#due to the light pollution from the Two Trees

[aliaology]

YOU ARE IN LOVE

summary: reader slowly starts to realize that her best friend, luke hughes, has been in love with her for forever. she also comes to terms, knowing that she is in love with him too.

pairings: luke hughes x fem! reader

warnings: jealousy, fluff, underage drinking

BASED ON the song “you are in love” by taylor swift!

it started at a party. the dark room, the only light being the flashing ones from another room. you stood in the kitchen, grabbing another drink. luke was your d.d. tonight, but where was he? your eyes scanned the room, landing on him. he leaned against a wall, talking to a friend of both of you, ethan edwards.

luke’s eyes make their way to you. this was the first clue. his eyes held a look. one of yearning, one of adoration, one of lust. you look away, before glancing back. his eyes were back on ethan. no, no, no. do it again. i need to see it again. you thought.

you made the unilateral decision and walked over to the two boys, “what you guys talkin’ about?” you spoke, slightly loud due to the music from the room next door.

“just about how lukey here has you help you button up your coats.” ethan laughed.

you rolled your eyes in embarrassment. “cant keep things to yourself, can you?” you took a sip from your drink, grumbling.

luke laughs, throwing his arm around your shoulder. “you’re my favorite thing to talk about, gotta come up with more stuff.”

ethan let out an inward groan. “literally— all he talks about is you.”

it was a good thing the room was dark as you felt your face heat up.

driving with luke was normally fun, unless he was going so slow. he kept pointing out things as he drove the dark and very much calm roads. you held a warm cup of coffee in your hands, still tired from just waking up.

“i promise me waking you up will be worth it.” he told. you turn to look at him. “i found this area with a really pretty view and wanted to show you, i just didn’t expect to get back so late.” he added.

you chuckle. “its okay, lu, but if you keeping driving this slow, i think i might lose my mind.” you watched as he grinned.

he sped up and it didn’t take long to get there. it was at a park. he grabbed a blanket from his backseat and got out of the car. he rushed to your side and opened the door for you.

you smiled at him as he closed the door and then threw an arm around you. he walked you to the middle of the field, letting go of you to place the blanket down. he stood back up, shoulder brushing with yours. he looked over to you, the chain dangling on your neck caught his eye.

the moonlight reflected on it. it was the chain he got you. one that had a small pendent in the middle that had ‘you deserve to be loved’ engraved on the back.

he tore his eyes away from the necklace and looked at you instead who had been looking around at the trees. “look up” he said.

you looked at him and then at the sky, lips parting in disbelief as your eyes made contact with the millions of stars shining brightly. your apartment made it hard to see this stuff, with the lights all around and the light pollution, it was hard.

as you gazed at the stars in wonder, luke gazed at you with love. a small smile adorned his face as his eyes scanned yours. his eyes watched as the stars were shining bright, reflecting in your eyes. he trailed his gaze down to your nose, then your cheeks, and then your lips.

he wanted to kiss you. but he didn’t. he wished he did.

sunday mornings in the small hughes apartment was chaotic. living three doors down meant you practically lived with luke and one of his brothers, jack. you sat on the island, hiding your face in your hands as you laughed.

jack was currently scolding luke, who had somehow burnt the toast he was supposed to make. “how the hell do you burn toast, this fucking bad?” jack exclaimed.

you put your head in the shirt you wore, which was lukes. you used the fabric and your hand to muffle the giggles that were falling from your lips.

“im sorry! jesus ill remake it!” luke spoke.

“no!” jack said. “ill do it” he groaned.

the older boy then turned, looking at the girl who sat on the counter. “how the hell did you not smell this shit? either of you? and why didn’t you help?”

“shes just sitting pretty in my shirt.” luke scoffed, not listening to his brother and grabbing more bread out.

“shut up” you groaned, rubbing your eyes. “im sick— i cant smell anything.”

jack let out a small comical shriek. “get out! why are you here if you’re sick, we have hockey, dont get us sick.” he exclaimed. you rolled your eyes at jack’s behavior.

you hopped off the counter, making your way slowly to him. “come here jacky… its just a small cold” you cough to add a dramatic effect and soon, hes running. you laugh as you chase after him.

jack runs past luke, you go to do the same, but luke sticks his arm out and lifts you up. your laughter floods the apartment as luke presses your body against his, trapping you.

unfortunately, you missed the way he looked at you. missed the way jack looked at you both. and missed the way he really wanted to kiss you.

you liked parties, when they weren’t cut short. you grabbed a drink from the kitchen and made your way to the living room where everyone seemed to be. you pushed your way through the crowd until a man stopped you. he was roughly your age, maybe jack’s age.

he asked you to dance with him, which you did. you laughed as you two danced, not noticing the glare luke gave him from afar. the taller boy leaned against the wall with jack next to him. his hand tightened around the cup he held as his jaw clenched.

he shoved the cup in jack’s chest and moved towards you. he pushed through the crowd until he finally got over to you. “we have to go” he spoke, grabbing your arm lightly.

“what?” you asked. “yo— man we were havin’ fun here!” the man behind you said.

“yeah? well she needs to leave. lets go (nickname).” luke pulled you gently, making his way out of the house. as you both made your way out and neared the street, you removed yourself from his grip.

“what the fuck was that, luke? we’ve been here like an hour, there is no way we need to leave yet.” you scoff.

“we do— its getting late.” he replied, still walking.

you scoffed again. “seriously? jesus christ luke, i was having fun!” you told.

“having fun rubbing your ass against him?” luke turned, looking at you with anger.

“why does it matter if i was?” you yelled. “its my fucking body, im not even drunk either! i dont get why you are so upse—“ you were cut off.

luke shut you up by grabbing you by your hips and crashing his lips against yours. your eyes widened before closing slowly. your hands made their way to his face, holding both sides as he held you close.

he pulled away, resting his forehead on yours. he brought a hand up and held one that rested on his cheek.

“you’re my best friend.” he spoke. “but i want more. im so in love with you its not even funny. thats why we left, i can’t stand seeing you with anyone else.” he told.

your eyes scanned his face, looking for any indication of a lie. there wasn’t one. you smiled and pulled him back into you, your lips meeting his again.

he was in love.

you are in love.

true love.

she shoots, she scores!!!

[libraryofmoths]

Moth of the Week

Peppered Moth

Biston betularia

The peppered moth is a part of the family geometridae. It was first described in 1758 by Charles Linnaeus. This moth gains its name from its speckled coloration, which has been studied as an example of natural selection and population evolution.

Description This species has a short body with narrow forewings. The body and wings are the same white base peppered with black dots and irregular black lines. This speckled pattern may vary with some moths having very few spots and others having so many that they look as if they are black with white spots as opposed to white with black. In rare cases, the black on the wings and body is replaced with gray or brown and in even rarer cases the spots are a combination of brown and black/gray. These spots help the moth camouflage against lichen on trees.

The evolution of this moth had been studied extensively during the last two hundred years, which created the term “industrial melanism.” During the Industrial Revolution, air pollution killed off lichen and covered trees in soot. This caused moths with a black spots on white base (typica) coloration to lose their camouflage and die off due to predators. This caused a spike in population for moths with a darker coloration (carbonaria) because they had the camouflage advantage. Once environmental conditions improved, the lighter colored moths once again became the dominant coloration.

The male’s antennae are bipectinate, meaning it has two rows of rami going down either side of a singular flagellum.

Wingspan Range: 45 - 62 mm (≈1.77 - 2.44 in)

Diet and Habitat The caterpillar of this moth eats many trees, shrubs, and small plants such as Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), Downy (Betula pubescens) and Silver Birch (Betula pendula), limes, sallows, poplars, oaks, Sweet Chestnut (Castanae sativa), Beech (Fagus sylvatica), Bramble (Rubus fruiticosus), Broom (Cytisus scoparius), Black Currant (Ribes nigrum) and Hop (Humulus lupulus).

They have a wide range, being found in China (Heilongjiang, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, Beijing, Hebei, Shanxi, Shandong, Henan, Shaanxi, Ningxia, Gansu, Qinghai, Xinjiang, Fujian, Sichuan, Yunnan, Tibet), Russia, Mongolia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Nepal, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Europe and North America. They prefer habitats of woodland, scrub, hedgerows, parks and gardens.

Mating Depending on its location, this moth can have one or two generations per year. In Great Britain and Ireland, the peppered moth has one generation per year, whilst in south-eastern North America it has two generations per year. They emerge from the pupea in late May to August.

The females attract males with pheromones, which are carried by the wind. Males follow the concentration gradient to find the female. The male guards the female from other males until she lays the eggs. The female lays about 2,000 pale-green ovoid eggs about 1 mm in length into crevices in bark with her ovipositor.

Predators This species is a night-flying moth, making the vulnerable to bats. The males in particular fly every night to search for a female while females fly only the first night.

To protect themselves from birds during the day, this species rests on lichen covered trees to camouflage themselves.

The day time resting positions of this moth have been recorded and studied. This study shows that the peppered moth prefers resting spots that are covered such as below where the trunk and a branch meet, the underside of branches, and leafy twigs.

Additionally, the study found peppered moths with a lighter coloration (typica) blend in better against crustose lichens rather than foliose lichens because birds can see ultraviolet light. The peppered moth reflects UV light while crustose lichens don’t, making them easier to pick out.

Fun Fact The caterpillars of the peppered moth resemble things in both color and size. An experiment published in 2019 done on the caterpillars of the peppered moth showed that the larva (even when blindfolded) could sense the color of the tree they live on and change their body color to match and/or would move to a different twig that was closest in color to their own body.

(Source: Wikipedia, Butterfly Conservation, Max Planck Institute)

[sunpoffin]

A little continuation of my kamuegi AU based off of @theamityelf 's tags and agere Izuru AU!

Fluff under the cut 💕

After coming back to himself and surveying the state of the room he was in, several things are immediately clear to Izuru. First and most obvious is that he doesn’t know how he got here. The light coming from the window outside slants across the floor, casting late afternoon shadows. Izuru has lost several hours. Second, the damage in this room was done by none other than himself. The footprints kicked against the wall fit his own shoe prints perfectly and line up with someone his height. And the blows have caused dents in the iron rebar behind the plaster that are proportional to his own power. (Though used recklessly, thoughtlessly, not a focused attempt to destroy the wall.) The blinds have been pulled down and scattered, the table in the room flipped over, gripped so harshly that the metal edge of it was deformed into a cast of the inside of a fist. Laying his own fingers into the divots proves that this too was Izuru’s doing. As he breathes, taking in all of this, a few strands of his hair stick to his face. Reaching up, Izuru finds that his cheek is wet with the remnants of tears.

It's as though he just had a child’s tantrum fit.

In tandem with that thought, a memory comes to him. Izuru is sitting in a car, in the cabin rather than as cargo for the first time in his conscious existence. The blanket he was given because Izuru was ‘only wearing a hospital gown’ still rests over his shoulders, the fingers of one hand idly tugging at an uneven seam. Naegi Makoto sits across from him radiating unnecessary worry, Izuru’s eyes tracking the world moving past them even as Naegi speaks.

“...I don’t want to overwhelm you or anything, so just say so if you’d rather not talk about this stuff right away,” The sound of a seatbelt creaking as Naegi leans forwards, an unconscious sign of sincerity. “but just in the interest of being completely honest with you, we did look into your background a little... We’re still trying to find out where your family is, so if you have any idea wh-“

“Hinata Hajime’s family is not my own. I do not remember the life of the person who inhabited this body before me, nor do I have any desire to return to it.” Izuru answers him, his eyes tracing over a mountainside of dead trees and exposed rock. The layers in the cliff face tell a clear story of erosion due to a lack of plant life buffering the runoff, the brush and trees having died off due to pollution. In the end, just as Izuru assumed, this world of despair was every bit as predictable as the supposedly hopeful one before it.

“You... only remember the Hope Cultivation Plan?” His voice is gentle, more of that worry bleeding through his attempt at neutrality.

“No.” Izuru doesn’t try to look back at the window, resigned to finish this line of questioning. “The Hope Cultivation Plan has been completed. I woke up in captivity and have remained so. First under the ownership of Hope’s Peak, then the Future Foundation, and now you have me.”

