#head and neck cancer awareness

[dscancertreatment]

Mind Your Head - Head and Neck Cancer Awareness by DSRC

Mind Your Head is a dedicated awareness initiative by DSRC (D S Research Centre) focused on educating the public about the risks, prevention, and early detection of head and neck cancers.

[sunriseoncologycenters]

How successful is treatment for mouth cancer?

Treatment for mouth cancer can be quite successful, especially when the cancer is detected early. The success rate depends on the stage at diagnosis and the treatment plan, which may include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Modern head and neck cancer treatment options have significantly improved outcomes, with many patients achieving remission and leading healthy lives post-treatment. Early detection and comprehensive care are key to successful treatment.

Visit our website by clicking here

[lilithlounge]

Lust Asteroid in Signs & Houses

I offer personalized Asteroid Readings, message me or hit my Ko-Fi or Buy Me A Coffee and get a +1 free reading 🤍.

Lust (asteroid 4386) is raw, primal, I-need-it-now desire. It’s how you pursue sex, what drives you wild, and what body parts light you up.

Lust in Aries – I Take What I Want

You crave fast, rough, impulsive passion. No patience, just grabbing, biting, pinning against walls energy. It’s heat, sweat, and dominance, now or never, and preferably now.

Turn-ons: Competition, chase, bossy lovers.

Body part: Head, scalp *hair pulling*, forehead kisses, or just mind games.

Lust in Taurus – Slow Burn Sin

You want luxury, touch, and sensual overload. It’s not just sex, it’s a five-senses experience. Long foreplay, teasing, silk sheets, and delicious tension.

Turn-ons: Food play, massage, ownership.

Body part: Neck, throat, soft kisses, chokes, whispers.

Lust in Gemini – Dirty Talk Champion

For you, it’s all in the mind and the mouth. You want teasing convos, quickies, and mental stimulation. You crave variety, exploration, and getting turned on mid-convo.

Turn-ons: Sexting, role play, public flirting.

Body part: Hands, fingers, texting, touching, tying you up.

Lust in Cancer – Tender Destruction

You want emotional seduction, but also to be ruined with love and touch. You’re drawn to passion wrapped in trust, and sex that feels like soul-bonding.

Turn-ons: Cuddling before AND after, emotional tension.

Body part: Chest, stomach, lingering hands, deep embraces, soft bites.

Lust in Leo – Worship Me, Then Devour Me

You want attention, praise, drama, and star-level passion. You crave adoration, compliments, and performance-level sex. If it’s not a show, you’re bored.

Turn-ons: Praise kink, being watched, mirrors.

Body part: Back, spine scratches, kisses, power moves.

Lust in Virgo – Filthy Precision

You crave clean kink, perfect touches, and total surrender to detail. You want to serve or be served, and the smallest moves = biggest reactions. It’s control, restraint, then release.

Turn-ons: Control play, teasing, “oops I’m innocent” energy.

Body part: Hands, lower belly light pressure, skilled fingers, body awareness.

Lust in Libra – Elegant Chaos

You want aesthetic seduction, charm, and a perfect balance of tease and please. Sex must feel beautiful and balanced, but also dangerously flirty.

Turn-ons: Eye contact, lingerie, “accidental” touches.

Body part: Lower back, butt caresses, light grabs, sensual dominance.

Lust in Scorpio – Emotional Carnage

You want to possess or be possessed. Period. It’s deep, obsessive, transformational sex where boundaries disappear and souls get entangled.

Turn-ons: Power play, eye contact, secrets.

Body part: Hips, genitals, intense sensations, emotional intensity.

Lust in Sagittarius – Wild & Free Sin

You crave adventure, thrill, and spontaneous chaos. You want sex that feels like an epic story but different locations, positions, languages... all of it.

Turn-ons: Outdoors, travel, wild experiments.

Body part: Thighs grabbing, riding, being chased.

Lust in Capricorn – The Controlled Destroyer

You want control, status, and slow domination. You’re strategic in seduction, but feral behind closed doors. Power plays? Yes please.

Turn-ons: Restraint, authority, delayed gratification.

Body part: Knees, bones, submission play, bending, positioning.

Lust in Aquarius – Unpredictable Filth

You crave weird, wild, experimental experiences. Sex is a mind game, a rebellion, and a futuristic fantasy. If it’s unconventional, you’re in.

Turn-ons: Toys, tech, unconventional positions/partners.

Body part: Ankles, calves restraints, movement, standing play.

Lust in Pisces – Dreamy Degeneracy

You want spiritual chaos, emotional drowning, and fantasy made flesh. You’re soft, sensual, and secretly dangerous when it comes to sex. You lose yourself in the moment and take them with you.

Turn-ons: Music, water, emotional play, surrender.

Body part: Feet, toes don’t ask.

[fear-is-truth]

EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE

— KAI ANDERSON x f!reader

warnings — voyeurism ‧ kai being a perv ‧ very suggestive ‧ MDNI 18+ jackie’s note — tried a different writing style since it’s mostly conversation. hope it’s in character….

“you should change your brand of deodorant.”

the sentence is so mundane it barely registers. you stab at your food, half-listening.

“what?”

“that shit is cancerous,” kai states mildly. he chews thoughtfully. swallows. “you don’t want breast cancer, do you? you wouldn’t be able to breastfeed our baby if you did.”

your fork pauses mid-air. you blink.

“our what?” kai looks at you then, tipping his head, like you’re the one saying something strange. “hypothetically,” he says, waving a dismissive hand. “future tense.”

your stomach twists—not at the words themselves, but at the way he says them. easy. certain. like the thought of you nursing his child is already set in stone. he’s just being practical.

“how do you know what deodorant i use?”

he shrugs. “i pay attention.”

—

you find it that night.

tucked neatly into the corner of your room, angled to catch everything.

a tiny black lens, reflecting the light when you lean in.

you go still. then cold.

you rip it from the wall

—

you storm into his room, shoving the camera in his face.

“the fuck is this, kai?”

he barely glances up from his laptop before looking back down.

“looks like a camera.”

“no fucking shit. why was it in my room?”

his fingers tap against the keyboard. “do i really need to explain that to you?”

his calmness makes it worse. you want him to panic. you want him to lie, at least—pretend this isn’t what it is.

“so i can keep an eye on you.”

“keep an—” you cut yourself off, staring at him. “you are actually insane.”

he hums, noncommittal. “or just prepared.”

“you had no right—”

“relax.”

kai leans back in his chair, stretching, exhaling through his nose like he’s already bored of this conversation.

“it’s not like you haven’t enjoyed the attention.”

“i haven’t enjoyed anything about you spying on me—you’re insane!”

“am i? or are you just mad that i know all the dirty things you do when you think no one’s watching?”

he smiles. fingers drum against the desk.

“oh yeah. i’ve seen what you get up to at night.“

heat creeps up your neck. your skin prickles.

“laying there all quiet, thinking no one’s watching. but you can’t keep still, can you?” he tilts his head, eyes glinting. “legs rubbing together, then that hand slipping under the sheets, moving so fucking slow. teasing yourself. getting frustrated. biting your lip, trying so hard not to make a sound.”

your jaw clenches. you want to hit him.

“you always break, though.” he licks his lips. “always start panting real soft, hips rocking up, so so desperate. and when you finally get there? god.” he exhales, shaking his head, like he’s actually impressed. “you’re so fucking pretty when you cum.”

you feel sick. his voice, the easy, clinical way he’s talking about it, about you. like he’s narrating some goddamn documentary.

“you make these little whimpering sounds—” his head tips back against the chair, lashes fluttering. “like you’re not even fully aware you’re doing it.”

you want to fucking kill that bastard.

kai watches you, taking in the way you shift on your feet like you don’t know whether to run or swing at him.

“it’s kinda hot, actually.” he grins. “you getting all embarrassed, knowing i’ve been watching this whole time. getting off to you getting off.”

he tugs his bottom lip between his teeth, eyes flicking over you, hungry. “wanna know how many times i came to it?”

“shut the fuck up.”

“nah, i think you wanna know.”

he leans in, resting his elbows on his knees, watching you like he’s daring you to react.

“i could tell you exactly which night you got yourself off the hardest.” his voice is lower now, almost thoughtful. “you remember it? probably not. but i do.”

he tilts his head, mock-thoughtful. “i could show you the footage if you need a refresher.”

your skin is burning. rage, shame, horror—twisting together, churning in your gut. kai watches your reaction closely, his smile widening like he’s savouring every sweet second of your humiliation.

“you kept whining into your pillow, i heard you say my name, too.” he huffs a soft laugh, shaking his head. “so desperate, so fucking needy. you came twice. back to back. shit was crazy.” he spreads his hands, like he’s telling an interesting story. “could’ve busted right there just watching. actually, i did.”

you lunge before you can stop yourself, shoving him, hard. the chair skids back.

kai just laughs.

“god, you’re fun.”

 fear-is-truth 2025 — all rights reserved. do not modify, repost, translate, or plagiarise my content.

[jinnie-ret]

heatstroke

stray kids x ninth member!reader

genre: fluff, angst

content warnings: heat stroke, vomiting

word count: 1.9k

summary: y/n suffers from heat stroke on the day of their performance at lollapalooza

As voted by you!

It's finally here! Sorry it took me a while to post this after the poll ended, but I hope you enjoy!

As always, like, reblog if you enjoyed, and my asks are open for any requests you may have. And let me know if you'd like to be tagged when I post :)

MAIN MASTERLIST

They had made it to Paris. Y/N couldn't believe how big the crowd would be for their performance at the festival 'Lollapalooza'. The sun was shining, and all she wanted to do was fully appreciate the nice weather. Although, where there was a Changbin, there was always chaos.

"Hwang Hyunjin!" Changbin called from opposite Y/N in his deck chair.

"Why do you keep calling me? Wae? Wae. Wae?" Hyunjin loomed over Changbin in a hoodie and sunglasses, wondering why the older member wanted his attention.

"Jinnie how are you wearing a hoodie right now? The sun's out, it's boiling," Y/N raised an eyebrow at him.

"It's not that hot," he shook his head at her, probably side eyeing her from behind his shades.

Each to their own, Y/N thought.

Somehow they came onto the topic of noodles but Y/N wasn't really fussed, she had ramen all the time back home.

She was more trying to relax, and she couldn't help but fall asleep from the comforting warmth of the French sunshine.

"Y/Nnie, wake up, you look like a tomato," Jeongin shook her awake, and as she became fully aware she realised her arms and neck was feeling quite hot.

Shit, she forgot her sun cream.

"You good? Your arms are so red," Chan peered at her, concerned.

"Mmm, my neck feels hot too," Y/N sits up in the deck chair, brushing her hair back so the boys could see.

"Aish that sunburn looks bad, you should have put on some suncream," Felix lightly brushes his finger over her red arm, making her wince.

"Gosh, I'm going to look like a tomato when we perform," Y/N laughs as she looks down at her arms.

"At this rate you won't just look like a tomato, you'll look like the whole garden," Lee Know smirks, proud of his joke.

"Ha, ha, very funny Lee Know," Y/N pats his cheek in a jokingly patronising way, smiling back at him.

"You need to take better care of yourself, Y/N," Chan looked over her, shaking his head.

