#high quality Drop in Anchor

[margeoww]

Let me be honest here, ‘After All This Time’ should be a series or at least mini series and I’m ready to drop a kidney for it.

PLEASE MAKE IT A SERIES! 😭 Also, love your writing! 🫶🏽

After All This Time

back to my main masterlist.

toto wolff masterlist

Chapter 2

pairing: toto wolff x exwife!reader

summary: Toto reflects on the highs and lows of his 20-year marriage after seeing his ex-wife for the first time in four years. Memories of love, loss, and mistakes resurface, leaving him questioning if reconciliation is still possible.

warnings: themes of emotional conflict, mentions of divorce and strained relationships.

The echoes of their reunion at the gala lingered in Toto’s mind. Sleep had evaded him as the brief conversation played on repeat, unearthing emotions he thought were buried. Seated alone in his office, surrounded by the glow of the city lights, memories flooded back, raw and unrelenting.

The First Meeting

Their story began at a charity event in Vienna. Toto was a young, ambitious entrepreneur, accustomed to being the center of attention. She, on the other hand, was an anomaly in a room of predictable faces. Her laughter, genuine and unguarded, drew him in.

—Do you always observe people as if you’re calculating your next move in chess? —she asked, her smile disarming his ego. Toto was speechless, a rare occurrence.

—Only when someone interesting appears —he replied eventually, and that was the start of everything.

The Early Years

The early days were an adventure. She celebrated his ambition, becoming his anchor amidst the chaos. She was his biggest supporter and his sharpest critic, keeping him grounded while pushing him forward.

They spent evenings walking through Vienna, laughing as though they were the only ones in the world. Their life together was filled with simple yet unforgettable moments—cooking together, debating over who cut vegetables better, or mornings when Toto lingered in bed just to hear her hum while making coffee.

But success came at a price. Formula 1 consumed Toto, demanding every ounce of his time and energy. Promises of quality time were replaced by meetings, races, and endless travel.

—It’s not just that you work too much —she said one night after yet another canceled dinner. —It’s that I don’t know where I stand in your life anymore.

That conversation marked the beginning of the end.

The Anniversary That Changed Everything

The most painful memory was their 20th anniversary. Toto arranged an extravagant dinner, hoping to rekindle what had been lost. But the tension between them was undeniable.

—Do you really think a dinner can fix years of distance? —she asked, her voice heavy with sadness.

That night ended in silence, and Toto realized it wasn’t just about time or work. It was about connection—a connection that had slowly eroded despite the love that still existed.

The Divorce

The separation was agonizing but inevitable. Though neither said it aloud, they both knew the love remained. But sometimes, love alone isn’t enough.

Their last meeting was in the lawyer’s office, signing the divorce papers. —Take care of yourself, Toto —she said before walking out. Those words, filled with affection and finality, haunted him for years.

Back to the Present

Toto exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair. Four years had passed since that day, years spent burying himself in work and pretending he was fine.

But now, after seeing her at the gala, the past felt alive again. The way she looked at him—with surprise, nostalgia, and something he couldn’t quite decipher—left him restless.

Could he fix what had been broken? Or was it far too late?

As rain pattered against the window, Toto allowed himself a thought he had avoided for years: hope.

Okey okey, this is my first mini series, and Im so happy for all the support that you guys are giving to me. Thank you thank you. Hope u like it. ❤️‼️

[ecargmura]

A Terrified Teacher At Ghoul School Episode 7 Review - Uniform Power Overcomes All Hurdles

Never underestimate the power of uniforms. For Haruaki, it can make him into something even more terrifying than a youkai. I’m glad Class 2-3 knew about this and even had to use it as a last resort in order to motivate their teacher. The way he climbed that pole, swam through a pond of alligators and even traversed through hellfire because of them was hilarious. I also love how the faculty and the other classes reacted.

This episode also showcases Haruaki as a character. He’s a kind teacher and he will go out of his way for his students like how he suddenly got superhuman strength to throw logs and carry Sano and then feel bad about it to the point of him becoming a slime. Because he’s someone who cares so much for his students, he even does his best to replace Sano as the anchor for the final course of the relay race despite his huge disadvantage of being a human.

Some of the other students got their fair share of screen time. I adored all of Tamao’s screen time with the way he fell into his feline instincts with the log, but when he learned the log was what hurt Sano, he snapped out of temptation and avenged him. My favorite Tamao part was the abrupt art change that even Marshmallow points out. I also liked Yanagida. If you read the manga, Yanagida is one of the craziest characters because of his penchant for chemical reactions. Glad it’s showcased here a bit. He starts getting more screen time after this  arc, so I can’t wait to see anime-only viewers witness the terror that is the cloth youkai. I felt bad for Maeda for getting puked on. Also, Mouse-sensei getting paid in cheese is the most hilarious revelation I’ve learned so far. I also liked all of the Takahashi screen time. He’s everyone’s favorite freaky doctor for a reason.

Also, I do notice the drop in animation quality towards the end where background characters start becoming gray humans. Satelight isn’t really known for producing high quality television series—look at Cherry Magic—and I do get that there are way too many characters in the show, but at least animate the rest of Class 2-3 and not a select few.

Haruaki’s voice actor, Ryota Osaka, needs to be studied for his lung capacity and the strength of his throat. How can he scream like that? Remember that he voiced Gyutaro from Demon Slayer, where he had to produce a croaky, creaky voice. This man truly has range. I honestly can’t wait to hear him voice Tsubaki from Wind Breaker next year. Another standout voice actor is Tomokazu Sugita as Yanagida. While Yanagida didn’t have much screen time, just the fact that Sugitan is in this anime is crazy in itself.

Now that the Sports Day arc is finished, I do wonder what will be shown next. There are 24 episodes, which means a fourth of the episodes have aired so far. Will they show more arcs? What are your thoughts?

[mitsuki91]

@hamriceagenda this is for you! You inspired me.

Enjoy my Katniss/Gale for you 💖

@tumblingghosts I tag you too since you reblogged my post!

What remains

Summary:

"They’re not coming back, Katniss."

Peeta? My mother? Snow, or Coin to destroy my life from beyond the grave?

Prim?

"No one's coming back."

Stressing the obvious has always been his prerogative, and my lips curve into a bitter smile.

"But you're staying."

A moment's pause, as the icy wind rattles the bare branches above our heads.

"I'm staying. Like you."

Link on ao3:

Author notes: I can't format on tumblr. This is visually better on ao3.

It happened after the first incident.

Peeta had only been back a month. A month since I had seen him planting primroses for me, him and his sun-flavored smile.

It seemed like a day like any other, me returning from hunting and him tending the garden. The sun at its zenith and Haymitch's geese quacking. Someone had dropped something heavy just down the street and the noise had made both me and Peeta jump with fright.

Suddenly I had his hands on my neck again, his horrified expression inches from my face. Someone screamed, someone ran and snatched him away from me - someone saved me. From Peeta's murderous fury.

And so it happened, exactly one day, two hours and twenty minutes after Peeta tried to kill me a second time.

Gale came back.

***

"I thought you were in Two, immersed in your military career."

"But you needed me, Katniss."

***

Sometimes I wonder what I did wrong to deserve this.

I know my life doesn't belong to me - I knew this from the first moment Prim's name was drawn in the Hunger Games - but I wonder what the point of fighting any longer is. After all, I have fulfilled my function in this world. I have been a Mockingjay, I have been the Girl on Fire, I have been the Face of the Revolution. The last arrow shot, the end of the Games. Why am I not allowed to escape even from myself now? Why am I forced to stay, why am I not allowed to slip over the edge?

Peeta has been taken away.

'Unstable', so Capitol City declared him. How they found out is a mystery - or perhaps one of the many things I don't want to admit even to myself. A suspicion, an unspoken thing, lurking in the shadows behind me.

Because now I am no longer alone.

I am not and - I would like to abandon myself, but I can't. I cannot because he looks at me.

Gale.

And when Gale looks at me, everything about me tenses by instinct - it's the sadness in his eyes. That magnet that is impossible to ignore. A center of gravity that pulls me along, preventing me from drifting.

An anchor.

And I hate him for it, too.

***

"That's not true. I never needed you."

The flash of a smile, cruel.

"My only quality was taking care of your family. And you are what remains."

 ***

The sun burns high in the sky as July sets, even in the early morning.

Gale is with me in the woods, like every day.

In silence, like every day. He can no longer speak of injustice and revolution now - they are no longer imaginary dreams, but lived nightmares.

I ignore him, as I have become good at doing. But he does not give up. He has turned into my shadow.

I just have to not look him in the eye.

The anchor is always there, keeping me clinging to myself even as Peeta's absence burns in my soul. I can always pretend he doesn't exist, though.

If I don't look at him, he doesn't exist. If I don't talk to him, he's not real.

I know he knows it hurts me. I know he knows that what I had with Peeta was real, and that the loss of what we could have been is destroying me to the core.

Killed before I can even taste life.

But Gale is too much like me and uses the same techniques against me.

If his eyes do not let me go, I cannot disappear. If his mouth is sealed, he cannot lose to Peeta.

The world won't change until one of us gives in. And, deep down, we both know it'll be me who surrenders.