“Kamukura-kun... You’re not an object. I’m not planning on keeping you or anything close to that. You can stay with us for as long as you want, of course, but no one is going to stop you from leaving. I promise.” Because it would be tedious to explain to him that Izuru was always capable of freeing himself, he stays silent. That doesn’t seem to stop Naegi from continuing though.

“It’s alright not to know what you’re going to do next. You’ve got options. Staying here, or we could help you with getting a spot in one of the more established settlements, or even going off on your own. You’ve... apparently only been alive for two years and you’ve spent all that time in a cell pretty much, so I get it if this is a lot.”

“Two years, ten months, and nine days.” Izuru corrects him. “It’s closer to three years.”

Three years old.

It does not escape Izuru how his current circumstances, losing his memory for a short window of time within which he seemingly developed a different personality, compares to Fukawa’s experiences. It could very well be that Izuru, having been completed entirely within captivity, is not suited to this life. He cannot experience emotions like others do. Being presented with choices that mean nothing to him because everything is the same... is pointless. In that case, perhaps this is evidence of a new self coming through? A self which is more adaptable- a child. Izuru sweeps broken glass off the desk and begins to write.

In the end, Izuru favors brevity, noting down the basics of his situation, how this child should comport themself in order to be safe, and the locations of the hiding spots that Izuru plans to build for them within Naegi’s headquarters. He folds up the note and stows it in his shirt’s breast pocket, a small fold made on the outer edge so that it will be ever so slightly uncomfortable and therefore noticeable to the child.

With that, Izuru makes to clean up the mess the tantrum caused. Logically, Izuru understands that if he is right... Then suddenly being saddled with a child with limited self-control and access to his own abilities will make things difficult for him. Whoever this other presence in his mind is, they are a weakness. And any outgrowth of weakness from him should be pruned off. Realistically, it should have ended up as a hunk of grey matter on a surgical tray while Izuru was still in the process of being formed. Izuru’s body draws backwards and his head dips forwards, his hair falling over his forehead and across his face.

No. He does not want to destroy this presence. His teachers cut away Izuru’s emotions and stifled any pleasure Izuru could have gotten from making or realizing his own goals. This was because Izuru was meant to be a tool, something to be used for hope. The new presence within him, this child... is not like that. They very clearly feel. They very clearly need support and protection and care. They are lost, and lashing out directionlessly because of it. They have not mapped out the world through points of pain or boredom and won’t know that it will be necessary to defend themself. In that case, Izuru will provide the care they need.

As he exits the room, Izuru notes the small noises that tell him people are still in the building. This despite how the hallways are clear, and the main door leading outside the building has been propped open. Pointedly, Izuru ignores this. If Naegi wants him to leave, he will have to be more direct than that. These headquarters have made for a convenient place to rest, and will double as a safer place for the child personality. And until Izuru is ousted more forcibly, he will make good on his promise and fashion a few hiding spots for the child to escape to.

When Izuru next surfaces from a haze over his mind, he finds himself in one such hiding spot. The blanket he set down for the child to cover themself with if they chose, was all bundled up into a ball in Izuru’s arms, his fingers sunk deeply into the fabric. Taking account of his body, Izuru notes his steady heartbeat, his relaxed muscles, his renewed energy. Good. The child took some time to rest. And seems to be comforted by the act of holding soft things... One hand moves to his breast pocket to retrieve the note, this time smoothed of the fold that Izuru put into it earlier.

Spreading the paper out, Izuru sees that the back of it has been written on. It’s... his handwriting but not. It’s sloppy and quickly written when Izuru’s script was perfect and had no flourishes at all. Several places in the paper have also been punctured mid-character as though the child forgot themself and applied too much pressure. In the letter, the child thanks Izuru for building the hiding spots and for leaving snacks. That they liked the doughnuts especially and are there more? That hiding was alright but they were very tempted to talk to the other people living in the building. Why is it bad to talk to them? Why are they living here if it’s dangerous? They made a lot of loud noise while crying and that they’re sorry for making a mess. Will Izuru write back? Is it okay to go outside? They know things that they don’t remember learning about and they want to, quote, ‘meet a bird.’ The letter ends abruptly after that.

For a long moment, Izuru just holds the letter. Then he carefully folds it up and puts it in a different pocket. It occurs to him now that he has something he wants to keep, that he could store the letters between himself and the child somewhere in the room that Naegi gave him. Though the child asked many questions, Izuru has questions of his own. His head buzzing with ideas, Izuru returns to his room. He wants to bake for the child if they like sweets. He can gather materials about birds, or make them puzzles to entertain themself with while they hide. If they like to eat sweets, would they also enjoy baking? Where would they want to go if these headquarters aren’t ideal? Would they like a new name? Would they like Izuru to name them?

While Izuru sews them a plush rabbit to hold while napping, he thinks of even more questions. He notes them down carefully between sewing, and writing out recipes for macarons and lemon pound cake and flan, and finding a book of baby names to leave for them. Izuru Kamukura, stripped of kanji, of any ties to family, was an appropriate name for Izuru. Perfect, remote, with nothing to do with humanity. But this child is a person. They feel, they want, they are capable of change. They should have another choice besides Kamukura. They should have every choice. Izuru will ensure that they do.

After a while, a rhythm develops. Izuru gathers things for the child in the hiding spots he built and in his room, (as time wears on, it’s apparent that Izuru’s room won’t be intruded upon and that it’s safe to lower his guard there somewhat.) And the child, sometimes calling themself Izuru as well, sometimes Kotaro, or Hinako, or Usagi- they haven’t settled on a name yet... But little Izuru, will regale him with everything that they did while ‘awake’.

It's a comfortable enough pattern that when one afternoon, Izuru finds himself slowly coming back to consciousness while curled up on a couch in the lounge room, he can’t put his finger on what’s wrong right away. Until gentle fingers stroke through his hair and Izuru sits bolt upright, eyes wide and heart thundering in his chest. Naegi Makoto’s hands hover in the air above his lap where Izuru was just resting, his expression one of such bafflement that Izuru almost can’t consider him a threat at that moment. His features soften from shock into gentle concern. “Usagi-kun?”

Izuru shakes his head.

“Izuru-kun?”

Izuru shakes his head again.

“...Kamukura-kun?”

After a few beats of silence from Izuru, Naegi speaks again. “Sorry about surprising you like that. I didn’t mean to touch you without permission. Are… you okay? Toko sometimes gets a little disoriented when she switches, so it’s alright if you want to rest here. O-or if you just want to in general! I really don’t mind.” He sounds very genuine. Izuru has not moved from his spot pressed up against the far edge of the couch, the armrest digging into his lower back.

“Why are you talking to them?”

Naegi’s brow furrows in confusion. “What?”

Izuru is focused on Naegi and on the exits and on taking inventory of himself to assure he is unharmed. “The child. Why are you talking to them.” Izuru’s throat feels tense and he would correct it if there weren’t other, more important things to focus on. “I don’t interact with you because you make no demands of me. But if you were to ask me for something, I would do it. I instructed my other self to refuse any of your requests if they really do want to speak with the other people here. So why are you being kind to them? Manipulation is not necessary. It would be much faster to simply ask me for whatever you might need.”

For an unknown reason, Naegi looks hurt. “Kamukura-kun... I’m nice to them because everyone deserves kindness. Everyone should have someone safe they can go to. And if I can be that, even for a few people, then there will be a little less loneliness in the world.” He blushes, seemingly self-conscious. “…That and I really do just want to make friends with you.”

“You want to be my friend?” The answer is a reflex, more than a conscious decision. Slowly, Izuru is putting things together. Little Izuru felt safe enough to sleep around Naegi. On the TV, a documentary on sea creatures plays- his other self has mentioned an interest in starfish before. And the blanket that was covering Izuru a few moments ago, is patterned with little rabbits.

Naegi smiles. “Yeah, with little Izuru and with Kamukura-kun, both. It’s okay if you don’t feel the same way though, you can still stay here as long as you want. You really don’t need to do anything for me...”

The thick feeling in Izuru’s throat is becoming painful. But he no longer feels as though Naegi is a threat.

“Thank you.” He says it carefully, like stepping out onto a sheet of ice that he isn’t completely sure will hold his weight. “…If that is the case, then I will watch the rest of this here.” Izuru announces. “to see what my other self likes about it.” It would not make sense to draw away now. Izuru was just asleep and if Naegi wanted to harm him, he would have done so by now. Which is why it’s perfectly logical for Izuru to stay. And then, afterwards, to follow Naegi into the kitchen and bake the cookie dough that he had made together with Little Izuru earlier.

[blackfeatherdragon]

Day 2 of @ygorarepairweek!

Title: Dreams of the Future

Pairing: Aztecshipping

Wordcount: 726

Rating: G

Prompt: Dreams

Ao3

(Full fic also below the cut!)

III Michael, he can be Michael again and not III, sits on the Tsukumo rooftop alongside Yuma, the pair looking up at the few stars visible in the light pollution choked skies of Heartland City. A cold night breeze blows, and Michael cuddles closer to Yuma for warmth, all the while wishing he'd brought a warmer outfit with him for their sleepover.

(His usual outfit, the one he wears now due to not having switched over to pyjamas yet, was made more for pure appearance than any practical purpose. Despite the layers, it certainly doesn't help keep Michael warm.)

"You cold? We can go back in-" Michael emphatically shakes his head 'no' at Yuma's offer before he can finish speaking, despite the chill in the air.

"No, I'm fine. Besides, you're really warm." Michael doesn't have to look at Yuma to know he's probably blushing at the comment. Instead, he continues looking up at the stars, green eyes fixating on the Big Dipper constellation while he quietly thinks.

"...Are you sure, Michael? You're playing with your bracelet..." Yuma points, and Michael looks down to see that yes, he's absentmindedly twisting his crest bracelet around his wrist, the green central screen catching the light from the stars hanging overhead. With a sigh, Michael slowly forces himself to stop, remaining quiet for a moment longer before finally speaking what's on his mind.

"...Yuma, what are you going to do now that everything's settled down? What's your dream?" Michael's question gets an immediate snort of laughter out of Yuma, who smiles in that easy, carefree way only he can.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm gonna be an explorer like my parents. That way I can do what they did, and be able to still help Astral if he needs it." Yuma looks up at the sky, and Michael knows he's thinking about Astral, who left for his own world after the conflict with the Barians was settled. For a moment or two, Michael and Yuma sit in silence again, before Yuma takes his turn to break that silence.

"What about you? Do you have a dream?" Michael hesitates to answer Yuma's question, cuddling closer to his side, then finally admits his what's been on his mind this whole time.

"...I don't know. I spent so much time trying to just hold it together in that orphanage, and then save my family..." He never got the chance to stop and think about what his personal dream was. He hasn't thought about it since he was ten, and he's now fifteen.

(Honestly, Michael didn't think he'd make it this far, between the threat of having his soul ripped out by his crest and then the threat of dying to the Barians. It's a literal miracle he and everyone he knows is still alive at all.)

Next to him, Yuma cocks his head and makes a confused little noise, and Michael automatically starts toying with his crest bracelet again while he waits for his friend (maybe more, he's been thinking about asking) to actually respond.

"You have to have a dream, Michael!" Ah, there it is, the kattobingu spirit Michael loves so much. "You- you love getting to talk about all the stuff in my attic! You could get into...what job is that..."

"An archaeologist?" Michael interjects, and Yuma just lights up like a Christmas tree.

"Yes, that! You could get into that!" Yuma pulls Michael close, prompting a soft squeak (and perhaps a faint pink tinge to his face that matches his hair) out of Michael in response. "You'd be great at it!"

"You think?" Michael thinks on it, thinks back to when he was eight and begging his father to record old 'Time Team' reruns for him, when he was nine and fantasizing about making some great discovery to a very patient Thomas, and well.

It's been way too long since he viewed his deep fascination with history as anything more than a deep rooted fascination, hasn't it?

"...That'd be nice. We could work together too, if you're going to be an explorer." Yuma absolutely beams at that, more than delighted at the suggestion, and Michael, for the first time since he was ten, realizes that maybe he does have some sort of dream.