"I'm sorry Channie, I just wanted to enjoy the nice weather," Y/N pouted.

"You do realise you can get skin cancer if you burn too much?" Seungmin pointed out, taking a sip of water from his bottle.

"Yah, Seungmin don't say things like that I'll get paranoid," Y/N whacks his arm lightly.

"Hey I'm just saying, your skin will age faster too," Seungmin shrugged.

"I'll look like an old woman next to you guys and I'm the youngest!" Y/N laughed, Han appearing with aloe vera out of nowhere and gently rubbing it into her skin, letting out quiet apologies when she winced.

"That's why I'm helping you, don't want you to look like a 60 year old next to us whilst we still look the same," Han laughed loudly.

"Haha, that would look kinda funny though," Y/N laughed at the thought. Perhaps she'd look like grandma I.N with the rest of the group alongside her.

"You know what else would be funny?" Changbin wiggled his eyebrows at her.

"What?" Y/N asked curiously, shifting her body to stand and face him.

"To see you dancing on stage like a tomato, everyone going crazy because of how big and red you are," Changbin maniacally giggled.

The boys burst out laughing at the statement and Y/N's face.

"Huh? Big?!" Y/N gasped laughing.

"I was talking about your cheeks, they're really big and red right now," Changbin laughed, waving his hands in defense of how what he said had sounded.

"Haha, I'll introduce myself like, hi! This isn't Y/Nnie, I'm tomato today!" Y/N put on her stage voice, pretending to introduce herself to her fans.

The members all laugh at her, Jeongin walking up to her and tickling her sides.

"Hey! Are you the new mascot for ketchup?" he cheekily grinned, eyes disappearing through his smile.

"Yah! Jeongin!" Y/N guffawed from his remark.

"Ah, our tomato is blushing so much," Lee Know pats her head smirking.

"Stop, stop," Y/N waves them away.

"Haha, seriously though, come inside the tent for a bit, you should stay out of the sun," Chan guided her into their tent where they were setup before their performance.

"Yeah it's not like we're performing until a few hours anyways," Lee Know nodded, as they all sat around inside.

"Aish, I'm tired," Y/N laid her head down in Han's lap, his hand brushing through her hair out of habit.

"You were literally just napping," Hyunjin raised a brow at her.

"Yeah but..." Y/N closed her eyes feeling relaxed at the familiar feeling.

"Drink some water first," Hyunjin put a bottle of water with a straw in it to her face.

Still with her eyes shut she took a sip and then relaxed. It wasn't until a couple of hours later that she was woken up and ushered to the stylists and makeup artists to get ready.

The crowd was insane. And really, they were the only thing keeping her going as she could feel her energy depleting. She didn't notice the glances from the boys throughout the performance, occasionally spotting her swaying yet she still managed to keep her vocals stable as they performed Superbowl for the first time ever, and Item for the second time ever.

The euphoria running through her veins began to leave her once they reached backstage. With a smile she listened to Felix end their set to hype the crowd with Seven Nation Army. But she couldn't help her slumped figure as she sat down after her desperate search for a chair.

"You good, Y/Nnie?" Chan patted her shoulder, trying to get her attention.

"Hot," Y/N panted, tugging at the collar of her leather jacket that she had been fitted with for the stage performance.

"Take it off then," Changbin helped her shake it off, now feeling concerned at her heavily sweating state.

"What's going on with Y/N?" some of the other members asked as they walked over.

"Ugh, my head," she groaned, now leant forward as she gripped onto her knees for some stability.

"Have some water, silly," Seungmin encouraged her to take his own, yet her shaky hand wasn't very reassuring to the others.

"Y/Nnie, you can't even hold onto it, are you dizzy? What's the matter?" Felix poured out questions, worried about the state she was in.

"Mmm," Y/N nods, as Jeongin helps her sip from the water bottle.

"Ah that's not good," Hyunjin shakes his head, frowning.

"Here, come on, let's get you relaxed somewhere else," Changbin helps her stand, yet as her body becomes upright she stumbles, Lee Know helping to support her balance.

Y/N suddenly tears up, feeling scared about how she was feeling. It was all too overwhelming, and everything felt too hot.

"C-can't feel my arms," Y/N whimpered as tears fell down her cheeks, the boys murmuring amongst themselves worriedly.

"You can't feel your arms?" Felix asked, a scared look on his face, and that made Y/N feel worse, she didn't want the boys to be stressed out for her sake.

"I'm sorry, I..." Y/N trailed off, still panting as she was guided back to her chair, the boys deciding it was for the better for her to rest for now where she was, instead of moving her somewhere else.

"You're okay. Everything is going to be ok, sweetheart, we've got you, yeah?" Chan hushed her soothingly, Han rubbing her back in small circles.

"Should we call a medic?" Jeongin asked, eyes wide with uneasiness.

"Yes, good idea, Innie," Lee Know nodded at him, as they both went to look for some help.

"Y/N, you're ok, you're going to be ok," Hyunjin quietly comforted her, a light grip on her hand as he knelt down beside her.

Y/N groaned again from her headache getting worse.

"Where are those medics?" Changbin asked, looking around frustratedly with his hands on his hips, wondering what was taking so long.

"Don't... worry... don't waste... on me..." Y/N could barely get her words out, especially as a wave of nausea overcome her.

"Yah, it's not a waste, you're clearly not well right now Y/N," Han looked sullen, now fanning her face with a piece of paper he had found.

"S-sorry... ugh, feel... sick," she mumbled dizzily, slumped in the chair.

"You feel sick?" Hyunjin worried.

"I'm gonna... ugh," Y/N, with all her willpower, lifted herself out of the chair, yet it wasn't enough to keep her standing as she collapsed to her knees on the ground and threw up whatever was in her system. The boys were unable to catch her and yelled out as she fell.

"Y/N! Shit!" Changbin held her against him.

"Where are the medics?!" Chan yelled angrily, stress consuming him as their maknae was on the ground.

"Ah, ugh, I'm, ah I'm sorry," Y/N whimpered, tears running down her face from her own panic and the feeling of throwing up.

"You don't have to be sorry, it's ok, just take a deep breath," Han held her hair back, looking around at the boys with his eyes shining with his own tears as he feared she wouldn't be ok.

Y/N threw up again, gasping for breath.

"Is that all of it?" Hyunjin whispered from beside them, Y/N tearily nodding as she slumped back in Changbin's arms, feeling dazed.

Lee Know and Jeongin suddenly rushed over with the medics, both of them seeming angry.

"Finally! Where were they?!" Chan asked them, sighing disappointedly.

"Packing up, they were ready to go even though we only just finished performing," Lee Know gritted his teeth as the medics lifted Y/N onto a stretcher and took her through to a medical room, much cooler with air conditioning blasting through the room.

They held a wet cloth against her forehead and against her burns to try and lower her body temperature. The boys couldn't do anything but wait anxiously as they saw their youngest laying down and getting treated.

"Her temperature is dropping, that's a good sign," the medic said out loud to the boys.

Half an hour had passed and Y/N was now more aware of her surroundings, the medics clearing that she could head back to the hotel with the boys, telling them that if her condition worsens again that they need to call an ambulance immediately.

"I'm sorry," Y/N sleepily muttered as they helped her into the company cars.

"Don't apologise, we were more concerned about you," Seungmin informed her, an arm wrapped around her waist as he and Hyunjin guided her into the back of the car.

"That's why I feel bad," Y/N bit her lip.

"It's ok, you can rest now, don't worry about it ok? I know it's easier said than done but we'll make sure you're ok, and we're doing that because we care about you, yeah?" Chan said from the front seat.

"Ok, ok," she yawned, head leaning against Hyunjin's shoulder.

Once they arrived back at the hotel they didn't let her stay in her own room, as she instead was looked after by Lee Know and Jeongin in another, the two of them making sure she was relaxed and not too hot as they kept the air conditioning on. It may have felt a bit cold for them at one point but they didn't mind, they'd do anything for her. All of the boys would.

tagged: @skz-streamer @oo-li

[astra-ravana]

The Signs: Correspondences

Aries♈

Symbol: The ram

Affirmation: "I am."

Dates: March 21st - April 20th

Day: Tuesday

Element: Fire

Colors: Red, orange, black, white

Body: Head

Ruler: Mars

House: First

Modality: Cardinal

Polarity: Positive

Gender: Masculine

Number: 9

Metal: Iron

Birthstone: Diamond

Season: Spring

Tarot: The Emporer

Exultation: Sun

Fall: Saturn

Detriment: Venus

Plants: Hops, thistle, red clover, honeysuckle, holly, hawthorne, garlic, nettles, cayenne, locust, geranium, saffron, spruce

Crystals: Diamond, rutilated quartz, carnelian, pietersite, bloodstone, citrine, ruby, jasper, super seven, herkimer diamond, Libyan desert glass, danburite, topaz, garnet, hematite, obsidian, sardonyx

Animals: Rams/sheep, tigers, dragons, hawks, wolves, foxes

Archetypes: The Warrior, The Pioneer, The Daredevil, The Survivor, The Child, The Creative, The Adventurer

Keywords: Pioneering, fearless, energetic, impulsive, adventurous, courageous, assertive, brash, optimistic, honest, independent, restless, fiery, fool hardy, forceful, combative, competitive, daring, crude, confident, enterprising, demanding, direct, resilient, dominant, impatient, reckless, loud, rash, stubborn, arrogant, temperamental, humorous, creative, friendly, authentic

Taurus♉

Symbol: The bull

Affirmation: "I have."

Dates: April 21st - May 21st

Day: Friday

Element: Earth

Colors: Green, blue, pink, brown

Body: Neck

Ruler: Venus

House: Second

Modality: Fixed

Polarity: Negative

Gender: Feminine

Number: 6

Metal: Copper

Birthstone: Emerald

Season: Late spring

Tarot: The Hierophant

Exultation: Moon

Fall: Uranus

Detriment: Mars/Pluto

Plants: Wheat, mint, apple, sorrel, foxglove, thyme, rose, sage, daisy, crypress, ash, poppy, basil, violet, dandelion, fig, pear

Crystals: Emerald, rose quartz, malachite, rhodonite, kunzite, peridot, jade, chrysocolla, kyanite, amethyst, pyrite, selenite, turquoise, lapis lazuli, adventurine, tiger's eye, moss agate

Animals: Bulls/cows, elephants, flamingos, turtles, camels

Archetypes: The Earth Spirit, The Musician, The Silent One, The Sage, The Hedonist, The Stabilizer

Keywords: Steadfast, reliable, sensual, patient, practical, loyal, grounded, stable, nurturing, tenacious, stubborn, possessive, materialistic, enduring, committed, devoted, calm, dependable, inflexible, resistant, over-indulgent, caring, resilient, persistent, overly cautious, tranquil, resourceful, sensible, unyielding, pessimistic, jealous, insecure, focused

Gemini♊

Symbol: The twins

Affirmation: "I think."

