#do NOT tag as ship or i will filet you

[lesbisoka]

the fact that this matches their faces exactly

[marzipaness]

how trying to avoid seb*ciel tags here looks like

[stereopticons]

I haven’t been tagged but I do have something to share!

“I couldn’t stay.” Patrick’s voice is barely audible and full of heartache that David feels as acutely as his own. “In New York, I mean. Not after…well, everything.”

“Why?” David asks, because he’s a glutton for punishment.

Patrick studies him for a moment and David squirms uncomfortably under the attention. He’s afraid Patrick will be able to deduce what a mess he’s been over the past months, that he’ll be able to see all the invisible scars from the many mistakes and bad decisions he’s made.

But Patrick just gives him a sad smile and says, “I don’t belong there, David. I don’t fit there, not like you.”

And Patrick can’t know how that cuts into David’s fragile heart like the sharpest of knives. He can’t know that David has felt increasingly out of place in the city, can’t know that even though David has spent most of his adult life in New York, the only time he’s ever felt at home was when he was in Patrick’s arms.

Tagging @hippolotamus @kiwiana-writes @indestructibleheart @blueeyedgrlwrites @rmd-writes

@blackandwhiteandrose @jamilas-pen @welcometololaland @lizzie-bennetdarcy @smblmn

@alienajackson @jettestar @rosedavid @thesleepyskipper @ships-to-sail

@tyfinn @chelle-68 @celeritas2997 @mostlyinthemorning @carolrain

@dinnfameron @filet-o-feelings @treluna4

[davenswitcher]

Mortal Delights

Word Count: 990

Ship: Astarion x Tav

Tags: Cured Astarion, experiencing food after 200 years

Rating: No warnings, General Audiences

Originally posted on AO3

A/N:

Ram Berries: Small, succulent purple berries.

Davalsa: Grape like berrys

Sortani: A rinded fruit; served sliced with melted cheese and nutmeg.

Aaaand you know me! Gotta squeeze that lovely elvish in there ❤️❤️ Sal aestar - I love you

His first meal as a mortal was something simple. Nothing too fancy to not overwhelm his taste buds. On the other hand, after two hundred years even asparagus would taste as if the gods themselves made love to you. Luckily it's just the entrée, so plenty of food left to savour and commit to memory. 

The entrée consists of a red beet carpaccio with goat crème cheese and balsamic crème-sauce. Sprinkled over the carpaccio are pomegranate kernels. 

Astarion is blindfolded to intensify his experience, but also so that he wouldn’t judge the food before tasting it. Because the gods know he would judge the food if it looked like something from a dingy tavern. They hired a private cook, but you never know.

The first bite is a mix of everything. Red beet, goat crème cheese, pomegranate kernels and balsamic. It’s a symphony. The rich and heady balsamic paired with the sweet pomegranate, topped off with the sweet and earthy red beet and heavy taste of goat crème cheese. It’s extraordinary. A combination rarely thought of but works well in a divine way. It feels like an explosion of flavours. Like firecrackers on New Year's Eve.

Astarion hums in satisfaction. “Good gods, I forgot how divine food can be.”

“Not getting religious on me, are you?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, my darling. The only religion I subscribe to is you and your delicious self.”

“I thought we were over this, Astarion,” Cecillé giggles.

“Never,” Astarion grins.

“Shall we get to the main course? Or do you want to have more of the carpaccio?”

“I want to try everything the cook has in store, it’s a long evening after all! Let’s get to the main course, my sweet.”

The main course is a variety of grilled vegetables sprinkled with honey, a small cut of elk steak and salmon filet, a green pepper sauce for the steak and a honey mustard sauce for the fish. The fish and elk steak lay separate on the plate, so the sauces don’t mix. As a side dish, the cook chose a fruit salad. A mix of apples, ram berries, davalsa, kiwi and red grapes. Another side dish they prepared is Sortani. The fruit is sliced, served with melted cheese and nutmeg. As drinks, they have sparkling water from the mountains and Saerloonian Glowfire.

The blend of bitter, slightly sour and sweet is exquisite. The combination of the steak with the pepper sauce and a slice of grilled vegetable are in perfect harmony. The Sortani side dish is perfectly sweet and savoury at the same time. The cheese and the sweet nectar of the fruit complete each other. The nutmeg gives it the needed spice. The flavours dancing on his tongue.

Saerloonian Glowfire is a fairly sweet white wine. The taste reminding of pears. A tasteful medley to the dish.

The salmon is rich in buttery flavour, the sauce complementing it and enhancing the taste. The grilled vegetables are a contrast to it. Bitter and sweet, yet with a hint of a light earthiness. Overall delightful.

“My compliments to the chef, darling. Who would’ve thought I’d turn into a connoisseur. Although, I’m sure my taste before was just as exquisite. I remember the calamari at Elfsong. Odd, isn’t it? Remembering something so…mundane?”

“Not odd, no. Taste is a very important factor in memory, Star. And who knows, maybe the chef that worked there back then made it his life's work to serve the best dish he can make for each customer.”

“Novel, really. So, after all this delicious food there must be a dessert or is it you, my sweet?” Astarion takes the blindfold off, getting tired not to see his love.

“You won’t give up, will you?” Cecillé laughs.

“Nope, never. Being mortal means not just feeding my body with this exquisite sustenance, but also filling my soul with your love.”

“Gods, Astarion. You should’ve become a bard, not a politician.”

“Hmm, maybe. But those words are reserved just for you. Making you quiver, and therefore make me eat you right up,” he delights in her face and ears getting redder by the second.

“Chef! It’s time for dessert!” Cecillé squeaks and Astarion laughs unapologetic.

The final course, the dessert, is a rich chocolate mousse with two slices of orange on top. There are different bowls to choose from: dark chocolate, milk chocolate and the very exotic white chocolate. The white chocolate mousse is topped with strawberries instead of orange, to complement the sweet, slightly buttery with a touch of vanilla composition.

The taste of the dark chocolate is rich in flavour, heavy even. The orange brings a fruity, lightly sour and sweet balance into it. The taste is one word: divine. The mousse itself is light despite the heavy aroma.

