#drawn by kauri

[ashintheairlikesnow]

Random OC question! What are some of your OCs’ Swear Words and why?

Jameson: Fuck

Jake: Shit

Kauri: Damn

Chris: Darn

Nat: Shit

Krista: Gosh

Leila: (blank stare)

Antoni: сволочь

Allyn: Fuck (affectionately)

Danny: Pre-Bram: Fuck Post-Bram: Fuck, but less often and trembling

Nate: (nonlinguistic justified homicidal rage)

Ryan: Fuck (sexy)

Mina: Oh, shit (overheard from carseat on the way to the store in tiny toddler voice)

Areyto: (long drawn-out single piercing note in a pitch that physically hurts to hear)

Kiraya Losna: Damn it all, and she does mean ALL of it

Guilford: Fuck (said like oil slicks leach out of the ground)

Ford: Bastard (under his breath)

[kauriheart]

Kauri ^ their brother told them to jump into a canyon and they didn't hesitate. (First six are drawn by me rest are by friends)

[displacer-beasts]

my fandom cringe trait is that im a sucker for crossovers, even if they're only crossovers in my head

i only managed to get attached to my Rowan Ingellvar after imagining that he was the reincarnated soul of my Pillars of Eternity Watcher, Kauri

a watcher in both lives

He ended up scattering the Dyrwood souls to the unknown at the end of PoE1 on Wael's behalf (tbh he was just pissed and furious at the gods and Thaos and wanted them to break of the Wheel and the Gods' machinations)

and then when he eventually died, Wael did the same with his soul. Keeping it from the hands of the other Gods and sending him off to the unknown. His soul ended up in Thedas, drawn to the Necropolis, where it found an abandoned dying baby. And as the baby's soul left its body, Kauri's soul rushed in to take its place.

In this new life, he goes by Rowan. He still has his cipher and Watcher ability to read souls, although its different now since Thedas doesn't have a Wheel like Eora. His abilities manifest as psychometry, where he can sense the memories and history of objects when he touches them. He can also get a sense of how someone died when he touches their bones, but its very unpleasant because he feels their death as if it happened to him

Vorgoth is the only one who knows that Rowan's soul is from outside Thedas, and that he has memories of three different lives. Vorgoth is actually the amalgamation of those thousands of souls that Wael scattered at the end of PoE1, and they drew Kauri/Rowan's soul to the Necropolis on purpose

[johnkatsmc5]

Golden Sunbird "Golden Sunbird" 2021 EP +  "Inner Landscapes // Outer Worlds" EP 2023 TAS,Australia Cosmic,Psych,Space Rock

full spotify

https://open.spotify.com/album/1peUYgYLP5DwkMKsKCYPuV

https://open.spotify.com/album/6r1IHUyOr5hcOReRkv7RJR

Golden Sunbird "Golden Sunbird" 2021 EP

I started writing this EP in 2020 in Townsville during our first COVID-19 lockdown. At the time I had just started listening to Pink Floyd and had fallen in love with the 70’s Psych rock sound and the whole counterculture movement. I was stuck at home and began working on music to pass the time. I had no intention of making an EP which helped in giving me the freedom to write and record without pressure. I recorded the EP at home on my iPhone through GarageBand and a Scarlett 2i4 recording interface. It was a bit of a breakaway from the conventional approach to recording music. This created a lot of freedom to be experimental and to work in my own time schedule. The portability of my phone allowed me to record in the most obscure and random places; in my car between shifts at work, the rainforest in the Atherton Tablelands, on flights to and from Melbourne, at home on the couch etc. I wanted this EP to be a cosmic, sonic journey from start to finish. A true concept piece with each track linked to the next, with meaningful transitions that tell a story. I wanted it to be an EP that you would have to play in its entirety to grasp the whole meaning and context, yet still have the tracks stand alone and be understood. I had recently acquired a Theremini and was playing around with the Moog Model D App for iPhone through my midi Keyboard. I really enjoyed the spacey sounds I was getting out of them. These sounds are a main feature of the EP and stirred a lot of inspiration for writing. This also inspired the visual elements like the cover artwork and visualizer using stars, galaxies and the cosmos. I also wanted the music to be able to have a guided meditation and deep relaxation effect on the listener. Something that provides the listener space to breathe and sink into. This is one of the reasons that has drawn me to instrumental music as it allows the mind to enter states of contemplation, reflection and to draw closer to God. I collected a lot of field recordings to add atmosphere and ambience to the tracks. I really enjoyed going to places, camping out and setting up microphones to capture the ambience of a place, then adding it to the background of a song to teleport the listener. Nature sounds invoke mystery and bring an organic feeling to the electric and synth soundscapes. I enjoyed playing with sound design on this EP and using the stereo output recording to its full potential. The main theme of the EP is finding peace in not knowing everything, Acknowledging my mortality and seeing the beauty that is life. Understanding that each moment is intensely more beautiful because it will end and that we don’t need to know the answers, just be. It also deals with themes of isolation, uncertainty, conspiracy and self doubt, all of which arose within me and around me throughout the COVID-19 lockdowns. This EP is quite special to me as it shows quite a lot of growth for me personally in my craft, my own personality and identity. The final mix of the EP was completed by my good friend, Mark Myers (Middle East, Starry Field) in Mount Kauri Studios up in the Atherton Tablelands and then it was sent down to King Willy (William Bowden) in Tasmania to do the final masters. The EP Artwork was designed & drawn by my brother Jonathan Thomas, who specialises in sacred geometry, Celtic knotwork and pointillism. The intertwined lines have no beginning or end, therefore representing eternity and the interconnection of all life. The cosmos in the background represents the vastness of space, the unknown, unbridled power, chaos and wonder in the heavenly realms. I would like to Acknowledge the Bindal & Wulgurukaba people. Owners of the land on which this music was written and pay my respects to Elders past, present & emerging. Luke Thomas, Golden Sunbird 2021 .........~ Tracklist Every Ending is a New Beginning, Pt. 1 05:44 Voyage, Pt. 2 08:23 Turbulence, Pt. 3 02:46 Arrival (Desert Sun), Pt. 4 07:14