Dates: May 22nd - June 20th

Day: Wednesday

Element: Air

Colors: Yellow, blue, teal, grey

Body: Arms/hands

Ruler: Mercury

House: Third

Modality: Mutable

Polarity: Positive

Gender: Masculine

Number: 5

Metal: Mercury

Birthstone: Agate

Season: Early summer

Tarot: The Lovers

Exultation: North node

Fall: South node

Detriment: Jupiter

Plants: Anise, lavender, marjoram, hazel, caraway, myrtle, fern, valerian, lily-of-the-valley, bittersweet, chestnut

Crystals: Agate, moonstone, aquamarine, pearl, sapphire, apatite, howlite, alexandrite, chrysophase, celestite, sodalite, lemon quartz, opal, labradorite, tourmaline, onyx

Animals: Horses, dolphins, deer, butterflies, chameleons, monkies

Archetypes: The Witness, The Teacher, The Storyteller, The Journalist, The Messenger, The Unholdable

Keywords: Adaptable, outgoing, curious, intellectual, impulsive, versatile, flakey, gossipy, enthusiastic, indecisive, loving, nosy, open, excitable, flighty, bubbly, fun-loving, verbal, smart, judgemental, nervous, distracted, giving, popular, gentle, emotionally aware, persuasive, intuitive, empathetic

Cancer♋

Symbol: The crab

Affirmation: "I feel."

Dates: June 21st - July 21st

Day: Monday

Element: Water

Colors: White, silver, grey, blue, green

Body: Chest/stomach

Ruler: Moon

House: Fourth

Modality: Cardinal

Polarity: Negative

Gender: Feminine

Number: 2

Metal: Silver

Birthstone: Pearl (moonstone)

Season: Mid summer

Tarot: The Chariot

Exultation: Jupiter

Fall: Mars

Detriment: Saturn

Plants: White rose, verbena, tarragon, water lily, lotus, willow, alder, saxifrage, lettuce, acanthus, jasmine

Crystals: Moonstone, pearl, selenite, calcite, chalcedony, opal, amethyst, emerald, chrysophase, coral, larimar, howlite, peacock ore, blue kyanite, rose quartz, blue lace agate, angelite

Animals: Crustaceans, frogs, whales, rabbits, seals

Archetypes: The Mother, The Healer, The Invisible, The Hysteric, The Counselor, The Psychic, The Maiden

Keywords: Emotional, loving, sensitive cautious, sympathetic, moody, touchy, protective, unpredictable, charming, loyal, tender-hearted, creative, caring, over-emotional, resentful, drastic, nurturing, generous, ardent, consistent, aloof, codependent, coddling, dramatic, hysterical, shrewd, imaginative, possessive, changeable, defensive, clinging, vindictive, devoted, motherly, soft

Leo♌

Symbol: The lion

Affirmation: "I will."

Dates: July 22nd - August 22nd

Day: Sunday

Element: Fire

Colors: Gold, yellow, orange

Body: Heart/spine

Ruler: Sun

House: Fifth

Modality: Fixed

Polarity: Positive

Gender: Masculine

Number: 1

Metal: Gold

Birthstone: Ruby

Season: Late summer

Tarot: Strength

Exultation: Neptune

Fall: None

Detriment: Uranus

Plants: Sunflower, saffron, peppermint, walnut, rosemary, St. John's wort, borage, orange, lemon, bay, olive, marigold, dandelion

Crystals: Ruby, carnelian, citrine, sunstone, spinel hematite, rhodochrosite, rutilated quartz, peridot, pyrite, herkimer diamond, golden topaz, honey calcite, apache tear, tiger's eye, black onyx

Animals: Lions, cats, peacocks, horses, phoenix, eagles, tigers

Archetypes: The King/Queen, The Performer, The Clown, The Golden Child, The Victor, The Magician, The Guardian

Keywords: Confident, loyal, passionate, arrogant, dependable, strong, domineering, vivacious, honest, sociable, warm, self-focused, vain, determined, giving, charismatic, attention-seeking, ferocious, joyous, fun, jealous, inflexible, brave, born leader, kind, reckless, shallow, hospitable, flirtatious, outrageous, wild, cocky, confrontational, magnetic, chatty, luxurious, extravagant

Virgo♍

Symbol: The virgin

Affirmation: "I analyze."

Dates: August 23rd - September 23rd

Day: Wednesday

Element: Earth

Colors: Green, white, brown, navy blue

Body: Abdomen

Ruler: Mercury

House: Sixth

Modality: Mutable

Polarity: Negative

Gender: Feminine

Number: 5

Metal: Nickel

Birthstone: Peridot

Season: Early autumn

Tarot: The Hermit

Exultation: Mercury

Fall: Venus/Neptune

Detriment: Jupiter/Neptune

Plants: Valerian, elder, skullcap, flax, buttercup, lavender, dill, blackberry, morning glory, forget-me-not, hazel

Crystals: Peridot, jade, sapphire, fluorite, sodalite, lapis lazuli, mookaite, zicron, sardonyx, moss agate, nuummite

Animals: Owls, bees, doves, squirrels, mice, salmon

Archetypes: The Perfectionist, The Servant, The Martyr, The Analyst, The Alchemist, The Messenger

Keywords: Analytical, hardworking, meticulous, practical, fussy, judgemental, modest, patient, artistic, critical, attentive, picky, humble, industrious, polite, proper, shy, intelligent, distant, harsh, conservative, anxious, sensitive, dedicated, subtle, curious, classy, responsible, repressed, trustworthy, altruistic, gentle, ethereal, wise, independent

Libra♎

Symbol: The scales

Affirmation: "I balance."

Dates: September 23rd - October 22nd

Day: Friday

Element: Air

Colors: Light blue, pink, green

Body: Kidneys

Ruler: Venus

House: Seventh

Modality: Cardinal

Polarity: Positive

Gender: Masculine

Number: 6

Metal: Copper

Birthstone: Sapphire

Season: Mid-autumn

Tarot: Justice

Exultation: Saturn

Fall: Sun

Detriment: Mars

Plants: Mint, rose, dahlia, feverfew, thyme, ash, burdock, parsley, blue lotus, daisy, poplar, apple, grape, white sycamore

Crystals: Sapphire, jade, sardonyx, opal, turquoise, moonstone, lapis lazuli, rose quartz, larvakite, obsidian, auralite, prehnite, pink tourmaline, morganite

Animals: Ravens, swans, dragonflies, dogs, deer, pandas

Archetypes: The Lover, The Artist, The Peacemaker, The Socialite, The Flirt, The Designer, The Mediator

Keywords: Diplomatic, charming, easy going, fair, balanced, sensual, lazy, indecisive, idealistic, manipulative, dreamy, intellectual, harmonious, influential, friendly, entitled, engaging, likable, melodramatic, gossipy, vain, tactful, witty, funny, tempered, pragmatic, sincere, fickle, bossy, ambivalent, generous, insecure, lovable, creative, optimistic

Scorpio♏

Symbol: The scorpion

Affirmation: "I desire."

Dates: October 23rd - November 22nd

Day: Tuesday

Element: Water

Colors: Dark red, maroon, black

Body: Genitals

Ruler: Mars/Pluto

House: Eighth

Modality: Fixed

Polarity: Negative

Gender: Feminine

Number: 9

Metal: Steel (iron)

Birthstone: Opal

Season: Late autumn

Tarot: Death

Exultation: Uranus

Fall: Moon

Detriment: Venus

Plants: Hawthorne, witch hazel, aloe, catnip, birch, ginseng, onion/leek, heather, geranium, brambles, milk thistle, rhododendron

Crystals: Opal, topaz, malachite, garnet, ruby, labradorite, smokey quartz, beryl, Apache tear, moonstone, shungite, citrine, auralite, super seven, bloodstone, amethyst, abalone, que sera

Animals: Scorpions, spiders, eagles, serpents, panthers

Archetypes: The Detective, The Sorcerer, The Hypnotist, The Witch, The Temptress, The Mystic, The Protector

Keywords: Determined, forceful, intuitive, powerful, magnetic, secretive, ambitious, obsessive, hardworking, emotionally intelligent, creative, seductive, possessive, honest, blunt, passionate, intense, jealous, protective, resentful, tenacious, thrilling, sardonic, stubborn, dark, strategic, loyal, stoic, obstinate, fearless, disciplined, skeptical, self-reliant

Sagittarius♐

Symbol: The centaur/archer

Affirmation: "I see."

Dates: November 22nd - December 21st

Day: Thursday

Element: Fire

Colors: Purple, royal blue, red

Body: Hips, thighs, liver

Ruler: Jupiter

House: Ninth

Modality: Mutable

Polarity: Positive

Gender: Masculine

Number: 3

Metal: Tin

Birthstone: Topaz

Season: Early winter

Tarot: Temperance

Exultation: South Node

Fall: North Node

Detriment: Mercury

Plants: Sage, dandelion, mulberry, cinnamon, wood betony, star anise, mandrake, mallow, oak, thistle, carnations, ash, calamus, orchid

Crystals: Topaz, labradorite, amethyst, azurite, corundom, carnelian, spinel, sugilite, tanzanite, iolite, chalcedony, blue goldstone, yooperlite, lapis lazuli, garnet, blue apatite, quantum quatro

Animals: Horses, stags, falcons, foxes, crows, unicorns

Archetypes: The Gypsy, The Student, The Philosopher, The Psychiatrist, The Seeker, The Comedian, The Guide

Keywords: Adventurous, philosophical, free-spirited, intelligent, direct, impulsive, scatter-brained, forgiving, curious, jovial, good-humored, idealistic, unfiltered, blunt, impatient, preachy, accepting, authentic, energetic, non-committal, compassionate, friendly, unfocused, conflict-avoidant, spontaneous, enchanting, musical, stylish, detached, trusty, pioneering, sophisticated, open-minded

Capricorn♑

Symbol: The sea goat

Affirmation: "I use."

Dates: December 22nd - January 20th

Day: Saturday

Element: Earth

Colors: Dark green, grey, black, brown

Body: Knees

Ruler: Saturn

House: Tenth

Modality: Cardinal

Polarity: Negative

Gender: Feminine

Number: 8

Metal: Lead

Birthstone: Turquoise

Season: Winter

Tarot: The Devil

Exultation: Mars

Fall: Jupiter

Detriment: Moon

Plants: Hemlock, ivy, poppy, beetroot, comfrey, hemp, elm, willow, henbane, knapweed, pansy, yew, onion, hellebore, horsetail

Crystals: Turquoise, onyx, black tourmaline, corundom, smokey quartz, clear quartz, sodalite, jet, larvakite, hematite, pyrite, citrine, aragonite, azurite, malachite, black kyanite, kiwi jasper, tiger iron

Animals: Goats, bees, elk/deer, woodpeckers, penguins, sturgeon

Archetypes: The Hermit, The Father, The Prime Minister, The Miser, The Judge, The Administrator, The Mentor

Keywords: Tough, uncompromising, dedicated, capable, responsible, tenacious, stubborn, practical, wise, persistent, pragmatic, honest, arrogant, controlling, ambitious, steadfast, strong, successful, minimalist, stoic, careful, reserved, mature, dry, pessimistic, disciplined, driven, prudent, shy, greedy, miserly, moody, competitive, moralistic, cynical, harsh, logical

Aquarius♒

Symbol: The water bearer

Affirmation: "I know."

