#grove of the giants

[stone-cold-groove]

Vintage travel poster from 1938 - Sequoia National Park.

[galoogamelady]

Since y'all call any Dragonborn character "Dark Urge" now

[the-gryptid]

I hate myself

[tenderhungering]

me when i destroy the bond of friendship and respect between the only people left who’d even look me in the eye but now i laugh and make a fortune of the same ones that i tortured and the world screams “kiss me, son of god!”

edit: edit came into fruition right here !

[faggotfungus]

Postcard of "The Giant," Big Tree Grove. Santa Cruz, California. Published: 1909 ⁰

[famewolf]

going goblin mode and picking out 16 of my favorite d4s just in case I end up using Conjure Animals in combat today

[thorsenmark]

Discovering a True Southeast at Humboldt Redwoods State Park by Mark Stevens Via Flickr: While walking the Founders Tree trail with a view looking to the southwest at nearby coast redwoods in Humboldt Redwoods State Park.

[telesilla]

Gotta love our ace!

[nearlydark]

The grizzly giant

[kirbyddd]

i think it's getting to be time

[blametheeditor]

David needs to finally follow up on his threat on using a tiny as a stress ball >:( more tiny needs to suffer.

You are correct, Anon. We must correct this!

Stress Ball

Content Warnings: Cursing. Mentions of treating others as lesser than. Mentions of getting crushed. Mentions of death.

_________________________

"Never let David get his hands on you."

"Dumbass, what the hell do you think you're doing?"

Fritz only had one second to realize what those words meant for him. And when it did, it was already too late.

Overwhelming warmth envelopes him as fingers longer than he is tall curls into view. But any attempt to run and try to escape only landed him effectively trapped in a palm that closed immediately.

The redhead only two inches tall yelped as gravity sent him tumbling into a digit that nudges him. Instead of retaliating, he only curls into a ball. Feels catastrophic footsteps shake him to his core as he's carried far away from his supplies. Specifically his bag and hook.

To be honest, Fritz is genuinely worried to be in the literal hands of a giant. But not for the reasons he used to have.

Being a borrower isn't all fun and games. To say the world is against you is an understatement when a single mistake can get you killed. That can be repelling down a cliff-like surface with a hook not correctly anchored, to not collecting enough food for the week, to not keeping a close enough eye on a human's schedule.

The last one means a being capable of pinning him with a single finger grabbing him. Which leads to one of two things: getting killed, or being kept as an exotic pet.

"Mr. Harrison!"

The response he gets is the hand carefully opening up so there's only enough room to change position.

He should've seen the fist tightening again right as he peers out of the nearly impossibly small space between the thumb and first finger, yet he fell for the trap perfectly.

Fritz freezes as hard hazel eyes are all he can see, not daring to move until they roll and the towering human leans back, giving the significantly smaller room to breathe, as well as a better view of where they are.

They sit in the business man's office, the standard suit that's always worn as crisp and clean as ever. It makes the human more intimidating that necessary, as well as radiating 'no-nonsense' considering this office isn't the one at the restaurant David owns. He's dressed as if he’ll be attending a meeting despite being home all day.

"Would you like to explain why you were raiding the pantry?"

"...no."

"Is that because we agreed to let me know what's needed and someone is going behind Scott's back to get a certain candy we all agree gets you so hyper not even I can keep you contained?"

Fritz slumps when it becomes clear the gig is up. "I haven't had any sweets in a month!"

"And I haven't had a stress ball in a month," David smirks, the look turning into a sneer as the borrower tenses up. "This is what you get for breaking the rules."

The question on if he'll at least be allowed to have the forbidden chocolate is cut off as the hand squeezes, the wind forced out of his lungs despite knowing David is being as gentle as possible.

This is why the rule of not letting David get his hand on them is still in place, Fritz unable to help a panicked gasp when the hand opens in order to pinch him in between two fingers. One look at the human, and David's no longer paying attention to the borrower in hand, concentrating on the reports being highlighted.

It's only been a few months since the rule has made him apprehensive rather than terrified.

David was the worst kind of human to come across. He treated fellow humans like they were beneath him. Not to mention his superior complex that can be seen from a mile away. That no one deserved to so much as be acknowledged by him, but his name should be well known and respected.

If he acted that way toward those who can't be crushed under a shoe, then what about those who can? Not taking into account the fact they steal, no matter how insignificant it is.

Of course, there's always accidents.

Well, Fritz wants to say it was. Scott says it was him being a complete idiot, which is definitely describing the fact the redhead thought it'd be a great idea to pick helping the human with his 'animatronic problem' as a good repayment for borrowing.

Usually they help with pest control, keeping the walls clear of rodents and bugs alike. Fazbear Entertainment Center didn't have all the normal problems borrowers could help with. And Scott was correct on not wanting to find lost trinkets due to how observant David is.

They were set to leave within a month once a more permanent home was located. Fritz still felt wrong about not helping the human even if it was for only a short period.

He didn't tell Scott about befriending Orville, Happy, or Mr. Hippo. And even if he did, he wouldn't have told the man he was best friends with Lefty.

He should've, and even though the teenager might be a little reckless, he should've told the animatronics he lived with a group of borrowers. He didn't due to not wanting them to try and find his family.

It would've saved him from being taken to David of all people when Fritz very stupidly decided to try and tip a jar of chocolate chips barely full. Didn't give himself enough space to safely get the job done. Didn't have backup so when his grip slipped and he tumbled backwards, his head slammed right into another glass container, no one there to get him out of sight before anyone saw.

Understandably, the animatronics were concerned of the borrower lying unconscious on the counter in plain view of any human that would come in for the morning shift. They might be incredibly advanced, but an animatronic is still a robot made of hard metal and capable of hurting a human effortlessly.