Astarion moans at the taste and hastily corrects himself with a cough.

“Pardon me,” he says, a little embarrassed.

“Better than sex?” Cecillé teases.

“Gods no, woman, but close I admit,” he chuckles. “The chef did a wonderful job.”

“Glad I was correct with the assumption you’ll love it.”

The next bowl is the milk chocolate version of the mousse. Not as heavy as the dark chocolate. It’s sweet, notes of vanilla and caramelized sugar. The milk being more at the foreground in the taste. The orange slices counterbalance the sweetness with their fruity flavour.

Lastly, the white chocolate mousse. Very sweet, hints of vanilla and a buttery aftertaste. The strawberries bring a lightness to it and enrich the slightly buttery aftertaste. It has a “summer-esque” feel to it. 

“And? How’re you feeling?”

“Full and happy and I cannot believe still that it’s real.”

Cecillé gets up and sits down in his lap. Kissing the crown of his head. 

“You deserve it, Star. And I am so happy for you. Truly.”

She kisses his lips, the taste of chocolate still prominent.

“You’re strong and brave, Star. Sal aestar.”

He nuzzles her neck, “Sal aestar.”

[hippolotamus]

Fav lines game 💫

rules: share your favorite lines or paragraph you've written from one of your fics, posted or wip.

thanks for the tags @bidisasterevankinard @diazsdimples @tizniz @daffi-990 💖

since I'm indecisive and, like Stevie, do what I want, I'm choosing lines from each of my 'ships

Buddie - from honey, when you call my name

It’s okay. Eddie can ask for this. He can want this. Isn’t it just one of the (many) points Frank’s been trying to get across? That he doesn’t have to settle for the bare minimum of whatever life hands him? That he can request and desire and, most importantly, receive. And anyway, it’s Buck. Who would be more enthusiastic to give than him? “I, uh, want you to have me,” he whispers. “I‘ve never. Not with another person, but. I want you to.” Jesus Christ, for all the confidence he started with he sure can’t seem to find any now.  “It’s okay if you haven’t. If you’re asking what I think you’re asking.” Buck presses a kiss to his hair. “You can have it. But I need you to ask me.” Another soft kiss, so light that Eddie could have imagined it. “Need to be sure.” Eddie squeezes his eyes shut tight, only for a second though. Because he wants Buck to see, and maybe he wants to allow Buck to see him, here in this sacred space they’re creating. He tilts his head back, baring himself. Offering himself up for Buck to take.

Lutalia - from stay here honey (i don't wanna share)

“You’re not getting soft on me, are you?” Nat teases. “I might start thinking you want me for more than just my body.” Lucy snorts and rolls her eyes. “This is a one-time thing. Don’t get used to it.” “Well, if you’re interested…” She trails off, tracing a finger down the center of Lucy’s chest, over her abdomen, and dragging the sheet down as she goes. She pauses to rub the heel of her palm over Lucy’s neatly trimmed patch of coarse blond curls. Nat’s gaze turns darker, hungrier. Like she’d eat Lucy alive, which doesn’t seem like such a terrible thing. “I don’t mind going back to something more familiar. You know, in the spirit of putting you at ease.” “How very altruistic of you.”

David/Patrick - from I know all your secrets

“Don’t go.” The words are barely more than a whisper. Still, David may as well have screamed them for as raw, vulnerable and hollowed out as he feels. He bites down on the inside of his lower lip, a pitiful, broken attempt to hold himself together. If Patrick wants to leave, David won’t stop him. He’ll stay frozen in place, stone faced and unyielding, until Patrick is gone.  Once upon a time he would have tried for nonchalant, but that act is no good anymore. Patrick doesn’t just mean something to him now – he is everything. Anything less and David will crack, bleeding his emotions everywhere until there’s nothing left. 

Twylexis - from the with my heart in my lap wip

Twyla steadies herself, maintaining her hold on Alexis so they’re almost walking as one down the sidewalk. She’s a comforting line of warmth huddled against Alexis’s side. Her cheeks are pink and flushed from dancing, and her lips curl up in a satisfied smile.  “Wasn’t that fun?” Twyla stops abruptly to look up. “That was fun.” “Yeah, doll. It was,” Alexis assures her, tapping a finger to the tip of Twyla’s nose and indulging in the soft chuckle it earns her.  “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather have gone with Tommy? He was having a really great time dancing with you.” Twyla’s giddiness turns to something more subdued and vulnerable that makes Alexis’s heart twist and ache.  “No, Twy.” Alexis presses a kiss to the crown of Twyla’s hair, then tilts her chin to drown in a mesmerizing sea of green. “Trust me when I say there’s nobody in there for me.”

np tagging @stereopticons @shortsighted-owl @eddiebabygirldiaz @actuallyitsellie @filet-o-feelings

@queerbuckleys @bi-buckrights @chaosandwolves @elvensorceress @fortheloveofbuddie

@bucksbiawakening @giddyupbuck @saybiwithme @honestlydarkprincess @hoodie-buck

@indestructibleheart @jesuisici33 @kitteneddiediaz @thekristen999 @ladydorian05

@lemonzestywrites @lizzie-bennetdarcy @loserdiaz @loveyouanyway @monsterrae1

@rmd-writes @shipperqueen6 @spaceprincessem @spotsandsocks @statueinthestone

@slightlyobsessedwitheverything @steadfastsaturnsrings @the-likesofus @theotherbuckley @thewolvesof1998

@vanillahigh00 @watchyourbuck @weewootruck @welcometololaland @wikiangela

@wildlife4life @your-catfish-friend @mrs-f-darcy @drowsy-quill @a-noble-dragon

@blackandwhiteandrose and anyone else who wants to 😘

ps: if you want tagged in stuff like this click here

[rayslittlekitten]

another prompt if you feel inspired: It occurred to me that expediters are basically kitchen dom(me)s which got me thinking.... kichen confidentials, becky/jack, prompt: "becky is daddy" 👀

(I feel like you gotta throw Jim in there somewhere)

“Becky is Daddy”

500 Follower Ficlet Challenge Masterlist

A/N: Okay, I didn't think this was going to happen, but it happened. Also, it's a little less Becky/Jack and more like Becky/Kitchen Staff. Hope you enjoy this. I had to go back to the brunch episode for research. Gosh I miss this show. Also, I’m not tagging anyone in this because I honestly don’t know if anyone but the requester is even interested in reading this, or is even familiar with Kitchen Confidential.