Dates: January 21st - February 18th

Day: Wednesday

Element: Air

Colors: Sky blue, teal, violet, indigo

Body: Shins/ankles, pineal gland

Ruler: Uranus/Saturn

House: Eleventh

Modality: Fixed

Polarity: Positive

Gender: Masculine

Number: 4

Metal: Aluminum

Birthstone: Aquamarine

Season: Late winter

Tarot: The Star

Exultation: None

Fall: Neptune

Detriment: Sun

Plants: Orchid, rowan, mandrake, passion flower, lotus, myyrh, hops, elder, pepper, amber, frankincense, golden rain, bergamot, chilli, saffron

Crystals: Aquamarine, amethyst, moonstone, angelite, sapphire, labradorite, arfedsonite, turquoise, charoite, super seven, Libyan desert glass, lepidolite, que sera, herkimer diamond, lapis lazuli, indigo gabbro, aqua aura,

Animals: Dolphins, snow leaopards, condors, salamanders, snakes

Archetypes: The Genius, The Revolutionary, The Truth Sayer, The Exile, The Scientist, The Rebel, The Outlaw

Keywords: Individualistic, clever, analytical, assertive, innovative, humanitarian, optimistic, eccentric, obstinate, aloof, open-minded, intelligent, unpredictable, impulsive, creative, impulsive, tolerant, social, calculating, chaotic, enigmatic, contradictory, independent, idealistic, unique, humorous, restless, inquisitive, unyielding, detached, lonely

Pisces♓

Symbol: The fishes

Affirmation: "I believe."

Dates: February 19th - March 20th

Day: Thursday

Element: Water

Colors: Sea green, mint, blue, cyan

Body: Feet

Ruler: Neptune/Jupiter

House: Twelfth

Modality: Mutable

Polarity: Negative

Gender: Feminine

Number: 7

Metal: Platinum

Birthstone: Moonstone

Season: Early spring

Tarot: The Moon

Exultation: Venus

Fall: Mercury

Detriment: Mercury

Plants: Water lily, chicory, fig, echinacea, angelica, moss, hazel, fern, eyebright, primrose, willow, iris, seaweed

Crystals: Moonstone, fluorite, aquamarine, larimar, jade, moss agate, amazonite, blue lace agate, blue adventurine, amethyst, dumortierite, tourmaline, apatite, mother of pearl, citrine, kunzite

Animals: Fish, chameleons, butterflies, deer, octopuses, mockingbirds

Archetypes: The Mystic, The Dreamer, The Poet, The Guide, The Medic, The Creator, The Dancer, The Guru

Keywords: Intuitive, creative, brilliant, loving, empathetic, intense, anxious, animated, romantic, soft, adventurous, needy, scatterbrained, mystical, addictive, unmotivated, sentimental, spiritual, compassionate, lighthearted, flexible, forgiving, supportive, kind, sweet, childish, stingy, charming, blunt, self-indulgent, apathetic, fun

[frogsmulder]

writing prompt 20

Also for @randomfoggytiger who requested this prompt: kiss on a scar, and msr

Two's Company

post cancer arc Scully invites Mulder around for dinner; about 850 words; rated t; tagging @today-in-fic

read on ao3

She invited him over for Sunday lunch with her mother, after church.

Slowly, Scully has taken on the advice of father McCue, reaching out with wary hands to those that are important to her. It has been exhausting to let in those that she had shut out. Sometimes she forgets that she is in remission; the instinct to protect those around her strong. In truth, she has always found strength in solitude, drawn to the simplicity of the silence, but without Mulder and her mother she would not be here and she owes it to them to at least try. So Sunday lunch with them both is about all she can muster before her efforts feel distorted and contrived.

That was almost six hours ago and he's still here loitering in her kitchen, while she washes out the two wine glasses they have been drinking from this evening. Her mother excused herself shortly after the dinner, leaving Mulder clinging to her company. He hasn't out-stayed his welcome though: she's enjoyed the time, smiled and laughed and fell into comfortable conversation, sat side by side on her couch, forgetting the elephant in the room. Yet there's a growing nervousness in her stomach–she stops to stare at the palette of deep red at the bottom of the second glass–perhaps precisely because she doesn't want him to go.

When did she become afraid of being alone?

She licks her lip, aware of him watching her from the doorway. The sponge squeaks with bubbles as she wipes out the stain. Casting a glance over her shoulder, she finds him, the sight of him casually leaning against the wall, hands thrust in his jean pockets, enough to pull half a smile from her. His grin back is goofy and big and something in her chest swells. He saunters over, grabbing the tea towel from the cupboard handle as he passes it. She can't take her eyes off him as the ceiling light casts his face with light and shadow, defining those features she knows so well. His nose and lips are prominent in the warm light and his eyes sparkle something mischievous.

He puts a hand on her back and gives her the tea towel to dry her hands. The warmth of his touch serenades her body.

"You look stunning,” he whispers in awe.

She dips her head but can't help her smile, not ready to accept his affection as eagerly as he gives it. Sensing this, he leans closer, driving his point home: “I'm serious, you look amazing: better than ever.”

She manages a humble thank you as his hand travels up and down her back in slow comforting strokes. His warmth spreads throughout her, both slow and heavy like lava in her veins and quick and sharp like lightning through her nerves. Scully cools herself. Focusing on putting the last glass away, she hides the self-regulation of her breath.

“Thank you,” he says simply.

She turns to him. “What for?”

“For dinner, for this–” he gestures between them with a wave of his hand– “for everything.” Her cheeks, red hot, sting with the sudden touch of Mulder's lips. “I… You are so brave and strong everyday, I…”

It's a sentence he can't finish even now. Instead, he reaches for her hand, tethering them together. His thumb caresses her knuckles showing what with words he cannot express.

Her eyes dart back and forth between his, desperately trying to read him. “Mulder…”

He chuckles. “Scully."

“What–”

He brushes her hair behind her ear and gazes at her, as if he could join with her soul if he only looked hard enough. He wraps his arms around her, pulling her in for an all-consuming bear-hug. She allows herself to fall into the familiarity of his shape, his smell, seeking her own private comfort as he presses his nose to the side of her neck. “I missed you so bad and you weren't even gone. There were times I thought I'd never see you again.”

And there it is; the elephant that can no longer be ignored. She holds her breath and tries not to blink, still as a statue, the threat of gasps and tears locked inside of her. His fingers tentatively part the hair at her neck, sensitive fingertips tracing her fresh scar there.

Scully's stomach drops as he kisses just to the side of his fingers, as if saying a prayer to the metal buried beneath her skin.

“I’m sorry I gave you another scar. It shouldn't be like this,” he mumbles, voice thick with guilt.

She pulls away to see his face. “Mulder… you didn't do this: you saved me. It was your strength that saved me."

He laughs nervously, his eyes beginning to get that sheen she's seen before beside her hospital bed. “I guess I’m just grateful now for your company. Thanks for having me around, Scully.”

“I…” She tries for the sentiment he failed earlier but the words lodge in her throat, both insufficient and too much. She opts instead to show her reciprocation, stretching up on tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “Thank you for being around.”

[joelswritingmistress]

You Scare Me, Professor: Chapter 26

Summary: The reader is taking graduate classes at a local university in the wooded upstate New York. She is drawn to her professor, Dr. Joel Miller, though she is also inherently aware that he has something dark about him that she can't quite put her finger on. As the reader's attraction grows deeper, she has to decide whether to endure the danger or run away as fast as possible. 

Pairing: Professor Joel Miller x f!reader 

Fuck. I was addicted. I was done. I was his. The whole cliché fantasy about making love on a bear-skinned rug at a snowy mountain cabin in front of a roaring fire lived up to the hype; especially when my authoritative lover didn't leave a single part of my body untouched.

As I laid in the dim lighting on the living room floor looking up at the ceiling, I placed a hand on my throat where Dr. Miller’s had been as he dirty talked me through a thigh-shaking orgasm.

“Did I hurt you?” He placed a soothing hand over the highest part up my chest and drew his fingers up the sensitive skin of my neck.

I turned to him and smiled. “No.” My eyes closed when he let his fingers tiptoe down between my bare breasts before trailing off at my belly button.

Dr. Miller rested a hand on the curve of my hip and propped himself up onto an elbow beside me. He let the side of his face sit in his palm and stared down at me.

“This house was left to me in a will by a man named Lou Brackett,” Dr. Miller said, holding my stare. “He also left me a big inheritance because he had no family left when he died.”

Finally, some answers. Some. “Who was he?”

“I met him through my old job. I was in my late twenties, he was in his early seventies then and passed away of cancer a short time later. When I was notified that he left me all of this I didn't know what to make of it.”

“Were you close with him?”

Dr. Miller nodded. “But I wouldn't have expected him to give me anything in his will. Certainly not all this.”

“Maybe he looked at you like a son.. or a grandson.” I shrugged, “And if he had no family left, it's better than letting the state just take everything.”

He cleared his throat and nodded, looking at the fire for a moment. “I don't want you to be alone on campus anymore.”

I raised my eyebrows at the sudden subject change.

“I spend a little time in the library sometimes in between work and class,” I admitted.

Dr. Miller made a face. “Well, when it's dark don't walk alone. Even just for a few minutes. That's all it takes. Until this guy is caught I'd rather you not take any chances.”

“Okay.” I nodded.

“If I’m teaching and you can't find someone, text me and I'll act like I forgot something in my car and walk you to yours.”

“I'm really fine,” I assured him. “I know it's really close to home and-”

“I just can't stop thinking about you being alone in the bathroom on campus-”

I leaned up and silenced him with a kiss. My palm pressed into the back of his head and I took over his mouth with my own.

Our lips parted and Dr. Miller pulled me back to him.

“You have to tell me the whole story,” I gasped the words aloud but he kissed me hard again. "About the house. About all of it."

“Okay,” he promised in a whisper, laying me down on my back again.

My eyes closed and wrapped my arms around him as he kissed down my neck. “Okay.”

..

I wasn’t as concerned for my own safety the same way that Dr. Miller was. I wasn’t acting recklessly by any means, and I still got a chill when I thought of the incident in the bathroom, but studying over notes in the library didn’t exactly put me on high alert.

Dr. Miller, however, was like a hawk watching over its nest. My eyes practically bugged out of my head when I saw him enter the media center. Our eyes met and I smiled, though he moved around the space as if he had another purpose for being there. He conversed with the aging librarian, spoke with a few students who recognized him and then made his way to the table where I sat.

“Will you be alright to go back to the house tonight?” He asked quietly.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine.”

“You could always just wait in my office.”

“That would look suspicious.”

“No one would know that you were in there.”

I had the urge to stand up and peck him on the lips. I would have if we were at home but rather I just smiled. “It’s my home now, too, remember?” I grinned, “I have to get into a normal routine.”

Dr. Miller sighed and nodded. I knew he would have had me handcuffed to him if it were plausible; but it wasn’t. “You’re right.” His fingers subtly grazed over mine on the table top and he continued his walk around the library. That was about as much physical interaction we could have on campus. The fact that he had to touch me in some way made me smile to myself.

I tried to focus on the material I was reading, but my eyes kept scanning for him each time he ducked in and out of the stacks. Eventually he made his way back toward me, stuck a post-it note onto my book and smirked at me. 

I squinted my eyes and smirked back, staring at the message he’d scribbled down. It was a code to locate a book. K-353-K1521. 3rd row down. 24th Book from the left.