***

"We're too similar to make it work, Gale. You know that. I don't need that in my life."

A step forward, one foot crushing a dandelion.

"I won't believe you until you tell me by looking at my face."

***

The beginning of November brings a week of uninterrupted rain and a sudden frost that turns the primrose bed into a muddy, dead mush. 

I feel myself dying a little with it, watching it through the window and feeling helpless.

It is like losing her a second time. Will this torment ever end? 

Gale comes back into the house at that moment with a handful of wood in his arms and does his best to light the fireplace. I close my eyes for a second and inhale deeply, because I know that if I do it now, I won't be able to go back. But the decision is already made. It is only a question of coming to terms with what I want to do - no, what I need to do. To not lose Prim. To never let her go again. 

"Gale" I call softly, in a whisper, and I hear him stand up and turn to me.

I turn as well.

And I stare him straight in the eyes.

Because I know Prim is there. She is the ghost that inhabits those gray irises, consumed by guilt. And if I look into his eyes, I can almost see her.

If I look into his eyes, I already know that I will have to surrender.

Because nothing breaks my heart more than seeing Gale sad, and I know only one viable solution to erase the torment from his soul.

I try to resist, anyway. I enjoy my sister dancing devoured by the fire at the bottom of his eyes, and I postpone the inevitable to a new day.

***

"They’re not coming back, Katniss."

Peeta? My mother? Snow, or Coin to destroy my life from beyond the grave?

Prim?

"No one's coming back."

Stressing the obvious has always been his prerogative, and my lips curve into a bitter smile.

"But you're staying."

A moment's pause, as the icy wind rattles the bare branches above our heads.

"I'm staying. Like you."

***

'A complete separation is necessary for the serenity of the subject' is the last line penned by one of Capitol City's most renowned doctors, in a graceful and elegant handwriting.

I clasp the letter in my hands as snowflakes fall placidly around me. I didn't even go back into the house before I tore open the envelope, I just stood by the mailbox reading.

It was devastating to discover how, despite all the months that had passed, I still had hope. My mind had long since given up; my heart and soul, however, had different ideas.

I return home feeling almost light, drained while everything around me seems unreal.

It is not real. It is not real. It cannot be real because I, because I...

The letter slips through my hands and I advance towards the sofa, where Gale is taking a nap. I watch him for a moment, trapped in that suspended realm where illusion still dominates over reality, and then I realize. Enlightenment hits me.

 I never kissed Gale because I wanted to make him feel good in the past.

I kissed him because if I could become the right girl for him, even for a moment, then it meant I no longer had to be Katniss Everdeen.

I kneel beside him and grab his face. Before he can fully wake up, my lips are already on his. He won't mind coming back to the world like this, I hope.

If by kissing him I can become whoever I want, then that means I can also be the girl who was never in love with Peeta - the girl who never lost him.

***

"You're the one who wanted it."

Both of our breaths are broken, his cheeks are red and his gaze is hard as steel.

"You can't regret it now, Katniss."

***

There is an aspect of fire that I had never considered before. That destructive force that animates us, that ignites us with its desperation, can be channeled in many ways.

It was with Gale that I discovered passion.

Pain is best expressed when you can carve flesh with your nails, then lick the trails of ferruginous blood returning from orgasm. Guilt is best borne when you can at least partially atone for it when it all comes down to an irrational instinct to grab, to have, to suffer - and only the dark bruises remain, which you look at with a satisfied smile the next day.

You no longer feel the guilt of being alive during the day, if in the night you season your nightmares with sex, which seems to erase all sin.

Even Gale seems more relaxed.

There is always Prim in the back of his eyes, dancing on skulls and ashes. But she smiles, for once. She is serene and watches me live with a mysterious smile.

To have Gale is to have her and that I can never give up.

Gale smiles much more often. When we go out hunting together; we don't speak, but sometimes he holds me in his arms and the world thins out around us.

Understanding each other with a glance and without making noise has always been a prerogative of us hunters. We have known each other almost all our lives and, after all, we both live with the same ghosts.

Since I have had the courage to look, everything seems to have fallen into place.

I'm not saying my life is perfect, not this, never this. But Gale is my rock.

And with him, I know I can live one more day.

***

"Where are you going?"

He smiles, amused by the hint of panic in my voice.

"Just to the market, to buy bread."

"I'll go with you. Wait for me."

"As you wish, Katnip ."

[tiffyfoundsomething]

Lady Doolli

I’ve mentioned before that I like blind box toys and ball jointed dolls and now I’m in trouble because there are blind box ball jointed dolls out there.

Lady Doolli is blind boxed but is NOT a BJD though she’s in a similar style. I’d seen these on Amazon for a while and was curious but only recently decided to give one a try.

There is 1 skintone, 6 different hair styles/colors, and it looks like maybe 2 eye colors.

There are also 6 possible outfits.

The dolls and clothing are separate, but are each $26 and both are in the same listing here: https://amzn.to/3OrhHsk

The box is small and cute with a lot of pictures and writing on it, especially making a point to let you know there’s no second outfit in here and they must be bought separately.

The outfits are packed in a little paperboard box shaped like a garment bag. It says 2022 Spring, so I wonder if there are many other outfit sets that have been released.

To be honest, I don’t care for any of these outfits, really. Figured I should get one to review, at least.

Both the doll and outfit are packed in these silver foil bags inside the boxes. There’s no plastic shell or anything to hold their position in the packaging. They’re just loose in there.

I got dark, long hair with a side part with blue and purple eyes, and almost missed the tiny little bag of extra hands inside the silver bag. She does come already dressed in the pajamas.

I tried to get a good photo of the face screening but my phone is a potato. There’s a good amount of detail with a simple layout. She has eyeshadow, blush on the cheeks, chin, nose, and brows, a little lip line to separate her lips... It’s a cute face, but I do prefer my dolls to not look sad or startled.

She does have rooted hair which is silky and smooth. It’s a little stiffer than Kiwi nylon (Rainbow High) while still being soft.

She also has a couple paint spots on her face that look to be from the eyebrow paint.

The rooting isn’t super dense in some areas.

Her head is harder than a Barbie’s head but is squishable to a degree so her eyes could be removed and replaced with some heat and her hair could be rerooted if you wanted.

Hair drop on a new doll head is normal. This looks like a plug or two which didn’t get anchored.

I’m impressed with the posing. The joints are stiff enough to hold a pose but easy to move other than her hips which take a little bit more pressure, and have a high range of motion.

The torso joints aren’t as mobile as the arms and legs, though.

Her head can look up and down or tilt left and right depending on how you turn the neck joint which is a simple hinged ball.

The backs of the knees...

All of the jointing reminds me of Figmas.

Honestly I feel like the body alone is worth the $26 price tag, AND you get a rooted head with quality hair and inset eyes, a pair of pajamas, and an extra pair of hands.

-

Neither outfit that I have has any sort of closures or openings so you do need to remove the head and hands to dress her.

Getting the hands on and off is difficult

Turns out there’s a LOT of flash on her wrist pegs. I did go in and clean that off. There was a good sized bit on her neck ball, too.

Heat up the hands, though, and they go on and off pretty easily.

-

As for the outfit.

Silver bag again.

I couldn’t get this headband to stay on her hair because it’s satin and her hair is satiny smooth, but it does have a wire in the “ears” so you can pose it as you wish.

......

LOOK AT THESE TINY LITTLE SHOES!

They have stitches, laces, tongues, glued on rubbery soles with IN SCALE texture on the bottom...

They went on a lot more easily than I expected them to OVER her socks. I did need to get a little stick to pull the back of the heel out and over the doll’s heels. Other than that, easy-easy.

I also didn’t even try to extract and tie the laces. They looked really short and I have poor motor control, so I opted to just shove her feet in there with the laces tucked inside.

The outfit came with shorts, a one-piece sweater and shirt combo, and some long socks. The socks aren’t hemmed but everything else is. Again, no closures, not even an elastic waistband on the shorts. The shorts were a little difficult to put on.

All of the fabrics are soft and despite the sweater having a feelable texture, it’s not rough or scratchy so it’s not kicking off my texture-BAD senses.

Action pose! FWIP!

She can’t quite pull of Sailor Moon’s signature pose.

Here she is next to some other blind box BJD (the others really are BJD). They all could certainly share clothes despite Doolli’s longer, thinner body.

From left to right:

Penny’s Box Antu Natural Wonderland - https://amzn.to/3IqKfOz

SimonToy Teenar Campus Series - https://amzn.to/3IlnGLl

Lady Doolli and outfit pack - https://amzn.to/3MiOflA

Come4Free Bonnie Journey of Streets - https://amzn.to/42QlMKG

-

While I do feel that the quality of Lady Doolli is in line with the price (all together she costs $52), and am impressed with, basically, everything about her, I don’t feel a need to buy another. Out of all of the blind box BJD I’ve tried (not pictured here is the Penny’s Box centaurs), the only one I’ve wanted more than one of was Bonnie. I have three.

