#dog-strangling vine

[blackswallowtailbutterfly]

Eating the Spring Shoots of Dog-Strangling Vine--An Experiment

**WARNING** Every member of the milkweed family is poisonous. Some members, including all milkweeds (Asclepias) are edible after cooking, though some need more thorough cooking than others. Beginning foragers should absolutely not try this. More experienced foragers do so at their own risk.

Invasive species are everywhere. They differ from naturalized non-native plants in that they negatively impact the environment outside their native range. Dandelions, for example are not invasive in many places despite their numbers. But dog-strangling vine (Vincetoxicum) most certainly is. Its roots release a chemical in the ground that is poisonous to other plants and it's just close enough to the milkweeds to fool the monarch butterflies into laying their eggs on them, but the hatchlings then starve because they can't eat them. Garlic mustard is another invasive plant in North America and it also releases chemicals in the soil, but it's a perfectly edible plant and could in theory be eaten out of existence. Pity the same isn't true of dog-strangling vine--or is it?

The dogbanes (Apocynum) are another genus in the milkweed family and are known to be much more poisonous than milkweeds typically are (again, some are more poisonous than others). Yet there are edible uses for hemp dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum). It just happens to involve more preparation than, say, common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca).

I'm unaware of anyone dying from consuming dog-strangling vine, unlike lily-of-the-valley, yet another invasive species, which has killed people. In fact I couldn't find evidence of anyone eating it at all. I'm sure I can't have been the first to try, but if it's ever been recorded that information is not easily accessible.

I've read a lot about preparation of poisonous plants into edible vegetables and what I found in common is that young shoots seem to be the safest and generally you boil them (some in several changes of water). Pokeweed, for example, is deadly poisonous but for the young shoots in spring before the stems turn red. In that stage you can cook and eat them, and they used to be harvested fairly regularly and canned and sold in grocery stores.

So my plan was that I would try just a little to start and see if I got sick or had any worrying symptoms and work my way up. This is what I started with:

Just three little shoots from the garden. I fried them up until tender and crispy, at which point they also smelled quite nice, kind of a mix of asparagus and spinach, where before they had an unpleasant chemical smell. The taste was quite nice too. A sweet asparagus flavour. No symptoms after waiting a week.

That gave me some confidence because frying is considerably less thorough than boiling is and yet no adverse reaction. So the next step was to try a handful:

Since these were somewhat older I had to cut the ends off some of them, as you would asparagus. Cooked them longer and on higher heat, just in case. Also threw in some daisy buds. Same asparagus spinach smell, same sweet asparagus flavour. And again, no symptoms.

I waited a little over a week and then it was time for the final stage:

This time I did boil them, since I didn't want to play fuck around and find out *that* much. I then fried them up with some mushrooms I'd collected that day and then I mixed it all into some Annie's pasta, along with fresh invasive onions from the ravine. The final result was enough for three meals' worth, so I had a third for dinner, more for lunch the next day, and the rest for lunch the following day. It's now over 24 hours since yesterday's lunch. No symptoms.

This doesn't make it generally edible. I am a data point of one. What I can say is that, at least for some people this plant can be consumed young if cooked thoroughly with no short-term ill effects. Note that some people are able to eat the poisonous mushroom species of the Agaricus genus with no symptoms. They're still poisonous mushrooms.

The point is it's promising! I have shown it is *possible*. If other brave people who exercise appropriate caution eventually have similar results then, well, anecdata becomes data. :)

For my part I will definitely be adding this plant to my mental list of spring vegetables that require thorough cooking.

[reddirttown]

Language of Flowers: Swallow-Wort

The flower for today, October 9, in the language of flowers is Swallow-Wort, which signifies curse for heartache. Image above from Wikipedia. Cynanchum is a genus of about 300 species, and is part of the milkweed family. Unfortunately, Swallow-Wort may interfere with monarch butterfly reproduction.The taxon name comes from Greek kynos (meaning “dog”) and anchein (“to choke”), hence the common…

[lunewolf13]

It has come to Bruce's attention that Kon-El might be romantically interested in his son. So of course, he decides to investigate (subtly). Starting with...

Bruce: Tim.

Tim: Bruce.

The following silence lasts for ten seconds.

Bruce: How would you describe your relationship with Superboy?

Tim: Uh, pretty good?

Bruce: Pretty good? Can you be more specific? How does he interact with you?

Tim: I mean, he keeps sending me selfies in the weirdest places. One time, Kon sent one with a thumbs up while the background was clearly during a mission and our teammates were chucking basketballs at these weird alien plant vines. I was there too, so it makes even less sense. Like, why would he send me a selfie of where he is when I was like fifteen feet away?

After taking a moment to...digest what just came out of his kid's mouth, Bruce decides to investigate their relationship some other time.

More pressingly, he needs to know the details of this mission and why this is the first he's hearing of it.

Tim: Actually, Dick was there too. He was wrestling with a vine. And not like fighting wrestling, but arm wrestling. With a vine.

Bruce can't stop himself from asking: Did he win?

Tim: He did! I'll send you the video and you can hear the vine grunting and hissing while everyone was cheering Nightwing on!

Bruce: They were cheering him on, while throwing basketballs at the other vines?

Tim: Yep.

Bruce: And what were you doing during this?

Tim points to the video on his phone: Capturing the moment and giving orders at the same time. Don't worry, I can multitask.

Bruce: So you ordered them to throw basketballs at the vines.

Tim nods: Strategic distraction while we lead the alien plant vines to a trap.

Bruce: And why was Nightwing arm wrestling one particular vine?

Tim: To boost morale. Also, Kon double-dog dared him.

Bruce: Tim.

Tim: What?

Bruce just sighs.

[kiseiakhun]

Reading up on invasive plants continue to be a mistake because now that the garlic mustard's died back I am instead seeing dog-strangling vine everywhere. Admittedly Vincetoxicum rossicum and Vincetoxicum nigrum are pretty metal names but they really are out there blanketing the edge of every disturbed field and choking out the rest of the plant life...

[muirneach]

weaponized autism

[gh0stsp1d3r]

Kinktober day 3- weapon X!logan and predator/prey.

Warnings: dubcon, you’re scared but turned on if that makes sense LMFAOOO, pantie/pussy sniffing, he’s literally an animal in this… there’s no p in v in dis one unfortunately

KINKTOBER MASTERLIST

At first sight, he looks more animal than human, a feral, raging, hungry animal. Your eyes are curious, peering at him front behind a tree, him sniffing you out like a dog.

He turns to you, wide eyed and teeth bared, a sound resembling some sort of a growl bubbling in his chest. You swallowed as the man stared you down, a heat growing in your cheeks when you caught yourself staring at his chest, his face.

Despite his dirty and rough appearance, he was hot. He had some sort of odd electronic helmet on his head, with metal claws sticking out his fist.

You smelt sweet, and ever since that day, it was as if your scent had forever been engraved into his nostrils. He could sense when you were coming from a mile away.

Like some switch in his brain had been turned on, he stared at you with a newfound interest, eyeing your body up and down, admiring the curves.

