#evergreen forest

[missedmilemarkers]

[the-introverted-writer-for-life]

Should I make this into a series?

(answer in the comments)

CW: drugging, betrayal

With the cold winter sun piercing through the evergreen treetops, the group steadily made their way through the frozen forest towards their destination. The snow crunched audibly under their boots, and all was still in the air. Not a bird tweeted, not a badger rustled.

“So where exactly are we going, Elijah?” Lucia asked, gently pushing a fir tree branch out of her path.

“Somewhere I want to show you,” grinned Elijah. “Oh, you'll see.” He led them on, trudging through the frozen undergrowth. He didn't seem to be following a path, but he looked like he knew the way confidently and carried on without any notable hesitation.

Rhoswen gazed up at the dappled spots of light filtering through the trees. It had been a week since she had rescued Elijah from one of their traps that he had accidentally fallen into, and she was beginning to trust him more and more. She had watched him carefully, ready to note down anything that might portray allegiance to the Academy she was running from - but there had been nothing.

“Here we are!” Elijah suddenly announced, planting both feet in the snow and throwing his arms wide.

“Mate… this is literally no different than where we've just been stomping through for the past five million hours,” Jude remarked, if a little snappily.

Elijah said nothing, but eyes glinted with something Rhoswen didn't like. Then he turned to her. “Rhos, come here a bit.” Rhoswen hesitated, looking round the group for reassurance.

Then the realisation clicked.

“Where's Lucia?” she called.

Indeed, Lucia was nowhere to be seen.

Jude and Eleanor looked round, calling her name, and then waited.

Nothing.

Jude turned on Elijah. “What have you done with her?” He snapped, advancing fast.

“Nothing, I swear. I don't know where she is any more than you do,” Elijah replied.

Jude flared up. He had never trusted Elijah at all, not one bit. “I said. What. Have. You. Done. With. Her,” he intoned menacingly.

“Jude, stop. Maybe he genuinely doesn't know where she's gone. Speaking of which, where's her mum?” Rhoswen asked, moving to look beyond Jude's shoulder.

“What the…” Jude breathed.

Rhoswen turned to Elijah. “Elijah, if this is some kind of sick prank you've got us all into, I suggest you tell us and stop it. It's not funny.”

But Elijah only shook his head, looking just as confused as anyone else.

“Argh!”

“Jude! Jude!”

Jude was gone. Rhoswen stood alone with Elijah, staring at the last spot she had seen Jude, and feeling utterly sick to the core.

Elijah moved behind her, placing his left hand on her left arm. “I'm sorry, Rhoswen,” he whispered down her neck.

Without warning, Rhoswen felt a thick cloth clamped over her mouth and nose - so thick she could barely breathe. An arm whipped around her torso, pinning hers to her sides tight, leaving no room for struggle.

The trees in front grew blurry; her eyes drooped closed. The fight had gone out of her as her legs crumpled and everything faded into blackness.

Thanks for reading! If anyone wants to be tagged then feel free to ask =)

[scuddle-bubble101]

*it’s a CJ..er…a CJ package? There’s holes in it…*

*A note is attached, it reads*

Dear Serif,

Hello, I hope you are well. Things were hard last year.. and..I hope you stayed warm. Sam finally got their first long sleeve shirt in awhile. And the cold thrives with Sam and the others but unfortunately I have a bad head cold. Went to hard on working ahaha. I don’t mean to worry you.

Also,

I was catching up while I recover, and I remembered from a previous Ask that Someone…or some of your alters, like frogs. 🐸

I have two frogs, I found them hopping around my window sill wanting to come in, but I currently do not have the health to care for them. But I don’t want them to sit around waiting for love.

So I must ask, I don’t know who will appreciate frogs and love them. But Bitty found they are great companions and will gladly hang around those who love them. Their kinda smol…at least 6 inches. In the box are two frogs, supplies and everything for them. Will you take them to the alter that will love hard and appreciate their company? Thank you and again, apologies for this suddenness.

Side note: Could you tell I’sum hello for me, and tell Kosha I hope he’s alright? I heard what happened from a different ask I read over.

From fellow frog lover,

CJ

*the box makes a small ribbit Brenna then another softer ribbit. Through the holes, you can see the two pairs of curious eyes. They’re definitely small.*

*We decided to give the frogs over to Chipper! Chipper has a Nature Preserve just for this occasion!

"What lovely dears."

"I'll be happy to see to they get a home right away. I'm sure when Kosha is doin' better, he'll be able ta' see them jus' fine~"

"Ah little Isu, hope mah little brother isn't bein' harsh on 'er. He can have a small temper."