“What’s this?” I whispered, though Dr. Miller didn’t respond. He failed to hold back another devilish smirk and then wandered slowly away toward the doors of the library. I watched him go and he glanced over his shoulder at me before making his way back outside.

I waited a few minutes, so as not to make it obvious, and then rose to my feet with the sticky note in hand and began my little scavenger hunt around the area. 

What is this book he wants me to find?

I had to admit, I hadn’t searched library stacks for a book in a very long time, so navigating my way around wasn’t exactly second nature. Most of the time the research I wanted to do was all at the tip of my fingers via my smart phone or lap top. 

At the end of each row were labels with letters and numbers. I searched and searched, mostly blindly, until finally coming across K-353 - K1521. I had to admit, I loved the mystery and the games.

My eyes glanced upward and I reached up to the third row, beginning to count across from the left.

One, two, three..

I counted across, going slow so I wouldn’t accidentally skip over one and land on the wrong title.

Twenty-three, twenty-four.

I turned my head to the side to read the title of the book and then removed it from its spot.

Kama Sutra.

I laughed lightly to myself, and then glanced to my left and right before flipping open the book to a random page. I drew a hand over the back of my neck, continuing to grin as I browsed the illustrations on the page that went along with the Padmasana sex position.

As I began to read the description, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I knew who it was.

Make sure you read and do your homework, Dr. Miller’s text read, followed by a second one that made me laugh: Exam tonight.

I typed back, smiling as I did, and snapped a photo of the page I was on. I then decided to discreetly bring the book back to my table.

Should I check the book out? I wondered. I was so shy, I didn’t know if I could face the old lady behind the counter with the book in my hand. I decided to ask Dr. Miller, to which he replied: Take pictures of what you want to do then put the book back. I have a copy at home. I just wanted to get you thinking about it. Sometimes that’s the best kind of foreplay.

It certainly was. I began to flip through the pages of the book, taking pictures of things I wouldn’t mind trying. Dr. Miller was right. After just a minute or two I was already picturing what it would feel like to carry out some of the new positions with him. My face felt flushed and I hoped no one would interrupt the little task he’d put me up to.

My eyes lifted when I sensed someone had crossed past the aisle I was seated in and then I continued what I was doing until there were only about fifteen minutes until my class started. Dr. Miller would be right next door, and from the texts he was already sending me I could tell his thoughts would surely be in the same place as mine for the next several hours.

I finally closed the book and hurried back down to the aisle where I’d taken the book from, setting it back where it belonged. As I squeezed it back between two other books, I saw a pair of eyes peering at me from behind the stack in the next row.

“(Y/N).” They said my name quietly and I stepped backwards in response.

“What?” I swallowed hard and saw movement in the small spaces left available by the rows of books. I was tempted to run out of the aisle and into the main area of the library, though when Trevor emerged I placed a hand over my chest. “Trevor.” I felt relief, “You scared me.”

“I’m sorry,” he practically squeaked, adjusting his glasses.

“It’s fine.” I hoped he hadn’t seen the book I was putting back.

“Are you headed to class?”

“Yeah, I am.” I gave a nod. “Are you?”

“Yeah. I am.” He smiled, echoing my words.

I glanced up at the windows on the walls. It was dark outside. Dr. Miller didn’t want me to be alone. “Want to walk with me?” I asked.

Trevor nodded. “Yeah. Yes. Just.. let me get my stuff.”

“I have to get mine, too,” I told him. “I’ll meet you by the front doors.”

He smiled again and adjusted his glasses before power walking awkwardly down the row. His eyes glanced upward toward the area where I put the Kama Sutra book away and I shuddered to think he might actually know what I had been looking at.

Who cares. I rolled my eyes at myself and then went to retrieve my belongings. I texted Dr. Miller to let him know I was about to be on my way and then strolled to where Trevor was already waiting by the doors, hugging his laptop.

“Ready?” He asked with another Howdy Doody grin.

I nodded and sighed as I stared at the building we were headed to across the green. “Ready.”

CLICK HERE FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER

@untamedheart81 @suttonspuds @cesspitoflove @michilandcof @grogusmum @morallyinept @akah565 @brittmb115 @magpiepills @poodlebae @gobaaby-blog-blog @mermaidgirl30 @mandijo17 @shotgun-shelby @itscatrodriguez-thepearl @macaroni676 @acciowolfstar1 @smolbeanzz

[the-lonely-crow]

I’m feeling very calm and normal by the way in case anyone was wondering. Also his tattoos are the alchemical symbol for life and an ouroboros which symbolizes eternal cycles of death and rebirth, if you even care.

[Image ID: digital full body drawing of Gerry Keay from the Magnus Protocol. He has long black hair with blond streaks in the front. He is wearing an oversized gray long sleeve shirt with the sleeves pushed up around his elbows and black ripped jeans with fishnets showing through the holes in the knees and black combat boots. On the front of his neck he has a large death head moth tattoo. Just under it there is the alchemical symbol for life. Over his shoulders and across his color bones there are leafy vine tattoos. An ouroboros (snake eating its own tail) tattoo can be seen peaking over the neckline of his shirt. He wears a tan apron over his clothes and everything except his shirt is covered in streaks and splatters of colorful paint. His apron has three pockets in a row. The far left and center pockets both have various shapes and sizes of paint brushes in them while he has his right hand in the far right pocket. In the top left corner of his apron he has a rainbow pride pin and in the top left there is a gray brain cancer awareness ribbon pinned with a safety pin onto his apron. He is smirking slightly and looking off to the right of frame. He looks happy. /End ID]

[leiascully]

X-Files OctoberFicFest Day 31: Fright

This year, I'm using the October 2022 prompts from @artpromptcal.

Fright is a natural response. Scully knows that. She's grateful for her fear. It's saved her, over and over. But she's never been more terrified in her life than standing in the fourth floor hallway at 42 Hegel Place, watching Mulder pace in his dark t-shirt. Every step he takes echoes in her bones. He's the moon to her: he's always had that kind of gravity, always lit up her nights, always tugged at her until her tides turned. She sways in her heels, exhausted.

It took the last of her energy to decide to leave him. She's empty now, fragile. She felt more solid when she had cancer. Mulder is so much a part of her that cutting him out will end her. Whatever moves to Utah to start over will be Dana Scully in name, but without substance, like a blown eggshell. All she has left of herself is her fear; nothing that wasn't hers would know so intimately where she's weak.

And oh, she's weak for him. It eats her up inside, that fear gnawing into her marrow. Fear of leaving him, fear of losing him. Fear of his anger, even if it's directed around her rather than at her. Fear of his sorrow and the hollow nights it leads to. Fear of her own sorrow, her own sadness. Fear that none of this was worth it, in the end, that she's giving up, that she's giving in. But she's got nothing left.

He prowls toward her like a panther. The words he's saying barely make sense at first: she processes the frustration more than the sense of them, and flinches. But then he's telling her she saved him. She keeps him honest. She makes him a whole person. He owes her everything. She owes him nothing.

His eyes are so green in the dim. And she's afraid, oh, she's afraid, even when she settles into his arms. Desire flickers around the edges of her fear but can't burn it away. Still, she slips her hand around his neck and he dips his head to receive a kiss. Her lips linger against his skin and she's afraid. He raises his head and looks into her eyes and she's afraid. She looks up at him and fear steals her breath: she's afraid, she's afraid, she's afraid. Damned if she does and damned if she doesn't. Terrified to kiss him and terrified not to. Their futures are balanced on the knife-edge of her fear: Utah, DC, the black oil, the end of the world, all their joy and pain, all their potential.

The only thing bigger than her fear is him. He fills her field of vision. He eclipses her trepidation. He's the moon and she's drawn into his orbit. Her lips part. His head is haloed in light, a corona of dread. What if everything changes. What if nothing does.

When she kisses him, he'll draw the fear out of her body like snake venom. When she kisses him, she'll see the path of her life picked out in stars. It scares her, how much she wants that. How much she wants him. She leans closer. She sips at his breath.

The fear pricks at her neck. She doesn't kiss him. The fear swallows her like icy water: she'll never kiss him now. She slips down into it, gasping, half aware of the ways his arms cradle her.

She's afraid. And then she's gone. She drifts in a slough of unease for days or years, and then one day his hand breaks the surface and he draws her back into the world. The fear drains away onto the deck of an alien ship. She's free. She's whole.

[sisterspooky1013]

Gaslight, Chapter 29/48

Rated X | Read it here on AO3

Scully taps her foot nervously against the steel floor of the van, her twisted up hands fidgeting in her lap. While knowing that she’s about to get the answers she’s sought for months is exciting, the awareness that some of the information may be upsetting weighs heavy on her mind. 

She glances over at Mulder, who has been stoic since they got the call from Langly. He’s unreadable, staring vacantly out the window with his hands folded loosely in his lap. She’s almost more excited for him to learn the truth than she is for herself—once he knows without a doubt that Diana is not the person he believes her to be, maybe his heart will open back up to her. 

When they pull into the garage at the Gunmen’s, Scully immediately flings the door of the van open and heads inside. Mulder trails leisurely behind her, taking a seat in the armchair and crossing his ankle over his knee while she practically charges Byers, who is seated at one of the many computers in the room.

“What do you know?” she asks as her eyes land on stacks and stacks of paper arranged neatly on the surface of a folding table. 

“It’s a lot of information, Agent Scully,” Byers says calmly as he moves to stand between her and the table. “I’m afraid it may be a bit overwhelming for you to absorb all at once.”

“Please, John,” she says severely, meeting his serene blue eyes. “I can’t take not knowing any longer.”

“Why don’t you have a seat,” he suggests, gesturing towards the couch. “I’ll give you a synopsis of sorts before you get into the details. Would that be all right?”

Scully nods and sits on the end of the couch nearest Mulder. He’s chewing on his thumbnail and watching it all unfold, though he hasn’t spoken a word. Byers sits down near her, giving Frohike and Langly a significant look as the two men pull up dining room chairs on the other side of the coffee table. 

“The database we were able to access contains thousands of files. The bulk of the information stored referenced the two of you,” he says with a nod to Mulder, “but there were also files for each of your family members and friends, including the three of us.”

“What kind of information?” Scully asks. She glances at Mulder, but his thousand yard stare gives the impression that he isn’t even listening. 

“It’s extremely thorough,” Byers says carefully. “There’s an accounting of every major event in your lives up until about 1994, at which point the level of detail increases substantially.” He pauses and looks at Frohike.

“What?” Scully asks urgently, her eyes flitting between the two men. 

“You were abducted in fall of ‘94,” Frohike says with a pained expression. “You were missing for weeks. It’s pretty clear that you were closely monitored after you were returned. Both of you.”

Again she looks at Mulder, but he keeps his eyes on the coffee table. 

“Abducted?” she asks, looking back to Frohike. “By whom? And what do you mean by ‘returned’?”

“We never really knew for sure,” Langly pipes in. “You just showed up at the hospital one day. Nobody saw you being dropped off.”

Scully takes a moment to absorb this. The information doesn’t jog any memories for her, which she finds unsettling. It’s one thing to be told, but it’s quite another to remember. 

“What else?” she asks, looking at Byers. 