Golden Sunbird "Inner Landscapes // Outer Worlds" EP 2023

Golden Sunbird is an Australian project with a Cosmic Psychedelic Rock sound. The new EP “Inner Landscapes // Outer Worlds” was released on August 09, 2023 and contains 7 tracks including a 10+ minute epic. The journey into the boundless space of the band’s sounds takes us to explore the different facets of their music. A fine blend of layered sounds, effects and modulations skilfully used to take us on this intergalactic journey into the deepest space. The retro imprinting is mixed with the more modern traits of the genre, thanks to the band’s personal style, which combines analogue and electronic sounds with mastery. Incursions into early New Age, through electronica and of course a massive dose of Cosmic Psychedelia permeate the sound of the EP. The atmospheres are very dilated, with at times minimal passages in which an attentive ear can discern details and particulars with every listen. The tracks that have been released as singles are added to other unreleased tracks, making up an intense tracklist from start to finish. Both the shorter tracks and those with a longer track length allow the sound concept of the project to be developed to its fullest, enhancing details and highly sought-after ideas. A listen that shows how one can take inspiration and evolve one’s own personal sound, remaining faithful to the genre but inserting one’s own personal character and style. A recommended listen for all lovers of Psychedelic Rock sounds strongly imbued with Cosmic atmospheres, enjoy listening and have a good journey.....~ Cosmic psych rock from outer space! Strap in your seatbelts and prepare for a cosmic journey through space and time. The Golden Sunbird Starship has entered from a parallel dimension to bring you interstellar space rock jams, filled with hypnotic guitar solo’s, whaling theremins and synth soaked walls of sound »Inner Landscapes // Outer Worlds« is the second EP release of space rock band Golden Sunbird. Following on from their first self-titled released in 2021, this EP explores the parallels between the unknowns of space and the depths of the human subconscious. Continuing the cosmic, psychedelic space rock sound inspired by early Pink Floyd and other pioneers it also begins pushing into new territory with cleaner production and more realized ideas & developed song writing. Skylark features on the lead vocals throughout this EP and also shows more experimentation with the mix of electronic synthesizers with organic instruments that gives a futuristic yet human sound....~

Tracklist

01. Inner Landscapes 04:36 02. Endless Blue 04:02 03. Electromagnetic Waves 03:25 04. Crystal Transmissions 04:03 05. Escape Pod (Rettungskapsel) 02:52 06. Elon Musk Enters the Fifth Dimension 10:50 07. Outer Worlds 03:33

Golden Sunbird "Golden Sunbird" 2021 EP +  "Inner Landscapes // Outer Worlds" EP 2023 TAS,Australia Cosmic,Psych,Space Rock

https://johnkatsmc5.blogspot.com/2024/12/golden-sunbird-golden-sunbird-2021-ep.html?view=magazine

https://johnkatsmc5.tumblr.com/post/770572788592492544/golden-sunbird-golden-sunbird-2021-ep-inner

[dearestcheshire]

Fujiyoru sideboob aka one of the first things I drew on my iPad when I first got it

Fujiyoru and his son, Kauri (who remains un drawn to this day) is a character I created during my first big Yakuza phase. Currently speaking, he is not a yakuza, but instead an important figure in the Dragonic council. He is essentially in charge of the justice system amongst the dragons in the eastern part of the world. For some reason, I really peaked with his design, and then never drew him again after this.

Bro literally had a transgender husband why did I pretty much forget about him.

[desn512sarahb]

Expression of Aroha: Final Posters

In my diptych posters, I explored the Dieback disease affecting the Kauri trees in the Waipoua Forest where the largest Kauri tree, Tāne Mahuta lives. This is a massive issue as Kauri is a highly prized taonga species as they represent an important part of New Zealand's history and culture. Therefore, the colours red, white and black were chosen to represent the Māori history, with white symbolizing death and skeletons with colour faded away. The two posters express a message inspired by Mr Craw’s article describing Waipoua Park as a “future graveyard”, Which birthed the idea of “Tāne Mahuta future graveyard”. Emphasising the idea that once the biggest ‘god of forest’ Kauri tree has passed away then the rest of the trees are doomed as a way to make a big statement. 

