#frog porridge

[huangzhiming]

Frog porridge is so delicious. The combination of spicy frog and white porridge is delicious and can warm your stomach😋

[greedyapron]

14/10/2023 - Supper

Sin Ma Claypot Live Frog, Beauty World

Prefer the non-spicy version. Sauce goes very well with the porridge. We also asked for more cong.

Lime juice with sour plum

Very gao!

[dunmeshistash]

Dungeon Meshi - "Dungeon Meals" from volumes 1 to 4

More info under the cut

Decided to compile the dungeon meals anyway. These are from chapter 1 to 28 (Volumes 1 to 4)

There were a total of 24 "meals" (counting the special panels) in the 28 chapters. Meal is anything that gets the named panel, so kelpie soap giant frog suit and Falin skeleton count (cause that's funny). I'm using EHScans pages because they have a better resolution usually (and for consistency)

Anyway here's the meals of each chapter and who made them.

Chapter 1 - Hot pot Meal: Huge Scorpion and Walking Mushroom Hot Pot Cooked by: Mostly Senshi but Laios started it.

Chapter 2 - Tart Meal: Man-Eating Plant Tart Cooked by: Senshi

Chapter 3 - Roast Basilisk Meal: Roast Basilisk Cooked by: Senshi

Chapter 4 - Omelet Meal: Mandrake & Basilisk Omelet Cooked by: Senshi

Chapter 5 - Kakiage Meal: Mandrake Kakiage & Giant Bat Tempura Cooked by: Senshi and Chilchuck

Chapter 7 - Living Armor II Meal: Living Armor Full Course Meal, consisting of: Dwarf-Style Stir Fry, Steamed Living Armor, Living Armor Soup and Grilled Living Armor Cooked by: Senshi (Others helped with prepping)

Chapter 8 - Simmered Cabbage Meal: Vegetable Lunch, Fresh off the Golem Fields, consisting of: Simmered Whole Cabbage and Turnip Salad. Cooked by: Senshi (Others helped with prepping)

Chapter 9 - Orcs Meal: Stolen Vegetables, Simmed Cabbage & Chicken with a side of Plundered Bread Cooked by: Senshi, Marcille, Laios, Chilchuck, Zon and other Orc Ladies

Chapter 10 - Snacks Meal: All Natural♡Delicious Treasure Bug Snacks, consisting of: Treasure Bug Nest Jam, Coin Bug Crackers and Pearl Centipede Skewers Cooked by: Senshi (Laios helped by.. watching)

Chapter 11 - Sorbet Meal 1: Deluxe♪Multicultural Holy Water Cooked by: Senshi Meal 2: Protective Ward! Spirit Dispelling Sorbet Cooked by: Senshi and Laios

Chapter 12 - Palace Cuisine Meal: Palace Cuisine Full Course Meal, consisting of: Sautéed Fish with Soybeans, Pumpkin Soup, Fruit, Golden Wheat Bread, Golden cow Cheese and Roast Duck Cooked by: Palace Cooks? Painter? Magic?

Chapter 13 - Boiled in Salt Water Meal: Boiled Mimic Cooked by: Senshi

Chapter 14 - Kelpie "Meal": Kelpie Tallow Soap Cooked by: Marcille

Chapter 15 - Porridge Meal: Zosui Made from Dropped Barley Cooked by: Laios

Chapter 16 - Broiled with Sauce Meal: Giant Parasite from Giant Kraken: Grilled Plain and Kabayaki Style Cooked by: Senshi (Laios Helped with prepping the skewers and ate one raw and suffered)

Chapter 18 - Grilled Meat Meal: Grilled Kelpie Cooked by: Senshi

Chapter 19 - Tentacles "Meal": Tentacles With Vinegar Dressing Cooked by: Namari (with Laios instructions)

Chapter 20 - Stew Meal: Tentacle & Kelpie Stewed in an Undine Cooked by: Marcille (With Senshi's help)

Chapter 21 - Giant Frogs Meal 1: Tentacle Gnocchi Cooked by: Senshi Meal 2: Frog Suit Cooked by: Laios and Chilchuck

Chapter 23 - Red Dragon I Meal: Let's Cutlet the Dragon to Pieces! Cooked by: Senshi

Chapter 27 - Red Dragon V "Meal": Falin & Warg Skelletons Cooked by: Laios & Marcille (Red Dragon helped clean up the bones really well)

Chapter 28 - Red Dragon VI Meals: Roast Red Dragon, Pizza Bread with Onions and Dragontail Soup Cooked by: Senshi

The chapters that had no "meal is done" panel were chapters

6 - Living Armor I

17 - Raspberries

22 - Above Ground

24 - Red Dragon II

25 - Red Dragon III

26 - Red Dragon IV

Mostly the multipart chapters, there was food eaten in 17 and 22 but no special panel for them, 17 is the titular raspberries and 22 the barmaids serve them a meal they eat right at the end

The chapter with more than one "meal" panels (not more than one meal prepared just more than one special panel for the meals) were:

11 - Sorbet with Holy Water and Sorbet

21 - Giant Frog with Gnocchi and Frog Suit

And the party stats are:

Senshi: 17 meals cooked, all of them food

Chilchuck: 3 "meals" cooked, 2 of them were food, 1 of them was a Frog Suit

Marcille: 4 "meals" cooked, 2 of them were food, 1 of them was soap and 1 of them was Falin skeleton reconstruction. She made the soap by herself and the stew mostly by herself

Laios: 5 "meals" cooked , 3 of them were food, 1 of them was a frog suit and 1 was Falin skeleton reconstruction. He also helped with 4 other meals (kinda) and 1 of them he made by himself (The zosui)

Out of the 24 meals in these 4 volumes, 21 were food and 3 were "other"

Out the 21 food meals Senshi made 17 of them, Laios made 1 Marcille made 1 and the other 2 was Namari and Living Painting Cooks.

I often get confused with numbers so if I said anything wrong feel free to correct me! Might do less volumes for the next post we'll see

[backwzzds]

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ princess & the frog, trafalgar law

law would do anything to make his little princess happy

thinking about baby daddy!law who’s spending the day at home with his precious girl while you went out with your girls for the night. law constantly worked as a medical student while you stayed home with baby lea, but this time you convinced him to take the day off so you can finally go out.

the hot summer july sun practically shoved its heat inside the house as the AC did nearly nothing to keep the atmosphere chilled. law remained shirtless for the morning as baby lea only sat in a cute shirt, diaper freshly changed.

the little girl rested her head of unruly curls on her father’s tatted chest as she sucked on her sippy cup full of porridge (you were caribbean, there was no way your baby wasn’t gonna grow up eating porridge for breakfast) and watching her favorite movie, the princess and the frog. occasionally, she’d used her small tiny finger to trace over the dark skin of law’s ink.

even he sat with his eyes fully invested in the disney movie, and he couldn’t help but think about you and him as parallels to the beautiful story. it was interesting the way your lives played out. you two’ve known each other since teenagers, been through undergrad together and now here you were, engaged and the mother of his child.

it’s a bit…uncanny to say that lea was completely planned—far from it—but you both where only 20 and 22 when she was born, so it was safe to say that she practically lived through college with you both and your group of friends you were proud to call family.

lea sat babbling strings of incoherent phrases, the only words being audible was dada and daddy as she watched her favorite movie. it wasn’t until she caught law’s attention by calling out for him louder with a smile on her face as she turned to look up at him.