He sniffed once more when he noticed another scent emitting from you, arousal. Pure arousal, seeping into your little black panties you currently wore. His pupils were blown wide at this point, need and lust taking over his body, replacijg his confusion and anger.

He licked his lips hungrily, and you stared at him with a flicker of fear in your pupils when you noticed the way his fingers dug into his hand, drawing blood before it healed up.

You let out a small squeak of a sound when you stepped back and ended up tripping over a rock, him slowly walking towards you.

Your heart pounded against your chest as he slowly approached you, glancing behind you before making the decision to move your feet and run, hearing the branches crack under your shoes. You ran and you ran, through the woods and the forage, but no matter how fast and for how long you ran, he would catch you. He was dedicated to it.

He wasn’t far behind at all, breathing heavily and letting out low growls through bared teeth ever so often as he chased you. He felt his cock pulsing against its confines.

You let out a cry when you tripped over something else, looking behind you to realize it was a vine and that he was now right behind you. Your legs ached and your head was pounding. You couldn’t do anything as he slowed, and towered over you now.

You screwed your eyes shut, repeating to yourself that this was it, you were going to die in the middle of the woods, strangled by some strange man.

What you didn’t expect was for him to drop down to your level, hovering his body above yours, examining every inch of your body and face. His hand slowly traveled to your face, tracing the outline of your jaw with his claws, your eyes shutting even harder as you let out a whimper that sounded like music to his ears.

He huffed out, hand and claw leaving your face, and instead slowly traveling down your body, down to inbetween your legs, down to where your skirt lay.

You snapped your eyes open when you felt him pull your legs apart, the pad of his finger tracing over the wet spot that formed on your panties. He glanced up at you as he leaned his face down, seeking out the scent he smelt earlier.

You let out a whine when you felt his nose press into your panties, into the wet spot. You could hear him inhaling the scent loudly. You were enjoying this, as much as you didn’t want to admit it.

[0mg-bird]

Sunrise~ Tyler Owens x Fem! Reader

Summary: The curious case of the tornado wranglers, down to earth, girlfriend.

A/n: I just watched Twisters and am in love. Right now Sunrise by Ryan Bingham is my favorite song so here’s a little one shot inspired by it.

Warnings: Language, implied smut

Everyone’s called you crazy ever since you were born. The people in your small Texas town said you were the wild child, your parents had four boys and when their baby girl came around, she had a mean streak just like her brothers. Ten years old and standing in an empty corn field, looking at the thunder heads forming above you, hot and muggy air gusting against your skin, the crack of thunder didn’t scare you, you were utterly curious and amazed. You’ve known storms since you were a babe, you remember the shrill sound of the sirens going off and your mama screaming for you to come inside. Your family was in a panic, you remember your daddy letting the horses loose and the way the cattle ran. That funnel touched down and prayers were prayed, you watched from the bathroom window despite the way your mama dragged you away.

It was beautiful, so utterly terrifying in the distance, a force of straight power.

You were hooked.

Telling your parents you were going to the University of Arkansas to study meteorology was a good idea in theory until they told you becoming a weather girl was a sweet job.

You told them about storm chasing and your mama almost had a stroke.

But you’ve worried everyone your whole life, only you would choose something so crazy.

You met Tyler your sophomore year when you had the same class, your energetic personality hid the fact you were a nerdy kind of cowgirl. The two of you quickly became best friends, despite his cocky personality. You formed a dare devil connection, you were the call he made when he got a lead on something.

Graduation came and you said you were going back home, he hated that idea.

“Come with me.” He said.

“Where?”

“Anywhere, everywhere.”

It’s hard to say no to a man with puppy dog eyes.

Somewhere between gathering a crew up from all over the boons and adopting a one eyed dog you found stranded after a storm in Little Rock, the two of you fell so deep for each other, it hit harder than any storm you experienced.

Here you are now in Oklahoma, cutting through fields in Tyler’s red Ram truck. “Lilly, talk to me.” You call over the radio system on the dash, looking for what data the girl in the vehicle following has. In the backseat, Boone, the right hand man, is recording like always, talking to the followers.

“Welcome back guys, we’re currently back at it again in the Oklahoma plains. This beauty we’re going into is gaining speed, turning into something good. What are we thinking, Tex?”

You look to the camera and smile. “You know, I’d like to call this an easy F2 but the strong updraft we’re getting here could push this baby into the F3 category.”

Also from the back seat, Ben, the London journalist asks to explain what you just said.

The rain cap starts and muddies the earth, the truck drifts as Tyler maneuvers it greatly. You pull your sunglasses off and lean forward to get a better look at what you’re driving into.

“What are you thinking, darlin’?” Tyler asks, seeing the way you evaluate the area.

“Take a left, it ain’t gonna hit the tree line, see the way the wind shifted?” You instruct.

“Yes ma’am.” He nods, giving you one of his perfect grins before making a sharp left.

Ben makes a sort of strangled cry of fear as he gets tossed around in the back. You, completely nonchalant, chewing on a Red Vine, turn to look at the Brit.

“Ben, baby, how you feeling back there?” You ask, pointing something else out to Tyler.

“Oh I’m bloody great.” He lies before getting knocked into the door again. You laugh. “Man, I love this guy.” You declare, finding him so amusing. “Let’s keep him, Ty.”

He rolls his eyes at you, making you scoff. You look at the dog in your lap who’s wearing a tiny helmet with the words ‘Killa’ written across the front. “What you think, Rocky? You wanna keep Ben?”

The dog lays his head down and places his paw over his small snout.

“Rude. Ty, Rock used to agree to everything I say, now you’ve done gone and brain washed him. Poor fella.” You pout before yelping in surprise at the way Tyler drifts into a spot. He grips the radio, calling for the convoy to assume their positions.

“Sorry, I’m no expert but it looks like the twister is going to roll right over us.” Ben says as everyone buckles their harnesses.

“You’re exactly right Benny boy.” You say, opening the center console and placing Rocky inside his designated safety seat. “We need to be in its path so the data bugs we’ll launch have enough wind speed to reach the height needed. Put your harness on and you’ll be about as secure as a pistol in a PTA Mama’s purse.”

Ben looks to Boone in question. Boone just shrugs. “At some point you get used to all the odd shit she says.”

Tyler cranks the E brake, then looks at you with a smirk. “You wanna touch my joystick?” He ask, motioning to the control stick that has the button to activate the drills that will anchor the truck into the ground.

“I love it when you talk dirty to me.” You scrunch your nose, pushing the button.

The truck is secured, you’re all buckled in tight, now you have to focus on when it’s the perfect time to launch the processors. Things are blowing against the windows, Tyler’s laughing and Boone is howling into the camera, showing the viewers what they see.

“Tell me when.” Tyler says, and as thick water drops pummel the windshield, you stay silent, waiting…watching.

“Now!” You shout and he presses the button that activates the hydraulic opening lid to the tub in the truck bed, the small bug sensors fly out and are carried up into the funnel that is passing over you.

“Breaker breaker, what are we seeing?” You call into the radio, Dexter in the caravan off in the clearing responds. “We got eyes, Tex. Data is coming in clear.”

You shoot your arms up in victory, this was the first time you were launching the 2.0 sensors. “There we go!” You look directly into the camera Boone is pointing at you. “You see that kids? I still got it.”