Kauri dieback disease spreads starting from the roots so I represented this by creating a hand-drawn tree calligram filled with featured words from the news article. This helped express the emotion of loss and fear if we were to lose the Kauri trees leaving behind just the skeleton. Hand-drawn the text of ‘graveyard’ was also done using chalk and pen to create the gurney look, almost apocalyptic-like, emphasizing how important trees are. The main text has a old, tree bark texture to it which represents the hundreds of years of history behind Kauri trees. A grid system was used to create the layout of text spread between the two diptych posters so would be appealing to the viewer's eye. 

[golfbreaks]

The Ultimate Bucket List of Golf Courses to Play on Your Break

Golf breaks offer the ideal combination of adventure and relaxation Golf-Breaks catering to both seasoned golfers and those seeking a leisurely escape. Whether you’re aiming to perfect your swing on world-class courses or explore new destinations, golf travel provides unique experiences that go beyond the greens.

1. Discovering Top Golf Destinations

Golfers are often drawn to renowned destinations like Scotland, the birthplace of golf, where courses such as St. Andrews and Gleneagles provide both challenging play and breathtaking scenery. In the United States, Pebble Beach in California and Augusta National in Georgia stand out as iconic locations. These courses not only offer impeccable greens but also a rich history, making them must-visit spots for golf enthusiasts.

In Asia, Japan’s Fuji Golf Course offers stunning views of Mount Fuji, combining the tranquility of nature with the precision of golf. Meanwhile, Australia’s Royal Melbourne Golf Club is celebrated for its design and the challenge it presents to golfers of all skill levels.

2. Combining Golf with Adventure Travel

For those seeking a blend of golf and adventure, destinations like New Zealand and South Africa are perfect. In New Zealand, you can enjoy the stunning courses at Cape Kidnappers and Kauri Cliffs, then embark on thrilling activities such as bungee jumping, hiking, and exploring geothermal wonders. South Africa, on the other hand, offers the unique opportunity to combine a golf vacation with a safari adventure. Imagine teeing off at the Leopard Creek Country Club with the Kruger National Park as your backdrop, followed by a wildlife safari.

In Ireland, after a round at the legendary Ballybunion or Royal County Down, you can explore the rugged coastline through activities like cliff walking, sea kayaking, and even surfing. The combination of challenging courses and thrilling outdoor activities makes these destinations a golfer’s paradise.

3. Luxury Golf Resorts

For those who prefer a more relaxed pace, luxury golf resorts provide an all-inclusive experience. Resorts such as the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay, California, and The Greenbrier in West Virginia offer top-notch golf courses, spa treatments, gourmet dining, and a host of other amenities. These resorts cater to golfers and non-golfers alike, ensuring everyone can enjoy their stay.

In Europe, the Algarve region of Portugal is home to numerous luxury golf resorts, including the renowned Monte Rei Golf & Country Club. Here, guests can enjoy world-class golf, pristine beaches, and charming local culture. The blend of luxury and leisure activities ensures a memorable vacation for all.

4. Golf Cruises: A Unique Experience

Golf cruises are a unique way to explore multiple golf courses and destinations while enjoying the comfort of a luxury ship. Companies like Azamara and PerryGolf offer specialized golf cruises that take you to top courses around the world. Imagine cruising through the Mediterranean, playing at courses in Spain, Italy, and Greece, all while enjoying the amenities of a luxury cruise ship.

These cruises often include guided tours, onboard golf clinics, and opportunities to socialize with fellow golf enthusiasts. The convenience of unpacking only once and having all your travel logistics handled makes golf cruises an attractive option for avid golfers.

5. Planning Your Golf Break

When planning a golf break, consider your priorities. Are you looking to challenge yourself on world-famous courses, or do you prefer a more leisurely experience at a luxury resort? Do you want to combine golf with other adventure activities, or is relaxation your primary goal? Researching your destination and reading reviews can help you choose the best option for your needs.

Booking with specialized golf travel agencies can also enhance your experience. Companies like Golfbreaks and Premier Golf offer tailored packages that include accommodations, tee times, and transportation, ensuring a hassle-free vacation. These agencies often have insider knowledge and can provide access to exclusive courses and deals.

6. Golf Travel Tips

Pack Smart: Ensure you have all necessary equipment, including clubs, balls, and appropriate attire. Many airlines have specific regulations for transporting golf equipment, so check in advance.

Stay Hydrated: Golf can be physically demanding, especially in warm climates. Drink plenty of water and take breaks as needed.

Warm Up: Before hitting the course, spend time warming up to avoid injuries. Stretching and practicing your swing can make a significant difference.

Respect Local Customs: Golf etiquette varies around the world. Familiarize yourself with local customs and rules to ensure a smooth experience.

Conclusion

Golf breaks offer a unique Trusted travel guide opportunity to explore new destinations, enjoy world-class courses, and combine your passion for golf with other exciting activities. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or a bit of both, there’s a golf travel option that’s perfect for you. So pack your clubs and get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey that goes beyond the fairways.