“daddy!,” law looked down at her with a small grin as he let out a hum, a sign she learned to understand that he was all hers. “cookie,” lea gave a near toothless grin as she shoved her cookie into her father’s mouth. what law didn’t realize was that the cookie was damn near soft from being soaked in her drool for a few minutes.

usually, if it were anyone else, law would have spit the cookie out and been furious that he just ate a drool filled snack from a sticky fingered kid. but his baby girl was so cute, he had no choice but to eat the cookie whole, and with the biggest grin on his face. lea giggled at his expression before exclaiming, “cookie!”

law looks over at the mini packet of sweets that he mindlessly allowed his princess to devour, and couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of all the crumbs the bed was littered in. lea crawled up to his face and placed a wet kiss on his lips before shoving another soggy cookie in his mouth. “cookie!”

it was ironic, really. you were more of the softer one when it came to letting your baby girl eat up sugary things with moderation, and law being the doctor always advised against you spoiling her sweet tooth (the one she actually inherited from him but fails to admit it). but he figured that he loved seeing baby lea happy, and if that meant feeding into her sugar crash that was bound to happen later on, he was gonna do it.

with a smug grin, he placed a kiss on lea’s light brown skin and hugged her small body tight to his own. “yeah, mommy’s gonna kill me when she finds out just how much sugar i let you eat today.”

[memepocalypse]

A Little Bit Fairytale

"Who's afraid of the big bad wolf?"

"Are you afraid of me?"

"I've come to blow your house down!"

"Oink oink, little piggies..."

"My, what big teeth you have."

"Your bed was too small."

"Your bed is too big."

"Your porridge is too hot."

"Your porridge is too cold."

"Run, run, as fast as you can!"

"You will go to the ball."

"I'm your fairy godmother."

"Is this your shoe?"

"I made you a dress."

"I want to fall asleep for a hundred years."

"I pricked my finger on a spinning wheel."

"You can't catch me!"

"I left a trail of breadcrumbs."

"Don't worry, we'll get out of here."

"There's tiny people in the walls."

"You have how many dogs?"

"You're just a little frog; and I am a scorpion."

"How could a frog ever trust a scorpion?"

"I got some magic beans!"

"You're a real golden goose."

"I'm going to stick you in the oven and cook you."

"Did you fall in the well?"

"I can hear voices in the walls."

"This isn't helping me sleep."

"I'm tired."

[sunny-mercya]

Sickly Summer

Bonten x Male Baby Reader

Masterlist

Inspired by the many Stories @reallyromealone had done! Go and check his Blog out!

Mochi had you in his arms, carrying you through the living—back and forth, swaying in gentle manner from side to side—in hopes of, finally, calming you down.

Never did Mochi thought, that you, their little precious baby boy, could cry so much during one night and throughout the day. He knows babies do cry, a lot even sometimes, but this? This seemed way too out of place to be called normal behaviour.

Then again, you weren't feeling all that healthy well right now and your only way of telling them this, was through bawling.

«Here. Maybe a lukewarm bottle of Milk will soothe him a bit, till Rinny find his pacifier and plushy.» suggest Ran, emerging out from the Kitchen, holding the bottle to you. You scrunched your face up in disgust, before burying it back in Mochi's neck.

«Huh, I think so too, bud. Papa Ran surely doesn't wanna have a repeat of last time.» emphasised Mochi, going back to rocking you into soothing as soon as he heard your sniffles again.

Ran shrugged his shoulders in defeat. He doesn't know what to do either. Mochi was right though, neither Ran nor the others would like to have a repeat of what happen 2 weeks ago.

~~~

Bonten knew you had a very sensitive stomach, couldn't handle most, if not even all, foods and drinks. You got a special Diet plan, but even then it could happen that your stomach would go into a cramping strike.

Like how it happen two weeks ago; You had Semolina porridge for dinner, something you would eat most of the time since it was stomach friendly enough. Either it was Takeomi himself or one of them, who might have accidentally poured a bit too much sugar or any kind of spices in it, but it was a literally shit night after dinner.

Kakucho had changed your diapers about three times, till he decided to just stay with you in the bathroom throughout the whole night, as you shitted into a tiny bucket and if you weren't doing that, you would vomit till dry-heaving. Worst case of Diahrrea.

Takeomi was trying to get some fluids into you again, coaxing with mostly water and diluted milk, knowing well from his own experience with his siblings, that fluids are essentially necessary during such a time. Tough case it was though, you refused every time and had enough strength left to slap Takeomi's cup offering away.

Ever since then, they did good monitoring over your diet plan and what you eat.

~~~

Rindou came hopping into the living room, a big smile on his face as he triumphal hold up the pacifier. I mean, you had a whole box of them and your dads keep extra ones in the storage and to lose them is rather easy, but you had certain favourite ones and in times like these you only want them.

«Lookie lookie, [Name]! What Papa Rin has for you,» Rindou gently put the pacifier into your mouth—which seemed to sooth you right away as you sucked on it—taking you from Mochi's arms and prepped your face with kisses.

A slight frown came over Rindous face. Sitting himself on the couch, you on his lap, he take good glance at your chubby face.

Cheeks flushed red, eyes swollen and still brimmed with left over tears. Your tiny chest heaving heavily, you weakly gripping his shirt.

«Did you two shitlings make him cry more?» Rindou give a slight glare at them, almost accusing.

«No we didn't, asshat. If you couldn't tell already, our darling baby isn't feeling goodie.»

«Thanks, Mr. Obvious. For telling me.»

«Be glad Mikey and Kakucho aren't here or you two would have to put 20Yen into the swear-jar.» Kokonoi's amusing chuckling brought the Haitani Brothers out of their word squabbling. They hadn't heard that Kokonoi has come in.

The three watched how Kokonoi put some bags down onto the coffee table. Rummaging through them, Kokonoi pulled out a small stuffed frog and one of those squeeze balls.

As soon as you notice what one of your dads had in his hands, your eyes lit up and made grabby hands towards him. Koko give it to you.

«Is he getting better? Did you gave him something to drink already?»

«To both of your questions, Koko, is the answer no.» Rindou and Ran said it at the same time.