You watch the storm pass you, the funnel goes into the distance and the winds calm a bit as you unbuckle your harness. You’re pulling the pup from its safety and throwing open the door, running to the spot it just was.

“Whoo!” You hear Tyler whoop, and you throw that snapback hat of his you were wearing, adrenaline pumping through you. He sweeps you into his large arms, twirling you around. “Did you see that, baby? God, that was beautiful.” He laughs and you pull on the brim of his cowboy hat. “I sure did, let’s go get those bugs before we lose their signals, cowboy.”

Later as you set up camp in some cheap motel, Ben is approaching Lilly and Boone with questions.

“I need a story about the girl, uh Tex? Does she have a name?” He settles into one of the fold out chairs and motions to you sitting on the roof of the truck, looking up at the stars and listening to the music playing on the radio.

Lilly chuckles and then makes an adjustment to her drone. “She does, but she’d kill you if she found out you was using her government name in your fancy paper.”

Ben finds that interesting, he writes a few notes about a very mysterious persona you have. “How long has she been in this business? I tried to ask her some questions but she shushed me and told me she was ‘meditating to a Childers song’ and it was very important that she did this.”

Boone shakes his head. “She says confusing stuff to make people go away when she wants her peace.” He explains. “Tex is the original, her and T were the ones to assemble the squad of us, they taught me everything I know. She might be crazier than he is if I’m bein’ honest, always pushing the limits but every move she makes is calculated.”

Lilly agrees. “She’s my best friend, but has always been a curious case. She comes from Texas, hence the nickname and the accent that gets too thick when she’s drunk. Mama wanted her to be this Southern belle but she turned out to be a real wrangler. She’s the smartest person I know, but has a very relaxed way about her.”

“Who?” Dexter asks as he passes by.

“Tex.” They answer.

He shakes his head. “That girl’s a tree hugging loon.”

Ben quickly comes to know the dynamic of you and Tyler. There is no home but each other, you make the best of every situation because you are together. Two pairs of cowboy boots and wide eyes, that’s what you two are.

“I’d compare her to like…a coyote.” Lilly determines. “She’s the perfect balance of wisdom and foolishness, always willing to make light of situations. One time, we were tracking a desert storm in New Mexico and we were camping in our trucks, it was hot, all our leads were gone and we’re ready to turn back. The sunrise comes and it’s prettiest thing I ever seen, we wake up to just a color spill of orange and pink. We open our doors up and Tex is out there dancing in a sports bra and boxers.”

Boone leans back in his chair, laughing at the memory. “Man, we thought she finally lost it, that being with Tyler for so long finally made her go off the rails. T is standing there, watching her, asking what the hell she was doing and she claims she was doing a rain dance.” He says, making Ben chuckle to himself.

Lilly lights a cigarette and rolls her eyes. “She was out there shaking her ass.”

“You fucking joined her!” Boone argues, taking the cigarette from her.

“Well yeah, you don’t let your best friend dance alone. And what happened that day? The rain came and the biggest thunderheads I had ever seen blew in. The lightning was beautiful, Ben, you shoulda been there.”

New Mexico rain was a memory you thought of often, it just felt a little fresher. Blame it on the heat you were dying of or the thirsty land you stood on, but you stood out in it, getting soaked to the bone and then fell into Tyler’s arms.

Now, far away in Oklahoma, Tyler stands looking up at you soaking in the moonlight. “Come down from there.” He calls. You lean over the edge of the roof and look at him. “Why don’t you come up here?” You challenge.

Tyler shakes his head. “I’m tired, darlin’. Let me take you inside.”

You look back up at the stars, then slide from the top of the truck, making him reach out and catch you. “Alright, take me to bed you old man.”

He shakes his head at your comment. It’s hard to resist anymore, you just looked so gorgeous underneath the moonlight. He leans to kiss you, nothing too deep but still of passion because he loves tasting the sugar of your lips, you were always so sweet that it made his head cloudy.

Arm around your shoulders, yours around his waist, the two of you say goodnight to your friends and head to your motel room, Rocky trotting after you. The lock on the door is hard to budge open, the room has a sort of stale smell.

As Tyler is distracted by setting up a bed for the dog, you grab your things from your duffel. “Dibs in the bathroom.” You shout before making a run for it. Tyler groans and tries to beat you, but you stand in the doorway, sticking your tongue out at him. “You just gotta be faster.” You tease before shutting the door in his face.

The low bulb light casts a hazy orange glow to everything, you start the shower and find it to have weak water pressure. Your clothes make a pile on the floor and soon the air steams up.

Your muscles relax as you wash off, you let out a small groan at your fingers scrubbing your scalp. The sound of the shower curtain being pulled back and Tyler stepping in behind you makes you turn. “I haven’t even been in here that long.”

He shrugs, then moves to hog the water. “I got impatient.”

After being with someone for so long and sharing everything, nothing really fazes you. The crew jokes that you and Tyler could probably morph into one body at this point.

By the time the two of you are mostly rinsed off, he’s getting handsy. His fingers trace over your handful of tattoos, wet skin sliding across you in a feverish way. You lean your head back against his shoulder, looking up at him. “Ty…”

He looks down you was an innocent smile. “Oh come on, we’ve been traveling with people for too long. We get one night without Boone gagging when I kiss you.” He says, then leans his head down, nuzzling into your neck.

You bite your lip at the feeling, your arm coming up to run your hand through his hair. “Who’s in the room next to us? These walls are thin.”

“I don’t give a shit about that.” He mumbles, hand slipping far past your navel, earning a loud gasp from you.

You lean your weight back against him, nodding feverishly as his fingers do wonders to an aching spot between your legs. “Okay, not having Boone around is really good.” You breathe.

He’s practically holding you up, his other arm is around you, holding you to his chest while he makes you fall apart.

It didn’t matter that the room hasn’t been updated since the 80’s or that the mattress groaned under the weight of the two of you or that Rocky runs and hides, the two of you were savoring this alone time because you didn’t know when the next time would be when you got it.

You’re laughing, making out and switching positions. The feel of his hand running past the valley of your breasts and giving your throat the lightest grip, it makes you feel on fire. The headboard’s getting knocked into the wall, you’re breathlessly whining and he’s loving every reaction you give him. By the time you’re gripping his shoulders so tight and his name is sounding broken as it cuts from your throat, he’s barely holding himself up.

The air conditioning makes an odd hum sound as you lay against him, skin on skin. You never understood how people could get bored of sex after being with someone for a while, having sex with Tyler Owens was hotter than west Texas in the Summer.

Well, the first time was a little awkward. Most people don’t establish they love each other before they sleep with each other, but you guys did. When you sat in his lap, lips slotted against his, you had to fight to push the idea out of your mind that you were grinding against your best friend. Everything was slow and every touch was unsure, after it ended you were scared that the relationship dynamic would never work if this was how sex was together.

You laugh now, thinking about it.

“What’s so funny?” He asks, fingers tracing the long horn skull that is tramp stamped on you.

“I’m just remembering the first time we had sex.” You shake with amusement. He groans. “You have to stop bringing that up.”

