today at least. He has manners.

Once he’s settled between her soft legs he’s finally given a chance to appreciate this cunt of hers. It’s everything he expected and more. Pink, small, and it’s pulsing with excitement. He glances up to see Soarynn breathing heavily, her eyes trained on the ceiling. Maybe he should hold her hand. Walk her through all of this.

He groans when he sees how wet she is. Virgins always are. She’s so sticky, just begging for his cock and anything else he wants to put in her. “Hold my hand pretty girl,” he orders, taking her small hand in his. He knows she’s nervous, scared. But that’s alright. She’s pretty when she’s scared. Her cunt is pretty too.

Coriolanus leans down and licks a long strip up her cunt and the moan Soarynn lets out is a sweet, sweet melody. He wants to hear it again.

Coriolanus eats at her like he’s starving. She tastes so fucking good. He used his other hand to hold her open, letting him lick every inch of her cunt, hiding nothing from him. Soarynn’s moans increase the closer he gets to her clit until she’s grinding into his mouth. Her hand is squeezing his so tight he thinks she might break it.

Once he wraps his lips around her clit she’s done for. The once quiet little mouse he once knew is now loudly moaning, desperate for more pleasure, drink off of it. “Oh please,” she gasps, “please, please, please Coriolanus.”

He thinks about slipping in a finger for a moment, to really give her something to remember. But he decides against it, for now, he’ll have lots of time to bury his fingers inside of her needy cunt.

“Give it to me Soarynn,” he says, his lips moving against her needy cunt. She tastes so sweet already, so needy and desperate.

He lets go of her hand to wrap it around her waist, keeping her down since his pretty girl keeps trying to buck her hips, becoming too overwhelmed with the pleasure. Soarynn lets out a whine and he knows she’s so close.

It’s been a while since he’s had something as pure as Soarynn, so innocent and new to all these feelings. He abuses that of course. One bite to her clit has her letting out the loudest moan so far as she cums. He props himself up to watch her pretty little face all twisted in pleasure. Her eyes are closed, her mouth is hanging open in a silent scream, her once perfectly groomed hair is now all over her face.

She looks so pretty like this.

Coriolanus allows her a moment to gather her bearings. It can’t be easy, to deal with him like that. The poor girl's legs are shaking. Her breaths are ragged. He likes her best like this he thinks, completely at his mercy.

He takes one last look at her delicious cunt before grabbing her waist, pulling her up and into his chest, into his safe hold. Soarynn melts into him, resting her head on his shoulder. She fits so well with him like they’re made for each other.

Him and his pretty girl.

“You did so well,” he mumbles, placing a kiss on the top of her head. It’s best to start praising her early on in their relationship, that way she’ll crave it, his validation.

He can feel her body relaxing, resting. Now’s the perfect time.

“I’d like to meet your father,” he says, running his fingers through her soft hair. It’s a strange position they’re in. Here he is, fully clothed while Soarynn is naked, her cunt leaking onto the sheets. In a way, it’s the perfect representation of what their relationship will look like.

Soarynn lifts her head for only a moment, trying to register what he just said, “Hmm? But we aren’t…”

“Aren’t what? Together? Of course we are pretty girl,” he assures her, “I wouldn’t do this with you if we weren’t together.”

Her face is slightly scrunched in confusion but he pays it no mind. She’ll learn to listen to him, agree with him, not fight with him. She’ll learn quickly.

His pretty girl.

| Part 1. |

| tumblr oneshot/drabble |

[kurithedweeb]

It’s the same anon again because the MCD beetles are slowly consuming my brain, but what are you thought on clothing culture in universe?

Like of course climate plays a big role in how traditional dress looks, but apart from that there’s also things like religion that play a big role. We don’t really know what the climate is like in Ru’aun but Irene is a big thing, how does that effect clothing choices, what dyes are most common and how does that reflect in clothes?

I’m a sucker for world building

Hello again, anon! Lucky for you I, too, am a sucker for worldbuilding. I have been considering my answer for literal days. I’ve vaguely commented on modesty rules in Ru’aun before but we’ve yet to get into fashion trends and hierarchical or religious dress, not to mention personal ornamentation and the different meanings associated with that in different areas, so let’s talk about Ru’aun first.