“Shortly after your return, you found a small metal chip in your neck. An implant,” he says, and she reflexively touches the back of her neck. 

“I knew it was there?” she asks absently. 

“You removed it,” he clarifies. “But when you were later diagnosed with a difficult to treat form of cancer, it was re-implanted in an attempt to save your life. A successful attempt, I should add.”

It takes a few seconds for the information to sink in. When it does, she looks up at Byers with wide, fear-stricken eyes. 

“Am I going to get cancer again?” she asks. 

“I’m not sure,” he admits. 

She has the thought that if she had the implant with her, she could potentially put it back. But just as soon as the thought enters her mind, she dismisses it. She’ll never be free as long as one of those things is in her neck. They’d always be able to find her. 

“I want to see it,” she says abruptly. “The file, I want to read it. All of it.”

“Of course,” Byers says as he stands. “Take as much time as you need to look it over. Mulder, would you like to see yours as well?”

They all turn to Mulder, who has slowly slumped down in his chair to the point that he now looks like a petulant teenager. 

“Mulder?” she says, and his eyes slowly lift until he’s looking at her face. “Would you like to read your file?”

He sits up a little and clears his throat. 

“You go ahead. I’ll look at mine later,” he says casually, and she narrows her eyes at him. 

“You don’t want to know?” she asks, incredulous. “How could you not?”

Again, he clears his throat and shifts in his seat. 

“It’s a little overwhelming, to be perfectly honest,” he tells her in a soft voice that is clearly meant only for her ears, though the Gunmen can undoubtedly hear him. “I think I’d just like to know what yours says first, if that’s okay.”

He suddenly looks so vulnerable, and it catches her off guard. Maybe before they stole her memory from her, she’d have recognized it sooner. He’s afraid. 

“Yeah, that’s okay,” she says, managing a placating smile. “There’s probably some overlap anyway.”

He nods, and she sees gratitude in his eyes. 

“Everything on this table is yours,” Langly tells her, gesturing to a table large enough to comfortably seat six people. “I’d start from the left and work your way right.”

“Okay,” she says, then swallows. 

She picks up the first stack on the left and turns it over. Her stomach immediately clenches and her mouth goes dry, but she carries it over to the couch and lays it out in front of her on the coffee table. She looks at Mulder, and he holds her eye and nods in encouragement. Fortified, she turns to the first page. 

Continue Reading on AO3

Tagging @today-in-fic

[brookston]

Holidays 4.6

Holidays

ABW Day (Poland)

Animated Cartoon Day

Army Day (US)

Athletic Trainers and Physical Training and Sports Professionals Day (Kyrgyzstan)

Bohring-Optiz Syndrome Awareness Day

Castle Day (Japan)

Chakri Memorial Day (Thailand)

Circe Asteroid Day

Conor McGregor Day (UK)

Declaration of Arbroath Day (Scotland)

Drowsy Driver Awareness Day (California)

Evolution of Dance Day

Feigenbaum Constant Day

406 Day

Gender-Fluid Pride Day

Good Deeds Day

International Asexuality Day

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (UN)

International Day of the Charango

International Recruiters Day

International Search & Rescue Beacon/406 Day

International Whistler’s Day

Jump Over Things Day

Kimbangu Day (DR Congo)

King Rama I Memorial and Chakri Day (Thailand)

Knock Your Socks Off Day

Larch Day (French Republic)

Modern Olympics Day

Näfelser Fahrt (Battle of Näfels; Switzerland)

National Charlie Brown’s Insecurities Day

National Employee Benefits Day

National Fisherman Day (Indonesia)

National Gang Day

National Health Day (Kiribati)

National Library Day

National Pajama Day

National Student-Athlete Day

North Pole Day

Ntaryamira Day (Burgundi)

Patriot’s Victory Day (Ethiopia)

Phocaea Asteroid Day

Plan Your Epitaph Day

Post-It Notes Day

Richard the Lionheart Day

Roberto Clemente Day

Self Determination Day (Australia)

Semana Santa (Argentina)

Sorry Charlie Day (in honor of those who have been rejected and lived through it)

Stigtingsdag (a.k.a. Founders Day or Van Riebeeck’s Day; South Africa)

Tartan Day (Canada, US)

Teflon Day

Think About Spring Cleaning Day

Van Riebeeck Day (Capetown, South Africa)

Waltzing Mathilda Day (Australia)

World Day of Physical Activity

World Table Tennis Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Brew Year's Eve

Fresh Tomato Day

National Acai Bowl Day

National Caramel Popcorn Day

National Carbonara Day (Italy)

National Consider Drinking More Helles Day

National Food Faces Day

National Twinkie Day

National Viognier Day

New Beer's Eve

St. Sixtus' Day

Twinkie Day

Nature Celebrations

Adonis Day (Eternal Bliss; Korean Birth Flowers)

California Poppy Day

National Siamese Cat Day

Independence, Flag & Related Days

Capetown, South Africa (Founded; 1652) [Orania]

Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Act of Self Determination Day; 1984)

Koya (Declared; 2014) [unrecognized]

Republic of Venstral (Declared; 2018) [unrecognized]

Self-Determination Day (Cocos Islands)

Vancouver (Founded by Canadian Pacific Railway Company; 1886)

New Year’s Days

British Income Tax Year (UK)

Yazidi New Year (Iraq)

1st Sunday in April

A Drop of Water is a Grain of Gold (Turkmenistan) [1st Sunday]

English Breakfast Day (UK) [1st Sunday]

Geologists Day (Russia) [1st Sunday]

Mule Day (Columbia, Tennessee) [1st Sunday]

Parents & Children’s Day (Florida) [1st Sunday]

Seven For Sunday [Every Sunday]

Snack Sunday [1st Sunday of Each Month]

Spiritual Sunday [1st Sunday of Each Month]

Start Over Sunday [1st Sunday of Each Month]

Sundae Sunday [Every Sunday]

Sunday Funday [Every Sunday]

White Orchid Day [1st Sunday]

World Geologists Day [1st Sunday]

World Meditation Day [1st Sunday of Every Month]

World Transformation Day [1st Sunday]

Weekly Holidays beginning April 6 (1st Full Week of April)

Bat Appreciation Week [1st Full Week]

Be Kind to Spiders Week [1st Full Week]

Community Garden Week (UK) [1st Full Week]

Consider Christianity Week [begins 2nd Sunday before Easter]

Dumb Week (Greece) [thru 4.12]

Explore Your Career Options Week [1st Full Week]

International Trombone Week (thru 4.13)

National Blue-Ribbon Week [1st Full Week]

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (thru 4.12)

National Library Week (thru 4.12)

National Medic Alert Week [1st Full Week]

National Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Week (thru 4.12)

National Public Health Week [1st Full Week]

National Window Safety Week [1st Full Week]

New Haven Restaurant Week (New Haven, Connecticut) [thru 4.11]

Passion Week (thru 3.23) [Week before Holy Week; Christianity]

Passiontide (thru 3.30) [Passion Week + Holy Week]

Festivals On or Beginning April 6, 2025

The Laurence Olivier Awards (London, United Kingdom)

NFRA Executive Conference (Tempe, Arizona) [thru 4.9]

Vinitaly (Verona, Italy) [thru 4.9]

Zilker Kite Festival (Austin, Texas)

Feast Days

Aequinoctium Vernum VIII (Pagan)

Albrecht Dürer and Lucas Cranach (Lutheran Church)

Baily (Muppetism)

Beware of Lizardmen Day (Pastafarian)

Birth of Jesus (Mormons)

Brychan (Christian; Saint)

Celestine I, Pope (Catholic Church)

Children’s Springtime Festival (France; Everyday Wicca)

Church of Latter Day Saints Day

Colsus, Archbishop of Armagh (Christian; Saint)

Crane Bag Day (Celtic Book of Days)

Elstan (Christian; Saint)

Ether Sunday (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Eutychius of Constantinople (Eastern Orthodox Church)

Feast of the 120 Martyrs of Persia (Christian; Martyrs)

Fête des Petits Bateaux (Fête  of the Little Boats; France)

Gudi Padwa (Birthday of Mother Earth; Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh people)

Impersonate a Frog Day (Pastafarian)

Irenaeus of Sirmium (Christian; Saint)

Jake Day (Discordian)

Kanamara Matsuri (Fertility Festival; Japan)

Kimbanguiste Church Founding Day (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Marcellinus of Carthage (Christian; Saint)

Pappus (Positivist; Saint)

Passover (a.k.a. Pesach; Judaism) [Nisan 16]

Prudentius, Bishop of Troyes (Christian; Saint)

Sixtus I, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Sorting-Out of the Doggets Day (Shamanism)

William the Confessor, Abbot of Eskille (Christian; Saint)

Fifth Sunday in Lent (Western Christianity) (a.k.a. ... 

Care Sunday

Carling Sunday

Judica (Lutheranism)

Passion Sunday

Passiontide begins [lasts 2 weeks]

Solidarity Sunday

Lunar Calendar Holidays

Chinese: Month 3 (Geng-Chen), Day 9 (Y-Si)

Day Pillar: Wood Snake

12-Day Officers/12 Gods: Remove Day (除 Chu) [Auspicious]

Holidays: None Known

Secular Saints Days

Leigh Bardugo (Literature)

Graeme Base (Art)

Elizabeth Barrett Browning (Literature)

Leonora Carrington (Art)

Arthur Wesley Dow (Art)

Anthony H.G. Fokker (Science)

Merle Haggard (Music)

Jeanne Hébuterne (Art)

Harry Houdini (Entertainment)

Charles Huot (Art)

Charles Jackson (Literature)

Gil Kane (Art)

René Lalique (Art)

Barry Levinson (Entertainment)

James Mill (Philosophy)

Gustave Moreau (Art)

Gerry Mulligan (Music)

Guy Peellaert (Art)

Raphael (Art)

John Ratzenberger (Entertainment)

Hans Richter (Art)

Paul Rudd (Entertainment)

Sterling Sharpe (Sports)

Sebastian Spreng (Art)

Wilhelm von Kobell (Art)

John William Waterhouse (Art)

James D. Watson (Science)

Billy D. Williams (Entertainment)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Fortunate Day (Pagan) [13 of 53]

Lucky Day (Philippines) [20 of 71]

Nēmontēmi, Day 2 (of 5) [Aztec unlucky or fasting days, taking place between 4.5-4.18]

Perilous Day (13th Century England) [14 of 32]

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Premieres

All Shook Up, by Elvis Presley (Song; 1957)

Along Flirtation Walk (WB MM Cartoon; 1935)

Attack on Titan (Anime TV Series; 2013)

Barney & Friends (Children’s TV Series; 1992)

Beef (TV Series; 2023)

Betty in Blunderland (Betty Boop Cartoon; 1934)

Blockers (Film; 2018)

The Boys from Brazil, by Ira Levin (Novel; 1976)

Buddy of the Legion (WB LT Cartoon; 1935)

The Bum Bandit (Betty Boop Cartoon; 1931)

The Castaway (Disney Cartoon; 1931)

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Modern Cult/Religion; 1830)

Corn Chips (Donald Duck Disney Cartoon; 1951)

Country School (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1931)

Cry-Baby (Film; 1990)

The Dancing Fool (Betty Boop Cartoon; 1932)

Death Proof (Film; 2007)