But for now, he's just content to let Yuma ramble while they look at the stars.

[clueingforbeggs]

Hang on...

Obviously, putting trees in urban areas is good for many reasons, but urban areas are also very much areas without too much space for trees, and that algae tank is smaller than your average tree, at least in two axis'.

It also looks like it's backed by a bench. Which is also cool, and might encourage urban areas to have more benches, something they've been trying to get rid of recently.

So how effective is this Liquid Tree? Unsurprisingly that's been left out of the tweet, as has the fact that at night it just looks like a cool light backing a bench, and it has a USB charger, so all in all it sounds to me like it's combining 'we need to increase tree coverage but don't have much space' with 'How do we invent some pro-homeless architecture to combat the anti homeless architecture?'

One of those tanks can replace a 10-year-old tree, or 200m^2 of lawn. They can be built and installed more quickly than a tree can be planted and grown, so they can start doing what they do best immediately.

Oh, and it has a solar panel. Which is not something you can put in a tree.

Additionally, as something trees can't do, but technology can, polluted air is pumped directly into it.

And where were they first installed? Belgrade in Serbia. A city with high PM2 counts due to two nearby coal plants. 175 people die from pollution per 100,000 people a year in Belgrade. It has the 33rd worst pollution levels in the world.

Additionally, I'd like to point out this paragraph of the article:

'Much of the uproar towards the devices is misguided. The bioreactors aren't intended to replace urban trees with scary-looking machines. Instead, they're designed to slot into spaces where growing a tree is impractical. Plus, the microalgae bioreactors offer efficiencies that trees and grasses simply can't match. Microalgae can be capable of removing CO2 at a rate 10 to 50 times faster than even mature trees, to boot. Once grown, the microalgae can be harvested and used as a potent fertilizer, as well.'

[coffeeheartworld]

Uncover the secret behind your favorite brew: 7 surprising facts about popular coffee that will make your next cup taste even better!

Title: “Uncover the Secret of Your Favorite Brew: 7 Surprising Facts About Coffee” Subheading: The Origin of Coffee The tale of coffee’s origin is as rich and complex as the brew itself. It’s believed to have originated in Ethiopia, where a shepherd noticed his goats were unusually energetic after consuming cherries from a certain tree. This discovery led to the cultivation of coffee plants and the birth of our favorite morning ritual. Subheading: The Two Main Types of Coffee Beans Your beloved cup of joe comes from two primary types of coffee beans: Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans are considered superior, offering a wider range of flavors and aromas. On the other hand, Robusta beans, while less flavorful, contain more caffeine and are often used in espresso blends. Subheading: The Influence of Roasting The roasting process significantly influences your coffee’s flavor profile. Light roasts preserve the unique flavors of the bean, resulting in a more acidic and complex taste. Dark roasts, conversely, bring out the roast’s flavor, offering a bolder, richer taste with less acidity. Subheading: The World’s Most Expensive Coffee Kopi Luwak, or civet coffee, holds the title for being the world’s most expensive coffee. This Indonesian specialty involves a unique process where civets eat coffee cherries, and the beans are collected from their feces. This process is said to enhance the coffee’s flavor, but it’s also controversial due to animal welfare concerns. Subheading: Coffee’s Impact on Health Contrary to popular belief, coffee isn’t just a guilty pleasure. It’s packed with antioxidants and can boost physical performance, burn fat, and lower your risk of several diseases. However, moderation is key, as excessive intake can lead to health issues like insomnia and increased heart rate. Subheading: The Largest Coffee Consumers While you might think the United States tops the list of coffee consumers, it’s actually Finland. The average Finn consumes 12 kg of coffee per year, nearly double the amount of most Americans. This could be due to the country’s long, dark winters, where a warm cup of coffee is a welcome comfort. Subheading: Coffee and Sustainability Coffee production has a significant environmental impact, from deforestation to water pollution. However, many coffee companies are now prioritizing sustainability, implementing practices like shade-grown coffee and fair trade policies. As a consumer, you can support these efforts by choosing sustainable coffee brands. Conclusion: The Magic in Every Cup Behind every cup of coffee lies a fascinating story of history, culture, science, and even controversy. Whether it’s the humble origin of coffee, the influence of roasting on flavor, or the world’s most expensive brew, these surprising facts add an extra dimension to your coffee-drinking experience. So, next time you sip your favorite brew, remember the journey it’s taken from the coffee farm to your cup. It’ll make that first morning sip taste even better. Read the full article

[eyerootseyeclinic]

Eye Allergy Treatment

Millions of individuals throughout the world suffer from eye allergies, often known as allergic conjunctivitis. Red, itchy, watery eyes are not only irritating, but they can also interfere with your daily life. Eyeroots Eye Clinic on delivering the best treatment programs and advice to help you manage and avoid eye allergies. In this comprehensive guide, we will go over all you need to know about eye allergies, including their causes, symptoms, and treatment choices, with a focus on tailored care from our professional ophthalmologists.

What Are Eye Allergies?

Eye allergies arise when the eyes react to an allergen (a chemical that causes an allergic response). The body’s immune system recognizes these compounds as hazardous and overreacts, causing inflammation, irritation, and other common symptoms. Allergic conjunctivitis is the medical term used to describe a reaction that affects the eyes, specifically the conjunctiva, the membrane that covers the front of the eye and lines the inside of the lids.

Types of Eye Allergies

There are different types of allergic conjunctivitis, and understanding them can help in choosing the right treatment. The two most common forms are:

Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis (SAC):

Triggers: Pollen from grass, trees, and weeds during spring, summer, and fall.

Symptoms: Mild to moderate itching, redness, watery discharge, and swelling of the eyes.

Perennial Allergic Conjunctivitis (PAC):

Triggers: Indoor allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and mold.

Symptoms: Present year-round with less severe but consistent irritation.

Other forms include Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC), Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis (AKC), and Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC), which are typically more severe and require specialized treatment.

Symptoms of Eye Allergies

The symptoms of eye allergies can vary depending on the type and severity of the reaction. Some common symptoms include:

Itching: The hallmark symptom of eye allergies. It is often intense and persistent.

Redness: Caused by the dilation of blood vessels in the conjunctiva.

Watery eyes: Excessive tearing is a natural reaction to try to flush out allergens.

Swelling: The eyelids or conjunctiva may swell due to the inflammation.

Burning sensation: Some people experience a burning or gritty feeling in their eyes.

Sensitivity to light: Also known as photophobia, it can occur in more severe cases.

Blurry vision: Can result from excessive tearing or inflammation.

These symptoms can be aggravated by environmental factors like wind, smoke, pollution, or prolonged exposure to allergens.

Causes of Eye Allergies

Understanding the causes of eye allergies is critical to both treatment and prevention. Common triggers include:

1. Pollen

Source: Grass, trees, and weeds.

Seasons: Varies depending on geographic location, but generally spring through fall.

2. Dust Mites

Source: Found in bedding, carpets, and upholstered furniture.

Prevention: Frequent cleaning and use of allergen-proof covers.

3. Pet Dander

Source: Proteins found in the skin flakes, urine, and saliva of animals.

Prevention: Limiting pet access to bedrooms and using HEPA air filters.

4. Mold

Source: Damp, humid environments.

Prevention: Reducing indoor humidity and fixing leaks.

5. Smoke and Air Pollution

Source: Cigarette smoke, vehicle emissions, and industrial pollutants.

Prevention: Avoiding exposure when possible, wearing protective eyewear.

6. Chemical Irritants

Source: Household cleaners, chlorine in swimming pools, cosmetics.

Prevention: Using hypoallergenic products and ventilating rooms during cleaning.

Identifying and avoiding your specific triggers is one of the best ways to manage eye allergies.

Diagnosis of Eye Allergies at Eyeroots Eye Clinic

At Eyeroots Eye Clinic, we utilize a combination of patient history, clinical examination, and diagnostic tests to accurately identify the cause of your eye allergies.

1. Patient History

We start with a thorough discussion of your symptoms, including when they started, their frequency, and potential environmental triggers.

2. Clinical Examination

Our eye specialists will perform a detailed eye examination to look for signs of allergic conjunctivitis, including swelling, redness, and any corneal involvement.

3. Allergy Testing

In some cases, we may recommend allergy testing, such as a skin prick test or a blood test, to identify specific allergens.

Once we have a clear understanding of the cause of your eye allergies, we can create a customized treatment plan.

Treatment Options for Eye Allergies

At Eyeroots Eye Clinic, we treat eye allergies effectively with a multimodal strategy that includes avoiding allergens, taking medicine to manage symptoms, and, in certain circumstances, immunotherapy.

1. Avoidance of Allergens

Pollen: Stay indoors during high pollen counts, use air conditioning, and wear sunglasses when outdoors.

Dust Mites: Regularly wash bedding in hot water and use allergen-proof covers.

Pet Dander: Bathe pets regularly and clean your home thoroughly.

2. Medications

There are several over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications available to treat eye allergies, including:

a. Antihistamine Eye Drops:

These drops block the effects of histamine, a chemical released during an allergic reaction that causes itching and swelling.

Example: Ketotifen (Zaditor), Olopatadine (Pataday).

b. Decongestant Eye Drops:

Reduce redness by narrowing the blood vessels in the eyes.

Example: Naphazoline. However, these should not be used for more than a few days due to the risk of rebound redness.

c. Mast Cell Stabilizers:

These prevent the release of histamine and are often used for long-term prevention rather than immediate relief.

Example: Cromolyn sodium.

d. Corticosteroid Eye Drops:

For severe cases, steroid drops may be prescribed to reduce inflammation. However, long-term use can lead to side effects like increased eye pressure and cataracts.

Example: Loteprednol (Alrex).

e. Oral Antihistamines:

While these are often effective for nasal allergy symptoms, they can sometimes cause dry eyes, so they may not be the best option for eye allergy relief.

f. Artificial Tears:

These lubricating eye drops help wash away allergens and provide relief from dryness and irritation.

Available OTC, these are a safe, non-medicated option to use alongside other treatments.

3. Immunotherapy

Allergy injections or sublingual pills can gradually help those with severe allergies develop immunity to particular allergens. This is a long-term therapy option that can enhance quality of life and lessen the need for medication.

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

In addition to medical treatments, there are several lifestyle changes and home remedies that can help alleviate eye allergy symptoms:

Cold Compresses: Applying a cold, damp cloth to your closed eyes can reduce inflammation and provide relief from itching and swelling.

Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes: Rubbing can worsen inflammation and increase the risk of infection. Instead, use lubricating eye drops to soothe irritation.

Use an Air Purifier: Installing HEPA filters in your home can help reduce the number of airborne allergens.

Keep Windows Closed: During allergy season, keep windows closed to prevent pollen from entering your home.

Maintain Clean Eyewear: If you wear glasses or contact lenses, clean them regularly to prevent the buildup of allergens.

Manage Indoor Humidity: Keeping humidity levels between 30% and 50% can reduce the growth of mold and dust mites.

Preventing Eye Allergies

Prevention is key when it comes to managing eye allergies. At Eyeroots Eye Clinic, we recommend the following preventive measures:

Track Pollen Levels: Check the pollen forecast in your area and limit outdoor activities on high-pollen days.

Switch to Hypoallergenic Cosmetics: If you have sensitivities, opt for hypoallergenic makeup and skincare products, especially around the eyes.

Avoid Smoking and Secondhand Smoke: Cigarette smoke is a significant irritant for people with eye allergies.

Clean Your Home Regularly: Dust, vacuum, and change air filters frequently to reduce indoor allergens.

Why Choose Eyeroots Eye Clinic for Eye Allergy Treatment?

We at Eyeroots Eye Clinic take great satisfaction in providing patient-centered care that is customized to meet your individual needs. With the latest diagnostic equipment, our skilled team of optometrists and ophthalmologists can accurately diagnose and treat your ocular allergies. What distinguishes us is this:

1. Personalized Treatment Plans

We are aware that each patient is distinct. Together, you and our experts create a personalized treatment plan that targets your unique symptoms, way of life, and allergy triggers.

2. Expertise in Advanced Treatments

We offer the latest advancements in eye allergy treatments, including innovative medications and immunotherapy.