Because of the impassable Sacred Forest, most towns are along the coast to facilitate travel, and it’s a very lush and green region. The majority of the land is either plains or various forests, with a variety of cliffs, shoals and a few mountains scattered around, plus stretches of swampland and beach. Dyes are usually made from whatever resources are nearby, so you’ll see a much wider range of colors in settlements near flower fields or birch forests. Popular port towns like Meteli, O’khasis and Bright Port also have more variety, but will most often stick to colors that have special meanings to the town. Whites, greys, and blues are popular in O’khasis and Scaleswind as the religious capitals of the region, but red is also pretty prominent in Scalesind.

The same general rule also applies to fabrics and jewelry—mohair comes from goats so it’s easier to acquire in Phoenix Drop where there are tons, there’s more precious metals in Scaleswind, and in Nahakra people take any broken glass they find and lay the pieces in fine mesh containers on the tideline to make sea glass for decorations. Fabric and dye are common trading goods, especially in more backwater towns where the physical currency used in bigger villages and city-states have about as much practical value as an especially shiny rock. The most popular kinds of fabrics in Ru’aun are mohair and wool for their durability and temperature regulation respectively, with leather, ore and ivory as the most common materials in ornamentation.

The primary religion is what I’ve been calling the Divine Faith, which worships the Divine Warriors as a whole under the figurehead of Irene and has various subsets that focus more on each individual Divine Warrior, with the grand majority of its followers falling under the Church of the Matron or cults dedicated to the Destroyer, with the Trail of the Wanderer as a close second. Which of the Divine Warriors you follow most closely definitely has an effect on your attire. 

Disciples of Irene wear small cloaks modeled after hers and members of the church hide their faces as a way to present themselves as closer to the goddess since you don’t look upon those of divine nature or close to divinity without consequences, most often using dark blue or white veils stitched with gold, since those are the colors she’s documented wearing most often and are therefore most often associated with her, though purple is too. Devout followers cover their eyes, members of the church like priests and nuns cover the lower half of their faces, and the High Priest covers his entire face, usually veiled or with a simple mask in public and with a more ceremonial mask during sermons and ceremonies. 

Followers of the Destroyer are much more subtle because they’re technically outlawed, they have a lot more to do with ornamentation than clothing. If you have long hair, it’s always pinned up and back, never in a ponytail and never left loose, usually in braids and buns and other hairstyles that wouldn’t be out of place on a guard, nothing an enemy can easily yank on. Hanging jewelry is also out. Hair is adorned with warmly colored beads and hair sticks that can be used as weapons and on occasion chains are woven into braids, most other accessories are close-fitting: there are nearly always cuffs around the wrists and ankles, subtly decorated wraps around the waist are more common in cities, chokers with detailing done in texture are uncommon but widely used, and earrings and ear cuffs are rare and usually kept for formal ceremonies. 

Those on the Trail of the Wanderer are nearly always found to be wearing travel-appropriate clothes no matter the occasion or setting, and there’s touches of pirate and backpacking aesthetic throughout. They tend to carry just about everything they own, dedicating their life to traveling and seeing the world the way Kul’zak did, and dress accordingly. Knee high boots, at least two layers, oil-treated cloaks, many wear jerkins and sashes with stitched depictions of scenes from places they’ve been, and leather harnesses and holsters are common. Hair is usually left down or half put up and decorated with feathers and ribbons found on the Trail. Meditation beads carved of wood or stone are nearly universal, worn around the neck or wrapped around the wrist. Trinkets and charms found on the Trail are important to the travelers, and you’ll find bowls of them left behind by others at shrines and trail markers that you can add to or take from, and in doing so you bring other travelers with you on your adventures and are carried by other travelers on their own, it’s a very dear tradition on the Wanderer’s Trail. Imagine geocaching but with religious connotations. Many of these items are worn as bracelets, anklets, necklaces, or on waist chains, usually put together while camping out. Flower crowns are also a bit of a thing and when they start wilting they’re left behind in places bearing Kul’zak’s symbol.

I’m thinking of making flower crowns also a thing with Enki’s followers since I’ve recently been turned onto the Kulki ship by @warlocks-and-phoenixes, but instead of wildflowers it’s mostly herbs and grasses. The matching flora crowns are a symbol of their union. Enki’s followers are mostly stuck on an iceberg, so they show their faith by carrying carvings of his symbols and making tapestries and records of their history, studying the world and spreading a love of knowledge wherever they go. Children usually start with embroidering their favorite/their family’s stories into their own clothing.

