#how to turn off irrigation system | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

kalevalakryze · 8 months ago

Text

The Seeds We Sow

The fic + art collaboration Art completed by @mirandemia for the @ahsokaevents Wildflowers collab! Find it on AO3!

Sabine Wren + Ahsoka Tano The soil was warm under her hands; Freshly turned and clumpy where she uncovered it from the ashen tones of the earth. “Life finds a way.” Ahsoka had told her upon setting out on this task. The water source wasn’t too far away, a still pool with sediment floating in the murky water.

“We can get this cleaned up, can’t we Asha?” She called to the howler, snuffling through a patch of stubbornly prevailing grass nearby. She did not receive any response from the peculiar creature, though it was nice to have her to bounce ideas off of.

The Noti had given her the scraps from an older trawler, dragged each time they moved to limit waste, carrying broken vaporators, gears, and even old power packs to blasters that must have been acquired from Thrawn’s troopers. At least she didn’t need to lug it too much further than their current campsite to get it near the water supply. “Let’s see what we can do,” The Mandalorian talked aloud, boots crunching over the crumbling outer layer of the planet’s crust.

First, Sabine grabbed old pipes from blown cooling systems, using her hands to dig out four long rows in the dirt, exposing nutrient-rich soil to the sunlight above. “Bet you guys missed the sun just as much as I do,” She chuckled warmly to a squirming lifeform. “You kinda look like an exogorth. Can I call you Exo?” The pad of her thumb brushed along the sliminess of the creature's side, laughing warmly to herself when it squiggled away. “Alright, Exo. I’m sorry I gotta move you, but hey, you keep pests away from my seeds, and this can be a mutually beneficial arrangement, got it?”

The creature was set inside of a pile of upturned dirt, where it happily burrowed itself to be rid of the humanoid that dared interrupt its rest.

Building the irrigation system was nothing new to Sabine Wren; In fact, it was something she understood almost as well as mixing her explosive paints. Back when rebel holdouts needed crops, she was often the one counted on to help them get started, and it was always something that helped her feel useful.

A Mandalorian could destroy, and conquer, and a million other destructive things, but she was put in this Galaxy for more than that. She created, and saved, she strived every day for as long as she could remember to embrace her Mandalorian heritage, to be everything her ancestors could have wanted, and then some.

It was through her continued work every day that she honored the patron of her House, Tarre Vizsla, it was through her dedication to her people that honored her Clan and the lives they’d once lived, and it was her determination that honored the Rebellion she’d spent so long fighting for. Everything she did was for her family, and right now? That family was found in Ahsoka and the Noti.

Her purification system was simple in design, and it required the sacrifice of a power pack from her blaster to generate enough of a spark to keep the miniature solar array working. She could return with a new source for it one day, for when the sun grew dim and the gears needed to turn. For now, the blaster she’d painted in the blues of reliability and royalty was dismantled under a caring hand and slotted into the home of the system.

Clean water trickled slowly with a quiet whir of machinery, sucking the water through and filtering out sediment as it pushed along the rows of water she’d dug out. “Hey, we did it,” She called to Asha, now dozing lazily in her interesting patch of grass. “Thanks,” She laughed, bubbling like the carbonation in The Outlander Club’s specialty beverage, warmed by the lull of a punk tongue hanging lazily past yellowed canines.

With dampened soil, Sabine was able to meticulously lay each seed; They were from her Galaxy, so there was no telling if they would take to their new home, but she had hope, and she’d learned long ago just how far a little hope could stretch. Then, the compost that had been saved up was spread evenly over the rows, pressed in lightly to allow for the sprouts to push past without much resistance, though would not risk being washed away when the drought on this side of the planet would end at last.

“You’ve done well,” Ahsoka’s voice was warm; Lighter than she was used to, over the course of her previous apprenticeship, that is.

“Yeah? You think so?” The Mandalorian questioned genuinely from her spot knelt in the dirt, mud caked her armor and her flight suit, and streaks painted her face and dirtied her hair. The purple-haired woman turned her head to watch as Ahsoka dismounted her howler, allowing it to trundle to Asha’s lazy form. “I do,” The hand on her shoulder was warm. Sabine allowed the offered strength to rise from her knelt position. “Lunch is ready back at camp, you look like you could use it,” The jab was light, bouncing off her armor with a light chuckle.

“You’re tellin’ me… Think everything will be safe here?”

Ahsoka’s gaze turned to the horizon, searching. When she shook her head in the affirmative, Sabine’s shoulders relaxed. “Do you think they’re okay…” She questioned after a moment.

It didn’t take a genius to understand who she was asking after. “Shin will be alright, I’m sure of it. Baylan… worries me, he’s treading a dangerous path, one we will have to follow, sooner than later.”

As the Master and Apprentice rode their howlers the short distance back to camp, Sabine’s fingers threaded through the thick, dark wool of Asha’s neck. “Thanks,”

Ahsoka’s head bowed towards her. She could have kept the thoughts to herself, as she’d once had. But even Ahsoka Tano learned when it was time to truly be more than the people who’d trained you. Where Obi-Wan and Anakin may have kept themselves quiet, she was determined to break the cycle. Shin Hati

Communication with the bandits was slow. Truly, Shin had heard of droids learning and adapting better than this sorry lot. All she received from them were grunts, either of indignation, or approval, she could only tell after they’d begun moving, either to follow her orders or to blatantly ignore them.

The most recent act of ignorance from the clan found Shin stubbornly figuring out ways to feed them all. They’d seemed unbothered by the prospect that they could go hungry, as if they could pillage their way across Peridea; and maybe they could have, if not for the Jedi and Sabine protecting their favorite victims now. Shin knew better than to allow themselves to march into that camp, she knew what the Torguta and Mandalorian were capable of.

Chasing away the nomads that had settled in this desolate canyon had been simple, natural, even. The moment they saw a blood-orange blade on the horizon, and saw the sun glinting off the worn paint of her bandit’s heads, most were intelligent enough to turn tail. It had even stocked them up with enough supplies to last until… well… Until what, Shin wasn’t sure yet, but they’d be damned if they didn’t figure it out soon.

There was a water source nearby, old, rickety purifiers ran as they refilled the jugs as fast as her men could deplete them. They also noticed a raised bed of soil, something she didn’t see often in the wastes like this. There were no seeds nearby, though she could see plants sprouting from a host nearby.

Eyes as dreary as their landscape peered around the supplies that had been left. This was new, but they had always been a resourceful student. If taking lives was so natural, then surely they would be able to sustain it, especially in the most non-sentient way life existed.

The soil had been freshly turned, Shin learned as their fingers delved into the raised garden bed. The travelers had been planning on making this place their home for the season as well. No matter, it was Shin’s people who were victorious in the end, and they would reap the profits of prior labors… and Shin’s own.

Dirt spilled into the many tears in their gloves, worn from the months of use and with no true materials to repair them. The pebbles were harsh, though their skin was learning to grow harsher. Eventually, the tanned gorraslug material was set aside, resting precariously on a wooden support, allowing them to dig deeper, pushing grime up under their fingernails as they worked to bury the remains of the food supply.

Plasto pails sat near the purifiers, and it was just Shin’s luck that the first pail they filled with water would crack under the unforgiving weight as it was filled to the brim. “Karabast!” They growled at the remains of the bucket, water soaking their boots and turning the ground at their feet into sloshing mud.

The Force, a fickle ally, refused to answer their call in their growing frustrations; Even as they attempted to channel their annoyance into the pressure of water, thin plasto, and the space they wanted to create between it and the ground.

Huffing and puffing, Shin found themselves resorting to other means; A spear was sent between the weak metal handles of the pail, allowing her the leverage to lift it, keeping it balanced on her shoulder with minimal spillage as she lugged it to the beds, cursing the whole way.

By the time each sprout had a home in the dirt, Shin’s hands, tunic, and face were streaked with mud, sweat cutting tracks through the grime as they sat back against a boulder to admire their work. A bandit passed by them, Shin watched with narrowed eyes as they paused at her work.

No words were spoken between them as they turned back to look at the filthy blonde, though Shin had felt the understanding in the nod of their head. A dented canteen was removed from their hip and passed nonchalantly to her on their way back to sorting through their treasures of the raid.

The sinking of the sun was met with a wet nose sniffling at long-dry boots, a dirty white howler in search of food. With her fingers carding through the soft fur at its neck, Shin rose at last, acquiescent to find the poor beast something to eat, and with a rumbling of her own stomach, something for herself as well.

Ezra Bridger Krownest had always been cold, but if there was anything Ezra Bridger had learned in his short experiences with Clan Wren, it was the planet's unique ability to nurture all kinds of life.

This was why, as the Ghost touched down on a desolate surface, and no gruff voices came over their comms to demand clearance, Ezra felt the loss of those unique lives as distinctly as he had. The Jedi paused in the entryway, boot hovering just over the ramp. “Ezra?” Hera called, a gloved hand coming to rest on his shoulder.

A deep breath and a warm smile recentered him as he used the familiar touch on his shoulder to ground himself. “I’m alright… It’s just hard not to notice…”

Hera’s head dipped in understanding; She hadn’t made the venture yet, had been waiting on Sabine’s word to visit with the heir, the day had never come, until Ezra voiced his desire to do something for her family. “We’ll be right here with you,” She promised, glancing away from Ezra to peek down at Jacen, bundled up and standing by her side, with Chopper rolling just behind them once they began walking.

The Wren stronghold was dark and untouched, mountains of snow coated the roof, while dangerous icicles hung dangerously along the large transparisteel windows. “Do you think it’ll grow here?” Jacen asked as the toe of his boot caught on a patch of slippery ice. .

“Yeah, ‘course,” Ezra mused out loud as he knelt near one of the windows. Peering through the dust, he could see the inside of the throne room, dark and desolate, with cobwebs hanging across each surface. The light that managed to cut through the grime still found a way to cast across the painting of the Matriarch of Clan Wren, lighting yellow and grey armor up in an effect that made them glow gold and silver.

“Do you remember how it went?” Ezra questioned, unblinking from his sight against the glass, catching the barest reflection of his own eyes back at him.

“Never did manage Mando’a,” Hera admitted, lowering herself into the snow beside him, allowing Jacen to tuck himself against her once more as she settled. He’d known Ursa, though Hera doubted he would have much memories of them, not with the separate wars they found themselves fighting as Sabine focused on finding Ezra.

“Basic should be fine… It’s the memory that counts, right?” He tried to keep his tone light, tried to keep the calmness steady, though the emptiness seemed to echo the way his words caught around the tightness in his throat. Addam’s apple bobbing, he nodded his head towards the snow, beginning the process of clearing away the piles to the frozen earth underneath.

They did not have every name of every warrior lost, and Ezra found himself regretting this, too naive and headstrong, too worried about the fight than the lives of the people he’d fought beside. He would return, when the seasons changed, when Sabine came out. She could tell them their names, and they would plant flowers for them as well, as a family again.

The ground was frozen and solid, though after a while of digging and chipping away, he’d been successful in clearing three small holes. “Vormur can grow through anything,” He assured himself as he retrieved a small duracrete container, filled to the brim with dirt from Lothal, soft enough to cover the tops and hopefully prevent them from freezing over. “They’re Mandalorian, you know” A foreboding gaze was sent to the portain through the windows before he dropped a seed in each hole. Hera stayed silent, for him, for Sabine and Ahsoka, and for Clan Wren itself.

“Jace, you wanna cover this up, for aunt ‘bine?” He offered, leaning back as he cleared his throat, hiding a sniffle as he wiped the rough nylon material of his sleeve under his nose. Small knees shuffled through the dirt as the boy inched closer, mittens sweeping through the uncovered dirt to start brushing it to the small array of flowers. “These smell really nice,” He commented as he worked, taking a big sniff as the dirt began to settle. “Aunt Sabine will really like this when she comes back-” The young Force-Sensitive boy paused then, fingers curling in his mittens as his brows drew together. “If she ever comes back…. Here, i mean.” He was quick to correct; No one aired their thoughts about the possibility of Sabine and Ahsoka’s return, not when Ezra himself had been gone so long.

“Well, when she hears about all our hard work… I’m sure she will,” Hera’s hand brushed over Jacen’s head, pulling the wool hat on his head askew. Final preparations were made to keep the flowers healthy and strong from the climate. Just as the sun began to crest the mountains, pink and golden light splashing across the grey landscape of the frozen lake. Before they could leave, the Rebels settled back in one last time, peering through dust covered windows at the haunting silhouette of the Countess of Krownest one last time. “Ni su'cuyi, gar kyr'adyc, ni partayli, gar darasuum, Clan Wren.” Their Mando’a was rough and heavily accented, but the words seemed to release some of the weight on their shoulders, allowing them to return to their new war with a lighter conscience.

#cc24wildflowers #Pathfinders #star wars #shin hati #sabine wren #ahsoka #ahsoka series #ezra bridger #Clan Wren #Hera Syndulla #Jacen Syndulla #star wars rebels #fanfiction

43 notes · View notes

jinkieswouldyoulookatthis · 6 months ago

Text

Growing

Just a little piece of gen domestichesters fluff about Sam taking up gardening and Dean adopting another dog. Set in season 15 during that unknown period of time between episodes 19 & 20, or maybe it's canon divergent and episode 20 never happened (whichever makes you happiest).

No pairing, no ship, just fluff.

Words: 2746

Read it on AO3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“So I was looking into the history of the power plant.”

“Of course you were.” Dean deadpanned.

“And, turns out that it was never actually abandoned like we’d thought because it was never actually in use as a real power plant. As far as I can tell, it was built to cover up the mechanical equipment that runs the bunker and isn’t even hooked into the local grid.”

“Fascinating.” Dean said, with sarcasm so dry Sam completely missed it.

“That’s what I thought. So I came up to check it out, you know, see how the systems were set up, just in case something ever goes wrong… again. But what I found was,” Sam opened the double doors that creaked loudly in the cavernous space that they step into.