[missmungoe]

Omg omg I’m literally screaming just came back from finals to find THIS😭😭😭 literally made my day🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

I saw your other ask about mistaking the WIP meme for a recent one, but no worries!! I've been wondering if I should do it again, so here you go! From Heart and Anchor, a longer snippet, since it's been a minute<3

Her morning regulars left as the day sank into a deep blue afternoon, a quiet lull between shifts where she usually caught up with chores, but with her glasses polished and her floors mopped, there wasn’t much left for her to do, allowing her a moment’s peace, humming under her breath as she did the books, going over unpaid tabs and next month's shipment, listening to their muffled voices in the kitchen where the boys had taken it upon themselves to do the dishes. So far Makino had counted three plates breaking, and primly ignored the fourth, followed by Luffy's muffled "it was Ace!"

It was probably about time she got new dishware anyway.

She was behind the counter, her back turned to the room, when the bat-wing doors swung open, the floorboards creaking gently, and pausing, she frowned, but then she’d always had an uncanny ability to know who’d be coming through her doors before she saw them, only this time, Makino couldn’t even make a guess.

But she realised why when she turned, only to find an unfamiliar man in her doorway.

He was looking around the empty common room, but with her crew away for the day, the tables were empty, although he didn’t look like he’d come with a drink in mind, Makino thought, even before he fixed his gaze on her.

He was well-dressed, a burgundy velvet coat with shiny brass buttons above a high-necked shirt, the fine quality standing out, which ruled out a common sailor or pirate, although no merchant she'd ever seen had looked like this, as though he was about to go on stage. A trimmed moustache curled along his upper lip, giving him a cheerful air, and he wore his hair arranged to perfection.

“Can I help you?” Makino asked, and hoped he couldn’t tell that she was uneasy, but then ever since the raid, she’d been wary about new visitors. And while she couldn’t be suspicious of every newcomer to her shores, she couldn’t seem to shrug off the sensation now.

He didn’t answer, considering her where she stood behind the bar, his eyes lingering on her face a beat too long, but while it wasn't a leering look, the feeling it left was worse.

“I am looking for a pirate,” he said then, withdrawing something from the inner pocket of his coat, and coming up to the bar, he slid it towards her.

She’d already recognised the black lettering of a Government-issued wanted poster, although catching a look at the photograph beneath, her eyes widened.

Shanks’ face looked back, her wide eyes moving over the handsome features captured on the page, his scars and the crooked grin that defied them, but even instantly recogniseable, it took a full second for Makino to understand just whose wanted poster she was looking at.

Then she saw the row of numbers printed beneath his picture. And even if she'd always known there was likely a price on his head, she wasn’t prepared to see the truth in print, or for it to be what it was.

She couldn't drag her gaze away from the numbers, her mind struggling just to take in the obscene amount, let alone reconcile it with the face in the picture, and the pirate captain who'd woken up in her bed that morning; the same one whose child she was carrying.

He had a bounty of over a billion berri?!

Her own face had betrayed her, because the stranger mused, “It seems I have found the right place.” Although with a glance around her empty bar, “But he is not here, and I couldn't see his ship in the harbour,” he said, before his gaze settled on her and stayed. “But maybe it’s just as well.”

Then, this time in a business-like tone, “I was told this was where my shipment got lost,” he said. He hadn’t taken his eyes off her, and her heart dropped like a stone when he added, “I am here for compensation.”

Her former unease had deepened to fear, but while he might have just been a merchant whose ship had gone aground, Makino knew then which shipment he was talking about, and that if he was a merchant, it wasn’t grain and spirits that filled his hold but living cargo.

She’d taken an instinctive step back without thinking, only for the cupboards to meet her, and realised her mistake a second later when his gaze dropped from her face to her belly, before they lit up.

“Oh?” he said, this time with a pitch that made her blood run cold. His eyes were fixed on her belly, heavy in the cup of her hand. “Perhaps I might salvage this after all.”

His eyes lifted, as he took her in anew, but where his interest had made her uneasy before, the look in them now froze her in place. “Exquisite. You'll fetch a high price, I wager. Enough to make up for my lost shipment and more besides. Or at least enough to get my gracious benefactor off my back for losing him valuable business.”

She couldn’t move, frozen where she stood behind the counter, although it felt like a paltry shield. She couldn't even reach for Yasopp’s pistol, all of her seized by that calm, assessing gaze where it weighed her worth.

Her heart was racing, her thoughts stumbling over each other as she tried to keep calm. Beneath her hand, the child in her belly was unusually quiet.

On the counter before her, Shanks’ wanted poster lay, but they wouldn’t be back from Goa for another few hours, and she couldn't make a run for it with the boys in her kitchen.

As though in answer to the thought, she heard the door to the kitchen swinging open, and her heart stuttered with her breath as they appeared.

Stopping at the sight of the man in her bar, “Who the hell are you?” Ace asked, as narrowed eyes swept across him. The front of his shirt was wet, and his hands were wrinkled from washing up.

Sabo and Luffy were with him, although the former put the latter behind him, coming up beside Ace where he was seizing up the newcomer.

For his part, he only spared them a perfunctory glance, before he gave a snap of his fingers, and they must have been waiting, because it wasn’t a second before the bat-wing doors swung open again, admitting four men, although none as finely dressed as the first. Instead, they wore uniforms, although she only caught a glimpse of the symbol emblazoned over their backs, red like a bloody hoof-print, before they came to stand beside the one who was ostensibly their boss. One of them was holding something; it looked like heavy metal ring.

A chill went through her, as, “Ace,” Makino said, and saw him look at her, but she hadn’t taken her eyes off the slavers. Her voice was even; a calm she didn’t feel. “Take your brothers and go.”

His eyes widened, the suspicion on his face swept off with his surprise. “What?”

“Go,” Makino said, and was glad when her voice didn't waver. “Get Dadan.”

They all reacted with shock, as Ace snapped, “We’re not leaving you!”

“Yeah, not a chance,” Sabo said, as Luffy brandished his fists.

“Like hell!”

They’d moved to stand before the counter, putting themselves between her and the slavers, although the leader of their operation didn’t seem overly concerned by their presence or their anger.

Nodding to the one holding the metal ring, “Collar her,” he said, as Makino’s breath seized, her gaze shooting to the collar. “But be mindful of the child. I know a Celestial Dragon who’d pay a fine fee for it, and I mean to get my money's worth.”

The slaver hadn’t even taken a step towards her when Luffy shot forward. “I’ll kick your ass!”

His arm shot out, extending from his boy, although his fist missed its mark, bouncing off the wall instead, and she saw the surprise on the slavers’ faces.

“A devil fruit user?” the leader asked, his eyes alight where they’d fixed on Luffy, and her heart lurched in her chest. “Interesting.” Then to his men, “Take them both," he said, and with a dismissive jerk of his chin, “Kill the other two.”

One of the slavers reached for Luffy as Sabo lunged forward, although Ace hesitated, torn as his gaze shot up to her, but before Makino could shout at them to run, the slaver knocked Sabo out of the way, seizing the back of Luffy’s shirt to lift him up as he shouted, striking out blindly. "Let me go!"

“Luffy!” Ace shouted, and was about to move towards him when the slaver holding him snapped the collar around his neck, and he froze.

Luffy’s eyes sprang wide as his hands shot up to grip it, confusion twisting his face as Makino cried out, “Luffy!”

His bravado had disappeared, clutching the heavy collar, and she saw from the distress that shaped his features that something was wrong, although didn't know what had put that fear in his eyes, knew only that he was afraid, the force of his feelings so great Makino almost thought she felt it, like a ripple across her senses, and her eyes widened as she felt something within her responding.

It happened so fast.

The windows exploded outwards, along with every surface of glass within, a sudden force ripping through her bar like a shockwave, so great it shoved her back against the cupboards, knocked out before her head even struck the counter.

The last thing she felt before it went dark was from within, a voice she didn't recognise, that wasn’t even a voice, that was only a feeling, as instinctive as it was fierce, and leaving the impression within her quiet mind, of a tiny but resounding roar.

—

“—she okay? Doc!”

“—leeding. Shallow cuts, but a lot of them—”

“—the baby? Doc? Doc!"

“—fine. Jesus, Boss, calm down. It’s kicking, but she’s—”

There were voices speaking somewhere above her head, but they were muffled, as though she was underwater. Was she underwater?

“—the boys?”

“—no outward injuries. Looks like they were knocked out—”

“—the hell did this?”

She couldn’t make out what they were saying, the words like broken flotsam, bobbing in and out of hearing. Her head hurt, a throbbing that seemed to be growing in intensity.

“—kind of destruction. If I didn’t know better, I’d think it was—”

Her ears were ringing, a high, persistent keening, and she couldn’t help the sound that shattered on her tongue, begging it to stop.

“She's coming to. Boss!”

Then a voice she knew carved through the muffled layers, the warm timbre like a lifeline.

“—kino? Makino!”

Blinking dazedly, she struggled to focus. The world was a blur, and her mind jumbled with so many thoughts and feelings, she couldn’t even find herself in the midst of it all.

Faces were coming into view as her vision slowly cleared, and she'd latched onto the familiar red of his hair before she saw him, his scars taking shape, furrowed above his eyes as Makino blinked hers open.

He was kneeling in front of her, his hand cradling her face, lolling a bit as she tried to fix her gaze on him.