Embroidery! I love embroidery. In Ru’aun, it’s a very popular pastime, especially among stay at home parents and the sickly, so you see it pretty much everywhere. Colored threads are easy to acquire, but some colors are restricted. Purple is only for the clergy. Gold is for the highest ranking members of the churches and Lords’ family lines, as well as important personal staff of the Lord’s household like a close advisor and the primary caretaker of the children. Silver thread is for other people in powerful positions like members of a council or the highest ranking members of the guard (commander of the guard, second-in-command, reserve commander, Jury of Nine), which helps to distinguish officers from soldiers in larger villages and city-states that have a standard uniform and armor template. If you qualify for both, the gold usually takes precedence. For example, Laurance would have gold embroidery despite being head guard of Meteli because he’s also the son of Joh. Many small settlements don’t bother much with distinguishing personal importance based on thread color, though. They much prefer to use embroidery to keep a record of family history. Abstract depictions of personal achievements are stitched into the edging of most clothing, and the rank and position of the wearer and their parents + lovers go across the back on formal clothes and if you’re a guard around the neck and cuffs of your gambeson and also your sash if you wear one as a way to identify bodies after battle like modern day dog tags. It’s very simple and blocky on guardwear and incredibly elaborate and stylized to the point of illegibility on formalwear. Other common designs are flowers, symbols of faith, waves, landscapes, and elements of regional stories.

Modesty standards in Ru’aun. Here’s the basics: the average person should show nothing in the range of torso between the knees and breasts in public, midriff can be seen only by people very close to you, mothers should be covered from somewhere around the collarbones to their ankles, visible shoulder straps and undershirts are generally a no-no but off the shoulder and sleeveless attire are okay, and open shirts should not go further than the base of the sternum and should not show undergarments or nipples. Anyone fifteen or older is expected to follow these, but it’s not as important that children do. Some of them are negotiable based on climate and regional culture; Meteli and let’s say Pikoro are more lax and pretty much do whatever they feel like while O’khasis and Scaleswind follow the rules very closely and places like Brightport and Boboros are somewhere in the middle.

In Tu’la, how you dress is so important because it shows your loyalties. It’s a place filled with hundreds of clans all on the brink of beating each other up on any given day. In their culture, you’re not defined by who you are but who your family and their allegiances are. Symbology is important, families have their own color blends, patterns and even specific plants associated with them since gems aren’t very commonly found in Tu’la and sparkly things go to the monarchy and the king’s pets (the humanoid ones). Throwing away your clan’s symbols when you’re not on a covert mission of some kind is seen as a betrayal.

Cloth is very often uncut and styled by wrapping, pinning, and tying them into various shapes like you would a sari or toga or a variety of old African clothing styles I can’t remember the names of. Short sashes and waist wraps are very common. Many of the common people will also wrap their hands and feet in place of gloves and shoes. Cutting cloth is often reserved for important articles or the royal family and its vassal clans. It’s considered a wasteful expense since the excess cloth can’t be remade and isn’t recycled into other things like blankets. Scraps are distributed among the clan’s servants for them to wear to match their masters’ clothing as a sort of claim over them. Gladiators often wear their sponsor’s colors in the same way. When clothing is sewn, you’ll often see designs similar to the Japanese kimono and yukata and the Chinese hanfu and cheongsam/qipao. Designs with layers are more expensive and a luxury that very few, essentially only the king and his consorts, can afford. In most places, the only articles of clothing you’d find cut and stitched into new shapes are some forms of undergarments and a more form-fitting underlayer that covers the entire torso and cloth is arranged over top of.

Tu’lan clothing is essentially custom tailored by the wearer for the wearer, unless you’re super rich or a conscripted servant. Ideally it should allow you to be flexible, it should allow you to keep cool in Tu’la’s very warm climate, maybe with a window just above your butt if you have a tail, but easy to hide things in. Really the only rules about it is that you don’t wear enemy symbols and you keep your private parts private around everyone not your lover. It’s a war country, so most of the time the styles are very utilitarian and comfortable, but you’d only know how utilitarian it is if you were raised wearing them. To Ru’aun and Gal’ruk, even the simplest outfits seem fancy. Part of what makes them think that is the decoration and accessories.