Mochi sighed, having make a cup of coffee for himself. One of the strong types, which a shot of Vodka in it. Mochi loved you, but parenting was exhausting sometimes and they all could agree to this.

~~~

It didn't take long till the rest, besides Mikey who was still in the office and probably doing some last minute paperwork's, had come home too.

You sat on the ground, in front of the TV—Ran had put on some child friendly cartoons, but you didn't pay attention to it—playing with toys, your new stuffed friend sitting between your legs.

Kakucho and Rindou sitting besides you, being your play buddies. Glaring every so often at the others, who sat on the couch and giving playful comments about how good parent they are. It was mostly Sanzu and Ran who did.

«I was by the doctor and he said it's probably the summer heat, which makes [Name] so sick right now. We should try to keep him cool and give him light foods only.» told Takeomi, crouching down to you with a Sippy-cup in his hand.

A pocky stick hanging from his mouth, a replacement of a cigarette as Takeomi wasn't one to smoke around you. He offered you the cup, filled with milk. You took it, taking a few sips from it and give it back to your Papa, who pinched the bridge of his nose.

«At least [Name] didn't refused it right away and did drank some of it.» comment Mochi, going back to reading his newspapers.

Takeomi was concerned about you. Last summer you were fine, you hadn't any problem with the heat. So seeing you refusing food and drinks, crying through night and night and not even going potty in your diapers at all, did raise red flags of concern for Takeomi.

They really need to bring you to the doctor, but you're a fussy child and just being at the front door, brought you to tears—which raise another set of questions for Takeomi.

When Mikey had come back home, he ignored the mess of toys and stuffed animals in the living room. Too tried to care about tidiness, non of them were the best when it comes to do household chores, but for you they try to do.

After changing into nightwear, which consisted of only a pair of underwear and a oversized shirt, Mikey was making his towards Kakucho room, knowing well that you're in there. You might have your own room, crib, to sleep in, but you never do, preferring to sleep in the beds of your many dads.

Mikey pried you gently from Kakucho's arms, ignoring his incoherent mumbling and going into his own room.

Laying down onto his bed, god was Mikey exhausted, he hold you close. Giving you a small kiss to the head, shushing you back into sleep, when you begun to stir and lowly whine.

Mikey and the others would do anything to keep you loved and safe. You're Bontens heir, the ray of sunshine in their dark lives and the only family they still had left.

[lucianhuntress]

Day 2. Gale Dekarios x Reader: 8. “Did I just see you smile?”

Campfire crackles and its flames dance, illuminating the dark night. Just a few hours back you and your companions stumbled into a cave full of spiders and other nasty beings. You and Astarion somehow got the worst of it when the two of you fell into a pit full of spider eggs. 

Needless to say, the atmosphere has fallen into a rather gloomy state in the camp after Astarion had his emotional meltdown. You two were after all covered in all sorts of spider intestines, juices and other nasty excretions you don’t even have a name for. 

Gale, who had been far more lucky back in the cave, clearly notices how the whole experience has left you speechless as you mostly stare into the fire as if it would burn the memories of hairy spider legs in your mouth.

Much to his disappointment he couldn't get everyone into a cheery mood with his divine cooking skills; he managed to whip up a dinner for the whole party with just a few bottles of alcohol, an apple, a dried sausage and some purple grapes. Honestly, if you ask him, he outdid himself big time.

Yet nobody seems to be elated at all!

Gale finds a spot next to you and sits down, wondering how he could at least cheer you up if no one else feels like it— you have become quite important to him anyway. You would always listen to him, eagerly learning things and, oh, he loves to explain pretty much anything. Your silent presence is what he is used to, but not when you are quivering as you stare into oblivion.

“How was the water?” He asks nonchalantly, observing you cautiously. 

You, and Astarion, had quite the scrubbing ritual as soon as you got to the camp; the two of you nearly ran into the small pond —only after Wyll had made sure the pond contained nothing larger than frogs swimming in it.

“I was thinking,” Gale started after he got no reply from you, “that maybe we should have a dance class tomorrow? You know— we take a day off and just dance like madmen.”

It is normal for Gale to have odd ideas, but this was… well this is definitely weird. So you manage to finally even give him an incredulous side eye.

“Yeah, I know, I know— we have these squiggly little things swimming in our brains, and we should really hurry to Baldur’s Gate, but hey at least we'll have fun before we turn.”

You scoff as you turn back to stare into the flames. It's like the fire has hypnotized you.

“Or, in my case, explode,” Gale adds with a dramatic sigh. You know he is joking, but something in his theatrical effort tugs your lips slightly upwards and he yelps, stumbling back slightly, “Did I just see a smile? And here I thought you had turned into a rock!” 

You gently nudge him with your elbow, your smile widening slightly. 

“Ow!” Gale whines, but you see him smiling as well, “glad to see you smiling though, I don't know what I would do with the rest of the group looking like a goblin had stolen their morning porridges.” He leans in closer and lowers his tone as he mumbles: “nasty goblins those are.”

Heat climbs up your cheeks, even though the fire has been making sure you aren't cold, and your eyes meet. 

“Thanks, Gale.” You whisper meekly as butterflies flutter in your chest. 

“You're welcome,” he purrs and backs away slowly, “my bedroll is also rather empty so you're welcome to—”

You nudge him slightly harder with your elbow once again, earning another “ow!” 

[mxlfoydraco]

What are the sweetest, most fluffy, most tender fic recs you have? Hurt/comfort préférable but anything works

I'm a major angst reader so our definitions of fluff may vary! I'm adding on to these lists: Fluff & Hogwarts Era Fluff

Save My Wonders by @unmistakablyoatmeal(21k)

Immediately chocolate assaulted Draco’s senses. Warm melted chocolate mixed with his mother’s roses and… something else. Something new. Freshly scrubbed skin and maybe a faint sheen of sweat. It was so familiar… And it only intensified when Potter came up behind him.

Two of Us by @sorrybutblog (5k)

The gang goes to a gay bar. Or: five times Harry accidentally pretended to be Draco’s boyfriend and one time Draco told him to put out or shut up.

All Things Go by @sorrybutblog (32k)

Draco’s back at Hogwarts by court order. Harry’s back for no particular reason at all. Some things change, some stay the same. Neither expects to spend eighth-year living in close quarters, playing rugby (poorly), staying up late, sneaking around, and finally figuring it all out.

Quick as a Flash of Lightning, Unhurried as Eternity by @onbeinganangel (10k)

Can you fall in love with someone by simply watching them fiercely love another version of yourself?

Knead by @jovialobservationanchor (83k)

This is not a story about Harry renovating Grimmauld Place. This is a story about coffee shops and brewpubs, about Ginny and Luna on a farm with creatures, about magical Oregon, coastal road trips, flying, friendship, and Draco Malfoy's lean arms.

the treehouse near primrose downs by @softlystarstruck (14k)

Draco and Harry have been roommates for years, so buying a magical house in the countryside shouldn’t be a big difference. But in between fresh loaves of bread and beds of wildflowers, things start to fall into place.

you bring me home by @softlystarstruck (35k)

Harry is happy. He has his cat cafe and his hobbies. He has his friends, and Dolly Parton, and a shirt with a cowboy frog on it. It’s all a man needs, really. He doesn’t need to obsess over a magic-less, anxious Draco Malfoy coming into his cafe after disappearing from the wizarding world years ago. He doesn’t. Not even if the cats like Malfoy. Not even if Malfoy is soft, and funny, and a little bit neurotic. No matter how much he wants to obsess.

With Great Yawns and Stretchings by @sugar-screw (22k)

The coffee is very good. Really. And the cats are so cute. That's why Harry goes so often.

I Think I Want to Marry You by @phdmama (6k)

5 times Harry Potter asks Draco Malfoy to marry him and Draco doesn't answer. And then the one time he does.

Meddling, Menswear, and Magic by @writcraft (18k)

Draco Malfoy is working in a job he hates and avoiding the magical world entirely, but he really is fine. When a bequest from Severus Snape brings Draco back to a much-changed magical world, he must find his place within it and navigate his growing attraction to Harry Potter in the process.