Fritz woke up to Scott brushing his hair as he laid in the man's lap, a pounding headache that only got worse when he heard the sound of someone typing on the computer. David sitting only a few feet away.

Both of them right in arm's reach.

"You'll get a proper whack once you heal from your concussion," startled Fritz enough it gained the business man's attention, fascination evident as he watched them. "For now, I'm just glad you're okay."

Fritz scrambled to sit up, stumbled as he placed himself between Scott and the human. Felt lightheaded right as he begun to fall forward, landing on fingers that appeared to catch him.

"Don't, don't take Scott. Me."

"Well-"

"Don't," was snapped before arms gathered him up from a hand that should've been impossible to escape from. "He's not keeping us, Fritz."

"My offer still stands," David said.

"You're an asshole." Scott then met fearful green eyes, pleading for the words to be true. "You're banned from borrowing until further notice."

Fritz feels his breath catch as the fingers holding him suddenly let go, unable to scream as he falls before his leg gets caught by a single pinky.

"Too fast!"

David immediately curls his entire hand around his claimed stress ball, allowing Fritz to right himself before the fingers pin him.

"Sorry, got lost in thought."

The careful kneading starts back up as Fritz goes limp, not reacting when David snorts.

"You don't have to be dramatic."

"I can!" Fritz exclaims kicking at a finger and earning a few taps in realization. "Until you know what it feels like to be a stress ball."

"That's never going to happen," the human grins. The grasp then becomes loose enough to nudge at the borrower's arms, carefully maneuvering them.

The redhead goes still as he watches the digits flex his hand, glancing up to see a rigid concentration. The pupils dilate when they spot him watching, the look 'up' infitesimal.

"This is still considered fidgeting."

"And I'm still wanting chocolate in repayment."

"You demand chocolate," David muses, and Fritz is pinched before fingers control his fall until he's dangling upside down. A look of 'was that too fast' genuine before it earns a breathless shake of the head. "Says the one who can't fight a single finger."

The borrower attempts to glare. "I think I've more than earned it."

David suddenly bursts out laughing, Fritz yelling as he's swung backwards. "Dumbass, this is punishment for trying to get it."

"And I didn't even get it!"

"Scott would have both our heads if I sent you back with a sugar rush," is murmured as he releases his victim. Fritz stumbles to his feet with head spinning from the changing orientations. Sputters as he's sent falling back from a finger pushing him as the human chuckles.

Fritz stares up at the man who could continue to treat him like an object who's sole purpose is to release stress. Is well aware he can't escape from the desk even if he wanted to with his tools in the next room.

Knows if he says the word, he would be helped to the nearest entrance into the walls wih a piece of chocolate.

"What if I promise to annoy Eggs?"

He expected a hand scooping him up so they can finally get him his rightful treat.

A finger pins him instead, David smirking. "Tempting, but you're not getting out of this anytime soon."

"Hey!"

"I can promise chocolate," is rumbled with a fond annoyance. But Fritz can't cheer when the hand scoops him up before tossing him. He's only weightless for a few seconds, landing as the wind is knocked out of him a second time, allowing David to once again trap him in an inescapable fist. "Once I'm done with my reports."

He never promised to not annoy David once his sugar rush hits.

[ruairy]

.

[hindbodes]

Just so you know, Jeff, I am currently working on a game that looks like this:

[lumendelmari]

Chapter Forty-One

The Long Road Ahead

1485 DR / Day 42

Ghohlbrorn’s Lair, Gracklstugh

A strange calm washed over the companions as they returned to the tavern that had hosted them for the past tenday. The sound of their booted feet was muffled by the rush of conversation and the clinking of tankards. Lizva was behind the bar, shouting orders to the kitchen staff, while young Vanum scurried between tables, balancing trays of food and drink with the frantic energy only youth could sustain. The air was thick with the aroma of sizzling meats and the tang of duergar ale. Boisterous chatter filled the room, the patrons seeming to take solace in a small oasis of normalcy.

As the group settled into their usual corner, Prince Derendil gave a gracious bow, one clawed hand on his chest. “Allow me to secure the libations for the evening,” he offered.

While the others heartily voiced their orders, Nine declined.

“I don’t drink,” the ranger said, leaning back in her chair and watching the room with her usual wariness.

Derendil raised an eyebrow but nodded.

“Very well, I shall return shortly,” he replied.

Zelyra caught Fraeya’s slight smirk and shook her head, hiding her grin. Derendil’s attempts to retain his elven etiquette in a quaggoth’s body never failed to endear—and amuse—them all.

As the prince lumbered off to put in their order, Fargas kicked back in his chair and stretched his short legs out.  “So,” the halfling began, rubbing his hands together, “Now that we’re not busy dealing with dragons and duergar politics and nobody is trying to kill us—yet. What’s next for you lot? Once you stop running from that lovely drow priestess and her spider squad, of course.”

“Pass,” Nine said.

“Oh, come on!” Fargas winked. “There must be something rattling around in that thick skull of yours. Unless you just like tagging along with a bunch of misfits for the company.”

Nine rolled her eyes while the rest of the table fell quiet, considering the original question. Fargas’s casual grin belied a deeper curiosity; his hazel eyes swept over the group, each of whom he knew harbored many secrets. . . . To read more: https://archiveofourown.org/works/35100307/chapters/156331270#workskin

[simonh]

Walking With Giants by Thomas Hawk

[thorsenmark]

My Time for a Getaway in Humboldt Redwoods State Park by Mark Stevens Via Flickr: While walking the Founders Grove Nature Trail Loop with a view looking up and to the southeast at nearby coast redwoods in Humboldt Redwoods State Park.