It was like a cathedral, vast and empty with a vaulted ceiling thirty feet high. It was saved from being gloomy, all that grey stone and dark ironwork rafters, by two of the walls which were striped with four sets of floor to ceiling windows and there were large skylights above. Most surprising to Dean was the fact that they were all, miraculously, unbroken. The rest of the space was mostly empty, with just a few bulky pieces of equipment that looked like they were part of the bunker’s various mechanical systems. That looked like all that had been there, at least that was all before Sam had gotten to the space. Now, there were two rows of what looked to Dean like black, plastic bathtubs standing near the south side of the room. And there were long fluorescent tube light fixtures suspended above them.

“That doesn’t look like mechanical equipment.”

Sam laughed. “It’s not. But the space was completely empty when I found it. But it had electricity and a sprinkler system and I think it’s actually heated. Or, at least, there’s ductwork that seems to come up from below.”

They had been wandering closer to the tubs as Sam talked. As they got up to them, Dean could see that they were each filled with rich, dark soil. There was also a network of PVC pipes that ran along over the top of the tubs, with red, shut off valves and nozzles every so often.

Dean sneezed. It had come up so suddenly he hadn’t even had time to cover his mouth, just turned to the side. The noise echoing back to him from every corner.

“I’ve swept up, but it’s still pretty dusty, I guess.”

Dean sniffled and asked, “Did you do all this?”

“Yeah. I’ve been working on it for the last couple months. The tubs are 150 gallon stock tanks that I got from the Tractor Supply over in Smith Center. But I scrounged most of the rest of the supplies. I set up the lights because, even with all the windows, I just don’t know if the plants will get enough sunlight. And I flushed the irrigation system throughly and tested it for lead, since, you know the building was built back in the 30’s. But everything is clear and yeah.” Sam looked at Dean. “What do you think?”

“You gonna be growing pot in here or something?”

Sam laughed again and shook his head. “I was thinking more, vegetables and herbs.”

“Oh.”

“Try not to sound so disappointed.”

“Well, I’m not going to lie, I’d be more excited about pot. But this is impressive, Sammy.” “You think?”

“Yeah. You put a lot of work into this. Why didn’t you ask for help?”

Sam shrugged. “I don’t know. I just started working on it and then it was just… something to do. Plus I didn’t want you trying to claim it and fill it up with cars or something.”

Dean looked into the tubs. “You plant anything yet?”

“No, I actually need to go pick up the plants and thought you might want to ride over with me? We can get lunch at Pete’s and then swing by the nursery?”

“Yeah, okay. Barbecue sounds great.”

They were almost out the door when Dean sneezed again. “Damn. I think you need to sweep again.”

Down in the garage, they both got into the Impala, doors squeaking and banging shut in unison. Dean had the key in the ignition and was just about to start her up when he stopped and looked at Sam.

“How many plants are you planning on getting?”

Sam narrowed his eyes, Dean could practically see him going through his mental list. They both turned and looked in the backseat at the same time.

“Uh…” Sam started.

“Why don’t we take the truck instead?”

“Yeah, probably a good idea.”

So they took the old pick-up truck. It was a 1946 Chevrolet 3100 in Morat Green. Sam thought the name sounded made up, but he knew better than to argue about classic vehicles with his brother.

It was an easy fifteen minute drive from Lebanon to Smith Center. By the time they got to Pete’s and parked, Sam had not only run through his list of plants he wanted to get, but had gone on a bit too long (in Dean’s opinion) about the merits of various varieties of tomato and lettuce. He’d also mentioned several herbs that Dean was about ninety percent certain weren’t used for cooking.

“Some of them are medicinal but the other have more…” Sam lowered his voice as the stepped into the restaurant, “esoteric uses.”

Dean gave him a look.

“We’ve depleted most of our supply of components. And I don’t know if you’ve noticed but there aren’t many suppliers of those things that are still willing to sell to us. So it would be a lot easier if I could just grow what we needed.”

“Okay, settle down. This is your project, you can get whatever plants you want.”

They changed the topic of conversation as they sat down, deciding without needing to discuss it, that they’d rather debate who would win in a fight between themselves and various comic book superheroes and villains. The lapsed mostly into silence when their food arrived, with only the occasional obscene groan from Dean around a mouthful of double bacon cheeseburger.

“Dude.”

“What? It’s good.” Dean asked still chewing.

“So is my salad, but you don’t hear me moaning like Meg Ryan.” “Yeah, ‘cause no one gets orgasmic over a salad, Sam.”

“Just, try not to get the cops called on us. And don’t talk with your mouth full.”

“Fine, Mom.”

Shaking his head, Sam rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t quite stop the corners of his mouth from pulling up into a smile as they finished off their lunch.

It was a short drive across town to the greenhouse. To be fair, everything in Smith Center was a short drive, it wasn’t a big town. When they pulled into the parking lot there was a banner string up on one side of the entrance to the greenhouse. Several families with kids were gathered by it.

“Adopt-a-Pet?”

“Go, check it out, play with some puppies or something. I’ll just be a few minutes anyway.” Sam said as he wandered inside.

Dean made his way over and was having just as much fun watching the kids coo and squeal and beg their parents for a puppy or a kitten as he was looking at the baby animals.

There were older animals too, a bunch of cats and a few dogs. One of the dogs was laying down in its crate, and while its ears perked up at every loud sound, it wasn’t watching the chaos around it as much as the other dogs. Dean crouched down and peered at it through the bars of the crate. It was black and white with longish fur.

“Interested in adopting a pet?” a woman asked him when she was done handing a clipboard of paperwork to one of the families.

“I’ve already got a dog. I just thought I look while my brother’s getting stuff for his garden.”

“Well, each animal has a tag on their crate with information like breed, sex, age, and if they’re good with kids or other animals.”

Dean looked and saw the tag on the crate in front of him. “Otis, huh?”

The dog’s head perked up immediately.

“Guess that’s you.” Dean said. He read the tag and looked at the dog and then read the tag again.

It had taken Sam a lot longer than he’d anticipated in the greenhouse because they didn’t have a couple of the varieties that he’d really wanted, so he had to decide on what to get instead. But once he checked out, he had several packets of seeds tucked into his pocket and two long flats of young plants, and was feeling pretty good about his choices. Dean was nowhere to be seen when he carried the first group of plants out and slid them into the back of the truck, but when he came out with the rest of them, he could see Dean’s head through the back window of the truck. Plants safely stowed, he closed the tailgate and walked around to the passenger door.

A loud bark when he opened the door made him jump. Sitting on the bench seat next to his brother was a border collie.

“Dean?”

“Sam.”

“There’s a dog in the truck.”

“You always were observant.”

“Dean, why is there a dog in the truck?”

“His name is Otis. Otis, say hello to Sam.”

Otis chuffed.

“Okay.” Sam looked at the dog and then at his brother. “Did, did you adopt a dog?”

Dean just smiled at him and ruffled the fur on Otis’ head as he started the truck up. “Yes I did. Come on, let’s get him home and introduce him to Miracle.”

There was much barking and vigorous wagging of tails and lots of butt sniffing. After a few minutes, Dean declared the introduction a success and went to help Sam carry the plants up to the power plant.

“I can’t believe you got another dog.”

“Sam, he’s blind and had been at the shelter for over a year. I couldn’t leave him there. Plus, look how happy Miracle is. Now he won’t be completely alone when we have to go out. He’s got a buddy.”

“Yeah, no, I get that, I–I do. But, I just… I just think this is the sort of thing that we should have talked about first.”

“Hey, I didn’t hear you asking me about turn the upstairs into a conservatory, but I’m okay with it. I think it’s great that you’ve got a new hobby.” He sat the flat of seedlings down next to the planters and sneezed. “Shit. Man, are there cats up here or something?”

Sam looked around and shrugged.

Dean sneezed again.

“There is definitely something up here that’s not agreeing with you. Go on downstairs, I’ve got this.”

“Yeah,” Dean sniffled. “I’m gonna go take the dogs for a walk before dinner. Don’t stay up here too late, There’s still, like, half a lasagna in the fridge and I think there’s even some salad left over from last night.”

He sneezed again before he got to the door.

Sam pulled the seed packets out of his pocket and flipped through them. There was yarrow, angelica, burdock, belladonna, chamomile, and catnip. He looked back at the door before glancing over to where there was a large cardboard box tucked between two pieces of equipment that Sam was about 80% certain were part of the air handling system. After a moment he started spreading the plants and seed packets around in the various tubs of dirt, plotting out what to grow where.

The next few weeks passed quickly. Miracle adopted Otis faster than Dean had, and it was rare to ever see one without the other. Sam took them out running in the mornings and Dean took them for rides into town or out to some field or another where they went on long meandering walks in the afternoons while Sam tended to his growing garden. He took careful notes and photos, and adjusted the timing of the lights and the sprinkler system. Dean, who still sneezed at least once every time he went up there, kept his visits short and mostly left Sam to his gardening. Meal times were when he was most likely to come up, looking to make sure that his brother was eating.

“Hey, Sammy. Lunchtime, come and get it! Wow! It’s looking lush up here. Got anything edible yet?”

“Uh yeah, there’s some lettuce over there but I just want to get this set… Shit!” He swore as the sprayer nozzle he’s been adjusting snapped off in his hand. Water started to gush out of the pipe even as he clamped his hands down tight over the opening. “Ah! Get the, uh, the thing... turn it off!”

Dean rushed over and followed Sam’s gaze to a red shut off valve a little ways down the line. “Yep! Hang on. Got it.” He cranked the valve down tight and the water pressure died.

Sam shook his hands, flinging drops of water into the planter. “Thanks.”

A tiny, high pitched, squeaky sort of noise came from between the tub where Sam was working and the one behind it.

“What…” Dean began as he leaned over to look between the tubs.

“Well, no point in trying to fix this on an empty stomach. Let’s go eat!” Sam said loudly as he wiped his hands on his jeans and then all but herded Dean towards the door.

“Wait, what was that?”

“It was just the pipes, you know how pipes are. What’s for lunch?”

“Stop pushing me!”

Sam stopped but stayed between Dean and his garden. There was another squeak.

“Sam?” Dean said, glaring at his brother. Before either of them could say anything else Dean’s attention was drawn to a tiny little ball of grey and black striped fluff that toddled out from around the tub that Sam had been working on.

“I knew it.”

Another tiny mewl came from the other end of the garden and Sam’s eyes went wide.

“Dude, how many kittens are in here?”

Sam deflated with a sigh, “Five.”

“Five?!”

“And the mom cat.”

“Were you seriously just going to keep pretending like you didn’t know what was making me sneeze?”

“No! No. I was just waiting until the kittens were old enough to find them homes.”

“But why not just tell me?”

“I didn’t want it to be a big deal, I figured you’re not up here much anyway and it’s a quiet, safe place for them and, well, they’re cute.”

“But I still don’t get why you were lying to me.”

“I didn’t really lie… yeah, okay, I lied. I’m sorry. I guess I was afraid that you’d want them gone.”

Dean looked offended. “I’m not a monster, Sam.”

“I know! But I also know how much you hate cats, so…”

“I don’t hate cats.”

“Yes, you do. You say it all the time.”

“I don’t actually mean it.”

Sam just looked at him, exasperated and at a loss. A squeaky mewl, louder and more demanding than before, sounded from their feet. The first kitten had reached Sam’s foot and was starting to climb up his pants leg.

Dean leaned down and carefully unhooked it’s claws from Sam’s jeans before standing up, holding it gently in his hands.

He looked at it.

It looked at him.

It cried loudly.

“Have you named them?”

“Pfft, no.”

“Cool, so I can name them.”

Sam sighed and looked closer at the kitten. “That one’s Doc.”

Dean scrunched up his nose and looked at him. “Like the dwarf?”

“No. It’s short for Burdock. It’s a plant.” He looked over to where the other kitten was sitting, still next to the tubs. “That one is Cam, short for Chamomile. And the others are Yarrow, Catnip or Nip, and Belladonna, like the plant, not the pornstar.” He added quickly at the hopeful arching of Dean’s eyebrow. “The mom is Angelica.”

“Uh huh. You big softy.” Dean smiled at him.

“Shut up.”

Dean chuckled as he handed the kitten, who had started to squirm, over to Sam. “They can stay, just, uh, up here, okay? Now, I’m going to go wash my hands and eat. Come on.”

Sam placed a quick kiss on Doc’s head before setting him gently down on the ground and following after his brother.

#dean winchester #sam winchester #spn fanfic #spn fan fiction #fluff

22 notes · View notes

officialleehadan · 2 months ago

Text

Baby Rider

What Once Was

+++

Cyra was aware that bouncing a baby on her hip was not the most intimidating look.

She was also aware of how hard it was to have a new baby in the family, and that Lavas and his wife were halfway dead with exhaustion, and the best possible way to hold a meeting in peace was to to take the fussy little boy from his father.

Lavas probably would have protested, but the naked relief in his eyes when his son stopped yowling and finally took the bottle Cyra offered was more than enough to buy his silence.

Leonara hadn’t stopped chuckling, but Imlyn was old enough, barely, to remember how she had carried his brother the same way so his own parents could get some sleep.

Lavas was asleep on a couch in the corner. Cyra couldn’t even be annoyed with him for it.

“I would say you’ve gone soft, Dread Lady,” Dameld said, much amused by the whole thing even as Geraeld came over and, with the steady hand of a father of seven girls, took the almost-asleep baby from Cyra and bounced him gently. The little lad cooed sleepily at him, but snuggled into Geraeld’s wide arms with every indication of comfort. “But I know better. The skill with a child, however, is new.”

“Not that new,” Cyra said with a find smile for her godson, who was talking with Geraeld’s daughter, Elmia. They seemed to be discussing something that was either a creative way to kill a whole city, or an irrigation system. Cyra wasn’t sure. It might be both. “I learned a great deal with Imlyn and his brother, including how badly a new parent needs their sleep. We take no harm for Lavas having time to sleep.”

“I never suggested it was a bad thing,” Dameld said and ran one large finger over the baby’s soft cheek, but she didn’t make any move to take the child from Geraeld. For good reason, as he had, with an experienced father’s skill, coaxed the little lad almost to sleep. “But.. perhaps odd to see these skills of a peaceful life after our many years of monstrosity.”