Rating: T

Fandom: Becky x Kitchen Staff (Kitchen Confidential)

Contains: Typical KC banter, Becky cracking the whip on the kitchen staff, Jack getting butt hurt, Steve being Steve, Teddy, Jim and Seth making appearances.

"WHERE IS THE SHRIMP RISOTTO FOR TABLE FIVE?" Becky shouts. "I NEEDED IT TEN MINUTE AGO!"

"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS? I'VE SEEN PRETTIER PLATING IN A TOILET! RE-MAKE THIS, STAT!" She tosses the plate of food aside and notices eyes rolling.

It is a typical Friday dinner rush and Becky is in charge at Nolita. She knows how to run a tight ship and is not afraid to crack the whip when she needs to. Her entire kitchen staff are men, but she's use to it. She's grown a thick skin over the many years since culinary school.

"That plating was perfect and you know it!" Jack shouts.

"It wasn't. Make it again!" Becky steps up into Jack's personal space.

"Uh oh, are mummy and daddy having a row again?" Steve asks as he flips some steaks, turning behind him to Teddy at the cooking station.

"Yeah, mommy doesn't like that daddy's running the kitchen."

"Wait, isn't Becky in charge?" Jim passes by struggling to hold a big sack of potatoes.

Both Steve and Teddy glare at Jim.

"Obviously, Becky is daddy," Seth says into Jim's ear as he comes out of nowhere behind him while whisking something in a bowl.

"No! I'm not making it again!" Jack shoots back.

"If you are incapable of producing quality and presentable dishes, you can leave my kitchen or go in the walk-in and cool off. Your choice," Becky tells him.

She looks around and notices she has an audience. "WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT? SHRIMP RISOTTO! TABLE FIVE! NOW!" Becky bangs on the steel working surface and walks away.

**********

Jack has a scowl on his face as he's stirring the arborio rice over the burner, making what must be the 1000th shrimp risotto he's made since he started at Nolita. He's use to the one telling his line cooks what to do and how to do it, but the roles have changed. Becky convinced Pino to let her run his kitchen for a day after Pino had to shut down the restaurant he had her running due to the pandemic. This was no surprise as many restaurants, particularly in New York City, had got hit terribly.

"First she sacrificed us for brunch, and now this?!" Jack starts stabbing the risotto with the wooden spoon.

"No, you sacrificed us for brunch, okay?" Teddy corrects him as he's butchering a salmon. "All because you wanted to eat some fish!" Teddy slaps a the filet down onto his prepping station.

"Easy, ladies! This is exactly where she wants us," Steve jumps in. "She's a sadist and she gets off on bossing us around and making us feel like the scum beneath the deep fryer after a long week. Don’t let her get to you,” he scoffs.

“WHERE ARE MY TWO RIB EYES FOR TABLES 13?” Becky shouts.

“COMING RIGHT UP, CHEF!” Steve immediately stiffens up and turns back to his grill.

Jack and Teddy glance at Steve.

“What? It’s kind of hot,” Steve shrugs.

[snowe-zolynn-rogers]

Avatar Zuko Rewrite

Pairings: Zukka (pre-romantic, unrequited)

Word Count: 1,461 Words

Summary: Lee gets his first airbending training lesson, Katara starts to trust Lee. Aang wants to stay at his home a few more days.

Warnings: Injury Mention, Food Mention, Torture Mention, Death Mention, Half Blind Character, let me know if I should tag something else.

Chapter 8

Sokka woke up the next morning with a ache in his back from air ball with Aang and he woke up hearing Lee laughing at Aang’s joke he caught the end of 'Xiu-Mei said the walrus wanted to eat her, she swore by it’.

It dragged him out of bed and he debated a moment if they wanted time alone. So he decided to take a bath and clean off. After, he figured to head after them and see what they were doing. He found them in the kitchens with a net full of fish.

“Oh, hey, Sokka!” Lee greeted him between knife swipes to the beheaded fish, separating the filet from the bones.

“Convinced Aang to catch fish?” He asked.

“I thought you and Katara would miss home. I figured I’d make you jerky so you’re not so homesick.” Lee explained.

“I just helped catch them.” Aang told him.

“So you both left and Katara said nothing?”

“Katara’s still asleep.” Aang told him.

“Well, at least she’ll be happy to have Water Tribe food again.” Sokka told them.

“Well, Mister Water Tribe. Help me finish these and you’ll have your swordfishsalmon jerky faster.” Lee joked with him, handing him another knife.

“Aang, you condoned this?” Sokka asked as he began working the same way Lee was.

“Well, yeah. I mean…” Aang shrugged. “I’m vegetarian but I won’t stop any of you from eating meat.” Aang told him.

It was tedious but eventually they finished, it was a fish Sokka usually caught so it was easy to work with. Lee had several bottles on the stone counters. Sokka could recognize a few, soy and molasses, but not the rest. Once Lee had cut the fish into strips and had put it in the bowl to sit for a bit, Aang finally spoke again.

“You could make them faster with airbending, Lee.” Aang told the raven.

“I can’t use mine that well.” Lee told him.

“Well, let me and I’ll teach you.” Aang made a ball of air the size of the bowl, covering the fish to make it marinade quicker. “There. Now I can show you how to dehydrate them.”

He let them splat back into the bowl. Sokka watched intently. This was probably Lee’s first lesson in airbending, besides the ones he’d taught himself, which was doubtable that he ever really had taught himself anything.

“Okay. Hands like this.” Aang directed Lee’s hands to their places. “Now try to make a ball of air over the fish.” Aang told him. Lee’s hands slowly, almost fearfully, made a ball of air over the bowl of fish.

“Now, I want you to draw the air from them. Pull the air in them into the ball of air.” Aang instructed him. Sokka was a bit amazed at the way Lee caught on so quickly but he guessed Lee was used to having to catch on quickly, with being raised in the Fire Nation and all.