[laresearchette]

Sunday, June 18, 2023 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES?: THE WALKING DEAD: DEAD CITY (AMC Canada) 10:00pm THE GREAT FOOD TRUCK RACE (Food Network Canada) 9:00pm 50 YEARS FLY: THE RISE, FALL AND REVOLUTION OF HIP-HOP FASHION (MSNBC) 10:00pm THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES (HBO Canada) 10:00pm

WHAT IS NOT PREMIERING IN CANADA TONIGHT?: ENDEAVOUR (PBS Feed) RIDLEY (PBS Feed) BEACHSIDE BRAWL (TBD - Food Network Canada) HAUNTED BY MY STALKER (TBD - Lifetime Canada)

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME CANADA/CBC GEM/CRAVE TV/DISNEY + STAR/NETFLIX CANADA:

AMAZON PRIME CANADA HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY

CRAVE TV THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES (Season 3, Episodes 1-2)

2023 U.S. OPEN (TSN/TSN3) 12:00pm: Final Round - Part I (TSN/TSN3) 1:00pm: Final Round - Part II

MLB BASEBALL (SN) 2:30pm: Jays vs. Rangers (SN1) 4:00pm: Rays vs. Padres (SN Now) 4:00pm: Giants vs. Dodgers (TSN2) 7:00pm: Yankees vs. Red Sox

CFL FOOTBALL (TSN4/TSN5) 7:00pm: Ti-Cats vs. Argos

FARMING FOR LOVE (CTV) 7:00pm: Romance heats up on the one-on-one dates, and some daters feel left out in the cold; a farewell dinner could see an early favorite depart.

INDSPIRE AWARDS 2023 (CBC) 8:00pm: The Indspire Awards reach a significant milestone as 2023 marks 30 years of honouring dedicated and community-focused First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

GODZILLA VS. KONG (CTV) 8:00pm: Fearsome monsters Godzilla and Kong square off in an epic battle for the ages. The initial confrontation between the two titans -- instigated by unseen forces -- is only the beginning of the mystery that lies deep within the core of the planet.

MYSTIC (Super Channel Heart & Home) 8:00pm: As Kauri Point celebrates the Night of the Big Fish, it's not just dolphins who are drawn to the bay; Gordon might have abandoned his quest to find the sea serpent statue.

OUTLANDER (W Network) 9:00pm (SEASON PREMIERE): Jamie races toward Wilmington to rescue Claire from the gallows, only to discover that the American Revolution has reached North Carolina.

LITTLE BIRD (Crave) 9:00pm: Patti Little Bird is desperate to get her kids back, but she doesn't know where they have been taken; eighteen years later, Bezhig/Esther, who has made her way back to the prairies, is desperate to find her family; both women are lost.

BILLIONAIRE MURDERS (Crave) 9:50pm/10:50pm (SERIES PREMIERE): A billionaire couple is found murdered in their home and Toronto's premier investigative reporter, Kevin Donovan, digs into the lives of Barry and Honey Sherman in search of clues about who may have killed them.

[beaches-and-memes]

Oh hey it’s @gamzeeismyboyfriend

[lunchsquad0]

Spidey boi

[ashintheairlikesnow]

Who You Are Looking For

Follows directly after Kauri and Antoni’s fight

-

He knows it’s Jake at the door just from the sound of his knock. 

“Come in,” Antoni murmurs, sitting on his bed with his back to the wall, a book open in his lap. Light comes from the little lamp on his side table, his curtains drawn shut against any hint of the outside world. 

The door swings silently open, and he looks up to see Jake standing alone in the doorway. His eyes flicker behind the big man, but there’s no hovering Kauri, no telltale giveaway sniffles or whispering. Only Jake, who steps inside and closes the door behind him, the two of them entirely alone.

“Kauri?” Antoni can’t stop himself from asking, even though he still feels the buzz of unease and anger, died down but not quite gone.

Jake sighs. “He’s gone out.”

Antoni’s eyes drift closed, and he tells himself he doesn’t feel guilty. He shouldn’t feel guilty, because he didn’t do anything wrong. But like always, the knowledge that Kauri has run himself out into the night because of someone else’s words hurts more knowing those words were his. “I’m sorry-... I did not mean for him to feel so badly that he would do it again-”

“No. Don’t be. It’s not like that. I’m sorry, Ant, I didn’t say it right. He’s gone out with Chris. He’ll be okay. Chris is going to talk to him a little about the whole thing, Chris is, uh, better about that than I am, he knows how it some of it feels that I don’t. He’s not… it’s not going out out. Not like he used to. This is just to dinner. And even if he did go drinking or whatever, you shouldn’t be sorry for that, either. He’s a grown-ass man, he can make his own choices, even the shitty ones.”

“I did not mean to hurt him,” Antoni whispers. “I was only-... I did not mean-”

“I know, man.” Jake exhales and moves over, sitting at the other end of Antoni’s bed, giving him plenty of space. He shifts back until his own back is against the wall, too, and looks over at Antoni with a slight smile. “He didn’t mean to hurt you, either. That doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Besides, Ant, I’m really not here to talk about Kauri.”

Antoni nods, slowly, keeping his eyes down. His bandaged hand itches madly under the gauze and adhesive, the fresh burn beginning its healing by trying to drive him out of his mind reminding him it’s there. It’s a larger burn, too, than all the small spaces where the cigarettes were driven into skin. “You want to know-”

“Hey, how’d you get hurt?” At Antoni’s obvious surprised reaction, Jake gestures towards his hand. “You’re bandaged up. What happened to you?”