Pushing up from his chest, the blanket falls off of you. He watches in amazement as you swing your leg over his waist, your hands planted on his chest. “I think it’s cute, we were just babies.”

“Yeah, sometimes I miss the days where I didn’t know how insane you were.”

You glare, immediately going to move off of him before his grip yanks you back to your spot.

“I’m kidding, I always knew you were crazy.” He says.

“You love it.” You lean over him, and his hand comes to tuck some of your hair behind your ear. “You know I do, darlin’.”

Falling asleep was easy, you could fall asleep anywhere, but in a bed with Tyler holding you to his chest, it had you dreaming in seconds. You wake before he does, slowly sliding away to get dressed. You stand at the balcony outside, a cup of coffee in your hand as you watch the sunrise. After a few moments of peace, the door behind you opens and out comes your lover boy.

“No rain dance this morning?” He asks, kissing the top of your head.

“There’s plenty of rain in Oklahoma, they don’t need me to shake my ass in the parking lot for it to come.” You state, leaning down to pick up Rocky who trailed out after Tyler.

The two- well, three of you, look out at the horizon line, the air is already getting hot.

“You ready?” He asks you, and you turn to kiss his jaw. “I’m always ready.”

[brittle-doughie]

*Y/N cookie was kidnapped by a beasts for wedding, all five awoken heroes is on their mission to save them and fight the other beasts to kick their asses for wanting to do what they wanted to to save the world from the awful threat and get back the peace*

Pure Vanilla: We need to hurry, my friends! Who knows what beasts would do with Y/N cookie if we too late!

Golden Cheese: Argh, those rotten thieves! How dare they steal my treasure and think they can get away with this!? I swear that they would shower in my golden radiance and spears once we get there!

White Lily, eyes darkened: Yeah... But even if we would be done, would it be enough? We could do a lot of things to them... They are immortal, so, we could drown them, using vines to strangle, beat them up, take away their soul jams and force them to experience humiliation as they slowly succumb to feeling of weakness and-

Dark Cacao: Focus! We have no second to waste!

Hollyberry: He is right, friends! What is most important right now is Y/N Cookie's safety! What we do afterwards-

*As ancients keep on running, Y/N cookie completely unharmed, was eeating candy-dog and walking peacefully notices ancients and greets them*

Y/N cookie, waving: Hi, guys!

Hollyberry, unaware: Hello, Y/N cookie! *keeps on going* -is what we decide later and-

*Ancients quickly come to realization and instantly stop, they turn around and see Y/N cookie, completely okay. It's wasn't illusion, as they would've guessed immediately*

Pure Vanilla runs to them to check for injuries: Y/N cookie! You are okay! Are you hurt? They didn't anything to you!?

Y/N Cookie: No, I am fine, really! They actually took a good care of me.

Golden Cheese: But how in the world you escaped? There is no way they would just simply let you go so easily.

Y/N cookie: Well... It's a funny story actually. When I was in the hall with all of them, they were discussing wedding preparations, but I think they didn't agree which one is are going to become my groom or bride, so, they start to fight with each other which one is going to take over the wedding. They were so distracted, that they didn't notice me going away.

Dark Cacao: But beasts have followers, how are THEY let you go without noticing?

Y/N cookie chuckles: They are actually isn't so different from their masters, it all started with Cloud Haetae Cookie who said that Mystic Flour Cookie is going to be most beautiful bride worthy to a cookie like me, then Candy Apple Cookie didn't seem to like it, as she announced that only Shadow Milk Cookie is going to be main star of the show as usual. Then it grew into a big fight who is going to marry me, Nutmeg Tiger Cookie was distant at first... Until she said that it's obvious that Burning Spice Cookie is going to take over wedding, these two didn't seem to like it as they start to yell at her, and then... Well, you get the idea, Nutmeg Tiger Cookie joined in, others joined in and then here I am, I even got lucky enough to bug candy-dog around here!

*Ancients fell silent, they weren't sure what to do, they were going on mission with hard determination to save Y/N cookie, they made such a long way, should they just go home or keep on going just to beat up beasts out of spite?*

Y/N cookie: So, where you going? On the mission or you are already done? If so, we can go to the Cookie Kingdom and you can take a rest!

*At that moment, Ancients decided scratch that, they can do it later, Y/N cookie is here and it's all that matters*

Pure Vanilla, smiling: Let's go home!

White Lily, also smiling: Yeah!

The Good Ending.

[eddiebabygirldiaz]

tease tidbit tuesday

tagged in things over the weekend and today by @hippolotamus @honestlydarkprincess @try-set-me-on-fire @bigfootsmom @eowon @spaceprincessem @freewayshark @kananjarus

muah! thanks darlins <3

finally got the ability to share something yay! more of my big bang fic :)

“L-look I know, I know it’s scary,” Buck whispers, everything about him from the sound of his voice to the slant of his eyes and the breadth of his body gentle and earnest and pleading. “Realizing how much I want you, how deep this goes, nearly knocked me on my ass in that bar. But it’s okay, because it’s you and me. And we are–”

“We’re not anything, Buck,” Eddie bites out, or at least he intends for it to come out harsh and cutting like the press of teeth into flesh, but it just sounds tired, empty, detached like he’s reading from a script he doesn’t understand or agree with.

Buck makes a pained, wounded noise, high-pitched and deep and drawn out like a dog that’s been hit by its owner.

He blinks at Eddie, taking in the blow and even then still not going anywhere, still remaining where he is and touching Eddie as if he can’t bring himself not to despite the fact that Eddie is only hurting him.

Eddie hates himself. He doesn’t think he’s ever hated himself as much as he does in this moment.

The hurt tearing across Buck’s face is awful and it punches Eddie in the gut hard enough he could puke, but he doesn’t take it back. He lets the words hang in between them, lets them settle further and further into Buck until he realizes Eddie isn’t going to negate them or apologize, because he doesn’t know what else to do.

He’s in a corner he shoved himself into, one that isn’t sweet like honey or intimately private, but one that is full of ruin and strangling vines made of guilt and secrets best kept hidden no matter the cost. And even though he put himself there, even though he wants nothing more than to drag Buck further in with him so he isn’t alone and can find a way out, he instead pushes Buck out.

“Oh,” Buck breathes, sounding so terribly small.

Eddie watches in horror as Buck allows himself to be pushed, so easily believing the false shit that just spewed from Eddie’s mouth in a fucked up attempt to protect them both. Buck nods in acceptance, dropping his gaze like he can’t bear to look at Eddie as he lets his arm go.

tagging @shitouttabuck @queerdiazs @devirnis @jeeyuns @spagheddiediaz @daffi-990 @exhuastedpigeon @spotsandsocks @shyaudacity @ghosthunterbuck @sibylsleaves @dr-shortsighted-owl @mustachediaz @lonelychicago @monsterrae1 @bi-buckrights @lemonzestywrites @epicbuddieficrecs @transboybuckley @butchdiaz @eddiediaaz @buckera @rewritetheending and anyone else who wants to share!

[robin374]

A request for Tf2

How would Sniper, Scout and Engie react if they found a venomous snake in there Bedroom?