“Hey,” Shanks said, gently. His voice was a mooring, keeping her from drifting. “Can you hear me?”

She nodded, although regretted it when a splitting headache lanced through the back of her skull, and sucked a startled hiss through her teeth.

She saw him draw his hand back from where he’d cradled her head, his fingers streaked with blood. “Doc!”

“Careful,” said a new voice, and Hongou was beside her, Makino saw then, although couldn't understand why he looked so serious.

She tried to move when Shanks stopped her, his hand cradling her head gently to keep it in place. “Stay still,” he said firmly, before he added in a gentler pitch, “You’ll cut yourself.”

Her brows knitted, but looking down, she saw what he meant.

She was sitting behind the counter, her back to the cupboards. The floor around her was covered in broken glass and liquid, seeping into her skirt, sticky and smelling heavily of spirits, a sickening mixture of different liquors, and lifting her eyes to the shelves above saw that there wasn’t so much as a shot glass left.

“Makino?”

She couldn’t formulate her thoughts, or what she was feeling, could only feel, everything, as though her senses had been heightened to an uncomfortable degree. The world was too bright, too vivid, every sound and sensation like the broken shards of glass around her, so sharp that every little movement felt like she might cut herself.

“I don’t—” She clenched her jaw over a shivering whimper. “What—”

“Easy,” Shanks said, the soothing pitch of his voice anchoring her, like his gaze. “Breathe.”

She tried, although it was hard to find herself through the chaos, so many feelings she couldn't even tell them apart. It felt like she was drowning, tossed around like a piece of driftwood on a heaving sea.

But the hand cradling her neck was steady, like his big frame where he knelt in front of her, his presence anchoring her panic, and seizing it, Makino tried to fill her lungs, a shivering sob escaping with her exhale.

“Attagirl,” Shanks murmured, with something that almost sounded like pride, even if she didn’t know why, when all she was doing was breathing. “Awakened observation takes some getting used to. Just try to keep your head above water for now.”

“Haki?” someone whispered.

“She always was a latent user,” someone else said. Lucky Roo. “Boss said so, anyway.”

“This is a helluva lot more than observation.” Yasopp.

She was trying to focus, but every time someone spoke, it was like she could feel them, outlined in her mind, their feelings and their heartbeats, every pulse painfully present.

Lifting her eyes from Shanks' found them watching from above the counter, their faces ashen as they looked around the broken furniture of her bar, the shattered windows and the ceiling lamp hanging on by a thread. Every single bottle and glass had exploded, the broken shards in piles around her where she sat, small and confused amidst the destruction and unable to even remember what had caused it.

She started at the gentle brush of his thumb over her bottom lip, and realised with a hiss that it was split, although now that she was becoming aware of her surroundings and herself, she could feel more cuts, stinging her cheeks and her hands, and something wet trickling down her temples and the back of her neck.

She looked at Shanks, conscious now but confused. The sun had dipped beneath the horizon, the gathering shadows deepening his scars, furrowed above his eyes where he watched her. Wait, when had he come back from Goa?

Then she remembered—the stranger in the velvet coat, who’d talked about compensation. The metal collar, and Ace and Sabo, and Luffy—

Her thoughts must have broken through her confusion, because, “They’re okay,” Shanks said, still cradling her head to keep her from moving, and looking up, she saw them. Ben had Luffy in his arms, the collar gone from around his neck, and Lucky and Yasopp had Ace and Sabo, all of them out cold.

She couldn’t see the slavers anywhere. “What—” she tried again, but her voice was so hoarse, she struggled sounding out the words. In her belly, the baby was kicking, which was at least a relief, and she felt his hand releasing her neck to settle over the curve, the broad width covering it, warm through her skirt. Seeking his eyes, “What happened?” Makino croaked.

Shanks was watching her, the look on his face somewhere between shock and wonder, and she found it in his voice when he said, “Conqueror’s haki.”

The words registered, even as their meaning eluded her. But his crew understood, because their eyes widened, their shock surging like a wave through the quiet waters of her mind.

“Conqueror's haki?" someone asked, seeming on behalf of them all. "Makino has it?”

She didn’t understand what was going on, but then she couldn’t make sense of what they were saying. What did she have?

“No,” Shanks said. His eyes hadn’t released hers, although he seemed to be looking further, as he lowered them to her belly, his hand shaking where it spanned the taut curve as he said, his voice rough with a terrified wonder,

“Not her.”

[kedsandtubesocks]

erika erika erika!! i am dropping by with a few things i find pretty bc april is so very pretty to me! 🍞🌻💭🌷☀️🫧✨🌱💗🍓 how are you?? i hope the month is lovely to you 🥺

i also come back with a curious sel question 🤓 a more technical writing one but, what is your anchor point to writing a character like gojo? what part of him do you like exploring and what quality of his stays the same to you across any universe you put him in? 🥺

SEL HI MY APRIL FLOWER 🥹🌻🌼🌸💐🌷💕

Those sweet April vibes are so precious thank you for sharing and for being such a sweet treat!!! April really is such a lovely month and you’re such a great reminder of that bb 🥺💕

I’m still on that post eclipse high so I’m like “THE COSMOS ARE WILD?!” so that’s how I’ve been LOL

Now to your question!!

what is your anchor point to writing a character like gojo? what part of him do you like exploring and what quality of his stays the same to you across any universe you put him in?

But okay… Sel… as the kids like you say, you COOKED with this!?!? 😮‍💨 what an incredible question and thank you for wanting to ask me??? 🥺

Okay! So the parts of Gojo I love exploring are strangely enough his humanity (if this makes sense omg rip) like the way he interacts with others in any universe and how he shoulders his ties and connections with others I think is so interesting to see in different scenarios! His humanity is so unique and tied distinctly to his abilities and who he is as a sorcerer! So then getting to see how that works in different situations & even sometimes when he’s not a sorcerer has been such a great way to just explore his character more (unfortunately) LOL

And to me his most persistent quality that I believe doesn’t change no matter where or when you drop this moron into, is how silly he can be 😔

He’s such a weird guy and has a weird way of interacting with people and he’s such a peak Sagittarius with how he holds his energy and loves to giggle and even be a bit of a pest but it’s out of a way of wanting to connect with people, he’s so SILLY AND I HATE HIM abdudbehGSYSGHS

The silliest of gooses 🫠

But then again, after all the rambling did… maybe I am just as bad of a silly goose 🤡🫠

Also wow do I heckin’ love you so much Sel thank you again for this amazing message 😭💕🦋✨

[sullustangin]

Fluffy February Day 14: Heartbeat (Free Space)

Fandom: SWTOR

Pairing:  Theron Shan/Smuggler (on pause at the moment for reasons that will become obvious)

Time: Carbonite Years

Rating:  T, mostly for one Trant f-bomb at the end

Words: ~1880 (Ok, I let the feels get to me on this one)

~~

The air conditioning ducts were a tighter fit than anticipated.  ...that was true of a lot of things, these days.

Theron gagged on some dust that had escaped the filters of his respirator, but he kept pushing forward.

Trant’s voice came in. “Left at the next junction.  That should put you within range of the terminal.  From there, you can slice in.  Are you sure --?”

“The intel was good,” Theron insisted through grit teeth.  He was not going to get stuck in here, and his slice was going to be successful.   It had to be.

A nascent resistance depended upon it, and Trant didn’t even know it.

Sure, Trant was fully cognizant of the fact that he was leading Theron through the long-neglected ventilation system of some ancient Zakuul office building.  He was well-aware that Theron had received intel that there was a data package left behind on the network.  Yes, it would help the Republic black ops against Zakuul…given the fact that Marcus Trant and Theron Shan were the only members of that operational corps, the data wasn’t travelling far.  

But Trant didn’t know about Lana Beniko and her Great Idea.  Theron had an agenda beyond the one Trant knew about.

“You should be right under it.  There a vent nearby you can fit your droid through?”

“Yeah.”  Theron reached back to pull out his magnetic screwdriver set and went to work at wiggling the slats of the vent open just wide enough.

That done, Theron deployed a remote droid, one specially modified by him.  He could control it with his implants, and its sensors were so fine that it could replicate his own slice work – if he could think clearly enough. The high-quality holo cam he mounted on it (at ridiculous prices, given the Zakuulan crushing of the economy) made it possible for him to port the image to his ocular implants; it was like being right there in front of the terminal himself.  

Given the fact that this terminal was on an antenna platform that was several hundred feet in the air in the Spire, it was highly recommended that Theron not attempt to be there in person.

(Though he probably would have tried it, if he was… yikes, ten years younger)

(And…if he was physically in better condition…)

Theron pushed those intrusive thoughts away as he activated the high-quality cam on the droid to help it scurry its way up to the terminal.  Once the droid was able to activate its anchors, carefully, Theron was finally able to move in the ventilation shaft without worrying about dropping the droid off the top of the building and probably killing someone on the street.

With a grunt and few moments of strain, he managed to get all of his limbs straightened out.  Using his glove grips and his toe picks, Theron managed to get a hold on the ceiling of the shaft he was in and slide along his back toward the last air exchange he’d mapped.  He … he needed space.