“Okay. Now drop the fish in here.” Aang held open a food pouch wide and Lee dropped the fish into the pouch. “Now let go of the air.” Aang instructed and the ball of air dropped, leaving a faint swordfishsalmon smell to the air. “See? You’re not bad. You caught on quicker than me. What were you so scared of?” Aang told him and Lee smiled a bit, cleaning up the dishes as Aang set the jerky on the counter.

“I just…I’m afraid it’ll be destructive. I’ve had my bending be destructive before. It’s scary when you can’t control what happens.” Lee looked a bit disheartened and Sokka frowned, he was too cute to look that sad.

“You did pretty damn good at controlling it now.” Sokka told him.

“Because I could focus it. Last time I couldn’t focus, I destroyed things. I…I turned everything in my room on the ship to ash. That’s why I left, I could have hurt people.” He told him.

"Did you hurt anyone?" Aang asked.

“No. I left before I could. I didn't want to hurt my uncle.” Lee was finally opening up more. Sokka wanted to jump on the opportunity but he knew that might scare him.

“It sounds like you and him were close?” Aang asked.

“He’s like a father to me, more so than my real father. I miss him, but I don’t want to hurt him with my bending. I’ll find him again when I won’t hurt him.” Lee assured them.

“So you lied to us to come with us? Why am I not surprised that the Fire Nation boy lied to us?” Katara appeared in the doorway.

“I didn’t lie. I didn’t tell you why I ran away from my uncle's ship.” Lee explained.

“Another Fire Nation lie?” She asked.

“I’m not lying. You just didn’t ask why I left the ship. I’ll tell you if you want but don’t assume you know my life!” Lee was beginning to get angry.

“Hey, calm down.” Sokka told him, hands gently coming to rest on the raven’s shoulders. Aang looked a bit unnerved by the way air was swirling dangerously around Lee's hands.

“Sorry.” He released the air, huddling his hands to his chest. “My uncle came back for me because my father had arranged my execution, he told me that when he found me. I hadn't fought back, of course I understood. Firebenders are so proud of their bending but I didn't use mine because it's air, I couldn't use it in front of the Fire Nation court. They’d wiped out anyone with airbending because, in the Fire Nation, you get killed if you’re the Avatar. They saw all of the Air Nomads as a threat to ending that cycle. Nobody is allowed to become the Avatar in the Fire Nation, you’ll be tortured however long and however the Fire Lord sees fit until you’re in the Avatar State and then he, personally, will kill you to end the cycle. Any airbender is another potential Avatar for them, another cycle around, and longer they need to worry about the Avatar trying to restore balance. Even if the last Air Avatar was killed, the cycle would only go the next three cycles. They only have so long they need to worry. Let alone that if the Water, Earth, and Fire Avatars following the Air Avatar could just be killed to end the cycle faster.” He took a breath, calming down. Sokka squeezed his shoulders to comfort. Katara still glared. This was useful information, they would possibly use it while searching for the Avatar.

“And that stupid Fire Navy ship?” Katara sneered.

“The day I left, his crew had said that I was a threat to the Avatar cycle because they were scared of me. They’d seen me airbending but I'm the son of a firebender, so of course they were. I only ever tried to practice in my room and that was even rare. But I’d gotten scared, we’d almost run into an iceberg because nobody was paying attention. One of them had pushed me off the deck to try to keep me away from the iceberg and Uncle jumped after me because he knew I can’t swim. I airbended us to shore and the crew saw me. When he got me back onboard, the crew tried to lock me in my room. I turned everything to ash with my bending because I was scared. I decided it was better to leave and keep him safe than stay and maybe hurt him. I was going to hopefully train myself better than to ever do what I did again.” Lee was trembling and he refused to look at them, he was scared, hands swirling air but he stopped them fearfully and held them close to his chest again.

“So you didn’t lie to us?” Katara asked.

“I didn’t lie. I was just scared and I was running to protect someone. I thought not telling you was fine until I could gather my thoughts. I still am I guess.” He told her, seeming to relax against Sokka’s hug. Aang joined in and then Katara, all hugging Lee tightly. "Okay, well me and Aang made you two swordfishsalmon jerky. I'll probably start cooking breakfast soon." Lee told the two siblings, holding out the pouch of jerky for them.

"Oh, I'll help." Aang told him, buzzing after the other airbender. Sokka looked at Katara, smirking.

"Starting to trust him yet, 'Tara?" He asked.

"I guess. Now, let me try the jerky." She grabbed the pouch from her brother and bit into a piece of jerky.

"You just like his cooking, don't you?" Sokka asked.

"...Maybe." She answered, a bit angry he'd figured it out. But at least she was starting to trust him.

Taglist: @darkrainbow333 @magic-but-its-green @the-lemonade-artist @a-chaotic-being @wasinotwantedatthisexactsecond @lgbtforeverything @brain-deadx0 @everythingisstardust @emoqueerpan @thatoneperson1967

[judas-had-a-crown]

About Me

Copy and repost with your answers!

Tagged by: @fickle-mused and @lilac-bramble - Thank you dearies, Imma answer now <3

Three ships:  If we keep it in the Naruto Fandom I’ll go with Kakuhida, Sasodei and Kisaita as the main trio. However I also think Kakashi and Guy are cute together in every way, Pein and Konan is self-explanatory in a way, I kinda really like the thought of Tobi/Obito and Zetsu sharing a deeper bond off-screen and I ship Kankuro with more screentime and character development and “let his protective! brother side hang out some more when it comes to Gaara and Temari” because I love him and he deserves more love in general.

Last Song: Scrooge Syndrome by Unlike Pluto (Have been listening A LOT of songs from this guy recently and he’s just so good)

Last Movie: Ice Age: Continental Drift 

Currently reading: Intarsia by @fickle-mused >:3 (Soon I can get my lazy ass up I will write a comment, I swear)

Currently consuming: Popcorn, Coca Cola and two Livestreams. I’m so damn healthy I know

Food I’m craving: I’m torn because I’m greedy and could eat so much at the moment if you let me. So either (or both) a pizza from a reaaaal little pizza place I haven’t visited for so long because it takes some time to get there - “Pizza Boston” with bacon, ham, salami, corn and fried egg and/or a speciality served in a restaurant I haven’t visited or gotten take-away from in like six months –> Pork filets stuffed with feta cheese in hollandaise sauce plus chips and salad.