I know it's a really random question and I don't know if you do this kind of request if not then it's totally OK to ignore this

Englisch isn't my first language so pls ignore my grammar

Mercs reacting to a venomous snake in their bedroom

Notes: Don't worry! I had so much fun writing this. This can be read as romantic or platonic!

Characters: Sniper, Scout, Engie

Scout:

>>He would scream in the most hight pitch scream you've ever heard. I bet that the dogs in the nearest village from the base heard it too. You know that thing that micrphones do when you approach them too much to the loudspeaker? Yeah, like that.

>>He woul be jumping around the bed like that vine (this one) saying that he's gonna strangle it if you don't give him his bate.

"Oh shoot! There's a snake! OH MY GOD IT MOVED; Y/N, COME GET IT PLEASE I?M SCARED. AAAAAAAA Y/N IT'S MOVING TOWARDS ME! I'M TOO HANDSOME TO DIE!"

>>Yeah, you two had to call Sniper. You weren't scared by the fact that it could bit you, you were scared if it bit Scout. You realise the drama he would make just for that? I mean, if he died, he would respawn or Medic could revive him too.

>>After Sniper takes the snake out he steals all the credit and says he did it because you were scared. (You were holding him in bridal style)

Engie

>>He was a bit scared, to be honest. Not as much as Scout but he was worried that it bit him during the night.

>>After checking if he had any bite marks of the snake, he took it with his mechanical hand. He bumped into you while going to Medic's lab.You asked him where he found the snale and he told you the story. Apparently, Soldier was hearing your conversation and suggested to leave it at Scout's bed. Just for the fun.

>>At first, he didn't agree with you two. However, he remmbered that the last battle Scout stole an ammunition pack from him as a joke, and they both knew that he needed that ammunition. Because of Scout, he got killed by the BLU Spy and his sentry got destroyed too.

>>Now the snake is on Scout's bed while he's sleeping soundly. That is some good revenge over there.

Sniper

>>He was so chill about it. Like, "Oh another one? Well I'll just leave it next to Scout's door again."

>>He would take it as if it was a normal spaghetti. I'm sure that he's got bit by every single venomous animal in the world that he's become inmune to the venom.

>>He woul tell you to help him. He took advantage of this situation to show his abilities with wild animals. You were impressed at how managed to not to get bitten by the snake.

>>I feel like he's that Spanish guy that is expert on snake and reptiles. Frank of the jungle. Y'know? No? Well, I know what I'm saying. Not in appearance, but more in the fact that if he sees any reptile he launches himself to it takes it just to let it loose around the base and cause chaos in secret.

[0p4l3sc3nc3]

More fem!Tomarry unicorn and doe flavoured thoughts... Blab about the elements i chose for the background under the cut!!

The flowers are rhododendrons (allegedly represent danger) and dog strangling vines (pretty self explanatory name haha). Green eyed animals represent Harry and red eyed ones Tom! The rabbits are mostly there because they're a fun staple of the unicorn tapestries, snakes and lion are pretty self explanatory, wolf is.... Well... I didn't have other ideas for a foil to the lion (if anyone does 👀 I'd love to hear them), and the doves are there for variety's sake.

[yanderemcu]

Yandere Steve Rogers Alphabet

A=Affection (How do they show their love for you) 

Cuddling,hand holding,kissing,hugging,holding,arm over shoulder

B=Bound (How much do they share with you) 

Wants no secrets between you two

C=Cruel (How do they punish you) 

Spanking,isolation, yelling,starving,force feeding,takes things from you

D-Desire (How long until they take you) 

3 months

E=Even (To what level are they dominant) 

Same level as you

F=Future(What are their future plans for the two of you) 

Get married. Have a kid or two. Get a dog.

G=Gifts (What do they give you) 

Old stuff,stuff animals, CDS,sweets,food,flowers,jewerrly

H=Hell (Worst experience with them) 

His punishments, his killings,his jealous moments, his angry moments

I=Insane (How insane did they get because of you) 

9/10

J=Jealous(How easily do they get jealous) 

Very easily

K=Killing (How do they handle killing) 

Strangles them or throws his shield at him

L=Language (What is their love language) 

All of them

M=Manipulation(What could you do to get your way) 

Show him a bit of affection,be sweet to him or do a chore

N=No (To what strength would they go for you) 

He'd do anything for you

O=Obsessed (How obsessed are they with you) 

10/10

P=Pet names(What do they call you)  

Doll,dollface,angel,angelface,dove,darling,honey,sweetheart,babe

Q=Quit (How would they act if you died) 

This would break Steve

R=Runaway (What are your chances to get away) 

Follows you and brings you back home

S=Stalking (How good are they at stalking you) 

8.5/10

T=Type  (What type of yandere are they) 

Stalker,Obsessive,Caring, Sweet,Possessive, Delusional, Overprotective

U=Unique (Different from other yanderes) 

He's a bit old fashioned

V=Vine (How would they feel if you fought back) 

Punishes you over and over again

W=Will (Would they do anything against their loves will) 

Ties you up,force feeding, holding,forces you to do things

X=X-Ray (How much do they keep hidden from you) 

Nothing

Y=Yearning (How much do they want you) 

7/10

Z=Zzz (How do you two fall asleep together) 

Cuddles you tightly and closely in bed

[short-circuit-the-great]

I am the unknown, something not even the son of Spider can predict or understand. I am eternal, Life and Shadow intertwined, and I will outlast even you. And now, the way I have fallen, consumed by the Hive, I am the greatest horror in all the Spiral.

Tip jar

TEXT:

BAT: Wizard, I didn't know, I-

[There is the sound of BAT being strangled by vines.]

CLAWDIUS: Be quiet.

CLAWDIUS: What pitiful excuse did Zanetta make for my absence? Did he tell you anything that happened in Polaris? Karamelle? KHRYSALIS?

CLAWDIUS: Of course he didn't. That would mean admitting he left me to die like a dog.

BAT: Wizard. Let me go. We can talk this-

[CLAWDIUS snaps his fingers, casting a spell. Bat screams. There is a lot of blood and thorny vines covering him.]

BAT: Wizard...

CLAWDIUS: What? Do you have excuses for him?

BAT: No. No excuses. Wizard, listen. All of us want to stop my father. All of us want to save the Spiral.

CLAWDIUS: Save the Spiral, huh? You think I still care about the Spiral? You think I still wear the hero's cape Ambrose forced me into?

[CLAWDIUS laughs.]

CLAWDIUS: Bat! How does it feel to be the funniest guy in Empyrea?

BAT: Uh. Not. Great?

[CLAWDIUS casts a healing spell.]

BAT: Oh.

[ghoulsanderson]

For @mrhalloween2ficpage 's You Aren't The Only One fic

I'm going to write a proper oneshot about this fic, I already have one planned out, but for now have a Tumblr snippet

--------------------

El writhed in her restraints, choking on the metallic blood in the air. It felt like she was seconds from suffocating on dust pouring from the floating debris or the noose-like vines around her neck. She gasped desperately for a breath when they would allow it, tugging and pushing, but she couldn't escape, even as Vecna lifted his claw over Max's face.

The other girl was terrified. Powerless, bound, and helpless, she could only chant 'Please, please, please' as a hushed whisper. She wanted to scream, but only a wheeze came out.