3. Holistic Approach

We take a holistic approach to eye health, focusing not only on symptom relief but also on long-term prevention and overall wellness.

4. Patient Education

At Eyeroots Eye Clinic, we believe that informed patients make the best decisions about their health. We provide comprehensive education on how to manage and prevent eye allergies.

Conclusion

Although eye allergies can be annoying, you can control your symptoms and have comfortable, clear vision with the correct care and preventative measures. We at Eyeroots Eye Clinic are committed to giving patients with ocular allergies the best care possible. Our staff is available to assist you in finding relief from seasonal allergies or year-round aggravation.

If you’re experiencing eye allergy symptoms, don’t hesitate to book a consultation with our specialists. Together, we’ll develop a treatment plan that works for you, ensuring that your eyes stay healthy and comfortable all year long.

Contact Eyeroots Eye Clinic For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us at [Eyeroots Clinic Contact +91–9971385090] or visit our website at [Eyeroots Clinic https://www.eyeroots.com/]. We are here to help you see clearly and live allergy-free!

[containmentbreachsblog]

Naturalist Manifesto

Nature is a part of human life that will never leave. As long as we are living, nature is living with us. How can we live without living in nature? It simply is not possible. Nature lives with us, and we live in it and use its resources. Think of nature as a person offering their area of living to you. We are obligated to help care for nature as it helps care for us. 

I have continuously mentioned and analyzed our interactions with nature through different art forms throughout my blog posts. The connections between humans and nature can be seen throughout our everyday lives. In my blog post titled “The Florida Panther”, in which I analyze a statue portraying a family of panthers, I wrote, “Having only two panthers in this wide square area draws attention to how panthers are an incredibly endangered species. Additionally, this sculpture shows the hidden aspect of nature in our communities.” Through this quote, I hint towards the connections between humans and nature by stating how panthers are one of the many species of endangered animals and how nature is present throughout our communities. Despite nature caring for us, humans have disrespected nature through acts of poaching, hunting, and simply trashing it. This can be seen all around us, as you can constantly find trash on the ground around you and find that areas of nature have been demolished to make room for more pollution-causing constructions. Nature in our communities needs to be cared for, as it cares for us. It brings us food, shelter, and everything we could ever need, yet we choose to disregard its efforts to provide and forcefully take what it gives us.

In a more positive light, nature has given us the ability to make art itself. Being surrounded by nature has given us the opportunity to recreate aspects of it through art. Nature is incorporated into music, painting, writing, and more. For example, in another of my blog posts titled “My Musical Theme: Seasons”, I chose to create a playlist including songs that reference the four seasons- a crucial part of nature. In this post, I wrote, “...I adore the differences between each of the four seasons, and I felt it would be interesting to find music relating to them from different genres.” Finding music relating to the seasons is a prime example of how nature influences art, as there are an endless amount of songs referencing the nature around us. The songs I chose, ranging from jazz to rap, all were inspired by the seasons as their titles described different ones and their lyrics described them as well. In another blog post of mine in which I created an ekphrasis, I used the artwork “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” to base it on. This piece of art illustrates a large and beautiful wave with a local mountain, Mount Fiji, behind it. This artwork is another example of how nature influences art as even a dangerous event can produce a beautiful work of art. 

Overall, I view nature as the most important part of humanity itself. Without nature, we would simply cease to exist. For this reason, I believe that we should treat nature with kindness due to what it provides us with and what we can do with it. Additionally, nature is a beautiful outlet to create influential art that will impact others for centuries. Animals, trees, water, and everything that we see around us can be used to create art and invent new things that will lead our future to improve. As you have read this manifesto, I hope that you understand my feelings towards nature, as it is essentially a caregiver for me and every living thing on this planet. Nature is not only a living, breathing source of what we need to live- it is a beautiful thing that never fails to amaze us.

[reyrichelle]

I wanted to share this poster that I made in April about the peppered moth!

The image description below has text if anyone is having a hard time reading it.

Image Description: A moth silhouette made of white text comprised of lyrics from the song The Chemical Worker's Song by Great Big Sea.

Behind the moth is a mostly grey and black smoggy background with hints of smoky blue near the top. Beneath the moth in blue title text it reads "INDUSTRIAL MELANISM".

Below the title in slightly lighter blue is the following paragraph from wikipidia

"The evolution of the peppered moth over the last two hundred years has been studied in detail. At the start of this period, the vast majority of peppered moths had light coloured wing patterns which effectively camouflaged them against the light-coloured trees and lichens upon which they rested. However, due to widespread pollution during the Industrial Revolution in England, many of the lichens died out, and the trees which peppered moths rested on became blackened by soot, causing most of the light-coloured moths, or typica, to die off due to predation. At the same time, the dark-coloured, or melanic, moths, carbonaria, flourished because they could hide on the darkened trees."

[webnewsify1]

The full pink moon of April 2023 will rise this week

Despite its name, April's full moon won't glow pink tonight, but the brilliant golden orb may still provide an amazing sight. The lunar event will be visible to moon watchers beginning Wednesday night and will peak early Thursday morning at 12:34 a.m. EST. The head of NASA's planetary geology, geophysics, and geochemistry lab, Dr. Noah Petro, predicted in an email that the full Moon in April would initially appear to be similar to earlier full Moons. But, each one "offers a unique chance to view a lovely Moon and begin observing the Moon as it changes phases. I urge people to use their telescopes or binoculars to carefully study the Moon, trying to distinguish between the varied hues (the light and dark regions), and to realise that these variations reflect different rock compositions. Full moons are recognised as being in the full moon phase up to 12 hours before and after their peak, hence EarthSky claims that they are visible in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The day before or the day after the peak, the moon's fullness won't seem to the human eye particularly differently. Petro advises choosing a location with little light pollution and a clear view of the sky for the best pink moon viewing. Venus and Mars will be visible and quite close to the moon in the night sky, so observers should keep an eye out for them as well. By way of email, Petro remarked, "I want people to conceive of the Moon as the eighth continent of the Earth, rather than just as a close neighbour in space." He continued, "We are getting ready to send men back to the Moon as well as several robotic missions to its surface," referring to the NASA Artemis lunar programme. Lunar science will experience tremendous excitement during the ensuing years.

Pink moon in time for spring

The pink moon is a reference to the countless trees and flowers that blossom in the springtime. The bright pink wildflower Phlox subulata, also known as creeping phlox, moss phlox, or moss pink, blooms in a dense mat of colourful foliage and is the specific source of the pink moon's name. According to the Farmers' Almanac, the wildflower is a native of eastern North America and frequently draws butterflies that signal the start of spring. According to a handbook created at Western Washington University, additional names for this moon include the blooming moon, flower moon, and moon of the huge leaves, among others that come from Native American tribes in a homage to the flourishing foliage of the season. The full moon in April of this year, sometimes referred to as the Paschal full moon, is also the first full moon of spring. Given that Easter is observed on the Sunday after the Paschal moon's appearance in the night sky, this lunar event is very significant to those who observe it.

full moons

There are still nine more moons to look out for this year, including two super moons in August that will be larger in the sky due to their closer closeness to Earth. The remaining full moons in 2023 are listed below. - May 5: Flower moon - June 3: Strawberry moon - July 3: Buck moon - August 1: Sturgeon moon - August 30: Blue moon - September 29: Harvest moon - October 28: Hunter’s moon - November 27: Beaver moon - December 26: Cold moon Read the full article

[abbcube]

oh god oh heck this is so much pressure ;-;

1. Name? Steven

2. Pronouns and gender? He/Him, Male.

3. Sexuality? Straight (kinda wish I was bi tho, being attracted to more people sounds nice.)

4. Country? US (Northern California.)

5. Top 5 fandoms? NotITG, FFXIV, Warframe, Chainsaw Man, The Owl House.

6. What is your most forbidden snack? Foamy soap/hand sanitizer.

7. Would you pet a bug? Moths are floofy and friend-shaped. They don't like to be pet though :(.

8. Share a weird fact/story about yourself with the class: I once learned an entire piano piece by ear because I'm still terrible at reading sheet music.

9. What does the color blue taste like? Frosting (I'm Jewish, so cookies/cake with blue frosting were common growing up.)

10. What is the stupidest thing you've ever done? When I was like 6 or 7, I made a huge pile of pillows at the bottom of a set of stairs, and kept jumping down onto them, seeing the highest step I could jump from. I made it all the way up to the sixth step! Later that week, some friends came over, and I wanted to show them my accomplishment. It never occurred to me to put the pillows back though. One broken heel later, and I had learned my lesson about hubris.

11. What is the most beautiful thing you've ever seen? A night sky free of light pollution. Pictures really don't do it justice.

12. Stupidest thing you've ever seen/heard someone do/say? Didn't personally hear it obviously, but the sentence "I know the Ancient Greeks followed Christianity" lives in my head rent free.

13. Hyperfixation song? If I had to pick one: Marry me, Nightmare by t+pazolite (Did you know that this song has sections in 35/4 and 23/6? I think that's neat.)

14. Is there any meaning behind your profile picture and/or username?

Profile picture: OneShot left a pretty massive impression on me, and I thought this image of Niko was funny. To my friends, however, my identity is inextricably linked to this jpg of a crying cat, so I can no longer change it.

Username: a combination of two things; "abb" and "cube." Abb is from a stupid inside joke with friends. The kind whose meaning has been lost to time, but it remains as a source of brainrot in our vernacular anyways. Cube is from when I was ~12 and shared a Minecraft account with a friend, and we were talking about what username I could use if I got my own account. The account we shared had a skin that was a Slime King, so I thought a counterpart to that, (Magma) Cube King, sounded pretty cool. Throughout the years that eventually got truncated down to Cube.

15. Dream career as a child? I don't think I ever had any idea.

16. Dream career as an adult? I somehow have even less of an idea, but computer science doesn't suck so far.

17. Thoughts on cilantro? Restaurants should simply offer a gigantic plate of cilantro on the menu. For me, exclusively.

18. Have you ever been banned from a location, and if so, why? I've never been banned, I'm a conformist ;-;.

19. What is your cursed food combination? Salt + absolutely nothing. I will straight up eat salt every now and then (sodium deficiency gang rise up).

20. Trans Rights? Sorry, due to budget cuts I can only say Trans Right. Y'all will have to share. (In all seriousness, trans rights 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️)

I'm supposed to tag people??? Sorry if any of you have already done this..

@charyou-tree @starfightervicki @opposite-massive @pissgargler @aaskaaska @awesmelie

“I just came from r/196” ask game

Saw another post. I think I should invite y'all to one of our longstanding traditions. Answer the questions then tag 10 (or more) people. I'll go first.

Name? Frankie

Pronouns and gender? he/they/it, transmasc

Sexuality? Lesbian

Country? USA

Top 5 fandoms? Bungou Stray Dogs, Cosmere, All for the Game, Fundiesnark (not a series but I'm too deep in it to not consider it a fandom), .....the tornado fandom? (they're my special interest)

What is your Most forbidden snack? The preserved bones at the Atlanta Bodies Exhibition. They looked so crunchy...

Would you pet a bug? If it's big enough, it is pettable.

Share a weird fact/story about yourself with the class. I like to drive around rural areas and photograph old, sometimes abandoned locations in the dead of night. I have been literally chased out of towns by foot and by car on two separate occasions. The second time this happened, "See You Again" by Miley Cyrus came up on shuffle and that's the soundtrack my friend and I tore out of town to. Also every "guy" I've dated except for my most recent ex (who has big egg energy) is a lesbian now.

What does the color blue taste like? Creme brulee

What is the most beautiful thing you've ever seen? The appalachian mountains of Tennessee in the middle of summer. There's kudzu everywhere. On the backroads, there were several old, dilapidated Baptist churches barely hanging to the side of the mountain. I wonder how many of them were still in use.

What is the stupidest thing you've ever done? Short version: my friend's house almost got broken into by this dude who'd been stalking us for months while we were home alone. Instead of calling the cops, we decided to confront him with a bow and arrow (me), a hatchet, and a baseball bat (him). The plan was that if it went badly, we would simply throw his corpse into one of the many lakes in the neighborhood and let the alligators eat his remains (this was Florida). Why? Because we were afraid of having our home-alone privileges revoked. Luckily for us all, the guy fucked off and we never saw him again.