Tag people you want to know better: Oh dear, Imma just say @hexawingeddemons, @ghostoftasslehoff and everyone else who wants to do this! I’m curious for all.

[teenyfish]

Marine Biology Story of the Day #5:

Welp, I’m having trouble uploading videos to tumblr.  Let me know in the comments if you know any tricks when it comes to working with tumblr’s video sharing, it would be much appreciated. 

So instead, today we are going to do “Life on a Research Vessel Part 1″. 

One of my more recent trips was aboard NOAA’s Oregon II for a shark and red snapper longline research trip.  You can read more about the specifics of that trip and learn more about longline fishing here: https://teenyfish.tumblr.com/post/622033107021873152/marine-biology-story-of-the-day.

So on this trip, I was on the night watch as a scientist.  We were going to stations in the Gulf of Mexico around the clock, 24 hours a day, catching sharks and collecting data.  Night watch was from Midnight to Noon, so I generally woke up around 11:30 pm to throw on some clothes and grab a bowl of blue bell ice cream (breakfast of champions) and meet everyone in the science lab.  There, we would wait until we reached a station to set out our first longline. Once the longline was out we would wait 1 hour for the sharks to come biting. 

About an hour later, it was time to haul our line back.  Our boat crewmen had a winch to reel in the line, and our job was to process sharks and take data as quickly as possible to get them back in the water.  

tiger shark on the line, ready to come up.

Measuring, tagging, fin clipping, and hook removal on an Atlantic sharpnose. Fin clipping involved taking a “biopsy” of fin tissue, and this tissue will be instrumental in a variety of shark population genetics projects. 

weighing the shark--And then would send the sharks on their way!  This took about 5 minutes total to ensure the shark’s survival.  Sometimes we would have multiple sharks going at once--it’s always important to keep a good head during this so you process the babies quickly and don’t get hurt or bit. 

Then we would go and process the red snapper--red snapper are a large recreational game fish that hang out offshore along reefs, and they were another target species of this survey.  We would take a few fish to process (yes, they are dead).  

We would determine the sex of the fish and take sections of ovaries to determine information about reproductive health of this particular population, and we would take otoliths to determine the fish’s age.  An otolith is the ear bone of the fish--and it grows much in the same way a tree ring does.  The fish lays down individual growth rings each year in this teeny tiny bone, and you can read them like tree rings!

This information is crucial for us to understand how long it is taking fish to mature (warmer waters from climate change = fish mature faster, at smaller sizes, which means they produce less offspring).  Also, sex data determines the ratio of males/females in the population and helps fisheries management make decisions about size limits for fishermen to prevent overfishing of mature females.  After we got the data, we would filet the fish for the galley to cook up later (sorry vegetarians and vegans).

Then we we would do this on repeat for 12 hours--with a break for real breakfast at about 7 am.  We had a galley on board the ship and breakfast was always my favorite because it meant biscuits, pancakes, or french toast.   I would also always make sure to catch the sunrise beforehand, at 6 am 

And then our watch would end at noon, and we would eat lunch as dinner.  Sometimes we would head out to watch the day watch pull in a longline, but usually we would go back to our bunks to crash.  Since we were only out on this trip for 2 weeks, our bodies were still not used to that time change, and working 12 hours in the Texas heat probably contributed to that as well. 

sometimes, if I caught a day watch longline though, we would get to see some different cool stuff, like this remora 

remoras are basically fish with big suction cups on their heads.  They attach to the bellies of sharks, whales, and other large ocean going critters and scavenge from the meals the sharks catch.  

Our rooms were maybe 6ft by 8ft, with two bunks, a wardrobe for storage, and a sink.  Each room had one person on the night watch, and one on the day watch, so each person could sleep in peace while the other was working.  Each chief scientist and the Captain had rooms to themselves. There were 2 showers for a boat full of 30+ ppl, and showering in rough seas can be difficult (sometimes you just fall butt ass naked out of the shower if you aren’t holding on tight).  There was also a lounge stocked with movies that the navy gets pre-released (so I got to watch the live action Aladdin movie before it came out in theaters), laundry machines, and a small gym (haha, there was no way I was going to work out).  

Thanks for reading, and as always, if you have any questions about life on board or the research, PLEASE don’t hesitate to ask! 

[ryanberga]

tagged by @pizzacastella (thank you ily!!!!!!) 

rules; tag people you want to get to know (only if u want to ofc)

three four five ships; i’ll do three: jonmartin (the magnus archives), bakudeku (my hero academia), bill/stan (stenbrough??) (it) 

last song; kids in ‘99 by death cab for cutie!! 

currently consuming; cape cod kettle cooked potato chips<33 also just ate a tortilla soup

currently craving; mcdonalds fish filet don’t @ me

currently reading; 11/22/63 by stephen king!!

currently watching; right at this moment i have it’s always sunny in philadelphia on in the background, but i’m currently watching alone for the first time!!

tagging; ok i’ll tag ppl this time. hmm @homemade-history @amiaghosthunter @goldsworth (if you want to ofc!! no pressure<3) 

[bookenders]

An Old Ship

I told my friend I’d write them something about an old boat, and thus, I deliver.

Title: “Inheritance”

WC: 582

She was the oldest ship in the harbor, but her hull was sound. Moored at the far end of the longest dock, tied securely to hooks in the wood, she bobbed like a fishing lure, riding the gentle tide to and fro, lifting to the sun and resting down to the sea. The waves were gentle in the morning. They lapped at the hull, holding clusters of cracking barnacles underwater, peeking them into the air on each salted breath.

Her captain was a young man. Normally, ships were inherited by daughters, so he got lucky, or so they said. The young man’s hands had weathered rope burns, sword cuts, and scaler slashes, were calloused from typing knots and heaving anchors and cranking the helm steady in storms. Life had not been very kind to him, but he had live all the same. And now he had a ship.