Constellations on your skin by @orange-peony (56k)

“I’m going to get my scars removed,” Draco announces on a rainy Wednesday afternoon. “Who are you seeing?” Blaise asks. “The best Healer out there,” Draco replies with a little shrug. “Harry Potter.”

Sweeten to Taste by @saintgarbanzo (51k)

It starts with Draco's buckwheat crepes with honeyed oranges. Or maybe it starts with his porridge with toasted walnuts and homemade apple butter. Or perhaps it starts with the cinnamon buns Draco made from scratch with mascarpone icing. Harry just knows he's hungry for more.

The Little Marauders Nursery and Day Care by @digthewriter (9k)

Harry Potter is the proud owner of The Little Marauders Nursery and Day Care and his favourite student is Scorpius Malfoy. Scorpius’s dad might be okay, too.

Sourdough by @academicdisasterfic (17k)

Draco writes romance novels and doesn't leave his apartment much. Harry bakes bread and sells it to Draco. Draco is quite weird. Harry might like that.

The Courting by the Pureblood Who Only Has Five Milligrams of Romantic Intelligence and Thinks He’s Real Smooth by @cibeewastaken (19k)

Draco could grab Potter and shove him into a stall before proceeding to suck his soul out of his dick, but secretly, deep down, in the part of Draco that he will never admit to anyone, he is (everyone pauses to shudder) a romantic. Potter is not someone Draco wants a one-off with. Potter is — Draco’s beloved! So Draco decides to boldly go where no one has gone before: to put himself through scrutiny; their friends’ teasing and pranks; unsound romantic advice from a house-elf; wearing pretty clothes; all to try and win Potter’s heart through courtship. (An unnamed ginger bastard can be heard yelling from afar: “This is actually a detailed guide on how not to court someone!”) But who cares about the opinions of redheads? Literally no one.

Nice Things by aideomai (22k)

The first thing that happened was Theodore Nott came back from France.

Thermodynamic Equilibrium by @dorthyanndrarry (5k)

Harry's far too hot. Draco's always cold. And somehow against all odds, together they create a perfect equilibrium.

Stay (With Me) by @dorthyanndrarry (6k)

Harry and Draco have been seeing each other casually, whenever they bumped into one another at Galas and Balls and other social events, always keeping one another at a careful distance. But one step forward seems to remove all space between them, sending them crashing together with an almost inevitable gravity.

If It Takes All Night by @tackytigerfic (10k)

It's not the first time Harry's been the victim of a botched curse (that's one of the reasons he doesn't like crowds), but he feels bad that Malfoy had to get caught up in it too. So they're bonded. That's ok, they just have to make sure to be touching at all time. No problem. Because Malfoy smells so nice, and has such lovely shiny hair, and his skin is so very warm. But this isn't going to be a problem for their friendship at all. Is it, Harry?

Espresso Patronum by @tasteofshapes (15k)

When Draco reappears five years after the war and opens a wildly popular coffee shop, Harry’s pretty sure that Draco’s Up to Something. He just has to prove it.

The Charm Conundrum by dysonrules (8k)

Harry misplaces an interesting "self-help" manual. Draco finds it and discovers some fascinating insights into Harry Potter.

Little Deaths and How to Avoid Them (or Draco Malfoy's Guide to Stop Dying and Start Living Instead) by @greaseonmymouth (96k)

Malfoy is way too interested in coroner reports for somebody who's definitely not looking for ways to die, Harry wants to be friends with him, and Ginny wants to break up with Harry. Features: Little League Quidditch, an abundance of bath bombs, happy endings, and gay robots in space.

Harry Potter’s biggest fan by @gnarf (9k)

Ever since Scorpius heard about Harry Potter for the first time from one of his friends, one could say that he was his biggest fan. So naturally, it would be the thing he needs to talk about while visiting his grandparents for Sunday dinner. Draco’s father could not hold back the comments on why he had to go through this again, and Scorpius understood just enough to know that his father actually knew Harry Potter in person. That’s when the pestering started. Not much later and Draco found himself face to face with Potter, all thanks to his son.

Sunseeker by @shiftylinguini (15k)

Harry is a struggling writer. Namely, he is struggling with: writing his next book, dealing with his agent, finding a decent tea strainer, fielding his friend's concern over the aforementioned book, and figuring out who the cat loitering in his garden belongs to. He also has a slight liking-Malfoy problem. Okay, he has a massive liking-Malfoy problem.

All Roads Lead Home by dracogotgame (14k)

Draco is strong-armed into spending the first Christmas after the War with the Weasleys. And Harry Potter.

Draco Malfoy Absolutely Does Not Need to Be Loved by Harry Bloody Potter by @nv-md (18k)

It’s not easy to be bonded to your childhood rival, turned fuckbuddy, who you also have extremely uncomfortable but repressed feelings for—just ask Draco Malfoy.

Nyctophilia by prolonged_autumn (107k)

Everyone's back for 8th year, and Harry and his friends seem determined to spend their last year in school running around at night, hyped up on coffee and alcohol and Honeydukes candy, doing all the childish things they didn't have the chance to do before. Draco watches as he's always watched: from afar, quiet and bitter and hopelessly in love. That is, until Pansy decides she's had quite enough of it.

[tobyfoxmademeascaly]

Welcome to

PART TWO

Of

DUNGEON LUNCHEON MUNCH OR DUMP

(Part one over here)

Treasure Bug Snacks: fuck yes sweets and treats. Only thing that gives me pause is the question of how crunchy coin bugs are

Verdict: MUNCH

Exorcism Sorbet: FUCK YES SWEETS AND TREATS! Magic ice cream! What else could you want!

Verdict: MUNCH

Boiled Mimic: Literally just crab. Marcille its literally just a crab.

Verdict: MUNCH

Looted Grain Porridge: ehhh. I prefer my grains ground into flour and baked. Would eat the mimic meat though, as previously covered.

Verdict: DUMP

Grilled Parasite: once again. Soy sauce. Though I’d at least try the parasite itself.

Verdict: MUNCH, experimentally

Grilled Kelpie: oh FUCK yes. I’ve always wanted to try horse meat and here’s a whole variety platter! Going after the fillet most of all, and the tail for the novelty.

Verdict: MUNCH

Tentacle and Kelpie Stew: I love a good meaty stew… while I’m unsure what texture tentacles would have, whatever texture they would have would be homogenized by being stewed, so it doesn’t really matter.

Verdict: MUNCH

Tentacle Gnocci: oh FUCK yeah pasta. Putting things in ravioli (or similar) is one of the #1 ways to make me eat it. Once again, texture doesn’t matter I’m fucking these UP

Verdict: MUNCH

Pre-Dragon Cutlets: never had frog before but I am VERY eager to try. The red wine + onion is a big bonus. Slather it on there senshi my man I too would have the morale to fight a dragon after eating this.

Verdict: MUNCH

Red Dragon Banquet: what a way to end this post off! While the red dragon is both a carnivorous animal AND quite a lean one, I’m with Laios on this one. I’m digging into that roast with reckless abandon. And if it was overly tough? The tail stew is right there. And failing even that? Hey, there’s pizza.

Verdict: MUNCH

[room-surprise]

Dungeon Meshi Anime Episode Breakdown Predictions

My spouse has been scouring the manga trying to figure out how Trigger will break up the remaining episodes, and this is their current prediction for how it will go, based on the episodes we've had so far (1-4) Potential manga spoilers under the cut.

5: ch 10 (snacks), 11 (sorbet), 12 (living paintings) 6: ch 13 (mimic), 14 (kelpie) 7: ch 15 (porridge), 16 (kraken/parasite) 8: 17 (raspberries) ch 18 (grilled meat) 9: 19 (tentacles), 20 (stew) 10: ch 21 (giant frog), 22 (above ground (namari&twins)) 11: 23 (planning), 24 (dragonfight 1), 25 (Dragonfight 2) 12: 26 (butchering the dragon) 27 (jigsaw, rez) 13: 28 (dragon cooking), 29 (the mad mage) Just some predictions of how things might go down, since we know Trigger is combining some chapters but not others.

[montanamp3]

ghost story musical prereading update: i am literally not beating the Girl With Crush stereotype because while im reading all this stuff about ethnicity and desire and whatever im thinking about how when i talk to American Boy like how much of it is me like performing (?) not just my personality but my culture to make him like me more like when he says he's never met a singaporean girl before & i go haha no way i guess i have to show u around someday & i make jokes about frog porridge and ghost month is that just me not wanting to be the whitest girl in a room full of asians and being the most exotic interesting girl in a room full of white people instead?? what if this entire stupid butterfly pinkerton unrequited nightmare situationship is just a cliche i'm clinging on to because it's such a stereotypical Straight Girl Struggle that it makes me think of myself as more of a Girl in comparison & my concepts of Girl and Chinese and Straight are so intertwined that feeling more Like one makes me feel more secure in the others... what if i killed myself in front of him and changed the trajectory of his stupid whiteboy life