“I was retired. We all were,” Cyra said and shrugged. “I hoped not to ever call you lot again, if we’re being honest.”

“I am glad for the call,” Leonara said, and suddenly wrinkled her nose. “But there is a reason I rarely interact with children. Their thoughts are so very loud! He is wet. It is foul, apparently. He wants to be changed.”

“Can’t say I’m any happier when I wet my britches,” Geraeld said and raised the bag Lavas brought with him when he appeared with his son in arms. His wife was still recovering from the birth and despite his desire to make a good impression with Cyra and her Riders, he valued his wife more highly still. Fortunately for him, Cyra approved of his priorities, and the little boy was, to all accounts, an easy child. “Thanks Leonara. I didn’t think he was hungry yet, but there’s no telling.”

“He is also hungry, but the filth in his diaper has his attention,” Leonara reported, clearly entirely displeased by the knowledge that was undoubtedly being bombarded into her mind. Her skills, Cyra knew, could either be open to receiving the thoughts of those around her, or turned off entirely, but only focused on one person with great effort. As a result she could not tune out the baby, and would not turn off her skills when surrounded by people she did not trust. “Warm another bottle while you have the chance.”

“You’re more useful like this,” Geraeld noted and grinned manically when she stuck her tongue out at him. He did change the baby with the ease of experience and tucked the soiled diaper away for Lavan or his wife to wash later “Watch it, spy. You’d be just as pretty without a tongue.”

“I knew you thought too much about my tongue but Geraeld, flirting with me after all these years?”

“Say that in front of my wife, I dare you.”

“Ma is fierce,” Elmia agreed, distracted from her discussion with Imlyn, which had progressed to paper models on the table. Cyra eyed them and decided that the subject was neither poisoning nor irrigation, but apparently siege warfare, considering the small paper trebuchets and what might be cavalry. “People sniff around Pa now and then. She clubbed the last one with a cast iron pan.”

“Auntie did that when our castle was invaded,” Imlyn noted and leaned against the table to observe Geraeld’s efficient disposal of the dirty diaper, and his soothing of the now-squalling child. “Didn’t think they’d make such good weapons.”

“They’re heavy and iron. You can club most anything with something that heavy,” Cyra told him, and reminded herself to resume his sword lessons. He would need them soon. “Leonara, you can leave if the baby bothers you. I don’t think we’re getting much else done. Leave Lavas alone. He needs the sleep.”

“Maybe a bit soft,” Dameld noted, but she was smiling as well, and let the little boy grasp one of her fingers. “But perhaps that is no bad thing. Has there been any word of our missing two? I would not want to call them betrayers so soon, but their absence brings questions I cannot ignore.”

“I know,” Cyra said, and reclaimed the baby from Geraeld easily. “Which is why I have Alanter scrying for them. If they need aid, we will retrieve them. If they have betrayed me, they will learn why no Rider of mine has ever survived to tell my secrets to another.”

+++

What Once Was: (FULL COLLECTION)

Lady of the Kitchens

Solar Safe

Family Meeting

Birthing Heroes (Subscriber Only!)

Recipe for Intrigue

Edifice

Three Riders (Subscriber Only!)

Old and New

Baby Rider (New!)

+++

MASTERLIST

#Writing #Lee Hadan #fantasy #scifi #spilled ink #writing prompts

8 notes · View notes

whx-m · 5 months ago

Text

i saw only 3 or 4 fireflies, just for one night around two weeks ago and absolutely nothing since. it's filled me with a deep, deep, gouged out dread. i water the backyard at dusk and wait for them and nothing comes.

just two years ago they were still dazzling me during june like a late birthday present, swarming the damp lawn at night like glitter drawn out of the trees. last year they were scarce, this year leaves a lump in my throat. watching them go extinct before my eyes hurts more than i could've ever imagined or prepared myself for.

i keep wondering what kind of world kids are being born into, if one day talk of these things will become mythical and otherworldly? firefly swarms, coral reefs, monarch butterfly migrations. how will these people feel when they grow up and realize what was taken from them, and their own children?

i think of that time around 2008 or so, when i was driving some rural backroads after my crappy job to blow off steam and came upon a huge field just absolutely covered with fireflies. the crops were sprouting low to the ground, and the irrigation system must've just watered everything and drawn them all in from the landscape. it was so thick with them, so far and deep with millions of fireflies, they formed this shimmering 12 ft high mist of light that hugged the earth as far as i could see. i pulled over on this narrow pitch black road, turned off my headlights and climbed up to sit on the roof of my car. i wept and stayed there for half an hour in solitary silence just mesmerized by what i was witnessing. i could never forget it, and i've never seen anything like it since.

its such a beautiful and special memory, but won't i feel guilty for it someday? why wouldn't i... how could i not feel guilty? will i feel so guilty for it i'll have to keep it secret and tucked away in my heart when they go extinct? the grandchildren of the kids being born today deserve to see things like that, too. they deserve those kinds of memories and moments of awe. they deserve so much more than secondhand or thirdhand stories.

#i cant help but stare out at the dark and fight back tears

8 notes · View notes

impawsiblecat · 7 months ago

Text

100 days of Deathduo!

Day 1- Reverse phasmo au! (Also I'm so sorry if the format is weird I don't know how to tumblr)

Content warning for spooky ghost stuff, suspense. Also it's not beta'd haha

The breaker was off. Which was a bit annoying, but the previous owners clearly hadn’t been there in a while. Clover isn’t surprised the electrical company had turned it off to save power. That didn’t change the fact that it was a little bit… inconvenient. Still, she was excited. If all goes well, this house is hers. Her own place. It may be a bit rundown, if the torn wallpaper and worn floorboards were anything to go by, and that couch had certainly seen much better days, but it was hers. And renovations could always be made. She had plenty of money left over due to just how cheap the house was.

The house was cold, likely due to the breaker, and Clover shivered as she went to look for it, taking out her phone flashlight so she wouldn’t trip over anything. It must have been in either the utility room or the attic, right? Or was it called the storage area. It was somewhere upstairs, she remembered seeing it on the floorplan of the house. It could also be in the backyard, but Clover hadn’t seen anything back there when she had first investigated the house. She smiled as she remembered seeing the for sale sign and peeking into the windows while imagining what could be. She had bought it that same day.

Clover coughed from the layers of dust that was scattered around, and she pulled her backpack in front of her in order to dig around for her waterbottle, taking a swig from it when she found it. This house needed a ton of cleaning. Which was fine. It was hers! Still, next time she may have to bring a mask, or something. Breathing in all of this dust was probably not the greatest for her health, if she had to guess. She passed by the stairs next to the front door, thinking that the utility room was the more likely place for a breaker to warm the cold rooms.

The house wasn’t very big, but it didn’t stop Clover from getting lost, finding herself in a bedroom instead of the kitchen she expected. Which would have led to the utility room. The light from her phone bounced off of the walls, showing the pictures of the previous owners that lived here. She didn’t quite know what happened to them, or why they left. It did make her curious, but she figured they were likely evicted, or just had somewhere to go. Perhaps they thought that the house was too isolated, alone from everyone, with nothing but a plain barren field nearby. But that was what Clover loved about it. Come next spring, she was sure it would be filled with crops that she could farm. It had an irrigation system built in, and she was excited for the different pace in life that it was sure to bring. Peaceful, hopefully, away from the monotonous and stressful work environment of a corporate office job.

Did she know how to actually farm? Well. No. But surely it couldn’t be too hard, right? It was just. Planting the seeds. And waiting for them to grow.

Clover’s thoughts became distracted when the beam of light caught on something shiny. Upon further investigation, she realized that there was a flip phone on the dresser, covered by a layer of dust. The people here must have really hated this place, to just pack up and leave like that. It was a mystery. Maybe Clover would try to figure out the reason why it was abandoned so much, and try to get some of the pictures and mementos back to the people they belonged to.

But for now, the breaker. If she could stop getting so turned around in the dark. Clover tried to recall the floorplan given to her on the release forms. If she was in the bedroom, then she just had to make her way to the living room, and then the- aha! The kitchen. She knew where she was going the entire time. Clover’s flashlight caught on jars of old pickles and unopened soda cans that she was definitely gonna get rid of. They had probably been there for ages. Luckily, nothing seemed to have rotted out in the open, which Clover was grateful for. The chill of the house probably helped, even after all of these years.

She found the door to the utility room easily, but groaned when all she saw was a dust covered tool rack and an old mattress. So much for finally being warm. She sighed, shining her phone at the wall once more in hopes that she may have just missed the breaker, but alas, it was not there. Time to head upstairs to the storage room, unless it was in somewhere completely unexpected, like the master bedroom or something. That would be ridiculous though. Who would put an electrical breaker in a bedroom?

Clover managed to make her way back to the front of the house much easier than she was able to find the kitchen, luckily. The upstairs was even smaller than the bottom part of the house, and she was pretty sure she remembered correctly, so hypothetically it shouldn’t take too long to find the utility room. Hypothetically.

The stairs creaked under her feet, and Clover shivered a bit as she turned right. Because she was pretty sure that was the correct room. Wasn’t heat supposed to rise, or something? If anything, the air had gotten slightly colder up here than downstairs, but Clover knew that it was the barely spring chill seeping into the house. Come summertime, she was sure it would be sweltering in here. She should probably make sure that the air conditioning unit was here. And the heater, probably. Most likely.

She was. In a bedroom. Not a storage room. This house was so confusing, but she was sure the floorplan said it was this way. Spotting another door, Clover made her way over, hoping that it was the correct place. She was grateful that the house had wooden door knobs, seeing as she could feel the chill through them. Metal would have been even colder. She smiled when she saw the metal of the breaker glinting from her flashlight.

As Clover stepped in the room, she felt the temperature drop, a chill running over her shoulders as she stood in the doorway, confused. It was so much colder than the rest of the house, and it made her uneasy. Or perhaps that was the unnatural creaking of the floorboards, or the many items scattered about the room that had disturbed the layer of dust on the floor.

It was probably just a broken board that let in the outside air, right? Maybe the wind had knocked over that hammer. Stealing her resolve, Clover started moving towards the breaker, clutching tightly onto her water bottle with one hand and her flashlight with the other. It was fine. She would just get the breaker on, and save this room for when she was actually able to see. And be warm. Which sounded so nice right now. Warm and away from this room.

Clover screamed when a pale, almost transparent face suddenly appeared in front of her, yelling at her with an unnatural screech, and she scrambled back, away from the cold breath of air that washed over her as the face got closer to her. She threw her water bottle at the, the apparition, or creature that had showed up and ignored the prickles on her arm as she raced outside the storage room, through the bedroom, down the stairs and outside to her car, only daring to breathe when she had safely locked the door and double checked to make sure there was no one, or no thing, in there with her.

She was pretty sure she figured out the reason why the previous owners abandoned the place, now.

#deathduo #rat server <3 #rat server #100 days of deathduo #deathduo my beloved #not the qsmp one sorry!#this deathduo was made before qsmp #phasmophobia au #ghost au #uhhh are these all the tags i need?#also!!! clover my absolutely beloved #i adore you so much

9 notes · View notes

cutegirlmayra · 1 year ago

Note

This is probably really out there but here we go. A mysterious lavender hedgehog with familiar jade eyes comes from the future (25ish years) trying to get future Eggman back from destroying the past (modern) verisons of the heroes. She's pretty fast and Sonic finds she's weirdly familiar especially when the insane elderly Eggman goes on about keeping his promise to never touch the girl. Modern Eggman then attacks her, it's revealed she is Sonic's future daughter Velocity (best name I thought of)

Prompt:

“And that’s the gist of it.” The Girl finished tying her dark purple hair up, with streaks of magenta that sparkled like stardust for some reason… There were highlights of gold, but probably from when she turned Super just a few moments ago with Future Chaos Emeralds that helped her to get here with this ‘Uncle’ of hers’ invention. Sonic thought long and hard, his thumb pushing up against his squishy pink muzzle as he contemplated all he had heard. “So,.. our Eggman discovered your other Chaos Emeralds… resulting in that powerful blast that took out so much of that valley..." He looked a little like he was reserving how upset he was at that.

Amy placed a hand on her heart, "That beautiful valley..." She gripped some fabric of her dress, both by her chest and at the white rims of its ends.

"That's awful." Tails looked down, his eyes also twitching as he tightened his jaw, holding back wanting to say more.

"Yeah..." Knuckles looked perturbed as well, folding his arms before looking over at the Girl. "And you say you're a hero from your time?"

"That's right." She tried to be sensitive to the fact that half the crater in the ground just now was her doing... "I apologize." she put her hand to her heart, a bit more firmly than Amy did, as everyone looked up to her at the sudden shift of action. She was holding herself well, taking responsibility, "If I hadn't chased my timeline's Eggman, then none of this disaster would have happened." She looked to Sonic, "I ask you all," then to the others, "Forgive me." and bent her eyes before lowering her head, "I swear I'll make it up to you."

They smiled at her trying to take all the blame.

"It's not your fault alone," Amy interjected, taking a sweet step forward to comfort the kindhearted heroine.

"That's right, how could you have known..." Tails also held his head a bit more higher, and the Girl smiled gently to each of them.

"Thank you, but let me make it up to you. Since I don't know where my time's big baddie went into hiding here in your time, I may as well plant some trees and try and help the scarring." She offered her hand up as a way to symbolize her 'gesture of help'. "Sonic, Knuckles... we'll need someone to till the land and collect some berries."

Sonic smirked, "You got it!" and darted off, not even questioning her sudden leadership.

Surprised by that, Amy also lifted up her hand to volunteer, "I'll help too!"

"Right!" The Girl nodded, eagerly, "Your hammer can pack a wallop, it'll be useful for breaking rocks, creating holes for the seeds to be planted in, and then I'll speed by to bury them up again."

"... How did you..?" Amy looked a bit surprised, but she took off.

"While Knuckles is tilling and digging around, I'll help Sonic collect berries. We should probably figure out an irrigation system first... I'll find a local source of water and use my power to help it reach the crater." She stated, looking over her shoulder as she dashed off before speeding off... so similar... her dust of wind, the blur of color in her wake...