In the months since his inheritance was gifted to him, he had taken to treasure hunting. He’d found an embroidered cloth tucked between the mattress and the wall in the captain’s quarters. A small box of foreign coins rattled in the galley when the stove turned on. Knitting needles had found their way into the silverware drawer.

Dragging his hand along the railing one evening, he happened upon a small carving, likely done with a filet knife. Two letters kerned close, lines shaky, uneven as though carved by lamplight. He recognized them. Of course he did. It was a story he’d heard at least once a year. His grandfather had stowed away on a woman’s ship. When she discovered him a mere three days after they had left port, rather than tossing him to the waves, she put him to work. His hands grew strong, his skin grew weathered, and his heart grew fond of his captain.

One night, years after he had become part of the crew, he stood at the bow in the middle of the night, the moon half hidden by fog, and with an absent mind began to etch his initials in the railing. He got as far as the first letter when a light glowed at his back. There was his captain, shining bright in the fog, lantern extended like a lighthouse in a storm. She smiled at him, took his knife, and put her letter alongside his. The rest is his history.

This ship had ferried his ancestors across oceans. She had followed them through joy and ruin, found them honor in battle and peace at the far reaches of the world. She had held their children and rocked them to sleep. Her groans and creaks were the only things that always soothed his worries. Now she was his.

The next day would find him somewhere new, an island he’d never seen before. They say the people who live there keep the sky from falling. He has never been more eager to leave home.

But that was tomorrow.

He stood on the bow of the ship, wind in his hair, and glanced up at the main mast, followed the scars in the wood, the dents and stains, the ropes tying the sails into rolls that will unfurl like a swan’s wings. There were provisions below deck, enough to last him and his crew twice the length of their journey. The deck had been scrubbed clean earlier that morning. All preparations had been made.

The only thing left to do was wait for dawn to call them to destiny.

Want more original fiction?  Take a gander at my original writing tag and my short stories tag!

For writing advice and observations, check out my advice tag.

Want info on my WIPs? Have a look-see at my WIP page!

Do you like the way I put words together? Consider buying me a Ko-Fi! (Link in my blog description!)

Want to be added to my original fiction tag or my WIP tags? Let me know! 😊

Originals Tag List: @piratequeenofpixies, @quilloftheclouds, @snickertoodles, @half-explored, @purpleshadows1989, @ofvisitorsthefairest, @theevolutionofledarose, @kriss-the-writing-nerd, @waterfallwritings, @abalonetea, @timefire25, @metaphors-and-melodrama

[imbiowaresbitch]

Tuesday's Menu

Read on AO3.

square filled: Small-statured Alpha

Ship: Sam Winchester/Gabriel

Rating: Teen

Tags: tooth-rotting fluff, embarrassment, mild suggestive themes

Summary: Sam follows his nose and his instincts into a cafe where he finds the source of the delectable scent isn't on the menu, but he just might get a taste anyway.

Word Count: 1176

Created for @spnabobingo

****

Sam pulled the door to the café open, following his nose to the counter where he eyed the chalkboard menus that hung on the wall. Something had drawn him in, smokey, a hint of spice, and something else, something savory that made his mouth water. He looked over the menu, smiling at the whimsical names like That’s Amore for a pizza pie, Blue Suede Shoes for the single fish item available, a filet of sole, of course, and the Cowabunga Burger spoke for itself.

The Omega behind the counter smiled up at him flirtatiously, but he simply gave her a polite, neutral smile and tried to figure out what he was smelling.

“Anything I can help you with, handsome?” she asked, coiling a lock of dark hair around her fingers. He met her dark eyes and glanced down at her name tag, regretting it instantly as she had her shirt unbuttoned more than enough to offer a substantial swell of pale cleavage. Had that been unbuttoned that far a minute ago? 

“Um, thanks, Ruby, but I’m not seeing what I want,” he told her directly. “I can smell something delicious but whatever it is isn’t on the menu. Maybe it’s a soup? Do you have a daily soup or something?”

She pouted, her full lips enticing if he swung that way, but too bad for her, he was traditional in that he wanted an Alpha. He knew that she probably thought he was an Alpha himself, but that was genetics for you. He and his brother were both Omegas and yet they both topped six feet. That they were also both gay was happenstance.

“Is there a chef or a manager who could help me? I can still smell it and it’s driving me crazy.”

Her eyes widened and she smirked. “I think maybe I can help you after all. Let me get the manager.”

*****

read the rest on AO3.

Many thanks to @cr-noble-writes for her help as a beta, even if I did give her cavities with this one.

@malmuses @cutelittlekittykorner @envydean @jimminovak @petrichoravellichor @all-or-nothing-baby @currentlyfangirling99 @fangirlingtodeath513 @just-another-busyfangirl

[stereopticons]

Fic Writing Review 2024

Thanks for the tag, @kiwiana-writes

Rules: Feel free to show whatever stats you have. Only want to show Ao3 stats? Rock on. Want to include some quantitative info instead of stats? Please do this. Want to change how yours is presented? Absolutely do that. Would rather eat glass than do this? Please don’t eat glass but don’t feel like you have to do this either.

Words and Fics (fics written in 2024 only)

24,701 words published to ao3, which is a little less than half of last year’s total, but there was a lot of life happening this year that made writing difficult.

My writing tracker only lasted until April so I don’t honestly know how many words I’ve written, but I did work on several things that are still WIPs.

I’ve published in two fandoms: Schitt’s Creek and RWRB.

Most recent drop: you can call me, call me, any time, aka kinktober day 10, published in November lol.

Longest published fic: stronger than iron, stronger than steel at a whopping…3714 words lol.

Longest WIP remains indie band Patrick which is just over 29k

Top Fics by Kudos (fics written in 2024 only)

you can call me, call me, anytime [firstprince, E, 500 words]

head in the clouds but my gravity’s centered [firstprince, E, 1.1k]

bells will ring, the sun will shine [firstprince, E, 861 words]

love just leaves you bruised [david/patrick, T, 1.4k]

I don’t wanna play if I’m gonna lose (but I don’t wanna lose ‘cause I didn’t play) [firstprince, M, 1.4k]

Miscellaneous Data From My Unhinged Spreadsheet about 2024 fics

The fic with the highest percentage of private bookmarks is you can call me, call me, anytime which is a little surprising.