This was it. The end of the line.

Max would never leave Hawkins or turn fifteen. She'd never see Lucas again or her mom.

She would never find out what happened to Mike after she left him lying by the elevator.

Vecna's eyes rolled back, and Max mustered a final sobbed plea before his claws sunk into her head, creating a band of crescents.

His power was different to El's. Hers felt like a soothing balm, but Henry's was a thousand needles ripping through her veins. She screamed as they built in her leg, snapping it, an arm following.

But the pain stopped in an instant, and through her gasped breaths, she wondered if she'd fainted, died, or maybe El had managed to break free.

Her eyes cleared to Vecna sprawled on the floor, and she looked to the other girl, but El wasn't free, nor looking at her.

El looked anguished, disbelieving. Max followed her gaze, and it felt like the world dissolved around her.

He swept in like the epitome of power. Blood-red lightning wove between his fingers, curling around his arms like bandages. Control of the dimension slipped from Vecna's grasp and into Mike's, who made bolts of lightning strike from the sky in deafening claps, stretching across the crimson clouds like the roots of a tree.

This... couldn't be Mike. Couldn't be the boy she'd argued with all summer and mourned for. That boy had deep, dark brown eyes and round cheeks...

But this one...

His irises swirled with iridescent blood red that seeped down his sunken cheeks to his pointed jawline and over a long pink scar. They were matte with hate and rage, and his heavy, leather boots squelched as they walked through puddles and stepped on vines like they weren't there.

The vines were powerless anyway. Writhing at the heat of the lighting like a bowl of worms, flinching every time a spark from Mike landed on them.

"You..." Vecna rasped, sounding about as terrified as Max was when he was hovering over her, and it was now that Max noticed the webbing of scorched skin on his back caused by a bolt.

Mike didn't say anything. He didn't even twitch but under his nauseating green uniform, his chest heaved.

"Mike..." El finally managed to get a grip on herself. The name gasped from her lips, fat tears spilling over her cheeks. Suddenly, the bonds were more unbearable than ever, and she whimpered as she struggled. She needed to get to him she needed to before he vanished again-

Without looking at her, Mike waved a hand, and the vines fell away, convulsing in agony as electric sparkles bounced off of them, "Mike..." Max sobbed, and a wail of agony burst out of her as Mike freed her as well.

El ran to her, taking the other girl into her arms, but neither could tear their eyes away from their friend- a year. A fucking year.

He was really alive.

Changed, broken, but alive.

And swaying on his feet.

Vecna noticed and, despite his injured state, managed to tilt his head and knock Mike sideways onto the floor, dirtying his clothes and forcing a grunt out of the boy, "Your powers are strong, but you are weak." He growled, "You cannot survive in the void."

Mike bared his teeth like a dog. It was true. Projecting here drained his strength like a battery.

A force wrapped around his throat, nearly crushing it as it strangled him, creating blotches of purple and black in seconds. He tried to gasp, but not even a flicker of air could get to his lungs.

"No!" El screamed, stretching out her hand and throwing Henry to the side, allowing Mike to suck in a large breath.

He crumpled, his cheek hitting the floor as he coughed and shuddered.

El panicked, setting Max on the floor. She ran to him, but her hands went through him as he faded into ash, the rest of the world following, "No!" She shrieked, hitting the ground, but it vanished around her, as did Vecna and Max.

"Mike!" She wailed.

-----

Lucas yelled as Max finally fell into his arms like a ragdoll, waking with a gasp, "Max!" He sobbed, turning her face to him and sagging in relief at familiar blue eyes.

They were wide and panicked, and she grasped at him with her one good arm, "Mike!" She gasped, "Mi- M-Mike- he was- he was there."

Lucas froze. His heart plummeted heavily like a ton of bricks landing in his stomach, "What?" He whispered, and she just held him harder, like she needed him to understand.

"He was there!" She sobbed through her pain, "He s-saved me."

Lucas couldn't speak a reply. Any mention of Mike, living status or not, had formed unbearable pain since he 'died.' All he could do was cradle his girlfriend as her eyes slipped closed, succumbing to her injuries.

He sat numbly until the ambulance arrived.

Would he be reunited with his best friend, after all?

[vfdinthewild]

"Dog-strangling vine forms dense stands that overwhelm and crowd out native plants."

-via Invasive Species Center

[faoighiche]

Children of Darkness | Ariadne & Burrow

PARTNER : @ariadnewhitlock TIMING : Current. LOCATION : Somewhere in the Pines. SUMMARY : Ariadne and Burrow cross paths on the site of a new hedge hound's creation. Ariadne gets to pet a weird dog, while Burrow starts to wonder if her understanding of the world is flawed. WARNINGS : Animal death (gets got by the strangle weed)

Satisfaction tickled Burrow’s throat, forcing a chuckle onto her lips. Yes. Her precious vines had another success, claiming another for the pack. She wondered what new hound this host would blossom. She was quick to sate that curiosity, changing her venturing to the quickest path to her vines. When she came across the awaited sight, the animal still struggled under the yearning of the vines. Legs clawed at the ground while its tinier mouth ripped at the stems. Stems that continued in apathy, soon replacing whatever the creature managed to tear off. The beast was frightened. Delirious. And causing too much inconvenience to her kin. There was no use keeping it in that state. So, Burrow imbued her essence into the vines, quickening an already heightened growth. She focused her vine’s yearning to the throat. A throat that succumbed to the vines' eternal writhing. The animal’s struggle was soon no more, reduced to the twitching of death’s aftershocks. 

All that was left was quiet. Burrow relished in the feeling of a new host, a new hound, a new friend. At least, she tried to. The forest was quiet in more than just sounds. The buzzing of her kin ceased. Her heart tried to follow: skipping a beat but continuing. So, her body followed instead, moving to desert the area. Though, not completely. She would not abandon her hound who was still so young. She watched behind the trees and the bramble as a human stumbled into view. Was she the one who scared away her precious ones? The human did not deserve to bask in her hound’s creation. The human did not deserve to run back to town and send the killers their way. Burrow stepped out into the speckled sunlight. “What are you doing here?” She demanded of the human as she watched her closely. Determining the best course of action in the following silence.  

She’d heard something resembling a whimper, and Ariadne froze, because it didn’t sound human, but she also knew that she didn’t usually create that sort of reaction in animals. It was usually more aggressive, when she was around. Either that or just altogether disappearing. By which she meant running away. Which clearly wasn’t happening right now, but she was far too curious to entirely step away, even though she was certain that if her heart could beat, it would be jumping far out of her chest right now.

A voice startled her out of her thoughts, confirming to her that she was, in fact, not alone, and she jumped at the other voice. “I – was going out for a walk.” It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t as detailed as she might’ve made it if she wasn’t feeling so entirely on edge. “I’m sorry if I bothered you.” Ariadne glanced down at the ground. “I just – I heard something, and it sounded like someone was in trouble, and so I wanted to come over to make sure things were okay, or if not, to see if I could help or stuff.”