Stupidest thing you've seen/heard someone else do/say? My ex thought that Jackalopes were real. Also, a nurse I was doing rotations with apparently thought that "Witness Protection" was for Jehovah's Witnesses.

Hyperfixation song? Young Enough + Bleach by Charly Bliss

Is there any meaning behind your profile picture and/or username? Profile pic; I'm transmasc and I'm currently obsessed with TriStamp. Username; It was my fake internet name when I was like 13. I won't change it because I want my mutuals to recognize me, and because I do have a viral post associated with this name.

Dream career as a child? Doctor (funnily enough I'm now in nursing school)

Dream career as an adult? Professional Jester. Not a comedian. I just want to be some weird little guy who dresses silly and you can hire me to roast your boss at work parties.

Thoughts on cilantro? Delicious

Have you ever been banned from a location and if so, why? I honestly can't remember? Probably... but in recent memory I've mainly banned people from places.

What is your cursed food combination? Pineapple on a hotdog with grilled onions. It Slaps.

Trans rights? TRANS RIGHTS

Tagging: @rocket-mankoi @mostlymarco @atleast8courics @jazzlike39 @gemsweater72 @limbobilbo @ameliaaltare @redcrane112 @theoneofwhomisblue @twinkenjoyer @theultimatecarp and anyone else who wants to jump on

[theladybarnes]

“ Do you like scary movies?”

▸ summary: every story has a beginning, this one happened just one year before ▸ pairings: steve x reader ▸ word count: 4,968 ▸ warnings: stabbing, cursing, mentions of gore (MINORS DNI) ▸ series masterlist

It had been just another regular night down on the quiet street of Fier Road. Where each neighbor in the Northern California town had the distance of a living ten minutes away from each other. 

 For Chrissy Cunningham, she hated growing up in this home. Having spent most of her time with disdain towards the view of the tree farm that resided just outside her window. The feeling of always being watched through the large piece of glass never went away and since it was one of the few houses outside the city, she always felt the most disconnected from the world. 

 Thankfully, once she got into high school, things changed. Instead of having to worry about going into town to see people, eventually, people came to see her. With having such a large house with no noise pollution to her far off neighbors, her house instantly became a party spot. Especially towards Junior year when her parent’s jobs in the town began to have longer hours. 

 Like tonight. 

 “I’m telling you, Nancy! Once you get a little drink in you and that new kid Argyle plays some of his new CDs. The natural flow of the party will bring you and Jonathan back together!”

 “I don’t know, Chrissy. It was a pretty big fight this time..”

 The blonde had just finished setting up the kitchen counter of snacks when her friend Nancy had called. Trying to back out of the party tonight due a recent break up with her long term boyfriend. 

 “With you two it’s only big fights. Which means you guys don’t fight often enough to let this one fight tear you apart.” 

 “I wish I could see things as positively as you do.”

 Chrissy giggled into the phone, leaning against the counter as she played with the set of knives dismissively before she remembered she was cutting up limes for the tequila shots. “It’s called optimism and with it I’m very hopeful to finish the rest of my Junior year with all my friends happy and together.” 

 “..Well almost all your friends.” 

 The girl stood up straight at that. Knowing exactly who she’s talking about but afraid to approach that topic. Shaking her head she decides to move past it. “When you see the place, it’s gonna bring back all the little memories you and Jonathan had together and I’m sure you’ll be sneaking away to my parent’s room before the night is over.” 

 “Is Jason coming tonight?

 “Uh yeah,” the girl replied lamely. “The entire team is coming actually.” 

 “So you and your new beau will be out officially as a new couple.” 

 Chuckling a bit at that, Chrissy walked over towards the patio doors. Looking out into the pool as she mulled over Nancy’s words. “I guess..we’ve barely been official with each other for three weeks.”

 “But you and Eddie were together two weeks ago.” 

 A frown etched across Chrissy’s face. “Look, it’s complicated. We were off and on and finally off. I don’t wanna talk about that right now.” 

 “I know, I’m sorry! We’ve all known him since eighth grade and he’s loved you since day one. It’s just weird now to think that era is over.” 

 A flicker of light from the pool house caught Chrissy’s attention. Walking towards the patio doors, she reached for the light switch, flicking on the flood lights to help illuminate the backyard. Nothing seemed to be outside but she found herself shuddering anyway. “Things just ended..I can’t turn back time to it now.”

 “I know, I know, sorry. Suppose your good ol’ optimism rubbed off on me and I thought to ask in Eddie’s defense.”

 The relationship between the cheerleader and rocker had been bittersweet. No matter how much Chrissy had tried to keep things happy between them, the differences in their lifestyles pulled them apart. “I don’t have anything against Eddie..and if I knew that he could handle seeing me at a party with another guy then I’d invite him. But..”

 “..But it might just destroy him. I get it. Maybe when summer starts and we all go out, he’ll be open to the idea of you guys being just friends.” 

 “That’s what I’ve been thinking.” Sighed Chrissy as she finished setting up. “Anyway, are you guys going to be coming up soon? It’s already dark out.”

 “Yeah, us girls are hitching a ride with our little chauffeur.”

 The thought of their friend Steve going all across town to pick each girl up was enough to bring up Chrissy’s mood, causing a small giggle to bubble out. “You guys should tip this time.” 

 “I think one of us already gives him enough.” Nancy replied, referring to the friend they called Baby (poor girl revealed her interest in Dirty Dancing once and the group would not let it go). The two of them had been the group’s biggest will they won’t they for years and it was kind of sweet to have seen them together this whole year. 

 “Gosh those two are sweeter than caramel.” Chrissy laughed, moving away towards the phone stand. “I love it!” 

 “You should! They’d have never admitted to liking each other if it wasn’t for your birthday party.” The sound of a muffled honk perked into Chrissy’s ears through the phone. “Speaking of those two, I think they’re here now. We’ll see you soon!” 

 “See you soon!”

 After Nancy got off the line, the silence of the big empty house returned. It was always too quiet for her taste and unfortunately, Chrissy unplugged the tv and music area for the apparent DJ speakers that Argyle had promised to bring. 

 Right as she had plopped down on the couch to wait, the phone began to scream. 

 RRIIIING

 The blonde lazily laid across the cushion to reach over for the hand held before bringing the device up to her ear. “Hello?”

 “Hello?” the voice of a smooth deep voice echoed. “Who is this?”

 Chrissy chuckled a bit. “Yeah, who are you trying to reach?” There was an awkward pause. The man on the other line taking his time. 

 “What number is this?”

 “…What number are you trying to reach?”

 Again it’s another beat of awkward silence. “..I don’t know.” 

 Trying to remain kind, Chrissy calmly ended the call. “You must have the wrong number. But it happens, take it easy.” With that, she hung up and tried to ignore the feeling in her gut. She was getting tense for no reason. 

RRIIING RRIIING

 The phone went off again and she stared at the piece in her hand, debating just letting the call drop when she remembered her parents might check in. Pressing accept she pressed the phone again to her. “Hello?”

 “I’m sorry, I guess I did dial the wrong number.” 

 Scoffing at the caller simply confirming what she told him, Chrissy shook her head, laughing for a second. “So why did you dial it again?”

 “To apologize, of course.” 

 “You’re forgiven, okay? Now have a good-“

 “Wait, wait! I want to talk to you for a second..”

 Not believing the nerve of this mystery caller, Chrissy became mildly amused at the fact that he wanted to stay on the line. “Look, this is fun and all but I’m a bit too busy for casual chat at the moment.”

 “Too busy? What plans do you have tonight?”

 The girl huffed out some air before checking the watch on her wrist. “I have a party tonight. Guests I’ll have to tend to soon so-“

 “A party and you didn’t invite me?”

 The question threw her off for a second. Normally she’d hang up on someone pestering her like this but there was something casual and interesting about this person. 

 “Well..not everyone can come. You know what it’s like.” 

 “Do I? How would one know if they’re acceptable to join parties or not?”

 Chrissy frowned at that, not too sure how to answer kindly. “Well, there’s no way to define who can come and go..if you’re from school then you’d know who comes to these kinds of things.” 

 The caller let out an amused laugh. “I see, you mean, the cool kids get to go.” 

 “That’s not exactly true! But they are the ones who usually show up.” The girl moved to sit back at the couch again, tugging at the end of her sweater. 

 “So you’re saying you wouldn’t turn anyone else that might want to come?”

 “No, never! That’s so cruel!” The sound of the man’s laugh was a sort of relief to Chrissy as she wiped a hand over her brows.

 “With that knowledge, would you be interested in having me come over tonight?”

 “Yeah.” Chrissy drawed out, “You’re more than welcome to come!”  There was a pleasing hum on the other end making the young girl finally feel a little bit better about her poor word choices. Sometimes her nerves got the best of her and gave her a bad sense of word vomit.

 “I’m glad to hear that. I’ll be able to meet the girl I’m looking at.”

 As if suddenly hit with ice, Chrissy felt the smile drop from her face. Maybe she heard what he said wrong. “..what did you say?”

 “I said I’ll be able to meet the girl I’m talking to.”

 Taking a glance behind her, Chrissy glanced around the kitchen until her eyes landed back in the living room. The large patio doors that led to the pool gave a clear view of the inside of the house. “That’s not what you said..”

 Again the caller gave off a calm chuckle. “What did you think I said?”

 Moving to the patio doors, she flicked on the light switches again, trying to see if she could catch someone in the backyard if she turned the light on fast enough. Again she was met with nothing but the scenic sight of her pool and outdoor patio. Checking over the locks, she sighed to herself before she remembered she was still on the phone.

 “Did I lose you there?”

 “Look, I’m sorry. I have to go.” Chrissy mumbled into the receiver,  pulling her body away from the window. “People are coming and I should probably be ready.”

 “Come on, don’t go just yet. Don’t hang-”

 Not bothering to hear the rest, she hung up the phone and quickly checked the locks on both the back and front before the phone rang again. This time, she couldn’t find it in herself to pick it up. Her friends would come soon enough and she’d be able to deal with a creep on the phone.

 Five minutes passed and still no sign of her friends left Chrissy alone with the incessant ringing that built up of her anxiety. She thought about calling Jason but he already told her practice would run late and he’d show up later. 

 The small sting of tears pinched at her eyes and she felt like the beginning of a scary movie with how nervous she was getting. Getting fed up, she reached for the phone again, pressing the accept button before speaking finally. “Yes?” she asked timidly. 

 “You hung up on me…”

 The voice sounded colder, shocked with her actions. “I had to! P-please stop calling. I’m busy and I need to go!” Hanging up quickly, she looked down at the phone and prayed that the caller would give up on harassing her. But just like before, the phone rang again, sounding oddly angry in its blaring pitch. 

 “I’m going to call the pol-”

 “You hang up the phone on me again and I’ll cut your fucking head off, bitch!”

 The blood in her veins ran cold. Making the only sound out of her was a soft whimper. But that seemed to make the man on the other line happier. His chuckle itching inside the canal of her ear. “..please tell me this is a joke.”

 “Oh sweetheart, it’s more of a game now really. Do you think you can handle that, blondie?”

 For some reason, the question caused Chrissy to shrivel down to the ground. Crawling towards the island in the kitchen, she used the large space in the middle to conceal her body as she tried to calm herself down.

 “Oh Chrissy, I need you to answer me in order to start the game.”

 “Please..I don’t want to play anything.”

 “Well, hate to break it to you miss Queen of Hawkins High. But it’s either you play or Jason does.”

 The mention of her boyfriend caused the hair in the back of her neck to stand up. She gripped the phone tighter as she spoke again. “W-what do you mean?”

 “I’m surprised you didn’t notice, I just placed him out by the pool for you.”

 She’s surprised she’s able to get up from the floor, but she does. And when she reached the patio doors, she slowly inched her hand up to the lights. Praying to every God in existence that when she flicked the lights on, her friends would be on the other side and laugh at the vicious prank they just put her through. “Go ahead, sweetness..turn it on.” urged the voice.