Hair sticks. God do I love hairsticks. More formal ones are made of glass with a small hanging charm and common ones are simply carved from wood or made with the scrap metal shavings of weaponsmiths—those ones are usually sharpened into needles or knives in case you need it. Jewelry is usually close-fitting to make it harder to grab, so meditation beads would be wrapped several times around the wrist or ankle and no pretty hanging piercings. Humans are actually the only one of the three dominant species who get piercings because pretty much all meif’wa clans are warriors or their ears are too sensitive, and if a werewolf has to transform with a piercing in it’ll either warp super bad or hurt them when the change tries to push foreign bodies out of the werewolf. Cloth is usually made with patterns everywhere or very prominently displayed and accented. 

Sun and snow motifs are also fairly widespread since the patron Divine Warrior of Tu’la was Menphia, it very rarely snows in Tu’la but she had ice powers so. Unfortunately, I don’t have anything more on Menphia’s followers right now, I’m basically scraping and redoing her whole temple and worship at the moment.

Gal’ruk loves yarn and fur, since practically every living thing out there is covered in fur and spinning yarn is a good time consuming indoor activity. A lot of people spend considerable time weaving and tanning and sewing over the blizzard season when they get trapped inside by storms. Fur goes inside everything from gloves to hoods to pants. People make competitions out of who can knit the best hat or scarf from scratch before the next moon. 

For an idea of the style of clothing usually worn I recommend looking up ‘viking winter wear’ for some ideas. Plenty of layers, loose pants cinched at the knee, lots of fur cloaks and shawls, leather belts with pouches and space for your knife/sword/axe’s sheath over top. Leather goods like armor and belts are usually marked with subtle designs pressed into the materials and are padded. Nothing metal ever comes close to touching the skin directly. Clothes can either be simply pulled on or are closed with loops and clasps carved of wood or bone/teeth from a hunt. 

Nothing hunted ever goes to waste. Gal’ruk is a plentiful land but it can be a harsh one too. Pelts, furs, teeth, claws, bones and tails are all made into clothing, among other things. Pelts can be scraped and tanned and made into leather, furs are stuffed into everything as an insulator. Teeth, claws and bones are carved into accessories or combs or buttons, it’s very common for someone to make the spoils of their hunt into necklaces or arm bands or earrings as a mark of their achievement or to exchange as a betrothal gift to prove their worth as a provider. Married couples wear carved tokens of their family’s symbol made by each other instead of rings, presented to the other for the first time at the wedding and very rarely taken off unless one dies or they get divorced. Widows and widowers usually keep their tokens old, but they’re burned to make the divorce official and if a divorced couple gets back together new ones have to be made.

Unfortunately color is fairly sparse on the island. There’s not many plants to harvest  dyes from and clay takes ages to dig up and warm enough to use, so it’s mostly natural colors of the materials and some darker shades from smoking pelts over a fire to waterproof them. There are shades of green every so often from dye made with the kelp that washes ashore and sometimes if you can manage to grow beets there’s some reds and purples but not everyone is able to dye their clothing.

Gal’ruk has zero modesty standards. You wrap up to keep warm outside, but while you’re inside you can wear just about as little as you want. The public dining hall can get pretty warm with everyone packed in there, it’s not unusual for people to go titties out. They’re all warriors, they’re pretty chill about partial nudity and naked bodies are very rarely sexualized in such a close-knit warrior community, they’re all pretty much grown up seeing each other half undressed while tending wounds, so modesty isn’t a real issue. This is why I said in my post about Travis playing around with his shapeshifting that he needs to have Ru’aun modesty rules explained to him the first time he changes into a female form in public, because in his homeland having breasts show through an open shirt isn’t at all notable but in Ru’aun it’s absolutely scandalous.

And we’ve circled back to embroidery! Again, time consuming pastime, again, people who spend the majority of the year huddled inside waiting out the worst of the cold, again, followers of Enki. Personal history is recorded on parchment, but communal history is recorded on tapestries and clothing. They have very little in the way of colored threads, so designs are made with only lineart and shadows in mind to make it clear what they’re meant to be. Stories about Enki and the Divine Warriors are very common, and so are fables for the children. Animals bounding through the snow and their different tracks trailing behind them are used to teach the babies how to tell your prey apart by print. Kids are taught to embroider their own clothes to teach them patience and attention to detail.

These are all pretty general regional ideas, specific parts of the region and settlements also have their own deals sometimes. I’ll have to come back to this at some point to cover the rest of the Divine Faith properly. This was a fun question!