The human seemed agreeable, in the same as the nectar on a pitcher plant. Burrow knew well of their liar tongues. While their words hardly served her much purpose, their bodies certainly did. If the human was eager to help, then she would be sure to show her the proper path. No sense in forsaking a fly that wished to be on the web. Especially one that looked so youthful and healthy. “You may help by stepping on the vines. You may approach the vines.” May the human’s presence be loved instead of feared. Come human, be blessed by her kin’s touch, and know true usefulness. But another of her kin was quicker to claim. Unlike her vines, her tick did not have a host to distract itself. Until then, of course, as the tick set its eyes on the human. It scurried up the human’s shoe. Further up still it would go, to find refuge under the sock. The best place for a bite.

Except… it didn’t. Burrow’s tick regarded the human the same as it would an exposed root. Its disinterest was not due to the poison humans so loved to bathe themselves in. No, her tick scurried across the leg, as it would on any other leg. The only difference was the lack of a want to bite. In fact, the human did not register as a thing that could be bitten. Not a snack, but merely a thing in its path. Burrow stared, frustration relenting to a spike of curiosity. “Wait, what are you?”

“I don’t – won’t that hurt the vines?” Ariadne looked over at the woman. “I don’t want to hurt them - but - if it will help…” though how it would help, she wasn’t sure. In fact, in a lot of ways it was deeply confusing to try and make any sort of sense of that, but she’d never claimed to be a botanist, and so she supposed that she couldn’t really claim too much to understand what was going on.

Then there was a bug crawling onto her shoe, and Ariadne would’ve held her breath if she’d needed to, waiting for the bug to somehow shriek or fly away or run away. Except it didn’t, and then the woman’s voice cut through Ariadne’s thoughts. “I - what? What - I - I’m Ariadne!” She winced at the heightened pitch of her voice. “What do you mean?” Except that she could only play at being ignorant for so long, because the what are you comment probably didn’t have anything to do with her name. “Why?”

Such an eager fly — approaching the web without much question. Only one question had sufficed: a concern for the web. It was almost sweet. The humans never cared to be kind to Burrow’s vines after watching them claim. It was too frightening for their brains to comprehend. But, this wasn’t a human, was it? This was something else. Something her parasites did not deem worthy of taking. A thing that had no spoils to offer. She only knew of one such being: the dead who took such spoils the same as her parasites. “Oh. Are you one of the dead? That is what I mean by my question.” 

Burrow observed the strange through her own senses and that of her tick. Her precious one felt no warmth of rushing blood below the other’s skin. Only a coldness was offered and a strange smell it could not place. This must be one of the dead, yes? The dead had always fascinated her. Their appetites aligned with that of her own: the blood and the flesh of those living. A great feast that made the life of others into her own. Even the fae, the ones the dead deemed the most supple, was upon Burrow’s own plate. Though, she would consume them in other means. So different and yet the same. “You will not take a taste of me, unless you offer me something worthy in return.” Her intrigue did not transfer into generosity. That was reserved for her parasites, not those who emulated them. But that emulation, that mirror upon her own nature, had her wanting to give. A piece with a price tag, but even that was a wonderful gift. “Do not approach the vines. The vines are satisfied.” She would not let her curiosity be claimed by another. “Tell me more about yourself. I am curious about you.”

She always did her best not to lie. Ariadne just didn’t much see the point in it, and she’d seen how lying hurt people far too much – how even little lies could do their own kind of damage. She supposed that just by not telling people what she was, she was sort of lying in her own kind of way, but she did her best to believe that was okay – especially because a lot of the time it was a matter of possibly dying again if the wrong person found out. Though that was something she’d discovered more recently, Celene had advised her against advertising what – who – she was to others. It was absolutely annoying that she couldn’t tell when someone else was a mare, but she’d made do.

Which didn’t explain how this absolutely alluring and yet anxiety-induing person knew what she was. “I don’t – I’m not gonna try to feed on you!” Ariadne wanted to shrink into herself, hating the fact that this was what the stranger first assumed about her. First assumed that she’d hurt them. “I can offer you stuff, if you want?” She didn’t know what, exactly, she would offer them, but it seemed like the right sort of thing to say. “I won’t – I won’t touch the vines, if you don’t want me to.” She shook her head. “I – I’m Ariadne.” Which she’d already said. “I – I don’t know how you could tell I was dead, but I – yeah, I am.” She only hoped admitting this wouldn’t result in regret. “I – I’m a mare.” The word caught tight in her throat. “Do you – know of people like me?”

The heightened voice, the shrunken stature — the dead seemed upset about something. Was the dead upset about the thought of eating? Most enjoyed eating, such as Burrow herself. No, the change in demeanor was likely caused by something else. Did the dead dislike being known? Did the dead think she would not make for a tantalizing treat? She would make for a lovely treat. The best treat. She let out a huff, but with it, her tensions departed. “Yes. I do want you to offer me stuff.” Burrow eyed the dead up and down, as if she could spy out any delectable treats or dazzling trinkets she wanted to claim. If the dead had any such thing, it was buried amongst pockets and hidden places. “What stuff do you have to offer me?” 

Burrow felt no need to offer anything in exchange, including her name. It remained absent on her lips. “Hello. Yes. I am aware of the mares. The mares are the dead who eat the dreams. The mares trample on the living when we sleep so the dreams are forced out of the mouths.” A strange thing to eat dreams. They were useless to her — both as sustenance and to experience. It had been so long the last time she had dreamt. Still, she heeded her nan’s warnings: there was always a cup of salt in her pocket. It stayed nestled in secret, for there was yet need to reveal it. Instead, she scanned the area for a thing unseen. “Where is your mare? Well, where is your horse, I mean.” She knew her vines had not claimed such a thing, for she would have definitely noticed those tingles of satisfaction. Nor had her other kin been able to dine on such a specimen. All her parasites who were still present were silent about the whereabouts of horses.

“Uh, I dunno. What do you want? I don’t have a lot. But I am happy to help you out mostly however I can. I just don’t wanna lose stuff that’s super important, you know?” She had to, Ariadne figured, if only because she saw no reason to assume anything other than the best of the person in front of her. She wouldn’t give up anything that reminded her of family, or of Wynne or Cass or Alex or Nora or anybody like that, but if the person wanted something else, Ariadne would do her absolute best to deliver.

Ariadne shrugged in agreement. “Haven’t heard it put exactly like that, but yes. That’s the gist of it all. Though I can’t like, swallow or chew dreams like people do other kinds of foods…” she let herself trail off. “I – no, I’m the mare. Not a horse, but like, uh…” she scrunched up her nose in momentary confusion. “Animals normally don’t like me, or like – my – mares. Us. People like me. I don’t know why, but ever since becoming this, animals tend to freak out when I come around, which is more than a little disheartening.” Ariadne clasped her hands together and pressed her thumbs firmly one atop the other. “Sorry if that’s disappointing. Even bugs don’t always like me and that stinks because I do love them. Most all of them.”

The clothings adorning the mare’s body seemed delightfully plush and of pleasant textures, but there was something greater the mare could give Burrow. To ask for it would expose her own nature if the mare was wise to the ways of the fae. An exposure Burrow did not undertake lightly, for exposure rarely did the parasites any good. But, the mare seemed so giving, and she would be foolish to not try to take as much as she could from a generous thing. “I want you to give me the memory of your most recent feeding.” It was so removed from any feeding she had known. No swallowing or chewing, yet sustenance was still achieved. Did the mare still feel it go down her throat? Did it simply blossom into her stomach? Burrow wanted to feel how the dreams entered her, the same as she indulged in the feeding of her parasites. 