Even her mannerisms... the confidence in her words and abilities...

"O-oh..." Amy narrowed her eyes a bit, "She knows..."

Later on, Amy was hammering away, swinging rocks that were too hard to smash and powder down out of the way to keep the ground soft for planting while Knuckles dug about, shouting out a battle cry of efforts as he did so.

She paused only a moment to lean on her Hammer's stem, wiping the sweat off her face, when Sonic appeared with berries all in his arms.

"Think this will do?" He asked her.

"Yeah, thanks." She smiled gleefully, giggling as he plot them down for her and let them rain from his arms to rolling beside her. "Got quite a haul there, did ya?"

"Yeah. Where's the girl?" He looked about, "She didn't even properly give us a name..."

"Yeah,... like, she's avoiding it... or something." Amy looked around, "Come to think of it... she even knew about my Piko Piko Hammer without ever seeing it before." she looked at her hammer a second, lifting it up as Sonic ducked over the berries.

"Ahhh! Amy, no! The berries! You'll squash them!" he joked about and she puffed up a side of her cheek, successfully being distracted by his antics.

"Oh, you! I wasn't gonna hit them!" she laughed and playfully smacked his back as he closed his eyes and smiled too, pretending to defend the berry patch. "Get up from there, haha!"

"Nooo! The berries, Amy! I worked so hard to find them only for your incredibly hard-hitting and infamous hammer to squish them all into oblivion!" he continued to be dramatic but then his word struck her...

"Oh." Her eyes blinked a second, and she stopped all movement. "Infamous?" She leaned away as he got up, stretching out his 'lightly patted with scolds' back, and looked cheerfully back to her with his arm behind his head, pretty relaxed, but still fully stretching towards the sky.

"Well, yeah! It's obvious to me that in the future, we'll be pretty popular!" he looked out at the crater they were cultivating for vegetation and put relaxed hand down and the other on his hip. "Look, Amy... just look at it." The wind blew gently by them... and the sun illuminated the space as it rose over the curvature of the earth. "Velocity really wants to set things right, we shouldn't question her on this... I'm sure we'll find her old egg-gramp, soon." he put his arms back up over his head... when Amy looked a bit sorry for doubting her.

"Yeah... you're right, she really doesn't mean any harm-... Wait a moment!" Her eyelids bounced up wide, "You-!" she turned to him, as he looked at her with an innocent expression on his face.

"Hmm? Amy? What's wrong?" He asked while Amy pointed to him and moved away.

"You... Yo-yo-yo-you called her Velocity!" She exclaimed, and Sonic jolted in spot, "You-... You know her name!"

"Ah-oh-uh-Gotta run!" he darted off with a few awkward poses of trying to 'negate' her obvious suspicion of him now, too.

"Ah, wait!" she reached out for him... but there was just a pile of loose dirt and dust behind where he must have sped off, too... "Hrmm... Why does that worry me even more?" She bent her ears and head down, not liking the secrecy that swarmed around the girl. But she sighed, "Well, if Sonic can trust her... so can I." she looked up with determination and continued to hammer the ground repeatedly, looking like she was getting it out of her system... the berries lightly bounced and rolled a bit on the ground as she carried on...

Later, Tails reported that he had found the other Eggman, who was trying to snatch the remaining 'Past Chaos Emeralds' from Shadow, but was thwarted and tied up by him and Rouge.

"Awesome!" Amy exclaimed, "She'll be so happy to hear that!" she beamed, as Knuckles pounded his fists together.

"Can't wait to show her the work we've done on the valley! She must be having trouble locating water this far out into the mountains, though." He looked to Amy who nodded to his deductions.

"Sonic told me a little while ago that there are heavy rains coming down from the mountains, and monsoons usually reach this bit of land during the stormy seasons... If he had known she was looking for water, he would have said something sooner." She lifted a hand to explain, as Knuckles looked down and folded his arms tightly again.

"Poor girl..." He stated, "She only wanted to help..."

Amy also looked down... "I'm getting kinda worried..."

"Hey, gang!"

"Ah!" Everyone turned back to see Sonic and Velocity racing back, dragging two sticks behind them. "Sonic!" They seemed to all resonate their voices together in joy at seeing him and the new girl returning... but Amy didn't race to meet them like the others.

She held herself back... seeing Sonic waving and then looking back at Velocity with a charming smile... and her returning it happily...

Her heart hurt suddenly...

She gripped it tighter than before, "What... is this feeling?"

Although happy they found a way to trickle some freshwater towards the valley, Sonic had mentioned they should dig more smaller canals to have the water transport more down the mountain and not drown the new trees that will sprout here.

As they worked, Amy kept looking over her shoulder at the laughter and growing bond between Sonic and...

Velocity.

She gripped her hammer a bit tighter.

The campsite was moderately damp from all the water they were dealing with, making mud and finding it hard to light a fire without dry branches to use, but Velocity used her speed to quickly dry and spark wood together, and everyone seemed to praise her.

"You're pretty useful, Velocity," Amy stated, trying to be polite and kind as the girl looked up with alarm.

"You... You know my name?" She inquired.

"Y-Yes." Amy noticed her slowly coming up from warming herself near the fire. "Sonic... He... He let it slip by." she tilted her head, bending her eyes before smiling and closing them fully. "You two get along great together!"

"You think so?" Velocity wiped her hands off from a job well done and placed them on her hips, stretching herself up to the sky, breathing in the world around her. "Ahhh... the air is always so much clearer after a hard day's work!" she cheered, then winked to Amy, "You weren't half bad yourself there, hammer-girl!"

Amy had an anger mark on the side of her head, but kept her composure, twitching an eyebrow, 'H-Hammer... girl..?'

Velocity snickered a little, "Opps, my apologizes. You're super cute, Amy!" she tried to backtrack but Amy was already twitching a bit.

"It's fine." she held in her annoyance.

"You... planning to go back home, soon?" She asked as the girl twitched a second, scratching the side of her neck.

"Actually..." She blushed a little pathetically, and looked away at the side of her eyes, "Even though my timeline's Eggman is back, I would still like to finish what I've started, and get the crater looking good as new! Tails said he can get some Flickies to fly grass and flower seeds over the wide crater... I think that would be pretty and wonderful to see, don't you?"

Amy was fuming with fire... "Yeah, that's wonderful." she dipped her head down, and getting up, Velocity could definitely tell something was wrong, and that she angered the poor girl.

"U-Uhh... You know, you kinda remind me of my mom..."

Amy stopped a second, "I should go-... Huh?" She was completely shaken out of her previous feelings. She shook her head multiple times and then reached out gently to Velocity, stepping forward a bit tentatively before pulling back, "I-... what was that?"

"My mom." Velocity smiled, distilling the obvious hostilities that must have been created somehow... though she didn't seem phased, and had no desire to question it. "When she got irritated with me, she would always say, 'You're just like your Father! Augh!' but when she was happy with me, she'd always say, 'Ha! Like Father, like Daughter, eh?' and I knew she was proud of me." She turned her body to the side and looked up at the moon.

Her profile...

Amy admired how it looked just like Sonic's...

Her mind flashed to that image of him... and seeing so much of how similar they were, looked away.

"Velocity... I'm sorry." she closed her eyes, as Velocity looked back to her.

"What for?" She wondered.

"I've... I've just been awfully jealous of how you and Sonic get along so well..." She sighed and held her arms together, looking off to the side of the crater, "You can race alongside him... make him laugh... and you both have the spirit of heroes about yourselves... The more I watched you two work together, the more insecure I became... and that was unfair to you." She opened her eyes gently and turned back to Velocity, taking her hands. "But not any longer!"

Velocity lurched back a second, looking awkwardly with her mouth hanging open at the girl's sudden jump towards her and seizing her hands. "W-wha?"

"I won't lose to you, Velocity!" Amy looked pretty stoked, determination coursing through her eyes as Velocity slowly shook her head in utter horror.

"N-No, no, it's not like that-!" she tried to state but Amy continued, letting her hands come up as though the two were praying, putting Velocity's sweating face up near hers as well.

"Two women in a fierce duel of love, each fighting with all her soul and might for her one true love to take notice of her more than the other..!" Amy's eyes gracefully lifted to the stars, shining like gemstones as she declared her intentions with Velocity about to fall on her shaking knees.

"Please, no more..." Her eyes were shaking, "This is not what I meant to-!"

"No woman expects to fall in love, especially with someone as elusive as Sonic The Hedgehog." Amy took a deep, respectful breath in. "But alas, we are what we are. We are made to love, and Sonic just happened to squeeze our hearts without us knowing... it was too late when we did, anyway." She shook her head, "Can't be helped."

"M-Miss Amy, please-!" Velocity's lips trembled, tears on the side of her eyes.

"I won't ask you to back down, Velocity... don't worry." She then looked with a fire blazing in her eyes as though the reflection of the campfire, but even more brighter and powerful than its flames!

"Eeek!" Velocity jolted in spot, "Really, this is so not necessary!" She kept trying to protest but Amy 'marched' on in her 'Woman's suffering' act.

"Two women locked in an endless spiral of longing and envy, each trying their hardest to obtain a heart as free as the wind... But I won't back down either, Velocity! I'm confident in my feelings for Sonic reaching even through the whirling wind!" She leaned forward as Velocity kept trying to get away but Amy's grip was too strong.

"Please, this is a bad dream! A bad dream!" Velocity shook her head, this being too much for her. "Please let me go..!" she fell to her knees at last, her eyes now crying blobs like connected pearl strings down her cheeks, each having a differing shape to them as though morphing with her plight.

"We can't be free of our feelings, Velocity, but although I won't lose Sonic to you, it won't stop me from maintaining a cordial and friendly rivalry with you." Amy let her go but kept a hand still on one of hers.

Velocity was now on her literal KNEES, her other hand on the ground, "It's just a friendship..." she pleaded.

"Exactly... we'll maintain our relations so as to not have anyone suspect us of bad conduct. We'll fight equally and on similar grounds. Hmm-hmm." She nodded at those rules, finding them fair. "But Sonic's mine, you hear me!?" She grinned widely as Velocity seemed to finally take the fatal, ending blow and fell to the ground.

The following day, Amy was constantly trying to intercept Velocity, who kept her distance from Sonic, confusing him.

Plowing and watching the Flickies fly over the Crater, Velocity said her goodbyes and--as a small joke, blew a kiss to Amy before waving things off.

Amy was confused, but Sonic just sniggered.

It wouldn't be until years later... Amy discovered that Velocity...

Was Sonic's own flesh and future blood.

And hers', as well. ^^

#sonamy #future sonic au #anon's oc?#cutegirlmayra #sonic prompt #sonamy prompt

25 notes · View notes

rathologic · 1 year ago

Note

hey, i’m doing Whumptober with Clara, and some of the fics i’m working on require information on the Town, and you seem to know a lot about it!

for now, my first question is just: what do you think the Town does for fires? because it doesn’t seem like they have a firefighting team. do you think they just have to let it burn and hope it doesn’t spread?

(also idk how many questions i may have to ask, but if you don’t want to hear this nonsense, just lmk!)

neat, best of luck with your writing! I'll add to this if I come across any more lines that are relevant (it turns out they say "fire" and "burn" a LOT during this game, so this is mostly off the top of my head...)

IMO, we get lots of firefighting implications from the fact that post-infected districts are burned during the plague! it's mentioned early on that "only patrolmen and couriers are in the streets" (before other parties, such as the arsonists who want to burn the entire town, and the sanitary corps who want to burn the entire town, show up) -- I think it can be inferred if it's not explicitly stated somewhere that the patrolmen are managing controlled district burns. that practice is likely to have continued since at least the first outbreak, after which the Crude Sprawl was burned to the ground and rebuilt.

the demarcations vary by district, but much of the town has cobblestone or gravel ground cover; buildings aren't packed together, and they're generally made of stone, brick, and tile. there are also lots of grassy areas and yards, but scythes exist in the town and I imagine it'd be doable to create firebreaks with the tools at hand. patrolmen also accept Combustible Fluid in trade, which could mean anything but I like to think they use it :-) some wall textures pictured

in terms of firefighting during non-plague times, we have this from Rubin's portrait quote about Saburov:

Alexander is a hero. When fire broke out in the Skinners, he took a pike pole into his own hands to break into burning houses, save people, and put out fire.

we're told that saburov is in charge of organizing the patrolmen during the game, but we're also told that the size of the standing patrol force is very small; it's a volunteer force, and saburov in the above quote is acting as a volunteer (and role model). this suggests that there's at least a sense of community responsibility about fire response...

the (destruction of the) water supply is a big thing in 1, but for firefighting purposes river water would be fine, and we know the Town is not lacking in buckets -- still, we know there's a newly installed town-wide irrigation system in 2, and an expansive sewer system in 1 which extends everywhere except the Earth district. the middle town in particular has these taps/hydrants all over the place:

bonfires are also maintained on the outskirts of town - they seem like permanent constructions, but during the game they're used as signal fires to warn anyone approaching not to enter the town. implies to me some level of attending the fires as they're in the grassiest part... we can also see community relevance of fire in the fact that meat and fish are smoked for preservation, the burning of biological waste (applying to human remains in both games), the use of torches for lighting in Kin cultural areas and kerosene/oil lamps and candles elsewhere, and the fact that the town was constructed after the previous settlement burned down 80 years ago. so I think it's pretty reasonable to assume they're prepared to deal with wildfire :-)

TL:DR firefighting: probably managed by the volunteer patrol, probably by extension under saburov's responsibilities as governor

#all good I'd love to answer more! can't wait :-)#I think literally all the time about saburov the one who takes responsibility for the town living in the poor district which doesn't have #irrigation or fire management amenities. also the way that the majority of the patrolmen are Kin (per haruspex's dialogue).#asks #urdeepestfathoms #pathologic

13 notes · View notes

foggyfanfic · 1 year ago

Text

Love and Fury

Chapter Preview: Bruno spent a little more time than was strictly necessary making a comfy spot for Reina and himself, something he knew he was going to be teased about later. But gosh darn it, he had a hard week. He wanted to be comfy next to his… friend, and enjoy the company of his sisters and their boyfriends (or almost boyfriends in Félix’s case).