 With a flick, she met with the horror of what was laid outside for her. Instead of the sight of an empty poolside, Chrissy’s green eyes met with the body of Jason. Knocked out and tied up to a chair. His usual green jersey stained with dark red spots as his head was leaning forward, casting his face downward to his lap.

 A bubbled up surge of fear poured out from within Chrissy as she suddenly began to yell at the sight, nearly dropping the phone on the floor. “What is this!?” she cried, reaching to unlock the doors, but at the turn of lock, Jason’s head snapped up. Giving Chrissy a view at the beat up appearance of his face. Whoever had taken him hostage had roughed up his face, enough so that blood trickled from the top of his head and nose. A tight strip of duct tape had been placed over his mouth to silence him. It took only a quick second for his eyes to land on hers, worry flickered over his blue eyes.

 “I wouldn’t step out if I were you.” 

 Tears pooled over her eyes, making his vision begin to turn blurry. Sounds of his panicked screaming were muffled by the tape as he tried to call out to her. “Why are you doing this?” she asked softly, hand still ready to push down on the handle. 

 “Well like I said, either you play or Jason does. And I'd decide quickly, I'm getting impatient here.” 

 Locking the door again, she took a step back, shaking her head to Jason as his muffled cries grew more intense. “Good girl. Now turn off the lights again and we can play.” Through her tears she slowly shut off the light, stepping fully away from the door as she returned to the kitchen island. Using it as coverage once more.

 “Let’s begin, shall we?”

 “How do I play?” Chrissy gritted, using the sleeve of her shirt to wipe off the tears that were beginning to block her vision. The sound of Jason calling out to her was nearly driving her crazy before the caller finally replied back.

 “I’ll keep it simple for you, pretty thing. It’s a good ol’ fashion game of truth or lie. Three rounds and then that’s it! You and the lover boy get to leave. Sound easy?”

“It’s not like I have any other choice..” she scoffed, sniffling a bit as she checked over towards the patio doors again. The light from outside still showed a shadow of Jason on the chair. “What’s the question?” 

 “Exactly, let’s start! Truth or lie, the three people closest to you are; Nancy, Robin, and that sweet, Baby.”

 It was clear to anyone who went to school with Chrissy that those three girls were the ones who were by her side from the start. No one could mess with her when she had them behind her. “Yes, Truth! They’re my best friends.” 

 “Correct! See? You’re doing so good, sweetness.”

 “Okay, so please let me go help Ja-”

 “Nuh uh! We’re still not done yet. Just two more.”

 Her stomach dropped. She knew it was too hopeful that the caller would release Jason but she couldn’t just leave him out there. It was killing her inside. 

 “Truth or lie,” the caller continued. “You’ve recently been appointed head cheerleader.”

 Again this was a true fact, something that Chrissy had been working hard on this whole year. When she was given the title after the recent game, she was beyond happy. But again, this was a fact that everyone knew. It was announced to the whole crowd. “Truth!”

 The caller chuckled at her reply, making her worried about where this was going if he was asking such type of questions. “Last one and if you get this right, you’re free to get Jason.”

 Chrissy gripped the phone tighter, determined now to get Jason inside. Maybe in some sick way this was still a prank and her boyfriend’s friends had set this up in some sort of hazing thing. It’s the only thing that would make sense now.

 “Truth or lie, you were cheating on Eddie Munson for two weeks before you broke up with him to date Jason.”

 “That’s a lie!” Chrissy cried quickly. Her shame and fear built up on her all at once. That piece of information was not public knowledge. Not even Eddie knew about that and here this stranger was using it to toy with her. “People spread that rumor to make me look like the bad guy.”

 The caller made a small sigh of disappointment. Tutting into the receiver tauntingly. “Oh Chrissy,” he cooed. “I thought you understood the rules. You have to get the answer right in order to win.”

 “That is the right answer! I didn’t cheat..I didn’t.”

 A familiar sound of a tape rewinding could be heard through the other end before it played back its audio. “I guess..we’ve barely been official with each other for three weeks…..But you and Eddie were together two weeks ago… Seems you’ve been up to an awful lot of no good fun.”

 “NO! Please don’t do this! Just give me one more chance. One more question.”

 “Sorry, sweets. I’ll give you a bonus round. But I'm afraid our dear Jason is out of the game.”

 At that, all the lights in the house turned off. Capturing Chrissy into the darkness. The only thing that echoed within the walls was the sound of the girl’s screaming as she watched a dark shadow cover over Jason’s body. The glint of metal flew in the air as it crisscrossed in front of Jason. 

 The noises had Chrissy frozen in fear as she could hear the sounds of cloth and something else being sliced. A muffled cry of agony following every slash. Without realizing, she had begun to crawl over, needing to see for sure that this was a reality and not some nightmare.

 In some sick twist of fate, the lights flickered back on to reveal the outside to her again. Still in the chair was Jason. Head back as he stared up in the sky, eyes gone and cold. The front of his shirt was torn open to reveal the gushing pieces of his intestines falling out slowly from his stomach. It was too real, the blood would not stop flowing out and Chrissy could barely let out a whimper as she stared at the horror before her.

 Jason was dead. And it was all her fault. 

 The chilling sound of laughter could be heard through the phone. The tears seemed to be endless as she crouched back down, staring blankly as the pool lights were being shut off again. Most likely now being controlled by the man on the phone. “I don’t want to play this anymore..” Chrissy whispered into the phone.

 Again the caller merely chuckled again. “Final question..are you ready?”

 “Please..”

 “TRUTH OR LIE,” he yelled, “You forgot to check one more door in your house.”

 The whole house grew deadly quiet until the only sounds were Chrissy’s panting. Her eyes wide as she went over everything she did before the calls got weird. She locked both doors. The windows weren’t open since no one had been home all day; it was all locked! She was safe!

 “LIE!” She yelled, getting up from her spot. He couldn’t get in, she was sure of it. Standing up, she walked over to the patio door again and confirmed that it was locked. That is until the sound of a door creaking open rolled down the hall.

 “Are you sure about that?”

 Gripping onto the phone tightly, Chrissy made the decision to arm herself with a knife from the island before she ventured out towards the rooms of the house. Any bit of comfort she had was gone out the window as she stepped forward.

 It wasn’t till she looked at the two rooms by the front entrance that she felt herself begin to panic. Her Father’s office door was always locked. She never in her whole time living there ever needed to go in. But that also made her forget the fact that it led out into the patio.

 The killer was in her house and finally making himself known

. 

Not risking the check, she immediately ran up the stairs to the second floor, catching just a glimpse of something reflective coming from the doorway. Once at the top, the mystery caller himself decided to shoot out of the room, causing the door to hit against the way as he raced to the end of the staircase.

 Chrissy gulped as her wide eyes stared down at the man. He was decked out in a black cloak that concealed his whole body, hands covered in matching gloves and covering his face, a haunting ghost mask. He looked up at Chrissy, tilting his head to the side as he took her in. 

 With the phone still clutched in her hand she took a step back and glanced towards the directions of rooms. “I thought you said I could come in for the party.” chuckled the voice from below. The sound of it was almost robotic in person now, making Chrissy realize it was a disguised voice. 

 “Y-you stay the hell away from me asshole! My friends are coming and the fucking cops are gonna give you the god damn chair!” she yelled, returning her gaze to the man. “You better just leave now!”

 He reached down into his cloak and pulled out a hunting knife. The blade glinting in the overhead lighting showed its long body before it was being pointed towards her. “If your friends are coming, I say we give them a good welcome present.” A step up and he waved the knife playfully. “From you and dear ol’ Jason.”

 Turning around, Chrissy dashed over towards her parents bedroom. The only thought being that if she locked herself in, she could find a way to get over the balcony that faced the front of her house and flag down her friends sooner. 

 But the killer was quick, it was barely when she pushed down the lock on the door of the bedroom that she heard the hard piercing sound of the knife being hit against the wood. “Open up, bitch!” the man yelled, causing Chrissy to let out a scream as she scrambled to push her Mother’s dresser against the door. 

 The man on the other side let out an enraged yell, banging possibly his body against the wood to try and get the door open. “STOP IT!” Chrissy yelled, picking back up her fallen weapon as she scrambled over to the balcony. 

 Looking down the road, she let out a happy cry when she noticed a pair of headlights coming down the long drive down. Her friends were here and their presence would scare off the man. Waving her hand out, she began to yell out towards them! “GUYS! PLEASE HURRY! PLEASE!”

 At the sound of her cry, the killer had burst through the door with all his might. Angrily pushing away the dresser that had held him back as he stormed over towards the balcony. Screaming, she reached for the handle of the sliding door, only to gasp at the killer stopping her. The grip of his hand tight as he pulled her inside the room.

Her other hand tried to hit him with the knife, attempting to stab at him when he pulled back enough to throw a punch against her cheek. 

 The hit was hard enough to have her vision go blurry. “W-wait!” she whimpered, attempting to push herself away. That’s when she felt the hard pressure of the knife going into her chest. A hot liquid trickled out of front of her chest, wetting the thin material of her sweater instantly. 

 No pain had ever felt like this. A mixture of throbbing pain and panic coarsed through Chrissy. But before her hand could even reach up to the wound, another stab was being pushed through her stomach. Again and again the killer dragged his knife through her. Making the pain worse with every push against her body.

 The light in the room was so dim, the sound of her heartbeat was up in her ears. Despite the feeling of her body growing weaker, Chrissy reached up the man’s mask. Letting her fingers glaze over the mask before she pulled it off, revealing the face looking down at her. She wanted to ask him why, get an answer, but all she mustered up was a small puff of air. 

 He reached for the mask back, slipping it back on before he dragged her body to the balcony again, the world was fading and Chrissy wished she could stay longer. See the people she cared about one more time. This wasn’t fair, this wasn’t right. 

 The sound of her friend’s car rolling down the driveway was the last she heard before the man tore the knife along the expanse of her stomach. Soon enough the world faded to black and Chrissy felt herself finally pull away into eternal sleep.

 Not wasting a second longer, the man began to pull out parts of her intestines, matching it up to look like Jason’s out back. The sounds of wet squelching noises were happy to the man’s ears. Reaching deep into the cloak’s pocket, he pulled out a long rope and quickly began to tie it around Chrissy’s body. Making sure every knot was tight before he pulled her up from the floor. 

 The stiffness of her body added a bit of a struggle, but he managed to push the blonde over and watch as her body hung against the balcony railing with a harsh drag. Just in time for the audience to arrive.

 “This morning I woke up with this feeling! I didn't know how to deal with it and so I just decided to myself. I'd hide it to myself and never talk about it. And did not go and shout it when you walked into the room! I think I love you-” Three familiar voices sang out. 

 “Will you three shut up!” Huffed the voice of a man below. 

 Peering over the balcony, the man noticed a group of four teens coming down the long driveway. Steve Harrington being the man in front who had his hands on his hips. “I’m really gonna have the song stuck in my head now.” 

 His eyes cast over to you, rushing to push past the girls so that you could catch up to the boy. “Sorry, Steve.” you smiled sweetly, lacing your hand into his. “Robin’s been singing it all day and we can’t help but get into it.”

 Steve’s glare turned slowly into a smile the longer he stared down at you, reaching up to place a loving hand against your cheek. “I like it when you sing, but Statler and Waldorf here are going to annoy me to death.” he chuckled. 

 The man watched as you coyly batted your lashes up at Steve, leaning up in your tippy toes to press a kiss against his lips. The knife in the man’s hands felt heavier than ever and he found himself gripping it tightly. His eyes watched the way Steve’s hands moved to wrap around the expanse of your lower back, pulling your body closer to his. 

 “Oooh!” Cooed the other two girls in the back. Making you turn suddenly shy as you part from Steve. The boy didn't seem upset that the kiss had ended, in fact, he looked over at the other two girls with a bigger grin now before he threw his head back. “I think I love you so what am I so afraid of?! I'm afraid that I'm not sure of a love there is no cure for!”

 The girls all laughed and began to join in the song again, finally going back to making their way towards the front entrance of the home. Taking that as his cue, the man rushed off the balcony towards the room now. Tonight wasn’t the plan he had hoped for, but soon enough he’d be able to see things through.