[hiteshmehtasuspire]

SET OF 6 Natural peg dolls and SET OF 6 Evergreen forest trees beautifully crafted and hand painted with Non-toxic paints. This set has 6 peg dolls and 6 Evergreen trees

[heliotrope-journey]

A Light in the Dark Times Ahead

Good evening, vampire hunters.

Just in time for Women's History Month, Episode 2 of Heliotrope Journey: Son of a Hustler is out now! As Michaela ventures deeper in Lionhead Mansion's paranormal-infested corridors, she encounters not a single boss enemy but two more in an attempt to locate Einsam, a child estranged from his father but for reasons she cannot put her finger on. Zahhak says he is a troublemaker skipping school, but Michaela's instincts argue different. Showing these bosses that she is no combatant to mess with will be the best step toward finding out which she should trust. Will you have the courage to see this ride? Photo by Caleb Maxwell on Unsplash. https://darkinfern0crystal1.itch.io/heliotrope-journey-son-of-a-hustler-book-1-acceptance-of-agony

The hub world in The Heliotrope Chronicles Book 1 Volume I will be given an update in the spring along with a new set of gems by Siegfried Croes to collect to encourage exploration. The game's hub will reflect the outcome of Episode 4 by featuring Frederick's teammates as NPCs as well as a garden in the castle ruins to immerse yourself with, celebrate the memory of the most powerful thing in the universe, and play ballads of emotional grievances that block the healing process. If you haven't played Chapter 4 already, be sure to catch up before this update goes live because these changes will spoil the ending of that episode. These sneaky-peekies of the hub world probably shouldn't. ;)

Thank you for supporting the Heliotrope Journey series as always and have a great week.

Sincerely,

WN

[lagoonkisses]

[ruinyks]

[aisling-saoirse]

Balsam Lake Fire Tower View #1, NY - August 21st 2024

[orofeaiel]

The vibes on this hike were impeccable.

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Wednesday 4 September 2024

The evergreen fern Blechnum spicant (deer fern, hard fern, herringbone fern, northern fern, rusty back, snake fern) has thick, glossy fronds with a feather-like appearance. Here it was thriving in the cool, moist, shade of a Scottish conifer forest.

Jill Raggett

[gbiechele]

Winter Reflections

Minolta MD W.Rokkor 24mm f/2.8 Minolta MD 50mm f/1.2 Sony A7

[bklenk]

Tree of my day December 3rd 2023 🎄☃️🎄☃️🎄

[pamietniko]

Hoh Rain Forest

Olympic National Park, Washington

[rebouks]

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Ivan: If y'don't get that thing outta my face I'mma smash the fuck outta yours. Oscar: C'monnn you haven't eaten all day. Ivan: I ain't fuckin' hungry!

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Sprucing Up with the Spruce-Fir Moss Spider

The spruce-fir moss spider (Microhexura montivaga) is an incredibly unique species of tarantula endemic to a handful of peaks in the southern Appalachian mountains in the United States. Within this small range, they are found only within spruce and fir forests at elevations above 1,650 m (5,410 ft). M. montivaga relies on the dense carpets of mosses and liverworts that thrive in this environment; these areas are known as sky-islands due to their height and specialized ecosystems.

One of the most interesting traits of the spruce-fir moss spider is that is the world's smallest species of tarantula. Adults measure only 2.5 to 3.8 millimeters (0.10 to 0.15 inch (in) in length, and are medium to dark brown all over. The hair characteristic of tarantulas is minimal, restricted mainly to the abdomen, and the species carries no other distinctive markings.

M. montivaga spends its entire life among the moss patches on the forest floor or low boulders. There, it spins tube-shaped webs for shelter and sheltering their eggs. Rather than using these webs to catch prey, however, the spruce-fir moss spider actively hunts mites and springtails within its home moss patch. Few known predators of this species have been recorded, but likely candidates include pseudoscorpions, centipedes, and other spiders.

Little is known about the reproductive habits of the spruce-fir moss. Females generally lay 7-9 eggs in a single sack in June, and guard it until the spiderlings emerge throughout September. During this time, if predators threaten the nest or the mother is disturbed, she may pick up and move her eggs to a new patch of moss. After hatching, the young spiders take 3-5 years to mature.

Conservation status: The IUCN has yet to evaluate this species; however, it is considered Endangered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Its primary threat is habitat loss due to an invasive pest that damages spruce and fir trees.

Photos

Dr. Marshal Hedin

Kefyn Catley

Gary Peeples