The mares proved to be even more mysterious to Burrow. “What do you mean you do not have the horse?” That was not correct. “Why would you be called the mares if you did not ride the mares? Do not lie to me.” The mares rode the mares: it was the state of things. To suggest otherwise made no sense. Though, the mare’s statement did have some evidence. Almost all her kin who scurried or flew had fled the area. It would explain why the creature from before had been so delirious from fear. A wonderful fear, for it had fed her vines so nicely. Perhaps the mares (the horses, not the dead) are the only creatures not fearful of them. “You must have not found your mare, yet.” She watched as her vines continued to coil about what was once a creature: a fresh hound being born before their eyes. Her essence extended with a gentle hand, coaxing the vines to their proper place around its home. An invisible hand that held the hound, rising it up into its new glory. A beast weaved into a mimicry of the life it took — the vines interlacing into beautiful swirls that turned to legs, a torso, and a head that observed them calmly. A beast without flesh; a beast without fear. “You may approach my hound. Sit on my hound. You may not claim my hound for your steed, but you may feel what it is like to ride the steed.” 

“How do I give you a memory?” Ariadne didn’t know that something like that was something you could do. Maybe this person was making stuff up (which Ariande didn’t understand why, but she also just wasn’t about to start questioning stuff), or maybe they knew stuff she didn’t – which, if she were honest (and Ariadne liked to be honest whenever and wherever possible) was probably even more likely, considering Ariadne knew very little about the world she was newly part of. She wondered when she’d be able to tell herself that she wasn’t newly part of this world. She wondered if it would ever come to pass. She hoped that it would.

“I don’t like to lie!” Ariadne squeaked. “I – animals hate us – me. Mares. I don’t know why we’re called what we are, except maybe it’s ‘cause we’re nightmares, and they just took the night part away?” She hadn’t meant to get so panicked, but it seemed pretty near unavoidable at this point. Which stunk, but there wasn’t much that she could do about it, at least not in this moment. “But yeah, maybe. I’d love to find any creature that liked me. I – well, before I was what I am, I used to adopt bugs and worms and spiders and like, well, anything I could. I gave them good homes! I let them go a-s-a-p, but I just… I loved – love every living thing, and I don’t like that I scare them.” She felt her eyes go wide. “You sure I won’t scare your hound?” She took a few steps forward. “ ‘Cause I don’t wanna hurt the hound, or you, or anything…”

It seemed Burrow’s caution was misplaced. How strange this dead did not know more about her prized prey. “I will show you how.” The first to show her the ways. “Say that you give me the memory of your recent feeding.” The bind crept up the mare’s form, ready to steal away the precious memory. The dead squirmed as if Burrow had already claimed her. The same fidgeting that had been displayed before. What caused this irritation? Could it be the lies? A strange notion, for the dead indulged in the lies the same as the humans. It was as strange as to propose that the mares had no mares. “The nightmares are called the nightmares because of your kind. Your kind are the ones on the mares that come at night.” Was the dead simply lying to her, despite her protest against it? It made more sense than to believe what Burrow knew was false. It was information told to her by fae, who never spoke a lie. 

And yet… and yet a small part of Burrow wondered. “Do you promise that you have not lied to me?” She knew the fae twisted words, but never into a lie. Never. The mare must be mistaken — must be lying. Burrow would fix that mistake. The mare would either make the promise and succumb to her lies, or accept the proper ways of the mares. The most proper way, for her hounds would make the best mares (the horses, not the dead). Her hound mirrored the mare’s steps, taking a few forward. An action instructed by Burrow, for her hound had no care for the dead — nor fear — nor anything, really. It regarded the mare in near silence, the only sounds came from the muffled pops of the corpse in its core. Its vines coiled about it, round and round, churning it to perfection. “You will not hurt my hound.” Both an assurance and a threat. “My hound does not fear you. I want you to ride my hound. Ride my hound.” 

“I, uh, don’t get how that works, but okay!” If she didn’t have to detail her latest feeding, Ariadne would happily go another route with telling people. Any other route, really, because she didn’t like thinking about feeding, and one of her least favorite parts had to do exactly with the fact that sometimes those memories felt good. Far better than they should’ve. “I give you the memory of my most recent feeding.” She gave a sigh, a certain part of her feeling strangely lighter than she would’ve thought possible.

“Well, uh, like I said, I’m really not an expert. You sound smart and like you know what’s up though! It’s weird animals don’t like us, but we can hurt people, so maybe that’s why?” Ariadne shifted again. “Your hound is brilliant and beautiful. I,” she sniffed, “well, I can’t say how thankful I am that your hound will be near me.” 

“I promise I haven’t lied to you! I’m sure I do lie sometimes, but I really really try to not lie if I can ever avoid it. Lying makes me feel all gross and bad, and I already feel bad, ‘cause I have to eat nightmares, and also lying hurts. I don’t want to hurt. Cause hurt, I mean.” She sighed. “Okay.” Ariadne brushed her hand against the hound, doing her best to climb up and onto it. “You sure it’s still okay?” She turned more toward the hound, “thank you for your kindness.” Back up to the strange lady. “I – thank you.”

The memory traveled down Burrow’s throat and swelled in her stomach. Foreign fears swelled as well: those inside herself and those soon to enter. A storm of uncertainty and regret that was almost as strong as the hunger. All only quieted when it entered. The good fear. Who she became in the memory tried to deny the fear, but she wanted it. She needed it. It had no taste or smell or texture yet it was the most delectable thing to enter her. How did it enter her? Did it really enter her? What was this feeling in her very core? She had no words, no knowing, no anything to describe the sensation. Ripped away from everything she knew of the world and becoming an alien to her own body. Even when the memory faded and she was herself again, she was not the version of herself before. Forever changed, ever slightly, by that piece of the alien still inside her. 

Burrow needed to know more.

If only what followed had brought such strange delight. The promise prepared to tear through the dead, yet found nothing to grab. No lies tainted her tongue, just as the dead had proclaimed. But how? How did the dead not know of the mares? How did she not feel a piece of herself missing? Even when Burrow’s family tried to keep her away from her kin, she could still feel them waiting. Waiting for her as the horse surely waited for the dead. Right? Her stomach twisted at the idea she could have spread her family’s lies. No. Something… was missing. She needed to research the cracks in her knowledge had not known were there. She didn’t… her family hadn’t lied to her. “Yes… my- my hound is very brilliant and beautiful.” She finally managed to say. “It is okay. You will sit on my hound’s back.” Her hound did not mind, though they hardly minded anything. A few of its vines slithered past fingers and ankles — almost tickling, though not its intention. Just like its guardian, it wanted to know more of who rested on its back. “That is where you are meant to be.” Though not the horses of legend, her hound was close enough. Close enough to the image in her head that had begun to sport a small crack. “In exchange for your thank you, you will give me any memory I ask you to give me.” The best way to understand someone was to get inside their head.