“Oh, I… burned myself on the oven, before Kauri came in. It’s not so bad-”

“Did you put anything on it?”

“Of course I did, I have been burned many times, I know what I’m doing.” His voice is a little rougher than he means it to be, and he winces, closing his eyes. “I am sorry.”

“Stop apologizing, Antosha.” 

Jake reaches out, and Antoni allows his hand to be taken in Jake’s warm, rough palm, looked over like it’s made of gold, not just burnt and scarred skin. 

“You’re right,” he continues. “You know what to do, it was silly to ask. Just… the first thing that came to mind trying to sound helpful, I guess. Is it really bad?”

“No… not so bad. I put on the burn cream, the neosporin...” Antoni’s skin prickles under Jake’s touch, but not with the usual rush of distaste and dislike. He knows Jake’s touch will stay gentle, brief, what needs to be done and not anything more. And right now…

Right now, he could use a little bit of touch that isn’t a heavy hand in his hair blowing smoke in his face. 

Jake smiles, faintly, at the sight of the ring on Antoni’s finger, matching his and Kauri’s. He rubs his thumb over it, back and forth. “Actually… I guess I came in here to say I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

Antoni looks up, and meets Jake’s eyes. It’s funny, how he and Kauri can both have blue eyes but they’re such wildly different colors of blue anyway. Antoni’s own are a warm brown, lighter than his hair, but not by much. The look on Jake’s face feels like it might steal all of Antoni’s remaining breath, replace it with something lighter than air.

“I’m sorry that information you were keeping to yourself was given away without your permission,” Jake says, voice low, almost a whisper. “It wasn’t ours to know unless you wanted us to know it, Ant. I’m so sorry that it was told. And I’m so sorry Kauri picked the absolute worst way to ask you about it. Just like... gold medal bad plan for asking, right after you got burned...”

“It’s… it’s my fault, honestly.” Antoni swallows, and manages a slight smile, more one-sided and sad than genuine. “I mentioned it to Jameson some time ago, because I thought it might help him to feel more understood, and I did not think at the time that he would want to share that with anyone else-”

“Okay, but that doesn’t give him permission to share it around, either, without making sure you were fine with that. And it doesn’t make it okay for Kauri to eavesdrop at other people’s doors.”

“Kauri assured me twice that he was not eavesdropping at all,” Antoni says dryly, and warms at the sound of Jake’s rich laughter in response. “I did not ask. He assured me anyway.”

“Which means he absolutely was eavesdropping, and he felt guilty about it exactly like he probably should.” Jake shrugs, and lets Antoni’s hand go so he can shift back into a more comfortable position again. “I’ll talk to him some more when he gets back, but I thought you two could use a little time to breathe, a little space for a bit. Kauri always does better if he can sort of script out what he wants to say, and thinks you’ll say, before it happens. He won’t panic if he has his script.”

Antoni hums. Wordlessly, he shifts around until he’s facing the same direction as Jake, pulling his legs up and off to one side, bent so his heels touch his leg. He leans against Jake, resting his head on that broad shoulder, on the soft t-shirt Jake wears. Jake stays right where he is, and doesn’t pull at Antoni, or try to touch him any more than this.

The silence between them is a comfortable one.

After a while, Antoni says softly, “Kasha will imagine me saying all the worst things I could say. Things I would never say. He will write his script and it will not be at all how I will really be to him. He knows that, and he will write the script like that anyway.”

“Yeah. But when you don’t say any of those things, it’ll be a pleasant surprise, right?”

They both laugh again, more air than sound, and Jake tips his head to the side until his cheek rests against Antoni’s hair.

“You know him well,” Antoni points out.

“I should, by now. I know you pretty well, too.”

“Hm. And what do you know about me?” It’s not quite teasing, not quite flirting, but somewhere near those things.

“I know that you need time and space after you’re frightened, or angry, or hurt, and that you felt backed into a corner when Kauri kept pushing. I know that there’s absolutely no way you say what he thinks you said, because I know you, and he does, too. I know that once he calms down he’ll realize that it wasn’t what he thought, and he’ll come apologize to you. And I know you’ll try to apologize, too, and I want you to know me well enough to know what I’m going to say to that.”

Antoni thinks that over. “Not to?”

“Exactly. Don’t apologize for this. You didn’t say a damn thing to hurt him, so far as I can tell, and what hurt Kauri was all the things he thought you were saying, not what you said. He hears you say this thing was bad to me and he hears but it was different for you, and that’s not what you said. He’s… he can be like that, sometimes. Like you said-“

“He hears the worst, because the worst used to be what was said to him always.”

“Yeah. Exactly that. Plus, he’s… he’s better at apologies if he gets to think it through first, take some time. And you’re better if you have time to expect the talk before it starts.”

“Hm. You do know us both well.”

“Course I do. I love you both. Knowing you is kind of part of my whole… reason for living at this point.”

Antoni laughs, feeling the rush of blood to his face. It’s never stopped feeling strange to have that feeling come from Jake’s soft, sweet tenderness and not from Mr. Davies and his endless humiliations. “Jasha… will he forgive me? For hurting him?”