Ch1 Prev Next Master List

Chapter 17 Letting Off Steam

Leandra sighed, staring into space while Bruno silently read beside her. It had been a long week. For everybody.

Cicero was getting handsy with her, and every time she saw him it felt like a sick game of tag where the penalty for losing was getting slobbered on by your least favorite person. She’d been able to avoid going anywhere private with him, so he hadn’t been too obnoxious, but even just the occasional pecks on the lips were too much for her taste.

On Monday, Bruno had given a farmer a vision that was supposed to be about crop wield, but ended up being a warning of an oncoming flash flood. Pepa had spent the rest of Monday and the first half of Tuesday trying to stave off the rain until the village was prepared, but the rain had just gathered at the mountain tops beyond her range of control. Instead of holding Tuesday market every spare hand was put to work opening the irrigation system up to absorb most of the excess water, and cleaning out the drains in the village streets, with Julieta standing by to heal any injuries incurred in the rush. When the flood hit, the village was thankfully prepared and Wednesday was spent at an impromptu party in Casita while everybody waited for the water to drain from the main road.

Leandra had done her best to help Bruno, Julieta, and Pepa as they in turn helped their mother host the unexpected event. She was vaguely aware that Agust��n and Félix were also running around helping, but hadn’t had the spare time to see for herself, as she and Julieta had spent the entire time cooking.

Thursday morning was spent cleaning up the residual mud and debris left by the flood, then the market was opened and everybody rushed to pick up the groceries they hadn’t been able to buy before. Bruno hadn’t been able to join her at the stall since every farmer, gardener, and casual flower fan wanted to know how their plants would be affected by the flood.

The rush of customers had carried over into Friday morning, which was a mixed blessing as it meant Cicero only got snatches of conversation out of her before Bruno arrived, tired and grumpy and looking like he might kill Cicero just to make the world a slightly quieter place.

Exhausted as he was, Bruno hadn’t been able to muster up the embarrassment needed to prevent him from parking his chair close to hers, leaning his head on her shoulder and dozing through the late morning and early afternoon.

She had enjoyed the closeness, and especially the hope it gave her. When they both had more energy, she would try some light flirting and see how he responded.

Leandra was prepared to back off if he truly seemed uncomfortable with her flirting, but she was 80% sure he’d only rebuffed her in a misguided attempt at being loyal to Pepa.

Now, he was slumped in his chair, still leaning on her a little, reading his book. Well, she was pretty sure he was reading. His eyes were open and pointed at it, but he hadn’t turned a page in several minutes.

She sighed again.

“Tell me about it,” he muttered, then pinched the bridge of his nose, “ugh.”

“Ugh indeed,” she murmured, then yawned.

“Before I forget, Juli wants me to invite you to a picnic tomorrow,” Bruno closed the book and sat up straight to stretch. She winced sympathetically when his back popped in at least two different places.

“Picnic,” she also stretched, then pressed her arm against his to see if he would lean on her some more, “sounds great.”

“I said we should invite you guys over for a fun-filled afternoon of napping instead,” Bruno scratched at his chin, lazily, “but Pepa wants to play… a game. Of some sort. I forget. Whatever.”

“Picnic, game, nap,” she slowly leaned on him, “wonderful.”

“Ugh,” he said again, and when she leaned her head on his shoulder he wasted no time leaning his cheek on her.

“Very ugh.”

She wouldn’t mind going over to Casita and taking a nap in Bruno’s tent. That big pile of cushions he had was incredibly comfortable, throw in a blanket or two, maybe some light cuddling. She couldn’t think of a better way to spend her Saturday.

“At noon,” Bruno said, after they had been sitting in silence for ten minutes, “should have mentioned that.”

“Hmmm right,” she blinked lazily at the equally tired passerby, “where?”

“Um. The pools… what are they called…?” he waved a vague hand out in front of him.

“Starlit or Mirror?”

“Oh, right, Mirror Pools.”

“Mm-hm, Mirror Pools, noon, tomorrow.”

“Sí.”

Her eyelids were getting heavy. With a sigh she sat up straight and lightly patted her cheeks in an attempt to rid herself of her sleepiness. Bruno groaned at his new found lack of pillow and simply slumped over so he was draped across her lap. It didn’t look very comfortable, especially since his arms and head were dangling over the edge of her legs. Not to mention his hip was still resting in his chair and he was twisted at an odd angle so his chest lay on her thighs.

“You alright?”

“So. Many. Visions.”

“Aw, I’m sorry,” she began rubbing his back.

“It’s not like-! Every single one was the same, so I mean, th-they weren’t hard or anything, because they were the same, all of them,” Bruno groused, dangling arms gesturing sharply, “and I told people that, it would get to their turn and I’d be like ‘some crops will need to be harvested later than we thought, but everything will be fine’ a-and then they’d be like ‘but what about my crops’ and of course I can’t be like ‘what did I just say?!’ I have to be all like ‘I did not see any food shortages so it's safe to say they’ll be fine’ and then they’re always like ‘can you check anyways’ and I want to say ‘aren’t you a farmer, don’t you know what your plants look like when they’re in trouble’ but I have to say ‘oh sure, absolutely, gosh what was I thinking, I would love to use my unworldly and very draining powers to watch your plants grow’. Ugh!”

Leandra frowned sympathetically and continued to rub his back, “That sounds very frustrating.”

“Oh, it is,” he grumbled, arms going limp again.

He lay across her lap until his spine started complaining then reluctantly sat up. Bruno wondered if he could convince Reina to come back to his place for that aforementioned fun-filled nap time. Did that sound like a come on? That definitely sounded like a come on.

But could anyone blame him if he missed nap time? Oh, to be young again.

After a bit of thinking, Bruno had decided that at least a part of what made the past week so difficult was that he didn’t get to spend any time with people he actually liked. Not that there was anything wrong with the assorted farmers of Encanto, but they never laughed at his jokes.

They never even seemed to realize he made jokes.

He missed the days when a storm would come and he would curl up under a blanket with his sisters and listen to the rain fall. Now it was all vision, vision, vision. And what’s that?! More visions!

Truly the greatest tragedy of their age.

“Should I bring anything?” Leandra asked suddenly, then when Bruno just stared at her in confusion tacked on, “To the picnic.”

“Oh, uh, drinks? A-and cups,” Bruno answered.

She nodded, “Picnic, noon, Mirror Pools, drinks and cups. Bien.”

They settled back into exhausted silence.

Leandra groaned and grumbled when the market started closing down and she was forced to stand and pack up. After a moment’s hesitation, Bruno got up to help.

“Gracias gaupo- I mean, Bruno,” she murmured as he handed her the sample cheese to pack into the insulated crate. After sitting out half the day, it wouldn’t be good to sell on Tuesday, but she could throw it in some arepas for Sunday’s lunch.

He bit his lip to keep from asking her to call him “guapo” again.

Leandra took note of his lack of response and spent the rest of the day debating what it meant. Did it mean he didn’t mind the pet name? Or maybe he did mind but didn’t have the energy to make a stink?

If she was any less tired the question would have kept her awake that night, but as it was, she went to bed early, and woke up late. She had dreamed, she knew she had, but all she remembered was sitting naked in the pool in Bruno’s cave, asking a rat what he wanted to be called.

Bruno’s dreams were a bit more vivid, featuring Reina napping in his bed, waiting for him, while he was forced to watch moss grow. He grumbled about it to Julieta as he helped her prepare the picnic food, (except, he left out the Reina bit). She patted him on the back.

“Maybe you can take a nap while Pepa plays whatever game Félix was going on about,” she suggested.

“Oh, the game was Félix’s idea, that makes sense,” he nodded to himself, then frowned at his sister, “a-and it’s not that I’m even all that tired now. Really, I feel great, it-it’s just… the principle of the matter. I can’t even get some sleep while I’m sleeping.”

Julieta had fondly rolled her eyes at his complaining, then sent him to find a wagon to carry everything.

They packed up a blanket and some cushions from his tent, as well as the food, then set out. Naturally, Agustín was waiting for them right outside the door, a bag full of pastries under one arm.

They ran into Félix, who was carrying a bag full of hackysacks and two boards with a big hole cut in each, on their way through town. Leandra met them on the path to the pools, carrying a basket full of dishware, some cups and three thermoses.

“Coffee, lemonade, and tea, respectively,” she told Bruno when he asked.

The pools were still a lot more full than usual, but they had no problem finding some dry rock between one pool and another to set up on.

Bruno spent a little more time than was strictly necessary making a comfy spot for Reina and himself, something he knew he was going to be teased about later. But gosh darn it, he had a hard week. He wanted to be comfy next to his… friend, and enjoy the company of his sisters and their boyfriends (or almost boyfriends in Félix’s case).

“Gracias,” Leandra said, as she handed him the plate full of food she’d prepared for him. He took it, and hers as well, as she lowered herself to the cushions he’d carefully arranged.

“Don’t mention it,” he handed her, her plate back, “I have spent way too much time on my feet this week to not be comfy.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Julieta grumbled, she was in Agustín’s lap, slumped against him as he poured some coffee for the both of them.

“Do you know how hard it is to hold back rain when your feet hurt so much you want to cry up a hurricane,” Pepa snapped, apparently lecturing the sky for giving her so much trouble.

“How would we possibly know that?” Julieta asked dryly, Pepa opened her mouth to retort, but Bruno cut her off.

“Good thing Félix was able to keep you company,” Bruno said, hiding his grin behind his own cup.

She sent him a glare as her cheeks colored, then turned to Leandra, “Hm yes, but it’s a pity you couldn’t come soothe Bruno’s headache for him.”

Bruno blushed, glancing at Reina who was exchanging grins with Félix. It almost looked like they were about to shake hands, or pat each other on the back. He was about to ask her what that was about but didn’t get the chance.

“I only wish I could have been there to help you,” Agustín told Julieta in a voice that probably wasn’t meant to be heard by the entire group.

“From what I heard, you helped plenty,” Leandra said, “or was that someone else Felípe helped off the roof of Casita?”

“It better not have been,” Agustín joked.

“Dearest,” Julieta asked patiently, “what were you doing on the roof?”

“Your Mamá almost caught me when I was sneaking out,” he explained with a sheepish grin, “then I got stuck.”

“For three hours,” Félix supplied.

“Eh, could have been worse,” Agustín shrugged, “didn’t get caught.”

Julieta shook her head and smiled fondly, “The things you go through for me.”

“Worth it, all of it,” he reassured her.

The couple kissed and there was a chorus of ew’s and one “Get a room.” Julieta responded by kissing her boyfriend harder.

They happily stuffed their faces for a little while, before Félix asked, “Did any of you have to deal with Señor Florence?”

Four loud groans almost drowned out Agustín asking, “No, why?”

“He was the farmer whose vision started all this,” Bruno said.

“Which apparently, in his mind at least, means he’s in charge of the whole operation,” Pepa rolled her eyes while Félix patted her back, “he spent the whole time trying to tell people what to do instead of actually, oh I don’t know, helping?!”

“I’m impressed you didn’t hit him with lightning,” Félix grinned wryly at her, “I wanted to and I don’t even have magic weather powers.”

“Oh believe me, the thought of zapping him was key in keeping the sun shining,” she sniffed “I can’t believe he actually tried to tell me how to control the weather! As if he would know!”

“He kept checking on my line of people and trying to decide who did and didn’t need healing,” Julieta complained, she stuffed a forkful of food into her mouth and chewed on it angrily for a little, then said, “which of course just held up the line. And made everybody irritable by the time they got to me. I tried telling him to leave my patients alone but he just huffed something about layabouts taking advantage of me or something.”

“I had to help my Pá get the goats inside before I could come help, right? So I do, then I come down to see what work was needed, and the minute I reach town he’s lecturing me about lazing around when there’s work to be done,” Leandra made a noise of disgust, “so then I was like, ‘why are you standing around lecturing people when you could be doing something useful’ and he started going on about how he’s trying to keep things organized.”

“Tell me this story ends with you punching him,” Pepa interjected and Leandra chuckled wryly.

“No, sorry, I just pointed out that if he was actually in charge of organizing things, he would know that the village’s herdsmen had to get their livestock to safety before helping.”

“What did he say to that?”

“Something about being busy and having a lot of moving parts to take care of, he was walking away while he said it,” she shrugged, then turned to Bruno, “what’s your horror story?”

“Oh, I uh I was helping Mamá, you know, the person who was actually in charge of organizing everything,” Bruno said, “really he annoyed her more than me. She was trying to make sure the farms that were going to get hit the hardest got the most help, and he kept stopping in to ‘give advice’. Except- I mean, the advice he was giving? It was things that Mamá was already doing.”

There were various noises of disgust and second hand outrage.

“Yeah, I… I really thought I was going to have to help Mamá hide his body,” Bruno shook his head, chuckling ruefully, “I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen her that close to snapping.”

“I bet I can,” Agustín piped up, and both Julieta and Pepa broke out into giggles.

“I sense a story?” Félix leaned over and grabbed a pastry from the bag Agustín had set in the middle of the blanket.

“Alright, so, in case you don’t know, Señora Madrigal is… well, it’s not that she doesn’t like me, it’s just-.”

“I don’t know what Mamá’s problem is,” Julieta cut him off, sighing loudly, “you treat me well, we’re happy together, you come from a perfectly good family. What more could a mother ask for?”

“I’m pretty sure it’s the accident thing,” Pepa said, in the tone of somebody who had shared this opinion many times before, “Mamá is convinced that you’re just using our sweet, innocent Julieta to support your addiction to falling flat on your face.”

“Well, it is my favorite thing to do in the whole wide world,” Agustín replied dryly, before continuing, “so it was perhaps a year into our relationship, sí?”

“Sí.”

“Mamá was beginning to lose hope that Juli would come to her senses and dump him,” Pepa cut in.

Julieta cried, “I have come to my senses! Being with a man who treats me well is a very sensible thing to do.”

“You know what would be more sensible…?” Pepa exchanged a sly glance with Bruno while Julieta tried to shush the both of them.

“What about that nice Alejandro boy?” Pepa and Bruno said together, in what was clearly an impression of their mother, “He’s such a sturdy young man.”