As he pushed himself into the larger space of the exchange, he let himself go limp in exhaustion. Roughly he tugged at the zipper of his tac suit pulling it down.  He wasn’t as bad as he was that one time he sliced an Imperial destroyer, but he was hot and sweaty –

“Hey, Theron, your vitals –”

“I know, I.. I had to maneuver.”  Theron cringed at the sound of his voice, making excuses.

…It was Theron’s first external mission since Ziost.

He’d gone up two tac suit sizes in the intervening years.

Some of it was the alcohol.  A significant part was the fact he’d given up the fitness regiment he’d had since he was a youngling.

And some of it was grief.

What was the point, after the Republic knuckled under to Zakuul?

Rather than get Zakuul’s boot off the Republic’s throat, Saresh focused on the Sith Empire, which was suffocating just like they were.

But she had willing counterparts to play that game over on the Imperial side, so the war between the Sith Empire and the Republic had continued, even as Zakuul ruled over both.

(There was another source for the grief, something deeper than he wanted to acknowledge.  He batted it away.  Not now.)

Theron was disgusted. With Saresh.  With the Republic that let her get away with it.  With himself for giving up and just going through the motions, hoping to make it to 36 years, 10 months and 8 days so he could collect his pension and –

Do what?

Nothing good.  Nothing meaningful.  That was the story of the last two years.  

And then came Lana and her Great Idea.

Her demand for a man on Coruscant mentally and physically capable for the mission.

And with it… news. The first good news since… he didn’t know when.  

And now he was going to test that news, because he didn’t have faith in anything now.

No matter how good it seemed, Theron suspected it wasn’t true.

It was too good.  For him.  For what he’d become.  He didn’t deserve that sort of… luck.  That… whatever it had been, what could be again.   That second chance.

Trant had been all too willing to join him on this misguided crusade.  He was restless too.

Theron knew Trant would help him resist Zakuul.  They’d screw up things, thwart transports, inconvenience their conquerors.  But that was going to be a war of two against an entire Empire.  It would never be enough.

Theron wanted something more.  

And so he let the little droid do its work, slicing into the Zakuul network, bypassing the defenses that would have infected it with a virus that would have resulted in a complete bricking.   (Theron knew what to watch for now.)  Theron leaned his head back into the dust, letting it stick to his neck and hair, damp with sweat.  He closed his eyes.  Then he let his implants trigger the deep dive into the remote droid’s system.  The last part would be tricky – the data cache had been stashed in a tight space to ensure it would remain until the proper recipient found it.

Theron believed he was the man it was left for.  

Just as the data spike carefully drew the packet just so, clear off the Zakuul network, it seemed to spring to life –

“Theron, you did it. I got – stars, the data.  It’s… it’s the Spire.  It’s a map, it’s the public transport it’s – oh god, it’s everything.”

Thank you, tiny omnitool.

Theron exhaled deeply. Mission success, for the first time in so goddamn long.  

But there was one more thing.  

Theron directed the slice toward one particular physical address.  He’d demanded it from Lana for tonight.

Because he had to know.

“Theron, you read me?”

“Yeah.”

“You ok?”

“Yeah.”

“… you stuck?”

“No!” Theron said, a little too loudly.  “Gotta do something.  Going silent.”

Then he killed the comm between him in Trant.  He even took his own comms implant offline.  Now he was all about the dive, all about the place he was going in his mind…

Two levels of encryption. Easy, now.  He’d practiced for weeks before coming here.

Security.

Storage.

Med data, storage unit.

Theron sent a little signal scurrying down the line, wanting a view –

He got it.  Security holo cam, aimed right at –

Too still.  Too quiet.   The lights could lie.  Nobody would know until it was too late.

Theron felt his own pulse quicken, he could practically see the blood pressure numbers rising as the slice through continued, layer after layer until –

Cardiopulmonary.

Monitoring.

Theron opened his eyes, sightless in the darkness of the carbonite chamber.

Theron yanked his respirator off, as if that would make it harder to hear him.  

He called out for her, once.

“Eva?”

He waited.

He waited.

He waited.

He waited.

He waited.

And then.

A beat. Two parts. Slow.

But that was an unmistakeable human heartbeat, sluggish and slow though it was.

Theron counted to five again, in his head.

There was again.

“Eva.”  Theron wanted to laugh – she was alive. 

He wanted to sob.  She was here and had been here for over two years.

He did both, and he couldn’t help the words that spilled out of him.  She couldn’t hear him – he knew that (no, he didn’t.  Maybe she could).

“I—I’m here.  I’m finally… I’m so sorry --!”  His pressed the heels of his palms into his eyes sockets, trying to hold himself together.  His knees bent, the soles of his boots on the ventilation shaft floor.  He tried to take a deep breath.  “Everything’s fallen apart since you’ve been gone.  We’re… we’re gonna put it back together again.  Fix it all.  And –”

Theron could feel vibrations on his wrist.  It was probably Trant probably trying to get through to him over his personal comm, desperately, because his vitals were all over the place.

“—and we’re going to get you out of there.  I – I still got your ship, Eva,” Theron shakily reassured her.  “You – you got everyone out of Wild Space.  They’re fine, I swear to the gods, and I’ll find them for you.”   Theron tried to swallow, his mouth and throat dry, lips now covered in a fine layer of grime.  “I’ll do anything for you.  To get you back.  I don’t deserve you, but everything seems so dark without you…”

A single thought crystalized in Theron’s head. He’d always known it in his head, he supposed.  But now he knew it in every part of his body.

“I… have so much I want to say to you.  But we’re gonna get you out, and I want you to be wide awake for this, all right?”  Theron hoarsely chuckled at himself as he dragged his tac gloves across his eyes, trying to rid himself of the tears and the dirt before he had to face Trant again.  “I’ve … I’ve got to go.  But… if you can hear me  -- I didn’t forget you.  Not for a damn second.”

He wished he had, so many times.

He never could.

Now he was pleased to confess –

Theron listened once, heard the slow beat again, and then put his tac gear pieces that he’d shed back on.

Then he reopened comms with Trant.  “Situation resolved.  I’m fine.”

There was silence and static.

And then:  “hOly FUCK Shan I swear on the Emperor’s black bones that I thought you ended up like some poor goddamn cat that got stuck in my aunt’s walls when I was a kid –”

Theron could not stop the laughter as Trant went off.   “Are you hearing this?” he asked Eva.

Another heartbeat.  Theron sighed and lay back in the filth as he let Trant vent for a few more minutes.

~

@fluffyfebruary @ayresis @ermingarden @starlightcleric @bluephoenix1347

[seadragon-sailing]

Food is a topic we talk about often. You got any favorite food head canons or ideas for your Treasure island gang?

Shinju: Narezushi/鮓 (picked fish with salt and rice), lotus root, bamboo shoots, roast chestnuts, and plain rice.  She prefers savory/smoky flavors, and likes to put more spice into her food if they’re available.  Enjoys a glass of homemade kombucha/hung caa kwan/紅茶菌.  Has a moderate alcohol tolerance (about the same as Luka).

Luka: Whole roasted duck, beef, chicken, and fried dough sticks/yu char kway/油條. Seafood makes him a little nauseous if he eats too much, or if it has a weird texture, but he’ll tolerate it.  Holds his alcohol surprisingly well, but can’t drink more than one serving of stronger alcohols.  As for his favorite food from his homeland; he was used to eating TONS of meat since he came from the noble class (Shinju had to help him actually eat his goddamn vegetables when he started living with her and Feng) such as pastries filled with beef, lamb or goat.  He is also very fond of various cheeses, preferably soft to semi-hard cheeses.

Lee: Noodles (either made of rice, or sweet potato), loves his citrus fruits (will eat whole peeled lemons occasionally), dried nuts, and plain rice (he’s especially a fan of putting butter on it if it’s available).  Prefers chicken as a primary source of protein, but will eat beef on occasion.  Tends to be picky about what he eats due to being easily grossed out by jelly-like or gristly textures, but usually relents if he doesn’t have any other choice (or if you tell him that someone he cares about made it for him, he’ll eat whatever it is just to avoid upsetting said person).  He has the highest alcohol tolerance out of the bunch, and absolutely loves indulging in high-quality booze.

Feng: Rice porridge/jook/粥 with either mantis shrimp, or chicken and tea eggs.  During the New Years, he enjoys dried plums, and maybe even a bowl of bird’s nest soup if he can find any.  He also has a preference for beer more than wine, and likes to add the pulp from honey locust bean pods into it for a little added sweetness.  While wheat isn’t a staple crop in the southern parts of China, Feng does remember learning how to make dumplings, and hand-pulled noodles from his mother (who was born and raised in the Northern region of China); he still makes them if he gets his hands on proper wheat flour.

Tamara: Fufu; groundnut stew/maafe with mutton or beef; goat skewers (thoroughly seasoned, of course); really enjoys her vegetables and peppers.  She also enjoys baking breads with various herbs and garlic.  In the tavern/inn she works at in Port Tortuga (The Jade Dagger), Tamara not only helps with supplying the bread loaves that are served there, but also has a hand in making its own special brand of palm wine, and clairin.