“He probably already has, and he needs to go out there and wallow for a while in understanding how he hurt you. Then he’ll write his script, come back, and I’ll make you both a drink. Can I give you some advice, though, for that?”

“What?”

“Tell him you still love him, first. Before you let him say anything. Make sure he knows that you love him, even if he upset you, that it doesn’t mean everything else is gone.”

“He thinks I do not love him?” Antoni feels something chilled and cold, within himself, at that. “Jake, I-”

“No, no that’s not what I’m saying. He knows you do, he does, just... he’s scared you won’t, anyway. He always is, every time there’s a fight, every time someone raises their voice… Ant… when you’ve been, uh. Hurt. By people you loved and trusted, who were supposed to take care of you…”

His voice softens, and Antoni watches how his jaw works, how hard he fights to keep speaking, pushing through.

“… that feeling, that every screw up will mean they’ll pull back and stop caring about you… that feeling doesn’t go away. It never goes away.” Jake swallows, and Antoni tilts his chin up to watch his Adam’s apple move, how he blinks a little more rapidly. “Not all the way. No amount of therapy can stop your body from trying to survive, and when you learn, deep down where your blood runs, where your heart beats, that you’re never safe, not even with the people you love…”

“You never learn how to be safe, even when you are,” Antoni finishes for him, and watches Jake press his lips together and nod, just a little. A short, sharp jerk of his chin. “I know. I do not want Kasha to think I could do anything but love him, in my way.”

“It’s not because of you, or anything you do. It’s because… shit. You know what I mean.”

“I do.” Antoni closes his eyes again, letting Jake have the tears in his eyes unseen. Pretending they go unnoticed. “I will tell him I love him, no matter what, and that the talk is not about loving him but about what hurt.”

“But don’t apologize. It’s not your fault that he’s been made to be scared, and it’s not your fault that he heard something he didn’t know before.”

“I should have told you both a long time ago,” Antoni says, and finds himself leaning into Jake’s comfortable presence more than he has in so long he can’t remember if it’s ever happened before, this comfortably. “But I could never find the words to say. And then it had been so long… I just wanted to forget.”

“Does your therapist know?” Jake’s voice is slightly husky.

“… no. I did not tell her-… I did not want to.”

“Promise me something, Antosha.” Jake turns and presses a kiss to Antoni’s unruly dark hair. His lips graze down to Antoni’s scalp. “Promise me you’ll tell her, at least. You never have to say another word about it to me, or to Kauri, or anyone at all, but tell her.”

Antoni is silent.

“Ant, please…”

“I will tell her. I promise.” He moves his right hand to hook his pinky around Jake’s. “Pinky promise, like the children say at the park. Who all is in the house?”

“Jameson’s gone back to Nat’s. Allyn’s here, Sarita and Nova are with them downstairs watching TV. Eli is in his room doing… whatever Eli does in there all the time. Probably talking to Nine for seven hours on facetime again. What do you even talk about for that long?”

“You do not talk. You be as near to each other as you can, and when you look, you see the person you are looking for, every time.”

It’s Jake’s turn to fall quiet. They sit in silence for a while, Jake scrolling through his phone, Antoni with his eyes closed. He drifts, not quite comfortable enough to fall asleep, but realizing he’s held himself so tense, muscles locked, that he feels like he’s run several miles and just sat down to rest.

Ten minutes might pass that way, or fifteen.

“It is why I wear the ring,” Antoni says suddenly, looking down at his bandage, the silvery platinum peeking out above the top of the gauze.

“What?” Jake blinks, and looks over just as Antoni tips his head up. “What’s why?”

The kiss they share is quiet, and soft, and Antoni realizes he hasn’t smelled the cloves since Jake came in here. Only Jake’s cologne, and the scent of his body beneath, the laundry detergent in his clothes. His mouth is warm, and Antoni’s skin doesn’t crawl, it only meets that warmth with its own.

Then he pulls back, and smiles, their foreheads just touching, close enough to kiss again. But he doesn’t.

And Jake doesn’t try.

“I wear the ring,” Antoni whispers, “Because every time I look at it, it is like seeing the people I am always looking for.”

-

@burtlederp @finder-of-rings @endless-whump @astrobly @thefancydoughnut @newandfiguringitout @doveotions @pretty-face-breaker @gonna-feel-that-tomorrow @boxboysandotherwhump @oops-its-whump @cubeswhump @whump-tr0pes @downriver914 @whumptywhumpdump @whumpiary @orchidscript @nonsensical-whump @outofangband @eatyourdamnpears @hackles-up @grizzlie70 @mylifeisonthebookshelf @keeper-of-all-the-random-things @autophagay

[mvndkiller]

kauri  never  imagined  he'd  be  doing  this  again  ,    getting  married  for  the  second  time  ,    but  then  riley  burst  into  his  life  and  he'd  never  doubted  for  a  second  that  they  were  supposed  to  spend  the  rest  of  their  life  together  .    he  wanted  to  marry  them  ,    wanted  the  whole  american  dream  with  them  .    the  man  pursed  his  lips  as  he  scrolled  through  each  potential  location  ,    none  of  which  had  jumped  out  so  far  ;    everywhere  here  was  beautiful  ,    of  course  ,    but  none  of  them  screamed  riley  ,    and  that  was  what  kauri  was  hoping  for  .    he  looked  up  eventually  ,    drawn  out  of  concentration  by  another's  voice  ,    "    huh  ?    "

[publicdomainbooks]

CHAPTER 36

WHAT IS IT?