“Uuuuuugh,” Julieta groaned loudly, “he’s fine, Alejandro is fine, but I don’t love Alejandro, I love Agustín. I don’t know how many times I’m going to have to say that before she accepts it.”

“Better say it once a day for the rest of your life,” Agustín suggested, then gave a little shrug, “just to be safe.”

Julieta and Agustín got sidetracked in each other’s eyes, so Pepa picked up the story, “So! Agustín and Julieta have been together for a year and Juli invites Agustín over for dinner. And it’s incredibly obvious that there’s more going on here than just dinner, she’s making all of Mamá’s favorites-.”

“Oh! This story,” Bruno suddenly interjected, then blushed when everyone looked his way. Leandra saw an opportunity to enact Operation Testing the Waters and drew him close so he could hide behind her.

Félix raised an eyebrow at her and she raised one back, looking pointedly at his hand which was still on Pepa’s back. He shrugged as if to say “touché” and they both returned their attention to Agustín, who had reclaimed the narrative thread.

“The thing is, well, you know, Juli and I aren’t going to be young forever, and we’ve been together for two years now, and it’s not like we’ve never talked about the future,” Agustín said, “so of course, about a year in, I thought- we thought, ‘gee maybe we should start talking about marriage’.”

“Oooh,” Félix said, as he started to see where the story was going. Meanwhile Leandra turned to Bruno grinning and had to stifle her giggles when he winked at her conspiratorially.

“Sí, and you would think Mamá would be perfectly happy to see me married to the man of my dreams,” Julieta huffed, “so I make all her favorites, I spend the whole day buttering her up, AND talking up Agustín. Then dinner comes along, Agustín arrives, I’m ready for us all to sit and eat but Mamá is like ‘wait, there’s one more guest coming’.”

Bruno and Pepa snickered while Félix and Leandra made various noises of dread.

“There’s a knock at the door-,” Pepa rushed to say.

“Casita opens it with a loud ‘creeeeeeeaaak’,” Bruno jumped in, complete with sound effects.

“And guess who’s standing there with a bouquet of flowers?” Agustín finished.

“Alejandro,” Félix and Leandra said as one.

“So we proceed to have the worst, most awkward dinner in the entire history of food,” Julieta shook her head, cheeks turning red just at the memory, “Mamá spent the entire time talking up Alejandro while I was trying to do the same for Agustín. And well…”

“I just happened to notice that Alejandro was getting a bit self conscious,” Agustín rubbed at the back of his neck, “and I felt bad for the guy! None of this was his fault, right?!”

“I love you so much,” Julieta’s voice was filled to the brim with exasperation.

“So now both Mamá and Agustín are talking Alejandro up,” Pepa said.

“Which just made him confused,” Bruno pointed out.

“And finally Juli can’t take it anymore,” Pepa laughed and slapped her knee, “she gets up, turns to Agustín and yells-.”

Agustín, Bruno, and Pepa all said it at the same time while Julieta put her head in her hands, “Well if you like the man my mother chose so much, why don’t you marry him?!”

Félix and Leandra burst out laughing while the four who were there exchanged grins. When the laughter subsided, Agustín cleared his throat.

“But wait- it doesn’t end there,” he said, “Julieta rushed off and I knew I had messed up, so I went running after her. I apologized and explained myself, she forgave me and apologized for how the night had turned out. One thing led to another and…”

“And Mamá felt that she also owed Juli an apology,” Bruno deadpanned.

“Oh no,” Leandra gasped, putting a hand over her mouth while Félix sucked air in through his teeth.

“Oh yes,” Pepa said, “Mamá had finished out the dinner, apologized to Alejandro, gave Juli a bit of time to calm down, then went to talk to her.”

“Did she knock?”

“Sí, but only as a warning before she opened the door,” Julieta shook her head, “fortunately, by then we were just cuddling under the blankets but well, it wasn’t like we’d bothered to put our clothes back on. And of course, Agustín, love of my life, only made things worse by trying to be funny. What did you say, mi amor?”

“I-I was just trying to break the tension.”

“What did you say?”

Agustín grimaced, “I- and this was a joke, I wasn’t remotely serious, I asked her if she’d let me marry Juli if I got her pregnant first.”

Félix burst out laughing immediately but Leandra choked on her own spit and went into a coughing fit. Bruno rubbed her back until it settled. Agustín put his head in his hands, moving his glasses out of the way so he could rub at his eyes while he groaned loudly.

“Come to think of it, that would be the exact reason why we’re not married yet,” Julieta sighed, even as she twisted to pet Agustín’s hair.

“Well, now I know what not to do,” Leandra whispered to Bruno, although she was pretty sure Pepa heard her.

“Somehow, I don’t think Mamá would take you threatening to impregnate Julieta all that seriously,” Bruno retorted, apparently completely missing what Leandra was going for. She laughed anyway, because it was funny.

“So, your guys’ turn,” Agustín said.

“What? Our turn to tell an embarrassing story about you?” Leandra asked, grinning mischievously.

He rolled his eyes at her and said, “Actually I was thinking we might play Fuck, Marry, Kill.”

“I might take you up on that a little later,” Leandra told him, trying to communicate Operation Testing the Water to him through eye contact alone.

He must have picked something up because he glanced at Bruno then gave her a sympathetic look, “Just let me know.”

“I’ve never played that game before,” Bruno confessed.

“Agustín and I used to play it all the time. Of course, it stopped being fun when he kept picking Julieta for ‘marry’.”

“I like Julieta.”

“She wasn’t even an option half the time! He chose her even when we were doing fictional characters.”

“Details,” Agustín shrugged, then bent his head to kiss his girlfriend on the cheek. She blushed and giggled like a school girl.

“S-so it’s exactly what it sounds like, right?” Bruno asked her quietly, while Julieta and Agustín continued to flirt. Pepa turned to Félix and asked him about the game he’d brought and they were soon busy setting it up.

“Sí, you pick three people, preferably of equal attractiveness, like say… you, Agustín, and Félix. Then everybody has to decide who they would fuck, marry, or kill,” she turned more fully towards him, even though it meant sacrificing their physical contact, “if the three people you pick are equally attractive then it can actually get really hard to choose and people end up killing people for the weirdest reasons. Like with you three I have to kill Agustín because he’s already in a committed relationship.”

She was hoping he would take the bait and ask her whether that meant she would fuck him or marry him, which would give her the opening to list off a few of his more attractive qualities, but instead Bruno just nodded, “Makes sense. You can’t marry another woman’s boyfriend, but killing him is definitely ok.”

“Exactly,” she grinned, “so, you want to play?”

“Sí, Dracula, Victor Frankenstein, or the Wolfman,” he launched right into it.

“That ones easy,” Agustín interjected, “you marry Dracula. He’s rich.”

“But he also already has three wives,” Leandra argued back, “fuck Dracula, marry the wolf man. Sorry Victor.”

“You could marry and kill Dracula, for the inheritance,” Julieta pointed out.

Bruno nodded, “Frankenstein comes from a rich family so you could do the same to him.”

“The game isn’t called Pick The Most Lucrative Murder Victim, it’s called Fuck, Marry, Kill,” Leandra said.

“Sí, it is vitally important that you follow the rules, otherwise we’ll have nothing but anarchy,” Agustín gave them a faux serious face.

“Bien, marry Dracula, fuck the wolfman,” Bruno decided.

“Hmm, I’m going to go against the grain and marry Frankenstein, kill the Wolfman,” Julieta said, “I sort of want to know what effect my gift would have on the monster.”

They spent a while playing word games, frequently arguing over the rules. Pepa returned and Félix lured Bruno away to play a round of corn hole, which Agustín joined in on.

“Sooo,” Pepa said slyly, once the men folk were thoroughly distracted with their game, “Srta. Lopez, what exactly are your intentions with our sweet Brunito.”

“Oh good, I’m glad somebody noticed, I was beginning to think the constant physical contact was a bit too subtle,” Leandra sighed.

The two sisters giggled, Julieta glancing at the boys before saying, “Be patient with him, he’s not used to that sort of attention.”

“Really? I mean, I know he’s maybe not the most popular person in town, but… he’s just so pretty,” Leandra shook her head, “I have a hard time believing I’m the first to make a pass at him.”

“You’re not,” Pepa reassured her, “but it happens pretty rarely and he usually doesn’t notice when it does. As you can see.”

Leandra drummed her fingers on the blanket, “I was being a little more forward before, then he said something that might have been a rejection, might not. I’ve backed off a bit, I don’t want to make him uncomfortable, but…”

“But it really seems like he’s into you too,” Julieta finished for her, “I had a similar problem with Agustín. I knew he had a crush on me, but I had a hard time convincing him that yes, I am flirting with you.”

“I remember that,” Leandra threw a wry grin at her friend’s back, “he was absolutely twisted up in knots trying to examine every little thing you said for hidden messages. Rosalie and I kept telling him you were flirting but then he’d be all ‘let’s not fall victim to wishful thinking’.”

Julieta laughed, putting a hand to her heart, “Aw my poor corazon. I’m glad I eventually got through to him.”

“Any advice?”

“I eventually gave up and just kissed him,” Julieta shrugged, “so if you want to make sure Bruno is comfortable with you making a move before doing so… maybe don’t do what I did.”

“If this carries on for too long, I’ll probably just ask him to clarify where his boundaries are,” Leandra said, then grinned at Pepa, “anyways, how are things going with Félix?”

Pepa smiled brightly, then frowned, then smiled a little sadly, “We’re taking things slow. I don’t feel-. I need a little more time before I jump into anything.”

“He doesn’t seem bothered with waiting a little,” Leandra pointed out.

“No, no he doesn’t,” Pepa agreed, the sun shining a little bit brighter.

“I like Félix,” Julieta declared it like a judge declaring a ruling, “I like the way he treats you.”

“Well, if he has the Golden Child seal of approval,” Pepa teased.

“He does,” Julieta stuck her nose in the air earning a light shove from her sister.

They were interrupted by a couple of loud peels of laughter from Félix and Agustín, while Bruno looked pleasantly surprised. Leandra smiled fondly at him and his shy little grin, dios it made her want to go over there and plant one on him.

They watched the men play for a while. Félix won, at least Leandra was pretty sure Félix won. Unless the object of the game was to lose the most hacky sacks, then Agustín won.

Either way, Bruno came in second.

“They do make a pretty picture,” Pepa said, eyeing Félix as he gave Bruno a friendly smack on the back.

“Oh definitely,” Julieta agreed, “not to brag, but I have definitely scooped up the most handsome man in the village.”

Pepa rolled her eyes, “Sure, sure, if you happen to be sexually attracted to twigs.”

“I’m going to win this argument,” Leandra said quietly, not bothering to repeat herself when Julieta accidentally spoke over her.

“He isn’t a twig, he’s just tall. Look at his shoulders, those are not twig shoulders,” she crossed her arms.

“No offense, he’s fine, perfectly fine, but Félix, well… he’s fine,” Pepa picked up a pastry and used it to gesture as she spoke.

“Bruno is obviously the most handsome,” Leandra said, peacefully, unbothered by the look the other two women gave her.

“Félix is a very handsome man, of course he is, but look at Agustín’s cheekbones,” Julieta poured herself some tea then sipped it primly.

“Bah, look at Félix’s arms, those are fantastic arms,” Pepa bit viciously into her pastry.

“Bruno is obviously the most handsome, because!” Leandra paused to throw her companions a winning grin, “Nobody in town can compete with the beauty of a Madrigal.”

Pepa and Julieta giggled, rolling their eyes at her and shaking their heads, but eventually Pepa tossed her red curls off her shoulder and haughtily said, “Well, I suppose I can’t argue with that.”

“It is a fair point,” Julieta nodded, fixing her skirt.

“What’s a fair point?” Félix asked, suddenly appearing to grab the lemonade and three cups.

Pepa spoke loud enough for everybody to hear, “Srta. Lopez has pointed out that Bruno is the most handsome of you three, because there’s no competing with Madrigal beauty.”

“Oh come on hermana,” Agustín groused, “I walk away for ten minutes and you’re putting the moves on my girlfriend.”

“Watch out ami, I’ll take your girl, and your sock collection,” Leandra called back.

She heard Bruno quietly ask, “You have a sock collection?”

“I like colorful socks,” Agustín shrugged, then lifted the legs of his tailored trousers to show his mismatched, brightly dyed socks.

“Oh, very nice,” Bruno said.

“Now hold on, let’s not gloss over the fact that the girls are over here,” Félix put a hand to his chest in a big show of offense then hissed, “objectifying us.”

“Oh, you’re right,” Agustín put the back of his hand to his forehead, “I feel like a sack of meat.”

“I’m fine with it,” Bruno shrugged, “I-I think you guys are just bitter that I’m- that you’re not as pretty as I am.”

Félix let out a loud bark of laughter while Agustín faked a gasp, then pointed a finger at Bruno, “You take that back!”

“I’ll have you know I’m ten times as pretty as you are,” Félix fluttered his eyelashes.

“Hey, I didn’t make the call,” he held up his hands, “t-talk to them.”

“Sure, talk to us, tell us that I’m wrong about the Madrigals being the most beautiful people in town,” Leandra smirked. Pepa wiggled her fingers at the men while Julieta just rolled her eyes, chuckling.

Agustín pretended to wince while Félix shook his fist at Bruno, “You win this round hermano, but just you wait, I’ll be prettier than you yet.”

Agustín sat back down next to Julieta and whispered something in her ear that had her grinning happily at him, while Félix apparently gave up on continuing his game and rejoined Pepa. Bruno was the last to realize the game was over, he dropped the hacky sack he’d been holding and strolled over to his original spot by Leandra.

“Was it fun?” Leandra asked, while Félix and Agustín were busy flirting with Bruno’s sisters.

“Yeah,” Bruno shrugged, “got my hands all dusty though.”

Leandra saw an opportunity and jumped on it, “Let me see.”

“My… dusty hands?”

“Sí.”

“Alright?” Bruno drew the word out into a question, even as he offered her both of his hands. She took them in hers, pretending to examine them.