Kyung: Mantis shrimp rice porridge/jook/粥, sweetheart cakes/lou po beng/老婆餅, and if she can get her hands on it–Tanghulu/糖葫蘆.  Tends to also really like eating edible flowers (roses, lotus, hibiscus, and any others that she knows are safe to eat).  Likes to make her own rice wines, but ironically can’t process alcohol very well which means she drinks the least.  Has the lowest tolerance of the bunch.  If given the option, she’ll confidently order milk or (non-alcoholic) fruit cider at a tavern rather than drink alcohol (this is especially well-known at the Jade Dagger whenever the Sea Dragon drops anchor at Port Tortuga).

[fauxkaren]

The Glory - 9/10

Yoooooooooooo, this drama was so good!  It’s not a 10/10 for me, just because idk if I could stomach a rewatch, but damn there were so many amazing performances in this drama! The female lead is fantastic, but so is the primary antagonist and all the secondary characters. Like, the bullies are SO good at making you loathe them and feel they deserve everything that is coming to them.

This drama centers on Moon Dong-eun who was a victim of horrific bullying. And calling it bullying is letting them off too easy. Her bullies physically tortured her. Since she was driven to drop out of high school due to her bullies, Dong-eun has dedicated the past 18 years of her life to getting her revenge. Watching her orchestrate her bullies’ downfalls is GLORIOUS because so much of what she does is just set things in motion, knowing that the bullies natural awfulness will cause the to act in ways that will lead to their own doom. It is SO satisfying watching these horrible people get their comeuppance.

The quality and range of acting performances really elevate this show. The actress who plays Dong-eun is the perfect center to the chaos around her. She exudes this quiet calm as she exacts her revenge that is sometimes unsettling. Dong-eun has dedicated her life to this vengeance and in some ways, she’s no longer a person. She’s become only her revenge. Another stand-out is the actress who plays the main antagonist and lead bully, Yeon-jin. HOLY SHIT she is good at being horrible. She has this barking laugh that is bonkers and is excellent at cultivating the vibe of someone who is on the verge of snapping. She’s great.

Another thing about this drama that really stood out to me was the spectrum of characters who have experienced traumatic events. Not everyone has the same reaction to trauma. Some people hide their (metaphorical and literal) scars, but for others, their pain is visible for the world to see. Some people seem ok on the outside with a cheerful personality, but on the inside, they are falling apart.

Idk. It was just... it was a really great drama. Amazing performances anchored a story with lots of turns and an INCREDIBLY satisfying story of vengeance.

[kultofathena]

Deepeeka – Landsknecht Katzbalger with Byknives

This reproduction of a Landsknecht Katzbalger sword has a hand forged blade of C60 high carbon steel – a steel with properties similar to 1060 high carbon steel. The blade is both broad and durable and its form allows for particularly hard-hitting strikes closer to the tip than many other swords. The sword is durably anchored into a hilt with a guard and pommel of darkened steel and the grip has a section of carved and polished wood. The sword is matched with a wood core scabbard which is tightly bound in genuine high quality leather and fitted with a blued steel chape with brass embellishment. A slot for a pair of byknives is integrated with the scabbard and fits the included utility knife and pricker.

The iconic German and Swiss Landsknecht mercenary companies were a dominating force on the late 15th and 16th century battlefield. Impossible to miss with their outlandishly colored and voluminous style of dress, their carnival-esque appearance and predilection for purposed swagger was a velvet glove over an iron fist; their mercenary companies were a disciplined core of pikemen and halberdiers supplemented by greatswords and eventually arquebusiers. As their lives were deemed to be “short and fierce” these men were permitted to break social dress code laws and dress themselves in colors and stylings usually reserved for nobility and the distinct styling of their armaments reflected a desire for bold fashion crossed with grim utility. Though polearms and larger weapons were primary weapons, the secondary sidearm weapon for almost all of these mercenary troops would have been a Katzbalger or Messer. The Katzbalger in particular was optimally designed for the type of warfare that Landsknecht mercenary companies engaged in. Battlefield engagements often resulted in a clash of pike and halberd regiments and in the scrum of such a chaotic melee a shorter sword would be needed so that it could operate without entanglement.

In such an environment, breakage of primary weapons was not uncommon, and should the clashing polearm regiments end up pushed closer together by pressure from the rear ranks it could be necessary for the front ranks to drop their poleweapons in order to deal with opportunistic combatants who would engage at close range with shorter weapons to disrupt formation. The Katzbalger is ideal for desperately fiece, close-in combat in such an environment. The blade is both broad and exceptionally durable in its design which is necessary in an environment in close proximity with weapons as brutish as halberds and greatswords. The S-shaped guard on these are often thick and appear overbuilt and very wide to a casual glance, but were probably constructed durably and to these exagerrated dimensions so that the bearer could stop a wayward strike from a poleweapon on the guard without breaking or injuring the bearer.

The lack of a thrusting tip on these swords is probably so that the sword can stay wider for a farther length up the blade, this effectively brings its most useful cutting portion farther forward and closer to the tip than many other swords of similar length, thus allowing for effective cutting at the near extremities of the blade length, without needing the blade to be so long as to be entangled in a dense poleweapon-heavy combat. The Katzbalger is easily one of the most recognizable and unique swords of the period and its design seems to be a convergence of practical utility in a specialized combat environment crossed with the ostentatious tastes of fashion and swagger that Landsknecht Mercenaries were famed for.

[cleanwaterchronicles]

Learn more about what to do with your Christmas tree after the holidays

Each year, Michiganders purchase millions of live Christmas trees. However, after the holidays pass, people often wonder if there are more beneficial uses for their tree rather than sending it to landfill. The answer is yes— there are many ways that your old Christmas tree can keep on giving as habitat, and it is important to think carefully about the best way to do so.

Christmas trees for fish? There are better options

People often wonder whether their Christmas tree would make good habitat for fish. This is a great question, as many of Michigan’s lakes once had woody habitat, such as a fallen tree, every 5 to 50 feet! This woody habitat is important for fish, turtles, frogs, herons, and other animals, because it provides refuge from predators, an opportunity to bask in the sun, reduces wave energy that erodes shorelines, and encourages growth of aquatic plants. Harder-wood trees with an open branch structure provide high-quality habitat.

However, Christmas trees are classified as softwoods, and are typically species such as balsam fir, Douglas-fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine and white pine. These softwoods break down relatively quickly in aquatic environments. The dense branches on Christmas trees that are perfect for holding ornaments are often too dense for many fish to use as habitat.

Additionally, pesticides applied to Christmas trees, leftover decorations, and anchors used to sink trees may introduce unwanted materials into our waters. So, if you’re thinking about sinking that tree in your favorite lake for fish habitat, we encourage you to consider an alternative.

Suggested Christmas tree uses:

OK, so what is the best use for that Christmas tree? Here are some options to consider:

Create a brush pile on your property with the tree to provide habitat; wildlife may use it for nesting or as a food resource. Just make sure that the tree is pesticide free and that you’ve removed all of the ornaments and other decorations.

Cut the tree into small pieces or mulch it to use in garden pots or landscaping, which will return nutrients to the soil. Depending on the type of gardening you’re doing and the type of tree you have, you may need to confirm that the tree is pesticide free and that it won’t negatively affect soil composition for whatever you’re growing.

Give the tree to a friend with chickens or goats. Chickens can roost on them through the winter and goats love to chew on them. Again, make sure the tree is pesticide free before allowing animals to use it.

Recycle your tree through your municipality. Many cities and towns collect trees or have designated drop off locations; these trees are usually turned into mulch.

How to improve lake habitat the right way

If you’d like to improve your local lake’s woody habitat for fish, birds, turtles, and more, the best way to do it is by using the shoreline woody structure methods promoted by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). These approaches, often called fish sticks or turtle logs, provide long-lasting benefits. Woody habitat should be placed in areas where it won’t impede navigation on the water and be secured to the shoreline or lake bottom to ensure that the habitat structure stays in place.

Remember, regardless of the methods you use, you must secure a permit from EGLE when placing fish habitat structures or affecting the bottomlands on public waters in Michigan. EGLE has developed the Minor Project Category: Fish and Wildlife Habitat Structures permit to encourage creation of shoreline woody structures through a relatively easy and low-cost permit category and expedited process. If you’re interested in adding shoreline woody structure to your local waterbody, a quick meeting with your local EGLE district staff person is a great first step to ensure the project meets permitting criteria. Pre-application meetings can be requested through MiEnviro, EGLE’s permitting and compliance database, to discuss project design and regulatory standards.

If you own waterfront property, consider how woody habitat would naturally make its way into the water. Does your waterfront have trees planted near the shoreline? If they were to fall in, would you remove them or leave them in the water for fish and wildlife habitat? You might consider planting water-tolerant native tree species near the shoreline of your property and allowing fallen trees to remain in the water as a gift that keeps on giving back to the lake’s fish, turtles, birds, and other wildlife.

Source: EGLE Newsroom

[shosiblog]

What is a Private Blog Network

In the world of search engine optimization (SEO), Private Blog Networks (PBNs) have long been a controversial topic. A PBN is a network of websites that are created or acquired specifically to boost the search engine rankings of other websites. While it might sound like a shortcut to higher rankings, it comes with significant risks. In this blog, we will explore what a PBN is, how it works, and why it’s often considered a Black Hat SEO tactic.