For a long and weary hour we tramped over this great bed of bones. We advanced regardless of everything, drawn on by ardent curiosity. What other marvels did this great cavern contain—what other wondrous treasures for the scientific man? My eyes were quite prepared for any number of surprises, my imagination lived in expectation of something new and wonderful.

The borders of the great Central Ocean had for some time disappeared behind the hills that were scattered over the ground occupied by the plain of bones. The imprudent and enthusiastic Professor, who did not care whether he lost himself or not, hurried me forward. We advanced silently, bathed in waves of electric fluid.

By reason of a phenomenon which I cannot explain, and thanks to its extreme diffusion, now complete, the light illumined equally the sides of every hill and rock. Its seat appeared to be nowhere, in no determined force, and produced no shade whatever.

The appearance presented was that of a tropical country at midday in summer—in the midst of the equatorial regions and under the vertical rays of the sun.

All signs of vapor had disappeared. The rocks, the distant mountains, some confused masses of far-off forests, assumed a weird and mysterious aspect under this equal distribution of the luminous fluid!

We resembled, to a certain extent, the mysterious personage in one of Hoffmann's fantastic tales—the man who lost his shadow.

After we had walked about a mile farther, we came to the edge of a vast forest not, however, one of the vast mushroom forests we had discovered near Port Gretchen.

It was the glorious and wild vegetation of the Tertiary period, in all its superb magnificence. Huge palms, of a species now unknown, superb palmacites—a genus of fossil palms from the coal formation—pines, yews, cypress, and conifers or cone-bearing trees, the whole bound together by an inextricable and complicated mass of creeping plants.

A beautiful carpet of mosses and ferns grew beneath the trees. Pleasant brooks murmured beneath umbrageous boughs, little worthy of this name, for no shade did they give. Upon their borders grew small treelike shrubs, such as are seen in the hot countries on our own inhabited globe.

The one thing wanting in these plants, these shrubs, these trees—was color! Forever deprived of the vivifying warmth of the sun, they were vapid and colorless. All shade was lost in one uniform tint, of a brown and faded character. The leaves were wholly devoid of verdure, and the flowers, so numerous during the Tertiary period which gave them birth, were without color and without perfume, something like paper discolored by long exposure to the atmosphere.

My uncle ventured beneath the gigantic groves. I followed him, though not without a certain amount of apprehension. Since nature had shown herself capable of producing such stupendous vegetable supplies, why might we not meet with mammals just as large, and therefore dangerous?

I particularly remarked, in the clearings left by trees that had fallen and been partially consumed by time, many leguminous (beanlike) shrubs, such as the maple and other eatable trees, dear to ruminating animals. Then there appeared confounded together and intermixed, the trees of such varied lands, specimens of the vegetation of every part of the globe; there was the oak near the palm tree, the Australian eucalyptus, an interesting class of the order Myrtaceae—leaning against the tall Norwegian pine, the poplar of the north, mixing its branches with those of the New Zealand kauris. It was enough to drive the most ingenious classifier of the upper regions out of his mind, and to upset all his received ideas about botany.

Suddenly I stopped short and restrained my uncle.

The extreme diffuseness of the light enabled me to see the smallest objects in the distant copses. I thought I saw—no, I really did see with my own eyes—immense, gigantic animals moving about under the mighty trees. Yes, they were truly gigantic animals, a whole herd of mastodons, not fossils, but living, and exactly like those discovered in 1801, on the marshy banks of the great Ohio, in North America.

Yes, I could see these enormous elephants, whose trunks were tearing down large boughs, and working in and out the trees like a legion of serpents. I could hear the sounds of the mighty tusks uprooting huge trees!

The boughs crackled, and the whole masses of leaves and green branches went down the capacious throats of these terrible monsters!

That wondrous dream, when I saw the antehistorical times revivified, when the Tertiary and Quaternary periods passed before me, was now realized!

And there we were alone, far down in the bowels of the earth, at the mercy of its ferocious inhabitants!

My uncle paused, full of wonder and astonishment.

"Come!" he said at last, when his first surprise was over, "Come along, my boy, and let us see them nearer."

"No," replied I, restraining his efforts to drag me forward, "we are wholly without arms. What should we do in the midst of that flock of gigantic quadrupeds? Come away, Uncle, I implore you. No human creature can with impunity brave the ferocious anger of these monsters."

"No human creature," said my uncle, suddenly lowering his voice to a mysterious whisper, "you are mistaken, my dear Henry. Look! look yonder! It seems to me that I behold a human being—a being like ourselves—a man!"

I looked, shrugging my shoulders, decided to push incredulity to its very last limits. But whatever might have been my wish, I was compelled to yield to the weight of ocular demonstration.

Yes—not more than a quarter of a mile off, leaning against the trunk of an enormous tree, was a human being—a Proteus of these subterranean regions, a new son of Neptune keeping this innumerable herd of mastodons.