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (Anime TV Series; 2019)

Diva, by Annie Lennox (Album; 1992)

The Double Helix, by James D. Watson (Science Book; 1968)

Dough for the Do-Do (Blue Ribbon Hit Parade Cartoon; 1957)

The Dragons of Eden, by Carl Sagan (Science Essays; 1977)

The Flintstones: Little Big League (Hanna-Barbera Animated TV Special; 1978)

Flowers for Madame (WB MM Cartoon; 1936)

Fresh Fish (Blue Ribbon Hit Parade Cartoon; 1946)

The Gods Must Be Crazy (Film; 1984)

Going to Blazes (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1933)

Gold Chumps (Krazy Kat Cartoon; 1939)

Grifters, by Jim Thompson (Novel; 1963)

Grindhouse (Film; 2007)

Haikyu! (Anime TV Series; 2014)

Harbor Lights, by Bruce Hornsby (Album; 1993)

Humorous Phases of Funny Phases (Animated TV Show;1906) [1st Animated Cartoon]

I Love You to Death (Film; 1990)

Indian Pudding (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1930)

In Harm’s Way (Film; 1965)

Joe’s Lunch Wagon (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1934)

Join the Land Army (Hearst-Pathe News Cartoon; 1918)

Just Visiting (Film; 2001)

Kodak Flexible Rolled Film (Photography Film; 1889)

Ladies and Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones (Concert Film; 1971) [1st in Quadrophonic]

The Lost Weekend, by Charles R. Jackson (Novel; 1944)

Making Good (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1932)

Mamma Mia! (UK Musical Play; 1999)

The Millionaire Hare (WB LT Cartoon; 1963)

Monday Monday, by The Mamas and The Papas (Song; 1966)

Mony Mony, by Tommy James and The Shondells (Song; 1968)

Moscow on the Hudson (Film; 1984)

Mutt the Mutt Trainer (Mutt & Jeff Cartoon; 1919)

Nine Stories, by J.D. Salinger (Short Stories; 1953)

Olympics (Modern Olympics; 1896)

Outbreak, by Robin Cook (Novel; 1987)

Planet Terror (Film; 2007)

Popular Melodies (Fleischer Screen Songs Cartoon; 1933)

A Quiet Place (Film; 2018)

Robot Chicken DC Comics Special 2: Villains in Paradise (WB Animated TV Special; 2014)

Runnin’ Wild (Aesop’s Film Fable Cartoon; 1924)

Silicon Valley (TV Series; 2014)

A Sleepless Night (Heckle & Heckle Cartoon; 1948)

Tannhäuser, by Richard Wagner (Opera; 1870)

Teachers Are People (Disney Cartoon; 1952)

The Thorn Birds, by Colleen McCullough (Novel; 1977)

Those Beautiful Dames (WB MM Cartoon; 1935)

Timmy Time (Aardman Animations TV Series; 2009)

Trust the Saint, by Leslie Charteris (Short Stories 1962) [Saint #36]

Two-Faced Wolf (Loopy De Loop Cartoon; 1961)

Undertow, by Tool (Album; 1993)

Vitamin Pink (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1966)

Where the Boys Are (Film; 1984)

Wild Bill Hiccup (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1970)

Workaholics (TV Series; 2011)

Today’s Name Days

Notker, Wilhelm (Austria)

Irenej, Petar, Prudencije (Croatia)

Vendula (Czech Republic)

Sixtus (Denmark)

Ville, Villem, Villi, Villo, Villu (Estonia)

Jami, Vilhelm, Vilho, Vili, Viljami, Ville (Finland)

Marcellin (France)

Sixtus, William (Germany)

Efthios, Evtychios (Greece)

Bíborka, Vilmos (Hungary)

Celestina, Diogene, Filarete, Guglielmo (Italy)

Filips, Vilips, Zinta (Latvia)

Celestinas, Daugirutis, Genardas, Žintautė (Lithuania)

Aasmund, Asmund, Åsmund (Norway)

Ada, Adam, Adamina, Celestyn, Celestyna, Diogenes, Ireneusz, Katarzyna, Świętobor, Sykstus, Wilhelm, Zachariasz (Poland)

Eutihie (Romania)

Irena (Slovakia)

Celestino, Gala, Guillermo, Prudencio (Spain)

Vilhelm, William (Sweden)

Celesta, Celeste, Celestina, Celestine, Tyra (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 96 of 2025; 269 days remaining in the year

ISO Week: Day 7 of Week 14 of 2025

Celtic Tree Calendar: Fearn (Alder) [Day 20 of 28]

Chinese: Month 3 (Geng-Chen), Day 9 (Y-Si)

Chinese Year of the: Snake 4723 (until February 17, 2026) [Ding-Chou]

Coptic: 28 Baramhat 1741

Druid Tree Calendar: Rowan (April 1-10) [Day 6 of 10]

Hebrew: 8 Nisan 5785

Islamic: 7 Shawwal 1446

Julian: 24 March 2025

Moon: 67%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 12 Archimedes (4th Month) [Pappus]

Runic Half Month: Ehwaz (Horse) [Day 8 of 15] (thru 4.9)

Season: Spring (Day 17 of 92)

SUn Calendar: 7 Cyan; Seventhday [7 of 30]

Week: 1st Full Week of April

Zodiac:

Tropical (Typical) Zodiac: Aries (Day 17 of 30)

Sidereal Zodiac: Pisces (Day 23 of 30)

Schmidt Zodiac: Pisces (Day 17 of 26)

IAU Boundaries (Current) Zodiac: Pisces (Day 26 of 38)

IAU Boundaries (1977) Zodiac: Pisces (Day 26 of 38)

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 4.6

Holidays

ABW Day (Poland)

Animated Cartoon Day

Army Day (US)

Athletic Trainers and Physical Training and Sports Professionals Day (Kyrgyzstan)

Bohring-Optiz Syndrome Awareness Day

Castle Day (Japan)

Chakri Memorial Day (Thailand)

Circe Asteroid Day

Conor McGregor Day (UK)

Declaration of Arbroath Day (Scotland)

Drowsy Driver Awareness Day (California)

Evolution of Dance Day

Feigenbaum Constant Day

406 Day

Gender-Fluid Pride Day

Good Deeds Day

International Asexuality Day

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (UN)

International Day of the Charango

International Recruiters Day

International Search & Rescue Beacon/406 Day

International Whistler’s Day

Jump Over Things Day

Kimbangu Day (DR Congo)

King Rama I Memorial and Chakri Day (Thailand)

Knock Your Socks Off Day

Larch Day (French Republic)

Modern Olympics Day

Näfelser Fahrt (Battle of Näfels; Switzerland)

National Charlie Brown’s Insecurities Day

National Employee Benefits Day

National Fisherman Day (Indonesia)

National Gang Day

National Health Day (Kiribati)

National Library Day

National Pajama Day

National Student-Athlete Day

North Pole Day

Ntaryamira Day (Burgundi)

Patriot’s Victory Day (Ethiopia)

Phocaea Asteroid Day

Plan Your Epitaph Day

Post-It Notes Day

Richard the Lionheart Day

Roberto Clemente Day

Self Determination Day (Australia)

Semana Santa (Argentina)

Sorry Charlie Day (in honor of those who have been rejected and lived through it)

Stigtingsdag (a.k.a. Founders Day or Van Riebeeck’s Day; South Africa)

Tartan Day (Canada, US)

Teflon Day

Think About Spring Cleaning Day

Van Riebeeck Day (Capetown, South Africa)

Waltzing Mathilda Day (Australia)

World Day of Physical Activity

World Table Tennis Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Brew Year's Eve

Fresh Tomato Day

National Acai Bowl Day

National Caramel Popcorn Day

National Carbonara Day (Italy)

National Consider Drinking More Helles Day

National Food Faces Day

National Twinkie Day

National Viognier Day

New Beer's Eve

St. Sixtus' Day

Twinkie Day

Nature Celebrations

Adonis Day (Eternal Bliss; Korean Birth Flowers)

California Poppy Day

National Siamese Cat Day

Independence, Flag & Related Days

Capetown, South Africa (Founded; 1652) [Orania]

Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Act of Self Determination Day; 1984)

Koya (Declared; 2014) [unrecognized]

Republic of Venstral (Declared; 2018) [unrecognized]

Self-Determination Day (Cocos Islands)

Vancouver (Founded by Canadian Pacific Railway Company; 1886)

New Year’s Days

British Income Tax Year (UK)

Yazidi New Year (Iraq)

1st Sunday in April

A Drop of Water is a Grain of Gold (Turkmenistan) [1st Sunday]

English Breakfast Day (UK) [1st Sunday]

Geologists Day (Russia) [1st Sunday]

Mule Day (Columbia, Tennessee) [1st Sunday]

Parents & Children’s Day (Florida) [1st Sunday]

Seven For Sunday [Every Sunday]

Snack Sunday [1st Sunday of Each Month]

Spiritual Sunday [1st Sunday of Each Month]

Start Over Sunday [1st Sunday of Each Month]

Sundae Sunday [Every Sunday]

Sunday Funday [Every Sunday]

White Orchid Day [1st Sunday]

World Geologists Day [1st Sunday]

World Meditation Day [1st Sunday of Every Month]

World Transformation Day [1st Sunday]

Weekly Holidays beginning April 6 (1st Full Week of April)

Bat Appreciation Week [1st Full Week]

Be Kind to Spiders Week [1st Full Week]

Community Garden Week (UK) [1st Full Week]

Consider Christianity Week [begins 2nd Sunday before Easter]

Dumb Week (Greece) [thru 4.12]

Explore Your Career Options Week [1st Full Week]

International Trombone Week (thru 4.13)

National Blue-Ribbon Week [1st Full Week]

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (thru 4.12)

National Library Week (thru 4.12)

National Medic Alert Week [1st Full Week]

National Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Week (thru 4.12)

National Public Health Week [1st Full Week]

National Window Safety Week [1st Full Week]

New Haven Restaurant Week (New Haven, Connecticut) [thru 4.11]

Passion Week (thru 3.23) [Week before Holy Week; Christianity]

Passiontide (thru 3.30) [Passion Week + Holy Week]

Festivals On or Beginning April 6, 2025

The Laurence Olivier Awards (London, United Kingdom)

NFRA Executive Conference (Tempe, Arizona) [thru 4.9]

Vinitaly (Verona, Italy) [thru 4.9]

Zilker Kite Festival (Austin, Texas)

Feast Days

Aequinoctium Vernum VIII (Pagan)

Albrecht Dürer and Lucas Cranach (Lutheran Church)

Baily (Muppetism)

Beware of Lizardmen Day (Pastafarian)

Birth of Jesus (Mormons)

Brychan (Christian; Saint)

Celestine I, Pope (Catholic Church)

Children’s Springtime Festival (France; Everyday Wicca)

Church of Latter Day Saints Day

Colsus, Archbishop of Armagh (Christian; Saint)

Crane Bag Day (Celtic Book of Days)

Elstan (Christian; Saint)

Ether Sunday (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Eutychius of Constantinople (Eastern Orthodox Church)

Feast of the 120 Martyrs of Persia (Christian; Martyrs)

Fête des Petits Bateaux (Fête  of the Little Boats; France)

Gudi Padwa (Birthday of Mother Earth; Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh people)

Impersonate a Frog Day (Pastafarian)

Irenaeus of Sirmium (Christian; Saint)

Jake Day (Discordian)

Kanamara Matsuri (Fertility Festival; Japan)

Kimbanguiste Church Founding Day (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Marcellinus of Carthage (Christian; Saint)

Pappus (Positivist; Saint)

Passover (a.k.a. Pesach; Judaism) [Nisan 16]

Prudentius, Bishop of Troyes (Christian; Saint)

Sixtus I, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Sorting-Out of the Doggets Day (Shamanism)

William the Confessor, Abbot of Eskille (Christian; Saint)

Fifth Sunday in Lent (Western Christianity) (a.k.a. ... 