[etherealspacejelly]

just made the best joke of my life

so my boyfriend, @frogofalltime, tried to make porridge in the microwave this morning. it exploded. he made a new bowl and also made some for his friend who is staying over. this friend happens to be white, while frog is brown. this is important context.

this conversation then ensued between me and frog:

he then proceeded to lose his shit because im hilarious :]

[blogovision]

blogovision2024 1-50

1. Fontaines D.C. - "Romance" (475) 2. Cure - "Songs Of A Lost World" (415) 3. Beth Gibbons - "Lives Outgrown" (347) 4. Charli XCX - "Brat" (336) 5. Smile - "Wall Of Eyes" (260) 6. Beak> - ">>>>" (172) 7. Idles - "TANGK" (170) 8. Jamie Xx - "In Waves" (162) 9. Billie Eilish - "Hit Me Hard And Soft" (150) 10. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - "Wild God" (135) 11. Kendrick Lamar - "GNX" (110) 12. Sprints - "Letter To Self" (110) 13. Kim Gordon - "The Collective" (109) 14. Being Dead - "Eels" (107) 15. Cindy Lee - "Diamond Jubilee" (102) 16. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - "No Title As Of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead" (97) 17. Beyonce - "Cowboy Carter" (89) 18. Chelsea Wolfe - "She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She" (88) 19. Nadine Shah - "Filthy Underneath" (87) 20. Vampire Weekend - "Only God Was Above Us" (86) 21. Mannequin Pussy - "I Got Heaven" (84) 22. Jessica Pratt - "Here In The Pitch" (82) 23. Floating Points - "Cascade" (81) 24. Tyler, The Creator - "Chromakopia" (79) 25. Xiu Xiu - "13" Frank Beltrame Italian Stiletto With Bison Horn Grips" (79) 26. Fat White Family - "Forgiveness Is Yours" (78) 27. Echo Tides - "Στον Δρόμο Που Φυτρώναν Φράουλες" (77) 28. Memorials - "Memorial Waterslides" (76) 29. Shellac - "To All Trains" (73) 30. Kneecap - "Fine Art" (71) 31. DIIV - "Frog In Boiling Water" (70) 32. Body - "The Crying Out Of Things" (68) 33. Smile - "Cutouts" (67) 34. Uranium Club - "Infants Under The Bulb" (66) 35. JPEGMAFIA - "I Lay Down My Life For You" (66) 36. Tindersticks - "Soft Tissue" (61) 37. Porridge Radio - "Clouds In The Sky They Will Always Be There For Me" (58) 38. MJ Lenderman - "Manning Fireworks" (57) 39. Arab Strap - "I’m Totally Fine With It ???? Don’t Give A Fuck Anymore ????" (56) 40. Amyl And The Sniffers - "Cartoon Darkness" (56) 41. Chat Pile - "Cool World" (55) 42. English Teacher - "This Could Be Texas" (53) 43. Magdalena Bay - "Imaginal Disk" (53) 44. Father John Misty - "Mahashmashana" (52) 45. Julie Christmas - "Ridiculous And Full Of Blood" (49) 46. Mdou Moctar - "Funeral For Justice" (49) 47. Blood Incantation - "Absolute Elsewhere" (49) 48. Moin - "You Never End" (49) 49. Marina Satti - "P.O.P." (48)

[incorrect-mtg]

Flavor Text Highlights - Mirage

<- Previous Set | Next Set ->

Funny - Pacifism

For the first time in his life, Grakk felt a little warm and fuzzy inside.

Funny - Elixir of Vitality

“Eternal life or your money back.” —Unnamed Suq'Ata merchant, deceased

Emotional - Reign of Terror

“I don’t know what takes them; they die around me without time to scream.” —Scout Ekemet, final journal

Worldbuilding - The entire Love Song of Night and Day* *which I will put under a line break because it's super long AND I want to repost content from a Wizards article which is no longer available

<- Previous Set | Next Set ->

The full poem, taken from the article of the same name originally posted in 2003 on the wizards website (here) with footnotes explaining which cards quote it.:

Love Song of Night and Day by Jenny Scott

He (Night) / She (Day)

Wrap yourself in your best bright clothes, your red and purple scarves of silk. Run with me to the festival, where we will dance until sunrise. The dwarves will beat their funny drums of zebra skins and hollowed trees, while stiltwalkers perform, and the musician blows his bamboo flute.

And late in the night, the poets and storytellers entertain, delight us with their dancing words, as we listen, clapping by the fire. Enchant me with your tale-telling. Tell about Tree, Grass, River, and Wind. Tell why Truth must fight with Falsehood, and why Truth will always win.1

I will tell my father's stories: how the giant mantis fooled Death by holding still as a felled tree; how the elephants trampled the leopard cub, and its father, though he knew, killed nine goats instead;2 how pirates gambled with a djinn and lost the thing more dear than gold.3

Tonight we'll eat a farewell feast. Cold corn porridge is not enough. Let's peel papayas, pineapples, and mangoes, drink coconut milk, and bake bananas.4 We'll dine on crocodiles, wild birds, and turtles, perhaps a hippopotamus--if only you can catch it first.

I'll build a palace made of stone. Two hippo-headed guards will serve, and tigers carry in your meals. I'll capture flying zebras for your steeds, and fill the stable with every kind of unicorn.5 Butterflies and salamanders will decorate your garden.

I'll strand long strings of beads for you, blue, the color only kings may wear. I'll carve a soapstone lioness, a wooden box to lock it in, girded with sapphire amulets, ostrich feathers, ivory. These things will protect you while I'm gone, remind you of my love for you.6

Your voice resounds like a songbird's, every word is a sweet, soft song. When you run you're graceful and swift, sleek as a powerful panther.7 Mysterious chameleon, you're a thousand women at once, sharp and strong as a lioness, yet gentle as a striped gazelle.

On this our last day together, let us walk across the grasslands. Hold my hand and let's walk slowly, seeing everything as children. Let's walk on the Daraja Plains, where leopards hang from trees, dosing, tasseled tails swaying in the shade, near villages of tree-dwelling elves.

Glorious, to walk again across the savannah with my beloved. A lion walks commandingly, a general among his troops, camped the night before a battle. A snake, colorful and coiled, loops around his bough, mischievous, hanging over the village path.

We'll find termites in their nests, hard tall towers above the plains, and point-eared cats, taking their turns, guarding their many entrances. We'll find the basket-nests of birds hanging from the acacia tree. Rhinoceroses and dragons for once will let us walk in peace.

When lightning tears the sky's dark cloak and heaven's bird beats the water on the muddy plains with its big wings, termites and frogs escape their homes toward the lamps in the nearest village. Spiders dry themselves indoors, the spotted lizards that never fall from ceilings suddenly appear.

In the forest, fires light the sky as the black clouds unfold their weight.8. The black-and-white sacred monkey holds her children to her, and waits.9 Love, like lightning hits suddenly. It sparks the heart with blows of light, its fire extending, bends, expands, beats and breaks your hiding places.

* * *

Remember when we were children, herding the sheep together, leading them over the grassy hills with long sticks. Your silly songs made me laugh, and in the evening, you'd enchant me with your stories, lying on your back beside me. Even then my heart was yours.

I remember your sacred rites. You were so funny, so grown up, so stiff and serious, all arms and elbows. You went in a girl, but you returned a warrior. You marched back with the others-- your hair was cut, your eye tattooed with the red triangle of war.10

Tomorrow I must go, my love. I will tattoo my head with braids. My shield will bear a shining sun so you will always be with me. Inlaid with gold, it will shine like glowing embers.11 I will return with lizard skins for your sandals. Paint your eyes black and wait for me.12

I am the sun, you are the moon. Wherever you lead I will go, following across the wide sky, as long as I live and you love. Sun follows Moon until she tires, then carries her until she's strong and runs ahead of him again.13 I'll carry you, too, my beloved.

My love, we are not Sun and Moon. Instead we are like day and night. The old ones say Day is a woman, who works only while it is light. She herds her goats and catches fish, fills her fields with golden corn, shows her children what is just and protects them from the cobra.

Day loves Night, who works in darkness, walking through heaven's milky sky collecting stars with his quick arms, piling them into a basket like a child collecting lizards and piling them into her pot until the pot overflows with lizards, 'til the basket overflows with light.