 “Omnes una manet nox (One night awaits everyone).” he chanted, running through the house till he was out the patio doors. The sight of Jason brought hope to him as he noticed the beginning of a black sludge slowly creep into the blood that coated Jason’s organs. 

 The last thing the man heard as he climbed over the back fence of the land was the echoing screams from the group of teens.

A/N: And we’ve officially begun this storyline! If its too graphic or uncomfortable I do apologize since it’s not my usual type of posting but this is specifically for Halloween so please understand that. I hope you guys enjoy the mini series!

[kiwinatorwaffles]

ok it’s time for super england lore

ANYWAY. SO. you may be asking, what the hell is super england? or maybe you aren’t and that’s ok, but i’m gonna answer anyway.

DISCLAIMER BEFORE I START ANYTHING: this is in no way slandering england. this is a parody and exaggeration, and does not intend to reflect anything there that’s real and genuine.

now, to put in the most simplest, barebone terms, it’s an inside joke i made with my friend sky (@skyspersonalhell) about evil x’s home dimension before he arrived on hermitcraft where his original location was like england, but even more english— thus the name “super england.”

sky requested me to put in the super england flag that they made, so here it is:

now the rest is going to take a lot of explanation of like… nearly six months worth of shitpost headcanons that have piled on and connected with each other, so here are a few things that i need to preface before we can get to Super England.

x and ex are created by the void gods, which are ocs me and sky created. these three gods manage the void and server hopping, so they can access any world there is out there. (they are also featured in this fanfic that i wrote, even though i haven’t drawn them formal refs yet. it’s a nice little oneshot comedy, so you can give that a read if you’d like)

ex is the newest creation of the void gods, with x being the eldest and another individual being the middle child. however, due to the failure of the middle child becoming a normal fucking person, the void gods decided to just send ex off to super england so he can be raised by someone else other than them.

unfortunately for ex, super england is probably worse than hell. everyone there is a goddamn dick to say the least, and that is what ultimately structured evil x to be a gremlin asshole as well. you know how my ex design has little scars around his mouth? yeah. that’s because some kids put rocks in his mashed potatoes and he ate it before his sharp teeth were fully developed.

ex literally has nightmares of super england. the shit that bozo Jeff The Minion Ass (canon version not my headcanons) comes up could never top whatever the hell ex had to eat in super england to make him consider yellow dye a delicacy

now, here are two images of Real Things that are in super england

image 1: toast on beans. image 2: the bethesda bus.

some other super england facts include:

there is only One tree in the entire city, due to the fact that there is only One dirt block to grow it on.

there are no stars there. the light pollution is So Bad

nobody can swim there. there is not a single pool there because there is no water

the government is made up of hundreds of clones of boris johnson

the creepers there are pink, thus why ex has a pink creeper plush

the only good thing about super england is that they teach magic at school, which was why ex was able to pull off all that dinky lightning mind control bullshit on episode 350. however, after living on hermitcraft for many years, ex ended up forgetting a lot of really useful magic that would definitely give him leverage over the hermits because he’s out of practice

anyway i hope i was able to do 5 months of inside jokes justice with this masterpost. if not sky is allowed to physically remove me from this app

[blingusbongusbingus]

Reptililand Prologue/ch1/ch2

Prologue 

It all started one foggy school day, Alexander, Holly, and Marce were in Geometry class, where they discussed a plan. It was Holly's 15th birthday that day, so after 3rd period the trio decided to skip class. It was a very deep and complex plan, in all their separate classes at 10:45 they would all ask to go the bathroom and wait for each other there. It was then that they simply walked out the side door without care, walking past the school officer Simon without hesitation or fear, except for Holly. Holly was horrified if her parents found out and how she would be berated for her behavior. However the officer thought due to them showing no fear that they were meant to have all left and had checked out before, and he was really enjoying his jelly donut no one gets in the way of officer Simon and his donut. Once making it off school property the trio died laughing at how awful their school security is as only 3 days ago the school boasted about how top notch their officer was. While Marce went away to get a cake for them Alexander and Holly were running around town having fun at arcades, shops, and pranking neighbors. However Holly felt an overwhelming sense of regret, like she should have never skipped class and just gone home to her parents with a boring old clown that she was way to old for but she would at least be with her family. Eventually, Marce came back with a wondrous 4 layer chocolate cake, how she obtained however she wouldn't tell. Marce also wanted to go to a pawn shop and so the trio went to it. It was a long walk and by the time they got there it was turning dark, and Holly needed to go home for her family birthday but Alexander persuaded her to the point of manipulation to stay with her friends just for a bit longer. Marce pointed towards a small bronze colored ball with a button and 3 distinct gems on it. Both Marce and Alexander wanted Holly to steal it. And so with much paranoia and fear she took the small baseball sized ball when the old asian shopkeeper had her back turned organizing some small trinkets. Holly while having second thoughts looks outside to the window and sees Alexander give her a thumbs up and Marce give her an approving nod. She snatched the ball and put it in her backpack. Holly with so much fear slowly turned around waiting to see the owner towering over her ready to teach her a lesson but as she did there was no one right behind her. The owner was still behind the counter putting prices on old card packs. With the ball in her backpack she walks out to her friends, both eager to open the ball. And so the trio walk to a small playground nearby to open the mysterious ball. Once there Holly takes the ball and presses the button. Suddenly a flash of red, green, and blue light shoot out blinding the three! Once Holly can see once more she isnt in the playground anymore. 

End of Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter 2

The First Encounter

Awoken by the scream of a rooster, Holly crawls out from under the old lifted tree. She yawned as anyone would tired and hurt from the day before. The cool crisp air, non polluted unlike her old city life filled her lungs. In the far distance she sees smoke. Could it be her friends, other humans? She crawled down a steep sharp cliff down to the smoke signal, the smell of cooked meat drawing her closer and closer, until she’s just a few bushes away from the delectable smell. “Is it almost done Bill?” She hears from a voice unlike her friends. “Simmer down Twig, it’ll be done in a second”. Carefully she grabs a pointy stick ready for a fight, she inches closer till she steps on a small stick. A sharp short cracking noise can be heard for what seemed like miles around. “Bill! I thought i heard something!”. “Quiet boy, something might be watchin us.”. She hides behind a tree trunk right next to the two people’s fire. She catches a glimpse of the two and they’re reptiles? “Whhaaaaaaaa?” She says out loud in a perfectly hearable voice. The two reptiles who she presumes is Bill and Twig jump out at her. In perfect unison they all scream due to the horror of otherworldly creatures. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA” “What are you? Who are you? Where have you come from????” The small one asks? “STEP BACK BOY! It looks feral! It might bite you!” Holly stands there in shock. Is she still dreaming? Is this whole place a fever dream? What if shes still in geometry? THIS CANNOT BE REAL! “WHAT AM I?” She mocks. “WHAT ARE YOU?” “Im twig and this is bill.” The small one replies. “Enough for our introductions now what are you?” “Im Holly Brightway, and im a human” The three look at each other Bill still ready for battle despite his older looks. She drops the pointy stick to show shes not a threat “There is that okay Bill? Can you stop looking like your gonna stab me?” she questions. “Alright but i got my eye on you monster.” 

[sserpente]

A/N: Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Loki, Happy Birthday to you! Let’s wish our favourite Trickster all the best! ♥ Requests from @hanzimmer and anon.

Words: 2422 Warnings: so much fluff, Asgardian!Reader

Midgard wasn’t so bad after all. You hadn’t been so sure—after all, you had heard the stories. Pollution of all kind, wars over silly things like religion and food drenched in unsaturated fats. You wrinkled your nose, hoping that Thor had organised some proper snacks for his Yule… no, you corrected yourself, his Christmas party.

He had invited his closest friends from Asgard—Heimdall, Sif, Volstagg, Hogun, Fandral and you. Heimdall was the only one who, for obvious reasons, had been unable to attend. So here you were now, walking towards this huge building they called Stark Tower. You were familiar. Loki had used it to open a portal to lead an alien army to New York City.

You smiled at the thought of meeting Loki again despite of what he had done. Odin had sentenced him to remain among the mortals for a few centuries to come, serving and aiding them if need be, as an “Avenger”. You had not seen him since the day he had let himself fall into the void beneath the Bifrost, believed him dead and mourned and cried your oldest and most dearest childhood friend… and had rejoiced and hurt all at the same time when he returned and wreaked havoc on Earth.

He must have changed so much—but not enough for you to stop loving him. He had no idea, of course. You had been friends for as long as you could remember and Thor had always been around too. He had loved occupying your attention by bragging with his berserker skills wielding his hammer and creating thunder and lightning.

You suppressed a giggle. Loki and you had often sneaked off together after supper, stealing some fancy dessert and hiding somewhere in the castle so you could chat in peace. How often had you wished Loki would dare a chaste kiss then?

Looking back at it today, it made you wonder if Thor had purposely tried to keep you away from his adoptive brother. Come to think of it, he had always attempted to find a way to embarrass Loki one way or another, and often with the help of his friends who were currently walking right next to you, a little confused about the elevator technology in this realm.

When the metal doors opened again with a pling, you were not disappointed. Thor had decorated the spacious living area with all the Christmas decorations Earth had to offer. There were tinsel and baubles and other ornaments, nutcrackers and fake icicles and snow, sparkling Christmas trees, countless holiday lights blinking away, candy canes, gingerbreads and a massive Santa Clause statue.

“My friends! I’m so glad you could make it!”

The other people in the room you knew from Thor’s stories whenever he returned to Asgard to see if everything is alright. You recognised Captain America instantly due to the muscles and Hawkeye and Black Widow. The two men remaining must have been Tony Stark and the scientist who turned green when he was angry. The person you were interested in the most, however, was the god dressed in green and black next to Thor.

Your face lit up when you spotted Loki and his lips parted barely noticeably in response. You greeted Thor with a brief hug but never took your eyes off of him. Then, for a second, you took in his appearance, admiring how much more grown he looked… how much more mature and experienced. His innocence, so you realised, had vanished from his aura like damp fog in a forest.

You shivered when he spoke your name. “Good to see you.” You weren’t quite sure what he had expected from you but apparently not that you would throw yourself into his arms, pressing yourself against him as if he were a piece of wood in midst of a roaring sea.

“How are you doing, you silly Trickster?” You muttered once you managed to let go of him again, almost complaining when his hands left your body.

His smile was faint but honest, albeit there was still confusion sparkling in his eyes.

“I didn’t think you would be glad to see me.” He admitted instead of responding.

“W-why wouldn’t I be? Loki, I haven’t seen you in years. I thought I had lost you. Did Thor not tell you how the guards almost threw me in prison because they wouldn’t let me see you after New York?”

He frowned. “Not a word.”

“I almost stabbed them… I missed you.”

Loki had no chance to reply this time. Volstagg scattered forth towards the buffet, forcing you to step aside and indicating Thor must have finally started the festivities. You had barely risked a look at the buffet yourself yet but the selection of cookies, cakes and sandwiches looked indeed very promising.

The Warriors Three and Sif made sure to ignore Loki as best as they could—they had nothing to say to him anymore, after all and just like back in the old days, Thor made no move to change that. So while he was introducing them to some Midgardian Christmas traditions, you stepped aside with the fizzy drink he had handed you, quietly talking to Loki.

“Loki!” Volstagg suddenly called out, followed by a chuckle by Fandral. “You need a refill.”

You covered your own glass when they poured the same pinkish liquid (Thor had said it was ‘cotton candy liqueur’) into Loki’s who watched the scene with utter dismay. You could see Thor grinning from the corners of your eye and even Hogun was cracking a smile—Sif only rolled her eyes and one of the mortal men you did not know and had not yet made any effort to get introduced to, pressed his lips together so he would not burst out laughing. Idiots. Just leave him alone for once, will you?

“Who is who?” You asked once they had turned away again. “I recognise the redhead and the archer, and Captain America, what about the others?”

“Stark is the man to the left.” Loki said, downing almost the entire drink at once. Alcohol was supposed to numb unease, after all.

“The one with the beard?” The one who had failed to show his amusement when Volstagg clearly made Loki uncomfortable, you added mutely.

“Yes. The other is Bruce Banner.”