“Hm, which is your dominant hand?”

“Left, why?”

She dropped his right hand and turned her full attention on his left. Leandra bent over his palm, and traced a finger over the longest line, “Ok, so. This is your life line, and it tells me that… you’re going to have a career change soon.”

Bruno let out a surprised bark of laughter, drawing the attention of the other picnic goers, then sheepishly cleared his throat, “Oh really? I’m going to quit the Village Seer gig? In exchange for what, exactly?”

“Hey,” she looked at him through her lashes, pouting playfully, “Do you want to know your future or not?”

“Not really.”

“Hush, the magic is happening,” she turned her eyes back to his palm and traced a different line, “Hm, see this here is either your love line or your family line.”

“A real paragon of accuracy, aren’t you.”

“So! Either you’re going to get married five times-.”

“Five?! W-where exactly am I finding five wives?”

“I didn’t say you were marrying five different women, just that you’ll be married five times.”

“Why would I marry one woman five times?”

“Or. OR! It’s your family line and you will have, one, two… eleven babies.”

“Well then, those five wives will really come in handy,” he rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t help but laugh at her antics.

She smiled back, “I like your laugh.”

“O-oh?” he gulped, suddenly aware of how close she was, rather than giving him a verbal answer she just nodded, a gentle look in her eyes. A nervous giggle bubbled its way out of his throat and he fought the urge to grimace at how high pitched it was.

Slowly, she pulled her eyes back down to his hand, she turned it so that she could plant her palm against his, then went, “hmmmmmmm.”

“W-what is it?”

“You have really long fingers.”

“And?”

“That tells me you could probably play a musical instrument really well if you wanted to.”

He laughed again, “You’d be surprised. I mean, I’m fine at it, b-but I never spend enough time practicing.”

“Would you like to show me sometime?” Leandra asked, pitching her voice a little lower and leaning in a little closer, “I bet you’re better than you think.”

“Actually if you want to talk music, you should talk to Agustín,” Bruno said, then jumped when he heard Pepa break into a fit of laughter.

Slowly, he turned to look at the others and found everybody was still watching him and Reina, except for Pepa who was giggling helplessly into her hands. Julieta had her lips pressed together and seemed to be trying to communicate something to him through pointed looks alone. Félix and Agustín were giving Reina a sympathetic look, Félix leaned over and muttered something to Reina that almost sounded like “It was a good try”, then patted her on the back.

Bruno looked back at Reina, whose smile looked a little like a grimace to him.

“I-I mean, if you really want to-, maybe the three of us-?” Bruno tried, Pepa laughed even harder. He looked to Julieta, hoping he would spontaneously develop telepathy, but he still had no clue what she was trying to tell him.

Reina sighed, then she rubbed his back, making him feel slightly better about apparently missing something that was obvious to everybody else. At least he hadn’t offended her. She quietly told him, “I’ll explain when we don’t have an audience.”

“Por favor,” Bruno said, emphatically.

“No, no, don’t. I want to see how long it takes him to figure it out,” Pepa finally recovered from her laughter.

Bruno grabbed an arepa and threw it at Pepa who gasped dramatically then frisbied a tortilla at his face. This, because they were very mature twenty-six year olds, meant war. Julieta shielded Agustín, and occasionally threw anything that strayed her way back at her siblings, but otherwise stayed out of it.

When the food fight eventually ended, the six friends made a game of figuring out where all the food ended up. Most of it had landed in one pond or another and was already being eaten by fish.

“Do you think that’s ok? L-like it won’t hurt the fish, right?” Bruno asked.

“Juli made most of it, so at worst it’ll balance out her healing powers,” Pepa answered.

“Let’s pick up what we can anyways,” Julieta pulled a tortilla off a tree branch, “if we feed the wildlife it might follow us home, then Bruno will want to keep it.”

“Hey!”

“Señor Hissy Fit?”

“Bien, fair point.”

“A snake?” Leandra asked, brushing some dirt off an arepa.

“No, no, snakes eat rats, I would never,” Bruno shook his head, “a very grumpy tapir.”

Félix frowned, “This wouldn’t happen to be the same tapir that went on a rampage through the market fifteen years ago?”

The triplets all exchanged a look, then as one said, “No, different tapir. Coincidence.”

“Tell me everything?” Agustín asked Julieta.

“Later,” she whispered back, with a wink.

Bruno looked up from the croissant that was wedged between two rocks and found Reina pouting at him, a pleading look in her large brown eyes. He set his jaw, but crumbled almost immediately, sighing and nodding.

“Wait, hey now, if you’re going to tell those two anyways, you might as well tell me,” Félix protested.

Pepa gave her siblings a harsh look, “Now look at what you’ve done.”

Bruno shrugged at her apologetically. Julieta was unaffected, and as soon as they’d finished picking up the food and had started on the path back to the village, she launched into the story.

“Alright, so, it all started when Bruno, Pepa, and I were having a picnic…”

#bruno madrigal #bruno madrigal x oc #bruno madrigal x female oc #bruno encanto #Love and Fury

11 notes · View notes

slowroadtosantiago · 2 years ago

Text

Day 12 - Najera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada

The Guide Book says today was 13.2 miles, but we made a small diversion for lunch and my phone says 14.5 miles.

We had our bags transferred today so travelled light. As we walk more days the pads of our feet are getting a bit sore and the rucksack feels heavier and heavier! It’s really easy to have it transferred, most albergue’s have envelopes belonging to the carriers which you attach to your rucksack. You need to have somewhere reserved to send it to, and I have been doing all the booking online.

Anyway, back to today…We set off as usual at 7:30 in overcast weather with the odd spot of rain. Within half an hour we had our ponchos on but it never got more than a bit drizzly.

We climbed out of the town through some forestry passing an odd statue of Jesus up on the hill. The hillside, path, rocks and land in general is very red in this part.

There were plenty of vineyards to admire, some being very well kept with guys at the side of the path strimming the weeds away. The above ground irrigation system was interesting to see.

We were making for Azofra for breakfast, about 4 miles away. Breakfast was the usual coffee, orange juice and pain au chocolat. But to be honest the novelty is now wearing off and we’re thinking of other things that we could have instead.

The lunch stop was about another 6 miles away so we plodded on. Our lives are defined by how far away the villages are for breakfast, lunch and final destination!

The landscape initially wasn’t particularly pretty, the path passing by the side of a motorway, but it soon turned inland and we were once again rewarded by huge open fields, reverting back to the chalk path, deep green barley fields, yellow rape fields and poppies by the pathway. The weather cleared up, the sun came out, and we had some amazing views either side to the hills and mountains.

As we approached Ciruena, our lunch stop, we initially went through what looked like a golf resort, with modern seemingly empty houses, a golf course and swimming pool. It all looked a bit out of place and odd.

We diverted off the waymarked path into Ciruena village to the local bar for a welcome drink (Jane had freshly squeezed orange juice and I the local lemonade that I have become very attached to) and a warm tuna, cheese and egg roll.

After lunch we carried on through the open landscape finally reaching Santo Domingo shortly after 2.

We’re in an ancient very large albergue right in the middle of the old town. Our room is in the old part of the hostel up in the eaves. All bar one of the beds are single beds, it’s like an old school dorm!

I chilled until 5 while Jane went for a wander, then we both went to see the cathedral. It’s huge and they have done a good job inside of making sure everything is explained very well.

We had a Pilgrim’s menu in the square then went to find the supermarket for a few bits. On the way we passed groups of youngsters practicing for a dance competition and it was great to watch them.

Now we’re back and chilling, and hoping we’ll get some sleep. Tomorrow is a very short day so hopefully we can snooze in the afternoon.

10 notes · View notes

jacquelinemerritt · 2 years ago

Text

Dragon Ball Z: Abridged Episode 50 Review

Originally posted June 22nd, 2016

Team Four Star continues a streak of fun, entertaining episodes.

If there is one thing that is genuinely impressive about Dragonball Z: Abridged, it’s how Team Four Star has been working with the same premise for eight years while continually mining fresh comedic content out of the source material. This is most helped by the incredible restraint Team Four Star has shown in making direct fun of the source material.

Excluding the two episodes of Dragonball Z Kai: Abridged,1 they have waited until eight years and fifty episodes have passed before cracking a joke about clip shows, and as a result, what is arguably the lowest joke fodder in your standard anime abridged series is turned into an earned and well timed joke (especially since it’s at the expense of Goku’s shoddy memory).

Of course, mining fresh comedy is also helped by their characters’ personalities being very well established, so as to create easy comedy by bouncing them off of each other. Most of this episode does that with Cell and Vegeta, and it is damn good at showcasing the arrogance of these two, as Vegeta makes his triumphant return and Cell has his dreams of perfection crushed before, in a moment of true dramatic irony, Cell uses the pride Vegeta has gained with his victory to plant the very seeds of his defeat, leaving Trunks to look on as his father plays himself.

Rating: 4/5

If you enjoyed this review, consider supporting me on Patreon.

Stray Observations

1I would also argue that Kai Abridged isn’t actually making fun of clip shows, but rather is simply an outlet for Team Four Star to tell as many jokes in quick succession as humanly possible (while also serving as an easy recap for the seasons).

Cell: “Stop fisting me!” Vegeta: “Okay.” *pulls out* Cell: “Not all at once!”

Cell: “Can I have a minute?” Vegeta: “Shoryuken (Sure you can).” *uppercuts Cell* I have been in awe of how freaking clever this little pun is since this episode came out. It’s goddamn brilliant I tell you. Goddamn brilliant.

Vegeta: “I’m about to pound you so hard the boy’s mother is going to be jealous.”

Vegeta: “Bitch, I’m adorable.”

Okay, question about Dragonball Z: If the Room of Spirit and Time makes a year go by in just a day, why don’t they just grow a bunch of Senzu beans every six hours or something by planting them inside? Sure there might be some logistical hurdles to overcome, but that’s why irrigation systems exist yo.

To all of my loyal readers, thank you so much for your patience. As you might have guessed, in the aftermath of the Orlando shooting I fell into a pretty significant depressive state, and was unable to write any criticism during that time. Things are looking up now though, and now that I’ve settled into my new job, you can expect the weekly reviews of DBZA to start up again, and once they’re finished I’ll make sure I find something else to write about.

Also, I do apologize for this review being as short as it is, but in my defense, the episode is one of their shorter ones, and while I usually try to say things about the series as a whole in these circumstances, I kind of feel like I’ve covered as much as I can in that regard, which I suppose is appropriate, given that after almost a year of writing these reviews, I’m nearly caught up with the show itself.

#dragon ball z abridged #dragon ball z #team four star #tfs #dbza #dbz #dbza ep50

8 notes · View notes

iplkamlaagroindustries · 1 year ago

Text

Enhancing Agricultural Productivity with Laser Land Levelers: Pioneering Precision Farming Techniques

Introduction

In the ever-evolving realm of agriculture, technological innovations have become instrumental in maximizing productivity and sustainability. One such ground breaking technology that has revolutionized farming practices is the laser land leveler. This advanced equipment utilizes laser technology to precisely level agricultural fields, leading to increased efficiency, reduced water usage, and enhanced crop yields.

Precision Farming: The Need of the Hour

Rapid population growth and urbanization have put immense pressure on agriculture to produce more food with limited resources. To meet this growing demand, farmers are turning to precision farming techniques that optimize every aspect of the agricultural process. Precision farming involves the use of advanced technologies, data analysis, and automation to make informed decisions about farming practices. sports Laser Land Leveler are at the forefront of this precision farming revolution, offering unparalleled accuracy and efficiency in land preparation.

How Laser Land Leveler Work

Laser Land Leveler operate on a simple yet highly effective principle. A laser transmitter emits a laser beam across the field, which is received by a sensor mounted on the land leveler. The sensor continuously measures the height difference between the ground surface and the desired level set by the laser beam. As the land leveler moves, its hydraulic system adjusts the blade height in real-time, ensuring that the field is precisely leveled according to the specified slope and grade. This automated process eliminates human error and guarantees a uniform surface, essential for optimal irrigation and crop growth.

Benefits of Laser Land Leveler

Increased Efficiency: sports Laser Land Leveler significantly reduce the time and labor required for land preparation. Traditional leveling methods often involve manual labor and multiple passes, whereas Laser Land Leveler can achieve the desired results in a single pass, saving both time and energy.

Water Conservation: Precise leveling ensures uniform water distribution across the field, preventing water wastage due to uneven terrain. By eliminating low spots where water can accumulate and high spots where water can run off, Laser Land Levelers contribute to water conservation, a critical concern in agriculture today.

Enhanced Crop Yields: Uniform land surfaces created by Laser Land Leveler promote optimal root growth and nutrient absorption. This conducive environment translates into healthier crops and higher yields, ultimately benefiting farmers' incomes and food production.

Cost-Effectiveness: While the initial investment in sports Laser Land Leveler may seem substantial, the long-term benefits far outweigh the costs. Reduced water usage, increased crop yields, and decreased labor expenses lead to significant cost savings in the long run.

Environmentally Friendly: By minimizing water usage and enhancing crop productivity, Laser Land Leveler contribute to sustainable agriculture practices. Reducing water wastage and increasing yields without expanding agricultural land helps conserve natural resources and preserve biodiversity.

Challenges and Considerations

Despite their numerous benefits, sports Laser Land Leveler do come with certain challenges. The initial cost can be a barrier for small-scale farmers, and proper training is essential to operate the equipment effectively. Additionally, regular maintenance and calibration are necessary to ensure accurate leveling and prolong the equipment's lifespan. Farmers considering the adoption of Laser Land Leveler must weigh the upfront investment against the long-term advantages and assess their suitability based on the farm size, terrain, and available resources.

Conclusion

sports Laser Land Leveler have emerged as a game-changing technology in modern agriculture, addressing the challenges of increasing food demand, water scarcity, and sustainable farming practices. By providing precise land leveling, these advanced machines optimize irrigation, promote uniform crop growth, and enhance overall agricultural productivity. As the world grapples with the need for sustainable food production, Laser Land Leveler stand as a beacon of hope, offering a practical solution for farmers to maximize their yields while conserving valuable resources. As more farmers embrace this innovative technology, the future of agriculture looks promising, ensuring a steady supply of food for the growing global population.