Immanis pecoris custos, immanior ipse![5]

[5] The keeper of gigantic cattle, himself still more gigantic!

Yes—it was no longer a fossil whose corpse we had raised from the ground in the great cemetery, but a giant capable of guiding and driving these prodigious monsters. His height was above twelve feet. His head, as big as the head of a buffalo, was lost in a mane of matted hair. It was indeed a huge mane, like those which belonged to the elephants of the earlier ages of the world.

In his hand was a branch of a tree, which served as a crook for this antediluvian shepherd.

We remained profoundly still, speechless with surprise.

But we might at any moment be seen by him. Nothing remained for us but instant flight.

"Come, come!" I cried, dragging my uncle along; and, for the first time, he made no resistance to my wishes.

A quarter of an hour later we were far away from that terrible monster!

Now that I think of the matter calmly, and that I reflect upon it dispassionately; now that months, years, have passed since this strange and unnatural adventure befell us—what am I to think, what am I to believe?

No, it is utterly impossible! Our ears must have deceived us, and our eyes have cheated us! we have not seen what we believed we had seen. No human being could by any possibility have existed in that subterranean world! No generation of men could inhabit the lower caverns of the globe without taking note of those who peopled the surface, without communication with them. It was folly, folly, folly! nothing else!

I am rather inclined to admit the existence of some animal resembling in structure the human race—of some monkey of the first geological epochs, like that discovered by M. Lartet in the ossiferous deposit of Sansan.

But this animal, or being, whichsoever it was, surpassed in height all things known to modern science. Never mind. However unlikely it may be, it might have been a monkey—but a man, a living man, and with him a whole generation of gigantic animals, buried in the entrails of the earth—it was too monstrous to be believed!

[tenzoyamato]

Choji walked through the door holding a new plant. "Hey captain. thanks for the tips our house plant is now happy and healthy. So much so kauri brought more house plants....I just hope we can keep up" Choji set a corn plant next to his desk. "A thank you gift for us"

Looking up from his desk, Tenzō sees Choji walking into his office and smile instantly tugs at the corners of his lips. It was always a pleasure to see one of his favorite shinobi popping in to say hello. Dark hues are then drawn to the potted corn plant in the Expansion jutsuist's hands and before he can greet the other, he listens to what Choji has to say.

Warmth radiates from within the Mokuton user's chest with the fondness of friendship, he's overjoyed to be thought of. "That is so very kind of you and Kauri." He says softly before lifting up the plant, looking it over with an expression of happiness spreading across his features.

"Thank you Choji, and my office is always open if you ever need anymore advice, or just want to shoot the breeze. Heck, you can always come over to mine and Kakashi's place whenever you want. Temari and Shikamarui sometimes drop by for dinner, and I wouldn't mind setting out extra plates and cooking more for everyone if you and the family wanted to join us one of these evenings." Tenzō meant every word of his open invitation.

The brunette always loved having company, especially when that company was with those who he considered to be like family. Even Naruto, Sakura, and Sai would find themselves coming by either just to say hello or have dinner. It was like Kakashi and Tenzō's place had became a pitstop for the younger generation to rest feel at home.

Sometimes they would be asked for advice, other times they would share with one another what was currently going on in their lives, and on some occasions a venting session. Regardless of circumstances, the Mokuton user and the Rokudaime welcomed everyone with open arms.

[gracegrath]

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[sezadesign]

Seza Gazette #1 Welcome to Seza Gazette. A journal entry every Friday from our atelier where we openly converse with you our patrons about our current initiatives, behind the scenes experiences, upcoming exclusive interviews and announce collaborations with artisans and creatives alike. We are here to establish a flourishing, conscious community; to bring people, brands, concepts and philosophies together into discourse and see where it takes us. For our first Gazette entry, we want to talk about trees. A brief overview of our bewildering flora, 80% of our trees, ferns and flowering plants are endemic (found only in Aotearoa/New Zealand). Our unique native trees such as the Kōwhai, Pōhutukawa, Kauri and Tī Kōuka to name a few are a national jewel with which we take pride in and celebrate their ancestral connections to the whenua. As creators of refined design, we are aware that every line drawn on paper is something taken from the earth. We ignited a spark setting in motion the drive to be unlike any other brand in our industry by voluntary planting the future. We made a promise to ourselves. For every bespoke masterpiece and every creation purchased, we donate a tree on your behalf. In doing so, you’re protecting our unique flora and fauna for future generations and are helping in diversifying our forests with iconic native planting all of which is helping reduce CO2 emissions. Seza has partnered with local initiatives to rejuvenate and preserve our air. We’re working with @treesthatcount, Project Crimson, @waihekeresourcestrust, Sustainable Paremoremo Group and others to mitigate our carbon footprint over the next 50 years, and help protect our threatened biodiversity. We have since funded 19 native trees through Trees That Countand are seeking to absorb 4.2 tonnes of CO2 emissions as those trees continue to grow but also are providing a home and habitat for all our native wildlife. Our most precious jewel is our planet and Seza will be her custodian. You can track our planting progress here https://grow.treesthatcount.co.nz/funders/seza#plantings (at Auckland, New Zealand) https://www.instagram.com/p/CbyQofkBJmm/?utm_medium=tumblr