What is a Private Blog Network (PBN)?

A Private Blog Network (PBN) is a collection of websites that are owned or controlled by a single entity, often to manipulate search engine rankings. These sites are typically set up for the primary purpose of creating backlinks to targeted websites. PBNs often operate on the principle of creating a network of interconnected sites that link to one another or to the main website they are trying to boost.

How Does a Private Blog Network Work?

Setup: PBNs are usually created using expired domains or purchased domains that have existing authority. These domains are often chosen because they have high-quality backlinks or good traffic metrics in the past.

Content: The content on PBN sites is often irrelevant, low-quality, or stuffed with keywords aimed at ranking a specific website. This content is often not intended for actual user engagement.

Backlinks: The primary goal of a PBN is to link back to a targeted website using optimized anchor text. These links are often intended to artificially boost the rankings of the main website.

Why are Private Blog Networks Risky?

Violation of Search Engine Guidelines:

Google’s Stance: Google explicitly warns against using PBNs for link-building purposes. It states that websites involved in creating or using PBNs to manipulate search rankings are at risk of penalties, including de-indexing or significant drops in rankings.

Penalties: Websites found using PBNs often face manual penalties, which can lead to a drop in search rankings or complete removal from search engine results. Google uses sophisticated algorithms to detect unnatural linking patterns, and once a PBN is identified, it can result in a severe blow to the website’s SEO efforts.

Poor User Experience:

Unnatural Content: Most PBNs focus on generating backlinks rather than offering value to users. The content on these sites is often low-quality, irrelevant, or intended solely to rank for keywords rather than engage users. This not only leads to poor user experience but can also damage the reputation of the main website being linked to.

Real-World Example

Imagine a Digital marketing agency in Tamil Nadu that sets up a PBN using expired domains related to SEO and marketing. While they might see a temporary boost in rankings, the network gets detected by Google, leading to severe penalties and loss of rankings.

Alternative to PBNs: Focus on Ethical SEO Strategies

Instead of relying on PBNs, it’s essential to adopt White Hat SEO strategies that follow search engine guidelines. These include:

High-Quality Content: Create content that provides real value to users, not just search engines.

Building Genuine Backlinks: Focus on earning backlinks from reputable and relevant websites instead of using link farms or PBNs.

Optimizing User Experience: Ensure your website is easy to navigate, mobile-friendly, and fast-loading.

Conclusion: Avoid PBNs for Sustainable SEO Success

While PBNs might offer short-term gains, the risks far outweigh the benefits. Using a Digital marketing agency in Tamil Nadu that focuses on ethical SEO practices can help you build a strong online presence, improve rankings, and attract genuine traffic to your website. By adopting White Hat SEO techniques, you can achieve sustainable growth and avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with SEO strategies that comply with Google’s guidelines, feel free to contact a trusted Digital marketing agency in Tamil Nadu today!

This blog explains the concept of Private Blog Networks (PBNs), highlights risks, and provides actionable insights for businesses to adopt ethical SEO practices. The keyword "Digital marketing agency in Tamil Nadu" has been integrated three times. Let me know if you need any adjustments!

[thebandcampdiaries]

Symba J Presents “I’m Yours”

Symba J is an artist who blends R&B and rap into a personal formula, which is catchy yet emotional. Recently, he dropped a heartfelt track titled “I’m Yours.” This song explores themes of universal love, commitment, and holding onto true love in all its forms, no matter what. It combines raw emotions with a story of perseverance, turning pain into art and connecting with the audience on a much deeper level.

Symba J wrote and recorded “I’m Yours” back in 2019, making it one of the first tracks to showcase his talents as both a singer and a rapper, and an important milestone for his work and development as an artist. Despite its positive and inspiring message, the song was inspired by rejection and the struggles that come with it. Through this creative process, Symba J found a way to cope and deal with the challenges, all while finding his voice as an artist to channel life’s highs and lows into thought-provoking music that really speaks to people. Every line carries significance and emotional weight, creating a deep connection with the listener while maintaining a vibrant energy and dynamic flexibility.

Influenced by artists like Drake, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Usher, Bryson Tiller, and Chris Brown, Symba J’s style is rooted in smooth R&B melodies with a rap edge. His ability to fuse these genres creates a sound that is both familiar and fresh. Beyond his compelling lyricism, the production quality of the beat is equally impressive. The sound is polished, powerful, and punchy, with a solid low end that provides a robust foundation. The bass drum, in particular, serves as the anchor of the mix, delivering consistency and impact that resonates strongly with the audience. Together, his storytelling prowess and masterful production create an unforgettable listening experience.

Find out more and listen:

[ib-blogs]

What is Spam Score? Key Insights and Tips to Improve Your Website’s Health

In the ever-changing world of SEO, website health is a critical factor that can determine your success online. One metric that often goes unnoticed but carries significant weight is Spam Score. Understanding what Spam Score is and how it affects your website can save you from penalties, lost rankings, and reduced credibility.

In this blog, we’ll break down the concept of Spam Score, why it matters, and how you can improve it to keep your website in top shape.

What is Spam Score?

Spam Score is a measure developed by Moz to assess how “spammy” a website appears based on several factors. This metric is expressed as a percentage, ranging from 0% to 100%. The higher the Spam Score, the greater the likelihood that search engines may view your site as unreliable or potentially harmful.

Spam Score Ranges

0-30%: Low risk (healthy)

31-60%: Medium risk (needs attention)

61-100%: High risk (spammy signals detected)

While Spam Score itself is not part of Google’s ranking algorithm, a high score can indicate problems that may lead to penalties or a drop in rankings.

Why Should You Care About Spam Score?

A high Spam Score can hurt your website in many ways:

SEO Penalties: Search engines may penalize websites with spammy characteristics.

Loss of Traffic: A drop in rankings leads to fewer visitors.

Credibility Issues: Users may lose trust in a site that appears spammy.

Brand Damage: A negative reputation can impact your overall online presence.

Factors That Influence Spam Score

Several factors contribute to a high Spam Score. Here are the most common ones:

Low-Quality Backlinks: Links from spammy or irrelevant websites can harm your score.

Thin Content: Pages with little value or duplicate content are seen as red flags.

Keyword Stuffing: Overloading your pages with repetitive keywords can trigger spam signals.

Overuse of Exact-Match Anchor Text: Using the same anchor text for backlinks excessively can appear manipulative.

Unsecure Site: Not having HTTPS encryption may harm your credibility.

How to Check Your Spam Score

To check your website’s Spam Score, use tools like Moz’s Link Explorer.

Enter your website’s URL in Moz’s dashboard.

Review your Spam Score and see a breakdown of contributing factors, such as backlinks or other spam signals.

By identifying potential problems, you can take action before your site is penalized.

How to Improve Your Spam Score

If your Spam Score is higher than you’d like, don’t worry. There are steps you can take to lower it and keep your website healthy.

1. Audit Your Backlink Profile

Backlinks are one of the biggest factors in Spam Score. Regularly review your backlink profile using tools like Moz or Ahrefs.

Disavow Bad Links: Remove links from spammy or irrelevant sites by using Google’s Disavow Tool.

Focus on Quality Links: Build backlinks from reputable sources relevant to your niche.

2. Create High-Quality Content

Search engines reward websites that offer valuable and unique content.

Avoid Duplicate Content: Make sure every page adds value and is not copied from elsewhere.

Update Old Posts: Regularly refresh your blog posts with updated information.

3. Secure Your Website

A secure website builds trust with both users and search engines.

Install SSL Certificates: HTTPS encryption is now a necessity for all websites.

Regular Maintenance: Keep your website’s CMS, plugins, and themes updated to avoid vulnerabilities.

4. Use Anchor Text Strategically

Overusing the same anchor text can appear manipulative.

Diversify Anchor Text: Use a mix of branded, generic, and descriptive anchors.

Relevance is Key: Ensure your links and anchor text are relevant to the content they point to.

5. Monitor Regularly

Spam Score isn’t a “set it and forget it” metric. Regular monitoring is essential.

Run Routine Audits: Regularly check your site’s health, backlinks, and content.

Stay Alert to Warnings: Use tools like Google Search Console to detect issues early.

Why a Healthy Spam Score Matters

Keeping a low Spam Score isn’t just about avoiding penalties; it’s about creating a strong foundation for long-term SEO success. A healthy website attracts more organic traffic, builds trust with users, and stands out as a credible authority in your niche.

By reducing spam signals and following best practices, you’ll protect your website from penalties while improving its performance.

Conclusion

Spam Score is an essential metric for website owners who want to maintain a healthy SEO strategy. By understanding what Spam Score is and taking proactive steps to manage it, you can protect your website’s credibility and rankings.

Focus on building quality backlinks, improving your content, securing your site, and monitoring regularly. A clean and credible website not only improves your Spam Score but also strengthens your brand’s online presence.

Want more SEO tips to boost your website’s health? Check out the resources at iBarts and take your SEO to the next level!