Out of 14 published fics, 11 were E, 1 was M and 2 were T, which is a very different distribution than usual, but that’s because 10 of the 14 fics were kinktober lol.

I wrote David/Patrick, Alex/Henry, and June/Nora. Also started a Stevie/Alexis kinktober fic that I have yet to finish.

1 title came from canon, 1 didn’t have a source, and the other twelve were from the following artists (1 each): The Bens, Mariah Carey, Billy Joel, Regina Spektor, the Neighbourhood, MUNA, Chapterhouse, The Dixie Cups, West Side Story, Noah Reid, Matt Nathanson, and Blondie.

Highest kudos to hits ratio is a long winter of indifference

I published 8 fics in October, 2 in November, and one each in January, February and March. Not publishing anything in April broke a 2.5 year streak of publishing at least one fic per month (October 2021-April 2024) and I had a lot of feelings about it.

My average fic length this year was 1,645 words.

Stats specifically about Kinktober

Ten total fics and 13,792 words published so far - hoping this updates before the end of the year.

Five were David/Patrick, 4 were Alex/Henry and 1 was June/Nora

3 were David POV, 2 were Patrick POV, 3 were Alex POV, and 1 each were Henry and June POV.

Longest was I feel dizzy, I feel sunny, I feel fizzy and funny and fine, because apparently I have a lot to say about Patrick in lingerie, which is very valid of me tbh.

Shortest was you can call me, call me, anytime, which was epistolary.

Most popular by hits was head in the clouds but my gravity’s centered. Least popular by both hits and kudos was I know it gets hard just to breathe sometimes (I’m never gonna forget your name) which was breathplay so that’s fair.

The Rest of 2024

I have an exchange fic to finish and also am really hoping to finally get the exes to lovers fic finished. Potentially other kinktober fics, and maybe if I’m really on a roll, either the black swan au or the pretty princess fic. We’ll see!

Tagging people who either may want to participate or maybe are just interested? Idk.

@hippolotamus @blackandwhiteandrose @rosedavid @ninzied @indestructibleheart

@mostlyinthemorning @filet-o-feelings @carolrain @tyfinn @jamilas-pen

@rmd-writes @welcometololaland @lizzie-bennetdarcy @jettestar @thesleepyskipper

@ships-to-sail @beaiola @likerealpeopledo-on-ao3 @chelle-68 @missgeevious

@dinnfameron

[cheapjerseys30-blog]

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[prettyboyporter]

tagged by @sightetsound  @ohmybgosh @flippyspoon  and @kelpie-earnest - thanks <333

Rules: Answer 21 questions and then tag 21 people who you want to get to know better.

Nickname:

trace, traybum, a plethora of nicknames from students - plays on my last name.

Zodiac:

Taurus

Height:

5’5”

Last movie I saw:

At home: Bird Box, and it was okay! I was entertained. It had the guy from Moonlight so any time he was on screen I was fucking swooning for him remembering his performance. 

At the movies: Into the Spiderverse and I adored every god damn second of it. Miles Morales and Peter B. Parker forever. The animation style was so textured and amazing. If I could clone a version of myself who wasn’t spending every free moment reading or writing fanfiction, I’d go see it again.

Last thing googled:

Orlando Bloom’s age, because today is his birthday and I totally forgot that he is my age, hah. Happy bday pretty elf. 

Favorite musician:

The Beatles, hands down, forever and always my faves. 

Song stuck in my head:

Alright by Kendrick Lamar

Other blogs:

tracy7307 on ao3, was tracy7307 on LJ back in the day as well.

Do I get asks:

Nope! I’ve only been utilizing Tumblr for about a month, month and a half, bc I’ve been out of fandom for years but ended up running across a harringrove fic that shook my soul and now here I am trying to get back into it all. Just taking my first steps back in and figure out how to use this thing - how to have meaningful discourse about my new ship/fandom again, feeling the heartbeat of this place and just *trying* to jump in.

How many followers?:

Not many! See above, lol

Amount of sleep:

I like getting like 9-10 hours on weekends when I’m able to sleep in. I love sleeping.

Lucky Number:

Don’t have one

What I’m wearing:

MSU sweatshirt (my alma mater) and PJ bottoms

Dream job:

I have it - teaching high school English. I LOVE what I do. I am truly blessed in my career.

Dream Trip:

I’d love to visit India the most for friends and food and culture, Belgim for beer, and Czech Republic, and New Zealand and Australia, Africa and Iceland, Sweden and Ukraine . I want to go everywhere. Just everywhere.

Favorite food:

A filet, cooked sous vide, medium rare.

Play an instrument:

Nope

Languages:

English and some Spanish.

Random Fact:

I have a birthmark on my left breast that looks like a light coffee stain. Makes one nipple slightly darker than the other and I think it looks fucking amazing.

Describe yourself as aesthetic things:

A stack of comic books, a cluttered desk, cuffed jeans and doc martens, mug of coffee with cream, romantic displays of affection, Inuit art, a growler of beer next to a bottle of gin.

I think everyone I’d likely tagged has already been tagged, so I’ll go with my local love @hawkguyhasstarbucks

[2018dclrepo]

Day 1 (of 2) at Sea - Wednesday, September 12, 2018

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2018

View from our Navigator Verandah!

We awoke around 8am after both finally having a strong night’s sleep. (Thank you Dramamine!) Our only choice for breakfast after 9am was Cabanas. Interestingly I wrote myself a note here to “warn” future cruisers about this. As you read in a previous post, Cabanas, especially on the smaller ships is not made to accommodate all the guests. As can be expected on Days at Sea guests sleep later and take a more casual start to the day. (Thus, I was surprised at the limited later offerings.) 

Anyway, as Kara and I both spent our fair share of time pursuing college degrees and now both work in higher education, we are quick learners. Thus, it was the strategy of “divide & conquer”. We first went looking for a rare table to snag so we’d actually have somewhere close to sit and eat! Welcome to the vacation “Aggressive Kara” to snatched a two-top right out from under an older Asian lady and little girl. Vicious!  One of us held the table while the other got food in an orchestrated tag-team effort.