Night wears a black cloak lined with fire, studded inside with gleaming stars. At dawn and dusk he spies his love. Across the rolling hills of sky, they glimpse each other--so briefly. They throw each other kisses, cry. Their tears spill over Jamuraa. Mixed with blood, they wash everything red.14

But once, with a magician's help, Time was stopped and Day stood still.15 Night spread over Jamuraa, wrapped Day in his dark cloak and held her. In their miraculous embrace, the two became as One. Until pulled from Day's arms, Night sank, commanded by the western horizon that always beckons him to come.

I won't give up hope, my love.

Our love is like the river in the summer season of long rains: For a little while it spilled its banks, flooding the crops in the fields.16 But soon it will evaporate with the dry heat. Like Day from Night, I'll live my life apart from you, just glimpsing you across the sky, because you cannot change, my dear, and nor can I.17

[1] "Enchant me…" - Village Elder, Mirage [2] "I will tell my father's stories… how the elephants…" - Wild Elephant, Mirage [3] "…pirates…" - Kukemssa Pirates, Mirage [4] "Tonight…" - early harvest, Mirage and Sixth Edition [5] "I'll capture…" - Zebra Unicorn, Mirage (note that "flying" was changed to "gentle" on the card.) [6] "These things…" - Remedy, Visions and Sixth Edition [7] "When you run…" - Panther Warriors, Visions [8] "In the forest…" - Flare, Mirage [9] "The black-and-white…" - simoon, Visions [10] "…you returned a warrior… your hair was cut…" - Zhalfirin Knight, Mirage [11] "My shield…" - blinding light, Mirage [12] "I will return…" - Femeref Knight, Mirage [13] "Sun follows…" - Chariot of the Sun, Mirage [14] "Their tears…" - Mortal Wound, Visions [15] "But once…" - Sands of Time, Visions [16] "Our love…" - Summer Bloom, Visions [17] "Like Day from Night…" - Unfulfilled Desires, Mirage

[talesofsorrowandofruin]

Manuscript Search Tag

Thanks for tagging me, @space-writes, @oh-no-another-idea, and @writingamongther0ses! :D

Words: rise, sweet, discuss, consequence, turn, twist, marvel, sheer, bullcrap, pizza, leftover, water and monster. These are from The Power and the Glory and Like Snow on Hungry Graves:

Rise:

Kitri didn't know when or how she'd managed to fall asleep. It was a shock to wake up and find the sun beginning to rise. She looked over at the riverbank. It was deserted. Her initial relief faded quickly when she realised the world was still unnaturally quiet. No birds sang. No frogs croaked.

Sweet:

Abi was mildly disappointed to see that their hosts had provided Saoridhin food for breakfast. She'd never had a chance to try much Gengxinese food beyond the sweets Mirio brought home from his visits. Even though she hadn't eaten much yesterday she didn't feel particularly hungry. But she could just imagine what her aunt would say if she announced her intention to skip breakfast, so she helped herself to a bowl of porridge.

Discuss:

Newcomers to the city were never in an enviable position at events like this. Either they didn't know anyone and were left with no one to talk to or dance with, or they were important enough for everyone to want to talk to them. Both Kiriyuki and Ilaran were in the second category. For the last few hours every time Abi looked over at Ilaran he was deep in conversation with someone or other. Now, for the first time since the ball started, he was finally alone. It might be the only chance they had to discuss their plans.

Consequence:

There was one main consequence of the way the manor regularly changed hands. All of its staff were loyal to the Diashamijë family, of course, but the majority were more loyal to the family's current head -- which was not necessarily the current monarch, illogical though it seemed. The head of the family was whoever was oldest. Currently that was Great-Aunt Gulisa, who cordially detested Ketevan.

Turn:

Through the window he watched the sky turn grey, then purple, then pink. Finally the sun's first rays fell into the room. Ketevan either woke up or gave up the pretence of sleep. Hariye heard her sit up and put her boots back on. She crossed to the table and he heard the sound of rustling paper.

Twist:

"In my experience someone who disappears without trace doesn't want to be found." Rusudan went back to spinning the stone around. There was something vicious about the way she spun it, as if she was imagining twisting someone's neck instead. "My advice to you is give up, go home, and mind your own business. I won't help you."

Marvel Wonder:

Lian's eyes briefly went unfocused and he seemed to be staring right through her. It sent a chill down her spine. Then his eyes went back to normal so quickly that she was left wondering if she'd imagined it.

Sheer:

With every step the horse took they drew closer to one of those sheer cliffs and rockless stretches of water. He counted down from a hundred silently. By the time he reached thirty-one they were at a part of the road that ran close to the cliff-edge. He felt Ketevan tense behind him.

Bullcrap Nonsense:

Ketevan said nothing that evening, but she knew Hariye's idea was complete nonsense. If he walked into the mayor's office and proclaimed he was the missing prince, he'd be sent back to his father before he knew it. If she walked in and proclaimed she was a foreign princess, it also wouldn't end well. But if she walked in and proclaimed she was a shipwrecked foreign merchant, maybe they had a chance of getting on a ship. The best chance of all was to simply find a Vakaryanese ship, explain who she was, and get home that way, but Ketevan didn't know yet if any Vakaryanese ships came to the nearest port.

Pizza Dinner:

She'd thought her behaviour was perfectly justified. How could anyone listen to someone talk about tax policies during dinner without feeling the urge to resort to violence? Alas, her mother had disagreed. The next thing Ketevan knew she was sent out of the city on this ludicrous mission.

Leftover Remaining:

Abihira blinked up at them as if she couldn't see them clearly. Irímé half-ran, half-jumped down the remaining stairs. Luckily for him he was already close to the bottom. Ilaran followed at a less breakneck speed.

Water:

Ketevan stared intently down at the sea. Waves broke against the cliff. A gull wailed overhead. No body floated up to the surface. Not even a mer could have survived a fall from that height. Hitting the water would have been like falling off a castle tower and landing on stone. Probably Hariye's body had been destroyed beyond recognition by the impact.

Monster:

Rusudan overheard that story in a pub late one night. She thought of everything she'd ever heard about merfolk. She thought of a young boy who'd jumped, apparently to his death, off a cliff shortly before the monster sightings started. And she wondered.

Open tag! :D

[chalicepumasway]

DnD Background for Skezzleman son (yes Hermitcraft related)

Skezz Le Manson by ChalicePumaSway

            Skezz was taken to an orphanage by a group of hunters who found him crying on the side of a river. There was a man nearby stabbed to death with all his clothes and possessions stolen. This was a common story, bandits jump someone and kill them but are unwilling to slay a babe or child they might have been carrying. Sometimes the hunters find the babe before the animals do and sometimes they don’t.

Skezz was luckier than some but life in an orphanage is no easy life. You have ragged clothes and porridge every day. People come to look for a child to adopt but if you are too young or too old you get passed over. Skezz had scars on his arm from his childhood run in with bandits and when adopters saw these flaws they assumed the child was wild, no matter how sweet or funny you actually were. You get to meet clerics and noblemen only when they are doing a good deed before the eyes of many. On one of these many visits the Baron brought his son, Imploso.

Imploso was a lonely only child, expected to keep a crisp appearance and perfect behavior at all times. He caught one glance of Skezz’s confident lopsided grin and woefully wished for a friend like him. When the Baron had finished inspection of the children and had his back turned to discuss the donation to the orphanage, Skezz tossed Imploso a little frog he pulled from the pocket on the front of his overalls. Imploso caught it with a small squeak and his eyes grew wide as he had never touched such a slimy wonderous creature in his life. He loved it. The Baron turned back to make sure his son was following him and Imploso shoved the little frog into his beautiful feathered cap he had taken off when entering the building. They made it outside before the little frog made a ribbet noise and the Baron looked around for the source.  He glared at his son and asked him if he had picked something up while they were there. He hid the cap behind him, scared his father would hurt the small creature. Skezz walked up and snatched the frog back from the cap and held it out to the Baron. Showing him it was his pet making all the noise and Imploso was innocent as can be. The Baron was satisfied with this and went to go. Imploso gave Skezz a quick hug of thanks and whispered to him to take care of the little froggy buddy. Skezz misheard him and thought Imploso called him Homie Buddy and waved good bye to his Homie Buddy.