#sports Laser Land Leveler

2 notes · View notes

mad-aims · 1 year ago

Text

Plant mama update!

Knives and Vash have now swapped places (turns out Vash is a sunlight freeloader) and Knives has grown two new leaves!! It also looks like another off shoot is starting to grow too.

As for Vash, he also has a new off shoot starting to grow too, so maybe soon they might get even more leaves!

Will have to empty some water out of the self irrigation system I have made for the colder months, to avoid freezing.

Keeping the food bottles though as a treat to the seedlings. I’ve heard spraying plants with apple cyder vinegar deters parasites, so might look into getting some of that too. It might get rid of the mould growing on top of the bedding. 🤔

I also talk to them sometimes about random shit. Not sure that works, might have to start threatening them! 🤣

I find keeping and nurturing plants is very fun and challenging because unlike sentient creatures, they can’t actually tell you what they need. You have to take either an educated guess (and get it wrong) or fuck it up completely and kill the little buggers. Either way it’s a learning curve, don’t make the same mistake twice.

Also another thing I love about plants is how peaceful and calming they are. There’s just something special about those you’ve cultivated yourself though. It’s like “I kept this alive”. It’s so rewarding. 😊

I’ve kept you here ages talking about plants, yeah sorry about that! I just think they’re so cool! 😅

🌱🌱

#plant mama #potted plants #seedlings #🌱🌱#plant based #plant life #plant update

3 notes · View notes

indiejones · 1 year ago

Text

HOW NEHRU CAN TRULY BE CALLED 'THE ARCHITECT OF INDIA'S BIMARU ECONOMIC STRUCTURE'. ................................................................................. - HOW NEHRU INCOMPETENTLY, & PER MANY HISTORIANS, MALICIOUSLY, RUINED EASTERN INDIAN ECONOMIES, LIKE BENGAL, BIHAR, JHARKHAND, MADHYA PRADESH, CHHATTISGARH, & ORISSA, BY HIS ONE SIDED (SUBSIDIZED/EQUALIZED FREIGHT COST OF RAW MATERIAL ONLY & NOT FOR FINISHED GOODS) FREIGHT EQUALIZATION POLICY. - HOW NEHRU IN THE GARB OF A SOCIALIST INDIA, MANAGED TO CREATED A REGRESSIVELY CAPITALISTIC INDIA INSTEAD.

Here are India's 60 yr Share of Wealth stats, from 1961-2020, taken from the 'World Inequality Database'.

Looking at which, most would be forced to ask, why is it that in a wholly socialized state like India (& heavily publicized so at that for 60 yrs)....that our Top 1% 's share in wealth goes up 3 times, Top 10%'s share goes up 1.5 times, BUT SHARE OF THE BOTTOM 50% IS LITERALLY HALVED?

The answer to this lies largely in one man, Nehru, & his policies, either incompetently unintentional or maliciously intentional, policies directly responsible for creating a deeply disparate & heavily lopsided yet overall non-flourishing economic structure, for the entire first half century of the 'Dominion (of Britain) India'.

And the biggest mishap-causing misadventure, being 1951's infamous FREIGHT EQUALIZATION POLICY.

👇

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freight_equalisation_policy#:~:text=Freight%20equalisation%20policy%20was%20adopted,subsidised%20by%20the%20central%20government.

☝

Above is the Russian Govt+military reaction, to Indian 'independence' in mid 1947. This article was published in the Russian central military newspaper 'Red Star' on July 31, 1947, just 2 weeks before the official date of India's so-called Independence.

"Chief economic positions still remain in British hands–railways,marine transport,port economy,irrigation systems,finance,basic part of jute,industry,almost whole mining industry etc"

“The defence of economic positions and interests is not possible without political power. That power will be secured in the person of the capitalists, landowners and businessmen who are dependent upon British capital.”

“The partition, does not affect the feudal power of the Princes who have always supported British domination.”

"The British Govt plans to artificially separate industrial from agricultural areas,turning it to a agrarian & raw material appendage of Britain."

Exactly what Nehru's Freight Equalization Policy achieved 4 yrs later!

And to add to what y'all I assume would already have read from above, as to it's evil designs & effects, it created a reverse-reward scenario, whereby all the resource-rich states were essentially penalized for their natural advantages, by taking away all incentive for processing-industries & final transportation industries, that are a logical next step from the extraction industries, to germinate & set base in these places. Thereby creating a scenario where the South-western & western coastal states like Maharashtra, Gujarat & Tamil Nadu, & parts of Punjab in North India, were able to find logical easy base for all the processing & transportation industries in their states, for industries like steel, cement, heavy manufacturing, & power, all enabled via raw materials from the other far-off states, like iron ore, coal, limestone, bauxite, copper etc, even w/o any personal natural resources to rely on themselves, merely by virtue of being easy locations to set up ports in for exports, & w/o industries having to compromise on higher transportation & value-added processing costs, that cost aspect equalized & protected for all distances from the resource point. All this, with resource states not finding even some respite in terms of return benefits from any possibly subsidized finished product costs, finished goods not covered by this policy!

These 4-5 states effectively thus became the parasites, for atleast 7 of the traditionally god-gifted states of today like Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Bengal & Uttar Pradesh, killing all their hope at industrial development & economic progress, & where there is economic (or lotsa times attached) spiritual hopelessness, springs leftism in all it's devious forms, giving birth to intense communism & it's shameful offsprings of caste-divide & gang-culture, literally turning these states HOUSING HALF OF INDIA'S POPULATION, into the pot-holes of the Indian Union -the BIMARU (for Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh) states of India.

Now in all of this, it's not as if the above-mentioned coastal states were turning themselves into heavens of prosperity either, merely relatively well-off & with a hopeful disposition of the future, that in itself enough to attract large-scale migration from the above BIMARU states, particularly Maharashtra with a more traditionally Hindi-friendly ambience, but also in TN, creating a new urban housing problem, giving birth anew to Mumbai's infamously gargantuan chawl (dingy hutment) lifestyle.

And the reasons for these states, given all these special privileges, not able to take off well enough, aren't directly visible, yet that we can now, on basis of our analysis of Nehru & his so-called Independent India, over innumerable blogs prior, safely interpret, to be an India yet functioning in 1950s & till mid-1960s as some sort of a vassal state of Britain. Only natural then for a supreme state in such a relationship, to not be assumed to desire nations other than itself any sorta economic or strategic base in it's territory, thus curtailing more robust foreign economic to-and-fro.

A utterly class-subservient bent, not seen just for the British race, but per historians, eg Kanchan Gupta, in his hateful sense of complex & hatred of dark-skinned & skinny Bengali community, even worse passionate Hindu Durga-lovers, & per many, all largely borne of his hatred for Bose.

And thus ends yet another inglorious chapter from the life of the self-confessed Last British Ruler of India.

The Tale of the Internal Destruction of India, & it's Premier at it.

2 notes · View notes

pivotsaless · 25 days ago

Text

Budget-Friendly Farming: How Remote Irrigation Systems Lower Expenses💰🚜

In the modern agricultural landscape, efficiency and cost-effectiveness are crucial for maintaining profitable farming operations. As water scarcity, rising input costs, and climate variability put increasing pressure on farmers, finding ways to reduce expenses while boosting productivity has become essential. Remote irrigation systems offer a solution that not only conserves water but also significantly cuts costs, making farming more sustainable and profitable. 🌍💧

This article explores how remote irrigation systems are revolutionizing cost-effective farming by reducing expenses in several key areas. 🌱💸

1. Water Conservation: Cutting Down on Water Bills 💦💵

One of the most direct ways remote irrigation systems reduce expenses is by optimizing water usage. Traditional irrigation methods, such as flood or sprinkler systems, often lead to significant water wastage due to evaporation, runoff, and uneven distribution. These inefficiencies not only waste water but also drive up water bills, especially in regions where water is a scarce and expensive resource. 🚱💧

Remote irrigation systems address this issue by using advanced sensors to monitor soil moisture levels in real-time. These systems apply water precisely where and when it’s needed, reducing overall water consumption. By preventing overwatering and ensuring that every drop counts, remote irrigation systems can lead to substantial savings on water bills, helping farmers manage their resources more efficiently. 🌱📉

For example, in areas with limited water availability, farmers using remote irrigation systems can reduce water usage by up to 50% compared to traditional methods. This not only conserves a vital resource but also significantly lowers operating costs, making farming more sustainable and profitable. 💰🚜

2. Reduced Labor Costs: Automation at Its Best 🤖⏰

Labor is one of the most significant expenses in farming, with traditional irrigation methods requiring substantial manual effort to monitor and adjust water flow. Farmers often need to physically inspect fields, manually turn on and off irrigation systems, and make adjustments based on changing weather conditions. This process is time-consuming and labor-intensive, driving up costs. ⏳💪

Remote irrigation systems automate these tasks, allowing farmers to manage irrigation from anywhere using a smartphone, tablet, or computer. With remote access, farmers can set schedules, monitor soil conditions, and make real-time adjustments without needing to be physically present in the field. 📱💻

This level of automation reduces the need for manual labor, freeing up time for farmers to focus on other critical aspects of their operations. For larger farms, the savings in labor costs can be substantial, as fewer workers are needed to manage irrigation, and those that are can be redeployed to other tasks that add more value to the farm. 🚜🌾

3. Energy Efficiency: Lowering Utility Bills ⚡🌍

Pumping water for irrigation is an energy-intensive process, especially when water needs to be transported over long distances or lifted from deep wells. The energy costs associated with irrigation can add up quickly, especially in regions where electricity or fuel prices are high. ⚡💰

Remote irrigation systems are designed to be energy-efficient, using data-driven precision to reduce the amount of water that needs to be pumped. By only irrigating when necessary and avoiding overwatering, these systems minimize the energy required to power pumps and other irrigation equipment. This reduction in energy use leads to lower utility bills, further cutting down on farming expenses. 🌱📉

In addition, some remote irrigation systems are equipped with solar panels or other renewable energy sources, further reducing reliance on grid electricity or fossil fuels. This not only lowers energy costs but also contributes to more sustainable farming practices, aligning with broader environmental goals. 🌞🌍

4. Minimizing Crop Losses: Reducing the Risk of Overwatering and Underwatering 🌱🚜

Crop losses due to improper watering can be a significant financial burden for farmers. Overwatering can lead to root rot, nutrient leaching, and other issues that damage crops, while underwatering can stress plants, reduce yields, and ultimately result in lower profits. 🌾💧

Remote irrigation systems reduce the risk of these issues by ensuring that crops receive the right amount of water at the right time. By continuously monitoring soil moisture and adjusting irrigation schedules accordingly, these systems help maintain optimal growing conditions, reducing the likelihood of crop losses. 🌱📈

Healthier, properly watered crops are more resilient to pests, diseases, and environmental stresses, leading to higher yields and better quality produce. This not only improves profitability but also reduces the need for costly interventions, such as chemical treatments or replanting, further cutting down on expenses. 🌾💵

5. Long-Term Investment: The ROI of Remote Irrigation Systems 📊💡

While the initial investment in a remote irrigation system may seem significant, the long-term cost savings make it a financially sound decision. The reduction in water, labor, and energy costs can quickly offset the upfront expenses, leading to a positive return on investment (ROI) over time. 📉💸

In many cases, farmers can expect to see a full return on their investment within a few years, depending on the size of their operation and the cost of water and energy in their region. Additionally, some regions offer financial incentives, grants, or subsidies for adopting water-saving technologies, making the transition to remote irrigation even more affordable. 🌍💰

Beyond direct cost savings, the improved crop yields and quality associated with remote irrigation systems can lead to increased revenue. Healthier, more productive crops command higher prices in the market, further boosting the financial benefits of these systems. 🌾📈

6. Scalability and Adaptability: Solutions for Farms of All Sizes 🚜🏡

One of the key advantages of remote irrigation systems is their scalability and adaptability. Whether managing a small family farm or a large commercial operation, these systems can be customized to meet specific needs and budgets. This flexibility makes them accessible to a wide range of farmers, from those in developed nations to those in resource-constrained regions. 🌍💧

For small-scale farmers, remote irrigation systems offer a way to reduce labor and water costs without the need for large capital investments. For larger operations, the scalability of these systems allows for the efficient management of extensive fields, reducing the complexity and costs associated with traditional irrigation methods. 🚜🌾

This adaptability ensures that farmers of all sizes can benefit from the cost savings and productivity gains associated with remote irrigation systems, making them a valuable tool for modern agriculture. 🌱📉

7. Environmental Benefits: Sustainable Farming for the Future 🌍🌿

In addition to the direct financial benefits, remote irrigation systems contribute to environmental sustainability, which can lead to long-term cost savings. By conserving water, reducing energy use, and minimizing the need for chemical inputs, these systems help protect natural resources and promote sustainable farming practices. 🌿💧

Sustainable farming practices are increasingly being recognized and rewarded in the market, with consumers willing to pay a premium for sustainably produced food. By adopting remote irrigation systems, farmers can position themselves as leaders in sustainable agriculture, potentially opening up new market opportunities and revenue streams. 🌍🍎

Moreover, as environmental regulations become stricter, having a remote irrigation system in place can help farmers comply with water usage and conservation laws, avoiding potential fines or penalties. This proactive approach not only reduces risk but also enhances the long-term viability of the farm. 🚜💡

Conclusion: A Smart Investment for Cost-Effective Farming 💰🚀

Remote irrigation systems represent a game-changing innovation for cost-effective farming. By optimizing water use, reducing labor and energy costs, minimizing crop losses, and promoting sustainability, these systems offer a comprehensive solution to the challenges facing modern agriculture. 🌱📈

For farmers looking to reduce expenses and increase profitability, investing in a remote irrigation system is a smart and forward-thinking choice. As technology continues to advance, the benefits of these systems will only grow, making them an essential tool for sustainable, cost-effective farming in the years to come. 🌾🚀

By embracing remote irrigation, farmers can not only cut costs and boost productivity but also contribute to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural industry for future generations. 🌍💧

0 notes