Care Sunday

Carling Sunday

Judica (Lutheranism)

Passion Sunday

Passiontide begins [lasts 2 weeks]

Solidarity Sunday

Lunar Calendar Holidays

Chinese: Month 3 (Geng-Chen), Day 9 (Y-Si)

Day Pillar: Wood Snake

12-Day Officers/12 Gods: Remove Day (除 Chu) [Auspicious]

Holidays: None Known

Secular Saints Days

Leigh Bardugo (Literature)

Graeme Base (Art)

Elizabeth Barrett Browning (Literature)

Leonora Carrington (Art)

Arthur Wesley Dow (Art)

Anthony H.G. Fokker (Science)

Merle Haggard (Music)

Jeanne Hébuterne (Art)

Harry Houdini (Entertainment)

Charles Huot (Art)

Charles Jackson (Literature)

Gil Kane (Art)

René Lalique (Art)

Barry Levinson (Entertainment)

James Mill (Philosophy)

Gustave Moreau (Art)

Gerry Mulligan (Music)

Guy Peellaert (Art)

Raphael (Art)

John Ratzenberger (Entertainment)

Hans Richter (Art)

Paul Rudd (Entertainment)

Sterling Sharpe (Sports)

Sebastian Spreng (Art)

Wilhelm von Kobell (Art)

John William Waterhouse (Art)

James D. Watson (Science)

Billy D. Williams (Entertainment)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Fortunate Day (Pagan) [13 of 53]

Lucky Day (Philippines) [20 of 71]

Nēmontēmi, Day 2 (of 5) [Aztec unlucky or fasting days, taking place between 4.5-4.18]

Perilous Day (13th Century England) [14 of 32]

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Premieres

All Shook Up, by Elvis Presley (Song; 1957)

Along Flirtation Walk (WB MM Cartoon; 1935)

Attack on Titan (Anime TV Series; 2013)

Barney & Friends (Children’s TV Series; 1992)

Beef (TV Series; 2023)

Betty in Blunderland (Betty Boop Cartoon; 1934)

Blockers (Film; 2018)

The Boys from Brazil, by Ira Levin (Novel; 1976)

Buddy of the Legion (WB LT Cartoon; 1935)

The Bum Bandit (Betty Boop Cartoon; 1931)

The Castaway (Disney Cartoon; 1931)

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Modern Cult/Religion; 1830)

Corn Chips (Donald Duck Disney Cartoon; 1951)

Country School (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1931)

Cry-Baby (Film; 1990)

The Dancing Fool (Betty Boop Cartoon; 1932)

Death Proof (Film; 2007)

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (Anime TV Series; 2019)

Diva, by Annie Lennox (Album; 1992)

The Double Helix, by James D. Watson (Science Book; 1968)

Dough for the Do-Do (Blue Ribbon Hit Parade Cartoon; 1957)

The Dragons of Eden, by Carl Sagan (Science Essays; 1977)

The Flintstones: Little Big League (Hanna-Barbera Animated TV Special; 1978)

Flowers for Madame (WB MM Cartoon; 1936)

Fresh Fish (Blue Ribbon Hit Parade Cartoon; 1946)

The Gods Must Be Crazy (Film; 1984)

Going to Blazes (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1933)

Gold Chumps (Krazy Kat Cartoon; 1939)

Grifters, by Jim Thompson (Novel; 1963)

Grindhouse (Film; 2007)

Haikyu! (Anime TV Series; 2014)

Harbor Lights, by Bruce Hornsby (Album; 1993)

Humorous Phases of Funny Phases (Animated TV Show;1906) [1st Animated Cartoon]

I Love You to Death (Film; 1990)

Indian Pudding (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1930)

In Harm’s Way (Film; 1965)

Joe’s Lunch Wagon (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1934)

Join the Land Army (Hearst-Pathe News Cartoon; 1918)

Just Visiting (Film; 2001)

Kodak Flexible Rolled Film (Photography Film; 1889)

Ladies and Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones (Concert Film; 1971) [1st in Quadrophonic]

The Lost Weekend, by Charles R. Jackson (Novel; 1944)

Making Good (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1932)

Mamma Mia! (UK Musical Play; 1999)

The Millionaire Hare (WB LT Cartoon; 1963)

Monday Monday, by The Mamas and The Papas (Song; 1966)

Mony Mony, by Tommy James and The Shondells (Song; 1968)

Moscow on the Hudson (Film; 1984)

Mutt the Mutt Trainer (Mutt & Jeff Cartoon; 1919)

Nine Stories, by J.D. Salinger (Short Stories; 1953)

Olympics (Modern Olympics; 1896)

Outbreak, by Robin Cook (Novel; 1987)

Planet Terror (Film; 2007)

Popular Melodies (Fleischer Screen Songs Cartoon; 1933)

A Quiet Place (Film; 2018)

Robot Chicken DC Comics Special 2: Villains in Paradise (WB Animated TV Special; 2014)

Runnin’ Wild (Aesop’s Film Fable Cartoon; 1924)

Silicon Valley (TV Series; 2014)

A Sleepless Night (Heckle & Heckle Cartoon; 1948)

Tannhäuser, by Richard Wagner (Opera; 1870)

Teachers Are People (Disney Cartoon; 1952)

The Thorn Birds, by Colleen McCullough (Novel; 1977)

Those Beautiful Dames (WB MM Cartoon; 1935)

Timmy Time (Aardman Animations TV Series; 2009)

Trust the Saint, by Leslie Charteris (Short Stories 1962) [Saint #36]

Two-Faced Wolf (Loopy De Loop Cartoon; 1961)

Undertow, by Tool (Album; 1993)

Vitamin Pink (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1966)

Where the Boys Are (Film; 1984)

Wild Bill Hiccup (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1970)

Workaholics (TV Series; 2011)

Today’s Name Days

Notker, Wilhelm (Austria)

Irenej, Petar, Prudencije (Croatia)

Vendula (Czech Republic)

Sixtus (Denmark)

Ville, Villem, Villi, Villo, Villu (Estonia)

Jami, Vilhelm, Vilho, Vili, Viljami, Ville (Finland)

Marcellin (France)

Sixtus, William (Germany)

Efthios, Evtychios (Greece)

Bíborka, Vilmos (Hungary)

Celestina, Diogene, Filarete, Guglielmo (Italy)

Filips, Vilips, Zinta (Latvia)

Celestinas, Daugirutis, Genardas, Žintautė (Lithuania)

Aasmund, Asmund, Åsmund (Norway)

Ada, Adam, Adamina, Celestyn, Celestyna, Diogenes, Ireneusz, Katarzyna, Świętobor, Sykstus, Wilhelm, Zachariasz (Poland)

Eutihie (Romania)

Irena (Slovakia)

Celestino, Gala, Guillermo, Prudencio (Spain)

Vilhelm, William (Sweden)

Celesta, Celeste, Celestina, Celestine, Tyra (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 96 of 2025; 269 days remaining in the year

ISO Week: Day 7 of Week 14 of 2025

Celtic Tree Calendar: Fearn (Alder) [Day 20 of 28]

Chinese: Month 3 (Geng-Chen), Day 9 (Y-Si)

Chinese Year of the: Snake 4723 (until February 17, 2026) [Ding-Chou]

Coptic: 28 Baramhat 1741

Druid Tree Calendar: Rowan (April 1-10) [Day 6 of 10]

Hebrew: 8 Nisan 5785

Islamic: 7 Shawwal 1446

Julian: 24 March 2025

Moon: 67%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 12 Archimedes (4th Month) [Pappus]

Runic Half Month: Ehwaz (Horse) [Day 8 of 15] (thru 4.9)

Season: Spring (Day 17 of 92)

SUn Calendar: 7 Cyan; Seventhday [7 of 30]

Week: 1st Full Week of April

Zodiac:

Tropical (Typical) Zodiac: Aries (Day 17 of 30)

Sidereal Zodiac: Pisces (Day 23 of 30)

Schmidt Zodiac: Pisces (Day 17 of 26)

IAU Boundaries (Current) Zodiac: Pisces (Day 26 of 38)

IAU Boundaries (1977) Zodiac: Pisces (Day 26 of 38)

[hopeless-nostalgiac]

Word Find Tag Game!

Find the word (or the closest approximation you can) in your works and post an excerpt. Tag others to play and give them new words too.

Your Words: Weekend, hope, view, wait, phone

Tags to play: @indestinatus @television-overload @swiftlifeline @loudlooks and the usual Open Tag! because my brain can't think of usernames rn

Words I was given: Sharp, Eyes, Shower, Heart, Smile (by the lovely @mrsmungus)

Sharp: from an upcoming chapter of Quickening

She scoffed a single, sharp laugh. “I did not ask you here to remind me of my poor choices.” Especially when she was staring down the consequence of another… “I was a poor choice?” His smile tipped sideways; he was teasing, making it easier, less awkward. Yet she was acutely aware of his hand enveloping hers, skin on skin. The previous flames of contact were tamed to a kindled flicker, providing warmth. Comfort.

Eyes: from a very early draft of a Tiva dance AU

Again, again, again! Her head snapped forward, expecting to see the man whose voice matched the familiar refrain staring back at her in the mirror. Instead, it was her own reflection – a grown woman, in her own studio. Yet the fear of a young girl widened her doe eyes and cooled the perspiration on her neck, raising goose-flesh all over her body.

Shower: from a Tiva wip called, "Sunny Side Up"

A second sigh passed her lips, this time of… disbelief. Such antics from her partner in their daily lives would have incurred her eye-roll and a chuckle or two, but ever since they’d arrived, she found almost everything Tony did to be far less irritating than normal. His jokes were funnier, his personality less grating, and even his constant singing – especially in the shower, which woke her up every morning – had only served to endear him to– “Weren’t you going to get in some laps before giving yourself skin cancer?”

Heart: from what was supposed to be my Jan. Tiva Fic Challenge submission but I didn't finish it and still haven't, "Tu Me Manques"

A second peal of delight wafted from the living room and Ziva’s eyelids fluttered, both hands coming up to her chest, capturing the sound of her daughter – happy, surrounded by family – within her heart. Tony had never longed to pause time more than at that precise moment.

Smile: from the latest chapter of Land I Grew

Ziva will cast her mind back to when it had been taken earlier that year during after-work drinks. A warm, nostalgic feeling will sweep through her. For the jokes. For the laughter and camaraderie. She will touch the glass over her captured smile and trace the arm Tony had slung across her shoulders.  It will be a fond memory – and a reminder. Of friends. The family she chose.