Years passed and Skezz was old enough to apprentice with a local Mason. His easy and friendly nature made for good company but he was an even harder worker. He felt the need to prove himself useful and capitalize on the opportunity he was being given. Most children had their parents pay to get into an apprenticeship. While Skezz had gotten in by making himself a favorite of the local brick layers. The whole crew of them loved his jokes and his silly nicknames and dances. When an opening became available during Skezz’s 14th birthday week, the crew put together money for his apprenticeship bid. The bid was accepted and Skezz was moved from the orphanage to the Mason’s guild house.

He hadn’t gotten his growth spurt yet and on the gruel he was being fed at the orphanage. He was unlikely to grow to his full potential. In the guild house he cleaned tool sets, ran water, and gathered firewood. He even beat the brick dust off the thick leather aprons and boots all the masons wore to work. His appetite was voracious and he would do extra work on the side for the butcher and the farmers for any extra scraps of food they’d be willing to part with. The local cleric noticed the entire village seemed to enjoy his company and called him a son of Man. The name Skezz Le Man’s Son became Manson and he was often also called Skezz Le Mason.

Another few years pass and Skezz is in the height of his youth, a young strapping lad of 20.  He worked hard during the day with the Mason crew and would party harder in the evenings at the local tavern. He was known for giving all the ladies, old and young a great big smile and a wink, and every buddy he happened across a great big bear hug. On one of these evenings a young blonde man, lithe and graceful came in wearing a cloak without a single tear or any wear in it. He slipped into a chair near the door and ordered a simple local wine. His demeanor though was downtrodden and he wouldn’t make eye contact with a single soul.

Skezz hadn’t noticed him right away, he was playing cards with one of his crewmates and was winning. The hand was over and his friend was dismayed at the amount of coin he lost, so Skezz went to the bar to get him a drink to soothe his wounded ego. As he was waiting on the pour he looked around and noticed the young lad, knowing this was a friend he had yet to make he ordered a second drink and dropped the first off with his friend. He walked right over to the young land and dropped the drink on the table with a whoop and a holler that scared the young lad. He threw his head back and the hood of the cloak fell. His clean skin and blonde locks gave him away as nobility. Skezz noticed this but was more concerned at the sorrow surrounding the poor lad.

“You should join us for a round of cards! It will perk you right up my Homie Buddy.” The phrase he had been using since his run in with Imploso. Imploso blinked at him and his mouth dropped.

“Skezz? From the orphanage? The one who gifted me a frog?”

“Imploso? The Baron’s son?” Skezz grinned from ear to ear and clapped Imploso on the back with a heavy hand. “Well now I’m not gonna take no for an answer! Come game with us my first Homie Buddy!” And a deep friendship was born.

The rounds of cards and beer flowed well into the dawn’s first light. When the last of the Masons had slumped out the door leaning on one another hoping to get a few winks in before the work day began, Skezz and Imploso were left alone on the tavern steps. Skezz leaned back watching the light break through the trees. He finally asked what had been on his heart all night.

“What are you running away from?”

Imploso let out a squeak and his shoulders slumped. He had almost let go entirely of his worries in a fun filled night but here they were waiting for him in the morning light. “My father in law to be.”

Skezz let out a whistle. “Wow at least I can trust you have some real serious issues before you try and take off. Wanna let me in, Homie Buddy? Maybe I can help.”

“Well as you know I’m the Baron’s son. My betrothed has been the same since I was born. She’s lovely, truly, nothing bad to say about her. Her father on the other hand has always treated me as his heir. Which means I have to live up to his expectations as well as my father’s. I’ve been very good at meeting those expectations up until recently. “ Imploso sighed.

“So what changed?”  Skezz toyed with a blade of grass, folding it and tying it into a knot.

“Jousting.” Imploso broke out into tears.

Skezz instantly knew what had happened. Locally jousting had become a huge sport. It had been years ago and lost favor and now something had happened that caused a revival and the fever for it was insatiable. The only people who could afford the equipment were Nobles and so only nobles were permitted to play.

“So your father in law is into jousting.” Skezz sighed. “Rough buddy.”

“I know! I’ve spent my whole life learning how to dance and use the right fork at dinners and wrote my betrothed poetry. I have read countless books he gave me cover to cover and even quoted his favorite authors to him. I’ve never picked up a sword before in my life! The only thing I have going for me is that I know how to ride a horse.” The woes spilled from Imploso in a heated flow.

“He can’t expect you to suddenly be good at jousting can he?” Skezz looked at Imploso who just nodded at him exaggeratedly.

“Absolutely he can and he does. He has entered me into a tourney! I don’t want to die!” Imploso began to shake and tears fell from his eyes in torrents. “So I RAN! My father and my future father in law are going to absolutely get me killed if I go back and will kill me if I DON’T go back.”

Skezz pulled Imploso into a great bear hug. Imploso squeaked as his back cracked from the strength of his friend hardened by manual labor. His face covered in tears and snot dripping from his nose he rested his head on Skezz’s shoulder.

“We’ll figure it out Homie Buddy. I know we will. I’m not sure how but you’re really smart and I’m friends with a lot of people. We can ask around and see if anyone knows a way to make this work.”  Skezz released Imploso and pulled the handkerchief from Imploso’s cloak pocket and wiped his buddy’s tears. Imploso took it from him and blew his nose.

“Why….why do you still use that phrase, Homie Buddy? You do know I said froggy buddy that day.” Imploso continued to clean up his appearance, the movements seemed habitual as if he couldn’t stop himself from making himself presentable.

“Yeah one of the kids pointed that out later to me. I just….loved the idea that my home was a person or many people. I lived my whole life in the orphanage and watched other people have homes where they lived with families. Something I’d always hoped to have. After I met you I realized that even with a home and a family you…needed more.” Skezz sighed and considered his next words carefully.

“I did need more, gosh Skezz you have no idea how much I wanted to be your friend that day. I could never have told my father, he’d be so mad at me.” Imploso had started to clean under his nails with the handkerchief. “He brought me there to show me how good I had it. All I could see was the freedom you all had to be yourselves. I know it is dumb. I had everything but I would have traded it all for a friend.”

Skezz held back tears for a moment and then met eyes with Imploso who looked so utterly defeated and failed.  They streamed silently down his rugged features he felt weak as if he started crying the tears would never stop. “I started…making friends with everyone after I met you. There were some squabbles in the orphanage but I refused to let the kids fight. I told them all we had was one another we had to take care of each other. It didn’t always work, we had kids stealing things brought in by the new kids who had stuff from their homes after their parents died in battles. I got into a fight with one and while I was hitting him he started to cry and I stopped. He looked up at me and said “why do I have to be in pain all the time and why are my parents gone, please just let me have this.” It was a toy one of the other kids had brought with him. I never touched another kid after that. I told myself if a kid needed something I would do everything in my power to get it for them. But I didn’t have anything myself so I made friends with other people and would do work for them, whatever they needed in exchange for whatever a kid needed.”

“Oh Skezz…you have no idea how much that little frog changed my life. I started to tinker with automatons and machines to try and make a friend for myself. Every single one of them had your lopsided grin.” Imploso started to cry again and his self preening was utterly ruined by more tears and snot.