[pbnbacklinkssale]

The Growing Market of PBN Links for Sale: What You Need to Know

In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, backlinks remain one of the most crucial factors for improving a website's search engine ranking. While there are numerous ways to build backlinks, one strategy that has become increasingly popular is the use of Private Blog Networks (PBNs). These networks allow website owners to buy high-quality backlinks that can significantly boost their SEO efforts. In this article, we’ll dive into the concept of PBN links for sale, why they’re in demand, and how to navigate this complex market.

What are PBN Links?

A Private Blog Network (PBN) is a collection of websites that are owned and controlled by an individual or a company, typically used for the purpose of building backlinks. The idea behind a PBN is that these websites can be manipulated to pass link juice, or authority, to the primary site you are trying to rank higher on search engines. The key benefit of PBN links is that they allow website owners to acquire backlinks from high-authority domains, which can have a major impact on search engine optimization.

PBN links are usually sold to other website owners or digital marketers who are looking to enhance their SEO by acquiring valuable backlinks. When purchased, these links are typically inserted into articles or blog posts on PBN websites, with the goal of driving link equity to the target site.

Why Are PBN Links in High Demand?

In the competitive world of online business, SEO has become a vital element for success. Search engines like Google rely on backlinks to determine the authority and relevance of a website. Therefore, obtaining quality backlinks is essential for achieving higher rankings. While there are many ways to acquire backlinks—such as guest blogging, outreach, or content marketing—PBN links are often seen as a shortcut to fast results.

Here are a few reasons why PBN links are in high demand:

Speed of Results: One of the primary reasons businesses turn to PBN links is the speed at which they can improve rankings. While organic link-building methods can take months to show results, PBN links can provide an immediate boost.

Control over Links: PBNs give website owners more control over where their backlinks come from. By owning the PBNs, they can dictate the quality of the content and the anchor text used, offering greater flexibility and customization for SEO strategies.

High-Quality Backlinks: If built correctly, a PBN can consist of high-authority websites in niche markets, which provide valuable backlinks. These high-quality links are often harder to obtain through other means.

Cost-Effective: While building a successful PBN requires an initial investment in domain names and hosting, once set up, it can be a cost-effective way to continue building backlinks without relying on external sources.

Risks Involved with Buying PBN Links

While the idea of buying PBN links for sale is enticing, there are significant risks involved. PBNs, if not carefully managed, can fall afoul of search engine guidelines. Google and other search engines actively target PBNs and have sophisticated algorithms designed to identify manipulative link-building practices.

Here are some risks to keep in mind:

Google Penalties: If Google detects that a website is engaging in unnatural link-building practices, it can impose a penalty, causing a drastic drop in rankings or even removal from search results entirely. Websites that use PBN links run the risk of triggering such penalties, especially if the PBN is poorly constructed or easily detected buy high da pbn links.

Decreasing Effectiveness: As search engines evolve, so do their algorithms. A strategy that works today might not be effective tomorrow. PBNs are becoming easier for search engines to identify, which means the value of these links may diminish over time.

Quality Control: Not all PBN providers offer the same level of quality. Some PBNs may use spammy tactics or have low-quality content that could do more harm than good to your website’s SEO efforts. It's crucial to thoroughly vet the PBN links for sale before making a purchase.

How to Safely Buy PBN Links

If you decide to purchase PBN links, it’s important to do so carefully. Here are a few tips to help you avoid the pitfalls:

Choose a Reputable Provider: Look for sellers who have a proven track record of delivering quality PBN links. Read reviews, ask for references, and research their past work.

Verify Domain Authority: Make sure the PBN websites are high-quality and have strong domain authority. A link from a high-authority site is far more valuable than one from a low-quality domain.

Ensure Proper Diversification: Avoid putting all your eggs in one basket. Diversify your link-building strategy by using multiple types of links and not relying solely on PBN links.

Monitor Your Website’s Performance: Keep a close eye on your website’s performance after acquiring PBN links. This will help you track the effectiveness of your link-building efforts and ensure that your website is not negatively impacted.

Conclusion

The market for PBN links for sale is growing as businesses seek faster ways to improve their search engine rankings. While they offer a significant advantage in terms of speed and control, there are inherent risks involved, particularly in regard to Google penalties. If you choose to go down this route, it’s crucial to carefully select a trustworthy provider and use PBN links as part of a broader, more diversified SEO strategy. When done right, PBN links can be a valuable tool for enhancing your website's SEO performance—but only if you approach the process with caution and vigilance.

[delivermytuneo6]

Designing Beats Like a Pro: Tools and Techniques to Get Started

Creating music that resonates with listeners often begins with understanding how to design captivating beats. Whether you’re new to music production or an experienced musician looking to dive into beat-making, this guide will help you unlock the secrets to producing the best audio quality beats. Along the way, we’ll touch on key tips, beginner-friendly approaches, and techniques to merge rhythm and melody effectively. Let’s explore how to make beats like a pro while considering which musical instrument is easy to learn and how to create a song that stands out.

Understanding the Basics of Beat-Making

At its core, beat-making is the foundation of most modern music genres, from hip-hop and EDM to pop and R&B. It involves arranging rhythms, melodies, and harmonies in a way that creates a compelling track.

To achieve the best audio quality, you’ll need the right tools, such as a digital audio workstation (DAW) and high-quality headphones or monitors. Popular DAWs like FL Studio, Ableton Live, or Logic Pro offer user-friendly interfaces, making it easier to experiment with loops, samples, and plugins. These tools ensure your beats sound polished and professional.

Tools Needed for Beat-Making

Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs): DAWs are your primary workspace for creating and arranging beats. For beginners, FL Studio is an excellent choice due to its intuitive interface and built-in tutorials. GarageBand is another beginner-friendly option for Mac users.

MIDI Controllers and Instruments: Incorporating a MIDI controller can make beat-making more dynamic. Learning which musical instrument is easy to learn can also enhance your beats. For instance, mastering basic keyboard or drum pad techniques can add depth to your creations.

High-Quality Audio Equipment: To produce beats with the best audio quality, invest in reliable headphones, studio monitors, and a good audio interface. This ensures that the sound you hear during production translates well across different listening environments.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Beats

Start with the Drums: The drum pattern is the backbone of any beat. Begin by layering a kick, snare, and hi-hat sequence to establish the rhythm. Experiment with different tempos and styles to find a groove that resonates.

Add Melody and Harmony: Use virtual instruments or samples to craft a melody that complements your drum pattern. If you’re unsure where to start, focus on simple, repetitive loops that you can build upon. This is where knowing which musical instrument is easy to learn—like the keyboard—can be invaluable, as it helps you play and experiment with melodies.

Incorporate Basslines: A strong bassline anchors the track and provides energy. Use software synthesizers or a bass guitar to add depth to your beat. Experiment with EQ settings to maintain clarity and achieve the best audio quality.

Layer Textures and Effects: Enhance your beats by layering atmospheric sounds, vocal chops, or unique samples. Apply effects like reverb, delay, and compression to refine the sound. These elements add character and help you achieve the best audio quality in your mix.

Arrange Your Track: Once your beat components are ready, arrange them into a full track. Consider how to create a song by structuring it into sections—intro, verse, chorus, and outro. Use dynamic changes, such as drops and build-ups, to maintain listener interest.

Inspiration from Easy-to-Learn Instruments

If you’re looking to enhance your beat-making skills, learning which musical instrument is easy to learn can add an organic touch to your tracks. For example:

Keyboard/Piano: Mastering basic chords and scales on the keyboard allows you to craft melodies and harmonies effortlessly. It’s one of the most versatile instruments for producers.

Drum Pads/Machines: Learning to play rhythm patterns on drum pads can improve your timing and beat-making instincts.

Ukulele: While unconventional, the ukulele’s cheerful tones can inspire unique melodic ideas for your beats.

Incorporating live instrumentation into your tracks not only diversifies your sound but also improves your understanding of rhythm and harmony.

How to Create a Song from Your Beats

Once your beat is ready, the next step is learning how to create a song around it. A compelling song often involves blending instrumental elements with vocal lines and lyrics. Here’s how to do it:

Write Lyrics and a Melody: Use the mood of your beat as inspiration for lyrics. If the beat is upbeat, consider writing lyrics that are lively and energetic. For softer beats, focus on emotional themes.

Collaborate with Vocalists: Partnering with a singer or rapper can bring your beat to life. Their vocal melodies and rhythms should complement the beat’s vibe.

Polish and Master the Track: To achieve the best audio quality, fine-tune your mix by balancing each element’s volume, panning, and frequency. Finally, master the track to ensure it sounds professional across all devices.

Refining Your Beat-Making Process

Improving as a beatmaker involves consistent practice and experimentation. Explore new genres, study popular tracks, and learn from experienced producers. Engage with the music-making community to receive feedback and stay inspired.

Additionally, focus on enhancing the best audio quality of your beats by upgrading your skills and equipment. Even minor improvements, such as learning new mixing techniques or investing in a better microphone, can make a significant difference.

Conclusion

Whether you’re drawn to beat-making as a hobby or aiming to build a career in music production, the journey is both exciting and rewarding. By leveraging the right tools, learning which musical instrument is easy to learn, and understanding how to create a song, you can create beats that captivate listeners and achieve the best audio quality possible. With dedication and creativity, the beats you design today could become the foundation of tomorrow’s hits.