As each day of a cruise passes, we get more relaxed (read: lazy). Thus, neither of us brought our phones (cameras) to breakfast. So you’ll have to imagine the eggs Benedict, fruit, Mickey waffles (covered in strawberries & whipped cream!), banana bread and more!

At 10:30am Kara went to the cooking demonstration of the Wild Mushroom Risotto she had the night before in Palo, while I lounged in the stateroom reading. I placed the first order of my traditional Big Island Cookies from Room Service. However, the service was running late. (We’ve long-believed new servers first begin their training in Room Service.) The cookies were delivered  while we were out. So upon return, I was shocked/stunned/massively disappointed that they were notably smaller, definitely not Big Island! (This is going to require “a letter” to DCL.) Kara blames me for packing so many home in the past, requiring them to cut back for product loss reasons! FYI I only packed a few home, but didn’t even bother freezing them. I just ate them the weekend we returned, as they weren’t worth saving for later. So sad!

At 11:30am we met for to watch Avengers: Infinity War (again) in the on-board Buena Vista movie theatre. (Yes, I know I’d just seen it on the plane, but seeing it again in the theatre, a Disney theatre!, is a different experience! Note: The theatre is usually a little cool, so bring a jacket! This time I was cold enough I almost went back to the room for a blankie!) 

Immediately after the movie we headed down to Crown & Fin for the 2pm presentation of “Innovations: Theme Parks”. These are kind of a mix of seminar & documentary. However, this space was too cold and the presentation too slow, so we headed back to room. (The Navigator Verandah has a compass, barometer, and thermometer in it. This was showing only about 58 degrees, which slowly got to 70 in sun. So of course, I was “freezing”!)

The afternoon was spent lounging, reading and a slight nap before I got motivated to go to the 4pm Pilates in the Fitness Center. While I did this, Kara was on a nearby treadmill. The Pilates “class” had about 6 of us in the middle of the fitness area, which overlooks the front of the ship. Thus, it has incredible views! The class was tougher than I expected in some ways, and a bit easy in other ways. I almost wished I’d stayed on a treadmill next to Kara, as they are my favorite machines. They allow you to set the type of workout, give you a view of a track, mountains, etc., watch entertainment from your mobile device or choose from the onboard TV stations. (Of course this was the time Iron Man 2 - a real fave - was on the Marvel channel and I had to miss it!) FYI the Fitness Center offers machines, free weights, mats, and much more along with ice water, fruit, & towels. Nice!

After our minor “workout” we grabbed a late lunch at the Deck 9 pool quick service of chicken strips, fries, and treats from Cove Cafe.

I don’t know what is in the Chicken Strip breading, but I adore it. Luckily they accommodate the Midwestern need for BBQ sauce as well! This was the first time we’d experience rice krispie treats in Cove Cafe, so that was noted!

It was then time for quick showers while watching end of Avengers: Age of Ultron (YAY!) and all of The Little Mermaid. This all works out, as you have to plug the hairdryers in at the desk area right next to the TV.

Tonight we skipped the main stage show, as it was a guest performer. This is a typical offering of a magic, illusion, ventriloquist, and other entertainment like Stomp, etc. that we just don’t tend to love. So we took our leisurely time noting some features for you - our followers, like the “hand” on the elevator and the detailed directories at every elevator.

You aren’t getting lost with this!

We strolled through the Deck 3 shop again for me to finally buy a new bedazzled DCL top!  This was on our way to the 7:30pm 80s music trivia in Crown & Fin. It was a great place to enjoy a drink, some chips, a game of chess, and the trivia. #multitasking! 

Then it was off to our 8:15pm Pirate Dinner in Animator’s Palate. Today was Pirate Day/Night around the ship with pirate-themed activities, dinner, and special evening offerings. Sadly I didn’t snap a photo of my Pirate Day shirt. I only ever wear it on this day on the ship, as it’s a pink T with magenta sequins outlining the DCL wave logo and a skull & crossbones in silver sequins! :D They encourage Pirate attire, so plan accordingly!

The lighting is themed fairly dark in the restaurant to give a more pirate-y feel and to view the monitors, so apologies for the photos below. 

Tonight’s dinner started with appetizers of Shrimp Cocktail for Kara...

...and the Rock Crab Cake for me.

Kara and I ordered the same entree of the “Treasure of the Seas” highlighted with shrimp & scallops.

As a bonus, they also brought us a plate of the Marinated Caribbean Grouper Filet.

For dessert there was only one option for me: “Bananas in Paradise” - banana bread with hazelnut filling served with a banana spice puree.

While Kara had her usual.

If memory serves, we were not enamored with this meal. At least for me, it was pretty underwhelming to disappointing. I don’t know what it is about Animator’s. It’s an incredible “show” restaurant, but we don’t tend to like any of the menu options it offers. Very strange. 

Dinner ended with the traditional Pirate Parade around the restaurant.

This cruise I was determined to live in the moment and embrace the evening entertainment of the Pirates IN the Caribbean Deck Party & Show followed by the fireworks at sea. (Disney is the only cruise line to offer fireworks at sea!) I’d even learned they changed the evening on-deck dessert reception to a combo of sweet & savory in Cabanas. I was going to do it all!

You can guess where this is heading. We basically did none of this. Knowing how many first-time cruisers were on-board, experience told us the deck party would be a crazy chaos of humanity. The bigger issue was even with my trusty “puffy” jacket the dropping temps and increasing winds would make for a pretty miserably top deck experience for the fireworks. So instead we did what we almost always do and spied a bit of the fireworks from our cozy stateroom. 

Instead of the Cabanas reception, we (I) ordered the Cake of the Day (chocolate mousse) and cookies from Room Service while re-watching Dr. Strange. At this point we accept and have come to terms with our introvert-status (& my intolerance of the “cold”). It’s who we are, so this is how we Disney Cruise! (We also understand others do this very differently!)

Thus, it was off to Sleepy Town after midnight.

Next up: Day at Sea - Round Two!