Skezz smiled at the thought that there were automatons with his face on them living in a beautiful, gilded house while he worked his fingers to the bone. “Even the masons guild house is a place I could lose if I get injured or lose a limb or get too old to work. Friends though, friends are a home you always have no matter what you lose. So I guess I will always call people my Homie Buddy because to me they are my home and you’re my first Homie Buddy.”

“So you really mean it when you say we’ll figure this out together. You’re gonna save me from this whole jousting thing.” Imploso let out a shakey sigh. Hope had started to creep into his heart full of fear and terror. He felt like crying but all of a sudden he let out a laugh as the tears rolled down his face.

Skezz joined him and the two laughed with a strange hysterical bent to it. After a few minutes the tavern owner opened the door and gave Skezz a look he was all too familiar with.

“We can’t stay here. I can let you crash at the Masons Guild House today. I’m not working today so we can get some rest and then ask around to see if anyone knows anything.” He stood up and held his hand out to Imploso who looked at it for a second and with a small smile took it as Skezz helped him to his feet and let go.They started down the village path drenched in early morning light. It really felt like a new beginning for both of them.

They got to the Mason Guild house and passed into the main hall. Some of the guildmembers were already sitting down to breakfast being served by a sweet faced lady in a lightly food stained yellow checkered apron and faded off white linen dress. She looked up at Skezz and a huge smile broke out over her face. She took a look at Imploso and gave Skezz a wink.

“You brought home another stray, Skezz. You boys need some breakfast after a night of drinking? Should I get your regular, Skezz?”  She patted him on the arm. Skezz winked at her then he gave her a one armed hug and rested his head on her brown and gray curls.

“If you wouldn’t mind. I of course will be happy to help clean the kitchen before I crash out as per usual.” She nodded at him and Skezz and Imploso took a seat at one of the tables with benches lined on either side. She served them heaping plates of sausages and a bowl of oatmeal with an apple. The tiredness swept over them as their bellies were filled with warm breakfast. Skezz took the plates and walked over to the kitchen door, Imploso followed closely behind him. Skezz stopped at the door. “You don’t have to do this. Its just a deal I have worked out with her if I bring a non-guild member in for breakfast.”

“You’re basically paying for my breakfast, the least I could do is help.” Skezz nodded and they both stepped into the kitchen. Imploso was terrible at sweeping and doing dishes. He was ok at wiping down the counters and restocking the oats for the next round of hungry masons. Skezz chuckled to himself as he watched the Baron’s son struggle with basic tasks. Imploso kept catching his eye and shaking his head and snickering. “Yes! I know I am bad at this. I just…wanted to help, ok?”

“Its great Homie Buddy, don’t sweat it.” Skezz took the basket of linens from the counter. “I’ll drop this off at the washing station in the courtyard and we can get some sleep.”

After dropping off the wash, they walked through the halls pretty quietly, not everyone was awake yet. Skezz opened the door to his room and Imploso let out a little noise of shock. Two dogs looked up from beds tucked against the end of the wooden bed frame. There was a medium sized cage on a table with a large bowl of water and 3 frogs hopping around. There was a brown and gray bird sitting in a nest on the open window sill and three cats curled up in the bed below the window. A fourth cat was crawling in the window past the nest, the bird didn’t react at all even though they were close together.

“This, this is where all your mason money goes, doesn’t it? To feeding this crazy lot of animals you have.” Imploso walked over to the frog cage. Skezz closed the door behind him quietly.

“No. Most of these are just pets the rest of the masons have, they just chose to sleep in my room at night because they know I’m not going to be here and they like hanging out with one another.” Skezz pulled the covers back from the bed and tightened the rope around the hay sack bedding so it pulled the hay together.

“So other people’s pets like to hang out with you more than they like hanging out with their owners?” Imploso shook his head and started to lay his cloak on the floor next to the two resting dogs who wagged their tails as he approached.

“Naw naw, you sleep in the bed, I know you’re not used to sleeping on a floor as nobility and while my bed isn’t a feather mattress but its better than the floor.” Skezz pointed at the bed and Imploso scoffed although he felt grateful at the same time.

“I’m sure we can..” Before he could finish his sentence the door slammed opened.

“SKEZZ!” A lean blonde man with eyes made of flames stood in the door as the suddenly frightened animals scattered. The cats out the door and the window, the bird took flight around the room then went out the window and the dogs stood up in their beds and barked. “Buddy you were on fire last night with those cards. I had to take off after my loss of course because ya know I had important things to do but I promise I’ll be getting you your money today!

Skezz sighed and came to pet the dogs until they settled back into the beds. Imploso sat on the bed looking at feathers and fur left behind in the panic. “You know better than that Tongo, I’ll take your money whenever you have it. If you can’t get it to me just volunteer at the orphanage or do some work for the kitchen to help for an IOU.”

“No offense buddy but I don’t like volunteering at the orphanage, every time I go the kids ask me to burn the place down. I ask them if they want to be kids without families and without a roof over their heads. They all think they are going to get adopted by the Baron if there isn’t an orphanage to live in. Silly kids. Speaking of, this guy looks like the Baron’s son.” Tongo looked Imploso up and down, obviously used to the fact Skezz brought back people to his room all the time.

“He is the Baron’s son, Tongo Topin, this is Imploso, son of our local Baron.” Skezz sat on the end of the bed next to the dogs and continued to pet and settle them. The one with redish brown fur leaned into his hand and softly wagged his tail and gave a yawn.

“WHAT? Geeze Skezz you make friends with everyone, but nobility. That’s got to be a new one for you.” Tongo looked Imploso up and down. “What are you even doing here? How did you skadoodle past the guards your father has around his place? That place is locked up tight.”

“It’s a long story and to be honest I’m pretty tired. Skezz knows how to party and clean up afterwards. Now I’m barely upright.” Imploso took the pillow off the bed and fluffed it a second. “We were just about to argue who got to sleep on the floor and who was going to be forced to sleep in the bed.”

“Oh, well you can crash in my bed, Imploso, you stay in here you’ll be cuddling all manner of animals by the time you wake up. I’m next door.” Tongo stepped out and the pair followed him. Tongo opened his door. The room’s furniture was a mirror of Skezz’s except every surface was covered in automatons and scrap metal parts. Even the bed had a small robot on each bedpost. Imploso let out a delighted cry.

“You work with automatons too? Oh Wow!! Yeah this feels very familiar. My own room looks similar. I could definitely crash here and sleep well with the smell of oil and metal. “ Imploso gave the sweetest smile to Skezz who nodded back with his signature grin.

“And by similar you mean like a 10th of the size of your room. I’ve got to go and get the fires for the kilns running then I have some guys I have to meet up with for….uhhh, reasons.” Tongo dipped suddenly. Skezz looked after him, concern clearly etched on his face.

“How does that guy know how big my room is? Is everything ok you look worried.” Imploso pulled the sheets back on Tango’s bed and slid his boots off. He placed his cloak on one of the hooks next to the bed. Tongo had a few tools on the hooks next to it. Some of them looked like custom creations.

‘I dunno, Top has this habit of getting mixed up with the wrong kind of people. He was pretty vague about who he was meeting and as you’ve seen he doesn’t normally hold anything back without good reason. Oh and he comes from a family with some ties to a criminal group. His mother got him into the masons to make sure he stayed away from it but he has brothers and cousins and his dad is still in it. They are descended from fire elementals, don’t ask me how I didn’t know they could cross with humans.” Skezz watched as Imploso settled into the bed. “You gonna be good, need anything?”

“Naw. I should be good. I’m really tired. I’ll be out like a candle flame in a storm I’m sure.” He smiled at Skezz one more time and rolled over onto his side facing the wall, pulling the blanket over him. Skezz watched him for a moment more and went back to his room and crashed.