“The Hulk.” He nodded.

“How are they… treating you here?”

Loki snorted. “After what I have done? They seem to have forgotten I was the reason they assembled in the first place, not, however, that it was I who attempted to subjugate the planet.”

You glanced at him for a moment. “What happened, Loki? You were never like that. You never wanted a throne, you merely wanted your father to treat you and Thor as equals. Why Midgard?” Loki’s expression was pained, yet at the same time, relief flooded him. No, you were right—he had never been like that. Thor had still not realised that but here you were, his oldest friend whom he had secretly been in love with for decades, realising in a mere second that there was going on with him.

“Not here.” He shook his head slightly, making you frown. Something was up, you could tell. Something weighed heavy on his mind, tearing him down. You sighed. It was nothing new that besides Frigga before her death, no one but you ever truly bothered to listen to what Loki had to say. It had never been as important as what Thor had had to say.

Not here, he had said. Well then for now, all you could do was cheer him up a little. “What cake is that?”

Loki raised his eyebrows, irritated by the sudden change of topic. “Thor said something about marshmallows.”

“What are marshmallows?” He shrugged. “It looks really good though…” You said, a devilish grin forming on your lips. “What do you think? Let us grab that cake and get out of here?” Just like in the old times?

Loki smiled—it suited him, being this blithe. You wondered when he had last had the chance to be like that. Sneakily, you reached for some white forks (they were very light, a very cheap material, apparently) all the while Loki yoinked the cake. You made sure no one would notice before you followed him out of the vast room and took the elevator to another level where it was so quiet one could have heard a needle drop.

“Where exactly are we going?”

“My room,” he answered. “I am quite surprised they gave me one to be truly honest.”

But very apparently, their generosity had been kept within limits. Compared to his chambers back on Asgard, Loki’s room here on Midgard was pathetically small. A single bed and a desk along with a wardrobe and a tiny bedside table were the only items of furniture and to be quite frank, the room resembled a prison cell more than a proper accommodation. Unlike the rest of the Tower, there was not a single piece of Christmas decoration in here. You were almost disappointed. Surely, Loki would adore some green and gold tinsel as well. You wondered if Thor had even bothered to ask if he wanted any.

You didn’t need his permission to sit on his bed, you had never needed it back on Asgard either. Loki and you were so close you sometimes wondered why he had never tried to take you with him on his conquest. You wouldn’t have minded to be the queen of evil if only that meant you could be with him…

Loki sat down next to you, setting both your glasses aside. You grinned when you handed him a fork and you both dug into the marshmallow cake as if it was going to be your last meal.

“Oh…” You mused. “It really is good.”

“Hmm…” He confirmed.

You giggled. “I’m glad you didn’t lose your sweet tooth.”

Your heart jumped when Loki winked at you, his mouth still full of cake. You had already transformed the pretty and edible creation into an utter crumbly mess but then again, who needed those paper plates these mortals used as dishes, regardless of the cute snowmen and snowflakes on them?

“It was not the same without you, you know.” You said then.

“I bet Thor kept you occupied.”

You shook your head, the both of you still munching away.

“We barely spoke after your death, I mean… after we thought you had died… to be truly honest, I think I only tolerated Thor because he is your brother.”

Loki tilted his head. “One might think it was the other way around.”

“Yeah… that’s probably what he is telling his mortal friends right now. I meant it, Loki. I really missed you. I was heartbroken when they told me you had flung yourself down the Bifrost…”

“And then?” He interrupted. “Were you repulsed when you learned about what I did here on Midgard?”

You shook your head. “I was worried for you. You were always on my mind. Did you… Did you ever think about me?”

“Well, of course I have, I love you.” He blurted out, only to close his mouth in utter shock the fraction of a second after.

You nearly choked on the cake. “W-what did you just say?”

“N-nothing, I… I said I have been in love with you unconditionally for centuries.” Loki bit his tongue, his eyes widening. You had positively never heard him stutter before. What he was saying was true, there was no mischievous sparkle in his blue eyes, but even though your heart leaped at the thought of him reciprocating your romantic feelings, your first instinct was to figure out what had made him spill the truth like that.

Unceremoniously, you reached for his pinkish drink and gave it a smell. Yours smelled different, without a doubt.

“Oh, Loki… they’ve spiked your drink with a truth potion I believe.”

“They did what?”

“That… that must be why they snickered so much upon refilling your glass, my love. I’m glad we left, I bet they were waiting for you to make a fool of yourself.”

Loki scoffed. “Well… I did that now anyway, did I not? Perhaps you should leave, I—”

You only smiled. “I love you too, Loki.” You said, making him look up in utter surprise. The cake between you on the bed was now entirely forgotten. You brushed it aside, not caring whether the icing would stain his bed sheets.

“What?” He breathed as you crawled towards him and made yourself comfortable on his lap, feeling confident now that he had admitted his feelings for you.

And as you wrapped your hands around his neck, you smiled, touching his forehead with yours.

“Nothing you do could ever stop me from loving you, Loki. If Thor had not thrown this stupid Midgardian Yule party… I might have never seen you again.”

Loki took a deep breath. “I think I understand now what Thor meant by ‘Christmas miracles’…” He uttered in response, his lips only inches from yours. Laughing quietly, you closed the small distance between you and pressed your lips against his. It was a chaste kiss—to test the waters, get used to how it would feel and, much like you had anticipated, it stole your breath away.

“Let us leave together.” Loki suggested hoarsely when you broke apart again, his breath ghosting over your lips.

“How? Odin sentenced you to be here, with Thor. He would know—and Thor and his Avengers would come after you.”

“Oh, they will not.” He retorted, a mischievous smirk growing on his lips.

“Loki? What have you been up to again?”

“I have the Tesseract.” He revealed smugly.

“You… what? How?!”

“Shhh… keep your voice down, sweetling.”

“I’m sorry… how? It’s supposed to be on Asgard, locked in the king’s treasure chamber.”

“Well, it was. Until I took it. We could go anywhere. They will never be able to trace us.”

You bit your lower lip, excitement rushing through you. Life on Asgard was dull without Loki and you certainly did not desire to stay here on Midgard with those mortals and their strange traditions and customs. Loki’s proposal was a dream come true, at long last.

“Then let us do it.” You beamed, making him smile. “But first… we finish that cake. Leave them a goodbye present.”

Loki laughed—and you did not move off his lap again until the very last crumb of the marshmallow cake was gone.

-

A/N: If you enjoyed this story, I would appreciate it so much if you considered supporting me on Kofi! It’s either for caffeine or red wine, I’ll take both. ko-fi.com/sserpente ♥

[chaosmax]

A Head Full of Dying Stars

⭐Click here to read on Ao3 (but the rest is still below as well)

Summary: It's Mokuba's birthday and Seto takes him camping for some quality time together. Seto's not a big fan of the wilderness, but they talk about life and have a heart-to-heart. And have some brotherly banter of course. Oneshot.

“You aren’t gonna sleep through your entire birthday,” Seto said as he ripped the covers from his brother’s grasp which caused Mokuba to yelp from the cold.

“Can too! C’mon I’m still recovering from jetlag! Give it back!” Mokuba whined.

“It’s been three days, I know you recover in two,” Seto shot back.

About five years ago he could have simply picked up his brother and dragged him off to their destination. But with Mokuba significantly taller than him it also came with the added “benefit” of being too heavy to easily carry.

“Your stuff is already packed, just throw on some clothes. Ones that can get dirty, we’re going on a trip, you can sleep in the car.”

That was enough to get Mokuba to hop up.

Mokuba slept like a cat during the long drive into the wilderness, but Seto didn’t mind. He’d brought along more than enough audiobooks for the way there and back. Hiking out into the middle of nowhere with no running water and eating dehydrated food was far from Seto’s idea of a perfect day. Mokuba however, had gotten quite into outdoor hobbies from his friends from work in America. Of course, it was a lot easier to go camping there with all the parks. If Mokuba was going to go through all the hassle to visit, Seto was going to spend as many hours with him as he could.

From the time the car was parked to nightfall they’d barely stopped moving. Mokuba easily left Seto in the dust several times due to being experienced with traversing difficult terrain. Though, the fact that Seto was carrying the heaviest of their gear and wasn’t spurred on by Mokuba’s excitement to take a picture of anything cool they could find also played a small hand.

They even ran into wildlife. Thankfully, nothing dangerous, though Seto had brought bear spray just in case. Rather, they saw many insects with impressive pincers or horns, some frogs and toads, and even a snake that Mokuba tried to catch after identifying it as non-venomous. Unfortunately for Mokuba but fortunately for Seto, it dove into the nearby stream to get away from them before Mokuba was in grabbing distance. Seto never liked them anyway.

By the time the sun was starting to set Seto was certain he must have blisters. They certainly didn’t need a fire during the summer, so instead they found a nice spot up in the trees and set up a hammock.

A few stars could be seen, for they were far enough out to avoid some of the light pollution of the cities.

“Thanks for doing all this, I know it’s not really your cup of tea.”

“It’s your day though, kiddo.”

“Still. Besides, I’m sure someone at KC is having freaking out over not being able to contact you right now.”

“That’s what Isono’s for.”

Mokuba laughed. His dark eyes returned to the stars.

“You know that whole thing about a good chunk of the stars we see have already died and we’re just seeing the delay of their image reaching us?”

“Mm. And it’s correct. You see when—”

“Er, I didn’t bring it up for a scientific reason.”

Seto fell silent and let Mokuba continue.

“Once the image catches up though… we won’t even know they were once there. The layman, I mean. Maybe science has a way of figuring it out, but the average person wouldn’t,” he adds. “If one becomes a star, are even they bound to be forgotten one day?”

Seto’s mouth opens to answer, but he hesitates and takes Mokuba’s hand first, giving it a squeeze.

It made sense. Now a year older, Mokuba’s future was on his mind. His career, what he would become. Where there was to go after being in the shadows so long. Mokuba had his career and he had Seto. So of course, they both wanted those two things to be the best they could. Seto wished he could just snap his fingers and make Mokuba’s worries vanish.

“Would you rather forfeit being able to be forgotten?”

Mokuba’s silence spoke for him.

You did.

Kaiba Corp’s new legacy wouldn’t vanish anytime soon, even if someone who thoroughly hated Seto tried to scorch it from history.

Seto took a slow breath.

“You don’t have to move mountains, kid.”

This time Mokuba did say it.

“You have.”

“I did it so you didn’t have to.”

Seto realizes his mistake instantly and backpedals. His previous statement implied hope or expectation that Mokuba would take the other path. An obligation.

“Forgive me, that’s not what I meant. I did it because I wanted to. If you decide to move mountains with me, I’ll welcome you. But if you choose to not, that’s just as fine too.”

Seto had just wanted Mokuba to have options to choose from.

The hammock shakes as Mokuba gives a nod and readjusts how he’s laying slightly.

“There’s nothing wrong with taking in the view instead of chiseling away at the mountain. Many more people than just you forget that’s an option.”

Seto pulls Mokuba close in a half-hug where they lay. Mokuba’s hair may be shorter, but his head was certainly heavier than Seto was used to.

The unsteady feeling in Mokuba’s chest calmed for now. He squeezes Seto’s hand back.

“You’ve gotten wiser,” he teases.

“I’m not a senior citizen yet, thank you very much.”

“Heh!” Mokuba lays his head against Seto’s shoulder to sleep.

“I will push you out of this hammock in the middle of the night.”

“Nuh-uh! Not on my birthday!” Mokuba says with a smirk.

But before Seto could retort, he felt something on his arm and he slapped it. Mosquito. Seto groaned.

“I forgot to reapply bug spray.”

“Lucky me, I didn’t. Guess you’ll get eaten instead of me for once,” Mokuba said with a sneer.

Usually, all bugs flocked to him. Seto insisted it was because of how much sweet food he ate.

“I kid, I’ll grab the spray for you. Even though the backpack is alllll the way over there at the other end.”

“Forget it. I just wanted to whine and not do anything to actually solve the problem.”

“Of course you do,” with a laugh Mokuba tossed the container at Seto’s head. It hit him in the nose.

“See, ya are getting old, your reflexes are rusty!”